Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The video started with a Monochrome Bear sitting on a red and golden throne. "Puhuhu- if you are seeing this, Junko Enoshima is dead!" the cartoony voice of a woman declared before she let out a groan. "Ugh ya know what, I am so bored of playing Monokuma," black combat boots filled the lens of the camera before more of Junko filled the screen. She took the bear and tossed it to the side before she took the throne, crossing her boots and leaning forward with a large grin.

She was dressed as a Monochrome Military Dictator.

"Heyyyyyyyyy Zuzu-Kun~!!!" she waved one hand. "As I said, if you are seeing this I've kicked it!" she held out her arms before laughing. "Yep!!! Finally got to go to that soupy bowl of despair in the ground!"

"I am sure you are just dying with despair at the news, after allllll we were your favorite playmate," she swayed her chin in the air, her chair chasing behind her before putting her fingers on her cheeks with a smile. "But just turn that frown upside down because we didn't leave with nothing to do."

"I don't know if you remember- oh who I am kidding! Of course you remember, about that Neo-World Program?" she asked as she leaned forward, tapping her red fingernails on the black pant leg of her outfit, the white one dangling down. "You see, my sweet Kura-Kami, just because I am dead doesn't mean the despair needs to stop! Allllll we need is the right way to get that fire going!"

"Soooo what I would have you do it gather up all 13 of the remaining Remnants of Despair, bring them to Jabberwock Island with my special little surprise, and we can get The Tragedy Part Two, the Electric Boogaloo!"

"Doesn't that sound fucking awesome, dude! Make sure our sweet party never ends!!!" she held her fingers in the air as a rocker symbol. "What do you think!? Best plan ya ever heard of what!?"

"Well," she stared blankly at the screen "I don't really care what you think," Her posture went down and both of her legs were on the ground. "I'm dead. You can do whatever you want. Just an idea to past the time. Monaca has more of the details so contact her if you are interested."

There was an odd pause as Junko looked to one side before back at the camera.

"Goodbye, Izuru."

The video cut to black and he could see his red eyes staring back at him.

Izuru sat in front of the black computer screen, chin propped in his hands as he considered his option.

He could do that. Go around and play Junko's stupid little game once more, bore himself to death that way.

or, alternatively.

He looked at the door to his balcony on the 7th floor of his apartment building.

Izuru pushed himself up with both hands from the desk, knocking the chair back as he threw open the doors to the red and black sky of despair, staring out at the ruined city.

No other building for miles remained standing other than his apartment building, and there were only two residents. He tried to consider any reason he shouldn't, but he simply couldn't find any reason he'd rather be alive than dead.

He was so dreadfully bored, death was likely going to be his only solace.

He walked to the center and tried to push himself off of the railing.. before arms wrapped around his waist and a head pressed into the curve of his back.

Izuru let out a puff of breathe before he turned his head back to see you.

He could only see the top of your head, you clung to him and squeezed your hold on him tighter. You kept your feet firmly planted in place. He sneered down at the display.

He had tried to get rid of you, order you away and even at one point did a good study to see if he could reverse the brainwashing, yet nothing he did worked to actually get rid of you. Every time you'd come back with something in an attempt to appease him, simply sitting by the door with whatever scraps of food you'd found till he let you in.

You didn't do much most of the time, only following orders… and stared at him. Eventually he had thought he would get used to it, but rather your face haunted the corner of his room, never letting that gripping in his chest leave him be. Never letting that feeling fade.

He turned and shoved you off of him, watching as you were knocked to the floor in front of him.

"Go die or something," he looked at your pathetic face, big eyes and tight lips staring up at him. He turned his head away with a scoff. "I really don't care," he hopped over the railing, turned his back to the world, and let himself fall.

You rushed over the edge looking down at him. You still didn't speak, only watched as he fell further and further down… before you backed away from the railing.

He stared up as he moved down, the levels of the building flying by as gravity took a hold of him.

His body went completely limp. His arms swung in front of him with his legs, hair going every which way. He tried to make himself tense up again but he couldn't, he remained like a flag in the wind.

Dammit.

He crashed into the concrete, staring at the sky that mocked him from above. His arms were splayed out by his side and he blinked slowly. "Tch."

The human body was shocking with what it could survive under the right circumstances. If it could go limp, it could absorb the shock of any impact better. That is why in most drunk driving accidents the perpetuator often were less injured or the survivor. Their body had been relaxed.

The same concept applied to jumping off of buildings. Of course, being relaxed in circumstances like that for the average person was much harder…. and given the other modifications his body had went through, that was probably why he survived.

He laid there…. Just because the human body took less damage didn't mean there were no injuries. He definitely could feel the lower back pain from the impact, there would probably be several bruises blooming else were too.

If he kept at it, he'd be successful at leaving this boring world eventually.

Two marauders came up to himself before he had pulled himself up from the ground. Izuru glared up at them before he sat up. They looked at each other before they sprinted off and he let out a sigh.

How boring.

He jumped off of the ground, shoving his hands into his pocket, watching as the two figures got further and further away. He entered the apartment building in front of him.

He lugged himself up the several flights of stairs, he should probably just go to the roof but he entered his dreary apartment anyway, and he instantly smelled blood.

Izuru closed his eyes and let out some sort of grumble before he looked around, peeking around the kitchen counter to see you lying on the ground, a knife in your hands that kept slipping as you created more slits on your wrists, blood dripping down onto the linoleum below, making a massive mess.

He had said go die or something. He wasn't shocked, you always followed his orders.

Izuru didn't move despite how every nerve was alight, his wretched body begging him to do something as you drained yourself of every bit of blood. He could feel the force trying to shake him, trying to make him lift a hand… but it never really could do that.

Hajime could never force him to do anything, despite how badly he may wish. The only thing he could do was making him hold his hand. Just like the pathetic man he was.

His eyes went wide and he leaned his head back, his head falling back a little as something formed in his mind, an idea.

That was it.

A much better solution to his problems than simply throwing himself off the roof over and over again, something that would be much more interesting.

Perhaps he would get something more the experience too, though he doubted that. In the end it would be just some cheap, short-lived entertainment.

He'd play Junko's game, but by his new rules. Him versus Hajime.
Either he'd end up dead and game was over him having gotten what he wanted…. or he would make it Jabberwock Island, cease to exist and still have gotten what he wanted.

He clenched one fist as he looked down at you. The game on it's own would still be quite boring… so now Izuru needed to do what he could to set the board.

He had a plan, should it work.

Either way, even if it didn't. He'd just have won before the game started.

Thwack.

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How long had you been here?

Your eyes opened in the dark, you felt like you were suspended in some sort of liquid, it wouldn't let you fall.

You had been stuck in place for a very long time, but how long? How did you not know?

Were you…. asleep?

No- that wasn't right, was it?

You tried to breathe but that liquid rushed into your lungs. You choked on it, beginning to struggle within the dark.

Above you there was a light shining down, the warm yellow rays caught your attention, it suddenly felt like there was air in your lungs.

You reached for that light.

You gasped for breathe as you sat up, knowing the white medical blanket off of you. You blinked as you held onto the sheet, careful looking around the room. The light made you flinch, searing your head making it ache.

You forced your eyes down. You were on a medical bed with a machine keeping track of your vitals and there was an almost empty blood bag that connected itself to your arm.

Just below that were… bandages? You brought both of your arms up to get a better look at how both of them were completely covered in the white fabric. Your eyes narrowed and you worked to unwrap the first arm.

Your arm was covered in new scars.

One was supposed to be there, it was older and more ragged, being the one Natsumi had given you… but the others were new, still scabbing up in straight, precise lines. Your mouth fell open.

Who had done this to you? Your hands traced over the markings blinking in disbelief at their existence. From the looks of the angle you… you had done these to yourself?

But- but why???

You put your other hand on your head, the thought flying around your mind forcing you to run circles in order to catch them.

What was the last thing you remembered….? It was…. You cringed.

It was Junko Enoshima pinning you down, forcing you to watch the video that brainwashed you.

Well- you weren't brainwashed anymore…? At least you didn't think you were. You palm pushed to the side of your skull as you made another realization along the lines of not being brainwashed.

You weren't dead.

You blinked as you put your other hand on your face, you were alive. You touched your cheek, your eyes, your nose, checking all of your bits and pieces, indeed you were breathing in air, had a heart that was beating and a mind that still turned in circles.

You grabbed your hair letting out a long groan sound.

You hadn't planned for this!!!

It wasn't…. you weren't upset to be alive, exactly. It was more being shocked and unprepared. What you had done was a grand final stand, final. The finale! The finish!

You weren't prepared for a sequel.

You rubbed your eyes, no. No you didn't need to think like that, you were better now so maybe… everything else had gotten solved? You couldn't know that until you got some more information.

Starting with the rest of this room… the lights still hurt to look at, just a little. The pain went from a sharp to a soft buzzing before disappearing, allowing you to take in the rest of where you were.

It was a small room, the size of a bedroom but it was crammed with science and medical equipment. In the corner of the room there was a machine with a large round bubble that buzzed loudly with fresh air as it wooshed around. Next to that was a work desk and then a wall full of shelves, a mixture of book, file and storage with a random assortment of things. You could see the top of a window but not the view itself.

You were on a medical bed that's mattress shifted. You carefully unhooked yourself from the machinery before stepping onto the cold ground below, the bed shifting with you. You cringed as you cracked your back.

You slunk towards the door and pushed it open, stepping into an apartment.

The far end had a kitchen blocked by a half wall. Where a living room could have been there was rather a large king sized poster bed with red curtains and black. There was a seat in front of it that could be opened. Pushed to where a TV might be was a desk with a shut laptop sitting on top of it. The wall right beside it had a black box standard bookshelf.

You walked over to the shelf, looking over the titles and your brow furrowed.

All of them were science or mathematics with the exception of a handful of history texts… but not a single narrative driven work. 'What an absolutely boring collection.'

At the new angle with your head… you could see a balcony door covered by a curtain. Your eyes lit up as you walked over to it, sliding the door back with a slam to see the outside world.

It was so much worse than if it had just been red and black outside.

Those were the colors that painted the sky, but the many shades of brown that made up the ruins and muddy reds that filled the puddles made your head tilt to the side, eyes widening in disbelief as you took in the landscape, the longer you looked you began to notice the bodies that were littered along, adding strikes of soulless gray that made your knees give in.

What the hell?

How had this… this happened so fast!?

How fast was fast anyway, you still didn't know how long it had been. Had it been only a week? Had Junko truly been able to reduce all of Tokyo to rubble in a week? That would be horrid, but… but what if it had been more time? What if it had been a month, a year, more??? The world could have been in ruins for a decade for all you knew.

You pulled yourself up, shutting the door behind you as you slide over to the desk with the laptop, flipping it open, eyes going to where the date would be.

August 16th 20xx… it had been two weeks and a year. You couldn't decide if the feeling around your chest was a soothing comfort or a chain trying to choke your heart. You sucked in a breathe shaking your head.

You didn't know what was going on… but you needed to.

You clicked on the one available profile.

It required as a passcode, and the name of the account was… Queen KK with the profile of a black bat that had a bunch of heart stickers pasted overtop. Your eyes blinked multiple times before you shut the laptop. You dug around the desk, but there was nothing inside.

Just empty drawers.

You sucked in a breathe as you got up, taking a look around again before landing on what had to be the front door. You looked over at the bookshelf with it's several dry titles before breathing out of your nose. Even if there was information there you wouldn't have any idea of where to start looking…

And ideally you could come back here later.

You shuffled towards the door, checking behind your shoulder like someone might materialize before you pressed your hand to the handle, being careful to turn it slow so it didn't make a noise.

You pushed it open and peeked your head out, you checked below you first, ensuring there would be a floor for later before looking to the right which had doors until rubble blocked the path, and then the other way…. more doors, but it lead to a hallway.

You were about to exit, when someone came around the corner.

You got a glint of red eyes meeting yours before you shut the door, trying to be quick and quiet as you stood by the door, putting a hand over your mouth.

That was…. that was Izuru Kamukura! Had he been keeping you alive? Your eyes shifted around the room. Could you trust him? Could you trust him???

Your stomach sank before it was yanked up to your throat. Your eyes turned to the bed, the sheets dangled down enough that you took the chance, diving underneath. You had to squeeze your back down and army crawl but you managed, putting your hand over your mouth and nose.

You heard the door click open, you tried to still your shaking body.

"I know you are awake, you were obviously in the hallway," there was a sneer in his voice. You tightened all of your muscles, hoping it would stop the slack strings of your nerves but it didn't. You were scared he could feel you making the floor vibrate. "Come out."

Should you move? Could you move??? Maybe you should try and leave behind him when he started to look for you or- or- or-

"Three."

You instantly began to struggle, making. loud banging sound as you thunked your head on the bottom of the bedframe. You scurried out, pushing yourself up as you looked up at him.

Izuru looked thoroughly unamused, under his arm was a black duffle bag that he threw onto the ground, you could hear the clunking of metal cans inside. "How long have you been awake?"

You opened your mouth but a sound barely came out, only air. You gritted your teeth and put a hand on your throat. "I…" you forced it out. You sucked in a deep breathe. "I don't know," you forced it out. Your eyes shifted around the room as you stood up, before sitting on the bed facing him. "I…. think… 15 minutes, maybe?"

"Hm," he didn't make a face, he didn't have much of a tone but you could tell there was something behind his voice. You just wished you knew what the label was, annoyance? surprise? interest? Maybe it was just a sound of acknowledge for all you could tell from looking at him.

"W….. why….. am I here?" you asked before massaging your throat. Your voice was still weak but you could feel old muscles working again. Had you not spoken the entire time you were brainwashed?

"I couldn't get rid of you."

"Oh," the sound left from your stomach. You could pick up that tone, he had wanted to do that very thing… you put a hand over your exposed forearm before wrapping it around to the underside. "… Why am I alive?"

"I was unable to kill you either," he held up one of his hands, flexing his fingers each one at a time, watching at each digit followed his marching orders. "This body wouldn't allow it."

Okay so he had tried but- well- Your hand slipped down and clenched over your heart. Hajime's body hadn't allowed you to die. Oh he hadn't allowed you to die. How sweet of a cruelty to learn your sweet sleeping Prince managed to keep you alive despite what had possessed him, to keep you awake only for you to open your eyes and be in actual hell.

"… What possessed you to unbrainwashed me?" he clearly had taken his sweet time doing it if it had been a whole year and a two weeks.

"Because, I need you in an interesting condition for this game I have in mind," he answered as he walked over to his desk chair, grabbing it before rolling it over, sitting in it as if he were a king.

"This game?" your face scrunched up. 'What in the world…" your voice ran out of steam. You sucked in a new breathe, puffing up your chest to try and make yourself feel big. "Makes you think I would play any sort of game with you?"

Izuru's red eyes rolled up to look at your face. It was so…. empty. There was no feeling behind those eyes, but despite that you knew how much was running behind the scenes.

It must have been what any avatar of AM looked like.

"You won't refuse, after all, this game is the only method in which you will get your precious Hajime Hinata back," he rolled his eyes when he spoke of Hajime, as if he was mocking you for losing a teddy bear.

Your entire body unclenched. "…. I can get Hajime back…?" you whispered.

"I think so," it off handed shrug. There was a possibility it would fail, but if mud that clung to him so tightly was this presentient, surely it could be formed into clay to make something. It was not like you would remember either way. "Not only him but the rest of Class 77-B… well other than the Madarai brothers," he rolled his eyes to one side as he considered him.

"They- they…. are all dead?" it felt silly to moron those who didn't seem to like you…. but…. they had still been your classmates.

You remembered their face in the crack of the door, telling you to leave, leave, leave in their hissing voice…. That was what you should have done, taken Hiyoko and grabbed Nagito…

You looked towards the window… It didn't matter now, and probably wouldn't have mattered then. Junko had beaten you before you even knew you were playing. Your face tightened realizing that truth.

You really hated that bitch.

But you had a chance.

"… What's the game?" you asked.

"Your classmates have scattered across the world in order to bring Despair to all as Junko ordered," Izuru's context made your heart sink. "Junko has died, but postmortem she wishes to bring them all to the Neo-World Program in a new way to bring despair in a new way-"

"Why would I work with you!?" you managed to find your voice, it was cracked and not as loud as you had wanted to be, but you got it out.

He glared at you. "I am not done talking."

"…" you stared at him, waiting for him to keep going.

"I do not intend to actually put her into the machine," he rolled his eyes. "It would simply be what convinces your friends to go. They will be hook into the program and that will reset them to before they ever set foot into Hope's Peak Academy, the remnants of despair will truly be gone and the world will be at peace," he threw his hands out, his tone completely dull despite the gesture. "However," he pointed to you. "As easy it would be for me to do this on my own, I frankly don't care."

"You… you don't?"

"No, but either way I win. We either gather each and every one of your friends, completing their games for a chance to talk to them sending them to Jabberwock island…. or at some point you die during this adventure, and this body breaks," he crushed his fist. Maybe he'd get full control, but it wouldn't matter either way.

Oh great.

You didn't know.

You didn't know man.

You sat there as you looked down at your clothes. It was the same thing you had been wearing but it was faded and ripped in a few places. There had been attempts to mend it, it looked like your own work… the stitches were pretty uneven in some places but perfect in others.

You sucked in a breathe.

"I have some questions."

He groaned. "What?"

You glared at him before sucking in a breathe. "You don't intend to plug her into the machine, will they go in?" it sounded silly, but they were brainwashed. She had gotten them in such a state your sweet friends destroyed the entire world. They had their flaws, they could cause damages but they would never do this.

You hadn't even seen outside the apartment window yet, but they were clearly devoted to this cause.

Izuru scoffed. "Those idiots are so obsessed with Junko simply saying her name will get them to stop asking any sort of questions," he rolled his eyes.

"Are you sure they will just do it?" you asked.

"By the time they are in the machine, it is not like they will even remember the name Junko Enoshima, " he rolled his eyes. "I am done talking about this. You don't have other questions."

"I do have other questions!" you were finding your voice more and more as your shoulders scrunched up. "How did you unbrainwash me? Why we cannot do that to the others?" you asked.

"…. I used a very specific procedure, I doubt the effects could be replicated quite as well on others," his eyes were shifted to the eyes when he spoke, each word chosen quickly but carefully.

Your eyes narrowed. "What sort of specific procedure?"

"Percussive maintenance."

"Your hit me on th-" your voice broke into a crack "e head really hard!?" your entire face was red and your body was infected with a jitteriness. How did that work!?

"I tried other methods first," he shrugged. "I calculated a high enough chance of success that I could get around my bodies normal restrictions," any medical matter his body would override. Should you require any sort of surgery he could slice you open with ease….

and yet when he wanted to stab your throat the knife would simply hang suspended in the air.

You were staring at him.

Wow.

You sucked in a breathe before leaning back. "…. Alright, then…" wow. Okay. Well you were back to normal you guessed. You should just… find something else to focus on…. and it did. A topic that made all your heated angry into chilling anxiety. "….Do you know what happened to… to a boy named Nagito Komaeda?" you swallowed. "Is- is he alive?"

"He's fine."

You blinked. "He's…. fine?"

Izuru let out an annoyed sigh. "That is what I said, is it not?"

"He… he was in dire condition," was he trying to mess with you? If he was one Junko's side of despair he could be just trying to break you… or if he was just lying to get you to play the game, but you'd for your friends. …. Could he really be telling the truth? "How… how is he fine?"

"I fixed him….. to what was possible that is," it was so flippant, he shrugged his shoulders and hummed about it.

You felt your heart swell. You felt tears in your eyes despite kind of feeling dehydrated. "Thank you…. why did you do?"

He rolled his eyes again. "I wanted to test my abilities," he flicked one wrist. "Taking life is as easy as flicking the wrist…. but restoring life, I was simply curious what that would take," Izuru shrugged. "He was half in the grave when I found him. He made the perfect subject test my little theory."

"You- you really fixed everything?"

"No," he shrugged. "There was damage even I couldn't repair, but he won't get any worse…. other than what he can manage to avoid with his…. luck," there was hesitance to call it that and you agreed! It was if he was born with a monkey's paw attached to one of his hand. An artifact he could never get rid of.

"Okay but… but he's alive, and- and he really won't, won't keep dying?"

"He was in medium health physical, most of the permanent damage was psychological in nature."

"But he is alive," oh he was alive! You didn't… know what it would be like exactly, but it was still Nagito. If you needed to help pick up the pieces you'd do your best when the time came but… that Neo-world Program, Chihiro had said it was therapeutic in nature.

That would likely be a great first step in helping him get better, you'd figure out what to do afterwards.

After you got to the final page.

"You might not be excited when you next see him."

You sniffed your nose at that but held you tongue, trying to keep your heart light despite the thorn he tried to shoot at you. 'Where is he?" was he near by???

"I sent him away," Izuru shrugged.

"You…. why??"

"I had no use for him after he was cured, so I pawned him off," okay this guy kinda beginning to really piss you off. He gave you the side eye. "I tried to send you away multiple times," there was a scowl in his voice. "You came back every time," his voice strained at the end.

"…. for this game, how do I know you won't just try to kill me immediately? Leaving me to starve in the Sahara desert or something similar to that?" you asked.

"I will be trying to keep you alive, the game would quite boring if I didn't put any effort in," he could just 'accidentally' make a lot of things happen that would override his body, especially in the big wide world…. But that would be boring, Especially when he would win either way.

"So that is it…. so the game won't be boring?" that was really all he cared about?

"Yes. I am only looking for some meager entertainment before my existence comes to an end, that is all."

You opened your mouth. You…. "it seems like a shame to just focus on simply rushing to your end."

"I do not care for this world, it bores me. Everything utterly predictable and boring," he rolled his eyes.

"Then…… I suppose a man who cannot enjoy his supper would not be intent on savoring it," you thought of Candide, about Lord Pococurante that man who had everything in the world and hated it all. Literature, music and women he got bored of so quickly.

He was pitiable, and also quite punchable, but that was besides the point.

"When do we leave?" you asked looking up.

"I need to contact Monaca, she has more of the details," he got up and walked over to his laptop, clicking on his profile. His fingers flew like lightening across the keyboard and you blinked.

He was an amazing typist.

"You could probably write stories really fast," you said with a smile, leaning forward towards him. You should have known better, but it was worth a shot.

He looked at you and sneered. "I don't waste my time."

You were about retort but he was already ringing this Monaca…. you'd had heard that name before, right? You waited until she answered.

Ya! The girl Nagito looked after. She had a jolly smile on her face and closed eyes….

It was a shame you felt the same chill up your spine you from when you saw Junko the first time.

It felt wrong to think that, to feel that. She was a child, and you hadn't felt it before! You would have known if you felt it before…. but this child made you feel incredibly uncomfortable, you didn't know what she was up but in your bones you wanted her to stop because you knew it was something.

You just remained silent as you took in every feature.

"Big Brother Zuzu!" Izuru cringed when she put her fingers together. "Monaca was wondering when you were gonna call, you were taking sooooo long," she shooking her head. "Monaca was beginning to think you were never going to call about the game!" she shook her head and put a hand on her cheek. 'It was beginning to make Monaca very sad."

"What are the details I need?"

"Big Sister Junko has a specific place she wants you to pick them up at, I will send the Servant with the files," she had her hands together. "The location Big Sister Junko Said Was…." Monaca's face spread into a large, shaky grin, her eyes swirling. It made you want to vomit, being in the vile presence again. "The place you felt the most despair."

Izuru sighed. "Of course," he disagreed with what she called it but he understood what she meant.

"Monaca won't be seeing you there, but Monaca really, really, hopes Big Brother Zuzu has fun!" she turned her head over so she was focusing on you, behind him in shock. She began to giggle out. "You already have made the game interesting, Monaca is impressed! Well. Bye bye now," she waved at the screen before disconnecting.

"That is a dangerous child."

"Indeed."

The details of when to meet were sent in an Email based on how many days it would take this Servant to travel… Izuru, located in Shibuya was a lot closer than Towa City… so that meant you had a couple days time before you needed to go.

It wasn't spent great, mostly lamenting, healing. You had tried to read but were still recovering from your concussion. It was mild enough you would be back to it before leaving… but it mostly left you bored.

You had tried to poke around the lab and Izuru had slammed a draw shut, almost taking off one of your fingers. He didn't say anything but you got the message… he was less annoyed when you poked around the apartment area.

He mostly sat typing away reports on his laptop or reading some boring book. You had tried to look around the apartment building more but when you opened your first door he had much the same reaction as in the lab. Calling you stupid before dragging you back to the apartment. (Apparently he had rigged traps in the empty rooms for intruders).

So you were stuck in the one room.

There wasn't much.

His kitchen… just had the ingredients to make Rice Balls. Rice, a rice cooker, canned tuna, salmon or other filling, some rice seasonings and seaweed paper. There was a fridge but there were only some bottles of water and green tea in there… Along with some left over rice balls. You blinked as you looked at him.

"Is this the only thing you make for yourself?"

"I don't cook."

You looked at the ingredients again, holding onto the fridge handle "I am confused. What do you eat then?"

"Every day at the same time you'd make and bring me three rice balls and green tea, I have no idea why," you would place it besides him well he was working and he would eat it with out thinking. When he had learned it was the Reserve Course Lunch time, he concluded it was simply Hajime's body reacting to it's Pavlovian training….

He never really tried to stop you, he didn't care what you did when you were around.

You reached in and grabbed one of the rice balls. Finding food made you realize how famished you were. You ripped the container open and grabbed one, taking a bite. It was a little bland, but with the limited resources it made sense.

In that sense, they were pretty great actually. You sat down on the bed as you munched away and he was staring at you. You held out the container to him and threw his hand up and away, turning his back to tap away at his computer.

You were happy to get some food in your belly before you kept exploring.

There wasn't really much to see. There was a bathroom with no decoration, and other than the bed there was no decoration. Hell he only had one plate and the rice cooker, which you could only assume you were the one who found it.

There was however the seat in front of the bed. You walked over and tested it, and it did indeed double as a chest. You pushed it open and you gasped.

"My bag!" you exclaimed. Next to it was a used sewing kit and a used tool kit. You picked it up with a smile on your face, standing up as you let the chest close with a heavy thunk.

Izuru glared back at you. "Must you be so loud?" he asked.

"Oh- uh," you looked around. "Sorry?" you didn't mean to be- should you be apologizing to this guy? Maybe? He didn't really deserve it but at the same time… he already didn't like you. You didn't know why but you could at least try to win him over…..

If only for your own safety.

He rolled his eyes before turning back. You sat on top of the chest and looked in the bag.

There were a few school notebooks, a few actually books (Yay! Time for Time and a Toko Book….. her writing was still good), and- you grabbed it out of the bag and held it up.

Your eyes lit up.

Nagito's hoodie! You examined it, it had been cleaned but the shoulder were still stained with blood that would never come out now… but the cuts were stitched up.

It was your handy work again.

You grinned and giggled to yourself, feeling a small sense of victory wash over you. It wasn't much but… you knew if Junko knew you did this under her brainwashing, she'd lose her mind in whatever pit of hell that monster escaped and got sent back to.

You slide it on, holding your fingers splayed out before closing them as you looked at the sleeves.

You heard Izuru scoff at you, and you huffed back at him, walking over to the bed and sat down with a small bounce. You leaned back and closed your eyes.

Man…. how could you be tired? You were basically asleep for a whole year and yet here you were already about to doze off.

Your mind still wandered till the moment you did fully succumb to sleep again.

You had really missed a year…. a whole entire year just… gone, and you had almost no idea what had happened during it. Only the sparse bits of information you could even think to ask about at the moment.

You'd ask for more….. but gee….. what was that guy's problem with you…..? You wished you could figure it out…..

ahhhhhh….

You hoped everyone was alright. Even if you knew the answer was no…

He walked really fast.

The two of you had hit the road, and you were lagging behind in the crumbles of the cities. You had to catch yourself several times from pieces of rubble and…

bodies.

So…. so many dead bodies….

The entire world smelled of decay and smoke. The only rest bit from the smell at all was the small, lantern looking portal air filter attached to his belt. It buzzed away.

You tried to just focus on that sound but there were so many others. Despite how there looked like there had to be nothing around you could hear fires burnings and people screaming somewhere.

It was hard to be out here but you just had to get to the final page.

You just had to get to the final page.

You looked up to see how far ahead Izuru had gotten, you chased after him, picking you pace up to a jog as you managed to jump over a stone.

"C-could you please slow down?" you asked as you tried to get next to him, but man he was fast. The rubble never seemed to get in his way as he made long stride straight forward, eyes only in front of him.

"Why?" he didn't look back at you when he asked the question. "I see no point in idling."

"I am really trying to keep up, don't you need to save some stamina?" you said.

He rolled his eyes, not bothering to respond.

You let out a groan.

This was going to be a long trip.

It had been a few hours of walking straight ahead with similar scenery, for a long while it all looked the same. However despite being a long trip, it was… one that was leading somewhere.

You began to recognize landmarks despite the fact they were in ruins.

Vague pieces that your mind could reform into a puzzle of what they once were.

You spotted the snapped in half green door of Primrose Books, the bricks crumbling and the bookshelves nothing more than smolders.

You saw half of the roof of your house, the mailbox somehow still standing despite the fencing walls having been reduced to rubble.

The butcher shop, all of the boards ripped off, windows broken and that shitty old scene sign laying on the ground, grafettied with the face of a black and white bear with a single jagged red eye.

You barely had any time to process each ruined memory before the next one came bombarding at your school, all because of Izuru's breakneck pace.

It was too the point you slammed into his back when he suddenly stopped, turning to look into an alley.

A man stood, holding a pipe as he beat a man wearing a helmet, you were beginning to see that fucking bear a lot. The man was curled up, trying to protect his head as the pipe's force broke the dirty work shirt, bludgeoning the skin making it pop with blood.

"You."

The man looked up, he had a strange scar on his forehead and was wearing a face mask. "You lookin' for a fight or something, too?"

"Yes, in a sense," Izuru stated.

Your head swung over to stare at him. 'What are you doing?"

He really did like rolling his damn eyes at every single thing you said didn't he? He looked at you. "I need to test you, and he seems like a good sample enemy to grade you on."

"Excuse me, who the fuck said I was gonna do that!?" the man yelled, holding thew pipe up and shaking it in the air. The bear-headed man tried to get up and fight back, only for the pipe to be brought down on the arm a final time, the force cracking the bone and leaving the man to writhe in pain.

"If you win I will give you instructions on how to get to an apartment with safe food and clean air, is that a good enough offer?" Izuru asked as he glared at the man.

The man seemed to back down. "Just need to beat the shit out of the pipsqueak?"

"Hey! What happened to at least trying to protect me?!" you stepped away from him and the man who seemed oh so willing to fight you for that prize.

"If you cannot get past the tutorial, there is no point at all in playing the rest of the game."

You couldn't- find a response to that honestly. What did you say, in all the books you had read you think you would have a good answer from one of their examples but no. You couldn't even imagine how you'd begin to express what you were feeling, so you didn't bother. You looked at your opponent.

"… Guess I don't have a choice."

"No, you don't." Izuru lead the both of you to the center of the street, standing across from each other.

The man tapped his pipe on the ground across from you, his eyebrow raised in the air, eyes angry and waiting to begin swinging. You could really admire the shark teeth that had been added to the top.

You lowered your body, shifting the weight of your body onto one foot and lifted your hands up in the air like you had been taught, sweat on your brow. "Is… is he allowed to have that," you asked.

"Part of what makes him a good sample is the fact he is armed," it was like it was a no brainer to him, something you were silly for questioning. You sucked in a breathe as you turned your eyes forward.

He really…. wasn't going to help you at all here.

It was just you.

"Begin."

The man came in quick, pipe up in the air.

You slide back hands still in front of you.

He kept his approach up, giving chase every time you tried to slip away.

You could only dodge for so long, you would need to get closer.

But his range was so long

and he was swinging so wildly you couldn't get a good pattern

and you could feel that judging stare from the sidelines, drawing your attention to the audience treating this like a circus show.

and you really didn't even want to be fighting this guy, you had no qualm with him! He hadn't done anything to you from what you knew, and even if he did by god it's been over a year!

and you just wanted to go home!

He finally hit you, when you moved wrong, smacking your side with his pipe.

"Ooooooohhhhhh," you let out a groan as you grabbed the injury, dropping to your knees, and then falling to the ground, cradling your side as your vision blurred.

You could see Izuru scoffing at you, calling you pathetic even if you couldn't hear the words over the ringing of pain.

You just wanted to go home…. you weren't built for fighting, you never were. What did he expect you to do here?

Well you guessed he had expected you to lose.

Man he hated you…..Izuru Hajime really hated you…. He wanted you to die and just to get this game over with.

Who were you to deny him at this point?

Your vision went black.

'I know you can find something better, if you just go on a little longer.'

It was a far away whisper bouncing off of your brain, but it kept you tethered to consciousness.

'You can make a might foe, go forth'

'You've made so much progress! Don't just give up now!!! The mountain peak is near!!!"

'Come on, bookworm! After we are done we can get some grub.'

'I uh- understand bein' tired but you should at least sleep somewhere comfortable!'

'Come now, Bella, you've got a lot of grit to ya!'

You couldn't quite breathe in the dark, it felt like your lungs were full of liquid again, but you could hear them.

'I think you should try again, something will work, right?'

'Heyyyyy! Stop just lying on the ground, idiot! You cannot make me read then lie around!'

'Ibuki knows you can make a lot more noise than that!'

'And- and if you need to be-be bandaged afterwards, I-I can do my best!'

You wanted to curse them, for ringing in your ears so vividly. They weren't hear with you, it was simply your mind filling in what they would say…. and yet… and yet….

'You better not be givin' up, you fucking hear me!?'

'I know you'll be alright'

"You should as they say, kick there ass!"

'You'll see me again.'

You felt the blood rushing in your veins, as you managed to find the air in your lungs, but you body just couldn't move, but you couldn't stay like this either.

The voices were louder, shouting their encouragements in your ear as if they were right there.

"I know how strong you are!"

"Quest onwards!!!'

From your elbow you felt an electric jolt, it jump-started your nerves, and made your eyes open wide and you took in a new breathe of air. You shifted the hand on your side to the ground, sucking in a breathe.

You closed your eyes, you'd done this enough times. You'd been thrown on your ass in practice hundreds of times. You gasped again as you finally got yourself onto your feet.

You could see the back of the man, talking to Izuru and both of them looked at you.

"I am not defeated," you said as you stood on both of your feet, taking your stance again as you felt the new, energy swirl around, leaping, bounding and waiting to be put to use as you let your eyes settle in on the man.

"You sure you want round two, pipsqueak?" the man asked, sneering through his mask as he patted his pipe on the ground again. "I might pop that melon of yours with my next swing, ya know."

You stood your ground, leaning your shoulders forward.

You couldn't do it just for yourself, but you could do it for them. You just had to go forth. You sucked in a deeper breathe, the air wasn't great but you were breathing it, because you were alive.

"I am ready for whatever you will try!" you declared, opening your eyes wide.

He came at you again, pipe ready to strike high.

You were prepared.

You rushed forward yourself, closing in to close for his range. One hand wrapped around his throat and the other around his forearm. You squeezed on both as you pushed him back, forcing him to release the pipe as his spine bent.

You released him, but he kept his momentum. You grabbed the lead pipe that had fallen to the ground, using the hooked end to go under his leg and pull it out from under him.

He fell flat on his ass.

He gasped for breathe and he tried to push himself up.

You smacked him on the shoulder once.

He grabbed it, letting out a scream from under his mask.

You pointed the hook of the pipe under his chin, tilting his head upwards to look you in the eyes. "Are you defeated!?"

"What?!" he asked, attention split between everything going on.

"Are you defeated?!" you repeated the question, shoving the pipe under his chin.

"Yes!" he exclaimed.

"I am the victor, then!" you stated, looking at Izuru when you said that. He closed his eyes in acceptance of the outcome. You nodded your head, pointing the pipe up and towards what direction you both were heading. "That direction is Hope's Peak Academy. If you look around there will likely be aid nearby if there is any to be found," you couldn't say that for certain, you had no idea if there was anywhere 'safe' anymore…

But if search crews existed for a place, you had a feeling they'd at least frequent that area. It was a known landmark for better or worse.

The man stared before he got up, holding his injured shoulder as his head bounced in a nod, beginning to run off in the direction you had pointed like you had set him on fire.

You looked at Izuru, holding your chest high. "I won. Did that pass you little test?"

His steps were slow as he came over, looking you over. The way your breathe was haggard and you were having trouble standing from the pain…. but you did win. A twist he hadn't been expecting.

"Barely."

He leaned down close to you, his hair darkening his expression making his red eyes stand out brighter on his face. "I do not think this game will be very long," his voice was deep, it made you recoil.

You curled your fingers over your chest, sucking in a breathe trying to hold back tears. You shouldn't have let his words sting you, you knew this Izuru Kamukura didn't care for you…

But it was still Hajime's voice.

Chapter Text

The trip was made in silence, his pace rapid like you would be late.

Huh- maybe that was it.

Maybe you were Alice, having woken up in some insane wonderland. Maybe you would wake up with some horror novel you were inspired to read because of Sonia on your lap. This was all some sort of dream.

If you kept following your rabbit guide, you'd find your way to the end of the nightmare.

You looked at the back of his head with a huff.

You would have much preferred a brown rabbit dressed in a white button up compared to a black one that seemed pretty intent on leading you to have your head cut off by his angry and demented Queen of Hearts.

Or maybe your throat would be trapped in the vines of angry weeds who mistake you for a flower.

Perhaps the Mad Hatter will think your blood would make a very fine tea for his party, filling his teacup up and up and up until it is overflowing with the stuff.

The Cheshire Cat could lead you off the cliff in the woods, after it is a path that leads to no where.

You could be captured by chess pieces, drowned in a river of the tears of the damned or perhaps simply go the way of the Dodo and the Oyster!!!

So many spectacular fates you could be being lead towards. You grimaced, how great.

It was so loud and so quiet at the same time. So many hear bleeding sounds in the distance yet all of them translated into a sort of black noise that only served to make your head more full.

It felt like your skull was expanding and you had to do something to release the pressure.

"Why did you want to work with Junko?" you asked, it was the first thought to be pushed out the door.

"She offered me what I wanted."

"Okay… and after that point?" you managed to pick up your pace enough on a stretch of flat ground to get right next to him, getting a look at the profile of his face before you stumbled on some rocks. You had to stop to catch yourself.

"It was something to do."

"Well you didn't seem to jump at the idea of this game, even though that is something to do," you began to try and get close to him again, kicking a dead man on the ground. You jumped, looking back at him. "I am sorry!" you apologized to the corpse, as if it would bring him any comfort.

"I didn't want to play, it sounded boring."

"Well you clearly changed your mind," you said as you tried to jump over anyone else in the way.

Man your feet were starting to hurt.

"Killing myself in other methods provided to be tedious, just like this conversation."

… and just walking around well giving dry answers seemed less tedious?

You stopped for a second as you threw a hand in the air before they came down on your thighs with a small clap. He… certainly knew what to say to drive your thought to a stop.

You had to jog to get anywhere near to him, and you once again knocked right into him when he came to another stop, this time at an intersection. One that was a couple of blocks from Hope's Peak.

"I have business to take care of," he looked down at you, not quite shoving you away as he turned around to look down at you, red eyes glaring down at you like you had managed to find some new way to offend him within the short time you had been traveling together. "Don't get yourself killed."

"What kind of business? And you intend to just leave me out here?!"you looked around, you were familiar with the area, enough so at least.

"I won't be long. Don't talk anyone well I am gone," he said before the bastard just started to walk in a direction.

"Hey! Wait a second, you-" you put a hand on your face. "Ugh!!!!" you groaned before closing your eyes.

Fine- you'd just not die for whatever amount of time he wasn't around. You didn't think arguing with the brick wall was going to get you anywhere other than more frustrated.

You looked up at the red and black sky, closing your eyes trying to think back to when it had been painted with blues and soft yellows. Sometimes pretty pinks with a dash of red and purples….. not this red monochrome that filled your entire vision when you regrettably opened your eyes.

You sighed before you went straight ahead through the crosswalk, not needing to worry about any moving cars. There were some that had been trashed and abandoned. You could have walked in the middle of the street if you wanted too but out of habit you stuck to the side walk.

You past the skate park and stopped dead in your tracks, shoving your hands into the pockets of the hoodie as you looked it over. The once smooth concrete squares had been cracked and broken to the point it was a gravel pit. It was only filled with sharp, broken stones.

You picked one up by the entrance before you threw it as hard as you could against one of the bigger piles. It didn't knock it over, simply adding to it. The top had a flat stone on it, it would make it good for a poker game maybe.

Fuyuhiko, Peko, Akane, Ibuki and Natsumi all gathered around for an intense game of cards, you squished by Peko to watch her play. In the bowl that was now full of bodies and litter, you could just see Hajime being ordered around by Nekomaru on what ways to improve his boarding skill, even if he seemed more than overwhelmed by the order. On the grass that was now a deep shade of brown, Kazuichi sat with Nagito right there, handing him the tools he needed just before he required them.

Those happy pictures of blue skies disappeared the moment you blinked, and were reopened to the truth.

It didn't feel like there was much of a point to linger at a pit of old memories, so you kept walking looking at familiar store fronts you considered going into but never did and now never could. You saw the 7/11 and ducked behind a wall when you noticed two people digging through the glass windows, they weren't wearing those helmets.

You crept down the wall, ducking into an alley and cutting through that way in an attempt not to be seen. You made it to the other side unbothered and rushed to get further away from them.

It was probably silly but.. the advice of don't talk to anyone was probably better than you would want it to be in the current times.

You pulled your bag closer to you, it is not like there was much worth stealing but didn't mean someone might not try well you weren't looking, even though you were trying to look literally everywhere you could.

You kept moving forward because you had nowhere better to go, there were golden arches on the ground and you had to carefully tap around a fallen power line but your persistent ended up paying off. You found somewhere that stood tall as your possible safe house.

The library.

Your eyes sparkled looking at the simple modern building, it's windows pouring to the safe haven inside. You let out a laugh of relief as you skipped over, pushing yourself to the window to look inside.

For a moment you could see the interior with the soft light of the sun, Mikan talking Peko through Advance First Aid in a shy voice well Fuyuhiko got on Natsumi for only reading her magazines. Sonia giggling as she watched the antics of her friends, glancing over at Gundham who was attuned to his own little world through the keys…. And Hajime, you and Nagito huddled together as both of them tried to explain math to you.

You put your hand on the glass, your shoulders sinking before the memory shattered, revealing the truth that there was no light allowing you to see the details of what had become of your beloved hang out spot.

You only could only mourn the moment before your eyes trained in on your own reflection.

That was you in the window.

Oh how was it that it was you in the window? Was this what you really looked like? The dark bag under your eyes contrast with the almost ashy tone your skin had taken on, it was loose too, any of the fat sinking away to hollow cheeks, like for the last year you'd been eating only the bare minimum.

You ran a finger down your cheek, you had already gotten dirty from being out here for any time, dirt, or maybe it was ash? Was smeared on your clothes, the hoodie, and your skin. It knitted into your hair making it appear greasy despite having washed it just before you left the apartment.

No wonder Izuru kept calling you pathetic, you certainly looked like it.

You pushed off the window, leaving your fingerprints behind before you stepped inside. You started coughing when you disturbed the dust and it entered into your nose and lungs.

There were a few sparse rays of lights from cracks in the ceiling the showed off the bookshelves, some had been knocked over their contents spilled onto the floor but it was truly shocking how much was still standing. You walked over to the old table and tested one of the chairs, before getting comfortable in the dark.

You truly thought they'd never end.

You knew that they would, after all spending time to study at the library for school was just that, for school. A short time of life and yet now… now it was over.

It had come to an end.

You began to rub your temples. How old were you anymore even? At least 19 now…. were you 20? When was your birthday again? It had been swept away in the whirling thoughts and you weren't going to bother to try and find it. You closed your eyes as your head thunked onto the wood of the table, leaving the imprint of your forehead.

Man this was all so fast.

Sure it had been supposedly been a year since everything happened, but it didn't feel like that. It felt like you had went to sleep and woken up the next day to a ruined world to a man who hated you for doing… what? feeding him? being sad to look at???

What was the last book you had read anyway? You were pretty sure it had just been rereading Time to Time for whatever comfort it could give to you.

You peeked up, looking out the dystopia outside. At least in Time to Time there was something to look at. It was a Sci-fi with sprawling cities of lights and sounds… Something beautiful, if monotone in it's own right, expected for everyone to follow the rules laid out by the corrupt government.

You let out a sigh.

It won't be better in a novel like that- but maybe if you had been a side character there it would feel more like it. There would be more of a daily life to follow. Instead of all of this.

Your cheek on the table you forced both of your hands to push you back onto your aching feet. You shifted the strap of your bag to the side, making sure to open the top wide as you walked over to the bookshelves.

If you were stuck in a lawless society, you supposed you would enjoy some of the fruits of not having any laws.

So you grabbed a book, and then another, then you began to go down the shelves being careful with your selection as you tried to see how many books you could fit into your bag.

You didn't know where your laptop or phone went, but you suspected they wouldn't be helpful here anyway. So it just let you have a little extra room for more titles that would be your comfort.

You had enough room for one title left, if you shifted somethings around. The bag had become noticeably heavier by several pounds and would probably end up slowing you down, but guess what; you didn't care! You needed a bare amount of whimsy to survive and lord knew you were not getting anything from anywhere else.

Who knew when you'd even run into another standing library.

You needed to pick your last book very careful, and you started to be careful as you went down all of the aisles again.

You stopped when you heard footsteps, ducking behind a shelf in the corner and peeking around to see if you could see who it was.

It was two of the people in those Bear Helmets. They were talking to each other but all of it only sounded like snickering to you. In each of the four directions from the front desk they put something on the ground, from the angle you couldn't see it until they put down the last one.

They were bombs.

Your eyes went wide as you looked around from where you were. The windows were all up high and the emergency exit was on the other side of the building, past them.

Why was this happening!? Did they know you were in here!? Was it just for the shits and giggles of it all!? Why!?

You heard a loud beep, then three more as they bent down and armed the bombs, darting out of the building as soon as they were finished. You stood up from where you were standing and started to run behind the shelves to see if you could outpace whatever timer they had set.

It turned out, you couldn't.

You heard another, new, louder beep, followed by three more in quick order. Then four explosions.

You were just making it past a shelf when the force of the blast shoved it over, catching your left leg underneath it. You let out a yell of pain that you couldn't hear as you fell face first, hacking up a lung from all of the smoke, dust and ashed that was now flooding around.

The front desk was completely ruined, any remaining bookshelf was on the ground and there was a massive hole in the ceiling.

You didn't know where you felt more pain, in your leg or in your chest. Or maybe your ears? Man those hurt too, and they were ringing so loudly. You clenched your eyes shut what only let the sound intensify .

You struggled to roll over, getting a look at the pin down leg. You didn't think it was broken, at least the bone but the ankle was sprained, and you could see some blood leaking out from your pant leg. You grimaced as you tried to get the shelf up, only to barely be able to move it an inch before it was putting it's pressure on your leg again.

Ow, god this fucking sucked.

You let out a string of curses under your breathe. You reached forward and picked up one of the random books that hadn't been destroyed, looking at the cover.

Flowers for Algernon by David Keyes

Not… helpful but…. you shoved it into your bag, allowing it to take up the last inventory slot you had before you looked down at the shelf, trying once more and getting equally as far despite your grunting and panting.

Where was Izuru, anyway!? Seriously he had said he would do what was requited to protect you, so the game wouldn't be boring and yet he was doing so much of that! You felt really fucking protected! You held your head down and let out a frustrated groan.

It was probably good he wasn't here, he'd just call you stupid for minding your own business anyway.

Still though….

Where was he, actually?

He dragged the blue wagon fold up wagon that had been shoved into the supply closest up the hill. It carried the five things he required this little errand of his. He let out a breathe as he finally made it up the not so mighty summit, looking at the tree that somehow managed to stay standing.

Izuru took of his suit jacket, folding it neatly before putting it on some extra space in the wagon, under the large black bag that took up the most room. He stretched out his arms and back, cracking each section of his spine before he was ready to get to work.

He started with the first thing in his cart, an axe.

Izuru clutched the handle in both hands, bringing it back before to the dead tree. It was dry that the wood came in gray splinters. It didn't matter, in fact that was why he had picked this tree, because it was so obviously already perfect to be burnt.

After he got it down he began to chop it into sections, turning it all into piles of firewood that he arranged in a careful square cabin with no roof.

If you wanted to look at it in an endearing way, you could compare it to making a final home.

Once he had a good enough pile, he moved to the next item he required. The most important in fact.

The black bag.

He unzipped it and looked at the body inside. The face to chest was charred black holes lining the body. Mold was beginning to spring on the old, tattered Gyaru clothes which let the body to rot quicker than the others carefully stored away in the freezer to remain.

It was unrecognizable as the body of Mukuro Ikusuba, other than the wolf tattoo on her hand which remained to stand out, her brand to her cause of being part of the end of the world.

Part of him wonder if she had gotten the despair she wanted, if that was what she wanted in the first place, as he picked her up. The one arm dangled down as he placed her down in the center of the pyre, her arms and legs not quite fit inside.

Next the black flask with the white symbol, found tucked away in Mukuro's room.

He unscrewed the top with a metallic swirling sound, smelling the strong, burning pine scent before he tasted it. His cheeks filled with air as he took his one swallow, coughing and gasping for breathe after the burn.

It still was a horrible taste, but it was the one she had grown accustomed too.

He took whatever remained and dumped it on top of the body. The clear liquid splashing and soaking right into the clothes and almost overpowering the scent of decay.

Almost.

He about tossed the flask into the pile but his fingers latched onto it, taking another look at the symbol. His red eyes reflected back at him on the glossy metal and he grunted. "I'm keeping this," he stated, re-screwing on the cap to the empty flask, shoving it in some hidden pocket in his suit

Now the more effective thing, he started to pouring gasoline on the body. Letting it soak into the wood and into Mukuro's body. He used the entire canister, managing to avoid getting any of himself.

He threw the red bottle to the side, taking in the scent before he reached for the final thing in the wagon.

The package of matches.

He stepped back, holding the box up as he looked at the body.

He didn't know why he bothered. It was not as if it would make the dead woman happy, she was dead. Never to know of the trouble he went through to do this and he couldn't even figure out why.

Maybe obedience was just something that had managed to program into him better than he would have liked. Other way he had went through all the trouble of setting it up.

He struck one match and tossed it onto the pile, watching as it immediately went ablaze.

He shoved one hand into his pocket as he watched the yellow and orange flames dance along, making a new source of light for anyone who could see it. In a dramatic fall, he landed in a seated position. He pulled one leg up, resting an arm across it as he learned the pattern of the flickering, his eyes darting around to capture where the flames became the highest at any given moment.

The smoke rose into the air, meeting the rest of the black clouds over head.

The ash of the wood and her body was blown by the breeze, sprinkling it self onto him and making his dark brown hair appear to have gone into a dark gray color. He didn't do much to get it out, at least not until he had too.

Izuru didn't track the minutes as the fire burned, simply waiting until it had used all of it's fuel leaving absolutely nothing left. Izuru pushed himself up off of the ground, dusting anything off of him, putting his suit jacket on.

And he walked away.

Who knew how long you had been working at it, but you finally managed to free your leg!

You let out a victorious huff as you tried to stand up, only to find it more unsteady then you were expect and were back on your knees. You gritted your teeth and brought the injured leg up to try and look at it.

Maybe the bone was a bit broken, you rubbed over your pant leg and just managed to get some blood on your hand from the skin that had been broken. You let out a whine that became a groan as your other hand ran across your hair.

Did they have a medkit here? Or would it have been taken by now? You didn't know and you didn't know where to look… but if you wanted to that required you to move.

You heard something- the clinking of chains.

It was getting, closer, about to enter the building. You put a hand over your mouth and nose and dragged yourself down, lying flat on your back parallel with a different bookshelf on the ground.

You couldn't see who had entered, you wanted too but if you did there was no doubt they would see you, and you doubt you wanted that, you hugged your bag to your side with your other hand as you tried to keep your ears open.

The person let out a long, familiar sigh, you could hear the chains rolling on the floor before they clicked their tongue. 'Truly what a shame…. I had been so hopeful to see this place well visiting again.

Your eyes widened and you immediately sat up, your mouth falling open and tears beginning to well in your eyes the moment you confirmed that voice was not merely an illusion or a trick this cruel world was trying to play on you.

It was him.

"Nagito!"

Chapter Text

"Hm?" his head shifted to look at you, tilting his head to one side. "Oh, it's you," there was a muted surprise in his voice as you dragged yourself up, suddenly finding away to balance your weight on one leg.

"You are alive!" you had known that but there he was, standing in front of you. You dragged yourself across the library, using a chair that had only been blown to a stop to launch yourself forward, and crumbled into his arms, putting your hands on the shoulders of his black jacket using him as your anchor to stay upright.

You shifted your head and put a hand on his face, an action he didn't stop as you pushed some of his hair out of his face. Man he smelled awful, like smoke, sweat and body odor but how could you care when you didn't smell any better? "Oh my god, you are really alive," tears were rolling down your face.

He looked better than the last time you saw him to be honest. Nagito didn't look great, but he never looked in great. He did however have more color and life in his cheeks, also despite how shitty everything was for sleep his bags didn't look like his soul was trying to leak out through his eyes. His hair even looked longer, but after you studied it more…. that was more the styling.

It had been cut in some places making the strands of hair strut out, and just from underneath the hair his forehead you could see a crown on the skull.

Evidence of whatever surgery was required.

"It's nice to see you like this," the statement was calm and you would have expected more excitement, but form his point of view you have been somewhere…. safe. He had seen you even when you were not aware he was around. He had to have if Izuru treated him.

Besides if he was this 'Servant' Monaca was having you meeting, there was a chance he even had been getting updates about you.

You smiled at him before you gave him another quick hug, pulling yourself backwards and almost falling over on your bad leg when you tried to get a look at the rest of him.

He had gained a light amount of weight now that his body could hold onto it. You couldn't see any injuries and his clothes all seemed in tact, the same black jacket and green and red sweater. You could see two hands and two legs.

The… collar and lead he was wearing….. That made your gut twist in a certain way, it hurt in away? You couldn't quite place the feeling, so you tried to focus on everything else that was wonderful about right now.

Like that he was even alive to begin with.

Oh he was alive.

He was alive! He looked so alive!

You couldn't stop smiling even as your leg threaten to yank you down. He hummed and looked down.

"My, that looks nasty," he said.

"It's… not great."

He smiled before he put a hand on your shoulder and gently guided you to be sitting on the ground. You blinked as you looked at him as he rolled up your pant leg to get a look at the injury. "You did a number on yourself," he tsked. "I suppose I will have to treat it," he hummed before he crouched up to his legs. "I will see what I can find."

"There is no rush," you assured as you laid your leg out, your eyes following him as he wandered around the broken down library. 'Wha- where have you been? Towa City I know but, but have you heard anything from anyone else? Do you know where Alexis is? And- and Monaca, what is going on with her? Are there some of the other children for her class?"

"One at a time, you asking so many someone like me can barely keep up," he shook his head as he dug around a charred drawer, humming before shaking his head as he pushed it shut. "There are some of the other kids…. they make up quite a cute little group, 'The Warriors of Hope'… I am their servant, because they were kind enough to let me live," he put his left hand over his heart, showing off his colorless nails.

"Well… I would certainly hope that," you didn't….. that was a bare minium on so many levels. Letting him be alive, especially considering where they got him from. 'What- what about the others? Do you know anything about them?"

"No, they don't…. really keep in touch with anyone" he crossed his arms as he wandered towards a supply shelf on the other end of the room, not finding much else there either. "The last person I heard about was…. Hiyoko, I believe Fuyuhiko hd forced her to move out of his territory. I wouldn't know where she was," he held up a hard drive from his pocket. "You will soon though, if Master Kamukura is still interested in his game."

"…. Master?" you tried not to cringe when he said that. Sure he was a Master, Master of Being a Massive Prick. You couldn't say that though, because regardless of how… like that he was. He did save Nagito's life…. and he did a damn good job of it too. "I am sure he will be… He's interested enough to have finally fixed me," you did small jazz hands.

"Hmmm, he did," Nagito closed his eyes as he came over. "Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything professional, but I do have this," he reached into his other pocket and pulled out a pink bottle of cherry blossom hand sanitizer, he also produced a red and green scarf from an different pocket on the inside of his coat.

He knelt down in front of you and you looked at the bottle.

"I am not sure how that… is going to help."

"It is for disinfectant, silly," he giggled and didn't give you a chance to react before he squirted a nice quarter sized amount right onto the bright, inflamed injury. You cringed and hissed out.

"Will this-" he had a strong grip as he grabbed the circumference of the injury, slowly rubbing the sanitizer into the wound. "Ow! Ow! Nagito that hurts!" he didn't stop, in fact he squeezed down before he added more of the sanitizer, the scent of cherry blossoms mixed with the harsh iron. You grip tightened onto your palms as he kept going, tears in your eyes. "I said that hurts!!!"

You got a look at his face and your heart ran cold.

His eyes were horrid swirls, his face in a twisted smile as he looked at you. "Is that…. really all this new hope you have amounts too?" he asked, suddenly he dug his nails into your flesh, creating new openings for the alcohol to seep under your skin.

"Ackk" you wanted to stop looking at him, but you couldn't tear your head away from his face as he dragged his nails down, leaving red marks starting from the already damaged ring. "Nagito- I-"

"You know," he spoke loudly before he twisted his hand around. "I was sooo disappointed when you succumbed to despair," he shook his head from side to side. "I did have so much hope in you, you know."

"I-" god it hurt, it hurt, it hurt, it hurt, it hurt! "Stop!"

He let out a long sigh. "I suppose, it is not as if it is your fault. You are only soooo capable. There is only so much you could have ever been ever to do, I see that now. It all makes sense," he laughed to himself.

"It does explain a lot of things so well! It's why we got along so well!" he was beaming as he leaned forward towards you, those swirls still in his eyes before they retook their original dull green hue. There was fresh rivets of blood pouring down your calf as he looked into your shaking eyes. "You are worthless trash, just like me!"

"I said stop!"

Smack

Your entire body was shaking, tears running down your face and your hand stung. Nagito blinked as he put a hand on his bright red cheek, his head facing the other direction. Your stinging hand covered your mouth to hide your own gasp.

"Nagito- I am sorry- I-" were you sorry!? you told him stop and- and he didn't and- you shouldn't have done that but what else. Trash? No that- that- it- you were shaking so much and you looked at him, not sure if you should shove him out the door or- or if you should-

He burst into laughter again.

You stared at him, unsure if he was elated or even more angry up you… The answer came when he wrapped the scarf around your leg.

It was firm, but not suffocatingly tight. Something that would give the leg support before Nagito stood up, his smile seemed breatheless as he looked down at you from above, tilting his head to one side.

"I will see you tomorrow. I am excited to see what will happen," Nagito held one hand up in a wave before he turned his back.

You couldn't, find the words to ask him to stay, nor could you muster up the courage to tell him to get out of here faster. So you only watched as he left, leaving you alone on the ground, your calf still feeling as if he let it ablaze.

You couldn't bring yourself to stand, or move in any meaningful way than to bring your legs up to your head. It hurt to move but you needed to pull your legs in on yourself, you choked out before you began to cry.

You couldn't find anything else you could do.

You just sat there and cried and cried.

He hated you.

What had you done wrong? You clenched your shoulders in on themselves. What was it? What misstep was it that lead you to this ending? You cried harder into your knees, leaving the pant of your legs completely soaked as you moved your hands to be gripping your hair.

You bite into the fabric to ensure you didn't scream out in your self contained agony. Honestly could you feel the fizzling of alcohol in your new wounds?

Nagito hated you.

You gasped out, running out of breathe and so the sobs came out with no air behind them, only soundless cries before you managed to take in a gasp.

Your head started to hurt as you used up more and more water to try and drown yourself in your tears.

It was the only thing you wanted right at that moment.

You heard footsteps and looked up, not sure if you would run or just accept whatever death had just arrived in front of you.

Expect it wasn't the Grim Reaper or one of his envoys.

Izuru's eyes rolled to one side, looking down at you. You could see all the gray covering him even from tear filled eyes that made the light reflect and refrane in your own business. "What happened?"

"I- Nagito he-" the words could barely come out as you cried more.

"You talked to him?" he let out a scoff as he looked to the sigh. "What did I tell you?"

"It was Nagito!" you tried to get up only to fall down again onto your knees. Your head went down to make more tears on the ground now. "What- what else was I supposed to do?"

"Is all you know how to do is cry?" The question shocked you into silence, the tears ceasing for a moment as he rolled his eyes. "It's pointless and annoying, it won't get you anywhere," he turned his back on you. "Let's go. We have to set up camp."

You weren't crying anymore. He was right, in a sense…. it was pointless, and through everything your tears had gotten you nowhere. They were just as useless as you were. "…. Why not just try to find him?"

"He's going to the location, he will be tomorrow," Izuru said.

You managed to force yourself to find your balance, and you limped behind him. You…. you couldn't do anything else.

The next few hours past by in a blur.

You were there, you were pretty sure. In whatever location he deemed decent enough to set up for the night. You remember eating some sort of soup that Izuru found or… prepared? You didn't know, you were really just sitting there like a hollow shell.

What… could you do here?

What could you do?

You couldn't win when you had every advantage in the world, you had your friends and a whole civilization around you to try and catch the single origin of this demented despair.

Now you had to go find all of your friends, infected with the same despair. They most likely hated you, and if they didn't your boyfriends both certainly did.

Could you even call them that anymore? Izuru didn't care about you, and he didn't hold any of the memories you had made with Hajime…. and Nagito……

You rubbed the scarf he had fashioned your leg with, the fabric was soft. You kept running your hand along it because it was the only thing close to comfort you could find as you sat there. You played with the tasseled ends, twirling the string in your fabrics before running your hand lightly across your calf.

It was something.

It was something.

It was something.

You eventually fell asleep.

When you opened your eyes once more, you were in the living room of Nagito's house. The curtains were open letting the light dance into your eyes and you were lying… on Hajime's lap.

He smiled down at you, letting you see those pretty green eyes again, and you immediately started to cry again.

"Hey, what's wrong? Did you have a bad dream or something?" he asked as he tried to pet your hair.

You smacked his hand away as you sat up, more tears rolling down your face. "This is the dream!" you threw a hand in the air to gesture at him. "You're dead!"

"Hey!" his face seem to twist into a sort of offense. "I am not dead."

"Yes you are! You are dead and you hate me!" you put a hand on your face. Useless tears burning your cheeks even in the dream. You were sure you were about to wake yourself up.

His face twisted and he grabbed you, pulling you into a tight hug. Your breathe shook as you couldn't help but hug him back, choking on snot. "I don't hate you, I could never hate you," he tried to assure, brushing your hair behind your back.

"yes you do, you and Nagito both, you hate me, you hate me," you shook your head into his shoulder. "I am sorry, I am sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. This isn't your fault, and Nagito doesn't hate you either."

"Yes he does! I failed and he hates me, and you hate me too," you managed to pull away from him to look at him.

"You couldn't have failed, it wasn't a task you knew you had. Now you know what to do," he put a hand on your cheek, "You can do this. I know you can."

"No I can't," you shook your head. "I don't even want to!" you wanted everything back to normal. you didn't want to have to go and make it that way! Why did you have to do it? Why couldn't woken up when everything was better/

"Things are better, Junko is dead."

You blinked at the reminder that was a dream. He was right though, she was dead.

The snake's head was off.

You might be the one who had to go grab the body so it couldn't find a new head, a new way to cause problems. You burst into tears again as you hugged onto him. "I still don't want too! I just want go home!"

"I know, I know I want you to be home," he said as he held you again. Would he even say this to you if he could? What else would he say though?

You wanted to know. You couldn't know, not right now. He wasn't here, you'd have to get him back if you wanted to know.

You'd have him back.

You let out a breathe through your mouth, it being forced out with tears.

"I miss you."

"I know…. I know you do," you could feel him press his temple in yours. "You just need to make it to the final page. I know you can do it."

"That's not so easy," you shook your head. "I just want to be with you again already! I just want to see you again."

"You will, I know you will," he promised over and over again in sweet words that didn't even really belong to him, just your subconsciousness trying to bring you some comfort.

It was working.

"I promise… I promise I won't cry again until I see you," you choked as you pulled away, letting a hand dance across his cheek and to the edges of his spiky hair. The tears finally came to a stop. "I promise I will save my tears."

He smiled at you.

He gave you a kiss.

You woke up to the black and red above. You sat up, wiping you wet face and you took in a breathe.

You felt…. better. You could feel the world around you outside of your body, and you could feel the air in your lungs.

You stood up, finding a new strength. Izuru looked up at you from where he had been sitting and you looked down at him. "Are you ready to go?"

He blinked at you before he rose to his feet. "You are?"

"…. Just ready enough to get to where I need to go," you answered before you started walking, he followed before he took the lead.

You'd just make it to the final page.

The final page.

…. oh how many pages away was it? You only wished you could count. To skip to the final page and truly see what the ending was.

But you promised.

So you'd figure it out.

Chapter Text

Hope's Peak Academy. The shining bastion of hope that most youth in Japan dream of attending when they get older. The school that only truly let those brimming with skill and talent through those front doors.

You'd been one of the lucky few who got to pass through the halls of the Main Course on the 'talent' you were perceived to have.

So much good all that talent and hope did, huh?

You looked up at the still standing building, and honestly? Kind of annoyed that of everything that had been torn to the ground, the memories blown to bits and pieces, that this momentum to the Highest Hopes and the Darkest, Deepest Despairs still was permitted to stand in most of it's former glory.

The whole place smelled of iron, from the old blood of the reserve course that forever dyed the pricks with rust and new bodies littered in front of a wide open vault door, they looked to be a few weeks old… full of bullet holes from a now disabled gun.

"I think… I hate this place," you said out loud.

You liked most of the people here, but they came from all over. They didn't stem from this place. You gave Izuru the side eye…. mostly didn't stem from this place.

"I thought you would be more enamored with it, being a student."

You shrugged, "I thought they were trying to scam me at first, I only went because they sent a letter to my parents and they shoved me out the door to go," you explained…. you were… You were glad you came to this school. You were glad you meet your friends!

But man.

"I never wanted to come here."

"If you didn't, you'd be dead."

You let out a breathe, "Just one the faceless thousands who become the background fodder killed before the story starts, yep," sure you'd live in terror but maybe your death would be comparatively quick to joining around in AM's twist gamed where he both was instant on keeping you alive but also truly did not care if you died.

He hummed as he stared up at the building. He clenched his fist slightly. "I am not fond of Hope's Peak either."

You straightened your back as you gave him a small side eye, considering the mission instructions. "… Monaca did say the Junko wanted you to meet in the place where you felt the most despair…."

He started to walk, with his speed you would assume he was sprinting and you were forced to waddle along. He didn't go to the wide open front door, no. He went to the back.

To the door you were blocked from entering.

Ah you hated being right.

He opened the door revealing a staircase that went down into pitch black.

You stared.

"We are going in there, huh?" you asked.

He atepped right in, answering your question. You barely managed to catch the door before it slammed shut, and you stepped in behind him. You blinked and saw nothing and stood there and saw nothing even as you waited.

You knew there was a decline though.

You balanced on your one good leg before you sat down, and used the good foot to drag yourself down before kicking out your legs. You did this down another step , and another, and you could feel eyes on you now.

"What are you doing?"

"I would have trouble walking down a regular flight of stairs with the lights on," you said as you gestured to your leg on the ground, you weren't sure if he would be able to even see what you were doing but his red eyes seemed like they could track it. "I don't see a better solution expect maybe you carrying me," and he didn't want to do that.

He let out a deep, guttural groan from his throat as he put his hands over his face, like you had just shot him somehow. He let out a sigh of defeat, before he picked you up bridal style. He began to walk with an even faster pace than before, practically zooming down the dark corridors.

Your mouth fell open and you could feel your entire face heating up in the dark. "H-hey what are you doing?!" You could see those red discs in the dark, staring down at you before he just looked up, not dignifying your question with an answer.

"It would be boring to wait for you to navigate these tunnels on your own," he said as he took a sharp turn, nearly knocking your head into a corner when he did so. You pulled your head into his shoulder and he seemed to glare at you again.

"I- well- Thanks," you said as you pursued your lips together. You just stared in the dark that your eyes couldn't possible adjust, but he seemed to be able to see just fine. You let out a small hum as you looked at his face. His eyes did seem to actually a glow just a bit, Or rather… like the lens was capturing every possible photon of light.

When they were doing everything else they…. did something to his eyes.

You tightened your fists on your elbows as you turned to the dark where you were heading, feeling a chill from a breeze.

Even after all of this was said and done would you… never get to see those pretty green eyes again?

Was that a petty thing to mourn?

You shook your head to yourself, bumping Izuru's shoulder slightly and he glared down before focusing ahead.

As long as you got your Hajime back, you couldn't care less what his eye color was or anything like that. If he wanted to he could keep the long hair for all you cared…. As long as it was him and not…. him.

He threw open a door that slammed against the wall which lead to a new concrete tunnel, but with lighting.

He immediately dropped you on the ground.

"Ow!" you tailbone hit the concrete floor. You glared up at him as you used the wall to help yourself get up. "Hey! That wasn't very nice."

"I carried you through the tunnels. Don't start whining."

"You could have at least placed me down, or something!" you gestured with your hand not connected to the cold painted walls.

"You can keep up well enough."

You were going to throttle him.

Shit wait- it was still Hajime's body.

You used the wall as a crunch as you tried to chase behind him, quietly grumbling about him under your breathe. He either didn't notice or didn't care because he didn't do anything to acknowledge you.

It was a straight and narrow hallway with several doors. There was on observation window with… bodies…. cut open bodies left to rot.

You turned your head away as you kept walking, deciding not to look through any more windows in case of what you would see.

It smelled of equal measures disinfectant and decay.

You could only see the back of his head, but you looked to the side trying to see if you could get a look at his face but it was….

Dark….

You could see the way his hands were in tight balls and he was walking at a similar speed as before in the tunnels, you were just able to keep up better than you were most of the time.

You opened your mouth but luckily no sound came out. You kept chased behind him as he stopped at a door with several pass codes and key cards,

He stared at the door, holding his fists tight.

He stared at the keypads, holding his fist tight.

He stared at the door again, holding his fists tight.

What stupid hesitation. He gritted his teeth as he lifted on finger up, tapping away into the keypads with lightening speed, each one turning green and allowing him access before the door was able to be open. He threw it open and stepped inside.

You followed behind.

"There you are, Master," Nagito stood up from the bed, putting his right hand over his heart as he swayed his head side to side, the chains clinking with each of the movement. The rattling somehow reminded you of wind chimes. "I have been waiting for you," he put his left hand on top of the other and your face twisted to concern.

He was wearing a mitten on his left hand.

You stood back behind Izuru and you put your hands together in front of your face, feeling sweat begin to build on your brow before you looked back at the one mitten he was wearing.

Did you ask? Did you want to know? Was he fucking with you? Testing you??? You covered your eyes completely and just….

Ignorance was bliss.

Izuru just let out a sigh. He stared at mitten himself and felt…. offended. That was the word for it he was pretty certain. It took offense to that.

It was obvious to him what had happened, and he grabbed the leash before he yanked it, dragging Nagito along. You took a step back as you gasped. "Hey! What do--"

Nagito fucking moaned, very loudly and clearly very pleased in every manner of his body language, his head turned up to look up at Izuru with drool rolling down his face.

Oh. Okay.

You covered your mouth, you walked over to the bed as Izuru left the room and sat down with a shrug. You leaned back. onto the uncomfortable mattress and grumbled, it almost felt like they had just put a box spring in and called it a day. Or maybe a slab of concrete.

You arced your back, giving it a crack before you sat up again, looking towards the exit.

He didn't shut the door all the way, the room had a dull light overhead but this let you see things in more detail, for example, the fact, there were scratch marks on the wall and by the door.

You blinked as you stood up, walking over and bending down in front of them. They were made by someone who would be…. just a bit taller than you on their knees. You raised a hand to match the scratches; and the width of the fingers were just a bit longer than your own.

You stared at them and blinked.

This was the room where Izuru felt the most despair….

How many hours had be spent locked alone in here? Prolonged Isolation had several, severe consequences to mental health. You rested your hands along the scratches, closing your eyes.

You've…. perhaps been thinking about this Izuru Kamukura in the wrong fashion. He was definitely a dangerous monster, one made by the hands of man but…

He was no AM, born and crafted sheerly of hate, for you had seen before that had happened.

He was no Creature, born and left to the world that forced him to raise himself no.

He was… a mouse…. scared and tested on until he learned to start biting back.

You let out a breathe, closing your eyes.

It may be worth nothing of value, you suspected it might but…. If he could learn to bite and rip into the world, perhaps he could learn something else, to. Given the right direction.

If he'd take the hand.

Which…. he likely wouldn't see a reason.

So he wouldn't…. but you'd try anyway.

Because you thought that those bloodied hands at least deserved the chance.

Izuru practically threw Nagito into one of the medical rooms, leaving him to catch his footing on the medical table, both hands on the metal as he looked up his admiration overflowing and coming out as drool.

"Ahhhh, I have missed you so dearly, Master," Nagito said with his eyes swirling. "I held the the hope I would get to see you again," he laughed out as he put the mitten to his forehead. "If the hopes can be realized for worthless trash like me, it is only a matter of time before one great enough comes to end this despair."

Maniac.

"Take off the glove."

Nagito steadied himself and followed the order, throwing the mitten onto the table.

Izuru felt the temptation to ring his neck when he saw the hand of Junko Enoshima poorly wrapped around his hand, with out the mitten it appeared it might fall off.

"Why?"

Nagito's eyes lit up. "Oh I was so lucky to find it!" he started as he held up the red fingers. "Everything else had been taken, I really thought I would find anything…. but blown to the corner of the room I found this, hidden under a few baseballs." he cackled. "Aren't I so lucky, to find a piece of the woman I hate?" Nagito asked, his smile was so painfully wide. He held it up as he cackled, tilting his head. "Can you believe it hasn't rotted at all!? I wonder how long it will last," he was in awe those red nails.

Of course, Izuru wandered around the room, opening drawers and finding the wrong items, until he found stitching needle, it blurring in his hand for just a moment as he looked at the point. Red eyes dialating on the object to make sure it was in complete focus, before he looked at Nagito. "Where is your original hand?" Izuru asked.

"A rat got it when I wasn't looking," Nagito sighed as he shook his head. "Expected from worthless trash like me, to lose my own hand because of my own obliviousness…. I intended to keep it as a gift…."

Izuru stared at him blankly.

"I thought my Master would have liked it…. I am sorry I lost it."

Izuru put the kit away as he went to a drawer he already searched, grabbing bandages and disinfectant

"Sit down."

Nagito on a chair.

Izuru walked over and looked at the hand, before he grabbed the already falling off bandage and got out. The base of the hand was beginning to eat away at itself.

The skin simply looked pretty still.

He looked at Nagito's hand and began to dump hydrogen peroxide on top of the nubble, making it pour down at an angle.. It loudly sizzled.

Nagito's eyes rolled back into his skin as his shoulders relaxed, Izuru's eyes flicked to him for just a moment in a micro-judgemental stare before he finished with that, dapping around tio make sure to have gotten every spot.

It was still bright red, but no bacteria would be in it.

He unwinded the clean bandages showing them off in a long mummies strand.

He began to wrap the stub up tightly so he it wouldn't ever actually touch Junko's hand, ensuring it wouldn't lead Nagito to rot with her.

"When this is done, do not take off your mitten for any reason. Understood?"

"Yes Master," Nagito put his free hand on his chest, feeling his own heart thump against his rib cage, he was so lucky to be in the presence of him. "Ohhhh thank you for taking care of even the lowliest piece of trash like me, it is truly an honor to be in your presence. I-"

"Don't speak, I don't want to listen to your ramblings well I work," Izuru snipped his words like thread, and Nagito took the needle to stitch his mouth shut, remaining quiet well Izuru put the place holder from Junko into place.

As he sat in silence, wrapping the disinfected arm he wondered…. why was he doing this?

Perhaps… it was a thing of pride.

That would make sense, keeping this idiot alive has thus far been the most diffcult task he had found. It wasn't fun, that was why when Monaca asked for him in Towa City, he didn't think twice about sending him away.

But now that he was right here in front of him, his little prolongate project having gone so well, it felt ridiculous not to do a little maintenance.

Even if it was something absolutely arsine.

"I have the information," Izuru looked towards the bed before his head turned down, seeing you looking up at him as you sat on the floor. He showed his teeth and his eyes scrunched. "Get up off the floor."

You pushed yourself up and put a hand behind your neck, having the biggest smile he had seen you with. "Haha, sorry! I fell over!"

"You have always been rather clumsy."

Your head shot up, looking behind Izuru at Nagito.

He looked cunty. You wanted a better word but there were none in your vocabulary to define Nagito in that moment.

You thought you understand the leash now on a seperate thought! You gripped your hands into tight balls. You really wanted to grab it to make him shut up. You sucked in a deep breathe, calmed just just enough and…. "…. Yaaaa…." your slumped and you held your head down.

He wasn't wrong, dammit! You'd gotten a little better

Izuru stood silent as you moved out of the room, getting comfortable with all your weight on the one leg.

Nagito smiled at the both of you "I wish you both the best of luck in this game," he put the mitten on his cheek as he smiled. "I do hope I will get to see both of your hopes shine again…. but we will have to see," he was looking at you.

Great. "Thank you, Nagito."

"Return to Towa City."

"Yes, Master," Nagito let out a raspy laugh as he looked back at you, before he made his way towards a room at the very end of the hallway.

Izuru and you stood there for a minute and you took in a breathe.

"So… What is with the collar and leash?" you asked.

"I don't know."

You swung your head over, your mouth falling open well your eyes scrunched. "You didn't put it on him???"

"He put it on himself."

You put your hands over your eyes, leaning backwards as you sucked in a breathe. "Of course he did. Of course he did."

Izuru had started to walk in the same direction Nagito had and you followed, Nagito had already taken the elevator so that meant a long while of just sitting there in silence.

You turned back looking at the court room scene, there was nothing standing. Only 16 open podiums.

You wondered what the place was, maybe some sort of meeting room? It didn't seem to be that well decorated, with checker squares that appeared to be made of rusted copper and the rest of the decor that matched.

You looked at Izuru, and the way he still seemed to have even more of a shadow covering his eyes… and kept quiet as the elevator came down and opened.

You stood looking out of the vault doors of Hope's Peak Academy that were left wide open, truly the last time you would ever be setting foot on these school grounds again. You straightened your back before you gave him the side eye.

You closed your eyes, nodded your head and looked forward.

"Well then, are we ready to depart, Algernon?" you asked, your hands behind your back.

He hummed as an answer before his head turned to you. "…. Algernon?" he repeated, furrowing his brows.

"You don't care what I call you, do you?"

"No."

"Then, I am going to call you Algernon from now on," you said with a smile on your face, closing your eyes at him.

"…. Why?"

"Well, if you want to find out," you grabbed the title on top of all the rest and held it out to him. "You'll have to read this book."

He leaned forward to look at the Ink Blots and Flowers on the cover. 'Flower for Algernon by David Keyes' he huffed before looking up at you, quirking one brow at you. "I don't care that much," he said before he leaned up to his full height, beginning to walk away.

You stood there and puffed your chest up at him before shoving the book in your bag. "It's a good story! And I think you'd find it relatable!"

He rolled his eyes but didn't bother responding to you.

You sighed as you began to try and chase after him, not being able to go that fast. "You aren't interested at all, Algernon?"

"You are nicknaming me after a character from a story, there isn't much interesting about that."

"How do you know that when you haven't even read the book?" you argued as you had to weave between bodies, even if you wanted to just step over them it would cause you some trouble…. and you weren't sure that was polite.

Granted, what manners existed in a world with out rules at all?

"Stories are predictable, thus are extremely boring."

"No, that's wrong," you held up a finger when you said that, narrowing your eyes. "Stories can be very predictable," you agreed, "But there is supposed to be that familiarity to them, just because you because you may know what will happen… that doesn't mean it won't be interesting to see, if you let yourself enjoy it," you nodded your head and smiled. "You might even find yourself being surprised or flat out wrong about what is coming. You don't know unless you enjoy the book."

His lips quirked into something of a more pronounced frown than the one already on his face. He stopped, giving you a chance to actually catch up, before his long strides started again, leaving you behind him. "Maybe for you," he rolled his eyes.

Your cheeks puffed out. You tossed the book into your bag as you focused on just keeping up.

The walk started silent before you um, realized something. "Where are we going?" you asked, hoping it was not towards the Kuzuryu Clan home.

"The Future Foundation."

"What's that?" your eyes lit up at the idea. That sounded good! You hoped they learned from the past before striving for the future but that was good, that was a start!

"They stand against the despair, attempting to create a future beyond the ruined world and rebuild. They take in other survivors, like the little idea you had towards that man," he said with a shrug.

"That's great!" you held up a hand before you looked at him. "Is this a good idea?"

"It will be fine."

"You sound so confident…" you hoped it was earned but you couldn't help but worry about

He did kill the entire student council and five teachers. Then it was sent to an email to…. how many students were in the Reserve Course? It was a lot…. enough that the image couldn't have been completely hidden from the Main Course Staff, right???

Granted, who knew- Junko had played the entire school not just like a fiddle, but like an entire orchestra. Pointing her rod of despair to command each section to get her awful screeching symphony that ended in much the same way as the 1812 Overture.

With cannonballs.

Maybe they took it to the grave.

"They will likely be thrilled to see you alive, as far as they know class 77-B was wiped out with most of the other classes…. any survivors found after things began they were taken in by the Future Foundation. They also have former members of the staff and the Killing School Life Survivors."

Alright, that was some what assuring Hey wait a second. "The what?"

"One of Junko's little games. It was boring, I couldn't finish it," he shrugged. "All I know is it ended in Junko's death."

"How much did you watch?!" you asked, your voice cracking as you put a hand on your head. What the fuck!? "What did you see?"

"Sayaka Maizone attempted to murder Leon Kuwata, before being stabbed in the stomach herself. She wrote his name in blood, an obvious death message. Then Mukuro Ikubusa died and got bored."

Holy shit??? Well it got rid of Junko you guessed but- but-

"Do you know who survived?!"

"No."

You wanted to scream, but that seemed like a bad idea so instead you just took in a deep breathe, having to stop. You took in a breathe and leaned forward, putting both of your hands on your chest.

Sayaka and Leon were both…. apart of Chihiro's class.

You stood there and you put both of your hands on your face. You promised, you promised, you promised but you knew something that made you want to cry. You couldn't…. explain how you were so certain of it, but you knew it.

Chihiro didn't survive this killing school life.

You ran your fingers through your hair and gasped before opened your eyes. Izuru had left you behind.

He wouldn't give you time to mourn. Not…. not well he was on the move. You wish you could just stand here and let him go but no- he was literally only your shot…. and again…….

you could hope.

You sighed as you began to go as fast as you could chase after him.

"Hey- so…. so I have some more questions."

he stopped and put a hand on his temple, staring down at the ground. "Of course you do," he said before he started to walk again. "What?"

Whelp- good.

"How- how violent was I and for like, scale, Nagito during the year I was um… brainwashed?" you asked. You didn't really want to know the answer but…. it was clear your friends had done a lot of damage

"You would be the lowest ranked at 16th, even when I ordered you fight or kill you'd just stand like a dumb deer in headlights, Nagito would be 15th. As far as I am aware he has never killed anyone with his own hands…. but from his old ramblings of what I paid attention his luck caused quite a few deaths."

"Okay," that was good. That was very good actually. You put a hand on your heart and laughed. You felt proud of yourself, and just a tad spiteful… but…. that spite reminded you of the shadow on the wall, and well you were diffcult…. you swallowed before your eyes shifted. "Where do you rank?"

"I would say….." he considered for a moment, standing there for longer than you would expect. "I would rank 11th."

You sucked in a breathe.

So.

SO.

"… Whose the worst?" you asked.

"How do you want define that?"

"Whose purely the most bloodthirsty, most willing to kill on sight so to speak," you gestured with one hand as you asked the question.

"That would Akane Owari. From my understand she even tried to attack Junko once, the only brainwashed remnant to do so."

You swallowed, that… made sense. You really didn't want to keep prying but you needed information… "Who is the most cruel?"

"Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu. He controls most of the Island of Japan with a mixture of the might of Peko Pekoyama, existing men in the Kuzuryu and the Monokuma Heads. He does not take kindly to any other Remnant of Despair, anyone who has tried to stay on the island was kicked off by him," there were several groups that stood against him, and civilians on their own… but his iron grip was impressive.

"Why has he not tried to come after you, then?" you tilted your head.

"He doesn't know I am here." He didn't exactly spend much time getting buddy buddy with them. He had seen them, through the single video call Junko had gotten all of them on. That had been near the start of the Tragedy and had never been possible since.

It was a very, very loud video call. He did not remember a single moment that he wasn't dissociating through.

Since then, he had only ever spoken to Junko, Mukuro or Monaca for work.

He had spoken with Nagisa on occasion, and whichever other Warrior of Hope he happened to have in his room at the time, but that was it.

"Alright, then. Cool." That was fine with you if Fuyuhiko wasn't aware you were around. The fact he was the most cruel…. unfortunately didn't shock you. He was the one nearest but you hoped and prayed that he would not be the first person Izuru wanted to deal with.

You were not ready.

"There we go-" Algernon said out loud.

You blinked as you heard the footsteps of gravel being shifted. Your head went up and from across the way, a crater that still was smoking dividing two two sides and you gasped.

"Mrs. Chabashira! Hina!" you called out across the way.

Both of their head, which had been scouting through the rubble shot forward. They both had see through masks with tubes connected to their side where oxygen flowed in.

Mrs. Chabashira wore the same clothes as always but her hair was rather cut to her ears in the same style the other Mrs. Chabashira had worn her hair. Her eyes went wide and she started to sprint around the crater to you.

Hina on the other hand looked much the same as whenever you saw her in gym, with the exception she was wearing a black suit. She stood there for a moment, tilting her head to one side, and then the other… before she too followed in a sprint after you.

Both of them had pins on that had the Japanese Characters for The Future Foundation bookmarked with a diamond pointing upwards.

"You are alive!" Mrs. Chabashira yelled out as she grabbed your shoulders. "I bet your Neo-Akikdo Skills helped you!"

"They… they have actually," you admitted, letting out a breathe not sure if you should laugh or sigh at your teacher.

Hina looked down at your leg and gasped. "You shouldn't be putting pressure on that! Here!" Hina instantly got down hunched over.

Oh you were grateful, you leaped upon the very athletic young woman and she had no trouble at all supporting your weight. Wow this felt nice. You hugged onto Hina with a smile on your face.

Yay.

Both women both looked at Algernon, and you felt sweat beginning to fall down your neck as you looked at him from the side eye.

How far had that image spread?

"We will get you and your friend back to the future foundation headquarters. There are going to be a lot of questions when you get there," Mrs. Chabashira said.

"… I hope there will be some answers, too," you said.

"So far they have had a bunch for me and my class!!! I am sure they will be able to help you too," Hina assured as she held her hands up in the air before she looked over at Izuru. "Who are you?"

"Another survivor."

"You can call him Algernon… That's what I call him," you piped up with a small smile and he gave you a side eye that you elected to ignore. "He has been my…. escort so far."

"Well it looks like has been doing a crumby job of it!" Hina huffed as she shifted her hold on you.

"I am not surprised," Mrs. Chabashira sneered as she crossed her arms , leaning her body forward as she walked to look him over. She muttered something under her breathe.

You looked at Algernon who didn't looked pleased but you didn't think it ranged anymore than normal.

Whelp; you got comfortable, which was easy to do because now you had people to talk to, who wanted to talk!!!

Oh what a joyous hour or so that walk to the Future Foundation HQ was.

Chapter Text

The building stood like a bastion built by heaven. Sterling white that only used black to try and make the main building appear brighter. It stood out like a sore thumb, like a symbol…. but it did look rather sturdy.

It would be able to take a lot of punches from despair, you knew it had already. You closed your eyes as you saw the modern looking building again in your mind.

It was overwhelming tall, reaching towards the clouds to tower overhead…

It almost reminded you of being in front of Hope's Peak Academy, and you hoped that was where most of the similarities ended.

Several men in suits with a mixture of firearms and… megaphones? stood out front of the building, they nodded their head upon seeing the two women… But they all were quick to give Algernon the side eye.

He didn't change his expression, simply walking past them as they all focused on him particularity. They didn't seem to know who he was or they would have shot him dead on the spot, but they could tell when to be wary.

You weren't sure any of them even noticed you, but their gazes all still felt so intense you curled your body closer to Hina, hiding in her ponytail.

You peeked out once you were hit with a cooler breeze of AC that circled around the entry way. The interior was sterling white with elevators and entrances to long corridors. There were a few black leather chairs with men and women all wearing the same black leather suits and having the same pin. In the center of the room with a black granite top was a desk.

Behind the front desk was Miss. Tojo dressed in a black suit and pencil skirt.

You beamed at the familiar face as you peeked up from over Hina's shoulder to raise above to look at her better, and the Ultimate Maid stopped typing on the computer when she saw you, green eyes dilating ever so slightly before she wore a welcoming smile. "More survivors, good," she said as she looked at you and then your…. friend with a stern look.

She dug around in the desk before pulling out two pads that flashed with a screen. "Please fill these out over there," she pointed at a couple of black leather chairs. You could see some other people in tattered clothes, two men one young and one old then a woman and her child, who clung to her side as she typed away on both of their behalfs with one shaking finger.

You had one hand on Hina's shoulder and reached out taking the tablet. 'Induction Form'.

Mrs. Chabashira looked at you, before glaring at Algernon. "I am heading back out, Hina will take care of you" she declared.

'Are you sure, Tenko? You shouldn't burn yourself out," Miss. Tojo said as she didn't look up from the work she started up again. "And you need to wait for a partner."

Mrs. Chabashira didn't respond to either comment as she was already heading towards the see through glass doors. You could see one of the men trying to stop her before getting knocked to the ground as she locked her leg underneath him.

You hoped that shining candle stick hadn't been soaked in gasoline.

Hina basically skipped you on over to the leather chair, hunching down before letting you drop onto the soft padding. She turned around with bright eyes.

"I am going to tell Makoto you are here, he is going to be so excited to hear about more survivors from the Academy!" Hina said as she held her hands up in front of her, nodding her head eagerly. "I am sure he is going to want to talk to you when he has the chance!"

"I am glad to hear Makoto's okay!" you smiled as you held a hand up. "What has he been doing? And…. everyone else?" you asked.

You saw Hina's expression twist. "You haven't seen it, have you?"

You shook your head.

Hina stood there for a moment before she nodded her head, holding her hands in front of herself as you was almost bouncing on her feet. "Well good! Hearing that is a good thing!" she declared. 'Makoto will fill you in when he gets the chance, but I gotta go now! I promise they will take really good care of you here."

"I am sure that is true," you looked down at the tablet. "Thank you, Hina."

She went sprinting down the hallways. You looked at Algernon, before your eyes dropped to his screen at everything he was filling out .

He using Hajime's information. You supposed it wasn't a lie….. but you could see the way his bangs made his face darker as he clicked away at every key on the digital board.

Your eyes shifted to your own screen as you began to tap away at it, being as accurate as you could with it. The two men were called away, before the woman and her child. By the time you and Algernon finished yours…..

It was your turn.

A woman with a pixie cut led you to a room where you were both sprayed with some sort of disinfectant before being lead down a medical wing.

Every step you took further in the more agitated Algernon seemed to get, glaring at every doctor or nurse who was simply minding their own business in the hallway. You gave him the side eye before you walked right beside him, bumping into his shoulder.

He looked down at you and glared. "What?"

"Sorry, my bad…. Clumsy as usual," you closed your eyes as you smiled at him, and he scoffed down at you…. but now he was paying more attention to ensuring you didn't bump into him again.

You were lead to a small, clean and white medical office with two chairs. The lady left leaving you both in short silence before a young man came in with a cart.

It was a quick visit, Algernon wouldn't let the man touch him, simply copying whatever was being done to you in terms of the basic check up on himself so the doctor didn't even have the chance. The doctor seemed….

Surprised to put it likely, but every time the poor man tried to say something or to get him to let him help in some way, Algernon would simply giving him a glare that answered 'Take a step closer and I will kill you in this medical office' and let him do what he wanted.

Algernon finished up by rolling up his sleeve, and injecting three shots on the cart at the same time into his shoulder. He made it was quick as possible before he put band aids on his arms so the new holes wouldn't bleed on your shirt…. and then he stood by the door.

The doctor looked at him before he put his full attention onto you after he had given your own shots. He bent down in front of you and lifted up your pant leg to get a better look at the damage.

"Seems your leg has been through it," the doctor said when he looked. . 'What happened?"

"A book shelf got knocked on it because of an explosion…." you looked at the claw marks still hot and fresh. It didn't infected though…. "Then um….. some other things happened, it is all sort of a blur."

"We get that a lot nowadays….." the doctor did some tests that didn't require any technology before he put it into a cast. "It should be healed in a few weeks."

"Thank you very much, Doctor," he gave you a crunch as well, it felt like heaven to be able to use it and have it be the main thing that supported your leg. You walked to the door and the Doctor called for someone to escort you.

It was the same woman as before and she lead you to a completely different section of the facility. There were several doors close together and near the end of a hallway she stopped and opened one.

"We will have you wait here until tomorrow, when someone can conduct your interviews," the woman explained as she gestured to the small white room with two twin sized beds, pushed a decent away apart from each other. There was a single desk in the room and a door to a bathroom… but it was tiny.

"Interviews?" you asked, tilting your head to the side.

"For new members we have someone talk to them, see what sorts skills they have, where they should be and…. stuff like that," she smiled. "It should be sometime tomorrow if I had to guess."

It was also probably a good way to check to make sure no one was trying to cause problems. You could imagine how badly Junko would have wanted to get someone to sneak in and unravel this place from the inside out.

You looked at Algernon.

Man it would really suck if he has been lying and using you as a cover to get into the Future Foundation… but you couldn't, think of any reason he'd want to do that and you looked at the woman. "Thank you very much, have a good rest of your day," you smiled and she nodded back before leaving just the two of you alone.

Algernon claimed one of the beds immediately, crossing his legs on the one on the left side as he pulled his laptop out of seemingly nowhere.

"You got the information from Nagito, right?" you asked as you walked right beside him, looking down.

He wasn't thrilled at your question, he silently pulled out a black and white hard drive with that same red symbol on either side of it, making it harder to tell which side was up.

He plugged the hard drive into his laptop first try, and you leaned over his shoulder as the black ocean and white land masses showed on screen first before a series of red dots appeared with a stinging sound at each one.

They were all over the world.

Mexico City, Mexico

Washington DC, USA

Denver, Colorado, USA

Yokohama, Japan

Beijing, China

Seoul, South Korea

LOCATION UNKNOWN: African Continent.

Olympia, Greece

Florence, Italy

Hauptstadt, Novoselic

Olso, Norway.

"Be nice if they were more specific…" you mumbled to yourself as you looked the map over with your eyes.

"It doesn't matter, we know where they are."

You did. You looked at the map again. You could take a couple og guesses, Sonia was in Novoselic, and…. well- you assumed the guy who was obsessed with fine dining would make his way to Italy but other than that….

Who knew who was where.

You'd find out soon though. Because you knew where they were.

It was getting closer and closer. You looked at the other door in the room and opened it up to see the bathroom with some samplers from an old hotel that didn't exist anymore.

"I am going to take a shower, unless um, you want to go first?" you offered as you leaned over the just inside.

He was typing away at his laptop, you could see his eyes reflecting with text but not what anything said. "I don't care."

You had a fumbling smile. 'Of course you don't…."

Well…

You'd at least enjoy your shower!

Someone had brought you both dinner at some point, a glass of milk and a bunch of different food that had been dried, dehydrated or were otherwise preserved…. but for the most part it had just been the two of you in silence until Algernon decided to turn out the lights and go to bed.

So… that is what you were trying to do, lying on the uncomfortably stiff mattress. You pulled at the covers to make sure they were over you all the way before tossing them down and bringing them up again, undecided before just giving up with a huff and knocking them down to the ground.

You let out a breathe as you stared at the dark, truly safe, room.

You still couldn't sleep right now, you really should. You had no idea when you were going to get another good chance to actually rest…..

But your mind was too full of other things.

All you had really done was been ordered around by others and so far none of your questions were answered. Perhaps it was your own fault for not asking more from Hina and Tenko but was it such a crime you wanted to have a lively, fun conversation with someone for a little while?

You didn't think so, even with all the important things to be worried about.

Like Chihiro…. you hadn't heard anything from him since you got here and it only confirmed your suspension that they had indeed died during this Killing Game. Your shoulders tensed and your sucked in a breathe.

You'd…. probably not try and watch that, avoid it unless it was some sort of required viewing.

Part of you wanted to know what happened, mostly just to see the events that led to the death of that heinous bitch… but she'd want you to see. You closed your eyes, she'd want you to look with horror as you watched in which manner Chihiro and Hifumi and Sayaka and Sakura and all of the other members of Class 78-A who past on died.

She'd snicker at you beyond the grave as she used the event to pull another Jenga Block from your already crumbling tower…

So you wouldn't give her that entertainment.

Not when she should be suffering in hell.

You'd live in ignorance of everything but the outcome, one where she lost despite everything she was able to steal before she did. You clenched your fists over your chest as you let out a hard, whistling breathe through your nose.

You'd plunder her cove of stolen treasures, and get back everything she took away from you.

As much as you could.

You wondered what happened to your parents? Were they still alive? Were Alexis and Chelsea still alive?

If they were, surely they would have found their way here. You hadn't had a lot of time around, and you wouldn't assume any of them would be all that high ranking within the Future Foundation so neither pairing would have heard about you arriving…

Maybe you would find them around soon.

You clenched your eyes as tight as you could, forcing tears to go away as you did so…. because you might not.

And if you didn't….

They were all probably dead too. More causalities of Junko's cruelty.

You'd keep some hope, though…. you didn't know either way, and you wouldn't know until some time tomorrow….

Now if only you could get some sleep to get there.

You finally opened your eyes, having a frustratingly easy time making them spring open, they never wanting to have closed in the first place. You were forced to just stare at the ceiling for a little whole.

You rolled over, rest your cheek on the back of your head as you looked Algernon lying on the bed with his arms crossed over his body.

You blinked and when you opened your eyes, he was staring right at you.

You hadn't even heard the sheets shift.

You jumped. "Algernon!" you almost fell out of you bed as you looked at him. "I… I guess you cannot sleep either…."

"I don't sleep often."

"Oh-" you shifted under the comforts. "I am sorry to hear that, is there a reason?"

"I find it boring."

You closed your eyes and your shoulders completely relaxed. "That…. I…. I understand finding it boring to try and fall asleep, but sleeping itself is really kinda like fast travel."

"I find both things boring," he clarified.

"Why do you find sleeping itself boring?"

"I only ever have two dreams," he answered as his eyes shifted to the side, the movement was extra noticeable with how vividly they stood out in the dark. "I find both of them tedious to get through."

"I see…. do you want to talk about them?"

"Why?"

You shrugged. "Maybe if you let them out into the world…. it will make some space in your head for new dreams."

"That is stupid."

"Have you tried it?" you asked. "You don't have anything to lose."

"You wouldn't want to hear about them."

"Well if you don't want to talk about them there are other methods…. writing them down in a journal or even a piece of paper to burn if you prefer, maybe even just telling them……. to the dark…. might help….." you suggested, you let out a small yawn.

Listening to him speak was beginning to make you sleepy.

"…. or maybe….. reading something….."

You heard him suck in a breathe as if he was going to spit on you for the suggestion. "No."

You let out a small sigh, shutting your eyes and hummed "…. stubborn boy……."

You managed to get to sleep, and Algernon kept staring at your face in the dark.

In the morning both of you were lead to different rooms.

You had no idea where he went, but you were taken to a rather nice office. It was small, like most of the other rooms had been but the walls were painted a nice, lucky green color and there was a houseplant in the corner.

On the one bookcase, there was a Golden Katana with some of the Leaf rubbed off. You could have sworn you seen it before. There was also a class photo, with everyone but Makoto in it, framed next to it.

You waited in the comfortable arm chair across from the bigger one before you heard the door open.

"Ah! Sorry for being late, I got things mixed up and went to the wrong room," you turned around seeing Makoto coming in, rushing to the other side of the desk and he put a new looking, sleek laptop with a green case in between you both. "it is….. so fantastic to see you alive."

Somehow that marshmallow face hadn't changed a day since you first met him. It did contrast with the slick black suit he had put on like everyone else at the Future Foundation.

"I agree, it's nice to see familiar faces when you don't know when they will be found."

He smiled at you before he put his hands together. "Before we start our interview I…. want to answer any questions you have. Hina told me you hadn't seen the… broadcast."

"I have a few, yes, indeed," you put your hands together. You put your hands together. "…… Chihiro isn't alive…. right?"

Makoto's expression fell, eyes going sad. "I am…. so sorry," he shook his head before his face became more resolute. "But- but there is someone you do need to meet on that subject!"

Your face didn't have time to fall as Makoto flipped open the laptop and turned the screen around immediately.

The avatar looked bewildered for a moment as it's eyes moved with the lens of the camera but then it saw you.

Chihiro's face was looking back at you.

"Hello. It is nice to meet you. I am Alter Ego, Master told me a lot about you."

It didn't count as breaking your promise already if you never let the tear fall, right? You wiped it away before it got there. Or maybe it didn't count because they were happy tears trying to break down the dams.Either way it was close as you smiled at the laptop screen.

"Did he?"

The AI didn't respond and Makoto looked up. "He um, doesn't have a microphone yet, but you can talk to him through the keyboard."

You nodded as you leaned over. 'It is nice to meet you too, I am glad to hear that Chihiro mentioned me.'

"He talked about you a lot. I hope we will have more time to catch up."

You nodded your head. 'I hope so too'.

The Avatar smiled from across the screen and you looked up at Makoto, who slipped the laptop by his side but kept it propped open so Alter Ego could at least see the rest of the interview.

"And…. who are the others who survived?" you should focus on that.

"There were six in total. Myself, Hina who you have already seen. Kyoko, Toko, Yasuhiro and Byakuya."

"…. He survived??!" your voice didn't mean to cringe as much as it did but your face made more than the difference. "How did he not get murdered???"

"I… I am just glad my friend survived," Makoto sucked in a breathe through his teeth as he looked at you. "…. But I don't know the answer."

You let out a sigh. "…. I am glad your friend survived too," you lied to his face. You were glad about the other five but really? You couldn't have had that satisfaction? Knowing that annoying Prick had not gotten killed but your sweet, childhood friend who let mosquitoes drink their blood had to have died?

There was no information that could make that worse, expect there easily could be and you didn't want to know or else you suddenly might not be a pacifist anymore.

"… for the one who didn't though," you clenched your fist as you glanced at Alter Ego's face in the monitor. "Is there… a grave site for them? That… that can be visited."

Makoto put his hand together. "Not… yet. There will be I promise!" his shoulders rose as he declared that before he looked over at the Katana. "I just…. think it would be best to wait. Until have I somewhere they would enjoy being buried. I think, I think they'd forgive me for keeping them waiting for that reason, right?" he looked at you, it was a question he had cleared asked other but still wanted to make sure he was respecting them correctly.

"I frankly cannot speak most of your class, but…. in the case of Chihiro I think he would be happy to wait."

Makoto smiled and nodded his head. "Do… you have any more questions before we begin."

"Just, one. Do you know… where my parents are?" you gave him their names and he blinked before shaking his head.

"I don't, but, that doesn't mean you should lose hope them. They could be here I simply don't know. There are a lot members of the Future Foundation and if they aren't here, maybe, maybe you'll be able to find them. We have…. we have a lot of places we haven't been able to check for survivors," there was hope in his own voice too.

You nodded your head. "Thank you…. I think I am ready for my interview now."

Makoto smiled and nodded his head, after getting basic information to ensure he had the right person (a fact he was certain of) he looked up at you.

"Where have you been hiding out?"

"Um… an apartment, somewhere around Shibuya."

Makoto nodded his head. "Why did you come to the Future Foundation now?" Makoto asked with his clipboard in one hand.

"Well, I…. I don't know. My traveling partner seemed like he wanted to come here but he hasn't told me much."

"Your…. traveling partner, he put down on his form his name was 'Hajime Hinata'?"

You cringed hearing him call Algernon that. It wasn't wrong and yet still. 'That… was his name. I don't even know how to explain everything that is going with him as it stands," none of it was good.

Makoto tilted his head but didn't pry to much. "We have a lot of different branches of the Future Foundation. What is it you feel you would be suited to do here?" Makoto asked.

"… I have one goal, and that is to save my friends. I know where they are," you said. "I just need to get to them."

"You- you mean there are other survivors from your class!?" his eyes immediately lit up. "That is fantastic news! Please, give me all the details you know. The Future Foundation will do everything they can to help bring back Class 77-B," his promise was made quick, and if he knew all of the details he would say too quickly…. and he was about to find them out.

"They are unfortunately a lot more than survivors here," you explained and you swallowed. "They are the perpetrators. The other members of class 77-B, excluding myself, Nagito Komaeda and the Madarai brothers make up the group you know as the Remnants of Despair."

"What?" Makoto recoiled in his chair as he looked at you, the clipboard seemed like it was going to fall out of my hand. "They…. helped Junko?"

"It- it isn't completely their fault," you said quickly as you pushed yourself up to be looking him in the eyes. 'She brainwashed them! She did everything she could to break every one of my friends so she could use them to do what has happened," they did it. They still did it….

But they wouldn't have and-

"If I can get them back, I know they will try and help fix what they broke."

Makoto blinked. "I…. I, do you have a plan for their brainwashing?"

You nodded your head. 'The Neo-world program, according to Algernon it should be able to fix them, bring them back to normal."

Makoto's eyes narrowed before he grabbed the laptop and typed something to Alter Ego. The AI seemed to light up and gave him a run down what that was and Makoto's eyes seemed to sparkle when he got the full run down.

"I see…. I see. Do you know where they are?"

"Yes. And I know we will be able to do it," you declared it to confidently you were almost convinced you meant it as the honest truth. You wanted it to be the full truth, that you knew you could do it. The we felt hollow in the statement.

Makoto began to do more digging from you, but he seemed thoroughly convinced as he stood up, pulling Alter Ego's laptop under his arm, his face steadfast. "I will do what I can to get approval, first I need to talk with the others…. and see what Kyoko got from your traveling companion."

"He will have… more information than I will," you admitted as you got up, grabbing your crunch. "Is it okay to head back to my room?"

"Yes, you will be updated on the plan once we are all done."

Izuru had been lead to a different room.

As soon as he was guided in, the door was shut and locked behind him.

Concrete walls, a black steel chair and on the other end Kyoko Kirgiri sitting in a more comfortable looking leather chair, with bright lights coming from the back of her. She looked up at him, gloved hands together before she gestured down at the seat across from her.

He sat down without argument and they stared at each other for a moment, looking the other carefully, taking in each detail they could grasp from the clothes, the looks, the expressions neither of them made.

Neither one found much interesting just staring at the other.

"Do you know who I am, Izuru Kamukura?" Kyoko finally asked as she tilted her head backwards, making her posture perfectly rigid.

"Kyoko Kirgiri, the Ultimate Detective," he answered as he put his cheek in his hand as he leaned over the table, looking at her with bored eyes. "You were looking for me."

So much for her title, if she couldn't actually end up finding him. Though she had likely been the only person to see him, so she had that in her favor he supposed.

"Why did you come here?"

"Because I have a deal," he picked himself. "I will deal with your problem, the remaining Remnants of Despair, if you allow me to use the Neo-World Program to wipe their memories and return myself, and them, to a state before this ever began."

"Why would we trust you?"

"You don't have to trust me to give me the job," he answered as he closed his eyes. "But if you wish to consider it another way, would you rather send hundreds of your dwindling survivors to their deaths to try and capture a mere one of them… or would you rather send someone capable of dealing with it out right."

Kyoko's eyes narrowed at him.

"I don't care what you decide," he added with a shrug. "If you set up to meet with a firing squad, I would not be opposed to that either."

Kyoko took in a breathe and stood up from the table, one gloved hand on the smooth surface before she already towards the door, using a passkey to leave the room. "You may return to your quarters. I have made my decision,"

The Six Hope's Peak Survivors were all gathered in a boardroom.

"We have to help them!" Makoto started as he held up a hand. "They were students from Hope's Peak to start with, they would be massively helpful in the rebuilding efforts if their plan works out."

Byakuya scoffed at the idea from across the table with his arms crossed. "And you really think it will just be that easy to get them to side with us? I cannot believe how much you still need to grow up."

"But he is right!" Hina cried in argument as she pushed herself up from where she was sitting, hair bouncing with the movement. "Besides, we all know Junko did something to them, so- so we like gotta help 'em out!"

"T-they still were working for her," Toko sniveled from her side of the table. She was the only one not wearing a suit and her teeth gritted together. 'And it isn't fair that they should be made members when I still am not one!!!'

"I don't think they would just jump to member status," Yasuhiro said as he put a hand through his thick hair. "But….. Either way, my gut is saying we should help em out, so I think we should!" he put a hand over his heart as he said that.

"I know you firmly believe you can trust in them," Kyoko said as she finally looked at Makoto before she put a hand under her chin. "But I do not think their companion is looking out from anyone. Which can be just as dangerous as people who are only looking out for themselves."

"Well- well he is one of the ones who are going to be getting help," Makoto replied.

"How- how can you be so certain he-he even wants it," Toko asked as her shoulders tensed up. "He could be lying to us all…."

"I mean, he is kinda of an odd guy," Hina said as she crossed her arms. "But I don't think he's totally evil like Junko was! Especially if they are being vouched for so heavily!"

"And when have your judgment ever been the soundest?"

"Excuse me!? Why I outta-'

"You outta what, you big boobed bitch!?"

"Hey! Why are you even in this discussion?"

"Guys- guys we are getting off topic!" Makoto looked around before he sighed at the standstill.

The laptop screen powered on, and Alter Ego looked at both arguing sides.

"Do….. I get a say?"

Everyone's head shifted down the table.

Makoto began to beam well Yasuhiro and Hina both cheered Alter Ego on. Byakuya and Toko shared a scoff well Kyoko cupped her chin as her brow furrowed, looking at the laptop.

"I suppose…. we have to take all of our remaining friends opinions on this matter."

"And here are your pins, Welcome to the Future Foundation officially," the woman who had been guiding you around, whose named you learned to be Himari, handed you both little boxes that contained the symbol of the future within them. "When you are done recovering, Rantaro will speak with you about your trip plans."

You beamed. "Thank you!" you held the book up as you looked the silver glinting. You didn't even know this place existed until yesterday, and yet you were over the moon to be a member already.

Izuru threw his box onto the desk before he sat down on the bed, grabbing the laptop out once more. You looked over to him after you fascinated it to your brand new suit which was part of a full brand new uniform (His also sat on the desk, ignored).

Himari smiled at you. "I wish you the best of luck in your rescue mission."

You smiled, hiding your nervousness. "Hoping for the best," that was the lie. That they had fled across the world getting trapped where they landed, and you happened to know where they ran off too.

They didn't know where the remnants were located, with the exception of the 'Kingpin'. They had no idea where you actually heading when you told them the locations, maybe fibbing a little on the specifics.

Himari went to do her other tasks of leading the new recruits around before you sucked in a breathe, holding your hands in front of yourself before you turned around. "I am going to explore the rest of the building, do you want to come with?" you asked.

"No."

Your cheeks tightened with your smile as you looked down at him. "If you are sure," you said before you opened the door. "I hope you have fun with.. whatever you are doing!"

"I won't."

You shut the door behind you as you closed your eyes.

Geez.

You began to go down a hallway, consulting a map on one of the walls. You nodded your head… you'd… just go around all of the sectors and see what and who you found!

You started to the front lobby as a hub…. where you saw Toko standing near by, her arms curled up by her as she looked around suspiciously at everyone. She was wearing a mostly purple school uniform rather than a black suit.

You stood there looking at her, which caught her eye.

"W-what!?" Toko glared at you. "Are- are you here to mock me because you get to be a Member right away well I am still on probation!?" she yelled pointing her finger out, her hair on edge like a cats.

'You aren't a member???" you asked, if she survived she should have been, right. "Why are you on probation?"

"Don't- don't play stupid! Everyone knows!" she hissed out before she grabbed either side of her hair. "Thanks to the stupid Junko, now everyone knows," she clenched her eyes shut and you blinked.

"I don't know- I didn't… I haven't seen the game. It's okay if you don't want to tell me, but um, I really don't know," you smiled.

Toko's face scrunched as she looked at you. 'Well I don't want to tell you, then!" she explained before she began to ran off.

You blinked as you stood there.

Okay.

You threw your hands in the air before they clapped onto the black pants of your new uniform, shaking your head. Whatever man.

You did smile though.

Even if she didn't like you personally….. One of your favorite authors had survived! Maybe… maybe this whole thing would inspire her. Was it twisted to hope that? You thought it might be, but hey, the idea Toko might have a new book by the time back from this whole thing could give you something more to look forward to!

You straightened your back as you began to wander.

The first thing of note you found was…. a hall of memorial pictures. They had the Hope's Peak Students up near the top but it was for all sorts of people. Simple printed ones that were pins on the corkboard because it was what the person had, maybe something framed… in the center of all of it though lined were the Headmaster then all of the staff that had died…. expect Tsugumi.

You knew of the dead faces, seeing of Kaede, the real picture of Kaede for the first time was….

Odd.

She looked like what you expected… and she did also of… look like you in away. At least what you used to look like. So bright and full of hope. Your eyes narrowed…. you'd likely been spot on about Hope's Peak getting rid of her for one reason or another.

Your eyes flickered down to the newest editions.

Gonta Gokuhara, Kaito Momota, Himeko Chabashira, Korekiyo Shinguji and…

Chisa Yukizome.

Your fists clenched and you sucked in a breathe. You….. your homeroom teacher. You held your head as you respected the dead for a moment, even if they weren't resting here.

They dates on the portraits, the ones for the most recent deaths was about two months ago.

You could guess what happened to them. They were Ultimates, hence the ones survivors…. but they were also teachers. You had seen the vault door. Junko had been a fox locked in the hen house, and then got rid of them before the killing game, to ensure they didn't get in her way.

You turned your head and you kept walking.

One more answer for you- not one you wanted though.

For the most part you hadn't done much but seen the inside of the different departments. This place was incredibly impressive with it's scale and size. There were departments for Administration, Rescue, Medicine, Preservation and Restoration, and then even more! It was kind of amazing to see the people working.

The building's scale was grand but you never really… knew where you were though.

There wasn't a single window in this place.

For safety, you were certain. It was peaceful inside and you knew you were safe…. but that didn't stop you from shuddering when you heard gunshots through the concrete that were being fired at the very same concrete.

You talked with a few people, asked if they had seen your parents or Alexis or Chelsea or even Hajime's parents but you got nothing, and you were running out of places to check.

The last spot, was the Agriculture.

You…. really didn't think any of them would be there, but you were determined to check every last spot! And maybe you'd still find something!

There was still no windows to the outside but rather it was a massive underground greenhouse for the first while, working on getting fruits and veggies grown and into the dehydrator as fast as gardeners worked.

You walked further back to a place with a window that opened into an indoor pasture. The door wasn't locked so you stepped in.

There were about 10 or so cows, a bull and four calfs, two sheep and about a dozen chickens.

You smiled seeing the animals. It was…. small, but they had some space to wander around in.

From a side room, a familiar walked out. Her hair was almost completely gray now and instead of hippie clothes she was in a gray jumpsuit, but she still wore that bright yellow bandana

"Miss. Tanaka!"

She looked up and almost drop the buckets of feed on her shoulder. "Hi!!!" she yelled before she quickly did what she needed with the food an ran over. "My goodness! I haven't seen any of Gundham's friend,."

"I haven't seen anyone's parents!" you exclaimed as you looked her over. "I am so glad to see someone alive."

"We have to catch up, I am almost done, give me just a moment."

You nodded your head, you both still talked as she finished tending the animals. The sheep eventually sat down and they made the perfect bean bags to talk to each other. She told about life at the Future Foundation for awhile, it was mundane but that was sort of nice.

She put her hands over her abdomen before she gave you the side eye. She pushed her lips together and her eyes traveled to one side and then the other in contemplation.

"I…. have to ask, were you possessed as well by a demon?" she asked.

You blinked. "Huh?" you asked as you sat up to get a better look at her. "Do you… did you interact with Gundham?" the voice was quiet.

"That was not my Gundham, he was clearly possessed, demon, evil spirit, whatever you wish to label it." she answered and nodded her head as she sat up herself. "And I have definitive proof of my claim."

"You, you do?" you asked.

"The Dark Devas of Destruction," she put a hand over her heart when she said there names. "Gundham attempted…. to attack me in our own home," she explained before she closed her eyes.

She could picture it so clearly in her head as she recounted the tale.

"He had lit the house ablaze in an attempt to corner me, he had new familiars with him…. he intended to have them all rip me to shreds but before he could give the command, the Dark Devas turned their claws on their corrupted Master, giving me a chance to run away."

"They knew the will of Gundham better than other familiars he had ever been able to tame, if he had truly wished my downfall it would have happened! But it didn't, and that proves to me that he was possessed!"

You nodded your head. "It is definitely something like that," it was, it was and you knew it for certain. Not in way she may assume, though. "Don't worry at all, Miss Tanaka!" you took one of her hands, a hope behind you eyes. "I will do everything I possibly can! I am going to get the demon out of your son, and everyone else."

She smiled and took your hand. "I bless you, dear child," she put a hand on your forehead before she pulled a clear quartz necklace out from under her uniform, and placed it around your head. "Keep safe and keep strong when you go."

You held onto it before slipping it under your suit, right under your heart. You nodded your head. "I will bring him back."

You'd bring everyone back!

Chapter Text

Mr. Amani had been put into an office about the same size as Makoto's, but he had painted his walls a soothing brown color with a collection of knickknacks on his shelf, a boat on his desk and a portrait of the world map behind him.

He rested with his hands pushed together in front of him, sitting legs crossed upon his big leather chair and he leaned forward. "Good to see you alive. I was worried about you."

Your eyes brightened immediately. "Mr. Amani! You survived, oh you survived," you knew he had, but you still felt your heart warm seeing your favorite teacher again.

His smile faltered for a moment as he looked at you before he started to laugh. "You don't have you have to call me that anymore, you graduated."

"Huh?"

"Has no one told you?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow. "After the school was forced to close, everyone listed as enrolled was automatically graduated and given the title of Ultimate."

Oh.

You are an Ultimate.

The Ultimate Literary Critic.

…

How helpful.

Rantaro hummed. "You know-"

"Enough reintroductions," Algernon more or less shoved you to the side to get one of the chairs set up in front of him.

"You must be fun at parties," Rantaro's whole body shifted with his eyes to looked at Algernon with an annoyed smile on his lips.

"I don't go to parties."

Rantaro turned his attention over to you, twirling the chair over so he was only giving you any of his attention. Algernon glared at the gesture but was ignored. "I understand Izuru Kamukura will be helping you collect the Remnants."

Algernon's eyes narrowed. 'So you were informed."

"The only person formerly on Hope's Peak Payroll to be, you can imagine how the others would react," he put a hand behind his neck as he looked to the side. "But to help you, I did need to know the full truth of the matter."

"Thank you!" "Why?"

Rantaro's eyes shifted to look at Algernon. "Because I think they deserve a second chance," he shrugged one shoulder before he put his hands down. "I cannot help you with a lot of your direct travel, I am only route planning however, we do have something that will be of use."

He bent down beside him and pulled out a slick looking black box and slide it over to you.

You lifted the lid and picked up the tablet, holding it up in the air. it was in a clear plastic case with a large block that protruded out the end. It had a small wire connected to a USB that plugged into the device.

You held the power button and it swirled with Black and White, it reminded you of the E-Handbooks in multiple ways. The device kept chugging along for awhile before things finally began to set into place…. and a face appeared onto the screen.

"Good morning," pink eyes opened up at you, and you had to cover your mouth. Chiaki smiled at you. " It is nice to see you again."

"Chiaki!!! Oh you sound just like a human!" you laughed when you said that. It felt like you were just on a video call with an old friend rather than speaking to their entire being.

"I have had a lot of time to practice," she nodded her head before she rolled it to one side. She moved to the side and allowed you to poke around the different apps. There was an Internal GPS which was the most important thing… but the Data-Pad was loaded with all sorts of other things.

It contained Ebooks, Audiobooks, Lots of music, some TV and Music, then one file just labeled VIDEO-GAMES.

"It is going to be a lot of traveling, but she should be able to guide and ensure you have something when you rest," Rantaro put his hands together. "Now I'd like to talk about some tasks the foundation would like you to get done well you are out.

Algernon glared at the avatar on the screen as if she was speaking in tongues. He clenched his fists by his sides before he shifted his eyes back to Rantaro.

"What tasks?" you asked tilting your head as you lowered the Data-Pad down to your lap.

"We don't have a lot of men to send out to travel to other countries, but we have things that need to be taken care of…. I assure you they are all on your way," Rantaro stood up before he stood by his world map, standing by the Western Hemisphere. "We'd like you to start on the North American Continent."

You nodded your head as you straightened your back. "What did the foundation have in mind?"

"They don't know where many of the Remnants are…. but we suspect that one of them is located somewhere in Mexico," he pointed at the map with one finger. "There is a higher activity of self piloted machinery around both North and South America, it is extremely dangerous to try and get through," he gestured, staring his fingers at Panama going up through Alaska over to Greenland and all the way down to the tip of Chile before tracing back up to where he started. "Naval, air and if you somehow land, the Ground as well…. the highest concentration is around Mexico however."

"I think that is probably Kazuichi…" you said as you put your hands together. "He has also shut down communcations with anywhere else, right?"

Rantaro blinked as he moved his hand away. "'The Architect' has been using a machine to jam world wild radio and satellite communication, how did you know?" he asked.

"He was targeting phones of people in the class after Junko managed to get him…" you explained as you put your hands together. "Plus I imagine that is something the foundation would want dealt with as soon as possible," you added with a nodd of your head.

"That is part of what we want you to deal with, yes," Rantaro nodded his head. "There is more than just getting the ability to communicate back though," his finger moved to the heart of the United States of America. "We have reason to suspect there is another organization similar to the Future Foundation in the USA, or at least, there was."

"You do?!" you almost jumped out with your seat. "We will try and find them. Do you have any idea where they might be located specifically?"

"I am afraid not, and we are not complete certain they exist…. but every few months our towers pick up static trying to get through," Rantaro explained. "We have been able to trace the signals back to the country, but that's about all we can put together."

"We have to travel all the way across the country, so I am sure we will be able to find them," you nodded your head, ignoring the way Algernon was rolling his eyes at your enthusiasm. "Is there anything else?"

"No, that about covers it," Rantaro said before he looked at the map. "Given the destinations you have, here is my recommended route," he explained what he had in mind, explaining to you a general idea of what the world had been like well he traveled it as a younger man, and how it could have changed now.

"All of these are assumptions based on the known geography and climatology of the area…. but I have no idea how much despair has chiseled a new image into the landscape."

You listened intently well Chiaki kept a recording backed up of the whole lecture. Algernon seemed…. utterly uninterested the entire time Rantaro spoke and you wondered if he was paying any sort of attention.

He would be able to get you a plane there, and after you reestablished any sort of communication network you'd have check ins with Makoto or him…. and when you were done, he would have a boat come and get you.

Unfortunately on land, there was no guaranteed transportation other than by foot. You tapped your freshly healed leg on the ground and cringed internal… it was going to be so much walking.

"Well, that is about all I have for right now. Any questions?" Rantaro asked.

Algernon immediately stood up and left the room, not saying a word. Rantaro looked at the door before letting out a hum. "… Would you like me to accompany you instead of him?" he asked as he stared at the door, his eyes narrowing just a touch.

Your eyes lit up at the idea before you closed them. "…. No. I think it is best it is him," he was one of the Remnants of Despair himself, that had to give you some what of an edge in negotiations. "And the Future Foundation needs you around," they needed all the skill they could get to survive….

And who better than the Ultimate Survivor?

"Ya, it would be hard to get time off for a nice hiking trip," he admitted.

You got up and smiled. "Thank you for everything, Mr. Am- I mean Rantaro," you said as you bowed your head before you straightened your back to leave the room, both hands clasped over the Data-Pad with Chiaki.

"Before you go, I am going to finish what I was going to say before Izuru took his seat," it got you to stop in your tracks. "And that was, if you need to think of it in a new way…. You could consider yourself the Ultimate Survivor," Rantaro said with a small shrug. "It would be the truth."

You stopped in the doorway before looking back at him with a small smile. "I don't think I can say this yet… But… thank you."

Maybe you could think of a bit better of a title for yourself.

Maybe even by the end of this little trip!

Your leg had healed completely, and now it was time to test you. They couldn't just throw some civilian out into the end of the world after all.

Hina's weighted arm and leg braces were a double edge sword.

They slowed her down enough she had to be at the level of an armed Monokuma-Head, the bad news was they increased her weight by 100 pounds making her much harder to get good throws on.

You held up an arm to block a kick, shuffling back to get some distance as you shook your head, sweat beads hit the wooden floor behind you. You made a swift approach and grabbed Hina's bicep and forearm.

You pushed back but she broke away, punching you in the stomach with her other hand.

You coughed as your feet caught before the tumble, staying up right and you shifted. Another thing about adding 25 pounds to Hina's arms, it made her hit have much more force behind them!

You steadied yourself again and swerved from where Hina threw another punch, getting in close to attempt to throw her again but botched the positioning.

Before you could get a punishment, your entire body leaned backwards dodging her next swing. You would have fallen over if you didn't right yourself immediately and fell right into Hina.

It knocked her balance off, and you took it to grab one shoulder and throw her to the ground.

She let out a yelp like an otter as she landed on her shoulder. She looked up at you before she sat up. "Wowwww! You really have improved from what I remember, great job!"

You held your fists in front of you and gave a small nod before you got more enthusiasm behind it. "Yes, I have come a long way," you looked up at the two judges, Tenko and Ryoma who had been monitoring the fight. "Do I have your approval?"

"You footwork still could use improvement… but you understand the technique and have demonstrated you can use it in a serious fight, good job!" Tenko had her arms crossed as she grinned. "It is nice to see a blooming Neo- Akikdo Master, and I think experience will only do you better! You have my approval!"

Ryoma hummed as he had one hand in his pocket, the other one pulling his beanie down. "You certainly have the skills needed to fight at least…. but I do gotta know, you know all the risks, right?" he asked as he opened his big black eyes to look at you. "Have you really, really thought about all of them? Are you sure you don't want to a book keeping or archival position here?" he pulled his hand down. "I don't mean to doubt you, but things might be worse than we even predicted."

Your shoulders went slack at the question and your hands were down, you felt every eye in the room staring at you, even your own as they turned in on your own mind.

"… I can't stop thinking about the risks," you admitted and closed your eyes, taking in a breathe. "And I would honestly much prefer one of those positions." You'd even love to be like Himari and help people be inducted, see all of the news faces and help them but- "but…."

You clenched your fists before leaning forward. "They are my happy days, so I have to be the one to get them back!"

"You got a good spirit, kid," Ryoma lit a cigarette which got Tenko to shoot a glare at him. He looked up at you with a nod of the head. "I think it will get you far, if take good care of it. You have my approval."

Well you were getting your last little check up, Izuru was left alone in the room with just himself and the Data-Pad.

He glared down at the black screen before he walked over to your bed, picking it up.

Izuru wasn't stupid, he understood the practicality. He tapped on the screen and was let into the settings, the AI was currently in rest mode.

He found it spent a lot of time like that. When you were chatting with it would take so ever long to load that the avatar would seemingly fall asleep before answering. A product of spaghetti code, he was certain.

He dragged his finger to a different screen and he saw the light flickering off of the Camera lens. He glared at it.

The AI might be in rest mode, but there was no doubt it was still processing information. That was the design of it as a little companion, to keep an eye on him. Not quite a 'Big Brother' program but…. more a 'Little Sister'.

Someone who would snitch on him without a second thought.

He didn't really care, but he could see how it might become bothersome before long.

The best thing he could do, was get rid of this AI before it became a problem. Replace it with one of his own. He just would need to hook her up to his laptop and edit the code.

His hand reached for the USB cord.

"I wouldn't do that," the head of the AI's Avatar appeared on the screen, big pink eyes staring up at him as she tilted her head to one side to look at him at an angle. "It will not end well for you."

"They won't ever know," he answered, his fingers wrapped around it.

Voltage ran up his arm. His entire body reacted and made him drop the Data-Pad on the floor, the Avatar now facing the screen but he could feel the lens of the back camera looking at him.

Izuru showed his gums as he glared down at the device, holding the one hand up as the tips of his fingers tingled with the leftover electricity, his fingers twitched slightly and he wanted to make the tablet into scrap metal.

"I tried to warn you. Kyoko thought you might try something so….. Her and Brother brainstormed, they had a couple of ideas," from where she laid on the ground she played a sound effect.

'Pikachu!'

His teeth might break each other from how tightly they were pressing each other.

Before he could act you walked back into the room. He sneered at your stupid doe face as you looked at him before on the ground.

"What happened???" you asked before you ran over, yanking the Data-Pad against your chest. You looked down at the screen waiting for the answer of the AI.

Chiaki gave you a smile through the screen with her eyes closed. "I believe it is all sorted, right?"

He left the back camera lens. "You have made your point," he rolled his eyes before he looked up at you, flexing his fingers to ensure he had control of them once more. "Are we leaving now?"

"They still need to prepare the plane, and we still need to pack!"

You both were given large black packs that was soon weighed down by all sorts of supplies. The weight on your back already was beginning to tire you out from simply walking with Rantaro and Algernon towards the take off point. There was a seperate, smaller, completely see through bag that contained the Data-Pad with Chiaki.

You had, as a list of things

• GPS Data-Pad + Chiaki Nanami

• Bluetooth Earbuds

• 1 month worth of dried rations

• 1 month worth of clean water

• Future Foundation Uniform x2

• Extra-Durable Antimicrobial Sleeping Bag

• Gas Mask and Oxygen Tank

• Medical Kit

• Portable Electric Stove

• One Pot

• Signal Booster Kit

• Flowers for Algernon by David Keyes

• Nagito's Hoodie

Algernon had much the same you were pretty sure, though they gave him more heavy survival equipment, his weight didn't seem to bother him at all well you were forced to huff to catch up.

You were glad you did start taking gym more serious, but you were not sure you were prepared for all of the cardio… but hopefully you'd find a car with gasoline or something quickly! Or maybe the plane would be able to get right to Kazuichi's doorstep! All very good possiblities you could hope for!

"Here we are, your plane," Rantaro had both of his hands in his jean pockets as he looked on the two-passenger plane. It was painted black like the sky above with a glass cockpit that's mouth gapped for you to get in. "There is enough gasoline in the tank to get you about 2000 miles before you have to refuel, There is enough in storage to get you all the way to the capital," he walked over and patted the metal before he pulled down a compartment.

Packing up went quick, and it was time to board the plane.

It really… made you feel sort of small standing next to it, actually.

"Wait! Wait!!!" everyone's head turned around to see Miss. Tanaka running towards you, Himari right on her tail…. but so was a sheep that kept herding her in a different direction by getting in her way. She stopped in front of the three of you letting out heavy breathes.

"You came to say goodbye," your eyes lit up as you looked at her. She nodded her head as she looked up from her knees.

"Ahhhh my knees, give me a second," she huffed a few more times before she looked up, getting a whole bunch of enegry from the moment of rest and she held up a zip-lock baggy. "I talked some of the Gardeners into giving me some of the produce and made you some snacks for your flight out!"

It looked like balls of black moss were in the bag.

"Ohhhh!" you looked at it and yours scrunched. "Oh how sweet, thank- thank you Miss. Tanaka," you took the baggy, holding it in your hands as you stared down. How did she manage to make it look so fuzzy? What did she use to make it??? "I am sure it will be fantastic."

"I know! It is exciting to see what all the hype was about from Gundham," she laughed before she looked back at Himari who had finally been able to catch up, the poor agent winded. 'That is all I have, but I wish you all the best," she gave you a quick hug and you smiled, patting her back before she was escorted away.

"Thank you, Miss. Tanaka!" you waved as she was out of sight before you looked back down at the plastic. Your nose scrunched up and you still had a smile on your face, but it was not nearly as strong.

Well….

You opened the bag and cringed at the burnt yet… moist smell that came floated up. Your mouth half opened as you picked one up the green blobs up, it was sorta sticky and you held it in your hand.

You had seen Gundam eats a few and be fine… maybe… just out of respect, you'd try one…

Maybe it was fantastic.

Algernon gave you the side eye as you began to lift it your mouth. He smacked the 'snack' and the bag out of your hand. "Don't eat that."

"…." Rantaro looked at it. "…. Ya. I am with him on this one."

"Okay," you nodded your head, Miss. Tanaka was gone anyway…. you'd tell her they were good when you got back.

Algernon hopped into the cockpit with ease, his eyes trailing over each button.

Izuru's mind was racing as the relevant knowledge began to flood into his skull, he could see the description of each button as each one was snagged under the glow of the red rectal of his attention. He began to flick around, starting the engine and beginning pre-flight calibration.

You looked up and almost slipped when you tried to climb into the back seat, but Rantaro caught your foot and gave you the boost you needed up.

"I wish you the best luck, health and everything else on your travels," he said as he put a hand by his mouth to ensure he was heard over the roaring of the engine. "You will need anything you get on them!"

"I am going to do everything I can! Thank you for everything, Rantaro!!!"

Algernon shut the cockpit's glass dome over both of you, it sealed with huffing sound as it prepared to be pressurized.

You sucked in a breathe before letting it out shakily, you'd never actually been on a plane before. You grabbed onto the seatbelt strapped across your lap and you looked up at the glass dome of the cockpit.

Algernon clicked away at things in the pilot seat before he grabbed the two sides of the yoke of the plane before it started to move forward.

The movement made you jump just a little, you looked down at the bag strapped to your chest seeing the black screen reflecting back. He drove around for awhile before he stopped, hit a bunch more buttons and switches…

And the plane began to go.

Faster, and faster, and faster still until the nose tilted upwards. You looked out the side window, seeing Rantaro waving goodbye by the jeep that had driven you out here. You let out a shaky breathe before laughing as the rubble underneath.

You could see the remains of landmarks and lots of piles of stone that made new shapes out of what had been your dear Japan.

You were leaving…

You were leaving.

You were leaving!

You tilted your head back, one hand moving over your heart and you closed your eyes. You had to wonder if you would rather stay amongst the rubble of home or the find new but no doubt equally as decayed lands of the world. You… you were sort of excited though.

It was to late now. You were completely leaned back as your ears popped.

You felt Algernon looking back at you from the cockpit, or perhaps he was just checking behind himself.

Either way, you suddenly felt really tired… and it's not like you could do much.

You woke up to the plane shaking in the air. Your eyes lit up with life as you gasped and looked around.

Despite your hopes, it was not simply turbulence. Around you from all angles were five black and white drones with that Bear's Head stuck on the front. Algernon's shoulders were squired on the controls as he twisted the plane through the air to weave between them.

You clung onto the strap of the bag with Chiaki inside. She looked around. "Do a barrel roll."

Your head snapped down to the tablet, before the plane began to go up and upside down in the same movement, looping in the air in a tight barrel. You covered your mouth to suppress some of the scream and you saw underneath you as two surprised drones crashed into each other.

The flaming wreckage of the two unfortunately didn't catch any of the other drones.

"What do we do? What do we do?"

"We shut up-" Izuru barked as he looked at the three remaining drones still hot on their tail. Through the wind and sand smacking on the glass and metal, he could still hear the planes laughing at him.

His eyes narrowed before he rose up and took a nose dive down, rushing the plane down, just about crashing into the ground before correcting at the last second possible second to soar upwards. One of the drones failed to correct, slamming it's nose into the ground and exploding into a brand new sand dune.

Izuru rose into the air fast and veered to the west as he made it to the peak of the clouds.

You felt like you were going to throw up.

One of the drones ventured close and Izuru spotted the perfect angle, he shifted the yoke hard and got the tip of one wing caught in it's blade before turning the plane hard to the side, it spun tightly in a aileron roll.

The drone was thrown off it's balance and sent towards the grave just as before yhe remaining one got an opening, and it slammed it's body right into the wing.

It exploded on impact.

Algernon glared back at the wing which now burst into flames, a good chunk of it taken out, and the plane began to fall from the sky. "Tch."

You couldn't scream- You were stuck in freeze from the rattling of the entire plane, what else could you do in the passanger seat of a future crash site? Everything was happening in such slow motion that your eyes seemed to zoom in on Algernon controlling the plane.

It was impressive! Truly watching him move one hand around to the numerous control well keeping the other one on the jerking yoke, managing to keep it steady. His attention had to be at a million places at once and it was as if he had flown for his entire life!

He managed to keep the plane in the air for a good awhile, descending lower and lower. More and more of the wing caught into flame and you cringed as he hit the ground at a bad angle.

The wing it landed on snapped clean off before it rolled over with a bounce. You let out a scream as the glass shattered but the steel frame took the impact, before the plane leapt and landed on the same side it had before from the spin.

It slide down to a stop, by some miracle landing face up.

Your mouth fell open and your heart was beating so fast you thought it may have stopped.

You survived.

You could feel blood trickling down your cheek, the wound immediately being irritated by the whipping sand.

Algernon hopped out of the cockpit like he had just made the worlds most graceful and successful landing, going over to the side compartments and prying them open with his bare fingers as he threw your bag to the ground.

He grabbed his gas mask, putting it on and turning on the oxygen before he looked up towards you.

You managed to climb out, regaining your bearings enough. Chiaki's face flashed onto the screen, the see threw bag not giving her much of a vantage through the sand.

'That was a big crash," she looked at you from the Data-Pad. "How do you feel?"

"I…. I'll be fine," you said with your back facing the sand to get yourself set up. Before you had managed to get the gas mask on you heard sand crunching under the whipping wind. You shoved it on and looked back to see Algernon beginning to walk away. "Can you hang on a second!?" you yelled as you shuffled down and clicked on the oxygen tank before getting it secured back in the bag.

He had wandered a distance away and you groan into your mask.

The journey begins.

Chapter Text

There was so much sand.

All you could see was sand! You knew the sun was beating down from the sky because it was so ungodly hot. You felt the sweat building up under the mask and wetting the pits of your suit.

The pack on your back was also driving you mad. Your feet ached so much and you already felt exhausted. You cringed and hissed as you took a step, a rock having found it's way into your shoe.

You let out a huff as you got it to your toe so it wouldn't get in your way. There was no stopping, especially not when your only cue that Algernon was around was the crunching of his feet. If you fell behind to far behind here was a very good chance you would lose track of him completely.

You let out a groan with your pants for breathe as you kept wadding forward, feet sinking down. You kept picturing after all of this was over, you'd have Nagito rub your sore feet and make Hajime carry you everywhere.

You closed your eyes as the fantasy, letting out a longing sigh before you slammed right into Algernon's back.

His eyes glared down at you from the gas mask before he looked forward. Your eyes lit up.

"Train tracks!" you yelled before you looked around. You couldn't see very far but you could see their figure get blurry and blurry within the same storm. Almost as quickly as the train tracks had brought you joy, you noticed something else that brought sorrow.

There was nothing else around other than the tracks, no houses, no churches, no buildings, no plants. Hell you didn't even see any hills or big rocks! It was just the train tracks. You couldn't see far in front of your face, but you should have been abke to see something, right?

You grabbed the bag with Chiaki inside and held it up to look at her, dusting some of the sand off.

"Hey Chiaki, where are we?"

"According to my systems, we should be just outside Zumpahuacán, Mexico heading north east towards Mexico City, Mexico."

Ya…. there was a city here! Or at least there was supposed to be.

Algernon hummed before he tapped his foot on the ground catching your attention. "I have a plan," he said before he grabbed your hand, yanking you close to him. Your mouth dropped open and your head turned to look at his gas masked covered face.

He kept his eyes straight ahead.

You heard it faintly for a moment, before the chugging was almost the one thing you could hear as a train with Monokuma's face came flying forward towards you both. You didn't have time to gasp as Algernon had a good grip on your side.

He jumped right into the middle of the tracks. You screamed before he jumped again into the air as the train was about to run you both over.

He kicked in the bright red eye, the glass being sucked inwards before Algernon and you were followed in, he dropped you onto his feet as he had managed to land in away that canceled out the force, leaving him fine.

There were two Monokuma - Heads inside, they looked up. You were about to gain your bearings, but you need not bother.

The metal crunched in along with their skulls. Your mouth fell open, you swore you hadn't seen him move and yet- they were most defintely dead. He looked down at them as sand flooded in.

"This place will fill with sand-" Algernon pointed towards the door.

"You don't have to kill them!" you yelled as you looked at the blood leaking out to the floor, your whole body shaking.

"There is no point in keeping them alive."

"They are people!" you exclaimed before you looked at the metal and electrical wiring around their head. Those helmets… maybe…

"Some people are better dead," he walked forward not looking back at you.

You followed behind him, against your better wishes. The next metal box car had about four of the Monokuma heads.

You clenched your eyes shut and covered your ears, but you could still hear the crunches resound and when you opened your eyes, there were four new corpses on the floor.

You entire body was shaking and Algernon scoffed as you. He grabbed two of them at a time and dragged them to the next room ov…. and you heard two thunks on the side of the train before he came back in and threw the next two.

He didn't want them stinking up the place.

You sat down on the floor as the train chugged along and you held your head back. You took a long drag of the oxygen that was being let into your mask and closed your eyes. When you opened them, Algernon had taken a seat across from you, one arm resting on an knee.

You stared at him for a moment before you let your head hit the back of the train completely, your skull tapped with every jagged jolt of the tracks below.

Algernon put his lantern air-purifier thing onto the floor before he got up, removing his gas mask and cringing right away. "I am going to deal with the other train cars. Do not do anything to get in the way."

"I will stay right here," you put a thumbs up before you turned off the oxygen tank, and then removed your own helmet.

You wretched at the smell of the exposed air, covering both your mouth and nose with your hands as your eyes began to water. You coughed at the foul odor. "What is that???" you asked.

"Decay."

Algernon left you alone and you took in breathes through your mouth, but you could taste it doing that. Eventually you just grabbed the mask and put it back on to escape the putrid bouquet of rot.

Chiaki swirled onto the screen as the head looked around before she looked up at you. "Do you think he looks like a character from a beat 'em up?" she asked before only her hands appeared in front of her, doing lil jabs in the air like in a side scroller.

"Ha, probably," you said before you leaned back in the enclosed train car. You could see him in your mind, punching out the Monokuma heads with ease in a pixel art style…. You tried not to picture the reality of him playing what would be more accurately described as fruit ninja with how popped skulls like watermelons.

The train chugged along swiftly and you mostly sat hunched over Chiaki pulling up a book to occupy the down period, after all it was one thing that would certainly keep you out of the way.

He was taking his sweet time, but you couldn't bring yourself to worry about him. Algernon had proven himself… more than capable of being the threat in any room, or this case train car, he found himself in.

You finished your e-novel in fast time before you slide Chiaki back into her pouch. You pulled yourself to your feet as you looked around before looking at the door of the front of the train again.

There were no windows in this room, but there had been the eye in the room before…. perhaps you could see something from there.

You made sure the gas mask was on tight before you stepped in.

The room had definitely filled with sand, the entire floor had a sheet that blanketed the corpses he didn't bother to get rid of. You swallowed in your mask before you walked forward, shaking your head so the sand wouldn't build up on the front of your lens.

You pushed yourself to the broken window and could see out to the world that was in hues of brown and yellow from the infinite amount of sand that spawned in to form translucent curtains that you could barely peek through.

You noticed first the many, many cracks in the ground. Then you realized it was gray underneath all of the brown sand.

Those fractures? That horrid smell? The flatness of it all?

It was just concrete for miles. Concrete that covered hundreds of years of history and peoples lives.

Oh your head felt woozy and you thought you might puke into your gas mask. Your vision focused though on where you were heading. It was large enough it's silhouette stood out even in the sandstorm.

A factory, was split into too symmetrical halves with lines of smoke stacks that spewed out their black waste. The only part not perfectly parallels was the spire jutting out of the middle. It reached high into the sky with wires and jagged edges pointing out so far it that could be seen from a distance.

You could see the electricity sparking around, that must be the signal blocker.

You gathered yourself enough from your horrible realization to stumble back into other train car, and found yourself by the wall. Algernon walked in just as the same time as you.

Other than the sand that had gotten on his suit and mixed into his hair before, he managed to remain spotless.

"You are wasting oxygen."

"….." you covered the eyes of your mask before you let yourself slide down the wall. "It won't be that much longer with how fast the train is going…"

"Hmmm, likely," he agreed before he stood by the wall, waiting for that eventuality to come true.

It did with a crash and compressing of the very front car against the metal garage, because neither of you were operating it to slow it down. It tumbled into the garage sideways off of the tracks with a screech. A dozen Monokuma heads who had been waited dived out of the way, one of them getting crushed.

Algernon was out through the now smashed in bear's head well you struggled to get out of the smashed in car and crawl through the window with your pack and straps and things to get caught on.

By the time you were out, he was finished making his newest set of smashed in skulls.

You let out a breathe as you looked around the bay. The metal door was facing away from where the wind blew, so only dusts of sand came into the room. There were several large crates and one of them was opened showing… bombs like the ones that had blown up the library.

You shuddered to think what other weapons of destruction were hidden in the crates.

The walls of the outlier of this base were made of brick and a set of monitors and hardware resting besides a large, iron vault door.

Algernon grabbed your main bag and pulled the gas mask off of your face in one fluid moment before you could protest. He hide both supply bags behind a series of boxes before closing it in. "It will weigh us down,"

He hadn't snagged Chiaki away and you held onto the strap of her bag tightly.

Algernon let out a huff of annoyance as he walked over to the control panel of the door, beginning to look it over before he tapped in a combo code.

It was rejected.

"I think I can help with this," Chiaki said as her face swirled onto the screen. Algernon looked down at her with a puff before he tried another code.

It was also squarely rejected.

One attempt remains flashed onto the screen.

Algernon's eyes narrowed and he put his shoulders up tightly. Well he hyperfocused on the code you looked at Chiaki, slowly pulling her out of the bag and walked over to a near by panel that controlled the train.

You carefully pulled the USB cord out and then found a place to plug it in. There was a small click before the red screen was turned a turquoise blue.

Algernon blinked as the locked turned to unlocked as it shined green, the door ready to be open whenever it was chosen to be. His nose scrunched and narrowed his eyes before he looked towards the screen, one hand in his pocket.

"Could you hack into other parts of the system?" Algernon asked.

"Hmmm, no…. it would appear that each room is locked in a closed system…." Chiaki sighed her avatar on the screen. "But this means I didn't alert anyone either," her visage disappeared and you unplugged her, popping the cord back into the main tablet.

"Well, we can at least get in," you smiled before you looked at the door, that smiling falling away just as quickly as it came.

Algernon gave a grunt in acknowledgement before he stood over the control panel and had the door swing open.

The Monokuma guards standing right there had no chance just as all of the others. Algernon tossed them into the wrecked room before the door shut behind, and he dragged you into the dark concealment of shadow.

The entire interior of factory was colored like rust with their metal panels that covered every inch of the wall and ceiling. The floor was also rusty colored but the concrete base was like that from blood.

Pipes hissed with hot steam and you saw the reflection of black glossy screen and hidden lens within the ceiling. There were furnaces burning and the cries of human agony.

Algernon took the lead and kept you close behind him as he took out the Bearheaded guards on patrol, ensuring you refuge from the lens of the cameras in his own shadow.

As concealed as you were, so was most of the factory. You could see the backs of several men, their shoulders shaking and hands busy with something else. They played like shadows as you saw some of the fires in front of them.

Algernon found a ladder and more or less shoved you to go up first, and you scurried to not keep him waiting as you pulled yourself to the top of the rafters, finally getting a whole view of everything.

There were so many people.

Only a slim few of them were donning those bear-headed mask, they acted as the managers and guards. Holding whips and barking orders towards all of the others who had their own set of tasks, theirs much more demeaning.

They sat hunched over conveyor belts, they had hands stained black from the work they were forced to constantly do. Pieces of metal tumbled down in front of them and hands all scrambled to assemble what was expected of them. They had no tools, only relying on their hands.

Or they were pushing on wheels, powering the whole operation. They had it the worst with each revolution getting them a new lash of 'encouragement' from one of the laughing managers.

Some were over scrap metal pits, they made sure it went into the cold jaws properly until one man slipped and fell in. His screams echoed through out the factory but not a man flinched as he was eaten, mixed in with the metal that was dropped down to be melted.

"Work faster, you damn maggots!!!" Kazuichi flicked onto all of the monitors at once, shaking his left in his fist as he made his demand.

Your hand covered your heart upon seeing his face. He looked greasy with red goggles that seemed to replace his eyes. His sharp teeth were yellow and beginning to rot from lack of care and a year of sugary soda.

"You heard the boss, Maggots!" one of the Monokuma heads yelled before he brought the whip down with out a care on the men in front of him, they all cried out before they began to pick up the speed of screwing things in by hand.

Your hands clenched, you moved forward and Algernon grabbed the back of your collar, dragging you forward. "Keep moving," he said before he pulled you forward, pushing your back to make you stumble.

"but-but."

"If you want them to be saved, cut off the head. Keep moving."

You found your steps and he quickly took the lead.

You were to a different part of the factory made of long, curved corridors with no shortage of armed guards, none of them at all prepared for the might of Algernon as he shredded each one like they were only made of paper.

Not a single one got fire off their guns as there was a line of bodies behind you that you didn't…. have the hard to look to hard.

The hallway wrapped around until you were out the crown jewel of it all. A golden vault door that was gilded more so with rare gemstones that made the entrance look gaudy as hell…. but it was definitely a give away of what hide behind it. The most vulable treasure within the walls of the factory;

The Ultimate Mechanic, Kazuichi Souda.

Also known as the Architect of Despair.

Guarding the golden door, was a series of machine guns that slide one way or another. There was a laser pointer on each to guide their aim. Algernon sighed before he hunched down low… and shot forward.

He avoided the range of the FOV, getting to the wall and sinking his fingers into cracks of the metal paneling to drag himself into the air. His other hand caught onto the support structure of one of the guns. He mounted on top of the gun before his fingers sank into the pointer and ammo holder, ripping them to shreds before he hopped to the next gun and then the next.

He hopped down, landing by the control panel and looked down upon it. "This one only offers one attempt…."

"I… I think Chiaki should do it then," you said as you pulled the bag off of your shoulders, scooting over to him and offering him the plastic bag.

He glared as he unplugged the device, being spared from anything nasty before Algernon plugged Chiaki into the grand, golden vault door's controls.

'So what's the plan?" you asked putting your hands together.

"I will disable his security, and you will distract him," Algernon stated simply as he unplugged Chiaki just as quickly as he had let her run wild upon the system.

"Wooo aren't we going to talk about this any-" the door opened and with it Algernon seemed like he teleported out of existence. "more?" your shoulders sank forward before you looked up.

"Who goes there!?" Kazuichi shrieked, you couldn't see him behind all of the pipes and metal sheets. Your eyes went wide and you dove behind a metal box, covering your mouth as your eyes moved up to the rafters.

You could see the shadow of the mouse going through the maze above you, and if you could that meant Kazuichi might be able too, as well.

"Come out, or I-I will start looking, you damn maggot!!!" he yelled and you heard banging on metal.

You took in a breathe and stood up, holding your hands. "S-sorry, Kazuichi! I wasn't sure the best way to knock, the door got opened and I uh- got a little spooked," you had a nervous smile on your face, as your shrunken pupils took in what your old friend Kazuichi Soda had become.

His pink hair was grown out longer and he had lost the beanie, it didn't look like it had been washed in ages. Grease, oil and blood making it slick in the red light of his many monitors. He wore the same yellow jumpsuit you knew him for, but it looked just as rancid as the rest of him.

His eyes were covered with those same red goggles from the video, and rather than stand on his own two legs…. he was rather on three crab legs constructed out of steel rods. Each one was a collection of jagged legs that carried him around as he turned to face you.

That…. none of that was the thing that made you shudder the most though.

His right hand, no, not his anymore. He'd removed that.

Junko's right hand was lifted in the air.

In his arm were several metal rods connected to cables, this all linked to a spindly metal mechanism that twitched with every surge of his nervous system puppeting her dead fingers to do his bidding.

It never stopped moving, a clicking rattle through out the factory's main office with every single twitch and jolt of thought.

The anger and discontent melted from his face as he took in who stood before him, he began to grin and laugh. "Holy shit! Your alive!" his left hand on his head, his cackling filled the room and you stood there, before a real smile came to your face.

"Ya- ya! It's been awhile," you waved a hand. "I am glad, I am glad to see you again."

"Me too! Everyone thought you were dead," he put his real hand through his hair, collected grease and dandruff on it before they were flicked to the side as he stopped laughing. 'Ahhh, man you being alive…. it's such hope…." he was grinning.

"Uh. Uh ya, I guess- in a sense," you smiled.

"It would be fun to crush that, don't you think?" he asked.

'W-wha? What???"

"Hey- hey do you think if I broadcast your execution to the whole world, it would bring Miss. Sonia and Miss. Hiyoko dessspppppaaaiiirrr?" Kazuichi asked, he held the rotting hand that's nails grew as the dead flesh withered to his mouth, they tapped on his rotten teeth and his head tilted down, the red sheer red breaking so you could see the swirls of insane, endless despair in his eye. "Do you think it would get them to notice me!?"

Your mouth fell open before you looked around. You started to speak. "Uh- Yes, yes! But- but only if you do it perfectly!" you said with a nod of your head, holding up one finger. "it has gotta- gotta be something really gutpunching, you know!" you clapped your hands together,.

"Oh, oh I have one just in mind!"

Oh Jesus Christ. Oh Jesus Fucking Christ!!!

"C-can I see the sample video, you know," you swung your arm. "Let your old buddy see the fate that awaits them, like- like for old times sake," you bobbed your head up and down as you really said that.

Your smile was on such a shaky foundation, but Kazuichi seemed delighted by your enthusiasm none the less.

"Oh I have tested it out several times," his eyes were under the goggles but you could picture the crazed look underneath, he turned around and both hands clicked away at the keyboard. You could see his shoulders twitch in pain as he actively used the mechanism to control Junko's part.

All of the screens flicked on in unionize to show the same scene on one big screen.

A dreadful song started to play as the static flicked away on a wide view shot of a rather spacious room.

A random man with glasses and brown hair was dropped onto a wooden floor, his mouth was wide as he stood up, stumbled backwards to try and looked around his casket.

A bookshelf up sprouted up right behind him like a pop up book, catching his back as more of them bloomed around him until it formed a maze around him.

Study Rush!

An Execution Made in Honor of the SHSL Literary Critic

Thump

Thump

Thump

With the beat of the music, the bookshelves now fell inwards. The man turned around as he gasped before he started to run forward as each one caved in, acting as dominions.

The man was making as long of strides as he could, arms frantically pushing in front of him.

Thump
Thump
Thump

The tempo increased and the man slammed into one bookshelf still standing that appeared in front of him. He looked up before he pushed off, running towards the new corridor.

He was like a rat trying to find cheese at the end of a maze as he made desperate right turns.

ThumpThumpThump

He barely looked behind to see the shelves falling like concrete sheets, the force making pages and books fly upwards as if they were pillows filled with goose feathers.

He turned his head in front of him and his eyes sparkled with hope.

There was a bright red door labeled exit.

He reached a hand out towards it, tripping forward.

Red blood splattered everywhere as this random stranger was crushed under a bookshelf.

The shot lingered on the mess, before it cut to the same black screen as before.

You felt sickness in your stomach as you stared at the screen, sweat running down your brow.

"Soooo, what do you think!? Ready to die?!"

"Isn't- isn't it too on the nose?!" you asked and held out a hand. "Like even more than that, I don't, I don't think it is possible for me to die in despair in a library!" your other hand went up, sweat coming down your brow before you looked up at the rafters. You could see red dots looking down at you as they traveled. "So I don't think it would work at bringing Sonia Despair, because she'd know I would be over the moon well dying in you know a- a library!"

Hurry up, you son of a bitch!!!!

"You really think so….?" Kazuichi put his left hand under his chin, resting on the knuckle. "If I want to do it right it has to be just despair inducing enough…. damn and I really thought I nailed it with that one."

"It is good work! Just- too good! Maybe, maybe I can help uh- pick- pick one out!!!" you put your hands together, oh you didn't want to do this. You were hyperventilating as you looked up at him. "I am sure you have…. plenty of awful options."

"Hehehe, geez you know, you have always been great at flattering people," Kazuichi had a nice smile as he scratched behind his neck with those sharp nails. The metal's movement was almost grittings as the metal pieces slide together and apart. "Wellllll I certainly do have plenty of options."

Oh god.

Each screen filled with a different horror that left you standing there.

A series of people being battered and fried alive, they had been hogtied during the entire process and their screams were mixed with the awful beat of the music that clamored as a chant of death.

You watched as one man was drawn and quartered by mechanical horses.

One woman was strapped into a machine that systematically broke every single bone in her body, letting her bleed to death from the internal damage to her veins and arteries.

Another was forced to climb a stone wall with jagged spires in the wall, their only harnass being the noose around their neck.

You even got to witness the execution of one of the teachers, Himeko Chabashira. She was locked in a box, her hands chained behind her as she cried and begged well water filled the tool used for magic. You notice that the water began heat as the metal of the box began to turn red. It drowned and boiled her at the same time.

You felt like you were going to vomit and pass out, but somehow you remained on your feet.

This unnecessary violence and torture, you couldn't even begin to imagine why he had sunk so many hours into… into this. He tapped on the keyboard and a new set of horrors greeted you, before he flicked to another and another at the misfortune deaths.

'Which one do you think, which one do you think!?" he yelled as he looked over all of his creations, joy sparking the dead hand of Junko a lit, so many electrical impulses making it jitter, the bones and metal cracking out.

You needed to keep stalling, you needed to keep stalling- you looked up at the rafters hoping to see the black mass of Algernon but he wasn't there. Maybe that was better. "Well- well um- I…. I…. which one do you think- Natsumi would have liked?"

Kazuichi's smile fell.

"What did you say?" shadows danced across his expression and his entire body seemed to fall.

Oh shit.

"Well- welll uh- you see, I was just thinking that- uh- well- well-"

"Enough of this! You- you aren't tricking me anymore!" Kazuichi shouted before he grabbed a remote with a button off the console, his entire face for display in the angry mixed with despair which turned into glee.

Oh no- "Hey- wait- wait a second, Kazuichi!!!" you yelled out putting your hand over your chest.

"Nuh-uh! Not anymore!!!!" he yelled as Junko's hands splayed out with the mechanic command, spreading all of the fingers out wide. He was grinning and you could see the swirling of his eyes. "Ohhh you know what time it is!"

"Please, stop!"

"It's Punishment Time!!!"

The extended palm slammed into the button and a loud beep was heard, followed by looming music that came pouring in from no where. Your mouth opened as you took a step backwards, your eyes traced around the entire room as your hands shook trying to find where the threat was coming from.

From behind you, a collar locked around your neck. The magnets clasped it tight against your throat.

Your eyes went wide as two fingers reached up, tears beginning to fall from your eyes as you tried to pry it off. "Stop! Stop!!!"

The music increased in tempo and beat as the leash to your collar began to drag you up into the air. You screamed and kicked your legs below you as your fingers kept trying to fight the unrelenting metal that was dragging you higher and higher towards your death.

You made it up one meter more before there was a loud whirring sounds as the music was killed in it's tracks with a slow groan. All of the lights flickering off right after before your ascent stopped and your descent began.

With nothing pulling the cord, it went slack and you were dropped to the metal floor with a fresh scream, the collar losing the power of it's magnets and falling off your neck as you landed.

You- you never got high enough you could have even broken anything, but there were several bruises forming on you. Your hand covered your neck, where a purple and blue choker decorated your throat.

"W-what the hell!?" Kazuichi looked around the room frantically, his hands drawing up to himself to try and protect himself in the dark. You looked up to the rafters as Algernon hopped down, smashing into one of the needly legs and snapping it to scrap metal.

With out the balance Kazuichi fell backwards and screamed. "OHMYGODITSYOU!!!!!!!!" it was high pitched squeal reverberated off all of the walls as Kazuichi tried to protect his face, the fingers on the stolen hand flexing like crazy.

"Junko has orders."

All of the fear instantly faded and Kazuichi snapped his neck upwards in attention, you could see sparkles in the eyes from the way the light hit the goggles. "J-Junko? Miss Junko???? Really Miss. Junko has orders!?" he began to drool and he got on his knees, standing in front of Algernon and his tongue flopped out.He clenched the fingers of his two hands together and he shook his hips, the boner obvious in the white pants. 'What are they- tell me, oh tell me what Miss. Junko's orders are and I will do them! Oh- oh do you think Miss. Junko will want me after I am done with this task!?"

"You are to report to the Future Foundation Base E. Junko has a plan to cause you great despair from there."

Kazuichi dragged himself up to his real feet, still drooling and he nodded his head. "Whatever Miss. Junko's will desires, I shall fulfill it!" he declared as he removed the parts of his harness.

He sprinted past you with great speed and you almost hurled getting a whiff of him. He smelled worse than the world he had crafted outside. You watched him go to a side door and disappear from there.

You remained on the ground and Algernon sneered down at you. "Get off the floor," he barked, like you hadn't almost just been executed. 

You blinked as you looked at the exit he just ran through, forcing yourself onto your feet. Your hand was still clenched around your neck, putting pressure on the bruises. "We can really…. just let him go?"

"We won his game, and given him a promise sweet in his defeat," Algernon answered before he looked at the blank screens. "He will not be a trouble, part of that is his cowardice though."

You pulled your lips in. '… So we might have more trouble in the future?"

Algernon threw the bag with Chiaki in it at you. "With out a doubt," he said before he began to go around the room. You blinked, watching him as he skillfully looted every nook and cranny. Going up to one shelf and pulling out more rations until they were all laid out on the floor. "It would be too heavy for us to take everything."

It was all dried foods, junk foods, or sodas. You picked out a few boxes of mac and cheese, ramen and a few bags of chips but there was so much stuff left…. But this was another week worth of food easy, maybe even two if you were able to stretch it right!

Algernon grabbed much the same, along with two six packs of sodas. He found a spare bag and shoved everything inside of it, and he was out of the door with out another word.

"Aren't- isn't there anything else we should take?" you asked as you chased after him.

"Nothing of worth, I already checked," he answered turning his head to the side as he went down the hallway in a hurry, if it weren't for his still ever static expression you would assume a ghost was chasing him down with how he sped walk down the halls.

You huffed, before you began to follow after him, securing Chiaki to your shoulder.

He went the other way from what you had come knowing it would wrap around but…. all of the Monokuma Heads on this stretch were already dealt with. There were a couple groups of men standing around surrounding each one, checking to see if any of them twitched before kicking them well they were down.

Your mouth opened at them in the dark hallway, looking around.

"¡Ustedes dos!" one of the workers pointed a finger at the two of you. You blinked at the Spanish but Algernon kept up fine. "¿Crearon la apertura?"

"Sí," he nodded his head. "Eres libre."

You looked between them before you looked down at Chiaki who transcript the translation for you. You looked at her before to began to type something in, her speakers rolling with the words.

"Toma el tren que te lleve más al oeste. ¡A la costa! Fundación del Futuro recogerá el tren y ayudará a reconstruir."

"¿Fundación del Futuro?" the man looked at Algernon who rolled his eyes at you.

"Un grupo organizado de supervivientes en Japón. Somos miembros," he gestured to you before he began to walk away, heading forward towards the east.

You looked at the larger man before you held up the tablet. Chiaki began to play a video demonstrating how to tune a radio along with some pictures she had at some point taken of where he could find one.

"And- and there is extra food that way," you pointed to the golden vault doors and Chiaki looked back at you for a second, before she showed a picture of a Kraft Mac and Cheese box.

"Ya veo. Les agradezco a ti y a tu vanguardista acompañante todo lo que han hecho," the man gave a deep bow towards you. "Como me llamas Mateo, Si llego a esta Fundación del Futuro, espero poder ayudarte en el futuro. Adiós," he ran off in the direction of the golden doors and you stood there, your head raising high into the air.

"What… what did he say?" you asked.

"He said his name was Mateo, and he hopes that if he survives that he can help you in the future."

You smiled. "As long as he can help these people, that will be enough for me," you said before you began to jog in the direction you had seen Algernon go, back out towards the factory floor.

You saw people cheering down below, the Monokuma Headed Managers had all been defeated, forced down to be kicked and beaten like they had done to others, well some were beginning thrown into still burning furnaces with mighty cheers from the works as they went up in flames.

A few of them you could hear, in a mix of languages, calling for the head of the Architect himself…. but of course he had gotten the hell out of dodge already.

You held onto the railing, clenching it tight enough your knuckles turned white. You didn't disagree with their anger for their fury was more than righteous. Kazuichi had been the constructor of their torment for a long time.

In their shoes you would be calling for him to be tortured and then burned. How would you hope for anything less?

But… you were not in their shoes.

All the joy and rioting only left you feeling hollow, as it sank into you exactly how many lives your one friend had ruined. How many more people would want to see your classmates thrown into those same executions you had just witness? How many more people would demand to see your friend brought to a cruelty that would be considered just in their eyes?

How many more people would it take for you agree with them?

You closed your eyes before shaking your head, looking out back onto the floor and you saw Algernon ducking and weaving through them, both of the survival bags on his shoulders.

Some of the men saw him, and they began to cheer him on, as more of them noticed they joined in the heralding, letting him through. "Zapata!!!" they called him

Izuru eyes traced around at all of the fools, screaming their celebrations in his face. He did his best to ignore them before he looked up at you, still up in the rafters standing there.

You were smiling like an idiot down at him.

His expression hardened at you, lips drawing inwards and eyes narrowing before you began to scurry down the ladder, clearing your way to his side.

The men cheered for you as they had cheered for him, and you gave a small wave before Algernon dragged you towards the East most door, almost dropping your pack with more weighted added to it on your shoulders.

One of the workers clicked open the vault door for you, and two others worked the computer as you both looked at the Monokuma Train ready for you to board.

And like that you were both off, on a train heading towards the East.

Chapter Text

The train ride felt quick, excluding how awful the scent was that still lingered in the air. It truly seemed like you were never going to escape that scent of decay well you were on this trip.

As it chugged along you got comfortable in the front, setting up the signal booster to Chiaki and clicked around…. until you were beginning to call the Future Foundation. The first ring was all it took before you were greeted with the sunny face of Makoto.

"You did it!!!" he sputtered out, trying to find something else to say but "You did it!!!" only came out a second time.

"Yep!!!" you grinned down at him. "On the West Coast, there are survivors from the factory that the Architect managed too, they should be working to contact you soon. Have you heard anything from the other organization yet?"

His face shifted and he shook his head. "Not yet, but it has only been down an hour… Besides, who knows what their groups resources may look like now…" his eyes drifted to the side before they shot back to you. "I will be sure to keep you updated. Where is Algernon?"

"… Doing what he does best," you didn't know if there was anyone else on the train, but there wouldn't be by the time he was done. "We are currently on one of the trains Kazuichi had heading to the East Coast, towards the Gulf."

"Alright, we don't have much to report, but prepare for our meeting times in the future!" once a week from now on, and if there was an emergency. Makoto would have wanted to do more but both sides of this coin were going to be too busy for much more.

"Chiaki will make sure we don't forgot, right?" you asked and her face appeared in the corner of the screen next to yours. She nodded her head.

"I have saved the times we discussed already," the tone was more robotic than normal, something outside of the regular voice synth she used to speak. Something much more…. prerecorded. Like a Siri or Alexa rather than your friend. "Is there anything else I should add?"

"You are good, Chiaki!" Makoto assured and the AI head disappeared. "I…. I wish I could do more than wish you the best of luck."

"Your hope and faith have gotten others pretty at this point," you smiled thinking about Hina and Alter Ego and Kyoko. "I think having it on my side is more than enough to get my through," you put a thumbs up.

Makoto beamed at the screen before he let out a laugh. "I think you give me a tad too much credit for what my Hope can get me…. but, it has certainly gotten me far, your hope and mine will certainly get you further!" he nodded his head before his expression went soft again looking at the screen. "I cannot find myself expressing this enough but good luck, and do your best out there!"

"Stay strong on the home front," should he not have hung up when he did you two could have went on saying your wishful goodbyes for hours.

Algernon had found his way back to the front of the train. If he had added any more to his graveyard you wouldn't be able to tell just looking at him. He had somehow to manage to cleanse himself of every grain of sand that had covered his hair and suit making him as spotless as ever. "Are you done?"

"Yes," you nodded your head before you looked at the blank screen. "Oh uh- did you want to say hi?"

"No."

"Ah, well, not surprised," you said as you began to gather up the signal boost, putting it back tenderly in it's case. Algernon walked to the front of the train and looked at the control panel before out the single red eye.

The train stopped at a port and you could see through the red eye all of the Monokuma heads that were waiting for the shipment. The auto pilot boat was waiting.

You stayed tuck somewhere hidden, holding both bags to yourself well Algernon waited for the train door to open… and then he took care of all of them.

You heard the squishing crunch that came with each of them and tried to cover your ears to at least make the sound so less…. vividly clear in your ears. You had to have been waiting for five minutes before you finally let your sense take in the world again.

They were all dead.

You gathered your things and gave Algernon his bag as he stood over the dead men and women. You shuddered to think what was going on in those helmets, before you tried not to look at them. Instead to the water of the Gulf of Mexico which…

Was completely black.

It smelled like gasoline and you could see the rainbow that reflected off the limited light of the setting sun.

'Hope… you don't have any matches," you said partly as a joke as you looked at Algernon.

"Do you believe me stupid?"

"N-No! It…. just don't think I have ever seen quite such flammable water,."

He started to walk to the deck where the metal ship sat, ready for your departure. You had to jog to chase after him with how quickly he was moving.

"Did… you find anything you wanted to take from the train?" you asked. Perhaps he had put some other supplies on there…?

"It was all weapons."

You gritted your teeth to grimace but you nodded your head. He got a 2 by 4 plank of wood and went up to the top deck. He had made going up look so easy… and you had to cling onto the angle of the board as you dragged yourself up.

He didn't offer you any aid, simply watching from his point on the ship as any small gust threaten to knock you off… but you made it to the deck yourself.

The ship was completely empty save for the two of you.

The only thing in the cargo hold was weapon boxes and there was so much room for more. Algernon had no interest and you made yourself comfortable above board, beginning to set up to prep the rations.

Algernon went to the bow of the ship, obviously shaped like that stupid bear. He hijacked the ship to get you both to Tallahassee, Florida.

From there, you'd travel by whatever means you could find.

You put out the stove to boil water. You closed your mind for only a second before you opened them wide again, breathe hitching in your throat before you looked up at the now pitch black sky.

Those images that had flashed on the screen.

You wanted to think it a surreal nightmare, despite it having been so real, you wanted to rationalize none of what you had witnessed was nothing different than a movie or a storybook.

That thinking of it that way would ensure the images wouldn't plague your mind…. yet as you shut your eyes again your mind projected them onto your eyelids, letting the show play for you once more until you jarred your eyes open and looked down at the pot.

There were small bubbles in the water, but it hadn't started boiling yet.

"We are on course," Algernon stated as he walked over to where you had made yourself semi-comfortable, looking down at the pot of water.

"Wow, that was so quick, Algernon!' you said as you clapped your hands together with a smile. "It seems like you can do just about everything!"

"it was the whole point of my operation," his voice was still numb but you felt like you touched a nerve. "I have the accumulation of all of the research and data on every talent Hope's Peak gathered through it's existence."

Your eyes shifted on the ground towards the water that began to boil and you grabbed a recently procured box of Kraft, throwing it into the pot. You focused back on him and pursued your lips together.

What a monkey paws he had found, after all he did get he wanted. Even more than that in way.

You had no doubt that he was the most talented man in the world now., after all

"Well, um…" your hand traveled in the air and spun around. "I have just been thinking, we are going to be stuck traveling together for quite awhile," you held up your palm, Chiaki having a timer counting down on her screen for the noodles. "Perhaps well we have down time we could do something together?"

"Like what?"

"If you do really know every skill um, maybe you could teach me something!" you suggested as you held a pointer finger. "I don't think I have much I could offer to you….." your other hand reached into your bag and you slowly began to reveal the cover of Flowers for Algernon. "Unless you wanna start a book club~?"

"No."

Your smile fell and you released the book, letting it plop back down into the bag. "To both options or just the book club?"

"There is no point in teaching you any skills, if you intend to go into the Neo-World Program with your classmates, you will forget anything I were to teach you."

"Maybe my mind would, but, but perhaps if it is something physical the muscle memory would remain. Like-" your eyes shpt around the deck of the ship as your mind shot across your mind and memories. "Like if you were to teach me how to dance!"

He gave you a look but didn't say anything, so you elected to keep going.

"I um, well I have always been bad at it," you let out a laugh that border between nervous and nostalgic. "But I have to assume if anyone can teach me, it would probably be you," if he was truly the Ultimate Everything, there's gotta be Ultimate Dance Instructor, right?

"And what benefit would it have?"

"Other than being away to pass downtime? Well….. I was told I need to work on my footwork," you gestured down to one foot. "What better way to clear it up than dancing?"

He remained silent as he closed his eyes. You put your hands together as you sat there and opened your mouth in inhale air.

"I will consider it."

He had the tone like he was trying to placate a child.

The timer went off and you began to do the last steps for the Mac n Cheese, there was more than enough for the two of you to share and he managed to have a spare bowl to put his serving in.

You sat across from him, holding your shoulders up as you ate and he ignored you. You felt like you were back in Middle School.

'Think we should sit with them?' 'I wouldn't consider it.'
'That kid's annoying, and their voice is high it's grating.'
'Do they know how to shut up about their stupid books? No one cares.'

You remembered the whispers behind your back and the few people who tried to talk to you, like you were some sort of pet. Actually, maybe it was more accurate to say they thought of you as a toddler.

You closed your eyes…. You never felt like that among your classmates, even when they didn't like you very much; and you certainly never felt that way around Hajime!

You ate in silence, trying not to spend too much time staring at Algernon. If he noticed your occasional looks though, you could conclude he did not care much.

He cleaned up, and found a different spot to sit on the ship to go to sleep, it left you alone next to the still glowing portable stove that acted as a camp fire under the dark sky.

The Data-Pad spring to life. "Hey, hey, are you tired right now?" Chiaki asked as she looked up at you.

"No, actually," maybe it was adrenaline still coursing through your veins from almost dying earlier in the day, or perhaps it was all of the sleep you had caught before the plane crashed. Either way- "I feel pretty wide awake."

She smiled. "Do you want to play Minecraft?"

You picked up the tablet and she booted up the title screen before clicking towards the multiplayer server options. The world loaded in and the blockified design of Chiaki's avatar spawned in right next to you.

"It is a fresh world. So we can get started together," her voice came from the speaker, like you were video calling rather than holding the device that contained her in your hands. She ran off to start getting wood well you did much the same.

Well, if Algernon never wanted to pass the time with you, you supposed that would be okay as you had a wooden pick-axe.

Chiaki and you enjoyed the world of block for a few hours, before you finally were able to sleep, the ambient noises of the sheep farm you managed to start being what finally lulled you to bed.

Land Ho!

The bow of the ship crashed into the swampy lands, the rocks, mud and the few remaining trees scrapping into the metal sides and left large dents. The motor kept trying to move it forward even after it got more than stuck in the mud.

Algernon jumped down from the top desk, landing with out issue well you struggle to get down a rope. He waited for you to get down but not to gain your bearings as he started to walk away from you.

You chased behind him, having to pull your foot up high to get it out of the mud before it slammed down into the next patch, well he didn't even seem to slow at all. Keeping his rapid pace as he always had.

How he also managed to keep the cuffs of his pant legs clean was a mystrey to you.

When you had managed to get some sort of pace you looked down at the Data-Pad's GPS map, you were actually much further than Tallahassee. You had past it under the water and now found yourself in Metcalf, Georgia.

It looked and smelled like a bog, with plants you have never seen before sprouting up amongst the damp soil… you found it noticeable how you weren't getting any new bug bites, though.

Other than the plants in fact you couldn't see much life or signs of it. Any houses or roads that had once been here were now replaced with natures swamps and attempts to reclaim the territory.

But that didn't mean there wasn't.

After what had to be an hour of dragging yourself through the mud, you could see a group of people!

Approaching you as you approached them, you saw it was a group of men. "Hey- over there," you pointed them out and looked at Algernon, "Do you think they might know something about organization?"

"No."

"I-I just mean they are survivors, who knows!"

He began to veer away from them, and you followed begrudgingly to ensure you didn't lose track of him….

Only for the group of men to change their angle as well. They were coming right for you.

"It seems like we will get to ask anyway…" you said. They weren't wearng those helmets, so that gave you hope.

Algernon grunted before he went behind you, and soom your two groups meet in the swamp.

"Hello, gentleman," you greeted and then looked at them closer. You couldn't see his face

All four of them armed to the teeth, pistols to their waists and shotguns on their backs. On their forearms they all had a matching tattoo in matching font. 'PROUD BOYS'.

Oh no.

Oh noooo.

The red cap the one man wore said 'Make America Great Again' and he had a beaten up t-shirt depicting Donald Trump after the mock-assassination attempt, holding his fist to the sky. "What'cha doing out here, Miss?" there was patronizing in his tone. "Husband not leaving you at home?"

"Husband!?" your neck snapped back at Algernon and shook your head. "No- no, we aren't married," you said.

A large man that was made of equal parts fat and muscle laughed, his neck tilting upwards and you could see a swastika tattoo'd on his jugular. "I'll take you then! Bet you'd look awfully sweet pregnant!"

Your mouth fell open. "E-excuse you?"

"Oi! I saw 'em first!!!" a shorter man said with a big beard and rotten teeth, glaring up at his fellow gang member. "Sides, my genes are better than yours! Make a much better next one!"

Algernon put a hand on your shoulder and almost shoved you to the side. "What do you want?"

"Those packs on your back seem pretttty useful, but also take the lady too," the leader said as he looked at the backpacks behind you, and then leered at you. "Might even let you go, Unamerican Swine."

"Is he a Jap?" the last man asked, adjusting his glasses.

"No you idiot," the man with the Swastika tattoo shoved the other one. "Look at his eyes, too wide. Must be a fucking spic!"

"You idiots are both wrong," the MAGA crowned leader declared before he pointed a knife at Algernon. "It's obviously a damn halfy mutt!!!"

Izuru completely froze at the insult, his mouth fell open for a second and it managed… to spark a memory. A series of memories that all played out the same in the end.

He was at a playground as a small child.

He had just wanted to play with the other kids.

'Look at the hafu.'
'Useless Konketsuji!!!'
'I don't know about that boy… he looks scary.' 'Lets just avoid him.'

There shadowy faces haunted the back of his mind, red eyes beginning to glow. He felt each strand of his hair standing on edge giving him a jagged appearance. He'd only felt this particular rush once before.

You gave him the side eye and took a step away, pulling your hands around. The men all began to shift their stances, training their weapons on him.

The leader was on the ground, his collar bone broken. Izuru jumped to the next man, taking the pistol from his hand and blasting out both of his knees. He smacked the butt of the gun against the the Swastika before Izuru slammed his foot down on his pelvis cracking it to splinters. The last man tried to fire his gun, but Izuru was quicker on the draw, the hole on his hand making it impossible for him to use the gun.

Izuru stared at the boys writhing on the ground. He held the gun up and gave each one of them an extra hole.

No where that would kill them quickly, but it would most certainly kill the bugs.

Your mouth fell open and you looked at the gang on the ground. Algernon was glaring at you, the gun still in his hand… and that clip had enough for eight bullets. "Your bleeding heart doesn't extend to them to, does it?" he asked as shifted his hold on the gun, the barrel was pointed towards you and your breath hitched.

"I- I-" you shook your head as you looked down at cowering nazis on the ground. "No. It just….. just….. you so brutal. Is that really needed."

He spun the gun around and offered it to you. "If you take such an issue with my methods, you take care of it then."

"What?" you asked.

He basically shoved the pistol into your hand. "If you have a problem with how I kill them. Do it yourself."

Your fingers clasped around the gun and you held it, staring at the profile.

It felt light and yet it was so, so heavy.

Your mouth was left a gape as you looked over at the men on the ground, their bodies were twitching in pain and they let out horrible sounds of the pain they were in.

The man with the shatter pelvis looked up at you, pleading eyes. He wanted you to do it.

Your hands were shaking and you turned your body, both hands grasping the gun before you pointed it at him and you just… you just stood there. You let heavy breathes.

You felt like you were going to faint.

Was, was it the right thing to kill them? They were horrible people that would hurt others so- well- they were already going to die. Algernon would have ensured that with his shots so- but, they were suffering and in agony. Again they were horrible people though, didn't they deserve to suffer?

"You don't have to, you know."

The gun fell from your hand and you grabbed onto the bag with the Data-Pad, looking down at Chiaki. "You do not need to make every decision," she smiled.

You looked at the men one last time, kicking the guns to ensure none of them could reach it before you turned to Algernon.

"How boring," he said before he started walking.

You chased after him, forcing yourself to look forward until their agony was no longer playing in your ears.

It was hard to walk through the swamp, the mud constantly trying to drag at your ankles. You let out a heavy breathe and dragged your head up to see how far ahead Algernon had managed to get.

Your calfs left like they were burning and all you wanted to do was sit down, but no he wasn't having any of that.

Your only bit of relief came when he suddenly stopped, even if you couldn't immediately tell the reason until you got closer, and saw what he was doing… circling around a jeep left on a partial piece of concrete. The tires were designed for off road use and kept the car above the mud.

"Car!!! a car!!!" you yelled as you found a second wind, running over and putting your hand on the back of the custom licenses plate.

'DCKMGNT'

Algernon stood by the driver side door before he punched a fist through the glass, and unlocked it. He swung the door open and swept the glass away before he ducked underneath, beginning to hot-wire it.

You began to look over the Jeep. It was a cameo green color as it's base with several dents on it. On the side of the car door was a logo of three mice that were simplified into a triangles that came together to make a large triangle, little eyes staring at you.

'Mouse Den'

"Hey, this looks like a logo. Do you think it could be for that survivor group we are trying to find?" you asked.

"It is probably just for another group of marauders," Algernon answered as he tried to get the wires to spark.

"I am not sure, but I certainly don't think they sound like any American Extremest group I have heard of," not that you kept your nose to the ground on that kind of stuff. "We could try waiting around."

"I see no reason to stay around for a group that names themselves after vermin," he answered and the engine started to fire. "Besides do you want to deal with the consequences if you are wrong?"

Your mouth opened before it closed… and you silently slide into the passenger seat of the car, dropping your pack between your legs.

The car moved with out issue and you cheered in your head. The distance you had covered in hours seemed so small compared to how fast things were moving in mere seconds…. and then it went faster and faster and you realized Algernon was going to make this car go as fast as possible.

You buckled your seatbelt, gave it a sudden tug to ensure that it would work if he crashed the damn thing, before you let yourself relax a little.

The interior was pretty simple, hanging from the mirror was a set of fuzzy dice and on the dashboard, there was a bobble head of Sherlock Holmes. You raised an eyebrow at it before huffing in almost amusement, before your eyes set on the compartment in front of you, and clicked it open

In the glove box, there was a blue carton of cigarettes. You pulled it out and took a look at one of the boxes on the inside. Had you seen this brand before? You couldn't quite recall.

A hand came into your frame of reference and you snatched the cigarettes away as you looked at Algernon. 'What are you doing?"

"Nicotine helps with focus, stress and other things. I intend to have some," he reached his hand further and you hugging the carton and box to your chest, shaking your head.

"Nuh-uh! I am not letting you start smoking!" you glared at him and he glared right back at you. "Whether you like it or not, you are in Hajime's body still. I am not going to let you give him a nicotine addiction, after all you should know even better than me all of the consequences of that!"

He sneered at you before his eyes went onto the road.

He didn't fight you on it, and you put the carton into the back seat. Ever so often checking to ensure he didn't try to reach behind your back for it.

The car ride went on in silence, for eventually you grabbed your earbuds, plugging one into your ear so you could play an audio-book well the other was left open, just in case.

Not that you needed to worry to much with the sentinel driving.

Algernon stopped the car in front of the first building you ran into. a Speedway. He unclipped the wires with care and the car died.

"There might be supplies here," he said as he got out of the car.

"Are- are you sure?" you asked as you stepped out along side.

He shrugged, before he went into the building first. You could hear the chime of the door buzzer as it let him in, before you followed before.

The store somehow was still getting electricity. You could see the lights of the coolers buzzing and any machine that was still standing had their lights on…. not that many of them did. There were empty shelves, some of them broken and on the cracked tile floor.

Algernon was going over by one side of the counters…. and your feet shifted as you went towards the other direction, getting closer and closer to the coolers.

You heard rustling.

Your body went tense and you listened to the direction, slowly creeping over to the back most corner of the store to see who, or what, it was.

"Come on- come on…. gotta be- there we go!" a skinny, athletic looking girl who had dirt and muck in her hair, she held up a half melted bag of ice before she opened a square black bag, shoving the remaining cubes inside of it.

She felt your eyes and whipped around. She jumped to her feet and looked around the area trying to find an escape route, before your mouth fell open.

"Yuna?"

"How do you know!?" Yuna Owari asked as she shifted her stance from running to fight. "Whose asking!?"

"We meet- at- at the beach! You climbed a tree for me, it was quite impressive," you showed your palms to her. Yuna stood there before the pieces popped into place, her head started to bob up and down before it was full on nodding along.

"Ya- ya I think I remember you!" she pointed a finger at you. "How did you get all the way to America?"

'How did you? Why?" you asked as you approached, she didn't react either way and so you bent down to be by her height… in about two years she'd be taller than you. Maybe even less time than that.

"None of that is important," she said as she held up a finger. "All that matters if that I am here, and I found what I was looking for," she held up what was now a bag of cold water.

"Why do you need ice?"

Her fingers went to her bag on her shoulder and she held it closer. "Not important!"

Algernon came over and looked over. "Great, more pests."

Yuna's head snapped to look up at him and her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me!?"

"Just ignore him, he is mean all the time," you said as you glared back at him. He huffed at you. "Are you traveling with anyone?"

"Nope," she shook her head. "It is just me."

"Well then- why not."

"She can't come with us."

"What!?" you stood up, turning your whole body to face him. "Why not!?"

"More bodies makes it harder to travel, besides some normal child isn't going to help us."

"Well I don't wanna anyway!!!" Yuna yelled, pointing a finger at him her eyes scrunched up. "So fuck you!"

You held up a finger at the…. what was, 11 now? The 11 year old language but you know what, ya. Saying 'fuck you' is just required no matter the age sometimes. "I understand not wanting to go with him, but it really dangerous alone, are you sure?" you held out Chiaki who began to flip through the different video game title screens she carried with. "It might be better with company."

"I got a goal in mind, so I can't go with you," Yuna said and your mouth turned into a line. You nodded your head, ran out of the start, and came back with about two weeks worth of food.

You had grabbed a variety of things and they were bundled in your arms before you found a tote bag in the store, dropping it all into that and handing it to her. "Alright, but at least take this."

Her eyes sparkled like gemstones as she stood at the harvest you just gave to her. She looked up at you.

"What are you doing?" Algernon tried to take the bag out of your hand and you swung it away from it. "Don't waste food on the dead."

"I am very much alive, you bastard!" Yuna yelled as she snagged the bag, pushing it close to herself.

"Give those back, we need them."

"I am giving her rations from my stock," you were now standing in front of Yuna, glaring at him. "IF it becomes a problem, I will deal with it."

"You better not cry when you do," he turned his back to you as he went to look around the rest of the mostly empty store. Your fists were clenched before you looked back at Yuna, who was taking stock of everything.

"I… I do appreciate this, but are you really sure?" she asked looking up at you.

You smiled. "Of course!" you gave her shoulder a hearty pat. "Growing girls need their calories, and I knew your sister," you winked when you said that.

Yuna's face shifted before she smiled and nodded her head. "Well, this won't be in vain!" she nodded her head. "… Do you want me to kick him in the nuts before I go?" she asked as she looked into the store.

Algernon's head rolled back to glare at the child, and she glared right back. You let out a nervous chuckle and patted her shoulder.

"Thanks but….. I don't think that will help," you did also see him slaughter some men in seconds, you didn't want to know what he would do to this small child if she did actually try and attack him.

'Aww… alright, I will pay you back another way another time," she gave you a thumbs up, the tote bag over one shoulder with the mysterious black one full of ice across her body. "Stay alive!" she yelled before she was out of the door with the automatic bell chime.

Algernon kept looking through, and so did you…. but the place had already been picked clean.

Not that you were surprised.

With the help of the car you had managed to get to what had been Augusta, Georgia. Just by the border of South Caroline.

Not.. much was left but rubble though.

Now that you were setting up for camp though, it gave you time to check out the other parts of the car.

Algernon had managed to get a fire burning and in the trunk, you found… produce! It was onions, potatoes and carrots along with a few jugs of water and a large container of salt.

"Hey, we can make some soup with this!" you said as you grabbed a few of the ingridents and walked over. "Do you have anything to cook with?"

Algernon stared at you for a second…. before from a pocket inside of his suit he produced an army knife.

Looking at his knife you smacked your head. "My knife!!!' you exclaimed before putting both of them on your head. "Dammit! I completely forgot about it!!!" you should have looked for it when you were at the school but it had slipped your mind… After you cursed yourself, you looked at the long, black army blade. "I…. I need something to cook with."

"It works."

You took the knife and looked over the sharpened blade. "I don't…. I don't know this is the best thing to use…."

He rolled his eyes, snatched the handle back out of your hand before he held it over the fire for a few seconds, twisting the knife to the other side before he handed it back to you. "It's disinfected."

You were very careful not to touch the metal itself well you let it cool for awhile, giving him the side eye. He didn't seem like he was going to give you anything better so… Guess you'd just work with what you had.

You picked up one of the potatoes and used the large, unwieldy blade to try and peel the flesh off, but it was a lot harder than using the peeler you had gotten so accustomed too at home.

Your hand on the spud slipped as you moved the knife up, and you cut your hand. From the corner of your thumb to the back of your hand. You dropped the potato and the knife on the ground letting out a cry. "Ouch!"

"Idiot."

You looked down at your bleeding hand before your face turned entire red and snapped back up to him. "Oh my god," you stood on the ground and gestured, some of your rust getting into the fire. "Shut up!!!"

"Why? Cannot handle what I have to say?" he rolled his eyes.

"No, I cannot handle you being a massive PRICK ALL THE TIME!!!" you yelled as you leaned your body forward towards him. "I am trying to make this trip less miserable for the both of us, and this entire time all of you done is be an insufferable asshole!!!"

He stared at you blankly before his eyes shifted away.

Izuru huffed to himself not having any words to reply to your temper tantrum. Somehow he hated looking at your face more than when it was blank and ever unchanging. The red cheeks that brought more attention to your angry eyes, the teeth acting as hard walls in front of your mouth.
Yes, he truly despised the way you were looking at him now.
He couldn't pin why though.

You were still standing there, throwing your hands in the air before your clenched fists flapped by your side. His silence was what you wanted and yet now the fact he didn't say anything was driving you even more insane.

"What did I do to make you hate me!?" you finally asked gesturing to yourself.

The question made him look back at you. "Hate you?" Algernon tilted his head to the side and let out… a laugh? It didn't sound like that but it was the closest thing he had made this entire trip to that. "How egoistical. I don't hate you," he rolled his eyes right afterwards. "You mean nothing to me."

"What?"

"You are a game piece, an annoying, noisy game piece… but a piece none the less," he stood up and looked down at you. "That is all your life amounts to, a part of my game," he lowered himself down, pushing his forehead against you.

All you could see was the red of his irises.

"Don't give me more motivation to end it early," he stated before he leaned away and took his seat again.

You stood there, face turning flush once more. "Fine, then, because you clearly have no interest in me as a person I just won't talk to you anymore, whatever!" you threw your hands up in the air.

God why had you even tried?

You grabbed a package of ready to eat rations , your sleeping bag and dragged yourself over to the other side of camp. You tended to your wound with the things in the medical kit.

Chiaki appeared on the screen and she tilted her head. "Are you alright? Do you want to talk?" she asked.

"No, it's…. I don't want to talk," not to anyone right now, you wrapped the bandages around the clean wound.

"If you are sure…. you can change your mind." Chiaki looked almost sad before her avatar disappeared from the screen, leaving you with just the apps.

You ate your food before you laid down, pouting to yourself as you looked over at your 'escort'.

Algernon didn't seem any worse for wear, caring on like the whole thing hadn't even happened. Your fist clenched and then unclenched in a rhythm as you considered going up to him and giving him a good old left hook, maybe one to the nose….

But you were so tired. It ate away at your other emotions until you were left with the that and…. dread.

A creeping dread that let your mind be bombarded with a cruel questions.

What if after everything was said and done, after this Neo-World Program….

Hajime didn't love you anymore?

He, in your dreams, had said he'd never hate you but…. he didn't promise he'd love always you. Even then it was just a dream, he could come out the other side of this and despise your face, or maybe find you to just be some annoying pest like he did right now.

Your mind flitted to other parts of the past, to Katashi and his mad ramblings about his plan to stay in the school, to take advantage of the 'dope' and the 'wannabe' you had attached yourself too.

At the time you had scoffed at the idea, Hajime was no 'wannabe', and that had nothing to do with your relationship to him! And yet now…. He really wasn't a 'wannabe'. As Izuru Kamukura, he had all of the talent in the world, he could focus on any skill he wished and he would always master it…

Would he keep that after the program?

If he did, your relationship would go from him being a Reserve Course Student who you adored and you being a SHSL, a title he had admired his entire life, sought after himself to…. The Ultimate Hope compared to some literary critic.

You clenched your jaw, your tear ducts getting to work but you didn't let them get far in their production, it couldn't be true! But the train of thought kept chugging along.

Would he leave you? Or worse….

You thought about Lady Cunégonde from Candide.

Would you end up like her? Hideous and shrew, resented by her husband because he promised her when she beautiful and what he wanted that he would marry her, then he felt obligated to keep his word.

Hajime… had never quite gone that far to make that exact promise, one of marriage. But what if once he awoke himself he understood you saved him because of a former relationship and felt he owed you? Would all his 'I Love You's becomes scripted, hollow words?

Had they been that already? Had they only been a product of you being considered 'talented' by the school that would later lobotomize him? Would him having all this talent erase all of the beauty he had seen in yours?

Would you only be some mile marker he had passed behind?

Your gaze shifted to Izuru keeping watch…. You certainly were right now.

You dug your nails into the white fox, taking in a breathe as your eye lids caught your welling eyes….

You didn't know the future, and you had been certain of the past. Right now you just needed to focus on getting to the final page.

Just focus on getting to that final page.

Chapter Text

"So….." Chiaki sat on the tablet as you were in the back seat, kitty corner from Algernon who kept his eyes on the road of the streets of Washington DC. The capital city in ruins like the rest, and yet somehow a streetlight still function.

Not that Algernon was respecting the traffic laws of the dead.

"Do you have any idea who might be here?" she asked, tilting her head.

"…. Why…. do you think I might know?" you asked.

"You knew them best, I……" she took a long pause and you watched as the Avatar fell asleep. You gave the cheek a small poke and her eyes started open. "I thought you might have some ideas, so we can prepare.

"I have a guess…." you admitted before your shoulders slumped, in fact you were pretty certain you knew. "But in this case I really hope I am wrong because if I am right…." you cringed.

You didn't want to picture them cosplaying as that Annoying Fucking Orange.

"Hmmm….. well you could be wrong and still share your idea," Chiaki said.

"Alright…." you hummed. "I think it's Ernest. Being at the capital of the USA, they could get away with a lot considering their range of talents."

"Who is Ernest?" there was an eye roll in Algernon's voice and you glared at him through the rear view window.

"Chiaki, please tell Algernon I am still not talking to him," you looked down at the Data-Pad and she nodded her head.

Algernon turned his head back to look at you with a deadpan and you flipped the Data-Pad around.

"They aren't talking to you right now," Chiaki stated. You flipped her back around before she looked at you and her lips went tight for a second… "…. but who is Ernest? I don't recall anyone by that name being in your class list."

"Well…. In the class roster they were Byakuya Togami. They are the Ultimate Imposter and had been their life. So when I meet them they didn't have a name of their own," you explained. "I found out about their secret, and gave them the name Ernest. It's um, based on a play by Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest. It's a satire and even pokes fun at the itself multiple times but…." you smiled. "I thought the name earnestly fit," you held up a finger at your pun.

Chiaki smiled and let out a 'ha'.

"So it just comes down to your habit of giving people ridiculous nicknames."

You glared at the front seat. "It is not just a nickname, they accepted it! So, their name is Ernest."

"What happened to you aren't talking to me right now?"

You choked in your throat before you grabbed both sides of the Data-Pad that had it been a regular tablet, the screen would have been covered in cracks. If it weren't for the fact he was driving you would have thrown it at him.

You brought the Data-Pad up to your face to not look at him anymore. Chiaki was the only thing in your eyes. "You two must have been close."

"Extremely so…. which is more of the reason why I hope I am wrong."

You weren't though, you knew that as the car put into park and you looked at the the address Algernon stopped at.

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC.

The White House.

You got out of the car, putting your backpack on to ensure it wouldn't get snagged well you were taking care of this quest. It was a lot lighter after giving so much food to Yuna.

"Give me the Data-Pad," Algernon demanded.

"What?! Why in the world would I do that?" you asked as you held Chiaki close to your chest.

"There is a good chance it will be needed to get past something, I am the best one to take care of that," he held out a hand. "Give me the Data-Pad."

Your cheeks turned red and your shoulders tightened…. before you looked down at Chiaki and closed your eyes. "…. Are you alright with that?"

Algernon smacked his hand to his forehead. "Don't ask it."

"…" Chiaki looked at him with a deadpan. "I would…. rather not but I unfortunately think he is correct."

You knew he was. You grunted to yourself before you pulled the strap off of your chest, having to untangle it from your backpack straps before holding it out to him. "Don't do anything nasty with her."

"She has ensured I can't," he rolled his eyes with his voice as he slide it over his chest, before he went towards the front gate and immediately had to use her to get past the lock…. which is something you could have easily done.

The White House itself was not quite intact, in fact, it was crumbling to the point there was no front door anymore. The round top out front had caved in making you let out a long breathe. "Suppose the backdoor then."

Algernon of course was already heading that way, and you both wrapped around the outside to where another door was.

By the former Rose Garden, which was no nothing more than a concrete patio. You stepped onto the charred white stones and looked up at the door that was across the way."

"Disgraceful, to have a leader who would waste so much money to destroy something so beautiful," you knew what Kazuichi did was objectively worse in every possible way. He paved over an entire culture and almost every one of it's people to build a factory of horrors….

But at least he didn't think he was making an improvement.

He was following in the motive of Junko, a sheer desire to cause despair and suffering and death in everyway possible and leave absolutely nothing behind.

He succeeded.

This on the other hand, was a vanity project, an ugly one that only served to stroke an ego… which summed up the entirety of most Dictatorships. One ugly project after another, to destroy and build something worse on top that served to mark that leader down in history.

Somehow going inside the building made everything you thought worse. The entire inside was plated in gold that was chipping away

"God….. Junko really did not have to work as hard as she did," you said as you threw your hands in the air to gesture at one of the stupid portrait of that stupid man with his stupid tiny dick out. "She did not need to come after my classmates, the world leaders more than could have sufficed for her goals!"

"It would have been too easy for her," Algernon said as he went down the gilded halls. "And thus, extremely boring."

"…. So she doesn't want things to be 'too easy' and yet is unwilling to play when she doesn't think she can win?" you asked.

"Junko always wins, no matter the result. Even in defeat she's still the winner," he had played games with Junko, she'd try and cheat, manipulate and change the rules but even when he was able to beat her there, it was the same overwhelming excited reaction. "She described it as losing tastes so much better when she gives it her all to win, and victory stings in the same way."

Your nose scrunched. "She was insane."

"I know."

He threw open the doors to the oval office that remained completely intacted.

You looked around as you stepped in, eyes on the walls and the ceiling and then on the floor. Algernon meandered to the center of the room, standing on top of the eagle symbol in the center.

You had…. a rush in your mind.

It was like seeing the words before they were written. Seeing the story form in front of you basing everything on the pages you had consumed in the past. The setting, the genre, the characters all of it informed you to the next events in the story.

"Watch out!' You shoved Algernon off of the center circle in the Oval Office, finding yourself standing where he was.

He glared back at you before the hidden trapdoor fell open, and you were sucked down into the black pit below.

You screamed and raised a hand towards him. You saw as his mouth fell open before the door shut just as quickly as it opened.

Izuru dropped to the ground, slamming a hand down onto the tile. His eyes wide as he sat on his knees, staring at the now missing hole in the ground. He had only seen it for a second but that was a far down drop, likely even more than the seventh floor he had tried throwing himself off of.

He stayed there, letting out a shaky breathe…. before he inhaled, and his eyes relax, his mouth shut to a tight line. He stood up as he kept looking down at where the pit was. "The game is over."

You were most certainly dead.

How anti-climatic, he wouldn't even see the body. He began to walk towards the door when the bothersome AI poked it's face onto the screen.

"You don't know that though."

Algernon glared down at the Data-Pad. "They couldn't survive that fall, and even if they did there is no doubt the Imposter would find and kill them first."

"So you aren't even going to check?" it asked as the full body of the avatar appeared on the screen. It made a synthetic pout as it grabbed at it's non-existence sleeve. "That is a really boring to end the game…. but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised…"

"What does that mean?"

It had the balls to shrug at him.

His teeth turned into a hard grit. He knew he was right and yet… He didn't… feel the break he might have expected. The final release, perhaps for it to count he had to see the body.

To see you dead.

"Fine," he looked around the room and then down at the trapdoor, he wasn't going to just fall into the pit, so he'd find a better way down.

Chiaki smiled from her tablet, tilting her head to one side as the entire screen focused on her face again before she popped off of it for now, her job complete.

You hadn't stopped screaming as you fell down, down, down.

You had to spite yourself didn't you? You had to try and save him despite the fact he wasn't Hajime and yet if he died, Hajime would die with him. Not that it mattered, when you hit the bottom this game would be over.

God this game would be over.

You closed your eyes tightly and waited for the impact that came but… but not in the way you expected.

Your fall was cushioned by bones and old fancy clothes.

You stared up at the ceiling where a spotlight shined down on you before you sat up and looked down. The pile of old bodies you landed on was vast. The bones were so old it didn't smell, or, maybe you were just so blind to the scent at this point. You surveyed around at the vast cavern you had landed in. It was tall and you could see the stalagmites

The game continued, much to your surprise and….

You climbed down. As you did, you noticed the details of what the bodies had wearing. Fine suits with different pins of different countries. National symbols from all over the world, badges and honors pinned to the uniforms of soldiers. Each one of them lured, dropped and then…. died.

You made it the bottom of the pile, and before you was a long, pitch black corridor. You walked around the pile but there was no other option but to go forward.

Your steps were slow as you looked around. It was so dark down here, but the hall seemed to go on and on at infinity. You turned your head from side to side before your walked face first into the black.

It was cold and…. you put your hand on it. Even in the black you could see the way you smudged the mirror. You left your hand on it, the cold surface being your guide as you kept your other hand forward and eventually you ran into another.

The only sense you had to guide you through the pitch black mirror maze was your sense of touch.

A light shined, bouncing off one mirror and then another. You followed it until it got brighter and brighter and you made it to a small room with mirrors on all of the walls so you could see the scene created from every angle.

A mannequin fashioned from a skeleton, dressed in an elaborate wedding gown and veil. On the ground there was another skeleton, crouched on the ground, a needle and thread in it's hand as if it were capable of hemming the dress to make it fit better.

You stepped around it careful, seeing your reflection as you looked on at the frozen display before you walked towards the only the other way forward. It wasn't long before you found another light, and another scene.

A bed, with three skeletons cuddling on it.

Then another.

A whole bunch of the skeletons, all crowded around a round table. 15 of them in total, books and half filled out worksheets cluttering the table.

Another.

Six skeletons in total, a black screen well one stood singing into a microphone, the other five sitting at a couch, drinks that had long since gone stale sitting in front of each and every one of them.

Another.

Five Skeletons in a kitchen preparing food that now sat moldy and rotten.

The last scene you found was a dining table with four skeletons seated at it, rotten food was piled on the table in abundance as the skeletons were contorted to seem like they were laughing and talking over their family dinner.

You stared at the scene longer than the others….

When you heard the wind whisper with words.

'It's You.'

You flipped around, you couldn't see anything other than the reflections of all of the scenes past and more forward…. until there was a shadow darting across from the left. You flipped around and pushed your back to the glass.

"It's the stupid slut!" the childish tone of Hiyoko rang out, echoing on the mirrors but you knew better.

"Come out, Ernest! I know you here!"

"E-Ernest?" anxious Mikan squeaked. "I-I don't know anyone by t-the name of Ernest!"

"Neither does Ibuki! Nope, never heard of them!"

You stepped forward and tried to follow where you had seen the shadow, your eyes narrowing. "You are not going to fool me!"

"Geez, who said anyone is trying to fool you," motherly Mahiru asked. "You just have an over active imagination!"

You ran forward and crashed into a mirror, you held your face and you forced your eyes open, catching another glimpse of them darting behind you in one mass.

"Yer runnin' like a chicken with it's head cut off!!!" the southern drawl of Teruteru laughed at you.

"Is that all you got!?" Nekomaru boomed.

"Of course not!" you said as you tried to follow from where the shadow came, keeping one hand in front of you at all times to push off any mirrors you may run into. "Come here, Ernest let me see you!"

"Foolish mortal, believing in unfounded tales. Accept the truth, or FALL!!!!" Gundham monologue out loud.

"Indeed. I do not believe Ernest ever existed to begin with," Sonia stated in such a tone that much everyone would believe it to be fact, expect for you.

"You are trying to mess with my head right now!!! So I know damn well you exist!!!" you called out, standing still and balled your hands into fists. Your eyes went in front of you.

Standing behind you in the mirror was an emaciated figure, when you turned around to face them though they were gone.

You kept following where they lead.

"Man Bookworm, you are so bad at this," Akane laughed at you.

"Not surprised though, you've always been a pussy!" Natsumi jeered and you felt like your teeth might shatter in on themselves. You didn't respond, only keeping forward to try and chase them where they were going.

"For real man. Why are you trying? It's not like you can do anything," Kazuichi said it so casually.

"Your such a stupid fucking bitch! Always have been with that trust you always have!" Fuyuhiko yelled at you like a subordinate who was about to lose a finger.

"Always getting into trouble," Peko's mute voice commented.

Your breathe was beginning to get ragged from how much you were running along this maze, always one step behind them as their words kept echoing off the walls. You felt like you were dizzy and sick and tired but you kept going onwards because it was Ernest.

It was them for you to see.

"Truly…. you a hopeless person."

You came to the final cavern, as big and expansive as the first.

The sight within made you drop to your knees and you covered your mouth.

They finally stood before you.

The Ultimate Imposter, Ernest.

Also known as the Actor of Despair.

You…. you couldn't believe it was them who stood before you.

They had lost what had to have been all of their glorious weight.

The flesh which had been supported by the fat was left to dangle down. Their stomach fell to their knees acting as so sort of gown and you could see some of it clinging to their rib cage. The skin of their arms and legs swayed with the breeze as it acted like puffy sleeves to their attire of themselves.

Their black hair had been grown out, it covered their face and dragged on the ground with their flesh, interwoven in the pitch black were the golden strands that belonged upon the head of Junko Enoshima.

More than the changes to them though…

Preserved in a glass box and pinned like butterflies, on the far wall above them, your parents were splayed out. There faces were contorted into an ever remaining horror, mouths fallen open in their final screams well their eyes had been replaced with glass that perfectly captured the terror they must have felt.

Between them were a space, the pins waiting to pressed into limbs.

Your limbs.

"Behold," Ernest was now using your voice as they gestured up , the flesh of their arm swaying with the movement. "Do you see it? The results of a worthless talent from a worthless child who wished to live in a dream world?"

You couldn't not see it. The image burned into your mind before your head forward, focusing on the ground before you. You didn't move, only crumbled in your ball on the ground.

They didn't say anything more, taking step by step by step towards you.

The silence was long and unbearable as you were stuck in only just your thoughts.

Their eyes were swirling as they looked down at you, hand outstretched to find your neck and add you to the collection. Your eyes tilted up to see them, you could make out the features of their face.

You rose your feet. Your arms dangled in front of you.

The fact you stood at all made them stop. Their entire body froze and their eyes snapped back to their natural brown.

That was all you needed.

You grabbed their wrist with one hand and the other found the mask they put on their face and you pushed them to the ground, slamming them on their back. You made your whole body stand tall and you let out heavy labored breathes.

"Don't you know- the consequences of skipping even one meal!?" you yelled as you clenched one fist in front of you.

There mouth hung open before they sat up, getting back on their feet. They moved towards you again, with a faster movement but you, full of calories, were faster. You grabbed their arm and yanked them down before you jumped away to get distance.

"You know you almost had me!"

They rose to their feet and went for another attack, but you countered just as you had before, getting them to the ground.

"But you know what? You can't hide behind lies to someone who knows the truth. Who knows who you are."

Again.

"You like McDonalds because it always tastes the same, but your favorite meat is pork because it has the most vitamins!"

Again!

"You enjoy shitty reality TV because it fun to see the people even if it fake, and you admire the art of drag because of how it is an expression of the self."

Again!!!

"You know a vast range of skills you were forced to learn, and had more you wanted to learn with everyone else, even if you were scared. "

Again!!!!!!

"And you more than anything in the world wanted to embrace your fresh start at Hope's Peak Academy!!!"

You were getting tired, and you your arm felt heavy as they rose to their feet again, you leaned forward., putting a hand on your heart.

"You loved our classmates, you loved our family, and you loved me, even after everything that happened," you looked at the final space left on their wall. The spot meant for you. "Even after all of the time we have been apart, that never changed…. and it didn't change for me either. Even now.

I love you Ernest," your fingers clenched over your chest.

You saw their soft brown eyes as their hair parted for you see them again. They saw your and their mouth fell open and they wobbled on both of their feet as they kept staring into them.

Their breathe left their mouth and they spoke in their voice. "Please don't…. blame yourself for what happened."

They hit the ground.

You stood there and your arm pulled back. "Ernest?" you asked before you ran over and slide on the ground. They were completely unconscious. Your mouth opened and you started to shake them. "Ernest, hey! Hey, wake up!" you yelled before you shook harder but they did not stir.

You put a hand to their neck and could feel the heart beat underneath.

What happened!? Why!? Huh!?

"Ernest!!! Ernest! Come on," you didn't know what to do you-

They were right there.

Your Sibling was right there.

How had you lost them?

You put both of your hands over your face- what happened!? You still didn't know!

You peeked from behind your hands when you heard shifting. They sat up in front of you, before they stood. You looked up at them and panic began to fill you, or it would have if they didn't… only stand there.

"Ernest? Hey, are you better?" you asked as you stood up.

They remained silent.

"Ernest?" you asked and you tapped them, but they respond by only… looked at you. Your shoulders tensed up. "Fine! Give me the silent treatment!" you yelled before you looked around the room. In the corner of the room there were piles of fabric and you walked over.

They watched you as you grabbed a few swatches of fabric and the sewing kit left there. You used the skill they had taught you with fury as you stitched together a good enough bag with handles and took your pack off your shoulder and shoved it full of a week worth of food.

"Regardless of anything else, I won the game, so that means you have to listen to me," you said and you shoved it into their chest. Their arms wrapped around the bundle before they slipped it onto your shoulder. "You are to report to Future Foundation Base E to report for Junko's game or whatever! And so help me if there is even a scrap worth of food left in that bag by the time you get there!"

They still weren't saying anything, they began to walk in a direction you wouldn't expect and you….. followed down the tunnel.

Izuru had found an entrance in the Senate of congress, and found his way down a long concrete tunnel. He let out a sigh at the whole point of this boring excursion. A question he knew the answer too.

His head tilted up when he heard footsteps, and a being made of flesh and bone was walking towards him. There was no blood lust as the hollow figure got closer and closer to him. It's brown eyes caught a hold of him before it changed it's path.

The movement was quicker than Izuru expected as it bent down, one hand on his shoulder and whispered into his ear.

"Watch yourself."

It felt like the phantom of Hajime Hinata had been given form to whisper in his ear, before the vessel walked past like nothing happened.

Izuru didn't in ghosts, but it certainly…. made his blood run cold in the moment. To hear his own voice threatening him.

He clenched his fist, ready to crush his skull when he heard another set of footsteps. His head turned back and coming down the hallway after the Ultimate Imposter was…..

"You….. survived."

You pushed him out of the way to get past him, sending him a look as you did. "Don't sound so enthusiastic."

He blinked as he watched you go from whence he came.

You survived.

No….. No you hadn't survived, that….. was underestimate.

You won.

All by yourself.

Izuru began to follow behind you, one hand in his pocket as he considered to himself….. what an interesting turn of events that was.

Camp had been set up in a blur, Algernon and Chiaki had both tried to get the details of what happened out of you but you didn't want to talk about it. You couldn't eat the food in front of you as you kept staring into the fire.

They had been…. right there.

Hadn't they?

Wasn't that…. what it was? Them standing right in front of you, speaking to you directly and yet…. what went wrong afterwards? Was it merely nothing, an attempt to trick you before falling down from lack of strength?

No that definitely wasn't it. It was Ernest, their mind and body coming to see you and then- they were gone. What more had there been to it? You considered racing back to the future foundation, or attempting to catch up to where they had gone to get there but you didn't know.

Could….. if you had been….. less…………….

Would you have been able to get them back?

Footsteps broke your train of thought. Your alarm was canceled when you saw Algernon standing besides you. Your face fell to a grimace looking at him. 'What is it?"

"I am done considering."

You blinked. "Huh?"

He grabbed your hand and dragged you to your feet. You choked at the action and he shifted you into a simple waltz stance. The hand that he took was out extended well his other was firmly planted on your back.

Your mouth was open wide as you looked at his chest. He grunted before the hand on your back was under your chin, none to gently forcing you to look up at into his eyes. "Eyes on your partner's," you stepped and the same hand pushed you to be a distance making a box between you. "Keep to your own space," one of his feet wrapped around yours to push to the side. "Feet shoulder width apart."

"H-hey! W-wait a second," you said.

"Don't tell me you intend to give up when we have just started," he said as he started to move, pulling you along. "Step one, two, three," his legs moved and you were dragged along.

You-

What had you signed up for???

Chapter Text

"On a scale from agree to disagree, would you say you would prefer to do your own thing at home?"

You blinked at the question and looked up from your rations. The wording was, something but- Algernon hadn't really asked you a question like this before! You beamed.

"Well that is kinda of hard for me to answer, I would consider myself a homebody sort of by default being someone who enjoys reading, but it sort of depends. Who is it I will be spending time with? If it were to say, go the library with my friends then I think I would prefer to do that than stay home alone…. I think my final answer would be slightly agree!"

Algernon nodded and you were about to ask a question to him but he had another one loaded in the barrel. "On a scale from agree to disagree, when I am in social situations, I try to find ways to avoid others."

"That certainly used to be completely true, but I would say that has changed so um…. slightly agree again!"

"On a scale from agree to disagree, you have developed a script to follow in social situations."

You stopped and your face fell to a deadpan. "Are you giving me an Autism Assessment?"

"Yes."

You put one hand on the side of your face before you gestured forward and then brought it back again. Both of your hands went into the air. "I am not autistic!"

"Yes you are."

Your face turned red and you stood up to try and find the words to express yourself but all you really did was flounder your hands. "No I am not!"

"High empathy, strong sense of justice, intense emotions, you general childlike demeanor, obsessive special interest in reading, books in general and specially with the book Time to Time, poor volume control-" your hand covered your mouth, poor volume control??? "Sensor seeking of soft things, fidgeting, even the way you are currently holding your arms…. and that is just a few of the traits."

You looked down to see your arms held over your chest like a T-Rex. Had you really always done that? You- you keep them centered there a lot but that- you looked around before you pointed your finger. "Okay well- well- you have plenty of autistic traits yourself, sir!"

"I was lobotomized. I do not think that leaves you neurotypical."

"Nu-huh!!! Even before that!!!"

Algernon rolled his eyes. "That doesn't matter anymore."

"I….. ya I guess not," you said before you sat down, putting a hand on the side of your head before you picked up the Data-Pad and Chiaki appeared on the screen in front of you. "Chiaki, am I autistic?"

"I am not permitted to give a diagnosis, only a licensed psychiatrist would be able to say for certain."

"Okay, then, as my friend. Do you think I am autistic?"

"…." Chiaki's head went down on the screen before her eyes rolled to one side and the other and she let out a small sigh. "Yes."

"I am going to bed," you said as you got your sleeping bag out of your bag and laid it out on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Chiaki asked. "If you want to talk about it I am here."

"They are just being dramatic again," Algernon said.

"I just need a minute to process this!" were you autistic??? Is that why you didn't have any friends before Hope's Peak Academy??? But then why was it so easy to make friends after you had arrived there. You pulled it over yourself and stared out.

Everyone…. certainly did have their special interests and quirks.

"…. Is everyone I am friends with autistic?" you whispered to yourself.

Well- you'd rather be unpacking this than dealing with everything else in your life. You had bigger problems, all around you, all of the time, now and what would feel like forever.

It wouldn't be though, there was an end point. You'd either die before the goal or you'd get there and everything would be better! Honestly compared to everything going on, being autistic really wasn't a problem! A blip on the map!

Plus…. you were really good at your special interest…! That was definitely a good thing! Honestly it answered a lot

You felt the car jerking well on the road, before it sputtered, before it puffed and before it stopped, you put both of your hands on your face in the passenger seat. "We are out of gas!" There had been extra canisters, but that ot used up.

"Indeed," Algernon said as he got out of the car, grabbed his bag from the back and started to walk along the pothole laden highway. You fumbled with your seat belt and got out of the car, swinging your bag over your shoulder.

You didn't go back for anything, The produce in the car had gone bad a couple days ago and you still had plenty of water, carrying more of it would only slow you down… But, regardless of that you jogged ahead, looking back at the car.

"Can't we try to look for some more?" you asked.

"Every time we have tried to search a building I have been through checking for it. I have found one."

"Of course…." most everywhere had been picked clean just like the first building you checked in…. You'd checked a lot of buildings just in case and very rarely you found a granola bar or other snack that got forgotten behind whatever had been plundered, but anything really worth anything was gone. You waved out. "Goodbye car, it was nice to have you," to be fair you had gotten really far.

From Georgia to Washington DC to St. Jacob, Missouri.

Which left…. about 12 days of walking all of the way to Denver Colorado.

The mere sound of it made you want to cry, and pray that you would find another car at some point. Maybe Nagito's luck would shine for you once more….? Right after thinking that you bit your tongue.

You didn't want him to get hurt for something so petty, you would make it on your own.

You had one ear bud in as you walked through the world for awhile, listening through chapters of Bram Stroker's Dracula. The cast was admirable in several ways.

Dr. Van Hellsing was your favorite amongst the cast, with Mina Harker being a close second. The older doctor was a ray of light in his own mysterious way, cryptic and tricky but energetic and kind. Well German and Dutch were not the same, the way he spoke reminded you of…. Alexis.

Oh how was she? Nagito had never answered you about her. Did he not know? Did he not want you to know?

You picked up the bag for the Data-Pad and changed to some music, so you wouldn't start falling down the rabbit hole of….. creativity you could go down with that. You turned the volume up to as high as possible and walked forward.

You walked for sum what was 3 hous, your feet killing you as your mind…. started to wander about to be occupied.

Then you got stuck on something.

You didn't like how focused you became on the idea, not because it disturbed you but more… how…. mundane it felt to think about? It wasn't mundane, it was an insane. Yet it burned on your tongue and made your mind smoky with the concept of it.

"…. Hey Algernon, I have a question for you."

"What?"

"You have a knife, why don't, you use it?" you asked as you held one hand up. "Isn't that more like…. effective then crushing in peoples heads? Quick slit to the jugular," both methods were rather messy, was it because one would spray out? He never seemed to really get any gray matter on his hands or shoes though, so you doubted it would matter. "Or- why not take one the guns? You know how to use it."

He let out a hum at the question and turned his head to one side as he held a hand under his chin. It wasn't much of something he considered. Going for the head has simply been effective the first time and from then he found other ways to do that. "Both methods are simply for me, but…. in a sense you are correct," he didn't need the show of the smashed skull. he had to sit and think about.

Why did he choice that method?

""I suppose it comes down to there is…." he needed the right word…. what word would he use. "Satisfaction in the act," he looked at his hand before he closed it into a fist. "The crunch is nice," he squeezed his hand tight. "The sound, the texture, the simplicity…. all of it comes together nicely."

"Ohhhhhh-" you didn't have any words! Ya- okay-

You did ask!!!!!!

Chiaki was listening to this, she was having reaction you were basically.

"What? You did ask," he rolled his eyes as he kept walking. His teeth turned in on themselves, saying that felt…. strange. Not in the sense that what he said was strange. Far from it, but…. how saying it made him feel. His eyes traced on the ground and he gritted his behind his neutral lips.

He knew what the feeling he felt from not being able to identify the sensation immediately: frustration. It was common to feel around Junko and thus he experienced it frequently while she was alive.

It made him pick up his pace, leaving you to shuffle behind in the new slience that fell over the area.

Well…

He answered at least….!

You'd been walking for several days and a schedule had formed of when.

Specifically, in the morning you'd eat breakfast, when 6 hours of walking before having lunch and resting for an hour so you wouldn't complain and then walking for another 4 hours-

and right now was the end of the 4 hours, you knew it exactly and stopped walking and unplugged your earbuds from the Data-Pad, shoving them into your pocket and setting Chiaki up to be propped on a rock. In the distance you could see what once had been a radio tower…

It was now lying on the ground.

Algernon stopped walking, dropped his backpack on the ground and turned around to face you. "Chiaki, play Waltz of the Flowers by Tchaikovsky," he said as he began to walk towards you, you felt nervous already as you turned so you took a few steps away from your things, side by side.

He held out his hand for the start of the dance and you gave him your fingertips, feeling nervousness pull in your gut already.

With your hand in his you took three steps before parting to face each other. You copied him a second behind in each movement of spreading your arms to bow to him as he did to you. You stepped towards him and held one hand out and he took you in his embrace.

Step one, two, three of the basic waltz. Your whole body was rigid as you kept eye contact with him. His expression was hard contrasting the soft music. It made you miss your cue as he did half of the pull away with your hands in his. He let out a 'tch' at you missing that.

You didn't miss the twirl, but your feet caught on themselves well you did it, pulling him. His hand kept you upright as he put his hand behind his back as he finished his translation with elegance. Honestly he was gorgeous with his every movement, like the finest marble brought to life.

As cold as that too.

You managed to get through the next two twirls to facing him again, you did the basic steps before the next twirl and-

You stepped on his foot.

Algernon gritted his teeth and stepped away, putting his hand on his forehead. "Why is this so hard for you, we have gone through this dance a dozen times," he crossed his arms as he glared down at you.

"I-I am sorry! I am still new…. and…. and nervous," you said before you tugged at your hair, looking up at him. "I-I am really bad at dancing with another person, I-I guess!" this was exactly the sort of thing you wanted to learn, even though, come to think of it…. you never remember specifying the type of dance.

Regardless of that detail, you wanted to learn to do something like the Waltz to…. impress Nagito. He had found your lack of ability endearing before but… who knew what he thought of it now. So maybe if you could waltz with him, he'd-

You didn't know what he'd think, but you hoped maybe he would be proud.

Doing it with Algernon was proving to be…. difficult, though.

He let out a small scoff. "A basic waltz is one of the simplest dances, and being able to keep your feet about you near someone is best if you want to 'work on your footwork' for fighting."

"W-well, I am just saying! It, it would save your shoes some scuffing," you said as you put your fingers together.

'Fine. What did you have in mind?"

"Oh! Uh-" you looked around before you held up… jazz hands. "How about jazz?"

"Very well, I don't care," he broke away and took a few steps away, and began to demonstrate what a Ball Change Cross looked like for you.

Dance lessons would last an hour, two if you were feeling very motivated to keep going and try and prove something with your skill. Algernon would then say it was time for dinner and you'd both go into your bags

anddddddd

shit.

Your shoulders slumped as you pulled your hand out, putting a hand on the side of your head.

Izuru looked up from where he was sitting

"Why do you look like that?" his voice had a new level of exasperation because he knew the answer, but wished to be surprised by you once more.

"…. It's nothing," you said before you got up and stretched, letting out a long, fake yawn. 'Well I think I am going to head to bed early.

"You didn't eat though," Chiaki was quick to chime in and Izuru looked at her. Your lips were tight together and you looked to the side.

"You ran out of rations. I thought you only gave two weeks away."

"…………….."

His eyes narrowed. "Who did you give your rations to?" he asked.

"Ernest starved themselves half to death!" you yelled as you threw one hand in the air. "I-I told them they had too! Besides I said I would deal with the consquences when I got to them so- I am just going to go to sleep."

He could see the hunger in your eyes.

Izuru let out a long, frustrated sound before he pulled one of his out of his bag and threw the metal tin across the ground, and it clamored to a stop in front of you. "You slow me down enough well you are well feed, I do not need you dragging me down more on an empty stomach."

You stood there, your mouth open as you looked down at the metal peace offering and then back up at Algernon's agitated expression. Your hands clenched "Why are you playing this game at all? You don't seem to be having any fun with it," your voice was soft as you spoke, looking at him.

"I don't expect it to be fun, I simply…. wish to see if anything interesting will happen," he said as his eyes shifted to the side. That all it was. "That is why there are rules."

You sat down and picked up the metal box, your fingers tapping on the outside before you pulled it open. "You know, sometimes finding something interesting… does take some effort to try and make it interesting, on your part I mean."

"What do you mean? Things are interesting or they are boring. You cannot make something boring interesting."

"If you simply try to bulldoze through without thinking about anything you are doing, that is bound to always be boring," you said before you began to eat. "… It part of why I find books so fun, actually…. There is always so much to explore within the pages if you think about it for long enough."

"I do not need another pitch for your stories."

"I am not saying you have to start reading," your voice dropped to a whisper for a moment "even though you should-" You rose yourself up and gestured. "You…. You know a lot of things, but you don't have a lot of experiences. You haven't explored many places."

Yep, scoffing and sneering and rolling his eyes at you. You ignored him and kept talking.

"If you just skim the surface of many tasks or books they aren't interesting, it is only when you start to learn about them and understanding them that they truly become… something interesting."

"You are wrong."

You sighed, oh well. 'Thank you for the food, Algernon."

The next day spent walking had you coming across more people in the distance.

They started as dots, before they got closer and closer. Algernon started to veer the path to try and avoid them but you….. squinted. After you did your mouth fell open and you were sprinting in that direction.

Algernon swung his head over and his shoulders tensed up, before he started to chase after you. 'What do you think you are doing?!" he asked as you were out pacing him with a whole new burst of energy like you hadn't had before.

You didn't answer, only going as quick as you could, tripping rocks and using the force of your running to balance yourself, arms flaying about. One of the figuress almost jumped in the air-

Before they were running towards.

"MAUS!!!"

"ALEXIS!!!!"

You ran into each other arms. Alexis wrapped her arms around your back and clutched your hair and you held onto the large dress she wore. You choked out a sound of joy and looked up at her.

Her green eyes were sparkling. "Oh I would say you know not my excitement but I am fully aware you share it, mien Maus!"

"You are alive! You are alive!!!" you cheered as you held onto her for longer.

Running to catch up with Alexis Alexis was a tall black man with glasses. His black dreads were pulled back into a ponytail that made them stick up into the air before bending with gravity and his face was framed by chin-strap facial hair. He was dressed in a blue trench coat, golden paisley vest with thick black pants and heavy boots.

Alexis pulled away and put a hand on your shoulder, standing across from the man. "You must be die kleine Maus," he spoke to you in Japanese well he stepped over and offered your a hand that had a golden band around the ring finger. "My name is Shin'ya. I have come to know your mother-in-law due to… recent circumstances," he used his other hand to gesture around the rubble. "She is a great woman, and has spoken highly of you."

You shook his hand. "I don't know anything about you, but if Alexis trusts you, you must good," you nodded your head and he smiled.

"A nice sentiment, I was and I think in a sense I still am," he chuckled to himself at the statement before he took a step back, and his head turned to your last guest. His eyes narrowed a little as he looked him up and dow. You could see the way his eyes darted away, looking at the fact his clothes were somehow still clean despite how everyone else was dirtied from merely being outside and his mere demeanor.

Alexis noticed your friend as well before stared down at Algernon. She sat there for a second, taking him in and she bent over to you, her hand covering her mouth. "Why is Schnecke so edgy?" Alexis asked in a whispered tone.

"It's… a long story…."

"Are you referring to me as a snail?" Algernon asked.

"Oh come now, we have already had this conversation!"

"He… doesn't remember it. He's, his name is um-" you paused as you gestured to him. "Algernon."

"It appears we have a lot to catch up on," Alexis looked around the area before she turned her back. "But- it is not safe to talk here. We should head back to base. I can answer some questions on the way," she said.

Shin'ya let out a sigh. "Delaying even more."

"With good reason."

"… With good reason."

"Delaying- what?" you asked tilting your head.

"… Our hunt for the beast that has is hunting our mice," Alexis answered before she ushered for you to keep following. "We have established a group- the Mouse Den," she explained and you immediately cringed before smiling, giving Algernon a look whcih he was able to read

'I told you so.'

"I see…" you nodded your head. "You, seem to have a lot of resources. How, how are you here? Why did you come here?"

"Quite a tale to tell on the way, but….." she looked at you and a sad smile grew on her face. "You can thank Nagito."

"Now what is this, now?" Alexis asked from the stairway. Nagito sat on the couch, his legs spread and hands together as he looked up to her. On the coffee table was a brief case and a long legal document type out completely in Japanese.

"Read it yourself," he gestured down at the long contract.

Alexis grabbed the wade of paper and plopped herself down on the couch as if it were her office chair. Her eyes scanned page after page, ensuring she fully understood exactly what he was trying to get at before she threw it onto the table when she got to the signature page.

He had already signed the contract.

"Eager to get rid of me as always," Alexis crossed her arms and glared at her troublesome boy. "I am afraid there is nothing you can do that will make me sign those papers, though."

"Won't you at least hear what I have to say?"

Alexis closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "Alright, state your case then."

"Things are going wrong," it was a simple fact. "And as I am now, there is nothing I can do about it."

"And so you wish for me to leave the country?" Alexis asked, her head tilting to the side. "To leave you broke? At your worst?"

"Oh I am not at my worst yet," he hunched over before he looked up at her with a smile. "I wish it was, but I am not going to be that delusional," he let out half a laugh at the statement before his eyes refocused on the briefcase.

"You are making a very poor argument."

"… And it is the fact I am still not at my worse that makes me want to do what I can," he grabbed the briefcase and slide it over to Alexis. She looked down at it before pulling it towards her and clicking it open.

On top were several files. Secret bases, notes on threats and possible allies alike, recipes for medications , instructions for the most state of the art solar panels, wind turbines, water wheels and a hodgepodge other information priceless in an apocalypse. Underneath was also a bed of several hundred thousand the United States Dollar.

"Where did you get this?" she asked.

"The money was pretty easy to get… The information on the other hand is from Hope's Peaks Archive. I couldn't find what I was looking for… but those seemed like they could be helpful."

"I am still not going to leave," she said as she shut the briefcase and put it on the table. She stayed firm as she looked at him, once again emaciated and pale like how she had first found him.

Oh how could she possible leave now?

"You cannot make me."

"If everything works out, I'd want you to come right back," Nagito tried to suck in a breathe, his expression changing. "I don't really want you to leave either," all of the bravado he tried to have faded as his voice was nothing but a scared squeal. Tears began to pour down his face as his hair seemed to flatten. "I want everything to work out, for myself, for them," his words were fast to try and get them all out, but he needed to suck in a breathe. 'For you…. But I don't know if they will," he began to pant as he looked down at his hand.

"I know I am losing my mind, and well I still have it I want to make sure someone is safe, Mama," he fully began to break down into sobs as he fell forward, the dam broken with the slip of his tongue.

Alexis caught him, holding him a hug and rubbing his back, tears were coming from her face.

"Please, please help me do something hopeful."

Alexis let out a breathe, keeping her voice steady. "Okay, Nagito…. I understand." She put her hands on his shoulders and made him look her in his eyes despite the tears they both shared. She brushed a hand on his cheek, wiping away his tears.

"You have grown into quite the Fine Young Man."

Alexis told the tale and had tears down her face. "I, had to do it. To fulfill his last wish," she put a hand over her heart. "I tried to find you, I called, texted, went to your parents and the police but you were no where to be found," she explained before she looked down at you. "I am sorry you left with out you."

"Don't be! It, a lot happened during that time. None of it your fault and….. I wouldn't have left with you."

"That is admittedly what Nagito had said… " Alexis said closing her eyes. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you alive."

Oh- oh! Right, fulfill last wishes, there something wrong with that statement! "Nagito's not dead!"

Alexis' mouth fell open. "What?"

"He is well alive! He looks like-" you paused trying to find the correct word. "Nagito but, he…. he's been cured," you looked over to Algernon and gestured to him.

Alexis stopped walking and stared, tears beginning to fall down her face. "… My boy is alive?"

You nodded your head. "He…. is different, " your eyes shifted to the side before they bounced back to her. "But he is alive!"

Alexis dropped to her knees and she put her hands over her face. "Oh- Oh mein Gott, mein Sohn, er - oh, danke dem Himmel, danke Gott, danke der Erde und den Sternen," her eyes shot up and she got stood on shaking hands, and put both her hands on Algernon.

Izuru's teeth gritted at being touched.

"Thank you!!! Oh you boy have no idea how happy you have made this mother," she said gripping his shoulders tightly and staring into his eyes.

"I didn't do it for you, I did it for meager entertainment ," his voice came out as a growl.

"I don't give a damn for what purpose you did it!" she yelled into his face, the tears dropping to the ground. "You saved my son! You have my life in your debt."

He leaned away and swatted her away. "Then stop touching me," he hissed out and looked at the ground. Why was she making such a large deal out of nothing? He held his fists by his side as he began to walk ahead. "We are wasting time."

Shin'ya walked over to Alexis and offered her a handkerchief. Alexis wiped her face and let out a laugh. "He is a still a grumpy Bat Boy I suppose!"

"I have no restrictions on crushing your skull," Izuru warned and Alexis smiled at him, well you stood right besides Alexis.

"Hmmmm, let's get you back to base, I think soup will improve your grouchy attitude," Alexis said before she breezed past him and ahead. "Come on now, it should be a big patch!!!" she exclaimed as she waved everyone to follow her with haste.

You kept pace with her to the best of your ability, a smile on your face.

She hadn't changed a bit.

You were eventually lead to some underground tunnel that looped around and around before there was a large metal door. Alexis typed in a key, and it scrapped and screamed as it went open.

All of the people gathered at the entrance looked up, everyone had been doing something. Polishing or assembling weapons, carrying crates around, mending clothes. One woman was stirring and giving out from a large bowl of soup.

All of them in circles and had been chatting before they looked up.

A man spoke to her in a tongue you'd never even…. considered before, she spoke back to in it. It was simple and you could hear bits of Spanish Grammar mixed with more Germanic words. The man looked up at you before giving a nod and a smile, going back to his work.

The other people did similar, in their pods they spoke something but when they were turning to someone else they used the tongue you didn't know.

"Do you know what they are speaking?" you whispered to Algernon.

"It's a pidgin, not anything."

Oh! You had heard about this at some point in a book. You considered. "But… Pidgins… can lead to creoles which are sort of languages themselves, right?'

"I suppose."

"So, it's the start of something," you smiled at him and he scoffed at you before Alexis started walking towards a room.

"I need to inform Chelsea I am back, just so she knows," Alexis smiled before she lead you through the hallways. There were a lot of people of here. They were all different types of people too from all over the states.

Each one working together to build something knew.

To make a true home of the free and the brave, a melting pot of all kinds, due the desperate times.

You smiled before Alexis pushed open a door to a room that had decorated something brighter, more colorful and less…… everything going on outside.

At a corner with a group of 12 or so children, you could see Chelsea, who noticeable had changed her hairstyle to a pixie cut, supervising them. She looked up and her green eyes went bright. "Mom, welcome back."

All of the children looked up, and one boy instantly pushed the chair out.

"Alexis!!!" a small dark skinned boy with crop curls with ran up to her as soon as she came through the door and hugged her waist. Alexis smiled and she picked the boy up. "You made it back!"

"Of course I did, Ahmed," Alexis smiled with a laughed. "I promise I would."

"Did you slay the monster?" he asked, his eyes bright.

"Not yet, something more important came up," Alexis turned him so he could see you both. He gave a small wave and you waved back before Alexis put him down, and he ran back over to the table with glee on his face as he grabbed a picture and ran it over to her to see.

It was Chelsea, Alexis, him and the other kids.

You grinned before you looked to see other kids at the table, using sticks, colored paper, cotton balls and markers to make little people to play with.

One of the girls with a lot of dark braids at the table had a stick man with a cotton balls atop his head and cut out a face on paper with a smile and green eyes. His clothes were fashioned as a green hoodie with a splash of red on the shoulder

You smiled before letting out a joyous laugh to yourself. Oh Nagito, if only you could see it for yourself.

"It is good to see you again," Chelsea said as she got up. "May I have a hug in our reunion?" she asked holding her hands out. You nodded your head and wrapped your arms around her waist and she hugged back. "I hope to catch up later, but I assume my mom wants you for more conversation."

"Indeed, indeed! We should head to the office, Shin'ya has already went there," Alexis threw out a hand, and lead the way.

It was small and reminded you of the ones at the future foundation. There was a round table with five seats, and Shin'ya sat at one of them. He was looking a map of the USA where a pin was in the south, his eyes focused on it until he peeked up at you all interesting, and straightened your back.

"What is wrong?" you asked and you could see Algernon cringe a little at your question. Alexis had a sympathic expression.

"My husband was out scouting, but he hasn't come back yet… I am sure he is fine and yet I cannot help but worry."

Oh no- Oh no- you felt guilt rise in your gut realizing what was going on. "Oh…. oh I am so sorry I-"

Your sympathies were cut short, because it was a family habit of making like the devil. The door to the room was kicked in.

You mouth fell open in disbelief.

"Your back- thank goodness."

"Where have you been!?" Alexis yelled first.

The short man who kicked in the door had blonde hair streaked with sliver pulled back into a rat-tail ponytail and sunglasses placed on his forehead. His golden eyes were aflame with rage and his face was as red as the Hawaiian shirt that was sluttly left open to reveal chest hair. His fingers were decorated with rings and you could see his tattooed forearms. He wore cargo shorts and combat boots. "SOME MOTHER FUCKER STOLE MY CAR!!!" he screamed in a high pitched voice.

You blinked. "…..Natsu Kuzuryu!?"

His head turned over to you, his eyes burning with a sweeping fury. "Whose asking?" he showed his fist.

"Oh! Oh I was friends with your Niece and Nephew, that's all!!! I promise! I swear on my pinkie fingers!!!" you held it up and looked around. "A-and I did know Chikara!!! Best prices in area!!!" you threw both thumbs up in the air, before switching to finger guns sweating like a manic.

Natsu took a step back, looking you over and he thought for a moment. "Hey- looking at you…. Ya- you look like that dopey ray of sunshine!" he pointed at you and let out a laugh, the angry flickering out just as quickly as it had come.

"How are you here!?" you asked as you blinked at him. "You- you are dead!"

"Oh you know how it goes, not really wanting to deal with the family or the complication of fucking your "Worst Enemy"" Natsu smirked as he made the air quotes. "So ya decide to fake your death, come over to the states and get hitched! Then the apocalypse happens and well fuck- go where you can to survive," he shrugged like this was normal and you- you were just going to accept that.

It did make a lot sense of course, a lot of it actually.

Because it was definite proof Natsumi was one of a kind. 

Shin'ya pulled the same blue box of cigarettes out of his coat pocket and handed it to Natsu.

"Oh babe, I love you so much." Natsu wrapped his arm around what you concluded, was the detective's waist with a grin on his face. Shin'ya grinned and leaned down to kiss his forehead only for it to be taken into a make out session.

"Later!" Alexis clapped her hands together and Natsu pulled away rolling his eyes before he opened the box of cigarettes, eyes glistening at the tobacco inside. "Did you find anything?"

"Some corpses, made some more at one of their strongholds too," Natsu lit one of the cigarettes taking a deep and long drag. His head tilted to the side to look at Algernon. "Got something on my face, Fly Eyes?"

Izuru had been staring at him intensely. Everything about this man gave him a headache. "Nothing."

"Um- so- I have heard tale of a Monster. Can we get some more details?" you held up a hand.

"The Beserker of Despair," Alexis closed her eyes when she said the name and your back instantly went straight, and Algernon tuned into this conversation, no longer staring at the former member of the Kuzuryu clan. "She has been chomping at our tails for six months now, and getting in our way at every opportunity to expand or reach out to any other organizations. Hungry and full of blood lust, she is ruthless and kills like an animal."

Your eyes glimmered, you were going to take down two birds with one stone. "We can help you reach the Future Foundation," you held up the Data-Pad and Chiaki waved. "We are also the best two people to help with this problem, I promise!!!" you pounded a hand to your chest as the other held the tablet out.

Alexis looked down at you, she had her eyes high to look at you. "… Are you sure?"

"Yes. That is the whole reason we are here, to hunt your beastie down," Algernon stated in his always dry tone. "I am more than capable of taking down the Beserker of Despair.

Alexis sat there, considering for a minute than one more and she broke into a smile. "You two should get some rest, then we have a long day tomorrow. We will discuss more later."

Algernon had spent the night working on things he didn't go into detail with, forming a plan throughout the night. He had a bag and had given Alexis and you modified guns in the morning.

Well he was busy with that, Alexis and you caught up…. and you had explained everything that happened to him, and with Nagito. Perhaps…. lightening some of the details, and getting you to rest.

After a night of sleep for you….. it seemed so quick for it to be time to go.

Shin'ya and Chiaki were staying in the office with the Signal Booster to reach the Future Foundation, well a group of people were gathered by the door with Alexis, Algernon and you geared up to leave.

Natsu came to the door, Chelsea by his side (how much taller than him she was came off as slightly comedic, given how nervous she seemed to look compared to him. "Oi, Alexis. Sure I shouldn't come with?" he asked, his hands in his cargo pockets as his head tilted to the side.

"I thought someone stole your fucking car," Alexis said with a smiled in a tease before her face fell to something more serious. "You should rest, genuinely. I have my faith in these two," she put a hand on either of your shoulders with a grin.

Natsu sneered as he put another cigarette in his mouth. "If you end up dead, I'mma tell you I told you so, you dumb broad."

Chelsea sent him a look and her teeth showed before looking at her mom. "Please stay safe."

"I will do my best, and no matter what the Mice shall be Mighty," she held up a fist, and everyone gathered cried the same phrase. You joined in as well, but Algernon stayed silent.

You looked over the faces of people you may never see again and nodded, you hoped for the best for them…. as they hoped for the best for you.

Time for the next game.

You didn't feel really ready, but no time to waste.

Chapter Text

You had originally wondered who and for what reason someone would come to Denver, but being here and looking at the way there was always step elevation it began to make sense.

Akane's skill at parkour plus the already tiring to navigate terrain made an ideal hunting ground. The place was less destroyed than other places, in ruins for certain and you couldn't see a living soul outside of your group, but the buildings stood high and low around you, street lamps still stood and there was still a walkable road.

The air felt hollow, though.

It was also so quiet in the concrete jungle. Three sets of footsteps and then not another sound.

You supposed everywhere had been this quiet, but you had earbuds to…. make it better. Right was just uncanny, everyone was on their guard, armed with the guns Algernon had designed.

Alexis looked back down at the ammo and her eyes narrowed, realizing they were… darts in the guns. "Why are we not using lethal force?" she asked.

"We… we are trying to collect the Remnants of Despair, not kill them. They are…… they are Nagito and I's classmates," you explained to her and she stopped walking, turning her head.

"…. Oh you are serious, oh of course," she gritted her teeth together. She closed her eyes, her entire body tensing. You held your lips together… She forced herself to take deep breathes, "…… If you, mien Maus, are vouching for them. I have no choice. I am not about to start killing Nagito's friends after I insisted he make them," she held the gun tightly.

"It's- they aren't- weren't ever like this before."

"………. shame they are now," Alexis had no thrill in her tone as she kept walking forward. "As long as she is not a threat to my home anymore, I will accept the fate you give to her."

"I promise she won't be! Never again!!!" you nodded your head, you just needed to catch her first. You looked over at Algernon who had gotten far ahead. "Hey, we shouldn't split up."

"What we shouldn't do is be so loud," he turned his head back to you with narrowed eyes.

You covered your mouth with one hand. He was probably right, but that didn't mean you were wrong either. Alexis and you worked to close the gap.

Everyone tensed up when there was a quiet rustling from one of the alleys.

Alexis held out a hand to both of you and walked forward with her gun trained forward, right on the trigger. Algernon shifted and pulled out one of the many guns he had given to himself, pointing it down as well.

You stood in the back, frozen in terror as the rustling stopped, whatever that was behind there was waiting.

You heard a breathe before-

"EIN KIND!" Alexis forced Algernon's gun when he got trigger happy.

"Yuna!" you yelled.

She had a pocket knife in her hand and she gasped out seeing it was just you, putting a hand over her chest. "It's you again, oh this is good-' she said and put a hand under her chin.

"Oh dear thing it is not safe here," Alexis bent down and looked around. 'What are you doing here, oh we must bring you to the shelter we-"

"No!" Yuna shook her head. "I am sorry lady but I have to be here. I gotta complete my plan!"

"You are after Akane…." you said as you looked at her, your body relaxing.

Yuna's face puffed up and she nodded her head. "I am, I am surveying the area so I know what to expect," she crossed her arms, keeping her head bobbing as she confirmed her plan.

"You will only get in the way. There is-"

"I am not listening to you, you-" she looked at him up and down, she nodded her head. "You fuck-face."

You had to cover your mouth to not laugh at the vein popping out of his head. Every expression you got out of him seemed so exaggerated… you couldn't help but find it amusing.

"Language!"

"It's the end of the world, I think we have bigger problems then me calling a fuck face a fuck face!"

"…." he hadn't killed a small child before.

"It will become a habit! And this is not the discussion we should be having. I have a place with food and safety, isn't that better than this?"

"It sure is!" Yuna nodded her head, very quick to agree in an almost cheerful manner. "But I gotta do this first, no matter what I gotta do this,"

"You are the one who likes words," Algernon said looking at you. "Say something."

You stared at Yuna, looking at her determined young face and felt the enegry radiating off of her. A young protagonist, driven and focused. She had the skills, her build was made for it and she had survived thus far. The game she was playing now may be completely different, a completely different type of danger but.

"… You are not going to leave no matter what we say, so I think we should just let you come with," you said.

"Maus," Alexis put a hand on her head. "She is 11, she has her whole life ahead of her and this- this is a suicide mission as it is," she said her foot stepping back.

You looked at her, she had promised to come back but you knew a guilty she had that you shared- something that was needed for any story not to be a tradegy-

You were both banking on luck.

Why add a third to the gamble.

"I don't want her here-"

"HEY!"

"-But she is clearly a strong girl…. and if we tried to get her to go back she'd weasel her way out and come right back here anyway," you said as you looked at Yuna.

'Uh-huh! That is exactly what I would do!!!"

Algernon closed his eyes.

What was his luck?

"……' Alexis sighed. "I should know better than most how stubborn children should be," she confessed as her shoulders slumped. "Very well. Could you give the dear a gun?" Alexis asked looking at Algernon.

"I don't need one!" Yuna said before anyone else could. She held up her pocket knife like it was a lightening rod. "I got my knife!!!!!!"

"That will not help you here…." you said.

"It was one from my Big Brother Ken, in case of emergencies," she said as she held it close to her. "This is an emergency, it will keep me safe" she clutched her fingers around it.

"I wasn't keen on giving her one anyway," he looked at her. "She would be a terrible shot."

"You are a dick!" Yuna said as she leaned forward."

"And you are brat," Algernon took a step forward, his eyes beginning to shine brightly. You stepped forward immedately and held out your hands, getting in between him and Yuna.

"How about we just start walking, staying in one spot for long could be asking for trouble," you said as you looked around the area.

"I agree with mouse, we must keep our ears open, and our sailor mouths closed."

Yuna's neck turned upwards before she nodded in quick session. "But…. you guys need to know my plan, if you are to help," she whispered as she crept along.

"We are not using the plan of a child."

"That is quite rude," Alexis said as she glared. "Children are often quite intelligent."

"Some are," Algernon said. "Besides, we have a better plan."

Yuna scoffed looking at the weapons. "Yours isn't going to work, it has to be my plan," she said as she stopped moving put a hand over her chest.

"Alright Yuna, wha-"

Your voice stopped when you heard something rattle. Everyone else heard it too and their heads all turned.

There was nothing there.

You took a few steps backwards and your ears tried to listen around but all it picked up was your heart beat.

Algernon started to drifted towards the south, away from where the sound had been his hands reaching for one of the shorter range gun, and you followed along with him. Soon the others did too…. before you heard another rattling.

You only a saw blur of muddy red with a dash of porcelain white for a moment.

You started running, Yuna followed you, making her way ahead of you. Alexis and Algernon both chased behind because Akane was now on your tail.

You could hear her bare skin slapping onto concrete as she started to gain on you. Your head peeked back and you could see she was crotched down, but the details of how she was moving was almost blurry from the pace.

There was hunger in her eyes, and drool coming from her mouth.

Despite running as fast as you could, you were leading up the back of the pack and with your bag on your shoulders you were beginning to run out of breathe.

You looked to see Alexis a fair bit in front of you.

Alexis pulled the pin out a grenade you did not know she was carrying with her teeth, throwing it through a broken window a short distance away. Your eyes followed the eyes in amazement,

It felt like everything was going in slow motion despite the fact you were going so fast.

Yuna was still the first past it, her speed like lightening then Algernon-

And then Akane was so close to catching you.

You could feel her breathe on the back of her leg.

Alexis' eyes shifted back behind her, her fists tightened as she came upon the building.

Oh Chelsea-

She was so sorry.

But she was a strong woman, and now she had others.

She'd be okay.

Alexis stopped and turned her back towards everyone, standing facing towards the charging monster.

Your mouth dropped and you stopped. "No!"

Alexis turned just to push you, making eye contact with Algernon as she did.

You held a hand towards her as Algernon grabbed your shoulder and yanked you towards him as the rubble came down, making a wall. Your scream almost drowned out her own.

Algernon dragged you along by fight and an arm that fought against him. "No! No! No!!!!!!!!!!!"

You heard more screaming- and then none at all.

The two of them forced you some distance away, and you could see Akane beginning to rise up to the skyline. Her arms doing all of the lifting as… you couldn't see her left leg doing any movement. She was only using her hands. In her teeth, by the neck, she was carrying Alexis.

Her green lifeless eyes stared at you the entire time she was dragged upwards to be a feast. Algernon aimed his gun and took a shot where he thought she would be, but she jumped out of the way right when he pulled the trigger.

"Dammit-" he cursed under his breathe

You had been dropped onto your knees but you were somehow balancing on toothpick legs, arms shaking up and down uncontrollably. "No! No!!! no!!!! no!!!!" you cried out before covering your mouth.

Your eyes swung over to the two people with you, looking for help and you stared at Izuru Kamukura, the most talented man in the world. He- he had to be able to do something, couldn't he? He had every talent in Hope's Peak- he had to be able to do something.

Why was he just standing and staring at the shot he missed!?

"Do something!!!" you yelled at Algernon, putting a hand over your heart as you gestured with your hand. "If you can do everything then save her!!!" your voice cracked at your demand.

Izuru's shoulders were low and his head tilted to the side as he watched your expression, he had seen it before. The desperation that clung to your ever word.

He couldn't say he was fond of it.

"I cannot bring back those who are already dead," he had tried and failed to bring back completely dead several times. He could do something if it was merely a case of the heart ceasing to beat, but Alexis was in a much worse state… and those who had truly experienced brain death were impossible to revive.

His fingers twitched. "I am sorry," the words spawned from his throat.

You put both of your hands on your face and fell to your knees, as Algernon simple stared down at you on the ground. Your whole body was shaking and your head fell.

What were you going to tell the Mouse Den? What were you going to tell Chelsea?? What were you going to tell Nagito???

That you had let their mother die, another parent you added to the graveyard because of your choices.

The ground felt like it was splitting open underneath you, that black hands were reaching around your body to drag you down to the core of the earth, and you would have welcomed it.

In fact you did! You wanted to fall into the pit and be done with this already.

Izuru stood there, merely watching you, wondering what you would do with how you were once again over come with your burdensome emotions. He almost pitied you having that heavy heart, after all his had been removed and was all the better for it.

He didn't need to deal with an aching chest.

He didn't.

He didn't.

Yuna watched and her teeth went tight. She pushed him out of the way of standing in front of you and he had to catch himself from the shocking amount of force from the small girl.

She got on her knees, her hands on your shoulders and she looked where your face was. "I know where you are," she said and her hands tightened. "But- but you cannot give up!"

Your hands fell from your face. Her eyes scrunched trying to hold in her tears. "It's hard- Real hard," she shook her head. "But ya gotta keep going, for them! Because- because they cannot go on for themselves"

There voices echoed in Yuna's mind- she saw Ken reaching out a hand, begging her to run with terrified eyes as he bleed out from his side, liver having been ripped out well in the background Kaori and Itsuki tried and fell in fighting her, just like everyone else already had.

They all begged her to run, so she had. She kept running further and further even when she wanted to just fall behind and into what was chasing her, but they begged her to keep running.

But now she was here, stronger and almost prepared. "And- and if you give up- then- then I don't know but. I feel better being here and ready than just giving up!!" she closed her eyes as she declared it.

You listened to her and you nodded your head.

Despite the scar it would leave, it would heal with time, you thought, as much as it made your heart bleed out into your stomach right now, filling it with iron balls that worked to make you sink…. Your head looked up at her before you stood.

"What is your plan, Yuna?" you asked.

Algernon let out a 'tch'. "You are siding with the plan of an actual child over mine?" he asked. You were kind impressed at the new emotion, you'd offended him! And you were going to contuine to do so.

"Indeed," you nodded your head in confirmation, Yuna's eyes lit up.

"Okay, good! Do you know how to cook!?"

"I took up a home cooking class, then followed that with gourmet cooking classes with help from the Ultimate Chef!!! Yes I can cook!!!" you nodded your head in affirmation.

Your body was shaking, this was something you could do but you felt the aderaline beginning to seep into your body, and you hadn't even heard the plan.

and Algernon rolled his eyes. "Fine- I will take care of this by myself," he ran his hand along the sniper rifle he had worked on the night before.

"I wouldn't leave the group, but best of luck to you."

"…." he nodded his head towards you, even if his eyes when his back was turned.

Yuna had lead you the bottom of a valley, far away from where Akane had been. She opened her black box and pulled out several items.

3 different wrapped cuts of meat, kept cool in the pouch. A filet minion, a new york strip and last a large T-bone steak with a juicy looking bone. Fat rounded them all keeping them juicy and you could see the marbling on each.

They were fantastic cuts of meat, her dedication to keep them that way showed in their bright red color. The most beautiful apples in the orchard that you were expected to make shine even brighter.

Along with that she had a glove of garlic, a stick of butter, her pocket knife, and then a long thick looking chain with meat hooks fascinated to them.

There was one more item in her bag contained in some sort of black case. "Yuna, what is that?"

She shut the cooler bag immediately. "It's important to keep it a secret, till later!" she insisted quickly. "Just- focus on your task!" she said as she pulled out some food, you recognized it as three remaining packs of the rations you had given her "I need to eat now!!! It's important to the plan!" she insisted.

You…. held your teeth together and nodded. You didn't know if you trusted whatever she had, but you trusted Yuna. You looked down at the three cuts of steak, the butter and the garlic. You had a little salt in your bag from the car, so that would… be all you had to prepare the most important meal of your life.

Well, no matter what you were going to need to heat up the pan- or well.

You had a pot, it would fit them but barely… And you had no other utilizes than the knife. Regardless you got everything out and set it up, clicking it onto high.

You stared at the pot over the portable stove as it got hotter and hotter. You looked down at the three cuts of meat Yuna had produced from her cooler. They were perfectly thawed for what was going to happen, but still needed the fat trimmed away before they were to be cooked.

You flipped open the pocket knife and held it with a shaking hand.

Could you do this? You had- been so steadfast in the moment and yet now you were here, and you felt your stomach dropping. Your nerves were lighting on fire as you neurons fired, picturing every single way this could go wrong.

You needed these steaks to be cooked perfectly, given the stakes, but all you had was this pocket knife, one pot and a portable stove.

You couldn't even peel a potato.

What if you screwed it up? What if you got Yuna killed because of a mistake you made?

Yuna peeked up at you for a moment, nervousness on her before she tore into one of her remaining packets of rations, shoving the contents down to get as much fuel into her body as she could manage.

She was working so hard and yet all you could do was stand here shaking, the pot was almost staring to smoke from simply being left empty.

You couldn't do this- you were going to screw it up- you were not-

You felt a hand on the one holding the blade.

It felt like a rock had been placed behind your back, giving you something to lean on as you stared at the meat, your other hand slowly reaching for the smallest chunk of the red flesh.

The blade cut smooth through the flat, and you dropped it into the hot pot, listening to the sizzling you had gotten to hear hundreds of times before under Teruteru's strict teachings.

Your face hardened and you nodded your head- you could do this. You were going to do this- as perfectly as you could manage.

'That is it, Maus, just like that! Good Job!'

He had managed to hunt her down, she had no idea either because of the distance he had managed to keep. He wrapped the gun around his shoulder and got into a postion lying on his stomach, propping his design of a sniper rifle on his shoulder, one eye peeking through the scope.

She was in his crosshairs.

The Ultimate Gymnast, Akane Owari

Also known as the Berserker of Despair.

She looked like a wild animal, her hair had grown long and unkempt with snarls made by blood spotting through out it. She didn't have any clothes on, rather her entire body was caked in mud and viscera from old victims, and he could see the numerous new and old scars underneath from those who had tried to kill her before.

Around her mouth was stained red with the fresh blood of Alexis Blatt, the half eaten body on the ground as she stood up.

She balanced on her right leg, swaying on it because she could not use her other one. It was gone. He could see the shards of the end of a broken femur sticking out from the way she stitched the leg of Junko Enoshima onto herself. The stitch work was oddly neatly done but looked like it was getting infected from her use of common thread.

Akane wiped some of the fresh blood on her face off with her thumb before she liked it off, letting out the growl of a feral animal. "Still…. empty….. still empty!!!" she let out a scream of rage before she pounded a fist on the ground, hunching down to be on three limbs.

Izuru lined the sniper rifle towards her, peek into the scope.

He let out a breathe as he shifted the long barrel a few centimeters to the left, accounting for the wind and the turning of the earth.

He sucked in another as he checked over everything, his fingers resting on the trigger.

This was boringly easy, that child's whining was drowned out in his mind as he let himself focus completely on the target.

As he relaxed, his finger pressed down.

The tranquilizer bullet flew through the air, the gunshot echoing across ruined city amongst the mountains.

It didn't get close to her.

As soon as it had been fired her body jerked away on it's instinct to danger and her head shifted over, her eyes were a perfect mirror of the red sky above, all of her fangs bared as she crouched on the ground.

Her arms launched her forward and caught herself well her back leg added a spring for her to get extra speed.

He'd been three blocks away, up the mountain, yet she was climbing, yanking herself up rock by rock. Izuru stood up and began to back away, the gun swinging around as he tried to reload and take another shot-

She was right in front of his face, she had yanked herself up with enough force she flew up to give him an upper cut.

He stumbled back, dropping the gun as for a moment he saw stars and she knocked him to the ground. He managed to get an arm out and she sunk her teeth in. Algernon grunted out in pain and punched the side of her head with his other fist.

She stumbled off, having to catch herself on her hands. Algernon pulled himself up and weaved out of the way when she lunged at him with a scream. He remained on the defensive as she cut off any opening he had to attack.

With one lunge he dodged, but not enough and her fingernails tore into his arm and suit. 'Tch," Izuru put a hand over the wound as he hopped backwards a few times, his long hair on edge.

She growled, her red eyes still set onto him, she leap forward but not towards him, hopping to a trash can and then building, pulling herself up as her lips twitched like a rabid animal.

Akane disappeared.

He could hear her, her long, sharp nails clicking on stone, then tile, then glass. He turned his head sharply when he heard a trash can rustle, his teeth were gritted and he felt sweat forming on his forehead.

Izuru didn't admit this lightly, but he knew was outmatched.

He barely had time to turn when she came at him from the side, her fist connecting with his cheek and they were both on the ground. She straddled ontop of him as her fist came down on him over and over with astounding force. He held a hand up to block some of blows but she aimed on at his stomach.

It forced his mouth to form an o shape as she knocked the sound out of him.

Her fist connected with his cheek and then the other and he felt blood beginning to gush out of his nose from the blows.

Then it stopped.

Her entire body went rigid, her head tilting up. Her nose twitched as she sniffed the air and her head swung around.

Yuna stood a distance away, her legs shoulder width apart and her outstretched arms in balls. Around her neck as a heavy chain necklace that contained the bronzed steaks. The alluring aroma began to make drool pour out of Akane's mouth and drip down onto Izuru.

"Hey Akane!" she yelled and point her finger all the way down the hill. "Race ya down, last one there is a rotten egg!" she yelled before she went sprinting, she jumped off of the ledge and hit the ground with a perfected roll before she was up and running.

Akane left him behind, she needed one movement to hop to her single foot and she leapt from it down right after her, her arms catching her as she looked like a wolf.

Yuna looked behind her, Akane was gaining on her quickly but not close enough yet, She crouched her knees to spring into the air and grabbed a still standing lamp post, using the force to swing off of it to the next, and then the next getting more and more distance with each one.

Akane looked up at her from the ground before she launched forward and with perfected technique copied, gaining ground at an even swifter place than before.

Yuna swung and grabbed the post with one hand, and her hand ripped the filet down before she threw it behind her with all her might.

It whizzed past Akane's nose and her pupils dilated, her head snapping to chase that, she fell to the ground and her arms made her swim through the land to get her meat. Her teeth champed down onto it and her hands gripped either side as she tore it to shreds, not even tasting the savory beef with how fast she consumed it.

"Stilll….. EMPPPPPPPPTTTTTTTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

Yuna got further ahead now, hopping from safe ledge to safe ledge further and further down the steep roofs. She heard the hands pounding on the ground and she gritted her teeth. 'Already!?' she cried before she landed onto a plant bed that had all shrived and died ages ago.

She had even less time than she thought! She put her legs into over drive despite the burn to get down onto another patch of road, sprinting across the flat ground as Akane dove down to match her elevation.

She was charging right for Yuna, but Yuna kept her head forward. She grabbed an old trash can lid and stopped, letting Akane run right into it and disordinate her before Yuna dropped the lid.

Only few seconds later Akane was on her heels again, and Yuna ripped off the New York Strip, tossing it high up back to where they had just been. Akane's hungry eyes once again followed it, chasing it back up with hungry fury.

The bottom of the hill came closer and closer, you could finally see them and held your hands to your chest, your shoulders tight.

It was like seeing the huntress raised by bears, Atalanta race the suitor Hippomenes. The feral sounds coming from Akane were drowned out by both of their foot steps.

Akane's eyes swirled with black and white, lunging towards Yuna, Yuna ripped the chain around her neck off and slammed the last juicy steak t-bone steak into her cheek, knocking her off course and changing her attention immediately. She devoured the steak.

Then was back to chasing her sister.

The decameters between danced into being meters then to centimeters!

But Yuna was ahead as she crossed the threshold, crowning her the race's winner.

You cheered with all your heart.

Yuna kept running forward after crossing the line before she turned around, ragged breathe and sweat hitting the ground in waterfalls. "You lost, Akane!!!" Yuna yelled as she pointed a finger at her. "I have surpassed you!" she began to fumble with her bag well you looked over at Akane who just….. stood there.

Her brown eyes were filled with shock before they grew soft watching her sister. Her shoulders relaxed and she swayed to one side.Akane smiled, all of her teeth showing in her classic grin as she put a hand on her hip, her shoulder bouncing in a small laugh. Two tears ran down her cheeks. "Great job, squirt! Proud of ya."

Akane hit the ground.

The world froze for everyone.

You stared down at her, your mouth wide open.

It was- it was just like what happened to Ernest. It- wasn't a fluke.
Was there something…. you could have done….?

"No-" Yuna's voice started out as a whisper. "No no no!!! That's not FAIR!" Your attention was snapped away to turn to Yuna. Clasped in both her shaking hands was a pistol as tears hit the ground, choked sobs coming from her. "She can't do that!!!' she squeaked out. "After what she has done-" Yuna had snot down her nose. "She isn't allowed to say that!!!" she screamed.

"Yuna," you held out a hand and you looked at the gun.

She steadied her arms as she pointed it towards Akane's sleeping head, but she still wept bitterly as she did so. "You can't- I won't-" she shook her head from side to side. "I promised I'd never forgive you!!!"

"Yuna!" you spoke her name slightly louder and walked over to her. "Hey," your voice was soft and you put a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head towards you sniffling.

"Are you going to stop me!?" she yelled and she swung the gun to be pointed up at you. "Why!? Don't you know- don't you know what she did?!" she glared back down at Akane with her gritted teeth. "How can I let her live?"

"I am not… trying to stop you exactly," you put a hand on the barrel of the gun and lowered it down, Yuna turned her head to you and you kept your expression soft. "I….. I know what she did," perhaps not the gory details, but the family was down to Yuna and Akane…. just like Ernest and you. "My sibling," you put a hand over your chest and sniffled. You wanted to keep that stupid promise from the dream yet it was so hard as the tears started to flow. "My sibling did…. not quite the same thing to our parents."

Yuna's arms were shaking. "Then- then why!? What!?"

"…. Would you rather not beat Akane when she is at her best?" you asked, tilting your head to the side.

Yuna's fingers left the gun. "What…. do you…. do you mean?"

"I am gathering everyone together for something called the Neo-World Program…. It will make them better," you put a hand over your heart as you held Yuna's hand with your other. "It won't fix what they have done," you had tears down your face. "But once they are better, you can beat her again…. and then you can decide what to do. How does that sound?"

What would your parents say to the fact you were trrying so hard to save their murderer, the on you invited to your house and they accepted with open arm, you wondered as you dropped down to your knees, looking into Yuna's eyes. You forced a smile on your face. "How does that sound?"

Yuna hugged her and she let out a sound like a fly before she sobbed into your shoulder. "Okay!!!! Okay!!!!' Yuna agreed nodding her head. "I wanna beat my sister at her best," she sobbed out in agreement. Her nails clung to your back as you held her close

Your cries made a chorus into the sky, and you both hoped they who moved on could hear how much you missed them.

And forgive you.

Haggard footsteps made you suck in a breathe and look up. Yuna looked back before she glared.

"Ohhhh…. you survived….."

"Don't sound so enthusiastic," Algernon bite back. He looked horrible with his blue cheek and…. a rip in the shoulder of his suit. He slumped over Akane's passed out body and pulled chains from his bag, beginning to bind her.

Yuna pulled away from the hug to cross her arms, leaning over with a sassy shoulder slide. "Oh, mad I was right?" Yuna's shoulders jump in the air with the last word. "I saved your life. You should be thanking me."

There was a hint of murder in Algernon's eye, which disappeared when you cracked one of your knuckles, glaring down at him.

His head swiveled back to look at you. Izuru's face was contorted like a cats smelling an old boot. "Tch," he said before he tightened her arms behind her back.

"Why do we need to bind her, with everyone else they just left…"

"As soon as she wakes up," Algernon tightened the chains once move, keeping her thighs close together. "I am sure she will begin biting."

"When will she wake up…..?" Yuna asked as she looked down, taking half a step back when he said that.

"I don't know. How did you knock her out?"

"She passed out…"

Algernon raised an eyebrow when Akane sucked in a breathe, the engine in her mind starting to run with a new fury.

She targeted you, snarling and snapping at your throat. Her eyes had gone completely red as the chains barely held her back. She was more feral than even the peak of the race as she struggled. She bite her tongue with enough force that blood was now coming from her mouth in a red foam.

Izuru gritted his teeth as he held tight onto the chain on her back, she snapped at him but he leaned away.

She didn't pay any attention to Yuna, though.

Only focused on trying to kill you or Izuru. He took a needle out of his pocket and jabbed it into her neck, injecting her with a purple serum that knocked her out.

Yuna's mouth fell open. "What did you do to my sister!?" she yelled.

"It's a sedative, so she doesn't kill us," his teeth were showing as he stated the obvious fact.

Her face turned red and she stomped her foot, but she didn't have an argument. "If you hurt her, I will finish the job she started and half finished!"

Izuru scoffed looking down at her. "How terrifying."

"You should be! I got further than you in actually beating her, because I did, you didn't, nuh-uh," Yuna shook her head. "I bet I could beat you too!"

"I am not interested in finding out " he said as he kept Akane standing with the hold on the chain behind her back, he dragged her along. "We should report back to the others... and hide out beast," he looked down at Akane in his hold and his face twisted around on itself.

Despite how annoying the child's jeering was. She was, for the most part: correct.

She, some dirty child that should have been crushed by this apocalypse, had succeeded where he failed.

…..

………

….. How interesting…..

Item get!!!

Legal Papers

He certainly did sign them.

Chapter Text

He had told her so.

Natsu stood on a cliff facing out towards the west coast somewhere off of Oregon, cigarette dangling from his mouth as he watched the ship move through the Pacific Ocean.

With the bitch dead, he got to be in charge of the whole mighty mice den. He let out a chuckle as he took in a long drag, a few stray coughs following afterwards. "What did you say, Kara? Bout shitty old men never gettin' to retire ?" he asked the wind as he closed his eyes. "Fucking hate ya for being right. I just wanna get old and fuck my husband to the grave but noooooo."

He rolled his eyes as he sighed the smoke coming out in long clouds, joining the white ones above that had the golden sunlight of the future dancing upon them as it rested for a short while…. but would be back brighter tomorrow.

Brighter and with more work for him to do. More people to deal with too. Apparently the Foundation sent over about 50 men rescued from Mexico, adding that to the 220 so….

Almost in charge of 300 mice, all under his command. Each one he was gonna have to figure out the deal with and put 'em to work. He'd have Shin'ya with him but 150 men a piece…..

"What a dragggggggggggg, guess I just gotta be the Overlord of the South and the West now- " he rubbed behind his neck as he closed his eyes, he was smiling like an idiot though as he opened his eyes. "Hope you went to hell, you dumb broad, so I can beat the fuck out of you for saddling me with this."

He heard footsteps on the budding bits of grass. "Are you donnnnnnneeeeeeee yet!?" Yuna yelled as she held her hands in front of her. "I wanna start training already!!!"

"Let a man enjoy his god damn cigarette, damn."

"You have been standing up here foreverrrr though, and I need to get stronger as soon as possible!" Yuna was hopping from side to side, her fists up in the air as she threw some punches to illustrate.

She looked like a wild bunny rabbit.

"You got a long life ahead of you kid, lots of spirit. You got lots of time to learn. Long enough I can enjoy the sweet nicotine."

"But I gotta start training now if I wanna be strong enough to beat Big Sister Akane!!! I got lucky last time, but I wanna have it be all skill the next!!!" she declared as she pounded her hand to her heart. "And that way- I can beat anyone in the whole entire world!"

"Yeesh, yeesh alright kid, alright-" Natsu dropped his smoke on the ground and stomped it out before he turned to look at her. "So the first rule of fightin' is simple, no fucking flinching-"

The boat that Rantaro had come to pick you up in was really nice. It went so far as to have private rooms for everyone. They were small but nicely decorated with baubles. It was perfect for playing video games with Chiaki and just….

Be at ease.

All around you was simply open seas, no need to watch behind your back or see some new horror. The peace honestly was almost…. uncomfortable. The constant expectation something will creep up despite knowing that it was impossible right now.

You tried to focus on the ocean of blue before you, clicking on the screen to use another rocket and boost with your Eltra. Currently you were trying to find a jungle to tame a couple of ocelots to add to your work in progress animal dome.

Chiaki had changed the code so you playing more or less a vanilla plus. Tamed animals could wander around on their own and if you wanted to have a trophy, you could tame Ocelots once more and they would keep the skin.

Some small tweaks like that, you liked them all quite a lot.

As your journey to the jungle you refused to just get the coordinates for from Chiaki… you started to think about how much longer you were going to be traveling in the real world.

The finish line was ages away. You had so much further to go but…. if you thought about….

Yourself, Algernon, Kazuichi, Ernest and Akane were already gotten, and Nagito was a freebie because he'd do Algernon told him too. So that was six people right there!

You just has ten more people to go get! Plus, looking at the 8 remaining stops… You were basically 1/3 of the way done already, and you had just started out! You bounced your head.

Though…. Now you weren't great at math, but that meant two groups were working together. Your stomach dropped.

You had barely been pulling through with one Remnant! When your classmates teamed up they got even scarier!!! You clenched your jaw as you tried to consider what it was….

You knew that Peko wouldn't ever leave Fuyuhiko's side, despair or not so that was easy to figure out….. but who else had stayed paired together?

You would have guessed Akane and Nekomaru, but with Akane in the haul of the ship that was impossible. Hiyoko and Mahiru? But they were still on stunted terms due to Sato… Sonia and Gundam came to mind but, well…. someone was somewhere in Africa. You could imagine Gundham taming the safari with a dark lair completely off of the grid.

Maybe Mikan and Ibuki???

You honestly didn't know.

"Is everything okay?"

You threw the Data-Pad into the air with a scream when Chiaki spoke. "Oh- oh I- just was thinking really hard is all!!!" you looked down to see you had landed in the middle of the ocean and were sitting there.

No drowned were attacking you, but that was because Chiaki set it to peaceful when she noticed you were AFK.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Chiaki asked. "I am here if you need to talk about anything."

"I…. I don't think so right now," there were a lot of emotions swimming through your mind. You really should be able to know your friends well enough to be able to guess who was where all across the map… and that was one of the least of the emotions.

"Hmm…. I understand, but the air is pretty good quality around here, and I do not remember you having lunch yet. Maybe that would make you feel better?" Chiaki suggested.

"Ah, you are… probably right," you said as you got up, stretching your back. "Do you…. wanna keep getting glass?"

"I am already on it. Then I am going to go hunt for a Mushroom island to get mycelium and mooshrooms," she declared with such certainty that you smiled, putting down a boat and hopping in.

"I'll be back soon," you said.

'You do not have to rush. Minecraft is great to take at your own pace."

No one had really left their room on the ship since this trip began, so a lot of the food above board was still there. You walked over to the variable can feast and looked to see Chelsea also out of her room, gathering cans of soup to warm up in her room.

She looked up and you could see the red rings around her eyes. "Ah, hello Maus. Nice to see you."

"It is nice to see you too, Chelsea, I um- do you want to talk?" you asked looking at her.

"No, but thank you." the answer was quick and Chelsea turned her head to the side as to not look at you for too long. Your stomach felt like rocks and lead and you tried to move to the side for her to walk past easily. "I will…. one day. I simply need to process."

"I, I completely understand," you nodded your head.

Chelsea looked at your face. 'You look as if you are a child who has done something wrong. Do you think I am mad at you?" her tone was soft and it made your stomach twist around.

You gave a nod of your head.

Chelsea sighed before shaking her head." I promise I am not. My mother was reckless, sometimes…. to the point of stupidity, as rude as it is to speak ill of the dead," Chelsea said as she looked to the side. "It was always driven by her heart, though….. and I knew that heart loved me dearly," she had tears welling in her eyes as she looked down. "It also tended to make the best call."

"Alright…. well… well if you ever need to talk I am here," you promised.

Chelsea smiled and patted your shoulder as she walked past. "I know, you are a maus with big ears," she chuckled to herself at the statement before she moved to her room.

You….. wished you could do more for her, but it was not as if there was anything anyone could do for you either.

You ate on the deck, before going to peer out at the sea, seeing how blue the sky was out here.

You closed your eyes as the breeze brushed your face and you felt the rays of the sunshine for…. you were thinking the first time since you woke up. It felt wonderful and foreign.

This was also your first time on a boat, when you first boarded you hadn't taken much time to admire it, you were just so exhausted but now that you had rested….

It was so beautiful.

You tensed up when you heard footsteps and swung your head over, putting a hand on your chest. "Hey, Algernon," you looked at him, tilting your head seeing him anywhere but his room. "What are you doing here?"

"I have been searching for you."

You blinked. "You have?"

"I have a question I want answered."

"Ah," you nodded your head. "Alright…. what is it?"

"You mentioned that Natsu Kuzuryu had a niece and nephew…. they were your classmates, yes?" Algernon asked as he looked out on the waves.

"O-oh! Yes they were," you looked at him with the topic. "Well, Fuyuhiko was…. Natsumi was technically in, in Hajime's class," you looked to the side.

"Natsumi…. you mentioned her, the one that got him his job, then?"

You were surprised he remembered that, you would have assumed the memory would bore him enough he'd forget about it completely. "Yes, yes the very same. She was his best friend," her visage was clear as day, cheeky grin and pink knife in hand as she teased Hajime. "…. In some ways I think he was closer to her than he was to me."

The smoky dream that had tortured him in his seldom hours of sleep played along with the dinging of a piano key as a light was shined through the dark.

That annoying girl with her golden eyes and cocky smirk.

"… I see….."

You smiled sadly, nodding your head. "She was the best, tough as nails and always knew what to say," you smiled thinking about her, how would she have fared in this journey?

….You had to assume quite a lot better than you have.

"Annoying."

You blinked. "I-I am sorry ," your face hardened "but you asked!"

He rolled his eyes. "I was calling her annoying, she has been center of one of my dreams."

"She has?" you blinked.

Izuru nodded as he leaned on the railing, the feeling of the boat bobbling and swaying over the waves it….. reminded him of something. This was nothing like it, and yet it made…….. him smell fresh fish and cigarette smoke. "I didn't know until just know, but in one of my dreams a foggy figured kept asking me my name in an ever repeating loop. Quite annoying."

"… Well ya…." you had to laugh a little, of course that would carry over. "She could be a little annoying. I guess it was part o-"

"Whale!!!!" You yelled out pointing a finger out towards the sea. The stars all gathered in your eyes to illuminate where you were pointing, Izuru turned his head and yet you grabbed his arm, jumping up and down. "It's a whale!!! There is a whale!!!!!"

He could see it's head breach above the water, before it dove down it's tail sticking out. "I see that."

You laughed and giggled out, closing your eyes. Your words escaped you other than. "It's a whale!!!!"

"What about it?" he asked.

You shook his arm back and forward as you rocked with the movement. "We haven't seen any wild animals this entire trip!" you were right next to him as you hopped up and down. "And there is a whale!!!!"

Izuru looked down at you, his shoulder relaxing as he watched you. His eyes went back to where he had seen the whale… They narrowed as he caught sight of something smaller. "… It has a calf."

You let out a gasp and nearly threw yourself overboard the ship. " I see it!!!!" you exclaimed. Your head turned to him. "Isn't that an amazing sight!?" you asked before your entire attention was back on the wildlife for as long as it was in place.

Izuru grabbed the back of your suit to keep you in place, and his eyes fell back on you, the way your smile was breaking your face in half with a glee he hadn't quite seen before.

His lips were pressed together. "…. I guess so."

Izuru sat back by the stirring wheel of the ship, kicking his feet up on the railing as he sat down, his hair trailed behind him and his hair was up. His eyes glanced at the paperback in his hands.

Flowers for Algernon by David Keyes

You had been so insistent about this book since the beginning.

Since you started with that silly name, he could hear your squeaky voice in his head saying it now- 'AlgeRnOn, aLgeRnon, AlGErNon!'

Bah.

He flipped to the first actual page and he leaned back completely, getting comfortable as his eyes scanned the poorly written words of Charlie Gordon.

Relatable, you had said?

What ridiculousness

He thought he would give up by the fifth page, having his point been proven but…… he checked one more page, then the next. His eyes were soon cruising down each line at a rapid pace.

Until he was at the final page.

"But if I try and practis very hard maybe I get a littl smarter and know what all the words are. I remember a littel bit how nice I had a feeling with the blue book that has the torn cover when I red it. Thats why 1m gonna keep trying to get smart so I can have that feeling agen. Its a good feeling to know things and be smart. I wish I had it rite now if I did I would sit down and reed all the time. Anyway I bet 1m the first dumb person in the world who ever found out somthing importent for sience. I remember I did somthing but I dont remember what. So I gess its like I did it for all the dumb pepul like me.

Good-by Miss Kinnian and Dr Strauss and evreybody. And P.S. please tell Dr Nemur not to be such a grouch when pepul 1aff at him and he woud have more frends. Its easy to make frends if you let pepul laff at you. 1m going to have lots of frends where I go.

P.P.S. Please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard ..."

Algernon stared at the blank white space at the end of the page, before he looked up at the sky, blinking his eyes repeatedly before he put a hand up to his face, his finger tips touching his wet cheek.

That is odd.

It wasn't raining here.

“So… Ahoge kid, what is your name?”
“Hey, did you hear me? What’s your name?”
“Aww, not very chatty?”
“Shush.”
“Shush? Ooohhh, you got some balls, don’t you kid?” 
 “Shut up, I am trying to focus.”

In Towa City there was rain droplets that bounced along the glass windows along of the 'home' Monaca knew. She wheeled herself towards the multicolored ladders as she let out a sigh to only herself.

"Monaca is so tired of waiting…" she mumbled, but there was work that needed to be done still. Monokuma variants to be finalized and the big finale also needed justttt some extra tweaking too it.

She sucked in a breathe, looking around the room twice. No one should be around but it never hurt to check before she put a smile on her face as she stood on her perfectly working legs. She stepped and began to pull herself up the ladder with ease.

She giggled to herself picturing if the other, naive little warriors knew almost everything they believe was a lie. This was simply the best picture of it, how she had turned her tragedy into so much power….. And if they were to understand Junko- truly understood their Big Sister like Monaca could-

Oh that despair would be everything Big Sister Junko wanted and more…. and they'd find out eventually- she just couldn't wait- she couldn't-

Her leg began to seize up, the damage to her tibial nerve rearing it's stupid ugly head.

She bite her bottom lip and her hand slipped off the rung. Like that she was falling from the ladder.

Monaca sighed away the fear as she looked towards the ceiling, she didn't bother bracing for the impact for it was not the first time she had fallen. She only waited to hit the ground.

Expect- she never did. Not exactly anyway.

"Oof-"

Monaca blinked at how her fall was cushioned and looked down at her makeshift cushion: The Servant.

Her green eyes narrowed at him. "Monaca told you to deliver Big Brother Izuru his reward. Why are you here?" her voice was filled with venom as she shifted off of him, feigning dragging herself to her wheelchair and pulling herself onto it.

"Ahhhh…." The Servant looked up from his place on the ground before sitting up, letting out a laugh as he rubbed behind his neck with his mitten-clad hand. "That is what my orders were! I am so terribly sorry, Lady Monaca. I had forgotten," the hand moved to the side of his head as he kept that smile on his face. "Thank you for reminding me."

"Monaca is always astounded by how much of a buffoon you tend to be," she said as she waited in the chair for him to leave, but instead he stood there, looking down at her. "…. Monaca has given you your orders, leave."

"Oh my apologizes once more, I fear I am so dull I didn't pick that up."

The fact she couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic made her even more annoyed as a vein popped over her head. "Monaca believes you understand it now."

"Would Lady Monaca perhaps like a bedtime story?"

Monaca's head moved back, her back pressed flat against her wheelchair. "What???"

"Would Lady Monaca perhaps like a bedtime story?"

"Monaca heard what you said, why? Where have you gotten this idea?" Monaca asked in… genuine bewilderment. A bedtime story? Monaca had never needed something so ridiculous.

"I recently found an old book," he pulled it out from his jacket pocket revealing the cover of a contorted man which made Monaca smile. 'I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream' "It has been so terribly long since I have read it, I hardly remember any of the details…. but I do believe it is one you might enjoy."

"Monaca has no such interest in a bedtime story," she said.

Nagito leaned down, getting very close to her. "Come on-"

Her face was blank expect for her eyes. "Monaca will have you killed."

"You are free to try your luck."

Monaca clenched her tiny fists. She'd have such an easy time smiting this buffoon and yet she thought about how annoying it may be if she soured Big Brother Izuru towards her by killing his pet project.

She admired his spite, and did not wish to have to turned on to her. Not until she had created someone to carry on big sister Junko's torch. "If it will make you shut up…. but you will have to get Monaca up there," Monaca said and looked at the pathetic man. There was no way he could do it.

He would give up on Monaca.

He looked up at the top of the ladder where Monaca's room was and nodded his head. "…. Okay,"

He left the room, and Monaca was about to start for the ladder again assuming he had proven her correct, only for him to return with an long spool of chains, and a bedsheet he dragged it in on.

Monaca stared at he worked to make a make-shift pully system. The chains wouldn't break and with some suggestions by Monaca herself, he found something to use to pull it up.

"Monaca hopes you know you will have to clean this up."

"But for what other purpose do you have a servant?" he asked.

Securing her into place, he managed to get her up to the top before he followed up the ladder. Monaca gripped onto the sheets as she waited and he scooped her up from the make-shift basket.

She noticed the cringe on his face when he saw all of the pictures of her beloved big sister Junko and was about to make a comment before he placed her down into bed. "Are you ready?"

Monaca settled down under the covers as Nagito sat beside her and cracked the book open to the first page. Her arms crossed across her stomach with the warm blanket, as some part of her felt the ridiculousness in this all. "Fine."

"I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison."

"Limp, the body of Gorrister hung from the pink palette; unsupported—hanging high above us in the computer chamber; and it did not shiver in the chill, oily breeze that blew eternally through the main cavern. The body hung head down, attached to the underside of the palette by the sole of its right foot. It had been drained of blood through a precise incision made from ear to ear under the lantern jaw. There was no blood on the reflective surface of the metal floor," Monaca's eyes turned as she focused on the servant, pupils dilating from the first few words..

Nagito peeked up at her reaction and smiled just to himself before he contuined. "When Gorrister joined our group and looked up at himself, it was already too late for us to realize that, once again, AM had duped us, had had its fun; it had been a diversion on the part of the machine. Three of us had vomited, turning away from one another in a reflex as ancient as the nausea that had produced it."

He went through the tale, ever so often looking up. "Are you awake."

"Keep going……." she sounded half gone but he smiled, as he got a little further before the child was fast asleep. He smiled as he slipped a bookmark into the pages and stepped over, brushing some of her green hair out of her face.

It was such a shame, such a child being such a good vessel for despair. He could see her shining with such great hope….. but as much of a shame as it was, he tempered it with the grand excitement that bubbled around him.

If such a stellar child was to be a side of despair, he was sure the Hope she would be responsible for producing to combat her would be most excellent and shining.

It was only natural he would want this girl to be taken care of so well, for it would make her defeat all the more special. He smiled down at her with his green eyes that were too soft for what he was thinking about and made sure she was tucked well under the covers.

"Good night, Lady Monaca, sleep well."

He had been just lucky enough to finish getting everything out of the way when the door to the living quarters were burst in.

"Where are you, you damn brat!?"

Nagito's eyes went flat as he heard the coarse voice on his ear. Haiji Towa had come here, unannounced and uninvited.

He was quite the rude guest.

"Lady Monaca isn't home right now, her and her friends are out enjoying…… ummm….. hmmmmmmm" Nagito put his mitten under his chin as he leaned his head. "Well now I am sure I was told."

Haiji's face scrunched up. "Why did you let her leave? She knows better."

Ah yes they did have a myriad of rules Monaca was to follow if she wanted to keep what limited 'freedom' they gave her to work on their little business. "Well with the way she looked up at me with that smile, was I simply supposed to tell her no?" Nagito asked as he closed his eyes, tilting his head into the hand at a new angle.

"Yes, when it comes to that devilspawn, always!" Haiji threw both of his arms down in exaggeration. He turned his back, his coat shining in the light. "Now I gotta go find her and ask why that shipment is behind, thanks for nothing," he cursed under his breathe.

What an ugly man.

Not merely hopeless, but rather a black hole of it. Sucking it all away until there was nothing but black despair left for every single person who had the misfortune of being too close to him.

Nagito clenched his function hand, tilting his head and his hair split the light across his face with how it fell. A dreadful grin spread across his face.

As a servant of hope, he felt responsible to do something.

Three hours of going around that green devil's regular hiding spots. Haiji let out a groan as he ran his hands through his hair, cursing himself as he tried to figure out where the hell she went.

This was easier when they had gotten that tracker on her, but lord knows what the brat did with it. Maybe he'd cram another one back onto her when he was giving her punishment for being a diffcult little shit.

He clicked open the door of his car as he slide into the driver's seat, debating on where he should check next….

Until he heard a beep. His head barely had time to turn to the backseat to see the bomb going off engulfing his vision in orange and white.

Ahhhhhh just his horrible luck.

Haiji survived with just some bruises, a broken arm and a handful of cracked ribs.

He'd have to find a better method.

Perhaps a bigger bomb next time?

Chapter Text

Where was it!?

You had just about torn about your small room well the ship was docking. Your breathe was heavy as you looked back inside the bag for the 100th time.

You had only brought a single book with you, how in the world did you manage to lose it??? You could have sworn you saw it in your bag the night before you boarded the ship, but now you wondered if you had left it somewhere in the Americas…. it should have been an impossibility, you took it out only a single time.

"I…. have a question," Chiaki asked from the perch you had placed her on, tilting her head to the side. "I understand not wanting to lose a story but I carry every book you could want to read, including Flowers for Algernon…. why are you concerned about this?"

You stopped as you reached under the bed again, turning your head to look at Chiaki. You opened your mouth before closed your teeth. "I, I don't know…. I guess- I have never liked losing books, maybe it's the autism or just missing that one time I wasn't able to return a book and still feel the guilt from……" you looked down. "And…. and as great as it is I have access to all the books, I do still really like having my physical copies."

It went hardcover, paperback and then digital in your hierarchy.

"So it is…. only really emotional," she said with a hum before nodding her head. "I understand, though. It is important to you…. hm…….. did you check….." she started to load where you hadn't, but you had checked every nook and cranny of the room. "Hmm…. I don't recall you taking it out either….." she admitted as she closed her eyes and the avatar rocked from side to side.

The door to your room open and the paperback was dropped on the floor in front of you. Your mouth fell open as you looked at the black and blue cover before your head flicked up, Algernon staring down at you.

"Why am I the mouse?"

Your eyes studied his face and you looked back at the book. You picked it up and sprung to your feet. "You read it!!!" you exclaimed as you held the book in front of you, bouncing up and down. "You actually read it!!!"

His face was now very close to you and you could see all of his teeth. "Why am I the mouse?" he repeated the question and that was the moment you noticed he seemed… angry with you? Oh wow, okay!

"O-Oh!" you held up one hand to go with your nervous smile. "Well- you did read it so I guess I better explain," you tucked the book securely into your bag. "You see- uh well- I guess I should start with Charlie Gordon and his surgery," you said.

"What does that have to do with your answer?"

'Well at least let me try and explain! It- through out the book, near the beginning Charlie did get multiple warnings about his surgery before he had it, and well I am not saying what they did was ethical in any sort of way…. they at least tried to have some sort of ethics with him," you said as you gestured. "They went to go get permission from someone who should have been a guardian given his disability, checked in with him multiple times and did the entire time have a plan for him should things go south. All of this was considered before hand which is, something."

"Along with the attempts to make what they were doing to a vulnerable member of society more… bearable. Charlie Gordon was genuinely happy with the results," you rolled your hands as you said. "He suffered in many social ways and at the end well…. it was awful to lose everything he had gained," having every piece of the new life you knew, loved and then ripped away…. is a horrible fate. "And yet at the end of the story, he was happy. He was right to be with everything. Even if at that point he barely remembered or understood it, he knew he had been smart. He had learned so many things, more than anyone could have. The fact he had no one to talk to about it caused him pain, but every time he describes gaining knowledge, learning and experiencing he was so happy.

"More than getting what he wanted in being smart, he was able to find an understanding of himself. By the end of the book Charlie Gordon knew he had always been a person, one with a family he got to meet again and…. and he found closure with his sister. He also found love and friendship through people like Alice and Faye."

"All of this get to the point that at the end of the book, should he be able to do everything over again, a full understanding of the suffering including, I have no doubt that Charlie Gordon would want to do it all over again…….. Well on the other hand, I don't think Algernon, the mouse grabbed out of a cage, would have," Hajime wanted talent but….. you looked at the boy you had promised to take care of………

"I…. having said that out loud I….." you looked from one side then the other. "Wow that is a pretty horrible reason, it…. it sounded a lot better in my head but-" you waved a hand in front of you. "If- if it bothers you I can call or something else, or- or you know, just, just call you Izuru," it felt weird to call him that.

And it felt even weirder to be called that. Algernon scrunched up his nose as he looked over the details of your face. "Algernon is fine, I simply wanted to know," he said and he turned his back. "Don't wait long, we are ready to unboard," he said as he walked out of the room.

You blinked well standing there. "O-okay!!!"

Future Foundation Base E was, at one point, were the storage warehouses of Whaleview Port. They had been transformed into what functioned as an almost kind of navel base. You could see a handful of ships coming in or leaving the port.

Chelsea was already being escorted back to the main headquarters, well you and Algernon walked along the rickety docks towards Warehouse number 4.

Across the planks you felt your heart stop as he approach, one hand in his pocket and the other one carrying a black and white gift bag with a big red bow. "… Nagito," you whispered his name and he looked up with a smile.

"Congratulations, on clearing North America. Lady Monaca wished for me to bring this to you," he said and walked over to Algernon, handing the bag over to him. "How was your trip?"

"Fine," Algernon answered as he looked at the monochrome gift paper ontop.

"There- I- Nagito I don't know how to tell you this…." you said as you put a hand over your heart and squeezed it. Did you have to tell him? You- you certainly didn't want to but should he not get to know what happened?

He looked over to you and tilted his head with a small 'hm'. "What is it? You look very concerned."

"It's- Alexis she-"

"Stop-" he held up the palm of his hand as he had a blank look on his face. "I am sorry but- you've mentioned this 'Alexis' a couple of times…. Who are you talking about?"

Algernon turned his head towards you. Your eyes were dilated and your body was shaking, he could see the pricks of those annoying tears beginning to prick your eyes but your blinked them away.

"Alexis, Alexis Blatt???" you said and you held your hand out with your palm up. "Your housekeeper, you know, Alexis!"

He scratched his chin and looked to the side. He stayed silent for a moment, rolling his eyes one way and tilted his head before the other as he thought about, but he couldn't remember anyone by that name. "I am afraid I have no idea who you are talking about."

Your shoulders fell backwards and you stared at him. How could he not remember his Mama??? You sucked in a breathe that shook before you looked him in the eyes. "I…. well then….. You….. you should at least know then that you helped a lot of people."

Nagito let out a small laugh. "Worthless trash like me? I don't think you know what you are talking about anymore."

Algernon looked down at you before giving Nagito a small glare. "You have accomplished your task. You can go now."

Nagito's mouth fell open before it turned into a grin, his hands moving up his shoulders and he let out a raspy laugh. "Has my horrendous presence offended you? Oh Master, I am so sorry," he began to pant as he turned away. "Do you wish for me to throw myself into the ocean?! Oh I will be just like all the other plastic if you wish and be swept away to Atlantic garbage patch."

"No." Algernon let out a long sigh of annoyance. "Just go back to Towa City, that is an order."

"As you wish, Master," he began to leave the docks, still panting and rubbing his arms. You watched him as he went and put a hand over one of your eyes.

Of course he didn't believe it.

Didn't make it any less true though. So, you'd just keep that truth with you for him… and hope one day he'd understand.

When he was out of view you turned your head to Algernon. "…. What did he give you?"

Algernon looked down at the bag and finally pulled the paper out, there were a couple things inside and he pulled out the first. It was a plushie of Monokuma, holding an anomaly correct heart.. His hold on the hand he had pulled it out with had a speaker inside that he managed to squish down.

"I can BEARLY contain myself around you!"

The sense of melancholy vanished from your being, as your face went dark, your eyes brightly illuminated under your eyes as you focused on the items. This had to be a gag.

Algernon pulled out something different the second time and it was a Valentine's Day Magazine featuring only her, wearing flirty pinks and reds with a face full of makeup.

You snatched the bag out of his hand and ripped it open to look at it, everything was intended to flirt with him. Your face twisted, your teeth chattering on themselves as you looked at Algernon. "Did you-"

"No." it was quick direct and he shudder after the fact. "Absolutely not. I am going to go burn all of this," he took the bag and sneered down at it. "…. Why would you think that?" the annoyance in his voice was deep and you could see the way his teeth were gritted together as his mouth moved.

"I didn't think you did!!!" you yelled. "I just needed….. I………" you couldn't phrase this well so you just going to say it. "I wanna make sure I know where you have been,"

"I have been celibate my entire existence," he wasn't counting that one thing with Nagito.

You let out a long, relieved sigh putting a hand over your heart. Oh that made you very happy to hear. You let out a little breathe and then a laugh. "Oh good to hear."

"You are possessive."

Your cheeks turned a little red. "It- I would have been fine if it was some random person," sure it might… have stung. "Ultimately your sex life… is not really my business right now?" you had been dating Hajime, that didn't carry over to Algernon. He had made that very clear to you. "But- just- not her…."

"Well you can stop thinking about it," he sighed. "I am going to burn these. You can go visit if you are so inclined."

"Alright- you um…. have fun…. Not too much with that stuff though."

"I won't," this time that was assurance.

Well Algernon was taking things out of the bag to throw directly into his private little bonfire located on the same hill he performed Mukuro's funeral, he found a hard drive wrapped in a note.

'Congratulations! One More Message!'

Algernon looked at it, tilting his head to one side. It could have useful information about the game but…

He crushed it in his hand, and tossed it into the fire like the rest.

Algernon really didn't care to hear what she had to say.

"I am happy to tell you that your friends have been taken care of," Makoto said and he pulled you aside to a locker in front of the heavy bolted door. "Um, Ernest, was it? They were carrying this with them," Makoto said and he handed you a plastic McDonald's bag. You peaked it open and it was full of empty containers. "I wasn't sure why, but it seemed important to keep."

You smiled. "Ahhh yes, indeed it was!!!" you said as you looked inside.

Every scrap of food had been consumed. At least, everything was empty. You took off the bag with Chiaki inside and anything else sharp, technological or lose leaving you in just your white button shirt and pants.

"I am sorry the security is so… intense," Makoto admitted as he put everything into lockers, swiping a card to make it beep red as it locked.

"No- no I think it's probably for the best," you admitted as you looked towards the door. Makoto you escorted over.

"Would you…. like to have time alone with them?" he asked

"Please."

He swiped the same card and the door beeped with an unlock, and as soon as he opened the door the room was suddenly a lot louder. You gave a grateful nod and stepped into the cell block that could hold 16.

Three of them were filled, one being reinforced.

Akane was restrained in a thick leather straitjacket and then wrapped in chains, a mask on her face as she struggled and screamed, letting out sounds that didn't sound human. She shifted and her bush of hair made a rustling sound as it pressed against the back. Her eyes were somehow glowing a red.

You held your teeth together before you stopped at the next cell.

Curled on their knees, their flesh acting almost as blanket around them, was Ernest. You smiled at them.

"Hey, Ernest," you said as you leaned over the bars. They didn't look at you, simply staring at the floor. "It's… it's me, I made it back for North America! " still nothing. "… Hello?"

"You aren't going to get anything out of them," Kazuichi was sitting on the bed in his cell, leaning on his one hand, well the stump dangled down from the other. You could see on his forearm three large puncture wounds from the rods he had in there, which were closing.

The hand was the most noticeable thing they had taken but they had taken everything, replacing it with an orange jumpsuit. He looked cleaner, probably forced to take a shower. His hair had grown out a little longer since the three weeks you had last seen him, and so the black roots poked out. You could also see his brown eyes.

He looked…. almost normal.

"I see…." you walked over to him. "How have you been? Have they been treating you alright."

"Fine I guess but I am sooooooo bored!!!" Kazuichi sighed as he put his one hand through his hair. "Byakuya doesn't talk, and Akane just screams," he gestured with it to one side, closing his eyes. "Can you sneak me like a porno mag or something??? Please????" Kazuichi got on his knees. "I am begging here."

"I can talk to Makoto about it for you…?" you didn't really want to, but maybe just…. fashion maganize with Junko's fa- mmmm you know your sibling was in the cell right across from him….. and this was going have the rest of your classmates. "I…. would an autoparts catalog be alright?"

"Sure!!!" he smiled, his teeth still rotting. "I'll take that!"

"I will put it in for Makoto."

"Thank you!!!" he said and he nodded his head, coming over to the bars. "Speaking of things….." he lowered himself down and looked up at you, his pupils dilating, his voice when low and desperate when he spoke. "When do I get to see Junko?"

Your voice caught in your throat. "Uh- when everyone is gathered together…." you answered as you turned your head to the side. "It is part of her plans for her… game…" you answered.

"You better not be lying," he warned before he pulled back and went back to smiling. "So how has your trip been going with that Izuru guy??? What is he actually like?" Kazuichi asked and he was leaning forward. "And uh- for no reason is he- dating anyone at current?"

You choked for a whole new reason. "I don't think he is very interested in dating," you said as you held out your arms. "He is…. pretty cold, doesn't express many emotions other than annoyance, boredom and discontent…. He is amazing to watch though," you said as you looked to the side. "Truly talented."

Ohhhhhh nooooooooooooooo stop thinking, you didn't want to think about that possiblity. Nooooooo-

"Huh, I mean looking at him I am not surprised to hear that," Kazuichi put his face to the bars, his hands leaning out. "Only ever saw the guy once before you came along…." he snapped his fingers together. 'Right- where were you by the way for that time?"

"Uh- well, Algernon- er, Izuru- was…. keeping me? I got brainwashed too."

Kazuichi blinked before laughing. "You lost your gift from Junko? Oh wow, you are more sad than I thought!!!" he laughed a little harder with closed eyes. "You know I think I had a copy of the video she used on my software, if you wanna go back and grab it," he said as his eyes swirled. "You could go back to the bliss of despairrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr~"

You blinked and leaned back. "I am okay, thank you."

He huffed. "Geez, you have always been pretty boring I guess," he admitted as he rubbed behind his neck. "…. Hey wait a second, why was he keeping you??? You guys have some sort of history or something?"

"…. Oh Kazuichi….. Do you not…. recognize him?"

"I mean…….. I guess he sorta looks like-" Kazuichi stopped speaking. "Oh."

You just nodded your head, before gun rang out outside of the building. They were hitting against the reinforced walls and Kazuichi started to laugh, the damper being evaporated from his mood.

"They are back, might wanna go deal with," there was a tease in his voice and you left the cell block in a rush.

You could see Makoto's cowlick sticking up in the evidence locker, and you kept forward to see outside, through the warehouse door that suited Member of the Future Foundation were in a shoot out with members of the Kuzuryu Clan.

You looked behind you and saw a side door to the warehouse blocked by a few things and pushed them to the side, getting out.

No one had even tried to breach from this side, but the door closed completely flat and almost blended in with the rest of the paneling.

You saw one man who almost looked like Kasai a distance away, taking careful shots with his pistols towards the Future Foundation members before he ducked and went to reload.

You moved onto your toes and kept behind whatever you could as you looked closer, you could see the sweat on his brow and the way he was biting his lip as he got back up, taking more scattered shots.

You made gravel crunch and the man saw you, his hand twitched with hesitation from how old you were, it made your feet faster than his trigger finger as you applied pressure to his forearm and the other hand snatched the gun, pointing it towards his chest.

He held both of his hands palm open in the air, eyes clenched shut as he braced for the bullet… Of course if the man knew anything about you, he'd probably simply try and take the gun back.

You looked into his eyes before you stepped back. "Join the Future Foundation."

"Huh?"

"You aren't happy where you are, join the Future Foundation. You'll like it better, they are they very least have other jobs," you said as you threw the gun to the ground, making sure it slide out of both of your grasps…. but should he run for it you'd get it first.

"I- you- I cannot just do that. Do you have any idea what the family does to deserters?"the man shuddered. "It is considered an unforgivable slight against the clan…. and they hunt down anyone who dares to give them a fate worse than death. I- I won't, I cannot risk it man!"

"Yes, I suppose that is an issue," you said before you hummed at him, looking the man dressed in his fine mafia suit and sweating bullets despite of it.. "…. One I will take care of."

"Kid, you're going to die if you do that," he said as he looked towards the gun and you moved towards it.

"I was a friend of Natsumi Kuzuryu, if I had her respect surely that is enough to earn yours."

"I- it has nothing to do with respect. Your young and they will capture you, and- and who knows what the Boss will do with you…. regardless if you were friends with Miss. Natsumi."

"I was his friend too for a time. Just….. have some hope, even if it is hard," you put a hand on his shoulder. "And maybe if you fight for the future rather than for Fuyuhiko, you'll find enough to share with others."

"Kid you-" he looked at you and he let out a sigh as he looked towards the rest of the men who had been sent, lying dead on the ground….. before he turned his head. "Alright….."

He fled- and when you arrived back at HQ you saw him sitting, filling out his induction form.

There was some things the Future Foundation wanted to get done with you well they had you, and Rantaro needed to help you plan your route there… but for right now, you and Algernon were back in the same small two bed room.

Algernon sat on his side of the room, a needle and thread in hand as he worked on repairing his suit from the damage Akane caused. "You are staring at me. What is it?"

"O-oh!" that obvious? Shouldn't be that surprised. "Well I have just been thinking….. we should take care of Fuyuhiko and Peko well we are here."

"Now?"

"Well- this is going to be the most well rested we are, and the fact there are two of them is going to make it tougher…." two people who also knew the other better than anyone still alive, they were bound to be a terrifying duo. "It's also just feel nice to get it out of the way, and would definitely help the Future Foundation!"

Plus….. taking care of her brother was the least you could do for her, after having failed with Hajime.

Algernon hummed as he placed the suit to the side. "I wanted them until later…. but your logic is sound enough," he said. They could try breaking the others out of prison too to stage something on Junko's behalf. "… But I need you to be mindful of something before we do this. There is a chance we will have to kill Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu."

"You cannot be serious!"

"I am dead serious, and that is why I wished to wait but…. Akane was a lot more…… ferocious than I was expecting. I foresee that Fuyuhiko could be much worse depending on the circumstances, not to mention even in the event of his capture those under him might try to stage a rescue…. The only way to ensure that won't happen is to kill him."

Your heart felt heavy. Reasoning with Fuyuhiko could be…. almost impossible when he was pissed. However killing him would most definitely mean Peko would also have to die, and you didn't want to kill either of them! But…. but….. "I understand it may have to be the last resort."

"…. Yes," he closed his eyes. "A last resort."

You sucked in a breathe, dammit, dammit you didn't like that but….. but…… You knew who you were dealing with.

If that was the only method of taking care of him you had, it was what you'd do. … "It sounds like we have a plan, at least."

"Indeed it does."

Chapter Text

Watching from above they sneered as you and Algernon walked right to the gates of hell.

"Took ya long enough, ya dumb bastard."

The front gates of the Kuzuryu Family Estate were a lot easier to get to then you were expecting.

It only made your anxiety spike more as you looked up at the bamboo fencing. Your hands clenched and unclenched over and over again and Chiaki looked over to them.

"We can come back later, there are plenty of others to go get and the future foundation has been handling them fine. You don't have to do something you aren't ready for."

"…. No, no I am ready," you said. "Simply nervous."

"You are always nervous," Algernon said as he put a hand on the front gate, pushing it open.

"Ya- ya given the circumstances I think that is reasonable," you said your brows furrowing. "In this case though….. the Kuzuryu has a lot of men, I would assume they'd have a lot of security…." the last part of your statement fell to a complete whisper as you both walked along the stone path to the spanning minka mansion that acted as the headquarters of Fuyuhiko.

"Hmmm…… we will find them soon," Algernon said as his eyes shifted to one side.

"What are you doing here? I don't think we had any visitor," speaking of the devils, a large burly man covered in tattoos and muscles was squinting his eyes down at you. "Boss doesn't like invited guests."

"Well- you see I am an old friend of Fuyuhiko," you said and you held out both of your hands, showing your palms. "Maybe we could uh- just call in now?"

"I think we should show you the door."

Men began to spring up around everywhere.

They came from the ground like they were figures in a pop up book, all of each one flipping into view. They were on the ground, on the trees, on the roof tops, completely surrounding your party. They carried a variety of weapons with them. Knives, bats, pipes, signs. No guns thank god but that was probably only due to the odds of friendly fire.

You pressed closer to Algernon.

"Well- what are ya waiting for!?" the boss yelled. "GET- Algernon sprung for him. Crushing his skull and heralding the implosion of the ring of men as they all tried to get a piece of one of you.

You ducked and weaved, almost dancing upon your feet as you focused on not getting hit by the swings of bats coming down upon you and the slashing blades. You threw a few men down but it didn't do much for long.

Algernon threw his fists, killing a man with each blow he dealt. Much like a hydra though, cutting off one head only gave room for two more to sprout up to take it's place. Algernon gritted his teeth as he looked across the crowd and then at you.

A man came from behind with a pipe and he twisted his neck around before he could get close. His head shot up seeing what could be torn into a parting just a little while a way. "I will clear an opening for you," his breathe was a deep whisper as he cracked another man's skull like a balloon with his fist. "Run."

"W-what- I can't-"

He darted forward, running towards the thinner portion of men as he slide in, six men lied dead in five seconds. "RUN!"

You did- you didn't look back as you took the opportunity granted and carried yourself as fast as you could, but you escape was not unnoticed.

Ten men broke off and ran after you, howling like rabid dogs.

Algernon turned his neck and tried to go for them, before a new flood of men blocked his path.

Dammit.

You weren't sure where you were running but it wasn't towards the exit of the property. You turned your head back to hear the foot steps. You looked down at the shoulder bag you had with Chiaki and back once more.

"Permission to do a thing!?"

"Okay."

You grinded yourself to a halt and turned your back. Your feet pressed on the ground as three men got in a line and you threw the Data-Pad like a frisbee.

"Ohhhhh-" Chiaki said before the electricity began to envelope the device. As she went by, smacking each one in the face there was a great jolt, the three of them falling down with fried hair from the sheer amount of volts.

The other men stopping in surprise and horror gave you more time to keep going in your straight line, up and up.

They were gaining on you again. Their feet made a stampede that only got louder.

Your feet crunched on the grass as you gasped for each breathe. You stopped, turning on the ball of your feet and grabbed one of the men, throwing him into another and making an obstacle that let you skitter away.

What were you thinking!? What had you been thinking!? You- you weren't the person for this job! You couldn't take on the mafia!

You barely turned back to see five men almost at the top and you fell forward as you tripped over the gravestone on top, the pink color metal bouncing next to you.

Your breathe hitched as one fist tightened into the grass, getting on your feet as you held the butterfly knife.

It felt horribly heavy and you regretted it even more. Dammit- dammit what- you-

"Please help me, Natsumi!"

You clenched your eyes closed, tears of fear about to break through, but they evaporated in the heat that began to radiate from the knife. It blazed hotter and hotter, a fire that didn't burn you in your hands.

"Course, Bookworm. I still owe ya that favor, don't I?"

The pink fire traced up your arm, to your neck and then through your heart.

'Don't worry about it, I'll make sure it is alllll taken care of."

You felt safe in the embrace of the warmth…. You….. don't remember what happened next.

The five men closed in around the trespasser their eyes clenched shut. One of them smacked the pipe into the palm of their hand as they snickered.

"Cornered now- little bi-" he didn't finished his words as red blood spewed from his slit jugular. A shower of blood came down upon her in a five throat fountain as her feet were planted on the ground. Eyes sprung up, burning a golden yellow hue as a grin that twisted your features into something brand new yet so familiar.

Oh how she missed the smell of fresh iron.

The metal of the knife glinted above as she lifted it in the air, all of the men dropping lifelessly to the ground. "Guess whose back, bitches!!!"

He let out labored breathe, the sound of his fist hitting another cheek becoming numb to him as he looked around.

He had dealt with about 50 or so men, out of a few hundred. He ducked down and smashed a man's ribcage with his foot before he grabbed the pipe from his hand, spinning around and breaking skulls with it in a twirl. He threw it into another man's skull.

A baseball came down on his back, shattering into splinters. He grunted out as he headbutted the preparator.

This was,

Another punch.

The exact inverse of fighting Akane.

Another kick.

Each one of the men were like flies to be swatted, yet they swarmed in such great numbers that he couldn't keep up.

His left pant leg was cut by a knife, and he took a skim to the left side of his throat. He wasn't sure for how much longer he could keep doing this.

Salvation came in footsteps so fast he thought it might firecrackers going off.

12 men lied dead in five seconds as he could hear the clicking of metal as the butterfly knife danced around their necks, leaving them in a mangled twister of blood. You, the wielder of the pink blade slide right to him, facing towards their enemies so they were back to back. The bag carrying Chiaki's Data Pad moved back with the force of her momentum.

"I told you to run."

"Ohhhhhhhhh taking orders from an actual lobomite! You know I think I will get right on that," the way your tone and cadence had changed made him grimace. She planted her feet into the ground before she flung herself forward into another group of men, shredding them to pieces just as she did the first.

He threw three punches, breaking lower half of the three men who had lunged at him in the moment of distraction.

Her movements were a mixture of fighting footwork and dancing footwork as she twirled into a weave and a jab her knife into an ear canal. The knife ripped out and glided across three throats in one movements. Her golden eyes caught on one of the men who was shaking, clutching his lead pipe in both hands. She smirked, pointing her knife at him.

"No shame in runnin', if you wanna."

The metal clattered to the floor, along with a few sticks of wood as more than one man ran away.

"It's Her!!! It's Her!!!"

"The Overlord of the South!!!"

"Gotta get out of here!!!"

"Hey!!!!" one of the men in the fight turned to look at the deserters and screamed. "Get back here!!!" a group of them broke off to chase those who were trying to run away.

She laughed, jabbing into a stomach of a man who tried to come up behind her. "Should followed their lead~"

He could only half watch her create her bloodbath as he worked on his own. Only needing to work on what was in front of him was…

Certainly beneficial.

The duo made like a lawn mower blades, twirling around as they cut each and every one of men down like they were nothing more than blades of grass. Their footwork and flying fists acting as a dance of death until they had cleaned the garden up.

She landed on her feet and looked out on the field of corpses, letting out a series of heavy pants as her whole face fell at the sheer amount of her guys who know laid dead by her hand hands. Her golden eyes were cast dark as she put a hand over her heart.

God dammit- this body really was a pain in the ass. Your soft heart was beginning to get to her.

"Um…. I have a question."

Her head tilted up and she looked down at the little guy she had picked up, Chiaki if your memory was serving her correctly. "Ya, what's up?"

"Who, are you?" she asked. "You aren't them. When you picked me up I read your heart rate and blood pressure, it was… significantly lower, not to mention your demeanor."

"Ahhhhhh ya guess ya need a face to the name," she smirked as she held up the tablet to look her in the synthetic eyes. 'Names Natsumi Kuzuryu, sure they have told you about me," she winked.

"That's impossible," he said from behind her and Natsumi turned her head back to look at the emo fuck. "Natsumi is dead."

"Dead and deeper in your girlfriend then you will ever be," she said as she smiled at him almost sweetly. "Anyway, enough about me. Tell me…. what's your name?" Natsumi asked.

He stared down upon the face that had turned into something close to seriousness. A question he had answered for her a hundred times before in his dream and yet she never accepted the answer. He clenched his fist before his entire body relaxed as the words came out with his breathe. "…. You may call me Algernon."

"Oh god dammit!" she immediately yelled and snapped her fingers. "Dammit! You can't me the right answer, and you also can't give me the one I realllllly want," she rubbed the side of her neck as she flipped the knife closed, it sliding down into the sleeve of the Future Foundation uniform. "Whelp, guess you get to be on the backburner."

"What is the 'right' answer?" he asked.

"Oh don't tell me you are really that stupid," she groaned and rolled her eyes to one side. "You really don't ever change, do you, Hajime?"

"I am not Hajime Hinata," he hissed, steam coming from his gritted teeth as he said that.

"Yaaaa just because you decided to get a job at the Edgelord Incorporated doesn't mean anything has changed," she snorted about it. "Your still the same dumb fuck as always. You can try and putting on as many icy masks as you want but I will always see right through you, Mr. Hinata," she said as she pointed the blade of the knife right towards him.

Hajime smacked the knife out of her hand, snapping his finger as he pointed. "Get out," he demanded.

Natsumi blinked as she looked over at the knife before looking back out of him with a laugh. "Well I am too deep to pull out now, cuck," she leaned back before she tilted your head to the side, the laughter stopping as she grinned again. "But if you reallllly want me too, you are just going to have to make me."

Hajime tried to punch her, oh he really did try. His fist was balled in perfect form and pulled back that if he could fling it forward, it would probably knock the lights of her….. But his entire body was shaking, restraining him, because despite that annoying expression that painted your face.

It was still yours.

Natsumi's grin flattened into a even more demeaning smirk. "Awww look at that," she reached a hand up and gave his cheek a firm pat. "Still the same simp," her lips popped as she gave his cheek a squeeze. "Now, I got other fish to fry so if you could behave for five god damn seconds? That'd be great," she pulled away from him as she put her hands behind her head, walking towards the house itself.

Algernon fumed as his back straightened, he found a series of curses he didn't even know he was familar with as he watched her walk away. Chiaki's head looked from him and then back to Natsumi.

"We….. probably should follow her, just to keep track of their body…."

"… You….. are right…." Algernon conceded as he forced his feet to move, despite the fact they wanted to remain like concrete.

Natsumi curled your tongue in your mouth as she looked at the way Fuyuhiko had decorated the house.

It looked like a god damn Spirit Halloween, body parts taken and displayed as trophies. Few sets of fingers, arms crossed like swords, faces ripped off and put up like paintings.

God, all of it was so tacky.

She couldn't wait to beat the fuck out that shit head.

She could hear Hajime's footsteps behind her and she stopped, taking off the bag and throw it at him. "Hold this, I am not gonna need any of little buddy's help."

"What do you intend to do?" Hajime asked in a flat tone.

"Simple, I am gonna take care of business," Natsumi answered as she stopped in front of a sliding door. The wood scrapped on itself as she threw it open, it thunks on the stop as she rolled her shoulders. "First I gotta get ready though," she said and stepped through the door.

Hajime tried to follow and Natsumi sneered. "Stay out of a lady's room!" she yelled

She slammed the door on him and Algernon cringed as he leaned back, putting Chiaki over his shoulder finally. "We cannot let her do this."

"…. Do you think you can stop her?" Chiaki asked.

Algernon looked down at his fist…. there was no talking her down and it was not as if he could simply take care of it how he did everyone else. He let out a defeated breathe through his nose.

"I don't."

Chapter Text

Childish War by Giga

He hadn't touched her bedroom.

Dumb fucker had enough sense not to do that at least, would have been nice if he didn't let it get so damn dusty though. Natsumi pulled her knife out of the sleeve, letting the closed blade sleep into your hand and twirled it open in your hands, looking up at the point in the light from the window.

1.2 seconds slower.

That was gonna be a problem.

She gritted your teeth before flipping the knife back to closed and putting it on her vanity table. She expected it but still… being in a greener body was going to take some getting used too. She opened one of the drawers and pulled something out, dangling it in the air as she listened to it jingle before she dropped it into the breast pocket of your future foundation suit.

"You know, I am glad to get you alone because I got somethings to say," then she took the suit jacket off, and then everything else you were wearing. "Been awhile, since you last visited," she said as she walked over to the closest and dug around, finding a stretch sports bra. "Don't think I am mad or anything, definitely not you were the only bastard who took the time to show up!"

She slide it on. "Ya- can you believe it? Not a single other god damn person came to visit me!" she stretched every muscle of your arm as you reached up in the air, rolling the shoulders one way and then the other before digging around for a pair of shorts. "Being dead honestly fucking sucked, not having a body. It could drive ya crazy."

"Almost drove me crazy a couple of times," she hopped onto her bed and from her nightstand drawer, pulling out a roll of hot pink fighting bandages. "Sitting there, watching the world move around me well I was stuck on that fucking hill. Watching my brother trash the place well all I could do was sit there?!" she held the bandage in the palm of your hand for a second, before she began to wrap her arm.

"Sometimes it felt like my own rage was going to tear me open, rip me apart and then burn the rest till there was nothing left of me," she gave the bandages an extra squeeze before moving onto the next arm. "But I didn't let it, I couldn't let it," she said as she shook her head from side to side. "Cuz if I did, then I couldn't be here right now, ready to raise hell for ya."

"Really…. I know I said I was ya a favor," she moved down to your left leg, getting the ball of your foot. "But you letting me borrow your body, I won't let you regret it. I promise," then she moved to the right and stood up, testing your bare feet on the wooden floor. She grabbed a hair tie as she walked towards the door. "Now then, Bookworm, ya ready to do this together?"

She stepped through into the hallway and started walking.

"What are you going to do?" Hajime asked.

"Gonna go fight to the death with that dumbass," she said as she rolled your shoulders.

"You shouldn't do that, you could die," Chiaki said.

"That already happened, sweetie, but don't worry. I promise I'll be keep the rental in one piece," she patted your chest.

"You are confident for someone whose life is not on the line," Hajime said and Natsumi sneered at him.

"Aren't you one to talk, asshat," she said as she stepped in front of the front door of their parents meeting hall. "Just stay the hell out of my way and do what I tell you."

"Make me."

She decked him in the face once, and then one more time, making Hajime recoil back with both hits, blue forming. To finish him, she kicked him in the stomach making him almost puke up his hardtack.

He balled his fist and yet he still couldn't strike back. Natsumi smirked looking at him. "If you can't even fight me, you don't have a chance. So shut the fuck up and sit down, Rapunzel," she grabbed some strands of his long dark hair and held it up, letting each one fall down.

Algernon gritted his teeth as he seethed, putting a hand on his cheek. He dragged himself up to his feet. "You have made your damn point."

"Always do," she flicked her nose up at him before she slide the door to the meeting room open. The table and other cushions were cleared. The wall decorations and the old family gong remained though. Natsumi raised her head, her vision flicking up to see her dear big brother.

Upon a throne of skulls he sat.

The Ultimate Yakuza, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu

Also known as the Kingpin of Despair.

His legs were crossed and, really, he looked about the same as he had. Black pinstripe suit and fedora. His face contorted into a snarl upon seeing Natsumi and his remaining yellow eye glinted in the red light.

"It's you," his head lowered, and all of her focus went to the gray-blue eye she had gotten used to only in her magazine. His teeth might crack on each other, his nose turned up into the air. "Noooooo, no it's you-"

"Damn right it is, you dumb fuck."

Right be his side was her

The Ultimate Swordswoman, Peko Pekoyama

Also known as the Blade of Despair.

It was remarkable how little she had changed in truth. Her hair was up in a high-top ponytail rather than the braids she had come to expect, and she was donning a pure white suit. Natsumi didn't even notice any parts that had been replaced. When she saw Natsumi, and by extension, you, there was a ghost of a smile on her face.

Then she saw Algernon, and it went right back to completely stoic.

"A throne of actual skulls," Natsumi looked down at it and laughed. "Gooooooood you suck at this,: she rolled your neck from one side to the other, throwing her hands out. "Good thing your Ultimate Little Sister is here to take care of your mess like she always is."

"I'mmmm realllllll glad you came back," he drew out his words as he rose from his throne, the pupil of his real eye nothing more than a pinprick as he stared at her. "Cuz now I get the honor of putting you back into the god damn ground."

"A classic fist fight to the death sound good to you," she held out her hands, her spirit flowed like fire, rapid and crackling on the fuel of your limbs. "Body versus Body, winner gets the Clan."

He began to pull of his rings and remove his coat, a muscle memory ingrained into him so deep as he prepared himself for the fight. He never lost eye contact with Natsumi. His tongue was pressed to the roof of his mouth and he hissed and sizzled like a pan of oil. "Works for me."

Both of them prepared, Fuyuhiko getting into his fighting clothes well Natsumi stretched out your body well she waited. She cracked every single joint, and pulled on each muscle until they were nice and lose.

Hajime and Peko had gotten set up on pillows, sitting on either side of the gong with Chiaki sitting right underneath it. She had a score board up, one side pink and one side black.

Fuyuhiko walked back into the room, he had gotten a whole linty of new scars since she last saw him, but still wore the same boxers. The eye of Junko seems to swirl with excitement, getting to watch.

She sneered at it.

"This is going to be a fight between me and him," Natsumi said. Your body stood tall, back straight.

"So if either of you try getting in the way," Fuyuhiko said, swaying so both his and Junko's eyes could be seen.

"THEN I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU, UNDERSTAND!?" their voices sank up perfectly and the made the same expression, truly the two of them looked like twins as their eyes dilated and lips contorted into the same warning scowl.

Hajime closed his eyes and sneered, keeping his hands on his thighs but he didn't say anything. Peko sat right next to him, her sword laid out by her feet. She looked at Fuyuhiko before giving a deep bow towards him.

They turned their heads back to the other, Fuyuhiko sneered well Natsumi smirked and they both walked to the center of the room, their eyes never left the other as they worked to size each other up before they got into position, starting 6 feet away from each other.

CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER!

THE KINGPIN OF DESPAIR - FUYUHIKO KUZURYU

He swaggered his shoulders and tilting his head back, showing off his teeth as he glared at her with his one good eye. He punched his own palm. "I am going to enjoy sending you back to hell."

VERSUS

TRASH PRINCESS - NATSUMI KUZURYU

Natsumi let out a laugh as she cracked your neck one way and then the other, she punched the air and kicked at the ground, making sure every single one of your joints was ready. "I am going to love watching you try. "

READY?

Natsumi flipped open her in one movement before she tossed it into the varnished wood in front of Chiaki. "Winner gets to keep it."

"Tch."

Peko stood up and picked up a malt, before she struck the gong. The chime reverberating around the room.

ROUND ONE: START

Both of them stood in place, Natsumi swaying on your feet as she let your shoulders roll on themselves in a rhymthical swaying motion. Fuyuhiko stood firm as he glared at her.

"You deaf due to your brain damage?" Fuyuhiko asked.

"Good question," she asked as she hummed to herself. "I don't got anywhere to be. I mean, I'm dead," she shrugged. "I can stay here allllll day."

His teeth began to grit. "Why aren't you taking this seriously!?"

"Because I don't take cyclops seriously?" she snorted as she pointed at him, pulling your fingers up to her mouth as she snickered at him. "God you look so stupid."

His mouth and eyes showed red like flames were climbing to lurch out of his body, she finally got him as he charged forward in a rush of flames.

She shifted her postion and as his fist formed and flew, she stepped forward.

Pressing the palms of your hands to his forearm, you flipped him to the ground with no hesitation and he rolled with the flip of your throw.

Algernon could see for a moment, on your serious face the way the golden representing Natsumi muddled into a vibrant green, you and her mixing in perfect sync. Your lips stretched back into a wide green as they burned yellow like the sun.

Fuyuhiko's one golden eye was wide in surprise, before his mouth fell open. "You cheating whore!!!" Fuyuhiko shrieked as he hopped back to his feet.

"Playing jusssssttttttttt by the rules," she said. "Besides- I gotta use what the rental's got to offer me, put on alllll the different bathrobes bookworm's got!"

FIGHTER UPDATE

PLAYER TWO: TRASH PRINCESS/ULTIMATE LITERARY ANALYST

Fuyuhiko changed his angle as he threw another punch, and Natsumi redirected it, but he stayed on his feet, coming in and forcing her to be on the defensive.

Natsumi gritted her teeth as she tried to weave.

Her using of your skill set was not much of a choice to be honest.

She galloped back on your feet in in the rhythm of the waltz, creating distance between herself and her brother.

He wasn't letting up, and she kept backing away as she watched him.

Before Natsumi died, she would have put herself as the sixth best fighter she knew, and Fuyuhiko as the 9th.

Right now, it was closer to he was the 7th, and being in your body, Natsumi was about the 15th.

She weaved using passes and passes, redirecting strikes with open palms like you had trained to do in the past. Your muscle memory of these things had gotten quite impressive.

However they weren't the way she was used to fighting.

Fuyuhiko hit you in the stomach and Natsumi spit up salvia as she stumbled backwards.

"Fuck!" she yelled out putting your arm over your stomach.

Fuyuhiko tried to come in.

Natsumi eyes flared up as she did a change cross, change cross, away before twirling back, going into a fendu tendu, then tombe, both of of your legs tightly together into the turn of a fan-kick to his teeth, hopping back with a passe.

Fuyuhiko held his cheek before he charged forward, ramming his shoulder shoulder right into your stoach and shocking Natsumi with just how much muscle mass he had built up in a short time.

He grinded to a halt as Natsumi kept flying back.

The paper ripped and wood splintered as Natsumi was knocked right through the wall, and right to the garden outside. Your body bounced once, then twice before she landed on a bed of gravel.

"Fuck you, bitch!!!"

ROUND ONE: THE KINGPIN OF DESPAIR - FUYUHIKO KUZURYU

Natsumi stayed on the ground for longer than she would ever be proud of normally, she coughed out your blood before she grinned with gritted teeth, pushing your body up with one hand and getting on your knees, then rising up to face Fuyuhiko.

"Come onnnnnnn," she swayed on your feet before she locked them fully in place, the gravel had left red marks all over your body and now stones were digging into your feet, but Natsumi wasn't phased by the pain. "That all you got?"

"You got some god damn nerve, I'll smash your damn skull in!!!" he promised as he stayed in the house, clenching his fist. His skin began to turn a shade of pink from how much blood was flowing through his tiny body.

"Someone already beat ya too that, but that makes sense," Natsumi laughed as she leaned back. "You've always been pretty slow."

"YOU CUNT!!!"

ROUND TWO: START

Fuyuhiko sprung towards Natsumi, launching himself outside and grinding his feet into the stones, he gritted his teeth as he threw a punch. Natsumi weaved back and wrapped to his blind spot, sending a punch to a weak spot on his ribs, one he broke before in an accident.

He stumbled back as he gripped it, and she thwacked him in the head. He growled like an animal before he slide down, going for a low and up strike.

Natsumi stumbled back with the conclusion to your throat, sucking in a breathe as your feet dragged along sharp stones.

She couldn't drag this out long.

She twirled around her brother to get at a good angle, close enough that Fuyuhiko tried and just missed his strikes.

Natsumi kicked your leg up and around, making blood, dirt and sand fly up at Fuyuhiko's right eye. He gasped as he closed it.

"GOD DAMMIT!!!" he yelled as he swung around blindly.

Natsumi laughed before she swerved out of the way of his blind attempts to get revenge. She danced around to the side of him, kicking him in the ribcage.

He choked.

She followed it up by slamming her knee down on the opposite side, moving through his blind spots.

He screamed as he began to stagger, it might have cracked.

She finished it by punching him in the stomach, throwing your entire body weight behind it.

Fuyuhiko flew backwards.

Fuyuhiko was waist deep in the water on his ass, it splashed into his eyes and washed out the dust from his eyes, but it also got up his nose. He sputtered and coughed up water and he glared.

"Where was all that gusto before, brother?" Natsumi asked with a snicker. "Run out of stamina?"

ROUND TWO: TRASH PRINCESS/ULTIMATE LITERARY ANALYST - NATSUMI KUZURYU

"You never figured out why I wanted you to go to that hell hole in the first place, did you?" she asked, crossing your arms over your chest as she leaned forward, her golden eyes shining. "You realllllly were the stupid older sibling."

His teeth moved into a snarl as he tried to get his bearings, slipping on algae that had built up into the pond before he managed to pull himself up to his feet.

Both of his and Junko's eyes swirled in perfect sink, his entire body now blazing a shade of red as steam from the water puffed out of his ears. "Do you ever shut up!!!!"

"Nahhh because apparently you need everything spelled out for you," she held out her arms. "It was so you could find your own god damn thing, one you wanted, and prove yourself a real man by sticking it to me in that field."

A blood vessel seemed like it was about to burst in his skull. "WELL I AM GOING TO STICK IT TO YOU NOW, BY RIPPING YOUR THROAT OUT AND STICKING IT ON A PIKE!"

"Barking so loud, like the dumb bitch you are."

FINAL ROUND: START

They began to dart around, matching each other's movements in perfect sync.

Natsumi led through the hall of an open door leading into the house, then Fuyuhiko countered dragging her through the kitchen.

She smacked his side with a pan before he smashed your arm with a meat mallet, Natsumi bracing just enough the bone wasn't shattered completely.

Natsumi headbutted him back through into the old family dining room, and he tripped over the table. She kicked him in the nose, blood beginning to gish forth from it.

He rolled back out to the hallway. He let out a furious scream before he charging forward, grabbling your shoulder and running your back into a door. Natsumi gasped as the sight of Fuyuhiko's bedroom filled her eyes as he knocked her to the ground, moving to try and straddle.

She growled before putting your feet together, kicking both forward and hitting him in the stomach through the wall into her old room, he bounced on the pink bed and tumbled with the blankets.

She jumped over but he was up and threw your body to the ground. She tumbled and he followed it up with a kick to the door frame.

She pulled you up to your knees and threw open the door, Fuyuhiko tried to charge but she swept behind the door and flamed the wooden frame into his forearm. He howled in pain.

He pried the door open and grabbed delivered and series of punches Natsumi was forced to block, pushing back until the two of them were back in the meeting hall, Natsumi regained her bearings enough to start hitting back.

The Tiger who Controlled the Mouse

Versus

The Dragon Corrupted by Despair.

Fuyuhiko's flames fueled his fists to fly faster than fathomable. Each one burned everything they touched, including himself. The force snapped so fast there was splitting of his knuckles even on hits that missed, but not all of them did, leaving charred black bruises behind.

Natsumi's fire moved through up and through the roots and up the stems of your limps, exploding into fires of golden, red, purple and pink at the end of each flowers bloom. The vibrant dance of fire flowers weaved and dealt pops of damage to him in those glorious colors, some from redirecting shots with your open palms leaving lily petal marks, or in fists of flaming roses left by Natsumi.

Each pair of hands moved faster.

Blocking , redirecting, punching, striking.

Blood flews in every direction, prints changing to darker colors as cornflower blues and dark dahlia red well the white of your bones cracked under the strain.

Each blow was fast, yet echoed through the hall.

The loudest echo of all- was the fist that connected with your jaw.

Natsumi's golden eyes went wide as your hands went limp, flying with the force of the bunch as it knocked your brain around your skull.

She fell on the ground.

Natsumi laid in a starfish on her back, panting heavily out. "Almost…… got it…… bookworm," she couldn't even clenched your fist anymore.

Fuyuhiko stared down as he dragged his body over to where the pink butterfly knife was embedded into the floor boards, right before the gong.

Hajime gritted his teeth and tried to get up, before the sharp blade of Peko's sword was pointed at his jugular.

He froze in place, Natsumi gave him the side eye, with the same cocky ass grin on her face even through labored breathes.

Fuyuhiko limped over, the knife in hand and he let out ragged breathes. His eye was only a swirl as he straddled on top of your body, holding the blade high in both hands.

"I'mma finally fucking kill you."

Natsumi stared up at him and smiled, blowing some hair out of her face. "Alright, that's fine," her eyes shifted to one side and then back to him. "But uh- Don't you, got something to me first?"

The words made him stop. Fuyuhiko stared down at his little sister on the ground and the knife he had gifted her in his hands. His grip loosened and he was on his uneven feet, still staring down at her…. What…. what had he been about to do?

Fuyuhiko's mouth was open and his entire body was shaking, no words were coming out, and his body started to fall into the gaping maw of the dark.

Natsumi knocked the lights right back on.

A hidden reserve of energy, your fist connecting with his lower jaw in a beautiful rainbow plume of flames and his eye went wide, the skin of his cheeks vibrating from the force used. He was tossed to the ground, rolling over on his side before he finally grinded to a stop on his stomach.

Natsumi let out heavy pants as your fist was raised high in the air. She looked down before letting out a laugh which threw your head back. "Look at that, Bookworm. We did it!"

Fuyuhiko let out a cracked sound as he pushed himself up to his knees. "God…. you are such an annoying bitch."

Natsumi's eyes were back on him and grinned, your knees giving out and she crumbled to the ground right in front of him. "Damn….. right I am," she closed her eyes and offered him a hand. 'Wanna call it a draw?"

He grabbed her hand, and yanked her into a hug. "I fucking missed you," he cried into her shoulder.

Natsumi hugged back, squeezing his skinny torso. "Me too, meeeeeee too…."

FINAL ROUND: DRAW

At least between the Kuzuryu siblings.

Chapter Text

Unknown Mother Goose by wowaka

Algernon stared in awe at the result of the fight.

The Kingpin of Despair was no more, shattered into pieces by the fist of the insane hooligan.

Besides him Peko beamed like the light of day, but she didn't pass out, nor did she seem to change in any other way. Simply sitting there in the warm glow of her master and his sister hugging at last.

Using the other they rose to their feet together, hugging for just that second longer before Fuyuhiko patted her shoulder.

Natsumi broke away and she stuttered over on bloodied feet towards Algernon. He looked up and stood to greet her. Your body looked ready to give out as she let out haggard breathes, looking up at him with golden eyes.

He expected he was going to have to catch you least you hit the ground in a couple of seconds.

"!!!"

Natsumi kicked Hajime in the nuts.

As he dropped to the ground in pain, she grabbed his wrist and with one smooth movement loped off his pinkie, it bouncing a few feet away with a trail of blood flowing.

He let out a howl of surprise and pain as his other hand tried to stop the bleeding well his balls throbbed in blunt force trauma induced pain.

"GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER, DIPSHIT!!!" she screamed before she delivered one more kick to the nuts. "I don't know what pisses me off more," she said as she grabbed a handful of his dark hair and dragged her to look at him.

She was making blood vessels pop in her eye from the rage. This had been a special pocket she had been reserving since the god damn moment you told her the dumb ass went missing.

"You doing the ONE GOD DAMN THING I told you NOT TO DO AS SOON AS I DROP DEAD," she took in a long, deep breathe because she was out of it, it opnly flamed her flames as her eyes sprung open. "OR YOU BEING A BASTARD TO THE BEST GOD DAMN THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!"

She threw him to the ground, still heaving out each breathe that she was taking into your lungs.

"If I gotta come back, it's gonna be to finish the god damn job," she said looked down at him before she turned her head to Fuyuhiko, whose arms were cross. She limped your body over to him before she flipped the knife close, and held it out to him. "Think you should keep this. It'll make sure I keep close."

Fuyuhiko stared down at the returned gift and felt tears spring in his eyes as he took it, bringing it to his chest. "You better not go anywhere…."

"I won't, I won't," she grinned before she dragged herself a few steps forwards. She patted your heart twice letting out a breathe. 'And you, focus on taking care of yourself before that fuck face. He gotta get his act together."

She closed her eyes and grinned.

Your body dropped to the ground like a sack of stones.

Fuyuhiko gasped and ran right over. "Hey!!! You alright!?" he yelled as he sat on his knees.

He shook you awake and your eyes bounced back bright in their original hue. He looked down and his mouth fell open, before turning almost into a smile.

You saw the Kingpin of Despair, complete with Junko's eyes, leaning over you with a big grin on his face.

You screamed and punched him in the face.

"OH GOD DAMMIT!" he screamed as you hit a bruised spot, "at least wait till I've apologized first!' he recoiled back and had the leap up.

Peko began to dive forward and Fuyuhiko held his hands out. "STOP!!! NO!!!!" he yelled and she immediately grinded her feet into the grind, putting her sword away and taking a deep bow.

Your mouth fell open and you looked at the unchanged Peko and then, Fuyuhiko.

"…. You're back…"

Fuyuhiko looked back at you with his remaining honey eye, he had an almost nervous grin on his face. "…. Ya…. I guess I am."

You- of course… it was…….

and of course Natsumi could.

You almost fell forward and you hugged the young Mafioso. "You are really back to normal!!! You aren't brainwashed!!!" you cheered.

He hugged you back, closing his golden eye as she patted your back. "…. I really am."

Your entire body was shaking, your head felt woozy as a rush of different things went through you. Shock, relief, glee, and…. and well you weren't going to think on that much, only hugging tighter onto Fuyuhiko as you let out a hiccup. "I am so happy!"

You were, you were you were you were!

You really were.

Fuyuhiko let out a breathe. He kinda of sat for a moment before he almost was squeezing the life out of you. "Ya…… ya I am too," he nodded his head before he let go of you.

Wow your body felt heavy. How'd that happen? Your head swayed around the room before you looked at Algernon.

Oh wow! He looked pretty injured!

"Ohh wow," your mouth tasted only of blood as you looked at him, holding his pinkie finger in his hand as you woobled on your bleeding feet, feeling dizzy from the hits to the head, or maybe it was the blood lust, or maybe it was the broken ribs, or maybe- . "You look awful! You should really take care of yourself."

Right after you said that, you hit the ground.

Fuyuhiko let out a yell as he bent down on the ground. "Fuck!!!! Shitttttt!!!!!" he yelled before he hopped up. "Peko, carry 'em!" he yelled.

Peko swept over and scoped you up, holding you against her chest like an injured kitten before she was sprinting down the hallway, Fuyuhiko chased behind her, managing to get close to pace.

Algernon stood in the room, holding his pinkie in his hand.

Well…. he should probably go follow them. Best to check what ever sort of quack they are bringing you too. If he seemed capable Algernon could work on his finger.

If not well-

The game was just getting interesting.

"FIX THEM RIGHT NOW OR I WILL FIND SOME VERY CREATIVE WAYS TO KILL YOU, YA HEAR!?"

"I-I am on it, Boss, I promise!!!"

When you woke up, Fuyuhiko was sitting in the chair next to you and standing by the door was Peko. You were in a hospital gown in the Kuzuryu's family infirmary and you could see a doctor in the corner, shaking like a leaf. There was a morphine drip in your arm, and fuck it felt wonderful.

Fuyuhiko had already changed a great deal, an eye patch covering the new empty socket. He had changed into his regular pinstripe suit and cow skull tie. It conversed most of him, but you could see bandages peeking from underneath. If he ever caught you staring at them he would adjust his sleeve to hide them.

"Thank fuck you are awake," Fuyuhiko let out a puff of breathe. "Scared the piss out of me you know. Why didn't you say anything about needing to sit down or something!?"

"I really didn't realize how bad I felt till I passed out," you rubbed behind your neck. Your whole body had hurt but right now you felt none of it. It also freed you from the pain of everything fucking e l s e. "You both…. play very rough."

"We were trying to kill each other," he admitted before his shoulders slumped. "Glad it didn't work, though."

"Me too," you looked down at how bandaged you were, there really wasn't an inch of skin that didn't have bandages covering them. In some cases it felt almost excessive but looking at that poor shaking doctor…. he was probably be as through as he could. "So you are back, for real! Not- not going to fade back to that despair brainwashing….?"

"Not ever."

You smiled. 'Good…. very good to hear…." You looked over at Peko. She stood by the door, the sheath of her sword pulled close to her as she looked between Fuyuhiko and you, the few windows and the door. "Is she….?"

"Still, ya…. I have tried a couple of things but…" he put a hand on the side of his head, leaning into the hand. "I can't even get a word outta her."

"I see….. in the past has she, passed out?" you asked, raising an eyebrow. "Like, something happened-"

"No-" he answered before you could fully finish your question. "I know what you are talkin' about though…. I know I did it a couple of times," he admitted as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"You did?" you leaned forward. 'What…. exactly was it like? Just, to get an inside view of the event."

"It wasn't, common or anything," he clarified before he considered it for awhile, his arms were crossed over his chest. "But sometimes I'd do something that crossed a line, or be just about to when I'd just… just start asking questions, feeling regret about what I was doin'" he pursed his lips together after he said that. "I didn't… get time to dwell on it long. It was like my brain just snapped off, and by the time I woke up I was even angrier…. but I'd never do whatever it was again," he considered a few of the examples that managed to break him.

The time he blew out the brains of a small child came to mind, the one time he struck Peko being another…. all of the images of things he did, not even things that tipped him over the edge into almost feeling regret, simply a general mesh of the memories.

Fuyuhiko put a hand over his brow. "I did so much horrible shit," he said as he tapped his his other hand on his leg. "I did some pretty heinous shit before all of this, don't get me wrong but…. some of the things I did…." the visions kept flooding into his mind.

The screams, the blood, the flesh being torn from muscles, the begs of mercy, the gunshots as he took innocent life after innocent life.

All of them he had enjoyed in the moment and yet now-

The images plagued him.

"I know I did it, I don't have the right to complain but…. what even the hell am I supposed to do now???" he asked. The Future Foundation wanted him dead with the rest of the world, and he sure as fuck couldn't blame them. "How I am supposed to move forward?"

"…. Well…… you cannot just ignore everything you have done," you admitted as you put your hands together over the hospital blanket. "But you need to move forward too, so, maybe, start doing things you couldn't possibly regret," you said as you held your head up. "Start being good for the world!!!"

Fuyuhiko blinked his one eye, his face turning up in surprise. "Being some sort of hero type?" he asked. "I am not really that kind of guy you know-"

"Well maybe you will like it more than you think!!!!" you looked like a spotlight shining right into his face. Eyes almost like headlights as they burned with a glorious passion. "Besides think of how exciting it will be that once you are out of the Neo World Program, you are going to have a headstart on everyone else!!!"

"Alright, alright geez," Fuyuhiko leaned away, his eye squinting a little. "Gonna blind me."

"Well I am glad I got you to agree!" you declared.

Fuyuhiko crossed his arms over his chests as he smiled, tilting his heads forward. "Taking orders from both my little sisters…. what sort of big brother am I?" he murmured out.

You blinked and tilted your head, his voice had been so quiet and in his own mouth. "What did you say?"

"I just- " he cleared his throat. "I get'cha and what ya mean now…." sure he didn't regret everything he had done but. "It couldn't hurt to try it out, if it is really lame I can always mix it up," he had a mischief grin and you closed your eyes letting out a sigh.

"If you do that I think it will cause problems for everyone."

"Ya-ya," he huffed. "…. How the hell do I even start with this whole thing?"

"I got some ideas!" you put your hands together, he had control of a lot of men still, even if Algernon and Natsumi had killed a good chunk. It shouldn't be that hard to simply have them change their focus on rescue, defense and otherwise. Not to mention all of the drugs the Kuzuryu clan had stock piled, in the hands of the right doctors they could easily be formed into doses for medicine!

You had more and more ideas until wood almost cracked as the door was thrown open and Peko pointed her sword right towards the intruder's throat.

"It is time for your dance lesson," Algernon said as he tilted his head to one side, to make it so he was further away from the sword. You could see his pinke finger successfully had been reattached

"A mother fucking DANCE LESSON!?" Fuyuhiko screamed as he rose with the pitch of his voice. "Get the hell out of here! They are recovering!" He nearly knocked the chair over as he stood.

"Peko, Fuyuhiko, it-it's okay!" you tried to get up from the bed and he pointed a finger at you, his cheeks round as he stomped the foot in almost a childish way.

"You stay in bed!" he demanded.

"They are the one who requested to learn, they should be-" he barely dodged the chair Fuyuhiko flung at him, it crashed into the wall behind him.

"GET O U T ! ! !"

Peko would have put her blade through him if he didn't shut the door before she could. You could hear him grumbling from the other side of the door and Fuyuhiko glared, shifting on his feet.

"Need me to take care of that guy for you?" he asked, curling his fingers with cracks on each one, Peko still had her sword prepared.

"No, no! No!!!" you waved your hands in front of you. "Most definitely no!"

"Fine, but then you gotta tell me what you know about that mother fucker," he said and looked around the room, realizing he had wrecked the only chair and stood with his back tall. "What's his name? Izuru Kamukura?"

"Well, I will say you certainly seem not to like him…."

"I don't know jack about that mother fucker other than Natsumi hated his guts and he was reallllll close to that Enoshima bitch….." his eyes narrowed at the door. "His attitude ain't doing him any favors either."

"All good reasons,' you admitted as you closed your eyes before you sighed. Oh where did you start….. where did you want to start? You looked up at Fuyuhiko closing your lips together tightly. "Um….. well….. do you remember….. remember when I told you Hajime went missing?"

"What the hell does that hav-" he stopped, his voice dying in his throat as the question popped the pieces into place. His entire body went a new type or rigid and his pupils were pinpricks. "No fucking way."

Peko's head perked up, before she closed her eyes tight, holding her head down as she gritted her teeth with the emotional anguish.

You sucked in a breathe harshly, before nodding your head.

Fuyuhiko fell to the ground, the palms of his hands catching himself as he stared at the wooden floor. The doctor tried to rush over and Fuyuhiko nearly bit his hand off, sending the man right back to his corner of shame as he just sat there. "What the hell? What the actual mother FUCKING HELL!" he screamed as he clutched the hair on the side of his head. "How did this happen!?"

"Hope's Peak was working on…. experiments I guess. They did it to a whole bunch of other students but He was… their only success. I think, I think Nagito had a large part to play in that fact. He um, well he got lymphobia and dementia-"

"WHAT!?"

"He's alive!!!" you did jazz hands when you said that. "And uh- he will stay that way!!!!" you intensified the jazz hands.

"….. What's wrong with him now?"

"I don't want to talk about that because I think you'd send guys after him," you answered in all honesty, and he did not ask any more questions about Nagito. "But…. ya…. he doesn't………. he isn't Hajime," you clarified. "I have been calling him Algernon, if you want to refer to him about that."

"I don't really give a damn what I call him," Fuyuhiko clarified before he pulled himself up to his feet. "I missed a hell of a lot more than just what happened to Hajime, you best fill me in on everything," he said.

"R-right," you explained to him the whole run down of what happened, more or less repeating everything you had spouted off to Junko when you confronted her. Then you explained what your current goals were, and why you had been traveling with Algernon in the first place.

"We have gotten a few people already! Kazuichi, Ernest, Akane, and now Peko and you!!!" you had a bright smile when you said that. "If you include Algernon, myself and Nagito…. we already have half of the class ready for the program!"

"The Neo-World thing… Chihiro mentioned that, right, he-" Fuyuhiko stopped his tongue. "Uh- they? She?"

"He…. was self conscious about his gender, but did prefer to be thought of as a boy, at least from how he explained it to me. He/They works in general," you said. "But yes, he was working on the project…. he made an AI for it," you explained. "So- I know it will work for what we need!"

"Alright," Fuyuhiko nodded. "…. And what about "Algernon", you sure this fuck is actually going to help, or he is trying to set up another sick fucking game?"

"Well…. in…. in theory that is what he is is supposed to be doing, gathering everyone up for Junko's purposes," you explained as you let your hand brush to the side. "But, from the bottom of my heart, I don't think he cares at all for what Junko has in mind."

"You have always been the trustin' type. Are you sure that ain't just your nature guiding you?" he asked as he looked towards Peko. "We could take him out, help you gather the others and make sure there ain't no interference from compromised parties."

"I do not trust him," you said holding up a finger. "I know he wants me to die, at least on some level."

Peko was already opening the door, and Fuyuhiko was reaching for his rings on the stand by your bed.

"BUT!!!" you yelled out very loud. "It is all in service to… to how he wants to play our current game. He has put in a fair amount of effort in keeping me alive. He isn't just treating the game completely unserious. And I have gotten a lot stronger-" you held your arms in front of you. "The only thing he cares about is seeing this games ending, whether it be my death or his own erasure in the Neo World Program. The only goal of this for him is…. not to exist anymore."

"Do you even think this Neo World Program is capable of 'erasing' him and getting Hajime back? It can't heal what's gone…."

"………… well………. I suppose; that ultimately doesn't matter

"It's gonna set us back to the start of High School?" on multiple levels you could see Fuyuhiko cringe before he shut his eye and shook his head. "Okay, okay, whatever… But I still think you shouldn't be traveling with him. Peko and I will go instead. Have him keep us alive will be somethin'"

"Please no," you said closing your eyes. "I…. I get your concern but- It has to be me."

"Why? Give me one god damn reason why it has to be you? You said it yourself, half way through the game. High time you tag out and start restin'," he looked down at your batter body. He didn't look better exactly, not under the bandages but he was forged in this.

"Because if I am forced to sit and rest for too long, if I am forced to process what I have seen for too long," you put a hand on the side of your skull pressing on your brain. You had seen some horrific shit and knew you were going to see much more. "If I am forced to stop moving, I am going to sink like a stone."

The desperation in your eyes was something different than he had seen ever before from you. The fear lying just beneath that cheery smile finally being real to him.

He gritted his teeth. 'That's even more of a reason to shove your ass into therapy sooner!!!"

"The Neo-World Program is going to erase this all anyway," you said throwing your hands out with a large smile. "Once I get to the final page, this is all…. going to be over. All I got to do is get to the end and then," you wiggled your fingers to have jazzy hands help prompt a more jazzy mood. "Everything will be better!…. but if I leave it to you and Peko, leaving you both with Algernon and just sit here……"

"…. I do think the only the best thing, is to just get it done."

"Alright, then have us come along!"

"I am not sure the Future Foundation for one thing would allow that, and again, helping and doing good on the home front!" you reminded.

Fuyuhiko groaned. "Fine, fine. Whatever," he threw his hands up. "…. but the Future Foundation better give me some fucking way to call you or else I will raise hell."

You laughed "I know you will," speaking of having calling people. "Oh! By the way your uncle is alive."

"….What?" Fuyuhiko blinked his one eye. "My…. uncle?"

"Ya, Natsu Kuzuryu? He um, faked his own death and moved to the states. The detective in that conflict? He is now his husband."

"…. WHAT!?"

Fuyuhiko had been quick to move you to a private room, and yet that being all he did didn't set right with him. Not with one of Junko's right hands wandering around his property.

Sure you seemed to trust him, and he had been Hajime…. but he didn't need that dumb fuck trying to push you more with a mother fucking dance lesson of all things. You still need to rest, and ideally get your mind off of things… All the things.

Best way to do that would probably be…. Something that did a lot good for him, too.

"Hey Peko," he said and she was by his side like a white shadow, awaiting orders. "How you feel, about a girls night?"

He could see the way her eyes seemed to sparkle slightly and smirked, nodding his head. "Make sure it's a realllll pleasant sleep over," Fuyuhiko told Peko in a tone that would make anyone else assume it was a euphemism. "Whatever you need to do to make it delightful. Full permission on all that."

Peko bowed her head before she disappeared in an even faster speed than he had witnessed from her before. He nodded his head.

Be good for the both of you.

He started to head down to the family lounge, hands in the pocket of his suit as he debated on what one of the suggestions you'd given him he was going to start with. He slide open he door to the sitting room.

That mother fucker was digging through the family liquor cabinet.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing, huh!?" Fuyuhiko yelled as he looked at all of the candy flavored liquor bottles that were now littered along his floor, well this Algernon fuck dug into the deepest corners.

Algernon pulled out a bottle of coconut rum, cringing at it before putting it on the ground. "I am looking for your gin."

"Gin!?" Fuyuhiko's hand recoiled from it's angry stance to surprise. "Who the fuck drinks gin???"

"It is an acquired taste."

"No shit!!!" Fuyuhiko walked over. "You aren't going to find it, and clean this shit up!" he looked at the bottled his brow furrowed.

"You truly carry none?" Algernon let out a long sigh of annoyance before he started to zip around, and before Fuyuhiko knew it all of the bottles were neatly put away, just as they were found. "How boring."

"How the hell did you acquire a taste for gin!? That is like drinking milk!"

"A friend gave it to me," he blinked at his own wording before he kept talking. "I figured I might take some for the road."

"Oh no, no no, fuck that! I am not letting you get DRUNK on the JOB," Fuyuhiko showed all his teeth as he stomped right on over, looking both his eyes dead on with his one. "Listen here you son of a bitch, their life," he pointed in the direction he had come. "Isn't your god damn game you hear me. Because if they come back in a body bag," Fuyuhiko seethed out every breathe. "I'll do things to you that will really make you wanna stop fucking existing," he clenched his fist, somehow making himself appear so tall despite being so much shorter than Algernon.

He huffed. "You have made your point," he said as he turned away, beginning to walk towards the door.

"I better have," he looked at him and his shoulders fell back as he watched Algernon leave the room.

Ah god dammit.

Algernon found himself out on the porch, head pressed tight to his fist as he stared out upon the back garden.

Why had he wanted gin?

He didn't like the taste still. He knew it would disgusting, yet for some reason he had wanted to find gin.

Had he really been that fond of Mukuro? He called her a friend with out thinking, and inside his jacket pocket he rubbed his thumb under the metal of the long empty flask. The knife was strapped to his chest, hidden away.

He kept those too.

He had also done her burial as she asked.

Now he wonder if he had made her happy doing that?

She was dead, so it didn't matter, at least he thought not. However…. ghosts were real.

His eyebrows furrowed at the admittance.

Creatures from folktales and other nonsense were real. There was no way to account for your change in demeanor in such a specific way than you were possessed by a ghost.

If ghosts were real, did… Mukuro leave one behind? Or, perhaps being betrayed by her sibling was a death she accepted and move on? Was that possible? Should she want to move on?

Had he made her happy?

Did he care about that? Making the ghost of a dead woman he wasn't sure was his friend was… was happy?

Why? There was no reason for that. There had been no reason to the burial either, not really. Other than… the vague notion he might if he got around to it.

Why had he done that?

For what purpose?

He blinked as he thought more and more, his mind twisting into new topics. He had kept claiming he wasn't Hajime Hinata, but that…. left a question then. For, he was not something he wasn't. But then-

Who was he?

Fuyuhiko had put you in a room in the center of his home. There was one door, almost a maze around you and honestly? You were pretty sure you were in a vault of some kind.

You let out a sigh, he had said he wasn't letting you out of your until you recovered well enough. Your shoulders slumped before you hissed as your ribs reminded you they were broken.

Man you missed the morphine already.

Bad, bad, bad you lectured yourself, it was highly addictive and could problems for you later in life, yadda yadda yadda.

But it did feel really good.

You laid back on the Futon and pulled out the Data-Pad. Chiaki was sleeping right now so you just clicked over to find a movie.

You scrolled down to the animated folder and clicked on Disney. You scrolled through the titles before landing on the good old Beauty and the Beast Movie. You grinned to yourself and put it on, placing the tablet at the end of the bed as the movie opened with the curse of the Beast, before going to the scenic little cottage and rolling into the character, and song, Belle.

Ahhhhh Belle was your favorite Disney Princess.

Of course you were quite happy in your provincial life. You had considered yourself quite happy even before you came to Hope's Peak. Sure you became….. much, much happier once you… made friends here.

But if you never had them, then you wouldn't have lost them… and clearly they -

You felt a breathe on your shoulder and screamed like a banshee as you flung yourself across the futon, knocking the Data-Pad and turned around to see the intruder.

"OH MY GOD PEKO JESUS CHRIST!!!!" you screamed putting your hand over your heart.

She tilted her head to one side and got up, bowing her head and started heading for the door.

You contorted your body. "You just scared me! Don't go!" you exclaimed and she stopped, turning around and sitting on her knees in front of you. "Hi, it's nice to see you. When did you come in?"

She looked over at the Data-Pad which was still running. She paused it and pointed to a time-stamp about 10 minutes ago.

You didn't notice her at all.

"I am so glad you are my friend, Peko-" you put your hands together, closing your eyes with a smile. Because you could not imagine a world where she was your enemy.

More accurately, not one with you in it. "Why did you come here?" you asked tilting your head.

She stared at you and held up a finger before she paused. Her shoulders came together and your eyes sloped downwards.

"Right…. um, well," you hummed before you found yourself to your aching feet before shuffling over to the desk and grabbing the pad of paper you had seen and a black fountain pen, holding both of them out looking like an eager golden retriever. "If you cannot speak, maybe this?" you asked.

Peko blinked as she took both objects from you and stared at the white paper. She sat there for a second, then three, then ten, and sweat began to bead on her forehead as she kept staring at the paper.

Her fingers would twitch and the pen would jolt forward before pulling back. You could see the way her lips were shifting before ultimately she moved nowhere. Your eyes narrowed watching her and felt….

Deja Vu?

Not quite that, more…. indirect, not happening to you.

It wasn't simply sympathy or empathy either, trying to experience what she was, but more accurately like you had before. The exact details of the memory escaped you but being trapped in your own head, so many thoughts, so many things, too many of them!

How many overwhelming it all was.

Your hand came over and lowered the paper down with a smile.

"it's okay, Peko. I understand," you assured as you put them down. "You don't have to say anything, how about you come stay and sit," you gestured to the futon and made sure there was space for the both of you. She sat on her knees and stared at you.

You smiled before it fell just looking into her eyes.

Before you started to giggle, and then laugh, and then cackle as you had an almost wicked grin on your face as you felt a good hit of spite course through your veins. 

Peko blinked, her hands on her knees.

You looked at her before grinning wider. "It isn't- kehehehehehehehe, it isn't you Peko, I promise!!!" you had such a smug look on her face. "Hehehehe, maybe it is something about you though."

She tilted her head.

"That bitch had to cheat twice!" you held up two fingers in her face, puffing your your chest.

She let out a huff in appeasement at the sentiment, nodding her head. You held out your hand and she high-five it.

"Hell ya!" you cheered before you looked at her.

Shame you didn't know how to snap her out of her brainwashing.....

You could….

No….. no you didn't….. want to explain to Fuyuhiko that Peko had a concussion now because the way Algernon fixed your brainwashing was hitting you really upside the head.

That would go over great enough, Algernon would some swimming lessons in concrete flippers!

You didn't need that. And… ultimately the Neo-World Program would fix everything.

But still.

Maybe there was something you could do, her brainwashing was different so maybe she didn't need to feel regret.

Maybe-

Maybe if you had her do something she would be so happy about?

"Hey Peko! What is something you have really wanted to do?" you asked as you leaned forward.

She blinked, staring at you.

"I know you cannot answer that, but just, take me to where it would happen!" you said as your eyes sparkled greatly. "Anything in the world, just grab me and we can go do it!"

She stayed sitting there for a moment and she seemed…. to shrug her shoulders.

"I won't judge you for whatever it is, I promise, just come on. Let's do it together, no time like the present you know!" your encouragements echoed in the room.

Finally, Peko began to shuffle over. She was slow, careful as she got closer to you. Apporaching with one hand outstretching more and more.

"Are you coming to show me what you want to do!?"

She did.

She started to pet you.

You blinked rapidly well Peko smiled with all of the joy in the world as her hand began to go down the length of your hair, going back up and repeating the process. Her other arm around around your waist and pulled you in so she could get a better angle.

You laid on her shoulder, enjoying the hug with a forlorn sigh.

You didn't know what to do to reach her, but even if it was fleeting you seemed to be enough to make her happy. So your hand curled around her back, and batted around the ends of her hair like a cat.

You two eventually fell asleep cuddling.

Fuyuhiko was finally letting you walk around the house by yourself.

It had been a couple of days.

With all of the horrors taken down from the hallway, it was pretty nice. You could see some blood splatters still stained into the wall but you know, can't expect everything to get fixed. The holes ripped into the house were patched up with ply wood right now.

You pulled open one of the doors to the garden and almost jumped when you saw someone was there.

It was just Algernon.

He was staring out, his head propped in his fist as his eyes looked almost…. glazed. It almost looked like…. he was collecting dust.

You tilted your head before you sat down next to him, leaning over to try and look at his expression. It was…. not quite completely flat? There seemed to be a sort of quirk in his brow.

His eyes shifted over to you. "What?"

'Are you…. doing okay?"

He looked at you for a moment, sucked in a breathe and turned his head completely. "Do I have a soul?"

Your mouth fell open. "Are you having an existential crisis?"

He jumped back, shaking his head, his mouth and nose scrunching like a cat. "I am not having a crisis of any kind. I am simply asking a reasonable question," he said before he leaned forward. "I thought the whole idea of souls and the supernatural were absolutely ridiculous, simply ideas dreamed up to make humans more comfortable about the idea of death," he explained and gestured with one and, letting it roll. "And yet now, I have definitive proof that in fact, they are real."

"I would love to deny what happened, however," he gestured his pinkie finger which was decorated by a red ring of still healing flesh. "I cannot simply deny what I witnessed. However, where do I do fall? I am an in a sense artificial being, sculpted from another. Am I a different identity? I believe myself to be, however I know a great deal of my actions are influenced by the remnant of Hajime Hinata."

"Am I simply apart of Hajime's soul? If i do not have a separate soul than myself, what does that make of Chiaki? She is ultimately sentient, as you or I. Is a sentient what grants a soul? Are either of us people or merely false beings?" he was talking rather fast a lot for someone not having a crisis of any kind. "If Hajime and I do not have separate souls, have my actions damned him to hell? Does hell exist? I know it s a complex topic. Is there an after life at all or was Natsumi merely an example of a life clinging on? I was ready to accept death assuming there was nothing after that for me, that I would cease to exist but now I do not have guarantee. Has my soul repla-"

"Okay! okay," you said as you looked around well. "Well, there is the principal of I Think Therefore I Am, so regardless of any of that you do exist and are a person. That is, sort of a foundational thing in philosophy, and a lot of questions are um, in that realm," you said as you gestured with your hands to try and draw attention to you and out of his own head. "I don't even think Natsumi would know the answer to your questions honestly."

"… I suppose the only way to find the answer would be to die, then," he could maybe try again with a different method, he had only used one way before. He flipped his knife out of his suit and you grabbed his wrist.

"I don't think that needs to be the way you find the answer to your question!!!"

"Well you do not know, and no one else does either."

"This- some questions don't have answers," you lowered the hand down so the blade was pointing towards the ground. You had a nervous smile cracking across your lips as you looked at him. "At least, not, not simple ones. Not one answer questions."

Your eyes rolled down to the ground between the two of you. "I…. knowing who you are isn't easy. And you…. certainly have a different, experience than the rest," you said before you patted the top of his hand. "But, you can explore and maybe find that answer. I don't know what to say about the souls thing but…. I….. will try to help you find what I can about yourself," you offered.

"Hmmm……." he put the knife away and nodded his head. "Alright. I should think on it with that answer," he said before he rose to his feet, his hair waving behind him. He looked down at you, the glint of the red moon in his eyes.

You were….

Becoming more and more curious by the second.

All dressed up and ready to go!

Fuyuhiko stood by the front door and rose his shoulders, Peko stood right besides him. "You sure you are ready to go?" Fuyuhiko asked, cringing. "Got everything?" he asked.

You began to pat through all of your pocket s to double check, when your hand thumped against your chest, you felt something that hadn't been there. Bumpy and sort of sharp.

You dug your hand into the pocket and pulled out a key ring with one key fob and then a bedazzled motorcycle key chain.

You gasped. "Their bike!' you exclaimed.

"That's in the garage, come on," Fuyuhiko said and immediately wasted no time in leading you, You were skipping along as the keys jangled in your hand.

"Their bike? Do you mean Natsumi's?"

"Yes! She paid for and rode the bike, but it was Kazuichi's bike because it was his dream project! It's a beast of a machine," you laughed a little before your face turned into a small grimace. "A little scary, but it will get us where we are going and take so little gasoline doing it!"

"Is it electric?"

"Nope! It is just the most fuel efficiency thing in the world," their was not a spare moment Kazuichi did not spend perfecting this bike and Natsumi gave him multiple credit cards to do it.

Fuyuhiko rolled up what appeared to be Natsumi's personal garage given the neon pink decor that flickered to life when power was welcomed in. There were black luxury three cars, a limo, a four seater and then a two seater and then in the center, covered by a tarp.

You squealed as you ripped it off, Peko giving a small clap as you saw the shiny pink paint of the flames that were painted on the chassis. You pulled your backpack off and it fit perfectly in the back, and it would be no feat to fit Algernon's stuff and you!

You clapped your hands together with Peko.

"Woooooooooooooow," Chiaki admired from her camera, her face stretching. You got on the back and felt the nice metal, and reached over to plug the key in.

Fuyuhiko stood back his hands in his pockets as he looked at that death trap, before he looked over at Algernon. His face twisted on itself and Algernon's eyes flicked over.

"I didn't take you as one who'd ever hesitate on what they wanted to say."

"It isn't for you!!!" he said hissing out before he yanked his head away, obvious stewing before Algernon's eyes.

"I am not Hajime but this is his body," Algernon sighed. "If you think saying some words to it will bring you comfort, I don't care."

Fuyuhiko clenched his fist before his entire body relaxed for the first time around him. He truly looked almost like a child. "…. Then I just want to say I am sorry, for what I said. I honest to god didn't mean a word of it." he said.

Hajime clenched his jaw before giving a nod of acknowledgement and then Algernon turned around and began to walk towards the bike, plopping the hot pink and black helmet on your head with a plunk sound as your hair was sucked in.

He pulled his leg over the side and gave the ignition a turn of the key, and the park sparked to life, the engine purring.

"So… so you are going to take it easy to start right?" you asked.

Immediately after you said that, the bike in full throttle and you clinging your hand around his waist, clinging on for dear life as he tested the limits of Kazuichi's handy work immediately.

Better than he was expecting.

From the hill above Fuyuhiko watched as the motorcycle sped further and further off in the distance, the pink knife in his hand as his one eye compressed, looking down at it.

"Hope you aren't too cross with me…. for not letting you see the world with them," he said.

The wind laughed at him as he felt a warmth wrappined around his shoulder. He couldn't hear the words but he felt the message. 'And see you try and be a goodie goodie? I wouldn't miss it for the damn world!"

He let out a content sigh and closed his eye….

Before his hat was tossed off of his head.

His face fell into his palm as he let out a long, disgruntled sigh this time.

Of course.

Oh well- at least she was the more agitating thing he would be dealing with for the future, and she couldn't do that much to him.

"Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu?" the cold voice of the ice king Byakuya Togami rang out from the hilltop, his arms crossed over his chest. "Consider it an honor, from this point forward you are working under the Future Foundation, I have been instructed to keep an eye on you and conduct your training."

"Oh fuck no."

Natsumi made the wind howl with her cackling.

"Now I really gotta stick around for this!"

Chapter Text

Algernon was beginning to become certain he was coming down with something since you both landed on the Chinese mainland.

It had started with a noticeable increase in his heart rate. It wasn't an alarming, necessarily, but the increase from 83bpm to 90bpm was enough to spark his concern.

More than that, he had noticed a red tint in his cheeks along with an unfamiliar warmth. When he had checked himself with the thermomotor, he didn't get registered as having as a fever. Yet he knew he was hot.

His stomach also kept curling around itself in almost a sort of nausea. He had not found himself throwing up yet, but how much longer until then was a curiosity.

The last thing was of notice to him is when he looked into the side mirror. He could see you tucked against his back, and his pupils were significantly dilated.

What in the world was he coming down with?

He would have to track it to ensure it didn't get too severe.

Algernon stopped his bike over a pile of rubble that made a hill overlooking Forbidden City had been.

Had.

You pulled of the biker helmet as you stared down at the golden shower of lantern lights beamed out from scarlet railings and fences. The Ancient Chinese Palace having been torn to the ground, only to have in it's place a intimation of the style of the city of Yoshiwara.

The buildings spanned in about a two mile radius, they made long hallways of building streets and you could see people walking around, it looked honestly to be bustling in a sense. You could see a whole lot of men wandering the streets, most of them looked pretty disheveled well there was a peppering of fine young ladies dressed in kimonos, who giggled at their misery.

In the very center of all of the buildings you could see a massive stage, spotlights shining in every direction with a classic pine tree in the back. There was something odd about what should have been the seating area, you'd need to be closer to see what it was. It's backdrop was a large traditional Japanese Palace.

It looked like it had once been a pagoda, with the roofing ripped off and replaced in a different style.

"…. Wow," you said looking down.

"What is with that tone?" he asked. "It looks more lively than everywhere else we have been," looking at the men they weren't armed for combat. The women….. there were a few who could have been, but none of them would be are fearsome in battle as the likes of Akane or Peko.

"I just…. It's kind of nice to see something so familiar, I guess," you admitted before you brought your lips together. "But… I know that this isn't supposed to be here."

"Considering most of the world is a wasteland, nothing is necessarily supposed to be here."

"That- Is not what I mean," you said as you gestured down. "There was a culture here, one that was wiped out and then had something built on of it by the very person who destroyed it…. though…. I guess it isn't much more horrible than what everyone else had done," you admitted as you kept speaking.

"… When it is all tragic no sense in comparing it," Algernon said as he put a hand in his pocket. "That is why the Future Foundation has an Anthropologic Restoration program, after the remnant is gone from here they can start working here."

"I guess….. they can recreate what was here, but….. I don't doubt that the Future Foundation is going to be bias…."

Your sour face….. he huffed. "There is no point in dwelling on it. We have a job here, do you have any information on said job?"

"Ah, well it's definitely Hiyoko, she was the traditional dancer. She had….. a lot of personality. I am honestly shocked how," you gestured. "Put together everything looks," you began to walk forward, navigating down the stones well Algernon was right behind you.

"Personality is vague."

"Mean, she was very mean," you clarified. "She was…. sort of like Fuyuhiko but even more bark and less bite? She….. did grow a lot in the time I knew her, though."

So even more annoying then the blonde brat, then. Algernon huffed through his nose. "Bothersome."

"It should be at least less….." you rolled your hand. "More like Kazuichi then Akane or Fuyuhiko?"

"Easier?"

"That is it!" easier for him at the very least. You…. might think it would be more accurate to say more like Ernest then Kazuichi.

You should at least be safe, though.

The opening of the new built city was in front of you both, the light shining upon you and tinting your white undershirt with it's warm yellow.

There stalls lining the streets with… with food! Traditional Japanese street food. Each one of the stands was being manned by withered men.

"Takoyaki!!!! Come get Takoyaki!!!" one of the men saw you and almost was reaching over the counter to get your attention. "Hungry!? Takoyaki! Good for the soul!!!"

"Gyoza!!! You want some gyoza, don't you young miss? Don't you want to buy some gyoza from me?!"

"Sweet girls want sweet things!!!" another men yelled as he was almost throwing himself over the counter. "I am right, aren't I!? Get a treat in the form of a crepe!!! Come get a crepe!!! We have vanilla!!!!"

You recoiled back as all of them seemed to jump you, every man on the block seeing two brand new people seemed to all start begging for a smudge of the attention, a chance of getting cash you did not have.

You whimpered from the amount of sound.

Algernon's ears twitched and he glanced down at you, before glaring at the herd of desperate vendors. All of them slammed their mouths shut at the mere look.

He wrapped his arm around your shoulder and pulled you closer to him. Your mouth fell open and looked up at him, before closing it and looking ahead. He kept his eyes on every single one of the men as he walked by, and once he was certain a point was made he stepped away, making a fast pace forward.

He did not appericate the amount of eyes on you, or on himself for that matter.

Up on the higher levels the several girls all dressed in different levels of kimonos. There were a handful of girls who wore plan green ones, their hair tied back tight with a little dirt on their face, but still far better off then all of the vendors you had seen. From there each kimono got fancier and more elaborate.

In higher rooms, some of the women leaning over with pipes in hands, had gold or other metals weaved into the fabric of theirs, making them glitter in the lantern light. They wore different traditional masks which they lifted to show their mouths, and take drags of their tobacco.

"My, my, it is not very often we get handsome looking young men," a woman stepped forward with straight and long bright pink hair. She was wearing a Kitsune mask but pulled it off, revealing her seductive golden eyes peeking out from long black eye lashes. She was dressed in striking robes that looked as if they were crafted from rubies with how they sparkled, projecting colored light in every direction. There were darts of golden and emerald threads that weaved into the design of flowers. She leaned forward. 'Also remarkably clean! Have you already had a chance to visit the bathhouse?"

"No."

Her eyes seemed to sparkle, her lips curling into a smirk. "Interesting, interesting!!! Tell me, what is it that brings someone like you here," she asked as she leaned forward.

"We are here to see Hiyoko Sanoji," you declared, bringing a hand to your chest and lightly glaring at this woman.

She looked over at you and her mouth formed an 'o'. "My you are rather ambitious aren't you, wanting to meet with the Head Lady," the woman said as she put a hand on her cheek. "She is rather exclusive you know~!"

"What would we need to do to meet with her?"

"Wellllll,' she tapped her chin with a perfectly red finger nail. "There are a few different routes. The top courtesans do get to have special meetings with the lady," she pulled her lip down as she smirked. "We haven't had a male courtesan before, but you could really cut the mold. I can see you simply speeding through being a maiko," she said as she walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. "You'd be quite popular~"

Algernon jolted his shoulder to knock her hand off, and your chest and head puffed up.

"He is 18!" "I am not interested."

"Awww," she sighed before shrugging her shoulders. "Alright, alright, well…. You can do what most of the other men do," she shrugged looking at all the almost destitute looking vendors before turning back to Algernon.

"What is that?"

"Get yourself up to dress code to participate in the Lady's special challenge," the fox of a lady had a grin to match. "For most common people it is the only way to manage to get a meeting with her….. though, I certainly would not recommend it."

"What is the challenge?" Algernon asked.

"Why it is rather simple, all you have to do is keep up with her in a single dance! For anyone able to do that, it is said she will make their dreams come true," she put a finger to her lips. "Between me and you though, from my understanding the very few men who get past only ever get a dream of heaven."

"We only have a message to deliver to her, is there anyway to…. just have him give her that?" you asked.

"Those are the two only sensible ways to win a meeting with her…" she seemed to think about it. "You could attempt to break into her room but that never goes well. The lady is always very well guarded and even more capable herself."

Algernon sighed. 'What are the requirements for this 'challenge'?"

"You have to dress and have proper makeup for the occasion, which tend to cost about 150 monocoins. Then if you truly want a chance it is best to get lessons from one of the more experienced Geisha's which can run anywhere from 300 to 600 monocoins to actually be good enough to succeed in our little game. Oh also a fan is required which is about another 30 coins. Once you have the money I can-"

Before she could finish the statement Algernon disappeared, his after image remaining for a moment and you could just barely see him.

Behind stalls and the men who ran them. He jumped into their shadows silently. Having your eye out for him was the only reason you noticed him at all as he snatched coin purse after coin purse. He seemed to raid every man along the line before he was back in front of you and the lady.

"180 monocoins," he said as he held the coin purse of the first man he stole it from, the metal jangling inside.

The lady stared at him before she burst into laughter. "You certainly are quick!!! You might have a genuine chance!" she put a hand to her chest. "I do not think I have introduced myself, I go by Lady Tamamo…. but you," her fox eyes were set on Algernon. "Can call me Lihua, if you want to~"

"I don't."

"Tamamo? As in Tamamo-no-Mae?" you asked raising an eyebrow as you looked down at the Kitsune mask in her hand.

She giggled before grinning. "You are well read~ Indeed the very same. The lady said I really fit her," she put a hand over her own bosom as she said that. "I cannot help but agree," she giggled to herself as her eyes set on you before bursting into a new set of royal laughter upon seeing your face. 'You don't seem to find that to be flattering."

"…. I cannot say I would want to be remembered as such an infamous femme fatale-" what else to call a fox who could get emperor's to overthrow their own empires in her name.

"I am quite surprised you don't," she said as she glanced over at Algernon before back at you, her grin growing ever the wider. "But perhaps one day you will~"

"What do that mean?"

"Merely it is fun to hold the leash," she said before she turned her back. "Come now, I will take you to the best tailor….. but her kimonos tend to cost a tad more, closer to about 300 monocoins," she said as she started walking, and whilst you were wandering down the street, Algernon gathered up the rest of the gold.

"So…. um, are both of us going to do this?" you asked as the shop got closer and closer. "Or just you? Or- with the fact it is dancing, could be a chance to show off my practice," you said as you did some finger guns.

"It will be me, more then the fact I have not taught you the style it is best for you to rest, you have done quite enough."

You have done quite enough!? Your body went rigid as you gave him a side look. What did he mean by that? Had you done too much? But you both had just got here!!! Your frenzy of thought resulted in you getting slightly behind him and Tamamo, so you chased ahead, your head turning getting a view across to another point.

Surrounded by several women in masks and standing on stilted shoes, you could only get a glance at her. Her clothes were fine but hard to see amongst the people surrounded her. Her hair was tied in a tight, braided bun, her hands put together in front of her. You couldn't see her face, because it too was covered by a mask.

Hers was that of an Oni.

She thankful didn't notice either of you, partly due to how swarmed she was by men deseperate to get even slightly close to her.

The close women around her ensured that was impossible for them though, shoving them to the ground and making them all even more dirty as they crawled on the ground, staring up to try and bask in Hiyoko in anyway they could.

Despite not seeing her expression, you could feel the glee coming off of her at seeing the sight as she walked forward, disappearing from your sight just as quickly as she had come into it.

You turned your head to see Algernon and Tamano entering into a shop without you, and jogged to catch up.

You knocked on the door of the dressing room. What luck for both of you she was having one of her challenges the very day you showed up…. so Algernon was hard at work getting prepared. You probably should just leave him be, but you did want to find some way to help.

In truth… you wanted to do more than merely help, but apparently you had done 'quite enough'.

"Come in."

You slide the door open and your breathe left you. Your face turned red when you saw his face.

He had done an emulate job of his own makeup. His skin shined with a waxy hue from the abura applied, but he had mostly skipped on the white powder around keeping his skin rather tan in comparison to history, but that was fine to have some alterations.

That was very fine, for in some ways to blended with in others made the red pop that he had colored his eyes and lips with. His neck tilted to one side and it appeared longer due to the eriashi lines carefully painted on.

The way he had styled his makeup reminded you a tad more for a flamenco dancer rather than a traditional Japanese one, but that was no criticism. Beauty was beauty no matter the origin.

To finish the appearance he had tied his hair up, it remained up in the air in loops but each strand end went in a different direction, framing his face.

You would have been envious how pretty he was if you weren't so utterly enchanted by the look.

Your eyes traced down to his choice in kimono and your whole body lurched. "Ah! You tied it wrong!' you said as you snapped out of your haze, speed walking over to him and began to fumble with the cloth to adjust it. Algernon held his hands out and glared down at you.

'How?"

"You have it left side over, but it has to be the right side," you said as you somehow didn't notice the lack of distance between the both of you, and how handsy you were being.

Algernon's eyebrows furrowed when you did. "Why??"

"Well, it's a cultural thing. You only have it left side over for a corpse at a funeral," you explained as you finished retying the front, and pulling the shoulders up then flatting them down to make sure it is neat. "Hiyoko will get really upset if she notices," you said as you finally looked back up at his pretty face.

"I see," he way he was looking down at you now.

Ohhhhhhh goodness-

Oh oh oh goodness.

Your cheeks flared red and you took a quick step back feeling claustrophobia beginning to grasp you. You let out a nervous laugh. "Y-yep!!! But you did pick a great outfit! So- so," you put double thumbs up because well and truly he had picked something so perfectly suited for himself it made you feel dizzy.

Black with red carnations and their leaves splattered and wrapping up his body, the sleeves covered in pedals as if they were flowing right out of his arms. Every slight movement of his arms or legs translated into grand elegant sways of the garment. The tie around the waist was black with a red sash and you could notice, a second green sash tied underneath acting as the a pop of contrasting color.

You managed to tie it back pretty well, but you watched as he adjusted it, making it perfect in every way.

You pulled your hands in tight, fiddling with your fingers. He really was always regal. In a tyrannically sense most of the time but…. even still he was pretty.

"So you won't have any trouble!"

"I know."

You let out a small laugh that could have been translated to a cough. "Ahhh of course you do. Well… I have finished what I came here to do!" man your face felt hot as you waved a hand in front of you rapidly. "So- see you, when you are performing," you slide the door and still kept your head in the room, giving him one more once over for the road. "Good luck!"

You slammed the door, leaving Algernon by himself. He picked up the red fan he had selected, folded in on itself. Your face was vivid in his mind and he let out a huff, his cheeks growing to match yours as he kept thinking about your cherry red face.

You were always so strange.

"What a wonderful crowd we have tonight!!!" Lady Tamamo removed her mask so she could look out upon the cheering crowd. The women had found themselves on the upper layers, all getting a great view of the stage. You were squeezed in among them, being able to see the second floor. The one that Algernon was in. "And look at our handsome competitors!!!"

There were two other men, one who had thoroughly smoothed out his appearance putting on a blue robe with clouds well the other had crusty white makeup stuck on the beard he didn't shave, a geomtry black kimono on. There was also one girl. Her shoulders were back and looked so determined in her pink robe.

"If you look at your arenas you will notice their own theming!"

Each one was divided into several tiles, an 8 by 8 square of different places to land.

Algernon's nose scrunched as electricity sprinted in a circle around him before all but the tiles he currently were standing on were alight with an electric buzz.

"The rules are rather simple, follow our enchanting lady in her steps to win a night to grant all of your dreams," the crowd all around gave a cheer at the mere mention. Lustful longing in the eyes of the men well the girls hardened their face in a sense of competition.

"With out further a due, then," the first few notes of the samisen rained down from below as Lady Tamamo stepped away, gesturing with out with her arm. "Introducing our lovely lady of the village, the one the only-"

Her declaration rang out as the spotlights shined down upon her.

The Ultimate Traditional Dancer, Hiyoko Sanoji

Also known as the Geisha of Despair.

She held one arm out, covering her oni masked face with a bright red fan with cherry blossoms. She wore a golden kimono that was decorated with pink, white and orange flowers that were indented into the fabric. She moved her arms making the fabric of the kimono sway with her movements. They started out simple, however it wasn't long before she was bounding across the arena, clicking tiles which made the corresponding ones safe for the competitors. Twirling and twisting around, the sound of a foot on the wooden pressure plates, mixed with the sound of porcelain

Spinning on her left legs in front of her players, she allowed her right leg to be present. Molded bone porcelain that that had been modeled perfectly into the shape of Junko's dainty foot. The cracks that had been filled with gold reflected off of the spotlight.

Algernon followed each step perfectly, the movements flowing through him like water. This felt even more like a second nature to him than other tasks. His speed at which he copied and predicted exactly what the lady would do was astonishing, the electricity never once threatening him.

Not everyone in the group was fairing so well.

The man with the spikes did not leap in time, a bamboo spike going through his foot. He screamed in pain before trying to rip his foot out. It only caused him to fall backwards onto the sharp spikes, gurgling on his own blood.

The crowd roared at the entertainment. The girls all laughed and giggled well the men jeered and mocked. Your head swung around and around to look at how they could all cheer.

It only became louder as the girl with the hot plates let out a hiss as the bottom of her foot was seared off. She managed to keep going for a bit longer, until the other foot was burned even worse. She felled to her hands and she cried as her finger prints burned off, the scent of fresh pork wafting through the stadium as she cooked to death.

"Gyoza!!!! Get your pork gyoza!!!!" one of the vendor men yelled, carrying a pack in front of him and having pre-made trays of the stuff inside of it.

Algernon sneered as Hiyoko picked up the pace of her movements, the tempo of the music increasing right along side her.

The final man let out a scream as his foot plunged into the water, immedately one of the pirhana koi latched it's sharp teeth into his calf. His other leg fell in as the panel dropped, and soon they were nawing on his bones.

He was the only one left.

He was truly mesmerizing in his grace and beauty. He kept up with Hiyoko, twisting on the ball of his foot as he rose the fan in copy with Hiyoko.

You knew he could do it- and yet. "Come on, Algernon!!!! Keep it up!!!" you called, before you kept cheering him on. He was fantastic it- was hard not too!!!

Algernon's eyes set on you for a moment, and his steps got lighter. The silk of his kimono flew in the air as he swept the air with his fan. Hiyoko twirled round and around and he copied, making direct eye contact with you.

The way he looked up at you, it made your cheeks turn red.

You noticed his movements grind to a halt, and your head turned to see what Hiyoko was doing…. and she had stopped herself.

The yellow eyes of the red mask were boring up at you until one hand reached up, pulling it off. She tilted it to one side well her head tilted to the other, her eyes swirling in the blackest pits. Her teeth cracked together as her lips parted.

"YOU!" she shrieked.

She launched forward and Algernon tried to intersect her, but she slammed her foot down on a button that made electrified iron fences dart up around him. If he had not managed to redirect he surely would have been shocked to the death.

She landed onto one roof top, like a swan she flew higher and higher, very quickly closing what was once a comfortable distance between audience and performer. All of the men below watched in awe well the women all gasped and stepped away from you.

Your body turned and you started to sprint down the hallway, Chiaki thumping on your body with every stride you took, trying to get as far down that hall as fast as possible!

One real foot and then one glass foot, you could hear them interchange as they thunked, being backed up by the sound of Hiyoko screaming in utter rage.

You made it down a straight and nearly fell over when something dug into your arm. You turned back and saw Hiyoko had small pink blades in her hands, that were shaped like flower pedals.

She threw a batch at you and you barely swerved out of the way, and they dug into the wooden railing down the rest of the hall. She had more where they came from though.

You took a sharp turn, holding your injured shoulder as you threw open a door before she made it down the hallway, shutting it behind you.

You looked around before seeing a window and you ran out, looking down at the railing.

By the stage, there was a box with an operating man in it.

You began to run across the balcony before you leapt across and landed on one of the roof, leaving a thin trail of blood behind you.

The poor, tired looking man turned to you and his eyes went wide. He got up from his chair and immediately jumped away to avoid what he presumed to be wraith. You dragged yourself up, letting out heavy haggard breathes as you could see stars.

You made it to the box and looked at all of the different outlets and unplugged Chiaki from the Data-Pad, and shoved her into the slot. "Free Algernon, alright!?"

"I am on it."

You nodded and turned your head from where you had came.

Just as Hiyoko stood from where you had came. "FOUND YOU. YOU STUPID S L U T!!!!" her voice echoed across the entire town.

You looked around and saw a cord of lanterns secured to the end of the roof. You slide down and ignored the pain as you ripped the bolt out and swung down, landing on the dirt path below.

Hiyoko slide down from the roof tops, having her faux foot take the brunt of the impact to the ground. "GET THEM!" she demanded pointed her fan.

The hordes of men all looked from their stands and the girls on the roofs locked like hawks onto you.

You gritted your teeth as you went into the first building, throwing a poor girl to the side to make sure you could get through the door.

It smelled like soap and incenses as you brushed straight past the hostess who tried to catch you, but you were quicker even with the blood that left you.

Hiyoko was bursting into the building after you and you ran down a long hallway and opened a door, grabbing a bucket full of soapy water on the inside before throwing it behind you.

The lack of traction given by porcelain came in useful for you as Hiyoko lost her footing, slipping and slamming into a wall giving you a head start.

Not a big enough one to escape the screaming of rage. "I AM GOING TO CATCH YOU, YOU WHORE!!!"

Hiyoko's footsteps had gathered themselves again and from the end of the hallway

Stars were peeking through the side of your visions and you were getting slower and slower. In the hallways there was a maiko girl in a green robe as Hiyoko managed to catch up. Her pedal flew down the hall and your eyes went wide seeing how in the way the girl was. You dove to the side, shoving her to wall and gasped for breathe as your right thigh was pierced.

The girl got down.

You readjusted yourself and began to go down the hallway, swerving and trying to avoid as many pedals as you could but more ripped your future foundation suit.

You made it to the next turn and ran into a room in the middle of the hall, just before Hiyoko could get you, you barely managed to get the door closed.

One knee fell and you held your head down, your lungs couldn't fill with new oxygen fast enough.

You couldn't keep running.

Physically you couldn't and it certainly wasn't getting you anywhere. Your blood was pooling underneath you and you closed your eyes.

What were you going to do? What were you going to do? What-

You were going to do what you should do.

You used the door to pull yourself up from the ground and opened the door.

Hiyoko was halfway to you, her lips curling when she saw you and sent another barage of blades towards your head.

You moved to the side and smiled at her. "Hey, Hiyoko. Sorry, about running," you let out a heavy breathe as you kept a slow pace as you moved towards her.

She recoiled, her teeth showing. She found more cherry blossom blades and sent another line.

One more sank into your shoulder and you cringed, closing one eye. "I am sorry about a lot of things. LIke not taking your hand. I, I know you were scared and I….. I was too."

"Shut up!" she demanded and sank some into your other forearm.

"That isn't an excuse, honestly it….. maybe things would have ended at least better," that was debatable but perhaps you could have found Alexis with her? You didn't know. "But, I got even more things then that!"

"I said, Shut up!!!" she repeated and reached into her pockets, she was out of the cherry blossom blades.

"You see," you almost fell over but you caught yourself on the wall, panting and keeping a smile on her face. "There is something I really should have told you, when it happened, but there was so much going on I…. I completely forgot."

She found a different blade attached to her side, she gripped the handle closer. "Don't get closer!!!" there were tears in the corner of her eyes.

"After we all told the Headmaster fuck you," you let out a laugh saying that, what a time. "I… I saw the scores for the examines," you were close to her and she shuffled away from you a little.

"I said stop! Y-you slut!"

"You got an 85," you held out your hands and put one on her shoulder. The knife sank into your side and your eyes rolled back as you fell into her. "And somehow I forgot to tell you how proud I was," the knife pushed deeper as you hugged her.

Hiyoko's lips were shaking and she half pushed you off, her arms were behind her back as she looked at you, her eyes darting around tears streaming down as you were bleeding out in front of her.

"You- YOU IDIOT!!!!" her voice cracked.

You had her.

You tried to push yourself up, but you slipped in your own blood.

You didn't have anything left.

Shit.

No!

Hiyoko hit the ground.

"NO!!!!"

Dammit! You weren't lucid enough to keep yourself from weeping as you bleed out next to Hiyoko, your blood staining her outfit.

The world faded in and out with your choked and heaving breathes.

You saw no one.

Then Algernon in the hallway.

Then he was standing right over you, and applying pressure to your wounds.

Then everything was black.

You sat up on the futon, cringing as you put a hand over your side.

You looked around the paper and wooden room and examined your new medical robe, different than your medical gown. You closed your mouth letting out a groan from your throat, throwing your head down.

Water hit the ground.

"Dammit!" you cursed, pounding your fist onto the futon. "God dammit!!!"

"Hey- hey."

Your head shot up, noticing the Data-Pad right next to you. You gaped like a fish.

"What's wrong? Do you wanna to talk about it?" she asked tilting her head to the side.

Your head turned to the side. You didn't want but your eyes peeked back and she now had her whole avatar present, and every part of her body language emulated the concern you had made the AI feel. You couldn't really just claim to be fine, it was an obvious lie.

"… I couldn't save her… I couldn't…. do it…."

"That not true," Chiaki said her head moving back to normal. "I know you wanted to get rid of the brainwashing like what you did with Fuyuhiko."

"What Natsumi did," you corrected.

"Hmmm…. you think? She was using your body," Chiaki pointed out.

"It was her soul who fought the battle, so it was her skill, her sense and her confidence…. I was just a vehicle." you didn't even remember anything from the event anyway.

Chiaki pursued her lips. "That's… true, but it would have been impossible with out you. And more than that, you still defeated Hiyoko and once everything is done she will be in the Neo-World Program. She is saved."

"I….."

"What does it matter if it happens now or later?"

"I…. that is right," you just had to be patient.

"I understand your disappointment, and that is okay to feel, but don't think you failed her, okay? She will be okay," Chiaki gave you a smile.

You wiped your eyes and nodded your head. "You are right…… just gotta get to the final page," you reminded with a small smile. Just gotta get to the final page.

Chiaki pursued her lips and the speaker began to vibrate before the audio paused, the door being slide open as Izuru walked in with a tray of rice porridge containing some rehydrated and then blended berries. He blinked when he saw you awake.

"You are already awake," he said as he walked over and placed the tray in your lap, sitting by your side. You blinked at how close he leaned to you, staring into your eyes and looking around your face. He picked up your hand and you blushed as he put your wrist to his ear. "Mmmm…. stronger then I expected," he said before he let go of you.

Your mouth hung open before you forced it closed and looked at the food. "Ah, thank you," you said as you looked down at the tray. You…. were sort of surprised. The type of food, seemed like it was prepared to be served to someone unconscious, which you had been for awhile…. with the blood loss maybe even a day.

Well….. you supposed if you died of starvation in your sleep the game would end.

"Eat."

"I will!" you said as you picked up the spoon, beginning to get it down in front of him, he had found some honey and added that too. You were hungry and the sweet taste of the honey made you snarf it down faster. You put the empty bowl to the side. "Thank you, Algernon."

"…. Hm," he looked away, his hair covering his entire face, so you could not see the way his entire face was tinted red.

A more prominent example of the symptoms, and it was brought on by you... Odd…..

You looked at him for a moment before there was a long silence that came over the room. You kept staring at him even as you lowered yourself onto the futon. Part of you had to wondered if he was annoyed…. that he had been forced to take care of you.

He didn't seem to be, but you couldn't shake the feeling that he might have been.

Your nerves were on fire even as you tried to cool in the bed, closing your eyes before your mind jumped back to Hiyoko speaking of people who were annoyed with you.

You had saved her…. but….. ahhh the disappointment still filled your hollow bones.

You turned away from him, your hands together.

Algernon narrowed his eyes as he looked at you. Something familiar bubbled up, he was used to it when he could see your face.

Your. His eyes bulged.

Your sad face.

He observed you, everything about your body told him what he needed to know without seeing your face.

You were sad.

And he didn't like that.

He didn't like seeing you sad.

Algernon's hands pulled into a curl as his entire body cringed.

How did he fix this?

His eyes zoomed around your body, before they caught on the Data-Pad.

He got it!

"You are fond of those audiobooks, right?" Algernon asked as his eyes were to the side of the room, shifting how he was sitting so he got more comfortable. Your shoulder's rose and your head perked. "Put one on you think I would enjoy. I am…. curious what else is there."

"Really!?" Your whole body turned in away you might pop out your own stitches, but the rainy mood had disappeared into a beaming smile, one that made his entire body settle as the glow cast a warmth upon him.

"Yes."

Your sucked in a breathe. "Oh- oh Chiaki! Put on The Count of Monte Cristo please!!!"

"Okay."

Other things had come up so you couldn't quite finish the whole novel with Algernon, but you had recovered enough to walk! You made slow pace, peeking into the now unlocked rooms. It was impressive how fast the Future Foundation cleared everyone out of here. You admittedly thought this place seemed pretty safe… but you supposed they didn't have the resources to decentralize yet.

Could be a good place to house people once they could though. At least as a good starting facility. After things got rebuilt then perhaps it could be remodeled to fit here better.

You slide open a new door and gasped out.

Jackpot!!!

You found Hiyoko's private pantry!!! You clapped your hands together as you began to dig through all the still good snacks she had kept in here. It was a colorful assortment of wagashi. There were jars of konpito, , shiny wrappers of yokan, and….. boxes upon boxes of different types of mochi.

You stared at the one you had opened of Kashiwa.

Oh you had an idea now. You pondered it for a moment before you looked at the stacks of wood…. He might kill you. He might find away to do it but…. maybe it was a spike of mischief due to Hiyoko, or a sliver of spite left from Natsumi…. or perhaps you just thought it would be funny ig nothing else.

You started sorting through the fancy wooden boxes, pulling them open. Each one had nine slots but there were varying levels of empty. namagashi, daifuku, hishi mochi, and then finally

Kusa mochi and sakura mochi.

"Hey Algernon," you found him in the room you had been staying in, a smile on your face as you had the three boxes, and balanced upon all of that was a black tray with all of the things required for an oben temae, including a round fancy wooden box that had matcha in it. "Do you wanna to do a tea ceremony well we are here?"

Algernon took the tray before it could spill over and looked over all of the items. "… I don't have any refusal but what brought this on?"

"Well, we can't really take all of this stuff with us, it's not like it will keep out there, but it's all good right now, and so why not enjoy it and make it special?" you asked with a big smile on your face.

"Again, I have no refusal," he looked down at you, taking in your expression, He felt the muscles in his neck strain as he swallowed his owns Adam's apple. "Is there anything you would like me to do to prepare?"

You almost fell over when he asked, but your smile grew as you held the boxes closer. "Well if you want to dress up, perhaps grab us a couple of kimonos? To match the whole thing," you said as you nodded your head. "And then I can set everything up in here!"

"Alright," he placed the tray down on the ground. "I will return shortly, then."

He was being so…. agreeable! It almost made you feel bad for what would happen next…. but to late to back down now!!!!

You had arranged a plate for the mochi, setting it in such away that the kusa mochi was the nearest one to Algernon, followed by the sakura and then closest to you, kashiwa. You smiled as you finished setting everything out and double checking the tray.

Algernon sat in front of you, dressed in the same kimono as before, and for you he had grabbed a bright blue one that danced lighter blue Camellia, you had also tied your hair back in something tighter to make sure it didn't get in the way.

You took in a breathe before you bowed your head, beginning the first steps of the tea ceremony as your eyes focused on what you were doing and with which movements to clean the tray.

You moved right along with scooping the tea and Algernon watched your every move. He couldn't… see the point of this, but you seemed pleased well doing it.

So that was something.

"Did you learn this from a book?" he asked.

You shook your head as you focused on the whisk. "…. Hiyoko actually taught me, and some of the other girls too," you said as the green matcha went around and around. "She took us to the hot spring and well we were there, she performed one and then explained all the steps afterwards," you smiled as you repeated her movements verbatim.

You stopped whisking and moved the bowl to your right hand, before picking up the kettle and pouring the water into the tray. "She was very through, even quizzed us all afterwards," you chuckled at the memory.

"You remembered well, from my understanding," he said.

You wiped off the table in the way of the ceremony, before you began the final steps, putting everything away and returning with a bow.

There was a moment of silence before you bounced up, looking down at your steaming hot cup of tea. Algernon took his cup and took a sip of the piping hot tea.

He closed his eyes, ah yes…. it was similar to green tea.

He liked this.

"Now we can eat," you said as you picked up the oak leaf wrapped mochi, eyeing the white inside for a moment before your eyes bounced up to Algernon.

You had an innocent smile as you slide the plate of mochi over to him, holding your kashiwa in one hand before taking a bite of the white filling, your eyes never leaving Algernon.

Algernon studied the plate before he picked up one of the green soft and squishy treat. He pressed his fingers on the flesh of the kusamochi. He inspected it in the air before he finally took a bite.

His eyes went wide at the mugwort flavor that ran over his tongue. He took another bite soon after before he began to chew thoroughly. This was unprecedentedly tasty. He shoved the rest of it down before his eyes scanned the plate.

Once he had swallowed the first bit of the wonderful earth, his eyes scanned the plate and he scooped up one of the pink colored mochi wrapped in a leaf.

He snarfed the entire thing down in one bite.

Immediately the sakura mochi was wet, lightly chewed, and on the floor.

His tongue hung out as his hand cringed, he recoiled away from the offending food item. "Awful."

"Snrt- hehehe-" You covered your mouth with one hand to try and contain your giggling, but it didn't do you much good. Soon you were howling with laughter. "HAHAHAHAHAHA," your nostrils pulled in on themselves as you snorted loudly. You looked back up at his offended expression before your laughter got more intense.

You smacked your knees as you gasped for breathe. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!" your laughter was bouncing off the wooden floor and the floor making it so it was the only sound in the room. You wheezed as you finally managed to get a look at his face before the laughter began a new.

He had a whole new expression on, blown up eyes and his mouth slightly hanging open, hand covering his heart.

You pointed a finger at him before the finger curled back from the force of your laughter. "I got you!!!" you snickered as you clapped your hands in front of you. "I really got you!!!"

Algernon didn't have any response, because for the next 15 minutes you had convinced him he was experiencing a heart attack.

After it failed to kill him though, he finally realized what he had come down with.

Algernon was in love with you.

Chapter Text

The book fell to silence as the ending played, and Algernon looked down at the ground, his lips contorting.

"What did you think?" you asked as you sat on your futon. You were being treated to one more day of comfort because of how fast the bike was, and you could use a bit more recovery time.

"I don't understand the ending. Why didn't he take that money and kill him? Danglars was the one who lead the downfall of his life. I would have seen him dead a thousand time over," Algernon said as his eyes narrowed.

'Well, he um, he decided there were better things then revenge, and he did repent."

"That was meaningless, the words did not change the years suffering in the Chateau D'if nor do they prove any real intent to change," Algernon said as he propped his hand on his head. "If you ask me, enjoying the suffering is the best part of revenge."

Your eyes went a little wide. "It…. is?"

"I believe one of my best memories was watching the life slowly leave that man's eyes as I cut him down to size," Algernon stared down at his hand, he hadn't let any blood flow out until near the very end but feeling it cover his hands, oh it was wonderful. To be exact, it was probably his second best memory.

…. Only really surpassed by the memory of being the source of your laughter.

Your eyes were very wide and your smile was forced and unstable.

Oh- maybe you really shouldn't have pranked him. He… he didn't seem upset about it, not now but….

Over the last couple days he had been very nice to you. He had already been warming up to you, at least a little but since that mochi prank it was…. strange how he was acting.

Was he setting up a revenge? Being sweet like you had done only to leave you with a nasty surprise?

It made a chill run down your spine, given how much he was capable of.

"I see….." you said nodding your head. You felt sweat on the back of your neck, did you…. ask? Did you just prepare for it? Was he even actually mad about it? You really should have remember he didn't like you. Your stomach hurt. "Who was your favorite character?" you blurted out, trying to think about what to do, your breathing felt like it was getting heavier.

"Edmund, even I have a lot of questions about his actions," Algernon huffed. "Mercedes was the one he was very much in love with and he was beginning to form quite the relationship with Albert, they easily could have had a happy life together. It's…. I would have assumed given how young she is and the circumstances, Haydee would be closer to a daughter."

You cringed. "Yaaaaaaaaa there are aspects that have aged poorly to say the least. There are a few movies and a musical where he gets with Mercedes at the end instead. I much prefer that ending admittedly," you let out a small laugh at that, your shifting to the side. "But the idea is that he starting a fresh new life, all of the bonds of his past cut and now he can breathe the air of freedom with the new people in his life….. but yes there are a lot of problems with that whole thing. Literature is not always clean and it is important to look at what the time period is and the flaws that existed due to the author's point of view, but also learn from the good messages and themes."

Algernon hummed. "I see….. who is your favorite?"

"Oh I would say Edmund," you put your hands together and looked at Chiaki before giving a nervous look at him. "Hey Chiaki, do you think you could play Hell to Your Doorstep from the Count of Monte Cristo musical?"

"Okay."

The music started to play and Algernon's eyes landed on the Data-Pad, watching as the lyrics went across the screen and hummed.

"I think this is good. What other songs does it have?"

The bike certainly made travel faster.

Algernon had one earbud in, and you had the other one under your helmet, your head was against his back to protect yourself to the wind, and you could hear the the way he was humming along with 'I Will Be There'.

You almost laughed to yourself, you didn't think he would quite be so interested. Next time you set up camp you'd start him on Frankenstein. Oh he was going to love that one! If he… if he did truly enjoy Count of a Monte Cristo.

He could feel you smiling at his back and his eyes glance at the rearview mirror. He let out a long breathe as he turned his eyes forward…. He supposed he did not mind this but the question now was, what did he do?

Algernon wouldn't deny the thrill of having your body pressed against his, When this enjoyment came he wasn't sure. Probably when he was teaching you to dance. Even after the genre change he did need to adjust your posing quite often. You were warm and soft, it made traveling…. much more bearable.

He couldn't deny doubt in these new sensation, though. After all… He did still have vague question of how much of his will was free from the influence of Hajime Hinata.

Were all of these fuzzies that tried to suffocate his lungs a mere measure of him becoming more influential on his mind? The thing that had fully sparked these feelings was you using the knowledge of Hajime's palate against him. How could he know you hadn't simply jolted him awake.

It must be that. These emotions were simply the echoes in his skull.

…. and yet that still didn't answer his original question: what did he do?

If he ignored it, it'd probably go away. The reverberations would come to an end.

He pulled the earbud out of his ear and let it fall.

"I am done listening."

Your eyes shot to the mirror and saw his face. You let out a small whimper at his expression. That short lived.

"Okay," you said as you picked up the ear bud and found your hand under your helmet to get it in. I Know Those Eyes played in your ears and your shoulders sank in on themselves like the stones in your stomach.

Had he disliked something about the song? Or did he simply decide the entire thing was now boring?…

Perhaps this was the start of his revenge?

You didn't know.

You managed to switch the music to something else, not having much choice but to stay close to him with how fast the bike was going, and…. he wasn't shoving you away! So, maybe he did just get sick of the music?

Your hands around his waist held him tighter, clenching in your anxious twisting.

Algernon felt like his heart would burst. He made sure to keep as focused as he could on the ruins in front of him that flashed by but your embrace was setting him ablaze.

What sort of sickness were you, truly?

The capital of South Korea announced itself not with visual, but with the way the ground was vibrating underneath the bike.

It started low enough, a rumble which could have been from deep under the surface of the crust. Yet it soon the world was shaking in magnitude. Algernon stopped the bike and got off, you doing the same.

"Guess we are on foot from here…." you acknowledged.

"It isn't that far away, it will only be about an hour," he said, grabbing both of the packs. You waited for him to hand you yours, only for him to start walking with both of the bags over his shoulders.

He got ahead of you before you chased after him. "um, Algernon I can carry my stuff you know," you offered.

Algernon looked at both of his shoulders, looking at the large black bags on them and he gritted his teeth. He had just- shook his head very slightly and handed you the lighter of the two bags, beginning to trek forward.

You kept up with him. You had to note how much easier it was than at the start, you really were getting good at cardio!

Though…

You looked at his legs…. it seemed as if he was walking slower. Not much but…

It was nice to walk besides him, even if he didn't say much.

Not to say the trip was quiet, the ground only rumble more and more and soon there was a metal screeching sound that twinged the wind.

'Ah- so it is Ibuki," you declared as you kept walking. The familiar tunes causing the earth to shake. No buildings were still standings and from the constant year of shaking, more of it got fine and fine from constantly rubbing in on itself.

"…." Algernon's face twisted as he turned to you. "This is the music of the Ultimate Musician?"

"It is what she likes," you said as your head started to lightly bob with the beat of the music, humming in a much lower note of the scraping tune. Poking into the sky were bright neon lights. "It…. isn't what I would choose to listen too, but I can find the appeal in it."

"You can see the appeal in just about anything."

"Not true!' you said. "Kid Rock is awful!"

"…." it must be some truly terrible music if this passes your test and that doesn't. "I see."

It felt like such a short amount of time until the metal was all you could hear, and before you was the next lair that towered above.

A three story night club, TITTY TYPHOON was plastered on the top in bright blue and pink neon signs. Smoke poured out of every window that was open and lights decorated the area, streams of pink, red, blue and white all twirled outwards.

You could see it was packed with people covered in glowsticks partying at the end of the world with red solo cups in hands, bodies shaking and things getting thrown around. Some people were sitting outside, continuing the party, throwing up or…. a few people who had just dropped dead.

The entire area stunk of alcohol and weed and burnt plastic.

"…. Wow," you said.

"…. Indeed…." Algernon agreed.

There was nothing else to do but step forward. A few people noticed you both and whispered about you being feds because of your outfits. It continued when you entered the building.

Just as bright and smoky as on the outside, you could see three different bars in each of the corners that were serving drink after drink. People were passing around pipes and pills like party favors as the music kept blaring from the large stage up front.

"WHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!?!?!?!?!?!?!"

Her voice rang as the ax guitar scratched on itself when it stopped.

"Ibuki can't believe her eye!!! Other Junko's either!!!!"

The fog cleared up and there she was on the stage.

The Ultimate Musician, Ibuki Mioda.

Also known as the Punk Rocker of Despair.

Her hair was bleached so much it had been fried, yet still on top there were pink and blue stripes and it was kept in the cone shape it had been before, even if the hair was crackling like fresh lightening bolts. Her arms were decorated in spike and chain bracelets. She was wearing a black leather jacket covered in white spikes which matched the leather skirt and combat boots. She was wearing a ripped crop top and showing off the long tattoo of a music composition on her side.

Her left eye examined you closely before the right eye of Junko Enoshima bluged out on you. Ibuki had a wide grin on her face as she cackled.

"It's Bookworm!!!!" she yelled before she hopped off the stage, her tongue sticking off to show off the new piercing.

A group of party goers near the stage cheered out loud.

Ibuki swung with her guitar with one hand, and their head rolls. "THIS IS IBUKI'S EXCITEMENT!!!" she yelled at them.

Their blood gushed out in a fountain, and for a second the party seemed to start…. before two girls started dancing under the new shower, and more people joined in, having a whole new sense of cheering as they kept on in their bliss.

Your mouth fell open as she walked over and put a hand on your shoulder. Algernon tensed up as Ibuki laughed more.

"Bookworm is really alive!!!! Ibuki cannot believe it!!! And also coming to Ibuki's club, did you have a reason you wanted to see her!?" Ibuki was close to you and you could smell cocktails on her breathe, and her entire outfit stank of weed.

Algernon moved over and more or less shoved Ibuki off. Your mouth fell open and you looked at him. "We come with a message from Junko Enoshima."

"Junko sends Ibuki a message from beyond the grave!?" her voice rose and she stood on her toes, leaning forward towards him. "Ohhhh! Tell! Tell! Tell right now before I rip out your intestines!!!!" she pointed a finger at him.

"She wants every remnant to gather at Future Foundation Base E to be prepared for a game of hers," Algernon explained in a flat tone, glaring at her.

Ibuki's lips turned into an o as her eye sparkled with a whole life, and Junko's swirled in it's own delight. "Hoooooooowwwwwww EXCITING!!!!" she cheered out. "Ibuki cannot wait! Ibuki cannot wait!" she hopped around before she stopped, her neck tilted to one side before she brought it down. "But hmmm…. Ibuki cnnot just leave, no. No Ibuki would have no fun doing that," she said as she tapped her chin.

"Well- what do you mean?" you asked. "What do you want?"

Ibuki turned her head and she grinned, pointing a finger at you. "IBUKI WANTS BOOKWORM TO JOIN IBUKI IN A NIGHT OF DRINKING!!!!" she declared.

Your mouth fell open.

"A-a drinking contest???"

"NO!!!!" her voice had a whine to it. "Only a night of drinking!!! Bookworm never does anything fun so Ibuki knooooows you'd lose a drinking contest, and that would be no fun, no fun at all!!!" she made an X as she shook her head from side to side, before she did a double slash of the air with her arms.

"Is there any other way to convince you to just go?" Algernon asked, his eyebrow twitching.

"NoooooooooooooooooooooPop!"

You felt your the back of your shirt growing damp. You looked around the area and you couldn't help but feel…. uncomfortable in the environment to put it mildly. But at the same time…. You looked back at Ibuki.

In the midst of despair, she really hadn't changed a lot.

Maybe…. it could be fun.

But then again…. Being unaware in a place like this….

Algernon looked at your worried and uncertain expression. You wanted too…. he could tell by the way you kept looking at her. He let out a breathe through his nose before he put a hand on your shoulder.

"I will watch over you tonight. Should you consume too much or anything else of alarm is to happen, I will be right here."

Your mouth fell open as you looked up at him…. his eyes had went so round again and his eyebrows were covered. It made him look almost delicate in softness. Your breathe caught in your throat before you nodded and looked at Ibuki. You patted his hand. 'Thank you," you said before you stepped forward.

'Alright, Ibuki. Let's- let's try it!"

"WOOOOW!!!" she cheered and grabbed your hand, and she darted off.

"Is- is this needed?" you asked as you looked down at how much skin you were showing.

She had stuck you in an outfit matching hers, the only difference was you were wearing stockings that went up to your inner thigh. The small patch of skin between the seem and the end of the skirt made your cheeks turn red.

"I think you look good," Chiaki, who remained in the shoulder bag, said.

"YA YOU DO!!!!" Ibuki wrapped an arm around your waist and held out a hand, showing you all of the other party-goers. "Besides, it helps you fit in more!!! No sense looking like a pig!!!" she said before she had your elbow in hers and dragged you over to the first bar.

"'Eeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy, It's Ibuki and her lil friend!!!" the young man who was acting as the bartender yelled. Everyone in this bar corner cheered.

"Round for everyone!!!" she yelled, throwing her hand up and the entire night club screamed in delight as the shots began to pour. She had her arm around your shoulder as she started listing off a whole bunch of drinks.

The bartender got to work on the list as soon as she started dropping it, having multiple tumblers out at once. You had to admire the man and how fast his hands swooped to different bottles, some getting tossed into blenders with ice and he got those running well he worked on the others.

A yellow and red slushie drink was plopped down in front of you and your teeth rolled back as you stared at it. 'What is it?"

"A Miami Vice!!!" Ibuki said as she snagged a clear drink with a lime and mint leaves, a mojito you believed. "I think you'll like it~!"

You looked at the glass before you picked it up, and gave a small sip through the straw.

Oh! It was rather sweet! You began to suck it down a little fast and put a hand on the side of your head from the headache. Laughter went around the bar.

Ibuki laughed before she slide another, not frozen drink over to you. It was brown in color. "A dark and storm!"

You picked up the glass and took a sip, it was also quite sweet! You were quite surprised by all of the different types of mixes…. More glasses were shoved in front of you, and Ibuki along with all of the other patrons cheered with each thing you tried.

"You should drink some water," Chiaki suggested but her words were completely drowned out by the new band that had taken Ibuki's place and all of the people egging you on to drink more and more alcohol.

Wow the world was spinning and your stomach felt like it was doing flips in and on itself.

"Woooooooooooow," you said as your head rolled to the side and you looked around the room, looking at all of the faces. You looked like a sad puppy.

They weren't here……… maybe they'd be picking you up?

"WOOOOWWWW!!!!" Ibuki threw her hands in the air as she was even more buzzed. She grabbed your arm. "Ibuki wants to dance!!!" she yelled before she shoved space in the center of the floor.

All of your limps felt ridiculous on your body and you more or less fell with her.

Man how much alcohol, did you end up having???

It seemed like it was to late to find that out.

Ibuki swayed your body and your feet began to move on memory. They were messy steps but they followed the rhythm of what you had learned, kicking your leg out in the long pause. Ibuki clapped her hands together.

"You have gotten good!!! Try something like this!!!" she moved her hips around and threw her hands in the air, and you copied her, beginning to let yourself go a little.

Algernon watched you on the dance floor from the seat he had stolen from the bar. His head was propped in his hand as he had a shot of gin in his hand. He sipped the awful alcohol , sneering as it burned down his throat before he made sure his eyes bounced back to you.

The light of the never ending party bounced off of your face as you danced around with Ibuki, space being given to the Punk-Rocker for their own safety as you let yourself be more loose under the promise of his protection and the influence of the intoxication.

You were radiant.

Every aspect of you, your smile, the way you had improved so much on your feet, the small giggling he could see and wished to hear.

How could he ever think this was merely the influence of that fool?

In truth falling for you only was logical, it proved his superior sense of taste.

Sweet, gentle and kind, he knew you could cook, defend yourself, sew, survivor, make allies and putting them to use, were extremely intelligent and capable of learning. Despite everything you kept that delightful smile on your face and managed to crash through every single expectation he had set.

Not to mention how physically gorgeous you were. Now of course it was merely objective you attractive, he had felt that from the start so he never let it weigh much on his opinion of you. However it was true. Soft body and shape, with the fluffy fur of a woolly mammoth mouse, eyes that sparkled like light off a river, smile snatched from the suns rays…. his eyes dipped down to that tummy being shown off and the hips that accompanied.

Yes, of course.

He smirked to himself.

Hajime Hinata had nothing to do with it, you were simply wonderful and falling in love with you is simply the route of any sane person. And he was quite sane.

"Awwwww look at Miss Ibuki's friend!"

"Their real cute!"

Algernon's eyes shifted off of you to another point in the bar to see two men talking to each other.

"Think we should go talk to them."

"Oh for certain, I am sure Ibuki will let them off to socialize soon~"

Algernon showed all of his teeth as he put his shot glass down with a loud thunk before he walked right on over and grabbed both of their heads, slamming them down onto their drink glasses. Everyone around burst into laughter at the action but Algernon did not care as he leaned in.

"Keep your eyes to yourselves, before I rip them out," Algernon hissed as he got up and turned back to his seat.

How dare they.

Arrogant fools.

They had no right to you. They shouldn't be daring to even look upon you, and yet they wished to talk to you?!

Maggots.

He sneered out before he took another sip of his gin, making sure he could find you in the crowd again which was rather easy for him to do. You were always noticeable to him… He leaned forward as he let a breathe out through his nose.

Algernon was just beginning to relax at the sight of admiring you, when a man began to grind his way over to you. He was weaving through the crowd but Algernon could see the way his nasty irises bore into your skin.

Algernon's eyes were glowing and his mouth was opening to show a black pit. He rose from his chair and was slipping through the rest of the crowd. He grabbed the man by the face and threw him to the floor, something that just made the others move to the side.

He had once choice if he truly wanted to keep you safe from anyone unsavory.

Algernon found himself in front of you, and put both of his hands on your hips.

You let out a small yelp as stranger grabbed your hips and you looked up at him, the lights and the fog and the noise and the alcohol and the way your head kept swaying side to side made it hard to make out any of his features.

"I am taken-" you slurred.

"I am well aware," the soothing voice said, he began to guide your steps with a grace you wouldn't have expected. "Dancing in a pair is much better."

"Okkkkkayyyyyyyy," as long as you didn't go home with him it was fine.

There were only like, 6 people you would go home with!!!!

For safety reasons!!!!

Your feet moved with him, you had gotten used to how to avoid other people's feet. And if you moved too far backwards in a sway or lost your footing your partner was skilled enough to catch you, and you wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

You knew he was staring into your eyes, they were a rather pretty red, actually.

He twirled you around and you could hear Ibuki in the background, laughing to herself as she danced with anyone who got close to herm being in that mood.

"Look at Bookworm go!!!!" Ibuki's own voice was extremely slurred as she used a shirtless chest to catch herself. "You get it!!!!!!!" she waved her other hand in the air, and suddenly Algernon had a much higher opinion of the Ultimate Musician.

Perhaps he could tolerate a terrible taste in tunes if she held other good opinions.

It was long hours past in a short time as you dances between Algernon and Ibuki, no one else daring to get close lest they get bitten by the guard dog.

The party never ended, not truly.

If anyone dropped they were shoved to the side and the others would keep on, the despair fueled debauchery would keep on even after the hostess left with how addicted the audience was, and Algernon could not envy whoever in the Future Foundation came to try and clean up the club.

However well they kept going, eventually Ibuki headed to the front, cheering and satisfied with how she had spent the time. Her feet stumbled on themselves and she threw her hands back.

"WOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!" she cheered again as she closed both eyes before she turned, her remaining eye shining bright. "Bookworm learned how to party!!!!!!"

"Woooowwwwww!!!" you were hanging off of Algernon. "See ya, Buki!!!!!!"

"Bye bye!!!! Future Foundation Base E get ready for IbukIIIIII!!!!" her voice hit a high note as she started to march of, her legs high in the air as she hummed about the thrill of seeing Junko and allllllll of the others, her axe guitar strapped to her back and not a soul seemed concerned.

You pushed yourself off of Algernon and your forehead hit the wall of the building, and your hands hung down in front of you.

"Alright, dear, it is time to go," Algernon said as he stood to the side.

"No," you spat the word out in the tone of a cranky drunk toddler.

"No?" he asked, his nose curling. "We have to set up camp and get you to rest off the alcohol."

"I am not leaving….-" you held up a finger as the words loaded in. "With out my buand,"

"With out your…. husband?!" you weren't married!

Not to that pathetic no one!

"Uh oh-" Chiaki said as she looked up at you, the noise of the party being less enough out here she could be heard.

"Not…. without my huband- or my hubby budddddddddddddyyyyyyyy," your forehead rolled on the brickwork. "Oooooooorr SoniaaAAA….. " your words were mush as you listed some other people you'd go with.

None of them were him.

Algernon felt seething steam come from somewhere in his lungs. He let out a breathe. "We have got to go," he said before he reached out and grabbed your hand, attempting to drag you along with him.

You bite his hand.

Your body in it's relaxed state couldn't possibly generate enough force to actually break his skin, but it did start him and he jerked his hand back, looking at the ring of teeth you left behind. His eyes went between the mark and then to you, who had settled yourself back on the brick.

"Hubbbby Hajime………. Huband Nagggggggiiiieeeeee," you whined for them.

Algernon felt his face turn red for a whole new reason.

"This…. is a problem…" Chiaki hummed out. "Maybe…… impersonation?" she suggested and her screen looked up at Algernon.

How humiliating.

He let out a long breathe before his head went up, "Hey," his voice took the soft tone of Nagito Komaeda. "Sorry I am late, you know how….. things come up," he let a soft laugh at the end of his voice that was the perfect emulation of him.

"You aren't fooling me!!!!" your finger pointed towards him, eye closed before your head hit the rock again. "nothing like Nagito——-" you declared with a nod into the stone.

He wanted to cuss at you telling the difference, but when you were so certain you had a sibling in the Ultimate Imposter…. you knew the best of impersonator in the world, his was probably near hollow.

He hated he could admit that.

He just about to break the wall next to but restrained himself as his shoulder rose and went down.

'Fine, stay here then," he scoffed as he turned his back and started to walk away.

"You can't leave them here, they aren't in a mode where they could be safe," Chiaki called out towards him and he stopped, clenching his fists. "There is one more thing to try…."

Did she think he was so daft not to know that?

He was well aware of what he had to do. He put a hand over his eyes and his shoulders rose. He couldn't believe this. He couldn't believe this! How was he expected to impersonate a man he had never met? A man he had no respect for or expectations!?

And yet he had no choice.

There were so many levels in which he despised this, and he could not begin to get into all of them….

Before he turned around and walked towards you. He put one hand in his pocket "Hey, sorry I am late to pick you up. Work dragged," his voice was forced with a warmth that came from his boiling stomach… and yet it came off as soft to you.

You let out a gasp and your body went rigid as you dove right into the arms of the voice. "Hajime!!!!" tears leaked down your face as you clung to him, you squeezed him tighter then you ever had before letting out the most joyous laugh ever heard in the world. "I missed you!!!!"

Algernon wanted to die, but he wrapped his arms around you as he leaned over, putting his hand into your hair and stared at the wall. "…. I missed you too," his voice fell back down to it's regular tone, but you were too preoccupied to notice. He found more air to fill his lungs before he looked down at the top of your head. "We should get home, Nagito is waiting," the cursed voice of Hajime Hinata rang out.

"Home! Yes! Home!" you yipped like a dog as you hugged his arm, nuzzling his shoulder as he began to walk with you, you stepped right besides him as you babbled on about how much fun you had with Ibuki.

You stopped, your voice catching and you leaned away. Algernon turned to look at you

You threw up.

Algernon stared down at the colorful mix of booze and he cringed.

This was misery.

Algernon laid on the ground in a cruel cuddle you had cried for. You were buried into his chest, declaring how thrilled you were to see him again and letting out happy sounds as your body rocked in his hold well his eyes seered into the ground behind you.

He was infuriated beyond words at that Hajime Hinata.

Chapter Text

You reallllllly wished you remembered what happened last night, because all you had of your time was one hounding hangover and one angry Algernon.

You put one hand on your head as you dragged behind him, the distance had increased and you tried to jog after him, only to stumble on your own stupor from last night.

How much… did Ibuki make you drink??? You stared at his back and your stomach twisted into knots as you closed your eyes.

Had you said something stupid?

You could imagine what. Perhaps you questioned his good will and turned it sour? Or maybe found some way to insult him? Maybe you flirted with a guy and that annoyed him!

Ahhhhh why would he care about that last one?

You closed your eyes before sucking in a breathe. Well…. "Um, Algernon?" you called ahead and he didn't slow for you. "I just- did I do something to wrong last night?" you asked as you put a hand over your chest. "If I hurt you, I would want to apologize for it, if I can."

"Nothing happened last night."

You stopped and recoiled. Why did you not believe him? You let out a long whine as you just kept moving behind him, You really thought maybe, when he had really offered to keep you safe, that maybe you had won him over at least in some small way.

So much for that.

You looked down at the Data-Pad and you saw Chiaki looking back at you.

The static started in her speaker. "If you would like I-"

"I said nothing happened," Algernon barked glaring down at the Data-Pad as he shifted around. Chiaki sent him a look before her cheeks puffed up, and she reminded quiet.

What an awful night, he did not want to think of it, and yet his mind couldn't escape it. The resentment that boiled towards his body.

How in the world did you want Hajime Hinata over him, still?

He seethed out as his eyes were straight ahead, piercing right through the air.

Hajime Hinata was utterly inferior to him in every way. Algernon was quite literally the upgraded version of him. He should have all of the positive features of physical appearance and all of that boosted by his immense talent.

There was no way that worthless, talentless boy would ever be able to protect you, not like how he was capable of. There was no doubt that nobody would have been ripped apart by now. You would have most undoubtedly died without Algernon, and yet you craved the touch of someone lesser.

It was absolutely ridiculous.

He held the two memories dreams had gotten him, all evidence he had pointed to that boy being a gullible fool and not the politest either. (Though…. it was to that Natsumi girl so perhaps a pass there).

If you had been willing to fall in love with that version of him, spineless, pathetic winsome and wretched. Why would you not be even more smitten with the improved version of him?

The talented version.

The bike shined over the horizon and you internally cringed realizing what this would mean. By the time you were anywhere near the Motorcycle Algernon had already strapped everyone onto the back, hopped on and started the engine, his head tilted forward and both hand gripping the handle bars tightly.

"Hurry up."

You sighed as you worked as quick as you could to secure your bag, double and then triple checking it before you grabbed onto your helmet, sliding it onto your head with a pop. You didn;'t want to break his personal space, but when the bike jolted forward your body clung to him out of instinct.

You could hear him scoff, but he didn't shove you away.

The rubbled road ran underneath the tires at a rapid rate, leaving the rocking ruins of Ibuki's Titty Typhoon behind as you headed to your next stop, Busan, South Korea.

Rumor had rang to Rantaro of a series of vessels that acted as passenger ships. He had yet to get in contact with them, no sign they used radio but rather had a private connection. There were about 3 in total, former cruise ships and they traveled along from coast to coast, picking people up and dropping them off somewhere else.

They seemed keen to avoid Japan, though, and also had no ventured to the Americas. However they ventured from Asia to Africa to Europe.

Hopefully you could get passage on board.

Ideally you would want to land in whatever remained of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and then drive around all of the prairies to see if you could find Gundham Tanaka.

Not exactly the best plan, but with the bike it would be manageable!

If not then well…. perhaps your route was going to have to be much longer by the grace of the bike, but hey- Fuyuhiko had given you some gasoline for the road so…. hopefully you'd be able to make it all the way there!

The coast line covered in trash looked deary, you could see it rolling along and your lips pursued together at all of the plastic bits and bobs. There was a fishing net that was tangled up with bones and seaweed.

The bike slowed down as a dock with a few stray souls rolled into view. Algernon stayed standing on the bike as he looked over all of the people about.

They were skinny, cold and pathetic looking. You tried to get a better look over Algernon's shoulder but he shifted his body to block your view. You let out a sigh which fogged up the visor.

"Well…. what do we do now?' you whispered to him.

"We wait," how long was up for debate. He only was going to be willing to waste five days on the docks, before going on Bike. No sense in wasting too much time if no ship was coming.

He looked around at all of the people who were eyeing their bags and he held onto the handle of the motorcycle handle, letting the engine rev….

And they got the message.

By some great fortune, it didn't take long at all, only about three hours, from a distance there was a loud horn the honked across the waves, and in rolled a shockingly pristine boat.

It had pairs of animals painted on the side, running across the length of the large cruise ship as it pulled up. You could see the name 'Ark Cruise Lines' painted in large, cursive lettering by the top. Some haggard looking men and women hopped down, beginning to dock the ship.

Algernon finally let you off the bike, and before you could turn your head, him and the bike were gone. You blinked and turned your head to the other people around. Your hand tightened over your chest.

Seemed like it would be a good idea of call for the Future Foundation for these people, but you weren't sure they'd have any sailors to spare…. and also the ship was now here.

You looked at the workers of all different races, their clothes looked nice but they managed to look almost dirty with dust smudge as they lowered the anchor and the docks, a marching in their pace as the plank came down like the gallows blade.

Algernon popped back into existence next to you and you looked at him. He had both of the backpacks over his shoulders and dropped yours on your shoulders. The sudden weight made your back bend before your shoulders straightened again.

A few bodies deboarded the boat, they all looked just as tired as the people who were merely putting down the docks, but they seemed relieved to be alive as they brushed past you and Algernon.

Their clothing reminded you of the party you had just parted, others posed in patchwork that printed the picture of Hiyoko's lair with their bags and clothes. Everyone leaving did have purpose none the less.

They also made it off.

You'd do the same.

The boarding was slow and everyone was given a sheet to fill out before waiting. The boat did start to move, locking in the fates of the weary souls in the area that looked almost like a classic office. One by one the people were called into a smaller room, coming out and being lead away.

Then it was your turn.

Being called in, you entered the room first with Algernon watching your back, and you both sat down in front of the finely dressed young man before you.

His hair was in a perfect golden pompadour, his fingers laced together as he had a wide smile showing off all his teeth; "Welcome, to The Ark Cruise Lines, your escape from the flood!" his voice was like a classic sales man. "How can we serve you today?"

Behind him was a larger, muscular man with his arms crossed. He had a beard accompanied with a balding head, and wild looking eyes.

"We are looking for passage to Dar es Salaam," you said as you held your your hands together in front of your body, back straight and eyes forward.

"Yessss! That is one of our stops on the voyage, how are you interested in paying for this excursion?"

You're eyes were wide and your shoulders jolted, but you kept your voice steady. "We have Monocoins."

The man behind the desk closed his eyes, tilting his head with his hands together. "We do not accept that currency aboard the Ark Cruise Lines."

"Well…." you felt sweat on the back of your neck. "We are also in contact with the Future Foundation, they would pay out fare."

He tilted his head to the other side, the smile on his face straining. The bodyguard seemed to sneer at that as well. "We most certainly do not accept any currency the Future Foundation deals in."

"Fine, then," Algernon spoke. 'What can we do to stay aboard the ship."

"A wonderful question!!!" there were stars in his voice, like announcements on a game show. "We do have labor packages for those who want to work to earn their new life," the man looked over at you and his eyes cracked open, looking at you with a leer.

"We do make sure we pick labor that is suited to the person."

Algernon slammed his hand down on the table, making everyone jump. "How many hours total do you expect?"

Your whole body turned to look at him, his red eyes were glinting and his fist pressed in on itself.

His eyes shifted over to Algernon, an even more uncomfortable smile growing on the fine little rich boy's face. It looked like perfectly smashable fine china. "Well for two people we would expect a cumulative total of 16 hours total.'

"I will take it all, then."

"Mmmmmyyyy, a hard worker I see! " his head tilted to one side. "We do love those on the ship. You will fit right in with the others, ha ha ha," he threw his head back, moving his head in mechanically ticking rhythm.

"Hey- Algernon I-"

"What do you want me to sign?" Algernon asked cutting off your words. Your eyes narrowed at him and you leaned forward, but the CEO got out the papers before you had anything you could say.

"Here you are, Mr. Algernon. We are excited to have you aboard on our crew," both men now were grinning, snickering.

Algernon glared at them as he signed on the dotted line.

"Algernon! You- I- I cannot allow you to work 16 hours!" it was the first words out of your mouth when you were shown to your tiny room. "That is a lot, even for you!"

"I will be fine."

"I know you are capable of a lot, but your body is still human," he outta to have known that, he was aware he could still die. He could still burn out! "I can help out."

"You have done enough."

Your gut sank, seriously what had you done?! Done enough- what did he mean? "I won't do anything to get us kicked off of the ship!"

He clenched his hands at that. He let out a hiss of air at thew mere idea, what were you talking about. "It has nothing to do with that."

"Then what is it? I am able to do something," you put a hand over your heart.

His eyes narrowed as he looked at your resolute face, before it clicked to him.

He supposed you didn't pick up the double meaning this time. It had come across clear to him but…. perhaps only because of who he had directed it at.

He was so quiet, it was making you more nervous. You were staring into his eyes, trying to make out his expression. The silence was the worst, you never knew what he was thinking at all unless he said it.

He put a hand on your forehead and pushed your hair backwards to look better into your eyes.

It made air catch in your throat.

His were taken with a softness you had never seen matched in the red glow of his eyes. "You can be so oblivious sometimes…" his tone was uncharacteristically gentle as he tucked a loose strand behind your ear.

Oblivious? What had you…. Your hand covered your mouth as you recoiled away from him as the inference clicked. "Oh!" that glance- the smirk from the 'Captain'. "Oh…"

Algernon closed his eyes , letting out a breathe, nodding his head.

Your heart stilled and your shoulders came close together as you looked at his face before taking in a breathe. "Would they have really forced me…? And- and are you really sure that is even what the expression meant?"

"I don't care whatever other meaning he could have had, I did not trust it," it had reminded him of Dr. Gordon in the moment, that horrible large smile that meant nothing but ill will painted in fancy bold font.

He had picked up on the lustful undertones, and it made him want to sink his fingers into his bare throat and then rip him all of the way apart from that point, the fact he hadn't truly showed how far his self restraint had come.

Your heart was fluttering, the words flying away from you before your eyes peeked at him, "But…. I am still serious about the work load."

"I can handle a series of mindless tasks," it had been his life for several months, he would endure it for a mere two weeks if he had too. "I will see you during lunch break, I will bring you your portion of food when I do," Algernon said as he straightened his tie and turned his back. "Don't open the door for anyone else."

"Alright- um-" you looked at the door… there wasn't a peephole. "Maybe we should have a code, just- to ensure I know it is you?"

"Very well, what?"

"Um, uh- knock twice, don't knock for a second and then knock three more times?" you asked. "Is- is- that something that works for you?" you'd certainly remember it.

He let out a hum and nodded his head, before he was out of the door. You held onto Chiaki's handle as you looked around the tight quarters. Both bags were piled in the corner and then there was the one queen sized bed in the middle of the room.

There was a TV, a phone and a lamp on a small desk area, and you unstrapped your boots, putting them up and walked over to the bed, sitting down.

It was firm, without much squish and you laid back, your back cracking. The duvet was cloud like though, and with the way the ship moved underneath you, you could almost confuse it for such.

You let out a long breathe before closing your eyes.

So you'd just….

Be spending the week in a bed again.

Your brow twitched.

Fantastic.

Algernon was lead with a group of other people who had boarded the ship well the bodyguard who had been by the "Captain" gave a run down of how things ran around here.

Being in the crew meant you had a strike system, if you were late, broke something or did something else objectionable, it would mean one strike.

Should it be that you collect three, you'd lose your spot on the ship.

For the first day everyone was being thrown into whatever task could fit them, however in the future there would be schedules, ensuring everyone (the words felt pointed towards Algernon) would be getting a taste.

People were put away to their tasks, rolling silverware or doing laundry until they were picked away, and it was just Algernon and the head guard.

There was the consideration of killing the man, it likely wouldn't be hard to do it on it's own but of course… the aftermath of such a decisions. Algernon couldn't quite know who was loyal, and the ship was heavily guarded enough that should they…. disapprove, he could be in another situation as with the Mafia Men.

So he'd hold his hand hither for now….

But that skull tattoo seems like a perfect target for cracking.

"And here you are, Mr. Algernon," there was a jeer in his voice as he opened the door to the engine room.

There were 18 wheels with 17 men running on them, each one of their wheels moved a belt which generated energy. Algernon had to admit the system was almost admirable, manpower was much more plentiful then coal or oil.

Despite the admiration it did not prevent the aberration of being treated like a hamster rather then human.

"Really?"

"You did claim you would be capable of any task," the bodyguard declared with a smirk. "Gonna back out and get a strike?"

"No."

The man lead him over to one empty one, and pulled down the cage door. Algernon stepped in, climbing up the bars until he was firmly locked into there. The bodyguard walked away and out of the room, leading it to just the numerous of armed men that surrounded the outside.

How annoying.

Algernon closed his eyes before he started to move his legs, it started out as a reasonable pace until his hamster was the one spinning faster then all of the rest.

His hair chased behind him and he wanted to rip this machine apart already, how utterly mindless and boring and pointless. He was certain he could take all of those men, as soon as he was let out of the cage.

"Hello!' a breathless greeting from the man in the hamster wheel next to him. He was speaking in Spanish. "Wow! You have a lot of hair, friend!"

Algernon turned his head to see who was speaking to him, the noise startling him. He was older then he would have expected from the voice, with golden brown skin and dark brown hair with flecks of gray, the top of his head was flat but his hair stuck out in sharp points.

His eyes were a shining green color and he had a lively expression for someone winded.

"You do not."

"Haha!" he almost had to stop running as he laughed. "No, my wife doesn't let me keep it!-" he stopped to stuck in some breathes, feet keeping pace to make the ship move. "Always insisting on cutting it when it gets to long"

"…. Just say no."

"Ohhhh but how can I do that! She has such sweet eyes when she says 'My Love! My Love! Let me give you a hair cut, I know exactly the length you like it!" and she always does," there was a dreamy sigh that followed it, that was followed in step by him tripping.

Algernon watched the man get thrown around in the wheel, eventually he grabbed himself on the bars and went up and around, being able to get his feet steady again. There were bruises forming already. "……. Hm."

Algernon only got a moment of silence from the winded stranger for a moment before there was more wind in his sails once again.

"So! Friend, why come on this cruise?"

"Travel."

"Me too!!!" he threw his hands in the air before they went back to his side. "My wife and I are headed to Norway! How about you?"

"Dar es Salaam."

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh," there was dreaminess in the man's voice before he let out a laugh. "A beautiful city! A magnificent city! Oh I remember as boy being docked over night and the crew being allowed to explore, me and my boys oh we had a wonderful time!"

"You have been?"

"I have been all over the world before it ended, always a life on the seas."

"Being on the water all of the time must get boring."

"Nonsense! Complete nonsense! The ocean is always a wonderful mistress!!!" he called putting a hand over his chest. "It is never short of sights to see,," he closed his eyes and shook his head in a dreamy was before he popped them open, making sure to keep up.

"I am sure…."

"Ohhhhh have you seen the coasts of Alaska? I have visited in order to ship out their fresh fish, and my is it so tasty!!! They get all the five different type of salmon, I remember being taught the five finger trick to remember all of them. Oh what was it again…."

The man's rambling turned into background noise as they ran together, Algernon half picked up on what he was saying.

Half so.

You had changed out of the Future Foundation Uniform, folding and putting the dirty clothes away in exchange for the hoodie tucked at the bottom of your bag. It made you feel at home as you laid on top of the fluffy white duvet cover.

You admittedly forgot you had been carrying Nagito's hoodie with you the entire time, but you were so glad to have something comfortable at the moment. It had always been a size that could fit, his long body having enough volume to fit your stout one in his clothes…. but now it bagged down to your knees.

It did feel strange.

Whether you were thinking about the way you had changed or the fact you were simply…. supposed to sit and relax essentially and do that without Algernon around.

Even with Fuyuhiko growling at him, Algernon had found your room and came around then. During your time recovering at Hiyoko's vacant lair, the only time he had really been away was when he was making you food.

You…. had basically spent the last…. your fingers danced in the air as you counted the days you had traveling or been stuck lying around… the last two and a half months together 24/7.

That was just what you remembered, actually. Technically you had been staying with him for the better part of a year, right? His presences… really, really felt weird to lose. There was a discomfort that had been carved out of his gut due to his absence.

You rolled over and your fingers wrapped around one of the puffy fabric panels. You close your eyes letting out a huff through your nose… And he was going to be working for 16 hours every day. You'd only get to see him for 8 hours and for the entirety of that, he would be asleep.

He should be sleeping at least! You'd make him if you had too…. but that meant you wouldn't get to talk to him.

A silly thing, he wasn't much of a conversationalist. But he had been an ear to talk into once he wasn't glaring at you…. Come to think of it he had done that less and less. A hand rested over your heart as you stared at the wall.

No- no no.

Nooooooooooo.

Stop it.

You needed to stop it. It- if not for the fact he didn't feel that way towards you you. You couldn't feel that way towards him.

The reasons were numerous.

"Are you okay?"

Chiaki who had just woken up and was now staring at you. You sat up and smiled at the company to distract you.

"Just fine," you looked at the time in the corner of her screen and adjusted so you were sitting criss-cross. "It is almost time for the call with Makoto, right?"

She hummed, nodding her head. "Do you want to set up the signal booster?"

You gave a long stretch to the other side of the bed and grabbed the lighter of the two bags, yanking it up and over to you before you got the signal booster out, setting it up with skill and ease from doing it so many times in before.

You waited in front of the screen until it started to ring and clicked without reading who was reaching out.

"Is it them, is it them, is it them!?"

"Geez kid give it a second."

The video feed picked up and Yuna was hopping up and down in front of the computer and you could see the end of Natsu's Hawaiian shirt on the screen.

"Hey!!!" your voice raised a few octaves in the thrill of seeing not who you expected.

"Hi!!! Hi!" Yuna said and she looked around the room you were in before back at you. "Guess what, guess what, guess what!!!"

"Ya- guess-" Natsu's voice had smugness to it.

"Well what-"

"I saved 15 people yesterday!!!" Yuna yelled loudly and Natsu let out a honk in laughter before she was hopping up and down. "We were up in Canada, ya- ya- and we found a communion of people living pretty isolated and they were running out of food and I was the one who found 'em all tucked up in the mountain! And- and I was able to lead them down to the rest!!!"

"Oh my goodness, Yuna that is amazing!" you put your hands together as you clapped. "I am so impressed!"

She put her hands on her hips, as her smile beamed just like Akane's and she held her head high. "And that is not even mentioning the five guys I fought off all by myself, I sent them right to Jesus!!!"

"Damn right she did," Natsu snickered from right by the screen.

You were still smiling, now twinged with a tad amount of concern of how much blood was on the small child's hands, but she was going in the right direction. "Good job, Yuna. I am very proud."

"Alright now tell me tell me tell me, have you gotten to Coach Nekomaru, yet!?" Yuna asked as she put her hands on the table, hopping up and down, brown eyes intent on you. "Have you!?!?!"

"Not yet, not yet," you laughed a little. "I…." you thought about who had been collected so far and who was next. You knew for certain Sonia was in Novoselic, Gundham is who you were tracking right now, and could put some good money on Teruteru being in Florence… but that did leave Norway and Greece….

"He is probably in Olympia, so he is coming up on our list soon!"

"Like… the Olympics? There is a city based on that?"

"It is where the competition is dated back to 776 in the very city. It was held in honor of the Gods, particularly the King of the Gods, Zeus, and they stayed up on Mount Olympia. So it makes sense that he would be interested in staying in the home of a Ceremony."

"Huh," Yuna blinked before she smiled. "Neat!!! You will have to tell me when you get 'im! Give him a real big kick in the balls if he deserves, K?"

You laughed. "I will update you."

Another face popped into the call, his pinstriped arms crossed and he had such a serious expression on his baby face.

"Fuyuhiko!" / "Baby Gangsta!"

"Do not call me that!" Fuyuhiko yelled as he glared at Yuna who just laughed at him. He let out a groan. "You are just like your sister," he cursed.

"Heyyyy Lil Guy- still got sand in your crack?" Natsu leaned down so he could be seen on the screen.

"Fuck you, you shitty Deadbeat!"

"Yaaaaaaa you do, you should really smoke some pot. Might make you calm down a lil, Lil Guy," Natsu snorted as he spoke, it wasn't like he was taller then Fuyuhiko, maybe by like an inch or two. Almost impossible to tell on the screen.

"The human brain isn't fully developed until 21!! I ain't fucking with it before then!!!"

Yuna started to giggle.

Natsu put a hand on his face. "Jesus Christ, how you related to me?" he asked before he put his other hand on his face. "You are such a fucking Nerd. Are you sure you weren't adopted?"

Yuna was laughing so hard she had fallen out of her chair.

"You aren't going able to fake you next fucking death, asshole!"

"Okay, okay Lil Guy, I hear you. Maybe you should get a warm glass of milk," the shitty eating grin on that man's face grew as Fuyuhiko's cussing and threats translated into barking with how high pitched and enraged his voice was.

"It was nice to see you, Yuna and Natsu- but I think Fuyuhiko is here to check in with me," you were trying so hard not to laugh at poor Fuyuhiko as he was bright red, his one eye showing so much expression.

"Ya, ya, Okay. See you around, Lil Guy! Maybe we can catch some time," Natsu said as Yuna kept howling with laughter, you could hear her snort one last time before the video call was ended on their end.

Fuyuhiko let out a long huff. "….. Bastard is just like Natsumi," he cursed out. "Annoying as balls."

"…But your glad he is around?"

"Don't put words in my fucking mouth, you hear!?" he threatened, his nostrils flaring up as he glared at you through the screen. "He's just annoying! That's all I gotta say about that stupid possum playing fuck."

"If you are so certain. So why are you are in charge of the check in this time?" you asked, propping your head. in your hands.

"Alter Ego caught a message and decoded it, something about the aftermath of an unused motive from the killing game…" Fuyuhiko explained as his eye shifted to the side, "It's pretty serious given a big meetings going on," both of his brows furrowed with his shoulders. "That damn Bastard Byakuya has me puppeting shit," he said.

"He really is?"

"Ya- Someone gotta manage the men but it is annoying as shit," he sighed shaking his head to the side, his one eye closed. "Hope that I don't get stuck doing this all the damn time…. Pain in the ass enough just dealing with my guys."

"Huh," you really never thought he would be the type to let anyone else run the show, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Whatever they found must be big… "I hope whatever it is isn't a trap."

"… Who knows," Fuyuhiko let out a long breathe. "Anyway, what is there to report?" he asked.

"We are on the ship heading to the African contentment! It….. is sort of a nasty ship," you thought about the Captain and shuddered once more. "But we are making progress."

"All we need to hear," Fuyuhiko said as he rubbed behind his neck. "Hiyoko just arrived, she was pretty pissed at seeing me."

"Yaaaa I imagine….. Ibuki should be on the way."

"You are making some damn good progress," Fuyuhiko said as he looked at you, his clenched his fists off the screen and his lips quivered. "Your gettin' closer to your final page."

"Ya. I am," you said closing your eyes. "Thank you, Fuyuhiko. Is there anything else you need from my report?"

"Nope, you are good," Fuyuhiko did still look soft. "Just…. call me if you need anything."

"Of course, Fuyuhiko," you smiled. "Good luck with what you are doing."

"You are going to need more then I do," he clicked off the video feed and it all went black. You sat in silence for a few moment, your smile dipping away before you gathered up the signal booster, making sure it was comfortable packed away in it's durable padded case.

You looked down at it, your shoulders slumping for a moment.

"Do you want to play Minecraft? I wanna keep working on the Cherry blossom grove," Chiaki said.

"Oh yes! That will be nice," you said, hopping up as the screen switched to the loading screen with the magic of the excited AI.

It had been a project started well staying with Hiyoko, the architecture may have been an inspiration. Right now Chiaki and you were working on the final touches of a large, interact oriental wall around the outside of the village tucked in the middle of the green valley touched with the pink cherry blossom flowers that fell from the number of trees.

It had turned out lovely, just like the Dessert Oasis, Faerie Village, and the Royal city you had both built together. Really Chiaki didn't care much what you were doing, as long as it was playing video games.

Perhaps the next mega project you should work on was a boat base.

That could be cool, maybe floating in the end? You started to talk about it, and it did certainly intrigue the AI's curiosity. She was already thinking about the best ways to farm the clay to make the right color of concrete. You'd certainly have enough blue dye from all of the lapis.

The hours past and the door was knocked on twice, then no times, then three times, and you opened the door quickly, ushering Algernon into the room.

He looked…. like it was getting to him, but not as much as it may have you. You were looking him over before they caught on his face. "How…. was work?"

"Long." he answered as he threw off the coat of his suit, it was drenched in sweat and he walked over to the bed, flopping right down onto it. You stood there for a second and nodded.

"I can imagine," you said. "Is there- anything I can do for you?"

"No."

You gave another nod as he seemed about ready to fall asleep right then.

Then it became even more noticable to you that there was only one bed in the room. Which- was fine! It wasn't like, you had spent the whole day in bed! You probably should have been sleeping before he came back, actually.

You looked at the spot on the floor next to the Queen bed before you knelt down, and laid on your stomach on the uncomfortable hard to stain carpet.

"What are you doing?"

You hopped up to your knees to look at him. His brows were furrowed and his lips pursued. "Oh I- you

"There is enough room," he rolled over and lifted the covers up, patting the spot next to him. "Don't sleep on the floor."

Your mouth fell open slightly but your body moved on it's own to the spot next to him on the bed. Your cheeks turned red as you laid down besides him and he dropped the blanket back ontop of you.

He kept away from you, not cuddling with you but…. you….. well would it be weird to wish he was? Ah it would be. You turned your body away, getting some of the blanket cuaght underneath you.

The presences of another body warming the bed made you feel an old flavor of comfort you had come to miss, which made falling asleep…. peaceful.

You were completely out like a light by the time you were gone.

.

…

Algernon's eyes went open as the draft got him, and his head rolled over to you.

You had stolen the blanket, and looked like a very content, sleepy little thief.

His narrowed brows softened at seeing your expression, turning his body to admire it better until his eyes couldn't keep open anymore. He made no move for the blanket for after all, who was he to disturb you to get his blanket bounty back?

Algernon had gotten his schedule, he would be popping all around the ship.

Quite literally in every section, with mere minutes to report between each.

It wouldn't be a problem for him, but a lesser man would suffer. One such as Hajime Hinata, for example.

Currently, he was stuck in the back preparing fresh caught (and questionably edible) sea food, staring down as he slice the fish apart with ease.

It was different from what he was used to, and yet the basic movements still carried over.

"Aisha, careful careful," Antonio was over on the other side of the line, speaking in English was he went over to the girl, helping her adjust her hold on a tray. He was dressed up in a white shirt and a black vest that acted as the waiter uniform "Can't having you get your second strike!"

"N-no, I cannot," she shook her head as she took the advice in how to hold it, it was hard not to notice how hers had a few buttons of the shirt popped open, and how all of the other women had followed the trend.

A part of the dress code.

"You are doing so great, you just have to keep going till you can get home," he gave her a shoulder a pat and she nodded her head, before she disappeared out into the dining room to service the paying customers.

Algernon pushed two plates over the line and Antonio got them onto the tray. "You work fast, friend!!!" he had switched back to Spanish with ease.

"Hm, cannot risk getting a strike."

There seemed to be a second of surprise. "And here I thought you weren't the type to listen," he grinned before he was out the door, leaving Algernon to focus on the next ticket. A few orders came and went before Antonio was back into the prep area, letting out a long huff.

Algernon glanced up at him and Antonio's green eyes were staring right back at him, as he waited, and waited, and waited, until finally.

"Did something happen?"

"Ahhhhh the management is so rough-" Antonio shook his head from side to side. "Always causing me trouble, yet never can give me one of those strikes," he winked when he said that, beaming with pride at outfoxing them in some small way, even though Algernon questioned if it was really that.

"Hm."

"It seems like Daniel does not like you very much, he is the Bodyguard," Antonio clarified. So the ruffian did in fact have a name.

"Most people don't," there was an extra bitter tone in his voice as he glared down at the food he barely kept from burning.

"Well just be careful, as you said cannot risk getting a strike!" Antonio smiled.

"You are at handling the bosses well enough, I am sure I can copy."

"I am used to grumpy people," Antonio answered as his head swayed from side to side. "Still my brother holds the title of the grumpiest man I have ever meet," he shook his head letting out a sigh. "Ah he always had something to nitpick about. Pity his boy!"

"…His boy?" Algernon tilted his head.

"Yes, my little nephew, ah. Shame the only time they came to visit I was away," he held his hand down. "He up and moved to Japan with his wife, so I did not get to see him much, such a shame, companies I worked for never visited there."

"…. Hm," Algernon closed his eyes, pushing three more plates in his next order out. "I assume you don't know what happened to any of them."

"No I… don't," he admitted. "But that is alright, I am alive, so I will keep living! For them and for my wife," he had all of the food on the tray and he gave a wink. "See ya in a second, Friend," and he was out to the dining room again.

Algernon let out a sigh as he finished his next order- He would once again have to get used to the badgering man's presence.

You had only been on the ship for three days at this point and he looked exhausted. It made you feel guilty for how…. comparatively relaxed you felt. Every day it felt like one stone was being picked out of your muscles at a time.

Which contrasted him greatly.

His expression…. was exactly the one Hajime had when he had been working at that god awful grocery store. You couldn't help but immediately begin to flutter with fret as you flew from your seat.

"You are back, Algernon," you had a smile on your face but it was, nervous.

Algernon stared down at you, his eyes darting around your body. "It is our day with the water. Why have you not showered?"

"O-oh! I, wasn't sure how much water we would get so wanted to make sure you got first call," you explained, rubbing behind your neck. "You have been working hard, and I don't want you to run out."

"If your concern is running out of water, we should shower together."

He said it in such a calm tone your mind had to process the words a second later.

It felt like you got hit by lightening as your mouth fell open.

"W-what?!"

He tilted his head. "It can fit two people, and that way it ensures we both get a shower," you were still smudged with apocalypse ash and dust of debris, and well he was now sweaty from serving you needed a shower just as badly.

"T-that would mean being naked!" your voice cracked. "I-In front of each other!"

"I have seen you naked."

"WHAT!?" your voice went out to other rooms in the hallway, your face was beet red as you sputtered out constantans.

"You were stabbed in the abdomen, I had to remove your clothes to stitch it up."

"O-oh," if only you had a balcony, you could throw yourself off of it and into the sea to avoid the feeling of embarrassment that made you sink into a depth deeper then the Marina Trench. "That…. makes sense."

"I would have assumed you have seen this body naked as well."

"I- Yes," your voice was several octaves high.

"Then I do not see the problem."

Was he flirting? He seemed so deadpan to be flirting, and it almost sounded…. medical. So you didn't think he was flirting. He just- he made a point. He was just running on sheer logic. Of course, it was Algernon! What else would you expect from him. You nodded your head. "Alright, I- I guess I don't see much of a problem either," you said.

You'd cuddled in the bath with Hajime without getting handsy every time, and well this was totally different anyway! Just- two- two Friends? Travel Buddies? Ultra Despair Hunters? well….

actually,

more like Player and Plaything.

…

It really was totally different, no matter how you wanted to look at it.

You looked… not happy. It wasn't sad either. It was a common enough expression…. what was it's name? Lips together, eyes wide with dilated pupils and a tense body. His brow furrowed. "Do you have another issue?"

"N-no! Just, I am just surprised by this is all," you admitted your eyes turning to the side. "I wasn't expecting the idea of showering together! It's- We- it's more a thing- it's fine!"

You undressed in front of the mirror, and in truth it was the first time fully seeing yourself. Sure you had how tired your face had become but how much damage you had actually taken you-

There were the cuts on your wrist you didn't remember making, then the one from Natsumi. Discoloration around your neck where the collar had grabbed and yanked you, there were marks from unremarkable scuffles and then all sorts of damage gifted to you by Fuyuhiko and Hiyoko, which added a whole new ranges of reds and pinks to your discoloration.

Well you were remarking the changes to your body, your eyes caught on things that hadn't. Such as the way purple stretch marks crawled up your tummy and arms.

You were so beautiful.

Algernon stood next to you, awaiting for you to stop admiring yourself in the mirror and passing the time by admiring you himself.

He supposed he hadn't much admired your bare skin, when he was tending to you after your stand against Hiyoko he had been more focused on closing wounds then anything else, but he had felt the soft skin underneath his hands.

Now he could sit and wander upon spots the sun had marked your skin with and the constant proof you were incredibly strong.

He let out a hum which brought you back to reality, the sound making you jump into focus as you turned, seeing him naked.

You tried not to react, you truly did but the air came out of your mouth like a balloon had been opened inside of your stomach. A hand covered your mouth and you leaned backwards, the other hand coming to follow.

Neck to naval, pit to wrist, thigh to foot, there were long white scars that contrasted naturally melanated skin.

"What…." your hands moved away from your mouth as you finally looked into his eyes, seeing how his brow was quirked and watching your face. "What did they do to you?"

Algernon vaguely looked down at himself before back at you. This was distressing to you. He couldn't pin as to why. "Does this upset you that much? Is this truly a surprise?"

You sputtered at the question. "Yes! Of course it does you- I- It isn't a surprise but-" your body was shaking as you had a hand over your heart. "I knew they did horrific things, keeping you in a cage and- and I should…. have expected it but I," you couldn't express the words as they caught in your throat. "I am sorry."

You….. it was cruel of you, to make faces such as that towards him, a face dripping with sympathy and sadness that well it was his eyes who saw it, none of it was truly meant for him.

"Tch," he said. "Don't waste you breathe, you didn't do anything."

"But I- I could have done something for you," you closed your eyes, dammit you- "I knew…. something was strange about you, if I had-"

"It did not matter if you had done anything, at the time we had second meet you helped me a great deal with my goal. One you might not have been able to convince me to drop," Algernon closed his eyes, he knew it was fair more complex than common annoyance, but it still baffled him how you managed to continue to be so annoying, never giving him a break on anything in the world.

"I-"

"Let's show before the day rolled over and we lose the water to our room, yes?" he asked and you gave a small nod of the head, shuffling in with him to the small glass box as he started the water running.

He was so close as the water poured down on both of you, using what soap you had brought with to wash up as you tried so desperately not to look down in the close quarters.

He was very intent at staring at you though, which made you wonder if you should…. should check- the mere idea made your cheeks horribly red and you swished your body around so your backside was facing him, and you rubbed your arms with the soap.

Algernon staring down at your backside and his eyes dropped to your butt and then he began to trail up your spine and to the nape of your neck and how it hide behind your wet hair. "Pretty…"

He said something, your head turned around and looked up at him, blinking as water tried to get into your eyes. "What did you say?"

That had been out loud. His face turned extra stern. "I did not say anything."

His voice commanded you to forget despite daring to remember and it made you tense, had he expected you to be paying attention? Or perhaps simply grumpy from all of the work? Ahhh you wished you could tell.

The rest of the shower was mostly rinsing off before going back to the room, you grabbed Nagito's hoodie from the ground but never had the chance to pick it up from the floor due to the mind full of machinations that Algernon possessed.

For should he wish to have any chance to getting to keep the blanket on this night he had considered the many options of what to do, and had found one he quite liked the sound of idea.

If you were so possessive of the blanket, he would merely act as your blanket, and now out of the shower he was more then ready for rest, he had his arm around your waist.

You let out a gasp, the air leaving you as you were on the bed, Algernon having put himself right on top of you.

He rested his head on your bare bosom and your entire face turned a shade of scarlet. Your entire body was as tense as a board and he hummed, tilting his head up at you with one eye half closed, his hair parted around him and covered so much of him it was easy to forget well-

You know.

You stared down at him before cracking a small smile.

He was sort of cute like this.

Your arms wrapped around his shoulders as you let yourself sink into the pillow. Despite his rather cold personality he still had Hajime's wonderful warmth.

His head soothed into your body heat and he let out a hum. The back of his mind tingled with a warmth he hadn't felt before as his arms squished your plush sides. He had not gotten to enjoy it in his envy…..

But you were truly very soft.

The clean that made him feel fresh, the comfort of your presence, his skin on yours and yours pressed on his. He could feel a memory in the distance, one that was cozy and he could almost feel a flame creeping from his chest.

He couldn't see the details, he had no idea what was happening, but he knew he had enjoyed it, that it had made him feel complete in away he hadn't been before.

A moment focused, an act of affection and he copied it.

Algernon bit your shoulder.

You let out a squeak and your hands were on his shoulders, pushing him away. Your mouth was wide open and one hand swooped across your chest to keep it covered. He hadn't… done it hard.

Just a lil chomp.

It wouldn't even leave a mark and yet still- 'What was that for???" you asked.

He stared up at your face with big, red, somehow innocent eyes for how much his hands matched the hue and tilted his head to the side. "…. I am not quite sure….. It felt…. like a proper action to take. Why?"

Proper action!?

Your face was so red and you nodded your head. "Well- normally- that one is- is an asking one."

His eyes narrowed. "Is it?" there was something on his voice before he huffed and put his forehead down on your shoulder, closing his eyes. "Hm, then simply consider it recompense."

Your mouth fell open and a sound fell out.

"For what!?"

He had already fallen asleep cocooned in your warmth, and with no where to move in his hold you were forced to follow him.

It was… an even safer slumber.

In the back of house, Algernon scrubbed dished, putting them away faster then he could be handed them.

Algernon heard a whole bucket of plates crashing into the ground. His head tilted up to see a young Filipino woman standing there, her hands on the wall as she looked down at what she had just dropped.

Tears welled in her eyes and their was a choked out sob as all of the eyes were on here, she looked around as one of the guards walked forward, a glint in his eyes of madness that made everyone sink.

"Wellllllllllllll Bituin-" the man said as his head swung side to side.

"Please- please no-"

"Your third strike!" his tone almost sang as all of the guards began to grin, three of them closing in on the poor girl as she shook and tried to back away, only to bump into one of them. Her black straight hair curled on his uniform as she looked up at him.

No one was doing their job anymore.

She was seized by all three of the men and she screamed, squirming and trying to fight back. "No!!!! gOd no You CAN'T!!!" she screamed and the men started to drag her away.

"Time for the Overboard!!!!!!!" the head guard sang out and the guards remaining in the room started to clap in a jolly tune, well everyone else were left in silence. Outside there was a splash that echoed through the walls of the ship, as screaming and blundering played outside as a backing track.

One man started to sob out, covering his mouth. One of the guards sent him a look and his body froze, before he went back to trying so hard to clean the dishes in front of him.

"Just don't forget what happens when you get your third strike, everyone!!!!"

The whole room was cold.

Algernon's eyes moved around

He finally put it together.

Their faces as they looked at that man.

It was the expression of fear.

One he had seen upon your face many times.

Because you were scared of him.

Chapter Text

Algernon's legs made long strides as he threw off the chef's coat, throwing on a bar tender vest as he scurried down to the other end of the ship. The physical movement made his mind momentarily pause, a change he was grateful for considering how his mind had been racing since his little revelation.

Originally he had questioned what insanity had brought about you fearing him, until he put any amount of thought into it and realized it had well been his own to bring this about. Your reaction was the rational one.

As much as Algernon would have loved to dilute himself to the reality he had made you fear him, how could he when initially it had been on purpose?

Now, as he entered behind the bar and the train of thought chugged down the tracks, he simply didn't know what he was going to do.

He had hurt you, intentionally, and now you were afraid of him. Frankly the fact you did not rip him to shreds as he had done to the ones who tormented him was admirable. You were completely capable of it, he literally could not fight back against you.

And at this point if you asked he'd likely hand you the knife and instruct you on the most effective way to tear him to shreds. Of course he was well aware you far too good for that… Far to good for him.

He began accepting drink orders from the people around the bar dressed in the finest of their clothing in the golden and sliver lounge area. He could see Antonio across the way, instructing a group of drunkards how to do the tango.

Algernon admired his patience, if he had to teach anyone other then you how to dance he may very well lose his mind.

He popped a cherry into a glass of vodka fruit punch and slide it down the bar towards the woman who had ordered it before he had a mudslide in the blender and two salted nut rolls out two a couple.

Algernon noticed he was getting quite the crowd, they were in awe of how his hands moved so fast he appeared to have become an octopus, eight arms completing every task in a moment. His eyebrow twitch at the way he had become a spectacle,

But he didn't wish to get one of those 'strikes', not when you could be at risk.

He would simply endure until the time he could get some revenge of his own, pushing out drinks as fast as the crowd could order them. It such a dull task, he could fall asleep doing this.

Eventually the people got bored and were content with their alcohol, going to socialize and dance much more poorly then you had come to dance, even when you had been drunk you kept on your feet better then these fools.

He couldn't ever escape the thought of you, whether it be him scolding himself for his past transgressions against you, or more generally simply thinking about you. You sweet smile and the addicting sound of your voice he was currently being robbed of by having to stand here at this bar.

Ah, perhaps you had simply put a hex on him in revenge for his treatment, one to bring him to his knees as recompense for crossing you. It had worked well and should that have been your scheme, he would have only found it clever. He knew the truth though, and trying frame it as anything else was merely him trying to pass the blame onto you.

His eyes raised to another part of the room, and he was across the dining room in a moment.

"I told you so, you stupid bitch!" a man raised his hand to a woman, but Algernon caught it before he could strike him. His red eyes narrowed.

"There is no fighting allowed in the Cruise Lounge," Algernon said. People were now looking over at the confrontation, whispering to each other.

The man's blue eyes twitched and he yanked his hand back. "Excuse you!?" he yelled as he almost crushed the glass of the martini glass he held in his other hand. 'Do you have any idea who I am?!"

"A guest aboard the ship, therefore subject to the rules."

"You sound sooooo sure of that," the man moved his head back and forward, glaring into his very soul.

"Algernon! What the hell do you think you are doing!?" Daniel's gruff voice echoed through the Cruise Lounge area and the whispering picked up in it's octaves.

"Simply preventing a fight," Algernon said as he released the man's wrist.

"That was no fight, you numb nuts!" Daniel's face was turning more and more red and his eyes looked as if they were going to bludge right out of his skull. "Just a man putting his wife in place, there is a very clear difference," Daniel pointed his finger down. "I expect you to know better before putting your grubby hands on a paying customer!"

Algernon's eyebrows furrowed. "Putting his wife in place?" the words fell from his tongue like spittle.

"It's a mans job, though I guess someone like you wouldn't understand," Daniel muttered some things under his breathe and Algernon felt each one of his fingers twitch with murderous intent.

There were men all around with guns, and it would cause such a mess, but the temptation was right on each and ever nerve ending, If he worked his nails hard enough he could likely tear him apart, like a slow cooked rack of pulled pork.

"Your on strike one, Algernon," he warned and he grinned as his head tilted to the side. "Two more and your out."

Algernon's eyes narrowed.

"Also goes for you little miss too."

His eyes shot open. "Why?"

"Cuz she doesn't do any work, you get to represent both of you. Means half rations for the both of you," Daniel said before he walk away and Algernon felt like blood was about to spout from his finger tips.

What a positively foul man.

Algernon looked at the man who he had stopped and there was a grin on his face, on that spread across his entire face.

"What did I tell you? You should know better then to interfere with your betters."

Algernon had to bite down on his tongue as he looked up at the man with murderous intent, ready to rip out every strand of his nervous system and spine it together like spaghetti, tighter and tighter until all his existence knew was pain.

Yet he could only stand there and find his way back to the bar.

How utterly bothersome.

Man-

You really wanted something to cuddle with.

In theory you could snuggle with the pillow or the blanket but it didn't quite feel right. When you had been at home or in the dorm your stuffed animals were merely a few inches away, something to tuck under your arm well you scrolled away at the current story or let the movie play out.

Now you craved the edition.

In theory you had a sewing kit, but it was not like you had anything you could use. The material of the comforter was nice enough but you weren't about to rip apart the only blanket that had been provided to your room.

Though….

Algernon was a pretty adept thief. He managed to smuggle a whole motorbike onto the ship and you still didn't know where it was, and you were confident no one else did either.

Maybe he could steal you one, and you could use the stuffing and fabric from there to make yourself a snuggle buddy. You held the Data-Pad up to your face as you shuffled your back deeper into the embrace of the hard mattress underneath you.

He was already doing so much, though… It felt almost selfish to ask for anything else. Yet at the same time you couldn't help but consider how easy everything was for him, perhaps would not be that difficult for him.

The battle waged as you half focused on an archived episode of My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic before you heard the ritual knock on the front door.

You put the Data-Pad down as you hurled your body up, and you shuffled over to the door, almost falling over as the blankets tried to chain your legs together. You struggled against the deadbolt and opened it for Algernon.

He only had one plate of food in his hand and your mouth fell open in surprise. "what happened?"

"I managed to get a strike," he let out an annoyed grunt at the confession before he tried to hand the plate of food over to you. It was a simple sandwich using a store of meats produced onboard. It had cheese, mayo and mustard on it. It pretty good, but-

"Algernon, you should eat it," you said, it was fresh food and looked like decent protein.

"I will be fine," he tried to push the plate towards you and your eyes narrowed.

"Algernon, eat the sandwich. I have food here," you put both of your hands on his shoulders. "I will be okay, we are prepared," you smiled at him.

His red eyes glinted down at you, before he let out a huff of defeat and ate the food obediently well sitting on the bed, making sure to get it all down in time for the break.

He could tell by looking at you, there was something you were not saying. A face you held a lot towards him he was certain… He took in a long breathe. "Speak your mind freely," his voice boomed with the command as he looked intently down at you.

You jumped out of your skin and looked up at him in utter shock, which seemed to make his expression fold into more annoyance. "W-what?" you didn't process the question.

"You have something on your mind, tell it to me."

Well okay then- you didn't know the sudden interest but your eyes shifted to one side and then the other. "I…. I was wondering if you could get me a second comforter."

"Do you wish to have your own separate blanket?"

"N-no, that isn't what I had in mind,' you waved your hands in front of you. "You know how I like soft things, and I want something I can hold and snuggle with."

He was right here!

The offense that bubbled up cease as the large ice cubes the fair fear along with the fact his absence made it impossible for him to cuddle with you, he huffed and let out a breathe through his nose. "If that is all, consider it done."

"Thank- thank you," you put your hands together and smiled at him as he stood up, taking the now empty plate of food with him. "I hope everything goes well next shift…"

"I will be fine, don't leave the room," he reminded the words slipping in a concerned warning, before he was out of the door and you put the deadbolt up behind him, letting out a breathe as a hand covered your chest.

Your heart was beating faster.

Algernon wiped sweat off his brow as he made his way from the very bottom of the ship, where they had stuck him on the wheel again, all the way up to the restaurant on the top floor where he was to be cooking for the rest of the night.

He grumbled about the distance as it got closed faster then any regular employee could manage.

The attempts to punish him further were obvious but unfortunately for them, he slide into his station right on time, dressed perfect and every lock of his hair contained in a hairnet. He was never going to give them the chance to go after you if he could help it.

He started working on the line when from the other side he could see Antonio, his face long and drawn out. His eyes flicked down at the griddle before looking back up at him. "You look upset."

"Indeed I am, in mourning for poor Bituin," Antonio shook his head. "That poor girl worked so hard, and she had been on the ship for so long."

"Where was she heading?"

"Nowhere," Antonio answered as he closed his eyes. "She was one of the long staying passengers."

"Who would ever want to stay on this ship for longer then they had to?" Algernon's face turned into a cringe.

"Lots of people need to, Friend. Where else are they supposed to go?" Antonio asked. "There is a good chance, should the rumors be true, my wife and I will be boarding this boat once more…" it was the sound of a man damning himself to the gallows.

"What rumors?" Algernon asked as he pushed the food out the window.

"I will tell them to you when I get back," he said before he did his best to shake off his cobwebs so they would not affect him, at least for the moment as he brought the food out with the normal jolly smile he had on his face.

Algernon looked around the kitchen, at the others who had been on their feet for eight hours and were having the souls sucked out of them from it. He let out a hum.

He was certain he would rather die if he knew he would not be leaving this ship for good in a few days. Spending the rest of his day slaving away on this vessel would be most miserable. almost more then the cage he had come from.

He had several more orders out the door by the time Antonio came back, dropping off a large collection of plates into the bussing area before he came right back over, the smile now straining upon his face like ribbons pulled to tightly.

"Why are you chasing rumors in the first place?" Algernon asked as he worked on the next ticket for Antonio.

"Ah well... you see my wife, we got it diagnosed where we were staying but she is very sick, and will need a lot of procedures that are hard to get done in the apocalypse…. but it said that in Norway there is a healer! The rumor is that no matter how grave the aliment, she can keep you alive!" Antonio explained as he was putting the condiment with the food Algernon just pushed out.

"The city of Olso?"

"Yes, that is where she is located, how did you know?" he asked.

"I have heard a similar rumor,' Algernon said.

"I hope it is true," he let out a breathe. "It is really the hope I keep running on," he added before he had everything ready and he was out to the dining room.

Algernon almost pitied the fool.

"Ahhhhh," you threw your hands into the air. "I really wanna move around," you complained to Chiaki. You didn't have your fabric yet, but that wouldn't help how antsy you felt! You supposed several hours of physical activity every day for the last few months had built up your enegry reserves.

Now they were just begging to be burned!

But you couldn't leave this tiny room, and you didn't want to risk whatever was going on outside.

"Hmm….. well…. I have a song that might be good for a stationary dance," Chiaki said before the music started to play from her speakers. In the moment your entire face turned a bright shade of red.

"W-why that one???"

"I think you would look good dancing along to it," Chiaki said as the music kept playing, each word of the song making you redder or redder.

Ah well- maybe it could be fun. The rhythm was bouncy and your feet could get into it. Being stuck in place meant a lot of hand movement but that was fine. You listened to the song a few times, having a routine form itself in each playing.

You, might show it to Algernon- if you wouldn't die when the song started to play for him.

Think of the devil, two, zero then three.

"Pause!" you called and Chiaki made the music stop hard. You shimmed over to the door and pulled it open, ushering Algernon into the room before locking the door tight so no one would try and bother him when he was done with work. "How was work?" you asked as you turned to face him.

"Boring," he answered, kicking off his shoes before sitting on the bed.

"Well I am not too surprised," you said, and your mouth caught your question before you could ask it. He had a long day you didn't need to bother him.

Algernon saw the momentary look on your face, however. He had not precured you a comforter however… "I thought you may prefer a wide array of fabrics better."

You looked at the folded swatches of fabric that were in his arms and you were thrilled to let excited air into your lungs. "Oh, oh thank you!!!" you hopped onto the bed right next to him, kicking your legs out you had been looking at patterns throughout the day and now you could extend your range quite a lot more.

He handed all of them over and you thrilled at how soft the fabrics were.

You had been looking at a simple winter fox pattern, and you would likely make it with the fluffy white you had been brought, however now you could dare to dream of the tiger or the wolf pattern you had set your eyes on, you were giddy with the possibilities. "You went through a lot of trouble, thank you so much!"

"It was easy," and they would never know either. He had been well aware of every camera in the place, and even if it had been a truly difficult task he would have just as pleased to complete it with out incident so he could see that smile turn light. He produced two pillows. "I also got you stuffing."

The smile continued as you took them from his hands and squished their insides. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"I heard you the first time," he assured in a gentle tone, he would not fuss over you singing his praises, even though he could not help but feel he had far from earned them from you at this point. "But you are very welcome."

You set everything onto the nightstand and laid down in the bed, and Algernon set himself up next to you, draping the covers over both of you.

You laid next to him and let out a small breathe through your nose.

He had not been shy the other night to drape himself over you, and yet now he laid perfectly still right besides you. You turned yourself so you wouldn't be facing it and longing for it.

Longing?

No- no that isn't-

you didn't, it was just nice to cuddle with someone, at least till you had made one of your stuffed palls. You weren't longing! You couldn't be longing…

Not in the way you were!

You curled your knees in and brought a hand over to your heart. You could hear the way his breathe had gone steady well you were tortured with suddenly being far, far to awake for your own liking. Your own emotions keeping the engine burning, despite the most earnest attempts to put them out.

How could he truly gain your forgiveness, he wondered.

It seemed like it could very well be an impossibility to truly do that. He could bring you temporary joy, but would that ever really patch over the damage he had caused you? For your first weeks together he had been waiting for you to fall off a cliff.

How could one possible recover from that hole he dug himself into? He'd love to never address the problem, simply move on but that air of distrust from you lingered around. He had felt how tense you were in the bed beside him the night before.

"You look more down then I have ever seen you, my friend!" Antonio's voice rung into the silverware area as Algernon put another set away into his bin. "What is the matter?"

"Do you have time to sit around here?"Algernon asked.

"I am done for the day, so tell me, what's heavy on your mind?" he asked as he stood over Algernon, who rolled away with out looking at what he was doing.

"Why are you interested?"

"You have let me talk about what is on mine- It is fair to return the favor, no?" he asked tilting his head to the side with a smile.

Algernon closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "Are you going to keep pestering me until I do?"

"Yep! You are like an oyster, need to pry the emotions right out of you!" he cupped one hand and mimicked having a pair of pliers in the other, pretending to rip it open and get at those sweet shellfish insides. "So will I need to keep prying?"

"…." no one would find the body if he did it- but he elected to practice self control. "I may have errored with my companion, and I do not know how to rectify it."

"Oh I knew you had a little wife!" Antonio clapped his hands together. 'Explains why you work all the time."

Algernon let out a sigh. "It is not like that, this error carries much further back," when should he count it? Perhaps when he had figured out he was Hajime before you had, or more when he had refused to help you….

He felt a wind wisp from hell, saying 'I told you so'.

"How have you come to travel together?" Antonio asked. "You couldn't have made too big of an mistake if they are still traveling with you!"

"They don't have a choice," Algernon answered. "I am helping them collected their friends, and I am the only one who has a wide enough skillset to cover their openings," you were impressive in your feats, but you also did not know how to operate a motorcycle, nor did he think you actually knew how to drive any motor vehicle, nor could you perform surgery, nor disable active fire arms, nor deal with all of the navigation.

None of these were faults, you were only human. Wonderfully so.

"Well your skills are impressive," Antonio admired with a nod before he put a hand under his chin. "As for you problem, my friend, I would say the first step is an apology, and make sure it is a meaningful one. Then see if you cannot repair things with your little wife," Antonio winked.

Algernon glared at him again before letting out air through his nose. "A meaningful apology, huh?" he asked. "How do you do that?"

"It depends on what would have meaning between the two of you," Antonio let out a long yawn and his jaw cracked. "Whatever that may be changes between person to person, so I cannot tell you," he finally got out the words before he went into another long yawn.

"You should go to bed…. you have given me a lot to think upon," Algernon said before he put his head down into the silverware.

Antonio smiled. "Happy to be of service," he gave a cheeky bow before he turned and left the area, humming a tune to keep himself awake.

How in the world would he do that?

What in the world were you going to do?!

You were under the covers, currently clinging onto your new friend Nami so hard you might pop the fresh stuffing out of her. You closed your eyes as your head was pushed into the back of the tiger plushie as you tried to will your feelings off.

You couldn't be falling for Algernon, you didn't WANT to be falling for Algernon!

You pushed a hand over your chest. You- he meant a lot to you. Despite his cold words he had genuinely kept you alive and safe at almost ever opportunity, even if it could have only been for the sense of pride.

Could you blame that at all? Would he be willing to work 16 hours in humiliating labor to keep you safe…. because of a sense of pride?

Your hand move over your mouth. What if he was really beginning to care about you, too? Was that- it was a good thing but!

Your selfish heart ached as your body physically twisted along with your mind as it ran itself ragged, tearing itself in too over how to handle the feelings you couldn't avoid, as much as you may have wanted too.

"Heyyyyy, do you want to talk about it?" Chiaki asked fromt the nightstand, you peeked from underneath the blankets. Your mind thought about it before you found the solution to your woes.

"… I know what I need," you said before you crawled over to your backpack and pulled out the signal booster.

"Who do you want to call?" Chiaki asked as you set it up on the bed, plugging everything in.

"Fuyuhiko," you answered and the screen began to ring.

Ot took only moments for the screen to change, all be it, you couldn't see his face.

"I gotta take this phonecall so you better shut the fuck up for five minutes, got it-" you could hear the muffled voice of Lady Tamamo. "Stop distracting my men!!!" there was some crashing and Fuyuhiko let out a huff. "What's going on?" his tone dropped to complete seriousness.

"Please call me a dumb bitch."

He choked on the other end of the line. "What!? No!" there was a pause and you were about to speak before. "No! What the fuck?! Why!?"

"Please just call me a stupid or dumb bitch."

Chiaki was now of the screen, staring at you with her mouth open. "….. hmmmm."

"I am not fucking doing that," he let out a huff of air. "Okay, what the hell happened?"

"I don't wanna tell you or else you are going to believe it, it is just what I need to hear to snap myself out of my funk."

"I am not doing that," he repeated. "Do I need to jump to the assumption of murder? Because you know I am ready to kill that son of a bitch if he did something," you could hear Peko's sword shing on the otherside of the line.

"No! No no no definitely not that!" oh this was such a bad idea. You put a hand on the side of your head and closed your eyes. "…. I think I fell in love with Algernon."

"WHAT?!" you heard him fall out of his chair, cursing at himself after the fact.

"I don't know! He's…. I don't know what happened with him but he has been being…. he's been being kind to me," how could you label it anything else? He had shifted rapidly around. "I- I can't think this is just a trick, but I don't know what to do and-" you put a hand on the side of your face. "And I just need to snap out of it!"

"Okay- so first of fucking all you were not a stupid bitch," he started. "If you keep thinking that I will find you and kick your ass," he threatened in such a light tone you could almost mistake the words of him simply demanding you drink water. "Second of all, what do you mean he has been kind?"

"Well, alright so we are on this ship, and to be on it they required payment and they won't take the Monocoins or the idea of the Future Foundation taking care of our fee…."

"So they are a fucking scam."

"Yaaa…." you nodded your head. "They want a total of 16 hours of work from our room…. Algernon is taking it all."

Fuyuhiko let out a hum, "as he should."

"He shouldn't have to," you argued with a huff. "he also brought me a whole lot of nice fabric so I could make myself a few stuffed animals, and has really been trying to take care of me," you said closing your eyes. "he has really changed a lot, and I don't know what to do with that."

Fuyuhiko didn't have much to say for the moment, the other end of the line resting silent which made your stomach churn.

"Is this just because he is Hajime?"

"I don't- know?" you said and put a hand on your head. You didn't think of him as Hajime exactly, but… "He's Schrodinger's Hajime, they are not at all alike, and yet the same exact person at the same time," maybe it was more accurate to say the Hajime of Thesus? Everyone changes over time, didn't they were you same person? The shift was more dramatic because of outside intervention but would you to not look at the person you were and question how you were ever the same? "Now I am trying to find more ways to justify it…."

"I literally cannot imagine what it is like being stuck in your place," Fuyuhiko confessed, his voice was muffled from the way he was pressing on his face. "I can't get it, but I also…. understand the conflict," there was overlap as different as it seemed. How a grand sun in the sky could one day turn into a white then black dwarf. "Look your not stupid for falling in love with him, emotions are complicated and this is a complicated position" Fuyuhiko sighed."I can't exactly direct ya on what to do, but he's not going to exist for much longer."

You put your hands on your face and let out a cry. "I know! That's another part of it! I- and I won't remember him…."

Fuyuhiko closed his eye. "I don't know what to tell you, still," he confessed, because what did he tell you. "But whatever you choice to do, I won't judge you… if that is anything," if things were any different maybe there would be but what the hell could he say?

You let out a breathe. "That is something…" you closed your eyes, you weren't sure if it helped you but this was something you were on your on with. The only person you could even convince of talking to was Nagito but-

You couldn't even reach him if he wanted to talk to you.

"Thank you Fuyuhiko…."

"You are welcome, and you are not a dumb bitch, ya hear me? You are pretty damn smart," Fuyuhiko declared with a nod of the head, he wished he could have seen your face to judge if the words were getting through or if he really had to grind them into your skull.

You felt a bit flush at the unearned praise. "Thank you, Fuyuhiko," you repeated with more dedication, it did really help.

"Don't mention it. Do you need anything else before I go?" Fuyuhiko asked.

"No, it was nice to talk to you," you said putting a hand over your chest, you sort of wished he had been able to video call so you could see his face more. "I…. will figure it out," it may take you time though.

"Have a good rest of the night."

"You too, good luck with the new recruits," you giggled a little bit and heard him groan on the other end of the line.

"Ya, ya- I will need it."

He hung up, and you let out a breathe feeling refreshed, and you worked on the next one of your patterns with a sense of feeling calm.

You wished it would last longer, but it was nice to enjoy well it lasted.

Only two more days of this.

Algernon grunted as he walked down the hallway through the repeated structure of staff rooms as he tried to get to yours, when he heard voices coming out of a door that was slightly cracked.

"Oh, my sweet Antonio," a woman's voice cooed in Spanish. "I can certainly do something."

"My Maria you must rest, save your strength."

Algernon stood in the hallway by the door and sucked in a breathe as he tilted his head to one side and then the other before he peeked one eye into the crack,

Antonio laid in Maria's arms and she stroked the hair on his head, her arms wrapped around him. There was gray in her hair and illness eating away at her features, washing away color too, but Algernon could easily see how she must have been gorgeous in her youth.

"What are you to do for later, my love… there is still so long to travel," she lamented. She coughed into her forearm and her eyes looked down sadly. She was clearly in a very weak state. Her eyes traveled to the side before they shot up when something caught the corner of her eye, and she let out a scream.

Antonio stood up and turned around, grabbing the lamp from the side of the bed to throw only to let out a loud gasp. "My God! Algernon! Someone should put a bell on you, my friend!" he yelled putting a hand over his chest.

'This is the Algernon you have told me about?" Maria asked as she blinked, staring up at him when he had let himself into the room. She closed her eyes. "I suppose… you do not look quite how I expected," she blinked before her eyes shifted between him and her husband. "Huh…" she said before she shook her head and tried to stand, her legs failing her immediately.

Antonio caught her by the waist and placed her down. "Oh my Maria," he shook his head before bumping his forehead to her. "Yes, Algernon, this is my wife," he said and ushered Algernon to come closer.

Algernon stared down at the woman with an intensity that made her shrink. Even closer she looked worse. Given the route this ship was taking he questioned if she would even survive all of the way to Norway.

And then when she got there….

"It is nice to meet you, Antonio has spoken highly of you," she said with a small nod of the head.

Algernon didn't respond as he kept staring at the couple, judging their every movement and then brought it back to you in his mind.

If any apology was going to be meaningful, he would have to show some actual change.

He didn't know how he wished to do this, but he could start by at the very least…. trying to do what you would in this situation.

Both of them watched him expectantly, waiting for any sort of reaction.

Then he left the room.

Both of them stared at where he had been.

"He is an odd duck," Antonio admitted.

"Well my love, I noticed."

You were half asleep when the code was tapped onto the door, and you shot up, untangling yourself from the sheets and rubbing one eye in the dark as you got to the entrance, fumbling the deadbolt and almost blinding yourself when the light of the hall came in.

You closed your eyes and squinted them at Algernon who walked into the room in a hurry, going over to his bag, you blinked your eyes until they would keep open to watch him. 'What…… is going on?"

"You may go back to sleep. I shall be back in a few hours," he said as he pulled several yellow medication bottles and a series of other supplies. You tilted your head to one side.

"What are you doing?"

He looked up at you and your half asleep state, and then looked at the items he was grabbing. Telling you would be easy, probably give him a lot of credit in your eyes…. but what change came from merely doing it for your approval.

Perhaps he'd brag about other achievements, but he stood up. "Something that will help you sleep easier," he answered before he left the room. You blinked, rubbing your sleepy eyes before your mouth fell open.

You barely processed what had happened as you looked over at the bed. Well….. you'd leave the door unlocked for him. You crawled back under the covers and sleep was quick to come back to you.

Antonio thought one of the 'Managers' was coming down to hand him another strike with how his door was pounded on. He almost fell out of bed to get to the door, ready to reach for a weapon if they did not want to be friendly.

Only for the on the other side of the door to be Algernon, coming into the room and looking at Maria, he handed her a yellow bottle. "Take three of those," he commanded before he laid out other ones on the counter.

"Excuse me?" Maria asked as she looked at the bottle, before her eyes turned to her husband.

"Yes- what she said! What is going on???" Antonio asked.

"I will be performing the surgeries your wife requires," Algernon answered. "Move her over to a chair so I can disinfect the bed."

"How do you know what they are!? Sir, have you gone mad?" Maria asked as her shoulders shrugged up.

"That rumor your chasing, it is the Healer of Despair," Algernon stated simply and he began to lay out the different artifacts he had grabbed, and pulled out a sheet that was freshly cleaned and wrapped in plastic. "I assure you, there were a lot of states a person can be "alive". She has no intention to make it a pleasant one," not from everything he had learned this far.

"You seem like an expert on this," Antonio's voice had some sarcasm to it as he stood in front of his wife.

"I in a sense am," he answered as he turned his back. "The reason my companion and I travel is hunting them down…. they have captured their friend," he explained as his eyes shifted to the side. "You have seen the skills I possess, surgery is simply another one of them."

Antonio stood there and looked at his wife, who looked at him and closed her eyes, giving him the final say on this. After all he was the one who had sung his praises, seen him work…. if Antonio trusted him, Maria would too.

Antonio caught his breathe.

"You promise you can do this?"

"I have saved a patient in much worse state, your wife will be child's play to save," Algernon declared, snapping on rubber gloves he had stolen and Antonio closed his eyes.

He picked his wife up, pulling her off the bed and helped her get the pill bottle open, whilst Algernon made sure the area thoroughly cleaned and his tools were prepared as such. When the painkillers started to kick in Algernon had Antonio undressed and laid here onto the bed, leaving her under Algernon's knife.

The surgery was successful.

Simple matters followed up by a routine of the drugs he had given to them.

Maria would be just fine.

He was only going to get four hours of sleep.

How annoying, it would make it harder not to be cranky at work.

He'd manage though.

The door to your shared room pulled open easily and he made sure his steps were silent as he approached the bed. You were fast asleep, arms curled around 'Nami' the tiger plushie and then 'Konpeito' your little fox.

You let out a quiet hum as your head shifted to the side, and your lips cracked into a smile.

He couldn't help but match the expression as his hand reached down, finding it's way across the strands of your hair.

You looked so peaceful and contented…. he only wished you could always feel that way, rather then only when you were asleep.

He found his place in the bed next to you, and his selfish arms pulled you closer to him, your head bumping back into his chest with a delightful trill from your sleeping person.

He had a very restful four hours.

"Well Mr. Algernon! Tomorrow's stop was your intended stop," the 'Captain' had called him to the office, putting his hands together and having his hands put together. "I will not deny, Ark Cruise Lines certainly had it's…. doubts about you," his next snapped to one side and then the other, it cracking with the movement. "However other then one tiny mishap, you have truly been a model employee!"

"Yes."

"Really putting in your all into the company, and so that is why I wanted to offer you a promotion!" the boss slammed his hand down and lifted his other hand up, eyes glinting. "How would you like to become a manager? For you and you little miss it would only be a total of 8 hours of work, giving you plenty of time of time to enjoy the amenities onboard! Not to mention no more of that manual labor," it was offered with bright neon signs in the form of smiles and slightly opened eyes.

"Not interested," Algernon said. "Can I go finish my shift?"

The 'Captain' was taken aback, his whole body bumping into his chair. His smile turned into a strained one like on the first day, a rock having been thrown into his display. "Well, I suppose if that is what you want there is very little we can do to force you," Algernon's eyes narrowed at the wording, but nodded his head.

"Yes. There is nothing you can do to force me, for I have followed the agreement," he said firmly before he left the room.

The 'Captain' sneered behind the closed door. Before his head tilted backwards.

Oh well- they always had ways of making the most valuable people stick around.

The 'Captain' laughed to himself. He was sure Mr. Algernon would be singing a different tune tomorrow.

The first layer of the ship was done, now it was time to build upwards and complete the shell, then filling it in with all of the details!

You had beaming eyes as you placed blue concrete block after concrete block, Chiaki working faster on the other side of the ship.

Pounding at the door sent the Data-Pad flying out of your hands. Your head shot up and your eyes narrowed at the only entrance. The pounding got louder before there were feet being pushed on the door.

You shot up from the bed and looked around, nothing you could really move. You didn't even know what was going on.

"Open up!!!" the voice of the head bodyguard, 'Daniel' you were pretty sure Algernon had mentioned, called. "We know you have been using a unapproved communicator! That is akin to privacy on the ship and a serious crime!"

That is what they wanted to get you for? You let out a huff before you made you way around to the door, tiptoeing.

The door got kicked on once and well he was reeling back, you unlocked the door and unhook the bolt. So the door gave with no issue.

Daniel flew into the room, losing more of his footing then he was expecting. You slipped out of the room to release you were surrounded by 4 muscular men, they were armed with guns and they were all trained on you.

Your eyes narrowed, and your body shifted into your stance. You had needed that break more then you suspected, for standing in position every single one of your muscles felt lighter then they had for this entire journey.

The first man aimed at you and you slipped underneath him, making eye contact with him as you grabbed his arm with the gun and twisted it around. The trigger went off pointed at the ceiling.

One man shot at you and you twisted his coworker's body down, the bullet proof vest protecting him from dying and also keeping you safe.

It did knock the wind out of him though, and you were forced to drop him well you stumbled back.

You looked at all of the men, their next movements being like lines on a page and you followed what would be the best steps. You managed to appear behind one of the men in a blind spot they gave you well trying to adjust the guns.

You pulled the man up by the neck before launching him towards another who was firing his gun, all of that lead being loaded into the vest. You kicked the man forward as he began to come towards you and two men were knocked down next.

You looked at the fourth man who had a simple pistol. Your feet moved before he fired to dodge each one of his bullets, whirling around closer and grabbing his neck, slamming him into the door frame.

Last was Daniel, who had regained his footing.

"What the hell!?" he yelled as he looked at how seamlessly you had dealt with his men, and you crouched low to make it through the door frame, popping up close within his frame of vision.

You locked his elbow with yours and twisted. He let out a scream as you dislocated his before twirling around to his other side, and twisted his other elbow in the other direction, dislocating it from a different direction.

As he fell to the ground in pain, you slipped the gun out of his belt and trained it at him.

Your breathe began to pick up as you held it in your hands, quivering as your pupils dilated.

He was a bad man, he had come to attack you for a petty crime and who knows what they would have done with you when they had you. Who knows the other people he had hurt well on this ship.

You kept the gun on him, your body shaking as it got harder for you to draw in each breathe.

You should kill him, he wasn't a good man. If you let him live he would hurt other.

Your finger wouldn't tighten, all you could do was stand there with a fancy accessory you would never bring yourself to use. You wanted to use it, wouldn't it be right to defend yourself? To possibly defend others.

You cried out a breathe as you took the gun and pulled the clip out, firing the one bullet in the chamber into his knee. He howled in pain before it knocked him out and you looked at the remaining men, shaking.

You couldn't simply leave them able to get out…. they had all brought handcuffs with them.

It was a lot of dragging bodies, but you found a supply closest to stuff them all in, handcuffed to pipes so they couldn't leave unless someone else let them go….

You had wrapped up Daniel's leg, mostly so he wouldn't leave blood on the way when he was finally let out.

You were comfortable back in your room, your muscles feeling stretched out from what at this point, was little more then a warm up to you.

You were glad to be leaving this boat tomorrow.

You stood on the worn away dock and your head kept darting around, the your hand tightly squeezing the bag. Had he gotten caught getting the bike back? Had he even gotten that far? What if they tried to cease him for what you had done-

As he appeared, the panic disappeared. He had his hands on the handlebars and he looked down at you.

"What's wrong?"

"Just got anxious where you were," you closed your eyes letting out a laugh. "I feel silly for it but, glad you are okay."

"I was only leaving a gift for the Captain."

Your lips cracked into a smile and you sent him a questioning look. 'What is it? A pipe bomb?" you qupped.

KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooM!!!

Your ears rang and your body jolted as you looked past Algernon back at the ship, where from the captain quarters there was smoke and fire bellowing upwards meeting the ashen sky.

"Yes," Algernon blinked at you with a deadpan.

Your mouth fell open and you blinked tendinous blaring in your ears still before you locked eyes with him, shut your mouth and stood tall. You put a hand his shoulder and leaned in closer. "Good job."

Algernon was almost taken aback by the praise, his pupils dilating. He let out a hum as he turned his head, before he got onto the bike. He held his head down so his hair would cover his flush cheeks. "We should get going."

You nodded as you put on the helmet and found yourself nested in his hair before he drove forward, rapidly moving inland and straight through the ruined roads of Tanzania.

Aboard the ship the cleanup crew got to work-

Antonio stood in the front, the key Algernon had left from him wrapped around on a cord as he gripped the rifle in hand, the other common workers with him and armed.

In front of them were all of the 'managers' and anyone the bomb had missed standing, and then the gun fight started.

"¡Los mares serán libres!" Antonio cried above the gunfire, and all of his troops cried along with him as they pushed forward, their numbers quickly overwhelming.

From atop of Antonio's head, a strand of spiky hair stubbornly stuck up.

Chapter Text

The air of the continent felt fresh as it flew past Algernon and you, his hair whishing by you making you almost one with his shadow as you pressed the plastic of your helmet to his back.

Through the lashes you could see the Savannah landscape in yellows, greens and browns, set back upon a truly blue sky. "The Mikumi Nat'l Park is what we are traveling through, right?" you asked loud enough over the engine Algernon could hear you.

"Yes," he answered, in the corner of his eye he could see a herd of Zebras prance by and he slowed the bike down, you noticed them next and pulled the hair away, letting out a giddy laugh as they trotted by.

"It is so nice to see much wildlife!" you exclaimed, and that was enough to make them start to gallop away. You put a hand over your mouth under the helmet, but you were still smiling as you saw a nest with a lilac-breast roller in it. You hadn't seen any since the whales come to think about it, and now everywhere was teeming with it!

Most buildings that had once acted like landmarks were more then turned to rubble, however you had caught some villages well passing through with people who seemed to be able to go through their daily life.

It was…. nice. Really nice.

"Would you like to go through Ruaha as well? It would not be that much of a detour from the route," merely going further west from the point of where you were, he believed.

Your eyes seemed to light up. "Is it not too much trouble?" you asked, knitting your fingers together.

He hummed. "None at all," he revved the engine once more, making some small mammals skitter across the ground in fright before he started to drive along. You had to fight with his hair to keep your view, but it was well worth it.

The only person left wanting for a better view was Algernon.

You managed to set up a nice little camp sight within the second area of land that once was a park, sitting upon one of the dirt trails jeebs carrying tourist used to past by, and yet now it was only the two of you as you sat on your durable sleeping bag.

As Algernon prepped the fire for the night his eyes turned to the side, peeking into the grass just behind you and he showed all of his teeth, the grass rustled quickly.

Your had turned away and then back to him as he managed to get the fire going, throwing some plants into the fire. It made the entire campsite smell of mint. 'What are you doing?" you asked.

"The scent will ensure that bugs stay away," he answered before he set to work on preparing dinner.

"Do you want any help?" you asked, your hands closed to yourself.

"You should focus rest. It has been a long day and it will be a longer day tomorrow."

"It has been just as long for you."

"Yes, but fate seems much less keen on throwing me into danger," he said, giving you only a look before he went back to boiling water.

You sat on the sleeping bag and didn't argue, you set Chiaki aside and her eyes flicked to you, then to Algernon, and then she decided it was a good time to take a nap.

You watched him and put a hand on your cheek, feeling the warmth you had when Hajime prepared ramen or Nagito made crepes. You scolded yourself in your head as you forced your eyes to the side…

He really had been working hard to take care of you, though. that was undeniable. Even when he had been annoyed at you after the bar he didn't stop even as snapped at you. It was a far cry from the man who scoffed every other moment in your presences.

Had…. he come to love you, too?

Your heart stopped in a flash freeze then fire as your cheeks turned red. That was sort of a leap for you to make, wasn't it? That he had fell in love with you?

It could easily be another form of affection, considering you a friend or simply someone to take care of?

You had fallen in love with him, it was a feeling you were certain of by the mere fact it had flooded you before. Would he even have realized he had fallen in love with you if he truly had?

If he had fallen in love with you and you with him, what in the world were you going to do? Even if you were to get together it is not like you would remember him in the end, and it would have happened.

Wouldn't you be happy if it happened?

Hajime's pretty green eyes flashed in your mind and your shoulders tensed. You couldn't… Even if no one knew it took place, wouldn't it be wrong?

You already knew how Hajime felt about himself, if he and you ever found out you had gotten with someone who had his body, someone he would considered 'talented'… They were similar people, but that didn't change how he might see it, or how you were so blurry on the idea of how deep that similarities went.

Then the fact you'd forget about it all came back to your mind. Was there a point if the memories would be lost to everyone but the sands of time?

…. unless you were to stay out of the machine.

The idea of that made your mind flash with everything else you would be forced to remember if you did elect to abstain from that. It was a flood of bodies and blood and beaten people left to a blighted world that your friends had all taken their opportunity to rip it to ruins.

Your entire body began to shake and your breathe started to get heavier and heavier until it was ready to drag you down into a deep pit.

"What is wrong?"

Algernon was in front of you, a hand on your shoulder and his face meters away from you. You might have been spoked if it weren't for how he looked at you like a worried puppy. Your mouth opened and you let out half a sound, your hand moved to the one he put on your shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"I…. it's nothing," you said.

"Are you sure?" Chiaki said from the Data-Pad, and your wortds did not seem to do much to make Algernon's concern cease.

You gave a small nod of the head and looked back at Algernon… You were really going to need to go into that machine… "I will be," you looked over at the drained noodles, the cheese powder lying on top. "I am hungry, though."

Algernon swept away to grant your wish.

Food cleared your mind and the taste of mac and cheese left you craving other old comforts from before the world had ended. Your eyes closed as a craving danced on your tongue. "Ahhhh wanna know what I miss?" you asked aloud.

"Everything?" Algernon asked.

"Yes," you held your pointer finger up. "Just about…. but I am thinking specifically about chocolate," you let out a happy puff of air at the memory of the rich delicacy. "Another thing to look forward too later, I suppose, though…" it wasn't like there was any place to simple find it anymore, and as much as you enjoyed it… it was probably for the best it stayed out of common production, but you were still allowed to long for it.

"Chocolate, hm? What brought this up?" Algernon asked.

'Well… it's October, right?" you had a little smile thinking about last October- or well… Two Octobers ago. "I suppose that puts my mind on Halloween," you admitted closing your eyes. "Always like the dressing up and getting candy aspects a fair lot more then the true horror side of it," you were certainly getting a lot of that.

"I see," his eyes shifted to the side. "Perhaps considering your mood, you'd like to put on a book that fits the season. In away you prefer."

Your eyes fluttered before your face broke into a grin, the idea of chocolate being forgotten in the moment. "Oh! I have the perfect book, it is one I was actually going to put on for you before being stuck on the ship!" you exclaimed before you reached over for Chiaki, deciding to keep suspense in the air for him as you poked around files, finally bringing up the audio book.

"Frankeinstein by Mary Shelley, read by Colin Salmon."

The audio track played and you were quickly engrossed into the old novel, and for the first few chapters Algernon was guilty of perhaps paying more attention to each reaction you had to the book rather then the story itself, and then the it was alive.

Oh that creation certainly caught his attention, his face never truly shifted away from you despite that and he laid back.

About at the 3 hour mark of the story, when it was transitioning from tome one to tome too, he could see the fact your eyes seemed to resent being forced to stay open, and the rest of your body began to slump in on itself as if you were falling into a star.

He let out an amused hum. 'Are you sleepy?"

"…….. no……"

"Lying does not suit you very well, you know."

You let out a whine. "I wanna keep listening…" you confessed.

"We can pause it."

"But I have heard it before…." you protested. "So you can keep….. listening…….." you seemed to move further and further away, Chiaki stopped the audio and he let out a small sigh.

"It is more enjoyable with you awake."

You had a drowsy smile. "… Okay…" you conceded and you let yourself fall into the sleeping bag, your eyes finally closing and you were in a deep slumber.

Algernon let out a huff that forced his lips into a smile as he kept staring down at you.

That smile faded when you started to cuddle with one of your new stuffed toys. His eyes shifted to the side and he let out another, more annoyed huff like an old dog as he forced himself to look away.

How were you so capable of putting him under your thumb? He couldn't understand it… he put thought it into, more and more until….

He got it!

You were a Femme Fatale, working your ways to seduce him!

That would explain how he had fallen so hard, you were designing ever aspect of yourself to eventually make him succumb to you.

His eyes glared at you in resentment, just as you rolled over, in your sleeping bag that white fox clutched tightly in your arms and you let out a small noise of contentment, cheeks squishing in away that reminded him exactly how soft you were.

He clenched his jaw before he rolled over, letting out a series of consonances roll from under his breathe.

You were nice to everyone, he was hardly special in your from of seduction. If he fell for it he was the fool.

…

Oh who was he kidding?

It wasn't any form of seduction.

You were simply good, always trying to help and be kind.

He found it admirable, and he fell in love with you because of that. He was back to looking at you, and he pouted again at that fox in your arms.

That cheeky grin you had stitched upon it's face reminded him of that annoying patient he had.

How was he doing?

The wondering caught him by surprise, but it shouldn't, he was proud of keeping that corpse alive…. that was all it was about it, wanting to ensure he was still alive so he could bathe in the achievement of it.

Just like how with you- it was a matter of wanting to enjoy this game which was why he had kept you alive.

…..

………

No, dammit. No!

No. No no. No. This was getting to far but yet the question banged on his skull with more force then any ice pick could.

Did he love Nagito?

He would never have even considered the thought if it weren't for you, blast it. Yet now he wondered.

Algernon has taken quite a bit of dedication to the project of keeping him alive, and even still insisted on doing it now he was long done with the experiment with ensuring he didn't rot from his own stupid behavior.

Not to mention he had been of interest for awhile…. his mind thought more about when Monaca had asked for his servant as a new babysitter with Junko going away. He let out a long puff of air.

He hadn't…. wanted to let her have him, and yet he couldn't at the time think of any logical reason why she shouldn't.

Ugh he was a just a strange curiosity, he shouldn't stretch things that far.

He elected not to think about that one time, if he had a choice he wouldn't think about this at all. It was so much simpler when he disregarded this faulty clockwork heart of his, that ticked and chimed in the annoying rhyme of these suffocating emotions.

If only….

"Chiaki," his voice came out loud and she hummed awake, and you did not even stir. "What are the odds I would survive a second lobotomy?" Algernon asked, his hands folded over his diaphragm as he stared up at the sky.

"Low," she answered.

He sat up, pulling the knife from inside of his suit jacket. "Then you are saying you believe there is a chance," he declared as he held the blade to his eye, placing the flat of his palm on the other end quite ready to try and new DIY project.

"How about we talk about our emotions, first?"

"I would rather cease to deal with them," he answered, despite that he did pick up the Data-Pad and pulled Chiaki closer to him, ever so often checking up to make sure he wasn't disturbing your deserved slumber.

"Well…. the first lobotomy didn't quite get rid of them, anyway, did it?" she asked and her head tilting to one side. "Repeating the experiment probably wouldn't work."

"…. ergh…."

"Emotions aren't easy, I know it may seem…. hard to believe but I do understand how frustrating they can be," her eyes shifted to the side when she said that. "But it is always easier to talk about them then ignoring or trying to remove them all together."

"…" he let out a long sigh. "I am in love with them," he stated as he looked at you, he had to unpack you before he could even begin trying to comprehend whatever the hell he felt about Nagito. Because he knew what he had felt about you.

"Yes," Chiaki agreed with a nod of her head.

For a moment, one of her eyes turned into an error message before she blinked.

"You can handle that in multiple ways."

"With the way I have treated them up until now?" Algernon huffed. First he had seen you as an easy out of his situation, then as less then a pet, then a weight he was going to carry around for his own entertainment.

Then he decided to fall in love with you.

"What am I suppose to do?"

"Well…. you didn't treat them great at first, but you have been working hard to improve how you act towards them. If you gave them an apology I bet they would forgive you."

"Yes, and they would also carve out their own liver and give it to someone if it would save their life," Algernon huffed. "I have no doubt they would accept hollow words."

"They think have a lot of meaning…. but if you want to apology, it doesn't have to be some grand gesture," Chiaki said as she tilted her head to the other side. "You have caused them a lot of pain in small actions, it may be best to keep mending with your small acts of kindness. If you truly think your words would not be enough to sate yourself."

Small gestures, huh? Algernon let out a sigh. "…. I suppose I could do that…" he said.

Chiaki smiled. "Do you have anything else you would like to talk about."

"No."

Chiaki let out a sigh. "Do you want to play video games?" her screen flashed with doom and perhaps it had to do with his love of crushing skulls, but the gore did intice him to at least give it a try well he sorted out his thoughts.

Passing the border between Zambia and the DRC- you almost flew right past your target.

You had only caught a glimpse of them as the locks of hair whipped around you before it the figure was flying by, and your head turned around. "Wait!!! Stop the bike!!!" you yelled over the air.

He grinded it to a halt but you were well away from the person you had seen. 'What is it?"

"I saw our target," you said as you held your hands in front of you. "I swear it!" you promised, not that he had any doubt he voiced in your claim, as he lifted the front tire up, turning the bike in a smooth 180 degrees and went at a slower speed back from whence you had came.

It was a small bit of traveling at the slower speed of the bike, but it wasn't long before bright red hair showed up in the distance and you grinned in a delighted surprise.

Your eyes had not been deceiving you, it was indeed her!

The Ultimate Photographer, Mahiru Koizumi.

Also known as the Record-keeper of Despair.

She looked so normal! She was wearing cargo pants and a brown jacket which worked to keep her safe from all of the bugs and brush. On her back was a a black backpack that was very similar to yours.

Algernon stopped the bike and you got off, pulling the helmet off. "Mahiru!!!!"

Her head turned around, letting you see her face, and well you were still smiling it had closed into something tight.

She smiled upon seeing you, her original set of teeth having been yanked from her skull and replaced with a much larger set that didn't fit into the gum placements she had, leaving her teeth crooked and jutting in different directions. It pushed on her lips making them bend wrong.

Other then that, she looked exactly the same! She even had her same tie and camera around her neck.

You closed your eyes before you walked over, she meet you half way.

"You are alive," she said as you looked you over, and then her eyes caught on Algernon in the distance, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And have a man with you…"

"He is more then pulling his weight, I promise!" you said as you looked back at him for a second, feeling sweat on the back of your neck before your eyes shot back to her. Her expression had settled.

"I…. supposed he was working with Junko…." she said before she turned her attention back to you. "What are you doing out here? I cannot see any reason you'd come out to the middle of Africa."

"Looking for you," you explained with half a shrug, "What are you doing in the middle of Africa?" you asked.

"Oh- I have just been traveling," she answered. Both of you looked around and there was a flat rock on the ground, you followed her and both of you sat down as if you were about to have lunch at school together. "it's been… fun, to go around the world," she said.

"Have you gotten pictures of your travels?" you asked, tilting your head to the side. The idea made her eyes brighten and she reached for the camera around her neck.

"All sorts of them," she answered and you huddled in next to her as she started to click through the most recent photos. They were mostly different pictures of landscapes around the region, mountains, plains and animals, what remained of the pyramids, then they got further back into her history.

Cities in ruin,polluted landmarks and as expected of someone who liked photographing people, lots of those!

Unfortunately, it was overwhelming dead people.

Your smile wavered near the end of her album before she stopped clicking around the time she was back in Japan, when the buildings still stood tall but were engulfed in the flames destined to tear them down.

"It seems you have been all over," you said as your eyes went soft.

"I….. have," she admitted in a mournful tone. You looked up to see her face, and the ways her eyes were swirling in the same despair as everyone else. "I have always liked to travel, and there isn't anything holding me back anymore…"

"Perhaps next time you go traveling, it will be with some company," you peeked your head up to take a gander at landscape to find your traveling companion, only to see Algernon and the bike had disappeared, your lips pursued before your eyes were focused back on you.

She had a soft smile in away that made it impossible to remember her mangled mouth. "That would be nice, I think," Mahiru closed her eyes before her back straightened up. "You said you had been looking for me… Is there a reason?"

Your eyes focused back on her. "Oh! Yes, yes there is," you said and put your hands together. "My companion and I we…. are working to gather everyone for another one of Junko's games," you said her name with more malicious then you meant, but Mahiru seemed not to notice as her eyes instantly brightened.

"Junko is gathering everyone together?" she asked and she stood up from the rock. "Where, is everyone else meeting?"

"Future Foundation Base E," you said as your fingers tapped on the rock. "We have already gotten about half of the class together."

"The Future Foundation?" her eyebrow quirked but she gave a nod of her head. "If…. that is what she has planned," Mahiru said before she adjusted the straps of her traveling back. "I will start heading there, then."

You nodded your head. "I am sure Hiyoko will be happy to see you…"

At the mention of the dancer Mahiru seemed to brighten a bit more, and she was taking long strides away, giving you some last waves as you called out goodbyes before you leaned back on the rock.

You closed your eyes, wondering only for a moment where Algernon went before the engine roared behind you, as if it had been gifted with Algernon's stealth.

You let out a small scream as you fell off the rock and turned to face him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yep!" you hopped up and dusted yourself off, scrambling to get on the back of the bike. 'Where did you go?" you asked.

"To get something." he answered.

"Going to be more specific?" you asked as you managed to adjust the helmet upon your head.

"That would be boring."

You let out a snort through your nose. "Okay?" you asked before you smiled. "Whatever you say," you said before you got comfortable pressed against him, and then he went driving up straight north.

"Well I know who our next double team will be," you said when you were finally getting settled.

"You had been under the impression we were hunting Gundham Tanaka…. I think you at one point had mentioned Sonia and him were close…." he said and you nodded your head.

"I wonder how it is going there…" in the kingdom you had never gotten the chance to see. You let out a long breathe through your noise. "Novoselic will be our second to last stop…" and there were only left in total.

Other then going to get Nagito, but again that wouldn't be much of a challenge, you thought anyway.

"We will have to be prepared, then. Who knows what sort of deviousness they could cook up together," you had spoken fondly of the Princess, of her skills and abilities. Her paired with another person could be truly trouble, if your account was accurate which he did not have any amount of doubt about.

"Something out a horror movie, I am sure," you tried to think of any focused around beasts of the wild but none jumped to mind.

"Or a horror video game," Chiaki chimed in and you took her bag off, getting her all settled in.

"Perhaps," you agreed.

"It is time for your dance lesson," Algernon said as he made sure the space was flat enough you'd have an easy time practicing.

"Maybe you could show him the one you were working on the boat."

"Eh!?"

"Hm?" Algernon perked up. "You had been practicing onboard?"

"Well- yes but it was- a smaller one I don't-"

"They did a pretty good job with the steps," Chiaki said. "I think you would enjoy it."

"Well- maybe but I-"

"I think it would be best if you demonstrated to be this new dance," Algernon said in a flat tone. Ah of course you had been working on it in your own time, it was odd to feel glee at you taking the skill he was working to teach you seriously.

You always did of course, but still.

You wanted to throw Chiaki in a river before you sucked in a breathe. "… Okay…"

Chiaki had a smile on her face and Algernon got himself comfort on the ground to watch.

You stood in position, your cheeks bright red as Rabbit Hole by Deco*27 started to play.

You bounced on your feet, moving up and down. You were for more tense dancing to the dirty lyrics in front of another person rather then simply the AI companion who did her best to guide you through the steps.

You moved your hands and pointer fingers in twirling movements , moving to hearts as you kept doing everything to keep bouncing to the beat of the song, it almost looked like a form of tap dancing perhaps.

Ahhhh you were so pretty, the music was nothing more then background noise to him as he was engrossed with you. He truly did not know nor did he care about the contents of the song. Watching you was much more important then whatever it was you were dancing too.

You had truly improved, as the song moved to a soother section your feet kept in grace much more then they had before.

It could remember you falling so many times, tripping yourself… and yet you kept getting up and now were performing splendidly for him, keeping with the rapid beat of the end of the song.

You stopped when the final note hit, holding your hands out before you looked down at him, taking a second to catch your breathe. He was still staring at you so intently…. he didn't seem to have any real reaction at all.

He didn't seem to find the song… provocative in the way….. Perhaps you had been jumping with your assumption.

You smiled at him and held you shoulders up, not sure if weight was added or subtracted from the thought.

"So…. what did you think?"

"It easier to judge when we are dancing together," he said and stood up. He took one long step over and had a hand on your hip, and the other one clasping your hand in his. Your body moved into the proper dancing position on it's own, your cheeks turning scarlet as you stared up at him. "Chiaki, play Sway by Dean Martin."

"Okay."

The first few notes he lead with heavy steps before they began to lighten up.

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore

You were keeping up with his soft steps, keeping your eyes on him and giving him the space required, which he did not seem to fancy much in the moment as he leaned in close to you, almost knocking you over.

Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease

He bent backwards, pulling you with him and your feet followed his in their graceful steps. Your fingers curled tighter around his hand and now he had you looking into his eyes from a new angle as he was the one leaning back.

When we dance, you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

He let you fall onto to catch you, a hand firm on your back as the finger tips traces along the spine through your suit.

"Oh-"

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway, I go weak

He lead you around in easy steps before he had himself standing tall right in front of you, releasing your hands… and then he dropped to his knees before you, his hands going to your hips. Your hands moved to the side and you couldn't look anywhere else but his eyes.

I can hear the sound of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

He pushed himself up from the ground using the force of his knees and he had your hands in his again. The shock of his actions still was with you but he did not fuss when you missed a step in the instrument dance, simply staring upon your face ever intently.

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway, I go weak

He spun you around, always eager to have you face him again and you rested a hand on his shoulder to steady yourself in the moment. Your head was swimming in a delightful pool of wonderful and confusion.

I can hear the sound of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
(Sway me now)
You know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

As the simple steps came to an end he held you in his arms, his face close to yours and his large red eyes being the only thing you could see. You waited for him to do something and your fingers held onto his hands.

"You really have improved," he mused before he stepped away, suddenly leaving you cold in the humid Congo air.

Your hands pulled near yourself as he went to go set up camp in a proper way. Your shoulders tensed up and you let out a rumble from your throat.

"Are you- were you trying to tell me something?"

"…. What is it you would like me to tell?"

The question caught you even more by surprise. "I don't know."

He closed his eyes, your answer more then accepted by him. "I don't know either, then."

Chapter Text

Nagito's oily unwashed hair bounced about as he walked forward with a tray in his hand, looking for each one of the children to bring their request soda of choice.

Perhaps he had gotten some of them wrong, and brought Kotoko the completely wrong thing of chestnuts that were not even peeled yet. However he had managed to get one of the drinks not yet delivered correct, and he was certain of it.

Hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and teddy bear marshmallows, exactly the way lady Monaca liked it. It was piping hot right now so by the time he made it to her it would be the proper temperature.

Nagito knocked on the door of the Sage's office door with his mitten, tapping his foot on the ground as he balanced the tray in one hand. It hadn't been heard so he tapped the front of his foot on the door.

When he was once again ignored, he used his elbow to twist the door knob and let himself in, watching as Nagisa was hard at work organizing the deployment plans of the children they would use to sow despair.

It was truly a horribly despairing plan, it made his entire soul sink to the very depth but he could not wait to see the hope that would shine so brightly to foil such a plan.

He walked over and he bent down, finally being noticed by the blue haired boy who had black bags under his eyes.

"AH!" Nagisa nearly fell out of his chair before he bared all of his teeth. "You are supposed to knock!!!" he screamed as he got up.

"I did, you didn't answer," Nagito said as he closed his eyes.

"Then you aren't supposed to come in!" Nagisa reached into the desk drawer, scrambling until he found a small revolver gun. It had been a gift from Big Brother Izuru. 'A childsized one' he had said. "And you didn't even bring the right drink!"

"Someone seems crabby," Nagito noted and let out a hum. "Didn't Master Izuru tell you that you needed to sleep more?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

Nagisa's hand faltered. "Stupid demons don't tell me what to do!"

"Oh I would never expect you to listen to worthless trash like me," he put a gloved hand over his chest as he stepped closer, ignoring the threat of the fire arm pointed at him as he placed the tray down, before putting the Ramune down on the table. "I am merely reminding you what it was Master Izuru told you. His words are quite wise."

Ah, he remembered now. Nagisa had ordered coffee, but oh well. It was too late to go get something else and if he wasted time, Monaca's hot chocolate would be cold.

Nagisa grumbled as he put down the gun. "I have too much to plan for, if I want to make the perfect Paradise…" he answered.

"Well inspiration can be found in books, perhaps at least taking a break with a good story will help."

Nagisa glared at him before he sucked in a breathe. Nagito smiled to himself as the boy let out a series of grumbled followed by a yawn, as he got up and went over to a bookshelf in the corner of his office, next to it being an arm chair.

The boy had raided your book collection, even though it had gone dusty.

He grabbed the first book that stuck out, not paying attention to the title of Time to Time before he opened to the first page, skipping right past the acknowledgments and dedication.

He started on the first page, and seldom made it to the second before sleep took him.

Nagito smiled as he left the room, heading to the last stop with the last drink.

He knocked and waited for the tiny come in, before using his elbow once more to be let into Monaca's lab.

She was welding away at one of her new project, the light of her blowtorch making harsh shadows upon her mask and the metal pipes around.

Nagito kept a smile on his face as he was forced to look at the hideous thing Monaca was making. "What are you up to, Lady Monaca?" he asked as he placed the mug of hot chocolate down besides her.

Monaca smiled as she sealed together the sphere. "A new form of Monokuma," she answered as you fused the lumpy parts of the body together, one of the eyes popping out of the socket from the gas that produced the vomit. "Monaca calls them Junk Monokumas….. They are made to cause the most despair," she giggled as she pulled away, and slipped her mask up and took a sip of her still hot chocolate.

He had managed to master the timing of this.

"I see…. I am sure they will accomplish that goal," and then a glorious hope would over come them and he could witness it in wonder. He let out a small sigh before he closed his eyes. "Now then, is there anything I can get for you, Lady Monaca?" he asked tilting his head to one side.

She let out a hum and sent him a look. "Monaca can sense something off about you," she said as she looked at him. He wasn't going on any of his insane ramblings and he seemed almost in a docile state of mind.

Or more of a wanting state.

"Do you dare to ask Monaca for something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well in truth, yes, there is something I would like from you, Lady Monaca," he was laying it on extra thick now with how he had been caught. "I heard through some… sources that Ibuki had just turned herself into Future Foundation Base E, that means Master Izuru is half way done with his quest," and you too, he did certainly think about you in the idea.

The fact that you (assumedly) remained alive was a surprise to him, but it did make him feel hope. His only wish was that you would not crush it again…. and for convincing Monaca you were not relevant.

"I think he should get some sort of reward, if that can be done."

Monaca blinked at the idea before she let out a hum, tilting her chin up. "Monaca does suppose that…. Big Sis Junko always liked to add rewards to her games, even when things didn't go perfectly" Monaca thought of the way the killing game had worked, how the surviving students got more luxuries.

It would be fair that a game in honor of her idol would have similar rewards. A luxury for them. "What would you propose?" Monaca asked, Big Sis Junko had only prepared the one present for Big Brother Izuru.

"I know you have away to deliver it, so I was considering putting together a care package using one of your carrier drones. If I would have your permission," he said putting a hand over his chest, smiling with so much faux innocent Monaca had to wonder if he was attempting to mock her with such a face. "Some food for a good meal, perhaps.

"Monaca thinks that is fine," Monaca nodded her head and she turned herself around to get back to work on the final touches of the Junk Monokumas. "Don't give up any of the good sweets," Monaca added.

"As you wish."

There was a pleasantly strong smell coming from somewhere in the camp, but you couldn't pinpoint where it was from. It was a nutty scent and it did make you peek at a few of the bushes, but you couldn't find out where it was coming from.

You were working to be subtle was Algernon was listening to the last chapter of Frankenstein, his eyes trained on the Data-Pad as his pupils dilated at the end the tale.

You grinned to yourself. 'What did you think?" you asked.

"I found it quite enjoyable," he admitted as he turned his head towards you. "I find the Monster quite retable."

"Oh?" you fauxed confusion as you leaned forward. 'In what ways?"

"Well…. the aspect of being created, thrown in a cruel world is certainly something," he didn't remember…. much of when he had first woken up. Only flashes of his own crying in between drug fueled hazes as they added their finishing touches. "Also the burning want for revenge," he added as he sunk into the memories, getting some relief in having been able to pay that Doctor Gordon back.

You nodded your head. "I see," you had expected those answers, you just wanted him to talk about it. Your eyes were glowing.

"There is one more thing…." he stared down at your eager expression. He did quite like watching how your face changed with each emotion. He felt like he was always seeing your smile fresh despite how common it was. "I understand the desire for companionship."

Your breathe caught in your throat. "You do? It is very relatable, huh?" you asked.

"Indeed…. having people to talk too is…. pleasant," he glanced down at Chiaki by your side before he set his eyes back onto you.

You felt like the words knocked all the breathe out of your lungs in a friendly pat. "Yes! Yes indeed, it makes sense the monster wanted it so bad, it does make him so sympathetic even with what he is doing is wrong."

"Hm…… yes…." Algernon shifted his eyes to one side. "There is one thing I do not quite understand about him….. Why feel guilt for the revenge?"

You were even more surprised by the next question. "Well- the people he was hurting were innocent, and he knew that," you said as you leaned to one side. "What he is doing is wrong. and it is worse that he is fully aware what he is doing is wrong… However…. I can't see what else he would have done," you said. "His goal was to make Victor feel the same exact way he did, the only method of doing that was to take the people away…." you always felt more pity for the monster than Victor. The victims were blameless but what else should a monster shown cruelty do? "However he found it to be miserable work."

"Hmm….." Algernon blinked as he let out a hum from his throat. He supposed he found it different then the Monster. "I find all killing to be the same," he admitted. "It is nothing to me when I have to do it."

You closed your mouth in, not quite sure what the proper reaction would be to a confession like that. "Well…. the Monster did find life, in a sense to be a gift," you explained. "he details the joy of the sunshine, how he enjoyed different foods and did enjoy learning…. his real curse was loneliness. It…. brought him more to kill people, it enforced the idea more and more that he was a monster into his own head." The monster had sworn to only eat fruits and roots because he could survive off such a coarse diet, and did not wish to kill animals.

But by the end of the book, he had no issues killing a hare for Victor to use to get further on their little chase.

"I suppose I do not have the same set of problems, so it makes sense," even when you hadn't been capable of talking, you were always there for him…. he considered when you first meet, too. Those first nights together, before he had meet Junko.

You truly had always been a company to him, from the moment he meet you.

"It is only natural to relate to some parts of characters and not others," you said. "It can be fun to pick apart how you are different," you added as you held up a finger as you looked at his face, closing your eyes. You had to admit you couldn't be surprised they didn't share that in common. You weren't confident he had the emotional capacity for that kind of remorse, and you did not fault him for that.

"I will admit, When we first meet I did compare you to the monster in my head."

Algernon blinked. "What comparison did you make?"

"In the original text the monster is described as rather beautiful, almost… inhumanly so," it felt cruel to say that but he had always been really pretty. "Then you had the matching long black hair, and striking eyes like I had never seen," you explained.

You thought he was beautiful?

"I see…." he said as he nodded his head. "I suppose it is rather apt," when you had meet him he had hardly been human, a hollowed out shell that had yet to be filled. "Physically and otherwise, in some ways."

You nodded your head before you got up, and straightened your back. "I am glad you enjoyed the book!"

"It was quite a good tale," he confirmed as he followed you, beginning to secure everything to the bike.

Then onward you went!

Enough traveling had been done for the day, and so you were lucky enough to take safety in an old home that had still been standing in the city of Waddan in Libya. There weren't many of them, but this one was in rather good condition.

Algernon had put the bike inside behind the couch and looked around, it was incredibly dirty and dusty and grimy. He could not imagine making you sleep in such a place. Who knew what sort of mold was growing here too, and the kind of diseases it could bring you.

It would be safer to have you out of here until it was habitable.

"I would like to prepare the shelter," he said as he looked around. "Can you see if there is any food about?"

You blinked. That hadn't gone great before but… "Are you sure?"

"I think you are very capable of handling yourself," he said.

Well- you did feel pretty confident after taking down the members of the crew. You felt like you had agree. In the moment it had stunned you how easy it had been to face them, and in away you were still stunned now.

"The air is also fresher outside," he added, most of the dust had settled and the smog had drifted by somewhere else for the time being.

The concern was strange to you, but… maybe it was merely wishing for a moment alone? You could not fault him for wanting a second to be with his own thoughts. Or perhaps it was merely wanting you to have a moment of fresh air. "I will let you know if I find anything," you said with a nod of the head.

"Best of luck," he said before he was off to the races to clean this rancid room.

There wasn't that much around, but you could occasionally hear rustling behind where you walked. You made eye contact with a few piles and the rustling would stop for a second before a new set would start, and you would repeat the process.

Chiaki hummed as she looked around. "Algernon seemed eager to get you out of the base…. I wonder what he is preparing…"

"You think he is preparing something?" you asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded her head. "I think it's a playboy bunny outfit."

You fucking tripped.

You let out a cough as your head turned in a vain attempt to look at the bag on your side. "Come again!?"

"It is just a thought of what he could be preparing," she clarified and you held your head down, closing your eyes. "Do you have any ideas?"

"I…. just figured he wanted some alone time," you said with a shrug. "After getting it on the cruise ship, I can understand wanting some more…" you didn't really want to leave his side, that discomfort never having fully left… if anything it was sort of worse with the fact you had to defend yourself on your own.

You had managed, and you were proud of yourself… but backup was better.

"Hmmm….. I am not so sure," Chiaki said.

'Well, he also disappeared when I was with Mahiru," you still had to wonder where he went. "He figured I would be alright, so went to take a break."

"Well…. I suppose you have some evidence," she said and blinked at you, seeing how your cheeks were still dusted with rose petals. "But we don't know the end result yet, I could be right."

You choked. "Ya- ya you could-" you would admit she could be!!! Would it be revenge for teasing him with rabbit hole? Your mind went flush for the many ways that could go, getting creative on the idea of him being a bunny beast.

You wished for anything to get your mind off of it, and that was granted by the sound of whirling drone blades.

Your eyes wet wide and they peeked up, to see a black and white drone over head, it was a stretched out Monokuma design being carried by four blades which whirled round and round. It gave a distorted laughter before it slammed down right in front of you.

You leapt back and held your hands out, feeling sweat pouring down your neck unsure what you were going to have to fight…

When the mouth opened up, revealing quite the array of ingredients.

Cured meats, cheeses, jams, sugar and then some fresh food too, like milk, fruit and veggies. Your eyes sparkled at the tray as you stood from afar, before your face fell.

"Is this… a trap?" you asked.

"I… am not sure," Chiaki admitted. "it could be like a supply crate, like in Fortnite."

You let out a hum at the idea before your head turned to the side, eyebrows furrowing at the Ultimate Gaming AI. "If it is linked to Junko…. there could be a trap linked to it," it could be loaded with explosive, set to rig as soon as someone got close. Or the food itself could be the trap, laced with poison.

"Hmm….. I can't tell just by looking at it," she said.

You circled around the drone, looking at it from all angles. There didn't seem to be any sort of port to plug Chiaki into. If there was you could check for danger number one.

In theory.

"Algernon might be able to tell…" she said.

"Hmmm…. ya…" you agreed, your defensive stance shifting so you could leave, you turned your head back towards the drone before you started to run at a reasonable pace as to not burn yourself out.

He had cleaned up the house nicely. The once dusty abode now sparkled, he had made it look like a home once more. It was complete with that same nutty smell wafting through the house giving it a homey smell.

His eyes went wide when he heard footsteps and seemed to phase through the wall from the kitchen. "Is everything alright?" he asked and he came right over, inspecting you for injuries. You looked fine.

"I-I am fine-" you said. "I found something, it might be something good! But I- am not sure if it is safe," you explained, your arms waving up and down in away you couldn't stop.

There was only the sugar and milk left by the time you got back.

Your face twisted realizing that it was apparently safe, letting out a groan from your chest. Algernon stared ahead at it before he approached, grabbing the remaining left overs and opened the milk jug.

It smelled good, and after a quick run down of tests where he checked out small portions of the milk, he concluded it was safe.

As was the sugar.

"These are fine rations," he said as he pulled it close. He was rather pleased with what you had found, despite the way you seem to be upset.

"Well that is good to hear," your voice had an extra forced strain to it before you looked to the side.

"…." the signs of distress made his brow furrow. However… "It seems that whoever got back here before us will have a fine meal."

You looked up and your mouth was slightly open, before you smiled. "Ya, you are right," you said with a nod of the head. 'And we did get something out of it!"

You were very easy to cheer up.

"We should head back to the base now," he said, and you nodded.

Thankful nothing was taken by the time you got back, and Algernon was quick to chase you outside again, to the backyard.

There was a garden, with old wrought iron furniture that had roots growing up the side of it. You found bright pink four o clock flowers and softer pinks of the Madagascar periwinkle that had managed to over run the garden, choking out any other plants that tried to take hold.

You let out a hum as you looked at how many there were before you bent down, beginning to gather some of them up until you had a nice bundle with nice long stem right along side it. You looked down at your bounty before sitting down on the chair, managing to yank it free enough to turn it.

Sonia had taught you how to make flower crowns, so you passed the time chaining the flowers into a bright pink flower crown. You grinned to yourself as you looked at the two different types of blooms used, turning it around.

You brought it down to your chest and snickered to yourself well you waited until Algernon swung by the door.

"You look like something good has happened," he noted.

'Well," you hide the crown behind your back as you slipped over to him. "There are a lot of pretty flowers out here."

He looked just past you are the flower beds. "I thought you may like them."

"Well I do," you agreed and looked at him. "I liked them so much I decided to pick some," and you pulled the crown out from behind your back. "Flower for Algernon," you giggled as you dropped the flower crown on his head.

He blue screened in front of you.

His lips were drawn in tight and he had to reboot. You stood there and held your hands together, looking from one side and then back up at him. "I hope-"

"They are fine-" he said very quick and turned his back to you, trying in vain to hide how his cheeks matched the shade of pink upon his head. You blinked before you followed behind him.

Chiaki sat there staring between you too, and there was an exvent as a fan let out an extra powerful puff.

Algernon led you into the kitchen were there was clean towel resting over a part of the corner, he stepped over and held his head tall before he grabbed it, and pulled it off in one swift movement.

You thought you were going to cry.

Sitting on the table, put out on a plate that had survive, were three different types of chocolate bars. He had evidently found a mold within the wreckage because they were pressed to have dents along them which could be broken apart.

Algernon stepped over and gestured to them, before his hand rose to his chest, the other one tucked neatly behind his back. In his suit and flower crown he was the utter picture of a dashing gentleman.

You had to look away, putting your hand over your mouth as your eyes were sprinkling with tears. "Oh my god," you said.

His lips fell into a pathetic puppy frown which matched his eyes with how they widened. "Have I upset you?" he asked.

"No! Not at at all!" you shook your head and you couldn't help but hug him to assure him. "This is so sweet," your voice was cracking as you clung onto him, your head was on his chest and you forced it up to look at him, eyes sparkling. "Thank you."

He thought the heart thumping in his chest was about to explode, but it held together as his arms wrapped around you, giving you a little squeeze. "It was…. interesting to go around and get everything needed," he said. "If you have any other cravings feel free to inform me… I will see what I am capable of," he said.

Your heart melted. This was…. ah it was incredibly sweet. You- oh what in the world were you going to do? You didn't want to focus on that, so you turned your head to the plate, your eyes going wide as you looked at the different bars.

Algernon let out a huff with a smile as he released you to let you inspect the delights he had crafted. "There is simple milk chocolate, milk chocolate with berries and then one dark chocolate infused with mint," he said as he stepped towards you.

You held your fingers in front of your mouth. "Have you tried any of them?" you asked as you looked up at him.

"No," he answered.

You took the basic milk chocolate bar first and snapped off two pieces, and then split it in half. You handed him one part. "Then we should try all of them together," you said with a big grin.

Algernon took the snapped off piece. "Alright," he said. He lined the brown square up with his mouth just as you did.

'Ready?" you asked, and you popped it right in, him following suit in the same moment,

You let out a delighted hum. "Oh it is good!" you weren't surprised but it was really, really good! Algernon hummed when it melted down on his tongue. He had made it extra sweet- perhaps too much for his own palette.

It was by no means nasty, though. It did have a nice flavor, and he rather liked the milk texture. He nodded his head. "Indeed," he agreed before he moved to the berry bar next. He was most eager for you to try that one.

You held your piece in front of your mouth, waiting with big eyes. "Ready?" Algernon asked, before he took the lead and you followed right behind.

Ahh the sweet berries mixed with the rich chocolate and you closed your eyes, your lips in a wide smile and you held your arms in front of you. "it's sooo good!"

This one really was too sweet, but he had known it would be your favorite.

You savored this one for moments longer before it was finally time for the mint dark chocolate. You broke off the two pieces and handed it over to Algernon.

"Ready?" your words matched each other, before immediately popping it into your mouths.

It was still sweet, but the bitter balanced it. "I like this one," Algernon said.

"Oh! Refreshing," you noted as you chewed on it, this one was your least favorite but it was probably some of the best mint dark chocolate you had. Honestly this whole set was some of the best chocolate you had ever had!

Algernon looked upon your giddy form and his heart felt light. This was not enough to make up everything he had done to you but he…. did feel he had made a good first step.

You broke off another piece of the milk chocolate, eager to have another bit of sweet delight. "This is wonderful," you said before you looked at him. "Is there, anything I can do?" you asked.

You…. didn't even know how you would repay him for this.

Algernon looked down at you. "Again, as I said…. it was interesting to do," he said. "I had to use a multitude of my skills, putting them together in new ways," finding the way around the terrian and getting the proper ingredients in the coco-pods, stealthiness them around you well also preparing the fermentation process. He had gotten lucky with the food drop to have milk and sugar, but he would have been able to find a replacement. "So if you would like to repay me, feel free to offer me another request."

You let out a small breathe at that, feeling almost a sense of guilt in your chest. "Well…. I suppose I will think of something," you said as you looked up at him. "You don't have to do things just for me."

"I don't have anything I would want to make for myself, I would be unable to think of anything," he said before he let out a hum. "But perhaps if you keep giving me things to seek, I will find some I like."

"I suppose suggestion can be away to learn about yourself," you smiled as you held your hands in front of you. "I will come up with something I will think you would like," you said closing your eyes.

"You would know better then I would… now then. If your appetite wasn't spoiled by desert… how about we have dinner?"

"Oh yes please!"

You were so jolly as you were eating.

Algernon sat across from you at the still standing dining table, savoring his food by virture of eating so distracted.

He had taken on step forward…. and then he thought of all the steps he needed to climb, all of the things he had done that had no doubt upset you… and then some he hadn't considered came into his mind.

How would you react…. to the Student Council?

Did he have to tell you about that? And what if you were to find out through another means? How would you react then at the withholding of information…..

"Algernon?" you asked blinking as you looked up, padding your cheek off with a makeshift napkin. "Is everything okay?"

He stared at you. "…. I will figure it out," he answered and your eyebrows furrowed. "Do you have any books to suggest? Perhaps one we could enjoy over dinner?"

"Oh-: you blinked and had a nervous smile. 'Well, I can always think of something," and you gave Chiaki a random book, the first one that came to mind.

Time to Time.

You felt breathing on your face, so your eyes cracked open.

Algernon was sitting on top of you, eyes glowing in the dark staring directly down at you, the moon shining into the window indicating it was about midnight.

Your eyes blinked trying to fully wake up.

"I murdered the student council."

Your brain wasn't sure you processed that right the first time, your mouth was left open before you rubbed your eyes. "Okay' was the only word you could find as you pushed yourself up from the ground, him moving away as you did so, sitting on his knees.

You stared at his face when your eyes were finally adjusted to the night, you tried to decipher what his expression was. It wasn't… a threat- you were certain of that. It seemed as if there was uncertainty in his eyes, or, desperation, perhaps?

You couldn't quite be certain what he was feeling, but you got into a comfortable seated position and looked at him. "Well…. I did know that, already," you said in a calm tone.

"Oh," Algernon went silent as he looked down.

"Why are you admitting this to me?" you asked. "I am not mad at you, I just, don't understand what brought this on," you held a breathe.

"It seems like something I think you should know about," he answered as he looked away. "It did not feel right to hide it," how his voice remained with a muted tone. "That is all."

"Do you feel guilty?" you asked.

"…." he thought about it for a moment. "Not for what I did to them, I acknowledge they were innocent but in the end they did help me what I wanted," all of the professor's grouped up in one place, and Hope's Peak Academy destroyed. "However…. I can also acknowledge what I did was, from a moral standpoint, wrong…. and you tend to dislike things that a wrong," he let out a sigh and closed his eyes. "And I thought you should know about it…. So you can keep your judgment of me fair…. Though I suppose it was unnecessary."

He left you speechless and you blinked. "Well…. I- I do appericate it," you said and you smiled slightly, shifting yourself so you were sitting besides him on the sleeping bag, your knees curled and your arms in front of you. "Even admitting the fact you did something wrong, is a good step. You are…. thinking about your actions," you smiled at him. "You have also… changed a lot from then."

"Do you think so?"

"Yes," you nodded your head. "I think…. even if you don't feel guilty about it, and would have found your end goal…. I don't think you would do the same thing."

"I wouldn't," you were right, there were other ways to solve that puzzle… he likely could have turned to you and found a different way to get his revenge. It was your influence more than anything, he would admit… "I think the consequences of going about it differently would simply be more beneficial," he had seen the ways being morally good had helped you.

Yuna might not have helped or even be in a position to help with out you giving her food, the fondness and care Alexis and Natsumi had been earned through steady good deeds. You were pleasant to be around due to your nature and your reputation had carried him to the possibility of getting assistance from the Future Foundation for this.

Algernon supposed he also felt…. something linger in his chest, from that operation on the boat.

You had made your argument successfully.

"You have changed, very much for the better. I am proud of you for that," you said and you shifted to take one of his hands and pulled it over to your knee. "And I am very happy to call you my friend," you said as you tiled your head towards him.

For the first time, you got to see a smile spread across his face.

"A friend," he repeated and looked down a you. "Yes, I am very happy to be your friend," it was so much less then he wanted, yet he knew it was so much more than he deserved. The idea still made him giddy.

He did quite like the idea of at least being your dear friend.

You moved your body and gave him a hug, falling into his lap as he hugged you back. You let out a hum as your head on his shoulder, your fingers curling into his suit.

Friend wasn't the half of what you felt but…. you still smiled as you took advantage of his warmth. You were happy to have a friend right now, one you could touch and talk to. You closed your eyes as you took in a breathe.

He did smell like Hajime, you thought as you exhaled.

Algernon was eager to have his arms wrapped around you.

You let out a long yawn, a little hum following.

"I suppose you are still tired," Algernon acknowledged.

"…. Ya…." you admitted.

He chuckled and he set you back upon your sleeping bag, helping you get tucked in as you looked down at you. "I do apologize for waking you," he said.

You took his hand and smiled. closing your eyes. "It is okay…. sometimes it is the sort of thing friends are willing to deal with for each other…. I hope you don't make it a habit…." you added that as you started to drift further away.

He shook his head. "No, no…. I hope you rest well now, my dear friend."

Chapter Text

The banks of white bricks sparkled in the few cracks of sunlight that broke through the clouds. Algernon pushed a plank out from the hijacked boat. You stood with your bag hurled around your back and he was ginger in helping you down. He left to go grab his own things, before completely forgoing his own bridge, merely jumping across with the acrobatic grace you were accustomed too.

"What do you think we can expect?" Algernon asked you both started to make pace in the direction northeast from Kaiafas towards Olympia.

"I have no doubt he is going to have a lot of followers, ones he will have trained in athletic pursuits," you said. "I am not… sure how dangerous he will be, it does depend on how far the despair has affected him, though. He was always a kind and well tempered man… but at the same time very forceful," you remember when he had his hand on examination of Nagito's body, the way the albino boy had been handled like a kitten too nervous to move.

You could only imagine how easy it would be to be turned into a hands on tutorial on how to fold bones into pretzels.

"I remember him being quite loud," not that he had been the only one.

"Yaaaaa…." you closed your eyes and let out a small laugh. "He did always remind me of Zeus, a booming and thundering presence' you said as you raised a finger.

Algernon stared at you for a moment as his mind ran for a moment. "Zeus…. yes, the King of the Gods," he said. "That is not a favorable comparison…"

"Huh?" you asked. "Why do you say that?"

"I have limited information on the Greek Tragic," Hope's Peak had not spent much time forcing 'less practical' talents into his skull, focusing on the scientific and mathematic and skills to make him a more capable laborer…. however they had the time for some more frivolous information. "However from every tale I heard, he was petty, cruel, egotistical, hypocritical and a womanizer," the last word he carried an extra hiss in his tone, as if that had been Zeus' worse crime.

Cheating on his wife was certainly his most common crime, so perhaps that made it his worst.

"You are correct," you held up a finger. "All of those are true, and to be fair it is true of most of the gods," you thought of the renditions of the tale Actaeon, the ones where he had merely stumbled upon Artemis' grove and as penance he was ripped to shreds. "However it is also true of humans."

"I suppose they had to generate those traits from somewhere or rather…"

"Exactly, Zeus acted much like a 'great' king of old. Taking as many women as he wished and running the Greece realm with a temperamental fist," you said as you closed your eyes. "It's a tale from fiction and history, carried out time and time and time again… but people still admire figures like Zeus, then and now."

"For what reason?"

"Because they have a lot of power. Perceived power, whether it truly exists is not, is something that draws a lot of people. It is why cults are so common because being a follower of someone strong, offers security… Nekomaru had been someone worth following for that security, and his electric personality and thunderous voice is the only real reason I compare him to Zeus…"

"I suppose it is a similar affect I had on Nagito, then," Algernon said as he put a hand under his chin. "He had been eager to come with me when we meet…"

"You did act as a stable sense of security in numerous ways, I would imagine," you leaned back. "I am not sure what I would do with out your protection," you smiled.

"You would have managed in some way," he shrugged. He could imagine if you had gotten away from Junko's grasp, you would have managed to get the entire Future Foundation eating out of your hands before it was even founded.

Your face went flush before you smiled. "I appericate the faith," even though he was wrong.

The conversation dipped off, sparking up on different rocks well Chiaki let the tape of Time to Time to roll.

It was outside of the crumbling city of Makrisa, as you tested your balance on one of the rotting pine logs well Algernon had found a place to hide the motorbike. He'd be able to come retrieve it quickly when things were wrapped up.

You waited for him, arms held out as you traced back and forward along. It wasn't hard, it probably never would have been as you swung around, beginning to walk down the other side, making sure not to catch on the knots.

Your balanced faltered when you heard something, and it made you fall off the log with an oof… Which made the sound become louder, closer.

You stood up and began to look around as something rustled among the trees that still stood.

A crowd emerged. A group of about 15 people with one boy in the middle, acting as the leader and guide.

A boy you knew.

"Hideyaki!?"

He was dressed in golds and silks that looked they would not be practical, a skateboard with thick all terrain wheels in his hand. On top of his head was a helmet, carved with wings on the side. He blinked at you before his face flashed.

"Oh! Hello!" he greeted. "It's Hermes right now, though!!!"

You looked at the wing helmet and then glanced down at his boots, noticing that there were little golden wings on the pair. "Nekomaru has really…. leaned into the environment," you said.

"When in Rome," 'Hermes' shrugged his shoulders.

"We are in Greece," the unneeded words fell out of your mouth.

"That is what I said!" he said before he looked at the others behind him, before he opened his mouth there was a chill that ran over the clearing, like winter had come and clung to everyone living being.

"Who are you?" the question came from an even colder voice, and Algernon was standing between you and Hermes red eyes boiling as he looked at all of the men who were about to run for their lives.

"O-oh," he took half a step back, the tips of his fingers on the news of his board as he flipped it around, ready to drop it and run backwards if he had too. "I am Hermes, the- the formal recruiter for the God King Nekomaru Nidai and his Olympiad!" he explained and you stepped to the side, putting a soothing hand on Algernon's shoulder.

Your lack of anxiety made the cold melt away from the area, and it was if he was a blank canvas. The colors of wind and snow having been sucked right off of him, but he kept staring upon Hermes. "What does it offer?"

Hermes shifted his eyes before he smiled broke, trying not to appear as nervous as he obviously would. "Food, shelter and it is something to do," he said with a nod of his head. "You are able to work yourself up to the top, and join the 12! And when you did, Nekomaru will grant you one of your wishes."

"Seems very convenient he will do that," Algernon said. Though he probably would in truth grant the wish with out hesitation, if he could get him to hear it.

"It is true! If you can pull your weight you can be at the top! I work extremely hard all of the time to bring people in!" he said as he gestured to the people he had gathered, a mixture of expression of fear, hope and in some cases merely going along to survive despite the despair. "I am very well taken care of," he added to that and he looked at you. "I am sure someone like you will have no issue working your way to the top!" his eyes flicked towards Algernon and there was more nervousness now. "And… and you."

"Well I do not see in anyway which we have a choice," Algernon stated simply, before he began to lead the way ahead, going right in the direction of the camp.

Hermes blinked and you were chasing behind him, before he brought two fingers forward and had everyone follow behind you.

Your uniforms and bags had been taken. They had even managed to get their hands on Chiaki when taking everything off, but Algernon had watched everything be put away in a safe. As soon as this was over he'd have no trouble getting everything back.

In the place of the sleek black suits, you were now wearing dusty gray tracksuits along with everyone else in the freely built Colosseum.

The black and white marble that engulfed the sand pit made you, Algernon and the 60 or so other people who had been gather into the arena feel trapped, suffocated by those allowed to stay in the stands.

There was about 400 people here total, it was likely one of the largest, if not the large upstart organization that Algernon and you had run into.

This included The Future Foundation.

They were all howling and jeering at the new people, more than ready to give the hazing to everyone.

Someone threw a can at you, and Algernon dragged you to the side. His hand was reaching down to throw the can back, harder, when a voice boomed.

"Now introducing, His Greatness to give a speech to the new recruits!!!"

The voice made your eyes trail up, towards the very tallest point etched upon the stadium. He was far above the peonies below his Marble Throne.

The Ultimate Team Manager, Nekomaru Nidai;

Also known as the Olympian of Despair

He had elected to dress in a long white toga, pinning it together with the visage of that stupid bear. the delicate fabric which was half covering his body made a striking contrast to his stone muscles. They had only seemed to grow in the time since you had last seen him, however the lack of changes was overwhelming more noticeable.

The only thing that was truly new was an a jagged X torn across his chest, right over his heart. The gray of it stuck out against his skin, and the way the toga had been arranged made you believe he wanted anyone and everyone to see it.

A large grin cracked across his face, showing off all his perfectly white teeth before he began to howl in booming laughter that had an almost honking edge at the end of it before his head fell back. "Wow!" he got out before his head lolled forward, a sort of glint. "These are the new recruits for the Olympiad?" he let out one last little huff. "I guess the current 12 have nothing to worry about at all!" he held his hands out as the amusement returned.

Algernon's eyes narrowed in the crowd. He did not see at all what had been worth your praise… However he could admit, if people flocked towards the powerful than it made make a sense how he had so many follower.

Algernon was not convinced he could win a fight simply by looking at Nekomaru, a list he had never wished to make longer.

It made him bitter.

Nekomaru's expression in his box seat shifted, the smile dropping as his head turned over to meet Algernon's gaze. You moved half behind him when you felt the sharp eyes and a grin cracked on Nekomaru's face, however he turned his head to the rest of the crowd almost as if he had merely been looking.

"Should any of you manage to survive that long, In three weeks there will a Tournament of the Gods!!!" the crowds in the bleachers began to scream and cheer in excitement at the mere mentioning.

There was a pause that rumbled over the crowd

"I don't feel like explaining, so you can figure out the details later," he stated before he stood up from his throne, and with a suspicious amount of speed he disappeared.

Supposed despair didn't fix IBS.

Algernon let out a long sound something like a groan. "Three weeks?" he muttered.

"Maybe we can do something to make it faster," you suggested, holding a hand up. "I… do not know what, but this should no problem for you. Even simply your physical skills should be enough!" you weren't personally convinced he could fight Nekomaru, but that hardly mattered when he was more capable in a wider range of physical feats than probably almost every other person here. "Given your abilities you might be able to cut the line."

"Hmmm…. I do hope so," he looked around at the people as they were being gathered up and let out another huff. The soreness had just left his muscles after all the physical nonsense of the ship.

He did not want it to return.

"Alright, new meat," the trainer for the newbies had fashioned himself in the appearance of, you assumed, Hephaestus, God of the Forge. He a bulky ginger with a long scraggly beard that went down to the middle of his chest which were decorated in heavy iron chains that clinked whenever he moved at all.

Bound to his leather pants, curled like a vicious cat, was a whip formed out of the same chains.

He stood in front of the crowd of 30 of you, you looked at all of the tired faces that did not wish to be at this boot camp, and yet had no where to escape too. So they stood like hollow statues, letting the wind flow right through them.

"We got 3 events that will determine where you will be training, under Athena, Ares or Hades," there seemed to be an extra wide grin when he said Hades, which honestly just offended you in the sense.

Clearly the group trained by 'Hades' when that was intended to be a punishment, which was not fair to Hades. Of all of the Greek Gods, Hades had been one of the most merciful and reasonable of the gods. He had moments of his temper, and did rule over the underworld however he stayed loyal to his wife, made multiple bargains with humans around death (them falling through was the human's fault) and named his three headed hell dog 'Spots'!

Ares would make sense to be the punishment, being the God of the Bloody Glory and Horrors of War.

"Just to give you all extra motivation," he whipped his weapon out, the chains snapping at the air, and you could almost hear the wind whimper. "Whoever performs the worst in each event, will get five lashes. Making for a sweet total of 15 to win."

That made true fear start to brew on the faces of the people, and you bite your bottom lip as you looked at the whip.

Algernon couldn't stop from scowling at all of this. He had attempted to skip this process entirely, trying to get an audience with Nekomaru. However he kept himself locked away in a private room he could not enter and he would not leave. The door was a vault like and there were no other entrances.

He also couldn't supplies to force his way in with say explosions.

Shame he couldn't just enjoy the simple solutions and go back to the audio books. You were both almost at the end of your favorite. It was his least favorite thus far, but that was merely because the pool was quite small and the others he had read connected with him quite well.

He liked watching you quite a bit, he would much rather be doing that.

Hephaestus looked about the people and then his eyes narrowed at who you first assumed to be yourself and his face turned red. "What's with that face?" he demanded.

You stumbled back about to sputter something out, until you realized Algernon was looking so extremely bored with the current predicament. His eyes did scrunch into a glare.

"Nothing," Algernon rolled his eyes so hard that his eye stocks strained with the stretch in his skull.

Hephaestus burned with the fire of the forge, cheeks blazing with the embers found there. "One of the first rules of being here is to show some god damn respect."

"The first rule to to shown respect to those who strength," Algernon stated simply.

This set him off further and he tried to lash at Algernon, the metal serpent rising in the air to lunge, coming down-

And Algernon simply caught it by the neck. The remaining force made the excess change fly around his hand, but when the metal end thunked it did not cause him any damage.

He held the chains in his hand as Hephaestus tried to yank it away, only for Algernon to yank back, pulling him forward in the way he twisted the chain. "Your title means nothing in the face of true power," he said simply before letting the chain slack, making him stumble when it launched back at him.

"You-"

"Let us get this over with," Algernon said as he let out a sigh.

This seemed to set the fires chugging along hotter, setting him in a fiery mode that would last for the rest of the session. You looked over at Algernon, perhaps it would cause problems but you could not deny the blush that ran over your cheeks faintly.

"Alright, we are going to get a basic idea of your cardio do, with a lap around the arena."

With the stands empty it did actually appear to be a rather large structure, it's dirt path making a mile long run should you follow the edges.

You closed your eyes and let out a sigh, you did so hate gym class and it felt like you had been dragged back there by the scruff of the neck.

Algernon lined up near the front of the line, settling down in a position with his hands out and legs prepared to send him launching.

Everyone else gathered around in more regular running positions, and then the gun went off.

Algernon speed off like he had been the bullet stored in the chamber, his body contorted into the perfect form, covering decently for the lack of experience. Certainly enough he was far ahead of everyone else, and to you it felt moving quicker by the second.

You were in the middle of the crowd. Not tramping behind the rest, huffing and puffing as you had normally been used to. You were felt glee and yet somehow were not surprised, if you wished to you felt like you could have likely gone faster, but how were you to know how long the breathe would feel fresh in your lungs as you heaved for some of it.

You might have tried to test your limited, until you peeked about your surroundings.

A boy, younger than the rest of the group, fell behind, putting his hands on his knees as he let out heavy huffs, sweat dripping down and staining the armpits of his tracksuit. He was well behind the mile as he tried to lug around.

The current coach eyes him with a glint of greed in his eyes, and your expression fell flat as you stopped running to turn your body, and began to run towards the boy.

Algernon noticed your action just as he had made it past the finish line, well ahead of everyone else. He stood there letting out a tired sigh.

You always did have a knack for finding ways to get yourself into trouble for the sake of others. He let out a curse under his breathe as you helped the boy get to the finish line, making sure he past it ahead of you.

"Well, well," Hephaestus sneered down at you as he looked at you at the finish line. "Looks like you get to be punished," there was clear cruelty in his face and eyes. You stared at him blankly before he pointed over to the wall with the chain whip. "Back bare and hands on the wall."

Algernon felt his blood boil and his expression ran a horrible cold, it made all of the people standing behind him move away from the mere aura. Even Hephaestus seemed to shudder, but there was a grin a moment later.

He was daring him.

You held a hand up towards Algernon, sending him a smile meant to assure him, but all it did was make him more on edge… yet he stayed his feet planeted.

You walked over, unzipping the tracksuits and throwing it down, throwing all of your fear to the ground with it as you put the hand on the wall.

The first strike came down and you clenched your teeth together, forcing the smile to remain on your face.

You'd been beaten, tired, stabbed, and almost killed in a number of ways.

This wasn't anything.

Your eye twitched and your smile faltered for a moment, but you kept your hands on the wall.

Not anymore.

The final strike came and you grabbed your tracksuit, pulling it on like nothing had happened at all. The blood from the gashes upon your back leaked into the coat and you took your place beside Algernon, a smile on your face as he seethed.

He couldn't help but look over at you, and feel like the void had ripped away into his stomach. The pain was obvious to him and yet you were doing a masterful job of hiding it.

Perhaps you had spent too much time around him.

He clenched his fist as he turned his head back to the bastard, who was glaring at how nonchalant you were acting. He pounded the whip onto the ground. "It is time for the next activity!" he yelled in a hoarse voice.

It was push ups.

Algernon kept going long after Hephaestus had gotten sick of counting to make a point, well others who had gotten up came to watch him keep going. The movement was simple and mechanically, utterly mindless.

He did fuel himself, though, by the idea of that man's head on a spit.

You had not even tried, or rather, had not made it past one before you were up, and encouraging those who were struggling. You parroted advice Tenko or Nekomaru or Akane or someone rather had given you over the years, crouching down to speak softly as you helped them get their scores up if ever so slightly.

Your executioner did not even have to call your name before you arrived at the gallows, not letting yourself show the fear in your heart. But as painful as it might be, you would be fine. You felt certain and comfortable that even if it hurt, you'd recover.

After you got the final page.

You looked paler by the end of it, and yet kept the smile on your face, caring far too much in your attempts to be careless, at least to him.

Everyone else was whispering about you, he could hear the admiration in some, the condensation in others. However an impression had been made regardless.

The last activity was sit-ups which you were grateful not to be trying, going about and doing much the same you had for the last trail. Your back stung, not being helped by the rough fabric of the tracksuit, which scratched against it.

You thought of how the scars would fade and the book would close eventually, and how you supposed you were being strong. At least you thought so.

If you were truly strong you would have tried to kill the man, you supposed.

Algernon could see the blood in the tracksuit which made the entire thing turn shades of red. You seemed to stay up right pretty well but he wanted to sweep you away. Yet you did not stop going to others

The last punishment time went as the other two had, the tracksuit thudded on the ground heavier due to all of the blood, and perhaps you did wobble just a tad, but you kept a smile on your face. Pretending to be in one of the comfortable arm chairs you had come to known, nestled back with a book. The story you told yourself made the process more bearable, and you pulled the track suit back on. More so to catch the blood leaking from your back than anything.

"Well then, to the locker rooms and then lunch!" you cheered as you tried to lead the way, only for him to grab you.

"Oh no you don't," he snarled and held the whip up. "I will not stand for impenitence!"

You didn't flinch, for what was the need? You knew well aware it was not about to you touch. The chain was caught in the air by a shadow before it was behind him, having pocketed the other side of whip right from his grasp in the shock.

Algernon wrapped the chain around his neck, holding the opposite end in either hand to choke him. He made sure there would be a nice collar, bright red and angry from the steel that clenched it… but did not kill him, releasing him and throwing him to the ground.

"You have no right to throw a tantrum, you stupid dog," Algernon said coldly. The only rule he need concern himself with was no killing, however that was the hardest possible rule not to break right now.

His head looked so insanely squishable, he wanted to the gray matter to fold through his fists like sensor clay. He held his teeth together, letting out a frosty breath.

"Why you-"

'They accepted your punishment with out compliant, and well they did not play your game how you wished they did still play it. Be as upset as you will, but if you bend your own rules expect to be bent back," Algernon stated before he turned away, and grabbed you by the arm leading you somewhere private in a hurry.

"Aghssssss-" your hiss matched the one that was let off as the disinfectant was padded against the lashes upon your back. Algernon's eyes went soft at your pain, but he held his lips pursed together, but he did not stop dapping the cotton against your bloodied back, making the pure white fibers dip from pink then to red.

Your eyes barely peeked back towards him as the dipped it right into a cut, your eyes clenching with your teeth. 'Thank you for doing this, Algernon," you assured his actions, and the cotton ball hung in the air for a moment, before his hair swept like waves.

"I would rather not be doing it."

"Ya…." your shoulders slumped which sent a whole new stinging sensation down your back as the skin folded. "I know," you would not fault him if he had been angry enough to leave you to your own suffering.

He did not like that forlorn look he could make out from the corners of your expression. He supposed he could have worried that better. "What I mean to say, is I would merely wish there would not be the need." he kept his hands steady, working with tender touches to tend as painless as he possible could. "I do not like seeing you hurt."

You felt your breathe caught in your throat which is mistook as another injury, and pulled his hand away completely. "Oh," you said and your eyes were on the ground. You were not sure if you felt more or less guilt. "I am sorry…."

"So you do not intend to do something like that again?" he asked as he threaded the needle to give you stitches

He caught you like a pack of wolves. "Well- I don't- know."

"If you are sorry, it means you will not repeat the same action, correct?' he would have referred to it as a mistake if that would not have been a mischaracterization. He stared down at you and he felt something light in his chest, burning away.

"I do not want anyone to get hurt, not when it could be avoided."

"It cannot be avoid, not currently," he would be in the same position as fighting both Akane herself and Fuyuhiko's gang at once. The only option was to go through the arbitrary trails…. But in the meantime. "I am well aware you wish for no one to be hurt, but if it has to happen why allow it to be you?"

"Well- I- Because…. because I will be fine," you could barely feel the prick of the needle as it slide through your skin, binding the ripped apart flesh together with quick looping movements. "I have gotten strong enough, at the moment I can handle it better than most others."

"'Better than most others' he repeated the phrasing, his fingers splaying on the back of your collar bone, fingers holding you are the proper angle. . "You say that as if anyone is good at taking strikes such as though. You also claim to be fine, yet I am needing to stitch you up," there was no degradation in his voice but it made you bang with guilt.

"I- I could-"

"Don't offer to take care of yourself," his tone did have a bite to it when he said that, before he let a breathe out his nose. "I know you are strong and resilient, and right now at near perfect health… for right now," he said before he pulled back, going to get bandages to seal up the injuries further. "If you let yourself take every lash, you will be no better than after your fight with Hiyoko," if not possibly worse off.

You looked up at him and your shoulders were brought together. He was right, and you were incapable of forming the words needed to either agree or argue with him, for you did not wish to do either of those things. Not to fully give your word.

Algernon watched your face conflict and he knelt down in front of you, putting a hand on your cheek, tilting your worried gaze to meet his eyes. "Won't you please repressed your instincts, if only to give your selfish friend some peace?"

His puppy eyes and brought together mouth made your heart strings tug on themselves. You held a hand over your heart and you gave a nod of your head.

"Alright…. " he was right, you had a long way to go after Nekomaru yet, if you let yourself get destroyed now…. "I…. understand your concerns, I won't do that again," you said and your shoulders slumped.

"Thank you, and you will not to feel worry soon," he closed his eyes. "When Nekomaru is out, better leadership can arise."

"I hope it is that simple," you said and your legs shifted. You wondered how Ibuki's bar was doing with out her there… if the never ending party was still going. "But you are right. And we are rising through the ranks fast," you held your hands and head up. "At least, you are."

"It will be a short time here, and then soon you will be at your ending," he promised as he took your hand, helping steady you on your feet.

"Thank you, again, Algernon," you said, not quite eager to let go of his hand…. and yet you eventually did, it falling away from his side like a leaf does from a tree's branches.

"You do not need to thank me," he said simply before he turned. "Now we are already late for supper, if we do not hurry up we will miss it all."

The dining hall was crowded, shoulders shoved against tall pillars that held the marble ceiling up. The entire building was gray and you suspected should Algernon not have already been fond of thievery, he would not have been able to snatch your dinner as easily as he did.

He had also managed to snag seats, how he had found empty ones in the crowded hall was a wonder to you but he was full of them.

The entire air held the gloom the rest of the place had, one of the men, dressed in robes fashioned with accents of grapes, sipping from his goblet with a monitoring disinterest. He seemed like a poor fashion for the lively god of parties, Dionysus.

Algernon let out a hum as he watched your expression as it rose and fell, and he could not blame you dreary expression for matching the dreary room.

Even he could wish for it to have some more color… and his eyes peeked over to you.

"Diner is more interesting with a story," he said simply, and you looked up from the medicore rations and your eyes lit up.

"I think I have a good one," you said back. "Do you know the Odyssey?"

"Vaguely," given it's grandness in History and Literature it had gotten through the barrier of importance, and well he remembered each word- he would much rather have yours.

"Our tale starts on the King of Ithaca, one of the many Greece Kingdoms at the time as he and the men he had brought with him, were turning from a brutal war in Troy. This does have it's whole own story but all you need to know is that Odysseus had helped set up a deal where in exchange for being set up with his wife, he convinced every other Greek King who had been in love with a Princess, Helen, they should after she be wed someone kidnap her from her husband, every kingdom would go to war.

"This ended up happening due to the Goddess Aphrodite gifting her to another man against her will, however they did win the war and now it was finally time to go back home.

"But the travel was long and the winds were weary, so they took refuge on a mountain island with several caves and caverns where they could stay the night. Among the green pastures they could see grazing sheep as they dipped into one of the caves," you had been gesturing with your hands.

The other people at your table were beginning to take notice of you, and seemed to slow their eating to listen to you. Perhaps in every day life it would have been a bother, but there were no other conservations and this was a well welcome distraction.

"Much to the surprise of Odysseus and his men, on the racks there was cheese kept in fine woolen wraps. Grateful for the good fortune they began to enjoy themselves, giving a portion to the gods of course," you spoke louder so they could hear better.

This caught the attention of Dionysus, finally, and gray eyes glared over at you. You looked back at him, giving a hum before you smiled as you stood up.

"Much to their shock, with his flocks of sheep and rams, came the Gruesome and Giant on eyed Beast, known as the Cyclops. The inhabitants of the island, sprung from Poseidon! Upon seeing the intruders, he immediately sealed the door shut."

"Stop what you are doing!" his voice was craggy and you turned to look at him for a moment. His hands were clenched into tight fists and he did certainly seem ready for a fight.

Algernon did not appreciate this. He glowered down, murder written on his face after such a long, tiring day. It could be relaxing.

Unfortunately. You helped up your hand to Algernon, a movement he was not inclined to trust until you looked back at him. There was something new in your gaze, akin to mischief, he could not tell if there was the under current of it was playfulness or malevolence.

And now he was curious, so he settled himself.

"There were nothing in the rules against stories," you stated simply, before you turned your back to him, giving your attention back to the audience that was forming.

"Who do you think you are?" the Dining Hall's Advisor barked as he tried to lunge at you, only for you to sidestep him.

"Why my name is Nobody," you said. "That is what Odysseus told the Cyclops. Before he had his men bring forward a large barrel of wine they had brought among their provisions," you said and was right besides Algernon as you yanked your cup from the table, keeping one easy step ahead of the open book of a man.

His arms flipped about like pages cursing words you had heard a hundred times before.

"You should try some!" you flung the contents of the cup into the man's face, he sputtered as he whipped the liquid out of his eye and it gave him some pause. "The Cyclops did give it a sip, and then more and more was drank until he was fully drunk. "Nobody, yes?" he repeated the strange name. "I shall eat you last, that is my gift to you for the wine!" "

The man looked much angrier before, and that only served to make his movements less accurate. Not that they were ever near hitting their mark to begin with.

The whole dining room was now looking at the show that was going on, and there was oohing and aahing at your graceful movements, easily making the Minotaur play into your hands, running right into the red cloth over and over again.

"It was not long before the intoxicated Cyclops fell unconscious," you let him lead forward and used quick movement to slam his head into a corner of the table. He was still conscious but now there was blood trickling down the table.

There was cheering.

"From there, Odysseus sharpened and heated a stick of olive, jabbing it into the Cyclops eye!" the man had gotten up and lunged at you again, only to find him on the floor, his blood smearing underneath him.

"This obvious woke the Cyclops immediately, who howled in pain and began to claw towards the two ton door, screaming that "Nobody was attacking him!!!""

"I am going to kill you!" the man yelled as he pulled himself to his feet. "Have you executed for breaking the rules!"

"There are no rules about stories," Algernon reminded in a dry tone, which made the man eyes flare towards him. He would have tried to take his anger out on the 'easier' target, but you made your voice boom.

"They groaned and grumbled, but did come to see what their brother had done, and Odysseus the clever man he was, came up with another quick solution, having his men hide in the fleece of the goats and sheep! Three per sheep they began to run, the Cyclops barely noticing as they fled towards the ship!"

The man was now throwing plates of food at you, which did not bother you much. It certainly did make others flinch and duck. "Boarding upon they let the wind carry them away and back Odysseus called, proud of his victory. "You have been bested by a mortal man!" he cried, mocking the beast with half a god's blood. "The King of Ithaca, Odysseus!" his boast carried over the waves," you slide under the thrown and used one last throw to get him on the ground, dislocating his elbow in the process.

He let out a cry of pain and you ignored it, the crowd now cheering loudly at your victory and, you hoped, the story.

""My Father, Poseidon, Great King of the Sea shall have his revenge upon you, King Odysseus!" The Cyclop promised, a omen that Odysseus failed to realize the graveness us, until far to late," you finished the chronically first part of the Odyssey

Algernon propped his head on his chin to marvel at you, he had known you would have no problems lighting up the room, and yet he was still left to stare at you like he was seeing the night sky once again for the first time.

The room that was once loud went quiet, expect for loud, steady clapping, and your back went straight as you turned to see Nekomaru.

He wore the same robes as before, his large set of hand managing to fill the room with so much sound it echoed, almost giving the illusion that the crowd was at it again. He lumbered over to you before he started to laugh.

"Well look at you, Bookworm!" he said before he clapped a hand on your shoulder.

Your mouth fell open as you looked at the gesture and the jolly expression on his face.

"You have grown, no doubts you are going to do great when the time comes," he showed off all his teeth down at you before he turned away.

Algernon tried to get up to talk to him but everyone in the hall was pushing and shoving to get closer. You tried to find something to say before he was out of the hall, one of the effigies of the gods traveling behind him and swatting back the crowd.

Your face went down before there was something close to a smile.

Perhaps….

You shouldn't get your hopes up too much but….

You might have a chance.

How bothersome they insisted on splitting the housing by something as trivial as gender.

Algernon was grumbling to himself, having been thoroughly kicked out of the girl's bunkhouse. He had tried to sneak back in, but he was promptly kicked out by some of the women guards, and he didn't feel like a fight when you would be safe.

Just not around.

He let out a huff. He had spent quite enough time away from you on the ship, besides his proposal would save them a bed in the already over crowded boy's bunkhouse. You were friends who had shared a bed on the boat.

It was merely sensible, for everyone, to have you both stay together.

But no, he had to lug himself over to the other community bunkhouse. Between which was the array of villas reserved for the favored few. In the very center was a fountain in front of a staircase, leading up to what appeared to be a tome.

The only entrance of the Lair of the King.

It lead down to the room with the unbreakable vault.

Hmm….. if there were no entrances, perhaps Algernon could attempt to gas him out? Or, perhaps there were vents he could crawl into? It would not be a poor idea to check, yet at the moment he did not feel like doing that.

Tomorrow he could grab you and go around for a stroll along the area, to see if there was anything like that.

He had not noticed the commotion starting until there was a high pitched scream from one of the villas. His eyes rose up and there was a woman with hair black as night, dressed in a night robe being forced out of her room by a man who could pass for a model, with beautiful gold hair and a cruel glint in his blue eyes.

He covered her mouth with his hand as he tried to force her into his room. None of the others in the housing area stirred, expect for one of them closing the shudders.

She struggled by the door frame.

It really was not his problem to be bothered with. His ears went deaf to the cries for help and his eyes shifted to the side. He was completely and utterly uninterested.

But…

It would have bothered you immensely.

Algernon walked away, blood on his left knuckle.

The woman covering her mouth as she stood over the newly made corpse.

Chapter Text

""Turn my men back this instant, you vile witch!" Odysseus demanded of the great Witch Circe, his sword pressed against her throat. She sneered at him before snapping her fingers, allowing them to have the form of men but in exchange putting them in a trance. Odysseus and they were stuck for a year, before Circe finally told Odysseus what he must do.

""To go to first island in the underworld and speak to the Tiresias ghost," she commanded. "That shall be the only way to make your men whole again" and without hesitation, off Odyessus went to save his men- and venture to the underworld," you finished the next act of the story with the breakfast crowd gathered around you. You had made a stage out of a table, and for it was not against the rules Dionysus did not dare bother you.

You did feel smug. A sensation you were not used to.

They gave a round of appulse and you slipped down to your seat elsewhere, leaving the cliffhanger well a man with a big black beard got on stage, beginning to recount the Tale of the God Krishna's birth, how the evil king attempted to stew his parents away so they could never produce his downfall, only for his father to switch Krishna with another child before the king could have him killed.

"You have quite the hand for showmanship. I would not have expected it," Algernon said as he poked at the food.

Your head tilted up and you couldn't help but smile at him. "It is you who I have to thank," you admitted as you closed your eyes. "I just take the dramatics of the dance lessons and throw them with my love of stories. I think it has made for quite the combo."

"It is not as if I have guided your much further than the basic steps… however if you wish to give me some credit I would not shun it," he said as he brushed his hair to make sure he could look at you better. "I like the idea that I helped you."

Your entire face was tinted red. "Well- well I did put some thought into your request, from earlier," you blurted. You scanned his face for any sign of anger, but he was now sitting attentive.

"What did you have in mind?" he asked.

"Well… I think fruit juice would be nice, I imagine there would be grapes around but I wouldn't know what else," your cheeks felt flush at your request. "I do not know if it would be possible to find, but I would especially like orange juice."

"I will do what I can," he had a soft smile looking at you.

You nodded your head. "I think it will be something quite refreshing," you added, trying to suppress your grin.

"Before that, however. I do think today we shou-"

Algernon was rudely interrupted by the doors of the dining hall being jarred off it's hinges as three of the 'gods' walked in. The most muscular man with bright red hair and a beard, dress in ornate armor, a gorgeous woman with her brown hair up, dressed in gold with a peacock feather in her hair and then another man, this one disturbingly skinny with deep black bags that matches his deep black hair.

All of them had a rude expression upon their faces. It was one that ruined the jolly mood as everyone scrambled back to their seats.

"All of you, to the Colosseum!" the red haired man, Ares, demanded as he pulled a sword from his side, beginning to swing it around with his demand. It spawned fear in most of the crowd. Hera and Hades rolled their eyes at him, but did not get in his way as everyone began to run like lemmings away from the predators.

You looked at Algernon who let out a sigh as he got up from his chair. He seemed annoyed and… resigned about the whole scenario. Your face scrunched.

"Do you… know what this is about?" you asked, hugging his shadow as you were shuffling past with the rest of the fearful crowd.

"A hunch."

Everyone was set up in rows by the 'rank'. Newer people dressed in ash gray, moving through colors until there were 20 people dressed in yellow, just below the 11 gods.

The 12th laid dead in front of everyone, the golden hair and robe made you think of Apollo, the red blood having seeped into both the change from the golden sun to a Red Dwarf about to run out of time. In his case having already burned out to nothing but a still cold rock.

"Who made this body!?" Nekomaru demanded, his voice booming about the crowd. Everyone around was beginning to whisper in a mixture of terror

You gave a side eye at Algernon who stared mutely at the body he had made. Your eyes flicked back to focusing on it.

You still did not believe murder was the correct answer, however, you trusted that it was deserved.

No one was speaking up, because there were only two people who knew what happened. A few people did look at the pair of you. Either one could be the culprit, but for completely different reasons, it gave everyone even more of one to not talk.

Algernon lulled his eyes up towards the highest stands at the one fleeting concern. The Night Haired woman, now dressed with a grand helm and shield, kept her mouth shut. She pulled the shield in and lowered herself in it. Perhaps she was grateful to him, or perhaps she was more terrified of him.

Either way, good.

Nekomaru glared down at the crowd, standing and putting his hands down on the railing to examining all of his subjects for signs of guilt, not sparing a glance at the ones right at his back. He let out a long breathe as he leaned back, standing to his full, mighty height.

"Well then…. if no one is going to confess….." he closed his eyes before he started to grin. "We shall just have the Tournament of the Gods Early!!!!' he exclaimed.

It sent a shock of surprise throughout the whole crowd, before the ones at the fronts began to cheer and soon everyone in the stadium was cheering with excitement, even the newbies who did not quite know what was going on began to cheer.

You and Algernon looked at each other. Your lips pulled together. "Seems like it is quite the event…"

"I have no doubt it will be a spectacle," he said as he looked around. "Let us hope it is not something aggravating."

"I guess we will find out, if we are even participating," you had shown off grandly in a day, but who knew what the competition limit was.

The question did not linger in the air long, for divine fate brought you a messenger. "Hey! I got great news for you both!" Hermes said as he stopped right in front of you. "Nekomaru has hand selected you both for the Tournament!!!!" he exclaimed as he threw his hands in the air. "I am not surprised."

"Hmfp, good," Algernon crossed his arms. He did not have any interest of working through the ranks. "What is this Tournament exactly?"

"It is a good old fashion fighting tournament!" Hermes explained.

"It is…. only fighting?" you said as you tilted your head to one side, frowning.

He stopped at that and he seemed to deflate. 'Ya. Nekomaru says it is what everyone wants to watch anyway," he gave a small shrug with that. "It is a 16 grid fight. Everyone of the Gods gets to select a fighter of their choice, and then Nekomaru selects the other empty spots."

"Everyone for the Tournament has a fighter name," Hermes explained as he held up two pieces of paper in one hand, a quill ink pen in the other before he had them on the wall. "Just tell me what to put down!

"The Rabid Chimera," he did not need to think about his title.

"Ohhhhh," Hermes scribbled it down quick.

Your mouth dropped for a second, but it quickly bounced into laughter. You put a hand over your eyes as you started to laugh, catching tears with your thumb and forefinger. Algernon hummed as he looked over at you.

"What is it you find so humorous?"

You sucked in a breathe to calm yourself, a few stray chuckles leaving as you smiled at him. "It isn't that funny, it is merely…. you reminded me of something," you said as you shifted on your feet. He stared at you before humming. "It does fit, well, though."

"Good."

"Well, what about you?" Hermes asked. "If you need any ideas I got plenty of creatures I have learned about," he offered.

"Oh- right-" you said as you thought about it for a second, crossing your arms. "How about… The Oracle," you said as you held up a finger.

Algernon hummed in approval at the moniker. He did not fail to notice how his approval made you smile wider.

"Ohhhhhh yes!!!" Hermes agreed as he scribbled that down. "Well come on," he pulled out his skateboard and threw it to the ground, beginning to race to lead you both to where the other fighters were preparing.

The grid had already been prepared. Your lips closed together when you noticed where your name was on the ranking. "I am the first fight…" you mumbled.

Algernon's eyes narrowed at that , he'd much rather be the first competitor of only to get the best lay of what the fights were like. At the very least not for you to be the freshest meat. His brow furrowed when he saw where he was placed.

The very last fight, on the opposite end of the grid.

You looked at the different names used. You were fighting Typhon, then the round right after was Chiron versus Medusa, Cerberus versus The Hydra, so on and so forth. "I wonder…" you said as you looked at the final spot on the grid.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, I probably won't make it that far anyway," you laughed a little at the idea as you looked around at the wide array of fighters. You had come far, and maybe you would get further than you think but ultimately.

You weren't a fighter.

"Don't be so quick to doubt yourself…" Algernon said as he looked around the room. Some of the fighters certainly had impressive forms however…. he'd pin most of them at a level well below the Kuzuryu Siblings.

He didn't think any of them would be an issue for either of you.

"I just want to be realistic about meeting my match," you shrugged before settling down on a waiting bench, looking out towards the Colosseum that was finished being prepared for a battle.

It made the nervousness grow… but Algernon sat right besides you. He watched your expression, and as soon as the emotion you wore was identified he worked to alleve it. "Do you know about Jane Austen?"

"Do I???"

THE ORACLE

VERSUS

TYPHON

You stood in the center of the ring, shoulders relaxed as you stared up at the man made of nothing but muscles. He was almost as tall as Nekomaru with balding hair that created a crown. You had seen him, by the front of the crowd in a gold tracksuit. Now he was shirtless, his skin flaring bright red in a sunburn.

"My! You do really give the essence of Typhon," you said as you held up a hand. "Do you know the Legend of him?" you tilted your head.

"Why would I give a damn about that!?" he boomed as the referee stood in the middle, sweat beginning to pool on the poor man's brow as he held up one hand, the whistle clasped in his lips.

"Well if you taking the tale, I thought you might find it interest. And you might," you said with a closed eye smile.

This seemed to piss him off more. The whistle was drowned out by the war cry that ripped from Typhon's throat as he launched his heavy muscles at you.

His size had served him well in the past, clearly from the way he threw his arms about like a wild tornado, dragged down by the rubble it had picked up but making every hit all the more treacherous.

"In response to the Gods banishing the last of her children, the titans, the Mother Earth Gaia sought to punish them by creating the King of Monsters, Typhon," your feet were light, and could predict the trajectory of his storm. He couldn't get close to you. "He fathered many other great beasts but those are for other tales. He descended upon Mount Olympus scaring most of the gods away by his mere monstrous presence!"

He stopped, planting his feet into the ground, holding his wing span out. The veins were bulging along his skull. "What do you think you are doing, huh!?" he yelled.

"Well the lore is interesting! I figure the crowd may want to know it," you said as you gestured at the many eyes intently watching. You cleared your throat. "The beast Typhon stood several mountains high and had a breathe of fire-" you said as you held your hands up. Jumping back right when he attempted to get in range. "Of course the new appointed King of the Gods, Zeus, felt no fear at the beast, springing into action," your feet slide back until you were on the other side of the stretch.

His eyes sprung from his skull. "YOU FUCKING PUSSY!!!" he roared, charging in a fast straight line.

"Zeus , armed with his bolts of lightening got hits in on the new form of creature," you stepped out of the way when he had no chance to change his momentum. He slammed into the stone wall as you backed away well he worked to recover. "However he was unprepared to be grabbed, and for his tendons to be removed one by one until he was left limp."

He held his head to the side of his face and he looked at you, his eyes narrowing. "Fight me!!!" he demanded.

"I am," you answered.

That set him over a whole new edge, his breathes were growing ragged but he was trying to charge at you once more. He forced his feet into the ground to try and change direction, catch you off guard, you had read him cover to cover at this point.

"He tossed Zeus into a cave to be forgotten well he went to destroy the new realm created by these gods, leaving the half dragon Delphi to guard the god. All hoped seem lost but two gods of trickery, Hermes and Pan," Hermes in the stands seemed to light up at the mention of his chosen god. "Came in and restrung his harp strings, and send him back out to battle."

You danced along his sudden direction changes as if you had been practicing this performance for years with him. With each time he lunged his mass of muscle in a new direction, he let out heavier and heavier pants.

"It was an epic duel, between the two of them," you said and planted your feet right well he was sliding by. You had his arm in your hand as you redirected him back first into the ground. "However Typhon fell, crushed under a mount Zeus tossed atop of him," he tried to force himself up but he simply had no energy left. Even if he did drag himself up, you had hardly broke a sweat. "To this day it is said he rests under Mount Etna, causing for it's active volcanic temper."

The crowd hollered and hooted at your victory as you took a bow, the ranking board moving you forward into the next round. You grinned as you held your hands in front of you, turning and going towards the open gate.

Algernon was waiting for you, he had been watching between the bars. You were running towards him, your movement speed up until you were a few feet away, and then you suddenly grinded your feet into the floor, almost falling over as you stopped yourself in front of him.

Your lips curled down and your eyes were big looking up at him. It was only for a flicker before a smile sprung to your face. 'How was that?" you asked.

"I am quite impressed," he let out a hum. "I think Chiaki will be jealous she is not here to witness your performances."

You blinked before you were smiling again, giving a nod of the head. "I hope she isn't too bored right now…" you said as you were fully pulled over to the waiting area, Algernon disappearing to get you some water and a towel you didn't quite require.

"She at the very least has her video games, and I am sure she will be content with those until we see her again," it was partly to comfort himself to say that. He settled down next to you, his fight was the very last of the round so that gave you more than awhile to chat, not paying much attention to the other fighters about.

THE RABID CHIMERA

VERSUS

THE MINOTAUR

The large man with vitiligo stood before Algernon. He was rather attractive with soft looking brown hair and strong brown eyes. He had a large golden nose ring. He was also shirtless something Algernon noticed in all of the other fighters.

He supposed he remembered someone attempting to interrupt the two of you during a conversation about Mary Shelley and her life, trying to bark orders and Algernon bite right back, scaring him off.

That view was private, anyway.

"So you are some newbie," his voice had a twinge of Italian too it as he eyed Algernon up and down. He gave a little smirk. "You are friends with that Artista?" he crouched down, holding his hands out. "I must beat you then, and make a good impression."

Algernon stared at him, blankly.

The referee called the start of the fight.

Algernon twisted the arm of his new dance partner who did not know the step until there were popping sounds. The joints had twisted around so that the pressure made them spring right out of place. The Minotaur yowling in pain as Algernon let him drop to the ground on his knees.

"You won't get to make any impression at all from the hospital," Algernon said simply as he walked towards the gate. The entire crowd was in awe before there was a lot of screaming, partly in terror and partly in excitement.

The Minotaur stared up at him from the ground, before his eyes looked up to see you, standing at the gate, staring right at Algernon with a big smile. "You did it!!!"

"I did," Algernon said as he walked in, you trailing right behind with praise for his performance, well someone else helped the Minotaur to the medical spa.

The fights continued to be just as fast.

None of the opponents were unskilled, however no match for the two of you. Each monster was slain with grace and brutality, pulling them and yanking them apart. The sweep kept up until the very last round.

THE ORACLE

VERSUS

THE RABID CHIMERA

Each battle had been rapid in the pace of changing out, however Algernon hadn't even been allowed to head to the back to the stands before you were shoved out to the field for the final match.

The whole stadium was yelling in support for one of you.

"You got this, Oracle!"
"You'll see right through 'im!"
"Come on!!!!! Come on!!!!"

A series of newcomers you had helped shouted from the stands, it made you feel light as you stared down across the ring at Algernon. He looked uninterested in the world around him.

"RIP THAT NO ONE TO PIECES!"
"GET THEIR ASS!!!"
"TWIST THEIR HEAD OFF!!!"

People in the better boxes were howling their hearts out for Algernon. You could tell he was agitated about it, but he kept his eyes on you.

You shifted on your feet, holding your hands in front of you. You were trying so hard to read him, you couldn't tell if he was interested in fighting you or not. Though you might have been projecting him with your own uncertainty.

Because you kinda wanted to fight him.

You knew in reality you were no match for him, but you also were certain that no matter what happened, you'd be leaving the ring with a functioning, intact arm. So given that, maybe it would be fun!

You lowered yourself down, flashing him a quick and nervous smile before appearing as serious as you could.

He looked at you and his feet shifted. His hands stayed in his pockets as he rolled his shoulders.

The referee called the started of the match.

Algernon held up his hand as he turned his back, his hair being picked up by the wind. "I surrender," he clearly announced for the crowd to hear.

He had no interest in a fight he had already lost.

"WHAT THE HELL!?"
"WOOOOOO!!!!!!!! THE ORACLE WON!!!"
"BULLSHIT!!!!!"
"BOOOOOOOO!!! BOOO!!!! I WANT ACTION!!!"
"THEY WON!!! THEY WON!!!!!"
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!! HAHAHAH!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!"
"Guess even rabid beasts can have some foresight!"
"Fuck that! Coward!"

The sound of the crowd made you dizzy, the cheers and boos mixed together as you stood there, keeping your eyes on Algernon as he walked towards the gate. He had thought you were following him and turned his head back, letting out a hum when he realized you were still in the center of the arena.

"Well isn't that anti-climatic!"

The entire crowd fell silent.

You and Algernon both looked at the King of the Gods, Nekomaru as he stood atop his throne, his hand placed on either one of his hips. His eyes couldn't be seen from the shadow of the sun, but the large grin on his face could.

You felt your breathe catch in your throat as you stared up at him.

Algernon started to move when he felt something cold curling around his wrist. He looked at the jangling chain as it tightened, before following it to Hephaestus, a woman dressed in a pink toga and Ares, all of them holding chains . "Tch-" he tried to yank his arm back, only to have another wrapped around him.

Shit-

Nekomaru jumped down, rolling to cushion his fall before instantly standing before you. "Be a shame to let you just become a god with no fight."

THE ORACLE

VERSUS

ZEUS, KING OF THE GODS

You didn't have time to read him, as his foot came into your stomach.

You were launched like a soccer ball across the stadium, landing with a clatter upon the ground. Your head was swimming in the Ionian sea and you spat up blood onto the ground.

The crowd was screaming, you could make out some people begging for your mercy.

That made you feel better, as you forced your eyes up to focus on Nekomaru.

You could see that swirling despair in his eyes. Just like all of the others.

"Let go of me!!!" Algernon screamed, gnashing teeth as more chains trapped him, forcing his arms to his torso as he yanked and tried to jar himself free. He let out a scream of rage as a chain went around his knees, forcing them to buckle.

Your eyes narrowed… and you began to push on the ground. You managed to get to your knees, and then your feet. You stumbled but managed to get your footing.

"Still got some fight in ya!" Nekomaru congratulated, before he kicked you in the side of your ribcage.

You let out a cry as you bounced on the ground, rolling. When you finally came to a stop you clutched your side, letting out difficult breathes.

But you could breathe! You began to turn yourself over, and caught the eye of Algernon, shouting and fighting against his chains…

He was trying so hard to get to you.

You closed your eyes, hoping the dark would help your head stablize as you began to try and push yourself up to your knees.

"NO!"

"I don't think so!" Nekomaru didn't even give you the chance to stand up as he delivered a kick across your face, forcing your chin backwards before you hit the ground again.

You laid there for a few seconds, before your body began to twitch again, pulling your fingers together.

You had passed out.

But…. but you weren't done.

You could do this.

Algernon was screaming at you, but you couldn't make out his words.

Your bleary eyes looked up at Nekomaru.

You could do this, you could do this, you coughed up more blood as you ignored the pain alight in every nerve of your body. You had to be able to do this.

You had to.

"Look at you, tryin' so hard," Nekomaru kicked you in the stomach. You choked as you were turned over, before turning yourself over again. You felt like it was becoming harder to breathe. "I have been watchin' you! Seeing how you have been working to give everyone Hope!" he laughed loudly at you as he gestured to the crowd, either cheering or quivering. "Look at who you inspired, Nobody!"

The mocking didn't stop your struggling on the ground.

"Stay down!!!" Algernon demanded you.

Your body rose, and Nekomaru swung his foot backwards.

"I am Nobody!"

A rock hit Nekomaru on the forehead. He held his head, blood beginning to come out. He had to catch his footing.

"As I am!" next came a can.

"And me!!!" Hideyaki yelled as he smacked Hephaetsus upon the back of his head with his skateboard. Ares and Aphrodite both were caught so off guard they dropped the chains they were holding.

Algernon broke free and raced in front of you.

His black hair blocked out the sun. The breathe let your mouth before your head hit your arm, falling unconscious.

The crowd broke out into a fists, one against the other, and Nekomaru looked down at Algernon. "And if it isn't Orphesus!" he mocked before he threw a punch.

Algernon barely was able to lift his arm to block the blow. The force broke through the tracksuit and made a bruise bloom upon his arm.

He heard footsteps running near and barely peeked back to see the Minotaur racing forward, his arm having been popped back into place. Algernon couldn't switch opponents, Nekomaru had hit him in the side. "Don't ya know you aren't supposed to look back!?"

He stumbled to the side, but managed to stay standing as the Minotaur carried you off.

As soon as Nekomaru was dead, he was next.

THE RABID CHIMERA

VERSUS

ZEUS, KING OF THE GODS

Algernon jumped out of the way as Nekomaru threw his first kick. The cocky grin on Nekomaru's face fell as Algernon stared up at him with a cat like expression.

It was just as he thought, his footwork was faster.

Nekomaru made a few more kicks, before taking a swing with his fists, and Algernon was able to dodge each by a hair's berth.

Nekomaru's brow furrowed before he had a whole new sort of grin on his face. "If you wanna turn this into a stamina contest, be my guest," he said.

His blows started to come slower. Nekomaru was primarily using the force of gravity to deal throw his blows, his lumbering arms more than capable of leaving marks if they hit. Algernon backed away before he crouched down, and launched himself forward.

Nekomaru grabbed him by his fist. "You are pretty quick," he said before he lifted him up and slammed him back first into the ground.

Algernon coughed out for breathe.

"But your movements are simple!" he lectured as he lifted him back up. "The only thing that has any finesse is your foot work!" he yelled before he brought Algernon down to the ground once more, his hair getting dusted with dirt and his own blood.

A rock came from the stands, even bigger than the first.

Nekomaru groaned as it hit his forearm, forcing him to drop Algernon.

He rolled away and got back on his feet as Nekomaru looked at the way the blood vessels burst. He looked around before Algernon came in and hit him in the face.

Nekomaru got into a better position for fighting. "One thing at a time," he remained he said before he took a powerful shot, one that Algernon whished by with the grace of a goat on the mountain, having enough momentum to go well away back.

Algernon went back to dodging, as Nekomaru kept going after him in the most relaxed way he could. It was impressive how much pressure he kept up.

Enough so that Algernon knew that this wasn't going to work.

His eyes narrowed as he began to look through the movements. Changing from backing away to trying to avoid via jumps and weaves.

The pattern was forming enough for him to do that at least.

Nekomaru's knuckle bruised against Algernon's cheek and bright red blood gushed forth. He let out a hiss as he created some space.

Algernon began to shuffle his feet, moving from one side to the other. Nekomaru's eyes narrowed as he kept watching him.

From the back of the head, a yellow apple hit him. It didn't seem to hurt him, but it was enough to make him look.

Algernon got his shot.

He kicked Nekomaru Nidai in the balls.

Nekomaru's eyes rolled back into his skull as he dropped to the ground, and Algernon finished the job with one more kick to the skull.

Nekomaru laid defeated on the ground, unconscious…. but breathing.

Algernon lifted his foot up in the air, hovering it over Nekomaru's skull.

His face twisted and he was about to break his teeth as he stared down at that son of a bitch who beat you half to death.

Algernon slammed his foot down on the hard ground and spit on his past out body as he marched away.

He wasn't sure who he was angrier at. Nekomaru for what he had done, or you, for the fact if he killed him you'd never forgive him.

Stone walls cracked under the force of his fist as he rammed it into the door by the gate, letting out heavy breathes. He couldn't contain himself as he let out a scream and left one more dent in the wall. He ignored the way his fist throbbed as he began he refocused his attention from his seething anger to something much more important.

Where you had been taken.

You woke up, once again in small sterile room because you had been knocked unconscious.

Dammit- God dammit!

You felt tears welling in your eyes, so you forced your eyes opens in hopes of seeing Algernon there.

But you didn't.

Rather standing over you was one of the Gods, the lady with a helm and shield…. She must be the Doctor Athena, then. You started to lift yourself up and she forced you to lay back down.

"Rest! Rest you!" she insisted before she put water up to your lips.

You could still taste blood in your mouth. Your swollen eye blinked at her when she took the water away. You were beginning to register all of the pain that rushed through your arteries. Each gush of blood and draw of breathe causing you to whince. "Where….. is Algernon….?" you asked.

"He is in another room sleeping," she said. "It took a number of us, but they managed to get him in bed…. he hadn't slept in several days…"

You blinked at her.

"He has You being as put together as you were it was…" Athena looked for the word. "A Miracle," she said.

Your expression went slightly twisted and you pulled your hands up to your mouth. You had nearly died. "Oh please be don't be dead, please don't be dead," you started to whisper as you remained listening.

"Are- are you okay?" she asked as she watched you in your fervent prayer. "I promise Algernon is alright! Truly just sleeping!

You stopped. Your face went uncomfortably blank as you looked at her, "…. I will be fine."

Nagito stared up into the air, his ass planted firmly on the ground. He blinked once, then twice and then tilted his head forward.

Laying on the ground before him, crushed under a large pile of rubble that surely would have killed him, was a Monokuma Robot that had shoved him out of the way. Nagito tilted his head to one side as the wires sparked and it let out a quiet 'Puhuhuhu….." as the red eye went dark.

Huh, it malfunctioned.

Just his luck.

Chapter Text

Algernon did not feel comfortable moving out when you did.

You had been recovering for about a month, which is when you kept insisting you were fine.

"You both worry to much," you said as you stood, stretching to show your range of movement. You suppressed a wince as you rose up to your full height. "Besides we…. are almost there," you added.

Algernon clenched his fist as he looked into your eyes.

Of course you wished to rush to the ending.

He closed his mouth. "Very well, then," he said as he closed his eyes. "I will gather up our things, you take the remaining time to rest up," he said.

"I can help," you said.

"I will handle it," he said, his voice was calm but enough force to send you to the bed.

You sat down, putting your elbows on your knees, crossing your arms and you hunched over. You stared down at the ground of the hospital floor where people had been flicking out to give you there praise…

You bit your bottom lip and closed your eyes.

"Is everything okay?" Chiaki asked. "I do think we should rest longer as well. You took quite the beating."

"It is just fine, Chiaki," you said. "I am just…. impatient to be done," almost time for summer break it could feel like. Sure you'd come back to a screwed up world but at least…. you'd be rested and rid of the images that flashed in your head.

Bodies

atop

Bodies

Fafacefaceces forming
a mamassmassss of
those who diedieddieded

that puhuhuhuhuh
huhuhuhuh
huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh

ringing somewhere in your ears.

"There is no need to rush and burn all of your energy… we still have away to go," three stops left.

"I know but I do feel fine," you insisted. "I have recovered enough."

Chiaki pressed her lips together. "Okay."

There had been many a goodbye, and now The Pantheon was established. With the help of Algernon over the month they were able to build a radio system, getting in contact with both the Future Foundation and the Mouse Den.

Most of the Nekomaru supporters had been killed in the fight, and so had most of the civil war…. but they would be able to rebuild despite the losses.

Hideyaki smiled. "We will make sure things are alright," he promised.

Athena, or rather, Annabel, nodded her head. "Thank you for all of your help… I think things will be better now."

'You are welcome," you smiled. "I wish you the best of luck in taking it from here."

"The other organizations will help you, and keep your eyes open for any cruise ships," they would either need to be ceases themselves, or make for quite the allies.

"It will be nice to hear from Japan again," Hideyaki closed his eyes as he leaned back. "Safe travels!"

You nodded and waved as you picked up your helmet.

You got a glance at the reflection, and noticed your nose was resting crooked now.

You slipped the helmet on, hoping it was merely the way the reflection had bent as you got onto the bike after Algernon, holding onto his waist.

You made it back to where you had left your original boat, it having enough fuel to get to Italy. You watched as the rubble cities along the coast came into few, their dust sweeping into the brown water of the Mediterranean sea.

You pressed your lips together

"Are you excited to be in Italy?" you asked.

"Why would I be?" Algernon raised an eyebrow.

"Because, you have been putting on a lot of Dean Martin!" you said with a smile on your face, holding up a finger.

Algernon looked upon the landscape and up to the sky. "Ah yes…. because there is so much grinning and mandolining in sunny Italy," he said.

" The beginning has just begun when the sun goes down," you replied with a small bit of jazz hands before letting out a sigh. "You are right though," you said.

"Did you wish to see Italy?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Well…. A lot of the books I read in English do tend to focus on places in Europe," you said before giving a nod of your head. "So I did foster a curiosity about the different countries," you closed your eyes. "Going to Venice and going on one of the Gondolas would have been nice, but I imagine the place is flooded," you admitted.

"Some of it would likely remain," he said. "Is there anywhere particular you would have wished to see?"

"England," you answered quickly with a closed eye smile. "William Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, Jane Austen, Arthur Conan Doyle, there are so many great classic authors from there with all sorts of monuments… though I imagine they would probably be lost."

"Maybe they will be preserved and rebuilt," he said.

"I suppose we will have to see if things get that far…" you said as the coast came closer into view. Algernon let out a hum of surprise before he leaned over. "Hey- can I do Teruteru's challange?"

"I do not think that is a good idea," he said.

Your eyes closed up with what could have been a cruel level of suspicion. "I am well recovered, and I learned under him," you were his student, that had to give you an edge over some other students in class. "I have the most experience cooking between the two of us, and that is what the game is going to be."

You could reach him if you played your cards right.

You just had to dazzle him enough and then keep him awake.

You could do that.

"You have already done a lot," Chiaki chimed in. "You were the prime target with Nekomaru, wouldn't it make sense to let Algernon do this."

"He had to fight just as hard," you said as you gestured to him. "And I am only suggesting it because it makes sense."

Algernon closed his eyes. "You are right, I have not done much cooking," the only example he had was making the chocolate, other than following the instructions of the rations.

He did know he could cook…. but he could not argue with the difference in true experience. "However I am still apprehensive. I do still do not think you are fully recovered."

"but I am! I promise! And besides, it is not like cooking is nearly as stressful as fighting," you liked to cook! Quite a lot in fact.

Whatever happened couldn't be that bad.

Algernon and Chiaki both looked at each other, before Algernon closed his eyes. "You have made your argument…. very well. I concede."

You smiled at him. "Thank you, Algernon. I promise I won't let you down," you held your hands in front of you, you would.

You had to.

The restaurant looked as if it could have been pulled right out of New York or Tokyo, with an elegant modern structure made to be tall and large with the bright signage

'HANAMURA GOURMET DINER AND ENTERTAINMENT'

In front was a fountain that sprayed beautiful crystal water, with shrubs that were taken care of. You pulled the helmet off as you placed it down. "here we are…" you said as you blinked up.

"Indeed…" he said as he began to hide the bike away. "I do not like the smell of this place," he said.

You sniffed the air, in truth it smelled like the destruction of everywhere else to you. "Nothing ventured nothing gained…. smells or no…" you said as you were the first to walk forward. You just had to get through it.

Algernon was slow with his steps behind you.

You walked through the door.

It was

…

what words

would you use?

Grotesque?

Disgusting?

Sickening?

Your eyes

turned down

and

Algernon was in front of you. He was down level with you, blocking your vision of everything else in the room. "You do not have to do this."

You fervently shook your head. "No! No I am fine," you insisted in a panic.

"You can sit one of these out, it is not a fault," Chiaki said from the Data-pad and you closed your eyes.

"No I really- I really think I can do it. It is just," you gestured at the poor people turned into objects on display in degrading ways. "it- these people I-"

"I will take care of them," Algernon put both of his hands on your shoulders. "Would that bring you peace enough?" he asked, not sure how to talk you out of this.

You looked at Algernon. "That would be enough for me," you confirmed with a nod of your head. Algernon nodded his head.

"… I shall take care of it," he said.

Chiaki looked at him and you. "I do not think you should be here," she said.

You shook your head. "I do have to be," you said. You had to.

Chiaki closed her eyes. "…. I do believe in you," she said.

"If anything goes wrong I will be here," Algernon promised before he lead you to the door, helping you shield your eyes and ignore the sounds.

"Thank you…" you whispered.

"…….." Algernon stared down at you from the corner of one eye. He gave your shoulder a squeeze as he twisted through the hallways.

The kitchen was located.

"You…. should take Chiaki," you said as you pulled her off. "In case there are machines that need to be hacked," you shuddered saying that, but you could not be sure what Teruteru had been doing…..

Did he even deserve to live anymore?

What he was doing

it was worse

wasn't it?

You felt your gut twist.

You couldn't deny

the logic

in that

But you were not the one to judge his crimes, and he deserved a chance to atone like all of the others, didn't he? If his crimes were too much what did that say about some of the others?

Did any of them deserve what you were doing for them?

"If you are sure…" Algernon did not like the look on your face, but regardless of his feelings you marched towards the kitchen door.

He looked around and let out a sigh.

He would put your mind at ease as much as he could.

The kitchen was not was what you would have expected Teruteru to ever be willing to keep. There were stains crusted onto the metal and crumbles laid around the floor, radiated roaches sneaking into through the cracks to have their full.

Teruteru stood in the middle of the mess, his hair was shiny and styled well, but you could smell cooking oil on him.

"My, my, and here we allll thought you passed, Bella!!!" Teruteru had a large smile on his face, his eyes squinting up as he gazed up at your body. "Glad to see you alive."

"I have a message from Junko," you said.

"You do???" Teruteru beamed immediately.

"Yes, yes it is urgent news," you began to form the message before he held up a hand.

"That is really exciting but you know, in the true spirit of Miss. Enoshima there has to be a game!" he said.

You let out a groan. "It is related to a different game!"

"I have something real special prepared," he began to shake. "Ah this despair has let me unlock a whole new level to cooking, don't you see!?' he began to laugh. "I can even predict the future, I knew it'd be the perfect time, I knew it!"

"It seems…. I don't have a choice," you closed your eyes and clenched them shut. "A cooking game, I assume, then?"

"Of course!!! A real classic sort of contest, to let your creativity run wild," he put his hand under his chin as his nodded his head, having a nasty looking grin on his face as he peered up at you. 'The only rule will be using the secret signature ingredient."

"Of course," you said as you closed your eyes.

You knew horrors

were all that

awaited you and

yet you went forward

and grabbed onto that

Dull Kitchen Knife.

You stood on half of the sectioned kitchen, Teruteru preparing his tools on the other side. You had to cringe at the state of it, but you would have to clean as you worked. You grabbed the sharpener and ran the blade across it a few times.

One breathe in,

one breathe out

The game begins

with gun shot

brought

The slab

of frozen fresh

meat

onto

the table

with a

wet fat.

plop.

You froze.

You almost puked.

Teeth ripped out.

Eyes gouged.

Exterminates cut off

like they were tree branches.

Yet still remained

That smile of despair.

It was etched onto the toothless mouth

Forevermore

As the extra organs fell

out onto the metal table.

Teruteru went for the thick thigh.

He cut and ripped a slab of flesh.

The preserved meat was flayed out.

It dripped like a steak.

You looked back down at the body.

And the dull knife in hand.

You were going to be sick.

You were going to puke.

The room spinned.

Around and around

up and down

twisting and turning

whirling and whirling

You grabbed onto the table, the banging sound bringing you to focus. Your gritted your teeth as you looked at the body. The bile was still bubbling in your throat but you were not going to give up.

Besides, it was Junko's body. You gritted your teeth as you looked at the mangle corpse and covered your mouth.

You held your knife tight, and put your hand on her shoulder, before working on getting the chunk of meat from it.

Swimming

Swimming

oh it was all going so swimmingly

Fresh meat

fresh catch

You tettered on the ship deck

Chumming time!

Churning the knife.

Slice

slice slice

slice

then

slice

slice slice

Slice

To ground

Chuck

Iron and salt

stain rust red

on the sea bed

You stared down at the mound of ground Junko meat on the cutting board. It felt like her blood was trying to soak it's way through your skin and into your veins. Why had you not let Algernon done this? Why had you not helped the prisoners?

The grotesque scenes

Flashed once more

And you shuddered back to your senses. You should have never come here, you shouldn't have ever gotten up from your first fight. You never should have woken up to begin with.

God why were you here? Why were you here?

Your eyes caught off the reflection of the stainless steel of the rushing figure of Teruteru, who was slicing bits of Junko fat off from the tummy to use. You closed your eyes.

The classroom, on that first day, Everyone together. The chaos of it all. You forced your eyes closed before opening them, tears stinging your eyes.

Everyone else was crazy, so you had to.

You had to.

You had to.

You had to.

You grabbed a pot and slammed it into the sink, beginning to fill it with water as you shoved the meat into a pain, and shoved it onto the stove.

It was so dirty here.

You sucked in a breathe as you began to run and looked at the other ingreidents, you had been too focused on the main dish.

There was so many options.

Too many.

You- you just wanted to make a simple pasta dish.

Something fancy and spruced up.

Would butter or olive oil be better?

Organo or basil?

Both?

Neither?

What was the best kind of pizza anyway?

Pizza?

What should you use again?

What should you use again?

What were you doing again?

…

.

…

You smelled smoke.

Your eyes darted to all the sources of heat.

Fire-

In your pan

it was on fire.

Fires needed water.

You looked over at the pot you had been filled and you grabbed both handles, throwing it onto the pan that had a tongue of flame, licking at the metal of the kitchen hood.

Your eyes widened.

Wait-

It was a grease fire!!!

There was a horrible hissing sound as the water slide onto the pain, the oil splashing up and out. It turned into a curtain of fire that swept across the room. You let out a scream as you dropped the pot and brought your arms to protect your face. A hot splash of oil seared your forehead and you cried, putting a hand over the burning as you tried to force yourself to look around the room.

It was doused in the flames now, they were creeping around the kitchen towards Teruteru, whose eyes swirled in motion with the licks of fire, being burned in the despair. He began to cackle. "Finally turning up the heat!" he said with his accent dripping through, sweat on his brow as he laughed.

Your ears were ringing, your vision was growing hazy in the smoke and it was choking your sense of smell. You let out a cough.

You slammed a hand down on the table, lowing your head and taking in what oxygen was left in the room. You- it wasn't safe here! You had to escape! "Teruteru! We have to go!" you yelled.

He only kept on laughing, using the fire to get some nice char on the veggies as he inhaled puff after puff of smoke.

He started to cough but it didn't stop him from cooking.

This was happening to fast.

Your vision was going black- but you couldn't leave alone.

You had to save everyone.

"Teruteru!!! Come on!" you began to crawl towards him, using the table to get over.

The fire kept spreading, it began to eat at the hallway and then the support beams of the building. The scent of smoke beginning to flood the rest of the building.

Algernon stopped his pace, looking back at the women and men who had been stampeding behind him in their scant outfits. They were beginning to charge past him towards the exit. He gritted his teeth together and grabbed one of the people falling behind. "This will help you, do not steal it," he threatened and shoved Chiaki and with precise movement pulled out the signal booster case.

Chiaki gave a look at him, before she could see the wisps of smoke overhead. It made her circuits spark but she managed to have the smiling face file up well she spoke to the woman. "Hello, my name is Chiaki Nanami," she said, acting as artificial as she could.

That made it easy, at least.

The person gave a dumb nod before running out of the building with the others, looking down at Chiaki for directions.

Algernon was then sprinting down the hallway, following his nose to the scent of smoke. He pulled off his suit jacket, balling it up and holding it over his mouth as it got denser and denser.

The kitchen door had been eaten and collapsed, and so he rammed his shoulder into the flaming rafters forcing them to give way.

You had fallen to the ground, barely concinnous as you reached a hand towards Teruteru whose own talent had taken control of his body. As if the skill he had spent his life perfection would be what saved him from the flames.

Despite the fact they were cooking him.

He didn't care, though.

His cackling was choked with coughing as the smoke was taken him over. Algernon bent down and scooped you up, before leaping backwards as the building fell in on itself, blocking Teruteru in with rubble.

"W-wait-" you begged, wasting breathe. Algernon looked down at you.

You couldn't withstand the smoke expose for any longer.

He went for the exit.

You choked and gave a weak jerk of your body, but you need air. He held his suit to your mouth as he sprinted down the hall, weaving between rubble falling as the fire devoured the building. Algernon was pretty certain it had found some sort of accelerant.

Teruteru's coughing and laughing chased for the two of you, trying to snare you back like a Siren's song but you had no choice, unable to squirm away.

Algernon curled you to his chest as he rammed himself into the door, knocked it off it's hinges as it flew open and he kept going until he was well away from any smoke, laying you on the ground.

You were beginning to take in oxygen, but just as quickly began to let out long coughs. Algernon stayed by you, darting away for only a moment to fetch the bags and get the gas masks prepared with the oxygen.

Your eyes were red, watching as the twirls of smoke rose into the air, the fire rising to meet it. Through your chokes and coughs and breathes, he could hear you weeping.

Item get!!!

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