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Chapter Text

Aria of the Soul - Persona 5

They say those that graduate from Hope's Peak Academy are guaranteed success for the rest of their lives. It was recognized as the most powerful, most famous, and most successful High School in the entire world.

The catch was that you could only enter by invitation, not by the typical high school entrance exam; and if you possessed a lucky ticket called "talent."

At least, for the most part. There were some exceptions. Not just with the Reserve Department, full of "untalented" students, but also with the role of Ultimate Lucky Student, where a random high school student was picked out from all schools across Japan, and invited at random to join the academy's main course.

This was the case for Makoto Naegi, who had been invited as the Ultimate Lucky Student almost exactly a year ago now. In fact, he had gone to bed early that night, as the next morning would be his first day back as a second-year at the prestigious school.

Makoto however, found himself very rudely awakened. He stirred in his sleep, and despite his dreariness, he became acutely aware that his pillow felt harder and more solid than usual.

Almost as if it was made of wood.

As Makoto opened his dreary eyes and looked up, he came to realize the reason for this feeling...was that what he thought was his pillow was, in fact, made of wood.

"Is this...a dream?" he muttered to himself, as he looked around in confusion, "where...am I?"

Makoto appeared to be in a classroom. One that felt very familiar to the one he had spent the last year in alongside his classmates at Hope's Peak. However, it was very noticeably different, given that everything in the room; the floors, the walls, the desks, the chairs, even the blackboard and lockers, were a deep shade of deep blue.

Makoto tried to stand up, but found that the feeling in his legs was gone, and he collapsed as soon as he tried. He stumbled and bumped his head on the desk next to him.

"OW!" he winced, clutching his sore spot, "ok...definitely not a dream then..."

"Hmhmhmhmhmm..."

Makoto's eyes widened, and he lurched his head upwards, as he suddenly heard the sound of a high pitched chuckle from the other side of the room. He quickly scrambled to his feet and looked forward to see two figures in front of him.

One of them was sitting at the teachers desk at the front of the classroom. He was a very abnormal looking man, one that would make one scream upon seeing him, but Makoto could not find the noise in his throat. He had pointed ears, bloodshot eyes that bulged out of his head, and bizarrely long nose. Makoto could not see the lower half of his body, but he wore a black, smart-looking suit, and white gloves on his hands.

The other person was a woman wearing a uniform that was the same shade of blue as everything else in the room, if a little lighter shaded. In terms of appearance, it wasn't too unlike the teachers and instructors that taught him at Hope's Peak Academy; like Miss Chisa Yukizome. The woman had short hair that reached the bottom of her neck from behind, it's color being somewhere between silverly grey or platinum blonde, and her eyes were a deep golden color, that seemed to pierce Makoto's body like she could see straight through him.

"Is this the classroom at Hope's Peak?" he asked, "who are you?" So many questions were going through his mind, yet these were the only one's that came out. The lady standing behind the weird-looking man chuckled.

"Asking so many questions right out of the gate," she smiled, "what a good student this one is. We may have struck lucky this time, Master."

"Patience. We shall see," the strange man replied, looking towards Makoto, "let us begin with your first question. "Is this a dream?" In a manner of speaking, yes...But also, no."

"Wh-What does that mean?" Makoto frowned, getting gradually more nervous by the second.

"What you see before you is indeed a real place, and everything you see happening here is real...However, it is also a place that only you can see in your mind," the man explained, "we call it...the Velvet Room. It is a place that exists between dreams and reality; mind and matter...and I am it's Master. My name is Igor."

He then gestured to the lady in the uniform, who courtesied to him.

"This lady by my side is my assistant for this Velvet Room. Her name is Agatha. Please, do well to remember this."

"I...I can try?" Makoto scratched his head, unsure of what to say, "but...Why did you bring me here? Why are we in a classroom? Did I...do something wrong?"

"The room takes the appearance of the state of it's guest's mind. Yours just so happens to resemble a classroom. Even I cannot tell you why," Igor explained, "perhaps it means that your fate is tied to your education or your career?"

"My fate?" Makoto parroted, panicking even more, "what does that even mean!? Am I in danger!?"

"Perhaps...Perhaps not..." Igor replied cryptically, "but there is no need to panic. There is a way to defy the fate that has been forced upon you...albeit only one..."

Igor suddenly snapped his fingers, and as soon as he did, Makoto began to feel a drowsiness overwhelm him. He collapsed back onto the chair he had woken up from, and he felt his eyelids become heavy.

"Do not be alarmed. I am simply sending you back to where you came from," Igor chuckled as he started to fade from view, "we will meet again soon..."

Beautiful Days - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Makoto!? MAKOTO! WAKE UP!"

Makoto lurched awake once again at the sound of his name being screamed in his ear. He lurched upwards, frantically looking around at his environment. Igor, the woman Agatha, and the deep blue classroom had vanished. Now he found himself in the familiar setting of his bedroom at home, with his little sister, Komaru Naegi, standing next to his bed with her hands on her hips.

Komaru was wearing her own school uniform. She didn't go to Hope's Peak, but she had just started attending a high school in the local area. Despite how their appearances suggested otherwise, Komaru was younger than Makoto by one year, and this was her first year as a High Schooler. She clearly didn't approve of how her older brother was napping in when she had decided to take things so seriously.

"Jeez. Usually you're the one who has to wake ME up in the morning," she huffed, "had a nice dream or something?"

"I definitely had...a dream..." Makoto replied, not knowing what else to say.

"Well, get back to reality and come down for breakfast, or else you'll miss your first day of school." Komaru told him, "Mom's already made breakfast, it's downstairs for you. Toast and milk work?"

"Yeah, that's fine," Makoto clutched his groggy head, "just give me a minute to get dressed and I'll be downstairs..."

Komaru didn't reply. She just nodded and left the room. For his part, Makoto had to take a moment to process what he had just seen. Sure, he could easily brush seeing the Velvet Room as a dream, but at the same time, where would such a dream have come from? And why did it feel more real than any other dream he had had before.

He thought about asking his family or even classmates about it, but quickly realized that none of them would have the answers he wanted. Instead, he just brushed it aside, got dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

"Sleeping in on your first day back?" Makoto's mother turned around to greet her son as he walked into the room, "tut tut Makoto. We can't be having our Ultimate Son slack off."

"Come on Mom, give me a break, I had a rough night," Makoto sighed, "besides, I'm only the Ultimate Lucky Student. I'm not THAT special."

"Does Makoto even need to be in early?" Makoto's dad suddenly asked, who was, like most dads do for some reason, reading the paper, "I heard that at Hope's Peak, you're allowed to skip as many classes as you want so long as you're honing your talent?"

"Yeah, talents are all the academy really cares about, but how am I supposed to hone my abilities?" Makoto asked, "waltz around the courtyard and hope I narrowly manage to avoid being hit by a flying can?"

"Hm? Sounds like you're talking from experience," Komaru teased, taking a big bite of her pancakes; a significantly sweeter breakfast than what Makoto had, "look at you being a good and honest boy, going to class."

"I'd focus less on me and more on yourself," Makoto jeered back, "my little sister grew up so fast. Are we sure she's ready for high school? She still sleeps with a stuffed animal after all."

"YOU still sleep in your star patterned onesie!" Komaru snapped back, her mouth full of pancake, "don't give me that! My stuffed animal is just another pillow to me!"

"Alright, that's enough now." Makoto's mother put an end to their argument before Makoto could strike again. The air became awkward as Komaru and Makoto stopped talking to each other, so Makoto swiftly tried to change the subject.

"Any interesting things in the paper today Dad?" he asked at random. He didn't honestly care upon asking, just wanting to move on. Makoto's father looked up from his read with a concerned look on his face, which did catch Makoto's attention.

"Just your typical story..." he replied, "but...Well...Let's just say we might have to drive Komaru to school today."

"What!? Ugh, but I told you I didn't want you to do that! What kind of high school girl gets driven to school by her parents!? Especially on her first day!" Komaru whined.

"Trust me, I wouldn't if I thought we had a choice, but it seems to me like there's been an accident on the underground," Makoto's Dad turned the paper around so Komaru and the others could get a better look, "apparently it's a pretty big story too. The driver of the train apparently leapt off the train after pumping up the speed to it's max. It stormed through several stations before it eventually crashed, and a lot of people got hurt."

"Another one!?" Komaru gasped, "there's been loads of these accidents lately, and a lot of them have been caused by people acting kooky..."

"Did anyone get killed?" Makoto asked, pinching himself in the thigh for even bringing it up. Mr Naegi shook his head.

"There were some rough injuries, but apparently the only casualty was the driver himself," he said, "it he planned to commit suicide, I wish he'd picked a better time and not dragged so many people in."

"Honey!" Mrs Naegi snapped at him.

"That's not what I meant," he assured her, "I'm just worried."

"Hey, with that logic, the tubes have got to be cancelled for today, right?" Makoto asked, "doesn't that mean the traffic's gonna be bad?"

"Crud...didn't think of that..." Mr Naegi realized.

"Aaaaaww!" Komaru groaned, "I'm gonna be late on my first day! Everyone's gonna laugh at me!"

"Don't be silly Komaru. No one's going to pick on you if you just so happen to be late for your first day," Mrs Naegi said, while Makoto kept to himself just how wrong he thought this was, "Makoto, could you use that app on your phone that tells you the safest and quickest route to a location? That way, we can avoid the traffic."

"Oh, sure thing," Makoto reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, "haven't used it in a bit but I remember...huh?"

"What? What is it?" Komaru asked.

What made Makoto stop was looking at his phone screen, and noticing something that wasn't there the last time he checked. There was an icon on his home screen that looked like an eye. Specifically, it looked very similar to the Eye of Horus, with a star in the middle...or a pentagram.

Whatever it was, it seemed to be staring at Makoto, and he didn't remember downloading it.

"What's wrong Makoto?" Mr Naegi asked.

"N-Nothing...Just thought I didn't have the app anymore, so I had to look for it," Makoto quickly deleted the app without checking what it was, afraid it was some sort of malware or whatever, "I've got it now. Let me send you the route."

"Be safe on your way to school today Makoto," Mrs Naegi told him, "I know you're walking, but keep an eye out for any traffic accidents on the road."

"I will Mom," he replied apathetically, "and Komaru? Jokes aside, I wish you good luck."

"Heh...Thanks bro." Komaru affectionately gave him a slap on the wrist.

Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Sure enough, as Makoto had predicted, the traffic was especially bad. Fortunately, Hope's Peak wasn't too far away from his house, so Makoto just walked there. He had already packed a bag full of his things, ready to stay in the school dorms for the year.

Makoto looked up in dismay as he felt a cold drop of rain hit the back of his neck. That drop was then quickly joined by several others that pattered down on the student's head. He took his bag off his back and reached into it, shuffling through lots of home items looking for his umbrella, to no avail.

"Ugh, just my luck!" he grunted, severely frustrated, hurrying towards a nearby building for shelter, watching a lot of other schoolboys and schoolgirls doing the same. Makoto had already noticed a lot of the students from the Reserve Course passing him by, recognizing their black uniforms. Despite the rain drowning out the noise, he still heard their passing conversations, such as "what do we have first period today?"

Makoto pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened it up.

"I thought the forecast said it was going to be clear skies today!" he grouched, "wait...huh?"

When Makoto tried to look up the weather forecast on his phone, he suddenly noticed that the same red eye logo on his phone had appeared again.

"What the hell?" he said under his breath, "I thought I deleted that..."

Makoto reached out to remove the app again, but right before he could, someone suddenly ran up and grabbed his arm. Originally, he flinched in surprise, but calmed down immediately upon seeing who it was.

Though he didn't recognize her, the girl that grabbed him was wearing the main course uniform. She had smooth, ash-blonde hair that curved out to the sides as it grew down her neck. Her bangs hung low over her warm, plum-colored eyes, before being brushed behind her ears. Much like Makoto, she had some hair on her head that stuck upwards, but unlike Makoto, it was thin and more arched. Her eyes were slightly tilted, and her eyelashes were fairly long.

"C-Can I help you?" he asked. The girl took a second to catch her breath, before she responded.

"S-Sorry..." she gasped, "are you a student at Hope's Peak? Do you know which way it is to the school building?"

"Um...Yeah, I'm a second year," he said, "I take it you're a new first year?"

"Y-Yeah..." she was clearly very out of breath after having ran through the rain, "sorry to bother you, but you looked like you were from the main course and I...I got a little lost on the way...I thought I knew the directions, but I..."

"Hey, it's alright," Makoto comforted her with a pat on the shoulder, "I'm not having the best day either, but that's normal for me. If you need me to take you to the building, I'd be happy to...On the condition that you let me share your umbrella."

"Oh, sure!" the girl raised her umbrella and held it in a way that would make room for the both of them. Makoto, forgetting to delete the app on his phone after the girl's arrival, pocketed his phone and started to walk with her.

"So...you're a second year, huh?" the girl tried to strike up a conversation with him as they walked, "I guess that would make you my senpai...Sorry, I don't think I caught your name?"

"It's ok, I didn't catch yours either," Makoto replied, "I'm Naegi. Makoto Naegi. I'm the second years Ultimate Lucky Student. And trust me, there's no need to call me senpai.

"Oh, you're the one picked out from lottery!" she smiled, "We actually don't have that this year; too many spaces or something. Kinda funny how you're having such a bad day, given that your talent is luck..."

"It's not all it's cracked out to be," Makoto admitted, "what about you?"

"Oh, right, sorry, I really should've introduced myself more formally..." she seemed embarrassed, "I'm a new first year, Kaede Akamatsu. My talent is Ultimate Pianist."

"Oh, a musician! I'm good friends with a music artist myself," Makoto beamed, "one of my classmates is known as the Ultimate Pop Sensation."

"WHAT!?" Kaede exclaimed, louder than she clearly meant to; many people's heads turning towards her as people passed them by, "you mean...You're CLASSMATES with Sayaka Maizono!?"

"Her reputation precedes her as always..." Makoto chuckled, "my sister's a huge fan too. She had pretty much the same reaction when I told her."

"It must be so cool! Sayaka's such an inspiration for girls across the country, especially musically gifted ones like me!" Kaede exclaimed, "well, I guess "musically gifted" sounds too vain...I'm really just a freak who loves piano a little too much."

"Oh come now, "freak" is a bit much. You seem very nice." Makoto replied earnestly, "anyway, if we turn the corner here we should be...woah...!" 

Makoto and Kaede turned the corner, and came to the pristine pearly gates of the academy. However, a fairly large crowd was gathered out front, which was not normal, even with the academy's fame.

"What's going on?" Kaede asked, "did I miss a welcome ceremony?"

"Usually they go to the lobby of the school building for that," Makoto told her, "why don't you run ahead and go meet your new classmates? I can get to the bottom of this."

"Ok!" Kaede shook Makoto's hand with a jovial smile on her face, "thank you so much Naegi-san! I hope to see you around the school!"

"You're welcome. See you later!" Makoto waved her goodbye. He watched as Kaede practically forced her way through the large crowd in an attempt to hurry to the entrance ceremony in the school lobby. For his part, he approached the crowd to get to the bottom of this.

However, along the way, Makoto stopped in his tracks, as he suddenly felt a presence nearby. Everyone else around him appeared to be mindless to it, but the moment Makoto approached, he breathed a sigh, and wryly smiled as he turned his head towards a small tree near the front of the academy.

He approached it, and shook it's branch lightly a few times. This prompted some nervous whimpering to sound from the branches, which turned a few confused heads. Makoto, for his part, ignored them and looked up at the tree branches to see a familiar face.

"Fukawa-san," he sighed "any reason why you're up there today?"

"Oh...I-It's you..." the girl who Makoto had spotted in the tree branches poked her head down to get a better look at him, "h-how did you know I was up here?"

This girl was Toko Fukawa, Hope's Peak's Ultimate Writing Prodigy, and a classmate of Makoto's. She was easily recognizable due to her messy purple hair which she tied in twin braids, and her large round glasses that sat uncomfortably on her petite face.

Toko wasn't a bad person, but she had what could be easily seen as a bad attitude. Intellectually, she was very gifted, and she had a way with words, as you would expect with a writer. Her social skills and ability to make friends on the other hand, were not so admirable. She very much preferred to outcast herself from others, the only exception being another boy from Makoto's class, Byakuya Togami, whom Toko had a major crush on (much to his annoyance). 

She was highly suspicious of other people, frequently accusing them of thinking bad things about her, even if they had good intentions. She expressed her opinions freely and extremely, which often came across as mean and often rubbed people the wrong way, outcasting her even more.

By now though, after having gotten to know Toko for over a year, Makoto had been able to take her harsh words on the chin, and had come to realize that she was just being brutally honest with herself and everyone around her. He also knew that she wasn't completely unlikeable. When Makoto had introduced his classmates to his younger sister during the summer after the first year, Komaru had gone out of her way to include Toko in all the group activities they had done that day.

Toko had originally only came because Makoto had convinced Byakuya, but by the end of the day, she seemed to appreciate what Komaru had done for her, and the two of them had hit it off. Toko obviously would never have admitted it though.

"I-I bet it was the smell, right?" Toko stammered, "you found me because I reek."

"While I do still think you should shower more often, no, that's not it," Makoto assured her, "I guess I'm just used to feeling your presence after all this time. How come you're up there anyway?"

"I-Isn't it obvious?" she replied, "I'm trying to avoid the crowd. Everyone would jeer me if I tried to get by them, so I'm waiting for them to make a move."

"Ah, I get it. You never did well with large crowds." Makoto acknowledged.

"Yeah...But I also don't want to catch a cold because of the rain. If I do, I'll start sneezing and...you know..."

"Oh...right..." Makoto recalled, "still struggling with that, huh?"

"Don't t-talk about it as if it's the common cold..." Toko bit back.

There was another aspect of Toko that Makoto had nearly forgotten about, but upon these words, had remembered. Toko suffered from a very severe case of Dissociative Identity Disorder, and had a split personality. One half was Toko, as you saw now, but the other was the infamous Ultimate Murderous Fiend, Genocide Jack.

Or Genocide Jill as her classmates had chosen to call her.

Due to the split personality, Genocide Jill was listed as another student of Hope's Peak by proxy. She was a professional serial killer who has never been caught since her first time committing a murder. She only killed handsome men that she and Toko were attracted to, always killing them in the same style - crucifying them with her custom scissors. Her elusive nature even had Zero Class Detective Library members stumped, unable to catch onto her whereabouts, but somehow, Hope's Peak's legendary steering committee had already caught wind of her antics, and despite knowing the truth about Toko, decided to incorporate her into the course anyway.

It wasn't all bad though. Jill's murderous streak had come to an abrupt end after she had met Byakuya, as she also had a huge crush on him (again, much to his dismay). Plus, Hope's Peak knew exactly what to provide Toko to help her condition while she lived life in the dorms.

"Speaking of which, what's actually going on?" Makoto asked, "why are so many people gathered here?"

"Come up here and you'll s-see for yourself," Toko told him, "we've got a real celebrity on the grounds today..."

"Isn't that every day?" Makoto asked, "usually security's a lot tighter."

Though he didn't particularly care for the idea, Makoto complied with Toko's request and climbed the tree. Toko didn't try to help him up, and instead, just watched as Makoto clambered up the easily-snapped branches. Fortunately, luck had chosen to be on Makoto's side this time, and he got up without falling.

He pushed aside some leaves, and was able to look through them to see the center of the busy crowd. In the eye of the storm, he saw two very prominent and very important looking people. Even the rain wasn't able to hide the charm these men exuded.

One of the men, Makoto recognized immediately. It was the headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy, Jin Kirigiri. He'd already made the man's acquaintance many times before during his first year. Obviously, not because he kept on getting into trouble, but because the headmaster was always curious about what was going on with his class in particular. On an unrelated note, he was also the father of one of his classmates, Kyoko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective.

The other man looked familiar, but Makoto didn't know him. He recalled seeing him in a newspaper though. He had long, dark hair and lavender eyes, and was also wearing a fancy business suit, clearly here on official business.

"Who is that?" he asked, "he looks familiar."

"His name is Haiji Towa," Toko explained, "a-apparently he's a bigwig in the technology industry. Now he's here on business strutting round like he owns the place."

Makoto suddenly felt a vibration in his pocket, caused by his phone. Assuming he got a text from someone; he ignored it for now to focus on what was in front of him.

"Oh, you mean from Towa Corp!?" Makoto exclaimed, "he's the heir to the company, if I'm not mistaken."

"There you go. Good on you for catching up." Toko remarked sarcastically, "yeah, he got invited to the school today for a few reasons. Towa Corp is apparently implementing a new security system in Hope's Peak. One programmed by AI. Haiji's taken credit of creating it, and he's here to promote it."

"And the other reasons?" Makoto had began to become more curious by the second. Toko sighed and rolled her eyes, clearly not enjoying this long, drawn-out discussion.

"Did you hear what Hope's Peak's latest pet project is?" Toko inquired, "the Elementary School Division?"

"Oh, yeah! There's only a few students as part of it right now, but the division was made by the school to house young and upcoming talent that would have a chance to enter the Main Course of the Academy once they get older!" Makoto exclaimed, his eyes sparkling, "Hope's Peak Academy's Elementary School Division consists of only young and talented children recruited by the school itself, and runs in a similar fashion to the schools Main Course high school, and the kids are referred to as "Lil' Ultimates!""

Makoto felt another vibration. He ignored it again as Toko scowled at him.

"Alright, we get it, supernerd!" she snapped, "I-I already know all of this, you can spare me the lecture. But still, it rubs me the wrong way..."

"The crowd bothering you that much?" Makoto asked, not turning his eyes away from Haiji Towa, who was talking happily to both Jin and the crowd that surrounded him.

"It's not that. You're an online activist about all things talent, and you didn't even know about the shady rumors surrounding the guy?" Toko inquired.

Makoto shook his head. "Well, he's the heir to a big financial conglomerate, like Togami. He's gotta have some skeletons in his closet, but how bad can they be?"

"What are you implying!?" Toko snapped angrily. Makoto flinched.

"Ah, sorry! I wasn't implying anything!" he pleaded, "I'm just saying, what were you referring to?"

"Tch...I don't need to tell you anything," she growled, pulling herself together, "something about he's mistreated his workers, or that he embezzles company funds for his own benefit..."

"Those are pretty standard," Makoto replied, "and they're easily disproven. You can't judge a guy just for his lifestyle and career."

"There's more though," Toko continued, "there's rumors surrounding his involvement with the Elementary School. Like he's planning on using it for some skeevy reasons. On top of that, people also say that he's a huge perv too, the kind that goes after younger girls despite being an older man."

"Oh come on!" Makoto exclaimed, feeling a chill down his spine, "don't get me wrong, I've no reason to defend him, but that's a bit far fetched to say about a guy who you don't know."

"Normally I'd agree, but...I don't know, I don't like him. He's handsome, but doesn't something seem off about him? If the rumors are true, for all we know, he could be acting like the Elementary School is a prison and he's a warden."

"Weird choice of words...I don't know...Hold on though, someone's texting me. I need to...huh?"

Makoto reached into his phone pocket to see why his cell was vibrating, but something turned up that he hadn't seen before. However, from looking at the app background, he immediately figured out that it must have been the strange app that he tried to delete before.

"What is it?" Toko asked. Makoto didn't respond as he stared at the screen.

Distrust - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

The app appeared to be some sort of navigation app, much like the one he had used earlier that morning. On it, three prompts showed up on the screen: Name, Location, Concept and Distortion.

"What the hell...? What kind of prompts are these?" Makoto said under his breath. Underneath each of these prompts, the boxes had all already been filled out...

Name: Haiji Towa

Location: Hope's Peak Elementary

Distortion: Prison.

On top of that, underneath these prompts read the words [BEGINNING NAVIGATION]

"Helloooo? Naegi?" Toko snapped her fingers in front of his face, annoyed that she was being ignored, "I'm talking to you?"

"Oh, sorry!" Makoto exclaimed, ignoring the app for now and pocketing his phone, "sorry, I think I might have a virus or something on my phone. I'll need to ask Fujisaki about it when we get to class."

Chihiro Fujisaki was another classmate of Makoto's. She was the Ultimate Programmer. If anyone knew what was going on with his phone, it would be her.

"But I don't wanna go through the crowd..." Toko covered her head under the book in her hands. Makoto sighed.

"Fine," he rolled his eyes, I'll catch you later then."

He gave a slight wave then carefully landed on the ground after hopping out of the tree...However, upon getting out, Makoto looked at his surroundings...

Something didn't feel right.

The first sign that something was wrong was that the huge crowd that Makoto had just been watching from the tree...had disappeared. Not just the excited students gathering out the front, but also the random passersby, and the busy traffic outside the school. Haiji Towa and Jin Kirigiri had also vanished.

There was no feasible way they could have all dissipated in the matter of seconds that it took Makoto to get out of the tree.

The second sign was that the sky had suddenly gotten a lot darker. Yes, it had been rain, but the sky was now even darker than before, and the rain itself had disappeared entirely.

"H-Hey!" a voice came as someone clambered out of the tree, "what's going on!?"

In the very least, Toko had stayed with Makoto, and had now climbed out of the tree and joined him.

"Your guess is as good as mine," he replied, "where did everybody go?"

"D-Don't know..." Toko grumbled, "and to be honest, I don't care. At least I can get to class now without running into too many people!"

"H-Hey! Fukawa, wait for me!" Makoto exclaimed.

Arriving at their classroom, Class 78-B, unfortunately made the situation all the more confusing. The classroom was dimly lit, and once again, there was no one to be found.

No classmates, and no teacher. Just Makoto and Toko, as it had been.

"Wh-Where is everyone!?" Toko exclaimed, clearly starting to panic, "where is my Master Togami!? I've been waiting all summer to see him again! Is he avoiding me!?"

"No comment on that but...it is weird that no one is here besides us," Makoto said, half to Toko and half to himself, "there was no one in the hallways either, not even a janitor."

"M-Maybe they're all hiding so they can jump out and s-surprise us?" Toko suggested.

"Well, it's neither of our birthday's, so I wouldn't get it...Plus, do you really think people like Togami or Kiri are gonna participate in that kind of thing?" Makoto asked, "and do you really think the whole school would be involved in something like that, just for us?"

It was dark in the classroom, so Makoto walked over to the window and raised the blinds...

But as soon as he did, his heart stopped.

"What the heck is THAT!?" he exclaimed, prompting Toko to turn around and run towards the window.

"WHAT THE FUCK!?" she shrieked, as her eyes lay upon the same thing as Makoto.

Out the back of the building was something that they had never seen before. A large, stone institute with flashing lights, and barred windows. It was a huge complex, even when compared to Hope's Peak's school building, and Makoto couldn't see over the walls from where his classroom window was located.

"Hey uh...Hope nerd?" Toko addressed Makoto rather unprofessionally, "you said you did some reading? What's this place?"

"I don't know!" Makoto exclaimed in response, "this place looks like a penitentiary! There was nothing in the news about a jail being built right next to Hope's Peak!" 

"Yeah, I guess that would be pretty...Wait!" Toko cut herself off massively.

"What!?" Makoto cried.

"I just saw movement in the window!" Toko pointed to one of the windows higher up in the complex; one that wasn't barred, "I think there are people in there!"

"Well...Maybe everyone else went to whatever that building is supposed to be?" Makoto suggested, "let's go take a closer look."

"A-Are you sure?" Toko stammered, "I don't like the looks of things."

"Me neither, but we haven't had any luck with running into anyone, much less people we know and recognize," Makoto explained, "SOMEONE'S got to tell us what's going on."

Left Behind By The Adults - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Toko and Makoto didn't feel any better even after approaching this strange and unrecognizable building. The walls seemed even bigger and more intimidating up close than from the classroom window.

"M-Maybe we should g-go back?" Toko asked, "I mean i-it's not like we can trust m-me to do any of the t-talking, right?"

"I thought you wanted to find your dear "Master." For all we know, he's in here." Makoto reminded her, stepping forward towards the large steel gate of the establishment. Much like the windows, the gates were made of bars, but currently, they were open. Despite her protests, Toko did not want to be left alone outside in front of the intimidating building, so she begrudgingly followed Makoto closely. 

As they approached the building however, Makoto's vision began to fade in and out. For a second, he swore he caught a glimpse of another building entirely as he walked through the gate. One much smaller, and more comfortable looking.

He didn't express any of these concerns to Toko however, as he became too distracted by the concrete interior of the room he stepped into. It was a fairly large room with a few structures, but very uninviting. 

It was a cold, drafty room with a platform above them. Makoto had never actually been to one before, bare in mind, but it seemed to be very similar to the one's he had seen on the crime drama's that his parents liked to watch. This was the part where prisoners would first be taken into the jail, then lined up for inspection.

"C-Come on now..." Toko shivered, both from tension and the cold air of the room, "wh-what even is this place...AH!?" 

She gave a quick a shrill shriek all of a sudden, which snapped Makoto's attention straight to her. Following her vision line, Makoto looked towards a doorway on the other side of the room.

A figure dressed in a security uniform, and a weird mask on their face, trudged into the room. They were holding a police baton and flashlight, and they slowly made their way towards the two Ultimate Students. Makoto didn't quite know how to react, but felt a little bit of relief upon seeing another person, so he greeted them appropriately.

"Um...Hi!" he chuckled nervously, "sorry for dropping in unannounced it's just...we're looking for our classmates. Do you know where they might have gone to? I'm sorry for the way my friend here reacted, she's...very easily frightened.

"We are NOT friends...!" Toko hissed, "and stop calling me out!"

However, Makoto felt his blood run cold, when all of a sudden, the security guard-looking figure broke out into a small jog towards him. Not only that, but a loud, blaring, obnoxiously noisy alarm started to sound, which blocked out all other sounds except for Toko's panicked shrieking!

"Hey...This is bad!" Makoto exclaimed!

"No shit! Let's get out of here!" Toko cried, turning and starting to run. However, she was forcefully brought to a halt, as more security guards, clad in similar outfits, burst into the room from the other doorways. Toko didn't have time to react, when all of a sudden, one of them ran up to her, and smacked her around the face with their baton, knocking her to the ground!

"FUKAWA-SAN!" Makoto cried, running to try and help. However, he was suddenly grabbed by the back of his jacket by the other guard, which had now caught up to him...!

And with a single bash to the head with the flashlight, he was knocked out...!

Interrogation Room - Persona 5

Makoto was awoken by the sounds of frustrated screams.

"Hey! Let me out! Y-You've got no right to keep me here!"

His mind was groggy, and the yelling made his headache worse, but still, he forced himself to sit upright. When his vision stopped being blurry, he took in his surroundings, and felt his heart sink.

He found himself in what was unmistakably a jail cell. It was an old, not very well kept area, with two stone-hard beds; one of which he lay upon; and a toilet. The bars were traditional, and he could make out Toko rattling on them, yelling at one of the strange masked security guards that had attacked them earlier.

Thank goodness she was ok at least. Makoto groaned as he sat upright, and Toko turned around upon hearing his moans.

"Naegi!" she exclaimed, dropping her edgy tone, clearly relieved that he had come to his senses, "thank god you're awake!"

"Fukawa-san..." Makoto got up as Toko helped him to his feet, "what's going on? How long was I out for?"

"Hell if I know. Hours could have passed and I'd have no way of knowing from in here," Toko snapped, "listen! We haven't done anything wrong! You've got no right to keep us here!"

"No right, hm?" an unfamiliar, and weirdly distorted voice suddenly joined them, and the guard guarding the cell moved aside to show a figure approach the cell, "then would you like it if I was to trespass in YOUR home and do whatever I please?"

Makoto's eyes widened as soon as he properly made out the figure. It was the very same one that he had seen that same morning...

"Wait...Haiji Towa!?" he exclaimed.

He said this, but it was clear that something was very off about the way Towa looked right now. Earlier, he had been wearing a very professional suit, and had brushed his long hair very neatly, to make himself look presentable in front of the Hope's Peak staff and students. Now however, he was almost the complete opposite of presentable.

He was wearing a pair of skinny trouser legs, shoes and...not much else. His chest and torso were completely bare, showing off a hairy chest, and on his head with his now incredibly disheveled hair, was a police-looking cap. He also now wore a pair of dark sunglasses, shaped like love-hearts, which he lowered upon approaching the cell. As he did, Makoto saw that his lavender-colored eyes were now a malicious yellow.

"What the hell is this!?" Toko spat, "what gives Towa!? What's with that outfit!?"

"Hmph...just a couple of pesky little kids? That's all?" he scoffed narcissistically, "I guess it's a bit more interesting than some petty thieves busting their way in here."

"What's going on!?" Makoto exclaimed, "where are our classmates!? What did you do to them!?"

"Don't address me so nonchalantly!" Towa sneered, "I am the WARDEN of this prison, and you will show me RESPECT!"

Makoto backed away, as the security guards flung open the door to the cell, and started to trudge in. Haiji Towa trudged in behind them.

"Trespassing, refusal to submit, threatening an official officer..." Haiji mockingly read a blank piece of paper that he pulled out of his trouser pocket, "you've seen far too much for now. The crime for these offenses...is DEATH!"

"D-Death...!?" Toko's face went blue, as did Makoto's, "wh-what do you mean-!? G-Get away! GET AWAY!"

Toko's pleas fell on ignorant ears, as the guards approached them.

"Start with the one with glasses," Haiji instructed, "she will pay for the extra offense of attacking my men!"

"What are you talking about!? I-I-I didn't attack anyone!" Toko squealed.

"It must have been Jill!" Makoto reminded her, "you got knocked out after all, so she must have taken over!"

Before Toko could respond to this suggestion, she was suddenly rammed straight in the stomach with one of the guard's batons! She clutched her stomach, coughed up something gross, and collapsed on the floor!

"FUKAWA-SAN! Gah!" Makoto once again rushed towards her, but was instead grabbed by the throat and held against the wall by another guard!

"H-Hey...!" Toko tried to find words, "I...don't know what this...is about...but leave him...out of this...!"

Both Makoto and Haiji looked towards Toko in surprise, but she crawled to her knees and continued.

"If...If this has anything...to do with Genocide Jack's crimes...then that's fine...! Just let...let him go...! He's innocent! And his sister will never forgive me if h-he dies!"

"Oh, don't worry, I'll deal with HIM appropriately," Haiji approached Toko, kneeling down and gripping her mouth with his hand, "I'll focus on your execution first."

*SLAP!*

As the guards held Toko down, Towa forcibly slapped her around the face, bruising her cheek.

"SCUM!"

*SLAP!*

"TOKO!" Makoto cried, trying his best to pry himself free of the soldier's grip, but to no avail. He struggled as much as he could, but couldn't escape.

"Give it up!" Haiji turned his head around briefly, and sneered a shit-eating grin across his disgusting face, "you're powerless against me. There's nothing you can do to defeat my guards, so just QUIT!"

*SMACK!*

He slapped and punched Toko again, then holding out a hand. One of the guards passed his baton over to him.

"Toko...!" Makoto grimaced, his vision going dark as he continued to be choked against the wall...As he watched Haiji raise the baton, everything went dark...

...

...

...

...

"So, that's it then?"

Buzzkill - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

The Ultimate Lucky Student suddenly lurched awake, as a gruff voice suddenly whispered in his ear. He still found himself being held against the wall, but it somehow didn't hurt anymore.

Not only that, but the dark, stone cell he was in now turned a deep shade of blue, and everyone around him had now frozen, as if time had stopped.

Toko remained on the ground, bracing herself for the impact of Haiji's baton, which he was proceeding to swing towards her. Makoto reached out towards her, but still couldn't move from his spot.

"You're just going to stand there and watch her die?" the voice spoke again, "you disappoint me, son...A dear friend and classmate of yours is about to die, and you're not going to do anything?"

"What...can I do?" for some reason, Makoto felt a familiarity with the voice, so he didn't try to ask for who was calling him or what it was. Instead he just asked this "I'm just...me. No one special, not a hero, not someone who could stand against these guys in a fight..."

"So...are you just going to do as Towa said?" the voice spoke out again, almost mockingly, "just give up? Lay down and die here, when you still have your whole future ahead? Lay down and let Despair take you over?"

Makoto paused. It seemed that the theory of your entire life flashing before your eyes really was true, as in this case, his mind flashed to all the important people in his life. His parents, his sister, his classmates...everyone...

Was he really just going to watch as one of these dear people was murdered in front of him?

"My optimism..." Makoto finally found the words, "is something that I'm proud of. I would never let anyone I care about just die like that...!"

"Good lad," the voice responded, "this is your true resolve then? In that case...

Our pact is COMPLETE!"

Awakening - Persona 5

Time suddenly started to move again, but the flow of events was interrupted by a sudden disturbance! A large burst of energy suddenly pushed out into the room, knocking Towa and his guards off balance, and interrupting Toko's execution, who looked up in surprise!

Makoto, for his part, was not having a good time. His head suddenly started to ache, and he could hear his heart practically beat out of his chest! His eyes dilated, and sweat ran down his face, as he clutched his scalp and tried to fight back the feeling!

"What are you doing!?" Haiji snapped at the guard who was previously holding him, "do your damn job and restrain him!"

Two of the guards ran up to Makoto, and grabbed both his shoulders, shoving him against the wall! Makoto struggled to resist due to the pain, keeping his eyes tightly shut...However, when he found the strength to open them, he suddenly felt something on his face.

He reached up, and touched it. Somehow, a strangely shaped mask had materialized itself onto his face. He grabbed it and tried to remove it, but found that it was firmly stuck to him!

"Yes, that's it!" the voice egged him on, "rip off the mask that hides your true self and SHOW YOUR RESOLVE!"

Though the idea was not comforting, Makoto complied. As the guards held him in place, he grabbed both sides of the mask, and tried to force it off! He screamed in pain, as pulling off the mask pulled away at his skin, causing him to bleed buckets of blood! He shrieked at the sky, and dropped the mask...

But as the mask landed on the floor, it burst into a column of blue flames, that completely enveloped Makoto and spiraled around him!

"NAEGI!" Toko cried!

"What is going on!?" Haiji Towa cried!

For his part however, Makoto had already become numb to the pain. He could feel the blood on his face seem to evaporate from the heat of the azure flame, yet his body remained unburned. He looked down, as he saw his body be enveloped by the fire...

He heard more spoken words, inside his head, and for some reason, felt his mouth move on it's own, as he copied them.

"I am Thou..."

"Thou art I..."

"Stand, thou who does not hesitate to become the saving light of Hope and Salvation for those trapped in the Dark Despair!"

"Call my name! Show the strength of the Ultimate Hope's unyielding will to judge those who dabble in this darkness!"

"Call thy forth, and RECIEVE THY BLESSING!"

Despite the situation, and how much pain he had been put through, Makoto felt himself crack a smile as the flames dissipated. When they did, everyone else in the cell saw that his outfit had now completely changed from the school uniform he was wearing previously.

With confidence, power and hope swelling inside his fast-beating heart, Makoto stood upright and squared down Haiji's guards, pointing his hand forward with gusto, as a large, lanky, four-armed spiritual figure materialized behind him and took his side, ready to dish out some justice!

Feeling the words seem to be whispered in his ear by an unseen angel, Makoto made a three word declaration that caused the guards to tremble in their boots...!

"Come forth...! MICKEY!"

Chapter Text

Argument (Break) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Toko, Towa, and everyone else confined within the no longer dark cell stared at Makoto with gaping mouths, astonished by what they were seeing.

The lanky spectral figure aside, Makoto's appearance had changed significantly. He was no longer wearing his school uniform, and instead, wore a much more flamboyant attire. A bright green suit with a bright yellow jacket underneath it. A bowtie interestingly shaped like a 4-leafed clover, and white smart pants, with matching white gloves.

His head was lowered, so no one could see his eyes, but the smile on his face exuded an air of confidence and power. The spectral figure loomed down, taking two of it's four arms, reaching into it's pockets, and pulling out a dagger and a gun. It stood by Makoto, almost as if the two were linked by soul, and a powerful introduction came from it's being.

"I am Mickey, last of the Gentleman Thieves! The spirit of rebellion that dwells within you. Should you desire it, I can grant you the power to tear down any blockade and break any barrier."

"Yes...please...!" Makoto replied, the words appearing in his mind as easily as knives cut through butter, "lend me your power!"

"You...I don't know what this is, but I'm not afraid of it!" Towa snapped, clearly lying out of his teeth given the look of fear across his face, "men! Change of plan! Execute that one first! And don't hold back!"

The situation got all the more hectic for the onlooking Toko, who watched as the security guards suddenly writhed around like worms in a sack. Their strange masks suddenly burst off their face, with a red and black ooze pouring out of it. That ooze then materialized into abnormal and strange creatures, one's that were small, and had pumpkins for heads.

This was new to Makoto too, but with the burning fire igniting his heart, he looked on at them without fear. The creatures lurched forward to attack him, but instead, he just raised his arm and pointed at the closest one.

"Take it down!" he cried. And at his demand, the spirit lunged forward and sliced the first enemy in half with the blade!

As the other three rushed at him, Makoto dodged their advance, like his body was on autopilot. He didn't even have to really think about pulling off the acrobatic backflip he had used to avoid their attack. He did it, just like that. He then, commanded once again by the voices and prompts in his head pointed his fingers towards the enemies.

"Kouha!" he shouted!

The spectral figure used a remarkably different attack this time, firing something from it's two empty hands. Two small sparks of light whizzed their way towards the enemies, and upon contact, exploded them into light and disintegrated them into nothing!

"Gah! Dammit!" Towa held up his arms as the force of the attack almost knocked him over.

Toko, who had been unable to move or talk in awe of this whole spectacle, suddenly snapped back to reality as she heard the sound of a jingle. She looked down to see the force of Makoto's attack had dislodged some keys from the strange man's belt.

With everything to lose, Toko instinctively jumped up and tackled the warden, knocking him over, and swiftly grabbing the keys. She turned rapidly towards Makoto and waved her arm over, as the spectral figure suddenly dissipated, and the odd green and yellow mask reappeared on Makoto's face.

"Come on! Let's go!" she cried, jangling the keys as a way of letting Makoto know of her plan. Acting quickly, Toko and Makoto dived out of the cell; Makoto slamming the gate shut, and Toko swiftly shoving the key in the hole and locking it! Towa clambered to his feet, and grabbed the bars, his face absolutely livid!

"YOU BASTARDS!" he cried in a rage, rattling on the bars, "Don't let them get away! SEIZE THEM!"

Makoto didn't wait around for backup to show. He instead grabbed Toko's arm and made a run for it.

"Wh-Where the hell are we gonna go!?" Toko cried.

"Anywhere but there!" he replied, "come on! Let's go this way!"

Makoto guided Toko towards an important looking door, and the two students burst through it in a desperate escape attempt!

"OW!"

"GAH!"

Upon rushing through the door, and coming out into the clearing behind it, Toko and Makoto were unpleasantly greeted by the feeling of the solid ground against their faces. They collapsed on the ground, and lay there for a few minutes.

"Wh-What happened...!? Where are we now!? Wait...Where did your outfit go!?" Toko exclaimed in quick succession.

Makoto took a moment to compose himself, as he picked himself up to his knees, and looked down at himself. He was wearing his school uniform again, and it was now damp and dirty from where he had collapsed on the wet grass. Trying to righten his mind, he suddenly felt a vibration in his pocket, and reached in it to take out his phone.

His phone screen was on the strange app from earlier, and now a new message displayed across it, which his phone's speaker also read aloud.

[YOU HAVE RETURNED HOME. CONGRATULATIONS.]

Death Wish - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"What does it mean "returned?" D-Does that mean we got away?" Toko asked.

"Beats me..." Makoto replied, crawling to his feet, and helping Toko up to hers, "where even are we right now?"

The two of them looked around, and saw that they were standing in front of a building, but one that was remarkably different than the one they had just escaped from. It was small, and much more cosy-looking.

"I think this might be the new Elementary School." Toko observed, "but...where did the prison go?"

"I...have no idea..." Makoto's mind was drawing a blank. He was processing everything that happened back there, but was cut short in his thoughts as Toko suddenly grabbed him and shook him.

"More importantly, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?" she shrieked, "what the hell were you doing over the summer break when I didn't see you!? What kind of demonic ritual did you go through to get that power!?"

"Wh-What power!?" Makoto exclaimed, "you mean that thing I did back in the prison?"

Toko glared at him.

"No...The power to turn yourself into a cow..." she snapped sarcastically, "what the hell do you think!?"

"Alright, dumb question..." Makoto scratched his face embarrassingly, "it's just...to be honest with you, I don't really get it myself...That was a first for me too."

"R-Really?" Toko's eyes widened, "you seemed pretty attuned to it. Like nothing was bothering you at all."

"Yeah, I have no idea," he told her, "I don't get it, much like I don't get anything else that just happened."

"Well...what do we do now?" she asked.

Makoto paused and took a look around before he answered. He suddenly noticed some faces looking at him through the Elementary School window. Not sure of what to do, he waved to the curious children that stared at him, then turned back to Toko.

"Let's just...head to class..." he sighed.

Distrust - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

However, upon going through with this decision, and deciding to head back to the school building, the two students came across something unexpected.

The people had returned to the hallways, and they passed several other students and faculty members (all of which gave them strange looks upon seeing how messy and muddy they were) but when walking down the hallway, they stopped dead in their tracks, as two figures walked past their classroom, stopping to greet them.

Jin Kirigiri, the headmaster, was one, but the other was too frighteningly familiar.

"H-Haiji Towa!?" Toko exclaimed.

Towa responded by widening his eyes in surprise, clearly not expecting to be called out so suddenly. Unlike how he was before, he had now returned to donning his regular outfit, and his hair had been neatly brushed back. Like how he had appeared when Toko and Makoto had spotted him at the main gate.

"C-Can I help you?" he asked, taking a few steps back as Toko glowered at him.

"Ah, apologies for my students," Jin turned to him, "these are two of the 78th Class, Makoto Naegi and Toko Fukawa."

The headmaster then turned towards the students with a look of disapproval on his face.

"I would have thought the two of you would try to make yourselves more presentable given that we have a special guest on site today," he told them, "did the two of you have fun playing in the mud?"

Makoto's eyes darted back and forth between Towa and Jin before he came up with a response. He looked into the concerned eyes of the Haiji Towa in front of him, and his mind kept flashing back to the vision of the weird and dominating warden outfit he had been wearing back in the prison.

Not only had the prison now disappeared, but Haiji had now turned back to normal. Something wasn't right about this, any of this.

But Makoto knew that if he was to tell the Headmaster that Towa had kidnapped and beat them in a prison that had somehow disappeared, there was no way in hell he would believe him given the circumstances. He needed more insight into whatever the hell was going on...So for now, he had little choice but to play along.

"Apologies, sir..." he shook his head shamefully, "the rain got pretty bad and...we slipped and fell into some mud. We got here as fast as we could, but...you know how my luck is."

"Wh-What!?" Toko snapped, "that's not what happened! We were running away from the jail before-MMPH!"

Makoto swiftly dashed over to Toko and covered her mouth with his hand before she could say any more.

"Jail?" Haiji parroted, "what were the two of you up to? There's no jail around here, is there?"

"Hope's Peak have definitely made numerous questionable decisions, but the Steering Committee are smart enough to know that placing the world's brightest children near a penitentiary full of it's worst adults is not wise by any sense." Jin assured him.

"Qu-Quite!" Makoto was sweating buckets, trying to cover up this situation, "e-excuse my friend, she's...schizophrenic. She hasn't taken her medication today."

"Oh! OH!" Towa smiled, "I understand. My apologies for misunderstanding."

"Fukawa's medicine should be in her desk," Makoto told them both, "if you'll excuse us, Headmaster, can I take her to class so she can take it?"

"Very well, I'll let you off this time," Jin shook his head and sighed, "remember, I know the two of you have permission to cut class at this academy, but that's ONLY do you can use it hone your individual talents. The school will have to take action if you're just choosing to slack off, alright?"

"Y-Yes sir! Won't happen again! Come on Fukawa-san!" Makoto quickly shuffled Toko away from the two, who continued their discussion as they walked down the hallway.

Makoto glanced back to get one last suspicious look at Haiji though, before they disappeared around the corner.

*I'm gonna get to the bottom of this...* he thought to himself.

Beautiful Days - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Oh, about freaking time!" the first person to raise his voice at the two students as they entered their classroom was Leon Kuwata, the Ultimate Baseball Star; a red-headed jock with a big presence and even bigger ego, "where the hell've you two been, making out behind the bleachers or somethin'?"

"Not funny Kuwata..." Makoto rolled his eyes as he walked over to his desk. With how many eyes were on him, it might as well have been a walk of shame.

"Makoto-kun! Finally, I was getting so worried!" Sayaka Maizono, the Ultimate Pop Sensation, hurried up to him. She noticed the dirt on his uniform, and did her best to pat what was left of it off. "Where have the two of you been!? What happened!?"

"This is absolutely outrageous!" Kiyotaka Ishimaru, the class rep and Ultimate Moral Compass, yelled at them in his loud and boisterous voice, "the first day back and the two of you decided to skip both first AND second period!? And look at the state of your uniforms! How could you desecrate the pride of the academy like this!?"

"Pretty sure the "pride o' the academy" is the students themselves bro..." Mondo Owada, the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader, made a decent enough point. Despite their very different lifestyle's and opinions, Mondo and Kiyotaka (or Taka for short), were actually best friends. Usually they were slung around each other's arms and laughing like the best of bros. So when Mondo made this point, Taka calmed down to listen.

"Hey, don't you guys think we should be worrying less about their clothes and more about themselves?" Junko Enoshima, the Ultimate Fashionista, chimed in on the conversation, with a concerned look on her face, "does no one else think they look like they got beat up?"

Everyone stopped for a moment to consider this point. Junko, for her part, reached over and patted the shoulder of the girl next to her.

"What do you think Mukuro-chan?" she asked, "think trouble's afoot?"

"I...wouldn't know..." The girl, Mukuro Ikusaba, the Ultimate Soldier, responded very quietly. She took a look at the dirty and muddy Makoto, but said seldom few words, as she did.

This was normal for her though, so Makoto didn't think much of it.

"A-Are you two ok?" Chihiro Fujisaki, the Ultimate Programmer, approached him, "you're not in trouble, are you?"

"Rest assured," Sakura Ogami, the Ultimate Martial Artist, a hulking woman with an intimidating face, but kind heart, gently patted Makoto on the shoulder, "if you are in any danger, let me know. I shall protect you."

"G-Guys, calm down!" Makoto assured them, "I know how it looks, but we're alright! We're not in any trouble...I hope..."

"You "hope?""  Hifumi Yamada, the Ultimate Fanfic Writer, inquired, "Naegi-dono, are you keeping something from us? You've got that look in your eyes...!"

"What look!?" Makoto asked, "no, I promise I'm not hiding anything! We just slipped in some mud and then...embarrassed ourselves in front of the guest, that's all."

Makoto noted that from the corner of the classroom, Ultimate Detective, Kyoko Kirigiri, looked at him suspiciously. He figured it would be best to try and avoid contact with her today, as she had been known to see through basically everything.

Even though it was unlikely that she would believe the truth, he was unlikely to get away with any lies.

"The guest?" Aoi Asahina (or Hina for short) the Ultimate Swimming Pro, skipped up to Makoto and took the side of her best friend Sakura, as she addressed him, "you mean that guy who was walking around with Mr Kirigiri? Uh...Haji Toga or something?"

"Haiji Towa..." Byakuya Togami, the Ultimate Affluent Progeny, suddenly stepped into the classroom, the air becoming heavy with smarmy pride as soon as he appeared, "if you wish to get anywhere in the world, it would be best to at least remember the name of important people that could shape your future career."

"MASTER!" Toko leapt up off her desk, and ran towards him with her arms outstretched. Whatever concerns or problems she had before had now basically vanished into thin air, as she laid eyes upon her crush and ran towards him. Byakuya held out a hand and palmed her face to stop her in her tracks.

"Don't hug me!" he snapped, "especially when you look like that. I don't care what it was you've been doing this morning, but whatever it is, clean yourself up!"

"Y-Yes sir! R-Right away!" Toko grabbed the hem of her shirt, before Junko hurried over and held it.

"Hey l-let's not do that in here," she told her, "come with me, we'll go to the girl's changing room."

Junko looked back and winked at her classmates as she escorted Toko out.

"You think she'll be alright?" Yasuhiro Hagakure, the laid-back Ultimate Clairvoyant, inquired as he polished his expensive crystal ball, "you know that Fukawa can be...y'know."

"She'll be fine," Hina assured him, "if anyone can handle Toko-chan, it's Junko-chan."

"Gotta agree with that," Sayaka winked, "anyway, what about you Makoto-kun?"

"I'm fine," he assured her, "I can brush the dirt off me just fine. No one minds if I don't wear my blazer today, do they?"

No one spoke up, so Makoto simply removed his blazer and sat back down. Taka walked over to his desk and scolded him a little bit for being tardy on the first day, but all things considered, he went pretty easy on him this time around.

By this point in time, Makoto and Toko had already missed first and second period, so now it was time for a break. Clearly, his classmates had worried about him though, so most of them had chosen instead to stick around.

He liked them for that. They really were one airtight, watertight little community, in and of themselves, despite their differences.

"Speaking of Towa," Mondo took his feet off his desk and sat up straight; a subtle way of letting his friends know that he was trying to be serious, "that guy's been skulkin' around the halls like he owns the place. Don't it rub you the wrong way?"

"I can...somewhat understand what you mean..." Chihiro contemplated, "though that might just be because he's intimidating to me..."

"Pfft! He's no more intimidating than Togami!" Hina laughed, "all rich boys are the same. Endless money but no personality!"

"Excuse me!" Byakuya snapped, "I am standing right here, and I do take offense to that. Towa and the Togami conglomerate aren't on the same level. Hell, we aren't even playing the same game."

"Glad to see you're as prideful as your lineage as you've always been..." Celestia Ludenberg, the Ultimate Gambler, who had been keeping to herself for most of this time, quietly snarked to Byakuya, but just loud enough so that he could hear it and turn her way with a glare on his face.

"Yeah..." Leon sighed, "I don't get what's so special about him...He doesn't look all that much to me. No chick's gonna wanna go for a dude that ain't handsome."

"He's more handsome than you~" Sayaka teased, Leon scowling back at her.

"I'm sure I need not repeat myself, but Mr Towa will be an esteemed guest here at Hope's Peak for the next two weeks until the Hope's Peak Elementary School is officially opened," Taka raised his voice so that his classmates could hear him, not that he needed to given that his default volume was already loud enough, "I will not allow any of you to cause him any trouble during his stay here, else I will be forced to report you! Do you understand!?"

"Jeez Taka!" Sayaka continued her teasing spree, "you would do that to your dear old classmates~?"

"I care about you all very much," Taka declared bluntly, "but I also care very much about the upkeep and reputation of the academy, and I wish to repay the favor by proving we are capable of good manners and hospitality! Is that so much to ask!?"

"She's messing with you Taka..." Chihiro smiled, "she knows how to behave...Mostly..."

"You wound me Fujisaki-chan!" Sayaka faux gasped.

"I am confused about something," Makoto chimed in, "if the Elementary School is not open, why are there already students in the building?"

"There are students in there?" Hifumi asked. Makoto nodded.

"Toko and I uh...passed by the building on the way here..." Makoto admitted, "there were some kids looking at me from the window. Anyone have any idea who they are?"

"They're children who are planned to attend the academy, but got to do so earlier thanks to Towa's connections," Kyoko explained, finally deciding to raise her voice, "so far there's the son's of Daimon, Kemuri and Shingetsu, as well as the daughter of Utsugi...There's also another girl, but I'm not quite sure who she's related to, or what her name is."

"Aren't those all like...really famous entrepreneurs?" Yasuhiro asked, "hey, maybe if they've decided to invest in helping Hope's Peak, we could have a few conversations with them and learn about business!"

"You're planning on extorting them for money, aren't you?" Mondo grumbled.

"Am not!" Yasuhiro snapped back.

"Et tu~?" Celeste mocked.

The truth was that because he was always wasting cash on buying random junk and useless knick-knacks that he believed were related to OOParts, Yasuhiro (Hiro for short) was in crippling debt. He would do anything to earn a bit of cash, and during their first year, he had even tried to coerce Makoto into selling his organs for him.

Makoto had refused obviously, much to Hiro's dismay.

"Realistically speaking, the more outside businesses that get involved with the academy, the better," Sakura pointed out, "it means that our options for the future are ever wider, even more so than our talents already provide us. I agree that we should treat Towa with the respect he deserves."

"Hmph..."the respect he deserves," huh?" Makoto grit his teeth. Sayaka looked over at him.

"What was that?" she asked, "did...you just say something Makoto-kun?"

"Huh? Oh uh...no, I didn't..." Makoto shook his head, "it's nothing I'm just...thinking of stuff."

"Stuff like what?" Kyoko asked. Makoto gulped. Now that she had asked him that, he knew he couldn't refuse to answer. So he raised his head and explained himself.

"I'm just worried about all the shady rumors surrounding him," Makoto explained, which wasn't TECHNICALLY a lie, "they don't bother me that much, but it's still something I've been thinking about."

"Naegi...The rumors are easily disproven and based purely on conjecture," Taka frowned at him, "do not let Mr Towa himself hear you say that."

"I told you already, I've just been thinking about it," he said, "they're not your typical bigshot businessesman rumors. They're worse."

"You mean the stuff about him maybe going after younger girls and abusing his power?" Chihiro asked, "yeah, I'm not feeling great about it either."

"If it's young girls he's looking for, there are plenty here at Hope's Peak..." Sayaka considered.

"Well, he seemed polite enough," Celeste chimed in, "but you can never tell. Some people hide their true, dark sides behind a mask of niceties. There's a non-zero possibility that Towa is the same way."

"Aah...Now I'm nervous..." Hina gulped, "I feel like I'm not gonna be able to look him in the eye anymore..."

"Dammit Naegi, look at what you did!" Leon jeered. Makoto shook his head.

"I wasn't trying to suggest anything!" he cried, "you just...need to be careful! That's all!"

"Everyone just chill!" Makoto breathed a huge sigh of relief, as Junko, the clear voice of reason in this situation, hurried back into the classroom, leading the now clean Toko by the arm with her, "Koters wasn't trying to bring any bad vibes. He's just looking out for everyone!"

"Y-Yes, that's exactly it!" Makoto smiled, "thanks Enoshima-kun..."

"Yeah, it ain't great talking about all this stuff so let's change the subject!" Junko once again skipped to the other side of the classroom, wrapping her arms affectionately around Mukuro, "like, speaking of newcomers, howzabout all the new Ultimate Students comin' in this year!?"

"Oh, yes!" Chihiro's eyes sparkled, "we've got a really interesting lineup for the first years this year! I heard there's an Astronaut and an Entomologist among their ranks! I'd love to meet them!"

"A...An entro...what now?" Mondo raised an eyebrow.

"Entomologist," Sakura clarified, "someone who studies insects and bugs."

"Didn't know you were into bugs..." Leon grimaced, "they freak me out mosta the time, and flies get in my face all the time during baseball matches."

"There are some really interesting one's though!" Chihiro beamed. Her smile was irresistible, even to someone as gruff and tough as Leon, who blushed and turned his head away.

"You did mention to me you were a big astronomy fan," Taka pondered, "I'm personally more curious about the Ultimate Anthropologist. That young man seems full of knowledge."

"Someone who studies humanity and culture." Celeste spoke up as Mondo began to open his mouth.

"Gragh!" Mondo groaned, "why do we gotta use all these big words!?"

"They aren't that difficult to say," Byakuya raised his nose to the sky, trying his best to ignore Toko, who nuzzled next to him, "your brain is just too small to comprehend them."

Mondo leered at Byakuya, but said and did nothing else.

"Actually, now that you mention it, I walked some of the way to school this morning with one of the first years who got lost along the way," Makoto explained, "she's a nice girl. Her name was Akamatsu."

"Mingling with the first year girls already?" Leon winked, "didn't know you were such a player~"

"Not everything is about getting your rocks off Kuwata! Naegi-kun isn't like you!" Hina snapped, "Akamatsu though..."

"Oh, that's the Pianist!" Chihiro smiled, "I think you might get along with her Sayaka!"

"She said she was a big fan." Makoto added. Sayaka acknowledged this with a smile.

"Then I might very well have to strike up a conversation with her," she winked, "but did the rest of you hear something else? I heard that the first years ALSO have an Ultimate Detective this year!"

"Another one so soon?" Sakura inquired.

"Yeah. Maybe you should meet and talk to him Kyoko?" Sayaka looked towards the lavender-haired investigator, "maybe you could teach him a thing or two?"

"If I feel like it..." Kyoko scoffed.

The conversation continued about the first year students, but as it did, Makoto found himself glancing back towards Toko. She seemed distracted by Byakuya, but also kept shooting concerned looks towards Makoto as the discussion continued.

Beautiful Morning - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

The discussion continued until third and fourth period arrived, and not much happened during each. Just a simple "welcome back" day that was lighthearted enough, and didn't cause any early-year stress for Makoto.

Hope's Peak was a very laid back environment though, so much so that Makoto often wondered where the academy's success even came from, but the results spoke for themselves.

When the bell rang at the end of fourth period, Makoto grabbed his bag. Given that he had been late this morning, and had ran straight to class, he hadn't had time to go back to the dorms and unpack his stuff, so he decided to head there now. 

However, before he could leave the classroom, his classmate, Kyoko, stopped him.

"Hey, Naegi-kun." she greeted him politely, "I hope you're alright after what happened this morning."

"Huh?" Makoto replied.

"I don't know what's going on with you, but I have better things to do than pry into your business," she said, "just make sure you look after yourself from now on."

"Yes." Makoto nodded with a forced smile on his face, "thank you Kyoko."

Welcome to Despair - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Makoto returned to his dorm room, and set about unpacking his things. The young man was honestly a bit of a minimalist. He had his necessities, and one or two typical high-school boy stuff, but he never quite understood why people would fill their rooms with random bits and bobs that they rarely even use.

Once he was done, he stood back and admired his handiwork. As he started sorting through his items that he would use for the final few lessons of the day, he suddenly heard a knock on his door.

"Yes? Hello?" he went over to his door and opened it, peeking out into the dorms hallway. Surprisingly, though also somewhat NOT surprisingly, it was none other than Toko Fukawa standing at the door.

"Fukawa-san!" Makoto exclaimed, "is something the matter?"

"C-Can I um...come in?" she asked nervously.

Makoto saw no reason to not let her in. More than likely, she was here to discuss the experience the two of them had gone through that same day, and at least this way they had privacy. After making sure no one was watching, he opened his door, and Toko quietly scuttled in.

"You can sit on my desk chair," Makoto indicated to the swivel chair at his desk, which Toko almost immediately plopped herself down in, "I think I know why you're here, but just for politeness sake...what can I help you with?"

As he sat down on his bed to face her, Toko suddenly reached into her pocket and pulled something out, handing it to him. Makoto took a moment to process what it was, and saw that it was a neatly wrapped Curry Pan meal from the cafeteria.

"Hanamura from Class 77 made this for me. You know, the Ultimate Cook?" Toko explained "and uh...before anything else, I wanted to thank you..."

"You...wanted to thank me?" Makoto repeated. Toko nodded begrudgingly.

"Don't get used to it..." she threatened, "y-you seriously saved me back in that prison, so...th-this is the least I could do to pay you back...I know you like this stuff."

"I do!" Makoto's face lit up, "thanks very much! Still, you really didn't have to do this. You don't owe me anything."

"Just take it! I'm only d-doing this so I don't feel bad about myself!" Toko snapped, thrusting the Curry Pan onto him, "but...more importantly, speaking of the prison...That wasn't a dream, was it?"

"I don't think so..." Makoto shook his head, "our bruises are gone, but my shoulder and head still hurts from where those weird demon guards whacked us...Oh and uh...Sorry for cupping your mouth earlier, but I felt it would be best not to let the Headmaster know about it for now."

"Looking back, I probably looked crazy," Toko sighed, "still, did you HAVE to tell the weirdo that I had schizophrenia? I don't usually go around advertising the fact that I have two personalities, you know?"

"Sorry, it was the only thing I could think of that would work," he apologized, "it just seemed weird to me. Towa didn't seem like he was playing dumb. It's almost like he had no memory whatsoever of what happened in the prison."

"Not to mention, the prison itself disappeared," Toko added, "it's intriguing though...The version of Haiji Towa that we saw in that place was more accurate to all those bad rumors that I was telling you about...Almost as if they had become real."

"Well, like I said, on top of the very real injuries, there's no way that the two of us would hallucinate the same thing at the same time," Makoto observed, "what happened was for real, so why did it all seem fake in the end?"

"We can't just go around asking a-about it or making b-blind accusations though," Toko grunted, "Towa's a big name now, bigger than it was before, and Hope's Peak are very serious about their business dealings with the company. We'd probably get in trouble if we tried to bring it up, and even if we didn't, we'd easily be snuffed out."

"You're right..." he thought, "but if what we saw is true, then this and that Towa have to be related somehow..."

His mind flashed back to all the events that had happened over the course of this day. He tried to put the puzzle pieces together, but as he did...

He remembered something...

Unsure of what to do, he suddenly grabbed his phone and opened it up. Sure enough, as he had expected, the strange eye-shaped app icon was still there, even though he had deleted it previously.

"Listen, Fukawa-san..." he said to her, "I've been thinking...After what happened to us, I want to get to the bottom of what's going on, so...I think...I need to go back to the prison...!"

"What!?" Toko exclaimed, with Makoto shushing her so that no one heard her through the walls, "are you nuts!? It's too dangerous, even with whatever super ability you used!"

"True...we barely escaped with our lives the last time..." Makoto considered, "in all honesty, I don't want to go back any more than you do, but..."

"But what!?" Toko snarled. Makoto responded by looking her dead in the eye with a stern expression, unlike any that she was used to seeing on his face.

"If the rumors surrounding Haiji Towa are true, then there's a chance that a lot of people here at Hope's Peak could be in danger, especially the kids who have already been inducted into the Elementary School," he told her, "and I can't just sit by when I have the power to do something about it! If we expose Towa for what he really is, we could save loads of people!"

"You might have the power to do it, but I sure don't!" Toko snapped, "besides, the prison disappeared! And you have no way to get back there!"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Makoto replied, "take a look at this."

He opened up the app on his phone, and turned the screen to show Toko. She stared at it, her face full of confusion.

"What the fresh hell is this?" she asked, " "Haiji Towa..." "Elementary School..." "Prison..." What...?" 

"Gonna be honest, I have no idea either," he admitted, "but this app randomly appeared on my phone this morning, and I can't delete it. I wanted Chihiro to look at it, but after what happened, it slipped my mind."

"And how does this pertain t-to our current discussion?" she asked. 

"Because I think this app is what transported us to the prison," Makoto told her, "it's a navigation app of some kind, and it's the only thing I can think of that might be related to our arrival in that place. After all, it's the only other thing that I have no clue what it's about."

He pocketed his phone and turned to Toko.

"I just wanted to let you know," he said, "you're free to come with me, but whether you do or don't, I'm going back. Yes, I don't fully understand everything, and yes, I might be in a lot of danger...But I can't just ignore what happened like it was some silly little nightmare..."

Toko paused for a second.

"Fine...FINE! I'll come!" she clutched her head in a humph. Makoto's face lit up.

"You will!?" he exclaimed, "I appreciate the backup, but...are you sure?"

"It's like I said in the cell..." Toko told him, "your sister would never forgive me if I just let you die...So I'm not going to. D-Don't think I'm doing this for your sake or anything!"

"Right, fair enough," he said, "but assuming I get the chance to wield the same power I did before, you're gonna have to stick by me. I don't want you running in and getting killed."

"Well, about that," Toko said, "I know that I'm gonna be useless in a fight against those things, but...SHE might be able to help?"

""She?"" Makoto asked, "you mean...Genocide Jack?"

Toko nodded.

"You're gonna have to be the one to explain things to her though!" she snapped, "remember, we don't share memories, so..."

"Somehow, I get the feeling that's not gonna be a problem," Makoto smiled, "in that case, here's the plan..."

Aria of the Soul - Persona 5

The plan was that Toko and Makoto would continue through their days as per normal, but go outside the dorms at midnight and meet near where they had escaped from last time - in front of the Elementary School. The students should have all gone home by now, and even if there was light security, it wouldn't be enough to be a problem if they attempted this plan from a distance.

Makoto would then attempt to use the strange navigation app to locate the prison again.

This of course, was assuming the plan would even work. After all, they had ended up at the prison rather by accident that morning.

After the day was over though, Makoto retired to his dorm early. He texted a goodnight and good luck to his parents and little sister, then went to sleep early so that he would have enough energy for when they reentered the prison.

However, when he drifted off to sleep, he once again found himself in the mysterious blue room he had entered the night before.

Makoto lifted his dreary head off the desk, and once again took in his surroundings.

"So...That really wasn't a dream after all..." he said to himself.

"Like I told you," a familiar voice spoke to him from the teacher's desk, "this place exists between dream and reality. It is present only in your mind."

Makoto, shaking off his grogginess, looked forward to see the familiar visages of Igor and Agatha, both smiling at him (Agatha obviously the more gentle and less creepy of the two, but he kept that thought to himself.)

"You are a very capable student indeed," Agatha chuckled, "piecing together the pieces of the puzzle all on your own, and being proactive enough to take a stand despite not knowing the full extent of the dangers you face. You deserve a gold star."

"Thank you...I guess...?" Makoto shrugged, "so...you guys were behind it all after all?"

"I assure you, the Palace you entered was not our doing," Igor explained, "and the power you awoke to was something you achieved by yourself...Hohoho...and what a power it is indeed."

"What do you mean by "Palace?"" Makoto asked, "and what exactly WAS that power? How did I do that?"

"The power you awakened to is the power of your Persona," Agatha explained, "you awakened to it because you have the potential and conviction to take a stand, even in a situation that you could not possibly hope to contend with. That power takes the form of a Persona, the physical manifestation of your will to rebel."

"Somehow...I understand..." Makoto processed her words, "but also...not really."

"Do you need me to elaborate further?" Agatha asked, approaching Makoto's desk and leaning down towards him, "as long as you intend to explore the Metaverse, you will be training the power of Persona, which you have awakened to. Personas are, in other words, a "mask" - an armor of the heart when confronting worldly matters. You are one with your Persona, and even if you do not know what to do, it does not matter. Your Persona will guide you when you cannot. Think of it as another part of yourself that can only be utelized within the Metaverse."

"You keep talking about this Metaverse stuff, but what exactly IS it?" Makoto asked, "is it...this other world that me and Toko ended up in? Where the prison we got trapped in was?"

"You catch on quickly, I am impressed," Igor chuckled, "for what the Metaverse truly is, you will discover that for yourself in due time. For now though, I hope you make good use of the gift I provided to you - The Metaverse Navigator. With it, you can enter the palaces and explore the place at your leisure."

"Wait..." Makoto realized, "you mean YOU'RE the one who put that app on my phone!? Right...that makes sense now that I think about it!"

"Wonderful. You really are a wonderful student," Agatha clapped her hands together, "now, the lesson can truly begin, and we are well on our way towards graduation."

"Graduation from what?" Makoto asked.

"Once again, you will come to figure that out in due time." Igor repeated, "you are a student, and if you continue on the path you are going, you, and the people around you, will never escape from the ruin that awaits you. But if you master the power of the Persona, as well as the Metaverse itself...there may still be hope for you, Makoto Naegi."

Makoto didn't like the sound of anything that he was hearing, but before he could inquire more, the sound of a schoolbell rang out through the Velvet Room. Makoto felt his eyes become heavy.

"It seems we are out of time..." Igor sighed, "remember...I expect great things from you..."

Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Makoto woke up from his sleep, and found himself back in his dorm room. He quickly looked over at the digital clock next to him, which was chiming, almost in unison with the school bell he had heard in the Velvet Room.

The time on it read 11:49, 11 minutes till midnight. Remembering the promise he made with Toko, he quickly got up, got dressed into some comfy clothes, and headed out.

Toko, thankfully, had agreed to the plan. She met Makoto at the place they had designated, also wearing some casual clothes, namely a long sleeved jumper. She also had her hair tied in her typical twin braids, and she startled a little bit as he approached.

"Calm down, he assured her, "it's only me."

"Thank God..." she replied, "hey, I've been thinking...what do we do if this somehow doesn't work?"

"If it doesn't work, it doesn't work," Makoto told her, "we just go back to our beds and sleep for the night. It's not exactly the worse-case scenario..."

"No, the worst-case scenario would be us getting brutally mutilated by the prison guards!" Toko hissed.

"Look, if you've got a problem, leave," Makoto snapped back, "I can do this myself!"

"Grgh...I'm here now, so I can't just go back like that..." she groaned. Makoto turned to her with a stern expression on his face.

"I'm serious Fukawa-san," he said, "need I remind you that we only saw a little bit of the prison last time, so I have no idea where we're going or what we're getting into. Plus, we got lucky in how we escaped last time, so there's no guarantee we'll get out again with our lives."

Toko gulped, but didn't move.

"You know what? That's not my problem," Toko said, "from now on, it's hers...ACHOO!"

Toko suddenly sneezed on command, and all of a sudden, her apperance and mannerisms drastically changed. Her eyes went from a light purple-grey to a vibrant red, and a ridiculously and inhumanly long tongue cascaded out of her mouth. She glared at Makoto with a crazed look in her eyes, and she began to cackle!

Genocide Jill had just been unleashed!

Absolute Delusional Girl - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"KEHAHAHAHAHA" she laughed, "well, look who it is! How's it hangin' Big Mac? It's been a while~"

"G-Good to see you..." every time this homicidal side of Toko popped out, Makoto never quite knew how to deal with it, so he just tried to stay polite, "listen, I need you to do me a favor. A favor for me AND Toko."

"Hmm...Hmmm...!" Jill crossed her arms and furrowed her brow, as she mockingly made a thinking pose, "oh! OOH! Lemme guess! We're going back to that freaky prison place to rough a buncha those guys up, huh!?"

"Oh...!" Makoto raised his eyebrows, "you uh...know about it already?"

"Psh! Of course! I've been lookin' forward to the chance to give those no-good guards some payback for whacking me over the head last time!" she smirked.

*So it's as I thought...* Makoto thought to himself, *after Toko got knocked out in the prison, Jill came out and attacked the guards...But if we still ended up the cell, is she really going to help?*

"So? SO!? Is that what's up!?" her eyes seemed to sparkle as the thought of slaughtering the guards appeared vividly in her mind. Makoto sighed.

"Yes, but it's dangerous," he said, "I know that means nothing to you, but I'm going in to investigate, so I need you to watch my back."

"Duly noted!" Jill squealed with excitement, "now come on! Let's go kill people!"

"Ay ay ay..." Makoto shook his head.

Not wanting to keep talking, and trying to block out the murderous nursery rhymes that Genocide Jill sang as they strolled towards the Elementary School, 

Underground Trial - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Once they got within a good enough distance, it was time that Makoto finally tested his theory. Though he still didn't get what was going on (and unfortunately, Igor and Agatha hadn't helped very much) he made sure that Jill was standing close to him, and then opened up the Navigator app.

The same four prompts had been saved on his phone - "Haiji Towa" "Hope's Peak Elementary" and "Prison." Ready to rumble, he tapped the center of the screen with his thumb, and heard the sound from his phone's speaker, as well as the words pop up on the app.

[BEGINNING NAVIGATION]

Sure enough, the surroundings began to distort. Makoto could see the Elementary School Building in front of him begin to shift and contort, and when he had a moment to readjust his vision, he saw once again the familiar threatening sight from the same morning. 

The Elementary School had morphed into the jail, and like before, the door was wide open.

"WOAH! You've got some crazy power there Big Mac!" Genocide Jill cried out, "and hey! Got some pretty snazzy digs there too!"

Makoto looked down to see that he was once again wearing the same strange outfit that he had donned in the jail from that morning. A green suit with a yellow smart jacket underneath, and white gloves on his hands, as well as white trousers and white shoes. He also noticed that on his face, he was wearing an odd-shaped mask that he had ripped off to summon his Persona, as the Velvet Room people had called it.

This time however, it wasn't stuck to his face, so he could remove it with ease. He decided to leave it on now, as it didn't obstruct his vision too much.

"So what's with the clown suit?" Genocide Jill asked, "you trying to entertain some kids or something."

As mentioned previously, Genocide Jill and Toko didn't share memories. What one saw would never be seen or remembered by the other. So since Toko was the one to witness Makoto's transformation, this was the first time Genocide Jill had seen this new attire.

"Hah...Don't worry about the details. Just know that I can fight so long as I'm wearing this outfit," Makoto smiled at her, "now come on. We've got work to do!"

"Wowzers! Who are you and what have you done with Big Mac!?" Jill wolf whistled, "you're like a whole different person when you're wearing that mask!"

"You have NO idea..." Makoto laughed.

Despair Syndrome (2) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Yes...Hello?"

Unbeknownst to Makoto, Toko or Genocide Jill, as they entered the prison, not too far away, the real Haiji Towa was on a phone call with his company. The man on the other end of the line was his father, and the current owner of the company, Tokuichi Towa.

"Haiji," he replied, "good to hear from you. How were you today?"

"Things are proceeding pretty smoothly," he replied, "Kirigiri ended up eating up all my nice little words. And from the way it sounds, the Steering Committee are looking forward to the developments that we'll bring them too."

"Good...I knew I could count on you," Tokuichi laughed through the phone, "still though, the real question is what's the situation with the Elementary School?"

"It's going fine as well...Though, we could try and convince those kids to settle down a little and shut up..." he sneered, "I heard a couple students saw 'em poking their shitty little heads through the windows earlier."

"Come now, don't be so openly harsh," he said, "most of those kids are the children of our biggest partners. Remember, even if we wish to expand business with the most prestigious academy in the world, we don't intend to lose any more connections over it."

"I know father...But just looking at them makes me sick..." he mumbled, "they're like diseased little dogs that I want to put down...Not that I'm going to...I think this place is torture enough for them."

"Leave disciplining them to their parents," Tokuichi commanded through the phone, "and remember, this is your first venture out of the company since...you know what happened. Don't screw this up for us. One scandal, and Towa Corp is done for."

"I know!" Haiji snapped, "I'm not an idiot, you don't have to keep reminding me..."

"I apologize...I just know it must be difficult for you to be within such close proximity of the girl all the time every time...I know you despise her..."

"Father...if she continues to thrive, she will tear our family apart," Haiji growled, "what makes you keep her around...!? Can't we just be rid of her and be done? Then I wouldn't be so stressed...!"

"Did you not just hear what I said about how the company's done if any more scandal's happen?" Tokuichi snapped, "this is the EXACT SCANDAL I am afraid of. The entire reason why I'm keeping her at Hope's Peak as long as I can is so that I don't have to put up with her here..."

"We can't give her up for adoption because the secret will come out then, right?" Haiji asked, "she's an eyesore...a beast that threatens to take everything from me...She's already well on her way to becoming the heir of the company in my place!"

Haiji, who was currently standing in an empty classroom, sauntered over to the window and stared out towards the Elementary School building.

"The most I can do for now is make sure she stays imprisoned in that building..." he grumbled.

"She's incredibly smart for her age, Haiji," Tokuichi assured him, "smarter than you and smarter than even me...And that is why I am thinking of a way to get rid of her that won't get us in trouble! I need you to keep an eye on her and those other kids until me and their parents can figure all of it out!"

"Yes father..." Haiji nodded, "don't worry. This academy doesn't suspect a thing. We give them what they want, and they may as well let us get away with murder."

"Good to hear..." Tokuichi smiled on the other side, "I'm proud of you, my son..."

Shore-scented Dead End - Danganronpa Ultra Despair Girls

"DAMMIT!" Makoto shrieked, "THIS IS BULLSHIT!"

"Jeeezuss! What's got you so upset?" Jill asked, as if the answer wasn't obvious.

"THIS!" Makoto shrieked, "THIS is what's got me so upset!"

Fortunately for Makoto and Jill, they had managed to navigate through the jail, down to the lower levels from where they were before, without any real issue. Makoto's new abilities gave him cat like agility and somehow, despite the light colors of his outfit, a means of blending in with the shadows and avoiding the guards detection...

Rather unfortunately, once they got to the lower depths, Makoto came to realize just how truly horrifying the prison really was...

He recognized the faces of the young children who were in the cells, and the feeling that he felt in his chest was indescribable, though if it had to be likened to anything, it was closest to pure, unbridled rage. 

The guards within the cells were very uniquely shaped compared to the others they had come across, and all in different ways, they were being tortured.

There were four kids in the cells, three of which Makoto had seen before. A boy with red hair was being brutally beaten over the head and on the arms by a guard holding an alcohol bottle. He was whimpering and crying, his face flooded with tears and snot.

In the cell next to him was a girl with pink hair, who trembled in the corner, as a lanky shadow with longer fingers, reached out and grope the young girl. Makoto felt his teeth grind together, as the girl was clearly getting molested, even though she only appeared to be 12 years old. Even so, the girl didn't have the voice to cry out for help, and let it happen through the tears.

The third cell was by far the outright strangest, but equally as horrifying. A boy with light-blue hair was sat at a table, with several guards watching him, as he wrote and read several books stacked upon the table. He had an IV hooked up to his arm, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if they hadn't been closed for several hours...maybe even days. It was clear that he would be in grave danger if he decided to stop.

"I mean, I guess it is pretty bad..." Jill held her hands behind her head, seemingly unbothered by everything, "there were a lot of rumors that the kids that were inducted into the Elementary School were abused by their parents. Didn't expect 'em to be brought to a dungeon for it though." 

"No...That's not the right word for it. This goes above and beyond any sort of abuse I've ever heard of. This is another form of torture entirely," Makoto's hands trembled as he tightly grasped the bars, "but it stops now...!"

"Hah?" Jill raised an eyebrow, "what're you planning on doing?"

"Isn't it obvious!?" he exclaimed, "help me get these bars open and these kids out of here! You wanted to kill the guards, right, so hurry up!"

Jill, excited by the prospect of a bloodbath, sprang into action and tried to help Makoto pry the bars off of the cells. However, as they did, another boy suddenly approached them from behind the bars. This one Makoto didn't recognize, and he couldn't see his face due to the hideous mask that had been uncomfortably stitched together that he wore on his face.

"I wouldn't do that..." he said in a whimpering and depressed voice, "if you try to help, it'll only make the pain worse..."

"How come they ain't torturing you?" Jill asked. The boy laughed apathetically.

"No one cares about me...They don't even know I exist in here," he said, "but they're afraid of what might happen if they try and fight back, so they just comply...It's what's best for everyone..."

"There's no way that's true!" Makoto snapped, but the boy turned his back and walked away, "come on! We're gonna get you out of this place!"

"Sorry to say!" another voice joined them, "but I'm afraid that's not really possible!"

"Whowasat!?" Jill snapped and turned around, noting that the voice echoed off the walls of the dungeon, but originated behind them. Both Makoto and Jill looked around as the voice continued. It was high pitched, and honestly, rather goofy sounding.

"Here's a little lesson for you!" it spoke out jovially, "it's very cruel what you're seeing here, but the people in those cells are not real people! They're puppets that only exist within the Palace. To put simply, they are fake humans! Just illusions of the real ones!"

Palaces...

Igor had used that term as well. Makoto stopped rattling on the bars, and instead, started to follow the voice. Jill, curious, followed.

"There you go!" the voice cheered, "my instruction has helped you! Now...I know it's a lot to ask but...do you, by chance, think you can help me too?"

Makoto finally traced the voice...But as soon as he approached the cell where it came from, his eyes widened and his brain drew a blank...

"What the HELL!?" he exclaimed!

For when he approached the cell, what he was greeted with instead of a person...was what looked more like a cartoon Anthropomorphic bunny rabbit!

Ms Monomi's Practice Lesson - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

"Whatwhatwhatwhatwhat!?" Genocide Jill exclaimed, her face excited, "a monster bunny!?"

"You know, I really don't like it when I'm the only one who's taking all of this seriously," Makoto commented, "who...or WHAT...are you!?"

The rabbit had white fur on one side of it's body, and pink on the other, as well as white feathered wings on it's back, and two ears, one floppy, and one upright and accessorized with a pink bow. It wore a pink and white skirt similar to the kind's that Sayaka would wear on stage. She also had a pink bib with white hems, a gold necklace, and a dark purple mask on the top of her face that contrasted with the rest of it's color scheme . On it's back was a pink staff, topped by an upside-down and right-side-up golden heart with a red gem in the center of it, framed with a pair of small white wings.

"Don't be afraid!" it seemed to smile at them, though it was hard to tell, "I'm not dangerous, or a monster! I'm just a squeezabley soft teacher! Try not to yell so that the guards don't catch you and lock you up with me..."

"Oh...good point..." Makoto hushed, looking over his shoulder, "w-wait a second! That doesn't answer my question!"

"Owh...My apologies for not explaining it right..." the rabbit pouted, seeming to cry a little bit, "but I'd be happy to properly answer any questions you may want once I'm out of here! Could you, by any chance, grab the keys over there and open my cell door please?"

Makoto paused for a second, looking at the rabbit before he made his decision.

"Fine..." he affirmed, "but you'd better not stab me in the back."

"Oh no no no!" the rabbit exclaimed, "stabbing people is a big no no!"

"You agreed pretty easily," Jill pointed out, "or...are you just opening the cell so you can get some fresh meat!?"

"Uwawawah!?" the rabbit panicked. Makoto shot Jill a glare.

"No!" Makoto snapped, "it clearly knows more about this place than we do, so it's insight would be appreciated."

Makoto swiftly grabbed the keys and found the right one to unlock the cell. As soon as he did, the gate swung open, and the rabbit hopped cheerfully outside.

"Uhuhuhuhu!" it giggled, "finally! I am free! Ooph!"

Curiosity had officially gotten the better of Makoto, as well as the need to pet some soft fluffy fur. He knelt down and started to pat and rub the rabbit's head.

"It's so soft!" he blushed, "this thing really is alive!"

"No no no! I am not just a thing!" the rabbit shook itself free of his coddles and turned around, seeming to frown at him, "I am not a stuffed animal or a pet! I am a teacher and a Magical Miracle Girl!"

"You definitely look like a magical girl with that getup," Makoto remarked, "do you have a name?"

"Of course I do!" she beamed, "I'm Monomi! What's your name?"

"Naegi. Makoto Naegi," Makoto responded, "and this is my classmate, Toko Fukawa...Or...I guess she's currently known as Genocide Jill..."

"'Sup?" Jill made a peace sign with her trademark scissors that she used to kill.

"So...you said that you'd answer any questions I had once I freed you," Makoto inquired, "you said something about a..."Palace..." What is that exactly?"

"Uhu! You're asking the right questions!" Monomi cheered, "you see, a Palace is...Oh dear..."

Run Away~Arrest - Persona 5

Monomi never got to finish this sentence, as suddenly they were suddenly and unpleasently interrupted. Rushing at them down the hallway next to the barred cells were a whole squadron of armed guards, ready to attack!

"Oh boy!" Makoto cried, "we've got company!"

"KEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAH!" Genocide Jill unholstered a pair of scissors from a holder on her thigh, and immediately ran towards the incoming enemies, "this is the part where I cut them all up, RIGHT!?"

"No! Wait!" Monomi cried out, "you're no match for them!"

"Aw SHUDDUP!" Jill cackled, "like I'm gonna take advice from a stuffed animal! DIE! KEHAHAHA!"

Jill leapt into the air in a ridiculous display of agility that you would never see from Toko, and she dropped down on the nearest shadow and ran her scissors right through the eyes of the mask...

...But nothing happened. The guard just raised his baton...

"Huh..." Jill frowned, "that usually works-"

*THWACK!*

Jill got whacked hard around the face by a solid wooden baton, and she went flying back towards Makoto and Monomi! Makoto screamed and jumped in the air, catching Jill before she could hit the wall. In addition to this, after a few seconds, Jill opened her eyes again, but this time, they had returned to the same grey-purple that was synonymous with Toko.

Sure enough, when the girl began to speak, it was clear that Jill had been knocked out for the count.

"Haah...?" Toko sleazily looked up towards Makoto, who looked down at her, relieved that she was alright, "N-Naegi...Wha...happened?"

"Um...well...Jill turned out to not be so great in a fight, and...we're kind of under attack?" Makoto pointed towards the incoming enemies. Toko immediately jolted awake, and scrambled to her feet, screaming when she saw them.

"OH SHIT!" she cried, "what the hell are we gonna do!"

"I see...so you have a split personality? I can work with that," Monomi smiled, "make sure the both of you keep this in mind, but it is very difficult, next to impossible, to defeat the shadows without using the Metaverse's power."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Toko shrieked "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOOOOOOOOOUUU!"

"I'm Monomi! A squeezably soft teacher! I...did just tell you..." she stood between the students and the guards, "you freed me from my jail, so I'm going to help you in return!"

"Y-You know what? You're a whole other thing I need to process later!" Toko exclaimed, "Makoto! Use that thing you used before! When you summoned that ghost or whatever!"

"Um...well, now might be a bad time to admit this..." Makoto came to a realization at this moment, "but...I don't actually know HOW to use it..."

"WHAT!?" Toko squealed, "NOW you choose to tell me!?"

"It activated automatically last time!" Makoto cried, "I kind of figured it would do so again!"

"Activate it?" Monomi repeated, "you mean...you have the power of a Persona?"

"You know about Persona's!?" Makoto exclaimed. Monomi nodded.

"Don't worry about it Makoto-kun! I will teach you! Just watch and learn!" she smiled, turning around, and scuttling towards the enemies on her own.

"Watch and...Wait! You don't mean-!?" Makoto gasped, but his sentence was very dramatically cut off.

Monomi stood confidently in front of the approaching enemies, and both he and Toko watched as a familiar blue burst of flames erupted in front of them. Makoto watched in awe, despite Toko's panicked screams, as a figure appeared above the tiny rabbit, and squared down the enemies with her!

"Hmph! I detest violence, but bad guys need to be disciplined!" Monomi grabbed her magic wand off her back, and alongside her now summoned Persona, ran at the enemies!

"Let's take them down, MR A!"

Chapter Text

Discussion -HEAT UP- [2nd mix]  - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

"That bunny has one of those things too!?" Toko cried, both she and Makoto astonished at the form in front of them.

Monomi didn't pay any mind as she rushed towards the enemies. Somehow knowing that the rabbit was a threat, they did what they did before and turned into a puddle of goop, then materialized into different creatures entirely.

Two of them turned into the pumpkin headed creatures that Makoto had battled against that yesterday morning, but the one in the middle turned into something else; a nasty, grinning demon with a very pointy phallus sticking out.

"Let's go Mr A!" Monomi cried, "attack them with Psi!"

Monomi's Persona, which was apparently named Mr A, attacked the incoming enemies with what looked to be magical bullets, that homed in on them and damaged them upon impact.

This definitely knocked them back, but it didn't knock them down.

"I went easy on them so that you could have a turn," Monomi explained, "go on Makoto. Show me your power!"

"But I told you, I don't know how to do it!" he exclaimed, "your tutorial didn't exactly help!"

"All you have to do is focus your attention on the enemy in front of you!" Monomi cheered, "then picture the desire to defeat them in your mind. It comes down to casting away the mask that hides your true spirit of rebellion within you!"

"Spirit of Rebellion...Mask...?" Makoto repeated under his breath, before suddenly understanding, "Take off the mask! Alright, I think I got it!"

Feeling there wasn't much else to do but to try, Makoto ran forward, and swiped his hand across the strange mask on his face, as he did, the mask dissipated into blue blames, and the figure from that morning once again appeared at Makoto's side!

"Mickey!" he cried, "attack that demon using Kouha!"

Makoto's Persona shot another blast of light at the incoming enemies. The light directly hit the demon-looking creature, and it shot it out of the sky, sending it collapsing to the ground.

"Good boy!" Monomi squealed with excitement, "now you're getting it! Let's take the rest of them down now!"

"Right!" Makoto nodded confidently towards his new ally, then turned back to look at Toko, "Fukawa-san, maybe you should sit this out from here on."

"Yeah...Yeah I...I think I'll do that..." she sighed, looking somewhat dismayed. Makoto wanted to ask if she was ok, but didn't have time to as the demons came back for another round.

He narrowly dodged as the pumpkin-headed demons blasted flaming attacks at him, and as the devil flew at him, baring his fangs, Monomi jumped in the way of the attack, whacking it back with the wand in her hand.

"Lucky Punch!" she cried, pointing the wand forward. Mr A flew forward and pawed the demon in the face. Though the swing wasn't that big, the attack itself seemed to do immense damage, as the demon fell down.

"Just two left!" she exclaimed to Makoto, "you do the honors dear boy!"

"You got it!" Makoto knew exactly what to do, so he pointed at the last few enemies and commanded his Persona to attack yet again, "SNAP!"

Mickey thrust the arm with it's gun forward, and shot at the two pumpkin-heads, hitting them both dead on and knocking them down. The demons all collapsed into a pile, and as they did, Monomi brandished her wand, pointing towards them.

"Alright! Now group up with me and we'll attack them together!" she cried, "let's get in there, dear boy!"

"Right behind you!" despite not really knowing what they were going for, Makoto felt his body once again move on it's own. He felt himself move at a blinding speed, in unison with the little rabbit, and they laid waste to the demons at rapid speed. When they were done, they both landed behind the demons as they exploded into the same ooze they had been created from.

Thinking it would be a cool thing to do, Makoto struck a pose, and delivered a final victory quote to his dying foes. (Though he did almost trip over upon landing and was merely trying to cover that up...)

"The loser is...YOU!" he snarked.

King, Queen and Slave - Persona 5

"Woah...!" Toko whistled, "I already thought the superpowers were impressive but...that was something else...!"

"I know, right!?" Makoto exclaimed, his expression was like a 5 year old boy who had just heard the sound of the ice cream truck, "that was like...some super cool final attack from an anime or video game!"

"You sound like your sister..." Toko groaned, "but hey...I still don't get what's going on, but...you seem to know your way around all this junk..."

She looked down at Monomi, who had recalled her Persona by now, and turned towards them with her hands on her hips, proudly.

"Yes! And I would be more than happy to teach you! Lend this soft bunny an ear and I shall make it worth your while~" she beamed, "this is the cognitive world, AKA the Metaverse! Everything that you see around here, including all the people in the jail cells, as well as the cells itself, are created and shaped by human hearts and emotions; the only exceptions in this case, are the two of you, as well as myself, who came from outside. We call such a place a Palace."

"So THAT'S what you meant by Palace..." Makoto pondered, "and what about the power of the Persona? I've been trying to figure all of it out, but I still don't quite understand how it all works."

"No worries! It's a new learning experience for you, so feel free to take your time with it!" Monomi smiled, "but if I could best explain it to you, a Persona is what outsiders typically need to survive a fight against the Shadows."

"Shadows?" Toko parroted, "do you mean those weird demons that come out of the guards?"

"Technically speaking, the guards ARE the demons. The appearance they take as security guards is one that they adopted when they first came to the Palace," Monomi elaborated, "the demons and their many shapes and sizes are their true form. In contrast, everyone has the soul of a rebel locked deep inside of them. A Persona is what manifests when they decide to let it out."

"And you need one of these to survive a fight against the Shadows?" Toko clarified, "even if you have really good combat skills?"

"Physical strength doesn't matter much in a fight against the Shadows, as they can regenerate very easily from regular attacks with non-cognitive weapons," Monomi explained, "it's not IMPOSSIBLE to defeat them through normal means, but I, as an advisor, would not recommend it."

"Right...Guess I shouldn't've come after all," Toko grouched, "me and Jill are both useless."

"Fukawa-san, you're not useless..." Makoto told her. Toko shook her head, gritting her teeth.

"No...I've always been useless and a waste of space and air...I know that's what you really th-th-think!" she snapped, "look...can we just go home before more fuckers show up? I'm already getting sick of this place."

"Yeah...I'm sorry I dragged you back in...I didn't realize how out of our element we would be," he bowed his head slightly to apologize, "but I want you to know something, Fukawa-san."

"What is that?" she asked. She turned his way and saw that the look in his eyes underneath the mask was one of utmost seriousness, especially for Makoto Naegi.

"I have never once thought of you as useless, or a waste of space. You matter more to me than you know, and I'm so grateful to you for so many things," he said, "you've been an amazing and supportive friend to Komaru, despite your quirks, and even if you think no one accepts you, you still accept others despite your attitude. I've learned so much about the world of literacy, and the meaning of words and phrases, and I've changed a lot in a positive way thanks to your influence."

Toko was surprised to hear such passionate words from him, and even more surprised when he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know it might be hard to accept, given whatever you've been through in the past, but none of us hate you just for being yourself. I could never. You're our friend, and I swear to it, whatever happened to you to make you like this, it doesn't matter to me, or to anyone else. All that matters is that you're willing to take our side, even if you don't agree with everything we say. You're also insightful, clever and you're a great team member and friend when you can muster up the strength to socialize. If you think we won't talk to you, then you're sorely mistaken. And I am going to get you out alive, no matter what it takes."

"Naegi..." Toko responded quietly, "I...thank you...Same here, even if I can't do much..."

"Nice to see fellow students getting along! Luv Luv~" Monomi smiled, "now what say we all get out of here?"

"Yeah...I think I got the proof I needed," Makoto said, "Towa is the sick twisted bastard that the rumors said he was...Even if these kids aren't real, the fact that this is happening in a prison that he supposedly is the master of...It means something and it's not good..."

"While I do not approve of your bad language, I agree," Monomi affirmed, "but still, even with your Persona, you cannot hope to take him down as you are. After all, you are very clearly new to all of this."

"But you seem like a trained veteran..." Makoto pointed out, "and you did say you were a teacher, so maybe you could give me lessons sometime?"

"Oh yes yes!" Monomi skipped happily, "I will be your huggable loveable teacher while we explore the Metaverse! But for now, I think it's time I sent you kids home to bed. It's part of my responsibilities after all."

"I don't get it...I don't get anything..." Toko groaned, "what even are you supposed to be?"

"It doesn't matter. She's right," Makoto told her, "let's pick this up later."

Tension - Persona 5

"How was it that you managed to escape from this place the last time?" Monomi asked, scuttling surprisingly fast ahead of the two of them, as she helped lead them out of the castle. Makoto shrugged in response to her question.

"I don't really remember," he told her truthfully, "after I awakened to my Persona, everything else is a blur..."

"I don't really remember it either," Toko admitted, "and I was conscious at the time, so..."

"Well, it's no problem!" Monomi assured them, "all we'll have to do is return to the entrance hall through these rooms, and the two of you can exit from the...Oh...Oh dear..."

As they followed Monomi, Makoto began to recognize some of the rooms, and once they came into the clearing he realized they were in the lineup room where the guards had knocked them out the previous morning. However, there was one big difference this time that really set their plans off track...

The front gate was barred shut...!

"Oh crap! No, this can't be happening!" Toko, desperation and panic on her face, grabbed the bars and tried to pry them off, obviously to no avail.

"Dammit! Towa must be trying to keep us in!" Makoto stood in front of the gates, "stand back! I'll try to blast them open!"

"Makoto, wait!" Monomi tried to stop him, but unfortunately didn't call out in time, as Makoto used a Kouha blast on the bars. The blast made direct contact, but didn't do any visible damage.

"Crap!" he said, "hold on, let me try again!"

"I'm telling you, please stop!" Monomi was successful this time in halting Makoto's efforts to escape, "please bear in mind, your Persona is a part of you. Like running, punching and exercising does, the more you use it, the more it drains your energy. You can probably only use a few attacks right now before you collapse from exhaustion."

"Oh shoot!" Makoto exclaimed, "glad you told me that now before I wasted all my energy."

"It doesn't matter!" the sound of the deep, familiar and garbled voice sent a chill down the group's spine, "you're tired enough already, and ripe for the picking..."

"NAEGI! WATCH OUT!" Toko squealed. However, her warning came a little too late, as Makoto turned around just in time to be rammed straight in the stomach by another demon! This one looked like a black horse, with two very large, ram-like horns on it's head! Once it knocked Makoto down, it stood on him to pin him to the floor!

Monomi immediately jumped to help, but another demon of the same breed did the same to her! It got in her way and smashed into her, knocking her to the other side of the room and sending her crashing into the prison wall!

Even with their disadvantageous positions, Makoto could raise his head enough to see the familiar visage of Haiji Towa looking down at them from the platform above. The man sneered at them, a disgusting, shit-eating grin across his face.

"So...you decided to put that messed up outfit on again!?" Toko snapped, "you have even worse sense of style than I do, and I barely have any casual clothes!"

"Hmph...You have a problem with my uniform? You wish to add more reasons for why I need to execute you?" Towa cackled.

"Toko!" Monomi called out to her to get her, and Makoto's by extension, attention, "don't be deceived. This Haiji Towa is not the man that you know!"

"What?" Toko grimaced, "what do you mean!?"

"We're in the cognitive world! A domain separate from the one you hail from where human desires and dreams materialize into real creatures and objects," Monomi elaborated, trying to get back on her feet, "that man is the deep, dark, hidden desires of the real Haiji Towa given physical form. His own Shadow, if you will!"

"So he's Haiji Towa's own shadow...!?" Makoto winced in pain, trying but failing to force the horse demon off of him, "explains why he's so vulgar...This is the side of him that he doesn't want society to see!"

"Somehow, I knew you little brats would come here again, despite what happened last time...So I prepared in advance," Haiji scoffed down at them, "still, I'm surprised you would make the same mistake as last time...Hopeless kids will be hopeless kids..."

"M-M-Mock us all you want!" Toko pointed accusatorily at him, "we saw what was down in the dungeon! We know how you view those kids at the Elementary School! If a bastard like you mingles with Hope's Peak, they're never gonna be safe in that environment!"

"So what?" he scowled, "you calling me a monster?"

"If the shoe fits!" Toko snarled. However, in response, Towa just cackled maliciously.

"HAHAHAHA! That's rich coming from you, Genocide Jack!" he spat, "two personalities, and neither one of them, not even the professional killer, can defeat my guards! You sure talk big for someone so small!"

Toko's eyes widened in horror.

"You mean...you knew...!?" she gasped.

"Of course I knew...I'm a Towa," Towa glared, "my company's intelligence network is unmatched. Even if you were to escape from this place, I know who you are and what it is you've done...!"

He grabbed the bar of the platform and loomed down towards Toko, grinning ear to ear.

"I have to keep up appearances so I can keep ruling over this jail of mine, but know that all I need to do is expose you to the public, and your livelihood, as well as the livelihood of all those around you that you care about, will be destroyed! You'll be apprehended, and your friends and family will be arrested by association and collusion!"

"No...Please d-don't...!" Toko trembled, her legs shaking and a look of despair evident in her eyes, "I don't-!"

"Don't listen to him, Fukawa-san!" Makoto cried out, "he's just trying to get into your head!"

"Be that as if may, I haven't lied to her," Haiji sneered, "I'm so powerful that I might as well own part of the force! all I need to do is say the word, and everything you know and love will be ripped from you...

Because I can afford it......Can you?"

Toko, words failing to leave her mouth, collapsed to her knees.

"As for you two..." Haiji's attention turned to the downed Makoto and Monomi, "the two of you have already proven to be a royal pain in my side, so I think I'll just be rid of you now and be done!"

Haiji cast a commanding hand out towards the Shadows. As he did, the weight and pressure of the hoof of the first Shadow started to press harder down on Makoto, enough to nearly make his ribs crack! He screamed in agony, finding it harder to breath every passing second!

Monomi wasn't doing so hot either. She tried to stand up despite the wind being knocked out of her, but the other Shadow ran towards her and pinned her to the wall with it's horns! Makoto didn't even have the strength in his body to raise his arm and pull off his mask like this, and even if he did, he was too focused on the pain for the summoning of his Persona to be even possible.

"F-Fukawa-san...!" he groaned, "please...You gotta help us!"

"M-Me?" Toko's eyes were still pale with despair, "wh-what do you want me to do...!? You heard him! I can't help you, and if I do anything, he can take us all down, including you!"

"So what!? He's just bluffing! Not even he has that kind of power!" Makoto shrieked, "you're stronger than him! You just need to believe in yourself!"

"But...I'm not!" Toko began to cry, her body trembling with nerves and terror, "I'm not strong enough, and we're all going to die here! We should never have come back...!"

However...what happened next caught Toko off guard...Despite how he was slowly but surely being drained of life...Makoto started to laugh.

"Hehe...You're probably right..." he smiled at her reassuringly, "but you still came along in the end, right?"

"H-Huh?" Toko's eyes focused in on Makoto, who just kept smiling back at her.

"You were well aware of the consequences, yet you didn't want me coming in alone, right? It proves you really do care about me..." he winked, "but it also proves...that you can't stand this guy just as much as me...right!?"

"Naegi..." Toko couldn't do anything but stare. Makoto's expression became serious.

"You regret it, don't you!? The people that you've hurt as Genocide Jill! You always wish you could take it back!" Makoto cried out to her, "but this guy? He knows what he's doing is wrong, but he's reveling in it, unashamed by his actions! Someone like that is the REAL scum of the earth! NOT YOU!"

Makoto gasped in pain as the horse Shadow began to crush his ribs. But as it did, it was distracted by Toko suddenly standing upright.

"This...was never about me...I don't care what happens to me...Whether I pay for my crimes or not..." she said quietly, "but you're right...Master...Komaru...our classmates...If I let this scumbag hurt them because of my actions, then I'll never be able to f-forgive myself...!"

"HAH! Cute speech!" Towa mocked, jeering down at the students and their strange rabbit companion, "but what can you do!? No matter how you slice it, you're a scumbag and a monster, who doesn't deserve any compassion or love! You'll never be able to wash the blood off your hands, and you'll never be able to scrape off that label!"

Toko however, responded only with a scoff...

"Shut your mouth...!" she snarled, "you wanna call me a scumbag and a monster? Look in a goddamn mirror! You're right that I won't be able to free myself of our past crimes...But at least I never prayed upon little kids and exploited people as tools!"

Toko stamped her foot down, and pointed furiously up at Towa, who's face actually twisted into a look of concern.

"I've cut one too many people...But now? I'LL CUT YOU DOWN TO SIZE!"

Awakening - Persona 5

What followed caught everybody by surprise. Toko's eyes suddenly started dilating, and she clutched her head! She once again fell to the floor, and writhed around in pain!

"Don't tell me...!" Makoto gasped.

"Yes!" Monomi yelled excitedly, "she's awakening to her Persona! Looks like she had the potential too!"

Sure enough, as Toko lay on the floor, screaming in agony, she heard the sound of a voice in her head!

"It certainly took you long enough, dear girl..." it said in a sultry and old-fashioned tone, "form a pact with me, and I can grant you the power that you seek...The power that you BOTH seek..."

Toko's eyes widened, as she suddenly noticed something in front of her. Another figure had appeared, writhing around in the same way. She had the same appearance as Toko, like she was looking at herself in an invisible mirror!

The figure raised it's head, clearly in a similar sense of agony and confusion, and Toko immediately recognized the visage of her serial killer alter ego, though she had never seen it before! Somehow, this transformation had separated the two of them, and now they stood face to face for the first time!

"The both of you are already doomed to live in infamy, but you hold a hidden desire to turn your life around and wear your sins as a badge of honor once you overcome them. Why not unite for this common cause, and face these trials not as two...but as ONE...!?"

Still in pain, Toko felt a twinge of something in her mind, and knew immediately what she had to do. Though she had previously despised the character in front of her, she crawled forward, and reached out a hand, desperately trying to reach her, panting all the while.

Genocide Jill understood this feeling too, and as she crawled forward to unite with Miss Morose, they both heard the sound of the spirit lurking within them.

"I am thee..."

"Thee art I..."

"Brandish thy blade, which shall be your weapon to cut through to a future where YOU WILL THRIVE!"

As the voice finished talking, Toko and Genocide Jill finally grabbed each other's hands, and a flash of light burst out from Toko's figure as soon as they touched! She raised her head, and the onlookers saw that a jagged, cross-shaped mask materialized on her face!

Knowing what to do, yet screaming in agony the entire time, Toko grabbed the mask, and forcefully tore it off her face! Though it may have just been the echo from the room, the scream sounding like it had come from two people, though only one stood there! Just like with Makoto, her face bled profusely, until she became engulfed in azure flame!

The force of the transformation alone was enough to blast back all the enemies around them, including the one's pinning Makoto and Monomi down, both of whom inhaled a deep breath once free, yet did not tear their eyes away from the spectacle in front of them.

The flames finally dispersed, and Makoto saw the familiar glow of the Persona that stood behind Toko, leering at the enemies it had just taken out. It was tall and lanky, much skinnier than Mickey, and it's body and appearance looked almost insectoid; possessing several arms and being jagged in shape. Six appendages to be specific, two of which had small blades on the end, and another two which had razor-sharp scissor blades, which snapped violently! Lightning bolts crackled behind it's back, almost as if representing wings. For some reason, it also donned a bowler hat on it's head.

Makoto felt a grin crawl across his face as his classmate stood there with her head lowered. Her outfit had changed from her long-sleeved jumper and shorts, to a pair of ripped jeans, and a black jacket with a large, purple collar. The getup had scissor-shaped elbow pads, shoulder pads and knee pads. She also donned a pair of deep purple gloves that matched her hair, and her braids had unraveled, letting her long purple hair cascade down, fitting even more with the unshackled appearance.

After a second, Toko raised her head, her expression quite unlike any that Makoto had seen from the writer before. Her usual timid and consistently unnerved complexion had now become one of sheer determination and courage.

Makoto also couldn't help but notice, now that her round glasses had disappeared from her face, that Toko's eyes had now somehow become heterochromic. One of her eyes was the grey-purple that was familiar with Toko, while the other was the deep red of Genocide Jill's...

Almost like the two had become one.

"So...this is my...no...OUR Persona?" she hissed excitedly, stretching her fingers and her back, ready to rumble, "fantastic...! Now that we've got this power, it's finally time we KICKED YOUR ASS!"

Toko reached a hands towards her elbows, and dislodged the scissors strapped on each one, pointing the extraordinarily sharp blades at Towa. Towa, who for his part, glared down at Toko with an intimidated and hysterical expression.

Discussion Heat Up~ - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"What the hell are you all doing!?" Haiji barked at the guards who joined him on the balcony, "get down and destroy them all!"

"You ok?" Toko hurried over to Makoto and reached out a hand, which he very gratefully took as she heaved him to his feet.

"Not as ok as you!" he complimented her, standing by her side as they both turned towards the enemies. Monomi also joined them.

The Shadows that dropped from the platform exploded into the red goop and materialized into their true forms. The first turned into yet another horned horse, but the second turned into a tiny flying fairy donned in a blue bodysuit. The third turned into a weird, rubber-looking demon hiding in a pot.

The group didn't have time to consider their appearances though, as all three lunged towards them. Toko however, scoffed, and struck a pose as her Persona stood behind her!

"Time to wipe them out...BARROW!"

Without waiting for any calls from her teammates, Toko took up the front position, and rushed confidently towards the horned horse demon, that charged straight towards her! She slid to a halt, and cast out her hand as her Persona attacked!

"ZIO!" she exclaimed, and at her command, Barrow fired a bolt of lightning at the horse! The bolt hit it dead on, and immediately knocked it down!

"Alright Big Mac!" she whistled, "you're up!"

"Yes ma'am!" Makoto leapt forward, choosing to engage with the fairy Shadow, which also fired a bolt of lightning off directed at him! The attack hit him, but he stood his ground, and summoned his Persona, just as Toko did!

"Mickey! Snap!" he shouted! Mickey did as commanded, and blasted the fairy with his gun, knocking it out of the sky!

"You alright?" Toko made note of the damage. Makoto nodded.

"I'm fine...Still a little sore from when that thing stood on me...!" he admitted.

"Uhuhu! Then you're in luck!" Monomi beamed, "I have just the way to fix that! Mr A! Dia!"

As Monomi summoned her Persona, she cast a spell on Makoto, and all of a sudden, he found the strength return to his muscles. The pain in his ribs also stopped, like it had never even happened.

"Damn! You can heal us too?" Toko smirked, "hate to say it, but you just keep getting cooler!"

"Don't get too cocky!" Monomi pointed out, as the potted demon soared by them and launched an array of fireballs at them! Toko and Makoto both ducked in time to avoid being hit by the flames!

"We've got this one!" Toko scoffed, dashing towards the demon, "Barrow! CLEAVE!"

Calling forth her power, she leapt into the air, and both she and her Persona slashed at the Shadow in unison. Barrow's blade stabbed straight through the creature, and it cried in pain and collapsed to the floor as it pulled out again.

"They're all knocked down!" Monomi pointed forward with her magic stick, "it's time for an All-Out Attack!"

"Here we go! Follow my lead!" Makoto confidently took the first leap towards the downed enemies, and neither Toko nor Monomi had any reservations as they lunged forward. They moved at blinding speed yet again, and wiped them out instantaneously, as they had done before. This time however, it was Toko's turn to pose dramatically!

"And THAT'S the FINAL CHAPTER!" she snarled, as the creatures exploded into nothingness!

A Dead-End to the Ocean's Aroma - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

"Holy cow Fukawa-san, that was insane!" Makoto's eyes lit up excitedly. Toko exhaled, her body dragging from exhaustion.

"I'd thank you if I had energy to spare..." she remarked, "but now that we've taken out the riff-raff, it's HIS turn...!"

With some effort, she pointed a finger up at Towa, who just stared down at them, disgruntled.

"Let that be proof...!" she huffed, "that I'm serious about this...! ALL of this...! And that you don't scare me!"

"You say that, but you can barely stand as you are," the sketchy warden observed, "and you still don't seem to understand the scale of power that I have here...You are outmatched."

"Oh Haiji, son..." everyone raised their heads, as another voice joined them, "why waste time with these rats? You're better off focusing on other things right now."

Makoto, Toko and Monomi watched as all of a sudden, a selection of figures joined Towa on the balcony. They appeared to be human, but something seemed off about them. Makoto didn't recognize any of the people, but it didn't help that they were all wearing different shapes of masks on their faces, so all he could use to identify them was their hair and other body features. As well as the fact that they were wearing different vibrant colors of the same uniform.

"Who or what are they?" he asked, "are those more Shadows?"

"No," Monomi told him, "those are cognitions. They're the same as the children down in the cells; figments of how Haiji views them in the real world."

"They all look so scummy..." Toko growled, "who even are they?"

"If I had to guess," the rabbit pondered, "they must be the parents of the Elementary School children. They're the only people related to Towa that would be showing up there after all."

"Correct," one of the figures, a man in a light blue tuxedo sneered down at them, "we owe the warden here a great debt, for keeping those monsters locked away forever."

"Those kids deserve the torment!" a man in red snarled, his suit very unkempt, and his hair equally as untidy, "if it were up to me, I'd have just killed the lil' shit a long time ago!"

"You pieces of shit!" Toko snarled, "they're YOUR children!"

"They're eyesore's is what they are..." a woman in brown spat, "and they'll spend the rest of their lives traumatized by Mr Towa's punishment!"

"Hey..." Makoto whispered to Monomi, in a cold sweat, "you said that cognitions were manifestations of how people were in real life. Does that mean the parents of the kids in real life are equally as terrible, and this is how they really think of their kids?"

"This is Haiji Towa's Palace, not theirs, so it's hard to say," Monomi explained, "but if this is how he sees them, they must be honest about their abuse with him. So yes, I would say so."

"Which means what we saw down in the cell," Makoto grit his teeth, "those kids are going through the exact same thing in real life!"

"Before I get rid of them for you," Towa told his court, "I'll have to deal with these masked gremlins first."

"Now, now, did you not hear what I just said?" the man in pink chimed in, "we have business to discuss, remember?"

"Yes, Mr Utsugi," he said, "just give me a moment. Men! Get them! They're all sentenced to death!"

At his command, several dozen more security guard Shadows burst into the room from doors on the side, and every single one rushed like mad towards the three.

"Oh boy..." Toko appeared to be so exhausted, she could barely keep standing; clearly not in a good state to be fighting so many enemies at once.

"We can't take these guys!" Makoto exclaimed, "I say we retreat for now!"

"Good idea, dear boy!" Monomi nodded her head sternly, "follow me!"

"Come on Fukawa-san!" Makoto grabbed Toko's wrist, and before she could demand him to stop, rushed her out of the room after the rabbit. The guards gave chase, and from his podium, Towa just stared down and snarled.

"Filthy peasants..." he grumbled.

Wonderful Dead 002 - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Makoto, dragging the exhausted Toko, along with him, chased after Monomi until the rabbit dove into a room down the side of a long hallway. Makoto yanked Toko into the room, and closed the door behind him, holding his breath as he heard the pursuing guards run past them.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then turned around to see Monomi clambering up a set of shelves at the back of the room.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"The front gate is locked, and is likely to remain that way," Monomi told him, "so I'm going to give you two another way out. Just give me a few moments to dislodge this."

Monomi climbed on top of the shelf, then approached what looked like a grated window made to let the outside draft into the room. While he waited, Makoto turned his attention back to Toko. Her breathing had steadied, and now she was looking down at herself, observing her new and sudden change in wardrobe, including the jagged mask on her face.

"It...It looks good!" Makoto slipped in a quick compliment. Toko just stared at him.

"Uh...should I be happy about that?" she asked, examining herself. Makoto made note of her duel-colored eyes under the mask, and decided to drop the question that had been on his mind this whole time.

"Um...by the way...Sorry if this is sensitive to ask but...which one of you am I talking to right now?" he inquired, "you've got the vocabulary of Fukawa-san, but the strength and intimidating aura of Genocide Jill...so...which is it?"

Toko actually stopped to consider this, looking down through her mask at her gloved hands. She stood there in silence before she responded...

"It's...how should I put this?" she wondered, "it's...kind of neither...but also...both?"

"Huh?" Makoto clearly needed further clarification.

"Well, it's just...this is...I've never really felt this way before..." she said, "it's kind of like...this is a new side of me that I didn't even know I had. Like you said, it's like a blend of the both of us, but also...something different entirely."

"So...is it a third personality then?" he asked. Toko shook her head.

"No. I remember everything that happened before I summoned my Persona, when I was Toko," she said, "but for some reason, I also remember everything that happened when I was Genocide Jill earlier. At least, ever since we entered the Palace."

Makoto smiled. "So, it's like you've become one whole person again!"

"Yeah...I guess...and it actually feels pretty great!" she smiled back; the look of merriment on her face more genuine than Makoto had ever seen from her before, "the exhaustion and the outfit aside, I mean..."

"You really don't like it?" he asked, "sure, the mask might be a bit much, but I think it looks fine!"

"Well, it's better than your St Patrick's Day clown suit, that's for sure." Toko snarked.

"Hey!" Makoto took offense, but then he suddenly realized something that had been bugging him this whole time, so he called up to Monomi who was still fiddling with the grate.

"Monomi?" he got her attention, "why DO we change into these weird outfits when we awaken our Persona? Is it related to the awakening somehow?"

"I'm glad you asked!" the rabbit cheered, "when someone awakens to their Persona inside of a Palace, they automatically become a threat to the Palace's ruler; in this case, Haiji Towa. It's to prevent you from being affected by the distortions."

"Then why do our outfits look so different?" Toko added, "what decides how we look?"

"Your appearance reflects your inner self, and your outfit's design is based on your personal idea of what a rebel is," Monomi clarified, "subconsciously, your depiction of a vigilante is similar, if not the same, to what you're wearing now, Toko."

"Huh...I guess I never really thought about it..." she looked at her outfit once again, "usually I focus on romance novels, not superhero or vigilante comics...So I guess this is just how I see it, huh?"

"Shh!" Makoto hushed her suddenly, "did you hear that?"

Makoto was right to silence his allies, as the trio suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching down the hallway.

"Looks like those guards decided to circle back around..." Toko trembled, gritting her teeth, "we'll be in deep shit if they decide to search these rooms...!"

"Then we're in luck! I got the grate off!" Monomi called out. Sure enough, she had successfully pried the grate off of the window. Not wanting to be caught, Toko and Makoto swiftly clambered up the shelf and joined her on top.

"You helped me escape from my cell, so now I'm going to help you escape from this prison. I truly hope this makes us even," Monomi smiled reassuringly at them, "hopefully, I'll see you both again in the future."

"Wait, you're not coming?" Toko asked.

"I still have things I need to do here," Monomi told her, "now go, before they catch you!"

Toko didn't need to be told twice. In her own way of saying thanks, she silently nodded to the bunny, then squeezed herself out of the Palace through the hole in the wall. Makoto crouched down, but turned to look at Monomi before he made his escape.

"Thank you. I learned a lot about this place thanks to you," he smiled at her, "try not to let those guys catch you and lock you up again. I hope we run into each other sometime."

"What a pleasant and well-mannered boy you are! I enjoyed having you as a student, even if only briefly," she chuckled, "now go!"

Makoto nodded one final time, before following Toko out of the Palace. As he disappeared behind the wall, Monomi stood there for a while, silently looking at the hole, lost in her thoughts.

"What lovely little students they are..." she said quietly to herself, "perhaps I could borrow their power again?"

Makoto and Toko left the Palace, and once they did, they yet again found themselves in front of the Elementary School, back in the real world, and back in their regular clothes. Toko's glasses had returned to her face in place of her mask, and her hair had somehow magically tied itself back into braids. The Ultimate Lucky Student raised his head and saw the break of dawn in the distance. He checked his phone clock, which read 5:45am.

"Wow...We were really down there all night..." he sighed, "crap...I'm exhausted."

"Y-Y-YOU'RE exhausted!?" Toko snarled, "think about how I feel! Using my Persona must've taken years off my lifespan!"

"Oh! Fukawa-san!" Makoto realized, "you're uh...back to normal.

"Oh...yeah, looks like we got separated again," Toko realized, "maybe we're only united in body and mind once when we're in the Palace?"

Toko trudged forward, her legs trembling; looking like she was about to collapse. However, she still stood up, using what little strength she had to stay that way. 

"But hey, we got what we came for, r-right?" she asked, "now we know the true extent of how Towa views this place. And those kids really are in danger because of him and their parents."

Makoto nodded, thinking about all the discoveries they had made within Towa's prison, as well as all the things the strange little rabbit creature had told them. His eyes looked back towards the rising sun, and then back towards Toko. He scratched his head, and smiled at her.

"Hey uh..." he said to her, "can I buy you breakfast? Or maybe just get you a coffee?"

"W-Woah! Th-That's pretty f-f-forward Naegi!" she flushed, "d-don't most guys usually offer to buy dinner? Not breakfast? Besides, I'm already e-engaged to Master. So I can't g-go on a date with you...!"

"What? Oh! No! No, that's not it!" Makoto exclaimed, then hushed himself, fearing what might happen if one of the school's security guards caught them, "it's just...you gave me that Curry Pan as a way of thanking me for saving you...Well, you saved me, so...now it's my turn!"

Beautiful Days - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Toko, begrudgingly, accepted Makoto's offer. It was still a few hours before class was supposed to start for the day, and honestly Makoto should probably have spent it taking a power nap, given that he had basically stayed up all night. But he felt it was only right to show gratitude to Toko after she had faced her own personal demons, just to save him. That wasn't something he should have forced her into, regardless of whether she was his friend or not.

It just so happened that Toko's choice for where to eat breakfast was a curry place not too far from the school. Thankfully, she didn't order something too expensive, but then again, the breakfast menu was pretty cheap all around. They both decided to get the same thing: Omelette Curry.

"I didn't know you liked curry too..." Makoto commented. Toko smirked.

"I think I can write a book on the list of things you don't know about me." she said. This was meant as a joke, but Makoto's expression dimmed.

"You're right...and it's unfortunate," he said, which caught Toko's confused attention. Makoto quickly looked around to check that they weren't being listened in on before he continued. "You know what I said to you back in dungeon of the Palace? About how nobody really hates you, and that we'd miss you if you died?"

"Yeah...Honestly, I wanted to tell you thanks for that," she admitted, "i-if you hadn't said all that, I might have just given up, and I never would have awakened to my power..."

"Well, it occurred to me that maybe I'm not as great a friend as I claimed I was..." he told her, "we've hardly ever had a real conversation, and I don't think I know you as well as I should. After all we've been through, I'd like to..."

Toko didn't respond, instead just sitting there in silence with her head lowered. Makoto couldn't see her eyes due to the light being reflected off her glasses.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting you to just dump all of your trauma onto me, especially not in a place like this," he said, "but I would like to know more about why you are the way you are."

Toko retained her silence.

"Again, we can do it slowly," he said, "but...I really do care about you, Fukawa-san, and I know my sister does as well. If we were to become better friends, that would make the both of us happy."

Toko finally looked up from her curry, and stared at Makoto's eyes. Makoto could just about see the corner of her mouth turn up, though it wasn't a complete smile.

"Well...I've stuck with you so far, and I th-think we've gotten past the point of no return..." she stammered, "so...I guess it w-wouldn't hurt to play nice...since I'm gonna be helping you from now on..." 

"Hah! Yes! Thank you very much!" Makoto smiled, "for a second, I thought you were gonna be like "what do you mean friends!? You think I'm stupid!? You're trying to trick me!""

"Alright, don't r-rub it in!" Toko snapped, "I-I've been h-hurt too many times before, I just don't want it to happen again! You're lucky I trust you enough..."

"So you really did have a rough past, huh?" he asked, "well, hopefully one day you'll be able to talk to me about it, but feel free to keep it secret for now."

"Yeah, thanks for not pushing..." she chuckled, "I'm surprised...You really DO care about me..."

They were silent for a moment, until Toko broke the ice this time.

"Soooo...What were you planning on talking about?" she asked.

"Huh? Oh well, whatever you want," he smiled, "maybe romance novels?"

"D-Do you really care about that sort of thing?" she asked.

"Well, I don't know for sure," Makoto replied with honesty, "but hey, I'm always looking to learn. And maybe talking to you will help me understand my Mom a little bit more."

"What's this about your Mom?" she asked.

"She owns and has read basically all of your romance novels," Makoto explained, "I don't really understand the genre myself, but she keeps assuring me that all the awards and prizes you've won were well deserved."

"O-Oh...she sounds...nice..." Toko blushed and twiddled her thumbs, "but it's really just my inner fantasy talking with all that stuff...It's not that impressive."

"Don't be like that! Think of the cultural impact your work has had!" he exclaimed, "Your biggest success was "So Lingers the Ocean", right? Everyone says it's your masterpiece. The book was such a hit that fishermen shot to the top of all the "Hottest Men" polls."

"Uuugh...Your straightforwardness is blinding me...!" Toko grimaced, but Makoto noticed that she had a sly smirk on her face, so he just laughed. He felt a warmth inside, feeling a strong bond of kinship and trust with his otherwise antisocial classmate.

But then, as this feeling grew in his heart, he heard a familiar voice within his head. His vision seemed to freeze, focusing on Toko, as he took in each and every word...

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Hermit Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

Makoto closed his eyes, feeling something stir inside his body. He meditated on it for a second, before he suddenly returned to reality when Toko snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"I thought you said you wanted to bond?" she grumbled, "are you ignoring me?"

"Oh, no, sorry!" he assured her, "it's just..."

He looked down, deciding to brush off what had just happened, and think about it later.

"It's just this curry is pretty good!" he smiled.

Interrogation Room - Persona 5

"Are you being serious with me right now?"

It was early in the morning, but at the same time as Makoto and Toko were enjoying their breakfast curry together, a certain silvery-haired Ultimate Detective was holding a meeting with a very respectable and elderly man in the same business.

Kyoko's family ran the Kirigiri Detective Agency, a large, but relatively unknown and mysterious organization, that was spearheaded by her grandfather, Fuhito Kirigiri. She had returned to her home to discuss important topics, and ongoing cases with her grandfather, who didn't seem to be taking her seriously.

"I know how it sounds...and to be honest, I don't believe it wholly myself. There must be some logical explanation that could disprove it," she told the elderly gentleman, "but as of right now, this is where my hypothesis has left me."

"I would just brush it off as bad juju and the ramblings of a madwoman if I wasn't hearing it from your mouth, my dear..." Fuhito grouched, uncomfortable by what his granddaughter was telling him, "so would that include yesterday's underground train incident?"

"Yes, among many other similar incidents in the past few months," Kyoko elaborated, "you are right to say that it sounds ridiculous and unbelievable, but my investigation has led me to believe that these incidents are a result of someone's will..."

"What do you mean by that?" Fuhito inquired. Kyoko inhaled a deep breath before she gave her answer...

"You can't exactly call these cases "crimes"" she said... "they fall more under the realm...of the occult..."

Chapter Text

Aria of the Soul - Persona 5

It took Makoto a bit of effort to get through the rest of the day. He became acutely aware of how his expeditions in the Palace has a pretty terrible effect on his body. While in the Palace, he could perform incredible acrobatic feats that he could never dream of accomplishing in the real world, but once he RETURNED to the real world, he felt like he'd been hit by a ton of bricks.

So yeah, he had struggled getting through today with his muscles being so weak, so he did it best to take it easy that evening, and decided to take a nap early once the day was over and he returned to his dorm room.

However, in his mind, he also suspected that if he was to get some shut eye, he might have another chance encounter with the mysterious attendants of the Velvet Room, who clearly now had more of a connection to the events he was going through than he initially believed...

And lo and behold...

He raised his head, quickly shook off the odd fatigue, then looked towards the front of the class where Igor sat, and Agatha stood next to him. The more times Makoto came to this room, the easier it was to get used to it.

"Welcome back to the Velvet Room, young man," Igor chuckled, "I see you've managed to establish your first bond as a Persona user?"

"My first bond?" Makoto parroted, "do you mean...with Fukawa-san?"

His mind flashed back to hearing Agatha's voice in his head while he and Toko were eating breakfast that morning. Something about the birth of the Hermit Persona.

"Indeed," he said "let us hope you can form more bonds and discover more possibilities along your journey to graduation. I have high hopes for you."

"Yeah, about that," Makoto piped up, "I know we don't have a lot of time here, but do you think you two could maybe answer some of my questions now? If I'm a student, that makes the two of you my instructors here, right? You keep calling me a "good boy" for asking so many questions, but you've neglected to answer any of them."

Makoto was honestly started to get pretty annoyed with how much the two of them beat around the bush, but he tried to sound as polite as possible. Agatha drifted over towards his desk, and stood next to him.

"My apologies. I suppose you are right," she smiled at him, "I suppose for now, I will tell you what I can. About the Palace's and the Metaverse."

"Thank you..." Makoto waited patiently as Agatha took the chair of the desk in front of him, turned it round and sat down to face him. As she did, she began to explain.

"Here is what you need to know for the time being. The place you call the "Palace" is within an alternate reality. One that reflects the hearts of those consumed by evil and distorted desires," she began to explain, "another world where those warped desires are made manifest. Which is to say...the man who created that place..."

"Haiji Towa...right?" he inquired. Agatha nodded.

"Correct," she said, "the Metaverse shaped that Palace because the man who created that place views the Elementary School as a Prison, and the students and children within it, his prisoners and slaves. The students that you saw within the jail are indeed suffering in the real world thanks to both Towa and their parents, but they are mere shadows of themselves in reality. They are only puppets that exist to be toyed with by that man's desires."

"You have already taken the task to topple that impregnable fortress," Igor smirked, "I for one, look forward to seeing how you attempt to do so."

Makoto suddenly heard the chime of the school bell that he had heard yesterday, and realized that he was running out of time here. Agatha stood up, and returned to Igor's side.

"I say once again..." Igor smiled, "I have high hopes for you..."

Class Trial (Dawn) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Realizing that this information was important to what they had been through, Makoto decided to meet up with Toko the following morning, and explained to her what he had seen in his visit to the room. However, her reaction was exactly what he expected it to be.

"Ok...s-so let me get this straight...You're telling me that you figured out a-all this crap about the Palace because two very strange people told you about it in a dream?" she asked, "I know this is rich given all that we've seen up until now, but are you sure you're right in the head, Naegi?"

"Quiet down...!" Makoto hushed her, keeping an eye on his classmates who had yet to leave for lunch, "remember, this is a secret!"

"Sorry..." she whispered, "but hey, if wh-what you've said is true, then I guess that means that bunny rabbit we met yesterday was right...The kids we saw in the cells of the prison yesterday that we thought were the kids from the Elementary School were actually..."

"Fakes," Makoto finished her sentence, "but what we saw going on with them there reflects the things that they're going through in real life. Haiji and his cronies are torturing them and making their lives hell. Whatever he truly plans to do with the Elementary School, it can't be good if it turns out to be anything like the Palace."

"But what do we do about it?" Toko asked, "it'd be good if we could get the truth from the kids directly, but normally we're not allowed to go near the Elementary School. So where do we go from here?"

"Plus, there's no guarantee they'd give us a straightforward answer while the threat of their parents finding out looms over them," Makoto told her, "we'll just have to ask some of the people around the school and the reserve course if they've heard any rumors."

"Rumors about what?"

Makoto and Toko were unpleasantly surprised, as Kyoko Kirigiri suddenly appeared right next to them, neither of them aware of her approaching them. They struggled to hide their surprise while they grabbed their bags.

"Oh! N-Nothing Kirigiri-san!" Makoto panicked, "we were just uh..."

"T-Talking about r-r-romance novels he's read!" Toko exclaimed, "M-Makoto's Mom l-likes my books a-and she wants to know if I-I had any favorite p-projects I worked on!"

Aside from the incessant stuttering as she formulated her words, this wasn't a bad cover-up, and Makoto was happy that Toko remembered their conversation yesterday morning. Kyoko however, only looked half-convinced.

"I must say, I am surprised..." she observed, "the two of you are much...closer...than I remember."

"W-Well..." Makoto tried to come up with an excuse, "we've been friends for a while, right?"

"Indeed," Kyoko replied, "but I didn't think you were this close. It's rare for Fukawa-san to let anyone else be this close to her besides Togami..."

"Well, it's because she came to hang out with my sister a couple times over the break," Makoto explained, "she and Komaru really hit it off, so she's become pretty close to me as well. That's kind of why we walked to school tomorrow."

"Hm...I see...Alright then," Kyoko nodded, "I'll leave you two alone for now, but I just wanted to remind you of something."

"Wh-What?" Toko trembled.

"Just remember what Taka said yesterday," she instructed, "try not to cause trouble for Mr Towa or any other guests that are on site right now."

With no other words, she briskly walked away, her cool and calm aura around her as she moved.

"She's totally onto us..." Toko grimaced.

"But she didn't seem like she planned on stopping us..." Makoto observed.

"Keeping all this Metaverse shit a secret is exhausting..." she sighed, as the two of them stood up and decided to leave the classroom.

"We don't have a choice," Makoto told her, "no one will believe us even if we did tell them. I don't want everyone to think we're crazy."

"Wait...Actually, that reminds me of something I nearly forgot to tell you," Toko's eyes widened, "Naegi. Remember how we got to the Palace using that navigator app on your phone?"

"The Metaverse Navigator?" he asked, "yeah, why?"

"When I woke up this morning, look what I found," Toko took her phone out of her pocket and showed it to her classmate, "it just randomly appeared on my home screen without me even installing it."

Makoto was surprised to see that the Meta-Nav app had now appeared on Toko's phone, as well as his own.

"I guess I can go back to the Palace if I really wanted to by myself," she said, "but I'm not sure about my chances, even with my new Persona."

"Well, you don't have to worry. I'll stick with you," he assured her, "but for now, I suggest we split up and ask around."

"D-Do we really have to?" Toko grimaced again, "can't we do this in a way that doesn't involve us asking around?"

"Sorry, but we don't have many other options," he said, "if it makes you feel any better, you can go talk to the Reserve Course students while I deal with the Main Course? You smell pretty nice today actually, so I doubt they'll push you away."

"Well, yeah, I had a shower for the first time in a while last night. The sweat and exhaustion after the Palace was getting e-even to me," Toko said, "but...f-fine...I guess I can try..."

Beautiful Death - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Unfortunately, neither of the two Ultimate's had very much luck with their respective investigations. As they had planned, Toko went to go question the Reserve Course department, while Makoto asked as many Ultimate's on the Main Course as he could. Their search took so long that the day was over before they even knew it.

The two decided to reconvene in a quiet area behind the school, both sitting on a bench, neither of them looking particularly chipper about the situation.

"They all totally blew me off..." Toko grumbled, "not that I didn't expect it, but it was all the same thing...! "Huh? What's this about abuse?" "Don't go making crazy accusations!" "What does a talented person like you want with us?" "I'm trying to study, please don't talk to me...!"

She curled up into a ball and rested her tired head on her knees.

"Honestly, it seems they were all scared of me. I guess the Reserve Course students are jealous of us..."

"You think you had it rough?" Makoto sighed, "everyone said basically the exact same stuff in the Main Course. I asked our classmates and our senpai, and even some of the new First Year's, but they all acted like I was crazy. I think I got on Ishimaru and Kirigiri's radar too, so I had to back out before either of them could question or scald me."

"Which Kirigiri? Kyoko or Jin?" Toko asked.

"Both honestly!" Makoto swung his head back and groaned, "I am SO gonna get detention if the Headmaster catches me throwing these accusations around."

"So in conclusion, we learned absolutely fuck all from all of this!" Toko threw her hands up.

"Now hold on a second," Makoto calmed her down, "that's not true. Sure, we learned nothing about the abuse, but I asked some of our schoolmates about the family's of the students, and I learned a little bit about them."

"N-Now that you mention it, I guess there is that," Toko suddenly recalled, "one of the Reserve Course kids that were actually willing to talk to me told me about one of the kids. They said that his father worked at a company that was owned by a woman named "Kemuri..." I thought that sounded familiar, so I did some digging, and found out that one of the kids in the Elementary is called Jataro Kemuri."

"So he must be the son of that company head." Makoto concluded.

"Well, I wouldn't know..." Toko added, "the guy told me that according to his dad, Kemuri didn't have a child. So either we're barking up the wrong tree, or she's keeping him a secret."

"I found out something similar. Apparently, Mr Shingetsu has been picked to be the lead advisor and teacher for the Elementary Division." Makoto told her.

"Shingetsu? You mean that Reserve Course science teacher?" Toko asked, "why him?"

"Well, that's the concerning thing," Makoto explained, "I had a look at the lineup myself, and one of the kids currently in the Division is named Nagisa Shingetsu. If I had to take a guess, I'd say he's the kid with the IV strapped to his arm."

"If that's the case, he must be disciplined at home in a similar way," Toko growled, "there have always been rumors surrounding Shingetsu and his family. Stuff like how he was spiteful that he was never able to attend Hope's Peak as an Ultimate, so he let his son into the Elementary School and became an instructor just to get his ins..."

"Hope's Peak's system is interesting, but I can see why it would hurt a lot of people." Makoto contemplated.

"You're telling me! What a foolish system. Talent is a subjective ideal after all, and yet the focus this school puts on it! All children are special in their own way! Why can't they see that?"

"W-Wow Fukawa-san..." Makoto raised his head, "I didn't expect to hear those words out of your mouth of all things..."

"That's because they didn't come from my mouth!" Toko snapped back, "my voice isn't THAT high pitched. To be honest, I thought it was you!"

"My voice isn't that high pitched either!" Makoto snapped, but then switched his attention back, "but wait...who said that if it wasn't you or me!? We're the only people here?, right"

"A-Are we being spied upon!?" Toko shrieked, jumping to her feet. Makoto also hopped up alarmingly.

"No, no, no!" the voice squeaked again, and Makoto suddenly noticed movement underneath the bench they were sitting on, "it's only me! Don't be afraid! I'm here to talk to you!"

"Who's there!?" Makoto exclaimed, "come out from under there!"

Makoto watched cautiously as whoever or whatever was hiding under the bench suddenly scurried out quickly, and leaped up onto where they had originally been sitting. Toko squealed in fear at the creature, which upon closer inspection, was a very strange looking bunny rabbit.

Rather familiarly, the color of it's fur was split down the middle; white on one side and light pink on the other.

Ms Monomi's Practice Lesson - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

"See?" she squeaked, "it's only me! Nothing to be worried about!"

"Aaaaa...hahaha...!" Toko had clearly gone hysterical, "h-hey! Did I just hear that bunny talk? Nah! I must be losing it! Bunnies don't talk!"

"I am more than just a bunny, Ms Toko!" the bunny looked up at her, "I'm an adorable, squeezable teacher too!"

"WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUCCK!?" Toko, realizing that she wasn't going delirious (debatably), screamed, her face gone pale with fear!

"Wait a second...That voice and...that dialogue...!" Makoto's eyes widened with realization, "MOMOMI!? Is that YOU!?"

"Uhuhuhu! Thank you for recognizing me at least, Makoto!" the bunny said in a cheerful voice.

"W-Wait!? WHAT!? It's true!?" Toko took another look at the bunny as soon as she processed Makoto's words, coming to the same realization, "why are YOU here!? HOW did you get here!? A-And why do you look like that!?"

"I'm not quite sure myself," she replied honestly, "this is my first time coming over to your world, even though I've been able to do so for so long now. This is just what I look like when I'm here. My apperance in the Metaverse is my real form."

"Yeah, I-I get that, but I didn't think you could leave!" Toko asked, "don't tell me YOU have a phone too!?"

"Somehow I doubt it...She never brought up the navigation app when we talked before," Makoto observed, "the real question isn't HOW she's here, it's WHY?"

"Well, I told you I had some business in the Palace, right?" Monomi began to explain, "the reason I'm here is because I have a proposal for you!"

"A proposal?" Makoto parroted. The fluffy little rabbit seemed to nod and smile, despite it's limited expressions.

"The two of you have officially gone to the Metaverse, and have both awakened to the power of the Persona," Monomi reminded them, "it seems to me that even now, you're looking for a way to rat out his evil intentions to everyone in the school, but you're having trouble finding proof, correct?"

"Yeah...that's right..." Makoto told her, "how is this related?" 

"Well," Monomi squeaked, "I might have a way to help! You see-"

"Naegi!? Fukawa!? Is everything ok!?"

"Oh crap!" Toko exclaimed, "you need to hide! They'll toss you off campus if they see you!"

"Or throw you in the pen with the rest of Tanaka-kun's animals!" Makoto added.

Gundham Tanaka was a third year at Hope's Peak. He was an odd boy with an eccentric personality, and was known as the Ultimate Animal Breeder.

"Uwawawa!?" Monomi panicked, "b-but where should I-!?"

"Ugh...Get in here!" Makoto grabbed his school bag and opened it, ushering Monomi inside. With no other options, Monomi hopped into the bag and Makoto quickly shut it on her as someone rounded the corner.

"Are you two, like...alright?" they said, "I heard yelling?"

"Oh!" Makoto forced a smile "E-Enoshima-kun! Ikusaba-san! Fancy seeing you here."

Makoto's classmates, Junko Enoshima and Mukuro Ikusaba, joined them in their little private corner. Toko didn't look comfortable now that they had been interrupted, but it might have just been because she was trying her best to hide Monomi.

"So these are you classmates?" Makoto heard Monomi's muffled voice from his bag, "they look like very sweet people!"

"Shh!" Makoto hushed, which caused Junko to give him a funny look.

"Did...Did I just hear squeaking?" she asked.

"Is someone else here?" Mukuro added.

"No, no, we're just chilling here!" Makoto assured them, "anyway...what's up?"

"I'm glad I found you two, there's been an emergency, and we need your help," Junko told them earnestly, "you know the kids from the Elementary School?"

Makoto and Toko shot one another an understanding look before they responded.

"What about them?" Makoto asked.

"Junya Utsugi, one of the children's parents, is here to pick her up for the day," Mukuro explained, "but his daughter, Kotoko, doesn't appear to be on campus."

Distrust - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"She ran a-away?" Toko asked. Mukuro nodded.

"It seems that way. Somehow, she slipped through the school security," the soldier clarified, "I guess she was waiting while they were distracted and made a run for it."

"Anyway, Mr Utsugi and Mr Towa have gotten the staff and student bodies to look for her around the campus, and some of the Main Course have already took to the streets to look for her," Junko explained, "he seems really worried, so I thought I'd try and get the rest of us in on the search."

"You want us to help you find Utsugi's daughter?" Makoto asked, "count us in!"

"Thank you!" Junko grinned, "knew I could count on you! Come on Mukuro-chan, let's search over by that way, just in case she's still around."

The somber Mukuro quietly followed the peppy Junko as they made their way back to the main campus.

"What are you doing?" Toko asked as Makoto opened his bag to let the hidden Monomi out, "weren't we in the middle of something?"

"This might be a good opportunity!" Makoto told her, "if we get to Utsugi's daughter before he or Towa do, we might be able to get answers out of her!"

"But what about Monomi's proposal?" Toko reminded him.

"It can wait!" Monomi assured her, "answers or no answers, I dread the thought of a young girl lost and alone in the big city with so many strangers..."

She hopped out of Makoto's bag and onto the ground again.

"See what you can turn up with Ms Utsugi. If all else fails, come and meet me at the Palace tomorrow night. If you need me any sooner, I'll be hiding around your dorms, so just come search in the bushes if you need me."

"I still can't quite believe you actually came to our world..." Makoto shook his head, "promise me you won't get caught here?"

"I'm a master of stealth, despite my looks~" Monomi giggled, "they won't catch me~"

With that, she scuttled away. Makoto watched her until she was properly out of sight, then turned to Toko.

"Come on Fukawa-san," he said, "let's get a move on before we miss our chance."

Still hesitant, Toko nodded, and she followed after Makoto as they made their way towards the city.

Ultra Despair Girls - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Meanwhile, around this same time, in another school not too far away, a certain little sister had packed up all her things, and prepared to leave class for the day. However, before she could leave, two other girls in her class walked over to her and greeted her.

"Yo, Naegi-chan!" one of them, a gyaru with pale yellow eyes and blonde hair, held up by a black ribbon with white lace, rested on her desk, "we were just heading out too."

"How would you feel about walking with us?" the other girl, a tall lady with light brown hair and a pleasant smile asked, "we can grab a crepe on the way to the station and split it?"

"You mean it!?" Komaru Naegi, wearing her school uniform, gasped excitedly, "sure thing! Thank you Nakajima-chan! Hishimeki-chan!"

The two people were Kanon Nakajima and Maruku Hishimeki, two girls that Komaru had met within her first few days of High School and quickly hit it off with, despite how outgoing and trendy the other two were compared to her.

She had found out pretty early that Kanon was not only the daughter a director at TAT Television; the largest television conglomerate in the world right now; but rather conviniently, was also the cousin of one of her brother's classmates at Hope's Peak - Leon Kuwata, the Ultimate Baseball Star.

The other girl, Maruku, was one of those "classroom queen" type girls, meaning that she was easily one of the hottest girls in the class and all the guys wanted her. After seeing both of them warm up to Komaru, a lot of her classmates, men and women alike, had become jealous of her, so it hadn't been an easy time making friends besides these two.

The fact that they were willing to split a crepe between them though meant a lot to her. Still, it hadn't done a lot of good in blocking out all the whispers she'd been hearing. And even as she walked down the hallway towards the school exit, she could hear the chit-chat of the onlookers around them.

"Damn that Naegi girl..." she heard someone whisper, "she's just so plain compared to Kanon-chan and Maru-chan...! How come she gets to hang out with them?"

"I heard her brother's a Hope's Peak student...But she doesn't seem that special..."

"If it wasn't for the people she hung with, you'd forget she's even there..."

"I bet Kanon-chan's just using her...Poor girl..."

Komaru tried to keep a straight and happy face, but inside, the words were secretly getting to her. She knew if she kept smiling, they'd knock it off eventually, but she didn't like the fact that she was already getting a bad rep just for having made a few friends.

The worst part about it is that no one saw her for her. Just her friends and her brother. None of them had even tried to ask her about herself or what she was into.

Honestly, Komaru was afraid if she expressed herself, they would like her even less. Even Nakajima and Hishimeki could ditch her if they found her too boring or too weird.

"Hey, Naegi-chan?" Kanon got her attention one they hit the busy streets, "don't let all those floozies back at school get to you, m'kay?"

"Huh?" Komaru raised her hanging head, "oh, I'm not, don't worry. I'm tougher than I look."

"That's good to hear," Maruku patted her on the head, which to be honest, Komaru found pretty embarrassing, "all that gossip is stupid anyway. People have no idea what we're really like outside of school."

"What do you mean?" she asked. Maruku just laughed.

"I'm honestly pretty gross at home. I leave my clothes lying where I take them off and I only do the recycling once a month," she admitted, "if anyone saw what my home was like, they'd dump me in seconds flat."

"I'm jealous you can just be so openly honest about that..." Komaru giggled, "I don't have the courage to talk to people about most of my interests."

"You an otaku or something?" Kanon asked, "never mind, I shouldn't pry. Keep your secrets~" 

"Let's change the subject," Maruku suggested, "didn't you join the handicrafts club Kanon-chan? I thought they had a meeting today?"

"Hashizawa-senpai is preparing for collage entrance exams, so she's had to take the day off," Kanon explained, "club's no fun without her, so I ditched it."

"Collage exam prep!?" Komaru exclaimed, "but the school year's literally just begun!"

"Just goes to show how dedicated she is," Maruku smiled, "but hey, if you're both free, how about we go to a karaoke place?"

"I dunno..." Komaru frowned, "I need to be back early tonight, or my parents will worry."

"Sounds like you got yourselves a couple of helicopter-ass parents..." Kanon grouched. Komaru shook her head.

"No, if they were like that, I doubt my brother would be allowed to stay in Hope's Peak's dorms..." Komaru sighed, "it's just...you know how it is...I'm not special like him; just an ordinary High School girl, so they worry about me."

"Are you sure that's not just because you're clumsy?" Maruku snarked. Komaru frowned at her.

"I'm not THAT clumsy!" she snapped back. Maruku rolled her eyes.

"You almost ate a chopped stick of glue yesterday because you thought it was a marshmallow..." she reminded her. Komaru blushed.

"Alright, don't rub salt in my wound!" she snapped, "fine, I'll go to karaoke with you guys. Will that get you off my case?"

"Maaaaybe~?" Kanon smirked, "still though, you should clean up your act. No guys are gonna want to go for you if you keep acting so silly in front of them."

"I dunno..." Maruku grinned, "some guys are into the helpless type...Though, not many good one's are."

"Hey, Naegi-chan!" Kanon leaned in towards her suddenly, "have you ever had a boyfriend? Or do you have a crush on someone?"

"Um..." Komaru blushed, "th-that's a secret."

"Oh!" Maruku raised her head and looked over to the other side of the street, "what's that about?"

Both Komaru and Kanon also raised their heads in the direction she was looking, and they saw what had caught her attention. Running down the road, past all the people on the street, was a young girl of about 11 or 12 years old.  She had ankle-length, light pink hair with short straight bangs and slightly curved-in locks on the side of her head, tied into high pigtails. She had a shade of vivid pink colored eyes, and she wore a hot pink hairband with two horns atop, both bent in and the left one having a white bow with pink polka-dots by its base.

The girl had a look of desperation and anxiety on her face, and she kept running, almost as if she was trying to escape from something. However, no one from the other side of the street appeared to be chasing her.

"Was that girl lost or something?" Maruku asked.

"I dunno, but she was pretty cute, don't you think?" Kanon added, "hey, wait, Naegi-chan!? Where are you going!?"

"Sorry!" Komaru had instinctively turned around, and began to run down the street after the girl, looking back one more time towards her friends before she gave chase, "go to the karaoke place before me! I'll meet you both there!"

She took off after the girl before either one of them could stop her.

Junk Food for a Dashing Youth - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Komaru gave chase to the girl, and eventually caught up with her. She had arrived at a slightly less crowded street of the city, with only one or two people travelling down it. The girl still looked distraught from when Komaru had seen her earlier, but her eyes were wandering over towards all the food stalls and mini-markets around her.

She looked like she was hungry. And she had slowed down, so Komaru figured now was a good time to approach. So, trying her best not to look intimidating, she headed towards her.

"Want me to buy you something, little girl?" she asked.

The girl jumped upon hearing her voice so suddenly, and turned around. Komaru was surprised to see that her expression looked even more traumatized than she expected; like just looking at Komaru caused her an existential feeling of dread.

"Don't worry..." she said, "I'm not one of those grumpy old weirdo's who creeps on little kids in the street. I'm just wondering what you're doing alone out here. You get lost?"

"Uuuh...Uuh...!" the girl trembled, looking like she was about to wet herself.

All of a sudden, Komaru started to panic, as the girl turned around and broke into a run into the road!

"I'M SORRY!" she shrieked, "PLEASE DON'T!"

"Hey, wait! WATCH OUT!" Komaru shouted, alarmed as she suddenly noticed a car speeding down the road straight towards the girl!

The girl herself seemed to only notice the car when it was right on top of her! What happened next was a blur, but Komaru felt her body move all by itself! She dropped her bag and dove into the road, grabbing the girl and just narrowly preventing both of them from being run over!

The girl's vision had gone hazy, and everything seemed to go white for her when the car approached, but she snapped back to reality once she realized she was safe, cradled in Komaru's warm arms.

"Hey!" the driver didn't stop, but yelled out of his window angrily as he continued, "be careful, you dumb kids!"

"FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE! YOU watch where you're driving!" Komaru snapped back and stuck her tongue out at the car as it drove away, "man, forget about him...Are you alright?"

The girl looked up at her, astonished, but she also seemed terrified of her. Realizing that she was causing some discomfort, Komaru carefully let go of her. 

"Alright...Sorry about that," she bowed her head in an apology, "I'm glad you're safe at least."

She escorted the girl out of the road, and reached down to pick up her schoolbag. As she did however, the girl finally piped up.

"Um..." she stammered, "th-thank you..."

"Huh?" Komaru looked up at her, "oh, it's all good! As long as you're alright...Just be more careful next time."

"You're an adult..." the girl's eyes looked sad, "but you saved me...You didn't even touch me in any weird places..."

"Why would I do that!? I'm just a high-school girl!" Komaru exclaimed, suddenly quieting herself down so she didn't freak the kid out, "I have an idea. Just stay here for a second."

This is the Path we Follow - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

A few minutes passed, and Komaru placed the child down on a public bench right next to a convenience store. She entered the store, then came out again a few minutes later, holding a plastic bag. She returned to the girl, and held the bag out towards her.

"Here...You looked hungry back there, eyeing all the sweets and whatnot, so I got you this." she smiled at her.

"This is...for me?" the girl's eyes seemed to sparkle with longing. Komaru grinned back and nodded.

"Yep! I got you sandwiches, a rice ball, some crisps, a candy bar and a juice box!" she started to unpack the items one by one.

The girl's face lit up when she saw the food for herself, and she immediately grabbed the rice ball and candy bar and started munching down on both of them at once!

"Hey, slow down!" Komaru laughed, "the food isn't going anywhere!"

The girl did as she was told and started to digest her food properly. Once she had finished a mouthful, she looked towards Komaru and asked her a question.

"Um...What's your name, Miss?" she asked.

"Naegi! Komaru Naegi!" Komaru responded with a smirk, "and you?"

"I'm...Kotoko Utsugi..." she replied quietly, "Naegi-nii...You're an adult but...you're being so nice to me? Why?"

"Hah! Anyone who's met me would say calling me an adult is debatable. I'm still very much a kid at heart!" Komaru assured her, "but you know, seeing a child in a tough spot and helping them out is how adults are SUPPOSED to act, you know?"

Kotoko didn't reply. Instead, she just went back to munching on her food.

"And you know, you and I might be in the same boat, or at least a similar one," she continued, "I ran away from home when I was a kid too once."

"H-How did you know-?" Kotoko trailed off as Komaru just laughed.

"Lucky guess," she admitted, "and also, like I said, personal experience talking. I got into a fight with my parents over something stupid...I don't even remember what it was...But I decided that I didn't want to be around and ran out of the house."

She laughed and scratched her head.

"I was stupid. I ran out into a world all by myself until my older brother found me crying in a rubbish bin. It just didn't seem fair, so I wanted to get out," she explained, "but life's not fair, and sometimes, there's not much we can do to change it. Whatever's going on at home, I won't judge, but I'm sure your parents are out looking for you too..."

Kotoko just nodded.

"Yeah...probably..." she said, "so, do you think I should go back and do as I'm told?"

"Like I said, I don't know your situation, and I won't ask if it's personal." she patted her on the head, which made the girl flinch, but she calmed down when she realized she meant no harm, "I'm just saying, people are probably worried about you. Not just your family, but your friends too. They'll be wondering what's happening to you."

"My friends..." Kotoko considered, "they're probably-"

"Hey!" someone suddenly cried out, "you're the girl who-! Wait...Komaru!?"

"Makoto!?" Komaru looked up in surprise to see her brother and his companion, "and Toko-chan too!?"

"Wh-Who are they?" Kotoko stammered. Komaru smiled at her warmly.

"This is my older brother," she explained, "and the girl he's with is my best friend. What are you two doing here?"

"That's OUR line!" Toko snapped, "w-we're here to find Utsugi's daughter."

"Huh? How come you two are searching for her?" Komaru asked.

"She's one of the students at Hope's Peak Elementary, and she ran away from the Academy a short while ago," Makoto explained, "but before we bring her back, I'd like to ask her a few questions first."

Kotoko, wary of both of them, seemed to shuffle closer to Komaru, as they knelt down to talk to her.

"Kotoko-chan," Makoto began, "I'll get straight to the point. There are rumors going around about how Towa and the parents of you and your classmates are abusing and exploiting you. By any chance, are they true?"

"What the hell!?" Komaru snapped, standing up, "you can't just ASK that Makoto! Don't you realize how insensitive you sound!?"

"He wasn't talking to you!" Toko pushed Komaru aside, "now come on kid, spill the beans."

"You too, Toko-chan!" Komaru turned on her, "can't you see the kid's nervous!? She already doesn't trust adults as it is, and you two aren't helping!"

"And why DOESN'T she trust adults, huh?" Toko glared at Kotoko, "maybe it's because of something going on in her life?"

"Maybe it's because YOU'RE freaking her out!?" Komaru leered.

"Kotoko-chan..." Makoto stepped forward, "are you really ok with the way things are? You had to have some reason for running away from the academy, right?"

Kotoko's voice squeaked, almost as if she tried to say something, but suddenly, a few people in black suits hurried over to them, catching their attention. Kotoko began to sweat bullets, and held onto Komaru's skirt.

"Kotoko!" a man in a smart suit and curly hair, who led the charge, hurried over to them, "thank goodness you're ok! Don't ever do that again, young lady!"

Despair Syndrome - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Makoto, Komaru and Toko moved aside, as the man and his entourage rushed upon them. He knelt down to look the little girl in the eye.

"Thank goodness you're ok though," he sighed with relief, "not a scratch. Were you two the one's responsible for finding her?"

"Oh, no, that was actually my sister," Makoto pointed to Komaru, "she's the one who deserves thanks."

The man turned only briefly to Komaru, who smiled back at him, but then suddenly turned back to his daughter.

"Yes, well...we've got a lot to talk about, don't we young lady?" he asked, "sorry, I should have been more wise to how you were feeling. But Daddy has a big contract for us tonight, and I'll use the money to treat you to something nice, ok?"

The man gently brushed the girls face. She seemed to freak out, but didn't move or retaliate.

"Poor girl..." he sighed, "she's scared stiff."

"So, you're her father then?" Makoto asked, "I guess that would make you...?"

"Junya Utsugi, yes," the man smiled and handed a business card to both the Ultimate Students, "thank you so much for this. I'll make sure Kotoko is brought home safely. Rest assured, I will pay you back for this."

"Th-That's fine..." Makoto assured him, "thanks for the card and the offer, but...please, don't be too harsh on your daughter for this? She's had a rough week..."

"Oh...don't you worry..." Junya Utsugi assured them "I'll be very gentle..."

Before Makoto or Toko could decline the offer, Junya Utsugi forced his card on them, then took his daughter by the hand and led her away. Komaru internally, wanted to stop them and ask what was going on, but with all the MiB's around them, she knew she had no chance.

She just watched as the father and daughter started to disappear into the distance, Kotoko's little body trembling the whole time.

"Hey...Naegi..." Toko leaned in and whispered in Makoto's ear, "you recognize that guy, don't you? I sure do..."

"I do..." Makoto nodded, "he was one of the fancy-dressed people in Towa's Palace...!"

"Now, now, did you not hear what I just said?" the man in pink chimed in, "we have business to discuss, remember?"

"Yes, Mr Utsugi," he said, "just give me a moment. Men! Get them! They're all sentenced to death!"

"Looks like we missed our chance to get any info," Makoto continued, "but hey, her reaction and attitude gave me something to work with.

"It's getting late out..." Toko pointed out, "maybe we should head back to school for the night and think about what to do next."

"Yeah...I'm interested to hear what Monomi's proposal is," Makoto said, "let's wait until tomorrow night and ask her."

After this private conversation, Makoto turned back to his sister.

"Sorry about that Komaru..." he said, "I didn't mean to sound like a jerk, I just..."

"Oh...OH CRAP!" she cried suddenly.

"Wh-Wh-What's with you!?" Toko snapped.

"Nakajima-chan and Hishimeki-chan! They're still waiting for me at karaoke!" she cried, "c-catch you later Makoto! I gotta go meet with them!"

"Hey, WAIT!" Makoto tried to call after her, but she bolted down the street before she had time to listen.

"Your sister is all over the freaking place..." Toko grumbled, "she marches to the beat of her own drum and makes everyone march with her..."

Makoto didn't greet this with a response. He just worryingly looked at his sister, who disappeared into the horizon.

Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Sorry I held you up for so long girls," Komaru told her friends as they left the karaoke club, "you're not mad at me, are you?"

"No, we're super mad," Kanon leered sarcastically, "that's why we let you sing little diddies with us all night because we hate your guts!"

"Ok, dumb question," she laughed, "I'm just sorry, that's all."

"What you really should be apologizing for is your choice in songs," Maruku snickered, "seriously, what are you? A little kid?"

"Don't judge me!" Komaru snapped, flushing embarrassingly, "those kids cartoon theme songs get stuck in your head, so they're the only one's I can remember off by heart!"

"Sure, sure," Maruku followed up, "that aside, don't you think Kanon-chan has a beautiful voice?"

"Oh, for sure!" Komaru's eyes sparkled, "I'd pay to hear you in theaters."

"Meh...Stageplay ain't my thing," she said, "honestly, I'm more about sports and getting dirty than anything. People act like they know the real me, but they don't."

"The real you...huh?" Komaru repeated quietly. However, as she did, she suddenly looked up and stopped in her tracks.

"Something wrong, Naegi-chan?" Maruku asked. Komaru turned back to her friends.

"Um...sorry to ditch you again so randomly," she said, "but I just remembered I need to take a detour home tonight. Grab some stuff from the store an' all. See you girls tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sure!" Kanon waved, "catch ya later."

Komaru felt slightly bad about telling this fib, but the real reason why she decided to split off from her friends was because she suddenly noticed her brother looking at her from the other side of the street. She quietly approached him, and he only smiled in response.

"Hah...Should I be flattered you decided to pick your brother to walk home with rather than your friends?"

"What are you doing here?" she bit back in response. Makoto sighed and shook his head.

"I was worried about you after what happened earlier," he admitted, "plus, you forgot to call Mom and Dad..."

"What!?" Komaru exclaimed, checking her text messages, "aw crap! I really thought I remembered to do it!"

"Don't worry, I gotcha," Makoto gave her a thumbs up, "I told them you were with me and you were fine."

"Why are you here though?" Komaru asked, "were you just out here waiting the whole time? Because if so...that's weird..."

"Sorry, I guess you're right, but you are still my sister," Makoto reminded her, "I know you probably wouldn't trust your big brother of all people with baggage, but I'm willing to help you carry it if it helps...Just talk to me, sis..."

Komaru hesitated, but sighed exhaustingly and frowned at her brother.

"You're probably still mad at me about earlier, right?" he asked, "it's ok if you want me to go ahead. But know, I wasn't trying to harass that kid..."

"No! No, it's...fine..." she said, "can...we walk while we talk?"

"Of course!" Makoto smiled at her, staying by her side as they headed towards the station.

"I guess I'll just get to the point," Komaru sighed, "Makoto...are those rumors about Utsugi and Towa true?"

Makoto didn't want to lie to her, but he knew that he couldn't tell anyone about the secret of the Metaverse. So he did his best to feed her a half-truth.

"I've only heard bits and pieces of it," he told her, "I don't know if they're actually true or to what extent it goes to if they are. Why do you ask?"

"I'm just wondering..." Komaru told him, "did I...make a mistake?"

"A mistake?" he parroted, "what do you mean?"

"You know what I mean!" she exclaimed, "if what you said was true, then I just sent that girl back to her horrible parents and household! I was just trying to help but I just...ditched her...I gained her trust and then I broke it!"

"Komaru!" Makoto yelled, "there's no guarantee that the rumors were true. Kotoko probably just had a panic attack and ran from home. Her father did seem worried about her at least..."

It hurt to say these lies straight to her face, but he had no choice.

"I guess it doesn't really matter...It's not like either of them would have ever told me the truth of the matter, even if it was the case..." she sighed.

"Ok, now what are you talking about?" he asked. Komaru sighed and hung her head.

"He gave you and Toko his business card but he completely blanked me," she said, "a high-school girl my age would have killed to get that kind of opportunity; to get in contact with a CEO like him...But I didn't get it. And you know why that is?"

Before Makoto could answer, Komaru answered for him.

"It's because you guys are Ultimate's and I'm not..." she sighed, "with Hope's Peak and everything else, society really values talent above everything else...Those who aren't born with that lucky ticket don't get nice things, especially not me."

"Komaru..." Makoto said quietly. She threw her arms up suddenly.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not like I WANT that kind of recognition! I'm fine as I am! I've got friends at high school and life's going pretty smoothly right now," she assured him, "but...I don't know...I just don't like it when the only rep you ever get is being the sister of an Ultimate...like, you don't get to be your own person..."

To Komaru's surprise however, Makoto laughed.

"Alright...what I have to say to that is REALLY cheesy, and you're probably gonna be mad at me for saying it," he laughed, "but if only those guys knew that one of the luckiest things in my life is having you as a sister."

Komaru was indeed surprised by this, but Makoto simply continued.

"Ultimate Lucky Student is nothing special. It never has been, even though people treat it that way," he sighed, "I'm no less normal than you are, and I never have been."

He paused and looked up at the night sky.

"I've never really felt uncomfortable being around Ultimates, but...It's nothing like being with family. I feel so relaxed with you, like I'm back at home."

"If you really want to be relaxed, you should come home more often," Komaru told him, "last year, we didn't see you in person until you came home for New Year's. We missed you, you know? But I can understand how the ordinary is relaxing after being surrounded by Ultimates for so long."

"I know," Makoto sighed sadly, "but I'm just constantly thinking about it. When we graduate, will we go back to our ordinary lives? Or will it be a new beginning entirely?"

There was silence following this question, neither of them really able to answer it. Makoto just laughed at his own question.

"Yeah, right, huh? But I really am thinking about it," he admitted, "I'll definitely have to talk to Mom and Dad..."

"So you want me to give them a heads up?" his sister smiled, "got it. Just leave it to me. They try to hide it, but they're constantly stressing over your post-graduation life."

"I can imagine..." he scratched his face, "I feel bad not having talked to them about it all this time. But once this year is over...I'm sure I'll have arrived at a solution I'm happy with. And I hope that you'll find a life you're happy with too, talented or not."

"Makoto..." Komaru said quietly, but then suddenly asked "does the phrase "death flag" mean nothing to you?"

"Hey! Don't say that!" he lightly jabbed his sister on the arm, "squirt!"

"Who's a squirt, you little jerk!" she jokingly shoved him back. They both laughed.

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Strength Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

Beautiful Days - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

School was gradually getting tougher to get through for Makoto. Classes didn't really matter, and he didn't really have to try hard; but even so, he usually did his best.

But with how many late-nighters he'd been pulling, stressing not only over the Metaverse, Haiji Towa and the Elementary School, but also whatever the hell was going on with his sister, and her own personal baggage.

Thus, Makoto hadn't been getting a lot of sleep, and had been struggling to stop himself yawning in class. Every time he did, Taka could somehow sense it, and he'd turn around and give Makoto a glare.

"So in general," Mr Kizakura, the teacher who had been instructing today's lesson, "a "premeditated-crime" is a crime that-"

Makoto was only half listening to his lecture. His mind was elsewhere, and he couldn't focus. However, he was brought back to reality when he suddenly felt a vibration in his pocket, being his phone. Makoto didn't like checking his phone in class, but he also never ignored texts in case they might be important. So making sure that no one was watching him, he slipped his phone out of his pocket and looked at the messager.

His notif screen read "Fukawa-san."

Instinctively, he raised his head and saw his classmate on the other side of the classroom. She had her head looking straight down, and though he couldn't see it, he assumed that she was texting under her desk.

He discreetly opened his messaging menu to see what she had sent him. He started to converse with her over their phones.

Fukawa-san

[What's the plan for today?]

[I kinda forgot you had my number.]

[Just took it from the class group chat. Anyway, what's the deal?]

[Not sure...Utsugi-chan ended up being a bust...]

[I mean, you did say it wasn't gonna work.]

[I still thought it was worth a shot.]

[I wasn't expecting her dad to just show up and take her away before she could say anything.]

[We're pretty crappy heroes, aren't we? We can't even save a single girl.]

[Don't say that. We're not down and out yet.]

[You're right...]

[But what do we do now?]

[Like I said, we still have whatever Monomi brought up.]

[She said she'd meet us tonight, so we should hear what she has to say.]

[And what if her plan doesn't work?]

[Or what if it's something bad?]

[I hate the guy's guts, but I wouldn't feel good about hurting him...]

[Agreed. In that case, we just find something else...]

However, the truth was that Makoto didn't know what this "something else" even could be. In all honesty, if Monomi's plan didn't work, they'd be fresh out of options. There was nothing they could do in the real world, and even the Metaverse didn't have a straightforward answer.

Then again, nothing about the Metaverse was straightforward.

Makoto pocketed his phone, and was just about to turn back to class...But then, all of a sudden...

it happened...

Aoi Asahina, from her seat in the class, suddenly and dramatically stood up. Everyone's attention, including Mr Kizakura's, was on her.

A Dead-End to the Ocean's Aroma - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"Wh-What's going on over there...!?" she gasped. Several students tried to follow her line of sight, which looked out of the classroom window. Once they did, several of them also stood up.

"H-Hey...! Isn't this bad...!?" Hiro's eyes widened in terror.

"Wh-What are they doing up there!?" Chihiro gasped, "aren't those the kids from the Elementary School!?"

THIS got Makoto's attention, as well as Toko's...! He lurched to his feet and rushed to look through the window.

"Wh-What are you all doing!?" Kizakura exclaimed, "where are you all going? Return to your seats!"

Makoto wasn't listening though...The image that he saw through the window was all he could focus on...

And under his breath, he felt two words slip from his lips...

"Oh no..."

Chapter Text

Wicked Plan - Persona 5

"Wow!" Kanon whistled, "that outfit doesn't look as bad on you as I thought!"

"Oh come on!" Komaru faux snapped, wearing a colorful crop top and shorts, "I know I'm not nearly as much of a fashion diva as you, but I can still pull off a look!"

"Damn right you can," Kanon winked, "still though, I'm pretty surprised. What made you want to join the cheerleading tryouts?"

"Well, I've had a lot on my mind lately, and I feel like if I'm gonna stand out, I wanna do it in my own way," Komaru told her, "and hey, I consider myself one hell of a confidence-booster. I managed to make the most depressed and morose person I know giggle, so I think that's a talent on its own."

"Oh? What other cool talents do you have?" Kanon asked.

"Uuuh...Not many," Komaru admitted, "I guess I like Pigeon-Shooting...Uh...CLAY Pigeon-Shooting to be specific."

"You're a good shot, huh?" Kanon remarked, "guess it shows...Given how you prefer the trigger..."

It took Komaru a second to realize what she was talking about, but then noted that she was holding a megaphone in her right hand.

"Oh yeah," she nodded, "loud and proud, I always say~. But seriously, thanks for getting Tomori-senpai to take me on."

"No problems!" Kanon winked "now let's get-...Huh?"

"What?" Komaru asked. Kanon pointed at the TV behind Komaru, which was currently airing the news.

"Isn't that...Makoto and Leon's school?" she asked.

"You mean Hope's...Peak..." Komaru dramatically trailed off as she saw the news story.

The camera footage showed an eye-in-the-sky perspective of one of the Academy's towering buildings...and more specifically what was on top of it.

Five very young children stood on the edge of the building, staring down at the ground below, all holding hands...

And upon seeing them closer up...Komaru felt her blood run cold, and a single name drop quietly from her mouth, as she recognized one of the five...

"Kotoko...chan...!?"

Blood of Villain - Persona 5

"Is this for real right now!?" Leon Kuwata cried, his face distraught and horrified at what he was seeing!

"They're going to jump!" Chihiro Fujisaki squealed, "someone stop them!"

"What the shit is going on!?" Mondo Owada boomed!

"EVERYONE! RETURN TO CLASS AND RETURN TO YOUR SEATS AT ONCE!" Kiyotaka Ishimaru bellowed!

However, despite how loud he was being, absolutely no one listened to him! Instead, they all burst out of their classrooms and stared desperately out of the hallway window at the Elementary School kids!

They were not the only ones who had spotted the disturbance, as the other classes had also clearly seen, given how they piled out of their classrooms as well.

Makoto couldn't tear his eyes away at the sight. The five children, Kotoko Utsugi included, stared down at the ground that lay far below them. He could hear screaming outside, signifying that people in the courtyard, and possibly the Reserve Course, were also seeing this.

Though it was hard to tell from a distance, Makoto saw a horrific look in their eyes as they looked down at death below...Not with a sense of fear...but of longing.

These children were about to jump to their deaths and in front of the whole school!

"W-We've gotta do something!" Makoto shrieked.

"Everyone! Listen up!" Taka boomed, so the whole hallway could hear him, "everyone calm down! Go back to your seats!"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Toko shrieked, even louder somehow, which frightened the life out of the honor student, "what the hell makes you think sitting on our asses is the correct thing to do here!?"

"I think Taka simply means that it's up to the teachers and supervisors of the academy to handle this," Celeste remained fairly calm despite everything, almost as if she didn't really care what was going on, "I doubt he meant any harm."

"E-Even so, how are we supposed to stay calm!? Th-They could jump at any moment!" Hiro exclaimed.

"I will go and get them! Leave their safety to me!" Sakura growled, clenching her fist and running down the hallway.

"Wait! Sakura-chan! Wait for me!" Junko Enoshima suddenly turned, and bolted off down the hallway after her, "you don't know where you're going!"

"Ogami-dono! Enoshima-dono!" Hifumi Yamada squealed, "wh-what do you hope to achieve!? Mr Ishimaru is right, just contact the police or fire brigade! ANYONE!"

"We're ULTIMATE'S Hifumi!" Makoto snapped, suddenly turning tail and running after them, "this is what we're MADE for! If we don't protect the people in our society, who will!?"

"Makoto Naegi, don't you DARE-!" Taka couldn't get these words out as Makoto disappeared down the hallway after Sakura and Junko.

"What the hell's wrong with all these people!?" Makoto exclaimed, catching up to Junko and Sakura, despite how fast the two of them were (Junko was surprising in particular given her high-heels.) Several students in the hallways and courtyard, as Makoto could see from the window, were looking up at the students but not doing a damn thing. Some of them were even recording the spectacle with their phones.

"Forget about the Paparazzi wannabe's!" Junko snapped at him, "those kid's lives are more important!"

"Which way is it to that rooftop!?" Sakura roared, "we're running out of time!"

Fortunately, Junko knew the school layout like the back of her hand, and Sakura's big beefy body meant that the crowds of onlooking students either moved aside or were shoved aside as she charged through.

Even more fortunately, despite how little weight he carried in terms of the situation, Makoto was glad neither of them were pushing him away or telling him to go back to class.

Within a few moments, the trio arrived at the rooftop. Sakura could have kicked the door to the roof area open and grabbed the kids before they jumped within a moment's notice, but she was wise enough to realize that if she did that, it might frighten the kids so much that they just went for it.

Instead, she opened the door gently, and as she, Junko, and Makoto poured out onto the roof, the five children turned around to look at them.

All five of them had an inexplicable look of despair on their faces. Whatever had happened to them must have been bad.

Of course, Makoto knew the extent of how they had been treated by Towa and their parents, but to think it had gotten so bad that they had decided to commit suicide together...!?

Both sides on the roof just stared at each other for a moment, neither of them saying a word or making any action. Junko was the first to step forward.

"Sakura-chan..." she spoke softly and quietly, "can you do me a favor? Make sure that NOBODY gets up to this roof."

"What do you mean, Enoshima-kun?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Let me handle this," she said, "any outside interference will freak them out."

Realizing this logic herself, Sakura did as she was asked and kept a close eye on the door. Junko nodded to Makoto, and she cautiously approached the kids, who were too scared stiff to do anything.

Confession - Persona 5

"Hey..." she said, "can we like, talk for a second?"

"Wh-Who are you!?" a tanned boy with red hair snarled, "wh-wh-what do YOU want!?"

"What I want, kiddo is for you to listen to me," she told him, trying to soothe her voice and make herself sound more reasonable, "please...don't do this."

"Y-You think you can stop us!?" the blue-haired boy, Shingetsu's son, "w-we already agreed to this! We can't take it anymore! ANY of it!"

"Don't act like you know what we're going through!" Kotoko Utsugi sobbed, "you have no idea! You're probably here to b-bring us back to our parents!"

"You're wrong!" Makoto exclaimed, "we wouldn't do that to you!"

"LIAR!" Shingetsu snapped, "w-we don't trust adults! You're all rotten scum!"

"You just...wanna use us...!" the boy in the mask trembled.

This whole time, the girl in the middle, one with green hair and in a wheelchair, turned away and didn't say anything.

The rest glared daggers at the Ultimates, and Makoto was left in a rock and hard place, not sure how to proceed. However, everyone was surprised as Junko took another step forward.

"You've been through some traumatic events thanks to your families...and because of that, you can't trust any adults, can you?" she asked, "if I was where you were, I guess I'd be trying to jump too."

"H-Huh?" Kotoko trembled.

"Trust is a difficult thing, y'know?" she put her hands on her hips and looked at the sky, "usually it's stuff that's only reserved for friends or lovers or some crap...So, I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm not even asking you to be my friend. I'm just asking you to listen to me for a second, not as an adult, or a rotten deranged lunatic...but as a person. You kids are smart enough to manage that, right?"

The kids looked unsure of what to say, but then the wheelchair girl suddenly turned around. She looked concerned, but significantly calmer than the rest.

"Don't..." she glowered, "don't pretend to care...You're probably only doing this to get heroic credit, right?"

Yet again, Junko caught everyone off-guard as she started to cackle with laughter.

"KAHAHA! I'm famous enough as it is! Trust me, I don't need MORE attention. It actually kinda sucks," she smirked, "real talk though, is it so hard to believe that I just don't wanna watch a bunch of kids die? Pretty sure this Academy's haunted enough as it is. Not by ghosts, but by a bunch of ignorant losers."

Junko kept walking, then finally came to a stop when she was upon the kids. She took a knee and looked up at them. None of them knew how to react, but none of them looked at her with scorn any longer.

"I'm sure if a real hero was here, he or she would say something like...PROFOUND, or some BS to make you feel better...But I don't swing that way," she told them, "so I'm doing this MY way. The GENUINE way...And I'll be honest, maybe I can't help you with whatever it is that's going on, and maybe it's too much for you lot to open up to me about it...but that's fine...What matters is that I'm trying...And what matters is that YOU tried, and if you REALLY can't take it anymore, then...feel free to jump."

"Junko!" Makoto gasped, but she turned around sharply and shushed him.

"What if..." the green-haired girl started to cry, "what if we still want to jump? Even if you did say something profound about how our lives matter, what would you do? Forcefully bring us down?"

"I...I dunno..." Junko hung her head, shamefully, "I don't think I'll have to because...judging by your faces, you're smart kids, and you're willing to listen to me even though I'm a rotten adult...There are better things to do than jump off buildings in life...Like, hang with me! And my friends! We're all great people, I promise."

"You really think you can turn our view around, just like that?" Shingetsu sobbed, "do you think we're crazy or something!?"

"I don't think you're crazy," Junko said genuinely, "you just need a little help...and I mean REAL help...Not whatever the hell you've been getting up until now..."

Junko gently reached out and took the hand of the girl in the wheelchair. 

"I'm Junko Enoshima. What's your name?" she asked, at the end of everything.

The girl hesitated...then she wrapped her fingers around Junko's.

"M-Monaca..." she responded quietly.

And just like that, the rest of the kids all joined hands with Junko. Whoever the wheelchair girl was, she appeared to be the leader of the group, and once she turned tail, the rest of them did too. Junko reached her arms as widely as she could and tried to get all the kids into a hug. Easier said than done, but as they broke down in her arms, it seemed to help.

It didn't matter to Makoto. All that mattered was the kids were safe. He considered maybe letting Junko take things from here, getting irritated at the loud murmurings of the people below who couldn't see what had happened, but before he could do anything, Kotoko Utsugi looked up from Junko's arms and stared at him in surprise.

She clearly recognized Makoto from yesterday, so he just gently waved back to her. Kotoko's eyes became even more bleary, and tears streaked down her face. Whether this was because she was scared of him or not, it wasn't clear.

Makoto realized that if Komaru was to see this, she would feel an inescapable feeling of guilt. She had already opened up to him about how she wasn't sure of her actions, and whatever had happened after Kotoko had gone home...

Knowing what these kids were going through, he couldn't help but feel angry...!

Death Wish - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Jesus Junko-chan," Hina sighed in relief once they returned, "I can't believe you really did all of that."

"And so quickly too!" Hifumi puffed his chest out, "you are an inspiration to us all, Enoshima-dono!"

"I cannot approve of you taking matters into your own hands," Taka stated, earning him many disgruntled glares before he followed up with, "but...I will admit, your handling of the situation was admirable and appropriate. You've earned my respect."

"I wasn't doing this for respect," Junko said, "I was doing it to save those kids' lives."

"By the way, where are the kids now?" Sayaka asked, her face still red from her panicked tears from earlier. Junko made a gesture toward the door.

"Right now, I have Kimura-senpai and Tsumiki-senpai looking after them in the Nurse's Office. I'm gonna go visit them in a second," Junko explained, "I've also hired my boys to come in and guard the area, just in case. They're not gonna let anyone through without a fight."

"Your BOYS!?" Leon exclaimed, "what are you, some kinda gangster!?"

"No, but I am a supermodel," Junko reminded him, "and naturally, I would have escorts and bodyguards whenever I go places."

"I don't know about this," Chihiro piped up, "wouldn't it be best to contact the student's parents? We can't keep them in the Nurse's Office forever."

Junko shook her head.

"I know it sounds cruel, both the security staff and myself agree that we can't let anyone else see the kids until we get to the bottom of their situation," she said, "the only person any of them want to see right now is me for some reason, so I'm gonna look after them for the time being. Should only be a few days at most."

"Hmph...I must admit, I find this all to be quite admirable. You're certainly capable of taking matters into your own hands." Byakuya smirked.

"So you also suspect that it may have something to do with their home lives?" Kyoko inquired. Junko shrugged.

"I wouldn't know. Just basing off personal experience," she replied, "but hey, I should be heading out...Before I do though...Koters and Toko? Could I talk to you? Outside?"

"Us?" Makoto asked, "why?"

"You'll see. It's private, just...come along, will ya?"

Everyone seemed confused by this. Makoto turned back and shot Toko a look, who just nodded her head as if to say "how bad can it be?"

"Alright, I'll come," Makoto told her, "I hope it's nothing too serious..."

"Be honest with me," Junko confronted the two of them in the hallway, "you both know what's going on with those kids, right? That's why you came running with me?"

"Huh? Wh-What are you talking about?" Toko asked.

"I already know the truth," she told them, "the two of you were asking around about Towa and potential abuse allegations from students all across the school yesterday. Even though you swore that you weren't taking the rumors seriously."

Junko's expression was stern and uninviting. Unlike her usually jovial and peppy expression.

"I don't know what happened, but the two of you must have found something that made you do that...And if it's related to Towa and the kids, I can't understand why you'd still keep it secret."

"Enoshima-kun..." Makoto assured her, "I won't say you're wrong...but it's not that simple. I don't want to be the one who goes around spreading what could be baseless rumors!"

The reality was that Makoto didn't want to tell Junko, or anyone else, about his dreams and explorations to the Metaverse, not that they would have believed him anyway. However, he almost jumped out of his skin as Junko slammed the lockers next to them with her fist!

"Five kids just tried to KILL THEMSELVES, NAEGI! On our school rooftop!" she snapped, "and you're worried about your STREET CRED!?"

"NO!" Makoto exclaimed, "that's not it at all! It's just-!"

"Just what!?" Junko snarled, turning her back, "you know what? Fine! Keep your secrets...Even if it costs people their lives...!"

These words caused an inexplicable weight of guilt to form in Makoto's heart. He watched in dismay as Junko, sadness and rage in her eyes, turned her back and started to walk down the hallway. Makoto desperately spun around to face Toko.

"I have to tell her!" he whisper shouted!

"That's a HARD NO!" she hissed back.

"Fukawa-san! We can't keep doing this!" Makoto cried, "I know we can't tell people about that other world, but we can't go on acting like everything's fine and taking care of it by ourselves! We don't even have a PLAN!"

Toko paused, her face disgruntled.

"We're the only ones who can enter the Palace and have the power of the Persona. You, me and Monomi," Makoto told her, "but we can't do this alone! If we sit on our butts too long, those kids might actually die next time!"

Toko clutched her head, groaning, like she was straining herself very hard. Eventually, she cast her head back, and gasped towards the sky.

"UUUUUUUUGGGH! FINE!" she cracked, "but JUST Enoshima! And don't you DARE say a word about Monomi or the Palace!"

"Yes! I won't, I promise!" Makoto beamed, chasing Junko down the hallway. Toko, much to her own disappointment, felt a smile crawl across her own face.

Makoto hurried down the hall and stopped Junko in her tracks, who just glared at him.

"Junko...wait..." he said, "you want the truth? Well...We did discover SOMETHING..."

Despair Syndrome (2) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"TOWA!" Junko burst into the empty staff room that Haiji was using as an office, with a panicked Makoto and Toko trailing behind him, "what the hell is going on!?"

Haiji Towa, sitting in the room by himself, turned sharply towards the door with a frown on his face. Fortunately, the room was empty, save for him, so there was little risk of anyone else interrupting them.

UNFORTUNATELY, it fell to Makoto to hold Junko back in case she did anything stupid. Toko, for her part, just remained behind them, trembling, cracking under the pressure of how nervous she was.

Makoto had told Junko about what they had discovered about the Elementary School children's abusive families, and how they were pressured to keep it hidden. He also told her that Towa and his associates planned to use the school as a way to get their ins on talent society and keep their kids under their control for the foreseeable future. As requested, he purposefully kept out any Metaverse-related subjects.

But what he DID mention was enough to make Junko hunt Haiji Towa down.

"You know," Towa remarked, "people usually use their hands to knock, not their feet. What kind of manners are they teaching you at this school?"

"Don't play dumb! These two just told me everything!" Junko gestured to her friends behind her. Makoto stepped forward.

"There's no use hiding it," he said "we know about what's going on with you and the Elementary School kids. The school is a ploy by you and their parents to have them removed from your lives."

"And it seems if it wasn't for the lot of you," Haiji stood up and faced them, "that plan would have happened a lot sooner."

"Y-Y-You know a-about the suicide attempt th-then?" Toko stammered. Haiji nodded.

"Even if I wasn't here on site, I would have found out about it," he said, "it made the front page within a couple of hours."

"Right...!" Makoto exclaimed, "there was a news helicopter that showed the suicide attempt on TV! The whole country's gotta know about it now!"

"Hah!" Junko smirked, "looks like those kids backed you into a corner, huh!? Good luck getting out of this!"

However, much to the concern and dismay of the three students, Haiji suddenly started to laugh...! A maniacal, evil laugh...

"Hahahahaha!" he cackled, "well, it's not gonna do me much good to hide it from the three of you if you already know the truth...But I think you'll find that it's not gonna be that easy..."

"What do you mean!?" Makoto snapped. Haiji raised his head and leered down at him.

"Oh, did you not hear?" Towa glowered, "I heard that the Hope's Peak Steering Committee is already in the process of providing me an alibi...And they're using their resources to feed the media a false story on what actually happened...False accounts and whatnot."

"They WHAT!?" Toko shrieked, "wh-why would they do that!?"

"How COULD they do that!?" Makoto added.

"You're lying!" Junko snapped.

"Try me..." Towa leered, "you can say what you like, but there's no evidence against me. If those kids try to speak up, no one will listen to them. And even if they do, those who spread the rumors will be silenced by Hope's Peak Academy, as I've said. Nobody will take the sides of a bunch of delusional children over competent, well-paying adults!"

"Why!?" Makoto cried.

"Because the powers that control this school have an interest in protecting me..." the evil man gave them a nasty smirk, "they care just as much about the Elementary School's completion as much as I do, and they aren't gonna let anything or anyone stop it. You should know by now, your school doesn't care about background, potential dangers, or abuse."

He took a menacing step forward.

"No, no, they don't care about ANY of that...All they care about is nourishing talent for the future of society, and if it came down to that...they would let me get away with murder so long as I'm their guest."

"BULLSHIT!" Junko snarled, "those kids aren't your prisoners, you fucking-!"

She tried to lunge at Haiji, but Makoto grabbed her arm and held her back.

"Stop! Don't let him get to you!" he exclaimed, staring determinedly into her eyes.

"Aw come on..." Towa suddenly leaned forward, within hitting range of Enoshima, clearly taunting her, "why shouldn't the girl let off a little steam?"

"You know damn well why!" Toko snarled, "back off!"

"Hmph..." Towa scoffed and returned to his seat, "honestly, you should consider yourselves lucky. Hope's Peak has just as much interest in protecting you as they do me. So for the time being, keep those kids in your comfy little hidey hole..."

He paused, then turned his chair, grinning from ear to ear like the Joker.

"But the Steering Committee WILL take action, and forcefully bring them back to their homes after the Elementary School opening ceremony, and when that happens I have no need to adhere to the terms of the contract anymore...so you should watch your backs..."

"Are you THREATENING us!?" Makoto glowered.

"No. I'm WARNING you," he snarled, "cause me any more grief, and you'll face the combined wrath of Hope's Peak AND Towa Corp...I'll destroy your lives beyond repair...

Because I can afford it...! Can you...?"

This chilling, familiar line made Makoto pull an expression of malic unlike any he had ever done before. Junko, thankfully, had listened to him and held herself back.

"I believe we're done here," he turned his back and returned to what he was doing before they crashed in, "now do me a favor and get the fuck out!"

Welcome to Despair - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"What do we do?" a few minutes later, Junko, Toko, and Makoto recuperated outside the classroom. The Fashionista hung her head, looking disappointed and upset.

"All we can do for now is keep a close eye on the kids," Makoto said, "but Towa's right. We have no authority here. Only the staff do. They'll let us keep hold of the kids until the school opens, then they'll just drag them right back to their abusive families."

"If only we'd stopped Utsugi yesterday," Toko clutched her head, "th-then we might have been able t-to save at least one of them...!"

"Enoshima-kun..." Makoto turned to her, "what are you gonna do?"

"I don't know...But I'm gonna do what I can for now," Junko told him, "I can take Towa Corp to court after this, but that wouldn't save all five kids. Plus, I don't like my chances of winning against them. So I'm just gonna keep watch and think of a plan in the meantime."

"Alright," Makoto nodded, "Fukawa-san and I are gonna hang around here for a bit, so we'll catch up to you later. Feel free to call us if you need help."

"Thank you Koters," Junko smiled apathetically, "and I'm sorry I dragged you into this..."

"WE'RE the ones who dragged YOU into this," Makoto told her, "and we'll find a way to fix it, I promise."

Junko quietly nodded, then turned and walked far down the hallway. When she was out of sight, and he was sure the two of them were alone, Makoto turned to Toko.

"This has gone too far..." he told her, "enough people have suffered because of Towa, Utsugi, and the rest of their conglomerate. It needs to stop..."

"But what the fuck are we gonna do?" Toko snarled, "he gave us a warning, didn't he? Plus, we don't have a plan, like you said."

"No...but we only have one more option," Makoto told her, "let's go talk to Monomi. I don't know what her plan is, but I doubt someone like her would go for anything too dangerous."

"We're taking a gamble and relying on the rabbit, huh?" Toko asked. Makoto nodded.

"Like I said..." he frowned, "this can't continue...!"

Death Wish - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"LET ME THROUGH!" a screaming girl in a cheerleader's outfit at the back gate screamed, "please, let me through!"

At the same time as Makoto and Toko were having their discussion, Komaru Naegi had tried to sneak into the school from the rear gate, having heavily underestimated the level of security the academy had. 

Especially given that rat-faced paparazzi had already tried swarming the outside of the school for most of the day. Hope's Peak had even hired riot police to stop them from getting within 20 feet of the academy. Komaru had been lucky enough to slip by them, but not enough to be barred entry by a very beefy man in a green coat.

"Back off!" he snapped, "random no-good girls like you aren't allowed on school grounds! This is a domestic environment!"

"Please!" she begged him, "I'm not doing anything wrong! I-I'm Makoto Naegi's sister! Makoto Naegi from Class 78! Please, I need to get through!"

"Oh yeah!?" the security guard grunted, "and I'm Santa Claus! GET THE FUCK OUT!"

Komaru, rather rudely, was picked up and flung backward by the beefy man. Their commotion, however, was suddenly interrupted as two people joined them.

"Juzo?" the first, a tidy-looking woman with orange hair and an apron greeted the guard, "what's going on? I heard you yelling?"

"Yukizome-sensei," the guard, whose name was apparently Juzo, turned and grunted at this Yukizome woman, "this random high schooler is intruding on academy grounds. She claims she's here to see her brother."

"Did you have to be so rough with her?" the other person, a man with short white hair and an icy glare, snapped at the guard, "she may be an intruder, but you needn't fling her around like a ragdoll! What's wrong with you!?"

"I...uh..." despite how the man in the coat towered over the skinny white-haired man, he seemed to cower under the pressure of his stern words and cold stare, "sorry...Munakata..."

The white-haired man walked past Juzo, and reached out a hand for Komaru to take. He helped her up to her feet and saluted her calmly.

"Apologies for his actions. My name is Kyosuke Munakata; head of construction and innovation here at the Academy."

He then gestured to the other two.

"This is Juzo Sakakura, head of security, and Chisa Yukizome, homeroom teacher of Class 77."

Juzo turned his head and scoffed. Chisa smiled warmly at Komaru. The difference was like night and day.

"Unfortunately, we can't allow you to trespass," Munakata explained, "regardless of your reasons. But tell me honestly, you're not here visiting your brother are you? A simple phone call could have sufficed in that case."

"I...I'm...No, I'm not..." Komaru felt intimidated, despite how kind the man was being, so she spilled the beans, "but it IS true that I'm Makoto Naegi's sister, and I swear to you I'm not here for a news story or to spy!"

"What are you here for then?" Chisa Yukizome asked. Komaru sighed, her face distraught and nervous.

"Please...just tell me...is Kotoko-chan ok?"

"Kotoko-chan?" Munakata repeated.

"Munakata," Sakakura spoke up, "she may be referring to Kotoko Utsugi; Junya Utsugi's daughter. One of the children who almost committed suicide on the roof today."

"Y-Yes! Her!" Komaru gasped.

"Ah, right...Now it makes sense. You must be an acquaintance of Kotoko Utsugi's, and you came to check on her, right?" Munakata smiled, "I cannot allow you through to see her, but rest assured she and her friends are alive and well. Junko Enoshima of Class 78 is taking care of them for the time being."

Komaru breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"There's your answer," Sakakura spat, "now get out of here!"

"Juzo!" Yukizome snapped, smacking him gently on the chest, "don't be so heartless! Rest assured Ms Naegi, we'll do whatever we can to make sure those kids are protected, and we'll get to the bottom of what's going on with them."

"In the meantime though, we must ask that you leave," Munakata added, "it pains me to do this, but having you on our grounds only gives us more problems to deal with."

"I understand," Komaru bowed, "I'll...get out of your hair..."

Komaru turned sadly after thanking Munakata and started to walk away, her head hanging sadly.

"Why did I think I could do anything?" she stared down at her hands, "I'm so...useless...I don't even have a talent...If I did, maybe I could have helped...!"

Komaru felt tears stream down her face.

"Wh-What's wrong with me...!?" she asked, "I only met the girl yesterday! But somehow...this feels like...all...my fault...!" 

She stood still and sobbed for what felt like a while. Her emotions were overwhelming her and there was nothing she could do to choke back the tears. The feeling that her words and comfort were inconsequential crushed her.

However...she suddenly became distracted as she spotted something out of the corner of her eye.

Underground Trial - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Two figures, a guy and a girl, hurried down an alleyway, both looking around to make sure that they weren't being followed.

And not just any guy and girl...Komaru knew these two...

"Makoto...? T-Toko-chan?" she said under her breath.

And...like she was being led by an invisible hand, Komaru approached the alleyway.

Curiosity getting the better of her, she slightly poked her head around the corner and watched her brother and best friend; wondering what they were up to. She frowned with confusion as she watched Makoto take out his phone, and the home screen of an app she had never seen before appeared on his phone.

[BEGINNING NAVIGATION.]

"What are they...?" she trailed off and gasped as all of a sudden...

Her environment began to change around her...!

Living to the Fullest - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"Alright..." Monomi whispered, "just hide down here and follow me...Turn around that hallway before the guards see you...!"

"Got it!" Makoto and Toko whispered simultaneously.

With the three of them now fully decked out in their Metaverse attire; Makoto in his green suit, Toko in her jeans and jacket, and Monomi now not looking like a real rabbit anymore; the three of them entered Towa's prison and carefully hid behind a table, trying to avoid a guard. 

The students did as Monomi instructed, and quickly and quietly hid around a corner, avoiding one of the prison guards that was searching for them.

"Where exactly are we going?" Toko asked quietly, "you still haven't told us the full extent of your plan!"

"I know, I'm sorry for beating around the bush so much," Monomi nodded back to her, "but there is something I wish to confirm, so I only ask that you remain patient with me. I will tell you the full story in but a moment."

"All we can do is trust her..." Makoto whispered as they continued down the hallway, "wait! Watch out!" 

Before they turned to another hallway, Makoto called out to prevent them from turning and running straight into a guard.

"Dammit..." Toko hissed, "there's nowhere we can hide down here..."

"Don't worry," Makoto smiled at her, "I think I've got a plan. Just get ready to fight, alright?"

Curious about his plan, Monomi and Toko nodded to him. They let Makoto take point, and all of a sudden, when the guard got close enough, he lunged out of the hiding spot, jumped on its back, and grabbed it's masked face with his gloved hand!

"Show me your true form!" he shouted grabbing the enemy's mask and forcefully ripping it off!

When he did that, several Shadows burst out of the guard's face, all of which looked panicked!

"Good job dear boy!" Monomi beamed, "you're learning so quickly!"

"Compliments later!" Toko snapped, "fight now!"

Riddle Land - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"Alright!" Monomi smiled, "this should be a good place."

Monomi stealthily led the two through the prison. They tried their best to sneak around and worked together as a team to fight where they were forced to. Eventually, she led them down another long, stone hallway, and opened up a door to a random room at the end.

"What?" Toko asked, "what's up with this room? Why were you trying to bring us here?"

"Before I got kidnapped by Towa's minions, I had a map of the institute that I stuffed somewhere in here," Monomi explained, "plus, this might be a good opportunity to rest a spell."

"Well, I guess this is pretty tiring after a bit," Makoto wiped his forehead with his sleeve, "but why here? If the Shadows come in here, won't we be trapped in a dead end?"

"Oh, don't worry about that, dear boy," Monomi winked, "the Shadows don't come in here."

"How do you know?" Toko asked. Monomi puffed her chest out as she explained.

"There are certain areas in a Palace where the ruler's control over it is weaker than the rest. This may usually be because the place represents a room in the real world that the Palace ruler doesn't go to very often. Thus, they have little influence over it. Because of that, the Shadow's don't patrol this area, so they're a good place to hide if things get too tough out there. I call such places, "Safe Rooms."

As Monomi finished her explanation, she found a map in a drawer in the corner of the Safe Room. She then walked to the middle of the room and placed it out on a table.

It was a fairly big map, one that appeared to have the entire structure of the prison on it.

"Wow...You really planned this all out..." Toko remarked about the map, but then returned to their conversation, "so...this place really is how Haiji Towa's mind sees the Elementary School?"

"Yes," Monomi nodded, "and as you've no doubt suspected, the real Towa is not consciously aware that it exists, even though deep down, it's all connected to him."

"That would explain why he didn't recognize us or tell anyone about what went down here..." Makoto considered "but regardless...Since we're in a safe place, don't you think now is a good time to explain to us what your plan is?"

"That, dear boy, is exactly what I am preparing to do," Monomi told him, "let's do a little pop quiz, shall we?"

"Ugh! Do we HAVE to?" Toko groaned. Makoto nudged her in the arm.

"As you both are now aware, this place is connected very closely to Towa's mind, and it's the manifestation of all of his distorted and evil desires put together...So here's a question for you," the rabbit led on, "what do you think would happen if the Palace and everything within it were to disappear?"

"Disappear?" Toko parroted.

"Well...if that were to happen, it stands to reason it would affect him in reality..." Makoto thought about it.

"Let me elaborate...And listen very carefully," Monomi smiled, glad that he was starting to get it, "a Palace represents ALL of a person's DISTORTED and EVIL desires. So if the Palace is erased, what would happen to the evil desires?"

Makoto's eyes widened, as the truth sunk in.

"The distorted and evil desires would be erased WITH the Palace! And if that happens...all of Haiji Towa's evil traits would be erased, which means he would be left with only good ones!" he exclaimed, "and if THAT happens...Towa will return to his senses and become a changed man!"

"Good boy!" Monomi cheered, "that's exactly right, Makoto!"

"Wait!? A-Are you serious!? He'll become a good guy!?" Toko exclaimed, "hang on though...How does that help exactly? It doesn't exactly give us enough to corner him, does it?"

"Good question Toko. However, it's not as simple as that," Monomi continued, "erasing a palace means we change the heart of the palace ruler. But even if we make the distorted desires vanish, their sins and the crimes they committed will remain."

Monomi paused as she stood on the table and walked confidently and smugly to the other side.

"To make a long story short, we don't need to expose Towa's true nature to anyone," she said, "he'll be so crushed under the weight of guilt, he'll confess his crimes with his own mouth...!"

"What!?" Makoto and Toko explained simultaneously.

"And, to top it all off, with the Palace gone, everything we did in here will be lost in everyone's memories except ours. Towa will break down, and will never know that we were involved!" Monomi finished the explanation.

"And if Towa really confesses to everything...he might bring the other bastards like Utsugi down with him!" Toko considered, "the parents and the academy won't be able to cover up ANYTHING if Towa tells the world the truth!"

"That's amazing!" Makoto gasped excitedly, "we can make him self-destruct without getting our hands dirty!"

"Well?" Monomi raised her long ear, ready to hear praise, "was I a good teacher?"

"Yes! Better than great!" Makoto beamed.

"What's the catch?"

Toko suddenly dropped this question from her mouth, which caused Makoto's joyride to stop in its tracks.

"This sounds too good to be true," the writer observed, "there's no way there's not a "but" to this whole situation. That part feels pretty important."

"Come on Fukawa-san!" Makoto whined, "don't be so pessimistic!"

"No, Toko is right. She is asking the correct questions," Monomi said, "there was a reason why I was so hesitant to share all the details immediately after all."

"And what was that?" Toko listened attentively. Monomi sighed.

"Truth be told, I know how changing hearts works, but I've never successfully done so before. And yes, there is a fairly big consequence if things don't go to plan," she explained, "to reiterate, erasing the Palace will erase the rulers distorted desires, but desire itself is integral to life. The desire to eat, to sleep, to pursue dreams and love...You understand?"

"What are you saying?" Makoto asked.

"Our mission is to get rid of Towa's desires that make him a bad person, but there are dramatic consequences if we were to erase all of them..." Monomi elucidated, "if that happens...his mind will suffer a complete shutdown..."

"And...what will happen to him if that happens?" Makoto didn't like where this was going. Monomi shook her head and answered.

"At best, his mind will be wiped and he'll end up comatose...And at worst...he could die..."

Makoto and Toko looked at each other, their expressions riddled with concern and tension.

"You're reacting a lot calmer than I thought you would do. Trust me, I know neither of you wants to become murderers, and god forbid I would never force you to become one," the bunny interjected, "even with all of that laid in front of you, will you still help me change Towa's heart?"

There was a pause before Makoto answered.

"What else can we do?" he murmured, "you said this was a worst-case scenario, right?"

"Yes...It's unlikely to happen, but it can still happen." she explained.

"We're really going for this?" Toko asked, "I mean, I've got a murderous rep as it is, but I wouldn't want you to go through that feeling."

"I told you already, Fukawa-san." Makoto glared, "this has to stop. We can't let those kids be victimized anymore."

"Alright..." Toko nodded, "then I've just got one more question to ask: How do we erase the Palace?"

"It's quite challenging, but on paper, it's very simple," Monomi smiled, "each Palace has a core that holds it together; the nucleus of the person's desire, if you will. An apparatus that their distorted desires originated from."

"In other words...a Treasure?" Makoto asked.

"Bingo! A+!" Monomi squeaked excitedly, "that's a perfect term for it. To get to the point, all we have to do to erase the Palace is STEAL that treasure."

She pointed to the large map on the table.

"And according to my previous reconnaissance, the treasure should be right around here, at the top of the tallest tower!"

"Yeah, doesn't look like it's gonna be easy..." Makoto looked, "but again...what choice do we have?"

The conversation was suddenly and dramatically interrupted, by the sound of a blaring jail alarm! It caught the trio by surprise and they all jumped!

"Wh-What's that!?" Toko cried, "did they find us!"

"No! I told you, they can't find us in here!" Monomi told her, "that alarm...there must be another intruder in the Palace!"

"Another one!?" Makoto gasped.

"I was wondering why there weren't as many guards as last time...They must have been distracted!" Monomi realized, "but...who could it be!?"

"I have a bad feeling about this...!" Makoto felt himself break out into a cold sweat.

Ultra Terrified Girl - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"WH-WHAT'S GOING ON!? SOMEONE HELP ME!"

A floor or two below where the Persona-users were, Komaru Naegi found herself in a rather unfortunate situation. Having been dragged accidentally into the Palace when Makoto used the Meta-Nav, she was now chained up to a large post, bound by her arms and legs as she was lowered into a large pit, surrounded by an equally large cage.

She was surrounded by armed and intimidating-looking guards wearing masks. Above her, on a balcony overlooking the pit, she saw the disgusting and snide visage of Shadow Towa. However, obviously not being aware of the Palace or what it entailed, this man might as well have been the real deal.

"This isn't funny!" she shrieked up at her, "let me go or I'm gonna call the freaking cops!"

"What is that infernal racket?" the large, spacious room was quiet save for Komaru's screaming, so she could hear the sound of voices. She watched as the cognitive versions of Utsugi, Kemuri, Shingetsu, and Daimon joined Haiji on the balcony, all 5 of them staring and smirking down at Komaru.

"J-Junya Utsugi!?" Komaru gasped, "wh-what the hell's going on!? What do you want from me!?"

"Ah...so THIS is what you invited us down for...I always knew you'd find a use for this pit one day..." Utsugi grinned malevolently at Towa.

"About time we had some good entertainment around here..." Daimon grunted.

"I don't know..." Shingetsu frowned, "she doesn't look like much. Is she a Hope's Peak student?"

"No, I haven't seen her around," Haiji sighed, "she just seems to be an average, good-for-nothing high schooler who decided to intrude. But I've had to blow off some steam lately, so I thought I'd make her execution fun for us all."

"I suppose it's better than nothing..." Kemuri sighed, clearly unbothered.

"Hehahaha..." Utsugi leaned in and licked his lips, "I wonder if the beast will tear off her clothes and leave her bare naked before she dies...That'd be great..."

Komaru couldn't make heads or tails of what she was hearing, but the more these people spoke, the more horrified she became. However, she didn't have time to focus on them. She felt the chains pull her arms above her head, and in front of her, a large steel gate slowly began to open...

What emerged from this gate caused Komaru's stomach to sink...A huge monster crawled out of the darkness. It appeared to be a disgusting amalgamation of a tiger, a bear, and a hawk, having a sturdy body, big powerful bear-like claws, a beak, and delirious and deranged eyes. It had a mane too, which was made of short, pickle-shaped, green hair.

Komaru screamed as it approached her; it growled and slobber dripped from it's mouth. As it opened, Komaru could see, rather unnaturally, the creature had a long, sharp array of teeth within its beak!

The creature lunged at her suddenly, but right before it could snap her head off, it was suddenly yanked back!

Komaru tilted her head, and despite how her vision was blurred by her frightened tears, she could see the creature's leg being chained to somewhere within the darkness.

"Not yet, you disgusting monster!" Haiji snapped down at it, "you're gonna take your time with this one! we can't have you spoiling the show before it's even begun-!

"KOMARUUU!"

Haiji was cut off, and he turned his head in fury, as the other three intruders burst into the chamber. Seeing his sister in the middle of the pit, Makoto desperately grasped the bars as if he wanted to rip them off or squeeze through them

"Woah...!" Toko trembled upon seeing the beast, "that is one ugly motherfucker...!"

"You punks again!?" Towa snarled, "how many times will I be forced to lay my eyes on your disgusting figures before you learn to give up!"

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Makoto shrieked, "LET MY SISTER GO!"

As if the screaming voice wasn't enough to give it away, Komaru immediately recognized the figures with this line.

"Wait...MAKOTO!?" she cried, "wh-what are you doing here!? Wh-What are you wearing!? I-Is that TOKO next to you!?"

"So much for the mask..." Toko grumbled, as she and Makoto took off their masks and placed them on their heads so Komaru could better see their faces, "yes, it's us! What the hell are you DOING here!? How and why did you get here!? And what are YOU wearing!?"

"I don't even know where "here" is!" Komaru shrieked, panicking as the beast tried to reach out and grab her with its claws, "one second I was behind Hope's Peak, trying to get to Kotoko-chan, and the next I'm in this dungeon surrounded by guards, and this perverted old man!"

"Wait...You were BEHIND the school!?" Makoto gasped, "crap! Does that mean-!?"

"She must have been nearby when you activated the Meta-Nav!" Toko reached the same conclusion, "we must have dragged her to the Metaverse by accident!"

"The Metaverse!?" Komaru cried, "I don't know what you guys are talking about!"

"Do not worry, Ms Komaru Naegi!" Monomi declared, thrusting out her arm and grabbing her magic stick, "sit tight! We will save you from this predicament!"

"What the hell is THAT!?" she cried, her voice continuing to get higher pitched "some kind of demon rabbit!?"

"DEMON!?" Monomi squeaked, falling over and landing on her back.

"Ah...I get it now..." Haiji and the rest of his entourage stood up, "you're in cahoots with these scum, aren't you? You must have come here because you wanted answers, right?"

Komaru couldn't respond. Her attention was all over the place. On the beast, on her friends, and on the onlookers all at once.

"Monomi!" Makoto panicked, "get this cell open, NOW!"

"Alright, give me a second to find the door!" Monomi scuttled down the room quickly; Toko and Makoto in hot pursuit.

"What do you think, Mr Utsugi?" Towa turned to the cognitive version of Junya, who had the same shit-eating grin on his face the whole time, "think she deserves answers?"

"I don't see why not." Utsugi sneered, "you want to know what happened the night before my daughter tried to off herself, don't you?"

Komaru, upon hearing these words, immediately snapped back to attention. Her entire being was zeroed in on Utsugi, as he started to explain.

"Listen...whatever your name is..." he said, "I'm glad that you found my daughter...you managed to get me back a real good source of income, you know?"

"I-Income...!?" Komaru parroted.

"I have to give credit to my wife, you know? Her business strategies are genius," Utsugi continued, "see, my daughter is a pretty famous small-time child actor, and her appearances on TV have made her...quite desirable...to a lot of our business partners."

"Wh-What do you mean...!?" she started to feel sick, and this feeling got even worse as Utsugi began to elaborate.

"When she was about 10 years old, Kotoko's mother found a good way to get us income, and it's what we based the grounds of our financial rise to. To put things simply for your feeble mind, we prostituted Kotoko to her producers, and other people who wanted a piece of her, all for very good cash at that!"

"P...Prostituted...!?" Makoto froze in place as soon as these words reached his ears. The only one who didn't stop in fact, was Monomi, who had found the door to the cell, and was busy trying to force it open "you prostituted your 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER!?"

"Her cognitive version was being groped by a shadow in the cell downstairs!" Toko spat, "that must have been why! Towa must have had his way with her once or twice himself!"

"It wasn't just the girl. My wife prostituted herself alongside Kotoko as a "mother and daughter set"," Junya continued, "you know, it's in our daughter's best interests too! This will help her career, and she'll always have the spotlight, sparkling forever! It's a win for everyone!"

"YOU BASSTAAAAAAARRDD!" Komaru shrieked louder than she ever had before, so much so that she felt her throat go hoarse. She immediately recoiled as the beast snapped its beak at her again.

"Youth is a great, horrifying power! One that should be used to your advantage when you still have it!" Junya laughed, "I don't care if you, Kotoko, or society hates me! This is a legitimate business! Better than whatever YOU'RE doing with your measly life, you NOBODY!"

Utsugi raised his nose to the sky and sighed.

"Yes, my wife sure is something...It almost makes me feel bad for cheating on her..."

Komaru felt the feeling in her legs go...She collapsed, crushed by the Despair, knowing and remembering that she had done nothing to help Kotoko, despite trying. All she had done was send her straight back to this horrible whelp of a man...!

"Kotoko-chan...!" tears streamed down her face endlessly, "I'm so...sorry..."

"Don't apologize," Shingetsu suddenly intervened, "what could you have ever done? You're NOBODY! A talentless, regular high-school girl with no talents whatsoever!"

These words made Komaru raise her head. 

"Hmph...I have to agree," Kemuri sighed, "I don't have a great opinion of Junya's business either, but at least Kotoko-chan has the talent to make it work. Someone like you, on the other hand, is nothing but a waste of space. A regular, nothing girl who you pass by on the street and don't even take a second look, let alone a first one."

"I'll say," Shadow Towa added, "you're not even pretty enough to turn a dude's eye. And that's coming from a guy who LIKES younger chicks." 

Komaru let their words sink in, and she clenched her fists in pain. She could feel the sharp and painful sensation of her nails digging into her wrists. 

X

"Maybe you're right..." she sobbed, "what could I have done...even if I wanted to...?"

"Let's just get this over with!" Daimon snapped, "are we gonna rip her apart, or are you gonna wait until those assholes break in and save her first!?"

"Ah, of course, I'd delayed you enough..." Haiji pressed a button on a remote he held in his hand, which was then followed by a loud *KER-CHUNK!*

The green-haired beast became unshackled from its chains, and it roused itself as it realized this. It gave another roar of rage and hunger and prepared to charge at Komaru.

Helpless, and with heaviness in her heart and soul, Komaru stopped fighting back...

At least...until she heard the sound of her brother's voice echo throughout the chamber.

"You delirious bastards...!" he growled, "I've been sitting here listening to this bullcrap, and you really think I'm not gonna SAY anything about it!? HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO HER!"

Everyone in the room (except for Monomi who was determined to unlock the cage) including the beast somehow, stopped and turned toward him.

"Komaru Naegi is my sister! And she's more than that!" Makoto snapped, "NO ONE in this world is more important to me than she is! If I didn't have my little sister's support, I wouldn't be where I am today! So don't you DARE call her worthless trash right in front of me!"

"Makoto...!" the limited light in the room glistened off of Komaru's tears.

"She's nothing, huh!? She's worthless!? What, just because she doesn't have a talent or money, she means nothing to anybody!? GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR ASSES!" Makoto continued on his tirade of fury, "you high-and-mighty, judgmental pieces of HUMAN GARBAGE are BENEATH someone like her! AND YOU ALWAYS HAVE BEEN!"

Makoto had expended his emotions, and just glared at the cognitive entrepreneurs, breathing heavily. Though they didn't take him that seriously, it was still enough to get their attention...

"You...you're right...!" Komaru realized, clenching her fists again, but for a different reason, "even if I'm average...Even if I'm nowhere near the same level as an Ultimate...That's fine...!"

She snapped and glared up at the balcony towards Towa and his cognitive associates.

"IT'S TOTALLY FINE!" she shrieked, "because YOU'RE LOWER THAN THAT! ALL OF YOOOOUUU!"

Awakening - Persona 5

And as the people on the balcony stared down at Komaru with looks of disgust and nervousness...that's when it happened...!

Komaru felt the feeling in her legs go once again, but also, her head started to pound; like she was suffering from the worst migraine she ever experienced! She yanked hard on the chains that bound her to the post, and screamed into the sky! Meanwhile, a voice started to speak in her head...

"My, my, it's high time that ya turned ya thinkin' around," it said, "if you ain't gonna be the one to make these scumbags pay for their sins, then who will? Break outta those chains, both physical and mental, and let's show 'em what for!"

The cognitions on the balcony widened their eyes in terror, as Komaru forcefully ripped herself free of her chains and shackles, prying herself off the post and standing, crying in pain, as she squared down the ferocious beast in front of her!

"I am thou..."

"Thou art I..."

"We can finally form our pact, and take these distorted monsters down...!"

Komaru raised her head, as a black domino mask materialized on her face, and she stamped forward. The beast even seemed to cower backward as she approached!

"You're right...Parker...!" Komaru whispered under her breath, "screw everyone's expectations...! I will not be talked down to by SLIMEBALLS like THEM...!"

"That's more like it!" the voice cheered her on, "you can't get by with just grittin' ya teeth an' bearin' it! Now that you get it, I'll grant'cha my power!"

"Let's DOOO THIIIIIIISSS!" Komaru screamed, grabbing the mask and tearing it off her face! She shrieked as her skin peeled away, and the beast and the Shadows in the cell with her all staggered back as she exploded into a burning, azure flame!

"Yes! Yes Yes YES KOMARU, YES!" Makoto felt himself cry tears of joy at the spectacle!

"You're kidding me!" Toko's cried, holding up her arm to shield her eyes from the burning light in the darkness, "Omaru has a Persona too!?"

"She does now!" Monomi replied, "the cage is open! Let's get in there!"

After once again donning their masks, Monomi, Toko and Makoto burst into the cage, and as they did, the flames around Komaru dissipated, and as expected, her outfit had now dramatically changed.

Her cheerleader top had changed, so now instead of being bright colors and displaying her school's logo, it was now black, had slightly longer sleeves, and a large skull shape emblazoned on the front. In addition, she wore a pair of black and red shoulder pads, with a black bandana around her neck. Her cheerleading shorts had shifted into a pair of slender, skintight, black, zip-up pants, and she wore crimson red cowboy boots and gloves on her feet and hands respectively. Lastly, on top of her head was a black Stetson hat with a red belt. 

As the chains of rebellion and blue flames surrounded it, behind Komaru was a rusted, automaton-looking figure, with long curved hairstyle, that glowed a neon red. Its body was curvature in shape, but angular in proportions, and its hands and arms twisted as it complied with Komaru's movements...

The cowboy-clad girl and her Persona glared at the enemies in front of them...First the beast, then the Shadows, and then the cognitive bastards on the platform above them. Having had enough, Komaru posed and pointed her arm up at the balcony.

"Alright PARKER! Shoot them down!"

Fight for Your Life - Persona 6 Imagine

Komaru's Persona suddenly shifted, and it pointed its right arm robotically up towards the balcony! All of a sudden, it's arm transmuted into the barrel of a firearm, and out of nowhere, it launched a rocket up towards Towa and his guests!

"What the SHIT!?" Toko shrieked.

The rocket made direct contact with the platform, and it came loose from the wall, collapsing downwards! The cognitions screamed as all of them fell, the only one who didn't being Haiji Towa himself, who was able to grab onto the doorway before they dropped!

Utsugi, Kemuri, Shingetsu, and Daimon, however, all fell into the pit with Komaru and the beast. Panicked, Shingetsu and Daimon both scrambled to their feet and lunged at her!

"YOU LITTLE BITCH!" the latter screamed, "A NOBODY LIKE YOU ISN'T GONNA MAKE A FOOL OF ME!"

However, he was promptly shut up! Komaru, reached behind her and took out her cheerleader's megaphone. Spurred on by the voices, she pointed it straight at Daimon, and pulled the trigger...

And to everyone's surprise, a laser-like blast shot straight out of the megaphone, and hit Daimon straight in the head! He exploded into black ash as he went flying, and seeing this, Shingetsu collapsed.

"How's THIS for a NOBODY!?" Komaru pointed her megaphone at him next!

"NO! NONO! DOOON'T-!" he pleaded. His prayers, however, fell on deaf ears, as Komaru blasted him straight through the chest, letting him disintegrate into nothing too.

"Like I said..." she smirked violently, "you're all BENEATH me...!"

"HAIJI!" Kemuri screamed, clawing at the walls, "let us out! BRING US BACK UP!"

But before Haiji could do anything, Komaru launched a third blast straight into Kemuri's back, disintegrating her!

"How...HOW DARE YOU!" Haiji screamed down at her, "you good-for-nothing skank!"

"How dare me!? HOW DARE YOU!" Komaru snapped back, "you took the childhoods of those kids and toyed with them to your leisure! You pushed them into a corner where they felt their only option was to end it all! Let's see how YOU like it when I take everything from YOU!"

Komaru, her Persona by her side, pointed up at Towa. As she did, her brother, her best friend, and the weird demon rabbit thing all took her side, glaring him down with her.

However, despite their confidence, their attention was very quickly turned away, as the green-haired monster roared at them, having mustered up its strength and preparing to fight instead of flee!

"Careful guys!" Monomi declared, "this one's tougher than anything we've fought so far!"

"Plus, we've got all these guys to deal with!" Makoto looked around as all the Shadow guards in the cell burst free of their bodies and materialized into their demonic forms...

"I don't care...!" Komaru suddenly grabbed one of the chains that bound her off the floor and cracked it, "I'm not gonna hold back anymore!"

To everyone's surprise, as Komaru grabbed the chain and lashed out with it, it was enveloped by blue fire, which when dissipated, replaced the chain with a bona-fide whip! Or rather...a lasso!

The beast roared again and lunged towards the group, who kept their guard up, but Komaru cracked the lasso and fended it back! 

It retreated from the impact, but didn't stay back for long, as it returned for another round! The group narrowly moved out of the way, as the big beasty gnashed at them with it's jawed beak! 

"You want some more!? Fine then!" Komaru snarked, slinging back across the ground and summoning her Persona, "Take this! GARU!"

Komaru's Persona whipped its neon, laser-like hair back towards the beast as it soared towards her. As it did, what looked to be slashes of biting wind flew toward it and smashed into it, knocking it back! The beast slid across the ground until it smashed into the wall!

"That's what you get!" Komaru grinned, "next time, think about who you're messing with!"

"Yeesh!" Toko bit her lip, "and to think, a second ago you were cursing how useless you were, now you're acting like a dom?"

"Don't call me that!" Komaru blushed, "literally any other word would have worked better than "dom!""

"Playtime is over, dear students!" Monomi called out, "stay alert! We still have Shadows to deal with!"

Sure enough, the Shadows rushed forward, launching a variety of attacks at the party which they were just able to dodge.

Monomi leaped into the air and suddenly pulled a party popper out of her skirt. She pointed the end at an incoming barrage of flying fairies, and set it off, knocking all of them out of the sky and onto the floor. 

"Toko!" the rabbit cried, "take care of those steeds!"

"Got it!" Toko summoned her Persona "Barrow! ZIO!"

Toko's Persona shot a blast of lightning at the horned horse in front. She then lunged forward and intercepted the other two that accompanied it. She launched herself upwards and rushed down the first one, slicing it into pieces, then turning around and swiping her mask off her face again!

"Now! Giant....SLICE!" with her command, Barrow lunged forward and carved straight through the other horse, taking it down immediately! The steeds that didn't vanish into thin air collapsed on the ground!

Before Toko had a chance to celebrate, the team found themselves forcefully knocked out of the way as the beast pulled itself back up and jumped and crashed down on top of them! 

It suddenly heaved itself up onto its hind legs and started to flap its wings, causing a hurricane-level gale to blow toward them. Toko held up her arms and tried to retain her balance! Komaru fell to the ground and clutched at the floor to try and stop herself from blowing away! Monomi's little body flapped its wings to try and stop herself from being blown away!

This force was suddenly interrupted as the beast looked up in surprise, seeing Makoto soar down towards him. He had avoided the attack in advance and had clambered up the side of the cage, getting himself into an advantageous position and striking from above!

"MICKEY!" he cried as he summoned his Persona, and it grabbed it's gun and immediately landed a shot on the beast's wing! The wing was knocked down and the beast fell on its legs again! Toko, Komaru, and Monomi recovered, and wasting no time, Komaru lunged forward, swiping off her mask and summoning her power!

"Time to finish this! GARU!" she cried! Her Persona used the same attack from earlier but with more gusto and power! The beast flew backward, and crashed once again into the wall, also knocking down any other Shadows that it collided with!

"This is it!" Makoto called to his allies, "let's wipe them out in style!"

"All-Out Attack!?" Toko asked.

"All-Out ATTACK!" Monomi clarified, jumping back! Moving along with the rest of the group, Komaru lurched back and joined them, as they rushed down the enemies, and attacked them at rapid speed! The team landed and pulled their own poses, and this time, it was Komaru's turn to say the cool line.

"And don't come back!" she declared.

X

The masked group watched as all the Shadows disappeared into nothingness. Komaru turned her attention back to the platform, or at least what remained of it, seeing Shadow Towa's horrified face looking down at her.

"Oh shit...!" he spat, before turning tail and making a run for it out of sight.

"HEY!" Komaru cried, "get back here so I can kick your ass!"

"Calm down," Monomi told her, "you wouldn't have the energy to fight him even if you did catch him."

"I...I guess you're right...Ah!" Komaru became acutely aware of how weak her body felt after the battle, but then she gasped as the ugly beast stood up and leaned forward at her.

Its eyes pierced her body, just as it had done before, but for some reason, it now didn't roar. The team remained on guard, but also watched carefully, as it poked the nose of its beak towards Komaru.

Cautiously, she reached out and touched the creature's beak with her arm, and as she stroked it, the beast made a noise like a purring cat.

"Huh?" she suddenly looked at her hand, "why am I wearing gloves? Wait, why am I wearing ALL THIS!? When did my clothes change!?"

Still petting the monster, she quickly looked at her strange outfit, including fiddling with the brim of her hat. 

"It's better than that weird skimpy outfit you were wearing before, but...that can wait. What's up with this thing?" Toko frowned, "so it's just...fine now?"

"I guess it was just stressed out from having been locked up for so long. Looks like a good thrashing calmed it down," Makoto observed, "I don't get it though. How come the beast didn't disappear like the other Shadows?"

"Because it isn't a Shadow," Monomi told him, "this monster is another one of Haiji's cognitions."

"It's a cognition!?" Makoto exclaimed, "of what exactly?"

"I don't know..." Monomi replied honestly "but speaking of hideous cognitions..."

The group suddenly turned after hearing coughing and spluttering, seeing a figure crawl on the ground towards them.

Cognitive Junya Utsugi, his clean face, and clothes now covered in mud, glared at Komaru with a face full of complete and utter malice.

"You...! How...could you do this...!?" he snarled, like an animal on its last legs, "you're nothing but an incompetent, talentless, loser! You're supposed to be as weak, confused, and useless as every other person! So HOW!? How could you have tamed the monster that even the TOWA'S were afraid of!"

"Wait...You mean Towa was afraid of this thing?" Makoto gestured towards the beast.

"I'll tell you why," Toko stared down at the pathetic display of a man in front of him, "it's because Komaru Naegi is NONE of those things. She never has been! That's why even someone like me can recognize her as a friend!"

"Toko-chan...!" Komaru's eyes blissfully looked toward her.

"Hey, don't get all soppy," Toko turned her head to hide her blush, "it's not a compliment...It's just a fact..."

"We're going to rob Haiji Towa of every last one of his distorted desires..." Makoto spat, "and you? You can stay in the mud and rot...!"

Utsugi grit his teeth hard, and with a violent look in his eyes, he lunged toward Makoto! Makoto held up his arms defensively, but didn't need to, as the beast suddenly reached out with its bear-like paws and grabbed the disgraceful man!

"NO! NONO! NOOOOOOOOO!" Utsugi screamed in horror, as the beast lifted him up into the air and dropped him in its mouth! Makoto, Komaru, Toko, and Monomi all watched in horror, as Utsugi was gnashed and ripped to pieces by the monster!

"Oh my god...!" Komaru trembled, "did...Did I just kill a bunch of people...!? Wh-What have I done!?"

"Komaru, calm down! You haven't killed anyone! None of this stuff is real," Makoto looked disturbingly at the beast, which licked its "lips" with a long black tongue, "no matter how much it looks like it..."

"Wait so...this is a dream then?" Komaru asked. Makoto shrugged.

"No, not a dream...That's not exactly what I meant..." 

Before he could continue, however, the beast suddenly finished its meal and looked up towards the ceiling. It stared upwards with a feeling of longing, before looking back down expectantly at Komaru and her friends.

"You wanna go home, don't you?" she asked, "well, we're not gonna stop you!"

Komaru cringed as the beast leaned downwards and licked her with it's long black tongue affectionately. She, Makoto, Toko and Monomi then braced for impact as the beast turned it's head back towards the sky, and flew straight upwards, crashing through the roof into the dark sky above! Komaru hurried forward and waved, trying not to be hit by the debris.

"GOODBYE!" she cried "HAVE A NICE LIFE, WHEREVER YOU GO!"

"We should hurry and get out of here," Monomi piped up, "Towa got away, which means reinforcements will be on us in but a few moments!"

"Komaru, can you walk alright?" Toko asked, "if not, you can use my shoulder."

"Mine too." Makoto nodded. Komaru nodded back.

"Thanks...both of you..." she breathed.

This Is The Path We Follow - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"So...you were going to cheerleader tryouts, and that's when you saw Kotoko-chan on the news?" Makoto clarified. Komaru nodded.

The team had now returned to reality. Komaru had exhausted herself following her awakening, and now she and Makoto sat on a park bench. Monomi snuggled herself inside Makoto's school bag, and Toko came back a few minutes later after buying drinks from a vending machine.

"Here...take this," she handed Komaru a cup, "it'll p-perk you up a bit..."

Komaru took the cup and sipped the drink. She immediately proceeded to spit it out again.

"BLEARGH!" she exclaimed, "black coffee!? What's wrong with you!?"

"What are you, 6 years old!?" Toko snapped back, "I know you're juvenile, but I didn't think your tastebuds had stayed the same since you were a kid!"

"Give me a break!" Komaru scowled, "I don't do bitter stuff!"

"If you would like, Ms Komaru Naegi, I will gladly drink it!" Monomi poked her head out of the bag, "I quite like the taste of coffee!"

"Isn't it a bit weird that a rabbit drinks coffee? I feel like it'd be bad for you," Komaru remarked, "then again, I guess a rabbit that speaks human language is weirder...I'm surprised you're not turning many heads..."

"Actually, I think we're the only ones who can understand what she's saying," Makoto theorized, "she spoke earlier in front of Enoshima-kun and Ikusaba-san, but they only heard squeaking."

"Seems that people can only understand her in the real world if they've been inside a Palace like us," Toko chimed in, "speaking of which, h-how are you feeling Omaru?"

"I still haven't taken it all in. The fact that a world like that exists is shocking enough on it's own." she replied, shaking her head.

"Let me guess," Toko smirked, "you didn't understand anything we told you about how the Palace works, did you?"

"Not a damn thing!" Komaru bluntly replied, "but the one thing I DID understand is that if we steal this "treasure" of his, it'll get Towa to confess his crimes, and the crimes of his associates. So I say we go for it!"

""We?" You mean you want in?" Toko's eyes widened.

"Don't say that like I'm gonna hold you guys back!" Komaru snapped, "I have just as much reason to want to take Utsugi and Towa down as you guys, maybe even MORE of a reason! Plus, I have a Persona now too!"

"Well, it's true that a little more manpower wouldn't hurt, but that's not what I meant," Toko reminded her, "if we screw this up-"

"Towa will die, I know..." Komaru interjected, "but I know we can do this. I have faith in us, and I will not let that scumbag die before he tells the world the truth!"

She handed her coffee cup to Monomi, who delightfully sipped it, then she stared down at her hands.

"It's the only thing I can do for Kotoko-chan now..." she added, "if there's even a chance that Towa's confession will put her parents behind bars, I am gonna do whatever it takes..."

"I agree as well," Makoto chimed in, "with Komaru by our side, I think we're more than capable of taking any challenge that place throws at us."

"We certainly have a good strong class here!" Monomi exclaimed chipperly, as she sipped the coffee, "I have full confidence things will work out!"

"You guys and your stupid Hope and intuition," Toko giggled, "f-fine...I-If you're all g-gonna twist my arm about it, I guess we can. It's not like I expect Omaru to take no for an answer anyway."

"Hey, don't mess with me!" Komaru whined, "I'm being serious about this!"

"Alright!" Makoto beamed, "in that case, from this point on, we're comrades fighting for a common cause. And we're GONNA win!"

He reached out an arm and placed it in the middle of all of them.

"Seriously?" Komaru frowned, "isn't that kind of embarrassing?"

"Oh, grow up!" Makoto rolled his eyes and smirked, "what better way to officiate our mission and crown ourselves as teammates?"

"F-Fine, but only once...!" Toko grimaced, reaching cautiously out with a shaking hand and placing it on top of his.

"Alright, fine," Komaru sighed, "thanks for this, Makoto. You're the best!"

"Yes!" Monomi hopped up onto everyone's joined hands, wanting to participate herself, "we are now a true team of Phantom Thieves! Hip hip hooray!"

"Phantom Thieves?" Komaru parroted, "huh...I like the sound of that..."

"But then here comes the real question..." Makoto asked, "let's say that we end up getting to the treasure in the prison. What happens then?"

Monomi's nose twitched excitedly.

"Oh, I'm so glad you asked, dear boy," she beamed, "and the answer is simple. When stealing a treasure, what WOULD a Phantom Thief do next?"

X

Two days passed, and everything remained buzzing at Hope's Peak Academy. After the conversation with Towa, Junko Enoshima had spent the last two days with a bad taste in her mouth.

"Junko..." Mukuro Ikusaba, who walked down the hallway with her, "you know that you can't keep those children from their parents. Even if Naegi's abuse allegations are real, you can't just take matters into your own hands."

"I know...But I need to find some way to protect them..." she said, "but honestly...it feels like I'm waiting on a miracle..."

The two girls turned the corner, still deep in thought, but Junko raised her head as she suddenly saw a large crowd gathered in the middle of the hallway. She approached with a furrowed brow and tried to see what was causing all the commotion. Mukuro followed.

When they approached, Junko followed everyone's line of sight and suddenly noticed that a strange card had been stuck to the bulletin board. Not only that but copies of it appeared to be littered about it. It was green in hue with some writing and a strange symbol on the top.

"Wh-What is that?" Junko asked. Mukuro leaned forward and responded...

"It looks like..." she said quietly, "...a Calling Card...?"

Chapter Text

Interrogation Room - Persona 5

There were many murmurs in the hallway crowd, and several students were in the way, so it was a struggle for Junko and Mukuro to shuffle their way past them to get a closer look at the noticeboard.

Once she was close enough, Junko read the note aloud.

A message for Haiji Towa, a man enveloped in Lust.

We know the truth. Your dark intentions with the funding and construction of the Hope's Peak Elementary School are clear as day to us, though you try to hide them from those who you wish not to see it.

You wear the skin of a respectable businessman and force your distorted desires onto young children who cannot fight back. 

As such, we have decided to steal away that which distorts you and make you confess all of your sins. Watch out, because we are coming for you.

From

The Hope's Peak Phantom Thieves~

"Woah...!" Junko whistled as she finished reading. She shot Mukuro a look of astonishment, who shot her one right back...at least...as astonished as Mukuro Ikusaba could manage.

Other Ultimate Students from other classes, both the year above and below the 78th Class, started to gather around the noticeboard. Junko listened out as she heard their comments.

"D-Does th-this mean the rumors w-were true?" Mikan Tsumiki of Class 77 asked.

"Did Mr Towa do something wrong?" Mahiru Koizumi, from the same class, added, "could this be talking about what happened yesterday with the Elementary kids?"

"Wait a second!" Kaito Momota of Class 79 exclaimed, "does this mean someone's gonna take something from Mr Towa?"

"I wonder who drew this logo?" Kaede Akamatsu, the first-year that Makoto had met on the first day, picked up one of the cards and examined it.

"And who are these "Hope's Peak Phantom Thieves?"" Chihiro Fujisaki pondered.

The hustle and bustle continued, until all of a sudden, three figures approached from down the hallway. Everyone backed up as Kiyotaka Ishimaru walked through, with Headmaster Jin Kirigiri and Mr Haiji Towa himself, following behind him. All three of them looking very concerned.

"H-Here it is sir, just as I reported," Taka indicated to the board, "I have no idea who could be responsible for this."

"Wh-What the...!?" Towa broke out into a cold sweat, reading the words on the cards, and feeling his skin crawl, "who...Who did this!?"

He looked around at all the terrified students. He suddenly grabbed Kaito Momota by the scruff of his neck!

"Was it you!? HUH!?" he snapped, looking around like a deranged lunatic, "or was it YOU!?"

"Hey! Lemme go bro!" Kaito snapped, prying himself away!

"Mr Towa, calm down!" Jin exclaimed, "we will get to the bottom of this, just do not attack the students!"

Haiji suddenly spotted Junko and Mukuro. He tried to advance toward the former, but the Ultimate Soldier gave him an ice-cold glare and stood in his way. Haiji glared at the Fashionista.

"Was it you then?" he spat.

"Nope..." Junko shrugged, "this is news to me too. But what would you do if it was?"

Haiji forced himself to relax, and instead just scoffed.

"Hmph...Guess it doesn't matter anyway," he said, "you'll be out of my hair soon enough."

"Everyone! Return to your classes for the day!" Jin commanded, "Ishimaru, go and grab Sakakura-san and Munakata-san."

"Yes sir!" Taka took off down the hallway, fast-walking so he didn't run in the halls. He didn't pay much attention to Makoto and Toko, who were hiding around the corner watching the spectacle.

"Hehehe! I knew it was a good idea to get you to write the calling card, Fukawa-san"  Makoto giggled to himself, "and putting it up on the bulletin board was a genius idea!"

"Let me say that from personal experience, pinning someone's embarrassing and shameful secrets to a bulletin board is guaranteed trauma." she cackled, not giving Makoto a chance to ask for more details.

"Your sister's artwork is impressive in its own right. She's the one who designed the logo, yes?" Monomi poked her bunny-rabbit head out as she hid in Makoto's school bag, "does she study art?"

"No, just a hobby that she does in her free time," Makoto explained, "I'd say ask her yourself, but I doubt she would tell you."

"S-So..." Toko stammered, "did you get all the stuff we needed?"

"I have it all hidden away in my room," Makoto assured her, "I need to make a few last-minute preparations, but we're meeting Komaru tonight out back. Make sure you're ready."

"Trust me," Toko smirked, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

They quieted down, and Monomi poked her head back into the bag, as Mr Kirigiri and Towa both trudged past them, the latter looking distraught. He caught the two of them out of the corner of his eye, and scowled at them, recognizing them from the other day.

"I know you're behind this...!" he spat, "and I will personally thrust the both of you to hell for this...!"

Staring at his furious expression, Toko and Makoto's eyes widened, as for a second, they could see Towa's Shadow self staring at them, a smirk on his face.

"You think you can steal it?" he scowled, "try it...I dare you...!"

Welcome to TOWA Tower - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

[ONE DAY EARLIER]

"WOOOOOAAAAAAHOHOHOAAAAAAAHH!"

Returning to the Metaverse a day following Komaru's Persona awakening, the newfound team of Phantom Thieves once again stormed Towa's Prison, navigating the same hallways they had done yesterday, and continuing on from the Safe Room they had stopped at.

Following Monomi's map towards the tallest tower in the penitentiary, Monomi had come up with a (in her own words) "genius plan" to climb the tower without getting detected.

This "plan" in particular, involved something Monomi bestowed upon Makoto, that being a grappling hook. Using it, Makoto was able to swing himself around the tower, and through a window, avoiding being stopped by any guards that stood in front of the doors.

The PROBLEM with this strategy is that Monomi only had one grappling hook. In order to get the whole team inside, she, Komaru and Toko had to hold tightly onto Makoto as he grappled up the tower. Toko held onto his free arm and shoulder, Komaru grabbed tightly around his waist, and Monomi grappled his leg.

It was honestly a stroke of luck that the guards didn't hear them, as none of them could stop themselves from screaming as Makoto carried them round. Fortunately, they burst through the barred window into an empty, open cell, and all collapsed on the ground.

"Alright!" Toko snapped, "that is NOT gonna fly!"

"Yeah, I don't think I'm crazy about being the grappling hook guy," Makoto admitted, "I was honestly nervous that Fukawa-san's mask was gonna poke me in the eye!"

"I thought that my hat was gonna fly off!" Komaru exhaled, "or worse, I thought we were gonna die!"

"Priorities Omaru!" Toko scowled. Monomi shook her head and cried.

"I'm sorry...but it turned out ok, didn't it? We just need to go a little further and we're there!"

"Fine...Let's just get this over with..." Makoto sighed, readjusting his mask and collar, "looks like we'll need to cross that bridge to get to the treasure room."

"Don't look down..." Komaru remarked as they began to cross.

Suspicion - Persona 5

"Psh...It's as tacky as I thought it would be..." Toko remarked as the group came into a very neat and tidy room, with glistening trophies, treasures, gems and other such precious items lining the shelves around the room.

"This is definitely the treasure room..." Komaru looked like she was resisting the urge to swipe it all, "so...which one of these is the thing we're looking for?"

"It'll be that one, right up there!" Monomi pointed upwards. Everyone followed her paw, and looked up to see something very strange. A formless cloud of rainbow energy appeared above them, hovering quietly and calmly in midair.

"Wait...that's it!?" Toko guffawed, "THAT'S Towa's treasure!? That cloud!?"

"Can we even take that?" Makoto asked, "I feel like it'd slip through our hands if we tried to grab it?"

"So what, we just came here for nothing!?" Komaru groaned, "Ugh! We might as well just grab all this junk and leave...Hey, actually, how expensive do you think it is? Can we make real money off it?"

"Oh no no no dear boys and girls," Monomi procured a ladder from the side of the tall treasure room and used it to give herself more height, so she could speak with her teammates more easily, "our goal today was only to secure a route of infiltration to the treasure. We won't be able to steal it until we make it materialize."

"I get it. This was only phase 1 of the plan...We know how to get to the treasure now, so when we make it appear, we can just rush in and take it," Toko considered, "how do we make it appear then?"

"You're learning Toko! Well done!" Monomi beamed, "I eluded to it yesterday; but to put it simply, we need to make the Palace ruler aware that their treasure is in danger of being stolen by us. To do that, we need to go back to reality and warn the real Towa that he's being targeted."

"Oh! Oh!" Komaru's eyes sparkled excitedly, "so...we're gonna send him like...a calling card or something!? That's so badass! Real Phantom Thief like!"

"Well, SOMEONE'S pumped..." Toko smirked, Komaru's excitement being infectious, "are there any catches to this?"

"Well, let's just say there are a few things to keep in mind. The first one I'm sure is obvious," Monomi admitted, "if Haiji in reality becomes aware of his desires being taken, the security of the prison will go through the roof. We'll have to deal with a lot more traps and a lot more enemies, so we'll need to be careful."

"Which I guess means we need to prepare in advance before we come back," Makoto chimed in, "there's little we can do using just our Persona's and what weapons we have on hand."

"We'll also need medicine and healthcare of some kind, we can't just rely on me to patch you up for this. I'm almost completely spent as it is from the few enemies we took care of," the bunny added, "there's also another thing I'd like you all to keep in mind. The Calling Card will almost guarantee the treasure's materialization, but the effect it has on the palace and treasure won't last forever."

"Wait, there's a time limit!?" Komaru exclaimed. Monomi nodded.

"Which is why we need to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL when we choose to send the card. If we wish to stop Towa, we will need to send it before the opening ceremony of the Elementary School, but when we do, the treasure will stay materialized for a day at most."

"So once we send the card, we'll have until the next morning to nab the treasure and change Towa's heart." Makoto affirmed.

"Alright then..." Toko nodded, "what's the plan?"

"Here's what we'll do," Makoto took charge, "Fukawa-san will be the one who writes the Calling Card. She can do that tonight, if she's up for it."

"H-Huh!?" Toko gasped, "why me!?"

"You're the Ultimate Writing Prodigy!" Komaru exclaimed, "why WOULDN'T it be you!?"

"I gah I uh...ngh...alright, fair point..." Toko glowered, "fine, I'll think of something...But know my talent is in words, not the style of them. I don't think it'll be impactful if I just get a piece of card, write something on it and make copies..."

"Oh! In that case, let me design it! It's one of my passions after all!" Komaru beamed, "why don't you come stay at our place tonight and we can work on it together!?"

"Y-You want...m-me to stay...!?" Toko stammered. 

"That might be good!" Makoto added, "it'd make it easier for us all to meet up if you stayed at our house tonight. No one would think it's weird either."

"Well...I guess I don't have a choice when you p-put it like that..." she blushed and twiddled her thumbs

"Haha. Toko-chan's the same, even in the Metaverse!" Komaru giggled, "anyway, what about you Makoto?" 

"I guess if I'm leaving it up to you two, Monomi and I can be on gear duty," Makoto told them, "we'll grab some weapons and some supplies, then prepare them for when we send the Calling Card."

"Alright, if you're sure," Komaru acknowledged, "but...where are you even gonna get supplies like that?"

"I might know a few connections," Makoto said, "Hope's Peak is full of people, and fortunately, I have some in mind. Whether or not it will go well is really up to luck though..."

"Then I guess it's best we leave it to you after all," Toko contemplated, "is that all then?"

"There is just one more thing I would like to talk to you about," Monomi piped up, "from this point forward, I believe it would be in our best interest to assign each person here a code name for when we're exploring this place."

"Code names?" Makoto parroted.

"We've managed to avoid it so far, but there's no telling what kind of effect yelling your real names in the Palace would have in the real world," Monomi explained," for safety purposes, we should address each other with custom code names." 

"Right on! That sounds badass too!" Komaru squealed with delight.

"But what to call ourselves?" Makoto wondered, "this isn't as easy as you make it sound..."

"Why don't we just call each other by our colors?" Komaru asked, "I'll Ms Black, Makoto will be Mr Green, Toko will be Ms Purple, and Monomi will be Ms Neopolitan Ice Cream!"

"Neopolitan Ice Cream isn't a color!" Makoto snapped, "can we just conclusively agree that Komaru ISN'T the one who comes up with the names?"

"Ordinarily, I would vouch for better participation," Monomi frowned, "but in this case, I agree."

"Oh come on!" Komaru whined, "I think it was a good idea!"

"Well, congratulations, nobody else does..." Toko remarked. Komaru scowled.

"Alright then, fine!" she snapped, "YOU do it Toko-chan! We'll make the most of your talents!"

"So I'm the Calling Card Writer AND the Code Name Maker?" Toko groaned, "fine, I guess...But give me some time to think about it."

"You can start with yourself if that makes it easier?" Makoto suggested. There was a pause, as Toko examined her outfit, including removing and checking her mask. She placed it back on her face and raised her voice.

"Well, for me, I guess "Genocider" or "Slasher" works, but they seem a little too obvious and too lame..." she led on, "in which case...Given the shape of my mask and the sharpness of my outfit...How about you call me..."Razor?""

"Oh, that's cool!" Komaru pounded her fists together excitedly, "Toko-chan will be the Phantom Thief, Razor!"

"Yeah, I like it too!" Makoto chimed in, "this might be a good idea."

"I'll do Monomi next, since she might be a bit trickier," Toko, or rather Razor, looked down at their rabbit companion, "as for you...how about Usami?"

"Usami?" Monomi tilted her head. Toko nodded.

"Usamimi is Japanese for Rabbit Ear," Razor explained, "aside from the obvious fact that you look like a rabbit, rabbit ears are considered lucky, and we're pretty lucky to have you on hand to explain all this stuff. Plus, it doesn't sound too dissimilar to Monomi, right?"

"I like it," Makoto smiled, "it's cute!"

"If you like it so much, I'll take it!" Monomi grinned, "I will be Magical Miracle Girl Usami! Luv Luv~"

"What about me!? Do me next!" Komaru began to get more and more excited the more names Toko dropped, "should I be...Cowgirl or something?"

"Not bad, but Cowboys and Cowgirls aren't really thief related, so I think I can do you one better," Razor, for her part, also seemed to be enjoying herself, "for you Komaru, let's go with Highwayman!"

"Huh? Highwayman?" Komaru repeated.

"Oh? Like the poem we learned in class?" Makoto asked, "the one by what's his name...Alfred Noyes?"

"Well, yeah, there's some poeticness to it, which is more than this moron deserves," Razor snarked, "but a highwayman is a robber who steals from travelers, and since Komaru's outfit looks like an old western robber, it's what I went for."

"Not gonna say I'm against it, but isn't it a bit of a mouthful?" Komaru herself asked, "besides, I'm not a man..."

"Would you prefer Highwaywoman or Highwaygirl then?" Toko asked.

"N-No..." Komaru sighed, "I guess I can always change it if it doesn't stick. I'll go with it for now."

"Well, I'm up last," Makoto smiled, "how about me?"

"Uh...Actually, I did think of one for you, Naegi..." Toko bit her thumb, "and I think it works! But...I don't know if I should say it."

"What? Wh-Why not?" Makoto asked.

"Because if I do, I think you'll be angry at me..." she said.

"Now now Razor," Usami assured her, "honesty is the best policy! I think you should tell your friend your thoughts and feelings, and see what he thinks. There's no harm in at least asking him." 

"Usami's right," Makoto told her, "I promise that I won't be angry...U-Unless it's something stupid or inappropriate, like a slur or something..."

"That's not it...Just...let me explain before you start lashing at me..." Razor spoke slowly. After a short pause, she unveiled her idea...

"...Leprechaun..."

"Lepre-WHAT!?" Makoto cried.

"BAHAHAHAHA!" Highwayman burst into laughter, rearing her head back, "LEPRECHAHAHAHA! That's so funny!"

"It's not funny!" Makoto blushed, "why would you-!? No...No! No...I promised I wouldn't get upset. But why Leprechaun of all things?"

"Is it because he's green?" Usami inquired.

"Is it...snrk...because he's short...!? AHAHAHA!" Komaru cackled.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Makoto snapped.

"No! Not either of those things!" Razor exclaimed, "o-ok, actually, maybe that's a little right..."

"Hey! I heard that!" Makoto whined. Toko shook her head and faced him.

"I promise, for once, I don't mean it as an insult. If anything, the opposite. And I have several reasons for it," she assured him, "my first reason is because it relates to your Ultimate Talent. Leprechauns are mythical creatures from Ireland, which is known for, supposedly, being very lucky."

"Oh...I see...and since I'm the Ultimate Lucky Student, you want to take that into account?" Makoto clarified.

"It works with your outfit too, like Monomi-uh...Usami said," Razor continued, "and in addition, your Persona, Mickey. I think it may base itself off of Mickey Spillane, the Irish-American mobster."

"Right, I get it now," Makoto contemplated, "any other reason."

"Yes. In their folklore, Leprechauns are known to partake in acts of mischief, and to be unpredictable," she elaborated, "and you Naegi, have managed to catch me by surprise every time. You're easily the most unpredictable member of the team, and that makes you a trump card. So the Code Name Leprechaun represents that as well."

"Ah! A-Alright!" Highwayman tried to catch her breath, "that makes a lot more sense now that I think about it."

"You make some good points. I guess you didn't mean it as an insult after all..." Makoto raised his head and smiled, "alright. It's embarrassing, but I approve. I'll go by Leprechaun from now on."

He shot his sister a glare.

"And don't you dare laugh about it again. You'll give away our position when we're sneaking around!"

"Alright, alright, I promise!" Highwayman lifted her mask, took off her hat, and wiped her eyes, "I'm over it, I swear!"

"Alright then!" Usami smiled and clapped her paws, "from this point on, we're Leprechaun, Highwayman, Razor and Usami! Now all that's left to do is escape this Palace and prepare to send the Calling Card."

"Watch out Towa," Highwayman placed her hat back on her head and instinctively posed, "we're coming for you...!"

DSO_Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"So while Toko and Komaru are taking care of the Calling Card, it's up to us to get weapons and medical supplies for our infiltration," Monomi spoke to Makoto, poking her head out of his bag, "we'll also need to get supplies to make things like lockpicks in case we come across any chests or doors."

The Phantom Thieves returned to the real world, and as soon as they did, they went their separate ways. While Makoto went off to grab supplies for the mission, Toko went back to the Naegi household with Komaru.

Komaru was going to let their parents know that Toko was staying the night, as well as the fact that Makoto would be coming home for the evening.

"By the way, I nearly forgot to ask," Makoto looked down at her, "why did Komaru's megaphone shoot lasers when we were in the Metaverse? I can't believe that nearly slipped my mind."

"Simple, dear boy! I will explain while we walk," she replied, "It's because Komaru's Megaphone LOOKS like a gun. The Metaverse is a world of cognition, so if Towa perceives it as a weapon, it will become one."

"Wow...impressive..." Makoto whistled, "so...it stands to reason that the more realistic the weapon, the more powerful it is?"

"Yes. And it's safer too. After all, it wouldn't be ideal to be seen carrying a gun wherever you go, so we'll need to find a way to get our hands on the most realistic fakes we can find," Monomi added, "speaking of which, where did you have in mind."

"I'm going to talk to one of my third-year senpai," Makoto said, "hopefully, he'll hit us up...Hopefully..."

"You don't sound so sure..." Monomi trembled.

"Well, he's not a bad guy...but he's been known to have a bad attitude and tries to keep people out of his personal life..." Makoto elaborated, "I just hope this goes well..."

"Oh...Hello Makoto-kun," as Makoto approached Class 77A's classroom, a person came out and greeted him, "what brings you here?"

This person was Chiaki Nanami, Class 77's Class Representative, much like how Taka was for theirs. She was the Ultimate Gamer and was well respected by not only her own class but basically every other class in the school.

"Hello Nanami-senpai," Makoto greeted her back, "sorry to drop in so casually...I was wondering...Is Kuzuryu-senpai around?"

"Fuyuhiko?" Chiaki asked, "yeah, he's inside. What do you need him for?"

"Sorry, but it's kind of personal," Makoto told her, "I need to speak to him privately. I hope you don't mind."

"Hmm...You want to speak with the Ultimate Yakuza privately?" she asked, "what kind of trouble could you have landed yourself in for something like that?"

"I-It's not like that!" Makoto assured her, "I just had a question I needed to ask him. A-Assuming he's willing to hear me out."

"Alright, stay here." Chiaki smiled, "I'll grab him for you."

As Chiaki went back into the classroom, Monomi poked her head out of the bag.

"She seems like a sweet girl!" she commented, "like she'd be the perfect student."

"You're telling me," Makoto smiled back, "Nanami-senpai's quiet, and she's not especially outgoing or social, but believe it or not, she's the most popular girl in the school. And I MEAN popular. Even the teachers love her."

"With a smile like that, who couldn't?" Monomi said, quickly hiding back in the bag as Chiaki came out of the classroom again with the man he was looking for.

"Here he is," Chiaki stated the obvious, "he complied a lot easier than I thought he would."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?" said the other person, "it's not like I had a lot better to do..."

This guy was the Ultimate Yakuza, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu. And yes, that title meant exactly what it was. Fuyuhiko was born as the heir of the Kuzuryu Clan, one of the most powerful organized crime families in the world, and was scouted by Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Yakuza.

"Yakuza...!" Monomi squeaked from within the bag, "you want to get weapons from an actual legitimate Yakuza group!?"

"Calm down," Makoto whispered, "he's not a bad guy. A little grumpy maybe, but he'll hear me out, I'm sure."

"Huh?" Fuyuhiko glowered, "what was that?"

"Nothing, don't worry, just talking to myself," he said, "thank you Nanami-senpai."

"I'll leave you two to it..." Chiaki waved haphazardly, returning to the classroom. This left Fuyuhiko and Makoto in the hallway by themselves.

The pressure was on!

"Aight, follow me for a sec," he looked back towards his classroom, "we should go somewhere private."

"O-Ok..." Makoto sheepishly nodded.

Ikoroshia - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

"'Kay..." once Fuyuhiko and Makoto had retreated into a more private corner of the hallway, the pint-sized crime boss crossed his arms and rested against the wall behind him, "what do you want? It's weird that you'd come to me for help."

"W-Well," Makoto began, "sorry, but the question is a little awkward."

"We've rarely talked before now," Fuyuhiko observed, "so I can't imagine you'd be approaching me for any reason other than...wanting to make use of my family's resources?"

"Um...well..." Makoto stammered.

"Don't get all nervous on me, I'm not angry," he assured him, though his frowning face said otherwise, "just know that asking the Yakuza for favors is a risky idea Naegi. Especially for someone who lives a quiet life like you."

"Yes, I know...But I promise you, I don't intend to take advantage of you or your family in any major way," he said, "I just have a question about the clan that I hoped you could answer."

"Oh yeah?" Fuyuhiko grunted, "and what's that?"

"Alright, I guess I'll get to the point then," Makoto decided to just come out and say it, "what kinds of things to the Kuzuryu Clan dabble in when it comes to the firearms and weaponry industry?"

Fuyuhiko clearly wasn't expecting this of all things to come out of Makoto's mouth. As soon as he did, he stopped leaning against the wall and stood up straight. Makoto could feel the sweat on his face, but he swallowed his nerves and kept looking him in the eye.

"Why do you ask?" the Yakuza inquired, "you know, that's not something I can really go blabbing about openly, right?"

"Well, to put simply, I'm in the mood to explore the market," Makoto told him, "so I was wondering if either you could sell me some weaponry, or point me in the direction of a good supplier?"

"Ok, so...let me get this straight..." Fuyuhiko tried to grasp the situation, "you approached me about my family because you want to buy a GUN!? The hell's wrong with you!?"

"Oh, no, that's not it!" Makoto realized that he'd missed a pretty crucial part due to his nerves, "there's a misunderstanding here!"

"Oh IS there!?" Fuyuhiko glowered, "I think you made your intentions pretty clear. Yeah, the clan makes good money from the weapons trade, but we can't just sell them to the GP! Even if you are my underclassman and an Ultimate Student, Japan's gun laws are oppressive as hell, and if you get caught owning a firearm or anything like that, the cops'll be on both of us in seconds flat!"

"Seriously, that's not what I mean!" Makoto panicked, "I'm not looking for a real one!"

"Huh? You're not looking...for a real one?" Fuyuhiko parroted. Makoto frantically nodded.

"This has been a big misunderstanding; I'm so sorry," Makoto clarified, "but I'm not looking to purchase actual firearms and weaponry. I'm just looking for the most true-to-life copies I can!"

"Huh...is that right?" Fuyuhiko frowned, "what exactly do you need it for?"

"Um...Well, that's kind of personal...But I guess I can tell you," he said "me and a...few friends...are looking to create cosplays for an upcoming convention. We're cosplaying as Phantom Thieves and we'd like to get weapon props to finish them off."

"Oh?" Fuyuhiko's eyes widened, "I didn't know you were into cosplay?"

"Oh yeah, m-much more in recent times! My sister's crazy into nerd stuff, so I've been going to cons with her," Makoto felt bad about lying so much, but he didn't have much of a choice, "so...she asked me if any of my classmates might be able to provide us with true-to-life model guns and I said, "yeah, I have an upperclassman who I can ask about it!""

"That being me?" Fuyuhiko asked. Makoto gave him a thumbs up in response.

Fuyuhiko dwelled on it for a moment, then turned to Makoto.

"Then you might be in luck," he smirked, "classes are over for today, so...you got time right now?"

"Yeah!" Makoto smiled, glad things seemed to be going well, "wh-what do you need?"

"Just come with me," Fuyuhiko smiled, "if it's models you want, I know a place."

Layer Cake - Persona 5

"Woah...So this is the place you mentioned?"

Fuyuhiko led Makoto off the school grounds after grabbing his stuff and took him to the nearby city streets. He led Makoto down a busy commercial alleyway and in front of a sketchy, but impressive-looking pawn shop.

The sign on the top read "Taboo."

"I'll let you in on this alone, but this shop is a front for a lot of the clan's street businesses. Trade and the like," he explained, "it's a workshop where the higher-ups create things like forged firearms and other such shit and sell them to the best buyers...But a lot of them end up becoming commercially available so they can make a quick buck..."

He suddenly leaned in with a smirk on his face.

"You wouldn't go tattling about that to the cops, would you?"

"O-Of course not!" Makoto exclaimed, "especially not when you're doing this big a favor for me. Plus, I think Hope's Peak has an interest in protecting you and your establishments anyway..."

"Good point," he said, "well, you first."

Makoto gulped and stepped into the store. The place was fairly small and dimly lit, and VERY packed; with shelves lined with all sorts of props and military equipment. Even the front counter, which had glass cabinets showing off models and the like, was full of different kinds of weapons and guns.

Oh yeah. THIS was the place.

Sitting at the front desk was a rather disheveled-looking man in a blue jacket and a black cap. He had a short-cut beard, big sideburns, and a lizard-shaped tattoo on his neck. He had a cigarette in his mouth and was reading a comic book while resting his feet up on the counter until Makoto and Fuyuhiko walked in.

"Oh hey. If it ain't the young master 'emself..." he grunted, his voice deep and gruff, "what brings ya by 'ere?"

"Naegi? Meet Shinji Hashimoto. We call him Spike," Fuyuhiko did the introductions, "he's a contracted member of the clan and runs the business here."

"You a buyer?" Spike asked, "you don't look like you're part o' any family...What clan are ya from?"

"He ain't from a clan, he's my classmate at school," Fuyuhiko clarified, "he's here looking for the best models you got."

"Y-Yes, please..." Makoto stammered. Spike scoffed.

"Hehe...He looks like he's 'boutta piss his pants..." he jeered, "but aight kid...Just buy whatever looks interestin' to ya..."

"You call THAT customer service!?" Fuyuhiko spat, "he's new to all this you know? You could be a little more helpful!"

"Well, this is an ENTHUSIAST shop, Fuyuhiko..." Spike glared, "it ain't my fault you bought a greenie in 'ere..."

"I-I'm not a greenie!" Makoto exclaimed, "I know...a little bit!"

"Oh, izzat so?" Spike asked, "well, whatcha want then? An automatic? A revolver or sum shit?"

"Uuuh...May I take a look around first?" Makoto asked, not really knowing how to respond. Spike simply nodded and got back to reading his paper.

"It's alright Naegi, I'll chip in an' help..." he said, "come over here. It should have what you're looking for."

Fuyuhiko led Makoto to the corner of the shop where the main display of guns and pistols were. Before they could get to picking and choosing though, Fuyuhiko turned around again with a concerned look on his face.

"So...hey, I guess now's a good time as any to ask but...are you sure you weren't lying to me about this?" he asked, "you're not planning on using these to like...pull a prank or threaten someone, are you?"

"O-Of course not!" Makoto exclaimed, "do I look even remotely intimidating to you!?"

"Feh...You never know," Fuyuhiko made a decent point, "a lot of horrible as fuck people look totally normal on the outside."

"I...guess that's true..." Makoto couldn't help but think of Haiji Towa when Fuyuhiko said this, remembering how he hadn't suspected anything was wrong until he saw the Palace.

"What I'm saying is that your specific requirement of "it has to look super real," concerns me. I don't mean to sound like your dad or some shit, but if you're gonna buy here, you've gotta keep a few things in mind," Fuyuhiko crossed his arms and explained, "if you're going around outside with it, keep it in a bag or out of sight so you don't freak anyone out. And for the love of God and all that's holy, DO NOT go pointing it at other people! Lastly, like I said before, don't let the fuzz catch wind of you having them. We don't need them coming around here."

"Of course not, I promise I'll be careful." Makoto smiled. Fuyuhiko just shook his head.

"You'd better be," he threatened casually, "anyway, what is it you're looking for?"

"We're mainly here to get weapons for you. I already have my magic stick and party popper, and Komaru already has her megaphone and lasso," Monomi whispered, "we might need to get Toko a ranged weapon as well. It doesn't help if she's the only one lacking a firearm."

"Alright..." Makoto nodded, "let's see what we have..."

However, upon taking a closer look, Makoto came to a shocking realization.

"What the heck!?" he exclaimed "this stuff's expensive as hell! 20,000 Yen!?"

"What the fuck did you expect?" Fuyuhiko frowned, "if it's too high, why not try haggling with Spike?"

Makoto peeked his head up above the boxes and shelves and took a look at the man behind the counter, seeing that he was looking back at Makoto with a mischievous and frightening grin.

"Uuh...Y-Yeah!" Makoto giggled nervously, "I can try...?"

Beneath The Beautiful Dead - NoteBlock

After a few minutes of searching, Makoto emerged with his purchases. For himself, he had decided to snag himself a simple revolver, and some fisticuffs, feeling he would be more proficient with punching his enemies as opposed to tangling them with a knife of some sort. On top of that, he had also bought a model taser for Toko, with Monomi recommending it personally.

This had come out to a total of 160,000 Yen, burning a massive hole right through Makoto's allowance. He emerged from the store with Fuyuhiko, tears in his eyes, hearing the screams of his wallet.

"Can't believe you actually went for the asking price after all that," Fuyuhiko mocked, "you didn't even try to barter the price down..."

"Give me a break!" Makoto snapped, "I can't deal with hard-boiled tough guys like the Yakuza!"

"...You're fine with me though?" he pointed out, "heh...Guess I'm not as intimidating or worthy as the Yakuza name as I should be, huh?"

"N-No, that's not it!" Makoto assured him, "it's just that I know you more personally and I know you're not a bad person..."

"Feh..." Fuyuhiko sneered, "well, I guess it didn't go too badly after all."

He walked up to him and patted Makoto on the shoulder.

"Remember, I'm trusting you to handle all that shit with care," he remarked, "and hey, just hit me up if you need to come back. Next time, I'll see if I can get you a discount."

"Thanks..." Makoto replied half-heartedly. He watched Fuyuhiko make his leave, and once they were out of eye and earshot, Monomi emerged from the bag.

"Do not worry Makoto," Monomi patted him with her tiny paw, "I'm sure you tried your best."

"I know..." Makoto groaned, "but thinking about how much crap Komaru is gonna give me for this..."

"W-Well, we still need to get our hands on medical supplies," Monomi sighed, "wh-what can we buy with the money we have left?"

"A couple of band-aids, maybe?" Makoto admitted, palming his face.

With the both of them conclusively deciding that it would be a waste of time, money, and effort in buying a couple of band-aids for health provisions, Makoto and Monomi decided to return to Makoto's dorm room and hide the stuff they needed for tomorrow night. Makoto would then take a trip back home and spend the night at his house, alongside his sister and classmate.

However, upon entering the lobby of the school dorms, he suddenly spotted a rather unique interaction in the middle of the floor between two people he recognized. The first was his classmate, Leon Kuwata, and the person he was speaking to was another one of their 3rd year Senpai from a different grade class.

Her name was Seiko Kimura. She had been invited to the academy as the Ultimate Pharmacist. She had a reserved personality and a stilted way of speaking. As a pharmacist, she had an extensive knowledge of medicine and drugs. She'd created many different kinds of drugs, including ones that can drastically change one's physical appearance and make them much faster and stronger.

Makoto paused for a moment as he watched their interaction. Trying his best to overhear.

"So...lemme get this straight," Leon asked, "you want me to take this stuff before my next game, and then tell you what kinds of results I get compared to my usual?"

"O-Only during practice," Seiko squeaked, "I don't want to be held responsible if you get banned from games due to doping. The effects won't last forever and I've made sure they're not addictive."

"So these are like...performance-enhancing stuff?" Leon asked. Seiko nodded.

"This is just for an experiment. I've provided samples to other sports-gifted students around the school with the academy's permission," she said, "and don't w-worry. It's not deadly or harmful to your body."

"Meh...Guess I could give it a try," he thought, "it's not like I take practice seriously to begin with."

"Th-Thank you." Seiko smiled under her the surgical mask she wore on her face, "w-well, I'll be out then..."

Leon nodded and made his own exit, walking down the hall to his room. As Seiko started to leave the 2nd year dorms, she froze as her eyes fell on Makoto.

"O-Oh!" she panicked, "g-good evening, Naegi-san!"

"Evening, Kimura-senpai," Makoto greeted her back, "sorry for getting in your way. Have a nice evening."

Makoto briskly walked past her, trying not to give her any more reason to feel nervous, but before he could make his leave, she stopped him.

"U-Um! Wait!" she called out, making him turn around, "I-I actually was just thinking...I have a favor to ask," she told him, "how would you feel about helping me with an experiment?"

"Me?" Makoto asked, "how come? I'm not exactly an athlete, nor do I possess any talent that might help with your field. Are you sure?"

"Yes...I believe it may help..." she said, "despite your talent, you have a record of being unlucky. You're always getting injured in the strangest and most bizarre ways, right?"

"As much as I hate to admit it," Makoto scratched his face, "how can I help you though?"

Seiko reached into her pouch and gingerly handed Makoto a small white paper bag. He carefully took it.

"These are some fast-acting, effective painkiller medicines that I made," she explained, "try it when you're tired or if you're aching anywhere. Just make sure you come and report its effects back to me when you do."

"Makoto, this is perfect!" Monomi whispered within the bag, "it might not be the most official, but if this girl is a doctor of some kind, her medicine should come in handy in the Metaverse!"

"H-Huh?" Seiko peeked over his shoulder, "did you hear something?"

"No, no, nothing at all!" Makoto rustled his bag to indicate Monomi to shut up, "I'll take it. Thanks, senpai!"

"No, th-thank YOU!" she beamed. Even though Makoto couldn't see her mouth under the mask, her happy face was nearly radiant, and he had to shield his eyes, only looking back as she merrily skipped away.

"So, you ran out of money getting the gear, then your Pharmacist senpai gifted you some for free?" Komaru queried, "man, I guess your Ultimate Luck really IS good for something after all!"

*SNAP!*

"Yeah, well, tell that to these things..." Makoto glowered.

After receiving the medicine and dumping all of their equipment in a safe place in his room, Makoto returned to his house for the night. His parents were surprised to see Toko staying the night, and even more surprised to see Makoto come home so early in the school year, but they were nice enough to allow the believed-to-be slumber party to happen.

While Makoto had been gone, Komaru and Toko had worked very hard on designing the calling card. Komaru had gotten some card paper and drawn out a basic design for the card, as well as a logo. Toko had borrowed her laptop to write the message, and the two were now busy printing multiple copies of it.

As for Makoto, as soon as he got back, Monomi provided him with a bunch of tools and metal scraps that she had gotten from who knows where? Proclaiming that she was going to give the students a quick crash course on everything they need, she was teaching Makoto how to create lockpicks...with varying results. For every pick Makoto successfully created, he snapped a different one.

"The plan is I'm gonna get Genocide Jill to post all of these on the bulletin board near the front of the school, early in the morning when no one's around. She's a night owl, so she'll be up for it if I leave the situation in a note," Toko explained, "even if Towa somehow misses it, word will get around fast enough for him and the whole school to take notice."

"That'll give the steering committee a scare as well," Makoto giggled, "aw, this is gonna be great!"

"What should I do?" Komaru asked, "I have school tomorrow too, so is it ok if I miss the reaction?"

"Don't worry. If anything goes wrong, we'll tell you." Makoto assured her.

Komaru nodded, sitting down and staring quietly at the printer.

Despair Imitation - Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak

"Something eating you?" Makoto asked, before exclaiming "DAMMIT!" as he broke another pick.

"Take it slow Makoto!" Monomi assured him, "we're in no immediate rush!"

"Don't worry about it," she said, "I'm just...worried about Kotoko-chan."

"Ah, I see..." Toko raised her head, "it's gotta suck, you can't even go and visit her. They won't let you on campus."

"Sakakura and security are watching the place like vultures ever since the incident," Makoto put down his tools to focus on the conversation, "but if it's any consolation, I actually caught Enoshima-kun before I left and asked her about what's going on."

"Junko's the one looking after them, right?" Komaru asked, "what did she say?"

"Things are quiet now. Towa's kept his distance, but I think that's due to overconfidence rather than respect," Makoto said, "she's confirmed that the Steering Committee and the police will take action once the Elementary School opens."

"So like Monomi said, we'll need to pull this mission off before the opening ceremony...Which is in two days..." Toko recalled, "which means we'll need to send the card tonight, then pull off our big heist tomorrow."

"I still can't quite believe the Steering Committee of your school would take Towa's side, even knowing what he's done!" Komaru growled, "thank god Junko's on their side at least."

Toko suddenly put the laptop down and turned herself around to face Komaru.

"Listen Komaru..." she said, refusing to make eye contact, "we'll...we'll save those kids...and we'll reunite you with Kotoko so you can apologize...Ok?"

"Wha-!? I didn't-!" Komaru trailed off.

"You thought it though, didn't you?" Toko interjected, "I know I say that a lot, but this time I KNOW you thought it..."

Komaru hung her head.

"You blame yourself for not protecting her back then...You shouldn't..." Toko said, "but I also think that getting a chance to apologize to Kotoko would do you both a lot of good. So...we'll save them...I promise..."

Komaru leaned in and wrapped Toko into a hug. Despite her issues, Toko didn't reject her.

"Thank you...Toko-chan..." she sobbed into her shoulder. Toko carefully patted her back and let her weep.

All Makoto could do was watch, then went right back to crafting the remaining lockpicks.

*SNAP!*

"Crap..."

X

[BEGINNING NAVIGATION]

Thus, the night of the heist rolled around. The previous night, Genocide Jill had snuck into the school and plastered the notes all over the bulletin board. Rather fortunately, she hadn't used scissors to stick up the calling cards, otherwise, it would have been obvious who was behind it.

That night, Makoto and Toko snuck out of their dorms and once again reconvened behind the school near the Elementary School building. This time, it had been a little more difficult getting there due to increased security, and with the stage set up for the next day's opening ceremony, there wasn't much they could do to get by there.

Fortunately, Monomi had informed the group that they need not stand right outside the building to enter the Metaverse. They could enter it by the school gates, and then simply walk towards it from there. This was also good, as it saved Komaru from having to sneak onto the school grounds.

Midnight rolled around, and once Komaru had snuck out of the house and joined, everyone activated the metaverse navigator (the app had also appeared on Komaru's phone by this point, and she had received advance warning from Makoto and Toko not to activate it willy-nilly) and the group entered the Palace. Makoto, Komaru, and Toko were immediately decked out in their Phantom Thief attire, and Monomi returned to her true form.

"We'd better get this over and done with by morning time," Komaru said, "Mom and Dad are gonna kill me if they find that I snuck out."

"Hey, there are worse reasons to sneak out at night," Toko pulled a gross face, "you COULD have gone streaking?"

"Ugh! In your dreams, Toko-chan!" Komaru flushed, "oh! Wait! sorry...Razor!"

"Oh, right...code names..." Makoto remembered, "that aside, look up there."

Makoto, or rather Leprechaun, pointed up towards the high wall in front of them. Specifically, at what appeared to be searchlights going crazy, looking for any sign of intruders.

"Usami did warn us," Highwayman recalled, "Towa knows we're coming because of the calling card, so this place is on high alert now."

"Yes indeed!" Usami smirked, "I do hope you kids like a bit of challenge!"

"So...this is it, huh?" Razor readjusted her jacket, looking at the large steel gates of the penitentiary, "this is our debut as Hope's Peak's one and only Phantom Thieves..."

"You sound excited, Razor," Leprechaun commented, "I can't say I expected that..."

"On the contrary," Razor shook her head and giggled a little, "I'm actually super nervous, and a bit hysterical..."

"That's to be expected. Now that we've sent the calling card, we cannot afford to fail," Usami put her game face on, "but do not worry. We're more than ready. You all have your equipment, yes?"

"Yep...Got my taser and scissors...Highwayman, you still got your stuff?" Razor replied.

"Uh-huh! What about you Leprechaun?" she turned to her brother. Leprechaun nodded back

"Of course..." Makoto sighed, "after all the trouble I went through to get all this stuff."

Highwayman paused and took one last look back up at the prison. 

"You heard them Usami...We're more than ready for this."

"Alright!" Leprechaun adjusted his gloves, then led the charge, "let's go!

Box 15 Will Change - Everything Fantasy

The Phantom Thieves made their way down a long hallway, using whatever obstacles were nearby as cover against the guards that patrolled the area. This included stone pillars, wall corners, and sometimes the team was even forced to hide under cell beds to avoid being caught.

"Alright, the coast is clear!" Leprechaun poked his head around the corner, "let's get a move on team!"

When turning the corner and finding no enemies, the group hurried down the next hallway and stopped right in the middle.

"According to my map, we should be able to take a shortcut to the treasure through this door," Usami mentioned, "unfortunately, it appears to be locked..."

"So what do we do?" Razor asked, "find a key?"

"Why don't we just bust it down?" Highwayman suggested "there's no guards around..."

"They'll come running if they hear the noise!" Leprechaun reminded her, "remember, security is tight. If we get caught even once, it's game over for us."

"No. I have a better idea," Usami confidently nodded towards the lock, "Leprechaun. Come over here. I think it's time we put those lockpicks of yours to good use."

"Oh goodie," Makoto sighed sarcastically, "time to break MORE of these things."

"Don't worry. I'll guide you!" Usami smiled at him, "Razor? Highwayman? Do you think the two of you could stand guard in case any enemies come round?"

"Sure..." Razor nodded, "Highwayman, you get that side, I'll get this one."

"Got it!" Highwayman tipped her hat. The two did as they had been asked and stood in the middle of the hallway, each of them looking down both sides, while Usami and Leprechaun crouched next to the door.

Leprechaun carefully slid the pick into the lock as per Usami's instruction, then watched as the bunny pressed one of her long ears against the door. He started to twist the pick carefully, making sure he didn't break this one and waited for his mentor's instruction.

"Alright, listen to my instructions carefully dear boy," she said, "twist your pick about 40 degrees to the left."

"Mmhm..." Makoto responded, his attention hyper-focused on the pick.

"Good...now rotate it clockwise for about half rotation..."

"Right, right..."

"Yes, yes...now...turn...!"

The emerald-clad Phantom Thief did as he was told, and all of a sudden, there was an audible *CLICK!* Excitedly, Leprechaun grabbed the doorknob and opened it.

"Sweet!" Highwayman turned around, "good job bro!"

"Looks like the pick snapped when you got the door open though," Razor observed, "guess we shouldn't go too crazy with them."

"Right...We've only got a limited number of these after all..." Leprechaun pocketed the remaining picks, "in any case, let's move before we get caught."

"HYAGH! HUH! RAGH!"

"UUUGH!"

After climbing up some stairs and coming out onto another floor of the penitentiary, the group was ambushed by some guards that were waiting around for them. They were forced to fight and ended up destroying them with the power of their weapons and Personas. Leprechaun managed to take out the last one by laying waste to it with his fists and his new fisticuffs.

"Awesome dude!" his sister whistled impressively, "you're actually pretty good with those!"

"Believe me, I'm just as surprised as you are," Makoto reflexively stretched his fingers, "but still, am I the only one who thinks this place gets more and more unsettling as we go further in?"

"Ugh...I can't believe that this bastard has portraits of himself lining these halls," Highwayman pointed out "isn't it supposed to be a prison? Pretty sure this isn't normal."

"Guess it just reflects how highly that asshole thinks of himself," Razor replied, "anyway, where to next?"

"We shouldn't be too far away from the treasure tower," Usami contemplated, "you know, when we grapple shot our way up it yesterday?"

"We have to do that again!?" the Writing Prodigy whined, "hey...I don't suppose you managed to score us some additional hooks, huh?"

"Fuyuhiko's store didn't sell them," Leprechaun admitted, "and even then, I doubt I could get them. I spent all my allowance on the weapons."

"Well, here's an idea. The place he took you to is a pawn shop, right?" Highwayman asked, "why don't we grab a whole bunch of stuff from the treasure room and around the Palace, then take it back and sell it there?"

"Oh sure..." Razor rolled her eyes, "because no one's gonna ask where we got a shit-ton of golden cups, trophies, and medallions, are they?"

"Actually..." Usami chimed in, her face lighting up excitedly, "that's a great idea Highwayman!"

"It is!?" Highwayman and Razor exclaimed at the same time. Usami nodded.

"True, we won't really be able to take back any of the valuable items that Razor just said," she explained, "but the items and gold that appear in the Palace resemble important things to Towa in real life, just like the treasure. If we take the gold and whatnot outside of the Palace into the real world, it will transform into items of equal value that we can sell at a high price!"

"Wow...I...never considered that to be possible," Razor commented, "but...doesn't that seem a little extreme? We're just here to steal his treasure, right?"

"We're thieves, Razor! There's no reason why we can't just nab whatever we want," Leprechaun smiled, "plus, this place will be gone soon, so we'll have more of a use for it than Towa, right?"

"Well, when you put it like that..." she contemplated, "fine. I guess we can grab some. Good thing these outfits have deep pockets."

"WAAAAGGH! OOF!" Highwayman cried as she went splat on the ground, "eagh...That could have gone better..."

After attempting to scale up a wall by holding on tightly to the brickwork, Komaru had been unsuccessful in her thieving escapades and instead had dropped down into a courtyard below, landing on her face and aching all over.

This, however, was the least of her problems, as she raised her head to see guards approaching her quickly.

"Intruder!" it cried, "capture them!"

"Oh crap!" Komaru scrambled to her feet as the guards turned into their true Shadow forms. She swiped across her face and summoned her Persona to counterattack. "Parker! TRIPLE DOWN!"

Highwayman successfully razed down the enemies as her Persona pointed a machine gun arm forward and riddled the shadows with bullets before they had a chance to pounce. She quickly looked around to see if there were any more targets, but then relaxed her breath, leaned against the wall, and powered down. As she did, her three thieving friends joined her.

"Highwayman, are you ok!?" Leprechaun exclaimed, "that was a pretty nasty fall..."

"We heard enemies," Usami added, "you didn't get attacked, did you?"

"Y-Yeah, I did...But they were nothing. Wiped 'em out in one go," she assured them, "OW! Ugh...shame I can't wipe out this literal pain in the ass."

"So, um...What exactly was your plan?" Razor tilted her head. Highwayman sighed.

"Well, it occurred to me that risking our luck and swinging through the window again might not have been the best idea...So I tried scaling the wall, getting inside the tower, and opening the door from inside so I could let everyone in..." she explained, "but I totally rolled a Critical Fail on my Dexterity Check, huh?"

"Quit it with the nerd talk!" Toko snapped, "we're in this together you know!? Don't go pulling crazy stunts without running it by us first, ok?"

"Alright, sorry Razor-chan..." Komaru sighed and smiled, wincing in pain as she tried to walk forward, "I won't do it again."

"That aside, are you sure you're alright?" Usami asked, "you're limping quite badly..."

"I was gonna power through, but now that you mention it, this really does hurt..." Komaru grimaced, "I think I might have busted my hip..."

"Komaru, if you busted your hip, you wouldn't be standing," Makoto reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle, "here. Try this out."

"What's that? The medicine that the pharmacist woman gave you?" Komaru took it, "you really think this will work?"

"Monomi can always heal you if it doesn't," Makoto told her, "but it would be a waste of kindness if we didn't use it."

Komaru popped open the bottle, was surprised by the sweet smell of the contents, then gradually downed the contents. Her face was one of pleasant surprise as she started stretching her leg.

"What the heck!?" she exclaimed, "I feel so light! A-And my injury feels like it's not even there anymore! What is this!?"

"Kimura-senpai sure is something..." Toko smiled, "you should go and get more of this stuff in case we ever find ourselves in this situation again."

"I agree," Usami beamed, "we very well might need it."

"Well, if I report the results back to her, I'm sure she'll be willing to hear me out at least," Makoto sighed, "but come on guys. Let's not dilly-dally...It's grappling time..."

"AGH! Dammit!" Toko shrieked as the thieves once again flung themselves through the window "that's NEVER gonna get any easier."

"Ok, seriously Makoto," Highwayman made sure that her hat was still fastened to her head, "if we somehow ever need to do this again, you're gonna need to find someone who sells grappling hooks. We can't keep doing this."

"We have bigger issues on hand right now guys," the lucky student pointed forward, "look!"

His fellow thieves all looked forward and felt their stomachs sink. Yesterday, they had been required to cross a bridge in order to get to Towa's treasure room. The same was true for the day, but this time, something else stood in their way.

The bridge was now booby-trapped with wall-mounted miniguns and visible laser trip mines. No doubt, if the thieves were to touch these lasers, they would be attacked by the guns and turned into Swiss cheese.

"What the hell!?" Komaru cried, "this is like some super awesome spy movie stuff! Are we really gonna have to dodge our way through these!?"

"As cool as it sounds, that's impossible," Leprechaun shut her down, "some of these lasers are so tightly packed, there's no way for us to squeeze through. I don't think even Usami could fit."

"Then what do we do?" Razor asked, "there's no other way around, and I'd rather not take my chances with the abyss."

"Hm...I think I may have found a solution..." Usami piped up, grabbing everyone's attention, "however, we do have one problem."

"Oh, yeah?" Leprechaun asked. Everyone leaned in as Usami unfolded the map. She pointed to a certain spot on the floor below them.

"According to my map, there's an area below us that serves as a security office. If we get there, we might be able to disable the laser field and get by with no problems," she explained, "however, in order to access security, we'll need a top security access badge."

"Ok..." Highwayman nodded "and...how do we get that?"

"Most likely...one of the high-ranking guards wandering the tower will have it. We just need to find them and "persuade them" to fork it over."

"Sounds good to me," Razor sneered, "let's get a move on."

"Hey! Asshole!" Highwayman shouted, "you looking for me!?"

After figuring out which of the guards had the key, the team formulated a plan.

It started with first, making sure that the guard was alone with no backup. The team scoured the floor and battled against the other Shadows, taking them out to reduce the level of security. Then, after waiting for it to be in the perfect position, Highwayman came out of hiding and grabbed its attention. Immediately upon seeing her, the Shadow shouted out and quickly gave chase.

However, as soon as Komaru turned the corner, and the Shadow followed her, Leprechaun and Razor jumped out of hiding. Toko ran her scissors straight through the Shadow's body, while Makoto leaped on its head and ripped off its mask.

"You're mine!" he shouted, leaping off as the mask disintegrated and the shadow burst out of hiding. Ready for a shakedown, the group all grabbed their guns and pointed them at the enemy.

But that's when something unexpected happened...The shadow materialized into the fairy-looking demon, but instead of immediately attacking them, it hovered in mid-air and pouted with its hands on its hips.

"Hey! What's the big idea!?" it snapped, "stupid thugs! You have no sense of respect!"

"Holy crap, it talks...!" Toko gasped.

"Wait...so...these guys are sentient after all!?" Komaru's eyes widened.

"Of course they are," Usami nodded, "shadows are born from the hearts of humans, so they should be able to talk, right? Most of the time, they just choose not to."

"We ALSO wouldn't resort to such lows!" the fairy snapped, "I know we're enemies, but did no one ever teach you brutes manners!? Who do you think you are, ripping off a lady's mask like that!?"

"Oh! Uh..." Makoto frowned awkwardly, "s-sorry..."

"Did you SERIOUSLY just APOLOGIZE to it!?" Razor snapped.

"Dude...Seriously...Read the room..." Highwayman added.

"Huh...Maybe you have more manners than I thought you did..." the fairy, however, seemed rather impressed.

"Oh...Thanks!" Makoto smiled before snapping back and cocking his weapon, "I mean NO! W-We're here for your security badge! H-Hand it over!"

"Oh, that's all?" the fairy asked, "fine...I just have to give it to you and you'll leave me alone, right?" 

It tossed the badge towards the thieves, which Makoto reached out and snatched in the air.

"There. It's yours," she spat, "now get lost! Just looking at you idiots makes me sick!"

"Ugh...Guys, can I shoot her?" Highwayman asked.

"Don't let it get to you, it's just a grunt," Usami told them, "let's just get to the office and go."

However, before they left, Makoto turned back one last time toward the Shadow.

"Thanks a lot!" he smiled, "you've done us a real solid!"

"Leprechaun, whose side are you on!?" Razor snapped, "stop getting into bed with the enemy!"

"I-I'm sorry guys! I'm just no good at this!" he panicked, "I don't like the idea of pointing a gun at someone and threatening them!"

"You...You actually thanked me?" the fairy seemed pleasantly surprised by this turn of events, "you're s-seriously throwing me off my game here pal...But...I guess I appreciate it."

"Woah...Wait, what's going on?" Highwayman pointed towards the Shadow, which suddenly started glowing with a bright, white, holy aura, as opposed to the menacing and red one from before. The demon's face also lit up with what looked like a look of realization.

"Wait a moment...Something's coming back to me...!" she gasped, "that's right! I remember now! I don't just belong to Warden Towa alone...I'm a being that drifts through the collective hearts of humanity..."

"What is this?" Usami's eyes widened, "I've never seen anything like this!"

"My real name...is Pixie!" the Shadow declared, "from henceforth, I shall reside within you!"

What happened next shocked everyone. The Shadow, or rather Pixie as it called itself, morphed into light and shaped itself into the same shape as Makoto's mask. The mask them soared towards the group, with them all raising their hands to try and block it, but then flew straight towards Leprechaun and burst into light upon hitting his masked face.

"Ah! AGH! She went in my face! SHE WENT IN MY FACE!" Makoto panicked but quickly calmed down upon realizing that he was ok.

"Wh-What just happened...!?" Razor frowned.

"I...I don't know..." Usami was taken aback by what she had just witnessed, "that was...some kind of special power."

"How are you feeling bro?" Highwayman asked, gently patting him on the shoulder to get his attention, "you feeling drained or...hurt in any way?"

"The opposite actually..." Makoto replied slowly, "I feel like that gave me a bit of a boost...!"

He slowly turned around with a look of confidence on his face.

"Anyway, I have no clue what happened, but we'll figure all that stuff out later," he assured them, "for now, we should get to the security office and disable the traps."

"Yeah..." Usami nodded, "the treasure awaits!"

Riddle Land - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

The next few steps were simple. After finding the office, Leprechaun handed Usami the badge, and Usami was able to hack them into the security system. The group watched through security cam footage in the room that she turned the laser field off, and after sharing a team hi-five, they cautiously made their way back up the stairs, and across the bridge.

"Hey...Don't you think it's weird that there aren't many guards past this point?" Highwayman asked as they hurried through the treasure hall, "I kind of figured the treasure room would be more well-protected."

"True, but they probably thought we wouldn't get this far," her brother replied, "I wouldn't worry too much about it."

"Agreed. Let's just grab the treasure and go," Razor sighed, "the sooner we get out of this whorehouse, the better."

In agreement on this front, the Phantom Thieves arrived at the treasure room, and Leprechaun opened the large pair of doors that they had reached the day before. 

It didn't take even a second for the team to notice the newfound elephant in the room.

"S-So...This is Towa's treasure, huh?" Makoto asked.

"Yep...That's it." Usami affirmed.

"What the hell!? It's HUGE!" Toko shrieked, taking a few steps back from how startled she was.

And sure enough, it was. Floating in the air where the mysterious cloud had been the previous day was a larger-than-life, shiny golden badge, with the initials H.T embedded in it.

"So you're telling me we've gotta carry this giant thing out of here!?" Komaru cried, "how can we even do that without being spotted!?"

"Well, we won't know unless we try..." Makoto stretched his neck and wheeled his shoulders, "Razor? Highwayman? You two take two of the corners, I'll take the third. Usami? Keep watch for any enemies."

"Yes, I will," Usami hung her head, "I'm not tall enough to assist here..."

"Oh boy..." Razor sighed, "fine...Let's just be quick about it."

"What about the rest of the treasure?" Highwayman asked, "didn't we say we were gonna grab a bunch?"

"Leave that to me too," Usami affirmed, "I'll put it in my bottomless handbag."

With this response, she randomly pulled a purse out of her skirt and went around the room, dumping the trophies, medals, and ornaments into it. No matter how many she put in, the bag never seemed to get full.

"I...don't even feel like questioning that one..." Komaru commented.

"Me neither," Makoto laughed awkwardly, "let's just grab as much as we can and leave."

X

"Huh?" as the team heaved the heavy badge out of the treasure room, down the stairs and through the treasure hall, Usami, who took point, stopped them, "everyone! Halt! Look ahead!"

Leprechaun, Razor and Highwayman halted their advancement as requested, and all three looked down the hallway, where they saw something very...peculiar to say the least.

Wonderful Dead 001 - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Approaching them in the middle of the long treasure hallway was what looked like a red carpet. Shadow guards stood to the side, and walking down towards the thieves, pulling a variety of sexy poses looked to be a selection of nameless girls wearing high school girl uniforms.

The thieves just looked at the display gobsmacked, not sure what the hell was even going on, as the girls started to do synchronized dances to music that was coming from...somewhere. 

The spectacle went on for a few moments until the music hit its drop point. And as all the girls posed dramatically, a figure was unveiled in the middle of them. A skeevy man with messy hair, heart-shaped glasses, a warden's cap, a bare chest, hot pants, and a horribly shaved chest...

Shadow Towa.

Before any of the thieves could react, Haiji's Shadow reached out a hand towards them.

"I'll be taking that back, thank you~!"

As he said this, the Phantom Thieves exclaimed in surprise, as their cargo suddenly lifted up into the air and flew towards their enemy! As it did, the badge shrunk smaller and smaller, until it returned to a normal badge size. Once Towa grasped it in his hands, he reached up and stuck it to his cap.

Blood of Villain - Persona 5

"Towa!" Highwayman snapped, "you sketchy asshole!"

"So you showed your face after all..." Razor snarled. Towa raised his arm and waved.

"Take 5 folks!" he sneered confidently, "I'll dispose of these rats myself!"

"Ooh~ Mr Towa~" the girls squealed, "you're making a really scary face~! It's kinda hot!"

"Now now ladies...We can have some fun later..." he perved, "first, I got business to take care of.

With a wave of his hand, the guard shadows, and the girls (the latter of whom gave Towa's bare arms a squeeze on their way out) made their exit. Shadow Towa strode towards the thieves with his hands in his pockets.

"I gotta give credit where it's due; you really ran my security through a loop," he huffed, tapping the badge on his hat, "but I can't just let you take this. This little thing is proof that I'm in charge here. No one's gonna take it from me, especially not you!"

"Yeah right, you egotistical maniac!" Razor snapped, "you're sorely mistaken if you think everyone's just gonna bend to your will here!"

"You seem awful serious about making sure you can control those kids," Leprechaun stepped forward, "why is that? They're just kids after all. What harm could they possibly do you?"

Towa's shadow just scoffed.

"I wish I could think like that...But you sorely underestimate them," he said, "kids are crueler than most adults you know? And that beast...that beast is unruly...wild...and threatens to destroy everything..."

"By "beast" do you refer to the monster that you kept locked up in here that tried to kill Highwayman?" Razor clarified.

"You know what? I actually think I'm starting to figure a few things out...Why you're so determined to put these plans through and what you're so afraid of..." Leprechaun raised his voice and readjusted his jacket collar, "Towa...be honest with me...You're NOT the heir to Towa Corp. are you?"

"H-Huh!?" Komaru gasped. Shadow Towa just spat back.

"Who else would it be, other than me?" he asked. Makoto just shook his head, pitifully.

"There's something that's been tugging on my mind ever since we left the Palace last time...I've been thinking more about the Elementary School kids when I met them on the rooftop," he unveiled, "throughout all of this, there's been one kid who doesn't seem to fit in anywhere...The girl in the wheelchair, Monaca."

"Oh, right, her!" Toko remembered, "not only do we not know the full story with her, but she's the only one who we haven't seen appear in this Palace!"

"No, Razor, that's what I'm saying. We HAVE." Leprechaun told her. It took everyone a moment to realize what he was insinuating until Highwayman was hit by a bolt of realization.

"Wait!? You mean...that monster was...Monaca-chan!?" she cried.

"Usami told us after we defeated the beast that it wasn't a Shadow. It was a cognition...A personification of something or someone in the real world that Towa sees as a beast or a monster," Leprechaun looked back at their foe, who was gritting his teeth, "did anyone else notice that its mane had the same green hair as Monaca too?"

Makoto dramatically pointed a finger toward the warden.

"So tell me, Haiji Towa. Who is that girl to you, and why are you so afraid of her!?"

Towa hung his head and sighed an exasperated sigh. He then lifted his head with a defeated look in his eyes.

"Judging from your words, you already know the answer, so I guess I have no reason to hide the truth from you anymore," he grumbled, "yes...the truth is that girl's full name is Monaca Towa..."

"Towa!?" Komaru gasped, "does that mean she's-!?"

"She is my younger half-sister, born out of wedlock," Towa revealed, "she's the daughter of my father's lover, who abandoned her and left her with us. Of course, if this fact were to ever be revealed, it would be a huge scandal that would threaten the company!"

"Which is why you never gave her up for adoption..." Razor considered.

"She's an unwanted child...everyone feels uncomfortable around her, whether they know her situation or not. Ever since I first met her, I had a bad feeling! Like one day, she would destroy my family...my legacy...everything...!"

Even from a distance, the thieves could see him clenching his fist.

"And lo and behold I was right...That little runt...though I loathe to admit it...is a natural-born genius, even for someone her age. She surpasses both me and my father in every way, and even blackmailed him into taking away my right as heir!"

"You got blackmailed by a 12-year-old!?" Highwayman scoffed, "yeah, right!"

"I have to agree," Makoto added, "though I do admit that the intelligence of a young girl that even Hope's Peak recognizes the potential of is a looming threat to the likes of you. Even though she's younger, her title immediately suggests she's more capable...Those who know the truth would naturally gravitate towards her guidance than yours..."

"Making a connection with Hope's Peak Academy, and sending our children under the jurisdiction of the Steering Committee is a surefire way to get her out of our lives without scandal!" Towa snarled, "it's what's best for everyone! So tell me, what exactly have I done that's so wrong!? Maybe I'm selfish, sure, but this is for my future! One that that monster threatens to take from me and all of us!"

"Screw your future and your legacy!" Highwayman growled, "a self-absorbed, kid-sniffing manchild like you doesn't deserve it!"

"You're the reason why that girl is even in a wheelchair, aren't you?" Usami leered, "you abused her at home, just like the children of your associates who are in on your project!"

"Dogs are disciplined to keep them in line and teach them to respect their masters!" Towa spat, "this is no different!"

"Are you even listening to yourself!?" Razor glowered at him, "you've hurt, lied to, manipulated and threatened so many people, all for your own selfish gain! You almost pushed those 5 kids to suicide!"

"Manipulation? Quite the funny joke..." Towa cackled, gradually getting closer, "I am a TOWA! One of the most powerful businessmen in the world! People approach ME for opportunities; they KNOW what they're getting into! They just want to ride the coattails of a man who has a plan! It's not MY fault that fools like you and those children don't get all that!"

The thieves stepped back, as a dark, strange energy started to surround the warden.

"U-Usami!?" Leprechaun called out, "what's going on with him?"

"Nothing good, I'll tell you that much..." she replied, "get ready!"

"I am HAIJI TOWA! I am THE WARDEN!" Towa shrieked, "I'm the one who's gifted! The one who has the right to success! I am above all you peasants! I am NOTHING like you WORTHLESS PIECES OF SHIT!"

Everyone stared in horror, as Towa's face and body suddenly started to morph. His skin appeared to turn thin and his skull changed shape...His hands and shoulders started to grow, and his fingernails stretched into long, sharp claws...A pair of curvature horns appeared on his head, and his body began to grow in size, as something large started to burst out of his back. Additionally, Towa's tongue dropped out of his morphed, gaping maw, and it had grown so much it sagged on the ground like a rope. The transformation was sickening, and once it was complete, Towa towered over the group, the only recognizable parts of him being his long hair, and cap, with the treasure still stuck right on it.

"You're right about one thing..." Usami, standing her ground in spite of the horror, "you're nothing like us...You've become so distorted that you're not even worth being recognized as a human anymore...!"

"You've become a demon...!" Makoto growled, "a demon warped by his own Lust...!"

Sure enough, what loomed down over them was no longer Haiji's Shadow, but the true, malicious demon form of Towa's desires. With its tongue still limp on the ground, it started to cackle maniacally.

"THAT'S RIGHT!" Towa roared, "I AM THE DEMON THAT RULES THIS WOOOOORRLD!"

Chapter Text

Blooming Villain - Persona 5

"Uuuuuummm...Usaammiiiii...?" what little of Komaru's face was shown under her Highwayman mask had turned a pale shade of blue upon witnessing the transformation before them, "the fact that the Palace rulers have the power to turn into super demon lords...WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO KNOW!"

"You're the nerd among us and you weren't expecting there to be a final boss!?" Razor grumbled, "with our luck, I saw this coming a mile away..."

"Save the commentary for later! He's coming right at us!" Usami cried out.

The team's head immediately snapped back towards the titanic and horrific demon, as Shadow Towa lunged straight towards them.

"IT'S TIME TO DIE, YOU FILTHY INSECTS!" he boomed.

Thankfully, Monomi's warning was received in time, and all four thieves leaped out of the way of his strike. 

However, it was a close shave. Not only had his new form clearly granted him incredible strength, but it gave him heightened movement and speed as well!

"MICK-AGH!" Leprechaun attempted to summon his Persona to attack, but before he realized it, Towa was on top of him once again. He spun around at blinding speed and snatched the Lucky Student up! Towa began to squeeze Makoto tightly, and Makoto could feel his ribs closing in on themselves!

As he screamed in pain, Highwayman rushed up behind, cracking her lasso and launching herself toward the demon! 

With a cry of defiance, she jumped up and flung her lasso whip, smacking Towa's demon over the skull! However, this attack did very little to phase the monster, and Towa retaliated by reaching up and grabbing the Highwayman while she was airborne! He then started to crush her in his palm, just as he was doing Leprechaun!

"SIBLINGS SHOULD GET ALONG, RIGHT!?" Towa cackled, "WELL GO ON! HUG IT OUT!"

Komaru and Makoto cried out in agony, as Towa suddenly smashed them together with an incredible force! Both Naegi siblings crumpled to the ground after they impacted, groaning in pain and struggling to get to their feet.

*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*

*ZAP!* *ZAP!*

In an attempt to damage their foe, as well as take his attention away from their companions, Usami and Razor started shooting at Towa with their respective weapons. However, the combusted sprinkles from Usami's party popper weapon and Razor's taser were doing very little to actually hurt the monster. Their ammo basically just bounced right off him.

"HAHAHA! CATCH!" he growled. He suddenly swiped the ground in front of him, catching Leprechaun and Highwayman, and flinging both of them towards the attackers! Usami jumped out of the way in time, but Razor wasn't so lucky, as both Naegi's flew straight at her and crashed into her; all three of them getting smashed up against the wall!

"S...Sorry..." Komaru groaned. With her neck having been bent weirdly from the impact, Toko struggled to shake her head.

"W-Wasn't...your fault..." she assured her, "th-that's gonna hurt like hell tomorrow..."

"Get back on your feet or you won't SEE tomorrow!" Makoto commanded, more forcefully and strictly than he meant to, but it was still enough to rouse the thieves! When they recovered, they saw Monomi dancing around the beast, avoiding its swipes and trying to distract it on their own!

"Go Mr. A! Don't let up!" she cried, launching as many psychokinetic blasts of energy at him as she could, clearly dealing some damage, but not enough. 

"We've gotta help her!" Razor declared, "Highwayman, sync up with me!"

"Got it!" Highwayman confidently tipped her hat, and the two rushed toward the monster! Usami dodged out of the way of another swipe with its claws, then backed out as her teammates approached!

"Now might be a good time to patch you up...Dia!" she exclaimed, approaching Makoto, summoning her Persona, and using her healing spell on him. Makoto once again felt the energy return to his body, and he was able to stand up much more easily now.

"Thanks!" he nodded, "now let's get back to it!"

"Stay still, you little bitches!" Towa roared at the thieves as he brought his claws down on them. They had avoided his quick swipes, but now it was time for a counterattack!

"BARROW!" Razor cried, summoning her insectoid Persona, which reached up and caught his clawed hand, "get him now Highwayman!"

"You got it! PARKER! Triple-Down, close range!" Highwayman ran forward and summoned her Persona as well! It raised its machine-gun hand, and started hailing bullets straight into Towa's gigantic beastly visage from point-blank! This actually seemed to do some damage, as Towa recoiled and clutched his face where Komaru shot at him!

"Alright! Now GARU!" 

"And ZIO!"

Barrow and Parker launched more attacks at their users' command! A blast of biting wind followed by a bolt of hot thunder smashed straight into Haiji, who staggered back!

"Heeeh...Hehehehe...Can we call a time-out...!?" Towa leered, his visage curling into a monstrous smile, "I'm feeling a little...THIRSTY!"

"Razor! Highwayman! Look out!" Makoto saw an attack coming, but his warning arrived a little too late!

Towa reared his hideous head and his long, rope-like tongue suddenly shot forwards straight towards the girls! The only either of them could do in time was shove the other one out of the way so that only one of them ended up facing the brunt of whatever was coming!

...which is exactly what Toko did. She shoved Komaru who tumbled out of the way, leaving the writer to be smacked by Towa's gross, sandpapery tongue!

The tongue perversely wrapped around Toko's arms and legs, and she felt the friction as Towa pulled her in and started licking her!

"Uaagh! L-Let go of me, you weirdo!" Toko squealed, covered in saliva slime! Towa just laughed!

"It ain't what you think, little lady! You aren't even my type!" he snarled, "for me, they've gotta be real young! As young as possible!"

"Snap, Mickey!" Makoto thrust an arm forward as he summoned his Persona. Mickey aimed forward and shot Haiji's tongue with its gun! The attack landed, and while it didn't damage Towa as much as Leprechaun would have preferred, it was strong enough to force him to drop Toko!

"Razor!" Highwayman immediately ran to her best friend and tried to wipe her free of the grossness as much as possible, "a-are you alright!?" 

"Yeah...I'm ok..." Toko groaned, "you bastard! The only one who gets to lick me like that is Master Byakuy-UGH!?"

"Razor!" Leprechaun exclaimed, as Toko suddenly collapsed when she tried to assault Towa again! Towa's Shadow put his hands on his hips and glared down smugly!

"Aw, feeling a little weak there, buddy?" he taunted, "well unfortunately for you, I feel BETTER THAN EVER!"

The thieves screamed as suddenly, Towa rolled both his fists into a ball and pounded the ground in front of him! The impact created a shockwave that blasted them all back!

Toko got the worst of it, not just from being the closest, but also from seemingly having been weakened by Haiji's tongue. Makoto forced himself to his feet and stood in front of the group, taking another sample of Seiko's medicine out of his pocket and downing it, which instantly perked him up.

"You two take care of Razor and fix her up!" Leprechaun declared, "I'll keep Towa busy in the meantime!"

Heeding his command, Komaru grabbed her arm and slung her around her shoulder, moving her back while Makoto rushed at Towa's Shadow by himself. Wasting no time, Usami used her Persona to heal Razor's injuries.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Highwayman checked, "what even happened back there?"

"I...I don't know...!" Razor admitted, "for some reason, I think when he licked me, it sapped me of my energy! I can still move but...my attacks feel weaker than before...My Persona doesn't feel as strong either..."

Before either of them could respond, they were unpleasantly interrupted as Leprechaun suddenly crash-landed right next to them, after being instantly hit backward by Towa's powerful paw!

"Is...Is it just me...?" he groaned, sitting up, "or does it seem he just suddenly got stronger than before?"

"I think I understand what happened! When Towa was licking Razor, he was actually sapping her energy!" Usami explained, "now Towa is stronger while Razor became weaker!"

"Oh...great...as if I didn't have little enough energy already after the first few hits!" Toko groaned, "what am I gonna do?"

"From experience, if your strength is taken, moving around and attacking for a little bit will revert it on its own," Usami told her, "the reverse is true too. If we hold out for long enough, Towa will return to his original strength."

"But his original strength is too much for us to handle!" Makoto said as Towa started to crawl towards them, "how are we supposed to match up with him now!?"

"Wait! That's it!" Highwayman jumped up, "I've got an idea! Leprechaun, try getting back in there!"

"Now!?" Makoto exclaimed, "but he just bitch slapped the crap out of me!"

"Trust me!" Komaru stared at him with determination, "I might have an idea of how to knock him down a couple pegs!"

Though he had his doubts, Makoto trusted his sisters' intuition, so he nodded and prepared to pounce. Usami crouched down as well.

"I will help you, dear boy. In case this goes wrong, I can always patch you up again!" she said, "now let's go!"

With Usami right behind him, Leprechaun ran forward, getting ready to throw some iron-fisted punches at the big beasty. As he jumped in to attack, Komaru summoned her Persona and cast a spell of her own!"

"Alright Parker! It's Tarukaja time!" she shouted.

All of a sudden, Makoto could feel his body glow with powerful energy! His arms, legs, and soul all felt so much stronger within that instant, and now, more confidant than ever, he jumped up towards Towa and laid a massive punch right in his jawbone!

The attack was stronger than either side had predicted, and Towa's head keeled back from the impact! Not wanting to give him a chance to recover, Makoto immediately summoned his Persona and pointed straight at his opponent!

"Now CLEAVE!" he declared!

"Follow up with Psi!" Monomi added!

Simultaneously, Mickey brandished a blade in another of its 4 arms and sliced across Shadow Towa's gargantuan face; and Mr. A blasted a strong psychic energy right into the monster's gut. Both attacks landed with power, and Towa fell backward on the ground.

"Woah!" Leprechaun landed on his feet and stared at his Persona, "that was something else!"

"Told you it would work!" Highwayman scoffed confidently, but then her expression faded as she spotted something over his shoulder.

Leprechaun turned around to see that the abominable Towa had been accompanied by the same high school uniform-wearing girls from earlier, all of whom had shown up again and started stroking his face.

"Come on Mr Towa~!" they squealed, "get back up and fight~! We're here to support you! kya~!"

"What are they doing...!?" Razor, supported by Highwayman, stood up. Towa's monstrous visage suddenly grinned and he grunted as he forced himself up.

"Hehehe...Don't worry ladies...I just need to re-energize myself..." he smirked, "care to give me a hand?"

"Ooh! Me, me, PICK ME MR HAIJI~!" the girls all screamed. Towa replied by suddenly picking up the nearest girl...and with a smile, dropped her in his mouth!

"What the hell!?" Highwayman exclaimed, "why did he-!?"

The subsequent roar of fury that came from the savage behemoth answered her question for her! As soon as he swallowed the girl, and he immediately pounced towards them with an attack!

"Full recovery!" he snarled, "whatcha gonna do NOW!"

The thieves were able to dodge out of the way of the attack, with Komaru supporting Toko! Things were looking bleaker by the second. Not only could Towa power himself up with his tongue, but he could heal himself by eating his cognitive harem! Defeating him wasn't going to be easy at this rate!

"Hey...Leprechaun...?" Usami turned to the Lucky Student with a serious look on her face, "I know this sounds weird, but I think we need to recuperate! We need a plan of attack!"

"Nothing weird about that," Leprechaun acknowledged, "and I've got a plan. As soon as I give the signal, back out and hide behind cover!"

Usami nodded as Leprechaun passed her and ran toward Towa. The rabbit scuttled toward Highwayman and Razor to inform them of the plan. As soon as he was close enough, Makoto shouted to get Towa's attention.

"Hey! Towa!" he hollered, "KOUHA!"

"AAGH! MY EYES!" Towa recoiled, clutching his face as Mickey shot two blasts of spinning light straight into his retinas! Seizing the opportunity before he could miss it, Leprechaun rushed full speed towards his allies, and all four of them ducked out of sight before Towa could recover!

"Wh-What the-!?" he thundered after rubbing his eyes, "WHERE DID YOU GO!?"

Being careful so that he couldn't sniff them out, the thieves hid behind a statue in the treasure hall and huddled together to discuss quietly.

"Ok...We need a plan..." Razor stated upfront, "and I don't mean some BS strategy that we pulled out our ass. I mean an ACTUAL plan!"

"Agreed...Usami, how are you doing energy-wise?" Leprechaun made note of Usami's panting. Though she was sweating and out of breath, Usami shook herself awake.

"I...I'm not out yet...But it's true that I'm running low on energy after battling and healing so much," she confessed, "how about Seiko Kimura's medicine?"

"Only two left..." Makoto checked his pocket, "here...Have one of them."

"So...What do we do? I can buff us up all we want, but it's not gonna be enough to take this guy down. I'll run out of energy before then." Highwayman said. 

Usami took the medicine and chugged it like a baby with a bottle. She discarded the empty glass and pointed upwards towards the ceiling. The ceiling of the treasure hall was shining gold, with skylights and expensive, glittery chandeliers.

"Remember, we're not here to fight Towa in the first place. Our goal is to steal the treasure," she said, "if someone gets up to the chandeliers above us, they might be able to swoop down and grab the badge off of Towa's hat. The Palace rulers deride power from the treasure, so if we can get it out of Towa's hands..."

"We might have a shot!" Leprechaun realized.

"Um...That sounds great and all, but how are we gonna get up there if we have to go through...

Towa suddenly roared, and his voice caused a shockwave of sound that forced the thieves to cover their ears.

"...that..." Highwayman finished.

"Our only option is to send one person to do the deed," Usami explained, "the rest of us will need to attack Towa and keep him busy for us to even have a chance."

"Then leave that part to me...!" Razor chimed in, "Towa's already got me down and out, and my strength will have recovered by the time I get up there."

"Are you sure Fukawa-san?" Makoto whispered. Toko nodded.

"You're gonna need Highwayman's buffs and Usami's heals," she reminded him, "if the plan is to just keep him busy, you can lose a little bit of damage, right?"

"When you put it like that, alright," Leprechaun smiled and nodded, "we'll leave it to you."

Highwayman reached over and took her hand, staring into her eyes with a look of confidence.

"You can do this," she smiled, "I know you can."

Toko was surprised, but also touched by this gesture. She grinned confidently back.

"Leave it to me...!" she said.

"WHERE ARE YOU, YOU LITTLE SHIT-STIRRERS!?" Towa shrieked, "I AIN'T DONE WITH YOU YET!"

"Cool your jets, big guy!" Makoto called out, "we're right here!"

Towa spun himself around to see the figures of Leprechaun, Highwayman, and Usami standing up straight, squaring him down with stern expressions. Towa laughed in his deep, distorted voice as he crawled towards them. 

At the same time, though he was unaware of it, Razor snuck up behind and started to climb up one of the statues, attempting to get to the chandelier above. Fortunately, the statue was tall enough to reach the ceiling, but unfortunately, with its weird shape, it was gonna take some effort to climb up.

She could only hope her teammates could keep Towa busy for long enough.

"So, you finally decided to come out of hiding, huh?" the monstrous warden growled, "hm? Is there one less of you? Where did the one with the sharp mask go?"

"Who knows?" Highwayman shrugged, "probably got scared and ran away like a coward, thinking you might lick her again!"

Highwayman had to stifle a laugh, as she noticed Razor behind Towa glare at her and draw a line across her neck with her thumb. Thankfully, Towa didn't seem to notice.

"Don't get cocky though!" Usami declared, "the three of us are more than a match for scum like you!" 

"You're the ones who shouldn't get cocky!" Towa roared, whipping his long tongue at them. The three Phantom Thieves jumped over the attack before Towa could grab them and sap their energy. Simultaneously, they all summoned their Personas!

"Parker! Garu!" cried Highwayman!

"Mr.A! Psi!" hollered Monomi!

"Mickey! Kouha!" shouted Leprechaun.

All three attacks smashed into Towa! A blast of wind, followed by a boom of psychic energy, finished with a bullet of light!

"Mister Towaaa~!" the girls all squealed as he got hit. With a grin on his face, Towa once again reached out to another one of the girls and swallowed her. He immediately perked up, once again healed of all damage!

"Dammit! We're not gonna keep this up if he can just regenerate like that!" Highwayman snapped. Usami nodded.

"I agree...I don't like it, but I guess there's just one thing for it!" she suddenly rushed forward.

Before Leprechaun could stop her, Usami suddenly leaped in the air towards the girls and pulled out her party popper weapon! She fired it off, and blasted the group of girls backward!

"Hey! Cut that out!" Towa bellowed, "ain't a guy allowed to have a fanclub!?"

"Leprechaun! You shoot too!" Usami called back at him.

Remembering now that he also had a firearm, Leprechaun did as instructed and rushed forward brandishing it! The girls all tried to get away, but he cocked his weapon and aimed!

"What the hell is that!? Where did you get that!?" Towa cried, "don't! No! LEAVE THEM ALONE!"

*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*

With a couple of shots, Makoto and Monomi wiped out the girls, who all disintegrated into black ash, despite Towa's cries of defiance!

Makoto stared down at his revolver, bewildered. Even though he had already gotten used to the Metaverse's quirks, and even though Monomi had explained this beforehand, it was still a sight to behold. That this toy gun was shooting real bullets.

"I told you, did I not?" Monomi smirked, clearly reading his expression, "should he perceive it as a weapon, that's what it will become."

"STOP LECTURING AND WATCH OUT!" Highwayman shrieked, just in time for Leprechaun and Usami to avoid an incoming attack from Towa, who had a face full of malice!

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!? I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU, YOU BASTARDS!" he screamed.

Both of them backed up until they were beside Highwayman again, who summoned her Persona and used the same special ability from earlier!

"TARUKAJA!" she asserted, "let's take him out, now!" 

"Alright! Thanks!" Makoto felt his body once again glow with power, "MICKEY! KOUHA, FULL POWER!"

"I DON'T THINK SO!" Towa boomed, "TAAAAKEE THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSS!!"

Nothing could have reasonably prepared the thieves for what came next! Towa suddenly crouched down into a stretching position and opened his horrific mouth; rolling up his long tongue. A light started to glow from within him, and he suddenly fired a gigantic beam of energy at them!

The beam traveled so fast that the team could barely even react to it! Instinctively, Leprechaun and his two allies held up their arms, hoping they might block the blast, but instead, they just went flying backward!

"No...!" Razor, who could do little but watch this spectacle from the top of the statue, exclaimed quietly. When the dust settled, Leprechaun, Highwayman, and Usami were seen flat on their faces. Their clothes and bodies were scorched from the blast, and Towa puffed out his chest and cackled!

X

"AW! THAT'S ALL!? I WAS EXPECTING MORE!" he clamored, "you're done for, you little rats! I'LL DISINTEGRATE YOU AAAAALLL!"

Barely conscious, the trio lifted their heads in horror, as Towa charged up ANOTHER beam immediately after the first! If he blasted them all again while they were like this, they wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell at surviving!

"U-Usami...!" Highwayman whimpered, "we...we could use...some support...!"

"I...I'm sorry..." Usami sobbed, "I'm out of energy...I don't think I can heal us anymore...!"

"So...this is it then..." Komaru's eyes were so heavy she couldn't even cry, "well...we had a good run guys..."

Upon hearing these words, Makoto felt his heart sink...

But he also felt his blood boil...

Though his teammates were devoid of energy, and though he was on his last legs as well, Leprechaun forced himself up. He helplessly stared down Towa's energy beam as he prepared to blast it straight at him.

There was absolutely no way he could survive it if it hit him like this...

But he still felt he had to do SOMETHING!

And as this thought occurred to him, however, he suddenly heard a familiar voice within the confines of his mind. Time seemed to slow down from his perception, and the room shifted into a slightly desaturated shade of dark blue.

"So, young man..." the unmistakable voice of the long-nosed Igor echoed in his mind, "even when death is staring you directly in the face, you refuse to submit?"

"Of course not," Makoto responded as easily as he breathed air, "I can still fight...This isn't over yet..."

"Very well...Then you are fit to wield the power you were bestowed with after all..." Igor chuckled, "then go forth, wielder of the Wild Card...The path to graduation is within reach..."

"Wild...Card...?" Makoto asked, but by the time he did, time had resumed and Igor's voice had gone. Now he was back in the present, staring down Towa's horrifying visage.

"SUUFFFEEER!" Towa thundered, firing off his blast, heading straight for him.

"BRROOOTTHEEEEEERRRRR!" Highwayman shrieked hopelessly, as she, Usami and Razor all stared in disbelief...!

The world froze for the thieves at that moment...As they were blinded by the light that was about to envelope Makoto...

But then, all of a sudden, the Lucky Student stomped his foot...and ripped off his mask in an act of brazenness.

"PERSONAAA!" he screamed!

Climactic Reenactment (Vetrom Remix)

From Makoto's figure, a gigantic bolt of lightning, the same kind as Toko's Persona, suddenly fired off straight toward the incoming laser cannon! The two beams clashed, resulting in an explosion that nearly blasted everyone away, including Towa!

The beams dissipated and the light died down, revealing Makoto's figure in full. Though he was still clearly damaged, he stood up straight, and the spectral form of his Persona hovered behind him...

However...this Persona WASN'T Mickey...!

"WH-WHAT THE SHIT!? HOW DID YOU-!?" Towa's unholy eyes widened in terror as Leprechaun stared him down.

"Huh!? W-Wait, that's-!?" Highwayman gasped, "isn't that the Shadow that Leprechaun was talking to earlier!?"

Sure enough, Pixie, the fairy-looking shadow in a blue bodysuit, took Mickey's place by Leprechaun's side. She was quiet, but she had a smug look of approval on her face.

"I-Impossible...Earlier, during our confrontation..." Usami tried to force her mind back to that plan, "did...did he take the Shadow's appearance and powers, and turn it into a Persona!?" 

"Is it even possible to wield more than one Persona!?" Komaru asked. Monomi wheeled her head around, her mind going all over the place.

"N-No! Not usually! I've never seen this before!" she panicked, "just...who IS he?"

Leprechaun knew that this would be better to figure out later, turning round and casting his hand towards his allies!

"Pixie!" he raised his voice, "Dia on both of them!"

Komaru and Monomi were pleasantly surprised as they felt strength return to their body. Makoto's new Persona had used the same healing spell that Monomi had in her arsenal! They lifted themselves up, as Makoto took the last vial of Seiko's medicine and downed it, tossing the bottle to the side!

"No...NO, NO NOOOO!" Towa screamed, "I AM THE WARDEN! ME! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY A PACK OF IDIOT CHILDREN!"

"Guys?" Makoto turned confidently, Pixie by his side, "let's put this sick dog down!"

He raised a pair of fists and received some bumps from his companions, and all three of them, full of power now, rushed towards the foe!

It was now only a matter of wearing Towa down until Razor had the perfect opportunity to steal the badge! She had successfully made her way to the top of the chandelier and waved to let her team know she was ready to pounce! Usami charged forward first, leaping up toward the giant's face!

"LUCKY PUNCH!" she cried!

Summoning Mr. A, the Persona reeled back and punched Towa in the face with an expanded fist. Usami clearly got him good with this attack, as he toppled backward and screamed at the sky!

"Alright! Passing the Baton!" the rabbit scuttled back and hi-fived both Highwayman and Leprechaun on her way, "go for it, young one's!"

Both Naegi siblings nodded back at her and leaped up towards Towa, both pointing at the creature!

"DOUBLE SNAP!" they cried at the same time. Komaru summoned Parker, and Makoto once again summoned Mickey, both of them blasting Towa in the face with their respective gun attacks!

"Wait, you can still use your other one!?" Komaru exclaimed as they slid back across the ground, "so you really do have more than one!?"

"Who'd have figured, huh?" Makoto couldn't help but wink, "speaking of which...! ZIO!" 

As Towa tried to recover and attack again, Makoto halted him by knocking him back with a bolt of lightning after he once again summoned Pixie!

"RAZOR! DO IT NOW!" he shouted, and just as Towa realized what was going on...it was too late!

"LOOK OUT BELOW!" Toko cried out playfully, summoning her Persona and having Barrow use one of its blade arms to slice right through the chains of the chandelier! It gave away, and both the lighting and the thief that stood on them crashed down onto Shadow Towa's head, who cried out in pain!

The impact knocked Towa's hat off of his head and before he had a chance to recover it, Razor swiped it and shoved it down towards the team! As she drew closer, the hat shrank back down to its smaller size, and the badge along with it. Towa turned back with a look of dismay and panic on his hideous visage!

"NOOOOO!" he roared, "give that back! THAT'S MY TREASURE, YOU INSECTS!"

"Well, it's ours now!" Highwayman scoffed, "face it Towa! You got...STUNG!"

"I've had enough of this dude! Let's take him out while we have the chance!" Razor summoned her Persona yet again, 

"ZIO!"

"GARU!"

"PSI!" 

"KOUHA!"

Towa shrieked in agony as an array of wind, lightning, psychic energy, and light blasted him from all angles! He collapsed onto the floor, on his last legs, surrounded by the thieves that he had previously brought to his mercy!

But in true Makoto Naegi fashion, they had turned the situation around!

"Checkmate!" Makoto pointed his gun at Towa, "All-Out Attack everyone!"

At his command, the thieves lurched into the air and swarmed Towa with sporadic attacks, ripping him to shreds! 

The last thing the monster saw as he lifted his head was Leprechaun's silhouette above him, aiming down at him with a pistol in hand...!

"BEGONE!" he shouted as he pulled the trigger...

And that bullet...was the final nail in Towa's coffin...

Regret - Persona 5

The Phantom Thieves watched as Towa's gigantic monstrous form started to shrink, and within a few seconds, he was back to his normal size and appearance.

Or rather, back to his ordinary Shadow appearance. The only thing he was devoid of now was his hat and badge. 

He looked up in terror at the thieves around him, who all glared at him with eyes of vengeance! His own eyes then fell upon the hat that Toko had knocked off his head earlier, and with everything to lose, he scrambled to his feet and dived to grab it!

"Hey! Someone grab him before he gets away!" Razor cried out as Towa grabbed the hat and tried to make a run for it! Highwayman and Leprechaun responded by casting out their lasso and grappling hook respectively toward the twisted warden!

They snared Towa by the legs and yanked him back, who kept a tight hold of the cap the whole time! Leprechaun grabbed Towa and threw him against the wall! The thieves then surrounded him, blocking any chance of escape he had left.

"We won't try to hurt you any more than we have, but we will if we have to," Razor threatened, grabbing her taser and pointing it at him, "hand us the treasure...Final warning...!"

Towa's grip tightened on his cap, and he cowered under the threatening figures in front of him, like a timid animal that had been cornered by a pack of angry wolves.

"You wanna know something funny?" Highwayman spat, "the way you are now must be exactly how Kotoko and the others felt when they were forced to deal with you and their parents...You're now seeing the exact same view they were forced to put up with every...single...day...Cornered, with nowhere to run and no one to talk to...!"

She leaned in menacingly.

"So...how does it feel?" she asked.

"This...This isn't my fault...!" Towa whimpered, "I had a legacy that I needed to protect! This was the only way I could appease everyone! My father and his colleagues and associates!"

His expression shifted into a glare.

"Y-You kids all know how it feels! You're always trying to live up to others' expectations!" he snapped, "especially you, normie! Don't you ever feel like you want to rise above everyone else to prove to them that you really do have what it takes!?"

*SLAM!*

Towa squealed as Komaru kicked the wall next to him with her spurred boots, her face gone red with rage!

"That doesn't mean you can just manipulate and take advantage of people!" she snapped, "DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE ME TO YOU!"

"I...I'm sorry...!" Towa begged, "I just...I thought you would understand!"

"Persona!" Komaru cried out, swiping across her face and summoning her Persona. Parker's arm shifted into its gatling gun, aiming its line of fire straight at Towa!

"Woah-WOAH! Highwayman, chill!" Makoto panicked, quickly grabbing her shoulder. Komaru simply shook him off and glared at the whelp of a man in front of her.

"I have never had the urge to kill anyone before now..." Komaru admitted, "but right now, I'm so angry that I could rip you to pieces without even blinking...! You wanna test me? Go ahead...!"

"NO! PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!" Towa screamed and cried like a child. Komaru enraged, cast her hand towards him!

"TRIPLE DOWN!" she commanded, getting Parker to rapid-fire bullets at him!

"OMARU DON'T-!" Toko cried, attempting to stop Komaru from her tirade! Fortunately, Parker's bullets all landed on the wall next to Towa's Shadow, who just squirmed there, paralyzed with fear!

"Monaca probably thought the same thing you know? When you beat her, she probably begged you to forgive her, even though she did nothing wrong!" Komaru spat, "but you went so far as to paralyze her, just because you were so afraid of her, and wanted to protect your STUPID EGO!"

Towa seemed to have a moment of clarity as he stared up at Komaru. He stopped screaming, and looked down at his open hands, tears streaming down his face.

"You know what? M-Maybe you're right..." he admitted, "it...I knew it was all horrible...but I still relished in it despite that...I guess in truth, I never had what it took to be a leader..."

"Well...At least you realize that now..." Makoto sighed.

Shadow Towa lifted his head and stared at the thieves, remorse in his malicious, yellow eyes.

"If you wanna finish me off...then go ahead...Since you defeated me, you've earned that right..."

"Don't be stupid..." Komaru scowled, her eyes also containing a hint of sadness and regret as her mask flamed back onto her face, "if I killed you here, we wouldn't be able to prove your crimes or save Monaca and Kotoko...That's all that matters to me."

"Highwayman..." Usami smiled, "I'm so proud of you..."

"You...You're sparing me...!?" Towa's eyes sparkled, "th-thank you!"

"Don't thank us yet. We're not finished with you," Makoto threatened, "you will confess your sins, as well as the sins of your peers, and you will all spend a long time atoning for them until you all have endured just as much pain and suffering as your children, and whatever other victims you may have!"

Towa paused, registering these words, then curled into a ball and bowed in front of his foes, as if seeking mercy. His body started to glow with a bright, golden light, and he started to fade into thin air.

"Yes...I will do just that," he said, "you have no right or reason to believe my words, but I will return to myself in the real world and atone...I...I promise...!"

And just like that...Towa's Shadow vanished without a trace...The only thing that remained of him was his hat, with the treasure still on it.

Komaru reached down and grabbed the hat, plucking the treasure off it and holding it in the palm of her hand. 

"Welp..." Toko sighed, "at least we won't have to struggle carrying it out of here anymore..."

"Good thing too!" Monomi nodded, "do you kids all hear that?"

The thieves stood in silence at these words, and all of a sudden, they heard what Monomi was referring to.

The noise of crumbling, getting louder and louder.

This was then followed by a yelp of surprise, as a piece of the ceiling gave way and smashed right next to Toko's feet, which caused her to recoil in shock.

"H-Hey!? What's going on!?" Makoto exclaimed, "i-isn't this bad!?"

"This is just about what I expected to happen," Monomi frowned with determination, "with the Palace Ruler now being gone, there's nothing keeping this place stable. Within a few moments, it will collapse, and it'll take us down with it if we don't get a move on!"

"Shit!" Toko exclaimed, "come on! We've gotta go or we're dead meat!"

Monomi took the lead, and Makoto and Toko tried to chase after her, but before they could, they all stopped upon seeing Komaru stay frozen in place. She looked down at the treasure, with sadness in her eyes. 

Clearly, she was reflecting upon Shadow Towa's final words, as well as everything else she had been through in the last few days. But she snapped out of it as her brother patted her on the shoulder and got her attention.

"Come on sis," he smiled at her reassuringly, "let's go save those kids...!"

Komaru smiled back, then after shaking off the last of her doubts, she and her allies broke out into a mad dash to escape the crumbling prison. 

X

[THE NEXT DAY...]

It was the day of the opening ceremony for Hope's Peak Academy's Elementary School division, and the building along with it. Every class at Hope's Peak Academy had been gathered out the front of the new building, and the academy had even invited members of the general public, as well as all the people who had helped fund the establishment to the ceremony. Even the Reserve Course students were required to attend.

But things had been tense at the school all morning, especially for Junko Enoshima and the 78th Class. By this point in time, all of them had become aware of what the situation with the children was, and yet none of them were able to stop it when Sakakura and Munakata charged into the nurses' office to retrieve the kids and take them back to their parents.

All 5 kids stood next to their parents that had shown up, gathered underneath the big stage where Jin Kirigiri and Tokuichi Towa stood, preparing to make a speech to the crowd. All of them looked very upset and nervous.

"So, we're thinkin' that those parents are the ones who're hurtin' those kids, right?" Mondo asked, "and there ain't anything we can do?"

"If you try and attack them you will get arrested and expelled, no question," Sakura told him, "we don't even have enough proof to make a case."

"And even if we did, we'd need an experienced enough lawyer," Chihiro added, "and on top of even that, the Steering Committee are so serious about this school, they won't let anyone touch a hair on Towa Corp's head any time soon."

"So what, we just sit back and do nothing?" Leon spat, "I dunno...That leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

"Agreed," Sakura said, "it disturbs me how little they've done to address the incident, even though the media is aware of it. No doubt many people on campus today are aiming to get to the bottom of that situation for a paper story..."

Junko's heart was weighing heavily on her, as she and little Monaca stared back at one another with the same expression of sadness and concern in their eyes. There had to be SOMETHING she could do, but now that Towa Corp was already here, the situation seemed all for naught by now.

"Now that I think about it though," Sayaka piped up, "isn't there someone missing?"

"Towa himself is not here today, due to some unreported incident that he's caught up with," Celeste explained, "Tokuichi Towa, the current CEO, is filling in for him today."

"Not what I meant," the Pop Star replied, "I knew that. I mean our classmates don't seem to all be here. I think we're missing a few."

"Indeed...Both Naegi and Fukawa are nowhere to be seen." Byakuya pointed out. Taka put his hands on his hips and tapped his foot.

"They have a lot of nerve being late on today of all days," he grumbled, "what could be keeping them?"

No sooner did he ask this though, both Makoto and Toko suddenly hurried up to their class and joined the group. They both took a moment to catch their breaths, then looked up at their classmates and smiled.

"S-Sorry about that!" Makoto panted, "didn't mean to be so late."

"Naegi-kun, Toko-chan, where were you!?" Hina exclaimed, "we were worried!"

"S-Sorry," Toko stammered, "we got caught up with something, but we're here now."

"Ugh...be lucky, I'm not the one in charge of keeping attendance," Taka glowered, "I would have marked you both with a big red X and given you a real stern talking to! Right now though, I have other things on my mind..."

"Yes, I'm sure they're fully aware of your system, Ishimaru-kun," Celeste sighed, "but I'm glad you two were at least able to join us..."

"Sooo..." Toko led on, "where's Haiji Towa? Wasn't he supposed to be doing the speech today?"

"Apparently, he couldn't show up," Hifumi explained, "Mr. Towa has called in sick, so Mr. Towa...uh, the OLDER Mr. Towa has shown instead. And all his business partners that have kids that go to the school are here as well."

"I see," Makoto smiled, "even Utsugi, huh?"

Makoto raised his head to look back at the crowd of members of the General Public, and right at the front, he could see his sister and his parents. Komaru gave Makoto a knowing nod, and he gave one right back.

Makoto turned around and walked up next to Junko, who looked at him with a confused expression.

"How'd things go with the steering committee?" he asked her openly. Junko sighed and shook her head.

"Not good," she replied bluntly, "and to be honest, since I put us in deep water with Haiji Towa, you might find MiB's knocking on your door demanding a debt payment in a few days."

"I don't know about that," Makoto shrugged, "maybe he had a change of heart by now?"

"Don't be stupid!" Junko snapped, "a person's mental state doesn't change that easily!"

However, she suddenly noticed that Makoto was staring up at the stage, unafraid and unbothered, with a big smile on his face. She tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

"You seem pretty happy for someone whose life is about to get a lot more difficult..." she pointed out, "why are you smiling...Are you...up to something?"

"No, nothing like that," Makoto told her, "I...I have hope. That's all."

"What are you talking about? ...Hope, huh?" Junko scoffed and crossed her arms, glaring at Tokuichi Towa as he took center stage with Jin Kirigiri.

"Thank you all for coming today," the principal smiled at the crowd below, looking over towards his class where his daughter stood, "I would like to begin this ceremony by addressing many concerns on behalf of the academy staff, relating to an incident that was featured on the press a few days ago. The academy is investigating the cause of said incident, and will release a statement once that has been completed."

*Bullshit...* Komaru thought to herself, *they know damn well the reason why they tried to jump, but they don't care...! They just need time to spit out a lie to the public!*

"What matters, however, is that no one was killed or injured in the incident, and the ceremony for the opening of the Elementary Division can continue. Not only that, but Hope's Peak Academy will continue to foster the lives of the most talented our world has to offer, no matter what it takes. So, without further ado, I would like to present today's spokesperson, Mr Tokuichi Towa!"

There was a small round of applause as Tokuichi Towa took the stage, already possessing his own microphone.

"I would like to start by thanking Hope's Peak Academy very much for welcoming us to their school, and I do hope that we can provide support for many collaborations to come in the future, no matter how far that may be," he began, "and I would also like to apologize on behalf of our company today, as my son Haiji, who was originally supposed to be giving this speech, took ill this morning."

"Hmph...we'll see..." Toko smirked, hiding her smile from everyone else. However, secretly, she was very nervous.

"These last couple of days have been a lot of pressure, and clearly, just starting out as our new company head, he needs some time to readjust," Tokuichi spoon-fed the presses his own take, "you must understand how it feels to be confused and nervous at times, but it's precisely during these times that you need to remain calm and focus on living your lives. So, I would like to-"

"Hey!" someone from the crowd exclaimed, "i-isn't that Mr Haiji Towa there!?"

Everyone; the students, the staff, the GP, the parents, the children, and the CEO and Headmaster as well; froze when this random reporter raised their voice. Everyone's attention shifted over to the side, where sure enough, Haiji Towa himself walked over to the stage, escorted by two MiBs from Towa Corp. The entire time, he hung his head, with a miserable expression on his face.

There was an uproar of bustle from all parties in the crowd, and while he looked confused at first, Tokuichi Towa's concerned expression quickly shifted into a calmer one, as he started a round of applause when Haiji stepped up onto the stage. Jin Kirigiri walked over and handed Haiji his microphone, which he was swiftly thanked for. Haiji then took center stage and stared at the crowd, his expression unchanged from the look of dismay and concern that he had arrived with. Murmurs of confusion washed throughout the crowd, and only afterward when it died down, did Tokuichi step forward again.

"Alright, forget what I just said," Tokuichi joked, which earned him a couple of giggles from the now quiet crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the man who should ACTUALLY be giving today's speech. My son, and the heir to our fine company, Mr Haiji Tow-"

"I am NOT the heir to the company..."

Regret - Persona 5

Haiji suddenly spoke into his microphone, and instantly cut his father off. Tokuichi looked at his eldest with an expression that was a mix between offended, confused...and panicked...!

"M-Mr Towa?" Jin tried to check if he was alright, but instead, was caught by surprise as Haiji inhaled a deep breath and continued his speech.

"I have just told you all a truth that has been covered up by my company for a while now...I am not the true heir to our proud company," he repeated, "that right...goes to Monaca Towa...My younger half-sister and the Lil' Ultimate Homeroom."

There was an uproar almost immediately! The students were shocked, and instantly started nattering amongst each other! The public visitors did the same, all shooting each other surprised looks! The Elementary children, Monaca especially, looked up at Haiji in surprise, while Tokuichi, Utsugi, and the other parents all stared at him with complete and utter HORROR!

"Wait...Monaca-chan is Towa's SISTER!?" Leon gasped, "but...I thought Towa was an only child!?"

"She must be an illegitimate child...!" Mukuro chimed in, "Towa certainly seems like the type to get around. And the existence of such in this line of business would mean a big scandal..."

"And Haiji just...straight up TOLD everyone that? In front of a crowd as big as this with so many news reporters!?" Chihiro exclaimed.

"B-Big Bro?" Monaca tilted her head.

"Haiji!?" Tokuichi frenzied, "wh-what the hell are you DOING!?"

"Something I should have done a LONG time ago..." Haiji spat, "I'm going to confess our sins...Every single one of them..."

There was no sign of the reporters, photographers, and the crowd in general calming down, so Haiji simply raised his voice and continued speaking.

"She was borne out of wedlock from one of my father's lovers, and we were forced to raise her in our home. However, she exhibited many traits of pure genius for someone her age, surpassing both me and my father in such a way that our board who knew of her considered passing her up as the heir instead of me," he explained, "and she more than deserves that right. I, on the other hand, have committed many acts that are unbecoming...not just as a CEO, but as a human being in general...Including, but not limited to, verbal and physical abuse...as well as sexual confrontation with minors..."

"Did...Did he just say that he had sexual confrontations with children...!?" a girl from the Reserve Course gasped.

"Wait...does that include...!?" another boy asked. He was swiftly cut off by Towa himself.

"I know what you are all thinking...And the answer is yes...Not only did I commit all of these crimes upon the Hope's Peak Elementary Children themselves...but it was done with their parents' express permission..." Haiji's eyes looked down, sadly and pathetically, "in fact, it was part of our business transactions together...and it was not just me...Abuse, prostitution, and neglect are all things that these children have suffered at the hands of myself, my company, and their parents as well..."

"You...YOU IDIOT!" Junya Utsugi, blue in the face, grabbed Haiji's leg as if trying to pull him off the stage, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

"Mr Utsugi looks panicked...!" Sonia Nevermind from Class 77 exclaimed, "c-could it be that what Towa-san is saying...?"

"Looks like it's all true...What sick bastards...!" Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu growled, "he prostituted his own kid!? Who does that!?"

"We...We gotta go...!" Daimon grabbed his son's arm, and frantically looked around for an escape, but realized there was no way he could go where he couldn't be followed. Masaru started to struggle as his father squeezed his arm.

"Ngh...D-Dad...!" he whined, "y-you're hurting me...!"

"Shut it, you brat!" Daimon spat, "this is your fault, I KNOW IT IS!"

Daimon made the most critical mistake of his life at this moment...Instinctively, panicking and having no out, he whacked his son right over the head...in front of hundreds of people! There was an uproar of complaints and fury, and all he could do was stare back, hopelessly!

"What are you DOING Hope's Peak! That man just hit his own child!" someone from the GP crowd shouted, "arrest him already!"

"Yeah, somebody call the police!" someone next to him shouted.

Daimon instinctively decided to throw caution to the wind and make a run for it, but luckily, he was stopped in his tracks by Juzo Sakakura, who thankfully, decided to answer the public's wishes. Daimon threw a punch, but Sakakura hit him dead in the face right back, knocking him out for the count in a single hit! This act caused a small cheer in the crowd, but the panicked and confused murmurs still overshadowed it.

"This whole t-time..." Haiji began to cry, clutching onto his microphone with shaking hands, "the Hope's Peak Elementary School was a ploy by Towa Corp and our supporters to be rid of our children for good...or to force them into other lives...or to get them jobs that would give us money...Thus, I ended up seeing the place as a prison for the monsters that I believed they were...And I'm sure it goes without saying at this point, but...I am the reason why Monaca-chan is paralyzed...And the reason why the kids tried to jump off the school roof...? That was us...!"

"Disgusting!" Mahiru Koizumi from Class 77 glowered, "how could all of them be so gross and unruly!?"

"And to think, they did all of this to people so young..." Seiko Kimura frowned "they could have long-lasting medical conditions because of what they've done..."

"There were always rumors..." Korekiyo Shinguji from the first-year group spoke up, "but I did not believe they were true...How deplorable..."

"HAIJIIIIII!" Tokuichi knew there was no way out of it, as Juzo's actions had now meant the rest of the security department surrounded him, the parents, and any one of their allies from any chance of escape. Haiji himself collapsed onto his knees and seemed to bow to the crowd.

"I...have put innocent youths through horrible acts that they didn't deserve..." he sobbed, "I am arrogant and thoughtless and I should be ashamed of myself! If I must pay with my life for the horrible things I have done to not just these children, but many people, old and young, like them, then I WILL DO SO!"

"H-H-Hold up...!?" Kazuichi Soda from Class 77 panicked, "did he just say he was gonna pay with his life...!?"

"You don't think he's gonna kill himself, do you!?" Kaito Momota from the first years raised his voice.

"M-Mr Towa!" Jin exclaimed, "p-please, you must calm down!"

"DON'T YOU DARE RUN, YOU ASSHOLE!" 

The crowd was silenced, as this piercing shriek from the further crowd silenced everyone and everything. Everyone turned their shocked heads to see an ordinary high school girl standing on her seat and glaring Towa down, megaphone in hand!

"K-Komaru!" Makoto's Dad tried to pull her back down to no avail, "p-please, don't-!?"

"Those kids, who tried to jump...and all your other supposed victims...!" Komaru continued, ignoring her father's pleas, "despite everything you've done, they're still going! Living lives full of regrets because of you, but they're still living! If you were really serious about atoning for your crimes, you wouldn't run away to the afterlife where no one can touch you anymore! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT!"

"Hey...Makoto-kun...Isn't that your sister!?" Sayaka asked, the rest of his class turning towards him with surprise. Makoto could only respond by nodding with a face full of pride.

"Yep," he smirked, "THAT'S my sister...!"

"You...Yeah...You're absolutely correct...!" Haiji suddenly stood up again, the crowd and onlookers instantly turning their attention back to him as he addressed them once more "she is completely right. I must accept my punishment and atone for my sins! Though I do not speak for my associates, I will turn myself in post-haste! Will someone please call the police!?"

"The police...!?" Mondo Owada's mouth dropped open from everything that had just occurred, "i-is he for real...!?"

"Grrr! A-Apologies for this, but the ceremony is over!" Jin Kirigiri announced in a panic, "p-please, make your exit down the path behind you! Students of Hope's Peak, return to your dorms, immediately!"

There were angered and desperate cries of things like "hell naw, we ain't done yet!" and all Makoto Naegi could do was stare back at the stage.

"No...no...noo...!" Junya Utsugi clutched his head, "it can't be...It can't end like this...!"

"Junya...Don't be so pathetic..." Kemuri, for her part, seemed rather relaxed, "I suppose...it was entertaining while it lasted."

She suddenly looked down at both her son and Utsugi's daughter.

"Wherever you two end up...I hope you're happy..." she said quietly, "and I'm sorry...That's all I can really say to you."

Even though this apology was very half-assed, it was the best that Kemuri could muster. Hope's Peak's security rounded up her, Utsugi, Shingestu, Daimon and both Towa's and "escorted" them away.

"Y-You can't DO THIS TO ME!" Tokuichi screamed, "I AM TOWA! I'LL RUIN ALL YOUR LIVES! ALL YOUR LIVES! AAAALLLL YOOOOUUURRR LIIIIVVVESSS!!!"

Yukizome at the same time, rounded up the children and gathered them together. Her face looked shocked but also relieved to know that change was coming. However, what drew Makoto's attention was Junko Enoshima's bewildered expression. She looked back at him with shock.

"What did...H-How did you...?" she asked. Makoto shook his head.

"I didn't do anything," he said, "I just somehow knew that what was written on that calling card yesterday would come true somehow. It's all about having a little faith."

"Oh, right! That calling card!" Chihiro suddenly remembered, "everything happened just like it said!"

"Does this mean that Phantom Thieves thing was real!?" Leon exclaimed.

"Something must have been done to Mr. Towa for him to suddenly confess all of this out of the blue," Mukuro frowned, "that is for certain."

"Don't be naïve," Byakuya snarled, "there is no such thing as "stealing a person's distortion!" It's impossible!"

"But why else would he start by saying things like he would atone with  his life or turn himself in?" Celeste inquired.

"Maybe it's because it got leaked!" Hina pumped her arms, "isn't that a thing in crime and punishment where if you turn yourself in you get less harsh treatment?"

"What could have possibly happened?" Sayaka inquired.

"Who knows?" Toko snidely turned her eyes away, "but man...Towa t-turned out to be one sick motherfucker, huh?"

"As did the rest of his group..." Sakura added.

"Did none of you hear a word of what the headmaster just said!?" Taka bellowed, "we must return to our dorms at once!"

"Alright, alright, we get it!" Leon rolled his eyes, "sheesh man!"

Goodbye Despair High School - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

It took several hours for the hustle and bustle to die down. The police that was called in to question Towa ended up having to help Hope's Peak's security to push all the reporters and paparazzi off campus.

Makoto and his classmates were forced to return to the dorm rooms, and after a few hours passed, Makoto lay on his bed, texting on his phone. 

Ever since Komaru awakened to her Persona, the group had subtly created a group chat with just the three of them in it, so they could privately discuss their plans. Now, they were simply enjoying some down time and discussing the events from earlier over text.

----------------------------------------------

Naegi's/Fukawa Group

Makoto: [You doing ok Komaru?]

Komaru: [Yeah. Just got home. Traffic was awful on the way back]

Toko: [I can only imagine.]

Toko: [The police had to section off a lot of roads as part of the Academy roadblock after all.]

Komaru: [How are things over there?]

Makoto: [Towa and his cronies all got escorted off camp by the police]

Makoto: [As for the kids, they're staying over in the Elementary School building, being looked after by Miss Yukizome]

Makoto: [We might end up getting the news about it tomorrow, but word is that all 6 of them, including Tokuichi Towa, have been arrested]

Komaru: [I'm just amazed...His heart really did change!]

Toko: [And to top it all off, he didn't end up having one of those "mental shutdown" things that Monomi mentioned!]

Makoto: [Yeah, I'm really glad!]

Komaru: [Oh yeah, speaking of which, where is Monomi right now?]

Makoto: [She was in my bag during the ceremony, now she's just sitting here with me.]

Toko: [Did you give her her present yet?]

Makoto: [Not yet]

----------------------------------------------

"Present!?" Monomi's bunny ears perked up, "you bought me a present!?"

"Quiet down, I'll get to that in a bit," Makoto laughed, "anyway, I bet you're also glad that Towa didn't die, right?"

"Yes...Now I know for sure," Monomi nodded, "if we get the Shadow to return to the original person without killing it, it prevents the mental shutdown. Even after everything, that's the one thing I know for sure!"

Makoto nodded and returned to his chatroom.

----------------------------------------------

Toko: [Still though...I'm left wondering if all of this was for the best...]

Makoto: [I think so...Why do you ask?]

Toko: [I have no idea. Things are just happening very fast for my liking.]

Komaru: [I know what you mean...]

Komaru: [Still though, I have good news!]

Makoto: [Oh yeah?]

Komaru: [Hope's Peak Academy have announced to the public that they're looking to scrap the Elementary School plans]

Komaru: [Even though the staff and Steering Committee really wanted it to follow through, they can't just ignore total public opinion]

Toko: [Even if they could, the misdeeds of Towa Corp reached the governments' ears, and I think they may threaten to cut Hope's Peak's academic funding if they persist with putting their budget into the project run by a bunch of pedophiles and abusers.]

Komaru: [True, but then there's the REAL good news!]

Komaru: [They stated that they're putting the kids up for adoption, and in the meantime, they're going to ask the families of the students if they could foster them for a while.]

Makoto: [Oh yeah! I heard about that!]

Komaru: [Sooooooo...Makootoooo?]

Makoto: [Yeeaaaaaasss?]

Komaru: [CAN WE PLEASE FOSTER KOTOKO-CHAN, PLZPLZPLZPLZPLZPLZ!?]

Makoto: [Hold your horses, Highwayman. That's something to ask Mom and Dad]

Makoto: [And it hasn't been made official yet, so don't jump the gun.]

Komaru: [AWWWW Fiiiiiine...!]

Toko: [You really want this, huh?]

Komaru: [I know it sounds stupid since we've only met once...]

Komaru: [But I feel like I let her down. And I want to fix things]

Komaru: [If she'll let me]

Makoto: [I'm sure she will man]

Makoto: [I'm sure she will]

Komaru: [Alright it's late, so I think I'm gonna hit the hay]

Komaru: [Exploring the Palace really sucked the energy out of me, I'm still tired even now]

Toko: [Yeah, same here.]

Toko: [But hey...I know I don't usually say this a lot, but do you guys maybe want to meet up somewhere tomorrow?]

Toko: [To grab dinner and celebrate our victory?]

Toko: [Just the three of us.]

Toko: [*Four of us. Sorry Monomi, you can come too.]

Komaru: [That sounds awesome! We can blow our spoils on a big meal!]

Makoto: [I like the sound of that!]

Makoto: [For now though, good night girls]

Komaru: [Nighty night yall!]

----------------------------------------------

Makoto lay down on his bed calmly, a feeling of relief and satisfaction washing over him, knowing that the crooks had been put away and that Hope's Peak Academy was safe.

Though the academy didn't matter too much. Makoto was just glad that the kids at the Elementary School could have their own futures.

"Oh! That's right!" Makoto suddenly sat up, "I needed to show you something Monomi."

"Is this the present that Toko mentioned?" her ears perked up again.

Makoto nodded, then walked over to the corner of his dorm room. He reached down and picked up a large box, opening it up, and placing its contents on the table in the center of his room. It was a small, homely cage for small pets.

"You said you were planning on staying in this world for a little bit, right?" Makoto asked, "after we pawned off the treasure for some cash, we split the money between us equally. Since you can't really use it, I decided to use some of my cut to buy this. Now you have a place to stay."

He scratched his face awkwardly.

"Oh but uh...sorry if it feels like I'm treating you as a pet. I meant no offense."

"No, no, dear boy, it's wonderful!" Monomi hopped onto the table, and Makoto let her into the cage. Monomi very quickly started to investigate the quirks of her new home, including the water, food bowl, and a little hidey-hole for her to sleep at night.

"Oh, it's wonderful!" she squeaked, "I can most certainly get used to this!"

"It's the least I owe you," Makoto admitted, "whether you feel like it or not, we would have been lost without your guidance. So...thanks."

"If anyone should be proud, it's me!" Monomi left the cage and looked up at him with her beady. bunny eyes, which despite that description, warmed Makoto, "the more I think about it, the more the code name Leprechaun really suits you!"

"You uh...really think so?" Makoto blushed. Monomi nodded.

"Like Toko said, you're unpredictable and tricky, and you proved to be the ace up our sleeve with that new power of yours," she reminded him "that said, you are still young. If you want to be a real Phantom Thief, then I suppose it falls to me to guide you, and your friends."

"Thank you...I look forward to it." Makoto bowed, "and if that's how you really feel about the code name, then I guess I have no choice but to stick with it!"

And with this, Makoto once again heard the familiar voice in his head...As a new contract was established.

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Magician Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

"Naegi-kun? Who are you talking to?"

Makoto almost fell over in surprise as he heard a sound from his doorway. He looked up in a panic to see his classmate, Kyoko Kirigiri, staring at him.

"K-Kiri-san!?" he cried, trying his hardest to act casual, "I didn't hear you come in! Did...did I leave my door open?"

"You were careless," she stated bluntly, "with everything that's going on, you should be more mindful of your surroundings."

"Oh come on, it's not like anyone's gonna sneak into my room and kill me in my sleep," Makoto told her, "that aside, I imagine you've been working with the police to get this incident resolved, huh?"

"Yes...and it's piled on even more work on top of my already busy schedule," the detective sighed, "that aside...is that a rabbit?"

"Huh!? Oh uh...yeah..." Makoto tensed, "I uh...I found a stray on campus and decided to take it in..."

"Why not give it to Tanaka-kun?" Kyoko asked.

Makoto couldn't think of a good answer to this, but Monomi for her part, just kept making adorable squeak noises, like she was trying to charm Kyoko into liking her. Kyoko however, shook her head and sighed.

"Fine, I won't complain. So long as it doesn't make too much noise at night and you look after it," she said, "I'll ask the other girls if they have any food for it."

"R-Really!?" Makoto exclaimed, "thanks!"

"Don't mention it," she smiled, "anyways, what's its name?"

"Oh...Her name's Monomi." Makoto told her.

"I see...sit tight, I'll be back soon." the sleuth exaunted. Monomi's rabbit face, despite her limited expressions in this form, seemed to curl into a big smile.

"So many diligent and kind students in these dorms," she said, "yes...I think I'm going to enjoy living here very much!"

Despair Syndrome (1) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Unbeknownst to Makoto and the other newfound Phantom Thieves however, a group of smartly dressed, very disgruntled-looking businessmen were crowded around a table in a private room, all discussing the events that had happened at the academy in private.

There were four men in total. The first was Tomita, a rotund man with fat lips and short, messy hair from where he had been practically pulling it out from stress.

The second was Wakaba, an elderly man who was definitely the calmest of the four. He had problems with his vision, so he wore a pair of dark glasses on his face.

The third was Ashikawa, the leader of the group; a balding man with a face like thunder.

And the last was Uragami, a tanned man who looked like he had no clue what to say or do in the moment.

These four were the main members of the Hope's Peak Steering Committee, who had gathered to discuss their future plans and reflect on the incident that had occurred today...However, their individual reactions made this somewhat difficult.

"What in the world HAPPENED up there today!?" Ashikawa snarled, "it was a complete disaster!"

"Ashikawa, please, calm yourself," Wakaba interjected, "we haven't finished talking about our plans going forward yet, nor have we discussed what we're going to say to the public."

"H-Haven't we!?" Tomita trembled, "Towa confessed his crimes in front of so many people! Students, teachers, reporters, and even some people with p-p-police ties! If we continue with the plans for the E-Elementary School-!"

"We don't have a choice at this point but to scrap it!" Ashikawa snapped, slamming the table with his fist, "regardless if Towa's case goes through and he and his co-conspirers end up arrested, the public will riot if we try to push the plans forward! Hope's Peak's credibility will be brought into question and we'll lose applicants! The government themselves might even get involved..."

"Actually, I consider this a big stroke of luck," Wakaba smiled, "be thankful their crimes were exposed NOW rather than later, and that those children won't have to face the abuse they suffered any longer."

"Wakaba has a point actually," Uragami chimed in, "imagine what could have happened if Towa had confessed a while after the Elementary School was established. Sure by that point, there would have been no way to secure those CEO's children's safety, but on top of that, Hope's Peak's credibility would have been shot. As things stand, people still are assuming that the Academy didn't know about the misdeeds that were being committed on these children, but if it had happened later, someone might have made a link, and things could have spiraled out of control."

"Things have spiraled out of control as it is!" Ashikawa glowered, slamming the table again, "Towa's confession means that any hope we have of snuffing out the media outlets that recorded the attempted suicide is all for naught! It will honestly be a stroke of luck if our candidates for the next year all end up accepting after this!"

"I understand how you feel, Ashikawa-sama, but if I may be frank, there are bigger issues at play here...!" Uragami said. This caused all three other members to stare at him.

"Wh-What do you mean, U-Uragami-san?" Tomita stammered. Uragami replied by reaching into his pocket and pulling out a fancy piece of card, sliding it into the center of the table.

"This was found plastered all over the bulletin board at the front entrance of the academy building," he explained, "it appears to be addressed to Haiji Towa himself. Headmaster Kirigiri presented it to me personally."

""Phantom Thieves?" What nonsense is this!?" Ashikawa spat as he read it, "what are you getting at here, man!?"

"The letter mentions stealing Towa's distorted desires..." Uragami explained, "it sounds ridiculous, but...think about it...By any chance, could THAT be involved...!?"

Uragami's words caused the other three Committee members' blood to run cold. Or at the very least, Ashikawa and Tomita went pale. Wakaba retained his calmness.

"Y-You mean..." Ashikawa began to sweat bullets, "th-the Metaverse...!?"

"Th-That's impossible! The only people who should know about the Metaverse are ourselves and the Cultivation team!" Tomita panicked, "d-does this mean that someone else has access and is making use of it!?"

"Now that you mention it," Wakaba chimed in, "following Towa's confession, I asked the scientists if any changes had been made to his cognition. It turns out that his Palace has been completely destroyed, and his treasure went missing."

"Why did you not say this sooner!?" Ashikawa cried, "dammit! So not only can these "Phantom Thieves" as they're called alter cognition as we can, but they can even TRAVEL to the cognitive world!?"

"T-Travel? Wh-What makes you think that?" Uragami asked.

"Towa's treasure was stolen. The only way that's even possible is to go into the cognitive world and steal it for yourself. We've never been able to, since we lack the power to fight Shadows," Ashikawa explained, "but if these Phantom Thieves really have the power to do so...Then they can change cognition in a way that even we could never hope to do..."

"And it stands to reason that they will attempt to do so again should we ever partner with anyone else in similarly shady practices," Wakaba acknowledged, "not that I feel comfy with doing that anyway, but even that aside, the presence of these individuals poses a serious risk to our practices at the Academy."

"EEEK! T-They're gonna come for us next!" Tomita squealed.

"Don't be such a baby!" Ashikawa snapped, "but still, Wakaba is correct. These thieves have put us in a really rough and hard spot...And as long as they're still around, they threaten to do so in the future."

"You mean it's possible they may discover what we ourselves have been using the Metaverse for?" Uragami inquired, "a-and that they might stop us?"

"Precisely..." Ashikawa nodded, "we need to lie low on any actions for a while and focus on dealing with public backlash in light of Towa's incident. The good news is that aside from the students, word about the Phantom Thieves' presence won't get around so long as we can prevent it."

"So...we're going to cover up the Phantom Thieves' existence?" Tomita asked.

"That may be our best move for now, but we cannot leave them be under these circumstances," Wakaba said, "here's what we will do. We will get Kirigiri, Kizakura, Munakata and as many of the main staff as we can to pull out all their resources, and track down the Phantom Thieves in the school. If that fails, we'll try something else."

"Wakaba-sama..." Uragami's eyes widened, "are you insinuating what I think you are?"

"Wh-What? What is it?" Tomita trembled.

"That the Phantom Thieves may be students at the Academy? Why yes, that would be correct," he smiled, "though that is little more than a tentative theory. We cannot confirm it until some investigation has been done."

"Then investigate we shall," Ashikawa glared, "no matter what, they'll pay for this...!"

Chapter Text

Summer Rain - Persona 6 Imagine

It had been quite a while since Kyoko Kirigiri last decided to visit her grandfather's agency. But in light of all the recent stress she had been under at the academy, she needed a break.

It had only been two days since Haiji Towa's confession, and the news stories had been going wild with hot takes, stories and everything else. But what really mattered to Kyoko was the truth, not the half-baked opinionated articles that news stations just spat out.

Towa's case had been pursued fairly quickly, and he and the other miscreants involved in the scandal had been taken to court. With some assistance from Hope's Peak, the Elementary School children had gained the power to speak up, and near irrefutable evidence had been discovered that proved every last one of the conglomerate's crimes as Towa had stated.

As for the company itself, it was currently still standing. Though Kyoko suspected it wouldn't be long before it totally collapsed. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, at least that's what they say.

As for the other CEOs and Towa's close compatriots, they weren't doing so hot either. By this point in time, in light of what had been exposed about Kotoko, Utsugi's business practices were already dead in the water. Both he and his wife had been the first to be prosecuted, and everyone who was involved in his prostitution and other illegal businesses had come forward and confessed. While some had been more compliant than others, all of them had been arrested and were likely going to serve varying lengths of jail time. However, Junya Utsugi himself was rightfully going to be put away for the rest of his life.

Daimon went down very quickly too, but it turned out that his business was based on illegal practices and forged documentation from the start. To get his business grants, he and Towa Corp had faked academic documents and falsified a CV for funding, which had long been stripped from him. In reality, the man was little more than an angry abusive drunk who just tried to LOOK professional.

Both Shingetsu and his wife had not only been arrested but Shingetsu was completely fired from Hope's Peak. The academy had even filed something of a restraining order against him, allowing them to take action if he even put so much as a toe near the academy. Clearly, his actions were akin to a betrayal for the staff and forces at work, and with the Elementary School gone, what good was he anyway?

From the way Kyoko had heard it, however, Kemuri's case didn't sound especially serious. She had been arrested and was to be charged for being a co-conspirator in Towa's project, as well as being a neglectful parent, but other than that, there weren't many grounds to arrest her. She hadn't abused Jataro aside from forcing him to wear his mask, nor had she laid a finger on any of the other kids, despite knowing what their parents were putting them through. She would still be charged and fined for her misdeeds, but it seemed unlikely she would be sent to serve time. However, her business was most assuredly done for.

Though this wasn't a first, Kyoko had barely slept trying to connect all the dots and figure out things, even though she hadn't been directly involved with the situation. No matter what she tried, there seemed to be no reasonable conclusion as to why Towa just decided to spill his guts like that...

...Well...Except for one...

Still, she'd spent long enough dwelling on all of this, and now she had other things to take care of. She arrived at the Kirigiri Detective Agency and as she passed through, she earned the typical paranoid and/or scornful look from the agents and detectives as she passed them by; though she also received some friendly greetings alongside these, some more serious than others.

The Kirigiri Detective Agency was spearheaded by Kyoko's grandfather, Fuhito, with her being the one to eventually succeed him in the family business. The agency had been around for a long time, despite the anonymity of it, and the Kirigiri line itself was comprised of many talented detectives, dating back to even before the Sengoku period, at least according to the documents she had read.

However, Kyoko's father Jin had long since defected from the family, due to not wanting to be a detective himself. Though she had been too young to truly remember it, Kyoko's mother died when she was only a little girl, and from what she had heard from her grandfather and other sources around him, Jin had used her death as an excuse to leave the family and pursue his own dreams.

This alone had given Kyoko enough of a reason to resent him, but on top of that, she had earned the unfortunate rep of being the daughter of a man who abandoned his family and his legacy for his own selfish interests.

Personally, Kyoko couldn't bring herself to truly hate Jin for this decision. He had his own life and was free to make his own choices. It was this, and everything else on top of that, and what he had abandoned and left her to do in his place that bothered her. In truth, her real reason for attending Hope's Peak in the first place to was to make a connection with her father, not to form a bond or tie herself to him, but rather the opposite - to cut each other out of their lives by graduation, so that she no longer felt plagued by her past.

Even though her family kept their talent out of the spotlight, Kyoko publicly touted her abilities so that the Hope's Peak recruiters would notice her. A decision that Fuhito didn't approve of, but had come to respect.

Though she had a cold shell about her, Kyoko was honestly very close to her grandfather, who raised her and taught her all she currently knew in the detective business, and he protected her from anything he deemed a threat. Yes, he was certainly strict, but he still allowed Kyoko space and freedom should she need it. He had been every bit of a parent to Kyoko that her father had failed to be.

And he had a very pleasant smile on his face as she walked into his office.

"Kyoko, my dear girl!" he chuckled, "I certainly wasn't expecting this visit! Especially given what happened at your school recently."

"Well, I figured that some coffee and sweets over a talk about cases would clear my mind of all the misery and stress," she gave him the rare genuine Kyoko smile, "if that's ok with you?"

"No, not at all my girl. I have more than enough free time right now," he said, "that said, I am still surprised. Despite your nature, your love for sweets hasn't changed since you were young I see?"

"Sugar is good for your body's energy, you know?" she said, "and I've been low on that."

Fuhito chuckled again, getting up from his desk to put the kettle on while Kyoko lay the food she had brought out on the desk and took a seat on the opposite side.

"So..." he began, "I suppose I should get to the point. How has school been?"

"It's been alright...I have gotten well acquainted with my classmates and...I even got to talk to father a few times..." she admitted, "though it has mostly been for work-related reasons."

"Oho? So, Jin has been making use of you?" he raised a surly eyebrow. Kyoko sighed.

"He's not running me into the ground or anything. He and the Steering Committee have been getting me to do some investigation for them a few times, especially as of late," she explained, "they want to make sure every last bit of corruption is weeded out with the Elementary School."

"Well, if it were up to me," the elderly detective said, pouring the boiling water into the cups, "I'd send those kids to an orphanage, demolish the building, and be done with it."

"Understandable, but that's not how it works," Kyoko scowled, "they can't just dispose of the kids as they feel like it, otherwise it will cause a scandal. Plus, I think you underestimate just how much money the Committee lost now that the plans have fallen through. It's a little too late to sue Towa for damages."

"I know how the law works Kyoko, you need not lecture me." he said, "still, I can't help but think that we may have avoided being caught in this if you weren't a student at that school..."

"Grandfather..." Kyoko was saddened, "I know you don't approve of my decision to attend Hope's Peak, but..."

"Haha! Relax, my dear, I'm only messing with you," Fuhito smiled warmly, "true, I have my reservations about your father, but I have no qualms with the school itself, despite everything. Quite the opposite actually. Did you know that I recently decided to take on one of your kouhai?"

Kyoko's eyes widened in surprise, staring at her grandfather, who could help but laugh at her sudden expression.

"You...took on a Hope's Peak student?" she inquired.

"Why would I not? They ARE supposed to be the best of the best, right?" he asked, "he seemed eager to join the agency and I wanted to see what he can do. I'm not quite sure of his abilities yet, at least compared to yours, but if he gained an Ultimate Title, he must be worth something."

"Wait a moment...Could you be referring to the new Ultimate Detective in Class 79?" Kyoko asked, "Grandfather, are you aware that he's-?"

"Yes, I know who he is," Fuhito cut her off, "but the sins of the father do not always weigh on the son, you know? Or well...he's actually his nephew, but I think the saying still applies."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk and his head in his hands.

"I'm willing to give him a chance, but I've told him he must produce results if he wishes to work here. So far I've signed him up for an internship, and I'm having him work on a case for me."

"What case?" Kyoko asked. Fuhito replied by pointing a finger toward a table on the far side of his office. Kyoko's eyes looked over to see a random brick with a letter stuck to it sitting there.

"The case of whoever's been throwing those damn things through office windows," he grumbled, "I mean, we already have a good idea of who it is, but I've asked the young lad and a few others if they can catch the guy."

"Sounds like you've got your own share of problems lately..." Kyoko contemplated, "anything else you've been working on?"

"Well, I recently closed the books on the investigation into that one Cabinet Minister," Fuhito explained, "he wasn't directly involved in the incident that caused the scandal, but he's been forced to resign...It's concerning. That's our 4th cabinet resignation in the last few months."

"At this rate, it would be amazing if we had any government left by the end of the year. It's just scandal after scandal..." Kyoko frowned, "something is behind it, but I still need to figure out what..."

"You mentioned to me before that it may be something occult-related," Fuhito recalled, "do you still believe that?"

"Yes...somewhat..." Kyoko admitted. Fuhito sighed.

"Then I'll tell you what. Assuming you're not already busy with school, studies, or other cases, I'll let you take a lead role in the investigation on this case," he promised her, "and if anything goes south, I will take responsibility for it."

"Th-Thank you sir!" Kyoko exclaimed in pleasant surprise. Once again, Fuhito just chuckled.

"I'm assuming you wanted to bring that up with me today, correct?" he asked, sipping his coffee, "that or perhaps the young man in Class 79 I just mentioned. So I just cut to the chase."

"You're quite perceptive grandfather," Kyoko acknowledged, "but actually...there is something else that's come to my attention."

"And what might that be?" he asked.

Kyoko finally decided to pose the question that had been on her mind this whole time.

"In regards to the incident with Towa and what caused his sudden change of heart," she said, "I believe...my school may have received a visit from...a group of strange Phantom Thieves..."

"Alright! On the count of three! One...Two...Three!"

"CHEERS!"

Home - Persona 5 Strikers

Sitting down cheerfully at a fancy buffet restaurant, Makoto Naegi, Komaru Naegi and Toko Fukawa, all dressed in smart clothing, clinked their glasses together and all took a merry gulp of their drinks. Having all grabbed their fair share of food, they all started to dig in.

Makoto had gotten his usual favorite meal of curry but also had some vegetables, fish, and a cake for afterwards. He was also planning to go and grab seconds once he was done.

Toko had only picked up mere scraps for her plate. Her meal still looked filling enough, but it was clear that she wasn't intent on gorging, despite the situation.

The same could not be said for Komaru, who had grabbed basically as much random food as she could, including meat, vegetables, and cake, and piled it all up on her side of the table. Though she had promised to share some of it with the others.

"MMMMMGH!" she moaned, taking a big bite of juicy meat, "sooo gooood! So juicy!"

"That's what she said~" Toko teased. Komaru immediately flushed.

"Dammit! I knew you were gonna say that!" she snapped, "give me a break!"

"Calm down I-I'm kidding!" Toko laughed, still stuttering despite her merriment, "you're right though. I'm not normally a fine dining girl, but I could eat like this forever!"

"You've only put a little bit on your plate though, Fukawa-san," Makoto observed, "still, I won't judge. Hey Monomi, you want any of this?"

"Yes please!" she poked her head out of Makoto's bag excitedly, "I would like some salad...some cake...Oh, and some fish, please!"

"Didn't think a rabbit would want to eat fish..." Toko remarked, as Makoto cut a bit of his fish off and fed it to his bunny buddy, who chowed it down with a smile on her fluffy face.

"This is lovely!" she exclaimed, squeaking happily, "I must say Komaru, you have very refined taste in dining!"

"I always thought you were a fast-food junkie..." Toko snarked.

"Yeah, it's honestly surprising..." Makoto commented, "how'd you even pick this place out?"

"I got a recommendation from Kanon-chan! It's a hot topic among her and her gal friends." Komaru beamed.

"Kanon-chan?" Toko parroted, "I feel like I've heard that name before."

"She's the cousin of your classmate, Leon Kuwata, and is also the manager for his baseball team," Komaru explained, "she's also the daughter of the director of TAT Television!"

"Oh yeah! Leon's talked about her! He seems fond of her," Makoto exclaimed, "wow, you sure do have some impressive connections Komaru...!"

""Connections" is a bit much. We're just friends" she assured him. Toko scoffed.

"I see...No wonder this place reeks of the rich and famous...Looks like I'm already being replaced as the best friend huh? Rich girls sure are something..."

"Oh, cut that out!" Komaru snapped, "you know that's not what I meant! But uh...speaking of which, we're blowing all the money at once so we don't have to worry about it later, right?"

"Yep. We got 30,000 in total after we sold off Towa's treasure, plus everything else we nabbed from the Palace," Makoto recalled, "so assuming Monomi gets overlooked, that's 10,000 for each of us to spend on meals. I already spent some of my cut on Monomi's rabbit home though."

"And I am VERY grateful!" Monomi piped up.

"Speaking of which, I'm still pretty surprised," Komaru added, "about what ended up happening to Towa's treasure..."

"Yeah..." Makoto's mind flashed back to what happened right after they escaped from the prison.

Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

[A FEW DAYS AGO...]

"Gah! Hah...haah...That...THAT sucked...!" Toko snapped and panted, as she and her fellow Phantom Thieves tumbled down the alleyway they had entered the Metaverse from.

They had just narrowly escaped being crushed under the collapsing jail after having successfully defeated Towa and stolen his treasure. The thieves were back in their regular clothing, a little shaken and bruised, but very much alive.

"We good?" Makoto called out, using what little breath remained in his lungs. On top of having just literally ran for their lives, emerging from the Metaverse had immediately caused a sensation of exhaustion and tiredness that hit the group like a wrecking ball.

After reaffirming that everyone was alright, Komaru pulled out her phone. Her eyes widened upon seeing the screen.

"H-Hey guys!" she huffed, "look at the nav!"

Makoto and Toko immediately pulled out their phones, which were already on the Meta-Nav screen. The words on the screen were once again read loud and clear.

[THE DESTINATION HAS BEEN DELETED.]

"So it's t-true..." Toko heaved a heavy, knackered sigh, "we really can't go there anymore...?"

"There's nowhere to go to," Makoto reminded her, "the prison totally collapsed...Wait! Komaru, do you have the-!?"

"Oh right, the treasure!" his sister exclaimed, reaching into her skirt pocket, "don't worry! I've got it right...huh!?"

"Oh my god..." Toko's face went pale, "PLEASE don't tell me you dropped it while we were escaping!?"

"Of course not! I'm not that stupid!" she exclaimed, "it's just...it's a lot bigger than I remember it being..."

Komaru pulled her hand out of her pocket and showed the contents to her friends. What should have been a majestic golden warden's badge...was instead a dingy little trophy.

"What the-!?" Toko exclaimed, "did you get something mixed up?"

"Stop trying to pin this on me! I told you, I'm not that stupid!" Komaru snapped, "The treasure was in my pocket when I was in the Metaverse, and this is what was in my pocket when I came out!"

"Komaru hasn't made any mistakes, do not worry," Monomi explained, "in truth, that trophy IS Towa's treasure. It's real form."

"Real form?" Makoto parroted, "what are you talking about?"

"Simply put, that trophy was the source of Towa's desires," the bunny clarified, "to that man, it held the same amount of value as the warden's badge from his Palace."

"Hold on, there's some writing here..." Komaru examined the trophy and read its scriptures aloud, "says "Young Revolutionary Awards...""

"Oh! I remember that!" Makoto exclaimed, "Towa won that trophy when he first became heir to the company. He entered a young upstarts competition on behalf of the corporation and took the top prize."

"I get it...Towa hated the fact that Monaca was always ahead of him," Toko frowned, "I guess that was proof to him that he could make it to first place, and he couldn't ever let that go..."

"I know this is stupid, especially after everything he did, but that just makes me feel sorry for him...What he said about how everyone's expectations were weighing on him didn't seem to be wrong..." Komaru considered, "still though, now that we've stolen this from him, that means his heart will change, right?"

"Probably!" Monomi beamed, giving confidence in this very skeptical answer.

"Oh come on! Our lives are on the line here!" Toko snapped "the Elementary School opens tomorrow!"

"Uwawawa! I-I'm sorry!" Monomi panicked, "it's just I told you I'd never done this before either! But if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that this has affected Towa's personality quite a bit."

"So what, we just wait a while until we hear the news? That doesn't sit right with me...But I guess we don't have a choice..." Makoto sighed.

"Oh come now, why the long faces?" positive energy radiated off the bunny (though admittedly it wasn't as impactful as it would have been if she was in her Metaverse form) "I'm positive that it will be fine. Haiji Towa is indeed a horrible, terrible man, but it seemed that he really did regain his conscience at the end when he said he would be returning to himself...At least somewhat."

She hopped onto Makoto's bag and then onto his shoulder.

"Even if this doesn't solve all the problems at hand, I know for a fact that there are people who you have saved because of your actions. Those children included."

"Y-Yeah..." Komaru stared down, clearly still a bit anxious, but accepting of this answer.

However, her face suddenly became panicked, and she grabbed her phone again and looked at the time.

"OH CRAP!" she squeaked, "I need to get home before Mom and Dad wake up! I'm SO grounded if they catch me!"

"Goodnight Komaru..." Makoto smiled and waved as she rushed away.

"Heh...She never changes..." Toko smiled.

"Ok...I know we agreed to like...not ask questions and all...And I'm grateful you're keeping your curiosity on the down lo, but...Where the fuck did you GET all this stuff!?"

These words came out of the mouth of Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, as Makoto and his sister took a trip to Taboo, the pawn and weapons shop that the Kuzuryu family owned. They brought Towa's treasure, as well as all the other gold and gems they had snagged from the palace, and brought it there in exchange for cash.

Rather unfortunately, much like the treasure, the gold and gems had transformed into meaningless bits and bobs. Still, while they weren't gonna sell as well as the trophy, no doubt they would have at least SOME value.

The Naegi siblings had gone to the pawn shop to get whatever cash they could off their steals, but unfortunately, explaining how they got it to Fuyuhiko was going to be challenging.

"W-We uh...We were just looking around some of our relatives' homes and...found all this junk!" Komaru tried her best to lie, "we agreed that we had no real use of it, so we were thinking of finding a place to pawn it off."

"Fortunately, I remembered this place when you took me here before," Makoto followed up, "in any case, how much could we get with all of this combined?"

"Hmph...Spike?" Fuyuhiko clearly didn't have any more questions, so he turned around and spoke to the manager, who was already in the process of doing the calculations.

"Eh...It's kind of outdated, but it's still worth a high price...It ain't exactly an antique though..." he replied, "how does 30,000 yen for it sound?"

Against their will, the siblings made the exact same exclamation at the exact same time...

"Hot damn!"

Home - Persona 5 Strikers

[BACK AT PRESENT...]

"It is sad though..." Toko recollected, "imagine your primary reason for living is a shitty little award that you happened to win as a kid. That's clinging to your past glory if I've ever seen it..."

"Well, even though we went through hell and back to get it, I'm glad it's not our problem anymore," Komaru admitted, "sure, it's a decent keepsake, but I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that the incarnation of what made Towa such a horrible piece of shit is in my possession."

"I know what you mean...Getting rid of it was the right choice." Makoto affirmed.

"And hey! With the spoils, at least we have a chance to celebrate our victory!" Usami cheered, "you know, there's no reason to feel guilty, right Komaru?"

"Aahaha...You noticed, huh?" Komaru gave an embarrassed chuckle, "sorry, I can't really help it."

"That trophy was only a fake created by Towa's desires...at least that's what I gleaned from Monomi's explanation," Makoto reminded her, "maybe this is above us, but we did change his heart and set him back on the right track, right?"

Komaru nodded sheepishly.

"By the way, I haven't actually heard any updates from the school in regards to the case now that Towa's confessed," Toko chimed in, "have any of you guys been keeping track?"

"Almost constantly, though I hate to admit it. I've even been caught looking at my phone a few times in class," Komaru admitted, "information about what the school plans to do with the kids is still being kept close to the chest...The Towa's, Utsugi, and all the bastards that were in on their schemes are all in the process of facing court charges."

"Well, think about it this way," Makoto told her, "even if by some disastrous miracle these assholes don't get charged for their crimes, their companies and everything they've ever worked for is as good as dead in the water."

"Don't wanna be that person, but if it's disastrous, it's not a "miracle". Miracles are specifically welcomed events. If the criminals don't get charged, it would be a "tragedy"," Toko interjected, "but yeah, there's nothing left for those bastards, even if they DO get out. Their names have been dragged through the mud, and no one's about to pick them up."

"Yeah, no kidding," Komaru laughed, "according to the reports, 99.3% of all companies' buyers and stocks pulled out overnight. Towa's, Utsugi's...All of them! Even if they're proven innocent in court, there is no way in hell any of them are getting their livelihoods back."

"Nor their kids either," Makoto added, "Hope's Peak have already confirmed they're going through with the fostering and there's nothing that they can do about it...Though thinking about it now, wasn't the point of the Elementary School to get rid of the kids in the first place?"

"I think that only applied to Monaca. The other kids were kept there so their parents could further exploit and use them. After all, having connections to a place like Hope's Peak makes people nigh untouchable, so it's a good thing we stopped them when they did," Monomi piped up, "all's well that ends well I always say. So why don't we chow down as much as we can before our time runs out?"

"Huh? HUH!?" Komaru's eyes widened with panic, "oh crap! I forgot we're on a time limit!"

"We've already used up half the amount of time we have left!" Makoto panicked, looking at his phone timer, "I'm nowhere near full yet! Tasty food, here I come!"

"I am NOT leaving until I've tried EVERYTHING on the dessert menu!" Komaru snapped, "Toko! Watch our things, we'll be right back!"

Toko sighed, trying her hardest to hold back a smile as she watched the siblings hurry towards the buffet, doing their best not to barge into other people.

"They are SUCH children..." she groaned.

"Maybe so...But they're your friends, right?" Monomi poked her head up, "you wouldn't have them any other way!"

"D-Don't put words in my mouth!" she glowered, flushed.

Beneath the Beautiful Dead - NoteBlock

"Hey...Omaru? Are you done in there yet?"

"J-Just a second...!" 

Toko heard Komaru groan from inside the bathroom stall. She didn't know if said groan had come from her mouth or her stomach, but she certainly wasn't about to check. Within a few minutes, Komaru opened the door, her face exasperated, but she smiled at her spectacled friend.

"Thanks for checking in on me..." she grunted, giving a half-hearted thumbs up. Toko shook her head.

"That's what happens when you eat too much..." Toko lectured her, "this is why I eat my meals sparingly. Do you even realize just how many pounds you'll put on because of this?"

"Hey, that's Future Komaru's problem," she laughed, "at least I didn't throw up or anything. Now come on, let's get back to Makoto and Monomi. They're probably wondering where we are."

Toko and Komaru quietly made their way out of the girls' bathroom and back to the elevator. Komaru had initially panicked when she saw that the on-floor girls' restroom was closed for cleaning, but Toko had swiftly escorted her upstairs to avoid any catastrophe. After a while of sitting down and letting her stomach do its thing, Komaru emerged from the bathroom totally fine. She decided to strike up a conversation with her friend.

"Hey...so, earlier, when we were talking about Kanon-chan...And when you thought I was replacing you as my best friend..."

"Huh? O-Oh...that..." Toko replied sheepishly, "th-that was only a joke..."

"Yeah, I know, but still..." Komaru smiled at her, "even if you think people hate you or don't want you around, there's nothing you could do that would stop me from seeing you as someone important to me."

"R-Really?" Toko looked at her. Komaru nodded.

"Yeah, really. You're as close as family to me, even though we've only known each other for a little bit and...I'm glad I have you around..."

Toko paused to process her words.

"Heh..." she finally spoke up, "I feel bad for having to take that line from whoever you decide to marry in the future."

"Can I not pay you a compliment without getting some sarcastic remark!?" Komaru snapped. Toko laughed.

"Kidding again...Thanks, Omaru..." she said, not looking her friend in the eyes.

Despite this, however, Komaru smiled back at her, knowing what she really meant and felt.

However, this feeling of bliss didn't last for very long, as all of a sudden once they reached the elevator, Komaru got shoved aside and almost knocked off her heels! Toko whirled around and noticed this, catching her before she fell.

DSO_Distrust - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

The writer glared back at the person who had shoved her, to see 5 men in business suits crowding in front of the elevator, which was now opening. In fact, these men were very familiar.

"Make sure you grab the car," the man in the middle, a tall specimen with short white hair said, "we must return to HQ before the Committee's conference."

"Yes, of course..." the man who had shoved Komaru to the side was a beefy man who was even taller, "if you don't me asking, Munakata-san...what exactly did Tomita tell you?"

"To wait quietly and make no statements publicly until this whole fad blows over," the thin man replied, "just the kind of mollycoddle strategy I would expect from those old cowards..."

"A bit harsh, don't you think?" one of the other men, an even BIGGER guy with long brown dreadlocks asked, as they stepped into the elevator and took up all the space, "you know they're just trying not to rock the boat, right?"

"I appreciate your input, Gozu-san, but do not speak as if you know more than me..." he replied.

"Hey!" Toko snapped, "we were here first, asshole! A-And you just knocked over my friend! A-Apologize!"

The man didn't even look Toko's way and instead replied by sniffing the air.

"I thought I smelled something...When did this place become a child's playground?" he glowered, "talk about lack of class..."

"Hey! HOLD UP, YOU BASTARD!" Komaru snapped but failed at a chance to chew the man out before the elevator doors closed on her. The other patrons of the diner watched with concern, clearly too afraid to speak up about it, unlike Komaru, who smacked the elevator door with her fist.

Toko quickly grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back.

"D-Don't make a scene!" she snapped. Komaru turned to her with a face like thunder.

"But still! What he said to you-!"

"Let it go..." Toko told her firmly, "I'm used to abuse like that...If anything I hate it more when people hide their emotions from me..."

Komaru stopped and hung her head, the whole situation depressing her. Toko suddenly laughed.

"I'll have him know that I took a bath yesterday and washed thoroughly, so he clearly doesn't know what he's talking about." she snickered.

"Woah! I thought so!" Komaru beamed, "twice in one week! Impressive Toko!"

The smile quickly faded from her face though, as she turned back towards the elevator.

"I recognize that guy," she admitted, "on the day Kotoko nearly jumped, he and that other dude were at the back gate. He basically threw me to the ground then started to play the nice guy..."

"Kyosuke Munakata..." Toko nodded, "we see him around school a lot these days...Yeah, those are his true colors alright...a hard-headed, strict, lethal businessman, who doesn't have time for "filth." He even treats us Ultimates like shit if he doesn't deem us worthy."

"What a piece of ass...!" Komaru spat, "guess Towa's not the only person who hides his true face behind the one he shows to the public."

"Make sure this is your last round, Makoto," Monomi told him from within his backpack, "if you eat any more I feel you may burst."

"Don't worry," Makoto assured her "this is the last thing I need to finish from what I picked out on the menu. After this, I should be-"

*THUD!*

As Makoto was up at the buffet counter, filling his plate with whatever food was left, he was suddenly bumped in the arm by someone next to him in the line. Fortunately, he was able to retain his balance and prevent any food from spilling onto the carpet.

"Hey! Watch it!" the person exclaimed, suddenly widening their eyes upon seeing him, "w-wait a second...Naegi? Is that you?"

Makoto recognized the voice, then turned around in dismay, seeing two people he recognized. Both of them had shit-eating smirks on their faces once recognized him.

"Oh...Yakushiji-san...Hamuko-chan...Long time no see..." he greeted them halfheartedly. The boy named Yakushiji-san cackled excitedly and patted him on the back, almost causing Makoto to spill his food again.

"Man, I never expected I would run into YOU of all people here!" he grinned, "and what's with the surnames? Don't be so cold!"

"So what brings you here, "Ultimate?" You on a date or something?" Hamuko asked. Makoto shook his head.

"No...Just out at a party with some friends and family..."

"Psh...Figures...Runt like you could never get a chick, even with your Ultimate Title..." she scoffed, "or are you still pining after Sayaka-chan like the simp you are?"

"I never pined after Maizono-san..." Makoto replied, "if the two of you want money, I can't lend you any this time...I spent all of it on the food."

"Aw, a crying shame, but come on. Don't treat us like we're here to shake you down," Yakushiji sniggered, "but hey if you're here for a party, that makes sense. After all, you ARE a famous Ultimate now."

"Makoto?" he suddenly heard the familiar voice of his sister behind him, and he and the other two turned to see her and Toko approach them, "what's going on?"

"Oh, hey! Komaru-chan!" Yakushiji smiled, "didn't think you were here too! Well, I guess we won't keep you any longer. Let's go Hamuko-chan."

"Alright..." Hamuko pouted, and she and Yakushiji turned sourly and walked away. Makoto looked at his feet with a dismal expression, while Komaru glared after the two.

"Middle-school bullies?" Toko suddenly inquired. Komaru looked back at her.

"Wow...Good guess." she commented.

"Not "bullies" per se," Makoto clarified, "just...old friends that I don't care to speak to anymore..."

There was an awkward air, and the three just stood there in silence. The only one who moved was Makoto who moved out of the way of the line to avoid blocking other's way.

"Hey...Naegi?" Toko spoke up finally, "is that plate gonna be your last?"

"Yeah..." he responded, "why?"

"Because I think we should get out of here..." she replied.

X

After Makoto finished his last plate of food, the kids paid the bill and left the restaurant. Despite the merriment of their celebration at the beginning, and how much delicious food they ate, the only taste in their mouths when they left was a bad one.

Needing a moment to catch the breeze and reflect in the evening air, Makoto, Komaru, and Toko all sat down on a bench near the train station. They quietly watched as the trains passed them by, telling each other about the experiences they'd had."

"Sounds like you had a rough time..." Komaru told her brother upon his explanation, "of all people to show up tonight..."

"They're not the only surprise..." Makoto remarked, "you guys seriously ran into Munakata?"

"Yep, and he's every bit as pompous as we know him to be...Sakakura too." Toko nodded.

"I'll bet," Makoto frowned, "even if you are important, you can't just cut the line and push people out of the way!"

"You know Sakakura doesn't treat normal people with any respect," Toko hissed, "if you're not an Ultimate, you're dirt in his eyes. God what I would do to rip him a new one!"

"He'd wreck you..." Komaru sighed, "just like he wrecked me..."

"Come on Komaru, don't let it get you down..." Makoto patted her on the shoulder, "still, this sucks...!"

The silence returned yet again, and it was deafening. Makoto was praying that someone would break it, and fortunately, his sister answered his call.

However, what she actually said gave him some food for thought.

Welcome to Despair Academy - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Hey...Can I ask you guys a...weird question?"

"Most of your questions are weird, so sure." Toko snarked. Komaru ignored her and instead turned to their little rabbit companion.

"Monomi?" she said "Towa isn't the only person with a Palace...is he?"

Monomi shook her head.

"No. Anyone who has a strong, distorted desire can have one," she explained, "and every Palace has a treasure to steal."

"And if they have a Palace and a treasure...That means they could also have a change of heart?"

"Theoretically, yes. Where are you going with this...?"

"That's my question too..." Makoto and Toko both turned their heads toward her, "what are you saying Komaru?"

New World Order - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"I think you know full well what I'm saying," the look on her face was bound and determined, "Towa...Utsugi...There are tons of horrible people out there in the world; some that are still connected to Hope's Peak even now. Selfish...Condescending...Evil people...We have the power to CHANGE them."

"So...Let me get this straight," Makoto interjected, "are you suggesting that we CONTINUE as Phantom Thieves?"

"Exactly!" Komaru beamed, "people like Towa run rampant because no one has the power or courage to fight back against them! But WE do!"

"I...I honestly want to agree with you..." Toko chimed in, "I may be a little crude b-but even I c-can't turn away when someone needs help...The question is how do we even do that?"

"We do exactly as we did before," Makoto suddenly stood up, "we take their distorted desires and force them to confess their crimes! Just like we did Towa!"

"Right!? If we do the same thing we did before to other terrible people, there's no way we could go wrong!" Komaru also hopped up, grinning excitedly, "we could bring about REAL change...! We could change this whole rotten society that kicks people down simply for being who they are!"

"Yes indeed!" Monomi hopped up and down, "that's exactly what I was hoping to hear! Now I know I did the right thing taking on the task of being your teacher!"

"H-Hold on a second!" Toko stammered, "aren't you guys getting ahead of yourselves!?"

"The idea doesn't sound appealing to you, Toko?" Monomi asked. Toko shook her head.

"It's not that," she admitted, "it's just...I don't think you guys remember just how dangerous it was going into Towa's Palace. We could have been killed at any given point, especially when we were fighting against Towa. If Naegi-uh...MAKOTO hadn't awoken to that new power, you would have LITERALLY been toast!"

"Aw, are you saying you care about us?" Komaru teased. Toko just gave her a scornful glare.

"This isn't a joke, Omaru!" she snapped, "of course, I want to protect you guys...I'm just saying that in a place like the Metaverse, that's ridiculously difficult...It would be nice to follow through with what you're proposing but...I don't want you to get hurt..."

"Toko..." Komaru dropped the playfulness upon seeing her friends' depressed expressions. However, they snapped back to attention when Makoto suddenly chuckled.

"That's all the more reason we need you to come with us, Fukawa-san." he told her, "yes, the Palace was dangerous, but we survived it. And we did so because we work well together as a team. And if we keep that up, I know nothing can stop us!"

There was a pause as the other three all looked at him. Makoto felt awkward from the pressure of their gazes.

"So...one of you...say something please?" he squeaked. Toko just laughed.

"No...Sorry for not saying anything, I just...You're right. If that's how you really feel, then I'm game."

"YES! Thank you, Toko!" Komaru rushed over and squeezed Toko into a huge hug, which clearly flustered the writer, "we're gonna do great together!"

"In that case, our Phantom Thief troupe is officially formed!" Monomi called out proudly, "we're still kittens of course, but from here on out, we'll learn and grow together as a team!"

"Kittens huh?" Toko smiled, "I like the sound of that."

"Yes!" Komaru clapped her hands and pumped her arms, "let's make a name for ourselves and show this world who's boss!"

Makoto nodded. The prospect of continuing to be an elusive Phantom Thief and taking down society's hidden evils was nothing if not appealing.

His life was about to change. That was for certain.

----------------------------------------------

PTChat

Makoto Naegi added Toko Fukawa and Komaru Naegi to - PTChat

Toko: [What's this?]

Makoto: [If we're really gonna do this, I decided to create a chat group where we discuss primarily Phantom Thief stuff.]

Makoto: [I downloaded an update for it that prevents it from being exposed to hackers or viruses.]

Toko: [Huh...That's clever.]

Komaru: [Thanks for letting us know.]

Komaru: [I'm actually glad you did that because there're a few things I want to talk to you about.]

Makoto: [What's on your mind?]

Komaru: [Oh, nothing much. If this is for Phantom Thief stuff, I just wanted to ask a few things.]

Komaru: [If we're gonna be going into Palaces and stealing people's hearts as a team, we're gonna need a leader.]

Makoto: [Why's that?]

Komaru: [Every team has one. Someone that we can trust to fall onto when things get rough.]

Komaru: [But also...NOT IT!]

Toko: [Trust me, no one even considered you, Omaru.]

Toko: [But yeah, I'm also going to call not it. That's far too much responsibility for me to handle.]

Komaru: [Makoto, is Monomi reading this? Ask her.]

----------------------------------------------

"No, I'm afraid I must turn that down," Monomi sat on Makoto's shoulder, reading the chat for herself, "I do not wish to be a leader."

"Are you sure?" Makoto asked, "wouldn't it be ideal for the leader to be the person most knowledgeable about the Metaverse? Plus, you said yourself you were our teacher..."

"Let me put it this way," Monomi explained, "yes, I may be a teacher, but a teacher cannot teach if the students aren't willing to go out of their way to learn. I can explain whatever I well please, but whether you'll understand it from my words alone is another story."

"I...I guess..." Makoto responded, not really understanding.

"How about this then?" the bunny said, "let's treat the Phantom Thieves as if they're a group, and stealing hearts as if it's a project. The teacher can offer guidance and instructions, but they can't really participate in the group activity themselves, can they?"

"Ah, I get it." Makoto understood, then turned back to his phone screen.

----------------------------------------------

Makoto: [She said no thanks. She says leading and teaching aren't exactly the same thing, and that we've gotta be the ones responsible for this.]

Komaru: [Not sure I get it, but if that's how things are, so be it.]

Toko: [Guess that means we only have one option left.]

Komaru: [Honestly, I'd be ok with Makoto leading. He did awaken to his power first, plus he can wield multiple Persona's.]

Komaru: [And he does seem to have a knack for all of this.]

Toko: [Other than intimidation, that is.]

Makoto: [Hey, that worked out for us in the end! Can you stop holding that over my head?]

Komaru: [Makoto has a -3 to his Intimidation but a +5 to Charisma in general.]

Toko: [What did we tell you about the D&D talk?]

Komaru: [Sorry Toko-chan. I'll reign it in.]

Makoto: [Actually, while we're here, there's something I've been meaning to ask you, Fukawa-san.]

Makoto: [Kind of a personal question.]

Toko: [If it's personal, can't you DM me?]

Makoto: [No, not that kind of personal.]

Makoto: [It's just that since we're going to be working together a lot more closely than, I don't really want things to remain overly formal between us.]

Makoto: [So is it alright if I call you by your given name like Komaru does?]

Toko: [You wanna seriously call me Toko-chan!?]

Makoto: [No! Not "chan!" just Toko?]

Toko: [Oh...alright then.]

Komaru: [That was easy!]

Toko: [What, did you expect me to go into a frenzy about it?]

Makoto: [I mean...]

Makoto: [Yes?]

Komaru: [Kinda]

Makoto: [Monomi just said she's surprised too.]

Toko: [You guys have NO faith in me, do you!?]

Toko: [In any case, just make sure you still call me Fukawa-san in class, ok?]

Toko: [Not only is it embarrassing for anyone other than Master to call me by my given name, but it would also give everyone a clue as to something happening between us.]

Toko: [And with who we share a classroom, that can mean a variety of things.]

Makoto: [Togami doesn't call you by your given name though...]

Toko: [But he's allowed~]

Makoto: [Well, regardless, you're right. Don't worry, I'm more cautious than that.]

Makoto: [In any case, I guess if the rest of you don't feel up to it, I'll fill the role of our leader for now.]

Komaru: [Yep. No objections from me!]

Toko: [Nor I.]

Komaru: [Speaking of names though, that's actually the OTHER thing I wanted to ask about.]

Komaru: [Not that I dislike the name, but isn't just calling ourselves "the Phantom Thieves" a little bland? We need a flashier title than that.]

Komaru: [Or at least a longer one?]

Toko: [Agreed. I just went for that last time because I wanted to keep it simple. I didn't really want any personal touches on it in case someone caught on.]

Toko: [But yeah, if we're going to produce more calling cards in the future, we'll need a name with more impact than "The Hope's Peak Phantom Thieves."]

Komaru: [I'd like a nice cute name personally, but also one that's pretty cool.]

Komaru: [Like the "Talent Tramplers" or something.]

Makoto: [There's nothing cute about that.]

Makoto: [Also, I thought we agreed that you weren't to be responsible for picking names.]

Komaru: [Just CODE names!]

Toko: [No, it applies here too.]

Komaru: [AAW!?]

Toko: [What about you, Makoto?]

----------------------------------------------

Makoto paused for a moment, leaning himself back to look up at his dorm room ceiling as he thought of something.

His mind flashed back in that moment to the first time he awakened to his Persona, what Mickey had said to him, and what he had said back.

About how his one true redeeming quality was his optimism, and how he had never given up before and wasn't about to start.

Makoto thought more about the conversation they had after they left the buffet that same evening. Exposing the injustices of society didn't just serve as a warning to the corrupt...but also a message to would-be victims.

Makoto wanted everyone to know the same hope that he held onto in the most trying times...To inspire that same feeling in standing up to injustice and despair, and never giving up, no matter what life threw at you.

Like a flash of Kouha, an idea suddenly hit him, and he returned to his messenger to type it in.

----------------------------------------------

Makoto: [How about...The Phantom Thieves of Hope?]

Beautiful Days - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

With no more stress about Towa, and following a (mostly) relaxing evening at the buffet with friends and family, Makoto woke up the next morning, refreshed for what felt like the first time in a while. 

He was already in the process of packing up and returning to his dorm rooms for the afternoon, slowly absorbing all the hustle and bustle about the Towa case and the mysterious presence of the Phantom Thieves out of the corner of his ear. His sleep schedule had returned to normal, and the bags under his eyes were slowly fading. However, he now had a new problem to contend with.

Insisting upon visiting the classrooms and seeing the upkeep of the students and teachers at school for herself, Monomi had practically demanded that Makoto take her to class. By this point in time, all of his classmates had become aware of his pet, though not the fact that she was from another world.

The other day, when they had all been introduced to Monomi, Sayaka, Hina, Chihiro, and for some reason even MONDO had all fawned over her. Taka was worried about the implications of a pet in the dorms, but after Makoto reminded him of Gundham Tanaka from Class 77, as well as assuring him that the responsibility for the bunny would rest entirely on him, the Class Prez caved and allowed it.

On top of that, Kyoko and Sayaka had done him a huge favor and put a request through to allow him to have a pet in the dorms. However, if he was caught with her in class, that wouldn't be ideal.

So he had agreed under the condition that Monomi kept quiet. However, it became all too clear that the Metaverse mentor could not contain her excitement. She kept on making comments about how ideal the teachers were and how incredible the students were, and Makoto kept having to shake his bag every time someone heard a squeaking, choosing to blame it on his chair.

Still, he couldn't exactly fault her, and it seemed like she'd learned her lesson by the end of the day. As he packed his things, he listened to Monomi as she spoke from within his bag.

"All the pleasant aspects of the school aside, the corruption and poor decisions are all too clear. Whoever runs this school is far from innocent," she said, "while it's great that the Phantom Thieves of Hope are up and running, our main problem now is how we're going to find another target."

"True...We had a pretty strong opening with Haiji Towa. Because of us, about 6 or 7 enterprises went down overnight. That's gonna have a massive effect on the economy." Makoto acknowledged.

"Let's not necessarily look for "bigger" just focus on "big" for now." Monomi whispered as Makoto zipped his bag up. 

Good thing he did too, as all of a sudden, Kyoko Kirigiri approached his desk. Makoto did his best to act casual.

"Chair still squeaking?" she inquired, which was a very strange opening for her. Fortunately, Monomi heard her voice from within the bag, so she squeaked as she felt Makoto move his seat.

"Yeah...Sorry, I know it's been distracting," he apologized, "what's up? I feel like I haven't had a chance to talk to you the past few days."

"True, I've been very busy. I went back home to pay a visit to my grandfather," she explained, "and I've been trying to catch passing conversations and rumors with all that's been going on lately. Apparently, someone leaked the calling card to the media."

Makoto's eyes widened.

"Seriously!?" he gasped, "the one from...uh...what were they called? The Hope's Peak Phantom Thieves or something?"

"Yes, that one," Kyoko told him, "it seems to me that the academy tried to cover it up, like how they covered up the truth of how Toko Fukawa and Genocide Jack are the same person. Unfortunately, it seems it slipped through their fingers. Now the media is crawling all over it."

"I wonder who leaked it...?" Makoto asked, half to himself and half to the detective girl in front of him. Kyoko sighed and shrugged.

"Who knows? I've been looking into that myself," she unveiled, "but in any case, it's created quite the buzz both around the school and outside of it. Check the internet lately?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

As he asked this, Kyoko pulled her smartphone out of her jacket pocket and showed the screen to him. Kyoko had two phones on her person at all times. A cell phone for work and a smartphone for leisure...Though Makoto wasn't quite sure what "leisure" was for Kyoko.

Regardless, he was quite surprised, to say the least when he saw what was on the screen. 

"You haven't seen this yet?" she inquired, "this popped up overnight and gained incredible traction. With how trendy you are, that surprises me."

"Well, I've been busy myself lately," Makoto admitted, which wasn't really a lie, "so I haven't had a lot of downtime. What's this about anyway?"

"It's a social media site that's dedicated purely to the Phantom Thieves, that people can create and edit posts on," she explained, "like Tumblr, only more personally themed. Lots of people are congratulating and thanking them for what they've done, but some are even name-dropping people who could be the group's next potential target."

"That's...chaotic..." Makoto commented, not liking the idea of his name coming up on online forums for ill reasons, "surely there are laws for that kind of thing, right? Who even made this site?"

"You make it sound like getting anonymous threats online isn't something that happens every waking hour of the day," Kyoko grumbled, pocketing her phone again, "and I'm looking into who made the site now. Regardless, it seems you have quite the superfan out there."

"Yeah, seriously..." Makoto laughed.

However, his heart stopped and his stomach sank as soon as he realized what she had just said. He looked up at her with tension in his eyes.

Despair Syndrome (2) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Wait...What did you just...?"

Kyoko responded with a small, quiet chuckle, and she leaned against the classroom window, a wry smirk on her face.

"I had figured you'd taken an interest over the last few days in this incident," she said quietly, "so if I'm allowed to ask, what do you make of all this media buzz...

...Mr Phantom Thief...?"

Chapter Text

Life Goes On - Persona 5

[THE PREVIOUS MORNING...]

"I'm sorry...You want me to find out who's responsible for sending the calling card?" Kyoko asked, "but that was just a meaningless little prank to spite Towa, wasn't it?"

Kyoko stood in the Headmaster's Office at Hope's Peak Academy, having a conversation with four fully grown men.

The first was Jin Kirigiri, the Headmaster, and her father.

The second was Koichi Kizakura, a teacher at Hope's Peak, the lead talent scout, and an old friend of her father's.

The third was Kazuo Tengan, the former Headmaster before Jin took over, who now served as a guidance counselor. 

And the fourth was Ashikawa of the Steering Committee.

Alongside Kyoko, the first three men all had concerned looks on their faces, whilst Ashikawa merely greeted her with a smile.

"While I would like to believe so, Young Miss Kirigiri, we cannot be too careful," he told her, "we among the staff would like to know who it was so there's no miscommunication with the media and the police. Your father and Mr Kizakura have already been challenged with the staff, so I would like you to cover the students."

"By herself?" Jin glowered, "sir, even though she is an Ultimate, that is ridiculous."

"I must agree," Tengan frowned, "for one who runs the school, you seem to have very little faith in the people YOU invited to attend it." 

"That makes me three," Kizakura chimed in, "even with all that aside, you can't just ask her to investigate the students in secret."

"Look..." Ashikawa pinched the bridge of his nose, "I don't like this any more than you do. But it's BECAUSE we believe in Young Miss Kirigiri's ability that we're even asking her. Rest assured, if you do we will reward you handsomely."

Ashikawa suddenly looked at his watch, raising his eyebrows.

"Sorry, I have somewhere I need to be," he bowed politely, "I expect great things from you though!"

He quickly left and closed the door behind him. As soon as his footsteps down the hallway were out of earshot, Kizakura made a disgruntled noise.

"Who the hell does he think he is, pushing the responsibility of a committee member onto a student?" 

"Well, it's not like we can say anything," Tengan reminded him, "in a way, asking the Young Lady to take on this task is just another way she can foster her talent. At least...that's the excuse I expect them to offer."

"I'm very very sorry about this Kyoko..." Jin sighed, "but you know I can't just oppose the higher-ups." 

"You're a figurehead who bares all their mistakes, that's all you've ever been," Kyoko scowled, which did emotionally hurt her father a little, "but fine...If they want results, I'll get results..."

She smiled to herself as under her breath, she added.

"Whether I'll show those results is another story..."

Death Wish - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"So that's what happened...?" Makoto asked. Kyoko nodded, her expression sour.

The two of them were now sitting in a more private part of the academy, making sure that no one interrupted their conversation. Talking in the classroom would have attracted too much attention.

However, despite the cool spring air, Makoto was sweating buckets. Even though he knew Kyoko was one to watch out for, he wasn't expecting he would be exposed so soon. He had tried to satiate her potential aggressiveness by buying her a drink from the vending machine, but he should have known that you couldn't bribe the Ultimate Detective.

"I'm surprised you didn't make any attempt to deny it when I approached you," she said, "you broke down quickly."

"Well, what do you expect!? You were the one who always told me I'm an open book," Makoto groaned, "and what's the use? No doubt you've figured everything out anyway, haven't you?"

"Not necessarily true..." she told him, "your methodology for instance, still evades me. How you were actually able to "change Towa's heart" for instance..."

She turned her head towards him.

"So...care to share? Was it blackmail? Drugs? Violence?"

"N-No, of course not!" Makoto exclaimed, "wouldn't there be traces of that if it were the case!? We didn't lay a finger on him!"

"Ah, so there really is more than one of you..." Kyoko smirked, "I assume that Fukawa-san is in on this too?"

Makoto kept his lips sealed. Kyoko may have already figured it out, but he wasn't going to sell out Toko any more than he already had. Plus, there was no way in hell Kyoko would ever believe him, even if he told her everything about the Metaverse.

"So what?" he finally spoke, his face agitated and nervous, "are you gonna arrest me or something? If so, just get it over with, but I'm not breathing a word about my accomplices."

"That's surprisingly formidable of you...but gallant in its own way," she smirked, "you must really care about keeping your secrets."

She placed her drink down and crossed her arms, looking forward again.

"I'm not going to file for an arrest," she said "or more accurately, I can't. Not on my current conscience."

"What!?" Makoto gasped, his head snapping her way.

Kyoko didn't look into his eyes, but she closed hers and smiled. Not a warm smile, but definitely not a cold one either. Perhaps she was just satisfied having taken him off guard.

That was just like her.

But Makoto couldn't help but be suspicious of her intentions.

"What's with you?" he skeeved, "this isn't like you. You never turn a blind eye to injustice."

"So you think what you did counts as an "injustice?" I don't see it that way..." she replied.

"Wait...so...you think we did a GOOD thing?"

"I didn't say that either..."

"Well, what is it then!?" 

"Calm down."

"S-Sorry..."

The stress and confusion created by Kyoko's attitude were starting to get to Makoto's head, and he spoke to her brashly, immediately regretting it. Kyoko retained her cool composure and explained herself.

"I mean that without knowing your methods, the only thing I can currently charge you on is the crime of threat. And there's absolutely no concrete evidence linking you or anyone else to being the perpetrators behind the calling card. Towa never mentioned your name during his confession, after all..."

She shifted in her seat.

"And then there's the Steering Committee...Who are just using me to try and get rid of you so they don't have to get their hands dirty. Honestly, I can't help but think they're doing this out of spite since Towa's confession ruined their latest commercial plan."

"Of course!" Makoto snapped, "Towa was the real villain here! Not us!"

"I agree," Kyoko nodded, "there's evidence that proves all the crimes that Towa admitted to, so you're off the hook...for now..."

"What do you mean, "for now?"" he inquired.

"I'll make this simple," she said, "how about we make a deal between us? Though the idea of a detective and a thief working together does sound rather silly..."

"What do you mean by "working together?" What do you need me to do?" Makoto asked, "if you want me to explain my methods, I don't think I can tell you. You wouldn't believe me even if I did."

"I'm more than capable of finding out the methods on my own," Kyoko told him assuringly, "and I'm also more than willing to turn a blind eye to the Towa situation, but only if you prove to me that you're well and truly on the side of good. To do that, I want you to incite a change of heart into another person."

"Wait...really?" he asked, "who?"

"I don't know his name yet," she admitted, "but I know who does, and I plan on asking them later today. Once I find out, I can send you whatever details you need."

"Ok...but why do you want me to do this?" he asked, "what did this person do?"

"They've been throwing bricks through the Kirigiri Detective Agency's windows, making death threats, and even assaulting some of the detectives that collaborate with the agency," she told him, "and he's elusive and hard to catch. He knows the ins and outs of the security system and patrols, and he knows exactly how to bypass it."

"That's...horrible...!" Makoto gasped.

"I'd like to get to the bottom of it, and I'm more than capable of capturing him on my own, but I feel this would be a good opportunity," she said, "so how about it? You enact this "change of heart" and prove to me that you're the good guys, and I won't tell the police or the Steering Committee what I know. After all, I have no interest in arresting someone under false charges."

"Are you absolutely sure?" Makoto asked again, "I didn't know you supported vigilante justice..."

"I don't," she told him bluntly, "but you said it yourself...I can read you like a book, and I KNOW you're not the villain the adults claim you are. Just...prove me right about that."

Makoto hesitated but then reached out a hand.

"Alright. You've got yourself a deal," he said, "make sure you send me the person's name at least and I'll get it done."

"Thank you," Kyoko reached out with her gloved hand, taking and shaking his, "I look forward to seeing your results."

As they shook hands, Makoto felt himself establish yet another contract.

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Justice Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

Wicked Plan - Persona 5

----------------------------------------------

PTChat

Makoto: [Hey guys...]

Makoto: [We need to talk.]

Komaru: [Hell yeah we do!]

Komaru: [Isn't this whole thing insane!?]

Makoto: [Huh?]

Toko: [What is?]

Komaru: [Have you guys seriously not seen it?]

Komaru: [Come on! Get with the times!]

Komaru :[www.phansite.net]

Toko: [Wait, what's this?]

Makoto: [Oh yeah! I saw this!]

Toko: ["Phantom Aficionado Website?"]

Komaru: [PhanSite for short!]

Komaru: [Someone made a website specifically for us! And there's loads of awesome comments on there!]

Komaru: [I've been reading them basically all through lunch!]

Makoto: [What have they been saying?]

Komaru: [Lots of cool stuff!]

Komaru: [ "Well done Phantom Thieves!" "Thank you for giving us hope!" "Now I can keep going too!"]

Toko: [Wait, we have a FANBASE!?]

Komaru: [Technically a "Phanbase."]

Toko: [I don't get it. We only posted the calling card in Hope's Peak. Where are all these anonymous messages coming from?]

Toko: [Surely they can't all be students?]

Makoto: [I found out just now that someone in school leaked the calling card to the news outlets.]

Makoto: [By the time the Steering Committee realized, it was already too late.]

Makoto: [Now the world knows we're out there.]

Komaru: [Swatting lies in the making~]

Toko: [Huh?]

Makoto: [What kind of response is that?]

Komaru: [Dunno.]

Komaru: [Honestly though, it's pretty surreal.]

Komaru: [I was so caught up in trying to save Kotoko-chan and her friends that I didn't even realize what the bigger impact of what we did was.]

Toko: [Towa Corp was massive. And with the other corporations combined, it's even bigger.]

Toko: [If nothing else, Japan's economy is going to take a massive blow. Not one that will cripple it, but even so.]

Toko: [Honestly, that just makes it concerning to me that the media and world by extension found out about our calling card.]

Toko: [I hope we don't get labeled as criminals...]

Komaru: [Oh come on! There's no way that could happen!]

Komaru: [Didn't you hear what I just said? About how people were saying we inspired a will of hope in them?]

Komaru: [That's a good thing, right? We should be proud!]

Toko: [Well...I guess.]

Toko: [Thinking about it now, with our methods, there's no way anyone could link the domino effect back to us, right?]

Makoto: [Actually...about that...]

Toko: [Huh?]

Makoto: [The new PhanSite thing is cool and all, but that's actually not the thing I wanted to bring up.]

Makoto: [I just had a talk with Kyoko Kirigiri from our class.]

Komaru: [Kyoko Kirigiri?]

Komaru: [Oh! That really stoic and super hot girl with the gloves, right?]

Makoto: [Yes, the Ultimate Detective.]

Toko: [Ugh! Her...]

Komaru: [What's wrong? She seems cool?]

Toko: [She's cool, sure, but she's also a huge pain in the ass.]

Toko: [Anyway, whatever it is, hurry up and spill!]

Komaru: [Hey! Be patient!]

Toko: [Stop ordering me around!]

Makoto: [Can you two PLEASE stop bickering for like...2 seconds!?]

Komaru: [Yes.]

Toko: [No.]

Komaru: [Ok, just go on Makoto. What's this about Kyoko-chan?]

Makoto: [I'll be blunt...]

Makoto: [She knows about us...]

Komaru: [Well, yeah, why wouldn't she? She's your classmate?]

Makoto: [No, doofus! I mean she knows we're the Phantom Thieves!]

Komaru: [SAY WHAT!?]

Toko: [Oh no...]

Makoto: [Ok, to be more accurate, she knows that I'M a Phantom Thief.]

Makoto: [She's definitely suspicious of Toko, and I'm not sure if she's made the connection that Komaru is as well, but I wouldn't put it past her.]

Toko: [How did she even figure it out!?]

Makoto: [No clue. But right after class ended, she confronted me.]

Makoto: [And look, I know we subconsciously agreed that we needed to keep all this stuff hidden...but I told her...]

Toko: [Makoto COME ON!]

Makoto: [I'm sorry.]

Makoto: [But what do you want me to do!?]

Makoto: [I can't lie to that girl!]

Makoto: [Not for any personal attachment, but that she can see right through every single word that comes out of my mouth!]

Toko: [UUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHH!]

Toko: [Alright, fine...I guess it's unfair to blame you for it.]

Komaru: [The real question is how did she react?]

Komaru: [Isn't she working for the police?]

Makoto: [Actually, she's working for both the police AND the academy staff.]

Makoto: [So, basically, the two groups of people who want to find us the most.]

Komaru: [Crap.]

Toko: [But I'm assuming that since you're still texting us, things either turned out ok, or they let you keep your phone in jail for some reason?]

Makoto: [Believe me, if I was in jail, you would have known sooner.]

Makoto: [Honestly her reaction was the most interesting part of the whole thing.]

Makoto: [She's actually agreed that she won't sell us out to either party.]

Komaru: [Wait, REALLY!?]

Makoto: [On one condition.]

Komaru: [Oh-]

Toko: [What does Miss Prissy Princess want with us?]

Makoto: [In her own words, she wants us to prove to her that we're not the potentially dangerous criminals that the Steering Committee thinks we are.]

Makoto: [I'm expecting to get a message from her later with the name of a target for us. But she wants us to go into the Metaverse and change someone's heart for her.]

Komaru: [Who!?]

Makoto: [Someone who's been threatening her grandfather's agency. They haven't been able to catch him.]

Toko: [Aren't they supposed to be a prestigious detective agency?]

Toko: [And they can't catch one little griefer?]

Makoto: [Maybe they just think he's beneath them.]

Makoto: [She did mention that they're letting a newbie handle this task.]

Makoto: [In any case, if you two are free this afternoon, I'd like to meet up with you guys if you can make it.]

Makoto: [We need to discuss this more in person.]

Komaru: [Just for the record, what did Kyoko-chan say she would do if we failed?]

Makoto: [She didn't...]

Makoto: [I don't think it needed saying to be honest.]

Toko: [This is blackmail, even though no one else will admit it.]

Komaru: [In that case, I guess we don't have a choice.]

Komaru: [This is kind of exciting though! We've been getting target requests on the PhanSite too!]

Komaru: [No harm if this just so happens to be our first one, right!?]

Toko: [Always the optimist...]

Makoto: [She's got a good point though.]

Makoto: [We're already an established group.]

Makoto: [We can't let the Phantom Thieves be a one-hit-wonder.]

Toko: [I know. I'm just saying.]

Toko: [Anyway, let me put the finishing touches on my latest chapter, and I'll meet you guys at the park like before.]

----------------------------------------------

"Hm...This may be a good opportunity actually..." Monomi commented as she read the chat message over Makoto's shoulder, "the park is a perfect place to meet. And I suppose it's high time..."

"What are you mumbling about?" he asked. Monomi merely giggled.

"Let's just say that I have something...or rather SOMEWHERE...to show you~" she teased.

Before Makoto could ask what she meant by that, he suddenly heard another notification on his phone. He looked at his messenger to see that it was from an unknown number...

----------------------------------------------

Unknown Number

???: [Hello?]

???: [Am I speaking to Makoto Naegi?]

Makoto: Who is this?

???: [Ah, sorry to text out of the blue.]

???: [I'm a new intern at the Kirigiri Detective Agency, and Mr Fuhito Kirigiri's current pupil.]

???: [I'm also the Ultimate Detective and your first-year kouhai at Hope's Peak.]

???: [My name is Shuichi Saihara.]

Makoto: [Oh! I see!]

Makoto: [You must be the person that Kyoko mentioned to me?]

Makoto: [The one who was pursuing the current case.]

???: [That's right.]

???: Kirigiri-senpai approached me today and asked me about the case. Then told me to contact you.]

???: [Though I'm quite surprised she told me to come to you of all people. Are you perhaps a private investigator yourself, Naegi-senpai?]

Makoto: [Something like that.]

Makoto: [Let's just say that Kyoko and her grandfather need help, and they've asked me to lend a hand.]

???: [Very well. I won't pry.]

???: [In any case, she told me to report my findings to you. So far, I've been able to identify our perpetrator, but I've been unable to find conclusive enough evidence to corner him.]

???: [As I'm sure you know, he's been victimizing members of the KDA before I even joined.]

Makoto: [Yes. I heard about the harassment and assault charges.]

Makoto: [First and foremost, mind telling me our guy's name?]

???: [Of course.]

???: [His full name is Toshiro Uzawa.]

Makoto: [Can you think of any reason why he would be targeting the agency specifically?]

???: [As a matter of fact, I can.]

???: [Our culprit is actually an ex-detective himself.]

???: [He used to be a member of the agency and a high-ranking member at that, before he was let go.]

Makoto: [Woah.]

Makoto: [So it's a revenge story?]

???: [Most likely.]

Makoto: [Why was he let go?]

???: [I'm not too sure of the details.]

???: [But apparently, there was a detective's code in the agency that he chose not to adhere to.]

???: [One of utmost importance, which is why he was given the boot.

???: [But he lost his job as a detective and failed at opening his own private investigative agency afterward. He likely holds the Kirigiri's responsible, and victimizes anyone associated with them.]

Makoto: [Sounds rough...]

???: [Anyway, I can send you his home address or any other information I have if it helps?]

----------------------------------------------

"It would be helpful if he could give us this Uzawa's keyword, but I doubt he'd get it," Makoto said, "at least his home address will help us find this guy's Palace."

"Actually, about that," Monomi interrupted, "we don't need that. Saihara-chan has already given us his name, and that's all we need for now."

"Wait, really?" Makoto asked, "what about-"

"Just trust me for now." she cut him off. Makoto was still suspicious and confused but did as he was told and replied.

----------------------------------------------

Makoto: [No need. The name is enough.]

???: [Really?]

Makoto: [Yeah.]

Makoto: [Thanks for the info. I hope you enjoy your internship.

Makoto: [And your time at Hope's Peak.]

???: [Thank you, Naegi-senpai.]

----------------------------------------------

Suspicion - Persona 5

"Huh...Seems like a pretty eager kid. I'm happy for him." Komaru commented when Makoto informed her and Toko of the situation.

"By the way Komaru, did you have a closer look at w-what some of the people on that website were asking?" Toko inquired, "you said that people were leaving requests, right?"

"Yeah, but there's no real good ones. Just people complaining about small things like whining about their ex-boyfriend or stuff like that," she admitted, "it's honestly a pretty good thing that Kyoko-chan came to us about this, or else we might not have found a good target."

"I don't know how to feel about that, since we ARE still being blackmailed, but fine," Toko turned to the rabbit, "Monomi? How do we get to this guy's Palace?"

"You told me that we only needed a name this time, right?" Makoto asked, "are you absolutely sure?"

"Just follow my instructions. First, would one of you please boot up the Metaverse Navigator?"

"Yep, got it. Now what?" Komaru asked, taking out her phone and complying with Monomi's instructions.

"Now, all you have to do is enter "Mementos" into the keyword. Then enter. That's it!"

"Mementos?" Komaru parroted.

However, as she did, the Meta-Nav registered her words and entered them into the keyword section. No sooner did it do so that it suddenly started speaking.

[KEYWORD ACCEPTED. BEGINNING NAVIGATION.]

The group looked around in surprise as their environment suddenly shifted, and as if by magic, all the people around them walking suddenly vanished into thin air!

"What the hell!?" Toko instantly lurched to her feet, "what happened!? Where did everyone go!?"

"This...atmosphere..." Makoto frowned, "did we just enter the Metaverse?"

"Just as planned~" Monomi whistled, "now follow me, everyone! Stick with your teacher!"

"Hey! Monomi! Wait up!" Komaru called out.

Underground Trial - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Monomi led the group all the way out of the park and towards the station square. The group watched as she bunny-hopped down the stairs to the underground and they all frantically gave chase.

By the time they finally caught up with her, they were out of breath.

"Jeez Monomi!" Makoto panted, "couldn't you have slowed down for a sec-Wait, WHAT!?"

His exclamation was warranted, as all of a sudden, he looked back at his cottontail teacher to see that she was no longer in her fluffy bunny form. She was now wearing her Metaverse attire and was standing on her hind legs, clutching her magic stick!

"You...You changed!?" Toko cried.

"Yeah, and so did we! Look!" Komaru added.

Sure enough, upon taking a look at themselves, Makoto, Toko and Komaru had changed into their Phantom Thief attires without even realizing it. Makoto in his green suit, Komaru in her outlaw attire, and Toko in her assassin clothes.

"What's going on Monomi-Uh! Usami? Where are we right now?" Makoto remembered that since they were in the Metaverse, they should be referring to one another by their code names, "is this Uzawa's Palace?"

"Well, the simple answer is yes...but also no..." she explained cryptically, "we ARE inside a Palace, but this one is a tad different to how it was with Towa's."

"How so?" Komaru inquired. Usami proudly put her hands on her hips and puffed out her bunny chest.

"This, dear boys and girls, is Mementos. This is EVERYONE'S Palace."

"Wait...huh?" Razor asked, swiftly following the bunny girl as she hopped, skipped, and jumped down an inactive escalator, "what do you mean by that?"

As the thieves followed Usami down the steps, she explained to them.

"As I mentioned to you before, anyone with a distorted enough desire can have their own Palace. As was the case with Haiji Towa, whose desire was so distorted, strong, and extraordinary, that it created a realm in his head that he could rule over," she said, "other people with much weaker desires don't have this. Instead, they can be found here in Mementos, one massive, unified Palace that the masses share."

"By "unified" do you mean that all those people's desires are stuck together?" Highwayman asked as they got to the bottom of the escalator, "even though they're all just total strangers?"

"Yes indeedy!" Usami beamed, hopping up onto a railing in front of a long, dark tunnel that lead to who knows where "I call it the "Collective Unconscious!""

"I'm not sure I completely understand..." Makoto admitted, "but does this mean that coming here will allow us to change the hearts of people even if they DON'T have a Palace?"

"The steps to do so are slightly different, but yes, that is correct!" the rabbit smiled, "it all comes down to looking through Mementos and finding Toshiro Uzawa's Shadow. We can then change his heart from there."

"Ok...just one question..." Toko peered down the very dark tunnel, "maybe it's just my shit eyesight, but that tunnel looks like it weaves and winds for a long while..."

"No, it's not just you," Komaru told her, "they look like they go on...FOREVER!? Don't tell me we're really gonna explore this place on foot!?"

Monomi simply responded to this by giggling like a cheeky little girl.

"Would you little one's like to see a magic trick?" she asked.

Before any of them had a chance to answer, however, Usami hopped onto the tracks and started to wave her magic stick around, chanting strange words.

"Bibbidee-bibbidee, bobbidee-bobbidee, BOO! Turn into a VROOM VROOM!"

Ms. Monomi's Practice Lesson - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

Before any of the thieves could ask what she was doing, Usami suddenly leaped in the air after her chant and burst into light, which nearly blinded them! When they looked back, however, THAT was what shocked them.

In place of their chibi bunny companion was now a full-functioning convertible minibus! Much like Usami, it was duel-colored; pink on one side and white on the other, with red-tinted headlights!

"Alright kids!" the bus suddenly called out, "make sure you put your seatbelts on!"

"Ah!? Is...Is that YOU USAMI!?" Makoto cried.

"What did-!? How did-!? WHAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAATT!?" Toko shrieked.

"No WAY!" Komaru hollered, "how did you DO that!?"

"Well, it's because I'm a teacher of course!" she explained, "why wouldn't I have the power to turn into a school bus? It's not so different from the way that you transform when you come in here."

"First of all, that doesn't make any sense, and second of all YES IT IS! Us changing outfits and you turning into a FUCKING BUS are NOT THE SAME THING!" Razor screamed.

"Alright, relax!" Highwayman grabbed her shoulder reassuringly, "it's not like this is the weirdest thing we've seen! Besides, it helps us, right? Now we don't have to waste time bumbling our way through these tunnels until we find our guy, right?"

"I don't know...I'm still really confused..." Leprechaun said, "but I guess you have a point. Come on Razor, let's just get in and go."

"I...Ugh...Fine, I guess I will..." she groaned, "but this had better be like a normal drive!"

Still very cautious, the three of them climbed one by one into the Usami Bus. Even though it looked like a bus and had a bus interior, it was still a lot smaller than expected. It was more like driving a fairly large car with more seats than normal if anything else.

"Alright, we're in!" Komaru pumped her arms excitedly, "let's go!"

There was a pause after she said this, no one moving and no sounds being made. All that remained was an air of confusion.

"Um...I said...LET'S GO!" Highwayman repeated, louder this time.

"Um...I can't..." Usami could be heard sobbing quietly as she said this, "I don't have a driver..."

"Wait, you can't drive yourself!?" Razor snapped, "I thought you were supposed to be a magic school bus!?"

"So uh...do either of you know how to drive?" Highwayman turned towards Razor and Leprechaun, "I've only ever driven in games before..."

"Well, I don't have a license?" was the only response that Makoto could think of.

"Why would I have ever needed to drive?" Razor asked, "I don't go anywhere with anyone, and when I do, I either walk or take my bike."

"Welp!" the cowgirl threw up her arms, "THIS is a doozy! Makoto, you're the leader, YOU be the designated driver!"

"Ugh, fine! I'll give it a shot!" Leprechaun stood up and shuffled to the front. He sat in the driver's seat and looked at the control panel in front of him, "everyone just sit tight and be careful."

Mementos - Persona 5

As it turned out, driving the "Usamobile" as he had chosen to dub it, wasn't as difficult to drive as he originally thought. The controls were very simple, much simpler than they were in a normal car, and Usami could guide him should he need help with anything.

That said, driving over the train tracks was the furthest thing from a pleasant ride. As Usami guided him through the tunnels, he constantly had to block out Razor and Highwayman's complaints in the back.

"Gah! Go slower, will you!? Ow ow OW!" Toko whined, "this really hurts my ass!"

"I just hope that a train doesn't come down here..." Komaru's face was sweating, "and it's so dark here too...!"

"Sshh! Settle down, class!" Usami suddenly hissed, "if we make too much noise, we might upset the Shadows!"

"W-Wait!? There are Shadows in here!?" Leprechaun suddenly panicked, "where!?"

"THERE!" Highwayman screamed, pointing forwards! The thieves suddenly flew into a collective panic, as Leprechaun turned the wheel and just barely managed to avoid running into a weird, black amalgamation with several distorted faces over its body!

The bus screeched around the corner, and Leprechaun honestly thought they were going to topple over, but luckily, Usami remained upright. He quickly looked back, seeing both the distraught and panicked faces of Razor and Highwayman, and the Shadow they passed that continued to mind its own business through the rear window. 

"Why didn't you tell me there would be Shadows here!?" Makoto exclaimed, smacking the dashboard out of spite.

"Why wouldn't there be!?" Usami cried back, "I told you this place was a Palace, right!? Where there's a Palace, there's Shadows!"

"I mean...she does have a point..." Highwayman adjusted her hat until it was straight again.

"I don't wanna be in here any longer than I should!" Razor whimpered, "how much longer will this take!?"

"Do not worry Razor! We are almost there!" Usami assured her, "Leprechaun, dear boy! Take a left just here, and there should be a strange wormhole-looking scene at the end of the tunnel."

Makoto did as he was told and steered the bus left, and sure enough, there did appear to be a strange portal surrounded by tracks at the far end of the tunnel. As he drove towards it, he could feel the vehicle slowly getting sucked in.

"Don't be alarmed! All we must do now is drive into that portal," Usami told him, "if my nose is right, we should find Uzawa on the other side!"

"We're really gonna drive into that thing!?" Razor squealed.

"Cool down! It's gonna be fine!" Highwayman smacked her back, "alright Leprechaun! Full speed ahead!"

Leprechaun didn't need to be told twice. He put his foot on the pedal and drove forwards. The bus jumped into the air and got sucked into the hole, and then suddenly spat out on the other side! The thieves inside the vehicle clutched onto the wheel and seats as hard as they could, their stomachs going topsy-turvy, but then Monomi landed on the ground, completely fine.

X

After making sure everyone was ok, Leprechaun raised his head and looked through the front window, and that's when he spotted something. There was a figure with a dark, ominous aura swirling around them. Clearly, they hadn't been expecting the sudden arrival of a weird school bus into the domain they dwelled in.

Leprechaun, Highwayman and Razor exited the bus, the latter of whom would have fallen over and thrown up if Highwayman hadn't supported them. As they did, the bus suddenly glowed with the same light as before, and Usami transformed back into her original, Phantom Thief form. She grasped her magic stick and stared down the tunnel at the ominous figure.

"There he is," she hushed, "that's the Shadow of Toshiro Uzawa, our target!" 

"So, just for refreshers purposes, this dude has been harassing members of the Kirigiri Agency, right?" Highwayman clarified, "because he got fired a while ago?"

"Yes. According to Kyoko, he's been damaging property and committing violent crimes against detectives and police officers that follow the KDA," Leprechaun explained, "our own personal reasons for taking him down aside, if we don't stop him he might end up killing someone."

"Alright...Let's do this..." Razor tugged on her gloves to make sure she was primed and ready for a fight, and the group approached Shadow Uzawa, who just glared at them with grit teeth.

Distrust - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Who the hell are you supposed to be?" he snarled in his distorted voice, "why have you come here?"

"Hey! You're the dude who's been attacking all those detectives, right?" Highwayman pointed forward with an accusatory finger, "if you really think you can get away with attacking people just because you feel like it, think again!"

"Feh! Anyone who chooses to follow that disgusting old dickwad is in for a fate far worse than I'm giving them!" Uzawa snapped, "one way or another, those who sign up for the KDA get hurt! Whether it's by me, or the dirtbags that run it! Not that it matters...anyone who allies with that man is my enemy, and I will DESTROY ALL my enemies!"

"Disgusting old...you mean Fuhito Kirigiri?" Leprechaun frowned.

"Oh shut your face!" Razor spat, "you can't go assaulting people just because you got a big head and got fired! So either you change your ways, or we will MAKE you!"

"Fired!? FIRED!? AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAH! Shows what YOU know!" Uzawa glowered, his body suddenly starting to contort into something strange, "I wasn't just fired! My entire life ended all because of Kirigiri! I was given the boot for no reason and I could never achieve my dream of becoming a great detective like him! SO HOW COME YOU'RE GOING AFTER ME WHILE HE GETS OFF SCOT-FREEEEEE!?"

"Woah, hold on a second!" Makoto exclaimed, "what are you talking about!? What did Kirigiri DO to you!?"

"SHUT YOUR MOUTHS!" Uzawa started to salivate with rage, his body bending into unnatural shapes, "DON'T IGNORE THE REAL PROBLEMS AND COME TALK DOWN TO ME! I'LL KILL YOOOUU!"

Wiping All Out - Persona 3 Portable

With this scream, Uzawa's transformation was complete. He had taken the form of a weird goblin-looking shadow with horns, long bangs, and big hands. He started to do a shuffling dance, then lunged at the thieves!

"Watch out dear boys and girls! Here he comes!"

With Usami's shout, the thieves dodged out of the way of the lunge, and Highwayman was the first person to retaliate!

"Persona!" she shouted, summoning Parker to her side, which then aimed at Uzawa and shot a rocket at him! The rocket crashed into the Shadow and blasted him backwards!

However, Uzawa's shadow flexed, and those bullets suddenly flew out of a strange spiral in his stomach! The bullets flew towards Komaru and smacked into her! Fortunately, she was able to hold up her arms and block the damage just in time! Razor decided to rush in and also summoned her own Persona, thrusting an arm toward their foe!

"Zio!" she exclaimed, with Barrow crouching down and launching a bolt of lightning straight at the demon! The bolt landed, and the shock was great enough that Uzawa suddenly collapsed on the ground!

"Good job!" Usami exclaimed, "it looks like you've hit a weak spot!"

"Hah! Way to go me!" Razor smirked.

"In that case...! Razor, pass to me!" Leprechaun cried.

Razor scurried back away from their opponent, and hi-fived Leprechaun, passing the turn over to him. Leprechaun swiped his arm across his face and summoned his own Persona.

"Pixie!" he cried, "Zio!" 

The lightning blasted from Makoto's Persona and again, crashed straight into Uzawa's demonic form! 

"GAAGH!" he shrieked, "you...you bastards...!"

"Alright, Usami!" Leprechaun called back, passing the baton to his rabbit companion, "take him down!"

"You got it!" she called out, "Mr. A!"

Usami blasted some psychic energy that flew toward Uzawa and swept him out from under his feet. Crippled and left lying on the ground, the thieves took him out by swarming around him in an All-Out Attack!

Death Wish - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Uzawa's monstrous form collapsed to the ground, and within but a few moments, his body morphed back into its human shape.

"Hmph! Too easy!" Highwayman rubbed her nose.

"That's how it feels," Leprechaun glowered, "now you know what it is you put those poor detectives through! Doesn't feel good to be put up against someone who you can't fight back against, huh!?"

"I...I'm sorry...It's just...after Kirigiri threw me out, I had nowhere else to turn to...I resented him, and did whatever I could to get back at him!" he grunted, catching his breath, "I-I'll do anything you ask...Just don't kill me!"

"Don't be ridiculous. We're here to prove our justice to society, and killing you doesn't help in any way," Makoto told him, "go back to reality and reunite with your true self. Then spend your time atoning for the things you've done!"

"Yes...Yes, I will!" Uzawa pleaded, "thank you...I'm sorry..."

As Towa had done in his own Palace, Uzawa started to glow with light until he vanished. All that remained was a strange pale cloud of smoke.

Leprechaun approached the cloud then reached out and touched it. As he did, something dropped into the palm of his hand. 

The other thieves gathered around to look at it. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a worn-down detective's badge.

"What's this?" Highwayman asked, "is this his treasure?"

"Yes! Or rather, it's merely the bud of one," Usami explained, "had we left it unchecked, chances are it could have blossomed into a Palace. We should take it as our reward as we did with Towa's treasure."

"Seriously," Razor commented as Leprechaun slipped the badge into his pocket, "are all treasures badges or something?"

"Well, I doubt it," Leprechaun replied, "Usami said that treasures are the source of one's desire. With that logic, they could very well end up being anything."

"Hm...Good point," she acknowledged, "well, what now? We've stolen the treasure, so Uzawa probably had a change of heart by now, right? Does that mean we can just bail?"

"Wow, you REALLY don't like this place, do you?" Highwayman remarked, "you do realize that we're gonna have to come back here if we want to change more people's hearts in the future, right?"

"I know, I know..." Toko grimaced, "I'll get used to it eventually. I'm just asking for information purposes."

"Yes, our business here is indeed done," Usami told them, "but there's one last thing I would like to check before we leave. If you don't mind."

"What's that?" Highwayman asked.

"You'll see when we get there; it's a little further down" the bunny explained.

"Actually, I was kind of hoping to stick around a little bit more too," Makoto admitted, "there's something I'd like to do too."

"Oh yeah?" Razor inquired, "what's that?"

"When I talked with Pixie in Towa's Palace, it convinced her to come to our side and she became my new Persona," he recalled, "perhaps if I try to do so again, I can expand my repertoire of powers?"

"Very good idea, Makoto!" Monomi cheered him on, "that power is something special! You should make use of it while you can!"

Usami glowed with light and once again transformed into her school bus form. With a couple of disgruntled groans from Toko, they all boarded yet again, and leaped out the way they came in.

Talk - Persona 5

"Hm...Me not can see your true intentions because mask cover face...What you thinking now?"

It turned out that Usami's bus form gave the team a much more unique way of ambushing shadows. Running them down like roadkill was a good way to catch them by surprise and take them out swiftly.

However, the goal, as established before, wasn't to kill. It was to convince them to join the team. So when the Shadows transformed into a strange green horse with only the front of its body and no back, and the team swiftly took them down with some lightning, Makoto stood over them, pointing his gun at it, and asked it to talk.

"Well, I do have homework tonight," he responded casually, "should be able to get it done by the morning, but this whole Phantom Thief stuff really does put pressure on my daily life."

"Hah! Humans really pitiful...always bound by other humans' expectations..." the horse scoffed, "make me wonder why you decide to talk to me in first place...You expect something from me?"

"I mean...if it's not too much to ask...Could I touch your hoofs? I wanna know how they feel."

"Huh? M-Me not know what you mean by that...me somewhat...threatened?"

"Oh! S-Sorry, I didn't mean that...!"

"Is ok...you not know any...better?"

The horse suddenly drifted up into the air, glowing a bright light.

"It weird...Me not sure why, but me feel like you not a stranger...Something coming back to me!" it gasped, "me am not a Shadow that belong here! Me exist in the sea of human souls!"

The shadow, satisfied, shifted into a mask shape, just as the others had done before.

"Me am Kelpie," it said, "my power is your power...use it how you want..."

The glowing mask flew towards Makoto, and he absorbed it into his own. He shook his head, a new fatigue overcoming him.

Mementos - Persona 5

"Gah...Th-That never gets easier...!" he grumbled. This was the fourth time he had done this now, having already established contracts with three other Shadows before now. Jack-O-Lantern, Bicorn, and Silkie.

This had, as he had suggested before, expanded his abilities. By switching his Persona, he could now deal powerful fire and ice attacks to his foes, and Bicorn allowed him to deal super heavy physical hits as well.

"The more we explore down this place, the more I like it," Komaru whistled, supporting her brother, "training against Shadow down here seems like a good use of time. It'll really help us when we're preparing for our next target."

"It's also nice that we now have the power to help some of the people who leave requests online," Toko added, "we're definitely gonna keep ourselves busy, that's for sure. Anyway, how much further Usami?"

After returning to her bus form post-fight, and once everyone had climbed in, Usami replied when they started moving.

"Just past this area and downwards. We're not too far now."

As Usami said, the team reached another platform after crawling their way down the dark tunnels, then made their way down another escalator. This time, they came to a much larger platform. Usami very quickly scuttled to the other end of the platform and towards a strangely patterned wall on the other side.

As the other three approached her, Leprechaun suddenly felt a vibration in his pocket. He reached in and pulled out his phone, which had the Metaverse Navigator on it. 

[NEW AREA DETECTED.] the speaker read aloud [UPDATING GUIDANCE INFORMATION.]

As soon as the app said this, the group gasped in surprise as the wall suddenly started to shift. Pieces of it folded inwards, revealing another escalator, which went even further downwards.

"Yippee!" Usami cheered, "I KNEW this would work!"

"What is this?" Leprechaun asked, "we can go even FURTHER downwards?"

"Indeed!" Usami cleared her throat and addressed the team, "when I came here before by myself, this was as far as I got. The wall must have opened because we made a name for ourselves, thanks to the Haiji Towa case. I theorized beforehand that if the cognition of the masses changed, we would be allowed to go even deeper into Mementos."

"That's...honestly kind of freaky," Highwayman admitted, "how deep does this place go?"

"I'm going to be honest...I really don't know," Usami told them, "all I know is that it does stop eventually...and wherever it stops may be the key to finding my missing memories..."

These words caused Makoto to stop in his tracks, and he turned towards his bunny friend, looking at her with a concerned and worried expression.

"What do you mean "missing memories?"" he asked, "Usami...do you have amnesia...!?"

As soon as he said this, Toko and Komaru looked at her with the same expression. The pink and white rabbit couldn't bring herself to look her students in the eyes.

Heartless Journey - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"I suppose you could call it that, dear boy," she admitted, "the truth is I don't know who, or even what, I am. I know I take the form of a bunny in the real world, but I was born in the Metaverse...which means I must be something else..."

"Really? Genocide Jack and I don't share memories, so whenever I wake up, I don't remember what I spent the last few hours doing," Toko admitted, "it sucks...I feel for you."

"Thank you, dear girl. That's very nice of you to say," Usami acknowledged, "honestly, if not for my missing memories, I doubt I would have even had the chance to meet any of you."

"What do you mean?" Highwayman asked.

"Well, while I was trying to solve the mystery of my missing memories, I ended up straying into Towa's Palace..." she explained...

"And he ended up capturing you?" Leprechaun finished her sentence. Usami nodded.

"Mementos is not only everyone's Palace, but it is also the source of all people's own Palace," she elaborated, "if I can solve the mystery of this place, then perhaps I can rediscover what I once was, or where I came from...? Perhaps that's just wishful thinking though..."

She finally turned around to look her allies in the eyes.

"Hence why I was looking for an opportunity to bring you all here. Even if it does end up being wishful thinking, I can't do this alone, so..."

"You don't even have to ask," Leprechaun cut her off, smiling and crouching down next to her, "of course we'll help you!"

"Sure thing!" Razor smirked.

"Bring it on!" Highwayman pounded her fists together.

Usami looked like she was on the verge of tears of joy, but she held them in.

"Th-Thank you," she sobbed, "you really are complete gems, all of you."

"In that case, I have a few proposals I need to run by you guys," Leprechaun spoke up, "ever since I got voted as leader of the team, I'm been thinking about it."

"Alright, and what might those be?" Razor asked as she Usami, and Highwayman all turned toward him.

"First of all, if Usami believes that getting our name out there will increase how far we can go down this place, then we should prioritize big-shot criminals and scumbags from now," he explained, "there's nothing wrong with coming down here and changing the hearts of people who get requested, but we'll never get anywhere if we don't look for people who are distorted enough to have their own Palaces. Those in favor, say I!"

"I!" the girls cried at once.

"Second!," Makoto continued, "to make sure we don't stray from the path, we won't target anyone without the unanimous consent of every team member. It's as we said before, we can't do anything if we don't do it together as a team. Those in agreement, say I!"

"I!" they called out yet again.

"Ok, that's all I have for now," he said, "glad to be working with you all!"

Makoto stuck his hand out, and once again, the team put their hands in.

The Phantom Thieves of Hope were now in business!

Butterfly Kiss - Persona 5

"Oh...You're back."

Makoto and Toko returned to the dorms that evening, with Monomi still inside Makoto's bag. Kyoko Kirigiri was sitting on a chair in the lobby, reading her notebook.

Toko shot her a scowl as she walked past her toward the rooms, but Makoto decided to loiter around and have a private conversation with her. He waved goodnight to Toko, then took a seat next to the detective girl, being careful not to spill the coffee she had next to her.

Kyoko casually took a sip, not taking her eyes away from her notes as Makoto sat next to her.

"I just got a message from my grandfather," she told him, catching his attention, "just a few hours ago, Toshiro Uzawa was apprehended by the police."

"Oh, really?" he tilted his head. Kyoko nodded.

"Yes...apparently he arrived at the agency and confessed everything to a large crowd of people, many of whom worked there. I assume you had something to do with that?" she asked, finally lifting her head. Makoto simply nodded.

"I told you," he said, "we didn't hurt him in any way, shape or form. We're not villains."

"Yes, I can see that now," she acknowledged, "don't worry. I'm nothing if not a woman of my word. The police and Steering Committee won't hear a word of this."

"What are you going to tell them instead?" Makoto asked, "after all, they're expecting results, right?"

"I'll decide that on my own, thank you," she told him coldly, "in any case, I hope you don't mind that the police and agency take credit for his arrest, even though you're the one who did all the hard work."

"I'm not doing this for fame." Makoto told her straightforwardly. However, Kyoko then proposed a rather interesting question.

"Then what ARE you doing it for?"

Days of Sisters - Persona 5

Makoto actually had to stop and give this some serious thought. In all honesty, now that he considered it, fame and recognition WAS part of the goal. After all, as Monomi had said, getting recognized by the masses was the only way to open up the path to the depths of Mementos.

But Makoto had never really been in the limelight before Hope's Peak, and it wasn't something he strove for. When it came down to it, he was just a teenage boy with too much power in him.

But even with all this, the fact at hand was that people like Towa and Uzawa WERE dangerous, and were causing problems. 

SOMEONE had to do something about them...

HE had to do something...

So at this moment, he took a deep breath and replied.

"I can tell you," he said, "but if I'm being honest, I don't think you'll like my answer."

"I still want to hear it." she told him. So Makoto continued...

"Whether you openly admit this or not, there's a limit to what sources like the police and public security can do for the world," he explained, "people like Towa run rampant and claim victims and law enforcement don't do anything about it. And you know why that is? It's because he's rich and powerful, and they wouldn't snuff out something that could benefit them in the long run."

"So...you're blatantly accusing law enforcement of corruption, right to my face?" Kyoko wryly smirked.

"I did warn you that you might not like my answer, but to be honest, it does go deeper than that," he reminded her, "I gained the power to make a change. A REAL change. One that has the potential to benefit society and get rid of corruption! I can't just NOT use it!"

He suddenly stood up to emphasize his point.

"Think for a moment. What do you think would have happened if Towa hadn't had a change of heart? Those kids tried to KILL THEMSELVES because they couldn't take it anymore! If we hadn't done anything about it, they might have lost their lives and the bright futures that lay in store for them...And..."

He paused to catch his breath.

"And I would have lived my whole life from then on knowing that it would have been MY fault...That's how Komaru felt when she couldn't save Utsugi-chan from her father, and I never want to feel that way...ever..."

Kyoko suddenly put down her notebook and coffee.

"So...you want to be a hero?" she asked, "one that looks after the little guy that even the law overlooks."

"I guess you could put it that way..." he shrugged, sitting back down again.

"If I'm being honest, there is some truth to what you say," Kyoko admitted, "detectives and private eyes stand on such unsteady footing these days. My grandfather has tried his best to fix that, but even he has his limits."

She took one final swig of her coffee, then gently placed it down on the table.

"In a vacuum, we have no real worth. The thing that gives a detective clarity and recognition is when posed with a case that only they can solve. And perhaps even an arch-rival to bring that case about."

She stood up, not clarifying further, and took her stuff; beginning to make her leave.

"From your end of things, Naegi-kun," she smiled softly at him, "I would suggest surrounding yourself with as many confidants as you can find. Lest you become someone's arch-rival..."

With no other words, Kyoko Kirigiri vanished into the night, leaving Makoto Naegi with a lot to think about.

Chapter Text

"Student...?"

...

"Stuuuuudeent?"

"Huh?"

Makoto, laying in his bed, forced open his dreary eyes. He looked over at his clock, which read 7:00 am.

Makoto usually set his alarm for 9 am, so initially, he wondered what it was that had woken him until he turned his tired head a few degrees to the right.

"Ah, hmhm~ You finally awoke? I was beginning to get worried."

THIS woke him up!

"WAAAGH!?" he screamed, lurching up in his bed in a panic, "Agatha!? When did YOU get here!?"

Aria of the Soul - Persona 5

Sure enough, standing right next to his bedframe, leering down at him was the mysterious woman in blue, Agatha. Who had somehow left the confines of his head and was now standing in his dorm room, a fully corporeal figure.

Makoto was starting to wonder if this was a dream and went to pinch his arm, but Agatha stopped him.

"This is not a dream," she stated bluntly as if she could read his mind, "my master and I have business with you, and I decided it would be a good opportunity to show you something."

Makoto was acutely aware that he was still in his star-patterned onesie, and he didn't exactly feel like going anywhere this late at night without getting properly dressed first...But at the same time, Agatha clearly wasn't intent on waiting around, and he sure wasn't about to get changed in front of her. However, what surprised him most was that Agatha didn't seem to be leaving his dorm room. Instead, she wandered over to his bathroom door and examined it.

"Hm...Yes, this should do nicely...It's out of the way and won't be a bother to you," she said, "young one, please, I ask you to follow me."

"Into...the bathroom?" Makoto clarified.

Agatha didn't answer. Instead, she opened the door to the bathroom and stepped inside.

"Hey! Agatha, wait!" Makoto scurried after her, "I don't know what you're...doing...!?"

His breath was taken away as he stepped through the door. To his utmost astonishment, stepping through the door did not take him into his bathroom...but instead, into the familiar azure gleam of the Velvet Room!

"Wait...my BATHROOM is the VELVET ROOM!?" he frantically tried to remember the last time he had used his dorm room bathroom, almost immediately realizing how dumb this conclusion was as he most certainly remembered walking through the door into an ACTUAL bathroom, and NOT into a mysterious blue classroom, just recently. 

Nevertheless, he certainly HAD this time around. He couldn't find any words in his mouth, as Agatha took him by the hand and guided him to his seat.

As soon as Makoto sat down, Igor appeared at the teacher's desk again. However, Agatha chose not to take his side this time.

"I'm confused..." Makoto opened with this, "I thought I had to be asleep in the real world in order to come to this place?"

"Yes, that has been the case so far...But it would not be ideal if you could only come and visit while in your time of rest, is it not?" Igor asked, "especially given what new opportunities we would like to present to you today. Therefore, we have decided to create a doorway for you so you can come and go at your leisure..."

"In...my bathroom..." Makoto frowned.

"All you need to do is envision the doorway as the Velvet Door in your mind. That will make it appear," Igor explained, "then all you need to do is step through it, and we shall be here to greet you."

"You really are a very diligent student," Agatha commented, "already making use of your new power, without us having to say anything. Good boy~"

"Oh, right! I've been meaning to ask about that!" Makoto realized he was getting off-topic, but felt the need to ask anyway, "I assume you're referring to my special ability? The one that allowed me to turn Shadows into Personas?"

"How observant of you," Igor smirked, "yes...there are many things that we wish to discuss with you today, but we can certainly begin by explaining the power of the Wild Card."

"The Wild Card...?" Makoto parroted. Agatha took over the explanation.

"Do you know what the Major Arcana are, young master Naegi?"

"Yeah, we learned about it in class once, plus my classmate Hagakure told me all about it," he told her, "the one's shown on tarot cards, right?"

"Indeed. And those Major Arcana are an integral part of both Human and Shadow lives, more than most realize themselves," Agatha continued, "it just so happens that YOUR Arcana, is Arcana 0 - the Fool."

"Oh..." Makoto didn't like what this implied, "is that...a good thing?"

"Do not let the name deceive you," Agatha said, yet again seeming to read his mind, "the number 0 is a circle; no start and no end, an infinite cycle if you will. It thus represents infinite possibilities, such as the one's that you possess. As for the meaning of the card itself, it represents an open, willing energy and the power to embrace all that lies ahead of you without worry."

"Sounds familiar, does it not?" Igor commented.

Makoto's mind immediately flashed back once again to when he first awakened his Persona in the jail cell.

"If I may be honest with you, young man; you are not the first guest the Velvet Room has seen," the long-nosed man continued, "and most who come here also possess the power of the Wild Card and bare the Fool Arcana. As for the Wild Card itself, it is the ability to form a contract allowing one to access and summon multiple Personas and switch between them in battle. It is also the ability to change bonds into strength."

Makoto had come to this conclusion himself, but this last part caught his attention.

"I'm sorry..." he spoke up, "what was this stuff about bonds?"

Agatha laughed quietly as she responded.

"Have you not heard it?" she asked, "you have not been doing so consciously, but you have already established contracts among those around you, correct? Your teammates in particular..."

"Wait! You mean-!?" Makoto gasped, "that thing that happens when I hear a voice in my head!? Then again, I guess that doesn't narrow it down..."

"Exactly," Agatha nodded, "though you have clearly not understood the meaning yourself, you have already established a few contracts on your journey so far..."

Agatha started to walk around Makoto's desk and take pages out of the notebook she carried. She dropped the page onto the floor, and as it landed, it started to glow and change; materializing into a glowing, silhouetted figure of someone that Makoto could recognize at a glance.

"First of all, the mysterious being whom you met within the Metaverse jail. One who took it upon herself to be your guide and teacher in that realm...Monomi," she began to explain, "this being represents Arcana I - The Magician. Commonly associated with action, initiative, self-confidence; skills that your Lagomorph associate possesses in bulk."

She dropped another two pages, this time transforming into silhouettes of Makoto's other two teammates - his classmate and his sister.

"Your friend Toko Fukawa represents Arcana IX, also known as the Hermit. The Hermit is associated with wisdom, introspection, solitude, retreat, and philosophical searches. Fukawa herself has a drastically different outlook and perspective on life than you do, one that you can most assuredly learn from," Agatha continued to educate, "then, there's your own flesh and blood, Komaru Naegi. She represents the Strength Arcana, Number XI. It goes beyond the idea of "Beauty and the Beast" and is associated with the morality of the stronger power of self-control, gentleness, courage, and virtue over brute force. Though I don't doubt your sister is full of physical ability, it's her emotional strength that defies the current society that applies her to this."

Agatha dropped one final page. This one transformed into the image of yet another one of Makoto's classmates; one that he wasn't expecting to see.

"Your last contract is the one you established most recently. Arcana Number VIII - Justice. As you may have guessed, this one is represented by your classmate, Kyoko Kirigiri," she told him, "the Justice Arcana symbolizes a strict allegory of objectivity, rationality, analysis, and...well...justice!"

Agatha shut her book. As the pages slammed shut, the glowing silhouettes all vanished into thin air. The pages disappeared too.

"I see...All these relationships are based on contracts I subconsciously formed with each of them...Like how Monomi swore to guide me as a Phantom Thief and how Kyoko agreed not to sell me out," he considered, "but...why are you telling me this? How important are these contracts to my goal of..."graduation" or whatever you called it?"

"Graduation is not the goal. Thwarting the fated ruin through graduation is," Igor clarified, "but as I'm sure you would agree yourself, this is not a trial you can hope to combat alone. Involving yourself with others is an important part of your academic life.

Igor leaned against his desk and drummed it with his fingers.

"And of course, I do not refer to mere superficial relationships based purely on agreements and contracts. I advise you to create a ring of people around you who, by morals or faith, will lend you their strength."

"In other words, there are many people out there, Persona users or not, who have been robbed of places they belong, be it due to society's influence or someone else's. And understanding and establishing contracts with these people will, in turn, help you grow" Agatha explained, "Personas themselves represent the strength of a heart. The stronger the bonds that surround you, the more powerful the Personas you carry will be."

"So, to make a long story short," Makoto pondered, "I can get stronger powers and more skills as a Phantom Thief by...making friends?"

"Essentially" Agatha replied with a smirk.

"There are already people out and about that you have met that can aid you. I suggest furthering your relationship with people who you've already come to know," Igor instructed, "but that is all for now. Let us move on to the other topic of discussion. Agatha? If you will?"

Agatha, at Igor's command, suddenly placed a piece of paper down in front of Makoto on his desk. It looked like a test sheet of some kind.

Upon closer inspection, Makoto saw that it was closest to a math addition test, with several queries on it. But the odd part was that there were no numbers. In place of them were small images of Shadows and Personas that he had met along the way.

For example, the first question was "Mickey + Pixie = ???"

"I have a key here for you, as I realize this may be out of the realm of human understanding," Agatha told him, "before we move on, I require you to finish this paper. I will help you through it if you get stuck~"

"Oh boy..." he mumbled.

Thus, Makoto found himself spending the next 30 minutes completing a very odd and unusual math test. Which turned out to not be as difficult as he initially thought it would be. Once Agatha gave him the key, things were pretty simple.

"Alright, let's do a pop quiz, shall we?" Agatha asked soothingly, "without looking at the paper, what do you get when you combine Mandrake with Jack-O'-Lantern?"

"Bicorn." Makoto replied.

"Very good!" Agatha cheered, "and if I wanted to make Silkie, what is one way I could do that?"

"By combining...Bicorn with Incubus?" 

"Correct! Good boy!" Agatha patted him on the head, which certainly did well to fluster the young man. Knowing that Agatha was good at reading his thoughts, he tried to keep them in check.

Igor chuckled.

"Seems you're gradually beginning to understand the process..." he observed.

"I mean...not really," Makoto admitted, "I still don't quite understand why I'm doing this..."

"I see...The honesty is appreciated," he continued to smile, "if that is the case though, why don't we put it into practice?"

"Huh? What do you mean...?"

Igor nodded to Agatha, who put down yet another sheet of paper in front of him. This one also had a calculation on it, but the difference was that this one was completely blank. Just "??? + ??? = ???."

"As we discussed when you first came in here, you possess the potential to wield the power of the Wild Card; an ability that allows you to wield more than one Persona," Igor began to explain, "the power itself holds infinite possibilities for you, and it falls to us to help nurture that ability. Thus today, we are here to educate you on the power of fusing two Personas together." 

Makoto's head perked up.

"Did...Did you say fuse...?"

"Yes...That is the purpose of the test I just put you through," Agatha leaned down over his desk, "by discarding and combining two identities that exist within you, you can give birth to a new one. The Personas combine to create one, ideally stronger, Persona. One that will take you to even further pastures."

Agatha reached down and tapped the paper in front of him with a pen, then handed said pen to Makoto.

"Why don't we give it a go?" she asked, "all you have to do is write down the name of two Personas that currently reside within your mask in these boxes. Then, the result will automatically appear on this paper. Once you sign your name, the contract will be completed, and a new power will be yours."

Makoto liked the sound of new potential and power that could help him carry his friends through the Metaverse. The Wild Card was one thing, but THIS was something else entirely.

However, when he processed everything that he had just been told...something didn't feel right.

"Hold on a second..." Makoto piped up, turning towards the azure-clad educator, "in order to gain these powers, I have to combine two of my already existing Personas, right? What...happens to those Personas? Do they...disappear? Forever?"

"Personas are personalities that exist within you," she explained cryptically, "thus, you will only be discarding old personalities to have them reborn as new ones. Like giving away a personality in exchange for a new one..."

"I...don't know if I like the sound of that," Makoto admitted, "I mean...these guys are LITERALLY a part of me...I don't know what I would do without..."

"HAHAHA! Getting cold feet, are you lad!?"

Makoto was caught off-guard, as all of a sudden, the familiar stature of his Persona, Mickey, suddenly materialized in front of him.

"Ah! Mickey!" Agatha greeted the Persona with a smile, "fancy you showing up here."

"Of course. This place exists within the sea of human souls. Why would I not be able to appear here? Though you knew that of course," Mickey smirked, then turned towards Makoto, "there isn't anything to be afraid of, lad. After all, I am the true you that slumbers within. Even if I may disappear at this moment, our fates will forever be intertwined. I promise we will meet again when your story reaches its conclusion. Now pick up that pen and get to writing!"

With this, the gangly man vanished, leaving Makoto by himself.

He was right. Makoto knew this was the best course of action and it's not like it would be goodbye forever. If he denied that, what was the point of having this power in the first place?

With confidence in his heart, having swelled from the sight of his other self appearing before him, Makoto wrote down some names on the paper...

"Mickey + Pixie."

...then signed his name on the bottom of the sheet.

What happened next was miraculous, to say the least. Mickey and Pixie both appeared in front of him and then suddenly started to glow with a strange and mysterious light. The two lights then started to merge until they took shape into something entirely new.

Makoto covered his eyes as a burst of light dissipated from what was in front of him, and when he finally looked back, floating above him was an entirely new creature. He had seen this one before - a small blue goblin hiding in a floating jar.

"I'm Agathion!" it beamed, "I'm gonna be your new mask now! Use me, use me USE ME!"

Agathion, as the new Persona called itself, suddenly shapeshifted into the shape of Makoto's mask, then as they had done before, soared straight into his face. Makoto still didn't like the feeling that overcame him, but by now he had grown used to it.

He felt a burning in his soul from Agathion's sheer power compared to the other Personas that he had, but he also felt that it had filled a void left behind now that both Mickey and Pixie were gone.

"Impressive indeed," Igor sniggered, "as you can see, a stronger Persona has been born from the body and soul of the old. It shall be your new strength and power."

"You'll see its worth firsthand when you return to the field of battle." Agatha added.

"The task that we require of you is this," Igor explained, "gather Personas, bring them here, and fuse them to give birth to new and stronger powers. Developing your powers is the most integral part of preparing for the coming ruin and achieving graduation."

"Ok, seriously. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me and all, but...I still don't think I understand this whole "graduation" thing," Makoto admitted, "I feel like you've tried to explain it, but you're also not explaining the full scope of things...I don't really get it."

"Honest to a fault, as always," Igor chuckled, "I promise, I am not attempting to withhold information from you. The essence of the graduation we aim to guide you towards will become clear to you in due time. Once you encounter allies, and discover your place in this world, THAT is when we will explain everything to you."

"Speaking of which, there is something I would like to bestow upon you; in relation to our discussions today," Agatha said, "please, hold out your hand."

Makoto did as he was asked, but then as Agatha placed her hand over his, he suddenly heard that voice again...

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Hierophant Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

"Did...Did we just make a contract?" Makoto asked. Agatha smiled back at him.

"Consider this a contract on behalf of both me AND my master - an agreement to aid one another in the face of the coming ruin," she told him, "I have granted you the power of the Number V Arcana, - the Hierophant; a symbol of education, authority, conservatism, obedience to rules and relationship with the divine."

"I see...and what does this contract entail?" he asked, "what do you and I get out of this deal?"

"All I ask is that you do as the Master already instructed, and continue to educate yourself on the other world; as well as develop your powers through training and fusion of Personas," Agatha told him, "in exchange, I will provide more rituals for to choose in regards to expanding these powers. Some of them may not even require the sacrifices."

"I suppose if the goal is to strengthen my power, that sounds good." Makoto nodded. 

"The path towards graduation is progressing smoothly. A good sign indeed," Igor chuckled, "may you continue to devote yourself to your educational crusade..."

With a snap of Igor's fingers, Makoto's eyes suddenly began to grow heavy, and he once again slipped into unconsciousness.

Life Goes On - Persona 5

"Wait...so you're telling me that not only can you hold multiple Personas in you, but you c-can combine them to create new ones!?" Toko exclaimed quietly the next day, "how does that work!?"

"Hell if I know. I just found out I could do it when I had an epiphany last night," Makoto decided not to inform Toko of the existence of the Velvet Room any more than he already had, "the problem is that I tried it, and to do so, it requires sacrifice. I have a stronger Persona now, but I don't think I can use Mickey or Pixie anymore."

"So no more lightning and light?" she asked. Makoto shook his head.

"Not necessarily," he said, "my new Persona, Agathion, ended up taking on a few of their abilities. I think he should be able to use both at once, which is even better."

"Naegi! You're up!" the teacher blew her whistle.

"Oops...Looks like it's my turn," Makoto nodded to her, "be back in a jiff."

The following day, the 78th class had P.E. Today was one of those rough days where the teacher had chosen to make them do three runs around the aerobics track.

They were timed on their own individual scores, and it was all for testing purposes, but the class often liked to take advantage of the system and make a bit of fun of it; often having races to see who could beat who on the track.

The problem was there was a clear winner every time. Sakura and Hina could both run at the speed of a lightning bolt, and there was rarely a single time when they hadn't lapped every other person in the class when it came to track.

By this point in time, Hifumi and Chihiro had both already collapsed. Neither of them was particularly fit for gym class.

And in addition, Celeste and Junko had done some saunterly jogs and left it at that. For their own personal reasons, they both despised getting sweaty.

Makoto, as of now, had unfortunately gotten some unlucky picks for opponents. Sakura hadn't been picked for this round, but he was up against Hina, Mondo, and Leon, all three arguably within the top 5 of the most athletic in his class.

Makoto himself was much closer to the bottom end of the barrel. However, he didn't really care about the race part today. He would just go at a leisurely pace and not pay attention to his classmates.

The P.E. Teacher blew her whistle and they took off at once, Hina immediately bolting ahead of him. It was a good thing that Makoto chose not to focus, as his mind was somewhere else. Mainly in regards to what Igor and Agatha had told him about finding people to make bonds with, and developing the power of each Major Arcana. Fortunately, he already had a few candidates in mind and had already planned out his schedule for the day.

Step 1 was to find Seiko Kimura and report back the results of her medicine. Then, he would ask her if she could supply him with more. He fully expected he would have to pay for it to get the proper stuff if Seiko even AGREED to let him have more. He wasn't expecting it to be an easy step by any means.

Step 2 was to go back to the Taboo Pawn Shop and sell Uzawa's treasure. Then, he might have to ask Spike, or Fuyuhiko if he was available, to supply him with more top-grade guns so they would be better prepared for stronger Shadows. How he was actually going to fabricate a story on it was another thing, so he considered maybe bringing Komaru along for backup.

Step 3 was to return to the dorms for the evening and make more infiltration tools. Monomi had promised she would teach him more tricks of the trade, and they had even found some locked chests within Mementos the previous day that they couldn't open due to not having any on hand. The layout of every Mementos floor changed every time you entered, and if you didn't grab the loot then, you missed your chance until another chest appeared.

"Naegi!"

And Step 4, or rather something that he had to place on the back-burner for the day was looking for a potential new big target; someone who had a lot of public importance, so they could match, or possibly even exceed the impact that Towa's confession had on the public.

"Naegi!"

But there was something that was still tugging on his brain even after everything...What Uzawa had said about how Kirigiri had ruined his life. In truth, Makoto realized that he never quite figured out WHY Uzawa was fired. Not that he would believe the words of someone like Uzawa so openly, but still, there were definitely some unanswered questions there...

"NAEGI!"

The P.E. Teacher's shout finally snapped the Lucky Student back to reality, and he panickily turned his head towards her and his classmates, all of who stared at him with wide eyes and confused expressions.

Wicked Plan - Persona 5

"You can stop running now!" the P.E Teacher scoffed, "running an extra 100 meters doesn't give you extra credit, you know?"

"Oh! Sorry!" he exclaimed, realizing that he did indeed continue running even after reaching the stop line "I was just...too deep in thought, I guess?"

The Teacher rolled her eyes and gestured to him to sit back down while she went over the scores. As Makoto approached his class, their bewildered expressions remained. Even Toko looked shocked.

"What!?" he noticed and started to sweat, "is there something on my face!?"

"Makoto-kun..." Sayaka was the first to speak up, "how did you DO that...?"

"How did I do what? Run without thinking?" he asked, "I'm sorry, I'm just a little scatterbrained right now..."

"Do you...even realize what you've just done...?" even the ever-abrasive Celeste seemed surprised. The more his classmates awed him, the more tense he became.

"What!? What did I do!?" he exclaimed, "just spit it out, if I did something wrong, tell me so I can apologize!"

"You just raced against three of the fastest people in our class..." Byakuya fiddled with his glasses, "and you outran two of them..."

This time, it was Makoto's turn to widen his eyes in surprise.

"You really didn't notice, did you?" Mukuro asked, "you were so fast, you very nearly lapped Mondo and Leon."

"I...I did...!?" he gasped, "wow um...I'm sorry?"

"What're you apologizing for!?" Mondo smacked Makoto on the back, harder than he probably meant to because it hurt a lot, "you were awesome dude!"

"How the hell did you out-speed me!?" Leon seemed to be lost, "I run around the bases lightning fast, but you've barely exercised outside of P.E. lessons!?"

"He probably practices more than you do Leon," Junko jived, "you try to skip whenever you can."

"It just goes to show that Naegi-kun appreciates the value of effort!" Taka also grabbed Makoto's shoulder and shook him firmly, "clearly he's been practicing in his own time! You could all stand to learn something from that!"

It didn't take a genius to figure out where this newfound agility and speed had come from. Clearly, the training Makoto had done in the Metaverse had some sort of impact on his actual bodily strength and skill. It made sense that he would have gained some adrenaline after spending most of his time running down long hallways and dodging, diving, and ducking his way around and through enemy Shadows.

But still, the effect was greater than even he had anticipated. On a normal day, he would have started to feel exhausted after the first lap, and would trudge his way breathlessly through his second. But not only did he now have so much stamina that he had mindlessly run half of an extra lap without realizing it, but he STILL wasn't tired!

The Metaverse really was something!

Love is Survival - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

The teacher noted down everyone's scores for that day, and everyone got to compare them. Out of seemingly nowhere, Makoto Naegi had become the third fastest person in the class in athletics.

It was nice and all, but it sucked to be noticed so much. Clearly, he had already attracted the suspicion of some of his classmates.

However, he had also succeeded in attracting the admiration of one girl in particular.

I'm sorry..." he said, "you want me to join you for a run?"

The Ultimate Swimming Pro, Aoi Asahina, one of the only two people in the class who still were above Makoto in terms of athletics and speed, approached him after P.E. was done and everyone had gotten changed back into their regular uniforms. Her eyes sparkled excitedly and her face was filled with an expression of longing and anticipation.

"Yep yep!" she told him, "what you did today REALLY surprised me! And you seemed so casual about it! I wanna see what happens when you get SERIOUS!"

"Th-That's nice and all, but...it's really not that big a deal," he said, "I just put in a little bit of extra training."

"That's exactly it!" Hina enthused, "I wanna see what your standards of "a little bit" are! You were on an ATHLETE level, Naegi-kun!"

"Oh come on, that's exaggerating a little bit, isn't it?"

"Not a chance! You're amazing!"

Makoto felt himself blushing at not only her array of compliments but also how close she was getting to him. She was obviously completely unaware of this.

"A-Alright, fine...but only a little run," he told her, "I had some things I needed to do today, ok?"

"Good enough for me!" she cracked her knuckles, "meet me at the track after lunch starts! We'll go grab donuts after we're done!"

"You and your donuts..." Makoto chuckled, shaking his head.

So...

It fucking sucked.

Not as in Hina made bad company, but clearly what remaining stamina Makoto had from P.E. that morning had been used up in this now cross-country-level sprint that he and Hina did together.

And clearly, it was on an athlete's level of run, because even Hina herself was panting like an overheated dog when they stopped. Makoto lost the feeling in his legs and collapsed onto his ass, and Hina was nice enough to chuck him a full bottle of cold water, which he basically downed instantly.

"M-Man...!" she wheezed, "you really are something Naegi-kun! I was revved up and...everything! Knew it would be...a good idea to have...our own race...!"

"Wait, that was a RACE!?" Makoto spluttered, "you could have told me beforehand! I...huh...thought you just wanted...hah...to see me run!?"

"Why wouldn't I...want to race you!?" Hina exclaimed, "after the stunt you pulled today, I got excited by the prospect of a new rival!"

"RIVAL!?" Makoto spat, "maybe I am a LITTLE faster than before, but there's NO WAY I can ever reach your level! Especially since you always seem to have energy to spare!"

"Huh? Are you making fun of me!?" she snapped.

"What? No! Of course Im not! I'm' just being realistic is all," he admitted, "you know how much I've always been impressed by you."

"Really?" she scowled, clearly suspicious, "I used to know this one guy, he was always like, "Hina, you're like, a super spaz!""

"A...what?" Makoto asked.

"Yeah! Like, he'd see me wearing shorts in winter, and he'd say stuff like that," she explained, sitting down next to him to save him from looking up at her, "but if you lose to the cold like that, it just means you weren't dedicated enough!"

"Oh yeah, you mentioned that before," Makoto recalled, "I should've known that you would be the competitive sort..."

"Oh, I'm just getting started!" Hina pumped her arms, "hey, Naegi-kun? How about we make a deal?"

"A deal?" he raised his head to look at her eager face, her words setting off a chime in his ear, "what about?"

"Now that I know what you're capable of, I know that if you train enough, you might be able to match me!" she beamed, "and the prospect of another good rival isn't one I can pass up, so I can help you with sports training until you become fast enough to match me! Then, we can have a good and proper race, just the two of us! How's that sound?"

This deal at face value was clearly better for Hina than it was for Makoto. She wasn't the selfish or arrogant type, so it was more than likely she was saying this without really realizing how conceited she sounded.

But in reality, when Makoto gave it some thought, he realized that it may actually help him out in the long run. Training with an Ultimate with a sports talent had the potential to increase Makoto's stamina even further. This could then mean that he'd have more skill and strength to work with as a Phantom Thief, and who knows? Maybe it would decrease the likelihood of him being so damn exhausted after he left the Palace?

So he swiftly gave a response.

"Alright, but just for this," he said, "I have no intention of aiming for any world stages or the like. Just some casual competition between us that will help you develop your own skills, as well as my own."

"Awesome!" she squealed, "it's a deal! You'd better promise to keep up your training, ok!? I'll get mad if you don't!"

"Haha...I won't..." Makoto nodded, smiling. As he did, however, once again, he felt his soul stir and the voice in his head speak. Unknowingly, another contract had been formed.

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Chariot Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

After his encounter with Igor and Agatha the night before, Makoto had done some research into the 22 Major Arcana. He briefly recalled that the Chariot Arcana was Number VII, and served as a symbol of victory, conquest, self-assertion, self-confidence, control, war, and command.

This contract and this Arcana had been established purely by accident and coincidence...But it was certainly a step in the right direction.

With himself, Toko, Komaru, Monomi, Kyoko, Agatha, and now Hina under his belt, that was now 7 confidants representing 7 of the Arcana.

15 left.

Melancholy Touch - Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak Academy

Makoto waddled on sore legs through the hallways after school towards the science labs. The training with Hina had knocked every ounce of strength out of him, and his side was killing him right now.

But the good news was that he was about to pay a visit to one of the top medical experts in the school, and she undoubtedly had something to help.

But damn if she wasn't freaked the hell out when Makoto slumped into the nurse's office.

"NAEGI!?" she shrieked upon seeing him, "what happened!? Are you alright!?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm totally fine!" he lied, "I just came to talk to you about something...You know that medicine?"

"Did the medicine do this!?" she squealed, "oh no, I'm so sorry! Th-This wasn't supposed to-!"

"NO! I mean...no!" Makoto interjected before she could go on a tirade of self-doubt and loathing, "I'm just exhausted because I've run what is basically 3 cross-countries within the space of an hour. I'm here because I was wondering if you had anything to help with that?"

"R...Really?" she stuttered.

"Really!" Makoto enthused, "plus, I wanted to talk more to you about the medicine you gave me a few days ago. I used it up and I wanted to share my thoughts."

"You...used it up...!?" Seiko's eyes widened (though her eyes were naturally wide with some sort of panic, so it was hard to tell) "with what exactly? I had expected it would last more than a week at most."

"Ahaha...Yeah, well, stuff happened and..." Makoto tried his best to find a good excuse, but couldn't, "anyway, I jotted down my feedback on this paper here in my bag. Can I get an examination, and then I'll hand it over? Does that sound good?"

"Hm...W-Well, Tsumiki-chan or the head nurse is usually the ones who induct the examinations," Seiko pondered, "but I am granted permission to hold one by the school, so I suppose I can? "

She thought about it for a moment, then decided to comply with his wish.

"Very well..." she sighed, "I can at least make sure that my medicine didn't have any negative effects on your body this way. Just come over to this bed and take off your clothes for me, please."

"O-Oh...right...I guess I have to take off my clothes for a proper examination..." Makoto almost forgot about this part. Seiko seemed to blush under her mask.

"D-Don't worry! I'm a good practitioner, even though I'm not a professional one like Tsumiki-chan," she assured him, "besides, you just need to take off your shirt. Everything else I can work with!"

Makoto wasn't that reluctant to leave himself in the hands of Seiko Kimura, but examinations done by the nurses of the school never failed to bring him discomfort. It's not that Tsumiki-senpai was a pervert but...

Ok, in retrospect, maybe Tsumiki-senpai was a LITTLE dirty, but the examinations she conducted were legitimate. She just got very touchy-feely with her subjects, usually without realizing it.

Makoto stripped himself of his shirt and jacket, then lay down on the examination table. He tried his best to relax, and let Seiko go about her work, using the equipment and machinery around the room to check Makoto's vitals, blood flow, and everything else. Eventually, he felt the gentle prodding and poking stop, then opened his eyes.

"Alright, that should do," she said, "feel free to get dressed again."

Makoto started to put his uniform back on while Seiko read the results on the computer; and started to explain them to him.

"Your pulse and blood pressure are fine, and your blood tests came out clear too. You're not exactly an athlete, but you are average health for a teenage boy," she told him, "the biggest concern is...the bruises."

She turned to him, worry in her eyes.

"You're not caught up in something...shady...are you?"

"Well, not exactly...I've just been trying to be more athletic lately," he used the same excuse he had used on his classmates earlier, "clearly it's new ground for me and I'm not used to it."

"Hmmm..." Seiko scowled under her mask, clearly taking this reason with a grain of salt, "I suppose it's not my place to pry...just...be careful, alright?"

She put away all the machinery and equipment she had used for the examination while Makoto finished dressing. 

"In any case, it seems you really were just exhausted. Your energy levels have returned to normal now that you've had a chance to lie down and have a rest," she explained, "and I'd like to thank you for returning the results of the medicine...Even if you did use them up more quickly than expected."

"Um...actually, about that...?" Makoto decided now was the time to strike, "sorry if this seems rude to ask, but...is there a chance you could supply me with MORE?"

Seiko dropped her pen.

"Wh-What!?" she squeaked.

"Huh!? What!? What's wrong!?" Makoto panicked in turn.

"You...You want MORE!?" she trembled, clutching her hair, "n-no, this can't be! I made sure to remove any substances that might cause addiction! S-Sure there's no possibility of an overd-dose but...no...wait, if the addiction was inaccurate...!? Oh no! OH NO!"

"Senpai, PLEASE, get a hold of yourself!" Makoto instinctively grasped her firm by her shoulders, "I'm NOT addicted! I'm just saying your medicine came more in handy for me than I was expecting it to! It's not like I was downing it every waking hour of every day!"

"But I-"

"Surely if there were any signs of addiction, you would have noticed it in my examination just now, right?"

Seiko paused for a moment as she considered this. He certainly did have a point.

"But if this isn't the route of addiction...Are you absolutely sure?" she asked, "why would you of all people be so invested in my medicine? To be honest, if you were trying to get more active, a balanced diet and regular exercise would do the trick, yes?"

She suddenly leaned forward, the look in her eyes piercing into Makoto's soul suspiciously.

"What are you up to...?" she growled.

Makoto hesitated as he tried to think of yet another excuse, but trying to weave his way around and lie constantly got real exhausted real fast. So in the end, after a big pause, he merely said this.

"Look...It's difficult to explain my reasons, but the thing is I NEED your medicine to retain my focus and reduce fatigue. Only you can make concoctions so effective; no other place will do." 

"Makoto, even if that excuse worked for me, it won't work for Hope's Peak," she said, "I almost failed my last practical exam, so I can't take any more risks! And handing out an unofficial, unregistered concoction without academic permission is a BIG RISK! The only samples I was allowed to distribute were the one's that you received, and should anyone find out, I could be expelled!"

"Then what if I buy it off you!?" Makoto exclaimed, "that way, it's a legal transaction!"

"I can't SELL drugs on school property! Illicit or not!" Seiko glowered, "you know how strict drug laws are in Japan! Besides, the estimated commercial cost of this kind of drug is 800,000 yen, and that's in its unfinished state!"

"800,000!?" Makoto shrieked, "what the hell is this inflation!?"

"Do you get it now?" Seiko asked, "under no circumstances can I supply this to you. Especially not without good reason. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but it's not going to happen."

But then, like an angel came down from above and whispered sweet words into his ear, a thought bubble popped in Makoto's mind. Remembering that part of the reason he came here was to establish a contract with the doctor, his face lit up as he proposed his new idea.

"Wait!" he called out, his eagerness clearly starting to annoy Seiko now, "I've got an idea! One that if we were to propose it to the academy, will allow us to make the medicine trade without either of us getting in trouble!"

"Oh yeah?" she harumphed, "and what is that?"

However, Makoto's response cut through her sourness immediately, as his response caught her way off guard.

"What if I was to become your main test subject?" he suggested excitedly, "Hope's Peak allowed you to distribute the samples originally for testing purposes to consenting students. So if we make the trade under the pretense of you studying the effects of your medicine, I'm sure the academy will allow it!"

Seiko stopped to consider this point. It's true that so long as the subject applied to strengthen and develop your Ultimate Talent, the academy would more than likely allow it. Plus, since Makoto was the one even suggesting this, it more than made him a consenting subject.

"Maybe you and I can make a deal? As you said, I'm no athlete by any sense of the word, but I do have a healthy body and a fair bit of stamina, so I'm the perfect picture of average health!" he proposed, "I'll be your personal test subject for clinical trials and experiments, and in exchange, you supply me with more of your special medicine for my own uses. How does that sound?"

"Hm...Well, giving it some patient thought...this arrangement does mean that I can get some good date overtime...plus, it saves me having to go and ask random people for it..." she mumbled just loud enough for Makoto to hear her, "ugh...You are annoyingly persuasive."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Makoto smiled, "does this mean we have a deal?"

"I have a few conditions. Firstly, you are not to disclose any details of my medicines to anyone else. And I'm willing to sell you the medicine for a reduced price, but you must come to me directly for it," she told him, "I'm the one who sets the conditions, ok? I have every right to pull out of this if I feel it gets too risky."

"Yes ma'am!" Makoto saluted with a smile. Seiko giggled and shook her head.

"You're lucky you're one of few people here with a completely average body type," she said, with Makoto not knowing if this was a compliment or an insult, "it would be hard for me to pass you up when you offer yourself to me as a test subject. But yes, I suppose we have a deal..."

And as Makoto expected, the words drifted through his head once more.

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Devil Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

Makoto couldn't help but be concerned about this contract. The Devil Arcana was number XV, and it represented the urge to do selfish, impulsive, violent things, and being a slave to one's own impulses and feelings. The fact that someone like Seiko Kimura, the timid, shy, and nervous bean that she was, had THIS arcana, worried him.

At the same time though, Makoto recalled that the arcana carried positive aspects too. Such as representing a healthy bond or commitment.

He supposed, now that the deal had been made, all he needed was to see this through.

Wonderful Dead 002 - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"So, you agreed to be her lab rat, and in exchange, she's gonna give us the medicine?" Komaru inquired, "I don't know HOW you pull these things off, you lucky bastard..."

"Honestly, that might just be it...I'm just lucky," he told her, "but it's not that simple. She specifically told me before I left that I had to buy it from her."

"Whaat? She can't give it to you for free?"

"Of course not! It's still drugs Komaru! Prescription meds or not, just handing that kind of thing out can get you in real trouble in this country! And the last thing we need is to drag Kimura-senpai down with us."

"True...I guess that was rude of me...But at the same time, you DO realize that we're basically on our way to buy guns and weapons, right?"

"Fake ones." 

"Well, whatever! Fake ones or not, they're real in our business!"

School had gotten out for the day, and Makoto had decided to go and meet his sister at the usual park meetup spot. As mentioned before, he decided to get her to tag along with him to the pawn shop.

After all, not only were they about to pawn off their new treasure, but they also needed to ask the store if they could use their money to purchase new weapons. 

"I'm pretty alright with my megaphone," Komaru twirled it, "you sure we need to waste money on all that stuff?" 

"I mean, it doesn't hurt to try..." Makoto told her, "after all, from this distance, I can clearly tell that's a megaphone and not a gun. We got lucky with Towa's Palace, but who's to say that thing will work in the next one we decide to tackle."

"I mean...I guess...But should all else fail, I DO have my Persona, you know?"

"Using which takes up your energy," Makoto reminded her, "remember Komaru, it IS just the four of us for now. We're gonna need you, so if you go getting tired on us-"

"Ok, alright! I get it!" she shot him down, "let's just go already!"

"Huh...I was wonderin' why I recognized that voice," someone suddenly rounded the corner, "it's you guys again?"

Layer Cake - Persona 5

"Oh! Kuzuryu-kun!" Komaru greeted him, "fancy seeing you here! We just keep running into each other!"

"You know when I first showed you this joint, I didn't expect it would become one of your favorite haunts," he eyed them suspiciously, "so what's in store this time? Selling? Buying?"

"A bit of both actually," Makoto admitted, "sorry if we're getting annoying, there's just no other shop that takes this junk within the area."

"Feh...Ain't my problem," he spat, "listen though. Spike's out on business today, so I popped by to check up on the store while he's gone..."

"Oh...he's not in?" Makoto asked, a little dismayed, "crud...I guess we'll have to come back later then..."

"Sorry to bother you..." Komaru bowed, but before they could leave, Fuyuhiko called out to them.

"Hey now!" he said, "you could always sell it to me? I'll open up for ya, just this once."

"For real!?" Komaru gasped, "thanks so much!"

"Eh, don't mention it," Fuyuhiko suddenly leaned in to whisper, "in exchange, can you guys do me a favor?"

"What's that?" Makoto asked as he approached the door and unlocked it.

"I'm gonna be real with you both," he said, "there's some guys hot on my tail. Public inspectors who are looking for dirt on the Kuzuryu Clan. I need you both to act natural, like we're just meeting up and talking as classmates and friends."

"Wait, seriously...!?" Komaru raised her head, only for Makoto to drag her back down again. He realized the severity of the situation and quickly hustled both himself and his sister into the store.

Fuyuhiko immediately took his place behind the counter, while Makoto and Komaru awaited further instructions.

"Alright, listen to me," he said to them, "far corner of the store, third shelf, three left from the end. There's a gun there I need you to buy and smuggle out of here for me. You do this, and I give you whatever you want off the shelves, free of charge."

"That's nice and all, but what are you making us complicit in?" Makoto began to sweat. Fuyuhiko shook his head.

"Sorry, times up. They're here," he growled, "just hurry the fuck up, ok? Don't fuck this up for me!"

"Come on Makoto! If you fail the Yakuza, they chop off your fingers!" Komaru grimaced, hurrying to the shelf that Fuyuhiko indicated.

Makoto swiftly followed as the door to Taboo opened, and two men wearing glasses and suits stepped inside.

"Oh man...!" Komaru's face looked both nervous and excited, "they're proper Men in Black, huh!?"

"Quiet!" Makoto hissed, quickly grabbing the required gun off the shelf, as well as another for safe measure. While he pretended to examine the shelf, he overheard the conversation between the two men.

"I thought you said the store would be empty today...!" one of the two investigators snapped, "and we don't even have a search warrant for this place. What are you doing?"

"I told you to relax, didn't I?" the other one said, "Mr Kirigiri will cover for us."

*Kirigiri?*

These words perked Makoto up, and he had to quickly act casual after catching himself turning his head towards them. The first investigator just shook his head.

"You really think breaking into a store with not a scrap of evidence, hoping you'll turn something up is gonna make Mr Kirigiri accept you as one of the elite?" he spat, "you're lucky you don't get fired."

"I think you mean WE. You're going down with me if this doesn't work out!"

"Am not!"

"Sorry gents?" Fuyuhiko slid his way into their conversation, "anything I can do for you, or are you just here to cause a stir? In case it ain't obvious, I've got customers."

The inspectors both turned towards him. The one with the bad attitude crossed his arms and glared at him.

"Who the hell are you?" he growled, "you with the Yakuza?"

"What's it to you if I am?" Fuyuhiko smirked back, "I'm just a kid."

"Yes...you are..." the more calm inspector of the two mumbled, "and yet despite that, you're here watching the store?"

"The store shouldn't even be open today," the grouchy inspector spat, "aren't you supposed to be in school, buddy?"

"Yeah, I guess so...Speaking of school, do you wanna know something I learned in school the other day?" his face grew smarmier by the minute, "according to constitutional law, police officers and inspectors need search warrants in order to conduct proper, legal investigations. If you don't have one, you could lose your jobs or even go to federal prison."

"CUT THE SHIT!" the grouchy officer slammed the table, "tell me right now, where is Shinji Hashimoto!?"

"Um...e-excuse me?" Komaru stammered as she and Makoto approached the counter with their "package" "m-may we just...?"

"'Scuse me for one second," Fuyuhiko blew the investigators off, "sure thing. What're you buying?"

"I'm talking here!" the investigator snapped!

"Yeah, but you ain't a customer, are you?" Fuyuhiko snarled, "look, you're free to check the place out at your leisure, but if you ain't buying, don't expect me to play nice. This is a legitimate business, you know. And I ain't gonna be there to corroborate you when Kirigiri finds out you went behind his back."

Fuyuhiko took the packages off of Komaru and Makoto, then scanned them and calculated the price while he continued talking.

"I'm an upstanding guy," he told them, "I can cooperate with the cops, even when they're rude like you bastards..."

"Alright, this is a waste of time," the slightly meeker inspector turned to his friend as Makoto and Komaru tried to hustle their way out of the store, "that lead of yours clearly wasn't legitimate. Hashimoto isn't even here for questioning, so what the hell is your plan!?"

"No...I ain't done yet!" the other one snapped, "you! What's in that bag!?"

"H-Huh!?" Makoto panicked, "why do you want to know!"

"GIVE IT!" the inspector stormed over to try and snatch the bag from Makoto, but Fuyuhiko suddenly slammed the table and grabbed his attention.

"Leave my customers alone!" he spat, "you wanna see what he bought, go over to the corner and look! Plus, you can check the tapes if you don't believe him." Fuyuhiko nodded to Makoto in a "get the fuck out of here" kind of way. Makoto grabbed Komaru and the two scuttled nervously away from the store. 

However, they decided to remain nearby to try and listen in on the conversation inside. Though the voices were now muffled, they were still able to make out the words.

"You were outta line. I knew something like this would happen, which is why I tagged along...But you even picked a fight with innocent customers!"

"They weren't customers! They had to be in on this, they HAD to!"

"Jesus...You call yourself a detective?"

"You little shit! Mark my words, I will find proof! This place HAS to be in league with the Kuzuryu Clan!"

"Wait...seriously? THAT'S what you came to investigate? Of course this place is clan property! The KDA already KNOWS that!"

"W-Wait...what...!?"

"Mr Kirigiri himself is fully aware that this place is owned by backers of the Kuzuryu Clan...But it has NOTHING to do with their main business. So he's perfectly fine leaving the store as is..."

"You're...you've gotta be kidding!?"

"Oh, and I'm also a close acquaintance of his granddaughter, Kyoko. Now, I wonder what would happen if I was to let him or her know that you came in here just to harass me and my customers?"

"What the fuck have you put us into! We're gonna lose everything at this rate!"

"H-Hey! It was an honest mistake! C-Calm down!"

"Calm down!? CALM DOWN!? You fucking moron! You just made us the next Saihara!"

"Hey, hey! Let's make a deal, why don't we? I won't report you guys, but in exchange, you gotta promise not to come by here again, at least not without a search warrant, m'kay?"

"You...!"

"Aw, shut it! You've caused enough issues as is! Apologies for my coworker young man. We won't bother you again!"

Makoto and Komaru quickly hid behind a corner as the two investigators burst out of the store; one basically dragging the other by his ear. As soon as they both made sure they were out of sight and out of earshot, they quickly hurried back inside the store and reunited with Fuyuhiko.

"Jesus wept..." was the first thing that came out of the short-stacked Yakuza's mouth when they returned, "Spike sent me a phone call warning me about those two...They've gotta be new to the business if they think they can just show up and cause problems..."

"Well, I guess that big-headedness is natural for newbies" Makoto thought aloud. Fuyuhiko just laughed.

"That excuse doesn't work for Kirigiri," he told him, "the man's a perfectionist, and he won't let anyone give the KDA a bad name. If he finds out, those guys are done for."

"So in other words," Komaru considered, "their lives are in your hands?"

"Feels good, doesn't it?" he smirked.

Makoto didn't know how to respond to this oddly sadistic side of Fuyuhiko, so he promptly changed the subject.

"So why was it that you wanted us to get this weapon in particular out of here?" he asked, "what makes it any different from the others on the shelf?"

"Spike put it there so we could figure out where to put the supplies and how to change the layout to accompany them," Fuyuhiko began to explain, "but the truth is we don't have a grant for the materials contained in that brand specifically. That's what he left to get today, but he forgot to hide that model in the back. If those investigators had shown up without him knowing, this shop would have been done for if they'd decided to check that brand."

"Ah, so you wanted us to take it out, just in case they forced a look?" Komaru asked, "damn, you're smart. I was honestly worried we were smuggling illegal substances for a second."

"Hah! I mean, you basically did!" Fuyuhiko scoffed, "but I owe you one. I'll uphold my promise. You each get one on the house."

Komaru nodded and went to go examine the other end of the store for anything that might be an upgrade for her lasso. Makoto however, remained where he was.

"Mind if I take a look at the gun?" he asked, "the one that you gave us?"

Fuyuhiko nodded, opening the box and taking it out. Makoto couldn't help but gasp in awe at the weapon. It was definitely a model revolver, but you wouldn't be able to tell that at a glance! In terms of quality and realism, it was MILES above the stuff he had bought from this place the last time he was here! 

There really was something special about this place. And Makoto couldn't catch the next words that came out of his mouth.

"This one..."

"Huh?"

"I want THIS one..."

As Fuyuhiko stared at him in confusion, Komaru came over and smacked him on the arm.

"Makoto, did you NOT get a clue about how this is important to him!?" she snapped, "you can't just take it off his hands after all the effort he put us through to smuggle it out for him!"

"Oh! Right...sorry, I guess I couldn't help myself," he apologized, "it just...it looks so cool!"

"I mean...it does..." Komaru admitted.

"Well, if ya like it so much, it's yours~" Fuyuhiko smirked.

"Wait, SERIOUSLY!?" Makoto gasped, his sister equally as surprised, "it's really ok!?"

"Honestly, you'd be doing us a favor, getting it out of here in case any more lousy-ass inspectors decide to show up. We modify some of our newer guns to look as real as possible, and that was one of our first examples. It might be a while before we can make them available to the public though."

"Well...you've certainly caught my attention," Makoto told him, "say...is there any chance that you could sell me these guns of yours despite all that?"

Both Fuyuhiko and Komaru shot him a look. Fuyuhiko's look was more of confusion while Komaru's was more of anticipation.

"And why would I do that?" the Yakuza frowned.

"Well, I'm basically your accomplice now," he smirked, "and I am VERY interested in striking a deal with you."

"Damn, bro..." Komaru whistled, "you've got some balls on you..."

"Hm..." 

Fuyuhiko seemed to ponder this for a moment, looking out the window to make sure no one else was coming in, then he turned back towards the brother and sister.

"Sorry to be rude, but would you mind stepping outside, little lady?" he asked, "I need to have a private talk with your brother, mano-e-mano."

"Huh? H-Huh!?" Komaru's eyes widened, "is that ok?"

"What do you think he's gonna do, mug me?" Makoto shook his head, "I'll be out in just a second. Trust me on this one, m'kay?"

Reluctantly, Komaru nodded and left the store with her own new weapon in a bag; leaving Fuyuhiko and Makoto as the only two in the store. Makoto felt a sweat roll down his face as Fuyuhiko walked around the counter and locked the door.

"Just to make sure that no one comes in while we're chattin'," he assured him, "I gotta ask...what the hell's going on with you? What's with the sudden interest in treasure and guns?"

"Can't really explain it myself," Makoto was getting exhausted with how many excuses he was forced to think up today, "guess I just really got into the whole costume and persona-building scene."

"Hmph..." Fuyuhiko clearly didn't take this answer at face value, but just shrugged it off, "well, consider yourself lucky..."

"Trust me, I have been a lot lately," Makoto assured him, "but for the record...what do you mean?"

"I'll be real with you. These guns that you want ain't cheap," Fuyuhiko explained, "I honor my promises, and you get this one on the house, but if you want more of this brand, it's gonna cost you. And the numbers shoot up into the millions depending on stock and value."

"R-Right..." Makoto felt the sweat start to run faster as Fuyuhiko kept talking.

"The KDA ain't the only branch of inspectors that like to sniff around these parts. So here's what we're gonna do," he said, "in exchange for you helping us out with "business"; such as smuggling materials and destroying any evidence that might give the local force a reason to be on our ass...I'll convince Spike to give you the special menu, and for a discount. How's that sound?"

"I...I appreciate it...but don't the Yakuza usually try not to get civilians involved in their criminal affairs?" Makoto asked, "plus, as much as I want these weapons, I'd rather not break the law to get them."

"Don't worry about that. I ain't dumb," Fuyuhiko smirked, "which is exactly why these conversations of ours are never gonna happen. You won't tell anyone about what I'm gonna ask you to do, and in exchange, I'll keep your name a secret from my family. Sound cool?"

"That's...not exactly reassuring..." Makoto admitted.

"Do you want the fucking goods or not?" Fuyuhiko glowered, "I'm not gonna make you a criminal or a yakuza, and I ain't gonna put you in any danger, m'kay? All I need you to be is my pawn for a lil' while. How's that sound?"

Makoto was still skeptical, but the fact was he NEEDED these weapons if he and his team were going to survive in the Metaverse. Plus, if he was going to continue making cash from this place, he needed to have at least a decent relationship with the owners.

Succumbing to the pressure he nodded.

"Alright fine, but you'd better hold true to that," he basically warned him, "I don't want to cause any trouble for my family, or my friends."

"Neither do I," Fuyuhiko reached out a hand, "but you wanted this deal, so let's shake on it."

Makoto took his hand and gave it a firm shake. Despite the risks, he was positive this was going to work out.

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Hanged Man Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

The Hanged Man Arcana was associated with self-sacrifice for the sake of enlightenment, the bindings that make one free, paradoxes, and hanging between heaven and earth.

Makoto didn't quite know what any of this meant, but he was glad to have one more contract on the roster.

However, he wasn't quite finished.

Beneath the Beautiful Dead - NoteBlock

Though he wasn't expecting to form any more bonds or contracts for today, Makoto returned to his dorms after splitting off from his sister. Being the leader of the team, he'd taken her weapons off her hands and brought them to his dorms, entrusting himself with the responsibility of keeping it all safe and secure.

And also his parents would undoubtedly freak out if Komaru brought home a very real-looking chain whip, but that was beside the point!

Makoto had spent a lot of hours out that night, especially for a school night, and it had already gone past 10 pm when he returned to the dorms. Fortunately, the academy security were already preparing to make their rounds and he was able to slip in before they could block the gates for the evening, saving him the hassle of getting a lecture from Sakakura.

He had honestly expected that everyone would be in their beds by the time he got back, so it surprised him when he ran into one of his classmates pulling a late-nighter in the 78th Class's dorm lobby.

Chihiro Fujisaki sat on a sofa, wearing a pair of glasses and staring at the laptop screen in her lap, without even blinking once.

Wanting to make sure that she wasn't dead before he retired to his room, Makoto walked over and waved a hand in front of her mousy little face. Chihiro immediately looked up at him in surprise, clearly not having noticed his arrival before now.

Before Makoto could ask what she was doing, he suddenly noticed what was on her laptop screen. A digital clone of Chihiro herself was present, and it seemed to look up toward him, smiling and waving at him.

This was Chihiro's Alter Ego - an artificial intelligence that assumed the appearance of its creator. Chihiro had been working on this project ever since Makoto first got to know her, working on it as part of a contract with an unknown company. She wasn't allowed to tell him which one, since it went against the regulations of the NDA she signed.

The AI itself was fascinating though. Chihiro had described it as it being designed to think like a human and to process any mental task a human can, and the results had spoken for themselves.

"Still at it, even after all this time, huh?" Makoto asked. Chihiro nodded.

"I'm close to putting the final touches on this version," she explained, "all I need now is a good universal speech-input program that will work for all the text and intelligence inputs I've already made."

"Yeah, but you've already been working on this for a long time now," Makoto reasoned, "are you sure that it's worth losing sleep over?"

Chihiro shook her head.

"I created this program Naegi-kun," she said, "I'm pretty sure I have what it takes to handle it."

It was rare to get this kind of biting remark from the very timid Chihiro Fujisaki. Yep, she was tired alright.

"In all seriousness, I've been having far too many setbacks lately," she told him, "I even took a break at the start of the year to focus on other projects because this one was getting too stressful. Now I need to dedicate a lot more time to it."

"Alright, I already know that I won't be able to convince you, so I guess I'll turn in for the night," Makoto patted her on the shoulder, "don't stay up too late, ok?"

"Yeah, alright," Chihiro nodded, "I do feel like I'm forgetting to do something, so I guess I should turn in soon."

Makoto left her where she was and headed up to his room.

Ms Monomi's Practice Lesson - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

"Ah! You return!" Monomi hopped excitedly on his desk, "where have you been!? Don't you realize how late it is!?"

"Please, not now..." Makoto waved his hand in front of his face, "today has been more stressful and exhausting than I could ever expected it would be..."

Makoto suddenly took his bag and dumped everything he had inside it onto the desk. He then tossed his bag into the corner and flopped face-first onto his bed. Monomi leaped up onto it and sniffed at his burrowed head.

"U-Um...Makoto..." she tried to get his attention, "are you sure you want to leave your stuff just lying around? If someone was to walk in and see it..."

"s'fiine..." Makoto groaned, "i'll pudded way tomorroo..."

"Dear me..." Monomi grumbled, getting ready to hop off the desk and into her own rabbit home...However, despite his tiredness, Makoto basically shot up into the air in a panic, as someone suddenly opened his dorm room door and strode in casually.

Mr Monokuma After Class - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Naegi-kun! I remembered what it was that I'd forgotten!" the person who had come in was Chihiro, who was clutching a white paper bag, "Sayaka-chan bought a whole bunch of us some Chinese dim-sum for dinner, and we saved...you...some..."

He trailed off as he saw all the things on Makoto's desk. The weapons, guns, and Phantom Thief tools all sprawled out lazily. Even though it was too late, Makoto leaped in front of his desk to hide it. Monomi did the same, despite not covering much.

"What did I tell you!?" Monomi shrieked, "you should have been more careful!"

"N-Naegi-kun!?" Chihiro gasped, "what...IS that?"

"D-Don't panic, Fujisaki-san!" Makoto felt his heart beat a mile a minute, "I promise you it's not what you think!"

"A-Are those GUNS!?" she exclaimed.

"Th-They're fake! I bought them from a pawn shop!" he decided to tell her a half-truth.

Chihiro did indeed shuffle past him and check the guns and weapons at the table, feeling them for herself. She did indeed come to realize that the weapons were indeed fake and very not-harmful, but that's when the situation got even worse for Makoto.

Not realizing it himself until Chihiro noticed it and picked it up, but there was a blank version of the thieves calling card on his desk! As Chihiro examined it, a very blatant feeling of despair and dread washed over his face and body, despite trying to hide it!

"N-Naegi-kun...!" Chihiro examined the card and cupped her mouth with her hand in surprise.

"H-Hold on!" Makoto begged to be heard, "I promise, there is a VERY good explanation for all of this!"

"Of course...That's why you were asking so much about the Towa situation...!"

"No, please, j-just let me explain!"

"And all this equipment here...No doubt these are tools of the trade too...!"

"Fujisaki, please, just listen, it's not-!"

"Naegi-kun! Are you-!"

"Wait, PLEASE, just LISTEN!"

"ALSO a fan of the Phantom Thieves!?"

"No! Listen I-! Wait...what!?"

Beautiful Days - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

This response had caught Makoto off-guard, as he was expecting this to go somewhere else. The feeling of panic and dread remained in his heart, despite how visibly merry and pleased Chihiro looked at him. Her eyes were wide with excitement, and she was blushing with awe.

He hated the fact that she was so cute.

But still, there was something about what she said that caught his attention.

"H-Hold on...what do you mean "also?"" he asked.

"Oh, s-sorry! I guess I scared you for a second, huh?" Chihiro tried to force herself to calm down, "I'm just really glad to know that it wasn't just me!"

"What wasn't?" Makoto was still very confused.

"Ever since that calling card went out, and ever since Towa got exposed for all his crimes I...I fell in love with the Phantom Thieves that seemed to be responsible!" the programmer enthused, "they may be recognized as criminals, but to me, they're heroes! One's that I admire from the bottom of my heart!"

"O-Oh...Oh?" Makoto's feeling of nervousness quickly shifted into one of embarrassment. Chihiro using words like "love" so casually towards him certainly flustered him.

But it seemed that despite her brains, Chihiro somehow hadn't caught on that Makoto HIMSELF was a Phantom Thief. Not that he was about to let THAT spill after he dodged such a close-flying bullet.

He shot Monomi a look, who just glared back at him, clearly wanting him to follow up on his classmate's words and try and steer her into believing the misconception she had spun herself in.

"M-Man, you really are something," he forced a chuckle, "yeah, you're right! I'm a HUGE fan of the Phantom Thieves! So much so that I wanted to try and make my own Phantom Thief outfit but...I might have bought too much stuff...Honestly, I didn't think anyone else would really see them as the heroes though..."

"Of course!" Chihiro's eyes twinkled with joy, "has anyone even stopped to think just how many people they've saved with their actions!? Eliminating unseen evils and solving unsolved mysteries...They're the greatest! True champions of justice!"

At this moment, Chihiro seemed to realize just how nerdy she was sounding, and backed off, blushing profusely.

"O-Oh...I'm sorry...I got carried away..." she flushed, "but you know, I'm glad to meet another supporter in person for the first time...Most of the people I've talked about this come from my website."

"Oh well...hey, at least you can talk about it with me now-"

He froze in place, as did Monomi, as both suddenly processed her words once again. He could hear the noises of the cogs turning in his head.

The Ultimate Programmer...someone who famously used computers, programmed code, and made websites...was a fan of the Phantom Thieves...

And that's when it clicked.

"YOU made the PHANSITE!?" Monomi and Makoto screamed in unison.

Of course, only Makoto was heard. In Chihiro's ears, Monomi just squeaked a lot, but he alone was enough to now make Chihiro the incredibly flustered one.

"Y-Yes! But please, keep that a secret!" she admitted, "I made the site to show the Phantom Thieves that the things they did really mattered in the end, just in case they had any doubts about their actions. I want them to know who they helped and that they've done a good thing!"

"It's almost like she knows," Monomi smiled, "what a wonderful girl, always thinking of others! Not many people stop to consider what the heroes go through after all."

"There is another reason I made the site, of course. This one is...not so innocent," Chihiro admitted, "Haiji Towa isn't the only awful person in society who hides behind a false face. I've seen this firsthand. But if these Phantom Thieves really are out there, then I'm confident they can make it all right. So I made a blog to help in my own way. People can leave their stories and requests online, and if the Phantom Thieves should see it, maybe they can help out?"

Chihiro showed Makoto her phone, the internet browser already on the Phansite.

"In fact, I got a message on the main blog today," she explained, "someone left a request for a criminal named Toshiro Uzawa, and today they commented back saying that he'd confessed! Seems like the system works!"

"So you made it with even that in mind," Makoto realized, "you really are a good person, Fujisaki-chan."

"Oh, no, I'm just happy being a quiet enforcer. It's better to let the real strong people do the important work," she said, "that said, it does get very difficult for me...Seeing what these people are going through and just imagining it...It really frightens me..."

Hearing her say this, another thought bubble popped into Makoto's mind.

"If that's the case, why don't you talk to me about it every time a potential target comes up?" he suggested, "if you vent the details to me, it'll take some stress off your shoulders, I'm sure."

"Don't you think that might wear you down though?" Chihiro asked, "you really are impressive, Naegi-kun."

"I'm fine. I'm the only person who knows you're the site's mod, and to be honest, I'm curious too," he told her, "I've always wondered what kinds of people the Phantom Thieves go after, and I want to know what one's have caught your eye. So what do you say?"

"Hehe...Alright!" Chihiro gave him another adorable smile, "it's a deal!"

And as you no doubt expected, this was the signal for yet another established confidant. Makoto once again heard the words ring in his mind.

I am thou...Thou art I...Thy hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Moon Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

The Moon Arcana - Arcana XVIII, associated with creativity, inspiration, dreams, and fantasy.

Very fitting.

"Oh! Look at the time!" she suddenly gasped at the clock on Makoto's wall, "I really do need to get to bed. Here, I'll leave your meal here and you can have it for breakfast or lunch tomorrow! I'd hate to see it go to waste."

"Thank you Fujisaki-chan," Makoto smiled, "and sorry for the freakout back there."

Chihiro bowed politely and quickly left, giving Monomi a brief rub behind the ears as she did. Once she closed the door behind her, Makoto made double sure to lock it to avoid any more trouble. As he did, Monomi started to speak to him.

"What was that about?" she asked, "why did you ask her to do that for you?"

"Fujisaki is the Phansite's creator and moderator," Makoto explained, "and clearly she thoroughly reads every post that gets added to it. So if I do this..."

"Ah...I understand! We'll receive requests for changes of heart a lot more easily this way! Fujisaki will know which leads are legitimate or not!" Monomi beamed, "you sure are smart Makoto!"

"Yeah, well..." Makoto rubbed the back of his head.

"Or at least I WOULD be saying that if it wasn't for you giving me a near panic attack!" the bunny suddenly growled, "seriously! What were you thinking!?"

"H-Hey! I said I'm sorry!" he cried.

Death Wish - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"You did WHAT!?" Toko shrieked, "HONESTLY Makoto! I can't believe you sometimes! I don't care if you're tired; are you THAT much of an IDIOT or do you WANT us to get arrested!?"

"I already made like...7 heartfelt apologies to Monomi last night!" Makoto was about to get on his hands and knees and plead for forgiveness, "please, give me a break Toko!"

"Chill out Toko-chan, you're attracting too many people. If you're not careful YOU'LL be the one getting us arrested!" Komaru told her.

This was actually a fairly good point, so Toko forced herself to calm down.

"Besides, it worked out in the end, right?" Komaru recalled, "Fujisaki didn't catch on, and even if she did, she's clearly on our side. Now we have a system for finding targets and all's good in the world!"

"I admit, I think what happened was the best possible outcome," Monomi told them, "but still, we have to avoid any more close shaves like this in the future, correct?"

"Yes ma'am...sorry ma'am..." Makoto hung his head in shame.

It was Sunday, and the team finally had a chance to get together for a casual gathering to discuss potential targets and how they would move forward as the Phantom Thieves of Hope. This was especially important, as it was the first time the team would get to gather in a while.

After all, it was exam week. For both Hope's Peak Academy AND St. Koa Girls Academy.

Hope's Peak's exams weren't your typical system, even though that kind of thing would be preferable. The main course had its fair share of random lectures, but the exams came down to talent above everything else. As a result, the exam requirements differed from person to person.

The written exams were basic and didn't require much effort. It was the PRACTICAL exams that mattered. 

As mentioned previously, Hope's Peak Academy students were allowed to cut classes so long as they developed their respective talents but to PROVE that, practical exams were held once during the middle of every semester, where the students were required to demonstrate their abilities. And the requirements were indeed strict, as you might imagine.

These practical exams were judged by dignitaries and experts and widely reported by the media in order to give hope in the future to the nation, and failure could mean expulsion. This is what Seiko had been talking to Makoto about previously. She had almost failed her final practical exam last year and almost lost her right to continue at the academy. The stakes were high and if she failed to meet the requirements, she would be kicked out of the school.

The exams were simple enough for the likes of Toko. All she had to do was demonstrate her creations in her field and showcase and explain her tool of trade. When they were first years, she always had a short novel prepped and ready to read for the examiners and a copy of her latest big work to hand to them free of charge. This time was no different. She had been dedicating all of her time outside of Phantom Thief exploits to her latest work, a romance novel called "Sharp Knife, Sharp Tongue" a romance novel involving a lady who falls madly in love with a masked thief that tries to take down her corrupt father.

Toko admitted that she had been inspired by the Phantom Thieves for this latest work, and figured it would serve to be relevant given the circumstances. This was a big deal, as most of Toko's work was based on her fantasy, rarely ever attributing themselves to her real-life experiences.

As for Makoto, his exams were different. Last year, he had to fully account for a time that he believed his Ultimate Luck had come into play. Due to the mysterious and uncontrollable circumstances of his "ability," Hope's Peak gave him a helping hand by consistently accounting for situations that could be attributed to it. All Makoto had to do was recount these events and not spare a single detail. Kind of like speaking an essay to the examiners.

Komaru, being an "ordinary" high school student, had basic high school exams, and her face was evidently very tired from how she had spent the previous evening staying up and cram studying. And she clearly wanted to talk about anything that WASN'T that.

"Anyway..." she led on, "I've only ever met Fujisaki-chan once before...She's...surprisingly intense when she's passionate about something..."

"Yeah, it's honestly kind of annoying..." Toko commented, "but...we really did get lucky there...Fujisaki may have figured out our identities if Makoto wasn't so innocent looking."

"I dodged several bullets yesterday if anything," he explained, "I tried to get us some confidants to help us with our work while trying to hide my identity. I managed to get a few people to help us out, like Kimura-senpai and Kuzuryu-senpai."

Toko didn't reply to this, just looking down at her feet awkwardly.

"Are you alright, Toko?" Monomi poked her head out of Makoto's jacket pocket, "you look bothered about something."

"Wh-What? Oh...It's nothing..." she said, "actually...I guess I'm just a bit paranoid..."

"About what?" Komaru asked.

"Well, I guess it's just that we haven't been as sneaky as I would have liked...I mean, the fact that Kirigiri found out so quickly..."

"Ture...knowing that she knows our identities is kind of stressful..." Makoto admitted, "but I trust her to keep her word."

"Is that your heart talking or your dick?" Toko remarked, pulling a skeevy face, "what kind of Phantom Thief catches feelings for a detective?"

"H-Hey!" Makoto exclaimed.

"Wait, you have a CRUSH ON HER!?" Komaru squealed excitedly.

"No, listen to me, I respect her and think she's-OOPH!"

As Makoto tried to make an excuse, he stopped looking where he was going and collided with someone walking down the same road as them in the other direction. He fell over on his ass and looked up to see a boy around his age with his head lowered.

Beautiful Lie - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

The boy had been wearing a hat that had been knocked off with the collision. Makoto tried to reach out and hand it back, but the boy quickly swiped it and put it back on.

"I'm sorry!" Makoto was pulled to his feet by Komaru, then assisted the boy in getting up, "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"No, it's alright," he said, lowering the brim of his hat, not looking Makoto in the eye, "I didn't-"

He immediately cut himself off upon taking a closer look at Makoto and the others.

"Hm? Is everything alright? You didn't drop anything, did you?" 

"No...it's just...are you Naegi-senpai?"

"Huh?" 

Makoto was surprised to know the boy knew his name. Toko however, was a lot more skeptical.

"How do you know that? Who are you?"

"Oh...My apologies...I didn't mean to be so impolite." he said, dusting himself off and standing up straight.

The boy's hat was a black cap with three white stripes lining the back of it and a silver star pinned near the front. Underneath the cap, he had short dark blue hair. He also had very pale skin and a slim figure. Makoto couldn't really see his eyes from under the brim of the cap, but could just about make out some grey eyes with long eyelashes.

The boy placed a hand on his chest as he introduced himself.

"We chatted briefly over the phone about one assaulting the KDA previously. But it's nice to finally meet you in person, senpai," he said,

"my name is Saihara. Shuichi Saihara."

Chapter Text

My Homie - Persona 5

"Saihara?" Komaru parroted, "that name sounds...familiar..."

"Oh! I remember!" Makoto explained, "yeah, that was you! You look...different, from how I imagined."

"My apologies if I disappointed you..." the boy seemed quiet and somewhat meek. Even though he spoke with such formality, it seemed he couldn't bring himself to look Makoto or his friends in the eye.

"Hm...Yeah, but that's not just it..." Komaru pondered, "maybe I'm just imagining things."

"You're really an Ultimate in th-the first year?" Toko stammered, "you seem s-super shady!"

"Fukawa-san, don't be rude." Makoto snapped.

"No, it's ok," Shuichi assured them "my appearance does give that impression. Allow me to introduce myself more formally..."

Shuichi gently bowed in respect.

"My name is Shuichi Saihara. I'm a first-year student at Hope's Peak Academy, attending as the new Ultimate Detective. I currently live with my Uncle, the head detective of the Saihara Detective Agency. Though I'm currently studying under Fuhito Kirigiri of the Kirigiri Detective Agency..."

"Oh! So you also grew up as a PI?" Makoto asked. Shuichi shook his head.

"Not quite. I don't nearly have as much experience in major cases as Kirigiri-sama..."

"Kirigiri-sama!?" Toko repeated, "are you talking about Kyoko...!?"

"Just my way of referring to her. You're in her class, yes? She's Kirigiri-sama and her grandfather is Kirigiri-sensei. It's how I differentiate the two," he explained, "and I admire her a lot so..."

"Well, why not Kirigiri-senpai?" Komaru asked. Shuichi shrugged.

"I just believe she deserves more respect than that?"

He suddenly became acutely aware of the situation, and his eyes widened in panic.

"Oh god! I-I'm sorry! You were probably on your way somewhere and I distracted you! M-My apologies!"

"N-No, don't worry!" Makoto assured him, "we were just on our way to hang out at the park. We're not in any rush!"

"Makoto's right. You don't have to be like that," Komaru gave him an affectionate thumbs up, "by the way, we forgot to do introductions ourselves. I'm Komaru Naegi, Makoto's little sister. And this is my best friend, Toko Fukawa."

"Yes...A pleasure to meet you, Naegi-san, Fukawa-senpai..." he nodded, "I really must apologize for being such a waste of space..."

"Man...he REALLY doesn't have good self-esteem, does he?" Toko remarked.

"You're one to talk, Toko..." Komaru made a good point, "seriously though, I'm telling you, you don't have to be so down on yourself. You really didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm afraid that kind of thing goes in through one ear and out the other for Shuichi," another voice joined their conversation, "believe me, I've tried to work him out, but he's thoroughly stuck in that mud."

Everyone looked over to see someone approaching them. The voice belonged to a middle-aged man with faded blue, spiky hair. He had tired, pale, slanted eyes, but a warm smile.

"Uncle!" Shuichi greeted him, clearly not expecting him to be there.

"Sorry. I just finished up. Turns out it took a lot less time to find them than I expected," the man said, "who might these people be?"

"These are the people who aided me with arresting Toshiro Uzawa," Shuichi explained, "Makoto Naegi and Toko Fukawa are my seniors at Hope's Peak, and the other girl is Naegi-senpai's sister, Komaru."

"Oh, so YOU guys are the ones who helped out my nephew? Well, nice to know that Shuichi's got good-hearted upperclassmen looking out for him," he said, reaching out his hand for a handshake, "the name's Shinichi. In case you didn't figure it out, I'm Shuichi's uncle, and I run my own detective agency."

"Can't say I've ever heard of the Saihara Detective Agency..." Makoto told him, "did you just get off a case?"

"Yeah, you mentioned something about finding someone?" Komaru inquired. Shinichi laughed.

"Oh, nah, we were actually out grocery shopping. We're having a big pork roast this weekend since Shuichi finished his practical exams today and I wanted to celebrate," he explained, "and to be honest, I don't blame you for not being clued in. Ever since we started, we really haven't had many cases...Still, even if I'm a pretty crappy detective, I pride myself on being the uncle of one of the world's best!"

"Uncle please..." Shuichi lowered the brim of his cap to hide his blush, "you're embarrassing me..."

"Hey, my brain just popped a great idea!" Shinichi smirked, "why don't you lot come round and join us?"

"Huh!?" Toko panicked, "you're inviting us over!? But you just met us!?"

"Yeah, true, but I trust Shuichi, and if he trusts you, then so do I," Shinichi grinned mischievously, "besides, he told me he was looking for a way to repay you after you helped him out, so we are indebted to you. Consider this our thanks for your help."

"Uncle...detectives shouldn't rely so heavily on trust...We wouldn't catch any criminals in that way..." Shuichi remarked.

"Um...as nice as that is..." Komaru tried to speak up, but Shinichi raised a hand and cut her off.

"Don't worry about it if you've got plans or you don't wanna come," he told them, "it'd be nice if you could join us, but just let Shuichi know in advance. He can drop me a text and I can get things ready."

Shinichi turned around and started to walk away.

"I'm expecting a yes though!" he called back, taking off. Shuichi shook his head and sighed.

"I'm very sorry...My uncle is, as you can see, a lot more social-happy and headstrong than I am," he told them, "even so, I do agree with him. It would delight me if we could treat you to a meal for the evening. I really do owe you thanks."

"We'll think about it," Makoto told him, "in the meantime, you should be catching up with him, don't you think? He might start another random conversation with a homeless man on the way, right?"

"Haha! You really are good at reading people!" Shuichi giggled, "yes, I hope to see you again soon!"

The group watched as Shuichi scurried after his uncle. When he was out of sight, Monomi emerged from Makoto's bag.

Suspicion - Persona 5

"He was certainly polite," she commented, "Hope's Peak really does have so many good students!"

"Yeah...still, he kind of rubs me the wrong way...Him and his overly enthusiastic uncle..." Toko added, "what are we gonna do? Are we really gonna go have dinner with those two?"

"I mean...I'm definitely curious about their agency," Komaru told her friends, "plus, I just remembered what it was that was bugging me. Do you remember what happened yesterday when we went to the pawn shop?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah!" something immediately clicked in Makoto's mind, "those two investigators said something..."

"What the fuck have you put us into! We're gonna lose everything at this rate!"

"H-Hey! It was an honest mistake! C-Calm down!"

"Calm down!? CALM DOWN!? You fucking moron! You just made us the next Saihara!"

""The next Saihara?"" Monomi frowned, "could those investigators have been referring to those two?"

"But Shuichi is currently doing work with the KDA," Makoto said, "I'm curious...Why would he be working with the Kirigiris if his uncle already runs their own detective agency? Surely he'd be pitching in there instead?"

"Normally, I'd attribute it to the Kirigiri's being more well-known and famous, but that's not true," Komaru pondered, "honestly if you hadn't told me about where Kyoko-chan came from, I would never have heard of it."

"The KDA prides itself on being relatively unknown to the normal world...But they definitely have a presence in the world of PIs and detectives," Makoto added, "perhaps Shinichi thought that Shuichi could use his Ultimate Talents to move up in the world?"

"Tch...I like the fact that his uncle's supportive and all, but that kid seriously needs help," Toko snarked, "how is he ever gonna question people when that hat hides his eyes from view? You can't tell what he's thinking..."

"He doesn't seem to have a lot of self-confidence...or any at all for that matter," Makoto considered, "so, what do you guys think? Should we humor them?"

"Hmmm...Why don't we put this discussion on hold until the weekend rolls around?" Monomi asked, "after all, you all still have exams this week, and I, as your teacher, will not permit any of you to fail at your studies! Do you understand?"

"Yeah. As much as I'd like to talk about Phantom Thief crap and whatever social plans we make, th-the exams come first!" Toko exclaimed.

"Yes ma'am..." Komaru groaned.

Beautiful Days - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"I swear to this, my dear lady...I WILL steal your father's treasury...But I will also steal something far more valuable..." 

Theadora could feel her heart beat steadily within her chest, no sounds within the silent, cool night blocking it out. 

"What is that?" she asked, her lips quivering. 

In response, the thief took off his hat and bowed, looking her in the eyes submissively, but also with confidence and assurance, 

"I will steal your heart..." he said...

And before Theadora could utter a word of a reply, the mysterious phantom thief leaped off the roof and disappeared.

With that, Toko put her book down and raised her head to speak to the people in front of her; several men sitting on a row of chairs, each holding their own copy of the same book in their hands, reading along with her.

"And that was the first two chapters of my upcoming novel," she told them, "a free early copy of this story is what you are currently holding. You have my permission to keep them free of charge, but the academy requests you don't talk about the story publicly until it has been released."

She stood up and bowed, all of the examiners giving her a round of applause with her exeunt. Before Toko could rejoin her classmates behind the stage, Chisa Yukizome stopped her and gave her a mini-applause of her own.

"Well done, Fukawa-chan!" she beamed, "I must say, your performance this time was far above anything you've shown so far!"

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

"Normally, you can't help but stutter, or get stage fright when you read your novel to the examiners," Yukizome pointed out, "but this time, you didn't mumble a single word! You kept your head high and did amazingly! I'm impressed! Though I do wonder what brought about this change?"

"Heh...Lots of life changes happened to me since the start of term," Toko smirked, "I'll leave it at that."

Toko carried on her way and rejoined Makoto behind the stage. Their classmates were with them, a lot of them just chatting and minding their own business. By this point in time, the practical exams had already been over and done with. Makoto had also done his own performance.

The story he'd decided to recount to the examiners was one that happened to him recently. A week ago or so, he had been wandering the school grounds when someone threw an empty drink can out of the window, which had fallen and hit Makoto on the head. While initially chocking it up to bad luck, his exclamation of pain and surprise attracted the attention of one of the new first years, Korekiyo Shinguji. It turned out that Korekiyo had been looking for Makoto, as he had unknowingly dropped his wallet beforehand. The can hitting him had caused him to cry out, thus allowing the first year to find him and return his lost item.

Makoto himself couldn't exactly decide whether that situation was more lucky or unlucky, but regardless, the examiners seemed to be impressed by it.

"Gotta be honest," Toko smirked, "I'm glad you didn't talk to them about the extremely lucky situation of us finding the Metaverse. You'd pass the exam with flying colors."

"Yes, but I'd also get us all arrested," Makoto hushed, "maybe I have slipped up a few times, but I'm not that stupid!"

With Toko now done and out of the way, there were only one or two people left to finish their practical exams. A couple of the students in their group had already returned home after getting permission from Yukizome-sensei, but Makoto had decided to wait around so he could leave with Toko.

Plus, fan of the Ultimate Academy as he was, Makoto did enjoy hanging out behind the curtain and watching his classmates do their thing on the stage.

Hifumi, Sayaka, Chihiro, and Junko were in the same boat as Toko, showing off their creations in their fields of doujin, music and dance, programming and modeling respectively.

All the sports people, like Leon, Hina and Sakura would have to show their skills in baseball, swimming and fighting. Nekomaru Nidai, the Ultimate Team Manager, joined them often as part of his own practical exam; coaching them to show off his own abilities. 

Mukuro would usually be required to defend herself and/or show her knowledge of weapons and tactics. This was usually done with the deployment of practice dummies created and provided by the school.

Yasuhiro...for lack of better phrasing, had to basically BS his way through, like getting lucky with a prediction. Usually, he could pass by showing knowledge in his field, but every time he tried to do a demonstration of an OOPart he had been scammed into buying, it made Makoto die inside.

Celeste usually had a lot of fun with her exam, as she was required to play a gambling game with the examiners themselves. She was also the one who decided the stakes, so Hope's Peak had to supervise to make sure that her requests were in moderation. Celeste wasn't the greedy sort, but she was indeed far more mischievous than her appearance let on.

The cases of Mondo and Taka were where things got a little more complex. They would be presented with certain, usually hypothetical, situations that corresponded with their skills. They would then have to solve these theoretical issues. It was done this way to showcase both of their individual leadership qualities, and the same exam applied to Fuyuhiko and Sonia in the class above theirs.

And lastly, Byakuya would be required to show his knowledge of business, economics, stocks, and critical thinking in any way he deemed fit for the examiners.

Assuming that the reason tied in with her family's express demand to keep her talent and influence out of the eyes of the public, Kyoko was the one member of the class, and hell, probably the only Ultimate in the school who didn't have to take the practical exams. She took regular exams like the Reserve Course students. Which was a shame, as Makoto did enjoy hearing Kyoko's methodical thinking...unless, of course, it was used against him, as it often was.

Still though, there was nothing to be done. The 78th Class exams were done and Makoto was a free man. He turned his head as he felt Toko tug on his sleeve.

"So...I got Omaru's text..." she said, "is it true that you want me to come round for dinner?"

"Yeah. Komaru is done with her exams today too, so she wants to meet up as soon as possible," Makoto told her, "plus..."

"Plus what?" Toko asked.

"No, it's nothing. You'll see soon enough," Makoto assured her, "anyway, are you free? If you don't want to come, that's fine."

"I n-never said that," Toko scoffed "like I could pass up the opportunity to pick on Omaru for her exam results."

"Sometimes, I really can't tell if you're best friends or if you hate each other's guts..." Makoto frowned.

Alright - Persona 5

Toko decided to accept the invitation, so she arrived at the Naegi Family home for dinner. Makoto's parents were pleasantly surprised to see her and Makoto both come home for a meal.

However, it became very obvious to Toko what the special occasion was, and it wasn't to do with Komaru's exams.

Komaru returned home, but she wasn't alone. She was accompanied by a young girl of around 12 years old with long pink hair and a headband with horns on it. She was wearing a very pretty dress but seemed to be shifting in place.

Toko immediately recognized her. It was Kotoko Utsugi, one of the victims of the Elementary School incident.

It seemed the Naegi family managed to receive permission to take her in after all.

"Oh! So are you Kotoko-chan!?" Makoto's mother seemed very excited about the chance to finally meet the little one, "welcome to our home!"

Kotoko immediately reacted by retreating behind the door. Makoto's mother sighed.

"No good, huh?"

"You don't have to worry about us hurting you, Kotoko-chan," Mr Naegi told her, "we'll be gen-"

"STOP!" Komaru suddenly cut him off massively, much to everyone's surprise. She turned around and knelt down to get to eye level with the little one. She nodded confidently at her, and with this, Kotoko emerged from behind the door. She stood in place and bowed to the family.

"M-My name is...Kotoko Utsugi..." she stammered "th-thank you f-for letting me...stay here..."

"You're very welcome," Makoto's mom smiled, "it's wonderful to finally meet you. Come in! Is there anything you would like to eat?"

"Mom makes the best hamburger steak, you know?" Makoto chimed in, "does that sound good?"

He noticed that the corner of Kotoko's mouth started to drool at the mention of this, but she quickly tried to hide it.

"I'll take that as a yes," Makoto's mom smiled, "hey, why don't you come and help me make it?"

"I...can come?" she muttered. Mrs Naegi nodded.

"Yes, of course! Things are always more fun when we do them together!"

She reached out a hand, intending to guide Kotoko to the kitchen, but Kotoko recoiled as she did. Makoto's mom looked guilty and retracted her hand, instead beckoning Kotoko with a small nod and a wave of the hand. This was enough, as Kotoko shuffled her way into the kitchen along with her. Makoto's dad turned to his kids and their friend, lowering his voice to make sure that Kotoko couldn't hear him.

"Did...Did I say something wrong?" he asked, his expression riddled with guilt. Komaru shook her head.

"I had a brief chance to speak to the Hope's Peak staff that handed her off to me. Apparently, telling her that you'll be "gentle" is a trigger word of some kind, and it sends her into a panic attack," Komaru explained, "but it's fine. You didn't know."

"I still feel terrible..." Makoto's dad clenched his fist and grit his teeth, "but just hearing that she had a trigger word...it makes me so ANGRY, thinking what her parents and the Towas might have put her through..."

"I hope you know that this means the world to us Dad," Makoto told him, "you letting her stay here, I mean. And I'm sure it means a lot to her too..."

"Well, given that you're rarely around anymore, we did kind of have a gap to fill in terms of mouths to feed," he joked, "but I really do hope that she doesn't feel intimidated by us...I was getting that vibe."

"No offense, Mr. Naegi, but you're one of the least intimidating adults I know," Toko stated bluntly, "I'm sure she'll warm up to you even with what she's been through. Believe me when I say that you start to doubt everyone's intentions when you've been kicked down so much...All it takes is to meet the right people..."

"Toko..." Makoto turned to her sadly, recalling that she had a long list of unfortunate and traumatic incidents in her past as well. Many of which Makoto hadn't even heard, and that she had only opened up to with Komaru. Toko waved her hand and brushed it off.

"Takao!" Makoto's mom called from the kitchen, "would you mind helping me? I'm trying to see if I can find that little brush that Makoto used as a kid!"

"Oh, right, I forgot that you kept that!" Makoto's dad called back, "hold on, I'll be right with you!"

"Hehe...Must be embarrassing, huh?" Toko snarked as he walked away. Makoto shook his head.

"Cut it out...We didn't invite you here so you could be a bully..."

"What's wrong with wanting to help out with chores? Honestly, more kids should have been like Makoto!" Monomi emerged from the inside of Makoto's hoodie and glared at Toko.

"Thank you Monomi!" Makoto beamed, "See? SHE gets it.

"Only because the both of you are a couple of goody-two-shoes," the spectacled author remarked, "but hey, before I forget, how was your final day of exams Koma-?"

"UH UH UH! Do NOT wanna talk about it!" Komaru waved her hand in front of Toko's face, "Kotoko's moved in, I'm free from test papers, and all's good in the world! Don't you DARE try and ruin my happiness right now!"

"Alright, f-fine, jeez!" Toko backed down almost immediately. Komaru smirked and stretched her arms in relief.

"So? What are we gonna do now that the end times have passed? We gonna go somewhere?" she asked, "or maybe you guys are in the mood for a little Phantom Thievery?~"

"You moron," Makoto grumbled, "please don't tell me you've had nothing but the Phantom Thieves on your mind while you've been doing these exams?"

"Hey! I actually did a fair bit of studying this time!" she exclaimed.

""This time"" Toko parroted.

"Oh, WHATEVER!" Komaru snapped, "I just wanted to bring it up! I won't bother next time!"

"I'm afraid I must agree that we need to lay low for a little while," Monomi chimed in, "not only have a few people already caught onto us, but we don't even have another target yet. You all need to focus on being good students in the meantime until we find an opportunity to seize."

"Yeah...Kirigiri already figured us out, and Fujisaki got close thanks to Makoto's sheer incompetence," Toko remarked, "if we make any more careless moves, our heads will be on the chopping block."

"I'm never gonna live that down, am I?" Makoto frowned, "but hey, there is something I wanted to bring up. What are we gonna do about the Saihara's dinner invitation?"

"Oh, right! I nearly forgot..." Komaru recalled, "what was that guy's name again? Shinichi? He invited us over to thank us for helping Shuichi catch Uzawa, right?"

"But Shuichi barely even knows how we're involved," Toko added, "are you absolutely sure this is a good idea?"

"To be honest, I did think that maybe Shuichi or his uncle suspected us of being Phantom Thieves. If they have, accepting this invitation may mean we end up walking into a trap," Makoto explained, "but I thought about it some more, and I realized that turning him down for reasons we can't properly explain would be even more suspicious to him."

"For once, I actually agree," Toko grimaced, "that guy seemed like a total joke, but if he really is a detective, we need to watch ourselves."

"Honestly, I would very much like to go," Monomi said, "there are a few things I would like to learn from the Saiharas. Namely, I would like to find out what exactly their relationship with the KDA is..."

"Why that of all things?" Komaru inquired.

"I get it...It's honestly been bugging me too," Makoto answered for her, "when we battled Uzawa's Shadow in Mementos, he mentioned something about Kirigiri destroying his life."

"And if what you two said about those inspectors at Taboo is accurate, Shinichi clearly had some kind of relationship in the past with Fuhito, the Head Detective," Monomi pointed out, "and not a positive one, from what I can gather."

"If I had to take a guess, I'd say that Shinichi Saihara and Toshiro Uzawa were...or ARE...in very similar situations," Makoto theorized, "my guess is that Shinichi himself used to be a detective in the KDA, but then Kirigiri gave him the boot. For what reason, I don't know, but he probably opened up his own agency after he was forced out of his old one."

"But if Fuhito kicked Shinichi out, how come he's allowing Shuichi to intern at his establishment?" Komaru asked.

"Perhaps he just doesn't believe the sins of the father...or rather the uncle in this case...should weigh on the son?" Toko asked, "I mean, we saw from simply having a chat with them that uncle and nephew are completely different people."

"True enough..." Komaru considered, "yeah, thinking about it now, maybe it is best that we ask the Saihara's directly. It'd be way too risky asking someone like Kyoko-chan."

"You're right about that," Makoto nodded, "Kiri and I are under a deal where if we don't act out of line, she won't sell us out to her agency or the police. But if we poke our noses too deeply into her family business, she could very easily go back on it. And honestly, I wouldn't blame her."

"Regardless, we can think about this when the time comes," Monomi spoke up, "I think for now, we should focus on helping the little girl get comfortable."

"Yeah, you're right!" Komaru smiled, "number one priority is Kotoko-chan right now!"

New Beginning - Persona 5

"Wow...you really busted out a big meal this time Mom..." Makoto whistled as the food was lain out across the table.

"Of course!" Mrs Naegi cheered, "this is a very special day after all! Celebration for the end of exams, and celebrating Kotoko-chan moving in!"

"Wouldn't it be better to wait until after Komaru's results come back?" Mr Naegi asked.

"Dad! Shush!" Komaru shot him a glare, "a-ny-way...Kotoko-chan! Would you like some potatoes?"

"Huh? Oh s-sure..." she replied, watching as Komaru placed some potatoes onto her plate, "th-thank you, Naegi-chan..."

"Aw, come on now, there's no need to be so formal with me!" Komaru gave her a reassuring smile, "Komaru is fine!"

"You can call us by our first names too." Makoto told her.

"Oh...o-ok...thanks." Everyone was happy to see Kotoko smile back at him, even though it felt a little forced.

"Do you like carrots?" even Toko tried her best to be hospitable, "w-we've got plenty to go around, right?"

"Y-Yes...I like carrots, thank-OH!"

Kotoko jumped back in surprise. As Toko reached over to put some carrots on Kotoko's plate, Monomi suddenly bounded onto the table and started nibbling at them!

"Monomi!" Makoto snapped, "no, those aren't yours! C'mere!"

Everyone around the table, Kotoko included, laughed jovially as Makoto leaped up and started chasing Monomi. He chased her out of the dining area into the living room, until he cornered her behind the sofa and grabbed her.

"Man, that is one quirky rabbit!" Mr Naegi remarked.

"Sorry about that Kotoko-chan," Makoto sighed, "I'll put her somewhere upstairs, and I'll lend you some of my carrots."

"No, it's fine!" Kotoko beamed, "your bunny is super adorbs!"

""Super adorbs?" That's a new one..." Toko replied as Makoto quickly shuffled up the stairs.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" he raised an eyebrow. Monomi nodded, her expression almost smug.

"Of course! It's poor manners to eat someone else's food!" the bunny said, "I did that to try and see if I could get her to laugh!"

"Well, you definitely succeeded," Makoto opened his bedroom door, "good job. I'll save some carrots and lettuce for you after we finish eating. I'm just happy that she seems to be warming up to us."

He gently let Monomi down on his desk.

"There's nothing I love more in this world than seeing little one's getting along!" Monomi cheered, "I really hope this is a step in the right direction for her."

"I hope so too," Makoto began to leave, "anyway, you hang out here for a little bit while I deal with the family."

"Affirma-O-K!" Monomi squeaked, trying her best to salute with her little bunny body.

"Is that curry I smell!?"

Makoto returned downstairs, immediately feeling the familiar fragrance of his favorite meal waft up his nose.

"It's special this time," Mrs Naegi winked at him, "Fukawa-chan recommended some special ingredients from Kyoto. Kotoko-chan's already a fan!"

"It's so good!" she squealed, "so refined!"

"Wow! Didn't know you were so high-class, Toko-chan!" Komaru whistled, impressed. Toko just rolled her eyes.

"Compared to you? That's not exactly a crowning achievement..."

There was some laughter as Komaru shot Toko a glare. Makoto took a spoon and put a big mouthful of the curry in his mouth.

"Oh man, this really is good!" he squeamed with pleasure, "I'm definitely having seconds!"

"Not if I get them first!" Komaru leered, competitiveness in her eyes.

"Komaru, not in front of the guests!" Mrs Naegi snapped suddenly, "there's enough for both of you."

"Alright mom, chill...I was just kidding," Komaru shifted awkwardly, "so, sorry to change the subject, but...can I ask you something, Kotoko-chan? How would you feel about taking a bath with us later?"

"A-A bath?" Kotoko raised her head.

"Yeah...Sorry to get so heavy, but I get the feeling you're not completely comfortable with being touched yet...So I don't blame you if the answer's no," she told her, "I was just thinking it might be a good way for us to get to know each other a little bit better. Besides, I don't think you've had a chance to relax properly in weeks."

"I think that's a good idea," Mr Naegi chimed in, "but like she said, only if you're comfortable with it, Kotoko-chan."

"I...I don't need to be washed..." she pouted, "I can shower all by myself!"

"I'm sure you can! But that's not really my plan," Komaru had a mischievous look on her face, "I was actually asking if YOU could help me wash Toko-chan?"

"WHAT!?" Toko almost spat her meal out.

"See, she's not all that comfortable taking baths and showers by herself, so she tends to go a long time without them and it makes her reek!" Komaru jokingly waved her arm in front of her face, as if waving away a smell, "so if you could help me wash her, I'd really appreciate that."

"Is that really true?" Kotoko seemed surprised, "aren't you supposed to be an adult? That seems pretty lame..."

"She's got a point~" Makoto winked. Toko glared at him.

"Well, if Toko-chan can't wash herself properly, I guess I don't have a choice!" Kotoko placed her hands on her hips, "alright, I'm in!"

"Wh-Wh-What is this!?" she whimpered, "why are you all ganging up on me!?"

"Consider it karma for being a douche!" Komaru smirked, "come on. Let's finish up and head straight on in. You can borrow my favorite shampoo!"

"Really?" Kotoko beamed, "that's great!"

Everyone finished eating, then Komaru and Kotoko basically dragged the unwilling Toko up the stairs to the bathroom, leaving Makoto downstairs with his parents.

DSO_Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"I don't think I say it enough, but you guys really are great parents..." he told them.

"Woah! Where's this coming from?" Makoto's mother seemed surprised. Pleasantly surprised, but surprised nonetheless.

"I just want to thank you," he said, "I know how much of a hassle it is having a little girl around the house, but-"

"Makoto, we CHOSE to do this," his father said, "after everything that happened at that presentation, including when your sister stood up like that, we...we couldn't stop thinking about it..."

"And when Komaru told us what had actually happened to Kotoko-chan, we...we couldn't just ignore it..."

His parents shot each other a skeptical look; which the Lucky Student took quick notice of.

"What is it?" he asked. They both turned to him at once.

"Hey, Makoto?" his father spoke up, "we've just been wondering...Have you ever thought about dropping out of Hope's Peak?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, thinking about it now, the people who run the academy must have known about that man's true nature," Mrs Naegi explained, "I don't know how to feel about you attending a school like that. Your principal is already getting lots of heat from the public."

*Jin isn't the one at fault,* Makoto tried to hide his dismay and frustration, *the Steering Committee is trying to get him and the staff to take the fall...!*

Makoto pushed these feelings aside and instead gave his mother his answer.

"I can't say I didn't consider it," he said, "but I wouldn't want to just leave all these important friends I've made behind. Like Toko, for instance. You guys know how much of a positive impact she's had on Komaru's life...And heck, mine too. It'd be weird if I was to drop out and we'd stop seeing her as often...and I don't think Komaru would like it. The same goes for my other friends too, like Maizono, Kirigiri, Fujisaki, Hagakure...You know?"

"True...I suppose the students aren't exactly to blame," his dad considered, "alright. Just asking. We were just talking about it."

"Yes, we weren't planning on forcing you out of the school. We just wanted to hear your opinion," his mother assured him, "but I want you to remember this Makoto."

"What's that?" he asked.

"If someone is suffering, it's only right to help them out, if at all possible," she said, "just keep doing what you know you have to do."

These words resonated with Makoto. This exact ideology was the very reason he agreed to continue being a Phantom Thief. Helping the weak victims and crushing the strong oppressors. He was skeptical about whether or not it was truly the heroic thing to do, but with these words, he became certain.

"I will Mom. I promise."

Makoto waited for the girls to finish their bath, then decided to give Kotoko a tour of the house once they all got dressed. He opened the door to his bedroom, to which Monomi immediately bounded off the desk and into his arms.

"This is my room. It's where we planned on letting you stay," he told her, lifting Monomi into his hood, "you're free to turn that offer down though. I understand it's not exactly the most girly or cutesy room..."

"No, it's fine," Kotoko smiled, "it's not that adorbs, but it's still kiddy enough for me!"

"I'll say..." Toko smirked, staring at the star stickers on the ceiling.

"I-I assure you," Makoto flustered, "my dorm room is VERY adult..."

"Do you have your own pajamas?" Komaru asked. Kotoko nodded.

"Yes...I bought all my clothes and stuff..." she said, "I uh...thank you for this..."

"There's nothing to thank us for, we're just doing our part," Komaru smiled enthusiastically, but that expression quickly faded, "and uh...while we're here, can I...say something?"

"Huh? Y-Yeah, sure..." Kotoko said. However, she was surprised when Komaru suddenly knelt down to her level and bowed in front of her.

DSO_Desire for Execution - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"I'm...I'm really sorry!" she exclaimed.

"H-Hey, Omaru? Where's this coming from?" Toko frowned. Komaru raised her head, her expression dour.

"You know, I've been meaning to say it for a while now..." she said, "we met after I saved you from that car, but...even after everything you told me, I sent you right back to that...horrible piece of crap that calls himself your father! And I've felt so horrible about it..."

She shook her head and began to cry.

"I felt like I wasn't any better...For not seeing just how much you were suffering...and then the next day you and your friends tried to..." she sobbed, "I guess this is all just my way of atoning...I'm sorry...Kotoko-chan..."

There was a sad silence for a short while before Kotoko gave her response.

"The truth is...after you did that, I couldn't really bring myself to trust anyone...And at the time, I did think you had forsaken me, just like anyone else...Which is why...when Monaca said we should..."

She reached over and took Komaru's hand.

"But...I was there when you spoke out against Monaca's brother, Mr Haiji...To be honest, all I ever wanted was for him to suffer for what he did...So when he was on the stage crying and saying he was gonna kill himself...it felt good," she admitted, clearly disgusted with herself for thinking that, "I wanted nothing but to see him hurt, but then you stood up...well, you know what you said..."

The crowd was silenced, as this piercing shriek from the further crowd silenced everyone and everything. Everyone turned their shocked heads to see an ordinary high school girl standing on her seat and glaring Towa down, megaphone in hand!

"K-Komaru!" Makoto's Dad tried to pull her back down to no avail, "p-please, don't-!?"

"Those kids, who tried to jump...and all your other supposed victims...!" Komaru continued, ignoring her father's please, "despite everything you've done, they're still going! Living lives full of regrets because of you, but they're still living! If you were really serious about atoning for your crimes, you wouldn't run away to the afterlife where no one can touch you anymore! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT!"

"Ah...I almost forgot I did that," Komaru wiped her eyes, "after everything that happened I just...really needed to speak my mind."

"You made me realize that even after everything that I suffered through; even after everything that made me want to die..." Kotoko told her, "that we still had a life to live, and a better future. Both you and Big Sis Junko."

"I'm...I'm glad to hear that..." Komaru replied. However, Kotoko didn't seem sure of this...

"Except...that's what I want to believe...But I'm not as naïve as people think I am," she said, "I accept that you want to fix things for me, and I'm so SO happy you've given me a home and food, but...this stuff is gonna stick with me forever, isn't it?"

"Well...probably..." Makoto spoke up, "this is what's known as "trauma" Kotoko. It's a pain that never really goes away. There's not really a surefire cure for it either..."

"Wow...Lay it on thick, why don't you?" Toko remarked.

"I'm just being honest," Makoto stated, "if we told her bald-faced lies to her face, we'd be not much better than the adults who hurt her..."

"I just don't get it..." Kotoko's face scrunched up like she was trying hard not to cry, "was I just...that horrible a child...?"

"No, that's wrong!" Makoto asserted, pointing a finger forward, "you aren't the problem Kotoko!"

"But I...I'm just a kid...they're the adults..." she began to cry, "so why...did they treat me so horribly? And not just me...M-Monaca...and Nagisa...a-and the others too...?"

Unexpectedly, Toko took a knee and spoke eye level with Kotoko.

"You wanna know a secret I haven't told many people?" she spoke softly, "I'm in the same situation as you. My parents were horrible people as well."

Kotoko lifted her head in surprise, as Toko continued.

"When I was born, another girl was born at exactly the same time as me. But had poor health and died not too long after. And as it turns out, both mothers had become pregnant thanks to the same man, and due to hospital errors, the doctors couldn't tell which of the two women the baby belonged to," the writer explained, "neither of the two wanted to do a blood test, since neither of them wanted to be straddled with the responsibility of raising a kid...so through whatever legal circumstances came into play, the remaining baby was forced to live with two mothers and a father...And that baby was me..."

She paused, taking a deep breath before she continued, clearly choking back a lot of...something...

"They hated me so much, just for existing...I interfered with their lifestyles...One time, they locked me in a closet and forced me to stay in there for three days without food...Another time, they burned my arms with scalding hot shower water...They just k-kept thinking of new and f-fun ways to torture me...!"

"Toko..." Monomi squeaked, "I...had no idea...!"

Both Makoto and Komaru had heard bits and pieces of this backstory, but never in full. Hearing Toko drop these repeating bombs stung their souls.

"For a long time, I thought the same way that you did. That all adults were terrible, horrible pieces of garbage, who only preyed on weak kids...And honestly, that's not completely untrue...There are many people out there, like you and me, who suffer because of the actions of their parents, or the adults around them," Toko continued, "I didn't have any friends for a long time, since I figured everyone either wanted something out of me, or hated me, and I just believed there was no such thing as a good person, and that everyone was an asshole...And I wish that anyone BUT Junya Utsugi was your father..."

She reached out and placed a hand on Kotoko's shoulder.

"But there's this little thing, you know? It's called Hope..." she said, "the Naegi's gave me a taste of that and...I never went back. I'm not going to say you're in the wrong for doubting all the adults around you, but at the very least, I can guarantee you that this family will fight the world to protect you. And if they can change the life view of a rotten girl like me, then...There's hope for you too..."

Kotoko cracked. Unable to choke back the tears anymore, she covered her face with her hands and rubbed her eyes with her sleeve.

"P-Please..." she whimpered "I...*sniff* I d-don't wanna be...hurt anymore...!"

Komaru also broke down. She collapsed onto her knees and pulled Kotoko into a tight and warming embrace. Toko stood up again, standing next to Makoto, refusing to look him in the eyes.

DSO_Welcome to Despair - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Half an hour passed, and Kotoko had basically cried herself to sleep. It was already fairly late, so she got changed into her pajamas, and Komaru tucked her into bed. She closed the door and let Kotoko have a blissful sleep, joining her fellow thieves in her own bedroom.

"I'm sorry," was the first thing that came out of Toko's mouth when they had a moment of privacy, "I really didn't mean to make her cry like that...or to make it all about me..."

"That's ok, Toko. You didn't do anything wrong," said Monomi, who was curled up comfortably on Komaru's bed, "you just don't want Kotoko-chan to turn out like you, right?"

"I wouldn't wish a fate like that on anyone," Toko chuckled, "the life I've lived was terrible...but if we hadn't done anything, her life would have been 10 times worse..."

Toko paused for a moment and hung her head.

"When you guys started talking about continuing as Phantom Thieves, I was skeptical...I didn't think someone like me had, or even deserved, the power to change hearts," she explained, "but after tonight, I'm more sure than ever. I want to keep doing this. Kids like Kotoko and I shouldn't have to suffer due to things that we can't possibly control, and the fact that there are more people out there like that...it hurts to think about...but it helps to know that you have the power to change it."

"Atta girl," Komaru pumped her fist, "I definitely don't regret bringing you round tonight."

"Thank you so much, Toko..." Makoto added, "the Phantom Thieves of Hope are lucky to have you."

"Thanks..." she smiled back quietly, "glad to be working with you..."

Neuroscience Wing - Danganronpa 0 UST - Various Projects

The Neurology Lab was on the third floor of the Biology Building in Hope's Peak Academy's eastern quarter. Even though it was already very late at night, there was still a living presence within the building.

Yasuke Matsuda, the third-year Ultimate Neurologist, used this place as a workplace, but oftentimes as a living space too. Not because he worked late hours, but because sometimes it was just easier to take naps in here than in his dorm room. 

If anyone complained about the smell or how unkempt he appeared, that was their problem.

Ordinarily, around this time, Matsuda would be laying down on his desk, reading one of the thick volumes of manga he had stacked up on a shelf next to his research station. However, tonight was a busy night for him.

Yasuke was ordinarily a very apathetic person. He didn't really pay attention to anyone or anything around him and didn't care to even remember people's names or faces if he wasn't interested...which he rarely was.

On this occasion though, his attention was focused on something he considered to be VERY peculiar. Something that not even he could truly understand in full.

On his desk was his PC, and on the monitor was a YouTube video showing a news broadcast from TAT Television. Matsuda wasn't big on politics, terrorist attacks, scandals, or any other kind of news stories normally, but THIS one was different...

"I...have put innocent youths through horrible acts that they didn't deserve...I am arrogant and thoughtless and I should be ashamed of myself! If I must pay with my life for the horrible things I have done to not just these children, but many people, old and young, like them, then I WILL DO SO!"

The news story he was watching, in particular, was Haiji Towa's breakdown and confession in front of the hundreds of people that had gathered for the opening ceremony of the now-closed Elementary School. 

No matter how you sliced it, Towa's actions at that moment were just NOT normal. For the past few days, he had reportedly been fine, and yet on the very day the school was opened, he exposed the ill goings-on behind the scenes himself, collapsing under the weight of his own guilt. The timing was too perfect...

However, Towa reportedly wasn't threatened by any other parties. People had been quick to point the finger towards these Phantom Thieves that everyone was talking about, but there was no evidence confirming that they had ever even encountered Towa before now.

Knowing that Junko Enoshima of the second years had been preparing a legal battle against Towa for the same reasons, he initially suspected her, but upon questioning her, he quickly concluded that she had nothing to do with it.

Junko could be very deceptive to others, but she never lied to him. Even if she had, he would have undoubtedly seen right through her.

However, the identity of these supposed "thieves" didn't concern him. What DID matter was their methods. No one knew what exactly had happened because there was nothing that could tie any third parties to this incident...

...at least that's what everyone thought.

In reality, Matsuda had a theory of his own. As the news report came to a close, he reached over to the shelf and pulled out a specific research document he had created and filed as part of his studies at the start of the previous year.

"COGNITIVE PSIENCE"

It should be noted that "psience" was spelled that way on purpose. Contrary to a lot of things that Matsuda delved into, this one stood out for one reason and one reason only...

This research diverted from the science and non-fiction and fell more into the realm of the supernatural.

Only a handful of people knew this document existed. The Steering Committee and Matsuda's closest associates and family. Not even the examiners, nor the general staff like the teachers, knew about his research into this medium. The reason being the academy itself had asked Matsuda to keep it a secret.

Matsuda opened the file and overviewed his notes.

Cognition referred to the concept of humans perceiving the world and viewing what they see as reality. When enough humans collectively perceive something, that concept becomes "real," influencing both the world and themselves.

It also referred to when a person is interpreted by other people or society, given form based on those perceptions. The apparent appearance may be identical, but the personality or the physical capabilities can be vastly different than the original. 

THIS was what Matsuda had been thinking about. His studies had indicated that it was entirely possible to CHANGE someone's cognition. And if that happened, they could change into a completely different person than what they were before.

But the problem was this was all just theoretical studies. Even though a forced change in cognition was possible, a reasonable method of doing so was not. After all, it required physically entering the domain of a person's mind in order to achieve.

Nevertheless, the Phantom Thieves Calling Card had stated as much. That they were going to "steal away that which distorts him" and lo and behold, they had done it. Towa's distorted and evil desires had disappeared, leaving only the good...and the guilt...

So if these Phantom Thieves really had taken Towa down by changing his cognition and turning him into a different man...who were they? And more importantly...how had they done it?

Beautiful Lie - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"So, did you hear back from those friends of yours?"

"Hold on, let me check..."

Shuichi and Shinichi Saihara had now returned to Shinichi's office in their own detective agency. Shinichi started putting all the food they had bought that day in the fridge in the corner, getting ready for their meal that weekend. Shuichi hung up their coats and picked up the mail that had fallen through the letterbox. While he was doing so, he took out his cell phone and checked his messages and emails.

"Oh! Naegi-senpai came back to me!" he exclaimed, "he said they've accepted the invitation and that they'll be heading around on Sunday!"

"That's great!" Shinichi beamed, "I hope they're prepared for an unforgettable meal!"

"Uncle, I hate to sound pessimistic, but let's be real. There's a limit to what the hob in the office can do..." Shuichi sighed.

However, his attention was suddenly grabbed when he saw in the pile of letters, there was one addressed to HIM directly; to Saihara Shuichi.

This was odd. Shuichi rarely ever got mail unless he bought something online. Most of the mail that fell through the letterbox were either tax notes or case requests, and this agency didn't get many of those as it was. So naturally, this caught his eye very quickly. 

He placed what other letters he'd had on the coffee table in the middle of the office, then opened the envelope. He noted that the letter didn't have a stamp, which meant it must have been dropped into the mailbox directly. Not only that, but the sender's name was nowhere to be seen.

Shuichi took out the note from inside the envelope...but when he read it, he felt an overwhelming feeling of dread and horror wash over his body...

Rise of the Ultimates - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"Kid?" his uncle noticed his pale expression even from a short distance, "what's...going on?"

Shuichi couldn't form any words, his attention too focused on the large works sprawled in black ink across the paper...

"I know where you live...

Leave the KDA or I will burn your house down..."

Chapter Text

Nightmare in the Locker - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"So...This showed up at your uncle's office yesterday?" Kyoko asked.

It was Saturday, one day before the day that Shuichi's second-year senpai and his friends were going to be visiting him and his uncle for dinner. However, before any of that, he had been forced to take care of the rather notable issue that had slid its way through the agency's letterbox.

Deciding to report the matter to the KDA, Shuichi now stood in the head office, with both Kyoko and Fuhito Kirigiri. Kyoko read the letter and examined the envelope using all resources she had on hand, an evident look of concern on her face.

"Whoever did this is more cunning than I thought..." she admitted, "the handwriting is indistinguishable, and they haven't left any fingerprints. They were likely wearing gloves when they directly dropped the letter off."

She handed the note to her grandfather, who read over it himself.

"What do I do?" Shuichi asked, "this couldn't be from someone that Uzawa knew, right?"

"Unlikely," Kyoko said, "Uzawa confessed himself, and any detectives here at the KDA that was pursuing his case weren't publicly listed or credited. Even if one of his associates came at the KDA for revenge, they wouldn't target you specifically."

"Shuichi?" Fuhito put the note down on the table, "does your uncle know about this?"

"Unfortunately, I felt hiding the truth from him wouldn't do a lot of good, so...yes, I-I showed it to him," Shuichi stuttered, "h-he's the one who suggested I take it to you in the first place."

"Hm...He may no longer be with us, but I do owe a lot to Shinichi-kun...The least I can do is help you out," he said, "if you want my personal opinion...I think you should stop coming to work for a while."

"What!?" Shuichi exclaimed, "you mean stop coming to the agency!? I-I can't! I JUST started! I have to study hard now or else I won't be able to keep up!"

"Though I do see your point, I must agree with him," Kyoko told her grandfather, "he's worked very hard for this. Getting to intern here was the opportunity of a lifetime for someone like Shuichi. Even with this, you can't just take it from him."

"I know...Please, don't misunderstand my intentions," Fuhito assured them, "you're part of the team now, intern or not, but that means your life is important to me."

He gently patted Shuichi's shoulders, then turned around and sat down at his desk.

"I'll report this letter to my own private investigation team. They're the best we've got," the old man said, "we'll make sure the person who's behind this gets caught, so you need to stop coming to the agency for a while. Take on a few cases at your own agency in the meantime if you really want to keep going at it, but please, just leave this to me."

Shuichi clenched his fist and lowered his head, the brim of his hat covering his despair-ridden eyes. In the end, he simply nodded.

"Yes sir...Thank you sir..." and with that, he turned around and left with his head lowered.

Kyoko wanted to say something to him, but couldn't find words of comfort in her. She simply turned back to her grandfather, who held his head in his hands.

Beautiful Lie - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"I'm sorry...run it by me again?"

The 3 of them dressed in smart clothes, Makoto, Komaru and Toko walked down the busy evening streets of Tokyo the next day, following the address that Shuichi gave them through Makoto's very normal navigation app. She hadn't been invited, but Makoto had decided to smuggle Monomi in a small fanny pack, not wanting her to miss out on the fun.

He'd have to carefully slip her some food without either of the Saihara's noticing, or anyone else who might be there.

But his attention was focused less on the meal right about now, and more on what Komaru was telling them.

"After our talks the previous few nights, I tried doing a little more digging around Chihiro-chan's website. And I found something interesting..." she explained, taking out her phone, "it could just be me, but do you think this post might be referring to Kirigiri?"

"Who? Kyoko?" Toko frowned.

"No! Her grandfather, Fuhito! The guy who runs the KDA!" Komaru thrust her phone towards her friend, "read it yourself!"

Toko begrudgingly complied, and read the contents aloud as they finished crossing a road.

""The head detective of a private police agency hides away from the public eye and does a variety of illicit things behind the scenes,"" she read, ""rumors say that he treats his workers harshly and limits the passage of information to other police networks all for his own personal gain. Both people and mysteries are nothing more than puppets in shows to him, and anyone who dares speak out against him finds their lives ruined or brought to near destruction...""

"There wasn't a name, but since we were talking about Uzawa, I got real suspicious!" Komaru explained, "don't you guys think so too?"

"I...don't know..." Makoto said, "I've met Fuhito Kirigiri a few times before. He's a bit strict with people, but he is a kind man! And if he has Kyoko's unbridled respect, then I'm willing to treat him the same way."

"I agree with Makoto. These comments clearly state that these are just rumors; not facts," Toko added, "that said, if they WERE real, he'd make an amazing new target. The idea of someone controlling police information from the shadows being exposed to the public. It'll root out corruption in the force!"

"Think this through, young ones," Monomi poked her head out sternly, "while I do agree it would be a mighty fine catch, the more public attention we draw to ourselves, the more danger we put ourselves in. People might misconstrue our intentions if we target an agent of the law immediately after a man of the economy."

"But if he's corrupt, what the hell does it matter!?" Komaru snapped, "there's only ever one truth!"

"No, I agree with Monomi," Makoto said, "honestly, it's lucky we decided to go tonight. We might be able to get some information about Kirigiri out of the Saihara's."

"Good idea," Toko nodded, "so, how far away are we from their house?"

"Um...It should be right around the corner..." Makoto told her, looking at the app, "but wait, we're..."

"Right around the corner?" Komaru repeated, "but...this is a commercial district. We're nowhere near any neighborhoods."

"But I definitely put the address in right! I had Monomi check!" Makoto told her, "according to the map, we should go this way, and then we're there."

Skeptical, Makoto and his friends rounded the corner as he'd said, and they came down to a very narrow, brick-lined street. Aside from a few apartments on the upper floors, there didn't appear to be houses of any kind.

Everyday Days - Persona 5

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Toko frowned.

"Wait, look!" Komaru pointed over to one particular doorway, "there's a sign on that building! It says "Saihara Detective Agency!""

"Wait, this is their detective's office!?" Makoto exclaimed, "I thought that Shinichi would give us their home address, but he gave us his office buildings!? Did he give me the wrong one accidentally?"

"No...I don't think so...He seemed like a smart man, if a little laid back," Monomi piped up, "I believe the more likely possibility is that the SDA office IS the Saihara's house!"

"You mean they LIVE here!?" Komaru gasped, "I mean, it DOES look like your average street apartment. Maybe they have other rooms where they sleep?"

"Still though, what does that say about them?" Toko asked, "do you think they're poor or something?"

"Well, we won't know the reality unless we see for ourselves..." Makoto spoke haphazardly, approaching the door and ringing the intercom. 

"''Ellope?" the familiar voice of the agency chief came through, "Saihara Detective Agency, what can I do for you?"

"Um...Hello, Shinichi-san..." Makoto spoke back through, "we're here."

"I'll be right down!" he called back excitedly. From behind the door, Makoto could hear the noise of frantic patters of feet down a flight of stairs; the door suddenly swinging open, and the relieved face of Shinichi Saihara, peeking out and beaming at them suddenly appearing.

"Welcome! I'm so glad you got here!" he flourished his arm excitedly, "please, come in, come in!"

Cautiously, the group made their way inside and up the stairs, Monomi ducking back inside the bag. At the top of the stairs was another door that lead into an apartment room, which was already unlocked and ajar. Shinichi shuffled his way past them and once again, courteously led them inside. 

DX Training Plan - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"Sorry about whatever mess is in here. It's basically impossible for this place to stay tidy," he chuckled, "but the table's already set up, so feel free to take a seat! ...Wherever you can find one."

"Wait...so do you and Shuichi actually live in this place?" Komaru asked, "you don't have a house or separate living space or anything?"

"Nope! I guess there's not much point in hiding the truth from you kids, but...we're not exactly very well off..." he laughed, aware of how pathetic he looked, "in fact, a lot of people who live around here barely even remember this place exists."

"But you're a local police agency, right?" Makoto asked, "do you really not get that many customers?"

""Clients,"" Toko corrected, "it's an agency, not a cafe."

"Most people would rather go to the KDA than us. They're more reliable and have a better track history," Shinichi admitted, "as far as this place goes, it's basically just a dusty shelf. The only two detectives here are me and my nephew, and we mostly just do local small-time cases. Anything above and beyond us, people would rather rely on stronger forces."

"That's...kind of sad..." Toko stated bluntly.

"Yep, it sure is..." Shinichi sighed, "but hey, I have my family still here, so..."

All of a sudden, everyone heard a disturbance downstairs, like someone had just stepped through the door into the agency.

"Ah, perfect timing!" Shinichi clapped his hands together, "she certainly got back quick!"

"Who are you...?" Makoto started to ask, but his question was answered for him when someone suddenly stepped into the agency, carrying some big shopping bags. She had long, dark hair and a very petite face. Though her body definitely proved that she was an adult. She heaved a heavy sigh as she dumped the bags down.

"I had a feeling that the guests would arrive before I got back..." she whined, "oh, I shouldn't have chanced it! I'm sorry I wasn't here to greet you!"

"N-No, you don't have to be like that!" Komaru assured her as she repeatedly bowed, "who might you be?"

"Ah, l-let me introduce her!" Shinichi wrapped a comforting arm around the woman, who seemed to sob in his chest, "everyone. This is my wife, Tsubaki. As you can see, she thought she would do one last-minute run to the store to grab us some ginger for the meal."

"Well...that's a lot of bags for just some ginger..." Toko observed. Tsubaki scratched her head in embarrassment.

"I tend to get carried away when I have a lot of money to spend," she admitted, "honestly, with our income, it's a pretty bad thing...But spending money is my way to relieve stress, you know?"

"I have heard about that before," Makoto said, "but honestly? I feel like having less money would give me MORE stress...hehe..."

"Hahaha!" Tsubaki giggled, "you certainly have a more realistic approach to life than I do! Forgive me, but I failed to ask any of you for your names. Would you mind making introductions?"

"Sure thing! I'm Komaru Naegi!" Komaru started, "part-time cheerleader, full-time super-sister!"

"Way to oversell yourself, you're not THAT great..." Toko rolled her eyes, "I-I'm Toko F-Fukawa...N-Nice to meet you..."

"Well, at least I didn't flub my speech, huh Toko-chan...!?" Komaru faux gasped, shooting Toko a snide and unpleasant glare. She smirked back.

"I'm Makoto Naegi," Makoto finalized, "I'm Komaru's older brother and the second year's Ultimate Lucky Student. Fukawa-san here is my classmate."

"Ah, you're the one who Shuichi talked to about the Uzawa case, correct?" Tsubaki smiled, "it's a pleasure to finally meet you!"

"Same here!" Makoto smiled, "so you all live here together?"

"Yep, as you might imagine, it's cramped and not always the cleanest place," Shinichi confessed, "but it's still home. We've raised Shuichi here ever since he was a little kid, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else."

"Wait...you RAISED Shuichi here?" Komaru parroted.

"Mm-hm," Shinichi nodded, "I guess I never really brought this up before, but the truth is that Shuichi's been living with us ever since diapers. We've got those credits in baby photos and everything. You wanna see?"

"Well, since you offered~" Komaru grinned, "I can show you some of Makoto's baby pics in return!"

"Why do you even HAVE my baby pics!? And show your own, dammit!" Makoto flustered.

"I'm only kidding...for real though..." Komaru turned to the Saihara's again, "what happened to Shuichi's parents? Did...something happen to them...?"

"Komaru!" Toko snapped, "think before you speak! Don't ask them a sensitive question like that!"

"Sh-She's right! I'm sorry..." Komaru bowed apologetically, "I-I didn't mean to pry..."

"No, it's ok! You don't have to worry," Shinichi assured her, "it's not the sad story you think it is. Shuichi's parents are alive and well, they're just often overseas for business. So we raised him in their stead."

"What are they doing over there?" Makoto inquired.

"Well, my sister, Shuichi's mother, is an actor. His father is a screenwriter who she met on one of her first-ever sets. They got hitched, had Shuichi, and that was that."

"A-An actor!? And a screenwriter!? Th-That's so cool!" Komaru beamed. Shinichi shrugged.

"Eh, it ain't all sunshine and rainbows...To me, they're still just my family and not much else," he said, "their approach to parenting their kid was very hands-off, so it's hard to look at them like celebrities or something..."

Shinichi was a very merry man, but his smile here seemed ever so slightly sour compared to his usual repertoire. Makoto couldn't help but wonder if Shuichi's parents jerked him and their son around a bit...

"So did Shuichi first become a detective because he started living with you?" Toko asked, "you probably asked him to help out on a bunch of cases before, right?"

"These days, yeah, I'm always happy to have his help," Shinichi explained as Tsubaki walked to the kitchen area and started to prepare the food she had brought in, "but I can't exactly take credit for his choice to become a detective. It kind of just...happened. The first ever case he solved was one that he kinda took on his own, not one that came in through to my office."

"Oh!" Tsubaki poked her head up, "you mean that one thing he did for his classmate in his first year of middle school? The one with the alligator!"

"ALLIGATOR!?" Monomi cried, "a middle school student was tasked with looking after an alligator!?"

"SHUSH!" Makoto hushed the moving sack, even though he and his friends were equally as surprised.

"It's not as bizarre as you might think," Shinichi explained, "one of Shuichi's female classmates who knew he was helping out here asked Shuichi to help find her missing pet. Our staff was a little bigger back in the day, but it still wasn't anything grandiose. So in those situations, I usually recommended a professional pet detective."

"I didn't know pet detectives were a thing...!" Komaru stated.

"Well, it's common for detectives to have their own logic, investigation styles, and specialties, you know?" Makoto reminded her, "like, you know, terrorism, kidnapping, gambling...Kyoko, for example, is a homicide detective."

"Kyoko? Oh, you mean Fuhito's granddaughter! She seems about as uptight as her granddad," Shinichi smiled, "anyway, Shuichi did accept the case, and he ended up finding an alligator. A small one you could keep as a pet, mind you, but it definitely wasn't the usual missing dog or cat or mouse..."

"It was a very troublesome time of our lives," Tsubaki told them, "the poor boy spent days researching alligator behavior and spent a long time preparing tools to capture it..."

"He even had to climb around mountains and swim up rivers...It was a lot of work for a first-year middle-schooler," Shinichi scratched his head, "I guess when you've struggled that much, an infidelity case that breaks out into an argument is nothing."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that he found it, and got back unscathed..." Komaru was struggling to process this whole story, "did he get some kind of reward?"

"Well, the girl did give him chocolates for Valentine's Day as a way of saying thanks..." Shinichi recalled.

"That's it!?" Toko snarled, "there's no way that's worth all the trouble he had to go through if that's what he got out of it!"

"It seemed reward enough for him, so I didn't say anything about it," Shinichi shrugged, "though I do kinda agree..."

Confession (Piano Version) - Persona 5

Shinichi waltzed over to his office desk and slumped himself down in the seat, his expression mixed.

"But you know...do me a favor and don't tell Shuichi I said this..." Shinichi whispered, "but if I'm being honest...I don't know if Shuichi is really cut out for this line of work in the long run..."

"What!? Even after all of that, you don't think he's up to snuff!?" Makoto exclaimed, "he's an ULTIMATE! Even Fuhito Kirigiri took an interest in him. How can you even SAY something like that?"

"Yeah! You've been gushing him up and saying how proud you are of him, and then you turn around and say something like THAT!?" Komaru frowned.

"No, you don't get it! I meant everything I said!" Shinichi assured them, "Shuichi is incredibly intelligent, observant, meticulous, and he's far braver and more tenacious than he appears! There's just...one thing that holds him back..."

"And that is?" Toko asked.

Shinichi paused, took a deep breath, and pinched the bridge of his nose in shame before he responded.

"He's...far too innocent and nice...for a job this unforgiving..."

Everyone took a moment to process his words.

"What do you mean by that?" Komaru asked.

"I get it..." Toko grimaced, "you're saying he's too sympathetic, right?"

"That's...a bad thing?" Makoto chimed in. Toko shook her head disapprovingly.

"I'm sure Kyoko would tell you the same thing if you were to ask her, but a detective's job first and foremost is to expose the truth," Toko explained, "the truth doesn't care about your feelings, and you'd have to act against your better judgment in order to make sure society's justice is upheld."

"That's..." Komaru wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words.

"Let me put it this way...Genocide Jack may have the excuse of living two lives who for a long time, have nothing to do with each other. I could be considered innocent, given that it technically wasn't me committing her crimes," Toko whispered in her ear to block Shinichi and his wife out of the conversation, "it doesn't change the fact that all those people's blood is on my hands, and if greater society found out the secret, I'd be arrested, no matter what excuse I have."

"That...really sucks..." Komaru felt like she was about to cry.

"Your friend's right. Detectives aren't defenders of justice and righteousness. They're defenders of the truth, nothing more, nothing less," Shinichi continued, "in this line of work, we can't overlook anything, and we must prioritize solving the case above all else. Emotions and personal judgments have no place in the law..."

"Say..." Tsubaki was finished in the kitchen, and now fully rejoined the conversation, "do any of you know WHY Shuichi was scouted for Hope's Peak Academy?"

"N-No, he never told us," Makoto admitted, "I like to check up on the new students with online forums, but there's nothing online that suggests reasons why certain people were scouted. The only thing I saw on Shuichi was that he had a track history of solving difficult cases."

"That's not necessarily true...In reality, he only ever solved one truly difficult case," Shinichi elaborated, "it was about a year ago now, but...it was his first and only ever homicide case...and it changed his life forever...Because of that case, Shuichi has begun to doubt whether finding the truth is really the best possible outcome for everyone in the end..."

"What...happened...?" Toko began to feel anxious with anticipation. Shinichi opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"No...I've said enough," he sighed, "this crap is super personal to Shuichi. I've said enough behind his back as is. The least I can do as his uncle is keep the secrets that need to be kept..."

"It's fine...we understand..." Makoto frowned, "if it was that life-changing for him, it's far too important to just tell to anyone."

"Yeah..." Komaru bowed, "I'm...really sorry we pried in the first place."

"No, it's alright!" Shinichi assured them, "I was the one who decided to invite you around. You came here to eat, not to hear me trauma dump! Food's ready now, so maybe we should all gather around the table and eat our grievances away, yeah?"

"About that..." Toko piped up, "we've spent so long talking about him, but...where exactly IS your nephew? Is he here?"

"Shuichi's in his room. He's been studying ever since he woke up this morning..." Shinichi said.

"Studying? He's certainly diligent..." she replied, "what exactly is he doing?"

"Looking at a bunch of local cases the KDA hasn't solved yet...He's trying to take on more than he can handle, but I've failed to talk him out of it."

"Wait here! I'll go get him!" Tsubaki smiled and walked to the door next to the kitchen area and desk. Besides Shinichi getting up and taking it upon himself to lay out the table, the room fell quiet as everyone tried to listen in on the conversation between the young man and his aunt.

"Shuichi? Your schoolmates have arrived for dinner and we're getting ready to eat. Won't you please come out and entertain our guests?"

"Oh! S-Sorry Auntie! I thought Uncle was talking with a client...I almost forgot they were coming around today."

"That's because you've needlessly been stressing yourself out! You can take a break from these cases for at least a little while, right?"

"No, you don't understand! Now that I'm not going to the KDA, I have to work even harder on these cases to make up for it! I have to make sure I can keep up with Kirigiri-sama and the other detectives when they finally let me come back!"

"Wait...what is he talking about?" Makoto asked, "did something happen?"

"Did Shuichi lose his internship with the KDA...?" Komaru's face went pale.

"No, no! His internship is still in place, he's just been personally advised to keep his distance from the agency for...personal reasons," Shinichi explained "not that he's letting that stop him. As I said, he's tenacious."

All of a sudden, Shuichi emerged from the doorway with his aunt behind him. He was dressed well, but his hair and face looked extraordinarily disheveled. Even though he was on the other side of the room, Makoto could see the bags under his eyes. Or at least...what of his eyes he could see under his cap.

"Hey, kiddo!" Komaru waved, "been a bit!"

"Don't "kiddo" him, you're the same age..." Toko snarked.

"You're wearing that thing even in here?" Makoto gestured to the hat, "do you wear that even when you're sleeping or something?"

"I'd just rather not take it off," Shuichi chuckled sheepishly, "it's nice to see you all again."

Darkness Time - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

Now that Shuichi had rejoined them, everyone sat down around the table while Tsubaki brought out the food. The table itself was rather small, clearly only designed to fit around 4 people, so it became a tad cramped when the 6 of them gathered around it.

The meal itself wasn't anything fancy or grandiose, but Shinichi had already admitted this was the best they could do on a budget. But they say that even meager meals taste better with friends and family, and that rang true here. Despite the limitations on food, the atmosphere was as jovial as any other get-together.

Now that the Phantom Thieves had better gotten to know the Saihara family, they felt a little ashamed for ever doubting their intentions. They were just a small family doing what they could to get by in the harsh world they lived in.

"So my uncle was telling you about my first case, huh?" Shuichi asked once they all got to talking.

"Yep. That thing about the alligator and how much you busted your ass trying to get it back," Komaru crossed her arms disapprovingly, "honestly, I think you should've gotten a medal with how much trouble you went through, not some dumb friend chocolate for valentines..."

"You might be right, but it was reward enough for me," Shuichi smiled, "the knowledge it took to solve that case...became the foundation for my detective work. And...I was so happy to be of use to someone. I can still hear her "thank you" to this day."

Shuichi laughed bashfully. He seemed pretty satisfied with how everything turned out.

"You know, I'm curious," Makoto chimed in, "I know a little bit about the kinds of cases that Kyoko solves from my conversations with her, but...What kinds of things do YOU do most of the time?"

"Huh? Wh-What do I do?" he repeated. Makoto nodded.

"You and my classmate are both Ultimate Detectives, but you're so different. I'm curious to know just where the similarities and differences between you lie...After all, high school detectives aren't very common."

"They're actually more common than you think. Several detectives at the KDA are high-school students like me," Shuichi informed him, "but it is true that most detectives ARE adults."

"I'm curious too," Komaru professed, "Kyoko-chan never really talks about what kind of work she does for her grandfather, but you've been working around this office for a long time now, right? What kind of investigations do you usually do here?"

"Well, the agency isn't as popular as it used to be when I was a kid," he said, "but even back when it was buzzing, I didn't do much investigating, if any. Even now, at the Kirigiri agency, the bulk of it is left to people more experienced than I am."

"I guess that's what an internship would entail," Toko considered, "so what? You spend most of your time just doing nothing?"

"No, not exactly. The cases I do get are mostly small jobs," Shuichi told them, "like infidelity cases and background checks..."

"That sounds pretty...well..." Komaru trailed off.

"Routine?" Toko asked.

"I was gonna say "boring" but that works too." Komaru nodded.

"Those are two totally different things Komaru..." Makoto frowned.

Shuichi stopped talking for a moment as he cut open his cottage pie, dipped it in gravy, and put it in his mouth.

"You're a fan of manga and comics, right Naegi-chan?" he asked.

"Wha-!?" Komaru gasped, "how did you know that!?"

"Your purse has a pin of Sailor Mercury on it," he pointed towards the purse Komaru had slung around her chair, which was previously around her shoulder, "I saw lots of versions of those when I last went to Akihabara. I assumed that you were a manga fan from that alone."

"Wow! That's amazing! You really ARE an amazing detective!" Komaru gushed. Shuichi blushed, lowering the brim of his hat.

"Really, it was just an assumption. I could have easily been wrong," he said, "but the reason I pointed it out is because I was wondering if you've ever read any detective manga or seen any detective anime?"

"Hmm...I guess Bungalow Stray Cats is a good one..." Komaru asked, "it's a show where the main protagonist is a weretiger, and he teams up with others gifted with supernatural powers to accomplish different tasks including running a business, solving mysteries, and carrying out missions assigned by the agency!"

"Well, my point is, even with the supernatural elements aside, I doubt you'd ever come across anything as flashy as that in the real world," Shuichi explained, "you only see extreme and over-the-top detectives in movies, comics, and novels. Honestly, I think it's better that way. I'm pretty used to biding my time doing boring research."

"I respect that," Toko smiled, "you do come across as someone who dives into the deep end of their work. I'm the same way with my novels."

"Thank you, Fukawa-senpai..." Shuichi blushed again.

"Infidelity cases though...Woof..." Komaru shook her head, "they sound difficult for a totally different reason. You really put yourself through that?"

"It's part of the job. Someone's got to do it," Shinichi shrugged, "but you're right. There are times when it gets pretty hard."

"Poor boy...I despise it when people fight..." Monomi sobbed from within the bag, "he must have been through a lot..."

"Are you sure you're alright, Shuichi?" Komaru inquired, "you're not weirded out by romance or women, right?"

"Uh...no, I wouldn't say so..." he replied.

"Well, ok, if you're sure..." Komaru sighed, "just...don't follow by example, ok?"

"If you're implying that I might cheat on someone, I would never do something like that," Shuichi flustered "besides, I don't have a girlfriend..."

"Maybe if you showed off a little bit of that Saihara Style, you would!" Shinichi teased, "if you didn't have your face hidden from people all the time and you actually tried to step out into the world, you'd be raking in chicks by now!"

"Uncle, please!" Shuichi looked like he was about to bury his face in his hat, "not now...!"

"Come on Komaru, give him a break, you should know he's not like that by now," Makoto scolded her, "that aside, what other kinds of cases do you get?"

"Hm...aside from what I've just told you, the other cases are just stuff like...finding runaways and stuff." he told them.

"Ooh! Runaways!" Komaru beamed, "those could be part of even bigger cases!"

"I'm afraid I must disappoint you again, but those sorts of cases are rarely ever connected to greater crimes," Shuichi sighed, "it's my job to find them before it comes to that. And it's after they're found that's the hard part."

"After they're found? What do you mean?" Makoto asked. Shuichi paused for a moment as he thought about what to say.

"Hm...how should I put this...?" he asked, "oh! Do you guys recall the scandal focused on Haiji Towa that occurred at our school recently? One of the victims was a girl named Kotoko Utsugi."

The mention of Kotoko's name immediately snapped the Phantom Thieves into stern attention.

"What about her?" Komaru asked, her frown dimming her face.

"H-Hey! He's just trying to explain," Shinichi waved a defensive hand, "no need to look so serious."

"I-I'm sorry...did I say something sensitive?" the young boy detective asked.

"Huh? Oh, no, sorry..." Komaru relaxed, "I just...don't like thinking about all that stuff. What were you going to say?"

"Well, reportedly, a day before the attempted suicide, Kotoko Utsugi attempted to escape from her rough situation by sneaking out of the school and off the grounds. That's a good example of a runaway," Shuichi reminded them, "but when he sent out a search party, Junya Utsugi brought in his own yes men, and put out a request to the student and staff bodies of the school, instead of going through the trouble of hiring a detective or the police. Do you know why?"

"Because it's cheaper that way?" Toko asked.

"That might be part of it, but there is another reason," Shuichi told them, "it's necessary to follow up with both the client and the runaway, to make sure all is well. If Utsugi knew that, he would realize that hiring a detective would risk his enterprises' crimes being exposed prematurely. That's not a risk he was willing to take."

"I...had no idea...!" Komaru gasped, "detectives really have to follow up with them too?"

"Well, perhaps not all detectives do that...but it's my uncle's policy here at the agency," Shuichi said, "and it's a policy I agree with. People have reasons for running away...so the case is only closed when all parties are happy."

"That's true..." Toko nodded, "if you don't take care of the problem, they'll obviously try to run away again...But honestly, with how stone-faced Kyoko Kirigiri is, I didn't know that detectives could be so considerate."

"Well, honestly, I think the way she conducts herself is far more ideal for a detective than me," Shuichi laughed apathetically, "I tend to let my emotions get the better of me in tough situations. Truthfully, I wish I could close myself off like she does when times get trying. I'm sure my uncle told you all that though..."

He really was smart. There was no way that was just an educated guess.

However, Makoto sighed, put down his cutlery, and turned towards Shuichi with a serious, yet warm expression.

Confession - Persona 5

"I disagree. I think you're an amazing detective, Shuichi."

"Pardon?" 

"When you told me how you follow up with your clients...It never once occurred to me that detectives could show that kind of compassion," Makoto told him, "compassion makes people trust you. If you offer them your hand, they'll reach for it...The world needs more detectives like you. So...I hope you'll keep up the good work, ok?"

Shuichi fell silent, clearly not knowing how to respond to this.

"Sorry, I guess that was a weird thing to say out of nowhere..." Makoto realized his folly, "you don't have to take me seriously."

"No, I...th-thank you, Naegi-senpai. It's just...no one's ever said anything like that to me before..." Shuichi lowered his head, once again hiding his face under the brim of his hat, "these days, I'm not exactly sure which way my future is going, but...I'll never forget this moment. I'll be able to believe in myself and be proud of being a detective."

"Good to hear!" Makoto beamed, "it's the least you deserve!"

Makoto wasn't quite sure how Shuichi interpreted his words, and he certainly didn't want to make any assumptions about who he was as a person or what kinds of things had happened in his past. 

But if his words helped him in any way, then that was good enough.

"Thank you so much for coming tonight," Tsubaki said as she walked down the stairs with the guests, "it's so wonderful knowing that Shuichi has friends his age."

The Saihara family, Shuichi included, had decided to see them off. They walked down the stairs behind their guests, Toko and Komaru at the front and being the first two to step out into the late-night street.

"Keep an eye out for this one while at school for me, will ya?" Shinichi smirked, "I know he can take care of himself, but it'd be great if he could come to you for advice, you know?"

"I would appreciate that very much!" Shuichi enthused.

"Heh. Of course!" Makoto smiled, "if you ever need anything, never be afraid to a-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!?"

Sing of a Hollow Truth - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

Makoto's blood ran cold as a familiar, shrill scream sounded from outside! He spun around rapidly in that direction and burst out of the door!

"Komaru!?" he shouted "what's wrong!? What did you-!? H...Huh!?"

"What the hell!?" Shinichi and his family also burst out "what's going on...here...!?"

The scene they came out into was shocking to say the least. Komaru was standing there, her legs shaking and her eyes wide with fear and horror; her face gone a very pale shade. Not only that, but Toko had completely collapsed on the ground, and was just lying there in a pile!

All Makoto had to do was turn his head a few degrees to the right to see what had caused this affair...On the side of the apartment building was a three-word message...

...painted in what looked to be blood...!

Makoto's suspicions were confirmed when he looked down and saw the dead bodies of two pigeons lying at the foot of the message. The message itself was clear, cut, and simple.

"DROP OUT. NOW."

"D-Darling...!?" Tsubaki looked like she was on the verge of throwing up their lovely meal, "could this be...!?"

"Shinichi!" Makoto rounded on the chief detective, "what the hell is going on here!?"

Makoto was unpleasantly surprised to see the sheer look of horror and panic on Shuichi's face. Clearly, he knew something that Makoto didn't.

Before he could question the boy, he suddenly heard a disturbance behind him. He turned again to see Toko rise to her feet in a strange, her disposition now remarkably different.

Makoto suddenly remembered that Toko was deathly afraid of blood, and the mere sight of it was enough to get her to pass out, regardless of what creature it came from! To make matters worse, this sort of thing was the exact thing required to trigger her switch into Genocide Jack!

And it appeared that was exactly what happened. Her motions were undeniably haphazard, and that was ignoring the physical contortions she had to go through. Toko stood up straight, her eyes rolled back in her head and her long tongue sticking out.

"W-Woah...hey...izzat blood...!?" she mumbled, "who...whoddediied?"

"Is...Is she alright?" Shinichi seemed concerned, "she didn't hit her head when she fainted, did she?"

"The world has a front and back! A top and a bottom inning! A sea of truth and a web of lies!" the purple-haired girl garbled, waving her long tongue about in front of her as she tried to shake off her fatigue.

"This is quite concerning..." Tsubaki tensed up, "I mean, she sounds very different from how she was for the rest of this night..."

"That's a good thing, right!? Kyahahahaha!" Toko cackled, "don't worry! I'm fine!"

"You're clearly not fine!" Shuichi panicked even more, "do I need to call a hospital!?"

"Oh, no, it's fine!" Komaru assured them, "just leave her to me!"

Komaru took Jill by the arm and whispered to Makoto.

"It'd suck if she fully transformed after the night we've just had, so I'll take her home," she hushed, "if you find out anything, text me!"

With that, Komaru and Toko took off, leaving Makoto alone with the Saihara's. He turned around to look at them with an expression that was compassionate, but also stern and serious.

"I probably shouldn't be prying," he said, "but I helped Shuichi out before and I'm willing to do so again...But you need to tell me what's going on..."

The Saihara's seemed hesitant. Shuichi himself just seemed...scared...

"I'm owed that much, right?" Makoto followed up, "it was lovely that you treated me to dinner, but now that I've seen this...I can't just ignore it."

Shinichi hesitantly stepped forward.

"Alright..." he began "it started yesterday evening..."

Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

----------------------------------------------

PTChat

Komaru: [So how did things go?]

Makoto: [You first.]

Makoto: [Is Toko ok?]

Komaru: [Yeah, she's totally fine.]

Komaru: [I decided to take her back to her personal apartment since it was closer.]

Komaru: [She'd already shifted into Genocide Jill by the time we got there, but I was able to convince her to lie down and stay put.]

Komaru: [She probably passed out from exhaustion by now.]

Komaru: [We should talk here so she can backread when she wakes up.]

Makoto: [Good idea.]

Makoto: [Anyway, on my end of things, Shinichi told me what happened.]

Makoto: [He said he didn't want us getting wrapped up in a personal matter, but apparently someone has been sending Shuichi anonymous threats since the past day.]

Makoto: [He received a letter yesterday telling him if he didn't quit the KDA, his house would be burned down.]

Komaru: [What the hell!?]

Makoto: [But things are worse now. The fact that they killed two birds this time proves we're dealing with one sick bastard.]

Makoto: [And it seems leaving the KDA isn't enough. Now they want him to drop out of Hope's Peak.]

Komaru: [But why? Who's behind this?]

Makoto: [How should I know?]

Makoto: [Anyway, Shuichi told me he reported the original letter to the Kirigiri's, and that Fuhito's already opened a case.]

Makoto: [But the reason why Shuichi's internship was halted was because of this note.]

Komaru: [That's not right though.]

Komaru: [He's basically complying with this person's wishes.]

Makoto: [He clearly cares a lot about his family. I know that if I was being threatened, I'd watch out for you as well.]

Komaru: [Makoto.]

Komaru: [We need to find out who's behind this and change their heart.]

Makoto: [I agree, but we're gonna need some leads first.]

Makoto: [And right now, there's only one place we can get them.]

Komaru: [Where?]

Makoto: [The KDA itself.]

Makoto: [My first thought is that the perpetrator of this crime is someone at the KDA who, for some reason, doesn't want Shuichi around, so they're threatening him to remove him.]

Makoto: [Originally, I was gonna see if I could get some details out of Kyoko, but my classmates told me she's going to be absent tomorrow.]

Makoto: [She's going directly to the KDA to follow up on the issue. Shinichi told Shuichi to go as well.]

Komaru: [So he'll be there too, huh?]

Komaru: [What do you need me to do? I can try and cut class if you need me to meet with you?]

Makoto: [No, don't.]

Makoto: [Just don't wait around after school and come straight to the building when you're done. Kyoko gave me the location a while ago.]

Makoto: [I'll send it your way.]

Makoto: [If any of your friends try and invite you out, come up with some kind of excuse.]

Komaru: [Cool.]

Komaru: [I'm seriously starting to see the struggles that the vigilante's in my comics and manga have to go through with living their double lives.]

Komaru: [I think Kanon-chan and Miruku-chan are starting to think I don't like them.]

Makoto: [Yeah, I feel the same way.]

Makoto: [Thanks for sticking with us even with all that.]

Komaru: [This is more important.]

Komaru: [Shuichi's a good kid, and his family has been through too much already.]

Komaru: [The fact that he got an internship with the Kirigiri's and a spot at Hope's Peak are two crowning achievements back to back.]

Komaru: [Now some bastard thinks he can force him to give it all up. I'm not gonna let that slide.]

Makoto: [That's my sister.]

Makoto: [Anyway, you know the plan. I'll see you tomorrow. For now, get some rest and get ready for then.]

Komaru: [Will do. Goodnight bro.]

----------------------------------------------

Makoto rested his head back and sighed. It was just one thing after another.

Monomi had already gone to sleep. The night's events had clearly been a lot for her too, even though she was rarely physically present. Makoto himself couldn't sleep, since his mind was still racking at all the things that he'd just uncovered.

He was no detective, but he had very swiftly formulated a theory of his own. Whoever was behind this was antagonizing and threatening Shuichi for a reason, and that reason was most likely jealousy. After all, he was the only other Ultimate working for the KDA, even if he was just an intern.

Therefore, the best place to start looking for suspects was the agency itself, and it was worth having the Kirigiri's look into it directly. That was Makoto's thought process at the time...

But pulling that off would likely be harder than it seemed.

Class Trial (Dawn Edition) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

As planned, the next afternoon, Makoto and Toko immediately rushed from Hope's Peak straight to the KDA. Komaru was already waiting for them by the time they arrived, and once they reconvened, they swiftly entered.

Luck seemed to be on their side, because as soon as they entered the lobby, they saw both Kyoko and Shuichi standing there, talking to each other.

The bags under Shuichi's eyes looked even bigger than they did the last time the group had seen him. Clearly, he had lost a lot of sleep over this.

Shuichi almost instantly spotted them, and his dreary eyes opened wide with surprise as they approached. Kyoko, also not expecting them there, seemed equally as surprised.

"N-Naegi-senpai!?" Shuichi stammered, "why are YOU here!?"

"We're here to help," Makoto declared, "after what happened yesterday, we couldn't leave this alone."

"I...I told you already! This doesn't concern you!" Shuichi stammered, his exhaustion clearly screwing with his mouth.

"But we know what happened now!" Komaru chimed in, "if someone's threatening you and trying to get you to quit this place, we can't just ignore it! We want to help you!"

"No, Shuichi is right," Kyoko stood in the way, "this has become official KDA and police business. My grandfather has already opened a case and has his best people working on it. WE'RE the ones who don't need YOU interfering."

"Good to see you too, Kirigiri..." Toko growled, "we're NOT interfering. We're Shuichi's friends, who just want to help him. That had nothing to do with you."

"Is that true?" Kyoko turned towards him, "I wasn't aware you had become so close with them."

"Well, following Uzawa's case, my uncle invited them round to dinner, and we were able to talk," Shuichi explained, "so yes, I would say so, but..."

"We saw that blood-soaked message when we left yesterday night," Makoto told her, "it happened while we were at the scene! We're definitely involved in this, like it or not!"

"But you didn't see anything, did you?" she asked. 

"Well...no..." Makoto admitted.

"Then you have no excuse," she leered, "you can't provide us any critical witness testimony. If you could, I would have called you sooner. As I said, these are official proceedings. If you interfere with my grandfather's investigation, he could have you arrested."

"Oh yeah!?" Toko glowered, "and what investigation has he done exactly!? Has he told you at all what he's uncovered!?"

Kyoko glared back at Toko.

DSO Despair Syndrome - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls.

"What are you implying?" she asked, "you think he lied to us when he said he would pursue a case?"

"She's asking if there's any confirmation that he has," Komaru interjected, "if we know that a case is proceeding and that evidence has been found, then we'll drop it! We just want Shuichi to be safe!"

Kyoko, understandably, seemed skeptical. She looked around at everyone nearby, then cleared her throat before responding.

"May I ask that I get a moment of privacy with Makoto?" she asked.

Makoto turned back towards Komaru and Toko and nodded, assuring them that they had nothing to fear. The girls instead went with Shuichi and started to speak privately with him over in the corner. When Kyoko turned to face Makoto, her expression remained stone-cold, but Makoto could feel the disapproval radiating off her.

"I know the REAL reason you're here," she sighed, "you're just hungry to set your sights on a new target. I have no reason to stop you, and I do intend to keep my promise of not exposing you...But I'm warning you...Stay away from my family."

Makoto didn't quite know how to respond to this.

It was true that the Phantom Thieves were looking for a new target, but really, Shuichi's safety was his top priority. How would he explain that to her though?

"The situation with Shuichi has continued. The culprit is starting to make a routine of his harassment, doing something else every day," she continued, "you're a little behind, so let me get you up to speed."

"Wait, what?" Makoto raised his head, "did something happen!?"

"This morning, Shinichi planned to drive Shuichi here to help him get here soon enough. This plan fell through when they found someone had stabbed nails into their car's tires," she explained, "and another note was with it. This one also demanded that he drop out of Hope's Peak Academy. I don't think I should say what they threatened to do this time. Just know it was much worse than before."

Makoto felt sick just hearing these words, and his chest began to churn with fury...!

"This is bullcrap!" he snapped, "what the hell is the goal here!?"

"Actually, I've already come up with my own theory," Kyoko explained, "whoever is behind this has demanded that Shuichi not only quits the KDA but also Hope's Peak Academy. Which means whoever the culprit is...is trying to stop Shuichi's career as a detective from flourishing."

"The culprit...wants Shuichi to stop being a detective?" Makoto clarified. Kyoko nodded.

"But the more threats this culprit leaves, the more evidence the agency has to work with. In time, they'll figure things out and catch them. I appreciate you trying to do the right thing, Makoto, but I'm warning you: stay...away..." she suddenly leaned dangerously close to him, "Shuichi is already getting help from us here. My grandfather cares about the youth and is doing everything he can to make sure that we learn to uphold the law. He wouldn't let Shuichi's life go downhill just like that, and he certainly won't let this anonymous harasser get away with it. What kind of detective would he be?"

"Kyoko, really, I wasn't trying to imply anything," Makoto assured her, "I was just...!"

"Kyoko? What's going on here?"

Kyoko, Makoto, Toko, Shuichi, and Komaru all stopped what they were doing and turned towards the direction of this new voice. Everyone was surprised to see the man himself, Detective Fuhito Kirigiri, standing there.

It had been a while since Makoto had last seen him face to face. Fuhito seemed to recognize him though, and smiled.

"Ah! It's your friends from school!" he acknowledged, "what a nice surprise. Still, what brings you all here?"

"We're here for Shuichi," Komaru explained, "we're trying to help figure out who's behind the harassment."

"And I was just explaining to Makoto that you're already on top of it," Kyoko spoke up, "and yet they insist on poking their noses into matters that don't concern them."

"Shut it!" Toko snapped, "we didn't come here to hear your opinion!"

"Ah, yes, the harassment..." Fuhito contemplated, "have there been any developments on your end?"

Everyone waited while Shuichi quickly and panickily explained to Fuhito the latest update on the incident.

"Sir...I'm...I'm scared...!" the detective boy sobbed, "what did we do to deserve this!?"

It was a heart-wrenching scene to watch. Shuichi may have been an impressive and capable young man, but he was still just a kid. And a very scared kid at that. Fuhito simply replied by approaching and placing his hands on the boy's shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze to reassure him of his safety.

"I'm already mobilizing my investigators to check for any links to the bloody message. For now, I suggest you wash it off the building when you get the chance," the old man told him, "and I have to ask this as well...But do you think you could drop out of Hope's Peak too? At least, temporarily?"

"What the hell!?" Toko snapped, "you're basically telling him to do as the letter says!"

"It's for his own safety!" Fuhito grimaced, seemingly unsure of his own suggestion, "if this culprit really can stalk him down at school, not to mention in here, we're dealing with someone very dangerous! Both establishments have top-notch security after all..."

"Well, Shuichi?" Makoto asked, "do you want to quit Hope's Peak?"

"I....n-no, of course not..." he whimpered.

"Sir, please," Makoto stepped forward, turning his attention to Fuhito, "even if you can't let us help, let Shuichi speak to the investigators directly! I think it would help!"

"No. I cannot allow that." Fuhito said.

"Why not!?" Komaru cried.

"I've concluded that it's far too dangerous for Shuichi to make a move himself. If the culprit really is acting out of envy and spite, they could very well be one of the investigators here at the agency...though I loathe to admit that," he told them, "you should just leave everything to us adults."

"Kind of hard to when you've done nothing to help!" Toko snarled, "this boy is dealing with perpetual dread every waking hour of his life because of this! What if you don't find the culprit in time, huh!?"

Shuichi's body began to tremble even more violently with her words. Fuhito hung his head, refusing to look her in the eye.

"That's enough...!" Kyoko didn't raise her voice, but her tone became sharp, "you're not helping any of us by saying that. I don't wish for it to come to this, but the three of you need to leave before I get security to THROW you out...!"

"That's enough, Kyoko!"

Kyoko turned round in shock as her grandfather suddenly spat these words out. What was even more surprising to the group as a whole, was that Fuhito suddenly took a bow. Makoto couldn't see his face, but his actions suggested that he was doing so shamefully.

DSO Welcome to Despair - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

"I owe every single one of you an apology," his face was dismayed when he finally stood up again, "to you Shuichi, to your friends...and to you, my dear granddaughter..."

"Grandfather..." Kyoko spoke quietly, "what are you...talking about?"

"In truth...You're all right...I didn't admit it because I didn't want Shuichi to be afraid, but...I'm not as useful as I pretend to be," Fuhito admitted, "I'm long past my prime, and even with my connections, there's a limit to what I can do here alone..."

He turned towards Toko and Komaru.

"Be honest with me," he said, "the reason you're so reluctant to trust me is because of the unwholesome rumors surrounding me and my code of conduct, correct?"

"You KNOW about those!?" Komaru exclaimed.

"W-Well...that's not...the ONLY reason..." Toko bit her thumb. Fuhito sighed.

"It's alright. I don't hold it against you," he explained "I can understand why such rumors would worry you, and why you would want to take matters into your own hands. With the line of work I manage, I can't expect everyone to like me..."

"But...grandfather...!" Kyoko flustered, which was rare for her. Fuhito held up a hand to halt her.

"I'm afraid I really can't get you in contact with my investigation team, else things go to legal matters," Fuhito said, "but if you wish to ask the detectives around the agency for any information, or if there's anyone else you'd like to question directly...then you may do so. Just don't try to get in the way of everyone's work and I'll permit you to investigate yourselves."

"Are you sure sir!?" Makoto exclaimed.

"Yes, of course. Just promise me you'll tell me if anything DOES come up," he smiled back, "the fact that I'm past my prime means I can't do much on my own, but it is also the reason why I want Shuichi to grow up and become an amazing detective, as well as overcome his own weaknesses. We need new blood, and he's exactly who this country needs. I wouldn't let anything happen to him, and I'm only so harsh towards him because I care."

"Kirigiri-sensei...!" Shuichi's tearful eyes sparkled with hope.

"I must say only one more thing," Fuhito sighed, "please forgive my granddaughter, and do not let my actions and my incompetence reflect upon her. She's the ideal detective, not me. Now I must speak with the investigation team."

Fuhito courteously bowed once more, then exeunted, leaving the students in an awkward silence.

"Well?" Kyoko asked, "do you still doubt him, even after that?"

"I...well..." Toko stammered. This wasn't the usual stammer from Toko though. This was the kind where she was seriously beginning to doubt whether she was in the right or not.

However, before any of them could say anything else, Kyoko suddenly bowed herself.

"He's right though. I'm sorry," she apologized, "it's very unlike me to lose my cool like that...I'll do as my grandfather asked and let you in so you can ask around."

"N-No worries Kyoko-chan! We're the ones at fault for barging in here!" Komaru chuckled awkwardly, "come on guys! Let's not overstay our welcome!"

Death Wish - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

As per her grandfather's instructions, Kyoko allowed Makoto, Toko, and Komaru to enter the agency and ask several staff members and detectives questions. However, they didn't turn up much.

Shuichi, for his part, had decided to take refuge in Kyoko's own office. He still seemed unsure and nervous but had calmed down a lot following Fuhito's speech to him. After failing to gather any real information on a culprit, Makoto loitered outside of Kyoko's area.

"It's no good. None of them seem outwardly suspicious," Monomi whispered from inside Makoto's bag, "either they're innocent, or they're very good at hiding it."

"They're detectives Monomi," Makoto whispered back, "they'd be pretty bad at their jobs if they couldn't mask their emotions. It's like what Shinichi was saying yesterday."

Their conversation was interrupted as Kyoko suddenly stepped out of her study. Monomi hid back inside the bag and Makoto stood to attention as she approached.

"How's he holding up?" he asked. Kyoko shook her head.

"Better now that he's had something warm to drink," she said "I take it your investigation went poorly?"

"Thinking about it now, you probably already went around and questioned people," Makoto sighed, "I doubt there's anything we could turn up that you couldn't."

"You never know...You might think you'd have less luck given that you're an outsider with no experience in the detective field," Kyoko told him, "but the same is true for me. I doubt anyone can look at me with complete honesty and objectivity in this place."

"Really? But...aren't you the head detective's granddaughter?" Makoto was surprised to hear this. Kyoko's brow furrowed.

"Yes, I am..." she said, "but I'm also the daughter of a man who abandoned his legacy and his child, just to live a life he was comfortable with."

"You mean...Headmaster Jin?" Makoto asked. Kyoko nodded.

"The reason why I joined Hope's Peak Academy was to meet Jin Kirigiri. But not because I wanted a touching reunion with my father, even though I had to abandon our family pride myself to do so," she said, a barely noticeable hint of toxicity in her voice, "I'm sick and tired of being seen as the daughter of a bloodline traitor, so once I graduate next year, I plan to cut all ties with him, once and for all. Then, I can dedicate myself to my craft as a detective without any concerns or regrets. He can move on with his life too."

"You know, I knew bits and pieces of this story, but I don't think I've ever heard it in full," Makoto admitted, "did Jin really do something like that? Given how nice he is, I find it hard to believe..."

"I'm not saying I think he's a bad person. He wanted to live his own life, and there was no place for me in it. I accept that now," she breathed softly, "but that's why I'm so grateful to Fuhito Kirigiri, for raising me where he could not. I respect and admire him, not just as a parent, but as a teacher and mentor too. Everything I know was taught to me by that man."

"Kyoko..." Makoto ached, "really, I promise you, it wasn't my intention to slander him! We didn't-!"

"I know..." she smiled back at him, "I overreacted. It's my fault."

"No, it's fine, really!" Makoto assured her, "but...it is surprising...You don't openly show such care and consideration for people. I mean, I know you do, you just never show it like that..."

"I've known him ever since I was little," Kyoko said, "my early days are a blur, so I don't remember much of them, but I remember a kind old man raising me, training me, and helping me discover the person that I want to be. And it's my hope that he'll do the same for Shuichi and many detectives to come after him. Even when he gets too old, he'll have passed the torch onto so many people by then, who can take the truth and justice into their own hands and right the wrongs of this world."

She smiled again, this one more of confidence than compassion.

"I'm sure if he knew what I knew about the Phantom Thieves, he would feel the same way. Justice isn't black and white to him, and I know deep down, he would support you," she said, "so please, just leave this case to him and the agency. We'll protect Shuichi, I promise."

"I hope you're right..." Makoto pondered, "and...I can only promise to try..."

Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Man...I feel really bad now..." Toko clutched her head once the group regrouped outside the agency, "I didn't think it was possible that someone like her could so openly care about someone like him..."

"Honestly, I think he might be the only one who Kyoko acts that way towards," Makoto explained, "and I don't blame her. Fuhito is less of a grandfather and more of...just a father to Kyoko. He's the one who raised her in Jin's stead."

"Yeah...Those rumors might not be true after all," Komaru added, "I'm still not completely satisfied with his conduct, but with how real he was with us...I think he's doubting himself as well...I've been there, and it sucks. He even bowed to us. To US! A bunch of no-good kids like us got a respectable ace detective to bow in apology...

"Either way, we need to do more investigating," Makoto asserted, "someone is harassing Shuichi, and we're gonna need to do a lot more legwork to find out who."

"But Fuhito Kirigiri is already going over the evidence," Toko grumbled, "and how many detectives do you think there are in the Kirigiri Detective Agency? I think we should just leave the investigation to them, then jump in once they turn up a few clues."

Makoto suddenly felt his notification go off in his pocket, so he quickly pulled out his phone to check.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Komaru nodded, "we can always pry info out of Shuichi if we need to. For now, I think we should...Makoto? What's wrong?"

Komaru trailed off as she suddenly noticed the look of abject horror on her brother's face as he stared down at his phone screen.

"Makoto?" Toko exclaimed, "what's the matter!?"

Makoto didn't reply with words. Instead, he turned his phone around and showed them his screen. The screen was on the search page of the Metaverse Navigator, and a few of the words had already been filled in...!

NAME: Fuhito Kirigiri

LOCATION: Kirigiri Detective Agency

DISTORTION: ???

"The Meta-Nav activated while it was in my pocket...!" he spoke slowly and quietly, "Fuhito's name triggered it...!"

"WHAT!?" Komaru and Toko cried out in unison!

Distrust - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

The girls immediately pulled their own phones out of their pockets and entered the information themselves. Sure enough, upon typing in Kirigiri's full name, the Nav reacted the same way Makoto's did!

"But wait...This means...!? THIS MEANS...!? Wh-What does this mean!?" Komaru panicked. Monomi suddenly jumped out of Makoto's bag, seriousness in her beady, bunny eyes.

"It means that Fuhito Kirigiri's desires are so warped and distorted..." she explained, "that he has a Palace of his own, just like Towa...!"

"Seriously!? That old geezer!?" Toko exclaimed, "there's no way that can be true! Not after all that, surely!?"

"I had a feeling..." Monomi turned to look back at the doors, "but, if this is accurate, then I must commend him for putting up such an airtight façade..."

"Wait...Monomi...you mean you KNEW...!?" Komaru gasped, "h-how did you figure it out!?"

"It was just a hunch, but something didn't seem right...about Kirigiri's actions I mean," she turned back to face her fellow thieves, "according to Shuichi-kun and Kyoko-chan, Fuhito is very supportive of youths and has helped them out greatly ever since they've known him. But now he's suggesting that Shuichi drop out of both the agency AND Hope's Peak...Just like the letter said."

"I mean...he said he was doing that for Shuichi's own safety, right?" Komaru asked, "and...it checks out to me...?"

"It's not just that," she added, "Shuichi-kun is the most critical witness in this case, so if Kirigiri really wanted to get to the bottom of it, he should be JUMPING at the chance to have Shuichi questioned. Not deny him outright. It's FAR too strange."

"You're right...!" Makoto realized, "Shuichi's the one who's BEING harassed, and it's not like he's a child anymore."

"Come to think of it...Thinking back to what he was telling Shuichi to do, something doesn't add up!" Toko gasped, "why would he instruct Shuichi to clean away the bloody message!? That's a crime scene! It should be PRESERVED if anything!"

"You don't think that...!?" a terrifying possibility crossed Makoto's mind, which, evident from their expressions, crossed Toko and Komaru's at the same time!

"I don't know if Kirigiri is the mastermind behind Shuichi-kun's harassment. Or if he's even involved in it at all," Monomi explained, "but the fact that he has a Palace is all the more proof that he's hiding something from us."

"But it doesn't make any sense!" Komaru cried, "HE'S the one who brought Shuichi on! Why would HE be the one behind the harassment!?

"Well, there's only one way to find out...!" Makoto grit his teeth, "we've gotta get inside this Palace and see for ourselves who that man REALLY is...!"

"Right!" Toko nodded, "we already have the name and the location...all we need to do is figure out what Kirigiri sees this agency as."

"Like how Towa saw the Elementary School as a prison?" Komaru checked, "where do we even start?"

"Let's try throwing some words at it," Monomi suggested, "like...Hm...School!"

"School?" Makoto parroted.

[CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MET.] the Nav read aloud.

"I guess he is known for being strict..." Komaru acknowledged, "how about...a castle?"

[CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MET.] the Nav read again.

"Well, he's a detective, so maybe somewhere related to mysteries?" Toko asked, "how about...a maze? Or a Mystery Labyrinth?"

[CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MET.] the Nav said for the third time.

"What about...a mansion!? One filled with puzzles and traps!?" Makoto suggested.

[CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MET.]

"Jeez! This is hard!" Komaru whined, "escape room!"

[CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MET.]

"A church!"

"A casino!"

"A museum!"

"A café!"

"A cafe!?"

"Detectives go to cafes!"

[CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MET.]

The Thieves continued to throw random suggestions at the Navigator, to no real avail. No matter how much they denied it, they didn't nearly have enough information on Fuhito as they would have liked. Certainly not enough to narrow down a distortion.

"Ugh...How did you guys even find out that Towa saw the Elementary School as a prison?" Komaru groaned.

"Literally by complete accident," Toko pouted, "we didn't even know the Metaverse existed when we went in it for the first time..."

"So is that what it's gonna come down to?" Makoto cringed, "hurling random words at this phone until we just so happen to get it right?"

"But that's gonna take FORREVVEEEEER!" Komaru leaned back and moaned at the sky, "there's like, what, a million and three words in the dictionary? We don't have time for all that!"

"Quit being such a theater kid!" Toko smacked her arm, "do you want to get to the bottom of this or not-"

[RESULTS FOUND!]

"Wait! WE GOT IT!" Makoto cried, instantly catching the girl's attention.

"What!? How!? Did we just get it by accident!" Komaru cried.

"Wh-What!? What did we say!?" Toko exclaimed

"The place that Fuhito Kirigiri thinks the KDA is..." Makoto told them, "is a Theater...!"

"For real? A THEATER?" Komaru frowned, "why THAT of all things? That's got nothing to do with detectives at all!"

"Well, do you remember what that rumor mill said yesterday?" Makoto suddenly recalled, "it said "both people and mysteries are nothing more than puppets in shows to him." so the fact that it's a theater..."

"Who cares? We got it!" Toko snapped, "I'm sure we'll find out what's going on if we just go in ourselves!"

"You guys didn't have any plans today, right?" Makoto asked, "let's take a quick look now before the sun goes down!"

"I agree with Makoto," Monomi said, "it wouldn't hurt to scout the place out a bit now that we've found it."

"I still can't quite believe this is happening," Komaru clutched her aching head from how much thinking she was doing, "but whatever! I'm game! Let's get in there!"

"Then it's unanimous," Toko affirmed, "punch it Makoto!"

With an assured nod of the head, Makoto activated the Navigator.

[BEGINNING NAVIGATION] it said.

Chapter Text

X

Makoto still couldn't quite believe what he and his group had uncovered, but as much as he didn't want to believe it, the Metaverse Navigator did indeed take them into the Metaverse, right there and then, after punching Fuhito Kirigiri's name into it.

As the world started to shift and morph around them, Makoto saw himself gradually change into his Phantom Thief attire. He turned his attention up towards the Kirigiri Detective Agency and saw it change form as well.

The building was already big, but it exploded into something so much bigger once it finally took a proper form. Towering above Makoto and his fellow thieves was a huge theater, decorated with multicolored lights and flashy signs. The layout itself was organized and symmetrical, and the entrance to the building was an arch-shaped, pearly, almost heavenly-looking gate.

"Huh...It's a lot more...quaint...than I thought it would be," Razor commented, "big, but pretty tidy and clean for a place made with distortion."

"Yeah, but then again, since our last heist was a prison, anything is really an upgrade from that..." Highwayman considered. Monomi, now in her regular cartoony Usami form, heaved a sigh.

"A Palace is a Palace," she reminded them, "don't expect an infiltration here to go any differently than it did with Towa's. You'll need to be on your guard at all times, got it?"

"You got it teach..." Highwayman saluted, "but I'm still shocked this even happened. Of all people to have a Palace, why Fuhito Kirigiri?"

"Are we sure this is his place?" Razor gestured toward the Palace, "isn't this a little too flashy and exciting for such an old-fashioned geezer?"

"Palace's are delusions; mental images warped by desire," Leprechaun recalled, "in the eyes of Fuhito Kirigiri, this is just how his agency looks. The question is why is it a theater of all things?"

"Kirigiri's not exactly what I would call a "public figure." He and his kid had said before how they tend to stay out of the limelight," Highwayman said, "but he is still a big and important guy, so it makes sense he has a Palace. Maybe it represents his love for mysteries and the unknown?"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that..." Usami replied bluntly, "while yes, nothing suggests it has anything to do with the harassment, I'll say it yet again for good measure: We'll know for sure once we get inside and check it out for ourselves."

"Ok, so what do we do?" Leprechaun asked, "just...walk through the front door?"

"Don't be an idiot!" Razor snapped, "I bet anything I own that we take one foot into that building through the front, and we get surrounded by Shadows."

"Razor's right. It's not ideal, especially for Phantom Thieves," Usami clarified, "we'll have to find another way in. Let's start by scaling that wall over there and finding another way in."

"Alright," Highwayman readjusted her hat, "lead the way, Leprechaun!"

DRAE-Alice in the Children's Land (2-3) - Crypt of the Necrodancer

"Alright! We're gonna have to hopscotch our way over these," once they had scaled the nearby wall, Makoto indicated to a set of small pillars in a garden, leading by example by jumping and landing on one, "just follow me."

"It's impressive how proactive and determined you become when we're inside Palaces," his sister remarked, "sometimes I wonder if Makoto and Leprechaun are the same person."

"I know what you mean. But it's not the same thing as me switching into Genocide Jack," Razor added, "it's still very much Makoto."

"While I appreciate the compliment, can you save it for later?" he looked back and whispered to them, "if you fall off these pillars because you're too distracted admiring me, it's not gonna be on me, ok?"

The girls nodded, and they, along with Usami, quickly hopped after Leprechaun on top of the pillars. Even though Highwayman very nearly toppled at one point, using their improved acrobatic skills from their Metaverse powers, they successfully made it across the garden.

Trying not to make noise after noticing the guards patrolling the area below them, the thieves ran along the wall and climbed up some more until they reached the roof of the building.

This was only one roof, bear in mind. The Palace itself was gargantuan compared to the original agency. Climbing any higher would be exhausting, Metaverse or not.

As luck would have it, this roof has a skylight on it. Razor and Usami quickly scurried over to it and worked together to pry it open. 

"Hey! We can get inside from over here!" she beckoned Highwayman and Leprechaun over, "doesn't look like there's any guards down there."

"That's a pretty far drop though," Highwayman peered down, lifting up her hat so she could see better, "sure, we can get in, but how are we gonna get out?"

"Well, I still have the grappling hook Usami gave me..." Leprechaun remembered.

"Not to worry dear boy, I came prepared!" Usami smiled, "I am our tool specialist, after all, so I procured us a rope!"

Sure enough, Usami reached behind her and pulled out a wrapped-up rope from her skirt. She handed it to Razor, who took one end and stuck it to the ground with a pair of scissors. After making double sure the rope wouldn't be spotted by anyone if it descended, she slowly let it fall into the building.

"Where were you even keeping that?" Leprechaun asked.

"That's a secret," she winked, "even teachers have a secret side to them that they don't want their students to know about~"

"I don't even want to think about what that means..." Razor glowered, "come on, let's just get down already!"

"Right!" Highwayman nodded, "go on Leader. You first."

Makoto nodded back to his sister, then slid down the rope into the Palace...

It was quiet in the Palace, uncannily so, but Usami affirmed the presence of Shadows around them when their feet touched the floor. The team found themselves in what appeared to be a staff area, so after Leprechaun poked his head out of the doorway, they sneakily made their way down the hallway outside.

"What the hell...!?" was the first remark that came out of Razor's mouth as soon as they saw where they were.

The reaction was warranted, as what they laid eyes upon when taking their first real look at the Palace's interior was just...not normal. 

Lining the hallway were multiple small exhibits; and said exhibits featured a variety of small, wooden puppets and mannequins, all of them dancing around on strings like they were putting on a small show, albeit for a non-existent audience."

"Oh...I see...!" Leprechaun realized, "so it's a PUPPET theater...!"

"That doesn't explain anything!" Highwayman groaned, "and what the hell is going on!? How are they moving like that!? Is someone controlling them from behind the scenes?"

"Actually, I think they're just moving on their own," Razor considered, "but come on, it's a Palace, not real life. I don't think it's anything to wrack your brain over."

"Hm...It may be worth taking a closer look at some of these puppets," Usami contemplated, "since the Palace reflects the ruler's heart, we might find some clues."

"Got it," Leprechaun saluted, "let me just take a close look here...Hm?"

"What is it?" Highwayman asked, watching as her brother picked one of the puppets and examined a tiny paper tag attached to it.

"It says..."Ryusuke Tachibana - Age 42"" he read aloud, "maybe that's the puppet's name?"

"Pretty specific name for a puppet. I'd just name it..."Woodie" or something like that..." Highwayman touted.

"Normally I'd make a comment on how childish and narrowminded you are, but you actually have a point," Razor replied, "not only that, but why does the puppet have an age?"

"Maybe it's the name of the puppet's creator?" Leprechaun suggested, "but...that doesn't really get us anywhere..."

"Hm...Office B-1..." Usami chimed in.

"What? What are you talking about?" Leprechaun asked.

"That's what the show is called, look at this placard," Usami indicated to a bronze placard next to the small stage, "it says "Office B-1" on it."

"The show is called Office B-1?" Highwayman frowned, "what kind of name is that?"

"Hm...I think I'm already starting to formulate a theory on to what's going on here," Usami commented, "but until we find more evidence, I can't be certain."

With not much else to do, the Phantom Thieves continued to sneak their way through the theater, passing by several more puppet exhibits and plays. Much like the first one they had discovered, the shows and presentations themselves were referred to with a letter and a number, such as C-2 and G-4. Not only that, but the puppets all had tags just like the Tachibana one Makoto had studied earlier, featuring a name and an age.

"I can't see or sense any Shadows," Leprechaun said, relaxing, "I think we've gotten through most of the exhibits in this area by now."

"Just what is this place?" Highwayman was getting more and more confuddled with every passing minute, "why would Fuhito Kirigiri's consciousness create a place like this? I don't understand anything that's going on!"

"Wait a second! Guys, look!" Razor exclaimed, "that mannequin over there!"

Everyone followed Razor's finger as she pointed to a specific faceless mannequin in the corner.

And it didn't take a genius to figure out why Toko had chosen to point this one out in particular. The clothes were easily recognizable...especially the headwear.

Highwayman stealthily rushed over it to get a closer look.

Living in a Lazy Parallel World - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"Hey...isn't that Shuichi's hat?" she pointed out, "he never takes it off, so I definitely recognize it!"

"You're right!" Razor gasped, "w-what does the tag say?"

"It says "Saihara Shuichi - Age 15."" Usami examined it.

It was at this moment that clarity hit Makoto...which was swiftly followed by a moment of horrifying realization, as he finally figured out what was TRULY going on here.

"Ugh! I REALLY don't get this at all!" Komaru cried, "why does Fuhito have a mannequin of Shuichi here!?"

"It's not a mannequin...!" Makoto decided to voice his thoughts, "that IS Shuichi!"

Highwayman and the others turned towards him with expressions of shock and realization.

"Wait...! You mean this mannequin is...!?" Razor asked.

"It's Fuhito's cognitive version of Shuichi! In his mind, the poor boy is nothing more than an ornamental dummy!" Usami finished the thought, "and I'm willing to bet the same is true for the rest of the puppets we've come across so far! They must be the other detectives at the agency!"

"Seriously!? The puppets are the people who work at the KDA!?" Highwayman exclaimed, "then...the stages that were called Office B and Office C..."

"They must be where those detectives work at the agency," Razor observed, "is this REALLY what that "pristine agency" is to Kirigiri?"

"There's still too much we don't know about Kirigiri to say that, but one thing is for certain," Leprechaun said, "this...is so gross...!"

Little did he realize that it was about to get even grosser...

Despair Syndrome (1) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"What the HELL!?" Komaru shrieked.

Understandable, as the scene the group walked in on was a horrifying one.

After journeying a little ways more into the Palace, the Phantom Thieves noticed a pair of fancily pattered double doors with a large sign above them; reading "Le Cimetière"

Which Razor was quick to point out, was French for "graveyard" or "cemetery."

However, as Razor and Highwayman opened the doors together, and the group stepped into the room, the layout was less of a graveyard...and more like a gallows...!

The room was dark, lit by only a few small lights that surrounded the upper half of the room, illuminating the scene in front of them only sparingly, which only helped to add to the consternation of the room.

Several puppets, the same make and material as the one's from before dangled from the ceiling by strings that hung around their necks! The ceiling was too dark and too high up to see where they reached from, but it was worth noting that these noose-shaped strings were a lot more visible than the other puppets the team had seen before...Almost like they were PART of the spectacle.

"What in the goddamn shit is this!?" Razor ground her teeth together, "what the crap are we even LOOKING at!?"

"Hold on a moment...there's a placard there, let me read it!" Usami scuttled over to another bronze placard; much bigger this time, and illuminated by a solitary white light.

"What does it say?" Leprechaun asked. In response, Usami began to read the contents of the placard aloud.

"Le Cimetière - a presentation showing the incompetence of man and the folly of possessing dreams of one's own," the bunny quoted, "these individuals tried the impossible task of becoming real boys, attempting to discard their strings and abandon their creator, and failed. Thus, they end up here; a purgatory of their own making, forever shackled by strings that now hold ever tighter. For without their strings, a doll is nothing."

"What the hell does any of that mean!?" Leprechaun snapped, "what is Kirigiri even THINKING!?"

"Wait! Guys! Check this out!" Razor called out, "look what I just found!"

After catching everyone's attention, the thieves saw Toko take one of the puppets dangling above them in her hands. Like before, it had its own set of clothes and a tag with its name and age...

"Toshiro Uzawa - Age 34"

"Uzawa!?" Komaru gasped, "that's the dude we fought in Mementos, right!? The former detective who was assaulting people!"

"But why is HE here?" Toko asked, "I thought Uzawa was kicked out of the agency!? That's why he had beef with the Kirigiri's in the first place!"

"Well, it's not like we knew both sides of the story. We only heard that he was assaulting members of the agency out of revenge," Usami said, "now that we know Kirigiri has a Palace, it brings things into a different perspective. Perhaps there was more to Uzawa's motivation than just that."

"You're right...Uzawa got fired from the KDA, but we never figured out why," Toko remarked, "could Uzawa really have been the victim in all this?"

"Regardless, it seems that everyone in here is a former member of the KDA, who either got fired or left of their own accord," Komaru considered, "hey, Leprechaun? You're being WAY too quiet. What's your take on this?"

She looked over at her brother, who had his back turned to them. His body appeared to be physically shaking though...

"Makoto...!?" Razor panicked upon noticing this, "what's the matter!?"

Makoto responded by turning around and facing them with a disgruntled and hopeless expression. In his hand, he held another puppet that had previously been dangling above them, which he held up and showed to them.

"I noticed this while we were talking and got suspicious, so I examined it," he grumbled, "never have I wanted my thoughts and theories to be so wrong before...!"

"Wait! Th-That hair! And that coat!?" Highwayman's face went pale, "that's-!?"

"It's Shinichi Saihara," Makoto bit his lip, "the tag confirms it too. It has his name and age."

"What the hell!?" Razor stammered, "wh-why the hell's THAT guy here!?"

"Hm...Perhaps Shinichi himself was also a member of the Kirigiri Agency at one point, before his nephew?" Usami considered, "we had theorized as much before, no?"

"Wait, you think so!?" Highwayman gasped.

"The placard said that the people in here tried to separate themselves from Kirigiri," Usami explained, "Shinichi runs his own detective agency now. If he was employed here previously, maybe that's why he's here?"

"But...aside from Shuichi interning at his agency, Shinichi and Fuhito don't have any connection!" Highwayman exclaimed.

"...That we KNOW of," Leprechaun added, "it's not like Shinichi would openly explain details like that to just anyone...Especially not a bunch of strangers like us."

"But if he really is here in Kirigiri's mind..." Razor observed, "what the hell is going on in real life to prompt something like this?"

Before Makoto or Komaru could respond, Monomi suddenly raised her ears and adopted a defensive stance.

Despair Syndrome (2) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Shadows incoming!" she exclaimed, "we should hide!"

"What!? Hide where!?" Highwayman panicked as Leprechaun swiftly hung Shinichi's puppet back on the noose.

"This room is dark enough," he said, "let's hide in the corners and wait them out."

"Better than nothing! Split!" Razor exclaimed.

Razor and Usami took off in one direction while Leprechaun and Highwayman took off in another. The siblings pressed themselves into the corner of the room and watched as the double doors on the other side of the exhibit opened up. Two skeletal shadows; that looked like wooden mannequins that artists used for anatomy study; waddled into the room. Fortunately, the thieves had masked their presence so that neither Shadow noticed them. 

They watched as the Shadows walked around the room and started examining all the dolls hanging from above. While they worked, they started to converse, and Makoto and the others made sure to listen in on their conversation.

"It seems they're all accounted for," the Shadow garbled, "some of them seem a little out-of-position, but it may just be my imagination."

"Good to hear. Dollmaker Kirigiri will be pleased," the other one replied, "speaking of which, you spoke to him earlier, correct? How did it go?"

"He was gloating about having so easily deceived those brats from earlier. The ones that came to the agency to have a meaningless sniff about. All sir had to do was bow his head and they took his apology hook, line, and sinker!"

"That's amazing! The Dollmaker truly is an icon! That's how you use your influence and grandeur! Puppets like us can only dream! Still, I can't help but wonder what those brats might think if they were to see this place..."

"What does it matter? Puppets cannot do anything unless they are controlled by their ventriloquists. All those kept in this room mistakenly believe themselves to be good enough to stand on their own two feet, but none of them are considered ideal by our lord, be it for defiance or for any other reason, they're nothing without their strings. In a way, the Dollmaker only keeps them on a leash because he cares about them."

"True. Take this fool Uzawa for instance. Not only taking control of a case he wasn't assigned to but wanting to be independent and leave the agency. How dumb could you be to try and take investigative matters into his own hands? He deserved the sack."

"And take Saihara as well. Credit to him for being a little more professional than just slamming his letter of resignation on the table and booking. But he still forgot that he's Kirigiri's puppet, now and forever."

"But he still got a grant and legal backing to open his own agency, and he still runs his own business now, right? How come he got away with it?"

"Haha! You seriously don't know? Sure, Saihara is allowed to take his own cases...but thanks to the contract our maker has him wrapped in, he's never gonna be squat!"

"Contract?"

"The Dollmaker had Saihara sign a contract before he left. In exchange for having his own agency, three-quarters of the cases he receives a day must instead go to the KDA! With how few cases he actually solves, I'd imagine the poor fellow is still heavily in debt."

"Hah! Deserved! Lest he not dare forget where he comes from and who made him! Still, the Dollmaker is trying to put pressure on Saihara until he quits, correct? Why take his nephew in the agency?"

"You mean that new blood, Shuichi? Hah! Just another genius strategy by our lord!"

"What do you mean?"

"The boy is most likely going to take over his Uncle's detective agency when he graduates. He's the only person his uncle can pass the torch down to...But the SDA don't deserve their independent detective careers, so our lord came up with a genius plan to snuff them out prematurely!"

"How?"

"By applying constant pressure to the boy, and having those threats sent to him, eventually he'll realize that the detective life is too much for him, and he'll quit! Then, the Saihara's business will die with Shinichi!"

"Genius indeed! Lord Kirigiri is the best!"

Makoto could just about see in front of him, but he saw his sister's body tremble the more of this conversation they listened into. Seeing her shift and knowing what was coming next, he reached out and grabbed her arm, holding her back before she pounced at the two Shadows.

"Highwayman...!" he hushed, "don't!"

"But-!" she tried to bite back but instead chose to compose herself.

DSO_Distrust - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

The Phantom Thieves waited for a moment while the Shadows finished whatever duties they had in the exhibit. Once they left, Usami suggested they should retreat for today, so after retracing their steps, the team found themselves outside of Kirigiri's Palace.

Makoto, still processing everything he had just overheard, looked up in dismay at the towering distorted building above him.

"Is...Is everyone alright...?" he turned around to face his team.

Monomi had a concerned and serious look on her face, clearly deep in thought about something. Toko crossed her arms and looked at her shoes, not saying anything. Komaru had her fist clenched and her teeth grit, still shaking with anger even now.

"No...I'm not alright...!" the far latter replied, turning around to kick the wall behind them, "I'm SO...ANGRY...right now...! We need to make that bastard PAY!"

"I agree...!" Razor raised her head, rage in her eyes as well, "we can't just look the other way while that shitface detective prays on these people!"

"Seconded. What we saw in there puts it all into perspective. Kirigiri sees the people who work for him, as well as other detectives not as people, but as property," Usami nodded, "he's so egotistical that he believes even the smallest slight gives him the right to take the livelihood of the people around him."

"Kirigiri will keep people in these theaters so long as they're useful to him, and so long as they continue to follow his idea of a detective...but the moment they don't..." Leprechaun bit his lip.

"Why are Shuichi and Kyoko keeping quiet about this!?" Highwayman snarled, "they've got no reason to cover this up!"

"True...It's pretty clear now that Fuhito was the mastermind behind Shuichi's harassment. I'm sure if Kyoko or Shuichi knew about it, they'd have some strong words for him," Razor acknowledged, "which means neither of them must know the truth..."

"But still! They're both really smart people!" Komaru spat, "surely they must have gotten suspicious by now! I mean...WE were able to see past his bullshit eventually!"

"I think the reality is that neither of them have a reason to doubt him. Shuichi is still certain Kirigiri is trying to help him and, ironically, he's the one man in the world that Kyoko trusts unconditionally," Makoto cringed, "the REAL issue...is with Shinichi..."

"Huh? What about him?" Toko asked.

"I get that the reason could be that it's personal, but Shinichi's career and livelihood are slowly being drained by Kirigiri! Why is he keeping quiet about that!? And why would he let Shuichi attend the agency even knowing all of that?" the Lucky Student exclaimed.

"Good point..." Toko thought.

"Does it matter man!?" Komaru cried, "we can solve all of this if we just change his heart, so let's do it!"

"Highwayman, calm down!" Usami scolded, "you're getting too worked up. Don't make me send you to the corner for time out!"

"Y-Yes ma'am..." Komaru hung her head shamefully, "sorry ma'am..."

"She's right though," Makoto chimed in, "Kirigiri's an awful man who's hurting a lot of people; young people at that. Isn't this enough to target him?"

"Think about who we'd be affecting by doing this without taking any precautions! "Hey, Kyoko-chan! So...kind of a funny story, but your granddaddy who you love oh so dearly is sorta...kinda...totally evil! Anyway, we're gonna steal his heart and fuck him up, so hope you're cool with that!"" Toko bit sarcastically.

"Ok, you don't have to say it like that!" Makoto scratched his head, "she's gonna find out eventually if we decide to do this, you know?"

Toko sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Yes, but that's all the more reason why we need to wait until we find solid evidence in reality. If we get Kyoko to decide which side to go for based on belief alone, she's gonna go with Fuhito, no question!" she glowered, "also, remember, she knows our identities. If she finds out the Phantom Thieves are targeting her grandfather, she might go back on her word and expose us to the public."

"Dammit!" Komaru clutched her aching head, "what the hell are we gonna do!?"

Wicked Plan - Persona 5

"As Razor said, we need evidence," Usami said, "and personally, I believe our best chance will come in the form of testimony from Shinichi-san."

"You're saying you want us to ask Shinichi about what we heard?" Makoto asked, "how do we even go about that?"

"I guess we just be upfront about it," Toko said, "his reaction alone might sell it for us."

"Alright, fine...I guess it's better than doing nothing..." Komaru glowered, "still...Damn that old man...!"

Makoto was of a similar frame of mind. The reality sunk in that Fuhito Kirigiri was no different than Haiji Towa. Someone who had a public face of kindness and morality, that only served to hide a sick and twisted inner self.

*"Protecting the youth" my ass...* he secretly thought to himself.

Rise of the Ultimates - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

A day passed, and after school broke out the next day, the Phantom Thieves once again met up in reality, this time ready to infiltrate a different detective agency. 

With Makoto in the lead, he walked over to the front door and pressed on the intercom. Within a few seconds, a voice spoke through it. However, it did not belong to Shinichi.

"Hello?" it spoke, "Saihara Detective Agency?"

"It's us," Makoto spoke back, "can we come in please?"

"Naegi-senpai?" it spoke back, "hold on, I'll be right down!"

Makoto and the others waited for a moment, listening out for the sounds of quick steps down the stairs. The door opened, and as expected, the figure of the young Shuichi Saihara appeared in the doorway, wearing his cap as usual.

"Oh! You're all here!" he smiled, "it's good to see you!" 

"You too," Komaru smiled, "how have things been since yesterday?"

"Well...there hasn't been any news on the harassment case," he admitted, "but I haven't received anything of note from whoever's behind the harassment since yesterday, so I've just been cooped up in here...Anyway, why are you here?"

Makoto shot his teammates a knowing glance before turning back to Shuichi and answering.

"Is your uncle here?" he asked, "we need to speak with him. It's important."

"Is it in regards to the case?" Shuichi asked, "what does he have to do with it?"

"Is he here or not?" Toko frowned. Shuichi hesitantly shook his head.

"No...He's out today and...I don't know when he'll be back..."

"Aw dammit..." Komaru pouted, "could our timing be any worse?"

"Shuichi, can we come in?" Makoto asked, "it's really important that we get this off our chests."

"I...sure..." Shuichi nodded, "come on in."

Everyone followed the dark-haired detective inside the agency. They walked up the stairs and entered Shinichi's office area. Shuichi beckoned them to take some seats, so Makoto and Komaru sat down on the sofa while Toko procured herself a stool.

"Sorry to show up so randomly after yesterday, but we have something to ask you and your uncle," Makoto opened, "Shuichi...did you know that your uncle used to work for the Kirigiri's?"

"Of course I did," he nodded, "h-how did YOU know that? Did he tell you?"

"No...We just did a little bit of digging and found out for ourselves," Komaru explained, "Shinichi was one of Fuhito's men, but then decided to go off on his own to be his own man and start his own agency. This was before you came into his custody though."

"Where are you going with this?" he asked, "what does my uncle and his attachment to the KDA have to do with anything?"

"Shuichi, this isn't gonna be easy to believe, but..." Komaru decided to come out and say it, "we believe that Fuhito Kirigiri himself might have a connection to your harassment case."

"Whether he's the perpetrator or not, he's intentionally withholding information from you," Makoto added, "he's definitely suspicious."

"Are...are you serious...!?" Shuichi's eyes widened.

There was a few seconds of silence, but with the air, it felt like several minutes...However, it ended in a way that the thieves were not expecting...

Shuichi suddenly burst out laughing...!

Nightmare in the Locker - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"D-Don't be RIDICULOUS!" he snapped, "you really want to ACCUSE the legendary detective Fuhito Kirigiri for crimes of harassment against a teenager!? I'm sorry senpai, but...that's about the most absurd and illogical thing I've ever heard!" 

"Oh yeah?" Toko asked, "then let me ask you this. Why did Fuhito bring you into the KDA despite your uncle cutting ties with him?"

"Because he believes that I have potential, and whatever the relationship is between him and my uncle doesn't matter when it comes to me!" Shuichi exclaimed, "he's openly welcoming of young talent and students into his line of work. I can guarantee you there is absolutely no feasible way that he's guilty of any crimes against me!"

The air became awkward; the group had never seen Shuichi this angry before. Or even this emotional in general.

"I appreciate you looking out for me, really, I do..." he said, "but if this is related to those boorish rumors online, I believe Kirigiri-sensei already made his stance on it clear. He's already shown you gratitude and levity, and I don't think you should be wasteful with that! He's a good man!"

Toko crossed her arms and lowered her head, holding her tongue. Komaru tapped her foot as she tried to think of a response. Makoto could even feel Monomi shifting inside his bag.

However, everyone was caught by surprise, as Makoto stepped forward and put his foot down.

"You're lying Shuichi..." he stated.

"Wh-What...!?" the boy gasped.

"Don't tell me you don't think it was odd. I KNOW you're smarter than this," the Lucky Student frowned, "he's telling you not to speak with the investigators, even though you're the one being harassed! You're not a baby, you're perfectly capable of speaking to them as an adult!"

"That's...He's just trying to keep me safe...!" Shuichi exclaimed.

"Safe from what!? What harm would speaking to them do you!?" Komaru snapped, "you're STILL getting harassed, right!? Even after he supposedly opened a case! I'm willing to bet he hasn't said a word of your situation to ANYONE, much less his own investigation team!"

"She's got a point!" Toko interjected, "Shuichi if you've been denied a chance to speak with this investigation team, how do you even know they exist? Kirigiri claims they're the best he's got, but he's also claimed they don't know what's going on?"

"I..." Shuichi was struggling to find a retort to anything that he was hearing. Despite Toko and Komaru's franticness, Makoto continued to speak to him calmly.

"Shuichi. The truth is Fuhito Kirigiri is a messed up son of a bitch...!" he stated bluntly, "you, your uncle, and everyone else who works for him is nothing but puppets on strings to him. He doesn't give a damn about you or your feelings!"

"Then why...!?" tears were starting to form in the young man's eyes, "he was the one who INVITED me to intern at his agency! He was proud of my accomplishments and said I had potential! If what you say is true, then why would he even bother taking me under his wing!"

"You know full well why," Makoto frowned, "it's so he can do this without anyone suspecting him! Shuichi, he's threatening you into leaving the agency and quitting Hope's Peak so that he can destroy your future as a detective!"

"Fuhito didn't like it when your uncle went off to start his own agency since he still thinks he owns him as property," Toko added, "not only is he trying to cut off his legacy by bullying and threatening you, but with what he's been doing to your family..."

"Doing...what...to my family...?" Shuichi glowered.

"Think about it, man! Shinichi told us that most people would rather go to the KDA to have crimes solved, but that doesn't make any sense!" Komaru exclaimed.

"Right. This place is easily accessible to locals, and it's not exactly hidden. Plus, you and your uncle are good, genuine, respectable people, so why would they bother blowing you off to go to an agency as big as the KDA?" Toko asked, "I'll tell you why...it's because Kirigiri is forcing Shinichi to hand over cases."

"Forcing him to hand over...what...!?" Shuichi snarled.

"When Shinichi left the agency, Fuhito made it so that a majority of cases the SDA receives go to the KDA instead," Komaru explained, "not only is that discrediting your uncle's business, but it means he doesn't get a yen off solving them either! He's robbing you of your reputation AND your livelihood! He's the reason why your family is so poor!"

"But...you know that, don't you?" Makoto inquired, "you're just scared to admit it for fear of what might happen."

Shuichi didn't reply. He instead gripped his sleeve with one hand and lowered the brim of his hat with another.

"I knew it..." Makoto sighed, the detective's actions speaking louder than words, "Kirigiri is trying to force Shinichi into debt by taking away his source of income, and he's trying to break you down with constant threats so that you quit being a detective. Face it Shuichi, he's trying to RUIN you...!"

"You and your family are great people, and you don't deserve to be pressured like this," Komaru spoke softly, "if you just be honest with us, we can help-!"

"STOP! THAT'S ENOUGH!" Shuichi spat violently, catching the thieves off guard, "I...you're right about one thing...I DID know that the KDA was taking cases away from our agency at Kirigiri-sensei's request..."

He cast out his arm, a crazed expression in his barely visible eyes.

"But you know what ELSE I know!? That situation was indoctrinated under a CONTRACT, which means my uncle CONSENTS to it! Kirigiri doesn't take cases from us; we OFFER them to him!" he snapped, "besides, the Kirigiri's have been detectives for generations, but we're just a small-time detective agency with only two people in it! They're clearly far more capable than us! We're poor because we're not good, nor trustworthy enough! That's OUR problem!"

"You've been raised by your aunt and uncle ever since you were really young," Toko grimaced, "I REFUSE to believe that's how you really think of them!"

"Shinichi's not nearly as stupid to willingly sign his life away like that! He left the Kirigiri Agency to secure INDEPENDENCE, not to enter a contract that enslaves him like this!" Komaru snapped.

"Your uncle told us that you were afraid of finding the truth, and what the consequences would mean," Makoto said, "I didn't know what that meant until now...To turn your eyes away like this...I'm disappointed, to say the least..."

Shuichi suddenly lurched to his feet and pounded the table!

"THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU!" he snapped, "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S BEST FOR US!"

"Wha-Hey!" Makoto panicked, "calm down-!"

"There are no victims here! There never were any to begin with!" Shuichi snarled, "keep that self-righteous "justice" to yourselves and stop forcing your braindead ideas onto us!"

"What was that!?" Komaru snapped, "you can't tell me you really just-!"

"I've heard just about enough of these baseless, illogical accusations!" Shuichi growled "leave and don't come back, or I'll tell Kirigiri-sama everything you've accused her flesh and blood of! Final warning!"

"Are you...blackmailing us!?" Toko snapped!

"GET! OUT! OF! MY! HOOOOUUSSSEE!" Shuichi screamed!

Not just fearing what he might do if they kept pushing him, but also coming to the unfortunate realization that the boy was beyond reasoning with, Toko, Komaru, and Makoto quickly grabbed their things and bolted out of the door!

Shuichi stayed alone in the office, his body trembling for a long while even after they had left. He stood there for some time, until the door to the agency opened once again, and his uncle stepped in.

"Shuichi? What's going on!?" Shinichi exclaimed, "I-I just saw your friends from the other day running down the street. What happened!?"

Shuichi didn't reply. He lowered his cap down over his face to hide his tears, then retreated to his bedroom. He closed the door, laid on his sheets, and buried his face in his arms.

Death Wish - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Makoto returned to his dorm room that evening. It was late at night, but the events of the day were still weighing on his mind and soul and he was struggling to get some sleep. Instead, he laid down on his side, snuggling close with Monomi on his bed, staring emotionlessly at his chat log.

----------------------------------------------

PTChat

Komaru: [Can I just say?]

Komaru: [This sucks.]

Komaru: [Everything about this just sucks.]

Toko: [I don't think we can talk to Shuichi anymore.]

Toko: [I doubt we can ask Shinichi about what's going on without rousing his anxiety either.]

Toko: [Kids these days are such a pain in the ass.]

Komaru: [Toko, you're a year older than him.]

Toko: [Shush.]

Komaru: [You're right though. Why does he have to be so stubborn?]

Komaru: [We're trying to help him, dammit!]

Toko: [Hey, Makoto. You're reading this, right?]

Toko: [I can see you're online.]

Makoto: [Yeah, sorry, I just didn't feel like saying anything.]

Makoto: [You guys kind of already voiced my feelings for me.]

Toko: [I have to wonder something.]

Toko: [We agreed to this so that victims like Kotoko and Shuichi wouldn't have to suffer anymore, right?]

Toko: [What are we gonna do if the victim doesn't want our help?]

Makoto: [I really don't know how to answer that.]

Makoto: [I want to save him, and Kirigiri's other victims...but...]

Makoto: [He said himself that he WASN'T a victim...]

Komaru: [I still don't get it though!]

Komaru: [Shuichi clearly knows that we have a point about Kirigiri, but he's just refusing to accept it!]

Komaru: [I don't know why though!]

Komaru: [His family is suffering! He's got no reason to hide the truth!]

Makoto: [I think it's just that he's struggling to accept it himself.]

Makoto: [Shuichi idolizes both Fuhito and his granddaughter. He thinks they're the ideal detectives.]

Makoto: [I mean, would you be able to accept it if Ise Kana turned out to be a horrible person?]

Komaru: [I guess that's a good point...]

Toko: [Who's Ise Kana?]

Makoto: [Her favorite anime voice actor.]

Komaru: [Still, that doesn't mean I'd just deny the truth!]

Komaru: [Especially if I was a detective! I know I'm not, but HE is!]

Toko: [Regardless, I think we're fresh out of leads.]

Toko: [Now that the Saiharas are off the table, there's no one else who we can ask about Kirigiri.]

Toko: [We don't know any of his other victims, at least none who would willingly speak out.]

----------------------------------------------

However, with Toko's final line, something clicked in Makoto's mind. He stopped and considered it for a moment, and then despite the darkness of his room, his eyes lit up!

"Makoto? Why do I get the feeling you've just got an idea?" Monomi smirked, clearly already seeing where this was going.

100 Mile Junk Food Dash - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"I just thought! What Toko said just now wasn't actually true!" he smiled with excitement, "we DO know another victim of Kirigiri! And if we talk to him, I'm sure we'll find the truth!"

"Who?" Monomi asked.

"Uzawa!" Makoto exclaimed, "Toshiro Uzawa was also in that graveyard area in Kirigiri's Palace! Now that he's had his heart changed, I'm willing to bet he'll spill the beans to us about the Kirigiri's true nature!"

"Hm...You're right!" Monomi gasped, "but...wasn't Uzawa arrested after his confession? How are we going to contact him?"

"I know just who to ask." With a smile on his face, Makoto left the PTChat and instead started up a conversation with somebody else...

----------------------------------------------

Fujisaki-chan

[Hey, Fujisaki-chan?]

[I don't know if you're awake right now, but I have a question.]

[It's Phantom Thief related, so no rush.]

[Feel free to get back to me as soon as you can if you can't right now,]

[Don't worry Naegi-kun. I'm still awake.]

[Like I told you, with managing the PhanSite and doing my regular programming, I've been pulling some all-nighters.]

[Though I did already get a lecture from Tsumiki-senpai about how I shouldn't do that.]

[Anyway, what was your question?]

[You know that guy who got his heart changed by the Phantom Thieves? Toshiro Uzawa?]

[What happened to him after he was arrested?]

[Oh, it's funny you should mention that!]

[He was actually making posts on the PhanSite today!]

[Wait, he's on the PhanSite?]

[Yeah.]

[Uzawa was taken to court for his crimes, but due to certain circumstances, he was only incarcerated for a week.]

[The court ruled that he had to pay money to all parties affected by his actions, but it seems he managed to avoid any further jail time.]

[He made an account on the PhanSite and apologized to everyone there for his actions.]

[But it's not just that. Yesterday, he left a request of his own for a change of heart.]

[Really? Who?]

[He didn't say.]

[Apparently, it's someone very big and important, and he was worried about what might happen to him if he posted the name online.]

[It seems he's looking for an opportunity to meet the Phantom Thieves in person, or at least someone associated with them so he can deliver that information directly.]

----------------------------------------------

"I can't believe it!" Monomi's eyes widened, "the timing is perfect!"

Makoto frantically typed back.

----------------------------------------------

[Where does he plan on meeting them?]

[Well, he heard the Phantom Thieves originated at Hope's Peak Academy, so he plans on hanging out at the nearby station.]

[I don't know what he looks like though. I know I'm not a Phantom Thief, but I'm wondering if I should go to hear him out.]

[I'm a little nervous though.]

[No, don't do that.]

[If the Phantom Thieves really are allies of justice, they'll go and hear him out themselves.]

[You just keep doing what you're doing and leave it to them.]

[Alright, you're right.]

[By the way, why ask me this? Is that all you wanted to know?]

[Pretty much. Kyoko wasn't allowed to tell me the details of the case, so I thought I'd ask you.]

[That's all I wanted though. I'll let you rest now.]

[You're welcome then.]

[Goodnight Naegi-kun. And goodnight to Monomi as well.]

[Night.]

----------------------------------------------

DSO_Beautiful Dead - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

[THE NEXT DAY]

Toshiro Uzawa rested his back against the ticket wall of the underground station. As he had mentioned previously, he had decided to wait out there in hopes that the Phantom Thieves would show up and speak to him.

Of course, given what he did, he was only there hoping. It wasn't likely the heroes would see him as a victim after what he did, and it was true he was still spending his time atoning for his misdeeds. 

He opened up his phone and checked his bank balance, seeing how small it was and sighing in disappointment remembering how much money he still owed people.

It was his own fault of course. He knew this and knew he had no right to complain.

"Uzawa, correct?"

We Can't Change The World - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

He raised his head at suddenly hearing his name be called. He looked up and was surprised by what he saw.

A high-school girl?

She was wearing her uniform under a grey hoodie, and she wore black sunglasses and a mask that hid her face from him. Without waiting for a response, she walked up to him and casually leaned against the wall next to him.

"I saw your post on the PhanSite," the girl said, "so you really were here, huh?"

Uzawa was surprised. Yes, he had revealed he planned on waiting at the station, but he hadn't given anyone any hints as to his appearance. After all, posting something like that online was already risky enough, and he had done whatever it took to mask his presence.

He assumed that if the Phantom Thieves saw the message, given that they had changed his heart previously, they would know what he looked like...So...did that mean...?

"Are you..." he whispered, looking around to make sure they weren't being listened in on, "are you a Phantom Thief?"

"Let's just say I'm an informant for now. You can call me Kurumi," the girl told him, "and you must swear not to tell anyone that this meeting happened from here on, understand?"

"Y-Yes..." he nodded. Fortunately, his knowledge as a former detective helped him play along more easily, as he didn't even look "Kurumi's" way from that point on.

"Let's get right down to business," she said, "this person who you want us to change the heart of...Who is it?"

Uzawa took a deep breath, steeling his stomach and wiping the sweat off his forehead before he answered.

"I doubt you would have heard of him...But he's the head detective of the agency that I used to work with," he said, "his name is Fuhito Kirigiri..."

"Kurumi" tried her hardest to not let any excitement leak from her covered face, but secretly pumped her fist in a "gotcha bitch!" kind of way.

"Go on?" she hushed. Uzawa continued.

"The man is too proud of his detective lineage and has this one-track idea of how detectives should ideally be. He forces that idea onto everyone who works in his agency, and doesn't tolerate even the slightest insubordination," he explained, "in fact, I myself-"

"You used to work for his agency until he fired you, correct? Apparently, you were let go due to acting out of line," "Kurumi" informed, "however...I'm curious. What was the REAL reason you were fired?"

"Even if I tell you...How do I expect you to believe me?" Uzawa's face scrunched up, "no one else did..."

"Because we are not biased, nor are we afraid of rotten figures in this society," "Kurumi" replied, "we will hear both sides of the story before we conclude who the victim is."

Uzawa nodded as if to thank them, then began to explain.

"To put simply, I solved a case that wasn't assigned to me. A homicide case where an entire family of wealthy entrepreneurs had been murdered. The detective who was assigned to the case originally was stumped, and wasn't able to turn up any clues or suggestions, and it was on the verge of becoming a cold case..."

"And?" 

"I tried to convince Kirigiri to let me and my division take over the case, but he refused. Eventually, I did some investigating on my own regardless, and managed to turn up some clues; which then led me to the culprit. It turns out that the culprits were a small Korean family, who intended to pose as the entrepreneurs' relatives and take over their estate when they died. I outed their crime before it took place, and they were arrested and charged."

"To uncover a conspiracy like that...You deserve a reward."

"But all I got was the boot. Kirigiri claimed that I had tried to play the hero, and that I had relieved the other inspector of credit for their case. Despite the fact that I had delivered the justice the agency prided itself on, he decreed my actions as unruly and sent me on my way."

"What happened after that?"

"Well, I tried to go independent. I raised enough money and decided to open my own agency. A small one, bear in mind, but one that would still allow me to continue being a detective like I always dreamed of being...But then..."

Uzawa paused. He looked like he was on the verge of tears.

"...Kirigiri did everything he could to crush me and my dreams. He stole clients and employees from me, discredited whatever cases I was able to solve, and had his own people spread horrible and nasty rumors about me...! He even publicly stated that I was sacked from the KDA due to insubordination and that I was no different than the violent and unruly sacks of shit that detectives are made to take down!"

"That's horrible..." "Kurumi" lowered her head. Uzawa began to shudder.

"Eventually, I was forced to close my doors and give up my dreams. I didn't know where to go or what to do but...Kirigiri's actions ignited this...burning...violent...raging fire in me and...and..."

"That's why you started assaulting members of the agency, right?" "Kurumi" asked, "it sounds to me like Kirigiri committed the exact crimes that he claimed he fired you for?"

"That's exactly it! The hypocrisy makes me so furious!" Uzawa snapped, "we...are detectives...We're not the "good guys" but we are supposed to be on the side of JUSTICE...! That man just forces his no-good ideals onto everyone around him, and if they don't pass muster in his eyes, they're like the gum he scraped off his shoe!"

Uzawa palmed his face, taking some deep breaths and forcing himself to calm down.

"From what I have heard, I am not the only person that this has happened to. Apparently, Kirigiri has pressured many other private detective agencies into submission. Even now, there is one agency not too far from here that suffers from his actions."

"The Saihara Detective Agency, correct?" inquired "Kurumi." Uzawa subtly nodded.

"So you know about it...yes, that's the one I refer to," he explained, "that agency is run by a man and his nephew, and Kirigiri is trying to rip their lives away from them and destroy everything they stand for, all because he just doesn't agree with it! I don't want what happened to me to happen to anyone else!"

"So you want the Phantom Thieves to change Kirigiri's heart for that reason?" "Kurumi" asked. Uzawa nodded.

"You have absolutely no right to accept this request from me, given what I did," he acknowledged, "but this isn't just about me. If you expose Kirigiri's sins, you will literally be saving that young Saihara boy's life. Please...I beg of you...!"

Despite not turning their way, Uzawa stood up straight and bowed forward, clearly in a state of begging. "Kurumi" sighed.

"Thank you for showing up today," she smiled under the mask, "I'll pass this information along. For now, I suggest you focus on the things you can change yourself."

"Yes...Thank you..." Uzawa quietly whispered as the informant quietly made her exit.

Abnormality on the Girls Front Line - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

The disguised high-school girl climbed the stairs of the underground, and then made her way through the park towards the usual meeting spot. Makoto Naegi and Toko Fukawa, along with their cottontail companion Monomi, sat on the bench with warm drinks in hand, expecting her arrival.

As she sat down in the middle of them, Komaru Naegi removed her disguise and sighed. She reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out her mobile phone, hanging it up.

"You guys got all that, right?" she asked. They nodded.

"Gotta give credit where it's due," Toko smirked, "you're not a bad actor Omaru~"

"Yes, she is quite dependable!" Monomi smiled, "though we did only hear little bits through the phone. How was Uzawa?"

"Seems like a decent guy," Komaru explained, "definitely not the type who'd go around attacking people willy-nilly. Guess, if nothing else, we now know the change of heart worked at least."

"Honestly, we're just lucky that Makoto thought of this and equally as lucky we were able to get the information from Chihiro-chan," Monomi nodded, "now, we've been asked to act against Kirigiri directly on behalf of one of his victims. Good job Leprechaun!"

"I can't take all the credit. All that matters to me is that we no longer need to deliberate whether or not we should change Kirigiri's heart," Makoto asserted, "the consequences don't matter. Shuichi needs our help."

"Yeah...That settles it, huh?" Komaru punched her open palm with her fist.

"No objections from me...!" Toko grumbled.

"All for one, one for all," Monomi cheered, "it's a unanimous vote!"

Watching as the sun started to set in the sky, Makoto, along with his friends, stood up with their hearts and souls steeled.

"Watch out Fuhito Kirigiri," Makoto smirked, "we're coming for you...!"

Chapter Text

Axe to Grind - Persona 5 Strikers

"Come...Agathion!" Leprechaun hollered, "strike them down!"

Makoto summoned his new Persona for the first time in front of his teammates and used it to fire bolts of lightning at two Night-Walking Warriors that were blocking their path. Highwayman had already weakened them using her wind attacks, so it fell to the leader to finish them off!

And finish them off he did. The bolts hit the Shadows and both of them disintegrated into blackness. Leprechaun recalled his Persona and exhaled a deep breath as his mask reformed on his face.

DRAE-Alice in the Children's Land (2-3) - Crypt of the Necrodancer

"So THAT'S the new Persona you mentioned?" Highwayman asked, "not too shabby!"

"It's strong right?" he smirked, "thanks for the compliment."

"Hey!" Razor snapped, whispering and waving her arm to call them over, "just get into cover before more of those assholes show up!"

They didn't need to be told twice. Leprechaun and Highwayman ducked behind the cover of a small puppet stage, just in time to avoid being spotted by more mannequin-shaped Shadows that burst into the room looking for them.

"Where did all these guys come from?" Highwayman grumbled quietly, "there were barely any when we infiltrated this place last time, now they're basically everywhere!"

"I know what you mean," Razor nodded, "I dread to imagine what security will be like once we actually send the calling card. It's bad enough as is...!"

"Well, look at it this way," Usami turned around with a confident smirk, "all this security means there must be a real amazing treasure in this Palace!"

"I like the way you think," Leprechaun grinned, "come on guys, let's move. The longer we stay here, the easier they'll find us."

"Roger that!" Highwayman saluted; and with that, once they made sure the guards had left, the thieves bolted.

*THUD!*

"No good..." Leprechaun shook his head as he slammed his shoulder into a large set of double doors, "it's shut tight..."

"Then just pick it open like you did last time?" Highwayman said, "you were practicing on those Mementos chests, right?"

"Yes, but we sort of came in here on a whim, so I don't have any on hand. They all broke from the other doors and chests I unlocked." he explained. Highwayman could only roll her eyes in response.

"We'll see if we can find another way around," Usami raised her voice, "Razor. You check that side of the room, I'll get this side."

"Got it." Razor saluted then did as she was instructed. Having no instructions received or to give, Leprechaun started to search the room himself.

Even if he didn't find a way through, a search would at least let him nab some treasure to pawn off for cash. It seemed Razor was attempting to do the same. 

"Hey, bro?" she called out, "what's this thing supposed to be?"

Leprechaun followed his sister's voice and eventually came across what she had discovered. Hiding behind a black velour curtain was this odd device. It was fairly compact, with a conveyer belt that ran through a square-shaped hole with flashing lights on the inside. It was hooked up to a small control panel that had a few oddly shaped buttons on it. None of them were marked, so Leprechaun didn't know what they did.

"What do you think it's for?" Highwayman curiously stepped onto the conveyor belt and walked through the square, examining the machine up close.

"I don't know...Maybe I should try turning it on?" As he said this, he reached forward and pressed what looked to be the biggest button on the panel, assuming that it was the power button. His guess ended up being accurate, as the machine suddenly whirred to life.

Tension - Persona 5

"OOF! Hey!"

However, the conveyor belt started up almost immediately, and having not been prepared for it; Highwayman slipped and landed on her back. Leprechaun then proceeded to panic, as Highwayman was carried through the flashing window; suddenly bursting into a bright light and disappearing right in front of him!

"Komaru!? KOMARU!?" Leprechaun exclaimed, so stressed he failed to use her codename, "what happened!? WHERE DID YOU GO!?"

"Hey!" he suddenly heard a voice, "what's the big idea, you jerk!?"

The voice definitely sounded like Komaru's, but now felt higher pitched and like it had an effect to it. The source was coming from underneath Makoto, so he stepped back and looked down...And thus, the situation became even weirder.

Everyday Days - Persona 5

Standing at his feet was a tiny wooden, animated doll, staring up at him and tapping its foot disapprovingly. It was decked out in a top and pants, a bandana around its neck, a miniature Stetson hat, and a black domino mask! Just like...

"Komaru!?" Makoto almost immediately fell to his knees, "wh-what the hell happened to you!?"

"YOU happened, asshat!" the puppet squeaked, "I don't know what you did, but you fiddling with this doohicky you have just turned me into this! What gives!?"

"No, wait, hold on, I swear that was an accident!" he flustered, "how was I supposed to know it was gonna do that!?"

"A little warning would be nice! You could have told me to get off the machine before you turned it on!" she snapped, "now look at me! I'm two inches tall and only dogs can hear me now!"

"What the hell happened!?" Razor exclaimed as she and Usami hurried over, both of their eyes widening upon spotting the Mini-Maru.

"N-Nothing happened!" Leprechaun flustered.

"Oh yeah, sure looks like a whole lot of nothing!" Razor growled sarcastically, "then I guess there's nothing to say about Komaru becoming FUCKING PINOCCHIO!?"

"This is certainly strange...I've never seen a condition quite like this before..." Usami peered down at the doll girl before taking a few steps back and suddenly summoning her Persona, "Mr. A! Patra!"

A gentle light pulsed on Komaru's tiny wooden body, but she remained exactly the same. Monomi shook her head.

"Just as I thought. It seems this kind of condition is exclusive to this Palace and cannot be cured with any spells or items..." the bunny pondered aloud.

"What, so I'm STUCK LIKE THIS!?" Highwayman shrieked.

"Please, do not panic Komaru! From experience, instances like this wear off after a while. Even if they don't, you'll most certainly go back to normal once we leave the Palace," Usami assured her, "also, maybe reversing the process of whatever turned you into this will undo the transformation?"

"Guess it's worth a go..." Komaru nodded, "hey, Leprechaun! Put me back up on the conveyer and put me back the way I was!"

"I can only promise to try..." Makoto stammered, reaching down and letting Komaru jump into his open palm. He gently lifted her up and placed her down on the conveyer, returning to the control panel. After examining the buttons more carefully this time, he hesitantly pressed one and watched as the conveyor reversed. The lights burst on again, and thankfully, Komaru returned to her regular size and form, still in a crumpled and confused heap.

Beautiful Death - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Phew! Glad THAT'S over..." she quickly examined herself and breathed a sigh of relief, sitting comfortably on the end of the conveyer, "why does a machine like this even exist in this Palace?"

"Nothing here exists without good reason," Usami explained, "perhaps its use is something we merely don't understand yet?"

"Alright, well, at least we know how it works...somewhat," Leprechaun sighed, doing his best to reflect his sister's spiteful glares, "moving on, did the two of you find anything?" 

"Actually, yes, we did...but there's a problem," Razor admitted, turning around and pointing upwards "the good news is that there's a window up there next to that scaffolding. We took a look, and Usami thinks she spotted a key for the door."

"Great!" Leprechaun smiled, "and the bad news?"

"The bad news is that there's no way to get into that room," Razor frowned, "there are no doors connected to it, and the only one we can see is on the other side of where we're trying to get to."

"Aw, you're kidding!" Highwayman groaned, "there's not even a vent or anything!?"

"Well...actually, there IS a vent. And I believe it does lead into that room," Usami explained, "but it's tiny. It's probably about 4cm in diameter, and there's no way any of us can fit through it, not even me!"

Leprechaun racked his brain for a moment, then his mind popped a great idea.

"4cm in diameter you say?" he clarified, "so you'd have to be super tiny to be able to get through?"

"Yes?" Monomi frowned in confusion. Komaru suddenly felt her stomach sink, as her brother turned back around to her and the machine with a menacing and mastermind-like smirk on his face; almost immediately realizing what he was plotting.

100 Mile Junk Food Dash - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

"Don't you dare-! NOOOOOOO-!" she screamed, failing to get up in time as Makoto pounded the button again! Highwayman was once again dragged over the conveyer and through the glowing window, bursting into light and once again transforming into a wooden doll. She fell off the end of the conveyor and landed face-first onto the carpet.

"How about that?" Leprechaun asked, "you think that'll be big enough?"

"Oh! That's actually perfect!" Usami beamed, "good thinking Leprechaun!"

"I HATE YOU SO MUCH!" Highwayman in a fit of rage rushed over to Leprechaun's ankle and started smacking him with her lasso. However, her weapon had shrunk with her and was now little more than a useless piece of string, meaning Leprechaun felt little more than a tickling sensation around his foot. Highwayman's efforts were halted when Razor reached down and picked her up by the back of her shirt.

"Alright Highwaymini," she teased, "remember, we're counting on you. Go get us that key and don't let us down."

"Oh, you're enjoying this WAY too much!" Highwayman snapped, "why can't one of YOU be the minifigure!?"

"Well, it's too late now," Leprechaun smirked, "do us proud Highwayman."

"You've got this Highwayman!" Usami added.

"You too Usami!?" Highwayman whined, "I...UGH! Fine! I'll buck up and do it! Can we just get this over with!?"

"Don't worry. I can communicate with you using my Persona. We can guide you if you get stuck anywhere." Usami assured her. However, this was little comfort to the tiny cowgirl.

"Ok Highwayman," Leprechaun whispered as they transmitted their words through Mr. A, "now all you have to do is get on top of that table and grab the key."

""Get on top of the table" he says...as if the damn thing isn't 7 times my height now..." Highwayman grumbled back.

"Oh, get over yourself," Razor tried her best to hold back her laughter as she watched the little doll wander around aimlessly through the window, "you're a Phantom Thief. Thief your way up there like you would anywhere else!"

It would be impossible to tell on Komaru's tiny puppet face, but she was bearing a constant look of discomfort the entire time she worked. She did as Toko suggested and started climbing up boxes and other obstacles in the room, balancing along a little ridge in the wall, and finally landed on the table. The key was hard to miss, given how big and bright it was.

"And so the Highwaymini came scuttling, scuttling, scuttling..." Razor snarked as she watched the tiny doll make her way across the desk. Her laugh was audible as she saw the doll throw her head back and groan.

"If we ever have to do this again, next time YOU'RE the one who'll be going through the doohicky, GOT IT!?" she spat.

There was a lethal poison in those last two words. As she picked up the key, she fastened it to her back with her lasso, then elegantly hopped off the table and hurried back towards the vent.

"Remember, you need to pull me...up..." the little cowgirl tried to say, but trailed off...And understandably so.

X

A pair of Shadow guards suddenly stepped into the hallway from the doorway, and despite Komaru's tiny size, they froze in place, noticing her immediately.

"Uh oh..." Usami remarked, "that's not good..."

"Um..." Highwayman stood in place for a moment, unsure of "hi guys!"

"Did she just say "hi guys!?"" Razor exclaimed.

"Oh brother..." Leprechaun pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Sister, actually!" Monomi smiled.

"You see, I'm sorry for dropping in and everything, but I just-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Highwayman gave up on coming up with an excuse, and instead, just booked it!

Exisal Tribe - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

The Shadows responded accordingly! They rushed after her, quickly gaining on her due to their much larger size! The tiny thief grabbed her gun and started firing at them, but as you might expect, it had shrunk with her, so she might as well have been throwing frozen peas at them.

The other thieves panicked and urged her on with shouts and voices through Mr. A, which to be frank, didn't help the situation any better. Just as the Shadow reached out to grab her, Komaru dived into the vent, managing to escape their clutches.

She scurried to the other side of the vent and was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but that breath was quickly channeled into a scream as a black liquid suddenly started to ooze its way through the vent!

"Shadows can shapeshift, remember!?" Usami squealed, "they'll just morph their way through the vent until they get you!"

"Then PULL ME UP!" Highwayman shrieked back, tugging on the rope she had descended down upon, "I'm WAITING!"

"You heard her!" Leprechaun cried, grabbing the other end from their vantage point, "pull!"

"Hold on tight Omaru!" Razor called.

From Highwayman's perspective, it was like being thrown through a wind tunnel at 400 miles per hour! Leprechaun and Razor pulled on the rope so hard and fast, that she was almost flung off it but managed to keep a tight enough hold until she was finally pulled out the other side of the winding tunnel, safely into her brother's hands.

However, her second attempt at breathing a sigh of relief was yet again halted as the Shadows that were chasing her morphed through the hole, still in hot pursuit! Leprechaun gingerly passed the tiny thief to Razor, who took a close and gentle hold on her!

As the Shadows burst through the vent and took their full shape again, Leprechaun cast out his grappling hook and propelled himself on top of one, grabbing it around the neck and trying to wrangle with it as it attempted to throw him off!

"Razor! Get Highwayman over to the machine and turn her back to normal! Usami, help me with these guys!" he demanded, clearly struggling.

"R-Right! Come on!" Razor called, hopping off the platform and madly dashing towards the machine! Usami jumped into the air and managed to jump on the head of the other Shadow, just as it was about to whack Makoto with a baton!

Leprechaun nodded to his cottontail companion, and in unison, they grabbed the Shadow's masks and tore them off their faces! They exploded and reformed into two different shapes. A "Pleasant Snowman" and a "Captivating Dancer."

Makoto didn't like the fact that the snowman was so cute. It made it harder to kill it.

Oh well...

"Jack-O-Lantern!" Leprechaun declared, summoning the pumpkin-headed pyromaniac to his side.

"Mr. A!" Usami hollered, doing the same with her own Persona.

While those two tackled the Shadows, Toko scrambled in a panic towards the strange device. She (rather roughly) dropped Komaru onto the other side and scrambled towards the control panel.

"Um...Ok, which button was it?" she called.

"It's...Uh...I don't know," Komaru shrugged, "I wasn't looking..."

"Seriously!?" Toko grouched, "he did it TWICE!"

"Yeah, I was too focused on being turned into a doll! Plus, he only turned me human again once!" Komaru snapped back, "just...hit something! Anything will do!?"

"But...wh-what if I turn you into even more of a doll!?" she panicked, "what if your soul gets sucked out and...and...!?"

"Toko-chan!" Komaru interrupted, "it's ok...! I know you won't do something like that to me. You've got this!"

"I...ok...!" the thief composed herself, then took a more careful look at the buttons "um...these two look right!"

She simultaneously pressed the large button in the upper middle, as well as a blue arrow button next to it that pointed left. The conveyer did end up moving and the window did light up...but there WAS an unexpected complication.

"WOAAGH!?" Komaru screeched, as the belt moved at twice it's previous speed! Toko panicked as the little figure suddenly rocketed through the window, then exploded into light!

However...Highwayman didn't come out the other side...Toko immediately began to panic and rushed to the other side of the machine, hoping she would be there!

"Komaru...!?" she cried, "KOMARU!?"

"WAAAAAAGH!"

"GAH! OOOF!"

*THUD!*

However, it seemed the transformation was a little bit delayed from how fast the conveyor had moved, so the window burst into light again, and this time, the full-sized and very human Highwayman came soaring right out the other side...

My Homie - Persona 5

Crashing right into Razor who was waiting for her...The two became dizzy on impact but managed to shake off the fatigue in time to realize they were lying on top of each other, their faces very close to one another when they finally got their bearings.

"Um...hi..." Razor said, her mind drawing a blank...

"Hiiiii?" Highwayman responded similarly.

"I'm...happy you're ok...?"

"Yeah...Thanks..."

This was followed by silence as they just stared into each other's eyes.

"Could you uh...get off me now?" Razor asked after that ended, both of their faces turning slightly red from how close the other was, "it's pretty uncomfortable..."

"Actually, from where I'm standing, you both look PRETTY comfortable..."

The girls turned their heads to see Leprechaun looking down at them, his arms crossed and a smug look on his face. Monomi stood next to him, tilting her head as she curiously observed them.

From the way he stood there, it seemed they had made quick work of the Shadows.

The girls quickly scrambled off each other and got to their feet, putting some distance between one another. Highwayman approached Leprechaun and elbowed him in the chest, which he could only recoil and laugh at.

"I am NEVER doing that again...!" she pointed towards the machine.

"Unfortunately, you might have to if find any more of these machines and we need to be smaller..." Usami commented, "I think it was clever that we used it the way we did. We should keep it in mind in case there is a next time."

"Then SOMEONE ELSE does it "next time!"" she leered, making quotation marks with her fingers.

"Look, can we just move on..." Razor glowered, still blushing, "we got the key, didn't we?"

"Yeah, looks like this is it..." Usami picked it up, "it looks like it grew a bit in size when it went through the machine. I think it will fix the lock now."

"Great! Let's get moving..." Highwayman rolled her eyes, "I am already SO DONE with this place..."

Darkness Time - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"You find anything?"

"No. I found a Safe Room, but nothing much else. You?"

"Nope. Couldn't see a lever or switch or...anything like that."

"I checked the door itself. It didn't have a lock, so there's no key this time."

"Any luck up there Leprechaun!?"

"I don't think so! Nothing that looks like a mechanism or a trap or...anything else really."

The Phantom Thieves kept on trekking through the Palace and finally came into a rather large auditorium area, presumably for the more important shows or whatever happened in this place. Leprechaun was currently positioned on top of a catwalk suspended above the stage, acting as the eye in the sky while the rest of the thieves scoured the area.

The conundrum they currently faced was in the middle back of the stage was a very big, oddly patterned door, which, according to a map that Usami had snagged along the way, they needed to get through in order to proceed towards the treasure's location.

But considering this door didn't have a handle or knob, much less a keyhole, and no other obvious way to get it open, they were stuck. They had split up to look around but hadn't turned up with anything of note.

Leprechaun dropped off the catwalk and gracefully landed on the stage, standing in front of the door with his companions.

"So nothing then?" Highwayman threw her arms into the air, "perfect. What are we gonna do now?"

"Hold on one moment. Would you all mind if I investigated the door one last time? On my own, I mean?" Usami piped up.

"I mean, sure. No harm, right?" Razor gestured towards it. With little else to do, the Phantom Thieves watched as the rabbit set to work. She reached out towards the door and seemed to inspect it very closely and carefully. After a minute or two, she came back crossing her arms and nodding to herself.

"Got anything?" Leprechaun inquired. In response, she raised her head.

"Yes...It's just as I thought," she explained, "and I've concluded that there's not much we can do from here..."

"What does that mean?" Highwayman asked, "what did you find?"

"There's a rather heavy amount of distortion around this particular door. And usually, when that happens, it signifies something of importance to the Palace ruler," Usami educated, "therefore, I suspect that if we wish to proceed, it will require some tampering in the real world..."

"Oh, I think I get it!" Razor chimed in, "you're suggesting that in the real world, there's a door somewhere exactly like this one. And because Kirigiri firmly believes that it can't and never will be opened, that's how it is in the Palace...right?"

"Yes! You've learned very quickly Razor!" Usami beamed, "a gold star for you!"

"Then all we have to do is find the original door in reality, and open it!" Leprechaun pounded his palm, "great! That's our next move!"

"You say that like it's gonna be easy...!" Highwayman commented, "we know it's gotta be in the KDA, but we don't even know where. And even with that aside, how do you expect we're gonna get inside the agency anyway? We did kinda blacklist ourselves..."

"Highwayman's correct. Plus, it isn't nearly as simple as Leprechaun makes it sound," Usami clarified, "it's not simply a matter of getting the door open. Kirigiri also needs to SEE the door open. After all, if we don't do that, we won't change his cognition."

"So you're saying that in order to proceed further, we need to open this very specific, obviously suspicious, probably-hiding-some-deep-and-dark-secret door...right in front of the guy who's hiding the deep and dark secrets..." Razor summarized, sarcastically swinging her arm "our odds are fan-freaking-tastic!"

"Timing this is gonna be difficult..." Leprechaun contemplated, "and yeah, if we do this we'd effectively be taking on a station full of legal experts and police..."

He trailed off, facing his team.

"But I think I have an idea..."

Beautiful Ruin - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

[THE NEXT DAY...]

Writing a newspaper, let alone an article was difficult. Even if it was just a school newspaper, when it came to somewhere like Hope's Peak Academy, students were very thirsty for the latest stories and information. 

This was a good thing. The purpose of the academy was to nourish talent and prepare to send the world's best into greater, adult society. It wouldn't do any of them any good if they just kept their eyes away from the public and ignored the whims of the world. Which is why the monthly article at Hope's Peak also included real-world news.

Thus we come to the article's writer and lead reporter, a third-year student at Hope's Peak named Mahiru Koizumi, invited to the academy as the Ultimate Photographer. And her current place of interest? The KDA.

Having gained a habit of taking pictures unexpectedly, Mahiru had this innate stealth ability that many gross paparazzi would envy inexplicably. Of course, she was above that, but she definitely thought it would help when trying to spy on a building filled with detectives.

The reason why she was here was because of the information she had gained from scoping out Chihiro's PhanSite. In truth, the previous month's paper had sold out 3 times over, and she and the staff who helped her had been drained of energy making copies over and over and over again. But despite that, there was no doubt this was an achievement in her department and something the academy would pay close attention to. In fact, it had helped her pass her practical exam with flying colors.

And she owed it all to the Towa scandal, and the supposed perpetrators behind it - The Hope's Peak Phantom Thieves.

So it was only natural that she and her club would follow their exploits in the hope of a new story. Of course, ever since Towa, they hadn't acted, but their website was the one solid way they could get leads.

Thus, Mahiru found herself here and now. Rumors had been circling around the site about how things were going on at the Kirigiri Detective Agency. Despite the secrecy of the organization, Mahiru had managed to pinpoint the building easily. And boy, was she excited to see the secret corruption of this place exposed.

"Hm...This place reeks of something alright...But I can't tell what..." she whispered under her breath, aiming her camera in full zoom towards the door, watching people go in and out.

However, as she did this, she suddenly spotted a familiar face enter the building. 

"Wait a moment...Is that...Naegi-kun from Class 78...?" she whispered under her breath, lowering her camera to see through her own eyes.

"Koizumi-senpai?"

"YEEEEK!" 

As Mahiru felt a sudden tap on her shoulder, she squealed and jumped to her feet, taking several steps back. It took her a moment to process the face of the one who had caught her. It was a girl in dark clothes and purple hair with big round glasses on her face. Next to her was another girl wearing a school uniform, with green eyes and short hair.

"F-Fukawa-san!? And you're...!?"

"What are you doing here?" Toko apathetically waved to her.

"Y-You scared me!" Mahiru snapped, "how did you do that!? I didn't notice you at all!"

"For real?" Komaru smirked, nudging Toko with her elbow, "guess you-know-what is rubbing off on us, huh?"

"Shut it, dumbass...!" Toko whisper shouted, nudging her back twice as hard, "don't give her any ideas...!"

"Sorry!" Komaru panicked, realizing she was right, "anyway, who's this?"

"This is Koizumi, our third-year senpai at Hope's Peak," Toko explained, "she's the Ultimate Photographer."

"I'm also the lead writer and reporter for our school's paper," Mahiru explained, "I guess there's no harm in telling you, but I'm here looking for a scoop on Fuhito Kirigiri!"

"Kyoko Kirigiri's grandfather?" Toko asked, playing dumb, "why?"

"Well, aside from the fact that he's rumored to be the Phantom Thieves' next target, there are all sorts of shady rumors about the guy up top. They've been circling around ever since the agency was publicly exposed last year after Kyoko-san joined Hope's Peak," Mahiru explained, "stuff like workplace abuse allegations and how he forcefully tries to mold people into his ideal perception of a detective. Hey, you guys wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"

"Huh? Why would we know that?" Toko frowned.

"Seriously?" Mahiru put her hands on her hips in disappointment, "nothing? You're classmates with his granddaughter, aren't you?"

"Look lady, we're just passing through," Komaru shrugged, "you're barking up the wrong tree..."

"Oh, I don't believe that for a second!" the red-head frowned, "you two are fishy, no doubt about it."

"Wha-!? Pot calling the kettle black much!?" Komaru snapped, "we aren't the one's hiding in bushes and pointing cameras at the building!"

"I...! Uh...! A-Alright, touché..." she sighed, "well, in that case, if you two stick around and find out any impressive leads, make sure to contact me, ok? Now that I've been caught, there's not much point sticking around."

She grabbed her stuff and prepared to leave, but not before taking out a makeshift business card and handing it to Komaru.

"I look forward to it! See you around!"

"Well, that was weird..." Komaru deadpanned, "is she always like that?"

"This is the first time I've ever had a real conversation with her," Toko admitted, "she seemed to be among the more mature members of her class, but I guess she's eccentric in her own way..."

"Well, I've got her card, so I guess that's another thing crossed off my bucket list," Komaru shrugged again, putting the card in her skirt pocket, "anyway, you remember what we've got to do now, right?"

"Hmph. Of course," Toko smirked, "let's go, partner...!"

Suspicion - Persona 5

"Alright. I'm counting on you, partner...!" Makoto whispered inside the agency. After making sure that none of the people around were paying close attention, Makoto gently held Monomi up toward an air vent. The rabbit opened the vent, then slid her way inside the duct.

She reached up towards her long floppy ear to make sure that her earpiece was still there, then nodded and started to shuffle her way through the shafts. Her mission was to search the building and find the door the team was looking for, then let Makoto know over the earpiece.

Makoto's mission, on the other hand, was to keep the Kirigiri's distracted until she learned this information. But this was going to be difficult. After all, Kyoko was one of the most perceptive and hardest to fool people in the world, and if she learned that from her grandfather, it went doubly so for Fuhito.

Makoto did have a plan going forward, but the problem was that by going through with it, he risked making an enemy of one of his closest allies. And given that said ally knew he was a Phantom Thief and had dangled that fact over his head relentlessly, coupled with the fact that there was no guarantee this plan was going to work...

In retrospect, the number of risks was far too great. But it was too late to go back on them now.

Especially now that the detective girl herself had spotted him.

"Naegi-kun?" she raised her head and approached him, "what are you doing here? How did you even get in here?"

"The receptionist let me in. She recognized me after last time," Makoto told her, "listen. Can we talk? It's in regards to Shuichi's case."

Kyoko crossed her arms and frowned.

"Yesterday, I asked Shuichi for an update on the harassment case. He told me that he'd asked you to drop it," she said, "but you're still here?"

Makoto sighed.

"Clearly you don't remember what I told you before," he said, "Shuichi needs my help. Whether he wants it or not doesn't matter. Especially since this agency you love oh so much hasn't done squat to help him."

"Those are some brave words coming from you," she glowered, "fine. Come to my office. We can talk there."

Makoto, holding back his anxiety as best he could, followed her. Kyoko's office was small but clean. Definitely above the quality of most other desks in each office area.

Preferential treatment, without a doubt. He could see why so many of the detectives here talked behind her back. Then again, given how good of a detective she was, he supposed it was warranted regardless.

"So?" Kyoko asked when closing the door, "what's your update? Any suspects in mind?"

"Before I tell you that, I have a few things I need to ask you first, just so I'm sure," Makoto started, "and I need you to be patient with me because I don't think you're gonna like what I'm saying."

Kyoko didn't respond, simply furrowing her brow, but she nodded to let him continue.

"We've already talked about the rumors surrounding your grandfather," Makoto explained, "I need to hear it from you...are any of them true?"

This obviously caught her concern. She stopped crossing her arms and squared him down with a glare.

"Of course not. Did he not make that clear before?" she asked.

"Of course, I believed him at the time he said it, but upon reflection, I'm not so sure," Makoto frowned back, "but I know you, and I know you value the truth above all else. Detectives aren't supposed to let their emotions get the better of them, right?"

"That's right." Kyoko nodded.

"Then, if Fuhito Kirigiri ended up being guilty of some sort of crime, you would arrest him, right? Even after all he's done for you?" Makoto inquired.

"Naegi, I'm not quite sure what you're insinuating, but if it's got anything to do with my grandfather being a criminal, I don't have time for it...!" she snapped quietly, "he's an ace detective. One of the world's best. Why would he, of all people, commit a crime and besmirch that honor."

"Well, what if-"

"He raised me and trained me as a detective ever since I was a baby after my parents abandoned me!" Kyoko began to get unusually erratic, "if you really think he has something to do with Shuichi's harassment, why would he take him on!? There aren't many people in this world that I trust, but that man is an exception! He would never lie, nor obfuscate the truth! It goes against everything he believes in!"

"Oh is that right? Then can I ask you another question?" Makoto inquired, "why was Toshiro Uzawa fired again? Surely your grandfather told you that, right?"

Kyoko's eyes widened and she stayed silent.

"My point has thus been made," Makoto resisted the urge to act smug in front of her, "let me ask you a different question then. Who are the people Kirigiri has looking into Shuichi's case? You know their names, right?"

Once again, Kyoko remained silent.

"Still nothing, huh?" he shrugged, "Kyoko. The truth is that your grandfather doesn't trust you as much as you trust him. Even assuming he's NOT a crook, he's still hiding stuff from you."

"That's because..." Kyoko gripped her sleeve, "because he's at the top, and there are things that don't concern me. It's just how this agency works."

"You're a DETECTIVE! Solving mysteries is your JOB! What information could possibly be so important he would keep it from the best agent he's got!?" Makoto snapped, "or what, are you saying he was talking out of his ass when he called you and Shuichi the ideal detectives!? If he really thinks so highly of you, why doesn't he trust you enough to tell you more details!?"

"Now listen here-!" Kyoko tried to bite back, but their conversation was suddenly interrupted by something unpleasant.

Nightmare in the Locker - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"Kirigiri-sama! I-!"

Shuichi Saihara suddenly burst into the office, cutting straight through the heated conversation the two students were having. His face appeared panicked and distressed like he was at the limit of his mentality. He froze in place as he spotted Makoto standing there with her.

"Y-You're here as well...!?" he stressed.

"Forget about me!" Makoto frowned, "what happened!?"

"What's wrong Shuichi?" Kyoko asked, "what happened this time?"

Shuichi responded by holding up what he was carrying. It was one of his uniforms, dark with silver stripes on it. However, the thing to note was that someone had burned the clothes. Not only that, but the burn marks formed a message...

"DROP OUT OF SCHOOL, OR I'LL BURN DOWN YOUR HOUSE."

"It's not just this either! A-All our other clothes are the same way, with the same message...!" he started to cry, "why is this still happening to me!? I don't understand...!?"

"Don't worry Shuichi," Kyoko held his shoulders in an attempt to comfort him, "whoever's behind this probably did it when you hung your clothes out to dry. We can track them from-"

"That's the problem!" Shuichi cut her off, "we don't hang our clothes out to dry! We don't have a garden or anywhere around our home where we can dry our clothes, so we just tumble-dry everything!"

"Then...you mean...!?" Makoto gasped.

"Yes! Someone broke into our house!" he unveiled. 

Even Kyoko seemed put off by this. This was getting more and more serious with every crime. 

However, before Makoto could chime in with a response, he suddenly heard the earpiece in his ear crackle.

"Makoto...!" Monomi whispered, "I've located the door we're looking for. It's where I thought it was; in Kirigiri's office!"

"Good job," he whispered quietly, letting Kyoko and Shuichi distract themselves, "your timing is impeccable. I'll make my way over now."

"Wait! Try to buy me a little bit of time!" the rabbit hushed back, "the door appears to be locked, but I can open it from inside if I get in through the vents! It's going to be difficult to do with bunny paws though...!"

"I'll buy you as much time as I can, just get to work...!" he commanded, turning back to the detectives.

"Let's go talk to my grandfather for an update on the investigation," Kyoko suggested to the crying young man, "hopefully, there's been some progress since last time."

"I...*sniff* I hope so..." Shuichi sobbed, evidently at his wits end.

"Let me come too," Makoto suggested, "I know neither of you want me involved in this, but if I hear what he has to say, it may clear up some of my doubts."

"I sincerely hope it does," Kyoko nodded, "that's alright with you, yes Shuichi?"

Shuichi nodded, unable to utter a word of a reply.

"Thanks..." Makoto secretly smirked, "let's get going then..."

DRAE-Alice in the Children's Land (2-3) - Crypt of the Necrodancer

Meanwhile, inside the Palace, Toko and Komaru lounged about on the stage in front of the giant door. With nothing else to do other than wait, they kept a close eye out for enemies and stood in silence.

For some reason, it was difficult to begin a conversation. Every time one caught the other's eye, they both turned and pretended to mind their own business.

"Hm...Now that I think about it, this is the first time the two of us have been alone in the Metaverse together..." Highwayman commented.

"Y-Yeah, I guess so..." Razor replied.

"No one around to...interrupt us..."

"Nope..."

"Ah...Well, um..."

"What is it?"

"N-Nothing! Just...about...what happened yesterday?"

"Huh? Oh...Oh! You mean THAT? D-Don't worry about it. It was my fault anyway."

"No, no, I just...I forgot to tell you thanks."

"Huh?"

"Maybe it didn't go the way we expected, but at least you turned me back to normal. And I didn't even thank you for it. So...I'm telling you now."

"Hey, it's ok. Don't worry about it..."

"A-Alright..."

"..."

"..."

"So um...You uh...You doing alright?"

"To be honest...I'm a little bit anxious..."

Komaru finally turned around to face her friend, who indeed appeared to have an anxious look on her face.

"What's bugging you?" she asked.

"I just...Don't you think it would be a miracle if this works?" Razor asked, "not only is there no guarantee the door will open, but even if getting Kirigiri to see it open is what we need to do, how are Leprechaun and Usami going to go about that? Plus, what's stopping Kirigiri from just closing it again?"

"Well, that's what we're here for, isn't it?" Highwayman asked, "we're supposed to wait here while they work, then rush in and find a way to keep it open so they can rejoin us. That was the plan from the start, yeah?

"But still, the fact that we don't know-"

"Toko-chan..." Komaru, to Toko's surprise and embarrassment, suddenly grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "it's gonna be ok. No one cares more about this mission than Makoto does. We just have to trust him."

"Y-Yeah..." Toko replied, "you're right...I guess I need to learn to have more faith in him..."

Heaven of Almost Hell - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"Kyoko? Shuichi? What's going on?"

Makoto, along with the two young detectives, stepped into Fuhito Kirigiri's office, and the man himself rose to his feet from his desk as they all trudged in.

Makoto did his best to hide his disdain, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed it. It was slightly obscured by some cabinets, but in the corner of the room, he spotted a door that had a familiar look and shape...

*I see...So that auditorium must represent Kirigiri's office...* he thought, *makes sense. After all, it is an important room to him...*

"What are you all doing here?" the old man asked, "did something happen?"

Makoto waited, cautiously shuffling his way towards the door while he listened to Shuichi and Kyoko collectively explain the situation to Fuhito. As he drew closer, he could hear a scratching behind the door; most likely Monomi attempting to open it.

"How much more time do you need? I'm right outside..." he whispered through his earpiece.

"Sorry...!" she whispered back, clearly panicking and going as fast as she could, "I've almost got it!"

"He broke into our agency! I made sure we'd locked up the previous night!" Shuichi stressed, "they might really try and set our house on fire at this rate!"

"Who is doing this? And what for?" Kyoko asked, "your men still haven't found the culprit? Have they even said anything?"

Fuhito shook his head.

"They have no clue..." he explained, "and they've looked everywhere..."

"So...So what do I do...!?" Shuichi sobbed. Fuhito sighed.

"Shuichi...I know this is hard for you, but..." he spoke softly and gently, "I really think you should consider quitting your school. If you don't, this harassment is going to continue relentlessly, and until we find any more clues, we can't do anything to help you..."

"But I-" Shuichi tried to say something, but he was suddenly interrupted.

Disintegration - Persona 5

"That's a little strange..." Makoto Naegi raised his voice. Simultaneously, Fuhito, Shuichi, and Kyoko all turned to look at him.

"What is strange?" Fuhito inquired.

"If Shuichi complies with the letter's requests, then chances are the harassment will stop," Makoto explained, "if that happens, won't you lose the chance to find more evidence? The more the harassment happens, the more evidence you have, right? That's what you said, Kyoko."

"Yes, I did say that..." Kyoko nodded, "and yes, you're right about that, but even so, Shuichi's wellbeing is the top priority here."

"Correct," Fuhito added, "please don't misunderstand my intentions, Mr Naegi."

It was too late to back out now. With both Shuichi and Kyoko here, it was time to go in for the kill...though there was always the likelihood he'd miss his shot...

"Well, I've just been feeling it's weird is all," he stood up straight, carefully shuffling closer to the door, "you've always encouraged Shuichi, and you told us that you think he's got what it takes to be the ideal detective...But now you're telling him that he should keep away from the agency and that he should stop going to school. Despite all you claimed, you're taking Shuichi's shot at success away from him."

"Crushing his dreams is not my intention, I promise!" Fuhito urged, "I simply-!"

"Why don't you let Shuichi speak to the investigators?" Makoto inquired, "if you really wanted to help solve this case, you've done too many weird things so far. Telling him to stop coming to work, denying him the right to involve himself in this case, telling him to get rid of crime scenes that might serve as evidence...Maybe I don't understand, Fuhito-san. So help me understand, what exactly are you getting at here?"

"Naegi-senpai..." Shuichi glared "that's enough. Mr Kirigiri is doing everything he can-!"

"And what exactly is that?" Makoto interjected, "what exactly is "everything he can?" Kyoko just told me he never even went into specifics with HER, so what did he tell YOU?"

Shuichi struggled to find a response, but Makoto didn't care. He felt the static in his ear, followed by a click in his other.

"Makoto! It's open!" Monomi called.

Fuck it!

RUN! RUN! RUN! - Persona 5

To Kirigiri's shock and horror, Makoto suddenly spun around and grabbed the handle of the door! Fully expecting it to be locked, he gasped in terror as Makoto pulled it down all the way, then cracked open the door.

"NO!" he roared "DON'T GO IN THEEERREE!"

"NAEGI-SENPAI, WAIT-WAAGH!?"

Shuichi frantically reached out to try and stop Makoto on Fuhito's behalf, but was caught off guard as Makoto grabbed his arm in retaliation, and pulled him inside the room with him, slamming the door behind him!

"NOT IN THERE!" Fuhito screamed, "DON'T GO IN THERE!"

"Grandfather!?" Kyoko panicked, "what's going on!?"

X

"Wait...Do you hear something?" Highwayman inside the Palace suddenly stood up as she heard a strange mechanical sound. Hearing the same noise, Razor also got to her feet.

The girls turned around, and were pleasantly surprised as they saw the gigantic, immovable door slide itself open!

Daredevil - Persona 5 Strikers

"It's open!" Highwayman jumped for joy, "see!? I told you they would do it!"

"Yeah, seriously!" Razor pumped her arms, just as excited, "oh! But we should hurry! It might close again any second!"

"Yeah! Let's go!" Highwayman fastened her hat, then she and her fellow thief broke out into a sprint through the door!

The goal was to find a security room or some other place like it that would let them keep the door open before it closed up again. However, it was just Highwayman and Razor on their own for now, so if they ran into any trouble, it would be just the two of them to fend it off.

And regrettably, it didn't take long for trouble to find them. No sooner did they dive through the doorway that a lone security Shadow ran into the room to check on the disturbance. It was by itself, but its different shape and attire suggested it was a lot tougher than most other enemies the thieves had encountered in the Palace so far.

"You got past the door!? Impossible!" the Shadow growled, "you are trespassing on Dollmaker Kirigiri's territory! Turn back, or I'll turn you to dust!"

The girls watched as the Shadow turned into a weird goop, then reformed into a huge beast. It seemed to be an amalgamation of several different creatures. It had a beastly tiger's body, with human-like hands, ending with bear-like claws. It also possessed a long white mane and a black face, with beady red eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. It also had a snake for a tail, with a snake's head on the end with sharp, supposedly venomous fangs.

"Psh! We're not scared of you!" Highwayman spat, "you want a fight!? You've GOT one!"

"Yeah! Sorry, but we're coming through, whether you want us to or not!" Razor added, "now move, before we make you!"

The monster crouched down and prepared to lunge at them, and in unison, Razor and Highwayman summoned their own Personas!

"Barrow! SUKUKAJA!"

"Parker! TARUKAJA!"

Using their Personas, Razor felt herself gain a boost of speed and agility, while Highwayman felt a burst of power and force! As the chimera Shadow lunged at them, they grabbed their weapons and prepared to make it rue the day!

X

"This is bad, Naegi-senpai!" Shuichi whispered, "we shouldn't be in here!"

"I-Is there a light somewhere?" Makoto replied, "see if you can get them on; I can't see a thing."

"Hold on. I've got it," Monomi chuckled, "you're going to like this, Makoto!"

Living in a Lazy Parallel World - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

The lights suddenly flickered on as Monomi bounded up and pulled the switch. When the room became illuminated, Makoto and Shuichi found themselves in some sort of study room. Books lined the walls, and in the back middle of the room was a desk with some open drawers, containing envelopes.

However, it didn't take either of the boys long to notice the elephant in the room...What was lying upon the desk.

"What...What is this...!?" Shuichi walked over to the desk, eyes scanning its top, "this can't be...!"

"Just as I thought..." Makoto growled. He suddenly felt his stomach sink, as a loud *CRASH!* burst behind him; Fuhito and Kyoko barging their way into the room after practically breaking the door down.

"GET OUT! Ah-!" Fuhito tried to command them, but his face turned pale as he saw the scene in front of him...

Standing behind him, Kyoko's eyes also widened in surprise and confusion, as they both watched Shuichi, holding items in both his hands, turn around to face them, his expression desperate and tears falling from his eyes. Makoto next to him, crossed his arms, his face sour and angry...

"Why...?" Shuichi whispered this single word. Kyoko stepped forward to better see what the two had discovered, and she raised her gloved hand and clasped her mouth in horror.

A set of envelopes, the same pad as the first threatening letter Shuichi had received...

A pair of plastic gloves with blood on them...Like the blood from the murdered pigeons...

Rusted nails; the same kind that was stabbed into the tires of the Saihara's car...

And a lighter...Freshly used, even though her grandfather didn't smoke...

It couldn't be...!

"Kirigiri-sensei...! Hah...haha..." Shuichi laughed in a state of disbelief and hysteria, "what IS all this...!?"

"Shuichi...listen to me...!" Fuhito was sweating a mile a minute, desperately trying to regain control of the situation, "come outside, and I'll explain everything."

"No! You will tell me HERE!" Shuichi snapped, "WHAT IS THIS!? WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS!?"

"Dear boy...please..." Fuhito's eyes became sad, "this is all for the sake of helping you."

"Helping...me...?" he repeated slowly.

"I told you I would have my men investigate, correct?" Fuhito smiled at him, "this is just my personal study. I've been using it to store evidence of the crimes committed against you, and I've been analyzing it in my own time. Once I found any traces of a potential culprit, I was going to tell you."

He bowed his head apologetically.

"I'm truly sorry for not bringing it up sooner. There were many other things I had to deal with, after all."

Shuichi hesitated, lowering his arms for a moment, still holding the evidence. His lips quivered as he tried to respond, but he didn't need to...as Makoto stepped forward and responded in his place...

"Don't you dare lie to him..."

"What?" Fuhito raised his head, his brow furrowed.

"You literally JUST told him that the investigators had no leads, and now, you tell him you've been keeping this evidence safe for his sake!?" Makoto glowered, "your stories very obviously contradict each other! And even if they didn't, you had NO REASON to keep that a secret from Shuichi! All it's done is leave him in a state of anxiety and fear for the past week, and you expect that this makes it all ok!?"

"What do you know?" Fuhito spat, "you're not even a detective!"

"No, but HE is...and so is your granddaughter!" Makoto shot back, "so what do YOU both think of this?"

"I...He is correct," Kyoko swallowed her pride and stood up to her grandfather, "you aren't doing a very good job at explaining yourself, sir."

"If you've been examining the evidence here on your own, what of your investigation team!? Have they seen it!?" Shuichi demanded, " Kirigiri-sensei, just tell me what's going on! I can't live like this anymore!"

"Shuichi, please understand...!" Fuhito scrunched up his face, sweating bullets the whole time, "this case is far more complicated than I first thought, and I'm doing all I can!"

"Then please, let me speak to the investigators directly so we can get to the bottom of this!" Shuichi cried desperately, "there's nothing else to lose at this point!"

"I CAN'T!" Fuhito snapped!

"Why not!?" Shuichi snapped back!

"I'll tell you why not," Makoto cut in, "it's because there ARE no investigators to speak to."

"What!?" Shuichi shouted.

"Isn't that right, Kirigiri-san?" Makoto raised an eyebrow, deciding to throw caution to the wind, "you haven't really reported this incident to anyone, have you? And the reason...is because YOU'RE the one responsible for the crimes against Shuichi and the SDA, aren't you?"

"You dare throw such an accusation right in front of me?" Kirigiri trembled, "how dare you!"

Makoto shrugged.

"All you have to do is summon these investigators here and let us speak to them," he told him, "do that, and I'll happily take it back. Like Shuichi said, at this point in time, there's no reason not to. It helps Shuichi AND proves your loyalty."

"I...I have NOTHING to prove...!" Kirigiri glowered.

"Sir...Did you...Did you do all of it...!?" Shuichi's face went even paler than usual, "please, don't tell me you've been behind it all along...!"

"Impossible...You're the one who took Shuichi on in the first place...!" Kyoko glared, her emotions clearly all over the place, "you've been encouraging and comforting to no end up until now...! So how could you...!?"

"I said...I HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE!" Fuhito spat violently, which made Makoto, Shuichi, and Kyoko nearly jump out of their skins! Swiftly, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a phone, hitting a few buttons.

"Wh-What are you doing!?" Makoto exclaimed.

"You brat...thinking you can just walk in here and point the finger at ME!?" the old man scowled, "I'm contacting my security firm! If you don't cease this baseless slander right now, I'm handing you both over to the police!"

"Me too!? Why!?" Shuichi cried, "I just want the truth!"

"YOU DON'T DESERVE THE TRUTH!" Fuhito cried! But just as he was about to send the message through to security, Monomi leaped off the shelf and smacked into Kirigiri's hand, knocking the phone onto the floor!

"RUN FOR IT!" she squeaked! Makoto certainly didn't need to be told twice! As Kirigiri crouched down to the floor in a desperate attempt to reclaim his phone, Makoto booked it past him, shoving past Kyoko and making a mad dash to escape from the building!

"Makoto-kun WAIT!" Kyoko called after him!

"NAEGI-SENPAI!" Shuichi also called, rushing past the Kirigiri's and chasing after Makoto, not sure of what to do!

"Don't be so naive!" Fuhito smirked evilly, "no matter how far you run, they'll be on you any moment!"

That was what he said, but fortunately, Makoto had a plan. He turned the corner and once he was out in an open area with few people around, he grabbed his phone and opened up the Metaverse Navigator.

Monomi hopped on his shoulder and the two prepared to jump into Fuhito's Palace!

...But then, something unexpected happened.

"Naegi-senpai! Wait a second!" 

"Oh no...!" Makoto said under his breath, turning around in horror as the young detective Saihara ran towards him, panting and out of breath, "NO! SHUICHI! DON'T COME NEAR ME!"

"What!?" Shuichi exclaimed, "why not!?"

Unfortunately...it was already too late...

[BEGINNING NAVIGATION]

Daredevil - Persona 5 Strikers

"Mazio!" Razor cried, several lightning bolts shooting out of her Persona towards the Night Chimera as she leaped in the air to dodge another one of its attacks! 

"Triple Down, Parker!" It landed in the perfect position for a hail of bullets from Highwayman after that! 

"And now...GIANT SLICE!" Razor and Barrow descended quickly towards the ground, with Barrow brandishing one its bladed arms and slicing straight through the Chimera's body!

Razor bounded off the creature's head and through the air, to which Highwayman caught her by her waist and twirled her around. Then, with their hands joined, they struck a pose together as the Shadow behind them burst into black dust!

"WOO! Teamwork baby!" instinctively, Highwayman pulled Razor into a tight hug, which flustered them both, so they quickly pulled away, "but jeez...That fight was tougher than I thought..."

"Well, I mean it WAS just the two of us," Razor reminded her, "it'd be a real pain if the door closed again or if we get spotted out here, so let's shut it down and get out as soon as we can."

"Righto! Lead the way!" Highwayman saluted. She followed Razor as she hurried into a rather obvious security room right behind the door, and waited as her fellow thief fiddled around with the main computer.

"Let's hope I get the button right this time~" she jokingly remarked, earning a chuckle from her friend. Fortunately, Razor took her time and carefully examined the computer, carefully reading the instructions on the monitor, and then clicking and pressing any buttons accordingly. Within a few moments, the entire system in the room shut down. Highwayman poked her head out the door, and sure enough, it had remained open.

"Yeah!" she raised her hand for a hi-five, which Razor swiftly returned, "so...now what?"

"Hey! Who's there!?" came a distorted and angry voice. The girls immediately went on guard.

"More of those assholes...!" Razor growled, "let's get out of here before they catch us!"

After making sure the area was clear, the girls hurried back through the large door into the auditorium, avoiding being caught by any incoming Shadows. However, only when they got out did they suddenly sense a strange disturbance.

X

"Hey...do you...hear something...?" Highwayman asked. 

Before Razor could respond, all of a sudden, a large red hole suddenly opened up in the air in front of them!

"What's that!?" Razor exclaimed, but her question was answered for her as a figure suddenly dropped from the hole and came crashing onto the stage floor in front of them!

DX Growth Plan - Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

"Mako-UH Leprechaun!?" Highwayman exclaimed, "when and how did you get here!?"

"OW! Ooh...gaaagh..." the Lucky Student groaned as he crawled to his feet, "it's kind of a long stor-OOHOGH!"

Razor cringed and Highwayman sucked air through her teeth, as Usami came shooting down, crash landing right into Leprechaun's head and smacking him back into the stage again!