Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hajime wasn't feeling right. This was something he knew as a fact. 

When he woke up this morning he could feel it. Throughout the day he could feel it. Even now as he sat "eating" the dinner made for the class he could feel it. He didn't know how to describe it, it just felt so...off to him. Like something was almost awakening in his mind right next to his own, like something was about to trigger it waking up. That just sent weird feelings across his head that seemed extremely similar to a standard headache, but it was different...just what could this be?

Now he has gotten sick before, the memories...the memories...he couldn't actually recall them at the moment...why couldn't he recall them...? Why couldn't he...Why?

He didn't even notice his brows furrowing as he stared down at the meal before him with a concentrated look, his fingers bending the utensil that was uselessly picking at the barely eaten food on the plate. This wasn't a sickness, even if he couldn't recall it he knew his body was by all accounts fine. It was just his head, maybe he was having a migraine? Did all the stress from he killing game start to impact him more than he thought? It would make sense, he wondered how he didn't break down after everything.

You sent them to their deaths after all.

His eyes widened a bit as the thought flashed across his mind. 

You led the verdict, Hinata. 

You brought them to their deaths.

All of this is your fault.

What...What the...?

"What's going on with me...?" The ahoge headed male questioned, putting his fist into his head as he tried to think. He didn't really think like this before, hell he wasn't sure if this was him at points. It sounded so foreign when he heard it in his head, so blank and empty, so detached from the world. That couldn't have been him, it couldn't have been...

"Maybe I just need some rest." He concluded, just deciding that his current thoughts and previous feeling may just stem from the stress of the killing game and whatever Monokuma's next motive was. For some reason, the sadistic bear hadn't given them one for over a week now, which is strange considering how quickly he gave one after they just arrived on the island and after the first death occurred. It put practically everyone on edge as to what it could be, but this time they were determined not to give into it.

But how could you be so sure?

Someone is going to commit a murder. 

Stop lying to yourself.

No, he was sure of it this time. There wouldn't be a murder around, not after everything. It may be weird of his usually cynical self but he had hope for once on it! As long as he was around there wouldn't be a murder!

As long as you're around, there will not be a murder?

How boring.

"Hey Hajime, are you alright?" Said boy was snapped from his thoughts, looking at his right to see a certain mechanic looking at him in both confusion and mild concern. The green eyed boy eyed as he laid back in his chair just enough for the furniture piece to levitate up the ground on the front, how he reeked of what smelled to be oil, the way his eyes danced across his body, the...

Why was he thinking all of that? 

"Hmm. Oh yeah I'm fine, just a small headache." He half-lied. Nobody would be able to tell him any differently anyways, they weren't feeling what he was feeling after all.

"A-Are you sure.? T-They can be pretty s-serious..." One Mikan Tsumiki said across from him. She stared at him in worry and what appeared to be affection; she had also barely touched her food either, probably at the staring she's been doing at him, and her breathing heaved her up and down a bit-

Seriously, why was he saying all of this about them? Hell it wasn't just them, he began to analyze everyone in the room as his eyes tracked around the room. From what they were doing, their posture, their conversations, how they could incorporate into a killing.

"I'm sure I'm fine, don't worry about it." Hajime would tell her, the nurse in front of him looking as if she had something to add but just reply with an "ok" and meek nod; all the while he would go back to picking at his food, his mind escaping him once more for reasons beyond him.

"Ehh, if you're sure." Kazuichi said unconvinced, but decided to let it be before going back to his daily staring of Sonia, who looked to be in a deep conversation with a certain breeder, something that got the boy to scowl a bit

"Hey Hajime. Have you ever been in love before?" He suddenly asked, getting the nurse across from him to perk up a bit as she stared at the person across from him intently

"Mhmm." Said person "answered", earning a squeak from the nurse and and his self proclaimed soul friend to nearly fall out of his chair 

"Oh shit really?! Who is it?! Come on, tell me tell me!" The beanie wearer questioned, beginning to shake his friend with anticipation who was unresponsive for a while. "Come on, come on, come on-"

Kazuichi froze, alongside Mikan who looked shook to her core, at the look Hajime gave him a few into his shaking. It was...cold, dead, and above all else a look of superiority that the brown haired male never had on his face; in fact, he might as well have had the opposite look on his face, though not close to someone like Nagito or Mikan. Speaking of his eyes, did they just turn red?!

"H-Hey, I get it. Stop looking at me like that..." He told his friend, letting said person go

"Huh? Looking at you like what?" Hajime questioned, looking as if the past second didn't happen and was just staring at his "soul friend" confused. This got him a stare from the mechanic, with the purple haired girl across from them doing the same but looking back and forth between the two, as if something was going to happen.

"Y-You seriously don't remember?! What was with that look of disgust?!" Kazuichi exclaimed shocked, earning him a stare or three from other's that noticed his scream. However, judging as it was Kazuichi, they just went back to whatever they were doing. 

"What are you talking about?" The male next to him asked, prompting his friend to quickly turn towards the nurse across from them, who squeaked when attention was suddenly brought to her

"Mikan! You saw that too right?! I can't be crazy!" The pink haired male asked the girl, who began to shift uncomfortably in her seat as the person across from her looked at her as well

With how eccentric he is, he would do doubt be seen as crazy to some.

"Wait what?" Hajime questioned, wincing to himself a bit once the voice left his head. Damn, his headache was getting worse, but what were these thoughts he was hearing in his brain? They didn't sound like him, nor anyone else he at least remembers meeting as he can't actually remember anyone outside of this classes voices for some reason...not even his parents...or even...even...

"I-I did!" Mikan cried out, snapping the boy out of his thoughts. It also in turn got him to smack a head onto his head, gripping it as he leaned down and hissed. The pain was getting worse, and the noise of the class in the cafeteria wasn't making things any better. Why was it getting this bad?!

"I-I'm sorry! I-I causing you pain being loud even when you have a h-headache! You may write on me as p-punishment!" The poor girl exclaimed with tears in her eyes. With how she speaks along with what she offers to others, and the constant want of forgiveness, she must have grown up abused on many fronts. Taking into account her other- 

"Shut up...!" Hajime thought to himself. His head was banging, throbbing, and he felt as if it might burst open. His pain must've been visible, if the stares from Soda and Tsumiki told you anything. They are looking at you with worry, Hinata. Maybe you should answer them before they bother you more. 

"Hey man...You don't look so hot, you should probably go and rest for the night." Kazuichi suggested 

"Y-You sure...?" The green eyed male asked, slowly removing his hand from his face; though it was tempting to place it back there when the pain began again. "I...I didn't eat much...and I haven't spoken to you guys much..."

"I-It's alright! I'm just glad that you were willing to invite me here anyways." Mikan said with a happy smile and blush on her face, which quickly turned into fear. "I-I'm sorry if that came off to comfortable! Please-"

"Yeah, you should get some rest. We'll be here tomorrow, and if you still feel bad I'll just deliver whatever you need to you then...as long as I don't get sick, what you have isn't contagious right?!" The boy in yellow asked fearfully, looking close to bolting from the table

"I-Hope not..." His pal responsed with a weak smile. Rising up onto his feet and nearly tumbling over, he let go of his grip on the table that helped him stand up straight before beginning to make his away to the door

"D-Do you want me to walk to your cabin?" Mikan asked nervously and in worry. Not surprising, besides the musician you're the only one to be around her out of everyone on this island. Perhaps her feelings go beyond just caring for you as a friend?

"N-No Milan, I'll...I'll be fine by myself..." He told her, the nurse somewhat dejectedly nodding as the boy made his way out of the restaurant they ate at with an almost wobble to his step, something that caught stares from his tablemates and even other people in the room

A few minutes later, and Hajime was still making his way over towards his cabin. He felt awful. The pain in his head, something he was now convinced was a migraine, was threatening to shoot something right out of his skull; it was hard to not cry out in pain with how much it was banging in his skull, or how hard it was to not just pass out. He could barely even see or focus on anything with the pain in his head, and it was a miracle he hadn't tripped and fallen by now, even with him stopping in his tracks at points to catch his breath. 

Speaking of breath, the headaches weren't the only problem with him; no, there was a plethora of others. His body felt weak, as if it was barely functioning. Despite how much he was sweating, his body felt cold, but his insides felt like they were on fire. But above all else he was just tired, and wanted to go into his cabin and knock out for the day. 

This wasn't something ordinary he realized. Whatever he caught...it was something bad, something extremely bad, and he had a feeling it wasn't going to go away anytime soon. Maybe he should've asked Mikan to check on him after all...

"Hey hey." A soft voice called out from next to him. Turning his head slowly but surely, he would meet a pair of night-emotionless but clearly concerned eyes peering up at him, belonging to none other than the Ultimate Gamer herself. 

Nanami.

"Chiaki? What are you doing here?" Hajime got out, managing to hide his inner pain well. Though that didn't stop the gaze of the mauve haired girl, who continued to stare at him with a small hum until she turned to match the direction he was facing, gripping the straps of her backpack. 

"I finished my food and realized that you left. So I asked Kazuichi where you went so that we could play something together, but he told me you weren't feeling well." She answered

"Oh...That..." He trailed off. Chiaki really went out of his way to come and play games with him this late? That was...oddly heartwarming. It managed to ease his pain; not by much but still. 

"Are you doing okay? I can stay in your cabin with you for the night if you need." She suggested innocently, something that got the boy next to her to blush over

"H-Huh?!" He exclaimed, and if it wasn't for his own embarrassment he probably would've noticed the flush on the gamer's face

"Well when you're sick, you would want someone to be with you to help you, I think. So if I was there for the night, things wouldn't be so bad, probably." She then elaborated, looking down a bit

"U-U-Uh..." The brown haired male tried to get out, not sure if he should deny or accept the proposition of the gamer. However just as he began to say something he felt a chill go through his body, and for reason felt an extra pair of eyes stare not at himself, but at Chiaki. The worst part, in was once again in his own head. 

Nanami.

She's not the real one.

The only one our body and mind never truly forgot.

She's alive, and you've been with her for a long time now. 

Interesting.

At once Hajime a hand to his head, letting out low grunts of pain as shocks began to fill his head, like as if lightning itself was traversing throughout his brain. It was like his brain was glitching, and that's what it seemed like in his thoughts and through his eyes. Glancing around he saw the world switching between that of the area near the cabin's and a dark, dull looking dungeon type of area, the aura of death and despair radiating across the entire place. 

But that wasn't the worst part, that couldn't even begin to describe it. When he looked down at the now visibly concerned Chiaki next to him, he saw her bloody and full of holes; her life fading from her eyes as she said words he couldn't even begin to hear before she fell. Gasping, he found himself back to the actual world he was previously in, everything how it was despite how...real it all felt. It was terrifying, and for reasons beyond him he felt like breaking down in regret and guilt at the look of both fake and present Chiaki. 

"I should come with you." Said girl told him. "You don't look well, and you spaced out for a few minutes there. I-"

"It's fine Chiaki." He told her quickly, not even bothering to hide the pained look on his face nor the similar body language he exhibited as he began to walk towards he cabin slowly. "I'll...I'll see you tomorrow..."

It was silent for a few moments besides the nature and Hajime's struggled grunts, but eventually he would make his way into his cabin, leaving Chiaki alone. Her face was laced with worry, and she stepped forward as if to follow him before deciding against it, and just uttered something that she knew her friend couldn't hear anymore. 

"Yeah, see you tomorrow..."

Hajime meanwhile was sitting by his door, his back to it as he hunched over and gripped at his head. Flashes of times that he realized was before this killing game flooding his mind. But the memories weren't of anything normal; not him going out with friends, not him at home, not him even just studying. He was seeing flashes of times he was in a dark room, surrounded by what appeared to be doctor's that looked down at him, and at varying points watching as they ran tests on him, or even operated on him. He felt the pain from then, and even in the tube he found himself staring out of did nothing to hinder the feeling throughout his wired and growingly malnourished body. 

It was exhausting, it was painful, and he wanted nothing more than to die and beg for everything to stop the more he stayed within those thoughts. Regret filled his body rapidly, as if he contributed to this, and before he knew it he found himself walking over towards his bed and falling right onto it back side up. In his last thoughts before he drifted into unconsciousness, he hoped that he would be better in the morning.

Too bad nothing seemed to go smoothly on this despairful island.

???

Hajime woke up after what felt like an eternity, jolting up with wide eyes and breaths hitched. He saw nothing for a long time, and before he knew it he was awake and breathing instead of the dark void he was in before. He was quick to shoot to his feet, looking at his hands and body to make sure he was still there before looking around, only to find nothing but an empty white void around him. 

"Hello?! Is someone there?!" He shouted. This was most likely a dream he thought, and the blackness he was in was probably a dream within another dream. That was the only thing that made sense unless Monokuma did something weird, though it wasn't out of the realm os possibilities...

"Hello?!" He called out once again, but got nothing but silence. Sighing to himself, he would cross his arms and begin to think. Everything felt real enough that he wasn't even sure if he was dreaming to be honest, but that was the only logical explanation for things so he just rolled with it. He was only there by himself, so calling for people would be use-

"You are not only here yourself, Hinata. I am here with you." 

"Oh thank G-wait what?"

Hajime turned around quickly, and just like the voice said he wasn't alone. There stood another male, standing at the same height as him, with red eyes that looked like target signs and long black hair that looked like tendrils, with some strands even going down to his feet. He wore a black suit alongside black pants and a black tie, a white dress shirt underneath his suit as well. He held an absolutely bored look, but his gaze was sharp, and Hajime felt as if he was being observed down to his soul with how he was staring at him. 

What got him the most though...was that the person looked exactly like him, and his voice was the same as the one in his thoughts earlier. What in the actual Hell was going on...?

"It seems as if your consciousness is leaving to the depths of our brain once again, while mine is coming back to the front." The person said, confusing Hajime greatly, something that the man in the suit noticed but decided not to comment on

"Truth be told I did not predict this, I only expected myself to return once the simulation ended once I realized that you managed to come out once it started. I suppose this is interesting enough, to see the effects of two different beings inside the same body inside this killing game simulation."

"Wait a moment! Simulation? Two different being inside the same body? What are you talking about? Just who are you, where am I?" Hajime interrupted before the black haired male could go on, something that got a silent stare from the male in return 

"I am you, but you are not me. You are Hajime Hinata, the true owner of this body and mind, while I am someone that was brought into this boring world and therefore your body and mind through trying to gain the Ultimate Hope. I am someone that took over your life for over two years while you were pushed to the depths of our mind while I lived on. To put it simply Hinata, you are dead, and I am living in your place." The person told him emotionlessly, shocking the other to his core

"...What...?" The green eyed male before a nervous smile appeared on his face. "Very funny...This...This is all fake, I'm just dreaming...this is all because I wasn't feeling well..."

"That sickness was because your body was attempting to bring me back to the forefront, which goes the same for your mind. However, as I have no memories before my creation and have done little research on you and your life before you entered the Hope Cultivation Project, you were unable to remember anything from your life, much like your lack of knowledge about your time at Hope's Peak Academy. Or should I say, the Reserve Course of Hope's Peak Academy." Was the response given plain and simple, the man in black even closing his eyes before staring back at the male in denial

"You saw the flashes, didn't you?"

"What?"

"Those were glimpses of my memories, of my creation and some time after I left. Although at some points I do not fully recall, which most likely means that during those moments me and you were officially becoming me, so in turn you would remember them more than I would. It would only make sense." The long black haired person told him, the person across from him staring at him in shock

"What are you talking about...?" Hajime questioned for seemed to be the umpteenth time

"As I do not know if I will be returning, I will not say anything. It might make things too boring in the killing game should you retain your memories of this time, and I doubt you would have the ability to keep anything here secret unless forced. Just know this, Hinata, you're time in this killing game is done; I will take your place." He was told, causing the ahoge headed male to step back a bit as beads of sweat began to form on his face, especially when the person began speaking up again

"For an unknown duration of time I will take your place in this game as an observer, and I will only participate should I find it fitting. You however will remain in the depths of your mind like I was previously, and unlike me you will not be able to view the game, as I was only able to due to my superior mind. You will be dead once again for the time being, and like in the past I will be in control." Was added on, and Hajime felt his heart drop

"D-Dead...I'll be...dead...? What kind of bullshit are your saying?!" He shouted at the person before once again feeling a jolting pain in his head, resulting in him dropping onto his knees and grabbed his head in utter pain

"It's only natural you wouldn't believe me, this could be a nightmare for all you know; one that tries to come up with an explanation for your pain. But I can assure you this is real, and you will see in a few moments. It looks like I'm about to wake up." The red eyed male said, and before Hajime knew it his body will become more and more transparent

"What's happening...What's going on...?! Stop! Stop! Come back!" He cried out in shock and terror, trying to touch himself but finding his slowly disappearing hands going through him. What's worse, the person that just told him he would take his body would begin to levitate, and begin rising up as he looked down at him. 

"Goodbye, Hajime Hinata." Was what he said before looking up. "For now I, Izuru Kamukura, will live your life. May we never cross paths again, in the real world or the virtual world. You were boring."

"Izuru..." Hajime got out, fearfully looking up and trying to reach him. "Izuru! Don't leave me here! Izuru come back! Come back! Don't-"

He felt his breath hitch, and soon found his arms enclosing himself in a cloud, tears beginning to prick at his eyes as he finally realized the situation he was in. In a few seconds he was about to die, for God knew how long, while some person he's never met declared he would take control of his body and potentially get themselves or others killed. Even if this wasn't real...it sure felt like it. 

"Don't...kill anyone...please...someone...help..."

Izuru simply looked down once he saw the boy he shared a body with disappear, his expression not changing once from the bored one he always wore. He didn't get to talk with him more, but with like anyone else but one he couldn't even find an interest in them, not even his other half. So with a light sigh of disappointment, he continued his levitation.

"Real" World:

The body on the bed was silent as it woke up, it sitting up on the mattress and looking around the place. Clenching and unclenching his hands, blinking his eyes, and simply observing his surroundings proved everything the one in control needed to know. With an emotionless look on his face, he would stare forward silently, as if to await an arrival. 

It was done, Izuru Kamukura was now a participant in the Killing School Trip. 

Chapter Text

"Hmm."

Izuru would hum lowly to himself as he looked around the room, the room that Hajime Hinata had once occupied and spent portions of his time within this killing game within. It was plain, boring, but not unexpected. After all the simulation was meant to accommodate those with talent, and since Hajime did not posses one his room would noticeably be empty, nor would he be able to make renovations like others due to him not "remembering" either; though he had to admit, the only one similar room design wise would be that lucky student Komaeda. 

His voice was similar to Hajime's based off his earlier hum, though when spoke a word it was how his voice was when he was around the past two years. Blank, emotionless, aloof even; something completely different from the observing, sometimes pessimistic, and while cautious good meaning Hajime's. Forgoing his bed and heading to his restroom, he would notice his eyes were his other self's green, and his hair still the same as well. It was definitely a different look than what he's come to know, but the interest died out the moment it arrived. 

*Clink* *Clink* *Spray*

It would be then he took a bath, after all he needed to perform his basic hygiene as it was the next day after all. The water touching his skin, the air surrounding him, despite knowing it was all fake it still felt real, like he was int he real world. It was somewhat intriguing, but even that died out quickly as he left the tub and walked to get new clothes. He could pass off and stay in his room for the day, everyone would believe him if he said he was sick should Soda, Tsumiki, or...Nanami tell them, with the only problem being some's possible insistence to speak and or see him, mainly the nurse due to her liking of his other half as well as doing what her talent required. 

But honestly, he wouldn't stay in his cabin the rest of the day. He's joined this killing game after all, and none of the pain from the transfer stuck with him. He could go out and explore the island's more than Hajime did just to see what was in store and how they could be used, and take his time going to the group's dining meetings to get a grip on the day he couldn't see as well   as further information on the class he couldn't already deduct. His viewing of the world inside of Hajime was limited after all, and he's only truly known the rest of the class when they were Ultimate Despair's, so it would only be beneficial to go out and explore. Despite this he had no real interest to interact with any of them, but if he wanted to pose as Hajime, who seemed pretty popular amongst everyone from what he's seen, he would have to. 

"How boring." Izuru thought to himself as he exited his now bathroom, only but a towel on his lower regions as he walked towards his closet. First he would need to dress the part, then-

"Well look at what we have here! Izuru Kamukura!"

And there was that sadistic bear. 

"Monokuma." The Ultimate of Ultimate's acknowledged, not even staring at the robot as he opened his closet. To no surprise, half of the closet was filled with Hajime's clothes, while the rest was suits, the exact same as he wore prior to entering the Neo World Program. 

"You like~? I did the special renovations just for you!" The monochrome bear told him excitedly, receiving only silence from the person that began putting on the clothes of Hajime Hinata. "Oh? Wearing that?"

"If I'm going to blend in, I would need to wear something similar to Hinata as to not draw attention to myself that I do not need."

"Why not say you're trying something different?"

"The reactions would be obvious." He said plainly, now fully dressed and finally turning to face the headmaster. "Bring out Enoshima." 

"Aww, don't you wanna speak to me? I am your glorious headmaster after all! I even took the time to remodel your closet for your iconic outfit! Can I even get a thank you?!" 

The unmoving look on the Ultimate's face told him all he needed to know, and with an angry look and red face the bear said, "Fine! Not like I care at all!"

Reaching behind his back, the bear would seemingly out of nowhere pull out a flip phone that he then raised into the air like a game character would a newly found item. Flipping said phone open, he would hold it out towards the brown haired male who stared at it plainly, watching as it crackled with life until the upper portion of the girl that influenced him into despair appeared. She grinned one of her signature grins, one that would charm many just from the look alone, but he knew better. That was the look of a demon that just received wonderful news, and he just so happened to be the news. 

"Kamukura dearest! I'm so glad to see you back!" She exclaimed merrily as if she just saw an old friend during a reunion, and she only got one of her "partner's" infamous blank stares

"Explain Enoshima." Was all he said, the girl somehow having a crown over her head whilst placing her hands on her hips

"Can't you tell already Kamukura? With my brilliant ideas and through the power of altering the system, I was able to bring you out and about so you too can have fun in this killing game! Just like my dear, dear sister did!" She told him in a haughty, "queen" like voice 

"And how did you manage that? I assume your newest motive? One that can bring memories back those in a sickly manner, if the way Hajime was feeling were to be used to indicate anything. Although the main cast would be the transfer regardless, especially on such short notice." The Ultimate Hope stated, the girl within the phone snapping her fingers 

"Correct! This is the result of my newest motive, the Despair Disease!" 

"..."

"What?" She asked confused, and the male in front of her actually had the light urge to roll his eyes 

"Nothing worth discussing. Have the others been given this disease as well, or has it just been my host?" Izuru questioned, the strawberry-blonde just giggling from the phone 

"That'll spoil the surprise! Can't let you know too much now!" She replied merrily, elicting a stare from the person that soon close his eyes. She had a point after all, though he could already figure out what happened based on her comment. 

"Unless...~" She began, a finger to her chin in a thinking position, getting the male to look at her again. "You wanna mastermind this game?"

".." Izuru was silent at the suggestion, and continued that silence once the girl put her hands to her chin and donned a cutesy look

"You see." She began in an overly cute voice to match. "You were the one that brought me here, and you alongside Mukuro helped kickstart the tragedy. It would only make sense if you decided to full on be the game-master, hiding in secret and ordering around Monokuma and all that junk-"

"Boring." He told her, which got the grey eyed girl to place her hands behind her head

"Knew it, guess I'm going to be all alone as I rule then. Shame really, with you with me there'd be a much easier time taking these idiots over so I can come back." Junko said in indifference, prompting Izuru to go and walk towards his door

"Leaving so soon? We could stay and talk about our feelings."

"I have no need to discuss anything further."

"Oh I see, getting straight to the killing huh?"

"I'm going to simply observe and interact, nothing more nothing less. Don't get in my way, Enoshima." He told her, beginning the open the door of his cabin as the girl in the phone put a hand to her mouth and grinned

"Please, you know I'm not Junko yet. Just call me Alter Ego." She said, the boy leaving not even a second later and getting a wave from her. "See ya later Kamukura doll! Don't die!"

The green eyed male ignored her and continued his walk. From what he could sense everyone was at the restaurant, which made sense as it was a bit later than morning announcement they usually got, and that's where they gathered in the morning after all. It built camaraderie, and allowed little groups to build within the island, making them and the others around them feel safer and more at peace with the situation around them. 

It could also result in a murder. One through betrayal of the one you trusted, or through the use of that trust. From what he gathered it was how Koizumi was killed in a sense, and furthermore how both Saionji was led to be a leading suspect, and how Kzururyuu and Pekoyama enacted their plan. Should he himself commit a murder, or be a participant in another's, he had a great feeling that that would be what would happen. Could he do a murder by himself and potentially get away with it? Yes, but that would be boring. 

Pulling out his pad, he would skim over the rules of the game and take a glimpse at the pet his other half took care of; at least it was something to do whenever he had nothing else. Added on, the rules of the killing game were extremely similar to the one at Hope's Peak, though with some minor additions. It put quite the new perspective on the killing, and with this "Despair Disease" running amok in the near future if he was correct, the third island would be used as well alongside the rules due to the hospital present. That definitely put suspicion on Tsumiki, who's talent was the Ultimate Nurse, but if he could somehow pass off as being not sick he could become involved in a killing himself. After all, a tale of his was the Ultimate Doctor. 

Those thoughts soared through his mind for a while before eventually leaving, the Ultimate Hope made his way into the lobby in order to make it to the dining hall where everyone else would normally be at. However he stopped and stared at the girl sitting in the lobby playing one of the games present, eyes blank but focused as she moved her character through the screen with the grace of a professional. She was of course Chiaki, and Izuru caught himself observing her while she was none the wiser. 

"Nanami." He thought to himself. He had no memories of her, which wasn't unfamiliar with him as he had no memories of anyone besides those he met after being created. But for some reason he still had a strong feeling towards her, something he's never had for anyone; not the doctors, not his former parents, not Enoshima, not even his other half, but the pink haired gamer girl. Added to the fact that she knew him since before he was made, and from the looks of things held strong feelings for his other half, she was a matter of genuine interest for him. 

But the girl in front of him, she wasn't Nanami. 

She was a fake, make in the likeness of the rest of the class and his few meetings of her so they could once again have her with them during this trip in the program. The real Nanami was dead, a death he helped play a part in. He could've helped her to preserve his interest; stopped Enoshima, went down to aid her, or even save her fleeting life as she laid beaten and bloody on the ground in front of him no matter how little of a chance she had of living. But he didn't, and she was gone, with nothing but memories of her laying out in the real world. 

It was the one thing he ever found him regretting in any manner. It managed to even put a one sided strain on his relationship with Enoshima because of it. She was the only person to truly invoke interest in him, as even Enoshima's despair became boring relatively fast. But Nanami, she made him shed tears, made him mourn and grieve, and he had no means to bring her back. This girl wasn't her, but made in her image, so she was the next best thing he got to figuring out just why she meant so much to him. After all all this version and Hajime were close from the snippets he saw, something he guessed was the same before he became him, but this would be a good way to figure things out more. 

"Hmm, oh Hajime. Are you feeling better?" Chiaki questioned, having felt a stare on her for a few seconds and looking towards that direction to see her friend. She looked relieved, even smiling at him, something that Izuru took note of. 

"Yes, I just needed to sleep things off. I think I had a bug or something." He said, mimicking Hajime's voice-not hard since they have the same one technically-as well as speaking patterns and even body mannerisms. Once of his talents was Ultimate Actor and Ultimate Imposter, so doing this wasn't anything big. 

"That's good." She said before going back to her game, prompting the green eyed male at the door to walk next to her and stare at the screen she played on. It was some fighting game, and it was no surprise that the backpack wearer was winning.

"Do you want to go a round?" She asked him, not taking her eyes off of the screen and receiving a shrug from the person behind her, giving her her answer

The game was done quickly, and so the two sat next to each other and played next. The result was...a shocker, to one of them at least. You see, Hajime always lost to Chiaki whenever they played something, but here Izuru practically dominated without even really trying to; to him her movement's were easy to read, and despite having never played the game before got used to the controls extremely quickly, and the matches ended 3-0 in a best to 5. 

"How boring." He thought to himself, and for a moment his normal gaze and posture returned before reverting back to Hajime's. No surprise he won of course, but the game itself was boring and the way Chiaki played didn't impact him at all despite being the Ultimate Gamer. Maybe he-

"Good games Hajime, that was really fun." She said, looking up at him with a warm look and smile, something that puzzled the male next to her slightly 

"Didn't you lose? How could that be fun to be beaten at something you specialize in?" He questioned, not even attempting to act anymore 

"Well since you beat me for the first time like that, I feel more motivated to win, which is something I don't normally feel as everyone I play against lose. I haven't had a game like that since I was really young, so I know I need to get better, and I like that feeling. It makes thing less boring, I think." She told him 

"..." He was silent at the answer, only turning his attention back towards the game. "Let's do another then."

"Let's do it." She said before starting up another game. The next few they would then play were all one sided wins in Izuru's favor, but Chiaki looked to be having fun regardless, and before they knew it the boy stood up bored. 

"Well I'm going to go now, I have to eat after all." Izuru told her, back replicating Hajime. He slipped up earlier, but he doubted that she would be able to tell the difference, especially with how absorbed she was in the matches.

"Do you mind if I join you later?" She asked, going onto the menu and getting a stare from the Ultimate

"Did you not eat yet?" He asked, the girl looking back at him with her normal blank look

"Well I ate with Sonia and Gundham earlier since we were early, and when I finished I came down here. Nobody left yet, so you could still speak to them if you want. I...Just want to speak with you more later, that's all." She told him, a push towards the end that the brown haired male noticed but dropped concern quickly after 

"Sure, it'll be fun with you around." He said, and the two made their goodbye's shortly after as Izuru left to go upstairs and Chiaki remaining at her game. Unbeknownst to him though, the girl gained a worried and cautious look on her face the moment she heard him fully go up the stairs.

Something was wrong, really wrong, and she for the life of her couldn't figure out why. She just knew that Hajime wasn't himself in some way, and that worried her. 

In the Restaurant:

Izuru took notice of many things within the room when he first entered, one of which was that is was noisy. 

Besides Chiaki who was still downstairs, everyone else was in the hotel's restaurant already eating in their own little sections. Tanaka and Nevermind were both at a table to themselves alongside the former's hamster's, the latter looking at the boy and his pets marvelling and in wonder as he told some sort of story. Mioda and Saionji sat with Komaeda and Kuzuryu, the previous two listening in with varying degrees of attention as they discussed performances. Owari and Nidai were eating, one more sloppily than the other, and they looked pretty content to themselves. That left Tsumiki and Soda-

"Yo Hajime!"

With one calling for "him" right about now. 

"Glad to see you're feeling better, I thought someone would have to bring you a meal from your dorm." Kazuichi said with one of his famous grins as Izuru pulled out a seat next to him, the nurse across from them nodding

"Y-Yes! H-Happy you're fine, Hajime..." She added nervously, pressing her fingers together 

"Thanks, sleeping really did wonders for whatever I caught." Hajime said, the pink haired male next to him giving him a curious look

"What did you catch anyways man?" He asked, earning a shrug from the tie wearer

"A bug I guess." He replied, causing the girl in front of him to spark up in worry

"D-Do you need to to do a check up? S-Sorry if that was sudden!" Mikan asked before immediately backpedaling, almost withering once Izuru began looking at her

"N-No, I'm good. Thank you for asking though." He said, getting a light blush from the girl and an elbow nudge from his "friend' next to him, getting got brown haired male to roll his eyes

The next few minutes between the three was spent of eating and talking about random subjects,  stuff that didn't interest Izuru in the slightest. As a result he, while keeping his gaze on them, began to turn his attention towards everyone else in the room, observing them. He's only really known them from when they were Ultimate Despair's, but he pretty much got a good grasp on them from how he saw them act from observations during their high school days, from how they were post tragedy, the minimal amounts he's seen from in Hajime's conscious, and through his listening to them now. It helped, because now he knew how they were be like as killer's, especially if the new motive got revealed soon, or even for future ones.

Out of everyone here Soda and Nevermind were the most likely to kill, with Saionji, Owari, and Komaeda being in that same camp but only under more personal or dire circumstances. Though, the white haired lucky student was sending off the most alarms in his mind as he thought things over, none of which truly interested him. 

Tanaka and Nidai wouldn't kill normally, but would most likely under situations forcing them to. Even then, it'd most likely be for another. 

Tsumiki and Kuzuryu wouldn't kill more often than if they would, they were too kind hearted for that unless pushed over the edge, especially the latter. The former, definitely if she got her Ultimate Despair memories back. She was one of the craziest of the bunch, someone even Enoshima praised for it. 

Mioda and Nanami were two he saw not killing at all, unless the musician got his memories back as an Ultimate Despair. Nanami wouldn't kill, she just didn't get that feeling from her, not even if to kill an evil. She was too good hearted, even as a fake. 

Him however, he saw 100% doing it or 100% not doing it. There was no real reason to, but the class trial that could come from it could aid in satiating his boredom for a while. But then again...

"Why hello there Hajime!" The raspy voice called out from in front of him, and he would turn his attention towards the lucky student that took a seat next to Mikan with a smile plastered on his face 

Speaking of Komaeda. Might as well get this over and done with, he had more observations to make.

Chapter Text

Nagito Komaeda.

He, without doubt, outside of himself was the person with the most potential to alter the course of this entire killing game. He had no real contact with the boy outside of two interactions, and with both and the further he could tell from his minor observations of him in and out of this game he could tell one thing. He was the nigh antithesis to Junko Enoshima with his preach of hope, something that even stuck with him even when he was an Ultimate Despair, to the point he both loved Junko like the others but also hated her through and through.

He was boring, just like everything else. Well, most of everything else. The only thing he would be count as "interesting" for the hoodie wearer was his luck, but even then his own luck beat his out...for the most part. Other than that he had no real desire or motive to interact or engage with him, despite how much trouble he caused the others during the killing game.

But right now, he was almost forced to. The boy had a calm and relaxed smile on his face as he sat down to the nervous looking nurse next to him, a look that while normal on him, could unnerve most who truly knew what he was like. It certainly put Mikan and Kazuichi on edge, but not so much Izuru. He just wanted to get whatever Nagito was going to say over with as soon as possible.

"Hey...Nagito." The Ultimate Hope greeted in an awkward tone. From what he understood about Hajime, while he didn't really like Nagito after the stunt he pulled, he was at the same time intrigued by him, and even to a point understood him. Of course that didn't stop awkward interactions, but still helped get an idea of their relationship.

"..." The white haired boy, to his greeting though, just stayed silent. In fact he was staring him, expression having turned blank. Izuru knew he was studying him for whatever reason, but at the same time wouldn't be able to figure out anything different. Nagito was smart, probably the smartest on the island bar him, but he couldn't know something about him...not yet anyways.

"Hey, back off don't ya! What's gotten into you now?!" The mechanic next to him exclaimed, both annoyed and nervous. He didn't like the look Nagito was giving, it had to mean he was planning something; and he wasn't about to let his soul friend get involved in his mess!

"Hmm..." The boy just hummed in response, unsettling everyone present at the table but Izuru. Said person was not surprised when the hope lover smiled once again, extending his arms somewhat.

"I knew it! Your hope is shining extremely bright today! It's unlike anything I've seen before! I always knew you were special!" He would then exclaim, getting Izuru to close his eyes and the boy next to him to scowl

"If that's all, can you go on and leave! You're giving me the creeps!" Kazuichi exclaimed at him once again, the white haired male putting his hands up in defense with closed eyes and a smile, s if trying to defuse the situation before it got out of hand

"Now you don't have to yell. I'll be on my way." Nagito said, getting up from his chair and moving away and back towards where he was sitting

"Jeez, what a creep. Just sitting somewhere and staring at someone like that." The sharp teethed male remarked

"U-Um, don't you also do that with Sonia...?" Mikan piped up, the mechanic in front of her going slack jawed

"W-Well, t-that's-"

"I wouldn't worry about it." Izuru interrupted before the Ultimate could give out a seemingly pathetic excuse. "While that was...weird, I doubt Nagito was planning anything."

"I-If you say so." The purple haired girl said, a light smile on her face. Kazuichi however, wasn't as convinced, but decided to keep quiet about it for now. It was probably just Nagito being weird.

With that the three would continue their "conversation", which mainly consisted of rambling from Kazuichi rambling and the other two just watching or responding. It wasn't something he cared for, so after a while he just tuned Kazuichi out, especially once he got all of the information he needed in terms of how he guessed everyone would spend their breakfast's.

However, that would result in him missing something rather important.

"Psst! Nagito!" The white haired male in question turned around at the hushed exclamation, excusing himself from his table and walking towards the staircase. In the middle would stand Chiaki, a lightly concerned look on her face as the boy descended a bit.

"Well?"

"Yeah, you were right, something seems off about him. I don't know what though, he still appears to be Hajime all round. But something's...different." The boy told her, hands on his chin and glancing over in thought

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too." Chiaki replied, sullenly pulling her hood over her head. "I wonder what it could be...I've got a bad feeling..."

"Same over here...I'm sure things won't be so bad though. This is Hajime we're talking about." Nagito tried to reassure, though the gamer wasn't convinced, something the luckster took note of and slightly frowned at

Guess he'll have to keep a close eye on Hajime. Maybe whatever this feeling was had to deal with the next motive...

Timeskip:

After a while of more eating, many people would split off from each other and or go their separate ways. This was true for his trio was well, Kazuichi going off to tinker with some machines on the third island to build something to hopefully impress his crush, while Mikan went off to the hospital to check over the Yakuza heir. Izuru was left alone, and judging by how he had absolutely nothing to do, he just began walking around the island for his newfound free time. 

Everyone was off in their own little groups doing their own thing, so he was able to be in peace as he moved around. At first however he felt eyes, two pairs matter of fact, following him for a moment before leaving; he had a good idea on who that was, but moved on swiftly from thinking about it much. The look through the island's were...boring to say the least, nothing catching his eye in any shape or form. Though that wouldn't come as a shock...

"No surprise, everything around is uninteresting..." He thought to himself, hands in his pockets. There was nothing of value on this "Neo World Program" asides from the fact it was all virtual. Clever and advanced design, but not much else to it. Though that was to be expected, it was a simple few islands meant to rehabilitate the Ultimate Despair's and help remove them from Enoshima's control after all. 

"However..." He quickly thought after. Would...That include him? Unlike the others he followed Enoshima on his own command, and wasn't "infected" or brainwashed with despair like them either. The rehabilitation in theory shouldn't work on him...

...But it brought back Hajime Hinata, someone who should have been long dead once he fully took over, and subsequently pushed him into the back of his other half's mind with limited. If this simulation went on as planned...would he have died, and Hajime would come back? 

Now that was interesting to think about. Two souls inside of one body, one trying to advance over the other to exist over the other and push them into a death like state? The only thing similar was those was Dissociative Identity Disorder, and he was very curious about the results in the future. 

Though, that does assume he or his other half lives through this killing game. Even he wasn't 100% sure...

"Squish! Squish!"

Izuru stopped at hearing the sudden elated, guessing that he was too in his own thoughts to have heard the feminine sounding voice. Looking to his right and towards the direction of the outside of the movie theater, he would see Hiyoko Saionji kneeling down and pressing her fingers on the ground. No doubt she was killing some innocent bugs, and honestly the now brained haired male was going to walk away and leave her be until she turned her head in his direction. 

"I knew I sensed a waste of air around me, hey Hajime!" She said merrily as if she didn't just insult him, resulting in said person sighing lightly and walking over towards her. He didn't have anything else to do, might as well "hang out" with the dancer.

"Hey Hiyoko." He respond, the girl putting a hand to her mouth and puffing her cheeks out like something was just hilariously said

"Did you forget you're my slave, you big dummy? Respond with more grace next time?" She told him, the boy's eyebrow arching ever so slightly 

"Slave?" He thought. Just what was his other half doing on this island that he couldn't see...actually, he almost didn't want to know. 

"But as your master, I will allow it this one time." She said before going back to squishing the little creatures on the ground that scattered for their lives 

"..." Izuru just remained silent as he continued staring at her and her actions. He couldn't lie, she wasn't really much of a threat, especially with her current stature. If anything she was an easy t-

"Hey, are you going to keep staring at me? I've always had a feeling you were a creep. You do hang out with that pathetic virgin and pig barf, so I can't be surprised." She remarked, turning her head back towards him

"...Do you mean Kazuichi and Mikan?" 

"Of course, who else?" 

"Well...You know what, whatever." He said, the girl smirking to herself and going back to her insect murder 

"You know, my slave shouldn't be hanging around such losers so often. You're already one, but being around them along with everyone else is going to do worse for you, you know? You should be around me, and you can follow my every command." She said with a little evil chuckle

"Is that someone with no friends is meant to say?" He commented bluntly and with a deadpan, the girl stopping her actions and standing up, then looking at him in shock and then annoyance

"Excuse me? I had a friend you know...but I wouldn't want to be friends with anyone else! They're all weird and stupid! Besides I'm above a lot of people because of my skillset, and I wouldn't want to demean myself by being around people less talented than I am." She said with a small huff, getting Izuru to cross his arms

"I guess that makes sense. When you're above so many people on a talented level...it will automatically place people on a lower level than you are, and it's hard to want to interact with them. I guess it'll only make sense for some to feel that way though." He commented, getting the banana haired blonde to blink at him before a smirk slowly graced her face

"Heh, you get it. You know, for a guy who can't remember his own talent, you sure do understand it." She replied, the boy in front of her giving her an awkward smile 

"Guess so." Responded Izuru. He wasn't lying when he said that, he had that feeling himself when it came to most others, but it was more so complete indifference and boredom than just full on believing to be above everyone else. 

"You know, with that little bit you've risen up my ranks a bit. Of course not as high as Mahiru or my dad, but just above everyone else here. Who knows, if you keep this up I'll perform a dance for you." She said, hands up in the air merrily 

"Oh, thanks." The ahoge headed male said, the girl quickly releasing a small laugh 

"As if! You'd probably sleep through it anyways!" She remarked, the boy in front of her blinking before giving her a small smile

"Even if that's true, I'd still try to say up and watch it through. You invited me after all, it'd be rude not to not watch it fully." He told her, and just like that the girl went silent for a few moments. Muttering under her breath about something akin to "daddy would say that", she would stare at him with a pleasant smile written on her face.

"Well I'll hold you up to that in the future then." She said before sighing lightly. "Man, now I'm hungry."

"There's food still in the dining hall."

"No not for that, for some candy. That brand of dummies at the market might be good." She said, putting a hand in front of her mouth as she gave a small laugh. "Wanna treat me to some?"

"I suppose I don't have a choice in the matter." He said, the girl chuckling and smiling happily at him

"Glad you're getting it through your head." She said, and moments later the two could be seen walking towards the market. A question was itching on Izuru's mind though, though he had a feeling he knew the answer already. 

"Do you truly not consider anyone on this island your friend, Hiyoko."

"Hehe, well I wouldn't be caught dead with any of you. But you're pretty tolerable, Ibuki is too somewhat. She at least has good taste in music."

"..."

Despite how uninterested in everything Izuru was, and how began to realize he slightly disliked being constantly mocked and called one's slave, he could admit it wasn't the worst way to spend some of his time. 

Timeskip:

After spending time with Saionji and listening to her ramble on about candies whilst eating them, Izuru would walk off and still find himself with some free time. So what better way to spend it than go to the beach? Some say it helps one think and relax, and because of the status of the outside world and his involvement with Enoshima he never got a chance to do so. So this would be a first time experience. 

"How boring."

Unsurprising to anyone including himself, the beach was nothing special. Though that may be because he was just standing on the sand and looking at the ocean. It was peaceful, he'll give it that; enough so he allowed himself to close his eyes and bask in the breeze and light that came onto his spot, his hair, clothes, and tie all moving lightly as well. Besides for said breeze, it was pretty silent, and despite how boring it was he could find himself coming here more often. 

Though that peaceful silence was ruined quickly after he came to that conclusion. 

"HAHAHAHA! I didn't expect to see you here Hajime! Wanted to enjoy the breeze I see!" One Nekomaru Nidai bellowed out, laughing while walking over next to the boy on the beach, who opened his eyes and looked over towards the muscular male slight bored 

"Nekomaru, what are you doing here?" Izuru asked in an almost similar tone of voice, and one could make the assumption he was minority upset at his silence being interrupted. Nekomaru took note of this, but brushed it off as him having an off day...for now, and just continued grinning down at him. 

"Well I was supposed to meet Akane over here, but she looks to be running late." He answered, putting a hand on his hair and rubbing it lightly while looking around. "I wonder where she is."

"Knowing her, she's probably eating." The Ultimate Hope replied before looking back towards the ocean 

"Probably." The team manager responded with a shrug, an idea coming to mind shortly after. "You mind me hanging around until she gets here?"

"Hang around Nidai for the meantime?" The green eyed male thought to himself. Truthfully he'd rather not deal with anyone at the moment, and enjoy his silence regardless of his boredom, but he guessed it wouldn't be a terrible to spend his time, such as with Saionji. 

"Sure, I don't mind." He answered, the big man next to him bellowing out another laugh and patting him on the back unintentionally roughly in amusement. Thank God he steadied himself before that happened, he was tough but he possibly could've moved into the water. Though the blue haired male took note of this, and put the thought into his mind as he began laughing. 

"THANKS HAJIME!" Nekomaru laughed out, calming down a bit after a few moments and looking down at the shorter male with a smile. "We don't really hang out, so this should be fun."

"I guess." Izuru responded with, already bored. This was something the blue haired male took note of too, having seen this before on many people during his time as a team manager. Uninterested, bored, clearly not wanting to interact, he's seen it all; and it doesn't help he's had relatively limited interactions with Hajime. He mentally shamed himself at that.

Well, it was his job as a team manager to lift spirits and get to know members of his team. Some of the classic ice breakers should work. 

"So, how are you doing? Did you eat well? Sleep well?" He asked the brown haired male, who looked back at him slightly confused 

"Alright. I did. I did too." Izuru answered. He already knew what was happening, and entertaining the taller male wouldn't hurt anyone. He just needed to give some false answers at points.

"Favorite color?"

"Black."

"Favorite song?"

"I don't have one." 

"Favorite sport?"

"I don't have one of those either."

"Favorite drink?"

"...Orange juice."

The next few moments would be Nekomaru asking Izuru a multitude of questions, trying to get to know him better. In turn Izuru would ask some of his own questions, questions that received enthusiastic answers from the seemingly sparking male. They seemed to to be doing that for a while too, and before they knew it Nekomaru was laughing out loud. 

"WELL HAVE I NEVER! YOU'RE PRETTY FUN TO BE AROUND, HAJIME!" He shouted out, the boy next to him nodding. After that it was silent between them, the only sound being of the bulky man...groaning? Why was he groaning? And why was he staring at him?

"Hey Nekomaru..." Izuru began, watching as his new classmate gave him a serious look 

"Hajime...Lend me your body."

"..."

Contrary to some belief, nothing scandalous went on between the two on the beach. In fact, Nekomaru merely felt up the tie wearer a bit as said person let him, having a good feeling as to why he did such a thing. Now standing in front of the brown haired male, Nekomaru would nod and observe the boy a bit more. 

"Yeah, just as I thought from looking at you, you'd be an amazing athlete if you were to train yourself. You must've been born with good bone structure, so we'd have to change your diet...and bulk up your muscle mass..." He was saying, the boy in front of him just staring at him 

"Me? An athlete?" Izuru questioned. He wasn't too surprised. One of the requirements for the Kamukura project was a good body to even handle the procedures, and his other half had that down for the most part. He didn't doubt if him or Hajime worked out they would grow in many areas of their body.

he already had a bigger chest than Enoshima, something that she spent an hour "crying" about when she learned. 

"Yeah you. I'm a manager you know, and regardless of what sport you would choose to do I'm here to help you with it; it's your dream after all, and it'd be wrong of me to deprive you of it." Nekomaru told him, grinning down at him. "Though from what I can tell, you'd be an excellent rugby player, for example." 

"Really? I never thought..." The brown haired male trailed

"You know Hajime, I've met a ton of people like you in my life. Not knowing what to do with their lives, wasting their potential away, always wanting to be alone and looking at the world like it's distant. Trust me I know, and just from how I saw you on this beach and how I've spoken with you, I can tell you're between conflicted...and bored with something." 

"Now I won't act like I know you all too well besides what we've told each other today, as shameful as it is to admit! But I want to let you know that regardless of whatever you decide to do, I'll be here to support you! I'll be happy to work with you whenever! JUST LET ME KNOW!" 

Nekomaru had shouted that last part with such...conviction, that Izuru felt himself paying closer attention to him. He really noticed all of that? He must have been doing a poor job at acting...no, Nekomaru could just read someone that well. The tall male was the Ultimate Team Manager after all, a talent he shared with him, and he knew that included knowing your underlings on a deep level. 

He'd have to keep an eye on him. If he's able to deduce that much from just barely being around his other self as he said, it could spell trouble. 

"I'll keep that in mind." Izuru responded with, an awkward smile on his face, causing the male in front of him to groan

"MORE POWER!" He roared out

"I'll keep that in mind!" The tie wearer shouted, causing Nekomaru to laugh loudly

"GREAT! I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!" 

A bit later Akane would make her way over towards the beach, having said she got caught up in some kind of competition with Gundham that was said to have left both bruised. Izuru didn't care for the statistics of their fight, so he left, bidding the two farewell as he did so. 

Timeskip:

"Well well well! How was your first day Kamukura dearest?!" Alter Junko asked him from the phone, watching the Ultimate Hope on his bed stare at the ceiling while lying on his bed

"Boring." Was all he said. After his talk with Nidai he pretty much continued walking around the islands before deciding on sitting at the restaurant, eating early, telling Tsumiki that he was going to his cabin early and to tell Soda the same, and doing as he said. Honestly for his first day it wasn't too bad, but still rather boring all around. 

"Ah the usual huh? Can't say I'm surprised." The strawberry-blonde remarked with a shrug, the male turning his gaze towards her 

"Do you mind leaving." He pretty much told her, the girl pouting at him before rolling her eyes 

"Fine fine. Just wanted to sleep with ya, but I guess we can't do what we want sometimes."

"You're an A.I. You don't need sleep."

"Pretty artificial-inteligencephobic. I can sleep just like any other human!"

"..."

He got his wish soon after once Monokuma put the phone...somewhere and left to his own devices after muttering something about "brats not wanting my attention." Izuru was once again left in his silence, and he immediately found himself hating it. Being by himself in an enclosed, silent room, reminded him of his times at Hope's Peak, and he disliked it. He'd have to sleep here soon enough, but found himself awake though the night-time announcement, and a bit further into the night. 

He sighed to himself as he looked out of his window, the moonlight illuminating his room and the outside of his cabin beautifully. Hajime would no doubt be asleep by now, but he himself was not, though it was nothing new. He didn't sleep much in the real world once he got with Enoshima and Ikusaba, and even when he did he had to be careful the former didn't try something while he was sleep. This was no different, as a murder could happen at any point, and he would be awake to take notice should luck have it. 

He decided he didn't want to stay in his bed anymore, it did nothing but fill his thoughts with nothing. He stood up, and walked towards his door, opening it up and walking right out. Everyone looked to be in their rooms, most likely sleeping, so he was careful as he walked towards the pool area. The last thing he wanted was for someone to somehow notice and accuse him of something.

But what he didn't expect to see was Nanami sitting on one of the chairs near the pool, engrossed into her handheld game. 

Izuru's thoughts were silent as he approached her, silent as he moved, and silent as he even breathed. The moonlight and water setting escalated the scenery around him, which also helped showcase the girl more. She basically bathed in the light of the moon, her eyes of concentration bright in staring as her fingers moved on the console with the expertise only the Ultimate Gamer could have.

He didn't know why, but he felt his heart constrict ever so slightly at watched her.

He got over it quickly, and with that decided to make his presence known. "Chiaki? What are you doing out here so late?"

The girl didn't respond for a few moments, but when she did she turned her head towards him with her usual blank expression and answered in her usual tone as well. "I wanted to game by the pool for once. I do it a ton inside, so I thought doing it outside would be fun for once."

"This late?"

"Less people around. It's pretty peaceful by myself."

"I see." 

It was silent between them for a few moments, and soon enough Chiaki would beat the level she was playing, continuing to stare down at the screen as she booted up another level. 

"I'm sorry for not sitting with you earlier, I completely forgot." She told him in an almost sheepish tone of voice. Truth be told Izuru didn't think much of it if at all, but he guessed closure for the pink haired girl would be good. 

"It's no problem, it happens." He said, looking up towards the moon

"Nice out, right?" 

"Yeah, it is." 

"Then...Do you want to stay here with me for a while? It could make up for earlier." Chiaki asked, the brown haired male looking down at her and, before he understood himself, took a seat in the chair next to her

This felt...pretty familiar. It was almost nice.

Chapter Text

???:

He watched. 

He observed. 

But more than anything, he felt interested. 

The girl in front of him...she was important in some way, for a reason he didn't understand why. It was a feeling he had when he took a closer look at her back when she arrived with her friend he assumed, and it only continued as he watched her go through this maze of despair. He watched as she survived each and everything thrown at her, her hope shining, the hope of making back to her friends and teacher, towards life. 

But there she was, on the floor in front of him, the life in her body finally giving out as she laid dead in front of him. 

He could've saved her. She had been in here, laying here, bleeding out in numb pain for minutes now, wasting her breath speaking to him; if he took the time to do so, she could be alive, in critical condition but alive. She...Knew him, back before he became who he was. And despite not knowing her, he had some connection to her. He could've saved her. 

But he didn't. He just stood there, looking at her body, not taking any time to do anything. He just stared at her now corpse, soulless red eyes gazing down upon her. He didn't know her, he shouldn't interest him this much. After all she was someone from a past he didn't even know of, so why should he care? 

Why...Was something wet leaking got too his eyes?

Present:

"Hey hey." A soft voice broke Izuru out of his thoughts. He looked over to his side from his spot in his lawn chair, looking over to see Chiaki sitting in her's, playing on her handheld. She didn't look over at him as she played, possibly because she was on a hard level? Possible, he wouldn't know that concept when it came to gaming. It was all too easy to him. 

"Good, you're back. I was starting to get worried." She told him, glancing from the corner of her eye for the quickest of seconds before going back to her game. Oh, right, he spaced out for a few moments there. It wasn't new to him, whenever something was so extremely boring to him he would always slip back into his mind whilst keeping tabs of the world around him; this was simply no different. 

"How boring." He thought to himself, staring up at the moonlit sky that rained down upon the two alongside the many stars. It was beautiful scenery, peaceful even during these hard times in the game. To him though, it just reminded him that they were being watched, so even as he took in the scene he would let out a light sigh and look at the girl to his right. 

"Are you sure you want to stay out here? There is a good chance we can catch a cold from the night's breeze, especially since we're near water." He told her, the girl looking unbothered even as she was told that 

"We should be fine, I think." She replied with before putting her console in her lap and staring at him. "Sorry, did you want to play too?"

"Hm? Oh, I'm good." He told her

"But you're sitting here with me, you should be able to play...unless you just wanted to come outside for a bit." She said, and Izuru would begin to lie back in his chair some more

"That was my initial intention." He thought to himself before speaking up. "It's fine Chiaki. It's pretty peaceful out here this late, so I'm glad I'm seeing it with someone for once." 

"..." The gamer said nothing as she stared at her "friend" for a few more moments, something that the boy next to her took note of and looked back at her

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Oh, no...It's just, I didn't know you came out here so much..."

"..." Izuru was silent for a moment before he formed a decent response. "I do it every now and then, it's usually when I can't sleep."

"Like tonight?" She questioned, sitting up a bit herself. "Were you having trouble sleeping?"

"Uhh, sort of." He responded with, the resident backpack wearer looking at him for a few more moments before looking up at the sky 

"In that case...We could go back to my dorm." She suggested, the boy next to her blinking in reaction. "It's nice out, but like you said we could get sick, I think. Besides..."

*Yawn*

"I'm getting sleepy." She told him, rubbing a tired eye

"Why do you want me to come?" He asked as she moved, standing up onto her feet and putting on yet another game to play with

"It would be nice to have you around, especially since I want to play some games with you. Even if we can't stay out here to play, we could always do it in my cabin...probably." She replied, almost already forgetting the tiredness in her system, something that Izuru had a feeling would come back shortly. But regardless, he simply shrugged and moved to a seat to indicate that he was down, something the girl picked up on and, a few moments later, led the two to walking away from the pool. 

As the night breeze flowed past the two and the moonlit sky hit them, both could appreciate how peaceful everything was, even for the short walk it was. Opening her door and leading the brown haired male inside, the gamer would close behind her and make her way towards her bed whilst the other occupant of the room observed the room. It was sort of messy with all the games, controllers, and even some snacks on the Galaga floor spread, but nothing too bad; there were even consoles plugged into the now off television, and he had half a feeling that would be used for whatever Chiaki wanted to play with. But no, she took a small console off of her drawer, and he moved towards her and took it once she looked at him. 

"We're going to use this?" 

"Yeah. You can sit next to me too, if you want." 

"That will be fine." 

And just like that, they were gaming. It was mostly a competition between them on who could make it further in one of the games, and to no surprise Izuru was the winner in each and every game. It was boring, it was repetitive, and he knew that no matter how many times the suave haired girl next to him tried to asked him for another game, she would make no progress in actually beating him any time soon, if not ever. 

But...This felt nice, in a small way. It was like old times, somehow. Was this what Hinata did back before he was brought into the world? It felt like it, it would make sense as to believe so, especially with how much his other self...cared about this girl, real or not. Maybe this feeling was transferring to him even outside of the small interest he had in her, for once he wasn't sure. Two souls holding the same body such as him and Hinata was unheard of in the world, lingering feelings or a shared connection wouldn't be past it...

Interesting...

*Yawn*

He took note of the noise that came from next to him and, to no surprise, it was Chiaki. Despite how clearly she was focused on the game, she was beginning to get tired if her body language and slowly dropping eyes told him anything. It was after finishing this game with her he decided to cut things short, after all they both should get rest, they've been doing this for a little over an hour now. 

"We should probably stop here. You look like you're about to pass out." Izuru told her with an awkward chuckle, the girl sitting up right to try her best and stay awake, but completely failing 

"A huh...we should do this again later..." She said before standing up and walking towards her bathroom door to do God knows what. Izuru meanwhile continued sitting on her bed though, ready to bid her a farewell and goodnight once she got back; Hinata would most likely in this situation after all.

"Sleepy..." The tired voice rang out as the girl exited the restroom in what looked to be pink pyjamas with pixelated spaceships wrapped around it. She would've fell had it not been for a limp, and the green eyed male on her bed decided to help her to it, else she pass out and hit something wrong on the way down. She was pretty light to him, so she got onto it rather quickly, and she was quick to go beneath her covers and lay down as he stood next to the furniture. 

"Well, nice playing with you, Chiaki. See you later, goodnight." He said, and immediately turned away and went to leave-

"Hey hey..."

He stopped when she called him out though. 

"You...Can sleep here tonight, if you want." She offered, getting the boy to raise an eyebrow and fake a blush. "This can be a sleepover, I think...and, umm..."

Izuru took note of her pale cheeks beginning to redden a bit. He guessed this was because she's never invited someone to sleep over before, neither AI or alive, so she must've been quite embarrassed. Though he didn't know what she would gain from this, especially since he had a great understanding she wouldn't kill him nor could if she tried...so, he might as well indulge. There should be no harm. 

"Umm, okay then..." He got out embarrassedly before walking back towards the soft mattress. He was unsure of what to do, but the gamer lying there sat up and pulled him down, and before he knew it he was next to her, lying there, together. 

She was already asleep, probably used up her last bit of energy to get him here for some reason, but it didn't matter to him. He just laid there for a while, looking up at the ceiling bored before tilting his head to the side to look at Chiaki. She looked at ease as she took soft breaths that moved her body lightly, showing no signs of trouble at all, no signs of distress, nothing. 

Unlike how he last truly saw her. 

He didn't know why, but he found himself wrapping his arms around her until they were touching and close. Even when he caught himself, he only held her tighter and drifted off to sleep, as if he didn't want her to leave.

???:

For the longest time, Izuru didn't speak.

He doesn't remember his conception, but that wasn't an issue to him. After all, even a toddler wouldn't remember being brought into the world by their mother's, and the same would be the case for him in a way. Despite his teenage body inhabitance and years worth of knowledge poured into him, he was only recently brought into this world, at the cost of the mind of the person before him. He didn't know that until recently, but even as he was just brought into the world he knew he was in for something, something more.

The doctors and everyone else would always come into his "room" if you could even call it that, running tests and implanting more cords of various medicines and fluids into his body. It was all to make sure their resources didn't go to waste he noted, to see if they truly created the "Ultimate Hope" as they so put it.

Hope...What did it mean in the end? How could one be considered the "Ultimate Hope?" Hope was a feeling, a phenomena that one feels to help them get out of dire situations, to make them feel good at the thought of something better coming for them or those around them. Was he...meant to do the same? Surely a night-impossible task, even with him hosting every single talent known and possibly even unknown.

But they did it, they created a superhuman, once at the cost of one boy he knew nothing of. Though, it's not like he cared, it's not like he cared about anyone or anything. This world from what he's learned, this place he was in, nothing inflicted a single emotion out of him. No curiosity, no sadness, no fear, no nothing. It was all meaningless, it would all be gone one day, so why should he care? Well, that didn't matter either, because in the end, it never truly did. Maybe something would, but not now.

He briefly thought over his past life. He wondered who he was, what his family was like, his friends, but he found none of it truly impending on his mind for longer than a few seconds. Although...For some reason he could faintly recall the silhouette of a person. Maybe they were important to his previous host? He didn't know, and after a while he forgot about the potentially useless bit of information.

So Izuru sat on his little bed, his back to the wall, his body showing no signs of strain or heat exhaustion even with the suit he was wearing in the barely lit room. As he thought over his purpose in life, and just the purpose of everything in general, he came to one conclusion. It would be something he would be almost known for, something he would routinely say, and how he appeared. As his souls red eyes stared in front of him, he would let out the dreadful words he would grow accustomed to hearing and thinking.

"How...Boring."

Present:

Izuru's eyes opened, and would only breathe in lightly as he faced the ceiling above him. Lazily shifting his head to the side he would see that it was already daytime, though at what point was yet to be determined. He would also learn in this movement that Chiaki was still laying next to him, sleeping blissfully unaware while clutching him lightly as if he was her personal pillow. He looked on blankly at this, but then again that was juts his normal look, and would move himself off out of her hold and sit on the edge of the bed. 

That dream...was nothing knew. He didn't usually dream about much of anything, and even when it did it was just him watching over something or someone, bored, even in his dreams. It eventually just turned into him reliving past memories of himself, and since the times around his initial conception that he could remember was the "least" boring thing he could think of, whenever he did dream that was what showed up outside of the occasional memory of him with Enoshima. 

Although...

He looked back at the girl sleeping, and somewhere deep inside of him he felt his heart constrict a bit. Whatever his other half felt towards this girl, real or fake, it was strong. Strong enough to transcend into him. Love? Admiration? He didn't know, but if anything the night told him was that he would need to keep an eye around Nanami more. 

".." Izuru was silent as he rose to his feet. He's stayed over long enough, it was about time he left; he could clean himself for the day and eat after, then spend his free time however he liked, if Enoshima hadn't revealed her little disease yet. 

Without any other thoughts he stood up and moved towards the door, fully intent on going about the rest of his day. However a presence was felt behind the door, one with way too much energy, and he could tell who it was without even having to open the door...plus, the voice that was humming over here gave it away. Closing his eyes and opening them, the boy would take a breath before opening the door, revealing a surprised Ibuki Mioda on the other side who looked as if she was about to start religiously banging on the door. 

"Hajime?! Well this is a surprise." The musician remarked, tilting to peer inside the room of the room behind the Ultimate Hope that stared at her dryly 

"Ibuki?" He asked in his best Hajime impression. "What are you doing here?"

"Both you and Chiaki missed breakfast earlier with the rest of us, so Ibuki came by to make sure nothing has happened to either one of you! Also, Ibuki nabbed you something that I believe you two like!" She told him, hanging him a wrapped bag of boxed food, something the brown haired male took and stared at

"What time is it?" He asked, the girl in front of him giving him a wide grin

"About 10! You two have been gone for quite a long time!" She told him merrily, the Ultimate of Ultimate's standing there looking at her then at the food, then back at her. So not only had they had they missed breakfast, but also slept through the morning announcement. Were they up that late...or was there another reason? Is this what happened when you were around someone you enjoyed being around, even a little? Interesting...

"Though...You and Chiaki huh? Can't say it was too unexpected, we've all seen the way you look at her~" Ibuki began, her grin becoming sly as she moved to elbow her friend teasingly. "My oh my, to be sleeping in this late, and to be in her cabin like this. You two must've made some real music, didn't you~? Come on, how was it?!"

Izuru just deadpanned at her, and she laughed in response. 

"Kidding kidding! You both seem like experimental types, but I've got a feeling you'd wait until you're actually dating to do that. Make sure to use tons of safety when you do though, now might not be a great time for little Hajime's and Chiaki's to be running around." She told him with a playful wink

Izuru's deadpan increased, and the laughter of the guitar lover began to louden. 

"I get it, you're not the type to kiss and tell. Don't worry, Ibuki will not tell a soul even if you did have a scandalous adventure last night! I'm not the type to pry deep into one of my band member's love lives after all!" She told him, raising her arms in the sky and fist pumping, the brown haired male in front of her just staring at her blankly 

"By the way, you missed the announcement earlier, buuuut..." She began before knocking on his chest lightly, giving him a knowing and excited smile. "We're having a show tomorrow!" 

"We?"

"Yep! You're my drummer after all! Though Hiyoko's also preforming a dance to my song, and hopefully gets on the cowbell. Then we'll have the whole gang together!" She exclaimed before putting a hand behind her head and giving a smile between solemn and disappointment. "Shame that Mikan didn't want to join us though, she would've a good singer..." 

"She can sing? Actually, before that, why are we having a show at all?" He asked the highlighted haired girl, who grinned at him 

"Well everyone's been so on guard due to Monokuma not making any moves for a good minute, so Ibuki decided that she would put on another show for everyone to lift their spirits! And since the last one for Fuyuhiko went so well, this could help everyone again!"

"It would also give you a good reason to play again." He thought to himself. There was no doubt in his mind that Ibuki did genuinely want everyone to feel better; even as an Ultimate Despair she was the most "kind hearted" and often put on shows for everyone. But he also knew she would jump at a chance to play for her friends as well, so in a way it benefited everyone. 

"Well what do ya say? Wanna put on the performance of a lifetime?! We've been training for this Hajime!" She asked and did her best puppy dog eyes to convince him. It didn't work, but he sighed and nodded, giving her an awkward yet accepting smile. 

"Sure. It could be fun." He told her, the grin on the the musician's face widening before she literally hopped in the air happily

""Could be" Oh no no my dear Hajime. It will be fun! I promise!" She told before turning away. "I'll leave you and Chiaki to your little bonding time-"

"We weren't doing anything."

"Just come by tomorrow for final practice! Tell this to Chiaki too! See you then Hajime! Toodaloo!" She exclaimed as she began to skip away happily, the boy she left looking at her as she left before he heard a voice speak up behind him 

"Mhmm...What happened...?" A very sleep looking and sounding Chiaki asked no one in particular; she was drooling lightly, sitting up and rubbing at her eyes, a rather cute sight many would say. 

"We missed breakfast. Ibuki delivered it to us though." Izuru responded with as he reentered the gamer's cabin and closed the door behind him and walking back towards the bed. He would just give her her food and leave, nothing else. 

"Oh...That's nice." Chiaki said with a small smile as the boy sat back on his part of the bed and unwrapped the bag their two mini boxes were in. Inside of said packages were two square waffles, one chocolate and one regular with syrup, what looked to be either whip cream or frosting, and some chocolate chips and chopped strawberries. This didn't look very heathy, but it didn't appeared to be tampered with either. Even with the fork and knife present in the boxes, the only thing that could kill them at this point was sweetness. 

"Well, it sure does seem like Ibuki made it." The pink eyed girl commented in mild fondness, even with a blank look on her face. Izuru just hummed in response. 

"Guess so." He responded with as the gamer began to dig in to her meal, only stopping when she saw the boy not move from his spot

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"We already were accused of sleeping together. Eating is going to give others more impressions if Ibuki tells them."

"...Oh." She muttered, a soft blush coming to her face. The Ultimate Hope actually raised an eyebrow at that, but turned his attention away from it as he stared to his front. 

"Well, this is as good as time as any to say it, but thank you for having me over." He told her, the girl blinking at him for a moment before smiling softly at him, putting a hand over her chest as she did so 

"I'm happy you had fun. We can do this again later if you want." She suggested, the boy next to her giving her a light smile

"Sure, that would be nice." He replied before continuing on. "Ibuki's having another show, by the way."

"Oh, that's nice." She said as she took a bite out of her waffle. "When is it?"

"Tomorrow."

"...Cool."

"She also wants you to play the cowbell."

"Well, the last time was fun. But I'll have to go to her for some added tips on how to do it right though now." She remarked before looking up. "I wonder if there are any games that can teach you how to play."

"There might be one. But if it's on these islands is the bigger question?" He joked, getting the gamer to smile a bit

Before either knew it they would engage in conversation as they ate their breakfast. It lasted for almost a half an hour as they discussed topics related to games and or other topics, as if there wasn't a killing game going on. No, the thought probably did cross their minds at one point, but neither paid much mind to it as they spoke. 

"Bye...Hajime." She called out as the boy left and greeted her goodbye. Now, she was all alone, and the smile she had on her face stayed on it as she looked down onto her bedsheets and only half eaten meal. 

"Chiaki..." A worried voice called out, coming from underneath the bed in the form of a white and pink rabbit

"He seems fine. Maybe I'm just feeling off." She told it, the creature very similar to Monokuma but...actually cute nodding and disappearing as the gamer stared out the window

"I hope so at least. What would she have done here, I wonder..."

Timeskip:

After showering and eating for the day, Izuru was out of his cabin and about on the islands. The day after all was still pretty young, and with it not even being the afternoon technically as of yet, the man with talent itself would wander throughout the islands. Of course, he was bored, but he was only extremely rarely wasn't, and this went on until he went onto the diner on the second island. Might as well get a quick snack then continue on his walk. 

Though once he got inside he would find one Akane Owari sitting in one of the booths, stuffing her face. She didn't seem to notice him, both the cartoonish food pile and her being extremely focused on her meal proved that, so the embodiment of talent simply made his way inside and got him some orange soda. It was one of the only two drinks he would say he "enjoyed", the other being orange juice, so why not get it? 

It didn't taste good, as he soon figured out. 

"Yo, Hector." As if she could sense his disappointment with his drink, she turned her head towards him confused whilst she swallowed her food. "What're ya doing here?"

"Oh, umm..." The brown haired male began in classic Hajime fashion. "I came here to get a drink and snack, but lost my appetite seeing you here...doesn't help the soda was bad..." 

"Huh? Well if that's the case you can eat with me if you'd like." She offered, getting the boy to blink as she smashed a fist into her palm. "We can even make it a contest! Alright, first to finish their side of the pile get's the others dessert for the night!"

"I don't know what I expected." Thought Izuru before walking over towards the table. He had nothing better to do, might as well kill some time with Owari. 

For the next while the two would be locked in a "heated" food eating competition, one's of which were never seen before nor will ever be seen again. In the end, Izuru was crowned the winner, and tapped a napkin against his mouth daintily whilst the gymnast across from him finished her plate mere seconds after he was done. 

"Whew! I didn't know you could eat so much!" Akane would exclaim in surprise, the boy across from her taking a sip of his soda. Truly, the talent of "Ultimate Competitive Eater" came through there, but she didn't need to know that. 

"I didn't know I had it within me either..." He trailed off with a nervous smile, one that became a confused one when the brown haired girl began to look...bashful, embarrassed even if the blush and look in her eyes indicated anything. 

"Hey...You forgot what you saw...right?" She asked him in a voice that matched her appearance

"...Saw what?" He asked, the girl breathing out a sigh of relief and sitting herself back

"Great! Now I can finally sleep better!" She told him with a grin 

"Do I want to know?"

"Say Akane." Izuru began. "What are you even doing out here? With how much food is back on the first island I'm surprised you're out around here."

"Oh that? I'm just out here to swim for a bit, and wanted to get a bite to eat before I did that." She told him casually, the boy in front of her nodding in response

"Is this a new type of training regimen?" He asked, the girl just shrugging at him 

"You can say that." She said before giving him a a relaxed grin. "It's all to help me beat Monokuma after all!" 

"Beat Monokuma?" He questioned, an eyebrow raised lightly at the answer he was given

Didn't she know that that was impossible, especially at her skill level? Monokuma would wear her out before she could ever get a good hit on him, after all even not within this virtual world where it and by extension Junko was essentially a God in this world it could somewhat fight against the Ultimate Martial Artist, a level he knew Owari wasn't on. This was definitely one of her more hard headed moments, something he was sure Nidai told her against. 

...The fact that she went this long without trying to attack the bear to his knowledge was outstanding within of itself. But if she's doing all of this, she might be going on the attack soon...

As he though things over a serious look, one that was unlike her, something that got Izuru to listen to her as she spoke up again. "This will help me beat Monokuma ya know. Coach has been against this since I brought it up to him a wile back, but I know I can do it! With how much I've been training, I think I've got a good shot!" 

"..." Izuru was silent as she listened to the girl that was pumping herself up, but he could tell from her eye and body movements that even with all her confidence, she wasn't fully convinced 

"Why do you want to beat Monokuma so much?" He asked her, the girl blinking at him whilst a surprised look donned on her face 

"Huh? Are ya losing brain cells or whatever Harper?"

"..."

"It'd be a great way to test my skills! That Monokuma, who wouldn't want to rip him apart for everything?!" She exclaimed towards him before grinning, showing teeth

"Oh." Was all he said. It wasn't surprising, in fact it fit perfectly within her character, but it was all too obvious she would fail. And that was when he fully stopped paying attention...for all of five seconds.

"Besides..." She began, her tone taking a more somber like tone as she looked away from the brown haired male. "If we beat him, we all get to leave right? Why wouldn't someone want to take the chance?"

"Because we'd easily die against him?" He bluntly responded with. It was a mechanical bear that was able to operate, move, "talk", and control other giant metal robots, if someone were to attack without any reasonable plan it would be a testament to their intellect more than anything. 

"Well nobody will know that unless we fight back! That guy has been tormenting us for a while now, and before we know it he'll try something when we least expect it!"

Irony.

"You've got someone back home you want to get back to right? Well...You know already, I do too...if I beat Monokuma and we all can escape, I can...grrr, why am I acting like this?!" She suddenly shouted, reaching her arms into the sky. "This ain't like me at all! I bet I look really weak about now!"

"Why would that matter?" He questioned, the girl looking back at him rather seriously 

"You...You can't afford being weak. If you get kicked around and beat up, or cry and scream that there's no food or medicine, no one'll help you. And the next time I say someone's name...I might be talkin' about a dead body. Where I grew up...if you were weak you'd die, and you couldn't do anything! A-"

"And we're not exactly where you grew up, are we?" Izuru cut off as he took another swig of his soda can. "Granted the situations are similar based off assumptions, but here it's different. No one here is ready to kill just because you're weak, and with how you are that goes double. It's okay to be weak at times as long as you don't let your guard down, it's okay to share how you feel, those two feelings don't always coexist." 

Akane stared at the boy slack jawed for a few seconds before looking down at the table, clearly conflicted. "I...Don't get it."

"You don't have to, I'm just giving you simple advice. Express yourself however you want, and don't take it as a sign of weakness, especially when someone tries to help you. Judging by how you act, you take that as a form of weakness, correct?"

"..."

"No words? Either I'm correct or you don't fully understand me, which is fine I guess. I'm just telling you to listen to other's advice and not to take it as weakness, nor view vulnerability as it neither. Understanding one will help to the understanding of another after all." He told her, the brown haired girl in front of him looking even more conflicted than before 

"Coach would say the same thing sometimes...grr, this is why I don't like this! Almost every time we speak I feel like this!" She exclaimed before standing up and pointing at the sitting male. "Get up, we're going outside! You're helping me take my mind off of things!" 

"This was quite expected..."

For reasons that many would be confused about walking upon, "Hajime" and Akane were "sparring" with each other on the sandy ground. Now while Izuru could've won at any time, he felt like both beating the girl in an eating competition as well as fight would put too much focus and question onto him, so he did enough so that while he lost it could be be seen as a decent fight. 

It seemed to help Akane at least, she looked more determined after it and even, somewhat embarrassingly, thanked him for the advice that somewhat understood after she put him on the ground. Izuru meanwhile, he was still bored, but at least time was spent. He even found something else he could try and do from this experience...

Timeskip:

After getting beat on by Akane for a good while, Izuru made his way back towards the cabins, thinking about going just hang around and think in his cabin for a good while. However after a while he decided that it would not be the best way to spend his free time, after all he made even himself bored, which led him to knocking on the cabin of one of his classmates. Cut forward a few minutes...

"And a bit of this...and some of this..." Kazuichi commented, sitting down on the ground as he focused on picking around with some type of machine that he held. Meanwhile Izuru sat next to him crossed legged as well, watching his other half's apparent "soul friend" build what appeared to be a fan. 

"..." The brown haired male was silent as he watched, eyes completely focused on the movements the sharp teethed male would make. He was definitely skilled, but he moved like someone who hadn't touched a mechanism in weeks; not to say he was nervous, but he was moreso excited. Had-

"Hey Hajime, can you stop staring that intensely at me. You're creeping me out dude." The pink haired male told him, the boy next to him turning his attention towards him

"O-Oh, sorry." He told his friend, who went back to tinkering with the creation in his hand 

"When this is done, the sun won't be a problem anymore! This fan will be able to run for 24 hours without any need for cool down! Everyone's gonna love this!" Kazuichi told him with a grin. "This is the first time in a long while since I was able to create something like this, this is great!"

"Oh right, there aren't many materials around the island for you to work with." Izuru would note, the mechanic next to him running a hand through his hair and putting the machine down on his floor 

"Well, you can say that. Not much on this island gets me going here like the vehicles back home, but with the third island being open that changes things a bit! It may be small work, but man do I feel at more peace." He told him, his body and grin becoming more relaxed 

"Mhmm." Was what the green eyed male replied with, continuing to watch the guy next to him work 

"Hey Hajime..." Said person began once again, looking considerably more nervous. "Do you think anyone is going to...you know..."

"Kill? Yeah, it probably will happen eventually." Izuru replied, getting the person next to him to jump a bit and look at his friend in surprise 

"J-Jeez man, don't say that so bluntly."

"You were the one who asked."

"I know but still..." He said as he put a hand on his beanie. The holder of many talent's could already tell how conflicted and concerned his supposed to be friend was, else why would he ask him? Guess he should try to comfort him...

"Look, I'm sure even if someone did try to kill...we'll be fine." He began, catching a further look of surprise from the mechanic. "I'm confident that no matter what we'll be able to solve it, and this is even if someone commits a murder from now on. I may be...pessimistic, but with how everyone as of now have yet to murder, I doubt it'll happen again before he find out how to escape." 

He even tried to smile for the ultimate as he said that, and that got the guy to give him a small look. "That sounds pretty corny you know..."

"Y-You were the one who wanted my thoughts!"

"I know but...thanks I guess. It made me feel a bit better." He told him, though it was clear he was still on the conflicted side. Perhaps a change of pace was an order. 

"So, any specific dreams for the future you have?" The brown haired male asked. Now many wouldn't consider this the best option due to them being in a killing game, but for now it would also keep Kazuichi's mind off of everything too. It works for others, no doubt it would work for someone like him too. 

"Huh? Well...Sort of, since I'm a mechanic and all..." He began to trail off, looking away from his friend embarrassed. "There's nothing much else I can really do...but I wanted to "reach for the stars" there's only one option for me. But...Err, never mind! You'd just laugh at me! You're already showing the signs!"

"You want to build a rocket ship?" 

"Yeah that'd be so awesome-wait, how did you know?!" Kazuichi exclaimed shock, getting a shrug and slightly cocky smirk from the boy next to him 

"Lucky guess?" He remarked, making the pink haired male scratch his chin 

"You really sound like Nagito there...But yeah! That's my dream! Laugh at it if you want, I don't care!" 

"That sounds pretty amazing actually."

"...Seriously?"

"Yeah, why would I lie?" Izuru questioned as he smiled a bit wider. "They're so cool! You get to go and explore space with them! Not to mention everything else, like how's built, how it works."

"Yes! You get it Hajime! Aren't rockets just amazing?! They're the biggest and the fastest! They're at the very top of the vehicle food chain ya know!" He told him before sighing. "Though no matter how much I work on one...I'd never be able to get a girl in one, or actually ride it..."

Izuru recalled the mechanic's motion sickness, something that was prevalent even as an Ultimate Despair. Though then he was more willing to get in machines because he wanted to feel the despair of not being able to do anything about his illness, but somehow he got over it in time. 

"You know...if you build one, I'm sure a lot of people would be impressed regardless. Who knows, maybe Sonia will want to ride your rocket when she sees it." Izuru told him...only to immediately deadpan when he saw the boy's face begin to grow pink as his eyes glew seemingly

"R-Ride my..." He managed out, still in a dazed state. At point a multitude of images and words began to cloud his mind, most of them including himself and Sonia in some precarious scenario, something he snapped out of when the boy snapped his fingers in front of him.

"Great thinking! That's my soul friend for you!" The mechanic exclaimed, dropping an arm around Izuru and grinning at him, the boy he was on smiling at him awkwardly in response 

"Yeah...Your welcome..."

They were able to finish the invention soon after, and the two "pals" enjoyed the fan that blew onto them for a good few minutes, the two talking about whatever else came to mind. Izuru had to wonder if this was what real friendship was truly like, and if things could have been this way for him? 

No, this was too boring. But this friendship involving his other half...interesting...

Timeskip:

Alright, it looked like there was a little more time in the day before it got dark; only about an hour though from the looks of things, which wasn't much time but truth be told anything can still be done in that timeframe. Izuru, wanting to take up Chiaki on her offer, went to her cabin but found that she wasn't present then. He shrugged and went on about his day, deciding to kill a bit more time before he tried again later, and since he didn't feel like being alone or potentially with Enoshima, he began to wander the islands again.

"T-Thank you for coming...and spending time with m-me..."

"No problem, just wanted to kill some time; and what better than with a friend of mine. Even if it is...this."

In his boredom of doing that, he managed to find with Tsumiki rushing towards the third island, and after catching up to her and asking her what the problem was, a murder could've happened after all, he was told that she forgot to clean one of the rooms of the hospital when she was there earlier. 

Luck was on his side, and he offered to go with her to help her clean and spend some time with her. She watched as the already timid girl became more nervous, continuously questioning if he really wanted to spend time with her, though looked ready to cry and fall in disappointment if he did leave. Good thing he needed to kill time, and keeping up this act of Hinata would require him to spend some time with a girl he guessed his other half spent a good amount of time with according to how much her and Soda expected him to sit with them, so consequently this aided him in the long one.

So here he was, alone with the purple haired nurse in the hospital as they both worked on cleaning one of the empty rooms. He had to give her props, she certainly acted like the Ultimate Nurse with how careful she was in cleaning, all for making sure that by the off chance someone came in here it was clean. With this "Despair Disease" in mind, he had a good feeling it would be used soon. However...

"This is boring." Izuru thought to himself plainly. His part of the room was exceptionally clean at this point, so now all he had to do was wait for the apron wearing girl to finish. So he stood straight, watching her like an eagle, a look that got a squeak from the girl when she glanced over at him.

The girl actually looked to be going faster, no doubt in response to the look she saw. However as she was sweeping the floor would would have one of her classic falling moments, and would be sent stumbling backwards. Izuru knew what was going to happen, and with a small sigh he would dash over behind her quicker than she could realize and catch her, the girl yelping a bit when she was caught.

"Are you alright?" He asked, keeping up the Hajime act. The nurse gained a quick blush on her face, eyes widening as she nodded quickly. "Good, I'm glad."

"T-Thank you. I-I'm sorry..." She tried to apologize once she stood up on her feet again, but was interrupted by the boy now in front of her

"You don't have to apologize, you didn't do anything." He told her, the girl just nodding at him, giving him a look of thankfulness and affection. He saw that look before, it was an extremely tamed version of the look she would give Enoshima. So she has taken a liking to his other half...this could prove useful...

"Umm, Mikan?" Izuru questioned to get her out of whatever trance she appeared to be in, which thankfully worked

"O-Oh! I'm sorry! I was just...umm..." She tried to explain, looking away while holding her hands together

"Again, you don't have to apologize." He told her as carefully he could, before a thought came to mind. "You know, you don't have to apologize so much, if at all really."

"H-Huh?" She got out, clearly confused while the person in front of her put his hands in his pockets. "D-Don't apologize? Okay then...I can let you do what you want to me when I make you made then...I'm a pretty good pig-"

"No that's not what I meant. You don't have to do anything like that. In fact you shouldn't have to over anything, you don't do anything to deserve that."

"But..."

"Mikan, let me ask you something. You don't enjoy doing any of that do you?" Izuru questioned, his own tone and stare beginning to seep through his act as Hajime. His words seemed to have hit Mikan as well, as she stood there with wide eyes, beginning to stammer a bit to try and get an answer out, but that told the Ultimate Hope enough.

"It's clear you don't, you only do it to please everyone right? To make sure they don't hate you? To make it so you're never alone, forgotten? Am I correct?" He further questioned, beginning to step forward towards the girl who, in response, began to stammer backwards

"I-I-I-I-"

Before she knew it her back was against the wall, and she flinched when the Ultimate Hope in disguise placed his hand onto the wall next to her head, effectively trapping her. She shut her eyes, as if ready for something to happen, be it verbal or physical, but nothing happened. She slowly but fearfully opened her eyes, and was shocked to see the boy she had began to admire look down at her softly, almost understanding even as he stared right into her. It was like she was being read all over...and she didn't know why, but while she did like it...it also made her put her guard up, even if it was light. 

"It's alright, Mikan. You don't have to do any of that here. Not for me, not for anyone, not for the rest of your life, I'll make sure of that. You won't have do anything like that again, I promise." He told her, something that got the girl's eyes to widen as he put a hand to the back of his head and gave her a smile. God that smile, she loved it, and she felt herself being swept away as she stared at his face. 

"I guess this means I forgive you, even though you did nothing." 

...What?

What did he say? 

Mikan didn't even hear the last part of his sentence, and Izuru watched as the tears began to flood into and out of her eyes before she began to sob then and then. Her tears dripped onto the ground below, and the green eyed male would pull her into a hug for comfort, letting her empty her emotion onto him. Judging by this reaction she was never told this before, and this was the best course of action here other than just letting her get this out alone; so he continued to embrace her, even running a hand through her hair at points to stimulate her more. 

*Hiccup* *Hiccup*

"Y-You...Forgive me...?" She asked again, pulling away and looking up at the boy who looked down at her gently 

"You haven't done anything to warrant forgiveness. From what I know people mistreated you for no reason, no matter where or what, and that causes you to act like way, right?" He asked, the answer he got being a little nod. "You needed to be told this earlier, but it isn't a sin to live. Mikan, for the simple act of existing and being yourself, I forgive you; and I know everyone else does too." 

The nurse looked close to breaking down again, but she didn't. Instead, even as tears trailed down her face, she gave him possibly the most genuine, hope filled smile he's possibly ever seen outside of...her. 

"T-Thank you, Hajime..." She said to him before raising balled fists up a bit. "I-I promise I won't apologize again! I-I'll do my best to be better myself!"

"You don't have to, but do what you want Mikan. I'll support you with whatever you do." He said, getting the girl to widen her eyes, a heat quickly forming onto her cheeks

Izuru meanwhile turned away from her. "Well we should probably finish cleaning here, then head over to dinner. The other's are probably starting to eat by now."

"O-Okay!" She exclaimed before rushing over to her tool. However this time whenever she took a look at him, it was one of complete affection...love maybe? She certainly walked close to him with a noticeably more giddy and genuinely happy on her face than he's ever seen on her, despair or not. 

Good, this could be useful. 

Timeskip:

The day had been...pretty eventful, to say the least. With all the wandering around the island he did, and the time he spent with his classmates, it was a surprise he wasn't tired yet even with his advanced physique. But that didn't matter much to Izuru, he simply took in the moon's light as he strolled through the central island. It was peaceful, quiet, and it was a decent way to spend his time before he met up with Chiaki back at her cabin. 

*CRASH!* *CLASH!*

For all of ten minutes, the noises indicating fighting had quickly put an end to his nightly walk around the island, and now he was on a path towards whatever the noises those were. He knew it would be boring in the end, hell he wasn't that interested in knowing what it was, but it would be better in the end to see what it was.

It could be the start to a murder after all. Someone could've snapped even without the use of a motive, and that was something he wanted to know about, even if it wound up being boring.

"Oh." He thought to himself. It was just Nekomaru and Akane fighting each other, probably a result of the latter asking the former for a round or three late at night for whatever reason. Now to anyone else this would be impressive, shocking, but to him it wasn't. After all with his talents he could do what they both could and better. Regardless though he sat and watched, he had the time to kill.

"HAHAHA! GOOD! GOOD! YOU'RE IMPROVING AKANE!" The team manager shouted with crossed arms, face in a wide grin as he laughed as the girl kneeling in front of him panting. It appeared as if he had won their scuffle, and had no where near as many battle marks on his body, nor exhaustion compared to Akane.

*Pant* *Pant* *Pant*

"This...this still ain't enough." She muttered before standing up and getting back into a battle stance. "I'm not done yet! Put em' up coach!"

At this, Nekomaru frowned a bit. "You're stance is sloppy, and your breath is heavy. We've been going at this for hours; if you keep going you're gonna drop from exhaustion. You need to know your current limits Akane!"

"Dammit, I said I can keep going! I'm not done yet! I'll show you!" She exclaimed

She didn't stand a chance, Izuru would point out. Nekomaru was right, the exhaustion would eventually cause her to fall onto her knees, and was rendered unable to fight anymore; be it her own body or the team manager's hits, was clear as day she was done, at least to Nekomaru and Izuru. No, the gymnast looked pretty much ready to go again, at least that was how she appeared on her face. Her body shook, a clear indication she couldn't anymore, and her fate was sealed then and there. 

"Akane." The blue haired male began, kneeling down in front of her. "I get what you're trying to do, but there is no point in trying to push yourself this far. And this is coming from me!"

"You don't get it coach...I need to beat him." She breathed out, getting a serious look to form on the buff male's face as he stood up. It was like an aura of seriousness just exploded off of him, and while that didn't really effect the two, it was known through them. 

"All of this training is worthless if you end up dead. Fighting Monokuma right now isn't the answer, you need to wait. Patience is key, Akane, and no one wants to see what can happen to you if it's not done right." He started before putting a hand to his head

"I know you're stubborn, I've dealt with plenty of people like you before, but sometimes you need to know when is and when is not the right time to do something. Your day will come, don't rush it." He told her before walking past her. "If you want you can come by my cabin later! I can do "it" again if you'd like!"

"S-Sure..." She responded with, and while Nekomaru did notice he decided for the meantime not to say anything. Instead he continued on walking, and was surprised to see "Hajime" standing there looking on. 

"Oh shit! I didn't notice you were there, Hajime!" He exclaimed in surprise, getting the brown haired boy to wince ever so slightly as he looked up at the manager 

"Sorry about that, I didn't want to interrupt you two..." He replied with before turning his attention towards Akane. "What was that about?"

"Oh that..." The bulky male began as he crossed his arms. "She wants to fight against Monokuma, and is pushing herself to achieve that. While I can respect it, I'm worried she's going to do something drastic soon." 

"Oh." Was all the shorter male said before looking back up at Nekomaru. "If you want, I can go talk to her." 

"Oh really? No offence, but she doesn't seem to be listening to much outside of this goal of hers. I don't think you'll have much luck getting through to her." 

"I'll try to do my best regardless. Maybe...I have a solution." He told him, getting the ultimate to stared down at him in curiosity before laughing 

"If you want to try then go ahead! I won't stop you! Just be careful, she might be pretty in the dumps by now." Nekomaru shouted with a grin, getting the boy in front of him to deadpan 

"I'm well aware..."

Nekomaru left soon after, and Izuru would make his way over to Akane, who was laid back onto the ground and staring up into the sky. It was likely she was trying to regain some energy, but to him that didn't matter. He found something that could occupy his time, and it could even help him deal with a small problem of his if his cards were played correctly. 

"Hey Akane." He greeted, sitting next to the girl that turned her head over towards him confused 

"Harvey?"

"Hajime..."

"Right, what are you doing here?" She then asked, getting him to look up at the stars 

"Well I saw you and Nekomaru fighting and decided to watch for a bit. He...Informed me of what you wanted to do, not that I didn't know already. I just wanted to speak with you about it if you don't mind." He said, the girl shrugging and moving to sitting up on the ground

"Sure." She said before frowning at him. "You're not gonna tell me-"

"I think you should fight Monokuma." 

Now that seemed to have caught her off guard, judging by her newfound silence and shocked looking form and face. Izuru meanwhile stared at her silently, not making a sound, and the only noise that could be heard was the trees rustling and the nightly wind blowing. 

"Didn't ya say we'd easily die or something like that?" She asked after a while 

"W-Well I did. But after giving it some thought...you were right. It'd be better for you to go and fight Monokuma to try and give us a chance to escape. Seeing how you battle, I think you might be able to beat him, you know..."

She hummed a bit, looking confused and conflicted, unsure of how to respond to that. "Ya think so...?"

"Well it's just a feeling, not saying that you should do it 100%. Just something to keep in mind." He suggested before starting up again. "And if you don't want any interferences, maybe do it during Ibuki's show tomorrow? Everyone will most likely be there, so no one could getting your way." 

"This all sounds real suspicious..." She remarked before sighing. "But I couldn't do that to Ibuki. She must've worked real hard on her concert."

"And she can have more in peace if Monokuma is beaten. With how high tech he is, and will everything else in this killing game, there's a good chance there's only one of him; and if there's more, there's not a lot. If you're able to beat them, we'll all be able to go home and live the rest of our loves."

"...Umm..."

"You'll be able to see your siblings again." He pointed out, getting the girl to widen her eyes in surprise before glaring at him, resulting him staring at her like he knew that was a low blow. After a while however...she sighed, and stood up.

"I just gotta beat him, right?"

"That's all you need to do. Once again, you don't have to-"

"No, I'm going to do it. I won't lose." She told him before an animalistic, hungry grin formed on her face. "I'll tear him apart, and get everyone out of here!"

"I sure hope so you do." He said, the girl looking down at him and grinning

"Wow, I really needed that! Thanks Hajime!" She said, getting him to nod

"Looks like she remembered my name..." He thought as the girl pumped her fists

"Alright! I'm going to go do "it" with coach! That'll help me relax until tomorrow, I need to be completely focused! Ya wanna join?!" She asked him, and Izuru actually considered it...until he promptly realized that, despite how his body was, he'd rather not have a massage from the huge male

"I-Ill pass..." She rejected, getting Akane to shrug 

"Your loss. See ya!" She said before going off, leaving the Ultimate Hope by his lonesome. Sighing, he replayed the events that just happened in his mind, already getting a good feeling of what would happen the next day. So standing up, he was ready to leave-

"Hey you!" 

Before quickly stopping himself. 

That voice...It was unmistakable. That high pitched, the cutesy tone, everything about it was meant to represent friendship and adorableness, something easy to approach. Izuru meanwhile found nothing like that, and would merely turn around towards the voice with an expressionless look on his face. After all, there was a great chance the rabbit knew who he was already, no need to hide. 

"What do you want, Usami?" He asked the pink and white rabbit behind him, who "glared" at him accusingly 

"I know who you are. And I won't let you harm any of my students! Izuru Kamukura!" She told him, the Ultimate Hope simply putting his hands in his pockets and narrowing his eyes at the creature. It didn't matter if the rabbit knew, there was another person on his mind now.

"Let me ask you something Usami, does Chiaki Nanami know?" He questioned, and the sudden question actually got the rabbit to flinch back a bit 

"No, she doesn't." It answered. Good. He already suspected she had an off feeling about him, as ever low it was, so it was of no concern for him to even think about. But he didn't see her today, and with her being one of the Observer's with connections to this world, it would be a problem if his identity was even known by one person. 

"Then I suggest we keep it that way. You wouldn't want something to happen to her, or any of your students, am I correct?" He asked the creature, walking towards her as the robot even seemed to pale. Looking up, it was put into perspective just how small she was, even as a used to be magical robot; now she was just a simple robot looking at the personification of talent itself, one that just threatened her. 

This hadn't gone the way she thought it would at all! How troubling! 

"You won't let me harm your students? I have no intention of doing so myself, I simply want to observe this killing game for while I am around. Playing this game, I do not care much for it, it in of itself is boring, much like everything and everyone else here. Why play a game that bores you?" He told the robot as he stared into the sky 

"This is being watched after all, by the Future Foundation and Enoshima's AI alike. Kills will happen with or without me, and I will only take action if something involves me, which if you or Enoshima keeps quiet will not happen." 

"Are you saying you're not going to do anything?"

"That is what I'm saying. If my identity isn't revealed to anyone I will go on about until Hinata reappears in this world, and when that happens things will proceed as normal. Enoshima may have brought me out, something you possibly figured out from reading the codes of this game as well as the clear differences made since my arrival, but she does not control what I do." 

The wind seemed to begin to blow, and his green eyes looked as if they changed into a red color, glowing at the rabbit below as he stared at him with an unreadable expression and stance. 

"I brought this virus into this game after all, if I want I can control this game as I see fit. Do not forget that." He told the rabbit, who looked throughout intimidated. Nevertheless it walked past him, becoming "back to back" with the tie wearer that stared in front of him, eyes narrowing a bit as he did so.

"So I just don't tell Chiaki..." It said solemnly 

"I guess she put you up to this, so go back and tell her that nothing is wrong and that I just still feel a bit off; any other problem is just my brain within the program being tied down, which should fix itself. This world has yet to be properly tested after all." He said, the rabbit putting her hands together and nodding 

"And if I do this...You won't harm anyone? You won't...kill?" She asked him, the boy glancing to his side

"I believe that is what others would call a "promise" is it not? I will not directly harm your students as long as you tell no one, not even Chiaki Nanami, of my arrival into this game." He replied before turning and holding his hand out towards the rabbit that turned towards him 

"Deal?"

.

.

.

"...Deal." Monomi, the rabbit's current name, sighed and took the hand. She was played hook line and sinker, all before she could really do anything either. Now she couldn't do anything or risk Izuru knowing and doing something, she was trapped. 

"Now run along. You must want to check on the others." He said before the rabbit nodded and made a move to leave

"And Usami."

"Y-Yes?"

"Good luck in beating the Monobeasts." 

If Monomi was a human her jaw would've dropped at this moment, but she quickly left as to avoid any more confrontation with the ultimate. Meanwhile said person stood, eyes closed as he took in lightly breaths, opening his eyes and looking towards his left. 

"Oh wow, you caught me. I didn't know you had such good senes, Hajime." Nagito Komaeda of all people said, pushing through the trees of Jabberwock Park and towards the one granted with the title of Ultimate Hope. He had his usual smile on his face, and he looked pleased, but that was how he usually looked; Izuru knew different, he's been watching him since he's caught his presence a few minutes ago, and now all that was left to do was speak to the lucky student. 

How was this about to go? He could already tell. 

"What do you want Nagito?" Izuru said. From what he recalled his other self, outside of the first few days on this island, reacted pretty annoyed and cautious when talking to the luckster, something he managed to imitate perfectly if the boy's defensive hands up and smile indicated anything. 

"Oh nothing, I was just curious on something is all." He told him, crossing his arms and smiling over at the brown haired male who gave him an inquisitive look

"Curious about what?" He asked the albino headed student

"Well you were just talking with Monomi alone, which to my knowledge no one else has done. Now I couldn't hear anything outside of the ending, but it looked to be an extensive talk, you both shook hands and everything!"

"Get to the point already." He told the white haired student, who to his credit didn't look afraid at all. If anything he seemed...relaxed, nothing more nothing less. 

"Well I don't want to accuse you of anything, but it seems to me that you're working with Monomi. Are you perhaps a traitor, Hajime?" He asked the brown haired male, who was silently staring at him 

"A traitor...?" He repeated, resulting in the resident hope lover to elaborate with his usual smile, as if he didn't just accuse him of something treacherous 

"It's a suspicion I've been having for a while. It makes sense after all, someone working Monokuma would surely make this game more interesting for him, not to mention it allows him to keep tabs on us more-"

"Are you assuming I'm working with Monokuma?" Izuru interrupted, a accusing glare on his face

"No, if anything after what I just saw I'd assume you were working with Monomi. After all, as I said, no one really speaks to her, and we don't know what her goal is; most of the same goals for Monokuma works for her as well. She doesn't want us to leave her or get our memories back from the looks of things, so if anything goes wrong, it'd be more helpful to have one of us in her corner, am I right?" 

"...Why are you telling me this?" The green eyed male questioned. It would be extremely easy to kill him about now and prevent him from speaking, but knowing Komaeda he had a plan. Was he working with someone, or did he have something to ensure his potential demise would be caught; or else, was it just his luck that brought him here? It sure was possible...

"You're smart Hajime, why don't you give me an answer?" Nagito asked him cryptically, and before much time passed the ahoge headed male responded

"Depending on my answers, it would give me away. But if I had to say, you don't actually think I'm working with Monomi, do you?" He asked the white haired male, who's smile widened 

"Ding! You're right Hajime! Though I believe I did just come across something interesting, you being a traitor wouldn't cross my mind. You're too...how to say it, upfront for that." He told him, the Ultimate Ultimate just standing there and looking at him 

"Forgive me if I spoke out of line, trash like me shouldn't have made such an accusation against someone like yourself, but I just wanted confirmation. But if you allow me, what were you and Monomi talking about?" He continued on

"Just simple questions about our situation, that's all." Responded Izuru before be began walking, and did so right past Nagito. Said before stood in that spot for a few more moments for following him, smiling all the way as he caught up next to the boy. 

It was at this point Izuru was sure he was working with someone. He didn't know who, and he didn't know why, but while Komaeda was extremely perspective to the point it was crazy, he still needed to have a motive. He wouldn't have given himself up so easily that he could catch him, so what was the point of questioning him up front like that? He definitely had a partner, and both him and that person was suspicious of him for one reason or another...

...Going by that logic, only one other person truly fit the bill, and they'd also be the only one willing to work with Nagito like this. 

"Hey Hajime, are you going back to your cabin by any chance?" The lucky student asked him, getting Izuru to turn his attention towards him 

"No, I'm going to see Chiaki. We said we were going to play games with each other for a while." He answered honestly. There was truly no point in lying there. 

"A bond between Ultimate's happening right before my eyes, why this is such a hopeful situation that even the despair of this killing game wouldn't be able to snuff out! I surely hope that everything works out well tonight with you two, you both seem to be very close after all." Nagito said and even erased towards the end. This got the green eyed male to narrow said eyes; might as well confirm is thoughts. 

"Would you like to join us?" He asked, looking to genuinely surprise the boy before an awkward smile appeared on his face 

"You want worthless trash like me to  join you two? I couldn't be more honoured!"

"Yeah, just make sure your luck doesn't win every game."

"I wouldn't dream of it!"

And just like that the two were off to the gamer's cabin, talking to each other as if nothing had happened between them weeks prior. It was boring, but it wasted time, and that was good for Izuru this killing game. However...He had a feeling that whatever was bound to happen within the next few days, was truly going to be a turning point in this world. 

That was more interesting than anything else, albeit slightly. 

Chapter Text

Izuru steadily opened up his eyes, squinting lightly due to the sunhat surrounded his room, but was quick to ignore it and open them as per usual. He sat up in his bed, moving his blanket off of his body and moving off of his bed. Stretching in his bed, then stretching while standing, he would make his way to his bathroom and shower quickly, coming out with nothing but a towel before putting on his alter's usual clothing. 

The last night was...fun? Or at least it was judging by Nanami and Komaeda's reactions and mannerisms. He didn't understand why, it was just a few hours into the night playing whatever games they found in the moment, and then one winning repeatedly, which was usually either him or Nanami. It was probably something they found enjoyable even with that in mind, and it seemed to be some genuine fun the two had, even with one being and A.I. and the other not at all mentally stable. He found it boring, though that was the case for most things in this world. Though he guessed it was moderately "enjoyable," then again his usual form of entertainment before coming here was whenever he was around Enoshima and her sibling and they got into some mess. It wasn't all great, but it killed time, which is what last night did. 

Then again...there was some weird feeling in his chest when he was around the two lesser Ultimate's the night prior, as minimal as it was. It even managed to gather his attention for a good bit even after both him and Komaeda left the gamer's cabin. He was no fool, it was the effects of truly having a good time and the good feeling of having accomplished something; he guessed at least, he's never felt it before. It was likely only possible because he shared a body with Hinata, who was dormant for a good time on this island way before him. What were his other half's feelings on the matter? Why was it like this? Probably had to deal with why he joined the Kamukura Project to create...him, so most definitely boring. 

"..." Izuru stayed silent as he finished up fixing his tie, soon after doing the same so his bed could look as it had before he got in it earlier. Monokuma wasn't around, so that was good; plus it looked as if he woke up earlier in the day, so not many people would be in the dining hall. He'd at least get some quiet before going off to, presumably, hang out with the others unless Enoshima interferes.

...When would that happen he wondered. It had to be soon. 

*Click* *Click* *Open*

"Oh...Well this is a surprise." A single Nagito Komaeda remarked, standing right in front of the now opened door with clear intent to knock; a calm and at the same time warm smile forming on his face once he accepted the situation he was in. "I wanted to speak with you if you don't mind. Do you want to head to the dining hall with me?"

"..." Izuru was silent for a while, channeling his inner Hinata and giving the albino haired boy and annoyed look, prompting his smile to become more nervous as he put his hands up in defence 

"Right. Just because went spent a few hours together shouldn't mean I should come out of the blue to ask you something so brazen. Apologies-"

"Quit it Nagito, I'm coming." Izuru said with a sigh, getting the boy to blink at him before smiling 

"Great! I hope you don't mind, but I've also invited Chiaki to come with us. Though..." 

The two looked over at the girl's cabin and saw her standing right in front of the closed door...sleeping. It made Nagito sweatdrop and Izuru felt a small tint of nostalgia hit him, but would sweatdrop all the same. 

"So who's going to...?"

"I got her."

Cut a few minutes and the trio would sit at a table, all alone in the dining after they walked -well, Izuru piggybacked Chiaki- there. Speaking of which, the muave haired girl was leaning on the table in front of her playing on her handheld, her plate of what appeared to be a singular pancake with syrup drizzled on it being pushed to the side. Across from her was Nagito with a plate of bacon and eggs, currently interlocked in a conversation with Izuru who held a glass of orange juice.

"It's pretty bad news I bet if that timer goes off. After all, neither Monokuma nor Monomi can be trusted, and we have no idea who the traitor could possibly be..." The lucky student told the boy in front of him, who glanced to his right to gaze at the relaxed gamer next to him before turning his attention back to Nagito like that didn't just happen

"Are you suggesting we work together to find this out?" The Ultimate Hope asked the boy 

"it would be a good idea. Three heads are better than one after all, and no offence to the others but with how the trials and investigations have been playing out, us three are the best options for this project. With us three, I think we can solve the mysteries of this island."

"And make sure everyone escapes, right?"

"Of course! Symbols of hope shouldn't die on this island! Besides, despair shouldn't win, nor should it claim another life." Nagito answered

"With how you speak, I was sure you'd be happy to let the killings continue." The brown haired male in front of him commented, taking a sip of his drink as the Ultimate in front of him chuckled lightly 

"While it would aid in strengthening all of your hopes, I'm sure getting off this island is the general plan; even someone like me can see that. Besides it's not like I want everyone to die." He told him, the hope lover extending a palm outwards. "But with you two...I'm sure we can prevent any more deaths! We'd have to project each other however, so that might have to be your job Hajime."

"It sounds like we're making an alliance. Pretty shady of you, Nagito." Izuru told him, the person in question looking down at his hand

"Well I was scared it would come off like that. But it might be our best bet to get out of here and save everyone." He told the personification of talent, who turned his head towards Chiaki 

"Chiaki, what do you think about this?" He asked her, the girl not looking up from her game

"It's...An idea." She answered honestly, her gaze hardening ever so slightly as she played. "I don't like the sound of it. It sounds like we're going behinds everyone's backs..."

"In a sense I guess it's like that...isn't it...?" Nagito would comment 

"Do you even have a plan?" Izuru questioned, the white haired male looking at him. He was sure that Hajime would be more against it, or at least more vocal, but here he was calm and questioning...interesting...

"Well its simple really. You remember one of the biggest problems we've found ourselves with?" 

"A traitor?" Chiaki questioned, finally looking up at the luckster with her usual blank stare

 "Well, in case of one working with either Monokuma or Monomi, I propose that we each reach back to each other in case of something mysterious going on." He told her, a hand to his chin as he looked to go into thought. "It can even be something as simple as talking with one of them, we just need to be open with each other and know if anything suspicious is happening on the island."

"Of course I've considered the possibility of either of you being a traitor, or even myself. That's why I decided to hide all of my findings around the island, and confided in two people already about other suspicions I've had." He told the two, who widened their eyes slightly 

"And how does this prove you're not the traitor yourself? After everything you pulled, you would be the most likely suspect." Izuru would ask, the white haired male smiling at him

"Along with you. After all, an amnesiac with no recollection of their talent, one forged throughout their entire lives unlike "luck" while everyone else remembers theirs is suspicious enough." He told the brown haired male, who narrowed his eyes a bit

"I...Don't think it's either one of you." Chiaki spoke up before Izuru could, the two looking at her with varying degrees of surprise

"Of course you would say that." Izuru thought to himself as the girl puffed out her cheeks into a pout

"I don't like this idea, it just feels really mean. But if we work together like this, it could help the others...I think." She said before holding a hand out towards Nagito. "I'll join you, Nagito."

The boy beamed at her. "Thank you Chiaki! But please, no need to be so formal with trash like me, I don't deserve your hand."

Her pout deepened. 

"What about you Hajime?" He then asked the green eyed male, who looked to be deep in thought

In Izuru's view, this plan was possibly never going to work. Nagito was smart, way smarter then anyone including himself gives him credit for, and was extremely unpredictable in his mannerisms to anyone not named Izuru Kamukura or even Junko Enoshima. This could lead the game to become more interesting depending on how things play out...

"And if they get too close to uncovering the truth, they might be dealt with. I wouldn't put it past Enoshima, even with her God-like status in this game." He further thought to himself before sighing 

"You sure this will help everyone...?" He questioned, the two near him looking at each other before the grey eyed male smiled at him

"If we all work together to find this traitor and share whatever we can find with each other, and if luck is on our side, I believe we can." He told the boy, who stared at him him. The two were in a deadlock for a good few seconds, the gamer next to the talent combinator looking between the two that stared at each other, a soft worried look forming on her face as the silence lengthened. 

"I don't trust you..."

"Haha! That's fine, I doubt anyone here does."

"But...As much as I don't like this, I'm going to believe you on this one. I'll join you, Nagito." Answered Izuru, the boy in question feeling his smile widen 

"Great! This will be just like old times!" He said, the pink eyed girl along with them looking between the two 

"But we never really hung out together." She said, the white haired male chuckling sheepishly 

"I meant just me and Hajime." He answered, the girl looking at the unconvinced male next to her then down at the table

"Oh."

"It's not going be like then. I'm just going to work with you to end this game, that's it." The brown eyed male said as he eyed the Ultimate in front of him

"That's fine. It's more than I deserve." He told him, Izuru taking one last look at him before standing up

"Where are you going?" The gamer asked as the Ultimate Hope finished his juice and began to walk off from the table

"To my cabin, I...Just need to think, okay." He said, giving the girl an awkward smile. She looked to buy it, and turned her attention back towards Nagito as "Hajime" left the two int he empty dining hall. 

"..."

"..."

"...That went better than I expected, I think..." Said Chiaki, the luckster chucking lightly to himself as he began to eat

Last night right after Izuru left she had pulled him aside to see if he noticed anything different with Hajime, her suspicions coming true when she was told that he was having what appeared to be an important conversation with Monomi. He didn't know why the girl looked as troubled as she did, but he found himself soon after allying herself in order to pick up on any potential changes on the island; especially with Hajime, though he didn't know why. Was his luck picking up on something? He didn't know, but hopefully with this alliance they'd be able to figure out whatever...this was, and potentially end the game. Getting Hajime in this alliance kept better look after him as well, as well as kept more eyes around in case they were getting worked up over nothing, it was a win-win!

But...He still wanted to know...why was Hajime's hope shining more ever since two days ago?

Timeskip:

"A little alliance? Just to beat me?! How adorable!" The Junko AI exclaimed in pure glee, the personification of talent she was with sitting on his bed absentmindedly

"Well how about it Kamukura? Gonna work with them and betray me? Please please PLEASE say you will! Everything will become a whole lot more-"

"I have no interest." He interrupted, the Ai placing her hands to her face as a "surprised" gasp left her. "You are God here after all, they have no true way of ending this game without you yourself pulling some strings. It's how you even found out about this."

"Ding ding ding! Correct! Your prize is...this car! Wait, I don't have one!" Junko exclaimed with a laugh 

"Though I will say, it might be better if you do work with them. You are playing the part of that depressed wannabe Ultimate extremely well so far, joining them would be very in character-"

"It does not mater to me, I have no interest in such pointless battles." He told the AI before standing and making a move towards the door of his cabin 

"Where are you going?"

"I've got practice. Don't bother me." And just like that Izuru left, leaving the AI of the late Junko Enoshima in the room. She pouted a bit, crossing her arms and looking straight at the door that the Ultimate of Ultimate's left through.

"Aww, he won't doing anything. What a damn let down." She said shrugging aloofly; but a slow, wide grin began to form on her face as she eyed the door the boy just left from. "But he won't be able to ignore anything once the motive finally comes into play~"

Timeskip:

After some small wandering around the island, Izuru finally made his way over to the third island and towards the exceptionally named Titty Typhoon. Entering the establishment, he would see both Mioda and Nanami already on the stage setting up -at least Mioda- their instruments for the show later and for the practice now. Though there were extra people than he thought would come, one of them being Saionji would was also on stage speaking to the musician. Though he guessed it made sense, as back during the Tragedy they often preformed together. 

...But that didn't explain why Tanaka was here. But he could guess why. 

"Lookie lookie! Hajime's showed up!" Ibuki shouted in excitement, the blonde that she was talking to turning her head towards him and folding a fan before her mouth 

"Took you long enough to show up." She said, not even phased when the highlight-haired girl practically left off the stage and right into a jumping hug for the boy, who fell back in a cartoonish smoke cloud immediately after contact. 

"Ooh! Should've thought that one through..."

"...Ow."

"Big sis Ibuki, don't kill him. Doing a trial before our big performance with two out of the four of dead would be terrible for everyone involved!" The banana-haired girl said blankly, but her intent was clear once she held out her fan and snapped it at the two rising Ultimate's 

"Okay!" Ibuki saluted, and the green eyed male next to her had to resist rolling his eyes 

"It appears as you have survived a great cataclysm courtesy of the underworld's maestro. I do wonder, what will you bring to your party's non-existent table, Hajime Hinata?" Gundham spoke up, arms crossed and brimming with confidence

"...I bring the drums." 

"You aim to shake the realms themselves?! Good. Make use of that power and cause every mortal across dimensions to shake and unravel with your strikes!"

"..." Izuru said nothing as he turned towards a smiling Ibuki. "So, why is Gundham here?"

"For audience reactions of course! We obviously can't rate our own performance as a "good job!" or a "peak performance" and whatnot! We NEED an audience! And without bringing everyone here, I brought someone we could rely on the most to give an honest answer that wouldn't mind our music!" She told him

"Also, Hiyoko didn't want Sonia here, so Gundham was our next option." Chiaki spoke up, casually but lightly tapping on her triangle 

"That too." The upcoming rockstar agreed, the brown haired male in front of her turning a deadpan from the snickering blonde on stage to back at the girl next to him 

Well he couldn't say he didn't call it.

"Okay then." Izuru replied, turning his attention to the stage that began to move onto, quickly followed by Ibuki

The four got into positions; Ibuki on guitar, Chiaki on triangle, Hiyoko on feet, and Izuru on drums. There was absolutely no synergy between the three, but they certainly tried their best to work well with each other despite the death metal ringing in the background and from Ibuki's exited tone. At least three of the four looked happy playing the titled "Gonna Plow Until I Become The Baby Daddy Of 100!", Izuru was just going on playing the drums casually and boredly. 

"AND THERE! How did we do Gundham?!" The pink eyed girl asked the boy, sweat flying off of her forehead as she squished her guitar to the side to end a note. The song was a good seven minutes long, pretty long for a song but if it was a good listen then most wouldn't mind. 

...Judging by Gundham's reactions, it seemed to be the opposite. 

"Well...It's not the worst torture my ears have laid themselves upon. To make even the Emperor of Ice's heart wrestle, what kind of black magic have you casted upon your art?" He questioned, everyone staring at him with varying expressions at his words 

"...What?" Ibuki asked, Izuru finding himself sighing a bit from his spot by the drums 

"He's saying it was bad." He pointed out bluntly, Ibuki placing a hand on her heart

"What what what?!" She repeated, shocked

"Whilst not a tragedy, it does not inspire good vibrations either. Further advancements would likely need to be made before something truly remarkable will happen." The breeder would say

"What what what-"

"We get it!" Hiyoko exclaimed, stopping the girl  

"Maybe we should try a different song." Chiaki suggested. "It would be would be nice, I think. if one person doesn't like a certain genre, then they could maybe hear another after. I'm sure we would be able to do that."

"I guess..." The blonde by her said, all while Ibuki grinned at them

"Then Ibuki says we just play a whole variety! Then everyone can be happy!" She said before giving them a thumbs up. "Let's get to it gang! We're gonna be here for hours!"

"...Yay." Izuru and Hiyoko "celebrated," while Chiaki looked rather excited...as much sash could, she looked half ready to pass out. And Gundham?

Well, a bead of sweat trailed down his forehead.

Timeskip:

Now that practice was over, Izuru found himself walking through the islands once more. He could've kept back at the typhoon with the others, but between Nanami falling asleep when they finished and Saionji wanting some alone time with Mioda for practice, he felt like he didn't have a place there; this didn't even mention how Tanaka and his hamsters began to help the musician set up. So here he was, wandering in complete boredom, at least until something...well, someone caught his eye. 

Walking down the road was none other than Nagito Komaeda walking down the road calmly, eating a bagel whilst his other hand was in his hoodie's pocket. The two found themselves stopping when they noticed each other, a silence filling the air as they observed one another, at least until Nagito smiled at the boy. 

"Well I didn't expect to see you here Hajime. How's it going?" He asked the green eyed male, who glanced away from him

"It's going alright so far. What about you?" Said boy replied, and the albino's smile became more serene

"Well it is going pretty great! You accepted to join me and Chiaki, I got a bagel, and I was only threatened twice today! Though I guess I shouldn't be like that, it's an honor in of itself to even be spoken to by everyone here." Nagito said, taking another merry bite out of his food

"I bet it is..." Izuru remarked under his breath before going silent for a few seconds, looking back towards the lucky student. "Hey Nagito, you want to hang out?"

The boy blinked, before smiling. "Of course! This will be just like back when we first arrived on this island!" 

With that said, the two would begin to walk around the island, conversing with one another as they made their rounds and took in the sights of the area. It was mostly a one-sided conversation though, courtesy of Nagito being the only one between the two to really speak, Izuru just listened and reacted accordingly to what the lucky student would tell him. It wasn't an unpleasant experience, it was almost relaxing the more he thought about it, but it was still an overall a boring. Not to mention, the self-deprecating talk did get grating every now and then; but nothing he couldn't handle. 

Eventually the two had made their way over to the beach on the central island, locked in a conversation regarding bagels and what not. It wasn't until the two had stepped onto the sand would the conversation seem to begin to change, with the white haired male looking at the other with his usual pleasant smile.

"That was a wonderful talk Hajime. It sure does bring back memories." He said, the brown haired male giving him a blank look. He was sure Hajime would've looked or acted more cautious or apprehensive than he was right now, but this might also fit the build as well.

"You don't even look scared, unlike everyone else...though there is usually anger behind that as well." He continued, a breathless chuckle escaping him. "What changed?"

"Hm?"

"Well after my planned and then attempted murder, you would always look at me like you didn't want to be near me and were scared I'd attack you or something. This is a nice change of pace." He told Izuru as if it was the simplest thing ever, getting said male to stare at him

"That does not surprise me..."

"Oh." Might as well go with the first thing that came to mind. "I figured it wouldn't be good for my health if I did so all the time. And despite being in a killing game, I doubt you'd try pulling another stunt like that again. At least any time soon."

"Oh? How could you be so sure?" Was the question the Ultimate Hope was asked, a smile still present on Nagito's face. Oh? He was curious? He'll entertain this.

"Your goal is to see your "hope" or whatever, so I'm just hoping you won't do anything really. You probably won't after all unless someone came up to you and asked for your help, which I don't see anyone doing." Izuru answered, apprehension per par with Hajime filling his tone

"Wow, to think I'm so vile that no Ultimate would want me to help them in their plans of escape...what a shame." Nagito dejectedly said, earning a deadpan from the boy next to him that quickly became one of annoyance

"Why do you even want to help out in such a thing? Wouldn't it create more hope if everyone worked together to escape and fight against killing?" He asked the boy, who looked at him and smiled, way too calm for what he just asked

"You must have a terrible memory Hajime. Whoever's hope is brighter is the one I want to aid the most! You all embody hope, I just want to see which one of yours is truly the greatest in the end." The white haired male told him, rendering the green eyed male silent for a good moment; enough time for the boy to continue speaking.

"Well, I guess it makes sense you wouldn't understand. I may believe in hope, but my thoughts surely wouldn't be understand by those like-

"Is it because hope is absolute good for you?"

Nagito froze for a moment, a look of actual surprise coming across his face for barely a second before it became of glee almost. "That's it! That's exactly it! I'm so glad you understand Hajime. You all embody hope, and have the potential to become more! Hope is a positive force after all, and everything created by it is an absolute good."

He would continue, as if what he said was rather obvious, his smile spreading. "As long as the seeds of hope have been planted, I will gladly kill someone or be killed in return. The fact that I'm alive right now is proof of that."

Izuru did not care to fully understand the logistics behind the boy's words. Hope mattered little, and only served as an idea people latch onto in dire times, just like despair in an opposing manner; there wasn't even a greater hope like this lucky student seemed to believe in. He may be the Ultimate Hope, but that was only by name after all, his actions proved that. Nothing he has done could really embody "hope" if he considered himself the "absolute good" that hope brings, as his actions had to be more on the "evil" side, though it mattered little to him. 

Though, he guessed this entire killing game was only a thing so he could see whether or not hope or despair prospered over the other. But he could already tell what would happen, and it wouldn't lead to an actually exciting answer that he doubted he'd be there to see even play out. But while he was here, might as well view what would happen despite knowing the outcome, hope and despair as all he truly had left anyways. 

...He guessed he understood Nagito a little bit, but he was without a doubt still boring. But a part of him, despite having been staring staring at the boy, couldn't help but bring out-

"What do you mean by that?" He asked, the white haired male just continuing to smile at him

"Well, it isn't anything important. Who knows, maybe I'll tell you one day." He told the other Ultimate, who just stared at him for a moment before looking off

"In that case I won't press. You and your hope...it's weird to say the least." He told the boy offhandedly, who didn't look at all deterred and continued to smile

"I wouldn't expect anyone to follow my thoughts on it. But at least you took the time to attempt to understand it." The lucky student responded with, Izuru going silent for a moment before letting out a low sigh and moving to walk past the boy

"Leaving so soon?" Nagito asked, his ideal simply continuing to walk

"I'e had enough of you for a while. I'm going to spend some time to myself." He told him, the white haired male laughing a bit as he heard that

"Well that is to be expected. See you later, Hajime." He said, the boy in question offering a wave and short "bye" back as he continued on, leaving the luckster by himself as he watched him leave

"You know Hajime...We are more alike than I thought." Nagito said to himself, watching as the black haired male got further and further from him until he got so far he couldn't see him anymore. Closing his eyes and exhaling, the smile never left the lucky students face even once he opened them and stared out at the water. 

"That's exactly why I'm sure something is wrong with you."

Timeskip:

After getting to "understand" Nagito a bit more, Izuru was off to his own thing. This time, unlike the day prior, he actually managed to avoid meeting up with anyone and entering a conversation with them. The closest he got to that was him and Tanaka sharing nods at each other as he entered Hotel Mirai for lunch and the latter leaving, but other than that...nothing. No other students, no Enoshima, not even Nanami or Komaeda again.

Regardless he went on about his day. Took some walks, ate a hefty lunch as he knew he would not be eating anything later, sat in silence for a while, then went back to his cabin after having collected one of those Monokuma plushes and took a nap to prepare himself for the next few hours. Relatively quiet half a day, though he made sure that continued when he woke himself up  later on. Didn't want Mioda coming to wake him up, especially when he knew about their show that night, so he saved everyone the trouble.

Though as he was heading over towards the Tiddy Typhoon, something caught his eye. The sight of Owari on the beach, shadow boxing and flipping along the sand underneath the night sky, it was enough to make him walk on over to her. 

He needed to observe his new investment after all. 

"Hey, Akane." He greeted. He didn't get an answer, the girl having locked in completely to the single person training session she found herself in. It was so intense he could practically feel the intensity of not only her stare, but also from her strikes at the air. It was almost as if she was fighting someone right now, like she was fighting Monokuma himself. However...

"She'll never kill him." 

Owari was too impulsive, too sloppy, too harsh on strikes that did not matter. She was likely to tire herself out before she got a decisive hit off on Monokuma, and would die unless Enoshima was feeling particularly nice tonight. No, her playing nice would be her essentially play fighting for a while before ending her life.

This didn't even get into the fact that a Monokuma by Enoshima in the real world could go hand to hand with someone known as the Ultimate Martial Artist, much less one holding a godlike status in the world they're in. Was it cheating? In a way yes, but Enoshima was never one to play fair. Nor was it like Owari could match Monokuma on her own anyways.

Even with that in mind, Izuru wanted to see what he set through. So he continued to approach Owari nonchalantly. "Hey Akane-"

If it was most others they would've found themselves hit, laying on the ground with a broken nose that bled floods and potentially other hits to other parts of their body. Not Izuru though, no he caught the wrist of the brunette that had accidentally struck in his direction and gripped it hard enough it not only prevented the gymnast from breaking through, but also other attacks. He looked down from the fist he caught, bored green meeting surprised olive for a few moments before he let go. 

"Sorry..." Izuru apologised in a stunned manner, the girl rubbing his wrist with a light wince before looking back up at him

"Tt's no problem. Should've been watchin' where I was punching is all." She told him, the small pain in her wrist seizing after another second. "You got a strong grip. Don't tell me you've been holdin' back on me."

"I...I don't know what you're talking about..." The brown haired male told her, looking away from her. "Maybe adrenaline...I did have a fist flying to my face"

"Nah, that was too strong to be adrenaline or whatever. You actually know how to fight maybe? Or you take lessons or something. You work with Coach too?" The girl asked with her hands on her hips, looking both disinterested but curious at the same time

"Well, umm, I took some lessons at this place before I came here...and I work out every now and then..." He told her unsure, the girl staring at him for a second before throwing a hand out

"Eh, sure. Don't wanna say it I won't press." She said, the boy breathing a sigh of relief

"That could've went smoother." He thought to himself. The girl wasn't particularly bright, but her intuition and observation were still high at points. He should've just blocked and fell over, instead he did something he normally does. No matter, nothing happened, and nothing will. 

"Still going through with it...fighting Monokuma?" He then asked the fighter, who looked at him before giving him a wide smile

"Of course I am. Did ya hit your head or something?" She questioned jokingly before getting a look that told him one thing, she was getting fired up. "I take that guy out and we all get to leave right? No more death or anything. Sounds simple enough to me." 

"I wish I had that kind of thinking..." Izuru mumbled to himself. A very Hajime thing to do he might add.

"Well Hajime, if you don't mind I'm going to practice a bit more. I need to be in top shape to beat Monokuma in. Unless you want to practice with me?" She offered, cracking her knuckles ready while he himself stepped back a bit

"I'm good..." He said, the girl simply shrugging before walking past him. She didn't seem nervous at all, only the upmost confident from her body language alone. But still, he had to make sure she didn't leave last second, and a voice check was in order. 

"Hey Akane..."

"Hm?"

"Would you lose?" He asked the brunette, who despite not even turning towards him...he could practically see her battle hungry grin

"Nah, I'd win."

And like that, she walked off, leaving the black haired male by his lonesome before he too walked off.

He may already know the outcome of this battle, but this was bound to be interesting for even a second. Now to learn how to, as Enoshima puts it, "spice things up."

Timeskip:

The walk to the Titty Typhoon was unremarkable, just silent the entire way through until he actually entered the establishment. When there he caught a glimpse of everyone who actually made it to the event. Mioda and Saionji were on stage, Nanami was behind them sleeping while standing, Tanaka sat by the bar in conversation with Nevermind while observing those that entered, and Tsumiki standing near a wall by her lonesome before catching his form and brightening up immediately. 

"H-Hajime!" She squeaked out from her spoke, a blush rapidly appearing on her face the closer he got to her. "I-I saved you a spot next to me for the show..."

"...Everywhere here is an open spot." 

"Oh, thanks. But I'm performing, so I don't think I'll be with you much." He told the nurse, the girl giving a disappointed look at the answer, her head even drooping a bit 

"O-Oh...I see..." 

"But thanks anyways. It was very nice of you to do that for me." He added, the girl losing all of the sadness she felt as it was quickly replaced by pure elation

"I-It's no problem, Hajime...~" The purple haired girl damn near breathed out, the blush on her face spreading whilst a dreamy look appeared on her face, something the boy in front of her took notice of. She had a full crush on his double now. Good. 

"OH HAJIME!!!"

Izuru slowly looked up to see Ibuki jumping back first into his form, him slowly looking back at Mikan with a deadpan before he was toppled over by the musician and sending them both onto the ground. The nurse he was with squeaked at that, not knowing what to do as the boy stood up seconds after, a happy Ibuki hugging him all the while. 

"I was almost thinking you wouldn't show up! But I knew my awesome drummer wouldn't leave his gang like that! That'd just make me sad sad sad! Maybe even a bit mad mad mad!" 

"Are you a child?" The Ultimate Hope questioned sarcastically, not able to see her face but he could practically tell the girl's smile widened into a bright grin

"They say to never let your inner child die my friend!"

"..."

"Hey Ibuki, big bro, quit hugging each other and standing near that smelly slut so we can start this show. They're filling in like ants." Hiyoko told them from up on the stage, shutting a fan before her mouth while staring down at them. It was true, just now it seemed like everyone that wasn't Akane had made their way into the Tiddy Typhoon. 

"I-I'm sorry for being smelly!" Mikan would squeal out almost teary, that immediately dissolving when Izuru put a hand he managed to free on her shoulder, instead replaced by a look of happiness

"Hmph." The blonde huffed before turning towards the last member of the makeshift band, pointing both her fan and a glare at the girl. "And you wake up! We're starting soon!"

The noise woke up the gamer out of her slumber, the girl rubbing her eye and lightly drooling mouth as she groggily came back to the conscious land. "Huh, what was I doing again...?"

"Bleh, this is totally gonna fail." Remarked Hiyoko as she walked towards the middle of the stage, leaving the three alone

"Is this everyone...?" Izuru commented as he looked at those that appeared. Nagito looked to be in a conversation with Nekomaru -interesting,- Kazuichi was watching his crush talk to her breeder friend with a sour look, and Fuyuhiko was off to himself leaning against a wall. But that left one person out...well, Hajime would ask.

"Where's Akane?" He mumbled to himself, Ibuki -who had let go of him at this point and was raising herself back onto the stage- deciding to answer as to her knowledge he hadn't been told

"She told me wasn't feeling well, so she was going to stay in her cabin for the night." The highlight haired girl responded, the boy just nodding at that

"I see." Was all he said before looking back at Mikan. "Well, umm, hope you enjoy the show."

"I will!" The nurse replied really quickly, before stammering out quiet apologies while staring at the ground because of it. Izuru meanwhile resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he raised himself up to the stage, aided by Ibuki who took his arm and helped him up.

"So...Mikan huh?" She started, a knowing and "wise" smile on her face as she elbowed his side playfully, the two walking towards their position all the while

"Huh? What are you on about?" He asked, though knowing exactly what she meant. But Ibuki didn't know that, she just snickered up at him.

"Oh nothing. Just looove seeing my friends get along~" She told him in a sing song voice, strapping her guitar over her. The brown haired male meanwhile stared at her for another moment before walking over towards his little drum set, taking a seat as Chiaki, who was placed towards his right, spoke up. 

"First time performing?" She asked, Izuru nodding. Truth be told it was his first time doing something like this, his usual "performances" were with the doctors back at Hope's Peak, if that even counted. He wasn't worried, he knew he would play without problem, but he just needed this to go on enough so he could go observe Owari's battle. That may be a problem now, but he was already thinking of a solution. And a way to make thing more interesting.

"Yeah..." He decided to answer, the nervousness radiating off of him but being combated with determination. "But...I can't let Ibuki's hard work and passion go to waste because of my mistake. It may scare me a little to do this in front of everyone, but I'm going to do what I can!"

"..." The gamer said nothing but smiled at him, tapping her triangle in a cute lightly goofy manner in response. "I think it'll be nice. There hasn't been a motive for a while now, this is bound to take everyone's mind off of it for a while, probably."

This caught Izuru's attention, but nonetheless he smiled back at the girl. "You're probably right." 

"ALLLLLRIGHTY EVERYONE! MAY I PLEASE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!" 

Ibuki's voice, enhanced by the microphone she gripped in her hand, traversed across the building and possibly even outside of it. It effectively quieted all the noise that was going on and turned everyone's attention towards her, the pink eyed girl giving everyone a wide wide as she strummed a loud riff down her guitar. 

"THANK YOU! Today I am with my good friends, the dancer with a talent only existing every few hundred years, HIYOKO SAIONJI!!!"

"Should be a few thousand, but I'll allow it." The girl in question commented with a prideful smirk on her face

"The gamer girl that everyone wishes to have as a girlfriend on triangle, give it up for CHIAKI NANAMI!!!" 

The pink haired girl gave a small wave at everyone. 

"And we got everyone's friend, my illustrious drummer, and the person I may be putting on my will and last testament, Hajime Hinata!!!"

"...What?" Izuru remarked unheard

"And here comes me! The woman! The myth! The moment! PLEASE GIVE IT UP FOR I-BU-KI MIODA!!!!!" 

At that chant flames from he sides of the stage, that Hiyoko would actively deny made her jump, erupted. This was a surprise to many int he audience, asides from one...

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! THE FLAMES OF TARTARUS BLAZE GREATLY UPON THE EARTH! LET YOUR SHOUTS BE HEARD ONCE MORE, IBUKI MIODA!" Gundham shouted boisterously, his grin ever present on his face

"Gundham! I didn't know you helped with this!" Sonia said in surprise

"It was a secret!" Ibuki added, her words sending a light in the princess' eyes

"That's so...heat!" She messed up, but the spirit was there. Kazuichi meanwhile just crossed his eyes and grumbled at the sight, Fuyuhiko taking note of this and rolling his eyes. 

"Now my friends, let's get this show on the road! Our first song, "I Made Sweet Love To My Best Friend's Girl, And Now She Won't Call Back!" LET'S GET IT STARTED!" 

Ibuki shredded her guitar one final time, Izuru focusing as he spun the sticks in his hands that he found under his seat.

"Showtime." 

The show was...something to say the least. Originally Ibuki's songs, lyrics, and overall performance was a hoot to behold to everyone the first time around. But here...With the addition of Izuru on drums, Hiyoko's adaptable and surprisingly on beat dancing, and the random chimes of Chiaki's triangle, it was...actually listenable. Dare they even say pleasant! It was like a mismatch of things that should never work out together nor would you think had the capabilities to, but it somehow managed anyway! 

In fact they did so well that for the next album's worth of songs, the group did not stop. Even as sweat formed on their foreheads -mainly in Ibuki and Hiyoko's cases- they continued on until the last song as completed. The horned girl stomping and finishing her solo whilst the blonde next to her completed her dance in perfect sync and ending with the girl, all while Izuru and Chiaki hit their last note to end things off. Just like with the other songs, this earned an applause from most of the group AND a speech about hope from Nagito! It seemed like everyone was winning!

Oh little did they know. 

"Wow guys! I haven't played like that in a HOT minute! Speaking of which its getting very hot in this place! We're going on break for some time, everyone...do something!" Ibuki looked close to dropping on the ground but still kept her spirits up, flicking on her guitar before walking over to the two in the back as the class on the ground got into their little conversations. Some about the current show, some about other things...one of which got a resounding "SHUT UP" from the local Yakuza member.

"That. Was. AWESOME guys! We really showed them what's what!" The musician exclaimed happily at the three, the blonde next to her placing her hands on her hips

"Its to be expected. You did have me backing you up after all." She said, nearly falling over when the girl next to her leaned down and placed an arm around her shoulder. "Hey-"

"You're right! They all look so much happier with more people up here! Ooh ooh OOH! Maybe we should have a band class! That could be fun right?! We all get to do something then!"

"Not what I meant Ibuki! Now get off me!"

"I thought it was fun." Chiaki said, getting the two girls to stop and look at her. This earned an eye roll from the dancer -something about positivity and whatnot- while the girl on her just gave her a toothy grin.

"What about you Hajime? Did you have fun-" 

The gamer stopped herself, a confused look beginning to slowly don on her face once she got a look of her brown haired "friend," something caught by both of their mock bandmates as they also stared at the boy. They were confused when they did though. he was just staring off into the crowd, a faraway look on his face; which wasn't surprising considering Hajime sometimes did this when he was in some deep thought. Maybe it the realization of what he was doing? He never seemed to be the type to like performing. 

Hiyoko thought it was a pansy act, so she went up to him and began poking at him with her fan. "Hey, earth to Hajime. Freezing up? After one act? Weak-"

"I gotta go." He said, directly stopping the blonde's poking and words as he stood up, eyes never even looking at the three as he made his way from his drums to the edge of the stage. This earned him a look from the dancer. 

"Huh? You're just gonna bail out now?!"

"We're on break, and I've got something to do. I'll be back soon." Was all he said, hopping off of the platform and making his way off from the group of three, who stared at his distancing form in various stages of surprise. 

"Woah, he looked pretty upset." Ibuki pointed out, causing the girl next to her to look up at her, outstretching her fan in the meanwhile 

"Meh, probably thought he did shit or something." Hiyoko remarked, not really too worried herself. Hajime was, urgh, capable. He's probably fine. 

"But Ibuki didn't hear anything sounding bad! I have really good hearing too!"

"Well you were too in your own world and probably didn't hear it!"

"And did YOU hear anything???"

"Uh-well umm, I-"

Chiaki started to lose focus on the two's own voiced suspicions, her eyes fully focused on Hajime. He didn't sound like himself; unnoticeable to most but she could tell something was off...she hoped she was wrong. But the sinking feeling that began filling her stomach did not wander when she saw Hajime walk up next to Nekomaru. She couldn't hear the conversation, but she just knows it got the manager to nod and out of the entire building with the boy in tow next to him. 

Hmmm, what was this bad feeling?

With Izuru:

"WHAAAAAT?! AKANE IS FIGHTING MONOKUMA?!"

It was times at this Izuru was glad he had half a brain and closed the doors behind him before he discussed personal matters. 

"Shhh! Quiet down!" He hissed at the larger boy who was in a great distress. Based on Owari's nature it would be no surprise to him if she had spoken up to the male in front of him regarding fighting Monokuma, something the blue haired male must've been against. Though it appeared whatever he used to keep her in line was working. At least, until he decided to set her off. 

But that didn't matter, step two of his little "event" was underway. The first part had either started by now or had ended, and he needed Nidai around for either. Sighing lightly to himself, he put a hand to his head and looked up, green eyes staring seriously directly into confused and lightly fearful brown ones. 

"Yeah, she was mentioning it to me earlier. I wasn't expecting for her to to actually do it, but not seeing her here has been convincing me she actually went to fight Monokuma." He told him, faux concern filling his tone, unheard by the taller man

"Grrr, I knew something like this would happen! I did everything I could to prevent this, and yet it still wasn't enough! And now..." He paused, only to find himself pausing and exhaling lowly, looking at the ground. "She could be dying, or dead as we speak..."

"So I was right."

"..." Izuru stayed silent for a moment, looking as if he was unable to form the correct words for the situation, only lasting a moment before he spoke up. "B-"

"I just need to wonder...why would she tell you this? I get her not telling me, but I can't imagine her telling someone else and no one going out to stop her when she could be dying while they're having a great time in there. I know you two are close, but..." The taller Ultimate started, unable to properly form the question he wanted. Instead he just clenched his fist and looked at it, all while the brown haired male looked at him. 

Ah, he was more observant than he thought. He guessed he should have made sense. When it comes to others the boy was usually able to keep a good read on things. Of course it would be weird if out of everyone Owari would come to him to talk about fighting Monokuma after probably days of not saying a thing about it to no one. Well no matter, he had an answer for that. 

"Well, me and her have been hanging out more recently. She just brought it up as a suggestion and...I...indulged in it a little." 

He pretended to look ashamed when the blue haired male looked at him shocked. 

"I told her it'd be a great thing if Monokuma were to be destroyed and all, because of the stress from a lack of motive recently. But I didn't expect her to actually go an challenge Monokuma when she said she'd do it earlier...I just...I just think if I didn't say what I said.."

He stopped his words when he felt a hand on his shoulder, looking at the responsible person who gave him a look of knowing, a steel gaze on him. "I get it, and I can't blame you...but now is not the time to loathe in self pity! We need to go help Akane! Do you have an idea as to where she could be?!"

"N-No, she never mentioned it." He told the manager, who grunted and looked back him

"Well that shoots down that path. Of course its always possible she isn't fighting Monokuma, but more safe than sorry! We're going to have to explore this whole island to make sure she isn't doing something she'll regret in the future! NOW! LEEEEEEEETTT'S GOOOOOO!!!!!!"

The take off of the male left so much dust clouds and wind in his wake that Izuru needed to actually set himself into the ground and cover his face with an arm to prevent anything from getting in his eyes. But even then he was able to see Nidai taking off from the Titty Typhoon, ready to search for Owari wherever she might be. A faintly amused glimmer appeared in his eyes as he saw this. Would this outcome lead to hope, or would it lead itself to despair? It was something he was going to find out now that he got that manager in the fray. 

Well no time to waste blocking dust, he had something to watch. 

Small Timeskip:

Thanks to his superhuman physic, even someone with physicals relatively average like Hajime Hinata who could never hope to keep up with a serious and fully focused and determined Nidai could manage to keep up with him even while not trying as hard. To him it was nothing more than a light run for exercise, but he still acted like he was struggling so the athlete wouldn't raise suspicions. Even now he couldn't lower his guard, as the future could hold anything. 

And they were about to encounter said future now. A good few minutes into their run they picked up the sound of explosions and battle, and it didn't take long for the two to track the sounds and race towards the scene. And what did they see? They saw...well, a battle would be too kind for this kind of situation. It was more of Owari using Monokuma as a glorified punching bag; however that punching bag could not only move to the point it never got hit, but speak as well while making fun of who was trying to "fight" it. 

It was an unsurprising outcome, but one that got both Izuru and Nidai to stop in their tracks and watch as Owari once again missed a punch aimed at a robot. 

"DAMMIT! AKANE! STOP THIS!" The buff male shouted at the brown haired girl, who didn't seem to even notice his presence and was fully focused not he monochrome bear, visibly growing more frustrated by the second

"She won't stop." Izuru spoke up, the male next to him looking down at him. "She's too determined...this won't end until she dies. And I don't think she hit him at all..." 

His words got the trainer to look at the ongoing battle, growing more distressed by the second. Hajime was right, the fear looked to have taken no damage in the slightest and was fully operational; while Akane...she was clearly growing more exhausted with each failed attack. If this continued...

"Looks like you're just barely avoiding any fatal injuries...Yep, at least your agility is worthy of praise! But did you only challenge me just you could show me your sweet dance moves?" The bear taunted, jumping backwards and avoiding a yet another strike from the gymnast, who's exhaustion was beginning to creep on her. It had got to the point that after her last hit she had no choice but to sink to her knees and start taking breaths, face full of annoyance. 

"D-Dammit! Why...Why can't I graze you with my attacks?!" She exclaimed at the bear, confusion overwhelming any other emotion that could be heard in her tone 

"Well, you know, we're on COMPLETELY different levels. That means we view the world differently." The bear's tone became low towards the end of his last sentence, forming something akin to that of a low growl before it went back to being it's cheery self 

"It's like a character from a punk manga challenging an enemy from a superpower battle manga. Puhuhu, it's obvious you can't win." It told the girl, who simply grit her teeth and stared angrily at him from her spot on the ground 

"Is that even possible? Akane can't hit him at all...?!" Izuru managed out in "surprise." No true surprise there, he doubted anyone here besides he himself could take on Monokuma in an altercation. But how would Nidai react is the true question.

"It's possible...Monokuma is an advanced machine, it being able to exert such power should not be too much of a surprise, especially if it was designed for combat and to keep us trapped here. But when it comes to speed...Akane is far faster than any athlete  I've ever seen! Her saying she can't even graze him with any of her attacks...I find it hard to believe it's possible myself. " The team manager told him, looking down at his clenched fist then back up at his trainee 

"Tsk...if she can't do anything to him, we have no chance either then..." Izuru remarked lowly, clenching his fists angrily

"...No, there is something I can do at least." Nekomaru told him, silencing the boy as the blue haired man watched the bear taunt the girl on the ground

"I can't let her die. Akane has so much to live for! Her whole life is destined for her, something that shouldn't-no, can't end here! As long as I'm around I'll protect her!" He further stated, the brown haired male looking up expressionlessly at him

"And what do you plan to do?"

Nekomaru merely chuckled, a wide grin forming on his face.

"You stay back, I'll take it from here!" He said, cracking his knuckles before pointing towards the bear

"Watch closely Hajime! This is NEKOMARU NIDAI'S final firework! MAKE SURE TO SEER IT INTO YOUR EYES AND NEVER FORGET THIS LESSON!" 

...Lesson? He was just going to go off and die and-he was doing that as he thought about it. 

Monokuma, tilted his head before giving as big as a smile as he could, extending his arm that became a rocket right towards Akane. "Well since I'm getting bored, it seems that I should finish this. I was hoping for more of an audience, but I guess I'll have to make do when they find your body later. "

"Didn't I say I won't allow any rule violations against me? This...is what happens when you break the rules!" The bear exclaimed, a cheerful anger filling his tone. "Disappear!"

Akane couldn't even get out her own retort, nor could she get back to continue fighting before a blast from the rocket arm came out towards her. It was like the entire beach became pure white and black as the attack flew right at her, the gymnast unable to do anything but look at it in surprise and attempt to brace for the impending impact that could spell her doom. It wasn't like she would be able to dodge, not in this state, she just hoped this wouldn't kill her on impact.

...However to her upmost shock, she would never get hit by the attack. Just before the attack would hit her a hulking giant appeared before her, and despite only being only able to see his back she could tell it was none other than Nekomaru that took the attack for her. She could heard him growling and roaring as the attack hit him, the attack looking to shake the entire world itself before turning it white. It only took a few moments for her to regain her focus, and when she did...

"Ah...Ah...N-Nekomaru!" Akane cried out, falling onto her rear once she saw the state the trainer was in right beside her

The state the team manager was in...saying he was an inch from death's door was the only way to accurately describe him. His clothes, while mostly intact, still showed burns due to the blast, and were beginning to stain with the blood that was beginning to leak underneath them. Speaking of which the attack caused Nekomaru to bleed profusely, multiple spots on his body doing so with none more noticeable than from around his forehead and out of his mouth. If that wasn't enough to tell you how damaged he was...he was actually smoking. No, literally, his body was smoking due to the attack. 

"N-Nekomaru...why did you...s-save...?" Akane couldn't  help but trail off, disbelief filling her tone as well as her face. She watched as tears flooded out of the male's clothed eyes, his teeth grit closed and silent outside of the breaths that escaped between them. Any other person would think he was simply in so much pain he couldn't help but sob and try holding it back...

...But that wasn't the nature of Nekomaru Nidai, and the two humans watching knew that. Something increasingly evident by the grin, as pained as it looked, forming on his face.

"Ha...Isn't it obvious...?" Even his words felt like they were hard to even speak, but the male just continued on. "Supporting their athlete's...is...a manager's duty...H-However...Wh-What a shame...for someone like NEKOMARU NIDAI...to..."

A chuckle between both being humorous filled and humourless escaped his lips. "It was just a little shot from a bazooka...I really am the worst..."

He continued to give out dry and breathless chuckles, something that got Akane to find herself shaking him lightly, to get him back up like he usually did. "G-Get a hold of yourself! Nekomaru!"

"Akane...the time I spent with you...i-it wasn't so bad..." He said, his eyes opening slightly and looking into the shocked ones of the gymnast

"Don't...die...Akane..."

He didn't speak anymore after that, in fact he stopped moving all together. The life had left him completely, and he fell limp in the hands of Akane Owari, who looked down in pure disbelief of what just happened. 

"N-NEKOMARUUUUUU!!!"

"..." 

The boy simply didn't speak, not at all able to answer the brown haired girl that cried out his name. However what did answer her was a series of chuckles that soon turned into laughter, courtesy of Monokuma. 

"Well well well well! Look at what we ave here! Instead of the rule violator Akane, it was NEKOMARU that wound up dying! Grr, what a major failure! I managed to kill him instead of the one who actually thought it'd be bright to challenge me! How des-"

"H-Hold on!" Akane interrupted, getting the bear to grumble as she put her ear to the fallen male's chest. "I-It's faint...but his heart's still beating...! He's not dead yet!"

"Well this is a turn of events." Izuru remarked, Akane looking up at the boy who's eyes were fully trained on the unconscious form of the manager. "That blast would've been enough to kill most people, but he was able to survive without putting up a solid defence and continue living through sheer willpower? Something like that, he's stronger than most."

"I...Didn't even hear him approach." The brown eyed girl remarked in her mind, staring right into the uninterested and cold eyes of the male above her? This was Hajime? He felt entirely different than before. Why was he giving her chills?

"Hey bear, since Nekomaru hasn't done anything to you, you need to follow the rules and help him. If you don't, you're the one that wound up killing him, something against what you put in place, correct?" The green eyed male told the bear, who chuckled at what he said 

"Well then, let's just say we're even." He said, snapping Akane out of her thoughts and getting her to look at the bear

"Huh?"

"Well my dear, in exchange for you breaking the rules and living, Nekomaru here instead dies in your place! What a noble sacrifice! I say we're even with that, right?!" The black-white plush exclaimed merrily, causing the girl's eyes to widen before they turned to sharp glares

"Why you...!" She started, standing up and getting ready to attack the bear once again, had she not been stopped by Izuru who held an arm out in front of her; a look from him being enough to get her to stop in her tracks...for now. 

"Are you sure? Where's the fun in that? You're not one for noble deaths unless they're a killing I would assume, wouldn't such a death from a random third party not be interesting?" The brown haired male asked, the bear putting it's paws to his mouth and beginning to chuckle again

"That's correct...but what if it wasn't a random third party?" He asked, Izuru narrowing his eyes at the bear

"What do you mean by that...?" 

"Well, if I recall correctly, you're the one who gave Akane the choice to fight me, correct?" He further questioned, Akane's eyes widening as he gripped onto the boy's arm and attempted to step in front of him

"Hey! It was-"

"I did. And what of it?" Izuru questioned, and it was then both could see it. The boy's body relaxed, but still had a guard up in case it needed to take action. But the feeling he was giving off...it was unlike anything they could think of; a mixture between pure and utter uncaring and a hint of anticipation that was equalising the former feeling. 

However only one of the two present could see how his eyes switched from green to red. 

This got a feral grin from the bear, who once again whipped out his bazooka arm. "Well if I do decide on saving Nekomaru here...then I think it'd only be fair if I took YOUR life instead? I personally believe it would be-"

"You won't, you don't have the guts to do so. But I'll humor you." Izuru interrupted, stepping away from the gymnast behind him and walking up to Monokuma, who had began to sweat ever so lightly as the boy approached

"H-Hey now! I'm serious!"

*Step* 

"I'm warning you! I know how to use this thing!"

*Step*

"You have a death wish that bad! I was expecting more resistance!" 

*Step*

"What is your game Iz-"

*GRAB!*

Both the bear and Akane flinched at the boy who knelt right down to Monokuma's level and grabbed it's cannon arm, aiming it right at his body while still looking down at the headmaster. Akane wondered what had gotten into Hajime that was making him act like this, while Monokuma wondered what the ever loving fuck Izuru was trying to do here! He does know he can die, right?!

"Violence against the headmaster-"

"Is prohibited? That's if I'm committing an act of violence, which this is not as I'm simply touching you. Pull the cannon, and you'll have a body on your hands that you broke your own rules for." Izuru told him before leaning down to the bear's ear and began to whisper

"Reminder, this game is my doing. Don't forget that, Enoshima. Besides." He started as he gave a side eyed glance at the girl behind him. "This might be interesting. You want to waste it on this little bit of yours?" 

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..Pu..."

"?"

"Puhuhuhu...!"

"She agreed." 

"Puhuhuhuhu...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Monokuma laughed out loud, throwing the fighter in the back for a loop whilst Izuru casually stood up and looked down, eyes becoming green once again

"ALRIGHTY THEN! You interested me enough! I was just joking around, but now I really REALLY can't kill you now! So sure! I'll save your friend! But I'll save him my way!" The bear shouted in utter amusement, the boy in front of him nodding lightly 

"As long as he survives in mostly one piece." He remarked, the bear once again laughing

"I like you Hajime! You keep things fun around here, especially like this! Just for you, I'll activate my special trump card! Leave the rest to Dr. Killgood!"

"..."

Izuru was silent as he watched the ambulance arrive, Monokuma -now somehow in a doctor's outfit, props of being the equivalent of a "God" he guessed- dragging the unconscious body of Nekomaru onto a stretcher and placing him into the vehicle; which would drive off more moments later, leaving the two students alone together on the sandy beach. 

The Ultimate Ultimate looked over towards the brown haired girl, who was facing away from him and towards the direction Monokuma had just took Nekomaru. She had a conflicted look on her face, though when she seemed to take note of him looking at her she replaced it with one of nonchalance. He could tell it was fake though, her worry even shown through even with how she attempted to act. Sighing lightly, he would put his hands in his pockets and call out to her. 

"Worried about Nekomaru? Can't blame you, I am too." He said as he began walking over towards the girl, a twitch in his ear

"I don't needa worry. It's coach Nekomaru...something like that won't kill him." She told him simply, though hidden uncertainty laced her tone; something the green eyed male took note of. 

"You don't sound confident." He told her, the girl looking at the boy with anger growing on her face and posture

"I don't know what you're hearing then, cause I'm not! Nekomaru is definitely coming back!" She told him, the boy putting his hands up in defence

"Of course...of course..." He replied, the girl losing all anger and looking to the ground almost...ashamed

"Sorry...but I'm not worried at all about coach. He's not like everyone else...I'm sure he'll be fine." She said before looking back up at him. "...Thanks."

Now that threw Izuru off ever so slightly. "Huh? What for?"

"Well without you coach wouldn't have gotten that help to begin with, might as well thank ya." She told him as if it was the easiest thing in the world before giving him a confused look. "Hey Hajime."

"Yeah?"

"I've never seen you act like that before. In fact I didn't think you had it in you. But a moment ago when you were challenging Monokuma I felt this weird feeling I can't describe. What happened there?" She asked, the boy staring other almost bored

Of course she would ask this, it was only natural. Well he already had his words planned out just in case this happened, might as well not let it go to waste. He already had one person suspecting him, he didn't need another...for now.

"If I didn't Nekomaru would've gotten killed, and your fighting wasn't going to help. I just did what I thought was right at the time...I'm just glad it worked out." Izuru told her, with the girl giving him a look. If she wanted to press him on the matter, as truthfully he needed to admit what he did was unlike Hajime, she didn't say anything on it.

"Well if you say so-"

"HAJIME!!!!!"

Izuru stepped to the side to avoid the lunge courtesy of Ibuki, who fell and slid on the sand cartoonishly with a yelp. The sudden entry of the girl had Akane blinking, whilst Izuru tiredly looked over towards where the musician came from to see the rest of their class rushing over to them. Unlike the Ultimate Hope present, the gymnast was incredibly shocked at the sudden arrival, having not noticed them at all. 

"What are you guys doing here?!" She asked, Ibuki jumping to her feet and latching onto the boy next to her, who's deadpan looked to permanently remain on his face at this point

"Hajime and Nekomaru took so long to come back we went looking for them because Chiaki was like "oh no my hubby might be in trouble" so we couldn't just wait-"

"What?" The gamer questioned cluelessly, completely missing the look Mikan gave her

"So we began to look around the island for them, then Kazuichi heard a "BOOM" and "BANG" so we all took off like "WOOSH" to the noise and we came across you two!" Ibuki fabulously stated, the two people present to the event staring at her for a moment

"It took us a while to get here though. You guys were further than we thought you'd be." Kazuichi told them, looking relieved that nothing happened to either of them

"Speaking of which, what happened? Did an altercation happen or something? And where is Nekomaru?" Nagito asked, a small smile on his face with closed eyes somehow trained to Izuru, who stared right back at him before speaking up

"I-"

"I fought Monokuma." Akane interrupted, arms crossed and looking away from everyone who turned to look at her. "Hajime and coach got involved and...Nekomaru took a hit for me." 

"...Huh?" The mechanic squeaked out

"What?" Hiyoko also questioned with a raise eyebrow 

"Was he sent to hell?" Gundham asked simply, arms crossed 

"What the-no! He just...got shot by something meant for me. He's definitely not gonna die! It's Nekomaru we're talking about! Hajime just got Monokuma to get him help!" Akane told them

"He did, didn't he?" Nagito questioned, both him and Chiaki looking towards the brown haired male that turned his gaze fully towards them, ignoring the squeeze the highlight haired girl gave him

"B-But that's so risky! W-What if he got hurt?!" Mikan questioned, also looking at the point. Nekomaru may have been hurt but he'd recover, but what if something happened to Hajime-

"There's absolutely nothing on him dumbass! He's fine!"

"O-Oh, right!"

Well Hiyoko made short work of that question, though it looked like she had more for the boy herself. "But Hajime, how did you know Akane was fighting Monokuma?"

"H-Huh?" The nurse behind her squeaked out, withering when the blonde turned her head back at her and gave her a harsh look

"Use your head pig shit! He up and left the concert and out with Nekomaru, then all of a sudden they find Akane and Nekomaru gets injured? It sounds weird as hell." She told her, a certain breeder nodding 

"The brat does make a great point."

"Who the fuck are you calling-"

"That's something I'd like to know as well." Fuyuhiko spoke up, hands in his pockets but a sharp curiosity in his eyes and posture 

"Well Hajime, care to explain?" Nagito questioned, innocently tilting his head

...Huh, he'd have to give Hiyoko more credit. No matter, he could get out of this. He just has to-

"We can discuss this more tomorrow. Right now everyone could use some rest after today..." Chiaki told everyone after a few moments of silence. Something was definitely off, but she had a feeling they wouldn't be getting anything concrete if they continued pressing tonight. For now it would be better to rest up and focus on this tomorrow...she hoped.

"Hmph, who died and made you leader?" Hiyoko questioned indignantly 

"Hmm...Perhaps it is wise to heed the dreamer's decision for now." Gundham meanwhile spoke up, getting a dirty look from the blonde. Didn't he just agree with her?

"I agree..." Sonia said, her presence damn near catching Izuru's attention; he almost forgot she was still around. "I believe it would be better to process all of this in the morning. For now, I believe rest is a good option."

"Y-Yeah..." Kazuichi spoke up to agree. He definitely looked like he wanted to learn more about the context, but if an out for now was being brought up...

"...Are you guys serious?" The short dancer asked them all with a deadpan. Did these idiots not want to learn what happened tonight MINUTES after it happened?!

"It is getting a bit late, and Ibuki is getting tiiiired. I wanna hit the hit the hay after such a successful performance tonight, then play some more tomorrow!" Said girl spoke up, and soon afterwards -even with the clear suspicion and questioning air of more than half the students-  began to agree to leave things as they were for the night and go back to their cabins or whatever they wanted. 

Many did their own thing. Akane went off by herself first, Chiaki staring at her before sighing and heading off towards her cabin with Nagito following after her for some odd reason. Sonia and Gundham left right after while conversing, leaving a clearly jealous Kazuichi to follow but at enough distance they'd not know. Hiyoko rolled her eyes and practically dragged Ibuki off of Hajime, and -with a observing look on her face- wished him a goodnight and left with the musician. Fuyuhiko followed right after, on his own just like Akane. This left only Izuru and Mikan at the beach, the former running a hand through his hair. 

That could've gone better, but at the same time it went right. Bad he couldn't explain right away, but depending on how the night and tomorrow went things would work out in his favor. Things were about to get interesting after all. 

"H-Hey Hajime..." The boy turned to look at a blushing Mikan, who fiddled with her skirt and gave him a nervous look and smile 

"D-Do you want to walk with me? I-I would like to speak with you a bit b-before we go to bed, I-if you don't mind-"

"Alright. Let's go together then." He said, looking tired -as per usual of this body's old host- while outstretching a hand towards the nurse; who stared at it in surprise before giggling happily and taking it, looking at the boy with a look that he's only seen her shoot at Enoshima. 

"O-Ok!" She said, the boy stopping himself from rolling his eyes as the two walked off towards their cabins hand in hand

What nobody saw was Monokuma behind a rock, chuckling as he watched the students leave the beach. 

"Enough time has passed. Time for our next motive to officially be sent out!"

Chapter Text

Izuru has been through many things in his, admittedly short, life. 

He has been questioned and tested repeatedly by doctors since he first gained consciousness, helping cause the end of the world, living in said world for a good time, doing a lot of planning, killing, moving, repeatedly questioning his life, Enoshima; you could say he's done it all. But one thing he has never truly gone through was people.

Yeah, turns out when you're an emotionless nigh-machine -or in the ideas of some, God- type entity who gets bored easily, you don't really care to interact with people longer than three minutes; and that was being generous . To this day he's only really felt "something" for two people in this world. Enoshima, due to her annoying but mildly interesting nature, and Nanami, due to his previous self's own strong feelings for her. Everyone else was boring. No exception. Though there was that pianist he met one time during the Tragedy, but they spent too little time together that he couldn't truly decipher his feelings towards her, but he doubted it'd be any different.

In short, as much as he could "understand" people due to his talents and basic observation, he didn't care enough to get them or spend time with them. He spent most of his time isolated or with Enoshima and her sister, clearly not the best ways to spend your time but it wasn't like it mattered to him. He could still find a way out of situations, but he was never rushing for it. 

All this to say that when he woke up to find, and feel, Tsumiki in his bed head buried in her chest and her tightly clutching him like he was a stuffed animal made for stress...he was promptly confused for about 0.2 seconds before he deadpanned and let himself be held. 

"Ne...hehe...nice horsey..."

And her mumbling only furthered his deadpan. After he and Tsumiki walked back last night, she had paused and looked like she wanted to ask him something in her usual, timid mannerisms. She had a crush, or was completely in love, with his other half, so in order to make himself more like him he decided to be nice and invited her inside for a bit. But, he guessed he rushed things too quickly, cause after some talking the nurse stripped down to something like bed-ware -really just taking off her apron and skirt, she might've wanted to do something lustful with him and backed out just as she got started- and slept next to him and, while they were sleeping, held him. 

Did it feel nice? Well according to his body's light arousal, it did. He himself didn't care much for it, and when he woke up he pretty much laid in her bosom and essentially decided to turn off his brain for the most part until she woke up. 

That was an hour ago. 

Izuru wasn't an impatient person, but even he wanted out of this. So, without speaking, placed a hand on her side and began shaking her at an uncomfortable position due to his position. 

"Mikan...Mikan...Wake up...I might die." He added. The body did need oxygen after all. 

"Hehehe..." She mumbled deliriously in her sleep, the deadpan only growing more lasting on the Ultimate she was unknowingly “suffocating.” 

Well, that didn’t work; and he had a feeling raising his voice wouldn’t work, not like he even wanted to do that in the first place. Guess Plan B was going to have to go in order. 

Closing his eyes, he would relax his body a bit before he would raise his hands a bit, right before they latched themselves onto the purple haired girl’s sides. He had many talents, and tickling people just happened to be one of them; good for parties the doctors had said. It was fine time he put this talent to use, and it managed to work.

“Hehehehehe…” The girl got out, a smile on her sleeping face that looked ready to break into full on laughter. It seemed to do the trick, as after a little while her eyes began to flutter open, her giggles relentlessly escaping her even as the boy stopped.

She then widened her eyes when she realized who was under her. 

“HA-HA-HA-HA-HAJIME?!” 

She immediately leapt off of him, red in the face; one that squeaked once she fell off of the bed and onto her back. Izuru took a breath, relishing slightly in his air flow being returned to its natural state, before sitting up and looking at the fall girl, catching an eyeful of her panties -and more- due to her legs being spread.

He was sure his other self would’ve passed out seeing this. 

“Are you alright?” He asked, the girl’s blush only deepening, sitting up on her knees as a small, shaky smile appeared on her face. Was she that starved for love even a simple question like that from someone she liked has her like this? How weird.

“Y-Yes…” She told him, rising until she was sitting on her bed, blush still present on her face. “I-I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine…nothing happened.” The boy replied, glancing away from her. “Outside of the almost dying part, it felt kind of nice.”

If Mikan wasn’t red then, she definitely was after he said that.

“R-Really?” She squeaked, the boy just nodding

“That doesn’t mean you can sleep on top of me all of a sudden though.” He added, the faintest deadpan appearing on his face when the girl gave him a small smile, an “innocent” look in her eyes as well

“Then, I’ll be on the bottom next time.”

He just stared at her.

“U-Um, Hajime? Do you know what time it is?” She asked, her fellow Ultimate looking out of his window

“From the looks of things pretty early, but I think we’ve missed the morning announcement.” He told her, sighing to himself. “We should probably get dressed and head to the dining area before the rest starts wondering where we are, if they haven’t already.“

“R-Right.” 

She didn’t move after, something Izuru thought was pretty weird. 

“Mikan?” He asked, before taking note of her appearance. She looked timid, more so than usual, continued blushing, and even began twiddling her index fingers together. She wanted to ask him something, but that-

“We-We should wash before we meet them. D-Do you want to…u-u-umm…shower…together?” She struggled to even squeeze out, flinching back when the boy stared back at her

“Your spare clothes are in your room. It’d be better if you changed there.” He told her, the girl prodding at her fingers even quicker

“W-Well it’d save us time if we want to get back to the others…plus…” A thought seemed to come to mind, but she dared not say it, if evident by her shaking her head rapidly 

“...” Izuru was silent as the nurse seemed in her own thoughts, exhaling through his nose as he grabbed her shoulders and shook her a bit

“E-Eh?” She got out once she snapped out of her thoughts, cheeks reddening because of the sudden contact…before she gained a confused look

“Mikan, look you-”

“Hajime, do you feel well?” 

The sudden question silenced the brown haired male, who stared right at the girl that observed him, even breaking from his hold to place a hand on his forehead. Eyes widening, she pulled her hand back quick and cast him a worried look. 

“You’re burning up!” She said before pressing her hands against his cheeks. Same thing, he was hot. “Hajime, I-I wish to not alarm you, but you may be coming down with something.”

“...Finally, she noticed.”

The Despair Disease was one that had the basis and front of a regular fever, at least when it came to one’s body heat. He’s had the disease for a few days, so no doubt someone would have noticed his higher temperature if they actually touched him, much less someone qualified as the Ultimate Nurse. However he has not really been touched prior, and any time he has the other was preoccupied by something else, as shown when he held the girl a few days ago. She should have noticed then, but was so wrapped up in his words her observant side shut down. 

Now, he didn’t intend for this to happen now. The reveal would’ve came either when Enoshima revealed it herself, or when Tsumiki felt him and let her occupation take over. The latter has finally happened, which was a welcome change. It was getting boring around here even despite what he did to Owari and Nidai, kicking at least mention of the future motive into gear was something he could appreciate. 

But still, he couldn’t just let her know fully. If he was found out now, he could miss the potential announcement of the motive. It has been long enough since the last one after all. 

“Maybe it’s because you were laying on me earlier? Plus it is pretty hot in here.” He theorized, but the girl didn’t look as convinced

“Maybe…I’ll go get you some soup in case.” She said, the green eyed male resisting the urge to narrow his eyes. Her instincts were kicking in, and she was probably half a second away from telling him to stay in his room and rest for the day. No good. 

Just as she was about to speak. “You know, maybe a shower could do some good. If you want, I can join you.” 

Mikan’s lips shut immediately. Her eyes widened, her cheeks reddened, and a smile and look between timid, excitement, and what one could only assume to be lust clouded her face as she hurriedly stood up. 

“I-I-I’ll go get the water ready!” She told him before speed walking past him…only to stop

“Hm?” Izuru questioned, looking back at the purple haired girl who seemed to have been lost in thought. A giggle would escape her lips, turning to him with a small smile before rushing back towards him. 

Smooch~!

…Oh. 

The brown haired male’s eyes widened as he felt the sudden skin contact, having only truly having a second to realize the girl’s intentions before she leaned down and kissed him. Her own eyes were closed, her bandaged hands were on his face, and she pushed herself in deeper for the kiss; one filled with passion, want, and most of all love. Izuru, for all of his intellect, truthfully did not know how to properly engage with this one.

Now this wasn’t his first kiss, Enoshima made sure of that; but he wouldn’t doubt if this was Hinata’s, at least it’d explain why his body reacted the way it did despite him having taken over it. But he was stumped as for what to do. If he engages things will go further, at least further than it would, and he wanted to get back to the dining hall in case the motive began. However the more distracted the girl, the less of a chance he’d stay here, and depending on how “into the kiss” he got her worries may melt slightly. Hmm…Options…Options…

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Ultimate Luck was a great talent if he had to say. 

Izuru managed to separate himself from the dazed looking nurse, looking towards the entrance of his cabin. “Someone’s at the door.” 

“Ah…” She got out, before erupting in a full blown blush and stammer as she pieced together what she just did. “I-I-I-I-I’M SORRY! I DIDN’T M-M-MEAN TO KISS YOU L-LIKE THAT! “ 

“...She didn’t demean herself?” The Ultimate “Hope” thought to himself. No, the girl just kept on apologizing, not once making any mention of her looks or offering him to do something to her…

Interesting. He finally had her under his finger. 

“You know, if I really was sick, you would’ve caught it with that.” He teased a little, and he could have swore steam left the girl’s ears

“I-I’ll go start the water!” The nurse exclaimed quickly, scurrying out of the room and entering his bathroom with a “SLAM!” on the door. Izuru, now alone, fixed up his messed up shirt -from the sleep- before going over to walk towards the door, opening it up only to wince lightly from the sudden screaming that he heard. 

“HAJIME! I’VE BEEN KNOCKING FOR A MINUTE NOW! WHY HAVEN’T YOU-”

“Inside now.” Izuru nigh-demanded, the mechanic outside shutting his mouth and rubbing a hand on his head

“Sorry…but something urgent has been happening and we haven’t heard from either you OR Mikan!” 

“Oh?”

“What do you mean?” Izuru asked, fake worry etching itself into his tone 

“Ibuki…and even Fuyuhiko are acting really weird! Like, weirder than normal for them!” Kazuichi tells him, fear lacing his words and face. “We’re worried it’s some kind of motive, and you and Mikan haven’t shown up at all! We were-”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” The ahoge headed male interrupted. “Don’t worry, we’ll be there in a few minutes.”

.

.

.

“...We?” The pink haired male asked, his “friend” blinking

“Me, I meant me.” 

“You said “we.” Like, plural.”

“Thinking back, I didn’t get an answer from Mikan’s cabin when I tried knocking on her door…” The mechanic said, trying to peep through the male’s door who moved his body slightly to interrupt him

“Maybe she’s-”

“Hajime! I-I got the water ready! W-Want me to go in without…you…?” 

The three stood in silence for a good minute. Mikan, in nothing but a towel that did little to hide her bust, stood near the bathroom door with wide eyes looking at an equally shocked Kazuichi, who slowly looked up to smirk slyly at Izuru who…well he just facepalmed. 

“I’ll be there in a second…” He said, the girl nodding quickly before rushing back into the bathroom

“...”

“...”

“...You and Mikan huh? Never expected you to go for her. Always thought you and Chiaki would get together and…do it. Though I guess it makes sense, anyone with eyes could see the way she looked at you.”

“I don’t want to have this conversation right now…”

“Wait…So while we were over here struggling and worried, you two were over here having SEX?!” 

“WE WERE-” The boy breathed in before he could finish. “She just stayed the night after we talked a bit, nothing else.”

Kazuichi didn’t look so convinced. “Then why are you showering together?”

“...Look, don't tell anyone what happened. We’ll be there shortly.” He told the mechanic, who chuckled and pat him on the shoulder

“Sure sure. Proud of you buddy.” He said before taking off, leaving Izuru to his own devices. Sighing, he closed the door and headed to the bathroom.

This was about to be a long day… 

Timeskip:  

After showering together and walking Mikan -who wore Hinata’s clothes he may add- to her cabin so she could put on a clean pair of her own, the two hurried to the restaurant. One because they were definitely late and missing, the other because the brown haired male told the nurse about what happened after she got dressed. While her face was etched with immense worry and concern, the boy looked bored -as usual- as they rushed up the stairs and saw…well…

“Oh look who made it.” Nagito commented from his spot in the middle of the room, smiling at the two who approached forward

“W-What’s happening?!” Mikan asked, the white haired male giving her a worry free smile

“Oh, it’s nothing really. There’s something wrong with Ibuki and Fuyuhiko.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Well…Come take a look.” 

The Ultimate Nurse and Hope, respectively, looked to where the boy was looking, only to see Ibuki standing robotically behind Chiaki, who waved her hand in front of a cowering Fuyuhiko. 

“D-Don’t hurt me please! Y-You want money, I c-can arrange that!” The blonde Yakuza exclaimed over at the gamer, who’s blank face hid traces of concern

“What do you wish to do, Ms. Chiaki?” Ibuki asked, her tone matching her stance

“Nothing.” 

“Affirmative.”

Izuru tilted his head slightly. “Yeah, something’s clearly wrong here…”

“They’ve been acting like this all morning ever since they got here!” Kazuichi cried out, standing “protectively” in front of Sonia, who gave the two newcomers a look between seriousness and concern

“It is…most worrisome. They act so different from how they usually are, I can’t help but think something has happened to the both of them.” She told them, Mikan nodding and hurriedly walking towards the two

“Maybe they’re sick?” Akane replied lazily from her own table, uncharacteristically away from the others with her food looking to have barely even been touched

“Well if they are, get them away from me!” Hiyoko exclaimed from her own table as well, hiding behind her tribute to Mahiru. Izuru couldn’t help but mentally note the dark aura it gave off…Enoshima would be proud. Maybe even a bit cautious herself. 

“Well Hajime, what do you think?” One lucky student asked the brown haired male casually, who looked at him

“I don’t know honestly. Maybe a motive or something?” He replied, but before the other boy could respond they were cut off with Mikan’s own surprised exclaimed

“H-Huh?! Fuyuhiko is burning up!” She said, said blonde’s sole eye crying buckets as he rushed under a table to hide, while the nurse looked over at Ibuki. “Ibuki is too!” 

“Correction, I do not feel “hot.” The weather is perfect for my type of clothing.” She said before saluting at both Izuru and Mikan. “I do not believe I have done so, but I give my greetings to you both. I hope we have a marvelous day.”

“Yep, definitely sick, I think.” Chiaki remarked unsure, Akane smirking and snapping her fingers

“Called it!” 

“That’s not a good thing you dumb bimbo!” The dancer in the room shouted at her, hiding even more behind her tribute

“It appears that the two are carried by a plague beyond our understanding. I wonder how this will come to affect us moving forward, if there even will be enough time to “effect.” Gundham spoke up with crossed arms, standing too. Kazuichi just looked at him shocked. 

“Don’t say creepy shit like that!”

“But it is true.” The gamer said, fingers to her chin. “Maybe we should separate the sick from the rest of us?” 

“T-That would be in our best interests…” Mikan said, glancing over at Izuru. ”Hajime…we might need to do the same for you…”

Izuru blinked, as many of the class looked confused. “Huh? Hajime? But he looks fine.” The mechanic questions

“Maybe he has some of those illnesses that are secretive?” The brown haired girl by herself suggested, getting a look from the pink haired male and other blonde in the room

“What does that even mean…?”

Mikan walked up to Izuru and once again put a hand on his forehead, the boy not fighting back as truthfully, there was no point anymore. “You are burning too…”

“H-HUH?!” Kazuichi exclaimed, nearly flying back. He was so close to him earlier! Wait no he even…

“Well, that’s certainly a surprise. Why didn’t you tell me?” Nagito questioned with an airy chuckle, earning a blank look from the green eyed male 

“So while two of us are cast under an illusion due to outside forces, yet another is infected though with a lack of visible alterations? What kind of sorcery did we find ourselves coming across?” The animal breeder questioned, the princess sitting across from him smiling at him

“Something that would take the toughest of magecraft to reverse I believe.” She said, the male nodding at her and gaining Kazuichi’s ire

“Are we just sure they didn’t go crazy?” He asked, Hiyoko nodding

“No…They’re burning up.” Chiaki replied, feeling Ibuki’s head with her own hand

“Do you wish to see how big my forehead is, Ms. Chiaki?”

“No. I just want to see if you’re sick.”

“Okay then. Please touch me to your heart’s content.”

“...”

“Well if they’re all sick, what should we do?” Akane asked, the entire room going silent as they tried to think

“Maybe…Separate them like we said and treat them? A hospital opened up a while ago, right?” Chiaki offered, though a certain mechanic gave her an unsure look

“But we need to find out what’s even wrong with them. I don’t remember any sickness causing people to act like…this!” He said, gesturing to the cowering Fuyuhiko and robotic Ibuki 

“What if they broke due to everything that’s been happening?” Nagito suggested

“It is too much of a coincidence for them both to break at similar times. Plus it’s been a good deal of time since the last trial.” Izuru brought up. “Besides if that were the case I’d be in the same camp if I’m sick like them, but I’m fine.”

“Hmm, maybe it could act up later down the road?” The luckster questioned, and right as the brown haired male attempted to speak up-

“AHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

The room seemed to freeze, everyone looking on in varying degrees of surprise and worry when the monochrome bear keeping them captive appeared. Judging by the looks of things, he was immensely entertained by what was going on.

“My goodness! How awfully bad!” He said, chuckling behind his paws, straight cheesing. “Well since you’re all here, an explanation is in order!”

“H-Hold on!” Monomi interrupted, coming from out of nowhere as well. “Monokuma! You’re pulling a prank again, aren’t you?!”

“A prank?” Izuru commented to himself, eyebrow quirked at the rabbit

“And what happened to Nekomaru?! Hurry up and return him first, you robber bear!” She exclaimed at her “brother,” nobody but Izuru noticing how Akane straightened up in her seat at the question

Monokuma tilted his head at the pink and white rabbit. “Nekomaru…? Are you talking about the boy who turns into a woman when he gets splashed with water?”

“What the heck is that?! Nekomaru doesn’t have a weird ability like that!” 

She got whacked away right after. 

“Jeeeeez! Shuuuuuut up!”

“Ugyaaaa!!! I don’t even know what’s been done to me, but I feel a mysterious life energy!!!”

Everyone swore they saw an energy formation of a leprechaun. 

“What…am I looking at?”

“I don’t know but I hate it.” 

Monokuma’s cough interrupted Chiaki and Izuru. “Now that I’ve shut up that nuisance, let’s go back to the topic at hand.”

“Finally.”

“Though, I’m pretty sure you guys have noticed since you’re all pretty quick witted. Minus Kazuichi.”

“Hey!” 

“Spit it out, Monokuma. Is whatever is going on with us a consequence of your motive?” Izuru plainly asked, drawing some looks to him

“Well Mr. Impatient. The true cause of this fever you seem to have is…the new motive I decided to give to you all! I’ll take thanks in terms of money, thank you very much! This is the Despair Disease!” The bear told them, causing most of the group’s blood to go cold

“...You’re getting paid?” Akane asked, earning a sweatdrop from those that heard her

“I do not believe so…” Sonia responded

“Are we just not gonna bring up the name…?” Kazuichi questioned, earning a light shrug from both Gundham and Izuru 

“The Despair Disease?” Hiyoko exclaimed from surprise and fear, bringing them back on track

The bear just grinned behind his paws. “You know, there are extremely tiny insects that can’t be seen with the naked eye on this island…it’s not like I added them recently. I just never told you about them.” 

“Thanks.” Deadpanned Izuru, the bear smirking at him

“Basically, the endemic disease spread by these bugs is called the Despair Disease!”

“D-Despair Disease…I’ve never heard…of such a thing…!” Mikan squeaked out from next to the Ultimate Hope

“Then lemme tell you about it! As the name suggests, the Despair Disease is a reeeeeeaaly annoying disease where you get a high fever, along with various symptoms that are full of despair! Those symptoms are different based on the person. For instance, Ibuki has the, I think, Gullible Disease, and Fuyuhiko has the Coward’s Disease it looks like.” The bear said

“A-And Hajime…?” Mikan asked, the bear shrugging

“Dunno. He doesn’t look or act any different, so he might honestly have a random fever. Though I know three people are infected, so he could have it and might just be faking his effects.” The bear told them simply, confusing most of the group; no one but a certain experiment noting the gamer and lucky student’s glance at each other. 

“So…their diseases just so happen to be the opposite of their personalities?” Sonia would question, worried look on her face

“Appears so…” Chiaki replied, casting a small glance at Izuru who glanced back

“Well, it isn’t like you all are down with the sickness, yet…But be careful! Sometimes the Despair Disease can get passed from person to person just like a cold!” Monokuma announce

“That’s all I needed to hear.” Hiyoko said, everyone turning their heads to see her already near the staircase, ready to book it

“S-So, it’s contagious?!” The princess asked the bear, blue in the face along with her pink haired simp

The bear chuckled loudly and sadistically. “Don’t put your guard down just because you haven’t contracted the disease. It’d be awful if everyone got sick…!”

Kazuichi raised a fist, tears pricking his eyes and some snot leaving his nose. “Let’s run, Miss Sonia! It’d be terrible if you caught the lowly disease of the common folks!”

His words caught stares. Namely from Izuru, Gundham, and Hiyoko, though the latter looked much more willing to agree to such a plan. In fact, she was already looking to step down the stairs.

“But why is this a motive…? Are you saying that a killing will occur soon, after everyone falls into a crazy state?” Chiaki questioned concerned, hand over her chest. The monochrome bear just exhaled, looking ecstatic and extra lazy. 

“Isn’t that quite a novel idea?” He threw his head back and laughed loudly and maniacally. “A killing that occurs while everyone has a completely different personality! Think of all the murder tricks!”

“I-Is there any way to treat it?” Mikan asked. As the, self nominated, health care-taker of the group, she needed to know how to properly aid her classmates!

“Why…is there any need to treat it? I mean, this Despair Disease isn’t meant to make you suffer-”

“It’s in the fucking name.” Hiyoko interrupted plainly

“-It’s a disease that cures your soft hearts! Your soft hearts towards killing! And with this, you can finally take the plunge and commit murderrrr!” The bear shouted with a laugh, chilling many in the room’s to the bone

Well, one didn’t feel that though. He mainly felt…glee. 

“I get it now! A situation that forces us to take in despair at our lowest and most unexpected! A truly magnificent hope must arise from this!” Nagito exclaimed merrily, both Izuru and Chiaki staring at him

“Nagito…”

“At least someone gets it. Thank you.” The bear says with a bow

“Monokuma…”

“Puhuhu! Now that I’ve given you a new motive, how will things develop? Will the killing start after everyone gets the Despair Disease? Or even before that…? I’m soooo excited about it, I’m just gonna stand around naked!”

“...”

“Juuuuust kidding…I’m always naked.”

The bear was quick to leave after, disappearing even despite the class attempting to question him further. Now, once again, it was just them…alone…with two, potentially three, sick people infected with a contagious disease. 

“It may be wise to isolate the sick for now, as the gamer said.” Gundham spoke up, keeping his distance from the group gathered in the middle

“Huh?” Izuru questioned, though he already knew the reason. It was smart after all, but was it enough to prevent a killing?

“The hospital would be the best choice. Anyone who’s sick or touched someone who’s been sick should stay there.” The pink haired girl said

“Even those that touched them?” Akane asked, eyebrow quirked

“If it can spread, then it only makes sense that if you had direct contact with those that were sick stay and watch over them. That leaves me and Mikan going to the hospital…” She added, looking at the nurse who nodded rapidly

“Y-Yes! I’m sure having them rest at the hospital until they get better is the best course of action! T-The supplies to help them would even benefit more, even more if we get medicine from the Pharmacy!”  She said, the gamer nearby casting a soft look at Izuru

“Hajime…” She began. “Even if you don’t have the disease, having a fever is too much of a coincidental risk. It’ll be good if you come with us and rest at the hospital too.”

The Ultimate just shrugged. “That…makes sense. Sorry if I’m burdening you…”

“It’s not a big deal. As long as you’re okay.” She said, giving him a small smile. Mikan pouted at that.

“If our healer is working on the ill, would it make sense that she’d have not one, but two partners? Should they need to better handle the work from the damned and potentially fight off their evils, more hands are better than four.” Gundham brought up, causing everyone present to think. It did make sense…Chiaki was already going, but with potentially three sick and her possibly getting the disease, another person would do wonders to help migate the damage…

“Well…Who wants to volunteer-”

Chiaki cut herself off when she, along with others, noticed Hiyoko already going down the stairs; only saying a quick “good luck Hajime” as she did so.

“Well, looks like that’s one less person to think about. May I suggest I go?” Nagito asked, smiling calmly with a raised hand. “I have experience being in hospitals-”

“Hell no! No good could come from having you alone with these guys!” Kazuichi shouted at him, pointing and all. The white haired male just laughed lightly at his words and crossed his arms.

“I suppose you're right.” He said, before an unexpected voice rose up

“Maybe I could provide some assistance?”

That voice…it was…Sonia?!

“NOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Kazuichi wailed, everybody ignoring him and turning their attention towards the blonde

“I’ve worked in the medical field before as per my requirements to be a princess. I even did some combat training. If you need help, I’ll be sure to give it my all!” She said, smiling proudly whilst putting a hand on her bicep that belonged to a pumped fist

“Well…In that case, that’ll work. Right, Mikan?” Chiaki asked the nurse, who nodded with a nervous smile

“Y-Yes!” 

“Wonderful! Glad to be of service!” 

“I-In that case, I will also-”

Nagito interrupted and chuckled. “They only need three helpers, Kazuichi. I’m sure they got this. For hope-”

“Shut up!”

Timeskip:

The newly appointed group of three led the other three all the way to the third island and into the hospital that it housed. It was easy for them to bring Ibuki and Izuru, the former willing to follow any order it seemed like and the latter just coming along without any issue, but it was a bit harder to bring Fuyuhiko. But one nicely placed “threat” from Sonia and look from Izuru brought the eyepatch wearer to the hospital with only minimal crying.

The sick were all placed in their nightgowns right after the three set up proper rooms for them -while also learning, while doing this, Nekomaru was not actually in the hospital.- Mikan had of course helped with Ibuki, while Izuru, despite being sick himself, helped Fuyuhiko into his own. A while later the three were in their own rooms in their own beds, Izuru laying on his and looking over at the gamer who stood smack dab next to his bed, staring expressionlessly as always at him.

“I’m sorry you have to stay here Hajime, but it’d be better if you did, probably.” She said, the boy shrugging from his spot

“It’s fine. This is for the safety of everyone after all.” He said, getting a soft smile from the girl that, for reasons unknown to him, caused his heart to buffer a bit

“Well get better soon. I’ll come sit with you every now and then, okay?” She said, the boy slowly nodding even after the pink haired girl gave him a small wave and left the room and started an immediate conversation with Sonia, who stood outside of the door.

Izuru was now left alone in his own thoughts, laying around in his hospital room, bored. There wasn’t much to think about. The motive just started, he likely wouldn’t have to put up with acting as Hinata anymore, yet why was this all still so boring? He was directly involved in this too. Maybe it didn’t cause the chaos he wanted? Or the diseases given weren’t as mind blowing? He did not know, nor did he care. He’s go about this as he always had, and maybe interfere when he should. 

Well on the bright side, he had Nanami’s visits to “look forward” to. 

???:

“Heeeeeeeey Kamukura~!” One Junko Enoshima exclaimed cheerfully, rushing up and hugging the Ultimate from behind. Though right after making contact, she would be flipped onto the floor. 

“Enoshima.” The black haired male plainly greeted, the blonde -despite having just been tossed onto her back- rising up and grinning at him whilst stretching herself. “Should you not be back with your class?”

“Eeeeh, Muky’s taking over as me. Gotta get into practice with the game I’m designing after all!” She said, the red eyed male staring at her before expressionlessly walking over to a nearby couch and taking a seat, not even flinching when the fashionista plomped on a seat next to him and took a look around. 

“Nice place. Surprised you managed to find something not utterly looking like shit.” She commented. It was a simple apartment building, but looked well kept. Probably Izuru’s doing, seeing as he had literally nothing else to do during this Tragedy they made.

“What are you doing here, Enoshima?” The male cut off before she could continue. She wasn’t above random visits, but she specifically told him over the phone she had wanted to speak to him. 

“Oh that? Can’t just talk to a friend? Can’t admire their house and ask them how they’re doing? Speaking of which, you haven’t asked me how I was doing or anything. Rude…” Junko said, looking more and more depressed as time went on, playing with her hair

Izuru just stared at her. 

“I wanted to know if you wanted to join the Killing Game that I’m starting up at Hope’s Peak!” She exclaimed, completely back to her usual self. The culmination of talent actually gained an interested glint in his eyes for half a second, before giving her a blank stare. 

“No.” 

“Awww, why?” The blonde whined, laying on his lap and stretching her body out childishly

“You will find some way to kill me.” He told her simply, the girl staring at him for a second before grinning

“You’re right, I’d totally do that.”

“As expected.” 

“Does my Killing Game not excite you at all though, Kamukura?” She asked, already knowing the answer of the male who closed his eyes

“No. Simply waiting around for some kills would be boring.” He said, opening his eyes and taking note of the mischievous glint in the girl’s eyes. “If I were to participate…”

“It’d be after I bored enough of not only the game, but whatever ideas you came up with as well. “

In the Hospital:

*SHINE!* *SHINE!* *SHINE!*  

Izuru opened up his eyes, sitting up in his bed and looking out of the open window that allowed the sun inside. The boy would close his eyes once again and lay back down, exhaling to himself as he began to think. 

It has been three days since the motive has been revealed, and absolutely nothing has happened since. Just the same, repetitive, song and dance for the past few days. He lays in his room, gets checked up on, eats what any of the girls bring to him, speak to Nanami or Tsumiki, sleep, wake up, gets checked up on, eat, repeat. At this point it was becoming more convincing that he just coincidentally caught a fever, but they still decided on not letting him out unless another person got sick and when his own fever dissipates, which has not happened yet.

Because of how limited his movements were, the boy stayed in his room most of the day unless he had to use the restroom, to which he was guided by Mikan towards. Once again, nothing would happen during that time, although he caught wind from conversation from Nevermind, Nanami, and Tsumiki of a device being built to allow them to communicate with the others; and that something seemed off with Soda, which seemed more…brave.

Interesting. 

Though he did nothing with the information, as there was no point. He was under surveillance, but none that he couldn't pass through, it was just that there was no point. Neither Mioda or Kuzuryuu were cured yet, telling him that there truly needed to be a murder to be rid of this disease; unless the ones infected did the killing, if he were to assume. Tsumiki apparently felt a little ill, but one look at her told him that it was just exhaustion catching up with her, as she has been practically living at the hospital for the past three days to watch over the three and calm the other two down. 

How disappointing. A motive that could make any student into whatever has been used for nothing at all. No infection from anyone else? None that made Nanami the opposite of herself? None that acted upon Tanaka’s ideals? Saionji’s insecurities and made her more complacent? Or even Komaeda in general? Disappointing. 

“Hey Hajime…” The brown haired male looked to his side to see Nanami standing by his bed, holding a tray of milk, toast, and some fruits on it. “I brought breakfast.”

“Oh, thanks.” He said, taking the tray into his hands as the gamer took a seat next to her, immediately whipping out a portable console and tapping at the screen and sticks

“Are you feeling any better?” She asked, the boy taking a bite into his toast

“Nope, feeling the same as I did before.” He answered, the gamer not even looking at him, but nodding anyways

“I see.” She said, a “WIN” icon flashing on her screen. “I guess you have a strong body, huh?”

“Maybe.” He replied, the girl looking over at him

“Have you been feeling any weird these past few days?” She would question, the green eyed male quirking a brown 

“No?”

“Oh, okay.” 

The gamer left a little later after some more light conversation, shooting the boy a smile and wave that he reciprocated. It was obvious she wasn’t buying the coincidence thing, despite how much it seemed like it. She was pretty observant, one of the more observant people in this class if he had to say. His state, especially one that wasn’t even sick despite having a fever must’ve been weird for her, huh?

Well, he wondered how she would react with the future? Nanami…even if she was a fake, she piqued his interest. It was about time he set his own plans into motion. This dull game and motive has gone on long enough. 

Timeskip:

Mikan found herself smiling lightly as she walked up the stairs of the hospital; it was overall silent and rather dark had it not been for the few lights and moonlight shining into it. She didn’t mind it though, in fact she found it rather…liberating. Peaceful even. It was weird how even in this situation she still managed to find peace…s-she hoped no one knew about these thoughts of hers!

“One last check on those three, then I’ll rest a bit.” She said, heading towards the rooms. Things has been going well. Fuyuhiko has been calming down more and more thanks to Sonia, Ibuki hasn’t tried wandering as much, and Hajime…

Her lips pursed. 

He…She didn’t know about him. He had a fever, that much was obvious. Even Chiaki and Sonia confirmed it…but he showed no symptoms similar to that of the other sick. Nor did he show symptoms of a normal fever. He…Was just himself, but with his body temperature raised. 

Despite how she seemed, Mikan didn’t consider herself “stupid,” or at least that stupid and idiodic. She could pick up on things, and she knew something was up with Hajime. Ever since she had touched him at his cabin…and the following motive…she started to have the sneaking suspicion that he was already infected with the Despair Disease, and was hiding his symptoms…

“No!”

She patted her cheeks and shook her head. There was no way Hajime was already infected! She…didn’t want to believe it! It didn’t matter if it made her a failure of a nurse, she wanted to believe in her beloved! 

With that in mind she continued on to the rooms to check up on the three. Maybe seeing him again will clear her mind and emotions…maybe even with the potential fourth patient she might get...

…However when she got there, she saw Ibuki standing outside of his door. 

“Ibuki?” Mikan questioned, rushing a bit over towards the girl that looked at her that that almost tranced look on her face

“Ms. Mikan.” She greeted, the purple haired girl giving her a worried look

“You should be in your room. Did you need to use the restroom?” She asked, the highlight-haired girl shaking her head curtly

“No. Mr. Hajime told me to wait out here.” She answered, her friend looking at her confused

“H-Hajime? Are you sure?” She questioned before taking note of something over Ibuki’s shoulder. No, someone. 

It was Hajime standing there…but she could tell clear as day that it was not the Hajime she knew. This one had red eyes, and was staring at her with an expression completely devoid of any emotion or thought. Her eyes trailed across his form, and she had to suppress a gasp when she saw the silver shining in his hand. 

That told her all she needed to know. Without saying anything, she took Ibuki’s hand and raced down the stairs, the boy just staring at them leave in utter boredom.  

A series of thoughts plagued Mikan’s thoughts as she ran with the musician, who put up no resistance to the act. One thought rang true in her head that. That person right there…wasn’t Hajime! He got infected! No, he’s been infected! And he was planning something, possibly involving Ibuki! She needed to get her out of here, then come back and get Fuyuhiko once she got the girl a safe enough distance away. 

“Ibuki, get to the motel and-”

“Ibuki. Stop.”

“Affirmative.” The musician said, breaking free from the nurse’s grip. The action almost made the poor girl tumble, but was saved in the most unconventional way, as the girl with “horns” placed her in a headlock from behind that the nurse tried breaking free from. However she was no fighter, nor did much exercise, so she was no match for someone who constantly performed and moved. 

The girl could only continue fighting back even despite that, even as she saw the boy now standing by the entrance, mere feet from where her and the musician were. How…How did he get there so fast?!

“Hold her there.” Was all he said, walking up to the nurse who let out a yelp and tried to scream, only for Ibuki to place her hands over her mouth

“I am sorry Ms. Mikan, but Mr. Hajime ordered me to make sure you didn’t make any noise.” She said, her words utterly flooring the girl who watched the boy approach, growing blue in the face by the second

Was…Was she going to die here? Oh God, she was actually going to d…die here! She didn’t want to die! She didn’t want to die! She didn’t want to die now, especially at the hands of her-

SQUELCH!

The girl’s thoughts would be cut off, instead a pained gasp and resulting cry leave her muffled mouth. Teary eyes looked down slowly, watching as a small knife was implanted in her abdomen, already staining itself with blood. Specifically, her blood. 

“Ibuki, here.”

She would’ve cried out more, fought more, tried asking for help from anyone more had it not been for Ibuki shoving a rag across her nose and mouth, it completely replacing her hand. In seconds Mikan started to feel dizzy, hazy, lightheaded even; and eventually…she passed out in Ibuki’s hold, the girl and Izuru looking at her either with no expression at all or with a robotic one.

“Come Mioda, we have more work to do.”

“Of course.”

The boy walked over towards the stairs, the girl following but dragging the girl alongside her. Whatever they were planning was definitely going to catch attention, but once again the Killing Game would start.

Good. Izuru felt the ghost of a smirk reach his face, already predicting how the future will unfold.