Chapter Text

A tense atmosphere lingered as six individuals stared each other down. Each person stared each other down at what appeared to be witness stands arranged in a circle. Sixteen people were alive at the beginning, but it whittled down to only six. One of them was the mastermind behind the entire affair.

A young male wearing a black cap pointed his finger across the room. "Don't let the mastermind fill you with despair! We can do this, right? This is it!"

Next to him was another youthful teenaged male, but with brown hair and an ahoge. "You don't need to convince me. Let's end this."

Three of the other participants also began to nod, ready to finish the game. The last individual was gritting their teeth. A familiar animatronic bear sunk into the chair, looking absolutely deflated. The vote was cast and the mastermind was correctly chosen. Sighing in defeat, the person was visibly dragged by the execution machine. The remaining participants quietly watched as the mastermind was put into what appeared to be a giant Monokuma. With a final "Upupupu~!" it launched high into the night sky. As it started to reach the stratosphere, it exploded as a firework display arranged as a giant smiling Monokuma head in brilliant colors. The wreckage fallen from the sky is shown at the end, dropping a single key among it all.

Black Cap sighed and picked it up. "It's finally over."

As if on cue, their vision is cut off. The visors on their heads raise as if they were on an amusement park ride. All sixteen of the participants looked at each other while seated, while official-looking staff observing in the same room started clapping.

Black Cap smiles a bit. He moves a loose black hair from his eyes and looks over at his partner. The young teen with an ahoge is actually an older man in reality.

One of the staffers begins to speak. "I hope you enjoyed the Advanced Virtual Reality machine. This partnership created for the upcoming season of Danganronpa will surely revolutionize gaming – being able to run your own killing games online from the comfort of home, for example."

Black Cap looks ecstatic. "That sounds amazing!"

The participants filed themselves out of the room, mostly talking about how crazy the new technology was. The graphics were cutting edge, movement was not intrusive even in a limited space with others, and built-in surround sound. Virtual Reality really had come a long way.

"Mmm…they seem to only really be talking about the VR Set…" A sigh escaped from the teenager's lips. "Aren't these people fans of Danganronpa?"

His older counterpart made a wry smile. "I'm not really a fan, either."

"I know… they were looking for a 16th person to fill up the game. Thanks, by the way. You are really good at these." He gazed on the brown-haired man for a good while. "You know, you kinda…remind me of The Super High School Level Hope from the first game."

"I do?"

"Yeah, his name's Makoto Naegi. Supposed to be a plain, boring guy but…I dunno…not a big fan, especially after the anime where he's all grown up. All that screaming about hope."

"Huh. Sounds like you find him annoying."

The youth in a black cap sighed. "Annoying? Hm…he's really nice, at least. He does have a bit of a following in the fandom. Though not as much the original villain, Junko Enoshima. She's…uh…colorful."

"So who's your favorite, then?"

"That's easy! Kyoko Kirigiri. SHSL Detective sounds… so cool, you know? I'd… like to be one, too. Hey, if we play a killing game together again…"

"Hm?"

"No, no…never mind. I don't want to… spoil… what I'd do. I'll see you around, mister."

Makoto watched as Black Cap walked away high in spirits. He glanced over and saw all the Monokuma merchandise. Even the food was themed similarly in some way. Sighing in defeat, he swallowed his pride and bought some themed foods.

The out-of-place SHSL Hope found himself at an official festival to celebrate fifty iterations of the franchise. Makoto wondered how fifty iterations of people stuck in a place where they're forced to kill each other and find out the mastermind behind the respective games manages to stay entertaining. At the very least during some iterations they began having people of various ages becoming participants. Still, it wasn't as if the entire world was addicted to it for some unhealthy reason – it was simply a popular series, especially in its home country of Japan.

Freshly baked Monokuma cookies in a bag, he carried it and held it close to his chest. Nothing strange occurred yet, though there's supposed to be a performance by some singers and voice actors later. More than likely they would be playing songs like Monochrome Answer. Looking around, he saw there were a lot of cosplayers around. A lot of them dressing up as the aforementioned fashion girl.

As for himself, Makoto was dressed plainer than his design. A solid green t-shirt and dark blue jeans with red sneakers. His job requires him to be as inconspicuous as possible. Here, he wasn't exactly on the job…it was just habit formed from adjusting to his life here. Though it was probably for the best – there were a few cosplays (read: female) of him wandering around the festival.

Spending time browsing though some of the fan works being sold and meeting the doujin artists, it eventually came time for the song performances. There were a few songs he recognized, though there were many more that he did not – most likely from more recent Danganronpas. The performance was enjoyable from the colorful cast of many voices that graced the stage. It even had a short teaser of the next stage play for the most recent storyline. Everyone seems to be having fun, at least.

Throughout the day, Makoto did not run into anyone he could recognize. People dressed up like them, but not the actual people. In some ways this came as a relief. Maybe they were allowed to forget and live somewhat normal lives? Maybe they weren't in this strange world? A lot of people he knew did die horribly gory and unfair deaths. Still, he couldn't help but feel lonely. At least he enjoyed himself.

If they did remember, they probably wouldn't go to a place that essentially celebrated their deaths. Still, it didn't hurt to try and see if he would run into anyone.

The celebrations peter out into a calm, cool night. DanganFES finally came to a close.

Makoto's apartment was within a reasonable distance from the festivities. Normally a short train ride, he opt to take a slow walk through the city during the night, taking in the sights. Looking at people enjoying their lives without a care in the world.

It was something he took for granted, after all. He never really did get to be a normal teenager in the end. Even as an adult, he had to become bigger than life.

Be bold. Be unrelenting. Always have hope.

Those post-Despair days were still fresh in his mind, thankfully. Looking around himself in a populated city, for the first time small – this was what all that effort would lead to. Feeling comfortable and content, he continued his walk with the cold mist coming from his mouth. He felt happy enough that he might splurge a bit more…maybe have some nice takeout on the way. A smile creeping on his face, he let out an "Ah-!" as he stretched his arms.

Some people paid him a bit of attention, giving him strange looks. Makoto blushed a bit but maintained a good mood.

"Hey! Déjà vu guy!"

There was something odd about that voice. It made Makoto's blood run colder than the outside air. Perhaps he could just ignore it.

"Seriously. Playing hard to get? That's not attractive, you know!"

Against better judgment, he slowly turned around. He could only hope (with a bitter chuckle mentally at the thought) it was just a very convincing cosplayer. SHSL Cosplayers did exist, right? Short skirt. Black cardigan. The boots. The bear pins. The right shade of strawberry blonde. Blue contacts with a wicked smile.

It seems his night was ruined.

"…can I help you with something…?"

"Cut the bullshit, Naegi-kun!" She flashed her signature grin. "Of course, the second one I find is you."

"Second one?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Makoto tensed up. "Enoshima."

"So distant! We have a special relationship, you know…" A look of faux heartbreak showed up. "How can you be so cruel!?"

People started to starenow. Makoto unconsciously backed up a bit. She probably wouldn't do anything physically harmful in front of all these people, but mentally and emotionally, on the other hand…

Of course, there was still the possibility of this Junko being an extremely skilled roleplayer and cosplayer. So Makoto did the best thing available to him at the moment.

He ran.

He, frankly, stopped caring about what the peanut gallery was thinking at the time. But if she was the real deal, he needed to form a plan in his head while running away from the gyaru. Junko was keeping hot on his tail.

Taking a few twists and turns and running around people, he decides to not run directly home but to a nearby café that is open around this time of night. He sprints between couples, groups of friends, lonely loners – he mentally apologizes to each one as he's scrambling away.

He finally lost sight of her during the frenzied looks he took, but kept running. His legs were carried by the pure adrenaline he felt in every part of his body. After a good number of minutes, he arrives at a familiar building. He smiles, reaching his sanctuary for the past few months. He frequents this place a lot – it's called Apricot. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and calmly walked in.

The owner asked if he wants the usual. Makoto ponders as the adrenaline starts to wane.

"…actually, I'll have a Strawberry Parfait."

He took his time, taking about an hour to collect and calm himself with the sugary treat. No sign of Junko. He wasn't expecting to have to deal with stalkers – whether of the Ultimate Despair or of the really-into-roleplaying variety. Still, the cold treat improved his mood. A western dessert that he never really tried before was quite an experience, especially in the cool weather. It was almost sacrilegious to an average Japanese man like himself.

Thanking the owner for his strange request, Makoto headed home.

Living on the first floor of an apartment complex had its perks. You never have to share the elevator with a crowd of others who are just coming off work. You don't have to climb up flights of stairs after a long day of earning your pay and drinking as a salaryman. Unfortunately it also leaves you open to other dangers, like annoying visitors and pushy solicitors.

Makoto arrived at his door. He stopped there in thought, taking a few beats to mentally prepare himself for whatever's next. Unlocking the door with his key, he looked to his right. Then his left.

The smile he was fearing was waiting for him at his left.

He forced himself not to yell. Sweat started to form on his forehead again.

"Actually testing me, Naegi-kun? Now that's a surprise." She pouted. "When did you become so shady?"

"So it really is you, Enoshima."

She stood triumphantly with a smile. "The one and only! No Alter Egos or cosplays here, only pure, unadulterated, heart-pounding, truly exciting des-"

Makoto cut her off. "Right." He opened his door and walked in quickly, closing the door behind him.

It's stopped by her boot. She let herself in.

The apartment was surprisingly spacious. A carpeted one-room with an actual twin-sized bed against the far wall. A desk with a PC against the other wall with a small alcove for the kitchenette. A shoji for what is assumed to be the closet and a door for the bathroom. A low-rise desk in the middle of the room, with a few assorted manga and light novels left on it. A solitary window across the door.

Makoto sat down at the table with a sigh. Junko smiles widely, staring at him from across it.

"Didn't think I'd see you here for a while, Naegi-kun! So what did you in? Overworking yourself? Murdered by a remnant? Or maybe…hit by a truck?"

"I…didn't die."

Junko's eyes narrowed. "Oh? In denial?" She starts laughing, probably disturbing the neighbors. "This is rich! It's amazing!"

"No, I really mean it." Makoto rubbed his right eye. "I was minding my own business and next thing I know I ended up in a nearby park."

"A park? That's actually really lame. Bo-ring! Though a movie theater isn't much better…"

"So you've only ran into Yukizome-san, then? That's what you meant that I'm 'the second you've found,' right?"

"Hey, how do you know that?!"

Makoto glanced over to a Blu-Ray case near the PC. "I have my ways."

"Oh, gross." She draws closer. "Fan of my work?"

He paused for a moment. "You're not behind any of this, are you?"

She replied with a frown. "Wow, you're no fun anymore." Crocodile tears started to pour from her eyes as she wailed. "I want the fun-sized Naegi-kun back!"

"F-Fun-sized?!"

"Of course, you used to have such a punchable face, you know? Now you're all grown up and attractive! Yuck!" She looks at him with some strange sort of fury. "Here I thought you'd be all jaded and bitter from age! You still have those awful, dreary… hopeful eyes. Liar! Cheat! Charlatan! Pervert!"

"I'm not a pervert!"

"Perhaps we should find a Man's Nut and find out for sure, hm?"

Makoto rubbed his head. It wasn't surprising that talking to Junko was an exercise in controlling tempers and tempering patience.

"Isn't it time for you to go? I'd like to go to sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow."

"What a poor host. Come on. We haven't talked for a while, right? Is that a way to treat an old friend?"

"I don't know if I was really friends with someone who pretended to be something else most of the time while she was alive."

"There it is! Bitterness!" She giggled. "Please, if you knew what I really was would you-"

"Yeah. I would try."

Her emotions disappeared, leaving a blank look. This was a face he remembered clearly from the Killing School Life. One that she would only look at him with while he was clinging onto hope during the final showdown.

"Try, huh?"

"Maybe it wouldn't change anything, but I usually don't pay attention to the odds. The issue is that I never got to try in the first place… that I didn't notice what was happening around me."

The only response she gives is one of tense silence.

Junko stands from the table, looking away from Makoto. She exits the apartment. He could only stare at the door for a while before locking it.

He laid down on his bed. All the fatigue he felt from the night finally culminated into a deep sleep.

Makoto woke up with the sun shining on his face. He makes a mental note to buy some curtains at some point. The heat irritated him a bit as he quickly walked over and grabbed some leftovers from the fridge. Sitting down at his desk, he logged into his computer and immediately checks if a money transfer happened. It did. It was a nice, fat payday.

These days he wasn't an educator. He worked as an independent reporter, lauded as someone who not only reports facts but also teaches subtly in his writing. Some days his clients were reputable news agencies looking to cover any high-profile heinous crimes that happened. Other days, some clients were more interested in finding out the hottest gossip about the hottest celebrities. Sometimes he would cover tech, sports, food…anything that would come his way.

Some of the stories had happy endings. For most of them there was at least closure.

However, being some twenty-something sleazy reporter wasn't exactly his end goal. He pulled up a picture of Hope's Peak Academy on his monitor. Having learned of its existence in this world, he felt that some questions can be answered there.

Someone or something willed this strange world into existence to supplant the one he lived in, where his experiences were all fiction. He still had his memories and so did others from what he's found out. Junko was a suspect, naturally, with a few caveats. This sort of place isn't exactly something she'd find ideal in any way. Still, as Kyoko would say, might as well dispel all doubt. At least there was some value gained from that stressful night.

HPA was still an exclusive boarding school. Getting access inside wouldn't be easy. Not without a contact, at least. He was to finally meet this mysterious person that he's been in contact with for the past couple of days online via e-mail. It's fishy of course, but he'd take any chance he can get.

With a nice influx of money into his account, he figured he's in good shape. Coming face-to-face with Ultimate Despair and coming out relatively okay from the exchange was also a good reason to think that as well. Putting away his leftovers and dressing into a collared shirt and tie to at least look somewhat presentable, he was ready to take on the day.

A loud knock sounded off as he finished getting ready.

"Naegi-kun~!"

He stifled a groan. Looks like it'd be a long day.

ANote

Hello everyone,

This is my first time writing fanfiction. I have a bit of roleplaying experience from the past, but it's been a long time since then. I've done quite a bit of research (along with playing/watching all the entries) to try and write down my interpretations of the characters as well as craft the world that this takes place in.

Essentially, I took concepts from so many pieces of fiction and slammed them together with a Justice Hammer.

In terms of the localization, I decided to go with an Atlus-like approach – English names with honorifics (which required research as well). For example, Makoto and Kyoko refer to Junko as only "Enoshima" post-DR1 for obvious reasons. A lot of character quirks are found in the honorifics which I couldn't really ignore.

Author notes will also be…a bit different going forward. You can assume this will be the only "normal" one you'll ever read in this work.

Cheers and please enjoy.

-A