Naegi sits down on the floor of his dorm as small trickles of burning tears fall down his cheeks, manifested from the incessant throbbing of pain in his head. Ever since he had saved Ikusaba, two voices, talking in soft whispers had manifested in his head. Soon, these murmurs had exploded into full blown shouts, ones loud enough to make his head vibrate.

The ailment that had plagued him had died down a bit - that was good. Now he didn’t feel like he had to throw up at every single second he was awake, and he could actually see straight. Unfortunately, the voices that filled his head were almost as bad.

Both of these voices seemed to be attacking him, berating him for everything he’s done. One of these voices sounded like Junko, and the other sounded like Komaru, Nagei’s sister.

Just how long had it been for Naegi since he had heard the voice of his own sister? It felt like years. In fact, from Naegi’s perspective, it actually had been years - over a decade. From time to time, Naegi felt a pang of sadness whenever he realized that he really wouldn’t ever be able to see or hear his family ever again, except when viewing his motive tape from Junko (which wasn’t exactly heartwarming). But now, he felt like he had heard enough of his sister to last him another decade.

Why aren’t you doing anything?! The Komaru-like voice shouts at him, causing the luckster to wince. This isn’t the Makoto I know! Get off your butt and start searching for the time machine!

“I can’t…” Naegi protests weakly. Somehow, he knew that no matter what he said, these voices wouldn’t be silenced. He already had a pounding headache, and he could tell that things were only going to get worse from here. “I tried. I failed.”

That’s right! The Junko voices says smugly, voice oozing with victory. So come on! You’ve already given up, and you even got into fights with my sister! You enjoyed the pain and thrill, didn’t you? Come on, take it one step further. Kill someone. Graduate from the Killing Game.

“B-But, they’re still my friends.”

Noooo they aren’t! Junko’s voice squeals. Naegi could practically see her standing above him with a self-satisfied smirk on her face. No one is your friend now! You’re lost in time. Take the plunge, Naegi. Kill them.

Don’t kill anyone else! Komaru's voice shouts so loud that Naegi cries out and slaps both of his hands to the sides of his head, covering his ears. But the voices were coming from inside him. There was nothing he could do. Save your friends! You’re my brother, and the Ultimate Hope - you can totally beat despair!

*knock knock knock*

A sudden knock causes Naegi to look up from the floor. Who would be knocking on his door now? Everybody should be busy investigating Maizono’s death. The only person Naegi could think of who would visit him right now would be Ikusaba, but she was probably tending to her hand wound.

Naegi unsteadily stands up and walks a crooked line to his door, ignoring the amplified volume of the voices. His head felt like it was being pressed in a vice that was on fire. It was a good thing that Naegi was accustomed to headaches - otherwise, he would probably be rendered completely immobile right now.

Naegi opens the door and is taken slightly aback as he is met face to face with…

“A-Ah, Kirigiri?” Naegi stammers. “What are you doing here?”

“I believe that I should be the one asking you that.” Kirigiri says flatly, walking past Naegi and into the room, closing the door behind her. “If Maizono died in your room, then this should be hers, correct? Why do you have the key to Maizono’s room? And for that matter, why have you locked yourself in here? Do you have something to hide?”

“O-Oh.” Naegi says. He had been so distracted by his state of mind that he had completely forgotten that he and Maizono switched rooms. After talking to Ikusaba, he just stumbled to the dorm with his name plate on it and locked himself in. The fact that Maizono switched the nameplates had also flown over his head. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just that I wanted to be alone for a bit, and I guess I just forgot that this wasn’t my room.”

“Really?” Kirigiri asks in an off-handed manner as she examines the room. “Then you wouldn’t mind me questioning you? You are the only suspect we have as of yet.”

Hey, why don’t you kill the detective girl over there? Junko’s voice suggests nonchalantly. Sure, you’ll probably get caught, but wouldn’t it be satisfying to watch her die? I mean, she IS the reason why you’re trapped in the first place.

Are you serious?! Komaru's voice exclaims, a hint of indignation present in her shout. She warned Naegi ahead of time that her plan was risky! It wasn’t her fault at all! Besides, if we kill anyone, then Makoto might get executed!

And that would matter… how?

“Shut up, both of you.” Naegi mutters under his breath.

Kirigiri turns around and looks at him, a brow raised. “What did you say?”

“Nothing. If you really need to, I guess you can ask me whatever.”

Frowning, the detective takes a closer look at Naegi. There were wet spots present under his red eyes, as well as deep rings of shadows. It was obvious that he had been crying, and that he hadn’t slept much last night. Every now and again, Kirigiri also noticed that Naegi winced randomly, as if he were in pain.

Truth be told, Naegi was something of an enigma to Kirigiri. When she had first talked to him at the beginning of the game, she had him pegged as a hopelessly optimistic guy. To be brutally frank, she didn’t think someone like him would last long in a killing game. After Maizono’s body was discovered though, all of the positivity and spirit vanished from him in an instant. Even before her body was discovered, he seemed to be sort of lifeless when they had met up in the dining hall, as if he already knew that she was dead, somehow.

His distracted state seemed to be the only thing that seemed suspicious to Kirigiri. Everything else that she found pointed towards Kuwata being the killer - to her, the culprit was clear. But Naegi was not entirely innocent - the fact that Naegi knew much more than the rest of them did was obvious.

If anything, Kirigiri would have thought that Naegi was working for the mastermind, if not for the fact that he had pushed Junko out of the way from Monokuma’s trap and that he seemed to be in serious pain over Maizono’s death.

Perhaps that’s what I should ask him about. Kirigiri thinks to herself.

“Ok Naegi, tell me what you know.” Naegi opens his mouth, but before he could even say a word, Kirigiri puts a hand up and gives him a flat stare. “Not about the murder. Tell me about your knowledge of this killing game.”

“Wh-What?” Naegi blinks and stares at her incredulously. “What do you mean by that?”

Come on! Junko’s voice screams loud enough to feel like both of Naegi's ear drums had just shattered. Kill her!

She can help us! Komaru's voice shouts back as a high pitched ringing noise joins the choir.

“I mean that you’re hiding something from everything else, something about the killing game.” Kirigiri presses. “Since you saved Junko, it’s clear that you know a good amount about the mastermind’s plan. You might as well just tell me what you know.”

Naegi gives a short, barking sort of laugh. Tell her what he knew? It would take way too long to tell her that much. If he tried to explain everything to her now, then they would probably have to sit here for the next five hours.

“I’m sorry, Kirigiri.” Naegi says. “I don’t think that I can tell you anything. And even if I did tell you… Well, you won't be able to do anything with the information I know.” Kirigiri had already tried to tackle Naegi’s time loop problem. All she had been able to come up with was the plan to overload the time machine.

And look where that got us! Junko’s voice cries.

Well, it’s not like we came up with anything either. Komaru's voice argues.

Kirigiri’s frown deepens as a slight look of irritation spreads across her face. “With the information you know, of course I would be able to do something if you shared it. And why can’t you tell me anything? I don’t think you’re working for the mastermind - in fact, I don’t think that they even knew you know anything up until when you saved Junko. “

“Kirigiri, I-”

“Look.” Kirigiri interrupts with a flat glare. “Moping around by yourself isn’t going to help us escape. Just tell me what I want to know - it could help us all get out of here. That’s what you said you wanted when everything first started, right?”

…

Amazingly, Naegi began to smile. It was a sad and wistful smile, but it lit up his face all the same, momentarily extinguishing the dark shadows and exhaustion that had overtaken him ever since Maizono died. It was somehow different from the grins that Naegi had given while everyone was introducing themselves - in fact, compared to how Naegi looked now, the smiles he had given back then looked almost obviously faked.

For a second, he looked like the Naegi that he once was - the Naegi who didn’t need to put on a mask whenever he wanted to talk with his friends. The Naegi who didn’t know anything about time loops.

To Kirigiri, he looked like someone who could have once held hope for the future.

“You normally act so cold and distant towards everyone, Kirigiri.” Naegi says softly, locking his gaze with Kirigiri’s. The voices that had plagued his head temporarily dampened as a cold cloud settled in his mind. “I wonder why you’re acting like this, especially when it’s only the start of the game.”

“... You aren’t making any sense.” Kirigiri deadpans.

*ding dong bing bong*

“Erm, so ah… I’m getting tired of waiting. What say we just get started, hm? It’s time for the long-awaited Class Trial! Now then, allow me to appoint a proper location for the proceedings. Please go through the red door on the 1st floor of the school! Puhuhuhuhuhu! See you soon!”

All at once, Naegi’s serene and almost bright expression vanished without a trace. His face went a nasty shade of gray, and his reluctant smile was replaced with an ugly grimace. It was hard to believe that this Naegi was the same person who had been standing here just a few seconds ago. The cloud muffling the two voices in his head evaporated into thin air.

Look on the bright side, Makoto! Komaru’s voice says in an annoyingly cheery tone. Her voice was high enough to shatter glass. You know how to get past the class trial! You’ve done it a bunch of times!

Yeah. Junko’s voice says smugly. We get to watch another execution! Isn’t that great?

“Well, I suppose it’s time for us to go.” Kirigiri says stoically, swiftly walking past Naegi. As she opens the door from Maizono’s room, she pauses and looks back at Naegi. He was staring after her, with a tired, sullen look in his eyes. She opens her mouth to say something, but thought better of it and simply turns around and walks away, to the elevator room.

Naegi found himself unable to look away as Kuwata is executed right in front of him. All around him, his classmates had expressions of shock and disgust on their faces. He must have seen this execution play out nearly a hundred times, just like how he had seen Maizono die nearly a hundred times.

But now, his death seemed a hundred times more gruesome. He noticed every single detail - the sound made from every single impact that each baseball made against Kuwata’s flesh coursed through his head. Each drop of blood that spilled out of Kuwata’s battered body seemed to vibrate intensely, highlighting every inch of the execution chamber in a gruesome coat of neon pink paint..

What made everything worse was that Junko was screaming and cheering during the entire process, drilling into Naegi’s skull like a mental laser. She drowned out both Naegi’s own thoughts and Komaru’s voice. Her voice seemed to raise an octave every single time a baseball hit Kuwata. By the end of it all, Naegi felt like he was going to pass out.

Makoto. Komaru’s voice says. Her voice was at a manageable volume, for once. Do you really want to keep seeing this stuff happen over and over? Don’t give up.

You’re completely trapped. Junko’s voice interjects. Might as well go with the flow, strap in for the ride! Kill someone besides myself. Trust me - despair feels good once you get used to it.

“Shut up.” Naegi mutters under his breath as he walks back to his dorm room. Since it was after the class trial, his entire room would have been cleaned up by Monokuma… and every trace of Maizono should be gone. “You’re both just hallucinations cooked up from my stupid head.”

Sure! Junko’s voice vehemently agrees. You’re going crazy. Why not embrace it and just let loose? Fujisaki’s murder is coming up next. I bet you’ll be able to find some way to make it interesting!

Please, Makoto. Komaru’s voice was pleading now, almost desperate enough to be begging. Naegi was only mildly surprised to find that he thought that he could hear genuine emotion in her voice. You don’t need to kill your friends or anyone else!

I mean, he already killed me once you know. Junko’s voice comments. And he was going to kill Maizono - it was just that she died before he could get to him.

Naegi groans in complaint as he enters his dorm and closes the door behind him. Sure enough, the entire room was cleaned out. It was as if nothing had ever happened here. The luckster haphazardly staggers towards his bed and collapses onto it. Sleep was all he wanted. Unfortunately, the arguing voices would make that near impossible.

As he closes his eyes and puts a hand on his forehead, Naegi finds himself thinking a single clear thought amidst the chaotic mess of his mind.

I would do anything to get rid of these voices.

“So I did a little investigating of my own, and I dug up some of your darkest secrets!”

Monokuma had just called everyone to the gym in order to announce the second motive - secrets. Naegi had only come along because he knew that he would have been dragged along otherwise. He already knew everyone’s secrets, and Monokuma’s high pitched voice only grated his brain further.

“And those embarrassing memories and secrets are all contained in the envelopes I have right here. I’m going to hand them out now, so take a second to take a peek!” Monokuma says cheerfully, tossing the envelopes into the air.

While the other students scrambled around to get their envelopes, Naegi simply catches his with a single swift movement and shoves it into his hoodie pocket, not bothering to take a second glance at it.

“How’d you find out about this?!”

“What the heck?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Various exclamations arose from the students as they read their deepest, darkest secrets.

“You have 24 hours! If someone doesn’t get killed within that time frame, then all of your deepest, darkest, most embarassingest secrets will be exposed to the world! Maybe I’ll blast these secrets on loudspeakers in a public street! Puhuhuhuhuhu!” Monokuma guffaws as he rubs his paws together in glee.

Naegi glances at Owada. His face had turned an unnatural shade of purple. Within the next 24 hours, he would lose his temper and kill Fujisaki. He knew from the class trial that Fujisaki died instantly, so he wouldn’t be able to steal the kill there. Naegi knew he could take Owada on a fight - in fact, he could probably take both Ikusaba and Ogami in a fight now. But he wasn’t going to go down without a struggle - a struggle that might leave evidence.

So what if you get caught? You think that being executed would matter? AHAHAHAHA! Junko’s cackling voice echoes throughout Naegi’s head, bringing with it fresh waves of pain. Just submit to the despair and kill! This denial is pathetic!

“No one would murder over something like this! Your plan is doomed to fail Monokuma! In fact, I suggest that we all lay out our secrest right now! I’ll even start us off!” Ishimaru quickly straightens up and clears his throat, but before he could say a single word...

“Oh, shut up you imbecile.” Togami rolls his eyes as he interrupts Ishimaru. “Do you really think that I would tell any of you plebeians my secret?”

Ishimaru takes a step back as his face contorts into shock. “W-What?”

Ikusaba slowly nods her head. She had kept mostly silent and neutral ever since her near-death experience, but now she was crumpling her envelope into a ball, crushing it in her hand. “I wouldn’t tell my secret to anyone… ever.”

Naegi’s eyes glass over as he begins to tune out the conversations from his classmates, instead focusing on keeping his head from exploding from his pounding headache. He had heard their indignations a thousand times over - he wouldn’t miss anything if he were to gloss over them.

Ever since Kuwata had been executed, Komaru’s voice had quieted significantly. Now, she barely tried to talk to Naegi and even when she did, her voice was actually at a reasonable volume. On the other hand, Junko’s voice had increased in both volume and appearances. It’s gotten to the point where Naegi had to physically restrain himself from trying to bash his own head into the wall. There were some moments where sluggish thoughts about suicide ran through his head, only for them to vanish once he realized thatit probably wouldn’t matter.

*ding dong bing bong*

“Ahem, this is a school announcement. It is now 10 p.m. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall will be locked, and entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Okay then… sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight!”

Monokuma’s sudden night announcement breaks Naegi out of his daze. Blinking dazedly, Naegi takes a look around and remembers that he was hearing about the second motive.

“Night already, huh?” Hagakure yawns. Despite the motive, he didn’t seem all too worried about his secret. “Alright, I’ll just call it a day then.”

Naegi licks his dry lips and places a hand on his forehead. While it was covered in slimy cold sweat, there was also a raging storm of infernal heat in his skull. His hand recoils away from his forehead in a sort of flinching disgust. It seemed like all of his nerves except for the ones that specifically feel pain had faded into a dense fog.

For how many loops had I been hearing these voices for? Three? Five? Ten? A hundred? I don’t even remember anymore. Naegi thinks as he numbly makes his way back to his dorm.

Y’know Naegi, maybe we can make a deal. Junko’s voice says. While her tone seemed calm and composed, Naegi was hearing her speak to him at what must have been ten times what her normal speaking volume would be. Kill someone and I promise you that I’ll go away. I’ll even get rid of your annoying sister for you.

Makoto… Komaru’s voice mutters. Not for the first time, Naegi is amazed at how vivid his own hallucinations had been. He could hear the distinct mixture of disappointment, bitterness, and even a tiny sliver of hope in her voice.

It reminded Naegi of himself, several forevers ago.

“I’m going to get executed if I try killing Owada.” Naegi mutters as he closes his dorm’s door behind him. He knew that it didn’t matter if he was executed. He knew it didn’t matter if he wasn’t executed. He knew it didn’t matter if the voices left him or not.

He knew that he was getting really tired of the phrase, “It didn’t matter”.

And he knew that he was just delaying the inevitable at this point.

Junko’s voice knew it too.She was technically a part of Naegi’s mind after all. So this time, she didn’t bother to try and convince him further. She only said one simple sentence.

Togami would make an easy target during this case, wouldn’t you think?

Then she left Naegi alone for once, alone to collect his thoughts.