Art by stormy_aozora71

"...It's finally over." Kiibo sighed.

"No, not yet. I haven't... heard his answer yet. Shinguji... why? Why did you kill Chabashira and Yonaga?" Himiko grumbled.

Gonta clenched his fists. "Yeah! He didn't need to kill them both, no matter what motive he had!"

"Motive?" Korekiyo asked.

"Did the motive have something to do with the transfer student who was resurrected?" Tsumugi asked.

"Don't tell me... Were you actually scared of the resurrection ritual, Momota-chan?" Kokichi giggled.

"Sh-Shut up! I never said I was scared!"

"Nyufufu, Momota-san's a scaredy cat~" Ichika smirked.

"I-I said I was never scared!!!" Kaito barked.

"Kehehe... the resurrection ritual had nothing to do with it. Because we're friends, I'll tell you... I never once believed in the ritual."

"So it had nothing to do with the motive?" Maki inquired.

"T-Then why...?" Himiko looked darkly at Korekiyo from under her hat.

"There is... someone that I love. From the bottom of my heart. Someone so dear. Someone I long for. I love her with all my heart. And she loves me with all her heart. Yes, we vowed an endless love to each other... bound by fate. None can come between us. We are bound by and intense love..."

"Braggin' about your perfect love life!? Fuck you! Some of us aren't that lucky...!" Miu screeched.

"So to see this lover of yours, you had to escape..." Katio growled.

"That's why you killed Yonaga and Chabashira?" Himiko grumbled. "But, why did you need to kill both of them-"

"If you asked if I did it to escape this place, my answer would be... 'No.' Because I have no need to escape this place. The one I love...is inside."

"Inside?" Ichika parroted and tilted her head.

The students all looked over at Miu. "D-Don't look at me! I... I'm not his lover!"

"Calm down, no one would want a disgusting shit-stuffed bitch like y-"

Ichika flicked Kokichi's forehead. "Hey!"

"And we don't want your useless comments." Ichika chirped. "Anyway, Shinguji-san, who is this person you love so much?"

"...Is it really one of us?" Maki asked nervously.

"Mmm... When I say 'inside', I do not mean 'inside this academy.' Yes, the one I love lives inside me. My dearest sister!"

"S-Sister?"

"Your sister? But... didn't you say she was your lover?" Tsumugi questioned.

"Kehehe... It is not that difficult. My sister is my lover. I loved her so deeply... And she loved me so deeply... The fact that we were siblings... meant nothing to us. They called it "forbidden love," but none could stop the love we shared... Ooh, how I long for my sister's warmth... The only time I felt at peace... was when I was enveloped in my sister's warmth! That is why... for my beloved sister... I had to-"

"Y-You had to escape from here, right?" Kaito interrupted.

"No... I had to kill for her."

"Y-You what...?" Shuichi stammered.

"Sister was very sickly... She was always in and out of the hospital ever since she was a child. Because of that, she didn't have many friends. She always seemed so lonely... Even if I could be her little brother and her lover, I couldn't be her friend. So I thought I'd find her some friends. Friends for my ."

Shuichi recoiled in shock. "Deceased!?"

"Alright, this just got 10x worse." Ichika deadpanned.

"My sister is now a ghost, so her friends should be ghosts, too, right? For sister's sake... I've killed so many! To send her 100 friends! They were all wonderful people! Worthy of being sister's friends!"

"This is too impossible to understand...! Too... Impossible..." Kiibo exclaimed.

"Kehehe... Sister is very happy."

"Yes, Korekiyo... I am very happy. Thanks to you, I am not lonely."

Tsumugi was sweating. "C-Could it be... that the lipstick version of Shinguji-kun is..."

"I am Korekiyo's older sister. Thank you for looking after my little brother."

"Wh-What that hell!?" Kaito squawked.

"After I lost my beloved sister, I was so distraught, I nearly went mad. But sister came to save me. She visited me during one of my séances and stayed inside me... Kehehe... Now I can see her whenever I want. I'm never lonely."

"That's wonderful, Korekiyo. Your love made the impossible, possible."

"A-are you... serious?" Kaito looked terrified. "Is this... really a spirit!?"

"He's just delusional..." Maki responded.

"Hmhmhm... What a sad girl who can't even believe in the power of love..." Maki glared at Korekiyo.

"E-Either way, he's totally outta his mind." Miu stammered. "I mean... He killed for a dead chick!"

"You said you killed a lot already, right?" Kokichi rose a finger to his lips. "So it wasn't just the two you killed here? Nee-heehee... Seems like he was already crazy before he got here... You didn't kill to escape from here- that wasn't you're purpose from the get-go... You just wanted to slaughter a bunch, huh!?"

"Do not make me out to be some bloodthirsty, indiscriminate killer." Korekiyo glared at Kokichi. "I only kill girls who I think are worthy of being sister's friends."

Ichika rolled her eyes. "Geez, I get sibling love but this ain't it. Siblings look out for each other, they do not go in to each other."

Miu nearly did a spit take. "What the fuck Kaeru!?"

"Wait... only girls?" Shuichi blinked. "I see... so when we were deciding on who should be the medium, you said it would best work with a girl."

"I spent my time evaluating all the girls here... And besides Harukawa-san and Iruma-san, all were worthy!"

"All... worthy?" Himiko parroted underneath her hat.

"Hey, how come I'm not included!? I mean, not like I care!" Miu barked.

"Then... the second victim... could've been me? Chabashira... died in place of me?" Himiko mumbled.

"Yumeno-san would've been great, but Chabashira-san volunteering made me so happy... Her noble, earnest heart made her a perfect friend for sister. She even infiltrated the student council to protect Yumeno-san!"

"Huh? Infiltrate? Really?" Gonta asked, shocked.

Ichika hummed. "Oooooh... So you knew about that, huh?"

"Kehehe... It was obvious to me. I have studied many people. Yes! She stood up against the darkness of this school all by herself! I was so touched by that! Wonderful! She was a perfect friend for sister! Kehehe... I can't understand why you didn't like her, Yumeno-san." Himiko glared at Korekiyo. "Though... I was planning on having you become sister's friend, too... eventually."

Gonta sweated. "Wh-What...? You did all this for-"

"Wooow, you did all that just to kill." Kokichi butted in. "For you to go that far... that's pretty impressive. You were interested in The Caged Child, just so you could use it to kill someone, right?"

"It interested me as an anthropologist, of course. But more than that... I wanted to kill for sister! I cannot deny that overpowering feeling! Allow me to explain, though. I did not plan to kill both of them. I knew I would have plenty of chances after escaping this place. But Yonaga-san walked in on me preparing and I ended up killing her a different way. So I figured I may as well kill someone else, too. After all, it would be a shame to just waste to the seance trick I prepared."

Tsumugi shivered. "Y-You're talking like... you killed her just because you could..."

"No, not just because I could... I was sending another friend to sister."

"Korekiyo, you're such a thoughtful little brother. But it was bad to get greedy."

"You're right... Because of that, now I can't send 100 friends to sister."

"Do you understand now? Those were the circumstances of Korekiyo's crime."

"I...I do not understand. This is all impossible for me to understand!" Kiibo stammered.

"Th-That's right... Killing two of our friends for your dead sister!? That's...wrong! That's so wrong!" Gonta cried.

"Kehehe... Oh, don't get so worked up. Death only changes a person's form. The soul lives on as a ghost."

"That's right. Even though I'm a ghost now, I am always by Korekiyo's side."

"Thank you, sister... I love you."

"C-Cut it out already!" Himiko's face went red with anger. "I don't understand anything you're saying. Nothings making sense. It's not fair! Why did Chabashira and Yonaga have to die for something so unfair!"

"Because death is unfair." Monokuma chimed in. "All deaths are unfair deaths. Why do you think news stations get such high ratings when they're reporting about death? Because... everyone likes unfair deaths."

"Well if you look at it like that, this whole killing game embodies that philosophy, right?" Kokichi said. "Gifted high school students forced to play a killing game... Man! If people were watching this, they would get a kick out of it!"

"Knock off that bullshit! Only sick fucks would enjoy watching this!" Miu shrieked.

Ichika pulled her hood over her head. "But... there are a lot of sick and twisted people out there in the world who would genuinely enjoy watching this."

"Hell yeah!" Kokichi grinned. "If I wasn't in this killing game, I would have so much fun watching!"

"Kehehe... The nature of this killing game is shrouded in mystery... But my role in it is over. have finished my explanation to you, friends. I think I shall go and see her now... My beloved sister... I was unable to send her 100 friends but at least I can see her now."

"It's alright, sweet Korekiyo... Come to me."

"Looks like you're already prepared. Now then, let's get started... Its the moment you've all been waiting for-punishment time!" Monokuma cackled and brought his red hammer down on the button.

***

"Man... This is stupid." Kaito spoke up after the execution and departing of Monokuma and his cubs. "What people believe is up to them but... Living people shouldn't have to suffer because of the dead! The living are more precious than the dead! No matter what!"

"... That's not something a coward like you should say." Maki retorted.

"Sh-Shut up... leave me alone."

"But... there's one thing this case taught me." Tsumugi started sobbing. "I thought there was a God watching over us, but... There isn't after all... not in this academy..."

"Yeah, you're right." Gonta said sadly.

"Well then... I guess we'll just need to keep our spirits high!" Ichika piped up energetically.

"Stop making puns about ghosts!!!" Kaito screamed, sweat pouring down his face.

"But she's right." Shuichi chimed in. "We need to work and face it together. Our Ultimate talents are the best weapons we have."

"Then I'll do my best to keep everyone safe! I want to protect everyone!" Gonta chirped.

"I don't want Saihara to use his ultimate talent anymore." Maki commented. "I'm getting sick of these class trials."

"Ah, yeah. You're right."

"Hey!" Kokichi called out. "Your talent as an assassin is way more trouble! When are you gonna use that, huh?"

"...I'll work hard until everyone trusts my ultimate talent."

"Huh?" Kokichi's expression blanked.

"It may not be possible now, but ill put in the effort so everyone can trust me. I... I won't run away anymore... I want to survive and escape this place with everyone."

"I seeee... I wonder how long that'll last. What if your true calling as a killer shows?" Kokichi retorted.

"Don't underestimate her! Harumaki's one of my sidekicks!"

"I don't remember being your sidekick. Also, didn't I tell you to stop calling me Harumaki?"

"Ooooh, you guys are close now," Kokichi sighed. "This must be the powerful bond of friendship. But I would have preferred it to happen sooner. Especially not after losing seven people."

"Y-You're right... Only ten people are left now." Gonta said sadly.

"Just... ten of us..." Kiibo repeated,

"Humans are like weeds- too numerous to count. Seven of us dead doesn't mean much in the end." Kokichi looked at Kiibo. "...That's totally what the heartless robot is thinking! Right, riiight!?"

"No, I am not thinking that! Your blatant robophobia is simply inexcusable!"

"But hey..." Kaito broke the chatter. "None of us gave up, right? I know we're all gonna escape! I'm not gonna rely on a god, spirits, or the dead. Just you guys! I believe in all of you!"

"You're right!" Kiibo agreed. "Those of us who remain can start over!"

"Hold up! Kiiboy needs to apologize for the whole student council thing." Kokichi piped up,."And there's only one kind of apology that I'm willing to accept...Yank your head off and smash it onto the ground with all your strength, got that!?"

"I have never heard of such an intense form of apology!" Kiibo cried out.

Ichika giggled. "That's because there is no such apology like that. Just, uh... say sorry to satisfy this kid's needs." She pointed at Kokichi.

"Hey!" Kokichi pouted. "Don't call an evil supreme leader a child! Or else!"

"..." Himiko was just staring at the ground.

"Yumeno-san... are you okay? Anything I can do to help? You can tell me." Gonta said softly.

"I think..." Shuichi spoke up quietly. "I think... we should let her have some space for now... That might be best for her... I remember how I felt..."

"Oh... I understand."

"God, Yumeno-chan is such a liar!" Kokichi exclaimed.

"Huh?"

"Personally, I don't think lies are exactly a bad thing... Let's face it, you wouldn't have much free will if the world was comprised with just the truth. But even then... I don't think it's good to lie to yourself, y'know?"

"What are you saying!?" Tsumugi screeched. "Think about Yumeno-san's feelings a little bit-"

"Stop." Ichika raised a hand. "Let me... translate what he said in a nicer way."

Kokichi tilted his head. "Huh? Do my words really need translating?"

"Considering how bad you are at conveying your own emotions, yes, they do."

"..."

Ichika walked up to Himiko and gently placed her hand on her shoulder. Himiko looked up at her surprised.

"...Nyeh?"

"Yumeno-san, it's not good to hold back your emotions. It's okay to cry. It's okay to get angry. It's all part of being human..." Himiko looked at Ichika with wide eyes. "Remember what Chabashira-san said to you? 'Expressing your feelings is perfectly natural. You shouldn't feel ashamed at all.' You should let it all out. You'll feel better once you do." Himiko stared at Ichika for a bit. She started to tremble violently and then-

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuwaaaaaaaaaah!" She burst into tears. "Chabashira... Yonaga! I'm so lonely! I'm so lonely... without the two of you! But... I gotta survive! I still... can't go to where you are! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!"

Ichika raised her hand to Himiko's head and gave it a gentle pat. "But you're not lonely. You have us, don't you? Let's all get through this, and survive this nightmare together, as friends." Ichika smiled warmly at her. Her eyes became glossier as she jumped at Ichika, wrapping her arms around her.

"Ah-!" Ichika stiffened up for only a moment before relaxing a bit. Ichika then returned the hug.

She cried for a long time. She cried as if she was releasing all the emotions, she had bottled up inside. Before everyone else knew it, as if they were lured in by doing so, cried with her.

***

"Is she hard to carry, Gokuhara-kun?" Tsumugi asked.

"No, she's fine." Gonta had offered to carry Himiko back up to the surface. The students were all heading to their dorms, the campus blanketed in darkness.

"She's sleeping very peacefully." Kiibo commented.

"She's all tuckered out after crying. Robots sleep well after leaking their oils too, right?" Kokichi asked.

"I have told you many times that I do not use oil as my fuel source-"

"But wow! That really surprised me! She passed out as soon as she stopped crying."

"Yeah... But she looks so peaceful, sleeping like that." Shuichi added.

Ichika smiled. "I'm sure she felt much better after letting out all that pain."

"Then, I'll carry Yumeno-san to her room." Gonta smiled.

"Bwah-hahahaha! Make sure you focus real good on your back, y'hear me! You'll need to focus if you wanna feel her little mosqu-"

Ichika slapped Miu's arm. "Iruma-san! Keep your voice down! You might wake her!"

"Heeeee! D-Don't yell at me..."

***

Ichika woke up many hours before the morning announcement and snuck out to the boiler room. After quickly setting something up, she hopped in the manhole and fell down to the basement, landing with a soft thud. She stared at the all too familiar tunnel. Ichika would have ventured there earlier, but the student council blocked the entrance.

Ichika puffed her cheeks out in determination and marched towards the tunnel. She dodged bombs, bullets and trapdoors, and jumped from one moving platform to the next. She pushed open doors and ran under falling cages. It felt like an eternity, but she finally reached a metallic room. There was a giant door, seemingly protected by an electric forcefield, and a giant sliver garage to the left. There was a pad next to the main door with several buttons and a touchscreen. Ichika walked up to the door and touched the forcefield, only to get shocked.

"OW! Man, I'm an idiot... I should have seen that coming..." Ichika muttered to herself.

"Wow! So the Ultimate Parkourist actually completes the course!" Ichika looked down at the black and white bear and grinned.

"See, I told ya I'd do it!" Ichika proudly put her hands on her hips.

Monokuma laughed manically. "Well, considering your talent, I had little doubt for you, dear! Congrats on finishing the course!" He laughed. "If only you were able to complete it when everyone was still alive, then you all could have made it out together! Puhuhuhu..."

"Yeah, I guess that's prettttty unfortunate huh?" Ichika grinned. "Anywayyyyy..." Her face fell dark. "How about you finish your end of our deal?"

"Puhuhu... Very well."

***

Ichika headed to the dining hall after having to go back through the course. She walked into the dining hall. Himiko was sitting at the table by herself, fiddling with her hat. She noticed Ichika walk in and gasped. She stood up with such speed that the chair went flying backwards.

"Good morning Aki!" She greeted energetically. Ichika was at a loss for words, her mouth slightly open from the shock of seeing Himiko so energetic. After seeing Ichika's shocked state, Himiko pouted. "Aren't you going to greet me back?"

"Of course! Good morning to you too, Yumeno-san!" Ichika smiled brightly. "You're up bright and early, aren't you?"

"Nyeh! I've decided that... I need to be more positive. Chabashira would want that... right?"

Ichika smiled gently and pat her head. "Yes, she most certainly would. I'm sure she's really proud of you, Yumeno-san."

"Aki... thanks. For yesterday." Himiko looked at the ground.

"Of course. No one deserves to be alone. I'm glad to see you're still standing strong!"

Himiko smiled and nodded energetically. "Since we're friends... Can I call you Ichika? You can call me Himiko!"

"...!" Ichika's eyes widened before she giggled. "Sure! Hey, can I call you Yucchan? I think it's a pretty cute nickname for such a cute girl!"

"Yucchan...?" Himiko nodded. "Yeah! I like that."