HEY EVERYONE! I finally got off my ass and started on another chapter of Princess and the commoner! It took me a bit to get motivated, but here we go!

As per usual, I own absolutely nothing! Because Komahina and Naegami continue to not be canon *Cries*

START OF CHAPTER:

Something wasn't right. As Nagito looked at the note in either hand, one from valentines and the other the second note he found, he couldn't help but notice something was off. But what was it? His eyebrows came together as he tried to think about what was concerning him.

Then it hit him… his eyes widened in realisation.

"The handwritings don't match…"

But what did this mean? Upon further examination, the first, longer one did indeed match the writings in the diary. Then when he looked for further proof, the second one was a lot more formal, stiff and clipped in it's wording. That wasn't like Hajime at all.

But what did this mean? Was the second note a fake? Hajime had been gone an awfully long time.

'Someone covered up his disappearance.'

The thought was out before he could stop it. But then the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Why else would the message not only be vague and insistent, but also instructed him to keep silent? Usually, this would be a normal warning to keep him out of danger right? But something didn't feel right about this. If it had only been a simple mission, he would have and should have been back hours ago.

But then, it also said he was with Kirigiri didn't it? This meant her girlfriend had to know something. Well then, it was time to go visit Sayaka Maizono.

As he walked, he didn't like that fact that he might have to deliver potentially bad news. It didn't help that he thought he might have been being slightly paranoid about this. But it was nagging at the back of his mind, and he wanted answers so as to settle his confusion once and for all.

He knocked on her door, and heard a timid reply.

"W-who's there?"

"It's me, Nagito. Look, Sayaka, I have something I really need to talk to you about."

"I… about what?"

Well, she was being unusually paranoid wasn't she? This set off more alarm bells in his mind.

"Listen Sayaka, this is vital, it's about Hajime and Kyoko."

There was a moments hesitation, before the door finally cracked open with a muffled creak. In the crack appeared Sayaka Maizono's face, looking hesitant.

"Are you sure…. that this is really that important?"

"Absolutely positive. Now may I please come in?"

He was getting a little bit impatient at this point, but that was understandable. He wanted to know if Hajime was in danger or not, and he wanted to know now. He really loved Hajime a lot, and not knowing weather something had happened to him was going to drive him crazy with worry if he didn't find out eventually.

"…Okay, I guess."

Thankfully, before Nagito could mentally work himself up any further, Sayaka opened the door, allowing him to finally enter. He strode inside without a moments hesitation, and began speaking without prompting.

"I think Kirigiri and Hajime are in danger."

She put a hand over her mouth, a muffled gasp escaping.

"No, they can't be! They'll be home soon enough."

"So Hajime isn't home yet, and i'm assuming Kyoko isn't yet either? But here's the thing, if it were such a simple mission, wouldn't they be back already?"

"Kyoko left a note! Surely Hajime left you one to?"

Nagito allowed himself a small smile. Finally, the evidence he was waiting to discuss.

"Yes I got one, in fact I got two."

A hitch in the other's breath told him all he needed to know.

"You wouldn't have happened to receive a short second note as well, would you?"

She looked down, frowning.

"Yes, but… how did you know to ask?"

"Because the second one I got was shorter as well."

Then without pause he asked another question.

"May I see the notes you got? I think there may be an important clue hidden in them."

"… why?"

"Please trust me, it's important."

With a hesitant nod, Sayaka slowly moved towards the stairs, where Nagito could faintly hear her moving around. Not a minute later, she returned with two pieces of paper in her hands. She reluctantly placed them into Nagito's waiting hands.

"I don't know how they'll help, but if you think they're that important…"

With a quick 'thank you' without preamble he scanned through the contents of the first note. Quickly mentally highlighting the important parts.

-Urgent matter

-Something at the Togami household

-Something potentially dangerous involving the current head Togami, a man named Richard

-The heiress Belinda was not with any friends, but actually missing

-Richard was the main suspect

-Hajime was with her

This was substantially more information then on the note Hajime had left him. There was a brief moment of annoyance, but then was quickly followed by understanding. If to many people knew to much, that could have placed Hajime and Kyoko in danger. In the worst case scenario, it would make the most sense for himself and Sayaka to be the next targets, simply because they were important to them. Thus they could be exploited for information, or used to force Hajime and Kyoko to talk. Nagito refused to believe they were dead.

But like the note said, Sayaka was Kyoko's beloved girlfriend, so it would make sense that she would be told more. There was no guarantee of how much Hajime had actually been told before the mission, and asking him wasn't an option right now. Although it would probably be a fair amount if his journal was any indication, the two were close friends. His conflicting thoughts on the matter were starting to confuse him, so he decided to put that aside for later.

Then he came to the second note. And all of his thoughts were confirmed.

-Formal clipped wording

-Not in Kyoko's handwriting

-Suspicious warning to not tell anyone

He frowned, so something had indeed happened. But what? His thoughts were broken by Sayaka's voice.

"I-is something wrong Nagito? They're both safe, right?"

He didn't want to do this, but he couldn't sugar coat it.

"Look at the second note Sayaka."

"… what about it?"

"It's not in Kyoko's handwriting."

She snatched both papers from him, reading them with rapid eye movements, obviously trying to prove him wrong. The next sound he heard form her was a horrified gasp.

"This isn't true! This can't be possible! Kyoko… does that mean Kyoko is-"

Nagito quickly stood up and moved in front of her, knowing where her thoughts were going. Waving his hands in what he hoped was a calming manner.

"Now, now. We don't actually know they're dead."

"But we don't know they're alive!"

He said nothing, humming in thought. Then he had an idea.

"Well, someone we know might."

"Really! Who? Who knows?"

"Sayaka, I understand you're worried, but you need to calm down or we can't find them as quickly."

"I… okay. So… so who knows?"

"Might know."

He paused.

"We could try asking Makoto, couldn't we?"

"…but why Makoto?"

"Think about it Sayaka, Kyoko and Makoto are childhood friends, right? That means she just might have told him something."

He could tell she agreed with his idea by the look on her face.

"Yeah, you're right! So let's go ask Makoto."

"Just remember, might know, Sayaka. He may indeed know something, but theres a chance he might not." She nodded in response.

He didn't want to have to say it, but he had to prepare her for the possibility. He didn't want to get her hopes up for nothing. With that final word, Sayaka locked her door before following Nagito as he set off down he road towards Makoto's house.

He couldn't help feeling hopeful the closer he got towards Makoto's house. Yes, he may have told Sayaka to not get her hopes up, but he couldn't help himself. He guessed that Sayaka was feeling the same way, so really it didn't matter. Finally, they arrived at the house they'd been looking for.

With no hesitation whatsoever, he approached the door and knocked. It was about high noon, so if Makoto was home he should definitely be awake.

It took a few seconds, a few seconds of nervous anticipation for both Nagito and Sayaka. But then, as Nagito was about to knock again, the door slowly. But not to Makoto's face, but the girl that was staying with him, the intelligent one with long black hair. What was her name again?

"Excuse me, miss…?"

"Caitlin." She answered shortly. From the little of her he'd seen since she was staying with Makoto, that was normal. Apparently that was just the way she naturally spoke, and no-one should take anything personally. Well according to Makoto himself anyway.

"Caitlin then. Is Makoto in? We need to speak with him right away."

She stared at him blankly for a moment, before nodding.

"Very well, i'll go and summon him."

She walked back further into the house, deliberately leaving the door open. So the two visitors entered and shut the door behind them. After a couple of minutes of waiting and hushed voices from upstairs, she came back, following another, more familiar figure that emerged.

"Nagito? Sayaka?"

"Makoto we need your help!" Sayaka burst out, unable to wait any longer. Makoto looked at her shocked at her volume, which quickly turned into a confused expression.

"Wait, guys… what's going on?"

END OF CHAPTER:

Another chapter down! Ohhh drama's heating upppp!~

So anyway, i hope you guys enjoyed this latest installment, and let me know what you think.

I try with my grammar and spelling, i really do, but sometimes I miss things. So feel free to let me know.

Cya next chapter.