"Hope!" Normal Speech

'Despair!' People's thoughts

"Truth!" Flashbacks

Disclaimer: I have as much ownership of the Danganronpa series as you do dear reader.

Important Poll on my profile page! More details at the end of the chapter.

AN: Thanks to both RWBYJNPR for beta-reading this chapter.

AN2: Other tags for this story (since the site only gives you 2): Mystery/Friendship/Drama.

Chapter 20

Ultimate Issues? Ultimate Advices

"Doriaaaaaaah!"

"Humph!"

A spirited cry and a resolute grunt were followed by a mighty impact. A clash so fierce it actually made the floor tremble.

And to one of the few onlookers watching the spectacle before them, said force would have been enough to send him flying backward.

In fact, the only reason such outcome didn't occur was because of the steady, firm hand that had set itself just in time behind his back, keeping him safely on his place.

"T-thank you, senpai." He mustered out with both apprehension and honest thankfulness while trying to recover his footing, the response he got being a few pats on the back that almost made him tumble forward and a boisterous laugh to his left.

"Haha! Think nothing of it, Makoto! We wouldn't want you missing such a spirited match, after all!" The Ultimate Team Manager spoke in high spirits and with a grin, his gaze going from the younger Ultimate back to the front, an action that was followed by the Luckster himself.

"Hoooo!"

"Tch."

And it was good that they did, for just as they turned their attention back they saw quite the show of flexibility coming from one of the women involved, for said woman managed to arch her body just in time to avoid a heavy fist that would have certainly broken any lesser individual.

He knew, of course, that such intensity might be considered too much for a lot of people.

However, considering the two fighters were none other than Ogami Sakura, the Ultimate Martial Artist, and Owari Akane, the Ultimate Gymnastic, Naegi Makoto knew for a fact that such intensity and fierceness was simply the least he could expect from them.

Another punch coming from Sakura, this one also missing the mark and instead hitting the floor, proved this fact even more with how the whole building seemed to tremble under the silver-haired woman's power.

The fact that the floor itself had somehow avoided being broken under such power was certainly a testament to how resilient Hope's Peak had made this particular construction.

He supposed it was to be expected however, considering how this very building also served as Sakura's Research Lab.

That was one hell of a strong type of wood.

And speaking of the owner, or rather owners, of this Research Lab.

"Amazing… so amazing!" A voice filled with nothing but awe was heard to the Luckster's right, making nod in agreement. There was truly nothing short of extraordinary. Whether it was Sakura's sheer might and technique, or Akane's agility and resilience, there was no denying of their strength.

So the awe coming from someone like Chabashira Tenko, the Ultimate Aikido Master, was definitely more than understandable.

There were even stars on her eyes, and her whole body seemed to vibrate as a result of just how elated she was for the fact that she was witnessing this.

Just the fact though, that she didn't seem bothered by both his and Nekomaru's presence was more than enough proof of how much she was enjoying this.

She could have kicked them out, after all, considering this place was also her Research Lab.

Then again, of everyone present, he himself was definitely the one with no real valid reason to be here. Even excluding Sakura and Tenko, who kind of owned this dojo that had been build on the grounds of the school; it wasn't strange to find Akane looking for someone here to simply duke it out.

And anyone that knew Akane wouldn't be surprised to see Nekomaru right behind her, making sure her recklessness didn't end up harming her or anyone involved.

And unlike on previous occasions before this one, he hadn't been personally invited to watch this fight.

'Wait…' His mind wondered while his eyes blinked owlishly. 'Why am I here?'

"Oraaa-guh!"

And then Akane was unceremoniously thrown towards the roof, actually breaking it just as her body went right through it.

"Oh right… that"

"Could you make sure they don't destroy their lab again, please?"

"Well I-"

"Great, thank you!"

"W-wait! Murasame-senpai!"

But there was no one there to hear his plight.

"Murasame-senpai is not going to like this…" The Luckster whispered under his breath right before Akane decided to come down from the ceiling by punching another hole through it. "Or that either…"

"Soshun? That guy should just let me put my hands on him already." Nekomaru spoke while cracking his fingers easily. "He looks so stressed every time I catch him in the hallways that it seems he's about to have a stroke!"

Makoto decided to not comment on the origin of said stress, having a feeling it would result in something that would just make the Student Council President actually have a stroke.

"Speaking of stress though." Suddenly however, a dangerous glint appeared on the Team Manager's eyes, one that made Makoto shiver considering the look he was receiving now from the older Ultimate.

"Senpai?" The sudden feeling of Nekomaru's fingers once more upon his body caught him off guard. By now he had seen more than once just how much Nekomaru was able to learn from someone just with the touch of his fingers.

And judging by how he narrowed his eyes quickly after, Makoto was sure that Nekomaru wasn't liking whatever he was getting from prodding on his body.

"So I wasn't imagining things before then…"

The time-traveler wasn't given time to ask what was wrong however, considering that the next thing he knew was that he was being unceremoniously thrown over the Ultimate Team Manager's shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"W-wait, senpai?!" The Luckster was starting to wonder if everyone was just going to ignore him today considering how Nekomaru simply walked towards the entrance of the Lab, almost as if the older male hadn't heard him in the slightest.

"I'll be back later, Akane!"

Another tremor rocking the building was the only response to such words, and the Luckster had the distinct feeling that certain Student Council President was banging his head against a desk somewhere.

And while his heart went to his overly-stressed senpai, right now he had more pressing business to attend to.

"Don't worry, Makoto. You'll be feeling a lot better we do it."

Like his body shivering in both apprehension and excitement.

"I apologize, Makoto. I should have realized it sooner!" His deep voice came out with nothing but regret and shame even as it boomed. "Watching over my teammates is my duty and yet-"

"I already told you its fine, Nidai-senpai." The Luckster however, tried his to calm the regretful Ultimate with his words while a pleased made its way to his lips. "You already helped me a lot today."

That was certainly true considering what the older Ultimate had been doing to him not that long ago.

In fact, just thinking about it was almost enough to make his knees buckle and turn into jelly.

But he held on, knowing that there was still one deed that had to be done right now.

This was the reason that they were both standing with nothing but bathrobes right now, with the Luckster moving to open the door that separated the small dressing area and their desired destination

The first thing that hit Makoto's body as soon as he opened said door was the heat.

The steam that followed said heat did little to stop both Ultimates however, who were quick to enter the room.

And while he didn't really quite get why the school had a sauna in the first place, he certainly wasn't going to start complaining about that fact anytime soon.

The steam was quite thick however, earning a few blinks from Makoto whose gaze focused on a pair of shadows sitting on the opposite side of the room.

It was only when said steam cleared a bit that his eyes were able to recognize the pair of individuals that had apparently decided to use this facility today as well.

"Yo, Makoto!"

"Welcome, Naegi-kun, Nidai-senpai!"

"Ho? Owada and Ishimaru too?" It was Nekomaru the first one to answer back with a grin just as he moved to sit on right side. "The more the merrier then! You two always make this place quite lively!"

'That is putting it lightly.' The Luckster thought, observing just how focused his two classmates were looking right now.

And judging by how red their faces were, they definitely had already been here for a while, which could only mean one thing…

"It's that day of the month already then?" Makoto asked lightly while moving to sit by Nekomaru, sweat already forming on his brow just as he smiled curiously at the duo.

"Yeah." Mondo's words came with a nod, almost making the small towel he had on his hair fall over. "You should join us too now that you're here!"

"Don't forget, bro." Kiyo's firm voice was quick to follow however. "How it ended last time!"

"…I guess you're right." The duo was now even throwing regretful looks towards him, to which Makoto would only wave off with a small chuckle, not knowing what impressed him the most: If that the way the friendship of these two had started the same way as in the future, or how they still found the time to repeat their heat resistance competition every month.

The fact that they usually ended in a bed in the infirmary was a small detail that he decided not to dwell much on.

And while he found the tradition to truly be heartwarming, he already knew best than to try and participate again.

So instead the brown-haired teen simply relaxed on his seat, with his eyes closed and a small sigh leaving his lips.

It seemed he wasn't the only one that found the comfortable silence to be relaxing, for even the boisterous Team Manager simply hummed a tune to himself, making Makoto even more grateful towards the man.

After all, he couldn't remember the last time he felt so relaxed.

Nidai Nekomaru's fingers were truly magical, for in less than an hour the man had been able to sweep his stress away with nothing but a massage. Them both coming to the sauna was just an icing on the cake.

His former apprehension of the older Ultimate asking too much ended up being for naught considering how Nekomaru hadn't even asked what had him so stressed, something that only relieved him even more so.

All in all, he was now actually quite glad that he had ended in that dojo, and knowing it was just a momentary rest from everything that had been eating him away lately only made him treasure this even mo-

"So what happened that had you so stressed out, Makoto? I had never felt your body in such a tense state before so it has to be big, isn't it?!"

Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

He wasn't even given time to think of an answer, for just as the word stressed had come out of Nekomaru's mouth, it had made quite the shift into the sauna.

Namely, with Kiyotaka suddenly sitting besides Makoto with a look that could only be described as focused concern, just while Mondo moved to the seat both behind and above the Luckster with clear annoyance dancing in his expression.

"What is this I hear about stress, Naegi-kun?!" Kiyo's voice bellowed out with deep concern dripping from it. "Is it because of your duties as Class Representative?! If so you should have just said so! I would be more than glad to help you in such endeavors, my friend!"

"Is someone picking on you? Just tell me their name and I'll fuck them up." Mondo growled out, his mind coming with a different conclusion just as another idea popped in his head, his enraged visage almost turning feral soon after. "Is it that bastard Togami? Please tell me it's Togami."

"Not taking care of yourself is one of the worst things you can do, Naegi Makoto! And as your manager and friend, I shall not allow it!"

Makoto's vain attempt at calming down any of his friends was swiftly and easily drawn out by their loud voices, with their arguments growing in both the strength of their voice and by how crazy each idea they got out sounded.

In less than two minutes they had already reached the point of utter nonsense, with crazy theories like the one in which the Headmaster himself had ordered him to oversee the construction of a second Hope's Peak Academy located somewhere in America.

Then again, that probably still made more sense than actual time–travel, so who was he to judge?

"Maybe it's about a girl?"

A newfound voice was able to stop the growing argument however, with one small sentence that got the four males to look at the direction of said voice, their gazes gathering at the person now standing at the entrance of the sauna, a carefree smile settled on his lips.

"Amami-kun?" It was the Luckster the one that reacted first, with surprise evident in his tone.

"Sorry for bargaining, senpais." The green-haired teen spoke with an easy-going smile on his face, with nothing but a towel covering his lower body, while another one rested around his neck and on his shoulders. "But it seemed too fun to pass it up."

Instead of going to sit close to them though, the Ultimate Adventurer decided to sit on the opposite side, which was followed by him closing his eyes and leaning back in a relaxed manner, almost as if waiting for something.

And that something came out in the form of boisterous laughter.

"Please, as if something like that will ever distract my bro here!" Mondo spoke between his mocking laughter. "He's a man among man, don't you know? Don't underestimate him!"

"Naegi-kun would never let himself distract by such trivial matters!" Kiyotaka's response was a lot firmer once he stopped his laughing fit. "Our high school years are of too much importance for us to get sidetracked by such thoughts!"

And then, even though their reason behind their words couldn't be more different from each other, they both nodded resolutely at the same time.

On the other hand, the most boisterous of the group was actually pretty silent, with Nidai seemingly being deep in thought with the way he was crossing his arms over his chest while closing his eyes, all while still humming.

But if the youngest Ultimate of the group got offended in some way by their words and actions, he certainly didn't show it. In fact, it was quite the opposite with how his tranquil smile widened just a bit, with him opening one of his eyes slightly, meeting the Luckster's gaze directly.

"Well then, senpai?"

Makoto could only blink confusedly at Rantaro's idea, honestly wondering from where the younger Ultimate could have taken such thoughts. In fact, he was more than ready to simply deny it as he had done before with the other suggestions.

But right before he could do it, just as he opened his mouth in fact, his mind decided that it hated him on that particular moment.

For just as he was about to speak he could only remember the soft confession of a certain blonde.

A declaration that had been followed by the soft feeling of her lips.

Suffice to say that the Luckster ended up chocking on his words, with his face burning crimson from a reason outside of the heat in the room.

And sadly for him, such reaction did not escape the attention of everyone in the room, with Rantaro chuckling loudly by not only the Luckster's reaction, but also by the shocked expression on the rest of the present Ultimates from class 78.

"B-bullshit…!"

"Naegi-kun, you…!?"

"I-it isn't anything big, really!" At seeing such a thing, Makoto tried to calm the duo, but even to his own ears his words sounded as unconvincing at they could be.

"Who is it?!" They brotherly duo shouted at the same time while leaning close to the Luckster, both wanting to learn the identity of the girl that apparently had taken over Makoto's thoughts to the point of stressing him.

For the Ultimate Bike Gang Leader, he wanted to know what kind of girl could have such effect on someone like Naegi Makoto, who he considered truly a man among man, almost as the same level of his own older brother.

While for the Ultimate Moral Compass, it was to know what type of inconsiderate individual had decided to sink her claws onto someone as pure and rightful as his future Vice-President of the Student Council.

Not that they didn't have some ideas already though.

"Was it Maizono?" Mondo was the first one to throw an accusation, only earning a confused stare from the Luckster.

"What, Maizono-san? No, why would she-"

"Is it Asahina Aoi-san, then?!"

"A-Asahina-san? That's not-"

"Please tell me it's not Ludenberg of all people!"

"It could be Ikusaba-san!"

"G-Guys why do you keep naming the girls from our class?"

""As long as it isn't Enoshima!"" They both concluded resolutely and with proud smirks, almost as if they had actually figured it out.

They hadn't.

"If I had to take a guess though…" And like a hot knife cutting through butter, Rantaro's words sliced right through the middle of the interrogation, earning the attention of the trio. "It would have to be…Sonia-senpai, correct?"

With both Mondo and Kiyotaka widening their eyes, they didn't even bother to question the green-haired Ultimate. Instead, they simply turned their attention towards Makoto, knowing it would be the best way to confirm such declaration.

And the smoke escaping from the Luckster's ears was, alongside the bewilderment written clearly on his face, more than enough confirmation.

"Aha!" And it was only then that the Ultimate Team Manager opened his eyes, with an expression on his face like the one of a little kid who had learned the meaning of a new word "So that's why Sonia has been so upbeat lately! I'm telling you people, she has been smiling so much lately that it was starting to scare us!"

'Is that something to laugh about?' The remaining Ultimates could only shake their heads at Nekomaru's attitude.

"Wait, so you're dating Sonia-senpai?!" Mondo was the first one to keep the interrogation, however such question only earned an exaggerated shake on the head from Makoto's head.

"I-It's not like that, I swear!" The last thing the time-traveler wanted was for some sort of misunderstanding to spread around the school.

"Wait, it isn't?" And for the first time since he arrived, Rantaro seemed truly confused.

"It isn't! It's just…complicated?" Makoto spoke with honesty but also a tone of finality, for he didn't want to talk about something that he considered a private matter between him and the Ultimate Princess.

That did bring the question though…

"H-How did you even know it was about Sonia-senpai?" Makoto's question and expectant look were sorely aimed at Rantaro, who had been a sporting a focused look until then, now trading it for another smile.

"Just a hunch, that's all." And mirroring the Luckster before, Rantaro's voice came with a tone of finality, which only earned a frown from the Luckster.

A wink from Rantaro was the only response that followed that, for a strange silence covered the group soon after, with Makoto being just too flushed to say anything, while everyone else was too deep in their own thoughts.

At the very least, the Luckster decided, this was at least a better outcome than them digging around for something else out of him.

"I…" Kiyotaka's voice ended up breaking the silence, with nothing but honest regret and shaming escaping his lips. "While I can't say I condone this, I still would like to help you if I could, but I…" The red-eyed teen wasn't able to continue as he looked down, but there was no need for him to finish his sentence, for the meaning was more than easy to figure out for someone that knew him as well as Makoto did.

Namely, that one Ishimaru Kiyotaka simply had no experience when it came to the opposite sex.

"S-Sorry bro, but I'm in the same boat too…" The shame was followed by Mondo then, who could only look down as if struck by tragedy.

If only the women in his gang weren't so damn scary!

…And the girls of his class… and the girls from the other classes… and the teachers…

"Why are girls so scary?!" Mondo's cry of frustration was only matched by Nekomaru's laughter, who fixed the Luckster with a smirk.

"I am someone whose years as single are the same as his age!"

"That's not something to be proud off!" At this rate, Makoto decided, a vain was going to pop from Mondo's forehead.

"Sorry I can't help either, senpai." Rantaro's smooth and confident voice continued along. "But my only experiences with girls are with my sisters."

"Guys, don't worry about it, really!" Not wanting to make his friends worry, or in the case of Mondo punch something out of frustration, for something that he knew he had to handle himself, Makoto tried his best to show a confident front. "I-I don't really have any experience with this either, so I know it isn't easy-why are you all looking at me like that?"

No, seriously, why were they all looking at him with such pity?

Pair of hands were suddenly slammed on his naked shoulders, however, courtesy of both Mondo and Kiyotaka, who had looks of determination written on their faces.

"Even if we can't help you…"

"…We know exactly who could."

And for some reason, even though he knew their intentions were in the right place, those words only made Makoto feel more nervous by the second.

"He….So it has finally come to this, huh?"

"You sound way too happy about this…"

A ball was thrown, and a bat was swung.

It was strike one.

"Of course I am! Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for this?!"

"Waiting for what, exactly?!"

A second fastball was launched, followed by another swing of the bat.

It was strike two.

"For you to break out of your self-imposed chastity vow!"

"My what?!"

This time, he didn't even bother swinging.

Not like he could see the ball in the first place.

It was, of course, strike three.

"Point is, for a moment there I honestly thought you liked dudes or something." The red-headed Ultimate came forward, throwing an arm around the Luckster's neck. "I'm glad that isn't the case since I have no lines to pick up guys!"

"…I feel there has been a massive misunderstanding here…"

"Details!" One Kuwata Leon simply waved his hand right before grinning down at the Ultimate Lucky Student of his class. "The point is that you have no idea how happy and proud I am right now!"

"…thanks?" The time-traveler honestly had no idea how to take such warm emotions shining from Leon's gaze.

The fact that he could have sworn a tear escaped Leon's eyes wasn't helping either.

Maybe coming here wasn't such a good idea after all…

Sure, he knew could certainly use a helping hand when it came to matters of the heart.

And, as far as he knew, Kuwata Leon was the most experienced person he knew when it came to such things.

Well, him and his dad, but with how embarrassing this was already being, he didn't even want to imagine how it could be if he brought it up with his dad.

It didn't help that his dad had no idea how to keep secrets so he was sure the whole household, and the neighbors for that matter, would end up knowing if he told him.

He ended up nodding with a sigh, just as he caught a baseball glove thrown at him, courtesy of Leon of course, who kept his grinning face all the while as he moved away from him.

Besides, with how enthusiastic both Mondo and Kiyotaka had been about this idea; it had been hard to say no to the upbeat duo.

He could only hope they didn't end up passing out on the sauna…

…again.

"So? What little birdie has finally caught your eyes, Makoto?" The Ultimate Baseball Star spoke while getting into position with his own glove and a ball in his hand.

"I-It's not like that…" A frown formed on Makoto's face, for he was trying to find the best way to explain his situation. He was still conflicted however, considering how much he valued not only his privacy for this matter.

"Ah…" Leon's eyes narrowed just as he threw the ball. "She confessed to you then."

"How did you know that?!" In fact, his shock was so big that he was barely able to catch the ball thrown at him.

"Because confessing doesn't sound like the style of an herbivore like you." Leon's tone of voice made it sound as if it was the most obvious thing in the world; however it only made Makoto cock his head to the side on confusion, right before throwing the ball back.

"Herbivore? What does animals have to do with this?"

"Well if we're being kind, you're the small prey that is literally living in the lion's den…or lionesses in this case." That last bit was whispered low enough so that the Luckster wouldn't hear it.

"Eh? You mean, like a Zoo?"

"…Let's just skip that part. We don't need for people saying I'm corrupting you or something…again."

That had not been a good day, Kuwata Leon decided.

Seriously, what was the problem with him wanting to teach his bro the do and don'ts of relationship?!

"So anyway, which one was it? Aoi-chan perhaps?"

"…Why do people keep bringing Asahina-san into this…?"

"…Yeah, I wonder why." With sarcasm dripping from his tone, Leon proceeded to close his eyes while humming, something that didn't stop him at all form catching and throwing the ball with the same ease as before.

"Well not like at matters anyway, as long as it wasn't Enoshima or Sayaka-chan…" His eyes then opened, showing a deadpanned look to the confused Luckster. "It wasn't Sayaka-chan, right?"

"N-No!" Makoto, for his part, couldn't stop his embarrassment from showing at such idea. "Maizono-san and I are just friends!"

For some reason, that sentence sent a heavy shiver down Leon's back.

"Alright whatever we'll be here all day if I keep asking so I'll just tell you the answer to your little dilemma right here and now."

"Really?!" The hopeful glint in Makoto's gaze could not be confused for anything else.

"But of course!" And now Leon was sounding like a parent instructing their young child on the most basic of things. "You, my friend, just need to have fun."

And just like that, said hopeful glint had been replaced by a reproachful frown.

"I can't just do that, Kuwata-kun!"

"Ok but why though? Is she cute?"

"W-well…yeah." Even if he hadn't answered, the way even Makoto's ears turned red was a dead giveaway.

"Do you hate her or something?"

"Of course not!" This time the answer came with a lot more determination, for just the idea of hating his blonde senpai was simply unconceivable for the Luckster.

"Then I don't see what the issue is." And now it was Leon's turn to be honestly confused.

"It's just…" The ahoge-boy struggled for a bit, trying to find a way to express his thoughts properly. "She confessed her honest feelings to me, and I… I don't want to give her a half-baked answer…"

"…Dude, you're making it sound as if you were about to marry her or something." Leon honestly wondered just how the Luckster hadn't been…devoured by someone already, for lack of better terms. "We're in high school, in case you have forgotten, crazy school or not. You're allowed to just have fun from time to time, you know?"

"I think we have different definitions of what fun means, Kuwata-kun."

"Boy you don't need to remind me of that." Leon continued, but seeing that his classmate still didn't look convinced at all, he could only offer a shake on the head. "My advice still stands however. I mean c'mon! When was the last time you had fun just for the sake of having fun?!"

"But I'm already having tons of fun with everyone!" The Luckster's answer came immediately, with nothing but honest passion sipping through his tone. "Just being with Kuwata-kun, with everyone from our class, and everyone else from the school is the best thing I could ask-Kuwata-kun, what's wrong?!"

"I-It's nothing…really." The red-head could only wave lazily at the ahoge-boy, who had rushed to his side immediately once Leon started hunching over while holding his chest. "Just…don't go around saying stuff like that out of nowhere again…I don't think my heart can take it."

"…Sure?" The confused tilt of his head that Makoto was doing was, in fact, not helping Leon at all.

"Look…" Putting his arm around the Luckster once more, the Ultimate Baseball Star tried to think about the right words to say right now. He knew Makoto could be stubborn as hell. "All I'm saying is that there's nothing wrong with doing something just for your own sake once in a while."

"I know, I know, yes you like spending time with us." Leon continued, silencing the protest that was sure to come out from Makoto's lips. "And we do too, believe me we do…But when was the last time you did anything you wanted, rather than being dragged into someone else's thing?"

"There's nothing wrong with being selfish once in a while! I mean, the world isn't going to end just because the great Naegi Makoto decides to relax a bit. We're in high school, remember? We only live this once!"

Of course, Kuwata Leon could have no idea of just how those words could resonate so deep in his classmate; to the point it had the smaller teen looking down, almost in a daze.

"Hey isn't that one of your kiddies?"

"What?"

However, Makoto wasn't given much time to truly sink on his thoughts, given the confused words that he had just heard from his fellow Ultimate.

Leon's spirited words were stopped as soon as a blur was caught in his gaze, and once the confused Luckster followed the red-head's gaze, his brown eyes also landed in said blur.

A very particular red blur.

And with the speed it was moving, it could only be one person.

"Aniki!"

That voice only served to confirm his suspicion.

"Masaru-kun?!" The Luckster's voice came out as a startled gasp, his eyes growing increasingly wide just as the now confirmed Li´l Ultimate got closer.

And with each second that passed, Makoto was able to recognize the sheer fear and anxiety that was plastered all over the younger red-head's face.

Suffice to say, it put him on edge.

"A-Aniki!" It was only after a few seconds more that Masaru reached the Ultimate duo, and without missing a beat he was quick to grab Makoto by his sleeve while tugging with all the force he had. "You need to come! It's an emergency!"

"W-wait, Masaru-kun, please tell me what happened first!" The alarm in the usually carefree boy's tone only filled the Time Traveler with dread.

"There's no time! Maki-neechan and Monaka are...!"

Eyes widening at just what could have happened at someone like Maki, let alone Monaca, Makoto could only nod resolutely, a sense of urgency growing within him by the second.

"Kuwata-kun." The Luckster's voice wad dead serious, a tone that Leon was definitely not used to seeing, to the point it caught him by surprise. "Thank you, really, for what you said…" With this, he offered a weak smile to the Ultimate Baseball Star, who could only look on dumbly.

And with no more words to say, Naegi Makoto left in a hurry, following Masaru along towards what Leon could only guess was Hope's Peak Elementary School by the direction they seemed to go.

His own Research Lab being on the open fields behind the school helped him with this.

Leon opened his mouth, just as he raised his hand in a vain attempt at saying something at the retreating Luckster, but no words came out of his mouth. No, instead he could only scratch the back of his head in frustration, with a defeated sigh soon leaving his lips.

This was exactly what he was talking about before! Why the hell was Makoto the one that had to go running and fix whatever was broken now in this school? Wasn't that the teachers, or the Headmaster's work?

He didn't blame the Li'l Ultimate for coming like that, given how much everyone knew that a certain bunch of them had taken a like to Makoto, but couldn't someone else help with that?

Having to deal with the rest of his class was bad enough, let alone the senpais and underclassmen, but even the teachers and the Student Council, and not to mention the Headmaster…

Why was spending time with his best friend so fucking hard?!

Sometimes, he truly missed the times before they were both named Ultimates.

"Whatever…" Not feeling like practicing anymore, Leon simply threw his glove into the sand below him, an annoyed scowl present on his face just as he walked towards the bleachers.

Of course, these weren't thoughts that he normally had, but while he hated to admit it, the words from certain blonde pain in the ass from his class had made themselves a home at his head for a while now.

If something was truly bothering his pal, then wasn't his duty as his best friend to help him?

Easier said than done, Leon knew, but there was still something he could do, right?

A defeated sigh left his lips, for his brain couldn't come up with anything right now.

When he opened his eyes however, a small fire burned in his red orbs. Winning the Sports Festival, that much he could do, right? That way, they could be away from this pain in the ass of a school for a few days, even if it also involved the rest of their class.

It was something, at least.

"Hmm? What the hell..?" A doubtful look soon replaced his bitterness from before though, for just as he was reaching the bleachers, the sound of water filled his ears.

Looking down, Leon could only blink confusedly at the puddle of water he had just stepped on, or rather the source of it.

Crouching swiftly, he was quick to grab the half empty bottle of water, and the now dirty towel besides it, that were on his feet.

He recognized it both immediately, for they were the type of brand that Hope's Peak used. All homemade, they said…

He looked around, failing at gaining any answers. The place was empty besides him, after all, but this…

Had someone been listening to them?

To say this was long overdue would be putting it lightly. It has been more than a year since my last update, and you guys have no idea how much I regret taking this long.

I won't bore you with details as to why this happened. Life got busy and all that jazz, and given my situation, even getting the internet to put this chapter up ended up being a monumental task. It also didn't help that the original chapter that I was about to put out months ago ended up getting lost for good. It was going to be a flashback chapter but, well, it pretty much got nuked out of existence because of reasons outside of my control.

I had even planned to have Halloween's Holidays and an anniversary chapter, but sadly those couldn't be the case.

Given the time it took to finish this chapter, I can't say I like it much. It is mostly a setup chapter, not something worth waiting a whole year for, but it is a needed one that I couldn't just not do.

I haven't been able to contact my beta because of issues on my part, so I apologize already for the many mistakes this chap probably has.

I assure you all I won't abandon this fic however. I loved it too much to do it, and I can only say: thank you all for your patience and continuous support! Next chapter might the continuation of this one, or the flashback one, I can't say for sure yet.

Feel free to PM me for any questions you guys might have!

Next Chapter: "A Deal with Despair" or "In the Eyes of Korekiyo Shinguji"

OMAKE

Halloween's Ultimate Protection Squad

High spirited chatter covered the group, a ruckus that only made Makoto smile in satisfaction.

It had been a successful evening, after all, with him taking the kids from the Elementary Course for Trick or Treat.

And given the time of the year, it wasn't a surprise that they were all wearing costumes.

Masaru was wearing a replica of his favorite hero's costume, Red Riot.

Kotoko was looking like a Witch, although when asked she insisted it was a Warlock.

Nagisa, alongside his outfit, was also sporting a set of glasses, in his own way of replicating certain Small Detective.

Jataro was the simplest of them all, but not the least adorable in the Luckster's opinion, considering how the young boy was sporting a massive white cloth with holes for his eyes.

And lastly, but certainly no less important, was the girl in the wheelchair he was currently pushing. Cat ears and whiskers adorned her face, and while he didn't get the sudden interest, it had apparently something to do with a feud against dogs or something.

Kids could be weird sometimes, Naegi Makoto decided.

"Ohh? What do we have here now, hmmm?"

Their merry march, or rather discussion as to who had earned the most candies, ended up being interrupted by a slurred voice.

Immediately, the group of Li´l Ultimates had gathered as close as they could from their older brother, who could only glare at the obviously drunk man that was walking towards him.

Maybe coming home so late hadn't been the best of ideas.

It didn't help that the man seemingly wasn't alone, based on the laughs from the newcomers that were quickly surrounding them.

He could smell the alcohol coming out of their breath from here.

"Onii-chan…?" Monaca's worried voice made the Luckster's hold on her chair even tighter. If it was only him, he probably wouldn't worry that much, but with the kids here…

Then again, as some movement was caught from the corner of his eyes, maybe this wasn't so bad.

"Don't worry everyone, just…close your eyes and cover your ears for a second, ok?"

Scared, but trusting, the Li'l Ultimates did as told.

And then, all hell broke loose for the long longevity of exactly 8 seconds.

To put it even more bluntly, it was over before it even started.

"Pieces of shit trying to pull crap like this." A man leading a couple of other individuals, all wearing white suits, spoke angrily right before spitting at the set of drunkards that they had beaten into a bloody pulp.

"Indeed. So uncivilized." A woman this time, wearing a black suit and sun glasses which were matched by her companions, commented just as she turned off the electrified baton she had used on the now spamming foes lying on her feet.

"We'll make sure there aren't more bastards like those around." Those words were declared by the leader of a different group, all sitting in their motorcycles, right before said machines roared.

And finally, but definitely not the least important one, was the black haired girl responsible of making the guy that had first approached them to eat asphalt.

Quite literally, given to his face was buried into the ground.

"Thanks, everyone!" Makoto couldn't help but to say with a relieved smile.

"No problem, Young Master!"

"Togami-sama would never forgive us if we let something happen to you, Naegi-dono."

"You know we always have your back, little bro!"

And for the girl…

"I was just fulfilling my mission, Naegi-kun." She said, although the Luckster could tell there was something more to it.

Maybe it had to do with the fake wolf ears and tail the girl was wearing? He wasn't sure, but he was sure impressed by how they made the ears twitch and by how fast that tail was moving.

In fact…

"You look really cute in that, Ikusaba-san!"

No, seriously, how did they make that tail move so fast?