A/N 11-26-17 Yet again, three chapters within the span of two days! Make sure to vote for the next Love Hotel option here to help the Egg get a date:

strawpoll . me /14483916

WINNER OF ROUND ONE: FUJISAKI CHIHIRO (the chapter will go up after I finish editing the rest of these chapters)

As usual, this have been expanded on, so I wouldn't recommend skipping this chapter if you're an older reader. Other than that, read on!

…

…

When Naegi wakes up the next morning, she wakes up literally seconds before Monokuma's morning announcement…by falling off her bed.

THUD!

She lands face-first onto the hard, cold floor. "Uuuugh…"

This in turn, wakes Fujisaki up, who is dazed at first…until she hears Naegi groaning.

"Naegi-kun…?" Fujisaki peers over the edge of the bed and frowns when she sees Naegi on the floor. "Are you okay?"

Ding dong, bing bong!

The monitor in Naegi's room flickers on, the screen soon showing Monokuma in his usual location, sitting in the same chair, holding the same glass of wine in his left paw.

"Good morning, you bastards!" Monokuma greets. "It is now 7 AM and nighttime is officially over! Time to rise and shine, and not fall off the bed like Naegi-kun just did!"

Not even an hour into the morning and Monokuma already puts Naegi on full blast. What a way to start the day…

"Super High School Level Lucky Student my ass…" Naegi mutters under her breath. She's at least thankful that she didn't land on top of her shoes…

"Upupupu…" Monokuma laughs. "Anyways, get ready to greet another beee-yutiful day! Oh, that's right! I wanted to let you know that your e-Handbooks have been updated! New regulations have been added, so please take a look and enjoy your school life more than ever before!"

The monitor turns off after that.

…

"Do you need any help, Naegi-kun?"

"I'm fine, Fujisaki-san…"

If only Naegi can say the same thing about her pride…

…

…

When Naegi and Fujisaki arrive at the dining hall, they are greeted by Asahina, who is overly excited to see the two of them getting along. Naegi returns the greeting and then asks if everyone was here.

"Nope!" Hagakure is quick to respond. "Still waitin' on Togamicchi and Ishimarucchi."

Naegi blinks. "I can understand Togami-kun, but Ishimaru-kun?"

Celes smiles. "Ishimaru-kun went all the way to Togami-kun's room to call the late offender here personally."

"He should be back soon enough," Oogami remarks. "Until then, we wait…"

"I don't mind waiting for them, but there is one problem…" Celes remarks.

"Which is…?" Naegi looks questioningly at Celes.

Celes frowns. "I am thirsty."

"How the hell is that a problem?!" Oowada scowls. For a moment, he almost thought Celes was concerned about something actually serious.

Celes chuckles as she turns to Yamada. "Yamada-kun, can you please make me some tea?"

Yamada blanks out for a moment. "…Huh?"

"Milk tea, if you please," Celes says with a smile.

Beads of sweat roll down the sides of Yamada's face as he looks at Celes. "Why me…?"

Celes places her hand on her chin in thought. "Your roundish figure reminds me of the owner of the café I used to frequent."

"That's…her reason?" Naegi is still a little perplexed.

Celes smiles again at Yamada. "Do be quick about it, please. I'm parched."

Normally, Yamada would protest, but upon seeing the smile on Celes's face…he turns and starts making his way to the kitchen, albeit reluctantly. "O-Okay…"

About a few minutes later, Yamada returns from the kitchen. He seems rather pleased with himself as he holds a tray with both of his hands.

"I have returned!" he announces moments after exiting the kitchen. The gentle aroma of black tea follows him as he makes his way over to Celes.

"Hmhmhm." Celes smiles at Yamada, clearly pleased with his obedience. "I am looking forward to tasting it."

Fukawa appears rather annoyed at the scene before her. "You c-could've made some for the r-rest of us, you know…"

Yamada looks at Fukawa with disdain. "I emphatically decline! You're not my type at all!"

"Guh!" Fukawa takes a step back. She wasn't expecting him to act like that!

"Heh heh…" Yamada smirks. "It's all about the laws of casualty, basic instinct, act and react! Don't think I've forgotten about our little debate the other day!"

"Grr…" Fukawa scowls at Yamada.

Yamada smiles triumphantly as he holds out the tray to Celes. Celes lifts the teacup off the tray and holds it delicately in her hand.

"Well then, if you don't mind…" A small smile plays across Celes's lips as she brings the teacup to her mouth. Though, after one small sip, Celes's smile ceases. "…Wait."

Celes cocks her head to the side…and then throws the teacup as hard as she can at the wall.

CRASH!

Celes's sudden actions catches everyone by surprise—Yamada especially.

"Eeeehhh—?!" Yamada nearly drops the tray in his hands from shock. "H-Hey! What are you doing, my little white rabbit?!"

Celes tilts her head to the side as she begins twirling a lock of her black hair. "I cannot stand milk tea of this kind!"

"Eh?" Yamada is rather confused with Celes's response. "Um, I don't really understand…"

"Imagine we are at a café—any café would do," Celes begins. "I sit down, and order a cup of tea. I am then asked by the servers if I want milk or lemon with my tea. When they do, I answer that I want milk tea."

Yamada follows along with what Celes is saying, as is everyone else (though with question).

"In this case, along with my tea they may bring me a small container of milk, yes?" Celes continues. "But this is not for me! I am among those who prefer the milk to be part of the process from the outset! The fragrance is overwhelmingly sweet that way… Adding milk or lemon right before you drink reduces the decision to that of picking a condiment. Whenever looking for a café, I first review their menu to see if it offers the proper style of milk tea. I will only acknowledge royal milk tea, which is where milk is added during the brewing process."

…

…

If Naegi were to describe the looks on everyone's faces after listening to what Celes had just said, she would have to go with "wide-eyed bewilderment." Because there really is something so specific about what Celes had to say.

Yamada is not at all amused. "Umm…I went to all that trouble to make you that tea…and this is what I get?!"

Celes diverts her eyes to the side. "Yes, I realize it can be a bit of a hassle…In a café that serves both milk tea and royal milk tea, the latter is always the more expensive. It takes more time to prepare, surely, but…why even bother creating a menu if you are not going to offer the highest level of quality?!"

"Well, um…we don't actually have a menu…" A droplet of sweat rolls down the side of Yamada's face.

At that moment, Celes's smile ceases and her expression turns nasty as she snaps at Yamada. "JUST HURRY THE FUCK UP AND GET ME MY TEA, SWINE!"

"Ehhhhhhhhhh?!" Yamada shrieks loudly in a high-pitched voice. "O-Okay! Your little piggy will bring it right out!"

Yamada doesn't waste a second longer and immediately flees to the kitchen. Celes is quite pleased with the outcome of her actions as she reverts back to her deceptively sweet demeanor.

"Heehee!" Celes smiles as she giggles behind her hand. "Intimidation is sure useful."

Seeing a new side to the Super High School Level Gambler proves to be a rather unsettling shock for everyone else, especially in the manner it was revealed.

"You were like…a totally different person just now." Asahina stares wide-eyed at Celes.

"Shit, man, that made me jump…" Oowada clenches his teeth. "Are you bipolar or some shit?"

"Hmhmhm…" Celes just laughs innocently, as though she had expected such reactions. "I am actually more antisocial than anything…but that is beside the point."

Naegi already knew that there was more to Celes from the moment she first met the Gambler. Even so, to see it for herself… "I'd hate to have her as an enemy…"

"S-Scary…" Fujisaki says quietly under her breath.

Naegi swallows hard. "Y-Yeah…"

Then, without any warning, the dining hall doors suddenly flew open as Ishimaru came storming in, looking rather distressed "Bad news, everyone! There is a mystery afoot!"

"Huh?" Hagakure blinks. "What happened?"

Ishimaru looks nervously at everyone. "It would seem that Togami-kun refuses to leave his room! I stood there pressing his doorbell over and over, but he never showed himself."

Naegi thinks for a moment. "Maybe he just…wasn't there."

"I'd like to think so," Ishimaru remarks. "But I'm worried something might have happened to him."

Ishimaru doesn't have to say anything else for everyone to understand what he meant.

"I-It might be a good idea if we all split up and go look for him," Naegi is quick to suggest afterwards. As much of a jerk as Togami has been towards her, Naegi still cares for him as a classmate—that, and Naegi isn't exactly in the mood to lose another classmate…like at all. She is just done with death and despair. "To hell with that!"

"Ah! I was about to suggest the same thing!" Ishimaru crosses his arms over his chest.

"Stop trying to one-up e-everyone…" Fukawa complains, having grown annoyed with Ishimaru's behavior.

Asahina ignores Fukawa completely and says, "I'll check his room one more time. I'm just gonna keep on hammering that button till I get a response!"

Oogami nods. "Very well, then the rest of us can go check the rest of the building."

"Yeah…before it's, y'know…too late," Hagakure says as he scratches his head.

Naegi has a faint idea of where Togami's whereabouts can be. After everyone goes their separate ways to search for Togami, Naegi and Fujisaki quickly make their way to the second floor. Unbeknownst to them, Kirigiri has followed after them. She is quite calm and devoid of any urgency, as noted by her somewhat nonchalant pace.

When Naegi and Fujisaki reach the second floor, the two immediately split up, with Fujisaki heading towards the classrooms and Naegi being stuck between checking the pool or the library. In the end, Naegi decides to check the library, since she doubts Togami would have any reason to go swimming at a time like this. He isn't Asahina…

Naegi is nearly out of breath by the time she arrives at the library's entrance. She inhales deeply and then slowly exhales before opening the door. When she looks inside, Naegi cries out in sudden surprise.

"Togami-kun?!" she exclaims.

Naegi is almost relieved, if a bit surprised, to find that Togami is simply reading a book in the library. A desk lamp on the table provides Togami with sufficient light to make up for the library's poor lighting. Togami sits in a chair, with one leg crossed over the other. He takes a drink out of the mug he holds in his hand and then sets it down onto the table. Judging from the aroma wafting from the mug, Togami is drinking coffee.

Despite Naegi's sudden outburst, Togami manages to keep his attention focused on the book he is reading. Of course, that doesn't mean he didn't notice her, but at the current moment, he wants to do nothing more than to pretend that she isn't there in the first place.

"Hey, uh…what are you doing?" Naegi finds herself asking Togami…which she immediately comes to regret.

"I'm fishing," Togami replies sarcastically. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

Naegi sputters a few times, but gives no response. She should have expected that…

"I'm trying to read," Togami firmly says as he continues reading. "So if you could be quiet…"

"Oh…sorry." Naegi bows apologetically to Togami before exiting the library, making sure to close the door behind her. She does it as gently as she can, so she doesn't make much noise.

Togami waits for a moment and lets out a slightly annoyed sigh as he turns to the next page. Though, just as he starts reading, Naegi barges through the library door quite noisily and runs up to him.

"Wait, no—!" Naegi cries out. She looks sternly at Togami, resisting the urge she has to point an accusing finger at him. "What are you doing here?! Everyone's super worried! We've all been looking for you!"

She blurts out everything she has on her mind in one breath. She keeps her gaze on Togami, who continues to ignore her…with exceptional difficulty. As of lately, he's been finding it difficult to even tune her out. She's just too damn intrusive for her own good…much like Kirigiri, except Togami still can't understand Naegi as easily.

"Who asked you to do that?" Togami asks without looking up from his book.

"B-Because…we're all supposed to meet up in the morning and eat together," Naegi replies. Her face is somewhat red from embarrassment. It's awkward talking to Togami like this… "We made a promise!"

Togami is almost tempted to look at Naegi, if only to see her current expression. She certainly sounds flustered. "A promise…?"

Togami always keeps his promises, unless otherwise…but he hasn't made any as of lately, so he has no idea what Naegi is even talking about. He just wants to read in peace, but this extremely average girl is making that difficult. The fact that it's taking all of Togami's willpower to even force himself to continue reading his book isn't helping… At this point, reading no longer seems to be a viable option for Togami.

"Can't I get a second's peace and quiet around here?" Togami lets out an aggravated sigh and snaps his book shut. Slowly, he stands up and quickly finds himself looking down at Naegi. It isn't exactly a difficult thing to do, with how short Naegi is and how tall he happens to be. Togami is almost amused by the fact that Naegi isn't intimidated by him. In any other given situation, he knows she would have taken a step back. "Interesting…"

She's trembling a bit as she looks him directly in the eyes. Try as she may, there's only so much Naegi can do against Togami. Thankfully, she didn't have to put up with him any longer on her own. By now, the others start showing up one after another, having heard Naegi's outburst. Since the discovery of Maizono's corpse, everyone had become rather sensitive to Naegi's voice. Fujisaki is the first to have arrive, immediately rushing over to Naegi's side to check on her. "Are you okay?!"

"I-I'm fine!" Naegi is quick to say.

Kirigiri is the second to arrive at the scene. She looks at Naegi and Fujisaki, her expression softening for a brief moment. Her expression grows cold and she narrows her eyes upon catching a glimpse of Togami and noticing the look he has in his eyes. He's looking down at Naegi again…

"And he wonders why he can't understand her…" Kirigiri sighs as she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. There is so much the Affluent Progeny had to learn…

"Togami-kun! So you were here all this time!" Ishimaru is as loud as ever.

"The heck are you doin' here, man?" Hagakure is rather relieved, if a tad bit annoyed with Togami.

"We were very concerned…" Oogami says firmly.

Togami huffs, not really caring much for everyone's concern. "Well you had no reason to be. I was just reading when Naegi decided to rudely disrupt me."

Naegi narrows her eyes at Togami. "Hmm…"

She can tell he's doing that on purpose…

"I've never read such a…coarse novel before, but it might just prove useful at some point." It still doesn't make the reading any less painful for Togami. For once, his dyslexia had nothing to do with it.

"Wh-What were you reading?" Asahina can't help but ask.

"A mystery novel," Togami replies as he set the book on the table.

Yamada glances nervously at Togami. "W-Wait, so are you gonna use what you're learning in there to betray us?!"

Togami scoffs. "Don't be stupid."

Naegi nods her head and smiles. "Yeah!"

Even Togami would be above doing something like that!

"It's just something to keep in mind," Togami adds a moment later.

Or not…

"Yea—what?" Togami's sudden comment catches Naegi by surprise. She hadn't been expecting that—what the hell?!

"If I decide to fight, of course I'll come up with something original," Togami states boldly. "Otherwise, this game of ours will be totally boring, right? It's not often you get to take part in such a high-stakes, high-tension activity. So if you're going to do it, you have to make sure it's entertaining. Heheheh…"

Togami's words send a shiver down Naegi's spine. She stares at him with wide-eyes, very much unsettled by the fact that Togami is actually smiling. He looks as though he is enjoying the school life of mutual killing that everyone has been forced to participate in. Naegi finds herself backing away from Togami at this point, Fujisaki doing the same as well.

"What the fuck do you mean, 'game'?!" Oowada scowls at Togami. "That's fucked up!"

"But it is a game," Togami asserts. "It's a game of life or death, which can only have one winner. That's all there is to it."

"He's right," Celes agrees. "It's a zero-sum game."

"Eh?" Naegi blinks.

"It is part of a game theory, a mathematical model," Celes explains. "In game theory, what we are going through now is called a 'zero-sum game.' In this type of game, in order for one person to gain something, another must necessarily lose something. In other words, it is a situation in which participants must compete for position or resources."

"You mean like…a kind of elimination match." Oogami understands the gist of it, though she'd rather not—not in this context.

Celes nods her head. "Entrance exams, sports tournaments, job openings—most social interactions fall into this category. Everyone must scramble to obtain something which is limited. For you to succeed, someone else must fail. This also applies to the school life we have been subjected to here. In this case…" Her expression darkens. "…our 'limited resource' is that only one of us can successfully become the blackened."

"So, this game was designed from the beginning to force one of us to try and defeat all the others." Togami is looking in Naegi's direction when he says this. He can tell that she is still in denial.

"Th-That…that can't be what they had in mind!" Naegi's outburst only manages to confirm this.

"No wonder she and Fujisaki get along…" Because Togami knows that the only other person who is just as in denial as Naegi is Fujisaki.

Celes giggles behind her hand. "This is why adaptation is so crucial. If those who want to escape were to disappear, there would be no reason to continue playing the game."

"But why would I want to stop playing? It's so much fun…" As Togami said this, he laughs again. His face contorts into a devilish grin.

…

…

"It sounds as if you do not acknowledge even the possibility that you may lose, am I right?" Celes looks at Togami.

Togami smirks. "Of course."

"You do not speak like the others." Celes giggles behind her hand again. "Exactly what I would expect from the Togami heir apparent."

Hagakure just sighs in exasperation. "…It's just normal arrogance, isn't it?"

He's certainly met a lot of people like Togami over the years he spent telling fortunes to people.

"You talk like that, but what if you end up dead?!" Arrogance or not, Asahina is still mad.

"I won't," Togami simply says. "It simply isn't possible."

Oowada's face turns red from anger as he starts cracking his knuckles. "Who the fuck do you think you are?!"

Togami just stares at Oowada as he crosses his arms over his chest. "You know, I still just can't believe it…"

"Believe what?!" Oowada grits his teeth.

"That an uneducated, brain-dead, useless piece of garbage like you has survived this long." From the way Togami is looking at Oowada, anyone can tell that he is looking down at the Super High School Level Biker.

"I'm gonna fuckin' kill you!" Oowada is seething with rage.

"Like I said, I won't die." Togami smirks. He is not at all fazed with Oowada's threat.

Hagakure lets out a frustrated sigh. "You keep saying that, but—"

"Don't bother arguing with him." Celes begins twirling a lock of her hair again. "For him, the concept of losing simply does not exist. He is the Super High School Level Affluent Progeny, after all—a boy raised to succeed from the day he was born. He considers victory his destiny, and has lived his life accordingly. Tests and challenges are merely ways for him to stand victorious. Even if it is a life-and-death situation…is that not so?"

For once, Togami is actually pleased to hear such a response from one of his classmates. "At least one of you seems to understand."

"It is because I am the same as you." Celes smiles at Togami. "Games are meant to be won."

"Are you trying to suggest that we're on the same level?" Togami is almost insulted. "Close that vulgar mouth of yours."

Celes is taken aback. It seems she overstepped a boundary… "Well, well, I do apologize."

Togami huffs as he turns his attention back on everyone else. "Anyway, let me just say this to all of you. You all need to try harder. If an opponent isn't going to give it their best, where's the fun for me?"

"Th-That's a terrible way to look at it…" Tears well up in the corners of Fujisaki's eyes.

"Hmm?" Togami narrows his eyes at Fujisaki. "You again…"

Fujisaki tightens her fists. She can feel her heart pounding so hard within her chest… "This…this isn't a game… Our lives are on the line, you know…To kill your own friends is…is…It's horrific!"

Togami arches his brow at Fujisaki upon hearing the sudden force in her voice. That…is definitely new. Of course, he can tell that it's taking all of Fujisaki's courage to even speak up to him like that from how badly her body was trembling. Despite that, he is almost impressed with her courage…almost.

"Friends?" Togami repeats skeptically. "Who decided that?"

"…Huh?!" Fujisaki's eyes widen. "Ah…I…I—"

"We're not friends," Togami cuts Fujisaki off. "No, quite the opposite. We're in a competition—we're enemies."

"B-But…you know…" Fujisaki barely manages to choke back a sob as tears splash down her cheeks.

"But what?" Togami's tone is harsh. "Stop trying to force your contradictions on me and just accept what I'm telling you."

"U-Um…" Fujisaki struggles to find her voice. "Uh…"

"Yes?" Togami looks sternly at Fujisaki. "If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, keep your mouth closed."

"…" Fujisaki sniffs. "I-I'm sorry…"

Whatever courage she had…just died out. She wipes her eyes on the back of her sleeves, but the tears keep coming. Like always, once she starts crying, she can't stop.

"I-I'm…sorry…" she apologizes again.

"F-Fujisaki-san!" Naegi frowns at Fujisaki before turning to Togami and scowling at him. He's gone too far this time…

"Hey, shithead!" Oowada practically roars. He is very pissed off at how Togami is treating Fujisaki. It just isn't right to pick on a girl like that! "You get off on bullying people that can't fight back? You wanna try that on me?!"

"You say that, but isn't what you did to Naegi on the very first day?" Togami remarks, his eyes shifting over to Naegi to catch a glimpse of the bruise on her cheek. "Or did she get that bruise when she fell out of her bed this morning?"

"H-Huh?! Hey!" Naegi just can't get a break today.

"B-Bastard…" Oowada grits his teeth upon recalling the fact that he did punch Naegi on day one. He still feels terrible about it, even more so because he has yet to apologize to Naegi. Though, the fact that Togami, of all people, is the one to mention the bruise on Naegi's face just pisses him off even more.

"Am I wrong?" Togami questions. "Or are you back to pretending to be friends? How long do you think that's going to last?"

"Fuck you!" Oowada spits.

"Is that all you can say?" Togami is growing tired of talking to Oowada. "It's unfortunate you would waste your breath on such empty gibberish."

Without even looking away, Togami catches a book that's been thrown at him. His eyes shift to the side and see that it's Naegi that had thrown the book. She looks at him with eyes filled with so much anger and frustration. It's not anything that he's ever seen before from her, that it catches him somewhat by surprise.

"Interesting…" is all Togami can say before huffing out a laugh.

Oowada doesn't know what it is about what Togami just did, but it's the absolute last straw. Something inside of him just snaps. "That's it! You're fuckin' dead!"

Oowada charges at Togami in an attempt to punch him, but Ishimaru deliberately intervenes and gets in his way. Ishimaru is not going to allow two of his classmates to fight each other…not on his watch.

"Stop it!" Ishimaru exclaims as he tried to hold Oowada back. Try as he could, Oowada is just much stronger than he is.

"Piss off!" Oowada shoves Ishimaru onto the floor.

"Hey, calm down!" Asahina yells, her ponytail bristling out like an angry cat's tail.

Oowada grits his teeth, but manages to keep himself from actually hurting Togami. "I am calm…"

"You sure don't seem like it…" Asahina looks sternly at Oowada.

"Anyway…I don't have any intention of working with the rest of you any longer." Togami no longer has any reason to stay in the library. "To cooperate during an elimination game is…Well, frankly, it's a waste of time. And I hate wasting my time."

"Waste of time…?" Naegi can't believe what she's hearing—she just threw a book at the guy and he still has the gall to say this shit?!

"Engaging in 'friendly' group meals is out of the question," Togami continues, taking a moment to skim through the book in his hands. Shockingly, Naegi had some good taste…he might actually consider reading this book. "Someone could easily poison our food. And I'd rather not become part of the Last Supper just yet."

"Quick talking like you're in a fuckin' movie or something!" Oowada yells.

Togami ignores Oowada as he starts making his way out of the library. "All I'm saying is that, ultimately, you are all free to do whatever you want on your own. Goodbye."

Without a second glance back, Togami leaves the library. There isn't anything anyone can do to keep him from leaving. If it wasn't obvious before, then it is now that Togami's way of thinking is beyond anything the rest of them can even comprehend.

…

…

"Was he serious about all that…?" Hagakure can't help but ask.

"He was, without a doubt," Celes replies as she twirls a lock of her hair. She's met enough people over the years to know when someone was bluffing.

"Well, fuck him then." Oowada is just done with Togami for the rest of the day…

"B-B-But what he s-s-said…" Fukawa begins, her stutter growing even worse. "He might not n-necessarily be wrong…I mean, can you s-say for sure someone won't poison our f-food?"

"Geez, not you too, Fukawa-chan!" Asahina frowns.

"Well, it's n-not like anyone would care even if I w-was gone, right…?" Fukawa clenches her teeth as she looks at her classmates. "Actually, I bet you all want me gone! You all think I'm d-disgusting!"

Naegi throws a concerned glance at Fukawa. "None of us think that…"

Fukawa is about ready to deny Naegi's claims, but upon making direct eye contact with her…Fukawa realizes that Naegi meant what she said. "Ah…aaaah…Your kindness—i-it still…it still buuuuuuuurns! Hyeeeeeeeehhh!"

Despite Naegi having meant what she said, Fukawa still has a long way to go before she can even handle being around Naegi during moments such as these. For that reason alone, Fukawa flees from the library, leaving her classmates rather stunned.

"Th-That's a new reaction…" Hagakure remarks, a small droplet of sweat rolling down the side of his face.

Celes nods. "Indeed."

Asahina blinks and turns to Naegi. She thinks for a moment and then smiles widely. "Maybe it's because Fukawa-chan made a friend!"

It takes everyone, even Kirigiri herself, a few seconds to realize whom Asahina was referring to. Upon figuring it out, all attention shifts to Naegi, who fidgets nervously under their gaze.

"Uh…" A small bead of sweat rolls down the side of Naegi's face. "D-Did I do something wrong?"

"No, Naegi-kun, you're fine," Kirigiri reassures her. "You're fine…"

…

…

…

A/N 11-26-17 Here we are with yet another chapter! Not much has changed except the fact that Togami has dyslexia and Celes has an antisocial personality disorder—yeah, that's a thing that happened thanks to the Clair de Lune discord, in which we all went through a list of who and who had what, because neurodiversity and mental illnesses in characters are a thing (stuff like depression, ADHD, anxiety, DID, PTSD, and the like). By the by, it IS possible to be dyslexic in one language and not in another, which is the exact case with Togami, so it's easy for him to hide it from others…yeah.

Fun fact, Oowada is actually bipolar here, so him asking Celes that is supposed to be a joke. And it's already a given that just about everyone has some form of PTSD after that first trial, so everyone has to deal with it! Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

Moving on, Naegi throws a book at Togami, but Togami catches it like the show off he is…and shows an interest in her for how unpredictable she can be at times. I mean, Naegi is still Naegi, it's just she has little patience for anyone picking on Fujisaki, considering how much Fujisaki has done for her already. It's just a thing that happened, because really, the Naesaki has been pretty strong in this fic so far and you can only expect to get even stronger from here on out, with a side order of Naekawa…because Fukawa deserves some love, too.

By the by, I was looking at my older A/N for this chapter and I'm laughing, because I was talking about I kept getting mistaken for male and that I'm actually female, like—omg, 2014 KD, you're not exactly wrong, but you're nonbinary, dude! Ahahhahaa, ohh, the difference two years can make!

Anyways, time for some shout-outs as usual!

Reviewer #180: Anonymous Reviewer Guest (please, anon reviewers, give yourself a name so I can differentiate you guys)

Reviewer #181: ThePersonOfNothing

Reviewer #190: Crack-jouchan

Reviewer #200: Somnia Sui

Reviewer #210: Anonymous Reviewer Guest (anon reviewers plz)

Reviewer #211: Rainy Day Anime

Reviewer #220: Axel Fones

Reviewer #222: Axel Fones

Reviewer #230: Celestic Sapphire

Honorable Mentions: Dire Kumori, Lizzybear54, Errinenrungun, Anonymous Reviewer Emmy Lee, Anonymous Reviewer i love you (and don't worry, Togami will blush…hard…one of these chapters, but yeah, it's gonna happen), QueanKatt, Fi Suki Saki, Moonstar66, bunnychan23, AkabaneKazama, nerdyRabbit, xenocanaan, Anonymous Reviewer Rae, nahte123456, TenraiTsukiyomi, tempestmind, Rosalix Archangel

Thank you guys so much for taking the time to review, we are finally catching up with the amount of reviews there are so far, so omigosh, I am SO sorry I left you guys hanging for two years! It's really good to be back with this fic, so thank you guys for sticking around as long as you have! It really means a lot to me…

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and I have absolutely no idea when the next one will be up because I have some work I need to do that I've been totes procrastinating on doing these past few days, as well as an exam to study for so…yeah! Feel free to leave a review, because it really does motivate me! And remember, I AM still taking suggestions, so go on ahead and lay 'em on me!

So until next time, guys! KD out! XD