Hello everyone! How's it going?

No need to try to answer, anyway, I can't hear you, it's text on a website. But nice try.

SO! It's been a while, hasn't it? But maybe you didn't expect me to hear from me so soon!

For those of you who don't know, I had another fic named Conquering Hope, that I decided to discontinue because I realized there was going to have some problems that I couldn't correct in the future, and I kind of had to apologize by promising another, better fic, so… here we are now.

Note, if you're considering embarking on a similar project, don't be like the idiot who writes that to you.

This time, therefore, I decided to write another story entirely. Something I will think through this time (for a change), and that will fix all of those little (VERY BIG) mistakes I was going to make. A completely original story just for you guys! (Coming from a fucking plagiarist, it's a hell of a thing, I know. But I love this blaze, you have no idea.)

So, here I am again! In great shape, and ready for this new adventure with you! (If you can call it an adventure, but hey, I'm pretty happy about this, ya know. Even if it just literally the same name but with some word added. Yup. I'm this type of guy.)

BUT! That is not the end. This time, I brought someone with me. Someone you may be familiar with. Someone who's been helping me with this… and who is going to speak to you at the end of the chapter, 'cause he deserves that much!

To all of you that have been waiting, thank you for your patience. Know that I have read each of your reviews, and it went directly to my heart. You can't begin to imagine how much it means to me. BUT! We'll discuss this later.

Right now, I hope you will enjoy this short chapter I am offering you today! Have a good reading, everyone!

Japan, Saitama, Kawaguchi

28/02/1997, 8:00 PM

Fire.

By definition, fire is the production of a flame, which is generally associated with light and the heat it produces.

It is for this reason that Man, who has managed to domesticate it over time, now uses it for many purposes. For example, it is used as lighting at night, but also as a means of heating.

And that's exactly why the fire is being used tonight. The fire in the fireplace in the living room of the house in which we find ourselves sent the light and heat it produced throughout the room.

And it was a good thing for the man who was sitting on the nearby couch, because judging by the squelch noise coming from outside and the drops running down the window, it wasn't a time to enjoy the outside air, in addition to the temperature which was quite cool.

The man in question was in his twenties, and he was quite tall. He had Indian red eyes, as well as dark brown hair, short and sharp. He wore a blue suit that covered a white shirt, with beige pants that were held by a black belt, and black slippers.

His position suggested his current state. He had his left hand on his forehead, his back slumped on the chair. A sigh came out of his lips.

"You should go to bed if you're that tired, darling."

The man turned to a voice that was familiar to him. This voice belonged to a woman, apparently his wife, of the same age as him, and who was of a smaller size. She had washed-out hazel eyes, with long apricot hair, and she wore a house dress that was tied with a bow where her right shoulder was located, as well as white slippers.

The worried look his wife gave him made the man giggle. "I know, I know. I was just resting for a short while. But I must admit, it still feels good."

"After a day like yours, it's not surprising." The woman's voice seemed to reprimand him. "You're killing yourself, Kotoya. Good thing you're not working tomorrow. It's about time you take a rest."

The man named Kotoya then got up to go to his wife. "Hey, don't you think you're looking out for me too much? You work hard too, as far as I know."

"Not as much as you do. My job is not as stressful as yours."

"You know very well that's not true. We've already had this conversation, Mariko. One job is worth another. You don't have to devalue yourself for that."

Mariko looked at him with a smile, but her eyes betrayed his sadness. "It's just... I wish we could do more. I know we're doing our best, but... I can't help but be worried."

The man embraced her tenderly. "Me too. But that's why we do what we do."

Mariko returned the gesture. "Yes, I know."

The contact of the young adults seemed to soothe them, a smile, this time sincere, forming on their faces. The couple spent a moment, which could equal eternity according to their gaze, enjoying their serenity, in a silence only cut off by the crackling of the flames and the rain manifesting its presence through the window.

A canary sings

A cradle song

Sleep, sleep,

Sleep, child!

This silence was interrupted by a voice. A voice that sang, in a gentle way.

Above the cradle,

The loquat fruits sway

Sleep, sleep,

Sleep, child!

The parents looked at each other in an amused way. "He's trying to get her to sleep again, isn't he?"

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Kotoya let out a little laugh before he and his wife headed for the room where the voice came from.

A squirrel rocks

The cradle by its rope

Sleep, sleep,

Sleep, child!

It didn't take long, as the singer was in the next room, which was the family room.

And what they saw warmed their hearts.

Dreams in a cradle,

With the yellow moon shining down

Sleep, sleep,

Sleep, child!

In the room were two children, 3 and 4 years old respectively.

In the cot, under the duvet, there was a little girl, with short brown hair, and judging by her closed eyes and calm, repeated breathing, she had just fallen asleep.

Next to her was a little boy, who had short brown, pointed hair, with a small wick towards the center of his head. His eyes were hazelnut green, and he was wearing green pajamas.

Both parents smiled when they saw this scene. Mariko approached him and spoke discreetly. "You really have a beautiful voice, you know that, my little darling? Your little sister must think the same thing."

The boy turned to his parents, his cheeks red, but with a little smile on his face. "T-thank you… I-I remembered you singing that to us when we couldn't fall asleep, Mom. Komaru said she was sleepy, and I didn't want to disturb you... I thought I could take care of her."

Kotoya also approached and affectionately rubbed her hand on her son's hair. "Well, it looks like you've fulfilled your mission. You're acting like a real little guardian angel, Makoto."

Compliment that only made Makoto blush more. "Thank you, Dad." Then he started yawning. "I... I think I need to go to bed too."

"Oh, yes, I do. It's about time you went to bed." Mariko took her son in her arms and put him next to her sleeping sister, while taking care not to wake her up by covering him with the rest of the duvet she was not using. Once she put the pillow behind his head, she kissed him on the forehead. "Goodnight, Makoto."

"Goodnight... Mom... Dad..." These were his last words, before sleep won him over. The parents smiled even more when they saw their son unconsciously approaching Komaru.

Once Makiro had also kissed her daughter on the forehead, she joined her husband in front of their bed, contemplating them. "Look at them... they look so peaceful, both of them."

"Yes... and honestly, that makes me feel so much better." Kotoya put her hand on his wife's shoulder to gently squeeze her against him, letting her snuggle against him. "Seeing them happy like that... I can feel my fatigue flying away, all of a sudden."

"Me too. I just hope... we can keep living like this. I want to give them the best possible life. That's what they deserve." Mariko hugged her husband again, who turned the gesture around with tenderness.

"I know. That's why we're making the necessary efforts. And that's exactly what we're going to keep doing."

These words...

The words that my parents said that night... they got into my mind when I heard them.

Yes, I heard what they said that night. I remember it very well. Don't ask me how, or why these particular words... even now, I think it was just a coincidence.

However, one thing is certain to me.

You have no idea how touched I was by those words.

But I think it's better if I tell you all about it.

I prefer to warn you right away: it will not be a short story. In fact, it will be more complicated to follow as we go along. It will be completely unbelievable... well, if we get to that level, of course...

If you feel ready... well, I'll do my best to explain everything to you as best I can.

Uh? Who am I?

...I think you already have a good idea of who I am.

My name... is Makoto Naegi.

This is my story.

Or rather...

Our story.

DANGANRONPA

THE CONQUERING HOPE: MONOCHROMATIC PATH

There we go! ONE chapter done, ONE!

How many chapters do I plan to write this time? As your good friend Makoto said, I have no idea! Don't forget that I didn't know how many chapters I would hold for the other fic, so I'm not going to make a prognosis this time!

But well, I still enjoyed writing all that, even if it was rather short. And if you ever loved it (and I hope you did), I'm glad. It's a small project that I had in mind for a while, and I wanted to take a different approach on Danganronpa, and especially on the character of Makoto. But this will be a story for next time.

And before I forget… you do need to meet the other guy behind this. He's been helping me writing this, and he's going to do this all the way despite his own projects, something that I can't be grateful enough for.

Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise fooooor… OUR SPECIAL GUEST!

Hello ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls; Ultimates of all ages! wesst1 here!

When Pupla asked me for assistance with this fic, there was no way I could turn it down. One good turn deserves another as they say, and Pupla has been a big help to me with "Everyday Life With Ultimate Girls." If it weren't for Pupla, Jibster, and Veos, I probably never would have started it, so of course when Pupla asks me for something, I don't even need to think about it.

So remember, read, review and I'll see you next time, either here or over at Everyday Life. Thanks for your support everyone! It means more than you can imagine.

Well, this was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoyed the little surprise! Don't forget to go check my bro's job, it's amazing!

However, I prefer to warn you right away: don't expect a new chapter every week. I've already done enough mistakes with the other story, so this time I'm going to take the time to calculate my shot before publishing anything, so I ask you to be patient.

And most importantly-

WARNING! PLAGIARISM YOUTUBE BEGINNER MOMENT APPROACHING!

Thank you, annoying alarm... ANYWAY!

If you really liked my work, I advise you to follow me, or at least follow my story, so you don't miss any new chapters that come along (and there will be a new chapter. Not right away, but there will be one.)

So, a little moment for those who are curious: the melody that Makoto sang is a Japanese lullaby, under the title of Yurikago no Uta (Song of the Cradle in Japanese). I let you listen to it on Youtube to make your opinion, and also to immerse yourself more in the story. Remember that Makoto sings in Japanese for his entourage at that time, just to be precise.

And, I'll also let you write a comment to find out what you think about it, as well as the chapter. It will motivate me more to continue. (Well, it depends on the nature of the comment, but well, you understood.) And don't hesitate to ask questions, too! I'll try to answer them the best I can! (Except if they are related to the story, of course.)

Oh yeah, and before I forget, I will erase my other fic in the next days, however, I've heard that some of the characters had interesting talents or backstories. So, if you want to take those and want to check out my fic to remember, hurry up! I'm going to correct those characters anyway, but again, story for another time.

Well, with all this, I'm leaving you. Until next time, be well, and be happy, that's the most important thing. See ya!

Pupla out.