Chapter 1: The Idea
Chapter Text
It had been a month since the terrible disaster that struck the world had ended. People were relieved and were beginning to rebuild their lives. They kept thanking the Future Foundation. They kept thanking him.
He resented their praise. He didn’t deserve to see their happy faces or see their tears of joy. He was not their savior. He’d almost killed their savior.
Kyosuke Munakata sat in the corner of a dark room, wallowing in his thoughts as he did most days. He wasn’t sure what time or day it was. It didn’t really matter. He had nothing to do and no one to be with.
Naegi had begged him to join them in reviving Hope Peak Academy. He declined. He couldn’t understand why he would ever want to return to a place where his friends were brutally murdered. Where the disaster began.
No, if Kyosuke had it his way, he would never be a part of something as big as that. And he would rather die than ever lead again.
Painful thoughts returned and he closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would take him. He knew nightmares awaited him, but it was better than sitting alone.
He was running on an empty street he didn’t recognize but he didn’t stop. Something thunderous was making a deafening sound. Someone was gripping his hand tightly. When he turned back to see who it was, it was Chisa. Further behind them was a wave of Monokumas.
“Keep looking ahead!” someone familiar yelled at him. He turned to his left and saw Sakakura running next to him. With him having to pull Chisa, Sakakura could’ve easily out ran them to safety, but instead he remained running next to them.
Something whizzed past his head. Another falling to the ground behind them. Javelins were being thrown at them. Sakakara hit the ground and a glance behind showed that he had been stabbed through the torso.
He kept running. He didn’t go back, even as Chisa begged and hit his arm. He begged his legs to stop but it felt like his body wasn’t his own. Go back. Go back!
A high hill with a cliff came into view. If they made it up there they would have a better chance at surviving. Finally, he stop.
“Climb up,” he heard himself say, “Keep running, even if me and Sakakura don’t make it.”
He turned and finally ran back. He could just make out Sakakura pulling the javelin out of his back. He seemed to notice Munakata running back to him. Another javelin went through his chest and skewered him to the ground. Then the wave of Monokumas overtook him.
“Kyosuke!”
He turned to Chisa’s scream, just in time to see her hit the ground with a finalizing thud.
They watched as Munakata woke up with a start, sweating and frantically looking at his surroundings. There were times when he would look directly at them, but couldn’t see them.
“It’s getting harder to wake him up,” Chisa sighed.
Juzo broke his gaze and nodded. As much as they tried to help, waking their friend was getting next to impossible. And even though they were ghosts, they still had limits to their energy. If they spent too much, they would have to go back to the theater.
They watched helplessly as Munakata brought his knees to his chest and hid his face. They couldn’t hear it, but they knew he was crying. Chisa tried to stroke his hair to comfort him, but her hand went through him.
“You knew that wouldn't work.”
“I know that, Juzo,” she said quietly, “But I can’t stand to sit here and do nothing while he’s like this. I know you feel the same way.”
Of course he did. That’s why they both were there. Every time Munukata was in danger, hurting, or something like that, they would feel it and be compelled to leave their theater afterlife and go to him.
They remained there until Munakata slumped against the wall and finally went back to sleep, this time peacefully.
“He’s going to hurt himself if he keeps sleeping like that,” he said as they both stood.
Chisa wiped her eyes. “He’s already hurting himself.”
Without looking, he grabbed her hand from her face. They stood there, hand in hand, staring at their disheveled friend until the world blurred and faded away into an empty theater.
“You did it that time.”
“Shut up!” Juzo said as he snatched his hand back.
“I’m only teasing,” she said as she grabbed his other hand, “You know that’s my only source of entertainment.”
He slumped into a seat, guiding her into the one next to him. “You need a new hobby.”
“Don’t we both?” She looked up at the screen, always playing and always spying on the living. “Looks like it went to Naegi again.”
“Change the channel.”
“Stop it, you know you like him now. Plus, I love what he and the others are doing with the school. Hope his staff is really good too. I plan on keeping an eye on things.”
“You can’t do that forever.”
“...We don’t know that.”
A deep unease traveled through them both and they gripped each other’s hands just a little tighter.
Juzo was convinced that he would have become some crazed spirit had Chisa not found him here. When he first arrived, he was alone and he couldn’t stand and all he could hear was Munakata and Junko fuckin’ Enoshima in his head. All curses and insults. He thought that would be his eternity and something felt like it was stabbing through his heart. Then Chisa tapped his arm and smiled as though the world had never ended.
‘What are you doing on the floor, silly?’
She’d seen the killing game through everyone’s eyes, especially his and Munakata’s. She’d seen what the monitors had done. She’d seen what her colleagues had done. And worst of all, she’d seen what her best friends had done. She had admitted to him that she had been angry with all of them, him included, but that anger didn’t compare to the rage she had against the man she loved. Because he’d stabbed Juzo.
But even though she’d seen the entire thing, she still helped Juzo acclimate to the afterlife and she still went to see Munakata.
“Caught ya starin’.”
Again, he snatched his hand back and stared at the screen like watching Naegi fill out paperwork was interesting.
Chisa laughed. “You know, that’s not a bad thing.”
“It’s still weird.”
“Well, yeah. But there’s no one here to say anything. Why be embarrassed?”
She made a good point. Didn’t make it less embarrassing. Especially since they couldn’t tell Kyosuke.
She leaned over the arms of the chairs and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. By the time Juzo turned to her, she was already watching the screen again.
He smiled a little and turned back to the screen. Yeah, still weird.
The video was showing Naegi looking over at his ringing phone. He answered it.
“Hello?”
“You have to do something with him.”
“Byakuya? With who?”
“Who else?! I understand that he’s lost everything, but Munakata cannot continue draining our resources especially when he no longer does anything!”
“We’re helping him because he’s a person.”
“A person who has been wasting our resources. Please reassure me that you are not so naive that you can’t see that he doesn’t want to be here anymore!”
Juzo wanted to jump up and punch the screen, right where the phone was. Yeah, the bastard was right, but he didn’t want to hear it from him.
“I know! I’m afraid for him. But I get it, you know? Seeing friends die is crushing. He…was so defeated and angry when Yukisome died and when Sakakura died…he looked like he’d lost everyone.”
They squeezed each other’s hands.
“We can’t give up on him, Byakuya. He’s been too important in our fight. He’s stubborn and…scary, but he wants to put the world back together as much as we do.”
“Save your breath, I never said we needed to give up on him. Believe me, I know how thin our numbers are. But we need to do something .”
“...Hagakure-”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“You don’t know what I’m going to say!”
“He suggested the same idea to me and it’s idiotic. It will not work.”
“It might?”
“Does his talents even involve speaking with the dead?”
The two spirits shared a look.
They saw Naegi stand up and start pacing. “I’m not sure, but there’s a positive even if it doesn’t work.”
“Enlighten me.”
“If the ritual works, Munakata can make peace with his friends and hopefully move on. If it doesn’t, it’ll show that they’ve already moved on and he should do the same.”
“Oy vey. Let’s say that Hagakure can get this to work. Who’s to say that these two spirits won’t be violent?”
“But they were Munakata’s friends.”
“ Were . That is the key word. When they died, one was brainwashed by Junko and the other was stabbed in the torso by the very man we are trying to save!”
Juzo was standing now.
“Believe it or not, I’m not trying to be the negative one, but we can’t afford another incomprehensible mess.”
“I don’t think Yukisome’s soul would be brainwashed since she doesn’t have a physical brain anymore-”
“You stupid twink-”
“And as for Sakakura…I don’t think he would come back vengeful. He told me he was turning off the monitors to save Munakata. You know, the way he is around him kind of reminds me of someone we went to school with.”
“If you’re referring to the plebeian with that god-awful hair, then yes, I suppose I see what you are trying to get at, but we are comparing a pair of grown men to two teenagers who were sword fighting overnight!”
Makoto made a noise. “Byakuya!”
Juzo could hear Chisa snickering and pulling him to sit down. He did.
There was a pause of silence on the phone. Then Byakuya sighed. “Only on three conditions. One, I will not attend. Two, someone with more brain cells will oversee this. And three, I WILL NOT be the one to tell Hagakure or Munakata. As far as anyone is concerned, I was never told about this. Understood?”
Juzo checked out of the conversation after that. There was a lot to take in. “They’re going to try and talk to us?”
“Isn’t it exciting?” Chisa smiled, “We’ll finally be able to talk to Kyosuke. He’s going to be okay!”
“They don’t even know if it’ll work. As far as I’ve seen and heard, Hagakure is an idiot.”
“It’s not going to rely on him. It’s going to rely on us! All we need to do is make it work.”
He gave her a side glance.
“Come on, you’re not even going to try to speak to Kyosuke?”
“I am, I just don’t want us to get our hopes up if it doesn’t work. I don’t even know what I would say to him if it did.” He could feel her stare on the side of his head. “What?”
“...I’m still mad at him too-”
“It’s not that I’m mad…or maybe I am…”
“You can still love a man and be mad at him. He’s going to get an earful. But we’ll still tell him we love him.”
“Is that what it’s like with me?”
“Love hate? Not nearly as bad. At least you’ll look at me when you talk to me.”
“Yeah, instead of looking out the phone or out the window.”
She rolled her eyes. “I got a new dress and the janitor noticed before he did.”
“But it lets you look at ‘em without him noticing.”
“Ah, his hair. I just wanna go through it and…” she took her hand and shook it.
“He would've never let you do that. It would mess up his appearance.” He slowly facepalmed. “It’s not like you can mess it up! He could walk out in pajamas and he’d be fine.”
“Fine as hell! Does the jawline make you go wild?”
He shook his head. “It’s a weird one but it's his collar bone.”
“Collar bone?! When did you ever see it?”
“Whenever we would train together.”
“What?! I want details!”
He gestured for her to come closer. When their faces were almost touching he whispered, “Six pack.” She screamed and fell over onto her chair. “Oh gods, bring me back!” She suddenly sat up. “That’s okay though. I was lookin’ at that ass of his.”
Juzo snorted. “What ass?”
“Right! Not even those tight pants could show anything!”
“You think someone would hurt their hand if they hit it?”
“The only thing they would hit is bone structure!”
They were both laughing. A good laugh that they hadn’t had in a while.
After a moment, Chisa took a few calming breaths. “I wish we did this when we were alive.”
Juzo nodded as they leaned on each other. “So do I.”
Chapter 2: The Pinnacle of Despair
Chapter Text
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Kyosuke said. He’d been invited to meet Naegi at one of the Future Foundations remaining headquarters. He was currently drinking coffee after a mandatory shower. “I don’t deny that you are capable of great things, but I don’t think you’re capable of speaking with the dead.”
The former lucky student chuckled nervously, “Uh, it won’t be me.”
“Then who is capable of that?”
“Well…he’s still learning exactly how to perfect it but-”
“Hey guys!” Hagakure said as he came rushing into the room. He patted Naegi roughly on the back before sitting down in a seat between the two men. “Sorry I’m late. Overslept. Ooo, scones!”
Naegi cleared his throat. “Hiro, Munakata was just asking about what you’ll be doing tomorrow.”
“Him?”
“Yup,” the clairvoyant said with a grin, “Just had to review some things in a book I found. Don’t worry, I have most of the knowledge up here. I’ve never done it before due to being too afraid, but it should be fine.”
“I see,” Munakata said as he and Naegi shared a worried look, “I…don't have obligations or…anything that would keep me from attending. I just have doubts, no offense. Not only in this…séance of sorts, but in whether or not they would want to see me. Neither of them died peacefully. Why would they want to come back?”
“Two reasons,” Hiro said as he held up his fingers, “One, they’re seeking revenge for their wrongful deaths-”
“Hiro-”
“Relax, dude, I’m gettin’ there. Or two, they’re tied to something or someone. It could be the building they died in or more likely, you.”
“And if they’re not bound at all?” he asked.
Hiro thought for a second. “Then they’ve passed on. Honestly, that’s probably the best outcome. It means that they’ve made peace with the way things ended.”
Munakata looked down at his now empty cup on the table. “There was no peace for anyone who died in that building.”
“Then this might benefit all of you! It might bring you peace and let them rest.”
He doubted that he could bring them any more peace than he brought them in life, but he owed them a try. “Alright, I’ll do it. But promise me one thing. Whatever happens, happens. If they become violent, leave and save yourselves, but do not try to stop it.”
“But-”
He held his hand up toward Naegi. “Do not interfere. I will get what I deserve.”
Clink.
All three men looked down at Munakata’s cup. It hadn’t moved, but it sounded like something or someone hit it.
When Chisa first arrived into the afterlife, she was confused and scared. Juzo always asked about it and she would just say “it was lonely”. But it was more than that. She couldn’t remember years of her life until Junko had the pleasure of showing it all to her on the big screen. It was horrid. She couldn’t believe all that she had done. The first several hours were spent weeping for herself and for her students. Any time she tried to see through their eyes, she saw nothing.
Then she remembered that her two best friends were still fighting for their lives. So she watched and hated every bit of it. She thought over and over of what exactly she would say to them, all of them when they arrived. She yelled quite a bit at the heads of the Future Foundation, especially its leader. But they eventually left when they no longer had ties and not one wanted to see the end of the game.
‘There is no hope in that game,’ Gozu said before he left with the others, ‘Even as I pray, I know my prayers fall on deaf ears. I hope to see you in the great beyond.’
When Juzo died, seemingly for the second time, he arrived. She marched over to yell at him, but stopped when he fell over. Something she noticed was some would arrive with energy while some arrived with almost none. It seemed to have something to do with how they died. For example, Bandai arrived with enough energy to run out of the theater. He died quickly. So did Izayoi. But Gozu arrived with half his energy. Same with Kimura.
It was the speed at which they died. From when was stabbed to when he drew his last breath, Juzo had taken longer than anyone to die. He could barely look at her, but when he did, it was the same look he had when they first met. A man expecting hard judgment. His body was covered in shadows that the light didn’t create.
With difficulties, she got him into a chair and let him lean on her as they watched the rest of the killing game play out. He couldn’t talk that entire time. He was too tired.
But when he finally could, it was like he was at confession. He told her everything, from having a crush on Kyosuke to Junko’s blackmail, as though it was her job to damn him. And when he finished, he looked at her and waited.
She said what she thought about each thing, making sure to be gentle but honest, and waited for his response. He didn’t give one. Instead, he went back to laying against her shoulder. She thought she broke him. He was just uncharacteristically quiet and meek. If she moved slightly, he would give her space and if she joked about something, he thought she was serious.
It took a while, but they both began getting used to being dead. Juzo finally went back to being himself (thank goodness!) and they tested things out to see how they worked. As long as they had enough energy to stay focused, they could go to the living, but only if they had someone they were tied to. The theater had a concession area, even though they were never hungry.
At the moment, Chisa was staring at the screen, watching through the eyes of Hanata. Her heart twisted for them. They couldn’t go back to rebuilding their old lives. They were war criminals. But they were still her kids and watching them get along as a family brought a tear to her eyes.
“What the hell is that?” Juzo said as he sat next to her. He placed a box of red ropes in her lap and placed a bag of popcorn in his.
“I think I heard Souda say that it was some sort of engine? He wants to make the boat faster. Want one?”
He shook his head. “I thought they went back to that island.”
“They’re there now, but I think there was some talk about traveling. Once everything dies down, of course.”
He shrugged and ate some popcorn. “...Earlier today. You still don’t know how you did that?”
“Huh? Oh, the cup? No, I still haven’t figured that out. We’ve never been able to touch anything where the living are, but somehow I hit the cup. It didn’t move, so I don’t think I can throw things or knock anything over.”
“It was hard enough that they heard the sound.”
“Hm. Maybe we’ll figure it out tonight.”
There was a chuckle that came from the seats above them. “I can’t wait to see how that plays out.”
Chisa didn’t have to turn to see who it was. “You’re wasting your breath, Junko. You’ve already failed, remember?”
“Minor setbacks.” Footsteps were heard getting closer. “Where there is light, there will always be darkness. History is doomed to repeat itself, especially with the right nudge.”
When the footprints were right behind them, Juzo turned and grabbed her by the collar, sending popcorn everywhere. He went to punch her, but Chisa grabbed his arm. “The fuck are you doing?”
“She wants you to be angry,” Chisa explained, “Angry, confused, and hurt. That’s how she beat us before.”
“Ah, and it worked like a dream,” Junko said as though it were a pleasant memory, “Especially against this pathetic lover boy.”
He was too strong for her to stop him, so Junko hit the ground with a bloodied nose. Amazingly, she was laughing. “Oh my gosh, you’re just too easy!”
Juzo jumped over the chairs. “I can’t ever get rid of you, even when I’m dead.”
Chisa hopped over and stood in front of Juzo. “Hey, she did the same thing when I got here. She gets a kick out of torturing you with the past. But what happened happened. No amount of beating her is going to change that.”
Juzo stared her down, his eyes narrowed and shadowed. “It would make me feel a hell of a lot better.”
“And then what? She laughs in your face about everything you can’t change.”
“Oh, and there’s so much to laugh about,” Junko said as she stood up. She now looked as though she were crying. “Such a big man, only to be silenced by a little girl.” Her expression suddenly changed to something more wild. “And I didn’t even have to be there for you to fuck up so bad that your best friend killed you.”
Chisa was nearly knocked to the ground, but she planted her feet and refused to let Juzo pass her. She grabbed onto the back of the chairs with everything she had. She wasn’t sure how he hadn’t thrown her off yet. Maybe she was just that strong. Then it became way too easy to hold him back.
He fell into her arms and she had to lean him against the chairs to keep from dropping him. He kept his head on her shoulder, as if he couldn’t hold it up. “Juzo? What’s wrong?”
She heard Junko gasp behind her. “Could I be so lucky as to witness the pinnacle of despair again?”
She was trying really hard to ignore that girl, but what she was saying was putting a knot in her would-be stomach.
“I’ve seen it once or twice, but it never took a lot. No build up, no climax, just a soul already destined for the dark. The only proper one I saw was my sister. I made her go as low as he is now. And do you wanna know what happened? She turned into a…hm…what’s the word for vengeful spirit?”
Chisa’s body stiffened and she could feel Juzo do the same. “Onryō,” she said.
“That’s it! Sadly, she didn’t stick around for long. She didn’t have enough ties to stay. But Sakakura is perfect.”
“You leave him alone.”
“That’s the best part, I won’t have to do much. Just poke at him and wait.”
Chisa was thinking of punching her, then Juzo slowly sat up from her shoulder.
“I might be a miserable prick,” he said, “But not enough to become an Onryō.”
“And he’s got me,” Chisa said as she turned and shot Junko a defiant look.
Still, Junko’s smile still worried her. “If he’s feeling that weak just from a little conversation, then it’s already happening. I think my sister described a sharp pain to the heart?”
Chisa turned and while he still looked plenty angry, Juzo didn’t look certain of himself. “Leave,” she hissed at Junko.
“As you desire.” She was using her royal persona. “I have many more subjects to entertain. Ta ta.” She turned and faded away, probably to go mock the living.
“I don’t think I’ve ever hated someone so much,” Chisa said.
Juzo stood up and stumbled.
She caught him. “Oh! It’s okay. Let’s get you into a chair.” She let him lean on her as they went over to the nearest seat. When she did set him down, he looked like he’d been disturbed from a nap. “Be honest with me. Just now, did you feel a sharp pain in your chest?”
“...Yeah. Felt it when I first got here, too.”
She had to remind herself not to panic. That was not going to help the situation. “Well, Junko said that it was caused by despair, so as long as I’m here you shouldn’t feel any of that.”
“Maybe a little annoyance.”
“You’re terrible.”
That got him to smile a little, but it quickly fell. “Chisa…a lot of things happened when I was alive. Some things I told you, others I didn’t. My bad memories out way the good ones. You are the only reason I haven’t gone crazy here.”
She leaned over and planted a kiss in between his eyes, causing his cheeks to go pink. “That’s sweet, but have more faith in yourself. You’re incredibly strong. You just have to get emotionally strong too.”
“If that’s the case, then we’re both fucked.”
Chapter 3: Angrier Than I Thought
Chapter Text
When it finally became time for the séance to begin, Chisa and Sakakura left the theater. The room blurred and darkened until they were in a candle lit room.
“Oh, Kirigiri is here,” Juzo said as he pointed her out. She and Makoto were standing to the side. “She should keep things somewhat sane.”
“What is Kyosuke holding?” Chisa asked. She pointed to a piece of carved wood that he seemed to be gripping in both hands.
Hiro was lighting incense. When he took out sage, he gave Kyosuke a look before putting it away. “Alright, is everyone ready?” When everyone nodded, he took out a crystal orb and sat it down on the fabric between him and Kyosuke. He took a deep breath, then placed his hands on the orb. “Let me know if you feel anything odd.”
Kyosuke nodded.
The clairvoyant began chanting something the ghosts couldn’t hear. Seconds passed. Then half a minute. Then a minute.
“This isn’t working,” Juzo mumbled.
Chisa kneeled next to Hiro and tried placing her hand on the orb, but it went through. Of course it did. She looked over to Kyosuke and he looked skeptical. “We’re going to lose our chance.”
Juzo kneeled next to Kyosuke. “Hey, can you hear us? We’re right here.”
“I don’t think this is working,” Kyosuke said.
Hiro waved a hand. “Hold on, maybe they haven’t found us yet.”
A lump formed in Chisa’s throat. “But we’re right here. Please, we’re right here.” She couldn’t watch Kyosuke have another nightmare that they couldn’t save him from. She couldn’t listen to him demeaning himself like he did at the meeting. She wanted to hold him and yell at him. She wanted to plant kisses on every inch of his face and tell him that he was forgiven.
She shut her eyes. “Please, Kyosuke, we’re here.”
“...Chisa?”
She sat up quickly and looked over to where Kyosuke sat. He looked surprised at the wood piece in his hand.
Juzo hurried over and kneeled next to Chisa. “You’re touching the orb.”
“I heard a woman’s voice,” Hiro said, “I think that was her. Uh, what do you want to say to her?”
Kyosuke was still staring at the wood carving. Then slowly, he looked over to the crystal ball. “Is Sakakura with you?”
“Yes!” Chisa responded, which Hiro relayed.
“Would…I feel anything from him?” Kyosuke asked, “I can feel that…Chisa is happy, but would their feelings be separate?”
“He might be further away,” Hiro said, “If you’re there, it’s alright, dude. I’ll be able to hear both of you.”
Chisa gestured for Juzo to place his hand on the orb. When he did, his fingers went through it.
“How did you do that?”
She took her hands off, not wanting Hiro to repeat all of this. “I think I just got emotional. I think I was able to hit that cup at the meeting because I was upset with what Kyosuke was saying about himself. Here, I didn’t want him to go back to hiding in the corner in the dark. You have to have a strong emotion.” She saw Hiro looking confused, so she put her hands back onto the orb. “I’m still here. Sakakura will be joining us in a second.”
“This isn’t going to work. I can’t just do that on command.”
She gestured for him to try.
“Is everything alright, Hiro?” Makoto said.
“Yeah, yeah, I thought I lost her for a sec. Sakakura seems further away, but I think he’s trying to join us.”
Kyosuke went back to looking at the wood piece. He couldn’t tell what all the symbols meant or how this brought a connection between the living and dead, but he was casting all logic aside for this chance. He could feel Chisa’s warmth and her love for him. It made his heart ache.
Then he could feel…concern from her. He looked over to see Hagakure looking nervous. “What’s going on?”
“It’s hard to tell. Something spooked Chisa and now I can’t hear-”
The fire from the candles began to whip and flicker violently.
“Is this normal?” Kirigiri asked.
“I…I’m not sure anymore,” Hagakure responded.
Looking down, Kyosuke could see the tassels from the fabrics being blown back. Then a shock shot up his arm so violent he dropped the wood piece.
“Are you okay?” Makoto asked as he and Kirigiri ran over.
“This is enough,” the detective said, “Stop the séance.”
“Stop it!?” Hagakure said as he backed away, “It’s kinda hard to do that when there’s a vengeful spirit!”
“Don’t interfere!” Kyosuke said as he sat back down again. He tried to grab the wood piece, but it burned his fingers. It felt like the wind was picking up and the room was growing colder. “Leave if you have to, but I’m staying.”
A strong emotion. Juzo had plenty of instances were a strong emotion would have been warranted. But he learned from a young age that the only emotion that was beneficial to release was anger. So whenever there was a strong emotion, he would swing.
Then came high school and puberty and Chisa and Kyosuke and he realized that not everyone deserved his anger. So he bottled it. It didn’t work well, but it was a start.
And then Junko ruined everything, thanks to him. How the fuck could he bottle that? He didn’t. He went back to being angry and targeted anyone who wasn’t Chisa or Kyosuke.
And then he was left alone. Chisa, the one who understood him better than he understood himself, hadn’t been herself for years. She no longer pulled him to the side to talk or check in. Kyosuke was hellbent on ridding the world of despair, and Sakakura had done everything he asked, anything that would fix what he had done, only to be misled and disowned. That’s when he felt something new. Absolute defeat and despair only doused by one mission, and that mission had been Kyosuke.
Kyosuke.
He finally opened his eyes. Candles were knocked over and papers littered the floor. The living had left. He spotted Chisa at the doorway with her back to him. “Where did they go?”
She walked forward without saying a word.
He stood up and followed, not liking the way she disregarded him. When he got out into the hallway, he looked past her to see Kyosuke arguing with the other three.
“If Hiro no longer feels comfortable doing this,” Naegi was explaining, “I’m not going to make him, not this soon. Maybe Chisa can calm Sakakura down.”
“How are we supposed to know?!” Kyosuke said, pacing back and forth with the wood piece gripped in his hand.
“They didn’t feel like it was safe anymore,” Chisa said as she continued to watch the others argue. She finally turned back to him, face stern and tears brimming her eyes. “What did…?”
“I did what you told me to do! You wanted a strong emotion, right?”
She turned away from him and wiped her face with her hands. “You know what I meant! I thought you wanted to talk to him!”
“I do!”
The arguing seemed to be getting louder, Kyosuke and Hagakure being the main ones yelling. The clairvoyant kept saying ‘vengeful spirit’.
“Stay here. I’ll fix this,” She walked over to the others, probably to try and get something out of the wood piece.
Juzo leaned against the doorframe and stared at the floor. There was that familiar feeling of failure. He’d forgotten how fresh that could feel. So what will it be, anger or bottle it up? He was so fed up with both. He wanted to punch the wall, but he refused due to the chance of making a sound. He didn’t want to make this worse.
He had enough anger to scare the living. It reminded him of a horror movie where the ghost would throw things and turn the room cold.
“Even in death, you’re a fuck up,” he said to himself, “I guess I really am turning into an Onryō.” He was so fucking tired of dealing with himself. He slid down the wall, barely able to keep himself from fading back to the theater, and closed his eyes. It felt like there was a weight on him, crushing him. The only time he remembered being this tired was when he was dying.
Enoshima’s words appeared in his head. Who was he kidding? Just because he was dead, didn’t mean he was fixed. He was somehow worse! He could let go and never have to fuck up again. He wouldn't have to figure himself out or remember anything. He could already feel a sharp pain where his heart would be and slowly he felt it trying to run him through.
Then someone tapped his arm and the pain was gone, leaving behind the exhaustion. He opened his eyes to see Chisa kneeled in front of him and smiling.
“No you don’t,” Chisa said as tears started to slide down her face, “You’re staying right here with me.” She grabbed both of his hands as if she was physically keeping him from his thoughts. “If I can’t protect Kyosuke,” she said with authority, “That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop protecting you. You’re staying here with me.”
He looked down at her hands wrapped around his and it reminded him of the first time she’d ever done that. It was back when they were in high school. They’d recently become friends and she’d looked everywhere for him. He’d been trying to leave the school.
‘I’m not gonna graduate,’ he had said, ‘No one is going to miss me or care.’
‘I will.’
She’d grabbed his hands and had been prepared to drag him back. He knew he could’ve overpowered her, but he’d begrudgingly listened.
And now he was trying to leave again. He was an blind idiot. How could he even think of leaving Chisa behind? He tried to come up with a good apology or something, but she shook her head.
“I’m just happy you’re still here.”
“But it’s true!” they heard Kyosuke say, “I think I can feel them both and neither one of them are hostile.”
“Maybe Sakakura has calmed down?” Naegi asked.
Which earned him a look from Kirigiri. “Do we really want to risk another paranormal event?”
“We might have another chance,” Chisa said as she stood. She yanked Juzo up (a little too easily for his liking) and hurried over to the group.
Juzo followed. “What’s your plan?”
“He can feel what we’re feeling right? Let’s see if he can feel longing.”
“Longing?”
“Just imagine how badly you want to talk to him.”
It seemed far-fetched, but she seemed to know what she was doing. He let himself feel how much he wanted Kyosuke to hear him, but was careful to not think about what either of them would say. Sure enough, Kyosuke looked down at the wood piece, then over to the séance room.
“It’s working!” Chisa cheered. She grabbed Juzo’s hand and they ran ahead into the room.
The others were calling for Kyosuke not to go, but he was right behind them.
Chapter Text
Munakata sat down and with one hand, held the wood piece connecting his friends to him, and with the other held the orb. “Chisa? Sakaku-...Juzo. Are you two there?”
“Aw, first name,” Chisa said as she and Juzo put their hands onto the orb, “We’re here, Kyosuke.”
Immediately, the former leader broke down into tears. It was full of sniffling, too quiet pauses, gasps of air. He must have felt the others' concerns, because he started pulling himself together. “I’m sorry,” he said with a smile, “I expected to never hear your voice again.”
Chisa nudged Sakakura to go next.
“...We…didn’t expect to talk to anyone ever again.”
Again, Kyosuke had to fight to keep himself composed. “I’ve wronged you both, dragging you back to that school. You both had promising lives.”
“You were not going to talk us out of joining you,” Chisa said, “We made a choice and I would do it again. I enjoyed my time there, even if it had a horrid ending. My students…are the best I could’ve asked for.”
They watched as Kyosuke brought the wood piece to his heart. “I guess you were doomed the moment you met them.”
“I know my talent was a housemaid, but I think being a teacher was my calling. What about you, Juzo?”
“I would rather lose a match than ever have to do another security job…but I would’ve joined you again, even if I had to do that again.”
“It still led you both into ruin,” Kyosuke said, “And even worse, to your deaths. How could I not see that Junko had brainwashed you both? I- I’m sorry, but did I say something untrue?”
“I was never brainwashed,” Juzo said, confused. “It was only Chisa.”
Kyosuke frowned, not angrily but just in thought. “Even for a moment? Back at Hope’s Peak, I sent you to bring Enoshima to me. When you returned, you told me she was innocent.”
Kyosuke could probably sense the unease coming off of Juzo. He wanted to talk more before he ruined his friendship with Kyosuke forever, but it just didn’t work out that way. At least Chisa would be there to pull him out of whatever spiral this was about to send him down. “...I wasn’t brainwashed. I went to do what you’d said and…” He took a deep breath. He just needed the important parts. “She blackmailed me. She told me to say that she was innocent or else she would spill my secret. In hindsight, it wasn’t worth the trade. But we didn’t know what she was capable of back then.”
“...You lied to me?” Kyosuke said, looking angry, “You betrayed me, no, the world? For what? What was worth that?”
Being an unfeeling Onryō was starting to sound great because he didn’t have a good answer to this and the actual answer was going to make things worse. He hoped that wood piece could reveal remorse.
“During the final killing game, were you really as clueless as I was or did you only listen to my orders because they coincided with your plans?”
“What the- are you accusing me of working with Junko?”
“Did you not just say that?”
“No! I said that she blackmailed me to say that she was innocent. That’s it! I’ve been doing everything you’ve asked since day one, why the hell would I join her?” He was in his feelings now, but he couldn’t stop. Kyosuke being angry with him was something he’d thought about a million times over and accepted, but being accused of willingly working with her pissed him off. “She humiliated the fuck out of me! Took away my only friends. Killed almost everyone I know.”
“Because you said she was innocent.”
There was silence.
“Don’t you think killing him was enough?”
He shot Chisa a shocked look and didn’t dare look to see how Kyosuke took that.
“Or did he not try to make amends by saving you, his killer? Kyosuke, he played a part in causing the despair, but you played a part in nearly sealing it.”
Again silence. Slowly, he looked over to Kyosuke. He was staring at his lap as though he had been reprimanded. It was a sight Juzo never thought he would see.
“Go ahead,” she said as she took her hands off of the orb, “Get rid of Junko's grip on you once and for all.”
If he had to say it, might as well say everything. “...I…lo…” He still couldn’t say it easily. “...I was so convinced that at some point you wouldn’t see me as useful anymore, even before Enoshima destroyed the world. You have…high standards for everything and I knew I was not high standard. But you kept me around. It made me feel…” He watched as Kyosuke gave a confused look over to the crystal ball. The wood piece had ratted him out. “Right before you stabbed me, I was going to confess that I loved you. That was the secret Enoshima held over my head. It’s stupid, but it was enough to keep me quiet because being an accomplice was better than being rejected.” He shook his head. “I’m not as tough as I look.”
Kyosuke’s mouth hung open as he struggled for words.
“But it’s fine. Not much can hurt me anymore. And I’m not mad at you, just confused. Because of course I…loved you, even after stabbing me…I think. But it feels wrong because you fucking stabbed me. Do you know how hard it is for me to express anything resembling love? The only reason I can now is because Chisa has been showing me for a month! Then you had the fuckin’ adacity to be sad that I’m dead. Now you’re justifying stabbing me. I thought I knew I wasn’t angry. Then I caused things to fly around, which has never happened by the way, because apparently I’m still fuckin’ upset that someone who was my world, my hope, stabbed me! You are amazing and the hottest person I’ve ever encountered, but-”
He caught sight of a candle toppling over and closed his eyes. Stop it and breathe. Stop feeling so much.
“Don’t stop,” he heard Kyosuke say, “I don’t care if you knock everything over. I want to hear everything.”
He could hear the wind starting to pick up. “...Back then, all I ever felt towards you was adoration and jealousy. Because of course I fell in love with a man that was everything that I could never be. You were perfect…But you weren’t at the killing game. And yet I still followed and did everything you wanted without too much hesitation. Hell, you couldn’t even open the doors without me! And yet…while perfect Kyosuke wanted me…flawed Kyosuke tossed me, even though you were as broken and as guilty as I was. I know I fucked up and I’ve wanted to take it back everyday since. I was always afraid of what you would do if you found out and thought I’d come up with the worst you could do, but I never once thought you would kill me.” He opened his eyes and the wind was raging. Kyosuke’s hair was whipped around his face and his breath was visible, but he never stopped looking at the orb. He had more tears falling down his face.
The wind suddenly stopped as Juzo felt again just how tired he was. Not a turning-into-an-Onryō tired. More like I-was-just-vulnerable-and-now-I-need-a-nap tired.
“I can feel how sincere you are,” Kyosuke said. He looked years older than he was. “I only wish you could feel how sorry I am. I can’t explain, nor justify what happened during the killing game. Even with what I know now. I want to say that I wouldn’t have thought less of you for being gay, but I’ve already proven myself untrustworthy. You should have felt safe coming to me about anything, regardless of what anyone thinks.” He bowed his head again. “I’m sorry. To both of you.”
“As long as you learn from this,” Chisa said, “I forgive you.”
“...Not yet,” Juzo said, “I know I just said all of that, but still don’t know exactly how I feel.”
‘I have to decide if I still love you.’
“Take all the time you need,” Kyosuke said, “I won’t rush your forgiveness.”
An uneasy silence fell over them.
“...I miss when we were back in high school,” Chisa lamented, “No Future Foundation, no despair, no boss, just us being friends. No one was above the other. I miss that.”
Kyosuke nodded. “That seems like such a long time ago. A much simpler time.”
“...Can we all go back to being friends?”
“I would be more than happy to, although I don’t think things are the same between you and Juzo.” He was smiling. “I felt it out in the hallway, the way you each felt about each other. It’s the same way you two tend to feel about me when you aren’t angry.”
Chisa looked mildly ashamed. “I don’t want you to feel like I’ve moved on without you-”
“It’s alright. It would be hard to continue any type of relationship given the circumstances. I’m just happy that neither one of you are alone. You would be better with each other than with me.”
“Don’t think you’re free that easily. One day, you’ll show up in the afterlife and on that day, get ready to get assaulted with more love than you could handle!”
“...I look forward to it…from you as well, Juzo, if you would still have me.”
It felt like his insides were melting. It was overly stimulating, but he didn’t absolutely hate it. Kyosuke was asking him , not the other way around like he always imagined it. Stay calm. “I’ll…I’ll have to figure out how I feel first.” He was making Kyosuke wait on him. This was either character growth or the beginnings of a power trip.
“But don’t die too soon!” Chisa warned, “You’ll be in more hot water if you arrive before you’re at least eighty!”
They shared a pleasant laugh and conversation after that. Naegi, Kirigiri, or Hagakure would peek in to check on Munakata, but there were no longer any concerns for an Onryō. Maybe a few strong breezes here and there whenever Juzo felt something strongly, but nothing that anyone needed to worry about.
By the time they stopped, it was well past midnight and Naegi was calling for Munakata to eat dinner.
“You should get some rest, too,” Chisa said.
“Maybe I could bring the orb with me-”
“You can’t always talk to us,” Juzo said, “It’s just when we’re near you. But we have to have the energy to do that.”
Chisa nodded. “Juzo’s already used more than we normally would. But don’t worry! This won’t be the last time. We won’t stop watching over you.”
“If you need us, we’ll be here by your side, just like it used to be.”
Munakata looked torn, like he couldn’t bear to stop hearing their voices, but understood that they were tired. He looked tired as well. “This won’t be our last conversation, I’ll make sure of it.” He took his hand off of the orb, but he still stared at it. Then he looked higher and for a moment, he was looking at them.
Somehow, Naegi had finally convinced Munakata to join the new Hope’s Peak Academy as a teacher.
“We’re happy to have you on board,” the former lucky student was saying as he led him to his classroom, “We’re still in the middle of recruiting any child we can find, but we should have a full student body soon. They’ll have to go through some screening to monitor any abnormal levels of despair, but I think they’ll understand why. Here we are.”
The classrooms had been redecorated, but he could still imagine staring into the room and seeing Chisa smiling at her beloved students. He had requested that he teach in her former room. It was painful, but he would rather teach there than anyone else doing so. Chisa had given him permission to do so.
He walked behind the podium and placed a hand on the wood. “I could probably practice some lectures and lessons while I wait for the school year to begin.”
“I wouldn’t mind hearing some of them.”
He gestured for Naegi to take a seat at one of the desk. He then turned and began writing on the chalkboard. “In my class, you will all learn something that needed to be taught a long, long time ago.”
‘Despair Prevention and Hope Inspirer.’
“Yes! Yes! You’re doing such a good job!” Chisa knew she was probably showering poor Juzo with popcorn, but she couldn’t contain herself. This was a total one eighty from where he had been a few weeks ago. He looked and sounded like their Kyosuke again.
“Booooo!” More popcorned showered onto both of them from the higher seats. “You were supposed to turn into an Onryō!!”
“Sucks to suck,” Juzo said without looking away from the screen.
“I don’t think so.” Suddenly, the queen of despair was behind them, then stepping over the seat to sit next to Juzo. “Do you really think Munakata is going to get here and snuggle with you? The only reason he even showed feelings was because he felt bad.”
He tossed a popcorn into his mouth that had fallen into his lap. “That’s his choice.”
Junko seemed annoyed, then pulled out a Monukuma from seemingly behind her back. “Ohohoho! Do you think that was the only dirt we had on you? We read your file, orphan boy. Your life might as well be fertilizer.”
“Do you hear anyone?” he asked as he turned to Chisa.
Junko tossed the Monokuma aside and got inches from Juzo’s face. “Go ahead, ignore me now. The world is nice and fixed, but history will repeat itself. Before your boy toy dies, he will see another era of despair.” She ducked a punch and leaped over the seats. “Aw, I knew you still cared!”
Chisa could see that familiar look of rage burning in Juzo’s eyes, so she tapped on his nose. When he looked at her, she smiled. “You did great, ignoring her for that long. Next time, it’ll be longer.” Then, she looked at Junko. “Another era of despair might happen, but none as terrible as this one. It’ll fade and fade until Junko Enoshima becomes a myth.”
“And won’t that be just a sad day for me,” Junko said sadly, “To fade away and be forgotten. To be placed in the same category as fairy tales.” She suddenly laughed. “The saddest part is that’s not even enough to turn me into an Onryō. The ultimate despair that not even I can become.”
“Can you go away now? We’re trying to watch something.”
She gave them both the double bird and walked back to her seat up top.
“I can’t wait till she leaves for good,” Juzo said.
Chisa leaned against him and went back to watching the screen. Munakata and Naegi were now discussing Munakata's speech. “That won’t be until she gets bored with the world, and bored of us.” A part of her wanted to ask about what Junko had said, about him being an orphan. It had to be bad if Junko brought it up.
But she knew better than to force anything out of him. She watched as he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it. He would tell her when the time was right. She had plenty of time to wait.
Notes:
At first, I had scenes depicting Juzo and Chisa kissing on the lips, but changed them because I don't think Juzo would be ready for that. I head cannon that he's not use to physical shows of affection or friendship and that direct kiss would weird him out. I don't head cannon that he's a virgin, but passionately showing love and just fucking are two different things.