Moondrop Cavern Sanctuary

[ ♪ ♪ ♪ ]

Already, you can see it. People trying to put things back together. No one is on the streets now, but you can see the sides of buildings recently painted, repaired windows, spots where people have gone through and tried to clean up the mess left behind by the riots. Not just where the safe house is, but the city proper. The interiors of businesses are being put back into working order, even if the shelves remain empty. Books and clothes sitting outside in cardboard boxes, with notes asking people to take what they need and leave what they can.

It’s not the bustling city that you know it used to be. It’s going to be a long time before people can safely roam the streets like they used to, without the fear of riots. The wounds left behind by Shinichi and Izana are deep, and may never fully heal. Those scars would remain.

It’s not perfect, and it’s not ready.

But it is a sign that humanity has not given up. Even after everything.

The broadcast of all the death and murder of teenagers, the loss of family, the chaos that plagued the streets and broke down society… not even that could stop humanity. In spite of everything, people were already doing what they could to put the world back together. They could have cowered in fear and gave into the clutches of despair, but they didn’t.

And neither did you. The eight of you are alive. Despite all odds -- despite everything, from the dangers of the game designed by Shinichi and Izana, to the despair filled students who roamed the labyrinth -- you’re alive. You’ve escaped the final killing game.

You lost loved ones. Friends and family. It would take a long time to heal, and maybe you would never be the same after all the death you’ve witnessed. You couldn’t go back to being those Hope’s Peak students you were before. 

You have no idea what the future will bring. You don’t know how long it will take to find your loved ones. You don’t know how long you’ll have to live in this seaside town with the other survivors. Things may be dangerous for a long time yet, after all, as the last of despair’s influence fades. For all the answers you got, there are things you still don’t know.

But as you stand with one another in the ocean breeze, you do know one thing:

Finally getting out of there... the sun felt so bright. Was it always that bright, Ritsuka wondered...

Shinichi and Izana... there was no feeling good about what had happened, but then again, she rarely felt good since the moment she arrived. There were some good times, sure but... she was just relieved to finally be out.

So many people died... and as much as she tried to keep her heart at a distance, she couldn't help feel for every person they lost along the way. Some of them, she truly considered friends, despite it all...

She truly couldn't help loving everyone, could she...? And she'll miss so many people... but now they're free and Ritsuka can live a new life. Yeah, she'd spent all this time so far living for the sake of someone else, living in the shadow of her sister. But this time... living on for the sake of old friends.. for the sake of keeping their memory in his hearts, she was a lot more okay with that. Because that way, she could still be true to herself.

The salty air of the nearby sea made Ritsuka's eyes water... or so she thought. Wiping a tear that threatened to fall, she smiled, looking over the ocean.

She didn't have to just dwell on those she lost, so many wonderful people were still here to start over alongside her. She hadn't lost everything... the most important treasure of all was still here, after all. She had to be thankful for that.

...

Watching Kazuo and Imoo already looking for whales, she couldn't help but laugh. She slipped closer, peering with a hand above her eyes trying to see into the distance.

"Whales are nice, but what about dolphins, or jellyfish? I wanna see everything!! Even a seagull! Where are the seagulls??"

She joked along. As bittersweet as this all felt, she was excited to be able to get out and go.... home? She wasn't really sure what home meant right now. So far.. home was wherever felt safe. So maybe... right here is home for now.

There was a sick delight, Shiba had found, in watching the people who condemned those you cared so dearly about to an untimely demise get what was coming to them. Every time they got close to someone, every time they let their guard down... God, it felt like they themselves were paying for it. Be tough, don't get close... It's you against the world, Kurumi. 

They pluck Psalm's hairpin from their pocket, holding it tightly as Shinichi and Izana, too, got their "deserved" punishment... but it was different this time. Izana, they'd had a crush on her when they started… Granted, that was stupid, and it found little ground beside preconceived notions before they'd even met, and Shiba knew little of her. Shinichi however… they'd become friends. Shiba thought that they were friends, at least. Not that it matters, now.

It's hollow. They feel hollow, listening to the men talk about returning them home. What home did they have to return to? They'd tried so, so hard to remain optimistic throughout the ordeal... Part of them wishes they could step right back into the thick of it to have what they wanted the most again. Back before the deaths, before the trials, the executions... Back to when they were just the stupid Shiba Inu kid stuck in the cave, learning to be vulnerable and have friends that they didn't think they deserved. 

They turn to look at the faces of their fellow survivors, and they want to try not to smile, but it's sweet... The wonder in a stupid whale was too much. Their forlorn expression cracks, and a small, sad smile makes its way onto their lips. They wish they could share... They feel like they should be happy and grateful to be alive, and yet... 

Something feels missing. Someone is missing.

Oh well, there's no use on dwelling on it too long. It's better use to dwell on those they can be with. These were all still their friends, too... At least from Shiba's point of view, and they weren't going to lose any of them again.

"Ah..!" Shiba starts, scrambling around in their pockets to find something. "Paper, paper, paper..." They make a writing motion in the air, looking frantically for something. They see Aimi rips from her notepad, and it’s almost like Shiba is back to their old gremlin-y self as they point. "May I borrow a piece of paper?" They ask, holding out their hand for a piece. Thank you Aimi. They doodle a small dog on the page, bowing ever so slightly at Aimi afterward. “Sorry for the inconvenience.” They say, unlike them to be so polite, but they’re trying. They have to try better now.

They go up to the two men, holding the doodle gently out to them. It is a dog, and while they are not the most talented artist, it looks like a Shiba Inu, at the very least. They feel unusually small, but now isn't the time to get shy!

  “Uh... H-Hi… I’m Kurumi Inuzuka… It's nice to meet you both.. I, uh... You probably know this, but... I don’t really have any family left to look for, but I’d really appreciate it if you could find my dog… I’m sure Waluigi-kun would love to meet everyone!” They laugh, and it’s almost like they can feel the tension in their body releasing.

Aimi had been watching the investigation and trial, of course. Unable to assist with rescue planning and efforts due to their improving-but-still-shaky health, they'd been left to do nothing but feverishly take notes throughout the entire endeavor. Their notebook resembled something like a conspiracy theorist's board, names circled and crossed out-- and how they wished they could have been there to help! 

That same notebook is still clutched to their chest as they hear word of new arrivals and dash to the door of the safehouse. Though their initial reaction, faced with those they'd deceived again, is to shy away-- especially with so much of their face newly revealed, ducking to try and shield it with the short hair on the sides-- they eventually straighten up and look forward. A small, nervous smile spreads across their face. 

That was right. They'd be a different person now.

"E-Everyone..."

And again, for someone with so many words in their mind at all times, Aimi can't think of anything to follow up with. They hadn't really done anything to help, and they weren't especially close to anyone, and they'd committed murder, leaving everyone behind to save their own skin. What kind of comfort or congratulations could someone like them offer? A villain like them...

Except-- Tsurugi steps forward, reaching out for their hand. Aimi stares in surprise, single visible eye wide and shining as they look at the other girl. 

"Saved... you?"

That wasn't really right at all-- all Aimi had done was manage to not get killed en route-- but that had mostly been thanks to Nosferatu and Bunji-- get on the radio when it was asked of them-- but that had been due to the efforts of the rest of the group, not them...

But maybe this one person's belief could be the thing that allowed them to change. They'd written stories saying as much, before. The villain, changed by the pure heart of the hero...

Before Tsurugi can let go of their hands, Aimi bows their head over them, hair hanging to cover their face. A tear drips onto their clasped hands, hidden. 

"T-Thank you... Tsurugi-san. You've been a true hero... I hope you can forgive me someday. I-I'd... like to be friends."

Had they ever said something like that before?

They straighten up, eyes still shining but at least not dripping tears, and look at the rest of the group. 

"All of you... have acted so admirably. Such a shining group... could lift any curse, I think."

Their piece said, Aimi finally shuffles forward, out of the safehouse entirely. If it was alright to go outside, now... there was something they felt they could finally do.

Their limping steps take them down to the edge of the ocean, though their gaze isn't fixed on that-- rather, they stare down at the notebook still held to their chest. Every note they'd taken throughout the entire game was there. Pages filled with every possible way they could have died as a result of every motive and every situation, how many weeks more they had to live, who would be most likely to kill and who would be most likely to be killed, who the most suspicious were...

The writings of someone who allowed the paranoia of a make-believe curse to control their life.

Resolutely, Aimi reaches down into the book and rips these pages out. They're crumpled in a shaking fist before she drops them in the sea at her feet, watching the water ruin the ink on the pages. 

Each step they took away from their former prison was like a breath of fresh air for Kazuo... Shinichi and Izana were dead, and Kazuo? He was fuming, he was mad... Mad about everything that had happened, angry that people had died for their own reasoning...

He didn't fully understand why they would do that, and that only added more and more anger to him as Yosuke and Bunji spoke, Yosuke hadn't believed they would escape, which also added onto Kazuo's rage that was building, following along begrudgingly as the other two led them along. Deciding to comment about what Yosuke said, anger dripping from every word.

"....It makes sense to not goddamn believe we'd get out of there, but do me a favor and stop talking. Your face is pissing me off more than your goddamn voice... We've been through enough shit without some fucking granddad and his shitty fucking kid telling us that you were full-fucking ready to leave us to die in there." 

Although there was anger in his voice, it didn't stop him from following behind, letting the anger just fume as he continued walking, following the two men as they led them to... Somewhere. Kazuo didn't really know where they were going, and truthfully? Anywhere was better than that cavernous mall they had been trapped in.

The walk itself was something that Kazuo needed, time to reflect... Time to think about everything that had happened. Every person needed time to reflect really, and as they neared the ocean, Kazuo stopped, simply staring out in the distance as he did so... It was nice to take it in, to feel the ocean breeze on his face, to remind himself of the past before the world had went to shit. To actually... Be alive, that was something he took for granted, but now, from Yosuke's comment Kazuo snapped out of his thought, turning to the other with a more sheepish look.

"--Shut the hell up, I just... Wanted to see if I could see something peek its goddamn head out of the ocean, you consider that jackass? If I kept moving then I'd fucking scare it off, that's all."

That really wasn't all but... He did hope that the life out there was fine, that he could go back to how things were... Of course with an extent of difference, turning his gaze toward the survivors now for a moment, he continued on the path.

And there was the safe house, it was something that... He really didn't expect the two men would keep their word for. He had reason to doubt them after all! They were working alongside Aimi, someone who... He really wasn't too confident would keep their word, but knowing they did? It made him feel a bit better, turning his gaze away as he watched Imoo run away to look at the water, letting the entire situation go through his head once more, staying silent as the two talked to them.

It was when Imoo returned that Kazuo's thoughts snapped back into reality, a whale...? He had seen a whale over there...? For a moment Kazuo gave a look of disbelief, doubting the others words... Before the realization finally became clear. They were free, they did it... Now for once in Kazuo's life, a smile grew, letting out a laugh as he looked over to the others.

"....We'll be okay, I think... If we've got whales here then... Maybe we can find a way to adjust.. If I had to be stuck here with a bunch of dumbasses, I'm glad it's all of you... --Sappy bullshit aside, let's go see the whales before the dumbass here loses his shit. I think we deserve this."

[♫♫♫]

As Izana and Shinichi left the survivors behind, Tsurugi stared at the screen, there wasn’t any feeling of victory to be found inside her. In fact, as their execution played out as it did, it felt like they had had a final small triumph in their own twisted sense.

Thankfully, she has no interest in learning about their worldview, much like they wouldn’t have on her own. Still… a small, tiny, miniscule part of her prays silently, that, perhaps, after doing their due time, they could both be reborn as the people they appeared and thought themselves to be.

Perhaps someone would listen to her prayers.

Getting some important bearings, including three blades, before boarding the elevator, Tsurugi wondered, is leaving here and now the right call? Shouldn’t she chase after Hokuto and Aiko? She considers it for a long time. It’d very likely get her killed and worse yet, she knows it’d be disappointing for everyone up there, a few of them she knows for certain would be furious if she were to die a death chasing revenge.

She couldn’t bring herself to let them down like that.

Outside, Tsurugi marvels at the sun, the fresh air, the warmth it all brings her. A sensation of peace washes over her, a small feeling of relief comes into her lungs with a sharp inhale. They were, at last, free.

She blinked rapidly, looking up at the sun and losing that stare contest. Someday, she’d win.

Now, though, she focuses on something else, the fake katana she had brought tied to the left side of her waist, opposite of the machete. It was the same Aimi had left behind before their escape.

She sets down the much bigger sword in her hands, and unsheathes the katana rapidly and with all the strength she can gather thrusts it downward as a gravemarker. She was thankful it didn’t snap and stayed firm in place, though only a sword for decorative purposes it’d do nicely for the time being.

She follows Yosuke and Bunji together with everyone, carrying only two blades now. She didn’t mind leaving that one behind, because behind them were things and people much more important than a sword could ever be.

She felt her conviction renewed with each step, Izana and Shinichi had really made a number of the world, hadn’t they? Tsurugi might be stupid, but even she knows that once rebuilt, nothing will be as perfect as those two had hoped for but yet that doesn’t means she can’t try to make the world better.

Reaching the safehouse, she leaves the greatsword and machete to the side before approaching the one person in here who she knew.

She stares at them, for a while long enough for most to consider awkward, carrying an expression so serious that it seemed almost alien on the usually carefree Tsurugi, even now after all they have gone through.

She reaches for the other’s hands, and gives them a light squeeze giving them a small grin.

“Thank ya, Aimi-han. You saved all of us in the end.”

As suddenly as she grabbed their hands, she unhands them with a beaming smile, turning to Bunji and Yosuke now.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Yosuke-han. My work ain’t done, it has jus' begun. If y’all need someone for cleanin’, cookin’ and patrollin’ ain’t no one else ‘round ‘ere better than me, gawahahaha!”

She gives them both a big grin, seemingly tireless, returning their kindness with her own gratitude before breaking in laughter again.

[ ♫♫♫ ]

Down, down, down they went, the two of them. Shinichi and Izana. People that Imoo had once trusted. He watched them die, fading away. Dust on the wind. Normally, he felt nothing. But as the last bit of life flickered out of their eyes, Imoo felt... something. Deep in his gut. He couldn't tell what it was.

But he hung onto it for a long time. When they find the key, when they go up in the elevator one last time, when the first sunlight they've seen in ages streams into their eyes. When new people come - four of them. And Aimi. It's been a long time, hasn't it?

The last new people Imoo saw... he hadn't been in the labyrinth when Hokuto and Aiko were there, so that probably would have been way back when he met his classmates. Before they all died, one by one. And yet he stayed.

All this time, wondering why he did and others could not... why he clung to life, even when it hadn't done anything for him in a long, long time.

His breath catches when he sees the ocean.

His old friend, his erstwhile companion while he was alone at sea for so long... and a mocking enemy, sometimes. It had been there all along. Surely, there's something poetic in that. 

Their hand falters as they hold it over the doorknob to the safehouse. Looking back, Imoo takes their hat off, and holds it to their chest.

"...Can I go down to the water? I won't be long."

~

The sand crunches beneath his wooden geta, a satisfying feeling. Imoo stares out at the sea, reaching as far as his eyes can see - and the feeling in his gut vanishes. Something new takes its place - a sense of relief. A weight off his shoulders. It's over, whatever "it" is. His shoulders sag, but not in a disappointed manner. 

Still holding his hat, Imoo sinks to his knees onto the sand. His eyes flutter closed.

Then, a familiar sound makes them snap open. 

Out on the horizon, barely visible, is a large, grey shape. It's far off in the distance, but Imoo knows it immediately. They shoot up into a standing position and stare.

"A... a whale!"

And suddenly they're running back to the safehouse, practically tripping over their sandals, not even caring about the rocky ground scratching his feet.

Laughing.

"G-guys... there's a whale! Out there, in the water! Come see!"

Ryoma wished he could relish in their pain, he wished that Shinichi and Izana would somehow manage to feel some sort of guilt or true repentance when their last moments came around.  But he could tell that was a pipe dream, they were stubborn in their ways and set in their ideals and ideas. 

Part of him hoped that some miracle might happen, that perhaps the dead would come back to life.  That this would be the worst nightmare he had, but he had tossed that out ages ago.  

Now he was safe though... and once they were out of the elevator and looking around he felt a sense of peace.  Or at least relative peace, no more killing games, not for him at least, and he'd hope no more for the world.  In a way maybe Shinichi and Izana might've at least made the current mad world better by dying.

"...No complaints from me.  I'll follow along, anyplace is better than here." 

He says as he slowly walks along, giving one last mournful look at the hell that was once his cage... but at least he met some amazing people down there.  Now he'd have to ensure their memory, their legacy lived on... in some way or another.

Looking at the broken down version of society sinks Ryoma's heart.  Chances are that he'd have to start all over again from the beginning, find new supplies and do his whole business again.  Would the current world even want mecha models?  Heck... was he even in the best shape to even start making them again?

He sighs as he walks into his new 'home' but feels a flutter of excitement knowing that he'll probably get in contact with his family again.  his mom, dad, and little sister were still out there somewhere.  He could hold out hope for that much.

"...Do you have any paper?  And some pens?" 

He asks as he looks around, it's probably there somewhere and is already taking his time to start sketching out and drawing mecha models again.  A soccer player, A dancer, A zombiefied-chef with a talking AI knife, a gamer, a painter, a shogi player, a roller blading waitress, a medic, a dancer, and a white mage.

It'd take him some time to make these models real again, and maybe even longer to write a story for them all.  But it's the least he could do... they might be stardust, fading away... but  he'd be sure to mold their memories into something great.

[ ♫♫♫ ]

Hibiki's emotions had been all over the place since Shinichi and Izana had revealed themselves. It was strange, though, as they announced that they were going to be executed-- he felt... nothing. 

He watched as the two of them desperately clung to life with a smile. Not a grimace, or even a happy smile... just a smile. Was it relief? Relief was washing over him?

Of course, he regretted that his last words to Shinichi Kanemoto were "When did you become a simp?" but... he's said a lot of things he's regretted to people who were now dead. He regretted, too, that his last thoughts of Izana Sakurai were about how much he wanted her dead.

Izana and Shinichi had done such terrible things thinking they were the right thing to do... but... he really couldn't hate them. Because he was like that at one point. He meant it when he said he'd share some of his newfound wisdom with them. He had learned... that maybe with friends by your side, the world wasn't so bad. If you had told him that months ago, he wouldn't have believed it, but that didn't change the fact that it was true.

He stood there for a while, staring at their bodies, impaled by the scythe. Shinichi... he didn't know if he truly loved you or not, but he figures the Shinichi he fell in love with was far-gone. Maybe Hibiki and Izana could've been good friends at some point, too.

Hibiki tightens his fists.

"I hate you, Shinichi." He says, the same smile from before on his face. It's hard to tell if he's sincere about it. Probably not. "I never want to see you again."

And with that, he leaves.

As they make their way out of the mall, Hibiki can hardly believe it. He's alive. He made it. Against all odds, he survived. They had lost so many people along the way, but somehow... he couldn't feel sad right now.

The door opened and he was greeted with the outside world. He had never been an outdoors person but right now, he began to realize just how much he had been missing living down in the mall and cave for so long. The gentle breeze blew across his face and he blinked a few times, trying to process the sensations of the outside world.

He took one step forward, and then another. The world may have been in shambles by this point, but Hibiki didn't care one bit. He looked up at the sky for a moment, nodding, and removing his dog hairband from his head.

After doing so, he threw it to the dirt, grinding it down on the ground with his heel. The dog ears had been with him through it all, but they held such painful memories-- not just in this mall. He had hidden behind them for so long, but he knew now that he wasn't Wan Wan-san, or the Virtual Pet Killer-- he was Hibiki Gima.

His dog tail met the same fate on the ground and Hibiki let out a long breath he didn't even know he was holding. That's right... someone special gave these to him... he shouldn't just abandon them like this.

"Surogu-kun..." He whispers, looking to the discarded pieces and clutching his chest. "I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you somehow. Some day."

Yes... that's right... they were a gift. A gift from his only friend before he came here... Hideyoshi Akutagawa... he wonders if he's still alive. Hibiki closes his eyes, memories of all of the people he's lost cross his mind. Renge, Kokoro, Psalm... Shinichi...

His eyes open. He knows what he's going to do. He's going to live and keep on living. For their sakes.

Cresting the hill, you see what you’ve known was there the entire time if only from the smell:

The ocean. The cool breeze that comes from it is welcome after months of stagnant, recycled cave air. It really is a sight for sore eyes, even if you have to gaze through an eerily empty city to see it. Bunji and Yosuke stop a few steps ahead of you when they hear your group stop, but seem to realize you might need a moment.

This is really your first time outside in months. Not just the fresh air, but the ground, the smell, the sights, the sun… You’re finally free.

The two men look at one another. Yosuke chuckles under his breath. 

“What, you guys can’t look and walk? You’ll have all the time in the world to look at the ocean once we get back to the safe house. It’s a helluva lot closer than we are now. Besides, I’d like to be there when that damn boat finally docks.”

You can see what he means - a decent sized boat. It’s still on the far horizon, but… maybe it’s heading your way.

"Strangest damn thing, isn't it? Just showed up a couple hours ago... Ain't got a clue whose on it. We sent some people out earlier to go scout it out so you'll have to meet 'em later."

He shakes his head with a click of his tongue. Maybe later you’d find out who was on it- but for now you continued following the two men.

As you walk through the streets, you realize there’s no doubt that everything you’ve heard is correct; while you were all asleep in those pods, the world has been rioting. Windows of the businesses and homes you pass are either boarded over, or shattered. Whatever merchandise remaining has been strewn about the floors, clearly picked through for what was of use. The pavement is stained with a myriad of things, and you’ve all seen enough corpses to be able to guess what dried blood looks like.

The remnants of a peaceful society. Things fell apart while you were gone, all at the hands of your own former classmates. It was one thing to read those articles and hear the stories, but it was another to see the result with your own eyes.

Finally, you stop in front of a building clearly better taken care of than the others. Whatever this building used to be, it’s clearly been repurposed to better suit the survivors. There’s practically a radius around it of cleanliness and order; apparently they haven’t just been keeping their safe house orderly, but have been trying to tidy up the streets around it.

It’s so close to the shore that you can hear the crashing of waves. What a relaxing sound…

“Alright- here we are. I know it ain’t much but it’s where we’ve been staying the past few months. Some of you might have to start sharing some rooms but you’ll just have to deal with it. Probably a hell of a lot better than that damned cave you were staying in at the very least.”

The door to the safehouse opens. You see three figures; two teenagers your age that you don’t recognize - a girl with blonde hair and a boy with grown out pink hair. And standing next to them…

Aimi Amemiya. It was nice to see a familiar face after all of this.

“At least you aren’t the only kids here. You guys have finished your hard work. This is gonna be your home as much as it is ours, so treat it like that. I know we’re still strangers to you, but I guess I wouldn’t mind if you asked me for anything. As long as I’m not busy, I mean.”

"We'll be doing our best to get you back in contact with your families, a'ight? I know this probably isn’t an ‘ideal’ home or anything but I promise we’ll keep you safe... So go ahead and make yourselves comfortable. After the ordeal you’ve been through you all deserve one hell of a rest."

It may not be home, but it’s much better than where you came from. Now you can finally sleep without the fear of death or murder looming over you. It’s a massive burden off of your shoulders.

You’re at a loss of what to do, but in the end, there’s only one thing you can do, right? You’d have to try and find Minami and Okamura yourselves. At this point, nothing seemed too dangerous. You hadn’t survived this long to die just as you got out. Even if there are dangerous people here, you had each other.

Just as you look to one another, resolved, you hear it. Footsteps in the distance - fast, like someone is running. And it was getting closer, quickly.

You bristle, prepared for the worst. Prepared for whoever, or whatever might be approaching.

You see two figures; two tall men, and both of them armed with a firearm of some sort. Before you can move, or speak, one of them sighs in a familiar voice.

“... Geez, thank fuck. I was starting to worry you did something stupid and wandered off as soon as you got out. Sorry we’re late - didn’t wanna make the trip if you weren’t gonna get out.”

Though he sounds a little different without the static of a radio, you realize one of the men is Minami, which means the other one must be…

“Don't just fucking tell them that!"

The older man barks out, elbowing the other roughly in the side.

"Gah... Anyways, we are glad to see you're all in one piece. Knew you kids had it in you. Now, if you're not too tired we should get a move on. We can go ahead and take you back to the safehouse we got setup."

Minami takes the elbow in stride, only shooting Okamura a furtive look. He mutters something under his breath, but bites it back, if only for the older gentleman with him.

"Luckily for you- it seems things have started to calm down a bit. When we were rushing over we noticed some of those despair goons wandering around seemed... Out of it? Like the idiots lost all their motivation now that those two are gone. Most importantly though they didn't attack on sight, so we should be able to head back without any trouble."

“It’s weird - it’s like they all knew as soon as those two were executed. They’re nothing like what they were before. Hell. Maybe there’s hope for those bastards yet, eh? But that’s not important right now. I guess you probably wanna know our names before you follow us back. I’m Minami - Yosuke Minami. The old man here is Bunji Okamura.”

Bunji grumbles at the ‘old man’ comment, rolling his eyes in silence. Whatever comeback he had he apparently holds back for now.

“You know you’re not the only game that went on in that place, but you’re sure as hell the only one that ended like this. The other two only got two kids get out the same way your Amemiya-san did. And at least you guys didn’t lose anyone to despair like those labyrinth dwellers. The old man and I--”

He pauses, frown deepening.

 “... Well, we lost people in those games, too. Family. Kids your age.  … But it’s because they’re gone that we have to keep fighting. It’d be a fucking affront to their memory to just give up. And we’re not the only people fighting, right, old man?”

“Right... The world’s still pretty fucked up, and it might be awhile before shit goes back to normal, but we ain’t about to lose hope and give up fighting for it just yet. Hell, you probably fought a lot harder than the rest of us... But it's alright now. You can rest easy and leave the rest to us, alright?"

Bunji turns out to look at the horizon with a click of his tongue.

“Well, that’s enough sentiment for right now. C’mon now, we’ve got a long walk ahead of us and I’d rather get back before sundown.”

For all the bickering they do, it’s clear these are the two you were speaking to on the radio with Aimi. If things really were as dangerous as you heard, they made a precarious trip just to make sure you got to their safe house in one piece.

When you road this elevator earlier, it would only take you down to the depths of the labyrinth - and while vengeance and a desire for answers once lead you down there to seek out Hokuto and Aiko, none of you were so foolish as to make a trip there now. Not when the turn of the key into the slot beneath the few buttons on the panel makes the arrow pointing upwards light up.

Up. How many times have you taken elevators down? Down to the trial room, five times over, every time leaving with less and less people. 

You can’t help but think of your classmates when the elevator begins its ascent. The one time you all entered the trial room with every single one of you accounted for - before Ophelia was executed. Even in that church you confronted Shinichi and Izana in, there had been a spot for every single one of you. A constant reminder of the people who could still be with you.

They were gone… But you were alive.

And you would survive, for your friends who no longer had the chance. Not only them, but those students from the other two classes. For the family some of you have lost. For the sake of everyone.

With a ding, the door opens.

It opens to sunlight.

Your senses are assaulted all at once by things you’ve been deprived of for months; sunlight actually touching your skin, the faint breeze of fresh air moving through your hair, and the undeniable scent of the sea. You step out of the elevator.

You step outside.

The door slides shut behind you. Looking at it now, you’d never guess that it was anything other than a normal mall, though the signs depicting it as such are in a state of disrepair. It was hard to believe that this was the same place that held you captive for all this time.

But now that you were out… What the hell were you going to do now? From everything you found in the mall, you knew it was dangerous out here. There were riots, people were violent - a world full of people just like Hokuto and Aiko. Didn’t Minami and Okamura promise they would come get you as long as you got out? Aimi vouched for them, said you could trust them, but…

For a moment, all you can do is stare.

The screen dims, and dies, for the last time. Shinichi and Izana, like so many before them, are gone - and this time, you know it’s for good. While there may be a sense of bitter victory, knowing that the reason that not only your friends and classmates, but two other classes, all lost their lives in this miserable game are now dead… You get the feeling that this is what Shinichi and Izana wanted.

They were completely and utterly satisfied. Nothing would deprive them of that - not even death. Try as you might, they saw the world that they wanted growing before their very eyes. In watching you all fight and grow, not only as people, but closer to one another, they knew that their dream could be realized, even if they weren’t around to see it.

All of that sacrifice… ending in this.

The seven of you who remain look at one another silently. It’s hard to speak up after something like that. What do you say to one another? After everything you’ve gone through, after all the executions you’ve witnessed, there’s a finality to this one that makes you all fall quiet. The masterminds were dead… but what now? How were you supposed to get out?

You don’t have to stand around wondering for long; as you move from your podiums, you see something glistening on the ground where Shinichi and Izana once stood.

A key.

Looks like this was their last gift to you. Or did they drop it accidentally? You’d never know the answer, but at least there was something for you to do.

Shinichi had nodded in agreement with Izana’s final words. He understood it, he always did. But now…

“It’s our time now.” He scoops Izana up into his arms and starts making his way towards the exit. “We constructed this game with particular rules so I guess it’s fair that we play by them. Not only that, but we’ve accomplished all that we could do here.” He opens the doors but turns to face them as he says, “Hibiki Gima, Kazuo Hayashi, Manabu Imoo, Ritsuka Sakurano, Ryoma Hayato, Shiba, Tsurugi Tsukiko — please just wait here for a moment while we close this chapter in our lives.” He sighs. “I hope there’s a better world waiting out there for you guys.”

After Izana was scooped up, she turned to the others for a moment and gave them a wave and one last smile.

“Thank you everyone. Our time together wasn’t too long but knowing that such strong-willed people such as yourselves are going to get out of here eases my heart. You’re strong and wonderful and not because you’re ‘special’ or because a school told you that you were - because you chose to be. And that’s all I ever wanted.”

Izana Sakurai and Shinichi Kanemoto — the two now leave the remaining survivors behind in the church. Some time passes before screens suddenly appear before them. Flickering to life, the masterminds of this killing game can be seen descending downwards on an elevator. So… was this really it? The final execution, or rather, executions? The two step off the elevator and take a few steps before the ground below them opens up and they fall.

[ ♪ ♪ ♪ ]

Izana knew their time together was finally coming to a close.

She glanced over at Shinichi, smiling at him softly as she squeezed his hand. He had done so much for her and although she was extremely grateful, the small nagging bit of guilt was still ever present in her mind. But, it was only a small bit of guilt that she swallowed back down as she stood by his side. Shinichi probably knew too what she wanted to say.

“Well, well, you’ve all asked a lot of really thought provoking questions. But unfortunately, you all know how these games work and our time together isn’t going to be forever.”

Izana wasn’t a complete fool. She knew her goals were lofty and idealistic and hard to understand but her heart was strong in its conviction and it didn’t matter if the others couldn’t see it. If everyone could understand perhaps she wouldn’t have needed to start up this whole killing game in the first place. But, the wheels were already in motion.

“Haha, when the going gets tough, that’s when people should get even tougher! … I’m sorry, haha, was that too lame? But I truly believe that it is during such hard times is when people truly have the potential to shine through it, becoming even stronger after it.”

She falls silent while Shinichi continues without missing a beat.

“Whether you agree or disagree with our plan, whether you hate us or not, whether you think we can be forgiven or if we’ve stepped too far, I just hope you all know we had the best of intentions.”

Shinichi smiles sadly, looking to everyone to see their expressions before finally letting his eyes land on Izana. 

“...what’s done is done. I tried my best and,” he looks back out to his classmates, “I’m filled with hope for the future.”

Izana finally speaks up, for one last time. 

In the end, Izana truly believed she is doing a good thing. Someone who was taught to do right, care, and love -- who has to do everything in her power to help humanity grow, evolve, and most importantly, remember to love thy neighbor because people are the most important. She doesn’t care what she has to do to make her ideals into a reality. After all, we were all born to help people. We just have to figure out the best way to do it with what we've been given - even if it means blood has to be shed.

Izana gave Tsurugi a head tilt.

“Superior? And criminals? Ah, no, no, those aren’t the criminals I’m referring to.” 

She looks over to the side for a moment, side eyeing something and giving a smile and a wave. Really breaking the fourth wall, huh, Izana?

“You all really and truly are such wonderful and good kids! I don’t think of them as monsters at all! Quite the opposite really.”

Ah, those were the words Izana was waiting to hear! She clasps her hands together and smiles. It’s sad almost, the glint in her eye. Although she was smiling, her eyes seemed… empty. Although the girl seemed elated, there was something off about it. 

“... Do you mean it? Do you truly mean it? That we’re so very pitiful?”

Feigning illness, acting hurt - people came to her and showered her with love. For some reason, she remembered her parent’s funerals -- the place where everyone who saw this pitiful child standing alone and decided that they would finally give her attention. Izana believed that mercy is only shown to those less fortunate. Insteading of needing to be special, being less fortunate was the way to receive love.

“I did not plan on Aimi-chan making it out and contacting other people for help. There’s only so much I can plan for! Given this certainly isn’t the first run of games I’ve gone through, I was hoping it would happen eventually. It wouldn’t be good to force it.”

Izana then reaches over to hold Shinichi’s hand. It was sad, really, Izana thought. Shinichi really was a good kid as well. She also didn’t quite know what a ‘simp’ was either, but he seemed to be a little bothered by it. There, there, you sad little simp man.

“You can disagree with my methods as you wish. But, no matter what, even years from now, people will remember. You will remember. You will remember your anger at us and your sorrow for your classmates. You will remember the emotions that you felt here. It does not change the fact that this is a seed that has been planted. I cannot say with certainty this will lead to the outcome I wanted but…

Tsurugi shoves her right hand into her kimono’s left sleeve, and her left hand goes to the opposite sleeve, she tilts her head at izana’s words, then shakes her head, opens her mouth, but closes it, deciding to hear everyone else before going at it again.

She nodded quietly hearing some, tsks and thcs every once in a while when Izana or Shinichi talks, but generally remains quiet, observant.

“Pity is pity. Love is love.”, she finally begins, quietly yet firmly, “Love comes from plenty of things, sure, but yain't need a reason to help people.”

As Izana’s smile vanishes, a sad one appears across Tsurugi’s lips.

“We’re more like a boost for the world then, ain’t we? A sob story for people to do good.”, again, she shakes her head, this was so utterly stupid, it made her feel inteligent. “Gotta hand it to ya, this is the firs’ time I meet someone dumber than I am.”

Her smile grew as she said that but before long it was gone, her poker face returning, staring at Izana:

“Yain’t even make a lick of sense, ya know? Heinous this, terrible that. Ya looked in the mirror recently? ‘Cause I got some news for ya, you’re the worst there is and there’ll ever be.”, again, she speaks calmly, almost emotionlessly, “Aimi-han killed and they called themself a villain for it, Reina-han, Masataku-kun, Yoko-han and Ophelia-han… Yain’t get to call any of ‘em criminals, they all made mistakes because of ya. They ain’t monsters you get to feel superior to.”

She has not forgotten Lauren here, in fact…

“All both of y’all know to do is play victim, literally and figuratively, don’t ya? Ain’t that what ya did to get Lauren-han killed, you sad little yes-man?”, she nods to Shinichi, “Poor, poor little Shinichi Kanemoto is too weak and too cowardly to do anythin’ himself.”

Tsurugi does not what a simp is, but somehow, she feels as though Hibiki nailed it in one.

Again she turns her focus to Izana, Shinichi barely worth a thought, sorry Coby I love him.