The War For Hope

Chapter Nine

The cafeteria was surprisingly busy considering it was 7:15am. Most of the students were usually still getting ready, but they had gathered to discuss what had been found before the investigation continued. Right now, it was Hina and Sakura's turn to speak. Hina started, but with a mouth full of doughnut it was near impossible to understand her. Sakura reached down and patted Hina on her shoulder with a soft smile.
"Now Hina-san, I know you're enthusiastic, but, there's no need to choke on your breakfast. I believe she was trying tell you that our findings consisted of an old, torn letter, as well as a French pamphlet regarding an organization known as Fenir. Fujisaki-san is presently hard at work translating these documents for us." Hina nodded, swallowing the mouthful of food in her mouth and grinning.
"Yeah. The logo for Fenrir is the same as the tattoo on Ikusaba-san's hand, so surely they must be related."
"Like, if she's a Solidier like the teddy said, doesn't that mean Fenrir could be what he was talking about? Aren't they like some group of assassins or somethin'?" Yasuhiro asked curiously, while he sat on the table meditating for... Some reason.
"Yes, I believe that is what miss Hina-san is implying." Ishimaru agreed loudly, nodding his head once. Hina smiles a little at Ishimaru.
"Yeah! If only we could translate the document, or if it was in Japanese that would be so much easier." Byakuya briskly walked into the dining hall, the air of elegance that surrounded him only vanished when everyone noticed how frustrated he seemed to be. Celestia was right at his side, barely an inch between them. She was still just as calm and collected as usual, keeping her poker face up. The reason for his fustration was more than clear to his classmates. Byakuya had Toko Fukawa breathing down his neck, constantly sqeeuzing in between him and Celestia, and blabbering on about him being an "Irresistible Prince, who deserve a better princess than some filthy, rotten gambler, who smells just like a skunk in a landfill!"
"Good morning, all." Celestia said cheerfully, grabbing hold of Byakuya's hand and standing even closer just to spite Toko. She definitely got petty enjoyment out of it. She looked at Byakuya from the corner of her eye, hoping for some kind of reaction. Byakuya pulled his hand away, glaring at Celestia coldly.
"Don't touch me! Now is the time to take care of business!" She pouted for a moment as she withdrew her hand, letting her pout quickly turn to a smirk.
"That's not what you were saying last night Byakuya-chan." She giggled, batting her eyelashes. She was trying to make him flustered. Byakuya took the opportunity to cram a doughnut into Celestia's mouth, an easier way to silence her teasing, without seeming that harsh.
"Think you need to have some food Celestia, you've started babbling on nonsensically, you fool." Celestia was shocked. She bit the doughnut, daintily holding it while she ate the large bite in her mouth.
"Wow. Sounds like investigating is going well for you two." Hina commented, giggling. She was already pretty supportive of their relationship even though it was barely established.
"Need we not forget the evidence we managed to gather. Celestia, would you present what we found to them... Even the.... Wolf plushy..." Celestia smiled and pulled out the wolf plushy from her bag, thrusting it into his hand.
"Byakuya-chan found a fairly useless wolf plush under the bed that he wanted to ask Ikusaba-san about. Myself on the other hand found this." She produced the letter from Sayaka to Mukuro from the bag, smirking. Byakuya savagely snatched away the letter, and returned the Wolf plush to her.
"I specifically said I wouldn't mind asking her about, not that I would! Do us a favor and dispose of that trash!" She caught it and put it back in her bag. She'd deal with it later.
"My my Byakuya. Asserting your dominance over me in front of the class?" She giggled, a playful glimmer in her eyes. "I'll play along for now. The roles swap when we are alone in the bedroom anyway." Byakuya clenched his fist tightly, visible veins, and a flush redness to his face were sure tell signs that he had all too quickly became fed up with her.
"You dare to sully the good name of the Togami association with your words, and nevertheless commit straight treason before someone with such a status? When I order you to dispose of that disgraceful object, I expect it to be done immediately! Now, toss away that garbage, that is of little use to us!" She wasn't done yet. This was far too amusing to her.
"Your performance was below average, even for a virgin Byakuya baby." She smirked, blowing him a flirtatious kiss before walking over to a small table and sitting down. She had a very smug look on her face. Toko stomped up to Celestia, gritting her teeth, her normally tame and sometimes hideous face was now twisted down in a blood hungry sneer. For just a second, she looked just like Genocider Syo, her eyes the same blank brand of psychotic. She dove after Celestia, crudely tugging on Celestia's twin drills, and dragging her onto the floor.
"You... You St-Stinky Skank!!!" Celestia screamed, a loud scream that could shatter glass. She didn't bother trying to fight off Toko, knowing someone like Sakura or Mondo would surely intervene. Maybe even Byakuya would make the repulsive girl get away from her. "HOW COULD YOU DEFILE MASTER'S NAME LIKE THAT! TRASH LIKE YOU HAS NO RIGHT TO STAND BY HIS SIDE!!!" Toko screamed, pouncing on top of Celestia like a rabid feline, and ripping away at her face.
"Fukawa-san, calm yourself this instant, the last thing we need is conflict within our group! The behavior on display right now is... Nothing short of disrespectful, all on the behalf of your hatred for each other... Disgraceful!" Sakura said, shaking her head in disappointment at both Toko and Celestia. Celestia just kept screaming at the top of her lungs, now trying to get Toko away from her. She was probably loud enough for anyone outside the school within a ten mile radius to hear her. She was actually fearing for her life at this point. Her harmless attempt to make Byakuya flustered had gone far worse than she could've imagined. Sakura keeled in front of the two girls, and grabbed each of them by the collars of their shirts, glaring at Celestia, then over at Toko.
"Let it go right now, or else, I will throw the both of you down the same garbage pit you trapped Ikusaba-san in! Unlike her, you will not escape, you will merely rot away until you come to a compromise. Do you understand?" Celestia folded her arms, refusing to say a word. She was the innocent party in this, since Toko had been the one to attack her and she hadn't fought back. She glanced at Togami with longing eyes, wanting him to do something. Byakuya looked away, turning his nose up at Celestia.
"I insist that we rid us of Celestia only, she is of no use to me if she chooses to embellish upon my family name so crudely." She giggled her usual lighthearted giggle. She didn't let it show that his comment was bothering her.
"You used my full first name, Byakuya darling. Therefore you must care, and must not want to get rid of me. Let's dispose of Fukawa-san instead. We can't trust a known serial killer, or a girl who would so willingly kill over a harmless flirtation."
"To be fair dude, we can't really trust you either, aren't gamblers the type of people who making lying an everyday habit? There's no telling if you're committed to that jerk, or to his money." Yasuhiro cut in, shocking nearly everyone with a comment that was actually... Insightful? Celestia glared at him with a look that could kill. She was still outwardly calm, but inside she was ready to kill. She looked at Sakura, silently demanding to be put down at once. Byakuya walked up to her with a smirk and a chuckle.
"Now see? None of this would have come to pass, if you had only thrown out that deplorable wolf when asked." Celestia looked him dead in the eye, her face stone for a moment before she smirked. She used her free hand to grab his shirt and pull him closer, kissing him on the lips. Byakuya swatted away Celestia's hand, and pushed her back, immediately rising up said arm to hide his rose shaded, flustered face. "W-why you, I should, should, SHOULD...." she smirked proudly, deciding she had succeeded.
"Punish me, darling?" She batted her eyelashes flirtatiously, continuing to embarrass him anyway like this out of pure amusement. Byakuya reared back his hand, prepared to smack Celestia across the face.
"Who knew that such a child would steal the words directly from my mouth... Shut up!" Celestia put her hand daintily to her lips, feigning surprise.
"Oh my, Byakuya-chan, about to abuse a woman of my caliber?" She asked cooly, looking him in the eye. "My my, how ungentlemanly. Surely you should've been taught better than that sweetheart." Byakuya was flabbergasted by her. How could she, a scummy gambler who tried so shallowly to act classy, succeed in making his actions feel regrettable?
"No..." He grumbled plainly, allowing his hand to drift back down to his side. Celestia nodded innocently, smiling sweetly at him.
"Maybe we should return to investigating sweetie. That might sort your mind out. Sound good?" She asked as though she was speaking to a child. Byakuya heaved an exaggerated sigh and crossed his arms.
"Whatever, just as long as doing so puts your baseless rumors and jesting to an end, continuing to investigate would be pleasurable." Celestia grinned as though she had won, looking Toko directly in the eye. She walked towards the door, about to leave with Byakuya when Hina remembered something.
"Wait! Me and Sakura found this document, but it's in French and we can't understand it. Could one of you translate it?" She asked both Celestia and Byakuya. She was pretty sure at least one of them was fluent enough to translate the document. Byakuya swiped away the document from Hina, knocking her off balance with a smirk.
"Why, of course I can translate it. While a girl as naive to the world as you has probably never left Japan, I have traveled the world, observing just about every sight and culture your feeble mind can imagine." Hina was quick to regain balance. She folded her arms, watching him the whole time.
"What does it say then?" She asked impatiently.
"Fine, I'll read it for the two of you, but, you'll owe me a 1000 times over for it." Hina nodded and rolled her eyes, her feet moving anxiously. She was really curious, and had been all night about it. She'd barely been able to sleep at all. "Tell me Asahina, how exactly did you make it to high school without learning a single word of French? Even if you haven't traveled the world, your teachers in classes such as history should have covered it. I'm questioning just how competent you truly are. Even a Ultimate should have basic knowledge along with their own talent." Hina looked at him in surprise momentarily, like she didn't know what to say. She folded her arms and sat on the table, pouting like she desperately wanted to say something to him but didn't want him changing his mind. "Fenir is an elite Mercenary group, a cut above any other solidier. One of their troops is apparently equated to an entire army. They have also been involved in a number of operations globally. They became inactive some time ago, and that any further existence of the group cannot be confirmed." Byakuya read, going over the most important footnotes for everyone, his eyes glowing with mystique at the moment he finished.
"We were thinking it was related to Ikusaba-san. Fenrir's logo is the same as her tattoo." Hina pointed out, swinging her legs a little excitedly. She looked over at Sakura, wanting a little assurance that she was correct with her statement before the door opened. She looked over, seeing Sayaka and Makoto walk in, hand in hand. Sayaka gently nudged Makoto's shoulder and kissed his cheek, giggling quietly afterwards. Makoto smiled lovingly at Sayaka, and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek in return.
"Your giggle.... Has to to be the cutest thing in the world Sayaka-chan!" Sayaka smiled lovingly, letting his hand go to wrap her arm around him instead.
"Not as cute as you are, Mako-chan!" She giggled in response, playfully pinching his cheek. Makoto lifted up his free arm, and ran a hand smoothly through the blue haired girl's straight locks.
"Well, you have the nicest hair in the world, what shampoo do you use?" Sayaka blushed a little when he did that. Hina looked over, noticing how affectionate and flirtatious they were towards each other.
"What's the deal, Naegi-kun?" She asked accusingly, pointing at him. She knew how close he'd been towards Mukuro before, and knew they both had feelings for each other. Now that seemed to be gone. "What happened between you and Ikusaba-san?"
"What are you talking about Asahina-san? Why would I even speak to a cold blooded murderer like her? I think saving her was an honest mistake, we should have left her in that garbage pit to rot." Sayaka buried her face in his shoulder to mask the wicked smirk forming on her face. Hina was even more angry.
"Naegi-kun! This isn't like you at all! You've been so caring towards her, why the sudden change?" She snapped, getting up and walking over to him. She was more than ready to punch him.
"I realised that she nothing more than a criminal, from the very beginning. A mask figured told me about everything that psycho has done... In Hope's Peak Academy alone, she murdered thousands of people..." Hina didn't hesitate to punch him in the face. She was adamant Mukuro wouldn't hurt a fly, even though she most likely was a soldier. She wasn't on a battlefield here, so had no reason to kill. She didn't care if she was the only one to defend Mukuro or not. Only seconds after that, Sakura pulled Hina back, standing in front of her protectively.
"What's with that look on your face Naegi-kun, are you looking to end up in the infirmary? Ikusaba and Hina are my closest friends, and anything that upsets them will in turn, more than upset me. It would take me a single Chop to assure that your badmouthing is at its end!" Chihiro looked up from his laptop, very confused.
"E-excuse Naegi-kun, weren't you the one defending her all this time? You promised her that no matter how bad the situation got, that you'd be there to protect her, then... You hugged her. W-why would a good man like you go back on his word?" Hina looked at Sakura, accepting that she shouldn't continue to punch Makoto. She fell silent, staying beside her. Celestia looked at the couple, who were still being affectionate towards each other, and decided that she had to prove she and Byakuya were the cuter couple. She grabbed her partner's arm, holding on to his hand with an affectionate smile.
"I agree with Fugisaki-san. Your behaviour and opinion have changed drastically overnight, and we demand to know why!" Taka said firmly to the pair. Sayaka shrugged, changing her position so she was holding on quite harshly to Makoto's arm.
"People change, Ishimaru-kun." She told him rather sternly, glaring at him for a moment before turning to Hina. "Opinions on people change too, Hina." She told her in the same tone, turning to Makoto and smiling innocently at him. She batted her eyelashes a little too, adding to her flirtation.
"I changed for the better too, the worst choice I could have every made was trusting such a cold blooded psycho... I remember everything now. She's the person who knocked us all out, and put us into this school life to kill each other. Either, she is the mastermind, or, she's directly involved with them in some way." Sayaka nodded and smiled, turning back and resting her head on his shoulder. She liked doing anything affectionate towards him.
"Yep. That's what we learned. After learning that, Mako-chan couldn't help but turn his affection towards me to help him cope with the fact that Ikusaba had lured him into a trap with her lies and her seductive ways." Sayaka continued, speaking for him.
"Woah, Seductive? That's not right Sayaka-chan... Ikusaba-san is pretty straight forward, she's gen-" Makoto began, before suddenly collapsing to his knees, writhing from the jolt of pain that ran through his entire body. "Greedy... Ikusaba is really greedy and selfish... Sadistically plotting out ways to bring us to the edge..." that reaction was enough to draw the attention of most of the students in the room. Hina was certainly taken aback.
"Naegi-kun?" She asked anxiously, nervous to approach. She was suspicious that something wasn't right. Sayaka meanwhile knelt down beside Makoto and placed her hand on his cheek delicately.
"She hurt you, didn't she Mako-chan?" She asked in a babying voice, pouting a little and rubbing her thumb against his cheek as though she was comforting him. Makoto's only response was a light whimper, followed by him struggling to his feet, and pushing Sayaka away.
"L-lets just have breakfast..." Sayaka was visibly upset with Makoto pushing her away like that. She quietly turned, pressing a button on a device Junko had given her. She didn't necessarily want to use it, as she didn't like seeing Makoto shocked, but Junko had convinced her that it was necessary for Makoto to learn he was hers and not Mukuro's. Just seconds afterwords, Makoto winced, a small yelp escaping his lips as he sat down. Sakura meanwhile, was preoccupied by her own meal, but, that hadn't stopped her from noticing something off with Sayaka. She knew she needed to get her out of the room, somehow.
"Don't forget my breakfast, Mako-chan!" Sayaka giggled innocently, seeming to completely calm down. She got up and sauntered over to a chair at a table for two, sitting down and putting her feet rather defensively on the other chair. 
"It's already on your plate Sayaka-chan, I must have set it up for us already." Makoto said, holding his head down like an obedient dog, a hint of fear in his words when he spoke.
"Maizono-san, according to Monokuma's chore chart, you have been put on garbage duty for the last few days, yet, the garbage bags have only piled up. Don't you think it would be wise of you to attend to your job after eating? The punishment Monokuma could give you might be swift and merciless." Sakura pointed out, cutting her eggs into slices as she stared at the pop idol intently. Sayaka just shrugged, brushing Sakura off entirely. Monokuma hadn't said a word about her being on trash duty. The mastermind had even promised she'd never have to be responsible for that. Just then, the door opened with a bang, and Kyoko entered with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Ikusaba-san. Where is she?" She asked bluntly, not bothering with pleasantries. Something was up, she knew it, and her inability to find Mukuro must be connected. Right as Kyoko barged in, the bear of black and white, of hope and despair, everyone's beloved, dashing head master made a grand entrance, dressed in a tuxedo and everything.
"Perfect question Miss. Nosy... Anybody want to take a guess? First prize is a million dollars!" Celestia down the sip of royal milk tea she'd been drinking, turning to Monokuma.
"In your room, perhaps?" She asked. She wanted to guess right and get all that money. Kyoko turned to glare at him. She folded her arms, still staring.
"Well, where is she?" She asked rather bluntly. She clearly wasn't interested in playing along. She just wanted to continue with her investigation.
"CORRECT! SHE'S RIGHT HERE NEXT TO ME, IN FACT, YOU COULD SAY WE'RE REAL CLOSE!" Monokuma shouted excitedly, ignoring Kyoko and pulling a lever that dumped several bank bags, overflowing with money on top of the pale lolita. Celestia grinned wickedly, picking up one bag. She was elated with the fortune she believed she'd just won. She opened the bag, only to discover fake money, with Monokuma's face printed on every single note. She was furious.
"What the absolute fuck is this?!" She fumed angrily, grabbing a fistful of the fake money and waving it in Monokuma's face. 
"That's one million Monobucks my dearest gambler, renewable at the school store to buy gifts for all your friends! Outside of that, it's completely worthless paper! I thought about shredding it, burning it cuz of just how useless it was! Thank goodness for me, I finally found the perfect opportunity to use it! Whew, what a relief... Maybe, I should go into merchandising instead, hell, that where all the real cheese is at! I won't have to resort to using this chump change! Puhuhuhuhuhuhuhu... Ahahahahaha!" Celestia angrily threw a handful of the money at him, before turning on her heel.
"Worthless, just like you are." All her rage had died in an instant. At least, that's how it appeared. She went back to her seat and picked up her cup, taking a sip. Kyoko cleared her throat loudly, almost demanding attention.
"What did you mean by 'real close'? Where is Ikusaba-san?" She demanded an answer right that very second.
"It means exactly what it means curious cat, Ikusaba-san is right here next to me, planning out you demises with a smile on her face! That old clocks a ticking to the beat of your heart Kirigiri-san... Just like I told you before, your enemy was right in front of you all along, and now, your condemned for sticking your nose into other people's business, curiosity killed the cat bitch! Your exection is all but guaranteed at this point, so why not give up hope? Despair will delight you, and then crush you in its palms, nothing but paste and bloodstained powder will remain! I'm so very exstatic to watch you fail to save anyone!" Monokuma told her, but, it felt different, more serious... Their headmaster had yet to be so outspoken and straightforward about their failure, about the overwhelming strength of despair... He had mention it, but, normally, it was off set by jokes, or other cruel actions. What escaped through the teddy bear's lips then, was a simple, to the point taunt towards Kyoko.
"Well, I don't believe you. I'm going to find her. Feel free to assist me anyone." She said rather bluntly, turning and leaving the dining hall. Sayaka walked over to Makoto, grabbing his arm.
"Let's help!" She suggested with a wicked sparkle in her eye. She had a plan forming, so long as they were first to find Mukuro.
"Why should we find somebody who isn't worth finding? I guess... If you want to Sayaka-chan, we'll do it!" Makoto said, bowing his head, but letting out an elongated sigh.
"W-Wait Kirigiri-san, we'll be right behind you, we can split up into two or three, whatever can get the job done faster." Chihiro suggested, clashing his hands together beggingly. After a threat like that, he was kind of scared of Kyoko going alone. Kyoko didn't stop, or even glance back. She was on a mission.
"It's okay, chick. She's a tough gal." Mondo reassured him, patting his back. Taka nodded in agreement.
"Let us all go search for Ikusaba-san." He ordered, pointing proudly at the door. Celestia didn't move from her chair, sipping the last of her royal milk tea.
"Me and Byakuya will stay here, just in case she shows her face." Celestia insisted, smirking and winking at Byakuya. Byakuya almost seemed statue like, his nose turned up away from the gambler, his back turned to her in silence for a moment, until he finally spoke.
"Fine with me, it really isn't any weight upon my shoulders if that unruly girl remains missing." Celestia smiled like a cat that got the cream, setting her teacup down daintily.
"Oh, I agree. Things are slightly more pleasant without her around, I'd say." Unbeknownst to either of them, one individual had stayed behind, and was now behind the dining room counter. Toko was glaring at Celestia specifically with not only envy, but malice.
"S-she's spoiled rotten.... Unworthy of my noble master... What does she think she's doing alone with him!?" She thought to herself, then turned her gaze to Byakuya, the action alone causing her to salivate wildly down her chin. Celestia stood up and walked over to Byakuya now she presumed they were alone. Now they could flirt in peace.
"Thank god those lowlifes have gone. Now it's just the sophisticated individuals left behind." She told him, batting her eyelashes at him playfully. She kicked over a pile of the fake money, glaring at it for a moment. "Worthless, and entirely useless."
"Unless you use it at the school store, perhaps to buy a gift for me? Make it ten gifts actually... Why not twenty! No, greater, why not twenty gifts, just for me? Do that, and I may pay more mind to an annoyance like yourself." She picked up a pile of the money and threw it at him. She didn't look very amused by that.
"Go ahead. Spoil yourself darling. There's nothing in that store with any kind of value anyway. I already checked."
"When all is said and done Ludenberg, even if that money had been real, it would not lead you to find true happiness... Material item, cars, large houses... These things are meaningless, I will let you know that much! I can only imagine the ridiculous things someone like you would do to pretend you have some type of power. Would you fill a swimming pool with tea?" Celestia wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close to her.
"Now that's just insane baby. Come on, darling, don't look down on me so." She then kissed him on the lips. As far as they knew, they were alone, so there'd be no reason for him not to kiss back. Byakuya's eyes widened when her lips were planted on his, with his first instinct being to pull away from her and slap her across the face. However, what he chose to do instead was the worst thing he could do, in front of Toko, he leaned into the kiss and returned it while wrapping his arms around Celestia's waist. Toko was completely shaken, beginning to sob loudly enough for the couple to her.
"N- Nooooooo!!! Wh-why are you torturing me m-master Byakuya?..."