It was the next morning, Lilac and I were on our way to the cafeteria for some breakfast. I wasn't all that hungry though. My thoughts were consumed on something else. Or more specifically....someone else.

I can't believe Kokichi saw my motive video. He....he saw what I did. Now he knows what I'm capable of. More importantly....he has dirt on me. He could use that info to black mail me to do whatever he wishes. But would Kokichi do that? Is he that kind of person? Why would he tell me the things he said anyway? Wouldn't it have been safer for him to keep that info hidden a bit longer?

I placed a hand on my head and winced. Thinking about him is giving me a headache. I can never get a grasp on that boy, or understand him in the slightest. Lilac looked up at me with a tilted head, and I put on a smile.

"Gomen, I'm still trying to wake up a bit." That was a lie. I was actually trying to fight off sleep. I haven't been sleeping well these past few nights. So many things happen that cause me to worry myself into insomnia. Finally Lilac and I came to the cafeteria, letting ourselves. Everyone seemed to be present. Rin was the first to greet us.

"Hey guys! Good morning!" he called. I smiled and nodded.

"Ohiyo." I murmured. Lilac hopped over to the table and plopped beside Kanato and Amaimon. Kanato turned his head away, ignoring her. However to my surprise, Amaimon nodded to her. "Morning Lilac. I got you something." he said. Lilac perked up, as did Kanato. Amaimon dug into his pocket and pulled out a pink lollipop, holding it out to Lilac.

"Here. I got it from the candy shop on the third floor." he said. Lilac's eyes immediately lit up and she snatched the candy from his hand, examining it like it was gold. Then she gave Amaimon a hug around his waist, earning a small smile from him. Kanato's face flushed red before he growled bitterly to himself.

"Mm? What's with the sudden bitterness, Kanato?" Kokichi asked, wearing a smirk on his face. 

"Nandemonai." Kanato stated, stabbing his fork into his food and taking a bite. I sighed. I would tell Lilac to sit away from him, but she won't listen to me. I guess that's fine for now as long as I can see her. Not like Kanato can touch her while I'm watching her. I sat down between Crona and Ulric. 

"Hold still, I'm almost done!" I glanced down the table, seeing Magane painting Junko's nails. "Huh? What are you two doing?" I asked. "What does it look like we're doing, dumbass? We're having girl time!" Junko stated. 

"Tsodaiyo! (That's right!) I happened to have a perfect color for Junko here, and wanted to see if they would look nice in this color." Magane said. Mello let out a long, exasperated sigh, grabbing onto his face and slowly dragging his hand down. "You were both up all night....with my dorm right next to you. What the hell were you doing all night?" he said. He sounded angry, but he didn't seem to have the strength in his voice to yell. 

"We were just playing a few games." Magane said.

"And watching a couple movies off our tablets....." Junko added.

"And eating some snacks."

"And maybe sang a few songs."

"And just doing some chatting-"

"What the hell didn't you do?" Ragnarok asked, popping up from behind Crona, making the boy yelp in surprise. "Ragnarok! Don't scare me like that!" he said. "Whatever, if you didn't like it, then you could just suck it up. Cause as besties, that's gonna be the new norm." Junko stated, making Mello groan.

"Besties huh? That was fast." Ulric said. "Don't tell me you doubt out friendship! Cause that isn't the case! We both share the same amount of wickedness that couldn't match with anyone else, no matter what anyone else says!" Magane stated. 

"We get it, we get it. Now just shut up for five minutes...." Mello groaned, laying his head on the table. Near sighed.

"We need to get out of here...." he muttered. "Heyo, chumps!" we all jumped and looked down to the end of the table. Monokuma had again appeared out of nowhere, standing on top of the table and paws behind his back. "Ugh, not you again! What in the world do you want from us now?!" Kanato snapped.

"Well good morning to you too, snappy. I just wanted to make a little announcement, since everyone is gathered here. Consider this....your new motive." My eyes widened. What....did he say? A new motive?! 

"W-What?! A new motive?! You can't be serious!" Rin stated. Ulric narrowed his eyes. "What kind of motive, exactly?" he asked. "Something simple actually; amongst you is a traitor." Monokuma stated. 

....

"A-A traitor?! What are you talking about?!" Rin exclaimed. Monokuma let out a sigh. "Ugh, do I really have to spell it out for ya? One of you is working with me, and has been for quite some time." he stated. "What?! One of us....is working with you?" Crona said. 

"Yep, ever since the beginning of this game. I can't have them do anything too big though. They just do little things, like seasoning a nice meal with delicious despair. Just, it doesn't seem like any of you have noticed, so they must be doing a pretty damn good job right now." Monokuma stated. 

"What the hell?! Just what have they been doing exactly?! Spill it!" Junko demanded. "Better yet, tell who they are this minute so that we may put an end to their meddling!" Kanato stated. 

"Pufufufu! Do you really think I'm just gonna hand out such touchy info? Where's the fun in that? Nope, you'll just have to live the rest of your lives in this academy with that information. See ya!" Monokuma stated. And with that stated, the bear jumped off the table and disappeared. All we could manage to do was sit there in shock. I couldn't bring myself to look at anyone now. Is one of these people....really a traitor?

"Tch, I don't believe this." Mello growled. "I-I can't believe this. One of us....is actually a t-traitor? B-but who is it?! I...I can't deal with this...." Crona said, shaking. "Whoever it is, fess up! I'll take ya on!" Ragnarok stated. 

"Is it possible that this could be a lie?" Amaimon asked. That made everyone perk up.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Ulric asked. "Think about it. Doesn't it seem awfully strange that Monokuma decided to spring such important info so suddenly? And he did say this was a motive. Perhaps this is a simple motive to get us to be suspicious of each other so that we will be motivated to kill again." Amaimon stated.

"Hmm, okay, okay. That seems to make sense." Magane said. "Indeed. That was what I suspected from the beginning. However, I did suspect there to be a traitor the moment we were thrown into this place. I do not believe it would be wise to simply believe that there is not a traitor either." Near stated.

"Okay wait, I'm confused. Should we believe there is a traitor, or not?!" Rin stated. 

"I'm only saying we should be careful, and be observant of each other." Near stated. "Right, keep an eye out on each other. Never lose sight of each other. Which is why I should probably mention that Lilac is not in the room." Kokichi suddenly blurted out with a smile. My eyes widened, and I snapped my head to where she previously sat.

She wasn't there.

"What the- where did she go?!" Kanato exclaimed. "How the hell should we know?! She was sitting between you and candy demon there!" Junko stated, referring to Kanato and Amaimon. "Did she leave while Monokuma was talking?" Ulric said.

"Shit," I hissed, standing up, "Lilac!" I called out as I ran towards the door and bolted out of the cafeteria. I ran towards our room first to see if she went back there. I quickly pushed our door open and stepped inside. But after a thorough search of the room, I found nothing. I came out of my room, seeing Magane run towards me.

"Did you find her?" she asked. "No," I said, placing a hand on my arm, "I-I don't know where she could've just disappeared to! Dammit...." My mind was swirling with fear. Lilac already had tainted thoughts of suicide as it was. If she is alone for too long....

"Daijoubu. This place isn't that big. She certainly couldn't have left. We'll find her." Magane stated. "And if we find her injured?! Or worse?!" I said. Magane frowned, seeming almost concerned. Then she let out a sigh, grabbed my wrist and dragged me down the hall.

"N-Nani?! Magane-"

"Let's take a peek at the second floor. Most of the other already are searching the first floor. We'll work our way up." Magane stated. I looked at Magane in surprise as I let her lead me towards the stairs and leading us up. When we came upon the second floor, we began to walk down the hallway. We were just coming across the garden room....when we saw Lilac leaving that very room.

"Lilac!" I ran over to her, grabbing her by the shoulders. Lilac only flashed a smile at me. "What in the world were you doing?! You know I don't like it when you wonder off by yourself! Especially in a place like this!" I stated. Lilac blinked, seeming puzzled. But then she grabbed my hand and gave it a small tug.

She pointed to inside the garden, making me tilt my head. "What is it?" I asked. At that moment, I could hear more footsteps behind me, making me turn around. It seemed the others had just arrived to the second floor, and were coming this way.

"Lilac! There you are! Where have you been?!" Kanato demanded. "We found her in the garden room." Magane replied. "What were you doing in there, Lilac?" Amaimon asked. 

Lilac put on a wide smile, then gestured for everyone to come into the room before running back inside. We all looked at each other before entering the room. "Lilac, what's up? What do you want to show-" I inhaled sharply though, coming to a stop. Everyone gathered behind me. "What's all this about....oh." Kanato said. We all just stared for a moment as Lilac looked at us with a smile.

I walked a bit closer to the crosses, resting my hand on my chest. "Lilac....you made more?" I said. Lilac nodded. Crona walked to join my side, falling to his knees. "These are....very nice." he murmured. I noticed he was staring at Rena's cross specifically. Lilac sat down on her knees as well, before looking to the rest of us. 

She gestured for us to sit, then placed her hands together. It was then I realized what she wanted us to do.

"Lilac....do you want us to pray? For them?" I asked, referring to the crosses. Lilac nodded. I put on a soft smile. She never ceases to surprise me. I knelt down on my own knees beside her before looking back at the others.

"Guys come on, you should join." I said. Everyone looked around at each other, seeming hesitant. Rin however nodded immediately and sat down behind me, looking to the others. "Come on guys, they deserve this much, don't they?" he said. No one said anything. But one by one, some of the others started to join. Ulric, Magane, Amaimon, even Mello and Junko. They all knelt down with us, including Crona, who was already sitting at my side.

However Kanato, Near, and Kokichi didn't join us.

"Well? Aren't the rest of you gonna join or what?" Junko asked. "Doshte? (Why?) We barely knew them. Two of them were murderers. Why in the world would we pray for people like them?" Kanato stated. 

"Yeah, and I'm not sure if you want a guy like me praying at all. I wouldn't mean a thing I'd say or think." Kokichi stated. "That sounded strangely honest...." Rin muttered.

"Near, get your ass over here. I expect more from you. You can at least pretend to care that these people are dead." Mello stated. Near narrowed his eyes, seeming hesitant. However he eventually sighed and walked over to us, kneeling down beside Mello. "I do not believe praying will change anything. However, if it satisfies you, I shall participate." Near replied.

"....whatever. Good enough." Mello said. With that said, Lilac held her hands together and gave a slight bow, eyes closed. Everyone copied her actions. Despite how hopeless I felt in this place, despite how scared I was, I tried to think of only the best wishes for the ones that had departed from us. Nagito, Johannes, Zack, Rena...all of them.....

I opened one eye and glanced across the room. Kanato and Kokichi kept their eyes on everything but us. I noticed how Kanato hugged his teddy even tighter to his chest, and how Kokichi lightly kicked at the grass. Both of them shared the same expression of unease, perhaps even discomfort. 

Eventually, Lilac opened her eyes and rose up, and again everyone followed her actions. All except for Crona, who kept his head lowered. He was clenching his fists tightly on his lap, and I noticed tears streamed down his cheeks....

"Rena..." he said weakly. 

"Crona." I murmured. Lilac noticed how sad he looked, so she crawled over and wrapped his arms around him, hugging him tightly. Crona raised a single arm to wrap around her. Rin looked away, brows furrowing. Then he growled and sat up.

"Damn all this....damn Monokuma....damn this game!" Rin stated. We all looked to him surprised, most of us standing up. "Rin?" Amaimon said.

"That bear thinks this is funny?! Making us back stab each other and thinking there's no hope! To hell with that! I say we show him he can't get to us! That he can't induce us into despair!" Rin stated. "Oh yeah, and just what do you have planned?" Kanato asked. "I'll tell you what I have planned.....we should have a party!" Rin stated. 

".....what?" Mello said, as if that was the dumbest thing he's ever said.

"Now hear me out. Monokuma wants us to suspect each other, and feel despair, right? Well why don't we show him otherwise, show him he can't break us! That no matter what, we're still standing! And what better way then throwing a party to show off to that bastard?" Rin stated, a wide grin on his face. 

"A party?! Hell yeah! Let's do it! Get our groove on!" Junko stated. "Definitely! We should have plenty of decorations, food, games...." Magane stated. 

"I can make a ton of food! I don't wanna brag, but I can be a pretty damn good chef!" Rin stated. "I never thought I'd die of poison...." Ulric muttered, making everyone laugh. Rin crossed his arms across his chest and pouted. "Haha, very funny. But I mean it. We really could make this work. We'll have this party in the name of everyone who's died. In their honor." he stated.

I smiled. I like this idea. I like the idea of showing our pride in Monokuma's face. The idea of honoring our friends so we can carry their hopes for them. I like this....

"I'm in." I stated. Lilac nodded her head as well, jumping up and down with glee. "Well it doesn't sound boring at least, so that's fine with me." Amaimon said. "Oh yeah! A party! This'll be fun! Where are we having it?" Kokichi asked.

"I was thinking that roller coaster room on the third floor. It was a lot of space, so we can all dance and party in there with ease." Rin said. Near narrowed his eyes. "I do not believe this would be a valuable use of our time. We'd be better off doing research about who the traitor could be." Near stated.

"Dude, you can be kinda a buzz kill. Have you even been to a party?" Rin asked. Near was silent.

"I'm not saying that stuff isn't important. But continuing to suspect each other isn't going to help anyone. Besides, maybe this party will throw off the traitor, and we'll catch'em. So we should begin preparations right away." Rin stated.

"We have an art room across the hall! What are we waiting for?!" Junko stated.