[Song: Strangers - The Rose]

A/N: Reading some of the comments on here definitely helped motivate me. Thanks for reading, I'm glad there's still some of you guys out there that are still enjoying this story!

Oh and remember the whole schedule thing? yeah, uh as many of you can tell, i don't work well with schedules. So i'm just gonna do longer chapters since it takes me forever to just make one chapter tbh. so the longer chapters will be like they're making up for the wait.

kay, enjoy ✌

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It'd been about 2 minutes. They were still walking, in complete silence. It was nerve wracking if Momota was going to be honest. He'd never felt this anxious, or ever really, until now. 

This had to the longest few minutes of his life. Though he knew it really hadn't been all that long, it was just all the tension getting it to him. It wasn't too surprising considering the circumstances. It was almost like the universe liked to forget he was only 16.

It'd be best to stay quiet though. After all, complaining about it all wouldn't do anything besides entertain whatever out there was listening. (if there was something out there, that is)

Meanwhile, during Momota's existential crisis, his friend was to his side looking like he didn't have a gun pointed at him.

Amami seemed to be handling it all well, despite the pressure. If Momota hadn't known any better, he'd think Amami was either crazy or that he was still just processing it all.

But anyone who knew the boy, would've known that he was assessing their problem. Trying to figure out the best way to escape from or at least stall their assailant. 

If only she'd let down her guard for a second, just a little crack in her defense. Anything, even an insignificant slip would be enough for him. 

But unfortunately for him, the teacher (whom he suspected wasn't a teacher at all, but probably some spy or guard for whoever set off that noise earlier) was quite tough. She was definitely prepared to take them down if needed.

And to be honest, the thought was terrifying on its own. He really hoped things wouldn't escalate to that.

Amami sighed, internally though. He was sure that even one sudden movement would've gotten one of them hit or shot.

'Why us? Why now? This all has to be apart of some plan set up to hurt someone else somewhere in the school. Who are they? Why were we targeted as well? When-'

(Amami's internal monologue would also like to add at this point: If they were in some sort of cartoon, he'd definitely have steam smoking out of his head from thinking too hard at this point.)

"Stop." Lawson stepped in front of the two and stood by the doorway. She waved the gun toward the classroom door in front of them. "Okay, get in."

Silence. No movement either. 

When they didn't move, she dug the tip of her weapon into Momota's back and shoved him through the doorway.

 She then kicked Amami from behind to go alongside him. 

The teacher walked in and slammed the door shut behind her. The familiar click of door's lock echoed throughout the room soon after. 

The boys both stood there with blank expressions as the sound of her shoes echoed throughout the room.

Lawson then came to a stop just at the front of the room, only a few feet from the forward most desk. 

She pointed her gun lazily at Amami, then over to a desk by the wall but closer to the back of the classroom. 

 "Okay, green haired one, sit over there."

He carefully walked over to the seat, wondering what the woman planned on doing while they were here. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too destructive, though he knew it'd be best to brace himself.

"Jockish kid, you're over there"

Momota slowly nodded as he strode over to the desk, which seemed to be as far as possible from Amami.

The teacher walked over and stood at the front of the room. She scanned over it, looking for any irregularities.

After confirming the two were where she wanted them and they wouldn't be causing much trouble, she sat in the teacher's desk and appeared to make herself busy with other work. 

The boys took this as a chance to act.

'Sign language?'  Momota subtly signed from under his desk.

Amami thankfully replied. 'Yeah, some.'

'Oh thank god.'

[A/N: btw i 100% hc Amami had to take some sort of extra language or dialect lessons cuz rich people, and Momota did it cuz he's cool like that]

Momota sighed quietly, his head lolling back. 'This is good. We can make this work.' 

They established a form of communication, which is pretty crucial if he did say so himself.

Though to be perfectly honest, almost half of their communication or "sign language" ended up consisting of made up, yet understandable gestures and spelling out words. So it wasn't the most reliable or efficient, but it was something. 

While these two were trying to communicate in the most tv-show-top-secret-mission way possible, the main threat was busy herself, thankfully not paying too much mind to the teens.

'I guess it's about time I got rid of this ridiculous disguise and report in.'  The woman nodded to herself and began to relax slightly. Though her guard was still mostly up who knew what those two could come up with. Teenage boys were scrappy.

She took off her shoes and shrugged off her blazer and pulled at her hair somewhat lightly, only for it to come right off.

'Lawson' proceeded to remove her contacts. She then walked over to the window and grabbed a water bottle from a basket by the corner near her. She leaned out of it, her torso and clothing now exposed to the fresh air. She poured the water into her hands and began rinsing her face.

The students with her weren't too surprised by the sudden change, but it was strange to watch regardless. The woman before them was a completely different person on a superficial level.

She went from looking like some random middle aged high school teacher, to an average looking high schooler, maybe college student.

Despite her looking somewhat familiar, they couldn't put their finger on it. Just who was she?

'Not knowing the reason we're here and what's going on in the other part of the school was enough, having to figure out who the hell that mystery woman is— is just too much for my brain right now.' Amami thought.

Amami leaned over and (as discreetly as possible) threw a small paper ball at Momota to get his attention.

It bounced off his head, startling him. He shot a glare at Amami but responded (though it was definitely angrily).

"What??? You're gonna get us caught y'know. I'd rather not die because of my idiot friend."

Amami sighed and shook  his head.

"No I won't. Plus from the two of us, you're definitely the idiot. But that's not the point. Do you recognize her?"

Momota glared for a few seconds before slowly turning. He looked to her and just shook his head, but then leaned forwards and squinted; like he would suddenly realize her identity if he did so.

The slightly tense moment was broken by the sudden sound of shuffling.

Their attention was now completely on her, hoping to get even a sliver of information.

The unnamed woman pulled out a phone and dialed someone, who answered quickly. 

"Junko, it's done. They're not going anywhere."

Amami and Kaito instantly turned to each other, realizing this wasn't just some regular (well, as regular this could be considered) threat. Junko Enoshima was involved, Ouma's handler. 

They of course both turned their attention back to the woman to get as much they could.

"Perfect! Oh I knew I could count on you, Mukuro! They cause any trouble?" 

'Mukuro?' Amami wondered.

"Not particularly, they were relatively easy to handle, and surprisingly compliant."

"Well of course they listened to you, silly! It's all going how I said, isn't it? And here I thought you would never doubt me."

"Never! You're right, I should've trusted you. You're always right." Mukuro was flustered.

Finally, a weak point. It seemed whoever she was talking to was a person she was fond of. Maybe he could try to take advantage of that.

Amami looked back over at Momota, who seemed to get the idea. They might actually have a shot at this.

"My goodness Mukuro! Y'know sometimes I wonder how you could ever be so competent and incompetent at the same time."

"I'm sorry, Junko. I'll be sure to make up for my mistakes."

"Sure as hell you will. Or else there'll be hell to pay, for you at least." Junko giggled. "I get what I want either way, though only one way ends in you living. So you might want to think about what you'll do next."

"Of course."

The woman disguising as their teacher, whose name was finally revealed, continued her conversation on the phone while her captives planned.

"Mukuro, huh." Momota whispered. 'How's she connected to Junko? Maybe a girlfriend, or crush? I mean, this Mukuro chick seems pretty head over heels for Junko. It kinda sounds like she'd do anything for her. Even when her life was threatened.'

Meanwhile, his friend was analyzing the situation himself. 'What did she mean, that she would get what she wanted either way? What is Junko after?' 

He spent a while contemplating before realizing mere speculation wouldn't get much done.

Amami looked back over at Momota, hoping for some hint of the beginnings of a plan.

Instead, he got his supposedly smart friend looking like his brain was about to melt from too much homework.

He could faintly hear Momota's mutterings: "Wait but they kind look alike.... does this mean we've stumbled on some incest tv drama crap....?"

"What...?" Amami whispered while he just stared at Momota like he was crazy, which apparently was enough to snap him out of the random trance. 

"Who were you muttering about?"

"Oh that? I was just wondering, how are that lady and Junko related?"

"Ah okay then." Amami whispered.

After a while of silence between the two, Momota's expression suddenly brightened. He smiled and turned to his friend.

"Hey. Rantaro, I think I've got it worked out." He finally whispered back.

"Seriously?  Well alright, let me hear it." Amami signed, his face filled with curiosity and some hope.

"Well firstly, how fast can you run?"

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The pair had both been waiting for their shift change. Nothing all that suspicious had happened so far. Though slightly concerning, they had to hope for the best. That was until they heard the gun shot.

They'd reported it in and were currently on standby, trying to figure out what was happening inside the building without being noticed

"This definitely involves Junko Enoshima." The woman said.

The man beside looked at her with disgust at the mere mention of her. "Of course it does. That woman is indescribably obsessive and insane. She belongs in some sort of asylum with complete isolation from the public."

She sighed, seemingly mentally exhausted by all that had been happening the last few weeks. Then nodded, agreeing with the man.

"Has Izuru been going undetected as hoped?" The woman asked, hoping there'd be some sliver of good news in this disastrous operation.

"Yes, Junko doesn't suspect him at all. Though it's not surprising. After all, in what world would he turn down a crazy show orchestrated by Junko Enoshima; for what, his boringly normal twin brother? Hell would have to freeze over first, in her eyes." He chuckled.

"Hey, I heard that! I'm not that boring!" A voice yelled lightly from the radio.

"Yes, yes. Of course not, Hajime. No need to get your panties in a twist. I'm just saying it how it is, especially from Enoshima's perspective." The man explained.

"Thank yo- wait, MY WHA-" He was cut off by the woman covering the device shortly.

"God, you're like a bitter child. Can you go for one second not pissing someone off?" She hissed quietly at the other. 

"Please calm down, Hinata. You should know by now that it's a hobby of his to instigate." The woman glared at the man with her while simultaneously reassuring Hajime. Her eyes screaming not to start another argument.

The man surely got the message as he shuddered and nodded, then turned back over to the radio.

"Do we know where Ikusaba is? After all, if Enoshima is involved, there's no way that little slave of hers isn't. She does do all her dirty work after all." He asked, with a sneer on his face.

Hinata sighed over the radio and spoke to what sounded like with another person in the room he was in. Though most of it was muffled, a few words here and there could be heard. 

"........-erious-? Yes......-dn't joke...-ot sure you can......-ay then......." 

There was a then moment of silence and lastly the sound of shuffling coming from the device.

"Alright, apparently she hasn't shown up to any of her classes today." He finally responded glumly.

"Are you sure?" The man asked, hoping it had to be a mistake despite his earlier speculation.

"Yeah, I just confirmed with Izuru. And we all know how thorough he is." Hinata explained, though he sounded hopeless.

The silence that followed was agonizing, all those apart of the conversation thought the same thing.

'This isn't good.'

The woman finally spoke up. "Thanks anyways, Hajime."

"Yeah, good luck you guys. The other two should be heading over now to switch."

"Alright, that should be it. I'll be sure to remind them to call in when they get here. Goodbye." She responded quietly.

"Bye." And with that, the connection was shut off.

Another bout of silence presumed over the two. The woman sat next to their device and leaned back on her hands, staring up at the sky.

They continued in a comfortable silence, though they both knew it would end soon. Whether that was by the arrival of two other allies or an unexpected interupption.

The man exhaled slowly and removed his face covering for a minute or two to get a breath of fresh air. The woman beside him decided it best to do the same.

'Hopefully we're able to catch them on time. We can't afford any more people getting hurt because of her.' He thought, while staring up at the leaves and clouds above them.

"Maybe if we can get this dealt with, all this madness would finally be over." His partner laughed quietly. She'd finally relaxed, even if it was just a bit.

He smiled slightly and looked back up at the sky. "Yeah. Maybe, just maybe."

'If we get lucky that is.' They both thought.

The sight of the two showing such lighthearted expressions was rare. This moment would stay between them. A moment in which they'd both just lost a fragment of the hope they, along with the rest of their comrades, had all protected so carefully. 

But the small smiles on their faces had proven they hadn't given up just yet. Not with so much left to do and say. This conflict wasn't over just yet. Not if they had anything to say about it.

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A/N: guess what, i dropped my phone in a bath tub and miraculously it works fine. 😎 I just didn't have the sound for like a day, but that was prob just some left over water. i'm so talented ahahehahe(*funny awkward laugh*). Also, did I hussle and do the majority of this chapter in the last few days instead doing any work? yes.

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