(3rd Person's POV)

"What...is that?" Komaru pointed to some sort of vehicle as they got out of the meeting room. 

The vehicle had some sort of television with it as the adults were watching. But judging from their reactions and expressions, it wasn't anything pretty.

"S-Someone, help! That's my wife!"

"P-Please calm down!"

"I can't! I can't just stay calm looking at this!"

"This is a trap! They're just trying to flush us out. Why fall for their cheap tricks?"

"Did something happen?" Komaru wondered.

"...It might be better if you guys didn't look." Shirokuma advised as he approached the girls.

"...Huh? Why?" Toko looked at him.

Shirokuma sighed. "Just because the adults managed to make their way here... It doesn't mean they're "saved." As long as we're helpless against the children, there will be no future for the adults here." He suddenly perked up as he made a wistful smile. "But, there's no need for you guys to worry about that! I'm sure you're already troubled enough..."

"Then I won't think about it. W-Won't do any good anyway..." Toko mumbled.

"And...sorry about earlier." Shirokuma apologized. "I never thought Haiji would react like that..."

"It seems as if he hates Future Foundation." Komaru stated, placing a finger to her chin.

Toko scoffed. "Wh-Who cares? I'm not interested in those who are beneath me." She shook her head. "Anyway... The exit's over there, right?"

"Huh? Leaving already? You should at least stay the night." Shirokuma advised.

"I-If I had to spend a night in this dump, I would rather leap into the arms of a Monokuma." Toko grimaced.

"Aren't you being a bit too dramatic...?" Komaru sweatdropped.

"They're probably planning to attack us while we sleep. Or take funny pictures of our sleepy faces!"

Komaru widened her eyes in fear. "Oh no! A sleeping face shot would be bad!"

Akira sweatdropped. "That's what would be bad?"

"But it's already nighttime. And underground, it's going to be even darker..." Shirokuma pointed out.

"Huh!? D-Dark already?" Toko looked nervous before sighing. "I-I guess I've got no choice... If you insist. Just for one night."

---

Later...

"See, this place is a private room." Shirokuma said as they were in what looked like a prison cell. "It's usually used for the injured and sick."

""Private room"? No matter what you call it, this is a prison cell!" Toko narrowed her eyes, looking around the "private room".

Shirokuma made a flop-sweat. "N-No it's not! It just looks like one! But... It's not."

"Well, this is the only place there is, so... We got no choice." Komaru said.

"And about what you mentioned before..." Shirokuma looked up at Toko. "Are you really a member of Future Foundation, Toko?"

"S-So what if I am?"

"And if you make contact with them, they will come and save us?"

"Well, yeah, but reaching them is the problem..." Komaru looked downtrodden.

"It's true that it will be difficult... But it's not impossible. I'd like you to have this." Shirokuma handed them a laptop-looking device. 

Komaru looked at it. "...This is..."

"It's the newest wireless device Togami Group developed. It can send audio and video. It wasn't available to the public, but groups like the police and Future Foundation use it." Shirokuma informed.

"So if we use this, we can call Future Foundation?" Komaru's face lit up.

"Really? W-We can?" Toko wondered, lightly biting her thumb.

Shirokuma shook his head. "No, it's not that easy. Because of the jamming..."

"Jamming? Like, raspberry?" Komaru tilted her head.

"He means "jamming" as in radio interference, Komaru." Akira spoke up.

"Thanks to the signal jamming everywhere in Towa, this device can't be used in town." Shirokuma said.

"Then why give it to us? You want us to throw it away for you or something?" Toko asked.

"No, it's not that..." Shirokuma began. "The jamming radio waves are emitted from a huge building called Towa Hills. If you send a signal from a higher spot, you should be able to avoid the jamming. And of all the buildings in this city, there's one that just might work. And it's not far. A skyscraper called Towa Tower. It's a huge tower, a landmark of Towa City. That building is taller than Towa Hills, so you should be able to send a signal from there."

"Then, if we go there, we can call Future Foundation?" Komaru asked, her face lighting up as she felt a new sense of hope enter her.

"I-If you already knew about this, why didn't you just use other adults? Why us?" Toko inquired.

"It's impossible for anyone here. Monokumas are patrolling outside, after all." Shirokuma explained. "But I've seen you three fight. Even though Komaru is the only one with a Hacking Gun, Toko has her split personality and Akira is very fast and agile even though she doesn't fight. You can beat those Monokumas and make it to the tower..."

"B-But that mole man said he didn't want to rely on Future Foundation." Toko recalled.

"I'm sure he'll understand. If Future Foundation comes, his people will be saved as well." Shirokuma assured them. "Of course, I won't force you. No doubt about it, this will be a dangerous mission. I wish I could do it myself..." He lamented, mushroom's growing on his head. "To tell you the truth, I'm jealous of you two... I wish I had the power to protect people..."

"...Hey, Toko?" Komaru looked at the writer.

"I-I know, you want me to decide, right?" Toko rolled her eyes before sighing. "Well, it's been decided. Even if a competent adult were to go, it'd be too dangerous."

Komaru stared at her for a moment before speaking up. "...I want to go."

"...What?"

"I know it's dangerous, but we found a way to survive up until now... So I want to keep trying. Keep going forward." Komaru said as she turned to Akira. "What about you, Aki?"

Akira made a half-hearted shrug. "I'll go along with whatever you guys decide on..."

"I-I understand how you feel, but... Maybe you should think this over..." Toko stuttered, looking wary of the risks that the idea had.

"What happened, Toko? Earlier you were telling me to stop hiding and fight back." Komaru folded her arms.

"N-No, it's just..." Toko trailed off as she sighed in relent. "W-Well, I guess it's better than just rotting away here. When I think of it that way..."

"Then...are we going!?"

"F-For now, we'll check it out. We'll see about contacting Future Foundation when we're there."

"Looks like you made your decision. Thank you so much. I'm grateful for your courage." Shirokuma smiled. "Well, make sure you get plenty of rest today so you're prepared for tomorrow!"

"Thank you. I'm...final|y starting to see some hope, thanks to you, Shirokuma." Komaru went on her knees as she hugged the white bear. "Shirokuma, than you so much!"

"Wah! Wawawa!"

"Oh, g-good for you, a t-tight and bouncy hug from a high school girl is priceless..." Toko snickered while Akira simply shook her head while sighing.

---

During nighttime...

"Zzzz...Zzzz..." Komaru snored as a snot bubble appeared out of her nose.

"Ugh, s-so cold..." Toko shivered as her forehead turned blue. "Master Byakuya... Mistress Sora..."

"..." Akira, meanwhile, quietly slept while being stationed in the middle of the two.

---

"...It's morning." Shirokuma stated.

Komaru nodded. "Yeah, sure is."

"Of course, there's no real way to tell underground..." Toko pointed out.

"But still, I feel refreshed. I was able to get a really good night's sleep." Komaru made a small smile.

"You're the only one who slept well! How can you just fall asleep so fast like that?" Toko let out a small grumble.

"Okay then, now I'll tell you how to get to Towa Tower." Shirokuma addressed. "After you climb the ladder, go the opposite way you came from. That will take you above ground. A little bit past that, there will be a river. Follow the river, and you'll find the tower."

"Doesn't sound like it's too far away." Komaru said.

"Th-The problem isn't the distance, it's the Monokumas between here and there." Toko frowned.

"Well, it's gonna be alright! I'm sure of it!" Komaru beamed.

"Why do you say that? You have no reason to think that whatsoever." Toko narrowed her eyes.

"You and Aki are the reason, Toko! You might be worried for whatever reason, but with you two around, there's no need to worry!"

"Wh-What? That doesn't even make sense!" Toko turned her head away from her, looking embarrassed.

"Just leave it to us! We'll definitely get a message off to Future Foundation!" Komaru grinned as she and the girls left.

"You two be careful! Have a safe trip!" Shirokuma waved.

---

As they headed out from the secret base, the three girls went exactly where Shirokuma instructed. On the way, they found a manga. They picked it up and read it.

---

"Wataruko Tsmichi - the meaning of life, the guidepost of my life, the world itself in my eyes. If it's for the sake of my Wataruko, I don't even mind sacrificing my own life!"

"...That's what I believed until yesterday. When I woke up that morning, Wataruko was roaming through the house, bending all the spoons... But can she bend the very fate of the world?!"

The world's best sci-fi love comedy, 1st volume!

---

Toko's eyes twitched as she blankly stared at the cover. "This is it.... This is number 1..."

Komaru tilted her head. "What do you mean number 1?"

"Of all the books in the world, this refuse known as light novels is my number 1 most hated thing!" Toko snarled. "No, I take it back. Light novels shouldn't even be counted as books! They're literally waste paper! No, not even! I wouldn't wipe my ass with this. Light novels are the worst waste of paper ever."

"...Well I obviously don't read them either..." Komaru rubbed the back of her neck. "But surely some of them aren't so bad? They say that tastes grow over time, so maybe if you give it another shot...?"

"You couldn't pay me to give light novels another shot." Toko refused.

"That's a pretty thorough hatred you have there..." Komaru sweatdropped.

"You said you don't read them either, right? That makes me think that maybe, for the first time, I can see you as a human being." Toko smirked.

"Wh-What did you see me as before!?" Komaru blinked.

"So, what kind of literature do you fancy? Post-modernism? Romanticism?" Toko pressed. "You better not tell me you like Victorian novels with a straight face."

"Um, I don't really know how it's classified... I'm really just into manga..." Komaru told her, subconsciously scratching her cheek.

Toko jaw-dropped in disbelief. "Manga!? That's not literature, it's not even a novel!"

"Well, it's a graphic novel..." Komaru lightly argued. "And there's tons of different kinds! You should try reading one."

"Collaborations from failed storyboard artists and English major dropouts?" Toko scoffed, dismissively waving her hand. "No thanks. Manga's a waste of resources too, just like light novels. Maybe worse."

"H-Hey! You can make fun of me all you want!" Komaru narrowed her eyes as she lightly grit her teeth. "But if you make fun of manga, you've crossed the line! I won't forgive you!"

"...Where did all this passion come from?" Toko wondered.

"Well, I mean... Reading manga is like, my only hobby. I'm proud of the fact I'm well-read..." Komaru puffed her cheeks. "You don't like it when people make fun of stuff you think is important, right?"

"Don't you dare talk about novels and your little picture books as if they're on the same level!" Toko fiercely pointed at her. "And you say you're more well-read than others. I bet that means you only read like 1 a week! I see through you, you're just a self-declared otaku."

"F-For a high school girl, 1 a week is a lot! I have to buy them with my allowance, after all... And what's important is the quality, not the quantity! It's about your love of the medium!" Komaru explained.

"You know what I think? I think your mind is trying to protect itself from that garbage." Toko impishly grinned. "You're subconsciously only allowing yourself to read 1 a week. 2 would probably kill you."

Komaru groaned. "Ugh, you're so frustrating! No one makes fun of manga! And making fun of me for not reading a lot of them!? Just because I refuse to buy used!?"

"Yeah... Your love of terrible manga is so gross."

"They're not terrible!"

"...Fine, but you're still gross."

Akira watched the two, sweatdropping. Why do I feel like I'm the only normal one in this trio...?

---

The girls exited the sewers. Climbing up, they got out only to be faced with a brightly-colored graveyard.

"Woah!" Komaru exclaimed, looking around. "This place is...a graveyard?!"

"...Looks like it." Toko nodded.

"It doesn't just look like it, it's clearly a graveyard..." Komaru took a nervous step back.

"This whole town is basically a graveyard, anyway. At least this place buried the bodies..." Toko mumbled before seeing Akira staring at her with an unamused look. "What, too soon?"

"Th-That's not the problem... I've had the ability to see ghosts ever since I was a kid..." Komaru claimed.

"...I don't believe you." Akira stated, blankly staring at her.

"I-I'm serious! I swear it's true!"

"Oh, really? If you like the occult, I know just the guy you should meet." Toko rolled her eyes. "He's even more of an idiot than you, you'd really hit it off. What do you say?"

"W-Well, first we have to get out of here!" Komaru said as they ran.

---

"Um, are you okay?" Komaru said as they approached a sulking man in a fetal position after getting out of the graveyard and now visiting the Towa City Riverside.

"If my options are "okay" and "not okay"... I'm pretty friggin' far from okay." The man sighed.

"Well we're not exactly okay either. I don't think a single adult in this town is okay." Toko pointed out.

"Maybe. But that don't make me feel any better. Never expected somethin' like this... Been livin' here 10 years..."

"10 years? You're from here?" Komaru perked up.  "Then do you know why the children are acting like this?"

"Don't have a friggin' clue. But I know what they done. They... Those kids... They killed my family...and made a diorama with the bodies..."

"..." The girls made a horrified look.

The man looked up at them. "...Can you imagine it? Seeing your family's bodies nailed to a wall... Necks...fixed into position with a wire... And knowing you just...you have to just hide, and watch them do it..."

"..."

"...You can't imagine it, can you? That's fine, that's...normal." He let out a hopeless and hollow chuckle. "You shouldn't have to imagine something like that your whole damn life. So why...? Why me? I wish I could be normal again, I wish I hadn't seen it... What did I do!? What did I do to deserve this!?"

"..." The girls made a sympathetic expression before walking off.

---

"Toko! Aki! We're almost at Towa Tower!" Komaru said as they looked up at it. "So this is Towa Tower... it's amazingly huge once you see it close up."

"Huge is good... it's as if I'm being looked down on... makes me all tingly..." Toko blushed.

"Jeez..." Akira sighed.

"Just as I thought... you are definitely a strange one." Komaru scratched her cheek as they walked towards it. 

But as they do, Komaru noticed the two mascot signs standing there. She walked over and took a closer look to see that...

It was Jataro?

Jataro blinked. "Aw, you found me...  I put so much work into this disguise, though..." He lamented as a couple Monokumas appeared. "I am such a coward... so cowardly, I have to resort to superior numbers just to beat a girl." He deprecated before making a wry smile. "...Do you hate me now? If you say you hate me, I'll turn you into a splendid diorama...  As the Li'l Ultimate Art, I'll put every bit of my skill into it." He declared as the Monokumas jumped over them, ready to attack.

"Ah, crapbaskets..." Akira sighed.

---

Eventually, the girls got rid of all the Monokumas. "Th-There's no more, right? That's all of them?" Komaru asked, having her Hacking Gun at the ready.

"Looks like it..." Akira said as she let out a sigh. "That was rough..."

"Looks like that gross-looking brat is gone, too. He must have gotten away in all the confusion..." Toko looked around to see that Jataro was indeed long gone. "He better not be waiting for us inside..." She grumbled before looking at Komaru. "Hey... Don't you think this was that white Monokuma's trap?"

"N-No way! Shirokuma wouldn't do that!" Komaru shook her head.

"Either way, this is definitely dangerous. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I mean, there's no place to go even if we turn back... And I don't know what else to do." Komaru admitted. "So if that's the case, the only thing we can do is move forward."

"Hmph, a pessimistic optimist..." Toko shook her head.

"But... Why do you look like you don't want to do this?"

"Huh? Wh-What do you mean?"

"I mean... You don't look like you want to go to Towa Tower. Are you worried about something?"

"I-It's not like that... You're just...thinking too much..."

"I hope so..."

---

The three then entered the tower. "So this is the Towa Tower..." Akira mused.

"Was this place a sightseeing spot?" Toko wondered. "It's usually the country bumpkins who visit towers like this."

"...That's the kind of remark that will make you a lot of enemies, fast." Komaru commented. "Anyway, we gotta try to communicate from a high place to get above the jamming waves, right? So let's try going all the way to the top." She advised as she pointed to the elevator towards them. "See, if we use that elevator, we should be able to make it to the top in no time, right?"

The walked up to it, but... "Huh? It's not moving..." Komaru noticed.

"Look, a card reader." Toko pointed to it. "Looks like we need a specific card to activate the elevator."

"I don't have a card..."

"Same here. And I doubt Aki has one on her. If that's the case, then let's just give up and head back."

"W-Wait! If we can't use the elevator, we'll just have to climb the stairs!" Komaru suggested.

Toko looked at her as if she was insane. "A-Are you serious? You want to walk all the way up there? How many floors are there!?"

"If we climb and take breaks every so often, I'm sure we'll be alright." Komaru smiled.

"Guess we got no other choice, do we...?" Akira mumbled.

Toko let out a sigh. "Jeez, I'm starting to think I liked you better when you were pessimistic all the time."

---

But while walking up the stairs, a ball-shaped Monokuma rolled down. "H-Hey, wait out!" Toko said as they side-stepped and narrowly dodged.

The girls turned around as the Monokuma ball grew arms and legs and turned to them.

Somehow Became A Meme - Ball Monokuma

"What the...?" Akira wondered as the Ball Monokuma spit a cup noodle at her. "Ack!"

Komaru shot at the Ball Monokuma in the eye, who responded by rolling towards her, but she would dodge and shoot it again. It rolled towards her again, but Akira got in the way as she picked it up. She didn't look too pleased either, a noodle cup on her head with noodles hanging on her ahoge.

"Kick the baby!" Akira said as she drop-kicked the Ball Monokuma as it was sent flying before exploding in the distance.

---

"What should we do?" Komaru asked, seeing gates covering up the entrance. "We can't move on like this."

"...Oh, looks like we gotta give up this time for sure." Toko shrugged.

But Komaru would defiantly shake her head. "I told you, I'm not giving up! Let's try looking for another way to get up."

Toko sighed. "Your persistence is starting to remind me of that other guy..."

---

The three then carried on, only to encounter a Monokuma Kid. "Ufufufu..." They handed them a note.

"Challenge: There is only 1 real key. Will you be able to find it?"

And with that, the Monokuma Kid ran off into into a door, closing it. But when Komaru ran up to it and tried to open it...

"Ah, it's locked!" Komaru said, pulling on the knob in vain.

"Crapbaskets, this again?" Akira sighed.

"Argh, jeez! So once again we have to play along with these little brats!" Toko let out a frustrated growl.

---

"Finally, found it!" Komaru picked up the key. The girls then went up to the door, and sure enough, it unlocked!

"I swear, if I see another one of those stupid kids again..." Toko grumbled as they exited the room.

Chapter 9: End

To be continued...?