"Yes. Mugen City. He's been kidnapped."

"I knew it. I figured his plan would backfire on him like this."

"Byakuya, you and I both know his plan can succeed. He's smart, but it was stupid to go alone."

"Then why didn't you go with him?"

"Director Tengan needed me. Plus, I told him not to go alone, but he wouldn't listen."

"Just because you're his boss, Kyoko, doesn't mean he has to listen to you."

I sighed. "Listen, I'm currently on my way to Mugen City right now to track him. Kizakura, Hina, and Seiko are with me in the helicopter."

"So that's where that went. Glad of you to tell the whole division first."

"There wasn't time. We need to get there before they try to do anything to him. Until I get back, you're the acting head."

"I can handle that. I'm guessing you'll call if you need backup?"

"I certainly will. But for now, we're going to try to find and infiltrate their base with stealth. We're approaching the landing point now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

I hung up on him, looking out onto the city.

Makoto... I'll find you.

[><]

"So, we finally found you, Makoto Naegi." I slowly approached him, taking note of his eyes that weren't bloodshot, but merely on his guard. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person." His gag prevented him from talking. I looked at Mikan, and her devilishly delicious smile told me I was allowed. Gently, as to not hurt him, I took the gag out of his mouth.

"Nagito Komaeda, Ultimate Lucky Student, Class 77." was his immediate statement. "From what Ms. Yukizome and Mr. Kizakura says about you, your luck is powerful enough to cause traffic accidents, blow up buildings, survive plane crashes, and do it all with nothing more than a scratch on you in most cases."

"Glad to know you do your research," I said, teasingly. "What else do you know?"

He glanced aside at Mikan. "Mikan Tsumiki, Ultimate Nurse, Class 77. You were classmates. Ms. Yukizome and Mr. Kizakura have both reported numerous cases of tripping and falling into," he paused, looking a bit flustered, "lewd positions... Despite this, she has excellent medical experience."

Mikan giggled, leaning on Makoto's head like an armrest. "That's not the only thing I'm good at, Macky. I certainly did a good job tying you up, didn't I? Oh, and who was the one to inject you with the drug that made you pass out again?"

Makoto looked down, dejected. "I let my guard down. Your plan to distract me with fighting Teruteru worked. I shouldn't have been so careless..."

I gave Mikan a surprised look. "You and Teruteru captured him?"

She nodded. "And he was quite skilled while fighting, too. He managed to knock him out actually. Luckily, I got to him before he could bring Teruteru into custody. Such a blind fool to go alone, Macky."

I hummed, leaning down to place a hand on Makoto's chin. "You've run out of luck, Makoto Naegi. Because you aren't going to be the same person when we're through with you. You'll either be dead, full of despair, or worse."

He tried to struggle out of his ropes, but Mikan definitely had him in there tight. "You don't have to do this. I can cure you! There's a simulation! We can bring back your old selves!"

Mikan and I giggled at him. "Our old selves? Those people are long gone now, Makoto Naegi," she taunted.

But I wore a serious expression. "A simulation you say? Is that how hope shall win the day?"

Both of them looked surprised. "Nagito, what are you saying?" Mikan asked me.

I looked up at her. "Don't you get it, Mikan? Hope will always win in the end against Despair! That's why I have no problem with being Despair! That's why I have no problem assisting you like the dirty worthless being that I am!"

Makoto looked determined. "You aren't worthless! None of you are! If you just come with me, I can help you all!"

Mikan shook her head. "I don't think so. Come Nagito. I think that's all we're going to get out of him."

Nodding, I stood up. As we turned to leave, Makoto spoke up again. "Please consider it. Turn yourselves in! Almost all of Future Foundation wants you dead! If you come with me, I can save you all!"

I turned back, putting the blindfold and gag back. "Makoto Naegi," I said to him. "Hope will indeed win in the end. But until it does... I shall be filled with glorious despair. Now don't try to get yourself killed." With that, I left the room with Mikan.

When we returned to the meeting room, Akane was the first one to speak up. "Hey! Morons! Did you get anything good out of him?"

Mikan shook her head. "Nothing but stupid ideas. I guess the Ultimate Hope isn't as strong as we think he is."

"He talked about a simulation," I said. "Something he claims can bring back our old selves."

A select few at the table laughed. Ibuki stuck her tongue out. "What an idiot! He still thinks those lame people are still inside us? They're dead!"

Fuyuhiko nodded in agreement. "Those people will never exist again." Peko nodded silently in agreement with her master.

"If I may, I believe we should at least consider surrendering to him," I suggested. "He says almost the entire Future Foundation wants us dead, and he is one of the few that will spare us for this program. And since hope will win in the end, why waste time fighting when it's all pointless in the end?"

"Are you high? There's no way we're surrendering, you piece of trash!" Hiyoko taunted.

"There is no rule that prevents us from surrendering," Nekomaru stated. "We could save much hassle if we go quietly now."

"Oh, is the old coach getting soft on us now?" Akane retorted. "You'd fight the Future Foundation with your bare hands and now you want to give up?"

Nekomaru shook his head. "I fight them to keep you all alive. I cannot spread despair myself, so I shall guard your lives so you can do it for me. That is my purpose in this group, Akane."

Akane huffed, putting her feet on the table. "Suit yourself."

"Does anyone else agree with me?" I asked.

Kazuichi spoke up this time. "Say, Nagito. That chain is new. Where'd you get it?"

He was referring to the collar around my neck with the long chain attached. "This? Oh, just something I got from my... experience with the Warriors of Hope. Why?"

"Cause if you don't shut up about that simulation, I'm going to tie it to the back of the truck and drive across town with you attached."

I sat down at the table, not saying another word. Mikan sat down next to me. She whispered something before the meeting continued.

"You should be more mindful about about what you say to the others. I don't want my lucky darling to die."