✧ Chapter 53 ✧
[ The Plague That I Have Caught ]
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[ Kokichi's PoV ]

"First of all, I'm not the Mastermind.. you've got that wrong." I continued to glare at the expressionless face of Nagito Komaeda, his eyes dark and stormy looking, "Secondly, what the hell are you doing here? And what's with that random rabbit sidekick?"

The lucky student didn't move his knife away but his gaze softened slightly, as if he were interested in my question. His skin was so white, I wondered if he's never seen the light of day.

"I'll answer the first question, Ouma.." he said my name with coldness, "You see, the first question will link to the second. Your hope.. it's so damaged, yet so full of love. Your love for your other Mastermind friend.. you see."

I pushed away his leg, using my elbow to prop myself up, "Excuse me, weirdo, but are you saying Saihara and I are the Masterminds?" his name slipped from my lips easily. Dumbass, I scolded myself, the weirdo didn't mention names.

"Correct." Nagito inclined his head forward in a nod, "You and this.. Shuichi person, created the three Serums together. If I remember correctly, you had a recording of yourself.." he suddenly trailed off as he dug his hands in his pockets.

I glanced at Keebo, who looked equally confused as Nagito continued muttering to himself. This.. seemed weird. This wasn't the hope-obsessed guy everyone had warned me about. People change. I remembered him saying.

"Here." the white haired teenager held out a tablet, which had a wide screen on it. Engraved by its sides, were intelligible words and scratches. "It took Hinata and I ages to find proof, so take care of it."

I got to my feet, taking the device and at the same time, rubbing the painful area on my chest.

"H-Hajime Hinata.." I muttered as he nodded, turning the device on making the screen flicker to life. So my theory was true.. but why were people who I've thought were long gone were now coming back again? Jeez, so confusing.

A loud crackle of static caught my attention.

[ Recording ]

A younger version of me looked at the camera, hitting it a few times. "Is this thing on?" Kokichi on screen grumbled as he kept hitting the device.

Keebo however, kept wincing each time he did so. "He's abusing it." I could hear him muttered under his breath. The static crackled louder and finally settled to a faint humming sound in the background.

"Okay, finally.." Past Kokichi sighed and sat back on a chair, folding his arms. He looked slightly ticked off, as if he had planned something that didn't really work out. "Well? This is Day 53 without me getting together with Shuichi Saihara and this is pissing me off!"

"I've created the serums he asked for and yet, he didn't keep his promise!" the Kokichi on screen huffed impatiently, "I know he's too busy with his work and whatever but I just want him to notice me! I'll even kill someone for it!"

He lazily waved a knife on screen, regarding its sharpened edge with an expression of unconcern. "That's why I'm recording this. He's my partner in this huge project we're working on, and he's mine! So, Future Ouma, if you ever discover this tape, just kill anyone who gets in my way! If there's no one, good! Get the guy! Don't wait! Got it?"

Kokichi on screen looked insane.. was that really me?

"Do anything to get Shuichi Saihara, because.." he suddenly giggled, "He's just so gorgeous.. so handsome.. seriously, I can go on and on.." he sighed dreamily, propping his head up with his arm and twirling a strand of his hair.

I slowly lowered my hand from the strand of hair I was playing around with and bit my lip. Whoops..

The recording switched off as Nagito quietly swiped the screen of the gadget a few times before stopping. "That.. that must be a fake, can't it?" I started to say hesitantly, "I mean, there's no way that can be me!"

"That is you, whether you like it or not." Nagito replied harshly but his expression didn't change as he handed the device back to me, "This is when it starts getting crazier.."

I didn't want to watch anymore but.. I couldn't help but want to find out what happened. What was I thinking? Was I really this obsessed?

The video played:

"Day 65." the familiar voice of mine told me. Everything in the video was pitch black, as light slowly started to illuminate the room. "I just got ignored by Shuichi.. so insulating."

The Kokichi on screen sounded angry, furious, and confused. The camera shifted so I could see my past self on screen. His hair was a mess, but his eyes held so much anger, I felt a pang of fear for a moment. I didn't want to cross him. "He actually dared to go out with another person? Well, that's sooo not happening!"

Kokichi on screen held up a syringe, full of pink liquid. "This is the Reverse Serum.. the ability to erase memories of their loved one. The other two are the Revival and the Regain. Hell.. when this is all over, I swear I'll find a way back to him." my former self clenched his fists.

"It's not easy getting rejected, dear Future Ouma.." he suddenly smiled happily, "So that's why I'm willing to erase my own memories and start fresh!"

The camera shifted down to show his arm, held out and the point of the needle pressed against the skin. "If he and I start over.." he sighed dreamily, "Maybe we'll end up together.. but as a reminder.."

The Kokichi on screen held up his arm, to show two initials by the side. Cut on his skin, were the letters: S.S. It looked fresh, and was still bleeding slightly. I held my breath, suddenly recognising the symbols.

Kokichi on screen dropped his hand and smiled at the camera. His purple eyes now held no emotion as he injected himself with the serum. "Find my beloved Shuichi. And after that.. just destroy the world together, would you?"

With that, the camera switched off.

"It was your own doing," Nagito told me as I dropped the device to the ground. "Don't you see? You don't remember because you did it to yourself. You were sick of your friend's rejection that you took matters into your own hands.."

My eyes were fixed on a pale white scar on my forearm. It was always there.. I never wanted to tell anyone about it, since I was confused and puzzled about it's true meaning.

S.S.

It had always been there. Back in the van when he and I were on our way o the hospital, I could see it. When Shuichi's hand brushed against the scars, I pulled away because I knew.. deep down.. what it meant.

I just never wanted to show anyone.

"Now you know," Nagito's drawling voice continued, "All these terrible things happened because Shuichi fell in love with too many people, and you got jealous. Simple as that."

"I guess I should be thankful I lost my memories then," I pressed my palm against my chest to relieve the pain once more, but stopped when Nagito held the knife to my face. In his other hand, he held short a metal pole, pointing it at Keebo who had froze in the middle of an attempt to escape. This guy.. was good.

"You're seriously expecting us to clean up your mess for you just because you used a pathetic excuse as forgot?" he growled, his voice low and threatening, "Fix your own mess, Mastermind."

"Seriously, you're annoying me," I didn't lie, and obviously, the taller male knew that, "Who resurrected you from the goddamn grave and made you king?"

"Komaeda-!" Usami squeaked as the white haired teenager grabbed me by the collar of my shirt. But I didn't feel scared.. just hit with a sense of familiarity. "For your information," his eyes glowed red, "Hajime.. used the Revival Serum on me. He didn't have a choice. But I wonder.."

"Why would he save a worthless piece of trash like me? He could've revived someone else.. someone worthier. But he chose me. I'm not even supposed to be alive.."

"The one and only Revival serum is gone then.?" Keebo spoke up suddenly, "It's used on you."

Nagito scowled, letting go of my shirt and looking disappointed. "But it's rather used on me, than to be used on the late Junko Enoshima.. surely you know of the Monokuma Traitor's disastrous plans."

I tilted my head. Junko Enoshima? She sure sounded familiar..

"They were planning on capturing you and Saihara to make you two revive her," Komaeda continued forlornly, "If they get their hands on either one of you, that can mean trouble." Nagito explained with a brush of his hand through his pearly white hair. Albino. I thought suddenly as I watched him. Huh.

"Sorry, what?" I shook my head out of my daze as Usami, the rabbit, continued wiggling around in Keebo's arms, trying to get away. Man, that was distracting, but I pressed on, "Sorry but not sorry to disappoint, but I don't remember making the serums at all. Not one bit. But why do I remember meeting Shuichi when I was younger-?"

"Making fabricated memories are your specialty, since you like lies so much," The lucky student explained in a monotone. "All you had to do are implant fake memories and hence, that's your mistake."

"I know what else is a mistake," I replied to him with a sly smirk, "Your entire existence is a mistake."

Nagito shot me a look of pure poison, his eyes narrowed. "Oooh scary." I taunted as Keebo shifted his weight from foot to foot.

"Ouma, I don't think you should anger him.. have you seen how fast he moves? He's about as speedy as Maki."

"I knew I should've included classes back at the Hideout: How to tolerate Ouma's stupid comments," Nagito huffed, keeping the metal rod as it collapsed to a shorter metal beam, around the length of his forearm. He strapped it to himself and closed his ruby red eyes for a brief moment. "First of all, here's the plan of action now."

You and your friend are going to visit the Remnants with me, and we'll plan from there. It's not safe for you here in the Academy, not with Monokuma and his traitors roaming around.

"If our principal had allowed your freedom so easily, it means that they've planned to keep your Mastermind friend at the Hospital in the first place," Nagito continued, "And please," he glanced at Keebo, "Let go of Usami, would you? Her form is rather fragile."

The bus eyed teenager slowly placed the fluffy rabbit onto the floor. And immediately scampered over to Nagito.

"T-Thanks Komaeda.." she hid behind his leg as the white haired teenager petted her head. Their friendship. was somewhat unusual. Hmm.

"I still don't think you should be hanging around a piece of trash like me, Usami.."

"For the last time.." she patted his knee in return, "You're not a piece of trash.. haven't Hinata lectured you about that?"

Nagito blushed faintly, but he didn't say anything. "Let's get going.. it's nearly morning after all."

"Wait." I held up my hands, "What makes you think that I-."

"We." Keebo interrupted.

"We." I empathised, "Trust you? You were dead. What makes you think you're not a trap, or a hologram programmed by the Monokuma Traitors?"

Nagito paused, mild amusement in his eyes as he smiled. His red irises glinted behind the lenses of his glasses. "Ahh.. such a good question, Ouma. You're sharp. Just like a perfect leader.. for me to speak to such a high rank as you makes a piece of trash like me feel inferior-." 

"Get on with it." I huffed.

"-To answer your question, you can trust me. My first intention was to kill you on the spot, but curiosity burned in me the moment I laid my despicable eyes on such a person such as you. A true Mastermind behind this whole project! However, after seeing your reaction to those two videos.. your shock was genuine."

"So let me ask you a question in turn," he extended a hand towards me, "What is your main goal right now? It determines the amount of hope you have you see.."

I processed his words. What was my goal?

To stop Keebo from pestering me to save that weird Shuichi Saihara. After this, I was going to be alone, and finally do whatever I wanted without bothersome Keeboy around.

No, that sounded.. fake. I was lying to myself about what I wanted. I was curious about this Shuichi person. Was he really that great if I fell in love with him not once, but twice?

I wanted to see Shuichi Saihara..

That was my goal.

Not to fall in love with him, duh, but to see what he was like.

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[ Maki's PoV ]

"Please, rest." The girl gazed down at me, holding a long strip of a bloodstained bandage in her right hand. On her other hand, she held piece of gauze. "You got injured pretty badly."

I swatted her outstretched hand away, the small gesture making my shoulder flare with pain. "I don't.. need your help." I told her, gritting my teeth. I hated being so vulnerable like this, it reminded me of my time at the orphanage.. when I couldn't stop Monokuma from taking K-.

The girl regarded me with her magenta eyes, but I couldn't tell who it was behind that hood she had put up. Wait- magenta eyes? I noticed the colour of the hoodie she was wearing. I instinctively grabbed at the knife from my belt, but I came away with nothing.

"Hey..there will be no violence, Harukawa.. please," the girl sighed, holding up her palm, presenting a small medicine capsule. "I just want to help you."

"You're the one who saved me from that hallway, aren't you? Just because you saved me doesn't mean I immediately trust you, Traitor." I snapped, making the girl purse her lips together slightly. She held out a hand once more.

"Very much so. I couldn't leave you at the hands of those so-called doctors. Besides, you'll be safe in here."

I ignored her outstretched hand again and slowly swung my legs off the bed I was lying on. 

I let my eyes travel across the room, realising that everything seemed to be painted in dark purple and pink hues. There were several posters lining the walls and the glow of a computer being the only source of light. Empty bottles of some sort of soft drink lay across the floor, and a bookshelf crammed with papers and other reading material. 

However, everything seemed to be unused and covered with a layer of dust. The only clean object in the room must. be the bed I was sitting on, a chair in front of the glowing computer and the ceiling fan spinning lazily above. Blinds covered the window, so I could not see what time it was outside...

The layout of the room doesn't seem to be the academy, so I was probably still in the Hospital..

"Who are you then?" I asked her, holding my right arm which was stinging with random bursts of pain, "It seems unfair that you know my name, and yet I can't recognise you."

The girl fidgeted with the strings of her Monokuma hoodie, casting her eyes to the floor. "By helping you, a Remnant of Love, I'm a traitor.. I guess your friend, Keebo and I, have something in common."

She hesitated for a moment before sighing. The girl then pulled off her hoodie with a flourish, revealing her short, pale mauve hair. She had short straight bangs, and a pixelated hair clip holding parts of her frindge. Her eye colour stayed the same, but I knew who she was.

"Chiaki Nanami." I muttered as the gamer smiled slightly. 

"Hey hey."

♥ End of Chapter Fifty-Three ♥