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'...He finally left.'
The tragic passing of Sayaka Maizono, the brutal execution of Leon Kuwata and the unexpected death of Junko Enoshima, made every resident of hope's peak academy a little tense. Those who had previously been of good cheer, and had pushed out the possibility that they actually found themselves in such an absurd and illogical situation, experienced quite a shock. They had to face the caricatured game of the school's principal, and now, prepare to fight their insecurities and dilemmas. The only solace and support they can find comes from the restful escape provided by the comfortable, well-appointed beds in their assigned rooms.
Kyoko, however, has no time for such frivolity.
Affluent progeny's steps, began to quiet and rhythmically blended into the sound of the clock hanging on the wall. This gave her the signal to begin her ''mission.'' Kyoko leaned minimally out of Class 2-A, carefully surveying her surroundings, searching with her eyes for a tall, pretentious prick, and then took a quick steps toward the library.
Her exact purpose for the trip to the reading room was clear as day. However, she was not convinced by the success of the mission. She had already examined the shelf of medicine books when she first found herself in the oasis of silence, but had not spotted a single book that dealt with problems related to neurology. She browsed through the section on medicine in full, from top to bottom, high and wide, several times. Still, the very thought that she had missed some vital clue that could help her find the light in the tunnel tormented her and kept her anxious.
'I probably hadn't experienced a serious head injury. I don't have any symptoms of blurred vision, sometimes dizziness, but only when I try to remember something related to my relatives.'
The girl preemptively began massaging her temples.
'I feel fine and don't have any stroke symptoms, so I can cross this off as a potential cause. Maybe I just experienced some kind of surgery?'
Kyoko, upon waking up almost momentarily guessed that she lacked any knowledge of her past. She noticed that she was prone to actions like reaching for something in her miniature pocket of her jacket, which was perfectly capable of holding a notebook, or some small journal. And of course, Kyoko wouldn't find anything there. As time passed she picked up a pen and small pieces of paper at the academy, and began to write down everything she thought was important (which was a lot). Combining one thing with another, Kyoko guessed that in the past, she probably kept something there in the guise of a notebook, where she often took notes, but now seemingly forgot about it.
She opened the door to the library and slipped inside trying to keep as quiet as possible, unsure whether Byakuya had gone immediately to his room or was still wandering the abstract corridors of this ominous building.
The girl was also troubled by the incomprehensible scars found on both her hands. She couldn't imagine how they appeared on her limbs, only feeling a responsibility to keep her blemish a secret. It seemed to be a rather drastic and touchy subject, for Kyoko from the past, and she planned to respect the wishes of 'that Kyoko' by leaving the subject as a secret.
However, it gave her food for thought. Did she actually care so much about respecting the wishes of a person she doesn't even know (even if it used to be her)? She didn't have any evidence that actually 'that Kyoko' had left such a wish, she was merely relying on her speculation and intuition.
'But, how much can I rely on my senses if I don't even know who I am?'
In the grand scheme of things, it was a silly dilemma. Even if she chose to ignore 'that Kyoko's' preference, it would lead to concern from her classmates that she herself could not satisfy. She had no logical explanation as to the existence of these wounds.
Yet.
Tired, she crawled across the library, finally stumbling upon the medicine section. The room itself didn't look that big, but it was filled with an unimaginably large number of books from every field. They ranged from books solely designated for entertainment to those that were scientific in nature, though unfortunately medicine, as it was present, didn't look like it discussed topics Kyoko was interested in. She ducked to get on the level of literature that interested her and began her analysis.
' ''Gray's Anatomy'' not likely, 'Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference' maybe, 'Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease' hmm...'' '
She wondered most about the nature of her talent. It was easy to conclude that she possessed analytical qualities, given her way of thinking, and the cold-bloodedness she knew how to maintain. In addition, she had no problems analyzing corpses, which had already unfortunately led to a general discouragement of her person in the eyes of some of her classmates. It wasn't a big problem, but it was one she couldn't ignore.
She noticed that she had very good reflexes. Several times already had she dropped or caught something, or even reacted almost instantaneously adequately to the situation. She must admit that at times, she herself was amazed at her abilities.
But this gave her a lead. If her talent was analytical in nature, faced adversity that could cause physical damage or even problems often associated with the end of life, and in addition possessed certain physical characteristics, she could easily reduce her list of potential talents she had previously considered.
Doctor or surgeon is out.
A nurse also.
A physiotherapist rather too.
Jobs related to the burial of bodies are more likely.
Or perhaps working as a post-mortem technician?
These ideas, as possible, seemed unlikely. Some of them don't fulfill all the criteria Kyoko had set. In addition, she couldn't imagine herself in the role of some of these jobs, especially since she didn't have the necessary knowledge that was required to provide services as, suppose, a nurse or physiotherapist.
Her memory loss, seemed to only touched on aspects that indicate exactly what talent she possesses. The abilities themselves, continued to be deeply connected to Kyoko.
The girl shook her head slightly. She turned her gaze again to the open page of the book she had not fully consciously opened and quickly analyzed the contents of the reading once more.
'Visceral pain: the viscera are insensitive to being touched, cut or pinched, but produce a sensation of pain when exposed to an appropriate stimulus, such as distension, excessive contraction or irritation by...'
By a process of elimination, the girl came to the conclusion that her talent must be connected in some way to the investigation. She may have worked as some kind of researcher or investigator, working with the police.
Kyoko closed her eyes and sighed slightly. That doesn't make sense. There's no way anyone would let her, at such a young age, work on investigations.
But on the other hand, some classmates clearly contradict and negate the age theory. Sakura is often called the most powerful person in the world, being a similar age to Kyoko. Additionally Mondo is, as far as she knows, the head of a biker gang, which seems comical. A person attending high school lacks the experience and maturity she assumes is required in commanding a gang but still, Mondo holds the title of Ultimate Biker Gang Leader.
Her head hurts. She's not sure if it's due to contemplating about her talent and its origins, or this damn boring literature, or just pure fatigue caused by the roller coaster that was today. Confused panic, terrified screams and the gruesome sound of Leon's body being ripped apart kept playing in the girl's head.
She clenched her teeth hard.
Whilst she dreamed of being in the majestic land of idyll and tranquility that was her bed, she felt obliged to keep working, keep looking for clues, keep trying to understand. She was navigating through the land of nothingness, someone had thrown her into a space filled only with emptiness. Every tentative, incorrect step, lead to being absorbed by the void, to become one with it. Only darkness existed in front Kyoko, and behind her the embrace of nothingness tried to capture her. Steps submerged in the ocean of darkness without being-.
Steps!
As she put down the book, Kyoko quickly sprang to her feet. Preparing for the worst, she quickly tried to determine which shelf seemed the lightest, the easiest to knock over, in case someone gave in to desperation and set her as a target.
Too slow.
''Ah-!”
But it seems as if she had nothing to worry about.
A short boy stood in the doorway. His disheveled hair and dark bags under eyes indicated that he was plagued by night terrors. He looked very nervous and partly paranoid. He was hunched over, and held his hands close together at chest level, aiming to preserve at least a pinch of warmth coming from the bed.
''Naegi.''
When their eyes met, Makoto quickly formed a slight, nervous smile. Of all the people Kyoko could have met, she least expected to come into contact with the main victim of today's murders. Nonetheless, she had to admit that she was gratified by such a coincidence; the boy is definitely not one of the people she fears to meet within the walls of this school. He is weak, predictable, and most importantly- naive.
Although, it's not just for this that she was grateful that Makoto Naegi is standing in her way. He's average, which may not sound like a compliment, but looking at the expressiveness and peculiarity of the peers Kyoko was stuck with, she's glad to be spending time with someone, less eccentric.
In addition, he was one of the few who did not look at her with skepticism and mistrust. In truth, she is not surprised that others may hold her in contempt, she has not given anyone an ounce of reason to trust her. Not even herself, which is now showing up in her aimless pondering. However, these are the realities of the situation she found herself in.
It is possible that Makoto was blindsided by something he interpreted as an ''act of kindness'' on Kyoko's part. Admittedly, she did indeed help him find the perpetrator of the murder, further revealing the true nature of the person Makoto was closely associated with. However, this cannot be understood as an act that was premeditated to share the goodness that was deeply anchored in her heart.
She acted mainly under the pressure of survival.
''What are you doing here?”
This, however, was puzzling. She expected that the Ultimate Lucky student, would be the most prone on dreaming of escaping this nightmare, isolating himself in the space of his room.
Or was it completely the other way around? He was penetrated by feelings of horror and claustrophobia, spending time, alone in the space where the murder was initiated.
'"Eheheh, I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would start my exploration of the second floor. I have a few things on my mind and wanted to focus on something else.”
He scratched the back of his head, dropping the smile, clearly depicting discomfort.
Kyoko furrowed her brow and mentally sighed. She realizes that her enigmatic attitude, and analytical perception, can lead to tiresome and uninteresting conversations, but this awkwardness was killing her.
'Let's see, what topic can we talk about?'
''Do you know if they have comic books here?
...
''Comics? Don't you think that's rather childish?”
She smiled slightly, probably for the first time during her entire stay at Hope's peak Academy.
Naegi, frozen, didn't say a word for a second, maybe even two. He opened his mouth and prepared to defend himself, but Kyoko outdid him.
"Calm down, they are in the ‘other’ section.”
"Uhh.”
"On your left.”
He let out a quiet ah, nodded slightly and steered in the designated direction. Kyoko had to admit that she took pleasure in the whole situation. Not only because of Makoto's playful response to the girl's teasing, but also because it distracted her from her intrusive thoughts.
The boy illustrated the editions of comic books and manga in front of him.
He looked hesitant, eager to get something out. He played with the zipper of his hoodie and secretly, almost unnoticeably, swung from left to right.
''When I was young, my parents often read me comic books when I was, ummm, sad.”
As he spoke, he allowed himself a few quick glances in Kyoko's direction. She tried to portray as understanding and interested as possible, but from the luckster's perspective, she looked cold and uninviting. This slightly abashed him, which Kyoko momentarily noticed and silently sighed.
Makoto, however, felt an inner need to share his memories with someone. Even if he preferred his interlocutor to be more expressive, more open, more like Saya-.
He shook his head aggressively. Everywhere he looked, either a dead girl manifested itself to him, or somehow personified her.
Even now, when he spoke to Kyoko, he didn't spare imagining the ends of the lavender individual's hair changing to a fabulous, aggressive blue cholor.
Was... was what he was doing now ok?
In a time of mourning and lament, he guessed he could afford to hold on to thoughts that made him comfortable. But, was it fair to Kyoko? Did he treat Sayaka's death with respect and regard, and most importantly, is this an adequate way to face the reality of the situation he was in?
He again turned his gaze toward Kyoko whom continued with her impassive expression.
'Ah right, she's waiting for me to continue.'
''And now after the... murder, I thought that, maybe the library would have something intriguing to offer.”
Makoto's utterances, was accompanied by numerous pauses and tentative stutters, spicing up, an already very awkward conversation between the two teenagers.
''And that's why you will read Spider-Man comics?”
She asked with a teasing smirk.
An embarrassed smile appeared on Makoto's face again, but this time it wasn't forced like at the beginning of the interaction with Kyoko.
''Ehh, you know- ''
Another attempt to explain himself to the girl was stopped by a sudden feeling of fatigue. Like a wave it seized all his thoughts, all his intentions, leaving only a loud sound.
And that sound was a yawn.
''I can't really blame you for such reaction, it is already three o'clock in the morning.”
Three o'clock! How time flies quickly.
''Hehe, forgive Kyoko. I guess I really am sleepy."
The girl closed her eyes, as if thinking about something much more important and worthwhile than this conversation.
''Well then, go to your room. Tomorrow I shall share with you and the rest of the group what I've managed to find on this floor.”
"Then good night? Sleep well."
The boy grabbed volumes of other comic books of the hero's history and set his new destination, his room.
Sleep? Kyoko begged that the opportunity for sleep would not come. Even if her body protested against this thought, ostentatiously letting her fatigue be known.
There was no moment to delay, the girl still had much to discover, plenty of things to investigate. Fleeing to bed would only sabotage her intentions, lead her into the void, drag her into the pitchforks of despair.
She is obliged to uncover the secrets of this school. And maybe even the secrets of herself?
The loud clatter between the group of seven people, was momentarily halted, by the loud steps of heeled shoes. Each step aroused tension, focusing all attention ans interest, but also dread.
From a dimly lit corridor, Kyoko revealed herself to them. She had her head slightly lowered, although it was hard to determine her expression, because the curtains of darkness, effectively blocked her face. Her whole figure, did not resemble a fellow student with whom Hope's peak academy students were familiar. She resembled more like a perspective that cannot be fought, that comes to everyone at thier darkest moment.
Some even held their breaths, which was puzzling, because they had basically nothing to fear, right?
The darkness unveiled itself as Kyoko approached the table.
''Hello.''
The momentary silence, was replaced by Taka's heartfelt, though filled with a hint of unease, greeting, which encouraged Aoi, and Mondo to parrot the politeness.
Celestia opted for a slow nod, as did Sakura.
Only Yasuhiro and Hifumi did not reciprocate the welcome.
''Uhmm... Kyoko did you...?”
Aoi began, but her statement was stopped by a sudden dryness in her throat. She quickly covered her face and coughed, directing her gaze to the ground.
''What Asahina was trying to say, had you slept at all, dear?"
It didn't take a detective to notice the big black bags under the girl's eyes.
Kyoko glanced in Celestia's direction, then lazily sat down in the nearest chair.
Yasuhiro couldn't contain his comments about ghosts and the similarities between her and the graveyard terror, which provoked numerous scowls. Kyoko merely rolled her eyes.
''...I have some new things to share with you... but... first...''
She felt her eyes close only for a second, and instatly the void surrounded her.
To dramatically, find herself in the dining room again, when Hifumi's screech announced to everyone that yes, Kyoko Kirigiri had fallen asleep.