Graham Forester's Story

---

Faussin frowned, taking another bite of his apple. Levi had a point. Maybe if they'd skipped out on that nap, they would've gotten more done and they'd be closer to the end goal. The longer they sat around, the longer they were stuck there, and the more terrible things were at risk of happening. Why prolong the misery when they could just force their way to the end of it?

You're not wrong," Faussin admitted, sighing. "I'm sorry, I-I wish I could help more. If I'd been more stable earlier, then things would be--ah...I-I shouldn't talk about that. Nevermind. I'm just sorry that I had to get injured in the first place because if I was smarter, I could've stopped that. But I'm not, so I didn't, and now it's making things harder for everyone."

He scratched the back of his head, relieved that it was just him and Levi for a change (stable, thankfully.) Without the pressuring presence of everyone else around, he felt like he could talk freely for once. No judgemental looks or crushing guilt after he said something he probably shouldn't have, no watching his words or convincing himself that all anyone wanted him to do was stop talking. It was...nice.

"You should investigate," Faussin said. He got the feeling no one else was planning to do so for a while, so the two could at least get a jump on things. "Maybe you could get things from Eriko's room and bring them in here for us to finish reading? Unless you don't want to go back in there just yet, which I-I wouldn't blame you for. It's just that we don't really know where any of the other pamphlets are..."

---

---

Mercy took another bite of her sandwich, swallowed, then chuckled. "Yeah, no, that was a complete lie. I got the feeling he wasn't going to go to sleep any other way, so I figured maybe it was a better idea to let him believe we would rather than run the risk of him refusing and not getting any sleep at all."

She closed her eyes, still a bit tired. It was probably alarming that Mercy could lie with so little hesitation and with such practiced smoothness, but frankly, she saw it as a plus. For situations like this, it came in handy.

"He's probably gonna be mad at us," she mumbled, sighing. He can suck it up, though. He needs this. "We can tell him it was my idea. That way, he'll only be mad at me. If he gets mad at all. Graham's a softie..."

As much as she hoped it would, she got the feeling a few hours of sleep wasn't going to fix whatever was bothering the thief so much. With Faqir's upset over Graham's mental state, she was hesitant to bring up anything else about him, but at the same time, maybe they'd have a better chance of helping him if they exchanged ideas on how to try and help him.

Mercy shifted, suddenly tired of sitting around. "We're not just going to sit here and wait for him to wake up, are we?"

“You’re fine,” Levi insisted. “Between us, there are still four people who can walk and run perfectly fine and three of those four can probably carry you. Er...two of those four. And Graham is one of them. I don’t mind running errands until you feel better. Actually, to be honest, I prefer it. Cleaning, cooking, running out to pick things up for others...those were the things I did at Lucifer’s house and my apartment to keep my mind off stuff. On that note, I still owe you a meal, huh?”

Levi was surprised at his own lack of a reaction to the mention of Eriko’s room. It was a constant reminder of the mistakes that had begun his steady series of breakdowns, but in this sort of situation it served more as a beacon to complete the fight they had begun. Besides, his handbook was still in there.

Suddenly more aware of the scarf Madoka had given him laying to the side, Levi scooped it up, wrapping it around his neck. He’d removed it to sleep in case all his tossing and turning accidentally strangled him, but now that everyone was safe it was a welcome warmth. Besides, it would hide the bandages and his scar.

“If I hadn’t killed Eriko, Monokuma would have found someone else who would. It was going to happen. She was too good at this, too inspiring--he wanted to break us and taking her was a surefire way to do that. So…” Levi took a deep breath, his own growing confidence continuing to surprise him. “I think I can face her. At the least, if someone else had done it she might not have died so painlessly. Well...where did we leave her handbook? Does Mercy still have it?”

Speaking of Mercy…

Levi opened the Junko pamphlet back up, scanning for the locations it had mentioned. The Market and the library--Faqir and Mercy were in the former and Graham had been in the latter looking for books when Levi made his escape to the pool. What were the odds they had already found those?

The fifth floor, though--there were locked rooms there. It was likely Monokuma had dropped something there, right?

“If I promise to run and get back within five minutes, would you be okay if I ran up to the fifth floor?” he asked. “There were locked rooms there and I’m willing to bet Monokuma hid something in one of those.”

---

Grateful, Faqir chuckled, reaching to pick up his partway eaten sandwich and munch on it. “Good. Because there’s no way I was gonna let him leave if he didn’t seem rested. ...If you don’t mind, could we go to the computer lab?”

Now that the immediate crisis had slowed, Faqir remembered the directions in the pamphlet he’d found. Supposedly, there was another one in the computer lab that detailed the fall of Hope’s Peak.

Something like that was less likely to trigger something, at least. Faqir had a gnawing feeling that it was very important.

“There’s another one of those things I found in there,” he explained, “according to the one I have. I’m...curious. Don’t worry, this one probably won’t make me lose my mind, but if it does a kiss will probably snap me out of it.”

Much better. There you go, Faqir, you old scamp. You’re getting there.

---

Faussin nodded. "I'd be fine. I trust you, and I trust myself, so I-I'm sure everything will be fine. Um...I would appreciate it if you hurry, though. It's just--like I said, I-I trust you, it's just that...I don't know how to explain it. Just please don't take too long? Wh-what are you getting?"

The last time you left, you tried to drown yourself. He didn't want to say it out loud in fear of reminding Levi of the experience, but that was definitely the reason why he was hesitant to see Levi leave by himself. On the subject of Eriko's room, though, where was the girl's handbook? It would only make sense that Mercy still had it, he supposed...

"I wasn't really paying that much attention this morning," he admitted, though he had a feeling that was probably obvious. The idea of facing the others after what he'd done the night before had been downright terrifying. At least Levi had the choice of hiding in his room after his trial, but with everything that had happened after Faussin's, he felt pressured to tag along. Maybe it would've been better if he'd just stuck in his room, ignoring everyone. "S-so I have no idea where Eriko's handbook ended up. I wouldn't be surprised if Mercy still had it. M-maybe you can grab it from her on the way up to the fifth floor? If you wouldn't mind, I mean."

They'd certainly ask questions about why Levi was investigating instead of Madoka, which could quite possibly lead to "Madoka tried to kill me" and many more questions after that. Faussin would understand if Levi didn't want to deal with that. Maybe they'd be fine with whatever he wanted from the fifth floor for now?

---

---

"I don't mind. Worried about your foot, though," Mercy muttered. "Since you seem so set against me reading these pamphlets, I'm going to guess you'd mind if I went and found it instead? I wouldn't read it, of course, just find it and bring it back here so you wouldn't have to stress your foot even more."

Alright, so the promise that she wouldn't read it may have been a lie, she wasn't sure yet. On one hand, she was feeling stable and her curiosity was beginning to eat away at her, but on the other hand, if he didn't want her to read it, it was probably for a good reason. But they were different people, weren't they? Different things affected them. And Mercy got the feeling the same things that'd hit Faqir so hard wouldn't be as scarring to her.

Besides, this was a different pamphlet, right? By the sound of it, he expected this one to be less jarring than the other, so that was another plus.

There was still the one that he'd tucked into his pillowcase, too. She could grab that one any time she wanted, admittedly. It was just the problem of reading it quickly enough and out of sight so that he wouldn't see. And, again, its allegedly terrible contents.

Levi thought about it, trying to see if he could think up anything in particular that might actually be on the fifth floor.

"I'm not sure," he admitted. "Whatever looks like it can help with the investigation, I guess. Mm...I guess I should probably stop and see if Mercy has that handbook, huh?"

He stood, stretching again, and placed his half-finished apple aside. Offering Faussin a smile, Levi moved towards the door, honestly excited just to get outside this office again. The fountain in the main lobby still frankly terrified him--all water did now more than ever--but if he went fast, he would barely have to look at it.

"I'll hurry," he promised. "...A-and if Mercy asks what happened, I'll just...come up with something. I'm pretty good at acting. And lying. ...Don't think too hard about that."

---

Faqir bit his lip, considering it. Knowing they hadn't actually gotten into the real Hope's Peak was bad, but would it cause crippling depression? It was worth being careful--Faqir knew he would be okay but Mercy might be different.

"You can get it," he offered. "Just...promise me you won't read it alone. We can read it together when you get back, I'm not...as worried about this one, but I'd just rather be safe than sorry."

At the least, he couldn't let her find the other pamphlet. Conscious of it, he reached to the pillow he'd hidden it in, placing a hand on it to make sure no one could sneak something out of it before they finished.

---

Faussin smiled nervously. "A-alright. Though, I guess we should tell someone what happened eventually..."

But it doesn't have to be now, he figured, glancing back at Madoka. Thinking about it, they probably could get away with never telling anyone. They could leave this place with no one having a clue about what actually happened downstairs after Graham left for the second time. Would things be better that way?

"...Or not. I-I guess it depends."

He took a bite of his apple, suddenly more aware of the fact that it was Madoka who'd brought the food for them to eat. He would've appreciated the gesture regardless, but with how hungry he was, he found he was more grateful than usual. With all of the doubting Faussin did, Madoka had to have cared, didn't he? ...Unless he was thinking more of Levi when he brought the food, which he figured was probably the case.

But, even then...

Faussin shook his head, sighing. Maybe it wouldn't be better to dwell on it. Care or not, would it really matter once they got out of there? Couldn't he just put all of this behind him?

No.

This was too terrible to ever forget. This would stay with him until the day he died. He had a feeling the other students felt the exact same way.

---

---

Reading it together? Though she'd never say it out loud, Mercy felt the way she was being treated wasn't that far off from how one treated a child. Sure, she probably deserved to be treated this way after all of the breakdowns she'd had, but it was starting to bother her. Quite frankly, there was a part of her that wanted to read it alone just to spite Faqir.

"Promise," she said instead, holding back a sigh. She could deal with it for a bit longer--again, she'd brought it on herself. If she hadn't acted the way she had, none of this would've happened in the first place. If I could've just held it together for a bit longer, then maybe things wouldn't have ended up so sh*tty. Faqir would've been there for Graham when the thief needed him, I would've been downstairs to make sure Levi didn't nearly kill himself, and I wouldn't have to feel this way. Way to ruin everything, Mercy...

She raised herself to a stand, frowning slightly. "You don't mind if I grab a brush from the salon, too, do you? My hair's starting to drive me crazy."

Levi nodded, glancing back at Madoka. On the one hand, keeping secrets from everyone forever felt wrong somehow--after everything they’d been through together and the fact that they were looking for secrets in the first place, hiding anything was like a violation of trust.

On the other...Levi had a feeling some of the others were already keeping secrets. Most likely to protect everyone--how was this any different?

“If there’s ever a situation where it’s dire for them to know, maybe then we can say something.” Levi returned to Faussin to give him a quick hug. “Otherwise, everyone has secrets. This is one we don’t need to share. Madoka was trying to hide that pamphlet from us, after all, and I’m beginning to think Faqir, Mercy, and Graham have their own things to hide. It’s like we’re split into two secret clubs, huh?”

Returning to the door, Levi paused, one foot in the hallway. Gazing out at the walls in front of him, he was suddenly reminded of the last time he’d stepped outside. That time, too, he’d run down the hallway at top speed towards a destination.

But that time was different. That time, Levi hadn’t had anything to live for. That time, he hadn’t been challenged.

Things are different now. I’m different now.

“I promise I’ll come back.” Levi smiled at Faussin, hoping to keep him at ease. “If I killed myself now, Monokuma would win. That just won’t do--Clair has never lost control yet and neither of us plan to start now. Now that I can sense the full scope of the situation, dying now would just be pointless. Why die if I have nothing to gain from it? No selfless sacrifices, no way to open up new avenues of exploration, no one to protect...seems boring if you ask me. If I die...I want it to mean something.”

I don’t want to die for nothing. I don’t want to hold anyone back anymore.

That said, Levi offered Fauss one final wave before moving off into the hallway. He lingered just a moment to listen for any responses, then took off down the hall, trying his best to ignore the gurgling water in the fountain.

There was work to be done.

If I die...it’s going to be taking you with me, b*tch.

---

“Go ahead,” Faqir offered. “I trust you, pretty girl. Thanks.”

I trust you. It was the truth, but...it still felt strange. Faqir couldn’t explain it, but...as much as he trusted Mercy, in the back of his mind he was still terrified. The possibility of suicide was too real. Not only for Mercy, but for Faussin and Levi downstairs.

He knew--even one death would mean too many others. If Mercy died? No doubt either Faussin or Levi would vote themselves to die--heck, even Graham or Madoka could resort to that now. Whoever did, at least one remaining person would be driven to kill themselves and the process would repeat. What if only Faqir and Madoka were left? What if only Faqir and Graham were left? What if only Faqir and Mercy were left? He wasn’t strong enough to carry whoever it was out alone. He wanted to be, but he just wasn’t.

Faqir drew his strength from others. What would happen when there was no one left to draw from?

When. He had already finalized it. Somehow, Faqir had already confirmed to himself that there was no one left for him to refuel on. It was over--Graham had collapsed. Mercy was suicidal. Madoka had begged someone to kill him. Levi nearly drowned himself. Faussin was psychotic.

Faqir had nearly given up.

Stop…

Don’t think that...stop, please…

O-oh God…

The severity of the situation hit full-force. What if Graham really ever recovered? What if Mercy’s newfound stability didn’t last? What if Madoka had already convinced one of the two left downstairs to kill him? What if everyone else fell apart at the seams?

And now, with escape not even an option to refuel anymore…

O-oh God. I can’t be alone. Someone, someone please help...s-someone please…

I’m almost ready to die.

What did it matter anymore? If everyone else was already giving up, could Faqir even keep them together anymore? If no one was stable--if no one was strong--could one person really save all of them?

Throughout the last trial, Faqir had told himself again and again that he would drag everyone out by himself if he had to...but was that even an option?

And if it wasn’t…

Why was he still trying?

It was at that moment Faqir realized he couldn’t breathe.

O-oh God. Oh God. Oh God.

“I-I’m fine,” he croaked, forcing himself to smile.

You keep saying that, you f*cking liar.

Calm down, come on...please, calm down…

Breathe. Breathe. Just breathe.

You cannot do this. They need you. Everyone needs you. You’re the last one. Didn’t you see Graham? He’s broken. He’s clearly broken and no nap is going to fix that.

Mercy is fine now, but how long will that last? She’s been “fine” before.

Is Madoka even still holding up? Who’s to say everyone downstairs hasn’t killed each other?

A surge of bile rose in his throat. Unable to even suck in a breath, Faqir emptied it to the side, his lungs burning.

Breathe! Breathe, d*mmit! Y-you can’t do this!

He tried to suck in a deep breath, only for it to be interrupted by another round of vomit.

F*ck! F*CK! Don’t do this, p-please, you have to be okay! You’re the strong one, you’re the one who’s going to carry everything, you’re the comic relief guy! You can’t give up now, just calm down and f*cking breathe!

But I…

I’m not strong at all.

Why was his vision darkening? A bag--had Graham brought a bag?

I’m not strong at all…

Because I’m completely alone.

“S…s-someone…”

---

Mercy stepped back, inhaling sharply. Oh god. What did I do? What's wrong? F-Faqir...

"I--I-I'm sorry, I didn't--I won't leave, I promise, I'm staying right here..."

No. No. You're not allowed to panic, you c*nt. Get yourself together for one f*cking minute, Mercy, someone needs you and you're not allowed to sit around and cry like the b*tch you've become this time. She cautiously knelt down next to Faqir, feeling herself about to bite her lip and stopping before she could. She would look calm, she would be strong, and she would be there for him.

"I'm right here," she tried, laying a tentative hand on his back. What's wrong? What did I do? What does he need? D-d*mmit, I-I don't know what to...I've n-never actually...wh-why am I so useless?! D*mmit. D*mmit. So what if you have no idea what to do, Mercy? Ignore your panic and just do something instead. Ignore the doubt, ignore the worry, ignore the panic. I know you can, you've done it before.

Her instinct was to ask what was wrong, but he seemed too busy throwing up to be able to get anything beyond a single word out. Taking a deep breath through her nose (and regretting it, the air smelled distinctly of his stomach contents), she racked her brain for things to say. Forcing calmness into her voice, she whispered the typical reassurances--"everything's fine, I'm here, it's okay"--while still rubbing his back.

On the mattress, Graham stirred, groaning softly. Mercy tensed tremendously--Graham waking up was the last thing they needed now.

"...F-F...Faqir?" He sat up, slowly, rubbing his eyes. Mercy went off on a string of curses in her head, the situation quickly becoming far out of her ability to handle. Though in this moment, she wished she did, but Mercy had just about no idea how to deal with people. How was she supposed to be able to comfort someone? How was she supposed to do what everyone else seemed to be so good at? H-how in the world do I...

Seeming alarmed, the thief quickly threw off his blankets and crawled over to the pair, frowning. "Wh-what happened? Wh-why are you...a-are you alright? M-Mercy, is he okay?"

He looked up at her with tired, but clearly panicked eyes. Mercy choked on the words she tried to say--the panic must've shown on her face, because instead of waiting for an answer he turned back to Faqir, gingerly placing his hand where Mercy's was. "M-Mercy, get a bucket or--or something. I-I've got this, so it's okay."

Mercy blinked, then nodded, standing. As much she hated to admit it, she was completely clueless. Maybe it was better she let Graham take the lead in this. Quickly, she searched the market for some kind of object for Faqir to puke into. Anything would be better than emptying his stomach onto the floor, she figured.

She found some kind of bucket rather quickly--hurrying back to the two, she passed it over to Graham, who offered it to Faqir. He sat cross-legged next to the jeweler, appearing remarkably calm as he softly spoke to Faqir.

Levi took each staircase two stairs at a time. There was something exhilarating about finally being able to get out of the musty, suffocating nurse's office and actually accomplish something--the sooner he got to Mercy, grabbed Eriko's handbook, and gathered stuff from the fifth floor for Faussin and himself to look over, the sooner everyone could get out of this place.

Running had always been a strong suit of his, at least--being small and not having a lot of body weight to carry with each step meant he could go fairly fast and he had enough endurance to make that worthwhile.

He skidded to a stop at the entrance to the Monokuma Market, took one listen, and immediately took off back towards the grille.

Good timing. Whoever you are, hang in there. Fauss and I are fine and I can prove it.

---

Faqir flung himself at Graham, very aware of how much he was shaking and how much he was violently sobbing. The hyperventilating most certainly wasn't helping--he tried to stay conscious through sucking in as much air as he could possibly get.

Stop.

He wasn't sure if the command was directed to himself or to Graham.

Come on, just stop, please. Why now? Why here? Why...why?!

He could feel the darkness creeping closer around his vision. Gasping for air, he fought it off, hating every second he sat not knowing what to do.

I can't do it. I can't do this. I'm broken. I'm not strong enough. None of us are strong enough and I can't...

I can't do this anymore. I don't want to do this anymore.

W-where...

Where is that strength we were supposed to trade?

Faqir heard someone's voice cry out, but he was far too consumed in his own lack of oxygen to understand what they said.

Before Faqir could fully process what was going on, someone yanked him away from Graham and shoved a paper bag in his face. Caught off-guard, Faqir tried to arrange it; the person helped him get it around his mouth and nose. The crinkling of the paper was somehow a welcome sound--the longer Faqir breathed into the bag, the more breath he was able to take in. Slowly, the darkness moved out of the corners of his vision and he felt his lungs stop burning. His breathing eventually grew more steady, freeing him to relax just enough to fully comprehend whatever was happening around him.

"Better?"

Levi?

Faqir reached one hand to wipe his eyes free of tears, gazing at whoever had saved him from passing out. Sure enough, the Ultimate Makeup Artist sat in front of him, wearing a surprisingly genuine smile.

Levi.

He...he's not dead?

Where's Fauss?

"F-Fauss," Faqir stuttered, holding the bag away from his face. "W-where's..."

"Fauss is doing fine," Levi assured, placing a hand on Faqir's shoulder. "He's doing well and he hasn't had any episodes since he woke up."

"You tried to kill yourself!" Faqir shot out, gripping Levi's sleeve. To his surprise, Levi laughed (nervously, but a laugh nonetheless).

"Yeah, that wasn't my best plan," he admitted. "Madoka told you, didn't he?"

Faqir only nodded. How is he--what happened?

"...I'll fill in the details. Starting with this--I'm better than 'okay' now. I'm ready to get us the h*ll out of here and no f*cking robot bear is going to drive me to suicide. Not anymore. Not now."

A piece of Faqir didn't want to believe him. A piece of Faqir was completely convinced everyone downstairs had been a broken mess and this was just a hallucination he was having due to a lack of oxygen.

And yet...the overwhelming self-assurance in Levi's posture, expression, and voice was too real.

Please let this be real. Please. I can't do it. I need someone to be strong.

"So let's start with the basics." Levi crossed his legs. "Up until recently, I still wanted to die. It wasn't like now where I just don't want do, I just didn't trust myself to. That was the only thing keeping me sane. Then I realized I was a master manipulator and a fantastic actor and I still had Clair, so she helped me devise a plan. You probably already guessed this, but my first attempt to escape was when Mercy and I were going to leave so I could change clothes out of the nurse's office."

Hearing it actually confirmed only served to terrify Faqir further. He gripped Levi's sleeve more firmly, hiccupping.

I knew it. I almost lost you both. I knew it!

"My second attempt was getting naked in front of all of you in hopes you were all decent enough people to not want to force a traumatized sexual assault victim to get naked in a room full of men. Perhaps fortunately, you're the actual worst and Madoka is horny and I guess neither of you were going to let me get away with scaring you into letting me leave." Levi smiled again, more awkwardly. "Thanks, I guess. I'm starting this new 'everything happens for a reason' thing. It sucked at the time and I was very uncomfortable, but...thank you for not letting me out of your sight."

Faqir suddenly realized how exhausted he was. Sniffling, he scooted closer to Levi, just desperate to believe that everything happening was real.

"...My third try was after you left." Levi gazed at his damaged wrist, thoughtful. "I'll admit it, I let Graham head to the library because I wanted him to leave. If I could get just a few minutes, I could easily get Madoka to let me leave. Clair gave me a plethora of excuses and it's not like seducing other men was a new thing for me--with Clair's help, I got Madoka into a daze and headed for the door. Perhaps fortunately again, Fauss woke up before I could get out. He somehow managed to escape the ropes--he's fine, he's perfectly alright, don't worry--and he managed to get Madoka to chase after me when I fled the room. Fun fact about me: I can't swim. I never learned how. I've been terrified of water ever since Lucifer tried to teach me and I ended up nearly drowning instead. So I figured drowning myself was a poetic way to go. ...It wasn't until it was too late to save myself that I realized I didn't want to die."

Faqir clenched his teeth, sniffling. Levi...

"As you can see..." Levi chuckled, seeming more lighthearted. "Madoka got to me in time and brought me back. I was so traumatized I couldn't even open my mouth for a while, but then after the nap and..." Levi hesitated, glancing briefly to the side. Faqir picked up on it immediately. "Well...anyway, with Clair's help I--"

"What happened?" Faqir ordered.

Levi flinched. He glanced briefly at Graham, then looked back at Faqir. "I'll tell you later."

"Why not now?"

"It's not important now." The curtness of Levi's voice was obvious; Faqir resolved to push it out of him eventually. "The point is, Clair got me talking and because she once again forced me to act past trauma, I managed to get through it. ...I'm still never going anywhere near another relatively large body of water ever again, but at least I feel way better. All this to lead to conversations Fauss and I had. He brought up wishing things were different. In thinking about it, I realized...I don't think I want them to be different. Everything happens for a reason and all that--I had to nearly die in order to realize I don't want to die. If I hadn't tried to drown myself, I would still be downstairs just waiting to press the button voting myself to death in this last trial."

Faqir noticed Levi staring directly at Graham while he said this. Curious, Faqir glanced over at Graham with him for a brief moment, then looked back to Levi.

As he continued, Levi kept his gaze trained on Graham's face. "If just one thing in that plan had gone awry, do you think I would have given up? Do you think I would have just stopped trying? Of course not--I just would have resolved myself to finding a way to do it without anyone being able to interfere. No one can blame themselves for what happened because it needed to happen. If I hadn't reached a point of confronting my own inevitable death and realizing I couldn't stand the thought of it, I would have just found another way to kill myself in a way you couldn't interfere. If I had to, I would have waited until we got out of here and I would have thrown myself from the roof of Clair's apartment. I had to nearly drown myself so I could reach where I am now and I don't regret any of it."

With each word, Faqir felt his load lighten. Somehow, through some miracle, the very second he ran out of strength completely was the second someone rose to take it from him. In this moment, what Faqir needed more than anything else was for someone else to be able to take over.

Even still...losing his strength felt wrong. Faqir hated himself for even considering giving it up.

He let out a choked sob, burying his face in his sleeve. Levi's hand on his shoulder tightened.

"Are we even going to get out of here?!" he cried. "And if we do, what about those of us who have nothing to go back to? What about Mercy? If I can't even keep myself together for her, if I break at the slightest mention of what all of you have been going through, if I can't even maintain my strength when I'm the only person left who has any, what good am I to any of you? I'm just holding you all back if I can't even be strong for you, I...I don't have anything else to offer, okay? I have a broken foot and a tendency to make the absolute wrong decisions in everything I do, I can't protect anyone, I read one little pamphlet and shattered into a million pieces, I'm--"

Before Faqir could finish, Levi pulled his arm away from his face...and slapped him.

The sting of Levi's hand striking Faqir's face was just enough of a jolt to shock him into attentiveness. He stared at Levi, caught between being surprised that anyone had hit him and being glad someone had hit him.

"Consider that payback for continuing to hit on me even after I told you it was digging up trauma." There was a hint of good-naturedness in Levi's voice--Faqir realized the makup artist was teasing him. "And for bashing my head into things. And for sedating me and tying me to a mattress--twice. And for nearly strangling me, and also for slapping me. We're even now, okay?"

Faqir merely nodded.

"Now..." Levi shifted, glancing at the floor for a moment before looking up at Faqir. "You found the pamphlet on the Tragedy, didn't you?"

Faqir was instantly alert. "How did you know about that?"

"Madoka found one on Junko Enoshima." Levi paused. "Don't worry, he's fine. Fauss and I looked at it too. Faqir, didn't you notice that pamphlet was weirdly designed? Every color, every font choice, the phrasing, the pictures used, how everything was framed...all of it was deliberately designed to throw you into a spiral. You're thinking exactly the way Monokuma wants you to think. We're all thinking exactly the way he wants us to think. Except me, because I'm sick and tired of being someone's b*tch so I'm not doing that anymore."

"So what if we are?" Even Faqir was surprised by the words as they left his mouth. "Isn't it the right thing to think? Look at us, we're so close to the end and we're still all shattering like porcelain!"

"Well, of course we are."

Levi's matter-of-fact tone was somehow infuriating. Faqir tried and failed to resist the urge to yell at him.

"'Of course we are'? Everyone is shattering and forcing me to pick up their pieces and all you can say is 'of course we are'?!"

"Who's forcing you?" Levi remained perfectly calm in sharp contrast to Faqir's growing indignation.

He has no idea what I'm going through.

"Of course you don't get it, you're one of them!" Faqir snapped. "Don't you get it?! One by one we've all been falling over and I'm the only one of us still desperately trying to hold it all together! I can't take it any more, I-I'm carrying too much and I want so badly to protect all of you from knowing the things I know and from having to handle the things I'm handling, I don't want any of you to have to suffer from this, I just...I just wanted to keep everyone safe but now we're falling apart and I can't, I can't do it anymore, I-I can't hold it together--"

Faqir was promptly slapped a second time.

"That kind of attitude is exactly why you got into this mess in the first place," Levi said firmly. "Let me ask you this. Why do you think you need to be one-hundred-percent strong?"

Faqir opened his mouth to answer, but Levi cut him off.

"Why do you think you need to protect us? Why do you think if you just hide all your feelings, it'll somehow make us feel better? You know what hiding your feelings does? It does this. It leads you down a spiral you can't claw out of. You want to know why therapy is so effective when done right? It's encouraging people to talk. To talk about their feelings, their worries and hurts and heartaches, their traumas, everything weighing on their minds, and when you talk about those things something amazing happens--people can help." Levi paused. "Clair is gone for now, okay? She's the one with all the makeup expertise. So for the remainder of our time here, how about you think of me as the Ultimate Psychologist instead? I'm not certified, but I at least have enough to hopefully get you to stop f*cking bottling everything inside. At least I was honest with you guys about how much I hate myself. ...Most of the time."

There was another pause. Levi sighed.

"I can't really stay right now," he muttered. "Fauss is gonna get worried...you wanted to hold a group meeting, right? We're going to continue this there. Just one more thing I want to point out--you mentioned earlier how without being able to hold things together for us you have nothing. You mentioned having nothing to go back to. Well, that's fine--neither do I. Or Mercy, or Fauss. But that's not important, Faqir. We don't need anything to go back to when we have something to leave with. We're not leaving this place and going back to a lonely life, going back to a depressing routine where we're reminded of how out there, we have nothing. We have our lives, our friends, a new home, a new family...we have each other and the knowledge that no matter what happens, if something like this couldn't get us to give up there's no way we're losing each other now. And don't you tell me you have nothing left without being strong--look around, there's six of us here. The problem all of us are facing is we've been trying to trade strength when we should be trying to share it. Even if we can only offer twenty-percent strength, that's enough for five of us to form one-hundred-percent. No one person should be expected to be one-hundred-percent."

"You know who the strongest people I know are? The ones who can admit when they're feeling weak. That's how you share strength--when you break and you admit you need help. If everyone can take their weak times and their strong times instead of hogging one or the other, we can all make it out of here. And you know what? You have so much more than just 'being the strong one'. A talent for jewelry-making, a good sense of humor, your life, your friends, a way of making everything seem just a bit brighter...do you need me to go on? Do you need me to address everyone in this room? How about Mercy's physical prowess and medical knowledge? How about her connection to all of us? How about her intelligence and great ideas? What about Graham, he has plenty more to offer. An amazing ability to help others find their strength, light-footedness, his hilariously adept skills at thievery, his physical strength and desire to keep us all together...most importantly, we have each other. That's way more than 'just strength'."

Faqir remained silent, fresh tears still spilling from his eyes. He reached up to wipe them away, still strangely hollow but feeling himself fill more with each word.

...Thank you.

Levi scooted away slightly, letting out a chuckle. "I have to hurry, Fauss might get scared if I don't get back soon...we'll talk more later. I have more I want to talk about with you. Just...everyone stop hogging all the strength and be honest with each other and we can all pick up each other's pieces, okay? If you need to know someone can give more than twenty-percent, I'm in good shape to give around fifty. And..."

Levi suddenly reached up to his ear, unclipping the emerald earring he had gotten from Faqir. After staring at it for a moment, he reached out and placed it in Faqir's hand. Faqir blinked, staring at him.

"...You never got your own jewelry, did you?" Levi paused. "What was it again? Jasper for relieving trauma, onyx to protect from hostility--"

"Diopside to cleanse trauma," Faqir interrupted, staring at the jewels fitted into the earring. "Jasper aids in relaxation and consolation. And emerald to lift depression and relieve insomnia."

"And grant psychic powers," Levi added with a wink. "...My ear never healed after I ripped the other one out, so I can only wear one at a time anyway. I'll just get the other one from my room and you keep this one, okay? Now we all have some spirit gems to keep us safe. On that note, my handbook is still in Eriko's room. Mercy, do you have her handbook? That's actually why I came in here, but I heard someone hyperventilating and figured sticking around to make sure you all know Fauss and Madoka and I are completely fine wouldn't be a bad idea."

A tear plinked onto the earring Faqir held in his hand. He chuckled, glancing up at Levi, who now finally moved to stand.

Ultimate Psychologist, eh? I think you might be better suited for Ultimate Motivator.

"...Thank you, Levi." Faqir smiled, closing his hand over the earring. "I know we haven't gotten along the best lately, but...I really appreciate you doing this."

Levi was quiet for a moment. "You guys are my home, Faqir. You guys are my family. If you think I'm going to sit back and let us all fall into Monokuma's trap of turning on each other and ourselves now that I finally have something to leave with...you've got another thing coming. I don't know about you guys--you can let Monokuma string you along like you're his f*cking marionettes if you want to--but as for me, I'm going to show that bear he doesn't own me, he can't control me, and I'm way stronger than him. We don't need to be strong for each other--we need to be strong against him."

Another pause. "That said, I really do have to hurry back to Fauss. We're going to get some things from Eriko's room and continue the investigation so we can all get out of here sooner. Could I have her handbook?"

"You're not worried about going back in her room? Last time we were in there--"

"Last time we were in there I was still blaming myself for Eriko's death. Now I'm blaming Monokuma. She was too good at this and too beloved by all of us--if he wanted to break us, killing Eriko was the perfect way to do it. I just happened to be an available pawn. Now are you going to let me get some more investigating done or not? I promised Fauss I'd hurry back, I'll have to rush downstairs and let him know I'm okay...I can come back up for the fifth floor."

Somehow, Levi's confidence was inspiring. Faqir moved onto the mattress, taking his bucket with him.

I don't have to hold it all together, huh?

...Well, if you can give fifty-percent, I think I can manage twenty.

---

Eriko's handbook...

Having forgotten she had it with her, Mercy stiffened slightly, reaching into her pocket to take it out. After locking her own handbook in her room, the weight of Eriko's handbook in her pocket had felt natural. She must've just registered it as her own and not thought anything else of it.

Its weight in her hands was somehow comforting. She looked down at it, brushing her thumb along the screen. Was it silly that she didn't want to give it up?

Sighing slightly, she forced herself to hand it over to Levi. As it left her fingertips, she spoke without thinking, "Give it back when you're done, please."

It's all I have left of her. Mercy hadn't thought much of it before, but reflecting on it now, she supposed she got attached to sentimental objects rather easily. Her father's hunting rifle, her mother's jewelry box, Harvey's favorite chair...this handbook gave off the same feeling those had, for some reason. It was as though she could feel their essences resonating within the objects, a faint but reassuring reminder that they were still there in some form.

While it was true that over the past few years, the comfort she used to get from these objects had been fading, with Eriko's smile still so fresh in her mind, the feeling she got from holding the handbook was still stronger than ever. Mercy held her breath, suddenly remembering the note from Eriko that she'd tucked into her pocket.

I should read that again, she mused. I'm sure she'd know exactly what to say...

She closed her eyes, one of the things Levi had said resonating with her more than most.

"You know who the strongest people I know are? The ones who can admit when they're feeling weak."

Mercy was almost skeptical, but she saw where he was coming from when he said those words. It made her want to tell everyone what she was going through--not in detail, that was out of the question--but the longer she hid, the more pressure she put on Faqir and the worse she felt about herself. If they were going to pick up everyone's pieces together, how was she going to get through this if she didn't have the guts to tell them she was broken in the first place?

It's probably obvious by now, though, she thought to herself, bitter. And Graham...

She glanced over at the thief, who had moved to the mattress with Faqir. He seemed contemplative--wiping what Mercy could only assume were tears from his eyes, he sniffed, bringing his knees to his chest.

"I'm...going to go get something to clean up this mess with," Mercy murmured, referring to the contents of his stomach that Faqir had emptied onto the ground. "Is that alright with you two? It won't take that long. I'll be back in a minute, tops."

Graham stared at her for a moment. He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped, glancing to the side. He wiped his eyes again, sighing. "Um...if Faqir's okay with it, I'm okay with it."

Levi gingerly took the handbook from Mercy, cradling it. Holding it felt almost wrong, yet Levi was somehow sure Eriko had long since forgiven Braeden and him for taking her life. The next step, then, was to forgive himself.

Eriko, you would have solved everyone’s problems in a snap. I hope you don’t mind me trying my best to do it for you.

“I’ll be very careful with it,” he swore, keeping the handbook gripped in his hand--leaving it in a pocket felt too risky. Suddenly more aware of Mercy, her connection to Eriko, and the events of Eriko’s room, Levi took a deep breath. “Mercy, I owe you a mountain of apologies. I won’t ask you to forgive me, I just want you to know that I’m sorry for manipulating you into sharing in Eriko’s room, I’m sorry for forcing you to look after Fauss and I, and...this goes without saying, but I...I’m so sorry about Eriko.”

Saying it was always a relief--and after just giving a speech about talking about things, now seemed like a good time to bring it up.

“I’m sorry that I was too weak to stand up to Monokuma. I know, I know in my heart...all of us loved her so much there’s just no way Monokuma was going to let her live very long, but I still...I still regret being the one to have ended her reign as our queen. ...I am so sorry, Mercy. I deserve for you to hit me or something if you want. I...I want to try to make it up for her by being there for everyone now, so maybe...maybe she can forgive me. I’ll never replace her and that will never be my aim, I just...want to honor her somehow.”

How had one student so severely captured everyone’s hearts? How had one student managed to change the tides of the entire killing game? How had one student become their beacon of hope so early on?

But she’s still our beacon, isn’t she?

Eriko...you live on in your room and the secrets you left us. Your spirit is still here giving us strength. So even though I’m a cold-blooded murderer...I hope you’ll continue to guide me.

“...I’m sorry.” Levi stared at Eriko’s handbook, clicking it on just to look at the face on the screen. “I don’t...I don’t want to let her memory hold me back. I want it to push me forwards. If Monokuma killed Eriko...if it was Monokuma who twisted me into committing the most vile act I’ve committed to date, then it’s only fair we use what she left us to take him down. It’s Monokuma who drove us to this point and...and I would rather use her memory to focus on defeating him instead of ourselves or each other. ...So Mercy, I am deeply sorry for everything I did. I am sorry for being weak enough to crumble at the thought of one little secret being revealed. I can never make it up to you and I can never fix this, but I...I want to honor her the best way I know how. I promise, everything she left will be handled with the utmost care and respect.”

...Ah, geez. I really hope I didn’t just make everything worse.

There was a moment of silence. Faqir shifted on the mattress, reaching to take Graham’s hand.

“Mercy, you can step out,” he said. “I think I...I’m gonna be alright.”

---

Oh, Levi...don't make me think about it...

Mercy offered a small smile, shaking her head. "It's...I never blamed you, Levi. It's okay. I forgive you, and I appreciate you wanting to honor her memory, and I hope I can--" she paused, hating the way her voice broke. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, trying again. "I hope I can do the same. Thank you."

Eriko...everyone...

She took another deep breath, feeling a flood of emotions coming on. Emotions she didn't want to deal with at the moment, emotions that she didn't need to feel, emotions that she loathed feeling. Swallowing them all, she stood, giving everyone a small but pained smile before she turned and headed toward the door.

"M-Mercy...are you okay?" Graham asked softly, having taken Faqir's hand.

Come on. You told yourself you weren't going to think about it.

Mercy paused. "...Okay as can be expected. Don't worry too much, I'll be fine."

Leaving with not much more than that, Mercy closed the door behind her, appearing as calm as always. Lingering by the door for a few moments, she sighed, then started down the hallway. Where would be the best place to find cleaning supplies? At the very least, she could take a roll of paper towels from one of the bathrooms and attempt cleaning up with those.

Losing her nerve sooner than she expected, Mercy swung into the souvenir store, slamming the door shut behind her. Hardly able to make a few steps forward before she collapsed to her knees, the hunter held her hands to her mouth, sobbing.

Everyone's dead...

I probably made things worse.

Oddly enough, Levi didn’t find himself overly worried about Mercy--she seemed like the kind of person who preferred to process things on her own. Having an excuse and permission to leave gave her a chance to step out for a bit. When everyone had more time at the team meeting, maybe then she could talk about some of her feelings to everyone else.

“We’ll check on her if she isn’t back in five minutes,” Faqir said suddenly. “...You get back down to Fauss. And if you need one of us to help...we want to start meeting up here. Maybe we can all sleep in the Market. And Mado brought us some medical supplies too so we could take care of my foot and all that, so…”

Levi nodded, looking over his shoulder to offer Faqir and Graham a smile. “I’ll stop back on my way to the fifth floor. If Mercy isn’t back by then, I’ll leave Eriko’s handbook with you so you can give it back to her.”

That said, Levi waved goodbye and stepped out of the market, looking around at the new scenery. After a small pause, he hurried downstairs, ducking into Eriko’s room to pick up Clair’s things, his handbook, and a stack of papers from two sections before returning to the nurse’s office.

He eased the door open, Eriko’s handbook tucked into a back pocket. “Fauss? I’m back, I’m alright, sorry I’m so late. Faqir was hyperventilating and in a crisis so I stopped to deliver an impromptu therapy session. H-haha. I never made it to the fifth floor so I need to run back up, but...here are some things from Eriko’s room. We never looked over Lottimelia or Yuno yet, so I brought things on them.”

I should stop in my room and pick up that other earring too...not having one in feels weird. And there might be things in there I could use...I should drop off Clair’s clothes inside.

Levi nodded, pulling Eriko’s handbook from his pocket to carry it more securely. Clair’s things were draped over his arm. “I can’t blame you,” he admitted. “Okay. I’ll run off and hurry back. I have to stop in my room real quick, but then I’ll head upstairs, check in on Faqir and Graham and ask someone to help you upstairs, and get things from the fifth floor. I can come back and wait with you until someone is available to get you. If I don’t get back in time, um...we can just tell whoever it is that Madoka went back to sleep.”

What are the odds they’ll buy it? Ah, geez...guess we have to come clean eventually, but I’d prefer later to sooner.

Offering a final thumbs up, Levi stepped out of the room. He stopped at his own room first, swiping his handbook to enter and dumping Clair’s clothes on a nearby dresser. His other earring was kept on the nightstand--Levi brought it into the bathroom to clean it before putting it back in his ear.

Much better. Now with a lighter load, he returned to the hallway, rushing past the fountain to avoid its gurgling. He made a beeline for the market, stepping inside to check in on Faqir and Graham.

It seemed Mercy hadn’t yet returned. Levi took a deep breath, plastering on a smile and waving as he approached.

He passed Eriko’s handbook to Faqir. “Hey, I’m back. Can you hang on to this? It looks like Mercy is still out.”

Faqir nodded, his expression oddly vacant. “I’m trying to let her have her space,” he admitted. “Last time I neglected to do that things went south fast. Besides, I’m content sitting here with Graham for now.”

“Can you be alone for a bit?” Levi asked. “And could you, Graham? Fauss needs help getting up here and only you and Mercy are both strong enough and well enough to actually help him. I understand if you’d rather wait for Mercy.”

Somehow I feel like it’ll be easier to explain to her why Madoka is out cold.

“I’ll be fine,” Faqir promised. “Now that I know you kids are okay downstairs, that took a massive load off. Sorry I freaked out earlier, I’ve already apologized to Graham. Losing it right now was the last thing I wanted to do.”

“Losing it at any time is the last thing anyone wants to do,” Levi replied. “But sometimes it’s also the most necessary. I do expect for you to share that pamphlet you found, though. And on that note…” Levi paused, smiling at Graham. “Graham, if you found the one in the library, I’m making it mandatory that we all read it together. It’ll be a bit easier to pick up on the brainwashing techniques if we all look at it together.”

And only bad things happen when one person tries to shoulder all of it. The back of Levi’s neck suddenly felt more raw. He tugged his scarf closer, admiring the softness of it.

---

Graham blinked, suddenly remembering the pamphlet he'd come across in the library. He pulled it out of his pocket, looking down at the cover--something about Ultimate Despair? He folded it up, deciding he didn't really want anything to do with it at the moment. Instead, he glanced back up at Levi. "That sounds like a good idea--I was thinking the same thing when I found it, actually. Or kinda the same thing. It looked menacing, so I thought it might be better to not read it yet and just tell everyone what I found when we all seemed a little better."

It was sorta true. The more he'd thought about it, the more he thought that maybe it was better of an idea to read it alone, but he didn't want to anymore. He didn't even want to go downstairs to get Fauss. Being alone, being back in that room, even if just for a second...it would screw up the semblance of calm he'd managed to find, and right now he was more than desperate to hang onto it. For his dad, for himself... I-I just want to get out of here.

The bit of sleep he did get having reminded him of how exhausted he really was, Graham shifted, rubbing his eyes. "U-um...I-I actually think I'd rather wait for Mercy. It's just that...I don't really want to...I'm...tired. I-I didn't actually get any sleep this morning, either, s-so I'm afraid of d-dropping him down the stairs or something on accident, h-haha."

It wasn't a lie, at least. He was just neglecting to say the rest of the reasons why he didn't want to go back downstairs. Sighing, he rested his head on Faqir's shoulder, the knot in his chest still there but far less suffocating. Knowing everyone downstairs was okay helped a lot, at least, though he feared the smallest thing setting him off again.

Being close to Faqir brought another subject to his mind, though.

Romantic...platonic...who knows. I sure don't. Sorry I broke down minutes after you told me. He was too pooped to think of any interaction between them as weird now. Whatever he ended up feeling, they were still bros, right? That was enough for Graham.

Levi held back a sigh of relief. As much as he wanted Faussin out of the nurse’s office as soon as possible, he was honestly terrified of Graham going back downstairs and finding a passed-out Madoka on the mattress. Somehow, he felt it would be easier to explain to Mercy and Faussin was in a stable enough mood for now. Levi would hurry back to join him before Mercy arrived and they could all go up together. (Well, except Madoka, but he could join them whenever he woke up.)

“That’s alright,” he assured. “Fauss will be alright until she’s finished, especially once I get back downstairs. Maybe we’ll just move out into the hallway to wait, haha...it’s still kinda weird to be staying there.”

Moreso now that there’s a pile of syringes under your chair. I should clean those up, maybe wash the floors a bit...ah, I’m in the mood to scrub something.

Admitting it out loud was a bit embarrassing, but Levi actually greatly enjoyed the tasks of cooking and cleaning. Running around with things to do like this was a relief, but what he would really like was a chance to wash some dishes or get some sweeping done. Especially with Romano gone, someone had to step up and make sure everything was staying clean and he would very gladly take that task for himself. Maybe while everyone else was back into the investigation after the meeting, he would take some time to clean up the places they’d stayed in.

“Anyway…” Levi stepped towards the door, waving. “It was nice checking in again. Feel free to let me know if you need anything--I’m accustomed to being an errand boy. That much I can do, I just refuse to bow to anyone’s every whim anymore. Huge difference.”

“Kitty, give me a foot massage,” Faqir called, patting Graham’s knee.

“Go f*ck yourself.”

“We need to have a talk about your language, young lady.”

“Clair’s not here right now. Try again.”

“I stand by what I said.”

Faqir offered a wink. Levi returned it with a genuine grin. Thinking of Faqir in terms of Amadeus made his teasing a bit more bearable, at least--by now, Levi had begun to think of him as an obnoxious older brother rather than a school bully.

“Anything you need me to bring back on my way back down from the fifth floor?” Levi asked. Faqir shook his head, looking to Graham. “Like I said, it’s not a problem. I’m appreciating the change in scenery, at least, and Fauss gave permission to hang around here for a bit now that he saw I wasn’t going to take a chance to try and drown myself again. Word of advice, never choose suicide by drowning, it f*cking burns.”

Faqir patted Graham’s shoulder. “Excuse you, my boyfriend and I will most definitely not ever be attempting suicide in any form, thank you.”

“Did I mention what that second slap was payback for? Because it was for things like that.”

“Your words wound the cavity where my heart would be if I had one.”

“The rule of three doesn’t apply if your comedy wasn’t funny the first time.”

---

"There's nothing I need, but thanks," Graham said, chuckling at the two. Laughing--Graham was laughing, even if just the littlest bit. That was a good sign, wasn't it? Yes, it was a very good sign. He was going to be fine, he just needed to unwind for a bit, that was all.

Relax. Please, Graham, relax. It'll make you feel so much better.

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. With all of this going on, he couldn't relax, not even if he willed every bone in his body to. No amount of chairs, blankets, or hugs could move him past this. All he had was his friends and his dad and the light at the end of the tunnel, shining like a beacon of hope he was desperate to reach.

Graham could see it in his mind. It's so close. It's right there.

It would make all of this go away. He and his friends could walk out and never have to think about this again, they could be with their families again, they could find their happiness for Yuno and look forward to having tea with Romano in the afterlife. Everything would be okay, the knot would be gone, and they'd never have to hear Monokuma's voice ever again.

His heart raced, the thief suddenly desperate for the light he saw in his mind. It would solve everything. It would make everything go away. He just needed to reach it...and they were all so close, so it really couldn't be that hard...

The light suddenly becoming more real to him, his breath hitched. It was as though he could feel himself reaching.

Just...

A little...

Farther...

Graham suddenly snapped out of his daydream, blinking rapidly. Shifting, he rubbed his eyes, muttering an apology under his breath as he came back to the present. Had Faqir just called Graham his boyfriend?

He supposed it wasn't anything different from before--Graham had shamelessly declared Faqir as his husband many times before--but now the word seemed to have a whole new meaning to it. ...And he called me babe earlier today, too...! But doesn't he like Mercy? Or didn't he say that he likes both of us? ...W-wait, what?

Now I'm confused! ...But if I tell him I'm confused, it'll just make things weird! C-crap!

Taking a minute to try and sort everything out in his head, he eventually gave up and returned to not even caring, continuing to rest his head on Faqir's shoulder. Whether he told himself not to think about it or not, though, it still lingered in the back of his mind--Graham would have to figure out his feelings at some point, right?

What if Faqir decided he liked Graham more, after all?

...What if he decided he liked Mercy more?

Graham swallowed, not sure how he felt about either of those outcomes. Maybe he'd just wait to hear Faqir's answers to all of Graham's questions and then decide how he felt. That way, if it did turn out being romantic, he'd know whether or not to get his hopes up.

Sounds like a good plan, Graham decided, closing his eyes. Part of him just wanted to fall asleep right there. And things'll work out no matter what happens, so...it'll all be okay. Everything is okay. We're gonna get out of here, we'll go back to our homes, w-we'll leave this behind us and everything will be fine. R-right?

He hugged Faqir's arm, admittedly unsure.

Levi nodded, taking a step back. On the mattress, Faqir chuckled, seeming content to remain snuggling with Graham for now.

"I really think focusing back on the investigation is going to help us," he admitted. "That said, would either of you like me to bring you anything if I find stuff on the fifth floor?"

Faqir seemed to be thinking. "Honestly? If you think it's stuff we can handle right now, it might be a good idea. I'm getting a little restless in here and it doesn't feel right coming close to giving up when the finish line is right there. A lot of bad stuff happened in Eriko's room, but at least we felt like we were accomplishing something."

"That's what I was thinking too," Levi said. He clapped once, nodding with finality. "Okay! Then, I'll bring down some of the stuff I find so long as I think it's not going to set anything off. I'll be back, promise. Should probably make sure I get back to Fauss pretty soon, though...catch you later!"

Figuring this was as good a point as any to take off, Levi headed into the hallway, making his way up the last flight of stairs to the fifth floor. He went straight for the managerial suites, checking the model room first--it had been open earlier, but perhaps Monokuma had dropped things in there.

Nothing particularly caught his eye aside from a strange model of Hope's Peak Academy. It was modeled with parts of the building falling apart and on fire, representing a Hope's Peak that had long since been destroyed. Looking at it, Levi wondered if the mastermind of this killing game was trying to tell them something.

The fall of Hope's Peak...that was mentioned, wasn't it?

Deciding it could wait, Levi backed out of the room, popping into the previously-locked DVD room next. Most of the DVDs seemed to be televised versions of the pamphlets...though one was marked "Despair Brainwashing Video--by Ryota Mitarai". Curious, Levi pulled it out and found a note taped to the back.

"Good work, Ryota! -Junko <3"

Levi shuddered. So this is the brainwashing video that pamphlet on Junko mentioned. Well, geez, if you wanted us to watch this you probably shouldn't have labeled it a "Brainwashing Video"."

Still...just to be sure, Levi opened the box and checked inside. A pamphlet was slipped in just over the DVD itself--Levi pulled it out, examining the front cover.

"Xhevona Abera--What A True Ultimate Despair Should Look Like!"

A pamphlet on Vona? Well, there was bound to be one...I don't think Eriko had anything on her or Bonnie in her room.

Tucking the pamphlet in his back pocket, Levi placed the DVD back on the shelf and exited the room. He stopped next door in the communications room just to see what he could find--finding nothing, he moved on to the filing room, where a pamphlet on Bonnie and one on Eriko herself were stored in one of the cabinets.

The last room was the manager's office. Levi headed towards it, taking a deep breath.

He attempted to turn the knob.

It was locked.

...What?

Didn't Mononkuma say every room would be unlocked? Why is this one still locked shut? Is...

Oh God. Is the mastermind in there right now?!

"Hello?" Levi called. "...Is someone in there?"

Predictably, no one answered. Not that Levi had been expecting one--but if he had gotten one, that would have been something to tell the others about.

He noticed for the first time a pamphlet just barely poking out from under the door.

Not wanting to let the opportunity get by, Levi dropped down and swiped it up, scanning the front cover.

"Corruption--The Story Of One School's Fall From Grace"

I'll hang on to this one. Should probably let someone other than Mercy read the one on Eriko...unless she'd rather be the one to figure that out. I'll leave that and the ones on Bonnie and Xhevona with Faqir and Graham--Fauss and I can work through this and whatever we found in Eriko's room.

This settled, Levi headed back down the stairs, pausing on the way to deliver the pamphlets on the remaining three students to Faqir and Graham. Faqir volunteered to read the one on Xhevona in case the descriptions of her sins were too much, leaving Bonnie's for Graham and keeping Eriko's just in case Mercy wanted it. Levi bid them farewell before returning to the nurse's office and Faussin. He kept the "Corruption" pamphlet aside for the moment, looking over the stack of papers from Yuno's section instead and letting Faussin know they would send Mercy down to get him.

Something weird is going on here. But more than that...

The mastermind is in the building.

---

Graham looked down at Bonnie's pamphlet, taking a deep breath.

"Bonnie Clyde--The Woman, The Myth, The Legend!"

I-I don't want to read this. Graham bit his lip. ...But we have to, right? To get out of here. To see our families, to see our friends, to tell Viv's family how much she loves them, to find our happiness for Yuno, to beat Monokuma up for Braeden...to see my dad...

So I have to...k-keep going. Just a bit more, Graham. C-come on...

He opened up to the first page, rubbing his eyes. They'd already heard everyone else's secrets and they survived that (if just barely), so this wouldn't be that bad, right? Bonnie seemed like she was a nice girl, and the pamphlet didn't even seem that long in the first place. Graham could easily get through this and move on.

"Bonita Hunt--or as you all know her, Bonnie Clyde--is renowned in her field as an excellent actress of the Shakespearian plays! But that's not all she was good at!"

"Bonnie was adept at deception, too!"

"You all might have thought you knew her, but which Bonnie did you really know? Was she Ophelia, the meek maiden? Was she Juliet, the dramatic lovebird? Was she Viola, the headstrong and clever crossdresser? Probably all three!"

"After all, 'Bonnie' doesn't even exist."

Graham remembered how quickly the girl seemed to switch personalities on a dime. Was that what the pamphlet was talking about? Who was to say that wasn't just out of a love for acting? Skeptical, he turned to the next page, reading on.

"Who Needs Feelings?"

"Bonnie sure didn't! The girl who met was merely a reflection of who 'Bonnie'--if she existed at all--really was."

"Emotions were totally foreign to her! Empathy was foreign! She had a callousness that could put me to shame! (Ouch!)"

"You should have seen it! Sure she could act like she cared, but did she really?"

"Nope!"

"And here you all were thinking she didn't deserve to die."

Graham felt his eyes narrow.

Whoever wrote this truly was despicable. Even if what it said was true--he promptly decided it was not--that wasn't nearly enough to say someone deserved to die. The only person that deserved to die was the person who had orchestrated all of this, and even then Graham found himself hesitant to say even that. He didn't want to see any more death.

Glad that it was nearly over, he turned to the back, reading the last bit of information contained inside.

"Pride, Like A Rose, Grows!"

"Yep, our very own Haughty Hottie! Bonnie didn't need any of you! She was an actress on her own stage!"

"If you think she wasn't too bitter and proud to reject you all on your flat a*ses, you've got another thing coming!"

"I wonder how long our actress's 'fake friendship' would have lasted before she decided to kill all of you to escape?"

Not true. Graham folded the pamphlet back up, deciding he wasn't going to believe a word of what Monokuma said. They hardly got to know Bonnie at all, so why were they going to believe the lies Monokuma--or rather, the person controlling him--fed them?

Her memory would not be tarnished by this ridiculous pamphlet.

Satisfied with this, he tore it to shreds.

"That wasn't very informative," he declared, looking down at the pieces of it in his lap. He brushed them aside, then looked at Faqir. "What about Vona's? What does it say?"

Faqir glanced over at Graham, oddly pleased to see him tearing the pamphlet up like it was nothing. It showed he was feeling at least a bit better, didn't it?

He glanced down at Xhevona's pamphlet, mostly scanning it. There were photographs of some of the victims she had killed through deliberate medical malpractice--those were the most jarring parts. Aside from that, it brought up what everyone else already knew--she had joined the medical practice as a brilliant, gifted surgeon only to make purposeful mistakes that killed her victims in such a subtle way, no one could trace it back to her.

Faqir had to hand it to her--Xhevona was cruel, but she was a genius.

"Nothing we don't already know," he admitted. "She was a brilliant surgeon and incredibly intelligent, but she used all those gifts to murder others through subtle medical issues. She was a twisted b*tch, that's for sure. Nothing redeemable in here at all."

If nothing else...it makes it easier to accept her death.

He glanced at Eriko's pamphlet tucked near his leg, admittedly worried about how Mercy would handle seeing it. He loved Eriko, of course, but not to the same extent Mercy did. He would offer to read it for her if Mercy didn't think she could handle it.

"Anything we needed to know about Bonnie?" he asked Graham. "Or was it all useless mumbo-jumbo?"

---

Graham shook his head. "All useless. No use reading anything in there."

Talking about Xhevona's pamphlet struck something in him, though. She was twisted, without a doubt--but if she'd been the first one to die, plucked off just like Bonnie was, would they have ever known? Wouldn't they mourn her the same way they mourned the rest of the students?

What if the pamphlet was right? What if Bonnie really was the way Monokuma had described her?

No. Graham took a deep breath, not wanting to let his mind go down this road. Even if she was, that still doesn't mean she deserved to die. No one here deserved this. Not even Vona.

"Nothing redeemable in here at all." Graham shifted, finding it hard to think of anyone as purely 'evil.' He got the feeling everyone else was different in that regard, so he felt nervous saying anything about it, but...maybe he was just soft. Maybe it was just wishful thinking.

He opened his mouth to broach the subject with Faqir, but hesitated--of all people, Faqir seemed like the last person to discuss this with. Would he be better off asking Mercy about it? With her cold outside, it was hard to tell exactly where she stood on the subject, though thinking about it he got the feeling it wasn't anywhere near Graham's opinion on things.

Madoka, maybe? Well...quite frankly, Graham still hesitated with that. He'd rather ask someone he was a bit closer to, and maybe someone who was a little less shy.

As for Fauss and Levi...their answers to the question "does pure evil exist" were probably pretty obvious. A very solid "yes," he guessed.

"Do you think there are people out there who actually deserve to die?" Graham blurted out. Well, I guess I'm going with Faqir. He laughed nervously, shifting. "A-ah, sorry, I-I know that came out of nowhere. I just started thinking about it, a-and I realized that I...I don't know that there are. I know it's probably a stupid question, there are unforgivable things people have done, and more than that, terrible, terrible things out there in the world, but..."

He bit his lip, beginning to think about it more. "...But even Ysabel had her reasons, right? E-even if she...even if she was part of this--even if she knew and watched while people died--there had to be have been a reason for her to think the things she did. There had to have been a reason for her to have felt so strongly that we were bad people and all deserved to die, and I wish I could've...I wish I could've asked her what it was. I wish I could've known so that I'd understand and--and maybe we could've helped her change her mind. I-I don't know."

"P-probably not. I'm just being silly, h-haha. Ah...I-I...I miss my dad," he whispered suddenly, voice breaking. "I-I wanna go home. I-I wanna go home so badly..."