what truly is insanity?

chapter two: time and time again

chapter two:  time and time and time again

Naegi wasn't the one who would ponder the meaning of life often. If you asked him what the purpose of being alive was. He would smile cheerfully and say " It doesn't matter why. Let's just make sure to spend this life well."

But now, he's sure why they're alive, to suffer mostly. Naegi was thinking this when watching his motive video or just doing anything involving the killing game. The suffocating silence and the quiet sobs in the room were familiar to him. He must look pretty weird right now, he wasn't even crying or sobbing. So, Naegi was a pretty shoddy actor, it wasn't easy to pretend to be afraid and Naegi could surely say he sucked at it.

The batch of teenagers shuffled towards the back of the room, some shaken from what they had seen. Their voices didn't go over a whisper, as if they couldn't speak higher than that. Naegi didn't offer much to the conservation, he nodded mostly. He thanked his drama classes silently.

But, when Sayaka left the room he sprang into action. He followed her, his steps quiet. He didn't want to spook her.

" Sa-Maizono?"

He called peering into the classroom. He had noticed in earlier loops that Sayaka does have different conservations, so if he didn't listen he could misstep and be called out and that's not what he needs.

"Naegi...?" Her voice whimpered out.

"Yeah, it's me," Naegi responded unsurely.

"I'm so scared... It's just too much! My group members are all in danger and I can't do anything. My dream is going to be slowly destroyed! All my hard work for nothing.."  Maizono said, her voice shaking.

Naegi sauntered into the room. He gave a hug, not tight nor demanding, just a hug.
Sayaka shook, her tears falling onto his chest. As if a dam had broken, she started wailing

"So-sorry, for crying on you..."

Naegi pulled himself backward, letting out a sigh.

"Don't worry about it. Are you feeling better now?" She doesn't speak, she just shies away slowly.

"It is pretty scary, honestly. Yesterday, was honestly the worst night of sleep ever. But, you know, you shouldn't run away or hide from it you should face it head-on. So don't be worried at all."

" We'll get out together." Naegi stated, flashing his "hope smile."

A rupture of giggles started between the two ultimates. Sayaka smiled softly, nodding.

Sayaka opened her mouth, and mumbled something, "Thanks, Naegi..."

Naegi just simply stood up and walked away.

" I'll be in my room. So, don't worry Sayaka we'll get out of here together!"

Although the speech left a warm feeling in the room, Naegi could feel none of that. He turned around and walked slowly to his dorm room.

"Naegi?" The stoic purpled haired teen called nearby.

"Oh, Kirigiri!" Naegi excitedly replied. A faint smile lay on his face, as he turned to where Kirigri was standing.

"Uh.. Do you need something?"

"No. I simply just wanted to check up on you."

"Oh okay!"

Naegi felt a bit unnerved, why was she staring at him like that? It made him feel uncomfortable and nervous, better to end the conversation early before it gets awkward.

"I'll be going." He said, before opening his dorm door and shutting it in her face.

Although it was late at night already, Naegi wasn't entering this dorm to sleep. He instead wanted to update his whiteboard. He had gotten it in his after the first loop. How did it get here? He doesn't know nor does he cares.

He skipped over to the whiteboard, popping off the pink marker's top off. He had written down the murders and deaths and major events. He circled Ikubasa's death.

"Hmm, it seemed like Junko skipped it this time. Odd, this is a pretty major event. " Naegi tilted his head to the side, attempting to get a better view of the writing. " Anyways, it's not going to change the events in any way so it doesn't matter."

He moved to the event under it, Sayaka's death, and with a single flick of his wrist he crossed off the event.

" I've done damage control, and I've already thrown out my notepad, and even if she wants to switch rooms I'll say no."

                KIRIGIRI

Kirigiri stalked through the hallway, her shoes clicking behind her. A single thought in her mind, Naegi is utmostly connected to the mastermind or is the mastermind. That was without a doubt, but how and why are the real questions.

As she was on her stroll she did happen to come by Naegi.  Although the conversation was brief, it made Naegi a lot more suspicious.
He was definitely acting strange. It was almost as if he had something to hide. She frowned, before playing with her hair, coming from almost nowhere was Maizono Sayaka. She seemed to be a lot calmer than the mess she was when rushing out of the room everyone was gathered on.

"Maizono, how are you feeling?" Kirigri spoke, fake concern leaking into her tone.

"Oh uhm, " She places her hands behind her back, a fake (?) smile working up on her lips. "I... huh? It's nothing you have to worry about. "

"Alright, but before you go. Did anything suspicious happen between you and Naegi?"

" No, not really. It's just he's really different than how he acted in middle school. But, we've been apart for a while so I can't really say that can I? I mean he is a lot more distant and stuff and he keeps zoning out a lot but other than that he's not that suspicious... Eh! Sorry for ranting so much, anyways get a good rest. "

She runs off unexpectedly, leaving Kirigri all alone to herself.

" Makoto Naegi, who are you and what are you hiding, I assume that is all I'll be getting today."
She walks away from the empty hallway her heels clicking.

—————
**Naegi**

Naegi stands over Ikubasa body in disbelief and shock.

"And I thought you were finally going to get past the first trial."