Our Hope

Chapter 17

"She's a threat! Why can't you see that?" Toko yelled back at Kyoko.

"Her past doesn't justify her being a threat," Byakuya defended.

Makoto pushed through Fukawa's door, "Togami! You have to talk to Karen," while rambling about their conversation, Makoto slammed the door behind him.

"Makoto, slow down and get to the point," Kyoko grabbed Makoto's shoulder, holding him still.

"I think Karen's falling into despair," He paused, taking a breath, "and quickly". Makoto focused on Byakuya, whose eyes widened with concern.

"What did she say to you?" Kyoko refocused Makoto on her. He explained the conversation nearly verbatim, waiting for either of them to respond. Kyoko turned back to Toko, ready to speak, but Byakuya beat her to it.

"Don't dare breathe this to anyone else," He stepped close to Fukawa, hovering over her with a vicious glare, "I will hold you responsible for anything that happens to her". Expecting Toko to cower, he was confused by her distracted expression.

"No need to search, Togami," a familiar voice filled the air. Whipping around, Byakuya found Karen staring back at him. She started clapping, giggling that slipped through her playful grin, "I came to thank you, Fukawa".

"F-for what?"

"Why, for returning this blissful feeling, of course!" Her tone was too high-pitched; too fake. Byakuya wanted to recoil as she walked closer. "What's wrong, Byakuya? Am I too repulsive for you? Now that you know I've been touched by despair?" Her hands ran across her arms; bright red nails sending adrenaline through him. She tossed something at Makoto, "I don't need that anymore.  There's bound to be something that interests you," her words curled in mockery.

Byakuya glanced at the gaudy contraption that Karen had tossed; a pink-stone covered cell phone. "Is that Enoshima's?"

Her mouth flew open, her hands rested on her hips. "That's the first thing you say to me? You could've at least acknowledged my outfit first!" A hand flew up, covering her mouth as she laughed. She wasn't wearing the usual Future Foundation uniform; a short black dress with corset lacing in the front replaced it. Fishnet stockings, boots with thick heels, and a long leopard print trench coat; Byakuya couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Junko loved leopard print. We used to match a lot when we went out," Karen played with her hair, reminiscing.

The others tried to find the obvious questions; their mouths shaping to form the words but nothing coming out. Toko didn't dare look in Karen's direction, but that didn't stop her from opening her mouth. "Told you so," she muttered. As the words fell from her mouth, Kyoko and Byakuya snapped their gazes back to Toko.

"Now, now, everyone! No need to get touchy, Fukawa," Karen wavered a finger in Fukawa's direction. Walking past the others, Karen stood mere inches from Toko's face. "Because this is your fault. Your White Knight has lost his trust and tolerance for you," She looked back to Byakuya with a grin. "This was avoidable, but you just HAD to use Jill as a scapegoat," Karen jabbed a finger into Toko's chest, "you played me like Junko". With a satisfied smile, Karen turned on her heel and sauntered towards the door. Another giggle tore through the tension. "Unlike Junko," a hand jutted out in one of Enoshima's usual mannerisms, "I don't play fucking games". The door gently clicked shut.

Sitting around Byakuya's room, Kyoko flipped through the cell phone, trying to find anything 'interesting'. "Anything, Kirigiri?" Byakuya said; he hadn't moved from his desk since coming back to his room. Thoughts were running rampant; 'what broke her?', 'how did she fall into despair in mere hours?', the list was endless. He was more frustrated in the fact he had only asked about the cell phone, not about Karen or her mental state. Pushing his self-conflict away, Byakuya glanced at the pair sitting on his bed. Kyoko glanced up, waving him over.

"There are several videos," She turned towards Togami; Makoto knelt behind the two, looking over their shoulders. The videos were short, most only thirty seconds long, until discovering the longest video in the series.

Junko was positioning the phone on what seemed to be a bookshelf. Unlike the others, this video seemed planned. "Junko!" Byakuya flinched at the anger in what he recognized to be Karen's voice. "What did you do to Nagito?" Karen came into view, her body turned mostly away from the camera. Junko's sickening laughter made Byakuya want to smash the phone. "You're sinking your despair-crap into his head!" Karen pointed an accusatory finger at Enoshima.

"He's always been weird!" Junko half-defended. "Besides, he's attracted to your despair!" More gut-wrenching laughter came through the speaker.

Karen shook her head, "He was full of hopeful admiration and you tainted it!"

Junko groaned, "Your ignorance is giving me a fucking migraine! You bred your despair together!" She sat down on the couch, arms stretched out on the back. A wide grin spread on her face, "You became each other's despair!" Junko held herself, insane laughter pouring out. She continued to cheer on as Karen burst out of the room. The video stopped on Junko retrieving the phone; Kyoko turned the phone off, glancing at Togami.

"What do you suppose we do now?" Togami looked at Kyoko; frustration visible in his expression.

"Watch her closely. She's vulnerable, especially if any of the directors get involved," Kyoko stood, tucking the phone into her pocket. The new information didn't answer every question; if anything, it only confused them more. "Excuse me," Kyoko made a hasty exit, leaving Naegi and Togami behind.

Makoto slid off the bed, staring at Byakuya. He felt like he needed to say something, anything to relieve the burden of guilt from his shoulders. Clenching his fists, he started to speak.

"Don't apologize," Byakuya held up his hand, stopping Makoto. "The only one to feel any guilt should be Fukawa. This wouldn't have happened if she hadn't acted dramatically".

With Byakuya's reassurance, Makoto nodded and headed for the door. Before leaving, Makoto glanced over his shoulder, "I know you don't like being told what to do but...try to get some rest. We've all had a long day," With that said, Togami watched Makoto gently shut the door behind him.