Truth, Perjury, and Sacrifice

Preparations

Makoto sighed as he followed Kyoko into their house, tossing the car keys onto the console table. As he pulled his blazer from his shoulders, Kyoko kicked her heels off and near the coat rack. If this were the typical Thursday, Makoto would be cooking dinner while Kyoko responded to the numerous responses to emails she had sent this morning. The pair stood in the entryway for a moment, staring at each other. "What do you think her plan is?"

Kyoko grimaced, "Knowing Karen, she'll try to approach the other Future Foundation directors for support and try to push a public announcement."

"Tomorrow?"

"I hope not. Rushing such a bold decision would only increase the risk of failure." Kyoko opened the fridge, pulling out a half-empty bottle of wine. "But again, knowing that stubborn woman, she would push for tomorrow."

Makoto smirked, hugging his girlfriend from behind. "Do you think she made a mistake?"

Kyoko paused mid-pour, "Not necessarily. She should have come home and discussed this with everyone first, though." She finished pouring the two glasses, passing one to Makoto. "Honestly, I think you were the only one who supported the decision to bring them back."

"Yeah, Byakuya reminded me of that constantly." Makoto took a tiny sip. "He's reminded me of a lot of things, actually. What do you think he thinks of this?"

Kyoko smirked, "I doubt he's thinking about tomorrow at all."

"Are you kidding? This is probably the dumbest decision she has ever made!" Toko dropped a spoon into the sink.

"I think it'll go better than you expect," Komaru tossed a blueberry in the writer's direction. After hanging out with Hina and Sakura more often, Komaru formed a smoothie addiction that Toko had a hard time quelling.

"How is she going to tell the public that she just brought back the group who tortured and killed their loved ones? What is she going to say, that they've been cured?"

"But you brought them back through that computer program, right?" Komaru leaned over the back of the couch, pouting.

"Yeah, but...not everyone would understand the technology behind it. It was pure dumb luck that they recovered."

Komaru smirked, chuckling, "Hey, that's my brother!"

"Komaru, I'm serious. She can't rely on us to clean up her mess. Not this time. Makoto can't be there as her lucky charm."

"What was that about on the way here?" Hajime glanced back at Nagito. They had already settled into the restored apartment complex. This had been the first project Karen had slaved over for the first month that they had been on the island. He could still hear Kazuichi complaining about Karen's every nagging question and suggestion.

"What are you talking about?"

"The pep talk. I don't think I've ever heard you sound so confident."

Nagito set the documents he was reading aside. "She needed it. Being confident will be the only way she succeeds."

"What? But you're the one who promoted her idea to us!"

Nagito shrugged, "It got her mind off the drugs, right?" Hajime's mouth hung open. "Hey, don't look at me like that. She wouldn't have come home if I hadn't pushed the idea. Now, I don't like Togami, but I would hate Karen more if she chose to stay on that island."

"So, what, you're expecting us to be forced out again?" Hajime bit his tongue. "You purposefully set her up to fail, is that it?"

"Didn't you hear me?" Nagito stood up from the couch. "I said being confident is the only way she'll succeed. But she'll need our support, too. Did you forget about the calls she made to the other directors?"

"I thought they didn't want anything to do with us?"

"She convinced a few. But more importantly, she got confirmation from Munakata."

"Good morning," Karen smiled, kissing Byakuya's cheek.

Confused, he checked his phone. It was a little past seven-thirty in the morning. "You're awake before me." His alarm would have begun to ring just before eight. This was one of the changes Hinata must have been referencing.

"I thought I'd bring you coffee in bed this time." She set the tray between them.

Beside the tray was a sealed folder. "What's that?" Byakuya reached for the folder, untying the string closure with one hand.

"Legal documents. The draft of my speech, confirmations of approval, and all the stipulations for their return." Karen pulled the stack of papers out, arranging them in order of business. "So, I'm here in progress," she pointed to the confirmation statements.

Byakuya blinked at the signature at the top of the stack. Abandoning the coffee for the moment, he snatched the paper into his hand and re-read the name. Over and over. Was he seeing this right? "How the hell did you get Munakata to agree to this? No, how did you get in contact with him?"

Karen sucked her lips in. "I can't tell you where he is or how I managed to reach him. But I spent two weeks trying to convince him to sign this appeal. When he gave in, he just told me not to paint Juzo or Chisa in a bad light." She showed Byakuya every name, most were directors of other Foundation branches. "I also have a few testimonies in favor of their return. Civilian testimonies."

Byakuya skimmed over the short stack of witness testimonies, baffled by the fact there were even two people to speak for the former Remnants. "The fact that you found testimonies is impressive. But this won't convince the public."

"I'm not finished in building the case. I need Makoto's, Kyoko's, and your help."

Byakuya's gaze steeled. "With what?"

"I need the footage of the last two killing games."