The next morning, Akihiko heard a knock on his door. He quickly got out of bed and changed and went to the door. It was Leon.

             “Mornin’ Aki-kun! Wanna go to breakfast together?”

              Akihiko nodded. “If you’d like.” Leon rolled his eyes at Akihiko’s politeness and knelt down. “Get on.”

              “What?”

              “I said I’ll show you fun. I’ll carry you to breakfast while running as fast as I can. My dad used to do this while I was little. It’s pretty fun!”

             Akihiko stared. “Are you sure I’m not too heavy?”

             Leon flexed his muscles. “I can handle it!” Gingerly, Akihiko clambered onto Leon’s back. Leon slowly stood up. Then suddenly he started running.

             Akihiko let out a surprised gasp. Then he started laughing. “Having fun?” Leon asked between breaths.

             “Yeah!” Akihiko cheered. “The best!” They arrived in the dining room with a bang. Everyone looked up, startled.

             “Oh…sorry.” Akihiko said, composing himself and getting off Leon’s back. Leon squeezed his hand.

             “I was showing Aki-kun how a lil fun can go a long way!” Leon grinned. “As you can tell, we’re having a great time.”

             Akihiko, still holding Leon’s hand, hid behind him. “Come on, they won’t hurt you if you’re a bit more open.” Leon whispered.

            Akihiko hesitated, then stepped forward. “I’m sorry if I acted a little arrogant. I hope we’ll be real friends eventually.”

            Acknowledgements rang through the room and Akihiko smiled shyly. He sat down next to Leon and Junko. 

            “Now we’re just waiting for Sayaka!”  Hina smiled, tapping her chin. “Naegi-kun, how is she?”

            “We switched rooms for the night because she felt unsafe, but she did seem more like her old self. I don’t know why she wouldn’t…” Naegi paused, his face filling with horror as he realized the same thing as Akihiko. He swore, standing up and knocking over his chair, then bolted out of the room.

            No! Akihiko followed, the others close behind. She’s alive, Akihiko chanted in his head. She just slept in, we all had a big shock yesterday- He skidded to a stop behind Naegi as he let out a scream.

             “Naegi-senpai, excuse me-“ Pushing past him, Akihiko froze in shock. 

             Sayaka Maizono was covered in blood, leaning against the bathroom wall, knife in her gut. Her eyes were closed. Akihiko immediately went to her side and felt for her pulse. That, her cold skin, and Monokuma confirmed what he was trying so hard to ignore.

            “A body has been discovered!” Monokuma’s voice crackled over the speakers. “After a period of investigation, a class trial will commence! Come to the gym to receive the Monokuma file.”

           The thump that followed was the Ultimate Lucky Student Makoto Naegi passing out in shock.