Chapter 2 - Part 20
Why hello there, Mahiru and Hajime. I'm glad you guys are doing well.
Eh!? Nagito!?
It feels like... it's been a long time since I was able to talk to you two like this.
Even though we haven't spoken... for just a few days...
What are you doing here?
Well, there's no need to worry about a loser like me...
More importantly, did you hear? Apparently Chiaki got killed this time.
Jeez, how horrible. She was such a nice person...
If only I had been killed instead. I would have gladly accepted.
J-Jeez! Don’t say that!
But still... you guys will be able to shine because this outcome is full of despair, right!?
That's right, no matter how dark the despair, hope can shine much brighter and stronger!
Hehe! Though I do feel bad for Chiaki, this is quite exciting! How will everyone overcome despair this time?
He calls this...“exciting”?
But, it’s not like he doesn’t care... he looked really upset at first...
So is this... him trying to be optimistic?
...Keep that crap out of this.
Y-You don't have to make such a scary face. I didn’t intend to cause any upset... not for the Ultimate...
Actually, how’s that going? You still don’t know your Ultimate yet?
Y... You...
Um... how did you even get here, Nagito? And how do you know about Chiaki?
It was all Monomi.
That’s right! It was me.
You...? It was *you* who did this?
D...Don’t speak with such disdain in your voice!
Nagito deserves a fair chance at this... because you all have to work together! You have to be friends!
Do you actually expect all of us to be friends with him? Have you forgotten what kind of a guy he is!?
Hatred between friends is directly falling into Monokuma’s trap!
You mustn't hate each other... you mustn't be overcome by despair!
You... you should be like Mahiru!
...Huh?
Wait, what?
Mahiru has been going out of her way to spread love. Did you know she went and delivered Nagito food when he was all tied up?
They had a lovely chat. She’s truly a model student...
You listened to our conversation!?
M-Mahiru, why did you do that!?
Don’t get mad at me! What was I supposed to do, let him starve!?
She’s right! She did the right thing!
You must work together... You mustn't fall into Monokuma’s trap! [leaves]
Ah, things have gotten a little awkward...
It’s fine. It’s not your fault the stuffed doll is like that.
...
Anyway, are you here to play Twilight Syndrome?
Ah... I already saw the true ending of that game, so there's really no reason for me to be here.
Oh... Okay...
...Wait, true ending...?
Although I might be a little late... I, too, will do some investigating for a while.
I will try to be useful... in my own way.
“Be useful”, he says.
So whose side are you going to be on? The killer’s? Or ours?
...Isn't it obvious?
I will always be... on the side of hope.
...
Nagito, before you leave...
I didn’t think to bring this up at the old building, but... can I just ask for an explanation?
An explanation?
...For Byakuya’s party.
Why... did you do that?
Shouldn’t you already know the answer, Mahiru?
Answer? What answer?
I said it already. I want to see everyone’s hope shine.
And *we* don’t!
If you respect Ultimates so much, why is it that you ignore everything Mahiru and I have to say?
I’ve made it clear I love everyone...but it’s especially brazen to say I don’t respect Mahiru.
No matter what it takes, I want to help her as best I can, in any way I can.
Even... if it costs me my own life.
Eh...?
W...What?
...Whoops. Looks like you were able to wring one more thing out of me.
How should I put this... As you both know, I hadn’t planned to survive Teruteru’s attacks...
R-Right, but what does that have to do with Mahiru?
The moment I met Mahiru, I saw the potential she had.
The way she carried herself... told me there was a strong hope within her.
But, it was still dormant.
She needed a push in the right direction, and simply befriending her wasn’t going to be enough.
To help her realize her full potential, I had to arrange something more... intricate.
Killing yourself...!?
My death wouldn’t just help the entire class, it would also act as your final stepping stone.
Of course, we all know how things *actually* turned out.
I have to admit, I was a little disappointed I hadn’t taken the fall....
But since Byakuya’s death helped everyone become stronger... not much was lost in the end.
Tell me, Mahiru, do you think you’re prepared for Chiaki’s trial?
...
Is that... really true?
Nagito was so determined to help me... he was going to kill himself?
That’s so wrong! He shouldn’t be thinking like that!
Hey, that’s enough. Get lost already.
...I was only joking, but if you say so.
Good luck with your investigation. [leaves]
Are you okay?
Ah! I don’t know!
Is it true? Is what Nagito said really true?
That’s not okay! Someone needs to help him!
L-Let’s just ignore him and focus on the game instead.
Ignore him? Is that really what we should be doing right now?
A person like Nagito shouldn’t be left on his own - someone has to speak some sense into him!
Mahiru?
S-Sorry. Let’s go.
Um... how exactly do we beat this game again?
If I boot it up now, I’ll get the same stuff from before.
You got a Game Over screen, yeah?
Um, yeah...
Then there’s your clue.
Eh? What?
It’s sneaky. On the Game Over screen, there’s actually a secret code.
A... secret code?
You should have already seen it. Do you remember what was on that Game Over screen?
Um... lemme think...
If I remember correctly, it was just the words “GAME OVER” and “DOWN FIVE”.
Well... those aren’t words.
Eh? What do you mean?
Like I said, it’s very sneaky...
Is he having fun with this...!?
Those are actually directions. It’s telling you to press the ‘down’ button five times.
Ah! Then, using that code...!
I think you should go and use that button sequence on the title screen.
Doing that, you’ll be able to access the game’s secret mode.
I see...
It sounds stupid, but this is actually starting to feel a little fun...
It’s... sort of like figuring out a hard puzzle in a mystery game, I guess.
So you do play mystery games!
Uh, well...
It’s pretty amazing you picked up on this. Without your help, I wouldn’t have noticed anything!
It’s not like I’m unusually perceptive or anything. Sometimes your brain just clicks and has a moment.
Considering Nagito beat the game, the same must have happened for him...
Anyway, you should go ahead and try it.