Now that Apollo's revealed himself to be apart of the dark side, there will be changes to how I write the layouts of these chapters.

It will no longer be in his perspective. It will now be in 3rd person.

So, with that said, enjoy the chapter!

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DING DONG! BING BONG!

Monokuma's morning announcement played out per usual, signaling that a new day has started. With that, the participants of the Killing Game slowly arose from their slumber.

As they got ready for the brand new day, they all couldn't help but remember the events that transpired the other night. One of which was the 3rd motive Monokuma gave out, and although that may be bad, the motive itself didn't mean much.

The real thing lurking in the back of their minds though, was Apollo.

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"FACE IT! The only way to escape is by MURDERING one another! Monokuma won't do such a thing as to give you all an escape route! There is NO hope of an escape route ANYWHERE around the school! If you want to get outta here, then all you need to do... is commit a murder, and get away with it."

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"FOOLS! THIS IS A GAME OF MURDERS, BETRAYALS, LIES! There isn't ANY room for FRIENDSHIP! There isn't ANY room for TEAMWORK! And... there CERTAINLY is no room for COMRADERY!"

---------------

But, the speech on the minds of Sayaka and Makoto were different compared to the rest of the students there.

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"When we first came to this game, I seriously was super excited to see you two! Seeing old friends reunite, under any other circumstance, it would tug on my heartstrings! But... in a KILLING GAME!? THAT, THAT, MAKES IT SOOOOOO MUCH BETTER!"

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"Just... the thought of old besties, betraying one another in an act of frame...! ESPECIALLY when its performed on ME! Ahh... the feeling! The feeling of sadness! Regret! Anger! BETRAYAL! IT FELT SO FUCKING GOOD!"

---------------

And, as the speeches rang through their minds, they slowly come to a realization.

They needed to get to the dining hall and have their meeting to start their day.

So, with heavy hearts, they walked towards the dining hall.

---------------

As Makoto walked through the doors of the dining hall, he was met with the faces of his fellow peers. Wordlessly, he drifts over to his seat, his eyes glued onto Apollo's previous seat, the traitor remained absent.

Leon: So... the people here today are... same as yesterday. Just us 8.

Junko: Not the same, dingus. Apollo's not here.

Sakura: Byakuya and Toko are a lost cause, but...

Their eyes drift over towards the Moral Compass's seat.

Junko: Taka's also not here... 

Leon: Man, do I feel for him... he's prolly given up.

Celeste: For people wound as tight as he is, when you snap, you snap hard.

Makoto: I wish there was some way to make him better...

Sayaka: So do I... I just feel so... sad...

Celeste: On another topic... Kyoko, did everything go alright last night?

Kyoko: Yeah, I didn't have any problems. I went and checked on the laptop a little while ago, and there weren't any problems there, either. But...

Kyoko hesitates momentarily before continuing.

Kyoko: It's related to this case, so I suppose I should be blunt. I have to make a new rule. Using Alter Ego without permission is prohibited. Someone going in and out of the dressing room would draw unwanted attention from the mastermind.

Celeste: I would have thought that would be obvious. Why do we need to make a rule about it?

Kyoko: That's a good question. Your thoughts, Leon?

Leon: Huh? Me...? Well... not really. Sure, Alter Ego is pretty cool and all, but nothing that I wanna fuck around with all day.

Kyoko: Then it's settled. 

Hina: But... what do we do about... *him*?

The room falls silent. 

Junko: Yeah... what *do* we do about him? 

Junko then glances at Kyoko.

Junko: Hey, Kyoko... did you hear anything from Apollo last night? 

Kyoko: Can't say that I have, not that anything comes to mind.

Junko: Oh... how about this morning?

Kyoko: Nothing, either.

Junko: Huh. Strange... 

She then falls deep into thought.

Junko: If he knows about Alter Ego, then why hasn't he done anything about him? Surely he knows that... having Alter Ego by our side would mean instant defeat as time goes on, right?

Hina: Don't tell me that he's planning to make his move when we're an inch away from victory!

Leon: That *is* something he'd do, yeah...

Makoto: Well... we should do what we said last night.

Sayaka: You mean that... stalker thing? 

Makoto: Yeah, that. We should look around the school and follow him around to make sure he doesn't do anything reckless.

Junko: Hmm... that sounds good and all, but... 

Leon: But what?

Junko: Didn't you guys remember the motive last night?

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"Puhuhu! You're really crazy, aren't ya!? Risking your life for the thrill of it, I can certainly empathize with that! O-kay then, it's settled! Whoever kills Apollo AND escapes with the murder, will get a special SPECIAL prize and ten million dollars!"

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Junko: How... can we trust each other that we won't try to kill him?

Hina: What do you mean, Junko?

Junko: Well...

She glances over at Sayaka and Makoto.

Junko: You heard it yourself. We have 2 failed murderers in our midst.

Hina: B-But I thought we agreed to get over it...!

Sayaka: Junko, I assure you that I am past that! I swear!

Leon: Yeah, I've forgiven those two! It's fine!

Junko: Not for me, it ain't. 

Sayaka: J-Junko...?

She then glances away and sighs.

Junko: I can't tell you how many times I've heard that phrase over and over again... "I'm past that! We're over it! Trust me!"... And, guess what happens next? They did the same mistake again.

Junko's right arm starts to shake, causing worried expressions from the group.

Hina: J-Junko...?

Junko: I... I'm sorry, but I can't take any more chances. I've dealt with enough backstabbers throughout my life, I won't take another for granted.

Sayaka: Junko... y-you can-

Junko: NO! Enough with the "You can trust me" bullcrap! 

Junko bangs her arm on the table and glares at Sayaka.

Junko: Once I've seen a mistake, don't expect me to redeem that in a blink of an eye. Apollo was right, I won't be comfortable to stand beside 2 murderers!

Sayaka: Y-You're playing into his hands, Junko! Calm down!

Junko: Don't tell ME to calm down, you s-

All of a sudden, laughter could be heard from the doorway. The students glance over to see none other than...

Apollo: Already fighting among each other, huh?

Leon: You...

He steps into the doorway and smiles.

Apollo: So, what are your plans for today, everyone? Search around the school to try find an escape route? 

Hina: Tch... 

Celeste: What do you want?

Apollo: What do I want? I'm just here to say hello! Duuuh!

He then walks around the table.

Apollo: And, since I'm technically a participant of this game too... What's the plans?

Celeste: Whatever it may be, you won't take any part in it.

Hina: Y-Yeah! We're not gonna let someone like you take part in it!

Apollo then glances down sadly.

Apollo: The hell...? Where's all this hostility coming from?

Leon: Umm... the fuck? You betrayed us, dude. Of course we'll be hostile to you!

Apollo: I'm a human too, ya know? I got emotions.

Leon: And guess what? We don't care.

Apollo: Oof... harsh words, old buddy of mine.

Leon suddenly rushes at Apollo and grips his hand on his collar.

Leon: Bastard...!

Apollo: Woah... woah-oh-oh! Calm yourself down, good sir!

Leon: Would I pay the whole world for you TO SHUT UP!? We're NO LONGER buddies! And, we sure as hell are NOT cool with each other anymore!

Sakura: Leon, enough. Getting angry won't get anywhere.

Leon glances at Sakura before dropping Apollo down harshly. The traitor then gets up and sweeps his clothes.

Apollo: Sheesh... that kinda hurt, not gonna lie.

Leon: Shut up, bastard.

Leon then walks back to his seat and takes a deep breath.

Sayaka: You know... I don't really get it...

Apollo: Huh?

Sayaka: Why? Why would you do this for your own entertainment? You told us that yesterday, right? You only became a mole for your own fun, right?

Apollo: Oh, of course. All for the fun of it, nothin' else.

Sayaka's face turns shocked upon hearing the straight-forward answer.

Sayaka: T-Then...

Apollo: Did you seriously think that because I saved you that one time, it makes me good in your eyes? I did that because I just wanted to, that's all.

Sayaka: ...

Apollo: You really thought I would be your "Knight in your Shining Armor", huh? What a pity... Actually, I don't think you ever thought me that, since you literally tried to frame me.

Sayaka: That was because-!

Apollo: Ap-papapap! Don't wanna hear it, refuse to listen to it!

Sayaka: Once you let me expla-!

Apollo: Nope! You won't get the chance to!

Sayaka: You-!

Apollo: ANYWAYS... 

He puts his foot onto a chair and leans on it.

Apollo: What we doin'? Any plans? Group secrets? Perhaps... you're all planning to take my life?

Celeste: Plans that are none of your concern. Please, get lost.

Hina: Again, we won't tell you a thing!

Junko: Yeah! So scram and go away!

Makoto: ...

Apollo: Seriously...? Not even a soul? Tough crowd, eh?

He then glances at Makoto.

Apollo: Hey, Makoto.

Makoto: H-Huh!? Me?

Apollo: Yeah, you. What we doin' for today?

Makoto: U-Um...

He glances at the students to see them shake their heads.

Makoto: N-Nothing... in particular...

Apollo: You sound unsure. And, you seriously think that I'll believe that you will all stay in this one spot of the table and not move?

Makoto: Umm... y-yeah...

He gives him a blank stare before shaking his head.

Apollo: Unbelievable... 

Hina: We're not gonna tell you scrap, Apollo. ESPECIALLY when you're the traitor!

Apollo: But I'm being serious here, everyone. What. Are. We. Doing. For. Today?

He glances back at the group, anger written on his face.

Celeste: If we're going to continue going around in a circle, then I suppose that I should be leaving. Goodbye, everyone.

Celeste then turns to leave the hall.

Sakura: I suppose I'll be leaving as well.

Junko: Same here...

Leon: Yeah, same...

Apollo: G-Guys? Guys!?

Slowly, the rest of the students turnt to leave the dining hall.

Apollo: Guys...? Seriously...?

He lets out a sigh.

Apollo: Damn... right, then.

???: I'm still here, you know?

Apollo: Huh?

He whirls back to see the lavender-hared girl, still sat on her chair.

Apollo: Oh, Kyoko.

Kyoko: Before I leave, I would like to ask you a few questions.

Apollo: Oh, of course.

Kyoko: In the bathhouse. 

Her right eye then glances at the camera. And surprisingly to her, Apollo nods as well.

Apollo: Gotcha. Meet you there.

He then turns to leave the Dining Hall, leaving Kyoko with a question.

"Why would he lower his guard around me?"

Mentally shrugging, she turns to leave the bathhouse as well.

---------------

Once in the bathhouse, Apollo turns to sit down by Alter Ego. The display of Chihiro then fills the screen and Apollo gives a small wave to the program. The program then smiles back at him.

Kyoko then comes into the bathhouse and sits down across Apollo.

Kyoko: Now, I'm curious about something. Why did you lower your guard when I was there?

Apollo: Oh... already straight to the point, huh?

Kyoko: I run on a tight schedule.

Apollo: Of course, of course. Well... it was only you there, was it not? You wouldn't kill me.

Kyoko: You don't know that for sure. That ten million dollar deal and special prize does look enticing.

Apollo lets out a chuckle.

Apollo: Didn't take you as a joking type.

Kyoko: I wasn't joking.

Apollo: Oh. R-Right...

He lets out a sigh.

Apollo: Well... its just you there, and I didn't think that you'd kill me. That's all.

Kyoko: But, you're the traitor, are you not? The camera's could easily catch on our conversation. I was surprised to see that you were willing to go along.

Apollo: I do have standards. 

Kyoko: There's something else to that, isn't there?

Apollo: ...

Kyoko gives Apollo a glare.

Kyoko: You faked being the traitor, didn't you?

Apollo: Huh? No? I am the traitor, Kyoko. I promised Monokuma that I would.

Kyoko: As far as I'm concerned, you haven't taken any drastic actions yet.

Apollo: It's the long-con game, you see. It'll take its course, don't worry.

Kyoko: ...

She walks over to Alter Ego and glances back at the red-streaked boy.

Kyoko: I was surprised to see that Alter Ego still remained here this morning. I expected it to be taken away.

Apollo: And where's the fun in that? I'm waiting for him to finish all his files, then swoop him away at the last second.

Kyoko: ...

Apollo then lets out a sigh.

Apollo: If you're trying to finess me, it ain't happening. 

Kyoko: ...

Apollo: I'm the traitor, that's final. I won't even bother to hide it.

Kyoko: But, there has to be an ulterior motive, is there not?

Apollo: That's up for you to decide. But... I'll tell you something.

Apollo then walks up to Kyoko's ear and whispers.

"We're still partners."

This causes Kyoko to shrivel up inside. Apollo then backs away.

Apollo: Remember that, Kyoko. If you're done asking me questions, then I shall leave. Cya!

He then walks away from the bathhouse, leaving Kyoko inside with even more questions.

And, as she tries to answer it, it lead to frustration.

Kyoko: Tch... he's going to be difficult to crack... he didn't tell me much at all...

Letting out a sigh, she walks out of the dining hall before giving one last glance at Alter Ego.

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As Apollo walked through the hallway after leaving the bathhouse, he suddenly felt eyes bore onto his back. Letting out a chuckle, he glances back to see...

Nobody.

Apollo: Hey. If you're planning to kill me, make it obviously... I dunno, conspicuous?

???: I'm not planning to kill you.

Apollo: Then, so be it, Makoto.

Makoto: Huh!? How did he-?

Apollo rolls his eyes.

Apollo: I could tell just by the voice.

Makoto: Oh... really? Heh-heheh... this is awkward.

Apollo: It sure is. Now, care to explain why you're following me?

Makoto: Oh... well... i-it's for fun! I-I was bored in my room, ya see. So...

Apollo: Sure dude, sure.

Makoto: Y-Yeah... sure...

Apollo then walks away, but silently, Makoto continues to follow him.

After a while though, Apollo stops in his tracks again and looks behind him to see nothing.

Apollo: Dude, how long are you gonna follow me?

Makoto: Umm... until I get bored.

Apollo: If you hadn't realized it, we literally just looped around the 1st floor.

Makoto then realizes that he was hiding behind the same corner.

Makoto: O-Oh... I-I've noticed.

Apollo: Right...

He then turns to walk away, leaving Makoto to follow him once again. And again, Apollo loops around the 1st floor, leaving Makoto questioning himself.

"Why is he... going around in a circle?"

Eventually, on the same spot, Apollo turns back to nothingness.

Apollo: Still there?

Makoto: Y-Yep!

Apollo: K, just making sure.

He then glances away and turns to walk another full circle around the floor.

Apollo: Presence check.

Makoto: R-Right here!

And again, he turns to walk around a full circle around the floor. 

Apollo: Makoto check.

...

Apollo: Umm... Makoto check.

Makoto: R-Right here!

Apollo: K.

He then turns to loop around the 1st floor once more, leaving Makoto completely confused.

"Why is he just going in a circle!?"

But, he continues to follow Apollo.

And, after looping around 2 more times, Makoto had enough.

Makoto: Hey!

Apollo eventually turns around and glances at Makoto, who now has revealed himself in front of the traitor.

Apollo: Ah, there you are.

Makoto: Why are you looping around in a circle? Why aren't you doing anything... umm, anything...

Apollo: Anything what?

Makoto: Anything... t-traitor-like.

Apollo: Oh, but I am.

Makoto: Huh?

Apollo: I'm doing this for 2 reasons. One, following me will just waste your time. You're better off hanging in the rec room. 

Makoto: R-right...

Apollo: And two, I've been luring you away from a crime scene at the 3rd floor.

Makoto: W-What!? Really!?

Apollo: Yep. You better go look.

Makoto: Shoot! How could I be so blind!? 

Makoto then dashes to the third floor, leaving Apollo to chuckle to himself.

Apollo: Still gullible as ever, eh? Nothin' changes with you.

He then turns around.

Apollo: And now to do something I came here to do.

Apollo then walks back to the dormitory and stands in front of Taka's room. 

Apollo: Room service!

He rings the doorbell, and after a while, the door opens, revealing Taka's ghostly expression.

Apollo: Mind if I come in, Taka?

Taka: ...

Wordlessly, Taka stands aside, letting Apollo come into the room. 

And, as he does so, the door then closes behind the traitor and the mourner.

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Next time on Rebirth:

Chapter 35: Coping.