DING DONG! BING BONG!

Waking up to the morning announcement, I drowsily got up from the bed and yawned. Stretching my arms to the sky, I took a moment to sit upright, the memories from the other night still lingering in my mind.

With new information that Sakura is the second traitor and that Apollo knows about the picture in my pocket, I let out a sigh and headed towards the bathroom to get ready for the day.

Once I was finished showering and my make-up donned on, I grabbed my clothes and headed to the dining hall, worried about what could happen today.

And soon, I arrive at the dining hall.

Makoto: Ah, Sayaka! There you are! Are you alright?

Sayaka: Huh...? I-I'm alright. Why the question?

Toko: You were late, s-so... we were worried a-about you...

Byakuya: What a dullard...

Sayaka: Sorry, sorry... my make-up was just not co-operating today...

Junko: Oh, I get that a lot. That's an understandable excuse.

Sayaka: Y-Yeah...

...

Sayaka: Wait. W-What are you three doing here?

Realizing that Toko, Junko, and Byakuya were here for some reason, my body grew cautious and stiff.

Hina: They're "taking refuge" here.

Sayaka: Refuge...?

Byakuya: Don't make that stupid face. We have to protect ourselves against the mastermind's tool.

Sayaka: The mastermind's... tool?

"Do they mean... Sakura?"

And, right there and then, I noticed something.

The only one that wasn't present at the current moment... 

was Apollo and Sakura, the 2 traitors.

Sayaka: Wait... w-where *is* Sakura?

Byakuya: All I know is, if she were here, I wouldn't be. The only reason I went out of my way to join the rest of you was as a safeguard against that threat.

Sayaka: Threat...?

"Oh, right..."

"I was told... to kill one of my friends."

That was the promise the mastermind entrusted Sakura.

And... that's why Byakuya, Junko, and Toko were present today.

Hina: Why...? Why do you hate her so much?

Byakuya: Isn't it obvious? Because this makes things unfair.

Makoto: Unfair...?

Byakuya: The game should be fair to all players. The existence of 2 spies for the mastermind upsets that balance.

Hina: That's a stupid reason!

Junko: Stupid? Hina, this is a life-and-death game! How about you use that brain of yours sometime?

Hina: No, it IS stupid! You're all just stupid idiots!

Kyoko: Before you get too far into your argument, maybe you should stop and think things through. Why did the mastermind reveal that Sakura was the spy to us?

Hina: They were getting revenge on her, right? Like Monokuma said, "An eye for an eye."

Kyoko: That may be a part of it, but it's not the whole reason. This is just like Apollo's case. Revealing that fact was also meant to serve us as the next motive the mastermind wanted to give us. The chaos and confusion born from suspicion... the hatred... In other words, this right here - the fighting, the bickering - is the trap the mastermind laid for us. Knowing that, will you stand there and argue like children?

Hina: T-That's not what I'm trying to do. It's just...

Suddenly, tears started to spring up from Hina's eyes.

Hina: I mean... how can I get you guys to believe in Sakura again?

Toko: I-If she r-really can beat the mastermind, like s-she said... I-I find that... i-impossibly ridiculous.

Hina: Idiot! You'd really ask her to do something so dangerous!? What if something terrible happens to her!?

It was very clear to everyone that Hina was NOT in the best of moods.

Clearly, she was worried about Sakura, her best friend.

And... she wanted us to believe in her again.

But... the thing was...

We've learned from the past.

We've learned about what happens if you trust in someone too much.

And unfortunately... Hina hasn't.

Byakuya: It wouldn't matter.

Hina: ... What?

Byakuya: If Sakura were to die, that's one less person for the mastermind to control. I have no problem with that.

...

"Wait. That's not what-"

Makoto: H-Hold on! Byakuya-!

Byakuya: In fact, if she *did* die, that would settle this entire issue, wouldn't it? It would put the WHOLE problem to rest!

*SLAP!*

As Byakuya finishes that statement...

A huge resounding slap echoed throughout the dining hall.

Byakuya: What the hell...?

Hina: You disgust me! You're... you're a monster!

Hina's hand was raised high, her slap leaving an imprint on Byakuya's cheek.

Hina: To say something like that... It should've been you. You should've been the one to die!

Byakuya: Oh, I should've died...? How interesting. Then are you planning to take care of that yourself? Then go ahead. Try it, if you dare. That's how it works here, after all.

Hina: Y-You think I can't do it?

Makoto: H-Hina! Calm down!

"This is spiraling out of control..."

Sighing, I walked over towards Hina and drag her away from Byakuya.

Kyoko: This is exactly what the mastermind wants. And it's exactly what Sakura *doesn't* want.

Hina: ...

And with that, all that spite, all that anger that Hina lashed out... turned dormant.

Byakuya: What's wrong? Lost your nerve?

Hina: ...

With a stream of tears still rolling down her face...

She pushes me off and turns to the door.

Hina: I'm leaving... I'll be in my room.

Trembling with anger, Hina ran off.

Toko: That s-stupid cow...! How dare she...!? She should d-die a thousand deaths! N-No, a million...!

Junko: God, such a *d-d-dramaaaa* queeeeen! Like, seriously! All that crying and all that anger was SOOOO unnecessary!

Byakuya: Hmph, so she was just another hysterical little girl. Hardly worth my attention...

Kyoko: It's what other people call having "feelings", Byakuya. And all you can do is mock them for it.

Byakuya: What's wrong with that?

I glance over at Kyoko to see a slight tint of anger was expressed on her face.

Kyoko: A friendly word of warning: Someday, that attitude is going to come back and bite you. Hard.

Byakuya: And I will happily elude its attempts.

Mentally sighing at how badly the day has gone, I clapped my hands to try to brighten the mood.

Sayaka: A-Anyways... how about we all eat? All that shouting must've drained all your energy.

Makoto: S-She's right. I'm starving...

And with that, one by one, everyone ate breakfast.

 Once that was done, without a word, everyone left the dining hall and back to their rooms.

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

(???)

...

...

...

"So... why'd ya bring me here?"

Seen inside the bathhouse, Apollo and Sakura sat across each other in different benches.

Sakura, her eyes glanced downwards, her hair covering her face.

And Apollo, his eyes and face gleaming with curiosity, a tint of insanity to go with it, too.

Apollo: You called me from my domain, did you not? So... say your mind. Camera's are gone, after all.

He motions towards the lack of camera's.

Yet, Sakura remained unmoving. 

Apollo: ... C'mon now. I don't got all day. 

...

Apollo: Actually, I *do* have all day, but I'm not gonna spend it all in here. 

...

Apollo: But... Alter Ego is here... so maybe... hmm...

Sakura: Why?

Apollo: Hmm?

Apollo glances at Sakura, the Martial Artist lifting her head up slightly.

Sakura: Why did you decide to join forces with Monokuma? You do realize that he's simply using you for his own goals.

Apollo: ... I joined the same reason as you did. He offered a deal, and I accepted it.

Sakura: ... And what deal did he propose to you? 

Apollo: Heh, and why should I tell you that?

At this, Sakura's head turns to fully glance at Apollo.

Apollo: You may be working alongside me-

Sakura: We aren't.

Apollo: Well... we *were*. But even then, I wouldn't tell that to anyone.

Sakura: ...

Apollo: It's the same as you, is it not? You wouldn't wish to reveal the reason you joined forces with Monokuma, right?

Sakura: ...

Sakura glances down once again.

Apollo: But... if you say that you're fighting against the mastermind... then you should probably tell 'em. After all, it seems that most of them seem to have... doubts about you now. If you'll tell them everything... then Monokuma's goal will remain unachieved.

At this, Sakura glances back at Apollo confused.

Sakura: ... Why would you tell me this? Aren't you on his side?

...

...

Apollo: What do you think? 

Sakura: Huh?

Apollo: After all I've done, the sins I've committed... do you think I'm on their side? 

Sakura remained silent, but it was clear that she was even more confused than ever.

However, she shakes her head and looks back at Apollo.

Sakura: Then, let me ask you another question. 

Apollo: And what might that be?

Sakura takes a deep breath and exhales, clear hesitation seen in her eyes.

But eventually, she manages to bring herself to ask the question.

Sakura: What... do you think I should do?

Apollo: Huh?

Sakura: For the very first time in my life... I feel lost. I... don't know what I should do.

Apollo: ...

Sakura: I want to fight against the mastermind. I've been wanting to fight against them since they started this game. But... I don't know how to do it. 

Apollo: ... Why are you telling me this? Why me?

Sakura: Because... I truly believe that... at the end of the day... you are on our side. They may not... but I still cling onto that hope that you're still truly not on Monokuma's side. So... this is why I'm asking you.

...

...

...

Apollo: If that is what you think... 

Apollo gets up from the bench and sighs.

Apollo: I'm afraid that I don't possess the answers for you.

He then turns to walk out of the dressing room, but he stops at the door.

Apollo: But... I do have advice for you.

Sakura: ... And that is?

The boy turns to the back of the Ultimate Martial Artist, a neutral yet sincere expression seen on his face.

Apollo: Do what you think is right. Don't let the others cloud your judgement. You are your own soul, your own mind. So... do what you think is right.

...

Apollo: Because... at the end of the day... we are all participants in a killing game.

With a shocked expression seen on Sakura's face, Apollo leaves the dressing room.

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

(Sayaka's POV)

DING DONG! BING BONG!

"Wait... it's morning...? H-How long did I sleep last night...?"

...

"T-That doesn't matter! I need to go to the dining hall!"

Quickly preparing for the day ahead of me once again, I took off to the dining hall, not willing to be late once again.

However, when I came out of the room...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

I heard someone scream.

And, it came from the dining hall.

"Something's happened!"

Dashing to the dining hall, worried about what might've happened, I burst through the doors to see Junko freaking out.

Junko: Oh, Sayaka! Big problem! BIG BIG problem!

Sayaka: W-What's wrong!?

Junko: Presidential Alert: The girls are fighting! I repeat, the girls are FIGHTING!

She points to the middle of the dining hall...

And, I let out a gasp of terror, as I saw that Genocide Jill was attacking Hina.

Sayaka: H-Hina!?

Hina: Nn...gghh...

Genocide Jill: That hafta teach ya a lesson to NOT put your filthy hands on master! Hah!

I then cringe as Genocide Jill swipes her scissors towards Hina's shoulder, the swimmer letting out a shriek of pain as the scissors sank deep into the fabric.

Hina: AHHHH!

Sayaka: That's enough, both of you!

Quickly stepping into the fray to avoid any more conflict, I push back Hina away and put myself in the middle of the two.

Sayaka: What happened here!? What's going on!?

From behind a table, Makoto's head appears.

Makoto: W-Well... T-Toko and Hina were arguing like yesterday, then it got kinda physical, then Hina accidentally knocked the pepper off the table, which lead to this!

"Then... that led to a sneeze. And that's how Genocide Jill was awoken."

Genocide Jill: Her giant balloons are a little too perfect, aren't they!? I might be flat, but at least mine are real! You agree too, right Ms. Idol!?

Sayaka: W-What...!?

Genocide Jill: And look at my shapely collarbone! Doesn't it just totally set you on fire!? 

Suddenly, Genocide Jill snaked around me and...

Started... poking me.

Sayaka: A-Ahh!

Genocide Jill: Hmm... not bad, Ms. Idol! Big and realistic, just the way I like it! Unlike that cow over there...

Sayaka: S-Stop! G-Get off me!

Instinctively, I push Genocide Jill off me.

Which... at the moment... was probably... the worst thing I could've done.

Because when I did that... Genocide Jill fell to the ground...

And gave me the scariest glare I've ever seen.

Genocide Jill: Oh, you've done messed up now! Kyeehahaha!

Hina: Sayaka, run!

And in a split second, Genocide Jill got up and primed her scissors.

Genocide Jill: YAH!

Then... she slashed at me.

Makoto: SAYAKA!

The speed at which she slashed was like a lightning bolt. Swift, precise, and fast.

But luckily, I manage to jump away to avoid the slash, though...

It came at a cost.

And, that cost was my still-fractured right wrist, as when I landed on the ground...

I tripped over a fallen chair, and landed right on it.

Sayaka: AHHHHH!

Makoto: Sayaka!

Grimacing and clutching my right wrist in pain, I look to see Makoto had ran towards me and crouched beside me.

Makoto: Are you alright!?

I had my left hand clutched on my right wrist, but I managed to give Makoto an assured glance.

Sayaka: I-I-I think I'm fine...

Makoto: No, you're not. We need to get you checked up!

Sayaka: ...

Makoto: But thank goodness she missed... T-That was too close for com... foooort...

Sayaka: Yeah... that really was... 

...

Sayaka: M-Makoto?

I then glance at him, confused at the silence.

But, when I turned to see his face, his gaze was fixated at the ground.

And... as I tracked his gaze... my face slowly turned to horror...

As when I looked down beside me... 

...

The image of me, Celeste, and Hifumi, was shown to the whole dining hall.

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

Next time on Rebirth:

Chapter 49: Crossing A Line

A/N:

Sorry if the chapter seemed low-quality, everyone. I wrote this chapter very tired, and it's 2:36 AM rn. I'm very sorry, and I'll write better next chapter.

See ya'll then, Carter Out.