(A 7'3 man walks in the mall) hm....never go to malls

A brown-haired girl casually dressed in not so casual grunge-esque clothes enters the arcade with almost a childhlike look. She's played games at home with Mona, but this place was on a whole other level. Everything else was a side-attraction to her; the games were the big selling point. Though, perhaps there was a black market here for less than legal things too... She decided to skip on the restraunts. Eating alone in public just looks sad. She'd need her waifu for that. Rings... Well, maybe not yet... The knives interested her, but for now, she was more concerned with the arcade and what potential vintages it had. She made a beeline for the elevator, but ran into Kaz along the way. Hmm? Oi, Sensei! you're everywhere lately it seems. Scouting for students better than me?

(He walks around, thinking of what ta do) then again.....I've never been to malls...

[Kazuya notices Senri and greets her with a simple wave. He was happy to see her, not that he would ever feel unhappy of meeting any of his students. The young man approaches her a bit before speaking.] Oh no, it's just that I've been wanting to relax and go out. The past few months I was really busy and stressed. [Kazuya takes a deep breath, and places his hands inside of his pockets.] And they say going to places like this helps! But...what are you doing here? I didn't expect to find you around this places.

WAIT. IDEA. (he grabs a chair, pulls out his banjo, and plays it: https://youtu.be/AtOs26kB8Zw )

Oh, me? Well... I don't look it, maybe, but I'm quite the gamer. I was just headed to the second floor to see if they have any of the vintage stuff. Like, when I was a kid... I could play games at home but this is an experience, you know? Senri seems unashamed despite sounding like a complete and utter nerd. Which she was. And, well, if there was anything I could use here to get me ahead in combat, that'd be nice to spot as well, if you catch my drift.

Maybe I could make money outta this..

Yeah I get the feeling. I usually play games a lot, or...well, I did when I had the time. But when it comes to combat...this place has not much on it, unless you want really basic stuff like a knife. [Kazuya laughs as he makes his way into the elevator, might as well go check. He's lived here for as long as he's been in the Nexus but he never bothered to check how different Arcade Town might have been from the one he knew.] Then again, maybe videogames will give better ideas, given the nature of this place!

A blue haired boy wearing a black blazer that looks like it's been through hell and back because of the many tears throughout it, a black beanie on his head, and a pair of white headphones covering his ears enters the mall just after hearing about it from some people on he street. "Hmm, I didn't expect this place to look so small... But in this case the size of this place doesn't really matter, because all that matters is that big arcade that those people were talking about." Jiyu begins to look around for a staircase to the second floor.

I'm inna good mood

(Wow this place brought back some nice memories with the massive arcade and other entertainment based locations. Ene nearly stops in nostalgia as she gazes whimsically at the arcade above her yet her natural instincts kick in. Rushing to an elevator she almost hops inside in a show of absolute impatience.) I am so excited! Nothing says distraction like big shiny games~

(He keeps on playing his banjo: https://youtu.be/Sd1VJy--bEo )

*Makoto walks into the Mall.* So this place is supposed to be filled with games. I have about 10,000 yen with me, I hope that's enough for all the games.

[Kazuya blinks for a couple of second as he sees a girl suddenly jump inside of the elevator. He would then look down and realize this is Ene. At first, his "danger" senses would kick off, but slowly, he calms down. She is now okay, and he has not much of a reason to feel worried.] Ene, even if you are excited you should be careful. It's rude to just jump in. [He taps her shoulder softly.]

*Makoto takes the elevator upstairs, wondering what kind of games he could find at the mall.*

The Batter approaches Zane and stares at him with an empty expression. Unmoving. After his song he approaches and speaks to the demon again Spectre. I am back. You will be purified. Not here. But in a different area. The person behind the screen will make sure that we do not disturb the denizens here. Face me evil.

I'm so sorry~ I was kind of in a hurry and ... (Ene's voice cuts off once she realizes who is currently trapped in an elevator with her. Of all the people she wanted to see today the ever kind Kazuya had to be on the bottom of that list. Which was pretty long and full of names.) I-I was just um excited about something .... (Her voice is meek with the reply and her eyes trail down to the floor. Since when did elevators take this long to reach the second floor? Nervous sweat forms a bit at her brow.)

Senri smiles at Ene. Ahh, I see you are a woman of culture as well. Video games are the magnum opus of our generation. I'm exaggerating only a little bit, of course. She looks between her and Kazuya, smiling teasingly. Is there anyone you're not friends with, Sensei?

(Her gaze remains towards the floor and her reply continues to be a bit tame.) Yeah I like video games cause of the cool graphics and stuff.

*Makoto's elevator finally stops, and he exits. He looks around at the surrounding arcade.*

Well, games ARE exciting after all. Especially if you play them with friends, it's a good time! [Kazuya laughs calmly, but he bites his tongue the moment Senri teases him. The young man shakes his head and hides his mouth behind his right hand.] Don't say that kind of stuff so suddenly! [Kazuya then sighs, his voice is still muffled.] You could say I...know a lot of people from around here. I tend to get myself involved in certain stuff.

Woah... *Makoto walks up to the currency transfer in the middle of the second floor. It's a small metal stand with 2 screens on it. He inserts 5000 yen, and gets 20 tokens.*

Well, it's not all about graphics. Gameplay is important too. Some of the most fun games I've played were just a few MBs big. You should see what I mean when we get there. Senri smiles, having fun. She turns to Kazuya, wondering what he meant by "certain stuff", but judging by his abilities and what he has told her before, it's probably just as expected. I see. I won't pry, then. I know what it's like to meet friends in the most unlikely of circumstances. Hell, the best thing to ever happen to me literally just fell on top of me. John Lennon once said, life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. I think that's true for me too. Senri looks peaceful as she speaks, as if recalling something.

How can you even call me a friend anymore? (Ene bites out before jabbing the open doors button with the full force of her thumb. Turns out the elevator has actually been on the second floor for a while providing her with a quick escape. She then loses herself in the maze of games ad only stops when she is certain that no one followed. What proceeds is a montage of violent gaming with a fake gun.)

*Makoto spots an arcade game of Fenix Right in the corner, and inserts one of his tokens in there.*

John Lennon was something else, I remember listening to his song and The Beatles as well when I was much younger...my mom loved them [Kazuya leans against a nearby wall with both arms crossed, his face adorned by a melancholic smile as his mind is filled with the memories of his late mother. One of these days he should take a listen once more. He goes back to reality the moment Ene runs out of the elevator.] Uh! I should try to look for her...! [Kazuya leaves the elevator quickly and looks around, not finding anything, at least not close. The young man decides to keep looking around in this new section of the Mall. After a while, he doesn't even remember where the elevator was. However, he find a blue haired girl.] Ene wa-! ... Hey, uhm, I'm sorry I thought you were someone else! [Kazuya bows down to the girl playing with the rhythm game, Sayaka.]

(As invested as she is in shooting virtual aliens Ene can't help but glance at the rhythm game player. Attention is key to obtaining those precious high scores she once had yet her love for electronic music is her downfall in this situation. She can't help her natural humming to the music or the light step to her now sideways movements. The constant movement of course makes her dual guns shake greatly affecting her kill total.)

Right after Jiyu looks around and gets his tokens, he quickly notices a shooter game from out of the corner of his eye and walks over to it. "Heh, let's see if I still got it." As he approaches the machine, he puts a few tokens in, and picks up the plastic blue pistol.

Upon hearing a shout, Sayaka briefly turns around to the noise finding a brown-haired guy bowing to her. The song ends as she's looking at him, the distraction serving as enough of a pause to keep her from getting the last few hundred points she needed for a high score. She was about to open her mouth when the song ends, machine announcing her score, to which she immediately turns back, arms drooping when she sees it Ack!! You've gotta be kidding me. I was so close too!! The young girl taps her foot impatiently for a moment, arms crossed before she turns around to the bowing guy behind her. Yeah yeah, just be a bit more careful next time. Whoever you're lookin' for they'll probably be fine. Don't ya know better than to interrupt someone? With a brief sigh, most of her annoyance at the interruption out, Sayaka leans back a little, both arms behind her head Still, guess it must be pretty important to ya. Did you get ditched during a date or something?

*A young female teen had entered the arcade for just some peace after all she had seen a lot of things that even a normal person in a nexus should not see in just a whole week, she also felt like the most unlucky person so she came here to the arcade just to relieve some stress without any worries about been attacked by pretty much anything* *Despair would look around to notice Makoto and would start to think "Wait is that the person who stops Junko enoshima... Wait, oh my god another person from my world! thank the fucking gods"*

[Kazuya nervously laughs as he goes back to his usual stance. He felt sorry for the girl, but he was sure she can probably pull it off again, maybe.] I'm...well it's not a date, she is a friend of mine. I dunno if you saw her? Blue hair, a pair of pigtails, kind of loud and childish voice... [Kazuya lifts one of his hands a bit in a horizontal way, aroudn the height of his chest.] About this tall?

(The game in front of her ends and she sighs at the low scores she got. Usually she was way better then this but the music really distracted her. So what else would Ene do but attempt to ask the player of the rhythm game about her choice in music. Yet turning to see the tasteful individual she instead spots Kazuya once again and freezes up. Both plastic guns drop from her hands creating a soft clattering noise as they hit the floor.) Where to go? Where to go? (Ene doesn't have the time to care for that as she immediately searches for another hiding spot. This time her eyes catch on a lit up photo booth at the corner of the area and she runs to it. Practically diving into the machine she then sits up ramrod straight and just hopes that no one finds her. She really wasn't up for an awkward conversation.)

It's nice to take a break every once and a while... *Naegi stops playing his game, and decides to spend some of his tokens on the food court, which apparently accepts them.*

Sayaka sighs and glances back to the scoreboard, stepping on the arrows to enter her initials "SM" into the scoreboard, if you looked closely, you'd notice it was filled entirely with two sets, this girl's "SM", and another one's "SNK". After entering, Sayaka glances around I've been a bit focused on this for a while, so I haven't seen too much of the people who passed by. However, scanning the area, she's able to see the pair of pigtails the brown-haired guy mentioned near one of the shooter cabinets. So Sayaka points over to the game Ene is playing at Ya' might be lookin' for her, least I didn't notice her until recently. But do me a.... around then Ene runs off, out of her sight, to some part of the arcade unknown. Looks like there's some kinda trouble between them. So she puts both hands on her hips and looks at Kazuya sideways Looks like she ran off. You sure things are ok between you two? If she needs some alone time its kinda rude to push it, ya know?

As the game starts, Jiyu points the gun up to the screen and shoots the majority of the enemies with perfect accuracy, landing headshots on them. "Psshh, the AI is terrible. Well it's only stage one, so I should already expect that." Confidently, Jiyu only holds the gun in his right hand with a side grip, still getting headshots.

*Despair would keep looking around and notice Sayaka and thinks "hmm why does that person look familiar... Oh wait wonder if that's the girl who was on the banner that read 'Miki's delivery service, it might be someone else but maybe it is her"*

She's been avoiding me for a bit, so I would rather ask her instead of just waiting. Anyways, thanks a lot! [Kazuya smiles widely at Sayaka as soon as he runs off. He would've noticed her body language and the actual meaning of her words if he wasn't in such a hurry. He wanted to know how she was feeling after all that happened, but most importantly, spend time with her after months of nothing but stress. Soon enough, Kazuya reaches the photo booth and heads inside.] Hey...Ene?

(Ene jolts in surprise while seated and knows that yes she is now trapped. She turns her head away from Kaz as not to look at him and anxiously grabs at her knees with both her hands.) Yes Kazuya .... (She can't help but grow silent not knowing what to say so she just continues to look away.)

The young girl sighs and returns to her game, honestly guys can be kinda insensitive. She looks into her wallet, only enough for a few more tries, but she's not one to be beaten. Despair might recognize her from the banner, but it WAS drawn in crayon by like, an 8 year old, so how accurate the representation is is anyone's guess. Regardless, Sayaka is about to select the same song again, when she sighs and thinks aloud Hope that other girl's ok.... Maybe I should check in on them..... Sayaka shakes her head, maybe it'll work out... I shouldn't but in for now.... But if I find her running again, I might need to have a chat...

*Despair sighed, she got to exchange some yen for some coins, she put the coins into her pockets before walking over to where Sayaka... kinda hoping she is the one who made the banner* Hello there

[Kazuya notices how awkward and silent she is being. This is...worrying to say the least. He wonders what to say for a few seconds without looking away. The young man, after a lot of wondering, speaks up.] How are you feeling? After all that's happened I mean, I've been a bit worried... ["A bit" is an understatement. But he really wanted to know. Kazuya stands there, waiting for her reply, not wanting to get closer, he knew that would make things worse.]

(Ene looks down at her lap with a burning gaze as her hands tighten around the knees. She really didn't want to talk to anyone for a while. A long while. At least until she got her mind sorted out again and made peace with the things she did. But it seems she had no real choice at this point save for actual talking.) I'm feeling fine. Everything has been fine. I just don't really want to be you know ... (She mentally struggles to find the best least worrying word about her predicament.) Noticed.

[Kazuya looks down for a moment. He was not dumb and he couldn't just take her words. If she really was fine, then things would be going a bit differently right about now. The young man decides to leave the exit to the booth and sit by her side.] I'm sure you want to run away, but... Well, how can I even convince you to stay? [Kazuya laughs sadly at his own words.] Why is that? Not being noticed, I mean. I understand you may not want to talk to me....but I'm stubborn enough to follow you around some random arcade.

Sayaka sits down near the machine, figured it might be best not to start it up again until things settle down a bit. She looks over to Despair as they approach her and wave Hey, you want a turn? I'm done with it for a bit, so feel free. I've been in competition with this one person for a while, so the scoreboard's pretty high.

Stage after stage passed in Jiyu's game, the enemies were getting stronger with new weapons and armor to use against Jiyu. But this didn't affect his gameplay in the slightest, he kept shooting at them with his amazing accuracy and speed, easily killing them. Where the hell did he learn how to shoot guns like this. "I'm already at stage 8? Who did they design this game for, babies?"

I'm not really in a mood for that kind of game... but I wanted to ask you a question *Despair said as she sat down next to the person*

After the stuff I did I just don't think I should be noticed. (Ene sighs as her eyes narrow in defeat and she surrenders herself to the fact that isolation isn't an option.) Now maybe you should take that stubbornness of yours somewhere else. (She struggles to get the following words out in a whisper.) Before I hurt you more.

Sayaka looks over at Despair sitting next to her, before leaning back against the arcade cabinet Alright, shoot. What question did you wanna ask? can't expect me to read your mind or anything

Ene, it was not your fault. We both know it was Clearing Eyes. [Kazuya attemptes to places a hand on the poor girl's shoulder, trying to comfort her, even if just a bit.] Besides, it was my fault. After all, I was playing with electricty a bit recklessly...! [Kazuya chuckles, trying to lighten the mood as much as he possibly can. Seeing such an energetic girl reduced to this...it's not a nice feeling.]

Well on my first day here I saw a banner saying Miki’s delivery service... are you Miki?

(Ene suddenly stands up with an intense gaze and both feet firmly planted on the ground. Her hands are curled into fists as if she is about to hit something and her raised voice certainly fits the possible action.) It is my fault! It's all my dumb fault! (She practically trembles with anger at herself, anger at the snake, and just basic anger in general.) If I wasn't so damn weak and useless none of this would have happened! Y-You guys wouldn't have gotten hurt ... (Just as the energy came it leaves just as quick having her fall on her knees. She blankly stares at Kazuya's shoes while her eyes slightly crinkle in a tearful expression.) Sick thing is I can still hear him ... He is too loud ...

At the mention of her little business, the young girl stands up and points her thumb at herself You can say that again. My name's Sayaka Miki, and I own that little business. Pretty much just started it too. With that, Sayaka flashes Despair a grin and leans against the machine I take it you need somethin' delivered? You know, there is someone there pretty much all the time to take calls if needed. No need to seek me out

[Kazuya quickly kneels in front of her and places both arms on her shoulders. He felt a few different emotions, anger, sadness, even regret. This didn't matter of course, he had to do his best for her.] We would've gotten hurt anyway, everyone has the tendency to throw rocks at angry tigers. I know how hard everything must be... [Kazuya uses one of his hands to grab her by the chin and lift her face up, so he can look at her eyes.] But I can promise you we'll make it stop. We'll save you and Kisaragi, and end the Snake once and for all, alright? [He tearful expression was getting a bit to him. He couldn't exactly stop it, but still.] We've gotten this far already, so trust me, alright?

*Despair looked at Sayaka with widen eyes* Ok then... *Despair's eyes went back to normal* Well, I just wanted to ask you if it was okay if I made you a new banner for your business *Thinks "and maybe be friends with you"*

Upon reaching stage 20, Jiyu would point the gun down because he was getting bored. "Alright, I think I've had enough." As his character dies, Jiyu quickly skips the continue countdown right before the words "GAME OVER" all in red letters appear on the screen. After the screen fades out, the leaderboard screen appears, showing that Jiyu got 20th place. To enter his name, Jiyu shoots the three letters "J" "W" and "H" before putting the gun back in its slot, walking over to a bench and sitting on it.

(Ene directly stares at Kazuya in the eyes as his words do help to soothe the ache she feels. Her eyes still retain the tearful quality and her nose does sniffle. But she does feel a bit better after Kazuya's reassurances.) Okay I trust you. (She then grabs him back by the shoulders and leans in toward his ear to whisper.) B-But you have to trust me too ... (She takes in a trembling breath.) If worst comes to worst I want you to kill me.

Sayaka puts one leg up before stepping off the machine, shrugging and facing Despair with an almost apologetic gaze Sorry kid, that banner was drawn by a kid livin' with me. Her name's Kamilla. She put an awful lot of effort into it, so I can't really replace it, yaknow? Sayaka grins and offers her hand to Despair to help them up Still, it was nice of you to offer

[As soon as Ene ask him to "kill her" in the case things go badly, he begins to sweat. Suddenly, his back feels cold, and his hand tremble for a few couple of seconds as his stomach feels heavier and heavier. Out of nowhere, the young man pulls Ene into a tight hug.] I'll do my best so that never happens. [His heart was racing, but as soon as he said this words, he slowly calmed down. He tried to reassure her, but at the same time, he was reassuring himself.] When this is over, I'll follow Kalib's example and buy you as much candy as you want. Or...maybe I should just let him do it instead.

I get it *Despair accepts the help up* Oh, also my name is despair... yes that's my real name

Sayaka pats Despair on the back, grinning and putting both arms behind her head Despair's kinda a weird name. Not much of a real one either. Sure you don't wanna be called somethin' else? I mean, you do you of course, just figured it might get a little odd. With that, Sayaka briefly glances around the arcade, hopefully the couple from earlier are getting along a little better. At the very least no one's run screaming so that's a good sign

(Ene nods along to everything Kazuya says yet believes none of it. She doesn't hold that much hope anymore for actually staying alive. Yet she doesn't want to burden Kaz further so she plays along.) Yeah and you better tell Kalib to get me my favorites! He knows the one! (She almost cringes at the energy she forces into her speech and not being able to take anymore of this. She presses a button in front and suddenly a white light goes off immoratalizing the two in photo.) Now I have a new keepsake~ (Ene gives a slight smile to Kaz before hastily leaving the booth. Grabbing a photo strip with a white kunckle grip and running out the vicinity. Her heart hurt too much for her to take anymore.)

I already know its a weird name... but its the one that my parents gave me... since they hated me since birth

Ene! [Kazuya immediately tries to follow as she runs away, but he stumbles as he tries to leave the booth. Her sudden energy didn't make any sense, that much was clear, but now he was even more worried. Kazuya quickly makes his way to the first floor and through the exit, but there is no one to be seen but faceless strangers.] A...new keepsake, huh? [Kazuya takes a few steps back, not knowing how to take the possibility of having to kill her. The won't happen, he wanted to believe, but still. The young man then takes a sit on a bench by the Mall's entrance in complete solitude.] I...guess I want to stay here for a while longer...

"Right, I have to go to school in the morning..." Jiyu gets up from the bench and runs out of the mall.

After a brief argument in the OOC's head, Sayaka gives Despair a blank look and says If the name's so bad, why don't you just change it? Just ask to be called somethin' else. It happens all the time. No one really cares if its your legal name or not, just somethin' to know you by, yaknow?

People already know me as despair and someone that I can't touch is making me keep the name... *Despair sighs* So... how long have you been in the nexus, me I have only been here for one week again... It's been hell

A young woman in green wanders into the first floor, she'd look around curiously. Quite a few shops and such around here, but the place seems mostly empty... Maybe someone will drop by? "Geez, can't believe it's this quiet right now! Here I was hoping for people or something, but nope just empty space out here." Chie sits down on a bench, simply looking around the mall for now, and wondering if anyone will come into the place.