July 21st

#### **Plot**

Breaking the silence, Johnathan Lane takes Clair Moretti's hands into his own and pleads her to let him help her be more than what her father made her. Clair throws the knife she was holding at the wall, dropping a "fuck you" on Johnny, asking why he's doing this to her. Johnny answers that he's spent the last five minutes explaining why, which is helping her get a better life. She says he's telling her to ditch her father, Dels. Johnny refutes that, explaining that the man has ruled every part of her life for her entire life, and that she should at least do some things for herself; be her own person. More silence. Still holding her hands, he stares her in the eyes, awaiting her response. Grunting, she tells him that he knows she can be stubborn. Johnny says he can be too, even more than her, and will help her no matter what, or at least will die trying. Clair sighs and walks outside, with Johnny quickly following.

Since all they've done was done in vengeance, Clair asks if it's all been for nothing. Johnny says they can use what they've got for more, such as bettering the family, and retaking what's left of the cities. They can do so much more and be so much more. Clair rolls her eyes. Wanting an example of what they can do, Johnny claims they can rule literally half of the world, stating the Future Foundation's reach to not be that far. He offers resting up, helping her become her own person, and making sure the grunts are on the lookout for any retaliation from Grad Hall. Johnny says he'll stay by the gate as well, having the sinking feeling that they won't believe their note.

Now sitting upon the wall by the gate, Johnny audibly regrets his actions once again, noting that he should've stopped everything before it even began. He even worries about not being able to ward off some of the others if they come attacking. Sure enough, a jet-ski is beached by Juzo Sakakura, who storms up to the wall Johnny's sat upon and punches it, threatening to kill him and everybody else there. Shortly after, Mukuro Ikusaba arrives on a separate jet-ski, observing the two. Despite Johnny apologizing for their actions and admitting what they did was wrong and stupid, Juzo says it doesn't matter now and demands the mafioso to get off the wall and talk to him face-to-face like a man. The mafioso does so, giving the boxer permission to wail on him, warning him that he'll defend himself and that he's not bitch.

Juzo remarks that Johnny doesn't understand a thing of what he's gone through, to which the other agrees and acknowledges his own actions as bullshit. Glaring daggers at the mobster and entering a southpaw stance, Juzo exclaims how that doesn't make it okay nor fix those he hurt, right before launching a punch. Bobbing to the side, Johnny argues that he didn't technically hurt anybody on their side since only those on his side have died. Juzo's punch still lands, causing the mafioso to stumble. Mukuro comments that it doesn't make what he did any better, and that they hurt her sister. Johnny acknowledges this and how he didn't stop Clair from doing so, saying she's allowed a free hit on him if she wants it. Juzo throws another punch, this time at his gut, barking that Johnny hurt everybody he was supposed to protect. Calling himself a bunch of names and insults, Johnny agrees with Mukuro calling him a "piece of shit", too. Juzo grabs him by his hair, hissing that he'll hit Johnny for every time he hurt somebody he cares about, and then proceed to burn down their place to ash.

Johnny says he won't let Juzo do that, stating that threatening a man's family is the one thing you can't do. On cue, the wall is lined with mobsters, ready to fire if need be. Johnny tells Juzo and Mukuro that they won't shoot if they leave them alone. Standing beside both the boxer and mafioso, Mukuro does impressive butterfly knife tricks, calling out the hypocrisy in Johnny's words. He sees how moronic it was for him to threaten her family, stating that he doesn't want any of the groups hurting anymore and wants to avoid anymore deaths. Juzo recaps that Johnny threatened those the boxer considers family and had destroyed their home. Johnny explains how Junko Enoshima and Doc did the same to him and his family, leading him to associate the Future Foundation and the Graduation Hall with Junko. The way he reacted was how they're reacting to his actions right now. He comments that this'll make Clair retaliate again.

Mukuro asks how he can be sure that Clair won't be back to do more damage. Johnny claims that he'll make sure of it and that he's already convinced her. The soldier inquires where she and Big Bang Monokuma are. Johnny points nearby, saying that's where the giant robot is. As for Clair, he states she's inside. When asked if they (Mukuro and Juzo) can speak to her, the mafioso replies that she's resting, or so he hopes. Mukuro warns that they won't be allowed to leave as easily in the future if they show again. Johnny gets it, claiming that they won't be hostile if they were to visit again. For his sake, Mukuro hopes so. Juzo brushes off Johnny's claims of expansion as an excuse to keep hurting others and take things from them. He's not leaving until he gets to talk to Clair. Johnny reiterates that they'd only do that to those that actually deserve it, to which Mukuro remarks he isn't one to judge. The mafioso says maybe, maybe not. Gesturing at BBM, Juzo barks that Johnny doesn't get to talk like that after using the giant robot to hurt innocents and children. Johnny agrees, claiming that there's worse people, only to change subjects, claiming that to be off-topic.

Offered by Johnny for them to never bother each other again, Mukuro comments that it depends if they keep their side of the deal or not. The mafioso claims they will, and if they don't, then it'll be allowed for them to be fought and retaliated against. Juzo asks how they'll repay them for the destruction of the Future Foundation headquarters. Johnny says he doesn't know yet but they'll think of something. Juzo suggests they cough up the dough and start rebuilding it for them. Johnny agrees to lend some men and BBM for that task. Not really a part of this transaction, Mukuro's fine with whatever works for both parties.