July 24th

#### **Plot**

Komaru Naegi asks what now. Clair Moretti answers that as long as she doesn't disrupt the family, she's free to stay. Komaru decides to go home instead, but makes sure to tell her something before going. She says to not hold it against Mukuro Ikusaba forever and that people can change, even those trapped in the deepest despair. She shares how just a few days ago, she wanted to help her brother destroy everything just to be useful to someone. However, she sees that was dumb, and knows now that she'll have to apologize to those she hurt. Clair tells her to take care and Komaru reciprocates the comment before boarding a jet-ski and taking off back to the Graduation Hall.

Johnathan Lane asks his boss once again if she's seriously hurt or not. The answer is no different than before. Just as soon as Johnny feels relieved, Clair's wounds reopen, getting her to reach out for a band-aid. Johnny cusses, telling her to not lie to him. She repeats herself aggressively, stating that she's fine. Picking up some bandages next to him, he points out she's bleeding. Instantly, he has a flashback to the van that crushed Clair's legs. He hands her the bandages after a moment of silence, calling himself a fuck-up and apologizing to his boss for everything. Asking why he's saying this now, Clair is told that it's because Johnny failed to protect her again. She inquires about the again part, to which Johnny reminds her of the first time with the van. Sulking, Johnny says that maybe he'd be able to protect her better if he was more aware. He wasn't able to protect her from the van, or realize back then that she was probably still alive, or keep her from picking a fight with Mukuro.

Clair tells him sorry for all the trouble she's caused him. He asks how it's her fault when he chooses to remain by her side, knowing what's likely to come. She reckons it's because she's reckless, as he knows, and it's just how she survives. Johnny laughs a little, telling her to look at who she's talking to. After another coughing fit, he reiterates that he chose to stay by her side because he deems it worth it. Moretti guesses that's what happens when they're partners in crime. She attributes both herself and Johnny as reckless, dangerous, and they sometimes hurt themselves more than they hurt others. Johnny agrees with her that it's fitting of them. Clair surmises if their death isn't caused by an enemy made in their past, it'll be by their own hands. Johnny says he'd drink to that but all they have is rubbing alcohol and he's not going to Clever Bobby's in his current state.

Telling him to not worry about that, Clair commands a goon by the name of Clint to bring her "Box AnL". Once he does so, she opens it to reveal a large bottle of liquor. She explains that the goons discovered a huge stockpile of liquor in one of the warehouses they raided. This mob boss kept a bottle for herself in case there ended up being something to celebrate. Johnny supposes not dying due to a large group of Ultimates is as good a reason as any. Tossed up to him by Clair, Johnny catches the bottle of liquor and starts drinking. He thanks her, referring to her as doll. As soon as he realizes what he called her, panic sets in for him. He remains silent, but as soon as he notices the mob boss's face shaded tomato red, he asks if she's got a fever from overworking herself. Grabbing a cold cloth, he presses it against her face, trying to cool her off. She asks what the fuck he just said a moment ago. Sweating, he speaks rapidly in denial of having called her "doll", still trying to cool her face. A slap from Clair's hand is what his face is met with, the mob boss telling him that if he wanted her lips, he could've just asked and that his flustered expression shows but doesn't hide.

After a long pause, Johnny says that she doesn't have to tell him twice, immediately pulling her into a long and passionate kiss. Clair had both expected and not expected this. Slowly breaking this kiss but keeping his hands upon her shoulders, Johnny grins and expresses that he's been waiting years to do that. Clair says he now got it and Johnny replies that he's never letting it get away. She refers to him as the desperate type, using the fact he went for her as proof. "After years" he clarifies, teasing her afterward about her blushing moments ago. She asks if she was that obvious, chuckling about it. Johnny explains it was obvious only after she told him that he could've just asked for a kiss, and then he calls himself oblivious. Clair remarks that he always has been. He reasons that he probably always will be. Seeing the bright side, he says he's at least now an oblivious son of a bitch with the love of his life by his side. Accepting that, Clair asks if he can now let go of her, considering he's been pressing her wound. He does so, apologizing.

Chuckling nervously leads him to coughing again, followed by a remark that Juzo really does hit hard and that he can't even laugh because of the fact. Clair comments that of course he hits hard, he was the Ultimate Boxer. Johnny believes that one hit took out two of his ribs. His boss tells him that he'll walk it off. Adding on that he always does, Johnny sneakily calls her "doll" once more. Clair wonders what she should call him, to which Johnny remarks that he has no idea. He then offers "moron", saying that would work. She goes along with it. Having wanted to make her blush again, he says to her "For you, I am", thinking to himself that he doesn't want his words to fail him again like they usually do. Clair points out that he's not very good at flirting. The mobster sighs, saying "nope" and sulking that it's a shame since he wants to make her blush and how cute she is when she does. Clair tells him he's got to try harder than that. Aloud, he tells himself to take a moment and think on what to say. He comes up with "I guess I'm just so in love with you I'm lost for words". Clair simply tells him he should stop before he fucks up more, to which he agrees.

He goes on to say he'd compliment her but can't really compare her to anything. "Humor me", she responds. Taking a moment to think it over and to clear his throat, he poetically remarks that her smile lights up the darkest of nights. Again, Clair critiques that he sucks at flirting. Again, the mobster admits as much. Giving up, he says she already knows what he thinks of her. That she does, saying he sucks and that's why she loves him. He ends up the one blushing instead, realizing what's happened and commenting "son of a bitch". She teases him about the blushing she sees, and hardly to his surprise, Johnny notes how she's the one wearing pants in this relationship. He gives her the satisfaction of admitting his blush, stating there's worse situations to be in. Changing the subject, he shares his idea of giving Big Bang Monokuma a paintjob to make it their own even more.