32 high school students stepped off the bus, ecstatic more than words can describe. Standing in front of them was the building belonging to the phenomenon that took the world by storm, Team Danganronpa. These students were specifically selected to appear in Season 50 of Danganronpa, which meant one thing:

They had to kill to survive. The mutual killing game's rules demanded it. Of course, nobody so far had ever won by killing someone yet, but that's what made the games exciting. The despair that comes out of seeing your fellow classmates (or favorite characters) being executed with such vigor in an unforgettable way excited the world, which is probably why it gained popularity so quickly. The intense push and pull of hope and despair brought people together by tearing people apart.

They understood the circumstances when they accepted, of course, but behind the excitement of each and every one of the students was a deep fear. But as the bus pulled away from the studios, they all swallowed their pride and walked in, full of hope.

The facilities were clearly high-budget from just first glance, with a giant golden fountain made in the image of the mascot of Danganronpa, Monokuma. It towered over the students, chattering excitedly. Near the back, a boy and a girl made each other's acquaintance.

"My name's Rantaro Amami, nice to meet you." The green haired boy from the start, seemed to be the minimum age to be participating in the game, and looked like an easy person to pick off. He looked weak, but there was a certain uneasiness you would get around him. He didn't seem like the most reliable, but you could tell his intentions were pure. Don't read him wrong, though. He's survived more than you would think. He held out his hand towards the girl he was talking to.

"My name's Ayame Kurihara. Nice to meet you too!" The hooded girl held out her hand. She, like Rantaro, seemed on the delicate side, but anyone who really knew her were aware that she was quite the fighter. She prides herself on her multiple abilities, such as painting, calligraphy, and most of all, knitting. She knit like there was no tomorrow, and on the side, she learned how to use her knitting tools as self defense weapons. She was prepared for this game more than she let off. In fact, she was well aware of Rantaro and what he's done.

Unbeknownst to them, however, there was a third person quietly listening in from in front of them. It wasn't her fault, she couldn't really control her.. Talent. Imaku Konda had one of the largest intellects of our time, and her brain was in constant work observing the actions of those around her. Though her memory and knowledge capacity were great, her applyment to reality was a very rare phenomenon. She created games, stories in her mind, based on what she observes of others and what she picks up from her bad habit of eavesdropping.

Ayame and Rantaro walked and talked, following the class as they reached the main dormitories, where 32 rooms labeled with each student's name were present. From the front of the group, a man wearing a Team Danganronpa shirt spoke up.

"Welcome all to Danganronpa Studios! We have a few days before we start filming, so this is your chance to get to know each other! After all, we will be choosing one of you as our mastermind.." He smiled politely and gestured to the rooms behind him.
"This is where you'll be staying for the next 4 days, and past then you'll be put on Yoshida Island, where our killing game will begin. Now, all our facilities are open from the get-go, but you might want to check your rooms first for your talents, personality, and possible motivations. Now get out there and go have some fun!"

The 32 new classmates erupted into cheers. The man walked away as the high schoolers filed into their new rooms. Ayame and Rantaro said their goodbyes as they opened their rooms, conveniently next to each other. Lying on the bed was the e-Handbooks that every Danganronpa student has while they're in the midst of the mutual killing game. Rantaro opened his e-Handbook, and an electronic voice spoke.

"Hello, Rantaro Amami, the Ultimate Survivor.. To Danganronpa Season 50." The tablet wasn't new to Rantaro, of course. As the one time winner of the mutual killing game, he knew the in's-and-out's of the handbook, what it could do, how you can utilize it, and, in case push came to shove, how to kill someone with it. He pocketed the handbook as he slowly headed towards the observatory.

...

Maeko Saiki observed the class from afar, her red hair barely peeking out of the bushes in which she was hiding in. The in the center of Danganronpa Studios was a big garden that took up quite a bit of space. It served as a hub for people to come in and out through. However, as Maeko took note of her fellow participants, she started to realize something.

32 people.. That's 16 more than usual! Are we gonna have to kill multiple people at a time?

"Of course not," said a voice from behind her. She jumped and twisted her body to face a tall kid with wide glasses. His hair was a mess, and he was most clearly sleep deprived. His black coat and pants stuck out like a sore thumb in the garden, but he wasn't as focused on stealth as Maeko was. "The producers are creating a new type of mutual killing game to put a spin on our regular Danganronpa. You haven't noticed the extras on the bus ride?" There was a hint of arrogance behind his voice, and the way he looked down on Maeko seemed familiar..

"I.. fell asleep." Maeko admittedly sheepishly.

"Hmph. I wouldn't expect anything more from a degenerate like you. Well, get up and moving, you've wasted my time." The boy walked away with the same arrogance in his tone of voice. Maeko's face showed a hint of annoyance as she got up and left the garden.

...

The brown haired girl was being followed. She just knew it. Slowly, she reached into her pocket, fingering a blade. As paces got louder down the hallway she was walking through, she drew the knife from her pocket and-

CLANG!

Her knife clashed with an identical one. She caught eyes with her attacker, another girl about the same size as her. In an instant, the two lowered their weapons. The brown haired girl had studied all types of blade combat, and she imagined her stalker did the same. Her stance was perfect, her draw was quicker than anyone she's fought before.

The mysterious girl extended a hand towards her. She shook it and the two started to walk together down the halls.

"So what's your name, shortcake?"

"Shortcake? Also.. Are we just going to skip over the part where you attacked me for no reason?" the girl asked indcredously.

"I just wanted to see if you were who you seemed you were."

The blue haired girl raised an eyebrow. "And what, exactly, do I seem like?"

"The reserved, aggressive type. You know, kinda like her."

"Don't play the pronoun game with me, just spit it out."

"Not as sharp as you seem either, I see. It's no big deal, I just assumed you've watched the first season of Danganron-"

"I've seen more seasons then you, I bet," she pressed, cockily.

"Simmer down, shortcake. I'm talking about Mukuro Ikusaba."

The name instantly clicked in the girl's mind. Mukuro Ikusaba, 2nd death in Danganronpa S1 and 2nd murder overall, was the Ultimate Soldier. She was killed by her own sister in cold blood after attacking a Monokuma bot. She was part of Fenrir, and was one of the toughest killers around.

"I have.. heard of her, yes." The girl lied. She hasn't just "heard of her". Ikusaba was her motivation to learn bladed combat. As a child, she begged her parents for the Monokuma Blade she held with her at all times.

Her attacker held up her own Monokuma Blade to show to the blue haired girl. "Look- we match."

"What's your name?"

The girl smiled. "My name's Hikari Ohashi. And yours?"

"Tshugi Nagai. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."