To all my readers, thank you for your marvelous reviews! I gladly appreciate it!

Now to story-business, based on the reviews I got, in every hobby-ish chapter, there will be a free-time event in random intervals of one or two.

The second chapter will focus a little bit more on the other characters rather than Shiki to balance character development. Shiki needs to take a break from his goal or whatever.

Enjoy this introduction to chapter 2 and despair-speed! Upupupupu!


The only to cope with a death of a person is to give them attention.

Talk to them, visit their grave, write a letter.

I'm sure they will be happy from the heavens above.

Carry the hopes of these people.

And accomplish the dreams of the deceased.

Memorable items you may take into the table.

Into your mind they sway forever.


DAY 3: RESUMED


Hope's Peak Academy: First Floor

- Cafeteria

- Wednesday

- 12:04 p.m.


So it was lunch time as always, Ishimaru calling us out like a teacher in class which I got used to anyway. I met up with Leon and Naegi along the hallway by the time we were hungry. This time I wasn't on cooking duty, Kirigiri and Junko took charge of that. I wonder what food they'll prepare for us today. Last time I had a meal made by my father, sloppy but delicious; mashed potatos with gravy to the max. Monokuma did say that any kind of ingredient available is highly on a surplus so their creative recipes might come to life. They might not be SHSL Chefs but at least they know what's up. We are in the age gap that signifies the prerequisite to gain culinary skills.

As we entered the cafeteria, Maizono, Oowada and Ishimaru were on their seats, somewhat depressed from which I can conclude the execution of Hifumi. I know it's one big of a hell to see a friend face their punishment from the headmaster's hands however we should not let that drive us down to the grave. Perhaps they could not find a way to cope up just like how I did a few moments before I wrote my messages to the departed. I think I won't start the conversation this time just to see if any of them might have the will to talk to me about any of their problems.

I took my seat and looked at those three if they can talk about it. Quiet as always.

Maizono was the one to start the talking as she faced at me with her saddened expression.

"Shiki, how can you lift a smile after what we just witnessed two hours ago? Don't you feel bad?" she says.

"Of course I feel bad, but what made me brighten my mood is my own personal communication to them."

"How's that going to work? They're gone." Leon argued while confused.

"Not to me, Leon. Thinking about their good traits and talent from my perspective, I know they will live a good place." I answered.

"Hifumi? A good place? He's in hell as he had the fuck to kill Hagakure for his own skin." Oowada in the increased moderation of his voice, stomped the table with one of his feet.

"Come on, Oowada. Don't think that way. He was forced to kill him, not intentionally. There's a difference."

"You're alive because of him I count it? At least be happy that you still live. I already thanked him for it."

Oowada was a little stunned but began to ponder on my words and his actions. It seems he's going to need someone to talk to after a few hours, I can predict that.

"Maizono, you can write a letter to them about how you feel and what you think about them. Even if it's bad, at least it's honest."

"… I supoose it won't be harmful. Alright I'll do it." She says with a growing smile.

"I'll join you too Shiki! I haven't talked to them that much so I can make it memorable." Naegi responded.

"I shall allow this peaceful activity for the deceased. It will brighten the school environment this way!" Ishimaru included.

I knew I wasn't the only one who's writing letters, good intuitions as always. I won't encourage them though, in order for the term "emotion" come in full effect, let others see what they are doing and it will come in place. I guess you can turn the tables to the good side. Asahina and Sakura arrived at the cafeteria in curiosity of the situation due to Ishimaru's positive war cry of sorts.

"Hey guys! What's going on?" Asahina questions while taking her seat.

"Oh, we've joined Shiki in writing letters to the dead." Naegi answered while turning to her direction.

"Wait, you can do that?" she says.

"Well, we all know that it might be a good way to freshen up after something as bad as this happens. Better yet, we can talk about what good acts they make." Maizono says.

"But… we are talking about Hagakure and Hifumi here." The swimmer doubted.

"So what? They're people that need to be comforted." I added.

"Hmm.. What do you think Sakura?" she asks her.

"What is important is that they are never to be forgotten in our hearts, regardless of certain traits and characteristics. I will participate." Sakura accepts.

This is really going swell for today, I'm getting a good vibe in this situation and I am satisfied. I guess we can call this one a good day, speaking of which what's taking Kirigiri and Junko so long? Maybe they just started. Why don't we talk about something.. How about sports? That's good. That's good.

"So guys… a topic about sports?" I started.

"Swimming is your number one bet! Your whole body gets to be in motion and feel the water flowing through!" Asahina quickly follows.

"I want to aim for the gold medal in the nationals here in Japan but I was invited here to see this instead. Shame really."

"Well.." Oowada thinks about his favorite sports.

"Basketball is one. During my spare-time after leading my gang, I call up some of us to get some game going. Kinda cools me off you know."

"I don't get to play any sports as an idol… The only think that can be categorized as an exercise is continuous dancing, walking, and yoga.. practice in general. I really want to play a sport like volleyball one day." Maizono retorts thinking about her working days.

"Naegi, what about you?" she says afterwards.

"There is… badmintion, track and field…. and a little bit of biking."

"Shiki, now it's your turn."

"Well, I like to play soccer, have a few rounds of hockey.. not a fan of basketball. Getting hit by players is one thing I can't handle."

"Dude! No pain! No gain!" Leon shouts.

"I know that.. but still."

"I do not play any form of sport. I only exercise and study!" Ishimaru joins.

"That sucks." Leon whispers to himself.

"What… sucks?" he asks.

"You not playing a sport. Or are you just joking."

"It is not any form of comical relief."

"Wait wait wait.. you can perform any sport but don't play it?"

"Exactly."

Leon palms his face onto the table as a sign of pity. A few seconds after my statement, Fujisaki arrives simultaneously with Kirigiri and Junko with the prepared meals. This brought excitement to all of us as the prepared meals were… Ramen and ice cream. Does that match? A unique combination? That's something. As long as the food is delicious, then I'm fine with it. Oowada and Leon voluntarily assist them since the cooks are women, instinct calls for politeness. One by one, the plates and utensils were distributed among each chair as the previous food session.

I got myself the first serve of my ramen to get eating immediately. While I was eating, Asahina kept rambling on and on about swimming, particularly discussing her backstory on her career. We all have a backstory of our talent but not me, partially. I may have been born with my psychic powers but I worked hard upon knowing more and more about it. It really was worth my lifetime, I'm not your ordinary person like Naegi here who got in here by a lottery.

An hour and a half passed and me, Oowada once more and Fujisaki decided to wash all the bowls used, bringing the leftovers preserved in the refrigerator. All were divided separately to bring the fair and square scheme. Fujisaki almost dropped a glass and I manage to grab hold before it was shattered. Because of this, I decided to wash a few of her assigned utensils to cut off the time. She's petite as all the cute people say it, petite is the better term for cute. Anyway, after some time, Oowada invited to go to the sauna room for a talk. It is a bit chilly today even though the windows are sealed shut, but I got nothing else to do.


Hope's Peak Academy: First Floor

- Sauna Room

- Wednesday

- 1:45 p.m.


As me and Oowada dropped by at the steam room, he looked… negatively engaged to converse with me. Is he pissed off about something I did that offended him? I hope not. The steam room is too hot for me so I lowered the temperature by turning the heat switch counterclockwise after I reached for it.

That's much better, whoever were the people inside before me had guts to take the heat to a higher level. I was waiting for him to talk so he can find his peace after.


FREE TIME!

SHIKI: "So you brought me in here to the sauna room talk about something personal.. right?"

SHIKI: "A personal problem and something you would like to share?"

OOWADA: "Right from my mouth bro."

SHIKI: "Bro.. Yeah."

SHIKI: (I'm definitely considered a psychiatrist with these conversations so far.)

SHIKI: "So let's us discuss first your personal problems… Is there someone who angered you so much from the past few days?"

OOWADA: "It's fuckin loud-mouth boy I'm talking about?"

SHIKI: "Ishimaru? That's what I thought."

OOWADA: "Of course, you're a psychic."

SHIKI: "It's just mere intuition."

SHIKI: "Moving on, I know why you're pissed with this guy."

OOWADA: "My answer exactly."

SHIKI: "He's too loud, too adjusted with the rules, inconsiderate with people's mistakes and etc."

SHIKI: "I'm going to talk to him when I have the chance."

SHIKI: "Now I have some advice for you."

OOWADA: "What would that be?"

SHIKI: "Stop being a pie-hole with the bad words already. Cussing ain't a good sight for sore eyes."

OOWADA: "Their words Shiki!"

SHIKI: "Can you let me finish? Anyway, saying bad words frequently give you a bad image to the society or us in this case with Monokuma."

SHIKI: "Do you understand?"

OOWADA: "I'm the leader of the Crazy Diamonds. What do you expect?"

SHIKI: "DON'T. SAY. IT. HERE. You can say as much as you want when we get out of here."

SHIKI: "Moving on with Ishimaru, I understand from his perspective to bring law and order around here as we know it. I agree with your hated opinion on him but try to cope up with his shenanigans for a while."

SHIKI: "If ever he says bad things about you, just leave it be and walk towards me so I can deal with him with peace."

OOWADA: "Are you saying that I can't handle it like an adult? You wanna fight!? Huh?"

SHIKI: "Another problem with you… You have a temper that reaches its limit in seconds."

OOWADA: "I am not high-tempered! You can't tell me what to do!"

SHIKI: "You dragged me in here in the first place! Now you're angry at me for what I'm trying to tell you? Get a grip!"

SHIKI: (I shut him up for a few seconds and scooted away from him to give himself some patience… and to get myself away from him again.)

OOWADA: "Okay dude, I'm… sorry for being an asshole."

SHIKI: "There, that's progress. Remember what I said about Ishimaru okay?"

OOWADA: "Yeah. Sure."

SHIKI: "Next, about…. the sharing thing. I think that's next."

OOWADA: "About you."

SHIKI: "…"

SHIKI: "Me?"

OOWADA: "Yeah, like you… you seem to be… heroic."

SHIKI: "Oh… heroic? That's nice, thank you."

OOWADA: "No! I mean it bro!"

SHIKI: (I'm now a bro. Fascinating.)

OOWADA: "You really wanted to save us from that motive but failed."

SHIKI: "I really couldn't commit suicide. I just can't. I don't know why."

SHIKI: "Either way, my goal is to at least get out of here without any casualties or murders at place."

SHIKI: "But because of Monokuma, that seems to be impossible. The motives are kind of restrictive and irresistible to the mind."

SHIKI: "Why bring me up?"

OOWADA: "I need to be more… good in being good."

SHIKI: "You want more advice on tranquility and goodliness?"

OOWADA: "Yeah!"

SHIKI: "If that is so then share me your experience you wanted me to know about?"

OOWADA: "It's… about my brother."

SHIKI: "Your brother?"

OOWADA: "He was the former leader of my gang, kind of like someone I look forward to that led me to my SHSL title."

OOWADA: "Before his retirement and passing of leadership to me, I asked him if we can have a race to commemorate the moment."

OOWADA: "He said yeah and did our race. But…"

SHIKI: "But what?"

OOWADA: "…"

SHIKI: "…"

OOWADA: "I don't want to talk about it."

SHIKI: "Too personal to speak of it I guess. Don't force yourself to do it. I know what happened."

OOWADA: "You do?"

SHIKI: "Psychic. Intuitionist. It's fine."

SHIKI: "You know, it's just that it happened by chance. You can't blame yourself for it."

OOWADA: "B-but… sniff."

SHIKI: (He's crying…)

SHIKI: "I know how much you love your brother, I can tell. You just need to move on with the consequences of the events."

SHIKI: "Do you really want to bring yourself down because of the past? Of course not! Man up! You're Mondo Oowada, the SHSL Biker."

SHIKI: "You're strong and you're given a chance to do better. Be better. Be the new you."

OOWADA: "…"

SHIKI: (He hugged me very tightly with tears and sweat I can feel on his shoulders.)

SHIKI: "…"

SHIKI: (And his towel is loosening up. Oh no. I do not want to see…. That.)

OOWADA: "You really are my best bro I could ask for!"

SHIKI: "That's… sweet.. uhmm.."

SHIKI: "Your towel is starting to fall down."

OOWADA: "So?"

SHIKI: (WHAT THE!?)

SHIKI: "…"

SHIKI: (NO. NO. NO. NO. NO.)

SHIKI: "There's a girl right in front of the door."

OOWADA: "Fuck!"

SHIKI: (He tightens his towel and sits back down. That's was close. And look at me, more sweat and tears of him sticking to my skin.)

SHIKI: "So you want to hang out more next time?"

OOWADA: "I'm going to your room from now on bro! We are going to get together just fine!"

SHIKI: "I'm glad to hear that!"

SHIKI: (Converted him to a good happy-go-lucky gangster. Another good deed.)

SHIKI: "So, about your gang?"

OOWADA: "I'll give you a ride on my motorbike once I get my hands on it! You on my back, gonna be a sweet ride."

SHIKI: "I can't say no to a breezing trip, and just play safe. I'm not an extremist."

SHIKI: (It's been an hour. I should go.)

SHIKI: "I have to go now, I need to meet someone. I'll talk you to later."

OOWADA: "Right bro! Later."

SHIKI: (Another friend achieved.)

END OF FREE TIME!


Hope's Peak Academy: First Floor

- Changing Room

- Wednesday

- 2:55 p.m.


Leaving Oowada at the sauna room, I got myself dressed again to see if there's anything I can do around here. So I just sat on one of the benches and decided to predict what will happen in the future in this mutual killing of the bear. Pressing two of my fingers to my forehead, slowly using my psychic abilities to its safe limit, I thought of the future.

It was a dark blue void that started at first, I'm getting the same premonitions of blood slaughter and back pain by chains. Thinking about the first one, they said something about despair. I will conclude that it is of no coincidence that took place in my head and considering the true purpose of Monokuma which is despair as well, the mastermind is definitely a fetish person of negative feelings.

Since there is literally nothing to investigate as of now, no places to infiltrate, the only thing that will keep me to continue to find clues is that shutter that leads to the second floor. I hope something important is in there. Maybe I should plot a plan and tell everyone about it here since my sharp eyes say that there are no surveillance cameras around. Monokuma, at least you're… decently mature.

My powers also tell me that another person will be dying in a few days… and the body is found floating. Floating at a pool. If only I knew who the person was then this would have been intercepted by myself.

That's enough for now, the headaches are slowly approaching.

I rubbed my forehead to relieve the stress because of the setbacks. I just need the book. Book… Library… Mental scripts.

And then it did. Kirigiri approached towards me to tell me something.

"Shiki, let's go to the shutters leading to the second floor. Monokuma wants us all gathered there." She said while I nodded.

Before I followed her, I called Oowada for the same thing. He told me that he will catch up since he's still inside. I told him to hurry up as I left.

A few minutes later, we all gathered with Monokuma who is at the front of us with the same set of keys from the time of Hagakure's death.

"I wonder if we can snatch that from him…" I whispered to her.

She said nothing as she was focusing on the same thing.

"As a reward for clearing the first class trial, I will give you access to the second floor. Remember, if you want the next floor to unlock, go kill someone and be sacrificed." Monokuma announced. I don't see this as a helping bountiful.

We all remained silent. Even Oowada kept his mouth shut from my advice. Good.

As the shutters were opening slowly, we were talking about where to explore.

"We should cover more ground to each room we enter and come back to the cafeteria for debriefing." Ishimaru said.

"It's just 3:00 so a little leisure time would be of acquaintance." Celes added.

With all of us in agreement, we decided to take our steps into a new area.


Hope's Peak Academy: Second Floor

- Library

- 3:02 p.m.

- Wednesday


Me, Maizono, Kirigiri, Naegi, Togami and Junko separated into the library to spread more info on what we can find.

"A library! Finally! I can get books to read about minds and food! This is great!" I told to myself.

So I walked my way to one of the bookcases to reach for a book about pasta, and another section of the shelves to read about meditation and telepathy. I see Maizono getting a magazine with Junko's face on it, a girl's magazine. Junko sees her and starts bragging about her looks to which Maizono happily agrees since she is a supermodel.

As I got the books I need, I dropped them near Naegi, Kirigiri and Togami who were trying to get a laptop to turn on. Even if it is connected to the power outlet, it doesn't operate. The internet is a key to getting connections to the outside world as an S.O.S. message, maybe Fujisaki can get it to work as a programmer. Naegi upon pulling one of the heavy drawers at the desk, he finds a very dusty letter about the executive office. I went to him to see what the contents inside that envelope were.

"This is a notice from the Hope Peak Academy's Executive Office. For many years, Hope's Peak Academy's goal is focused on raising the best of the best in different talents to release them to be leaders of the society. As our long history has ticked away, this school, has the special approval by the government to be considered one of the educational institutions of Japan… This school has sent out a great number of graduates into society, and now on each stage, numerous graduates are active in the education scene.

But, at this time, I must lower the curtain on this Hope Peak Academy's glorious repetitive prevail. It was a demeaning decision but, because of a serious problem that has taken place, there was no other option to select than this. However, this isn't the final fall for Hope Peak Academy. In the near future, as soon as we improve the problem mentioned formerly, we intend to instantly resume school activities.

This is the end, but… for everyone who has granted us support and assistance over the years, we give our sincere gratitude and thanks. In addition, I would like to add that we are waiting for the government's approval on the abolition of Hope's Peak Academy."

"This situation is more mysterious as I confirmed it." Kirigiri says while thinking about the letter.

"It would seem that based on the amount of dust in this, this is obviously recent."

"If I had to guess… this might over a year ago."

"So maybe they closed the school during that time period up to now?" Naegi asks.

"Most probably, the mastermind took over this academy and converted the campus to a killing machine over the fittest." Togami added.

"But from what I remember, the school inside and outside was peaceful back then. I don't understand this." The luckster shrugged his head.

"They probably lured and trapped us here as part of the plan. The letter they gave to us, a trick without a doubt." Togami answered.

"We are talking about a mastermind who created a vile execution and a courtroom for the occasion. Anything else that may happen is never beyond us."

"If we assume this is to be a fact."

"It is a fact. Since this is a school, many students should be present and alive now but since this is a contradiction to our situation, this was indeed closed by the principal's orders." I concluded.

"Then we have reached our conclusion." Kirigiri finalizes.

"The next thing I want solved is the 'serious problem' that the principal failed to emphasize. This is connected to the closing of the school so it should be something serious to the outside world. Don't you agree?" I asked them.

"The outside world… this is one clue that may help us in our escape."

"and possibly a headstart for figuring out the goal of the mastermind."

"This… has caught me of great interest now." Togami said.

"Although we can't confirm it without sufficient evidences."

"Don't you think that's like… a fake or something? I want the answer to Naegi's question." Junko broke in tapping her foot as always.

"How can we go back into considering this a fake? We've made our thoughts now have we?"

"Ehh… I don't know… Maybe one of his fool tools?"

"Then the mastermind would be one of the members of the Hope's Peak Academy Executive Committee…"

I left her without anything to say.

"Also, in my latest premonition, I keep hearing the word despair… Monokuma's purpose in his game."

"What of it?" Togami seeking for a valid answer.

"Don't you think that this serious problem has something to do with despair? Maybe something that could have triggered that term in the outside world considering that the shutters are preventing us to see what's going on?"

"That's just a guess! Come on!" Junko shouted.

"But just like Togami said, nothing is impossible for the mastermind."

Then she couldn't speak again. I wonder why she is so against this if she wants to leave the academy. Maybe I should interrogate her next at the right moment. Well, time to return to the cafeteria now for Ishimaru's request of the information gathered.


Hope's Peak Academy: First Floor

- Cafeteria

- 4:00 p.m.

- Wednesday


All of us sat in our chairs and began the distribution of reports like in those police debriefing scenes in television.

"Everybody! Excellent work today! What significant sights have you found?" Ishimaru starts it off.

"There's a library with many genres of books and magazines, and a room full of dusty ones too." Maizono shares as she joined us.

"A swimming pool with changing rooms for boys and girls! There's also training machines too!" Asahina states hers.

"There were also two more classrooms but nothing special about them." Fujisaki added. So I was right with the many more students' idea. That letter is legit.

"But we can't find an exit there either, except for another caged shutter which leads to another floor." Oowada speaks without harshness.

"Now for me… the warehouse and sauna room was available to us now as entry to them was opened!" Ishimaru says.

"With bountiful supplies as well! What a treat!"

"Still no exit since me and Oowada took a steam break there." I said.

"Oh… well."

"Nothing else to talk about?"

"Any significant findings at the future, please report them immediately. that is. all."

"Then we are finished for today." Kirigiri leaves first following the rest.

Well that was kind of short. Hold on a sec.

"Wait, I need to share with you my findings in my premonition." I shouted before any of them made their exit.

"Someone here is going to die in the swimming pool days later. Everyone, be careful with your surroundings."

"What about that prediction of y-yours with the bathroom, didn't Hagakure d-die on the bedroom floor?" Fukawa pointed at me again with a bad grin on the face.

"That's something I want to figure out myself, so I brought these books to further enhance my accuracy of what might happen. Also I might even gain more skills than I should."

"Even if no one will go near the pool, the culprit can simply fake the crime scene by bringing the dead body over there."

"Your predictions are useless." He's going offensive again.

"And let me remind all of you that I'm going to win this game once and for all."

"Hihi. As expected from the heir of the Togami Enterprises. Surely you would give it your all since this is of course a game and as it states, all activities fall under this category in terms of intelligence, physicality and emotion. Anyone can kill you in just a blink regardless of what you see as this merely everything but an illusion." Celes phrased with a giggle. Must you worsen the atmosphere? Damn.

"Smart you may be but you will never win since a gambler takes risks. Fighting against me will lead to your loss." The heir fought back.

"I surely accept the challenge." Celes, seriously?

"Wait… we should not be fighting each other… we should be in this together!" Fujisaki making a wail through her efforts.

"You are still up to that nonsensical picture? When will you ever learn the reality we live in.."

"Can you just-"

"You killed Hifumi remember?" Fujisaki was stunned hearing this.

"What other choice do we have back at the courtroom? We voted because of the trial mechanics and for our lives." Sakura supports the petite one.

"Stop it Togami! You're not making things any better." Leon defends her as well.

Time for me to make my defensive moves as well, he's making Fujisaki cry again.

"You know Togami, you said you want to win this game right? Go kill someone then. It's part of the game here."

"H-huh?"

"Don't worry Fujisaki, I will make sure he doesn't make his graduation a guarantee."

"Good luck with convincing." As he left the cafeteria to his room presumably.

"I'll beat him up for you if he says no." Oowada grins wanting violence.

"If ever he says no to me several times… ha." I laughed a bit.

"I suggest we should leave him alone, let him do what he wants. It would be the same as if he were to be dead."

"Don't you dare!" Fukawa points at me again.

"Dare to do what? Kill him? That would go against my mindset of protecting."

"I have my eye on you… Lay a finger on him in you will get it."

"Ok."

And then after all that, I went to my room to get some early rest to wake up a bit earlier for tomorrow morning.


Hope's Peak Academy: First Floor

- Shiki's Room

- 5:00 p.m.

- Wednesday


There's really nothing to do but read the book I have brought along from the library. Hope's Peak really knows how to get any book from anywhere. So to summarize the day for me, we have executed Hifumi for his murder of Hagakure, made our explorations at the second floor with significant information at the very least, managed to lessen the temper of Oowada which is my favorite plus, found more books to read to improve my powers and I still have a small hatred for the heir. If he says that he wants to win, then he will go have to kill someone but I can't let the innocent perish. I will keep an eye on his tracks and the people he contacts by.

Anyway, it's time for me to get some sleep. I really, really got nothing to do. I closed the lights and tugged myself to sleep, I don't want to hear the night-time announcement before I go to bed. Hmm.


DAY 3: END



DAY 4: START?


I had a weird feeling to get up in the middle of the night, since the Night Time rule is no longer under Monokuma's enforcement, I guess it's fine. So that means I'm breaking Celes' rule, so meaningless.

Going to the second floor for some reason.

Why am I in the classroom? Nothing special about it here.

What are these...

Huh?

A person in a rocket.

Could it be the next person's execution?

Skeleton parts.

Monokuma again.

This is not right.

It happened.

Someone lunged into me and began to strangle me from behind. Coughing and choking for help, I couldn't move my arms. Who is this person? I need to shove them on the chest with my elbow.

POW!

Catching my breath while coughing, I looked up slowly on who this killer might be?

Is it Togami with his victory rant?

No.

It can't be.

Oowada!? What the!?

SURVIVORS: 14


Oowada is trying to kill Shiki even after the bro talk and stuff? What is going on?

Leave a review about the free-time event, the exploration and the sudden attack!

It will come in the next chapter.