Chapter 10: The first motive

The next few days passed in about the same manner. Makoto would eat breakfast with the others during the morning meeting. Then hang out with whoever she ran across during the day. Despite being trapped within the school, at this point Makoto couldn't call the situation horrible, though it wasn't the best. With many friendly people to spend her time with, Makoto never quite felt bored.

At one point she had hung out with Sakura and Hina in the gym, they had pulled out a bunch of equipment from a storage closet that Makoto had up until that point hadn't even noticed. It was a sight to see, as the two athletic girls arranged posts around the gym to make what was supposed to be a makeshift track. Makoto couldn't keep up and ended up on the bleachers not long after starting. It was still fun nether less.

Then there was the time the luckster found herself playing cards with Celeste, which was a unique experience or its own. Makoto had spent some time with Taka, they just walked around the first floor, neither of them really sure what they could do. Though Makoto did feel that she got to know him a little better. The hall monitor might be loud and at times redundant, but he was a good person.

Time just seemed to fly by as everyone got to know one another more and more. Makoto could feel the bonds being formed between them. And they were growing stronger each passing day. No one had seen Monokuma a while. The bear seems to be waiting patiently for a first kill that hopefully would never happen. The chances of that becoming a reality also grew slimmer with time. Even Toko seems to have warmed up a little bit with the groups two athletic girls. Apparently, Hina had grown tired of Toko complaining about no one wanting to be around her and had dragged the Writer to the gym to hang out with both her and Sakura. It was clear that Toko, who almost everyone had given up trying to be nice too, had become more comfortable around the large muscular woman. Which seems to have made Sakura happy.

Even Mondo had been worn down and had been seen chatting with Leon and Chihiro from time to time. Makoto had quickly noticed that the small programmer seem to be able to talk easier with the guys, though she didn't understand why that was.

Byakuya was the only one who hadn't so far made an effort to get to know the others. To be honest, Makoto feels that might be for the best. Considering that he did start the whole issue between him and Mondo on the first day, which had lead to Taka getting punched in the face. The moral compass still has a bruise on his face to show for his effort to keep the peace.

It was during the groups' 4th breakfast meeting that the peaceful routine that had started to form was shattered. That the fragile trust forming between them was pushed to its limits. It had started out like any other day trapped in Hope's Peak. Makoto had gotten up after the morning announcement, took a quick shower and headed to the breakfast meeting. As usual, Makoto was the last to arrive. Today she found herself sitting between Celeste and Kiyo. Makoto's hair was back in pigtails, she didn't know how to fix the braid.

With everyone present, Taka stood up like always and began the meeting. "Let us began the 4th official morning meeting. Unless anyone has managed to find anything new, let us proceed with breakfast. No one had anything new to say to so everyone just started eating. At least until they were interrupted that is. Interrupted by the annoying menace himself, Monokuma.

"upupupupupu, I can't believe that it's been almost a week now and not one death. What's with you guys! Too chicken to kill? Or did you just forget?" Those words hung heavily over everyone's heads. Of course, no one would have forgotten about something like that. Even Hiro who had been convinced that this was all some long winded joke seemed to be uneasy with the bear's appearance. Until now it was easy to put the thought of killing at the back of her mind. Monokuma hadn't until now brought back up the method of graduating. Deep down Makoto had hoped that whoever was behind this would have grown bored of waiting and just let them go. But of course, there was no chance of that happening. "Why would anyone go through the trouble of trying to kill when they would have to then go through an investigation right after word. Not to mention the consequences of getting caught."

Everyone turned to look at the gothic gambler, who had spoken up. "It sounds far too troublesome to even consider. It is much easier to just accept our lives here after all." It was clear that a good number of the others didn't quite agree with that last part, but no one disagreed. Monokuma tilted his head to the side, a look of curiosity appearing on his bear face. "Is that so? Well, you're just saying that because you have to reason to kill. That's it! That's what's missing. I just couldn't understand why no one was killing anyone when everything you need is right here. But there was one thing missing, one thing that I hadn't considered. Do you know what that is?"

Kiyo was the one to answer, his purple eyes boring holes into their robotic captor. "I believe you are referring to a motive, this that right." Monokuma laughed in delight. "That right, you guys need a motive, a reason to kill. And I've got one all set up and ready for you."

That didn't sound good, that didn't sound good at all. The way the bear laughed sent chills down the luckster's back. This was the last thing they needed. Things had been going too well up to this point, and now it was going to be ruined.

"The motive I've set up is in the A/V room, please head there once your silly little meeting is over." Monokuma bounced out of sight, vanishing beneath the floorboards. Everyone sat in silence after that, no one knowing what to do. Looking around the room, Makoto could see how tense the atmosphere had gotten in those few minutes. Finally, Taka cleared his voice, "If this 'motive' is what Monokuma is going to use to get us to kill, then I think it would be best to ignore it." Several voices of agreement followed. While Makoto did agree as well, a part of her knew that might not be a good idea. Who knows what Monokuma might do if they ignore his motive. It would seem that Byakuya had considered the same thing for he was the one who spoke next.

"Are you sure that is wise, who knows what that stupid bear will do if we don't see what the motive is. Pretending that this isn't happening won't make the situation go away." Many faces fell as the group knew that they might have to go to the A/V room after all. As if admitting defeat, Taka stood up from the table. "If we must, let us go and get it over with already." The others stood up from the table, half eaten trays left behind as the group of 16 students got ready to leave the cafeteria. It would seem that Monokuma's words had soured everyone's appetite.

It didn't take long for everyone to reach the A/V room. The room was full of large tape players that looked like desks, a deck chair sat at each one. The first thing Makoto noticed was a cardboard box at the front of the room. It was quite disturbing, did Monokuma want them to watch something. Taka walked up the box, opened it up and looked inside. "It's full of tapes, each of them as one of our names on it." Taka pulled out the tape with his name on it. "I believe we are to watch them." Taka then took a seat at one of the take players, placing a pair of headphones on his head. One by one they each took out their own tape and took a seat somewhere in the room.

Makoto made sure to sit next to Sayaka. She at least wanted her best friend to be next to her when she was forced to watch whatever nightmare Monokuma had put on the tape. Sliding on the headphones, Makoto put in the tape, worried about what she was about to see. At first, the screen remained blank, but after a few seconds, it started. Makoto blinked a few times, surprised at what she was seeing. On the screen before her, Makoto saw her family. Her dad, mom, and little sister were sitting on the couch in their living room. They looked so happy, it Made Makoto's chest ache. Oh, how she wished that she could be there with them instead of here. Her mom was wearing her favorite white gown; her father is in the suit he wears to work. And lastly, his little sister Komaru who is wearing her middle school uniform.

A smile appeared on the luckster's face as she watched her family congratulated her for being accepted into Hope's Peak. Not like they hadn't done that before she left. Makoto's family had definitely celebrated when the acceptance letter had arrived in the mail. There was just something about seeing her loved ones in front of her that gave Makoto hope that everything will be alright.

But wasn't this supposed to be a motive to get them to kill? How was showing Makoto her family supposed to make her want to kill? Perhaps it was drawing out the need to see her loved ones. If that was the case, that was a low blow. Makoto was pulled out her thoughts when a high static sound comes from the headphones. Makoto's eyes widened in horror, as the image changed. Her family was gone, nowhere to be seen. The couch that they had just been sitting was now torn to shreds. It looked as though a wild animal had gotten a hold of it. The window behind the couch was shattered and the room was now dark. Fear clogged her throat, choking her as well as squeezing her heart. This can't be real, this can't be real. Her family has to be safe, this can't be happening.

Makoto's head swirled nauseously as her mind tried to rebut itself. This can't be happening, This can't be happening. Denial and terror swarmed inside the luckster's head, her thoughts chasing each other around and around in circles. This can't be real this can't be real. Makoto wanted to believe that the image before her was fake, but a part of her knew it wasn't. The screen went blank and words appeared on the screen.

Find the truth after Graduation

This is happening. Makoto threw the headphones as she screamed. Backing far as possible from the video that had shown her family. Makoto felt her mind shut down as she collapsed into the floor sopping. This can't be real, this can't be happening. The luckster felt a pair of arms circle her shoulders, holding on to her in a supporting hug. It was then that Makoto fully broke down, crying into the other's arms. She couldn't think anymore, she didn't want to think. It was too much, far too much. Her family was so important to her, and to see that they might be in danger made her heart hurt so much that it felt like it would be crushed.

"It's ok Makoto, I'm here for you." Sayaka's strong let wavering voice broke through the luckster's panic, allowing her to calm down a little. Makoto leaned into the idol's arms and closed her eyes. Completely Uncaring as the others watched her cry in the other's arms.

~line~

Author's note:

Sorry about the late post, I went to my niece's birthday party at FunZone. Well anyway, the first motive has been given and it seems to have affected Makoto badly. Things are starting to heat up. Who will kill first and who will be killed first? Thank you for reading and please leave a review to let me know what you that. Feedback is always welcomed.