ACT 2 : Begin
Island of Broken Promises
Gundam wakes up to a weight on his chest. Heavier than Cham-P. Saionji lays, curled up, right on the center of his ribcage. She sleeps in her underwear, her kimono and obi discarded in the corner of his room. His cottage smells fruity. The animal breeder crinkles his nose. He lifts his head to confirm the location of Komaeda. The boy is once again in his spot at the foot of the bed. He is somewhat more clothed than the girl, having his shirt on, but otherwise sleeps in his underwear as well. Gundam glances around the room, looking for the Four Dark Gods of Destruction. Jum-P remains in his scarf, but the others are nowhere to be seen. That is until Saionji's clothes start moving, and Maga-G pokes his sacred head out of the sleeve of her kimono. Gundam sighs in relief and turns to the other problem.
"Awaken. What is the meaning of this?" Gundam pushes Saionji into his lap and sits up. She nuzzles his chest, but stays asleep. Gundam stares in irritation. He grabs her shoulder and shakes her lightly. "Saionji, I once again say to you, why are you in my room? Unclothed? What did you do?" The dancer stretches, lightly bopping Gundam on the chin with her fist. He grunts as she curls back up into a ball and cracks an eye open at him. She looks at him somewhat apologetically. He tousles her hair.
"I'm trying to sleep, y'know..." The dancer grabs the end of his scarf and pulls it towards her, burying her face in it.
"And I am trying to wake you up. Why are you here?"
"You didn't lock your door, Tanaka-kun." Komaeda rubs the sleep out of his eyes. Gundam grunts in embarrassment. Saionji giggles. Komaeda smiles wearily at him. "I uh... we're sorry we doubted you."
"I'm sure of it." Gundam closes his eyes and crosses his arms in thought. Apparently, they take it as him still being mad at them because Saionji throws her arms around his torso and makes a pathetic sobbing sound.
"I'm sorry Big bro Tanaka! Please forgive us!" She wails at him. Gundam is glad that the walls are soundproofed, because divine feces.
"Huo-! Calm yourself! I had forgiven you a while ago! I was merely thinking. Goodness." Gundam sighs in relief as she finishes fussing. "Now answer me this." The dancer looks up at him. "Why are you in your undergarments? I'm assuming it has something to do with why my cottage smells like an orchard in the spring?"
"Oh!" Saionji brightens up. "I took a shower!"
"In my cottage?" Gundam stares down at her, squinting in disbelief and annoyance.
"Yeah. Big bro Komaeda said I was stinky and needed a shower."
"In my cottage?"
"Yes Big bro Tanaka! In your cottage!" Saionji opens both of her eyes for the purpose of rolling them. Gundam is surprised he can still see with how narrow his eyes are. Saionji giggles mischievously. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize that you would like to think about me in the shower so much." Gundam's eyes fly open.
"No! I mean-" He closes his eyes, clears his throat, and stares at her in irritation again. "You, Hiyoko Saionji, are an extremely annoying person." She smiles and nuzzles him again. He rolls his eyes. "And this does not explain why you are... lacking clothing."
"Oh uh, I can answer that." Komaeda chuckles. "We need your help."
"...What." Gundam stares in confusion at Komaeda.
"Well I tried to help her tie her obi, but ah... I'm not very good at things... so it turned out about as well as one would expect. So we decided to wait for you to wake up."
"Hold on." Gundam looks down at the dancer. "We tied it a multitude of times at the base. Why would you not be able to tie it now?"
"It's different. I don't remember how to tie this one." Saionji shrugs.
"What does that even mean?"
"Just help me!" She hops off of his lap and reaches for her kimono. Cham-P, San-D, and Maga-G scurry out of it frantically, and she jumps back with a yelp. Gundam and Komaeda snicker, and she turns back to them with a glare. The dancer pulls on the orange garment and holds out her obi to Gundam. The animal breeder sighs and gets up.
"Komaeda. You will assist me or I will have your soul." Komaeda chuckles, but gets up anyway. Gundam ushers Saionji over and gets down on one knee in front of her. He holds the green cloth in his hands and stares at it. What is he supposed to do with this. He wraps it around her waist and tries to tie it up. It looks like an abomination when he's done. "...This is not correct."
"Thanks, Captain Obvious." Saionji rolls her eyes with a small smile. Gundam grunts and unties the obi, motioning Komaeda over. The luckster squats on Saionji's other side and they make a coordinated attempt to tie it. They somehow manage to make it look worse than when Gundam did it the first time.
"What is this dismal attempt? I am sick just looking at it." Gundam leans back slightly in disgust. How did he fail so badly?
"See? I didn't know this would be so difficult. But I'm sure if we work together, our hope will blot out the despair of our inability to..." Komaeda trails off as he notices the other two staring at him strangely. "Oh uh... sorry. Let's work together." Gundam and Komaeda continue to try to tie up the obi, all while Saionji gives them contradicting instructions to help out. They work fruitlessly until Saionji gasps and then someone gasps behind them and Gundam nearly smacks himself in the face because they didn't lock the door did they? The animal breeder hesitantly turns around to find Koizumi standing in the doorway, hand over her mouth in surprise. She stares at what Gundam imagines looks like a young girl being undressed by two older boys in their underwear. Gundam takes this moment of calm before the storm to shoot Komaeda a dirty look. The photographer recovers from her shock, marching over and bopping Komaeda on the shoulder. She then turns and grinds her fist into the top of Gundam's head. The animal breeder yelps and glares at the girl, rubbing his head and pulling up his scarf. She then scurries over and pulls Saionji into a light hug.
"What do you guys think you're doing?!" Koizumi glares at the two boys. "I understand that the trial was stressful, but you don't need to do something like this to a poor, defenseless girl!" Saionji lets out an exaggerated sniff and smirks at Gundam and Komaeda from under the photographer's arm. Gundam scrunches up his face at her. It seems she's still takes pleasure at the misfortune of others, when appropriate.
"For your information, fire maned huntress, she had asked for my assistance with this matter." Gundam crosses his arms with a snort. "Although I can understand your mortal restrictions that prevent you from seeing the obvious in most situations, I still think your retribution was unnecessary and thus I will be forced to exact revenge." Gundam stands up, fists clenched. He towers over the photographer, but she remains steadfast. They stare at each other angrily for a moment before Gundam realizes he can't do anything. He's not going to hit a girl. With a vexed sigh, Gundam steps back and pokes her in the chest intimidatingly. "Consider yourself lucky, righteous one. After consulting with the otherworldly forces that govern all pertaining to vindication, I have deemed your act inconsequential and thus, you may remain in this world. For now." He narrows his eyes. She narrows hers.
"C'mon Hiyoko-chan. Let's go." Koizumi starts to drag Saionji away. The dancer protests.
"Wait! Big sis Koizumi, I can't go out yet! I can't tie my obi!" Saionji snatches the green cloth from Komaeda's hands and holds it out to Koizumi. The redhead stares at it for a moment before sighing.
"Alright. I'll help you. But I don't know any fancy knots or anything, so bear with me." She kneels down in front of Saionji and quickly and effortlessly ties the obi around the dancer's waist. Gundam stares in shock. How she was able to so effortlessly pull off something they had spent half an hour on astounds him.
"Wow, amazing job Koizumi-san!" Komaeda smiles in appreciation. "That was a splendid performance! Of course, it's only natural that someone like you could pull it off!"
"Oh, be quiet." The photographer marches out of Gundam's cottage with Saionji in tow, the dancer sticking her tongue out at the two boys.
"Well we are now in a heaping pile of excrement. I hope you are pleased with yourself, because I certainly am not." The animal breeder turns to glare at Komaeda. The boy raises his hands guiltily and offers an abashed smile.
"I'm sorry Tanaka-kun. But I'm sure she'll forgive us! Plus, I don't think she's the kind of girl to go around broadcasting things like that, don't you think?" Komaeda chuckles, grabbing his pants off of the floor. Gundam just scoffs and gets himself dressed. They head out a moment later, the Four Dark Gods nestled into Gundam's clothing. They pass Kuzuryuu sitting on one of the pool chairs, staring at the lodge. He flips them off, so they keep walking. Gundam averts his eyes from the gaming machines in the hotel lobby. He and Komaeda trudge up the stairs to the restaurant. Togami stands at the top of the stairs and nods at them as they pass. The animal breeder sighs as he notices the somber mood in the restaurant. About half of them are there. Nidai talks quietly with Owari, who is stuffing her mouth. Koizumi pokes lightly at her food while Saionji tries to comfort her. Gundam takes his place at the table he normally sits at, with Komaeda across from him. It's then that he smells something... really good. The others notice it too, especially Togami and Owari. Sonia, Tsumiki, and Mioda come up the stair and stop, sniffing at the air. The door to the kitchen had swung open, and Hanamura stands there, wiping a bit of sweat off of his brow. His eyes light up in surprise.
"Oh! Hello everyone! Good morning." He smiles. Togami stares at him.
"What are you doing in there?" The cook raises his arms in defense.
"A-ah! I was just making some breakfast for everyone..."
"You do realize that we have perfectly good food right there?" Togami squints at Hanamura and gestures toward the table with food on it.
"Right... I just uh... wanted to do something for everyone..." Hanamura scratches the back of his head. "I've... been here since we got back from the trial. I couldn't sleep, so I made a whole feast for everyone. If you don't want it though, I mean-" He's cut off by Owari jumping to her feet, knocking her plate off of the table. Nidai starts to chastise her, but she ignores him.
"Oh, no way! You made some food?! Lemme at it!" She dashes towards the open kitchen, stopped only by Hanamura. The cook barely restrains her, gripping her waist with all his might. Gundam feels a chuckle bubble up from his chest.
"Ah, lithe one. You truly are an apocalypse to all things edible." A few other kids laugh. Togami sighs and walks over, grabbing Owari by the collar. He pulls her back. The gymnast groans.
"C'mon, man! His food is amazing! You can't just not eat it! Please, please, please!" She struggles against the imposter's iron grip. "You had some of it, remember?" Togami does remember, because a look of longing passes over his face. He sighs.
"Bring it out, Hanamura." The cook clenches his hands excitedly, a smile blooming on his face.
"Ah! Of course, Togami-kun! You won't be disappointed, I promise!" He takes a step towards the kitchen, but turns back around for a moment. "Oh! Nidai-kun, would you mind helping me? It would be a pleasure to have such a strong man like yourself aiding me!" Hanamura rubs his hands together, a devilish grin on his face. Gundam rolls his eyes. Nidai seems oblivious to Hanamura's advances, standing up and laughing heartily.
"No, the pleasure is all mine!" The coach walks into the kitchen after Hanamura. The pair bring out plates upon plates of different kinds of foods, from steamed rice to some sort of dish of greasy strips of meat that he assumes is American. Gundam raises his eyes in surprise. It all looks really good. Owari drools at the sight of all the food, and Gundam can tell Togami is on the edge as well. Hanamura places the final dish on the table, then waves his hand dramatically.
"You may begin!" Owari immediately charges the table, grabbing a plate and stacking it while shoving food in her mouth at the same time. Togami stomps over and starts piling a plate as well.
"Save some food for the rest of us, goodness!" The imposter says while hypocritically shoving something into his mouth. He finishes with one plate and starts on a second. Gundam watches in awe as the two take out half of the food themselves. Once Togami and Owari sit down, the rest of them get up, forming a surprisingly orderly line. They get their own plates of food, Gundam's mainly consisting of fruits and whatnot for his hamsters. Hanamura sees this and chuckles, handing Gundam a second plate, piled high with all sorts of different dishes. The animal breeder raises an eyebrow.
"Ah, Tanaka-kun, you can't just feed your hamsters! You simply must try my cooking! It's important for one as... mysteriously seductive as you to have a full belly!" Gundam scoffs, but takes the plate anyway. Hanamura claps happily and goes back to standing off to the side and recommending different dishes to people. Gundam places himself in his normal spot and looses the Four Dark Gods of Destruction onto one of the plates.
"Consume heartily, my gods, for I feel the winds of change stirring up the vapid atmosphere of today..." Gundam smiles at the sight of his hamsters feeding. A squeal next to him indicates that Sonia agrees.
"Aww! Your hamsters never cease to act adorably, Tanaka-san!" Gundam shoves a bite of what looks like an egg yolk into his mouth in embarrassment.
"Ah... It is a great service to be offering the Four Dark Gods of Destruction proper adoration." The animal breeder chuckles around his food, and widens his eyes when the amazing flavor spreads out in his mouth. "Th-this food! It is otherworldly in its flavor!" Gundam says, a bit louder than he would have liked.
"I'm glad you think so!" Hanamura puts his elbows on the table and lays his face on his hands, leaning towards the animal breeder and the princess. Sonia claps her hands in joy.
"Oh Hanamura-san! It is simply divine! I have only rarely tasted food of this caliber! Even the most skilled chefs in Novoselic could barely produce a flavor such as this!" Hanamura chuckles humbly.
"Do you think it's good enough for a kiss, dearest Sonia-san?" Hanamura raises his eyebrows and Sonia responds by giving him a peck on the top of the head. The cook clearly didn't expect that, because his cheeks flush red and his eyes open wide. "O-oh my!" Sonia giggles and Gundam rolls his eyes. He glances around the restaurant, noting how happy everyone is now that they're eating a good breakfast. He wonders if that was really all it took to revive the mood. Gundam notices two missing people however. Someone else notices as well.
"Hey hey hey! Morning time announcement!" Mioda shouts out, banging her cup against the table. Gundam is glad it's plastic. Everybody in the restaurant turns to her. "Ibuki was wondering where Fuyuhiko-chan and Hajime-chan are!"
"Tanaka-kun and I saw Kuzuryuu-kun outside near the pool. I guess he didn't want to come..." Komaeda sighs. "As for Hinata-kun... Is he still..." The luckster trails off. Nobody says anything until Nidai yells out, way louder than he needed to.
"I AM NOT AWARE OF HINATA'S LOCATION!" He draws a lot of skeptical looks.
"That is a suspiciously specific denial, spirited one." Gundam glares at him, and is about to confront the sweating Nidai when they hear a voice they really would not rather hear.
"What's suspicious?" Monobear stands on one of the tables, tilting his head curiously.
"A-Ah, Monobear is here! It appears we cannot continue this discussion!" Nidai yells, glancing around frantically. Gundam narrows his eyes, but lets it go anyway.
"What do you want?!" Koizumi asks aggressively, glaring at the bear.
"No need to be so abrasive, Koizumi-san." Monobear chuckles. "I've actually come here for a very important reason." Monobear clears his throat and goes red with anger, raising his arms. "Where's my Monobeast?!" The students look around, confounded. Monobear sighs. "It wasn't you bastards then... Perhaps it was me refusing to let it inside when it was cold last night..." Gundam feels himself chuckling. Monobear stares at him, an eye twitching. "What's so funny, weirdo?!" The insult just draws a laugh from Gundam. The animal breeder closes his eyes and crosses his arms.
"'Of the machines made to kill, he was the weakest. Finding himself losing to humans was a disgrace, one that could not be redeemed, so the Monobeast was dismissed from the realm of the living. Permanently.'" Gundam grins cockily. "Is that not what you're saying?"
"...What." Monobear stares at the boy in confusion.
"This tale in only in the prelude. The climax is yet to come, you maniacal monster!" Gundam strikes a pose meant to be frightening. "Let us hear your battle cry! We will make it a tune to remember! A requiem for those you intend to take! Trifle not with the mighty!" He laughs, and Monobear just looks more confused, if not creeped out.
"What what? Double what?" The animal breeder is about to continue when Koizumi cuts him off with a scoff.
"Tanaka. Quit playing with the teddy bear." Gundam grunts angrily and crosses his arms.
"Hmph. So be it." Monobear just sighs.
"Ugh, I'm still a toy to you?" He shakes his head. "Whatever. It's obvious none of you idiots know where my Monobeast is." The bear stalks angrily out of the restaurant. With the distraction gone, Gundam and a few others turn back to Nidai. The coach notices all the eyes on him and begins sweating again.
"Wh-what?! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM MEEEEEEE?!" Nidai takes a step back and bumps into something that he trips over. They hear a voice they haven't heard since before the party.
"Ow ow ow! My head... that weawy hurts..."
"Ah! Monomi-chan! Ibuki hasn't heard your voice in forever!" Mioda peppily bounces to her feet, nearly whacking Tsumiki in the face with her arms. The nurse windmills her arms and wails as she falls over backwards, hitting the floor with a thud. Koizumi and Nidai help her up.
"Weww it's a good thing I'm back then, wight?" Monomi puffs out her chest and smiles.
"No. Go away." Togami glares at the pink and white rabbit. "You're still not welcome here." A few other kids nod in agreement and Monomi covers her head with her arms and whimpers.
"Oh... I'm sowwy..." Monomi begins to walk away, but Gundam stops her.
"Halt! The grandiose one may have no need for you, but one such as I finds value in all the sources he can get." Gundam crosses his arms again and glares at Togami. The imposter glares back. "Tell me, undead servant of the unforgiving Yama... have you something to do with the missing Monobeast?" Togami scoffs, but Monomi beams in pride.
"Yup! I destwoyed that evil Monobeast!"
"Hah, you?" Owari laughs. "Well, at least you're funny."
"No, it's twue! Now you guys can get to the second iswand! I'm sure you'll be able to deepen your fwendship even more with the things there!" Monomi happily proclaims. Togami snorts.
"Please. We're trying to find a way off of this rock, not spend more time here." Most of the students chime in their agreement. Togami stands up. "Alright it's settled. We will explore the new island and find a way off. Are there any objections?" Nobody says anything. Nobody except Monomi.
"B-but..." Togami cuts her off.
"No buts! Let's go!" Togami marches toward the stairs. "Now." A few of the others groan in complaint, but Togami shushes them with a glare. Slowly the kids file out of the restaurant until Gundam, Komaeda, Saionji, and Koizumi remain. Gundam scoops up his hamsters and he and Komaeda prepare to leave. They turn to Saionji, about to invite her to come with them, only to see her in a conversation with Koizumi already.
"Ah... I believe we need to explore the new island now."
"Not yet! You promised me you'd help me learn to tie my obi!" Saionji tugs on Koizumi's hand. The photographer wearily glances out at the ocean.
"Oh Hiyoko-chan, don't be like that. We need to go do this."
"But you even said I need to wash myself again so that you can make sure I'm clean cause my clothes are probably dirty."
"I-I did say that..." Koizumi guiltily admits, causing Saionji to cheer.
"Yay! It's settled! We'll have soapies!" Koizumi digs her heels into the ground, preventing Saionji from pulling her.
"H-hold on, soapies? You can't mean-" Saionji cuts her off. Gundam and Komaeda glance at each other in surprise.
"Of course I do! It's okay, we're both girls!" Saionji giggles playfully. Koizumi glances around nervously. Unfortunately, she only spots Gundam and Komaeda. As Saionji drags her past them, she glares.
"Hey! You two should have left a while ago! Get going! And don't even think about following us!" She stares them down until she and Saionji get to the stairs, where she has to look forward to prevent herself from falling down them. When she's gone, Gundam and Komaeda look at each other and speak at the same time.
"I really don't think we should-" "I will not tolerate us-" They both stop and chuckle nervously, glancing away from each other.
"There's no way I thought about it..." "Such mortal desires are beyond my understanding..." Gundam plays with his scarf and Komaeda sticks his hands in his pockets. They stand awkwardly for a moment before Gundam coughs.
"Let us make haste." The boys leave the restaurant and don't make eye contact all the way to the second island.