In the moment, I had no idea how to react. I didn't want to panic, as that wouldn't make any part of this situation any better.

Just because I didn't panic, that didn't mean someone else wouldn't…

"W-Wait, I...Weise, hold on!" Kozaki tried to say something, but seemed to have no idea what exactly to say. He felt at his head, trying to find words that he couldn't grasp. "I...I…"

Seeing Kozaki panic only made Weise more frightened. "S-So vous êtes?!"

"Y-Yes, I mean I was, I…" Kozaki struggled to say anything at all.

I quickly tried to make good to calm the situation. "Hold on, Weise. It's not that bad, just...give him a chance to explain himself first."

The fashion designer uneasily listened. "D'accord…"

Looking over to Kozaki, I raised an eyebrow. "You okay there?"

"N-N...I-I am, yes? N-No I'm...I'm…" He covered his face.

I guess that leaves me to try and say something, at least until Kozaki can pick up all the words he dropped onto the floor. "You see, Weise...It's not like that anymore. I-It might be his talent, but-"

"Talent?" Weise gulped. "T-Then...Kozaki was lying that he had pas de talent?"

"Ah, uh...yes?" I sheepishly smiled.

Weise twiddled his fingers. "And...his real talent is...being the Super-Highschool-Level Arsonist?"

"Uh...I mean...that would be it?" I grinned, quite awkwardly.

I feel like I'm only making this worse...

"But Kozaki, c'est illégal!" Weise turned to the former arsonist. "You can go to jail!"

Kozaki looked down, sighing. "I've already been, Weise…"

"A-Ah?" The fashion designer gulped again.

"Hey...does that mean you don't want to be friends with me anymore?" Kozaki looked to Weise. "Do I scare you? Are you afraid to be sitting next to me now?"

Weise sniffled. "I still want to be friends avec toi…"

Kozaki's voice grew softer. "Even after knowing I lied to you? After I lied to cover up the fact I'm...a criminal?"

"Non!" Weise hugged Kozaki, shaking his head. "Criminals are the méchants! Y-You're not a bad guy! You're a hero, vous...vous save everyone all the time! That's what heroes do, not criminals!"

Kozaki found himself unable to say anything in response, only returning the hug and patting Weise on the head gently.

"What counts is who you are now." I nodded, patting Kozaki on the shoulder. "And right now...you're our hero. There's nobody else I would rather it be."

He looked over to me, not saying anything. His eyes were full of defeat, that he had accepted he was truly a criminal.

"Would a criminal solve murders and try to keep people alive?" I shook my head. "I wouldn't bet on it. But you know what? You do, Kozaki. Time and Time again you've proven yourself to us that we have no reason to doubt how much you care." I then nodded. "And we care about you in return."

Kozaki sighed, closing his eyes. "They won't care when they hear the truth...Weise will tell everyone, I'm sure…"

Weise looked away. "I…I won't, je promets."

"Huh?" Kozaki was surprised.

"Friends don't sell out their friends." Weise sniffled. "I want to be ton amie, Kozaki. Even if what you did was scary...je...je voudrais be friends! S'il vous plaît?"

Kozaki closed his eyes. "I want that as well, Weise."

I looked to the side, unsure as to what I could say. I wanted to ease Kozaki, though I feared that I would be unable to. Whenever his mind goes in that direction, it takes him a while to recover.

"You two must be starving." I stood up, rubbing my hands together. "I'll go to the kitchen and get something for you. Riko went out earlier, so I'll see if I can catch her to get more food now that Kozaki is awake."

While not responding to me verbally, both Kozaki and Weise nodded. With that, I stepped out to go to the kitchen.

The halls of the Killing Odyssey felt incredibly empty. Beforehand, the place would be full of life. Now that life has been plucked at, one by one. Our numbers are falling, how many of us will be left when help comes?

…

When help comes. But will it come? Am I a fool for hoping, for holding out and holding on tight for what I want to believe?

"Hey, watch it!"

I blinked, looking down in front of me. Mei was there, clutching a plate of chicken curry. Seems I walked all the way to the kitchen without paying attention, and I almost ran her over while she was leaving.

"S-Sorry, Mei." I smiled, scratching the back of my head. "I'm getting food for Kozaki and Weise."

Her angered face shifted to concern. "They're awake now?"

"Yes, but...they need time to recover. I think it's best for now that they stay rested." I tried to explain myself. "And so...here I am. I'm going to get food for them."

Mei nodded in understanding. "I see. Hamoizumi mentioned something about getting food for Vayrne. She's inside right now trying to make crepes."

Getting food for Weise? I thought she was just going to wash his dish...

"Ah, thank you for letting me know." I smiled, nodding.

Mei looked off to the side for a while. "...Kimizai, can I ask you for a favor?"

I tilted my head to the side. "A favor?"

The vigilante nodded walking past me. "Tomorrow morning, meet me in front of the Puzzle Room."

She never gave me the chance to reply…

Why there? Monobotto didn't even put in a puzzle into it yet, right? I wonder what Mei is thinking about.

Ah, not now. I need to check on Riko and the food.

Looking inside, the kitchen was in a state of confusion. Riko was standing besides a frying pan, struggling to flip over what I assume to be a crepe.

"R-Riko, are you okay?" I asked, walking over.

Flustered, Riko looked to me. "Oh, Fraize! I-I do not believe I understand how to cook a crepe!"

"Does it have to be crepes?" I asked, worriedly.

"I fear that perhaps Weise would not like to eat moussaka, and I already prepared shopska salata earlier." Riko sighed, taking the butchered crepe off the heat. "I cannot only cook one type of cuisine. I must be able to prepare a variety as Anne does."

I shook my head, taking the pan out of Riko's hands. "I think that this variety doesn't include desserts, my friend."

Disappointed, Riko walked over to an open chair and leaned back. "What ever shall I do?"

"Why are you even making food in the first place?" I asked her, confused. "You just gave Weise a salad, and he seemed to be content with it."

"Well...it's so strange!" Riko felt at her fedora under mild stress. "Weise always eats crepes, does he not? Now Anne is no longer here to provide any. I must do something, is that not true?"

"I'm sure he won't mind waiting for you to learn how to cook a crepe." I offered her a smile.

She sighed, looking down. "I suppose so. Though, I do believe a snack of some kind would still do well…"

Looking around the kitchen, I nodded and rubbed my hands. "Go to Kozaki and Weise, I think I can take it from here."

"Ah?" The clarinetist looked up.

"Kozaki is awake now, I think he would like to speak with you." I scratched the back of my head. "He uhh...could use some support. Weise found out about...the thing."

Worriedly, Riko stood up and held her hands together. "Oh my, then I shall head over to them at once. Thank you for taking over, Fraize."

After watching Riko leave, I rubbed my hands together again to think about what I will prepare. Perhaps something easy, like a bunch of sandwiches.

Ah, but I already made sandwiches earlier. I can't make them again, it would get repetitive fast.

Then perhaps I should make something with some color, some excitement.

…

Aha, I got it!

Pounding my fists together with confidence, I walked over to the fridge to retrieve several tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Chips and salsa, this should do fine for a dinner meal. Or...is it a breakfast meal for them? Huh…

After putting something together, I grabbed a bag of chips from the pantry and carried over my creation back to the Mono-shift Room. I had to knock on the door and wait, as my hands were too full to open the door myself.

"Oh, there you are. What have you got for us?" Riko asked upon seeing me. She looked down to investigate what I held in my hands. "...Chips and dip? I do not know if this is a good option for a meal…"

"Come on, Riko." I smiled. "You have to give me credit for trying, I made the salsa myself. It will be good, trust me."

"I'm not doubting the flavors." She stepped aside to let me in. "But...I worry this will not suffice."

I walked over to Kozaki and Weise, passing them the tray. "What? Are you saying they should eat a skirt steak right after waking up?"

The clarinetist sighed, holding her hands together. "Perhaps not…"

Weise's cheeks puffed up upon seeing what I had prepared. "Is it spicy?"

"Ah, well...I do have some jalapeño in there." I scratched the back of my head. "Is that an issue?"

Kozaki worriedly took the salsa for himself. "I think Weise has a low spice tolerance. When Mei made a special soup recipe from her grandmother, he had to chug down a whole jug of water…"

I felt guilt upon realizing this. "A-Ah? I'm sorry, I should've asked…"

"Hey, you didn't know." Kozaki smiled, then tasting some salsa with a chip for himself. "And it tastes great."

"Thank you." I sighed, looking to Weise. "Please forgive me for this, my friend."

Weise picked up a chip and had it without salsa. "Non, it's okay. I guess...we just aren't bons amis yet…"

Riko smiled, pulling up a chair. "Then perhaps now would be a great opportunity for us all to become closer, yes?" She giggled, nodding. "An icebreaker shall do us all well! We can all re-introduce ourselves and grow tighter."

I grinned upon hearing her idea. "If we become even closer, then there's no way we can allow for the continuation of this killing game. Right?"

So we spent the night chatting and sharing the chips and salsa that I made, although Weise had to pass on the dip. We talked about our hopes, our dreams. We talked as though we knew we would all escape from this place, as though we knew it was only a matter of time before the game would finally end.

This game is going to end, and I want to be there when it does. I want to walk with my friends into the warmth of the sun, to breathe the fresh air and to hear the birds share their songs. Yes, I want to escape from here. I want to escape with everyone.

I spent so much time hoping and dreaming that I drifted off to sleep, those desires still fresh in my mind.

"Here you have them. What do you think?"

"Looking at the trends, I'm pretty interested to say the least. Things are changing, for some of them...changing quickly."

"We're going to do an MRI screening for all of them."

"Do you need me to change out real quick?"

"Yes, if that is alright."

"Whatever needs to be done."

Voices...who's voices? Where am I? This place…

I can't move, not even open my eyes. My body feels heavy, so heavy that I can't even wiggle my fingers. I feel cold, the air is stuffy and congested.

Besides the voices, I hear breathing. Breathing from both sides of me. I must be laying in between people. Are they my friends?

"We'll go in order. Prepare the scanner for me."

"Understood."

"Wake Number One, alright?"

"Are you certain you want to do it here and now?"

"Absolutely. My partner wants to speak with him."

"As you wish, Erito."

Erito...Erito...the only cultist, or so I believe, that's ever been named. They treat him like a boss of sorts, the leader.

The mastermind…

I want to believe with all my being that the mastermind is not one of my friends. If naming Erito as the mastermind can give me resolve, so be it. I'm convinced that Erito is the one who has been doing this to us.

"Wh...Where am I…?"

"There he is...hello there, Kozaki Daisuke. You have a lot on your schedule tonight. Please come with us."

"Come with...h-hey! Get off me!"

I heard a door open and close.

…

Erito is doing this to us. I won't accept any other explanation.

Now I'm left, laying in silence.

Get up...get up…

I tried to do everything to push up. I could feel my fingertips wiggle lightly.

Come on now, wake up. Kozaki could be in danger. I...I have to do something…

I rocked my body back and forth, trying to get off. Well...I succeeded. I ended up rolling off and crashing onto the floor, which certainly woke me up.

Five tables.

Kozaki was already gone. Mei and Sayino were both fast asleep. I tried to wake them, but was left with no success at all. Between Mei and Sayino were two empty tables.

Two?

There are five in total...wait a minute.

Are there supposed to be five of us?

I felt at my head, trying to squeeze out some memories. Who could it be? Was it always like this, since the beginning? Where are they now?

Think, Fraize. If this person is installed into whatever program this is, what does that mean?

First of all, maybe I should know what it means for me. I don't even know why I'm part of this. Was it random? Was it planned?

What does it mean for all of us?

...

Now isn't the time to worry about that. Kozaki could be in serious trouble. After all, every time I manage to wake in this place, I hear the cultists talk about him. They talk about how interesting he is, how he surpasses expectations. That makes me worried.

I don't want to just leave Mei and Sayino here alone, though. Maybe I can find a way to secure the door from the inside so that nobody can get to them.

But then...how will I get out of the room? You fool, Fraize.

Then do I...just leave?

I'm not so sure about this, but…

I have to go after Kozaki. Mei can kick ass and Sayino probably can as well. I'm sure they can fight back if they have to.

Then it's decided. I hope they can forgive me for this.

I slowly walked over to the door, opening it as quietly as I could. Nobody else was around as far as I could tell, so I slowly closed the door behind me and tried to think of a plan.

MRI. What are they scanning with that? Is it something about the brain? Scanning all our brains...it's scary. Why would they?

Enough questions. I need to find Kozaki, fast. Where do I go from here?

Wherever than MRI is. Look for signs…

I can't read them. I feel so dizzy, the words blur and move around. My body wants to give away, but I can't afford to do that.

Just wake up, just do something.

Anything at all.

Aha! It's to the left. Alright, then let's-

"Where do you think you're going?"

I turned around to see a single cultist looking right at me. Looks like I have no choice but to head left now, and so that was exactly what I did. I ran to the left, the cultist chasing behind me.

Except it wasn't one, it was two and then suddenly four. Then it became eight, eventually the size growing up to what I guessed was a solid twenty. I'm not going to stop running, even if I have left track of where I was going.

Faster and faster, faster still. Don't let them catch you, not even reach you. Find Kozaki, help him escape.

So many thoughts were racing in my mind, I didn't notice myself bumping into another person. It was a taller man with black hair and blue highlights, a pair of round glasses, and a clean lab coat over a sweater and dress pants. This person was unmasked, and had a very clear individualistic style to him. This person...who is he?

"Oh?" The person smiled, placing his hands to his hips. "Are you Number Six? I didn't expect to meet you in this manner."

I backed away, looking to turn and run in the other direction. However, the other cultists blocked the way.

I'm trapped.

"No need to panic." He smiled, extending a hand. "Let's get to know eachother better. After all, you did come all this way."

My eyes danced around the scene rapidly. That's when I spotted him off to the side, gagged and restrained by two cultists.

I made an effort to try and slip by, reaching out to him. It was to no avail, as the mysterious person held me back with great strength.

"Now, now. We only deal with you one at a time. If you're eager to meet me, just wait until I've finished with Number One." The person pushed me into the custody of the other cultists.

He struggled, managing to push away the other cultists for only a second for him to speak. "Run! Get out, get out of he-!"

Gagged again.

I didn't know what to do, I was frozen in fear. Was it fear? No, I think it was more of an awe, a frightened awe. This person who has so much power, who does not care if their face is known...the alleged partner of Erito…

I tried to reach Kozaki, fearing for him more than for myself. It was no use, however. The other cultists dragged me away, and all I could do was call for his name again and again until there was nothing more from me than a silenced cry.

My eyes snapped open, my body sweating and shaking with intensity. A nightmare, I must've had a nightmare. A nightmare about what? The memory had already slipped my mind when I tried to recall what is was that scared me so greatly.

All I could feel was loss. My nightmare, I must've lost something dear to me. Perhaps that is why I feel so panicked right now.

Deep breaths, pull yourself together.

What time is it?

I took out my Bottolet to see it was already about nine-thirty. I slept through the morning bell, didn't I?

Mei, that's right. Mei asked to meet me.

Slowly standing up from the bed, I noticed I was alone in the room. Riko, Kozaki, and Weise must've already gone out for breakfast.

Hey, is this really okay? Kozaki and Weise...did they have enough time to recover?

I'll know when I see them later. For now, I need to meet up with Mei and see what she wants.

When I arrived, I met her by the Puzzle Room entrance. I was nervous, to be honest. The Puzzle Room is always involved in some way with a murder...I certainly don't want history to repeat itself…

"You kept me waiting." The vigilante crossed her arms.

"Ah, I'm sorry." I scratched the back of my head. "Why did you ask me to meet you here?"

She sighed and looked off to the side for a while. "Why do you think I asked you to come?"

"Eh?" I blinked.

She sighed once again, this time with a more annoyed tone. "Why else, Kimizai?"

I looked down for a moment before making eye contact with her. "Me?"

"Of course, you. I need your help." She pointed to me. "I need you to do the puzzle with me."

"But there isn't even a puzzle loaded in. Monobotto always announces when there is one." I shook my head.

Mei frowned, then holding up her Bottolet. "Someone didn't check their notifications, then."

There was a notification from Monobotto. It says...this is the final randomly generated puzzle before a permanent puzzle will be installed into the room. Maybe that's why Mei feels motivated to do this.

Ah, but that's right. I did disable my notifications. It was when Monobotto was me with its fanfictions. All it took was one read for me to turn them off, as there was no option to block Monobotto at all.

The fanfiction about Kozaki and I...it was so distasteful that even the thought of it makes me cringe. Not to mention it looks as though it was written by a child. Who calls it a 'Fantastic Dinner Dash' but has the whole thing about how Kozaki apparently loses his nose ring - which he doesn't even own - and then end it with...with…

Gah! I'm going to give that robot a piece of my mind! It's an insult to literature, not to mention inaccurate as heck! I don't even have a manhood that long!

Uneasily, I looked away. "Mei, I...I don't feel comfortable in going in there. Every single murder has had the Puzzle Room involved in some way. I think this place is cursed, to be honest…"

"What, are you saying we're both going to be cursed and die later on?" She frowned, unenthused.

"I mean, hopefully not!" I gulped. "But...we could very well die in the puzzle as well."

Mei tugged on her jacket, closing her eyes in extreme focus. It seems she's not going to give up on trying to convince me to come. "Would you do it for Daisuke?"

"Huh?" I asked, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"He was able to convince you to come with him, right?" She raised an eyebrow. "If I ask him to convince you on my behalf, would you do it?"

I shook my head. "There are several flaws in your plan, Mei. That would assume he would even agree with you in the first place."

"Oh, he would." She replied rather confidently.

That response felt as though it was a threat. "If you point your gun at him, sure. But you don't have your gun now. No, he wouldn't do it."

"Kimizai, the prize of the Puzzle Room." Mei pointed to the door. "What about the prize?"

"What do you mean 'the prize' of the room? We don't even know what's there." I frowned, lightly. "Mei, I'm not coming with you. I'm sorry." With that, I turned to leave.

"Kimizai, wait!" She called after me.

I shook my head, continuing to walk.

"Fraize!"

I stopped, slowly turning around. "...Mei?"

She looked down, sighing. "Please come with me, Fraize. I need your help…"

She said my name again. Mei never calls anyone by their first name. Is this...supposed to show how serious she is about this?

…

"Okay." I walked back over to her. "But on one condition."

"What is it?" She asked, looking to me.

I took in a deep breath. "Don't let me die there."

She nodded, I could see the seriousness in her eyes. Despite her lone-wolf nature, she is probably one of the few people I would trust with my life. I'm depending on her.

With that, we both entered the room with the door closing behind us.

This puzzle...it's not a maze this time. Well, I suppose they can't all be mazes. What is this?

Looks like a wide and long platform of some kind, branching out to different places. There's some sort of checkerboard pattern on it, with five different colors. What could this be?

Mei directed my attention, pointing to the wall. Looks like there's rules here laid out.

"Each square has a different color." She frowned, rolling her eyes. "No shit."

"Red squares are deadly. Step on them, and your bracelet will give you a lethal injection." I gulped.

"Yellow squares will stun you if stepped on." Mei crossed her arms. "You'll lose five seconds of time."

So this is a timed trial, huh? Hmm…

"Green squares make you dizzy the longer you step on them." I continued to read. "Blue squares are slippery, but do not hurt you."

"Lastly, the white squares." Mei looked back towards the puzzle. "White squares do not do anything at all."

Alright, alright. So then...what's the point of this puzzle anyway?

"What are we supposed to do? Just...cross the whole platform?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Yes, but there's one catch." Mei pointed to two large branches. "We have to activate a drawbridge that will have the puzzle reach the ending. That means switching levers from two different branches."

I see, I see...I think I understand.

"There's a time limit to this, right?" I turned to the vigilante.

"Two time limits." Mei looked back to me, crossing her arms. "One person gets fifteen minutes, the other person gets twenty."

One person gets more time than the other? That's a little scary…

"I'll take the shorter time." Mei nodded, trying to reassure me. "I can handle it."

I took some time to think, then shaking my head. "No. I can take it."

"What?" She seemed to be surprised.

I smiled, sheepishly. "Well, if I die…I know you'll make it through with the extra time."

The vigilante frowned, pointing at me. "Don't talk like that, Kimizai. You and I are going to make it out, mark my words. Now let's do this, and stay close to me."

We stepped onto the platform. I looked to Mei, laughing nervously. "I'll stick to you like glue, don't worry."

But I was shaking, I could feel my heart racing. I'm the worried one. I'm scared. Will I die here?

No, I can't die here. I have to make it out. I need to clear my mind.

"Students detected. Mei Jiana and Ramón Loarte. Do you wish to proceed?" A female voice prompted us.

"...Ramón Loarte?" Mei turned to me, raising an eyebrow.

It seems this place insists to identify me by my birth name, save for the nameplate on my bedroom door. When I received my Bottolet, I had to go out of my way to get Monobotto to put in my new name into the tablet.

"Sheesh. Picky-are-you-?" It asked. "What-difference-does-it-make-? One-name-or-another. They're-both-who-you-are."

"Just change it." I frowned, clutching the tablet.

"It-isn't-a-big-deal-you-fool." It was completely disinterested in doing anything.

But it was a big deal. It still is. My name is very important to me. I don't want to be connected to my father, that being why I changed my name in the first place. My new name means a lot to me, my new name is the me I want others to see.

Ramón was violent, angry, scared, insecure, and controlled by his father.

Fraize is supportive, chipper, enthusiastic, optimistic...Fraize is happy. I want to be Fraize and never go back.

"It's no big deal." I lied. "Let's talk about it later. We...need to get this puzzle done first."

After eyeing at me for a while, Mei looked forward and nodded. "Yes. Ready to continue."

With a sigh, I looked forwards as well. "I'm ready as well."

A metal bracelet was latched onto my right wrist, I could see a small stream of blood dripping out. The sight made me woozy, but I did my best to shake it off.

At this point, there's only one thing to do: Finish the puzzle, or die.

Mei made quick work walking across the platform. She stopped at a white square and turned back to me, crossing her arms. "Come on, Kimizai."

I took things a little slower than Mei did, being extra careful not to step on any red squares. I've had a few instances where I slipped on a blue square onto a green square, but I would always have Mei by my side to get me out of trouble.

"Okay. You'll have to handle this branch by yourself." Mei pointed towards a lever. "Please, be quick and careful. Be on your toes, got it?"

"Yes, ma'am." I saluted her, then parting ways for the moment.

How much time do I have left? I don't have any way to check, which is making me feel quite uneasy.

Nevermind that. If I'm distracted, I could trip up and step on a red square. Take some deep breaths, let's get this puzzle done.

I did everything I could to step forward with caution. I was forced at times to step onto blue squares, even getting stunned at one point. However, my determination to succeed carried me all the way to the lever and back, having me meet with Mei. She was waiting for me, having already flipping her own lever.

"There you are." She sighed, nodding. "The bridge is down. If we can just cross without fucking it up, we'll be in the clear. The only issue is that the difficulty has spiked up, and there are no white squares until the end of the puzzle. I need you to stay by me." The vigilante turned to me. "Understand?"

"You got it." I nodded, preparing to take off. The distance itself wasn't far, just that there were many spots open where things could go horribly wrong.

"Ready?" Mei asked me before looking forwards.

Before I could give her a response, I heard a beeping sound that caught my attention.

The time.

Am I...out of time?

"Move, damn it! The exit is open!" Mei yelled at me.

I glanced around, quickly mapping out the floor that I would have to navigate. Running forward, I could hear the beeping grow louder and louder.

I'm not going to make it, am I?

"Faster, idiot!" Mei caught up to me, grabbing my hand. "I'm not letting you die here, Kimizai!"

It was growing louder and louder. We ran faster and faster.

Louder, louder...then it stopped.

Panting, I dropped to my knees to catch my breath. The bracelets clicked, unlocking themselves.

Safe, we made it out...we're alive…

I stepped on more green squares than I wanted to, causing me to feel a little nauseous. It was either them, or what seemed to be certain death.

"Are you okay?" Mei asked, kneeling besides me.

"Y-Yeah." I took in a deep breath. "Thank you for saving me. I...owe you my life."

"You owe me nothing." She stood up. "I told you we would make it out, and we did."

Standing up as well, I chuckled. "I suppose you're right, hehe. I guess we did, didn't we?"

Mei looked to the bracelet on her wrist, frowning. She pulled it out and tossed it onto the floor. "Let's just get the prize already, okay?"

"You're right." I took hold of the bracelet on my wrist, but hesitated to take it off.

"Need help?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

I shook my head. "No, I can handle it."

Skeptically, she shrugged. "If you say so…"

With that, I pulled off the bracelet and dropped it onto the floor. My wrist felt sore, so I gave it a squeeze to try and soothe it. That brought little success.

"Alright, let's see what we've got." Mei opened the prize door, revealing several different chests inside. Squinting her eyes, she opened a chest. "...Oh, hey."

"What is it?" I asked, walking over.

"This wouldn't happen to belong to you, would it?" Mei pulled my whistle from the chest.

"Ah! My whistle!" I smiled as she handed it to me. "Now that's a weight off my shoulders."

"Judging by the number of chests, I'm guessing everyone's precious items are here." The vigilante examined another chest.

I tied my whistle back around my wrist as a bracelet. "Ah? That's fantastic! Everyone's precious items…"

Wait a moment. Everyone's precious items…

I have a bad feeling about this.

"My gun." Mei grinned, retrieving her own item. "Perfect. I'll shoot Monobotto clear in the head."

"Y-You really shouldn't." I shook my head. "You'll be punished for it."

"Damn." Mei strapped the gun to the belt around her waist. "Help me out here, won't you?"

I opened a chest to find a silver clarinet with gold rims. "This must be Riko's. I'm sure she'll be very happy to play music with it again!"

We went through many other chests, finding more items one by one. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, though my fears only continued to grow. I know Kozaki stated his precious item was a photo with his family, but that was only a lie. He never actually disclosed to me what his precious item is, but because of his talent I can only imagine it to be-

"A flamethrower?" Mei raised an eyebrow in surprise.

...If there was ever a time I wanted to phase through the floor and disappear, it would be now.

"Judging by process of elimination, it has to belong to Kozaki." She crossed her arms. "I know he said he doesn't have a talent, but...why would a flamethrower be important to him?"

I have to come up with some kind of lie, or else we might be in big trouble...what do I even say?!

"Kozaki told me when he was little, he would light bonfires for the kids in his neighborhood." I smiled, nodding. "I think it's the fire part that is precious, not the flamethrower itself."

Mei seemed to be satisfied with that answer. "Stimulating a childhood memory, I see." She picked it up, shrugging. "Alright, then. That's all of them."

"How are we going to carry all of this back?" I asked, scratching the back of my head. "We could make multiple trips, but...what about Sayino's motorcycle?"

"That's easy." Mei pointed to me. "You'll drive it over to her."

"W-What?" I asked, nervously.

"You're at the age where you can legally drive, aren't you?" She smiled. "So, do the honors."

"Wait, please!" I objected. "We're in outer space, Mei! Those rules don't matter here! You could drive it if you wanted to!"

"Ah." She grinned. "And I don't want to, so you will drive it. Understand? Great." She then picked up several items and began to leave. "You're the best, Kimizai."

I fumbled for words. "B-But...wait, I…!" Sighing, I looked back over to the motorcycle. It had to be me…

I slowly opened my eyes to be greeted by the sight of darkness, but not the sound of silence.

Sobbing.

Whose voice did the weeping belong to? Why am I hearing such sounds of misery?

Shouting in the apartment, there's a fight going on between my parents again.

I pulled the blankets over my head to try and place myself into another world. A world where warmth always held me, where I could shut away all the horrible things that were surrounding me.

Even then, there was no use. My father's voice penetrated the room, slamming itself into my head so that I'd never forget. I'm terrified, scared to death.

At times like these, I'd go to my sister Annette and we would hold each other tightly, but when I went to check her bed I found it empty. Where is she?

My eyes traveled over to our bedroom door. Did she go out?

I walked over to the door, feeling myself shaking more and more the closer I approached. My father's thundering voice only grew louder, I was considering leaping back under the blankets.

Cracking the door open, I took a peak at the scene of the living room. What I witnessed was imprinted into my mind forever. My father beating my mother with a book, shouting such awful words.

"Bitch! You bitch! Slut!"

It took my everything not to cry out of fear. My sister, where is my sister?

My sister was there, yelling back. "Stop it! You're bullying mother!"

"Stay out of this, damn you!" My father grabbed Annette by the hair and yanked her away. He then used the book to repeatedly bash her.

I didn't know what to do. I just felt deep down that I had to do something. Well, I did do something. I screamed. I screamed as loud as I could and ran to the front door.

"Damn it! Don't you fucking dare!" My father yelled at me.

I ignored him, throwing the door open and bolting out, still screaming. "Somebody help! My father is trying to kill my family!"

Despite what time it was, our neighbors woke up and came to my aid. They dragged my father out of the apartment, restraining him until police officers came and took him away.

"Ramón!" My father tried to reach for me. "I hope you die, Ramón! I'd have killed that bitch! You son of a bitch! I hope your brains get blown out, you piece of shit!"

I felt my whole body shake in fear. I looked my father in his eyes, his spiralling eyes of hell. I looked at my sister, at my mother. The blood on their faces, the faces of people I loved and held dear. I covered my own face, crying as my body only shook more violently. I knew my father was a horrible man. I knew he had callusions with the mafia. I knew so many terrible things about my father, but he silenced me. He silenced our whole family.

I couldn't stay silent anymore, and now that I've opened my mouth...what will happen? Will the mafia come after us? Will the mafia kill us?

I spilled, I spilled everything. I begged for our neighbors to save my family, I was terrified. They all pitched in to move us away, out of Madrid. One of them had connections with family who owned an apartment in Barcelona. We were moved into that apartment.

It wasn't much, but it was the best we could have. We changed our names, all of us. Changed surnames, changed identities. Annette couldn't change her first name, though. She loved her name, despite everything. She wanted to hold on to the past, to the belief that there were good memories and good times…

I couldn't force her. So instead, I became extremely protective of her. My precious sister, I had to save her from a threat that was no longer there.

Why? Why did everything happen so fast? We're free, but it doesn't feel like freedom. My mind isn't free at all. Even now, with my father taken out of my life, he's holding onto my mind.

Ramón, I hope you die. Die a terrible death.

…

My mother walked over, sitting besides me on the couch that faced the balcony. "My son, what's the matter?"

The matter was that this all happened six months ago, and it was still fresh in my mind. It would still be fresh, it would still linger on. I escaped without my mind being set free. I'm trapped with the thought of my father looming over me.

Why was it that night out of all nights that pushed things over the edge?

"My son…" My mother hugged me tenderly. "I'm having twins any day now."

Mei gathered everyone around the Grand Staircase, passing out all the precious items we recovered.

"Yo, is that my girl Kassy?!" Sayino gave me a tight hug, even lifting me off my feet. "Fraize, you beautiful bastard! I'm gobsmacked! Thank you!"

"A-Ah?" I was surprised by her sudden hug. "Y-You're welcome but...put me down, please!"

"Oh, my bad." Sayino sheepishly grinned as she lowered me to the ground.

I looked around, spotting Kozaki sitting off to the side with his hood pulled over his hair. The sight worried me, so I took his flamethrower and walked over to offer it to him. "Dear friend, are you alright?"

He looked up to me, sighing lightly and nodding. "Yeah…"

I sat besides him, passing over his precious item. "What's the matter? You're wearing your hood again, it doesn't suit you at all."

Kozaki gulped, tugging on his hood lightly. "I just...haven't been feeling well today, I'm sorry. With everything that's happened recently…"

Could it be...he doesn't trust anyone? Does he think that he opened up too much? That because of being part of our community, he got so terribly hurt? That he got others hurt as well?

"Kozaki…" I sighed, looking down.

There was an awkward silence between us. He sighed, holding his flamethrower tightly. "...Fraize, thank you."

"Hmm?" I tilted my head, lightly.

"For...getting my item for me." He chuckled. "Honestly, I...don't know what I'm going to do about it now that I have it, but...it means a lot. How did you even find all our items?"

I crossed my arms, looking forward. "Puzzle Room."

He seemed to be startled by my response. "Y-You and Mei?"

I showed him my wounded wrist as proof. "I would've been in real trouble if she wasn't there, but it was Mei in the first place who invited me. Haha, I might've been toast!"

"D-Don't joke like that." He gulped. "T-That place is dangerous, Fraize."

"What? Do you think I'm going to die now?" I leaned in, winking. "Come on, now. Everyone has their precious items back. Surely help is on the way, so there's no reason for there to ever be a murder again."

"Did-someone-say-murder-?" Monobotto rolled over.

…

I think I need to stop opening my mouth.

"Monobotto? You haven't been around for a while. I was starting to miss you." Mei frowned, tugging on her jacket. "I'm sooo happy to see you again."

"Thank-you-for-your-warm-welcome-Mei-Jiana." Monobotto replied, knowing that she was being sarcastic but brushing it off.

"Monobutto, we're busy." Kyohi clutched his hockey stick lightly. "Why can't we have some good times around here?"

The robot tilted its head in response. "Where-is-the-drama-in-good-times-?"

Drama, views, money...that's all Monobotto cares about. Not the lives that get the drama. Not the lives that bring in the views. Not the lives that bring in all that money.

All to continue the cycle. This dance of life and death, this spiral of money and blood.

"Hold-on-to-your-hats-! I-have-the-new-motive-here-!" Monobotto pumped a first into the air. "Now-pay-attention-you-fools-!"

Another motive? So soon?

We just can't catch a break, can we? Honestly, I think everyone here is too tired to want to kill someone at this point. If the last trial didn't convince anyone that murder to escape is impossible and incredibly stupid, nothing will.

"Hey, Monobotto, when the fuck will you stop making all these things?!" Kozaki asked, angered.

Monobotto tilted its head. "Oh-? Isn't-it-obvious-? The-last-motive-will-be-given-when-three-survivors-remain."

Three survivors? Why such a specific number?

"If a murder happens then...a trial would be impossible." Mest pressed his index finger against his forehead. "As there would be one spotless against one blackened, and it is likely they would vote for each other."

"Correct." Monobotto nodded. "Due-to-the-stalemate-the-killing-game-would-end."

And those two would be able to escape…

…

No, I won't accept this! Only two survivors?! Surely this game is over by now, right?

We all have our precious items now, we can all...be happy together. We can live together, waiting for help to arrive. Help...help it coming. I still haven't given up on it, and I refuse to give up on it as well.

"Just get to the motive already." Zraiko clutched his flash drive, frowning. It seems he wants to skip through this so he can get straight to his programming. I wonder what impressive codes are stored onto his flash drive anyways...probably something far too complex for a humble tour guide like myself to understand.

Monobotto spun around. "You've-got-it-! Here-is-the-motive-!"

The robot proceeded to shoot out envelopes towards us. I looked down to my hands confusedly to see the envelope in my possession had Riko's name written on the front. What is this?

"Each-of-you-have-a-letter-containing-a-secret-from-another-student-here." The robot began to explain. "These-secrets-have-been-selected-with-a-purpose. They-will-reveal-something-in-direct-conflict-to-you."

...A conflict? Riko? What sort of secret…?

I shook my head, slipping the letter into my pocket. No, I'm not going to read it. Reading it will only cause a murder, I'm sure.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Riko's envelope had my name on it. I'm...quite confused, to be honest. I have a secret that would be conflicting to her?

…

"Hey, Monobotto?" Sayino raised a hand. "Do we have to read these?"

"No." It responded. "But-human-curiosity-will-drive-you-to-do-so-anyways. I-am-certain."

Deep breaths.

"Alright, then." She stood up, in front of Monobotto to block it from our sights. Facing us all, the motorcyclist grinned and nodded. "Everyone, let's all agree to not open these letters."

"Sayino-Makora. Please-move-away-from-me. None-of-the-fools-can-see-my-glorious-face." It buzzed, annoyed.

But Sayino ignored it, placing her hands at her hips. "Are we fools?! Well, we damn will be if we just read those silly motive letters! We have a choice, don't we?"

"I agree." Mest stood up as well, then preparing to walk upstairs. "There is no need for unnecessary conflict."

With murmurs of consent, everyone slipped their envelopes away and prepared to head off to other directions.

"Wait. Fools-! You-fools-!" Monobotto tried to get our attention. However it was ignored as we all headed on our way.

"Au revoir, silly robot!" Weise giggled, waving to the robot and walking away.

I figured I may as well head off to rest in my dorm, but I was stopped by Kozaki. "Fraize, wait."

"Hmm?" I turned to him. "Is something wrong?"

Kozaki slowly pulled out an envelope, not the one from the motive. On it was written the title, 'Danganronpa.'

"This is the letter Tikari gave me before she died." Kozaki clutched it. "I have to read it, for them. For all of us. This could have all the secrets we've been looking for. We could find a way to end this. Please, I need you with me."

"What do you mean?" I asked him, worriedly.

He lowered the envelope, looking me in the eyes. "If this letter is secretly a motive, I need you to knock me out. I need you to tell the others, and keep me as far away from them as you can. Tie me up, throw away the key, whatever. I promised I would never kill someone, and I'm serious about it."

After taking some time to process what he requested, I nodded. "I understand. Let's go together, in that case."

And so, we headed off to his dorm room to see what secrets were hiding in the mysterious envelope. I held my breath, feeling my hands shake lightly. I'm nervous about what we will find, nervous and terrified. Kozaki looked to me for a moment, then slowly opening the envelope.

What we found...was horrifying.

The envelope spilled out photographs. Photographs of...all of us. All sixteen of us. Our names, our talents…

It almost looked like...promotional material. There was artwork of us, as if a professional artist was hired to create them. Profiles, our likes and our dislikes, everything up for display.

The scariest part, every bit of information was accurate. Atleast, the information about me.

A short bio about me, as though it was introducing me to a crowd of people. People who would want to know about me, or...should I call it my character?

Super-Highschool-Level Tour Guide. That title...it just rubs me the wrong way. Sure, I'm a tour guide. But...what is this about Super-Highschool-Level stuff?

It seems it bothers Kozaki as well. He squinted his eyes at his own title, then shaking his head and sighing. "I don't get this. I don't get it at all, Fraize. Why would people want to watch us kill each other?"

I looked over to a folded piece of paper on the floor, then picking it up and reading its contents. "Danganronpa is a reality television program about sixteen talented individuals trapped in a killing game. For every murder they are tasked with outing and eliminating the blackened, or else death awaits. With intense drama between these people with death around every corner, will the mastermind be found before it's too late?"

...Huh?

Kozaki looked over to the passage in my hands, eyes widening lightly. "Mastermind...mastermind!"

"Is something wrong, Kozaki?" I asked, looking to him and noticing his sudden change in behavior.

"Mastermind, Fraize!" Kozaki felt at his face in realization. "If...if we can just find who the mastermind is and stop them, we won't have to play this game anymore!" He then took my hands and squeezed them. "We don't have to keep killing each other if we can out the mastermind. We can escape, all of us!"

"But Kozaki...does this mastermind even…" I looked to the side, thinking. "Does this mastermind even reside here in the killing game?"

"No." Kozaki looked down, frowning. "It's not one of us, I'd bet my life on it."

"Then it's one of the cultists?" I pulled my hands away to feel at my head. "Kozaki, how would we even be able to out the mastermind?"

"We have to lure them into a trap." He began to draw out a plan. "Get them to expose themselves here. Yes, I know we can do it. We have to do it. We-"

"Stop." I placed my hands onto his shoulders. "Stop and breathe, okay? One step at a time."

"Sorry…" He sighed, looking down. "I just...I don't want anyone else to die, Fraize."

"Neither do I. But…" I leaned in. "I don't want you to get yourself killed chasing after a mastermind we can't reach."

The former arsonist closed his eyes, nodding in understanding. "...Thank you for looking out for me."

"For now…" I turned to the door. "We need to tell the others about this special rule. If we can all work together to find the mastermind, this killing game will finally end." I looked back to him, smiling. "Right?"

Kozaki nodded again. "You're right."

We parted ways for the time being in order to gather everyone together. I started with the people I knew where I could locate, that being Zraiko and Mest. Recently I've noticed they've been hanging out together in the hacker's Shift Room often.

Ah, I shouldn't call it 'hanging out' per se, more of how they're both invested in finding a way for us to escape together.

"An emergency meeting?" Zraiko asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We're laying out a game plan." I nodded. "It would be great if you could come."

Zraiko seemed as though he would turn it down, but Mest stepped in quickly. "We would be happy to attend."

"We would?" Zraiko asked, turning to the tattoo artist.

Mest placed a hand onto Zraiko's shoulder, leaning in. "Yes. We would."

"Ah, fantastic!" I grinned. "See you at the dining room!"

I didn't actually plan a meeting place with Kozaki in advance. I sent him a message with my Bottolet telling him to have everyone gather at the dining room, mostly to have an excuse for me to eat food during our gathering. I had yet to eat anything today and it was already approaching noon.

Once I arrived, I noticed Mei was absent from the group.

"She's not coming?" I asked to Kozaki.

"I couldn't find her." He admitted, sighing. "You know how Mei is...just kinda wandering around wherever she wants."

"Ah, then I'll send her a message on my Bottolet to ask her to come." I smiled, preparing to write the next.

Kozaki nodded, then looking to everyone else. "Hey, everyone. This will be...pretty short of a meeting." He sighed, standing up from his seat. "Fraize and I opened the Danganronpa envelope."

"Quoi?" Weise asked, gulping. "What was in it?"

"Promotional material, featuring all of us." The former arsonist frowned. "For a new season of the show."

The room was filled with uneasy murmurs. I lowered my Bottolet to speak up and support my dear friend. "Everyone, Kozaki and I have found something incredibly important about the rules."

"The rules?" Riko held her hands together, worriedly. "Is this a rule that Monobotto chose to withhold from us?"

Kozaki sighed nodding. "Yes. This rule...could end the killing game."

Kyohi pumped a fist, determined. "Let's hear it, Kozaki! What's the rule?"

After taking in a deep breath, Kozaki held up the paper for everyone to see. "If we can out the mastermind of the killing game, we'll be able to escape. Nobody else will have to die. It'll be over, all over."

Everyone looked around, then looking back to us.

"Monobotto told Zraiko the mastermind was closer than we think." Sayino scratched the back of her head. "That would make them one of us, right?"

"No, it can't be one of us." Kozaki frowned, shaking his head. "It has to be a cultist. Why...Why would any of us do something like this? We're all suffering here for the entertainment of others! I won't believe it." He closed his eyes. "I refuse to believe it."

"Oui, I agree!" Weise puffed his cheeks, pumping his fists lightly. "The mastermind is not one of us!"

"Well...what's the plan?" Zraiko asked, crossing his arms.

The former arsonist looked to the side, unsure of what to say. The plan, what is our plan?

I patted him firmly on the shoulder. When he looked to me, I flashed a grin and gave him a thumbs up to support him. "Well, leader? What do you say?"

Kozaki slowly reached for his hood, smiling lightly. It seemed he was ready to return to us, as he prepared to pull off the hood and show his face to us once more.

Just then, the dining room door was opened with a violent force. Mei entered, gritting her teeth. I've never seen such anger before from her. In one hand, I could see she had opened the motive envelope. Mei was holding up her gun in her other hand, aiming right at Kozaki.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you now." She asked, breathing with intensity.

He raised his hands up in a panic. "M-Mei, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong? Oh, I'll tell you what's wrong! You're a liar!" She walked over to the table, still aiming at him. She took the envelope and slammed it onto the table with the letter open for us all to see. "No talent my ass! I'm fucking pissed!"

He gulped, voice shaking. "I-I can explain, it's a misunderstanding!"

"Misunderstanding how?! I think I understand it perfectly!" She continued to aim at him.

"I swear, Mei! Just let me tell you!" He insisted.

Furiously, she raised her voice. "What could you possibly tell me to make me believe you won't try to kill us all, Mister Super-Highschool-Level Arsonist?!"

A silence swept the room.

~Chapter Four, Daily Life Two, End~