Hey guys! Important announcement at the end. But before we get into the story, I want to apologize before hand for making such an awful chapter. I started the chapter as soon as I put the last one out, but homework and stuff. I've finished everything I need to so I won't get behind for at least until the end of March-April though. I'm just trying not to in general from now on though.

Supersilver46: Thank you.

Hifumi was a bit more excited than expected about the art room (which honestly should have been expected.) He was observing all of the statues for...figurines I thought he said. He was racing around the room, almost knocking over statues several times. Thankfully, he decided not to cause complete and utter havoc in a school and was much more careful with the statues after the fourth time almost knocking something over.

"U-Uh, Yamada-kun, shouldn't we move on?" Chihiro squeaked. We had at least been observing Hifumi for a good twenty minutes.

Hifumi coughed, turned around, and heartily declined Chihiro's request to go. He immediately turned back around, preoccupied with some weird looking easle thing that was definitely modeled after Monobear. Junko put it there sometime in the past, I guessed.

I was never too fond of the art room. I found the artistic hobbies themselves a waste of time and precious energy that could be saved for studying! (Hifumi would kill me if he heard me say that.)

All of the sudden Hifumi stiffened. Chihiro seemed to notice it too, because they walked nervously over to Hifumi, who seemed to be hunched over something.

"Y-Yamada-kun, a-are y-you a-all r-r-right?" Chihiro sputtered. It was a completely failed attempt at the Japanese language, but nevertheless that could be ignored. Maybe later I'd invest in some speech therapy classes for Chihiro...

"Yamada-kun, maybe you should-" I started, but didn't finish.

I was cut off by a long, piercing scream. It split my eardrums right in half."AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Chihiro screamed. I rushed over to Chihiro and Hifumi, immediately noticing a pale, shaking Chihiro on the ground and a grinning Hifumi.

"Fujisaki-san, you musn't yell in a school!" I scolded.

"I-I'm sorry, it's just—it's just-"

"What did you do to her, Yamada-kun?" I settle my eyes on to Hifumi, who oddly enough shrinks back from my gaze. Odd. I know I have a rather strong presence (something I had come to accept with time) but it's not that strong.

"Nothing at all, Master Kiyotaka Ishimaru! I was merely showing her the Mochi Mochi Princess figurine I have found! The title character herself!" Hifumi shoves the figurine in my face. When I attempt to grab the item for further inspection and possible confiscation, Hifumi snatches the figurine and holds it protectively to his chest. I'd find the figurine later, anyhow.

I turned to Chihiro, who by now had gotten up. "Why'd you scream then, Fujisaki-san?"

"Uh, I-I didn't know he was just showing me a figurine...I thought he was attacking me." Chihiro looked down. "...I'm sorry."

My heartstrings were tugged a little.

"It's fine, Fujisaki-san, just don't do it again, understand?"

"Y-Yes, sir! I'll try my best!" They held their fists up. It was like they were pumping themselves up...it was kind of cute.

"WHAT WAS THAT?" A breathless Makoto ran into the room, followed by Kyoko and Sayaka.

Chihiro feebly raised up their hand. "That was me...I'm sorry."

Makoto immediately sobered, coming to Chihiro's aid with their confession. "Not that there's anything wrong about screaming in here, but it's kind of a bad idea with the murders and—you know what, should we just go?"

"That would be most wise Master Makoto Naegi." Hifumi said "wisely," still holding his figurine close to his chest.

"Yes, what was the purpose of spliting off into groups in the first place if you just stay here?" I inputed.

"Uh, right, right!" Makoto heads out the door, noticably reaching to grab Kyoko's wrist to pull her along before retracting his hand like it was acid. Hmm. It was most odd that they were not getting along as per usual! Classmates should stay united in these circumstances. If they didn't I had no qualms against it, but it was irritating how they lacked common sense!

The three of the other group left, and Hifumi, Fujisaki, and I were left to ourselves.

"Uh, Ishimaru-kun, Yamada-kun?" Chihiro tugged on mine and Hifumi's jackets.

"Yes?" I asked back.

"Um, how about we check out that room over there?" Chihiro pointed at a room in the very back of the room we were in.

"Of course, Master Chihiro Fujisaki!" Hifumi agreed.

For the rest of the time we spent investigating, we only looked around the art room and its storage room. Hifumi refused to leave the place.

When we had returned to the dining hall, though, where veryone had silently and unofficially agreed to meet up again, we were disturbed to see dead silence. Not a single person was looking at anyone, a wave of distrust evident among the students.

It was like everyone was finally realizing that someone was going to die again, and someone was the mastermind.

I know, I know, rushed and short. I warned you.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Until further notice, this story will be updated Thursdays and Sundays!

Question: What do you think will happen next?