Chapter One-Holiday at Hotel Cecil-Daily Life

Day Four

-Naoya's POV-

*ding dong bing bong*

"Ahem, Hope's Peak's Executive Committee has an announcement to make! I wonder how many of you stayed up crying... I mean, not that I enjoy your suffering... Upupupu!" Monokuma's smug face appeared on the many monitors throughout the city once more, "Wake up, everyone! It is now 7 AM! You have five minutes to get your butts in gear!"

Ryuu, Sho, and Ryoji rushed down the hallway towards the kitchen and dining hall, fighting to get as far from a Monokuma trap as possible.

I sighed. No one else, except Taka and Sho, of course, knew of the events that transpired with Kotoko. I wanted to talk to Ryuu, to try and help him feel better.

Akira sat up next to me, clutching her head, "How much did I drink...? Fuck me..."

"I mean... I may have..." She turned to me and her eyes widened, "Did you forget?"

"Well, shit. Guess I've gotta take responsibility now, huh princess?" She joked, running her hand through my hair, "I..."

I noticed she wasn't talking normally, "Akira, something wrong?"

Akira nodded, "Yeah, kid... Yeah. What I... What we... I feel like I forced your hand on that one. I can't remember it all, but I'm vaguely aware of leading you on..." She got up and started to dress herself, "This isn't... We can't do this sort of thing here. We'd be targeted for it. And even if we wouldn't, you'd never... Well..."

I didn't know what to say to her. The truth was that I didn't dislike Akira; I enjoyed the times we spent. But what just happened, it was sudden and... Perhaps the alcohol had stronger effects on us than we thought? Who knows...

A knock on the door stole my attention before Honoka stepped inside, "Hey, how did..." She looked from Akira's mostly dressed form to mine, "Ohoho. I see my special drink worked."

"Special... drink?" Akira asked, confused.

"Oh, nothing. I just switched out your flask with my own during the evening. It had a special brew I'd made. I designed it to entice the more natural parts of ourselves..." She chuckled, "Guess it worked.

Akira gripped her flask, hard, "Did you slip us an aphrodisiac...?"

Honoka waved her hand, "No, no! I'd never... It's not registered as one yet, anyways... Besides, it couldn't have been all that bad, right?"

"If I didn't like the kid, I'd execute you where you stand," Akira warned, "Don't pull anything like that again. Even if it's on a couple, I won't tolerate it."

"But it worked... You guys would make a great couple... for my game, anyways."

Akira sighed, "Still hung up on that? Of course you are... Get out of here!"

Honoka frowned, "But, Akira-"

"Go!" Honoka ran from the room, "Damn pervert... Now I know." Akira put on the last of her clothes and headed to the door, "Do any of these people think about the risks their pranks bring about?"

I decided to speak my mind, "Akira... I'm sorry. That she, that we... You know."

Akira pulled a cigarette from her pocket and lit it, flashing me a sly smirk, "It was good for me. I missed that sensation... But forget about all of this. You and I, not happening. This was a once in a lifetime kind of thing. Don't waste your love on an old girl like me..." And with that, Akira left the room, leaving me to my thoughts.

The breakfast meeting was awkward. Sho listened to Michi gush about her recent findings, while Honoka scribbled in her notebook, drawing yaoi. Akira wouldn't look me in the eye, Kotoko didn't even bother to show up, and Taka looked like he hadn't slept at all, his shirt stained with presumably tears.

The awkward silence persisted. No one wanted to speak, not even Ryoji, who silently drank tea and stared at a small magazine Aya was skimming through for the sports articles. It was a magazine with Hiro on the cover, surprisingly.

"Wow, did someone die in here?" Monokuma had appeared at the end of the dining hall table, a frown on his face, "Damn, I used that joke before. Still... None of y'all are dead! What's the hold up!?"

We all gave him some form of dissatisfied look.

Then Narutoya spoke, "You presume they can gather the courage or the intelligence to commit such a crime."

"Then why don't you do it, jackass!?" Hiro shouted at him, "Instead of talking down to everyone like a damned narcissist!"

Kicho pleaded, "Hiro, just stop. Arguing with him- no, even acknowledging his behaviour feeds his ungodly ego."

"Monokuma, you've come to present a motive, yes?" Narutoya's question united us in a single hatred towards this pompous douche, "I'm excited to experience what creative plots you've formed for us today."

Monokuma laughed in that familiar, mind-grating way, "Creative? Nah. I've come with an ultimotive. An Ultimatum motive!" Monokuma grinned, "As you may know, there's probably a serial killer among you. It's coming with the territory in these games that one of you killed a bunch of people." He looked over at each of our faces.

"Yeah, so?" Hiro dismissed the thought with ease, "We have a mass killer, too. Not that surprising."

"Haven't any of you noticed something different?" None of us spoke up, and he grinned, "Check your ankles."

Reluctantly, we did so, only to be surprised at what we found. A small bracelet was wrapped around our ankle, so tight that we couldn't make it budge, but just loose enough we never noticed.

Monokuma grinned, "I used sleeping gas last night to help you stay asleep. And we added our new rule!"

Narutoya checked his, and his handbook beeped, "Oh? An additional rule..."

"That's correct," Monokuma began explaining this fucking nonsense, "Each of you had a vice that led you to ruin another's life. This extra rule ensures you'll repent. Ignore the rule given to you at the beginning of every trial cycle, and you'll be poisoned immediately!" He sounded so ecstatic about our premature demise.

"And it's different for us all?" Narutoya asked for a clarification.

Monokuma continued, "So follow that rule or get poisoned. Try to remove that armband, get poisoned. You'll have objectives to complete or rules to follow, and all are meant to be challenging and intriguing. So just know that time is valuable, and... Your lives will be forfeit if you attempt to circumvent this game!" He brandished his claws threateningly.

Ryoji asked, "So... What's the motive, then? This?"

"Smart boy. The motive for our first round will be based on these rules, to get you acclimated. After the first trial, though, I'll spice things up more." Dammit, Monokuma! This isn't a damn game! But to him, it most certainly was, and he left us in the lobby alone and abandoned.

I stepped out of my seat and headed back to my room, handbook in hand. Once I was on my bed, I clicked the small indent on the band around my leg and observed my handbook. A new section in rules popped up.

In totally despair-inducing text, it read; Your vice was cowardice; your fear allowed great tragedy to occur to Kotoko. These rules will not be made contradictory to the others, so all rules *can* be followed. Your first objective is simple; Tonight, engage the Monokumas on the roof. If you can survive for ten minutes against their might, you pass. Fail, and die.

Additionally; tell anyone the reason you are doing this action and die. No hints, no warnings, no advice. This includes *after the trial is completed*. Mentioning it at any time is grounds for immediate failure. Have fun.

Finally, if you can discern the objective of another, your handbook will update to remind you. Should you tell anyone, however, you both will be *excused* from the rest of the game.

I groaned to myself, "Fucking perfect..."

I stood up. I guess I still had time until night time set in. What should I do, potentially on my last day on Earth?

*Free Time Engage*

When I returned to my room and checked the time. I prepared myself. It was noon. Soon, I'd be risking my life... What should I do with this time?

*Free Time Engage*

I returned to my room, feeling dread as the night approached. I still had some time left to myself; what should I do?

*Free Time Engage*

It was time for our evening meeting. Already, huh? My fate was nearly sealed...

When I got to the meeting, the others were all seated in their normal places. No one seemed out of place, but I still felt concerned for them. Did they all have stupid shit to do, too?

I took my seat, not glancing at Kotoko, feeling my fresh mental wounds still bleeding.

Ryuu walked in, and when he noticed everyone else was seated, coughed to grab our attention, "Just figure I'd let everyone know. I was kind... No, I was a total asshole yesterday. I played that game of truth or dare too competitively, and I hurt feelings. I have to apologize for that. And... I want to come clean. I ruined Ryoji's life."

Ryoji sat up, a bottle of water in his hands, "What?"

Ryuu sighed, "It's hard for me to admit to, but... I wanted to make games to afford a special operation for my... My friend. She was in a coma, and I would have done anything to save her. So when my partner, Hayato, he started... hurting others, killing others... I covered for him.

"What?" Kojiro snarled, "That's despicable! Why did I ever protect you from Maria!?"

"I know it was wrong!" Ryuu spoke softly, "And because of me covering for him, Ryoji was accused of his sister's murder unfairly... I did that to him, and what's worse, I wasn't going to admit it, either."

"Is this his objective?" Honoka shrugged when Maria asked her that.

Ryuu continued, ignoring the whispers, "But I also have to confess about Kotoko. She's the Ultimate Actress, and formerly a Warrior of Hope," Some of the others gasped. Narutoya seemed impressed, "She killed countless people in this city, even Naoya's father... Because Naoya let her suffer, because he hid from the truth... She suffered. And all that pain and misery inside broke her, and she brought her own rendition of evil upon us... I don't think she's the mastermind, honestly, but we all have to be aware of her crimes. What's fair is fair; we know Taka's."

Taka teared up a little, "You care about me?"

"Don't make it sound weird!" Ryuu snapped at him, "But yeah, that's my announcement. Whoever wants to, go ahead and take the floor."

Honoka spoke first, "Ryuu... I understand. You love that girl, don't you? The one that was hurt..."

Ryuu didn't answer, likely confirming her suspicions.

"I see... I can't blame you," Honoka glanced down at her own hands, folded on the table, "The things we do for love, for acceptance. All we want is for someone to appreciate the person we really are."

Narutoya scoffed, "Enough sappy bullshit. I'm allergic," Honoka glared at him, "Also, if we're making up for lost time... I'm sorry, everyone. I understand my behaviour was unacceptable. It's... hard for me to open up, since Sho ruined my business."

Oh, we're doing this now.

"What, me?" Sho reacted without much concern, "Dude... Like, no way..."

Narutoya lowered his gaze, "I created my own business. I was a silver-tongued man, a guy to get the job done. I became a success, or so I wished..." He sighed, "My parents had high expectations. They beat into me the stressing of success. And Sho here, he rightfully revealed my employees' crimes..." He actually took his shades off and crushed them in his hands. Behind them, he had soft green eyes, tears flowing, "And so I played the villain, trying to... Look cool. But Kicho fell for me, and I learned what love really was. And then, in my own time of weakness and self-doubt... I betrayed her..." Narutoya slammed his shades to the floor in disgust, "I'm a worthless piece of garbage! Chosen by God!? Yes, I suppose I am. Chosen to play his fool..."

Sho admitted, "Yeah, maybe I dropped the ball, blaming you... But hey, we never killed anyone." He turned to Hiro, "Right, Hiro? You wouldn't just hit someone into paralysis for life because they mentioned how weak your leg game is... Riiiiight?"

Hiro's eyes widened, and he jumped up to yell, "-..." He stopped just short of screaming, "I know what I did was wrong, but that bastard bullied me for years. Every day on my morning run, this homeless asshole talked down to me... So I hit him... I hurt him... I crippled him. What do you want from me, man!?" Hiro remained level-headed, keeping his voice calm, though his cracking voice betrayed his feelings, "I... I fucked up."

"To be honest..." Honoka took her time on the stand, so to speak, "Shiori?" The younger girl nodded, "I... Last night... That game, I... I based a game off of Shiori. At first, it was unintentional. Then I used sound clips from her and created a whole game based off of it. I can't imagine how awful it would have been had your school gotten a hold on it... I ruined your life, didn't I?"

Shiori said little, just nodding, "I lost everything."

Honoka closed her eyes, "Admittedly, I knew I should have changed the plot, the voice. But I couldn't abandon the plans I'd made, and I hurt a girl who cheered me up when I fell into depression. I'm the lowest of the low... I don't deserve to play games."

Shiori answered, "If I ruined a life, I k-killed... someone," The others gasped.

Kojiro's eyes widened, "You did what now!?"

"Well, I..." Shiori started crying, "He was... the only one who didn't call me names. Slut, whore... He was nice when everyone else turned on me, and when he tried to... He..." She struggled to say it and instead left us to fill in the blanks, "I think his little sister tried to take her own life. But she lived; fell into a coma... Ryuu... Did I ruin your life?"

Ryuu gripped the end of the table, hard, "...No... No, it's not... Your fault. He deserved it. If I had only lived closer to Tamiko, she would never have-!"

I just sat there, amidst these confessions. I glanced over to Kotoko and Akira, both observing from the sidelines, neither interrupting.

Honoka moved over and patted Ryuu on the shoulder, and he fell into her arms, "I miss her so much! Why!? Why did she have to..."

We had never seen Ryuu express himself so openly. Normally, he kept calm, except the occasional fire starting over spider jumpscare bullshit.

Maria grimaced, "Akira, I knew Genji was bad."

Akira didn't move from her position in the slightest, her hand on her head. She just listened, focusing on Maria.

"I knew he was... That he had anger issues, that he was controlling... But I thought Akira could change him..." Maria cursed a string of words, angrily berating herself, "If I wasn't such a stupid accepting denial-ridden dumbass son of a bitch cunt motherfucker!"

Akira finally relented and talked herself, "Kojiro, I'm sorry. You know why. Being a cynic has its downsides..."

Michi apologized, "Actually, I think I ruined Shinji's... life. I was chasing after a gang that eventually killed and murdered his girlfriend. Had I just done my job instead of chasing the serial killer, Lorraine, I might have helped save a life."

"Sheena brought my mom back," I admitted, "I met my undead half-alive rotting mom apologizing to me for not heeding my warning... That was mad fucked."

Ryoji finally admitted, "Taka?" Taka glanced over, "I sold you out."

"What!?"

"When I heard you guys were cheating, I asked Satsuki for help. She told me she was helping enough people already, and I didn't want to get sterilized, okay!?" Ryoji was angry for once, "That school was fucked, okay!? I should have just left, but... I'd had enough of running! I just wanted friends!"

Taka jumped up, "You motherfucker! You killed her! You ended her fucking life, you bastard cunt!" Taka leapt over the table, but Sho grabbed him, putting him into a full nelson, "Let me go! It'll be a quick trial!"

Sho refused, "Calm down. You know you don't want to kill anymore. You regret what you did, right?"

Taka struggled more, "He made me realize how evil I am!" Taka pointed at Ryoji, "Because he wanted to have bullshit friendship powers like on his damn manga, my best friend was fucking used as a goddamn public breeding tool!"

"What!?" I yelled out. Okay, now that was the worst thing I'd heard all day, "Your school sank that low because of Despair?" Taka nodded, starting to cry again. Sho let him go and he fell back off of the table onto his chair, crying into his hands. "Fuck this world..." I hated everything about our lives at that point.

Sho sighed, "Are we all calm again!?" No one moved, "Okay, good. Now then. Anything else you want to share? Who should I prepare to grab next?"

Kojiro stood up, "I... Well... Should I divulge it?" He thought on it for a moment, "Perhaps tomorrow. Yes, that would be wise. Shiori, is my schedule clear?"

Shiori checked her notes, "Yes, Sensei, you're free."

"Okay... I need time. To prepare myself," Kojiro admitted, exhaling with a heavy sigh, "What... Uh... What else is there to discuss?"

Kicho answered, "I'm proud of you all, coming together to unite at a trying time like this. Honoka, when I worked at H-List, I was the one who spoke so cruelly to you over your project. I regretted it after, but my business stance was set to be harsh; I had to make up for what that id... What that kind ex-boyfriend did to me."

Narutoya asked legitimately, "Can we have another shot?"

Kicho clenched her teeth for just a moment, "Of course... Dear. Why wouldn't I? You're not the lowest dog I know."

Sho did one last cursory search of the room, but when no one else spoke up, he sat back down, "So are we gonna talk about these bracelets or nah?"

"Nah," Nine of us agreed simultaneously. The others remained silent and we all went our separate ways. Meanwhile, I prepared myself for the end times.

On my way to my room to plan my sneak attack, I was called out to, "Hey, Naoya..."

I faced Kotoko, struggling to think what to say, or why, "..."

"I wanted to..." She kicked at the ground, "Well... What I said, what I did..." She was struggling to speak her own feelings right now, "I didn't... I just don't want you risking yourself for me. I care about you, Naoya... When I... When Komaru spared me and I began to reflect on my actions, I realized a lot of things. I didn't like demons immediately. And I wanted Monaca to pay in blood for using me, for using Nagisa and Masaru... Jataro's fine, though."

"Kotoko... You don't have to apologize to me. It's my fault, remember?"

She slapped me. "Stop that!" She then leaned forward and held me, "Stop blaming yourself... If you never learn to forgive yourself, why should I!?" I hesitated to reply, "If I'm able to reform, to be good again, why can't you!? Why are you the exception, you idiot?!"

I finally found my voice, "Kotoko... I..." I bit my lip, "Tomorrow, we'll start over, okay? Not as people with guilt towards each other, but as friends. Okay?"

Kotoko nodded, "You promise?"

"Of course... I need to get up earlier than usual, though, so I'll retire now... You'll be okay by yourself, right?" I asked, unsure what she planned to do.

"Y-yeah... But I know that if the nightmares don't return, I'll be dreaming of you... Ironic, isn't it?" She genuinely laughed, and I felt an overwhelming amount of cuteness exuding from her. She bid me adieu and I went to my room.

"Now how do I not die...?" I pondered.

The Monokuma announcement for night played, and I just ignored it.

The answer was running.

I could talk about the action, how I defended myself, all of that shit. But nah. We played Benny Hill while I screamed like a child fleeing around objects on the roof until my bracelet beeped.

On my way back, I heard something from the pool. I'm not using it again. And boy would I yell at Ryoji and Aya tomorrow.

Nobody noticed me, thankfully, and I got into my bed just before the clock struck twelve.

I closed my eyes, hoping for once I'd have a pleasant dream.