Act 2-8: Loose Ends
"Maya?" Eric muttered, but she was already out the door before he could clarify anything.
"What is it that she eez in such a hurry for?" Lucille pondered, perplexed, though she hadn't quite gotten over Tien's execution quite yet. "Surely there's nothing of importance left to address now zhat ze trial's over, non?"
Johan shrugged. "Hell if I know."
"...I think we should go follow her." Sasha spoke up, their eyes hardening. "This is Metl, after all - something must be up to get her to react so quickly after just watching Tien dissolve."
"Mx. Oryolov...I would appreciate it if you would refrain from mentioning the words 'dissolve', 'acid' and 'burn', please?" Faen looked like he was going to throw up, and I couldn't blame him.
"Right. Well, then, I'm going to go look for her. Anyone else with me?"
Silence followed, before a solitary hand raised itself. "I-"
"You?" They pursued their lip. "When did you care so much about Metl? Last I recall she nearly beat your anglophilic ass into mincemeat, which in all honesty I would have much preferred to the actual events of these past few days."
"Because you're wasting time just by asking, while I'm already on my way to find her," he hollered back, racing out. "Love is an open door!"
Everyone in the room let out a collective groan. Yes, even Monokuma - who, judging by the voice that was speaking, was currently being piloted by Ataru. "That movie came out how many years ago, again?"
"Eh, just help me find Metl, if any of you are up to it." Sasha raced out after Eric, leaving us all to stare at their retreating back.
"...We shall be in my room." Jackie whispered, before picking up Matthew's completely unscratched glasses and taking his hand. "I fear zhat Matthew may need some time to recover, especially after witnessing our classmate suffer such a gruesome fate."
"Take care." I called out, before they, too, left the premises.
"J-Johan," started Faen, "Perhaps we should…"
"Yeah," Johan said blankly. "W-we're going too."
Only five of us were left in the room - four, if we discounted Monokuma and whoever it was behind him.
"It's still me, Ataru," he tapped the throne with one of his claws. "I'm busy monitoring where your little classmate ran off to, and I'm getting suspicious…"
"How so?" Hideki asked, his eyebrow raised.
"She's...Well, I do believe she's gone into someone's room, actually."
Huh? Someone's room?
"Perhaps we should check it out." Hideki held out a hand. "Can I ask you to come along, Ashley?"
I hesitated.
The problem here was that I couldn't tell what I was to Hideki anymore. After the events of this Act he had given me a lot of reason to distrust him, but even more reason to. Plus, there was that confession late last night…
"I know. And I promise, I'll make it clear." His good eye blinked. "Just...trust me on this one, please?"
…
…
I took his hand. "Alright. Shall we?"
He smiled. "We shall."
"Don't worry," Lucille assured me from the corner. "I will stay here with Nico, and see to it zhat she recovers."
I nodded. "Take care, then."
Atrium
Passenger Cabins
Dining Area - Ballroom
Dining Area - Kitchen
Storage Room
Medical Room
Janitor's Closet
Casino and Bar
Luxury Sitting Room
Mysterious Room
Selected Area: Passenger Cabins
"Well, she's not in any of the open ones we've searched."
Closing the door to Todd's room behind him, Hideki grumbled. "It's not like she can get into any of the locked rooms, so I'd wonder what she was doing around here."
I shrug. "Maybe she was just going back into her own room?"
"True. I hadn't considered that." Hideki appeared lost in thought. "Speaking of our own rooms though…"
He stared off into nowhere in particular, before taking my hand. "May I please ask that you come into mine?"
My instincts didn't immediately throw his grip off, which was mildly unsettling - to me. Was I trusting him blindly all over again? C'mon, teenage brain, pull yourself together…
As we entered, he let go of my hand, before going over to his desk, and pulling out a piece of paper and a pen. I saw him scribble something on it, before shifting the piece of paper to me. "Here."
I glanced down at the paper in my hands. On it were inscribed two words:
Sigmund Justus
I bit my lip. "What's this...Sig-mund Just-us?"
"Jus-tus. And simply put," Hideki adjusted his eyepatch, "That's my real name."
SIGMUND JUSTUS - SHSL SURGEON
= = Free Time! = =
Free Time with Sigmund?
[Yes] [No]
Sigmund: I should explain. I owe you that much, after all.
Sigmund: I only half-told the truth when I said my biggest secret was my botched surgery. The rest of the secret has to do with how I've also been going under 'Hideki Kenta' as a fake name, in order to protect both my father and my true identities.
Ashley: Oh.
Ashley: Why 'Hideki Kenta', then? It's a Japanese name, and you're German.
Sigmund: That was exactly the point...If I'd gone under a German name, I duly believe they would have caught onto us quicker.
Sigmund: Going foreign was my best bet of keeping out of their way.
Sigmund: And before you ask, no. They didn't know I lost my eye. Or that I wore an eyepatch. I was safe in all but the hospital's CCTVs, and I doubt they'd ever have the security or need to break into those.
Ashley: It's impressive that you went from wanting to kill me to telling me your deepest darkest secret, though...
Sigmund: Did you really have to bring that up? Look, I'm sorry, but I already explained my reasons why I did it. Surely you can understand?
Ashley: Attempted murder isn't that easy to excuse!
Ashley: But...I guess I can try to understand.
Ashley: Still...Why are you telling me all of this?
Sigmund: …
Sigmund: (*sighs*) Ashley. I like you. A lot.
Sigmund: I respect your loyalty, I enjoy your friendship, and I am in awe of how much trust you're still willing to place in me despaite everything.
Sigmund: Truth be told, in fact, I might even say that I actually love you.
Sigmund: There. I said it.
Ashley: …
Ashley: …
Ashley: How am I supposed to react to that?
Ashley: A love confession...From Hideki- no, Sigmund, of all people…
Ashley: Why me? I don't know what to do!
Sigmund: Ashley, calm down.
Sigmund: It's alright if you don't know what to do. For now, I'll just back off as well.
Sigmund: And I understand if you'll never trust me again. I was fully prepared to break our friendship when I tried to murder you.
Sigmund: But...If you would just let me...I swear to you, on my father's name.
Sigmund: I won't ever lie to you again.
Ashley: ...
Ashley: ...
Ashley: Alright. I'll...give you the benefit of the doubt, Sigmund.
Ashley: But this is only a truce. We still have to settle the matter next time.
Sigmund: ...Heh. Fair enough. I've only one little request to make of you.
Sigmund: Please, Ashley. Call me Hideki.
Sigmund: It's the name I've gone by for so long, and I think it's easier for everyone on this airship to remember me by that.
Sigmund: Besides. I like hearing you call me Hideki. (*smiles*)
Ashley: (*blushes*)
Ashley: Well...I won't say the matter's resolved. There's too much he's done for me to forgive him entirely.
Ashley: But at least…
Ashley: I can find it in myself to trust Sigmund- no, Hideki, again.
Ashley: If you do trust me as much as you say, though…
Ashley: Can you tell me how you lost your eye?
Hideki: Heh. Thats never gonna happen.
Ashley: Aw, really? You sure you won't tell me?
Hideki: Nah. I've told you enough secrets for one day.
Hideki: Now, come on. We should probably check up on Sasha.
Ashley: Alright. Let's go then.
Ashley: Well, I guess that's as good as an ending as I'm going to get.
Ashley: ...And I'm happy.
Hideki Kenta - Level 3!
Hideki Kenta is a pseudonym he's gotten used to for too long - his real name's Sigmund Justus. But I knew him as Hideki, and that's how I'll know him from now on.
And I think this might be the start of an uncertain point in our lives...But I'll make the most of it, because I know, that surely, he will too.
I sighed. "Guess we might as well look for Maya at this point, right? That's what Sasha said they were going to do."
He smiled. "Sure. Why not?" Hideki reached over and opened the door.
All of a sudden, a line of black streaked past us. The tell-tale outfit gave it away that it was Maya, running at speeds that absolutely astounded me.
"Stop right there!" Hideki yelled, before chasing after her.
"S-Slow down, Maya!" I ran after him at a noticeably slower pace.
"You won't be getting past this bloody mess!" Eric yelled from down the hall. He and Sasha were both standing in front of what looked like a blockade made of various objects from the storage room, holding out an antique sword and frying pan respectively.
Maya just scoffed and jumped.
Landing on the blockade, she caused it to fall with a loud crash, completely burying Eric underneath the stack of items. Sasha managed to dodge the stream just before Maya landed on their face and used them as a springboard, continuing to run down the hallway.
Sasha rubbed their face. "Fucking ow."
"Eric! Are you alright?" Hideki kneeled by his side.
Instead of joking Eric just stared blankly. "I...why is she doing this?"
"Yes, but are you okay?" asked Hideki absentmindedly.
"WELL I DON'T FUCKING CARE ABOUT THAT WHEN I'VE GOT MAYA TO BLOODY WORRY ABOUT, DO I?"
Hideki gasped as Eric shot straight up, knocking the eyepatch right off his face as he did so. Instantly his face contorted with pain. "AH, FUCK! MY LEG! CHRIST, MY FUCKING LEG I CAN'T-" he screeched before collapsing in tears. "MAYA!"
Hideki quickly met eyes with me. "Ashley, you go on ahead. He looks really hurt - I'll have to stay here and help him."
I nodded to him before turning to Sasha. "Are you okay?"
"Bitch used my face as a springboard...but yeah, I'm fine." They got up and strengthened their grip on their frying pan before giving chase.
I followed them, trying desperately not to trip over my own feet. "Sasha, are you sure you're alright?"
I could practically hear them frowning. "My state doesn't matter. Metl is a danger to herself and others. We have to find her."
I sighed, but had to admit they had a point. "Yeah. But your mental state still matters, especially after those….those…"
"Call it what it is, Jung. After those two murders." They sighed. "While I'm shaken, what's important right now is catching Metl."
"Right. Lead the way."
Atrium
Passenger Cabins
Dining Area - Ballroom
Dining Area - Kitchen
Storage Room
Medical Room
Janitor's Closet
Casino and Bar
Luxury Sitting Room
Mysterious Room
Selected Area: Atrium
"Up?"
"Up."
1st Floor Aft
2nd Floor Aft
Selected Level: 2nd Floor Aft
Swimming Pool
Changing Rooms
Arcade
Gym
Fast Food Place
Laundry Room
Selected Area: Swimming Pool
By the time we got there, it was too late.
Maya had set something on fire.
I had no idea what it was, but clearly, Sasha did. They had sunk to their knees and were staring blankly at it. "N-No! NO!"
"What's wrong?" I asked, watching the ashes billow away in the air. "It's just some papers-"
"Jackson's papers! Those papers contain all the information we could ever need to solve murders, and now they're gone!"
"Pretty much." Maya whispered, barely audible.
"But why?!" Sasha yelled.
"You wanted all of us to stop suspecting each other? Well, you got your wish."
She turned and made to leave. "Now no one else needs to fight over these secrets ever again. Deal with it."
I stood there, dumbfounded, as Sasha began to scream in anguish.
Maya...what have you done now?
Act 2-8 FIN
11 Students Remaining
A/N: Act Two is officially over! And we're down Xiang, my wife, and a bunch of very important papers. Also possibly Eric's leg. Overall, a net loss. - Lime
Not for me. I personally feel we upped the ante this act, and we celebrated our milestones, so yeah. Plus, now we're all one big giant cult on Skype that apparently worships an egg. Go figure. - SD
I'm THE EGG, not an egg, thank you very much - THE EGG (Lime).
Speaking of which, THE EGG is applying to an RP group with their dorky asshole of an OC. It's called Great Despair Lodge, and it's based on Tumblr, MSPARP and Skype as well. Anyone with free time should give it a look and possibly join.
Next chapter will be the bonus, then Act Three. For now, review replies.
DrexelDragonz: Thanks so much! I'm always happy to see new fans. It's great to have you on board with us!
Random Stranger: Well, we're certainly killing her now.
Just kidding. Death order has been set in stone since day one, and begging won't change anything...We think. Nico might live, she might die - you'll just have to read the rest of AFoFD to find out.
(She's my OC, if that gives you any hint as to whether she's dying or not. - SD)
PowerPlayer: Tell me about it. Tien was my absolute favorite character. She's a cutie patootie who uses lots of smart words - what's not to love?
...other than the fact that she's a dirty self-centered liar who killed a cinnamon roll, I suppose.
You know full well what Maya's hiding. I will say this, though: none of the characters have told the truth and nothing but the truth. Everyone is still hiding potentially deadly secrets.
...except Faen, I guess.
The fallout is going to be brutal, especially to Sasha. Trust me when I say they didn't take this trial well.
This guy: I'm just laughing because that sounds a lot like something I'd say.
A Dingus With Sweet Shades: Oh, they definitely get more brutal.
And yeah, Matthew's gonna be half-blind for the rest of AFoFD. Sorry 'bout that. (He has spares. - SD)
SomeSnappyName: Yep, that was Heroin...she's very passionate in her Tien hatred. Then again, she killed her OC, so…Yeah.
XiangxFaen isn't a ship. It's a crackship. I don't think the two have talked once. I honestly harbor animosity for it myself.
Don't expect any XiangxFaen shippers to get any in-story recognition, ever.
Asujoll: If you liked that you're gonna love the next one. It's incomparably worse.
Jackie, interesting. The victim could well be a girl - then again, it could be a guy. We have five girls and five guys remaining, after all. I mean, honestly it could be anyone. Don't trust patterns when it comes to AFoFD.
HeroinOfDarkness: Nope, Sasha gets nothing. Well, the do get one thing: owned by a statue. Other than that…
HEY QUIT SHOOTING MY FICTIONAL WIFE GODDAMN IT
SSBFreak: Almost everyone still alive is still hiding something in a big way.
ezmonee6: Thank you so much!
Penumbro: Next execution will be even easier to make puns out of - thankfully for you, I guess.
That's it for now. Come join us on Skype if you'd like! Just PM either one of us, and we'll do our best to integrate you - be warned, we're really, really random there. Cheers.