Chapter 5: Shadow Self (Daily Life 3)

Akira and Setsuki made their way back to Setsuki's lab. Setsuki wasn't in a cheery mood, but she at least calmed down enough to go back to typical Setsuki. As soon as they opened the door, Kenji rushed right up to the doorframe. "Setsuki! Are you alright?!" Kenji asked.

"Yeah, man. Sorry about that, just needed a bit of air. Akira knows how to help me through stuff." Setsuki said, Kenji still shaking slightly before taking a relieved sigh.

"G-good. Anyway, you wanna keep shredding?" Kenji asked, smiling.

"Actually, I picked to meet with Shiro at the theater. He already go?" Setsuki asked, Kenji's smile wavering slightly but still holding firm.

"Uh… yeah, you sure you wanna go, though? You seemed a bit stressed about the idea." Kenji said, scratching the back of his neck.

"It's fine, Kenji. Akira and I talked, and I think I can handle it, especially if she's around to keep an eye on him." Setsuki said confidently

"...Are you sure she can?" Kenji asked.

"Uhm… I don't know. She did an alright job so far, right? He didn't do anything crazy.. Well besides chopping his fingers off. But.. Y'know what I mean." Setsuki said awkwardly. Kenji nodded, shrugging.

"Well, guess if you're fine with it… just make sure to run if he starts acting funny, alright?" he asked, Setsuki giving up thumbs.

"You got it, Kenji! So, did Shiro tell you guys anything?" she asked.

"He's told me absolutely nothing. I kind of hate it. What kind of plan involves not talking to anybody about your plan?" Kenji asked.

"Well, he did mention that he wanted Setsuki to bring a skateboard, but otherwise he was pretty hush-hush about it. He said he wanted to go to the theater… Why?" Naoki asked.

"I think it's related to Airi's scouted areas. Areas without cameras." Akira pointed out.

"That sorta of screams 'Come Murder Me' to me." Kenji rebutted.

"That's probably why he wants groups of three. So no one can attack the other without someone there to stop it." Akira argued. "And I've got handcuffs on me in case one of them goes on the attack." she said as Setsuki grabbed one of her skateboards.

"Alright, let's get rollin'" Setsuki said, carrying the board under her arm. Akira nodded as the two left Setsuki's lab, making their way to the theater with Setsuki skating the path to get there faster. Shiro was standing at the front doors. Approaching the building made Setsuki uncomfortable from what happened there just a few weeks ago.

"Ah, perfect. Come with me." Shiro said as Akira caught up with them, walking around the theater.

"Uhh.. Shiro dude. The door was back there. Where are we going?" Setsuki asked, stumbling over a patch of tall grass as Shiro pressed his side to the corner of the building, peeking around to see if anyone spotted them.

"Like most theaters, this building had a fire exit. The main reason Wakako wasn't able to use it to hide her nail bat was because Monokuma locked it so no one could try and sneak out of the building during the second motive. Now that that's over… this should open like Airi told me." Shiro explained.

"But why lock it if people wouldn't think to use it unless there was a fire?" Akira asked.

"Airi thinks that Monokuma either wasn't able to program a detonation sequence for the Monopads for if we walked through the fire exit… or there wasn't a detonation sequence and he simply wanted to intimidate us into not walking out of the theater and only set a warning for if we went through the front door…" Shiro said as he opened the fire exit door.

The three went into the theater, Shiro leading the way to the stage. The stage was now clean, with Bam's body discarded and the burnt curtains replaced with new ones. He stopped at the floor panel, turning to Setsuki. "So… wh-what are we doing in h-here?" Setsuki asked.

"Airi has about 12 different locations off camera on the site. And this is one of them. Every time we use one, Monokuma will know about it, so we can't use it again." Shiro explained.

"Couldn't he just follow us to the location on the cameras?" Akira asked.

"He's not in the circumstance to be able to do that. Which is why I want to keep these locations between me and Airi. The mastermind is probably reeling over the fact they can't keep their eye on us at all times. But, being in front of a Monokuma probably signals which students are there. As long as a Monokuma doesn't see us, he won't be able to track our current location." Shiro continued.

"What do you mean?" Setsuki asked, lifting her beanie and scratching the side of her head.

"Do you see this map on the Monopad? Do you remember how he said it worked?" Shiro replied.

"Uhm…" Setsuki said, trying to draw back her mind.

"It said that the map shows the location of the room that student was seen in last. Why?" Akira said, scratching her head as Shiro pulled out his Monopad, hitting a few buttons on his map.

"How do you think it's able to detect the room we were last in, but not the room we may have gone to?" Shiro asked as a follow-up.

"The cameras?" Setsuki guessed.

"If it were the cameras, it would show the room we were currently in, not the room we were in last." Shiro said, walking onto backstage and looking up at the rafters for anyone watching them. "The real way he does it has to be when Monokuma had last detected us on its optic sensors. So using that logic… Monokuma would either think we're in the courtyard, or the front entrance of the theater." Shiro said, there were three exclamations near the front of the theater, near the courtyard. Two were in Setsuki's lab, one was in the library. One was in Yukiji's room, and the last was at the swimming pool.

"How do you know that he knows that?" Akira asked, folding her arms as the three of them waited on the stage, Shiro intentionally hiding behind the curtain as he looked for something on the floorboards.

"I made us intentionally meet at the front, where a Monokuma is sitting in the ticket booth, before going somewhere off camera. It would trigger that we were at the entrance of the theater, but as long as we stay out of a Monokuma's detection, our room indicators won't update. The mastermind hasn't been flagged that we're in the back of the theater, so if he tried to find us, he would check the front first."

"Whoa… Did you think of all of that yourself?"

"I had Airi do a few tests by going between rooms with Monokumas in them, both looking at her, and not looking at her, along with rooms without Monokuma's in them like the shower room. That's what she told me." Shiro explained.

"I admit… I only see some Monokumas sometimes. Are they really that hard to avoid?" Akira asked.

"He's left hidden Monokumas everywhere, he said if I found them all I'd get Monocoins, but I also assume he's using them as room sensors to keep track of us without using the camera array he has." Shiro continued, sifting the floor with his fingers.

"Is that why I found a Monokuma in a sombrero? I told Haru about it but he didn't believe me. He said I was 'goin' bonkers.' and that I should get more sleep." Setsuki mentioned with an awkward laugh.

"I found one in a swimsuit. I didn't really need to see him in a sling bikini, but I did." Akira mentioned as she watched Shiro on the floor. "Did you find anything, Shiro?"

"Yes. In fact, this is why I brought us here." Shiro said, getting on his hands and knees and pulling the hook latch open, revealing a trap door that lead to the underside of the stage.

"What's this?" Setsuki asked, getting on her hands and knees. The hole looked pitch black from her eyes not adjusting to the light.

"Wakako tripped the breakers on her bat trap down here. It's also a place without a camera so I can discuss our plan." Shiro said, sliding down the hole like Kenji had done before, joined by Akira and Setsuki. Shiro turned on his Monopad, dialing up the brightness on the screen until his face was illuminated by the blue screen. "You might want to have your Monopad on down here." he said as Setsuki landed next to Akira.

"Is your hand okay?" Akira asked, since he sliced his fingers off just a day or two before.

"It hurts a lot, I'm taking a lot of pain medication from the nurse's office to cope. But I'll survive, I guess."

"So, what's the plan?" Akira asked, lighting up her Monopad.

"The first thing I need to talk about is why I'm doing this." Shiro began. "You remember what I said during lunch earlier, correct?" he asked.

"Uhm.. That someone chased Rio up the stairs?" Setsuki asked.

"Exactly. Though, that wasn't the thing that bothered me. The thing that bothered me was… Who was wearing the mask. I didn't see who was wearing it, so I wasn't sure about the identity of the masked individual. But… what Monokuma told me earlier, he told me he also told Kenji." Shiro said. "There isn't anyone else in the school except for us. Airi snuck into the school at some point, but there are no more hidden students, no more teachers, or living individuals we're not aware of. This can mean only one thing."

"The mastermind of this whole killing game… And the one who chased Rio into Emi's snare trap is one of us. I suspect someone thin, smaller than Rio, actually, but their mask had a vocal filter on it, so the gender is unknown." Shiro continued.

"Wait, how tall was Rio again?" Akira asked.

"About 5'11. Out of the ones who are still alive, that rules out Haru. It doesn't sound like much, but it reduces our likely suspects." Shiro answered, putting his eyes to his Monopad to see each student's profiles to check their height, his glasses reflecting his screen to Akira and Setsuki.

"So you're sure it isn't Haru." Setsuki said.

"Yes. He or she was a few inches shorter than Rio. I'd say between 5'2 and 5'9. The only problem is that counts most of us." Shiro replied. "Airi is about 5'10, so strangely, we can discount her too, since they would be of similar height, and not visibly shorter than Rio."

"So… All of us, barring Haru n' Airi are suspects for being the mastermind." Setsuki said.

"I'm pretty certain it's not Kenji either, when Kenji was supposedly proven wrong about there being a mastermind, Monokuma went with the verdict that Emi killed Rio anyway." Shiro said, eliminating a suspect.

"Wait… Does that mean I'm suspicious? I… I said there wasn't a Mastermind, and Monokuma agreed with me. And I'm 5'7." Akira asked, sounding slightly scared at the possibility of being suspected.

"You stopped everyone from killing me, so I owe you for that. I would like to trust you that your intentions are true." Shiro said reassuringly, hoping that would put Akira at ease.

"...But didn't Akira lock you away from everyone until Yukata could set up his murder? Maybe she meant to do that." Setsuki argued, Akira stroking her chin in thought.

"True, but… I didn't expect Yukata to do that. Honestly, I was waiting until we either found an exit, or Monokuma got bored and let us out." Akira said, a tone of disgust in her voice. Disgust at herself for her own inaction costing two more people their lives.

"It's unfortunate to say, but Akira is in a lot of circumstances that the mastermind would find beneficial. But, this plan can elude even someone I'm talking to plotting against me." Shiro said.

"How so?" Setsuki asked.

"As soon as this location is used, it's discarded. If someone I'm speaking to is Monokuma, they'll only know the location of one of these planned hideouts, he won't know every single one I'm at, and he won't know every part of the plan I'm doing because I intend to rotate the two people I bring with me. And we won't return to this location again, so him knowing where it is useless " Shiro elaborated.

"That's… actually kind of clever." Setsuki said, impressed.

"My mind is my weapon, it makes up for any of the shortcomings I have, and I need to use everything I can think of to make sure this thing works smoothly." Shiro replied.

"If you have to rotate who you're talking to, who was with Haru?" Akira wondered.

"Yukiji. He was playing with Haru's dog when we discussed the plan." Shiro said. "But here's the rub. Haru's a pass on if he's the mastermind or not. But Yukiji isn't. And for Haru's part of a plan… If Yukiji sabotages Haru, I need Setsuki as my insurance, someone who can do his part if he can't."

"So… Do you have a plan for me?" Akira asked.

"No, Akira. You're still suspicious. Sorry, but I need 100% confidence in you before I ask you to be an integral part of this. But Setsuki is perfect for the job I have in mind." Shiro said, turning to Setsuki.

"Uhm.. So what's the plan?" Setsuki asked.

"Tomorrow night, I will need to go with Airi somewhere that Monokuma must not follow, and the best way to do that, is distract him so much that he can't keep track of everyone at once. We need someone to start a scene." Shiro explained.

"Oh! Start a scene? Like what?" Setsuki asked, nodding a bit.

"Vandalism is a good way to piss off Monokuma. When I need you, you will need to start breaking things. I don't care how, and I don't care what. Break stuff, cause chaos, raise hell." Shiro instructed.

"DISRESPECT YOUR SURROUNDINGS! I can do that! I'm good at that!" Setsuki said with a gleam in her eyes.

"Wouldn't that make Monokuma kill Setsuki? I thought that was against the rules." Akira asked, not liking the sound of this plan.

"Only if she breaks certain things in the school. She cannot break cameras, locks, or destroy a Monokuma. But there is not a single thing in the regulation about everything else in the school." Shiro argued.

"So I just break everything that ain't locks and cameras!? Sweet! When do I get to do this? What time are ya gonna see Airi?" Setsuki asked.

"There will not be a time. If Monokuma has a time, he knows to stop me regardless of what nonsense you get yourself into. Instead, I need you to pay attention to a signal I will give, as soon as you see it, you need to start as soon as possible." Shiro explained.

"A...A signal?" Setsuki said, confused.

"Yes. You and Haru have different signals, by the way. If I say the word 'Bear' any time after this meeting adjourns, you need to start without hesitation." Shiro said, Setsuki nodding.

"Got it! Any time I hear Shiro say 'Bear' I start smashin' and grabbin'! Go anarchy on this stupid school!" Setsuki said with a thumbs up.

"If you don't have a plan for me, why did you bring me?" Akira asked.

"You are here to make Setsuki feel safe. If I asked for her to be alone, she would think I was going to kill her. The same goes for anyone else I talk to." Shiro admitted. "You guys don't trust me, so I just have to work around that by making sure I'm constantly at the mercy of others, and not the other way around."

"Will you say 'bear' when I'm not in the room? Do I have to stay by your side all the time?" Setsuki asked.

"No, the word will come up when I'm close enough for you to hear it. I can't make it sound out of place when I say it, or Monokuma will start to get suspicious." Shiro explained. "Just, make sure to not start breaking things until I leave the room, I want our actions as separate as possible."

"Got it! I guess that's it, huh?" Setsuki said.

"Indeed. Let's make a quiet exit, and rejoin the others in the dining hall." Shiro said, heading for the ladder. The three climbed out, Shiro checking to see if Monokuma had been waiting for them. Shiro's eyes widened as he saw Monokuma standing in front of them with his neutral expression.

"M-Monokuma!?" Setsuki shouted, head poking out of the trapdoor. Shiro slowly approached Monokuma.

"How much do you know, Monokuma?" Shiro accused, but Monokuma said nothing, his small plush frame not even moving.

"His eye-light's off." Akira observed, climbing out after Setsuki. "Why would his light be off?" she asked. Shiro pulled out his Monopad, checking the map to see they were still marked as outside the theater.

"It didn't change. The sensor still says we've yet to enter the theater. This Monokuma… I think it's off." Shiro theorized.

"It can turn off? Why is it off?" Setuski asked, poking at the Monokuma.

"I think it's because-" Shiro began before Setsuki let out a sudden martial arts scream, kicking the Monokuma straight in the face.

"Yeah! Superkick party!" Setsuki cheered, Akira going bug-eyed and running over the fallen Monokuma.

"Setsuki! What are you doing?!" Akira exclaimed as Setsuki rushed up to the Monokuma, lightly shoving Akira aside before climbing atop the Monokuma in a full mount. "Don't! You'll die!"

"I'm gonna show him a bit of MM-X! Now for mounted punches! DROPPIN' BOMBS ON EM!" Setsuki shouted, throwing punches to the downed Monokuma while Akira tried to pull her off. Setsuki's punches were bouncing off his stuffed visage, doing little to no visible damage.

"Setsuki, stop this immediately! He's gonna kill you when he wakes up!" Akira said, struggling as Setsuki rained blows on the plush.

"I've been waiting for this moment for weeks, Akira! I need this! I NEED TO FEEL ALIVE! You can't stop me from punching this teddybear FREAK!" Setsuki shouted, elbowing Monokuma, followed by a backfist, creating a bizarre pendulum swing of elbows into backfists.

"I can't believe that was an actual sentence." Shiro said, growling in frustration. "Get off the be-... Get off Monokuma, Setsuki!"

"Die! Die! Eat elbows! Eat more elbows! Eat all the elbows! Elbow Macaroni! ELBOWS FOR DINNE-" Setsuki was cut off when Monokuma's red eye reactivated. Setsuki let out a yelp, jumping off Monokuma and sending her and Akira to the floor. "AHH! Uhh… Shiro did it!" she shouted, pointed at Shiro.

"I didn't do anything! Don't pin this on me just because you were feeling stupid!" Shiro shot back, exasperated. The Monokuma shot up into a sitting position, everyone now staring at it with dread settling deep in their hearts. How much did the Monokuma hear while inactive? Did it feel Setsuki's attacks? Were they all dead? Then, the Monokuma unit finally spoke.

"Mono-OS, online. Rebooting. For Mono-OS to continue on Autopilot, a user must be present within the last 12 hours of the previous use. Error. Error. Error. Please assume control of the main console to restart Monokuma A.I." It said in a static monotone. The students watched in confusion of this.

"Loading 500+ morning greetings. Loading obnoxious laughter. Loading obtuse 90's references. Loading insults about Kenji. Processing. Loading Despair. Awaiting Manual input." The Monokuma continued.

"T-twelve hours? Does the mastermind need to return to the control room every 12 hours?" Akira asked.

"So, it's an AI that requires low maintenance. That explains why the mastermind can control Monokuma during nighttime hours. They would just need to turn on the AI, and then sleep." Shiro said, keeping a close eye on the rebooting Monokuma.

"You think it could just stay on autopilot." Setsuki pointed out.

"No… I think I get it. If the Monokuma AI can react to people, and can follow the masterminds orders, it would require occasional correction so it doesn't start diverging from the controller's goals. AI isn't perfect, so the mastermind having to constantly leash it makes sense so it doesn't go rouge." Shiro explained.

"Ohhh, makes sense. You know about computers and stuff, Shiro?" Setsuki asked.

"I read some of Taichi Fujisaki's books on the subject for a bit of light reading. It's nice to be at least familiar with most subjects outside of my specialities." Shiro said, pushing up his glasses slightly.

"You uhh.. Read a lotta books, dude." Setsuki said.

"It's pretty much the only thing I do outside of politics." Shiro replied.

"Manual input required. Will sleep in 3 minutes to conserve power." The Monokuma droned out.

"Well this is awkward." Akira said, rubbing her head, as Monokuma shook his head from side as he suddenly gained his movement back.

"Brbrbrbr! Hey! HEY! What're you guys doing here?" Monokuma said, his voice returning as he jumped into a standing position. "Ya lookin at me or somethin'!? Am I entertainin' to you!? Am I a clown now!? AM I?" Monokuma said, paw shaking as he pointed at the three just staring at him in shock.

"Err.. What?" Akira asked.

"Well?! Were you peepin' and creepin' and creep-in'? Well, you got caught because I'm beepin'!" Monokuma shouted, bearing his teeth.

"...Wow, he really meant it when he said obtuse 90's references." Setsuki joked, still wondering if she was going to be punished for her actions.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I got a throbbing headache and I ain't sure why. You guys can go back to bein' shady for all I care. I don't like shady people!" Monokuma muttered, turning around and folding his arms in a huff.

"...Yo that's your problem." Setsuki said, Monokuma turning on a paw to say something before Shiro cut him off.

"Stop giving him more reasons to be here, Setsuki. We should head back to the dining hall." Shiro said, heading off for the entrance hall. Akira and Setsuki followed him to dining hall.