Author's Note: We're going to start this chapter with a little note, meant to answer/declare a few things:
• Last chapter confirmed that Darkness (also named Nightshroud) from the YuGiOh! dimension has rewritten the Danganronpa universe (alongside other realities) in order to increase in power thanks to someone else (who will remain a mystery for now). While it most likely won't be the last time we see him in this fic, I'll definitely try to hold back on including as much YuGiOh! as possible here, aside from Darkness himself (as he's responsible for all this happening in the first place). After all, this fic is kinda already stuffed with rewritten pasts and blue portals, so the last thing I want to do is to cram in another dimension to add to the chaos.
• In response to The Knight of the V Table's question, I still haven't decided fully on whether Hamon deconfirms stands or not, but I will be thinking about it. Whatever the case, I'll have to think fast, because the time for our students is starting to run short...
• I edited the last chapter so that both Darkness and Jaden refer to 'that girl' and 'our friend' as Aoi Zaizen, which was her actual name. I didn't do it at first so that she wouldn't be confused with Aoi Asahina. I fixed that, though, so there's that to say. Just a little detail I thought I should mention.
So, one last thing to declare. Did I think of all this when I first began writing this fic? Hell no. I didn't think it would evolve this far (and complicated). While it has been fun filling in plot holes and details within the story once in a while, I'll definitely try to keep it more simple when I write fanfics like these in the future. After all, the last thing I want to happen is to retire before I even begin working at all!
Still, doesn't mean I regret it. Just wish I could've kept it more simple, that's all :P
In any case, that's all I wanted to say. Onto the story!
"Chihiro, you feeling better?"
Mondo worriedly checked up on his friend, who was now awake in his bed. Taka was standing beside the gangster in equal worry.
The little programmer sat up from his bed and responded, "I'm fine, Mondo, don't worry". He then faced his bike riding friend and added, "It's definitely weird when you don't refer to me as 'dude', though", before giving a small chuckle.
"Well, I was worried, you know?", awkwardly responded Mondo before chuckling as well.
"Yeah, I understand", remarked Chihiro, happy to see that Taka indeed waited for him while he rested.
Speaking of, the moral compass then spoke up, "So do you want to head outside, or do you want to rest for a little more time?"
"I'm okay with heading to the cafeteria right now", slowly stood up the programmer, giving a light yawn. "I didn't get to eat anything, after all."
"Yeah, we didn't either", replied Mondo, the prefect nodding in agreement. "I wouldn't mind grabbing something to eat."
"Well said!", stated Taka. "After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"
"Jeez, calm down, Mr. Class President", smirked Mondo, earning an awkward chuckle from his friend.
"Sorry, I did that out of impulse. It's true, though!"
Meanwhile...
"What did you want to talk about?"
Byakuya stood in the dim library, facing the stammering writer who's been following him for the past few weeks.
"W-well, first of all, I'm happy that you agreed to listening to me", blushed Toko madly.
"I didn't choose to listen to you out of my own volition", Byakuya coldly stated. "Your constant pleas have annoyed me enough to the point where I've decided to let you borrow a few minutes of my time. That's all."
"I-I see...", replied the nervous Toko. "W-well, in any case, I have two secrets I want to tell you."
"...Spit it."
"W-well, the first one", spoke the writer before taking a deep breath. She then declared, "I have an alternate personality that is a serial killer. She goes by the name of 'Genocide Jack'."
That statement made the heir's eyes widen in response. He recalled reading about serial killers back in his countless studies, but he didn't expect the name 'Genocide Jack' to come back, especially in a time like this.
In other news, he could use this new information to his advantage. He didn't expect Toko to be useful.
Still, he welcomed any information he could use.
The progeny mentally smiled to himself before Fukawa continued talking, "S-so, about the second secret."
"Speak."
An apparition suddenly materialized behind the writer, leaving the heir in small surprise once more. It had a dark motif similar to glasses that covered its rhombus-shaped face. It had a mane of burgundy-colored tentacles, each rough to the touch. It's entire serpentine body was shaped in blocks and other tridimensional polygons, almost as if made out of rubies.
"I haven't used it much, but I know what it does", explained Toko nervously. "It's also one of the few cases where non-stand users can see it."
The progeny could only continue staring the apparition in silence.
"I'm also one of those 'stand users' that corn hair and goth girl talk about", continued the writer. "As for its name, I've decided to name it 'Fu Manchu'."
Meanwhile...
"Hey, Kyoko, did you want to talk about something?", asked Makoto, the detective walking into the room. She walked in on Sakura's room, witnessing both her and her students training with Hamon.
"I just wanted to see how Hamon works", replied the detective.
"Oh, okay then", responded the luckster before stretching a little more.
"What do you plan to do with that information?", asked Sakura.
"It's a precautionary measure", the detective said. "Just in case it becomes useful in the future."
"I see."
The detective then stared at the yellow sparks coming out of the individuals, silently sitting across the room.
Kyoko didn't say it, but she was definitely impressed.
Meanwhile...
Diavolo soon exited his room after a while, back from the afternoon stroll he took earlier. He earlier was explained about the Warriors of Hope from Koichi Kizakura, and was given praise from his abilities from Tengan soon after.
Of course, that didn't matter much to the Italian.
Not much did.
Sometimes I wonder why I'm still alive, mused the Italian to himself. I was given a second chance to live, yet the life unfolding before me has shattered into ruins.
He then stopped to look at the hallway ceiling in silence. There has to be a reason as to why I'm alive, though. I've seen the misfortune of lives being taken away back in Italy, even I've been the one taking lives. So what makes me special from all of them?
A few seconds of silence.
He didn't get an answer.
"..."
The only thing he could do was make an answer.
Fate expects me to continue giving out results. That's the only thing I can do at this point... So that's what I'll do.
"-Hey, lipstick dude!"
A demanding voice rang out behind the Italian, pulling him out of his existentialist musings. Turning around to face the direction of the voice, he found Ruruka and Sonosuke wanting to get to the other side.
"...My apologies," the Italian blankly said, pulling himself to the side to allow the the two teens to pass through.
"Geez, get an earpiece or something", commented Ruruka, both her and her friend leaving toward the exit.
The Italian being left to himself again, he lost all his motivation to continue his previous thoughts about his life.
So eventually, he stopped thinking.
(Jk)
"I-I'm sorry for that", emerged a soft voice, coming out of a grey-haired girl with a face mask. She continued as she approached the Italian, "She normally acts like that. She's not trying to be rude... at least, that's what I think."
Receiving a curious stare for an answer, the woman continued while frantically bowing, "I-In any case, my name is Seiko Kimura. It is nice to be your acquaintance!"
The Italian simply offered his hand, the pharmacist shaking it frantically.
"...I'm not trying to kill you."
"I-I know", stammered Seiko, trying to compose herself. "I-I'm just like this normally when meeting new people. It's more apparent since we don't get new members often."
"I see...", stated the Italian before turning to face the exit, already wanting to go back to his room.
"I-I'm sorry for making you feel awkward", apologized Seiko.
"I'm not feeling awkward", replied Diavolo, already at his dorm's entryway. "I'm just tired, is all."
"W-well, if you want, I can prepare a concoction that replenishes your energy", offered the pharmacist.
"...I'll pass."
"O-okay..."
The Italian then closed the door to his room, leaving Seiko to herself.
The pharmacist then got out a clipboard from within her suit, checking off a sentence from her list.
"A-and with that, I've done all my social chores for the day...", mused the pharmacist to herself, putting her clipboard back on her suit. She then turned to face the exit, saying with a cheery face, "M-maybe I can create a new treatment today in celebration!"
Meanwhile, Diavolo just laid face up on his bed, turning to face the open window leading to the red sky outside.
"Well, this is just depressing..."
He met quite the sad bunch of hoodlums today, but what should he have expected? This was a destroyed world after all, one which was led to ruins by one high school girl.
He didn't expect Future Foundation to be near-perfect, either, but this was something else.
Meanwhile...
"Kyoko, you want to watch a Hamon trick I've learned?", asked Makoto, the detective having a slight curious look.
"Sure."
"Okay, watch this", the luckster said. He then turned to Sakura and asked, "Hey Oogami, do you have a glass of water?"
"Here", the martial artist said, giving the luckster a glass. Kyoko only kept watching silently.
"Wait, are you gonna do what I think you're gonna do?", asked Aoi with sparkly eyes.
"I'm gonna try", said Makoto, grabbing the glass of water carefully. He then gave a slow series of concentrated breaths, the glass being encased in a thin sheet of Hamon. The entire glass looked like it was popping fireworks.
"Okay, let's see if it works."
The luckster then tipped the entire glass upside down, not a single bit of water dropping out.
Kyoko only raised her eyebrows in response.
"Well done, Makoto", complimented Sakura with a small smirk. "Your Hamon is tuned quite nicely."
"AWESOMEEEEEEEEE", chirped Aoi, the swimmer studying the glass from different angles. "You've controlled Hamon so well that you can even conduct water!"
"I'm not done yet", said Makoto, placing one of his fingers in the water. He then slowly touched the glass with his free hand, raising the glass completely afterwards. Kyoko gave a curious look once more.
The glass was completely taken off, the remaining water completely floating in the shape of the glass on Makoto's finger. Hamon continued running on the water.
"HOLY MOLY THAT'S AMAZING!", cheered the demise once more. Even Sakura was impressed with how much Makoto has advanced with his Hamon technique and controlling.
Setting the glass on the carpet, the luckster then said, "Here Kyoko, take a close look."
The detective leaning slightly closer to take a look, the luckster then released his Hamon with a pop, spreading the water in an explosive-like manner. Most of the water was soaked onto the surprised Kyoko, the detective almost jumping out of surprise like a startled cat.
Aoi was sent into a laughing fit, Sakura lightly scolding Makoto for such prank. Kyoko was left with a momentary surprised expression, composing herself afterwards with a monotone face.
"Heheh, s-sorry for that", the luckster apologized, Kyoko turning to face him. "I just thought that you needed a small laugh, since you looked so grim. No offense."
The detective only sat in silence at his answer.
"L-look, I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine", the detective stated, pulling Makoto out of his apologizing. "I suppose a small laugh is not bad", she finished with a small smirk.
"I'm glad you think that..."
"You should have seen your face, Kirigiri!", said Asahina, placing her hand over her stomach. "You looked like a scared cat when you were soaked!"
"I couldn't imagine that", said Kyoko, back to her usual expression.
"In any case, I admit I'm not the usual pranking type", mused Makoto, getting everyone's attention. "But I feel like it's because I'm getting more confident that I can do things like this. I have Sakura to thank for that, since training to use Hamon was definitely one of my better decisions."
"I am glad that you think that", responded the martial artist. "Especially since you've learned to use Hamon and control it in such a sort time. You're definitely one of the best students I've ever had."
Upon seeing Aoi pout with her arms crossed, Sakura added, "And you too, Aoi. Don't think that I've forgotten of your exemplary progress."
"I feel like I'm only being included because of pity", she momentarily grumbled playfully before giving a small laugh.
"Wait, aren't we your only students?", asked Makoto, the martial artist suddenly realizing he was right.
"Apologies", Sakura said, earning a few more laughs from her students. Even Kyoko was slightly smirking at the lightened mood.
Meanwhile...
"I'm sorry for bugging you, Miss Ludenberg, but are you sure you don't want anything from me?", Hifumi asked, the gambler not even turning to face him. She was currently drinking some tea, accompanied with Mondo and his friends sitting at another table.
"...I already said that you didn't have to work for me anymore", stated Celeste, studying the now-empty cup. "Why are you still insisting for your help?"
"W-well, it just seems weird that you've said that", Hifumi responded. "You just don't seem like the forgiving type, Miss Ludenberg."
The gambler had a slight vein pop up in her forehead, calmly turning to face the otaku and responding with a smile, "Well, Hifumi, I am capable of changing, too. I am a human being like everyone else, no?"
"Y-you are, but...", the otaku insisted to talk a little more, only stopping upon detecting the gambler's pissed off aura. Even Mondo felt it all the way from his table (and he wasn't even listening in on the conversation!). "I'm sorry, Miss Ludenberg. That's all I wanted to ask", Hifumi bowed quickly before leaving the cafeteria, leaving Celeste to herself.
"Goodness me", said the gambler to herself, Cloakie appearing from her back to console her. "Even while not working for me he still finds a way to annoy me."
A while later...
"Hey, Yasuhiro, you wanted to talk?", asked Makoto, stepping into the clairvoyant's room. It gave off a weird vibe, almost an unsettling one...
It wasn't a scary type of unsettling, mind you. It was more or less like an illegal type of unsettling.
"You came, Makoto!", Yasuhiro celebrated. He then patted the red rug across him, inviting the luckster, "Sit down here, man!"
Makoto following his instructions, Yasuhiro continued, "So, I know I haven't been doing much, but what can I say? I'm a busy man."
Busy with what, though?, asked awkwardly Makoto on his mind.
"In any case, I've invited you to offer you a session to see your future!", said Yasuhiro. "I'll even throw in a 5% discount since you're my friend!"
"I-I'll pass, Yasuhiro, but thanks", replied Makoto.
"Wait, wait! How about 6%?"
"N-no, it's not about the discount", Makoto said, leaving the clairvoyant with a confused expression. "It's just that I don't feel like seeing my future, is all."
"O-oh, okay...", said Yasuhiro awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Well, that's not exactly the reason why I wanted to talk."
"Really?"
"Yeah, although I thought that maybe I could throw in an offer just in case."
Of course you did, mentally noted the luckster.
"In any case, here's what I really wanted to talk about", said Yasuhiro, leaning in closer towards Makoto. He then whispered, "I think I have one of those 'stand' thingies that Mondo talks about."
"H-huh!?", said the luckster in surprise. Well, he certainly didn't expect that. "You sure?"
"Definitely", responded Yasuhiro, leaning back to his previous position. "I think I've had it for about a week now, counting today."
"Then why didn't you tell that to Mondo, or Celeste?", asked Makoto. "I'm not even a stand user, so there's no way I can confirm that you have one!"
"First off, even I know that I'm not the most popular person, so there's no way I can just tell someone like Mondo about it", responded the clairvoyant. "You're basically the only person I talk to!"
Ouch, mentally winced the luckster.
"Secondly, talking to Celeste is like setting up my own funeral!", Yasuhiro added with a small shudder. "Have you seen her stare?"
"Celeste has changed, Yasuhiro", the luckster responded. "She even said it herself! Here, how about we go together and ask her to see if you have a stand or not?"
"F-fine, but you're have to defend me just in case she wants to kill me!", said Yasuhiro, the luckster agreeing to his conditions. They then both left out of the room, off to find the gothic gambler.
Meanwhile...
"You're free to leave at once", said Byakuya, turning to read his book once more. "I have concluded listening to your excessive bickering."
"A-as you wish, master", stammered out Toko, already leaving towards the door.
"And don't call me- whatever", cringed Byakuya before reading his book again.
At the very least, he had new information about Toko and stands, something that could come in handy just in case another murder came up.
Yeah, good luck with that.
Afterwards...
Celeste already finished drinking her cup of tea, and she was already on her way back to her dorm. She slightly turned the doorknob on her door before saying out loud, "Yasuhiro, Makoto, step forward. I know that you both are hiding."
Both teens stepped out of the corner of the wall and approached Celeste, Yasuhiro looking like he was about to die.
"Why are you both following me?", asked the gambler with a dubious tone.
"W-well, Yasuhiro wanted you to confirm something", Makoto answered. He then patted the clairvoyant's back, "Well, you tell her."
"Wha- ME!?"
"Yeah, you!", Makoto responded, pushing Yasuhiro closer. "It's your problem, you ask it!"
The gambler only stared at both individuals with a curious expression.
"Geez, Makoto, why you gotta be like that...", Yasuhiro trailed off before saying, "Well, you see, Celeste, I think I have a... stand, for about a week now."
The gambler only stared at the clairvoyant silently before asking, "Why didn't you tell anyone about this earlier?"
"W-well, it's because I didn't know who to talk to", Yasuhiro responded. "The only person I've actually talked to is Makoto!"
Celeste only slightly turned her head to look at the luckster.
I hope she doesn't feel sorry for me, Makoto thought to himself, turning his head to another direction away from the gambler's stare.
"Well, I want to see your stand, then", Celeste said, looking at Yasuhiro again.
"Well, uh... here we go, then", Yasuhiro said, not even knowing what to do. The three individuals just stood there awkwardly.
"You don't know how to summon your stand?", asked the gambler, the clairvoyant nodding awkwardly. "Here's how to do it; visualize your stand while saying its name, and it should manifest. For example". She then closed her eyes for a moment before speaking up, "Cloak's Knavery". The gambler's stand appeared in the next instant, waving at both individuals.
"Whoa, your stand is so little", Yasuhiro awed, the gambler staring daggers at him. He then composed himself and said, "Y-yeah, um, it's now my turn". He then imagined how his stand looked like and chanted its name:
"VISIONZ!"
Suddenly, a new stand manifested out of the clairvoyant. This one looked like a limbless scarecrow, a red tattered scarf and straw hat waving off into the distance. With a skull as a head, this one also had a chain of magenta crystal balls coming out of its left sleeve.
"...What is that?", asked Makoto with widened eyes.
"Wait, you can see it?", asked Celeste.
"I'm any case, how's it look?", questioned the clairvoyant, Visionz digging (figurative) holes into Makoto with its stare.
"It...looks nice", the luckster responded. He didn't expect for Visionz to look so...different from Yasuhiro.
The gambler silently approached the apparition, studying the stand's design.
Visionz then looked at the gambler with shining blue irises and spoke up, "You...your future..."
This stand can speak too?, Celeste deduced.
"Visionz can see a fragment of someone's future", Yasuhiro explained. "It can only see one, though, so it's not that good. Still, it provides a good insight when I forecast someone's fortune. And it also gives me someone to talk to!"
At this point, neither Makoto nor Celeste could help but feel bad for the clairvoyant.
"What future does Visionz see?", asked Celeste.
"Well, if you want, I can answer that for a discount!", the clairvoyant offered.
"Never mind", rejected the gambler, earning a series of pleads from Yasuhiro to reconsider her answer.
"In any case, we've confirmed that you have a stand", stated the luckster. "So there's that to be glad about."
"I'd say", responded Celeste before entering her room. "You're welcome, by the way."
"Y-yeah, um, thanks Celeste", said Yasuhiro, his stand already fading away. "Makoto's right, you really are cool!"
The gambler simply closed her door in silence.
Both Makoto's and Yasuhiro simply stood at Celeste's door before the clairvoyant offered, "Well, do you want me to see your future for a discount?"
"Yeah, umm, I'd have to say no to that."
"Aww, come on!"
Much later, at around Nighttime...
"Well, today was quite the day", Celeste noted, Cloakie nodding in agreement. Both were already getting ready to sleep (Cloakie was wearing a pajama hat, if you didn't know).
"Mimi!"
"Good night to you too."
The gambler already laid on her bed ready for sleep, her poker card earrings laid neatly in the desk beside her.
Tomorrow would be another day.
...
STAND INFO:
Stand Name: Visionz
Stand User: Yasuhiro Hagakure
Destructive Power: C
Speed: E
Range: A
Persistence: A
Precision: B
Developmental Potential: E
Appearance: A limbless scarecrow with a ragged red scarf and straw hat. A skeleton like body covered in a dark cloak, with a chain of magenta crystal balls protruding out of its left sleeve. It floats in the air and is an impressive size, almost as tall as Sakura.
Stand Ability: Visionz can see a small fragment of someone's future, but only one. In terms of combat, it doesn't move much, but it can use the magenta ball chain as a sort of whip/restraining device.
Stand Cry: None, capable of coherent speech, albeit in small phrases or words.
Author's Note: Chapter 31 done! With this, we have so little until we see what the mastermind's punishment for everyone is! Just what is waiting ahead for the killing game participants!?
What are your thoughts so far on the story? Any theories or ideas that you have come up with? Type it all in the comments! Thanks everyone for the support and until the next entry, I'll see everyone later!