You woke up on an airplane, just barely remembering how you got there. Your school had chosen you to fly over to La Violeta island as a summer vacation. It had only just clicked that you were not the only one on the plane, so naturally, you looked around to see the others. You didn't recognize a single one of them as they were from different schools.
You didn't consider yourself antisocial, but no one else bothered to start up a conversation as the quiet atmosphere was too awkward to interrupt. Outside, the sunshine glistened on the airplane's wing. Despite its little meaning, the reflection of light was enough to put you in a good mood.
You looked across the aisle to see what the person sitting there was up to. Not much, of course. They were flipping through a book that looked somewhat familiar. Beside you, on the empty seat was a book titled 'Students On Vacay'. The book was pretty thin as there were only seventeen students on the trip. You peered at the person sitting across from you, noticing how they were looking at a photo of you in the book, followed by a description.
"Hey, don't stare at that photo of me! They did me pretty dirty with that one," you pouted, folding your arms and sitting in your seat with a hint of embarrassment displayed on your face. They looked up in response and gave an, "Are you talking to me?" expression. They looked like they were feeling some sort of guilt, or perhaps it was the innocence that appeared in their big violet eyes. "Oh, that's you, huh? I was just wondering why you looked so bad in this photo."
"I already told you that this photoshoot didn't go so well, no need to be rude about it!" you were hurt, not even because of the short boy's words, but because you had already left a bad impression on someone you just met. "Insults aside, how were you picked for this vacation?" You questioned, anticipating an answer which never came. "Geez, okay. I get it," you sighed as you felt the presence of someone take a seat beside you. "Heya. Nice to meet you," they smiled at you, holding their hand out. "My name is Kaede Akamatsu. What's yours?"
You shook the girl's hand, catching her contagious smile. "It's Ria. Ria Okumura. You seem to be a kind person," you acknowledged. "I didn't think I'd find one here," you reminded yourself of the boy sitting across the aisle, assuming that he heard you refer to him. "What makes you say that?"
"Ah, don't worry. I'm sure I'll make a few good friends here," you practically fluttered with anticipation. "You might be my first one too," you looked at her, considering her reliable aura. "Sounds pretty good to me! I'm gonna talk to someone else now but I won't be too far away." Kaede rose to her feet and walked over to a navy-haired boy.
You took that as an opportunity to fix things between yourself and the insensitive boy you had met not too long ago. Maybe it wasn't much of a good idea, but you didn't want to be on anyone's bad side before you had even landed. Taking a deep breath, you took a seat beside him.
"I would prefer to sit alone," he scolded bluntly. "Knock it off, bad apple. I know you have somewhat of a kind heart to show off," you chided, tapping the side of your chin as you thought of a way to make him more open to talk. "...Hey, what do you do for fun?" you queried, hoping that he'd reply this time. When it looked like he was ignoring you again, you got ready to stand up before you heard his voice. "Lie, probably."
"Lie? I don't get it. Why would you enjoy lying?" you hoped for an answer, unsure if he would even bother glancing at you this time. His eyes were still on the book, reading the description of someone else. "I'm getting pretty sick of your questions, so call it quits," he spoke, his voice hoarse and relentless despite his softer appearance suggesting otherwise, "If it wasn't clear already, I don't like you. At all. So move."
"...Fine," you rolled your eyes, aiming to hide the emotion in your voice. His words hurt you, and it was a shame that you had left such a bad impression on him so early. Regardless, one thing was obvious; he wasn't worth your effort. You moved back to your seat, hoping to fall asleep again. Just as you forced your eyes shut, you felt a sudden jolt of the plane, sending your heart skyward. A student with long dark brown hair tamed only by two velvet scrunchies walked out from the airplane cockpit.
"Buckle up, we're in a little turbulence," she commanded with the assertion of dominance. "How is that? It was a clear day!" A female commented, her face turning a shade of red that heavily resembled that of her shot-cut hair. Red lights illuminated the plane, students shouting and quaking in fear. The boy sitting across the aisle looked quite startled, but it wasn't your place to involve yourself... That was what you told yourself, but you were stubborn nonetheless. He hated you but that drew you towards him even more.
You sat down beside him once again, breath shaking, bracing yourself for some more hurtful words. "I know you don't like me and all, but you looked scared just then and..." you drifted away as he just looked at you up and down with a snarl. "...And I just wanted to make sure that you were alright," you smiled at him even though you knew he wouldn't smile back. "My name's Ria Okumura. What's your name?" You asked the question in a way that showed that you weren't even expecting a reply, almost like you were talking to yourself.
"Kokichi... Ouma," he surprisingly answered you, giving off a friendlier expression. It wasn't close to perfect, but it was a good start. For some reason, that was enough to make your day much better. Of course, the way he acted wasn't acceptable, but you couldn't make everyone happy. You were not a pizza. "That's a nice name. I'm glad that we're actually-"
You felt his fingers intertwine with yours and naturally, you flinched as that was the last thing you were expecting. "You make no sense. How do you sit next to someone who hates you and comfort them?" He asked inquisitively. "I... have no idea. But, better question, why are you holding my hand?" You giggled, looking down at how your hands merged into one.
"Because of the turbulence. I still don't like you, that doesn't change anything," he squeezed your hand until it hurt, and he watched as you squeal he showed no sympathy. When he finally let go, you pouted at him, only then realizing that the screams died down and were replaced with energetic chatter and the bright light the sun emit.
"Woo-hoo! We made it out!" A male with spiky purple hair celebrated, waving the 'Students on Vacay' book. "We are truly blessed! I can't wait for us to arrive at La Violeta!" A short girl with low platinum pigtails clapped her hands above her head as she exclaimed.
"...Shoo. You can go back to your seat now, Mariah," he moved his hands in a sweeping motion as a gesture of dismissal. "It's Ria. Get it right, Kichi," you corrected, stretching your arms as you rose from your seat. "Don't ever call me by that shit or I'll make you regret it," Kokichi scolded pointing at you as you shrugged and sat in your seat.
"If you wanna kill me, save it for when we arrive on the island," you smiled tauntingly. You opened the book again to read whatever appeared under Kokichi's description. "Huh, he's only 5'1? It's no surprise I feel so tall," you whispered to yourself, scanning over the small letters.
"I see, he's from Imperial Capital's Imperial High School. I recognize the name but I've never met a student from that school." After reading a few other descriptions, you put down the book, boredom beginning to overwhelm you. It was only then when you realized that you were nearing the island with every passing second.
Daytime 2:57 P.M.
As the plane landed on an airstrip on the island, you and the other sixteen students stepped down into the warm sunshine. A man holding a hat gathered us together and introduced himself. "G'day. I am the pilot and also your captain. The student with the green hair, Rantaro Amami, is your tour guide for this trip," he nodded at the student who stood beside you and you turned towards him with a welcoming smile. "Hey, it's great to meet you," you stretch your hand out to shake his.
"Need help with that luggage?" Rantaro asked as you tried to drag it along. "It's alright, I don't want to trouble you. We just met," you pulled your luggage along, remembering that you hadn't even introduced yourself yet. "Oh, right! Sorry, my name's Ria Okumura," as you spoke he waved it off, smiling. "Don't apologize, I already knew your name. From that book, y'know?" he explained. "Either way, it's a sign of respect. It's all about first impressions, right?"
"I guess you're right. Come on. We've all got a hotel to be getting to," he nudged your shoulder. You and all the other students walked towards the large white building with golden rims that glistened in the sunshine and big golden letters which spelled 'VIOLETA'. "Pretty ugly if you ask me," you heard Kokichi say out of nowhere and you looked in his direction in confusion. "How? I think it's really pretty, right, Kaede?"
"I think so," she responded, holding the hand of that navy-haired student you saw her with earlier. "This is my good friend's cousin, by the way," Kaede pointed out, smiling at him as we walked into the entrance of the building.
"H-hey, my name is Shuichi Saihara," spoke, his voice faint. "Hi! My name's Ria Okumura. Nice to meet you, Shu-shu," you smiled as you watched how his expression switched to mark a state of shock. "Shu-shu?"
"Oh, do you not like the name? Sorry," you sighed, hoping he didn't hate you already. "No, it's just... No one's ever called me by a nickname. Especially someone I've just met." We looked around the lobby, silence ringing in our ears except for the sound of our footsteps. "Where did everyone go?" A robotic being questioned. You hadn't even noticed them before, so naturally, you were a little startled. The tour guide, Rantaro, stepped forward in response, "There won't be anyone else on this island except us, right Captain?"
"No, I mean why does this place look abandoned?" The robot pointed to random suitcases that were left by their owners, with no trace of where they could have gone to. "Oh, I get it. We are expected to find out where everyone went and then we finally get to go home. If that's it, I'm not involved," you heard Kokichi speak out. "You guys can do whatever the fuck you want. I'm getting my key and I'm finding my room," he picked up a key that was laid neatly at the unattended front desk and walked alone down the lobby.
"Hey, Kokichi? Where are you going?" You called out after him, but of course, he didn't answer back. "He'll be back, don't worry about him," you heard an unfamiliar voice of a female, but it sounded trustworthy. She had green-grey hair and wore a reassuring smile on her face. "It's Kirumi Tojo, right? You asked for a confirmation. "That's right! And you are Ria Okumura, am I correct?" Kirumi questioned as you nodded in response.
"I think it would be best if we all introduce ourselves now," you heard Rantaro state. "Oh, good idea. My name is Kaede Akamatsu! It's great to meet you all," she beamed, gripping the handle of her maroon suitcase. "My turn," another girl stepped in. "Miu Iruma. I'm like... some sort of sexy genius. I'm really smart but still, stupid," she expressed, her expression cast down.
"Um, right. I'm Tenko Chabashira. Just a warning, if any..." she pointed right at Shuichi. "...Degenerate males cross paths with me, I can't promise you'll leave this island alive," Tenko chastised, eyeing the other boys in the room. "Girls, you are more than welcome to talk," you noticed as Shuichi looked at you with confusion and you shrugged, equally as perplexed.
"...Well, hey. My name's Kaito Momota! I have no problems with anyone. I'm always up for a chat," the male with the spiky hair shared. Just then, you felt someone nudge your arm. "Go on, Ria! Introduce yourself!" You looked up to see Kaede smile as she insisted that you'd tell everyone your name. "Um, alright!" You looked at everyone, voice shaking slightly as you introduced yourself. You were quite an extroverted person, but all the eyes you could see made you feel a little more nervous than you should have been.
Once everyone has finished with their introductions, you all made it to your rooms and spent some time unpacking. As you finally left your room, dressed in your beach-wear as instructed by the captain. You heard a little noise coming from the door beside your room so, curiously, you placed your ear to it.
"Huh... Nothing. I thought I heard someone in there," you sighed, walking down the corridor in your bikini, towel wrapped around your waist. "Hey, Mariah. What are you wearing?" You turned to see Kokichi standing and eyeing you. "Hey! S-stop looking at me like that, you-"
"Like what? There's nothing much to see, after all. Besides, that color is hideous," he taunted. You frowned and pointed at him in disbelief. "Why are you so mean to me?" You mused as he looked at you with a blank expression. "...I don't know. I guess it's just fun to mess with you," he stated. "Can't you find one good thing to say about me?" You questioned him. He was hesitant to answer, but he eventually did. "I guess... your face isn't that ugly. From certain angles," he acknowledged.
"That's it?" You asked as he shrugged. "Well, I was going to say that I liked your hair, but I think I'll take that back," you shook your head in disappointment as you continued your walk down the corridor. "You should probably go and change, by the way. We're headed to the beach."
Daytime 4:02 P.M.
You made your way to the beach, feeling your toes rake the golden sand with each step you took. Walking wasn't easy; it felt like you were going to sink if you didn't carry on moving. This beach seemed different to you. Significantly better than any you had been to before, specifically because most of them were rocky beaches with large beach hoppers inhabiting the shore.
Everyone around you involved themselves in some kind of physical activity, but you chose to set yourself a little spot to relax alone. The last few students, Maki, Gonta, Shuichi, and Kokichi had just come down to the beach, each holding their equipment. Watching from afar, I noticed how Shuichi spoke to Maki about something while dragging a massive beach umbrella. "Come one, Maki! Don't you wanna join us in a game of soccer?"
"For the last time, I said no," she replied as she rolled her long hair into a loose bun to prevent it from touching the sand. "It's fine. We don't need talentless girls in this game," you overheard Kokichi reply, Maki growling at him before she joined some of the other students. Just as you laid your back on the beach towel you had spread out, your name was called. "Ria? Are you interested in joining our soccer game? It'll be fun, I promise," Shuichi asked. "Gonta would be happy to accept you!"
"If she's in, I'm out," Kokichi told them. You immediately walked up to the group folding your arms, lips forced into a frown. "You've gotta stop treating me like dog shit, Kokichi. We're gonna be on this island together for an entire summer so you can't avoid me," you informed him, noticing how Gonta and Shuichi exchanged confused glances. "Is there a problem between you two?" Gonta looked between us sympathetically. You sighed, unsure of where to even begin.
"I don't know, he just hates me," you shrugged, losing patience. "You know what? It doesn't matter. I'll just go back to my spot and mind my business. Play without me," you walked away from the scene feeling like you made a mature decision. Even so, you couldn't stop blaming yourself for ruining a possible friendship in the beginning. Being weak-minded, you sometimes missed the fact that not everything was your fault.
As you took your seat on your towel, you felt something poke you. "Hey, what is that?" You stood up, lifting your beach towel and searching under it. Poking out of the sand was something small, metal, and shiny. "Is that... Is that a key?" You picked it up, and it was indeed a key with a note attached. You opened the note, confusion flooding your expression as you read it. "'Someone isn't who they seem to be.'"
You didn't know what to make of the message. Was it a lie? Was it even addressed to this group? You discreetly made your way back to the hotel, hoping to find out if the key could unlock any doors the students hadn't come across yet. The lobby was just as quiet as everyone left it, luggage abandoned in random spots. Just the thought of personal belongings being left behind like that made you wonder, what could have possibly happened here?
You walked down, feet interrupting the silence every time you took a step. It was then when you saw a figure move in the corner of your eyes. "Holy shit! Are there ghosts on this island? P-please don't hurt me!" You looked around the room, chills running up and down your spine as your echoing request was answered with a deeper silence. You turned to leave the hotel when you were met with a familiar face. "Whoa! Don't tell me you came here to insult me again, Kichi," you surmised, preferring to have met a ghost.
"No," Kokichi responded genuinely. "I came to... apologize, actually," he trailed off, expression hard to read. "I shouldn't have treated you like that. I mean, even ugly people shouldn't have to go through such things," he confessed, and you gave him a look that questioned his earnestness. "...You're not too bad, I guess," he smiled faintly before becoming serious again. "But don't you ever call me your friend. We will never be friends, got it?"
"Yeah, I got it. But, any reason?" You asked. "Only because I said so," he replied before turning to leave. "Oh, come on! There's no harm in us being friends!" you walked after Kokichi, attempting to persuade him but to no avail. It was no surprise to you, regardless. People don't change that easily, but they can change over time.