ACT I: THE TITANS, THE BEAR AND THE FORTRESS OF DESPAIR

Chapter 4: All for nothing

Day 4

Tartarus Keep

10:00

Main Hall

Monokuma's imposed motivation yesterday shook us up real good. If there was any doubt regarding the seriousness of the situation and that this was not just some big elaborate scam, the revelation dispelled them all. As we speak, our loved ones were held captives in order to make us kill each other, but now was not the time to lose hope. In times of crises like this, unity is more important than ever.

What furthered my disappointment was the absenteeism I saw during breakfast. Fully half of us were not here, the ones that were included Kazuki, Akihito, El Viento, Fitzgerald, Rin, Hokuto, myself, and much to my surprise, Yume. The Ultimate Baker talked much about his twin sister during his conversations, so I figured he would be most affected by the motivation. Yet, for all his pain, he had mustered the courage to come to this meeting so that we might come up with a solution to put an end to this nightmare, or at least to stall this until further development.

Hokuto talked about him and Tatsuya working together late last night and the Ultimate Delivery Boy was likely to be asleep at this point. I also knew for a fact that Minako preferred spending the whole day in the botanical garden which had become her place of habitat. She did not need to come to breakfast, lunch, or dinner, for the forest already provided her with what she needed. As for the rest, I could think of only one reason to explain their absence.

Rin was going to hold a meeting this morning where she would discuss the establishment of a regime where she guaranteed no murder could ever take place. However, the poor attendance she was met with caused her to delay its discussion until people got over their distress. Hokuto and Kazuki did not take the idea of being under her rule appealing, and I could understand why. Monokuma was the tyrant around here, and that was one too many. Besides, Rin's past record about her service in the police force should deter anyone but the most desperate to put her in charge in any situation.

"I don't like the way this is going," said Rin as she took a seat next to me. I had pancakes for breakfast whereas hers consisted of rice and miso soup (it looked more like a lighter version of lunch, to be honest). "Nobody is killing anybody yet and we are all acting like it's the end of the world."

"For all we know, it could be," I said grimly. At this point, we had no idea what was going on in the outside world, but if Monokuma was able to capture so many people, Ultimate Students - supposedly mankind's hope for the future – even, for his sick game without fear of legal repercussion, then anything could happen.

"Even if it is, I am not giving up," said Rin, determined. "All I require is a chance. You guys need to trust me on this.

"Well, people will just need some time to adjust," I told her. "We all just saw our loved ones under duress. It takes a heart of stone not to feel anything about it." I took a glance at Fitzgerald who was sitting on his own while insouciantly eating bacon and sausages as if this were just a normal day in his life. His 'advantage' was something I could not feel jealous of. I hated the fact my sister had to suffer, abducted against her will, and mutilated and I wished this whole thing were a nightmare, one I could wake up from and forget. But for all that, I could never trade the many years of happy memory and the immeasurable joy I had with her just to avoid ever seeing that depressing sight.

"I see," said Rin as she tried to relax a bit. She would get her chance one way or another.

At this point, we were joined by Yume. The normally exuberant magical boy was awfully quiet and down today. Nevertheless, I still appreciated the fact he had gotten out of his room and appear in front of others.

"Together again, the three of us," he said, forcing a smile on his face. He had cupcakes iced with carrot cream for breakfast.

"Have you devised a name for us yet?" I asked jokingly. When the three of us first met, we saw a common purpose that required our joining force together (or more likely Yume did and Rin and I played along) and the Ultimate Baker had failed to come up with a proper name for our little team.

Yume's smile became more genuine at my question. "Not yet. How about we have a super-secret meeting just the three of us? Then we can discuss what plan to save everyone."

Rin shook her head. "Secrecy only breeds further mistrust. If there is any plan that could bring us salvation, then I would rather share it with everybody."

"I guess you are right," Yume echoed. "Sharing is caring, after all." Tell that to Dirty Fitzgerald over there, I nonverbally said. "So, about the motivation, or motive, we've been given. " I felt my heart skip a beat when he mentioned that. "There is something I am currently not sure what to make of."

"Go ahead," I encouraged. Some people might not want their painful memory to be reminded, myself included, but the fellow might bring up a solid point which could lead to both of us having a better insight.

"The rules say in the event of a murder taking place, ALL hostages will be released," said the Ultimate Baker. Out of all the persons around here, perhaps Rin and I were most open to this kind of discussion; we both had experience in legal issues, after all. Fitzgerald would love it when people seeking knowledge from him, though, and, if not for his attitude which turned people away, I could dare call him our greatest hope. "Does that mean everyone, other than us, will be freed, no matter who makes the killing?"

"That is indeed what I interpret," I replied. "It doesn't matter who kills. As long as someone does, Monokuma will free all of the captives, not just the one closed to the killer."

"I guess that's good news, right?" asked Yume with a hopeful expression on his face. "Don't get me wrong, I abhor the very concept of taking the lives of another person, no matter how bad or how hated they are."

The Ultimate Police Woman sighed deeply. "Your faith is misplaced," she said. "This is not the enemy being lenient to us, rather it makes the game longer and more...interesting."

"Wh-what do you mean?" asked Yume, the optimism gone from his eyes.

"Monokuma said this was a TV show," I explained. As much as I hated to disappoint him, I felt like it would serve better, in the long run, to dispel his naivety, even it cost our friendship and his sanity in the short run. "A TV show needs audience and ratings, and to do that, diverse formats are important. May I ask you, Yume, do you watch the show Archimagirus Dominus?"

"Yes, I do," replied Yume. "Both my sister and I are fans of it."

"Then you know with each round, a contestant or two is eliminated following a series of challenges," I told him. "And each round, a different format is used, from technical to cooking tests, stimulated environment inside the studio to the real-life scenario where guests will be the judges. I am afraid this is just like that. Once the current motivation is abolished, they will just come up with another means of tormenting us until one of us makes the ultimate sin. And then the circle repeats itself."

"A circle of hope, murder, trial, and despair," Yume concluded as he finally coming to terms as to Monokuma's true intent.

"We are not getting past the first circle, that I can promise," said Rin, retaining her confidence in spite of the situation. "If only everyone listens to what I say and act accordingly, there is not a chance a murder would happen."

Ever since we met, I did not have a good impression with Rin Yamamoto. Her excessiveness went against my belief that a peaceful solution existed in all situations. Perhaps I should learn more about her so I could at least sympathize. And with Yume here, I was more comfortable at confronting the feared Blue Devil.

Hang out with Rin Yamamoto?

Yeah, sure/Not now

"Rin, as much as I admire your dedication," Amelda voiced worriedly, "do you think you are going a bit over the top?

Rin scoffed. "There is no such thing as being overly prepared. Last time I let my guard down, it cost me everything. Everything was taken from me in an instant. And now I fight so that no one will have to suffer the same fate."

"That must have been traumatic for you," said Yume sympathetically.

"How did it happen?" Amelda asked.

"During my final year in secondary school, I was, like most of my friends, relaxed," Rin explained. "I went shopping with them, being invited to sleepover parties, doing what your average teen girl would do. I also trained in martial arts. I remembered winning the local championship. It was all for fun and mundane pleasure and, not for a single moment did I think I would have to use it to defend myself or anyone. Then, one day, I saw a man wearing a black coat knocking on my house just as I was leaving to hang out with my friends. I assumed he was my dad's friend since he used to have all sorts of people into our house. It was only when I came back that I realized how mistaken I was."

"Who was that guest?" Amelda continued.

"A serial killer by the name Hanachi Lector," Rin replied. "Upon my return, I saw my house covered in warning tapes and the police were all over. I knew something was wrong. They said I was not allowed to come in. Did I comply? No. Because I was younger and more foolish back then. I saw them, my parents. The image still burned in my memory until today. They were sliced up, butchered like a pair of pigs. What's more, both their hearts were missing."

Yume let out a silenced shriek upon hearing the name Hanachi Lector. The ensuing gruesome description also made him look sick. As for Amelda, he was no stranger to cases involving serial killers. Still, coming from the USA, he had no idea who this Hanachi Lector was other than the fact he seemed to be a fanatic worshipper of the infamous Hannibal Lector.

"Sorry to hear that," said Amelda.

"That was...terrible," muttered Yume. "How could anyone have the heart to do such a thing?"

"They don't," Amelda replied.

Rin nodded in approval. "Humanity is like a box of chocolate. Some people are sweet, some bitter, some rough on the outside soft on the inside, and some carrying the flavor of dog shit. The following days, when I was doing the shopping, as usual, trying to forget the fact my bags were half the weight they normally would be, I saw a high school student trying to bully a kid. At that point, something in me snapped. Just because he was bigger and stronger did mean he should be allowed to prove the fact in the basest way possible. Without thinking, I rushed in. I had little memory of what happened next, except the fact I ended up two weeks in the police station and the guy two months in hospital."

Amelda's expression changed. "You should not have taken it onto yourself like that. Bullies deserve a good lesson, but one that does not include physical injury like that."

"Like I care?" Rin snorted.

Yume quickly changed the subject. "So, how did you join the blue rank?"

"My uncle was a member of the special police force," Rin replied. "He adopted me and promised he would find the culprit. As a police officer trainee, I joined him on several of his missions despite his warning. I learned more quickly in the field than in the lecture rooms. As my study and career progressed, I became more involved and was given formal assignments of my own. But all in all, I was more or less disappointed."

"Is it because you cannot catch the villain?" asked Yume.

"That was but a temporary goal, not my purpose in life," Rin explained. "Yes, I would probably give anything to put him to justice. But there is something else that holds me back."

"What is it?" Amelda asked. "Don't tell me it's the law itself."

Rin scoffed. "The police had all these rules that I must abide by, rules that benefited criminals out of all people. They restricted what I could do to them and hamper my ability to deliver justice. It was not until the day I slipped through closed alleys, jumping across fences, chasing down a criminal two miles before beating him down in melee that my talent was recognized. And for that, I was thrown out of the force."

"You a police officer," Amelda said sternly. "Your job is, first and foremost, the prevention of violation of the law, not committing it yourself."

"He deserved it," Rin hisses. "Three girls were horribly raped. Three who will struggle find love because of him. I only crushed his balls so that he would feel the same thing: infertility. What is wrong with that? I merely served justice."

Even Yume was appalled by this. "That's so cruel. I can't see how justice works that way."

"You are a baker, what do you know about justice?" asked Rin aggressively.

In contrast to her attitude, Yume replied calmly, "I know for a fact that justice is blind, not heartless."

There was a moment of silence as Amelda and Rin let what he said sink in.

"Well said," Amelda commented.

Rin sighed. "What's done is done. I have no regrets. Anyway, after that, I went solo. I solved dozens of cases and bagged as many criminals. As society starts to degrade and crimes becoming more and more common, the government finally did what they should have done ages ago and tightened the laws. At that point, they begged me to come back and that is what I did. And finally, people appreciate me for what I do."

Amelda's renewed his offensive on Rin's claim. "I bet they are out of desperation and thirst for vengeance, more than anything."

"Doesn't matter," Rin retorted. "I am the hero they need."

"But not the one they deserve," said Yume sadly.

Hope's Shard Obtained!

Rin Yamamoto

Such a tragic background is to be expected from the one they called Blue Devil. After her parents were murdered by a serial killer, Rin vowed to punish all criminals big and small, preferably with the use of excessive force. I fear her violent tendency might get the better of her in the end.

14:00

Botanical Garden

I did not attend lunch. If Rin finally had enough people to explain her strategy to, I did not care. Overlord Monokuma was the dictator around here, and that was one too many. Hailing from what was considered the most freedom-loving country in the world, I could not stomach the idea of living under two dysfunctional regimes, one operated by an anarchic psychopath and the other an obsessed law enforcer.

So I went to the botanical garden just to relax and chase away the thoughts of how my sister was faring at the moment. I found myself at an impasse. Worrying about her would not help, but taking action was against my maxims. With that, I decided it was best to not think at all.

The soft grass made a perfect bed and the sweet scents made me felt like home. Somewhere, I heard Minako and Akihito talking. I could see the silhouettes behind the bushes but their voices were inaudible to me. At first, I thought the Ultimate Librarian was up to his old game with the ladies, but upon seeing Minako pressing her face into Akihito's chest, apparently crying, I knew he was trying to comfort her. Kazuki and I felt much better after last night because we let out some of our pain to each other and received sympathy and encouragement in return. If only everyone could afford to open up themselves.

The sound of someone in the bushes startled me. I turned around. For a moment, I thought someone was going to burst out in front of me but that never came.

"Who's there?" I demanded.

There was no response, only the brushing noise. Was I being...stalked?

In retrospect, the chance of someone finally making a move on me right here and now was low. Minako and Akihito were not far away, so they could be witnesses if someone were to murder me where I stood. But sometimes my paranoia got the better of me and, just like what happened in my first encounter with Inori, I sprang into action, dug my hand into the thicket, and pulled out that person who had been stalking.

"Ow," Tatsuya moaned as he hit his face to the ground. That beautiful angelic face. Would be a shame it something were to happen to it.

"What are you doing in there?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. The fellow looked quite scruffy with dirt and leaf covering his clothes. His spiky orange hair was likewise dirtied from the ordeal.

"Sorry, I was trying to get through to speak with you," he said, still stuttering as ever. "And then...I got...s-s-stuck. I guess I overestimated my ch-cha-chance."

"Then I apologize for mistaking you for someone else," I said, unable to tell the truth I thought he was going to kill me.

"Thank you for p-p-pulling me out," he replied. "I thought I might be s-s-s-stuck in there f-f-f-forever."

"Is there any particular reason why you came all the way to meet me?" I asked. "Unless you just want to talk, that is."

"I do have a delivery to make," Tatsuya said and pulled out a wrapped envelop. There was no name of whoever had written it, though I was sure someone like Fitzgerald would not be so formal, only Amelda Douglas Mason as the intended receiver. "I saw this under my door today, so it is the only professional that I give it to you as soon as possible."

I shrugged. "Thank you."

"You are welcome," said Tatsuya.

"We can still talk a bit even though you have not come here for it," I told him after a moment's thought. The fellow seemed quite an unusual person to have a serious conversation with: the way he talked resembled someone's teeth chattering after being left in the North Pole without a jacket. However, the more people I could get along, the fewer I would have to worry about stabbing me in the back. And making more friends was...cool as well.

"Well, I am not g-g-g-g-good at this," said Tatsuya, fidgeting. "I keep things professional with my clients. Well, sometimes it gets a bit w-w-w-weird, but, uhm..."

"We are all students around here," I told him.

"Ah...yes."

Hang out with Tatsuya Toshishai?

Yeah, sure/Not now

"You seem to be holding quite well with the situation," Amelda commented.

Tatsuya shook his head. "I c-c-cried in my room. However, I stopped once I realized it was not helping at all. Hokuto asked me for my a-a-a-assistance, so I decided to put my s-s-s-s-sadness into real purpose. He said he was working to get us out of here and he needed me because I was quite good at figuring things out. It's kinda my quirk."

"That's nice, I guess," said Amelda.

To be truthful, Amelda was not convinced about Hokuto at all.

"So, uhm... may I ask who did you see back in that room?" Tatsuya asked. "If you don't m-m-m-mind telling me, of course."

Amelda shook his head. "No, of course not. I saw my sister. The sight of her broke my heart. Those bastards. But well, I don't think there is anything I can do within my power other than wait."

"I met both my guardians back in that room," said Tatsuya. "To be honest, I could not bring myself to be truly s-s-s-s-s-sad or d-d-d-d-depressed at what I saw.

Amelda raised his brows. "You did not get on well with your guardians?"

"That's not the case," said Tatsuya. "I loved them for what they did to me. They are kind and gentle. They provide me with everything I could ever ask for. What they do, they want me to be successful, healthy, and handsome. But...that's the problem. You see, I don't l-l-l-l-love them for what they are. I just c-c-c-can't."

"What about your real parents?" Amelda asked. "Are they still around?"

"I don't know even w-w-who they are," said Tatsuya melancholically. "My guardians do, that I can be c-c-c-certain. But they never share it with me. That does not mean that I am interested in finding out, however. I have my own s-s-s-speculation as to why they abandoned me, and perhaps knowing the truth I would be...not very happy."

Amelda: So are you currently working for your family business? I saw the name Toshishai on your apron.

"There are two different branches, actually," Tatsuya explained. "My parents, I mean my guardians, owned a restaurant and I had a delivery business. Have you ever heard of the Toshishai Family Restaurant in T-t-t-t-tokyo?

"I have not been eating a lot of Japanese food, I am afraid," said Amelda apologetically. "No offense, I think it is good. But I'm just conservative. I still liked to go to Western restaurants whenever I am eating out."

Tatsuya beamed. "Then you should come to my restaurant once we are done with this p-p-p-place. I assure you, the food is good. My Grandma (custodian mother), Sakura, has been the head chef for fifteen years and her cooking is really good. I mean, she's like the g-g-g-g-goddess of culinary if you know what I am talking about."

"I will definitely have at that," Amelda promised. "Glad to hear your business is doing well."

Tatsuya smiled. "Yeah, it takes a lot of hard work cycling around the city, but in the end, I think it pays off. I encountered a lot of difficulties at first. Over time, I learned the quicker paths, the paths without any traffic, the shortcuts through parks and construction sites, and so on.

"You rode through construction sites?" Amelda noted. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"I had my bike modified for all sorts of terrain I can expect in Tokyo," Tatsuya explained. "One time I bucket of wet cement nearly fell on me. For a moment, I thought I was going to become a s-s-s-statue. But other than that, it was alright. I now make, on average, ten deliveries per hour."

Amelda was impressed. "That's an impressive record."

"Well, yeah," Tatsuya blushed. "Before that, I could only do seven. But that one time, Grandpa (father) set up the ultimate challenge where ten of his business partners made their orders at the same time, all hot food. Never before had I had such exhilaration, using all the knowledge, experience and skills I accumulated over the years to the best effect? I could not forget how proud Grandpa was when I returned, all boxes delivered and the clock ticked 57:26. From that moment, I have a new standard, one I am keen on keeping."

"So I guess that's how earned your title as the Ultimate Delivery Boy?" Amelda asked.

Tatsuya began, "Well, about that. The Record Title Specialists came to my house at one point and asked me to repeat the feat in one hour and a half, only this time the ten houses would be in completely different districts. I was not sure if I could do it and...in r-r-r-retrospect, I still think it should have been impossible. But my family, even the n-n-n-n-nation, was watching. I could not let them down."

"So you succeeded?" Amelda asked.

Tatsuya nodded, though his excitement seemed to have evaporated. "Yes. But somehow there was none of that excitement the first time I felt. I could only remember the p-p-p-pain and p-p-p-p-pressure on my back. I fell twice and nearly got hit by a truck, yet every part in my urged not to disappoint all the people who put their faith in me. I don't want to sound disrespectful to my guardians but I wish it had n-n-n-never happened. In the end, I had to spend several days in the h-h-h-hospital to recover."

"God," Amelda uttered. "Were you alright?"

"Nothing too serious," said Tatsuya, taking a deep sigh. "What's done is done. My guardians also felt a bit of regret that day. That's why they encouraged me to open my own delivery b-b-b-b-business where I would send items other than only the foodstuff. I work for myself now, and it feels great."

Amelda smiled encouragingly. "Good luck with that."

"Thank you," Tatsuya replied happily. "Here, take this. If you need anything, just call me."

Hope's Shard Obtained!

Tatsuya Toshishai

Much like most other students around here, Tatsuya did not grow up with his parents. Perhaps there was a negative correlation between talents and family, who knew. Despite his petite appearance and stuttering, the fellow is actually both sporty and a calculating individual like myself. He holds the record for the fastest delivery in Tokyo, but not without a cost.

Item acquired:

Toshishai Delivery business card

Tatsuya's address and phone number are on here. Perhaps I would give him a ring after this. After all, I really needed to have a taste of his Grandma's famous dish.

22:00

Resident Area

As it turned out, the letter Tatsuya sent me belonged to Hijiri who asked for my audience in her room tonight. She said she had something to discuss to me and that it was important that I came along since she wanted to keep this a secret as well. Despite my reservation, I decided to comply. What happened next, I just needed to maintain my professional skepticism.

The corridor was empty. Everyone had returned to their respective room aside from Minako who always stayed in the botanical garden and Fitzgerald who was out doing his private investigating while no one would disturb him. I knocked on the door and, without even asking who was out there, Hijiri quickly opened and pulled me in.

"Sorry this inconvenience, Mason-san," said the geisha quickly as she settled me down. Her room was quite different from mine with colorful traditional Japanese decorations hanging from the walls and ceiling instead of famous sport team logos and superhero kicking ass posters. A sweet fragrant smell of rose licked my nose.

"Are you sure you don't want to share with others?" I asked her.

"I personally ask you here for a reason," she said and poured a cup of tea for me. "I hope you can understand."

"Depending on what the subject you want to discuss is," I said. She slipped into her tea while I had no intention of touching it. For all I knew, it could be poisonous. Coming here, I was already doubtful of her motive, but if there was a chance she was being genuine, I could not risk that. I was the stronger person here. Unless she had any hidden trick under her sleeves, I was not afraid.

"You don't trust me?" she asked.

"Trust is earned," I replied.

"Alright, then," said Hijiri. As I noticed, her face was devoid of makeup (still as white as ever) and her clothes showed unkemptness. It was unusual that someone with strict standards such as her would not notice, unless... "It's...it's just horrible."

The geisha busted to tears and covered her face with both hands. The sight reminded me of my sister's plight, and I could not help but sympathize with what she was going through. Some of us got over it slower than others, and some simply lacked the strength to do so alone. I came next to her and offered a shoulder for her to lean on.

"I know," I told her. "But we still have each other, don't we?"

"What's good is that?" asked Hijiri, her eyes red and teary.

"Well, Rin is keeping things in order," I said.

"That policewoman? She'll bury us under her tyranny."

"Hokuto is still working another way out."

"And kill half of us in the process?"

"There's got to be some way out of this," I assured her as her face pressed into my chest. The situation made me blush a bit. I had no girlfriend back in high school and the only females being this close to me were my mother, my sister, and Aunt Harley (I hated Aunt Harley). "Things will always work out in the end."

"I thought so too," said Hijiri. At that moment, I felt a needle impaled on my left arm. As I moved away from her, my vision began to blur and my limps went numb. "For me, that is."

"W-why?" I asked, fighting the uncontrollable urge to go to sleep. Whatever she injected me with must have been some sort of tranquilizer or sleeping medicine. Both the chemical and the syringe must have been acquired from the storage room. Being high on the list of prioritized goods, all medicines were placed right next to the entrance so that anyone could find them quickly.

"I'm so sorry, Mason-san," she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "The okiya I was raised in is in danger. My 'oka-san' continues to suffer at the hand of Monokuma unless I do something about it. I hope you can understand."

Understand why I must die for her sake? How? All the sympathy I had for her vanished, replaced, by a feeling of anger I had not experienced for many years.

"This is...not right," I said. My eyes were getting heavy. My body was not acting on my control anymore. "We can help you."

"I have decided," said Hijiri as she pulled out a pair of scissors from her robe. Even with my hazy eyes, I could see they were sharp but small. As a result, she needed to impair me first before she could deliver the killing strike. "It's too late for that now."

Is this...how I die? I asked myself. My sister. My parents. What would they do without me? All the bonds I developed with the students here out of hope the loneliness in my high school years would not be repeated, all for nothing?

The scissors went down, aiming for my throat. With my last ounce of strength, I raised my arm and blocked it. The metal cut through flesh like hot butter and I yelped in pain as red blood splattered all over. But at that moment, the table turned.

Hijiri gasped in terror. Repelled at the sight of copious blood, some of it even on her face, she faltered her grasp on the weapon. I, on the other hand, seemed to have taken the wound as a makeshift wake-up call. The pain kept me conscious for a little longer, and I intended to make good use of it. With a powerful sudden gesture, I flew my body forward and smacked my elbow into her face, a move I had learned during my time working for Wayne Enterprise. Finally, all those martial art trainings I had were paying off nicely. Knocked back, the geisha hit her head on the side of the table and dropped to the floor where she laid motionlessly.

As I pulled the scissors from my hand, my vision grew better, or worse, depending on what was actually there for I saw quite a few things I did not expect. The sight was...familiar. So red. So thick. Both my hands covered in that substance. The body in front of me as well and by the god, it looked like a train had run it over twice. The smell of blood and trash and human organs out in the open. A sense of elation, relief, and satisfaction was in every part of my body.

But how exactly was I seeing all of them? Only one of my hands was wounded, so why were both of them so covered in blood? Aside from myself, the only person in the room was Hijiri; as both of us were still alive (I hoped), and Hijiri didn't show any visible injuries, where did the blood come from? The only smell here was rose from the perfume which ousted even the metallic scent of blood.

Was I reminiscing something? Was this an illusion? Had I just gained the power of Dr. Fate and was peering into the future? They said in the last moments of someone's life, they saw a light flashing through them. I did not see that light. And this was NOT my last moment.

I needed to wake Hijiri up, assuming she was not dead yet, and tried to convince her.

That's right. Get her up. Negotiate. Both live.

Hijiri opened her eyes as I approached her. Her eyes were full of terror as my hands closed in her throat.

"Not a wise move," I told her. Fear, instinct, hatred, whatever you named it, took over. Normally, I would be able to control them, keep them at bay, and put on a mask that would resemble any accountant out there. But not today, for today I felt different. Maybe it was the drug Hijiri used. Maybe the whole Mutual Killing Game and Monokuma's motivation, especially seeing what happened to my little sister, had had a bigger influence on me than I thought. Maybe the need for self-preservation demanded it, or maybe it was vengeance calling.

And maybe it was something else I could not recall from my memory.

Whichever the case, I had to do this. Killing Hijiri was the only thing I could think of. The blood and carnage I had a vision of would soon become a reality in this room.

"P-please," she begged, but it was already too late. Attacking an undefended woman was regarded by some as dishonorable, but I considered not doing so in the right situation the true example of sexism. No gender was exempted from justified violence.

My rational mind screamed to stop, but the monster that had taken hold of my body refused to. It was then that the screen turned to live and Monokuma could be seen on it.

"My my, what do we have here?" he asked with a gleeful, yet disappointed voice. "You are both breaking the rule here. Get off."

"What rule?" I asked as my choke on Hijiri still not lightened.

"You will know soon," the Overlord sneered. The next thing I knew, a magical bolt (yes, a freaking magical bolt!) hit me squarely in the chest, knocking me off Hijiri and into the opposite wall where I fell down on my face. The last thing I saw before finally losing my consciousness was one of Monokuma's Sentinels, the Queen to be exact, standing in the room, her staff glistened with a greenish light.

So much for our attempt at each other.

Author's note: I know what you are thinking: wow, that's a quick update. Well, the next one might be delayed a bit, so I guess it is only fair that I crank out this one as fast as I could. I hope the quality is still there.

Tatsuya is really a difficult character to write due to the submitter being awfully detailed about him which I do not want to contradict. As a recommendation to all SYOC writers and submitters out there: characters should not be bare bone but they should not be so complete that there is only but one direction to take with them.

Thanks for all the supports so far. You guys are the best.

Cheers.