ACT 2: NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE

Chapter 4: Lightening up the mood

Day 7

Tartarus Keep

Main Hall

7:00

Another day went by and I only found myself deeper in this web of mystery with no way out in sight. At this point, I wondered if I would be considered a coward for giving up. What was the point of moving forward anymore when the situation was so despairing dire? After all, almost every single revelation and discovery so far had brought bad news rather than good, and yesterday, just when I struggled to cope with my injury as well as the loss of two friends, was the perfect example of that.

Tartarus Keep and its dark history.

The potential involvement of Project Odin, an organization secretly funded by many powerful individuals in the world to acquire even more power.

The Mutual Killing Game left me with more questions than I could answer. While the solving of the murder mysteries was indeed most related and imperative to us, it was only a small part of the overall scheme of intrigue. The thought that more of my classmates, perhaps even myself, would perish before all of these could be answered did not sit well with me. Why was all of this happening to us? What wrong had we committed to deserve this?

"Are you feeling okay, Amelda?" asked Yume during breakfast.

"Yeah," I replied, snapping out of my trance of thoughts. It was morning and I sat next to Yume and Eliza during breakfast. All three of us woke up early. The Ultimate Baker did so morning to whip up some banana cupcakes for us which Eliza was chomping down on like a hungry shark. Despite the latter irrational cynicism, the two of them got on well; in all honesty, I couldn't see anyone here not getting along with Yume. As for myself, I simply slept early last night out of exhaustion from all the antics during the day. "I'm just having some thoughts. That's all."

Regardless of my misgivings towards the Mutual Killing Game, Monokuma, and the whole of Tartarus in general, I still had friends here to help me get through my difficulties. At the very least, I would not be alone in this fight and Yume had proven a spiritual boost so far.

"Are you still depressed because you cannot use the other hand?" asked Eliza as I took a chew from the muffin. The confectionary melted in my mouth. "I don't work for free, especially for accountants like you who probably have a lot of money hidden or converted in a variety of forms. But, if you ask nicely, I could make you something that will help you regain full use of that hand in no time. What do you say?"

"Thanks for the offer," I replied. "But having a combustible leg isn't what I want."

"I thought your hand was the problem," said Yume, confused.

"That's what I'm saying," I repeated. "I don't want my leg to explode when it is my hand that needs attention." Tinker was not even a job or a status (at least not at the moment), hence there was no clear description. If I were to be more precise with the wording, then a tinker would someone who conducted repair, upgrade, and invention in an unorthodox way, usually disregarding established principles for their own pride of accomplishment. Whether the result from the attempt was as expected or not didn't matter; it was the spirit that counted. "Besides, Inori told me I should be able to regain my hand's function soon. Thanks for the suggestion, anyway, but I would rather not take the risk."

"Oh come on, Amelda," said Yume admonishingly. "She's just trying to help."

"I know," I told him. While I liked Yume for his unwavering optimism, he sometimes acted a bit too naïve such as when Kazuki was about to be executed by Monokuma. Perhaps one day he would learn; that or one day I would learn I was wrong about him. "I appreciate that your offer, Eliza. It's just not the kind of help I am in need of right now."

"Whatever," said Eliza insouciantly and went back to chewing cupcakes. "An exploding leg can be fun sometimes, you know?"

"Ashley might want your skill for that," I said.

Inu the Ultimate Chemist joined us. We waved at him as he entered the room and he stopped for a few seconds as if not knowing what body language to use in this situation. For several moments, Inu stood frozen on the floor like a statue pondering the meaning of our gestures whether they were friendly or hostile. Then Yume greeted him verbally and he calmed down and answered back.

"I'm sorry," said Inu as he sat down to the table and indulged in the snack which Yume had so graciously baked for us. His stammer was even worse than Tatsuya. "I'm not… very good at picking up social cues. Not m-m-m-many people have addressed me before."

The dark bags under his eyes told he hadn't had much sleep last night, though the cause of his amnesia was probably of chemical nature rather than purely psychological. He looked quite pathetic. His hair was unkempt and his skin, while brighter now than before the first trial, was still pale and lifeless, almost like Inori. Speaking of Inori, when doing the laundry with her, I noticed only one set of clothes belonging to Inu – the Ultimate Chemist had changed his outfit only once during the last six days despite the number of sets provided by Monokuma. He reeked of body odor and chemical.

I felt sorry for the fellow. First, his talent consumed him, and now the Mutual Killing Game. When I first received the invitation to Hope's Peak Academy, I thought it was a good thing to have a talent recognized by a prestigious institution. Now that I had seen the truth, I doubted it applied to each and every one of us. Unlike Inori who mentally overcame her misfortune and Rin who gained much in terms of determination and ferocity, Inu seemed wholly defeated by it. I remembered how Monokuma was fine with Inu's absence when he revealed the first motivation. Just like Fitzgerald, Inu had no one to care for.

"Hey there," said Elize, patting Inu on the back. "How's it going?"

To my surprise, the Ultimate Chemist reacted defensively to the rare friendly gesture from a not-so-friendly person. Like a cat with its tail stepped on, Inu bounced back violently and nearly jumped out of his seat. "W-w-what?!"

Elize held out both her hands in assurance. "Chill there. I have no reason to hurt you. At least not yet."

"Inu, you need to calm down," I said. "You're acting like someone high on drugs."

"Please, Inu," Yume implored. "We're your friends. Let us help you."

"Right….," Inu breathed heavily as he tried to regain his composure. "I'm sorry Eliza. I'm so sorry. I…didn't know what came over me. It's just…I…I…"

Realizing this was going nowhere, I did what I had to do: shoving a muffin into his mouth. From my personal experience, anger, agitation, and tension could be stopped at once if the person's attention was to be shifted somewhere else. Asking to sit down and offering water were common methods to calm the nerves and prevent uncontrolled overreactions. In this case, however, I reckoned a more "magical" method needed to be employed.

My attempt came to fruition as tension evaporated from Inu's body while he savored the heavenly confectionary. His panting softened and he finally simmered down enough to sit down and look back at us with 0more focus and less wildness.

"Better now?" I asked.

"Yeah," Inu replied after he swallowed. "Thanks...Amelda. And thank you too, Yume. That was…really good."

"You're welcome," Yume chuckled. "I'm glad that my magic was able to help you."

"Eliza…," Inu began.

"No need to say sorry again," she cut him off. "I already know. And no problem. I don't like holding grudges."

Perhaps it was time to learn more about Inu. I was the only person here who he trusted since our first introduction. And Yume as well; the Ultimate Baker was too big a bro to ignore. Besides, that was what Yume and I had intended all along. Now that fate had put the three of us at the same table, we might as well do it. As for Eliza, the more the merrier, right?

Hang out with Inu Kagyuu?

Yeah, sure/Not now

"You're feeling better now, Inu?" asked Amelda. "You don't look so well."

"You look like a sloth that has been run over by a bull, twice," said Eliza.

Yume smiled wryly. "That's… awfully blunt. But I guess that comparison isn't too far off. Inu, are you still troubled by the Killing Game?"

"Yeah, I...uhm…guess so," Inu sheepishly admitted. "I'm sorry that I'm l-l-l-less than presentable in front of you guys. It's just…how I normally look like."

"You don't change your clothes nor bathe often?" Amelda asked.

"Not really," Inu replied. "My…profession compels me to…get dirty all the time. If it isn't…necessary, I don't want to change or wash up only to get stained all over again."

"That can't be good practice when it comes to chemistry," Yume remarked.

"I did not have much soap or spare clothes at home, so I wasn't into the habit either," Inu explained.

Eliza raised her brows. "What are you talking about, Inu? For someone who made so much money from the underground drug trade, you could at least do some decent shopping."

"It's…not like that," said Inu, shaking his head. "Honestly, I didn't even want to commercialize it to begin with."

"As far as I know, your drug is not yet illegal," said Amelda. "Even if they, the government, do decide to ban it, they can't have you prosecuted on such a grey area. Surely you have nothing to fear."

Inu breathed in deeply. "Roraigi was my finest creation, I will not deny that. But…to finally able to brew it, I needed funds and lab equipment. And, of course, because Roraigi…didn't exist yet, the only drugs I could sell were…."

"Illegal," Amelda finished for him.

"Yes," Inu confessed. "That's…right."

"That's messed up," Eliza complained. "My parents always tell me to stay away from those things which they call the devil's candies."

" I…didn't have a choice," said Inu, becoming fidgety. "It's…it's…."

"If you are not comfortable, don't say it," Yume advised.

(Inu was quite tense about it. He gritted his teeth and sweated profusely.)

"No. I…must," said Inu, determined. "If I don't have the courage to face…my past, what chance do I have in the Killing Game? Amelda told me about his loss, so it's only…fair that I tell him as well."

"Then quit beating around the bushes and tell us what it is," Eliza urged.

(Inu took off his gloves to reveal horribly scarred hands. Not all the marks look like they came from chemical burns, however. Some of them were…)

"Were you tormented?" asked Amelda, repelled. "Is that what you're trying to say, you were forced into drug dealing?"

Inu nodded sadly. "I…got this from…my parents. My family was poor. We could barely…feed ourselves, so father came up with this…lucrative business. I had to work in the lab…for most of the day. They did not treat me well. One slap in the morning if I woke up…later than six. One more at noon if I hadn't met the production quotas. Another in the evening if my father didn't sell a lot. At night, it depends on…how drunk and how high they are."

"That's…that's horrible," Yume gasped. "How could they do that to their own child?"

"Ouch," Eliza remarked. "That must have been rough."

"What kind of parents could be so cruel?" Amelda asked. "How could you live with them like that?"

"I…couldn't choose my parents," replied Inu. "They are cruel, but… they still raised and sheltered me. I had no choice but to…serve them. Anyway, it wasn't that bad. I hated my work…but I came to love chemistry and its wonders. I know it sounds weird, but…chemistry to me is like…magic."

"You should believe in that," Yume supported. "Magic comes in many forms, after all. You are blessed to know to control even one of them. Not even my magical girl sister could master them all."

"Thanks…," said Inu. "I had to work a lot during the night, so I…took some drugs myself to stay awake. I also indulged in homemade brews to get through…my parents' continual abuse. In retrospect, I…really shouldn't have."

"Are you still living with your parents?" asked Amelda. "Your drug is a hit on the market. And with Hope's Peak Academy giving you a scholarship, independence is possible."

"You're correct," said Inu. "When Roraigi became a success, I began to think I should separate myself from them. Even if I don't like the process of making it, this drug gives me…a shot at freedom. Then the Academy called me…and I saw my future…opening for me. When I graduate, I wish to run a pharmacy store so I could…, for once, legally sell my products to people.

"You made the right choice," said Eliza. "Those parents don't deserve you anyway."

"That's very depressing to hear your story," said Yume compassionately. "I didn't know you had it so rough."

"Don't worry," Inu replied. "I'm…sorry myself I acted like a child when…Monokuma said he would make us kill each other. I wasn't brave enough back then."

"But you are brave, Inu," Amelda countered. "You left behind that wretched life and began a new one where you could live for yourself. That deserves some credit. Good luck with your dream of becoming a pharmacist."

"Do you think I can do it, with…that kind of past?" asked Inu, uncertain.

Amelda smiled warmly. "Of course. You don't know how many celebrities who sold drugs before coming to fame. Take 50 Cent as an example."

"Don't forget about Mark Wahlberg," said Eliza.

"We all wish you good luck on the road ahead," Yume declared. "I hereby use my power to give you a blessing."

Inu beamed happily, face reddened and tears of joy pouring from his eyes. "Thanks. You guys are great. I'm…so lucky to meet you all."

Hope's Shard Obtained

Inu Kagyuu

Unlike many students in my class who don't have their biological parents, Inu does, though he might as well wish he didn't. A victim of child abuse, if not slavery, Inu's perseverance led to the invention of a new drug that ultimately changed his fortune.

9:00

"So, how was it?" asked Rin. "Are you feeling safer now?"

"I'd feel safe once I get out of here," said Hokuto.

"Marginally, yes," said Minako.

"If Minako here is feeling safer, then so do I," chimed Ashley.

"I'm not really sure about this," I replied. "We're not at our throats just yet because Monokuma hasn't revealed the next motivation. I understand the precaution you're taking, but it's hard to fully evaluate its effectiveness at the moment."

"The accountant knows what's he's saying," said Fitzgerald. "I agree with him."

"You smart-asses do belong with each other," Eliza snorted.

As per the new rules, we all surrendered our Electronic IDs to the Ultimate Police Officer Rin last night before going to bed. In the morning, with the help of Tatsuya, she returned all of them to us with the exception of Hijiri who was still probably confined to her own room. To Rin's credit, the process was smooth and undisruptive with everyone here abiding diligently including Hokuto and Eliza who both were having second thoughts about this regime.

"I agree with Mason here," Fitzgerald voiced, a sly grin appearing on his face. "It's too soon to say anything for sure. For all I know, we might be building a storm shelter for nuclear fallout."

"But you have to admit there's not a lot of room for a loophole, isn't it?" Rin exhorted. "It doesn't matter what the killer's motivation is, no one will kill anyone if the risk of discovery is too high."

"For now," Eliza pointed out. "Sure, there aren't many rooms for fourteen of us to go around, so it's difficult to commit a murder in broad daylight without any witness. But if there is a pattern between trials and expansions, then we will be looking at a larger space with fewer people next time."

"There won't be the next time," Yume declared. "This nightmare ends here. No more friends will kill friends."

"The first blow was unexpected," El Viento added. "I was unprepared back then. But now I am ready. I will do my best to help Rin protect everyone here, for it is my duty to defend those who cannot defend themselves."

"But who or what will defend us from you?" asked Eliza skeptically.

"My conscience and honor," El Viento replied. "I am bound by my tradition not to have any blood on my hand for such an act stains my soul forever. I am less obliged to not turn over those wrong-doers to the authority where they shall receive their deserved punishment, however."

"Thanks for backing me up, Yume, El Viento," said Rin. "I'm glad we could see eye to eye."

"You're assuming the would-be killer is going to use conventional methods," said Fitzgerald. "You have caught many criminals before, that I do not doubt. But, have you ever caught a criminal who is also an Ultimate Student at Hope's Peak Academy on your own?"

Rin frowned. "What are you trying to say?"

"This is no ordinary killing game," he elaborated. "And believe me that I have seen killing games before. We are the exceptional, one percent, best of the best. None of us thought Kazuki would use his talent for murder, but he did. If you really want to keep us safe, Rin, then you had better step up your game. This is a whole new different playfield."

"I will keep that in mind," said Rin.

"I hope we won't be repeating the Maginot Line mistake," said Kai. She changed the subject, "Enough of that. Ashley has proposed we hold a makeshift funeral for Kazuki and Akihiko in the bar. What do you think about that?"

"It's sad that neither of them will be united with their family nor properly buried," said Ashley. The thought didn't unnerve me as much as it should. To have one's family attending one's funeral was a luxury for many people. Throughout history, soldiers had fought and died in foreign countries all the time, while their families only received a note to be informed of their passing without ever getting to see their sons, brothers, or fathers again. Then again, neither had Kazuki and Akihiko signed up for such an undertaking nor their families had been prepared for such an outcome. "We might not have known them for long, but they are still our friends. I think they deserve a decent sendoff."

"Do my ears deceive me?" Eliza spurted. "You out of all people showing compassion?"

"Take that back," Ashley retaliated. "I prank of people doesn't mean I am incapable of caring for them. In fact, my pranks serve to help them feel better by allowing them to, for a brief moment, escape from their mundane life where everything happens as expected."

"Ashley has a point," El Viento concurred. "Being hung upside down like a piece of meat in a freezer does have its benefits."

"A drink to our lost friends," Fitzgerald mused. "That's not a bad idea."

"It's wonderful that you think that way, Ashley-chan," said Minako.

"I'm in," Hokuto nodded in agreement. "A small party to lighten up the mood is just what we need right now too, for a moment, forget we are in a killing game and there are zombies inside the castle. Not you, Inori."

"I…see," said the Ultimate Patient sheepishly.

"I might not be into alcohol, but I cannot refuse this," I said.

"If this can strengthen our resolve, then so be it," said Rin. "I have nothing against it. Just…don't go overboard. The last thing I need is a few drunkards to take care of."

"What about Hijiri?" asked Minako. "I know what she did was wrong, but I don't want to exclude her from this occasion."

"Should we forgive her for what she did?" asked Hokuto.

"Not a chance," El Viento barked.

"She already failed in her first murder attempt," said Fitzgerald. "Statistics and my intuition indicate she would be unlikely to repeat that."

"It's not about whether she is a threat or now," Rin countered. "She deserves punishment for what she did. Nobody should be allowed to get away so easily. She has neither redeemed nor repented enough."

"What do you think, Amelda?" asked Yume. "She tried to kill you. Do you think we should let her attend?"

I thought about it for a minute. Though it was true that I remained suspicious of her, I felt sorrier for Hijiri. She had been through more hardship in the Mutual Killing Game than any of us here and it was partly my fault that it happened. I nearly killed her as much as she nearly killed me. Yet, I could not openly admit it. I feared my friends might start treating me the same as her if I did. "Yeah, I think it's best that we include her as well. I'm not the type who holds grudges."

"Very well, then," said Rin, sighing. "If the victim chooses to concede the charges against the offender, then the law will facilitate this leniency. Let's hope both of you will have spent it well."

14:00

Hallway

I spent most of the morning shifting between the library and my room and doing some light reading. I wanted to talk to Fitzgerald about the new discovery regarding Inori's connection to Project Odin. Out of all the people here, the Ultimate Private Detective was the most likely to have some insight into Project Odin as well as the least likely to freak out should I tell them. Unfortunately, he had locked himself in his room and told us not to disturb him. Apparently, he was conducting his own investigation on Tartarus Keep using whatever clue and evidence he gathered from the short trip to the dungeon and wished to be left alone for a moment. I respected his privacy. Alice did the same thing when she was working on her group project for school.

After lunch, as I headed back to the library to return a book, I encountered Ashley, Tatsuya, and Minako bringing some stuff from the warehouse to the bar. They were probably making preparation for the party tonight. Under most circumstances, I liked being lazy when it came to menial work. Adam Smith dictated the division of labor and his creed had brought prosperity to the world, so there was no reason to argue against an accountant not doing the work of a handler. However, knowing Akihiko would want me to take note of this considering we both worked hard to sort out the items in the storage room, not to mention lending a hand to these lovely ladies, I offered them my assistance.

"Thanks for that, Tatsuya, Amelda," said Ashley after we prepared everything in the bar which included some wall posters, gallants, a disc player, and, most importantly, encased pictures of our deceased friends. Minako had also brought some plants from the botanic garden to decorate the bar, making sure each of them wasn't tampered with by Monokuma. Despite my misgivings towards the Ultimate Pranking Queen's tendency, I now had some respect for her for suggesting and planning this. Even if she was up to no good most of the time, Ashley didn't like doing anything half-assed, which her deadly contraptions were proof of. "You have all been such a great help to us. You both deserve a title for that, I say. So, I hereby dub thee Jarvis and Alfred."

Ashley offered her hand and before Tatsuya could foolishly fall for that, I stepped in. Putting on a glove, I shook it, feeling the slight tingle from an electrical surge. It didn't take the IQ of Albert Einstein or the predictive power of Nostradamus to tell what the Ultimate Pranking Queen when was planning.

"It's our pleasure," I replied, squeezing her hand until the malicious device ceased to function. "And thanks for the titles, too." Ashley didn't look too pleased about that.

"You just have to be the wet blanket, don't you?" Ashley groaned as she removed a chip hidden in her palm. "Always ruining the fun."

"W-w-what was that about?" asked Tatsuya, still confused. "And…which of us is Jarvis and which is Alfred?"

"Holding a party was a great idea, Ashley-chan," Minako beamed cheerily. "After what we have been through, an occasion where we could remember our lost friends and have some good time together is just what we need. Many thanks for your assistance, Amelda-kun, Tatsuya-kun, or Jarvis and Alfred, whatever those names mean. Let us all do our best to make this party the best ever."

"Ahhhh, you're giving me too much credit," Ashley flushed. "Anything for you, my dear Minako."

If anything, I would like to learn more about the Ultimate Pranking Queen, a title that obviously Ashley dubbed herself, and Hope's Peak Academy just went with it. From her personality so far, I doubted her past could have been dark. I could do a break for all the morbidity that plagued the background of most of my classmates.

Hang out with Ashley Wiltarrow?

Yeah, sure/Not now

"Ashley, can I ask you something?" Amelda started.

"Sure, go ahead," Ashbey replied.

"When did you start making pranks on people?" Amelda asked. "Surely you must have some extraordinary beginning otherwise you wouldn't have turned it into a full-time profession."

Ashley beamed with anticipation at the question. "Oh boy, where do I start? Uhm, when I was two, I accidentally wore my mother's undergarment. And because hers was too big for me, I had to hold it up all the time, or else I would be showing my butts to everyone in my family. At one point, it slipped down and I tripped on it. Hilarity ensued. I didn't know what was going on back then, but because everyone was laughing, there was no reason for me not to join in. Hahahaha. That memory."

(Both Amelda and Tatsuya were dumbfounded, wondering if they had made the right choice asking her.)

Minako, on the other hand, seemed excited. "Quite a memory indeed, Ashley-chan. You reminded me of a canary chick I met a couple of years ago. Its first flight went awry and half of its tail feather came out when it crashed into a tree trunk covered in wax. I thought its bum looked really cute. The second flight was…"

"Does that even qualify as a prank, Ashley?" Amelda asked. "You said you wore it by accident."

Ashley shrugged. "I don't know. How do you define pranking anyway? It's the same as playing tricks on people, right?"

"God saves us all," Amelda muttered. "You don't even know what your talent means? Have you been on auto-pilot mode the whole time?"

"Do you like to p-p-p-play pranks on people all the time?" Tatsuya changed the subject. "Is that w-w-w-why you got this recognition?"

"Of course," Ashley admitted happily. "It's not much a hobby but more like religious devotion. I was the number one trouble-maker in both elementary and high schools. Hand-buzzer, fart bag, inked goggles, slippery shoes, plastic creepy crawlies, I did them all and so many more. Once in a while, when I get really bored with what I was doing so far, I would decide to go further and come up with an elaborate trap, like the one you total screwed over on the day we first met, Amelda."

"That's…quite some religious zeal," Minako remarked.

"Don't you have it, Minako?" Ashley inquired. "You are quite pious yourself, are you not?"

"Since when did pranking people become a religion?" Amelda countered.

"Since I founded it, of course," Ashley pouted. "I might not have many followers right now, but once I have graduated, people will flock to my banner in no time."

"Mother Earth welcomes anyone who is willing to heed her teachings, but does not like it when people take it too far," Minako stated. "Promoting a peaceful approach to everything, she would probably deplore if someone following her expresses fanaticism."

Ashley scowled. "It's not like I caused any harm. Amelda here evaded all my tricks. So far."

"Well, you did g-g-get El Viento hanging upside down yesterday," Tatsuya pointed out.

"And she freaking loves it," Ashley continued excitedly. "She asked me if I could do it again."

"Did you face any repercussions for all those practical jokes back at your old schools?" Amelda asked bluntly.

"The principal called me and my parents to their office occasionally, but my mom and dad are always supportive of my hobby," replied Ashley. "They are perfectly fine with it as long as I am happy and not directly harming anyone."

Amelda wore a defeated visage. "I have figured as much."

"So, what was the best prank you have pulled off?" asked Minako. "I would love to hear about it."

Tatsuya wasn't too sure. "I d-d-don't think I want to."

"Sure thing," Ashley went ahead. "Anything for my Minako. My proudest moment was probably two years ago when I was still in high school. Fiona McKenzie kicked me out of her friend circle saying I wasn't cool enough, so I decided to show her just how cool or cold-blooded I was. It took me three days, three nights, and three extra classes for skipping homework to come up with the most brilliant plan ever that would hit McKenzie so hard, she would never forget it as long as she lives. Do you want to know what I did?"

"Don't say it," Amelda pleaded.

"Perhaps it would be b-b-b-better if you don't…," Tatsuya began.

Even Minako was having second thoughts. "Ashley-chan, maybe..."

"I faked a letter from Richie Thompson, the football star, telling her he was waiting for her on the basketball court," Ashley continued despite protests. "Being the stereotypical love-sick high school sassy girl she was, McKenzie fell for it instantly. As she stood in the middle of the basketball court waiting for her lover to arrive, my trap sprang and a bucket from above toppled and spilled juicy tomato sauce all over her. Before that girl could recover, I let the dogs out."

Amelda's jaw dropped. "Dogs?"

"The security guard had a couple of them," Ashley elaborated. "I kindly "borrowed" them when he went to the toilet. His birthday was the day before, so I knew he would have a dreadful hangover should he go to work. And indeed he did. Anyway, McKenzie ran a dozen circles around the basketball court that day trying to get away from the dogs which just wanted to give her a bath with their tongues. She probably lost a couple of pounds after that, too."

"So did she g-g-g-get away?" asked Tatsuya, his face whitened.

Ashley swiped her hand. "Nah, the dogs caught her around the thirteenth lap. Luckily, I also faked her writing to Thompson who arrived just in time to save her. Everybody was in the basketball watching the hero rescuing the damsel in distress. In the end, both of them got covered in sauce and dog's drool all over. McKenzie was "this" close to losing her mind when she saw all of them were staring at her when Thompson pulled her in and gave her the most passionate, most sincere kiss ever. The guy knew she was madly in love with her, but he was the shy one in their relationship, never daring to admit his feeling in return. I simply gave them an occasion to be true with one another."

"How sweet an ending that is," Minako beamed, back to being excited.

"That was…unexpected," Amelda admitted.

Ashley pouted. "What were you expecting? One casualty and one prisoner of war?"

Amelda nodded. "Something along that line."

"That's a-a-awfully blunt from you, Amelda," Tatsuya noted.

"He's just jealous girls didn't like him back in high school, isn't that right, Amelda?" Ashley sneered.

Hope's Shard Obtained!

Ashley Wiltarrow

Ashley has been pranking on people as soon as from the age of two (even though that might not be considered a proper prank). I take it back what I thought about her earlier. Ashley's practical jokes are deeper and more sentimental than I thought. I still don't trust her, though.

20:00

Bar

The party began after dinner. This was the first time all of us were in one place since the trial, despite being one more person short. Hijiri Kaneshiro was here as well and the attitude towards her had significantly improved, though both Rin and El Viento still gave her disgusted looks and Hokuto remained suspicious around her.

"May I have a few words?" Yume proclaimed. Everybody else quieted down and turned their attention to him as he began his speech. "Only a week ago, we were total strangers to one another. Normally, one week would not have been such a long time, but the circumstances here are nothing ordinary. If anything, this difficulty brings us together with such great force that I can, with all my heart, consider all of you my friends. Let's pray the magical bond of our friendship will never break."

"That's a great way to put it," said Kai, smiling.

"Yeah," Inu agreed. "I…didn't expect to make any friend here. But you guys…have been so great. Thank you…, everyone."

"Fine, whatever," said Eliza impassively.

"A drink to our unfortunate friends whom Death has claimed before their time," Fitzgerald announced as he raised his glass of wine. We all did the same. On the table in front of us, there were sixteen filled glasses.

"May you both find peace in the afterlife," said Rin.

"May your journey to the land of the dead be safe," El Viento nodded.

"My thoughts and prayer are with you and your families who will never see you again," I continued.

"Though death is but part of the natural cycle, we wish you had not met your end when you both are so young," Minako added.

"Know that we have not forgotten you," Hokuto concluded.

With that, we all took up our cups and drank them in one slurp. Hot liquor poured into my stomach, giving me a rather hazy feeling. From the look of it, not all of my classmates fared well with their first drink. Minako, for example, seemed to be on the verge of collapsing while Inu's face turned a bit green and nauseous. With everyone having finished their drink, I took up one of the remaining filled glasses and Fitzgerald the other. At once, we solemnly poured them to the floor in memory of our lost friends who could not be with us tonight.

"That's it," said Rin. "Let's all hope we never have to hold a funeral for anyone else from now on."

With the funeral finished, it was time for some quality time together with some rounds of King's Game.

"Does everyone know how to play?" asked Ashley as she filled orange juice to everyone's cup. She and Minako were giving their best to organize the party and keep it going. I would have admired their effort a bit more if the orange juice didn't taste so sweet, likely the result of too much sugar. As a result, we could only take one small sip at a time. "No? Alright, here goes."

Ashley held out a bunch of straws and we each picked from them. Hokuto got the one marked with the crown, making him the first person to tell the rest what to do.

"It seems I have struck gold," the Ultimate Miner declared.

"Cut it off with the catchy phrases already," Eliza spat grumpily. "This isn't a trial. Just get on with the ordering."

"Jeez," Hokuto growled. "No need to get so angry. Very well then, number two, please drink the full content of their cup." I felt sorry for the poor fellow. Ashley and Minako must have dumped the whole jar of sugar into these drinks.

"Alright," said Inori. Before I could stop her, she did as per the king's order. What happened next was not very pretty as the Ultimate Patient began vibrating uncontrollably, her already weak body unable to handle the amount of sugar in the drink. We had no choice but to lay her down and let her have some rest, despite her protest that she was fine.

"Good job, Hokuto," said Fitzgerald. "You just nearly murdered another."

"Oh come on," said Hokuto. "How am I supposed to know she would have a sugar rush from that?"

"If she gets diabetes from this, we know who to blame," said Eliza.

"I hope she doesn't," said Yume hopefully. Even if Inori got diabetes, it probably wouldn't be the thing that would kill her.

"Next round," Ashley proclaimed merrily.

The king was Minako this time. "I want to see number seven kiss number ten," she said.

Oh merciful God, why? I was number ten. And number seven was…Hijiri?

"What a t-t-t-turn of event," Tatsuya commented. Truer words had never been spoken. A few days ago we both were hell-bent on killing each other; now the situation had turned one hundred eighty degrees.

"Well, I guess I h-h-h-have no choice then," Hijiri stuttered. "H-h-here goes."

She closed her lips to my cheek but hesitated. Her body trembled and I could tell that her face as red as a ripe tomato.

"Just do it," I told her.

"And that's why he didn't have any girlfriend in high school," Ashley mocked.

Hijiri finally did it. I flushed slightly at the delicate touch of her lips, but the Ultimate Geisha looked like she had just overcome the challenge of her life by doing so. Damn it, I understood Geisha weren't prostitutes, but surely she had served men before. Was it the fact I nearly choked the life out of her make her so nervous?

Eliza took the cake in round three.

"Number twelve, stand on one leg and make a sound like a dog," she commanded.

"Huh, I was expecting a more challenging task for my skills," said El Viento. She easily flipped herself upside down and barked, creating a mini-earthquake with the rapid movement of such mass.

"I wish this handbook has a camera function," said Eliza. "I could create a new meme out of this."

Ashley was the king in round four.

"Since none of you has shown appreciation towards my drink so far," she said. "Here is the punishment for you, one glass of French Burgundy. And the order applies to number one to fourteen, minus Inori over there."

"Do we have to?" asked Yume.

Rin shrugged. "An order is an order."

Ashley poured a cup for the twelve of us and we took it in one go. As it turned out, it was the worst mistake we had made in our lives. Knowing Ashley, we should have been prepared, but when the time came none of us could see through her ploy. Though I was not a heavy drinker, I could say with certainty this was not light wine like Ashley had promised. Rather, she probably got the heaviest thing in the cupboard and disguised it in a bottle labeled as French Burgundy.

The result was immediate as most of the class descended into a state of drunk fever.

"Why are my hands so large?" asked El Viento to no one in particular.

"I am having this weird feeling inside my pants," Hokuto mumbled. "Maybe I should…"

"Bleep bleep," Rin admonished. "This is a kid's show, so don't go acting like a kid or you'll give them bad influence. Right kids? Don't go outside with your pants down, or you'll catch a nasty infection that prevents you from having babies later on."

"I see a light," Inu panicked and ducked under a table. "I don't like that light. No, go away! Stop shining on me! AHHH!"

"Don't worry guys," Yume claimed, his voice sounding much like those horrible dubs for Dynasty Warriors. "I'll get us out of this state… with my majeeeek."

"This is pandemonium," I exclaimed. "Ashley, what are you trying to pull here? This has gone too far."

"Wait," The Ultimate Pranking Queen blurted back. "How the fuck are you still somber?"

"Make that the two of us," said Fitzgerald in a carefree manner. Out of everyone who drank the Burgundy, only I and Fitzgerald retained our consciousness.

"That's it," Ashley announced angrily as she placed a bottle of Johnnie Walker whiskey in front of us. "A drink off between the two of you. Until one of you drops. Now."

"I have no reason to accept," I retaliated. "As the king in this game, you are entitled to one order only."

"I'm in," said Fitzgerald. His words struck me like lightning. "Come on, you want a rematch to the fight we had in the library? Now's your chance."

"But-but…" I stammered, desperately finding a way out of this.

"No buts," Ashley urged. "Do it!"

With mounting pressure from two people staring determinedly at me, I had no choice but to put my kidney on the line for this. That said, the drinking game could come with potential benefits as a means of socializing. Now that I had a chance to talk with Fitzgerald, perhaps I could learn a bit more about this mysterious person.

Hang out with Fitzgerald Scott?

Yeah, sure/Not now

"So, Fitzgerald, you really don't have anyone to care for?" asked Amelda frankly. "Not at all?"

Fitzgerald's face was unmoved. "No."

"And you are fine with that?" Amelda continued.

Fitzgerald nodded slightly. "Yes."

(First shot.)

"When Monokuma revealed about the mind-wash, you said you had experienced it before, didn't you?" Amelda kept asking. "Is that why you couldn't remember them?"

"True," Fitzgerald answered. "As of right now, however, I have very little memory of anything beyond two years ago. And maybe it's for the best."

Amelda raised his brows. "Why so?"

Fitzgerald shrugged. "Something must have happened that compelled me to forget everything, something I don't want to remember. I am not known for making rash decisions, you know? Besides, having a lot of people to care for really gets in the way of my work."

(Second shot.)

"Faster," Ashley urged.

"What do you do for a living?" asked Amelda. "I don't suppose you just solve crimes all the time."

"I have many clients in high and low places," replied Fitzgerald. "I am the best in my field and people are willing to pay a lot for my excellence in service. Whether it is stealing some trade secret or finding that piece of evidence that would indict an official of corruption, I am the person to call for. I get the job done, I make my clients happy, I collect the payment."

Amelda laughed humorlessly. "Must be quite an exciting job."

Fitzgerald returned a half-assed smile. "You can say so. But after a while, it gets boring. A chance to improve my skill is what I need."

(Third shot. Amelda winced but kept his composure.)

"Like Project Odin?" Amelda suggested.

Fitzgerald appeared interested. "You know about it?"

"Inori told me about it," Amelda explained. "It exists for sure. Do you think it has something to do with our situation here?"

"Project Odin?" Fitzgerald mused. "I don't think so. It's not their modus operandi. Look at all of these, there is no way the bill is going to be small. Project Odin always spends its money wisely whereas whoever is holding this killing game doesn't seem to have the slightest appreciation for money whatsoever. So I highly doubt Project Odin is responsible for this. However, you might be right about one thing: the mastermind behind this might have access to data and even creations of Project Odin. The mutated plants, the zombies, the memory wipe, all of these are part of Project Odin."

(Fourth shot. Though his facial expression wasn't telly, Amelda felt as if a fist had been delivered directly into his gut."

"Getting to the bottom of this might be the greatest challenge yet for you," Amelda stated.

Fitzgerald sniggered. "Not quite."

"Then what it is?" Amelda pressed.

"I am only the second-best detective in the world," Fitzgerald explained. "I cannot be the best until I have bested the best of all."

Amelda was taken back "How are you going to be? He's B-…."

(Fifth shot.)

"He's a man who likes wearing masks and hiding in the shadows," Fitzgerald snapped. "He can't do that forever. One day, his mask would come out, there would be light, and I would be there when it does."

Hope's Shard Obtained!

Fitzgerald Scott

The Ultimate Private Detective got memory wipe not once but twice, though the first one was out of his own will. He intends to prove himself the best detective in the world. Good luck with that. Considering who he was up against, he probably needs more than just luck.

At this point, with the conversation with Dirty Fitzgerald concluded, I was left with two options: be a warrior and continue to drink knowing it would spell doom to my kidney, or be a chicken and forfeit. My life had come to this. All the gym hours, the summer camps, the reading in the library, the calculations I had made throughout my life, and the valid points I made during the trial - they pointed towards one direction. I could not deny it anymore.

I was…

A big, fat chicken.

While I liked being a warrior of justice, I required a fully functioning kidney to perform all the aforementioned activities.

"I concede," I said, feeling my stomach about to implode from the amount of alcohol I subjected it to.

"What?" Ashley demanded as I stood up and left. "We're not done yet. Hey, get back here."

"You said until one of us drops," I replied briskly. "I'm dropping from this right now."

Leaving the bar, I arduously headed to the warehouse and grabbed some aspirin and ibuprofen. Any inexperienced person might simply go straight back to their room and rest, but I had seen what happened to my father and learned from his mistakes. As an accountant, I always tried to prepare for the worst possible future which, in this case, was a painful hangover the following day. The destructive power of alcohol was something I was not going to underestimate - these pills here would alleviate that.

I took the medicine before returning to my room, threw myself onto bed fully-clothed, and let gravity do the rest. A shower would have to wait until the next morning.

Ashley might have won this round, but I should still have a chance to get back at her. With Fitzgerald still sober, I doubted she would take advantage of the situation to commit a murder. Besides, Monokuma had not revealed the next motivation yet, so I had nothing to worry about.

I had one final thought about my family and went to sleep. For the first time in days, I slept soundly.

Author's notes: Here it is, another update out of the way. I hope you have been enjoying these FTEs so far. The further we progress into the story, the fewer these segments there will be because the number of students will only go down. Thank you very much for your support so far. I really hope to carry this story until the very end unlike the majority of SYOC which get abandoned halfway.

Now, for the bad news. The next chapter will have to be delayed. Why? I have to work and now someone has commissioned a story from me which I will have to prioritize. Don't worry. I will get back to this as soon as I can.

Cheers.