Chapter 1-3
Accidentally Borrowed Camera
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Anzu raised her head, opening her eyes as there was such of rush of moment that she instinctively closed them previously. She was not in Ye Olde Antique Shop, she wasn't in Penjar at all; however, she knew where she was.
She could definitely recognize one of the hallways in Hope's Peak Academy.
Anzu blinked in overwhelming confusion, finding her footing. She glanced down at her hand, which was still holding the camera. The strap to wear it around one's neck was swinging gently, even though she hadn't moved at all yet.
Scanning her surroundings, she tried to recall which floor she could be on. There were classrooms, but for some reason, they didn't have the numbers on the doors. None of the activity or sports rooms were within sight, and she didn't see anyone within the rooms or the hallway.
"Hello?" she called out, taking a tentative step forward. Her voice seemed to echo forever.
The actress swallowed nervously, but no matter how shocking this was, she managed to keep her wits about her. Putting the camera around her neck, and then she realized something else: she wasn't wearing her bikini.
It was a black schoolgirl uniform with a bright red ascot around the collar. She was even wearing stockings up to her thighs, and sensible shoes meant for movement. Anzu blinked in surprise, and checked insider of her shirt.
"Okay, either I'm dreaming," she murmured to herself, "or I took the most hallucinogenic drug ever at the party… and got a boob job? And… whoa!"
She noticed that she had a platinum white braid of hair coming from her head, no wait two of them! With a tug, she realized that it was indeed her hair! Confused, baffled, bamboozled even, she wanted answers.
Anzu started to sprint down the hallway, desperately scanning the rooms. There was no one in any of them, and the more deserted Hope's Peak Academy was, the more nervous she became.
It felt like hours she was going down the hallways. No one was in sight, and the harder she looked, the less familiar it all felt. Hope's Peak Academy was huge, but it didn't take this long to navigate. She went downstairs, it was the same. All the corridors were impossibly long and tiring, and the rooms didn't look familiar, and none of the activity rooms that were for talents and relaxation were there, and the windows had all mysteriously vanished so she couldn't see outside, and…
She rounded a corner and saw someone standing in the middle of the hallway. The redheaded young woman was facing away from her, her arms crossed, almost resembling a hall monitor.
"Hey," Anzu shouted, louder than she meant to. "Hey you!"
The redhead turned around, and her face scrunched up in confusion when she spotted Anzu. Letting out a disgusted sigh, she muttered, "Oh honestly, why are you of all people late? We've been waiting for you."
"What now?" Anzu replied. None of this was making sense, and it was starting to hurt her head with the frustration brewing inside.
"You know we had this meeting planned in our classroom, and yet you're late! What is up with that? And…"
The girl's cross lecturing came to a stop when she spotted what Anzu had around her neck and was holding in one hand. With a confused stare of her own, the redhead stared at it, then up at Anzu.
"Why do you have my camera, Peko?"
"P-Peko? Camera? What?" was all Anzu could sputter out.
The redhead's confusion turned into frustration, and she reached for the camera. Anzu, who hadn't let go of the camera since this had started, jerked it out of the redhead's reach. The two girls were staring each other down, with Anzu so close to the redhead that she could count her freckles.
"Peko, what is up with you?" the girl snapped. "And where are your glasses? Did you finally get contacts?"
"Look here," Anzu managed to say, "I think there's some case of mistaken identity here. Please, could you back off a little?"
The redhead was such a mixture of bafflement and frustration, it really did resemble an aggravated mother or older sister. It was kind of weird to Anzu, who knew she was older than this girl.
"I don't know understand why you have to be so difficult. Is this about," the redhead started to say, then suddenly the words caught in her throat. She nervously grabbed her arm, staring to the side, and then she sighed. "Okay, I get it. You're still mad at me."
"I… am?"
"Gosh, why do you have to act so mysterious all of the time, Peko? I don't understand you, but if you're going to be this way, I guess I shouldn't push it. Just please, come with me."
The redhead gestured for Anzu (or was it whoever Peko was?) to follow, and the actress felt compelled to do so; anything to get to the bottom of this. They walked down the hallway, but the further down they went, the less familiar it felt to Anzu.
"So," the other girl spoke up, walking in front of Anzu, "may I ask why you decided not to wear your glasses anymore?"
"Um, no reason," Anzu said, deciding to keep up the air of mystery that she was apparently known for.
There was a groan from the other girl, who pinched the bridge of her nose. "Fine, fine, more mystery. Though if I may say so, I think it's not a bad look; it makes your eyes more prominent. It's rather fitting for how red they are."
"If you say so."
"Though don't let Ibuki know I said that, she already-"
The girl stopped when a door up the hallway opened. It was a rather large door, with the words, "Sports Practice Room" on it. The person opening the door was an adorable girl in a green dress uniform.
"Oh, Chihiro," the redhead said, walking towards the girl. "Thank goodness I saw you! I wanted to talk to you later tonight, if possible?"
"Um, sure," the short brunette said, blushing already as she stared up at the redhead. "I'd really like that. Oh, wait, was that forward of me to say? I mean, I wouldn't mind…"
"Don't worry about it," the redhead said, waving her hands and smiling much more pleasantly that Anzu thought possible from such a stern girl. "Just meet up with you later, okay?"
"Okay~"
Chihiro walked down the hallway, past Anzu, waving at her and saying hello quite shyly. Anzu watched her go, and smiled over at the redhead. When the other girl noticed this, a blush spread across her face and she growled, "What? We're just friends."
"And I didn't say anything."
"Oh shut up, and follow me."
The two walked towards a classroom, which the redhead opened up and gestured for Anzu to enter. The classroom was almost full, and the teacher was standing at the desk; all of their heads turned to see who was entering.
"Ah, Peko," the teacher said, tilting her head so her orange hair bobbed around, "good to see you finally join us. I honestly thought I'd have to hunt you down myself, but your friend wanted to do it instead."
"Um, sorry," Anzu said. She nervously played with one of her braids as she scanned the classroom, trying to find an available seat. Though she did spend a moment studying the teacher.
"Wow," were her thoughts as she observed the orange-haired woman, "really digging the look, an apron looks good on you. But I wish you or someone else would tell me what was going on…"
Seeing one of the available spots, Anzu hurried over to it and sat down. She tried to get comfortable, memories of her time in Hope's Peak Academy coming back to her the moment she was seated; however, she noticed something quite off.
And that was that everyone was staring at her as if she was the one off.
"Now why," the redhead said, throwing her hands up in frustration, "are you sitting in my seat?"
"She also has your camera," a snarky-looking blonde girl declared, thrusting a finger at Anzu with her kimono fluttering from the movement. "Is Peko trying to take your place?"
"That's enough, everyone," the teacher said, shaking her head. "We have far more important things to discuss. Just sit down for now, seats don't matter anymore, Mahiru."
The redhead, glaring at Anzu, scoffed as she went for the other seat. When she was seated, everyone stared up at the teacher. The orange-haired lady cleared her throat, and said, "Now I know we have a ways to go before we have graduated, but we need to work extra hard from here on out.
"After all, you have your futures to think about, and what we want to do with them. We all know that it is a bit intimidating in such a big world, but the world, well, it should feel intimidated by the talent and personality you all are bringing to it.
"Am I right, my dear students?"
"Yes, Miss Yukizome," the students all said in unison.
"Now then, Miss Koizumi?" the teacher said, staring at the redhead. "Could we see the world for what it is?"
"Of course, Chisa."
The informal addressing astonished Anzu, and then she saw that redhead move for the blinds. With a long tug, she revealed the windows…
And the absolutely hellish view of the world to everyone in the class.
Anzu couldn't help but gasp in horror at what she was seeing. The sky was dark red, like if someone turned the very atmosphere into a demonic landscape. Thick clouds of black smoke were pouring from various areas of the city around the school. The face of Monokuma was painted on the side of a building, which had shattered windows and even what looked like a dead body hanging from one of them.
As if the blinds were soundproof, Anzu could also hear noise outside, from down in the schoolyard, around the building. It was the sound of a riot, but even worse. For between all of the shouting, yelling, shattering of glass and slamming of metal, she could hear laughter.
Intense, sadistic laughter that could only come from someone who had truly lost it, and there were far, far more than one person laughing down there.
"It's truly glorious to see the world is ready for all of you, and the joys and pleasures you will bring it," Miss Yukizome continued. When Anzu managed to tear her vision away from the horrid spectacle of a hellish world, she noticed Chisa had her eyes closed and a wide smile.
Then their teacher opened her eyes, and the spirals of insanity, the most graphic and evident proof of someone overwhelmed by Despair, were there.
Anzu felt her body start to curl up into itself, shrinking into her seat as much as she physically could. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't make a sound. The longer she looked at Chisa, the more thunderstruck and overwhelmed she felt. She glanced to her side, to see if anyone else was as terrified as she was.
This was a mistake. Everyone in the room had the spirals of despair in their eyes. Every single one of them, and they were all illuminated in hellish red light from the outside.
Before she could move or speak, her eyes registered movement. Mahiru, the redhead who had led her here, was pointing directly at her, and her spiraling eyes narrowed.
She let out a shriek. It was so shrill, so intense, it felt like a hurricane burst forth from Mahiru's mouth and a shockwave that made Anzu's ears ring.
Then everyone in the classroom turned towards her suddenly. Their spiraling eyes, their bodies illuminated by the hellish world outside, loomed over her.
Anzu reminded herself that she could still move, and now would be probably the most ideal time to do so out of all possible times.
Bolting from her seat, she pushed a blonde girl who reached out for her, and knocked over a goth boy who had tried to get in her way. She was hurrying for the door, every muscle going into overdrive to get there as fast as possible.
An incredibly muscular young man made it over to her, and grabbed her shoulders. Pinning her to the wall aggressively, she cried out as she felt her body shake in pain. The gigantic boy was squeezing her painfully, he felt like a machine grabbing her.
With him holding onto her, no one else was able to reach her, but she could hear them. They were shouting, growling, and laughing. It was the same kind of noise as outside. Anzu shivered, but found her stretch and reached up to grab ahold of the pillars that were the young man's arms.
Lifting her body up, she kicked with both legs into his stomach. He let go and fell back, and she landed on her feet. Blitzing for the door, she threw it open; Chisa reached for her, but Anzu slammed the door against the tall woman.
"GET HER!"
When Anzu sprinted into the hallway, her mind registered something rather awful: all of the lights were the same horrid red that the light from outside was now. The hallway of Hope's Peak Academy was as hellish as the world she was stuck in.
She looked to the right, and her body locked up in fear. There was mist pouring down the hallway, like a tidal wave filling the place wall to wall, and coming for her. It especially felt like that because there was Monokuma walking in front of it.
His red eye may have been glowing the same color as the lights, but it still was a powerful, evil illumination.
Anzu turned towards the left, back the way she came. That was when Mahiru grabbed her, gripping her arm tightly. Anzu managed to push her off, and she sprinted as fast as she could.
"You vile, deceitful bitch," Mahiru shrieked, her footfalls closing in on Anzu. "I'm going to KILL you!"
Every footfall echoed down the hallway, almost resembling a hammer hitting a nail. Anzu was wide-eyed and reckless in her escape, but not even a few yards from the classroom did she see another obstacle.
There were over ten more teenagers standing in a row further down the hallway. They were blocking the way, staring her down; at least, she thought they were, it was a little hard to tell when their eyes were spiraling too.
"KILL THAT THEENG-A!" one of them hollered.
There was only one way to go: the sports practice room that was to her right. Anzu hurried inside, pushing against the heavy door with all her might and then pressing it shut. She could hear so many footsteps running for the door, but she found the lock and clicked it.
Not having much time to catch her breath, Anzu glanced around the room. It appeared to be a glorious conglomeration of all kinds of sports, from batting cages to a couple bowling lanes to a volleyball court. Though it was rather crowded, it definitely appeared to be something like at Hope's Peak Academy…
The fact that she had never seen a room like this before at Hope's Peak was the last thing on Anzu's mind. She hurried further into the room, trying to find another way out.
"Come on, come on, come on," she was frantically saying, "where's the way out of this psycho world? Where is it? Where is it?!"
Then she heard glass shattering from the hallway she had come from. This was rather odd, because that was the only thing she heard. There were no other sounds, definitely not the ruckus a group of over ten people thirsty for blood should be creating; there wasn't even anything pounding the door or trying to force it open.
Anzu's body was locking up on her again, and her eyes fell upon something: metal baseball bats left next to the batting cages. She reached over and grabbed one, not wanting to be unarmed any longer.
A spine-chilling sound came from the hallway, the sound of something sharp and metallic scrapping against a hard surface. That sound was so loud to Anzu, it was as if it was being broadcasted on speakers in the room.
The scrapping sound happened again, so nerve-wracking that Anzu closed her eyes tightly. When she opened them again, she felt light-headed. The camera bumped against her bare skin…
This sudden feeling was the fact that she wasn't in that black uniform anymore, but rather, a black bikini. She stared down at herself, wondering what the hell was happening, where the hell was she…
And just as she wondered when did her breasts get to be this big, the door to the sports practice room opened.
Anzu's heart skipped a beat in terror, the door had opened as if it hadn't been locked at all! It was pushed open, red light flooding in as if to corrupt the area. With it came Mahiru, a dark scowl on her face, and a fire axe in her hand. She was dragging the head against the floor, causing the piercing scrapping sound.
The door slammed behind her, hard enough that the entire room shook. Mahiru and Anzu stared each other down, the former lifting up the fire axe, the latter her metal bat.
"S-Stay back," Anzu stammered, "stay back!"
"Give my camera back to me, Peko," Mahiru snarled. "NOW."
"Listen, I'm not Peko," the actress exclaimed. "I'm not who you think I am! I'm not supposed to be here, I don't know why I am, but I'm confused as hell and I'm NOT Peko."
"Actually, I do know."
A cruel grin spread across Mahiru's face, the spirals helping accentuate how twisted and warped such a smile could be. "I just don't care anymore."
There was a moment of silence, then Mahiru came forward. She swung the fire axe, aiming for Anzu's neck. With a defiant stance, the actress swung back, striking the staff of the axe.
The clang of the weapons reverberated throughout the room. The bat hooked at the head of the axe, and the two girls stared each other down for a moment. Mahiru moved back, snarling as she pulled her arms back for a mighty swing.
Anzu sprinted forward, and charged the girl to knock her back. The actress's shoulder hit the redhead's chest, and it definitely knocked her off-balance. Mahiru stumbled backwards, dropping the axe.
Her head slammed against the door when she was falling backwards. The grisly sound of bone breaking, almost like a melon being smashed open, came as suddenly and as loud as a gunshot. Mahiru's eyes went wide for a split second.
She slid down the door, a ghastly splatter of blood where her head had impacted against it. The trail of blood followed where her head went, and she collapsed against the door without so much as a sound. Her eyes closed as her head flopped to the side, limp and lifeless.
Anzu stared, the inconceivable reaction to her push shaking her to the core. Mahiru lay there, dead. "No," she thought to herself, "no there's no way I could have done that! I just pushed her, I just… I just…"
That's when she saw blood all over the bat she was holding. With a terrified yelp, she dropped it. The metallic clatter was as overwhelming as Mahiru's head bursting open against the door.
Anzu stared down at the redhead's body, not sure what to do. Here she was, in a room at Hope's Peak Academy, in a bikini, her hair and body completely differently, with a dead girl at her feet. Five minutes ago, she was in a ghost town's antique shop.
With no other course, she nervously stepped towards the dead girl. Kneeling down, she reached out with shaking fingers, pressing them against the girl's neck to see if she truly was dead. Because despite everything, no matter how atrocious this place was, she didn't want to think that she killed someone…
Mahiru's eyes shot open.
Anzu screamed and fell backwards, losing her balance and falling on her butt. She scooted away, looking frantically for her bat or the axe, or something to defend herself with.
"Every time…"
The statement came out more as a sob than words. Anzu braved another glance, and she saw Mahiru hadn't moved an inch. There were tears in her eyes, a quiver in her lip and throat.
"I… cannot… why… why… seh… tell me why…"
The ramblings were combined with heart-wrenching sobs. Mahiru still wasn't moving except for her eyes and mouth. Anzu stopped scurrying about, staring at the "dead" girl crying. The smell of blood was now thick in the air.
"What… what did I do… seh… why… make… make it… stop… seh… seh…"
Mahiru openly sobbed, and blood came from her mouth and nose. She coughed, hacked, and cried more. Anzu was transfixed on her, unable to move herself.
Then the redhead's bitter sobs stopped, and her eyes rolled towards Anzu. She scowled, and turned her head, which made grisly cracking and slick noises. With a single push, Mahiru propelled herself off of the door, and onto Anzu.
The actress screamed as the redhead gripped her shoulders and pinned her down to the floor. "Please stop," Anzu hollered, "I didn't mean to hurt you! Get off of me! Get off-"
"You're in more danger than you realize in Penjar."
Mahiru spoke, matter-of-factly in a way that was fitting to her personality when Anzu first ran into her. The actress stopped struggling and looked up at the redhead. Her blue bangs clashing with said red hair, due to how close they were.
"The forces behind this Killing Game are greater than any other. And if you aren't successful in keeping them contained, the entire world could suffer a second Tragedy. Maybe even greater."
The redhead leaned in, her forehead almost touching Anzu's. "The amount of deceit amid your ranks is far greater than you could guess as well. You have no idea how dark, how deep, this truly goes. For in Penjar, there lies true despair. And when it comes to despair…
"Some want to destroy despair.
Some wish to control it.
Some hope to study despair.
And some… desire to wield it."
Mahiru sat up, her thighs straddling Anzu's hips. She stared down at the actress, as blood ran down from the back of her head and dripped from her hair. "It is going to escalate today. Despair wants something more than blood and death, it is more shrewd and crafty than seh… seh… yewseh…"
The redhead gripped her forehead, gasping and straining out in a mixture of pain and struggle. When she threw her head back and howled in agony, Anzu saw the room was now illuminated in the same evil red light. It was suffocating, it was hideous…
Mahiru grabbed Anzu's shoulders and yanked her up. She leaned in and whispered, "The first motive will bring blood before the day is done. Do not venture outside past 9 PM, unless you wish to be prey to the predator. The mists will work against you, but you can trust the silence."
The room was filled with silence, except for the heavy breathing of the two young women. Anzu stared into Mahiru's eyes, trying to think of what to say, what to do.
"Who are you?" she managed to ask.
"Who are YOU, actress? I am the Ultimate Photographer, so give me back…"
Mahiru reached down and gripped the camera with both hands. Before Anzu could react, the redhead yanked it towards her, shrieking, "MY CAMERA!"
The back of the camera's strap snapped against Anzu's neck, and she was jerked forward. Falling backwards, she felt like she was falling down for an eternity, her head never striking the sports' room floor…
Because it hit the pillows on her bed. Anzu flinched hard, and stared around. She was in her room, the room that had been assigned to her in Penjar. She was still in the skimpy bikini that she had worn to the pool party.
Sitting up quickly, she scanned her room, and saw nothing different from how she had left it before going to that pool party. She started to pull herself from the bed, when she realized her hand was clutching something tightly, despite her not meaning to.
It was the camera she had found in the antique shop. As she stared at it incredulously, the hard metal it was made out of felt a little less than hard after a few seconds. It was starting to feel like it was made out of dried sand, and the slightest movement of her palm caused a portion of the lens to peel away.
With a desperate panic in her movements, Anzu sprinted for the door and outside. The camera was feeling less stable with every step she took. She hurriedly looked around, trying to find someone, anyone, in the mists.
As she moved out of the housing area and towards the main plaza, she caught sight of two people: Isaac and Hara. The lovely couple were sitting on a public bench, having a conversation that she couldn't hear. When she came sprinting over, they saw her and stood up immediately.
"Anzu," Hara declared, clasping her hands together, "you're awake! We were so-"
"Wait wait wait!" Anzu interrupted, thrusting her hand with the camera in it forward. "This thing…"
The camera dissolved. It broke down as if it had been made of dust, to the tiniest fragments that disappeared within the wind and the mists. The strap it was on fell to the ground, and disintegrated upon impact. There was absolutely nothing left of it.
Isaac, Hara, and Anzu stared down at the ground, then at the pale girl's empty hand. There wasn't even any flecks or spots on her palm, the camera was utterly and completely gone.
"Tell me," Anzu said, her heavy breathing signaling how stressed she was, "you two saw that happen too?"
Day 03, 10:31 AM
Penjar's Public Cafeteria
A great deal of the graduates had gathered in the cafeteria in the morning, since it seemed there was an unofficial meal plan going on. It had been delayed when Isaac and Hara had found Anzu unconscious in the antique store, but was now in motion again.
Odelios and Takeo were hard at work making pancakes again, though now Pyrrha was helping them out. The romance writer hummed as she chopped some fruit up, which surprised the apron-wearing mercenary working next to her.
"You don't seem to be the least bit phased," Takeo said as he watched her. "I thought for sure that you'd be suffering from a big ol' hangover today."
"I don't think I drank that much," Pyrrha responded, smirking at him. "But I do remember you carrying me back to my room. Thank you for that, good sir."
"It was nothing. Though I want to say, I would have helped you out even if you hadn't ordered me to do so."
"I'm sure you would have. I have a great deal of respect for men in uniform."
Takeo smiled as he flipped a pancake, then glanced over at her. "There's a bit of a difference between a soldier and a mercenary, my dear."
"I know that. But there's always a certain appeal of the brave fighter who has someone waiting for them back home, and once their duty is done, they are reunited. It's a romantic reality as much is it is a story.
"Haven't you ever had anyone you wish you could come back to, Takeo? Be honest now, if I gotta order you to be so, I will."
Takeo chuckled as he finished the pancakes he was on, and handed them to Odelios. "I'm afraid I long since gave up on trying to find a soulmate, Pyrrha. Don't waste time with romance on me, my love for action, adventure, and a great paycheck for my efforts have been my passion all my life."
Pyrrha sighed, and cut more strawberries. Odelios leaned in the kitchen, declaring, "Takeo, we're gonna need more fast! If we don't feed these starving graduates faster, they're gonna start cannibalizing us! Or just yell at us… either way, I'm not about to get chewed up, so chop chop!"
"Yes sir!"
"And call me Mister Perky Nipples for today!"
"Yes, Mister Perky Nipples!"
Odelios went back to the serving table, as Takeo poured more batter. Pyrrha stared at Takeo incredulously.
"Do you literally do anything ordered of you?" she asked.
"Not everything. If it has to do with my mercenary work, soldier or bodyguard stuff, I won't do it if simply ordered, no matter how sternly. I need to be paid for that."
Pyrrha took this in, then took a deep breath. She placed the large knife she was using next to the flatbed stove Takeo was using.
"Takeo, kill me. Stab me with that knife, right now."
No words were spoken, but no actions were taken either. Takeo stared at her, then went right back to working with the pancakes.
"Kill yourself then, right now."
Again, Takeo worked as if he heard nothing. Pyrrha drummed her fingers on the cutting board, and tried, "Throw that knife past my head close enough that I can feel it."
With movement so fast that the writer couldn't see it, Takeo gripped the knife and threw it. One of her waterfall braids was trimmed a touch, bright red hairs falling down onto her shoulder.
The knife embedded deep in the wall over the sinks. Pyrrha stood there, frozen in place, and then let out a shocked gasp. Takeo stopped tending to the pancakes, and stared at her in concern.
"I'm… I'm sorry," he said, "but you asked me to, and-"
"No. No it's okay," she said, smiling at him despite the color in her face not having fully returned. "I just wanted to make sure I could trust you in the kitchen with me."
Her smile was eventually returned, and they went back to work. Odelios leaned in and shouted, "Why aren't the next batch of pancakes ready? And why's there a knife in the opposite wall?!"
"I'll explain later, Mister Perky Nipples."
"Excellent work, keep it up!"
With all the hollering in the kitchen, it was a wonder anyone could hear their own conversations at their tables. Crystal was trying to speak to Ken and Samson, though it was hard when someone was constantly shouting about nipples in the background.
"So anyway," she said, setting her glass of milk down as she eyed the two fighters, "do we have a deal?"
"I believe there is a problem with your strategy, Miss Wilson," Ken spoke up. "If we don't know what Monokuma's motive is going to be, how can a patrol help us?"
"I have to agree with him," Samson said. "The problem with it is that they said this motive is unlike anything we've ever seen. That makes me think it's more than blackmail or secrets, or even something crazy like I heard what happened on the moon."
"For everything good and holy," Ken grumbled, "I sure do hope we're not going to have a body and mind swap. I cannot imagine how confusing that could be."
"While I understand your concerns, I just ask you to consider it," Crystal said. "And while I doubt you would ever part with your firearm, Samson, I would like to inquire if it is ever possible for me to borrow it. I am licensed as well."
"I don't know about that right now, you'll have to drive a good bargain," Samson said, smirking slyly. "Even for serious matters, I tend to prefer a bit of negotiation. Makes me feel like I have done right by both parties, especially when I'm involved."
Crystal raised an eyebrow, then glanced over at Ken. Before she could speak, he said, "No one touches my sword but me."
As the three carried on this conversation, Hikari and Aka were busy conversing at the next table. The two were sitting rather close, and occasionally, one would feed the other strawberries.
"I didn't think," Hikari said as she slowly chewed on the latest strawberry placed in her mouth, "that I would find something so fresh in a ghost town like this."
"I know, but what can I say? I tend to lose myself a bit when in the presence of sensual greatness," Aka replied, wiggling her eyebrows.
The model laughed, and though she tried to explain she had meant the strawberries, she realized that she had walked into that one. When this was over, she leaned in closer, putting her hand on Aka's knee.
"Just so you know," she whispered, ensuring no one but they heard these words, "while I love your forward nature, I don't want to rush things too much. I hope you understand, I've just had a problem with… girls who move in too fast."
"Like what do you mean?" Aka asked, a little confused.
"Like, while I love the passion and heat of something swift and sweet, I just need… um… I…"
For the first time since arriving in the town, Hikari was at a loss for words. The model sighed heavily, and tried again. "I promise not to be clingy and crazy if you promise me the same, Aka-dear."
Aka bat her eyes, and her arm wrapped around the model's slim figure. Her other hand reached up and cupped Hikari's face, and she kissed her. It lasted a few seconds, and it definitely tasted of strawberries.
"Wherever this goes," the skier whispered when the kiss was finished, "I promise you, I am not going to be a clingy bitch."
Watching the two from another table, Jin let out a big sigh. Futaba, sitting across from her, turned around to see the two ladies getting rather close. The anthropologist turned towards the artist, and remarked, "Interesting reaction."
"Hmm? You have no idea what I'm sighing about."
"Maybe not, but I do still find it an interesting reaction. You have become a bit more forthcoming with your feelings since you got here, so I'm wondering if you're warming up to the others."
"Says the ice-cold queen who talks as if she isn't here," Jin retaliated, raising one of her eyebrows. Her tattooed hand pointed at the anthropologist, and she said, "Listen here, a case study of me is a bad idea, and I don't think you'd want to dive in there."
"And why is that, precisely?"
"Because an artist doesn't want their secrets found out, precisely. So kindly try to dig into the heart of the matter with someone else, because I don't want my art's secret meaning to be revealed to the public; you'll find that some things should be kept close to the heart."
With that, Jin grabbed her food and headed off with a flick of her purple hair. Futaba shrugged, and started to write something down when someone sat across from her. It was Yejoon, who was wearing his mask again so she couldn't see his face and read his expression…
But the mirth in his voice said enough there. "Did you get an earful from my dear little sister? I'm sorry about that, she gets defensive when people pry into answers."
"Most people do," Futaba simply replied, and continued to write.
"Would you like to know one of the main reasons why she doesn't want these things revealed?"
"I have the feeling you're going to tell me," she responded, her expression and tone neutral, but a curious spark in her eyes.
"You have seen her fascination with owls in her tattoos and clothing, and if you've ever seen her art, you'd know owls are a grand inspiration to it all."
"Yes, of course I noticed that. Where's the shame in that?"
"Did you ever have to dissect an owl pellet in biology class?"
Futaba nodded, frowning in confusion. She tapped her gloved hand on the table, the sound almost like a metronome, until she stopped. Her eyes widened.
"Are you implying-"
"My dear little sister's first successful piece of art was inspired by the dissected results of an owl pellet. She's terrified that if that goes public, people will start ugly rumors about her."
Futaba's mouth was hanging open in disbelief.
"Oh, and don't tell her I said this," Yejoon remarked, "or she might kill me. It's just such a juicy secret, isn't it?"
Day 03, 11:02 AM
Ye Olde Café
Emanuel sighed as he dunked some of the donut he had in his coffee. He nudged his eye mask slightly, as if trying to get a better view somehow. Leaning so close in towards his coffee, he almost head-banged the table.
"Man, I've seen moo'r lively people in a zombie movie," Kimiko said, smirking at the man. He gave her a sideways glare, to which she merely laughed. "Oh come on, the way you've been drinking since we got here, you cannot be that hungover."
"I consumed enough alcohol to kill a grizzly bear last night," he replied, then snarled and added, "Fucking bears. Fucking osos, so sick of them."
Kimiko shrugged, then took a big bite out of the donut she had. She grinned, with all the cheek in the world, at him before walking off.
"Rather nice of our hosts to give us food at both the café and the cafeteria," she commented to herself, walking past Drake. She pat the cartoonist on the shoulder, and said, "Hey there, cutie-pie, how's everyone's newest favorite mixer?"
Drake was rather confused, but shook that off and managed to say, "Um, fine, just fine. How are you doing?"
"Why you always stammering as if walking on pins and needles, Drakie? C'mon, we're all getting along, for the most part. Whatcha drawing today?"
She leaned over, pushing her breasts against his shoulder teasingly as she viewed his sketchpad. There were numerous drawings, some of characters she didn't recognize at all. Then there were a few that appeared to be versions of the graduates at Penjar.
"Hey, not bad," she said, pointing at some of them. "I especially like the ones of the mime girl. You seem to like her."
"She… she really does have an amazing style and works will with what I normally draw," Drake admitted. "I like characters who can express themselves without so many words."
"Even if that expression is usually totes pissed off at all times?"
"There's more to her than that, I'm sure."
"Guess we'll have to see about that; but hey, she's right up there with Mr. Attitude when it comes to personality."
She gestured to Emanuel, who made a gesture of his own back at her. This whole conversation was going on as Fiora and Shuuya were at the other side of the café, one trying to pitch a great movie idea and the other wondering how on Earth a peaceful meal got this crazy.
"Look, I meant it when you say you'd be great in the movie industry," Fiora was saying. "You'd be great at stunts, the action sidekick or back-up, tough parts that don't have a lot of lines…"
"Okay, even if I was remotely interested," Shuuya interrupted, "why would I want parts that don't have lines? Isn't that the whole point of getting into acting?"
"You'd be surprised how hard it can be to have a speaking part in front of a camera, not to mention the amount of takes you have to do. I have knoo'n a lot of guys and gals who prefer the smaller parts."
Shuuya ran a finger around his mug's rim. It was a little odd, hearing her talk with such passion and also not sounding way out in left field. "I must admit, the idea of being a stunt double or such, but I make a lot of money with my current career; it's also far better for society, what I do."
"I'm kind of curious about that, but I guess a lot of it is confidential."
The bounty hunter chuckled, and said, "You could say that."
"What a shame, but if you ever need something that is less intense, you can always contact me. I wouldn't mind a cool looking guy like you in one of my upcoming films, eh."
Shuuya nodded, then sipped his drink, before something about that last sentence caught his attention. "'Films'?"
"Yeah, I'm working on multiple films at once. Right now I'm on a bit of a hiatus for this trip…"
"Wait, how do you work on multiple movies at once?"
Fiora tilted her head, white and black hair waving under that fedora like an old-school movie reel. "The same way anyone else works on multiple projects at once, silly. I mean, I guess if you're hunting someone down, you don't go after more than one target. But when it's a story or such, you can easily do multiple at once. Just gotta be good at multitasking."
"It might also explain," Shuuya thought to himself as Fiora happily carried on, "how a movie like Attack of the Flying Eye Boogers got made."
"It's like that one time," she was saying as he sipped from his drink, "where I had to make a prop that looked like a real man for one movie, but then we needed it another movie which had these violent aliens ripping people's chests out. Oh man, I had to pull that fake guy's insides out and get all this gooey fake blood and such, you'd love it…"
Day 03, 1:32 PM
Ye Olde Time Shop
"So the porn star is okay then?" Blake said, as he glanced around the store.
"From what I gathered, she said she fainted and had the strangest dream," Souma remarked, as he was looking into the smashed display case that had watches in it. He took one out and admired it. "What fine craftsmanship! Oh, she seemed okay when I got to talk to her, but she didn't seem as chatty as when we all first met."
"Man, it makes me wonder if she has episodes or something, you know? Must make porn hard to shoot if she passes out mid-sex."
Blake chuckled, then noticed Souma didn't react at all. With a disgusted sigh on his part, he muttered, "Fine, be that kind of guy."
"And what kind of guy would that be?" Souma asked, raising an eyebrow at the pyro. "I assure you, even if we walk different tracks-"
"Yeah, that's sure putting it fucking mildly," Blake snapped, glaring at the man. "I'm not a big fan of the Future Foundation. You guys had an agent following me for months, thinking I was some Despair-sick arsonist torching places, which I wasn't!
"Not to mention, from what I've heard about you, Mr. Koukai, you're quite the rich entrepreneur," he remarked, crossing his arms. "That's quite a different 'track' we walk down, so don't act so patronizing."
With that, Blake stormed out of the store, almost pushing Yitro out of the way. The former swordsman watched him go, then he walked in. "Everything alright?" he asked Souma.
"He got a little mad that I didn't want to make jokes about porn with him," the public speaker remarked with a small chuckle. "Guess there's a bit of a chip on that shoulder."
Yitro hummed in thought, staring at the clocks on the wall. He found one cuckoo-clock that appeared to be a chipmunk and a blue bird dancing. With a smile, he asked, "Everyone's got a bit of a story for coming here. I just hope we can find a bit of purpose, something to do."
"Purpose, possibly one of the biggest reasons for one to strive forward. I hope that we all find that here, for purpose is something we all strive for."
Souma let out a heavy sigh. "Sorry, maybe I am dealing with a bit of a chip on my shoulder too. Do you think it was a mistake, coming here?"
"No," Yitro replied defiantly. "No I do not."
Day 03, 5:20 PM
Near the Main Plaza
Waiting for the scheduled time had everyone walking on pins and needles. Exploring the city was something that a lot of the graduates were getting into the swing of, though the results were as dry as ever. Some of them, like Blake and Ignatia, even kicked down some doors, but nothing was in the abandoned buildings.
It felt like the longest wait for everyone there, longer than anything they could ever remember. The expression of a watched pot never boils was standing true, maybe even more with how the mists curled around legs and down the roads. It felt like time was slowing down more, moving at a crawl like everything else.
At around five, some of the graduates were waiting in or around the plaza. They didn't have anything else they wanted to do, and wanted the answers they had come to this town for more than anything. While most of those waiting weren't the most social, there were still a couple people getting to know each other.
One of those duos was Eisei and Takeo, the former realizing that the latter had to take all orders, so he was now inspecting the first obediently still mouth in the visit to Penjar. The nearby duo, seated on a bench, were having a more gentle conversation.
"So are you sure you're feeling better, my darling?" Angelique said, looking over Anzu. "I mean, when I heard how they found you, I would think you would take the day off."
"What, and lay on my back? No, that's what I do for my career," Anzu replied, winking at the opera singer. "Oh wait, sorry, I remember you don't really like talk like that."
Angelique chuckled, leaning back on the bench the two were seated on. "Oh, I don't mind it so much. It's a little refreshing to hear a woman who can be open and free-spirited about it, positive even! I knew a lady who got in the adult business, and it…"
She sighed, and glanced over at Anzu. "Sorry, I may be projecting a little. Drama seems to follow me around, from my career to those I know. I worry about sweet young things like you."
"Oh, now now, I'm perfectly fine with what I do. And I will say, with how my career is going, it's an A-rank job! I like to say that because of the alliteration that seems to fit with you."
"I noticed that. Maybe I should try to court you, so we can have the alliteration of a lifetime~"
Both ladies laughed, and Anzu admired just how pretty Angelique appeared when happy. She smiled as she tilted her head, and let the lovely lady talk.
"I wish I could be fully honest with her, she's like a big sister," Anzu thought. "A… really, really beautiful big sister that I wanna go to bed with, but that might just be naughty little me.
"No, see, that's precisely why you shouldn't tell her," another voice in her head scolded her sternly. "Or anyone else, for that matter. Who's going to believe some porn star over an intricate hallucination like I just had? Leave it be, Anzu, you had a bad dream… and… wait…"
"Anzu? Anzu, are you okay?"
The actress flinched when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Angelique there, quite concerned. Nearby, Ishiku had walked over, alerted by the noise.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Anzu insisted. "I just, I have to admit, I'm having a bit of a memory issue here. Like, my first night here, before you all showed up."
"Are you sure you don't want to lie down?" Ishiku asked, leaning towards the lady. "Maybe you do need a bit more rest…"
He moved in close, reached behind Anzu's ear… and there was a throw pillow in his hand when he pulled back. "Here you go, got you a pillow!"
Both ladies stared in amazement, then Anzu laughed aloud. "Okay, that was very impressive, I have no idea how you did that. Also, I appreciate you all, but trust me when I say I'm okay; just got a bit on my mind.
"And it's amazing how many people want me to go to bed, and not for the usual reason."
Before anyone had a chance to laugh at this naughty joke, the speakers around Penjar whined to life.
"Okay, you bunch of beautiful, big-breasted bastards," Monokid was shouting over the intercom, "get to the Main Plaza! Now! Move your breasts!"
"Monokid, that's sexual harassment," Monophanie hollered from the back. "They could sue us, or leave a really bad review on the travel app!"
"I've called them bastards before, how is it sexual harassment now?!"
"No, you spoony bard," Monosuke shouted. "Get off the mic, right now!"
"Now THAT is sexual harassment, you small-breasted bastards! No one calls me spoony and gets away with it! TAKE THAT!"
Fighting noises followed, almost like a soundtrack for everyone heading to the Main Plaza. It was a rather unusual collection of noise, unfitting for such a dramatic and tense time for the graduates. Nevertheless, they filed into the Main Plaza, exchanging glances and waiting for the bears.
Sure enough, when all twenty-eight graduates were there, Monokuma popped up from the water fountain. "Alright then, you interested investigators and obvious oddballs, are you all ready for Monokuma's First Motive?"
"As much as one can be for something like this," Samson muttered, the trader keeping a hand nearby his hip.
"Wait, what about your psycho kids?" Futaba remarked. "You really are going to do this without them?"
"I don't need my adorable, adorkable, annoying adolescents to announce my-"
"RISE AND SHINE, URSINE~!"
The five Monokubs leapt out from the busted fountain, and all posed dramatically upon landing in front of it. Monokuma, standing on top of it right on the plaque, went silent.
"We're late, we're so sorry, Daddy," Monophanie declared. "I had to stop these boys from fighting!"
"Don't think this is over, you tiny-titties trollop," Monokid shouted, swinging at Monosuke.
"I'll punch you in the bear necessities," Monosuke responded, swinging his arms around like pinwheels.
The reason the two weren't actually hitting each other was because Monodam was between the two of them, a paw on each of their heads, holding them back.
Monotaro stepped forward, letting his cape billow dramatically as he stared down the large crowd. "Listen up, everyone! Father is going to tell you how this motive is going to go down, and I expect you all to listen and behave!
"Just remember that the Guardian is nearby, at all times," he said as he gestured at the incredibly tall, incredibly intimidating mech nearby. It was very still, though everyone glanced at the machine gun arm that was the biggest threat of them all. "And I have to let you all know, attacking Father during the Motive speech is illegal.
"There will be no attacks upon Father as long as the Motive speech is happening! Do I make myself cle-"
Monokuma pulled one of his stubby legs back, and then swung it forward as if to punt something in front of him. The mist formed into a solid mass, resembling what appeared to be a soccer shoe, and punted all five Monokubs.
"Stop interrupting your father," the bear of despair hollered, "when he's doing one of his signature moments!"
With a chorus of screams from the Kubs, silence filled the Plaza after they had received the boot. The graduates didn't know how to really react to this, except for one of them.
"He was just trying to tell us not to attack you," Drake remarked. "You don't have to be so rude to them."
"Stop showing sympathy," Saiko snapped, "for those idiotic twerps! Now just keep it down, and let the mean little bear tell us how he plans to scare us."
"Yeah right," Blake muttered. "Like we can be intimidated or bribed or scared at this point in our lives. We survived the Tragedy, we made lives for ourselves before and during and after it, and we all came here voluntarily."
Monokuma cleared his throat loudly, and faced the graduates. "I know you all have a lot to say, but keep in mind, there are twenty-eight of you. So be considerate of others before you speak up! Now then…
"How have you been enjoying Penjar thus far? Do you have any questions? One at a time now."
Isaac stepped forward, staring down the evil bear. "We've been searching this town all three days, and we haven't found anything. Just what exactly is this town, was it ever a real town?"
"What's with the shops nearby here?" Souma inquired. "How come they are the only buildings with items inside of them?"
"How on Earth can there be more of you here after we've destroyed so many of you?" Ken snapped. "Do you have some foul replication machine in the bowels of this dead town?"
"Who is Adrian Beardsley?" Fiora shouted. "You are standing on his plaque right now!"
"Enough questions! That's quite enough for now," Monokuma barked, throwing his paws up in the air. "Those questions, they're all very good…
"Except for the Mr. Beardsley one, that's a stupid question, and you can shut up about it."
Fiora fumed over this, and appeared far from done. However, before she could speak again, Crystal stepped forward. "If you are going to answer questions, that would certainly be a first in the history of the Tragedy and the Killing Games. What are you playing at?"
"Playing? I'm not playing a game, I'm quite serious right now. You want to know about this town, about the buildings and the state of it all? You want to know how there is more of me, how we got the Guardian here?"
"And about Mr. Beardsley," Fiora added.
"SHUT UP! Anyway, there is one very simple answer to this, something that you should all be quite familiar with…"
The white 'n black bear climbed up to the top of the ruined fountain, and spread his arms out wide. "Talent. Talent that leads to power, talent that leads to possibilities, and the impossible becoming possible. Talent is what made Penjar, and talent also made the despair that you all so want to know more about.
"I know a lot of you thought that there would be more truth to it than that, but I am bearing it all to you now. Talent played a gigantic part in all of this, the town, the Tragedy, the reason why so many people you loved died, the reason why you are here."
"I'm not interested in you waxing poetic over talent and despair," Emanuel snapped, pointing at the bear. "Get to the point, if you even have one."
"How exactly can talent be the cause of it all?" Aka spoke up as well. "I mean, I thought you were about despair, Monokuma, not talent."
"I like to think I am a mixture of the two. There's two sides to everything, after all, or however many shades you can get if you split hairs. But let me ask you all something…
"How much do you believe in the supernatural? Do you really think that everything in this world can be described by science and reason?"
The graduates didn't answer at first, but Yitro braved an answer first. "Does this have anything to do with the idea that despair was so powerful, it was a supernatural force?"
"I don't believe that for a second," Hikari spoke up. "People were to blame for all the terrible things that happened, and that's simply how it is."
"I'm of a more open mind," Yejoon remarked, rubbing his chin underneath his mask. "There's been a lot happening in the world of late that makes me wonder if there is truly something more than meets the eye now."
"I'm here to tell you right now, that if you think you can explain everything here with science and logic, you're going to be struggling for answers for a very, very long time. Though every last bit of this still has to deal with the supernatural, the arcane, the, dare I say it, dark and sinister side that none of you want to acknowledge exists.
"I am living proof that talent and powers beyond your explanation is out there. And while I know you pack of goody two-shoes want to ignore it, the dark and sinister desires that lie within us all can take form in so many ways…
"That's why I want to give you all a shot at seeing just what it has to offer you."
"Wait, what do you mean?" Shinobu asked, crossing her arms as she stared down the bear. "Are you saying you're going to answer our questions seriously now? Because that's not what you've been doing."
"I'm doing better than that, toots! My first motive is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it's right here in the most fitting of all places! Penjar! A little out of the way place where, like a golden boy story, talent can be born and find its way into the big ol' world out there!"
"So this was a town at some point?" Hara tried to question. "Not just a giant prop?"
"That means," Fiora piped in, "there really was a Mr. Beardsley-"
"I SAID SHUT UP ABOUT THAT, AND THE UP YOU WILL SHUT!"
"Will you stop aggravating him, B-Movie Maker?" Jin snapped at Fiora.
The movie maker pouted, crossing her arms and muttering under her breath, "Since when are we supposed to be nice to Monokuma? Jerk probably knows a'boot Mr. Beardsley…"
"I HEARD THAT! KUBS, GET HER!"
The sound of mighty war cries from two foot robot bear cubs could be heard sprinting into the plaza. Fiora shrieked in fear and ran for her life, as Monotaro, Monokid, and Monosuke chased after her. Monophanie and Monodam stood near the fountain, not interested in chasing as well.
"Okay then," Monokuma growled, "allow me to make myself very clear. This is like the story of talent forming and then going out into the world, showing everyone that even the tiniest of people can grow into the greatest of giants. You all know that story, come from nowhere, become the everything."
"We already have talent," Shuuya declared. "We have made ourselves in this world."
"Yes, but what if I could offer you MORE?"
Monokuma chuckled, and rubbed his paws together. "You see, I know that you all have accomplished so very much in your lives, but I want to make my own tale of a golden prodigy walking out from nowhere and becoming the everything. Your first motive, the Monokuma's Motive, is what I call the New Talent Motive!"
"You're going with that talent so soon, Daddy?" Monophanie asked, nervously staring up at the papa bear. "But our guests have barely gotten to know one another."
"What are you talking about, 'new talent?'" Takeo spoke up. "We have our talents, it's not like you can change them."
"I don't plan to take your talents away. I plan on giving you a NEW talent."
"Can we make requests?" Odelios questioned, tilting his head to the side.
"Nope! That's not how this works. You see, tonight, at 9 PM, four of you are going to be bestowed a new talent. Penjar has a way of doing this, far beyond your comprehension, really technical… or dare I say, magical?"
"This is bullshit," Kimiko remarked, rolling her eyes.
"I assure you, there are no lies here. Four of you at 9 PM will be granted a new talent, and trust me when I say, you will know it if you were one of the four. It may feel like years of experience, a natural knack for it, and even muscle memory will be suddenly widening your little brains!
"These four will be selected randomly out of you twenty-eight. And you will have this new talent of yours until the end of tomorrow. Twenty-seven hours to test out your new talent, and let me tell you something right now, that is a very fitting number…
"Because if you want to keep this new talent of yours, or if you want to gain a new talent, there had better be twenty-seven of you before midnight tomorrow."
"I knew it would come down to this," Angelique declared, hands over her heart. "It's just a bluff to start a Killing Game!"
"The whole concept is ridiculous," Ishiku chimed in. "It is even, one could say, inconceivable!"
"I know what that word means, and I assure you, what I am offering is not what that word means. The rules to this are very simple…
"Once the lucky four have been selected and bestowed new talents, they have until midnight tomorrow to make their decision. At midnight tomorrow, if no one has been killed, their new talents will suddenly leave them, and they cannot ever get them back.
"The next day, four more random members of your group will be bestowed a new talent each, and they have the entire day to make the call. This'll keep going until one of you commits."
"Wait wait wait," Pyrrha declared, waving her hands in the air. "Are you saying that if someone with these so-called new talents kills someone, you're going to let them keep the talent?"
"Yes! Well, if they survive the Town Trial that follows, because murder is still very much frowned on here. Don't think you can escape with your new talents or a murder, anyone who tries to escape the law here will be mowed down, no talent or distance will save you.
"Oh, and keep in mind, anyone can commit a murder, not just those with a new talent. Because, well, should you survive the Town Trial by fooling everyone or surviving your execution, I will let you in on more. So much more.
"So very, very much more… if I can give and take away talent in this town, and you can see or feel this change with your eyes, let me ask you…
"How much more could I give someone who wants to embrace me and my ways?"
This caused a great deal of silence amid everyone. For even the most skeptical realized that no matter how much they didn't believe this, they realized it could tempt someone of this group.
"Anyway! I think you get the implications here! Monokuma's First Motive, the New Talent Motive, my very own golden prodigy! Are there any more questions?"
Monokuma was practically quivering in delight as he stared amongst the graduates. His evil red eye almost felt like he was scanning them.
"I just have two," Eisei said, stepping forward.
"Ah yes, our froofie fop of a dentist dude! What is your questions?"
"One, are the talents all the same, or are they going to be different?"
"That's something you'll all have to see, I don't believe in spoiling everything."
"Very well. Second question, if there are no more questions, is your speech completed?"
"Huh? Are there any more questions? … No? Then I guess I'm done."
"Good."
Eisei turned on his fancy shoes, and glanced up at Ignatia. "Enjoy yourself."
Much like a jungle cat, the mime leapt forward, pouncing Monokuma. The bear of despair shrieked, and was knocked to the other side of the fountain. There were tearing sounds, then Monokuma, minus an arm and an ear, ran away screaming as Ignatia fiercely chased after him.
The plaza was quiet after that, the sounds of the ravenous chase unheard after the two disappeared into the mists. Glances were exchanged, though words weren't said so much. The first ones to talk were Souma and Eisei.
"How on Earth did you plan that out, my friend?" Souma asked Eisei, as the two walked away together.
"It took a little bit of time, but I gave her a lollipop and a quick inspection. Mimes, even hostile ones like her, are still performers at heart…"
The two were gone, their voices disappearing just as soon as they were out of sight. Slowly but surely, the group began to disperse.
"W-wait," Shinobu called out to them all, trying desperately to catch their attention. "Please! We shouldn't go our separate ways! This is a test, and we don't want this to go sideways. Please, all the previous Killing Games have shown that not working together…"
"Oh can it," Emanuel snapped at her, pushing her aside with his shoulder. "No one here is going to be told what to do, all a bunch of stubborn jackasses. Now move out of the way, they have some of the good stuff at the café, and I need it after that bullshit."
"Jerk!" Shinobu shouted at him, shaking her fist at him. She turned towards the others, and was surprised to see so many of them had indeed branched off.
Hikari and Aka were heading over to the cafeteria together, talking quietly between the two of them. Crystal wandered off by her own, stroking her chin and completely in her own world at this point. Kimiko walked up one of the roads completely alone, arms crossed and a bit of a stomp in her step.
"Do you think we can convince everyone here," Samson said to Takeo, "that we can try a military patrol or the like tonight? There's a lot of people here who aren't fighters, and we might want to ensure protection."
"I don't think we have to worry too much about everyone," Takeo replied. His eyes glanced over at a certain redhead walking away from the group. "There's plenty of people here who are far stronger than they let on."
Nearby the two were another duo, Ken and Yitro. The cavalryman had watched everyone, noticing how quickly they dispersed. The amount of people wandering off, going their own ways, was clearly distressing the Novoselician.
"I may be the last person to be giving a lecture or advice," Ken said to Yitro, "but I noticed that you, the Ultimate Swordsman, haven't carried your blade with you. Maybe now that Monokuma has made such a bold move, you should consider arming yourself?"
Yitro stared at the cavalryman, but said nothing. The two walked off together, with Ken trying to talk to the now silent swordsman.
"Barely worth getting excited over," Jin muttered, examine her nails. "Like that stupid bear has that kind of power here, he cannot even stop a mime from tearing him apart."
"I wonder," Yejoon mused, rubbing his chin, "but then again, maybe it's just a spectacle, a placebo effect? I do love the mystery of it all."
"You're simple, that's what you are. Go hang out with the cartoonist boy, you both love your art simple and childish. I'd like to not be around you, because I am getting the feeling you're talking about me behind my back with everyone here."
As Jin walked off, and Yejoon casually remarked that she still hadn't removed the tiger from his room, Drake overheard what they said.
The cartoonist sighed, then headed to the cafeteria, desperately needing a place to sit down. Before he made it there, Pyrrha walked over towards him, and smiled softly. "A little chocolate milk can do wonders for the nerves," she said, "I was gonna make some. Want to join me?"
"Me too, me too," Odelios declared, popping out from the side of the building. "Come on, can I have a mug too? I've been making pancakes for you all the past two days, spoil me a little! I deserve it!"
As the graduates broke off into more groups or solo acts, the passing of time went from sluggish to a race car. 9 PM was like a horror movie monster, coming at them most intimidatingly.
It was around 8 PM when most of the graduates made dinner at the cafeteria. There was barely any comradery or teamwork, everyone was used to being independent and strong on their own.
Blake had eaten his food, and pushed Ishiku out of the way when the magician came to him in hopes of forming some kind of strategy. Ishiku stormed out of the building shortly after, fed up with how he was being treated.
Anzu sat at her place, unable to eat her food with how nervous she felt. She scanned the area, trying to see who she could talk to. Futaba was conversing with Jin again, the latter ignoring her brother when he came briefly into the building. Yejoon had managed to find Fiora, and was trying to calm her down as she was blubbering on and on about how vicious those midget bear bots could be…
Odelios, Pyrrha, and Takeo were finishing up on dinner, with a little help from Drake. Shuuya was seated alone, eating, scanning the people inside with a keen eye.
Then she saw the usual trio of Isaac, Hara, and Saiko, and something about their union being the only sign of teamwork made the actress feel inspired. She stood up and hurried over to the three, though someone was right behind her.
"Anzu, darling," Angelique was calling out. "Wait, dear, what's wrong? Please, I'm still worried…"
Anzu was at the trio's table before the opera singer's words registered in her head. When the three looked up at her, she placed her hands on the table and leaned in.
"I need to request something of you guys," she said, her knuckles tightening. She felt Angelique nearby, and turned to her and said, "You too, Angel. Please."
"How the hell," Saiko remarked, raising an eyebrow, "are you looking even more pale, Miss Porn Star? I didn't think that was physically possible with your complexion. I've autopsied corpses with paler skin."
"Saiko, no need to be so rude," Hara chided her friend.
"I have a really bad feeling," Anzu said, unperturbed by Saiko's words, "about tonight. I don't think any of you should be out past 9 PM, or out and about tonight like you normally are."
"What, is this about the motive?" Isaac asked. "You really think that Monokuma, or rather whoever is controlling him and the Kubs, can just give someone talent? It's so farfetched…"
Anzu opened her mouth to speak, shut it, then tried again. She had lied earlier when she had said she just had some stupid dream when she had passed out, because she felt it would be too unbelievable for everyone, and also it might draw danger to herself if some supernatural force was in play…
But the more she thought about leaving this be, the more the words from Mahiru rang in her head, "The first motive will bring blood before the day is done."
"You remember how when you found me, I had that camera in my hand?" she said. "And then when I woke up, it dissolved before your eyes?"
"Wait, what?" Saiko balked, staring at Hara and Isaac. "What's this about a camera?"
"Um, we didn't mention it," Hara admitted, blushing slightly and glancing to the side, "because it was so weird and unnatural. Isaac, Anzu, and I agreed it was probably some kind of trick or something, but… do you think it was something more, Anzu?"
"I… I kind of do," Anzu muttered. "I don't know how to explain this in a way you'll believe me fully, but I just… I like you all. I like a lot of the people here, and I don't want to see anymore people I know getting hurt.
"The door locks for our living quarters work at 9 PM. I think it would be best if you all keep safe tonight. Something in my gut, in my heart too… just everything is telling me that we cannot take a chance tonight."
There was silence amid the five, and Anzu could see the doubt in their eyes. Though before she could try saying anything more, Angelique spoke up.
"There is the possibility," she remarked, "that someone, anyone from our group, came here because they felt that they could gain power or control with despair."
The opera singer tapped her chin, humming with perfect pitch. With a heavy sigh, she remarked, "I doubt we could persuade everyone to do this, or even anyone else; Yitro is too stubborn to hide from danger, I doubt even I could convince him. So yes, let's play on the safe side, it couldn't hurt."
Isaac and Hara exchanged glances, and the latter said, "I… I actually would feel a lot safer if we tried to avoid whatever it is that Monokuma is throwing at us tonight, rather than explore it. A good explorer should know when not to venture forward."
The reporter smiled at his fiancée and kissed her cheek. "If that's how you feel, I agree. Let's sit this one out. Saiko, if you-"
"You don't have to worry about me," the forensic investigator replied. "Though I don't believe in any of the crap Monokuma is trying to pitch, I have had my fill of crazy for a lifetime."
"Do you want to spend the night in our room, maybe?" Hara offered.
"Thank you, but I already have a plan. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be going now, see you guys tomorrow then."
She winked at her friends, and then walked off. Anzu saw her go, then turned to Angelique. "I guess I should be heading to my room too-"
"Absolutely not, you're coming to my room."
Anzu's face was no longer pale. "Say what?"
"If you're this worried, someone's spending the night with you. No arguments, belle, you're coming with me."
The opera singer hooked her arm around Anzu's and pulled the thin girl alongside her. There was no resistance from the actress, just a lot of nervous but happy giggling.
They passed by Fiora and Yejoon, the former having finally switched the subject from the ravenous Kubs. "And then the darn thing caught fire again! Hehe, I'll tell you, never making a movie involving a volcano again. Ahh, boy, what a day that was. But enough about my crazy projects, I want to hear about some of yours!"
Day 03, 9:45 PM
Housing Area
Isaac and Hara's House
Isaac used his fingers to pry open a couple of the blinds to the window. Peering into the street, he didn't see anyone, which made him worry about Saiko. The mists almost resembled a flowing stream right now, with how they coursed down the road.
"I really hope I'm not letting this town sway my observation," he remarked, "but I swear it's more unnerving out there than before."
"All the more reason to stay in here tonight, I say," Hara remarked. "Maybe Anzu was just overreacting, but I'm going to say that I don't trust everything about this town, or everyone in it. I mean, some of the people are nice, but if there's one thing I learned from you, it's that I cannot always trust my heart in believing people are going to be good just because I hope they are."
Isaac nodded, continuing to watch outside. His fiancée was done changing for bed, and he glanced over at her. She was brushing her teeth, diligent about her health as always. A small smile spread across his face, as he thought back to how much she had encouraged him to do the same; she had definitely changed him over the course of knowing each other.
"Hara, tell you what," he said, peering back outside, "when you go on your morning walk, wake me up. I'd like to go with you."
"What? I mean, I can guess why, but you love sleeping in."
"That is true," he said, as he stepped away from the window, "but I love you more."
The two stayed up for a little while longer, planning everything out for tomorrow. They found that while still unnerved by everything that had happened, there was a sense of peace so long as they had each other.
Sleep came for them a lot sooner than they realized. The mists flowed through the streets, the corridors, licking the side of every building and crawling around them like a wave of spiders. The wind howled above the town, and the buildings creaked even more this night.
(Day 03 is over~)
(Monokuma Theater!)
*Monokuma is sitting in a small motorboat that is going down a very swampy river. He is leaning back, enjoying himself.*
Monokuma - "My cubs are always asking me, 'Daddy, what is the best place to go for when you take someone out on a date?' And you know what I like to say to them? 'Stop bothering me with dumb questions, you dumb, adorable, dumb cubs'!"
*Monokuma hits a ramp-like rock and his boat goes flying through the air. He is flailing in the air, as an alligator lunges for him from out of the water.*
Monokuma - "Because everyone knows, these things should just happen naturally. After all, what is life but a series of natural coincidences? That's why I hate it when people complain about 'coincidence' being a bad thing in the movies, because that is life!"
*Monokuma crash-lands face-first on a small island. He is colliding with a rock that is knocked off of its original spot, revealing a bag underneath it.*
Monokuma - "You also have to have a bunch of items and such to boost your score when on a date, and have random facts about them memorized. That's how dating goes, everyone knows that!"
*The bag has been opened, and the white 'n black bear is holding up paws full of diamonds.*
Monokuma - "Trust in coincidence, have some nice score-boosting gifts, and dating life will be easy for you! Take it from me, the bear who has everything!"
Day 04, 9:25 AM
Housing Area
Isaac and Hara's House
There was a series of pokes that were meant to wake a sleeping soul. It took many, many pokes, like a sword banging against a shield with no results from either combatant. Finally, the poking warrior rolled the slumbering one onto his back, and kissed him until he woke up.
"Glad to know that still works," Hara said with an impish smile down at Isaac. "Now come on, Sleeping Handsome, I gave you some additional time, and I refuse to lose any more!"
"Bloody… sleep… tyrant…"
Isaac pulled himself out of bed eventually, and started to dress himself. As he did so, the TV turned on and started it's normal routine.
(Day 04 has begun!)
(Monokids' Town Hall Greeting)
*The five Kubs are standing at the town hall. All of them have jewelry of some kind on, except for a very depressed-looking Monotaro.*
All Five Kubs - "Rise and shine, ursine~!"
Monosuke - *flashing his shiny diamond watch on his wrist* "There sure aren't enough of you early risers, we have to pick up the slack. But now that we're the 1% in Penjar, thanks to Pops, we can control how society works!"
Monophanie - *admiring her diamond necklace* "Yes, being rich means everything is in our control now! I can make everyone be nice to each other!"
Monosuke - "Huh? But I was going to make everyone be mean to each other!"
Monophanie - "Oh no! Our ideologies clash! Whatever shall we do?"
Monokid - *holding up a guitar blinged out with diamonds* "Hell yeah! Rich people fight it out! We can afford it!"
Monodam - *stands there with his teeth showcasing some bling that says KUB in big letters* "…"
Monokid - "You stay out of this, Monodam!"
Monotaro - "… It's not fair, I just asked Father where is the best place to take somebear on a date…"
Monokid - "NO ONE LIKES A WHINER, DUMBASS!"
*Monokid proceeds to break his guitar on Monotaro's head. The broken pieces and thus diamonds scatter everywhere. The two immediately rush to trying to pick up as many as they can.*
Monosuke - "Our town meetings have a shocking amount of brawls in them. Is that normal?"
Monophanie - "I don't know, but I think we should just let them get on with their day."
All Five Kubs - "So long, bear well~!"
"I wonder who actually watches those dumb things," Isaac remarked as the TV went off. "And do they actually plan them out? Now all I can think of is those dumb bears around a writing table."
"Monokuma and his Kubs, taking improv classes," Hara remarked, giggling. "If only that were the case, it might actually be funny if they weren't such horrid beings."
"Yeah, I'm not exactly keen to see what their stand-up would be like either."
After Isaac finished dressing, he and Hara stepped outside. The mist was still flowing down the road, almost curling around the sidewalk as if it had to stay in the street. Isaac took his hand tried to wave some onto the sidewalk, and most of it curled back into the road.
"I really want an explanation of how whoever is behind the scenes," he muttered, "is able to do that."
Hara didn't really have an answer, she just walked alongside him. She reached over and took his hand, something inside of her that was like social anxiety was building up, and she wasn't exactly sure why.
The sky wasn't as bright as it had been the past couple days within the morning. It was like an overcast dawn, a shadow that made everything seem a little gloomier.
The two of them were heading up the left side of the housing area, the large horseshoe-shaped street that all of the houses were on unusual but handy for the travelers. After all, the left side led directly to the street that the shops, the cafeteria, and the café were on.
The fact that they hadn't seen anyone yet wasn't too surprising, though she was definitely squeezing his hand a bit more. They left the housing area, the plaza right across the street from them.
That was when Isaac spotted two figures standing on the edge of the plaza, completely still. He waved at them, but they either didn't see or they didn't care. "Hello there," he called, but this warranted no reaction either.
"Wait, who is that?" Hara asked. "I cannot tell in all this fog."
The two crossed the street, and walked over to the two figures. As they came in close, they could tell it was Takeo and Ignatia. The two were staring each other down, not moving, not budging an inch.
It looked like either the mime was mocking the mercenary's at ease stance, or something like a bouncer refusing to let the street performer in.
Just as Isaac was about to speak again, the speakers of Penjar let out a sharp whine. There was a brief spat of static, then Monokuma's voice echoed around the entire town.
"A body has been discovered!
"Please report to the Main Plaza of Penjar, for further details. Look alive, people! Upupupupupu~"
The message cut off with a sharp noise, and then the dull thud of the words were left to echo in everyone's head. Isaac looked around the area frantically, feeling that fight or flight decision of panic settling in.
"A body? What? What's going on? Did you two see something?!"
It was then that Ignatia flinched and stepped back, turning to the two who had unintentionally snuck up on her. Her pupils had dilated, her breath was terrified gasps. Isaac and Hara regarded her, and then looked at Takeo.
The mercenary hadn't moved, not an inch. Isaac stepped forward, the mist felt so thick around him that it was almost like he was wading towards Takeo.
He reached over, and said, "Hey there, are you okay?"
When his hand pat Takeo's shoulder, the mercenary moved ever so slightly but unnaturally rigid. Isaac pulled his hand back, then moved it forward again, this time poking Takeo in the chest.
The rigid body rocked back and forth, one solid mass. There was a brief silence, and then Isaac screamed in primal terror. He fell backwards, landing on his butt as he backed away in terror. Hyperventilating, he stared up at this horrible realization.
Takeo Onishi, the Ultimate Mercenary, was dead. His body had been turned into a preserved statue for Penjar.
…
27 Graduates remain in Penjar.