Mists of Penjar

by The Kobold Necromancer

Graduated students of Hope's Peak Academy want to know how Despair was able to spread so fast and ruin so many lives. In an abandoned town known as Penjar, where windless mist creeps down old streets, they have come to find the answers. But Despair, and its Kubs, still have plans even in this seemingly forgotten place. [Part 1 Spin-Off of Crit Fail's Legacy of Despair Series.]

27. Chapter 4-3: The Rust on Penjar

Chapter 4-3

Paint the Town Metallic Red

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Ignatia panted hard as she watched the robot man approaching her, extending one arm out with his green fingers ready to grab her. It made her think of something out of sci-fi horror, a human-killing robot bearing down on her. She was prepared to run, and luckily, this body that she was in was incredibly athletic.

Whoever Maki Harukawa was, she was even more fit than Ignatia normally was. So she was able to sprint swiftly down the hallway, though the hateful red lights coming from the ceiling made her feeling like she was retreating through Hell.

"Get back here, Maki Harukawa," the robot known as Kiibo shouted. "Do you really think that you can outrun me? I do not tire!"

The running footfalls of the robot, cracking the tiles with every step, started to catch up to her. Ignatia huffed as she ran as fast as she could, though Kiibo was catching up with her quickly.

Ignatia made it to the stairs, and started to leap across the handrail down to the lower flight. She continued to do this, down to the first floor. Kiibo stomped down the stairs, and she could hear more cracking noises.

The mime couldn't even comprehend what was going on, it had been like this since she had woken up here in Hope's Peak. She was in someone else's body, this lithe and incredibly fit young lady who wore black and red clothing to match her black hair and red eyes. When she woke up in a dorm room, in this body, it felt like the normal version of Hope's Peak Academy…

Then when she started to explore the place, the lights went that awful red color. Kiibo approached her, talking normally, and then he suddenly attacked when his eyes gleamed with the same color as the overhead lights.

Ignatia couldn't comprehend how this was happening, but she wasn't going to just stand around and wait to be killed.

Gasping for breath, she struggled to make her legs work after that parkour bouncing. She moved forward, and then she started to hear voices in the distance, sounds of a commotion…

And then there was someone speaking on the overhead speaker, shouting out orders, in Italian. It was the same voice she could recall hearing shouting on speakers during the Tragedy, when mass riots were happening.

Ignatia stepped towards the main lobby of Hope's Peak, and it was full of teenagers wearing the uniform for the Reserve Course. They were all mad looking, splattered with blood, some injured but carrying on.

The front doors had been smashed down on the ground, all of the windows shattered and every single item in the lobby broken beyond repair. And, all over the floor, were dead students and staff of Hope's Peak.

The Reserve Course students were shouting, all in Italian, brandishing weapons and shivs that gleamed with the red light that poured in from outside.

"DEATH TO HOPE'S PEAK!"

"KILL ALL THE ULTIMATES!"

"DOWN WITH THE SYSTEM!"

"KILL EVERYONE!"

Ignatia stumbled backwards, and then she realized they weren't speaking in Italian, as if a switch was flipped. Several of the murderous Reserve Course students noticed her, and snarled and moved towards her.

"KILL HER!"

"KILL THE ULTIMATES!"

"IT'S NOT FAIR!"

"DESPAIR! DESPAIR!"

The mime turned around and sprinted away, heading away from the murderous mob as fast as she could. She could see Kiibo heading down the hallway, towards her, and she continued to move.

As she headed around the hallways of Hope's Peak, she could hear the flood of violent students swarm on top of Kiibo. They were bashing him, stabbing at him, trying to destroy him. He responded by breaking their necks, smashing her skulls against the walls, and plunging his metal hand into their chest and ripping out their hearts.

"I tire of these attempts to slow me down," Kiibo declared, as he yanked at a young man's head and ripped it off of his shoulders. "These methods will not stop me from terminating my target! Come back here, Maki Harukawa, you only delay your inevitable demise!"

Ignatia hurried through the hallways, to another stairway, and started to head back up. She got to the fourth floor before she felt so tired that she could barely stand. Collapsing to the floor, shivering and gasping, she had to throw up to alleviate how awful her stomach felt.

"Maki?"

She flinched and lifted her dagger up at the voice nearby. There were four figures standing there, all of them appearing terrified.

Two of them were total strangers to her: the boy in a purple jacket with purple, pointy hair, and a petite girl with blonde hair and a green dress.

The other two, Ignatia remembered seeing when she was on her art program at Hope's Peak. Mahiru Koizumi, the Ultimate Photographer, and Teruteru Hanamura, the Ultimate Cook, both frequently visited the art rooms due to their talents.

"Mon cheri," Teruteru walked over to Ignatia, waving her hands, "it's alright. We are not affected by this wave of Despair."

"It's so awful," the blonde girl said, sobbing as she covered her face. "Those violent Reserve Course students, they… they killed so many of our friends! I couldn't do anything…"

Mahiru walked over and hugged the blonde girl, pulling her close. "Chihiro, no one is blaming you."

"Yeah, no one blames you! Come on, Maki Roll," the purple haired guy said, extending his hand to her. She was still pointing her knife at him, highly confused and concerned. The purple topped guy stared at her, equally concerned. "Maki Roll? Are you okay?"

Ignatia swallowed and struggled, but she didn't know what to do. She opened her mouth, trying to speak, unsure if she could after all this time…

"I… I can barely breathe," she managed to say, Maki's voice sounding raspy and so unusual. "I cannot stand… that robot… chased me."

"Robot? Kiibo?" Chihiro declared. "Oh no! He's trying to hurt you?"

"He's… trying to kill me."

"Maki Roll, I'll carry you, if you need," the purple topped guy said. Ignatia stared at him peculiarly, and he chuckled. "Yeah, I know you're tough, but we cannot stay here."

"Mon cheri, you can trust Kaito," Teruteru said, walking up to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and Ignatia flinched slightly; she remembered that the cook could get a little handsy. Then he leaned in and whispered…

"Ignatia Nazario, you can trust us, we're some of the last standing during this Killing Game."

The mime stared incredulously at him, and then up at Kaito. She nodded, and Kaito moved over to pick her up. Carrying her bridal style, the purple topped man moved along with the other four students in tow.

"So what are we going to do?" Chihiro asked. "Do we hide? Can we even hide from all of this?"

"There's so many dead," Mahiru muttered, running a hand through her hair. "So very many, we just have to wait for the police to show up."

"Maybe with the Reserve Course sent in to try and kill us," Teruteru said, "we could survive if we make it outside."

The cook glanced up at Ignatia, and added, "That's new, you know?"

"What's new?" Kaito asked. "I mean, yeah, the motives we had previously weren't like this. They were all offers of power and money, not just flat out try to kill us all."

"Let's just get to our dorms," Mahiru said. "We should hunker down, and try to recover our strength. We'll need it to push our way out of here."

"Push?" Ignatia repeated. "You think we can just shove our way out."

"We're not going to kill anyone," the photographer said defiantly. "Maki, I know you're trained for this, but the rest of us, we couldn't comprehend killing someone, ever. So please, let's just calm down and get some place safe for now."

Ignatia was rather confused by this, and yet she did notice Teruteru appeared highly distraught after Mahiru's statement.

The group headed through the hallways, and Ignatia saw bloodstains on parts of the wall and floor occasionally. Whatever Killing Game had happened in Hope's Peak, no one was cleaning up afterwards.

When they made it to the dorm rooms, Kaito placed Maki on a bed, one that was facing a small kitchen and underneath a window; the light outside was still that awful, hateful red color, so Kaito shut the blinds as soon as he could.

"Maki Roll, I'm going to try and get the others ready to get out of here. Don't worry, we're all going to make it out, okay?"
"Okay," she responded.

Kaito cupped her face, and then leaned in to kiss her. Ignatia recoiled, startled and confused, which perplexed Kaito as well. The mime shook her head, and said, "Sorry, I'm not feeling well."

"I understand. My apologizes, Maki Roll."

He gently kissed her forehead, pat her shoulder, and left the room. Teruteru came in, tipping his hat to Kaito before moving over to the kitchen.

"My apologies, Ignatia, I am sure you must be very confused," he said as he started to work with the food and tools available. "I'm afraid we don't have a lot of time."

"I'm… not used to talking," she admitted. "It's only because this body is not mine that I can talk again."

"Ironically, Maki isn't much for talk either, so it's not too much different. So, let me try to explain everything here…"

Teruteru worked hard as he quickly went into the explanation of this place, his role, and what was going on. Ignatia was able to follow for the most part, though she was highly confused over a few points.

"So how did you know it was me?" she asked. "Like, actually me?"

"I'm rather in tune with what happens in Penjar, due to my role. So when there is a disturbance, I know one of you must be in here. Though y'all are still kind of mum about what you ding-dang find in here, aren't chall?"

The chef sighed irritably, and rubbed his forehead. "Sorry. I guess you're just being cautious."

"What did you mean by something new, earlier?" Ignatia asked, crossing her arms.

"Oh, this Killing Game has repeated so many times, I've lost count; however, one of the consistences that the front door is barricaded and escape is impossible has recently changed. Now whoever is still alive can make it out of the Killing Game if they make it to the outside world."

Ignatia nodded, then stared down at the knife still in her hand. She hadn't let go of it, despite everything. "Is there something about Maki that I'm not aware of? I don't remember the other students during the Hope's Peak Killing Game except for your class."

"Maki is actually an assassin, trained at a young age, one of the very best. Don't let that fool you, she was a good person."

Ignatia glanced down at herself, or rather down at Maki. Her free hand moved towards her stomach, and she rubbed it gently. "Kiibo said something about me being pregnant."

Teruteru froze up, pausing whatever he was making in the kitchen. "Did he now?"

"And that boy, Kaito, he tried to kiss me. Were they… are they…"

"You have to realize, Ignatia, that when you entered this Killing Game, it has been weeks going on to months for us. There were times when no one died for lengthy periods, with these scared but strong students hanging onto hope despite what the Mastermind threw at us.

"During that time, and during so many other times, Maki and Kaito become a couple. She resists because she's so tsundere, he persists because he's the Luminary of the Stars, and eventually it leads to that kind of intimacy."

"Why does Kiibo want my… want Maki's baby dead?"

"If you didn't recall, during the real Hope's Peak Killing Game, Aoi Asahina was pregnant. Quite pregnant, and the Mastermind wanted her and her unborn children inside of her dead."

"What? That's horrible! Why?"

"That, I do not know," Teruteru said, shaking his head. "I am afraid I am not as omnipotent as I could be, but I guess they didn't want to give a pervert like me those powers, eh?"

He chuckled lightly, though there was a sadness in his tone and movement by now. Ignatia watched him, and sighed as she realized that this spirit of Teruteru must be suffering.

"I didn't think such love could exist amongst such evil and hatred," she said, crossing her arms. "I still find it so hard to believe… Kaito loves Maki, despite her past, despite who she is?"

"Yes, that is love, mon cheri," Teruteru said. He reached up to his eyes, and wiped away some tears. "It's something that many of us hope for, but not all of us get."

"I honestly didn't believe it could be, but… this place isn't real. This place is just an image, an illusion of sorts, is it not?"

"It's a bit more than that, this is one of the most highly advanced recreations you could imagine, more powerful and accurate than any virtual reality. The problem is, it has been corrupted, as well as a containment area for a lost soul or few."

"What? Can you please tell me what that means?"

"I'm sorry, my mind is really fuzzy after all of the times I have been through this Killing Game. Just know that, as extreme as this place may be, the people here are still very real.

"Kaito loves Maki. Chihiro is as gentle and sweet as he is in real life. Mahiru is ever the strong and reliable young lady."

"But why am I here?"

Teruteru finished what he was making: a rice ball and a blended juice mix in a glass. He walked over to offer them to Ignatia, who started to eat and drink. "Despair is trying to get something from this place. I'm not sure what, I'm not sure how, I just know that those who want Despair are working to take something from this place."

The food that Teruteru had prepared, as well as the juice mix, invigorated at a level that felt like she had been reborn. She stood up, her body feeling rejuvenated entirely. "Okay, so what do I need to do?"

"Survive, mon cheri," he said. "Every time one of you shows up, there is a dire threat that needs to be resolved. It is usually when the Mastermind is trying their hardest to win the Killing Game."

"Each time one of you shows up, it usually means I'm about to die."

Both Teruteru and Ignatia flinched at the other voice now in the room. Mahiru walked in, clutching her hand over her heart, as she shivered. The color in her face was drained, and she had the most horrified expression on her face.

"It's becoming clear again," Mahiru said, shaking slightly. "I… I'm going to die soon."

"Mahiru, mon cherry top," Teruteru declared, running over to her, "do not lose faith! You can…"

"No, this is how always is, Teruteru. Please, just give me a minute with her. I need to talk to her. Get the others ready… we're going to make a break for it."

Teruteru nodded, then moved out of the room. Mahiru stared at Ignatia, right into the fiery red eyes that were actually Maki's. "Ignatia Nazario, right?"

"Yes."

"The Ultimate Mime, you haven't spoken in a long time, I'm sorry to ask you to speak more."

"It's okay."

Mahiru crossed her arms, and stared at Ignatia. "Don't tell anyone you saw me, or even Teruteru at this point. Despair is looking for a pattern, and if they find out that I'm a consistency with those visiting this place…"

"Are you what Despair is looking for?"

The photographer rubbed her hands together, and sighed. "I don't know. I cannot imagine how, or why, I would be important for whatever they want; I'm not a bad person, I never was."

Mahiru sobbed, and muttered, "Maybe it has something to do with my mother, my friends, maybe it's about Hiyoko? Or maybe I'm just thinking too much about this, and I'm not what they are after at all."

The redheaded photographer pulled herself together, and continued, "I just want this pain to stop, but I cannot risk Despair finding out more on this place. If they expand out from here, if they gain power…"

Mahiru paced back and forth, and then glanced out into the hallway. "I've fallen for Chihiro so many times. Hajime, Kazuichi, Mikan, Kirumi, Shuichi, Makoto, Kaede, even Sato, when I get to see her again, I've been through the Killing Game finding someone I can rely on, who relies on me, that feeling of love and respect…

"And then it is ripped away from me, again and again and again, and I know they are alive in the real world, they'll never know… how much they meant to me. They're happy, I want them to be happy, I will not let Despair ruin them!"

Ignatia nodded, and said, "I'll respect your wishes; however, we won't give up until we find out the answers to Penjar."

"I know you say that, but I have to warn you, the predicament you're facing in Penjar is going to be more emotional than anything you've handled so far. You cannot let the emotion overrun the logic, no matter how much it hurts."

Mahiru crossed her arms, and stared at Ignatia. "I know you want to leave Penjar, to avoid bringing harm to Drake, to your new friends; however, you do play a part, so stay strong, Ignatia."

She managed a small smile, and moved in to hug the mime in the assassin's body. Ignatia felt the camera around Mahiru's camera press against her chest, and there was a rather intense feeling in the mime's heart suddenly.

That was when Kaito burst into the room. "Maki Roll, Mahiru, we need to go, now! The Reserve Course is getting up here!"

The two girls parted, and headed into the hallway. Chihiro, Teruteru, and Kaito were there waiting for them, and the five started to head out. Ignatia tried to keep her calm, though she had an incredible sense of dread.

The lights were normal, though she could hear noises in the distance. It reminded the mime something of a Tesla coil, the vibrations from constant movement traveling far to affect others in the same place. This was a strange time to consider science…

But when she saw a robotic man down the hallway with a murderous glare as well as red lights coming from his eyes as you rounded a corner, she realized that science was not on her side.

Kiibo stomped once towards them, and the whole building seemed to shake. It was like her vision was rattled, as all of the lights in the hallway turned that hateful red once again. The floor shook, her ears popped and buzzed, her teeth clattered.

"Maki Harukawa," Kiibo shouted, extending his arm and flexing his fingers. He was covered with blood, his limb and hand coated in it, dripping that life fluid from all the Reserve Course students he had massacred. "You and the rest of Hope must be destroyed."

Kiibo started to march towards them, his arm extended as if he planned to grab her neck the moment he closed the distance. Ignatia growled, and clenched her knife in her hand.

"Everyone run," Teruteru shouted, "there's no point in fighting this-"

There was an explosive sound, which ripped through the hallway. It took Ignatia a moment to register that Kiibo's palm had a barrel in the center, and now smoke was emitting from it. Teruteru, a bloody gunshot wound in the center of his chest, fell over backwards.

The robot continued moving forwards, as his arm pointed towards Ignatia. "No more defenses, no more guardians," the robot declared, then his eyes shone malevolently, "just the end of you invaders. DIE!"

Ignatia sprinted forward, so fast on her feet that she mentally thanked Maki for being so amazingly fit. She struck at Kiibo's arm, and his next shot missed her and blew a hole in the wall nearby. Kiibo frowned, and reached out with his other arm.

He grabbed her wrist, she slashed at his neck and eyes. She wasn't even scratching whatever material he was made out of. Ignatia tried to stab right into his eyes, but he acted faster.

Slamming her down on the ground, he resisted her kicking at his face and chest. The robot pointed his palm cannon at Maki's face, and she could hear it revving up, preparing another shot…

Someone else kicked at his arm, and the next blast went wide. The railing to the side exploded, the debris plummeting four stories. Ignatia kicked at Kiibo as hard as she could, while Mahiru struggled to push the robot's arm away from the mime in the assassin's body.

Kaito rushed in to help, and kicked at Kiibo as hard as he could. The robot didn't so much as flinch, he merely glared at his attackers.

What happened was so fast, it barely registered to Ignatia at first. With her on the ground, she could only witness Kiibo rushing forward, something that sounded like jet engines behind him revving up. His chest slammed against Kaito, and sent him sprawling backwards, all the way down the hallway.

Kiibo reached over to Mahiru, gripping her arm. No words were spoken, as he used inhuman strength to fling Mahiru towards the balcony. With it destroyed, Ignatia saw the redheaded photographer fly over her in the briefest of seconds, the horrified look on her face…

… and there was no way to stop when Mahiru was sent over the edge, falling down four stories to her death.

There was screaming from down the hallway, the kind of heart-wrenching shriek that Ignatia knew too well. With nothing to lose, she lifted herself up and grabbed at Kiibo's head, trying to break his neck, block his vision.

One of her hands grabbed the most prominent part of his head: the incredibly prominent ahoge the robot had with his platinum hair. She yanked at it, and there was an intense snapping sound with sparks shooting out from his head. Kiibo froze in place, eyes losing the murderous red glare.

Ignatia took that ahoge, and jammed it right into Kiibo's eye. It penetrated and shanked deep into his cranium, before he flopped over motionlessly. Ignatia took several deep breaths, struggling to get up as blood leaked from her hand.

She felt her eyes glancing all over the place, to the destroyed railing that Mahiru had gone over, to the "dead" robot, then back to the others. Chihiro, with tears running down his face, was holding onto Teruteru's lifeless body as he too was staring at where Mahiru had fallen from.

When Ignatia and Chihiro looked at each other, the programmer turned slowly to observe Kaito. The mime found herself running for the fallen astronaut, and her hands were trembling for some reason. She didn't know why, maybe it was the part of her that was Maki.

Kaito's neck was broken, he had slammed against the wall that hard. Ignatia felt such an intense sadness well up in her, and she moved to hold Kaito's body. "N-no…"

"It'll be like this for you all if you do not work together."

Ignatia flinched, and turned to see Kiibo sitting up. The robot still had his metal ahoge stuck in his eye, until he reached up and wrenched it out. Sparks flew from the open "wound" as he stood, and dropped the hairpiece device. He stepped on it, shattering it to pieces.

Chihiro screamed in terror and moved away from him, heading to Ignatia. The mime held up her knife, but something registered in her head: the red light in Kiibo's remaining eye was gone.

"Heed my advice, Ignatia," Kiibo said, hobbling towards the mime and programmer, off-balance due to the lack of coordination. "The Entity of Chaos is indeed in Penjar. You are playing into their plan, and digression is what they want. You… you mustn't…"

Kiibo fell down on his chest, hand reaching out, fingers twitching as if his life force was draining away. The light started to fade out from his eyes, as he murmured, "… n-not… let… h-he… letter… letter re… letter e… turn."

The blue light in his eyes faded out, then there was a brilliant white flash from those dead eye sockets. Ignatia covered her own eyes, but it felt like she was sinking down…

---

Ignatia grunted and strained, then her eyes snapped open. She was staring up at the gaudy ceiling of her love hotel room. Her body was soaked in sweat, and she felt a dull, sore pain throughout most of her limbs and chest.

"Ignatia? Are you awake?"

The mime glanced around, and saw Pyrrha watching from the side of the bed. The romance writer was also sweating, appearing so terrified that she could barely breathe.

"Oh thank fucking God."

A tight pain that she didn't even realize at first eased up on her arm. She noticed Aka was next to her, and had been gripping her. Ignatia sat up in confusion, and lifted her arm, noticing she still had that knife in her hand…

And just as she mentally recognized as exactly the same knife that Maki had in that vision, the knife crumbled into dust. The dust was so fine, it didn't even leave a layer on her bed; it simply scattered and vanished into the room, carried away by the slight current the rotating horses made.

"What the hell!" Aka shouted when she saw the knife disintegrate before their eyes. "Okay, what the fuck is up with that?!"

"Ignatia, thank heavens you're okay!" Pyrrha declared, moving towards the mime before hugging her tightly. "We were so scared!"

The silent performer moved her mouth, and nothing but a wheezing noise came out. Her ability to speak as Maki was gone, and yet she felt inclined to try now more than ever. Still, she couldn't physically do it, it was too taxing, especially with how sore and exhausted she felt.

"What happened? What did you see?" Aka asked. "If you saw something? I mean, I know it's crazy, but you wouldn't believe how crazy it got out here!"

"You were trying to stab yourself," Pyrrha said, placing her hands on the mime's shoulders. "Aka stopped you, but you twice were trying to push the knife into your chest! What happened?"

Ignatia stared down at her chest, and was shocked to see a slight cut in her clothing, and her skin. Blood had stained her clothing, though the wound had already stopped bleeding. She stared at the injury for a moment, before staring in confusion at the two.

Aka wiped sweat away from her forehead, and muttered, "It was like you were possessed, took everything we had to stop you. It was the most intense experience of my life… what's going on, mime girl?"

The mime woman pulled her cell phone from her pocket, and started to type. Showing it to the two, it read, [It is very hard to explain. I'm so tired, I just want to shower off and take a nap.]

"Wha-what?" Pyrrha blurted out after reading the text. "But, Ignatia, what did you see? Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

[I don't feel suicidal at all, if that's what you are implying. What I saw in my vision was roughly the same as the others, Hope's Peak Academy and the students involved in a terrible Killing Game that had no trials, just death.]

"Did you see that Mahiru girl, like the other girls did?" Aka asked.

[No. Mostly I saw the robot.]

"The robot? Kiibo?" Pyrrha questioned. "Oh dear, but did you happen to get any kind of warning? That's something that seems to be popping up a lot."

[I was warned that we have to work together, that the Entity of Chaos truly is in Penjar. Now, I'm sorry, but I'm so sore and tired and sweaty… can I get some privacy?]

"Of course, Ignatia."

Pyrrha hugged her again, which the mime tentatively returned. The romance writer whispered to her, "You just take care of yourself, and once you feel better, come talk to us. You can trust us, we're going to help you through this."

Aka and Pyrrha, both slowly because they were still watching out for Ignatia, eventually got off the bed and exited the room. They stood there for a while, waiting to hear any other kind of sound to assure Ignatia would be okay.

Sure enough, they heard the familiar sounds of a shower turning on, with water running down the drain and through the pipes in the building. Pyrrha and Aka exchanged relieved glances, and the romance writer smiled.

"You were so brave, you really kept her alive there, you know that?"

"Y-yeah," Aka stammered, flustered for some reason.

"I am so impressed, but I'm still worried about her. Do you suppose we should come back after about a couple hours and-"

Pyrrha was interrupted when Aka grabbed her and pressed her up against the wall. The romance writer found the skier's hot lips on hers in the next second, as well as the tomboy's hands all over her body.

Aka was extremely passionately, with some of the most thrilling kisses and energetic gropes that Pyrrha had ever felt. The redhead's breath was snatched away, only able to gasp in overwhelmed excitement when Aka gave her a chance to breathe. The purple-topped athlete was all over her.

After a minute of this, the two were heatedly panting in each other's faces, Pyrrha a blushing and gasping mess, Aka an excited and determined boldness.

"I want," the skier whispered sensually, "to have sex with you, right now."

"H-huh?"

"I've told you before, adrenaline and excitement, thrilling events, they get me going more than anything. That… what we did together to keep her alive, that got me revving so hard, and I'm so fucking impressed with you now.

"I want to take you, Pyrrha, and show you just how fucking excited that got me. Holy shit do I need you right now!"

Pyrrha trembled as she looked into the thrilled eyes of the skier. She could think of a hundred reasons why this wouldn't be a good idea, but… that was countered by the passion and intensity of the moment.

"Take me," Pyrrha breathed out, smiling sweetly, "to my room. I want this too."

---

Day 12, 1:21 PM

Bowling Alley

Arcade

Drake operated one of the controls at the Fighters of the Storm, battling against Monodam's choices. The green Kub was much more precise with his movements and actions, but he was failing to win because of something in particular.

"I-SEEM-TO-BE-AT-A-DISADVANTAGE-DUE-TO-YOUR-ABILITY-TO-BUTTON-MASH, DRAKE."

The cartoonist giggled, as the character he was playing used her whip to keep the dragon-styled man at bay, until he went down for the count. Monodam slammed his head against the controls, and muttered, "CURSES. I-LOSE-AGAIN."

Yejoon watched them play, as he finished a few more notes in his notebook. "I must admit, that game does look like fun. What with everything going on, it must be nice to be able to enjoy yourself."

"So long as I can keep Monodam from being hurt by Monokid," Drake commented, "I don't think I'm wasting time."

"I didn't mean to imply you were. You've done your part, we cannot ask you to do more."

Drake nodded, and tapped at a couple of the buttons. "I just wish we could do more, you know? It's really frustrating, not knowing what is going on at the other side."

Yejoon chuckled, then spoke again. "Give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the distance."

Drake glanced over at him. "I don't understand. You sound so smart, you're so composed… how could you possibly be such a bad person?"

"Sinister comes in many different forms, my dear boy. After the Tragedy, many people saw evil as someone who hurt and killed for the fun of it, even out of their own control. For me, people need to die when it is necessary to make them beautiful, to fulfill a purpose in life.

"That, to me, is what I can change. Though I don't suppose you agree with that."

Drake shook his head, and muttered, "Hurting others is so awful to me, I could never get any enjoyment for that. I had always hoped that my work could inspire compassion in people, no matter how much people thought I was naive."

"To believe we can all get along is naive, Drake," Yejoon said.

"HEY-THERE-IS-A-CHANCE-YOU-CAN-ALL-GET-ALONG," Monodam interrupted.

Yejoon shook his head, and replied, "No, there are too many threats amongst our own group; however, there is a chance for some of you. My dear boy, you are one of the few I believe can carry on with your good work after we leave this town. You, Fiora, Isaac, Hara, and a few others, so do not lose hope. Find that courage, regardless of how shy you are."

Drake was silent for a few moments, before he turned back to the arcade game. He was about to hit the button to start it up again, when he heard someone approaching nearby.

Shuuya had walked into the arcade, glancing around to see who else was there. He glared at Yejoon, who merely shrugged and watched the bounty hunter approach the cartoonist.

"Hello, Drake," Shuuya said, before regarding the green Kub, "and… Monodam. Are you doing alright?"

"Y-yeah, we're fine," the cartoonist stammered.

"It's almost 1:30, and I cannot find out who is going next to the chapel. Have you heard from anyone else?"

Drake glanced at the game, then back to Shuuya. "N-no, sorry. I've pretty much been watching Monodam, with Yejoon nearby and Blake over at the bar."

"What's Blake said about his encounter?"

"Nothing that I want to repeat… or even can at this point. He got drunk pretty fast."

Shuuya slapped his palm against his forehead, and muttered, "Great, just great. We're almost completely in the dark about this, and it's so very embarrassing."

The assassin leaned against the arcade machine, and stared into Drake's innocent eyes. "I feel like you're probably the only person who gets how uncomfortable this whole motive is."

Drake nodded, and said, "Y-yeah, it's really difficult. I mean, are you going to be okay doing this?"

"Oh, I'll be fine, but I just hate the implications that come with it all, as well as that this is something that we feel obligated to do."

Shuuya chuckled lightly, and muttered, "Funny, hunting down a pedophile and killing him is so much easier to do than this motive."
Drake swallowed nervously, and added, "Well, um, sketching drawings of my characters is pretty tough."

Shuuya realized the two were very different when it came to their passions and careers, so he decided to stop making it awkward for the young man. "So are you sticking around here in case any of the married couples come here?"

"Yes, two of the locked doors are in this building, so I wanted to be sure to know who comes through here. I'm trying to keep record of what goes on, I have a bit of a skill for that mentally."

"What do you mean?"

"You see, when you are planning out a script for an episode, I take into consideration where everyone is at all times, so I don't lose track of where they would be. So it's kind of the same here, as much as I can help out."

Shuuya smiled, and pat the cartoonist's shoulder. "Good plan. That reminds me that we never planned which side one should visit first, so I'll come over here, fail or succeed. I should go now, take care of yourselves…

"Even you, Monodam."

"YOUR-CONCERN-IS-APPRECIATED. BEING-HUNTED-BY-A-MAD-SNIPER-WHO-IS-YOUR-BROTHER-IS-STRESSFUL-AND-DIFFICULT-TO-MAKE-PEOPLE-GET-ALONG."

Shuuya walked away from the arcade, tucking his hands into his pockets as he thought about what to say and do when he got to the chapel. To try and distract himself from that tedious scenario, he decided to check up on Blake.

The Australian pyro was slumped on the counter, drool coming from his mouth as a pool of beer poured down to the floor. Monokuma the Beartender was staring at him, then glanced over at Shuuya.

"You'll have to pay for his tab."

Shuuya rolled his eyes, and noticed that there was another Monokuma seated at the counter. He walked over, swiftly yanked the stool out from under the Monokuma, and waited for him to hit the floor.

Then the assassin lifted the bar stool, and smashed in Monokuma's head. Dropping the stool, he turned to the Beartender, and said, "Sorry, but the liquor went right to his head, thought I'd help him drain it out."

Gliding over to the bar, he reached over, grabbing Monokuma the Beartender's tie, and yanking him so the evil bear and the assassin were face to face, red eyes glaring into others. "That is how much you intimidate me, Monokuma."

"… Would you care for a martini, before you go off and try my Kubs' motive, in which you gotta bang a chick for the sole purpose for information? Aw, is that really upsetting to the trained killer and huntsman?

"You know, not all women are like the victims of those you assassinated. Or you thinking it more in the sense that your widdle sister could one day get stuffed hard than a-"

Shuuya hurled the bear against the racks of alcohol, knocking many of them over and causing a terrible commotion of shattering glass. The assassin walked out of the building, the last thing he heard were more shattering bottles, as well as Blake waking up with a start.

"Who'sh shtuffing whosh shishter?!"

The trench coat fluttered through the mist as the assassin beelined for the love hotel. His dark clothing really did stand out, and he had a steely look in his crimson eyes as he mentally told himself to just go. He quickly glanced at a clock inside of the lobby, which said it was slightly past 1:30.

The walk down the hallway made him feel a cold shiver going down his back, but he shoved his trepidation aside. "This is ridiculous," he mentally scolded himself. "This is not exactly virgin territory for me… and I just made a pun, great. How the hell am I nervous?"

Just as he was thinking that, someone let out a scream and threw something in his face. Shuuya cried out and adopted a martial arts pose, snarling angrily at whoever dared to attack him.

"Wow, youse is real high-strung," Monosuke said, shaking his head. "I get it, pre-wedding jitters, but don't worry. Youse don't have a ceremony, youse don't have to make a speech, youse just got the honeymoon to worry about!

"Youse didn't drink before the honeymoon, did youse?" the orange Kub questioned as Shuuya relaxed from his stance. "Pops probably has been trying ta get youse all drunk before the marriages, he thinks it is funny."

"I care very little about what your father thinks or does at this point," the assassin remarked. "Now tell me, was there a point to startling me?"

"Oh, did youse not hear me when I said youse was married now?" Monosuke asked. "Hehe, congrats, big guy! Even youse with your scary eyes and scary clothing and scary hairy…"

Shuuya walked past the orange Kub, and looked into the altar room. Seated in one of the chairs was Futaba, who was busy making notes until she noticed he was there.

"Oh, hello again, handsome," she said as she stood up, smiling. "What a fortunate coincidence that I meet up with one of my orgy partners."

"Oh," was all Shuuya could say, his pale face blushing slightly. He adjusted his collar, and muttered, "I guess that is a fine coincidence."

"What, are you nervous, Shuuya? Oh, is this about the whole social intimidation that I'm sure you poor boys are going through."

Futaba laughed and twirled his gloved hand around. "Yeah, speaking as an anthropologist, it's one of those things that is a social issue with no clear resolution. This was probably what the Kubs were hoping for."

Monosuke waddled into the room, and then stared up at Futaba. "Listen, youse don't want to stand around here all day, debating social norms and issues and moral dilemmas. If youse could come with me…"

The orange Kub reached up and grabbed her gloved hand. When he tugged, she shrieked in pain. Futaba yanked her hand away from the Kub, accidentally flinging him through the air and crashing into the altar. There were a lot of shattering and banging noises, as Futaba clutched at her wrist.

"Are you okay?" Shuuya asked, walking over to her.

"I'm fine," she hissed, as she tried adjust her wrist, but the pain was evident on her face. She was trying to fix something about it, but it wasn't working.

"Here, let me."

"No! No I don't-"

"I have experience with this, please allow me."

He took Futaba's arm, and held her firmly. She shivered, as she watched him peel the glove off of her hand. The Ikeru Tech logo was proudly displayed on the back of her mechanical hand, right up to the edge where her hand was slightly detached from her wrist.

"Wait, Shuuya, I know what to do," she said. "Please, now that I can see it, I can reattach it. Just… I didn't want to reveal it."

Shuuya let go of her, and Futaba moved her hand to the mechanical hand and wrist. With a slight fiddling, a quick push and shove, she successfully had it back to normal again.

"Sorry, that normally doesn't happen unless it gets yanked on really hard," she said. She sighed and glanced to the side. "I understand if it's really unattractive to you."

"No, it isn't. You're just fine, Futaba."

The anthropologist sighed as she glanced up at him. "Look, I'm not the type of woman to lose confidence because I don't think I'm pretty enough or something; however, I'm know I'm a bit of a scarred mess."

"Honestly, I thought you would be far more concerned about me."

"Why, because you're an assassin? Meh, I'm not a bad person, so I'm not scared of you. Plus, you're handsome and strong, and we've done it before. So if you're up for banging, I'm not going to be all emo."

Futaba grinned as she took her glove and put it back on her hand. She made sure it was snugly on, then leaned in to give Shuuya a hearty kiss. Her real hand moved up to caress him, then she whispered, "Though maybe I'm just keen because I may not have long."

"Huh? Why, exactly?"

"Because I kind of hurled Monosuke across the room, that might count as assault."

As if on cue, Monosuke stumbled out from the altar, with fake vines and string decorations of Monokuma hanging from his head. He rubbed his noggin, and muttered, "Wow, what a trip."

Shuuya approached Monosuke, and said, "Is that going to be a problem, Monosuke?"

"Is what going to be a problem?"

The assassin paused, wondering what direction to take this. "No one's in trouble, are they?"

"Trouble? Isn't that what being Penjar is all about? Haha, why don't youse be more concerned about youse's new marriage?"
Shuuya sighed in relief, then walked over to Futaba. "So if you're okay with this-"

Futaba took his hand with her artificial one, and squeezed him affectionately. "Up to our honeymoon suite, handsome. Aim to impress, this is round two after all!"

---

Day 12, 1:35 PM

Spa and Beauty Parlor

Hair Salon

"Okay, I don't want to be that kind of impatient bitch," Crystal shouted from inside the locked room, "but what's going on out there?"

Eisei raised a lavender eyebrow, and pulled his lollipop from his mouth to speak. "Nothing at all, Crystal, we're contemplating methods of assisting you. Our options are low, as we are not allowed to use explosives, fire, or battering rams."

A groan could be heard from behind the door, and Crystal responded, "Yes, I know this is quite the pickle."

"I fail to see how a vegetable-"

"Eisei," Saiko called out, "that's not really going to help."

The dentist turned towards the forensic investigator, tilting his head to the side. "Right now, I do not know how to assist Crystal except to help her stay calm so claustrophobia and/or cabin fever do not make her condition worsen."

"And you think bringing that up when she's in earshot is going to help?"

From inside the locked room, Crystal called out, "I'll admit, Eisei's voice is very soothing. It is helping me stay at ease."

Saiko felt a tinge of jealousy and outrage that she couldn't quite explain or care to admit to, so she pushed it aside. "Okay, I'll admit, I'm out of ideas. I was thinking of something to pick the lock or remove the hinges from the other side, but I cannot find the scissors."

"What?" Eisei inquired. "What do you mean?"

"When Aka and I had a fight here yesterday, she threw a container with hair styling products in it. There was a really nice pair of scissors amongst the brushes and combs you can still see on the floor, but they're gone now."

"That sounds dangerous."

"I think we're mature enough adults to handle scissors."

"I meant more so that she threw the container at her."

Eisei walked over to the broken container on the ground, and nudged it with his food. "That does remind me, didn't Monophanie tell us yesterday about being able to use an item from someone who's died as a 'married' partner?"

Saiko tapped her chin, and remarked, "I do remember that. Maybe we find something to slip under the door, we could get Crystal out of there."

Crystal knocked on the door to get their attention. "I hate to break it to you all, but the hand scanner is meant for one of the males, so an item to be my stand-in husband would not unlock this door."

Eisei snapped his fingers. "Curses and bad words, I hadn't thought of that. Maybe we should ask the Monokubs for help in this endeavor?"

"You really think those rat bastards would help us?" Saiko remarked with a frown.

"Calling them such things would lower our chances."

"Eisei, think about each case: Monophanie has been missing along with Hara since breakfast, Monokid has gone fucking insane with power, and Monodam is on the male side."

"Also," Crystal called out, "Monosuke is at the altar. I'm pretty sure he is going to stay there all day."

"So we cannot rely on the Kubs, and we're certainly not going to get mercy from Monokuma," Saiko said. "What would you suggest we do?"

Eisei swished his hips as he mentally processed all of this information. "It's past 1:30, is it not? We've spent a lot of time trying to get Crystal out of here, we must ask the next one to cross the threshold to hurry over here with their husband."

"Ah shit, that might be our only course of action," Saiko said, shaking her head. "God damn it, I wish I had thought of that, I've just been so distracted… wait, Eisei, what are you doing?"

The dentist had moved over to one of the counters, and started to sanitize one of the combs. He then ran it through his long lavender pigtails, and said, "I feel like I should make myself as presentable as possible before I inquire a lady to have the good graces of coming here after volunteering for sex."

"… Why?"

"Because one should look their best when asking for unusual favors, it's charismatic and visually pleasing."

"… Okay."

"Or were you thinking of doing it? I believed you wished to find Hara, so you would be busy otherwise."

Saiko crossed her arms in a huff, then she noticed him walking over to her. She was about to speak, then he took one of her blue pigtails and started combing it.

"Ahh~! Ei-Eisei, what are you doing?"

"I'm helping soothe your hair out. The mists kind of frazzle our hair when they get thick."

"Nnngh, s-stop it. This… this is…"

Saiko felt herself blushing, and it intensified when she heard Crystal start giggling from behind the door. "This is too cute," the military adviser remarked.

"Sh-shut up, baka!" Saiko hollered, though she didn't stop Eisei from continuing. "Why don't you make yourself useful while you're back there, Crystal? You got stuck in there, tell us what is in there!"

"I'm having much more fun listening to you doing each other's hair. Wait, does this mean all this time, you two have been doing each other-"

"I will leave you in there, Crystal!"

"Okay, okay, fine. Sorry, but I kind of was avoiding that, because I didn't want you all to worry."

Eisei paused his combing, and asked, "Is there something dangerous in there? I hope it does not have a timer counting down."

"No, nothing that looks like a bomb."

Crystal leaned against the door, as she shone her phone's light over the large device that took up the main part of the room. There were computers set inside of a metal frame on the left side, a large tank full of water in the center, and a small platform that was no bigger than a dinner plate to the right.

"I think Monokuma has another tank for human body creation," Crystal said, "within this room."

---

Day 12, 1:47 PM

Love Hotel

Western Gift Shop

"But why does Ken get to go next? Why won't anyone hear me out? Both Crystal and Pyrrha could have gone already, and I told the women-"

"Odelios, it is not that we don't believe you that either of those intelligent, beautiful, and sophisticated women would be interested in you," Ken tried to reason with the clown, "it is just that we don't believe you when you say they would be interested in you."

Odelios scrunched up his face in outrage, cheeks getting puffy, and he started rummaging through his belongings. Yitro leaned over to Ken, and whispered, "I don't think you were supposed to directly contradict yourself there, Ken."

"The court jester does not lay with elegant women," the cavalryman remarked, folding his arms as he spoke matter-of-factly. "Everyone knows that the comic alleviation does not earn himself a proper woman."

"When I get my rubber chicken out, buster, I am so challenging you to a duel," Odelios hollered.

"You do realize that my honor as a fighter for Novoselic means I take such a duel seriously?"

"My rubber chicken against your sword! I will slap you in the face with it, and challenge you to a duel!"

Ken rolled his eyes, and went back to looking through the items located in the gift shop. "Let us simply find something that would be appropriate for a present to a lady when we cross over to the altar, Yitro."

"I don't understand what is making you so upset about Odelios, man," Yitro remarked, crossing his arms. "I mean, yeah, he is silly, but he's trying to help."

"Odelios speaks funny and acts oddly, with a talent that doesn't befit someone of true pride and comfort to the world. Simply put, he annoys me."

Yitro watched Ken move about the gift shop. The cavalryman searched through the items, and he was looking at potpourri, romantic novels, and some oddly brightly colored jeans. The swordsman squinted in confusion, and remarked, "You wish to give pants to a woman as a present?"

"Clothing is a nice gift, is it not?" Ken remarked. He was speaking louder, possibly because Odelios was causing such a commotion with how much stuff he was throwing around to find where he had stored his rubber chicken; the clown was searching through displays too, having seriously misplaced Rubarrow.

"You do have to take into consideration that you are giving a present to a woman while asking her to agree to have sex with you over a plot set up by our bear overlords," Yitro commented, as he picked up one of the romance novels. "Clothing is an unusual present for such a proposition."

"Novoselic takes presents of nice pants very seriously! Look, Yitro, I know I get phrases wrong a lot, but I am not doing this to get into a woman's pants, I'm trying to be pleasing to them."

"In the process of requesting they take their pants off?"

"Why are you being so lewd and vulgar over this?"

Yitro chuckled as he shifted through the tacky romance novel about a spy. "A little bit of Angelique stayed with me after she passed away. She was usually brutal like that when we were at Hope's Peak, and when we kept in contact afterwards.

"You know, even though I knew she was a lesbian, there were times when I was quite enamored with her. I had to remind myself that she and I weren't to be, and I'd have to wait to find someone amazing as well. Though part of me doesn't really believe in that anymore…

"I kind of just want this motive to be over, for us to find the answers to this place, and get out of here. I'm just tired of Penjar, of Despair."

Ken picked up a movie case that seemed to be about yakuza. "You shouldn't give up, my friend. Despair never will, so you must take to fighting against it at all times. Maybe when this is all over, you and I should embark on a mission together, and slay Despair where we find it."

"I'm not really interested in spilling blood with my sword, Ken."

"Then what is the point of your weapon, and your very being, if you are the Ultimate Swordsman? You look poorly upon violence, because of your past? Maybe it is time that you embrace this, and we prepare for a storm after the one we are in now."

Yitro went silent, as he flipped through the book more. Ken watched him, then went back to going through the possible presents. Neither of them spoke, until there was a shout from Odelios.

"Wah, it's got ahold of my shoe! I'm going down-"

There was a loud crashing sound, then an even louder one as a cabinet came falling down to the ground. Yitro and Ken saw one of the big displays with a ton of plushies had come down, and Odelios was underneath the thing. The two strong men grabbed it and lifted it up with relative ease.

The clown was buried amongst the plushies, completely dazed with a bump on his forehead. He eventually looked up, and exclaimed with a slight slur in his voice, "I was just getting ready for my date, and then these dolls ganged up on me and beat me up! Stupid dolls! Doll fuckers!"

Yitro rubbed his forehead, and said, "I think he's concussed."

Ken rolled his eyes, and muttered, "I think he's stupid."

"I think your face is stupid! Hahaha! Ow… fucking dolls, gerroff…"

---

Day 12, 1:59 PM

Love Hotel

Eastern Lobby

"I doo'nt knoo' if I'm ready fur this. What do you guys think?"

Kimiko nervously inspected herself in the mirror, then spat into her hand. She started to smear down the parts of her hair that were sticking out, and muttered how much she wished her hair would obey for once. Eisei and Fiora watched this with a slight case of disgust.

"Men normally don't find saliva in the hair very attractive, Kimiko," Eisei said. "As far as I know, I haven't met any men who have that kink."

"Most men don't carry their kink sheets with them, eh," Fiora said with a giggle.

"What exactly is a 'kink sheet'?"

The movie maker shrugged as she tried to think of something to add to this. "Um, I was kidding, I doo'nt knoo' what men want either."

"Well, we're gonna hafta get a man over here if we wanna get Crystal 'oot of that room," Kimiko remarked. "I doo'nt want to leave her in there, the poor thing. I knoo' I'd be going crazy if ya locked me up in a room."

Eisei nodded, and said, "Plus, the crack at the bottom of the door isn't big enough to shove candy under, so that just got to be a bit sad after a few attempts."

Fiora rocked on her feet, as she watched Kimiko try to smooth herself out. "You really okay with this, you hose-head?"

"Oh shut it," Kimiko said with a sly grin back at her fellow Canadian. "If I'm say I'm ready to go have sex with a guy, I'm ready to do it, eh! I wonder if he'll be okay with it being quick, though."

"Most men would delight in seeing a woman naked for however brief of a period," Eisei spoke up. "That is why strip clubs persist to this day."

"Know that from extensive field research, Eisei?"

"What my classmates dragged me off to for a pre-graduation ceremony from Hope's Peak haunts me to this day."

Both women stared at him for a few seconds, then realized prying for more information wouldn't get them anywhere. Fiora grinned at Kimiko, and said, "Look, you're going to do joo'st fine, Kimiko. Go on, it's two o'clock now."

"Al… alright. Time to screw some lucky lad's brains 'oot, yeehaw!"

The Japanese-Canadian biker gang leader declaring this as she walked down the hallway of the love hotel was definitely one of the most unique events either Eisei or Fiora had seen, and those two had seen a lot of unique events in their lives.

"So," Fiora said, turning to Eisei, "do we joo'st, I dunno, wait around here until she gets back?"
"That might be an unusual waiting period, because we're not sure when she will be back."

"Why doo'nt you go back to Crystal and Saiko, keep them company. I am sure you want to spend moo'r time with Saiko, eh~"

"I'm not sure what you mean…"

"You knoo' exactly what I mean." Fiora grinned and added, "I knoo' I've bin through a lot these past couple days, but even I can see that you're sweet on Saiko like your lollipops, Eisei."

Eisei pursed his lips and pouted, then asked, "But how do I know it's something more amorous than the after-effects of the aphrodisiac-induced orgy we all took part in?"

"Yitro and I banged during that orgy, but we're joo'st friends; you and Saiko continuously hang out with each other, and it's so cute when one of you starts blushing."

"I don't blush."

"Everyone blushes, you cannot deny that."

"Curses, natural biological methods that irrationally show mentality have thwarted me. Alright, Fiora, I'll go, but if you wish to stick around, just know it may be a while."

"I ain't got anywhere else to be, eh!"

Eisei left the love hotel, as Fiora chuckled and watched him go. She sat down in a chair, and grew bored in the next two minutes. Heading over to the gift shop, she started glancing around for something to do while waiting.

She walked over to the back of the shop, where there was a large shelf full of plushies to look like the Monokubs. Fiora stared at one of Monokid, and said, "I wonder if anyone would want one of these fur a bit of comfort."

Glancing around the area, she saw that the gift shop also contained a few unorthodox items, including self-defense items. Fiora walked over to pick up what appeared to be a whistle, then she noticed the tag of 'rape whistle' on it.

"Oh, I see your game," she muttered, rolling her eyes and glanced over at the plushie stand. "You're trying to make us more nervous a'boot going over there, huh? Well, guess what?"

She put the whistle in her mouth, and picked up one of the tasers, pointing it at the Monokid plushie. "That ain't going to work, you stupid bear bitch! Take this!"

Fiora walked over to the stand, placed her hand on it as she loomed over the Monokid plushie. She pressed the taser against the plushie and tased it good; however she wasn't aware there was a metal rod as a support pole behind the plushie, so when she pushed against the plushie, it was zapped out of the way. Her taser hit the metal pole, and the electricity raced through the metal stand, right to her hand she had placed on the stand.

Fiora shrieked in pain as she somehow tased herself, flinging the taser up into the air. As she lurched over to gasp for air after that painful experience, the taser (of really poor quality, because this is the Monokubs we're talking about) came down and zapped her on the back.

The movie maker shook from the overwhelming electricity, and fell down, attempting to grip the plushie stand for support during her last conscious moments. This caused it to fall over, covering her with plushies.

"Whu' jus' happa'?" she slurred underneath the mess of plushies and the shelf.

Monokid, toting his sniper rifle with him, came running into the gift shop. "I heard that someone desecrated the adorable plushies built on my fucking good looks! Is this…

"HOLY FUCK! MY PLUSHIE SHELF! Why did you tase it, you stupid, stupid girl?"

---

Day 12, 2:57 PM

Bowling Alley

Bowling Lanes

Isaac sipped at the beer he had received from the mostly destroyed bar, and watched Souma set up his shot. The reporter resisted the urge to taunt his bowling opponent, so Souma rolled a rather nice one down the aisle. The crack of pins as they all went down was rather satisfying, and the public speaker pumped his fist.

"Yes! Strike! Hot damn, I am good at this game," Souma said, walking proudly over to the digital screen that was keeping track of his score. "That's four in a row now, I'm on fire."

"Right, right, keep applauding yourself, Souma," Isaac said with a chuckle. "I'll get one that doesn't go into the gutter, just you wait."

"Maybe you should use something a little bigger?" Odelios offered, inflating a beach ball that he had been keeping on his person. "Perhaps you could hit something with this?"

He tossed the beach ball at Isaac, who slapped it back at the clown, bouncing it off of his head and down the aisles. As Odelios went to chase it, Isaac called out, "You're up, Blake!"

The pyro walked down the stairs to their aisle, as Odelios kept a safe enough distance from them to avoid breaking the rules. "Honestly, as much as I didn't think I would be saying this," Blake muttered, "shouldn't we be more vigilante at the hotel, find out who actually screwed someone?"

"As eloquently as you may have put it," Souma responded with a roll of his eyes, "Shuuya and Ken know to find us at the bowling alley first off, unless the women require them post-haste on their side."

"It's like sending a man to an island of horny lesbians," Blake said with a snicker. "Ain't that Wonder Woman's origin story?"

"You're so funny," Isaac muttered, also rolling his eyes.

"Well, what about Ishiku?"

"He'll be coming to either side, it's not like this plaza is a labyrinth."

Blake shrugged, and then his head did a rather intense spin as it reminded him he had drunk way too much a couple hours ago. Grabbing a water bottle and slogging it down, he wound up and rolled his bowling ball down the aisle. It crashed against the pins, knocking over most of them.

"Gotta admit, there is something really satisfying about that," Blake said. "Thanks for inviting me, guys."

"Thank Odelios, he felt bad for you," Souma remarked.

A few lanes over, Odelios decided that he had to run down one of the lanes, throw himself on the waxed floor, and slide into the pins to knock them all over, beach ball in his hands.

"He's not taking it well that we're making him practically go last," Isaac remarked.

"He'll get over it, I'm sure," Souma said, "if Crystal and/or Pyrrha still want him afterwards."

"What?" Blake asked, his face twisting with incredulousness.

---

Day 12, 3:13 PM

Love Hotel

Honeymoon Suite for Ishiku & Anzu

Two hours had passed in the suite, though it felt like an eternity for them. Anzu had pressed her body up against Ishiku, shivering, straining to block out the awful voices in her head. He behaved gracefully, holding her close, comforting her, rubbing her head and back to try and help soothe her nerves.

Anzu hadn't been able to speak this whole time, she just needed someone to hold her and let her know she was alright. And as Ishiku did just that, she felt he was shivering too; something was wrong with him as well, she could sense it.

She wrapped herself and pulled herself closer. They were both still naked, but very warm and comforting despite what had happened. Anzu thought to herself as she pushed up against him, "You need to talk to him."

"But… he'll think I'm crazy… or even worse, dangerous!"

"He needs your comfort as much as you need his. Don't just press up against him and expect he'll be satisfied with that; just because he's a guy doesn't mean your naked body is going to be good enough for what just happened."

"He'll hate me…"

"That risk is something you'll have to take, Anzu. Do it."

Anzu took a deep breath, then looked up into Ishiku's eyes. "Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course, Anzu," he said, petting her raven hair. "Just take your time."

"I've been just lying here for a while now, I think it's time I'm honest with you."

Anzu sighed as she propped herself up and stared into his eyes for as long as she could bear, then she glanced away and spoke.

"I don't know much about who I am, ever since I came to Penjar. You see, I remember coming here, I found this old hotel and took shelter there. Next thing I remember is Saiko walking inside and us startling each other…

"But I don't even remember getting here, when and how I did that… I know why, I wanted to find the answers to this place. Even my career, my life, I'm trying so hard to remember details, but it all feels so vague."

Anzu ran a hand through her hair, twirling one of her blue bangs. "I thought that was normal, you know? You don't remember every detail of your life, every day on the job. Like, I could remember having sex, in offices, in a bedroom, at a fancy resort, and I thought that was good enough, you know?

"But I'm having trouble remembering my parents, the people I worked with, and what I do remember seems to be so bitter and hateful. Especially when I think of Hope's Peak Academy, and the students there… I… I think I wasn't well-received by my peers, and I blocked it out."

She smiled sadly at Ishiku, and continued. "So yeah, broken home, broken life, porn star profession, sounds like the norm, you know? But ever since I got here, every time I've tried to get frisky with people, there's been this voice in my head, telling me I'm wrong, that I shouldn't, that I won't do it.

"I kept on just snuggling and kissing and everything up to third base, and I hid it from them; people like Kimiko, Fiora, Angelique, they were understanding. Then I tried to get it on with you, and… and…"

Anzu sobbed and shook her head. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't know what stopped me, what is going on with me, and it is freaking me out that I don't know. Tell me, what kind of porn star freaks when she is trying to have sex?

"What happened to me?"

Anzu took several deep breaths as she tried to lift her head, to look at him. She soon felt one of his hands cup her chin and lift her head up, so she was looking into his eyes.

"During the Tragedy, I had some similar experiences," he said. "There were times when people were trying to kill me, kill my friends, and I fought back. I don't remember what happened a lot of the time, I just know I made it out of there in one piece every time."

"That sounds something like blacking out during combat," Anzu murmured, "but then again, I doubt it would continuously happen like that."

"Yes, I couldn't explain it, and it still worries me to this day. The Tragedy, what happened during it, and why did so many people wind up dead? I saw a lot of people die, and I don't understand why…

"And to be honest, I wish I could forget about my parents sometimes," he said with a heavy sigh. "During the Tragedy, the despair got to them. They killed our neighbors, they did horrible things to them, and then they killed each other. I… I keep trying to think back to when I was a kid, all the good times I had…

"But every time I do, all I see is their faces with Despair in their eyes. It was the last time I ever saw them, it was when I had to run for my life from them."

Ishiku took one of Anzu's petite hands into his, and squeezed affectionately. "Whatever you've been through, Anzu, I'm sure you can find the answer. And you won't be alone, because I'm not the only person who cares about you."

Anzu laughed, slightly bitter, and muttered, "I really did sleep around."

"You know that's not the only reason people care about you. Come on, you're a smart girl."

She finally managed to stare into his eyes, and whispered her thanks. Anzu moved in to kiss him, the two spending a few romantic moments thanking the other for helping them with sweet kisses.

Eventually it stopped, and Anzu said, "We… we should probably go back downstairs, tell the others what happened. I'm sorry."

"You really don't have to apologize."

The two decided to shower off, together, before getting dressed in their clothing again. They walked to the elevator, holding hands, trying to find strength in each other on how they were going to tell the others they had failed.

As they rode the elevator down, Anzu's eyes lit up, and she leaned in to whisper into Ishiku's ear. "Hold up… what if we say we did it?"

"You really think they'd buy it?"

"We won't know unless we try. Here, let's go to the guy's side first."

When the elevator reached the ground floor, Anzu and Ishiku left and took a right, down to the western side of the hotel. They saw the dividing line, the border as it were, and both of them stepped over it, holding hands.

They managed to get a few steps down the hallway when there was a loud throat-clearing sound. Monokid walked down the hallway towards them, holding his rifle in both paws, and a smoking cigar in his mouth.

"Well well well, do we have a nicely married couple here?" he said, narrowing his eyes. "Did it finally happen? Between a man and a woman? It's so hard to believe."

"It's true," Anzu said, staring down defiantly at the blue Kub. "We crossed the threshold together, we had sex. So you gotta let us pass."

Monokid snarled, and then shouted, "Monosuke! Where is your lazy ass?"

The orange Kub came scurrying from the altar, down the hallway to behind the couple. He glanced up at Anzu and Ishiku, and clicked his tongue. "Hot hot hot! Youse two, youse really made things interesting! What with all the sex and crying and sobbing and hugging… it was so realistic!"

Ishiku and Anzu were both blushing at this point, and he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Okay, very funny, Monosuke," the magician said. "Guess this means you were watching?"

"More or less, but don't worry, youse weren't recorded! Yes yes yes, the sex was grand and miserable! Upupupu! So, Monokid, why you holding back our latest couple?"

Monokid snarled again, and started angrily ranting as he turned around and stomped down the hallway. "Fine! Have things work out! You ruin things for everyone when things work out, what the hell am I going to do now? First the clown woman, then the plushies being electrocuted, now I have to babysit you two…"

"You really don't have to do that," Ishiku assured him.

Monokid stormed off to the gift shop on the western side the moment they got to the lobby. The two scanned the area, but none of the guys were there. Anzu, incredibly excited and nervous, giggled to hide her fear and whispered, "Well then, stud magician, where do you want to take me first?"

"There's the bowling alley, the baseball field, and the Hall of Fame," Ishiku listed off.

"Hall of Fame? What's that?"

Before Ishiku could respond, they could hear very angry yelling from the gift shop. The two simultaneously believed that an angry Monokid should be avoided, and they darted out of the hotel.

Passing by the bowling alley and the baseball field, they swiftly arrived at the Hall of Fame building. With the mists in the area so thick, it was the only thing they truly could see.

"It's so big," Anzu marveled at the building, then she nudged Ishiku and giggled. "Don't you dare say it."

"Why would I, that's what you said."

She giggled and shoved him, and then said, "Okay, so, do you want to see closed-off side now?"

"Why don't I show you the side we know of first off? That way, you'll have an idea what this place is about."

Ishiku and Anzu entered the open side of the Hall of Fame, and the actress was immediately stunned to see the portraits. While the ones of her fellow Penjar tourists were quick shocking, she found herself transfixed with the Hope's Peak Academy ones.

"Yeah, the crazy thing is, they have all of us here too," Ishiku said, as he walked alongside the ones of the Penjar visitors. He got to his, and sighed as he remembered what he had seen on the touchscreen. "Have a list of all the people we killed, and there's a few on here for me… I think that's when I defended myself during the Tragedy.

"Though if I recall, yours was actually pretty clean, Anzu. So you don't have to worry about anything, it seems that even the Kubs and Monokuma know that you're not a bad person-"

CRASH!

Ishiku whipped around, eyes wide in shock, at the sound of glass shattering and metal slamming against tile. Anzu was standing there, heaving as her face was twisted in outrage. She had taken one of the portraits off of the hook and smashed it on the floor.

"Anzu, what," the magician stammered, gingerly approaching the actress, "why did you do that?!"

She didn't respond, she merely spat on the back of the destroyed portrait. "Bitch," she snarled out.

"Anzu!"

The actress flinched, and then stared at Ishiku. "Wh-what?" she asked, and then she noticed the portrait on the floor, as if that had happened without her knowledge. She reached up and grabbed both of her curly bangs, and started shivering.

"Oh no," she whimpered, "oh no, oh no no no, I have no idea why I did that…"

"Anzu, let's hurry over to the other side," Ishiku suggested, coming over to her. "Something is wrong here, but if we dawdle, Monokid might throw us out."

"I'm ruining everything…"

Though Anzu wasn't responding to him, she did follow alongside as he took her back outside. She placed her hand on the palm scanner next to the other door, and it beeped affirmatively. They went in, though the hallway was nothing like they could have imagined.

The walls, ceiling, and the floor were all a horrific, crimson red color. The lights above kept the place nice and illuminated, but they were either tinted, or the room was just so red that even the lights couldn't fight it.

On the right side, lined up on the wall, were more portraits. Each one was a victim of the Hope's Peak Academy Killing Game, and each one had a touchscreen underneath. There was also a bright red light under most of them.

Ishiku stared in confusion, as this was the main, and only, feature for this locked room. He walked through it, until he was down towards the other side. Touching the screens under the portraits, he found they all had data, but of a different kind.

"What is all this for?" Anzu asked, staring at the portrait of Mahiru.

Ishiku flipped through touchscreen's pages. "These are all the people who died during the Hope's Peak Academy Killing Game, but the stats… they're different."

"What? How so?"

"They are all about their deaths. The time, the date, the manner of the death, who killed them, and also, it seems, something about… their time before the Killing Game?"

Ishiku ground his teeth together as he searched through more of the pages. "Known living associates, the class they were in, their favorite hang-out spots… wait."

The bottom of one of these pages really caught Ishiku's attention. "Last Known Location before Knockout? What the hell is that?"

Anzu crossed her arms as she scanned the portraits, frowning in concern. "Well, I mean, they don't look like boxers, or sentries that a spy needs to knock out. Why would whoever is at work here care where they were?"

"Not to mention how they could have all been knocked out?" Ishiku murmured. He tapped his chin, then stared at the red light that was under the portrait of Himiko Yumeno; or rather, he would have looked at a light if it was on, so to speak.

"What's up with some of them being on, and some being off?" he asked.

Anzu walked through the hallway again, observing everyone. Only a few of the victims had the light underneath turned off: Himiko Yumeno, Teruteru Hanamura, Sayaka Maizono, Sonia Nevermind, Kiibo, Toko Fukawa, Mondo Owada, Peko Pekoyama, Gonta Gokuhara, and Maki Harukawa.

The actress scratched the back of her head, and then said, "Could this have something to do with the visions we've been having?"

"What do you mean?"

"There's something going on with those visions that we've had, what I had, twice," Anzu explained. "Look, I was in Peko's body the first time I had a vision, and then Mondo's a second time. Kimiko was in Sayaka's. And I think Eisei said something about Gonta at some point?"

Ishiku stood up to observe the portraits. "That doesn't explain the others, but it is unusual. And those visions that people have been having, that cannot be a coincidence."

"Not at all, I think," Anzu said, "that whatever is going on with those visions, that is something that Monokuma, the Monokubs, the Mastermind of this place, they clearly know about this."

"And they have all this information," Ishiku continued the train of thought. "They clearly believe someone is of importance, someone who died in Hope's Peak Academy. But why?"

"And what do they want with them?" Anzu said, as her eyes trailed towards Mahiru's portrait again.

Ishiku sighed, and stared at Himiko's portrait. "Poor little gumdrop, I wish she had made it out of there."

The actress moved through the hallway, staring at each of portraits as she tried to rack her brains over this. It was highly confusing to her, and she didn't like how she was being presented this with so few answers. Plus, her sudden and violent outburst on the other side of the Hall of Fame had her unnerved slightly.

"Anzu," Ishiku called out to her, "maybe we should check out the baseball field next, and see if we can find the others."

"Should we leave the door open to this place?"

"Can we?"

The two tried to leave the door open to the formerly locked side of the Hall of Fame. After some trial and error, they discovered that the door would stay open if they left it ajar slightly. Any more and it would swing closed as if there was a limit to how far it would be left open.

The two walked, with Anzu trying to stay calm and keep a neutral expression. Ishiku took her hand again, and she squeezed him appreciatively, but it was obvious she was still perturbed.

When they reached the baseball field, Ishiku showed her to the shack that had the locked door and palm reader. When she opened it up, they saw a great deal of baseball equipment.

Ishiku started rummaging through the stuff, and muttered, "Seems like a bunch of stuff of baseball. Why'd they lock it up?"

Anzu kicked at a metal bat. "This stuff would be lethal if you wanted to hurt someone. Baseball bats, a pitching device, the works! But then again, they probably hid it because they just wanted to tease us that we weren't going to be able to play baseball."

"No… I think you were right the first time…"

Ishiku dropped a baseball in disgust. It rolled into the center of the shack, and Anzu could see it was stained with blood.

"Oh God."

"Yeah, let's get out of here, this isn't any good to us."

Shutting the shack door, the two left the baseball field. They were at the bowling alley next, with Ishiku trying to push down a feeling of shame that was welling up in him. He remembered getting drunk at the bar yesterday, and almost getting hammered this morning; it wasn't something he wished to admit to her.

Though when they tried the front door, they found it was locked. Ishiku, confused, tried to push on the door, then knocked. Anzu knocked too, louder, and yet no one came to the door.

"What is going on?" she asked him. "Why is the door locked? Has this happened before?"

"No, I don't understand! I mean…"

Ishiku glanced around the plaza, trying to observe what he could in the thick fog. "Okay, this is really weird, since this is the only place the others could be."

He pounded on the door, slamming his fist on it to try and get some attention. "HEY! Guys! Come on! Open up!"

"I-AM-AFRAID-THINGS-ARE-GETTING-MORE-COMPLICATED."

Anzu and Ishiku jumped in surprise, and turned to see Monodam standing there behind them. The green Kub was staring up at them, as calm as ever. "I-AM-AFRAID-MY-BROTHER-IS-GETTING-ANGRY… OR-MAYBE-IT-IS-MY-FATHER?"

"Monodam," Anzu said, kneeling down to pat the green Kub, "can you open the door? Aren't the other men in there?"

"I-THINK-MONOKID-IS-TRYING-TO-FOIL-YOU, BY-NOT-LETTING-YOU-GO-INTO-THE-BOWLING-ALLEY."

Ishiku crossed his arms, and sighed. "Okay, you know what, you have any idea when we could go in the bowling alley?"

Monodam motioned for him to lean down, then he whispered ever-so-softly into the magician's ear. As the Kub spoke, the magician's eyes grew wide.

He magician snapped up, then took Anzu's hand. He led her back to the hotel, back down the hallway to the chapel and center elevator, and went up towards their room.

"What on Earth did he say?" Anzu asked him.

"Monodam said that if someone was fibbing," Ishiku said nervously, "that the more they searched the area, the more they would come under scrutiny."

Anzu swallowed nervously. "So you're saying that if we stay out there, the more obvious we will become?"

"That's about it, yes," Ishiku said, pacing back and forth. "But now I'm so confused on what to do! Do we go back out alone, do we try the other side? I just… I don't want to risk your life, Anzu."

"I don't want to risk your life either, Ishi," she said affectionately. "You know what though? We're not the only ones who can solve this problem. Why don't we spend some time in our room, and then go out later?"

They arrived at their room, and both entered with an uneasy feeling going on. Ishiku was nervous about what to do, and Anzu was thinking back to what she had done. That guilt started to well up in her, but every time she thought about the face of the woman on that portrait… unexplainable fury started to writhe in her stomach.

"Um, Anzu?"

She turned towards Ishiku, who was trying the door to their room as if to leave. He was having no luck, and he struggled to open it.

"I think we're locked in."

Anzu swallowed, and then let out the most exasperated sigh. "Another way to divide us up, it would seem. It wasn't enough to move the genders apart, and then split them up into groups of three… now we're being locked into separate rooms and buildings."

"I don't understand why they're doing it, but it's freaking me out," Ishiku admitted, "and, well, that's what they want, right?"

Anzu sighed, and glanced around the room. "Here we are, girl and boy, trapped in a love hotel room, and it's more scary than anything else. Sorry we cannot just have sex to pass the time."

Ishiku stared at her, then chuckled. He snapped his fingers, and there was a deck of cards in-between his digits. "A magician always has things to do to pass the time. You like card games?"

Anzu's eyes lit up, and she giggled. "I can play a mean game of Go Fish!"

---

Day 12, 4:28 PM

Love Hotel

Western Lobby

Yitro glanced up at the clock in the lobby, noticing that it was indeed 4:28 PM. He tapped his foot, then regarded the gift he had selected out of the rather messy gift shop: brightly colored pants.

"I cannot believe I am considering this a gift as well," he muttered. "But if the Novoselic knight thinks it works, well, then I should try it to. And… I'm talking to myself again. Oh great."

The swordsman tossed the pants on his shoulder, and then he heard the creaking of the floor along with footsteps. He turned to see Yejoon walking into the lobby.

"And what brings you here?" Yitro asked casually.

"Someone locked up the bowling alley from the inside," the artist responded. "It was starting to get rather tedious in there, so I snuck out."

"How's that?"

"I don't reveal my secrets. So, are you truly going to give a woman a pair of pants as a gift? I mean, those are brightly colored, they are quite nice, but still."

"Do you honestly believe I will take your advice on gift giving?"

"No, I don't suppose you would; however, there is something I would ask you to consider, even coming from me."

Yitro raised an eyebrow at the artist, and then crossed his arms. "Very well, I suppose this day cannot get any more odd."

"Monodam told us that everyone is meant to be inside of the Love Hotel by 9 PM, by order of his insane brother. The only people who are allowed outside will be married couples, and those with items that belong to one of the deceased of the opposite gender."

Yitro rolled his eyes and slapped his hand against his forehead. "That's just great. This is becoming more and more complicated. I think the Monokubs are planning on that, however, they want us to be baffled and frustrated."

"Oh, but you know what we could always do so that the women could open their doors in case our men have failed to properly consummate the marriages?"

Yitro blinked slowly, and muttered, "If I told you I don't want to hear it, would you still-"

"Cut off one of our hands, and give it to them as a gift."

The swordsman stared hard and long at Yejoon, and he could see it: the madness of Despair swirling in Yejoon's eyes. Yitro took a deep breath, and responded, "That's not going to happen."

"Why not? It could most likely work, I have a good feeling it would," Yejoon remarked, stepping forward. "Besides, I know you want to damage me."

"Yejoon, back off."

"You hate me, and you want to spill my blood. Why not have a go at it? That way, you could help the women… you could help Fiora."

Yejoon took another step forward, reaching up and clenching his hands in determination. "I'd do anything to find the answers to this place, to find the true purpose of Despair here. If Fiora won't take me as her husband, I can still offer her my hand, can I not? Hehehe… hehehe…

"Hehehepupupupuu…"

Yejoon grabbed at his mask and pulled it off, staring at Yitro with a crazy grin. "So what do you say, Yitro? Want to try it out?"
Yitro slowly walked away from Yejoon, and down the hallway. He moved all the way down to the center, silent and unnerved, but determined as ever.

"Hey there, champ," Monosuke said, staring up at the swordsman when he entered the chapel. "Congratulations on getting married!"

"What?" Yitro asked. He glanced around the altar room, towards the elevator, and asked, "What are you talking about? No one's here."

"And yet you are married! Hahaha, upupupu!" the orange Kub announced. "Those be the rules! Monophanie and I designed them, and they stick like glue! Like super glue! Like super-duper-whooper-pooper glue!"

Yitro face-palmed again, and muttered angrily, "I am seriously considering going ballistic if I cannot find one being to speak normally to me."

"Those pants for me?" Monosuke asked, pointing up at the pair on Yitro's shoulder. When the brightly colored fabric was dropped unceremoniously, the orange Kub laughed in delight. "Thanks, man! I rarely ever get pants as a gift! Youse is one cool frood!"

"Alright, who am I married to?" Yitro asked.

"I dunno, champ."

"What? Who was the last woman in here?"

"I dunno, champ."

"How can you not know? How are you and Monokid constantly forgetting who we are?"

"Because all youse humans look alike, youse know that? Anyway, where is yo' woman? Youse gotta consummate the marriage, bro!"

"I cannot do that if I don't know who she is!"

"This sounds like a 'youse' problem, champ. Maybe youse all should have planned this better!"

"How were we supposed to do that? You divided us up more and more, and now we have to stay in the hotel at 9? You all keep making more and more rules!"

"Kind of like turning the difficulty up on the game on youse'all, ain't it?" Monosuke said, walking towards the chapel. He started arranging a broken part of the mess it was, and said, "Youse can always wait around here, if youse want."

"Why? The woman I married is already gone!"

Yitro sat down in one of the chairs irregardless of his words, and proceeded to sulk as he waited for someone, anyone, to come and better explain the situation to him. Monosuke shrugged, and said, "Sheesh, not often youse see the groom left at the altar."

---

Day 12, 6:50 PM

Love Hotel

The hours were either crawling or flying by for the visitors of Penjar. Most people were wondering who was where, and patience was starting to be driven really thin amongst those trapped in rooms or buildings.

One person who wasn't so trapped or frustrated was Aka, who was done licking her fingers clean as she loomed over the resting figure of Pyrrha.

"Mmm, that was delicious, my darling writer," she purred, caressing Pyrrha's hair as she gently tucked her in. "I should probably go find out what the others are up to now."

Leaving the writer's room, Aka headed towards to the elevator, and headed down to the ground floor. No one was in the lobby, so she decided to take a quick look into the gift shop.

When she saw the toppled over plushie shelf, she winced. "Ugh, who wrecked this place?" she muttered before she started to leave.

"Mmmrgh… nut meh fall…"

Aka paused, then headed back into the gift shop. Lifting up the large shelf, she found Fiora lying amongst the plushies. The skier tried to lift her up, but she was quite out of it.

"Okay, B-Movie Maker, what did you do?" she asked as she managed to get Fiora into a chair.

"I tased the plushie," Fiora murmured, "and that made the shelf tase me… then I tased myself… and the shelf fell on me."

Aka stared incredulously, and muttered, "Oh… kay. Why did you do that?"

"Stupid Monokid…"

"Yes, we all hate him, but is that really a reason to tase yourself?"

"That wuz un accident," Fiora slurred, still out of it slightly. "Look, I was just mad because of poor Crystal's condition."

"… What about Crystal?"

---

Day 12, 7:02 PM

Spa and Beauty Parlor

Hair Salon

"What do you mean, you don't know who has even gone into the altar?" Saiko shouted at Aka, glaring at the skier. "What have you been doing all this time?"

"None of your business," Aka shot back, then stared at the locked door. "Crystal, are you going to be okay in there for the night?"

"They cannot fit food or water under the door crack, and I'm using a litter bin as a toilet," the military adviser complained. "If I could get out of here ASAP, that'd be real peachy."

Aka winced, and then shrugged. "Okay. Maybe I could go to the altar and wait around, see what is going on."

"Did you hear about the new rules, by the way?" Eisei inquired. "Monokid came by to explain them to us."

After hearing about the new curfew, Aka walked out of the spa (exchanging eye daggers with Saiko one more time) and headed back to the Love Hotel. When she entered, she called out, "Fiora? You still here, movie girl?"

"I may have sent her to her room."

Aka gaped at Hikari, who stood in the middle of the lobby, smiling weakly. She still appeared glamorous, like the steampunk model aimed for wherever she went.

"The poor darling was seriously worn out, and I really needed to give her a break. She appeared just as bad when we found her in that dreadful lab," Hikari said. "What's going on, Aka?"

"Um, total chaos and confusion, Hikari-love. Sorry, I don't really know what's going on either."

Hikari nodded, and then walked over to Aka. "I'm sorry I kind of hid away in my room. I… I had a really bad experience with tear gas in my past, and when Monokid threatened to use it…"

"Yeah, he's an awful son of a bitch. He's fucking crazy, but we'll be fine. Don't worry now."

The steampunk model nodded, then she noticed something about Aka's hair. She reached up and fiddled with the purple locks, and muttered, "Why is your hair all messed up?"

"Um, ehehe…"

Hikari sniffed the air, and then her eyes widened. "Aka! You didn't!"

"Um, I kind of did."

"Oh dear, who's the beauty you managed to bed? Was it Pyrrha? You seemed keen on her."

"I don't think I should kiss and tell, Hikari."

"Well then… I suppose…"

Hikari moved her arms around Aka's body, and whispered sensually, "I'll have to press that information out of you."

Aka's blushing face was quite telling, and she swallowed. "H-holy crap, you find that sexy?"

"There's something very sexy about a woman who can really charm them like you can. I admire that free spirit, and just the fact that you can keep going… it makes me think…

"I want to see if I can finally make you reach your limit, if you catch my drift."

Aka felt herself swooning, as her hands explored Hikari's perfect body. "Welp," she thought as her mouth found Hikari's, "time to abandon my post… once again~"

---

Day 12, 8:30 PM

Bowling Alley

Front Door

The doors to the bowling alley burst open with an aggressive kick, as Odelios stood there, heaving in fury. "I am so," he shouted, "very, VERY late! ARGH! GANGWAY!"

"Odelios, wait!" Isaac called out.

The reporter hurried up to the front doors, with Souma by his side. Isaac pat Odelios's shoulder, and muttered, "Look, we are lucky to get out of this building before 9, but if you run over to the chapel now, you might just throw the whole rotation off. Maybe it's time to call it a day."

"Isaac speaks the truth," Souma remarked. "This day has been highly concerning with the constant rule updates, and I believe we're all a little flustered and confused."

Odelios puffed up his face, then crossed his arms in outrage. "Fine. But know that tomorrow, I'm going to heading over to the altar, and I'm going to get married! This clown will prove once and for all that he can be a good husband for a lovely lady, like Crystal or Pyrrha or any of the others!"

"What?" Isaac muttered.

"What?" Souma questioned.

"What?" Yejoon said as he walked past the bowling alley, staring at Odelios as he passed by.

Odelios frowned, and then declared, "I'll show you yet, I'll stay up all night if I have to, to prove my point! ARGH!"

The clown stormed off towards the love hotel, the others watching in confusion. Yejoon shook his head, and said, "Sometimes there are mysteries that don't need to be solved, and he is one of them. Good evening to you, gentlemen."

"Where are you going, Yejoon?" Souma called out.

"I still have investigation to do, we have a half-hour," the artist said, waving at them. "Later, my friends."

"So not your friend," Isaac muttered under his breath, before walking towards the Love Hotel. When he made it to the large building, he was surprised to see Monokid in the lobby.

"Hey there, manly men," the blue Kub said to the reporter, as Souma and Blake came into the lobby one at a time. "Good news, I decided to give you guys some mercy. When you're in the love hotel past 8 PM, you can be in groups bigger than three! Especially in the kitchen, because those are now a manly man's place!"

Souma crossed his arms. "That is rather nice, but it just becomes more rules to remember. Tomorrow is going to be very complicated."

"Cheer up, none of you have been shot at yet!" Monokid declared. "Now why don't you all go get something to eat, and then eventually go up to your rooms! Just remember, your personal rooms are all unlocked during the night, so take the best of care someone doesn't come in the room to kill you!

"Or just have that sex stuff that I heard you humans love so much."

The public speaker stared down at the blue Kub, glanced back at the others, and then back at Monokid. "Anything else?"
"No, I'm good now. Go make me dinner, bitches!"

Drake, carrying Monodam, entered the love hotel and thus the men in the lobby entered the cafeteria. As Drake and Isaac made dinner, the men rested and conversed; only Odelios was quiet, sulking in the corner away from them.

When the food was ready, Yitro entered the cafeteria. Souma regarded him, and called out, "Is everything okay? You look rather upset."

"Monosuke told me about the new rules, and I've been waiting for three and a half hours to see who comes by the altar. No one has come there, and I don't know who I'm married to."

"Wait, you're married?" Drake asked, tilting his head in confusion. "But to whom?"

"No idea, and I am getting to the point where I don't care. I may have to try something later tonight, see if I can get some answers, any answers!"

The men didn't know what else to say or do at this point, so they enjoyed their dinner.

---

Day 12, 9:01 PM

Love Hotel

Eastern Cafeteria

Saiko and Eisei were seated inside of the cafeteria, both of them rather upset. It had only been a few minutes ago that they had been in the hair salon, trying to comfort Crystal.

Monokid had traveled over to the eastern side to tell them the new curfew rules, as well as tell them that they were allowed to group up inside. "Because that's the place a woman belongs! Haw haw haw haw," he had burst out laughing.

"Oh, how original," Saiko muttered, "a woman's place is in the kitchen? Go screw yourself."

"What? I meant the love hotel, because you're good for screwing! Like all of you have been doing all damn day! Haw haw hardy-har haw!"

Saiko was still bitter about leaving Crystal where she was, but the military adviser had told her that she'd be fine for the evening. Now the forensic investigator and the dentist were in the cafeteria, contemplating what to do next.

"I wish there was some way to convince Monokid that you are, in fact, a man," Saiko remarked. "Maybe you should flash him your cock or something."

"I don't have a rooster, Saiko."

The investigator stared at him, then cleared her throat and muttered, "Your wiener."

"Are we having sausages for dinner? Would you like me to prepare those for you?"

"Your willie!"

"I'm Eisei."

Saiko shouted in frustration, and reached down between Eisei's legs and squeezed. "THIS!"

The dentist let out a high-pitched squeak, and then stared into Saiko's eyes. "Now now now, that is sexual harassment."

"Listen, Eisei, I'm stressed and upset, so I just need you to drop the literate mentality, or I will have you drop your pants so I can-"

"You'll do what now, Saiko?"

Saiko practically leapt up into the air as she was startled and embarrassed, to see Hara walking into the cafeteria. Monophanie was right by her side, as if to be her bodyguard.

"Oh look, we found her," Eisei said with a supportive smile. Saiko sprinted over to Hara and hugged her tightly.

"Where have you been?" Saiko asked the explorer. "We looked all over the place, and we've been worried sick!"

"Monophanie hid me in the one place Monokid wouldn't come looking for me," Hara explained, "which was my own honeymoon suite."

"What? Why would he not look for you?"

"Monokid cannot enter the altar," Monophanie explained, "and thus he cannot go up to the honeymoon suites. It works perfectly! I'm so happy, she's safe and sound!"

"I thought you hid her because Monokid thought she was a man in disguise?" Hara asked.

Monophanie rubbed her cheeks as she stammered out the response, "Okay, Monokid was saying he didn't even know what Hara looked like, but I actually came to a bit of a revelation a few minutes ago. Monokid identifies gender by stereotypical, physical characteristics…

"And Hara has large breasts, so if he saw her, he would know she's a woman!"

Hara was blushing furiously and crossing her arms around her chest, trying to hide her feminine anatomy identifications. Saiko raised an eyebrow, and remarked, "It only took you the entire day to think of that?"

"I was more concerned with keeping Hara safe!" Monophanie glanced up at Hara, and asked, "I'm sorry I didn't think of it sooner, but I was so scared…"

"It's okay, I understand how difficult this must be for you," Hara said, kneeling down to pat Monophanie's head.

As she did this, two more people entered the cafeteria: Pyrrha and Ignatia. The redheaded writer appeared to be a little off, with some of her red hair sticking out of place, but she had a positive smile on her face.

"Hey everyone, hope we're not late," Pyrrha said. "I mean, I think we are, but we really wanted to be here. Ignatia has a lot to tell us."

"We have a lot to tell you too, as well as a few questions," Saiko remarked, raising an eyebrow at Pyrrha. "Like, for instance, where have you been? I thought you were going to be part of the marriages going on."

Pyrrha blushed, and said, "I, um, I got caught up in a lot of things going on. I'm terribly sorry, but I think it should be fine. We seem to have a lot of people missing, they're probably married and such?"

Hara glanced between them all, and nervously asked, "Maybe I should hear about everything that's been going on today?"

"Of course, dear, but please, we really need to hear Ignatia out," the writer said, putting her hand on the mime's shoulder. Ignatia frowned and turned away, trying to shield herself from the stares that were directed at her. "She had one of those visions, and it was very upsetting. It is high time we share information, rather than sulk and argue."

The ladies made dinner for themselves, eating heartily during this moment of calm after such a stressful day. Fiora eventually came downstairs, and ate alongside them.

Ignatia used her phone to text all of the details she could over her vision, though she did not mention Mahiru or Teruteru. Fiora asked her if she saw someone called Junko Enoshima, describing her as well, though Ignatia didn't have any knowledge of this person.

Next the women took to telling Hara about the marriage set-up, as well as Crystal's predicament. It seemed to be very reasonable at first, until Pyrrha mentioned arriving at the altar at 1 PM.

"Wait, why did you go at 1 PM?" Hara asked.

"Because that was the rotation?" the writer asked. "When you were telling us the plan, we didn't get all the details, so we went every half-hour, just like how the first two meetings were."

Hara gasped, covering her mouth as her eyes went wide. "No! No no no, oh dear, this isn't good."

"What's wrong?" Fiora asked, nervously tapping her fingers together.

"You weren't supposed to go every half-hour! You were supposed to go every hour! The first official meeting was an hour after the second information run, at 12:30 PM!"

The women were quiet for a few moments, then Saiko cursed out loud. "Damn it! Fuck! You mean to tell me we got everything wrong?"

"Why the heck did you have it every hour," Fiora cried out, "when the first two meetings were a half-hour apart? Why?!"

"Hey, don't yell at her," Saiko barked at the movie maker. "She couldn't have known this would have happened."

"Oh no, oh no no no," Pyrrha whimpered. "We got it all wrong. If the men were going every hour… then who was married to who?"

"I am afraid to say," Eisei said, "that all of the marriages may be not what they seem."

Pyrrha stood up, clasping her hands together. "Listen, this is my fault, most of it is on me. I'll try to make this right, okay? The rest of you should try and get some rest, we'll need to think of something tomorrow."

"What are you talking about?" Hara asked her. "How is this your fault? Please, don't blame yourself."

"I'm afraid I already do. Don't worry, I am not going to do anything drastic!" Pyrrha assured her. "But we have to think of a plan for tomorrow, because the only women who haven't gone to the altar are Ignatia, Saiko, and Eisei.

"And if there is something, anything we can do to prevent them from having to do something they do not want to do, then we should do everything in our power to make things right," Pyrrha remarked. "I refuse to allow a strain on the true romance that is happening in this town!"

As the mime and investigator frowned and blushed, the dentist raised one of his lavender eyebrows at the writer. "So what are you going to do, Pyrrha?"

"Nothing much, I'll keep watch tonight in the altar, since I'm one of the few here who can. Unless the Kubs have any objections, I'll be there all night to see who got married out of the girls missing. Once we have enough information, I'll help you all out tomorrow.

"It'll be fine, easy-peasy," Pyrrha said with a cheerful smile. "We'll find a solution to this, no problem."

---

Day 12, 9:45 PM

Love Hotel

Eventually, both the men and women were done with dinner, and the fatigue of a frustrating day was seriously bearing down on them. Most of them went up to their rooms without a fuss, the only one not so keen was Hara, who had spent all day in her room.

The explorer eventually realized that wandering around the lobby and gift shop were not going to be of any interest, and despite the stir crazy feeling welling up in her, she decided to head to her honeymoon suite.

In the altar room, Monosuke was seated in one of the chairs, staring at a fidget spinner that Pyrrha was spinning in her hand. The romance writer appeared to have hypnotized the orange Kub, who was groaning as he leaned in to watch with great intrigue.

"Saiko gave me one to keep myself occupied here," Pyrrha explained when Hara noticed the device. "Said she didn't want me to be too bored."

"We don't mind staying up all night with you," Monophanie said as she walked into the altar room. "So long as you're awake, we'll bear with you! We'll… ooo, what's that? It spins!"

Hara wished Pyrrha good night, and rode up on the elevator. As she was lifted up, her body started to shake. The weight of everything having gone horribly wrong in her absence, as well as the growing dread of more cabin fever from behind cooped up in this small section of the town…

It was truly starting to get to her. She had to breathe deeply to set aside the frustration, and when the elevator dinged at its destination, she nearly jumped.

Hara slowly walked to her honeymoon suite, and when she entered, there was Isaac. He was busy undressing, getting ready for bed, when he saw his fiancé enter.

"Oh, Hara," Isaac said, smiling at her before he saw the dreadful visage she was sporting. He walked over to her, saying, "What's the matter?"

Hara took several deep breaths, before explaining everything to Isaac: being hidden away by Monophanie, the scheduling misunderstanding, Crystal's predicament, and more. Hara was trying to keep it together, because she knew Isaac could fall apart over this amount of disarray.

The reporter took it all in, starting to pace back and forth. He took out his notepad, and started making notes. Soon the two were seated on the floor, against the wall, comparing notes; they had to sit on the floor because there were no chairs in this love hotel room, at least none that were meant for actual sitting.

"Okay, I'm trying to map out who went at what times," Isaac said, "and it is very spotty, but I'm highly concerned that everything has gone wrong. And Kimiko didn't come to dinner?"

"No, I have no idea where she could have gone, even after she said she'd make it quick."

The reporter slumped against the wall, and continued to write furiously. He was silent for a while, then a look of utter defeat washed over him. "If we have the times correct, then everyone who paired up with someone was actually married to someone else. No one is married to someone they think they are."

Hara sighed heavily, and leaned against her fiancé's shoulder. "Maybe what we need is to plan tomorrow accordingly. We still have time."

"The only available men are Souma and Odelios, the former is adamantly against it and the latter is… the latter."

"On our side, we have Saiko, Eisei, and Ignatia. I have no idea who to pair up with who, especially since Ignatia won't, Eisei is straight, and Saiko is…"

Hara blushed slightly, and then giggled. "I am still pretty sure Saiko is into Eisei."

"Oh my."

"Yes, isn't it grand? The only good news I got for you, my love."

The two were quiet for a little while, just trying to focus on the only positive they had. Both were deep in thought, with a collection of notes between the two of them.

"Could we try knocking on the other suites?" Isaac asked. "I know it's rude, because they might be… you know?"

"Monophanie told me that the honeymoon suite doors are soundproof, so much so that even if we knocked on the doors, pounded on them, the people inside wouldn't hear it."

Isaac groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Our options are so limited, but you know what else is bothering me? What is the endgame to this motive?"

Hara squinted in confusion as she considered this. "Isn't it the same as any other motive? Monokuma wants us to kill for the answers."

"What if, somehow, we succeed?" Isaac asked. "We have couples go to each side and explore every room, we succeed and we learn everything in this plaza. So, what happens next?"

The explorer thought about this, then sighed. "But it hasn't happened yet, honey. As much as I understand what you are saying, you're trying to predict what this unpredictable Mastermind will do. We don't even know what we want."

Isaac groaned, and thumped the back of his head against the wall. "I know, I know… I just want to find out what is going on."

"I fear that we aren't going to know that pondering it here, but honey?" she pulled herself up against him gently. "I'm just so glad to see you again."

Isaac held her close, and caressed her gently. "I know that we plan to spend the rest of ours lives together, that we won't always be together, especially with our careers; however, I hate being forced away from you, and I don't like it one bit."

"Me neither. Maybe we should go to bed, Isaac. Tomorrow, we'll find a solution to this, even if it feels hopeless today."

The two glanced at the luxurious bed, and the horses circulating around it over and over. Both sighed, then laughed. The two of them prepared for bed, as the TV in their room, and all TVs in the Love Hotel and around Penjar, turned on for the closing theater performance of Monokuma.

---

(Day 12 is over~)

(Monokuma Theater)

*Monokuma is dressed like a sloven detective in the driver seat of a car. He is drooling and clearly sleeping, despite it being bright daylight, staking out in front of a fancy house.*

Monokuma - "Have you ever been asked what the point of something is? To explain why it is necessary, important, or at the very least beneficial to one's life? Luxuries are one of those things humans pride themselves on being able to have, to do and have the things that aren't essential to life."

*Monokid comes rolling up on a skateboard next to the car. He pops his head in, shouting, "HI!" which causes Monokuma to wake up in shock.*

Monokuma - "That's what they say when it comes to all kinds of fiction and pastimes, 'what is the point of it?' Of course, I have to counter that with, what is the point of anything? In the end, we all die, either as hard-working members of society or free-loading, useless gits."

*Monokuma is screaming at Monokid to buzz off, with Monokid snickering as he skateboards off; it appears that Monokid is throwing a bunch of taco wrappers and empty cheap beer bottles out of the window in his fury directed towards the Kub.*

Monokuma - "Sometimes, you gotta do what you enjoy to prevent yourself from going crazy from the inevitability of it all. So when someone tells you that something is pointless, like dressing up as a fictional character, or collecting figurines, or writing a story based off of an existing franchise, tell them that they are stupid for trying to dismiss your desire to make what little time we all have left a little more enjoyable!"

---

Day ?, ? ?

Northern Plaza

The mists of Penjar curled around the northern plaza, with the moonlight shining through the clouds and down onto the wide-open area. The neon signs on the buildings could be seen through the thick mist, more clearly than the large structures they were attached to.

The Love Hotel had lights on at the ground floor, but none on the floors above; this was because there were no windows for the rooms in this hotel. No balconies, no windows, no way of seeing outside…

No way to witness from up above what was transpiring…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

"They… they all will…"

"They're supposed to…"

"It would be very hypocritical…"

"It's time I finish this."

"Until we meet again…"

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

---

Day 13, 9:25 AM

Love Hotel

Odelios Shintani's Room

The clown had finished showering, shaving, grooming, spraying body spray on him, applying deodorant, and stuffing his clown clothes full of additional supplies for looking good on a date in case he needed them. He also had a great deal of other items, which were meant to be gifts.

"Chocolates, a rose, dirty books," he listed off as he stuffed the items into his clown clothing, "coupons, brightly colored pants… I think I'm ready to go!"

Odelios began applying his make-up, taking the time to ensure everything was in order. As he did this, the TV in his bathroom, as well as all other TVs clicked on.

---

(Day 13 has begun!)

(Monokids' Love Hotel Greeting)

*The three male Monokubs are standing at the front lobby desk for the men's side of the love hotel. Monokid still has his military gear and niper rifle. The screen is split by a fourth, with Monophanie alone at the women's side front lobby desk.*

Monokubs - "Rise and shine, ursine~"

Monophanie - "Rise and shine, ursine~"

Monokid - "Alright troops, remember that there are new rules for this place! I'm going to have my colleagues explain them to you, because I'm tired of doing it!"

Monophanie - *She is talking at the same time as Monokid.* "Hello to you all~ Today is going to be a much better day, because we're all going to get along far better now that the rules have been established!"

Monosuke - "Look, youse all are allowed to stay in the Love Hotel together with however many numbers you want, until 10:30 AM. Then youse gotta split up into groups of three…"

Monophanie - *Again, she's talking at the same time as Monosuke.* "I'm sure you all know about the rules about groups of three, but don't worry, you don't have to worry about that until this afternoon."

Monokid - "And also remember the new rule that has to do with how many items you're allowed to take from our gift shop."

Monophanie - *Still blabbering at the same time as her brother.* "Enjoy our gift shop, pleasant lobby, and quality kitchen! Let's all get along this lovely day in Penjar! The mists are…"

Monosuke - "Wait a minute, what's going on right now? Are we having trouble with our own rules?"

Monophanie - *She gestures towards the front doors of the eastern lobby.* "You're more than welcome to enjoy our town, maybe you'll find something really enjoyable to do with your friends, and your new spouses!"

Monokid - "Something's wrong here… and I blame the womenfolk! I blame all of you with your stupid breasts and your Y chromosome and your flowers 'n puppy loving attitude…"

Monosuke - "Women have two X chromosomes, Monokid, we're the ones with the Y."

Monokid - "That ain't fucking possible, women are the ones always asking 'why'!"

Monophanie - *She notices mists are creeping into the lobby.* "Oh, pardon me, I should probably close this up. We don't want a draft getting in here."

Monodam - "I'M-GOING-BACK-TO-DRAKE'S-ROOM-NOW."

*He leaves in the midst of Monokid yelling and shouting incorrect statements with Monosuke trying to correct him.*

Monophanie - *speaking over her ranting brother* "So today is going to be such a lovely day! A lovely, beautiful day, maybe we can grow some flowers!"

Monokubs - "So long, bear well~"

---

Day 13, 9:35 AM

Love Hotel

Altar Room

The golden elevator dinged, and opened up for Isaac and Hara. The two stepped out, and noticed that Monosuke was already in the altar room, watching them.

"Hey there youse two," the orange Kub said, rocking on his feet, "good to see youse again. You ready to seize the day?"

"Fine, thank you, Monosuke," Isaac said.

Hara didn't say hello, she peered around the altar room. On one of the chairs were a few of the romance novels from the gift shop, and a fidget spinner, the same spinner that Pyrrha had last night.

"Pyrrha?" Hara called out. "Is she here?"

"Youse think she stayed the whole night here?" Monosuke said, chuckling. "Anyway, youse two need to get going to your respective sides soon, Monokid won't like it if youse spend too much time together."

"Why, is that one of your hidden rules?" Issac responded, crossing his arms. "Are you going to do something like you Kubs did yesterday when you hid Hara away from the others, screwing up our plans?"

Monosuke snickered, and he continued snickering until it became unnerving to the couple. Hara and Isaac exchanged a kiss, then parted from the room down the hallway of their respective sides.

Isaac made it past the border part, and was at the elevators right one of them dinged to signal it had arrived on the floor. The doors opened, and Odelios came sprinting out. Isaac whipped out his arm and grabbed the back of the clown's top.

"Hey wait a minute, Odelios," Isaac shouted. "You cannot go to the altar just yet."

"You all said I could," the clown protested. "I'm tired of waiting to prove I can be a manly man of mankind!"

"Listen, you have no idea how badly we screwed up yesterday, and I need you to come with me. Come on, young man!"

Isaac marched down the hallway, dragging Odelios behind him. The clown rolled his eyes, and shouted, "Aww, come on, Dad!"

"I'm not your father!"

"You're not my real dad?!"

---

Day 13, 9:37 AM

Love Hotel

Eastern Cafeteria

Hara entered the cafeteria, and saw Eisei and Saiko seated at one of the tables. The dentist was tenderly cupping Saiko's face, whispering something to her that only she could hear. The two leaned in, and shared a long kiss.

The squeal of delight that came from Hara's mouth startled the two, and Saiko jumped up in shock. She stared at Hara, and blurted out, "What… what was that?!"

"I'm sorry," Hara admitted, "I'm just so happy for you two!"

"Do you have to come into a room squealing and screaming?" Saiko huffed as she dusted herself off. "Seriously, you should know how wrong that is to do."

Eisei merely shrugged, and pulled a few lollipops from his pocket. "Would you care for one before breakfast, Hara? I give them out to people who brush their teeth in the morning."

"I actually," Hara started to say, then she noticed Monophanie walk into the room. She started to grow nervous, remembering what happened yesterday when the pink Kub showed up.

"Hello everyone, what a beautiful morning it is," Monophanie said to them all. "Please pardon the amount of mist that came into the lobby, it should die down after a while."

"Wait, the front door was open?" Hara asked, approaching the pink bear.

"Yes, it's actually quite odd. I'm actually quite curious about that…"

Hara exchanged looks with Saiko and Eisei. "If Monophanie doesn't know what's going on, should we…?"

"Should we go investigate? Sure, we might want to check on Crystal too," said Saiko.

The three of them left the love hotel together, the mist curling around them as they walked into it. It seemed thinner from yesterday, they could see into the distance now.

"This place appears far less intense now," Eisei muttered, his eyes darting around. "I wonder if this is a good or a bad sign."

"If we are being granted a mercy," Saiko remarked, "it's a double-edged sword, for sure…"

---

Day 13, 9:38 AM

Love Hotel

Western Lobby

Drake, carrying Monodam, stared in confusion as Isaac, dragging Odelios, walked into the western lobby. "What's going on?" the cartoonist asked.

"Odelios needs to hold back on his desire to charm a woman, because we're in trouble when it comes to the rotation," the reporter said. "Are you the only one up, Drake?"

The cartoonist nervously glanced over at the front door to the western lobby. It was open, with mist swirling into the building. Drake muttered, "I'm not sure, I thought I was the only one up, then I saw that."

"There's someone else awake?" Odelios asked. "And outside? And doing things that might be more interesting than what we're doing? How dare they!"

"We should just do a quick sweep of our side of the plaza," Isaac suggested as he let go of Odelios. "I mean, we have a brief period where we can discuss our plans, I'm not going to squander it."

"Oh, what if it is one of the couples that consummated the marriage?" the clown said as he stood up. "Haha, they got up early to go explore the town more!"

"No, that's not possible," Isaac said as he adjusted himself, and moved towards the open front door. "We got the rotation so wrong, no one is married to who they think they are."

Drake and Odelios exchanged glances, perplexed and rather concerned. They followed after Isaac, though Odelios still had a few words to say.

"You know, Drake, once this is all over and you can see your mime friend again, maybe you could give her a nice gift," the clown rummaged through his clothing, as they stepped out into the mists of Penjar. "Do you think she likes brightly colored pants?"

"Odelios…" Isaac muttered.

"Oh calm down, Dad, I'm just giving our little bro here some advice," Odelios declared as Drake tried to hide his face behind Monodam. "There's no harm in that!"

"Why's the mist so thin this morning?" Drake murmured, eyes peering out from behind Monodam.

"THAT-IS-MOST-UNUSUAL," the green Kub agreed.

Odelios's grin became far more nervous, and he muttered, "H-hey guys, we haven't seen a lot of the people since yesterday, do you think they might be out here?"

Isaac took a deep breath, trying to summon his courage. For some reason, chills were racing down his spine, and he was sure he wasn't the only one feeling that. This town, this plaza, the mists, they sure did a number on his feelings of dread.

"Let's just check everywhere real quick," the reporter said. "That's all we can do, but let's make it quick. Breakfast is waiting, after all."

---

Day 13, 9:39 AM

Northern Plaza

"Okay, no one's in the clothing store," Saiko called out as she walked away from the large building. As she did so, Eisei walked up to her and Hara.

"There's no one at the stables," he said, "as far as my vision of the place can tell."

Hara nodded, then glanced over at the spa. "Okay then, let's go check on Crystal. I'm sure she'd like an update?"

"I'm sure what she'd like most is to get out of that damn room," Saiko said, shaking her head as the three moved towards the large building.

As they entered the building, Hara and Saiko were focused entirely on getting to the hair salon. Eisei was observing the floor, and his keen eye for detail spotted something.

"There's more blood on the floor."

Saiko and Hara whirled around, and exclaimed, "What?" in unison. Eisei knelt down, pointing at a dried droplet of blood.

"This blood, it wasn't here yesterday with the other droplets of blood. This is new."

"Wait, are… are you sure?" Hara stammered. "I mean, blood droplets all look the same to me."

Eisei pointed in-between of the droplet he had found, and another droplet nearby. "This was here yesterday, and this one is new. I memorized the pattern when I helped Saiko look for you yesterday, just in case it ever became important."

"Wait, so there is more blood?" Saiko asked, crossing her arms in confusion. "So why would…

"… Oh my God. Crystal!"

Saiko sprinted towards the hair salon, with Hara and Eisei close behind. The forensic investigator made it to the room, and then froze in place.

The locked door to the body creation lab Crystal was locked in was ajar. There were more blood drops on the floor, far more noticeable, as well as a dried puddle underneath the palm reader. Several items from the shelves of the barber countertops had been placed in the doorway, as if to prevent it from sliding closed.

Saiko summoned her courage, and pushed his way into the formerly locked room. Hara and Eisei entered, and as they did, all of the TVs in Penjar turned on.

On the TV screens, Monokuma was seated on the front steps of Town Hall, holding a craft beer in a large mug within his paws. He had the smuggest of grins on his face, and his voice boomed across Penjar.

"A body has been discovered!"

"Please do not panic, and head to your respective lobbies within the Love Hotel! The Kubs will be there shortly to give you instructions on how the investigation will commence!

"Thank you, and enjoy your stay here in Penjar during this investigative time in our fair city!"

The TVs all blinked off, as Saiko stared down at the floor with wide eyes…

…

…

…

…

…

…

Crystal lay on the floor, one of her arms over her eyes, one over her chest. She stirred, then glanced up at those standing over her.

"Oh, thank God," she said, sitting up. "You finally got someone to open the damn door! Lemme out of here!"

The military investigator stood up and pushed her way out, stretching as all of her joints popped. She sighed happily, then looked back at the three standing there. "So, who was it? Who got me out? Sorry, I just got up, and…"

She then noticed the nervous expressions on their faces, and she was growing more and more confused. "What is going on? Who let me out? Why are you all like that?"

"Right before you woke up," Eisei said, "there was a body discovery announcement."

"What? Someone is dead?! But we," Crystal started to speak, then she noticed the small puddle of blood underneath the hand reader. The military adviser saw a trail of blood droplets lead from there, to one of the counters.

And when she saw what was placed in one of the small containment boxes, she yelped and stumbled backwards. Hara, Eisei, and Saiko moved over to see what it was that had startled her…

A severed, human hand had been stuffed in the small box, the fingers drooping down.

"What is going on?" Hara exclaimed.

---

Day 13, 9:42 AM

Northern Plaza, Western Side

Baseball Field

Drake was clinging Monodam tightly to his chest, whimpering as he forced himself to look away from what was on home plate. Odelios had fallen back, scooting away from home plate, shivering and shaking as the color in his face behind the make-up was gone.

Isaac had to resist the urge to throw up. His head was so full of emotions, confusion and disgust being chief among them, that he felt dizzy. He also felt sad and angry, trying to come to terms with what he witnessed.

He just couldn't comprehend why someone would do this, how someone could do this. It had been a question burning at his mind for many years of his life, and he didn't have an answer to it. Yet here he was, shivering alongside two others, standing on a misty baseball field, staring at a body lying on home plate.

The head was caved in, so much force used that all of the gruesome bits were clumping up with the sand of the field. The clothing was practically the same color as blood, the excessive beating had been all over the body. It was like whoever did this wanted to ensure every last bone was broken.

His right hand was missing entirely. His mask was at his side, shattered into a thousand pieces. There was no need to take a pulse, check for any signs of life, because he was truly dead.

Yejoon "Yeou" Nahm, the Ultimate Artist, the serial killer and gentlemanly fiend, was dead. His body had been bashed so throughly, so violently, that it appeared someone as atrocious as him had done the deed. He was strewn out on home plate, like some kind of sick metaphor or display that was fitting for an artist like him.

"H-how?" Isaac stammered, staring down at Yejoon's body.

"Why?" Drake whimpered in terror and disgust.

"Breakfast," Odelios wailed, "is ruined!"

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21 Graduates Remain in Penjar.