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.]

34. Chapter 5-2: The Path to Penjar

Chapter 5-2

An Anomaly in the Aisle

---

She smiled, a bit of a spring in her step, as she walked out of the building. Having taken a load off of her shoulders with the discussion with her friend, it felt like the world was a lot less complex in a general sense.

Funny how it is, that when you let your emotions spike over an issue, it becomes all you can think of. Why was the brain wired that way, unwilling to let something go even when everyone, even yourself, tried to get you on something else?

That was definitely a question for another day, as she approached her car. Humming a little as she fished her keys from her purse, she whispered to herself, "I do have a right to be happy. Time to act on it."

Strong hands seized her shoulders from behind. A rag with a chemical smell was pushed up against her nose and mouth, and she involuntarily gasped from the sudden assault. The world grew hazy fast, though she swung her elbow back to try and strike her attacker.

It was not enough, she was fading out of consciousness… this was it… surely it was her past catching up to her… d-damn it… why…

Why now, when she was finally… happy…

---

Day 15, ? AM

Housing District

Saiko Kobayashi's House

The forensic investigator sat up with a start, gasping as she grasped at her face. She struggled against a non-existent attacker, until she felt a pair of gentle hands hold her sides. Saiko hyperventilated as she faced Eisei, staring at him with wide eyes.

Gasping, straining to get a grip on herself, Saiko managed to calm down after a couple minutes of heavy breathing. She realized that she was holding onto him, her grip on his soft pink nightie almost tearing it from his body.

"Sorry," she murmured as she released his nightie. Sighing heavily, she murmured in addition, "I dreamed it again. The Kuzuryu clan found me, they were going to take me. God, it felt so damn real, I can still smell chloroform…"

"They aren't here," Eisei matter-of-factly stated, rubbing her back. He took her hand in his, and said, "They aren't even around anymore."

"It's easy to say that when I'm awake and conscious. Harder to do so when I feel like I'm being assassinated or kidnapped," she grumbled, shaking her head. Sighing ruefully, she looked at him, staring into his eyes. "Wait a minute… did I wake you up?"

When Eisei didn't answer, just continued to hold her, she let out another sigh. "Goddamnit, Eisei, you cannot stay up on my account. What about you? You surely have to tackle your own nightmares."

"I don't know how I can physically wrangle a nightmare…"

"Oh there you go again, taking all my words literally. Eisei, you do realize if you don't get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be hell for you."

Eisei shrugged. "I was thinking of staying up the entire night to make sure no harm came to you, then going into one of the buildings to sleep. Preferably after I hear what benefits or downsides the buildings provide, that way, I can take advantage of such things."

"Sleeping during the day? In places where anyone could walk in? That's not safe at all!"

The dentist shrugged, and managed a smile. "It's worth it, and I don't think we have much to worry about the people in Penjar now."

"Are you crazy? There have been two serial killers, a Chaos-worshipping traitor, and there's also the unknown Seed of Despair AND the Entity of Chaos! Not to mention the last two murders were people who just snapped and decided to kill someone, so you cannot leave yourself vulnerable…

"Especially," Saiko hung her head in shame, covering her face with her free hand, "if you're going to do it for me. I refuse to allow you to put yourself in danger for me. I'm not a damsel, I'm not someone who wants or even deserves special treatment. So don't you dare put yourself in danger for me."

"What if I want to, because I care about you?"

She peered between her fingers at him. "Eisei, what even is our relationship? It's mostly physical."

"I perceive that we both have serious mentalities, strong career choices, good company to have as friends, and an affinity for justice and proper hygiene. We do have a great deal to relate to, and enjoy the differences. Our physical relationship is nice, but you trying to take me in intimate ways is just part of it."

"Excuse me?" Saiko blurted out, laughing despite herself. "You're saying I'm the physical one?"

"Saiko, you have literally grabbed my shoulders to kiss me, reached into my clothing to touch my genitals, and suggested that we enjoy non-copulation intercourse at nights. Yes, you are the more physical one of the two of us."

Saiko pouted at this, which made her appear rather adorable to Eisei. The dentist chuckled, and pat her shoulder. "It is part of your charm and character, you should not be ashamed of it."

"It's not fair. I feel that as a woman, now that you've seen me at my most intimate, and vulnerable, there is a lack of balance. You are just so in-control, so comfortable with who you are, how you dress and act and behave, I feel… inadequate."

Eisei pondered this for a moment, as he rubbed the back of her hand affectionately. They were quiet for a minute, before he spoke up.

"I had a goth phase."

"… What."

"When I was younger, and a bit more naive, I had the feel that dark and, as they say, edgy clothing, as well as the style, was what I was best at. I dropped it after a while, because while I felt good with it, there were friends and patients of mine who didn't really find it comforting."

Saiko stared at him, a bit more wide-eyed than when she woke up from her nightmare. She was scanning him, as if trying to put that into perspective. He seemed to realize this, and asked, "I believe I have a self-taken photo of it on my cell phone. Would you care to see?"

"Yes," Saiko said with the same gusto that a person trapped in a desert for three days without water would if offered a canteen.

Eisei climbed out of bed to retrieve his cell phone, and then flipped through his collection of photos. Sure enough, he found it, and Saiko almost yanked his cell phone from his hands in her desire to see it.

The dark hair that was like midnight blue, with white stripes in his bangs, was formed in a long ponytail. He had on a tube top that was like a bat spreading its wings in a bra cup-like fashion around his petite chest. He wore a black micro-skirt, with fishnet leggings and black heels.

It was so incredulous, Saiko couldn't think of any explanation except photoshop at first. Then Eisei leaned in and added, "I have to admit, I do miss the color contrast with my epidermis, but I prefer my look now."

"How is it," Saiko sputtered to say as she stared in utter fascination at the picture, "that you didn't get laid every day of your life?"

Eisei stared at her, she explained what she meant, and thus she was treated to the adorable dentist blushing. "I, um, was never looking for a relationship. I had a very asexual look on life, I had no desire to copulate or reproduce, nor engage in hedonistic rebellion with one or multiple partners."

Saiko chuckled as she put the phone down on the desk next to her bed. "Don't tell me that I'm suddenly the woman who changed all that-"

He reached over and took her sides in his hands, pulling her back and pushing her gently down onto the bed. She looked up to see him looming over her, smiling cutely. "Yes, yes you are."

Now it was Saiko's turn to blush heavily. "I, um, was kind of the same way. I didn't need a partner, I didn't need romance, I was find with my friends and career and good food. But I'd… like to give this a try."

"What do you say I take the initiative for once?"

"Oh my~ But wait, what about the nightmares?"
"Maybe if I make you feel good enough, your system will register pleasant feelings rather than the unhappy experiences the town is trying to send to you."

Saiko burst into a fit of giggles. "You realize that sounds like a line, don't you?"

"A line? I'm not sure what you mean…"

"Actually, Eisei, don't try to deduce what my words and phrases mean. Because right now, what I want you to do," she leaned up to kiss him sweetly, but whispering to him, "is to take that initiative."

---

Day 15, ? AM

Housing District

Isaac Bellamy and Hara Pathik's House

Hara left the bathroom of their Penjar house, and studied Isaac on the bed. The reporter was trying to cover up his right arm with the blankets, unable to settle down unless he did. She moved over to the bed, and said softly, "It's just us here. You've never been uncomfortable about that with me."

"It feels like there are eyes everywhere now," he murmured, running a hand through his mint hair. "I know it's stupid, it's beyond stupid, but I feel like I'm being watched… we're being watched…"

He rolled over to face Hara, who watched him with concern. "And it's the kind of watching that seems to peer into my soul. It makes me feel the terrible points in my life, the mistakes I made and tragedies I couldn't prevent, are calling out to me."

Hara sat down on the bed next to him, and took his burned arm in his. Holding him close to her, she caressed his face, and whispered, "You're stronger than the evil in this town."

"Hara… how are you so strong through this?"

"Because no matter what this town does to affect me, I know I have you. I love you, Isaac, and it cannot take that from me. And I know you love me too, another thing it will never take from me.

"What the town is trying to do is remind you of those you lost, the pain you've felt in your life, and amplify it. It's not something you can just shrug off, I know, because you keep those events close to your heart."

She kissed his forehead, and whispered, "I'll stay up all night with you, and we can try to find shelter in one of the buildings. Like what Eisei talked to us about."

"He is willing to put himself at risk for her. And here I am, struggling with all of my emotions-"

"Isaac. You cannot put yourself down, not at a time like this."

He was silent for a short while, staring up at her. When he felt her shift slightly, her arm rubbing against his seared arm, the reporter couldn't help but speak his mind.

"Every time I close my eyes, I see fire. Fire, like in the building… I was trying to save people, but I was stupid. I never should have gone in there, I never should have kicked in that door…

"If I hadn't done that, the building might not have collapsed. All I can see when there is darkness is fire, the same fire that started to burn my arm… the fire that killed the people trapped under the rubble I made."

"Isaac!"

"Hara… I hear their screams when I try closing my eyes. It's the flames, the screams, like some kind of warped video that my mind refuses to let go. Whatever this damn power Monokuma has to influence our nightmares, I… I feel it now."

He clenched his head harder, almost enough to tear mint hairs from his scalp. "Goddamnit, I've never been more scared, because it feels like… I feel like it'll happen again. People will die around me, because I have to be so damn stubborn.

"Hara, I'm endangering others by being here. I cannot stay here, I cannot let you stay-"

The explorer grabbed his wrist, the one which belonged to the hand gripping his hair. She managed to pull it away, and pin it down to the bed's mattress, keeping him from hurting himself more. Hara was able to effectively keep him down, which startled him; despite her being tall and athletic, he had never seen her showcase strength that would overpower him.

"Listen here, buster," she said sternly, "you are Isaac Bellamy, the Ultimate Reporter, the love of my life, and one of the strongest-willed men in the world. You will not let Monokuma or Despair win. And you know why?

"Because you never let it win before, and it is going to stay that way. You always told me that you lead by example, that you want to be the person who stands up and asks the questions that should be asked, not wait for someone else to do it. You're the brave one, you're the strong one…

"And I'm not going to let you forget that, because you'd never forgive yourself if we left this place for someone else to solve it. Now tell me, Isaac Bellamy, what are you going to do?"

Isaac stared up at Hara, whose determined glare shocked and awed him. He swallowed nervously, taking several deep breaths. Despite everything, despite what one would think, having her pin him down and lecture him like that…

"Thank you, my love," he said, smiling up at her. "I… I will always wonder how I became worthy of your love."

"Because you're you, you silly goose," she said, loosening her grip. "Now we're going to beat that awful bear, and that's final. If we both need to stay up all night and then go to sleep in one of the buildings, we'll do that."

"Maybe we'll stay with Eisei, for some kind of protection?"

Almost as if on cue, there was a feminine cry from came from Saiko's house. Both Hara and Isaac froze up, recognizing their close friend's voice. A cry like that was sudden and sharp, and both started to get ready to run out of their house…

Then there was a moan that was definitely not one of peril. Isaac and Hara remained tense for a moment, then let out long sighs of pent-up tension that dissolved into laughter.

"Yes, let us hope protection is involved tonight," Hara giggled impishly. She nuzzled in close to Isaac, and whispered slyly, "Mmmm, if Saiko is getting laid, what's that make you think?"

"That my normally timid and calm fiancé is now getting some very un-timid and un-calm ideas?"

"Weird, isn't it? Well, if we're going to have to stay up all night, and you need to be reminded of how you're worth it…"

"Heh, and to think, this was the last thing on my mind a few minutes ago."

"You're a man, I thought it was always on your mind."

"And yet you are the one to proposition it."

"True," she said with a laugh, "I guess I'm just a great big hypocrite."

Hara leaned in to whisper her next sentence, "So you should definitely punish me for finding out my hypocrisy, Mr. Reporter~"

---

Day 15, 9:25 AM

Western Plaza

Third Eye Psychic Tent

Hikari yawned and stretched, as she pulled herself out of a slightly restless but nightmare-less sleep. The steampunk model smacked her lips, and glanced around the room. Nothing had changed, it was still the unusually decorated and slightly unsettling atmosphere as before. She checked her phone, and sighed in relief at the time.

"Thank goodness, getting up so that damn morning announcement doesn't jolt me up," she murmured as she threw her bare legs around the side of the bed. "Though no TV in here, maybe I lucked out in that regard too. Heh, wonder if that was the perk…"

The model stood up and stretched again, letting herself enjoy this brief bit of silence and calm. Oddly enough, the nightmares she had experienced were extremely noisy and uncomfortable, like reverberation that didn't stop; however, she didn't feel terrible or in pain.

She adjusted her fairly elegant nightie; however, she realized now that she was going to have to walk all the way back to her house to properly prepare for the day. Dressed like this, oh…

"Oh dearie dear," she muttered, then checked her phone again. "I'll wait a few more minutes, I don't mind missing that stupid morning announcement."

The model moved towards her clothing, the outfit she had been wearing before changing into her night clothes. A small part of her wondered if she should consider her modesty, since Anzu and Fiora were in the adjoining room…

"Hmm, but would I mind if either of them walked in when I was changing?" she thought, an impish smile spreading across her face. "Goodness me, I am such a naughty woman nowadays! Aka, was that your doing? Or was it in me all this time? Oh well, I don't mind at this point…"

Hikari stripped off her nightie, and moved towards her clothing. As she started to dress herself, her ears heard the faintest clicking noise, though she didn't pay it much heed…

Until light poured across the tent's side, in a rectangular picture of lights, while simultaneously a shout coming from an electronic device blasted throughout the tent:

"RISE AND SHINE, URSINE~!"

"YAAAAAAAAAUGH," was Hikari's shocked response, as the projector that everyone had missed, hidden up on the wall, showcased the image that all the TVs in Penjar were showing.

---

(Day 15 has now officially begun!)

(Monokids' Town Hall Greeting)

*Monokid is sitting on the footsteps of Town Hall. He has his arms crossed bitterly, and appears to be sulking rather hard. There are a bunch of gift boxes nearby him.*

Monokid - "So, apparently, I'm not allowed to give out presents to celebrate Christmas when it is not, by all technical terms, not Christmas! Who invented these stupid rules?! Don't I run this town?"

Monodam - *peeking his head in from the side* "WE-DON'T-HAVE-IT-IN-THE-BUDGET-TO-BE-GIVING-OUT-PRESENTS. WE-STILL-NEED-TO-MAINTAIN-THE-GUARDIAN."

Monokid - "Shut up! We'd have a bigger budget if we had more bears like me who cared about Christmas and the like!"

Monodam - "WHY-ARE-YOU-TRYING-TO-CELEBRATE-CHRISTMAS-ANYWAY? THAT-DOES-NOT-GET-ALONG-WITH-THE-HORROR-THEME-FATHER-SET-FOR-US."

Monokid - "Yes it does! Everybear knows that most Christmas movies played late at night are horror themed! Like that one horror Christmas movie I saw that showed me how fucking awful women are, and that they'll kill men who try to put them in their place!"

Monodam - "THIS-IS-WHY-WE-DON'T-LET-YOU-STAY-UP-LATE-AT-NIGHTS."

Monokid - "Fuck off! I'm gonna have to return this shit now, since apparently we cannot give it out in celebration of our Kuma Christmas! And I had such nice gifts for these stupid bastards too!"

*Monokid furiously tears open one of the gift boxes, pulling out what looks to be some kind of hunting dagger. He throws it at Monodam, and it clanks off of his head.*

Monodam - "OW."

Monokid - "Maybe if Monotaro didn't get himself killed, or Monosuke didn't pretend to be you and accidentally get himself killed by me trying to kill you, I'd have a fucking brother that supports me during my Christmas time!"

*He rips open more gift boxes, and proceeds to throw the following at Monodam: a book on chivalry, a dumbbell, a board game, a blue cheese wheel, and a large owl feather.*

Monodam - "OW. OW. OW. ICK. …"

Monokid - "Now Monophanie is off being a fucking human somewhere, and I'm the only one who can properly run this town! The stress isn't good for me, I need a holiday!"

Monodam - "YOU-SHOULD-BE-MORE-CONCERNED-WITH-THE-MORNING-ANNOUNCEMENT, IN-WHICH-WE-TELL-THE-GUESTS-OF-PENJAR-WHAT-WILL-BE-HAPPENING-TODAY."

Monokid - "How about you fuck off and let me do whatever you want, because I want a day off with all the fucking fuckery that I have fucking put up with!?"

Monodam - "THAT-IS-NOT-HOW-WE-GET-ALONG…"

Monokid - *pulls out a rather elaborate ceremonial sword* "I still got more fucking gifts for you, fucker!"

Monodam - "OH-DEAR."

Monokubs - *Monokid chases after Monodam, but they manage to call out before disappearing from the screen.* "So long, bear well~"

---

Hikari stared, totally flabbergasted, as the projection suddenly vanished. She stared up at the machine, which had been on an inconspicuous, make-shift shelf up on the dividing tent wall. She couldn't believe it, though she was in for another shock…

"Hikari! What's wrong?" Anzu declared as she ran into the room. "There was a scream, then I heard that little bastard ranting, and you… you're…

"You're very naked."

The steampunk model glanced down at herself, realizing the startling morning announcement didn't give her a chance to get her clothes on. Hikari and Anzu stared at each other for a few seconds, then the model chuckled, giving her friend a coy look. "Oh come on, you've seen a lot of women naked in your line of work, surely I'm not that captivating."

"Um, no, you really are," Anzu said, biting her bottom lip as she forced herself to look away; her pale face was quite red now, and she squirmed nervously. "You should, um, yeah, put some clothes on. We have things to do."

"Yes, you're right. I want to make sure Isaac, Saiko, and the others are okay."

"What do you mean?" Anzu asked, as she heard clothing shuffle around; strangely enough, the sound of clothing being put on was almost as sexy as the opposite. "Did something happen to them?"

"Oh, you slept through it, but don't worry, I'll fill you in. You see, what happened was…"

Hikari had about a minute to explain her conversation last night, before a rather unpleasant, heaving sound came from the main room of the tent. Now that was dressed enough to be proper, the steampunk model exited the bedroom alongside Anzu.

Fiora was hunched over a small waste bin, vomiting profusely into it. The movie maker was gripping it hard, but shaking as she spewed, spit, and hacked in the most retched manner. With her strength depleted, she couldn't even pull her face away from the bin full of her sick.

Hikari pulled her gently away from the bin, and Fiora's normally lively face was green and distraught. "Ugh, you gonna needta pull muh hair back inna minute," she moaned as the model rubbed her back. "There's moo'r coming up, eh…"

"Goodness gracious, Fiora," Anzu exclaimed, having to cover her mouth and nose to prevent the smell of vomit from overwhelming her, "what happened?"

"No idear," Fiora slurred, "I dun norm'ly get all sicky… buggoo… maybe…

"Maybe I'm pregnant!"

---

Day 15, 9:45 AM

Western Plaza

Central Area/Monokuma Statue

Yitro blinked in surprise, as he stared at Fiora. The movie maker, still woozy and not looking her best, but cleaned up thanks to Anzu and Hikari, fidgeted as she waited for a response from him. The swordsman crossed his arms, opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again.

"I daresay they want some privacy," Ken remarked to the small crowd of people gathering in the plaza. Everyone from the pizzeria and the fortune teller's tent had locked in place when Fiora blurted out her theory to Yitro; it was quite the unusual predicament.

"Yes, we really should allow them to talk about this," Hikari remarked, shaking her head, as she uncomfortably adjusted her clothing. She felt rather ugly, wearing the same clothing she had yesterday, with no make-up, and no morning shower. The model was keen to get away, but felt guilty about leaving during this moment.

"Why don't we all meet up at the cafeteria?" Drake asked, nervously glancing around at everyone. "I mean, we're still allowed to go there, and I think that's where we all agreed to go in the morning?"

Ignatia clicked her tongue, and showed her phone to Drake to read her statement to everyone. [Shouldn't we go check the other buildings first?]

"We'll be moving all around the plaza, on a wild makango chase," Ken remarked. "Best we go to the place where we're supposed to gather, and see who shows up."

"Gotta agree with our Novoselic friend," Anzu said with a friendly swish of her hips. "Why don't we all go head to the cafeteria, get ourselves something to eat? Fiora and Yitro can catch up… oh, can any of you make tea? I'm seriously craving some this morning?"

"I could," Drake offered. "What kind do you like, provided they have it?"

He missed the slightly irked expression on Ignatia's face. The mime eyed a trash bin next to a decrepit park bench, and had an issue to kick it like she normally did when mad. Though something in the mime's head told her to settle down, this wasn't something to be upset about…

She walked past the trash bin and park bench, and felt her anger start to cool down. Letting out a long sigh, this caught the attention of Drake. "Is something wrong, Ignatia?"

The mime shook her head, and managed a small smile. Her mouth opened to mime the words, "Ok!"

"SCAAA!"

The sound of a crow crying out startled all of them. The five graduates almost froze in place, and then scanned the trees, the surrounding area, for the sight of a bird.

"Please tell me I'm not the only one who heard that," Ken remarked.

"No, I'm pretty sure we all did," Hikari replied, as she peered through the branches of a dead tree. "But where the heck did it come from?"

"I thought the Kubs said no animals were in Penjar?" Drake asked, wringing his hands. "I mean, we haven't seen or heard any birds."

"SCAAAA! SKRAAAA!"

Ken clenched his fists, and spat out angrily, "It's probably sound effects being played from a hidden location. Buzzards are an omen of death, after all."

Anzu fiddled with one of her blue bangs. "Not always, you know. I happen to find ravens quite lovely…"

"SCRAAAA! AAAH! SCA SCA SCA!"

"I refuse to stick around and be mocked by buzzard sounds," Ken declared, stomping away from the area. He huffed in frustration, until a new sound startled him: the clanging of a trash can being aggressively kicked.

Ignatia had gotten a bit of distance with the kick, and the can rolled onto the pavement back towards them, until coming to a bumpy halt a few feet away. There had been the sound of something rattling around inside of the can as it rolled, and when it stopped, that someone spilled out.

The white 'n black crow fell flat on its beak when it hit the pavement, then struggled to get back onto its orange talons. The beady eye on the white side and a familiar, red lightning bolt on the black side glanced around until it spotted the five people nearby. Its head swiveled slightly, the feathers on the left side of its head sticking out and cutting through the mist.

"I say, there are better ways to wake a fellow up than kicking the can!" A voice far deeper and more articulate than any of them would have guessed came from the dual-toned crow. It cleared its throat, and said, "Good day to you, graduates!"

"What… is this thing?" Ken balked.

"Well now! I am not a 'thing,' don't you know! My name is Monocrow, a proud supporter of Hope's Peak students and graduates, and your guide for the time being!"

The two-toned crow spread out one of its wings, then saluted the five. "Since Master Monodam and Monokid are busy, I was brought here to assist you all in this Killing Game you're putting yourselves through!"

"What? Okay wait," Hikari snapped, glaring down at the bird, "since when are there more of you? How can there be more of you?"

"And we are not," Drake protested, "putting ourselves through a Killing Game!"

A most devious chuckle came from deep within Monocrow. He tucked his wing underneath his beak, as his lightning-red eye gleamed. "Aren't you now."

"This is another sick joke," Ken huffed, and turned away from the bird. "Come on, let's go to the cafeteria."

"I just hope that more of the others are there," Drake remarked, following after Ken with the others. "I mean, I haven't seen anyone else yet."

"They're probably still waking up," Anzu reasoned.

"Yes, some of you did spend a good deal of time staying awake, it falls to reason they would need extra sleep now."

Monocrow's voice startled them with how nearby he suddenly was. They turned sharply to see Anzu holding Monocrow in her arms. When they gaped at her, she shrugged and asked, "What? If Drake finds Monodam cute, I can have a robot buddy too."

Ken cursed in Novoselician and stormed off. Ignatia started making neck-wringing motions, while Hikari stared in utter confusion and disgust. Drake tapped his fingers together nervously, not sure what to say to this.

"Not really bird people, are you all?" Anzu said.

"SCAARR AARRR ARRR," came the cries of ravens and crows, echoing around the pathway, but no aviary creatures in sight other than the one the actress was holding.

---

Day 15, 10:14 AM

Penjar's Public Cafeteria

The five graduates had made breakfast for themselves, as Drake aimed to prepare food and drink for the others. The cartoonist hummed to himself as he made tea for Anzu, the finishing touch for the first group to arrive at the designated meet-up.

Yitro and Fiora showed up after a few minutes, though they didn't seem keen on discussing what the two had discussed, but there was much discussion over who the white 'n black bird on one of the tables was.

"I feel I will be repeating myself a lot this morning," Monocrow lamented. "Well, no matter, I'm sure that we'll all get along in this rather creepy Killing Game with me as your new guide."

"Are you serious?" Yitro remarked, folding his arms as he frowned down at Monocrow. "You expect us to be happy about a new version of Monokuma being here, telling us what to do?"

"Oh, would you rather him back? I'm sure he's around somewhere, but I'd rather be the kind and gentle talon that you need for such a cruel game."

Monocrow chuckled, one of his wingtips rubbing the underside of his beak. Yitro scoffed and walked off, while Fiora studied the new bird intensively.

"So, wait," the movie maker inquired, "should we let you on the table? You coo'd get bird poop on it!"

"I do not poop."

"What can you do, eh?"

"I can assist you on your self-created challenges, for I know about Penjar. But I can only tell you what is not forbidden for you to know at this point."

Fiora poked his beak, and asked, "Do you know a'boot Aaron Beardsley then?"

"Mr. Beardsley?" Monocrow repeated, tilting his head to the side.

"Are YOU Mr. Beardsley? Or you might be Mr. Birdsley…"

"I HEARD THAT! STOP TALKING ABOUT MR. BIRDSLEY!"

Monokuma was suddenly on the same table as Monocrow, startling Fiora so bad that she fell backwards and onto the floor. Everyone in the cafeteria flinched at the sudden appearance of the Despair Bear, who was glaring wickedly at Fiora and Monocrow.

The hatred was directed at the bird far more, especially when that grinning bear turned to face the feathered one entirely.

"Oh, so my children brought you into this, did they?" Monokuma asked, clenching his paws. "How nice of them."

"You know as well as I do that I was the original design for this town," Monocrow said, a smirk on his flexible beak as he bent his wings onto his hips for a defiant pose. "Did you think you could keep me caged?"

"Don't you start making bird puns on me! I will out-pun you any time, any day."

"Shame then that you're not given the time of day anymore."

Monokuma snarled, and extended the claws on his paws. He leapt at Monocrow, who panicked and flapped his wings wildly to try and get away. The bird was seized by a pair of pale arms, and pulled up to a pale chest protectively, as Monokuma's claws came inches from slicing the one who had saved Monocrow.

Anzu glared at Monokuma, then snapped, "You aren't hurting him, you awful bear!"

"Um, excusff me, miff," Monocrow struggled to say, muffled in his current position, "but you afeer to haff mah facff in your buzzum…"

Monokuma stared at Anzu, down at his claws, then he retracted them with a regretful sigh. "One of these days, birdbrain, one of these days…"

"Do you have anything to do here?" Fiora snapped, getting back up onto her seat. "Or are you just here to bother Mr. Birdsley?"

"I actually do have something to talk about, and STOP BRINGING UP THAT NAME!" Monokuma hollered at Fiora, who shrunk back down at the yelling. "But yes! I'm sure you're all wondering what you got from staying in my marvelous places…"

As he said this, one of the main doors opened up to quite the entourage. Eisei and Saiko, with her rather exhausted looking, were in the cafeteria first. Hara, Souma, and Isaac were inside next, with the reporter appearing rather raggedy.

Ken glanced over at them, surprised by Isaac and Saiko's appearances. "Good heavens, what is wrong with you?"

"Nightmares," Isaac muttered.

"Nothing we did worked," Hara helplessly admitted. "We were just lucky there were no injuries-"

"No need to spill it all to them," Saiko snapped, heading over to the kitchen. "I want some Goddamn food, and I want it now."

As the forensic investigator went to investigate the cooking area, Monokuma chuckled deviously. "Aw, did some of you not get good sleep? I did warn you, that the nightmares will become worse."

Souma scoffed at the bear, waving his hand at him. "You speak in such triumph, but I doubt you have a lot to brag about. Last night was nowhere near as dangerous as the first night the nightmares took part."

"Aw, didn't find any answers, Souma?" the bear asked. When the public speaker didn't answer, merely crossed his arms and glanced away, Monokuma laughed. "Upupupu! Did you think that I wouldn't plan for such things? I'm way better than that bird!"

"What 'bird'?" Souma asked. He was pointed towards Monocrow, that Anzu was still protectively cradling against her chest.

Isaac down at a table, his eyes staring aimlessly. Hara was rubbing his back, and he acknowledged her by rubbing her knee, but still rather defeated. Drake and Ignatia were at the other side of the table, concern in their eyes for the reporter.

"No matter what we did, Isaac couldn't sleep for even an hour," Hara explained. "The nightmares kept coming back, over and over."

"Oh dear," Drake murmured, "the asylum didn't protect you from them?"

"No," Isaac grumbled, rubbing his forehead. "I mean… we didn't sleep there… or stay there. We didn't… couldn't… gah, Goddamnit, I'm having trouble with words right now…"

Hikari scanned those who had just entered, rather startled by how bad they all were right now. She nervously sighed, that steam whistle sound causing a bit of attention towards her. "Okay, um, Monokuma, you were talking about the advantages we gained by staying in those awful places?"

"Mmmrf… mmmrgh… if I cud… jufft… mmmah!" Monocrow struggled as he pushed away from Anzu's chest. Freeing himself from the muffling confinement, he managed to speak again without effort. "There are still some people who aren't here yet. Just wait a bit longer for those walking across town, and then it can be discussed."

"You know that there are people walking towards the cafeteria?" Anzu asked. "How?"

The white 'n black bird flapped his wings and perched on Anzu's shoulder. He let out a low chuckle, and said, "You could say I have a bird's eye view of Penjar."

"I said no bird puns!" Monokuma shouted. "And screw waiting for the others! You wanna know what you won? It's a secret!"

The people inside of the cafeteria were rather shocked by this last statement. Yitro stormed over to the bear, shouting, "What do you mean by that? You said we would be granted advantages if we stayed in those awful places!"

"Did I ever say I would reveal what those were?! No, no I did not! I said you were gain them, for better or worse!"

Anzu covered her mouth in surprise, then glanced over at the bird on her shoulder. "Do you know?"

"Actually, I can tell you that-"

"AH AH AH!" Monokuma shouted, extending his claws again. "Don't you even think about parroting the rewards, birdbrain! If I hear you stool-pigeon'ed, I am going to fillet you and serve you orange and cherry sauce!"

Monocrow covered his beak with his wingtips in shock, staring wide-eyed at the bear. Anzu took a step back, ensuring she was between Monokuma and Monocrow.

"You shouldn't defend a vile being," Ken said to her, shaking his head, "who does not have our best intentions in mind."

"Why do these mechanical beings," Eisei asked aloud, tilting his head towards Saiko, "fear death so much? They're not exactly living."

At this moment, the group from the motel (Odelios, Pyrrha, Crystal, Ishiku, and Fannie) entered the cafeteria. They were rather surprised to see Monocrow, and even more surprised when Monokuma's announcement was explained to them.

"But how are we supposed to know what benefits we gained?" Pyrrha asked. "This isn't fair!"

"It rarely ever is with Despair," Crystal bitterly muttered.

"So wait a minute," Ishiku blurted out, pointing at Monocrow, "you know about him, Fannie?"

"Monocrow was supposed to be the watcher of Penjar," Fannie explained. "The crow was to monitor our city, the Guardian defend it, and the Kubs were the governmental structure of this place."

"Then where, or when, did Monokuma fit in?"

Fannie struggled to find words, and then Ken shouted, "Wait a minute! Are you telling me Monokuma was not here first? It was you vile cubs first off!"

"Don't call her vile," Ishiku hollered, shaking his fist at Ken. "You cannot be stay this seriously antagonistic towards her."

"A court jester has no place telling me to behave serious," the cavalryman shot back.

"This place is really going to the birds," Odelios muttered, shaking his rubber chicken's head in disbelief.

"Please remove that from in front of my face," Monocrow requested. "It weirds me out."

As the graduates continued to argue and talk over this, Shuuya and Futaba entered the cafeteria. The amount of catching up took a small bit of time, but they both collected the information swiftly.

"So, Monokuma won't tell us what we earned," Futaba recounted, then turned to observe the feathered newcomer, "and Monocrow won't tell us under fear of destruction."

"I… cannot say, it is against my programming," Monocrow explained, "to endanger my life. Monokuma is not allowed to destroy me unless I break one of his rules, so I will not break them."

"What other rules are there that you have?" the anthropologist said, studying the bird closely.

"He makes them up as he goes, but whenever he does, I know automatically. Like with Penjar, I know all that goes on here. I know where you are all currently, and I can tell you where you've been.

"Would you like to know where Monodam and Monokid are right now? It really is quite interesting…"

"No," Shuuya remarked, glaring at Monokuma. "What I do want to know is what can you tell us. That asylum was a wide-awake nightmare, but I want to know if staying at another place tonight is going to be worth it."

"Oh, you won't have to worry about that, killer," Monokuma said with a laugh. "You can, as they say accumulate the advantages. There is a point to this besides just waiting for you all to kill each other, after all."

"And what," Shuuya asked as he crossed his arms, "would that be exactly?"

"You all have been saying that's impossible to find the answers to this place without the killing continuing. That's why Aka threw away her life, she thought the game wouldn't progress unless there was more death, ri-iiiiiiiight?"

Hikari flinched at the name, and glanced over to the side sadly. "And what, you're going to go against that?" she inquired, her eyes rounding dubiously on the bear. "You expect us to believe that you're going to do that just to counter us?"

"Oh, I fully expect one of you to kill someone before you find the answer to this motive/riddle," Monokuma cackled, rubbing his paws together. "But you know, there's always been a chance you could have gotten to the answers you all wanted since the start, right?"

"None of us believe that," Futaba remarked. "You think us so gullible that the answer would be available at the start?"

"It has been, it always has been. My adorable little cubs made sure of that, if you all just had a little patient throughout these challenges."

"We don't believe you!" Anzu declared. She was then alerted by Monocrow clearing his throat.

"If you would all hear me out," Monocrow said, "the city was supposed to be a place of ingenuity, where people come together despite their differences…

"When you all arrived, you were to wait for us to expand our town for your exploration. It was meant to be a place of peace and unity, to showcase that despite the tension we feel about those different than us, we can work together as a town…

"However, Monokuma showed up shortly before you all did. With that, the technicalities for how to advance through our town has turned into a Killing Game. To ensure you do not leave, that's where the contagious version of Despair came in."

Monocrow sighed heavily, and added, "Sadly, for all of us to get along has become incredibly tedious and next to impossible. But we haven't lost hope that we can do this."

Everyone stared at the bird, glancing over at the bear at the same time. Ishiku turned towards Fannie, and asked, "Is this about true?"

The white 'n pink-topped woman nodded a little, and said, "Monokuma wasn't supposed to be here. It was just supposed to be us Kubs."

"That is bull feces," Ken shouted, pointing at her. "The Kubs are modeled after Monokuma! Monokuma came first, as an avatar of Despair!"

"We're not avatars of Despair," Fannie squeaked.

"This is not a debate on the chicken or the egg! Monokuma had to have come first!"

"Look, we can discuss that another time," Crystal interrupted the argument. "There's no sense in dwelling on the past. If we cannot learn what our benefits are right now, we'll have to find out. But what's this about finding out the answers to the city?"

"That's all still very possible," Monokuma said, twiddling his claws. "I mean, it might involve having more than one benefit, so you cannot solve it as you are right now. Try to find out, without the disadvantages dragging you down…"

"Anything else, Monokuma?" Shuuya asked, drumming his fingers on his arm impatiently.

"There is something else, my good killer friend," the bear chortled as he spoke. "Upupupu! You may want to consider which building you all are going into, because when it reaches noon, if you're to enter one, that's your designated area!

"Enter one, you're assigned that until 9 AM tomorrow! Leave it, and you're stuck sleeping outside. And I'll tell you, the ones who slept outside last night, they sure regretted it!

"Upupupupu! I'm sure you'll enjoy it even more tonight, because this time, if you try sleeping anywhere other than the asylum, the motel, or the arcade, you're going to feel the burn…

"And you wouldn't want that, when the heat is already rising here, right? Upupupupu-URK!"

Shuuya stabbed his combat knife into the bear's mouth. Monokuma's eyes widened, then stared up at the bounty hunter. The crimson-eyed man leaned in, and said, "Thank you for finishing. We no longer need you."

With a flick of his wrist, he slashed his knife up through the top of Monokuma's jaw, splitting his head in two. Shuuya took the mangled puppet, and chucked it as far as he could across the cafeteria, away from everyone.

"Nice work," Futaba said with a chuckle.

"Good distance," Monocrow remarked.

Shuuya turned towards the bird, his knife still in his hand. "And give me a reason," he said, approaching Monocrow, "why I shouldn't do the same to you, bird."
"Wait, no," Anzu pleaded, backing away from Shuuya and holding her hands in front of Monocrow. "He's not a villain here, I'm pretty sure!"

"If Monocrow was a designated crew member of Penjar, he poses a threat. Will slaying you cause the Guardian to come after us, Monocrow?"
The bird puppet cleared his throat, and said, "Actually, yes, the Guardian will slay anyone who isn't a citizen of this town that attacks or kills me."

"What?" Futaba blurted out. "How does one become a member of the city?"

"I'm afraid that that is an answer I cannot give. My apologies."

The graduates all were very quiet for a minute, trying to process everything that had been said. It was Ken who spoke up first, taking a few deep breaths before doing so.

"I guess then it is all of us," he remarked, scanning those in the building, "to find out the answers. We cannot allow the dark side of this town win the day."

"We've lost too many," Yitro bitterly agreed, "too much."

"I believe we have the strength to solve the riddles left behind," Souma declared, smiling and clapping his hands. "Come now, why don't we have a good breakfast, then we shall discuss our plans for today?"

The rest of the graduates felt rather inspired, especially with the Ultimate Public Speaker's words. As they all started to calm down, only one of them was still rather concerned.

"Hey, everyone," Hikari spoke up, "where's Kimiko? She hasn't shown up yet."

The group glanced around, counting their numbers, and realized she wasn't there. Souma tapped his chin, and said, "If I recall correctly, Miss Hashiriya was heading to the tavern last night. As was Mister Shokyaku, they were both insisting it was better than trying to just sleep."

"I cannot imagine that went over well," Pyrrha remarked, shaking her head. "Kimiko wouldn't want to be in the same room as that jackass."

"Kimiko and Blake are still at the tavern," Monocrow remarked, rubbing under his beak with his wing. "They have not left the place since they arrived last night."

"What?!" Hikari shouted, getting to her feet. "She stayed the night there? Something's wrong, I know it!"

Monocrow chuckled, the red lightning bolt eye of his gleaming. "Indeed."

---

Day 15, 10:38 AM

Western Tavern, Bar 'n Grill

Ken fanned his hand over Kimiko's face, trying to do something, anything, to wake up the unconscious biker. "Um, she's not waking," he said to the others.

A painful smack echoed around the room, and Saiko shook her hand off as she stood up from Blake's body; the red handprint on his cheek was rather prominent. "He's not either," she said, as she ate the bagel she had in her other hand.

"Could you not eat at a time like this?" Hikari requested.

"I am starving, I had the worst series of nightmares of my life, and food helps keep me from becoming a raging bitch. You want that raging bitch, Hikari? Because I'll…"

Eisei walked over to Saiko and took her free hand in his, squeezing it affectionately. She blushed slightly and quieted down, as the others investigated the two unconscious souls.

"What's going on?" Anzu asked, staring at Kimiko with the utmost concern. "Why isn't she waking up?"

"It could be the nightmares they are suffering from," Monocrow commented, still perched on the actress's shoulder. "As pain, discomfort, and emotional stress can be part of these nightmares Monokuma is inflicting, so can the forced movement of the body… as well as the unconscious state of one."

Ignatia rubbed her forehead, Yitro glanced off to the side, and Isaac visibly flinched. The reporter left the tavern, with Hara by his side as soon as he left. Futaba noticed this, and muttered, "Whatever nightmares are being doled out, Isaac sure seems to be getting he worst of it."

"Kimiko isn't waking up!" Hikari declared, kneeling down next to the biker. "What happens if we cannot wake her up? Oh God, this is terrible!"

"I think the best thing to do," Ishiku said, "would be to take them to one of the buildings that gives protection from nightmares. That might cure them, so to speak."

The steampunk model glanced up at the magician, though was slightly distracted by Fannie, who stood next to him. There were all kinds of warning bells going off in her head, but she chose to ignore them for now. "That might work. Monocrow, would that work?"

"It will eventually, but the effect will only start when it becomes noon. And if they leave before 9 AM tomorrow, they may right back into these comatose states they are in now."

Hikari took a deep breath, then nodded. "We should take both of them to one of the buildings then."

"Which one?" Souma inquired.

"The motel, it seems to be the place that is the most peaceful, if what everyone told me about the other places is to be considered."

The people who had spent the night at the motel all glared at Odelios, who grinned sheepishly. He quite suddenly held up the Annabelle doll, and said in a high-pitched, little girl voice, "It was one time! Don't blame the clown!"

"Very well, but someone needs to stay there to let them know when they wake up," Shuuya said. "Otherwise, they could walk out and fall into these comas again."

"I'll stay," Hikari said, reaching down to gently caress Kimiko's hair, "for her sake. The poor darling's been through so much, she doesn't need more crap like this."

"You'll also have to put up with Blake," Pyrrha remarked.

"Oh I'll tell him about the conditions," Hikari said with a small chuckle, "but that doesn't mean I'll actively stop him if his stubborn ass tries to leave the building."

"Right then, let's do this," Shuuya remarked, cracking his knuckles. "We only have so much time before noon."

---

Day 15, 12:01 PM

Western Plaza

Monokuma's Arcade District

"Your continued desire to spend time with me is actually making me wonder quite a bit," the bounty hunter said, as he kicked back into a chair. "I don't know how you could be interested in me for an anthropology study."

"Maybe I like you, you clueless man," Futaba replied with a chuckle, settling down in a chair across from him. "Though in all honesty, there may be more reasons, but the primary one is that I do like you."

Shuuya sighed, glancing around the arcade's cafeteria room. The Monokub animatronics were rather unnerving, and he almost swore that they were very slightly different positions every time he glanced at them. The lights in this room were also unsteadily on and off.

"Is it possible that you're being overly romantic over this?" Shuuya asked, tilting his head to the side. "I'm not a vigilante nor an agent for the Japanese government, I'm a privately trained assassin. My job, my life, is to kill people."

"Bad people, from what you told me."

"It is still murder. Doesn't your anthropology showcase how sacred life is, and that death is a terrible tragedy?"

Futaba chuckled, standing up to pace about. She was not distracted by the flashing computer screens in the computer game room, nor the brilliant screens of the arcade games in the room at the opposite side. She merely needed a moment to move around.

"Death means many different aspects to anthropologists, depending on how we personally interpret it. While I have studied many cultures, as well as people, death means something very different for everyone. I, personally, have a philosophy about it that may differ from everyone else here."

"And what would that be?"

"That I'm going to die soon."

Futaba chuckled when she saw concern showcase in Shuuya's expression. "It is my belief that everyone was put on this Earth to fulfill a point, good or bad. Those that die heroically, like soldiers, firefighters, even simple folk, that was their point in this life. That's why I don't fear you, I believe you were placed on this Earth to end those who have done wrong with their choice in life.

"However, as far as I am concerned about myself, I believe I overstayed my welcome too, but not because of sins I committed. I survived natural disasters that took my parents' lives, a serial killer attempting to slay me because she was mad at life…"

The silver-haired lady pointed to the scars she had on her face with a slight chuckle. "I even pointed a lady much like you in the direction of that killer; I'm fairly certain she took care of that."

"Hmm, I'm now rather curious about this lady, but I'm not going to digress. Why do you think you're going to die?"

"I survived the Tragedy, the purge of Ultimates, and I found myself in this town where everything is more complicated than I can comprehend. The truth is, Killing Games are a culture of their own, and there will always be death, because the Masterminds are aiming for it.

"How do we eat? We prepare animals for their death, and it happens. It's like a Killing Game, the preparations have all been made. I am a woman who long since ran out of luck and purpose in life, so I'm simply carrying on as long as I selfishly can."

Futaba walked over to the Kub animatronics, staring down the Monokid one. "That's why I've been acting out on my carnal desires, studying those that interest me, and doing what catches my attention. Anthropology is about studying other people… I wish to do that until the day I die."

"Are you really so certain that you," Shuuya asked, standing up and walking to her, "are going to die here?"

"Fairly, but you need not worry about me. I do not fear death, I find it a little fascinating too. Though I'm rushing towards it, I find myself okay for when the time comes. I suppose that explains why I'm okay being intimate with you…"

She laughed and turned towards him. "If you were, for some reason, the exact opposite of what I make you out to be, and that you're a sociopathic, unstable killer, then the consequence of my actions would just be what I expect to happen."

Shuuya sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You're such an odd one, Futaba. I really don't know what to make of you."

"That's probably because you've been trained to understand wicked people, and thus know how to slay them. You don't know the reasons and logic to a sane person, much less the fickle heart of a woman."

Futaba chuckled, and caressed his pale face. "Truth be told, I'm rather enjoying our time together, Shuuya. I hope you are too, maybe we can continue this."

"Wh-what?" the normally unflinching assassin went wide eyed at these words. "Here? But… where?"

"Oh I didn't mean sex! At least, not yet; this is hardly the place to do it."

"And yet, an asylum was?"

"I told you, the fickle nature of a woman is something that even an analytical person like you cannot fully grasp. Now come here, handsome…"

She leaned in and kissed him. After a second of hesitation, Shuuya returned it, pulling her in. From one of the adjacent rooms, Pyrrha giggled happily and clapped her hands quietly.

"It's rude to spy on people," Crystal said, shaking her head. She was focused on an arcade game, though she could monitor her friend from the side. "And seriously, there's been way too much of this sexual stuff going on."

"Your track record would like to remind you," Pyrrha bat her pretty eyes at the blonde military adviser, "that you should practice what you preach. You've been intimate with a few people."

"Yes, I cannot deny that," Crystal remarked, her face turning slightly red. "But I'm trying to solve the answers to this place."

"By playing an arcade game?"

The military gal stopped playing with a heaving sigh of frustration, then stared at Pyrrha. "Are you trying to provoke me?"

"Crystal, we're going to be in this creepy arcade for more than twelve hours, and we cannot leave. What else do we do to pass the time?"

"We could talk, or see if Monokuma or Monocrow or whoever is in charge here left us some clues in the games! That's always possible, why do you go to romance right away?"

Pyrrha hummed in thought, swishing her red hair side to side before answering. "Romance isn't always a slow-burning feeling for another person that culminates over a long period of time, nor is it the intense heat of a flash in the pan. Still, attraction and physical desire play a part in romance, and you have that with some people here, as do I.

"I had it with Aka, the kind of free spiritedness she had was something I rather marveled; I have always wanted to live more carefree than I do. Believe it or not, this place was actually an escape for me."

The novelist sighed, and toyed with her hair. "There's something very lonely about my career, to write about characters being intimate, falling for each other, for everything to line up for them because it's a story dedicated to their love. Meanwhile, I have had nothing like that all my life…

"Until I came here, and met so many of you. Takeo was a strong man who interested me so. You and Odelios, both so odd and unique at the same time, but still so fascinating. And Aka-"

"Hold on, I'm odd?" Crystal asked, raising an eyebrow at her. "I'm on the same level as the clown?"

"Crystal, you're a blonde American military adviser in Japan who curses a blue streak when she loses a video game, as well as has a very mysterious past. Odelios may be a clown, but he's still a guy with method behind his madness; he just projects comedy while you project seriousness in times of crisis."

The redheaded author walked over to Crystal, and placed her hands on the blonde's hips. "I think that's why you two would be so cute together. There is a serious and comical side to both of you."

"W-w-wait," Crystal stammered, slightly flushed as she felt the touch of the other woman, "if you're trying to romantically pair us up, why are you touching me?"

"Because I'm showing you that you're not immune to these romantic shenanigans going on. We're both far, far away from home, and we have time to spare. There's a sort of chemistry about that, don't you agree?"

Pyrrha reached up to caress Crystal's hair. Leaning in, she kissed the woman's earlobe, and whispered, "If you were really against all of these shenanigans, you would have pushed me away and been done with it. Or you would have avoided Odelios ever since the aphrodisiac incident.

"But you're not, and I believe it's my job while I'm here to help those who are struggling with these feelings to act on them."

"You… you write romance, you just told me that you," Crystal shivered, then corrected herself but still wasn't resisting, "You need to realize, we cannot all just be kissing and snuggling and having sex when we should be investigating."

"You really think that you need to investigate the video games~?"

Pyrrha kissed Crystal's neck, causing an aroused gasp. The military adviser strained, felt her hands go to the redhead's hips almost as if they had a mind of their own, and let out a defeated groan. "No."

With Crystal leaning up against the arcade machine, the two began to make out passionately. It was quite the sight for Shuuya and Futaba to notice, as the two had just exchanged a few sweet kisses, resumed talking, and then noticed the two in the next room.

"What is with this town and it kick-starting libidos?" Shuuya mumbled.

"Hmm, would you like to hear an anthropologist's point-of-view," Futaba remarked with a smirk, "on why horror scenarios can be quite stimulating?"

The assassin chuckled and shook his head. "No, I'd prefer to be a bit more focused right now."

---

Day 15, 12:21 PM

Western Plaza

The Bears' Motel

Hikari peered into the bedroom that Kimiko was staying in. The biker was still laying on the bed, unmoving since she had been placed there. With a heavy sigh, she pulled herself away.

"You keep every two minutes," Isaac remarked, leaning up against the wall nearby, "it'll be like watching a boiling pot."

"I cannot help it," the steampunk model admitted. "I just have to make sure she's fine. I just feel so bad for her!"

"Kimiko's been through a lot, but she's a very tough woman. Whatever affected her, she drove that off and carried on the fight afterwards. Besides, as the leader of a biker gang, she probably isn't used to people doting on her."

Hikari chuckled nervously, then stared at Isaac. She realized, after a quick study, just how bad the reporter looked. With his eyes slightly bloodshot, a slight shake in his hands, and his mint hair unruly wherever it wasn't being covered by his beanie, he truly looked miserable.

"Should I be more concerned over you, Isaac?" she asked. "I mean, you're the one who helped us through all of the trials, you're brilliant and smart and capable, but right now…"

"I look like shit, don't I?"

Isaac chuckled humorlessly, and muttered, "You can say it, Hara's never going to. I look real bad, don't I?"

Hikari bit her bottom lip, then nodded. "You kind of look like death walking, a lot of your color's gone. Are the nightmares that awful for you?"

"Ever since I've been reminded of," he shivered hard, but managed to continue, "Shizuka Akui, whoever or whatever is pulling the strings here is hammering it back in, over and over. I don't know what to do, I thought I was over this."

"No one ever fully gets over trauma like that, darling. I would know, I've been through my fair share. But you're very lucky, you have people that sincerely care about you, who love you. I hope you count your blessings that you have a sweetheart like Hara in your life."

Isaac chuckled, then rubbed his burned arm. "Yes, every day."

Hikari noticed the burns, since Isaac was without his covering sleeve. She glanced to the side, unable to think of what to say about that. So she quickly changed the subject, and asked, "So why were you up here, darling?"

"I was thinking I would stay on guard for when Blake gets up. No one else here wants to deal with him."

"Odd how much we're willing to tolerate from someone who barely contributes…"

Isaac squinted in confusion, staring at Hikari as the model glanced all over the place, avoiding his eyes. Murmuring something about needing to check downstairs, she headed off, down the creaky stairs.

Inside of the kitchen were Eisei, Hara, and Souma. The dentist was giving an explanation for a slightly complicated recipe, which the two much taller people in the kitchen were making.

"Make sure to stir it until all the lumps are gone," Eisei commented as he watched Souma. "We don't want lumps."

"Got it, don't take any lumps!" Souma responded cheerfully.

"No, it's having lumps, not taking them. You don't take the lumps out."

Hara chuckled, as she worked on her part. "You two work so well together, I have to say. It's rather nice to see."

"We have a lot in common," Eisei remarked, adjusting the lollipop in his mouth. "Our familiar backgrounds led us to have something to relate to, and Souma is one of the few who understands my way of communication. Though there is the unfortunate side effect of our comradery when we spend time together in public."

"What's that?"

"People believe I am his daughter," Eisei remarked. He said it with the tone that it was total nonsense, but didn't roll his eyes or sigh like most people would over a tiring experience.

"I suspect that may be because I appear older than I really am," Souma commented, "and Eisei looks slightly younger."

"'Slightly'?" Both Hara and Hikari couldn't help but blurt that out, and they covered their mouths in shame. Eisei glanced between the two women, confused.

"How far off do I look from twenty-seven?" he asked.

Hara blushed and shied away from the question, but Hikari couldn't help but giggle. "About twenty, darling."

"Really now? How odd, I thought I had aged physically quite a bit more recently. That's why I slipped out of the goth phase and the servant phase."

"Oh no no no, please don't bring up the servant phase," Souma pleaded. "Good heavens, the incidents that caused…"

Hikari was now highly curious, though there was something that distracted her from the situation that begged to be inquired upon. "Say wait a minute, you all aren't making food with the nasty tools this kitchen had, are you?"

"I procured the essential, safe tools that were in the kitchen of Penjar's public cafeteria," Eisei remarked, "and used my sanitizing alcohol from my personal belongings to ensure they are not germ-laden."

"Wait, you brought sanitizing alcohol with you?" Hikari asked.

"Yes, did you want some?"

"No, I just… why would you carry that with you?"

"Because I'm a dentist, it's an essential tool to my career."

"I don't think you're required to bring everything of your career with you wherever you go, Eisei darling," Hikari remarked. She chuckled, and added, "It's not like you brought a dentist drill with you, right?"

The completely serious stare that Eisei gave her slowly made her realize that her joke was actually reality. Souma laughed when the realization was on her face, and said, "Now you're beginning to understand Eisei. He has his quirks, but there is a reason behind all of them; it really is quite fascinating, isn't it?"

"I'm more curious than ever how you two became good friends," Hara admitted. "Isaac and I bonded over our love for the unknown, but what brought you two together?"

Souma sighed a little, a smile still on his face despite the shrug of his shoulders. "Well, as crazy as it sounds, we bonded over being lonely rich boys."

"Souma lost his family due to an unfortunate incident with extremists," Eisei explained, "and I was disowned by mine."

"What?" Hikari balked. "Whatever for?"

"I refused to carry on the family line… excuse me, I don't feel really comfortable saying it all out loud. Souma, feel free to explain, I just… need a little time away from this."

As Eisei walked out of the room and into the main lobby, Souma watched him go before shaking his head. "Eisei's family expected him to become a prominent businessman like the Amane estate had been for generations. When he desired to become a dentist, his family wouldn't support him, so he cut ties and left."

"That's so horrible," Hara said, covering her mouth in shock. "They would just dismiss him over that?"

"Yes, and it unfortunately doesn't end there. All of the Amane family died during the Tragedy, murdered by crazy people who were looking for any excuse to kill rich folk. Eisei doesn't like to talk about it, I fear he may have lingering feelings on how he ended things with them.

"I know how he feels, losing everyone you love without being able to say good-bye. My parents, my sister, everyone gone because of crazy fanatics, and yet I ended up being a terrible friend. While Eisei was my friend after my own tragedy, and helped me through it so that I could continue my path, I couldn't be there for him when he lost his own family."

Souma took a deep breath, sighing heavily. "Which is why I won't be spending the night here, sorry to say. I just wanted to help you all out on this, and make sure Eisei would be secure tonight."

"Wait, what?" Hara asked. "Why? You actually want to face those awful nightmares?"

"They are hints to my family, something Monokuma or whoever is running this game knows about. I'm certain I'll find something out if I face them, but I wish for no one else to take the same risk alongside me."

Souma glanced at Hara and Hikari, and smiled at their concerned looks. "Don't worry, I won't be a fatality for Monokuma's supernatural methods. You two take care of those you care about, like you care about Miss Hashiriya, Miss Tetsuhime."

Hikari blushed slightly, but not as much as when Souma turned to Hara, and added, "And you take of your fiancé, Miss Pathik; after all, you are destined to be Mrs. Bellamy, and no one and nothing should take that away."

Hara chuckled lightly, and nodded to this. Souma, finishing up his part of the cooking, bid them all good day. He walked into the lobby, and said, "Eisei, I will be leaving short… ly…"

The public speaker closed his mouth when he saw that his good friend and Saiko were engaged in a quiet and close conversation. Souma walked back into the kitchen, and said with a slight flush on his face, "I think I'll wait a bit, let him know when he's not distracted."

---

Day 15, 12:35 PM

Western Plaza

Enoshima Asylum

The dark hallways of the asylum were unnerving, flicking shadows at every tiny corner. The iron bars over the windows appeared both sturdy and frail with the rust and corrosion around the area they connected to the wall.

Even with both of them armed with swords, Ken and Yitro didn't feel all that secure with how haunting the building felt. The slightest sound down the hallway made one think of a frantic patient screaming in his cell. The smallest twitch of light was like another patient, unreasonably berserk, jumping out of the darkness.

"You know," Ken muttered to himself, "Novoselic only had one asylum in all of the country."

"Really now?" Yitro replied. "Was that because of the size, or you saying that Novoselic didn't have the same problem with the insane?"

"We never considered them insane or lunatics or crazy, as much of your pop culture displays them," the cavalryman said with a huff. "The brain is a very complex set of nerves, and when it isn't functioning properly, there is very little one can do to solve that.

"In Novoselic, we never believed that someone was incurable, and we had great doctors dedicated to this; it was a profession many took after high school, since medical training is mandatory in our country."

"I also heard driving a tank was too?"

"Yes, but that came up a little less frequently," Ken said with a slight smile. "I always thought our blend of modern-day technology mixed with medieval warfare was quite special, though I was surprised to see Japan had a fair amount of that included."

Yitro chuckled, but shook his head. "I gotta say, I would love to visit Novoselic one day, once it returns to its former glory."

"I'm afraid that day may never come."

Ken stared down a particularly dark corridor, then walked away from it without a word. Whatever was down that way, he didn't want to bother with it. Yitro noticed the medical crosses on the wall, but decided against it too and followed after Ken.

"Have you truly given up on your home, Ken?" he asked the Novoselician.

"I was just done bragging to you how well we handle the mentally ill, but then I realized that the conditions have been, shall we say, flipped. Now the country has run amok with people who have lost their minds, because Despair, it flips you. It makes the noble abuse their power, the smart become sinister, the generous now know how to hurt you most.

"Novoselic was a country about honor, and when Despair came, the afflicted knew what would be the most painful to everyone. They all knew how to hurt each other the most…

"That's why," he said, clenching his fists tightly, "I am so very determined to find the answers here. Even if I have to spend a night in an asylum, or a creepy pizza arcade, or anywhere… I'd sleep in the sewers if it were asked of me!"

"Shhh, don't give Monokuma ideas."

"Sorry. I just don't know else to convey my sincerity."

"You don't have to worry about that, I believe you entirely, Ken. I feel the same, this town took one of my last friends, I am going to settle things here."

"Indeed, though I do wonder about some of the ways it's trying to get my skin."

Yitro thought about this for a moment, then asked, "Do you mean, 'get under your skin'?"

"That sounds horrifying! But if you mean to unnerve me, yes. I still have no clue what 'scarlet' is supposed to be about…"

Before they could discuss this, there was a sharp cry that echoed around the dark halls of the asylum. Both men flinched, and exchanged glances.

"What the hell was that?" Ken blurted out.

"Do we really want to find out?" Yitro asked, grinding his teeth. "Oh hell, let's find out."

The two of them walked onwards, intrepid but braving the horrid shadows and noises that this asylum seemed to feature around every damn turn! They hurried forward towards the room that they could hear growling and murmuring…

The two of them stared into the room, where there was a card table set up in the center. Odelios, Ishiku, Fannie, Drake, Ignatia, and Anzu (with Monocrow on her shoulder) were seated around it, all of them glancing over at the two men who had barged in.

The glossy Uno cards in their hands gleamed in the light inside of the room. Fannie turned towards Odelios, and remarked, "I told you that screaming would be a bad thing, Odie."

"I haven't had a turn," the clown snarled ruefully, glaring at Drake, "in the last two minutes! Damn your Reverse Card!"

"It was legitimately the only card I could play," the cartoonist whimpered, shrinking back from the angry entertainer.

"Now now now," Ishiku scolded his friend, "we're playing a friendly game here because this place is so spooky and unnerving…"

He continued to speak as Ignatia played her next card. "And we cannot be yelling like that because we…" Then he noticed Ignatia had Skipped him. "MOTHERFU-"

Ken groaned in disgust, walking away from the room as he muttered, "Stuck in an asylum with the most crazy members, oh joy."

Yitro merely raised an eyebrow, especially because Ishiku was now unsheathing Peko's sword and going on a samurai-esque honor bound rant. The actual swordsman cleared his throat, catching their attention, and inquired, "May I join next game?"

"If you can handle our comedic shenanigans," Monocrow said, folding his cards up with his wingtips and keeping them hidden under his wing for safety, "and agree to not cheat."

"Some people here are a little eager to glance at someone's hand," Anzu remarked, winking at the handsome swordsman. "But I'm sure we can fit you in! Oh, would you like to play Strip Uno? That's a suggestion we have going on."

"We are not doing that!" Drake declared, waving his hands frantically as Ignatia scowled at her fellow gothic-lite gal.

"You should also ask Ken if he'd like to join," Monocrow added, "rather than have him skulk around the hallways of this place."

---

Day 15, 1:49 PM

Western Plaza

Center Area, "Shy" Monokuma Statue

Fiora had climbed up on the podium that the statue was on, and was poking it a great deal. She was pulling on the paws over the bear's eyes when she heard someone calling out to her.

"Fiora sweetie, what on Earth are you doing?"

The movie maker stopped her antics, when she realized Pyrrha was staring at her from the doorway of the arcade, still inside of the creepy building. Fiora chuckled nervously, and responded with a tinge of shame in her voice.

"You knoo' when you're looking at a puzzle, and you doo'nt knoo' where to start, so you start trying everything you can to see what'll work?"

Pyrrha squinted in confusion at first, then asked, "Are you trying to figure out what benefit you get for staying last night in the psychic tent?"

"YES! But nothing's working! And I've tried everything I can think of, I was all over town earlier!"

The romance writer sighed, not sure what to do about the very active antics of the movie maker. "What do you mean, honey?"

"I went back into every building that we've been to befur, but nothing's changed! I even went around to some of the old buildings where there's nothing but ruins, and nothing! What do I get, you stupid bear?!"

"Fiora, we all tried to discover what we were granted, but no one has a clue. You don't need to take it upon yourself to go above and beyond."

The movie maker sighed heavily, and leaned back down on the podium. "Curse this truth serum mist, it causes me to act 'oot!"

"You don't really seem," Pyrrha said with an impish giggle, "the kind that needs much encouragement to act out, Fiora. Now come on, you mustn't feel too bad about this."

"But I cannot figure 'oot why the psychic tent was still dangerous with nightmares, Pyrrha! I mean, surely that should have given us the biggest advantage!"

"You know that Monokuma and Despair don't like to act within reason," the redhead replied with a sad sigh. "Sweetheart, what was your dream about, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Eh, it was nothing big, just another crazy movie-like story. I was actually part of the mafia, like a major enforcer, and things were getting super crazy with the boss. Also, there were bugs, like super big bugs, like in one of my creature features. Hehe, do you like movies a'boot either, Pyrrha?"

The romance author glanced to the side, trying to think of the most polite way to phrase this. "Not really, dear."

"You should try one sometime! We should get some of those and make it a marathon, much more fun than sitting around waiting for weird stuff to happen."

"Tell you what, I'll watch some of your wild movies," Pyrrha said with a smile, "if you read one of my favorite books."

"Not one of yours?"

"I don't like to pitch my own work, I like to showcase what inspired me."

"Funny, I feel the same way a lot of the time. We're creative kindred spirits, American woman."

"Quite possibly, Canadian lady."

The two shared a chuckle, happy to have a sane conversation with someone, even if the distance and situation was ridiculous. Fiora let out a happy sigh, then said, "You knoo', maybe I'll hang 'oot in the arcade tonight, since I doo'nt knoo' if spending another night in the tent is worth it…"

She would have continued, but then she started to hear shouting. The voices were exceptionally loud, and both ladies could hear them coming from the motel. They shared a look, then Fiora hurried off to see what was going on.

When she was close to the entrance of the Bears' Motel, she could start to make out the voices, who they were and what they were saying. And when she peered in through the crusty windows, it was verified.

"… cannot keep me here if I don't want to be here, mate! So fuck off!" Blake shouted, defiantly pointing at Isaac.

"How about you calm the hell down?" Isaac growled, glaring back at him. "We were helping you, you ungrateful jerk."

"I didn't ask for help, I didn't want it! So fuck off with the guilt trip! I'm not staying in this hideous motel."

Blake started for the entrance, but Isaac stood in the way. The Australian pyro glared at the French reporter, and spat out, "You really think you can stop me if I want out?"

"I think we've all had it with your attitude, and we're going to ask you to contribute rather than do whatever the hell you want."

Blake stared down Isaac, then turned back to see all those watching the altercation. Hikari, Hara, and Souma were nearby, all of them rather concerned with what was happening. Saiko and Eisei were in the lobby, the former appearing ready to engage at any moment.

The pyrotechnician chuckled, then very quickly swung at Isaac, catching the reporter's face with his fist. Knocking the mint-topped man down, Blake shouted, "You look like shit, you cannot stop me!"

"You motherfucking prick!"

Saiko shouted as she hurried over, at the same time everyone else did. The majority were around Isaac, but the forensic investigator was up in front of Blake in that instant.

"You know what? Isaac had the best of intentions for you, but you don't deserve it," Saiko blurted out, balling her hands into fists. "I'm going to say it: why don't you just leave Penjar?"

"Oh, I'll tell you why, tits for brains midget," Blake remarked, shaking his head at her. "Because I feel like this place still has answers I want, and I refuse to let it beat me at its stupid game.

"You're not keeping me in this wretched motel, I'm going to head on out, and face the nightmares you pussies are too pissing scared of."

Saiko scoffed loudly, glancing back at Isaac. The others were tending to him, and it was then that she realized just how frail Isaac appeared. His beleaguered appearance, his lack of strength and stamina…

The nightmares had been straining him, almost as if he was being drained of life. Her hands quivered, but she steeled herself as she glanced back at Blake.

"Well then, get the hell out," she spat at him.

The Australian pyro merely crossed his arms, and a smirk spread across his place. "Oh I don't know… I mean, I guess I could stick around a bit longer, since you all are without a real man. You just got that-"

"We don't want you here, you colossal prick!"

"Just a beta bitch and that crossdressing fag," Blake remarked, pointing to Isaac and Eisei. Then he regarded Souma, and added, "Oh, and rich little cunt in a fancy suit who thinks he's better than everyone else."

"Mister Shokyaku," Souma said, frowning at the man, "I have no problem getting my suit dirty if it means forcibly throwing you out of here."

"Like you could, you fucking sissy! But yeah, I think I'll stay," Blake grinned wickedly down at Saiko, and reached over to grasp one of her pigtails. "The women need a real man, if they can handle o-"

Saiko slugged Blake in-between the legs as hard as she could. He stumbled backwards, grasping at his private parts and the wall. Gasping, straining, he stared at Saiko incredulously, then furiously.

"One tease, and you go there?" he snapped. Before anyone could react, he lunged for Saiko. Grabbing her jacket, holding her tightly, he started dragging her towards the door. "Maybe you'll like more of the nightmares!"

There was shouting, as Blake dragged the struggling Saiko to the front door. Eisei sprinted over, attempting to strike Blake, but the much bigger man kicked at the dentist, knocking him back. Before anyone could help out, Saiko was thrown, kicking and clawing at Blake, from the motel.

"You," she shrieked, pulling herself up to her feet as she glared white-hot daggers at Blake, "you son of a bitch!"

"Maybe we can enjoy the nightmares together?" Blake asked, waving at her. "Now if you'll excuse me, sheila, I gotta put some ice on my nuts…"

He was interrupted when someone sprinted by him, alerting him to the fact that the others were still there. Eisei was outside within a second, and then Isaac, sporting a growing bruise next to his eye, slammed up against Blake.

The two tall men struggled with each other, both still suffering from their pain, but equally furious. Still, Isaac, despite how much he attempted to overpower the pyro, was lacking in strength.

There was a brief scuffle, then Blake successfully pushed Isaac out of the motel as well. The pyro cackled, pointing at the reporter, shouting, "Let's see how you like another round in Freddy Krueger's nightmare, bitch! Hahaha-"

Hara, in the most aggressive action she had ever taken in her life, shoved Blake outside with a rather strong kick. The pyro hit the ground, and then felt someone jump on top of him and start punching him.

"Son of a bitch," Fiora was shrieking, hitting him with all her might. "I'm going to beat the shit-"

Blake pushed up and gave Fiora a hard shove, backing away from her. He stood there, huffing and gasping, watching as the movie maker who hated her reared up to attack again.

"Don't," Hara said as she stepped outside, getting between the movie maker and the pyro. "He's not worth it, he's really, really not."

"Oh fuck you too," Blake snarled, wiping the blood off of his lip. "You all should have just let me do whatever I wanted to do. You don't cage a guy like me, I don't react well to it."

"You can go," Saiko declared, pointing at him from over Eisei's shoulder, as the dentist was holding her back, "straight to hell!"

"Heh, what are you going to do, send me there yourself, midget? I mean, you might be the only one out here with balls besides me, but I don't see a tiny thing like you doing anything of importance."

The pyrotechnician glanced around, an odd feeling of being watched. There was someone leaning slightly out of the arcade, someone at the front doors of the asylum, and he could even recognize a Monokuma-shaped figure nearby the statue.

"Wanna try, you little bitch?" he continued to taunt Saiko. "There's a lot of witnesses here, it'll be like another prison fight for me."

"I can kill you," Saiko snarled, so furious that saliva was leaking from her mouth, her breathing deep and heavy.

"Seriously now? You ever kill a person?"

"Yes."

"What was that? I couldn't hear you-"

"I KILLED SOMEONE!"

Saiko's shriek of fury and admittance echoed around the entire plaza. She lifted her hand, fingers quivering with a desire to do damage rather than good, and she clenched her hand as hard as she could.

"I've killed someone, I've got blood on my hands. And I'm not afraid to do it for those I care about, Blake. This isn't the truth serum speaking now, this is me telling you…

"If you ever hurt my friends again, I will, without any hesitation, kill you like I did that other man."

Blake stared at her, eyes narrowed, and he spat out a bitter laugh. "Tough talk, but I don't think you've got what it takes to kill a man in cold blood."

"That's how the first guy went," Saiko responded, a cruel grin spreading across her face. "Cold, swiftly, and rather… unfairly too, I can make that happen for you. Test me."

The mists swirled around the group of graduates outside of the motel. Blake stood alone, as those mists curled around his legs. He let out a long sigh, and replied, "So you're just a corrupt official who preyed on the innocent. I came to peace with what I did, but I wonder how well you carry that when you're not trying to be a badass."

Blake turned around and walked off without another word. Fiora started running after him, but Hara managed to catch her. The movie maker was heaving in fury, but not as much as Saiko.

However, after a few seconds of silence, and Blake long gone, the forensic investigator fell to her hands and knees. When Eisei moved to her side, she looked up at him, tears flowing down from her eyes. She latched onto Eisei, and bawled without restraint.

Isaac managed to pull himself up, his strength still failing him. Hara headed over to him, and he smiled gratefully at her. "I'm fine. We should watch over Saiko."

"Isaac?"

Hikari called out from the entrance of the motel, still inside of the building. She was about to speak more when Souma walked outside, startling her with this action. The public speaker headed over to Fiora, laying a comforting hand on the movie maker's shoulder.

"Don't let him get under your skin," Souma said to her. "You're better than that."

"Bastard killed my parents, keeps goading and attacking people," Fiora snarled, "how can I not, huh? How do I stop him from getting under my skin?!"

"Isaac! Everyone!" Hikari called out, almost frantic, from the motel. "What… I… I should come out there too!"

"No, Hikari!" Isaac declared, holding up his hand. "You still can benefit from that place. Don't sacrifice that."

"Half of you just got cast out, and the other half walked out! I mean, it's not fair! Can't we ask Monokuma if being forcibly removed doesn't count?"

"Nope!"

Hikari leapt up in shock as Monokuma appeared behind her. The bear cackled, and added, "No exceptions! They left, they aren't allowed back in until tomorrow! If any of you try to come back in, I'll shred ya!"

Hikari sighed and covered her face. "Dear gears and steam whistles, this is so awful. All because of that awful man…"

"What's going on?"

The steampunk model flinched again, but this time not as violently. She turned to see Kimiko walking up to her, staring in utter confusion. Hikari threw herself into a hug with the startled biker gang leader.

"Kimiko," Hara called out to the biker, "most of us have unfortunately been forced out of the buildings for today. We need you and Hikari to stay in there."

"Okay, but what happened?" Kimiko asked, hugging Hikari back as she spoke. "Why are you all 'oot there?"

"Blake," Saiko spat out, taking deep breaths to calm herself down. She wiped her face with her sleeves, and repeated, "Blake did it. He threw some of us out… and some of us followed."

"He was incredibly aggressive," Hikari said, pulling herself away from Kimiko slowly. "He even punched Isaac, and got handsy with Saiko."

"What? How dare that bastard, he… OH MY GOD!"

Kimiko cupped Hikari's face, startling the model. "He… he punched you too? That motherfucker, I'll kill him!"

"What? No he didn't hit me!"

"Hikari, your cheek is all red and splotchy! He struck you, didn't he?!"

"No I'm telling you, he didn't…"

The model reached up and touched her face. It was very warm, and had an itchy buzz to it. Confused, Hikari stared at Kimiko, and then hurried into the lobby to find the mirror was available to guests.

There was a second's pause, then a horrified shriek from the motel lobby. Everyone outside was rather confused and concerned, while Kimiko was over by Hikari in a heartbeat.

Hikari was staring at her body in the mirror, not just her face. The red marks were on her cheeks, her neck and chest, and on her arms. She grabbed at herself and started shivering hard. "Oh no, no no no…"

"Hikari, what's going on?" Kimiko cried out, reaching over to her. The model pulled away, shaking in fear.

"Th-the nightmare, it came true."

"What are you talking a'boot?"

"I slept in the psychic tent last night, and I had a nightmare about being ensnared by sentient poison ivy and oak!" Hikari cried out. "I didn't think it meant anything, I woke up and was just fine! But… but now… oh gears, I can feel it start to burn… I…"

Hikari shrieked in pain, scratching at herself. Kimiko rushed over to stop her, and the model cried out, "It's going to kill me! My skin will burn off! Kimiko! Oh God, I'm going to die!"

Outside, the people could hear the steampunk model's fearful cries. They all exchanged glances, rather concerned. "Is there anything we can get her?" Hara asked. "I mean, is there any cream or medicine we could get her?"

"The problem with that," Souma commented, "would be that the nightmare is giving her rashes. There's no oils or scratches, she's not suffering from actual poison ivy's causes."

"Pain nullifiers then," Eisei calmly suggested, standing very close to Saiko. "I can go get some from my belongings, they may be the only thing to assist her with this inbound pain."

Fiora started inspecting herself, feeling her skin and glancing down her top. "I doo'nt understand what's going on! I'm not breaking 'oot!"

"Different nightmares," Saiko remarked, shivering one more time to soothe herself out. "Let's hurry, make ourselves useful now."

---

Day 15, 2:00 PM

Western Plaza

Enoshima Asylum

Odelios stared down the rather dark hallway that had been confusing him since he picked this place out. There were no patient rooms in this hallway, but there were other types of rooms…

Forms of patient treatment that were outdated, illegal, or outright torture could be seen through a large window for each room. There was electroshock with a crusty chair, hydrotherapy that appeared more like a waterboarding station, and rusty beds with straps on them. The clown winced as he walked down the hallway, noting each one as something he definitely didn't want any part of.

The asylum made him feel like some part of his head was declaring, "You're due for it anyway!" Odelios reached the end of the hallway, and examined the double doors in front of him. He tried to open them, but it didn't work.

"They're locked."

Odelios flinched and turned around swiftly, adopting a fighting pose that he made up right then and there called, "The Straight-Jacket Freedom Pose." He came eye to eye with Anzu, who stared at him with a neutral expression on her face.

"Do you have to sneak up on me like that now?" he asked her.

"I tried that door earlier. It doesn't open."

"Damn, it's like that one door in the motel. Oh, see, there was a locked motel room at the end of the second floor's hallway," Odelios explained. "We didn't pay it much heed, but now there's more locked rooms? Strange."

"There's an incredible amount of locked rooms on the second and third floors," Anzu said. "Shuuya and Futaba told me all about them. You don't pay attention."

"Um, wow," he nervously scratched the back of his head. "Where's this coming from? Are you still bitter over losing the last few Uno games?"

"I care not, for I have seen all of death in the third eye of the psychic's tent. You have no idea how doomed you all are."

Anzu's voice dropped, and her crimson eyes seemed to burn with a kind of intensity that unnerved Odelios. She continued, scratching at her arm with a single finger.

"You have no idea of the hell on Earth that will come if we pursue the truth in this evil hellhole of a building, Odelios. For should we try to find the answers, if it does not break our minds, it will escape from Penjar, and annihilate the world."

"Wh-wh-what?" Odelios choked out. "What are you talking about? What's going to end the world?"

Anzu snarled, staring deep into his eyes as she took a step forward. He took several steps back, bumping into the doors behind him. She approached, and held her hand close to his fearful face, a single digit extending like a claw…

…

…

…

And with a flick of her wrist, a Reserve Uno card was held up in front of Odelios's face.

"You'll activate the trap card!"

Silence for the first few seconds, then a fit of feminine giggles from Anzu as she backed up laughing. Odelios stared for a few seconds, then sunk down on his back, laughing as well.

"You scared," he exclaimed as he coughed and wheezed, "the utter hell out of me!"

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Anzu laughed as she apologized. "I have to admit, I was slightly bitter about that last Uno game, and I wanted to scare you as you looked around!"

"Oh boy, where did you learn to do that?"

"What, the act or the card trick? I'm an actress, even if I do most of it lying down, I know how to play pretend. As far as the card trick, Ishiku taught me a few things."

The actress walked into one of the adjacent rooms, and the clown followed after, both of them studying it with slight wonder and more horror. There were several beds, with tarps spread out over them. Tarps that had stains that suspiciously looked liked bloodstains, as well as the same stains on the ground; there was no smell of blood in the air, however.

"So yes, that door doesn't open, Odelios," Anzu said. "What brought you down here anyway?"

"I mean, we do need to explore this place, and I decided Ishiku and Fannie need more alone time."

"Heh, aren't you worried you'll become a third wheel?"

"No, why do you say that?"

"Because that's how I feel."

Anzu sighed as she started rummaging through the drawers of the room. "I just needed a little time alone, and this freaky place, you never know what could be in here."

"You really want to go through the drawers here?"

"Look, random items hidden around the places we've been have been triggers to that freaky, alternate realm. I've been there twice, I'm determined to find out what it's all about."

Odelios watched her dig through the drawers more, then furrowed his brow and flipped the tarps off of the beds. There were more stains, from water or blood or something else entirely, on the mattresses.

"Oh dear, what on Earth are these doing here?" Anzu asked, pulling something out from the drawers. Odelios walked over, and saw she was holding a large wooden mallet.

"Um, I'm going to guess that isn't a toy prop?" the clown asked. He watched Anzu knock the mallet on the counter, the very firm and hard sound confirming it was quite real. "Nope, they actually had Getting Hit on the Head Lessons here!"

"What now?"

"Oh, never mind, I'm just being too silly," Odelios said with a chuckle. He glanced up at the drawers, and asked, "Are there more in there? I could juggle 'em."

"Sounds like a real gamble," Anzu said, giggling rather slowly as well as speaking the same. "You know… such things… could kill…"

"Now don't worry about that, I've juggled worse. Let's see," he spoke as he reached towards the drawer, "how many more are in th-"

Odelios saw movement out of the corner of his eye, and the beginning of a terrible shriek. He dodged out of instinct, and his well-trained acrobatics managed to save his life. For the mallet that was swung towards the drawers came so close to hitting his head, the wind felt like a punch in itself.

The mallet struck the drawer so heavily, the wood cracked in two and broke off the hinges. It collapsed in a mess, suffocating amounts of dust kicking up. Odelios, frozen in place, stared at the one who had swung the mallet.

Anzu's crimson eyes were wide, full of rage and venom. She was holding the mallet tightly, but with that one finger of hers she stuck out like a claw extended. Her breath came out as furious huffs, until the dust in the air caught in her mouth.

The actress dropped the mallet, grabbing at her throat as she coughed hard. Her eyes returned to normal, as did her hands without that wicked claw motion she had. Strained tears escaped from her eyes, and then gasped as she dropped the mallet.

"S-spider, the… the worst kind," she stammered out, trembling. "Was ready to… its fangs were like saws."

She looked towards Odelios, who couldn't even move in his panic. Anzu covered her mouth in shock, and blurted out, "Odelios, I'm… I'm so sorry, I don't…"

The actress reached out towards him, and he promptly stepped back.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Odelios sprinted out of the room, so fast that Anzu couldn't register his retreat at first. When it sank in, she cried out, "No, Odelios, I'm sorry! Please," and took off after him.

In that bleak hallway, she could vaguely make out the image of the clown running, though it almost appeared to be an after-image, like she was chasing his shadow. When she arrived at the end of the hallway, into the more well-lit one, she still couldn't see him down either way.

"Odelios! Please!" she called out, desperation in her voice and tone. She ran down one side of the hallway, but saw no trace of him. Which way had he gone?

Desperate, Anzu ran towards the entrance of the asylum. It seemed so far away, she had the horrible feeling of being lost despite knowing which way the entrance was. When she made it to those front doors, she failed to spot anyone running out of the building.

Anzu stood there, tempted to run outside, but stumbled back into the asylum. Cursing under her breath, punching herself in the head, she leaned up against the opposite wall. "Stupid, stupid… what's wrong with me? Did I… did I just… Goddamn it…"

"Anzu?!"

Ishiku came running over to her, with Fannie close by. The magician held the actress's shoulders, and held her as he asked, "What happened? What's wrong?"

Anzu sobbed. "I… I did something horrible. I'm losing myself again, Ishiku. I don't know what's wrong with me!"

Fannie watched this, rubbing her hands together nervously. "Anzu, where's Monocrow?"

"Huh? He… he left, he said he had to assist someone else right now."

Fannie nodded, chewing on her bottom lip. When she noticed both Ishiku and Anzu were staring inquisitively at her, she took a deep breath. "Monocrow was meant to be a guide to the city, he wasn't supposed to interact with graduates directly."

"But he's been interacting with me since we found him!" Anzu exclaimed.

"I know. I don't understand why. Anzu, who exactly are you?"

The actress gripped her hair, threatening to tear her blue bangs off with her stress. Ishiku stopped her from doing so, and she clung to him. "I don't know," she admitted miserably. "I don't know what's going on with me."

Fannie walked over, and rubbed the woman's back. "We'll work to finding out then. I don't like my new friends suffering."

---

Day 15, 2:07 PM

Western Plaza

Monokuma's Arcade District

Shuuya sighed in frustration as he typed on the computer, trying to figure out how to make it work. His frustration continued to grow, as he wasn't progressing anywhere.

"Oh come on," the bounty hunter shouted at the screen, glaring hatefully at the error message. "I was told these games were normal, why is it behaving like a Despair-ridden torture device for me? If ever there was a sign something was up…"

"It seems you're having trouble with one of our game systems," Monocrow chirped, after he flapped his wings and landed on the desk next to the computer Shuuya was using. "Would you like me to help you with that?"

"I don't need help from you, bird," Shuuya snapped. "Go away."

The white 'n black bird lowered his head, dejection all over his face. "You all want help, but you won't accept it from me… that hurts, you know?"

Futaba walked into the computer room, noticing Shuuya. "Is Monocrow bothering you? He's been trying to help us for some time now, but he's only explaining what we know."

"I am trying, you know…"

The anthropologist rolled her eyes. "Anyone who explains to me what I already know, what I literally just said, will automatically get on my shit list."

She pulled up a seat next to Shuuya, studying his screen. "Something wrong there, pal? Is the video game giving you troubles?"

"I cannot even get the characters to move! This is ridiculous, I just wanted to study this game for clues!"

Shuuya started pressing random keys on the keyboard, glaring at the character of Madhouse that he had unintentionally selected. Futaba watched him struggle, then poked his shoulder.

"You're supposed to push the space bar to confirm, or Escape to go back to character select," she informed him.

The assassin scanned the keyboard, and grumbled, "None of these keys say 'Space' or 'Escape.'"

"Wait, what?" Futaba corrected her glasses, rather surprised at this revelation. "Are you serious?"

"Is ESC supposed to stand for Escape?" Shuuya asked, pushing the button. The character on the screen shrunk back down into the roster, though his biography was visible under his profile.

"Madhouse, the incredibly cantankerous carpenter, is great at fixing broken tools and parts. He would rather be working on the home you've all holed up on, however."

"Ugh, I really don't want to play as a handyman! I cannot believe the game was forcing that on me."

"Shuuya, the game isn't forcing you to do anything. Just click on one of the characters," Futaba instructed, pointing at the roster. She watched as Shuuya stared at her in confusion, narrowing his eyes at the keyboard, then tried to poke the screen. "No! With the mouse!"

"Why are you talking about rodents? I don't," he stared at the mouse next to the computer, and then remarked, "oh yes, I remember that that's what they're called. So…"

He picked up the mouse and pressed it against the screen. "No, that's not how it works, right?"

"This has got to be," Monocrow muttered, "the most computer illiterate I've seen a person to be."

"You don't know how to use a computer at all?" Futaba inquired. "They never taught you how to use a computer with all your bounty hunting and assassin training?"

"I only ever used phones, I never saw the need for a computer," Shuuya admitted. "Can you help me with this foolish machine?"

"Move over, you dork!" Futaba giggled a bunch as Shuuya moved over into another seat, sulking as he watched her navigate the character selection screen. She hummed as she looked over more of them. "Surprise," she read aloud, "a real gentleman who managed to survive thanks to winning a sweepstakes! He has incredible luck, so everything he does may or may not work out spectacularly."

"Why are the characters so ridiculous?" Shuuya remarked. "Is that a hint of some sort?"

"Drake told me that the games didn't seem to have been changed," Futaba remarked. "None of them, so I don't know what hint or clue it could be. Maybe it is simply here for atmosphere…

"You know how we were talking about my anthropology earlier?" she said, as she began a game with Surprise as her character. The survival choices came up, and she casually chose them. "Sometimes the answer is the most simple one, we're the ones who complicate things when we stare at some for too long."

Shuuya nudged the computers underneath the desk, and Futaba glanced underneath. She leaned down to see the hardware's logo on the side: DespairWare.

"I don't believe in coincidence," Shuuya remarked. "There has to be a reason there's a new line of Despair-labeled computers for this arcade."

"The arcade machines are powered," Monocrow remarked, "by Hostile-Pandemonium Inc., part of our Chaos-line of electronics. Despair and Chaos worked so hard to make Penjar as grand as it used to be."

Shuuya glanced over at the bird. "What? What are you talking about? Penjar was like this in the past?"

"Oh, Penjar used to be a bustling town, very unique with Japan's history, but lost in it. Did you think this town was created by Despair and Chaos?"

Monocrow chuckled, rubbing underneath his beak. Shuuya and Futaba exchanged glances, and then turned towards the bird. "When was Penjar formed, Monocrow?" Futaba asked. "Do you know that?"

"Shortly after 1915, I believe. We built up on it, after its abandonment… which I have no precise date of."

"Is there any way we could find out?"

"Oh yes! Monokuma spoke the truth earlier today, you could find out everything if you work together. Despair and Chaos both habitually allow the chance for things to not go as they planned, lest they self-destruct upon betraying themselves."

Futaba stood up and leaned against the wall. "Okay, sounds like the mystery is more complex than I thought. So where can we find the answers?"

"All throughout Penjar, though I daresay some places are off-limits to you, like the Northern Plaza or the now-destroyed Science Lab."

"But how can we go there? I mean, just like at the asylum, there's locked doors in here too. And there's been no way to open them, like there were in the Northern Plaza."

"Guess you'll just have to figure that out, graduates of Hope's Peak! I must say, it'd be nice to see you all work together on this!"

Shuuya groaned, rubbing his forehead. "The hell of it is, he's right. We desperately need to work together."

The anthropologist nodded. "Funny, just the idea of getting into the place labeled the Control Room here now seems to have so many different connotations. Maybe I spoke too soon when I said it wasn't complex."

Futaba and Shuuya, as well as Crystal and Pyrrha, took to exploring the arcade with more scrutiny than before. Playing the games became something that they sunk hours into, but couldn't find anything that stuck out to them.

---

Day 15, From 2:30 onwards

Western Plaza

The arcade was probably the most busy of the buildings at the Western Plaza. The four graduates kept exploring, no longer allowing themselves to be distracted.

Inside of the asylum, the souls inside were far more distracted. Anzu had shut herself up in a room, and refused to come out or respond to anyone. Ishiku and Fannie tried to find Odelios, but the clown wasn't anywhere to be found.

The remaining graduates inside of the asylum tried to search the second and third floors of the building. Ken and Yitro worked together, making small talk, while Drake and Ignatia took more time to bond. The four of them went through so many rooms, so many storage compartments and drawers and even beds and medical equipment.

Outside of the Western Plaza, some of the graduates were still rather busy. The tavern nearby the Main Plaza only had one occupant, as Blake drank by himself, fuming as what happened earlier stewed in his head. The pyrotechnician punched at the counter, and knocked back another drink.

The large group of graduates, consisting of Isaac, Hara, Saiko, Eisei, Souma, and Fiora, were congregating at the coffee shop. They had almost forgotten that this building was still around, but were quick to prepare food and drink for themselves. They spent a long time reminiscing about their time at Hope's Peak, before they embarked on searching places they had been before.

Inside of the motel, Kimiko was trying her best to take care of Hikari. The steampunk model was red all over, her body sporting what resembled a most painful rash. She had dressed down to her underwear and was wearing a bathrobe, ashamed of how she looked.

Their friends outside had retrieved a great deal of medical items for her comfort. She had smeared anti-rash cream on herself all over, in the hopes that it could help, even a little. Hikari had swallowed the maximum amount of painkillers possible, maybe even a bit more than she should have. Now she was a little loopy, walking around the motel and babbling.

"And you wanna know the hardest part about making a hat with a train track?" she asked Kimiko, who was following her into the kitchen, then out of it. "It's that the brim is never sturdy enough! It's like, you're strong enough for tipping, but not for a train?! What's up with that?"

Kimiko walked after her into the lobby, and the steampunk model gripped onto the grandfather clock. "Ohh, it's soooo pretty! Can I attach it to my hat? I'd love to have a clock hat, it'd be great for my next presentation… if I ever have one again."

The biker gang leader sighed, and said, "Hikari, maybe you should sit down. You're all over the place, eh."

"I gotta keep moving! If I stop moving, the itching will catch up to me! Let me move, Kimiko, oh I must be strutting!"

Hikari rubbed up against the grandfather clock, then slid down against it. It was not the best stripper imitation, if that's what it was? Kimiko couldn't tell.

"What if you took a shower?"

"In this motel? With what horror movie it's based off of?!"

Kimiko was now really confused how the woman who was drugged silly on painkillers could remember that specifically. "Then how a'boot a bath?"

"What if I drown?"

"Then I'll watch over you and we can talk."

"But then you'll see me NAKED!"

"You have a problem with that now?"

Hikari pouted. "People can only see me naked if we're gonna be intimate! I'm a model, if I start showing off what I look like under my clothing… I only have one future in front of me!"

Kimiko tried to think of the best way to approach this. "Aren't you interested in me?"

"I don't want you to see me naked for the first time when I'm like this! I'm all red and ugly and bad! To think that you, one of the coolest women I've ever met, would see me like this… it's not fair!"

Hikari bawled and started feebly punching at the grandfather clock. Kimiko couldn't help but feel bad for her, though was blushing ever-so-slightly; she had no idea that she was something more than an attempted conquest of the flirtatious model.

"How a'boot… you wear a swimsuit?"

"For a bath? Really?"

Kimiko chuckled and shrugged at her. "Why not? I mean, let's try and find something to soothe your skin while it's like that, after all!"

Hikari knocked on the grandfather clock, and sighed heavily. "But it sounds so romantic, me in the bathtub and you talking to me outside… can't we wait until the room stops swimming and I feel like I'm going to start drooling at any moment before we do this?"

"That sounds fair."

---

Day 15, 9:45 PM

Ye Olde Café

Fiora hummed as she stood up from her seat, and started to head to the exit. "Well, it's bin great fun, all of you, but I should probably be going to bed."

"Did you decide which building you're going to be spending in tonight?" Hara asked, tilting her head to the side.

The movie maker scratched the back of her head, seemingly rather nervous about what she was going to admit. "I was thinking I woo'd try the arcade, eh. Pyrrha and I had a moment earlier, I'd love to chat with her a'geen."

Saiko, who had been spinning one of her light-up fidget spinners to showcase it to Eisei, glanced up at Fiora. "What about the psychic tent? I don't think there's anyone in there."

"Yeah, but I was in there last night, no point in me being there a'geen, right?"

The forensic investigator shrugged. "Sorry, forgot about that. You have a good night then, enjoy the arcades for me, will ya?"

After Fiora took off, the five graduates inside of the café pondered over their actions. "So Hara and I were thinking," Isaac spoke up, "that we were going to stay up all of tonight, then get into one of the buildings as soon as we can tomorrow."

"Staying up late," Eisei remarked, "is rather bad for your health and can have some serious side effects after thirty-six hours."

"Do you really want to risk more nightmares?" Saiko asked him.

Eisei rolled his lollipop in his mouth, and shook his head. "The ones we have experienced are extremely unpleasant; however, I seemed to only have them when I am alone. I haven't had one in your company, Saiko."

"You know, I haven't had any either," Hara admitted. "I don't know how to explain that… but so long as Isaac has them, I'll do anything I can to avoid them."

"While I do plan on trying my luck with sleep," Souma remarked, "I will help you all in this endeavor. How about I mix us up some strong coffee, and we prepare for the long haul?"

"Make mine with loads of sugar," Saiko requested.

"Great quantities of sugar are not good for your teeth," Eisei said.

"You can clean them afterwards."

"You want me to get my dentist equipment?"

"I'll settle for your tongue."

Hara and Isaac couldn't help but laugh, as Eisei turned pink in the face as Saiko blew him a kiss. Souma laughed a great deal as he headed to the kitchen of the café.

---

Day 15, 9:55 PM

Western Plaza

The Bears' Motel

"So this is what babysitting is like," Kimiko grumbled as she watched Hikari play with the sink. The steampunk model was laughing, utterly fascinated with the flow of water. She threw her head back and laughed every time.

This continued until she threw her head back a little harder than she could balance out, falling over and banging her noggin on the floor. Kimiko rushed over, as Hikari struggled to pick herself up again.

"Ow," the model muttered, rubbing her head. "Oh gosh, I felt that."

"Looks like a bang on the head sobered you up," Kimiko remarked. "Damn, didn't think it would be so sudden."

"Kimiko…"

Hikari stared up into Kimiko's eyes, as the model was now in the biker's arms. They were transfixed, with Kimiko unsure of what to say or do. She took a deep breath, and then opened her mouth to speak.

"I felt that blow," Hikari repeated, "to the back of my head."

"Um, yes, you said that."

"I'm feeling pain again. My skin's starting to feel hot," Hikari whimpered, clutching onto Kimiko's jacket. "Get the bath ready, the pain's coming back fast!"

"Okay! Okay, I'll get the bath ready," the biker gang leader said as she lifted up Hikari, bringing her over to a chair before heading on upstairs.

"And don't forget the bathing suit," Hikari shouted up to her. "I cannot have you see me naked like this! Oh God, it's so ugly and red and itchy…"

Kimiko made it to the second floor, as her mind tried to remember which room was Hikari. It dawned on Kimiko that the model had never told her, and so she started to look inside each one.

As the green-topped tough gal searched room after room, she finally found one with a rolling suitcase inside of it. Kimiko started to walk towards it, then she realized that, oddly enough, the handle was stretched out. And there was a bird on it.

"Hello there, Kimiko," Monocrow greeted her.

"AWK! What the hell!" Kimiko let out a squawk of her own, then sighed in exasperation. "Oh yeah, they told me there was a bird like Monokuma now. What are you doing here?"

"Watching over luggage," the white 'n black bird said, drumming his talons on the suitcase's handle. "Would you believe that Hikari brought so many articles of clothing with her, despite wearing the same thing since she got here? Like all of you have been doing, oddly enough."

"What do you care a'boot Hikari's taste in clothing, eh?"

"Just that she may not remember everything she brought, since she's still a little loopy. You could probably get away with a skimpy suit, but that might bring back sad memories."

Kimiko folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. "What the hell are you getting at?"

"Was it not a pool party that you and Angelique had a moment that started your relationship?"

The biker gang leader trembled at the mention of the name. "Wh-what business of yours is that? Why the fuck are you bringing her up, that up? And you weren't even there, what the fuck are you going on a'boot?!"

She stomped up to Monocrow and lifted him up, squeezing him angrily. "You evil little thing, I'll make you regret saying that."

"OOF! Urrrgh… K-Kimiko, if you must assist her in this endeavor… then I apologize. Please don't crush me, or someone is going to die."

"Oh yeah? Who woo'd that be, you damn bird?"

"Me!"

Kimiko sighed ruefully, and tossed Monocrow away. She knelt down in front of the suitcase and opened it up. Rummaging through the clothing, a lot of it rather artistic, she finally found two different pieces of swimwear: a simple one-piece black bathing suit, and a very frilly two-piece white bikini that appeared more like a skirt and bra.

"I would advise you hurry in your choice," Monocrow, from the doorway, said as he started to walk out. Moonlight shone through the window in the hallway, illuminating him as he stared over at Kimiko.

"Oh, why's that now?"

"Because Hikari is heading towards the front door. I don't believe she is fully out of her stupor, and something outside has her attention."

Kimiko was out of the room and down the stairs within seconds. Monocrow watched her go, chuckled, and then flew out the window.

---

Day 15, 9:58 PM

Western Tavern, Bar 'n Grill

Blake leaned back on the sofa of the VIP room, sipping his drink as he watched a stupid movie on the television screen he had set up in there. Every now and then, he would glance over at the stripper pole, and imagine a hot woman on there. It was going to have to pass for entertainment tonight for him.

The movie made another pathetic joke not even worth an eye roll, and Blake considered throwing the remote at the TV screen. "Stupid movie," he remarked, as he prepared the remote, "I'll teach you to be picked by me!"

"Sounds like you're deflecting big time," Monocrow said, walking into the VIP room on his little talons.

Blake shouted in surprise, and chucked the remote at the bird. It clanked off of his head, and Monocrow let out a startled squawk. "That wasn't very polite," he remarked as he rubbed his sore forehead.

"How did you get here?" the pyrotechnician demanded to know.

"With science! Anyway, Blake, why are you isolating yourself from the others? You cannot solve anything like this."

"Fuck taking advice from you. Besides, might as well do so, this ain't going to continue until someone dies."

"It doesn't have to."

"I don't fucking believe that. Things never progress until something bad happens. That's the story of my life, and it ain't gonna change any time soon, mate!"

"Is that why you behaved so barbarically at the motel? Did things being out of your control, stuck with a bunch of people, did it remind you of prison? Is that why you're deflecting so much?"

Blake snarled, cracking his knuckles. "I can break you, bird. Would you mind getting the hell out of here before I do so? If I wanted a beautiful bird for this stripper pole, I would get one of the women!"

Monocrow rubbed underneath his beak with his wingtip. "Anzu, Ignatia, and Fannie are in the asylum. Futaba, Pyrrha, and Crystal are in the arcade. Kimiko and Hikari are at the motel, while Hara and Saiko are at Ye Olde Café. Fiora appears to be heading across the town, most likely to the Western Plaza. Would you like for me to get one for you?"

"Whoa, wait a minute," Blake said, rising up in his seat and leaning forward. "You know where everyone is? You know where all the women are?"

"Yes, I am aware of where they all are now, and where they've all been."

"And you can bring them to me?"

Monocrow grinned slyly up at Blake, his red eye flashing malevolently as a dark, sinister, conniving chuckle came out of his beak.

"Nope."

The pyrotechnician ran a hand through his spiky hair, and grumbled, "Aw well, worth a shot. So why the fuck are you here?"

"Because, Blake, I thought I should let you know that your actions have caused more problems for you and others than you realize when Monokuma enacts a hidden component of his plan tonight."

"What? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Your actions have made others take drastic measures, but Monokuma doesn't want that happening. And so, things are going to get much worse…"

The television stopped playing the awful movie suddenly, leading bird and pyro to stare at it. Static overrode the screen. As it garbled, and a certain music track started to play through that static, Monocrow turned to look at Blake.

"When the theater segment ends."

---

(Day 15 is over~)

(Monokuma Theater)

*Monokuma is dressed up as Batman… or at least, he's trying to. His cowl doesn't really fit him, and the shock of white 'n black hair coming from it is astonishingly awful. He even has bat symbols with his face on every part of his armor, including where the nipples would be located. Seriously, who dressed him?*

Monokuma - "Have you ever loved to hate something? It's a little like hating to love something, or someone. I mean, I got five kids… well, three now, two if you wanna be literate. I hate that I gotta love them, I love that I hate their antics! It all works out! Or maybe I was referring to a game series or a TV show?"

*Bat-Monokuma proceeds to interrupt a series of crimes taking place. By that, we mean: he's punching out the victim of a mugging, helping bank robbers get away in their vehicle, and allowing Monokid to steal a big diamond from a museum.*

Monokuma - "I like to imagine everyone thinks the same way I do, and that's why no one could watch the shows I hate. And everyone has to watch the shows I love, which means they shall never die! May every show last for fifty-three seasons, that's my motto! Anyway, bear with me a little longer, I won't drive you batty…"

*Bat-Monokuma is very busy tailoring MORE of his Bat-Kuma icons onto his suit as people are being thrown off a skyscraper. After finishing, he starts dancing in celebration, totally ignoring how an evil version of Monomi is trying to murder Monodam in the background.*

Monokuma - "Danganronpa will be literal perfection, once it fits a bear. I am the face of honor and integrity! I never miss! Bears cannot be criminals. This Killing Game isn't meant for good pink bunnies! You've caused me nothing but pain and misery, Monocrow, now go on and be on your way, I believe in you!

"… I might have veered off-track there. Sorry, it's such a wild, wild world I live in. Anyway, that's it for me tonight, folks, until next time! End the theater now, Monodam.

"… End the show, Monodam!

"END! EEEEEEEEEEND!"

---

The sound of something smashing cut off the presentation, and then the crappy "comedy" movie came back on. Blake rolled his eyes, and stared at Monocrow. "It's just the same as all his other bat-shit crazy theaters."

"Wait for it."

Blake was about to ask what the hell he was talking about, when he suddenly felt very dizzy. He leaned back on the sofa, and then collapsed onto it.

"The mists that flow through the city have been laced with a certain sleeping agent, one that affects everyone who doesn't fit certain requirements, and it seeps into every building. Like selective amnesia, the technology here has selective narcolepsy.

"So tell me, Blake," Monocrow said, a smirk on his tiny beak as the pyro flopped down on the sofa, "do you now regret your actions?"

---

In Ye Olde Café, there was a great crash of coffee mugs. Souma, attempting to bring the tray full of them, had dropped them before falling over backwards. He hit the floor, and didn't get back up as he drifted off.

No one came to his help, as Saiko flopped over onto Eisei's shoulder, and him resting his head on hers. It would have been an adorable sight for anyone conscious to see it, but Isaac and Hara had fallen asleep on the other side of the table.

Inside of the asylum, Ken and Yitro collapsed in one of the hallways, struggling to keep themselves awake. The two young men were strong to resist, but it wasn't enough.

On the first floor, Ignatia fell forward, unable to resist it too. Drake managed to catch her, but stumbled down and hit the floor too. She fell asleep on his chest, as he was out a few seconds before the mime did.

Inside of Monokuma's Arcade District, Pyrrha heard a crashing sound from the cafeteria. The romance writer hurried over, and saw Shuuya had collapsed amongst the chairs. He was unconscious, as far as she could tell.

"What happened?" she asked aloud, glancing around. She then spotted Futaba slumped over one of the keyboards in the computer room. The redhead went to check on her, finding her unconscious too. "What is going on?"

"Pyrrha!" Crystal hollered from nearby the entrance. "Pyrrha, come here!"

Rushing over to where the call came from, the writer was even more astonished when she saw what had startled the military expert so much. Fiora had fallen down inside of the arcade, right after coming inside.

Though what made it even more confusing was how Fiora could fall down on her knees and shoulders, butt in the air, and was snoozing peacefully like that. She truly was an unusual lady.

"Maybe we should try to make her more comfortable?" Pyrrha suggested.

"Maybe," Crystal remarked. "But I would love to know how she fell asleep so suddenly."

The redhead poked her fingers together, and nervously chuckled, "Then I don't think you're going to like what I found earlier…"

---

Day 15, 10:03 PM

Western Plaza

The Bears' Motel

Inside one of the bedrooms of the motel, there was a difficult choice to be made. Hikari stared at the bathing suits, and then at Kimiko. "Why a one-piece and a two-piece?"

"I ran 'oot of time chasing after you, eh. Could you pick one?"

The steampunk model glanced between the two of her choices, and grinned impishly. "Why not both? Black and white can be really sexy!"

With a swipe of her arm, she grabbed both swimsuit and bikini, and marched into the bathroom. Kimiko sighed, muttering to herself, "After everything that's happened, why does this feel like the craziest thing so far? Oh, gears…"

---

She sighed, then shifted her arm slightly. Her bracelet with three dog tags fell into her palm, and she stared at the names on them. "What do you think, girls? Too high maintenance, or still worth it? I think after this is over, maybe I should give her a try."

Chuckling, she slid her bracelet back onto her wrist, and then approached the bathroom door and knocked on it. "Almost ready, Hikari?"

"I've only had a minute, you really think I'm ready?"

Kimiko pursed her lips, and then contemplated her options. She sighed as she leaned up against the wall next to the door, and could hear the shuffling of clothing being taken off.

"Yeah, I'm still a great big pervert, aren't I?" Kimiko thought with a slight bit of nervous sweat coming down her forehead. "I don't care if she is all red, she probably still looks amazing naked…"

Kimiko listened in, hearing the sounds of undressing finish up and then the sound of dressing up. She waited until there was a rather lengthy pause, and then knocked on the door again. "You ready now, beautiful?"

"F… Forgive me…"

"Look, I can wait as long as needed, you don't need to apologize."

"I… I just wanted to make this a better place."

Kimiko frowned in confusion, then heard Hikari collapse to the floor. She moved into the bathroom, to see the model, wearing both the black one-piece and the frilly bikini, unconscious on the floor.

"Hikari! No no no! What's going on?"

The biker gang leader picked up the rash-covered lady, and carried her onto the bed. Confused, Kimiko tried to think of what was going on. "Wait, is this… that comatose thing? Jesus Christ, what the hell is going on?! Is it the bikini?"

With more concern over Hikari's condition than shame, Kimiko attempted to pull the bikini off; however, the garment felt like it had been sealed to Hikari's body. The white bikini, as well as the black swimsuit, wouldn't move in the least.

"What's going on now?!" Kimiko cried out. "Goddamn, why does everything have to go so wrong so quickly?!"

? ? ? ?

? ? ?

…

…

…

"Hey…

"Can you hear me?"

…

"Are you okay?"

Hikari blinked her eyes, and then felt the incredible dizziness that had overwhelmed her a minute ago fade away. There was a brilliant light shining down on her, warming her up, making the gentle sand underneath feel like a soft mattress.

Wait… sunlight? Sand?!

The steampunk model's eyes flew open, and she could see the sky, a bright blue sky that seemed so foreign after two weeks in Penjar. She could feel sand under her body, was she on a beach right now?

"You're awake! Thank goodness, I was starting to worry about you."

Hikari turned towards the voice, and saw a rather pale, young man that could have been mistaken for an albino. His wild, white hair was sticking out all over, and that with his pale skin was accentuated by his dark green jacket.

"Can you get up?" he asked her.

The model nodded, and reached her hand up to silently ask for help; however, when she saw her hand, she flinched and cried out in shock. Her skin was not her well-treated ivory skin, nor was it the rash-covered redness it had become recently, but a rich tan.

She sat up, grasping at herself in astonishment. Her entire body was tan, and she was wearing the white bikini on her rather petite body. Hikari couldn't understand anything right now, or the fact that she was wearing what looked like a yellow raincoat as well.

"Angie, I hate to rush you, but we need to hurry."

Hikari recognized the boy now: Nagito Komaeda, the Ultimate Luck who had showcased his eccentricities during the Hope's Peak Killing Game. Despite knowing this, she still took his hand, and was lifted up to her feet.

"Thank you for trusting me. When you are ready," Nagito said, "we should get going."

Hikari glanced around, and then spotted a small group of teenagers nearby, all of them Hope's Peak students she could recognize: Kazuichi Soda, Teruteru Hanamura, Chiaki Nanami, Mahiru Koizumi, Peko Pekoyama, and Akane Owari.

All of them appeared highly concerned and nervous, even the normally passive Chiaki. They were glancing around, Teruteru rather focused on Hikari right now.

The steampunk model, coming to terms with the fact that she was in Angie Yonaga's body, regarded all of them, then at the beach they were on. Highly confused, she couldn't help but blurt out, "What… what are we doing on the beach? I thought… Hope's Peak…"

"What? Angie, you must be suffering from that blow you got to the head," Nagito said. "Still, it's okay, we believe in you."

"Um, Nagito my friend?" Teruteru said, stepping forward and waving at the albino-like luckster, "maybe if you'll allow me, I could talk to our artist friend and catch her up."

"Really now?" Mahiru grumbled, crossing her arms and glaring down at Teruteru. "Thinking like a boy, even during this crisis?"

"D-don't be so hard on him, Mahiru," Kazuichi implored. "Perhaps he can help!"

"We don't have a lot of time," Chiaki nervously murmured. "Please, Teruteru, do what you can."

"Anything for our leader," Teruteru said with a charming smile, and then he hurried on over to Angie. Nagito waved as he walked away, quite calm despite how his classmates were.

"Mademoiselle-"

"What is going on?!" Hikari shouted, grabbing Teruteru's shoulders and shaking them. "Why are we on a beach? Where's Hope's Peak?"

"If you'll give me a chance to explain… Hikari, right?"

Hikari froze at the mention of her actual name. Teruteru smiled a little, and said, "I'm what one could call a messenger from the other side, beautiful. I have spoken to many of those who have come over. We're trying to find the answer to this."

"Wait, I'm in that alternate dimension thing that Kimiko and Anzu and the others talked about? How did that happen? And why a beach?"

Teruteru poked his fingers together, and admitted, "I'm not entirely sure, but it is possible you touched something that belonged to one of the victims of Hope's Peak Killing Game. What do you remember doing last?"

"Putting on a couple bathing suits?"

Blood leaked out of Teruteru's nose, before he wiped it away and then he said, "Um, wait, two at the same time?"

"Yes, I am, uh, oh gears," Hikari face-palmed, muttering angrily to herself, "I've been behaving like a real weirdo, and in front of Kimiko!"

"Mademoiselle Hikari, you need to stay focused for now. First tell me, was one of the bathing suits like what you have on now?"

Hikari stared down at herself, examining both Angie's body and her apparel. "Yes, actually."

"Oh good! We're getting somewhere! And the other one?"

"A black one-piece bathing suit."

Teruteru rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Any distinguishing marks or logos on it?"

"No, kind of like the bathing suits they had for us at Hope's Peak."

Upon mentioning this, Teruteru's eyes went incredibly wide. He appeared terrified, so much so that his normally comedic face was now a very real blend of horror and realization. "Oh no. Oh ding-dang it all."

"Huh?!"

"Hikari," Teruteru gripped at his apron, then Hikari's shoulders, "I finally figured out what brings you all into this alternate dimension: holding onto something that belonged to one of the victim's of Hope's Peak Academy."

The model thought back to every case she was aware of, and that definitely seemed to add up, except…

"But Anzu fell into a coma holding a camera, and she said she was in Peko's body, while Mahiru attacked her."

"Huh? But that doesn't… I don't understand! Argh!"

Teruteru grabbed his hair in frustration, then he froze up again. "Oh, merde."

"Do you have an answer to that?"

"No, but I do have an answer to why things are so crazy and mixed-up in this Killing Game we're in right now, beautiful."

"What are you talking about?"

"Hikari, this Killing Game started off on Jabberwock Island, a place that Hope's Peak students used to take vacations to in the past. There was also just the sixteen of us, my classmates and I, to begin with. That's different from every other Killing Game I can recall, and I can remember quite a few."

"How many do you remember?"

"What, you want an estimation, beautiful? Over five hundred, there you go! But my point is, we're not supposed to be here, Angie Yonaga was never supposed to be here."

"But then why?"

"Because you put on the black bathing suit from Hope's Peak."

Hikari started to feel her head throb, her puzzlement giving her a migraine. "What are you TALKING about, Teruteru?!"

"If holding onto the object of a dead student brings you into this Killing Game as them, what do you think is going to happen if you hold onto something that ambiguously was used by anyone from Hope's Peak?"

"How should I know?"

"I'll tell you then: it's a paradox. If the swimsuit is possible for anyone, then this Killing Game is possible for anything that could have happened. All because of her…"

Hikari stared at the short chef, and asked, "Are you talking about Junko Enoshima?"

"The one who caused it all to happen had many ideas, many twisted desires that were about how she could host her own Killing Game. On an island, at a remote location, inside of a VR, but she settled on Hope's Peak. Where we are now is one of many possibilities of how this Killing Game should have happened…

"And you're the anomaly. The Killing Game here didn't start until students from other classes just sporadically showed up, and everyone carried on as if they had already been there. That's why they're all acting like you, Angie Yonaga, have been part of the group despite the fact we had never seen you until now."

Hikari rested her knees in the sand, running her hands through her platinum hair. "Good gears and blazing bolts, this is so very puzzling. Wait a minute, how could what I have done affected the Killing Game so much? I only just arrived a few minutes ago!"

"Time is irrelevant here, in a place that science cannot explain. Take it as… you affected it, so the entire Killing Game has been affected from the start as a result, like a story being rewritten once a new element has been added half-way through."

Hikari nodded, rubbing her arms as she took all of this in. "Okay then, what does all this mean? What do I have to do?"

"Hikari…"

Teruteru froze up yet again, and then glanced all around. He started wringing his hands nervously, ignoring all of Hikari's requests for his attention. The chef stopped scanning the area when his eyes rested on Peko.

The Ultimate Swordswoman stumbled forwards, as if suffering from a dizzy spell. Kazuichi and Mahiru tried to catch her, but she pitched forward and writhed on the ground. She let out a scream, and then a flash of light emanated from her body.

"What's going on?" Hikari asked, hurrying over to Peko. "What's happening to her?"

The light dimmed down, and the model in the artist's body stopped short. She stared at who was now on the ground, struggling to stand back up.

"Anzu?!" she exclaimed. The actress shook her head as she stood back up.

Teruteru gripped his hair again, and muttered, "Oh dear, oh this is bad."

"What's going on?" Anzu asked, glancing around her. She flinched when she saw Mahiru, stepping backwards. "Ahh! You! Mahiru!"

"Have we met?" Mahiru asked, staring suspiciously at her. "How have we missed you all this time?"

"I didn't think there would be other students hiding on the island," Chiaki admitted, tapping her chin. "I guess we never explored the entire place… I think."

"Wh-what are you all saying?" Hikari stammered, catching their attention as she moved over to Anzu. "What about Peko? What happened to her?"

The students of Hope's Peak exchanged glances, puzzled and concerned. Kazuichi asked something that sent shivers down Hikari's spine.

"Who's Peko? Angie, what are you talking about?"

"Huh? What… but… she was just here!" Hikari pointed down at the ground, then at Anzu. "How can you-"

"There's nothing you can do, cherie," Teruteru said, approaching Hikari and Anzu. "If you all weren't aware, the two ways you enters this plane is if you hold onto something that belonged to an expired soul, or if you were driven into an unconscious state against your will.

"That allows whatever powers are creating this place to bring you in. Something must have happened in the real world."

"I… I was lying down," Anzu admitted, "then I suddenly felt so dizzy, right after that stupid Monokuma Theater segment!"

"He might have used some kind of sleeping gas on the town," Hikari said. "But why… how…"

"Wondering that isn't important right now, beautiful," Teruteru said, "because everyone who has been dragged in, they are in very real danger. Should they die here, they will die in the real world too."

"What?!" Anzu shouted. "But why?"

"The Mastermind of this Killing Game will hunt you down to murder you personally. You are now the most wanted of prey, the ones who can interfere with this world."

As the words left Teruteru, the sunlight died down. At first, Hikari and Anzu thought the sun slipped behind a cloud. Then the sunlight started to fade even more, and came back…

The malevolent shade of red, that hateful light that felt like a truly despicable source was shining it personally, covered the beach. The sky turned dark, though the crimson light bathed the land and let everyone see as clear as day.

"Oh shit," Kazuichi shrieked, "oh shit shit shit, we gotta get out of here!"

"Wh-what?" Mahiru stammered, clutching her camera desperately. "How is she doing this?!"

"Never mind that," Chiaki said, "we should run."

Mahiru, Akane, and Kazuichi started to sprint on the sidewalk that bordered this once-pretty beach. Chiaki, despite everything, wandered ahead at a leisurely pace; it seemed particularly fast for the gamer gal.

"What's going on?" Anzu cried out, grabbing Teruteru's shoulders. "What are we supposed to do?"

Teruteru smiled, reaching up to place his hand on hers. "Heh… I'm sorry. What we're going to have to do is find everyone who was dragged into this Killing Game, and endure until the game ends; otherwise, they will die to the Mastermind of this version of the Killing Game."

"Wait, the Mastermind?" Hikari asked. "Is it Junko Enoshima?"

"No."

Kazuichi was sprinting back towards Chiaki, picking the gamer gal and carrying her on his shoulder. "No time for your normal pace, little buddy, we need to go!"

"Whoa," Chiaki remarked. She looked up, over at Anzu, Hikari/Angie, and Teruteru. Then her eyes widened, and she pointed at something past them. The three turned to see what it was…

There was a human figure, enveloped in darkness like a swarm of ravenous insects. This shade of death, pitch black and aggressive scarlet, swirled around the person as they walked the sidewalk, towards all of them.

Each footstep echoed in the most daunting manner, like one knew it was their executioner heading towards them. The person surrounded by this malignant shade was impossibly dark, except for splotches of bloody red across their body; their eyes, also crimson, were the only visible part of their body.

"It's," Teruteru whimpered, grabbing Hikari's hand and pulling her forward to start running, "her protégé!"

Hikari and Anzu spirited alongside Teruteru, catching up with the Class of 77 members. The group ran, as a voice of the utmost animosity called out to them.

"I shall impale your heads on pikes for defying me! I shall rip out your hearts, and no one will leave flowers at your graves. For when you defy your Queen, the ultimate lady of wealth and power…

"You will be destroyed, like all the rest of the maggots!"

---

…

…

…

13 souls are trapped within the Killing Game Realm.