"H-Hey, he just said two students, r-right? That's - that's not possible!" Kazuichi stammered. He trembled, pulling his beanie down over his eyes, peaking out to stare suspiciously at the other students.
"For fuck's sake," Fuyuhiko growled. "As if we didn't have enough shit to deal with already."
"For two students to sneak past Monokuma...what are their motives, I wonder?" Byuakyua looked lost in thought, his brow creased in worry. "If Monokuma didn't know about their existence, perhaps that means they are on our side? Potential allies, perhaps?"
"As if," Hiyoko snarled. "It was that stupid pink rabbit that brought us here, right? Didn't you hear the bit about it erasing our memories? Are you deaf? Or just stupid? If they're not with Monokuma, it means they're with that stupid rabbit! They're the ones who trapped us in the first place!"
"There may indeed be truth in that perspective," Gundham rumbled. He tugged at his scarf nervously. His pale features looked even more sickly than usual, a faint sheen of sweat covering his face.
"I somewhat agree with Hiyoko," Nagito mused. He had recovered somewhat from Monokuma's announcement, looking lost in thought. "Though I have more questions about our own presence on this island. If what Monokuma said was really true, if the outside world is really destroyed...why erase our memories of the event? If there are safe zones existing outside, why bring us here? And why disguised as a school field trip? Are we refugees? The final hope for humanity? Or are we perhaps...prisoners?" His voice dropped to a low and threatening note on the final word. Hajime felt a chill run down his spine as the possibilities danced menacingly before him.
"Maybe we're supposed to repopulate the world?" Kazuichi laughed nervously, blushing faintly at the thought while shooting a glance at Sonia.
"Ooh la la," Teruteru giggled, his fear disappearing for a brief instant.
"If that's the case," Chiaki interrupted, "then what about the Hope Shard system? Why bother giving us a condition to go home at all? I don't think this was meant to be a permanent set up." she murmured.
"Um, I hate to change the topic, but about this whole outside world thing…" Mahiru ventured. She was trying to look her usual confident and stern self, but her hands trembled as she gripped her camera like a lifeline. She shifted anxiously on her feet, eyes darting from person to person nervously. "...do you think he's telling the truth? I mean, he had me going for a bit," she laughed, "but really? People just decided to, what? Attack each other? That's just crazy, ya know? Even in war, there's a reason. Motives," she added. "Money, territory, power. But with what Monokuma said, it doesn't sound like any of that happened, you know? That's just not how human nature works."
Fuyuhiko snorted. "Sounds like you've been hanging around the wrong places." He taunted her with a nasty grin. "Humans are shit, and I would know."
Mahiru rolled her eyes. "Just because there's a few psychos sprinkled in the human population doesn't mean this makes any more sense!" she insisted. "The whole world? Come on!" As she talked, her hands began to steady. The other students listening in started to calm as well, several nodding in agreement.
"T-That's exactly what I was thinking!" Teruteru said eagerly. "What a load of rubbish!"
Hajime watched the scene from afar, feeling uneasy. Everything seemed overwhelming, and his mind turned over the information in his head endlessly. Hope's Peak Academy. Ultimate Students. A bizarre apocalypse. A memory wipe. A killing game disguised as a school trip. His brows furrowed as he tried to put the pieces together. For a moment, he was tempted to ask Izuru for help. He swallowed the thought barely an instant after it came into existence.
Izuru had known. He had known about the killing game in advance, was apparently immune to the memory wipe, and was almost certainly one of the two students who weren't supposed to be here. Best case scenario, he was with Monomi and whoever set up this whole exercise in the first place. Worst case scenario? He was in with Monokuma. Which, with how Izuru could hijack his body whenever he pleased, meant that Hajime was on Monokuma's side. Which was honestly enough to make him feel nauseous.
What a nightmare.
"Hajime," a soft voice called out. He blinked, shaking himself from his stupor, and met the concerned eyes of Nanami. Slowly, he managed a tight smile, knowing that it didn't fit quite right.
"You weren't saying anything, so I was wondering if you had any insight at all?" she asked gently.
"That's what I was about to ask," another voice said. Peko almost seemed to teleport to his side, arms crossed and frowning. "This whole situation seems rather suspicious." She said. "Hajime. I understand that your memories are somewhat...muddled, and perhaps not entirely reliable. But in this case, you are our only source of information outside of Monokuma regarding our past memories. If you have information at all, please say so."
Hajime understood immediately what she was asking, but grimaced. Trying to think back, trying to remember anything beyond the vaguest impressions of his time at Hope's Peak made his head pound. "Sorry," he apologised. "While I don't have the best impressions of my time at Hope's Peak, weirdly enough, I definitely don't remember anything about, you know, the end of the world. It's more like...a jumble of impressions and things I know." He paused, trying to think of an example. "I mean, I could tell you that, for a school accepting only the most talented people in the world, the decorating was actually just the absolute worst. " He hesitated before continuing. "Important things - like people and events - make my head hurt the most. I don't even remember most of the people here." He admitted. "Nanami's familiar. Fuyuhiko too, now that I think about it. It's weird; I could've sworn I've never met him before, but…never mind. It's not important. Maybe I saw him around. Anyway, they're about the only two."
"Eh, I'm familiar?" Nanami tilted her head.
"Perhaps that's a positive omen, rather than a problem." Peko muttered. "It's possible that the event wasn't as severe as Monokuma implied, if it doesn't register even as a vague impression." She paused, cocking her head and adopting an even more serious expression. "Your comment about Young - I mean, Fuyuhiko, is unusual, however. Why did you not say anything earlier?"
Hajime shook his head. "It just...came to me, a couple of minutes ago. The way he talks reminds me of someone, maybe?"
Peko frowned, then sighed. "It is of no matter," she said. She turned to stare at the rest of his classmates, and Hajime moved to imitate her. The immediate panic had calmed and most of the students now hovered in semi-silence, shooting cautious glances at one another.
"Fuck it, it doesn't matter! You're all a bunch of idiots, and it's giving me a headache. I'm outta here." Fuyuhiko began to stalk towards the entrance of Jabberwock park.
"Fuyuhiko, a-are you sure you should be l-leaving on your own?" Mikan asked in a quavering voice. "I-It's dangerous to walk alone-!"
"Oh please," Fuyhiko snorted. He turned toward them with a borderline maniacal smile. The light from the strung light reflected from his eyes, turning them a deep, feral gold. Hajime shuddered, unconsciously leaning bad, intimidated.
"I'm not scared of some dumbass. If anything, it's me you should all be scared of."
"What the heck does that mean!" Mahiru demanded.
"That I would do it, of course." Fuyuhiko grinned.
!
"..." Hajime held his breath, horrified.
"You think I wouldn't?" he continued, strolling casually towards the photographer. "You know who I am, right? If it came down to it, I wouldn't even hesitate. And mark my words; I will get off this island." And with that, he turned on the spot and finally left the park.
The whole group was silent, shaken.
"I-I think I want to go to bed. Imma k-kinda tired, ya know?" Kazuichi stuttered. "Uh, a-anyone wanna come with?"
"That sounds like a swell idea!" Teruteru said enthusiastically. "I must get my beauty sleep, after all. Yes. My - " his voice cracked. "Ahem. My cottage sounds very good right about now. Lead the way!"
"Uh, a-any third volunteers?" Kazuichi stuttered.
"I'll come with!" Ibuki volunteered. "I mean it's super spooky tonight, so like, I'll keep ya safe, spiky tooth guy! I'm definitely not scared at all! Like not even a little! So let's get going!"
Finally satisfied with the addition of a third member to the party, the three of them left quickly on foot, their footfalls fading softly into the night.
Akane yawned loudly, and muttered something about taking a nap. Gundham and Nekomaru followed soon after, and the clearing slowly began to empty as people trickled out one by one. Finally, there were just five students left. Hajime, Peko and Chiaki stood to one side, and Sonia and Byakuya on the other side of the clearing.
"This has been quite the evening," Sonia sighed. "Even now, I don't know what to believe."
"Ah, you're right." Hajime said awkwardly. "It's really been...overwhelming."
"Hajime...I hope you don't mind, but what Monokuma said…you indeed have the memories that we are missing?"
"Ah, about that…" he shifted awkwardly on his feet. "It's complicated. I think I said this before, but, I'm actually missing my memories about my talent."
"Is that so? I don't recall. In fact, the conversation we had at the airport was rather short. I'm sure it was because of how stressed you appeared to be, but you were quite to the point. After receiving my own introduction, you simply gave your name, and stared at me quite strangely for a minute or so before leaving."
Shit.
"I'm so sorry," he stuttered. "I, uh. I didn't…"
Sonia giggled behind her hand. "It's quite alright. You seemed rather...distracted. Lost in thought...I suppose." Her gaze sharpened, and seemed to slowly rake him up and down. It made him feel...uneasy.
"I had...a lot going on." He admitted. "I couldn't remember my talent, but I do remember attending Hope's Peak. Kind of. People and events are hazy, but I remember a lot of random details. All I know is that I've been attending for at least a couple of years. When everyone said they didn't remember anything like that...it was driving up the wall a bit."
"I see." She smiled politely. "Then…" she trailed off, chewing on her lip. "I don't suppose you remember anything regarding what Monokuma said?" She enquired.
"I don't. Sorry."
"I see." Sonia sighed. She turned and made her way to a nearby bench, sitting delicately on the dew-laden wood. "There goes that hope."
"Sonia? Was there something you wanted to know, specifically?" Chiaki asked gently.
Sonia seemed surprised at the question, but quickly relaxed. "Indeed. I am the Ultimate Princess, yes?"
Hajime and Chiaki nodded silently.
"That means, of course, I have a home outside of Japan. My country...the kingdom of Novoselic. It is not very large but it is very dear to me."
"You are worried if anything has happened to it during this so-called apocalypse." Peko stated.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry." Hajime said again. "I just...don't know anything. I don't even remember the end of the world even happening!"
"I see. It would seem that Monokuma severely exaggerated the breadth of your memories." Sonia mused.
"Since that is out of the way, so to say, perhaps we should have a proper introduction this time?" she smiled at him. Hajime blinked in surprise. Proper…? She wants me to reintroduce myself?
"Sure." He agreed.
"I am Sonia Nevermind," she said, curtseying politely. "Princess of the Kingdom of Novesolic, and the Ultimate Princess. I hope to make friends with all of you and learn more about Japanese culture!"
"I'm, um, Hajime Hinata. Uh, Highschool Student and amnesiac, I guess? It's very nice to meet you. Please treat me well."
With that, a small ping echoed throughout the clearing. Sonia looked pleased.
"That sounded like the e-handbook." Peko frowned.
"Indeed." Sonia replied, pulling it out from a hidden pocket in her skirt dress and unlocking it. "I was missing Hajime's information, since we never had a formal introduction." She swiped on the pad, her eyes scanning the information for a brief second before she pocketed it. "Thank you very much," she said, giving a short bow.
"Ah, no problem." Hajime replied.
"Are you three done wasting time?"
Hajime jumped, turning to find Byakyua peering over his glasses, glaring at the four of them.
"It is getting late," he continued. "You'll need your rest for tomorrow."
"Understood," Chiaki replied with a soft smile. She turned to the Ultimate Princess. "Sonia? Would you like to join us on the way back to our cabins?"
"Thank you for the offer, but I respectfully decline. I have something I wish to speak to Byuakyua about, if you do not mind?" she said. Byakyua eyed her for a moment, before making a decision. He sighed. "Go on ahead," he told the three other students. I apparently have someone requiring my attention."
"Understood," Peko said flatly. "We will leave."
"Goodbye!" Chiaki said.
"See you tomorrow." Hajime added.
Hajime threw one last glance over his shoulder as he walked out the clearing. The two leadership figures were deep in discussion. Finally, he pulled his eyes from the scene and began to chat to the two girls on the way back.
Short chapter today. The ball's begun to roll! See you next time.