The rest of the night was pretty uneventful. We lapped around the hotel over and over, and at one point, I slipped in the warehouse to grab some honey candies to keep us up. At around three in the morning, Byakuya showed up.

"So you've got your bodyguard to protect you, hm? Better hope she doesn't turn on you," he drawled.

"Just shut up and go to your room. And don't talk about Sakura like that!"

"Whatever." He slipped into his room and didn't come back out.

"Why does he always have to be so cocky?" I muttered.

"Don't worry yourself over him," Sakura said calmly. "He's all bark and no bite."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Still, he sure is annoying...

We started stretching and stuff near the end to stay awake, although it was really more for Sakura's benefit than mine. "Come on, you can hold it! One, two, three..."

"Your yoga poses confuse and mortify me," she groaned. "But I'll endure it if it keeps me from breaking the rules and falling asleep in the hall."

By the time morning came, we could barely keep our eyes open. "Let's go back to our rooms. I'll come get you for breakfast or brunch or something later, kay? You get some sleep; you deserve it!"

"Good idea. Goodnight, Hina." She disappeared into her room.

I wanted to sleep through the whole day, but that would've only messed up my schedule even more, so after a nap, I decided to check out the physics lab. I wonder how big that purifier thing Leon mentioned really is!

When I was passing the art lab, though, I heard a bunch of ripping sounds coming from inside. I looked inside and saw Kyoko standing on a chair and tearing down all the kiddish drawings from the back wall. Sitting on the floor was Celeste, carefully picking up every dropped piece of paper and putting them in a bunch of piles. "Uhhh... what's up, guys?"

Celeste looked up and smiled. "Ah, Hina. How are you this morning?"

"We're taking down the display," Kyoko said, not stopping. Paper after paper floated down into Celeste's waiting hands.

"Oh, did you find a camera then?"

"Hifumi gave one to us. Did you forget?" Celeste pointed to the scratched up camera from the day before. "It had enough space to get a picture of the display."

"So far, there doesn't seem to be anything underneath," Kyoko muttered, almost to herself.

"Well, do you want me to help? It'll go faster that way."

Kyoko just flicked her hand as she tore down the papers. Celeste handed me a stack. "Set this down, please."

I'll take that as a yes. So I spent some time with Kyoko and Celeste, taking down paper after paper and separating them into piles. We ended up with a few thick stacks of kids' drawings and a bare back wall. "Well, I guess if there is some sort of clue, it wasn't being covered up."

"What a shame. I wonder who could have predicted that," Celeste wondered.

Kyoko shot her a look. "Well, we have to explore every possibility."

"Well, hey! Maybe there's still some kind of hidden clue." I picked up one of the stacks. It was a bunch of copies of a messily drawn duck. "Maybe there's a code or something in the drawings!"

"You may certainly choose to humor yourself that way. As for me, I will be taking my leave." Celeste marched out. "Good luck!"

Kyoko watched her go. Then she picked up another stack, this one of a toy ship. "We should start counting these. If there is a code, the number of drawings could be relevant."

"Okay! It's not like I've got something better to do, anyway." We counted out the numbers and wrote them down. "Seven, nineteen, twenty-five. Do you really think this means something?"

"It's possible." She took one of each stack- the duck, the ship, and the bear. "They were definitely put here on purpose by the mastermind. It could be just decoration, but I don't think so."

"How can you tell?"

"Look closer at the bear." She held it out for me. I held it up to my face and squinted. Is there some kinda detail I'm missing? It looks like a normal brown bear.

"No, not like that." She grabbed my wrists and turned them up, putting the paper over the ceiling light.

The light shining through the paper revealed something- something super faint, but definitely there. Over half the bear's face, there was a tracing of a toothy grin and a strangely shaped eye. "Oh, I see it now! It's Monokuma!"

"Exactly." She picked up another bear drawing and held it up the same way. "I noticed it when I pulled the first drawing down. Every bear drawing I've checked has the same faint imprint. It's too specific to be a coincidence." She put it back down.

"That's super weird." I handed mine back to her. "But what do you think it means? We already know there's nowhere to put a code in on the hatch."

"No," she agreed, "but it could be useful later."

"How?"

Her face didn't reveal anything. She picked up a duck picture and held it up to the light, inspecting it closely. It occurred to me then what she was doing- grasping at straws. There were all sorts of little things in the school that were weird. Most of the classrooms had graffiti from Monokuma, there was art of Monokuma, and there were little design choices in the school that were disconcerting but meaningless, like the lights. Kyoko was looking for patterns and observing everything equally, not doubting anything she saw for a moment. But that seemingly random attention to details had already saved us more than once. I don't think I could ever pick up on things like that on my own.

"Here, I'll check that picture of the wall." Celeste had left the camera on the table. I picked it up and turned it on. After a second, it switched on. The picture was surprisingly clear. "It looks like it's just a weird collage."

"Maybe it was just a strange collage." She kept looking at the drawings. "But it's still better not to leave any stones unturned."

"You've got a really weird method of investigating, Kyoko. But hey, if it works, it works, I guess."

She looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "We're being held against our will by an animatronic bear. Anything could go right now."

"Point made." I held out the camera. "You wanna look?"

She took it wordlessly and looked at the screen. The room was silent as she looked from the camera to the drawings and back.

"Um, I'll just go then..." I don't think there's much I could do to help her.

She nodded, not looking up.

I ended up going to the locker rooms. Something stopped me from opening the door. A wave of anxiety swept over me. Why am I hesitating? There's not anything dangerous in there. Nothing's gonna happen. I hadn't had this problem at all yesterday; why was it happening now?

Just get inside; you're gonna be okay! I opened the door-

Nothing happened. The room was empty.

Well, what did you expect? Of course there'd be nothing there. Why would there be?

I closed the door behind me and changed into my swimsuit as quickly as I could. My eyes kept darting to the doors. Everything's fine, you're okay, you're safe...

The door to the pool swung open, hitting the wall with a BANG! "AAAAAAH!" My clothes launched at the figure in the doorway, hitting her square in the face. "Sorry! My bad!"

The clothes launched back at me, but I caught them. "Gosh, Hina! What were you tryna do, killlllllll me?" Toko drawled, her tongue hanging out as she spoke. She was wearing a navy blue one piece, and her hair was dripping bright purple puddles on either side of her feet. "Uh, ruuuuude!"

"Sorry. I guess I've just been on edge recently." Of course Toko's not gonna kill me. That's just silly!

"Well, no wonder! I mean, there's a mmmmurrrrrrderrerrrr in the pool!" She jerked a thumb towards the doorway. "Big Mac the traitor's in there. Sure you wanna swim?"

Big Mac the traitor? I looked through the doorway. Makoto was there, swimming lap after lap. "Oh, Mac like Makoto!"

"You're better off waitin,' D. Kyeehahahaha!" I could feel Toko's hot breath on my neck. "Noooooo one's gonna be able to ssssstop him when he ssssstrikesssssss!"

"That's if he strikes." I don't know why she's so determined to pin her speculation on Makoto, but there's not really anything I can do to change her mind. "I'll be fine!"

"If you insist!" A shove from behind, and I was headed right for the pool. I heard the door slam shut behind me.

Makoto came up to the edge. "Hi, Hina! What's up?"

"Hey, Makoto! Mind if I swim laps with you?"

"Sure!"

We swam together for a while. He was a pretty average swimmer.

"Wow, you're amazing! No wonder they call you the Ultimate Swimming Pro," Makoto laughed. He hugged the edge of the concrete, heaving. "I can't keep up with you at all."

"Well, I didn't just wake up like that. If you trained enough, you'd totally be able to catch up to me!"

He shook his head. "No way. No amount of training could get me to your level." He sighed wistfully. "Talent's strange like that."

"How do you mean?"

"I mean talent isn't something you can just create. Think about it; no two people are the same, right? Everyone's a little different. That's just science." He tapped his forehead, grinning. "What I've got up here and what you've got are totally different."

"I mean, yeah, I know that, but swimming is a sport you gotta train for. Anyone can do it!"

"Nah, not everyone. Sure, you can train to make yourself stronger, but it doesn't just come from that. If two people start doing track at the same time, and train the same amount, but one starts off with stronger muscles and the other has asthma, then the second will never be better than the first one." He pulled himself out of the water. "Luck of circumstance matters just as much as dedication, right?"

"I guess." I followed him out. "But you're the Ultimate Lucky Student. Wouldn't your luck make up the difference anyway?"

"Hah, I doubt it." He grabbed a towel off the bleachers. "Besides, you've got years of experience under your belt now anyway. I don't think anyone will be able to match up to you."

"I guess we'll find out at the next Olympics!"

"Oh, yeah! I forgot you were an Olympic cadet. How'd you get to be one, anyway?"

"I dunno. I guess I broke enough local records to get a recruiter sent over. Honestly, though, all that legal jargon and stuff is kinda boring, haha. My manager took care of all that stuff. He was supposed to be here..."

"Haha, you're super chill, Hina."

"Aw, thanks! I do my best."

"No, seriously." He scratched the back of his neck. "Everything's been so intense since we got here. So it's nice to be able to just talk to you guys sometimes like nothing's wrong."

"Yeah, you're totally right. Honestly," I leaned closer, "everyone here is so impressive and stuff, so I'm glad I'm not the only normal kid here." He sat down on the bleachers, smiling sadly. "I wish it could stay like this all the time."

He looked at me, eyes wide. Then he started to laugh. He laughed so much his face turned purple, and he looked like he was about to pass out. The towel around his shoulders fell to the ground and he leaned against the bleachers for support, wheezing.

"What? What's so funny?"

"Sorry- It's just-" He took a couple deep breaths. "It actually wasn't that funny, but- you think you're a normal teenager?" He stared at me in amused disbelief, eyes still leaking out laughter. "You've been chosen as an Olympic cadet, and you've broken so many swimming records that you broke the record for most records broken! You're way past normal. Actually, you might be one of the most abnormal out of all of us!"

"Wh- But that wasn't anything super special or unique about me. I worked my butt off for all that! Anyone could with time and dedication; it's nothing like what you're saying."

"Are you serious? You're a huge deal! You're the strongest swimmer to ever come out of Japan! No, scratch that- You're the strongest swimmer ever, period! That isn't something to brush off! Not to mention all those other sports you do, which you've also broken records for. Give yourself some credit!"

"You're blowing it out of proportion, Makoto. I'm seriously just super dedicated, I swear! Besides, I couldn't have gotten anywhere near this big without my manager. He's the really impressive one! You should meet him."

"Well, if you say so. But seriously, you must've given up everything to become the Ultimate Swimming Pro! That's some serious dedication."

"I mean, I still have like, a social life and friends and stuff. It's not like they're mutually exclusive."

"I never said it was. I'm just saying that you're seriously a big deal!" His eyes were practically sparkling with excitement. "Seriously, we're all super lucky that you're here. I don't know what we'd be doing without you."

"Don't say things like that." Is this what it's like to have fans? He seems seriously excited about all the stuff I've done. "How do you know all this stuff about me, anyway? It's not like I've ever told you about it."

"I mean, you're kind of all over the place," he said sheepishly. "I may have done... just a little digging online, but-"

"Oh my God!" Sayaka literally told us he did that; how did I forget? "Are you some kinda creep?" I stepped back. "Have you been cyberstalking me?!"

"No! No, definitely not! I just- I looked up all the other accepted students before I came here, not just you." He picked up his towel and shot up, face red with embarrassment. "I just wanted to know if anyone was gonna be, you know, dangerous and stuff. It's not like I tried to find your address or something weird like that."

"Oh, okay. Well, I guess that's not that bad." Kinda weird, but I guess it makes sense...

"Yeah. There were a lot of people online that talked about you, so I barely had to look. Um, some of it was actually pretty concerning." He threw his towel and pulled it around him like a cape. "I stayed as respectful as I could."

I didn't like the way he said that. This is why I stay offline. "Um... you don't mean-"

"There were a lot of posts about your, ah... proportions." He squeezed his eyes shut like he'd just seen something disgusting. "Sorry, I tried to avoid them! I don't even remember what they said, really!"

"That's what I was worried about." I felt a shiver go up my spine. I hate the internet. Why can't I just be allowed to exist?! "Well, forget anything you read anyway. I can guarantee you they're all wrong anyway."

"I already did. Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have brought that up." He hung his head, ashamed.

"Yeah, just... don't do it ever again." I could feel eyes watching me from every angle, more invasive than the cameras I'd grown so unnaturally accustomed to. So even when I'm trapped in a murder game, there's still no escape from the male gaze. Love that! "I'm gonna go clean off."

"Yeah, me too."

After that wonderful conversation, I went back to my room for a bit and did some stretches. I keep getting so wound up in here. I gotta stay loose! Hmm... A jog around the school could be nice!

I made it all the way to the third floor before it happened. In front of the art lab was Byakuya, backed against the wall, and Toko, tongue hanging out, holding something against his neck.

"Pleeeeease, Master~! I'll do aaaaaanything~" she moaned, following him step by step.

Every moment I could feel the air getting colder, like every last nerve was being pumped with freezing adrenaline.

"Stay away from me." His voice was cold and clear, but he looked terrified.

I couldn't process what I was seeing. I could barely even feel myself move.

"Awwww, Master is so cruel!" She pulled her arm away, twirling the object with her fingers, metal catching the light-

I was next to them then, grabbing her arm and wrenching it away. The object- a pair of scissors, I realized- clattered to the ground. "Toko, what are you doing?!"

"Oh, hi D!" she said cheerily, twisting her body to face me. Byakuya took the chance and weaved around her, bolting down the hall.

"Toko-" I leaned down to pick up the scissors- "what were you trying to do just now?"

"Hm? Ohhhhhh, that?" She pointed at the scissors. "I was just-"

Before she could talk, I leapt back, trying to make as much distance between us as I possibly could. "This is a weapon, Toko! Where did you get this?!"

"Jeez, D, you sure are panicky! They're mine. Seeeeee?" She reached into her skirt and pulled out another identical pair, holding them up for me to see. "I had them custom made! I've had them this whoooole time!." She smiled widely, tongue flicking around her face in an almost inhuman way.

"Why? What use for fancy scissors could an author have?" My stomach was gone, dropped into my feet-

"Oh, calm down. They're not reeeeeeal." She skipped forward, pointing her pair forward and pulling another out of her skirt. "They're just props! Seeeeee, you can't even open them!" She held them in her fingers and tried to pull them open. The blades didn't budge. "Give it a try! Go on!"

I looked at the scissors in my hand. Questions flooded my head, one after the other. Why would she have prop scissors? Why was she holding them against Byakuya's neck? Was she planning this all along? "What's even the point of them if they don't open?"

"Well, for one thing, they make for a grrrreat defensive weapon. An attacker doesn't know if they're real or not. I mean, look at how you acted when you saw them! Check it out!" She twirled the scissors around her fingers and then plucked them out of the air, slamming the point into her hand. It didn't even break the skin. "Tooootally harmless! They just make me feel safe, I guess! It's a long story."

Her explanation didn't really answer any of my questions, but she didn't seem to care. She just kept smiling all big and weird, each eye bouncing around on its own. "Anyway, could I get that back now? These were really expensive." She stuck out a hand expectantly.

I didn't budge. I couldn't. "Why were you threatening Byakuya with them? I get that he can be annoying, but-"

"No way was I threatening him! Do you know how hard it would be to get blood off of these?! I just told you how expensive they are! Besides, I'd never threaten Master~" Her nose and cheeks turned all pink and red, and her tongue started moving faster. "He's so wonderful, I would never hurt him! I was just teasing him, that's all." She twisted her body backwards, looking where the two of them had been when I got here. "But he ran away..."

She shot back up, tongue disappearing back into her mouth. "W-We overdid it. Oh, God, what did they do?!"

"Huh?" Her demeanor morphed back into semihuman as she tucked the scissors in her hands away. She furrowed her brow.

"You're uh... holding her scissors."

"Oh, right." I'm not sure what she was trying to do, but at least she wasn't trying to kill him. And what does she mean, 'her'? I handed her back the scissors. "Um, so... if you weren't trying to kill him, what were you trying to do?"

She tucked her long bang back behind her ear. "Um... I-I don't know. Foreplay, probably? M-my bad." She sniffed, walking away from me. "Um, which way did h-he go?"

"Uhhh... that way?" It looked like he went towards that physics lab.

"O-Okay." She headed towards the stairs, head hung. "Um... don't tell anyone about this, okay?"

"Alright." I watched her go. She wasn't trying to kill him, but then, what even was that? Maybe I should tell Byakuya that she's left... I think that's the only time I've ever seen him look scared.

The physics lab door opened with a metallic SWOOSH! "Byakuya? It's just me, Hina! Toko's gone!..."

It was my first time actually seeing the physics lab. There really was a giant machine, clanking and whirring as it pumped out fresh air. The lab must've been about the same size as the gym, with a second floor loft and a huge table with all sorts of junk scattered across it. There was also a small door all the way at the back wall. "Byakuya?"

He wasn't anywhere in the lab. I went to the small door and opened it slowly. "Byakuya...?"

"Hyah!"

I jumped back just in time to avoid being kicked in the face. Byakuya jumped out, eyes wide and frantic. I held up my hands. "Byakuya, it's me! Toko's not here!"

He was heaving for air, looking frantic, but he stopped himself. "Hah... She's gone." He smoothed his hair back and closed the door. "Good."

"Um-"

He glared at me. "She speaks to you on occasion. Do you have any idea what prompted that?"

"No, I've got about as much a clue as you do. Um, but she wasn't trying to kill you, at least."

"Oh, I know that. She made it quite clear what her intentions were." He watched the door carefully. "How foolish."

"So... she really was just hitting on you?" No wonder he looked so freaked out. That was way too forward! What sort of kinky-

"Unfortunately. Though I don't know how she got that idea." He put a hand against his forehead, grimacing. "That woman is completely delusional; it's embarrassing."

"I mean... not that I'm excusing her actions, but you were kinda acting... close to her before." I thought back to after the trial. "I mean, it seemed like you were-"

"No." His voice was firm. "She came up with that all on her own. I may somewhat respect her intellect, but her grip on reality is loosening. I will not stoop to humoring her antics." He shuddered.

"But what about the whole thing with Celeste?"

"What about it?" He looked surprised I'd even asked. "She's just a commoner playing dress up. If Toko somehow twists that into a personal vendetta, that's her mistake to make."

"Oh. Yeah, I guess that makes sense..." Have I misread this whole thing?

"Well, don't act so upset." He walked over to the long table and started looking at all the junk on it. "It's unbecoming."

He says that like he's got some respect for me, but I know that's not true. "So, do you not care about Toko at all then?"

"Of course not. It doesn't matter where any one of you stands; we are not, nor will we ever be on the same level."

"That doesn't mean you're not allowed to care though!" I leaned over the table, trying to look at his face.

"Am I about to receive a TEDtalk on the power of friendship?" he scoffed. "Go feed it to someone more weak-minded."

"Oh, come on! What makes you so sure you're better than everyone here? There are plenty of us who had to work our entire lives to get here! It's Hope's Peak, for crying out loud!"

"Are you suggesting I didn't?" He slammed down the thing in his hand. "There's much more to being a Togami than just blood."

"Oh, were you adopted then?"

He turned his head slowly. I may have made a mistake. "That's not what I meant."

"Well, gosh! There's no need to get so defensive! There's nothing wrong with being adopted!"

"Of course there's not. But the Togami family has certain ways of doing things, and adoption is not one of them."

"How is it done then?" Honestly, I didn't care too much before, but now that he's brought it up, I'm super curious!

"That is classified information." He held up some weird springy thing and turned it slowly to see every side. "It's not for the average person to know."

"What, you mean like the ninety-nine percent? Look, the wealthy class isn't special just because they're rich. There are plenty of ordinary people who do way more important things."

"You're half right." He set down the springy thing. "The one percent is commonly referred to as the wealthiest percent of the population, isn't it?" He pushed up his glasses. "But really, that's not how it works. It never was to begin with." He looked at me with a new interest. "I wonder, just how close are you to that line? Not very, I'd think."

I didn't really understand what he was saying. "What's that supposed to mean? My family's pretty average."

He sighed. "Well, maybe you'll get to understand one day. Most likely, you won't. But I think I'll be keeping a closer watch on you." He walked out of the lab with purpose, flicking his hand in dismissal.

That was... really confusing. What was he trying to do just now? I really don't get that guy... But actually, I feel like I managed to get a little closer to him today. And hey, progress is progress!

Okay, Hina. What are we gonna do for girls' night? We missed it the last couple nights, so we've gotta do something super extra fun and get everyone's spirits back up! I thought about every place in the school. What haven't we done yet? Hm, we could have a painting night. That art lab was pretty big, after all. Oh, or we could go into the school store and act like we're going to a thrift shop! Oh, but Celeste already categorized everything there, so maybe not...

A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. "Coming!"

Hifumi was at the door. "Ms. Asahina! I just wanted to inform you of the Rogue's Quest tournament tonight in the gym! I know all you girls have your, er... activities in the evening, but if you've gotten tired of your rituals, you're welcome to come! Turns out there were more Rogue's Quest packs in the warehouse, so we'd be happy to teach anyone who's interested!"

"Rogue's Quest?" I tried to remember. "Is that the card game you and Chihiro like a lot?"

"Precisely!" He gave me a thumbs up. "It's lots of fun, and it's got a really diverse cast of characters! We'll be playing the Final Dark Mage's Challenge pack, the first set of the card games." He bounced on his feet as he talked, his eyes shining with excitement.

"That does sound like a lot of fun! I'll totally bring it up with the others." It could be nice to hang out with the whole class- er, the whole living class. "Maybe we'll see you there!"

"Oh, Chihiro and I have been going around and telling just about everyone, so I'm sure they'll all know already!" he dismissed. "It's totally up to you if you decide to go, of course. But I hope you'll consider it!"

"Alright! Yeah, I'll totally think about it."

"Great! Alright, see ya!" He left with a big smile on his face.

Hmm... A Rogue's Quest tournament, huh? That could be fun. And it means I don't have to plan anything, either. Alright then, I'll go!

The gym was full of people. Kyoko and Celeste were listening to Chihiro as he held up a card to show them. Makoto, Leon, Sakura, and Mukuro were all sitting in the center of the floor and holding cards. Even Byakuya was there, leaning against the wall near the door.

"Hey, you doing okay?" After what happened earlier today, I'm surprised he's willing to be around so many people.

"Go about your own business." His eyes were trained on the group on the floor. "I'm just here to see what all the fuss is about."

"Okay, gosh! I was just worried."

"Don't be. If anything, I should be the one to pity you, surrounding yourself with all these people."

"But if that's something to be ashamed of, then... why are you here?"

He didn't have anything to say to that. He just kept watching the group.

"You know, you could play too if you want. I'm sure they'd let you."

"I don't want to." He pushed off from the wall and shoved past me through the doorway. "Enjoy your stupid games."

"Wait!" I nabbed him by the shoulder. "Look, I get it. It's scary putting yourself out there-"

"Oh, hush." He shoved my hand aside. "And I did not give you permission to touch me." He stalked off, fuming.

"Sorry!" Me and my big mouth... He's never gonna warm up to us like that.

The door swung back open. Hifumi stood in the doorway, totally confused. "Hey, is he alright?"

"Hell if I know."

"That sounds like Byakuya. I couldn't find Toko anywhere. Have you seen her at all?"

"It's better to let her be right now." I remembered how I'd last seen her- insane, threatening, terrifying. And then suddenly, not. "If she didn't wanna hang out with us before, she definitely won't now."

"You think so? Well, alright." He bounced on his heels, his anxiety forgotten for the moment. "Ready to learn how to play Rogue's Quest?"

"Yeah, totally!"

"Excellent!" He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards Chihiro. "We got another one!"

"Hi, Hina! Are you playing or watching? We've only got seven players right now."

"I'll play!" I looked over at the group on the floor. "Besides, you're gonna need eight anyway, right?"

"Oh, yeah, you're right. Sorry..." He knocked a first on his head gently, smiling. "Of course, I should've thought of that."

"But you did," Hifumi said. "Before we brought everyone here. Remember?"

"Oh, yeah! That's right!" He laughed. "Sorry!"

"Um, so... are you guys gonna show me all the cards and stuff?"

"There's no time to show you all the cards, so we'll just get out the basics." Hifumi reached into his bag and pulled out a box. "Here, you can use these!" He shoved them into my hands. "These are the Dark Mage's Quest cards- just a basic set, but effective."

He held up a card with a huge bicep printed on it. Across the top was a language I didn't understand. "What do those words mean? I mean, that's like, a fantasy language, right?"

"That would be French," Hifumi corrected. "Quebec is where the Rogue's Quest series originates."

"Yeah, the Japanese translation takes a lot out of the original material," Chihiro sighed. "But it's still a good series, even if the material is questionable sometimes."

"Indubitably!" Hifumi moved his head vigorously. "Anyways..."

Before I knew it, they were bouncing off each other in rapid succession. "There are two ways to win. The first is just to outlast your opponent throughout combats. The other is by finding the Dark Mage's Emerald!"

"The Dark Mage's Emerald is mixed into the lower half of the deck so there's time for there to be a full game."

"Pulling the Dark Mage's Emerald will immediately trigger the Boss Model, the Dark Mage himself! Rather than use a card, there is instead a sculpted figurine, complete with stat sheet!"

"The two of you then have to work together to defeat the Dark Mage, who's controlled by the referee! If the one who found the Emerald survives, then they're the winner, regardless of what happens to the other."

"And since I already know the Dark Mage's stats, I'll be the ref!"

"Does all that make sense?"

My head was swimming. They'd gone through it all so fast, I couldn't keep up! "Yeah, I think so." No wonder they like these games so much. It's super complicated! Those are the best kinds of games! "You know, it kinda sounds like the sort of game you'd expect to be a board game, not a card game."

"Actually, it was originally meant to be a board game. They remodeled it as a card so they could make expansion packs for bonus revenue- at least, that's what I suspect," Hifumi explained.

"Actually," Chihiro interrupted, "wasn't it because of a marketing deal? The merchandisers wanted to license a card series they could expand on."

"Perhaps, but they surely could've done both! Besides, regardless of whether it was the creators of the merchandisers, it was still done for maximized profit." Hifumi adjusted his glasses smugly. "Wouldn't you say?"

"Oh, don't be so arrogant." Chihiro slapped him upside the head playfully. "Besides, it doesn't matter anyway."

"I knowww..."

"Wait, but if we only have one ref, then how are we gonna do a tournament?" I realized. "Don't you need one for each game?"

"The ref really is just there to answer questions and play the Dark Mage. I sincerely doubt all four games will need the Dark Mage at the same time," Hifumi assured me.

"Okay, if you say so!"

"This is gonna be so much fun!" He turned to the rest of the group. "Okay, is everybody ready?"

"Yeah, let's hurry up and start already!" Makoto cheered.

"Oh, but before we begin," Celeste chimed, "how about we make things a little interesting?" She had a devious smile stretched across her face. "In the name of fun, of course."

Hm. The Ultimate Gambler wants to make the game of chance interesting. That doesn't seem suspicious at all! "I'm not putting any money in this, if that's what you're suggesting. I'm not stupid."

"This isn't exactly a betting game anyway," Chihiro agreed. "Let's just play the game."

"You all are so disappointing." She tilted her head. "Why would I bother with money? None of us have any here, nor is there the need for it. No, I was thinking more in terms of information." She smiled again. "After all, is that not what everybody here wants most?"

"What do you mean, 'information?'" Chihiro's voice was apprehensive. She can't be... Is she gambling away Ego?

"Be more specific," Kyoko mused, intrigued. "What sort of information?"

"It is quite simple. The winning party gets any and all information that each of us have found in our own investigations of the school." She held out her arms, grinning excitedly. "It would be entertaining, wouldn't it? To hear what each perspective has found? In fact, to make things fair-" she rose up from the ground as she spoke- "I will not participate. After all, it would not be fair if the Ultimate Gambler were to join in."

That's unexpected. To think that Celeste would suggest something like that and then pull herself out of the ring just like that! Is she really suggesting this just for entertainment? "But we need eight to play!"

"Yeah, and what about Makoto? He's the Ultimate Lucky Student. Isn't that 'rigged' too?" Leon pointed out.

"It's true. I could end up winning unfairly," Makoto agreed sadly.

"See, we can't just leave him out like that!"

"Y-You won't have to!"

Toko had tripped through the doors and was running towards us. "You said you're betting i-information, right? Then Master and I will play! Th-then you'll have enough!"

"See? Makoto and I can both referee. Now everyone can join in," Celeste decided happily. "Are we at an agreement, then?"

"But Byakuya's not even here," Chihiro pointed out.

"Well, n-no, but... we could go f-find him, couldn't we?" She fidgeted with one of her braids.

"I think you've all forgotten something," Kyoko sighed. "With Toko, we already have eight players and two refs. There's no need to find Byakuya in the first place. Chihiro and Hifumi can play with the rest of us."

"But-"

"There's no need." She shut her down.

"Well, but then that doesn't seem fair. Shouldn't he at least be here? We can't just leave him out."

"He already refused to play though," Hifumi remembered. "He came here, and then he left."

"Oh yeah, I thought I saw him earlier." Chihiro tapped a finger to his chin. "Why'd he leave?"

"I think it's my fault. I totally scared him off." Although, he probably would've left anyway once Toko was here. Seriously, what's going on there?

"Well, th-that's okay!" Toko decided. "I-I'll play for the both of us!" She shook her head decisively. "Maybe then, h-he'll forgive me."

"Hold on! We can't just decide on all this!" Leon interrupted. "It's not even fair!"

"Actually," Makoto thought, "it does sound kinda fun. Besides," he laughed, "me and Celeste playing might not have been fair anyway. I'm fine just watching."

"Are you sure? You know you're still a part of the class, right? We still want you to play."

"Oh, do not worry," Celeste said over them, offering a hand to Makoto. "He is still participating, after all."

"Yeah, see? It'll be fun. I'll be rooting for you!" Makoto assured him, taking Celeste's hand.

"Now, Makoto, you know we must be impartial," she giggled. "I shall have to watch Leon's game."

"Hah, good point."

"Uhhh, is everyone really okay with this?" Hifumi asked. "Are we just gonna let this happen?"

"I see no issues with it," Sakura finally spoke. "I have almost no information regardless."

"I'll follow whatever we all decide on," Mukuro said flatly.

"It'll be fine," Kyoko assured him. "There's not much that can be hidden anyway."

Shoot... Now one of us has to win. I looked at Kyoko and Chihiro. If we don't, then we're gonna have some explaining to do.

I probably should've guessed they'd be the final two.

"And on one side," Makoto announced very theatrically, "we have the man, the myth, the legend, the Green Knight, Chihiro Fujisaki!"

He stood up, twirling his skirt around him, then struck a pose, miming the drawing of a bow.

"And in the other corner," Celeste declared, amused, "the monstrous beast himself, the Ice Mage of Hornsfield, Hifumi Yamada!"

"Hyah!" He leapt to his feet, sticking out his hands like Spiderman. Then he threw his weight into a new stance, pointing at Chihiro. "Let us journey through the Fields of the Lost!"

"Together," Chihiro switched up his stance as well, "we will find the Dark Mage's source of power, and destroy his reign of terror!"

"For the Rebellion!" they shouted in sync, joining hands.

Toko and Kyoko had both left after losing. The rest of us watched them. It's so clear how into these games they are! It's no wonder how well they get along now!

"You've got this, Hifumi!" Leon shouted. "Beat that Mage's ass!"

"Go, Chihiro! Find the Emerald!" Chihiro has to win, for Ego's sake. "Who are you rooting for, Sakura?"

"I'm just hoping they find the Emerald." She watched them intensely as they started to play. "Although with their experience, I don't see how they wouldn't."

"Ah, right. Sorry." I forgot she died before finding the Emerald in her round... "Well, I'm sure it'll be an awesome show!"

"Real battle isn't quite this theatrical," Mukuro mentioned offhand. "Shouting your attacks like that seems counterproductive."

"Huh, I guess so..." That's the first time Mukuro's spoken on her own since the trial. "Who do you think will win?"

"I don't know enough to decide." Her face was still totally expressionless.

"Well, who do you want to win?"

She didn't say anything as she looked back and forth between the two of them.

"It's gonna be Hifumi," Leon cut in. "He's been a fan for longer, and he's got more experience. It'll be Hifumi, hands down."

"And Chihiro takes the final blow!" Makoto yelled excitedly, bouncing with energy as he threw a card to the ground. "The Mother Boar is down!"

"But, oh, what is coming next?" Celeste continued, picking up another card. "From a nearby pond, a greenish, snakelike figure begins to rise..."

"Pummel that Cottonmouth!" I felt myself leaning forward with anticipation. "Come on, come on, come on!"

"They're getting so many large figures right away," Sakura pointed out. "How is that?"

"Remember? They took out all the 'easy' cards to make it more challenging for them," Leon said. "They're too damn into this game, I swear."

"The joke's on you, Cottonmouth!" Hifumi announced. "For I, the Alpha and Omega, the Ice Mage of Hornsfield, have the Venom Reverser!"

"A surprise play from the Ice Mage," Celeste remarked, "and the venom in the Cottonmouth's veins and fangs begins to turn on her, seeping into her own throat and destroying her from within!"

"Let's make that a combo," Chihiro decided, "and send an Effect Booster arrow at her!"

"And she's down! The Cottonmouth is down! Brilliant play, everyone!" Makoto took the card from Celeste, holding it high in the air, before slamming it down into the quickly forming discard pile. "Begone!"

"Man, it's so not fair how detailed their knowledge is of each enemy's weaknesses!" I huffed.

"I suppose that's why Hifumi was going to referee at first," Sakura thought.

"Yeah, probably. Still, it's so cool watching them!" Watching them play, it didn't even feel like they were competing. Rather, they were acting as a team, a seamless duo in perfect synchronization. They reminded me of my friends back home, of the games we used to play. Games that we still play, games that we'll play again when I get back! I slapped the sides of my head. What's wrong with me?!

"Yo, you good?" Leon asked. "What's up?"

"Ah- nothing! I'm fine!"

Sakura pat me on the shoulder so heavy and sudden I nearly tipped over. "Wah-"

"Oh. Sorry." She looked away, embarrassed. "That's normally what you do for me, so I thought that's what I was supposed to do."

I could feel my heart swelling up. "Oh, I'm not upset! I just lost my balance a little, that's all." I adjusted my legs. "It's my own fault for sitting on my ankles like that," I assured her, ignoring Leon's smirking from my other side.

"That's game!"

Chihiro and Hifumi shook hands. Both of them were grinning like idiots. "Congratulations, Mr. Fujisaki. You've earned it!"

"I couldn't have done it without you. Let's do this again soon! To think it was the last card in the deck."

"I thought that might make the finale interesting," Celeste smiled. "The two of you have quite the spirit."

"Yeah, that was amazing!" Makoto cheered. "You guys were awesome!"

"I don't know, I mean- yeah, I guess so," Chihiro said shyly, pulling at his collar.

"We are pretty awesome, aren't we?" Hifumi said smugly. "When we get out of here, we should enter the annual tournament at VodCon together!"

"Really? I've never had a partner to enter with before! Heheh, let's do it!"

Aww, that's really sweet! "Okay, Chihiro. Now I guess you get to know everyone's information." I stood up. "I'm not hiding anything from you, though. Everything I've found, I've told you already."

"Well, I haven't found shit. And not from not trying, either." Leon scoffed. "Seriously, why can't I find a way out already?!"

"I don't have information," Sakura continued, "but I have been forming somewhat of a plan for the door."

"Oh, yeah? Tell us, then, Hulkette," Leon demanded.

"Hey, don't say that! That's rude!"

"What? Hulk is fuckin' cool. That's a compliment."

"Actually," Chihiro interrupted, "I don't wanna force anyone to tell me anything. Besides," he smiled, "it's not like I need it."

"Really?" Celeste said, surprised. "You do not wish to know what the others have been withholding from you?"

"Well, yeah, but I don't wanna force it."

"Is it forcing it if we all agreed to the terms?" Hifumi thought. "Technically speaking."

"I mean, I guess not. But does anyone even have anything anyway? I feel like we've all shared everything with each other anyway."

"Only if someone knows about an actual traitor, I guess," Leon thought. "And with actual evidence, not just 'oh, Makoto's got no tuh-tuh-tuh-talent,'" Leon said mockingly in a high pitched voice. Ouch. Good thing Toko's not here.

"Well, don't make fun of her stutter," Makoto said. "But yeah, you've got a point. There's not much that can be hidden with all the cameras and stuff."

*Ding, Dong, Bing, Bong*

Wow, already? "Okay, guys! Let's all get back to the dorms for the night! Chihiro, Mukuro, are you both ready for nighttime duty?"

"Yes, ma'am," Mukuro said, shooting to her feet.

"Oh, right. Hifumi, can you hold onto my cards?" Chihiro asked.

"Of course!" He stuffed the cards into his bag. "I'll give them back in the morning."

"Great. Thanks!"

"Goodnight, everyone!"

I got back to my room and flopped into bed. That was a lot of fun... I feel a little safer. I think we're all really becoming friends! Maybe… maybe everything will be okay now!