Author's Note: Hey everyone! I'm posting a chapter a little early this week since I have the day off work. I might post another chapter this weekend, as well. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 9: Day 6

"Now put the Greek Statue in Monokuma's left hand," Togami ordered, looking up from the rather lacking e-Handbook blueprint to the statue. The clock on the wall read 11:30am, meaning they only had thirty minutes left to complete the ridiculous animatronic.

Fortunately for them, if Togami's calculations were correct, they'd only need a handful more at most.

"Like this?" asked Hiro, sliding the statue in the slot they had drilled in. Togami watched as the statue nearly slid all the way through, and he growled in irritation.

"Tighten the hand just a few twists, then do it again," he stated.

"Here, Hiro, catch!" Grabbing the screwdriver, Kuwata raised his hand and went to throw it when Hiro gasped in shock.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" he shouted. "You already almost gave me a black eye today! Someone else toss me a screwdriver!"

"What, don't think you can handle it?" taunted Kuwata.

"Here's one," Kirigiri remarked, sliding it over to Hiro. As she did, Togami examined the floor and sighed, realizing that they no doubt would need some time to clean up the mess they had made. Between the parts, the toolkits taken from all the boys' dorm rooms, and the e-Handbooks scattered about, the floor of the gym was a disaster zone. Hiro, Kirigiri, and Naegi were all huddled closest to the Casanova animatronic, doing their best to stabilize the thing. Owada and Ogami were sitting behind Togami on the bleachers, having done the earlier heavy lifting of metal and holding the pieces in place so that they could be screwed together. That left Kuwata, Enoshima, and Maizono, all three of whom were casually watching and passing items around as needed.

The rest, including Taka, were cleaning, as usual. Which was just as well. Naegi had since informed Togami over their morning meeting that Owada and Taka's relationship had taken a 180 degree turn after a supposed 'duel' yesterday, and now apparently they were the best of friends. Togami didn't ask for details, and Naegi's obvious discomfort indicated something unpleasant transpired to cause the shift. But all morning, Taka and Owada had been shouting at one another and anyone within hearing range about their newly-formed brotherhood.

That made three people who had clearly lost their damn minds in this place, as far as Togami was concerned. And it was only day 6 of 51.

"All right, it fits!" Hiro exclaimed victoriously. Standing and taking a step back, he glanced down and chuckled. "Man, who'da thought we'd be able to actually do this?"

"Gotta admit, Togami, your instructions really saved us some time," Enoshima remarked, throwing a smile and victory sign his way. "Looks like you got your uses after all."

Ignoring her statement, Togami fixed his glasses slightly and merely said, "Now let's hope it doesn't get damaged tonight. That Monokuma bear stated he would be checking in on the completed specimen tomorrow, correct?"

"Yes, he did say as much," Kirigiri remarked.

"Actually, I got a little curious, so I decided to pop in early!"

Blinking in surprise, everyone turned to the front stage to see the original Monokuma bear standing on the podium, twirling on one leg and holding its arms out like a wound up ballerina. Owada and Ogami both stood up defensively as Togami scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you want?" he asked.

"I literally just answered that question!" the bear retorted. "I came to get a close look! And also, I have some news for you all."

"'News'?" Enoshima repeated.

"But I need everyone here for that! So, without further ado-!" The bear pointed to the closest monitor, and everyone watched as it clicked to life, revealing a recording of the bear reclining in the computer chair within the data center. Togami listened to the message as it blasted through the speakers. "All students, please report to the gymnasium for a very, beary special announcement! Again, all students, please report to the gymnasium for a beary, very special announcement!"

"He mixed up the 'very' and the 'beary,'" Maizono muttered.

Togami rolled his eyes. "Because that's the pressing matter here."

"So, let me see what'cha kids got so far!" Monokuma exclaimed, jumping off the podium and waddling his way over to the group. The students scattered as he approached, making a clean line towards the standing animatronic for their captor. Togami watched as the bear looked the backup over, with reality once again clashing against the logical parts of his mind. After all, an animatronic bear was analyzing another animatronic bear that Togami himself had helped design. A bear in a tuxedo with a Greek statue in hand and as charming a smile as they could make across his face.

Once again, Togami was convinced he had died and gone to Hell.

"Isn't a Casanova supposed to be good-looking?" inquired Monokuma as he tenderly poked the sides of the bear. He then looked around at the students. "Is this what you call good-looking?"

Fortunately the sounds of the gym doors opening caught everyone's attention, allowing them to avoid the question. Togami turned and watched as Taka led his band of cleaners into the gym. Taka raised his arm and opened his mouth, no doubt ready to proclaim his arrival, when the sight of Monokuma caused him to stop short. Togami smirked as, for the first time, the group of cleaners entered silently, taking their positions around the Casanova.

"Maybe we need Monokuma to show up more often," Togami sarcastically reflected.

"You called us for an announcement?" Celeste inquired as she clasped her hands over her stomach.

"Oh, right! The announcement!" Monokuma took a few steps back and placed his hands on his hips. "So, here's the deal-io! I've been keeping an eye on you all, and I must say, it's no wonder you were all chosen to attend this prestigious school! You're working so hard, so diligently, and it just warms my fuzzy little heart! Therefore, I'm going to offer you all a little present."

"A...present?" Enoshima slowly repeated.

"Like a freakin' way outta here?" asked Owada.

"Noooo," Monokuma replied. "You've got a bunch of days left to go before that happens! BUT I think you'll like this just as much!" Holding his arms up, he declared, "Tomorrow, you'll have the day off!"

"Huh?" Hina frowned in confusion at the bear. "What do you mean?"

"You all have been working each and every morning, cleaning the rooms, looking for items, putting together this backup I've so kindly asked for," Monokuma explained. "I mean, I was honestly expecting to have to hold a ransom over your heads or somethin', but you all just hopped right to it! So, once a week, you're all gonna be taking the day off. No work, no cleaning, nothing of the sort allowed. Only cooking is allowed. The rest of the time, you're required to enjoy yourselves!"

"Soooo basically it's just another afternoon...just all day," Kuwata remarked.

"Don't sound so bummed out, kid. Check out the warehouses. You never know what movies and books I'll supply. And all the places in the school will still remain open. Meaning-"

"-Meaning we can go swimming!" Hina excitedly exclaimed.

"Exactly!"

"And what about this Monokuma backup you requested?" asked Kirigiri. "Didn't you say it was due tomorrow?"

"Meh, does it work?"

Hiro pulled out the remote they had crafted. "Not sure yet. Here, let me…" Pressing the button, Hiro jumped backwards as the Casanova animatronic hummed to life, the left eye turning bright red. It didn't move, but it was clearly powered. Even Togami had to admit the creation was rather impressive, if ugly as sin.

"It's not quite what I wanted, but you all did follow the instructions and built it for me…" Grabbing the remote, Monokuma shut off the backup and said, "All right, that settles it. I'll take this off your hands. You all, leave the gym and don't come back 'til tomorrow! Oh wait, scratch that. Take tomorrow off, then come back to the gym the next day after your kumbaya breakfast!"

"So we're done here?" asked Ogami.

"Yes, that's what I said! Now scram! Get!" Running at those kneeling on the floor, Monokuma all but chased the group of students out of the gym. Togami scoffed at the sight and followed Owada and Ogami from the bleachers out to the foyer, and he was one of the last to leave before Monokuma slammed the gymnasium doors shut.

"We did it, guys!" shouted Hina, her hands raised in victorious fists. "We did the backup!"

"No doubt one of several he wants," Kirigiri remarked. But even she had a slight smile across her lips.

"We should totally celebrate!" Enoshima exclaimed.

"Aw yeah, that'd be sick!" added Kuwata.

"Well, Brother, what do you say?" asked Taka. Togami rolled his eyes as Taka and Owada wrapped arms around each other's shoulders and smiled at the group. "Shouldn't we schedule some sort of celebration for this momentous occasion!"

"You got it, Bro!" Owada added. "How's about another big feast?"

"We should check out the rec room, as well!" Maizono exclaimed. "I saw so many games in there. It'll be so much fun!"

"Then tomorrow, swimming!" Hina declared.

"Sounds like such a pain," Fukawa muttered, and Togami hated how he agreed with the writer's analysis.

"But I think it'll be fun, too," Fujisaki offered, smiling warmly at Fukawa.

Celeste chuckled. "Well then, I shall be returning to my room and expecting quite a lavish meal tonight. Until then…" Togami watched as the gambler began to walk away. The thought of his quiet dorm room also appealed to him, and casting one final look at the group, he mentally shrugged and went to leave -

Until a voice called out, "Wait, Togami." Blinking, he turned to see Kirigiri approaching him. With a smirk and a hint of humor in her eyes, she approached him and asked, "I take it you're not planning to attend tomorrow's events?" It was more a statement than a question.

"My, aren't we astute," Togami retorted. "Of course not. I have better things to do."

"Well, just before you can get upset and ask, I'm having Fujisaki take the laptop from the library tonight," Kirigiri explained. "She thinks she can get the computer working again. If so, it might give us a lead on what's going on here."

"Hmph. Be my guest."

"If we find anything, I'll let you know. Until then…" With little more than a curt nod, she walked briskly past him. He frowned, hating the notion that he might end up in debt to her, and fixed his glasses slightly.

"I'll just need to dedicate myself to the archive tomorrow," he concluded as he began walking in the direction of his dorm room. "There's got to be some clue as to what's going on. And when I find out who is responsible for this mess…" His hands clenched into fists at the very thought. "They will pay for this."