Author's Note: Hey everyone! As promised, here is a second chapter for the week as a sort of holiday present to all you readers. Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, I hope you have or had a relaxing day, and thank you once again for reading my story. It's always incredibly appreciated.

Chapter 18: Day 15

Togami watched, making sure nothing was scratched or carelessly set, as the group continued filling the box up with the items created. The gathering team had been split in half, with two groups continuing their search for items while the remaining students created all of the necessary tools for the "entertainment system." The corporate heir expected it to be troublesome, to say the least, as Togami was stuck with Owada, Kuwata, and Hiro once again. Owada seemed in much better spirits, however, despite having lost every match of billiards the previous day. Looking down in their box, Togami was forced to admit that the team, despite the constant, annoying chatter, managed to complete their task exceptionally well. It was quite the turnaround from his first assignment with the others, and he couldn't help but wonder if his few times spent socializing with them had truly made things easier.

He hoped not. Despite enjoying the games of pool, Togami still had a mild headache after the day thanks to all the talking and music. Fortunately he had been able to sleep without annoying dreams, improving both his mood and his focus.

"Yo, before we head back to the gym, there's somethin' I gotta ask ya, Togami."

Togami blinked in surprise and looked up at Kuwata. Everyone was standing from their seats, and Owada carefully began to lift the box. "What is it?" he asked when the baseball star didn't continue.

"Is it true what Kirigiri said? That you didn't tell Fukawa to call ya, uh…"

"'Master'?" Just the thought of it made Togami shudder in utter disgust. "No, I didn't, and you can tell all the other students that, as well. I don't want anything to do with her, I avoid her like the plague, and I refuse to speak with her unless absolutely necessary. Have I said that enough times to finally make that clear to you all?"

Both Owada and Hiro blinked in surprise at the tone, and even Kuwata frowned. "Y-Yeah, loud and clear," Kuwata remarked. "Sorry. I imagine it's shitty bein' stuck in here with that. Just wanted to make sure that, well…"

"That I'm not some monster." After two weeks, Togami was ready to put the nail in the coffin on the issue, and so he shook his head and said, "I think I've proven by now that I'm not a sick deviant. Unlike the mastermind keeping us here."

"Hey, that's rude to say!"

"HUH!?" Hiro jumped back as Monokuma, as if from thin air, appeared directly behind him and walked forward. Pointing up at everyone, he smiled that cheeky grin of his. "Where the heck did you come from?" shouted Hiro.

"I'm always here, even in your dreams!" Monokuma taunted. "Though not those kinds of dreams. Unless you're weird and into that sorta thing, of course!"

"Umm, what do you want?" Kuwata asked as everyone rolled their eyes.

"Just checking in. It's been over two weeks, after all, and I know you kids might be gettin' bored with your ADHD and all that. Some of you might even be exploring more of the school, getting ideas in your head about new mysteries to solve…"

While Owada, Hiro, and Kuwata all looked confused, Togami's eyes slowly widened. He remained silent, but he could sense the threat coming. Indeed, Monokuma looked directly at him as he continued, "Now, I'm not saying that you can't explore the school. That would just be silly. I'm just tellin' you all, there are rooms you shouldn't be in. Just like a normal school, ya know? You shouldn't be in the janitor's closet, and you shouldn't be in other closets, either!"

"We'll go where we please," Togami shot back, ignoring the shiver running down his spine at the words being uttered.

"Nuh uh, I don't think so there, Chief. Certain places are just locked off. It's something you all need to accept. I won't say this is a warning because you all have been so good up until now, but more just a friendly reminder. If you find a locked door, just assume it's locked and move on! You'll find something shiny elsewhere, I promise!"

Without another word, Monokuma rushed back to the kitchen and out of sight. Kuwata followed only to stop at the archway and sigh. "Dammit, he ran away," he muttered.

"It's just as well," Togami retorted. "We shouldn't pay any attention to him."

"But wait, does what he said mean that one of us is lookin' around this school?" asked Hiro.

"Someone probably just got freakin' bored and wandered around," Owada remarked, shifting the box of items in his hand somewhat. "Come on, let's just go already."

"I guess…"

Togami nodded in agreement, hoping to avoid any further conversation on the matter, and followed Owada out of the cafeteria and down the hallway. He ignored the others' comments as his mind replayed the conversation. "That warning was meant for me…but it wasn't just for me."

He grimaced as they entered the gymnasium, wondering if Kirigiri had done something to upset Monokuma.

"There you guys are!" Maizono exclaimed. "Everything all right?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," answered Owada as he approached the other boxes and set their own down. "Just got caught up on something, is all."

"Brother! Your e-Handbooks should already be updated," Taka reported. "Looks like the others found some new items! We may almost be done finding everything!"

"About damn time, too," Enoshima remarked.

"What, don't like bringing a hundred soccer balls to the gym every day?" taunted Celeste, a cheeky grin across her lips.

"Ugh, no way! I'm so sick of it…"

"Well, we're done for the day," noted Hina. "Sooo what do we wanna do?"

Togami glanced around at the other students as he stood still, finally finding Kirigiri amongst the crowd. It was evident she was talking to Fujisaki, as both had their e-Handbooks out and were comparing screens. Their earlier conversation crossed his mind, but he also noted how the cleaning crew was close to the rest of the gatherers, including that damned Fukawa. "I'll talk to Kirigiri about what transpired later," he decided. "And when I think about it, Monokuma came out to warn me in particular… Meaning that perhaps there's something I'm missing in the archive, after all. But if her actions are irritating him, then we need to be more cautious. She's the one trying all the locked doors, after all."

He looked up in the corner of the room. The security camera was still off. Togami glared at it, wondering if that was going to change if Kirigiri, Fujisaki, and he continued pushing things.

"Hey, Togami?"

Togami blinked as he was cut from his thoughts by a familiar voice. Looking down, he watched Naegi slowly approach him, an odd folder in his hand. "Yes?" he asked.

"Well, I found this...and I wasn't sure if you'd be interested in playing it."

"Playing it?" Looking in confusion, Togami slowly took the folder and opened it only for his eyes to widen in surprise. "This is…" It was sheet music for the violin, and a rather complicated piece by the look of it. "Where did you find this?" he inquired, glancing down in wonder at Naegi.

"In the music hall," he answered. "You know how things just kinda 'appear' around here, right? Well, I did some checking, and I found it and a few other pieces. I don't know anything about it, obviously, but I thought you might want to take a look."

Togami slowly nodded. He lifted one of the sheets and looked it over front to back. "I'll keep this in mind."

"If you learn it, will you play it for us?"

"Hmph. As if anyone here would be interested."

"I would be."

Togami's eyebrows knit together in confusion as he looked from the sheet music to Naegi. "Why…?" The question fell from his lips before he could catch himself.

"Well, I mean…" Blushing just enough for Togami to catch it, Naegi put his hands in his pockets and muttered, "I'm just curious. You said you chose it as your 'weapon,' so I'm sure you're really, really talented at it. I'd just like to hear it sometime, ya know?"

Naegi's forwardness startled Togami, yet the corporate heir couldn't help but smirk. "For such a commoner, he certainly isn't hesitant when it comes to asking for things." "Fine," he answered. "If I learn this piece, I'll be sure to let you know."

The hopeful smile that graced Naegi's lips was powerful enough to make Togami's heart skip a beat. Images of his dream vividly passed across his mental vision, and in an instant, he felt the urge to reach out and touch Naegi. He shoved the music into the folder and looked up, hoping that breaking his gaze would steer his mind from such thoughts. And of course, in seeking something relaxing, his eyes fell on the next worse thing: Kirigiri.

Who was staring at the two as though in shock.

Togami frowned. He had never seen such an expression on Kirigiri's face. Her eyes were wide, with her mouth open just slightly. Fujisaki was clearly trying to get her to look at something, but she was just staring at the two. Suddenly feeling that he had had enough of being the center of attention, Togami looked back down at Naegi, who was staring up in confusion at Togami but seemed to have yet to pick up on what was happening. He shook his head and muttered, "It's nothing. See you tonight." He then turned and exited the gym, waiting until he was out in the hallway and nearly halfway to the dormitories before releasing a heavy sigh.

Just what he needed. Another mystery. And now he had to learn this damn piece of music…

"Wait, no I don't!" Togami stopped short, and his grip tightened on the folder. "I don't need to do things for Naegi. I already play billiards with him, and tolerate him while he's reading at the same table as me, and have promised to take him to the National Concert Hall at some point. I don't owe him anything anymore." And yet, even as he thought this, his gaze wandered down to the folder, and he slowly opened it, reading the title of the musical piece. "Although I suppose practicing will take my mind off things...like that dream, or that damn Monokuma."

Slowly, Togami resumed walking as he began reading the notes on the paper. He hummed the music to himself, imagining how it would sound when played, before closing the folder and continuing to his dorm. Approaching the door to his room, he took out his key, put it in the lock -

- and realized he was still humming. And not the parts he had looked at.

"Wait. Do I know this song?" He looked back down and quickly pulled out the sheet of music. Rereading the title, he scowled in confusion. "I don't recognize this title or the composer, and yet…" His eyes widened in horror as he read the notes below where he had stopped. He hummed the melody in his mind again.

The notes matched.

"What does… What does this even mean?" Entering his room, he slammed the door shut, placed the sheet music on the music stand, and quickly pulled out his personal violin from the case on his desk. He had to test this. He had to know. Tuning as quickly as possible, he placed the violin delicately underneath his chin, held up the bow, and began to play. Upon hearing the first few notes, he felt his muscle memory take over, and he continued without even looking at the sheets of paper for several bars' worth of music before the shock of it all forced him to stop.

He knew this song. He had played it before. Had memorized it. But where, and when?

Slowly, he looked back down at the music on the music stand. He then turned to look at the table, and he could almost picture himself and Naegi sitting there, just like in his dream, studying and talking and…

Togami swallowed as, for the first time since he had woken up in this school, genuine fear shot through him. Something was very, very wrong.