Chapter 29: Day 29

Checking over his shoulder one final time, Togami inhaled and slowly exhaled. He had checked the e-Handbook to find most of the students back in their dorms, as he had decided to wait until the nighttime hours to pursue his investigation. After all, he didn't know what would be behind the door, and he didn't want any noise attracting unnecessary attention.

Slowly, he reached forward and pushed aside the books in front of the button, then pressed it. Hearing the familiar click, he took a step back and watched as the bookshelf creaked open. He grabbed the side of it and pulled it forward, but this time, he pulled it all the way, revealing the doorway in its entirety. He took another minute to examine it for any changes, smirking victoriously when he found none.

"Time to see what's hiding in here…" He stepped forward and shook the doorknob, finding it still unlocked. "A good sign… Perhaps Monokuma is none the wiser that I found this place." He shot a look up at the surveillance camera and nodded, confirming there was no sign of power. He then turned the knob and pulled the door open.

The adjacent room was dark...very dark. Stepping inside, he realized it was a mere closet of sorts. Maybe a quarter the size of the archive itself, the room was shockingly empty. The walls were bare, and a musty smell hung in the thick air. Togami guessed that the door hadn't been open in years, leaving this room forgotten.

He took a few steps inside, keeping the door open and using the bright light from the archive to guide his way along the wall to find a light switch. Clicking it on, he flinched at the sudden light from the single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. It flickered and sparked but stabilized, creating a dull, yellow light. "More proof this room hasn't been used in quite some time… I wonder if there are more rooms like this in the school, waiting to be discovered. Perhaps Kirigiri has already found one or two."

The idea of reporting this to her and Fujisaki made him smirk. "I finally might have something for us." He let his gaze scan the room and realized that, for the most part, it was indeed barren. The walls were bare, with the wallpaper peeling in certain areas. A small desk and lamp were pushed to the corner as though locked away for storage purposes.

And in the center were two small, conspicuous cardboard boxes.

"What have we here?" Approaching, Togami looked inside only to frown. "Photos? Why are there photographs here?" He kneeled down and took one in his hand.

And his body went cold at what he saw.

"Wha… What is…?" He blinked twice, wondering if what he was seeing was actually an illusion, but the image remained the same. It was a picture of them...all of them. In a classroom. Togami was in the far corner, looking off camera with an expression that indicated he'd rather be anywhere but where the photo was taken. Fukawa stood to the side next to him, smiling warily at whoever was taking the photo. The remaining students were all sitting in or standing behind desks, smiling, waving, and flashing the victory sign at the photographer. They were all wearing similar outfits, too, an obvious school uniform of a brown coat and pants, white shirt, and red tie. Togami's eyes landed on Naegi, who had a wide grin across his lips as he sat sandwiched between Maizono and Kyoko. From the background, Togami could tell it was taken from one of the classrooms in the building…

...meaning the photo had been taken here. At school. And by the looks of the agenda on the board and the schedule posted on the wall, the school was functioning at the time of the photo. There was even sunlight coming through the window. No metal plates, no gatling guns, no threats written in chalk.

Togami slowly turned it over in his hands and scowled at the lack of a date or time. He flipped it back over. He knew what this meant, and the reality, for a few brief seconds, was too much for his mind to comprehend. It was the proof he had both wanted and needed, but it made his body numb and his hands cold.

"We really were students here…" he slowly thought. "Then, those dreams are real. We did go to school here. Fujisaki won the competition, Naegi helped me when I went catatonic over news of the outside world, and we… He and I..." Peeking into the box, he could see more photos of them as classmates stacked up. "But why are there only photos of our class? And why were they put here? And why...why were our memories…"

"What did I say about certain doors being locked?" The voice caused Togami's entire body to tense up. He stood and spun to find Monokuma standing in the doorway, paw on the door. "Man, you kids sure just don't know how to take a hint anymore! I tell ya to leave doors alone, and what do you do? You find a damn hidden one. You know why it's hidden in the first place? To STAY hidden!"

"What is this about?!" Togami demanded, flashing the photograph at the bear.

"Oh, so you saw that, eh? Well, can't say I'm surprised. Between you and Kirigiri, I should've expected something to get out by now. You've been here a full month, after all, and you two were the smartest in your class."

"That's a lie!" Togami shouted. "If we've only been here a month, then explain these photos!"

"Oh, those? I mean, would you even believe me if I told you? But, if you really, really want me to, I could tell ya all about those photos. In fact, I think there may be a few of you and cute, little Naegi together. Wouldn't that be soooo sweet to frame in your room?"

Togami growled as his hand clenched. Pointing at Monokuma, he exclaimed, "I want an answer, now! What is this about?!"

"Now that's different. I don't mind helping, but demands? Nuh uh. I'm the headmaster of this school, not you. You don't get to make demands of me, Mr. Togami. And quite frankly, the more I think on it, the angrier I am that you even found this room. I mean, I had a feeling you'd find it sooner or later, but still, to foil my plans like that! So rude! After I took all this time to hide the photos, too..." Monokuma shook his head and sighed. "Well, time to make an example out of you, I guess."

"What–" Before Togami could react, Monokuma stepped back -

"Wait!"

- and slammed the door shut.

Togami rushed forward, photos forgotten, as he grasped the doorknob. Meeting resistance, he growled and slammed his fist against the door. "What are you doing?!"

"Oh, don't worry," Monokuma stated, his voice only slightly muffled by the door. "I ain't gonna hurt ya. But far be it from me to waste an opportunity." Monokuma giggled before saying, "I've been watching you, Togami. You ain't that sneaky. I knew you found the door when I saw all the books still on the floor. So I've already reached out to your detective friend and, heck, decided to do you a solid and get your boyfriend, too! They should be up any minute, just in time to find you and me. And when they do, puhuhuhu!" A sudden noise pierced the air, and Togami felt his heart skip a beat.

A hissing noise. Gas.

He turned and looked to see gas floating through a vent in the corner into the room. His eyes widened, and for a brief second, he felt his breath get stuck in his throat. Slamming his body against the door, he shouted, "Let me out of here! Let me–"

"Monokuma! What was the meaning of that message?"

The new voice carried through the air. "Kirigiri!" Togami shouted.

"Wait, Togami?!"

"Naegi?!"

"All right, the gang's all here!" Monokuma's laughter rose in volume.

"What are you doing?!" Naegi shouted. Togami could hear pounding at the door and realized Monokuma must have the key. He looked up in horror at the vent, watching the gas slowly seep through, and realized his vision was beginning to blur as tears filled his eyes.

"Shit, shit, shit!" He covered his mouth with his sleeve, hoping to slow the effects, but his heart raced in his chest. He knew he was caught. There was no other way out of this room.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt him! It's just some sleeping gas. Will knock him out for a day or two, then he'll be back to normal!"

"Wait, what?!" Naegi screamed. The pounding on the door continued. "Togami, say something!"

"I'm here–" Togami's words were cut off by a sudden cough, and he quickly covered his mouth once more.

"Togami!"

"Why are you doing this to him?!" he heard Kirigiri yell. Despite his sleeve, Togami felt the coughing rack his body, and his vision was now blurred by tears from the gas. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall closest to the door, feeling his body shake in reaction to whatever chemical compound was being pumped through the vent.

"Why?" repeated Monokuma. "Because you two have been poking your heads where they don't belong! Investigating this school and thinking I was unaware! HA! What nonsense!"

"Wha… What is he talking about?" Naegi slowly asked. Togami mentally cursed. He tried to control his breathing to keep from panicking, but the physical sensations were quickly overriding his thoughts. He shuddered as he coughed once again.

"Not that I mind that he found what he did, but now I need to move it again before you all solve the puzzle too soon," Monokuma continued. "I did warn you guys, so you can't blame me for this. Let this be a lesson to you all that anymore prodding at doors is gonna land you in serious trouble! I don't mind you all using your brains, and I know you'll figure it out eventually, but you can't be knocking down doors and walls, now can you? That's cheating!"

"And Togami…" Kirigiri's voice trailed off. Or maybe it was the gas. Wiping his eyes, Togami realized his vision was still blurred. The gas was taking effect, fast.

"I need to get out. I need to… I need to…" He clumsily reached forward for the doorknob and shook it. He scowled, finding it still locked, only to realize he was now sliding down the wall. He went to press himself against the plaster wallpaper to steady himself, but his body felt weak. "No, I… I have to… Don't…" He closed his eyes, feeling himself sliding slowly, slowly down to the floor. His body suddenly felt incredibly heavy. He tried to keep himself straightened, but the effort made his stomach churn.

"Togami will be fine," Monokuma reiterated, though his voice now seemed further off in the distance. "I already told ya, I'm not pumping poison in there. The gas will just make him take a break tomorrow. That's just me being polite, too! I can tell he needs it after figuring out this puzzle. So there's no need to go crying over your Prince Charming, little Naegi!"

"Just open the door, dammit!" Naegi's voice rang out. Togami opened his eyes at the noise, and for a brief second, he felt a wave of adrenaline course through him. He went to push himself off the wall and stand on his own, but vertigo crashed against him, sending his senses spiraling out of control. He felt like he would vomit as he fell back against the wall and slid all the way to the floor, his legs giving out underneath him. His vision was darkening at the edges, forcing him to shut his eyes. His breathing was labored. He felt incredibly sick. He moved so his back was against the wall. He was desperate for clean air.

"Aaaand that should be enough!" He thought that was Monokuma, but he couldn't tell anymore. The voice sounded so distant and muffled. "Gas off, just give it a few seconds, and don't forget this valuable lesson. Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times, and don't go straying into places you don't belong."

"Togami! Say something!"

Togami parted his lips in an attempt to respond, but nothing came out. He had no energy left to expend. He wanted nothing more than the nausea and vertigo to subside. Even in the darkness, it felt like he was swimming, drowning, as though the darkness itself was swallowing him.

A soft click suddenly echoed. The sound of the door opening penetrated the enclosing darkness. He felt something grab onto his shoulder, and the feeling of the floor moving underneath him barely registered. Or maybe he was being moved...

"Togami! TOGAMI!"

He was propped against something warm...something comforting. Something… Someone...held him close… He thought he heard his name, but the voices around him diminished into nothingness. His body and mind gave up the fight, and Togami sank into oblivion.