A/N: Hey howdy hey, it's AGNerd-Bot here! Glad to see that y'all have been enjoying the Free Time Events! I was worried that they might not have gone over well when I was first writing them, so I'm glad y'all liked them. Apologies that this chapter got put out a bit later than usual. Kinda got distracted, what with the summer events in Fate/Grand Order, as well as watching a new anime: My Next Life as a Villainess: All Roads Lead to Doom! It's a really silly and cute isekai that I've been surprisingly enjoying, and I highly recommend it! Anyways, my current hobbies aside, let's answer some comments!
MythGirl Writes: Yeah, truth be told, there's a reason why Kasumi's talent isn't Ultimate Lucky Student. Her luck is quite frankly terrible. And I'm glad to see that Fumio's getting some love! He was actually the last student I finished making, because I had trouble figuring out what I wanted his character to be. Glad everything worked out in the end! As for timeline stuff? Well, that'll be elaborated on as the story goes on.
avoidtheshaft: Ayyy, good to see ya, Shaft! Yeah, there ain't nothing wrong with some downtime to get to know our cast! After all, we've only got a limited time with all of them. Its best to try and get to have them in the limelight as much as we can. Also, marking one vote down for Aiya for the next FTE! As for the whole 'murdered' deal? Fufufufufu... all in due time, my friend.
NostalgiaSucker96: If there's one thing you can count on Kasumi being, it's being sarcastic, pal. I'm glad you're enjoying the character interactions so far! Making sure that each character gets some love is always important for a DR story, so I'm glad it's working for this! Like I said to Shaft earlier, the murder details will be revealed all in due time!
BING BONG DING DONG
Monokuma: Rise and shine, inmates, for another beautiful day of murder is about to begin! It's now 8 AM! AKA, it's daytime! So get off your butts and get moving, inmates! The courtyard and the gym are now officially open again! C'mon, let's make today another despairfully wonderful day, huh?
Kasumi: Uuuuuuugh...
(My eyes slowly opened as Monokuma's shrill voice echoed within my head. I rubbed at my eyes tiredly, before sitting up in bed. Jeez... talk about a long night's sleep. It's 8 AM already? How long was I out for? Well, no sense in complaining about time lost... I forced myself out of bed, before grabbing the packaging from the cookies I snagged from the kitchen last night and haphazardly tossing them into the trash can underneath my desk. Tiredly, I opened up my closet, frowning at the sight of the same clothes I'd been wearing for two days now.)
Kasumi: Just another day in 'paradise', huh?
(To my surprise, the kitchen was filled with far more people than last time. I guess waking up early yesterday was just a fluke. I saw Aiya rushing forward out of the corner of my eye, and I took a step back to grant myself more breathing room before the inevitable rush of words.)
Aiya: Morning, Kasumi! What'll it be?
Kasumi: Same as yesterday sound good?
Aiya: If that's what the customer demands, then that's what I'll be serving!
(And just like that, Aiya dashed off to the kitchen, likely to inform Fumio of my order. I couldn't help but grin as I saw her back.)
Kasumi: I think I'm getting used to this place!
(Wait... what am I saying?! I shouldn't be getting used to this place! I shouldn't be getting used to this place at all! Damnit, I'm already getting way too complacent here... Focus, Kasumi. Like it or not, you're in a game of death right now, and you've got to be on guar-)
Ochiyo: Morning, Kasumi!
Kasumi: HIIIII!
(I nearly hit the ceiling in shock at the sound of the voice behind me. Damnit, what is it with everyone and sneaking up on me?! Is there just a sign that says 'Inattentive, Do What You Want' on my back?! I turned around to see Ochiyo, a bemused grin on her face as she no doubt enjoyed my reaction. Thanks a lot, 'pal'.)
Ochiyo: Wow, Monokuma was right. You are jumpy, aren't you?
Kasumi: Never thought I'd hear anyone agree with Monokuma. Least of all you.
Ochiyo: Haha! Well, you know what they say about giving the devil his due, right? C'mon, let's have a seat.
(She motioned me over to a nearby table, and we sat down together, like last time.)
Ochiyo: I was actually getting worried about you. You woke up a lot later than last time, so I thought you got held up by something.
Kasumi: Nah, it's just that I usually wake up later. Honestly, waking up at 8 AM is weird enough as is...
Ochiyo: Yeah, I guess for some folks, it is. Never was a problem for me, though! Early rising and late setting's the way to go, that's my motto!
(Right... Ochiyo is, or was rather, the Ultimate Drill Sergeant. I guess that she'd be used to waking up at the crack of dawn all the time. Still, to do that day after day? Just thinking about it makes me sleepy... Fortunately, Fumio came by with just the thing to wake me up, setting down a nice warm plate of pancakes in front of me and bearing a wide grin on his face as he grabbed a seat next to me.)
Fumio: Morning, Kasumi! How's my chum the Card Shark doing, huh?
Kasumi: Ugh. Doing fine before that awful fish joke.
Fumio: Hey! I'll have you know my comedy makes me quite the catch! Sea, according to my sister back home, my jokes are what folks tune-a in for!
(Please, for the love of god, stop... I think you're legitimately going to kill my appetite at this rate! Thankfully, Ochiyo, seemingly seeing my suffering, decided to intervene.)
Ochiyo: Your sister? You haven't mentioned her before. What's she like?
(Fumio's expression changed at that, and I could see a twinge of sadness in his face at the mention of his family. It was brushed aside as fast as it came as he replaced it with a goofy smile, letting out a laugh as he ran his fingers through his blonde hair.)
Fumio: Hahaha! Yeah, I guess I haven't mentioned my family at all before, have I? Well, like I said, I have a little sister back home. She's actually the one who pushed me to get scouted by Hope's Peak in the first place. Honestly, despite the fact that I'm older, she's the one who bosses me around more often than not... But hey, that's family for ya, am I right?
Ochiyo: Don't I know it. My dad back home is kind of the same. Kept pushing me to be patriotic and to serve the country properly like he was. He was a soldier too, actually. Helped me grow up to be the woman I am today.
(Bearing a happy grin on her face, she held up one of her arms, flexing her bicep.)
Ochiyo: While I'm no longer a drill sergeant, I can't deny that he taught me a lot about living. I still keep in mind his lessons to this day. I just hope that I can see him again when I get out...
Kasumi: Yeah, sure.
(Despite the fact that the two of them looked like they were having a blast talking about the ones they had waiting for them back home, I couldn't help but feel an angry churning in my stomach as they continued to chatter about their families. Even though I had already finished my pancakes several minutes ago, I found myself scraping my fork on my plate repeatedly, a dull screeching sound coming off from the ceramic.)
Ochiyo: ...sumi? Kasumi?
Kasumi: Huh?
(I looked up in surprise to see both Fumio and Ochiyo looking at me in concern. I guess I was out of it for longer than I thought.)
Ochiyo: What about you, Kasumi? Do you have anyone waiting for you at home?
Kasumi: ...
Ochiyo: Kasumi...? Something wrong?
Kasumi: ...I've got no one back home waiting for me. I'm an only child, and my parents passed away when I was born.
Fumio: Oh... man, I'm so sorry, I had-
Kasumi: Don't be. It happened a long time ago. I've gotten over it by now, don't worry about it. Besides, I never really had the chance to know them in the first place, so it's not like I've got any memories about them to be sad over, right?
Ochiyo: But still... to live without anyone... I'm sorry you had to go through that.
(I gave both Fumio and Ochiyo a reassuring smile.)
Kasumi: Like I said, it's fine, guys. I don't really care about it anymore. It happened, and I've gotten over it already.
(I finished off the rest of my breakfast, before picking up my plate and walking over to the kitchen.)
Kasumi: It was nice talking to you guys. Stay safe, alright?
Ochiyo: Yeah, sure... you too, Kasumi.
(After washing my dishes, I left the dining hall. There wasn't a lot for me to do yet, so I had a bit of Free Time. Maybe there was someone to talk to today?)
[FREE TIME BEGINS]
Move to Courtyard(YES)
Move to Library
Move to Main Hall
Move to Laundry Room
Move to the Dorm Rooms
(It couldn't hurt to go get some fresh air, right? Well, the closest thing to fresh air in this damn prison, I mean.)
(There were two other people in the courtyard when I arrived. The first was Ochiyo. The drill sergeant turned trumpet player was in the middle of exercising, running laps around the courtyard without so much as a haggard breath. The other was Ryuunosuke. Just like last time I saw him, the samurai was sitting stock-still, with little to no emotion betrayed on his face.)
Talk to Ochiyo
Talk to Ryuunosuke(YES)
(Come to think of it, I spend most of my time with Ochiyo anyways... Might as well try to get to know some other people better, right? I walked over towards Ryuunosuke, before taking a sitting position next to him. It was kind of a hassle to get my legs in the proper position, but I think I got it. After a few seconds, the samurai's eyes opened, and he gave me an annoyed glance.)
Ryuunosuke: Hmph. What do you want, rat?
Against my better judgement, I decided to spend time with Ryuunosuke.
(Oh boy, this is going to be a trial, isn't it?)
Kasumi: What, is it a crime to take a seat in the courtyard? Last I checked, you didn't own the place.
(At that, his scowl deepened, but he shut his eyes once more, taking in a deep breath.)
Ryuunosuke: ...
Kasumi: ...
(Well... I'm glad he's not insulting me anymore, but this is just getting awkward. Realizing that I had no choice but to take the initiative in this conversation, I raised a fist to my mouth and coughed loudly.)
Kasumi: So, Ryuunosuke, I've been wondering about something for a while about you, ever since we met.
(The Ultimate Samurai let out an annoyed sigh, before his eyes opened, staring down at me in aggravation.)
Ryuunosuke: Fine. I won't be able to concentrate while you hover around me like an insect. Speak, rat.
Ryuunosuke: Though I have been ill since my birth, as the eighth heir to the Harada family name, I have trained myself, mind, body, and soul to claim my title. Which is far more than a dirty rat like you can lay claim to, I presume.
Kasumi: You mentioned that you were the eighth heir to your family. What does that mean, exactly?
Ryuunosuke: You wish to know about my family's prestige? Hmph. Very well then. My title as the eighth heir comes from the fact that of my family, I was the eighth chosen successor of the Harada family title. I am the youngest member of my living family at age eighteen. My eldest brother is in his forties. Of our eight siblings, I am the one that has been chosen to lead the family when my father passes away.
Kasumi: Wait, eight siblings?! That many?
Ryuunosuke: Naturally. The lifestyle of a samurai could prove dangerous. In times of old, it was of absolute necessity that a noble birth a male heir in order to take up the position as head of the family and carry on that legacy. My family is one of the last remaining vestiges of the samurai clans of yore. In order to keep the history and prestige of our name alive, only the most talented and skilled of us are allowed to become the head of the family, and lead the rest to prosperity. Such it has been, and so shall it be until the last of the Harada name passes on.
Kasumi: So, then what happens to the rest of your siblings then?
Ryuunosuke: Isn't it obvious? They become my loyal retainers. They live and die to serve me, and only me. That is the consequence for their failures.
Kasumi: Jeez... that sounds a bit harsh, don't you think?
Ryuunosuke: Not at all. We all knew from birth what our lot in life was. We all fought for the title of being the heir to the family name. We all knew what would happen if we failed to attain the title. It's far from the cruelest fate in the world, after all. And besides...
(For a brief moment, I could see a flash of rage in Ryuunosuke's eyes as the muscles in his hand tensed.)
Ryuunosuke: It was what they deserved for looking down on me for all those years.
(Looking down on him? Before I could question him further, Ryuunosuke shut his eyes again, and with a deep breath, his nerves calmed themselves once more. I guess I wouldn't be getting more information about Ryuunosuke's family life today. I folded up my legs once more, shutting my eyes as I mimicked his posture.)
I spent time meditating in the Courtyard with Ryuunosuke.
(After what felt like hours of silence and my muscles straining themselves, I could hear the rustling of Ryuunosuke's kimono. Opening one eye, I saw the sickly boy get to his feet, dusting off his fine clothes and giving me a pointed look.)
Ryuunosuke: I suppose that this wasn't the worst use of my time. But don't get used to this, rat.
(With that final insult, Ryuunosuke left, the clattering of his sandals upon the concrete echoing out through the silent courtyard. I let out an annoyed sigh, before unfolding my now-sore legs.)
I don't think I'll ever truly understand that guy...
[FREE TIME OVER]
BING BONG DING DONG
(Once more, the tone of the announcement echoed out through the prison, and I looked up to see one of the many monitors situated throughout the area flickering to life. Monokuma's smug face appeared on the screen like always, swirling a martini glass. Wait, there was alcohol in this prison?)
Monokuma: Attention, inmates! I have a beary special announcement! Come over to the library's second floor, tout suite!
(Leaving behind nothing but that cryptic order, Monokuma's image flickered away, leaving the screen blank once more. The library, huh? I better not waste any time, then. I don't think I wanna get on Monokuma's bad side...)
Move to Library(YES)
(The library's second floor was already packed when I arrived. Everyone else was standing in front of the three busts that Yoshino had found earlier, fidgeting around impatiently as they waited for the last straggler, IE me, to show up.)
Akio: Hey! There's our last missing pal!
Yuuto: What the hell took you so long, you fucking slug?! We don't have all day, you know!
(Jeez, I'm sorry, I just got here last, that's all. No need to bite off my head about it...)
Max: Regardless, where is our ursine porter located? He requested us to arrive posthaste, and yet, he appears to be the last arrival.
Margot: Honestly, how rude can one bear be? I have half a mind to-
Monokuma: Half a mind to what?!
Margot: EEP!
(Like magic, Monokuma had appeared behind us without any of us even noticing him enter the room in the first place. The bear looked as smug as ever, with the black half of his face bearing his eternally wide menacing grin.)
Monokuma: Upupupupu! Say the magic word, and the warden appears! I'm glad to see everyone made it here alive! Though, honestly, I'd be more glad if one of you decided to START THE KILLING GAME ALREADY! Seriously, you all were sent to jail, and not one of you have decided to murder anyone yet?! Even civilians would have started off this killing game before you guys! What the heck?!
Ochiyo: Sorry to disappoint you, Monokuma, but none of us want to play along with your game.
(That we know of, at least...)
Monokuma: sighs I know... all of you are just spoilsports, you know that?! Where's the drama? The murder? The fun?! Ugh... a lesser bear would have given in by now, if I'm being perfectly honest. But I'm no lesser bear! No siree!
Kasumi: You sure about that...? Don't think I've seen a bear as ugly as you before...
(A few snickers came up from the crowd, and an angry red came over our captor's face.)
Monokuma: Hey, I heard that! Grr... you're lucky that insulting the Vice-Warden isn't punishable by death, smartass, or you'd be gone in a snap of my fingers! Well, if I had fingers, that is... But regardless, I decided to take things into my own two paws in order to get this party started! That's right... it's our First Motive!
(Motive? What, is he going to bribe us with ten billion yen? Infect us with a disease? Grant us the power to bring the dead back to life?)
Monokuma: Pop quiz, inmates! What's one of the most iconic and important parts of a prison lifestyle?
Yuuto: A jackass warden?
Margot: Parole?
Akio: A prisoner's last rites?
Shiya: Fun shower moments?
Monokuma: Wrong, wrong, wrong, and... wait, what was that last one again? Nevermind! All of you are stupid!
(The most iconic part of a prisoner's lifestyle... he must mean...)
Dropping the soap
The phone call to the outside(YES)
Surprise room checks
Kasumi: You must be talking about the phone call, right? Those always happen in the movies.
Monokuma: Ding ding ding! Give the girl a prize, she guessed it! Ladies and germs, behold your first motive! Phone a Friend!
(Monokuma raised his paw and knocked on the middle bust's podium. Suddenly, a panel opened in the middle of the floor, and we all had to take a step back as a phone booth suddenly popped up from the floor. It was silver in color, with red paneling on the inside. Jutting out from the top was a red antenna emblazoned with, what else, Monokuma's face. Inside was a black and white pay-phone, minus the slot where you'd typically insert your money. In fact, it lacked what most pay-phones had, including a number pad to input the phone number.)
Yuuto: The fuck is this thing supposed to be?!
Monokuma: This is a phone booth, dummy! What the hell do you think it is?! O-oh... Oh my god! Don't tell me! The youth of this generation! They don't know what a phone booth is?! No... No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I DON'T WANNA BE OOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLD!
(I had to resist rolling my eyes as Monokuma went down on his hands and knees, bawling his eyes out. Jeez, what a ham... Thankfully, the bear recovered quickly, getting back to his feet and coughing into his paw as if nothing had happened.)
Monokuma: Aaaaaanyways, this motive is exactly what it suggests! It's your one and only link to the outside world! Just walk into the booth, pick up the phone, and you can talk to whoever you want on the other end! So, any takers?
(We all gave each other odd looks. A free phone call to our friends and family? This had to be a trick... Eventually, one of us chose to step forward.)
Max: I... I'll make the first contact, then. Who knows? Perhaps I'll communicate with my ensemble back in my home of America.
(The Ultimate Drummer stepped within the booth, giving everyone a hesitant look, before closing the door behind him. He lifted the phone off of its perch gingerly, as if it was a live grenade about to go off in his face. Squinting his eyes shut, he placed the phone to his ear, speaking a single word in English.)
Max: H-hello...?
(For what seemed to be an eternity, he stood there in silence.)
Yuuto: Dude... Hey, Little Drummer Boy! Can you hear us?!
Ochiyo: Max...? Speak to us, buddy. We need to know you're alive in there.
(As he stood there, I could see the percussionist's body begin to shake. As the call went on, his face slowly changed from hope, to realization, to terror, before slowly transforming... into pure despair. The boy sank to his knees, and tears began flowing down his face. He eventually dropped the phone, and all we could hear was the shrill sound of the dial tone echoing out through the library.)
BEEEEEEEEEEP!
Margot: Max...? Max, what's going on?!
(Immediately, the Fashion Designer opened the door of the phone booth and grabbed the drummer by his shoulders, shaking him, desperate to snap him out of whatever trance he was trapped in.)
Margot: Max, please! W-we need you to-!
(Suddenly, the blonde boy sprang to life. It was if he was suddenly possessed by something as he forcefully shoved Margot out of the phone booth and onto the floor, his eyes wide and manic.)
Max: GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!
(He rose his arms up, hugging himself so tightly, I was worried he might have fallen to pieces right then and there. Tears still dripped down his face in droves as he looked at all of us like he was a caged animal, breathing heavily as if he was desperately trying to avoid drowning. He screwed his eyes shut, before pushing past everyone else in the crowd and running out of the library with heavy footfalls.)
Margot: Max...
Achiko: What... what the hell?! What the hell did he hear in that phone booth?!
(Angrily, Akio turned towards Monokuma, raising a fist in anger towards the black and white bear.)
Akio: What did you do to him?!
Monokuma: Upupupupu... Well, you'll just have to find out when you make your own phone call, won't you? Who knows? Maybe you'll run scared like the Neil Peart wannabe! Maybe you'll be so desperate to stay on the phone that you refuse to leave the booth! Who knows? Ya gotta make your calls to find out!
Ochiyo: No way. C'mon guys, let's tear this thing apart!
Monokuma: I don't think so! I ain't letting you punks ruin my fun like that!
(Immediately, a loud buzzing echoed throughout the library, and all of us pulled out our Monopasses to see what had happened. Somehow, despite none of seeing Monokuma edit anything, a new rule had been added to the Monokuma Rulebook.)
#15: Destroying any object related to a Motive is hereby prohibited and punishable by execution
(Damnit... So we're stuck in this place with this phone booth...)
Ryuunosuke: Damn you... so we have to live with this infernal device now?
Monokuma: Eeeeyup! Sorry, Rurouni Ken-shit-for-brains! All of y'all have to deal with this thing now! But hey, look on the bright side! I coulda had this thing painted blue!
(With one last psychotic cackle, Monokuma disappeared once again, leaving the fifteen of us standing around, all of us looking at the phone booth with various expressions. Some of us looked at it like it was a ticking time bomb about to go off. Others glared at it with complete and utter rage, as if it was an extension of Monokuma himself. And others still, like me, couldn't help but be curious about this thing... What the hell did Max hear to drive him to such a point...? And what did it hold in store for me?)
Kira: Interesting... so. Who wishes to step in next?
Yuuto: Did maggots eat your fucking brain, Zombieland?! You saw what just happened to the damn Yankee! You're out of your goddamn mind if you think I'm stepping inside this fucking deathtrap!
Kira: Kehehehe... Still, one can't help but be curious. Monokuma gifted us this phone booth specifically because he deemed it to be conducive to his plans of a Killing Game. You can't tell me that you aren't even slightly curious to what lay within this box's confines. Who knows what person will be speaking to you from the other end? Kehehehe... it's much like a horror novel, don't you think?
Achiko: Exactly! And everyone knows that whoever takes the bait of the horror novel ends up killed! I'm not stupid! I'll be damned before I move even ten meters of this nightmare box!
Kira: Kehehehe... your loss then.
(Before our eyes, the Ultimate Thanatologist walked into the booth, shutting the door behind him. Picking up the phone, he held it to his ear.)
Kira: Hello? To whom am I speaking?
(Like before, none of us could hear who he was talking to, but unlike Max, Kira seemed to hold a face of complete and utter stone as he stood there, taking in the audio from the other end. The only sign of anything affecting him was that his skin turned slightly more pale than it was before. After several minutes of silence, he hung the phone back onto its proper place, before exiting the booth.)
Akio: Well...? What happened?
Kira: Whoever has us trapped here... they know much. Too much, almost.
Aiya: Too much? What do you mean by that?!
Kira: The person on the other end of the line... was my mother.
Fumio: Y-your mother?!
Ochiyo: If that's the case, then why didn't you talk to her? Tell her that you were trapped in here or something-
Kira: Do not be mistaken. This wasn't a conversation between two people like Monokuma implied. It was a prerecorded message.
Shuei: Hmph. That would make the most sense. It's unlikely that Monokuma would be foolish enough to give us such an easy means of communication with the outside world.
Kira: Quite. But what concerns me... is what these messages seem to imply.
Margot: I-imply...?
Kira: Think about it. How would Monokuma have gotten a voice recording of my mother? How could he have gotten her on the line and speak this conversation to me?
Ochiyo: Wait... you don't mean?!
Kira: Yes. We are likely dealing with a hostage situation right now... Monokuma has likely kidnapped our loved ones and had them record these messages. I'd surmise that this is likely the reason why our American friend ran off in such a panic.
Fumio: K-kidnapped?!
(Almost immediately, Fumio shoved past Kira, who barely responded with anything aside from an annoyed grunt. The barista yanked opened the door, not even bothering to shut it behind him before frantically picking up the phone.)
Fumio: Yuzuki! Yuzuki, are you there?!
Kira: It's no use. Like I said before, it's a prerecorded message. Whoever you're trying to speak to can't respond.
Fumio: Damnit... DAMNIT!
(Angrily, the barista slammed the receiver down hard enough to shake the entire booth, before angrily kicking at the phone.)
Ochiyo: Whoa, whoa! Fumio, calm down! We need to-
Fumio: Calm down?! What the hell do you mean calm down?! My sister's being held hostage by this damn bear! She could be sick! Injured! God knows what else!
Shuei: I'd think it'd be wise for you if you stopped. Unless you want to turn up dead.
(Angrily, Fumio turned towards the mangaka, a deep scowl on his face.)
Fumio: Is that a threat, poindexter?
Shuei: You really are an idiot overdosed on caffeine, aren't you? Do you not remember the newest rule Monokuma just told us a few minutes ago? Monokuma Rule #15: Destroying any object related to a Motive is hereby prohibited and punishable by execution. In other words, if you keep kicking at this phone booth like a toddler, you're going to be executed right off the bat. And I sincerely doubt your beloved sister would be alright with that.
(I could see Fumio's face heat up at that, but he could form no counterargument. I hated to admit it, but I agreed with Shuei on this. Getting mad is just going to lead to more problems later down the line. It'd be for the best if as many people could keep their heads on straight before things went south.)
Ryuunosuke: So if we can't take apart this damnable phone booth, what are we supposed to do with it?
(At once, Ochiyo stepped forward, a somber expression on her face. The former drill sergeant stood up straight as a ramrod, staring down at the rest of us with a determined gaze in her eyes.)
Ochiyo: We can't trash this thing, but we can at least put it out of sight for now. From this point forward, no one else is allowed inside this phone booth, is that understood?
Fumio: Wait, what?! Why?!
Ochiyo: Monokuma himself told us that this is our motive. If we walk in and listen to these phone calls, all we're doing is taking his bait. If anyone hears the wrong thing, they might try and do something they'll regret, or even try and escape by killing someone else. That's a risk I'm not going to take. Is that understood?
Ryuunosuke: And who died and appointed you leader, might I ask?
(Everyone winced simultaneously as the Ultimate Samurai's voice cut through the air. The idea of another confrontation between the two was looking to become a possibility, and all eyes fell to Ochiyo for her response. The former drill sergeant took in a deep breath... and turned to Ryuunosuke with a soft smile.)
Ochiyo: You're right, Ryuunosuke. Sorry, I guess I stepped outside of my boundaries, didn't I?
(I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Good thing she decided to be the bigger man here. I did not want to try and step in between those two a second time.)
Ochiyo: Still, you can't deny that I have a point, right? We can't just let everyone walk in and out of the phone booth willy-nilly. Who knows what problems would result from that.
Akio: Yeah, I gotta agree... If we leave this thing unmonitored, then someone here might be pushed to the breaking point by hearing the wrong thing... In that case, it's probably for the best that we keep this thing under wraps.
Shiya: Alright, alright! *puff* So we just don't go in! Is that all?
Ochiyo: No. Not quite, Shiya. Now then, having the rule of no one going inside the phone booth is all well and good, but we need a way to enforce it. After all, words and good faith are only going to go so far for us. We could easily just break that rule when no one's looking and take a listen. We're going to have to select some people among the group in order to guard the phone booth.
Yuuto: Wait, wait, wait, you just said that we're not going to go in this thing, and now you want us to have guards?! Make up your mind already, GI Jackass! Aren't the guards going to be tempted to just walk inside the phone booth anyways?
Ochiyo: You're exactly right, Yuuto. We can't have just anyone be guarding the phone booth. It has to be someone trustworthy. Someone who won't be tempted to enter the phone booth. Which is why I want you and Achiko to be among the first guards we have.
Achiko: Wait, what?! Why do we have to do it?!
Ochiyo: You said it yourself, didn't you?
Yuuto: You're out of your goddamn mind if you think I'm stepping inside this fucking deathtrap!
Achiko: I'll be damned before I move even ten meters of this nightmare box!
Ochiyo: You two have the least reason to be tempted to go in, don't you? You two are the most trustworthy to not go in and listen to the phone calls Monokuma has prepared for you. Would you consider that fair?
(The Pinball Wizard's expression swiftly changed from indignation to smug satisfaction as a proud grin made its way onto her face.)
Achiko: Well, well, if you have so much faith in the wonderful me, then how could I possibly disappoint a fan of mine?
(Nice job buttering her up, Ochiyo... smart. However, judging by the scowl on his face, Yuuto wasn't as pleased, though it seemed he wasn't wanting to argue.)
Yuuto: Ugh, fucking fine.
(The drill sergeant turned towards Kira and Fumio. The Thanatologist looked as unemotional as ever, flicking dirt out of his nails. Meanwhile, Fumio had looked like he had calmed down far more since his initial outburst, fortunately.)
Ochiyo: Given that both of you have already had your phone calls, would either of you mind going on guard detail as well?
Kira: Kehehehe... very well then. I suppose I don't have much to do around here. I wouldn't mind spending time in the library all to myself.
Fumio: Sorry, Ochiyo, but I think you've got the wrong guy to be a booth babe. Between cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for everyone here, I think I've got enough on my plate, what with everyone else's plates.
Ochiyo: That's fine, Fumio. After all, you're doing so much for us already. I guess it was rude of me to try and get you to do even more for us.
(She turned to the rest of us, her eyes scanning over the group in search of someone else.)
Ochiyo: Do we have any other volunteers to guard the phone booth? I'd like to have at least five people standing guard if we possibly could. I'm willing to do it myself, so we just need one more guard stationed here.
(Ochiyo needs one more, huh? Maybe I should help her out... After all, I don't really have anyone back home waiting for me. Then again, maybe I should keep out of this stuff. After all, who knows? Maybe I'd just be tempted to make my own call.)
Volunteer(YES)
Keep Quiet
Kasumi: Sure, I'll do it.
(Quite a few heads turned towards me in surprise, Ochiyo included.)
Ochiyo: Kasumi? I didn't expect you to want to sign up for something like this.
Shuei: Indeed. Why would you be so interested in doing something like this? It doesn't seem to mesh with your shown character traits at all. Nor does it have any real benefit towards you.
(I stole a glance at the phone booth, frowning at the silver box.)
Kasumi: Don't get me wrong. It's not because I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart or anything, trust me. It's just one thing, plain and simple.
Ryuunosuke: And that one thing would be?
Kasumi: I don't have anyone to call.
(Both Ochiyo and Fumio's faces softened at that. I couldn't help but grit my teeth at that. I didn't need to be looked at like that. I didn't need to be pitied or anything like I was some kid on a charity infomercial.)
Fumio: Right... you told us at breakfast... You don't have anyone back home, right?
Kasumi: Yeah, that's right. I don't have anyone that Monokuma can hold over my head. Because of that, I'd say that I'd be the best pick for the job of a guard, wouldn't you say?
Keiko: And why should be trust you on this? After all, your talent is being a master of conning others and cheating people out of their money, right? For all we know, you could just be lying about this in order to listen in on your own phone call? Who's to say that this whole pity-party of yours isn't just an act that you're using to garner sympathy from all of us?
Kasumi: Believe what you want, Kei-san. I'm telling the truth, whether you like it or not. I'm volunteering, and that's final.
(Fortunately, no one else seemed to speak up, or at the very least, no one else wanted to speak up against me. With that, Ochiyo clapped her hands together, gathering everyone's attention once more before she stepped forward. She flashed me a confident grin, giving me a thumbs up)
Ochiyo: Alright, Kasumi. I trust you. I have a gut feeling that you wouldn't just lie about something like this! How about this, then? I'll guard it in the morning. Yuuto goes in the afternoon. After that, Kasumi takes the station in the evening. Achiko guards it at night. And finally, Kira will guard it until morning comes. Does that seem fair to you?
Kasumi: Sure, that works for me.
Yuuto: Whatever.
Kira: Kehehehe... I am more than used to staying up late for my studies. I have no objections here. After all, I'd love to spend time catching up on my reading, and with no one to bother me in the dead of night, I'll have the library all to myself.
Achiko: Hey, wait a minute! I have a problem with this order! Why does the wonderful me get stuck the graveyard shift?! Why can't someone else do it?! I'm too important to be staying up so late every single night with Corpse McGee over there!
Ochiyo: Well, I'm the only one of us who seems to be able to consistently wake up early in the morning, so that's why I took the morning shift. As for you... as the Ultimate Pinball Wizard, and someone who is as well-adjusted to fame and fortune, I just presumed that you'd be up for the challenge!
Achiko: Wha-huh? I-I mean, of course! Someone as glamorous as the wonderful me would naturally be predisposed to the night life! I mean, come on!
(At that, Achiko's anger was once more replaced with a haughty expression as she smiled an arrogant smile so bright, I could swear that her teeth were twinkling. Damn, she's good at manipulating Achiko. Either that, or Achiko's just that dumb...)
Ochiyo: Any other questions? Does anyone else have a problem with this setup? No? Alright then.
(She pulled up her Monopass, pressing a button on the side to check something.)
Ochiyo: Alright, it's 1:30 PM. Yuuto, would you mind taking your first shift for the day?
Yuuto: Yeah, yeah, I'll be on it...
(Grumbling under his breath, the Ultimate Bed Tester pulled up a chair, before taking a seat next to the phone booth, eyeing it nervously like it was a bomb about to go off. With everyone seemingly satisfied with the current setup, we all left the library one by one. I couldn't help but give Yuuto one last look before leaving the library.)
Kasumi: I sure hope this whole plan works, Ochiyo... for everyone's sake.
(After leaving the library, I couldn't help but look around the now-empty outside entrance to the library. I supressed a shudder at the sight of the massive Monokuma statues. It's bad enough I had to see that bear's dumb mug in person. I didn't want to have to see him everywhere else, too. No, never mind that, Kasumi. Just... try and find some way to take your mind off of things.)
[FREE TIME BEGINS]
Move to Courtyard
Move to Dining Hall(YES)
Move to Main Hall
Move to Laundry Room
Move to the Dorm Rooms
(Maybe it'd be a good idea to grab an early dinner. Doubt I'll get a chance to eat while I'm on guard duty, after all.)
(Unlike the last time, Fumio was already in the dining hall, whistling away in the kitchen. He seemed to be busy with something, but from the sound of things, I couldn't hear any signs of cooking. Just outside, Aiya was running around the dining hall, busying herself as she merrily cleaned up the messes left behind.)
Talk to Fumio(YES)
Talk to Aiya
(Fumio seemed pretty upset earlier... Maybe I should see if he needs someone around. Besides, it seems that Aiya has things handled here. My decision made, I opened the door to the kitchen. From the looks of things, he was currently hunched over a table, looking at what seemed to be some pill bottles, EpiPens, and various other medicinal things whistling to himself happily. The Barista looked up in surprise, before waving hello.)
Fumio: Ayyy! Good to see ya, Kasumi! What can I do you for?
Kasumi: Not doing much of anything, really. Just came in to ask if I could take an early dinner tonight, what with the guard duty I got this evening.
Fumio: Sure, it'd be my pleasure! Oh, but before we start, do you mind helping me out? I gotta admit, I'm not exactly an Ultimate Nurse or Ultimate Pharmacist, but I'd like to know what's what with all these drugs, so I don't end up mixing things up.
I decided to spend time with Fumio.
Kasumi: Sure, I don't really have any plans right now.
(Fumio and I got to work inspecting and sorting the various pills, medicines, and other assorted things on the table.)
Fumio: Thanks again for the help, Kasumi. Now things are going to go twice as fast! Hell, maybe we'll even reach lightspeed levels of sorting!
Kasumi: Uhhh... I don't think things are going to be that exciting, sorry to say.
(I held up one of the pill bottles, shaking it and watching the colorful tablets jostle around inside.)
Kasumi: What are things like laxatives, EpiPens, and vomit inducers doing in a kitchen anyways? Shouldn't these be locked away in a nurse's office or something? Why would Monokuma keep this stuff here of all places?
Fumio: I mean, it's not that weird. After all, back at my folks' coffee shop, we always keep emergency medication on hand, just in case a customer eats something they're allergic to, gets hurt tripping over some spilled food, or something like that. Heck, there's even a picture displaying how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on one of the nearby walls over there!
(True to his words, there was a poster displaying two Monokumas, one holding the other by the chest and pumping. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the sight. Monokuma really is a vain bear, isn't he? Plastering his face everywhere.)
Fumio: Still, I guess it's kind of weird, isn't it? Having all of these precautions set up? I guess despite wanting all of us to kill each other, Monokuma doesn't want any of us to die by something as mundane as a food allergy or choking on a fishbone, huh?
(Despite myself, I couldn't help but grin at the morbid thought of a Class Trial starting up over something as silly as drinking soup the wrong way.)
Fumio: Hahahahaha! I mean, can you imagine? "Upupupupupu! Who was the Blackened in this case?" "Your honor, we, the jury, can find no other evidence against the contrary! The Blackened can only be... this expired milk that the victim had inadvertently drank!"
(Involuntarily, I felt my shoulders begin to shake. I tried my best to bite my tongue as I tried to sort out the bottles. Unfortunately, Fumio had seen the small crack in my defenses, and with a devious smile on his face, he decided to go in for the kill)
Fumio: "Upupupupu! You got it right! Now then, let's execute this bad bad milk carton! To the electric chair! Let's turn this milk into yogurt!"
Kasumi: Pfffftahahahahahahahaha!
(The last bit of resistance I could muster had shattered, and I had to rest my arm on the table just to prevent myself from collapsing as I let out a cackle at Fumio's constant remarks. Obviously, this did not go unnoticed by the Barista, who had a smug grin on his face as he looked down at me.)
Fumio: Well, well, well! I thought you didn't find my jokes funny!
Kasumi: Sh-shut up! Anyone would laugh at that stupid Monokuma impression you were putting on!
Fumio: Oh? "You mean thiiiiiiiis voice?"
Kasumi: Snrk! Okay, seriously, stop messing around!
Fumio: "No, I don't think I will! I'm the big, mean Vice-Warden! You can't order me around, Prisoner!"
I spent time joking around with Fumio as we sorted out the rest of the medicine.
(After we finished up organizing the medicine, most of the time doing so was spent by Fumio messing around to get a rise out of me, we had put away everything that the Barista had taken out from the medicine cabinet.)
Fumio: Phew! Glad that's all over and done with. Thanks again for all the help, Kasumi.
Kasumi: No problem. Happy to help you out.
Fumio: Anyways, if I remember correctly, you had a dinner request I had to fulfill, right?
Kasumi: Yeah, thanks, man.
Fumio: How does pasta sound? I found a linguini recipe that I wanted to try out, and you just gave me the perfect excuse to do so!
Kasumi: Hey, if that's what the chef recommends, who am I to argue?
Fumio: Hah! If only all of my customers were as accommodating as you were! It'd make my life so much more easier! By the by, feel free to help yourself to the drinks in the fridge. We've got juice, milk, soda, all that good stuff!
Kasumi: Will do! Thanks again for doing this for me!
(With that, Fumio set off to the pantry, gathering the ingredients for my dinner and whistling the same happy tune he usually did.)
Fumio Hojo... What a friendly guy. Honestly, I'm surprised anyone can keep up a good mood when stuck in this place, much less be as carefree as him.
[FREE TIME END]
(After waiting for a few hours, and going through another pack of those cookies I had found last night, a sudden smell hit my nostrils. Fumio set down a paper bag filled with a to-go container, two soda cans, and something extra wrapped in tinfoil. Honestly, it was a lot more food than I had ever expected to eat.)
Fumio: One serving of linguini with clams and tuna, with a side of garlic knots and two soft drinks, coming up!
Kasumi: I, uh... Wow, Fumio. You didn't have to go through this much for me.
Fumio: C'mon, buddy! It's the least I could do for ya! Be sure to let me know how it tastes, okay?
Kasumi: Yeah, I... Yeah, thanks.
Fumio: Anytime, Kasumi. I gotta go get ready for everyone else's dinner, so I gotta go, see ya!
(With that, he disappeared once more into the kitchen. Man, is there anything that guy wouldn't cook? I pulled up my MonoPass, checking the time. 5:00 PM, huh? I'd better head down to the library now. If I'm late, then I'm going to get an earful, or worse, from Yuuto.)
Move to Library(YES)
(When I finally arrived in the library, Yuuto had been in as bad a mood as I'd thought. The Ultimate Bed Tester had been sitting in the same spot he had been when I last saw him, and he shot me an angered glare the moment I had walked in.)
Yuuto: Fucking finally! What took you so long, huh?!
Kasumi: Hey, I wanted to grab something to eat. I don't exactly get a chance to grab dinner during my shift. Is that a crime?
Yuuto: Tch. Gluttonous little creep. Just sit your ass down so I can finally leave this place. Sitting here alone gives me the creeps...
(As I pulled up a chair at one of the nearby tables, Yuuto walked off, shooting me one last glance before he walked off, leaving me alone with the phone booth. I gave it an uneasy glance of my own, the glass reflecting off the fluorescent lights shining abovehead.)
Kasumi: Geez, no wonder Yuuto thought this place was creepy. Still, I guess I'm in here for the long haul. Might as well enjoy dinner while I can.
(I pulled out the dinner that Fumio was nice enough to pack for me, cracking open one of the soda cans, before opening the takeout container. As the smell of the seafood and the pasta lingered through the air, I couldn't help but start drooling at the sight.)
Kasumi: Fumio, I owe you one... Now, let's dig in!
[A Few Hours Later...]
Kshh...
Kshhh...
Kshhhh...
(Boredly, I watched as the crumpled up paper bag that was once my dinner was batted between my hands, sliding across the library table. No one had shown up in the past couple of hours to even visit, much less try and sneak a listen to the phone booth. After dinner, a fat load of nothing had happened all evening.)
Kasumi: Ugh... Who knew guard duty would be the most boring thing in the world?
(I stole a glance to the phone booth. It had practically gone untouched since this afternoon, seemingly no one even daring to touch it since Fumio did in his panicked dash. I got up out of my chair, abandoning my makeshift ball. I ran a hand down the glass door of the booth, looking it over.)
Kasumi: Would it really be that bad if I just... checked? No one else is here, and I have all this time to myself, anyways.
(I shook my head, slapping my cheeks.)
Kasumi: No. I already know that there's nothing waiting for me on the other line. There's no point in even trying to listen to whatever Monokuma has prepared for me.
(Still... What if there is someone waiting for me? What if someone actually is on the other line?)
Ochiyo: Alright, Kasumi. I trust you. I have a gut feeling that you wouldn't just lie about something like this!
(Sorry, Ochiyo... Guess I'm betraying that trust of yours. Wordlessly, I pushed open the door of the phone booth, before picking up the reciever and holding it up to my ear.)
Monokuma: This message is for Kasumi Ahiru, the Ultimate Card Shark!
(Monokuma? No... that can't be right.)
Kira: The person on the other end of the line... was my mother.
(Why would Monokuma be in my phone call? These are supposed to be messages left by our loved ones.)
Monokuma: Upupupupu! I guess you're wondering why you're talking to your lovable little warden instead of your loved ones right now, aren't you? Well... let's be honest, we both know the answer to that question, don't we, Kasumi?
Kasumi: The answer...? Wait-!
(My eyes widened in shock. He doesn't mean...)
Monokuma: Figured it out yet, Little Miss Blackjack? There's no one waiting for you outside these prison walls. No one in the world truly cares that you've been carted away into Hope's Bastion Rehabilitation Facility! Honestly, I almost feel sorry for you!
Kasumi: No one...? No one at all cares that I'm in here...?
Monokuma: Upupupupu! Well, then again! You already knew that you were alone in this world, so this shouldn't be such a surprise, should it? Still, you have my deepest sympathies, Kasumi Ahiru! So long, bear-well!
BEEEEEEEEEEP!
(With that last mocking message, the damned bear hung up, the dial tone echoing silently in the phone booth. I could only let go of the phone, letting it fall uselessly from my hand with a clatter.)
Kasumi: There... really isn't anyone waiting for me outside is there..?
(In my heart, I knew that I had no one to go home to but... Even still, to have Monokuma flat-out tell me... To know that I would be alone for the rest of my life... I could feel my arms begin to shake as my breathing grew heavier.)
Kasumi: Why...? WHY?! It's not fair!
WHAM!
(Angrily, I lashed out, my knuckles slamming against the walls of the phone booth. I could feel the sting of metal cutting my skin, but I didn't care. All I had was a blind rage, coursing through me.)
WHAM!
Kasumi: Why does everyone else get to have someone to go home to besides me?!
WHAM!
Kasumi: Why am I the only one left alone?!
WHAM!
Kasumi: WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?!
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
(My knuckles had gone raw with redness at this point, parts of the phone booth stained with my blood. I could only press my hands to my head, and before long, I could feel the tears running down my cheeks. Damnit... Why did I even bother? Why did I ever let my hopes up?)
Kasumi: It's not fair... it's...
CREEEAAAK!
(The sound of the doors opening echoed out through the library. Shit, someone's coming. Violently rubbing at my eyes, I replaced the phone in its proper place, before exiting the booth. With how red my hands had gotten, I had no other option than to stuff my hands in my pockets. After a few seconds, Achiko had walked up the stairs to the second floor, muttering under her breath in annoyance.)
Achiko: Alright, the wonderful me has arrived to take her shift. You can go now.
Kasumi: Sorry if I'm not going to curtsy in thanks, 'your grace'.
(At that Achiko furrowed her eyebrows, her bad mood likely not improving with my own comment.)
Achiko: Well. Someone's full of piss and vinegar tonight, aren't we?
Kasumi: I... ugh, forget it. I'm going to bed.
Achiko: Hey.
(I stopped in my tracks mid-walk, before turning around. Achiko was giving me a suspicious look. Did she figure out I listened in on the phone call?)
Kasumi: What? Look, I'm tired, Achiko. Can't it wait?
PAFF!
(Something flew through the air towards me. On instinct, I raised my hand, catching it. It was the crumpled up bag that held my dinner earlier. I looked up to see Achiko seated at the same table I was, shooting me an annoyed look.)
Achiko: Take your trash with you. Cleaning up someone else's mess is a job far beneath the wonderful me.
Kasumi: O-oh. Right. Sorry about that. G'night, Achiko.
(Before Achiko could try and talk to me more, I made my leave. I didn't want to be on the recieving end of an interrogation. Especially after what just happened with Monokuma. All I wanted was to lie down and cry.)
Move to the Dorm Rooms(YES)
(I made my way back to the dorms, ignoring anyone and anything nearby. I didn't want to talk, or even think at this point. Wordlessly, I opened the door to my room, before shutting it behind me. I flopped down on the bed. I pulled out the deck that I always kept in my back pocket, looking at the design on the back...)
THWACK!
(And tossed it at the door, letting it fall to the ground with a thump. All I felt. All that was in me was nothing but emptiness. I had nothing... no one in the world who wanted me. All I felt was a hollowness in my soul. What was the point? Why even bother playing along with Monokuma's game? If I escaped this place, there's nothing left for me outside these walls... If I didn't, I was doomed to rot for the rest of my life here. In either situation, I'm doomed.)
Kasumi: So this is what it's like... despair...
(And to think... this was just the start of the true hell that was about to come.)
[Monokuma Theater]
Monokuma: You ever wonder why we're here?
Monokuma: It's one of life's great mysteries, isn't it?
Monokuma: Well, not anymore!
Monokuma: You see, I've found the answer!
Monokuma: The reason why we're here... is nothing!
Monokuma: There's no point in anything! All philosophers and thinkers have tried their best to find a meaning in a life that has none!
Monokuma: To work so hard in order to never reach the obvious conclusion right under your nose... Upupupupu! That's true despair right there!
A/N: And so ends the second part of Chapter 1! Monokuma's dropped quite the devilish motive upon our survivors! I wonder which of them will be the first to fall victim to temptation... I guess that's a story for another day, eh? As for right now? Poor, poor Kasumi. I had her phone call in mind the moment I thought of the motive. She wasn't lying when she said there was nothing waiting for her outside these walls. But perhaps not all is lost for the Card Shark. Who knows? We'll just have to wait and see.
In regards to the Free Time Events, the other two students that tied for the most popular choices for FTEs were Ryuunosuke and Fumio! Gotta say, wasn't expecting the Barista to be so popular, but I guess surprises come in all forms! And so, with that, I gotta ask all of you: who are your picks for the next FTEs with Kasumi? I want to have at least some more variations here, so I'd recommend not repeating any FTEs that already happened, if'n ya don't mind.
Finally, do we have any last-minute guesses for victims? Any at all? The story's about to ramp up soon, so I'd love to hear out all of your theories and ideas!