Chapter 2:
Sometime later, Naegi awoke. The time on the analog clock in his room said 3:51, he assumed that it was accurate to the minute and that the clock had not been messed with. Since he was assuming that the morning activities had started a little after 8 AM, he guessed he had ended up in bed by around 9 AM. His head was still pounding, but he had to find the others. He reflected on something else. A realization that Monokuma had unknowingly given him.
"If it's going to keep like this, I might not actually want to see any deaths at all. Uupppuuuu."
It meant he could draw several conclusions about whoever was operating Monokuma. If say, Naegi had been killed by Oowada's punch, the first domino would fall, and judging from Maizono's reactions, (which he would have never guessed if Leon hadn't told him), she would have probably attempted to kill Oowada in retaliation right then and there. This would have had two possible reactions.
a. Either it would have devolved into a free-for-all slugfest
b. the whole situation would have insured that nobody would have murdered no matter what incentive Monokuma might present.
2. This mastermind didn't want a free-for-all slugfest with the strongest brute winning. They wanted a meta-game that favored a rather methodical and primarily stragetical-aimed approach. Naegi's injuries from Oowada were actually the best situation for the mastermind. He was considered 'crippled' but still alive, which meant he could still interact with his classmates. In theory, he now made the easiest target to be picked off. Everybody had seen his physical limits. There was now an obvious target for people to lock onto ... Assuming of course, Maizono wasn't there and ready to counter-murder. (Huh, counter-murder, that's not a word that ordinarily makes sense, unless you're like a yakuza or something.)
3. The most likely people to engage this sort of meta-game were Togami, Celes, Fukawa, and perhaps Kirigiri. He'd have to keep his eyes on them, especially Kirigiri. That girl didn't give anything way, not even her ability.
"Wait, since when am I so analytical about people? I guess it must be the seriousness of this situation. And I did nearly get my lights punched out."
He grabbed his room key and sauntered out.
"Naegi!" Maizono had found him, and she was accompanied by Enoshima of all people. "Oh, you're alright."
"I see the two of you searched together. How was it?"
"Eh. We didn't find a way out. If we had, you would have woken up outside with Maizono the first thing you saw. I actually had to keep Maizono from dragging me back to your room sooner."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah."
. Naegi thought about what Leon said. He wasn't opposed to a relationship with Maizono, in fact, he probably liked her more than he cared to admit given the circumstances, but he was resolved to do it on his terms. No matter how hard she tried, Maizono wasn't going to strongarm him into it. The relationship wouldn't have been healthy otherwise.
. That part wasn't going to be easy. He knew that Maizono pretty much could have had any guy except Togami in his school (and maybe some of the girls too), and yet she had chosen him. Why? Leon's words had seemed enough at face-value but as he stared into her blue irises, it wasn't enough of an explanation. The answer was more complex than that.
"Hey, Enoshima, where's everybody else?"
"Asleep."
"Asleep?! But it's only 3:51!"
"Shhshh, Naegi, it's 3:51 in the morning."
"The hell?"
"Yeah, did you just assume PM?"
"Well, kinda."
"The clocks here are analog. So they only show in twelve hour increments."
"Oh, man. So what am I supposed to do now? I was kinda hoping to be filled in with what I missed."
"Yeah. I think you'll have to wait on that." Maizono said.
"No duh."
"Okay. I think I'm just going to go back to bed, it's almost 4 in the morning. Hey, wait a minute..."
"What, Naegi?"
"Guys, have you heard of the 4 in the morning phenomenon?" Naegi queued Enoshima.
"What? What phenomenon happens at 4 in the morning? And more importantly, where did you get this information?"
"The internet. From an online video that I discovered from this guy. I'll find and link you the video after this is all over. I just know a lot of stuff happens at 4 in the morning, and it's a world-wide internet phenomenon.
Enoshima looked totally perplexed.
"Like when?"
"Well, in Yugioh GX Abridged, the first line ever in the series involves making pancake helicopters at four in the morning."
"Naegi, you dolt. What does that have to do with our current situation?" Maizono face-faulted.
"Well, it is four in the morning. And now that I think about it, what were two even doing? Were you guys giving everything a twi-
"We thought it would be prudent to give everything a twice-over." Maizono said."
"No, be honest. YOU thought it would be prudent to give everything a twice-over. I just accompanied you." Enoshima replied.
Suddenly, a tamed Monokuma appeared. He looked ready to torment.
"You should have seen them, Naegi. They were lezzing it up!"
Maizono was beet-red, and Enoshima's left eye was twitching out of annoyance. She desperately wanted to kick Monokuma in the face.
"What sparsely-updated abridged series did you pull that one from, Monokuma?" Naegi retorted.
"Ooh, quick tongue there, Naegi. That one was pretty good. I have to admit." Monokuma said. "I too am a practioner of internet abridged ser-"
"Save your breath, Monokuma, I don't particularly care." Naegi interjected.
"Damn, you just aren't leaving me any openings, are you? You're no fun, Naegi. No fun at all."
"No, I'm not. And I don't plan to."
"Monokuma, why are you here?" Maizono started. "There's nothing going on."
"Can I wish that wasn't the case? Oh, yeah, I came by to give Naegi instructions on how to open his bathroom door."
"Really, what's wrong with it?"
"It's misaligned. You have to push up on the handle while simultaneously pushing forward in order to open it."
"I see. Thank you. Now if you're going to obnoxious, be gone."
"You can't just spirit me away, Naegi." Monokuma chuckled. "I leave when I want to. I appear when I want to."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we have to enjoy your presence."
"But you totally should. After all, I'm a bear-y enjoyable bear."
"Bear puns, really?"
"Hey, what's wrong with bear puns?"
"Bears puns are right up there with bee puns as some of the most laziest jokes of all time. Most of them are un'bear'able."
"Really. Really? Seriously? Weren't you just saying-?"
"That's the joke, stupid."
"Huh. I still like them, and nothing you say will change that."
"Of course you like them! Big surprise, you're a robotic teddy bear with machinations. You should at least try to be original in your humor. It's boring."
"A 'robotic teddy bear with machinations'?"
"Yeah, because behind of all of this, your operator is scheming its next move."
"Okay, I'll admit, that one was halfway decent." Enoshima conceded.
"Halfway decent? I made a joke about the scheming nature of a robot! How often does that get to work, Enoshima?"
"Naegi, I'm not that big on puns."
"You just don't appreciate the punchline."
"Eh-oh!" Maizono interjected.
"Really, Naegi. You criticize me for making 'bear' puns, and yet you're making puns off of the word 'pun' itself." Monokuma pointed out.
"I pull no punches with my humor."
Maizono groaned. "Naegi, that was so cringe-worthy I can't even..."
"How about bear-y sub par instead, Maizono?" Monokuma suggested.
"No, that's even worse."
"Well, you know what, it's been fun. I look forward to future interactions."
"No, it really hasn't. And I don't. Now, go away, you crazy little psycho." Naegi replied indifferently.
"You're a lot sharper with your tongue than what I remember." Maizono remarked. "When did this happen?"
"Well, it's been accentuated ever since Oowada punched me."
"Naegi, I can't believe I'm saying this, but that actually seemed a little cruel to Monokuma." Enoshima commented as Monokuma walked away dejectedly.
"He's a psychotic robotic teddy bear with the ability to sneak in like a bona-fide ninja that's trying to get us to murder each other. Would you be saying your comment if he was a ninja pirate zombie robot instead?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Is it even possible to have a zombie robot? Let alone one that's a ninja pirate?" Maizono wondered. "I mean, seriously. A zombie robot? What even is that? A sentient robot that's built out of components from other, older robots?"
"I guess so." Naegi answered.
"Hey, guys. Are we seriously having a philsophical discussion about how to create zombie robots at 4 in the morning?" Enoshima commented.
"Well, it's more 4:30 now."
"Oh, I give up! I don't know about you two, but I'm going back to bed now. I expect the population to remain sixteen when I wake up tomorrow."
"Enoshima, we're not going to murder each other."
Maizono facepalmed. That wasn't what Enoshima meant.
"Maizono, I have a question."
"Yes, Naegi, what is it?"
"Why do you think the fifteen of us were put into this situation? Aside from our connection, nobody else here knew each other personally before today."
"I wish I knew."
"It's strange. If we could just figure out the reason why, it might aid us in our escape."
"Us?"
"All of us."
"I see. Is there anything on your mind?"
"Yeah. For starters, why is this mastermind hiding behind a robotic teddy bear? Why not show its face directly? I mean, beyond the initial shock factor, it's not practical. What if it breaks down in front of us, and Fujisaki gets a chance to dissect it?"
"Maybe the mastermind is scared that Oowada or Sakura would attack it if it showed itself directly?"
"Hmmm, maybe that's the upfront reason/built-in excuse. But I think it's more subtle than that, it's a countermeasure to being read. There are several people here who can read people very well and facial expressions are a large component for allowing people to read you. By operating through a mechanical liason, it gives itself the upper hand in dealings."
"Naegi, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying to look at our lineup. You're a pop idol. You have to be able to read a crowd. Togami's a rich heir. He has to read people for agressive negoiations. Celeste is a gambler. That's part of the job description. And despite not revealing her talent, Kirigiri has all the makings of a detective.
"Yeah. It makes sense. But Naegi...?"
"Yes, Maizono?"
"I'm tired."
"Should I accompany you back to your door?"
"If you want to. It's not going to take that long."
"So which way is it?"
"Turn around."
There was Maizono's room, right next to his.
"Well, I'll be. Someone must have known about our past ahead of time in order to set us up."
"I'll see you later, Naegi."
Maizono chuckled and glomped Naegi before going into her room.
"Phew, she's in bed now. So what do I do? Everybody else is asleep."
A moment later, the realization hit him.
"Wait, everybody else is asleep. I think it's time for me to familarize myself with this school. I didn't expect to do this solo, but now as good as time as any. It will mean I'm not behind later today."
Standing there alone for a moment, he pondered what he should explore first. Eventually, he decided to just walk ahead and see what he could find.
"First, I'll poke around the dorm rooms and see what I can find."
- AUTHOR NOTE: Please go ahead and leave a review or recommend this to fellow fans. I want to hear the reactions from readers.