By the night of the second day, no one had died. Niles and Rantaro were not able to figure out the Mastermind in time, even with Maki's help. Even Kokichi had tried to figure out the Mastermind and he came up empty handed. It was very frustrating to those looking to oust the Mastermind and take advantage of that First Blood perk but now it was wasted and gone. With how helpful Kokichi had surprisingly been, Niles and Rantaro had decided that they would let the Supreme Leader in on their little secret once the third night passed, assuming that they all weren't bloody smears.
Upon the next morning, the air in the cafeteria was very tense. Despite everyone being alive, people were starting to wonder if anyone would crack today and straight up murder someone due to the deadline. Niles, Rantaro and Kokichi seemed to be even more separated from the rest as almost everyone but Shuichi and Kaede didn't trust any of them. The cafeteria was not silent, but it was filled with nervous whispers as Tojo came around and served everyone breakfast. Due to the no more than killing two people rule, everyone knew that the food wouldn't be poisoned by Tojo and people seemed to trust the Maid enough not to snap. In the middle of the tense and quiet breakfast, four voices ring out.
"Rise and shine ursine~" four of the five MonoKubs call out as all five suddenly appear in the cafeteria, causing the conversations to stop.
"Ah, it's the MonoKubs. What brings you here this morning?" Rantaro asks, acting as if there was nothing wrong.
"Well, Papa ain't happy that none of youse are dead!" Monosuke starts out.
"Yeah! As such we have news to deliver! Like Daddy said, the First Blood perk is now gone since the two day time limit is up!" Monophanie says.
"Damn shame I say! A waste of a really generous perk!" Monosuke says, shaking his head.
"Additionally, as a reminder - someone has to die by nighttime tonight or you all will be dead!" Monotaro says.
"AWE YEAH! BLOOD WILL BE SPILLED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER TONIGHT!" Monokid shouts.
"Ah yes, thank you for the reminders. Anything else?" Rantaro asks, still being pleasant.
"Nah, just that. Now get killing dammit!" Monosuke says, watching everyone for a moment. After an awkward pause in which no one said anything the MonoKubs took that as their cue to leave.
"So long, bear well!" all but Monodam say before disappearing from the cafeteria. Some of the tension had left the cafeteria once the MonoKubs had left but no one felt better about the whole situation. Niles, Rantaro and Kokichi had silently agreed to stay in the cafeteria until the other 14 students had left, all watching to see if anyone was getting twitchy or possibly excited. Tenko and Himiko were the first ones to leave à la Tenko picking up Himiko and carrying her out of the cafeteria to be away from all the degenerates. Shuichi and Kaede were the next to leave, Kaito tagging alongside the two since they were all in conversation. Gonta left on his own but nothing about his behavior was out of place. Ryoma was next, Korekiyo shortly after him. Angie left with Kiibo and Tsumugi, the Artist essentially dragging the two out with her. Miu scurries off afterwards, muttering something about locking herself in her lab to work on equipment. Tojo at this point had cleaned up everyone's dishes and had left to go find something else to busy herself with. Maki stands up to leave but Niles calls out to her.
"What do you want Niles?" Maki asks, gritting her teeth a bit.
"Come over here," Niles says, motioning the Assassin to come closer. Maki sighs but walks over, knowing that Niles won't leave her alone until she does what was asked.
"Why is he still here?" Maki asks, narrowing her eyes at Kokichi.
"Who little old me~? Why, I'm on their side which means we're all in this together~" Kokichi grins, causing Maki to clench her fist, ready to punch the purple haired gremlin.
"Don't mind Kokichi, Maki," Rantaro says, trying to soothe the girl. "He's pretty harmless for the most part."
"Anyways, our little deal will be different today considering the circumstances. The moment anyone does anything suspicious, you immediately report to me," Niles says, not revealing their exact deal to Kokichi.
"Fair enough. Any idea where I might be able to find you should that be the case?" Maki asks, now playing with one of her pigtails as to not punch Kokichi.
"Either my Research Lab or in the courtyard," Niles answers. And with a nod, Maki heads off. Niles stands up and stretches. "Well, I highly doubt we'll find the Mastermind today. So I say we chill and try to keep our hides alive."
"Sounds like a plan to me. You sticking with us Kokichi?" Rantaro says, standing up as well.
"Nah. I'm going to go do my own investigating. See you later!" Kokichi hums before running off. The last two males look at each other and shrug. Since Niles had told Maki he would probably be in his Research Lab, Niles heads down there, Rantaro following close behind. The two knew they would be safe there as someone would be pretty stupid to try to kill them both in Niles's own Research Lab.
It was about mid-afternoon when the TVs had crackled to life. Instead of it being Monokuma or the MonoKubs, it was a video with very obnoxious music. The video was a loop of three simple and quick animations where there was a blackened pawned and then blue and red pawns that were murdered in one way or the other. The first had the red and blue pawns hung while the blackened stands on a ladder. The second has the blackened standing off to the side as the red and blue pawns drown. The last had blue and red pawns piled on the floor with blood spatters everywhere while the blackened pawn was joyfully wiggling a blood stained bat. Niles and Rantaro look at each other, both vaguely horrified.
"This is extremely fucked up. We need to get inside that Mastermind Room," Niles says.
"Yeah, I just hope it doesn't backfire on us," Rantaro says, nodding.
"Whether or not it backfires on us is not the point, but let's go," Niles says before opening the door of his Research Lab. He sticks his head out and watches as a group of people seemed to be heading to the video room next to the library. Rantaro peeked out, his head under Niles's head and watches as well. The two spotted Kaito, Miu, Kiibo, and Kokichi heading into the room. When the coast was clear, the duo heads to the side door knowing it was quieter than the larger set of doors. Neither notice the cameras that had been set up upon entering the room and they both head over to the bookshelf that the secret book. Just as Niles pulls on the book, a light click was heard to their right and both Rantaro and Niles go over to investigate. "The hell is that thing?"
"It's a camera... Huh, what an odd spot for once," Rantaro says, as he reaches for the camera, another picture getting snapped. Just as Rantaro wraps his hand around it, Niles immediately yanks him backwards. A noise of surprise leaves his lips as his back collides with Niles's chest. However, before Rantaro could ask what that was for, he sees a tanned hand point to the shot put that had fallen onto the floor some feet away from where he had been. "Shit-"
"Someone booby-trapped the library. While I see that you would have been fine, I didn't want to risk it. Those metal balls look like they would pack a wallop," Niles says, an arm still wrapped around Rantaro's waist protectively.
"Ah yeah- That would not have been pleasant. And an ironic way for me to go," Rantaro chuckles. The two hear the library door burst open and hear a pair of footsteps enter the library. The two males look over as they hear the footsteps skid to a stop.
"Niles? Rantaro? What are you doing down here?" Kaede asks.
"Ah it was only you two who set off the sensors," Shuichi says, a little sad that it wasn't the Mastermind.
"Oh, so it was you two who booby-trapped the library," Niles says, looking at the two.
"Booby-trapped? No, we just up the cameras," Shuichi says, furrowing his brow.
"I'd beg to differ," Niles comments, his eye zeroing in on Kaede who squirmed a bit under his gaze.
"We have proof," Rantaro says. He goes to move but Niles was still holding on him protectively so he gently pats the Outlaw's arm. Niles lets go, albeit a bit reluctantly, and Rantaro walks over to the shot put and picks it up. "After I grabbed this camera, Niles pulled me away from this shot put ball, although it was unnecessary. And considering this came after we set off some sensors I assume, it had to mean one of you did it."
"That... would have been me..." Kaede says, ducking her head down a bit shamefully. "I thought that with our plan to capture the Mastermind, if I got rid of the Mastermind, the game would end.."
"Ah, so similar to what Rantaro, Kokichi and myself were planning then," Niles says.
"Next time warn us Kaede. I would rather not get murdered for being in the wrong place. Or murdered at all for that matter," Rantaro chuckles. A few moments later, the door bursts open again, revealing Kaito, Miu, Kiibo and Kokichi. "I guess you two attracted more trouble."
"Whoa- what the hell is that door?" Kaito says, noticing the Mastermind door first.
"Oooo secret door! Though what brings you four here?" Kokichi asks, tilting his head.
"A last ditch attempt to find the Mastermind before night falls," Niles answers. "What about you lot?"
"We heard heavy footsteps and came to see what the fuck was going on," Miu answers. "Apparently it was just Kaeidiot and Pooichi."
"Hmm.. Well no one is dead yet so that's reassuring.. But I wonder for how long.." Kiibo says, muttering to himself.
"Given this annoying music and all the stress, I would imagine someone is going to die soon," Niles comments offhandedly.
"What the hell man?! Why would you say something like that?" Kaito scowls, marching up to Niles who merely smirks.
"Because it's the truth. Whatcha gonna do about it space man? Kill me?" Niles taunts. Kaito growls before bringing a fist up and striking Niles across the jaw, staggering Niles by surprise. The white haired male rubs his jaw a bit as he straightens up. "Nice left hook."
"Quit screwing around Niles! This is serious shit!" Kaito says.
"Oh but I am taking this seriously. More seriously than any of you for that matter," Niles sneers. Rantaro simply puts a hand on the Outlaw's shoulder while Shuichi and Kaede gently pull Kaito away.
"How about we go check on the others?" Kaede suggests, trying to mediate.
"I'm in agreement with Kaede! After all, we still have plenty of time!" Kiibo says. Kaito scowls as he brushes off Kaede's and Shuichi's hold on him before turning on his heel and marching out. Everyone follows Kaito out, Niles and Rantaro exiting last as they had closed the bookshelf before leaving. The now group of eight head out of the basement and start to spread out in the main hallway to go separate ways when Maki came sprinting into the room and accidentally body slams into Kaito, knocking the Astronaut down. Niles, Miu and Kokichi couldn't help but snicker. Rantaro approaches Maki while Shuichi helps Kaito up.
"Maki! What's wrong?" Rantaro asks, not wanting to reveal the deal to the others. Maki takes a moment to regain her breath. She looks at everyone gathered before saying two words that no one really wanted to hear.
"Ryoma's dead."