Hajime stood before a massive set of gates. Cold, black metal seemed to absorb whatever dim light permeated the swirling fog, trailing off endless into an endless expanse.
It was hard to breathe.
Hajime took a step forward. Then another. And then he was in a dead sprint, lurching onwards, reaching for those bars. He needed to get through those gates, no matter what. Whatever it was that he was seeking, he wanted it, needed it, and it lay beyond.
With every step, it became harder to walk. The hard dirt beneath his shoes slowly became softer, like melting chocolate. Soon he was wading, struggling to rip his feet from the ground. He fell forwards, and the greedy mud sucked at his hands. He kept crawling, slick with mud, sweat and…something else. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered except whatever lay beyond those gates.
He was almost clawing his way forward, an inch at a time, when suddenly, they opened, a creaking whine that echoed through the fog.
A figure stepped through the now opened-gates, clad in an ill-fitting black suit. Long, tangled hair, greasy and dark, fell in a thick waterfall, hiding their eyes. Hajime reached for them, opening his mouth to call out.
Help me
The words fell from his mouth, and were swallowed up by the grey swirling fog before they could make a single sound. He cried out again.
Please. Help me.
Again, the words were devoured by the fog, and the figure remained unmoved.
Frustrated and determined, Hajime grit his teeth and dragged himself forward, inching closer, closer, until he was mere meters from the figure and his ultimate goal.
Hajime wheezed and choked at the black mud worming its way down his throat. Black shoes, scuffed and worn, filled his vision, and he lifted his head up to meet the eyes of the person before him. Dead, red eyes met green. Hajime trembled.
Slowly, the figure tilted its head, tangled hair falling to one side. Hajime felt bile rise and clench his throat. Impassive and bored, the figure stared back at him, wearing Hajime's face. Or rather, a corpse was wearing Hajime's face. Pale and unhealthy, the skin was almost stretched too tight in areas.
'Who are you?' Hajime cried out. 'What do you want?'
The words were swallowed by the world. 'Will you help me?' He tried once more.
The figure met Hajime's eyes for a few seconds, before a subtle sneer of disgust appeared on its face.
With a dismissive wave of its arm, Hajime felt the mud tremble beneath him. Exploding from the ground in a spray of brown water, heavily stained strips of white cloth - perhaps bandages, once upon a time - appeared, thrashing wildly.. Like snakes, they twisted and launched themselves at him, wrapping themselves around his limbs. Ankles, wrists, legs, arms, shoulders, chest and his neck. They climbed, wrapping so tight they cut into flesh. Opening his mouth to gasp in pain, he was quickly silenced by the cloth wrapping tight across his mouth.
Then they began to move. Slowly, but irresistibly, they dragged him backwards through the mud and dirt. He thrashed, trying to escape its clutches, glancing backwards in fear. A pit had opened up behind him. Into it, the bandages disappeared, dragging him closer and closer. Rectangular in shape, he realised it was a grave. He knew, with sudden, absolute certainty, it was his own. His struggles increased tenfold, tears staining the wrappings on his face.
A final, desperate grasp for freedom had him silently pleading with the mysterious figure, dirt stained fingers bleeding and trembling in the air. The last thing he saw before tumbling into his final resting place was the figure turning away.
Hajime awoke with a choked scream. Flailing, he tumbled from the bed onto the unforgiving floor.
"Ow…" he gasped.
Trembling eyes flickered around the room, taking in his surroundings. A small cottage with wooden walls. A four-poster bed. A large and conspicuous monitor in the corner. Hajime squeezed his eyes shut and let out a heavy sigh.
"From one nightmare to another," he muttered bitterly. He slowly pulled himself to his feet, legs unsteady and hands shaking. He ran a hand through his hair, grimacing at the fine layer of sweat.
Sunlight filtered through the skylight in the ceiling, painting everything in dappled light. He offhandedly swept the epad from the side of the bed as he made his way to the bathroom checking it with a glance. Half six in the morning. Half an hour before the morning announcement.
Well, he was awake now. No point lazing around.
The nightmare was already fading as he stepped into the shower, letting the water wash whatever was left away.
Finishing up, he walked over to the closet, opening it up and selecting one of the creepily identical outfits hanging there. It was a minor gripe, all things considered, but being forced to wear the same thing every day...he wondered if it was some sort of psychological warfare. He considered leaving the tie behind, but going without it felt unnatural and he quickly tied it in a loose knot. Checking his appearance, he straightened his collar and tried his best to smooth out his hair. He checked the time. A quarter to seven. Time to leave.
Be careful today.
"fUck!"
Hajime stumbled and stubbed his toe on the bed frame.
You've forgotten me in such a short amount of time?
Izuru's 'voice' remarked dryly.
Like I could forget you. Hajime hissed mentally, rubbing his foot.
I'm not going to even bother exposing that flimsy lie. More importantly, you received your first motive last night. Perhaps we'll finally see some movement.
Hajime grimaced. He opened his mouth to snarl, to dress down the monster in his head…and then he relaxed, letting out a heavy sigh. Rubbing his face with one hand, he instead gave in with a small roll of his eyes.
Look, I know you're all for this 'observing a killing game' crap, but these are people's lives on the line. Your comments about how bored you are, aren't helping. Just...shut up. Please.
…
Hajime stepped out the door, hesitating for a moment at the threshold.
Thanks though, I guess.
What on earth for.
You nearly stepped in when everyone was ganging up on me, right? I could…feel it, somehow. Not sure why you'd bother, but…
How foolish. I was simply frustrated at your inept attempt to de-escalate the situation. With the way that situation was going, you might've become the first victim on account of some paranoid idiot accusing you of treason. And of course, if you died, I wouldn't be able to continue my observation. It is simply logical.
Whatever. See if I thank you again. Arrogant prick.
Hajime snorted, his internal tone degrading and sarcastic. As he walked to the restaurant though, a slight smile graced his lips.
Stepping through the entrance of the restaurant, Hajime found three people had already arrived. Byakuya was seated in the corner, a mountain of food standing relatively untouched in front of him. Akane hovered to his left, surveying the vast spread with a drooling mouth and sparkling eyes. Finally, Gundam sat at the back of the restaurant, eyes closed.
Is he sleeping? In the restaurant?
It appears he is meditating. Why he would choose to do some in such a soon-to-be obnoxiously loud space, however, escapes me. Perhaps he is looking to test the limits of his own patience.
Ignoring Izuru's last comment, (which had become a habit), Hajime gazed around the restaurant. Confirming that nothing seemed out of place, he wandered over to the buffet table. A spread of breakfast foods from various cultures covered a table over four meters long. Japanese style options such as rice, miso soup, grilled fish and nori were available in droves. Toast, various cheese, grilled vegetables, cereals, muesli, bacon, eggs, sausages, thick cuts of white and rye bread, clear soups and even porridge were laid out, alongside some dishes he didn't recognise. Any dish that was supposed to be served hot had steam rising from the surface, as if it had been served just minutes before. Remembering that yesterday's food had also been similarly warm, Hajime wisely chose to ignore that particular breach of physics.
I can only imagine the attention I'd draw if I started accusing the breakfast buffet of being evil or magic.
It's a breakfast buffet, Hajime. Inanimate objects cannot, by definition, be 'evil.' They have no moral compass or ego.
You know exactly what I meant, and you're being deliberately obtuse.
Hmph. I wasn't sure if you were actually that dense, so I merely provided clarification.
I hate you, you know that?
Setting his plate down at an empty table, he wandered over to the similarly diverse drink section, selecting a glass of orange juice and taking a seat. Barely beginning to eat, he was startled when the morning announcement echoed throughout the room, Monokuma's nasally voice echoing through the building.
One by one, people entered the restaurant. Most glanced at him uneasily, Kazuichi noticeably scooting away from his table, Mahiru sending him a cautious glance and Hiyoko simply sticking her tongue out at him.
It was refreshing, then, when a sleepy-faced gamer sat to his left with a bowl full of cereal.
"Morning," she yawned.
"Morning," he replied. It took all his effort not to yawn in return.
They slipped into a comfortable silence, cutlery clacking against china. Eventually, everyone had filed in, excluding a single Ultimate Yakuza.
The rest of the room was silent, uncomfortably so. When the rest of the class wasn't shooting slightly suspicious looks Hajime's way, they were glancing at each other cautiously.
Eventually, Byuakyua slid his chair out, the groan of wood on wood catching everyone's attention. His eyes roamed at the room, and he finally gave a sharp nod.
"Hmph. Looks like everyone is finally here." Byakyua said.
Everyone looked around, counting silently.
"Huh...it looks like Fuyuhiko isn't here yet," Chikai commented. There was a moment of silence before the room burst into chatter.
"Maybe he got himself killed," Hiyoko giggled. "Maybe the traitor got him!"
"People are dead already?!" Ibuki yelped.
"Calm down," Peko replied dryly. "I saw him outside earlier. Fuyuhiko told me he will not be attending the meeting this morning."
"Acting like a lone wolf at a time like this," Mahiru frowned. "It's not really a smart move."
"H-He's not p-planning on killin' anyone, is he?" Kazuichi laughed nervously. "I mean, he is a yakuza, after all…"
"Kazuichi, we should not be doubting each other at a time like this!" Sonia protested.
"Hmph" Byuakyua scoffed loudly, drawing attention. "I suppose someone like him wouldn't come just because we summoned him. Very well. Someone can fill him in on our discussion later."
"Fill him in? What discussion?"
At this, a self-satisfied smirk crept across Byuakyua's face.
"Rejoice. For I have decided to throw a party tonight."
Huh? A party? Now?...After everything that happened last night?
"A p-p-party?" Mikan squeaked.
"That's right. It will last from sundown, all the way to sunrise. And just so we're clear, attendance is mandatory. No absences allowed."
Okay, that's not suspicious at all. God, I hope this doesn't go terribly wrong.
"Is it really a good time to be partying?" Kazuichi said. "I mean, with everythin' goin' on…"
"Right, I hate to agree, but it doesn't really feel right." Mahiru said.
"Nonsense," Byuakyua countered. "On the contrary, there's no better time."
"Hmmm...It wouldn't be so bad, I guess," hummed Chiaki. "It could be fun."
"Wait, you really think so?" Hajime asked. "Honestly, it feels like a bit of a weird time to have a party…"
"Pardon my intrusion, but I also think it's a wonderful idea!" Nagito chimed in. "In such difficult times like this, having a party would truly strengthen the friendship between us all!"
He hesitated for a moment, letting the pause draw out, before pointedly glancing Hajime's way. "...Unless anyone has any objections?"
...That bastard's shooting for me. What the hell, I thought we cleared this up last night?!
Naive. So like you.
Shut up. What, don't tell me you think the sudden getting along party isn't a little suspicious too?
I would've thought you'd be more enthusiastic. A large gathering of people, all under each other's constant surveillance. It would certainly be difficult to commit a murder in that sort of setting, or at least moreso than usual.
Hajime paused at that, mind whirring. Izuru wasn't wrong, per say. And Izuru was, at least so far, usually correct. God, he hated that. He swallowed his pride, wincing at the taste.
"Actually," he said slowly. "I've changed my mind."
Nagito cocked his head, a gentle-looking smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh?" he said.
"Yeah. Everything that's happened...It's making everybody stressed. It might be a good way to relieve the tension." And keep us safe.
"Perhaps that was why Byakyua suggested the party in the first place?" Sonia said. "To relieve stress."
"Hmph. The how and why for the party doesn't matter. What's vitally important is that we're all in one place tonight."
As I thought, it looks like someone's made a move.
?!
Considering his talent, his attempt at hiding the situation is dismal at best.
Hajime froze up. Izuru? What do you mean, 'made a move'? Someone tried to, to kill someone? Already?
Not quite. I'm sure you'll figure it out. The clues are all there. You just aren't observant enough, Hajime.
Byakyua's trying to have us all gather in one spot. He's all but admitted the actual goal isn't stress relief -
Stupid of him.
Yeah right, you're so smart and better than everyone else, shut up. He wants us all in one place, which means he thinks there's a legitimate threat.
And?
A-And? Um, so either someone's been attacked or, um. He's…got another reason?
I expect nothing and I am still let down. A threat, Hajime. You said he wouldn't organise it unless he was sure there was a threat. He's been threatened, anonymously.
So, no one's been attacked?
I can't imagine he would be so blase with the party planning if an actual attack took place.
Right. Right. Why…why would someone bother threatening someone else in this situation? Wouldn't having the surprise be an advantage?
You're finally using that brain you hypothetically own. There are several possibilities. The first, and most obvious, is that this is exactly what they want. They want panic, they want this party to go ahead. And the second is equally as straightforward.
Humans are cruel creatures, Hajime. Perhaps they don't have any intention of following through and they're scaring everyone for fun. Maybe they want to play around and watch everyone squirm before they selfishly steal away a life.
Why are you telling me all this? Finally feeling a bit of guilt, perhaps?
Whatever you're thinking, you're wrong. I only tell you this much because watching you fall for such obvious ploys would be both frustrating, inevitable, and boring. I will not spoil anything more.
And with that, Izuru and his cruel tongue was silent. Hajime was shocked out of his daze by an explosion of pink smoke. It cleared quickly, revealing the recently transformed Monomi.
"I heard your discussions! Heard it all with my long ears!" Monomi squeaked, twirling in a little circle. "Cause I'm a rabbit, you see!"
"Oh, so you use your ears? That's strange." Byakuya murmured. "I wonder what all the surveillance equipment is for, then. Or is that just for Monokuma's use?"
Monomi wilted. "Uh, t-that's...A-Anyway! I heard you talking about the old building!"
Old building?
The location of the party, Hajime. The world does not stop while you are not paying attention.
Oi, you're the one - !
"It's true that I made it off-limits earlier," Monomi continued. "But, if it's in the spirit of friendship and building bonds, I'll give the O-K! You'll have to clean it up yourself, but I'm sure it'll be a splendid location for your party! Let's do this together!"
"Together?" Hiyoko giggled. "How disgusting. I hope you've been staying away from mirrors. Your appearance is horrible, you know."
Monomi flinched, taking a step back on stuffed paws. "Ah...hic, your kind words...make me want to cry. B-Bye…" And with another puff of smoke, she fled.
"Um...so the old building is a-go, then?" Mahiru asked. "I mean, it was in the middle of renovations, right? What about preparation? We're going to need supplies, not to mention cleaning the whole place."
"Cleaning...I have never done such a thing." Sonia murmured. "How interesting. Maybe I could…?" There was a slight twinkle in her eye.
"N-No way! There's no way we can make someone like Miss Sonia clean a filthy place like that! Rejected!"
"I don't wanna do it either…" Hiyoko grumbled.
"No volunteers, hmm?" Nekomaru rumbled.
"Then how about a random drawing?" Nagito asked brightly.
"A...random drawing?"
"To be truthful, I already prepared a drawing because I assumed something like this would happen."
"Whoever draws the chopstick with the red mark will be in charge of cleaning, okay? Sounds fair?" he continued brightly.
It should be fine, right? It's random after all.
"Hmph. Then, let us entrust our destinies to the whims of this drawing!" Gundham said.
A random drawing...set up by the lucky student.
"No hard feelings," Mahiru agreed.
Who just happened to prepare one...in advance. That kind of thing isn't luck.
Hajime stared at Nagito. Green eyes met grey and Nagito smiled pleasantly.
No. That's just suspicious.
The world slowed to a crawl.
Whatever I do, I can't let him get what he wants. I have to stop him.
The students' hands reached out, grasping the chopsticks, one by one. Hajime reached out his own hand, barely aware of his actions.
But how am I supposed to? Maybe if I had time, or could cause a distraction, but people are already drawing - !
Hajime's hand hovered over the sticks, hesitating. And then, with one decisive movement, reached out and grabbed a random chopstick.
He blinked, glancing down at his choice.
A chopstick with a highly distinctive red mark.
Shit. I drew the short straw huh? Guess I'm cleaning today. But what do I do? Is this what he wanted all along? Why?
Hajime sighed in frustration, looking up and accidentally meeting Nagito's eyes. The lucky student looked stupefied. He stared at Hajime's chopstick, glared at it, like it had defied the very laws of physics. And then, the look was gone. Like putting a lid on a pot, the expression disappeared, and Nagito smiled.
"And I thought I had bad luck, Hajime," he laughed. "Looks like you're stuck with cleaning duty."
"Seems so," Hjaime muttered in response, unnerved.
