"Ahhhh!" My head snaps towards that sound. I see Kaede standing at her door. Monokuma in the hallway. Kaede gapes at Monokuma as he starts speaking. I'm too far away to hear much.
"How curious," Rantaro mutters near me. I turn to look at him. I never understood him. It's hard, to be near him, he sets me off in all the wrong ways.
Catching me staring, Rantaro flashes me a grin before walking out of the building. Normie. I forcefully push down my jealousy, before fleeing the building as well. Shuichi watches us both leave, a thoughtful look placed delicately upon his face.
Kaede slams the door in Monokuma's face.
I walk outside and see Miu walking towards the academy.
"Hey, Miu!" I greet as I catch up to her.
"Hmm, Angie? You that eager to see this gorgeous bod?" Miu laughs with a smirk.
"No, not really," I reply with a straight face.
"Wh-! Come on!" Miu cries, looking upset.
"I come for your winning personality!" I cheer. I probably shouldn't mess with her like this.
Miu stares at me blankly. "Whatever, fuckin' bobblehead," Miu mutters, stalking off towards the dining hall.
"Wh-Whats that supposed to mean!?" I screech as Miu cackles.
"Hi, Angie!" Tenko greets enthusiastically, as she plops down onto the seat across from us, a bowl in her hands. "Miu." Tenko greets with a nod.
Miu ignores Tenko.
We eat in silence for a couple minutes.
"Angie, why are you wearing those? N-Not that I want you to take them off!" Tenko asks with a flush, glancing at the bear ears I'm still wearing. "And where's your jacket, won't you get cold!?" She frets.
"I needed a change, and if I get cold... I can just put it back on," I reply with a shrug. It's true, I was getting sick of the same look. I'd left my hair untied this morning and wrapped my jacket around my waist.
"As for the headband, it's cute!" That was also true.
Tenko goes silent, blushing furiously.
"Hah! Look at you! All hot and bothered, eh!?" Miu pipes in, a malicious grin on her face.
I shift uncomfortably, "Miu..."
"What's that supposed to mean!?" Tenko fumes, standing up.
"Heeeee! N-Nothing!" Miu whimpers.
Tenko huffs before sitting down.
"Um, Tenko? Where's Himiko?" I question, desperate to change the subject.
Tenko wilts a bit at that "I don't know, I wanted to come here with her, but she said she had to recharge her mana and left." With a sigh, she exclaims, "I can't find her anywhere, what if she runs into a degenerate!?"
"Oh, Tenko. Maybe we can-" The door opens, stopping me in my tracks.
Kaede and Shuichi enter the room, their eyes locking onto Miu's form instantly. Uh, Oh.
I lock eyes with Kaede, who seems annoyed at the fact that Tenko and I are here. Some leader.
"Tenko, how about we go look for Himiko now?" I ask, getting up from my seat. "Be careful, I'll see you later," I whisper to Miu before dragging a stammering Tenko out of the room.
"You too," Miu whispers into thin air.
"Please, Miu! I really want to get out of here with everyone! And to do that, I need your help! So...please! I'm begging you!"
...
"I'm begging you too! We could really use your help, Miu. Please..."
...
"Wh-What the hell...? Quit bowing to me..."
...
"F-Fine, I'll do it... Okay?"
I find Himiko hiding behind a corner in the Entrance hall, watching Kokichi taunt Kaito.
Himiko, Kaito, and Kokichi. Kaito and Kokichi. What.
Kaito storms off, Kokichi follows after him, leaving Himiko alone with me.
Shaking my head, I walk up to her and tap her on the shoulder. "Himiko...?"
"Nyeh!" Himiko jumps, quickly turning around. "Wh-When did you get here?"
"A couple minutes ago, saw you staring!" I reply with a grin, rocking back and forth on my heels.
"It's nothing," Himiko mutters, pulling her hat down, face beet red.
"Himiko!" Tenko screams, having spotted us.
Himiko groans beside me, making my heart soften. I hope she can learn to express herself while Tenko is still alive.
"Maybe my wish will come true," I whisper into the air. Himiko glances at me but says nothing as Tenko joins us.
I spend the next hour hanging out with them both before going back to my room.
"Are these... iron balls? They look like they're for shot put ball..."
...
"Kaede? Is something wrong? We need to go before Miu changes her mind."
"...Oh, Sorry!"
...
She stuffs everything in her hands into her backpack.
"Hiya!" Monokuma suddenly pops up next to me.
"Whoa!" I stumble backward and fall onto my bed.
"Geez what's with that reaction, it's only little ol' me." Monokuma tilts his head before grumbling slightly, "It took forever for me to get you alone."
"Why would you want to see me? Does this have to do with why you were talking to Kaede?" I question, calming my racing heart.
"HAHA Ding Ding Ding!" Monokuma cackles.
"So, what do you want?" I ask with a weary look. I don't remember this part of the game.
"Ahh, I just wanted to let you know that two of the research labs have been opened, that's all." He replies flippantly.
"Do you mean...the Ultimate Labs?"
"Uh-huh. But only two of em! Yours ain't open yet. You can go into other people's labs whenever you want, catch em' off guard when they're all relaxed, and BAM!" Monokuma wheezes with a malicious laugh. "Happy Murdering!"
"Shut up!" I screech at him before he disappears.
I lean back against a nearby wall with a deep sigh. Damn bears.
"You're fuckin' late! How dare you waste precious seconds of my time!"
...
"I was thinking... the camera should be triggered by the security sensor."
...
"I'm going to set it up on the moving bookcase."
I walk into the Ultimate Pianists lab first.
I would've gone to Miu's, but she kicked anyone that came close to her lab out. So now I'm stuck with Kaede's lab. I never was a big fan of her talent. She can play an instrument, amazing. I guess it's just my old bitterness making me feel this way, but I can't help it. I loved music, sure, but I couldn't play one for the life of me.
I lower myself onto the bench. I could only play the piano. Yet even with that, I struggled.
Slowly opening the cover, I gaze at the black-and-white keys staring back at me with a sad look. Kaede.
The door to the room creaks opens.
"Hello?" A voice calls out. My breath hitches, I never wanted to be alone with her.
"Kaito!" I bounce up to him.
"Hey, Angie!" He flashes me his signature grin, "Good to see ya! Mind helping me find Kokichi, I was talking to him earlier, but he ran away." He scratches his head, a sheepish smile on his face.
"Sure!" I reply with a shrug.
Kaito chuckles at my response, "You bored?" At my nod, he continues, "C'mon then! Let's find Kokichi!"
Kaito and I spent some time looking for Kokichi
"So... I have a couple questions, Kaito." I start hesitantly, taking another bite of my sandwich.
We'd settled down on a bench outside, with a plate full of sandwiches, courtesy of Kirumi.
"You do? Don't hold back, I'll listen!" Kaito laughs, pumping his fists together.
I bite my tongue, "Well... you're an astronaut trainee, right?"
"Sure am! But even if I'm a trainee, I'm definitely gonna get accepted, no doubt about it!"
I tilt my head slightly away from him. Thoughts of leaving everyone to deal with that place on their own... Because I was afraid, flutter to the forefront of my mind. "What's the training like?"
With a serious expression, Kaito responds calmly, "To be honest, It's as intense as it can get. The universe is harsh. You've gotta be able to handle any situation thrown at you."
I crack a slight smile at that "What did you learn?" I turn back to him, curiosity shining in my eyes.
"It's pretty straightforward. Medicine, scuba diving, linguistics, survival training, aeronautical engineering, languages..."
"Medicine...?" The thought of medicine is like a tug at my memories, something I've forgotten.
"Yeah, In case someone got injured, you needed to know the basics to help, especially if you were on your own." Kaito patiently explains.
"What about languages?" I question, trying to force myself to ignore the comment about medicine.
"The most important thing for an astronaut is teamwork, so communication is necessary! It makes up a fourth of basic training!"
I grin widely, "What languages can you speak?" I question, feeling my excitement rising.
"I can speak English, Japanese, and Russian fluently! I also had to learn about their cultures." Kaito declares proudly.
"Wow, you're incredible," I whisper in awe. Kaito.
He doesn't hear me.
"I wish I could get back to training, the universe is getting away from me!" He raises a fist to the sky or er cage. "The world needs this Luminary of the stars to shine brighter than ever!"
Ah, I forgot he had an ego the size of Miu's.
"You could train a bit here? It's not much, but it'll help!" I suggest hesitantly, I know he trained with Shuichi, but maybe that's not enough...
Kaito chuckles, "We'll see."
Kaito and I separate after a while. I go back to my room, feeling much happier than before.
ding dong bing bong
"This is an official announcement from the Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles."
"It is now 10 p.m. Nighttime officially starts now."
"Say goodbye!"
"For one of you, it might be your last nighttime ever!"
"Or, you might make it another night!"
"Who knows!"
"Bedtime, Ursine!"
I lay down on my bed, a thoughtful frown twisted onto my face.
I lean over the edge of my bed... and roll a shotput ball out from under it. I watch it roll to the other side of the room, hitting the wall softly, and coming back, falling right into my hands. I pick it up and lay it onto the bed next to me, staring at it. Kaede, can I really trust you not to use this? Smash Rantaro's head in, just like last time. I haven't changed anything, what sort of fool would believe I have?
I just changed the timing.
A sickening laugh bubbles up in my throat, and I let it loose. Just keep breathing, just keep laughing.
ding dong bing bong
"Rise and shine, ursine!"
"This is an official announcement from the Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles."
"Wake up, bastards! It's 8 a.m.!"
"So long, bear-well!"
I stroll out of my room at a slow pace. No need to rush.
"Ah, sorry! I was just... going to the bathroom." Huh. I quietly close my door behind me and lean over the railing. Kaede and Shuichi.
"Are you ready, then? We have to get the cameras from Miu, remember?" Kaede sternly reminds Shuichi. I crouch down to stay out of sight.
"Yeah, right... Sorry I kept you waiting."
"It's fine, let's just go!"
I carefully listen to the tapping of their shoes, waiting until I'm confident they're gone.
"Wow! Who knew Angie could be so devious, listening to other people's conversations like that!" A dramatic gasp falls from their lips as I jump, bashing my head into the railing in the process, and falling down the stairs, I turn around.
"Ow, Kokichi!" I grumble, a hand slightly covering my right eye as I hold my head.
"Oops, sorry, Angie!" Kokichi sticks his tongue out in a sheepish manner before smiling innocently again.
"Whatever, and I wasn't listening to their conversation, It was a coincidence!" I deny, crossing my arms in annoyance. So what if I was curious!
"Nishishi, are you sure~" Kokichi sing-songs with a toothy grin, rocking back and forth on his heels.
"Pft, of course, I'm sure! Now come on." I grab his sleeve and start walking out of the building, towards the dining hall.
"H-Hey, Angie!" Kokichi cries, "What'd I do?"
I glare at him, idiot. "You're going to come with me for some food, and get some ice for my head!" Because damn does it sting. My pain tolerance is very, very low, something I have in common with Tenko.
"It's not even that bad!" He retorts.
"Don't care!" I answer, a happy grin on my face.
"By the way, there's a fight happening in the dining hall right now, so you might wanna be careful." Kokichi casually says, a hint of warning in his voice.
I raise an eyebrow at that, "And why aren't you stopping it?"
Kokichi shrugs, "Why should I? Something's finally happening to break the boring routine."
I snort, "Good point."
Kokichi and I walk in the dining hall and stare at the chaos before us.
Kaede, Kirumi, Ryoma, Kiyo, Maki, and Kaito were all in the room.
"-I'm just saying that I'll give you guys my life. I... don't have a reason to live anymore. So I'm willing to hand my life over so someone can escape, and go get help." Ryoma finishes just as we enter. He glances at us two briefly, nods, and then turns back to everyone else.
"N-No way! We promised we'd all get out of here together!" Kaede shouts. Wasn't she going to Miu's? What happened?
"Hmph, I hoped it'd end that way. That's why I waited so long to bring it up." Ryoma sighs.
"Then wait longer! Don't just give up like that!" Kaito roars at Ryoma.
"The longer we wait, the higher the chances someone will kill either way. Monokuma might even take the motive away. This way? Someone can get out, get help." Ryoma fights back.
"N-No... That's not-" Kaede stammers, desperately fighting.
"This is the best choice for this situation." Ryoma cuts in. "Whoever kills me gets to leave without a trial, everyone else will be fine."
"The person who escapes would be able to request help, effectively saving everyone." Kiyo continues, understanding in his eyes.
"What if whoever kills him doesn't tell?" Maki questions, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "What if they just carry on with their life? Forget about everyone else."
"Don't be stupid! We all disappeared at the same time, someone would notice the connection!" Kaito snaps back
"But would that person not be viewed as a criminal, I can see Maki's reasoning." Kirumi interjects, "The laws of our world have no effect here, but once they leave?"
"Everyone...?" Kaede speaks up, ignored.
"They would not be viewed upon kindly, even if they spoke of us who are trapped here, I doubt they would believe someone who has just admitted to committing a crime as grave as murder." Kiyo solemnly responds.
"Would not mentioning the crime until after everyone has been rescued be wise?" Kirumi question.
"G-Guys!" Kaito tries to speak, anger plastered onto his face.
"No, they'd probably ask how you escaped, and the others didn't," Ryoma replies, looking thoughtful.
"EVERYONE STOP!" Kaede screams, breathing heavily, "Listen to yourselves! This is wrong!"
"Oh, you have a better idea? We'd love to hear it." Maki snaps back, glaring at Kaede.
"I umm..." Kaede trails off.
"Guys, there's no need for-" Kaito is cut off by Maki stalking up to Kaede.
"You have no idea what to do. We've all been trying, planning, what have you done?" Maki snarls, "You've done nothing! All you've done is run around with Shuichi! You're supposed to be the leader, but you haven't even been trying to help us!"
"I doubt you've done much, whenever I see you, you're just walking around and ignoring everyone!" Kaede laughs harshly, face red in embarrassment and rage. "The only time I've ever seen you talk to someone willingly was when you were with Angie! I have no idea how you became a child caregiver!" She screeches.
"Were you watching us!?" Maki hisses.
"Don't be full of yourself!" Kaede shrieks.
Maki's face goes blank before she whispers, "Do you want to die?" Her blood-red eyes flash, making Kaede flinch, "If you really were our leader, you wouldn't be so easy to rile up, and you wouldn't be such a coward." She snarls before storming out of the room.
The room is silent, everyone stares at Kaede before she storms out of the room.
"Wow," Kokichi says, breaking the silence.
"Yeah," I sigh, staring at the door.
We all silently do whatever we were doing before that incident, awkwardly shuffling around each other until only Kokichi was left with me. We eat our food and leave the room. Kokichi takes some ice and pours it over my head, breaking the silence that surrounded us with laughter.
"We can spend the day in this classroom, maybe work in shifts."
...
"From this classroom, we can see anyone who goes into the basement!"
...
"Is this...a vent?"
...
"It's connected to the library in the basement."
...
"We should set up the cameras."
"Ngh, Rantaro!" Kokichi whines.
Rantaro chuckles, "Sorry, Kokichi, but you shouldn't drop ice on people's heads." He reprimands with a smile.
"Rantaro's absolutely right, Kokichi," I reply, throwing a smug and triumphant look his way.
"Y-You two are s-s-so M-MEAN!" Kokichi cries, a fresh wave of crocodile tears coming.
I hug Kokichi, "Oh, stop crying, Kichi!" Kokichi's tears stop.
"Ah, would you look at that?" Rantaro chuckles, ruffling Kokichi's hair with one hand, "You've got a new nickname Kichi."
"Shut it, Sunshine!" I snap
"S-Sunshine!" Rantaro yelps
"Nishishi Looks like I'm not the only one!" Kokichi cackles, grin widening further and further by the second, "Yours is so bad!"
"Don't insult my nicknames!" I wail.
"I'll stack more books around the vent so no one can get through!"
...
"This will work... This will definitely work!"
"Okay, let me get this straight." Rantaro cuts in with a chuckle. "You two are planning to pull a prank on Keebo?"
Kokichi nods vehemently, "That robot needs to be put in his place!"
Rantaro smiles at me "You agree with him?"
"Of course, I do!" I mentally snort, this is really happening.
Rantaro heaves a sigh and raises his hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, I'll help."
"Yay, Thanks, Sunshine!" Kokichi squeals.
"So, what are we going to do to Keebo?" I question.
Kokichi snickers, "I have the perfect plan!"
"I'm going to go check in the basement."
"Okay, be fast! Now that we've got a plan, things are definitely looking up!"
"Gah!"
"Hey, Keebo!" I approach Keebo with a polite smile on my face.
"Ah, hello, Angie." Keebo greets, relaxing slightly.
"Something wrong?" I tilt my head innocently.
"No, the last hour Kokichi has been following me, he looked rather unusual." Keebo frets.
I smile slightly at that. Nice job, Kichi.
"Hmm, I'll stay with you to make sure he doesn't try anything!" I declare with a grin.
Keebo smiles softly at me, "Very well, thank you, Angie." Oh, you poor baby, you won't be thanking me later.
"Where do you want to go, Keebo?" I inquire, walking beside him.
"I am not certain. I was supposed to spend the day with Miu, but she has locked herself in her room, claiming she needs rest." Keebo sighs, "I don't know why you humans refuse to take care of yourselves!"
I giggle, "Neither do we!"
"Wh-What is this? What's wrong with this thing!? Is this... paint? Who would do this!?"
After spending roughly an hour with Keebo, I start to put our plan in motion.
"Keebo?" I turn to him, a sheepish smile on my face.
"Yes, Angie?" Keebo inquiries.
"I'm a bit peckish, do you mind if we go to the dining hall?"
"Oh, it's no problem at all!" Keebo replies before heading in that direction.
I raise my hand to my mouth, hiding my grin, "Thank you, Keebo."
Let's just hope Kokichi and Rantaro are done with their parts.
"Ah, Shuichi! You're back! I've gotta run to the warehouse, but I'll be back in a minute, okay?"
"Yo, Keebo, Angie!" Kaito jogs up to us, "What're you two up to?"
"Ah, Kaito. We were on our way to the dining hall. Angie is hungry."
"Geez, don't say it like that, It sounds like you have to come with me," I grumble.
"Oh man, can I come with you guys, I'm starving!" Kaito exclaims.
"Did you not have any nutrition today?" Keebo questions.
"Nah, it's not that. I took Angie's suggestion, and I've been training all afternoon with Maki!"
"Good for you, Kaito, but why were you with Maki!?" I question
"Tch, she was in a bad mood after her fight with Kaede, so I helped her cool down some."
"Gotcha," I glance at a nearby clock. 8.51 p.m. I don't want to risk them not being ready, especially with Kaito with us. But there's not much time before they close the dining hall. Hmm.
My eyes settle on the dormitories. Perfect.
"I want to check up on Miu first!" I declare. Sorry. Guess you're not going to be getting much sleep.
"Huh? Why her?" Kaito question
"Keebo said she locked herself in her room," I reply, already walking towards the building in the distance.
"Why'd she do that?" Kaito asks Keebo.
"She said she needed some rest. Apparently, she did not sleep the night before and has not left her room all day. Well, apart from briefly in the morning. She went to her lab and then straight back to her room." Keebo clarifies.
"Didn't need the whole explanation on her day, but thanks." Kaito laughs.
"Hello?"
"Miu!" I shout, banging on her door
"I-Is that necessary!" Keebo exclaims.
"Pft, of course, it is!" I reply, annoyed.
"I doubt she will reply, Miu appears to be a heavy sleeper," Kirumi speaks up, walking over to us from her room.
"She is?" Kaito questions.
"I am not entirely sure," Kirumi replies. "It could be due to her exhaustion, I have been here all day, waiting for her to awaken."
"That's a long time," Kaito rubs his head.
"It is my duty to serve, Miu will be famished when she awakens so I will wait for that time to serve," Kirumi swears.
"How bout now?" Miu questions, opening her door, a tired look on her face.
"Miu!" I cheer, pulling her into a hug.
"Agh Get of me ya damn bobblehead!" Miu cries.
Kaito glares at Miu for that comment.
"Oi! The fucks you're problem!?" Miu roars at him.
"Miu, Kirumi, were going to the dining hall, join us?" I ask.
"As you wish," Kirumi replies with a bow of her head. That wasn't an order!
. . .
We make it to the dining hall as quickly as we can, not wishing to get locked in for the night, I prepare myself for what will happen when we enter and-
Nothing.
The rooms empty. Buckets of paint were sitting around the room, but other than that, nothing. Where are they?
A feeling of dread curls up in my stomach as I walk into the room.
Wh-Why? Where are they? Someone taps me on the shoulder, Kokichi.
"Rantaro?" I mouth at him. He shakes his head, concern on his face.
Kirumi strolls up to the paint cans "Who left these here? I shall take these back to the warehouse at once!" Kirumi declares, picking up two of the buckets.
"K-Kirumi, wait! How about we just put them in the kitchen for now? Miu needs some food," I suggest, dread clawing at me.
Kirumi pauses, "Very well."
I pick up two buckets myself, red and white, and follow Kirumi into the kitchen.
As soon as the door closes behind me, I hear Kirumi gasp in horror. My hands tremble as I hear her slam the cans on a table, I hear her heels click as she runs.
"What is she running to, hmm, hmm? Or better yet... who is she running to?" A voice giggles
Trembling, I turn around. I drop the buckets of paint, they stain the ground, they stain my shoes, my jacket, everything. The colors swirl and mix together, making an awful, awful pink. Pink like the blood on the walls, blood on the knife, the shotput ball... and now Kirumi's hands.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH" It takes me a second to realize I'm screaming. I slam my hands over my mouth, I bite on my tongue, anything to stop. I collapse onto my knees, curling into myself to turn away from that sight, but I can't. My clothes are stained in the paint that's the very same color as the blood. The bear ears on my head have splatters of pink across them, even my face. Wh-Why, why did this happen? I can hear the others storm into the room, their screams, their pleas, I'm aware of everything. Someone hugs me, I don't know who. The body discovery announcement goes off. I look up, my eyes connect with Kirumi's, she's still leaning over the body, the corpse. Pink splattered over her, over everyone. Is it paint or blood? A laugh bubbles in my throat, but I don't let it free. We don't know! I lean back into whoever is holding me, listening to their raging heart. I hear the sound of everyone who wasn't in the dining hall coming. Too late. My eyes connect with the corpse's eyes. So blank, so dead. We should have never gone into the kitchen. I laugh, in my head, I knew this would happen eventually, there's no stopping a killing game!
Rantaro Amami sprawled dead in a pool of paint and his own blood. A knife sticking through his head, blood leaking down his face, and a shotput ball rested next to him, In a room covered in pink.
Paint or Blood?
Friendship Fragments collected!
Himiko Yumeno - 2-5
Kokichi Oma - 3-5
Rantaro Amami - 2-5
K1-B0 - 2-5
Kaede Akamatsu - 1-5
Tenko Chabashira - 2-5
Kaito Momota - 1-5
Kirumi Tojo - 1-5
Rantaro is Dead! It was so hard to choose, but I went with him. So heartbreaking! If you've noticed how Kokichi and Rantaro both gained 2 friendship fragments each, it's because Angie spent almost the whole day with them, so I feel like that deserves more than one fragment. Sorry for killing the Avacado!
Guest: I can't save them all! I wish I could. I might in a different fanfiction sometime in the future, but this story is not it. There will be death and there will be heartbreak!
Guest: I think your question was already answered, but I merged the first two chapters. If that's what you're asking.
Sorry for these late replies, but I reply to guests at the bottom of a chapter and those with accounts in PM. Feel free to review to your heart's content. Apologies if I gave off the impression that I won't reply.
