Not a lot happens in this chapter. I was planning to throw in another scene with Albert and his friends, but I decided to hold off until the next chapter. So this way, it's just the students exploring the second island.
I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 10
Traitors and Outsiders
"Hmm... Such an interesting description." Sonia said quietly as she flipped through a magazine. While exploring the second island, she found herself within the library, surrounded by countless texts from many different cultures. However, when the magazine's front page caught her eye, she couldn't stop herself from picking it up.
"What are you reading?" Hajime asked as he approached behind her. "Are those political books, or maybe some kind of philosophy...?"
"The newest issue of Occult Magazine!" She told him cheerfully. "It breaks the lid off underground mysteries and the wonders of the world!"
"Th-That's quite a surprise..."
"I-It is not as if I read it often. I am just reading it because it has a special article about serial killers! It seems... this writer has very good taste. I mean, even Genocide Jack is mentioned in the article..."
"Hm... that Genocide Jack or whatever... I feel like I've heard about her before..."
"Genocide Jack is an alleged Japanese serial killer who has a reputation even among casual internet users." Sonia explained. "She is very popular among youths and is known for writing messages in blood at the scene of the crime. Apparently she is a high school or middle school student who wears a sailor uniform. Be careful Hajime. Ah... this one is a particular favourite of mine... Sparkling Justice is a regular subject of these kinds of exclusive articles. I shall explain it to you just in case... Sparkling Justice is a serial killer who calls themselves "Ally of Justice"! Wearing a wide variety of hero masks, Sparkling Justice is a delightful serial killer who only kills criminals!"
"S-Sonia... calm down..."
"Thanks to the masks Sparkling Justice wears, nobody knows their real age or gender. After all, it is essential that serial killers be mysterious! What an expert, yes!"
"Hey, you two..." Peko approached them from across the room. "I've been listening in for a while now, but... Why are you talking about mere murderers with such enthusiasm?"
"I... haven't done any talking." Hajime defended.
"Please hold on!" Sonia interjected. "It is a mistake to refer to these people as mere murderers! Coming in contact with a value system that differs from your own is a very important matter. Serial killers... their value system is very different from the norm... What a marvellous existence! Haaaaah! I am totes intrigued!"
"Don't say that too loud, Princess." Suddenly, Maki slid out from behind a statue Sonia was standing near, and plucked the magazine out of her hands. "Even if you may have a point there."
The three other students jumped back. Peko instinctively reached for her sword. "That's... I didn't even know you were in here."
"Impressed? I've always been told I'm pretty light on my feet." Maki started skimming the article Sonia was talking about. "But Sonia has a point. Serial killers don't think the same way as everyone else. They have completely different values, opinions, and motivations. That's why people like me are so important, people who can bridge the gap between the sane and the twisted."
"Um... What's your point?" Hajime asked.
"Nothing. I'm just rambling. Though, if you do want me to add an lesson, I'll tell you this: You don't need a twisted mind to have a motive for murder. As an enemy of mine once said, there are about as many reasons to kill as there are people on earth. Do with that what you will."
Sonia nearly squeed. "That reminds me, Maki, if you don't mind, would you care to share some of your stories with me? I've never had the chance to hear about the criminal mind from someone with first-hand experience before!"
"It would be my honour. Perhaps while we're at it, you could teach me a thing or two about Novoselican culture." She started eyeing the shelves around them. "Although I'd be surprised if I couldn't find out something in one of these books."
Sonia nodded. "I am a little surprised! I never expected to find such a splendid facility. It rivals even my homeland's national library..."
"But isn't it strange?" Hajime wondered. "I mean, does a resort really need a library like this?
"That is very true and... just as expected, nobody is here either." Sonia noted.
"You're right... The fact that we're the only humans around here is even more strange..."
"Tadaaaa! Monomi is here! I'm reading a book!" Monomi suddenly appeared and, true to her words, had a textbook opened up in front of her. "Ah, since you've come here, would you like me to explain this library to you?"
"I-I see..." Sonia muttered, looking away.
"It's clear from your face I'm a nuisance... Since I was more energetic than usual... I feel even emptier now..."
"...And what about your explanation?" Hajime asked.
"Well, you're basically all student, right? I was thinking you needed a place where you could do homework... Soooo, I have prepared this library!"
"Prepared... You?" Sonia asked.
"Well that's pretty stupid." Maki said. "Isn't the point of most school trips that the students go to some place educational, like a museum, so they don't really have to do homework while they're there? Also, you haven't exactly assigned any schoolwork for us to be doing, anyway."
Monomi shot Maki the closest thing her face could make to a dirty look. "Anyway, with this, everyone can get along and study together. It's a student's duty to study."
"...Don't act like a teacher." Hajime told her blankly.
"I am a teacher!" She snapped.
Hajime stared for another few seconds before shaking his head. "...You... You're even more confusing than Monokuma. So what's your real identity? What's your purpose?"
"R-Real identity...? Now that's silly... G-Good-bye!"
"Running away as soon as things get inconvenient... That's even more suspicious."
"I cannot believe that she is the one that prepared this grand facility." Sonia said.
"Yeah, she's probably lying."
"According to this island's guidebook, many of their guests are wealthy and stay for weeks at a time... These are all probably things that they donated."
"H-Hold on. Did you just say this island's guidebook?"
"I found it in this library. Would you like to take a look?"
She laid it out on the table, and the other three crowded around to get a look. Hajime scratched his head. "...Wh-What language is this? I have no clue..."
"Jabberwock Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean known for being a paradise of eternal summer..." Maki whispered quickly in another language as her eyes moved across the text.
"You can read it, Maki?" Hajime asked, impressed.
"It's English. I might not look it, since I take after my mom, but I'm only half-Japanese. My dad's American, so I learned English from him. Though translating on the spot might be a little out of my skill range."
"Then I shall read it on your behalf." Sonia decided.
"You too, Sonia?"
"Mmhm, I am fluent in thirty different languages. It is a requirement for members of the royal family." As Maki let out a low whistle, Sonia picked up the guidebook and began reading. "Jabberwock Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean known for being a paradise of eternal summer... That is what it says. This is... exactly what Byakuya told us before. Jabberwock Island consists of a small central island surrounded by five other islands. The outer islands were developed as resorts, while the central island houses a large administrative building... Huh? Th-That is strange... I mean... the central island of Jabberwock Island..."
"There was no sign of any buildings at all..." Hajime said. "The only things there were... Monokuma Rock and the park."
"A-Also, according to this guidebook... It says that there is a bronze statue in the lobby of that building which symbolizes the island..."
"Huh... isn't that...!?" Hajime fumbled for a moment. "Are you talking about... that bronze statue that turned into the Monobeasts? But... that statue was in the middle of a park, not in the lobby of some building."
"Th-That is not all... There is another description that strikes me as strange. According to this guidebook, the only way to travel between the five islands is by boat..."
"...Huh?"
"While some people wanted bridges, critics worried about their effect on the environment, so none were built..."
"Wh-What does that mean?" Hajime asked. "Then... what are we using to move between islands...?"
"...I may have an idea." Maki spoke up. "It's possible this isn't the real Jabberwock. It could be an artificial island like Palm Jumeirah."
"Palm Jumeirah...? Artificial island...?"
"Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island and tourist site located in Dubai. I... visited with my family once." She explained, fingering her cat-ear hairband. "In a similar way, this island might be artificial, but just designed to look like Jabberwock."
"Th-That especially might be why... we are the only ones on this island..." Sonia agreed, before adding, "...Well, something like that would be impossible anyway. No island of this size could be completely artificial. This guidebook must be old, too. It contradicts everything about the island's current situation..."
"My my... you're very intuitive to assume this is an artificial island!" Monokuma praised, suddenly appearing on the table before them.
"Now you're here!?" Hajime jumped.
"However, those guys are the only ones who could do something on such a massive scale!"
"Th-Those guys...?"
"The hint is... You know, the enormous organization you guys were talking about before. Hmmmm... it's true that those guys totally deserve to be called a horrible group of people."
"Wh-Who are you talking about...?" Hajime asked.
"Oops... that was a slip of the tongue... I should excuse myself before it leaks onto the internet..."
"H-Hey! Hold on a sec!"
"Could it be...this island is completely artificial...?" Sonia wondered. "There is no way that is true..."
"Th-There's no way..." Hajime agreed. "That guidebook... it's probably just old."
"You... are right..."
"Well, this was nice, but I think I'm going to go now." Maki said, making her way to the door. Before she made it, however, she held up the guidebook that was now in her hands. "Oh, do you guys care if I keep this? Even if a lot of it is outdated, I'd still like to learn a bit more about this island."
"Of course..." Sonia said.
"I don't mind." Peko said.
"Yeah, go ahead." Hajime added.
"Thanks."
The Ultimate Imposter walked across the parking lot leading to a diner. The signboard labelled it as "Pork Burger." He had never hear of any chain with that name, so it must have been locally owned. It was a shame it wasn't fast food, he thought, but he decided that a greasy spoon was close enough.
"Oh... hey, Byakuya." Behind him, he heard Hajime's voice call out to him.
"...Hello, Hajime. You've arrived just in time. You can help me investigate this diner."
"A diner, huh...?" He stared at the sign.
"Indeed. The name gives me something to look forward to. Did you know that pork is the most energy-efficient meat that there is?"
"I'll... keep that in mind. Anyway, I guess we should head inside now."
The two boys stepped inside, hearing the bell above them chime with the door, and noticed that someone else was already there. Sitting at one of the tables, with a burger in hand, was Fuyuhiko.
"Oh... it's you..." He muttered, before raising his voice. "I'm trying to eat right now! Go away, you dumbasses!"
"Hey, why are you here?" Hajime asked. "How'd you find out we can go to this island?"
"Are you a monkey or something? Do you not understand human language? I told you to leave me alone when I'm eating!... Hmph, an annoying person went out of their way to tell me. Then I found this place, and now I'm eating here because I'm hungry. Mystery solved! You happy now? So... get the fuck outta here and go somewhere else."
"Hey, about that annoying person..."
"Huuuh!? Mind your own business! It's got nothing to do with you!"
"Fuyuhiko..." The Imposter interrupted him. "I'm not going to pretend to know what you're thinking, but we're all on one boat here. If this ship sinks, you're going down just as quickly as the rest of us, and not a moment later. If you want to get off of this island, the best way you can do it is by working with us. So... why are you avoiding associating with us?"
"Hmph... I'm not avoiding you bastards... I've just decided not to rely on anyone."
"Not to rely on anyone...?" Hajime repeated.
"That includes the Kuzuryu clan... I can still survive without relying on them..."
"...Huh? Hey... are you actually..."
"Don't get it twisted. I'm a yakuza by blood. It's not like I don't want to head the family business someday. I just want to prove that I earned it. Prove I can tough it on my own without relying on my clan. Plus... even if I fail, the clan will still be around. My little sister would be happy to lead it..."
"Oh... you have a little sister?" Hajime asked.
"Sh-Shut up! Why'd you let me bring that up anyway!? Anyway, I don't intend to spend any time with you guys. Nothing good can come of it."
"N-Nothing good can come of it...?"
"Hmph, isn't it obvious...? In this kind of situation, interacting with others will just shorten your lifespan... Those idiots, Teruteru and Kazuichi, are proof of that. Plus... it'd be frustrating to be held back by affection when it's my time to kill!"
"I see... you're still saying that..." The Imposter noted.
"Of course... I'll sacrifice the lives of everyone here if it guarantees my survival."
"Even if you don't actually mean that... You're awful just for saying it...!" Hajime said.
"Heh... You're the one who spoke to me without my permission, so don't get pissed at me. If you're so upset, you don't have to stick around. Fuck off."
"...Let's go, Hajime." The Imposter decided. As he and Hajime headed for the door, he turned to Fuyuhiko one last time. "...I know that I'm not one to lecture you, but I do hope that you reconsider your approach in the future, before something goes terribly wrong..."
"Yeah, whatever. Are you gonna leave or not?"
With a sad nod, the Imposter followed Hajime out onto the parking lot.
"I guess he's still Fuyuhiko, huh?" Hajime said.
"Yeah. We can't push him any further than we already have. If he's going to change, it's up to himself at this point..." He took a moment to check his watch. "Well, putting that aside for now, I'm going to continue exploring the island. Where are you headed?"
"I think I'm going to go down that tunnel. What's the sign say? Chandler Beach?"
The Imposter nodded. "Well, I'll leave you to it, then. If you find something of interest, though, be sure to tell me."
"I will." And with that, the two boys went their separate ways.
"What the heck is this...?" Nekomaru asked. "Such a gigantic building."
"However, it is clearly faded..." Sonia noted. "It looks like an ancient ruin."
"It seems... Perhaps this is an actual ancient ruin?" Peko suggested.
"H-How should I say this... Don't you think this building... resembles a school?"
"Well, Chiaki? You said you noticed something?" Maki pushed.
"I'll fucking cut you if this was a waste of time." Fuyuhiko threatened.
"I... didn't know you were also here." Mahiru said.
"That bitch over there kept bugging me... so I finally came."
"Did you maybe find a way to get off this island?" Ibuki asked.
"Nope. Nothing like that." Chiaki told them.
"Aww, then who cares?" Hiyoko groaned. "I should have played in the bath with Mahiru more."
"Then... what in the world did you find?" Gundham asked.
As she took a moment to load, Hajime prodded her along, "Hey Chiaki, what did you find? If it's not a way off this island... Does it have something to do with this island's secret?"
"Hmm, about that... I don't know."
"What do you mean... you don't know?" Peko asked.
"...It's like it doesn't belong with a building like this... I keep thinking about it and it feels unnatural. It's like... a comic book originally about baseball becoming a side-scrolling action game... It's unnatural like that."
"...That's a little hard to understand." Hajime admitted.
"Look, that door over there." She pointed out.
Everyone walked closer to the building. Hajime stood right in front of a large, circular vault door. "It's hard to make out from all the dust but... this is the door you mean, right?"
"Yeah, it looks like that's the door to the ruin."
"So what's wrong with this door? Can you go in?" Mahiru asked.
"Before we attempt to go inside... Let's try brushing off some of this dust and clearing some of these root things off the door. If you do... I'm pretty sure you'll understand what I mean by "unnatural"."
"I'm not sure I follow, but... I supposed we should at least hear you out." Byakuya decided as he stepped forward and started brushing off the dust.
"Y-You're right..." Hajime agreed, following his lead.
Soon, half the class was working on the door, as Chiaki instructed them. Eventually, the meaning behind her words were made clear.
"What is this... door...?" Hajime asked. "It doesn't feel like it belongs in an ancient ruin..."
"It's like... a door from a sci-fi movie, don't you think?" Mahiru suggested. "It definitely doesn't fit with an ancient ruin..."
"And... what is this symbol on the door?" Hajime asked, inspecting it from different angles.
"No doubt about it, it's Japanese." Maki said, as if everyone were expecting an alien language. "It says mirai. Future."
"Hey, who cares about a symbol on the door!?" Fuyuhiko asked. "More importantly... how do you open it? What's inside?"
"It looks like there's a liquid crystal display next to the door... Could the two be related?" Mahiru asked.
"Oh, right! That must be the key to open the door! It's probably set to open when you type the password!" The yakuza approached the display.
"Acting all high and mighty..." Hiyoko muttered. "So what's next? It's obviously impossible to put in the password without any hints."
"Well, not impossible." Maki made her way to Fuyuhiko's side, inspecting the display. "It's numerical, alphabetical, and includes an "at" symbol, a period, a slash, and an equals. We should also include blanks, since there's an enter key. It appears it can fill up to 6 spaces, so that's... over 4 billion combinations, assuming my math checks out. So a... 0.000000025% chance of inputting it on the first try."
"You know what I meant, you annoying nerd." Hiyoko spat. "When normal people say "impossible," they mean something that's really unlikely to happen, like that!"
"I know that. I just like pissing you off."
"Still, you got a point, right?" Fuyuhiko asked. "Even with such a low chance, if we just keep typing shit, we gotta get it eventually..."
"Ah, I think we should wait." Chiaki warned. "Doesn't that seem dangerous?"
"Hm? What do you mean, "dangerous"?"
"Cuz... that thing next to the panel, doesn't it look like a gun?" Chiaki pointed out. "...In fact, that's totally a gun."
"G-Gun..." Everyone's gaze turned to follow where she was pointing, and only then did they all back away from the door. Hajime screamed. "Huh!? That's a gun!?"
"If it is... It's probably very dangerous. It's possible you might get shot if you mess up the password... Right?"
"Dammit...!" Fuyuhiko growled as he backed up. "I-It can't be helped... Looks like... it's better if we don't mess with it... for now..."
"Kehehe... he's totally freaked out..." Hiyoko laughed.
"Shut the hell up! You do it then!"
"But still... A building that looks like an ancient ruin, with a door that looks like it's from a sci-fi film... It's definitely unnatural. This is probably an important place." Chiaki hinted. Unfortunately, due to her programming, she couldn't just hand out the answer, so she needed to improvise as best she could.
"Question is, how is it important?" Maki asked. She was the only one who hadn't stepped away from the door, and in fact, was inspecting the gun barrel dangerously close.
"Um..." Monomi popped up out of nowhere next to the group.
"Um..." Monokuma did the same.
"...You're both quiet?" Peko asked.
"You guys know about this buildin' too, right!?" Akane asked. "Just be honest with us!"
"No... I have no... I have no idea at all..." Monomi claimed.
"I... don't know either..." Monokuma agreed.
"For now... everyone should focus on gathering the Hope Fragments..." Monomi told them.
"For some reason, I find that hard to believe." Byakuya said. "If all you're going to do is tell some weak lies, you shouldn't even bother showing up."
"You guys are probably the ones who covered that door in dust, right?" Hiyoko guessed.
"Ah, just as I thought, you guys were hiding it on purpose, right...?" Mikan accused.
"Hey, don't talk like we're equals, you trashy bitch!" Hiyoko shouted, turning on her.
"Eeek! I-I'm sorry!"
"Say you're sorry, bitch!"
"I-I just said it! I just said... I'm sorry!"
"Is it possible that... there is a connection between this door and the reason this island is uninhabited?" Nekomaru suggested. "For example, this place might be a shelter, and there might be natives inside."
"Is something happening that would make them hide in a shelter? If so... we're all screwed."
"Hmmm, several possibilities cross my mind." Monokuma said. "But it looks like there's no way to confirm it yet. That door is really sturdy. But... not in a material sense. More essential than that."
"...Huh? What're ya sayin'?" Akane asked.
"For instance... even though Monomi and I can come and go as we please, we can't enter what's beyond this door."
"Huh? You can't go inside, too?" Monomi asked. "Does that mean you're the same as me and-"
"Heeeey! Keep your tongue in your mouth!" Monokuma scolded, throwing a rapid combo of punches that sent her flying.
"UGYAAAAAAA! My body can't handle a supersonic meteor rush like that!"
"There... now that I've shut up my sister with a fantastic Pegasus Meteor Fist... This is the mystery of Jabberwock Island. A mystery that even Monomi and I can't solve. That's why I have high expectations for you guys! One day, you'll be able to solve that mystery!"
"Heh, that seems easy enough..." Fuyuhiko boasted. "All we gotta do is remember what that black and white tanuki said before."
"There's a traitor among us... That's what that ugly tanuki said before." Hiyoko recalled.
"Ahhhhaahaha! Calling me ugly and a tanuki... Those kinds of silly names don't depress me in the slightest!" Monokuma said, while looking very depressed.
"He's totally depressed!" Ibuki noted, in case anyone missed that.
"If there's a "traitor," they probably know how to open the door, right?" Fuyuhiko explained. "And there's probably boats or a way to contact the outside world beyond that door."
"Or... maybe whoever's controlling Monokuma and Monomi is hiding there!" Mahiru guessed.
"B-But... do you really think there's a traitor among us?" Mikan asked.
"Of course there is!" Fuyuhiko snapped. He turned to the group. "Who the hell is it!? Hurry up and confess!"
"Th-There isn't... There's no traitor... anywhere!" Monomi argued.
"Monokuma... what about you? You're the one who mentioned it..."
Suddenly, the bear burst out into a bout of giggles.
"...What's so funny?" Gundham asked.
"Oh, just... Have you guys heard of an organization called World Ender?"
"...World Ender?" Hajime repeated.
"I-I'm the one asking you a question!" Fuyuhiko reminded him. "Don't just change the subject!"
"I understand why you'd want to just ignore it... World Ender is such an embarrassing name. So embarrassing that only middle school students... no, wait, elementary school students would come up with it. But the name is unavoidable because that organization actually exists!"
"So what is this... organization?" Peko asked.
"It's literally what it says... Those guys ended the world!"
"E-Ended the world!?" Mikan shrieked.
"...That's no an overstatement or a metaphor, you know. Those guys really did end the world. So don't you think it's appropriate to call them World Ender?"
"You mean... they're a terrorist organization...?" Peko ventured.
"Terrorist, huh... That might be accurate. But only losers are terrorists. If they manage to win, they become "heroes". In that sense... they're more like heroes. They're the heroes who ended the world!"
"S-So what?" Mahiru asked. "Don't say things that don't make sense! Don't tell me you're gonna say this organization is the one putting us through all this crap...?"
"World Ender..." Nekomaru muttered. "Are you saying that you and Monomi... are also members of that organization?"
"Who knows?" Monokuma answered unhelpfully. "The only thing I can tell you is... The organization that the traitor is working for, the ones who brought you to this island... World Ender is behind it all."
"Don't panic..." Peko warned the group. "It's just another made up story to trick us, like when he said we lost our school memories. I can't suspend my disbelief for something as ridiculous as "World Ender"... There's no way that organization... or the traitor exists!"
"Monokuma... I shall listen to you spout nonsense all you want, while I puff cigar smoke at your lifeless body." Gundham boasted.
"My my... I was kind enough to keep you guys informed. Are you calling me a liar!? Gnnnngh... if you keep acting like that, I'll do "this" and "that" to your various body parts...! Anyway, I'm telling the truth! There is an outsider in your group! The World Ender organization is the final boss of this island! One of their members is hiding among you guys! That's why... you guys gotta find that traitor and kill them dead!"
"H-Hey! You better stop..." Monomi warned.
"Shut up, Monomi! Big brother-defying trash like you needs to be punished!"
"Noooo! Don't pull my ears! They're gonna come... come off!" Monomi whined as she was dragged away. With that, both mascots disappeared from sight.
"Wh-What was that... just now...?" Hajime asked.
"Not a clue..." Sonia answered.
Chiaki yawned and loaded for a moment. She eyed the horizon. "...For now... since the sun is setting, we should just go home for the day. I think... it's a waste of time for us to keep thinking about this."
"Y-You're probably right..." Hajime agreed.
"But it's getting dark soon, so going home might be a better idea." Mahiru agreed. "...Let's just call it a day."
With that, each of the students started making their way to the first island, where their beds awaited them. Chiaki stayed back for a bit, inspecting the ruins further. After a while, Monomi reappeared next to her.
"Do you know what's behind that door, Chiaki?" She asked.
"Not exactly, but dad gave me a general idea. He told me that, if the Teacher ever became corrupted, I had to protect the students until they were able to open this door. I really hope there aren't any more deaths before then..."
"Me too. I guess that means I'll have to try extra hard to take down the Monobeasts, huh?"
"Yeah. In the meantime, I'll keep writing those reports to you. Let's do our best!"
"Of course! For our parents at the Future Foundation, and for my students, we'll do out very best!"
Alright, I think that's everything that's important. Foreshadowing for Sparkling Justice, foreshadowing for Fuyuhiko, and foreshadowing for the existence of a traitor.
In the next chapter, we'll see some more of Albert and friends, and a motive might be revealed.
