Sorry for the delay, but I think you guys are getting used to the biweekly upload schedule. In any case, on top of being busy with work, I'm also sick. Not the "physically ill" type sick, though. Rather, I feel sick looking at the state that my southern neighbour, the U.S. is in.
I try to avoid talking about current events, if only because I believe that most people who come to this site do it for, y'know, the "fiction," and bringing up reality is kinda counter-intuitive to that end. Still, I have a platform here, however small, and according to my traffic graphs most of my audience does come from the U.S., so if there's even a chance of this reaching someone who needs it, I'll consider it worthwhile. As a Canadian, there's not much I can do, but I at least want to say this:
Black Lives Matter.
Seriously, it's 2020, not 1920. This shit isn't up for debate anymore, nor should it ever have been in the first place. Everyone, every single human being, deserves basic human rights, and it's the job of the police to protect those rights. Not only have I yet to see that, but I've instead seen them flagrantly ignore and destroy those rights. And I'm sure there are good cops in the force, and I like to think they're trying, but they aren't loud enough. So, to all the protesters out there, while I might not be able to join you, I'm rooting for you. It's not much at all, but... it's all I got.
In news that's probably related in that they planned to distract people with it, the U.S. also passed a law that allows doctors to discriminate against trans people, and refuse them treatment. As someone who's been questioning their own gender for a little while now, this hits a more personal spot. As I've said before, I firmly believe that every human being deserves basic rights, and I firmly believe that healthcare is one of those rights. Plus, with the protests going on, and the shitty little "essay" written by J.K. Rowling a couple weeks ago, the passing of this law was the equivalent of kicking someone while they're down. Cruel and unnecessary.
So, in case any of you reading this need to hear it: If any recent events, or any events in general, make you feel like your life is more expendable than any other, it's wrong. You matter so much more than you might think. Those statistics on the traffic graph I mentioned earlier? Each and every number on that graph means so much to me, and pushes me to make more content, and that was all caused by you clicking. I'm still writing, all because you clicked. Imagine what you could do for someone if you put in some effort. And so, in case it wasn't obvious, I love you, so much. And I hope you love yourself, too.
So yeah. Black Lives Matter, trans rights are human rights, and if anyone reading this disagrees with those sentiments, you can unfollow me. I don't really care.
In any case, sorry for the wall of text. Now, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 25
Transformations
"The name's NEKOMARU NIDAI! I've been reborn in the rivers of helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!"
"Nekomaru...? Is that really you...?"
"Gahaha! No matter how you look at it, I'm still me!"
"No matter how we look at it... this isn't you at all...!" Hajime gasped.
"Jeez, you guys are a strange lot. You all have such big, wide eyes... Oh, perhaps you've all fallen in love with this metallic body of mine!? Gahahahaaaa! I already know what you want to say just by looking in your eyes! Then again, I am a former team manager!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Sonia shrieked, nearly fainting.
"Ngh... what happened?" Nekomaru asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost or something!"
"Th-That's your... body?" Byakuya asked. "It's not just a costume or something?"
"It's not a costume, it's PURE ELECTRICITY! I've been reborn as PURE ELECTRICITY! GAAAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"You... You're still Nekomaru, right? Your mind hasn't been altered or anything?" Maki asked cautiously.
"That's right! I've resurrected from the depths of hell in shining silverrrrrrrr!"
"How... are you even okay with that...?" Fuyuhiko asked. "It doesn't even compare... to my eyepatch... How... can you accept that body...?"
"It's better to just be alive!"
"...Huh?"
"It's better to just be alive... Hey, don't you agree? If I'm alive, I can still talk to you all. If I'm alive, I can still fight... It doesn't matter what happens to my body! Not one bit!"
"Y-You're amazing...!" Nagito praised. "Nekomaru is brimming with hope...!"
"Anyway, I'm glad... that's fine, right?" Chiaki said. "Right? Nekomaru definitely came back to us..."
"My, my! Am I interrupting your touching reunion?" Monokuma asked, suddenly appearing.
"Ha-wa-wa-wa!?" Monomi gasped, appearing beside him. "Kyaaaaa! Why is Nekomaru a robot!?"
"Unfortunately, it was truly difficult to save Nekomaru from the jaws of death... But they don't call me the Psychopop Magician for nothing! Oh my goodness! Such a wonderful Before-and-After has occurred!"
"It appears to be a little too dramatic!" Nekomaru laughed. "Thanks to that, I'm getting stabbed by all these envious stares!"
"Hey, if you're a machine now, then what's going on with your mind?" Byakuya asked. "Is it just a program now? Do you still have things like self-awareness or-?"
"Fool! How many times do I have to tell you that it doesn't matter! No matter what shape or form I take, I AM NEKOMARU NIDAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
"...It sounds like him, alright. It seems he really is self-aware. But still... what level of technology does our opponent have, if they can do something like this?"
"What the commoner considers advanced is not much of an advancement." Monokuma teased. "If you think advancements exist in colleges and laboratories, that's a huge misunderstanding! The real advancements exist... in the place where you can pass on that talent."
"Question." Maki said, glaring at Monokuma. "Being a machine, Nekomaru can't quite "die" in the sense that organic beings think of it. But his functionality can still be ceased, correct?"
"That's right! Even though he's a robot now, if Nekomaru is killed, it's still going to count as murder, okay? Of course... it's possible Nekomaru might kill someone instead."
"Don't say such foolish things!" He roared. "That will never happen!"
"Well, with all that in mind, you guys enjoy the killing school trip together!"
"Once again, I hope we can all get along!" Nekomaru said.
Everyone was silent for a good while. Finally, Fuyuhiko sighed. "It's impossible... It's gonna be a while before I can mentally process this..."
"Um... will Nekomaru never return to his original form...?" Sonia asked. "If that is the case... it is a burden for Nekomaru!"
"Hey, hey... it's not like I came back as a monster. I'm just a robot now, you know?"
"I'm sorry... I can't really see the difference." Chiaki said.
"Well, just consider this a little promotion." Monokuma explained. "By making a robot one of the main characters, a genuine mystery is transformed into a sci-fi mystery... And the hard-boiled is transformed into cyberpunk!"
"You're totally destroying the genres!" Monomi shouted.
"Oh well, who cares!? As long as it's fun, it's totally fine! Ahhhhhh- hahahahaha!" With that, Monokuma disappeared.
"Hmph. Unbelievable." Maki muttered.
"Jeez, you guys..." Nekomaru shook his head. "I know it looks like a pretty big deal, but nothing's changed! I'm still me!"
"That's not what I meant." She said. "What's unbelievable isn't this new body, it's the fact that you're still so positive. "Nothing's changed"? What about the fact that three of our friends just died today? And now you're standing there, having lost your flesh and bone. Can you even feel with that body?" She sighed. "Maybe you're right. Nothing has changed. We're still trapped in the same killing game, and we're the same dysfunctional group we were on day one."
"H-Hey, Maki..." Hajime started.
"No, I can understand why she feels that way." Nekomaru said. He appeared solemn. "Maki... The fact that so many of our friends have died, that's the reason we have to keep moving forward. I mean, I'd look like a real jackass if I complained about this body, y'know? I'm the lucky one. So that's why... I'm gonna keep living, for the sake of those who couldn't! What would I accomplish my standing around and moping?"
"So, you'll put on a brave face instead? Fine. I guess that's better than the alternative..." She turned away from the group and started walking off. "I'm going to bed. Don't wait for me at breakfast tomorrow."
The others stood in silence, looking between Maki in the distance and Nekomaru's new body.
Hajime sighed. This would take some getting used to.
The mood in the dining hall the next morning was, as usual for the day after a trial, sombre. Everyone seemed to be avoiding talking about the events of yesterday, or the elephant in the room that was Nekomaru. On top of that, as she implied the night before, Maki failed to show up. It was obvious that she just didn't want to deal with anyone else at the moment.
Eventually, Chiaki broke the silence. "What are you gonna do, Mechamaru?"
"Mechamaru? You're used to him already!?" Hajime asked.
"What am I going to do...?" Nekomaru repeated.
"For food... Do you need, like... oil? Regular? Premium?"
"I can totally eat normal food! Especially rice dishes, I can't keep my eyes off them! However... I've been feeling a little down lately... so I don't have much of an appetite..."
"Ahahahaha!" Nagito chuckled from the corner of the room.
"What... so you're here, too?" Fuyuhiko asked.
"Ah, I'm sorry... I should know my place and not speak out of turn when everyone's gathered together like this... However, I just wanted to make sure I spoke to you about what happened yesterday."
"What happened yesterday...?" Hajime asked.
"That person Mikan called her "beloved." I can't help thinking about that and it won't get out of my head... Hm? Am I just a coward for worrying about that?"
Gundham nodded. "It crossed my mind as well but... based on how she phrased it... It was... as if she was speaking to an entity that does not exist in this world... More importantly, we should be thinking about... the Future Foundation, our enemy. If that fearsome organization known also as World Ender is truly responsible for our imprisonment... Then investigating who's behind that organization is our top priority!"
"However... the more I think about it, the less sense it makes." Sonia said. "Why would an organization that's secretly plotting to end the world... make us suffer like that?"
"They went to a lot of trouble to abduct us and bring us to... this island." Fuyuhiko said.
"Not only that, they took away several years worth of memories of our lives at Hope's Peak Academy..." Nagito added. "...For reasons that are also unknown."
"Future Foundation! World Ender! Hah!" Nekomaru shook his head. "There's obviously something wrong with you if you believe in something so unrealistic!"
"...And you're one to talk?" Byakuya asked.
Nagito thought a moment before adding, "But... what we should be most concerned about, as it relates to the Future Foundation... is the traitor from the Future Foundation that's hiding among us. I wonder who it is... The true identity of the outsider hiding among us and trying to ensnare us..."
"I wouldn't bring that up if I were you." Hiyoko said. "After all, you're the most suspicious person here!"
"Even a childish organization blathering about ending the world wouldn't accept someone like me. Nobody wants a worthless human like me to join their group... You guys should know that feeling well, right?"
"And that's the reason why you're not the traitor...?" Chiaki asked. "I don't understand your theory at all."
"Then... who do you think is the most suspicious?" Fuyuhiko asked.
"I nominate Hajime!"
Hajime stared at him for a few moments. "...Huh?"
"Well... isn't it normal to doubt the most unlikely candidate? Not just that... you're the only one here who still doesn't know what Ultimate talent you possess... If we're basing this on an outsider hiding among a group of Ultimates, Hajime should be doubted right away."
"I-I'm not the traitor! What are you even saying!?"
"You shouldn't raise your voice like that. We might become even more suspicious of you, you know?"
"Th-This is obviously your fault!"
"Stop fighting!" Sonia commanded.
"Don't you think fighting with ourselves like this is Monokuma's trap!?" Nekomaru asked.
"Th-That might be true... but..." Hajime stuttered.
"All right, I'll handle this! Just leave this matter to meeeeeeeeeee! To eliminate this tense atmosphere, allow me to present to you my new function that I discovered last night. Now then, let's go...!" He adjusted the "ears" on the sides of his head, and liquids began pouring from his eyes, like waterfalls. "BEHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!"
"N-Nekomaru is crying!" Sonia gasped.
"Hardly! I'm not crying! My right eye dispenses cola... and my left eye dispenses Rooibos tea... BEHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!"
"Huh!? What are you, a soda fountain!?" Hiyoko asked
"I know we'll be here all day if we keep commenting on every little thing you do..." Fuyuhiko said. "But what the hell was Monokuma thinking giving you a function like that!?"
"That guy... he's definitely fooling around!" Monomi snapped as she appeared. "Monokuma's just toying with other people's bodies! I, too, was modified by Monokuma, so I totally understand how Nekomaru feels... But don't be depressed! You'll get used to it! It's surprising how quickly you'll get used to it!"
"You showing up at this time means..." Fuyuhiko started. "Did you come to tell us that you've defeated another Monobeast?"
"Taaadaaaaa! You're cooooorrect! Once again, you can visit a new island, so please take this opportunity to get along with everyone..."
"What a load of crap..."
Everyone turned as Maki reached the top of the staircase. She looked different from yesterday. Her face was pale, almost sickly, her eyes were bloodshot, and her hair was unkempt. "Even if we explore the new island, it's not like we'll find anything to help us escape this place, right? The mastermind is too thorough to let that happen."
"Rather... I feel as though the opportunity to kill increases every time we go to a new island..." Sonia said. "So... it might be best if we do not go..."
"Ehhhhhhh!?"
Gundham approached Monomi. "I don't know what your planning, fiend, but we're not going to fall for it...!"
"Th-That... that's a misunderstanding... I was just..."
"Argh, jeez! How annoying!" Monokuma snapped as he appeared. "Just stay back and leave the rest to your big brother! I'll give you an example of how to lure these guys to you, little sis!"
"Wh-What are you doing!? You're... acting like we're allies or something..."
"Didn't I tell you to stay baaaaack!?" Monokuma dashed at Monomi, and struck her in nine different vital areas.
She was blasted across the room. "GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! This technique... It's impossible to defend against it or evade it!"
"There, now that I've mopped up the annoying one... Okay! Since you guys are feeling down in the dumps, I'll make you guys so excited your noses will bleed! Compared to the earlier investigations, I've prepared a special treat that's completely different than before!"
"...Treat?" Chiaki asked.
"Oh, you took the bait? I guess it's true... if you wanna get a shut-in out of their room, carrots work the best!"
"Who the fuck cares about that!?" Fuyuhiko asked. "Hurry up and tell us what the treat is!"
"It's an amazing treat. Don't wet your pants. Well, it's okay if you do... just don't spray it on me. I've prepared a bunch of stuff you guys might find interesting on the new island! Such as... clues about the Future Foundation... Such as... parts that may be useful for making a ship... And also... your student profiles from your time at Hope's Peak Academy!"
"...Huh?"
"Soooo do your best to explore! Take caaaaare!" With that, he disappeared.
The others stood quietly for a few moments.
After a moment, Byakuya asked. "Maki. Where were you?"
"I wasn't hungry, so I decided to spend my morning investigating."
"Investigating? The new island?" Gundham asked.
"No, I haven't been there yet. I was looking around places we've already been, giving them another look over. When I passed by the fourth bridge and saw it was open, I headed over here to tell you all. Seems Monomi just barely beat me to it."
"Considering her ability to be wherever she needs to be, I think that's quite impressive." Sonia said. Maki didn't react.
"...Hey, are you okay?" Chiaki asked.
She rubbed her cat-ear hairband. "...I'm fine. I just didn't get much sleep last night..."
"I think she was talking about that..." Hajime pointed out.
"...Ah. This." Maki looked down at her left arm, which was wrapped in a bandage.
"Did you hurt yourself or something?"
"No, nothing like that. I just... decided to put this on earlier. It... It reminds me of Mikan, I guess. The Mikan I knew."
Hiyoko groaned. "Are you seriously still not over that?"
Several of the others shot her looks. "Hiyoko..."
"Don't act like you didn't hear it. She said it herself, she never cared about you. She was just a crazy murderer, and she was using you!"
"It's not that easy..." Maki said. "When you insert yourself into someone's life, it doesn't matter if you betray them, or you die. They'll remember you, they'll be affected by what you did. That's the legacy you leave behind. I mean, are you over Mahiru yet?"
"Mahiru wasn't a murderer, and she never would've betrayed me."
"Well, no, of course not. Because her environment didn't shape her that way. But Mikan-"
"Oh, please! I'm sick of people using that excuse! So what if nobody liked her? She didn't have it any harder than I did, and I've never killed anything smarter than a bug! Mikan was just a coward. A weak, dirty coward who went crazy and tried to get us all killed!"
The room was tense, and everyone glanced at Maki, expecting her to snap next. After a long moment, she shrugged. "...You're right."
"...Huh?"
"Mikan was weak. She didn't have what it took to carry on, to handle the pressure. It's sad, but... we're better of without her. In a situation like this... In this world, the strong are the only ones who survive. Showing weakness, and showing affection to the weak, will only shorten your lifespan. I already know that."
"Maki... what the hell happened to you?" Fuyuhiko asked.
"...That's not important right now. How about, instead of asking me about the past, we actually focus on what's going on right now? Or is that too much to ask for with you people?"
Everyone stared at her. After a moment, Gundham spoke up. "While her tone is troublesome, she speaks the truth. We have yet another island to explore, and Monokuma has offered us a bounty for doing so."
"...What should we do?" Chiaki asked.
"Ship parts..." Byakuya muttered. "Even if it's just parts, that would certainly improve our chances of getting out of here. We can't pass that up."
"I plan to go, too." Nagito added. "If there are clues about the Future Foundation, we need to make sure we see them... What about you, Hajime? Of course you're going, right? If you look at your student profile, you might be able to find out what your shining talent is... It's a chance for you to clear any suspicions, right?"
"What suspicions...! I don't think anyone here doubts me...!"
"...Ah, I see."
"It seems you've all prepared yourselves for the worst!" Nekomaru said.
"If everyone is going, I shall accompany you as well." Sonia decided.
"But there's also a possibility that Monokuma set a trap." Chiaki warned. "We should be careful where we step."
The fourth island was perhaps the most bizarre yet. It was styled like an amusement park, similar to Disneyland. No matter where the students turned, pretty, colourful attractions caught their eyes. It was difficult to determine what was a trap and what wasn't, as Monokuma plastered his face all across the park. The only spot that remained untouched was Nezumi Castle, but the students couldn't find a way inside.
Eventually, Monokuma called everyone to the roller coaster, which he had shooed them away from earlier so he could work on it. As Hajime arrived, Fuyuhiko did a headcount. "...Everyone here?"
"Hey, wanna know something cool?" Chiaki asked. "According to Monokuma... We'll all get a treat if we ride that roller coaster together."
"Rawr! Welcome!" Monokuma announced to the newcomers. "Welcome to the main attraction of this amusement park, the Great Ultra-Delicious Coaster!"
"...Is that name indicative?" Maki asked. "We're not going to go so fast we melt into butter or something, right?"
"Are we really gonna get a prize for riding this thing?" Hiyoko asked.
"Suuuure thing!"
"What's... the prize?" Hajime asked.
"Aw no! That's the surprise for after you ride this!"
"Does shortstuff here even reach the height requirements?" Maki asked, pointing at Hiyoko, who shot her a glare.
"Don't worry, I made extra sure that this ride is secure! After all, it'd be no fun if you all died in a freak roller coaster accident!"
"Might I ask... where will this ride take us?" Sonia asked.
"It won't take us anywhere." Chiaki explained. "It's just gonna circle around and come back here."
"What... is the meaning behind that?"
"...You fiend, have you never gone to an amusement park?" Gundham asked.
"I am embarrassed to say that we do not have these in my country."
"I see... I've only gone to an amusement park once during my childhood... But it was an amusement park in hell filled with man-eating demons!"
"Huh!? There are amusement parks in hell!? I have never heard of such a thing! By all means, please allow me to accompany you next time!"
He chuckled. "The entrance fee is the blood of a virgin! I shall offer up your blood as tribute!"
"Oh... that is a shame... It seems my blood cannot be used as the entrance fee."
Maki cleared her throat awkwardly. "How about, instead of standing around, we actually try riding it?"
One by one, everyone boarded the roller coaster. Hajime and Sonia were in the front row, with Chiaki and Hiyoko behind them. The third row had Fuyuhiko and Gundham, and Nagito and Byakuya were behind them. Finally, Maki and Nekomaru sat in the last two rows, respectively. Slowly, the roller coaster left the platform, before quickly picking up speed. Several of the students couldn't help but cheer.
Nekomaru called out, "Tch...! What overwhelming g-force! It feels like all the screws in my body are going to fly offffff!"
"Be still... my heart!" Gundham muttered.
"B-But... this is so much fun!" Sonia cheered.
Maki couldn't deny that it was exhilarating, even if it was just her body's natural reactions to the extreme force making her feel that way. Just as quickly as it had begun, however, the roller coaster reached the platform and slammed to a halt.
"All right, we've arrived!" Monokuma announced. "How was it? Wasn't that fun?"
Everyone slowly climbed off the ride on wobbly legs.
"Alright, that's over. We had our fun. Now where's the treat?" Maki asked.
"Oh yeah, right! Here you go! The treat is a file!"
"...Huh!?" Hajime stared at the symbol on it. Mirai. "...A file from the Future Foundation!? Will we be able to find out who they are if we look at this!?"
"...Is it alright if I check inside?" Nagito asked as he took it.
"Sure thing, do whatever you like!" Monokuma said.
Everyone crowded around Nagito as he turned open the first page. Everyone gasped as they read the first sentence in the file.
Hope's Peak Academy ironically became the site for the killing school life. The mastermind behind the plan... locked the students inside the academy and forced them to kill each other. The students who were pushed to their limit eventually reached a state of heightened paranoia... And... that's how the killing began. The killings committed by those students lasted several days... But at a certain point, the curtain finally fell. A group of students united and staged a counterattack against the mastermind, who paid with their life. With this, the seven students who survived were able to escape the academy...
"Hey, aren't these photos on the left... Photos of the seven people who survived?" Nagito asked. "Then... what does this mean? Why is... he in this photo?"
Everyone turned their attention to the photo he was pointing to. While the subject looked very different, it was unmistakable who it was.
"Huh!?" Hajime stared at a picture of the Ultimate Affluent Progeny, Byakuya Togami, only much thinner.
"Th-This definitely... looks like Byakuya..." Gundham said.
"Why is Byakuya's photo in here!?" Nekomaru asked.
Nagito looked up at the other boy. "Th-This... what does this mean?"
Byakuya's eyes shot between the photo, and the faces of all his classmates. "Um... W-Well, I... That is-"
"Is that guy your brother or something?" Maki asked.
"...Huh?"
"I'm not too knowledgeable on it, but I've heard the Togami family uses a special heredity system. Specifically, the head of the family has countless children with high-class women from around the world. They make all these potential heirs compete, disowning the losers until only one victor remains."
"Ah... R-Right, that's correct, for the most part. That man... Considering our resemblance, he must be one of my many disowned half-siblings. What a coincidence..."
The others seemed to consider this a little too convenient an excuse, but they didn't push the issue. Nagito eyed the book. "Still, it's weird... It looks like the killings we're involved in resemble this set of killings that happened before... And... that took place inside Hope's Peak Academy."
Fuyuhiko shook his head. "Hold on... did these fucked up killings actually happen inside the Hope's Peak Academy? That's not possible! There's no way the teachers or the police would let that happen!"
"However... what if the Future Foundation- World Ender- was the one who initiated this?" Gundham suggested.
"You mean that organization was the one who took over Hope's Peak Academy then!?" Nekomaru asked.
"They certainly seem to have the resources necessary." Byakuya agreed. "I suppose the question is... Just how powerful is Hope's Peak Academy in comparison?"
"Hmm... it seems we have no choice but to ask Monokuma..." Nagito said. "How does the killing school life that occurred at Hope's Peak Academy relate to this island?"
"The only thing I can say is... All the answers are in your school memories that were taken away!"
"Then give them back!" Hiyoko demanded.
"No no, the Future Foundation took your memories, and I can't do anything about it in my current state."
"Regardless, it's unforgivable...!" Nagito growled. "I will never forgive those who try to trample hope... They should all be destroyed...!"
"Pot calling kettle black." Maki said simply, before turning back to the bear. "Okay, so what about ship parts? Where are they?"
"Oh, who knows? They should be somewhere on this island."
"I have searched this island once through... but I did not find ship parts anywhere." Sonia said.
"No... the Funhouse should still be left." Hajime recalled.
"Based on what I've heard... it seems we cannot access it unless we're all gathered together, correct?" Gundham asked.
"Ding ding! Cooooooooorrect! That's right, the treats you can't find yet are alllllll hidden inside the Funhouse!"
"Then the ship parts should be there as well?" Byakuya asked.
"As well as our student profiles from our time at Hope's Peak..." Maki muttered.
As she said it, Hajime stared at her. After a moment, he decided, "Everyone... let's go... Let's try going to the Funhouse...!"
"I see... is that really all right?" Sonia asked. "The Funhouse is that creepy-looking building, right?"
"But... we have no other choice. I mean, we might be able to obtain the ship parts if we go there!"
"...And learn the secret of Hajime's talent too." Nagito added. "Fine... I think we should listen to Hajime and head over to the Funhouse as well."
"Puhuhu, looks like you guys have decided. I have things to prepare so I'll be going first! I'll see you later!" With that, Monokuma disappeared.
Chiaki stared at the ground. "I'm not really on board with this idea but... If everyone says they're gonna go, I guess I have no choice. I guess I have to go with everyone."
"Plunging yourself into a trap is an act of sheer madness..." Gundham said. "Fuhahaha! That's what makes it truly interesting!"
"Then it's decided...!" Hajime said, a little too excited.
With that, everyone followed Hajime to the Funhouse.
"I just need to... get on this train, right...?" Hajime asked.
He stood before a long trolley with Monokuma's face at the front.
"Well, there's really no need to be cautious." Monokuma explained. "It's not like it's gonna speed up, drop, fly, or anything else."
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Maki asked, marching forward.
One by one, everyone boarded the train. Fuyuhiko and Hiyoko sat in the front row, Sonia and Byakuya sat in the second, Hajime and Chiaki in third, Nekomaru and Gundham in forth, and Maki and Nagito shared the fifth row. At the very back sat Monokuma. The train slowly took off, entering the tunnel that would lead them to the Funhouse. Despite the number of lights, it still had an oppressive atmosphere.
Monokuma grabbed a microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen! This train is heading toward the Funhouse! Allow me to guide you all to the world of surprises on this train that runs toward glory. Please be careful of where you step. Also, it's dangerous to stand up all of a sudden!... Well, it's not like you have time to do that."
Maki cocked her head back toward him. "What?"
Suddenly, the walls of the tunnel opened up and sprayed white, noxious smoke all over the students.
"Wh-What the helllllllllllllllllllll!?" Nekomaru roared.
"...I-Is this gas!?" Hajime gasped.
"D-Damn it..." Fuyuhiko choked. "This was definitely a trap..."
Maki watched as everyone slumped in their seat. Monokuma leaped over Nagito's unconscious body and hit a button on the back of Nekomaru's neck, causing the robot to cease movement as well.
She didn't hold on much longer. Her body felt heavy, and her mind felt like it was melting. With the last ounce of strength she could muster, she growled. "God... dammit... Monokuma..."
With that, she fell forward. She was unconscious before she made any impact.
I know I said Nekomaru would probably be depressed, but I actually can't imagine the guy being down in the dumps for too long. So instead, I tried to convey his true feelings in some of his dialogue. Hopefully it works.
Maki's definitely broken, though. I don't think headpats are going to fix this one. Hopefully, she'll be able to hold out for the next few chapters.
Also, yay, the Funhouse! For some reason, a lot of people don't like the Funhouse, but I thought it was a pretty enjoyable mystery. I'm just challenged by 3D spacial awareness puzzles, I guess. I wouldn't mind future Danganronpa games making use of the environment to commit murder. Though I have to admit, any other location in the amusement park could've been used just as well.
In the next chapter, we'll explore the Funhouse, and begin starvation. Wait, what-
