Daily Life

Day 10

The next morning I soon felt myself stir out of my sleep. My mind was awake but my eyes were refusing to cooperate with it. I guess my body was too tired after the stressful class trial I had to deal with yesterday. If my body didn't want to wake up I figured I could sleep a bit longer. But suddenly I felt my body being shoved and pushed madly. This wasn't my doing as I felt myself rock in the bed. Soon a voice became audible as my eyes slowly opened which made the voice become more and more clear.

"... ai... ake... up K... Wak... Kai! Kai wake up! Kai!" The voice bolstered at me and when my eyes focused I immediately realized I was staring directly at my agent!

I trembled. "T-Terry?"

Terry smiled at me with a relieved sigh. "Thank God you're alright. The last thing I wanted was to tell the press my star was dancing with the stars. And unfortunately I wouldn't be talking about the show."

My eyes erupted in tears that instant as I jumped out of the bed and threw myself at him. We held onto each other tightly as I heaved and sobbed into his shoulder. I could smell the excessive Axe body spray that he wore too much of which would always make me gag with how much he used but at that moment it was like a breath of fresh air to me.

"I'm so happy to see you! I-It's been a nightmare at this school!" I cried into his body as he simply petted my head soothingly.

"I know. I've been desperately trying to break in and get you out." Terry told me.

I soon thought of something as I backed off. "What happened to you when the Monokumas attacked you outside? How did you manage to get in? What about the other students?"

Terry threw his hands up at my onslaught of questions. "Whoa Kai! Take it easy with the questions. I'll answer them all in time but right now I gotta get you away while we have our chance! You've been in hell since you came here and I'm..." Terry paused as a look of dejection appeared on his face. "...I'm so sorry, Kai. If I had known about what would happen... I-I would have never allowed you to come here!"

I shook my head at him and grasped his hand. "Please don't say that. There's no way we could have known that this would happen. I'm just happy you're finally here and we can leave!"

Terry soon smiled at me as he nodded. "That's right. Let's hurry and get out of here! That way you can avoid any more death and despair." Terry took hold of my hand now and bolted towards my door with me in tow.

I looked up to him. "Terry, I know you said you'd answer my questions later but can you at least tell me everyone else that was trapped here is gonna be saved to?"

By this point my door was now open and just as he stepped out, Terry stopped dead in his tracks. With how he positioned himself I couldn't see past him so I stepped out behind him and peered around his side. What came into my sights will haunt me forever as I felt my pupils dilate from utter horror.

youtube .com/watch?v=W4kxEAVJjSM Laying against the wall of the hallway was the pale, unmoving body riddled with slashes and cuts all over, a knife implanted in the gut, and a single bullet shot in the middle of the forehead was...

My voice trembled as I somehow croaked, "Luca?" My feet mindlessly shuffled forward before I dropped to my knees right beside him. I could not comprehend this gruesome sight. Luca's sea green eyes weren't bright and colorful like I had grown accustom to but dull and faded like a 1950's television set. All I saw was the emptiness of death and despair written in them from the final look he had made before he had died.

"Not him. How did this... H-How?" I trembled but suddenly my eyes were somehow pried away from the Ultimate Traceur's body to witness an even more gut-wrenching scene as I saw multiple bodies scattered around just outside the hallway and in the commons area!

I saw Marcel and Willie strung upside down by the rope Willie always carried, decapitated, Shana was leaking out blood from every broken shard of glass that protruded out of her body, one body was on fire as the charred corpse was holding a destroyed hunting rifle, and there was even a pool of blood underneath a slightly propped up vending machine where a laptop was in someone's hand that was barely seen poking out from under it.

"Even Paul and Melinda are dead?" I whispered as I saw everyone! Tommy, Ollie, Mikayla, Damian, they were all seen dead with a gruesome cause of their death being so noticeable I immediately upchucked, covering Luca's new and bloodied shoes with traces of my digestive track.

My nostrils burned almost as badly as my eyes. I trembled as I scooted back and bumped into Terry. I turned back to him. "Terry... t-they're all..." My throat suddenly got caught as I trembled to see Terry's hands covered in blood. He looked away with teary eyes.

"Terry!" I screamed as I shot up to my feet, "What is happening? What's going on?!"

Soon that laughter that haunted me sounded as Monokuma appeared! "BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Congratulations Kai! You successfully won the American Mutual Killing Game!"

I stared at the bear in bewilderment. "But... I didn't kill them! I wouldn't!"

"No but you found the blackened who did!" Monokuma clued me in as my sight immediately turned to Terry.

"No... that's not true. Terry! You didn't kill them! You couldn't have!" I shouted out more confused than ever before.

Monokuma chuckled. "You're right he couldn't have. Not alone anyway. He may be a big, strong adult but even he can't take on ten Ultimates by himself. That's why he brought help." Monokuma gestured behind me as I turned and my eyes felt like they would pop with how wide they opened at the sight of my dearest and only friend standing behind me. Manako is Japanese-American heritage with long bright scarlet red hair done in a side ponytail and a crescent moon-shaped barrette in it. She has fair complexion, blue eyes, thin body frame, medium bust size, naturally curvy body frame, long, elegant legs, and always wearing hip, expensive clothing. But this time she was covered completely from head to toe in blood.

"Sorry Kai." She whispered ghostly to me as Terry and Monokuma walked casually over to her.

"M-Manako? That's not possible! Y-You're suppose to be in Las Vegas right now!" I was now completely lost. My only celebrity friend and my agent broke into Hope's Peak just to murder all my classmates and friends? That doesn't make a lick of goddamn sense!

"And since you are the sole survivor and discovered the killers then that means you won the killing game by sacrificing everyone! And I mean everyone." Monokuma cooed.

My heart immediately dropped as the realization of his words. "No! NO! You can't execute them! They're not even students here!"

"They are now since they entered this school and participated in the killing game!" Monokuma told me but my head shook furiously.

"But the rules! There can be no more than two kills! Only one blackened is punished! There wasn't even a class trial! You can't ignore the rules! You even said you won't!" But my screams didn't seem to matter.

"Now then I've prepared a very special punishment for Terry Bobinski and Manako Kumara!" Monokuma cheered.

"NO! I WON'T LET YOU TAKE THEM AWAY FROM ME!" I cried out tears, snot, and vomit juice seeping out of me.

All Monokuma did was cry out his own statement in return. "Let's give it everything we got! IIIIIt's PUNISHMENT TIIIIIIIIME!"

Before I could process anything two giant cement blocks flew down and crushed Manako and Terry flat! Their blood splattered everywhere as I was also hit by it. I was shakily looking at myself, now drenched in their shared blood. I felt the scream of terror build up after a minute of processing what had just happened as Monokuma laughed non-stop at my look of pure despair.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" I bolted up only to fall down as my head hit something. I didn't see what because my eyes were clenched shut from the pain. When my eyes did open, the first thing I saw was my dresser in front of me. I blinked in confusion as I looked around to see I was in my dorm. I had fallen out of bed and I felt profusely wet. My body was sweaty but that wasn't all. I touched my forehead to see drops of blood on my fingertips.

"It was a nightmare." I whispered to myself. I pushed myself up and struggled to walk straight, trying to make my way to the bathroom. The head injury and stress my body felt from that nightmare had me staggering as I undressed myself and turned the shower on. I immediately hopped in once I discarded the last of my clothes as I felt the cold water splash on me. I hated cold showers but right now I needed it. Despite knowing the fact that I only dreamed all that now, I couldn't help but sink into a ball as I held myself and cried into my body.

I never felt so scared and alone then I did at that moment. Even though every night I try my best to dream and hope that tomorrow makes it better, I'll just wake up to the cold reality and not a thing has changed. That dream was a cruel reminder that I was still trapped in a killing game in a school that is suppose to bring hope to the world, where five innocent students have already died because of the demonic teddy bear that was forcing us to kill each other for sport, entertainment, and despair.

Also learning that the cameras weren't just there for Monokuma to monitor us but was to broadcast our killing game to the entire viewing world? The only reason people would watch this sick, twisted game was to update themselves on the lives of the sixteen trapped students. Everyone we care about would watch to see if we are safe. And those who know of the fate of the first five victims have probably clicked away and are mourning the loss of their loved ones, not caring for the fate of those who are surviving.

It made me wonder if that really is the case. If this was being broadcasted live, surely the police would be doing everything to try and break us out. Maybe Terry is with them. My mind flashed back to my video of Terry screaming out to me as the Monokumas overwhelmed him. I shook my head ferociously to get rid of any negative thought my mind was about to think up.

'I can't think that way. I'm a celebrity. Someone people look up to and there are many scared people here that need someone to keep their hopes up. I need to be that beacon for the others.' I thought to myself as I stood up and finished bathing myself. I hopped out, grabbing the provided towel hanging up and dried my body off. I soon got my clothes back on and smiled in the mirror as I combed my hair. 'I made a promise to Jayden. I need to keep it no matter what obstacles try to block my path.'

I quickly departed from my bathroom and began making my way out when Monokuma appeared out of nowhere in front of me.

"Hey Kai!" Monokuma greeted me when he popped up, making me step back in surprise.

"What is it now?" I growled at him, after my expression of surprise turned into a hateful glare.

Monokuma looked away. He seemed hurt but he was most likely acting sad. "Awww. What a harsh greeting. And I took some time out of my busy schedule to see you after the others. But if you're gonna be like that then I might as well leave now. Toodles!"

I didn't register what he said at first but when it kicked in I stepped towards him. "Wait! What was that?"

Monokuma looked back with his usual smirk. "Did I peak your interest? Well I may not be well liked by you kids but I am your headmaster so I should be treated with even a small fraction of your respect every once in a while."

I growled inwardly but swallowed my pride back as I greeted him, expressionless and monotone. "Hello Headmaster Monokuma."

"Good! But it sounds boring when you say it like that. Try again but this time do it in an Australian accent!" Monokuma pleaded me.

I growled as I put a fake smile on my face. "Gday Headmaster. I reckon that you think I'd be waggin' again but I haven't done so since I was in Kindy, mate." My accent came off naturally and not over-the-top like everyone else does impersonating well-known Australians like the Crocodile Hunter as a prime example.

Monokuma let out an impressed whistle with his arms folded. "Wow. Now that was an authentic accent. I knew it was right with you being the Ultimate Actor! You're so well-rounded and talented! Can I have an autograph? Also when you sign it can you speak like a New Yorker?" He suddenly was begging me with a Monokuma head shaped autograph book in his paws and a ballpoint pen with his head acting as the button on the end.

I glared at him. "There's no way I'd give you one. Besides are you trying to tell me you came down here just to get an autograph and hear some cheesy accents? I seriously doubt that."

Monokuma quickly threw his Monopad and Monopen away as I somehow heard a comical glass shatter sound effect play out of nowhere when they crashed onto the ground behind him.

"Alright ya got me. You really are perceptive. I came down to see you and let you know about some important information." He confessed.

"Important information?" I repeated back confused.

"Of course. I feel obligated since it is vital for you. Firstly since you all did survive another superb class trial, that means a new area of the school will be unlocked for you all so keep an eye out for that. Also what I said earlier wasn't completely true. I am of course referring to Brenda receiving Sienna's motive video." Monokuma began.

I sneered. "You said you didn't give it to her!"

He chuckled at me. "Puhuhu! That was true but I didn't say if I did have a role in it ending up with her or not. I simply informed the person on a potential blackened and they put the disc in her room. They simply got it right with a lucky guess of who they thought the blackened was on their part."

I blinked, registering what he said. "Are you telling me... Someone is working for you? Like a spy?"

"Spy, traitor, colleague, whatever you wanna call it." He shrugged making my face puff up in anger.

"How is that fair?" I yelled at him.

"In technicality it isn't, however they don't have any benefits such as knowledge of who the blackened is or knowing motives or anything. They're still playing this game like everyone else but they get a few fun perks to stir up some fun. Besides that's not the only thing you should be concerned about." Monokuma informed me.

My eyes narrowed at him suspiciously. "What else is there?"

"I couldn't help but notice a secret rendezvous that occurred in the late hours last night. I didn't get the details on it but someone could be planning something despair inducing right under your noses. And no the traitor is not one of them."

"Who was it then?" I asked but he just bolstered out a laugh.

"I can't tell you. That would spoil a perfectly good surprise. Besides it would be unfair to let you know when I didn't tell anyone else about it." He replied.

"What? You told the others?" I questioned him again in surprise.

"Yep and I bet they're all just dying to find out who these people are. Don't you?" Monokuma asked me in a dreary voice.

I felt my heart stop at his tone and use of words as he laughed madly before he disappeared again.

With only one thing on my mind I rushed out of my room, not even bothering to lock it behind me, as I ran out to look for everyone else. I soon heard mixed shouting from the cafeteria and I quickly ran in that direction.

Upon entering the room, I saw everyone standing towards each other, screaming at either one other person or multiple people. Willie was shouting at Ollie and Marcel, Shana, Tommy, and Mikayla were yelling at Melinda, and Paul was arguing with Damian. Luca however was rushing around trying to stop the arguments but was having very little success on his own.

I ran up to them and Luca rushed to me when he saw me approaching. "Kai! I need help! Everyone is framing each other as traitors!" He said to me, looking exhausted.

I looked around, knowing that to try and force them to stop wouldn't work, trying to find another means to make them stop fighting. I had to be fast because some of them are starting to get physical with each other.

Soon I saw a fire alarm on the wall near the entrance as I ran back and grabbed the handle.

"Kai?" Luca asked me, sounding nervous as he looked over at me. I held the alarm and gave him a silent nod, signaling him of my intention, before I yanked it down. At that moment the fire alarm blared as red, flashing lights appeared just like when Monokuma revealed the staircase to the second floor. Everyone arguing immediately ceased their bickering as they covered their ears to shield themselves from the piercing siren sound. Me and Luca also had our ears covered before it suddenly shut off.

That alarm didn't go off for very long. It must have been shut off manually. I looked around and I noticed Mikayla was removing her hands from her face and not the sides of her head. 'Was she not covering her ears?' I wondered before I looked over at everyone else.

I gave them all a disappointed look. "What do you all think you were doing?"

Shana pointed at Melinda accusingly. "She's the traitor! She has to be! Melinda has been the only one here getting her rocks off at this killing game!"

"Aww. And here I thought little Miss Know-It-All was actually knowing what she was saying." Melinda mocked her before Shana snarled at her and went to attack her but Luca and Tommy instantly latched onto her and held her back. Shana made no movement as she looked down at her stomach. Melinda had her Bowie knife in hand somehow as its tip gently prodded Shana. 'Melinda is blindingly fast alright. Had Luca and Tommy not stopped her, Shana would have impaled herself.' I thought in horror.

"Don't worry sweetheart, this wouldn't have killed you. I have it positioned just so it would miss any major vital organs... barely." She told her with a dark look in her cold, dead eyes. Shana sneered at her but backed off, knowing she was outmatched against the Ultimate Huntress.

Before I could say anything, Damian spoke up next. "I think Paul is the most likely suspect for being the traitor."

"And what pray-tell is your reasoning for that?" Paul deadpanned at him.

"Isn't it obvious? The Ultimate Hacker here needs to keep himself entertained. You still have that laptop of yours and yet all our electronic devices were taken. That's super suspicious. And what better way to keep yourself entertained than by causing mayhem for all of us." Damian told him but Paul just shrugged at him.

Paul let out a tiny chuckle. "You think that's enough to convict me as the traitor? Haven't I said multiple times how idly boring this place and this killing game is? Also recall I gave up all my other electronic devices and Monokuma put up firewalls even I can't hack to ensure I didn't cheat at this dumb game."

Damian smiled back. "It could just have been one big act to fool us all into thinking you don't have access or that this is all uneventful. And if a robot bear put up firewalls you can't even hack into, then why are you even here amongst us Ultimate students?"

That insult sent a serious glare from Paul's eyes and Damian returned it. I swear I saw lightning shooting from their gaze as it collided against each other, not breaking and not moving, igniting a rivalry.

Paul soon spoke. "I have every reason to believe everyone here has potential with working for Monokuma. A sad DJ like you has a lot of potential." Their glare war raged on as their eyes squinted at each other more.

Now it was Willie's turn to hop into the killing game turned accusing game. "I bet one of these two are the backstabbin' varmint." He said, looking at Ollie and Marcel.

"What reason do you have to believe that? Is it because we're simply aligned with Paul and Melinda?" Ollie asked him with a look of disappointment.

"Well that but I'm simply saying in Marcel's case he might have aligned himself with that bear just because he ain't all that smart and he'd use any advantage he can get to survive." Willie explained a bit.

Marcel nodded. "That's true." He then realized what he said and held his hands out, shaking them as well as his head. "Wait man! I didn't mean to say it like that! I didn't accept any proposal from Monokuma to betray anyone! Honest!"

"And Ollie here would do it simply because she looks... How do I describe it? Oh right. Being creepier than a two-headed rattlesnake ." Willie added.

"You're basing your logic on me simply because you think I'm creepy? How judgmental of you." Ollie shook her head with a small drop of her head.

"That ain't judgmental. It's logical. Monokuma is creepy and you're creepy. Not to mention you just look downright creepy too. That means you are most likely working together." Willie tried to explain but a dark gaze from Ollie stopped him from continuing.

"That's asinine of you to judge me and my actions solely on my looks. You don't even know me. Besides I could say you're working with Monokuma because you're creepy." Ollie said to him.

Willie looked offended. "I ain't creepy!"

"That's your opinion. Just like how it's my opinion to think that I'm not creepy. You see what I mean? I can't make judgments on someone because they seem creepy when I don't even know their character but that's what you're doing with me. Basing your dumb theories and ideas on your opinion on someone's looks over their personality is biased of you." Ollie explained to him.

"Now look here lil' lady." Willie growled at him but Luca stepped in front of him.

"Willie, that's enough! We're not continuing this." Luca growled at him, blocking the cowboy from the tattoo artist.

Willie looked at him and turned away with a huff. Ollie seemed surprised Luca came to her rescue like that.

Melinda chuckled. "Aww, what a martyr you are, Luca. Trying to defend everyone here. It's cute really, seeing you squirm to keep the peace. But we haven't gone over the most suspicious of us all."

Paul's glare war with Damian suddenly ended as he looked at Luca. "She's right. One person here is the most suspicious of all."

The two slowly walked towards Mikayla, only to walk past her. Then to Shana but again went past her. Then Tommy, then Luca, and finally they stopped in front of...

"Me?" I asked in shock. The two didn't answer, only stared at me with hateful eyes.

Luca immediately ran forward, again getting between me and them. "No way in hell are you dubbing him the traitor!"

"But his being the traitor is one of the most logical when you think about it. He's basically been a god at the investigations and class trials. Making deductions and solving these mysteries left and right when all he is is a measly actor." Paul told him.

"An actor may recall his roles in movies and play characters to a T but that doesn't mean he's perfect with everything. An actor that's been figuring out the blackened with ease like some detective? That's highly suspicious." Melinda added.

Luca's eyes glared again. "I don't care what logic or deductions you come up with, I'll believe in Kai any day."

"Same here." Damian shouted as he stood next to Luca.

Soon everyone began piling up in front of me in a protective manner.

"If it wasn't for him, we'd all be dead." Shana replied.

"She's right." Tommy agreed.

"I ain't got a reason to doubt him." Willie noted.

"Of course I have every reason to trust Kai." Mikayla said, looking at me with determined but sad eyes.

What through me through the loop was seeing the last two students also line up with the others.

Ollie spoke up first. "You two are clever yes but it is because of Kai we're alive. I think if he wanted to stir trouble he'd have done something suspicious by now. I haven't noticed that at all with him."

"I mean the guy is awesome. Since everyone else believes in him, then I wanna believe in him too." Marcel even told them his thoughts too which shocked me to see those two defend me too.

"Y-You guys..." I whispered.

Paul and Melinda looked over everyone with dejected eyes. They didn't like the fact every single one of them came to defend me like that.

"You're all idiots. What do you have to gain from this? An autograph? A date with a celebrity? A kiss on the cheek? He's probably playing you all right now and feigning innocence to make you believe him." Paul growled at everyone.

"Kai's not underhanded like you two." Shana shouted back.

"Enough of this nonsense. Obviously we can't figure out who the traitor is but maybe we can figure out who rendezvoused last night." Melinda cooed.

"How?" Marcel asked confused.

She simply chuckled. "All we have to do is simply call out if we met up in the rendezvous or not."

Mikayla deadpanned at her. "Seriously? That's your plan? That's so stupid! Almost as dumb as Marcel."

Marcel folded his arms. "Why am I always picked on by everyone, man?"

"Alright everyone if you don't call it out fast then the last person to call out will be the most suspicious." Melinda called out like a Kindergarten teacher.

When she said that something came to mind. "Wait. Melinda, are you trying to..."

But before I could say anything Melinda spoke even louder which cut me off. "Then let's go! 3... 2... 1... Go!"

Instantly I heard someone shout out, "It wasn't me!"

We all looked over to the voice to see the person who shouted out first with their hand raised was Tommy.

Melinda grinned like the Cheshire Cat at that moment. "And we have one of our culprits."

Tommy's hand stooped down a bit. "W-What? But I said I didn't meet up with anyone."

The huntress chuckled lowly. "Oh foolish boy, it's obvious that one of the people who met up would want to ensure their innocence so by going first so eagerly you exposed yourself."

"But you said the most suspicious would be the last person! Not the first." Tommy argued.

I sighed out. "Tommy, that was just a trick. Melinda wanted to give you a false sense of security."

Paul smirked. "She laid a trap and caught her prey. Just like how the Ultimate Huntress should." His face quickly transformed into a cold state at Tommy. "Alright then fossil boy, who did you meet up with?"

Tommy began backing up slowly. "N-No. You guys have it wrong! I-I-I didn't see anyone last night! I swear!"

The two of them along with Mikayla, Damian, Marcel, and Ollie began walking closer to him which pushed him closer to the wall until he was pressed against it and surrounded. Everyone of them was eyeing him with suspect and displeasure at his sadly obvious attempts to defend himself. I felt bad but given his reactions it seemed that Tommy did in fact make a rendezvous with someone. But who?

"Confess." Paul demanded the paleontologist.

Tommy shook in his boots and looked away. "I... won't say."

Paul shook his head in disappointment. "Then your fate has been sealed." He then turned to Willie. "You! Tie him up!"

Willie looked shocked at that command before a glare came out. "Sorry? When did you become my Pa?"

"Do you want to let someone as untrustworthy as him to run around free?" Paul asked him.

Willie groaned as he approached Tommy with his rope in hand. "Sorry partner. Just... try not to struggle too much. Don't wanna give ya rope burn."

Tommy closed his eyes before Willie took hold of his arm. But suddenly a shadow whooshed past me and into the crowd before they shoved Willie back and stood in front of Tommy with their arms outstretched in a protective stance.

Everyone blinked at this. "Shana?" Willie asked, trying to make sense of her actions as she glared at us all.

Tommy opened his eyes and gasped. "Shana, what are you doing?"

"It's me. I was the one who met with Tommy last night. So put that damn rope away now." Shana confessed with a solemn and low voice.

Tommy looked to her sorrowfully. "Shana no." He whimpered out.

Shana looked back to him with a sympathetic smile. "It's fine. Really. I can't let you be the one to be accused."

Melinda shook her head. "I should have known it was you. You two have been around each other a lot. Well now that we know who met with who in that rendezvous, tie them both up."

"Why?" Tommy exclaimed.

"You're both lucky we're not getting you two executed for your treachery but we still can't trust you." Melinda explained as she took the rope from Willie and approached them.

"You're not giving us a chance to explain ourselves!" Shana shouted angry now.

"Do we need a reason? I doubt anything you say will convince us otherwise. Continue Melinda." Paul instructed but I rushed in and grabbed the rope and attempted to get it away from her grasp.

"That's enough! You have no right to do this!" I shouted.

Luca appeared next to me and grabbed the rope too and also tugged on it. "This is going too far! Knock it off!"

Melinda growled as she tugged back. "Let go, you stupid mongrels!"

It became a tug-of-war as we fought for the rope with Willie, Paul, and others jumping in with their own agenda as the arguing picked up again.

Shana growled as she took her pickax and lifted it up with a bloodcurdling scream that instantly silenced our fighting before she brought it down at us! Those of us who were closest had to push the rest of the class back to avoid getting hit, causing all nine students to stumble back and fall down. The rope was hooked by the pickax as Shana pinned her tool into the tiled floor with the spooled up rope caught underneath.

We all looked at Shana in horror as she began screaming at us. "WILL ALL OF YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP FOR ONE SECOND AND LET US EXPLAIN OURSELVES? BETTER YET JUST STAY THERE AND WATCH US!"

The enraged ox, better known as Shana, turned tail and stomped over to Tommy. Tommy looked even more terrified as she now stood in front of him.

"Sh-Shana, what are you gonna..." But before he could react, he was silenced by Shana with a dirt-covered finger hovering above his lips. Before long she removed it and replaced it with her own lips as their mouths connected!

Everyone gawked at the sight of Shana kissing Tommy! Even Tommy looked like he was caught off guard! After about a minute of silence with us just lying there stunned and those two sucking mouths, they broke apart as they smiled sweetly at each other afterward.

"So you met up last night... so you could get together?" Damian asked them in great confusion.

Shana looked back and shrugged. "Basically, yeah."

Marcel swallowed as he blushed. "Um... then did you guys... you know... d-did you two kinda..."

"Did you have sex?" Ollie asked out of nowhere as everyone looked at her, shocked by her forwardness.

Shana glared and Tommy was madly blushing at Ollie too. Shana spoke up. "One; that is disgusting you'd even want to know let alone ask. And two; that's an invasion of privacy so we have no right to tell you! But to cancel out any perverted thoughts or fantasies you freaks might be having, the answer is no. We did absolutely nothing explicit."

"Like I said she's creepy." Willie grumbled which earned him an icy glare from Ollie.

Everyone started to get back to their feet by this point. Shana grabbed the handle of her pickax and yanked on it as it pried out of the ground. She then reached down and took Willie's rope before chucking it at him, who caught it in the nick of time before it hit his face.

"Next time you try tying up my guy and I'll ensure this gets buried in you head deeper than your hand has been up a horse's plot." Shana warned him, swinging her pickax around like a baton.

Willie just glared at her but made no witty remark as he strapped the rope back on his waist.

"See you guys? If you would have just let us explain ourselves before then all this unnecessary drama wouldn't have happened." Tommy told us.

But Paul sneered at him. "Well if you had just told us who you met with then this all would've been avoided."

"I hate agreeing with Paul of all people but he's right. Why keep something like that a secret?" Damian asked confused.

Tommy blushed. "Well it's because we didn't want to come out with our relationship until we were more comfortable with it."

"We knew that if we came out then everyone would suspect we were up to something just like how Paul's group has been suspected time and time again." Shana continued.

"But we're in a death game here. Why commit yourselves to a serious relationship right now of all times?" I questioned them.

Shana smiled at me. "Kai, do you remember what Tommy said when we were at the pool?"

My mind flashback to that moment. Tommy looked down sadly. "I didn't think about that prediction for years and then it just happens to come true? I'm just a lucky guy with his career who has an unlucky streak with everything else as well. I can never catch a break, never get friends, never get a girlfriend, never..."

"Tommy has had a rough life even before coming here and I wanted to show him that his bad luck is not something that should rule his life or way of thinking. After we separated, Tommy joked at how me and him acted like an old, married couple in there but I told him that it wasn't a bad idea to try and be a couple." Shana explained before Tommy took over.

"I told her that I was joking but when she suggested we do get together, I told her it was up to her. I didn't want to force her into something she might regret so all I asked of her was that she actually put thought into it and come to her own conclusion on the matter. Then last night she surprised me and told me she wanted to go through with it. The rendezvous wasn't planned out. It was very much a surprise to me as it was to you. But we spent most of last night simply talking, going over details about our relationship and just getting to know each other better than before. Nothing bad or backstabbing everyone else was discussed. It was just... us." Tommy wrapped things up as he also wrapped his right arm around her shoulders.

Melinda growled. "Well this could still be a major cover up you two planned so we have no reason to believe anything you said."

I walked up to them. "Did you discuss about any intimate contact with each other last night?"

Shana nodded. "Yeah. We agreed to resist any PDA situations in secret let alone in public to avoid our relationship from becoming known. If something even as simple as holding hands became a habit in secret then it might become instinctual to do when were around each other where you guys might see us."

I smiled at them before looking back. "Then I can trust them."

"What? Are you really gonna trust them so easily?" Melinda asked me with disbelief in her tone.

I nodded. "Yes. I don't feel like their words and actions are scripted. It feels legit. Especially Tommy's reaction when Shana kissed him. They made an agreement to not show any signs of PDA and yet Shana did so in front of everyone? I bet Tommy was shocked that she broke that arrangement so quickly."

Luca stood next to me. "If Kai believes them then so will I."

Ollie was next to stand by us. "I believe their words too."

And just like before everyone gathered with us leaving Melinda and Paul all by their lonesome.

"Fine. Believe what you will but don't come crying to us when those three stab you all in the back." Paul pointed at Shana, Tommy, and myself.

"Also I wanna know how Monokuma didn't know about what their meeting was about." Melinda added.

Marcel looked thoughtful. "That's right. When Monokuma mentioned that, he said he didn't know about the details of the meeting they had. Did they mess with the camera?"

Mikayla's eyes rolled. "No, you idiot. The rules prevent any sabotage on the cameras from happening. If they had, they'd be dead."

"Well the reason he didn't know is most likely because when we met up, we only whispered to each other and with our backs toward the camera so he couldn't see or hear what we were saying." Shana told us.

"Then him telling us something evil was planned was only a guess or a twisted lie." Luca theorized.

"Yeah it was an assumption." Monokuma said sadly in front of us as we all jumped back with a collective shout of surprise. "Since I couldn't figure out what they were talking about I simply had to assume it was bad since they wanted it secret even from me. How disappointing it is to learn that it was just some lame hookup and not a team up to commit a big, complicated murder."

Suddenly his depressed demeanor was replaced with his usual cheery attitude. "Oh well! That drama beforehand more than made up for it! But you!" Now he was angry as his red eye flashed at me. "What's the big idea? You do realize how sensitive my ears are compared to yours right? Don't go sounding alarms like that. Especially without my permission!"

"First of all you're not a dog. Secondly, I only pulled it to stop the fighting." I explained, motioning towards the others.

"Well I don't care! You're lucky I don't punish you for that." Monokuma growled to me.

I smirked. "Nice one but you can't. I haven't broken any rules."

"Maybe not this time but you will if you try it next time." The bear warned me as our handbooks suddenly beeped. I grabbed mine out of my pocket and saw the rules had updated.

"Rule 8: No alarm may go off without consent from the headmaster." It read. I growled in slight annoyance as I noticed everyone else had their handbooks out, reading the new rule.

"Puhuhuhu! AAAHAHAHAHA!" Monokuma laughed out loud as he vanished again.

Now that he was gone, we were able to continue. Everyone looked exhausted after all that fighting. "Let's just forget about all that had happened for now and find the entrance to the new area." Damian suggested.

"Huh? New area?" Marcel questioned him.

"Remember after the first class trial? Monokuma revealed the next floor of the school after we survived it and he did mention it when telling us about the traitor and rendezvous." Damian reminded him.

"Then we should head up to the second floor and search there." Paul said as he, Melinda, and others began walking out.

I was also following but was stopped by someone's voice. "Kai!" I looked back to see Shana and Tommy approaching me, their hands joined together and their fingers interlocked. Tommy spoke up. "We wanted to thank you for defending us like that."

"Well a lot of people have suspicion of us three and besides I didn't see you guys using this relationship as an act. I may be fooled from time to time such as with the two previous blackened but this doesn't feel like last time. It seems legit and so I'll trust you both."

"And we'll trust you. It's your talent for picking up on acts that have helped us catch the culprit everytime so I don't have a reason to doubt you either." Shana told me with a sweet smile on her face.

Soon the two walked past me with Shana resting her head against Tommy's shoulder and Tommy didn't seem to mind the dirt-covered, hard helmet pressed into it. I smiled at the sight as a feeling suddenly welled in my stomach. I was happy that those two found a way to cope with this situation and help each other through it but something about it made me feel saddened. Maybe it was because I didn't have someone like they have each other? I can't be sure but I do have spectacular friends that have helped me and who I can help like Luca, Mikayla, Damian, and Willie, to name a few. Also Ollie and Marcel seem to want to hang out with us more so I might see how they are.

After a bit I found myself at the stairs to the second floor before I went up and after a bit of walking I soon saw everyone gathered past the fitness room into a hallway I don't recall every seeing before. At the end was a red curtain that everyone stood in front of, staring at it curiously. I quickly approached them and tapped Mikayla on the shoulder since she stood the furthest back in the group and closest to me.

"Hey Mikayla, do you remember this hallway and curtain being here before?" I questioned her suspiciously.

She shook her head. "Not a clue."

That was all she said. I noticed her eyes were dark with purple bags underneath them. It looks like Mikayla was still having trouble wrapping her head around the idea that her two closest friends were murdered and executed. The result of it was most likely major depression and lack of sleep. I felt terrible but I knew there's nothing I can do right now.

It felt like someone's gaze was on us but when I looked up, no one was. I swore I did see a head turn back at the last second but I wasn't able to identify who.

Soon Marcel walked up to the curtain. "Whoa man. This is weird. Whadda ya think is behind it?"

"Why don't you open it and find out?" Melinda suggested with an immensely bored face.

Marcel shrugged as he did so. He put both hands through the split in the middle and pushed them to the sides. We all were even more confused when we saw a wall there.

"Hey what gives?" Shana asked annoyed.

Marcel patted on the wall. "It's solid. I thought there was suppose to be an entrance to the next area."

"There should be. This is the only place on the second floor where it could be since there wasn't a hallway here before." Damian replied.

I hummed thoughtfully. Some of the others heard it as they looked back at me. "Kai? Is there something we're missing here?" Ollie asked me.

"It's just... This curtain has a particular set up. I mean there's a rope on the right side to open it up and the lighting seems to be focused on that side." I noted outloud before stepping up next to Marcel before grabbing the open curtains. "Um... Please step back."

Marcel complied with a look of embarrassment for not realizing my intention sooner. Once out of the way, I pulled them closed before walking stage right and grasping the curtain's rope. My fingers fidgeted on the rope from nervousness and to get a better hold. Once I felt the moment was right, I yanked down on the rope and it easily slid open, revealing the wall. Or a lack thereof.

Everyone looked shocked when they saw no wall there but another staircase going up to another floor. And on that staircase stood a formally dressed Monokuma with a black suit jacket, white button-up shirt and vest, red rose, black top hat, and no pants or shoes. "TA-DA! Thank you one and all for attending this magical reveal!" He shouted out, bowing to us. "And let's not forget my lovely assistant!" His arms motioned in my direction!

A lot of people now looked at me with shock and once again suspicion. I shook my hands at them. "No! I had no part in this!"

"Why should we believe that? You seem to know what to do when it came to the curtain when Marcel failed." Paul snarled at me.

"T-That was just a guess! Besides I'm an actor. Being behind a curtain before a big reveal is kinda my thing. I swear I'm not playing along with Monokuma." I swore to them but most of their eyes showed they either didn't believe me or they wanted to but weren't sure. There were still a few that didn't seem to have any doubts in me so that was nice but I would've preferred having everyone believe in me.

"Well anyways not only am I here to introduce the third floor of the school but also to reveal that there is a special perk for one lucky student!" Monokuma announced.

Tommy sighed. "Well I'm out of the running."

"What kind of special perk?" Mikayla asked, her eyes squinted at the neatly dressed bear.

"One that is hidden somewhere new but that's all I can say. The perk will become clear once it is found. So then... happy hunting!" With that said white smoke puffed up, masking Monokuma from sight before it and Monokuma vanished.

"Those are words I'm always glad to hear." Melinda chuckled as she rushed up the stairs. Soon everyone else began running up too with a sudden gusto in everyone's motivation to check out the new floor and find this perk. I followed behind quickly.

And that's all folks! This chapter was gonna be longer but I know very long chapters can be tedious to read so I just found a spot I thought would be good to leave off on and started the next chapter with where it would have continued if I didn't break it down. Hopefully work and life don't get in their way of my writing like it has been already so I'll try to work on it ASAP! As a side note I will let you all know that this fic, once completed will be redone to make the story persistant and better than it is now! Anyways what perk could be awaiting and where was it hidden? You'll find out in the next chapter! Or maybe not... Guess you'll have to wait! But until then I'll see you soon! Puhuhuhu~