Day 15

After the usual morning announcement played, I made my way to the cafeteria. Everyone was there including Ollie and the others though they sat at a table further away from everyone else. What a surprise there, am I right? But what was a surprise was the fact Willie was eating at his own table. Then again with the way he and Shana were glaring at each other while they ate, spoke loudly enough. I was quick to gather myself a plate of food as I sat down with Shana and the others.

We ate breakfast in relatively peaceful silence. That is until he ruined it.

"Look at you pouty children! I can't believe what I'm seeing!" Monokuma shouted out as he popped up in the middle of the room.

"We know. It's been one day since the last killing and you're bored. Just give us the motive and be on your way," Paul requested, sounding bored.

"Actually I'm referring to you kids being so split up! Dividing yourselves, fighting amongst each other, the repetitive back and forths! I'm one for chaos but it's dull seeing it all the time! Besides in the end your all classmates and the hope of the future! There should be a big sense of fellowship emanating from your very pores!" Monokuma squealed out.

"I'd rather not smell like the pig," Shana growled out.

Willie huffed, "Likewise lil' snake."

Shana grabbed her spoon covered in oatmeal and chucked it at Willie as it splattered on his shirt. He growled at her as he grabbed a handful of his own oatmeal and hurled it back, only for Shana to duck down and dodge it but in doing so got Tommy pelted in the face instead as he got flung out of his seat.

His hand caught hold of Damian's arm as Damian was dragged down with him. The result of this was Damian's elbow slamming into Tommy's gut as the paleontologist wheeled out in pain.

"See?! That's exactly what I mean! It's too predictable around here and it's driving me bonkers! Miner and Cowboy argue and attack each other in which Dinoboy gets hurt in a hilarious yet still predictable manner! Hacker secludes his group and pawns after Actor! I just narrated how you've been interacting with your classmates the entire time you've been here!" He screamed out.

At this point, Damian and Tommy were back in their seats as Tommy cleaned the oatmeal off his glasses only to see one eyeglass was now cracked after his fall.

Damiam saw this and gasped. "Frizz man! I'm sorry about your glasses."

Tommy shrugged it off with a smile. "It's fine. I always keep a spare on hand," He said as he opened an upper vest pocket to slip the cracked pair in only to pull out the other pair that also seemed to be cracked. That's when Tommy groaned and his grin vanished.

"You need to change something fast before I get even more bored than I am now! Trust me when I say you don't want to see that side of me," Monokuma threatened as his red eye glowed and his upheld paw had claws pop out.

"Then what do you suggest we do? Paul refuses to let him and his group anywhere near us," Luca told him.

Monokuma then giggled. "Oh, don't worry about that. I have my ways."

Suddenly our e-handbooks pinged. "Huh?" I heard myself exclaim out loud. I grabbed my e-handbook out and saw a new rule update.

"Rule 9: Everyone must join and participate in the organization chosen by the club leader assigned by Headmaster Monokuma!"

I read the rule and looked up at him with a flabbergasted look. "You must be kidding me?"

"This is one hundred percent serious! It is a rule now after all!" Monokuma giggled.

"So then we all have to take part in a club of your choosing? If it involves how to kill, I'm not comfortable with that," Tommy told Monokuma.

Monokuma violently shook his head. "Nonono! The club leader is the one who decides what activity will become your focal point."

Paul smiled. "Good. Because I already have the perfect idea for it." His gaze fell on me but before anyone could object, Monokuma did!

"Like hell I'm going to let you do something so predictable! Besides, I do have one say in the matter and that is who the club leader will be!" Monokuma hummed as his eyes began scanning over us, his paw lightly tapping his chin. "Let's see… I think… YES! YOU!" His paw shot out as he pointed out to…

"Me?!" Luca replied in shock.

"Yes! You!" Monokuma shouted back.

"Him!?" Paul, Melinda, and Willie all screamed out and jumped up from their seats at the same time.

Monokuma's red eye glowed as he looked at them. "Don't make me repeat myself."

The three quickly backed off and sat down not making eye contact with Monokuma.

Shana smiled at Luca, "Well, I like that's not Paul and definitely not wet Willie over there."

"But I don't know how to lead a club." Luca retorted.

"You were the head of your traceur group, weren't you?" I asked Luca.

Luca nodded. "Yeah, I took the lead more than once but I obviously can't be a leader of a parkour club here! All of you lack either the muscle or dexterity to scale up architecture and fall from great heights without injuries. It takes years upon years to master."

"Then let's choose something simple. Something that everyone won't have trouble in." I suggested.

"I saw a chessboard in the club room. Maybe we can start a chess club?" Tommy shyly asked.

"Them strategic games are dull! We need somethin' more invigoratin'! Like… a square dance club! Nothing like a good ole time of dancing!" Willie hollered out.

Melinda chuckled. "Right. Especially because the last time someone we all went dancing was totally worth it, right Damian?" She grinned widely at him as he looked down sheepishly.

"Back off, polygamy dog!" Shana sneered at her.

"Everyone stop!" I suddenly realized I was screaming and everyone stared at me in dead silence. I quickly shook off my own surprise and stepped forward. "Let's be rational about this. We need to get this done now before Monokuma kills us all for not coming to a decision. Let me ask you all a question. With what rooms we have available in the school, where would you like to be right now? I personally would love either the auditorium or the little theater but I know that only appeals to me. However, if I had to choose somewhere else, I would answer with the botanical garden. My reason is that it's a beautiful place and nature has a calming effect on me. What about you all?"

The others remained silent for a moment before Melinda spoke first. "I also like the garden. I feel like I'm back on a wild jungle adventure I'd go on during the summer."

Willie was next. "I gotta agree with that. It may not smell like home but the outdoorsy smell and feel makes me think of home."

Shana shrugged. "It may not be the dirt I'm used to but I also like the idea of getting down and dirty again and that's the only place I could do it."

Damian soon stood up and smiled. "When I'm in there I feel free of this place. With the room's design looking like I'm outside on a slightly cloudy day with the sun's light and heat and the gentle winds on my skin… I feel like I'm back home in New Jersey, relaxing in my backyard."

"There we go! Then why not make the club a gardening club? It seems unanimous that everyone likes the botanical garden. We can tend to the many plant life inside and make fun activities as if we were outside." I offered.

Luca smiled at me with a twinkle of newfound confidence in his eyes. "I think it's settled! Monokuma! As assigned leader, I'd like to officially make the designated club a gardening and recreational club, where we will tend to the entire botanical garden and have extracurricular activities as well!"

"An official club should have an official name!" Monokuma told us.

Luca went into his thoughts for a bit and after a while, he looked up with a smile and said, "The 'All-Out Greenhouse Club'. A club treated like a greenhouse yet you can go all-out and have fun too."

"A bit cliche but it'll do. Congratulations first class of Hope's Peak of America! You are all now a part of the All-Out Greenhouse Club with your club president, Luca Archer!" Monokuma cheered out.

"And my vice president, Kai Brugger!" Luca suddenly called out.

"Wait what?! Luca, I don't know if you can do that!" I told him warily.

"Actually since he is the official club president he can make any changes to the club he sees fit as long as it goes through my approval first. As for that change, I say it's all good! This outta make things more interesting again! I can't wait!" Monokuma squealed like a little girl as he jumped away, giddy.

I hated how he was doing this to amuse himself but on the other hand, I didn't mind it. This would be a positive thing since it would help all of us. I then looked to Luca and asked, "Are you sure you want me to take such a big responsibility?"

Luca smiled sweetly at me before he patted my shoulder and replied, "You were the one who helped everyone come to a consensus on the club so I think it's only fair."

Paul stood up with enough force on the table to catch everyone's attention. "Just so we're clear this club will be the only interaction we have with you, despair fodder. When we are not in that club my subjects and I will have nothing to do with you." He announced as he began to leave as Melinda followed afterward in a hurry. Paul quickly stopped at the cafeteria exit before he added, "Excluding Kai, of course." With that, the two left as I rolled my eyes at them.

Ollie remained behind as she was still eating her breakfast though she began eating faster now that the other two were gone. She was impressively agile with eating the remains of her food as she finished and ran over to us.

"So then Mr. Club President, what are you planning first?" She asked.

"Well, I'm gonna head up to the botanical garden to check on things up there. I'll let you know what ideas I get in a bit," Luca responded as he began walking away. "I'll see you guys later."

He waved goodbye at us as the others soon left. Before I could leave, Ollie grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. "Listen, Kai. I just need to tell you… I know."

I felt myself tense up. "Y-You know?"

She nodded as she leaned in. "I'm sorry but I like Luca. I saw the way you looked at me when I was with him."

I let out a sigh from my mind. I thought she had been referring to Damian but this is better. I shrugged before replying, "I know. I'm sure I can move on."

"But I thought you should also know I overheard Damian telling you he's the traitor," Ollie said nonchalantly.

Now my blood went cold as I stared in bewilderment at her. "So then you were the one spying on us?"

"Not at first. I was about to knock but then I saw the door was not closed so I peeked in and that's when I heard him," Ollie confessed.

"That's not important! Besides Damian said he wasn't the traitor!" I told her but she seemed unsure as Ollie retorted, "Yet he didn't tell you why he is making deals with Monokuma. Sounds like treachery to me."

"No! I don't believe that he was lying. I just think it's a difficult subject to talk about. I have faith in Damian that his reasoning is not malicious or deathly. Please you must promise me you won't tell the others until Damian is ready to talk," I even bowed my head at her like I've seen Manako do when she is pleading or asking for forgiveness. She was half Japanese after all. "Please," I begged again.

After a swift hush, I heard her sigh. "Alright, I'll keep quiet for now. But he better admit to what he's hiding soon before I find out for myself."

With that said, Ollie soon left me alone. I sighed out as I slumped against the table. I needed to relax my mind before the stress came back and gave me a migraine.

I left the first floor and made my way up to the second floor to the fitness room. Inside I found Willie working out on the bench press with only a white tank top on his upper body. He was beyond chiseled as his biceps, chest, and abs were bulging so much with every rep he did that I thought his veins would pop from all the strain of the pure muscle pushing on them.

Willie noticed me walk in as he kept lifting the barbell up and down with around two hundred and fifty pounds on each side, meaning he was bench pressing 500 pounds total which totally blew me away.

"Howdy there, Kai. Don't mind me I'm just gettin' some more exercise in for today." Willie called over to me as he didn't struggle to talk and lift the massive weight above his chest.

I just smirked at him. "I know the lifestyle of a cowboy is a physical one but damn I was not exactly prepared to see what you looked like shirtless. It's impressive to see you lift so much weight."

Willie huffed a chuckle out. "This ain't nothin'. I participated in tractor pulling contests when I was 9 years old and I haven't lost a competition yet. Besides, I know the big city can make people soft and that ain't gonna do me any favors. Since I don't got my farm here, I gotta make do with what I've got to stay in shape."

"Well, you certainly have been doing a phenomenal job. I think you're coming on par with Jayden." I commented.

Willie then set down the bar on the stand as he sat up and downed a water bottle and gasped out when he finished drinking. His head was looking down as his eyes slowly opened. "To be honest, I was only able to figure this stuff out because of Jayden. He helped me figure out a program using his personal equipment before… well, ya know..."

I nodded before finishing his sentence. "Before his untimely death."

Willie's head dropped down. "I looked up to him. He was the definition of what a man should be and I wish he didn't die. Ya know, I never in my seventeen years of life would have ever imagined I'd get involved in somethin' this devastatin'. All this despair and so many deaths in one place; It's been a lot to deal with comin' from my quiet farm life."

"That's a good point. In the news here, we hear about murders and terrorism all the time but you don't get as much exposure with how little television you watch." I noted.

Willie turned his head to look at me as he slightly nodded. "Ya got that right, partner. The biggest news we would get is who my parents would be castin' their votes for the next president of America. The next biggest thing would be weather reports and tornado warnings and after that is all local news for things happenin' in town like rodeos and meetings."

Soon a question popped in my head and I was quick to calm my curiosity. "I gotta ask you how you did that?"

Willie looked at me, confused. "Did what?"

"How you didn't flinch or get hurt at all by Shana's kicks to your…" I blushed as I traced an invisible circle with my finger to outline his crotch without getting too close to him, "you know?"

Willie looked down at himself and quickly connected the dots. "Ooh! Hehe, well partner, the reason why I didn't flinch is because when my pa was circumcising me as a newborn babe, he took off a lot more than the foreskin, let me tell ya." He chuckled wholeheartedly but all I could do was stare at him with my mouth agape in utter disbelief.

"He took your whole penis off?!" I screamed out loud.

Willie then smiled even bigger as he began laughing hard. "Nope! But I gotcha good there!"

I sneered at him as I went to slap him which he was quick to lean away from as I hit his arm, which was like slapping a stone with how solid he was. "Jerk," I growled with a small guffaw as I couldn't help but be amused.

"But seriously, it's only because I got kicked by horses and cows for so many years that I've literally developed balls of steel. Kick me there all you want and you won't get a reaction outta me. I'm just too used to it." Willie explained.

"Wow. You must have been kicked in the nuts so many times if you get used to that pain." I said to him.

Willie shrugged. "Kinda tough to say if that's an achievement or not."

I laughed out at that as he smiled before telling me, "There's a genuine smile! I see why you celebrities are so handsome."

I felt myself heat up and blush. "Thank you, Willie."

"Don't mention it. Although you may be handsome, you definitely have room to improve on yur muscle growth," Willie then snapped his fingers. "Say maybe you would like to make a suggestion to Luca about a workout session to take part in our club from time to time. It would be good to see everyone else keep themselves in shape like me and Luca."

"Luca?" I curiously asked.

"Oh sure. I see Luca in here all the time. In fact, I think he works out more than me. He's certainly dedicated, that one." Willie informed me.

'If Willie is doing this to maintain his strength and to get stronger and Luca is doing this more often, then what is his motivation?" I thought to myself.

I wished Willie luck with the rest of his workout as I left him to his reps. I then made my way up to the third floor and would have continued up to the fourth floor had I not been stopped by him.

"Ah, Kai Brugger. Just the man I wanted to see," Paul smiled as he blocked my way forward.

"What a surprise there," I responded in the most sarcastic tone I had ever used.

"Awww. It seems I've become too predictable for you. Well then allow me to break that cycle. I'm not here to demand you join my group even if you should." Paul informed me.

"Then what do you want from me?" I questioned him.

Paul shrugged. "Just to have a civilized conversation. I did enjoy speaking about myself during the riveting party and so I figured this would be an opportune time for us to continue where we left off."

I sighed. "I guess if that's all you want then I suppose there's no real reason to say no."

I followed Paul into the music room we were standing by and took a seat in the front row of chairs. For once he didn't have his laptop in his face as he was looking at me as he began speaking, "So as I left off I didn't just find that hacking syndicate, I took it over."

"What made you want to do that?" I asked him.

Paul smirked. "Well after that first moment of fun I witnessed, I began learning all the tactics that make a successful hacker. I used my parents' computer without their knowledge and I'd say after a few months of hacking, I became a prodigy. Actually no, a god feels more appropriate."

I tried to ignore the ego booster he gave himself there. "Then it really took you that short amount of time to become a professional hacker?" I questioned in amazement.

"Naturally. I was clearly born to do this if I was able to pick up on it so quickly. Wouldn't you say the same with your talent in acting, singing, dancing, and whatnot?" Paul questioned back.

I nodded my head with a slight shrug. "Yeah, I guess so. I honestly can't see myself doing anything else as a career."

"Anyway back to me. After learning all the necessary skills and after a few test subjects, I began my search for the group and not even a day passed when I found them. In fact, they congratulated me on finding them and told me they knew it was me who let them into my elementary school's network. They admired my dedication to the point where they recruited me in." Paul explained.

"They recruited you? I thought you took them over." I stated a bit puzzled.

Paul continued saying, "That's what I lead them to believe. In actuality, they did make one major flaw in their newest "recruit", and that was underestimating me. See they predicted that I would do whatever it took to come after them and they tried to exploit that by getting into my home's security and stealing all the information they could. But their novice skills soon found out the impregnable firewall I personally installed was too much for them to handle and immediately after that they realized that someone was now breaking their firewalls like cheap porcelain and getting all their information in return. I revealed to them that I was the one doing it all and had photographic pictures I took from their computer cameras and had them all linked to send the email to the police. I offered them a deal they couldn't refuse."

"You would've sent the email to the police if they didn't make you their leader," I predicted what he would say and I was rewarded with a nod of confirmation.

"They were quick to heel to me since they'd be facing 30 to lifetime sentences in prison if I turned them in. I still have that email on hand in case any of them try to backstab me or try to run away from me. That's the penalty for betraying my syndicate. Be thankful none of you are in my main group." He then began laughing exuberantly.

I only felt a sensation of uncomfortableness as he kept laughing. 'If this is his punishment for treason in his group then I hate to see what might happen to Ollie if he discovered her treachery.' I thought.

Soon let out a sigh of relief as he wiped away a tear that came from him laughing so hard. "Anyway, that's my story. I know you were on your way so I'll let you be on your way."

"I appreciate it, Paul. It was interesting to hear that story though if not creepy." I told him honestly.

Paul smiled. "What can I say. I love the reactions of people who experience terror the way I give it."

I felt like that was an odd way of saying that but then again he was a hacker. They're basically little terrorists who are out for their own gain by threatening others. I stood up and began making my way out before Paul called out to me, still seated. I looked back at him.

"Be sure to stay safe. After all, the traitor is still around." Paul shouted over to me.

I blinked a bit before replying, "O-Okay…" I quickly left Paul in the music room and swiftly made my way up to the botanical garden on the next floor.

I entered the spacious room and as expected, Luca was there and it looked like he was struggling. He was jumbling around with his arms full of tools and supplies most likely from the toolshed. "Need assistance with that, Mr. President?" I asked enthusiastic yet sarcastic.

Luca glared at me. "You're hilarious. You should have been the Ultimate Comedian but you're not so why don't you help me instead of standing around and looking pretty? I know you actors aren't used to such manual labor but you need to get over yourself."

I scoffed at his remark. "Oh really? Well then prepare yourself for an unbelievable sight as this actor does the impossible." I told him as I approached him and grabbed some of the items out from his arms.

We carried them over to the open area in the center of the garden where a fully functional fountain was found which was beautifully sculpted from marble. The spout of it was thin near the base and expanded outward as it traveled up like the life of a firework as its trail is seen flying up before it explodes into beauty. That's how I could describe this fountain's spout as its beautiful explosion was a masterfully crafted piece of art. The marble piece on top was of a wolf with angel wings flying up with a combination of flowers and feathers molded together to hold the wolf up as the base of the explosion. The water spouted out of the wolf's howling mouth in multiple directions.

"Whoa!" I found myself staring in admiration at the beautiful artwork.

Luca smiled. "I was impressed with this myself when I saw this for the first time. Someone put so much effort into it and the hard work looks like all the excruciating hours were worth it!"

"Oh definitely! Its beauty has no description!" I was quick to agree.

"No surprise for you. The wolf is your favorite animal. Not to mention your love of angels and celestial stuff," Luca noted.

I looked at him surprised. "How do you know that?"

"I watched that interview you did as a kid years ago. It was after you did that movie of a boy who died and was reincarnated into a wolf and rejoined his human family. You had specifically asked your manager to arrange a team to put together a dream movie of yours and he came through. Kid Kai was adorable with how big you smiled when you were being interviewed," Luca told me.

I blushed as I chuckled nervously before responding, "For the most part, yeah but me asking Terry for that movie was just a ridiculous birthday wish that I didn't think he would take so seriously. But the writers made those two things I have a fascination for into a successful movie."

I then looked at Luca who was still looking at the fountain. "It's definitely my favorite movie as I know it's yours," Luca said, smiling big.

"I'm amazed that you know so much about me. Are you getting all this info from Paul?" I questioned him slyly.

Luca just turned to me and replied, "Let's just say that Brenda isn't the biggest Kai Brugger fan."

I don't know why but I looked down sheepishly when he said that. Something about the way he says these things makes me feel appreciated. Perhaps I should ask him about that someday.

"Well anyway, you're here to check on what the first activity of our new club will be, yeah?" Luca asked me.

"That's right," I answered.

"Well, Monokuma informed me that there are sprinklers installed to provide the correct amount of water every day and the lights are giving off all the same light and energy as if it were an artificial sun. So the plant life gets all the appropriate attention but they do lack the treatment of human affection so we're gonna give each plant a great caring for. I asked Monokuma to give us more tools so everyone will have their own to use." He explained to me before looking in the direction of the door. "He should be back soon so I'm gonna gather the others. Can you wait here for him while I gather everyone else?"

"I can do that." I nodded to Luca.

"Thanks, pal! I'll be right back!" With that Luca charged off and soon left the garden.

I soon sat down in the grass and leaned back, resting my head against the marble pool of the fountain. The sound of the spout water splashing against the water in the pool along with the warmth from the artificial sunlight made me feel drowsy as I felt myself nod off. Soon I found myself being jabbed at, stirring me as my eyes opened up to see a terrifying bear face right in mine.

"My kiss brought Sleeping Beauty back to life!" Monokuma squealed out.

"Gwah!" I screamed out as I jumped back and scrambled away from him, feeling my heart erratically beating against my ribcage. "Dammit, Monokuma!"

"What? I just thought you would like to know I brought all the tools Luca requested from me." Monokuma told me as he motioned to the pile of tools with his paw.

I sighed out. "Well, next time don't go freaking me out by scaring me awake."

"No promises." Monokuma giggled before he popped away.

"I hate that bear," I grumbled as I stood up, now fully awake.

"As we all do." I heard Willie's voice behind me as I jumped away in surprise, thinking it was Monokuma but discovered it was the rest of my classmates.

They all chuckled at me as I blushed from embarrassment. "Did you see all that?" I asked nervously.

"We caught the end of it," Shana told me with a sly grin plastering her face.

"Well anyway thanks for being here, for the most part, to get the stuff from Monokuma," Luca thanked me as he looked to the others. "Alright guys, I decided that our first club activity would be to ensure our meet up place should be in its best condition for our future activities so the care of the botanical garden is our first agenda. I've already divided the garden into four quadrants for pairs to tend to. One pairing will have an extra helper since there are nine of us and I've already decided who will be in each section. Paul and Damian will take the first section and…" Luca was then interrupted by Paul who then began speaking.

"That is unfortunate because I refuse to do that." He said to Luca who raised a confused eyebrow at him.

Luca slowly shook his head at him. "Well, Paul that's unfortunate for you because that's who you're assigned with."

Paul hummed. "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I will not be working with him."

Luca folded his arms as he began speaking very sternly, "Monokuma made it clear to me that if you don't do what the club president or vice president says is in violation of the rules and you know what that means for you. So tell me why are you so insistent that you can't work with Damian?"

Paul suddenly flashed a wicked smile as he looked over at the black DJ. "Because I know who the traitor is."

Another successful chapter is done and this one ends on a big cliffhanger! As always please leave a review of your thoughts on this chapter and what your thoughts are for what happens next. These reviews really help motivate me to get the next chapter written! Thanks again and I'll see you next time. Puhuhuhu~