"This… Wasn't… Supposed to happen…." Mukuro tried to keep breathing, her wide eyes looking down at the tangle of blood. Her thoughts were muddled and frantic. So… She's guessing Junko didn't want this outfit back…
The others stared at the display in horror as 'Junko's' head lulled to one side, her energy too low to keep standing. She remained suspended by the spears, her blood covering the floor.
"So you see, kids, don't ask questions you aren't prepared to know the answer to!" Monokuma cheerfully wiggled out from under 'Junko's' foot. "So, show of hands, who's coming to the trial!"
Taka raised his first, shaking and sniffling. The others followed suit slowly, all scared to disobey.
"Wowza, what an attendance! I sure am happy to have such great students!" Monokuma taunted
"That is, if we need to have a trial." Celestia chimed in
"Oh, you will! You just haven't seen what old Monokuma has cooked up yet!" Monokuma danced with glee as the mastermind sent the signal to have the hostage's copies executed. Byakuya complied.
Aoi held onto Sakura's arm, afraid as the little bear left. The fear and anxiety in the air is palpable. The rest of the day is spent in near-deafening silence. Makoto attempted to make conversation but a fresh wave of tears seized his throat every time.
When Makoto arrived to his room he was greeted by a dvd in a jewel case, his name written on it in cursive. He looked around, setting it on the desk, and tried to open his bathroom again. It wouldn't budge.
"Why do I have a girl's room…?" He wondered quietly
"You don't!" Monokuma piped up, crawling out from under the bed
Makoto jumped, pressing his back against the door
"I was very careful to make sure you all got rooms that best matched your gender! That's why Kyoko has a sewing kit and a toolkit, if you know what I mean!"
"She's… A boy and a girl? Or neither?"
"She wouldn't say which one she preferred, so I gave her both! Waaaaatch ouuuuut!" He giggled "Anyway, about your door! I'm afraid your door is a bit messed up! The hinges are a bit bad, so you need to lift up before pushing!"
Makoto tried this, happy to see that it opened. "The tools-"
"Doesn't fit! I picked sharpness over function, whoopsie!"
Makoto frowned, feeling sick.
"Anyway, see you next morning, and bring your DVDs! Toodle-oo! Bear-thee-well!" Monokuma left through the door, struggling to reach the knob.
Makoto sighed shakily, flopping into bed. He kicked off his shoes and wiggled under the comforter. He only slept because of how exhausted his eyes were from crying.
No one really slept that night, judging by how exhausted everyone looked in the cafeteria. Byakuya showed up today, and judging by his disheveled appearance, he was informed of what happened.
"So… I suppose before we head to the gym for Monoaerobics, we should… Watch our DVDs." Taka mentioned, unsure
"The bear certainly seemed fuckin' insistent about it." Mondo scratched his head, trying to get to his scalp under the pompadour.
Taka didn't stop him from swearing, he was tempted to do so himself.
In a solemn group, they entered the media room, each sitting down to a monitor, a pair of headphones, and a tower with a disk drive. They put the discs in and…
Komaru! Mom and dad! Makoto's heart leaped seeing them okay. They're okay…
"You getting to attend Hope's Peak Academy is like a dream come true! Make sure you do your best!" His mom said cheerily
"I'm so proud of you, son. But make sure you don't push yourself too hard!" His dad followed
"Are you really watching us, Makoto?! Good, luck, okay?" Komaru waved excitedly
So many sweet people, all believing things were okay. Byakuya's eyes clouded as he dutifully filmed, disguised with a wig, hoodie, and contacts to replace his glasses. He tried to justify it. It isn't really them. They aren't really real. The real ones are safe in captivity. He cranked the chainsaw.
"Makoto Naegi. Accepted into Hope's Peak Academy. And his family, who supported such a lucky boy…" Monokuma teased, voicing over the lacerated living room set. "But it seems like something happened to this family's well-being!" He gasped
Makoto's vision blurred with fresh tears. He's surprised he even had any left to cry.
"What could have possibly happened? Tune in after graduation to find out!"
The kids were all in despair. Some screamed and wailed. Others bowed their head and tried to hold together. Jack wiped his eyes. They loved that beetle so much…
"W-well-" Taka trembled, hugging himself "I-if anyone w-would like to talk, I t-think that would be… It would be therapeutic."
Sayaka looked up from her screen at Makoto "Th-this is… This is too much Naegi. I can't stand it…"
Makoto hugged her tightly, putting his hood up.
Hifumi noticed how empty Celestia looked about her tape. "Do you want to play something, Celestia? Vampires, maybe?" He offered, his face distorted in grief. She accepted, exiting quickly to avoid being seen crying.
Mondo growled out, slamming his fist on the table "FUCK THIS! THIS IS SUCH BULLSHIT!"
"It's p-probably fake, guys! P-please!" Aoi called, trying to calm everyone down
"But what if it isn't…" Hiro sobbed, hugging the monitor "T-that bear fucking killed Junko!"
Aoi looked to Sakura, fearful. Sakura placed a hand on Aoi's shoulder.
"Things will be okay. It may seem selfish, but remaining alive is going to be more important than worrying about this."
"W-what if w-we had a sleepover?" Makoto tried
"And make it easier for a killer to pick us off? I'll pass…" Byakuya sneered
Kyoko was the only one calm in this calamity. "I'll give him credit where it's due, I can see how that would drive someone to kill…"
"You aren't freaking out?!" Hiro yelped in surprise
"I don't have any reason to, yet." Kyoko's face a blank mask
Jack groaned, tugging at his bangs "I do…" He sniffed
"P-please, everyone-! We can make it through this! We can't let him win!" Taka clutched at his heart, needing to feel it beat. His heart is his compass, and his compass is saying he needs to move forward and resist this corrupt leader they have.
"I bet you're just trying to lower everybody's guard so that you can swoop in and stab us in the back- Literally." Leon growled
Taka couldn't hide the pain that accusation brought, so Mondo stepped between them
"C'mon you stupid fuck! He's squeaky clean! That's his talent! You should be worrying about me." Maybe he can unite them with having a common enemy? He hoped so.
It… Sort of worked. Everyone's stepping back from him in fear. But he didn't understand that someone was already plotting right under their noses...
Author's note: i am struggling to figure out how to split up chapters but. Yeehaw. For clarification, Kyoko is she/they nonbinary, more specifically a demigirl. will she mention it? no