Chapter 1-3: Lights Out

"Girls?" I ask as I enter the lobby room (truly, it's a hobby room but Monokuma seems to have named it this instead) once again. Looking around the room I see that only some of them are still in the room, for the others must have gone somewhere else during my conversation with Yuu and Yuki. The ones who have stayed behind are Natsuki, Emilynn, Mei, and Etsuko. Natsuki and Etsuko are having a conversation about Natsuki's voice acting, with her showing off her vocals. However, the other two are...

"I swear, this time I'll pull out a deus ex machina and defeat you, or my name isn't Emilynn McKay!" Emilynn's fingers move rapidly on her video game controller, controlling the weirdly dressed player on her side of the screen. It seems like the two of them are fighting in this game. "Hadouken!"

"Not so fast!" Mei, with less effort, dodges Emilynn's attack. The match is over the moment Mei's character pins Emilynn's on the ground and does some special move. It is very flashy but kinda hurts my eyes.

"OMG! How do you do that!?" Emilynn's eyes sparkle. Seeing her actually have a normal conversation with another human being is slightly weird.

"Practice! Practice! Practice!"

"Then I'm gonna learn from you, sensei!" She is acting very different from when I hung out with her in this room. Probably helps that Mei and Emilynn have a shared interest in video games.

"Oh, Shiro, getting those two separated is gonna be impossible. Seeing you try would be interesting though," Etsuko tells me. "I mean, we could have Natsuki pretend to be one of their fav characters but they're having fun. This is good analyzing material."

"I would love to do that!" If Natsuki, Mei, and Emilynn knew each other out of the game, I have the feeling that the three of them would be friends. It is sad to think that there's a big chance that none of them will make it through this game. The chance of me surviving too is pretty low, just like everybody else. Monokuma might be telling the truth that only a maximum of one of us can survive.

Knowing that Kazuhiko has met his end, and the rest of his class is currently missing, I do not want to think what's going on with them. I just hope that Kazuhiko got respected after his death.

"Etsuko, Natsuki, do you know where everybody else is?" I ask the two of them.

"Oh, that, they began searching the place. Monokuma told us that there was...tell him, Natsuki." Etsuko grins. Why did they think it was a good idea to leave Natsuki basically alone with Etsuko? But I also do remember that Monokuma said that he wanted all of us to go exploring after the new motive.

"A movie theatre! It's showing Star Wars, right?" Natsuki adds-on. "Luke, I am your father." Her voice changes to one that is much more masculine and deep, and she also sounds like she has some sort of mask on.

"Movie theatre? Oh, yes, Yuu and Yuki want me to tell you that they are planning something with the boys-"

"Off we go then! Natsuki, come with!" Before I finish telling them, Etsuko drags Natsuki out of the room. I would want to help Natsuki but I should be more focused on stopping Monokuma my own way.

"Aaaahhhhh! Not again!" Emilynn and Mei are still playing their game. I get the feeling that Mei is going easy on Emilynn.

"Again!" Seeing those two smile with each other is refreshing, considering they were just fighting a little while earlier. Everybody is distracted so I leave the room. I see that Etsuko and Natsuki enter the room with Yuu and Yuki.

If I want to learn more about Monokuma and the apartments (since I know that they are connected to this somehow), the place I should start first is the library. There should be one in this spaceship somewhere. Monokuma has put a movie theatre on this level, so finding the library should not be that hard.

Looking throughout the school, it does not take me long to find the library. It is one of the doors that I did not look through before. Everything about this library, the school even, is impressive. The walls are covered with bookcases of all different kinds of books, except for the one section for a fireplace that is not currently on. There are computers on the right that might not give us actual information if Monokuma is smart. If Ayano and Kazuhiko were here, the both of them would easily defeat the bear using it. Ayano would hack into the systems, while Kazuhiko pulls out all of the information...

Off to the left, there is a group of comfy-looking chairs. There are five of them with all of them being cooler, darker colors like black and blue. The ground is mostly wooden except for the rug underneath the chairs.

However, I notice something about the chairs. Two of the girls are currently reading books on them, Ichiko and Sachiko. Books are scattered around Ichiko along with many pens, notes, and other supplies. Although the both of them are in the same room, it is clear that they are working on different projects. Ichiko is reading some kind of history book written in another language while Sachiko is studying something about origami.

"Oh, Shiro," Sachiko whispers at me. She looks up from her book and at me. "Uwauu." The girl clearly is not used to creating conversations by herself. Be it her shyness or naivete, or a mix of both, I cannot tell.

"Uwauu?"

"Uwauu!"

"I'm sorry, but can you be quiet? Oh...I don't mean to be rude...but this is a library," Ichiko reminds the both of us. Both of these girls are somewhat shy and do not have good social skills. Maybe they can relate to each other more than others due to this similarity, or their conversations would go nowhere quick.

"Do you want to go somewhere else, Sachiko?" I ask her. She turns red like a tomato.

Do you want to free time with Sachiko Isobe?

Yes/No

"Alone with a boy...oh dear. Um...s-sure!" she shouts out. Realizing her loud voice, Sachiko covers her mouth and blushes some more. Sachiko really does seem like a child in this scenario.

"Where should we go?" Sachiko does not answer my question, though she does try to think of something. We then go out of the library and into the hallway, where nobody else was. Not the most exciting place to have a chat but it will do.

"Um...what should we do?" she asks. It would be good to become acquainted with the girl since she seems to be smart and a good asset. If I'm going to be able to outsmart Monokuma and find out the truth, then I will have to have allies. Sure, it might be manipulative, but sometimes things like this have to be done. There's a reason why I get the nickname "The Cold Composer" inside certain groups (personally, I think they could have come up with a better name but I cannot change it). I wonder if any of the people here know about it since Yuu and Yuki don't seem to.

"Would you like to discuss your talent?" Yes, since Sachiko seems to have a useful one. From the limited times, I have interacted with my sister whose a miko, I recognize that they can hold a large amount of power, even in small, weak bodies like Sachiko's.

"Miko? Yes. I come from a small village that is known for their shrines." That makes sense. Sachiko does not seem to be the type of person that would fare well in the city. Comparing somebody like her to the common people of the cities is like comparing black and white. There may be similarities yet it is clear that they are not the same.

"A small village? How do you like the city so far?" Considering that the only place to live that isn't a city is more than four hours away, it makes sense that Sachiko probably moved to the city shortly before.

"If you do not mind my opinion...it is truly amazing! Uwauu!" Sachiko gets excited for a couple seconds but then returns to what I assume is her normal, demure self. What does not make sense is that noise that she is making. It sounds like she is trying to say the Japanese word for rabbit, usagi, and failing, even though that is not what she is attempting to do.

"Uwauu?"

"Uwauu!"

"Okay, let's see. What is the origin of your talent?" Although her village is known for their shrines (I may want to ask her the name of it later because I truly do not know too many Japanese villages), that would not create an Ultimate by itself. There must have been something else that happened.

"Oh, my family is the head of the village..." Her words begin to trail off.

"So your family runs your village?" That is interesting, she comes from a position of power yet acts shy. Her parents must not have envisioned her to become a leader, at least for the village itself, though it would not surprise me if I learn Sachiko has been sheltered throughout her life. Sachiko may have had a better life than most of us, but that is just a guess based on first impressions. Never truly judge a person on the first impressions (or anything for the matter).

"Yes, but that is not important right now. My family gave me the training that I needed and there are not that many mikos left...so yeah." Sachiko does not want to talk about it. Whether or not because she is too shy, does not trust me enough, or does not want to think about it, I truly do not know. It soon becomes awkward between the two of us due to the silence, causing Sachiko to take one step away and turn even redder. She does not seem to know how to act around boys, especially ones her own age, or slightly older like I am. The only reason she is probably able to make conversation with me is that of my feminine appearance.

"So what is your favorite thing about the city?"

"The amusement park! Uwauu!" She smiles but in an innocent, timid way. I remember that the Committee finally opened their first official amusement park after Kazuhiko and the others went missing. It always puzzled me why the government would invest in a theme park, but the most likely answer is public relations.

"What's your favorite ride?" I may have never gone to the park since admission is expensive and I have my own bills to pay (now that I think about it, what will happen to my house because of all of this?), but it seems fun. If it opened while he was still alive, I'm sure Kazuhiko would go on and on about making an article about it. Wait, what would happen to that nice cat that I feed? Hopefully, somebody else will find it in their heart to continue my tradition. That cat is way too fat to be a street cat though.

"The roller coaster!" Wait, you mean the death trap that always makes people scream? Why would somebody like that? Sure, I have never gone on one, but it does not look like a fun experience. I am surprised that Sachiko does not fly out of the coaster either. "Oh...I am so sorry for always raising my voice. I am truly sorry." Sachiko then bows, and I motion her to stand up.

"Do not apologize, I would probably do the same thing with music," I encourage her. I place my hand on her shoulder, but that is probably not the right thing to do because I am surprised how red the little girl can get.

"Excuse me! I shall make my leave!" Completely flustered, Sachiko goes into one of the rooms that is not the library. She probably forgot the book she left out, so maybe I should put it back for her as a show of good faith.

"I'm sorry!...Please, um, get out of my...way, yeah, way." Ichiko comes running out of the library with a ton of books in her arms. Loose papers make a trail behind her but Ichiko does not notice. Maybe I should pick these up too.

With Ichiko's papers in my hands, I make my way to the library. All of them are in a language I do not understand. Some of it looks like Japanese (which I only know some, and that some are all vocal), while others are completely foreign to me. Certainly in none of the languages that famous compositions are in. No German here. I can still realize they are rather sloppy, however.

The book that Sachiko was reading is on the desk, with it flipped over to a complicated design. I then focus on Sachiko's book. The book has surprisingly formal and complex for a how-to book.

Not knowing where the book was originally, I begin scamming through the vast amounts of books. It is overwhelming yet still has a relaxing vibe. The contradiction helps create the atmosphere of the whole place. Homely but still with a tinge of danger. I would not be surprised if somebody uses the fireplace for murder.

Looking through the books, I quickly find the how-to section and place the book where it belongs. Sachiko must have started reading it because it is easy to find and low enough for her to reach. I then start gazing through the rest of the books, trying to find out what secrets the place must have. I highly doubt the mastermind would do something as stupid as leaving a book out that might ruin their entire plan, but it is good to check for loose ends. Reading also is a great way to pass the time. Perhaps I can even find books all about music theory and practice that some more.

"Waahhh...you moved everything!" Ichiko comes running into the library, only a little peeved that I so happened to touch her stuff. She places her stuff back the way that I found it. The mess makes me feel slightly uncomfortable but I can learn to live with it.

Maybe I should hang out with Ichiko as well. From what I get from her, she seems like she would be helpful, considering her talent in history. She must remember at least some of the events of the apartments and the other games.

"Ichiko, can I ask you something?" I cannot be too overbearing and come out with the big questions first. The last thing I want is for Ichiko to become suspicious of me. There's also the fact that I know almost nothing about her. In this world, you have to be careful about those possibly loyal to the Committee. Pissing off one of Kirigiri's dogs is nothing more than a death sentence.

"Sure...sure. I don't know how I could help but...sure." Ichiko begins to play with the cuffs on her shirt. Before I can say anything, the both of us hear a loud beep sound on the speakers. It is loud enough to make both of us grab our ears in pain.

"Attention, students, can you please report to the gym? Oh, yeah, boys, I mean the girls. Boys, just do whatever you were doing before. Except you Jun, screw you Jun," Monokuma announces on the speakers. Ichiko and I both then leave the library together, heading towards the gym. The spaceship is big so it might take some time to get there.

In the library, I notice that Asuka and Mizore made it here before the two of us. Emilynn, Mei, Etsuko, Sachiko, and Natsuki are not here yet, so we will probably have to wait for them. It will be good to make conversation with the four of us here.

"Alright, we just have to wait for everything else, right? Boring. Shiro, dance for me." Monokuma then appears in front of all of us. He is laying on his side and looks like he is about to fall asleep.

"No."

"You truly are a stick in the mud!" Monokuma complains like a little child.

"We're here!" Mei then opens the gym door with much pizzazz. Emilynn is right behind her, too focused on her video game once again. She has earbuds in her ears and her hood is now covering her face.

"Dance for me, Mei! Show Shiro how it's done!" Monokuma points to Mei in an overly fashionable way. Mei then twirls for him and then says something like tada. She even does some kind of jazz hands.

"Dance, Monokuma must be summoning a demon! Run for your lives!" Mizore then starts running around in circles. I am reminded that I need whatever Mizore has to get out of bed in the morning. Asuka tries to calm her down but is not successful. It must be really hard when you are the most mature of all the girls. I do not want to know what's happening with the boys if this is the kind of behavior the girls are participating in.

"I am sure that this is not how you summon a demon," Sachiko whispers to herself. That is when I notice she has entered the room silently. She must not know that I can hear her because of my good hearing.

"Come on, Natsuki, you're my new guinea pig!" Etsuko, much like Mei, makes a grand entrance, but instead by kicking open the door. Natsuki stays as far away from her that she reasonably can. Once in the room, she hurries to the other side as Etsuko moves closer to Emilynn. Emilynn stares at Etsuko with a certain tension emitting from the two of them making eye contact.

"Now that everybody is here, cue to plot!" Monokuma exclaims. Before anybody can question what he means, we hear something being locked from behind us. Then all the lights in the gym go off at once, excluding Emilynn's phone.

"Have fun, my precious bastard students!"

Yeah, more ssppppppppppppppppaaaaaaaaaaaacccccccccccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Considering the...chaos happening in FoD, here's a breather with a new DiOS character since things are normal here...for now. And, yeah, the chapters are shorter and easier to write (yeah, the main reason why these chapters are short are because FoD's are sometimes a bitch to write).

I hope I'm still writing the characters well because I'm still getting used to them (and this is why you don't juggle more than thirty characters).

Now reviews~ or review...oh well. XD I'm not the type of writer to beg for reviews.

TheRoseShadow21-Yes, feed me with your internal screaming. The girls know that the best way to defeat Monokuma is cooperation. Thanks, I based it off of how my own twin and I used to argue way back when. Thanks. Here it finally is, twenty days later! :P