Act 2-2: Explorations and Free Time 4
Hello. Lime here.
I would like to inform you in advance that this chapter contains some rather blatant transphobia from one pilot.
If you are easily upset by transphobia, please consider skipping the first section of this chapter. You won't be missing any major plot, I promise.
So, yeah. Transphobia CW. - Lime
Area unlocked: Changing Rooms!
Swimming Pool
Changing Rooms
Selected Area: Changing Rooms
A pair of changing rooms, one for each gender. They look innocuous on the outside, but that gatling gun attached to the ceiling worries me...
The first thing Hideki and I heard when we approached the changing rooms was angry mumbling. Well, if you could call angry swearing 'mumbling', I suppose.
"No gender-neutral changing rooms, I see," said Sasha angrily. "It's not like I didn't expect that from someone who has shown her xenophobia time and time again, but I'm still kinda pissed."
The speaker directly outside the rooms blared to life, and this time, it was Yukari's clear voice instead of Monokuma's distorted one that sounded out, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the very few, especially the one delusional teenage girl who wants to be a special."
Sasha glared at it, as if she thought they could make the Pilot feel the severity of said glare - why she didn't think to look at the camera instead baffled me. "I'm not a girl. I'm not delusional. I suffer constantly from a rare, practically untreatable medical condition."
"Well, too bad you can't see my response, because it's a big, warm, middle finger! Seriously, though, we don't care about that. In our books you'll always just be a special snowflake, Comrade Tra-"
"Burn in hell, you intolerable suka!" she was about to storm towards the male changing rooms, until-
Bzzt.
The gun immediately swerved so that its muzzle was directed at Sasha, who froze.
"Eagle One." Xiang pulled her back by the shoulder. "Don't give her a reason to harm you. Stand down, and that's an order."
Sasha looked like she was going to punch Xiang, but relented. "You're right. If I'm gonna die, I gotta wait until I can take Nishiyima with me."
"Congratulations, Xiang! You know your right from wrong surprisingly well...Regardless, I might as well explain to you the way this will work. You must scan your Electro-ID to enter a changing room. Should you scan the wrong gender's ID, this gatling gun-" the device, which was mounted on the ceiling up top, beeped again, "-will obliterate you. Comprende?"
"Si," muttered Sasha weakly. "Yo comprende."
"And I guess because I'm supposed to be a wonderful host, I'll just be nice and add it to the list of rules. Y'know, so you can look at it whenever you want to feel especially insulted, upupupupupu!"
"Stop flattering yourself. You're a terrible host, and just generally a cu-"
A beeping from our Electro-IDs sounded, even as Sasha continued her tirade. Taking my own out, I flipped over to the 'Rules' page to confirm what our lovely host had done.
...I'm not good at this sarcasm thing, am I?
[Rules]
#1: All violence against Headmaster Monokuma is strictly forbidden. Destruction of any surveillance cameras are illegal.
#2: "Night Time" is designated to be from 10pm to 7am. During "Night Time", there are places that will be out of bounds to students. The water supply will also be shut off.
#3: All students should be sleeping in the designated rooms provided. Anyone found sleeping anywhere else will be punished accordingly.
#4: You may investigate however you want, whenever you want. However, no locked doors may be broken into. All rooms, however, will be unlocked for investigation time.
#5: A culprit who kills a fellow student (or students) will "graduate", but only if they can convince the other students that they are not the culprit, and successfully pass the Class Trial. If the culprit succeeds, the culprit will be accepted into Hope's Peak immediately, however, all other students will be punished. If the culprit is proven guilty, only they will be punished.
#6: There can only be a maximum of two people dead per trial, so as to prevent default winning by mass murder.
#7: A "Body Discovery Announcement" will be made after three students find a corpse, followed by the release of the "Monochrome File".
#8: The loaning and/or borrowing of ElectroIDs is strictly forbidden. Both parties will be punished if caught.
#9: You are free to attempt to escape at any time. Be forewarned that your only exit is down. Straight down.
#10: Headmaster Monokuma is not allowed to tell lies.
NEW! [#11: Changing rooms of one sex can only be accessed by people of that biological sex. Failure to do so will result in execution by gatling gun for being a perv.] NEW!
#12: Rules are subject to be added at any time by Headmaster Monokuma.
"Okay, I'm done here, Yukari, out! Later, Comrade!"
The speaker cut off with a loud 'bzzt'.
"Sasha, do you want to...investigate elsewhere?" Xiang's face was full of immense concern.
"Sure, that sounds great," she replied, clearly still agitated. "While we're at it, can you teach me some anger management techniques?"
He smiled. "Of course, Sasha. I'll do all I can."
They walked off, Sasha angrily speedwalking away while Xiang followed at a leisurely pace.
"Well, that just...happened," muttered Hideki.
"Yes, well, Mx. Oryolov is quite justified in her anger. From what I can understand, sex dysphoria is no small matter."
Hideki turned towards the source of the voice. "Oh, Tien. Just the person I was looking for."
She tilted her head to the side quizzically. "Really, now?"
"...Sort of. I had some things to ask you. First off, really. why did you risk sticking your arm into the swimming pool, knowing it could be acid?"
She shrugged. "I suppose I wasn't thinking quite straight, and should have perhaps dipped a piece of my shirt in instead, or something of the sort. Regardless, I didn't die, and that should be all that matters."
"I'm just happy you didn't get hurt," I said with a smile.
Tien smiled back. "While I appreciate the sentiment, if one controls their experiments with their main focus being safety, there's no way the experiment will succeed. When making discoveries, one must take risks."
"I suppose you're right," said Hideki.
"Regardless, I've gotten myself sidetracked. I do have a legitimate reason to be here."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah. There's something I want to show you guys." Turning on her heels, she beckoned for us. "Come with?"
Area unlocked: Arcade!
Swimming Pool
Changing Rooms
Arcade
Selected Area: Arcade
A fully loaded and stocked arcade room, with tons of different machines and party games for the amusement and enjoyment of its patrons.
"...Whoa."
'Whoa', as Hideki so eloquently put it was right. This place was like a nostalgic dream come true, with arcade machines going back as far as the eye could see. He leaned against a game of air hockey, steadying himself.
It took me a moment to notice that the pucks, like so many other things aboard this ship, were shaped like little tiny Monokuma heads.
Tien smiled. "I'm happy that you like it. While I admit that this room is quite pleasing to me for reasons I don't quite understand, it's not why I brought you here."
"And why would that be?" asked Hideki, who had appeared to have made a full recovery. "Is there something important here?"
"You could say that." She turned to the back wall and began walking. "Follow me."
We did, and soon came to a large couch. Next to it was the table, on which rested a familiar - looking device.
A Monomono Machine.
"There's another one?" I asked, somewhat surprised.
"I guess so…" Hideki stared at it. "Why did you want to show this to us, Tien?"
She shrugged. "I just thought that you'd appreciate it. Now, I should be finding my test subject - Xiang has told me about Eric's...unfortunate history with the device, and I would like to observe it for myself."
"Xiang told you that?" I asked.
"Well, yes. We've are on somewhat good terms, you know. I think he's starting to trust me." She sighed. "Only time will tell. Regardless - Eric. I will see you both shortly." And with that, she briskly strode out of the room.
Hideki stared at the machine. "Are you going to try it, Ashley?"
"I guess so. I don't see the harm…"
Give Monokuma Machine a try?
[Yes] [No]
Spinning, Spinning...Do the Wakudoki, Do the Wakudoki, UPUPU!
Item get!
Obtained: Sunflower Seeds!
Seeds from a flower that blooms towards the sun. When you eat them, they taste like peanuts.
Item get!
Obtained: Marine Snow!
Snow that floats in the deep sea, showing fantastical beauty. It's actually plankton corpses.
Item get!
Obtained: Self-Erasing Cassette Tape!
When you record sound on this, a chemical reaction occurs after playback and erases the playback mechanism.
Item get!
Obtained: Absolute Tuning Fork!
A huge tuning fork that hides the power to destroy the entire world with resonance, if used by someone who has mastered the art of tuning. It's also good for drying out laundry.
Item get!
Obtained: Crowbar!
A metal tool for pulling out nails and using like a lever. It's gotten a very unfair reputation thanks to the phrase "crowbar-like object" coming up in police reports. Also, Half-Life 3 confirmed.
Item get!
Obtained: Go Pieces!
White and black stones used for playing Go. The game of Go brought forth many words into general use, such as fuseki (groundwork) and jouseki (established tactics). The two colors, white and black, may bring forth despair.
Item get!
Obtained: Gloves of Tomorrow!
Boxing gloves ingrained with much effort and passion. When you wear them, you will want to make cross-counters.
Item get!
Obtained: Tissues!
A worthy symbol of modern people. Throw-away paper with many purposes, such as drying your nose, wiping up stains, and softly wrapping things.
Item get!
Obtained: Bandages!
Cloth meant to stop bleeding and to protect wounds. You can also wrap things in them to express sickly transparency or cruelty.
Item get!
Obtained: Sword Wind Secret Notebook - Sayaka Maizono!
A book with the stage direction for a certain fight scene written in it. A beautiful scene of fencing, like cutting through the flower petals dancing through the air. The posture makes it seem like the sword itself is singing.
Hideki glared. "You spun it ten times."
I sniffed. "Let's just say I now know why Eric finds it so appealing. At least I've got a variety, I guess."
"Zhat is bull! You get things zhat you can afford to use, but I just get seven thousand bags of sunflower seeds!"
We turned to find the lovely couple-
"We're not a couple!"
...the definitely not-a-couple consisting of Matthew and Jackie behind us. Evidently, they had arrived while I was...busy.
"Jackie, please calm down!" yelled Matthew desperately. He looked terrified at his girlfriend - er, friend's rage.
"No!" she screamed, "Zhis is rigged, I tell you! Zhey conspire against me!"
"Jackie." Hideki put a hand on her shoulder. "Please calm down."
"No!" she screamed. "I will not calm down until zhere is justice!"
He sighed. "Sorry, guys. I'll try to calm her down. You may wanna leave for now."
"What? No! I'm not-"
I grabbed Matthew by the arm. "Let's go. It'll only be for a moment."
"I guess so…" Matthew sighed and let me drag him off.
Safe on another side of the arcade, I turned to him and tried to make conversation. "So...she looks angry…"
"It's been a bad day for her. After the events of this morning's trial, I think something broke Jackie, but the kicker came when she found out she wasn't able to beat Yukari's DDR score."
...What? I blinked.
"Yeah, I know. It appears as if our pilots have been in the airship longer than we have, which means that our kidnapping was planned on purpose." Matthew scratched his head, before continuing, "In any case, I'm sure she'll calm down soon enough. Jackie's a smart girl. You'll see."
"You seem like you know her very well...Too well." I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you two aren't an item?"
"Statistically speaking, I'm very sure." Matthew affirmed. "At most, we're very close platonic friends, and I'm sure that's all we'll be."
...There's something in his voice that's telling me that's not all there is to Matthew's love life.
Perhaps I should delve deeper.
= = Free Time! = =
Free Time with Matthew?
[Yes] [No]
Ashley: You sound like this isn't your first relationship with another girl, you know?
Matthew: Uh, well...it is.
Matthew: Hey! It's not a relationship!
Ashley: I apologize, but honestly, I think everyone can see it by now...
Matthew: *sighs* Fine. Think what you want.
Matthew: And I have no idea why it wouldn't be my first relationship. I didn't really have many friends in elementary school.
Matthew: Granted, there was Felicia, but-
Matthew: …
Ashley: What was that name? Felicia?
Matthew: In any case, I didn't have that many friends in elementary school. It was always lonely at the top.
Ashley: At the top?
Matthew: (*puffs out his chest and smiles proudly*) Yep! I was always top of my class. Being a mathematician has its perks, y'know?
Ashley: I see. Well, I can't relate - I've never been the best performer. Always stayed in the middle, because, well...compared to you, I think I'm too normal.
Matthew: Perhaps that was for the best. Being the top of the class makes you a target.
Ashley: A target? For what? I don't think teachers would pick on you...
Matthew: Oh, no, not them! Just the students. I mean...I didn't have many friends, and I was a quiet, nerdy and skinny kid. They jumped on me like wolves.
Ashley: You were bullied?! That's horrible!
Matthew: It's not that bad...I did have one friend, after all. And that was enough for me.
Ashley: Oh. I guess that friend was Felicia, then?
Matthew: Yeah….Felicia.
Matthew: She was...well, she was pretty great. Not the prettiest, so she got some negative attention too, but at least we had each other to comfort us. Eventually we went to different schools, though. And that was the end of that.
Matthew: I still do miss her, though...I wonder how she's doing now...?
Ashley: ...He sounds heartsick. I guess I might know why he's not actively pursuing Jackie now.
Ashley: Haven't you kept in contact with her, or something?
Matthew: No. I haven't.
Matthew: And I'm not pursuing Jackie because I don't want to force her into a relationship she doesn't want. That's all.
Ashley: ...Doesn't want?
Matthew: I don't know her feelings for sure, but for now I think that it's best to just let her call the shots. Regarding the relationship, of course.
Ashley: I guess it's for the best, if you think it that way. At least I know Jackie's definitely in safe hands.
Matthew: I'll make sure of that.
Ashley: Perhaps I should give him something...he'll need to pacify Jackie in some way later.
==Select!==
1. Silver Ring
2. Sunflower Seeds
3. Marine Snow
4. Self-Erasing Cassette Tape
5. Absolute Tuning Fork
6. Crowbar
7. Go Pieces
8. Gloves of Tomorrow
9. Tissues
10. Bandages
11. Sword Wind Secret Notebook - Sayaka Maizono
Ashley: From me to you.
Matthew: Are these...stones?
Ashley: They're used for playing Go, which-
Matthew: Ah, Go! I recognize the game; I think I've devised a foolproof winning method to winning too, although I don't quite remember whether I have it with me on this flight.
Matthew: I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out again. Thank you very much for this gift.
Jackie: Matthew? Where are you?
Matthew: (*shouts back*) Over here! (*switches to normal voice*) Well, Ashley, thanks for the talk. Unfortunately, I must be going now.
Ashley: You're welcome! And it's alright, I know you have more...Pressing matters to attend to.
Matthew: Hey! ...That's true.
Jackie: Matthew? Are you going to keep me waiting?
Matthew: Coming!
Shared: Go Pieces!
Matthew has apparently devised a perfect solution to winning with them at the game of Go. Considering his talent, I'm not entirely surprised.
Matthew Tanner - Level 1!
Matthew didn't have a lot of friends growing up, and was bullied for being smarter. He found solace in a girl named Felicity, and the two were friends until she left.
"...Hideki? What happened to you?"
I found him slumped over one of the arcade cabinets, his visible eye having a glazed expression, as if he had passed out.
Shaking his shoulder, I realized that he had actually passed out.
"Hideki!" I yelled, trying desperately to get him up. This wasn't good - what if-
"Asdfghjkl-" he sputtered, before getting up, "I mean, calm down, Ashley. You look like you've seen a ghost!"
(Unbeknownst to anyone on the airship, far away, a television personality and famed ghostbuster jumped in shock and yelled "Ghost?!', causing the boy next to her, an inventor, to look around in excitement. Read [Dawn Rider], a brand new Danganronpa SYOC by CrimsonSkyTamer, today, and witness the duo's excellent adventure/bogus journey)
(Man, are we sellouts. - SD)
(...Ghost? -Lime)
Hideki growled. "I don't know how to put this, but for some reason, I seem to smell a shameless self-advertisement going on somewhere."
"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked, worried about his nonsensical babble.
"I'm fine. Let us move on." Glancing around, Hideki left the arcade through a side door, as I followed him.
Returning to the main corridor that stemmed from the swimming pool, we walked down it to our next destination.
Area unlocked: Gym!
Swimming Pool
Changing Rooms
Arcade
Gym
Selected Area: Gym
A spacious gym, housing all manner of exercise equipment for our personal use. There's a large mat situated right in the middle of it, presumably for fighting.
"Hyah!"
"Your form is rushed and sloppy! You need to focus on the technique instead of just getting hits in!"
"Hey, I'm still kicking your ass!"
"...You do realize I'm going easy on you, right?"
"Don't!"
Xiang sighed loudly and changed his stance, before chambering a kick, which he sent right at the place Sasha's stomach had been moments earlier.
As for Hideki and I, we were standing over to one side, and observing their spar. Alongside us, surprisingly, was Tien, who was busy scribbling down...something in an indecipherable font onto her notebook.
She shoulder-rolled to the side before performing a kip-up. The last kick had clearly knocked her off balance, but she rushed in anyway, aiming a roundhouse kick at Xiang's stomach. He signed and caught her by the ankle, before shoving her to the side onto the mat.
Tien stopped writing, and lightly applauded, prompting Hideki and I to do the same, although Hideki sounded much more enthusiastic that he should have.
Sasha rolled over onto her back and sighed. "Good game, man."
"Indeed. You are much better than most would assume."
"...Not sure if that's a compliment or an insult."
He sighed and reached out a hand to help her up. "You're honestly not that bad for a civilian."
"...Thanks," she muttered slowly. "So...can I try out your staff?"
Xiang paled visibly, as one of his hands instinctively moved to said weapon. "I'm not sure that's-"
"Nonsense! I'm a black belt, you know," Sasha bragged.
He raised an eyebrow. "I suppose so, just...try not to maim Ashley."
"What about maiming me, huh?" Hideki raised an eyebrow, before inching backwards ever so slightly.
"If that is Eagle One's plan, I doubt there's much I can do to help you."
Hideki flinched, still inching back. "If I get injured, I'll have to perform first aid on myself-."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, Kenta. Just gimme the stick, Xiang."
Xiang sighed, before un-holstering his bo staff, and handing it to her. "Please don't hurt anyone."
"Will do!" Sasha grabbed the staff and began to twirl it, as Hideki had already made it halfway back to the entrance.
She was surprisingly good at it, and soon the staff had blurred into a brown circle, constantly moving around her. Everyone was mesmerized - even Xiang looked mildly impressed at her prowe-
"Eep!"
Oops. I spoke too soon. The staff had flown out of her hands and smacked into Tien, who was now on the floor, rubbing her face.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry!"
Sasha reached down to join me in helping Tien up. "I swear, that was an accident! I'm so sorry!"
Hideki, who had a rather triumphant expression on his face, walked back towards us, and was about to speak, when Tien cut him off. "It's alright. You knocked my glasses off, but I'm alright."
"Are you sure you aren't hurt?" He asked.
"Positive." She stooped down and reached for her glasses, as they fell apart down the middle.
"These appear to be broken, though," she stated with a sigh. "And they were expensive too…"
"Oh, shoot, I'm-"
"It's alright." Tien pulled an identical pair of glasses from her coat pocket, smiled, and put it on.
"What is it with you guys and having spare eyewear on hand?" I asked sheepishly.
"It's best to come prepared," Tien and Hideki chorused.
"Holy god, it's like you guys are possessed or something," Sasha remarked.
(Elsewhere, a girl in an oversized olive jacket with a practically sentient ponytail jumped and shrieked, "Ghost!", causing the inventor near her to sigh. "Not again, Rin. We need to stop our creators from being sellouts.")
"Not possessed, just of the same opinion," said Xiang with a shrug.
"Whatever," muttered Hideki, "What matters is that you need to make sure Sasha doesn't actively injure anyone else, because next time, the damage may not be so superficial."
"...Hideki, may I talk to you?" Xiang asked.
"Yeah, sure."
The two of them walked off, and I vaguely heard Xiang say something about being less harsh to his associate.
Sasha sighed angrily. "I'm gonna go to the arcade and play Mortal Kombat to calm myself down. Later."
That left...Tien and I. Tien was busy scribbling down notes again, so it was up to me to begin the conversation.
Again.
= = Free Time! = =
Free Time with Tien?
[Yes] [No]
Ashley: So...Spare pair of glasses.
Tien: Why, yes. I would never go outside with only one pair.
Ashley: I see...is that a scientist thing?
Tien: Negative. As far as I can tell, many scientists don't bother having multiple pairs.
Tien: Though, may I ask, why the fascination with my backup eyewear?
Ashley: Uh…no reason.
Ashley: I should probably change the subject.
Ashley: So, you like science.
Ashley: ...What was I thinking? I'm talking to a Scientist.
Tien: It is as you say - I like science. Otherwise, my chosen field of speciality would be an incredibly unfulfilling career, no?
Ashley: Yeah...Of course.
Ashley: But how'd you get into science, anyway?
Tien: I believe the modified expression is 'like mother, like daughter'? That is to say, my mother was a scientist before me. I was homeschooled for a while, and lived alone with my mom, so I was exposed to the subject a lot.
Ashley: I see. I guess your mom was a great scientist, then?
Tien: Yeah. She was a great scientist, and was completely devoted to her work - of course, regretfully, that meant she barely paid attention to me.
Ashley: Oh...I'm sorry, Tien.
Tien: It's alright. She had her reasons, and I looked up to her, so I didn't mind...I still do. Look up to her, that is.
Ashley: Did the two of you live alone?
Tien: Yes...How did you hypothesize that?
Ashley: I've been talking to you for some time, and you haven't mentioned your dad, so I assumed.
Tien: Interesting supposition...Yes, I had a dad, but I heard he died in a car crash a couple of years ago.
Ashley: You heard?
Tien: You must understand. My parents are divorced, so I didn't see him around much.
Ashley: ...Oh. I-
Tien: Heh, Ashley, you don't have to apologize for everything. Nothing ventured, nothing gained - even if you ask a wrong question, you meant no malice by it. Besides, I was content living with my mom, devoting as much time as possible to learning the different sciences.
Ashley: And I take it you got really good that way?
Tien: Indeed. Not to brag or anything, but by the time I was twelve, I could call myself a true scientist.
Tien: I did find it a tad odd that she sent me to a private school for whatever reason a year later, though. Then again, I prototyped most of my inventions there, so…
Tien: I suppose it was a stroke of serendipity. The universe works in marvelous ways.
Ashley: I...see.
Tien: Am I losing you? I apologize. Sesquipedalian loquaciousness isn't always welcome in a school environment.
Ashley: No no, it's fine, it's fine.
Ashley: Tien looks a bit hurt...Perhaps I should appease her with something.
Ashley: Here, I have something I wanted to give you.
Tien: Oh, what is it?
==Select!==
1. Silver Ring
2. Sunflower Seeds
3. Marine Snow
4. Self-Erasing Cassette Tape
5. Absolute Tuning Fork
6. Crowbar
7. Gloves of Tomorrow
8. Tissues
9. Bandages
10. Sword Wind Secret Notebook - Sayaka Maizono
Ashley: From me to you.
Tien: Ah, marine snow! Such a fascinating discovery - did you know that they're actually plankton corpses?
Ashley: Yeah, I do. It said so on the description.
Tien: Description? (*holds up Marine Snow*) I'm afraid I can't see a description on this bottle...Where, perchance, did you find said description?
Ashley: Uh...You know, that's actually a really good question.
Xiang: (*enters*) Hello. Have either of you seen Sasha?
Hideki: Just remember what I've said, Xiang. Watch yourself around her.
Xiang: I get it, Hideki. Don't get caught in the crossfire and all that. But that does not excuse the fact that Sasha is my friend.
Tien: Well, she said she was going to the arcade. Unless she's left it in the meantime, she should still be there.
Xiang: Ah, thank you. In that case - if you'll excuse me.
Xiang: (*leaves*)
Tien: ...Well then. Hideki, why so serious?
Hideki: I'm just concerned. You've seen how headstrong Sasha is, in and out of the Class Trial, and I'm uneasy that breaking Tien's glasses are the least damage she's going to cause on this airship.
Ashley: Have a little faith, Hideki. I'm sure she'll be fine.
Hideki: We'll see, I guess.
Tien: I suppose so...the best way to learn is from observation. We've only been here for a little over two days, and these aren't exactly normal circumstances. She's probably been deeply affected by this whole mutual killing business, just as everyone else has. I'm sure after a while, everything will smooth out.
Hideki: ...Yeah. You're probably right. I'm just going to keep an eye on her, though. Just in case.
Ashley: Well, now that that's settled...I guess there isn't much else to see in the gym.
Shared: Marine Snow!
Tien says it's made out of plankton corpses...Which is weird, because I think I'm supposed to know that somehow, but I don't know where from. Odd.
Phuong Tien Lam - Level 1!
Tien was raised by an absent mother, and had big shoes to fill - she wanted to follow in her mother's scientist footsteps. She prototyped most of her inventions at a private school.
"I should be going too," Tien muttered to no one in particular. "I still have to find Eric…"
"Is he hiding?" I asked.
She nodded solemnly. "Yeah. I'm still interested in his statistical luck and probability regarding the Mono-Mono Machine, yet I have no idea where he is."
"We can help you look if you want," offered Hideki.
Tien smiled. "Yes, thank you! That would be great!"
I scratched my chin. "Where should we look first, then?"
Tien looked at the ground. "I don't know. Perhaps..."
Area unlocked: Fast Food Place!
Swimming Pool
Changing Rooms
Arcade
Gym
Fast Food Place
Selected Area: Fast Food Place
A typical establishment that looks like it was built for a make-your-own fast-food establishment. There's a microwave, a grill, a bun-heater, and a whole lot of other machines I'm unfamiliar with situated to one side, and a whole row of tables at the other.
"Come on, Lucille...Please eat something...!"
Nico was sitting at a table next to a mopey-looking Lucille. It didn't appear that she'd made any headway with improving the Formula-1 Racer's mood - she appeared to be holding something yellow in her hand. Almost like…
"Come on, Lucille! You know you want a french fry."
Lucille sighed. "Non, Nico. I am just not in ze mood for fries."
"Aw, c'mon! There's no such thing as the wrong mood for fries!"
"Zhere is. I am in ze wrong mood for fries as we speak."
Nico waved a fry in front of her face. "Aw, come on! They're extra French!"
"What is zhat even supposed to mean?"
"Uh...They're specially...made for you?"
"What is zhat supposed to mean?"
"...Work with me here. I'm trying to cheer you up, Lucille..." Nico turned towards us, and I realized she'd already known we were in the fast food place, "Ashie, do something, she's not responding to my offerings!"
Put on the spot, I blanched, "Um…"
"Meh, don't even try."
Maya carried a tray of what appeared to be a cheeseburger and fries towards a separate table, before kicking her feet up on said table. "PTSD's a bitch. Just gotta give her time to let it go and all that, and probably make sure she doesn't do something stupid like hang herself."
I gasped. "You really think she'd-"
"I may not be any sort of psychology expert, but it's a definite possibility," Tien said solemnly. "You never know what someone will resort to when they're sufficiently aggrieved."
"I won't commit suicide." Lucille stated quietly. "But I'm not going to go anywhere either..."
Normally, I would have said 'That's the spirit', but I'm starting to worry now. I had to take the risk.
"Lucille...please." I pleaded, "Ava wouldn't want to see you so moody and negative. What would she say if she knew you were just wilting away?"
The silence was deafening as I searched her eyes for any semblance of expression.
"...Bien."
Tien's eyes looked over from where she was inspecting the drink dispenser. "Hmm? Somebody call me?"
"No. I was saying, 'Alright'." Lucille let out a huge huff. "I will make zhe honest effort to be happier. For our sakes. For Ava."
"That's the spirit!" Nico cheered, before shooting me a quick thumbs-up and mouthing, 'Thanks a lot!'
Growl...
Lucille blushed. "Well. Would you look at zhat. I must be hungry."
"Well, I got you some fries...Maybe I'll go get something else for ya!" Nico stood up, before strolling over to the grill, and the selection of different meats by it. "There's a lot of stuff here to make a barbecue, y'know...Maybe I'll hold that pool party after all!"
Hideki, who had been mostly silent throughout, spoke up. "And how, pray tell, are you going to accomplish that?"
Nico frowned, "How else? Bring the party to the pool, duh. Just gotta take the portable stuff from here and the kitchen, and bring it to a safe corner of the pool where it won't fall in."
"That seems highly unsafe..." Hideki's voice trailed off. "Eh, fine. Do what you think appropriate, but if I see that there's anything unsafe, I'm shutting the pool party down then and there."
"Fiiiiiine, mister grumpycoat." Nico lifted a bag of what appeared to be shrimp. "Ooh, prawns! Imma throw that on the barbie- Lucille, will a normal beef burger with cheese work for you?"
"Oui. Merci, Nico."
Phew. Glad she's feeling back to normal.
Seeing as Lucille was picking at her fries, Nico was cooking, and Maya appears to be rearranging her burger from the inside-out...Yeah, nothing much left to do here.
"In any case, there's only one room left, so I would suppose Eric would be in there..." Tien hypothesized, as we walked out.
Area unlocked: Laundry Room!
Swimming Pool
Changing Rooms
Arcade
Gym
Fast Food Place
Laundry Room
Selected Area: Laundry Room
A pristine white laundry room, illuminated by some swanky lights. An assortment of washing machines and washing aids line up both sides, along with a few racks.
"Simply marvelous."
Faen was admiring a large bottle of what seemed like...detergent?
"Ajax. Can't go wrong without it," he quipped, turning to face us, "Good afternoon, Ms. Jung, Mr. Kenta and Ms. Phuong. How may I assist you?"
"Faen," Tien adjusted her glasses, which glinted in the flourescent light of the laundry room interior, "By any chance, have you seen Eric anywhere?"
"I cannot say I have, Ms. Phuong." Faen shook his head. "I have been here since the second floor was unlocked for us, and Mr. Andrews has yet to enter or leave this room while I was in it."
"Oh...Disappointing," she frowned. "I suppose I will have to search elsewhere...Perhaps he is in the changing rooms. I should recruit someone to help me check inside there…"
Still muttering, Tien walked out of the room, as Johan walked in, carrying a basket of what looked like tablecloths.
"Got every last one." he said, setting it down. "Why was Tien muttering to herself about finding a guy? I wasn't aware everyone on this airship was looking for love."
"It's a long story." Hideki turned to look at one of the washing machines, "Something you can explain, right, Eric?"
I peered over, trying to catch a glimpse of its interior, before the hatch popped open with a loud bang.
"No bloody way...How'd you know?" Eric asked puzzledly as he crawled out of the machine. "The brainiac boffin didn't even notice, and you've got half the eyes of any normal bloke. That's dodgy, that is."
"I didn't know at first, but Faen's statement was what clued me in." Hideki raised his good eyebrow. "He was in there before you came in here, wasn't he?"
"Indeed he was." Faen tossed the tablecloths into the same washing machine Eric had just vacated. "For the safety and assurance of my fellow man, I carefully chose my words such that Mr. Andrews could afford to delay his exposure."
"And that's why I like Faen." Eric grinned.
Johan put an arm around Faen's shoulders, "Yeah, not bad, sw-"
Pausing in his words, he cleared his throat, "Not bad, buddy. Looking out for people's a good thing to do."
The ends of Hideki's lips curved up in amusement. "In any case, it was a clever hiding place, I'll give you that. Takes commitment to squeeze yourself into one of those."
"She's psycho, okay?" Eric stated fearfully. "She sees me as more of a lab rat than a person."
"Pretty sure that's an improvement." Johan muttered.
"Hey!"
"In any case, Mr. Otto, would you mind helping me spread out this tablecloth? It looks like there aren't any major stains on it, so I should be able to scrub the grime out by hand." Faen lifted a relatively clean length of cloth as he said so.
"Sure. I don't mind." Johan walked over.
"...I don't know why, but I'm also going to go help them. Have fun talking." Hideki shook his head in confusion, as if he didn't quite know what he was doing, before he joined the duo. Leaving me with-
Eric scratched his head. "What does he mean by that?"
"Well…" I tapped my chin, "You're the only person I haven't had a one-to-one conversation on this airship for longer than five sentences."
"...Oh. Well, go on, then, let's converse," he leaned against the wall, "By all means, ask away."
= = Free Time! = =
Free Time with Eric?
[Yes] [No]
Ashley: So...Tell me about yourself, Eric.
Eric: Well, I'm pretty great if I must say so myself...
Eric: I was always a straight-A student, athletic, and most of all, I have a great personality.
Ashley: I see...
Ashley: Wow, he's a humble guy...That sounded more sarcastic in my head.
Ashley: Well, if you were, why'd you take up stage fighting instead of some other high-paying job, then? I mean, if you were really that good, I think you could've had your choice of white-collar jobs.
Eric: As I said, great athlete. Got into theater, played tons of heroic roles. Got good at stage combat and choreography. Simple as that.
Eric: Besides, white-collar jobs are boring. I prefer life in the spotlight. I might've been an overachiever, but that doesn't mean I have to like studying, do I?
Ashley: Evidently not-
Eric: Blimey, it's like people think you'd have to have a corporate degree to be smart or something. I respect them, but it just isn't my thing.
Ashley: Well, it technically is the truth...In Korea, you've only really got three options. Either you get yourself such a degree, or you become a professional Starcraft player, or you go into the K-Pop industry - like me. I'm not ashamed to admit I never had the best grades in school, and I don't like gaming.
Eric: Yeah, it's different ov'r here in the United St- I mean, the United Kingdom. Specifically England.
Ashley: ...Where are you from anyhow?
Eric:...
Eric: Cardiff. Born and raised.
Ashley: I thought you said you were from England?
Eric: Yes, I am.
Ashley: ...Excuse me, because I haven't had Geography in quite some time, but isn't Cardiff in Wales?
Eric: Bollocks!
Eric: ...Was my delivery at least convincing?
Ashley: So you were acting...I guess I shouldn't be surprised, at this point in time.
Eric: Don't be.
Eric: After all, what's an actor to do but act?
Ashley: Well, then where are you actually from?
Eric: California. San Francisco.
Ashley: I still don't feel like he's telling the truth...but I'll let it go for now.
Ashley: Why do you pretend to be English, then?
Eric: The accent, really. Ladies love the accent - draws them in like moths to a flame.
Eric: I guess you could call me an anglophile. Regardless, would you mind not bringing this up with the others? Sasha would never let me hear the end of it.
Ashley: Oooooookay. Well, I suppose this has been a pleasant enough conversation.
Eric: ...Yep. Sure was.
Ashley: He's dropped the fake accent, it seems...probably to resume it the moment the others return.
Eric: I can hear you think, you know. Even when you're not opening your mouth. Have you considered a career in ventriloquism?
Ashley: Ack! Better silence him with a gift.
==Select!==
1. Silver Ring
2. Sunflower Seeds
3. Self-Erasing Cassette Tape
4. Absolute Tuning Fork
5. Crowbar
6. Gloves of Tomorrow
7. Tissues
8. Bandages
9. Sword Wind Secret Notebook - Sayaka Maizono
Ashley: From me to you.
Ashley: This is...Well, actually, I'm not sure what it is, but it looked suitable for you. Since I can't use it, I don't mind letting you have it.
Eric: This is...a routine?
Ashley: I think so?
Eric: Well, it looks expertly choreographed, but it's for two people, so I'll make sure to try it out with someone sometime soon. If only I could get someone to read what the words on the cover meant...
Ashley: Maybe Xiang?
Eric: Maybe. Or perhaps Maya...She definitely has enough knowledge of kana to help me along.
Eric: In any case, thank you, Ashley. I actually appreciate this gift, which is saying something.
Ashley: I'm happy you like it!
Eric: So am I-
Tien: Which means the only possible remaining hiding place is- aha!
Eric: Oh, bollocks. Well, can't talk now, Ashley, gotta run-!
Tien: Desist at once! I shall unravel your secrets!
Ashley: …
Ashley: She just chased him out of the room. Now that's drive.
Shared: Sword Wind Secret Notebook - Sayaka Maizono!
Eric appreciates the gift, which he says is a first for him. He may attempt the routine in the near-future; hopefully, I'll be able to watch it.
Eric Andrews- Level 1!
Eric is an anglophile, and though he was a good student in school, he preferred stage-fighting to being an overachieving student. He also seems hesitant to reveal where he's from.
The three guys were certainly taking their sweet time...I wonder how hard it really it to scrub a tablecloth.
I reddened at the thought. It must make me sound like some kind of spoiled brat. Luckily, no one's here to see me think this.
A quick look over at them showed that they were still talking and pointing at a particular stain...A pink stain.
Is that...what I think it could be?
"No, it's not." Hideki's voice shook me out of my reverie, "It's just the red paint from JJ's murder - I think Ava used this particular tablecloth to carry the paint around to prevent spillage."
"Oh…"I twiddled my thumbs, "Um...am I still needed here?"
"I'm not sure what kind of question that is..." Johan stared at me quizzically.
"It's just...I don't know." I looked out the door. "I just think there's someone, somewhere that needs my assistance."
"It is Ms. DuCarde, is it not?" Faen ventured a guess.
He's right...I'm still mildly worried about Lucille as-is.
He smiled genially. "It is alright, Ms. Jung. We understand. Go ahead and leave us - Mr. Kenta, Johan and I will be here when and if you return."
…?
Hideki's good eye blinked. "Did you just...call Johan, well, Johan?"
"No. You must have misheard, Mr. Kenta," Faen denied.
Of course, I know from experience what a good liar Faen is…
I looked over at Johan, who looked incredibly awkward. Noticing my stare, he twitched. "Hey, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh...sorry," I muttered quickly.
"It's nothing special. Ashley's habits involve always thinking out loud and staring at people for disturbing lengths of time. You get used to it after a while," said Hideki with a laugh.
"Hey!...That's true." I conceded. "I'll just be taking my leave. See you later."
Following that, I walked out the door, bound for the Fast Food Place.
Growl...
I guess I didn't want to tell them I was also hungry, hehe. A lady has standards, after all.
Act 2-2 FIN
13 Students Remaining
A/N: We have returned! Sorry this took a while - I've had standardized testing, and something else pretty huge happened. Had to get detectives involved and all (shoutout to the [city redacted] police department) but I'm fine for now. Hopefully. Regardless, have the first free times of Act Two! Three down, seven to go. For the record, based on your voting Lucille and Jackie aren't going to be getting free times this chapter. Unfortunately, those two didn't receive enough votes. This means that Johan, Xiang, Hideki, Nico, Sasha, Faen and Maya will be getting one later this Act, although in what order...you'll see.
Now, this chapter's QOTC is kind of different from the normal ones, in that it's a survey rather than a question. Go to (/)forms(/)BMA6EAnK3d (minus the parentheses - there'll be a link on my profile as well). I'm quite proud of it in my own humble opinion and I think you guys should all answer it. For the record, it doesn't collect emails or anything. It's completely anonymous.
BUUUUUT I'm also going to ask something this chapter for you to answer in reviews. Which is this: yes, there will indeed be a pool party chapter. What do you guys want to happen at said pool party? Suggest whatever you want with whatever characters, and SD and I will try our best to work it in.
Now, we only got six reviews last chapter, but I'm going to answer them anyway.
Stargirl909: Ah, I love it when we get non-submitter fans. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this update!
A Dingus With Sweet Shades: The fanservice pool chapter is coming, and soon. And it shall be glorious.
Penumbro: Honestly I don't know how to respond to this in words but like. Know that I giggled.
HeroinOfDarkness: You smell right
dashunterman: She's beauty. She's grace. She punched Monokuma in the face.
SDproductions: I have no response. -Lime
Whew, finally, I get a turn.
So. I get the chance to ask an actual QOTC. Might as well use an abuse it. The question is: Which of the AFoFD characters would you date most of all? Feel free to choose your own submitted character, or someone else of the assembled cast, up to and including Ataru and Yukari - though why anyone would choose them is beyond me. I know who I'm picking - Nico and Maya are my baes. - SD