Review replies!
TikiKitsune: Glad you got the time to review and that you like Tsukushi! As for the QOTC, you're free to join the Wimps Unite club, amirite?
Kat the Writer: Kikyo and Yuzuru seem to be getting a little fanbase here!
Crimson Spider Lily: I'll try to make the next FTEs a bit longer! Ontario was a slip-up on my part (seems like I can't go a chapter without one, huh?). Kikyo and Yuzuru definitely have potential to be the running joke of the series, don't they? We'll see. With Chigusa and Eita being the Prologue's FTEs, we actually have three or four more before the first murder, so don't worry about not getting to know everyone.
SongBirds-Lullaby: Thanks a lot! I really enjoy Riou's character, to be honest, as well as Yuzuru and Kikyo. I really should get to making them a sismance (?) ship name, shouldn't I?
TheRoseShadow21: This isn't the last bit of friction between the Landlord and the Boxer, I'll tell you that much!
ACT 1: Adjusting to Anghern
CHAPTER 2: Free Time
MORNING
Location: Sierra Resort - 1st Floor
As soon as I stepped down from the spiraling staircases and onto the wooden boards, I was greeted by a familiar shirtless individual bursting through the door, startling me onto the wall.
"Heya, Riou!" I greeted cheerfully. It just goes to show that I'm a nice person in the morning, if no blood-thirsty bears ruin my relaxing shower time, right?
Riou paced over to me and hugged me, his grip tight around my head. "Hello there, pipsqueak!" his voice dug into my eardrums, thumping as the loud roar echoed in my head. "Slept well?"
"Y-Yeah" I said in a daze. This guy's got some serious vocal chords. "What were you doing out so early?"
"Morning jog!" he explained, loosening his grip and crossing his arms in front of him. That'd explain the beads of sweat dotted around his body. "Every morning, I have to do a few laps around town. Now I'm stuck here... but that won't stop me! Staying fit is key!" he rambled.
I chuckled lightly and tapped his arm. "You really take this fitness thing seriously, don't you?"
"A healthy body houses a healthy mind, pipsqueak, never forget that." his tone was suddenly serious, almost menacing. "That's why you can't eat... chocolate." he said that last word - one that I won't even think about, over fear of getting my head torn off - with venom in his voice, something not too normal when referring to food.
"Y-Yeah..." I mimicked what I said just a minute or so ago and chuckled once again. "Have you had breakfast yet?"
"Nope." he answered simply. "Wanna grab a bite at the diner? I'll whip something up."
I tilt my head, a bit confused and a bit shocked, if anything. "You cook?"
"Surprised?" he let out a roaring laugh "My training isn't just exercise. I need to cook my nutritious meals, every day."
I mouthed an 'oh' and made my way to the kitchen. "Yuki must be your saviour then, huh? He just cooks for you, if you ask him."
"Right you are. That little punk is pretty cool."
"Yuki?" I cock my head back to ask Riou, but my answer came from someone else entirely.
"Yes, Master Hananari? Is something the matter?"
Startled by the sudden intrusion, I jump a bit and turn to the voice's direction. Behind the open door to the kitchen stood the Butler that me and Riou were just talking about. "G-Good morning, Yuki! Riou and I were just praising how helpful you've been during this whole ordeal... with helping to cook and the like."
Yuki smiled widely and politely before taking a bow. "It is my pleasure, Master Hananari, Master Ryielo." In response, Riou winked and gave a confident grin, his right hand's thumb up in an appreciative gesture towards the house's cook, so to speak. "Are you hungry? Breakfast is ready to be served."
"Are we gonna have a feast, like yesterday?" Riou pat his rock hard belly as he waltzed inside, making a beeline to his seat, waving a quick hello to Yuzuru, Eita and Frances who were already there while he was at it.
I chime in before Yuki has a chance to respond. "Don't over do it, Riou. We don't know when food around here is gonna run out. We've got to spare some and really ration our meals, yeah?"
Riou was halfway through his agreement when he was cut off by a certain Tapdancer. "Great news for you then! It seems like every night, we get our food restocked!"
"Franchesh'sh right" Yuzuru mumbled through mouthfuls of yesterday's leftovers.
Who eats chicken salad for breakfast?
"Monokuma came down here and confirmed it, too." Eita concluded Yuzuru's train of thought, leaving her to finish her early morning meal. "Every night, the food in the freezer and the cabinets is refilled."
Riou's eyes widened, glistening in the kitchen lights as a grin took over his face. "That means... we can eat to our heart's content!? There's infinite protein in this place!?"
"You could say that." Eita finished, before turning back to fussing with the Electro-ID, just in time for a sudden, and unexpected, appearance.
"Good morning, mon amis."
"Master Inubarashi!" Yuki greeted with a bow before returning to the food. "Greetings. I trust you slept well?"
Maruko's freckles gave way for a smile to grow "Very well, Herr Batora, gracias!"
"You're up early today!" I try and make conversation and I move to a seat next to Riou.
She simply nodded and made way for another chair around the island. "I guess I am, ja? It's weird, since j'ai vu un film late yesterday night..."
Most of us gave her weird looks, bewildered by her statement. Frances was the one to break the silence and ask the question on everyone's minds. "How did you watch a movie?" she cut herself mid-sentence and restarted. "That's what you said, right? You watched a movie." Maruko simply nodded. "How? Where?"
"Não sabem?" the Translator was the one to be confused now. "There's a TV screen next door!"
"Next door?" Yuzuru questioned. "You mean the staff room on the other side of the lounge?" Maruko nodded once again, making a collective gasp erupt from the rest of the people in the kitchen. Except Eita, if that wasn't obvious enough. Such a quiet boy, that one.
It took little to no time for me, Riou and Yuzuru to leave the rest of the people in the kitchen and drop by the staff room. For some odd reason, I never got the idea to check this room out - guess there's always been something that made me not search it.
The room itself was far grander than I'd expected, and it didn't fully look like a staff room in the first place. The far wall had a wooden door that led to a little toilet stall, and beside it, a giant desk faced the white wall. The wall to the left had the famed TV monitor, and sprawled on the floor below it were a bunch of puff-chairs and pillows, almost making a little homemade movie theatre. The door's wall had no distinguishing features, aside from another empty wooden desk that mirrored the one in the back, its feet blending with the wooden boards of the floor. The most striking feature of the room however, was the washing machines to the right.
"Why the hell are there washing machines here?" Riou asked himself out loud.
Yuzuru cocked her head to the side and responded. "Well, this is the staff room. So whenever this hotel resort inn thingy was used... this is probably where the cleaning people came to wash bedsheets and the like."
"We can use it too, I think..." I suggested while walking over to a random machine. "Our clothes upstairs aren't gonna clean themselves, huh?"
"Of course Ryielo-san over here doesn't need it too much. The perks of wearing only shorts." a new voice arose, making me turn around to find out its owner.
I was met by a familiar face, as expected. It's not like there're any unfamiliar faces around town. "Morning, Shizuka!"
"Top of the morning to you as well, Hananari-san. And to you too, Ryielo-san and Kanzaki-san." he greeted us back with a smile on his face, tugging the pieces of clothing he held a bit tighter. "I didn't think I'd find anyone here so early."
Noticing the dirty laundry, Yuzuru's curiosity got the best of her. "You came in to do the laundry?"
"That's correct." he answered. "As I've done for the past couple of days."
Suddenly the little mound of dirty clothes I stacked in the corner of my room seemed a bit unnecessary. Who knew?
A new face peeked through the door to the lounge, boasting a loveable yet shy grin and brown braids. "Good morning, everyone..." she chirped
"Morning Chigusa!" I greet her as Shizuka moves to empty his stack of dirty laundry onto a random machine, followed by a curious Yuzuru.
"Hello, leaf girl!" Riou acknowledges her presence, although he couldn't remember her name - or so I assume. "Slept fine?"
"Y-Yes" she chuckled before answering. "And my name is... um, it's Chigusa..."
Riou just shrugged and crossed his arms across his bare chest "Can't be bothered to remember all your names." he stated. "Leaf girl is cool anyway, right?"
The Gardener was shot with a strong and confident glare from the towering giant, and therefore forced to nod in response. A few moments later, the two people who were at the washing machine met us back at the entrance and left, crossing the lounge and entering the kitchen.
A short while after breakfast was over and done with, my housemates - if you can call them that - left the premises, leaving only me and Yuki doing dish-cleaning duty, while Kiyoshi went upstairs to have himself 'an early morning nap' as he called it.
Early morning naps, though... The act of sleeping right after you woke up. Kiyo astounds me.
That leaves me with one choice.
Hang out with Yuki?
[Yeah, sure] [Oh, heeeeeell no]
Tsukushi: So... Yuki?
Yuki: Yes, Master Hananari? Would you like something? A cup of tea, perhaps?
Tsukushi: No, no, thanks... I wanted to talk to you.
Yuki: What might the matter be, young master?
Tsukushi: I really want to... I don't know how to say it. Know you better?
Yuki: So you would like to know a bit more about my past?
Tsukushi: Basically.
Yuki: Well, I'll be happy to serve you that information, although it is quite the boring and predictable past. I come from a family of maids and butlers... my mother and father serve a rich family back in Japan, and trained me to become a butler from quite the young age. At the age of 9, I was well versed in the arts of serving, and as time went on, I acquired skills such as cooking, sewing, baby-sitting, cleaning and what would soon become my personal favourite... tea brewing.
Tsukushi: How did they... train you to be a butler?
Yuki: Through studies, of course! I was a proud member of the Poshley Institute of Etiquete and Butlering.
Tsukushi: A school... for butlers? Does that actually exist?
Tsukushi: Etiquete and... Butlering, you said? You went to butler school, then?
Yuki: To put it simply, yes. And I was praised as being the best student there, as of the last fifty years! Only the founder of the school matched my serving prowess and will. Oh, but I digress... I did not mean to brag, master.
Tsukushi: No, no, please go on! I can't believe that you were actually considered one of the best butlers of our generation, basically! That must've felt awesome!
Yuki: It did, indeed, Master Hananari.
Tsukushi: Don't you find it tiring, though? Serving everyone, and never having anyone to serve you?
Yuki: Not at all. My main desire is that everyone around me is pleased, and I shall do whatever I can to achieve said pleasure. My masters are a priority. That is one of the basic principles of serving, you see? Put your master before you, at all costs. I do consider myself lucky, however, since I have had the pleasure of having masters that do not overwork me or use me for personal means. Oh, look at how I rant again... my apologies.
Tsukushi: Again, don't worry! I find this fascinating.
Yuki: Why, thank you, Master Hananari. Sorry to cut this conversation short, but I must get to work right away! I sincerely hope you don't take it personally.
Tsukushi: Not at all! I'd like to ask you a favor, though... can you please brew me your special tea? Chigusa seemed to really enjoy it.
Yuki: Of course! I shall get to it immediately. If you could please wait a few minutes...
Tsukushi: Sure thing, take your time.
Yuki Batora
Despair Shard obtained!
Yuki apparently comes from a family of butlers and maids, who are pretty well-known in their own community for serving rich families, politicians, leaders of various countries, and even royalty! He graduated at the top of his class from a butler school back home called 'The Poshley Institute of Etiquete and Butlering', and some went so far as to call him the best butler to set foot in that school since its founder. His main goal in life is to make everyone around him happy and pleased with his service, so he hardly ever gets tired of serving people. Tough job.
Item Obtained!
Yuki's Special Tea
Yuki's signature herb infusion, made with all the love and care of a professional butler. It is an unlikely mixture of ginger, peppermint and lemon that actually tastes good, despite sounding absolutely despicable. Yuki always carries spare baggies of this special tea around him so he can serve it to anyone on the fly.
After tasting it, I found it's actually way, way worse than I expected. Sounds like it just isn't my cup of tea, huh?
AFTERNOON
Location: Halfpixel Arcade
The walk from the resort to the arcade was rather lonely, as there was literally no one in sight. As to where everyone is, as of right now, my guess is as good as yours. Searching for an exit? Sleeping? Inside some building? Who knows.
As I entered the dark room, I noticed a few shining tiles in the back wall and to the right, on the opposite side of where I met Frances and Yori for the first time, just a couple of days ago. Presenting itself in greater detail as I approached it, was a black and white machine lit by a singular white lamp in the ceiling, contrasting the immense variety of colours all around. It read 'Monomono Machine - Win fabulous despair prizes to give to your friends... and enemies!"
Peeking through the looking glass, there were many fist-sized orbs, coloured half and half, with the bottom half being transparent and the other being a shade of gray, with a few black and white thrown into the mix for good measure. Inside the orbs however, were the most random items one could think of. A cat bracelet, a Monokuma-shaped snow globe, a miniature plastic cup of coffee and Rubik cube? What the hell does all of this have in common, anyway?
"Hananari-san! Fancy meeting you here." a voice arose in the shadows, clearly Shizuka's. No one else calls anyone last name-san, right?
I turn around to find the dimly lit silhouette of the Street Magician. "Hello there, Shizuka! Taking a walk?"
"Hardly." he laughed. "Do you enjoy taking walks inside of musty neon buildings?" he joked, earning a chuckle out of both of us. "I jest, of course. I am simply looking around town. It's not like we can do anything else about our current situation, right?"
"Right..." I sigh, defeated. "This is pretty sucky, though, don't you think?"
Shizuka chuckled condescendingly. "Sucky?" he mocked. "What a great vocabulary you have there! Truly worthy of the SHSL Defense Attorney, yes?"
"You get what I mean" I hit his shoulder friendlily and laugh it off.
"Indeed I do." he shakes his head, still maintaining his radiant aura around him. How is this guy always so happy and peaceful, anyway? "Would you like to have a seat? There are a few tables in the back where we can chat."
Taking Shizuka up on his offer, he took me through a black door and into a room with much, much better lighting. We could actually see things in front of us using something that isn't the floor lighting. Seriously, whoever built this arcade was a genius, but an idiot.
"That'd be a contradiction, right?" Shizuka interrupted me.
"Oh, sorry. I was thinking out loud?"
"Yes. I take it is a habit of yours?" Shizuka nodded and chuckled, gesturing me to a table before going over to the bar counter and stealing himself a coke. "Would you like something? There's a load of drinks here."
"Get me whatever you're drinking." I shrug, and watch as the Street Magician approaches me and takes a seat.
Sounds like I'm staying here for a little while, at the very least.
Hang out with Shizuka?
[Yeah, sure] [Oh, heeeeeell no]
Tsukushi: So, is there anything special you'd like to talk about?
Shizuka: Nothing in particular. But since we're here, might as well. What is your whole stance on our situation?
Tsukushi: You mean... the Mutual Killing Game? And Monokuma?
Shizuka: What else could I possibly mean, Hananari-san?
Tsukushi: Damn Matsuoka, back at it again with the sassy clapbacks... and some good ones at that.
Tsukushi: Right you are. Well... it's all a bit confusing. I mean... memory loss? A teddy bear locking us in a walled city? It sounds like a movie, a video game, a book, a TV show... not real life, that's for sure.
Shizuka: Is that your only gripe with it? What about the killing aspect?
Tsukushi: You... You don't really buy that, do you? There's no way we'd kill each other.
Shizuka: Speak for yourself.
Tsukushi: O-Oh hell no.
Tsukushi: What d-do you mean? You don't mean... are you...?
Shizuka: Far from it. I would not kill any one of you, unless you gave me reasons to.
Tsukushi: Please let that be an exaggeration.
Tsukushi: Y-You're not serious, right? You wouldn't kill anyone.
Shizuka: Don't you think criminals must be brought to justice? If any of us was a criminal, we should punish him or her.
Tsukushi: Wh-What about Yuzuru, then? She's an Assassin, which makes her a murderer, right? You don't mean we should kill her.
Shizuka: Not quite. Yuzuru is a special case, I think. To me, at least. You do make a good point, however.
Tsukushi: Why?
Shizuka: Are you familiar with Darwinian evolution?
Tsukushi: What has that got to do with anything?
Tsukushi: Yeah... When the environment changes, there are a few individuals that change with it, and those gain the ability to survive the new conditions... basically, whoever can change and adapt to the outside world, lives... Why?
Shizuka: That is basically the premise of this game, is it not? Those who feel the need to kill each other will do so, and the ones who don't, will only leave dead.
Tsukushi: B-But... if no one kills anyone, and I seriously believe no one is capable of doing it... then, we're all fine.
Shizuka: That is also correct. But, if one of us gives in to the temptation... that's all we need to get the ball rolling.
Tsukushi: How are you saying all of this... so calmly? We're talking about human lives ending! Possibly mine and yours...
Shizuka: Death is the most natural thing ever, Hananari-san. Of course, the deaths of innocent people are not natural.
Tsukushi: Let me ask you one thing... are you planning to murder?
Shizuka: Hananari-san... there's nothing I despise more in this world than injustice and criminals. I refuse to become what I hate the most. Does that answer your question?
Tsukushi: I-I guess...
Shizuka: That's about it. I really felt like I could talk about this with you, Hananari-san. Something about you makes me... trust you. And with that, I take my leave. There is plenty of other things to do than stay here in this cramped arcade talking to me, correct? I'll see you around.
Shizuka Matsuoka
Despair Shard obtained!
Shizuka, surprisingly enough, seems to have a pretty firm stance about this whole ordeal. With all this talk about the Mutual Killing Game, I didn't get too much information about him, but apparently he abhorres criminals and injustice above all else, although for some reason, Yuzuru doesn't fall in that category, even though she is an assassin skilled enough for her to get into Hope's Peak using that as a talent.
Item Obtained!
Punching Bag Keychain
A keychain with a miniature punching bag attached to its end. The punching bag itself is white and has a tiny red boxing glove on the side. I wonder who'd like this.
Item Obtained!
Magic Beans
I'd think these would be pretty fun to try out, but the box spoiled the fun... these are actually tulip seeds, damn it. I'm not trusting this MonoMono machine again.
EVENING
Location: Anghern Supermarket
I wondered around town for a while, chatting with people and the like before it started getting dark. As soon as it did, though, I sent myself to the supermarket to get the remaining two people we needed for dinner. Of course, I refused to go alone.
"Where did those two go...?" Yatarou muttered under his breath, skimming through aisles and aisles of various products before grinding to a halt at the very last one. "Nowhere to be found... You think they're here?"
"Maybe they aren't." I answered, taking another quick look around. "The others went to check the rest of town so... we shouldn't worry too much."
Yatarou shrugged and walked towards the exit. "I'm not worried, I'm just hungry... If only Asuyo wasn't such a stickler for the rules, and having a group meal and such... And she even had the nerve to send us all off to search for her, while she and Kiyoshi just sit around with Yuki making dinner... makes me mad."
"C'mon... she's not that bad. Someone has to take the lead in this town... otherwise, we'll just be sixteen little bugs buzzing around until someone swats us."
"What a comparison..." he looked back, eyes wide. "Don't you think that's a little too grim, Tsukushi?"
I tilt my head. "Why'd you say that?"
"Well... swatted insects don't survive. They die." his tone made it seem like he was stating what was painfully obvious, but I still didn't get it. "And we're not going to die... right?"
"Oh." I mouthed dryly. "Sorry... it's just... Shizuka and I talked about it earlier, and I don't know... it made me feel a bit nervous, you know?"
Yatarou recoiled at the mention of the Street Magician. "He talked to you too...? About Merlin or what's his face and his evolution theory?"
"Darwin." I corrected, laughing internally. "And yeah, he did. He said that as long as one of us gives in to Monokuma... we're all doomed."
"What does he know, anyway?" Yatarou mocked, almost as if he was trying to hide his own worries. "He's a magician, right? What does he know about all that scientific thoery bullcrap, and the evolution of animals and the like? He's probably just messing with us..."
I shrugged. "I guess you've got a point. A magician talking about science-ish stuff is kind of odd... but I've got a bad feeling about it. Eita's got it too."
"Eita?" Yatarou thought for a while. "That has me worried. That kid is creepy... it's like he can see the future."
"Talk to him about it, maybe he'll teach you how he does it!" I joke around, earning a laugh from Yatarou that clears the surrounding air. The tension was growing a bit too thick for my liking.
"I've got a quick question for you." Yatarou breaks the tension once again, with his suggestive tone of voice.
"Shoot" I dared to push him forward, although I'm not too sure where this is going.
Yatarou crossed his arms. "Do you have your sights set on someone here? Romantically speaking."
I blink twice before crossing my arms, mirroring the International Tour Guide's with an added raised eyebrow. "Your point being...?"
"Just curious. Do you?"
"I've known everyone for two days, dude!" I mock his question a bit, laughing it off alongside him.
Yatarou stopped himself mid-laugh to reply. "I get it, I get it... but you can't deny it... there're some pretty cute girls around, huh?"
"I'm a guys kind of guy." I laugh, making Yatarou's eyes wide and his cheeks red.
"Oh! Oh, oh, oh..." he stuttered, blushing furiously as he shook his head. "Sorry! I didn't mean to label you like that?" he apologized with a hint of question to the end, almost as if he wasn't sure he did something bad - which he didn't.
"Chill, it's okay" I laugh it off as I comfort him. "You?"
"Me, what?" he asks, a bit more relaxed.
I tilt my head. What would it be, smartass? "Do you like someone?"
"I might." Yatarou teased with a quick, friendly wink. With a joking tone, he continued, imitating my voice. "Why'd you ask that, though? I've known you for two days!"
Turning my back, I leave the supermarket, leaving him behind, laughing. "Shut up, smartass!" I shout, not turning back as I hear his footsteps run toward me. "Let's get back to the inn! Maybe Blackjack and Frances are there already."
A/N: That's all for today, folks! Three free times out of the way for Act 1 (Yatarou, Yuki and Shizuka), which leaves two more!
QOTC: From the 16 students, do you ship any of them together? As lovers, good friends or worst enemies, anything goes! My vote would have to go for Yatarou and Tsukushi, since I think their personalities just clash really well. I've got some pairings planned for this fic, but your input can change everything, so be sure to tell me something! Yamazaki out!