Review replies!
YAmomoto: You noticed, huh? Kikuru sounds awesome, I might actually use it!
Katastic Writer: A fresh username, I see! Nice pairings there! You might see one or two of them buzzing around soon.
Crimson Spider Lily: Maruko is a really fun character, I actually like her a lot! I see Shizuka as a stern, yet happy-go-lucky guy, if that makes any sense, and that's of of the reasons why I decided to have him say it. Be sure to keep me posted on the ships!
SDproductions: I'm glad Yuki's gaining such a following! Pretty interesting pairings you suggested, and one in particular caught my interest... we'll see, though.
TikiKitsune: A red herring, huh? Nice guess.
Third Cosmic Velocity: There's always next chapter/act for the FTE polling! Part of Tsukushi's backstory will come around soon enough (a.k.a. this chapter)!
TheRoseShadow21: Don't you worry about Asuyo's backstory, we'll have plenty in the coming chapter(s)!
ACT 1: Adjusting to Anghern
CHAPTER 3: Take My Money
EARLY MORNING
Location: Central Plaza - Sundial
Kiyoshi yawned loudly, annoyed by the abrupt morning call Monokuma woke us up with. "Ah, damn it... where's that stupid bear?"
"He'll probably be right here..." Yori comforted the Custodian, being held up by Frances on the side, arms tangled by the elbows. "We just have to be patient, Kiyo."
"Hanamichi-san is correct" Shizuka noted, tumbling to the ground next to Kiyo, before a quick round of agreements sounded.
Asuyo was the one to move the conversation forward next. "I have to wonder though... what does Monokuma intend to do by calling us here?"
"And at this time in the morning too..." Kiyoshi mumbled under his own breath, barely audible enough for anyone else to hear.
"Up and at'em, pipsqueak! Sleeping all day won't do you any good!" Riou's deep, loud voice echoed in Kiyo's ears, making him visibly uncomfortable. After a quick gesture for the Boxer to tone down the volume, Riou simply nodded and crossed his arms.
"What's up... with those two?" Chigusa pointed backwards to two female figures that seemed to be running laps around the entire central plaza. "Are they okay?"
I simply shake my head. "Don't mind them, Chigusa" I chuckle. "Yuzuru and Kikyo just like a good morning jog, I guess."
"Are they trying to beat me!?" Riou roared, eyes burning up with a competitive flame. "Not on my watch."
"Riou." Eita intervened. "Didn't you go running a few minutes ago?" the Boxer simply wiped his silver hair off his forehead and sprinted around at an incredible speed behind Kikyo and Yuzuru, outlapping them mindlessly, although none of them seemed to notice - Kikyo was too focused on not tripping and Yuzuru... well, you know the drill. "Lost cause."
"You tell me..." Blackjack agreed. "Riou really is a big bundle of energy stuffed into a shirtless package."
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a loud creaky sound rang throughout the entire plaza. Frances pointed in the direction of one of the doors to different sectors of the circular city, making everyone's attention be directed towards it. "I think Monokuma's coming!"
Sure enough, a little black and white bear was walking in our direction, the big wooden gates closing, sliding down onto the ground with a thud, enclosing the area Monokuma was just in.
"Goooooood morning, everyone!" he greeted before jumping a few feet in the air onto the concave portion of the sundial, where he sat down. "Slept well?"
Kiyo's ranting and complaining was the only response Monokuma got, while Yuzuru, Kikyo and Riou quickly got over to the sundial to listen to Monokuma. The Hairstylist was the one who, surprisingly enough, tried to hurry things along. "Why did you call us here?"
"Yeah! I wanted to be in the comfort of my bedroom, away from this nutjob..." Yuzuru spat, moving away from Kikyo's side and to the other side of the semicircle we built around Monokuma. Kikyo simply feigned hurt in her expression and shook her head, eyeing Monokuma for a quick answer.
"Aren't we eager today?" he mocked. "I'm not sure if you're going to be that cheerful after what I'm about to tell you!"
Blackjack and Maruko looked at each other and then at the black and white teddy bear, and the Translator hurried him along. "Hurry up, Monokuma! We don't have all día, and I'm hungry. Vite, vite!" she groaned
Monokuma cackled lowly. "Well, I'm sure everyone here remembers the Mutual Killing Game, correct!? Where everyone here should kill each other!"
"It'd be kind of hard not to forget..." I answered, crossing my arms in front of my chest. "What about it? You calling it off, now?"
"Oh dear, no!" Monokuma was quick to throw a rebuttal my way. "I wouldn't dream of it! I want to hurry you up and get things started! I haven't thrown a class trial in so long! So I'm giving you the one thing I haven't given you... a motive to kill!"
A cloud of silence was the only thing around us. We looked at each other, some of us with a little fear in our eyes, although fighting against ourselves not to show it. A motive? "What motive?" Akahana hurried him along once again. Morning people are a rarity in this city, huh. "And what makes you think we'd kill each other over it?"
"Stop questioning me, lawyer brat." he threatened. "You're all waiting for the moment of truth, so... here's the motive!" he added in a stereotypical announcer's voice, while a huge rectangular hole appeared in the ground, particles of dust flying around at ankle level. From it, a new platform started rising and on top of it...
Asuyo's jaw dropped and green wads of paper stacked on top of the metal platform that was rising. Chigusa was the one to ask the obvious. "Is th-that... money?"
"That's right! Lots of money!" If Kikyo's eyes could be set alight, they would be burning right now. The determined yet dreamy look on her face told all - she was pretty excited. "What a great motive, Monokuma, good job!" All eyes were set on Kikyo for a while, making her swallow in sudden realization. "I mean... we're not gonna give in to you, Monokuma! No matter how much money you give us! What a cruddy motive!"
The black and white bear giggled. "Is that so? I see some of you already plotting against each other... the despair of it all is giving me goosebumps!"
"Wait, this was it?" Akahana asked nonchalantly. "You expect this money to make us kill? Get a life, Monokuma."
"We've got two sassy lawyers?" the bear groaned and shook his head before letting out an annoyed sigh and looking directly at me. "I hope one of you dies soon." Ain't that reassuring. "But anyway, yes, law lady, this is indeed it. And from what I can tell, it's more than enough, upupu! Have a great day, filled with despair everyone!"
The bear jumped off the sundial and started walking towards the same wooden door from which he left. Yatarou stood in his way to ask a vald question. "And what's stopping us from taking the money you left right there?" A round of agreements and confused looks made their way onto the stage, and rightfully so. Monokuma would not leave the money unattended - he's not stupid.
"I'm sure you'll find the reason if you search your pockets for long enough. See you later, I have important matters to attend to!"
And with that, he was gone.
MORNING
Location: Valley Views
It wasn't long before the group separated, with more than a few distrusting looks to boot. I ended up running back to the resort and asked Riou for a spare pair of track gear so I could go jogging with him right after breakfast.
"Don't you ever get tired?" I ask as we ran out the stone patio by the resort's entrance and turn right, on our way to the supermarket.
Riou simply laughed and looked at me, beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead because of the intense heat. "Boxers like myself need loads of stamina for when we're duking it out in the ring, pipsqueak! My training regimen is as strict as possible, and my coach agrees with my determination."
"I get that..." I chuckle, starting to feel my body heat up from the physical effort. "But jogging twice in one morning? Isn't that a bit much?"
"Not at all! I still have one more set before lunch, you know? Riou Ryielo can't ever back down from his training, pipsqueak! My SHSL Boxer title won't uphold itself!"
I just gave him an agreeing shrug and nodded. "I guess you're right... Getting accepted into Hope's Peak isn't easy, and you must let people know you deserve your title, isn't that right?" Riou nodded in agreement, going back to his steady breathing right afterwards. "I would have never imagined getting into this school would be like this though... I mean, we've found ourselves in trouble out of nowhere."
"Tell me about it." the muscular Boxer sighed, right as the supermarket came into view, and he turned the corner towards the arcade and the flower shop street. "What about the motive that pipsqueak bear gave us earlier, huh? Whaddya think of it?"
I sighed. "I'm not gonna lie, Monokuma's really smart, giving us money to kill. It's a clever motive, like Kikyo said... even though I'd rather not admit it."
"You think anyone is actually gonna give in?"
My feet grinded to a halt right as the supermarket disappeared from our view. "Wh-What do you mean?"
Riou sprinted in place, tears of sweat running down his chest. "Think anyone's killing someone else over it?"
"O-Of course not! Are you out of your mind!?" I shout, ignoring my need to breathe - I'm not used to this guy's pace while running. "No one would kill here! We're just high school students... you think anyone here would be that desperate that they'd kill to leave?"
"They might. Monokuma said so, and he's real clever."
I really didn't want to agree with Riou, but he might've been right. From what I could gather, we aren't the first group of people he threw together into this stupid game. And if that's the case... he probably knows how to grind our gears and make us actually... commit murder.
"L-Let's just continue running..." I dismissed the topic and ran a few feet ahead, Riou quickly catching up to me.
In no more than an hour, we were done with our two laps around the Valley Views sector, and I found myself catching my breath in one of the tables outside Sierra Resort, Riou huffing next to me with an iced tea from the kitchen in his hand and a smile plastered on his face, showing off his teeth.
Come to think of it... I haven't learned too much about Riou. And now's as good time as any to find out.
Hang out with Riou?
[Yeah, sure] [Oh, heeeeeell no]
Tsukushi: So, Riou... mind if I ask you a few things about yourself?
Riou: Huh? Yeah, sure... this isn't one of those interrogations you throw in court, though, right?
Tsukushi: No, no! I'm just curious. Want to know more about you, get it?
Riou: Oh... y-you do? Well, go right ahead.
Tsukushi: Well, where do I start...?
Tsukushi: Tell me about your family!
Riou: I don't want to, pipsqueak.
Tsukushi: Oh... how come? Did something happen?
Riou: I said I didn't want to talk about them, pipsqueak. Move on.
Tsukushi: That was really blunt... Seems like I struck a nerve.
Tsukushi: Okay, sorry... so how come you got into boxing?
Riou: I... um... I started doing it to protect someone close to me.
Riou: But I couldn't protect him so, I don't want to talk about it.
Tsukushi: You couldn't protect him? You're so strong, though... I'd think you'd have done it effortlessly.
Riou: Don't use big words. And I said I don't want to talk about it. It wasn't pretty.
Tsukushi: Now you're creeping me out, Riou... is everything okay?
Riou: I told you I didn't want to talk about it, damnit, are you dense!?
Riou: You're pissing me off, pipsqueak!
Tsukushi: I was just trying to help... Sorry for sticking my nose in your life.
Riou: Ugh... Sorry for bursting like that. My past isn't as happy as yours, I bet.
Riou: I bet you had a pretty good life. A stable family, supporting you...
Riou: A family that believed in your talent... that helped you whenever they could.
Tsukushi: Did you not hav-
Tsukushi: Forget it. You don't want to talk about it.
Riou: You got that right. Sorry, Tsukushi.
Tsukushi: Wh-What did you call me?
Riou: Tsukushi. That's your name, right? Ah, fuck, I try to say it right and I get it wro-
Tsukushi: No! You got it right... it's just, you call everyone else a pipsqueak.
Riou: You still are a pipsqueak, you know. It's just... no one else's ever bothered to ask stuff about me.
Riou: I'm not that interesting, so I don't have many friends. So I never had a reason to know people's names.
Tsukushi: I bet you're exaggerating. There's probably a great man behind all that muscle and girth. And you've got me as your friend, now!
Tsukushi: Here... I got this yesterday from a machine in the arcade, and I thought you'd like it... take it as proof of me believing in you.
Riou: You're really sappy, you know? But... thanks. I'll take good care of it.
Tsukushi: I'm getting pretty hungry so... I think I'll take my sappy ass over to my room and get changed before checking out the kitchen. Wanna come?
Riou: Keep those shorts, pipsqueak. That's my proof of friendship.
Offered Item!
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. Riou seemed to enjoy it quite a bit, although I bet he liked it more for the cheesy sentimental value I just gave it than its actual use... I mean, we don't even have keys around here.
Item Obtained!
Riou's Spare Gym Shorts
Gym shorts that Riou handed me as proof of our new friendship. Well, sweaty grey running shorts aren't a great way to show someone you like them, but it's the thought that counts, so I won't complain.
Riou Ryielo
Despair Shard Obtained!
Riou is pretty reluctant to talk about his past, especially his family - from what I gathered they weren't supportive of his boxing talent. He began boxing because he wanted to protect someone, but apparently failed at doing so. I wouldn't know who he was protecting, or from what, but it seemed like he was very close to him. He also finally learned my name, so... that's a step in the right direction.
AFTERNOON
Location: Sierra Resort - 1st Floor
I joined the kitchen team for lunch and made small talk and we wolfed down Yuki's steaks. "Yuki, are you sure you wouldn't like some help around the kitchen for our meals? You're already in charge of the washing machines..." Yatarou showed his worries for the poor Butler.
"Herr Nekomirin is certo." Maruko added. "You shouldn't overwork yourself, Herr Batora..."
Yuki simply bowed down as he took care of the first plate on the sink - Kikyo's, since she ate quickly to run after Yuzuru as usual. "Do not fret, Masters Nekomirin and Inubarashi. This is what I live for! I do not feel tired in the slightest."
"I say we still help you out." Frances threw in her own two cents. "That way I won't feel as useless in this damned city!"
Yori, sat down next to her, nodded. "I agree with Frances here... I might not be the most useful thanks to my lack of sight, but I'd be happy to help in any way I can! That way we can diminish your effort, Yuki!"
"Is everyone in?" Out of the nine people in there, only seven agreements to my statement made themselves heard. My eyes, along with many of the rest, rested on Kiyoshi. "Kiyo, you don't want to help out?"
The Custodian breathed an annoyed sigh. "Give me a break, guys... I already have to clean your messes."
"Not that we're particularly messy." Asuyo rebutted, making Kiyo groan.
"Do I have to...?"
"You don't." Eita didn't even bother making eye contact with the jumpsuit-wearing boy. "But that'd make you useless. And that which has no use is more easily cut down, if you get my drift."
All eyes were on the Estimator right then, and the tension around us was so thick, it was almost palpable. "Cut down?" Asuyo stood up and handed Yuki her empty plate, before sneaking a chocolate bar out of her pocket.
I can only assume he felt that in his bones.
Eita's purple eyes were staring darts into Asuyo's, and they had a second-long staredown before the Landlord looked away uncomfortably. "Yes, cut down." Eita repeated himself. "Or do you not remember our circumstances?"
"Can't we go a second without mentioning this stupid game?" I plead. This Mutual Killing Game was driving me bonkers.
Eita took a sip of his water, almost like he didn't imply Kiyoshi would be killed in a few days. "Of course, my apologies."
Kiyo didn't take the comment too well, as expected. "Wh-What do you mean cut down!? You think I'm gonna get killed over money?"
"Would it kill you to be polite for once?" Frances sighed in annoyance. "And Tsukushi's right. We shouldn't be constantly talking about this stupid game."
"Shut up, quick feet! Eita just threatened me!" Kiyo was beyond mad right now. Does he only know how to sleep, eat and be angry? "What did you mean with cut down, Kurogane!?"
"Excuse me, but I did not threaten anyone. I simply stated a fact." Eita continued eating, half-ignoring Kiyo's indignation. "It's simple, really. Why would one choose to defeat someone who can be useful later on, when a useless, weak enemy is much easier to defeat?"
Asuyo, the most mature person in the room stood up with a loud bang on the table and eyed the two guys. "Enough is enough, boys! Eita, you don't need to say such mean things so nonchalantly! We're talking about human lives here, this is no laughing matter! And Kiyoshi, you don't need to go up in arms because of this! Eita wasn't threatening you. Now calm down, both of you."
Although Eita quickly gave an apologizing nod to Kiyo and continued eating, as if nothing ever happened, Kiyoshi was still visibly stressed out. The tension wore down, but with all the distrust running among us after that first motive, I can't be too cautious...
N-No! What am I saying? There's no need to be careful, because everything is gonna be alright. Every little thing. That's right...
"I SMELL CHOCOLATE!" a loud voice echoed in the kitchen walls from the outside, making Asuyo sprint out the room and upstairs in record time. It wasn't long before we could hear Riou banging on the door upstairs. "GIVE ME THAT, PIPSQUEAK! YOU'RE RUINING YOUR BODY WITH THAT JUNK! I'M TRYING TO SAVE YOU!"
Annoyed beyong belief, Kiyoshi simply left the kitchen leaving a half-eaten lunch behind him. Frances sighed, followed by Yori and myself. "Can I ask una cosa?" Maruko announced.
"Sure, what's up?" I listened carefully, along with everyone else in the room.
"Well, about the motive... Herr Monokuma told us something trés interessant... namely, that we can't take l'argent, and we'd know porquê if we check our pockets." Maruko explained. "But I didn't understand... what about our pockets?"
"Oh, you didn't understand?" Yatarou sat up and started a succint explanation. "It's in our handbook. The Electro-ID's have been updated with a new rule. Check it out." and with a quick movement, the International Tour Guide had his device in his hand, and clicked the Rules and Regulations menu. As he did, I mirrored the movement and checked my Electro-ID list of rules. "Here, let me ready it out loud for you..."
#NEW RULE# Rule #9: Anyone who interferes with Principal Monokuma's motives will be immediately punished! #NEW RULE#
Maruko mouthed an 'oh' before a new voice interrupted her. "Ugh, typical Monokuma... that means there's no way to get our hands on the money without advancing."
"Blackjack, were you eavesdropping on us?" Yori recognized her voice correctly and shook his head, a bit disappointed. "You do understand that's quite rude, as well as a blatant invasion of privacy."
Frances quickly rebutted. "Oh, Yori, don't be silly! It's probably second nature to her... she's the SHSL Information Broker after all... she's just, well, broking information, I guess." The Magician quickly half-retracted his previous statement and just nodded.
"Hello there, Master! Have you had lunch already?" Yuki was quick to ask, being the polite and worried person he is. "There is plenty more to make another meal, should you require it."
Blackjack dismissed the offer with a thank you and a raise of the hand. "I've had lunch already, Mister Batora, that is quite alright. You were speaking about the motive, though, right? The new rule, too."
"Oui, oui, Herr Blackjack." Maruko confirmed her guess.
"We confirmed it's against the rules to touch the money... unfortunately." Eita added the last bit without an ounce of emotion, as expected, as he stood up and put his plate by the sink, earning a slight nod from Yuki.
The mysterious Information Broker shook her head and held it with her hand, elbow rested on the counter as she took a seat. "Unfortunate, indeed. I would not mind grabbing a few of those before leaving. Not enough to trigger murderous intent, mind you."
"Th-That's reassuring." Yori's smile was forced, while Frances's was more daydreamy and vague. "So, Blackjack, where are the others?"
"They should be here shortly. Mister Matsuoka, Miss Nakajima and Miss Takagawa were simply tidying the diner up before returning to the inn. I wasn't expecting the rest of the group to still be gathered here, however."
Yuki turned around and gave an apologizing bow. "That is entirely my fault, Master Blackjack. Lunch unfortuntely ran a bit late as I was attending to other matters in the other room. I hope I can attain your forgiveness."
"We were also debating whether or not we should help Yuki out with lunch and everything else around the inn! You in?" Yatarou reminded us of our previous topic, to which Blackjack obliged with a smile.
"Can't have Mister Batora doing all the work for us, correct? I'd be honored to help."
"You can count me in, as well, Nekomirin-san!" "M-Me too... Yuki needs a break..." "Count me in as well!"
Shizuka, Chigusa and Akahana all burst in through the door, a certain Landlord peeking her eye between the three with Riou right behind her. "This place is getting crowded, huh?" the Boxer complained. "Can't we all go outside? Breathe in some fresh air."
Agreements sounded through the room and all of us - Yuki included - poured out of the resort to enjoy a sunny afternoon out in this walled hell, and scooted off different directions. Now who should I hang out with...?
Hang out with Asuyo?
[Yeah, sure] [Oh, heeeeeell no]
Tsukushi: Hey, Asuyo! Wanna hang out?
Asuyo: Oh? Hey, Tsukushi. Sure, let's go.
Asuyo: Wanna go somewhere specific?
Tsukushi: Nah, not really. You?
Asuyo: We can always take a walk around Valley Views.
Tsukushi: My legs are gonna be so sore tomorrow.
Tsukushi: Sure, sure!
Asuyo: So tell me some stuff about you. We barely spoke these last couple of days.
Tsukushi: There's not too much to say, really. My mother works as a defense attorney, so law's always been close to my heart. I didn't get my jumpstart in the courtroom until a certain case of my mother's though... It was a murder trial, b-but I'll tell you about it another day! I'd like you to tell me some stuff about you! How come you became the SHSL Landlord?
Asuyo: I don't really have a past, to be fully honest. I was born into a poor family, I was an unplanned pregnancy and my parents always made sure to let me know I wasn't particularly wanted. I ran away from home when I was really young, like about 7 years old, and I joined other street kids - there are a surprising amount around Hokkaido - and we formed bonds rather slowly. After my childhood, I think the lack of speed is understandable though. I don't usually trust people.
Tsukushi: Th-That's horrible... I'm sorry for making you say all that.
Asuyo: Don't be, really! I've grown attached to this story. These difficulties made me who I am today. Would you like me to continue?
Tsukushi: She had a rough past, and she wants to keep telling me about it? Talk about being emotionally strong...
Tsukushi: Well, it is rather interesting so... if you don't mind, you can tell me.
Asuyo: Me and the other kids formed kind of a gang. We took over a block of abandoned flats and started working from there. I used whatever I was learning in maths class to implement equal division of the space, as well as implement rents and the like, just for fun! Soon enough, I had gathered a few other tenants and they all paid me in whatever they could, be it money, food or favours. I never forced too high of a rent, though, because... well I didn't want them to go through what I had.
Tsukushi: You did all that from what little you learned in school? You must've been a great student!
Asuyo: Surprisingly, no! I barely scraped every class, even maths. That being said, I managed stuff pretty weel back in the flats. As people came and went, word of my flats got by and I eventually became a Landlord. Hope's Peak Academy got win of this and well... you know the rest. Now I'm here.
Tsukushi: How come you're not, like... affected by all this? You're talking about it like a day in the park.
Asuyo: Well, of course I'm affected! However, it's no use crying over spilt milk, correct? I've cried and mourned so much in the past, that I have simply grown. I've matured, I'd like to say. I wasn't a victim of my circumstances.
Tsukushi: That's really philosophical of you to say, huh? But it's a good motto.
Tsukushi: I admire your strength, Asuyo, you know that?
Asuyo: Oh, is that so? Thank you, then.
Asuyo: Say, would you mind if I leave? I forgot to do something really important at the resort...
Tsukushi: No, no, don't worry! I'll just find someone else to hang out with. See you at dinner time?
Asuyo: For sure! And also... thanks for this conversation. Talking about my past makes me a little more loose, and I feel like I trust you now.
Tsukushi: Don't mention it, Asuyo. Anytime you need me.
Asuyo Uemura
Despair Shard Obtained!
Asuyo had a pretty rough past, from being abused by her parents, to running away from home at age 7. Nevertheless, she managed to find a miniature gang of street kids and live her life as normally as she could. Using whatever maths knowledge she had, she turned an abandoned apartment block into a liveable area, and she was the one who took care of rents, conflicts and everything else.
EARLY MORNING
Location: Eagle Suite (Tsukushi's Room)
I ended up crashing really early last night - right after dinnertime. Little did I know, Eita sent me a message via Electro-ID right after I hit the hay.
Eita Kurogane: "I have a bad feeling about tonight, Tsukushi. Stay indoors."
And before I had the time to understand what was going on... the dreaded announcement scratched at my ears.
A BODY HAS BEEN DISCOVERED!
AFTER THE DESIGNATED INVESTIGATION TIME, THE CLASS TRIAL WILL BEGIN!
A/N: And with that, the long, long hiatus this story took is coming to a halt! Unfortunately, I still have exams coming up, which means you'll have to bear with me a couple more weeks until the next chapter, but here is something! So sorry for not being able to update regularly!
QOTC: Who do you think was the first victim? And who killed them?
The first murder has occured, and I'm super excited! The freetimes for this act are all over, I hope you enjoyed this first batch of these! Next time, the Deadly Life / Investigation portion of this act! I can't wait for this despair-filled trial. But until then... Yamazaki out!