AN: Yay for snow day! This is the first longish chapter I've posted in a while. Though it's not actually that long, lol. BTW for anyone taking midterms, good luck on them. My first one is tomorrow. The good thing is I have all half-days, so in my free-time instead of studying I'll be writing fanfiction x3
Also I've noticed I've made LOTS of typos. For example I think a few chapters back, Rhyssa had a line! Even though she was DEAD! :O So if you notice any typos, please PM them to me! Maybe I could replace them if I can, like delete the chapter and immediately put the fixed one back up. I do proofread my work, but I admit I don't do it very carefully, lol
Reven228: Thanks! The appluase track is a good idea and I was thinking about doing that, but of course, the show hasn't even started yet..!
King Okami: Thanks for the review! I wonder who's going to die next...Hope no one dies soon.
Kougari: Yikes, who knows? Should be revealed eventually...thanks for the review!
Ode 30: I hope that's a good thing, haha. Thanks for the review!
Shadowplayer360: Oh yeah..! The character's name is Ulala and she's featured in that game. My sister has it. Don't worry though the game isn't important to the story. I was just wondering if anyone played it since it's a niche title at best. :3 Thanks!
TheRoseShadow21: Thanks for the review! I guess this time Monokuma's gonna SHOW THEM! Ha...ha. Heh.
It was official. The textbook is out of our reach. So that means unless we go through with Monokuma's "gameshow," we won't be able to leave this place. But I know all he wants is another murder from us. Even if we don't kill, he'll just keep finding ways to keep us away from the truth until we're all dead.
Can we even get out of here..?
Location: Cafeteria | Time: 7:31 AM | Chapter Three | 26 DAYS LEFT
Soundtrack: Re Beautiful Morning
"...Are you okay, Master?" asked Mirai, his face filled with concern. His words snapped me back into reality – away from my disturbing train of thought.
I nodded. "Thanks. I'm more worried about your eye."
"Huh? I can barely notice it's missing though," Mirai said.
"I wish I could have your carefree attitude," I sighed.
The two of us sat at the table alone while everyone began to eat. Unlike usual, everyone seemed to come to breakfast late today. By the time I got there, Mirai was the only one sitting at the table. I watched as Mirai picked up his banana, and struggled to peel it, slamming it onto the table.
"Um, do you need help?" I asked.
"R-really?" Mirai asked. "But that banana is dangerous. It doesn't want to come out."
I had half a mind to think he was joking.
As I began to eat, Shougo took a seat in front of me, gently placing his tray of food onto the table. "Morning," he sighed, as he took a seat. "I guess we can't get out of this place just yet, can we?"
"I don't even want to know what the gameshow is going to be like," Unmei said, sitting down next to Shougo. "But we still can find hints, even with the position we're in."
"That's right," Mirai said, thinking. "We can still go onto the internet and look up that fun looking website."
"It's not going to be very fun," Shougo groaned. "But I guess you're right. We'll have to look at it eventually."
Kaito arrived and took a seat next to Unmei. "Morning, you guys."
"What's up, pervert?" Unmei joked. "How are you feeling today?"
"Don't start with me," Kaito gruffed. "What're we talking about?"
"The fact that we need clues," Shougo said. "You know, I'm not feeling very confident right now that we're going to get out of here in the time we have left."
"He have a little less than a month," Unmei reassured. "I'm sure that's plenty of time. As far as we know, all we need to do is search the internet for some information, play in Monokuma's stupid and twisted gameshow, get the textbook, and we're home free."
"I doubt it's that simple," Kaito said. "We still don't know anything about that Future Foundation. Makoto Naegi dying wasn't just for fun you know."
"Maybe it's on that website?" I suggested. "We're going to have to check it either way when we're done eating, don't you think?"
Kaito shrugged, and took a large swig of his milk.
"I heard if you drink too much milk at once, you could die," Mirai said, tilting his head. "Then would we have a class trial for Kaito..? But then...would we have to vote for the milk?"
"Don't even joke about that," Unmei snapped.
"Okay," Mirai said, nonchalantly going back to his breakfast.
"He went down without much of a fight," Shougo chuckled.
Eventually, the others made their ways to the lunch table, and we finished our breakfasts. It was a bit awkward, but it wasn't so terrible, I guess. We were talking casually together. I guess that's the difference between us right now, and us when we first got here.
Still, that's not that significant, when you get down to it.
With that, we headed to the AV Room to find that website.
Location: The AV Room | Time: 8:01 AM | Chapter Three | 26 DAYS LEFT
"Here we go," Noah said, sitting in front of the computer screen. "Time to check that website out, yeah?"
"I pray we find good information, instead of worthless junk," Hikaru sighed. "Yet, I do not expect much high things from Monokuma."
"We'll find something," Ryoko assured. "I know we will..."
Noah's fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard. The noise of the clattering keys extended throughout the room, and it was a bit distracting. Moreover, it just went to show how old that computer was. I wonder how it even lasted this long in this place...
"Done," Noah said, interrupting my train of thought. "This is the website."
I looked down at the computer screen. Hyperlinks were spread neatly across the screen in a straight, vertical line. Noah moved the cursor across the screen and prepared to decide which link to click.
JUNKO
MUKURO
YUKIO
NAGITO KOMAEDA (biography)
"Which ones should we go to first," Noah asked us, unable to make a decision.
"Yukio Enoshima!" Takayashi said enthusiastically. "He has the same first name as the smart guy with glasses."
"Alright then," Noah said. We waited for the page to load up, and it took a pretty long time until something finally happened. Unfortunately, that "something," wasn't exactly a good thing, as it meant that Monokuma was screwing with us even more.
It's a little bit frustrating to know that a hint has been taken from under your nose once, with the textbook now in Monokuma's hands, but apparently, Monokuma had to take it a step further and screw with us even more.
SPIHOST WEB FILTERING SERVICE
=This page has been blocked by the administrator. If you think this page was blocked and should be lifted from its ban, please contact the administrator.
To override this page, please enter the code here: _
"Web filtering?" Mirai asked. "Filter...like coffee filters?"
"No!" Takayashi yelled. "Are you serious? It means that bear blocked access! Harumph! I'm so angry now!"
"You mean we can't get on?" Mirai asked, tilting his head, still clearly confused.
Soundtrack: Monokuma Sensei's Lesson
"Of course not!" Monokuma growled. "Why would I let you get on after Meowykins spoiled precious information?"
"But that wasn't our fault!" Unmei argued.
"Zip it," Monokuma snapped. "I've decided that along with the textbook, I'd also give away the webcode as a prize."
"The webcode?" I asked. "You mean where it says we can override the filtering?"
"No," Monokuma started. "I meant the goddamn combination to your uterus. Of course I meant web filtering!"
Monokuma lightly bonked himself in the face, as if to make it seem like he had just slapped himself. It didn't exactly seem like Monokuma was very satisfied at all that we were even trying to find out the secrets of this school. I thought that's what the bear wanted us to do, but apparently he's trying to stall as long as possible.
"Oi," Ryoko growled. "Don't you want us to get out of this place? Why are you keeping us in here like this?!"
"Chick's right," Furo said. "You're the one who told us to find out all the secrets. Maybe you want to stop the time limit then?"
"Upupupu," Monokuma snickered. "Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to find out the secrets of my school. After all, it probably won't be long until another murder happens, you know?"
"Just shut it!" Furo yelled. "You don't really want us to get out, do ya?!"
"Why would I want that?" Monokuma said. "I admit I'm sadistic, but I'm at least honest too. I've never once told a major lie in my life."
"A major lie?" Hikaru noticed. "Meaning you've told lies before."
"Only a few white lies," Monokuma admitted. "But you know, a few white lies are absolutely necessary to get you by in life, don't you think?"
"No," Hikaru said. "A lie is a lie either way."
"Hmm, that's right. I suppose since you think yourself as falsely accused for your crime, a lie would be pretty bad in your case, right?"
Hikaru ignored Monokuma and immediately shifted his attention on the computer. "So you want us to participate in this gameshow of yours?"
"That's what I've been saying," Monokuma sighed. "Honestly, prisoners are so thick-headed these days."
Ignoring him some more, Hikaru continued. "What exactly is this gameshow like?"
"Oh? You curious?" Monokuma asked. "Wow! I'm touched, you bastards! I never thought that this crowd would be curious at my divine creation, and yet here I am. Your all jumping with joy that you'll be able to play in my gameshow, aren'tcha?"
"Not really," Noah retorted. "I'm sure we're all worried about what we'd have to do at the gameshow though."
"Wow, how boring," Monokuma said angrily. "Here I thought you actually cared...Sigh...Alright, well, I suppose I'll tell you."
"I-is it anything humiliating?" asked Kirei nervously.
"Maybe..."
"Is it something painful?" I asked.
"I don't know..."
"God damn it Teddie!" Takayashi yelped. "I thought you were going tell us!"
"Tell you what?" Monokuma asked. "The secret of life? 42."
"U-um, Mr. Teddy Bear...I think she meant the gameshow," Kirei stammered.
"Oh, why didn't you just say so?" Monokuma asked. "Well guess what? I was just screwin' with ya again. There's no way I'll tell you what my beloved gameshow is going to be like!"
"You mean we can't mentally prepare ourselves?!" Takayashi screamed loudly.
"Just prepare for despair!" Monokuma laughed. "I mean, at the end of the day, before that gameshow is over, at least one of you will commit a murder, don't you think?"
"I wouldn't be sure about that," Mirai interrupted. "I wouldn't keep my hopes up for another murder, Monokuma..!"
Monokuma tilted his head at Mirai's words.
Soundtrack: Re Welcome to Despair Academy
"Hm? Why not?" asked Monokuma. "You know, I really don't like the defiant type, Mirai."
"W-we'll, you must really hate me then, huh?" Mirai asked. "Well...I hate you too!"
Good one, Mirai.
"Oh, bother," Monokuma sighed. "And here I thought you were just some dumb kid without a real talent."
Mirai tilted his head, similarily to Monokuma. "What was that..?"
"Oh, I just thought you were some dumb kid without a real talent, but I guess you're a bit rebellious after all," Monokuma said. "Who knew that normal kids like you could have such spunk."
"...Without a talent?" Mirai repeated.
What..? Is Monokuma serious?
"Whoopsie..!" Monokuma whispered. "The cat's outta the bag! Looks like I repeated it too much there!"
There was a bit of an awkward silence after that. I took a look at Mirai; his face soon turned into a state of angst, but he continued to speak anyways. I really couldn't imagine what was going on in his head as he spoke.
"I-I don't care..." Mirai said softly.
"Wazzat?" Monokuma questioned. "I can't hear ya!"
"I...I don't care if I don't have a talent!" Mirai snapped, a determined tone growing in his voice. "Even if I don't, I still have friends! And I know that we aren't going to kill anyone anymore! You'll see!"
Monokuma tilted his head in confusion. "You think that's actually gonna happen? I've done this before, bastards. It's always the same. These supposed friends make the resolve not to murder anymore, but before you know it, another one bites the dust!"
"It won't happen this time," Noah interrupted, standing in front of Mirai. "I really don't give a crap about what you're planning, but we've all seen it with our own eyes. The sadness that murder brings."
"There's no way we're going to let that happen again!" Yoshinori announced. "Micky was a man-bitch, Rhyssa was a bit of a slut, Yayoi was weird, and Hideki played games like someone would snort weed! But none of us here have any real problems like them."
"A little too honest, honey," Ryoko said, taken aback.
"Hmph," Monokuma snorted. "Whatever. We'll see sooner or later who's right. In the end though, whether or not you kill, your lives are just headed for despair anyways."
"We won't let that happen, of course," I said.
Monokuma shook his head. "Tsk...tsk...the punishment of being young. Oh well, one good thing came out of this."
"And what's that?" Hikaru asked.
"Upupupu...I'm definitely going to work twice as hard. I'll make sure that this gameshow of mine will fill your lives with plenty of despair!" Monokuma laughed loudly, and disappeared. I took a look at Mirai, and it was clear he was upset by everything. If he didn't have a talent though...then why was he at this school? What of his memories?
"...I still don't really remember," Mirai said, as if reading my thoughts. "My parents or anybody. But...I guess I found something about myself today, right? S-so, I should be happy."
Mirai sighed, and looked up at the ceiling.
"I-it's fine, Mirai, really!" Yoshinori comforted. "It doesn't really matter whether or not you have a talent."
"I know," Mirai smiled. "Because we're all friends. So I'm okay, really..! I don't need a talent to be happy."
I smiled at that.
"Yeah, that's right!" Kaito said energetically, encouraging Mirai. "Besides, it's not like your useless. You've been a big help, I think."
"It's true," Unmei said. "So don't feel down, 'mkay?"
Mirai nodded. It really was nice. In the twinkle of night, where only pitch-black despair lived, there was a little hope, wasn't there? These guys were living proof of that. Two murders happened already, and two executions also took place. Even so, we were strong enough to rise above all of that. I felt like such a philosopher, thinking about all that, but it was true.
"Alright...so I guess we should just head back to the first dome for today," Ryoko said. "We should probably save all of our energy for that gameshow that Monokuma has planned for us."
"Yeah," Noah agreed. "I doubt it's going to be any good."
"But we'll pull through," I encouraged. "I know we will."
That night, I think we all slept just a little bit more comfortably. No matter what obstacle shows up in front of us, will we be able to rise past it? I've asked that question before, in the case of Rhyssa and Yayoi and their murders, but this time I felt a little bit more confident in ourselves.
Music halts
Location: ? | Time: ? | Chapter Three | 26 DAYS LEFT
Soundtrack: Aria of the Soul
…
God damn it.
"Welcome," Nanako said. "I feel like I'm calling you down here more than I planned...It's only been a few days since our last meet-up, after all."
"Guess so," I said. There was something off today, though.
There was something...a bit different.
"How are things with Mr. Lost Memory?" Nanako asked, chuckling as she said it.
"I-I told you!" I said embarassed. "It's not like that..."
"Yes, yes," Nanako sighed. "I know, you've made it perfectly clear." Nanako let out a large breath and walked towards the window. I could barely see her face, the rest of her body covered by a black silhouette of darkness.
It was...still different here. I looked ahead, and I saw the man sitting there, wearing the mask as usual. But it's been a while since I've seen that man. Was that what felt different?
"Welcome," the man said. "It's been a while since we've talked. Are you alright?"
I nodded, untrusting of him. Nanako, maybe. But all I could sense from this man was trouble and danger. I shouldn't even be talking to that person.
"Please don't be afraid," the man said. "As we've explained, we are not your enemies, so there is no need to be tense around us."
"You said you weren't my allies either," I said. "I don't even know what that means."
"Yes, but perhaps we are a bit more trustworthy than the patrons over there, don't you think?"
Over there...he must've meant the underwater school. I didn't even bother to rationalize what was happening anymore, and why I was being called down here. How I was being seperated from the underwater school, to this dark building, trapped in a machine that continues to steal my blood.
"Why'd you call me here? It has to be important if you're here." I was of course, referring to the evil man across the table.
"We are not your allies," the man repeated. "We are just here to make sure you continue on your journey safe and sound."
Safe and sound? He thinks he's protecting me?
"I don't know what the hell you mean," I growled. "I'm definitely not safe or sound over there."
"True," the man sighed. "I suppose you aren't. However, we must protect you from the worst despair of all."
The worst despair..?
"What're you talking about?" I asked.
"Death," the man said abruptly. "We must protect you from the force known as death. If we cannot do that, we have failed our mission, simple as that."
"That's why we must warn you," Nanako said. "You shouldn't place that much faith in your comrades over at the school."
"Screw that," I said. "We're going to be just fine."
"Isn't that what you thought twice before?" the man asked. "The thought of...a murder will never happen. You're not telling me you haven't thought that at all?"
"W-well, that doesn't matter," I insisted. "It's different this time!"
The man let out a heavy sigh. "So naïve. I'm telling you, Keiko. I'm not saying that those friends of yours aren't trustworthy at all."
"Then what are you telling me exactly?" I asked. "It's not like I'll remember any of this at all!"
"I'm sure you'll remember it somehow," Nanako said. She's keeping mention of her warnings against the deaths hidden. Is there some reason she can't tell the man about that? Either way, Nanako had to be referring to how I always felt that a death had happened. But I didn't want that to happen now. Not with my friends.
"But I don't want to think about that," I insisted again. "This time it's different! I swear!"
"If that's what you truly believe," the man said. "I suppose then our meeting won't make much of a difference."
"Why is that..?" I asked.
"I'm sure you've had feelings before in the other world, even though you didn't remember our conversation," Nanako reminded me. "That's because you believed every word we said, at that mindset carried with you over to that world. But now, if you don't believe us, there's really no way for you to remember what we said until the next time you visit."
"So I'll be fine?" I asked. "I won't wake up suddenly not trusting my friends?"
"If that's what you truly wish," the man said. "Then I suppose our meeting may have been called upon in vain. Don't you think, Nanako?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Nanako looking away from the man. Was warning me Nanako's idea? Why would she do that?
"I would...just like to warn you of one last thing," Nanako said. "One thing before you cross realms again."
"What is it?" I asked.
"...Those friends of yours have betrayed you twice already, through Rhyssa and Yayoi. Don't you remember?"
"It's not exactly something I can forget."
"I suppose not," Nanako said sadly. "Expect tragedy in the end. That's all I'm telling you."
"You're beginning to sound like Monokuma," I said. "You are the same as that bear, aren't you?"
"Of course not," Nanako said. "You misunderstood. Tragedy doesn't always lead to despair."
"What does that even mean? How can tragedy mean anything else?"
"You may see sooner or later," the man said. "Now then. I suspect since our meeting is over, we'll be able to send you back over there now."
"If you're so intent on me staying alive, why won't you just free me?"
"Weren't you just so insistent on staying with your friends just a few moments ago?" the man asked. "That's not important. The answers which will be revealed to you down the road can not be said yet. However, we must make sure you make it through this journey from the start to finish."
"...I guess you're right," I sighed. "I don't really want to leave those guys to Monokuma."
"Do your best," Nanako said. "Don't worry. I'm sure things will turn out alright."
I nodded, staring away from the two of them. I thought maybe I could open up to Nanako, but maybe she and that man are just the same as Monokuma.
"We'll meet again," the man said. "Goodbye now."
He snapped his fingers, and the world around be turned white, wrapping a familiar brightness around me.
Music halts
Location: Keiko's Room | Time: 7:00 AM | Chapter Three | 25 DAYS LEFT
*Ding, dong! Ding, dong!*
"Attention! It is now 7:00 AM in the morning! Rise and shiiiiine! Let's make today the best day it can be!"
...Ngh...I still feel groggy...Maybe I should just fall back asleep...yeah...just for a little bit.
...BOOM!
Soundtrack: A Dead End to the Ocean's Aroma
What was that..?
I got up, dressed quickly into my clothes, and rushed outside. I could see the others waking up, and gathering in the hallway of the dorms.
"Did everyone just feel that..?" Yoshinori asked. "Felt like an explosion of some sort..?"
"Mushroom clouds should be forming then," Mirai said. "Right, Master?"
"I don't think there's enough space for a mushroom cloud, no," I said. "But there should be some smoke then..!"
"Maybe it's at the second dome!" Kaito urged.
"Could be," Noah said. "Either way, we should hurry and check."
"H-hold on," Kirei said, stopping us. "Where's Hikaru and Unmei..?"
I looked around. She was right. I couldn't see Hikaru or Unmei.
"Goddamn it," Furo said. "Where did the two run off to anyways..?"
"Is it related to that explosion?" Mirai asked, worried.
"Oh no... We need to hurry..!" Noah insisted. "Let's go everyone!"
We followed pursuit as we all boarded the submarine, summoning Meowykins to drive us.
"Good morning, y'all! Where would y'all like to go?"
"Shut up and drive!" Yoshinori demanded. "There's only one other place to go!"
"Y-yes ma'am," Meowykins said.
With that, Meowykins started the engine, and the submarine plowed through the water, reaching the second dome as quickly as it could. It felt like an eternity, but we eventually managed to catch the second dome in our sights. But there was something terrible happening. The building was made of glass, and thorugh it, I could see smoke clouding the place up.
"D-Drive faster!" I yelled.
"I'm going as fast as this thing can take me!" Meowykins said angrily. "Meow!"
We docked at the entrance, exited the submarine, and all ran out simultaneously, to see a truly horrifying sight.
Soundtrack: Mr. Monokuma's Extracurricular Lesson
"H-Hikaru! Hang in there!" Unmei cried.
"Upupupu," Monokuma chuckled. "Did you really think you can uphold a backstage pass like that from me? The gameshow hasn't opened yet, and you know it! Yet you wandered in here anyways!"
"Hikaru!"
Unmei's eyes widened, and Kaito rushed over to her side, bringing her far away from Monokuma. Hikaru's smoking body burned an image into my mind. His entire body was on fire – and I could hear him scream through the muffled noise of the flames. Monokuma stood over Hikaru's crouched body, flamethrower clutched in his hand.
"Upupupupu!" Monokuma laughed. "The prisoner falls to a sad note, doesn't he? Looks like that talk about no one dying anymore was a load of bullcrap, wasn't it? Except I have to give it to you on that one. Wasn't one of you who committed this crime."
No one could say a word. Hikaru's flaming body was in front of us.
"S-Someone...put out the fire," Noah stuttered. "G-get water or something..!"
"Yessir!"
The sound of a firetrack blared throughout the dome. A boombox was held in Meowykins' hand, as the loud sirens screamed everywhere.
"Upupupupu! Monokuma's Fire Service to the rescue!" Monokuma said. "I can't have the fire destroying this place. Otherwise, we can't put this gameshow in fruitition!"
As Monokuma got several buckets of water and put the fire out, it was too late. Hikaru's body had stopped moving.
"...W-what even happened here?" I asked. "U-Unmei..!"
"I-I tried to get a look at the gameshow," she choked. "I was just a bit afraid, so I went to check...but I think Hikaru was following me. Monokuma caught me sneaking around, and if it wasn't for Hikaru..!"
She pointed fearfully at the burnt body in front of her. "Oh God..!" she screamed. "It's all my fault..!"
"It's no one's fault!" Kaito comforted. "For all Monokuma knew, you might not even have been checking out the gameshow!"
"Negatory," Monokuma said. "The doors to the drama room opened. That's where the gameshow is going down, you know!"
"But...so?!" Kaito screamed. "Anyways, Hikaru wasn't supposed to die! Save him!"
"Save that heavyweight?" Monokuma asked tilting his head. "My, my! This feels like major deja-vu to me! It was in the second and third chapters last time where I was forced to take on my second personality, Dr. Murder, to save two unfairly tortured souls from death. Of course, I always did it begrudgingly..."
Monokuma sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
"Well, I can't turn him into a robot," Monokuma sighed. "That's been done before."
"A-a robot?" Takayashi asked, her voice strained. "Come again..?"
"Well, I'll find a way," Monokuma sighed. "I guess I have to save Hikaru, don't I?"
"B-but he's dead, isn't he..?" Kirei asked. "I hate to say it...but what can you do..?"
"Leave it to the imagination and determination of a bear!" Monokuma said. "It's actually a bit of fun being a doctor, so I'll make sure the Hikaru you know and love comes back to you in one piece!"
Meowykins slammed the boombox, and the sounds of an ambulance siren blared loudly from the speakers. Monokuma immediately dressed in the uniform of a typical doctor, and ran into the daycare, running back out with a long stretcher.
"Emergency! Emergency! Dispatching patient to the 24-hour Monokuma care center!"
With that, Monokuma took Hikaru's burnt body, and left to places unknown. But Hikaru was lying there dead in front of us. Would Monokuma save him somehow, just because he wasn't suppsoed to die..?
"I-it's my fault," Unmei shuddered. "I should've been the one who died...not him..!"
"You shouldn't even have come here in the first place!" Furo snapped. "Anyways, there's nothing we can do now, so just...wait it out!"
Unmei nodded, and we took a shuddering Unmei back to the first dome to let her get some rest. I didn't question Unmei's motives for heading to the second dome in the first place. If you felt responsible for someone's death, you shouldn't be pressured at all. We'd just have to ask her later.
As Meowykins took us back to the first dome, I looked out the submarine window. The second dome grew farther and farther away. What was going to happen with Hikaru..? Would he come back out okay..?
"How can someone be brought back to life..?" Shougo asked, shoving his face into his hands.
He asked a valid question.
Would Hikaru be able to come back to us?
The rest of the ride back was filled with silence, and in the back of my mind, a thought came to me.
Should...should I place so much faith in these guys..?
…
…
Of course I can... this...this was just a freak accident.
What the hell are you thinking, Keiko? Why would you even think of something like that?
Continued in Chapter 3: Section 5
AN: :O Hikaru! Poor Hikaru. Seems like something's going to happen real soon :( #scared