You easily rip through the plastic seal—Monokuma wanted you to get at these tools easily. You carefully go over your choices, but soon decide on the hammer. You place it in your pocket, bright orange handle sticking slightly out of your pocket. You make sure that your dress shirt covers the evidence.
Maybe I'll get lucky, and it's nothing, you think to yourself. You almost consider walking out armed with only your trusty Frisbee, but shake your head. It's best to be prepared, whatever comes.
Your heart begins to race as you slink quietly through the corridor. It's awkward walking around with a hammer in your pocket, but you'll get used to it. The strange banging sound is audible when you near your destination, but you still don't see a soul. Your heart in your throat, your right hand near your pocket, you walk into the cafeteria. The banging gets louder with each step.
What awaits you is a strange sight.
Kaori sits at one of the smaller tables, her own hammer in hand, small wooden block in front of her. She's currently so preoccupied with nailing a single nail into the block that she doesn't hear you. You suddenly realize, with a sigh of relief, that this was the sound of the banging. When the nail is almost all the way in, Kaori deftly flips the hammer around in her hand and pries it out with a smooth, practiced motion. Quiet reigns in the cafeteria for a brief moment. You decide to speak when you have the chance.
"Kaori, what are you doing?"
She jumps, beads in her hair clacking. Her eyes are wide, but she soon relaxes. She giggles. "Oh, geez, sorry Agro. I make a lot of noise, huh?"
You nod. "Yeah, I was worried that…something had happened."
Her face falls. "Well, I can see why you would think that. It's been a pretty crazy time, hasn't it?"
"Yeah," you say, "that's one way to put it."
She makes an effort to smile. "Sorry I worried you." She points to a nearby seat. "You want to sit down for a little bit? Me and the old wood block are well acquainted by now, but I don't know much about you."
You nod, sliding into it.
Her smile brightens, and she sets the hammer down. "Thanks, I think I need some human company."
You look around the cafeteria, seeing no one else. "Everyone else hiding in their room afraid to come out?"
"Nope," she says, shaking her head, "you've just been looking in the wrong places. Toshi just told me about the talent show." She pauses, looking at you quizzically. "Hey wait, Agro, aren't you the first act?"
You nod wearily. "I hope you like paper airplanes."
She laughs, not unkindly. You still take the opportunity to change the subject. You nod in the direction of the wood block. "Kaori, so what's up with that block?" Another thought comes to you. "And how did you get the hammer?" You pull out the hammer from your pocket. "I thought only guys were given one."
"Oh, Edwin gave me the hammer, he said I could keep it." She grins, and you put your hammer back in your pocket. "I gave him my sewing needle in exchange." In your mind's eye, you see Edwin, mustard-yellow scarf comfortably wrapped around his neck, knitting in an armchair by the large fire. Kaori looks away, uncomfortable, working up the courage to answer your other question. "Hammering in nails has just been my way of dealing with stressful situations." She looks at you again, gauging your reaction. You keep your face carefully composed, and she soon continues. "I know it sounds silly and it's really loud, but it calms me down." She sighs. "I definitely needed to calm down after that happened."
Against your will, your mind snaps back to the gymnasium floor littered with photos, some shredded like yours was. Monokuma's ultimatum echoes in your ears even now. "Yeah, I think we all need that, honestly." You shake your head. "It's just crazy. That's all I can say to myself, you know?"
Kaori nods. "I could hardly sleep last night." She takes a deep breath to calm herself. "I just wonder what my parents are doing, if they're trying to rescue me."
You nod, throat a little tight, thinking of your mom. If she knew where you were, she would move entire mountains in order to save you. "Yeah…I know what you mean."
Kaori gives your hand a slight squeeze, quickly releasing it. "It's going to be fine, Agro. We'll get out of here before anything bad happens, I just know it." She gets up. "Thanks for the talk, Agro. I really needed it."
She gathers her things, smiles at you, and leaves, beads clacking away. The sound slowly fades into silence. You stay seated, enjoying the quiet. You stay there for quite some time, hoping that Kaori's right, and this isn't just the calm before the storm. You can't quite share her optimism.
Aimi wanders in near four in the afternoon. You wave, but she heads to the kitchen. You hear cabinets opening and closing, but soon she wanders back carrying nothing that you can see.
"Find everything you were looking for?" you ask, curious. Aimi was the quietest, the most mysterious.
She sits down at another table, behind you. You don't turn around; if she doesn't want to talk, you won't force her.
"Ready for the talent show?"
"Y-yeah," you stammer out.
She pauses, as if considering your answer. "It's a good distraction. Not really necessary in my opinion, but…fine."
That was the most talkative Aimi had been. You tap the table, thinking. "Even with what Monokuma said?"
You think Aimi chuckles, but it was a low, mirthless chuckle. She doesn't answer your question. Now that you have her talking a little bit, you can't help but be a little curious…
"So," you say, "Aimi, you're the Ultimate DJ. I would've thought that the Ultimate DJ would be—"
"Male?"
You wince, expecting a whirlwind of anger, but none comes. You hear Aimi shrug.
"Change is important. I try to force that change through my music, my words. Not everyone understands."
You backpedal. "I think it's great, Aimi, really. Just unexpected."
She suddenly stands to walk away. Her tie-dye shirt is almost out of sight before she stops and turns around, her cat's eyes piercing your own. "Good."
She continues on her way. You breathe another sigh of relief.
Your stomach begins to grumble, and you head to the kitchen, hoping to find something quick. Your investigation reveals many bland cereals, and you grab a random box and fill a bowl to the brim. You begin to chow down, wondering if anyone else will join you. They can't stave off hunger forever.
When you shovel the last bite into your mouth, Tidus hurriedly walks in, a strange expression on his face. You wave him over.
"How was playing janitor?"
He jumps slightly, as if he wasn't expecting that question. "Oh, fine." He sighs, slumping into a nearby seat. "Actually, not fine. Something's been bugging me for a bit."
You feel the hairs on your neck stand up. "What's up?"
His eyes rove all over the cafeteria, and his fingers drum the table. "I decided to get rid of those weird photos. They were still there when I got there, and it wasn't hard to bag all the bits and pieces up."
You nod. "So what's the problem? Sounds like the job got done."
"But that's just it," he says, voice cracking slightly, "one photo definitely wasn't there anymore. My photo, the one of me and—" He pauses, shaking his head.
"You think someone took it?" you ask, mind racing.
Tidus puts his head in his hands, and doesn't answer.
You open your mouth to say something comforting, but at that moment a frantic-looking Toshi runs in. "Thank Mazabu, I found you, Agro! Come on, the rehearsal's starting!" She tugs you up from your seat and, despite your resistance, in a flash you are out the door. You shout to Tidus that you'll figure something out later.
Toshi rockets you through the hallways, barging into the gymnasium in record time. You quickly notice that she managed to gather every other act there already.
Aimi stands on stage, microphone in hand. Toshi nods at her, pushing you forward, and Aimi launches into your act's introduction. "Ever feel bored in class? Too bored to even put an effort into disrupting the tedium?" The Aimi on stage is completely different from the Aimi you talked to in the cafeteria: her excited words pump up the audience, even though they already know what's coming. She even smiles as she raises a hand dramatically. "Our very own Agro Tenma will demonstrate the hidden tricks of paper airplanes…and who knows, maybe some of his luck will rub off on you the next time you try to entertain yourself at inopportune moments!"
You climb the stairs to scattered cheers, Aimi passing you, her face carefully controlled and neutral once again. Here we go, you think, and begin once you take a deep breath. There are more cheers than you expected when you finish; Yosuke even makes Flopsy clap for you, which in your opinion requires more skill than your entire act. The rehearsal proceeds smoothly, and everyone's act is perfect: Tatiana's routine is without a misstep; Honzo short, simplistic cartoon delivers on the laughs; Aika's running commentary on the life in the day of Flopsy is surprisingly touching; Ichigo's strut is as captivating as ever (you nearly catch yourself drooling); and an assistant-less Toshi amazes by guessing a multitude of cards (although you all had to stop her from trying to conjure a fireball to honor Mazabu).
Soon before the talent show is set to begin, the rest begin to stream in. You're surprised to even see Dio and Kanzaki stroll in. At seven, all sixteen of you are in the gymnasium.
"We don't have to stay, right?" Kanzaki says, grinning lopsidedly. You dislike the way his gaze lingers on you.
"No, anyone is free to leave when they so choose," Honzo says, his face a stiff mask of displeasure as he addresses Kanzaki, "but we have a stellar lineup."
"We've all, like, worked really hard today!" Ichigo interjects. She winks. "Trust me, you don't want to miss my performance."
Tadakatsu looks content. "Whenever you guys are ready, we'll begin."
You look at Tidus, and try to wordlessly communicate that you'll talk after your act. He gets the message, perking up.
The atmosphere is pleasant, just as it was at breakfast this morning.
"Take it away, Mic-Master Aimi!" Toshi calls, and the gym lights go out on cue.
"Agro, that was awesome!" Tidus says to you as you leave the stage to a hearty round of applause at the end of your act. "The way those paper airplanes flipped through the air…" His expression was one of bliss.
"I thought you'd get a kick out of it," you say, grinning, as Tatiana ascends the stairs to more cheers and applause. You suddenly realize that the gym might not be the best place for conversation. "Want to head out and talk, just for a bit? I don't like how we ended things in the cafeteria earlier."
Tidus nods, looking relieved. "Yes please, I was about to ask the same thing."
You aren't the first to leave the show, you realize. From what you can tell, Kanzaki and Sylvia have already left.
The two of you wander the halls for a moment, eventually stopping to talk by the shuttered staircase. You lean up against it, watching Tidus.
He runs a hand through his hair, unsure. "Hey man, can you help me work out?"
You weren't expecting that question, but you nod without hesitation. You had promised. "Sure, but why now? I thought you didn't like exercise."
"It just seems like a good idea," Tidus says, shrugging.
There's got to be more to this, you think as you head to the exercise room, Tidus in tow. A quick scan of your Student Handbook, and you're in. It's empty, as you expected, as nearly everyone was watching the talent show. You stop to think about the best machine to start with. You aren't the most experienced at working out, either, so you figure it's best to ask.
"You want to work on your legs or arms first?"
Tidus pauses, humming in thought. "Legs, I think."
You nod, sliding into the nearby Leg Press near one wall, adjusting the weight to a comfortable level. You demonstrate proper technique for Tidus, pushing out with your legs and slowly bringing it back, keeping control. He nods, grasping the basic context quickly.
"You want to try?" you ask, after a few repetitions.
"Sure," Tidus says, taking your spot. "What should I set the weight to? "Whatever's comfortable," you say. Suddenly, you feel a certain need take over, and you stride quickly to the bathroom. "I'll be right back!" you call out. Tidus nods, carefully setting the weight with a small smile on his face.
A few minutes later, you quickly wash your hands in the sink, eager to help Tidus. You open the bathroom door and your eyes lock onto the Leg Press, and the scene makes your blood freeze. Miyuki, enraged, punches Tidus in the face, knocking him out cold. You are about to say something to stop her, but then she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a kitchen knife. Her weapon glints dangerously.
Everything changes in that instant.
You reach into your pocket, and bring out your hammer. You walk as quickly and quietly as you can, not wanting to alert Miyuki to your presence. I need to save him! you think as your hand grips the bright orange handle tighter.
Miyuki's hand raises, and the knife glints again, before beginning to descend…
You close in, swinging your hammer, trying not to get too close to the knife. Your desperate plan is to hit the knife away. Miyuki sees you out of the corner of her eye, she turns her head instinctively.
You feel like you're in a dream…
Anything you want, I'll help you out...
Your hammer misses its target, instead smashing Miyuki in the temple with a mighty blow. The sound it makes is unforgettable; you'll never forget it.
That's a promise, friend to friend…
The Ultimate Skier's blood flies through the air as she falls, crumpling to the carpet in a heap beside a stack of weights. Some splatters on your shirt. Her knife falls to the floor.
Breathing heavily, eyes wide, you stare at her, bloody hammer still in your hand. "Oh god," you whisper. "Oh no."
Blood trickles slowly out of her wound, her gray eyes glassy and unseeing, staring but seeing nothing. Tidus, mostly unharmed, is slumped at the Leg Press, unaware of what just happened.
Friend to friend…I like the sound of that…
You press a shaky hand to Miyuki's neck, not feeling a pulse. You choke back a sob. She's dead, you think, trembling. I killed her.
Anyone who kills a fellow student and becomes "blackened" will graduate, unless they are discovered. With Miyuki's murder, you are the blackened. You feel nauseous and want to throw up, but there is little time to spare. You can't be discovered.
Tidus can't see this, you think. I've got to get him out of here. He won't be out for much longer.
Blood is also a problem: bloody hammer, bloody shirt.
Time is of the essence.