Two more FTEs and time for another announcement from everyone's favorite two trip supervisors! I also do think I'll be doing one more FTE before the murder finally happens. We'll be talking more with Katsumi and Edmund this time 'round, and I'll have a bit more to say at the end of this chapter. Until then, enjoy!

By the time I had gotten to the town square, a good number of the other students were already gathered there. The two dolls were nowhere in sight, but I could already guarantee they'd show up sometime soon.

"The hell they want us for now…" I overheard Rurumi mutter, most likely making it to the courtyard behind me. "I was just about to start training too…"

"Well, obviously they're planning something...And I've got a bad feeling as to what." Raiko responded, who was leaning against the wall right next to the entrance and looking as shady as ever. "Stay on your toes, kids. Those things have something up their sleeves."

"Geez, don't think we need to act that suspicious." Yuri pointed out with a shrug. "I bet these things are gonna just tell us we can finally go home, dude. No big deal."

"Being trapped in a town such as this with two potentially murderous robots and 15 potential criminals is a 'big deal', cadet Henajisan." Edmund snapped. "It is much better for us to comply with these strange robots for the time being. In fact, I am ordering! All cadets must now follow this new rule put in place!"

"...Huh? Is that dick still spouting off useless crap?" Rurumi said, scratching behind her head. "Sorry, drifted off for a second. Didn't sound like anything important anyways. Just sounded like a load of bullshit to me."

"Hey now, it's not nice to say things like that!" Kotetsu said, whom I now noticed as holding back a very angry Edmund with just one hand. "We should keep trying to get along! There's no point in fighting like this!"

"I'm agreein' with kitty boy here!" Bonnie piped up. However, just as she looked like she was about to say more, the fountain exploded in two huge columns of water, revealing Gigi and Mimi standing on the fountain once more.

"Is this everyone?" Gigi asked, silencing everyone once more as she began counting the heads. "Hmm...I believe we do have everyone here. Excellent. Then we can proceed in a very nice, timely fashion. Right on schedule as well." She cleared her throat, holding her hands behind her back. "I'm sure you all are curious as to why we have gathered you here today. You see-"

"Y'all are fuckin' boring as shit." Mimi said sharply, cutting her sister off. "I mean, you're just talking and hanging out with each other like nothing's wrong! Where's your killer instinct?! Just fuckin' murder someone already!"

"Well...that's rather blunt, isn't it?" Katsumi simply said, putting a hand to his chin. "Did you consider the reason we might not want to murder anyone?"

"It...crossed our minds once or twice." Gigi admitted. "However, given the roster of students, including the Ultimate Hitman of all people," She even pointed right to Raiko for emphasis, "one would expect someone to murder already. And yet, none of you have shown signs of wanting to take us up on our offer. Rather disappointing, I must say."

"E-Er….i-if I may…." Taizo spoke up, shakily raising his hand. "I-I think it would take much longer t-than a day to convince us to m-murder. M-Maybe you can wait for a few d-days and-"

"Shut the hell up, Dr. Psycho!" Mimi yelled, making Taizo jump back a small bit with a yelp. "We're the trip supervisors here, last time I checked! We're the ones makin' the rules and decidin' what to do!"

"At my sister's….insistence, we decided to introduce our first motive a few days earlier than planned." Gigi said, looking as if it was taking all her willpower not to push her sister into the waters below. "I would listen up, all of you, for this motive affects you all."

As if on cue, I heard a simultaneous beeping all coming from our bracelets. Looking down, all I saw was a red screen that simply said "Alert, Rules have been updated.". And part of me just couldn't believe what I saw after somehow managing to open said alert.

A new rule has been added:

Rule 10 - Students are not allowed to sleep anywhere within the town limits. If any student is found sleeping at any time, a shock shall be administered via their bracelet. This rule will be lifted only when a murder has occured.

"You're literally taking away our right to sleep?!" Clara was the first of all of us to react, glaring back up at the dolls with a fury I don't think I've ever seen before. "You bastards! How dare you!"

"T-This is bad….f-following prolonged periods without sleep…" Taizo was muttering under his breath, just loud enough for anyone near him to hear (And I just so happened to be one of those lucky few people). "M-Many become paranoid….d-disillusioned….have periods of i-impaired judgement…."

"Yep! That's the entire point!" Mimi giggled, putting her hands behind her head and grinning widely. "Man, you sure do catch on quick, huh Dr. Psycho!" He said something even quieter under his breath. I only caught something along the lines of "P-Please stop calling me that…", but I couldn't be absolutely sure.

"As the rule states, you will all be allowed to sleep once more eventually. But," Gigi explained, nodding curtly, "that is only when a murder has been committed. Until then, I'd figure out a way to stay awake until then. Those shocks will continue in intensity every time you're caught asleep. And they truly do hurt. We don't want to paralyze ourselves, now do we?"

"That's all bitches!" Mimi said, throwing a hand in the air. "See y'all once you fuckers finally kill someone! Laters!" Completely synchronized, the two jumped off of the statue and into the water, disappearing from view. This left the rest of us stunned, all looking to each other as if to just confirm what had just happened really did happen. The silence was suddenly broken from a yawn from one of the benches.

"Mmh….t-those dolls really are...are funny, aren't they?" Naoki said, rubbing at his eyes. "F-First this whole….K...Killing Game thing….and now n-no sleeping until someone m-murders…? This has….has to be the most elaborate p...pranks I've ever s-seen…."

"You're...literally not worried about this, at all?" I found myself saying, turning to the sleepy aromatherapist. "I sincerely doubt that this is all some elaborate prank...they seem deadly serious."

"T….this school….C-Cidea, right?" He continued, looking from face to face. "T-They have tons of backers….a-and they're world famous….r-right? T-This just has to be some sort of….of joke….a-a weird way of welcoming us to the school...I mean...t-they have the...the funding to do it.….I wish they'd cut it out….I-I just want to get this year over with…."

"This seems far to elaborate just to be a prank." Nizu commented, frowning. "It would seem our best bet is to do as Raiko had said earlier, we must stay alert of our surroundings, and those we surround ourselves with, or risk death." Naoki at that point didn't seem to be paying attention, instead leaning back on the bench. I could tell what was going to happen a split second before he did.

Before he could truly fall asleep, he let out a yelp and sat, bolt upright, while looking down at his wrist. The same wrist where his bracelet had been attached.

"Great….those stupid dolls aren't kidding around…." Jean groaned, while Naoki rubbed his wrist uncomfortably. "We really can't sleep then? Goddammit!"

"It looks as if we are in for a few boring nights…." Kasane muttered. "It's not as if we can...continue our search around here. Curfew prevents us from roaming past the cafe at night…."

"H-Hey! C'mon, we can't start acting all...all, erm….gloomy already!" Akari pointed out, clenching her fists. "How about this? Tonight, at around 6 or 7, we should all meet up in the cafe to have dinner together? Then we might be able to take our minds off this all!"

"Oh! I can cook a big meal for all of us!" Kotetsu chimed in, even making a low purring sound. "And we can all have fun, like friends!"

"Hell yeah! I'll help out too, man!" Rurumi agreed, pumping her fists. "I love cooking! We're gonna make the best meal you all have ever seen!"

"And I suppose we'll have to continue our search around this place then, right?" Katsumi asked, grinning. "Sounds like a plan to me. I'll gladly see you all then." Talk erupted within the group, and we all seemed to agree on meeting together for dinner that night.

Eventually, most of us dispersed, with Kotetsu and Rurumi heading for the cafe while the others seemed to spread out, I only looked down at my bracelet, slipping a glove off and tapping to the rules section of its menu. And, sure enough, there sat a rule at the very end describing this...motive. No one was allowed to sleep until then. I could barely imagine how long it would take then until we all became too paranoid and fearful of each other. Was someone truly going to murder someone else because of this?

I sighed and shook my head, turning the bracelet off while shaking my head. I had to trust them for now. Trust was probably the only way I was going to get through this, thinking about it now. So I slipped my glove back on once more before I began heading down the street after the others.

Free Time

RESUME

Katsumi

I immediately decided to search through the laundromat first, which was rather convenient considering it was not far from the town plaza. At first glance, it didn't look like there was anyone else inside. I was about to begin searching behind some of the machines when I heard rustling from the back room.

"I heard someone coming in! Hold on, give me a minute!" Katsumi's voice came from behind some of the machines, seconds before he peered around the corner. "Ah, Denjii! You're looking around the laundromat as well?"

"Mhm." I nodded, beginning to walk closer. "Er….you're fine with that, right? I don't wish to intrude or make you feel uncomfortable." He gave a small laugh, adjusting his cap slightly.

"I...don't quite see how I could feel uncomfortable if someone was here, but you really don't need to worry about it." He said. "There's a room in the back I don't think anyone has explored yet. Want to venture into there together?"

"I don't have a problem with that at all." I said. "Let us explore together, then."

Katsumi and I explored the back room of the laundromat. We couldn't find anything useful for escape, however. Only a lot of cleaning supplies and things I suppose would be useful in fixing clothing.

"At least we won't need to worry if our clothes rip." I commented, placing back a sewing kit I had been inspecting. "They really do expect us to live here for a while...don't they…." Katsumi didn't answer. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly, turning to try and find him.

The Ultimate Fisherman was standing by another shelf, unwinding one of the spools of thread and examining it closely. I abandoned the shelf I had been searching, trying to look over his shoulder the best I could. I couldn't tell at all what was so important about a single thread, or at least so important that Katsumi was focusing all his attention on it. Eventually, I just ended up tapping his shoulder, merely giving him a questioning look.

"Hm? Ah, sorry, did you need something, Denjii?" He asked, quickly winding the thread up once more.

"I was simply curious as to what you were looking at." I replied, before gesturing to the thread. "Is there any reason why this piece of thread seems so important to you? It doesn't look...unusual, or out of the ordinary."

"This? No, it's completely ordinary. It's just that…" He said, rubbing at the back of his neck. "I don't have any of my fishing equipment. I practically turned my room upside down searching for something. But I couldn't find a thing." He held up the thread once more, tapping the side of his head. "I figured I should try to make my own rod. This thread might be...kind of strong enough. I can't tell right now."

"You're able to create your own rods?" I said, blinking in surprise. "I suppose I should expect nothing less from the Ultimate Fisherman. I merely thought your talent extended to catching the fish. I should've guessed that your talent would also extend to handling your equipment as well."

"Heh...I guess a lot of people think that way." Katsumi said. "Fishing is more about your luck and the equipment you used. That's what my dad would always tell me, at least. He's the one who taught me to make fishing rods in the first place…" A frown crossed his face for a moment as he simply looked down at the thread, running his thumb across it slowly. "...I hope both my parents are doing alright…."

"I'm...sure they're just fine." I said, putting my hand on his shoulder and hoping I sounded sincere. I wasn't sure how to properly express my sentiments, considering I personally couldn't relate. I had no clue if I even had parents outside of this place, so I could only imagine how worried Katsumi must be for them. Or how worried his parents must be about him.

"Ah...I'm sorry, Denjii." Katsumi suddenly said, taking a small step and moving my hand off his shoulder. That same grin was on his face once more, as if he was trying to assure me that he was fine. "I was just getting a bit too worried. We need to focus on the present. I'm going to go to the courtyard." His hand tightened around the spool of thread, before he slipped it into his vest pocket. "There might be a sturdy branch or stick there that I can use for this rod. I might as well see if I still know how to make a decent rod."

"I see...Take care then, Katsumi." I said, nodding. He returned the nod and began walking back out. I waited until he was far enough away, so that he couldn't hear me, before saying; "It was a pleasure speaking with you. I look forwards to the next time we speak."

Katsumi and I grew a little closer today.

Edmund

I left the laundromat not far behind Katsumi, deciding I might as well just retreat into my room until dinner. However, the instant I stepped outside, I heard someone shouting for me. And they sounded rather upset, as well.

"Tokunaga! There you are!"

I spun around, somehow not surprised to see it was Edmund stomping towards me. I couldn't quite tell if he was mad, as his face was completely expressionless and harsh. He stopped just in front of me, immediately standing at attention as he scanned me quickly.

"Did you need something, Edmund?" I asked, tilting my head. The Ultimate General didn't respond for a few minutes, before I saw his mouth thin ever so slightly.

"I have been looking for you ever since that announcement." He eventually said. "I want you to accompany me in my search through the plaza. And that is an order from your commanding officer as well, so you are not allowed to decline!"

I don't think that's exactly how you ask someone to search with them… I thought, biting back a snappy retort. Whatever, I wasn't going to do anything else anyways. I might as well help him in his search. I merely nodded, but Edmund had already begun walking towards the square. I held back a sigh and sprinted to catch up with him, although he barely reacted seeing this.

Edmund had me searching every nook and cranny of the town plaza. In fact, I'm not even sure if Edmund helped me search at all. The most I saw of him was him standing around ordering me!

I dusted off my hands, taking a deep breath as I straightened once more. That had to have been the last bench, and yet part of me expected Edmund to find some other bench to duck underneath. I'm not even entirely sure what he had been expecting underneath benches like these. Some kind of hidden switch that could open the gates?

"Hmph...Nothing. Damn bastards really thought of everything…." I heard Edmund muttering behind me. "Once I get my hands on the one responsible for this….I'll….I'll-!"

"I don't quite think getting angry will help us." I pointed out, rather bluntly, as I turned around to face him. "In fact, you acting this angry may only harm us even more. Before you know it, you may be dead, or have been pushed towards murder as those dolls planned-"

It all happened so fast, I barely had time to process it.

Before I knew it, I had been hoisted off of my feet by the collar of my sweater, Edmund's green eyes glaring right back into mine. I felt myself take in a sharp breath, but otherwise used all my willpower to not show any fear whatsoever. He held me there for a couple of minutes, before making a "tch" sound and setting me down once more.

"You'd do well to curb your tongue, cadet Tokunaga." Edmund hissed. "I've dealt with many who underestimate my strength. And I refuse to be underestimated like that ever again. I refuse to be seen as weak, no less from a cadet such as you." Giving me a final glare, he turned, with a rather overdramatic swish of his cape, and began walking back down the street, almost definitely in a very bad mood if he wasn't before.

Geez...talk about anger issues. I thought scathingly. He'll really need to learn how to control that temper. But...I wonder what he meant about being underestimated. Does he think I saw him as weak? I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Gah...I'll have to ask him about it once he's calmed down a bit. I don't think I'll be able to even have a civil conversation with him at this rate.

I...think Edmund and I grew a bit closer today?

After making sure I had calmed down after my encounter with Edmund, I quickly checked the time only to realize it was about 6 pm, the same time we had all agreed to meet for dinner. I dusted myself once more before beginning to make my way down to the cafe. Just as before with the announcement, many of the other students had already gathered. And I noticed there were several plates of food already set up on one of the bigger tables there.

Rurumi was standing close to the door, sometimes shouting over her shoulder while addressing Kotetsu, who would answer back as if he had heard her clearly. Kotetsu, on the other hand, seemed to be inside the kitchen, probably making even more food by the second. I waved to her before grabbing my own plate and some of the food already set out, taking a seat at a table with Katsumi, Kasane, and Raiko, who was actually the only one of us without a food plate. Instead, he continued to keep his cigarette in his mouth, almost sucking on it like it was a lollipop.

The cafe was filled with animated chatter this time around, growing in volume as more and more people arrived. It was a very good way of taking our minds off of...well, everything. The fact we were forced into this Killing Game, or that Gigi and Mimi were going to literally deprive us of sleep until someone murdered someone else. It just felt like we were a large group of high school students, just enjoying an evening out as friends. Seeing this game me a glimmer of hope, since if we were already acting this friendly after only a day, it was possible that someone wouldn't murder even after all this pushing. The two dolls might even let us go if that happened!

My optimistic thoughts were cut short as Rurumi suddenly stood on one of the chairs, as Kotetsu emerged from the kitchen as well.

"Yo! Can I get everyone's attention real quick?" She called, waving one of her hands. "So! I know we're all having fun and gettin' so great food in us, right? Well, I thought we could talk about some serious subjects and get those out of the way. Like...er…" She glanced back down to Kotetsu, almost giving him a pleading look.

"Like...Oh! Rurumi pointed this out earlier to me, but we don't exactly have set times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, right?" Kotetsu continued, clapping his massive hands together with a smile. "Well, what if we set our own times? Then we can all gather together and talk about our day!"

"And during dinner, we can give each other information 'bout what we found this time around!" Rurumi added. "Basically, win-win deal, eh?"

"That's not a bad idea...It would also make sure everyone is together just in case…" Kasane trailed off, but it was clear what she was referring to. "I don't see any problem with this…."

"Having a set time for meals is all well and fine...but what about these stupid things?" Clara said, holding up her bracelet. "Is there any way we can take these off? We might be able to end this stupid motive, or whatever those things called it, early."

"Mmm...I-I wish that were the case…." Naoki said, looking even more tired than usual. "I….I tried doing it earlier wh….when the one of...of t-the dolls came all of a sudden….it was the...um…" He frowned, rubbing at his temple with both hands in an attempt to remember. "...Mh! The...the rude one...the really loud and rude one…."

"Mimi. She certainly seems to be the more active of the two." Raiko confirmed. "It's probably one of those unwritten rules. I don't think we'll be taking off these bracelets any time soon. Unless we want to face whatever punishment they have for us."

"Urghhh! I hate this so much!" Clara hissed, holding her head in her hands. "Why us?! And why make us play such a stupid game if they want us dead! Just kill us outright and get it over with!"

"Torture." Nizu said simply from her own, lone table. "They kidnapped us for the sole purpose of torturing us, most likely. Perhaps there may be a second reason, but that remains a mystery to us." Her eyes travelled over all of us, as her mouth curved into a frown. "I think it would be safe to assume we'll find said second reason by exploring. After all, why else would exploration be so encouraged."

"Can we get back on track." Edmund said sharply, making Nizu almost immediately shut up. "If I may, I have another suggestion if we are going to be brainstorming like this."

"Go right on ahead, Edmund!" Kotetsu said quickly, before Rurumi could say something that would most likely start a fight between the two. "We're all listening, and if anyone disagrees," He even gave the kickboxer a small glare saying this, "then we'll discuss it civilaly, right?"

"Thank you, cadet Nyanta." Edmund said, standing and even giving Kotetsu a curt nod, just before he turned to the rest of us. "Troops, listen to me! I propose that until this sleeping ban is lifted, then no one is allowed outside of the apartment buildings after curfew. I would say we all remain in our rooms, but these nights will surely be long ones."

"H-He's got a point…." Taizo was the first to agree. "I-It might be better for us to remain inside...just u-until they get tired of this rule! B-But...these rules aren't going t-to be as strictly enforced as the o-ones our supervisors laid down….right?"

"Then we do this. Two soldiers from each apartment building keep watch over the entrance for a certain amount of time." Edmund continued. "They are to detail everyone who walks in and out of the building, until it is curfew. After curfew, no one is allowed out of the building and would do well to remember that. The guards are allowed to leave after 10 pm. As for who shall keep watch, I can perform said job for the boys' apartments."

"And I can take the role for the girls' apartments." Nizu offered. "I am rather good at taking count at a quick glance, and I have a notebook on me at all times," she carefully placed a hand into her skirt's pocket, pulling out a small monochrome notebook and pen, "so I will take note of where and when someone goes should they leave."

"Nice, so we got all that sorted out?" Yuri asked, leaning back in his chair as Nizu stowed her notebook away and Edmund sat back down. "Sweet. Let's get back to enjoying life for once then, shall we dudes?"

And just like that, the chatter started up once more, almost as if we hadn't discussed various measures to protect us all from possible death. It was a strange shift, I won't deny, but it almost felt….a bit welcome, if you ask me.

Day 2

End

Surviving Students: 16

Dead Students: 0

Boom, another part down in the books and our first motive introduced too! With that, we're going to be having one last FTE before it's murder time! I'm also so happy y'all are enjoying it so far and that you guys like the idea I was going with using Gigi and Mimi. Writing for them both is a lot of fun, although I will admit I'm enjoying Mimi just a bit more because girl has literally no filter.

Anyways, I just now hope I can write a good murder mystery type thing following this. I guess only time will tell! Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! See you all next time!