The Sleepwalking Detective: New Master?!

Chapter One: Celeste's Experiment!

"Well, this should be fun…"

Celeste's lips pulled into a smirk, light dancing with mischief in her eyes, dressed in a black nightgown. Covering her feet were equally black stockings, and a red ribbon hung from her collar, draping down to her ankles. The Ultimate Gambler stood over the sleeping, vulnerable detective. For once, Kyoko Kirigiri had taken a page from her boyfriend's book and neglected to lock her door, an oversight that played perfectly into the experiment Celeste had planned.

Leaning down towards Kyoko's ear, Celeste's breath tickled the fair skin as she commanded, "Hello, dear detective. Let's go for a walk, shall we? Your master commands you to follow her."

Without even a yawn, Kyoko lazily sat up, her head slightly bowed as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Hesitantly resting her feet on the ground and standing up, she began to lumber towards Celeste, only for the gambler's words to stop her in her tracks.

"Tell me, Kirigiri, what is your talent?"

"…Ultimate…Detective…" Kyoko slurred, earning Celeste's partial satisfaction.

"Indeed…however, you have another talent you have yet to admit to yourself." Confused, Kyoko cocked her head, her brow furrowed skeptically at Celeste's claim. "Ultimate Princess…" Celeste clarified. "Oh, but nothing like our senpai, of course. You are the sole Princess of Hope's Peak Academy, decreed by your father, who is the true King of this Academy of Hope."

"I'm…a…princess…?"

Celeste giggled, unusually amused by the rarity of a genuinely confused Kirigiri. Kyoko's skepticism, however, remained, bleeding into her voice. "Yes, your second talent is the Princess of Hope's Peak Academy. As your father is the noble King of this academy, it's only fair that his majesty's daughter is the Princess."

Though she bit her lip in confusion, Kyoko nodded after a moment of contemplation. "Of course…I'm the Princess of Hope's Peak Academy. It's true…thanks for…reminding me…"

Celeste hummed, musing, Even asleep, Kirigiri is skeptical of my outlandish claims…even if they're true from a…certain point of view. Celeste shook the thought away. Whatever, let's see how far I can take this…harmless fib.

"So…who are you, Master…?"

"Excellent question. As for myself, I am a fair mistress, a Queen of Liars named Celestia Ludenberg. Oh, but don't worry about the title. My voice is the only one you can trust in."

"Mmm…trust…Celestia only…?"

"Correct. Now, lead the way." As Kyoko hesitantly took her first steps, Celeste interjected "Detective, are you aware that you're still in your nightwear?"

Celeste glanced at Kyoko's purple nightgown, revealing her legs and bare feet. "Yeah…"

Satisfied with Kyoko's answer, Celeste smiled and nodded. I have little doubt that Kirigiri will obey my every command in this state. "Just checking to make sure your attire was proper. Now, lead the way."

"Kirigiri, you needed to turn right." Celeste sighed once Kyoko bumped into a door.

"…Turn…?" Kyoko slurred, confusion bleeding into her voice.

Celeste sweatdropped. I suppose she needs discipline, like how Ikusaba needed it from Junko. but how shall I correct her mistakes…?

As Celeste hummed in contemplation, her eyes lit up in epiphany. As Kyoko rubbed her head, Celeste walked away. "Stay here, Detective. Your master will return for you momentarily."

Only Kyoko's snoring echoed in Celeste's ears as she made her way for the Repository near the Art Room.

"…Itai…" Kyoko muttered, nursing the minor lump on her head.

Celeste smirked, holding a bright, neon-colored hammer in her hands that read Justice Hammer 2 on the side of the head. "Consider that a warning for future errors, Kirigiri. Follow me."

Nodding, Kyoko complied, following Celeste down the hallway.

At last, the duo came to a halt, approaching the door to the Headmaster's office. Stage One, complete! Celeste mused Now to Stage Two… "Kirigiri, where does the King keep his Skeleton Key?"

"…Desk Drawer…" Kyoko muttered.

"Good to know. Now, I'm going to need you to knock on the door and ask him for the key. I want to explore the school…for clues. If I ask him, he'll get suspicious, given my title of Queen of Liars. But he'd never suspect his princess was up to no good."

"Yes…Master…"

"Good, now go tell him you need to investigate for clues, and get that key!"

Celeste backed out of view while Kyoko rapped her knuckles on her father's door. The door quietly creaked open, and Jin peeked his confused, curious, fatigued head out.

"Kyoko…?" Stifling a yawn, he asked "Why on earth are you here this late at night?"

"…Need…key…"

Jin raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Ano…what do you need my key for?"

"…Want to…explore the school…for clues…"

My daughter…you're still a detective, first and foremost. Your mother would be so proud of you if she were here with us…

With a fatherly smile, Jin ruffled his daughter's hair. He then wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into the office. Once they arrived at his desk, he opened the drawer and fished for the key. He then gave it to her, a stern, yet concerned expression in his eyes.

"I'll trust you with this, Kyoko. Just be careful, and bring it back as soon as possible."

"…Okay, sir…"

Jin smiled lovingly as Kyoko nodded. She then turned and lumbered out of the office, back to her master so the next phase of Celeste's scheme could begin.

Celeste giggled, confiscating the key and patting Kyoko on the head like a puppy who had just completed a trick. "Well done, Princess Kyoko. You've secured a great treasure for your beloved master. Take pride in your success."

Though she was still snoring, Kyoko smiled, slightly blushing as she nodded. Meanwhile, Celeste was barely holding back the urge to snicker.

At last, the entire academy is at my fingertips! What should I do first? There's so many possibilities, I don't know where to start… Celeste frowned, suddenly realizing how parched her mouth felt. I wonder how the tea brewing skills of someone of higher class like Kirigiri compare to that tub of lard… "Kirigiri." She commanded. "I grow thirsty. Let us celebrate your success by having you make me a Royal Milk Tea. Lead the way."

Nodding, Kyoko strode ahead of the Ultimate Gambler, leaving Celeste to follow her to the Dining Hall. She eagerly awaited her first sample of Kyoko's Royal Milk Tea.

"…Itai…" Kyoko muttered, nursing her head after being bonked for the third time in a row.

Her journey to the Dining Hall was not without difficulty. First, she bumped into a wall when ordered to go left. Then, she accidentally walked into the restroom, earning her an annoyed bonk after Celeste ordered her out. And finally, her most recent lump formed when in her hurry out of the restroom, she stumbled into the supply closet.

As Kyoko awkwardly walked out of the supply closet, Celeste sighed in disappointment and shook her head. "Punishing you isn't easy for me either. Having to correct you this much is a bit of a pain."

Of course, Celeste's regret was a lie. In truth, getting to bonk Kyoko on the head instead of Hifumi was strangely cathartic.

Though I will admit to being jealous of how easily Enoshima can control Ikusaba like she did. Still, this is my first time controlling a sleepwalker, so it's only natural that there will be some…bumps in the road. Celeste rolled her eyes at the horrible quality of her own joke. It matters not; before long, I'll have full power over my new toy…

Celeste's musings trailed off when she turned on the lights, bathing the Dining Hall in luminescence. She sauntered over to her usual table and sat down in the same seat she always did. With a clap of the Ultimate Gambler's hands, Kyoko walked over, obediently receiving her next command.

"Alright, my dear Kirigiri, for your first task, I shall test you on your tea-making skills. You are to go into the kitchen and brew me your best Royal Milk Tea."

"Royal…Milk Tea…" Kyoko mumbled before shuffling to the nearby kitchen.

Celeste folded her hands and smiled, eagerness and curiosity dancing in her eyes. I'm sure a girl as refined and elegant as Kyoko Kirigiri shall make an equally refined cup of tea. It's sure to be leaps and bounds better than what that tub of lard manages to brew when I order him around.

"…Your Royal Milk Tea, Master…" Kyoko mumbled, gently placing the plate and small teacup in front of the Ultimate Gambler.

Celeste stopped fiddling with her key as the aroma filled her nostrils. Intrigued, she craned her head and stared at the fresh beverage. Wrapping her fingers around the handle, she lifted the cup to her lips and allowed the first sip to flow down her throat.

This is…good! I hoped it'd be better than what Hifumi makes, but considering she's technically asleep, I didn't expect the quality to be this high! I should have done this to Kyoko a long time ago!

Celeste giggled and placed the cup back down on the plate. Beckoning Kyoko to her side, she reached over and patted the sleeping detective on the head.

"You did very well for your first try. Congratulations for making such fine Royal Milk Tea, Kirigiri."i

"…Thank you…Master…"

"Now, go and bring me some biscuits. If you like, you may have one of them as a reward for your quality tea."

"…Biscuits…yes, Master…"

Licking her lips, Celeste bit into her biscuit, the buttery bread lighting up her taste buds. Looking across from her, she saw Kyoko nibbling on her own biscuit. Though she was still asleep, her lips tugged into a smile at the delectable taste of the food she was given permission to consume.

Eventually, the two girls finished their tea and biscuits. Celeste stood up, patting her mouth with her napkin before she addressed the sleeping detective.

"Alright, Kirigiri, follow me. Let us make our way to the Game Room."

"…Game Room…"

The young detective obediently followed Celeste out of the Dining Hall and through the halls of Hope's Peak Academy.

"Let's see…no, no, no, no, no…" Celeste muttered, sifting through the magazine rack. "None of these magazines are suitable for an Ultimate Gambler. I really must speak to the Headmaster about getting new issues for our enjoyment…"

"…Makoto…"

"Hm?" Curious, Celeste turned to the sleepwalking detective. "What was that, Kirigiri?"

"Makoto…I'd enjoy…sharing ramen noodles with…Makoto…He's so cute…when he's sipping ramen noodles. I wonder…if we ate ramen noodles together…would we end up…kissing…? I'm sure…whatever we did together…would be magical. He's so…adorable…those gently, hazel eyes, and that warm smile…he's…wonderful…!"

As Kyoko's cheeks flushed pink and she let out a lovestruck sigh, Celeste sweatdropped. I suppose it was only a matter of time before she started dreaming about Naegi. While how much she's gushing over him would be delightful blackmail material when she's actually awake, the last thing I need right now is a distracted, swooning servant. I get enough of that from Hifumi! "Kirigiri!"

Kyoko stood up straight. "Y-Yes, Master…?"

"While your fantasy with your future boyfriend is undeniably cute, I'm more interested in using the key you provided for me to investigate the forbidden secrets in this school. So tell me…what are the most secretive places Hope's Peak Academy has to offer?"

"…There's…a boy's bathroom on the second floor…that has a secret room. And…there's a secret catacombs…in the basement…"

Celeste hummed, caressing her chin as she digested the information Kyoko spilled. While the boys' bathroom is too disgusting for me to venture into, the underground catacombs sounds very interesting indeed. "Very well then, Kirigiri. Lead me to these underground catacombs!"

With a sleepy nod, Kyoko turned around and shuffled out of the Game Room. Giggling with excitement, Celeste twirled the key around her finger and sauntered after the Ultimate Detective.