If one could view the academy from above, they would see forest surrounding it on all sides except to the south, which was the tamest and trimmest part of campus. From the main building out, there was the stone courtyard, the gardens and picnic areas with stone pathways weaving through them, and then a handful of small game courts for various sports. Aside from that, however, the rest of the landscape was actually quite barren, as much of it was still in development, since Hope's Pinnacle was the fourth and newest academy under the Hope's Peak umbrella.

To the north, there was construction, an assortment of pipes, generators, and filters attached to the north wall of the school. From there out, there was the beginning of a racetrack and outdoor pool, and farther out was a sign with a photo of a baseball diamond. Remnants of construction littered the ground, broken hard hats, dead power tools, frayed rope, large plastic pipes and sheets, orange cones, and a few loose screws and bolts.

To the west and east, there was only forest. "It's like being back in Africa!" Rinku whooped as she swung through the trees like a monkey, spinning around and around on the branches. How she didn't get brush burn was beyond the others. Was it a power of the Ultimate Explorer?

"Rinku! You're gonna fall!" Dumbass! Muni glared up at the Ultimate Explorer as she darted through the leaves.

"I… also don't think these types of trees typically grow in Africa," Aoi smiled. Less adventurous, Hiiro and Tsubaki declined to explore the woods, but as the Ultimate Jam-Maker, Aoi was curious as to whether or not unique flora and fauna grew within the academy boundaries.

"But Muni! You just can't deny! She's so CUTE when she does that!" Noa squealed, her voice a shrieky and painful contrast to Aoi's low, smooth hum. Aoi flinched while Muni scowled at the Ultimate Theater Actress.

Mannn, why did SHE have to come along? Muni was there because of Rinku, and Aoi in hopes of finding jam ingredients, but what excuse did Noa have? Well, the answer was in the way Noa squealed again upon seeing Muni's pout. Ah, yes, that's right, silly me, how could I have forgotten?

Muni sighed tiredly before looking up at Aoi. "Thanks for being the only semi-normal one here besides me," she said, face and voice flat.

"Ummm… You're welcome?" Aoi tilted her head and smiled. Muni's stomach tightened, and for a moment, even Noa looked impressed by Aoi's charm. Aoi, meanwhile, innocently turned back to Rinku. "That reminds me, did you and Rantaro ever travel to Africa together?"

Both Noa and Muni perked up, the former in interest and the latter in suspicion.

"Nope!" Rinku replied cheerfully, still hopping from tree to tree. "He always preferred the sea, cuz that's where he lost his sisters! On a voyage!"

"You don't have to sound so happy about that," Muni muttered, pouting.

"I can't imagine going through something like that," Aoi winced sympathetically.

"Oh, my…" Noa agreed, touching her face sadly. How many cuties had Rantaro lost? If he was even a fraction of a decent-ish brother, he would be out there searching for them as they spoke! Speaking of… just what was the state of the world if 24 high-profile students could be trapped inside their own high-profile academy for weeks, forced to kill each other and live under the tyranny of a giant, evil, robot cat, with no help in sight? It was a grim thought, but only Saki and Kurumi had actually seen anything of the outside world. It hadn't been pretty.

"Eeeep!" Noa's dark thoughts were interrupted by Rinku's yelp, which was followed by Muni's shriek, then Rinku's cheerful, cheering voice again. "Wow, Muni, nice catch there! Thanks!"

"I didn't catch you, you fell on me!" Muni snapped back. Exactly as she feared, a branch finally broke beneath Rinku, and… While Muni lay flat on her back, Rinku was spreadeagle on top of her. Muni's face slowly began turning red. Was it from anger, or… embarrassment?

"Well, anyway, I guess I can stay with you guys for a while!" Rinku said, hopping up and extending a hand to Muni. Muni scowled up at her for a few seconds before caving, allowing Rinku to pull her up. But even after Muni was back on her feet, finished adjusting her headband with her free hand, she made no effort to let go of Rinku, and Rinku made no effort to let go of Muni either.

Noa, meanwhile, was completely frozen, hands on either side of her face, mouth opened in a silent "SQUEEEEEEEE!" of delight. Beside her, Aoi winced again and chuckled. Maybe Hiiro and Tsubaki made the right call staying closer to the academy? Though, in truth, Aoi was having fun.

ooo

On the opposite side of the academy, in the west forest rather than the east, were Rei, Esora, Kyoko, and Miyu.

"S-s-so… Why did you bring us here? What do you want of us?" Rei crossed her arms and pouted, trying to look stern and commanding.

"Oh, Rei…" Despite herself, Esora smiled softly at the other girl, eyes sad.

"Don't worry, Rei, I promise, we aren't here for any trouble!" Kyoko gave a low, breathy chuckle, as disarming as possible, even holding up her hands in a gesture of surrender. It worked like a charm, and Rei immediately looked guilty and flustered.

"O-o-oh!" The Ultimate Pianist touched her cheek, which was now light red. "Of course, Kyoko! I meant no disrespect against you!" She even curtseyed at the vocalist before realizing how harsh her words sounded with Esora right there. Even though she meant it, confrontation was still difficult for her, especially with Esora.

Standing beside her, Miyu's face was equally tight and reserved, though she was slightly better than Rei at maintaining her poker face. There was a steely glint in her pink eyes while Rei's eyes were nervous, sheepish, and apologetic.

I cannot believe there was ever a time when I considered you a sister. Miyu thought of Esora coldly.

"I understand… that you both… do not trust me… and rightly so," Esora admitted, every word slow, painful, and awkward. "What I did was truly unforgivable, for you are right, there were so many other ways I could've gone about achieving my ends."

"But why, Esora, why?!" Rei pleaded, frustration creeping into her face and voice. She almost stomped a foot as tears threatened to rise.

"I… honestly don't know," Esora admitted, hanging her head guiltily. As expected, both Rei and Miyu seemed repulsed by her lackluster answer, but for once, it was the truth. "I just… was filled with… so much pent up rage, fear, frustration… I know that's no excuse, because we were all feeling that way. You more than anyone," Esora's eyes finally began to water as they met Miyu's. "But in that moment, all I could envision was the culprit."

It was still no excuse. Even for a half-assed one, it was woefully vague. But the emotion in Esora's face and voice was real. Rei and Miyu met one another's gazes out of the corner of their eyes, arms crossed.

Do we believe her…? It was a difficult question with a difficult answer. Yes, and no. They could sense the honesty in Esora, but as naive and forgiving as Miyu and Rei were, even they weren't just going to overlook the desecration of a corpse, and Esora's potential ties to the true Mastermind of the Killing Game. It was obvious there was still a lot going left unsaid.

But did they actually have any solid proof against Esora, or only suspicion and paranoia? And if it was the former, did they intend to pursue that line of inquiry to its bitter end, or did they remind themselves that they had to work together against the true common enemy: Monochio? That was the gamble they faced. They could distrust and disavow Esora, creating the first fractures and tensions among the student body. Or they could take the risk of trusting her in hopes of gaining an ally and maintaining peace and connection throughout the rest of the class.

"So be it, then," Miyu finally said, sticking out a hand and forcing her eyes to meet Esora's. "I will trust that you have no future intention of harming any of us, for it would be greatly to your detriment," she said formally.

Esora felt a smirk play at her lips, but she was able to prevent it from showing as she shook Miyu's hand, then Rei's. Unlike Miyu, Rei could not meet Esora's eyes, and both girls were surprised to find that it bothered them more than they thought it would. But even if Rei still felt personally, morally conflicted about making peace with Esora, she could at least agree that they could, and should, protect one another from Monochio.

To distract herself from the discomfort, Esora made a dark joke in her head. This is still better than the conversation with Peaky!

Exactly as Shinobu promised, and Esora reflected on, the Ultimate Game had indeed made good on her vow to beat Esora's ass after the second class trial, sucker punching her in the gut the next time all four of them were alone together.

"Shinobu!" Kyoko grabbed Shinobu's arm to prevent her from striking again.

"Had to do it at least once." Shinobu's smirk was cruel as Esora doubled over.

"Can't say I didn't deserve that," she smiled darkly at Shinobu as she forced herself to look up, clutching her stomach.

Yuka's face was concerned, and she reached out, but something stopped her from actually touching Esora. I can't believe she…

In the days since the second class trial, Yuka was one of the only ones who didn't abandon Esora. Even she had her reserves, but after only a couple days of silence, the Ultimate Photographer was willing to break bread with the Ultimate Corporate Manager again. A couple more days passed, and Kyoko encouraged Esora to begin trying to mend bridges. Like Rei and Miyu, she also wasn't sure if she trusted Esora or not, but she was sure that the last thing any of them needed was infighting.

Miyu and Rei were selected as some of the first people Esora tried apologizing to because they were two of the students she felt closest to outside of her own unit. But of course, just because Miyu and Rei were gentle, forgiving souls that shared a past with Esora, that didn't mean they would be soft or permissive. If nothing else, I commend them for their devotion to their principles, Esora thought.

What didn't know, though, was that least in Miyu's case, she was barely holding back. Were Kyoko and Rei not present to remind me of myself and my decorum… She would've gladly bitch-slapped Esora into the next Stage of the Killing Game. It would be a while until Esora was trusted by anyone, even her own unit-mates, but it was a start.

All the while, Kyoko watched the interaction from a foot away. She smiled, eyes closed and head bowed slightly, arms crossed. I'm proud of you, Esora. Maybe this day of fun in the sun works better than we thought it would.