Chapter 2: Johnny Beach Goode Part 3 (Daily Life)

Citizens Remaining: 15

I knocked on the door two rooms away from my own and Miles answered it.

"What's up, Ai?"

"Do you want to hang out for a bit?"

"Sure, I have nothing to do right now. You want to listen to some music? I know you're a singer so I thought you might enjoy some of these songs."

I nodded my head and I made my way into his room. His mask and suit was hanging in the closet and the containers for his webs were on his desk. I sat down on the bed and he gave me his pair of headphones. I listened to some R&B and dream pop, the music sounded wonderful and the lyrics flowed well with the songs.

It looks like Miles and I grew a little closer.

"So I was meaning to ask you, that 'web' you shoot out of your wrist, how does that work?" I asked him as he got up and grabbed the containers.

"Oh, these are my web shooters. I was given them by the previous Spider-Man's aunt. I just click the button like this, then it fires the web!" He demonstrated by shooting a spot on the wall making a spider web pattern.

"Impressive, do you actually know what it's made of?"

"Not exactly, but I knew my predecessor came up with the formula on his own. Also that it dissolves after an hour."

"This other Spider-Man must have been quite intelligent to make such an impressive fluid." I thought to myself, "Hm, you're the Ultimate Successor, correct?"

"Yeah, I am. Weird title to give me though."

"Not the strangest one out of all of us.", I smiled before getting back to my question, "Anyways, did the previous Spider-Man retire and give you this role?"

He looked surprised for a bit before looking down at his untied shoes, "Well he uh… got killed in battle."

I suddenly felt guilt for even asking that question, "Oh, I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to bring up any past memories."

"No no, it's okay. It's been a while since then, you don't have to worry." He gave a reassuring smile.

"Alright, I'll try not to ask such personal questions without consent."

It was quiet for a bit until he suddenly jolted up.

"Shoot! I forgot! I'll see you later Ai, Alice asked me to carry supplies for the party!"

He grabbed his web shooters and ran out the door. After organizing everything the way it was, I promptly left. I should try bringing up other things the next time we talk, when I brought up his predecessor he looked a bit down for a moment.

After resting in my room for a bit I saw that there was a lot more time until nighttime, I can't accomplish anything by staying still.

Walking over to Jabberwock Coast I spotted Shantae practicing her belly dancing on the stage. It's been a while since I've done any idol work, so I should try to loosen my joints…and hopefully my limbs won't fall off. I joined up with her and we practiced, until she was out of breath.

It looks like Shantae and I grew a little closer.

"I really hope this party raises everyone's spirits! We need to work together to make it out of here!" She panted.

"Agreed. Although it is difficult, considering what we went through literally yesterday..."

"Oh yeah… that was yesterday… we really need to pull this off then. A lot of us have been on edge as of late, like Gold earlier." She switched from sad, to determined, quickly.

"Yes, we need a performance that can inspire the others to cooperate. I wish that those fake smiles we've been wearing would be replaced with real ones."

"Hey Ai, can I tell you something?"

"What is it?" I asked as I turned to her.

"Despite being part genie, I haven't really granted anyone's wish, except once."

"I see, what does that have to do with—" She suddenly got in closer before I could finish.

"I think I'll try to grant that one during the party! We'll dazzle everyone with our performance so that they'll be genuinely smiling. With smiles all around, we can start opening up to each other!"

I looked at her silently for a while before responding, "Well, let's keep going then, and make that wish can come true." We both nodded to each other as we kept dancing.

The two of us walked back to the Hope-tel and bid each other farewell for the day. Before going to bed I looked at my e-Handbook and saw that the rules were updated:

Rule #7: Once a murder takes place, a city trial will begin shortly thereafter. Participation is mandatory for all surviving citizens, unless excused.

Rule #8: If the guilty party is exposed during the city trial, they alone will be executed.

Rule #9: If the guilty party is not exposed, they alone will move away, and all remaining citizens will be executed.

Rule #10: Lending your e-Handbook to another citizen is strictly prohibited.

Rule #11: The guilty party may only kill a maximum of two people during any single "Killing Game."

Rule #12: Attempting to break into locked rooms is strictly prohibited.

Ugh, while I was just starting to forget about murder and trials. While we can't just turn a blind eye to the deaths of Misato & Kaiba, we need to find a way to move forward. Work together, prevent more killings from happening, find a way out of this city.

Thinking about this stuff too much can make it hard to concentrate on those things. We can't give in to the killing game. We can't give in to…

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MONOKUMA THEATER

"Despair! Hope! A lot of people have been tired of the war between them as this series has gone on!"

"As for me, I say let the war rage on!"

"Hope will eventually give in… eventually…"

"I mean our protagonist this time around doesn't even have the ahoge! That certainly means that she'll fail unlike the others!"

"... What? I just like to be confident, nothing wrong with supporting my side!"

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*Ding dong, bing bong!*

I woke up realizing that I just drifted to sleep.

Also I woke up realizing Monokuma was in my room.

"What do you want?!"

"Ah! Zombie! Please help! Oh wait…" He giggled to himself as I hesitated to punt him into the wall.

"What. Do. You. Want?" I repeated, not willing to take any chances with this bear.

"Bwa-hahahahahaha! I just felt like waking up every citizen personally today. Looking good by the way."

"Shut up and go away."

"Man, you're too mean. Can't let the mayor have his fun after working long hours in his office, handing paperwork to my secretary..."

"Oh wow, you look like you need a break… maybe you should call this whole thing off and go on vacation…" I sarcastically said to him as I got out of bed, my bandaged feet on the carpet.

"Ha ha ha! Like that will ever happen! With your attitude towards me, you're lucky I haven't revealed you're a zombie to the others!"

"Why haven't you? You could have just brought me here and not give me any makeup to put on."

"I just want to let them find out on their own, let you build up trust and then… BOOM, exploded zombie chunks when they do! That's some good despair, finding out you've been with a zombie this whole time, someone they've learned to trust."

"Ugh…" I turned away from him as he disappeared.

When I went to go change I opened a drawer and a can of that water-proof (shoe) zombie spray was in there with a note.

"Even if I had to look at your ugly face, that doesn't mean the others should have to… yet." I read aloud before tearing it up.

I finished getting ready, putting on my regular school uniform and walked out the door to find our familiar group.

"Good morning Ai!" Emma greeted with a big smile.

"Hey." Miles said with an upwards nod.

"Yo…" Gold said while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

After getting Bernadetta, we saw that the usual suspects were there, and the same missing people were gone too. We didn't agree to meet here every morning, but still, they should know that a meeting like this lets us know our statuses.

Aoba then came down from the elevator and sat down next to me.

"Ah, good morning Ms. Mizuno. Wasn't expecting me, were you?" He smirks.

Ugh, I can't understand this guy at all.

"Well, yes to be frank."

"Ah, my apologies for making you think like that. I should learn to be on time like everyone else." He bowed at me a little, which honestly surprised me.

"N-no need for that." I quickly readjusted myself as Alice, Ishigami, and Sucy showed up.

We all ate breakfast together, and with the restaurants having so many options, it's hard to get tired of the meals. Though I do get tired of the lack of manners.

"Can you two eat more quietly?" I asked politely.

"Hey, we can't help it if the food's this good! It's one of the only things this place has going for it, and we're gonna chow down!" Gold shouted.

"Hell yeah! We don't know what could happen in this stupid killing game, but we're going to live every moment like it's our last! Besides, this place has got to have a gym somewhere, so I could work off all this fat!" Ryuji cheered next to him.

I sighed in exasperation before I spot Killua sneaking by.

He turned to me and let out a, "Shhhh.", just what was he planning?

He then grabbed Gold's pool cue and knocked over both of their plates onto them.

"You damn brat!"

"Get back here!"

The two of them chased after the silver-haired kid, who clearly thought it was hysterical. I then heard a small giggle to my left and I saw Bernadetta enjoying it a little. That made me smile as I laughed at the scene unfolding before me, along with some of the others. I even spotted Espio smiling for the first time.

It actually felt nice to have a morning where we didn't argue or have an announcement from Monokuma (Though his wakeup call was unpleasant). Maybe there is a bit of hope with this group after all.

Kind of a relaxing chapter, the next one will KINDA be one as well. Free Time Events will continue as long as you request them, if not I'll choose who we have next. Thanks again to anyone who reads this! And remember feedback is encouraged!