Setsuna's POV
"Each of us received a letter to attend the school earlier than usual, only to lose consciousness and wake up with 15 others in an unknown location." The boy muttered to himself, making me recognize the voice that brought my attention to the situation as I hesitantly followed Rantaro's lead in grabbing the boy's attention.
"Are you busy with something?" Hearing Rantaro, the boy looked up and noticed me. He has an androgynous build with pale skin and his bangs cover the left side of his face, almost obscuring one of his crimson-red eyes.
"Setsuna Higurashi, was it?" He asked me, making me realize that he must have heard me when I first introduced myself to Tsumugi.
"Age 17… Height; 5'7"... Weight; 125lbs… Blood Type; O…" What the hell?!
"That information is personal, so how would you even know?" I asked him, feeling a little paranoid.
"All of our information is in the Monobook we received." The boy casually replied as he showed the screen to us– and sure enough, all of my personal information was on there.
Name: Setsuna Higurashi
Age: 17
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 125lb
Blood Type: O
D.O.B.: June 13th
Likes: Arts and Crafts, Solitude, Cats
Dislikes: Conflict, Haunted Attractions, Dogs
Ultimate Talent: Unknown
Normal POV
"I'm surprised you haven't gone through your Monobook yet." The boy stated, "Since you can easily know who's who with it."
Setsuna sheepishly opened one of the applications the boy showed them on her Monobook and found the information files of everyone she had met. Out of curiosity, she opened Rantaro's.
"Extraterrestrial rights? Didn't think Rantaro would be interested in that kind of stuff…" she mused to herself before realizing what she was doing.
"But still, it's creepy to have everyone knowing all your private information." As a faint blush grew across her cheeks, she told the boy, "Besides, a little face-to-face introduction never hurt anyone."
The boy shrugged, "Fair enough. I guess I can humour you a bit, my name is Akira Takashina."
Having a feeling that Akira wouldn't tell her, Setsuna opened his file.
Setsuna's POV
"'Ultimate Secret Agent'..." I read out loud, "So, you're a spy, right? What kind of secret mission would you do?" I asked Akira.
"That's classified." he bluntly told me.
"But it should be disclosed the same way as the information about all of us."
The Ultimate Secret Agent opened his mouth before closing it again, "I see what you did there. And it's well played." He stated. "Anyways, you should properly look at your Monobook's features. Especially the map." And with that, he walked away to look around.
"He's not much of a talker, is he?" I asked Rantaro,
"Not unless you can share information on how to escape this place." The Ultimate Adventurer shrugged as I decided to take a closer look at the Monobook features.
Other than the files containing everyone's information, the other features consist of a flashlight, a camera, a notepad, a file consisting of some kind of rules, a messenger… "Probably for everyone to communicate with one another via texting." I mused as I noticed that everyone's names were on the contact list when I opened the messenger.
But Akira was right about the map. The moment I opened it, It looked like a map to your typical campground, except there was a strange clock tower near the centre, and five paths branching out. However, when I tried to click on the only 'path' that wasn't darkened to see what was down there, nothing happened. When I glanced at the map's legend on the bottom left-hand side of the screen. I saw something at the bottom of the legend and my blood ran cold. It was the emblem of Hope's Peak Academy!
Normal POV
"That's…" Rantaro began, unable to finish his sentence.
"But why would Hope's Peak Academy be involved?" Setsuna asked, "I mean, all of us are supposed to be students there."
"I wonder…" Both Setsuna and Rantaro turn to see the Ultimate Secret Agent speaking up, though it looks like he's deep in thought. "I heard the school had been involved with a series of scandals that has something to do with the Tragedy."
"The Tragedy?! What the hell is he talking about?" Setsuna wondered, but before she and Rantaro could ask, they were cut off by an eerie bell chime, followed by a loud microphone feedback.
"Testing, testing! Mic-check! One two! A li'l test of the camp broadcast system. Can everyone hear me okay on this thing?" A new voice from the speakers on the stage said, "Hey there, kiddies! Whaddya say we get this party started and roll out the welcome wagon?"
While the voice sounded cheerful and friendly, there was also a subtle, ominous undertone to it. Enough to give some of the campers an unnerving feeling of dread.
"Where…" Tsumugi began to ask, looking around nervously.
"It's coming from the stage, so we should brace ourselves." Akira said, looking seriously, causing both Setsuna and Rantaro to wonder. But they didn't have to wonder too long as the most peculiar sight suddenly popped up from behind the podium and landed perfectly on top.
It is a slender, strange-looking cat with two fluffy tails and its whole face and body are divided by the center into two parts except for its white muzzle and belly. One side is completely white, except one of its tails is black, and the expression is similar to that of a plushie kitten. On the other side… it portrays a more sinister look with its menacing smile, notched ear, and jagged red eye. The fur– if you can call it 'fur'– is black with a white tail. A red collar hangs around its neck with an 'X' shape opening on its silver cat bell.
Rantaro's POV
"What the hell…" I heard Yusei murmur before the cat-like thing spoke up, "Yeah, yeah. I know what all of you are thinking. 'Like nothing you've ever seen before. Uncanny. Unsettling, even. Yadda-yadda-yadda…' Moving right along. Allow me to introduce myse—"
It was the same voice from earlier.
"Wha… Huh?! T-that thing can talk?!" Katsuki said in shock.
"It's just a remote-controlled robot with a speaker inside." Akira nonchalantly replied, calming the Ultimate Huntsman.
"Hey! It's rude to interrupt, ya know." A miffed robot chastised, "As I was saying before, I'm not some high-tech Hello Kitty reject. I am the Camp Director of Hope Peak's charming little encampment. Monomata! Nice to meet y'all!"
Okay, this is weird. Such a bright voice and carefree attitude are completely out of place here.
"Now then, all of you stand at attention. And give your camp director your preppiest 'Good morning' ever!" Monomata said, causing Takashi to suddenly salute.
"Good morning, Camp Director, sir!"
"Can you not encourage that thing?" Akari asked the Ultimate Drill Sergeant.
Setsuna's POV
"Young lady, some respect if you please! Monomata. Your Camp Director." Monomata addressed the Ultimate Figure Skater, "But I guess we can work with that. On that note, welcome, campers to Hope Peak Academy's School Retreat! Now, before you get all uppity, rest assured that it's for your own good. All of you represent the school's hope for the future. And to keep that freshness sealed in… you will all live a harmonious, communal life together within the boundaries of Camp Hope's Fall." Huh…?!
"H-hold on a second, we—" I began to protest before Akari spoke over me, "I don't think so!"
"So, now you're wondering about the end date for this school retreat… There isn't one! By communal life, I mean a permanent life." Monomata continued, ignoring myself and Akari.
"I'm sorry… WHAT?!" Katsuki asked.
You– You can't be serious." Takashi protested, not wanting to believe what he just heard.
"We'll be here… forever?" Nozomi asked, sounding worried.
"Aww, don't fret your purr-retty little head off." Monomata reassured the Ultimate Ceramist, "This camp has quite an abundant budget, so you'll never be for want of anything."
"But that's not the issue my sister's pointing out." Daisuke defended Nozomi, ignoring the lame cat pun.
"Yeah, what if we have family?" Keiko added.
"Uh, news flash, we can easily walk out of your cute little camp." Katsuki spoke up, "So I suggest you quit screwing around." Monomata just laughed.
Normal POV
"Huh? What's so funny?" The Ultimate Huntsman demanded.
"Oh, you must be more naive than I thought." Monomata replied, "But I'm not screwing with ya! Everything I said is 100% true. There's a powerful barrier around this very camp, completely cutting you off. It's to ensure that the outside world wouldn't dull that dazzling inner spark of yours."
"Forgive me if I suggest this to be less than ideal." Lilith asked Monomata, "But to spend the rest of our natural lives confined to this dimension?"
Monomata looked at the Ultimate Pet Sitter in amusement, "'Natural lives?' That's pretty original. I had a feeling some of you wish to leave. So, as Camp Director, I created a special loophole for ya."
"And that is?" Akira inquired defiantly.
"Straight up murder." was Monomata's reply before leaping off the podium and landing in front of the campers.
"What?! M-murder?!" Setsuna thought as the Camp Director continues, "Anyone who kills a fellow camper and gets away with it will walk out of here scot-free. Poison! Drowning! Bashin' 'em on the head! Why, the sky's the limit! Ah, seeing the worst of humanity coming out from the best of the best makes me feel all good and tingly inside."
"Y-you're out of your damn mind!" Yusei protested.
"Yeah, what is the point of killing each other?!" Hotaru added.
"This has to be a lie!" Tsumugi stated, mostly to herself.
"Do you think we will bend to your twisted kinks?" Satoshi argued, only for Monomata to stare at the Ultimate Pickpocket.
"'Twisted kinks?' Who taught you to speak to your camp director like that? Whether you like it or not, Camp Hope's Fall will be your whole world from this point on. But hey, look on the bright side! I'm letting you get away with murder… literally! So, instead of whining, you should put that brain juice into action."
Rantaro's POV
"You done talking now? Great, 'cause it's my turn to talk." Katsuki spoke up as he placed himself in front of Monomata, "Unless you wanna be the first and only victim in your murder kink, I suggest you cut the bull-crap."
"Aw, was that supposed to be a threat?" Monomata asked mockingly, "I couldn't tell whether or not you're being scawy." That ticked the Ultimate Huntsman off enough to pick the robotic cat by its tails
"Shaddup, wouldya! Push this further, and I'll stuff and mount you on a wall."
"Heeeey! Violence against the camp director is strictly against camp rules!" Monomata panicked before suddenly going limp.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Katsuki taunted, only for the mess hall to remain silent except for a series of beeps coming from Monomata. The Ultimate Huntsman was about to speak to the camp director again when a light began to blink from its red eye.
"Uh… What's with the light show?" Katsuki asked. Wait a minute. Beeping… blinking light… Oh, no!
"Katsuki, get rid of it!" I warned. The Ultimate Huntsman looked at me in surprise, "Huh?!"
"Just trust me and throw it!" Takashi must have come to the same realization; he ran toward Katsuki, grabbed Monomata by the neck and tossed the robotic cat toward the ceiling away from us. And not a moment too soon.
Setsuna's POV
Once the painful ringing in my ears died down, I could pick up the smell of gunpowder. There was a stunned silence. Explosions may have happened in action movies, but when it's real… I looked around to see that everyone was completely shaken up, especially Katsuki who was pale in the face– and I don't blame him.
"The hell…" The Ultimate Huntsman was still reeling what had happened, "That thing coulda blown my head off!"
"Surely, 'tis the end of that two-toned hellcat." Lilith stated before that voice spoke up again, "Hey, now! That's not a nice thing to say about your Camp Director."
We all turn around in shock to see Monomata pop up from behind the podium and land on top of it, looking as if it never blew up in the first place. Katsuki looks as if he is about to pummel the robotic cat, "You– Why, you little—!"
"Can't believe you've made me waste one of my nine lives." Monomata said, "But consider that your first and only warning, young man. If any of you get smart with me like that again… let's just say we go straight to corporal punishment. And trust me when I say, you would NOT like this kitty when the claws are out." Monomata then unsheathed its claws to get the point across.
"This now concludes the introductory portion of your orientation." Monomata resumed its cheery tone, "Here's to y'all enjoying your time here at Camp Hope's Fall– whatever time you may have left. But, hey! You only live once. So, live it up to the fullest. YOLO!" and with that, Monomata was gone, leaving everyone in complete disconcertment.
Normal POV
"So…" Lilith was the first to break the silence, "If the hellcat speaks the truth… one must perform a sacrifice to leave this place with their life."
"That's completely– I will not accept that!" Takashi growled in denial.
"No… I- I don't want to die." Nozomi said, trying not to cry. Keiko and Daisuke were doing their best to comfort her.
"This… This has to be a rather bad joke." Ejiro said to himself.
"We need to calm down, everyone." Akira spoke up, bringing everyone's attention to him. "As I said before, Monomata is a robot. That, and the fact that a second one appeared after the first one exploded proves that someone had made them, and is controlling them."
"What? You're saying that someone is responsible for this?" Daisuke asked, causing everyone to murmur and look at each other with suspicion. The subtle aura of hostility lingers in the air as a question crosses each mind, 'Is someone going to betray us?'
"Now's not the time for that." Rantaro spoke up, "If we were to become distrustful of everyone, we'd be playing straight into Monomata's will."
"Rantaro is right." Akira agreed, "We don't need to be cautious of Monomata, or the mastermind orchestrating this. Instead, we must be cautious… of ourselves. With a few exceptions, every one of us was brought to this camp with 15 other strangers… and were ordered to kill each other to escape… That creates fear in our minds, and the desperation to escape that fear… is our worst enemy. Especially when it could lead to someone taking what Monomata said at face value."
Setsuna's POV
We look around at each other's faces… The expressions were clear as day. Everyone was forced to admit the truth of what Akira had said. We had to be honest with ourselves and admit that we also are capable of jumping off this slippery slope. 'Anyone who kills a fellow camper is allowed to leave this camp…' To escape the hopeless situation we're in, someone's blood must stain the hands of another person… There's also a possibility that a killing isn't going to happen. However… there's no way I'm confident that something like that will ever occur. After all, once you distrust something… you'll never be able to trust everything, including yourself. And that is something I don't want to go through, not again… The killing school retreat had begun, and Camp Hope's Fall was the stage.
Prologue: Down The Rabbit Hole
End
Surviving Campers: 16
TO BE CONTINUED
Campers Met So Far:
Setsuna Higurashi - Ultimate ? - Age 17
Rantaro Amami - Ultimate Adventurer - Age 17
Tsumugi Shirogane - Ultimate Cosplayer - Age 16
Katsuki Inushima - Ultimate Huntsman - Age 19
Akari Tohsaka - Ultimate Figure Skater - Age 16
Satoshi Rangetsu - Ultimate Pickpocket - Age 15
Nozomi Yashiro - Ultimate Ceramist - Age 14
Keiko Ichihara - Ultimate Baker - Age 18
Daisuke Yashiro - Ultimate Sculptor - Age 18
Eijiro Mitsumori - Ultimate Doctor - Age 18
Yusei Kagehira - Ultimate Race-Car Driver - Age 18
Hotaru Tsukasa - Ultimate Songstress - Age 16
Minako Suzuki - Ultimate Super-Model - Age 17
Ayaka "Lilith" Konishi - Ultimate Pet Sitter - Age 19
Takashi Nanase - Ultimate Drill Sergeant - Age 19
Akira Takashina - Ultimate Secret Agent - Age 19