The next morning, a few more people have decided to rejoin the breakfast crew.
But, seeing how Takagi is still in the room, Mitsuki is not one of them.
"Man, I'm telling you, she's totally into me." Jotaro insists.
Sachiko stares at him, unimpressed. "We've been here for, what, four days now? I promise you, nobody is into you." she deadpans.
"Au contraire, amie." Min says.
I frown. "Since when did you speak French-?"
"I'm not your friend." Sachiko deadpans again.
My frown deepens. "Since when did you speak French?"
Both of them ignore me.
Nice.
"You say the amount of time we've spent here isn't enough for feelings to develop," Min starts, waving her fork at an increasingly annoyed Sachi. "But you forget, some of us know each other from our time in Hope's Peak." she says. "Who's to say nobody's feelings are festering from that?" Min challenges.
Wow. She actually said something relatively sensible.
Jotaro hums and frowns. "What? Like Sumire and Shi-?"
"Finish that sentence and it's the last sentence you'll ever speak, peabrain." Min snaps, disgusted. "Fucking gross."
Both Sachi and I shoot the bodybuilder equally as disgusted looks before Sachi continues: "So what then? Do you know who everyone knew back in Hope's Peak?" she asks, turning back to the cheerleader.
Min shrugs. "I only really knew the other Third Years." she says. "I've heard of some of the Second Years but the newbies are new to me."
"Oh?" I grin. "What was Sachi like in school?"
Min stares at me for a second, seeming confused almost.
"I didn't spend much time actually in school." Sachi says quickly, filling the growing awkward silence. "Didn't I tell you this already?"
Hmm…I don't know, she probably did. Maybe. Probably.
However, I don't have any time to think about it because a loud chorus of cheers erupts from outside of the cafeteria. One look around the room and we realize we're the only four left inside the cafeteria.
The four of us exchange a look and quickly put our dishes away to join whatever's happening outside.
We step out of the cafeteria to find the rest of our classmates gathered around a red faced and breathless Ryoji down on his hands and knees.
"Uh, what's going on?" I ask the closest person to me.
Kaguya jumps when I tap on her shoulder. "O-Oh! Um, Ryoji wanted the part Yuuji was going to give Hakuma in the movie, s-so…" she gestures at the scene before us and that's when I notice a slightly out of breath Shion standing beside Ryoji. "If he could come close to beating Shion, an Olympic athlete, in a race…" Kaguya trails off.
Ryoji? Come close to beating Shion? An Olympic athlete? In a race? Ryoji Yamauchi? The scrawny Ultimate Speedrunner Ryoji Yamauchi also known as Splango? The guy with more Flitter followers than Min?
"Well, did he?" Min asks, all in a huff now because of the sight and mention of Shion.
Kaguya fiddles with her umbrella. "Ah, he came surprisingly close." she says, looking back towards the blonde boy, now being given some water by a hyper as ever Rui. His face seems to be even more red now…
Good for you, Ryoji. Good for you.
Min scoffs. "Well Shion can't be that good then if that twig could keep up with her!" she says in a very obvious purposely louder voice, catching everyone's attention.
Oh God, here it comes.
Shion's eye twitches, the cheerleader's continuous antagonistic tendencies testing her patience. "Well, Mindy," she says, slowly turning around with a strained smile on her face. "If you must know, Yuuji asked me to slow down to just above what I estimated Ryoji's athletic ability to be. We did ten laps at a level above his pace."
I leave them to their arguing (Shion trying very hard to keep her tone civil while Min jeers at her) when I spot Aria on the other side of the audience. "Aria! Hey, can I talk to you really quick?" I call.
Aria turns around when I call her name. She smiles kindly. "Tatsumi, of course." she says. "What can I do for you?"
I mentally let out a sigh of relief. Okay, cool. She doesn't seem upset with me - but still.
"Um, I just wanted to apologize for last night." I say. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad or anything, it was just a bad joke on my part." I apologize.
After mutually agreeing that Kikuo deserves nothing but the best, the conversation turns to other topics for about another hour before we get out of the bath and head back to our dormitories.
"Tatsumi?"
I turn around to find Aria still in her daywear. "Aria," I nod. "What's up?"
Aria frowns, clearly tired but also confused. "Where have you been?" she wonders. "I knocked on your door a while ago but obviously you weren't in there."
"I was invited to the baths with the other guys." I answer. And then, "By the way…stay away from Jotaro." I say jokingly.
Aria's expression shifts and she looks down. "...Yeah. Goodnight, Tatsumi." she says and quickly enters her room.
…Did I say something wrong?
Oops.
Sorry Aria. I'll apologize tomorrow.
Aria blinks, seemingly caught off guard. "Oh. Yes." she says and looks down for a second before meeting my eyes again. "It's alright, Tatsumi. My shift in mood had nothing to do with you, I assure you. But thank you for the apology, nonetheless." Aria says and smiles again.
Nothing to do with me? Then-?
"But, I am still quite tired so if you'll excuse me," she says. "I'll be heading back to bed. I only came out to see what all the fuss was about." Aria says, bids me a good morning, and heads back to her dorm.
Right.
Anyway-
…
Wait, aren't our dorms soundproof?
Wandering around the school section of our prison looking for something to do until Yuuji calls upon me, I'm surprised to hear voices coming from the nurse's office.
Isn't that supposed to be locked until after the second trial?
I put my ear up against the door and listen.
"...The Tragedy?"
Katashi's voice.
"It was definitely a tragedy but not the Tragedy. We…"
Sumire's.
"I-It was a bus crash. A bad one. So can you fix her or what, Ultimate Doctor?"
Shion.
So they're talking about Sumire?
Hmm…
"Mmph…you'll have to give me more than just 'bus crash'. What exactly happened?"
…
…
…
I feel bad. I shouldn't be eavesdropping on this.
I mean, I already knew about the accident, but still.
Without making any noise, I carefully step away from the nurse's office and leave the three of them to their own devices.
"Tatsumi Endo, my Ultimate Investigator! Come forth, the Ultimate Magician and I were just discussing your position!"
Walking into the Laundry Room looking for someone to bother, I find Kikuo, Takagi, and Mikasa lazing around the room. Kikuo is filling the room with the sweet sounds of his flute noises. He smiles at me with his eyes as he continues to play.
Interesting choice of a hangout spot.
"'Discussing my position'?" I repeat.
Takagi, sitting on a washer, nods sagely. "You possess a vast intelligence network and quite the mind yourself, Sir Tatsumi." he says. "The Ultimate Magician, wise from her experiences as a creator of many small worlds, has suggested that we find out everyone's targets to keep them safe."
"Oh." I blink and glance at Kikuo who gives me a small nod in encouragement. "Well, I already know a few." I say and list off the targets and would-be hitmen I already know:
My target is Mitsuki,
Kikuo's target is Katashi,
Sumire's target is Shion,
and Katashi's target is Hakuma.
And as Takagi and Mikasa revealed to me: Takagi's target is Kaguya and Mikasa's target is Takagi.
"You didn't know you were her target until after she invited you to speak privately?" I ask suspiciously.
Takagi gasps in offense. "My, Sir Tatsumi, I'm offended on behalf of my Ultimate War Musician - Kikuo has been here the whole time!"
I facepalm and don't push the subject.
"Anyways," Mikasa smiles. "I figure you're the best at uncovering information, right? I revealed myself to Takagi so he wouldn't have to be suspicious of every invitation he got to hangout - I'm the one who suggested he bring Kikuo along too." she says. "Isn't it better if we all know who's supposed to be after who so we're not living in paranoia?"
I hum, "You're right." I agree. "With this motive, we don't even get a chance to fight for our lives if someone gets their target-"
"Oh ho ho, I didn't say all that!"
Kikuo stops playing his flute when the cutest evil bear interrupts our conversation.
Monokuma pouts. "What? Why'd you stop playing?" he whines. "You guys aren't the only ones that could do with some background music!"
Kikuo narrows his eyes at Monokuma and makes a point of pulling his mask up over his mouth.
Monokuma throws another tantrum before huffing and crossing his arms. "Fine! I wasn't going to be here that long anyway!" he says and turns to me. "Now, now, Tatsumi, I never said you'll be executed if someone else nabs their assigned victim, did I?" Monokuma drawls.
"Everyone shut up and look at your PDAs!" Monokuma says angrily. "I just sent all of you a name…" he says. "The name you received is your target. If you manage to kill your target, you get to leave without a trial! Simple as that!" Monokuma says gleefully.
No…I guess he didn't.
"So what then," I look at Monokuma. "If someone kills their target, they get to leave, and the rest of us stay here playing your game?" I ask.
Monokuma twirls, pleased. "Exacta-mundo, Tatbeary!"
"No."
"The blackened gets to leave and the rest of you will stay here and continue playing with a new motive!" Monokuma says and pauses in his twiring for a moment. "Hm. I suppose I should make sure everyone else understands that." he says and waves at the three of us. "Adieu, mono-amis!" Monokuma says and disappears in classic Monokuma fashion.
…What is up with everyone speaking French today?
When it's time for lunch, I decide to start my task from Mikasa and Takagi with Kite and Ryoji.
Interesting pair.
"Mind if I join you guys?" I ask, approaching their table.
Kite gives me a small smile. "Go ahead." he nods.
"Tatsumi!" Ryoji beams. "You're cool-"
You wouldn't say that if you've seen how I act when I meet Ultimates for the first time.
"-I need some advice." he says.
Hm?
"You need advice…on being cool?" I ask.
Ryoji nods excitedly.
"Is keeping up with an Olympic athlete in a race not cool enough for you?" I ask with a smirk. "Nice job, by the way."
Ryoji blushes lightly and smiles. "I'm nothing compared to Shion but I do like to run in my freetime." he reveals. "Helps burn off excess energy, y'know? But thanks."
I smile back and nod. "So what exactly do you need from me?" he asks.
"Um…"
"He wants to impress Rui." Kite states bluntly, making the Ultimate Speedrunner's face turn bright red. "As if she wasn't impressed enough this morning."
"The way you phrased it makes it sound bad." Ryoji grumbles and turns back to me. "So, do you, you know, have any…advice?" he asks awkwardly.
"Uh, you were listening last night when I said I was gay, right?"
"Yeah, but-"
"I don't know the ways of women, Ryoji."
Ryoji slumps in his seat.
Kite tilts his head to the side. "He asked me too but I don't have any romantic experience to use as wisdom." he says and glances at Ryoji again. "Although if you need help organizing a resistance against a corrupt government…"
Yeah, I don't want to be a part of this conversation.
I quickly tell them what I came for to get away from the incoming topic; Kite was a bit hesitant to give me what I wanted but relented when I told him it was partly Takagi's idea.
Kite's target is Aria and Ryoji's target is Jotaro.
Moving on-
"So what you want to do is make sure you have evidence of what you're accusing them of or people won't believe you…"
Oh God.
After lunch and a lecture about how to overthrow the government, I head to my room to take a nap before meeting up with Yuuji.
Unfortunately for me, as soon as I get changed into pajamas, there's a knock at my door.
I sigh dramatically and trudge over to the door.
"What do you w - oh, hi Mitsuki."
Well this is a surprise.
Mitsuki smiles awkwardly as she looks me over. "Hey. Sorry, did I wake you up?" she asks.
I shake my head. "No, I just finished getting changed. What's up?"
"So, um, I just wanted to make sure we were, like, good." Mitsuki says, twirling a lock of her hair around her finger and refusing to meet my eye.
Hmm…?
Oh!
I frown. "Are you still feeling guilty about the whole voting for me to die thing?" I ask.
Mitsuki flusters. "W-Well obviously!" she says. "Aren't you upset at all?"
"Nope."
"'N-Nope'?"
I give her my best reassuring smile. "It had to be someone, Mitsuki." I say and she finally meets my eyes. "And in the end, you guys stepped up in my defense and here I stand." I say. "I'm not and never was mad."
Mitsuki blinks, surprised. "O-Oh. Well. Okay then. If you're sure." she says.
"I'm very sure." I nod.
Mitsuki gives me a small, relieved smile. "Good. I'm glad." she says. "This thing with Yuuji tonight is going to be fun."
"Yeah!" I agree. "I'm so happy you agreed to try and work things out with Takagi." I beam.
…
…
…
…
…
"Takagi?" Mitsuki questions, an increasingly familiar spark of hatred coming to her eyes.
Um…
"Y-Yeah? Yuuji said he invited you and Takagi…"
"Ah, wait a second, Tatsumi." Yuuji says as he folds up one of his tripods. "Can I ask you to come back again around the evening time? There's another scene I want to film with you, Takagi, and Mitsuki."
Takagi and Mitsuki, another explosive pair. That'll be interesting.
"I'll come back, sure, but Takagi and Mitsuki?" I ask.
Yuuji nods, beaming from ear to ear. "Those two are just extremely passionate about what they do, y'know? I can understand that. If I can get them to work together here, they'll eventually become friends and that passion will blossom!" he says - well, passionately. "I love hearing people talk about what they love and as a filmmaker, I can see my actors do what they love everyday." Yuuji explains. "Even those with less pleasant personalities become beautiful and passionate in front of the camera!" he says, starry eyed.
Yuuji…
"I totally agree!" I nod, matching Yuuji's enthusiasm. "I love seeing Ultimates do what they do! Well…maybe except Hakuma. That doesn't sound very fun to witness." I say with a laugh.
I can practically see the steam coming out of Mitsuki's ears.
"Tatsumi…" Mitsuki says with a faux sweet smile. "If you wouldn't mind coming a little later than the agreed upon time, I'd like to speak with Yuuji alone." she says as she pulls out her PDA. "And just so we're clear," Mitsuki says and shows me the screen of her PDA:
Kikuo Furuhata
"Yuuji is only in danger of my rage." Mitsuki smiles and pockets her device.
Before Mitsuki leaves to plot whatever she's going to do to Yuuji, I quickly grab my own PDA and show her that I have her name and that she has nothing to fear.
And with that, Mitsuki leaves me to plot and I shut the door to nap.
When I wake up later, it's to the sound of more knocking on my door.
"It's probably Yuuji…" I yawn to myself as I roll off of the bed and onto the floor. "I'm coming, hold-" I pause. "Why am I yelling like the room isn't soundproof?" I wonder to myself, still groggy.
I crawl over to the door and reach up to the doorknob, pulling the door open.
Just as I thought.
"Good evening, Yuu." I yawn, dropping back to the floor.
Yuuji raises an eyebrow. "Good evening…?" he trails off and shakes his head. "Come on, up and at 'em, Tatsumi! I already have everything set up in the Gym. Get dressed, I'll wait for you right here." Yuuji says with a smile.
"Nah, you can come inside, I don't mind." I say. "It's not like you're going to pull a Sayaka-Leon and attack me in my room," I say with a drowsy laugh. "It's a bit unoriginal and I know you filmmakers love your originality." I say as I pick myself up off the ground and shut the door behind Yuuji as he walks in.
Yuuji just laughs as I collect my clothes and trudge into the bathroom to change. I hear him plop down on my bed and we make more conversation about the glorious majesty of Ultimates as I fix myself up.
As Yuuji and I cross the dormitories and walk over to the school part of our eternal prison, we bump into a tense looking Hakuma a few feet ahead of us.
"Hakuma?" I call and the powerful Ultimate turns around. "What's wrong? Aren't you supposed to be with Sumire?" I ask with a frown, his body language giving me a bad feeling.
"Sumire is with a few of the others in the cafeteria." Hakuma says. "I left her there to investigate," he says.
Yuuji matches my frown. "'Investigate'?" he questions. "Investigate what?"
Hakuma flexes his fingers and clenches his fists. "We heard a scream when I was escorting her to the cafeteria." he says.
Oh.
Shit.
…
…
…
"It sounded like Takagi."
Not this.
The three of us run into the school part of Hope's Peak, throwing open each door we have access to.
"Anything?" Hakuma calls, checking the A/V room.
"Nothing here!" Yuuji responds, checking a nearby classroom.
My heart thumps in my chest and I'm filled with anxiety and dread.
Please just be Takagi being Takagi.
"Guys…"
The three of us freeze and whip around towards the sound of the voice.
…
…
…
…
…
"Takagi! You're okay!" I say in relief.
Takagi doesn't seem to share my sense of joy.
…Shit.
"What happened?" Hakuma asks as the three of us approach an out-of-character grim looking Takagi.
"It's dis…It's…" Takagi shakes his head and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Come." he says and turns on his heel, walking towards the gym with heavy feet.
The three of us quietly follow after him.
…
…
…
…
Fuck.
The announcement tone blares through the speakers and Monokuma's voice fills the gymnasium and the entirety of old Hope's Peak.
"A body has been discovered! Now then, after a certain amount of time has passed, the class trial will begin! Please report to the Gymnasium A.S.A.P.!"
…
…
…
…
…
This person…
…
…
…
…
…
She died such a painful looking death…
…
…
…
…
…
"O-Oh no-" Yuuji clamps his hand over his mouth.
Takagi looks down at her pitifully.
Hakuma's expression can't be seen but his body language is even more intense than before.
In front of us…buried and impaled by several broken pieces of wood from Yuuji's set…is…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Mitsuki Hanataro, the Ultimate Shadow Play Performer.
I clench my fist.
Another Ultimate and an innocent life taken because of some psycho behind Monokuma…
They won't get away with this.
…But wait.
Did Monokuma say class trial?
A/N happy halloween and thank you to DrWrAuthor for allowing me to continue to have Mitsuki in CBR after taking it over!
but of course, this isn't the last you've seen of her
flashbacks and special chapters exist bbys