Chapter 2: Part 11

Following the motive announcement from Monokuma, everyone had split off into their own little groups. While many of them had hidden away into their rooms, one group had important matters to attend to. Taka, Chaiki, Shinji, Kaito, and Ryoma had made their way up to the second floor and into the theater room.

Kaito did a visual scan of the room and let out an impressed whistle. "Ibuki wasn't kidding when she said this place was cool."

"We can admire it later," Shinji said.

"That's right," Taka added. "We're focusing on something important."

"Yeah, I know," Kaito said before turning to Ryoma. "You still have the VHS tape, right?"

Ryoma reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the VHS.

Chiaki took the VHS tape from Ryoma. "I'll get the VHS player and projector ready."

"Thank you, Nanami," Taka said with a smile.

With that, Chiaki headed towards the back of the auditorium to enter the projectionist booth. Kaito decided to treat this experience like a regular moving experience, sitting down in one of the chairs and chewing on a chocolate bar. Taka and Shinji both rolled their eyes at their partner. After a few moments of waiting, the stage's projector eventually lowered and the projector turned on. While the projector was on, it would take another few moments until Chiaki would eventually get the video onto the screen. With one final click, Chiaki got the video to play.

It began with Junko awkwardly setting up the camera on a tripod before taking a step back once the camera was at an even level. Junko flashed her smug grin as she began to speak.

"Hey all, Junko here," Junko introduced herself. "If you are all watching this tape, it means I have unfortunately not survived my time at Despair Academy. I know, I know, it's a damn shame. However, it's not unexpected. Monokuma did out me as the mastermind of Hope's Peak, so one of you was bond to jump me at some point…. But then again, I have an idea of who is going to do it. If I'm correct, you guys all found out it was, drum roll, Tsumugi! That's right, who would've guessed that poor panicking cosplayer could've turned out to be a murderous mastermind? Well, I could. And, honestly, you guys, I'm disappointed none of you could've figured that out. I mean, come on! She was the very last girl to die at the Ultimate Academy and she wasn't executed and her killer wasn't there? It so obvious!"

Junko took a deep breath and ran her hand through her hair. "But she managed to surprise me. She shared such secrets with me. She honestly seemed to know more about you guys than I did at points. I was a bit jealous…well, more infuriated, but I didn't let her know that. I didn't want to upset my "biggest fan" now. But still, if there's one thing I hate more than hope, it's been shown up. Especially when she started bringing up the idea of this all being some show."

Junko leaned forward and glared into the camera. "I've done more work on brainwashing and memory wiping than anyone else, and that stupid four-eyed bitch has the gall to suggest my stuff is fake? That I'm fake?!" Junko sudden broke out into a fit of laughter. "I know that bitch is expecting to surprise attack me during our switch-a-roo… Boy, do I have a surprise for her…. As for you guys, you know your time here isn't going to be over anytime soon. If she was right about one thing, these games always follow a pattern. You guys got at least six trials to go through before you can get out of here. So, unless this new mastermind is someone that just loves to subvert expectations, you've got five more murders to deal with. How do I know all this? I am the Ultimate Analysist. It helps me pretty much predict anything you guys can do. So, everyone, have fun. Oh, and make sure you guys keep embarrassing my baby sister. Oh, and thanks for letting me film this Monokuma. No matter who controls you, I can always count on you."

With that, Junko leaned forward and shut off the camera, ending the video. The projector turned off soon afterward and the screen rose back up into the rafters. Chiaki reunited with the rest of the group.

"It's about what I expected from her," Chiaki said.

"Yes, but that does confirm that she had indeed planted evidence to set up Tsumugi for failure," Shinji commented.

"Plus she even denied that created memories are a possibilities," Taka spoke up. "That proves that Tsumugi was lying about everything being a lie."

"We can't say that for certain until Rantaro has read through Tsumugi's journal," Shinji protested.

"That doesn't change the fact she could've just been crazy," Kaito said.

"Kaito's got a point," Chiaki said. "Especially now that Tsumugi isn't here to confirm or deny anything, she can't be trusted."

"But that means we're done here, right?" Ryoma asked.

Shinji looked back at the small boy and nodded. "Yes. We're done here."

"Good," Ryoma said. "I got other things to do."

Ryoma placed his hands back into his jacket and exited the theater.

"Welp," Kaito stretched his arms out, "I guess that means we should head out too. Thanks for kicking us back into gear, Shinji. Good to have you back on the squad, man."

Taka tilted his head as he turned to Kaito. "Who said Henso was back on our group leaders council?"

All three of the other group leaders turned to face Taka, all surprised by the usually polite boy's sudden rude tone.

"I mean," Kaito scratched the back of his head, "I just thought since he helped out he was back on."

Taka crossed his arms. "But he also lied to us about his true identity."

"Taka, don't hold that against him," Chiaki spoke up. "If anything, it's my fault for not telling you sooner. If you really need to kick one of us off it should be me."

"Nanami, I mean no disrespect to either you or Henso," Taka responded, "but when the time came, you revealed yourself to us by yourself. Henso was revealed to have been an imposter by Tsumugi. In my opinion, that's a major difference."

Both Kaito and Chiaki opened their mouths, but Shinji interrupted the both of them.

"Fair enough," Shinji said. "If you still don't have faith in me, then I'll happily bow out once again."

Chiaki went to reach for Shinji's arm. "Shinji…"

However, the Ultimate Imposter pulled his arm out of the gamer's reach before exiting the theater. Chiaki frowned, feeling that she had let her friend down. Meanwhile, Kaito was left to look at Taka with worry. Whatever Taka was going through was clearly going to affect the group.

Chihiro had sat herself down on the gym mat with her head hanging down. Nekomaru was sat just across with his arms crossed. There had been an air of awkwardness between them following Nekomaru's accidental discovery of Chihiro's secret. Yet, Nekomaru wasn't one to judge. He simply wished to understand Chihiro.

"So, that's why," Nekomaru said after listening to Chihiro's story. "I can't say I've ever had a student do this before, but it explains things."

Chihiro sighed. "Nekomaru, l-listen. I wasn't trying to trick you, I swear."

"I know. I know, Chihiro." Nekomaru slowly rose to his feet. "Like I said before, this place to help you build confidence. If this is why you need it, then I'll keep helping you."

Chihiro smiled slightly. "Thank you, Nekomaru."

"It doesn't really help that Monokuma put us on a short schedule to do that."

Chihiro's smile immediately faded away. "I…I know that at least some of my class figured it out after my death, but…I'm still worried what everyone else will think of me."

"Tenko?" Nekomaru asked.

"Tenko," Chihiro answered.

"She'll be the tough part, but honestly…you shouldn't care."

Chihiro raised an eyebrow. "R-really? But…I know people will think it's weird."

"No, you THINK people will find it weird. You've already said that some of your class know it, but none of them have said anything about it being gross or anything like that. Hell, I'm sure even Chiaki knows about it, but she's the absolute last person to ever shame someone! Same with Ibuki! There are more people willing to understand you than you realize!"

Chihiro started to tear up from Nekomaru's speech. His word certainly filled her with a sense of hope. Hope that everyone would accept her for who she turned out to be. Well, besides Tenko, of course. Still, Chihiro couldn't help but smile up at her personal trainer.

"Th-thank you, Nekomaru," Chihiro said.

Nekomaru smiled and nodded at the programmer. "Besides, you're not alone in this. Outside of...that, we're all getting our secrets exposed. None us really have the right to judge you anyway. If they did, they're proving they're just full of shit!"

"R-right," Chihiro said.

Nekomaru reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his secret envelope. "If it helps you feel better, I'll tell you my secret."

"A-are you sure that won't make you uncomfortable?" Chihiro asked.

"It's fine," Nekomaru said with a solemn frown. "I've…already made peace with it. It was during my time as an Ultimate Despair."

Chihiro rose to her feet. "Nekomaru, you don't have to-"

"No!" Nekomaru protested. "I have to face what I've done during that time. I don't even remember doing it, but it's the truth."

Nekomaru opened up his envelope and pulled out his secret. Uncharacteristically of the trainer, his breath got shaky. He took a deep breath before reading his secret aloud. "As an Ultimate Despair, Nekomaru would kidnap hundreds of people and forced them into concentration camps for manual labor, mostly to work them to death."

Chihiro's eyes widened in horror at just how cruel the actions were, but her empathy didn't faulter. She reached out and gently placed her hand on his arm.

"Nekomaru, that wasn't your fault," Chihiro said.

"It doesn't change the fact I did it," Nekomaru said. "Mind control or what, that doesn't stop that it was my own flesh, my own muscles, and hands! I did it…but that…that won't stop me. MY PAST WON'T RULE ME, BECAUSE I AM NEKOMARU NIDAI!"

Chihiro couldn't help but smile at Nekomaru's revigorated spirit. Nekomaru let out a hearty laugh before looking back at Chihiro.

"There," Nekomaru said. "Now we both know our secrets. Feel any better?"

"I…I think so," Chihiro said. "Still, maybe I could do one more session to just…help me feel better."

With a smile across his face, Nekomaru tossed a water bottle and towel towards Chihiro. Despite a small moment of hesitation, Chihiro was able to catch both items. Nekomaru laughed again.

"You already look better to me," Nekomaru said as he began to place weights on the bench press.

Chihiro couldn't help but smile back at Nekomaru as she approached the bench.

As the day passed by, Sayaka was left to sit in Tenko's room. Tenko would be in and out of the room for several minutes at a time. Sayaka honestly thought Tenko was trying to let her escape for the first few hours, but every time Sayaka built up the courage to leave the room, Tenko would return. Sayaka remained quiet and refused to make eye contact with her whenever Tenko entered the room. The only time Sayaka move was when she to take a shower. Trying to undress and shower with handcuffs was difficult, but Tenko was willing to unlock her cuffs for the occasion.

By the end of the day, Sayaka basically curled up into a ball in the corner of the room. She hated how every time she attempted to revert to her cheerful idol attitude, Monokuma would find a way to just ruin it. And of course, this time, it was far too personal.

'I can't let anyone know,' Sayaka thought to herself. 'If they found out, they'll all hate me.'

Sayaka gripped the sides of her head. 'Th-they won't get it! I didn't have a choice! I wouldn't have gotten where I am if I didn't-'

Sayaka slapped herself. 'No…That's what got me into this mess in the first place. This is supposed to be a chance to change. I'm not that kind of person anymore….am I?'

At that moment, the door to the dorm opened and Tenko entered the room. She carried a sandwich on a plate and gently placed it onto the nightstand. Tenko noticed how Sayaka was, well, moping in the corner. She walked over and knelt down in front of her friend.

"Hey, Sayaka," Tenko said. "Are you feeling ok?"

Sayaka lifted her up to look at her friend. "Honestly, Tenko? No. I feel terrible. This motive…I'm sorry…I'm not a good person, Tenko."

"Sayaka, stop saying that," Tenko took a hold of the idol's shoulders. "I keep telling you that you're great! You're smart, you're kind, you're funny, you've helped us so much! I know that things have been hard for you, you had to make some bad choices, but things are different now. If you were really a bad person you wouldn't have stood up to Kokichi for me, right?"

Sayaka frowned. "Do…do you really think my secret won't matter?"

"Of course not," Tenko answered. "Look, as much as it upsets me to agree with a degenerate male, but Taka is right. This place is our second chance to make things right. And even if your secret really is that bad, then we'll just have to move past it."

"You really mean that?"

"I do," Tenko smiled before gently pulling Sayaka into a hug.

Despite being handcuff, Sayaka did her best to reciprocate the hug, leaning her head against Tenko's shoulder. There, they stayed. Just comforting one another. After what felt like five minutes, Tenko let go of Sayaka.

"Now, why don't you go ahead and eat your dinner?" Tenko said as she picked the plate back up.

Sayaka nodded and snatched the sandwich from the plate and devoured it whole. Having skipped lunch made her act like a ravenous beast with her dinner. However, as soon as Sayaka finished her sandwich, the school's intercom played out.

"Oink, oink, piggies," Monokuma spoke through the speakers. "It is now 10 pm. As such all of the water has been shut off and the kitchen's food supplies has cut off until morning. So, sleep tight, and don't let your friends smoother you in your sleep!"

Tenko rolled her eyes as the intercom turned off. "Does he really have to say stuff like that? It's like outright calling us out!"

Sayaka frowned. "Y-yeah…"

"Welp," Tenko walked over to her dresser and pulled out her pajamas, "might as well get dressed for bed. Do you want to borrow some of my clothes for the night, Sayaka?"

Sayaka politely shook her head. "I'm fine for tonight."

"Ok then," Tenko said.

Sayaka did, however, take Tenko's spare blanket and pillow and laid them across the floor. This distracted Sayaka from Tenko as the Aikido master changed out of her gi and hakama and into a tank top and gym shorts. Tenko flicked off the light switch and the laid back in her bed.

"Good night, Sayaka," Tenko said. "Oh, I think it's safe to say you won't being needing the handcuffs tomorrow."

"Oh," Sayaka said as she laid down on the floor. "Good. That will be nice."

Tenko smiled at Sauaka. "Goodnight, Sayaka." Tenko laid back down and closed her eyes.

"Goodnight," Sayaka said back.

However, Sayaka didn't close her eyes. She remained awake, staring up at the ceiling, listening to the hum of the air conditioner. Sayaka didn't know how long she was awake, unmoving. It wasn't until Tenko began snoring that Sauaka sat up. Even from the sitting position, she saw that Tenko's eyes were shut. And her deep snoring was a sign that she was fast asleep. Sayaka took a hold of her pillow and stood up.

Sayaka hovered over her sleeping friend.

'If someone dies, no one will figure it out,' Sayaka thought to herself. 'I don't even care if I get caught. I can't let anyone know. I'm sorry, Tenko. This means too much to me.'

Sayaka held up the pillow. She leaned forward. In her sleep, Tenko shifted her head to the side, facing Sayaka with her eyes still shut. Sayaka paused as she faced her sleeping friend. She felt her heart pump faster, but she held her breath. She either didn't want to wake up her friend or she just had the realization of what she was doing. Sayaka tossed her pillow behind her and continued to look at Tenko.

'God, what is wrong with me?' Sayaka thought to herself. 'She has done absolutely nothing wrong. She doesn't deserve that….None of them do…'

Sayaka moved away from the bed and laid back down on the floor. 'I can't let Monokuma keep getting into my head! I can't!'

Sayaka closed her eyes. 'Tomorrow will be different. No more doubting or fear. I'm going to be Pop Idol Sayaka Maizono again. She's not afraid of anything.'

With that vow committed to her mind, Sayaka dozed off to sleep.

Hey, guys. I wanted to get this chapter done on Saturday, but I got busy with cleaning my room and just got distracted. This isn't the longest chapter here. I'm a bit disappointed with how "tell and not show" it was, but there's some stuff here to talk about.

I'm glad a lot of you are like Taka's subplot. I saw a comment saying he was like a secondary main character, which wasn't my original idea, but it's certainly been fun. His plot as also tied in with Kaito, "Shinji," and Chiaki's plots. I have been glad I've kept bringing them back into the forefront, but I'm a little disappointed how little Chiaki has done so far. Then again, she is a more subtle character, staying towards the back until she's needed.

I'm also glad to get back to Chihiro and Nekomaru's training. I'm glad that Nekomaru's training naturally pushed her to be a bit more confident and proactive in the story. Although, this does tie into the reason she wants to be stronger. I will admit I am not an expert in transgender philosophy I guess, and I only have 2 friends that have ever came out as such. However, I do feel like I know a far bit about this made up character, and I have an idea on how to handle it. Maybe.

Then there's Sayaka and Tenko. I know some of you are wanting Sayaka to branch away from Tenko to do more character interactions and I agree. I kind of gotten carried away with having Tenko follow her around. I did want Sayaka to do more DR protagonist stuff like free time events. So, that will be fixed. I also want to get back to her more cheery idol personality. That's kind of what she's known for, but she has reasonably been a bit of a mope. So, things will change.

Then again, that depends on if any of them live.

See you next time, guys.