Hey guys, VoidRebirth here! I hope you enjoy this part! And please check out the note I put at the end, I have some questions for you guys as well as some info.

[This part has been edited and updated after the completion of Chapter 2]

DANGANRONPA: OFF THE RAILS

Chapter 1 – Freedom's End

Part 2

After he had left the pub room, Shunso returned to his room where he waited for Nighttime to hit. He prepared himself to leave when suddenly the lights in his room dimmed into a darker tone. He raised a brow at this but shrugged as he exited the dorm. Upon exiting to the train car, he noticed immediately that the lights of the cars were dimmed. Looking around the car, he watched as Kanade, Chizure, Satoru stepped out of their rooms.

Looking around at the others, Shunso sighed before looking at his Kuma-Watch. "…It's currently around ten. So… perhaps we should all meet up somewhere in a few hours or so? Look around and check out the location."

The other three nodded as they headed out down the train. What was once filled with an area of extravagance now held an air of unease as dark lights and silence spread throughout the train. Chizure and Satoru started to go ahead as Shunso pulled out his notebook. However, he then felt himself move as he looked behind his shoulder to see the smiling face of Kanade. "Would you like some help?"

Shunso looked like he wanted to protest but after a few moments of contemplating, he sighed. "Sure. I'll write down notes about our surroundings and you can push… if that's alright."

The pianist gave a smile and a nod as she started to push the intelligence officer. The two walked in silence with the only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of the train moving, the walking of the pianist, the light rolling of Shunso's wheelchair, the light scratching of Shunso's pencil, and the soft hum coming from the lights.

As they reached the storage car, Shunso started to speak quietly out loud. "…the dining car is locked from the kitchen to the cafeteria, though the dining room is somehow still open. The room with all the medicine seems to be locked and no lights seem to be on in this room except the lights from within the medicine room…"

Looking over his shoulder, Kanade could see a well drawn diagram of the current car as Shunso was writing light notes. It looked like a professional floor plan. "Whoa… that looks incredible Shunso! All the details. Is that art skill part of your talent?"

The boy nodded as he didn't look up from his work. "Correct… It's my job to collect information and process it. From the surroundings to the slightest of details."

This caused Kanade to stop for a second before gaining a raised brow. "The slightest of details? …Is that why you zoned out when we first introduced ourselves Shunso?"

"Correct." Shunso said with an honest tone as he sighed. "I tend to go overboard with details, looking for the slightest of connections. When we introduced ourselves, you were the third Ultimate I had met. So that made me wonder why there were four Ultimates kidnapped onto a train… I am still sorry for getting lost in my thoughts."

Kanade gave a light laugh. "It's no problem at all Shunso. Though, I am curious… how did you get into this career in the first place if you don't mind me asking?"

Shunso stopped as pondered about it… He seemed to be hesitating before he finally spoke. "…I guess… I was just stubborn. I like to learn information… so I kept bothering the police force until one guy gave me a chance. Showed my stuff and got a job."

He didn't say anything else as he went back to his work. Kanade could tell there was more to the story but Shunso didn't want to talk about it. Not wanting to force anything, she simply nodded and continued to push him. However, an idea soon entered her mind as she stopped for a second, smiling.

"Hmmm… I have a strange question for you Shunso… but would you be interested in learning piano?" This caused Shunso to look back at Kanade as she continued. "I just felt like since we're going to be together for a while that it would be fun to offer! There is when it comes to piano... and a lot of slight details to remember. ...B-But you don't need to force yourself to do it! It's completely up to you."

Shunso did not say a word as he returned to his notebook. A heavy silence surrounded them as Kanade started pushing the intelligence officer once again. Nothing was said as they reached the library room. However, out of nowhere, a quiet voice could be heard. "…I would be up for it Kanade."

Kanade stopped and blinked as she looked down at the writing intelligence officer. He didn't say anything else, acting as if nothing had occurred. But from the light redness growing on his face, one could tell his embarrassment. Kanade didn't say a word but as the two continued to walk through the night time train, one could see a small smile on the pianist's face.

As the intelligence officer and the pianist reached the end of the train, they found Satoru and Chizure waiting there. At that point, the four members of the night shift would begin to alternated the pairs a few times throughout the night while trying to find as much as they could. After some time and grouping back up one final time, the four went over to the pub which appeared to be as it usually is during the day.

Sitting around a table, the four looked exhausted as Shunso pulled out his notebook. On the pages were detailed floor plans of the eight different carts. "From what we could gather, the places that are locked up during the night seem to be the kitchen, cafeteria, medicine room, pool, and gym." Shunso pointed at each area as he listed them off while circling them. "The rest of the areas appear to be available due to the open design of the train. But it also seems that water is off limits during the night?"

Satoru looked at them and nodded his head. "Correct you are darling. Although, there's something quite strange that I noticed. One of the locked rooms appear to be different from the others."

Shunso looked at the idol, his tired mind catching up as he nodded slowly. "I think I remember what you're talking about. All the other places had signs that said, 'Entry not allowed'. But the pool… had nothing like that. It was just locked. No sign or anything."

This got a nod from the idol. "That's right darling. In fact, there seems to be a list of 'pool rules' along with it. And some of them mention nighttime, so it's not supposed to be locked."

Shunso nodded along with the idol as Chizure then spoke up. "What if... we just don't have the key?" The other three turned to the forger as she continued. "Well… so far we've been given pretty much nothing. But when it comes to the other rooms, there appears to be clear descriptions saying 'No'. But not for the pool. So... what if we just don't have the key?"

The other three blinked and looked at each other as they tried to brainstorm. After a bit, Shunso then turned and face Chizure as he shrugged. "I mean… it does make the most sense at the moment. I guess we can ask the others if they can find the key or anything… We just have to-"

The intelligence officer never got to finish as the four felt the train slow down and stop. This caused the eyes of the four to widen as they rushed out into the train. They looked at their Kuma-Watches for a second and noticed the time was 6:20.

Kanade looked at the time and then at the others. "Well… it's nearly daytime? And the train actually stopped? Why stop now?"

Looking at the pianist, Shunso honestly had no solid answer at the moment, but he did have some theories. So, he tried to make sense of it as he held his chin while pondering. "…Perhaps-"

"It's a routine stop."

Looking over to their side, the four see standing in the doorway, Katashi. Katashi just continued to speak. "It's a routine stop. It was the same last night as well. Some time between 6:10 to 6:20ish. I don't know exactly what time, but it's the same thing. The train stopped. And after a while, it would start up again. If this will be a consistent thing is still up to debate."

Shunso looked at the therapist confused. Everyone should be resting and yet he was up and about. "…Why exactly are you up Katashi?"

The therapist just rolled his eyes as he walked off to the next train car, leaving the four behind. They turned to one another before getting up to follow, with Chizure pushing Shunso. Cautiously following the lead of the therapist, Katashi would have his hands in his pockets as he spoke. "I have bouts of insomnia. That and I usually wake up early. So blame my fucked-up sleep schedule." He sighed as he walked straight through the library cart. "I planned to just investigate on my own. Best keep what I can get. However… since you're here, I might as well bring something interesting up."

He said as he stopped. The group had gone past the observatory cart and found themselves in the yacht car as the therapist pointed to the roof. There was confusion as they looked up and sure enough, near the top of the mast, was a vent. "…There seems to be a ton of those around in each car. I think they may be connected."

Shunso looked at him with a distrusting look. "And why are you telling us this? You don't interact with us at all and yet you're giving us this information?"

This caused Katashi to scoff as stared down Shunso. "I don't know… why don't you find that answer 'Ultimate Intelligence Officer'? You seemed to be skilled with these finding out about people... so try and figure me out."

And with that… he walked off, leaving the four members of the first night shift a little shocked and unnerved. Chizure spoke up as she looked at the others. "…So… we tell the others about the locks, the missing key, the train stopping, and the vents?"

Satoru pondered it for a bit before shrugging. "I guess. Perhaps we should split up? How about Shunso and Chizure tell Li-Wei? Meanwhile, Kanade and I will tell the next night shift." He then looked at Kanade with a smile. "What do you say darling?"

Kanade, who seemed to be falling asleep, looked back and forth slowly before she jolted awake a bit. She yawned and nervously spoke up. "W-Well… I'm alright with it if you guys are."

Shunso just shrugged as he sighed. His mind was slowing down massively. "Whatever works. Let's just get back and tell them so we can get some sleep."

Satoru chuckled lightly with a nod. "Whatever you say darling." And with that, the four headed towards the dining car.

As they had discussed, the first night shift split up into two pairs. Shunso and Chizure found Li-Wei and informed him of their findings as Satoru and an falling asleep Kanade headed off to the dorms. Li-Wei, after the briefing, stated he would keep an eye on Katashi and make sure the others learn of the vents. With all that cleared up, the intelligence officer and forger left and went straight to bed.

Time progressed as soon enough, Shunso found himself waking up later on in the afternoon. After stretching from his sleep, he decided to headed out and explore some more to gather new clues. And after some quick scanning around here or there, Shunso found himself entering the yacht car once more.

The water splashed against the boat as Shunso heard the sounds of... turning paper? Turning his head, he saw an individual sitting against the main mast with a smile and a novel in his hand. And that was none other than the cosmicism writer himself, Hastur.

Looking up from his novel, Hastur would see the intelligence officer and give a small wave. "Hello hello, my friend! How was your night? I can only imagine how mysterious this 'Train of the abyss,' as I call it, can be during the dark hours of dusk~."

Shunso looked at him with an unreadable expression as the intelligence officer looked away and rolled his eyes. "It was normal. Some rooms were closed while others were still opened. Found a decent amount of information."

"Ah!" Hastur closed their novel and smiled at Shunso. "I see. That is truly intriguing. And you interacted with those seeking with you? A bond formed within the shadows?" He sighed and gazed upwards. "Perhaps when my time comes, I shall find many mysteries and bonds myself."

Shunso brushed it off as he started to roll himself downwards into the ship as the cosmicism writer stood up and followed. Ignoring him, Shunso moved towards the nearby porthole window and looked outside at the water as a question popped in his mind. "…Say… why are you reading here of all places? Wouldn't you rather go to your room or the library?"

Hastur shook his head as he moved over to the window as well. It was a little strange with a man standing at 6'1 while Shunso is 4'3 when he was in his wheelchair. "No. I am quite content here. I feel… a slight connection towards the sea. Water represents the connection to the unconscious mind and many aspects of life. Perhaps you know some~?"

Shunso raised a brow before shrugging. "From what I gathered, many see it as one of the four elements to human life in western culture, the others being earth, fire, and air. It usually represents aspects of motion, purity, fertility, and mystery."

Bellowing a hearty laugh, Hastur nodded. "Correct my friend! And yet… despite all that, I cannot truly connect myself with it. For you see… while a calming aura rests around water… It also holds another aspect I truly do not find myself entuned with. …Power."

The intelligence officer said no words as Hastur continued. "While the mystery and calming aura gives me a slight connection, I find myself more connected with the sky rather then the ocean."

This caused a snort from Shunso. "So you're more of a sky pirate or whatever?"

"…Perhaps. But truthfully, it relies more on the element of air. The freedom it represents. The way it can unite people together without causing destruction. What a blissful dream." Hastur then gave a small chuckle before he turned to the doorway. "Well, this has been a wonderful chat my friend~! I hope to hear from you again soon~!" And with that, off he went.

Shunso looked at the doorway silently before turning back to the window. Seeing the water splash and move, Shunso could only give a weak chuckle as he thought back to the conversation. "…Freedom huh? Interesting… What an idealistic view of the world..."

However, he would then sigh and move away from the window as a tired expression fell on his face. "A view that I can't seem to follow myself anymore.."

And with that, the intelligence officer headed off. To where, he had no clue. All he knew was that he had a sinking feeling… that their 'freedom' would not last so long.

-TO BE CONTINUED-

16/16 REMAINING

Hello everyone! VoidRebirth here!

…Sooo… uhhhh… sorry for the long gap? Things have been busy for me with moving to another province for university, getting used to school, and just in general getting things ready. That and this part… I could never find the right way to finish it until now. But! It's done! And I have a few things to say.

So, first off, the motive? Is planned to come out in the next part. I hope the motive will be an interesting one for you all as not only do I have the motive planned out, but also the killer and victim! It's a matter of weaving the story at this point. Secondly, you know that format I said last time? I realized that by saying that I was limiting myself. So, instead… I'm just going to go back to what I was originally going to do. Just write… whatever.

And lastly, I want to ask something. Are you guys enjoying the story? And if so, how do you think I can improve? I'm not the best with writing large parts but if you guys want the parts to be longer, I will try. At the end of the day, I want to make a story that you guys can enjoy. To those who's characters are in the story, I would be down to talk with you more. I want to work with you on the characters and their parts. It's their story as much as it's Shunso.

And with all that now said… That's all for now! I'll see you guys next time!

Void signing out!