Chapter 2: Adventures in Paradise Gloom (Daily Life #2)
Warning: This fic contains intense violence, lots of OFFENSIVE cursing (thanks Monoyena, you fucking asshole!), character death, gore and blood, sexual innuendos, and possible spoilers for the Danganronpa series. But hey, everyone lurking in this fandom has at least played the first Danganronpa so no need to worry much there! Right?
With that said, please enjoy!
"Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye!"
…
When Yumi Gundo poked her head through the curtains, the chanting of her stage name grew louder.
Exhilarating was the feeling she would describe it. With every rhythmic chant, the satisfying feeling that she was queen of the underground world just felt like it was the only thing that mattered to her in her exciting lifestyle. It was quite literally music to her ears as the young 19-year-old waved her hands around like an orchestral maestro.
Yumi Dead-Eye.
That was the name everyone knew her as. That was the name she was referred to as. That was the name she owned.
Quickest Hand in Western America.
Luckiest Sharpshooter in the World.
A total showgirl.
A daredevil.
That was Yumi Dead-Eye, the Ultimate Gunslinger, and current student of Hope's Peak Los Angeles.
Yumi couldn't wipe the grin off her face as she stepped back behind the curtains. She made sure to dress herself accordingly. White Stetson hat. White poncho. White leathery boots. A white mask that she could tie around her eyes and keep her true identity hidden. Like the classic white knights of her favorite Western TV shows.
She watched the clock behind her.
It was almost showtime.
Today was the day.
The fateful day.
She was to attempt her greatest trick ever.
Really show the world what the Luckiest Sharpshooter in the World can do with the ammunition at her disposal. And she can feel the adrenaline pumping with every anticipating breath.
"Three minutes till showtime, Yumi," Mark Weatherby walked up to her, holding up a pillow with a gun resting on top of it, as if it were the Crown Jewels.
Yumi took a glance at the gun.
"Um, da hell is dat?" Yumi had to do a double-take.
She held the firearm that was being presented to her like it was a wet sandal chewed up by a pitiful chihuahua.
"Weatherby, this ain't mah gun," Yumi shook her head, setting the gun back on the pillow. "Da hell kinda maniac do ya dink ah am? Using a goddamn M1911 pistol fer dis event…!"
"Well, I just thought that on the off-chance that luck might not be on your side tonight…" Mark blinked. "You might wanna use a semi-automatic. Increase your chances for the gun to jam. Right?"
"Da hell are ya talkin about, Weatherby?!" Yumi waved her hat down in frustration. "Do ah look like a gal dat needs to increase mah luck?"
Yumi pointed her finger behind him.
"Mah fiery Betsy has always been mah golden Smith & Wesson," Yumi shook her head. "If ya dink ahm gonna betray her, yer gonna need ta git yer head checked in."
"R-Right," Mark nodded. "S-Sorry, Yumi."
"Yumi…?" Yumi raised an eyebrow.
"Yumi… Dead-Eye…" Mark timidly said.
"Atta boy," Yumi sighed in relief, giving him a smile.
Patting him on the shoulder, she gestured for him to go retrieve her favorite firearm. She glanced at the clock. One more minute till showtime. She was ready. She took a deep breath. Today was supposed to be an exciting day. And she was ready to make sure she could show it. Slowly, she widened her mouth into a wide grin…
The clock moved one minute forward.
And Yumi stepped through the curtain…
…
The spotlight shone on Yumi as she waved her hand around, basking in the glory of hearing the crowd cheer her name.
"Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye!"
She threw both hands into the air as she spun around. The underground stage she was currently holding this event in was very reminiscent of a Roman coliseum, though miniature in size. A crowd of gun-wielding audience members encircled the perimeter, excited at seeing the legendary Yumi Dead-Eye step onto the stage.
"Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye!"
The crowd mixed their excitement with applauses, cheers, whoops, and chants.
It was loud.
Exciting.
Thrilling.
All enough to keep the adrenaline in her system pumping. She never felt more powerful and confident than before. To see an entire audience cheer her on with the spotlight directly on her, centerstage.
She raised her hands, spinning around to see each and every section of the audience. Then, taking off her white Stetson hat, she slowly bowed as Mark walked over. Holding that same pillow, this time, the Crown Jewels that sat on it wasn't some semi-automatic pistol but a golden gun.
Her golden gun.
A Smith & Wesson.
.38 caliber.
She gave a thankful look toward Mark, who in return, snuck her a thumbs-up for good luck. Yumi nodded in return and took the gun. Then, she raised it high up in the air for everyone to see. She listened to the cheering and applause that erupted when she did so.
She reached down to her belt and took out a single bullet. Then, just as she did with the gun prior, she raised it up for everyone to see.
She flicked the gun's cylinder out and inserted the single bullet inside.
She spun the cylinder.
Pointed it to her head. With a flashy grin, she clicked the gun's hammer and…
…stuck a finger up.
She pointed the gun into the air.
BANG!
A single bullet shell fell back into the ground as the crowd applauded.
The odds of that were one out of six. Already, that was impressive to call the shot… literally. But Yumi didn't dare to stop there. With a grin, she took out three bullets this time and flicked out her gun's cylinder. Then, raising each bullet, she inserted them accordingly…
One.
Two.
Three.
She spun the cylinder.
Pointed it to her head.
Clicked the gun's hammer down and…
Click.
Again.
Click.
She raised the next one in the air.
BANG!
She kept it in the air.
BANG!
She twirled her gun around.
She pointed it to her head.
Then, to the air.
Back to the head.
Then back to the air.
At this point, she was just playing around but the crowd loved it. They cheered louder than ever before. They reveled in the anticipation. The luck they were witnessing was absolutely astounding and Yumi couldn't have it any other way. This was what she loved to do. She loved the adrenaline rush of having her own life on the line. She absolutely loved it. Loved it so much that she was willing to die for it.
She gave a wink toward her audience.
She pointed the barrel to the side of her head.
She flicked her hammer down.
It was a 50/50 chance now.
But she liked her chances–
BANG!
…
…
…
…
…
…
It just took one bullet to grant her a New Life she never realized she needed…
[?]
(?)
Nick woke up on the soft padded floor.
He rubbed his eyes, glancing around the room. He couldn't remember what had happened. One moment he was awake and trying to find a way out with Lucky and newcomers D'andre and Fiona…
The next moment, he was separated in the right-bottom corner of the room.
Straight across from him was Lucky.
To the left, Fiona.
Diagonally across, D'andre.
All four of them, separated into four different corners of the room. A large glass barrier caught in between each child, making damn sure none of them could cross into each other's corner. As the other three slowly woke up, Nick quickly ran toward the barrier that blocked him from Lucky. He pounded on the glass panel, his eyes widened.
"L-Lucky!" Nick exclaimed. "W-What's going on?!"
"N-Nicky?" Lucky rubbed her eyes.
"D'andre!" Fiona similarly cried out. "I… W-What happened?! W-What's going on?! I…"
It was about time everyone had fully woken up and shared his fear. The fact that they were all separated was enough to put at least three of them into a panic. Last thing they remembered, they were grouped together. Now, they were separated. Separated by glass barriers that seemingly came out of nowhere.
"L-Lucky, I'm scared!" Nick placed his hands onto the glass barrier between him and Lucky. "I'm so…"
"Nicky, look at me, and calm down…" Lucky told him, seriously. "It's going to be okay. We're going to be okay."
"I… don't think so…" the older and more mature D'andre gritted his teeth as he kept his eyes directed toward the ceiling.
"D'andre, wh-what do you mean?" Fiona questioned. "Y-You can't just say that! Y-You're freaking me out!"
"Y-You're freaking all of us out, here!" Lucky frowned in D'andre's general direction.
D'andre didn't say anything. Calmly, he pointed toward the ceiling. Following his finger, the other three looked at what exactly he was talking about: ventilation shafts. All four corners had one specifically for them. Which meant…
"O-Oh my God…" Lucky covered her mouth.
"You… get it now, right?" D'andre turned toward the other three. "They need us separated for this reason."
"No, no no no no no," Fiona covered her head, cradling herself in fear.
Only Nick had yet to verbally say anything. He stared at the ventilation shaft pointed directly toward them. Compared to everyone else, he had yet to settle on a single conclusion on what was going to come seep out of those vents. But he knew that whatever it was, it wouldn't be good. He turned to look at D'andre, legs shaking.
"Th-They?" he trembled. "F-For this reason…? F-For what reason…?"
"...To gas us," D'andre hugged himself nervously.
"D'andre, no no no no, please," Fiona clutched her head, terrified. "I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!"
"Do not worry little girl. You aren't going to die. All of you aren't going to die. Not unless…"
An innocent yet distorted voice that had begun to assure the four panicking children trailed off. They didn't know where the voice was coming from. The intercom in the room wasn't really obvious. But based on the security cameras watching each corner of the room, they at least knew that someone was watching.
"I-Is that… the Ice Cream Man…?" Nick shuddered.
"Ice Cream Man? That's a new one…"
The innocent yet distorted voice chuckled to themselves. Eventually, the chuckling faded, almost as if they were enjoying the name. None of it really eased the fear on the young children's minds. And almost quietly, the voice never came back.
"I'm… scared…" Nick simply said, sitting on the ground.
"Y-You're not the only one here!" Fiona screamed. "I'm scared too! I'm… I'm so…"
"Fiona, please," D'andre tried to remain calm. "It's times like these that we need to show these bullies who's boss. So, sit up and stay as calm as possible."
He rushed over to the glass panel blocking him from his sister.
"Look at me," D'andre ordered, gesturing toward his chest. "Breathe. Breathe. Breathe…"
Fiona had uncontrollable eyes seeping down her eyes as she watched D'andre carefully. She quickly nodded her head and tried her best to breathe. She tried to follow her older brother's instructions, not paying attention to the fact that both Lucky and Nick were following his lead–
HISSSSSSSS!
"A-Aghhhhhh!" Fiona quickly let out a scream at the noise.
"Th-They're–" D'andre widened his eyes.
"D-Did they–" Lucky started to cough. "H-Hold your breath!"
Nick quickly did as he was told but it was already too late. Whatever he had breathed in had gone into his system. It didn't have any unique aroma but he could feel the heavy and suffocating air seep into his nose and mouth. He could see that the other three were having the same problem.
Fiona even started to cough.
Then, D'andre.
Then, Lucky.
And now, him.
They all coughed as they could feel whatever was being gassed with fill up their barriers. As if they were inside a balloon seeping with the most toxic version of helium they were forced to breathe in.
Toxic.
Suffocating.
Torturous…
All of it was enough to make the four pass out one more time…
[Hotel Mirai]
(Yumi's Room)
Yumi stared at her reflection in the dresser.
The sun was climbing back up. At this point in time, Yumi would've been dressed in her finest cowgirl gear, ready to start the day. Early bird catches the worm was the motto she lived by. But– like everyone who had their signature flashback –today was different. Instead of wearing her usual Western outfit, she wore nothing but an oversized white T-shirt and red shorts. Her hair wasn't braided and frankly…
She just looked normal.
If one saw her now, she'd look more like a Barbie doll than a girl with a fascination for the Wild West.
She leaned against her seat. She ran her fingers through her hair, tilting her head until she finally found what she was looking for: a circular faint scar hidden underneath her beautiful blonde locks.
Her breath hitched.
She trailed her fingers against it, shuddering as she heard the sounds of a singular gunshot fading through her mind. A reminder of Yumi Dead-Eye's greatest shot. A long time ago now, the pain had been unbearable. Now, the pain acted as a phantom, haunting that very corner of her mind.
She lowered her hands and took a deep breath.
She tried to ignore that feeling. She glanced at the edge of her dresser, noting the holster that carried Roderick's gun. For the longest time, she's been doing nothing but ignoring it. Ignoring the fact that she had to carry it at all times. Not because she needed to or was forced to but simply because…
She slid the gun out of the holster and rubbed her thumb against it.
Ruger GP100.
.357 Mag.
She pressed her hand against the cylinder and glanced within it.
Only two rounds were in it.
Two rounds out of seven.
She brushed her thumb against the live rounds. She felt the smooth and iron-like bullet encasements. She trailed her fingers against every anatomical part of her firearm. The hammer. The grip. The front sight. She pressed the cylinder back in and spun it a couple of times. Then, glancing at herself in the mirror…
…she pointed it directly to her head, keeping the barrel perfectly fixed onto where her bullet scar was.
She felt her right hand tremble.
Her finger, safely placed on the trigger guard.
Her breathing grew in anticipation. Not out of fear, but out of excitement. A feeling she hadn't realized she would miss. Her body moved as a living oxymoron. Her hand exposed her trauma. But her breathing exposed her deepest desire.
As she pointed the gun to her head, she could see her own reflection judging her for going back to the pain she enjoyed. She trailed her finger on the trigger. Her lips quivered, as if she was having trouble deciding whether to smile or frown.
She closed her eyes, feeling the cold barrel of the gun press against her skull.
She remembered this feeling. This sense of danger, filling her with enough adrenaline to seep through her pores. She remembered the sights of the crowd that would encircle her stage. She remembered her flamboyant showmanship. How much she loved the glory and the cheers and the chants.
The chants.
She could hear the chants.
"Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye!"
Her breathing intensified.
Her heart beat heavily.
Her hands continued to tremble.
She wanted to pull the trigger.
She desperately wanted it.
"Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye! Dead–"
Yumi opened her eyes, snapping out of her dreamlike trance and quickly slid the gun against the top of her dresser. Now, the delirium was replaced with genuine fear. She ran her fingers through her hair once again, staring at the gun like it was some cursed object. Like it was an atrocity. A toxin she dared not touch.
She placed a hand on her head, trying to steady her breathing.
"Can't…" she muttered to herself. "Ah promised… Ah can't… Not again…"
She paced around the room, shaking her head, placing her hands behind her neck… doing whatever it took to keep her relaxed. She snuck one last look at the firearm. She gulped. A haunted expression crept on her face.
"...Not again," she repeated.
(Yukihiko's Room)
Yukihiko hummed a lullaby as he slowly placed Loofah on the corner of his bed.
Compared to a certain gunslinger's morning, his morning felt like the start of a new day. Yesterday, the new chapter of their time here in the Piero's Playground Killing Game introduced a new location with new mechanics. Today, Yukihiko was damn sure he was going to utilize what was given to them to play this game correctly.
Instantly, his mind went straight for that golden Smith & Wesson.
An object he was sure would help them in the long run.
He smoothed the top of Loofah's head like he would with a child's head. Though the teddy bear was an inanimate object, Yukihiko treated him like he was real. It wasn't some delusion mind you. It was just him. Him and his duty to the children of the world. To save those children was what he wanted.
And he will do anything to achieve that goal…
Knock knock.
A soft knock on the door forced Yukihiko to hop off of his… well, Loofah's bed …and open the door. Unsurprisingly to him, the person behind the door was none other than one Beauté Morose, who had let herself in uninvited. It was clearly done to annoy her new favorite femboy…
Mission accomplished.
"Oh, sweetie!" Yukihiko feigned a gasp and forced a smile, keeping the door open. "I think you mistook your room for mine, you silly goose."
Then, he slammed the door.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Yukihiko's forced smile dropped to expose his irritated expression.
"Why are you here?" Yukihiko quickly asked.
"Ah heh heh," Beauté gave her signature chuckle as she spun around his room. "Are you ashamed to have me in your room? You know most boys would do anything to have someone as elegant as me in the same room as them."
"Straight boys maybe," Yukihiko rolled his eyes.
Beauté danced around the room a little bit longer before spotting Loofah, tucked in as neatly as possible in Yukihiko's bed. Giggling to herself, she picked up the teddy bear, and held him up in the air like a baby that had just been born. It was an act that made Yukihiko pierce her with a look of disdain.
"Mmm, I just put him to bed~" Yukihiko held in his irritation, placing a hand over his forehead and speaking in a sing-songy tone. "Please put him done~"
"Oh, tut tut, you are so serious," Beauté giggled, placing Loofah on the bed with little care in the world. "It's quite poetic really. The vast difference between you and Aidan…"
"Haha," Yukihiko feigned amusement. "It's almost like we are two separate people. Now get out of my room. I won't ask twice."
Beauté stopped twirling around the room like some ballroom dancer. The moment Yukihiko demanded she leave was the moment Beauté folded her arms, her piercing red eyes matching the child caregiver's cold demeanor. She tilted her head with a heavy sigh.
"What's the matter Yukihiko?" Beauté asked, feigning tears. "Yesterday, you were excited to have me around. Today, you treat me like I'm some side chick… I mean, to think we had a deal and everything."
"Oh, stop with the crocodile tears, you honey badger," Yukihiko scoffed, glancing at his nails. "The deal was, I let you run around the park doing whatever you want as long as you offer yourself up as a sacrifice when the time comes. Acting like we're BFFs is not on that list."
Beauté wiped the last of her fake tears and shifted her smile into a sinister smirk. Her red eyes spun slightly as she skipped up toward Yukihiko, feigning interest toward the child caregiver.
"Ah heh heh heh…" Beauté chuckled, her smile growing more twisted by the minute. "You forgot the second part of the deal…"
Beauté placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned closer to his ear, as if she were trying to nibble it. Yukihiko held in a sigh of annoyance as he felt her hot breath against the inside of his ear.
"...Because where would the fun be if I just sacrificed myself then and there, am I right?" Beauté smirked in a hushed tone.
She let go of Yukihiko's shoulder, separating herself from him. She giggled at his face. And the child caregiver kept a straight face through it all. He forced a smile as he watched Beauté rub off some of her blood red cherry-flavored lip gloss with a single finger. Then, she trailed the lipstick-stained tip of her pointer finger against Yukihiko's cheek and giggled.
"Anyway, I came here to check whether we were on the same page or not…" Beauté licked her lips, squatting down to the young child caregiver's level.
"And?" Yukihiko exhaled through his nose. "Are you satisfied?"
Beauté watched him carefully.
She noted his cold gaze. His straight yet stern face. His small childish stature which completely contradicted his mature yet extreme personality. Honestly, if the young man wasn't such a stick in the mud, she honestly believed she would have quite a lot of fun with him. With a slight sigh of disappointment, she hugged the side of her cheek.
"Hmph," Beauté pouted. "You make this less fun than it should be, honestly,"
"Hm," Yukihiko flashed a smile before shifting to a frown. "Get out."
…
When Beauté finally left, Yukihiko rolled his eyes and sat on the edge of his bed. He noted Loofah resting on the bed in the spot that unknown Ultimate left him in. To think that he spent so much time tucking in a teddy bear…
Ugh.
So annoying.
He picked up Loofah gently and placed him back in the same spot as he did originally. He tucked the teddy bear in and made sure the bed was as neat and tidy as possible. Then, he walked toward the door to leave. But what he failed to notice was that this time, instead of being locked in the blanket, Loofah had some space to move.
And gently, the poor teddy bear managed to fall onto its side…
(Lobby)
Compared to the Lobby yesterday, the Hotel Lobby today consisted of very few members of the remaining 14 playmates. Right now, the only ones here were the following people:
Alisa, Issac, Kazuki, Manon, Riku and Roderick.
In fact, right now, leading the meeting was Roderick, who stood right in front of a whiteboard with a list of names. It wasn't much but at the moment, the whiteboard consisted of the following:
Beauté
Kazuki
Roderick
Only three names.
But right now…
"Aye, this be lookin great," Roderick nodded in self-approval. "We be having three people for the next three artifacts. Now, we be missing one more person."
Roderick glanced toward the five in the room.
"Any landlubbers want to walk the plank straight to Davy Jone's Locker?" Roderick questioned, holding the marker with anticipation.
Of the six of them in the room, only two had actually volunteered and placed their name on the board. The other four remained silent, each for their own different reasons. Roderick scanned the four that didn't raise their hand to speak:
Manon seemed to be rather uncertain about whether this was something she wanted to do.
Similarly, Alisa showed signs of disagreeing with this concept but for some reason was keeping silent.
Riku was Riku. He was just here to watch the proceedings unfold.
And Issac? He was rubbing the inside of Isolde's neck as he smiled to himself. Whether he was considering taking the role or not was currently unknown.
"Nay?" Roderick blinked. "None of ye?"
"Roderick, handsome, how are things?" Yukihiko suddenly arrived, fixing his braids after his distressful morning with one Beauté Morose.
"Capt'n Yukihiko!" Roderick gave him a mock salute. "Erm, we be havin three names, but no one be willing to take the responsibility for the fourth artifact."
Yukihiko scanned the whiteboard, noting the three names on it. He had Roderick lead the volunteering process for sacrificial lambs required for the artifacts. After all, it was one sacrifice per artifact. Theoretically, if they get this done right, they could end up with ten people and the two children left alive with them.
The only problem was as Roderick said however.
It didn't seem like anyone else was willing to step up for the fourth and final artifact.
"I see you have elected Roderick as your second-in-command," Alisa pointed out, a serious look in her eyes.
Yukihiko switched his attention to the clockmaker, giving her a small smile.
"Well, of course, sweetie," Yukihiko smiled. "Do you see this man? He's handsome. He's strong. He's reliable."
"He's also crazy," Alisa shook her head. "Did you forget what happened last time when his paranoia reached an all-time high? He tried to shoot a Parade Float."
"A monster that was going to attack and eat us," Yukihiko corrected, placing a hand underneath Roderick's chin. "And he defended us with all of his might. Isn't that right, handsome?"
"H-Hm?" Roderick blinked, his face blushing. "E-Erm, indubitably!"
Alisa was about to point out how much that didn't happen but she quickly reconsidered it. If anything, this was probably the only right thing she would ever agree with Yukihiko on. The last thing they needed was Roderick to go into another panic. Especially when there was a golden gun on the line here.
"I trust Roderick to be my right-hand man," Yukihiko smiled, taking his hand away from the deep sea fisherman's chin. "Just as much as I trust all of you to do the right thing."
He stepped forward, taking the leadership charge and noting the poor numbers in the room. He had announced him taking the reins from here on out, and he did expect that some people, like Aidan, would disagree with his method. But with only 6 out 14 people actually being here…? That was very disappointing.
"Now, where's Yumi?" Yukihiko looked around before quietly sighing, "Of all people to choose to not show up, her not showing up is not good..."
"What a shame," Issac brushed his hair to the side with a coy smile. "Isolde is asking what exactly you needed her for today...?"
"Your attempts to insult me are not very appreciated, handsome," Yukihiko rubbed his hands together.
"Hey, it's what Isolde said," Issac shrugged, smiling happily. "Not me."
"Uh huh," Yukihiko didn't believe it.
He clapped his hands together.
"Well, for those who simply forgot," Yukihiko began to say. "We are supposed to go to Yumi's Ultimate Attraction and try to win that golden gun. That is our main priority today, so if we can achieve that together, that would be fantastic."
"And…?" Riku raised an eyebrow, asking the real question here. "What exactly is your plan with that gun?"
Yukihiko didn't say anything for a moment.
Instead, he gave the doctor a small smile.
"All will be revealed as soon we get that gun, okay sweetie?" Yukihiko condescendingly pointed out.
"Don't… call me sweetie…" Riku threatened.
"Oh, whatever," Yukihiko scoffed. "Hurry up and get going. Time is wasting. Am I right, Alisa, honey?"
Alisa glanced at her watch and simply gave Yukihiko a verbaless response.
"You heard her," Yukihiko smiled. "Let's go, everyone. Chop chop."
It was like watching a mother of five let her children off a leash just to release into their favorite playground. Because as soon as she said that, Alisa, Issac, Kazuki, Manon, and Riku moved out of their seats and filed away toward Piero's Playground. The only ones who had yet to leave were of course Yukihiko and Roderick, who was getting ready to leave before Yukihiko grabbed him by the arm.
"Roderick, honey?" Yukihiko kept his forced smile as stagnant as possible.
"Aye?" Roderick blinked.
Yukihiko stopped smiling.
"I want that gun at all costs, okay?" Yukihiko gave the deep sea fisherman a serious glance.
Roderick nodded.
"Aye, Capt'n," he simply said.
Yukihiko gave him a small smile and let him go.
And this time, the smile wasn't forced but genuine. Because now he had someone he knew he could trust to get the job done. Because if Yumi wasn't going to stick around for the meeting, then Roderick was his next best bet. And even better…
Roderick was loyal.
Exactly what he was looking for in a second-in-command.
[Jungle of Joy]
(?)
"Thanks for joining me today, Daisuke."
"Y-Yeah of course—!"
It was practically a dream come true for Daisuke Kido to be hanging out with Aidan once again.
He had honestly expected today to be no different than any of the other days they were stuck in this creepy amusement park. Just attend a Morning Meeting, shrink in the background, and pray to God no one would see or call any attention to him. But for the day to start out with Aidan Brighton asking him out on a date– Er, inviting him out to explore–
Daisuke needed to remember that Aidan had a girlfriend named Nadia back at home.
–Daisuke could choose to faint right here, right now.
At the moment, the two young boys were checking out whatever Stanczyk's Secret Clubhouse may hold. In Aidan's case, it was to corroborate whether the two most untrustworthy people in their group were right about their assertions. And so far, it certainly seemed like Yukihiko and Beauté were telling the truth.
Upon entering the path left of the statue would lead them through a tunnel that split off into two more paths:
A path straight ahead and a path to the right.
The path straight ahead had a sign that read:
'STANCZYK'S SECRET CLUBHOUSE'
The path to the right had a sign that read:
'RUINS'
Currently, Aidan and Daisuke traversed the path straight ahead.
And when they did, they were able to see what seemed to be a giant treehouse that loomed over whoever would walk through that tunnel. From the looks of it, the treehouse itself was just decor. Because there was no way anyone was going to try to climb a giant tree just buy Jungle of Joy merch. The main Gift Shop was placed on the ground and it looked more like the giant tree was growing in the middle of it.
There was also a bathroom to the left and on the right was what seemed to be a bunch of campsite tools and crates with a photo-op camera stand on it. In other words, a nice place to take a picture of good ole Stanczyk.
Aidan stepped forward and cupped his hands to glance inside the shaded windows to the Shop. Just like the Happy Highway's Pit Stop, Aidan couldn't see anything. In fact, the only thing that could be seen was a wooden sign hung on the front bark-materialized door reading:
'CLOSED'
Aidan stepped back and sighed.
"Yep, closed," Aidan muttered.
"S-Stanczyk did say that in order for this to open, s-someone has to die so…" Daisuke looked down, sniffling.
"Yeah, he did," Aidan sighed to himself.
"A-And there's a rule saying you can't break into the Gift Shop," Daisuke groaned.
"Yep, there is," Aidan sighed once more, remembering that he was the one who caused that rule to get added.
"M-Man…" Daisuke sniffled. "Th-This is hopeless. The only way to save those kids is through bloodshed… Siiiiiiigh."
"Y-Yeah that's— Wait," Aidan turned to Daisuke with a slight frown. "No, no. Let's not think like that. Just because the only way to get into these Gift Shops is through bloodshed doesn't mean there isn't an alternative way to get in…"
At this point, Aidan was far past optimism and more on the line of desperation here. Daisuke recognized it but how the heck was he supposed to let this golden retriever of a man down gently? The fast-food employee was never good at stuff like this so this was a new experience altogether.
"Um… A-Are you sure there is an alternative way to get in?" Daisuke blinked.
"Of course there is," Aidan definitely seemed certain about it as he squatted down near the door. "For example, the rules say we can't break into a Gift Shop. But if I can find a way to unlock it from the inside, that wouldn't exactly be us breaking into the Gift Shop, now would it?"
Aidan stood back up, definitely seeming proud about that loophole he had thought of.
"O-Okay, b-but Aidan…" Daisuke gulped. "H-How do you plan on getting the door to unlock from the inside when we're on the outside…"
"No need to worry!" Aidan gave him a thumbs-up. "I have an idea!"
He took out a water bottle and instead of doing anything cool with it, he just uncapped it and drank from the bottle.
"I saw this in a movie once!" Aidan grinned. "All we need is a key and a thin piece of string. We tie the key to the piece of string and then slide it underneath the door frame. Then, we maneuver it until it gets into the keyhole and then, voila! We unlock it!"
Aidan wiped stray water substance from the corners of his mouth.
"Great plan, huh?" Aidan gave him a thumbs-up.
Daisuke was speechless. To Aidan, it was definitely because of his brilliant plan. The real reason? Aidan was a total moron. God. That made him so damn cute–
Nope.
Don't think about that.
Don't think about that, Daisuke.
Nope.
Nope.
Nope.
"Um, it… It's um…" Daisuke blinked before hunching over. "I… I'm sure you have the string but w-where are we going to get the key needed to unlock the door? A-And even if we do have a key… I don't think we c-can maneuver it so it can float up…"
Aidan felt his positivity crumble.
Daisuke was right. That kind of thing could only work in movies and if Aidan was smart enough. Neither of which were key attributions he had at his disposal. The track star dropped his hand and sighed. He turned back to Daisuke and patted him on the shoulder.
"You make a good point," Aidan sighed.
Disappointment took over his mood.
The track star was clearly troubled by what little he could do. In a Killing Game based around what was ethical or not, the only way Aidan could see the right path was through everyone surviving. And yet, that's not what this Killing Game wanted them to do. It wanted to go against those basic heroic urges. Perhaps that was why Aidan was chosen for this damn game…
And as Aidan looked downtrodden, Daisuke couldn't help feeling like he was at fault for all of this.
"A-Aidan…?" Daisuke tried to approach him. "I– I'm sorry…"
"Yo, D, there's no need to apologize," Aidan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look. There… Let's just go to the branching path from earlier, alright?"
Daisuke simply nodded, timidly.
Aidan patted him on the shoulder and gave him a small smile. Then, he walked off back toward the tunnel with the fast-food employee following close behind him. And throughout their walk, Daisuke only had one thing on his mind:
He touched me, again…
Despite how many times he berated himself from doing so, he couldn't help it. His face transcended into a small blush.
[Ultimate Gunslinger's Attraction]
(Queue)
Walking into the Ultimate Gunslinger's Attraction and seeing a group of eager young adults ready to try their hand at winning a golden revolver was admittedly an amusing sight to Yukihiko.
Currently, standing within the room were Alisa, Issac, Kazuki, Riku, and Roderick. Now, the only reason why I would list out the group again is very simple…
"Are we missing someone?" Yukihiko narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah," Issac nodded, caressing Isolde on the cheek. "Yumi. Because I doubt any of us here really has a chance to beat that high score without the Ultimate Gunslinger by our side."
"Not who I was referring to, handsome," Yukihiko forced a smile.
He glanced back at their group of six, doing a quick mental headcount. Then, he recounted. He was sure that when they left, they were a group of seven. Now, they were a group of six. Yukihiko made sure to do a couple of more recounts before realizing who it was that was actually missing.
"We're missing Manon," Yukihiko glanced around. "Has anyone seen her?"
"N-Nay?" Roderick blinked. "I could've sworn she be next to us when we got here…"
"Maybe she got lost," Riku muttered. "She may be good with directors, but directions… Well, that's an entirely different skill set…"
Riku chuckled softly at his amusing joke. He just thought it was funny. But no one was laughing. And Yukihiko was certainly most unamused by all of this. Folding his arms, he glanced at Riku questionably.
"Riku, why are you even here?" Yukihiko sighed.
Riku never responded back.
[Center Plaza]
(Beach)
The case of where Manon disappeared too was much easier to solve than expected.
Shortly after everyone in Team Yukihiko headed off to try to win that golden gun, Manon separated from them to head directly toward the Beach. There was something there that caught her interest. Or rather, someone:
A girl with blonde hair wearing nothing but their PJs staring out at the beach's shoreline.
Of course, she didn't recognize who this person was. Frankly, she was a little creeped out. A random girl just sitting by the beach shoreline without a care in the world. Could it be… Some sort of ghost that manifested from one of Roderick's crazy nightmares? If that was true, then Manon was making the same mistake as most horror movie characters: approaching the strange apparition that could just end up–
"Oh, howdy, Manon," Yumi didn't even turn her head.
Manon froze.
It startled her for a moment, but recognizing the accent, she relaxed her body. She approached the young cowgirl in her PJs as carefully as possible.
"Erm, salut, Madame Gundo," Manon stopped by Yumi's side. "What… are you doing here? And in your PJs, too? I almost did not recognize you."
She smiled in amusement.
"A gal's gotta go enjoy da waves however else she can," Yumi responded. "What 'bout you? Ain't you gonna try to win dat golden gun with da others?"
The moment she thought about that gun was the moment the young cowgirl tensed up. She tried to relax but the gunshots and the chants she refused to give into forced their way back into her mind. She hugged herself and tried to focus on the crashing waves. And she desperately hoped that Manon wouldn't have noticed her deep struggles.
Unfortunately, Manon did.
Being observant was one of the few things the actress had going for her after all.
"Well, we cannot," Manon decided not to pry into this further. "Zat is… Without ze only one who can beat ze game. Oui?"
That was her best attempt at trying to cheer up whatever mood the young cowgirl was in.
"Naw, y'all can do it without me," Yumi simply responded.
Didn't work.
Manon blinked.
She would've expected that the positive Ultimate Gunslinger would be someone who would be absolutely down to join the group in trying to win a shooting game. A shooting game in her own Attraction that is. Now that she thought about it, Yumi was easily excited when she first discovered she had an Ultimate Attraction…
But it was after seeing that gun that everything changed.
"Madame Gundo," Manon placed a hand on Yumi's shoulder. "You know you can tell me any zing, oui?"
Yumi didn't say anything as she sat on the sand.
Manon truly has never seen Yumi act like this. No one has. And it wasn't like Yumi was trying hard to hide it. With a small frown, the actress sat next to the gunslinger, glancing at nothing but the shoreline and listening to nothing but the waves topple onto one another. She sighed to herself.
"...Did you know?" Manon smiled to herself. "I have a sister."
Yumi turned to Manon, incredulous.
"Ya what?" Yumi blinked.
That definitely snapped her out of it.
"Ah… Ah didn't know ya had a sister," Yumi blinked. "Ya must be pulling the snake outta mah boot…"
Manon shook her head.
"Non, c'est vrai," Manon insisted. "Ma sœur? She was ze only friend I had growing up. She was always ze person I could always talk to whenever I feel sad, lonely, or angry…"
She paused for a moment, looking downtrodden for a moment.
"She was ze only family I really had…" Manon revealed.
"What 'bout yer parents?" Yumi blinked. "Or are they–"
"Non," Manon shook her head. "Nothing bad like zat. Zey just… Well, zey just didn't care about me as a person. I suppose zat is ze correct way to say it."
Manon grimaced.
She thought back to the flashing spotlights and the red carpets in those hideous heels she had to walk through. The makeup that had to be smothered all over her face and the constant questions. It wasn't the life she exactly wanted now, did she…?
"I was always a tool to zem," Manon frowned. "Just someone zey could use for zeir own benefits. Using… and using… and using… until suddenly, I could no longer see who I was anymore…"
"Golly," Yumi blinked toward Manon. "Ahm… sorry ya had such a life."
Manon returned the gaze and shook her head, amused.
"Zere is no reason to apologize," Manon smiled, sweetly. "Zat was not what I was looking for when I revealed zis secret."
Manon placed a hand on Yumi's.
"Ze only reason I tell you zis was so I could get you to talk to me," Manon revealed. "Back at home, ze only person I could talk to was my sister. She was ze only person who could remind me who I really was. But she's not here with me and…"
Manon glanced away.
"...I just wanted to help remind you zat you are not alone here," she concluded. "So, whatever you are zinking about, please don't be afraid. I will not judge."
She stifled a chuckle.
"I suppose I can be your sister for a day, oui~?" she teased.
Yumi smiled appreciatively toward Manon.
She had to admit that it was a shock to hear that she even had a sister. But given that it was probably a sensitive detail she wouldn't have told anyone, it definitely did mean she was being genuine when she said Yumi could talk to her about anything. Heh. For the past few days, she had to bite through the agonizing pain of having to carry around a gun again. So, perhaps this was finally the chance she was looking for.
The chance to come clean…
"...Dat gun is mine," Yumi immediately revealed.
"...Quoi?" Manon blinked.
"Dat gun in that glass case?" Yumi questioned. "Dat Smith & Wesson. Golden gun. .38 caliber. Dat is mah gun…"
Manon had to blink several more times before she finally understood the implications of what this all meant.
"I-Is… Is zat why you are here, not dressed like a cowgirl?" Manon blinked. "B-Because zat gun…"
"Dat gun is a reminder of mah greatest mistakes," Yumi shook her head, annoyed. "Ahm willing to bet dat gutless hyena placed it dere as a way to taunt me."
She sighed.
Her annoyance shifted into a haunted expression as she buried her face within her own arms.
"And… by golly, it's working…" Yumi miserably said.
"Madame Gundo, you can't–" Manon tried to say but Yumi looked at her again.
"Ah know!" Yumi sighed, frustrated. "Ah know ah shouldn't let this kinda stuff git to me, but ah can't help it!"
She tossed her hands into the air. The only problem was, she realized too late that she and Manon's hands had been interlocked together for a while now. Neither of them had realized just how long they've been holding them and instantly, they retracted their hands away. Manon's face flushed. Yumi on the other hand, looked at that hand with a pained expression.
"Ah, je suis désolée," Manon apologized, quickly realizing Yumi didn't speak French and, "Erm, I mean, sorry…"
Yumi rubbed her hand and closed her eyes.
"Naw, don't be, ah just…" Yumi frowned. "Ah just…"
She took a deep breath.
She might as well tell Manon now.
"...Da last time ah ever used dat gun was over a year ago…" Yumi revealed. "Back when ah was choosing to shoot a gun fer da hell of it."
Yumi shook her head.
"Back then, ah was the Quickest Hand in da West," Yumi reminisced. "Luckiest Sharpshooter in da World. Ah was a crazy son-of-a-gun. Ah did all kinds of things for the fun of it. Duels. Gun tricks. All kinds of gun tricks… Ah didn't care. Ah just loved it. Ah thought it was all in good fun…"
If Yumi had her Stetson hat on, she'd be tipping it down over her face out of shame.
"...Until it wasn't," Yumi instead rubbed the side of her head where the bullet scar was.
It was as if she were inviting Manon to go check it out on her behalf. So, she did. Standing up, the actress walked over to Yumi to check the spot she had been rubbing. The moment she saw the scar though, Manon covered her mouth, her eyes widening in shock.
"M-Madame!" she exclaimed. "Y-You–"
"Good ole Russian Roulette," Yumi shook her head. "Ah got too carried away. 50/50 chance. And ah blew it. Literally. Docs said ah was lucky to come out alive like dis but… Dat was da first time ah ever truly hurt someone. And dat was da first time ah knew ah had to stop. Otherwise…"
Yumi hugged herself.
"Who knows what ah might do next time ah have a gun in mah hand," Yumi shuddered.
"And you did not zink to tell anyone zis when you were handed Monsieur Cutler's gun?" Manon asked in bewilderment.
Yumi didn't say anything about that.
She supposed this was something she should've revealed the moment she was given the gun. Maybe not the entire story but she should've at least refused it out of the safety of others. She tightened the grasp on her shoulder, frowning bitterly. She could feel the judgmental stare from Manon. A familiar feeling from when she first woke up on that hospital bed… When…
"Yer disappointed in me, right?" Yumi looked down. "Ah get it. Ahm sorry, ah should've…"
"Madame Gundo," Manon sighed, squatting down to Yumi's level. "Look at me, s'il vous plaît."
Yumi did as she was told, but this time, the judgmental look she thought she felt was replaced with sympathy.
"I told you," Manon gave her a supportive smile. "I can be your sister for a day. And my sister would've said you made a mistake, oui. Mais… you also shouldn't let zis haunt you."
Manon placed a hand on Yumi's lap.
"I don't zink you realize just how lucky you are to be alive from some zing like zis," Manon told her. "It's like ze universe or God or whomever up zere has decided to give you another chance. Zat gun may be a reminder of your mistakes but zose were all in ze past. Zis is it, Madame Gundo. Zis is your chance to put every zing behind you. Isn't zat why you are a part of our class?"
Manon was right.
Even though that golden gun remains as a reminder of her past, the point was the only reason she was here was to fight through the struggles of her past. She could remain troubled and depressed however she wanted but by the end of the day, that wasn't going to help anyone with anything. All it would do was tempt to go back to her past self.
Back to Yumi Dead-Eye.
She gave Manon a small nod, noticed the hand on her own lap, and placed a hand on that as well.
"Yer right," she smiled.
Manon felt the warmth of Yumi's hand and quickly retracted it. Her face turned red in embarrassment. Though, it didn't seem like Yumi really noticed it, as the cowgirl had gotten up with a new insight to what she needed to do now. She feigned a tip of her nonexistent Stetson hat with an appreciative smile.
"Ah got a lot to dink 'bout…" Yumi simply told Manon. "Thank you for da talk, pardner. Ah… Ah really needed it…"
Yumi gave her a wave and promptly headed back to the Hotel Mirai.
Manon was left at the Beach, where she held onto the hand that Yumi had touched. Her face was still red in embarrassment. That was what she thought the color was from. But the moment she felt her heart, it didn't take her long to realize that embarrassment wasn't the emotion she was feeling. How cruel fate can be sometimes…?
She asserted that she could be Yumi's sister for a day and yet…
"...Oh non," she widened her eyes, her face blushing faintly. "Oh non, non, non. Manon Vivienne Levesque cannot…"
She held onto the hand that Yumi touched and glanced at the ground somberly.
Oh, mon dieu.
Manon and Yumi had grown closer together… But was growing closer together truly the wisest thing for the actress?
[Ultimate Gunslinger's Attraction]
(Queue)
"One person decided to leave and another needs to keep his station sanitized. This has to be a joke."
To say Yukihiko was annoyed would be an understatement.
The makeshift minecarts had been paused thanks to Riku setting everything to Manual at the moment. The only problem was that Riku also needed some time to sanitize the entire booth where the ride's control panel was. With some wet wipes he had in his pockets for some reason, he was extensively sanitizing every inch of the buttons he was going to be pushing. Yukihiko knew that Riku was a germaphobe, but part of him wondered whether this was Riku's way of trolling around.
The longer it took, the more likely it was the latter.
"Are you done now?" Yukihiko shook his head.
"Keh, I was done a while ago," Riku chuckled to himself. "You could've gotten on at any time."
"Remind me to personally sign you up as a sacrifice after this," Yukihiko rolled his eyes as he watched the other members of the group, especially Alisa, climb onto their respective minecarts with slight irritation.
Roderick sat in the first cart up front.
Yukihiko sat in the second.
Alisa in the third.
Kazuki in the fourth.
Issac in the fifth.
"Anyway, good luck to you all," Yukihiko glanced around to his peers behind him.
With Riku manning the control panel, which only happened because he insisted on not being able to touch the guns locked into the minecarts, Yukihiko had to admit that he was a little nervous by what he was about to find inside.
Once the handlebars came down, one-by-one the minecarts went in one after another in-between two-minute intervals.
…
All up until Issac was the only one left in the loading dock.
He glanced toward Isolde, noting his current scoreboard of 0.
"You ready, Isolde?" Issac smiled.
Isolde said nothing.
"Great, me too," Issac responded like the weirdo he was.
Then, two minutes after Kazuki's cart took off, Issac felt his minecart move…
(1st Room)
When the minecart first entered tunnel leading to Room #1, Issac could hear Riley Destiny's voice speaking to him through the minecart's built-in speakers.
"Hey there cowboys and cowgirls. It's me! Riley Destiny! Just here to give you a safety reminder to keep your arms and legs inside the minecart at all times. Remember, if you see a target, try to score a BULLSEYE. You'll get more points, and more points means better prizes!"
Classic safety reminders in place for these kinds of rides.
It wasn't until the minecart was fully inside the tunnel that Issac was able to see the pretty fluorescent colors of the ride. He went from a classic mouth of a cavern to whatever was inside the cave: a contained mining system with quartz shards that glowed blue, purple, and red. Straight ahead was a Riley Destiny animatronic who wore what seemed to be a cowgirl's attire and carried a revolver.
"Welcome to the Cave of Plunders," Riley greeted Issac on the ride. "A cavern filled with lost treasure. Be quiet. And be careful. We're not alone here."
So, anyway, Issac started blasting.
There were a horde of target signs each of different shapes attached to many different objects. Squares, circles, triangles… But within the center of each square, circle, and triangle were small little, tiny holes: Bullseye.
Issac aimed as his minecart moved and shot one of the squares attached to a fluorescent quartz crystal. He missed the Bullseye, hitting the edge of the square. The square target flashed, signifying he hit it and the moment he did, his scoreboard changed: 1000. Also to note was that the moment he hit the square, the fluorescent crystal flashed green.
"Curious," Issac chuckled. "The moment you hit a target, it causes a fun animation to happen."
He aimed at the same square again but this time trying to hit the Bullseye, but no matter what he did, the square didn't flash up again. In other words…
"And you can't hit the same target twice," Issac noted as he passed underneath a colony of bats that were sleeping soundly, each with triangle-shaped target signs attached to them. He fired at three, hitting them but missing the Bullseye again.
His scoreboard changed: 16000.
The bats woke up, extending their wings and hissing.
Bats don't hiss but okay.
Issac glanced down toward Isolde, sighing.
"Yes, I know I missed the Bullseye," Issac shook his head. "It's much harder than it looks, alright?"
He passed by some more uniquely colored quartz crystals, each with circular target signs. Some squares. Some triangles were also littered about. Issac tried to shoot each one directly in the middle, but he would just hit anywhere but.
Man! He was not doing well!
"What are my points now, Isolde?" Issac asked the caterpillar.
He glanced at his scoreboard: 22300.
Yeah.
Not doing well!
The ride turned to the left and the stope got steeper as a projector showcased silhouettes of soldiers trampling through the caves. Circular target signs were hooked on stalactites that forced Issac to aim up and try to shoot them. The moment he did, the projector would show rubble falling on top of the soldiers, forcing them to look up.
That was a cool touch to the ride.
And eventually, the minecart turned another right, leading into a darker tunnel that was supposed to lead him into the next room…
(2nd Room)
And as Issac's minecart would approach the 2nd Room, Kazuki was already halfway through it.
As of now, his current score was: 11200.
H-How on Earth was that even possible? How was he doing so much worse than Issac was? Well, the room he curved to the left, and the minecart he was on curved to the left where a stage was presented with an animatronic of a Russian man, surrounding with a heavy duty TNT, each with their own target signs of different shapes–
Kazuki missed the circle.
And he missed the triangle.
And the square…
It was starting to become a little understandable on why he was doing really poorly.
"...Man… what a shame…" Kazuki sighed as he glanced at his right gloved hand.
Then, applying his left hand to better stabilize the control of his aim, he found better luck in hitting some targets but it just wasn't enough. And as his minecart slowly moved past the stage, the Russian man animatronic was practically cackling as Riley Destiny's echoed within the cave:
"What did I tell you guys about keeping it down?! Ugh! Zlo Porokny! I should've known it was you!"
"Da, Marcus Avventira!" Zlo declared. "So glad you could arrive!"
Kazuki blinked.
Clearly this ride wasn't fully refurbished and much more clearly than that, this was originally another Marcus Avventira ride until Disney decided to swap in Rey as the main headliner for Star Wars– I mean, the Towa Group decided to swap in Riley Destiny in honor of her MKPlus streaming series.
"As you can see, I have Soviet-issued explosives…" Zlo explained. "Soon, I vill bury you along vith the last of Stalin's important treasures…"
"We'll never let you get away with this, Zlo!" Riley declared.
"So, they say…" Zlo chuckled as the minecart moved past the stage and into the tunnel leading toward the 3rd Room. "Now then. Men. Let's show this adventurer the might of the Soviet Union…"
At this point, Kazuki practically gave up shooting and was just enjoying the peaceful and calming ride and irregular storytelling. He knew he had a mission to do but with how god awful his aim was, he knew he wasn't going to reach that high score. The most he could do now was lay back and let his gun hit whatever it could…
(3rd Room)
When Alisa had reached the 3rd Room, her minecart had straightened itself forward to reveal a winding pathway of Russian soldiers trying to fight back at Alisa.
She pushed her glasses in wonder over this plunder as she kept herself armed.
Her current score: 106500.
She was doing much better than Issac and Kazuki had been doing. She was pretty good with her hands and her precision was pretty on point. But to get to that high score was going to need more than just those two.
The first thing one would see when they passed the 3rd Room would be a cardboard cutout of a duo of Russian soldiers aiming their guns toward Alisa's minecart. Though they wouldn't be firing actual bullets, Alisa could see a triangular sign hidden behind the soldiers. With careful precision, she hit it, but missed the Bullseye.
Scoreboard: 111500.
And the cardboard cutout simply disappeared with them Wilhelm screaming and smoke blasting out from behind them. That probably meant what she really shot was a barrel meant to simulate an explosion. Her minecart moved up a slope and to the right were Russian soldiers in minecarts of their own.
Attached to the Russians' minecart wheels were circular target signs. Alisa shot those and the minecart slowly drove away with the Russians yelling out in… well… Russian.
Turning the left now, she would see a minecart quickly approaching her, as if it was going to ram into her minecart. Attached to the front of this minecart was a square-shaped target sign. Alisa quickly shot it directly in the middle.
Bullseye!
Scoreboard: 121500.
The minecart stopped and moved backwards allowing her to move to the left once more. This time, she was practically surrounded by crates of dynamite and TNT, all with target signs that she was able to shoot. And with every shot, the sounds of muted explosions would erupt or the crates would move elsewhere.
"Ooh, that's…" Alisa instinctively ducked, thinking the sounds of explosions would be much louder than it actually was.
All in all, this room was a room of chaos.
Where soldiers would be trying to shoot her with nonexistent bullets and she would have to fight back with her own gun. Nearing the end of the room, Alisa could see a crate being lowered on top of her, as if they were planning to crush her. Underneath this crate was a triangular target sign that she shot with little issue.
The crate raised up and turning to the right, she would see a black-suited Russian mercenary animatronic moving about sporadically, armed with his own gun. He had a triangular shaped target sign that made use of the animatronics arms to hide the sign every time he glanced around.
Smart.
Naturally, she missed her target and her minecart pressed on into the 4th Room…
(4th Room)
The 4th Room was a blatant straight path in which Yukihiko now had two directions to try to shoot from.
It was a long tunnel path.
On the left, was Zlo Porokny who was sitting in his own minecart, very much like the ride Yukihiko was sitting on. He had his own gun, practically aiming it across the other side. Surrounding him were more crates and crystallized quartz, all of which had target signs of every shape and size.
Mirroring the left was the right, where Riley Destiny sat in her own minecart, shooting right back at Zlo Porokny. And when I say mirrored, I mean it was quite literally mirrored. Crates. Crystallized quartz. Target signs.
But unlike other targets, the circular targets on both of their minecart wheels could be shot multiple times. That was something Yukihiko had noticed when he landed a Bullseye hit on Riley's wheels.
And the more Yukihiko progressed throughout this room, the more the sounds of gunshots rang out. And by the way, this tunnel pathway moved as slow as the Omnimover. In other words, it was really damn slow.
"You'll never get away with this Zlo!"
"I already have!"
Dialogue, still as cringy as ever.
And at the moment, Yukihiko's current scoreboard was: 275300.
Compared to the other three behind him, it was clearly a skill issue. Not that he knew that much. All he knew was that he was nowhere close to beating Stanczyk's high score.
"Only 200 thousand?" Yukihiko muttered. "How did that big baby manage to get that high of a score…?"
He continuously shot Riley's minecart wheels, occasionally hitting Bullseye, occasionally hitting the outer rim of the target signs, but never missing. And the more he hit the minecart wheels, the more Riley's minecart moved her closer to the end of her track. Throughout it all, he also tried to shoot the other triangular shaped target signs.
Racking up more points was his goal and what better way to do that than to target the ones with more points that he could actually hit.
Continuously, his minecart moved past the tunnel hallway showdown between Zlo and Riley and into the next scene in the 5th Room…
(5th Room)
Roderick's minecart would've already made it in the 5th Room around this time. And the first thing he would hear was the sound of Riley's voice:
"Oh no! Zlo activated the bombs! The cave is collapsing! We gotta get out of here! Like, right now!"
This entire room had notable 360 screen projectors on the wall to better showcase the effects of a cavern collapse, what with tumbling pebbles and rocks. To the left would be Zlo Porokny's minecart lodged into the ground, signifying that Zlo was already defeated. More target signs by the way.
Roderick started blasting away.
Compared to everyone else, he was doing a pretty good job. His scoreboard: 782900.
Still not close to the high score but still pretty good. Definitely a showcase of someone who can handle using a gun.
As he shot whatever target sign, he could see, whether it be closer or farther away, he watched as the minecart was preparing to crash into a projector screen. Oh! And the projector screen showed a bunch of boulders tumbling down, blocking his path.
"Yikes! Detour! Detour!"
The minecart swerved to the left, showcasing more paths that were blocked and more target signs. The track was starting to wind back and forth in-between large boulders, each with circular target signs, blocking his minecart's path.
"N-Nay!" Roderick tried to snipe some shots from target signs he could see from a distance. "Keep still!"
Yeah, like that would do anything.
Eventually, the path would curve toward the right where another animatronic of Riley Destiny would point to a light in the distance. The exit to this fun (yet exhausting to write) ride. She waved her hands over as her head shook back and forth in relief and excitement.
"Your luck is as good as mine! Look! It's a light at the end of the tunnel! Quickly! We can get out of here now!"
Roderick glanced at his scoreboard: 813400.
Roderick made sure to fire off some remaining shots to some other target signs he could spot. Whether or not he hit Bullseye didn't matter. At this rate, he was just trying to gather as many points as he could. In fact, he was so focused on that task that he just didn't notice one last surprise at the end of the ride:
"Look out!"
A large boulder preparing to fall right on top of him.
And his minecart made it through the tunnel, leading directly toward…
(Score Room)
…The Score Room?
"Whew! That was a close one! Nice shooting there, partner! Marcus would be proud of you!"
Where Roderick was currently taken into was the final room, where the scores would be revealed to Roderick. Though, it was only going to be his score. So, Roderick didn't know exactly what the point of that was when he had his score literally right there on his minecart.
Sitting next to the screen where Roderick's score was being presented was yet another Riley Destiny animatronic, sitting on top of what seemed to be a pile of gold. From the looks of it, this seemed to be the lost treasure that Riley had been talking about at the start of the ride.
"And look at this. We found the lost treasure! Couldn't have done this without you! Now, let's see how much of the share I'm going to have to give you based on your score right… here…"
The scoreboard was starting to flicker to showcase Roderick's final score of:
'998200'
"Wow!" Riley remarked. "Not bad! Not bad at all! Your shots were luckier than mine, that's for sure!"
The animatronic waved as Roderick felt the minecart pull him away back to the approaching loading dock.
"Good luck next time!" Riley declared. "And may adventure await you in Piero's Playground!"
And that… was the end of the ride.
(Queue)
By the time everyone reached the Queue for the Ultimate Gunslinger's Attraction, Riku was already there, folding his arms and looking absolutely bored out of his mind. But most compelling was the presence of Monoyena and Stanczyk, each of them with different expressions on their faces.
Monoyena had that amused and crass look he always had.
Stanczyk on the other hand looked genuinely worried about something.
"Well, that was a ride," Issac chuckled, rubbing Isolde's body,
"It… was a lot harder than I thought it would…" Kazuki folded his arms.
"At least the ride was somewhat smooth," Alisa fixed her glasses as she glanced to the side.
Based on the three's comments, Yukihiko was immediately able to piece together the otherwise obvious conclusion on how their experiences with the ride went. If he had a bottle of milk right now, he'd definitely chug it down to get rid of the mental frustration.
"I take it that none of you three were able to reach anywhere close to the high score?" Yukihiko questioned.
"Nah, I ended with around 600 thousand points," Issac shook his head, brushing his hair to the side with a smile.
"Around 850 thousand for me," Alisa folded her arms, closing her eyes.
"200 thousand…" Kazuki remarked.
Yukihiko glanced at Kazuki, incredulous.
"...Hey…" Kazuki chuckled sheepishly. "Look… It's much easier getting shot at than actually shooting something alright…?"
"Th-That… There was…" Yukihiko pinched the bridge of his nose and decided to ignore what exactly Kazuki had said.
His last hope was a 6'2 male with muscles and paranoia. Turning to Roderick, he hoped that perhaps Roderick got close enough so that he would be able to replicate the results and do much better. Watching the fisherman tuck a stray hair underneath his beanie, he folded his arms with a sigh.
"Nay…" he shook his head. "990 thousand for I…"
"Okay, that's a little better than my 920 thousand," Yukihiko held out hope. "Perhaps we should try again."
"Wow, ya wankers really suck at this!" Monoyena cackled, gesturing to Stanczyk for a moment. "Seriously?! None of ya can beat this piss-stain's fucking high score?!"
"Thank goodness!" Stanczyk grinned. "I'm very thankful that my name is still first on the leaderboard!"
"There's no leaderboard…" Riku folded his arms.
"Riku, what on Earth are these two doing here?" Alisa sighed.
"Pft, don't ask me meaningless questions, woman…" Riku muttered. "They decided to join the fun after hearing that you were attempting to destroy this clown's high score."
He smirked to himself.
"We even made bets," Riku folded his arms.
"You were betting on us…?" Yukihiko deadpanned. "With these two? You know these two are the enemy right?"
"Keh," Riku shrugged, shaking his head with a twisted smile. "They provided me with a source of entertainment during my otherwise boring task of sitting here waiting for you fleshbags to finish… By the way, I bet that none of you would be able to win the game…"
"I did too," Monoyena laughed. "And I was right! Bwa… Bwahahahahaha!"
"We… were right," Riku corrected.
"Don't fucking lump me in with your cuntiness, fuckwad!" Monoyena flashed a dangerous jagged red eye toward the doctor.
"So, great, the two assholes betted against us," Issac sighed, rubbing Isolde's neck. "I'm not surprised to say the least…"
"If it makes you feel better, I thought for sure this little girl was going to win!" Stanczyk jumped in, pointing toward Yukihiko.
Yukihiko folded his arms, annoyed.
"...I'm a boy," he frowned.
"E-Eh?!" Stanczyk's masked face somehow paled. "Y-You are?!"
"...I could've sworn we went over this," Yukihiko sighed in annoyance.
"B-But I thought… B-But I thought…" Stanczyk started to sniffle.
Oh God.
Here it comes.
"W-W-WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Stanczyk started to sob uncontrollably. "I'M SO SOWWY! P-PLEASE DON'T CANCEL MEEEEEEEE!"
"Bitch, yer show was already canceled," Monoyena gnawed on his Barbie Blade. "So shut the fuck up and let's fucking go! We got stuff to wank about! Remember?!"
"Oh yeah, you're right!" Stanczyk stopped crying immediately, bringing back his faithful grin.
"Stuff to… What ye be planning now?" Roderick eyed the two suspiciously.
"Something fun for all of you!" Stanczyk giddily stated before tilting his head and his red eye glowing. "...aNd sOmEtHiNG fOr yOU To dO…"
The six stepped back.
Stanczyk's darker side never failed to creep them out.
"Oi, cumstain," Monoyena smacked Stanczyk on the side of his head, snapping him out of his twisted side. "Quit spoiling stuff and let's fucking go. We'll see these wanks tomorrow!"
"Right!" Stanczyk nodded obediently, like a child.
Turning back to his six playmates, he waved his hand with pure excitement on his face.
"See you tomorrow best friends!" he declared before skipping behind Monoyena.
With the two clowns now out of the cavern, Yukihiko clapped his hands together with a sigh. He turned to Roderick, Alisa, Kazuki, and Issac. Riku on the other hand bit into an apple, watching this exchange between the actual people who actually went out to ride the ride.
"Well then, with those two finally gone," Yukihiko rolled his eyes. "I say we go again. Who's with me…?"
Roderick folded his arms, looking eager to do so.
The other three however exchanged looks that didn't exactly say they wanted to give this ride a second try.
One sucked at shooting.
One thought it was a waste of time.
And the other just couldn't care less.
Yukihiko held in his frustrated sigh.
"I see…" was all he had to say.
[Jungle of Joy]
(Tunnel)
The path on the right from the tunnel leading to Stanczyk's Secret Clubhouse, or rather the Treehouse Gift Shop, to keep it short, led Aidan and Daisuke down what seemed to be a hiking trail.
The trail itself was a pathway through another section of the tunnel. And judging by the path, it was a winding pathway, meaning Aidan and Daisuke wouldn't be able to see where this path led unless they walked the entire way through. But from what Yukihiko and Beauté and the sign had said, this was the path that was supposed to take them directly toward the Ruins.
As they continued to walk through this tunnel, to keep the decor interesting and exciting were movie posters plastered on the wall, showcasing each Marcus Avventira movie in order of release date:
…
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: Raiders of Da Vinci's Lost Art
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: The Temple of Dread
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: The Last Cruise
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: Kingdom of the Christian Souls
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: The First Adventure
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: Winter Solstice
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: Cold War's Order
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: Brave Man's World
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: At Destiny's Edge
The Adventures of Marcus Avventira: Trials of Destiny
The Adventures of Riley Destiny: Legend of the Tomb Raider
The Adventures of Riley Destiny: Curse of King Arthur's Sword
The Adventures of Riley Destiny: Guardian of Luck (COMING SOON)
…
Needless to say, they were milking this franchise for what it was worth…
"Wow, there's a lot of these Marcus Avventira movies," Aidan rubbed his chin. "Plus, some Riley Destiny stuff. And I haven't seen a single one of them!"
Daisuke snuck glances toward each poster pertaining to Marcus Avventira. Each of them had the same aesthetic to it. Each of them promoted fun, action, and adventure. Honestly, it'd be worth a night to just binge-watch every single one of these. And yet, the most important thing Daisuke was more focused on was just how manly Marcus was…
Goddamn, that man had a smolder.
"Hey, D, you coming?" Aidan called out to Daisuke, who had noticed the fast-food employee staring a little too hard at the poster for Brave Man's World.
Quickly, the larger male snapped out of his daze.
"A-Ah, y-yeah!" Daisuke nodded, jogging toward Aidan as they eventually made it…
(Bridge)
…out of the tunnel and onto a Bridge?
The Bridge led directly toward another winding pathway but this time through a jungle. And while the bridge looked like a rope bridge, the actual bridge itself was stable enough for anyone to cross it. That includes you, Daisuke. Along the bridge were what seemed to be three stationary water guns.
It was a weird choice until the two realized what the heck was in front of them and below the bridge.
In front of them was a stone statue with empty eye sockets. Just two holes any guest who would be playing with these water guns could shoot into.
Alternatively…
What was below them was what seemed to be a river stream with boats passing by underneath, straight into the mouth of this stone statue. And these weren't just any boats. These were the boats from Roderick's Attraction.
"This… is…" Aidan widened his eyes. "Wasn't Roderick's Attraction some sort of water ride?"
"Y-Yeah, a log flume ride, to be exact," Daisuke pointed out.
"But… these aren't logs," Aidan blinked. "These look more like boats."
Daisuke didn't have a mean bone in his body to give Aidan an 'Are you stupid' look. So instead, he gave the track star an embarrassed smile and twiddled his fingers together before speaking.
"Erm, y-y'know log flume rides could also be boats instead of logs…" Daisuke pointed.
"Is that so…?" Aidan blinked.
Compared to someone like Issac, Aidan just wasn't the brains behind amusement park trivia. Hell, he wasn't the brains behind anything really. But to Daisuke… God damn it. That just made the track star all the cuter in his eyes.
Aidan moved over to the stationary water guns pointed directly down at the river stream.
The water guns were adjustable. The movement of where to point the gun— whether it be up, down, left, and right —was smooth enough for anyone to use with little problem. Pointing it to himself was not something he could do, but what he could do was point it at the boats. On each gun's right side was a wheel with a handle.
When Aidan spun the handle, water streamed out of it, and since he had been pointing the gun downward, the water made sure to shoot downward. In other words, it was like those water guns you'd use to get someone wet in Legoland or that Popeye ride in Island of Adventure.
Assuming people know what I'm talking about, that is.
"D-Did you find something, Aidan?" Daisuke questioned, twiddling his fingers nervously.
"Just some random water guns…" Aidan simply answered before deciding to aim the gun toward one of the eye sockets.
When he shot water inside, however, a thick fog started to seep out of the eye socket Aidan had shot into and poured down, as if the statue were crying through one eye. It definitely made Roderick's Attraction a little spookier now.
"W-What did you do?" Daisuke gulped. "W-Why is the statue crying?!"
"I just shot water into its eye," Aidan rubbed his neck with a sheepish chuckle. "I didn't think it would create a fog like this."
Sure enough, the fog was starting to fog up the pathway on the bridge. If this were a real rope bridge, it'd definitely be a safety hazard, but since the bridge was a straight line toward a winding pathway toward the Ruins, really not a big deal.
"W-Why would they put something like this here?!" Daisuke was getting freaked out by the sudden inclusion of fog. "I-It just makes this entire section of the Jungle so much creepier!"
"This might be the point honestly," Aidan rubbed his chin. "Shoot water into the eye and fog comes out of it. It's a cool effect for anyone hiking by and anyone riding the ride below."
"A-Ah I see…" Daisuke was practically trembling.
Aidan raised an eyebrow.
"H-Hey are you scared?" Aidan blinked.
Daisuke didn't want to say anything. He didn't want to look like a pussy in front of his crush. Fact was, he was definitely failing in that regard.
"Hey, dude, don't worry," Aidan gave him a soft smile. "Look. If you're scared, just say it. I won't judge."
Daisuke wasn't sure whether to believe him or not.
But to see the wispy fog creep onto the bridge, thick enough to make this section of the Jungle of Joy mysterious and even haunting, yeah, Daisuke wasn't having it. He was going out himself right now with a small timid nod.
With a notable sigh, Aidan ran to his side and slowly escorted him toward the winding pathway that would lead them to…
(Ruins)
…the Ruins.
It was just as Yukihiko and Beauté said once again.
The path from the bridge led directly out into the Ruins, and right in front of the apparent exit from Roderick's Attraction.
And throughout the short, yet what felt like a long, winding pathway, Daisuke had completely buried his face into his hands. He was absolutely embarrassed that he had to be escorted out by the man he was crushing on— Gah!
He needed to slap himself.
Get his mind out of the gutter.
It was never going to work between him and Aidan. It was never going to work. He has someone he loves back home and he's just… He's just Daisuke. Someone he just knew would never find the happiness he dreamed of…
"I— I'm sorry," Daisuke sniffled, trying hard not to cry.
"W-Whoa, hey man, are you crying?" Aidan blinked.
He remembered Daisuke's tendency of putting himself down when he didn't need to. He remembered just how pessimistic he was about his life and what it could lead to. And yet Aidan was surprised at how sensitive this gentle giant really was.
"Look D, I said it before, and I'll say it again…" Aidan spoke up with a supportive smile. "It's alright to be scared over something like fog. And I don't blame you because that fog was looking pretty thick. So, don't be embarrassed if you have to cry, alright?"
"…I-If I was more of a man, maybe I wouldn't be so pathetic…" Daisuke looked down, ashamed. "Siiiiigh. I'm so useless…"
"Okay, let's not say things like that," Aidan slightly berated. "Dude. Listen to me. You are not pathetic. You are not useless. It's alright for some guys to cry. In fact, it's scientifically proven that the strongest guys are the guys that can cry freely!"
Daisuke had covered his face but snuck glances here and there.
"D-Does that mean that you cry a lot too…?" Daisuke questioned.
"Heck no!" Aidan gave Daisuke a thumbs-up and a grin. "I have no time to cry! I gotta remain positive and optimistic, right?"
That didn't help at all.
"O-Oh I'm such a let-down…" Daisuke miserably said, hunching over.
"Erm, well, what I meant to say is…" Aidan tried to save it.
"Siiiiigh," Daisuke looked down.
"…believe it or not…" Aidan was losing it.
"Siiiigh," Daisuke continued.
"…You're much stronger than I am because you cry a lot!" Aidan flashed him a thumbs up.
"Siiiiiigh," Daisuke frowned bitterly. "Y-You can stop trying A-Aidan… I-It's hopeless. I… I just… I'll never be half the man as you are…"
Aidan blinked, slowly dropping his hand as he watched his only ally walk up toward the wooden fence overseeing the log flume drop.
"Hey Daisuke, you know that's not true…" Aidan tried to point out.
"…B-But it is," Daisuke rested his chin on the fence. "…I… I tried it once. It… didn't work out so well."
Aidan walked up to him, curious to hear what he had to say about the matter. He rested his arm onto the fence and glanced at him as if the two were drinking at a bar.
"…I tried out in football once…" Daisuke revealed. "…I tried to be a football player once…"
"You… tried out for football?" Aidan was surprised to hear this information.
Considering Daisuke's current build, it was hard for Aidan to believe. Heck, it would be hard for everyone to believe it. But Daisuke was adamant about it. Adamant as he kept his eyes glazed on the ride's steep slope.
"…W-Well, technically it was my dad who forced me to try out," Daisuke revealed. "H-He's… H-He's someone alright…"
Aidan had little social cues to understand what he meant by that.
"Okay?" Aidan blinked. "But how did it go? Did you get into a team? Did you have—"
"I… hated it…" Daisuke put a stop to that questionnaire.
"…Oh," Aidan blinked. "…Why?"
"B-Because I wasn't strong enough," Daisuke looked down. "B-Because I wasn't man enough…"
Daisuke slowly lowered his hat down.
"…A-Aidan, I don't know how you do it," his lips quivered. "W-When I was put in a team, it was non-stop yelling and insults. M-My teammates hated me. My coach hated me. M-My dad thought I was a disappointment… A-All because I wasn't good enough for a man's sport."
"W-Well, hey Daisuke, look football isn't for everyone so I get it—" Aidan tried his best to comfort the big man.
"N-No you don't," Daisuke frowned. "Th-This isn't about football! Th-This is about me being a total weirdo!"
Aidan was taken aback when Daisuke yelled at him. Even Daisuke himself was taken aback and it definitely wasn't something he enjoyed. Quickly, he covered his mouth and avoided eye contact.
"I… I'm sorry," he quickly apologized. "I just… My passion is cooking. Not sports. Not football. Cooking. That is what I really want to do… Th-That's all I want to do."
"And… your dad doesn't want you to do that?" Aidan blinked.
"…He says it makes me look like a woman…" Daisuke drooped. "H-He says everything I do makes me look like a woman in a man's body. B-But I can't help it. I love to do makeovers. I love to bead bracelets. And I love to cook. I-Is that so wrong?"
Daisuke felt close to tearing up.
"Th-That's how I know I'll never be a man…" he frowned. "B-Because as long as I dream of being the finest chef in the world, I'll always be a disappointment to him… I'll always be a disappointment to all men in general… C-Can you believe—"
"Alright, that's bull," Aidan had heard enough. "You'll always be a disappointment to all men? Did your dad tell you that one?"
Daisuke glanced at Aidan, incredulous.
"Look man," Aidan sighed. "Just because you can't do sports doesn't make you less of a man than all other men in this world. I've seen men in track act like girls and girls outdo men in basketball of all things! I've never seen my dad throw a ball in his life and yet he's usually the manliest person in our family gatherings! So, if you can't play football, that's not an issue on whether you're not manly enough. It just means sports' not for you!"
"B-But… what about the cooking…" Daisuke was about to say before Aidan jumped in.
"Gordon Ramsay," Aidan began to list. "Jamie Oliver. Ultimate Chef Preston Smokevin. That other Ultimate Chef from Japan. They're all guys who made it big in cooking and are you going to call them less as a man for doing a 'woman's job'?"
Daisuke blinked.
He… hadn't really considered the other famous chefs in the world who had made it big doing what they loved most. And just hearing Aidan say it out of his own mouth was getting pretty damn inspiring.
"Daisuke, you need to stop letting your dad define your definition of what it means to be a man and start making your own definition!" Aidan declared.
"B-But… how?" Daisuke blinked.
"I don't know!" Aidan honestly said.
Thanks Aidan.
"But what I do know is this," Aidan folded his arms. "As long as you continue doing what you love, that's already man enough in my book. Because at least you're making your own choices and doing what you want to do."
Aidan's face softened.
"So… quit beating yourself up over all this manliness nonsense," Aidan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's as I've been saying. You're already man enough. And it's okay to cry. I'm not someone who would judge you over something as small as that…"
Aidan had thought he had given a job well-done to his big inspiring speech. But the moment he wanted to mentally pat himself on the back was the moment he heard sniffling erupt from Daisuke. When he glanced back at the larger male, he was practically in tears.
"D-Did I say the wrong thing again?!" Aidan exclaimed.
"N-No no no no no," Daisuke shook his head. "You… What you said… It was… Yeah it was right. Y-You're right, I just… S-Sorry, I just…"
He wiped tears from his eyes.
"Th-Thank you Aidan," he sheepishly looked down, his cheeks practically blushing at this point.
Goddamn it, he could totally kiss him right now if he could…
"Of course, D," Aidan gave him a thumbs-up. "Anything for a pal of mine…"
"Urgh…" Daisuke closed his eyes. "Your girlfriend is so lucky to have someone like you!"
Daisuke covered his mouth.
Aidan blinked.
It just came out so quickly.
It was the heat of the moment.
He didn't know what happened.
Daisuke had just blurted that comment out and ruined the moment between them.
Typical stupid Daisuke.
"I— I'm sorry!" Daisuke mumbled through his hands. "I… I don't know what came over me! I just… I thought…"
"What girlfriend?" Aidan blinked.
Huh?
"H-Huh?" Daisuke blinked. "W-What do you mean 'what girlfriend?'"
"I… should be asking you that question?" Aidan was so confused. "Why did you think I had a girlfriend?"
Because he was good-looking?
Because he was strong?
Admirable?
A total dork?
So, damn cute?
"Y-You said her name one time," Daisuke revealed, his heart practically pounding as he tried not to say any of those other options that popped up in his head. "And you said it so casually too! Ohhhh… Stupid Daisuke! Trying to pry into other people's business. Stupid stupid stupid!"
"Wh-Whoa now, let's not beat yourself up over this!" Aidan pointed out. "W-What was the name I said? Because maybe I said a random girl's name. Like… Wolfie! Yeah, it was Wolfie right?"
"…It was Nadia…" Daisuke blinked.
If he was mean, he'd definitely look at Aidan as if he were stupid.
"Huh?" Aidan blinked. "Nadia?"
He burst out laughing.
"Nadia?!" Aidan laughed. "Hahaha. You think… You think Nadia was the name of my—"
"I-Is it not…?" Daisuke blinked.
"No dude!" Aidan laughed. "Nadia's the name of my sister! My twin sister! Hahahaha!"
"Y-Your sister?" Daisuke blinked.
He fell for the oldest trick in the book.
"S-So does that mean—" Daisuke widened his eyes.
"No, I'm not dating my sister," Aidan shuddered. "That's an Alabama thing."
"Th-Then, y-you're…" Daisuke's eyes lit up with hope. "…single?"
"Loud and proud my dude!" Aidan gave Daisuke a thumbs-up.
Fuck yes!
Never had Daisuke thanked God so hard for allowing him to have a chance with the hottest guy he's ever met! He contained his excitement as Aidan continued to laugh. The idea of him and Nadia dating… So grotesque it was hilarious!
Daisuke twiddled his fingers.
He wanted to ask him now but—
"Oh God, you're a riot, D," Aidan kept his thumbs up, laughing all the way. "Thanks for the hard laugh. And for joining me in checking the Clubhouse. I think I'm gonna go for a jog. I need a moment to get my head a rest."
"R-Right," Daisuke nodded, slightly disappointed he didn't get to spend more time with Aidan.
But come on, he had like an entire Chapter's worth of content with his boy toy. So, it was Aidan's time to run off. And as he did, he waved Daisuke goodbye, hoping to see him later.
God.
That was enough for Daisuke's cheeks to brighten up.
As he felt his plumpy cheeks warm up, he knew instantly what this meant.
Daisuke and Aidan had grown closer together.
And in Daisuke's case, with the revelation that Aidan was single…
He hoped he could grow even closer to him…
[Hotel Mirai]
(Yumi's Room)
Yumi rubbed the silver coating of Roderick's Ruger GP100 as she paced around the room.
Her conversation with Manon was definitely a conversation she needed to feel a little better about her circumstances. She glanced at the gun she was entrusted with. For a moment, she let the memories of her past haunt her. With her free hand, she spun the cylinder, dragging it around with a single finger.
As she felt the cold metallic casing of the firearm, she closed her eyes, revisiting the sensation of the spotlight being all on her. She could picture it again. The encircled stage. The crowd chanting her stage name. The adrenaline pumping through her veins and how much she enjoyed it all.
How much she was addicted to it.
Oh, how she would give anything to feel that sensation again…
She pointed the gun toward her head after careful amounts of cylinder spinning. She pointed it directly at the same spot as her scar. She kept her breath heavy and still. And as she felt the barrel of the gun press against that hollowed part of her skull, she had to admit that she never felt more alive than that moment.
She heard the chants once more.
"Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye! Dead-Eye!"
She smiled.
Then, she opened her eyes.
Lurching her arm forward, she felt the gun slip away from her hands and watched as the firearm was preemptively tossed out of her room's balcony window and straight toward the shoreline. She extended her arms out and took in the scent of the ocean waves, feeling free from the gun that she was forced to look after.
All that was left was the other one.
The golden gun.
The Smith & Wesson.
.38 caliber.
Her gun…
…
A ping notified her of something being updated on her eTicket.
Like an omen, it happened as soon as she got rid of Roderick's gun from her grasp. Now, she wasn't sure what to think. Was tossing that gun away really the smartest decision? Well for Yumi, it absolutely was. So, for all she knew this ping could be something else. Something better than–
The moment she opened her eTicket and checked the notifications, her heart sank…
Because in her Photos App was a single image of four children: the boy, the girl, another boy, and another girl, all separated into four quadrants.
They looked miserable.
For Yumi, it was chilling to see such a display. Because now, there were more children they had to worry about. But the chills and trepidation didn't stop there. Because shortly after she had clicked on the Photos App to see the children in a new situation…
Another ping.
This time, from the Survey App.
She knew where this was going now. She had experienced it twice before. It had to be another question. But Yumi just didn't know how much worse the questions could get. How much worse they could go from 'Would You Rather Save The Boy or The Girl'. Tapping on the screen, she got her answer with a new question:
Would You Break Up A Pair of Siblings or A Pair of Friends?
A. Siblings
B. Friends
She froze.
If she was understanding just what this question was implying, then this was much worse than she thought.
So much worse…
[?]
(?)
Nick woke up with a headache.
The suffocating feeling passed away as soon as he and his three fellow prisoners slowly got up from the soft padding. Whatever they had just been gassed with was strong enough to knock them out. For how long, the four didn't know. What they did know was that they did not want to go through that again.
"Are you okay, Fiona?" D'andre asked.
Fiona didn't say anything.
She simply hugged herself, leaning against the barrier blocking her from her brother. To keep him from asking again, she gave him a small nod.
D'andre turned to face Nick and Lucky.
"What about you two?" he asked. "Do you two feel…"
"I feel… fine," Lucky rubbed her head. "Nicky?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm okay now but…" Nick rubbed his head. "I-It felt… so bad before we passed out. W-What was that?"
No one had a response.
Understandable.
The four were at most 10 years of age. Chemistry wasn't a science that was accessible to many young children like them. So, whatever they were gassed with that could constrict their lungs like that… essentially asphyxiating them… They wouldn't know. It was odorless. Gaseous too. But that could be literally any of the gasses on the periodic table…
"Unpleasant, wasn't it?"
The same innocent yet distorted voice from before came back.
"Th-The Ice Cream Man!" Nick covered his face.
"Wh-What's the big idea?!" Lucky tried her best to remain strong. "Wh-What did you do to us?!"
For a moment, there was no response from the voice. At least not until their laugh seeped through the intercoms and echoed throughout their chamber. It was enough to keep Fiona's head tucked down and D'andre to clench his fist. Nick hugged himself in fear and Lucky stood tall and firm…
"Does it really matter what I did? I don't think so…"
The sound of someone leaning forward against the microphone they were speaking into could be heard in the room.
"What matters is, depending on what happens, I will do it again."
For a moment, the four could swear they could hear the voice grin.
"If you thought it was unpleasant the first time…
…
…
…
…YoU'LL DeFiNiTeLy HaTe iT tHe nEXt TiMe…"
The four children's faces paled.
Next time?
As in…?
[Central Plaza]
(Beach)
The Ruger GP100 lay strewn in the sand.
The waves tried oh so desperately to drag it back into the ocean, but with little success. The revolver may be of a smaller handheld size, but it was far from light enough to be easily whisked into the ocean deep trenches of whatever island they were at. So, as the ocean continued to try to retrieve the gun, it was unfortunately beaten by someone stepping directly toward where the gun had landed.
Crouching down, they examined it closely.
…
Then, they picked it up.
DANGANRONPA: TWISTED TRAGEDY
These FTEs are getting longer, and these rides are getting so much more exhausting to write XE But hey! Daily Life 2 of Chapter 2 is now here for you to read! :D Think I'm getting better with FTEs :D Think I'm getting worse with describing stuff XE
I had to cut out and move a lot of stuff to other chapters again which was fun ;-; Not really but yeah. I think Yumi's Attraction could've been a little better but somewhere there, I got lazy. The perfectionist in me is too hard on myself so maybe it's really okay and I'm tripping over nothing. But what I am proud of are the FTE's which I hope you guys like!
Hopefully! :D
For today's shoutout, I'd like to shoutout ExtraMeme's Obscurity's Disgrace. Man has been catching strays in Alaska for too long so as a welcome back, I'm deciding to shoutout his fic. So please check it out if you like Overseers who are related to Tom Hardy's Bane :D
And, just like last time, with the Survey now out...
Please PM me what choice your character will choose. Would your character rather break up a pair of siblings or break up a pair of friends? Keep all responses private and as always, anyone who doesn't respond by the time the next chapter comes out... Well, you already saw what happens when your character abstains :D
And for the two whose characters are gone...
If you want, you can also PM me what choice your character would've chosen :0 Just for funsies! They don't really have to be private, but this at least makes you feel like you can be involved again :D
And for those that are reading that don't have a character in this fic...
Yeah! Go and send me your choice via PM or review! Just for funsies as well! :D
That's all I wanted to say! Let me know how I did! Liked the chapter? Liked the characterizations? I'm definitely getting the hang of these characters! :D Please let me know what I should do to fix or improve upon but also let me know what I did well on! My 4chan page is always open!
Until then, it's Daily Life 3 time and time for me to start cranking out on Trial Part 1 ;-;
Playmates Remaining: 14
Aidan Brighton - The Ultimate Track Star [Omakin]
Alisa Zachary - The Ultimate Clockmaker [ExtraMeme]
Beautè Morose - The Ultimate ? [Grandma Sue]
Daisuke Kido - The Ultimate Fast-Food Employee [CandleFire45]
Fábio Barbosa - The Ultimate Figure Skater [Rayy12]
Issac Santiago - The Ultimate Toymaker [oddlyillregular]
Kazuki Nobukatsu - The Ultimate Philanthropist [emberblitz321]
Kikuko Unmei - The Ultimate Shrine Priestess [WolfieRed23]
Manon Vivienne Levesque - The Ultimate Actress [Sempi]
Marabel "Mara" Garcia - The Ultimate Karate Master [Epifanio Therion]
Riku Arakawa - The Ultimate Doctor [theotakureader101]
Roderick Cutler - The Ultimate Deep Sea Fisherman [Orlando Butler]
Yukihiko Yuno - The Ultimate Child Caregiver [Weekaro]
Yumi Gundo - Ultimate Gunslinger [MrUtenaHolic]