Chapter 2: Adventures in Paradise Gloom (Daily Life #5)
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!
...
"This all began when I was ten-years old…"
…
"…Eiji…"
That was the first word ten-year old Kikuko Unmei muttered when she woke up. Intense bright lights shine against her unshielded eyes. Muffled unrecognizable voices garnered their way into her eyes. She could feel that she was in an area she did not recognize. Yet, the most compelling thing of all was the figure standing beside her, emitting a strange blue glow.
An aura.
Chilling, like nothing she had ever felt before. As Kikuko regained her senses, goosebumps crawled against her skin. The presence here… it felt so cold. Lifeless. Creepy. Like a sleep paralysis demon, watching her with unknown intent. And yet, at the same time, the presence was also…
…familiar.
Comfortable even.
Enough to make her drift back to sleep…
…
"I did not know what was happening to me…"
…
"…Kikuko, wake up…"
When Kikuko opened her eyes again, she was surprised to see the Unmei family gathered around her. The bed she was on was a hospital bed. And her clothes weren't the usual hakama she was forced to wear but rather a hospital gown. She could feel bandages wrapped around her head as her eyes met with those of her father, mother, her four younger siblings…
…Eiji, standing behind them, relieved, but unlike the others, there was a strange blue glow surrounding him. And the more Kikuko rested her eyes on him, the more she felt a chill run down her spine.
"Oh my Seiryuu, Kikuko!" her father rushed to hug her, completely blocking her view from Eiji.
The moment that happened, the warmth returned to her body. She didn't move, allowing herself to be taken in by her father's lament. Soon enough, her mother joined. Then, her four siblings. The fifth…
The odd one out…
The one that didn't even bother to join…
Kikuko didn't think much about it at first. She was completely taken in by the presence of her overly concerned family.
"Father, mother…" Kikuko glanced around, surprised.
She held her head, feeling the soft linen cloth presumably meant to protect her from any concussions she may have suffered after. That same comforting sensation returned, this time, blasting Kikuko with the cherishing warmth of her family.
For the first time since she woke up, she smiled, embracing them tightly, before slowly pushing them away.
"Pardon me but…" Kikuko rubbed her head. "What exactly happened?"
She watched her family look amongst themselves. There was a notice of hesitation on their faces. It didn't take long for her father to place a hand on her shoulder. His face was serious, as if he was about to hit her with hard and heavy news.
"...Kikuko, you've…" her father grimaced. "...You've been asleep for a very long time."
Kikuko blinked.
"Asleep?" she asked. "A long time? How long–"
"Three months," her mother pitched in, hugging herself. "A car accident. He hit… You and your brother, you were–"
Brother?
Did she mean…?
Kikuko turned to see Eiji, standing off to the side. He was waving his hands at her with a small smile, but he said nothing. And noticeably, he kept his distance, making sure that the people who were comforting her were the people that truly mattered.
Her family…
The ones that were still…
"Kikuko, look at me," her father blocked her field of vision from Eiji. He placed both hands on her shoulder, tears forming from the side of his eyes. "I'm so sorry. But… Your twin brother. Eiji, he's…"
"Eiji is what?" ten-year old Kikuko remained confused. "He's standing right there, isn't he?"
She pointed her finger toward where Eiji was, but by the time her father moved away… nothing.
Eiji was gone.
Just like that.
…
"At first I thought I was just crazy…"
…
"W-Where did he go?" Kikuko blinked. "He was just there."
All eyes turned to her, confused.
Her father was especially incredulous about this. He opened his mouth to voice a response, but nothing came out. She could see how hard this was taking a toll on him. She could see how close he was to breaking. It wasn't until her mother finished the thought that the realization dawned on her.
"Sweetie…" her mother sat next to her. "What your father and I are trying to tell you…"
She took a deep breath.
"...Eiji never made it…" the moment her mother said that out loud was the moment she too started to crack. "He's… He's gone from this world. I'm…"
She broke.
"...so sorry…" she pulled Kikuko into yet another hug.
But this time, Kikuko didn't return it. She sat in her hospital bed, dumbfounded. She thought it was a joke. Just a sick joke that her family was pulling on her. Because it didn't make any goddamn sense. She could see him. She saw him before. She felt his presence before. In fact…
He was right there!
Right in front of her!
"N-No!" Kikuko shook her head, trying to escape the hugs. "That's not true! Eiji is right there! He's right there! Tell them, Eiji–"
Kikuko cut herself off when she noticed Eiji shaking his head.
The look on his face told her everything.
He was smiling at her, as he always did. But this time, the smile was somber. A face filled with regrets. Regrets that she had to find out this way. He placed a finger over his lips, a tear slowly exiting his eye. With a single blink, Eiji was gone.
"E-Eiji?" Kikuko blinked.
"W-What?" her father glanced around. "Eiji? I… There's no one here but us, sweetie. What are you talking about?"
"I…" Kikuko glanced down, unable to grasp what was happening. "I…"
She hugged herself.
"...I don't know…" she shuddered.
…
"But that's when I realized I had a special power…"
…
"No, no, this is exactly what her grandmother had," Kikuko could hear her father talking to a nearby doctor. "She always claimed to hear and see things that weren't there. There has to be a logical explanation to this right? Some sort of genetics thing?"
"Genetics, no, but this is still very common in most patients that suffer brain damage after an accident like that," she could hear her doctor talking to her parents. "They often hallucinate and see things that aren't there. Mistake them for ghosts. Such effects are only temporary. Within time, she'll be back to her old self. Don't you worry."
No.
That was wrong.
That was all wrong.
This was not some sort of brain damage.
Ten-year old Kikuko knew this well for the simple fact that she could quite literally see the old man with that same bluish glow appear before her in her hospital room. She could quite literally see that old man tip his hat with a smile. She could quite literally hear him ask:
"Do you know where my wife is?"
Kikuko would shake her head. And he would respond with:
"Oh. Well, thanks anyway, little girl!"
Then, she would quite literally see him give a thankful nod and simply phase through the wall to the other room.
She could see them.
She could hear them.
She tried to close her eyes.
She tried to cover her ears.
She tried to hug her knees as self-protection…
But seeing and hearing weren't the only ways she could be made aware of their presence.
She could also feel them…
…
"The power to see and commune with spirits…"
…
Kikuko shuddered.
Even though she was the only one in the room, it never felt like she was truly alone. It never felt like she was truly in her own private corner. And God… it was cold. It was so cold. With all these spirits passing by, she might as well be sitting in the middle of the freezer. She wrapped herself in a blanket, her heart pounding with fear.
"It's so noisy…" Kikuko whimpered to no one in particular. "It's so noisy… I'm so scared. I'm so scared…"
"Poor girl. No need to cry."
"Hey hey, this is the girl that can see us right?"
"Any longer and they'd have pulled her plug. Lucky kid. Live your life."
"Stop… Stop… Stop…" Kikuko tried to hide herself in her covers, but the more she did, the more she could feel those spirits pester her.
For a ten-year old girl, they were the scary creatures that all the parents would tell their stories to get them to behave. But in reality, they were curious. Because it wasn't every day that these spirits met someone that could actually see them… hear them… feel them…
The power to see and commune with their spirits in the hands of a little ten-year old girl…
…
"That was my gift…"
…
"Leave my sister alone!"
Silence.
When that voice hissed against all the others, that was when she felt that chilling yet comforting presence again. The noises were gone. The overwhelmingly cold feeling she had was gone. All that was left was that familiar presence.
And when she opened her eyes…
That's when she knew it.
Eiji Unmei.
All the other spirits that had surrounded her had disappeared, leaving her alone with her twin brother's spirit. As he stood beside her, she could see the image of the brother she had always grown up with. The brother that was always by her side whenever she needed him. Her best friend…
"Eiji…" Kikuko widened her eyes, but the tears started to form.
Her twin brother was glaring at some unseen presences but the moment he heard her speak to him, he smiled back at her. A comforting, reassuring smile. She could feel his presence, but she couldn't touch him. Because whenever she tried, what she was met with were the same chilling goosebumps as the other common spirits.
"Hey sis," Eiji smiled at his sister.
"Is it true…?" Kikuko hoped it wasn't. "Are you really…?"
"Dead?" Eiji blinked, before glancing at his body, feigning shock. "Huh! I guess I am! Three months and counting! Guess that's what happens when brothers shield their big sisters from drunk drivers! Ain't that right, sis? Hahahaha!"
So, it was true.
And that's when tears started spilling out her eyes.
…
"The start of my New Life…
…
"W-Whoa, hey hey hey!" Eiji rushed to Kikuko's side.
If he could hug her, he would, but she wouldn't feel the warmth of a family's love. Instead, she would feel the stone-cold feeling of death. The constant reminder that her twin brother was dead. Never to bask in the same glories as being alive.
"This isn't fair!" Kikuko wept. "This isn't fair! Eiji, you idiot! Why did you do that?! Why did you–"
"Hey, sis, keep it together, okay?" Eiji tried to meet her face. "Listen… I… This is a good thing! I mean, you're alive and I..."
He tried to cup her cheeks, but she wouldn't be able to feel it the normal warm touch of a human hand. Instead, it would feel like a wisp of cold air brushing against her cheeks. Already, this was hard for him. Hard for both of them. Eiji was always going to be helpless as a spirit. Without a body, any comfort he would have as a living being would be futile. So, all he could do now was watch her break down in tears.
His face grimaced, realizing all too well why Kikuko was crying.
"...I'm… sorry, Kikuko," Eiji glanced away.
He hugged her, even knowing full well that she was never going to feel it. As those passing by would only see a child sobbing in her room, for Kikuko, she would see something else. She would see a young girl being comforted by the spirit of her twin brother.
"Mark my words, sis…" Eiji closed his eyes. "I will never leave your side. I will always protect you. I will always be there for you. That's a promise, okay?"
Kikuko didn't respond.
She continued to sob throughout the entire day. The presence of Eiji was always going to be there with her, but it was never going to be the same. Eiji Unmei was dead. The whole world would know this. But the spirit would always live on.
For Eiji Unmei, it was only a matter of time.
But for Kikuko Unmei…
This was her New Life now.
Her New Life with a newfound ability.
Her New Life…
...
"...As the Ultimate Shrine Priestess."
...
[Hotel Mirai]
(Kikuko's Room)
"Good morning, sleepyhead~"
Kikuko groggily opened her eyes to see Eiji Unmei's face a little too close for her liking. She rubbed her eyes and slowly climbed out of bed, paying little heed to Eiji's antics.
This was a typical morning for Kikuko Unmei.
To live with the spirit of her dead brother constantly hovering over her like her personal spirit warding charm may sound strange and maybe even crazy to other people, but to Kikuko, it was her way of life for 8 years.
As she walked past the bluish glow of her brother's childlike spirit, Kikuko glanced directly into the mirror. While the mirror never reflected her brother's image, she could still feel his presence behind her. Feel how much he was—
"Big day, huh?" Eiji popped up right next to her face.
"Eiji…" Kikuko pinched the bridge of her nose, tiredly. "I already told you this. You may be a spirit, but there is still something called 'personal space'."
Kikuko sighed.
"Please look into it…" the shrine priestess took out a toothbrush to brush her teeth.
"Aww come on sis," Eiji sighed, pacing around behind her. "You know I can't help it. I'm just really excited. I mean…"
Eiji placed his arms behind his neck.
"…You're finally going to tell someone about me!" Eiji grinned.
Kikuko spat out the mixture of water and toothpaste onto the mirror. She covered her mouth, embarrassed over how crude that may have looked. Giving herself a chance to wipe her mouth, she glanced back at Eiji, her eye flashing blue.
"Eiji, when did I ever say I was going to do that?" Kikuko frowned.
"Do you think I don't know my own sister?" Eiji looked offended. "I literally talked to you last night about it. You want to tell someone! I mean... really, really want to tell someone! And that someone's name is Fáb-"
"You know very well why I cannot tell anyone here about my gift!" Kikuko sternly reprimanded.
She turned back to the mirror and began to fix her hair, huffing as she did so. Within moments, she sighed.
"…This isn't like home, Eiji," Kikuko's voice softened. "The stakes are higher. You never know who you can trust. And there are children that need our help. There is no time to be goofing around."
Kikuko clipped her white chrysanthemum hair clip into her hair. She glanced at herself in the mirror. Then, heading toward her bedroom, she put on her hakama.
"I wouldn't exactly call it goofing around…" Eiji slowly followed behind her. "I mean, your gift can really be useful in a place like this, y'know…"
Kikuko shook her head.
"What use is a gift that allows me to communicate with spirits if the spirits never stick around long enough for me to ask them questions…?" Kikuko sighed.
"Well, why not talk to the other spirits wandering around?" Eiji suggested. "Like F—"
"Enough, Eiji," Kikuko said as she turned toward the door.
"Oh, come on, sis!" Eiji exclaimed. "It's time to stop being scared! You have to tell someone the truth sooner or later!"
"Eiji please…" Kikuko sighed as she reached for the doorknob.
"You have to tell someone!" Eiji frowned. "Seriously, sis! It's time!"
"Please stop…" Kikuko closed her eyes.
"Kikuko, listen to me, I'm just trying to—" Eiji tried to say.
"Just LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kikuko swung her door open.
Silence.
Eiji had disappeared from her field of vision. She felt the room grow warmer, a sign that meant Eiji was no longer beside her. She bit her lip, feeling slightly guilty for yelling at her brother's spirit like that. Worse though…
The moment she turned back was the moment her heart sank.
Fábio had been standing right in front of the door. Frozen in place, Kikuko noticed that his hand was curled. Just based on that, it seemed like he was in the midst of preparing to knock on her door.
"I… seem to have caught you at a bad time," Fábio remarked, slowly shoving his hands into his pockets.
"A-Ah, Fábio, I…" Kikuko widened her eyes, certainly never expecting his presence.
"Hey, no need to worry," Fábio smiled at Kikuko, raising his hands up in defense. "I just… wanted to let you know that everyone's meeting up at the Park today, again…"
Fábio paused as he rubbed his neck.
"Anyway… see you there?" Fábio shrugged giving her a small yet awkward smile.
And albeit a little quicker than usual, he walked away.
"A-Ah, Fábio wait—" Kikuko reached out her hand.
Too late.
Fábio had left a little quicker than usual, leaving the shrine priestess behind. Kikuko bit her lip. She was embarrassed that she had shown such a rude and inappropriate side of her… Oh Seiryuu. She wished she could just stay buried in her room all day.
"Well, that could've gone better…" Eiji stuck his head from around the corner.
"Eiji," Kikuko's expression shifted to annoyance. "If you weren't my brother, I'd have you exorcised from this world..."
[Pleasure Park]
(Square)
"PRIESTESS…"
"What?" Alisa raised an eyebrow.
"PRIESTESS…" Kazuki smiled to himself. "That's the word…"
Kikuko had gotten to Pleasure Park a little later than she would've liked it. Looking up, she could see that the clouds were a little gloomier than they were the previous day. Darker. Definitely looked like it was getting close to raining again. It was definitely an omen for something but…
She bit her lip glancing toward Fábio.
The figure skater had situated himself up in the front of the group. Unfortunately, that meant that Kikuko wouldn't be able to see his face. She wouldn't be able to know just how exactly he was feeling at the moment. If anything, it was she herself who felt guilt over what happened a scene ago. She had lashed out against Eiji and in return, Fábio got the brute hit of that…
Eiji.
Annoying prick.
This was the third time he did something like this. The first time caused Manon to mistake Kikuko to be some sort of… harlot! The second time nearly caused her to get hurt by Mara. And now the third time… Fábio. If only Eiji could just shut up for once and stop bothering her with all this obscene stuff about telling people about her gift. She knew why she couldn't and shouldn't and she expected Eiji to know it too...
Kikuko sighed to herself as she felt too much shame to even bother walking up toward the figure skater.
"Aw man, ah thought it was 'BLIETRESS'," Yumi shook her head.
"Hey, you, be quiet," Riku turned to Aidan.
"W-What?" Aidan blinked. "That wasn't me."
Riku glanced at Aidan for a second, noticing how mentality checked out he seemed. He had been quiet since they all met together at Pleasure Park… Riku examined the track star for a moment before shrugging along.
"Tch, force of habit," Riku muttered.
"Kazuki, none of us really care what the word for the Sister is," Yukihiko folded his arms, disappointed. "All we care about is the word for the Boy. Do you have the word for the Boy or not…?"
As they turned to the Boy's monitor, they could see that an attempt had been made:
The Boy (3) ~ Red
[]A[]A[]I[]E
"...No…" Kazuki simply shook his head. "Admittedly… This is the one word I'm stumped on… Not many locations in the Jungle of Joy seem to have those vowels in that order…"
"Well, keep trying," Yukihiko ordered. "The Boy's button is the only button that matters right now, so–"
"And why exactly is that…?"
Yukihiko narrowed his eyes.
He recognized that voice.
How could he not?
It was the voice of Issac Santiago, who simply stood to the side, caressing Isolde's cheeks. Given that sly smile on his face, Yukihiko could tell that the toymaker wasn't even trying to hide that… disagreeing tone that annoyed him.
"Excuse me?" Yukihiko frowned.
"Ah heh," Issac chuckled, pecking Isolde on the head. "Isolde… You know you shouldn't go against whatever Captain Yuno says. Otherwise, Captain Yuno would be angry…"
"Nay!" Roderick exclaimed, pointing a finger toward Issac. "What ye be babbling 'bout, Sailor?!"
"Haha, whoa, hey!" Issac raised his hands up defensively. "Don't question me! Question Isolde! She's the one who told me to blurt out what everyone's obviously thinking here!"
Yukihiko folded his arms.
"And what exactly would that be?" Yukihiko challenged. "Go on. Tell us what your 'caterpillar' wants you to say."
"You serious?" Issac chuckled, before sighing. "Alright then. I guess if you're so kindly asking…"
Issac brushed his pink hair to the side and shook his head.
"...Doesn't anyone find it weird why Yuno has been so focused on trying to find specifically the Girl's and Boy's buttons?" Issac gave his signature sly smile. "I mean, what about the Brother's button? Or the Sister's button? We know the answers to those buttons, after all."
Issac rubbed the top of Isolde's head.
"And yet…" Issac sighed. "Yuno says we should put all our focus on two other kids that are marked for death. He already got the Girl's button. All that's left is the Boy's button…"
"Oh, cut the crap, Issac," Yukihiko shook his head. "I'm obviously trying to save the children's lives. You're making me sound like a terrible human being for doing something heroic–"
"At the cost of everyone else's life here, right?" Issac smiled.
Yukihiko bit his lip and kept quiet.
The moment he dropped that bombshell, everyone immediately looked uneasy. It was clear where Issac was going with this. They thought back to the rules of Hangman's Gambit… Specifically the Gambit of what would happen when all the buttons turned Green.
"Ya see, if you manage to keep all the buttons Green until the Deadline… then yeah," Monoyena shrugged. "You save the kids. Hell, all the kids we caught will be free to go back home to their fucking mumsies and popsies…"
Monoyena said those last words with such disdain.
"Ha!" Aidan grinned. "See? All is good in the wor–"
"But at the cost of everyone else here getting ripped to shreds!" Monoyena's jagged red eye flashed.
"Turn all the buttons Green…" Issac folded his arms. "And you'll save the kids. But at the cost of everyone else's life. Jeez, Yuno. You would really sacrifice 15 people including yourself for 4 kids?"
Don't question the 15.
He was counting Isolde as a person.
"Nay!" Roderick growled. "If ye be planning a mutiny, ye have another thing coming!"
"A mutiny?" Issac raised an eyebrow before chuckling. "Far from it, Cutler. I'm just telling the truth. I mean, did seriously no one think about the consequences of what would happen once Yuno finds the Boy's button?"
No response.
Issac wasn't sure whether or not these people seriously didn't consider it or whether they did and just didn't want to speak up about it. He had hoped it was the latter, as that would make a little more sense for some people he would have expected to speak up.
"Issac, what's the point of all this?" Yukihiko frowned. "If you're saying you don't agree with saving the kids, then you can leave my group. I'm not forcing you to adhere to my plans."
"Jeez Yuno, you really think I'm that bad of a person?" Issac questioned, rubbing Isolde's back. "Of course I wanna save those kids. But here's the thing. To save those kids in your situation would mean the Ultimate Sacrifice: all 15 of us executed by Monoyena. And I don't know about you guys but, I still have goals in life I want to achieve…"
"What are you suggesting?!" Yukihiko's right eye twitched. "That we just let the Boy die…?"
"Unless you have a better idea that doesn't involve all of us dying, then sad to say it…" Issac sighed, before shrugging. "Yes."
Morbid yet fitting for a kook like Issac.
But at the same time, he wasn't exactly wrong.
To play along the Gambit and make the Ultimate Sacrifice would mean 14 people (not counting Isolde cause fuck you Issac) dying for the sake of 4 kids. That was way too excessive, even for someone like Yukihiko to seriously consider… And yet, Yukihiko clapped his hands together.
"Don't listen to what this kook is saying," Yukihiko frowned. "Finding the Boy's button is important regardless of whether or not I am trying to make the Ultimate Sacrifice here."
"Is it really?" Fábio asked, sticking his hands in his pockets. "I mean, what if Issac is right? What if this is all just some trick to get us to offer our lives up? Are we really sure we want to do that?"
"Ugh, Fábio," Yukihiko pinched the bridge of his nose.
"The word for the Sister's button is PRIESTESS right?" Fábio asked Kazuki. "If that's the case, then that would mean that the Sister's button is located at Kikuko's Attraction."
"You aren't expecting to go there and press the button are you?" Yukihiko frowned. "The button isn't even activated!"
"Fine by me," Fábio shrugged. "I've been meaning to check out Kikuko's Attraction since it opened."
"Y-You're going to be wasting precious time that could've been spent looking for the Boy's button!" Yukihiko frowned.
"Yukihiko…" Fábio sighed, wrapping his finger around a strand of his ringlet hair. "I don't know if you know this but, I'm not on your side. I was never on your side with all of it."
Yukihiko could tell that much. He didn't need to be mansplained by some afro-wearing figure skater. No matter how hot he was.
"Anyone who wants to join me is welcome to do so," Fábio glanced toward Kikuko, as if he were quietly extending an invite. "Actually, I think I prefer it if someone is there to ride it with me. Riding a coaster by yourself is probably a death sentence…"
Kikuko never met Fábio's eyes. Still too ashamed and embarrassed over what had happened in the morning. As such, she would've never seen the slight disappointment in Fábio's eyes. With a shrug, she could practically feel that the figure skater had ventured off to her own Attraction, just as he said he would…
"Tch, I think it's better if we don't even bother trying to look for the Boy's button anyway," Mara had to agree with Issac's sentiment.
In fact, that was literally all she had to say before walking off. And soon, everyone joined her in the leaving Pleasure Park, leaving behind Alisa, Kazuki, Issac, Beauté, Roderick, and a very miffed Yukihiko.
Yukihiko gritted his teeth.
He quickly snapped his head toward the toymaker.
"I do not want to see you in my Morning Meetings, ever again," Yukihiko gave him a dangerous glare.
Storming off with Roderick in tow, the two headed directly into the Jungle of Joy. And yet, Issac quite literally could not stop smiling over the child caregiver's antics. Brushing his hair to the side, he glanced down toward Isolde.
"Well, all alone again, I see, Isolde," Issac chuckled to himself.
"Ah heh heh heh…" Beauté chuckled as well.
She placed her hand on Isolde's head, not because she wanted to touch the toy caterpillar but mainly because she wanted to place a hand on Issac's shoulder. It just so happened that Isolde's head was right there so… What could she do?
"I must say," Beauté smirked. "That was very elegant work Issac! Supplying me with such entertainment in such beautiful weather! Ohhh, what an absolute delight. Thank you, Issac Santiago! Thank you!"
Issac could tell that the girl was getting turned on by the drama in between groups. Any normal person would be weirded out by this but Issac, the toy caterpillar-kissing freak, wasn't normal. So, he just gave her a polite smile.
"Hmm, you're welcome I guess," Issac responded.
He tilted his head.
"Hey Morose, can I ask you for a quick favor?" Issac blinked.
"Of course!" Beauté smirked. "It's only fair from someone like you to call out Yukihiko's hypocrisies."
Issac smiled.
"...Get your hands off of Isolde," Issac's smile shifted into a cold frown. "She's mine."
Beauté quickly did as she was told.
"Oopsies!" Beauté giggled. "Simple mistake! No hard feelings?"
Issac tilted his head toward Isolde for a moment, as if the caterpillar was whispering in his ear. Before long, the toymaker glanced up toward the mysterious Ultimate with that smile returning back to his face.
"...Isolde forgives you," Issac gave her his sly smile. "So, by law, I'll forgive you too. Just don't do it again… Okay?"
With that being his last words to her, Issac wandered off to the Jungle of Joy as well. And while Alisa and Kazuki were doing their thing of guarding the computer monitors, that just left Beauté practically licking her lips. Issac was admittedly a very interesting individual. And she would love it if she could figure out more about him…
Cackling quietly to herself, Beauté skipped along, content with how today's Morning Meeting turned out…
[Ultimate Gunslinger's Attraction]
(Queue)
Where else would Yumi want to go except her own Ultimate Attraction?
The names of the female characters in this amusement park currently were not a valid answer.
Regardless…
…Yumi had spent her past few days trying to beat that high score.
Amazingly, even as the Ultimate Gunslinger, she was having a hard time trying to beat that high score. Think of it like S-Ranking a Cuphead Boss. Even the tiniest mistake will destroy your entire run and next thing you know, you're yelling at miniature bullet-shooting blimps and ranking one of Nathan's characters as low as possible. Anyway, Yumi put in a lot of work in trying to beat that high score.
1,575,800.
Seemed high but Yumi knew it was possible.
She had gotten close several times. Most heartbreaking was the time she actually reached 1,575,700 and yet ran out of targets to shoot at. It was devastating. But that was enough motivation to get her to go at it again.
Today was the day.
After so many times riding the same ride… hearing the same voicelines… seeing the same animatronics over and over again…
Yes!
Today was the day!
Today was the day she can finally get her gun back!
…
"W-What in Sam Hill–" Yumi froze, her mouth agape, face pale, and mentality on the verge of shattering.
Because what she was staring at was Stanczyk, standing right in front of the golden gun display case. But it wasn't exactly the presence of Stanczyk that caught her by surprise. It was what he was standing next to: the high score. Or more appropriately, the updated high score…
High Score To Beat: 1,843,600
"Surprise!" Stanczyk had his arms extended out excitedly, wiggling his fingers in absolute excitement.
Yumi said nothing.
"Surprise!"
Nothing but the urge to murder this asshole.
"Surprise!"
Stanczyk's shit-eating grin could eat shit.
"Surprise!"
She wanted to strangle this clown with his own prongs…
"SUrPriSe!"
It wasn't until Stanczyk distorted and red eye glowed that Yumi stepped forward, taking a closer look at the newly updated high score. She wanted to believe that this was just a trick of the light. That maybe she had miraculously become dyslexic. But no. The numbers were all there. All there in bright white lettering:
High Score To Beat: 1,843,600
"Y-Ya… Y-Ya did dis?" Yumi didn't even bother looking at Stanczyk. "Y-Ya… Ya changed da score?"
"Yep!" Stanczyk grinned. "Aren't you happy?!"
"H-Happy…?" Yumi looked close to crying. "N-Naw… I ain't… I ain't happy…"
Of course she's not happy.
She was elated!
Look at those tears, Stanczyk!
All that hard work of hers gone to waste and she was so happy about it!
Another job well-done!
But Chowder references aside, Yumi couldn't take her eyes off of the high score now. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't…
"W-Why…?" Yumi asked, completely lost. "W-Why would you…?"
"Awww, isn't it obvious?!" Stanczyk grinned, wrapping his arms around Yumi. The cowgirl didn't even fight him. "I noticed just how much you loved riding this ride that I wanted to give you a way better experience than before! So, last night, I decided to play this ride again and weee! New high score! Way better than my last!"
Stanczyk paused for a moment.
"...Totally not because I didn't like the idea of someone beating my high score!" Stanczyk giggled. "No siree!"
Stanczyk pulled her closer to his shoulder.
"Anyway, like the good best friend that I am, I wanted you to continue enjoying this ride just as much as I do!" Stanczyk grinned. "Don't worry best friend! Within years of hanging out here, you'll be just as good as I am with this game! Hehehehe! Hahahahaha! HoHohOhOhoHOhO…"
As Stanczyk's laughter slowly distorted, Yumi did nothing but tune out Stanczyk and cry on the inside. 1,843,600. It was a much harder high score to beat this time around. In other words…
How the heck was she supposed to beat this high score if she couldn't even beat the original?!
[Kikuko's Ultimate Attraction]
(Queue)
"So, two people actually took me up on my offer? Well, it wasn't what I was expecting but you guys will do."
When Fábio waited by the ride's control panel within the queue's shrine, he had half-expected that no one would join him at Kikuko's Attraction, and yet arriving at the Attraction were Issac and Aidan, an unlikely duo he didn't really expect. However, he did hope that Kikuko would be here too…
…Friendship-wise of course. Because of all the people here, the person he objectively hung out with the most did turn out to be Kikuko and this was her own Attraction. If she could see what her Attraction was like, well, maybe it could help make her feel a little better…?
She did seem very snappy this morning after all…
"Who were you expecting?" Issac gave Fábio a sly smile. "A shrine priestess…?"
"W-What?" Fábio blinked, clearing his throat. "N-No!"
Damn.
Issac was smarter than he let on.
"I just…" Fábio glanced toward Aidan. "Well, I'm just surprised that Aidan is here, that's all."
"W-What?" Aidan blinked. "W-Why me?"
"Well, don't you usually hang out with Daisuke?" Fábio blinked, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "He seems to be the go-to person you stick with since the Jungle of Joy was first introduced so I just thought–"
"O-Oh…" Aidan glanced to the side.
He shifted uncomfortably.
He didn't know how exactly he should say it. Fábio was right. Since the Jungle of Joy was unveiled, Daisuke was admittedly the only person he could count and stick with. And yet, he ruined it. Aidan felt as if he had ruined something that was good. So, why did…
How could he just break Daisuke's heart like that?
"Uhhh, Daisuke wanted to do his own thing today," Aidan glanced away, lying through his teeth. "So, I guess I'm here now."
Aidan held out a water bottle and tried to hide his guilt-ridden expression.
"Water?" he offered.
Issac and Fábio exchanged looks, none of them exactly believing Aidan's lies. Something happened between him and Daisuke. Whatever it was, wasn't their concern. The two shook their heads.
"No thanks," both Issac and Fábio said simultaneously.
On cue, the coaster cart, which had been on Automatic for the time being, slowly arrived at the loading dock of the queue line. Instantly, Fábio switched the ride from Automatic to Manual, allowing it to situate itself accordingly. The ride shifted its seats allowing the three to board it.
"So, this is Kikuko's dragon coaster?" Aidan blinked. "What's with the seats?"
"As I mentioned once before, it's a flying coaster," Issac shook his head with a small smile. "The ride's seats shift for the sole purpose of having you experience what it's like to fly…"
Issac brushed his hair to the side and shook his head.
"...I guess in this case," Issac smiled. "Experience what it's like to fly like a dragon."
Universal Studios' Epic Universe could never.
Issac moved over to the ride's control panel.
"Alright, get on you two," Issac smiled.
"...You're not riding with us?" Aidan blinked.
"Are you kidding?" Issac chuckled. "If I ride this, I risk losing Isolde. There's no way I'm going to do that. Besides, the only reason why I'm here is because I thought you might need someone like me to operate this thing. It's always better if one of us stands back and guards the ride's control panel. That way, no one trying to be cheeky can turn the ride to Automatic…"
"...And do to us like what Alina did to Emmeline," Fábio grimaced.
Similarly, Aidan shifted in discomfort. That was a memory he did not need to remember, especially not after the events of yesterday. Shaking his head, the track star stepped forward and climbed aboard the seats, taking the third cart and noticing the ride's over-the-shoulder harness. Following behind him, Fábio climbed aboard and took the front.
Then, together, they pulled down their harnesses, restraining them in their seats. Before long, the rides started to shift into its flying position. Now, Fábio and Aidan were no longer staring straight forward but rather straight down. And both boys were equally nervous.
"Look alive gentlemen," Issac gave a mock salute. "Look alive!"
"You think it's a good idea trusting Issac with the control panels, Fábio?" Aidan gulped.
"The guy did the same thing with Manon's ride," Fábio would be lying if he said he wasn't a tad bit nervous. "He's got this."
He paused.
"I hope," he added.
That didn't ease Aidan's nervousness.
And without warning, the ride took off…
(Ride)
The ride began with the coaster cart curving toward the right. Almost immediately, the two riders were met with a lift hill, forcing the coaster cart to embark on a rather perilous climb.
Surrounding the coaster were bamboo trees and other coaster machinery. The bamboo trees extended high but not high enough as the regular trees towering the tips of the bamboo trees. Even then, the lift hill was getting higher and higher, to the point where the two could see that they were no longer in the forest but rather above the forest and almost touching the clouds.
That was the peak of the lift hill and both Fábio and Aidan looked a little nervous.
"We are… so high up," Aidan regretted his decision to ride this.
Seriously, why was he even here?
"No need to worry, I'm sure it'll be just like Manon's roller coaster," Fábio assured the track star.
Aidan blinked.
"But I never got a chance to ride ManOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNN!"
Aidan never got to finish his sentence as the coaster dove back down through the Jungle's trees. The actual coaster carts swung to the right, allowing the pair's bodies to point to the left. And honestly, it was exactly as Issac had said. This coaster really did simulate what it was like to fly like a dragon.
"WHOOOOAAAAAAAAAA!" Fábio held onto his harness tightly.
"WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Aidan did the same.
The coaster smoothly repositioned itself, going straight up, but not high enough that it would reach the lift hill's peak. Regardless, the coaster flew through the tracks…
…a loop de loop that forced them to look up into the sky…
"WAAAAAAAAAGHHHHH!" Aidan screamed.
…the coaster turning at a near 90-degree angle to the left…
"HOHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Fábio was taken by surprise.
…the coaster turning at a near 90-degree angle to the right…
"EYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Aidan exclaimed.
…twist tracks that simulated a barrel roll…
"WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA!" Fábio felt so free!
…the coaster flying past a waterfall…
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Aidan started to cheer.
…the coaster diving down and swinging to the left…
"WHOA HOH HOH!" Fábio was definitely enjoying this coaster!
Within long, the flight of the dragon coaster reached a loading dock within a shrine. Due to it still being on Manual, the moment the coaster came to a stop, the seats slowly repositioned itself back to facing forward instead of downward. The harnesses loosened, allowing Fábio and Aidan to pull it off and quickly exit the vehicles.
After three minutes, the ride was over…
(Exit)
Both Fábio and Aidan's legs quaked from the extreme feeling of the ride, but unlike the Lady Radiance ride, this ride felt smoother.
It was quick and thrilling, yet the freedom of flying was very apparent. Truly, it simulated the graceful feeling of a dragon's flight. And no one was more relieved by such an experience than Aidan, who smiled widely over such an invigorating ride.
"That was awesome!" Aidan exclaimed, giving Fábio a thumbs-up. "Jeez! It's been so long since I've experienced an actual roller coaster but holy crap! Let's go again!"
"Hang on," Fábio glanced around. "This place…
Fábio had every chance to temporarily forget that the Exit to Kikuko's Attraction was located on the opposite end of the Jungle, specifically the opposite end of the Entrance to Kikuko's Attraction. Every chance for a good reason. Because where they had stopped was almost exactly like the entrance's queue.
A shrine loading dock.
A queue pathway.
And even a ride control panel?
"Whoa, there's a ride control panel on this side of the attraction too?" Aidan blinked. "Was it like that for the Lady Radiance ride?"
"Not at all," Fábio shook his head. "Because the Lady Radiance ride ended back where it started. This ride took us to the other side of the Jungle."
He noticed Aidan examining the ride control panel.
From the looks of it, the attraction was set to Manual. As such, the dragon coaster carts remained, waiting for someone to climb aboard and lock down the harness. But when Aidan pressed Automatic… Well, the ride itself repositioned itself as it normally would and off it went to the tracks leading toward the left…
Meaning…
"I see," Fábio rubbed his chin. "Kikuko's roller coaster is basically one big train station."
"How'd you figure that?" Aidan blinked.
"Think about it," Fábio explained. "Two ride control panels? A loading dock identical to the one we just came from? The coaster we boarded took us to the right side of the Jungle. But I imagine if you set it to Automatic like what you just did, it should take it back to Issac…"
"On the other side of the Jungle, ohhhh, like a big train station!" Aidan widened his eyes.
"Y-Yeah, what I just said," Fábio chuckled sheepishly.
Aidan may have that golden heart, but he was on the slower side. Fábio knew that much based on Trial experiences but at least the guy was trying his best. Noticing his bright smile, Aidan slapped his fist onto the palm of his hand, excitedly.
"I gotta show Daisuke this!" Aidan grinned. "He's gonna love… it…"
He trailed off.
Fábio definitely noticed it that time. The track star's expression had changed into a small, disappointed look. The roller coaster had given his excitement back but only temporarily. Because nothing was going to permanently remove that guilt in his heart. Even if it wasn't really his fault that things turned out the way it did.
"H-Hey, Aidan…" Fábio reached his hand out. "Is everything–"
"Well, well, well. Guess who finally decided to ride this ride!"
Fábio let out a silent groan. His attempt to ask Aidan some questions was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Monoyena, waving his Barbie Blade around like it was a torch or something. Bouncing up and down with a cackle, Monoyena poked his teeth with the blade like it were a makeshift toothpick.
"Fucking finally!" Monoyena gnashed his teeth against the tip of his blade. "Do ya fuckbois know how long I've been waiting for ya dicks to actually get on this fucking ride! Seeing you shits just run around like idiots when ya can clearly use this ride to get back! Gah! Fucking ludicrous!"
"So, this ride really does act like a train station, does it?" Fábio questioned.
"Yeah, yeah, train station, transportation, whatever ya wanna call it," Monoyena muttered. "It's a nice fucking ride where to get to the right side, ya gotta quit being a pussy and ride it, and to get to the left side, ya just need to get on. Easy as that."
"What about the control panels?" Aidan asked. "Are they like… connected to one another? Like do they both control the entire Attraction…?"
"Well, see fer yourself…" Monoyena gestured to the control panel.
Aidan and Fábio shared a glance. Then, the figure skater stepped forward to check the control panel. Currently, it was set to Manual, even though…
"Wait, Aidan…" Fábio realized. "Didn't you just set this coaster to Automatic earlier?"
"Yeah?" Aidan blinked. "Why?"
Aidan followed behind the figure skater before noticing what he was talking about.
"Hey!" Aidan widened his eyes. "You're right! Why is it back to Manual?!"
"Does that answer yer question?" Monoyena grumbled, combing his hair with his Barbie Blade.
Monoyena poked and prodded through his cartoonishly sharp teeth before continuing.
"Ya see, this fuck here switched the ride to Automatic, causing the coaster to fuck off…" Monoyena explained, referring to Aidan. "Meanwhile, yer mate on the other side of the Jungle probably saw that shit and turned it back to Manual. Heigh-ho! There ya go! These ride controls are interlocked with one another. What's locked in one side reflects on the others! Bwa… Bwahahahahaha!"
"I see, so these control panels are linked together…" Fábio noted. "And I take it, it's so the ride can act as a transportation system to get from one end of the Jungle to the other more efficiently."
"Whatever floats ya boat, dickface…" Monoyena grumbled.
"I'm just trying to understand this coaster system," Fábio frowned.
"It ain't rocket science Michael Jackson," Monoyena snarled. "This roller coaster takes ya to one place and back! That's it!"
Monoyena's frustration was understandable.
What was there to figure out?
Riding the roller coaster from the Entrance forces them to enjoy a nice yet intense flying coaster ride to the Exit, located on the right side of the Jungle. Riding the roller coaster after that, takes them back to the Entrance, on the left side of the Jungle.
It was relatively straightforward and easy to understand.
Thus, Monoyena's annoyance.
"I don't get fucking paid enough shrimp fer dealing with fucking idiots…" Monoyena grumbled. "Fuck off, will ya?"
As the hyena mumbled to himself, Fábio and Aidan could only stand still and watch. The hyena's mood had soured extensively. There was really no need to over explain the intricacies of Kikuko's Attraction.
…
"Well, I guess we learned something new today," Aidan rubbed the back of his neck, with a softer smile than he had before. "A roller coaster train system. That sounds pretty cool, not going to lie."
Aidan and Fábio had stepped out of the shrine to find themselves in a familiar pathway surrounded by bamboo trees. Straight ahead was the exit but to their right was…
"Hey, it's—" Aidan widened his eyes.
Sitting on a podium was a big red button that didn't seem to be activated at the moment. The single word written against it was as follow:
'SISTER'
In other words…
"Well, at least we know where it is," Fábio shrugged.
"Hey, it looks like you guys found it!"
Walking through the Attraction's exit was Issac, who was noticeably out of breath. As if the poor guy had quite literally run all the way from the left side of the Jungle straight toward the right side. Though, as usual, Issac made sure that Isolde was taken care of first…
"Issac?" Fábio blinked. "What are you doing here? And did you… run all the way here?"
"Heh," Issac chuckled. "Just had to check up on you two. I noticed the control panel changed to Automatic by itself… Worst thought came to mind and…"
"Oh, no, that was me, man," Aidan rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Yeah," Fábio confirmed. "We just found out that just as you are able to transport yourself to the right side of the Jungle, you can also transport yourself to the left side of the Jungle by being on this side."
"Huh, like a train station," Issac mumbled.
"Hey, that's what both me and Fábio called it," Aidan blinked.
"Regardless…" Fábio folded his arms. "I suppose we got what we came here for."
He gestured to the Sister's button.
"Even though it's not activated, just knowing where it is, could help a lot in case Yukihiko wants to do something crazy with it," Fábio revealed.
Issac couldn't help but chuckle.
"Preach," Issac smiled to himself.
"Yeah," Aidan had his own opinions about Yukihiko.
And together, three boys headed directly toward the Exit, passing straight through the torii, with a clearer understanding of Kikuko's Attraction and the location of the Sister's button in mind…
[Happy Highway]
(Pit Stop)
"Can I have one teeny-tiny sip?"
"Eiji, you are a spirit," Kikuko muttered quietly. "You know you're not going to taste anything regardless…"
After what had happened in the morning, Kikuko needed a moment to recollect her thoughts. Her way of doing it: visiting the Pit Stop to grab some food that she could snack on. Or rather, try some Western snacks that she wasn't able to have back in Japan. One such thing was of course a blue raspberry slushie, which is of course, the best flavor a slushie can be.
And for Kikuko, it was really damn tasty.
"Ugh!" Eiji stomped his foot onto the ground like a child, his blue aura flaring up. "Being dead is so unfair sometimes!"
"Shouldn't have died then," Kikuko shook her head.
"Kikuko!" Eiji gasped. "That's so insensitive! How can you say that to your own little brother?!"
"After 8 years of you invading my personal space?" Kikuko raised an eyebrow. "...Easily…"
"Are you still mad I ruined things between you and Fábulous this morning?" Eiji twiddled his fingers, giving her a ghostly puppy-dog look. "I'm sorry sis. Look, I'll make it up to you! Just do this one thing for me…"
Eiji manifested in front of Kikuko.
"Tell…" Eiji smiled toward her. "Fábio… The TRUTH…!"
"You cannot use a Western animation we watched together as advice," Kikuko placed a hand over her hip, rolling her eyes, walking through him.
"I can if it's good advice!" Eiji called out.
"Please, drop it, Eiji," Kikuko shook her head. "I am not doing it–"
"U-Um, who are you talking to?"
Kikuko froze, feeling the area around her warming up despite it being a relatively colder day. She could no longer feel Eiji's presence, meaning the poor spirit got spooked away by someone who had caught her talking to a spirit again. Or, in their eyes, talking to herself. Turning behind, she noticed Daisuke, who had been sitting on a bench, his face looking absolutely beaten.
"O-Oh, Daisuke," Kikuko bowed her head, politely. "I apologize. I did not see you there."
She glanced around, scanning the area for any spirits wandering about but nothing.
Not even Eiji.
And it wasn't like she could call Eiji back without looking like a total weirdo in front of the fast-food employee…
She paused.
Kikuko glanced back toward Daisuke, this time, concerned.
"Um, pardon me, but are you…" Kikuko was almost afraid to ask. "...Crying?"
She watched as Daisuke tensed up.
"M-Me?!" Daisuke exclaimed. "C-Crying?! N-No way! NoWayNoWayNoWayNoWay!"
The larger male shook his head frantically. Anyone could tell that he was trying to hide it. But if it wasn't for the fact that his face looked absolutely crestfallen and his eyes were quite literally brimming with tears, he'd have at least some chance for her to leave him as is. Not this time though.
Furrowing her eyebrows, Kikuko snagged the seat next to Daisuke, placing her hands on her lap.
"Daisuke, if there is something wrong…" Kikuko began, sternly reprimanding him slightly. "It is never healthy to keep it in…"
Well, that was hypocritical of her!
But to be fair, in Kikuko's case, her thing wasn't exactly going to fare well in a Killing Game setting. Daisuke's on the other hand. Well, that was something that could be worked with.
"Please tell me…" Kikuko placed a hand on his shoulder. "What is troubling you…?"
"I…" Daisuke gulped. "I… N-Nothing is wrong! N-Nothing! I just… I'm all good! S-See… A-All…"
Daisuke turned to Kikuko; his eyes trembling.
"A-All… h-happy…" his voice cracked.
Kikuko didn't need to say anything to press on how he was feeling. He was clearly not doing well. He seemed to be a little more frantic and broken than he normally was. She just couldn't ignore someone who clearly needed some cheering up. The only problem was figuring out…
…why he was like this…
"Daisuke…" Kikuko sighed. "Even a frog can see that you are not 'all good'."
She kept herself as serene and approachable as possible. Being the oldest of six (counting the dead spirit that messed with her social life every now and then), she was usually good with stuff like this. She kept still and silent, deciding that this was the perfect time for her to clear her head of her own issues.
"...Take your time," Kikuko told him. "You do not have to tell me right away…"
Daisuke snuck a glance toward Kikuko before keeping himself hunched over for a moment's time. Kikuko was a relatively patient person. There was little pressure to reveal anything, even in her presence. It was… comforting. But even then, Daisuke wasn't sure if he should reveal what he did…
The embarrassment was too much.
The shame was too real.
And God damn it, it made him think about Aidan again…
He had spent the last… probably a few hours just sitting here, contemplating on what his life has become. Contemplating his mistakes that he was just too terrified to share. But at the same time, he needed to talk about it. Otherwise, it'll eat him alive. Eat him from the inside out like what had happened between him and Yakira…
"I… Um…" Daisuke twiddled his fingers. "...K-Kikuko, do you… D-Do you know what it's like to keep s-secrets?"
Kikuko felt goosebumps raise on her arms. There was a chill in the air as she could see Eiji hover beside her, practically giving her a teasing grin.
"Wow!" Eiji grinned. "Someone else having issues with secrets! What are the chances?! This must be a divine sign from Seiryuu, eh, Kikuko?!"
Kikuko nearly blurted out for Eiji to be quiet but decided to hold her tongue. She already struck out once with Daisuke. Anymore and Daisuke might close himself off from her. Instead, she ignored Eiji and responded to Daisuke's question.
"Actually, I do know what it's like to keep secrets," Kikuko folded her arms. "I'm a firm believer that there are some secrets in the world that are meant to be kept secret. Because revealing them would only bring about disaster…"
She said this spitefully toward Eiji, who could only pout in the sidelines.
"...I… I see…" Daisuke did not feel better hearing that. "S-So I messed up…"
Kikuko raised an eyebrow before shaking her head.
"I apologize if that is not what you wished to hear, Daisuke," Kikuko glanced away. "But there are some secrets in the world that are just not meant to be revealed."
"I-Is it because you have secrets that d-didn't end well for you too?" Daisuke asked.
"Nuh-uh, more like because Kikuko's worried her boyfriend's gonna be scar–" Eiji was about to say before Kikuko held out a warding charm, threateningly. "S-Shutting up now!"
Waving the warding charm like a fan, Kikuko shook her head.
"I keep secrets because I believe it will protect me…" Kikuko simply said. "My secrets…"
She bit her lip.
"Well, let's just say that they aren't exactly something that will be appreciated in a setting like this…" Kikuko revealed. "I will just leave it to your imagination on what I mean."
"O-Oh…" Daisuke looked at her, slightly hopeful. "S-So… you have a crush on someone too?"
Kikuko sputtered.
"H-How in Seiryuu's name did your imagination lead you to that conclusion?" Kikuko widened her eyes, her face flushing. Her serene complexion had shattered in response to Daisuke's logical reasoning.
"O-Oh…" Daisuke looked down, ashamed that he seemingly got the answer wrong. "W-Well, you said that it wasn't something that would be appreciated so I guess I thought it was… something… l-love related…"
"Um…" Kikuko regained her composure. "Well… To tell you the truth, Daisuke… you aren't exactly far off from the truth…"
She could see Eiji doing the PoggersHype emoticon: his face pogging and his fists shaking in excitement.
Kikuko rolled her eyes slightly but maintained that serene expression for Daisuke to see and trust. She closed her eyes and sighed. She supposed it didn't hurt if she revealed this tiny bit of info for Daisuke. Especially since it wasn't like she was going to tell him that she can see and talk to spirits.
"...There is indeed someone here that I wish to talk to more…" Kikuko told Daisuke.
"A-Ah… y-you too…?" Daisuke blinked, before softly smiling to himself. "W-Wow…"
"...E-Erm, as friends" Kikuko specified.
"O-Oh…" Daisuke seemed disappointed.
"Ughhhhhh…" Eiji slapped himself on his forehead.
"...The reason being… Well…" Kikuko folded her arms with a sigh. "We… are in a Killing Game situation. And my issue is that I… cannot bring myself to trust them. Not with my life or with my secrets…"
Daisuke blinked.
"Therefore, I cannot exactly disclose anything to them…" Kikuko shook her head. "Not now, not ever. I suppose you can deem this as cowardice on my part. But reality, in a situation where betrayal and backstabs are highly encouraged and possible… I deem it more as trying to preserve my own safety and well-being…"
Kikuko nodded, folding her arms and feeling content with her answer. She could feel Eiji's disappointment, but she wasn't budging on this issue. This was a serious matter, and she couldn't just go around telling cute boys that she can talk to spirits. It'll just… It'll be bad for her…
"But… w-won't you regret it?" Daisuke asked.
Kikuko blinked.
"R-Regret it?" Kikuko questioned, tilting her head.
"L-Like, won't you feel bad about it later on?" Daisuke frowned. "I mean… It's like you said. We are in a Killing Game where anyone can kill anyone… Th-That means that at some point, one person will be alive in one minute and die the next. A-And…"
Daisuke hugged himself.
"...I d-don't know but if that happens to the person you like…" Daisuke frowned. "W-Won't you feel awful about it…? N-Not getting the chance to tell them the truth? Have them know…?"
Kikuko blinked.
She… never thought about it like that.
She shook her head.
"W-Well no," Kikuko said. "B-Because I–"
She cut herself off. She was about to say that she could just tell them when they were spirits but then again… Not only was she about to let it slip but she remembered Emmeline. She remembered Hope. Alvin. Alina. None of them exactly…
"...I suppose I would…" Kikuko quietly admitted.
She shuddered and glanced back toward Daisuke.
"I apologize, Daisuke but…" Kikuko tilted her head toward the fast-food employee curiously. "P-Please let us refer back to you. I am trying to comfort you after all. Not… me…"
Kikuko glanced down at her warding charm before slowly pocketing it.
"...I-Is the reason you are upset, because you–" Kikuko was about to ask.
"I kissed Aidan," Daisuke straight up said.
"Y-You WHAT?!" Kikuko was taken aback for the second time today.
"That Aidan guy is GAY?!" Eiji was almost taken into the afterlife from that revelation.
"I– I– I know!" Daisuke waved his hands, his head shaking. "I messed up! I really really messed up! It was the worst mistake that I ever made in my life!"
Daisuke paused.
"W-Well… actually… no, there were–" Daisuke stuttered. "I just…"
He shook his head.
"Th-The point is…" Daisuke frowned. "I… I did something I can never take back and I messed up a perfectly good thing I had with him. And I just… I just…"
Daisuke brought his knees up to the bench and hugged it, miserably.
"...I d-don't know what came over me…" Daisuke frowned. "H-He was so nice and I just… I just… I should've just…"
So, this was the reason why Daisuke was so upset.
Kikuko didn't know what she expected but she certainly wasn't expecting that. She gave Daisuke a soft look of sympathy and placed a hand on his shoulder, assuring him that everything would be okay.
"Daisuke…" Kikuko looked at him.
"H-He didn't even swing that way, K-Kikuko!" Daisuke groaned, burying his face in his hands. "H-He wasn't even– Ughhhh, I'm so stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"
"...I can see why you feel guilty over this but, mentally beating yourself up over this is certainly not the way to handle this," Kikuko sighed.
"W-Why can't it be?!" Daisuke pessimistically said. "A-All I do in my life is screw-up! I thought it'd be different this time and yet–"
Kikuko took a deep breath.
"Everyone screws up, Daisuke…" Kikuko told him. Before he could open his mouth to argue against her, Kikuko continued. "...But if you really did like Aidan and know him as a friend, then you would also know what kind of person he really is."
Kikuko removed her hand from his shoulder.
"Now, I do know that he is a little reckless and immature with his optimism…" Kikuko revealed. "...But I also do know that he has a heart of gold. He will forgive you for this. If you can't believe anything else, believe in that."
Daisuke slowly looked up toward her.
"...A-Are you sure?" Daisuke grimaced. "E-Even after…"
"Yes, even after the kiss…" Kikuko assured with a nod. "And if he doesn't… Then, you and he were never meant to be in the first place. And I suppose you can come to me to smack some sense into him… Only if he takes it too far however."
Daisuke slowly nodded.
As he gazed away and thought about Aidan, he had to realize that Kikuko was right. He knew how positive, and kind Aidan was. He messed up hard, yes. But at the same time, if he could go to Aidan and just apologize to him… Maybe… Maybe things would be for the best. They didn't have to be together. But they could be friends. Like… they were originally…
"Th-Thanks Kikuko…" Daisuke looked a little hopeful.
"Any time," Kikuko smiled. "Feel better?"
Daisuke nodded.
"...B-But… I think you were wrong about one thing…" Daisuke told her. "Y-You said that because we were in a Killing Game, we shouldn't reveal these secrets to the person we care about. B-But…"
Daisuke bit his lip.
"I– I'm sorry if I'm crossing boundaries but I think…" Daisuke tried to control his nervous tics. "...I think you should tell them. B-Because… if I had just told him how I felt instead of… doing what I did… I'm sure Aidan would've honestly told me the truth… I'm sure th-things would've been less messy th-than they are now…"
Kikuko glanced away, feeling Eiji celebrating in the background and practically hearing him yell, 'I told you so!'. God. That boy was so annoying.
"A-Ah… I said too much!" Daisuke stood up from the bench and stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "I– I should get going! U-Um… thanks for the advice and… see you around, K-Kikuko!"
Then, hurrying off to who knows where, the larger male left Kikuko sitting alone at the Pit Stop's bench. To think that someone like him would raise a strong point. She had been scared that her secret could very well be used against her in a game like this, but… Now that Daisuke mentioned it…
She was especially scared that she would never get a chance to tell someone her secret. Never get a chance to reveal all and explain her actions.
Oh Seiryuu…
Now that was terrifying.
"...No," Kikuko softly smiled to herself. "Thank you for the advice, Daisuke…"
Needless to say, Kikuko and Daisuke grew a little closer together…
[Ultimate Karate Master's Attraction]
(Cafe)
Was it any surprise that Mara was in her own Attraction today?
She had ordered one of those Bangin' Spring Rolls, which were just classic spring rolls but a little greasier than usual. Classic amusement park food. At least it wasn't chicken, because she knew she shared opinions with everyone else on how sick she was getting from that. Regardless, today was supposed to be an uneventful day for her.
The simple plan was to eat, hang out at her Attraction for a bit, and just leave. Clouds were looking stormy today, so the plan was to leave as soon as it started to rain. Tch. Not like she cared about rain. Every day was just a stormy cloud looking to rain for her…
She opened her mouth to take yet another bite…
…but was interrupted by the presence of Riku, muttering obscenities under his breath. The doctor had stormed up toward Mara and snagged a seat in front of her. He was clearly annoyed, but Mara had noticed something else.
"...Glad to see you're warming up to me," Mara deadpanned.
"Pft, as if," Riku folded his arms. "I simply didn't have any other place to sit."
Mara glanced around the room, noting the 20-ish tables Riku could've chosen to sit at.
"...Whatever you say," Mara bit into her food.
Swallowing, she continued.
"What's gotten you under the weather now?" Mara asked.
Riku folded his arms with a scoff.
"That big buffoon won't let me ride his Attraction again," Riku muttered.
Big buffoon?
There was only one big buffoon who actually had an Attraction that he could ride.
"What, you mean Roderick?" Mara pressed.
"Of course," Riku grimaced. "The bastard is probably trying to prevent anyone from riding just so they avoid pressing the Girl's Button. But did he ever think that perhaps someone just wanted to have a little fun every now and then? Tch, typical…"
"...You are taking this remarkably harder than I expected…" Mara deadpanned.
Undoubtedly, this guy was growing a little more tolerant of her presence. Perhaps having shared two FTEs together would definitely help in a case like this. She shook her head and set her half-eaten spring roll back onto her plate.
"Why are you sharing this with me, anyway?" Mara frowned.
"Oh…" Riku gave her a cold look. "...So… You can annoy me with your frivolous desire for friends' and I can't annoy you with things that have irritated me today?"
"Technically, you came to me first," Mara pointed out. "Every time I wanted to be alone..."
"Same difference," Riku shrugged.
"Um, no it's– Nevermind," Mara shook her head.
Arguing against someone like Riku was pointless. She didn't want to get her hopes up but for someone who seemed like a lone wolf, Riku seemed to be attracted to getting into these kinds of conversations with her of all people. The guy's a son of a powerful yakuza boss so part of her wondered whether or not it was a "similar people just gravitate toward each other" kind of thing.
A yakuza and a monster.
The start of a classic Mary Shelley story.
"I know that look…" Riku muttered.
Mara blinked.
There was a moment of vulnerability in her that Riku had caught onto instantly. The karate master could only curse to herself for being so silly in that regard. She bit her lip and sank in her chair for a moment, listening to what Riku had to say.
"Keh," Riku spat on the floor. "You think we're similar because we are considered society's monsters. Is that right?"
"...Was it that obvious?" Mara frowned.
"Tch, anyone could see it," Riku folded his arms. "You want connection with others and yet the best thing you can do is me. How ironic…"
"Again, you're the one who's been actively trying to connect yourself with me," Mara muttered.
"And you let me do it," Riku chuckled, his dead look piercing her soul. "How funny. I sense desperation for some affection in your life."
"Hard to have affection in your life when the whole world is against you," Mara sighed to herself.
"And what about your parents?" Riku questioned.
"I killed my mother," Mara deadpanned. "Didn't you get the memo?"
"Yes, yes, I know that," Riku scoffed. "But what about your father…?"
Mara paused.
"...Ahh…" Riku chuckled to himself, understanding her silence. "...A scumbag is he…?"
"A drunk loser is more like it," Mara folded her arms, glancing away with a pained expression on her face.
There was so much talk about the mother that she killed that no one ever asked about the father. Typical. They focus on the bad rather than focus on the other side of the story. Even talking about him now, she can smell the bourbon wafting in her presence…
She'd doubt he'd care where she was right now.
"...Was never around when I was kid," Mara revealed. "Always out buying booze with his buddies down the street. The typical neglectful father that always went out to bars to drink and party while the mother was left to pick up the pieces of his mess. Classic stuff."
Mara folded her arms.
"Bourbon was his life," she muttered. "Not me or… my mother…"
Riku listened intently.
"...You know, when my mother died…" Mara bit her lip. "...She left some inheritance money for me."
"Even after you killed her?" Riku laughed to himself.
"Hey, do you want to get beaten into tomorrow?" Mara flashed a fiery gaze toward Riku.
"Tch," Riku raised his hands in defense. "It was just some humor. Live a little, fleshbag."
Mara rolled her eyes.
Sometimes, she amazed herself at how she was able to show restraint next to someone like Riku. The guy was definitely the type of guy she would've smashed into the ground. But not like she could afford it. Because out of everyone here, it always seemed like he was the only person that actually gave a crap about holding a civil conversation with her.
Ignoring his brash attempt at downplaying her troubled past, of course!
"Anyway, my mother left some inheritance money for me," Mara muttered. "Some obituary nonsense or whatever. I don't know. But surprise surprise... My prick of a father took that money. And guess what he spent it on…?"
Mara tightened her fist.
"More booze," Mara frowned. "Not my karate lessons. Not me attending school or anything like that. Booze…"
Mara had kept her fists clenched as she thought about the many ways she could hurt her own father.
"...I hate him…" Mara glared at her half-eaten spring roll.
Riku watched the karate master intensely.
"...Blame him for being the monster you are today, huh?" Riku couldn't help but give a twisted chuckle.
"Well, who else do I blame?" Mara frowned. "At least when my mother was still alive, life was worth living. But ever since he… I…"
She tried to say something, but she shook her head.
"God," Mara frowned. "It's just been one bad day after the other…"
Mara had enough talking about herself.
She revealed enough to Riku, and she could see that the doctor was practically enjoying listening to her story. Sicko. She expected nothing less from someone who called everyone walking blood packets. She narrowed her eyes toward the doctor…
"And I'm sure you know something about bad days like that," Mara frowned, turning the stage over toward the yakuza doctor. "You were stuck in basically prison for all your life. Son of the head of the Arakawa Clan or whatever…"
"Tch, not all of my life," Riku held up his jacket collar to hide his mouth. "Let's get that right, first off…"
The doctor glanced away for a moment, as he was contemplating something. Then, smirking, he lowered his jacket collar and leaned forward. His smirk grew twisted as his dead eyes pierced a gaze toward her.
"...But…" Riku chuckled. "Would you like to know a secret?"
"Why not?" Mara muttered, sitting back against her chair. "It's not like you know most of mine…"
Riku took out an apple and bit into it.
"...I'm not actually the son of Hiroshi Arakawa," Riku revealed.
"So, you lied to me," Mara folded her arms.
"Tch, do you think I would waste my time conversing with the likes of you just to spout lies?" Riku seemed offended. "I'm not that red-headed bitch, Beauté."
Mara kept her eyes locked at him at all times. She wasn't some living lie detector but staring into his dead eyes, she supposed he was telling the truth. She raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to move on.
"But…" Riku laughed to himself. "...I suppose I can't blame you for not believing me. I had a hard time believing it myself…"
"So, how'd you find out?" Mara raised an eyebrow. "Took a DNA test without your parents' permission?"
"You would think but I found out in the most natural way possible," Riku gave Mara a twisted smile. "An execution…"
Mara furrowed her eyebrows, staying silent.
"...My older brother…" Riku trailed off to correct himself. "...Or rather… my older half-brother… showed the good news to Hiroshi Arakawa. Turns out, all this time, my mother had been fooling around with his second-in-command…"
Riku laughed to himself.
"And boy…" Riku chuckled. "Hiroshi was mad. Cut my birth father's head off right in front of me. Sent my mother on her way to wherever the hell. And yet, kept me around, not as his son but as a prisoner. A sick twisted turn of fates, don't you think…?"
Despite how horrible it sounded, Riku clearly had a lot of fun recounting these events. It certainly didn't bother him that some guy who he thought was his father decided to execute his father right in front of his eyes. Not only that, but to separate him from his own mother…
Mara cringed.
To think that she complained so much about her life not knowing just how worse this guy had it. And even worse, this guy was taking it well. Horrifically well. Like this stuff just doesn't bother him. Huh… Suddenly, his advice and his comments made so much more sense…
"...Why'd he keep you around?" Mara was afraid to ask.
"Isn't it obvious?" Riku slowly frowned. "...My Ultimate Talent. I was the prized possession of the Arakawa Family. I mean, to have an Ultimate in your clan was like having a famous celebrity as your father. There is no way Hiroshi would throw away something like that…"
Riku's eyes turned hollow black as his smile twisted further.
"...Especially when his competition was quite literally the Ultimate Yakuza…" he laughed.
Folding his arms and pulling his jacket collar up to cover his mouth, the doctor continued, a little spitefully.
"Irony is…" Riku chuckled to himself. "...If I were normal, I guarantee you I would be just as dead as my real father. And I wouldn't be stuck here in the first place."
"...I thought you said you liked being in this Killing Game," Mara frowned.
"Tch, I just said it was a nice change of pace," Riku muttered. "It's still a prison, but at least it's a prison with more exciting things to do…"
Mara glanced away.
"...I'm sorry…" she apologized. "...For how bad you had it. I didn't know…"
"Tch, apologizing?" Riku groaned. "Disgusting…"
"...Hey, unlike you, I'm trying to be a decent human being…" Mara rolled her eyes. "So either take it or leave it."
"Hmph," Riku folded his arms before standing up. "You can try to be a decent human being but at the end of the day, you can't change what you are."
He shoved his hands and half-eaten apples inside his pockets.
"...Just like me," Riku muttered.
He turned to the door.
"If you'll excuse me now…" Riku smirked. "I'll be checking out that roller coaster now. If you wish to have another chat, please do… I quite enjoy myself every time…"
Mara blinked.
Was this guy… Riku Arakawa… inviting her out for another chat?
"...I listen to your clearly impossible dreams of making friends…" Riku finished his sentence with a laugh.
And… there it was.
Riku had left the cafe, leaving her behind at her table.
Mara shook her head.
Riku may have said that it was impossible for her to make friends, but she knew different. Maybe she was getting her hopes up but it certainly did seem like she and Riku were… friends of some sort. They had already shared so much about each other. Riku clearly just admitted he liked talking to her… in his own sick way…
Mara just sat there, her appetite lost from that discussion.
Did… Mara and Riku just grow closer together? Close enough that they could consider each other as friends?
Mara wasn't sure, but what she did know for sure was that they did in fact grow closer together. And you know what? Maybe she could live content with just that for now…
[Pleasure Park]
(Square)
Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
Anyone listening to the ticking cogs and wheels of her alarm clocks would go insane right about now, but for Alisa, the sound of clockwork in syncopated rhythm was a beautiful sound to her ears. For Kazuki, he could care less, as he had completely tuned out everything just to figure out the solutions for the last child on the chopping block: the Boy.
Alisa sighed to herself, noting how much time had passed since the Morning Meeting.
"7 hours, 34 minutes, and 52 seconds," Alisa muttered.
Signing up for monitor watching duty was absolute torment for her. She didn't know why she volunteered for it if it was just going to be her standing around doing nothing all day. She had a partner but even her partner was having more fun than she was. She folded her arms, huffing as she contemplated leaving to do her ow–
Nope.
You have a duty to fulfill, Alisa. This was what you signed up for. Stick with it. It'll save lives… At least, she hoped.
"...You know…" Kazuki chuckled. "...If you are bored… Perhaps you can take a crack at solving the word for the Boy…"
The philanthropist shrugged, rubbing his neck instinctively.
"...Come on…" Kazuki smiled, closing his eyes in content. "...I can't be the only one doing all the work here…"
"I would rather not," Alisa folded her arms.
"...Why not…?" Kazuki opened one eye, surprised.
"You heard what Issac said today," Alisa pushed her glasses up, letting the sunlight gleam off one of her lenses. "If Yukihiko really is plotting to sacrifice everyone's lives for the sake of the children… which I am most certain that he is… Then, I would suggest not trying to activate the Boy's button."
"...But the Boy…" Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed," Alisa sighed, shaking her head. She pulled out her pocket watch, staring at it as time drained away. "That is what makes this difficult."
Pocketing her watch, she pushed up her glasses once more.
"...Surely, there has to be a better way than to eliminate all of us for children…" Alisa pondered.
"Careful…" Kazuki frowned. "...You are beginning to sound like Mister Brighton…"
"Indeed, I'll concede..." Alisa sighed, glancing off the side. "I do think Aidan had the right mindset of trying to save everyone. It is the most ethical option. Yukihiko on the other hand... While I do think he has the right idea, I fear he's trying too hard to save only the children. He's veered from his original plan."
"...So... you want to go back to hopelessly finding the children...?" Kazuki blinked. "You do remember that sacrificing people is the only way to progress... correct? It's written on the plaque too..."
Alisa paused.
Did she truly want that?
Far from it. While she was the type of person to believe that there was a time and place for when someone would die, she was also someone who didn't like to waste time doing things that were clearly not working. Going along with Yukihiko's crazy sacrificial lamb plan would be going against everything she believed in. But going along with Aidan's blind optimism run was just a waste good time. So then...
…What else could be done about this situation?
"...You aren't riposting…" Kazuki told her.
"Sorry," Alisa shook her head. "I was just…"
"...Sit…"
Alisa blinked.
"E-Excuse me?" Alisa questioned. "Kazuki–"
"...Sit…"
Kazuki had gestured for her to sit right in front of the Boy's keyboard. Walking up toward the Girl's keyboard, he situated himself accordingly. Realizing that was what Kazuki had meant, Alisa decided to comply, unsure where this was going. When she sat next to Kazuki, she could see him smiling softly at the sky.
"...Would you like to hear a story…?" Kazuki asked. "...I'm sure it'll be worth your time…"
The magic words.
"...Well, it is an improvement over standing around and doing nothing all day," Alisa noted. "Very well. What's the story…?"
"How I became the Ultimate Philanthropist…" Kazuki told her.
Alisa remained quiet at the sound of that.
"...You see… being CEO of a big company like Nobukatsu Enterprises may seem like a dream come true to anyone…" Kazuki smiled to himself. "You have all the wealth in the world… You are well-respected by everyone… Fun parties too…"
Kazuki laughed softly at that last part.
"...But getting there wasn't exactly easy…" Kazuki revealed. "...I mean… There was a lot of work that needed to be done to get that level of respect but…"
Kazuki rested his back against the computer trays.
"I'm sorry, but didn't the company get passed down to you by…" Alisa tried to recall.
"...by Oda Nobukatsu…?" Kazuki smiled. "Of course… The entire company was given to me after he was deemed unfit to run it…"
"So, nepotism," Alisa blankly said.
"...Well… I still had to run it…" Kazuki blinked.
"Yes, but your father practically handed his entire empire to you on a silver platter," Alisa noted. "I don't really understand–"
Kazuki started to softly chuckle. It took the clockmaker by surprise to see him taking in such delight over what she was saying. For a moment, Alisa had thought that maybe he had taken offense to what she had said. But from the looks of his genuine smile, it seemed like he didn't mind…
"I… I'm sorry," Alisa glanced away. "It was a little rude of me to–"
"No… No… don't be…" Kazuki smiled at her. "I can see why you would think that… Everyone thinks that of me… But… That's not exactly the reason why I'm telling you this…"
Kazuki closed his eyes once more.
"...You see…" Kazuki continued. "The point of the story… is that while I was handed the role of CEO on a silver platter… The title of Ultimate Philanthropist was earned… And not by nepotism…"
Kazuki made sure to emphasize that last part. Alisa looked away, slightly embarrassed. She fixed her glasses as Kazuki continued on.
"...I did a lot of work for my local community…" Kazuki smiled. "...Going to events… fundraisers… donating for charity… It was quite the experience…"
Kazuki glanced away.
"Unfortunately…" he frowned. "Some… sacrifices… had to be made for my entire community to prosper…"
"Sacrifices?" Alisa blinked.
"...You remember my brother… correct?" Kazuki opened one eye.
"Yes, the half-brother that shared my opinions on your… habits…" Alisa narrowed her eyes.
"Well… let's not put it like that…" Kazuki chuckled sheepishly. "...But yes... Hashida Nobukatsu… He is indeed still my brother and all… but the sacrifice I had to make was… Well…"
He looked down, slightly troubled.
"...Not being able to hang out with him as family ever again…" Kazuki folded his arms with a sigh.
"W-What?" Alisa blinked.
"...Sounds farcical… but… it's the truth…" Kazuki frowned. "...The only times I was only ever able to spend with my brother was when I was always close to dying on a hospital bed… Dismal but ultimately… true…"
"May I ask why?" Alisa questioned.
Kazuki didn't respond as he simply avoided Alisa's gaze. Clearly, there was some stuff about it that he was just not yet ready to reveal. His smile had faded and shifted into a deepened frown. Whatever happened in his life to prevent him from hanging out with what was really his only family…
It got Alisa curious.
"N-Nevermind..." Alisa rubbed her arms.
"...Mmm… But you see why I share this story to you…" Kazuki's smile returned. "...Right…? Miss Zachary…?"
Alisa blinked.
"I…" Alisa tilted her head, confused.
"...It's because to become the Ultimate Philanthropist that is so beloved in my community… I had to make sacrifices…" Kazuki revealed. "...And most of them were… sacrifices I was not quite proud of…"
"Like, never being able to hang out with your brother ever again…" Alisa surmised.
"...Exactly…" Kazuki nodded. "...Now you get it…? So… You can't just go through this game without making some form of sacrifice here or there… Especially in this particular Killing Game…"
"A Killing Game built on the principle of sacrifice…" Alisa noted.
So, that was his intention in revealing his backstory like that. To become the successful Ultimate Philanthropist that he was, he had to make sacrifices that even he couldn't agree with. With a mindset like that, no wonder he was so bent on trying to give up his own life for everyone else's. But at the same time…
"...But you also know why I cannot agree with something like that," Alisa told him. "By asking someone to sacrifice themselves… That's basically asking someone to throw away the life they could be living instead of—"
"True…" Kazuki interrupted. "I will concede with you on this and always concede with you on this fact. But… at the end of the day…"
Kazuki tilted his head to reveal that nasty scar over his neck. With a hollow yet depressing gaze, the philanthropist sighed miserably.
"...Sacrifices have to be made for the greater good…" Kazuki told her. "That… is the very basis of being human…"
Alisa bit her lip.
Kazuki had a point. Sacrificing something was the very pinnacle of living a good life. One thing that you cherish needs to go in order for you to pursue something else. You can't always have everything you want in life. But at the same time, there was something about this that Alisa can't agree with.
She shook her head.
"...Kazuki, you're referring to sacrificing time with family…" Alisa frowned. "...What we have here in the Killing Game… We're not sacrificing that; we are sacrificing actual lives. People's lives. People we know and care about. It's not the same…"
Kazuki didn't say anything in that regard.
Alisa folded her arms, shifting uncomfortably on the floor.
"...Look, I know all too well what it means to sacrifice," Alisa frowned bitterly. "I have done that all my life. So, there was no need to explain to me what needs to be done in a setting like this…"
Kazuki's expression softened.
"...Is that so…?" Kazuki questioned. "I apologize for my insolence…"
"No need to…" Alisa sighed. "It wasn't like I mentioned it or hinted at it. So, you have nothing to apologize for…"
Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
He noticed her shifting around. Whether she was uncomfortable due to sitting on the cold, hard floor or just uncomfortable being around him, he wasn't sure. But he did know that there was something that she was neglecting to tell him. He pressed forward, curious about what story she had to tell.
"...What exactly did you have to sacrifice…?" Kazuki asked. "...If you are comfortable sharing that is…"
"It's… complicated," Alisa simply said. "But I suppose one thing I can say is that I did have to cut myself off from my parents…"
"Oh…?" Kazuki blinked.
This was news to him!
"...Er… any reason?" he asked.
"I suppose any common reason why any other child would do such a thing…" Alisa shrugged. "Betrayal. Feeling like you've been lied to your whole life…"
"You were adopted, and no one told you…?" Kazuki guessed.
"Okay, so I suppose it's not as common as I may have led you to believe," Alisa smiled slightly. "But indeed. I did have to cut off my own parents. And in the end, well… That was how I learned to live with my grandfather."
"Your grandfather… He's…" Kazuki rubbed his chin.
"...He was my mentor and gateway to clockmaking," Alisa fixed her glasses. "The only person who actually supported me and told me the truth. If anything, I suppose you can owe him for how I became the Ultimate Clockmaker."
"...I see…" Kazuki smiled to himself. "...Sounds like he was the inspiration for your path…"
"And it was one of many hard sacrifices I had to make," Alisa glanced away. "But ultimately, it was worth it…"
She trailed off and Kazuki noticed. Clearly, there were other sacrifices that she had to make that were much more damaging than just her parents. Kazuki wanted to pry for more information, but he already knew he had reached his limit. So, instead, he simply gave a nod toward Alisa. There was truly still so much more he had yet to learn about Alisa…
"So, as you can see…" Alisa folded her arms. "Talking about sacrifices like this… It's not as easy as taking human lives. I apologize Kazuki but… This is where I stand on this matter."
Kazuki simply gave her a nod.
"Very well…" Kazuki stood up. "...I understand…"
Alisa returned the nod and stood up as well.
"...Thank you…" Alisa told him.
With those final looks of understanding, it was clear that both Alisa and Kazuki had grown closer together…
…
A drop of water pelted her over her glasses' lens.
Alisa could quite literally see the waterdrop make its way down toward the bottom of her eyewear. Then, another drop of water spattered her lens. Then another. And another. And soon a barrage of water.
"Oh… it's raining…" Kazuki noted. "...A little harder than yesterday I might need to add…"
"Indeed," Alisa hugged herself, feeling the cold water slowly start to drench her. "Yukihiko doesn't really expect us to just stand in a weather like this, does he?"
"...That would be too cruel…" Kazuki chuckled. "...Even for someone like him…"
"Oh, so even you have doubts about his motivations," Alisa smiled in confirmation.
Kazuki returned the smile and took off his suit. Then, shielding Alisa from the rain, he gave a small shrug.
"...Hmm… I never said I was on board with his supposed plan of sacrificing 14 lives for 4 children…" Kazuki revealed. "But his plan to sacrifice 1… of course…"
Well, it was a start in Alisa's book.
The moment was interrupted with a small announcement from the park's announcer, who's voice sounded amidst the pattering rain of the stormy cloud that had rolled over:
…
"Attention all guests at Piero's Playground. We apologize for the inconvenience. But due to inclement weather, all rides, restaurants, and gift shops will be closing, temporarily. All guests are to exit Piero's Playground and return back to their hotel rooms for the time being. But until the rain goes away, we hope that you return to Piero's Playground for another fantastic day!"
…
"...Well… I suppose we don't exactly have to worry about the monitors anymore…" Kazuki noted.
"Indeed…" Alisa nodded.
With the two slowly making their way toward the exits and away from the rain that was showering onto amusement park grounds.
…
…
…
…
…
…
And as they hurried off, neither of them noticed that someone had approached the monitor.
They didn't say anything for the time being, but they knew they had to hurry.
Rain or not, this was the only chance they were ever going to get for this.
"So…" they muttered. "...TREEHOUSE and PRIESTESS… Is that right?"
[Hotel Mirai]
(Kikuko's Room)
"Thank you for meeting me, Fábio."
After her much-needed talk with Daisuke, Kikuko had come to a decision. She had to talk to Fábio. Tell him the truth. About what was really going on with her and why she had been distancing herself from him. It was a big decision she had to make here. And yet, with the support of Eiji by her side– who she could see giving her an excited thumbs-up in the corner of the room –Kikuko knew she'd have the strength to do this.
"Yeah, of course," Fábio glanced at Kikuko, confused.
He tried to read her expression.
"Is… everything alright?" he asked.
He remembered what had happened this morning.
God.
He only had nothing but concern for her, didn't he?
Fábio had admittedly gotten closer to Kikuko since the Summers-Swan Murder Case. It didn't take a genius to notice that. It did take someone in denial to try to not notice that. But it certainly didn't take a genius to notice that Fábio did enjoy Kikuko's company and well... just talking to her in general. Wolfie can call it them being in love or whatever, but I call it them being good friends!
Anyway, Kikuko sat on the edge of her bed as she watched Fábio walk further into her room.
She noticed it again and shivered.
She quickly hugged herself for comfort.
This didn't go unnoticed by the figure skater, who couldn't help but chuckle slightly.
"Wow, is the A/C broken for you in this room?" Fábio chuckled.
"...Far from it," Kikuko couldn't help but smile slightly at the figure skater.
Fábio prepared to take off his jacket but Kikuko placed a hand against his shoulder, shaking her slightly.
She shook her head, rejecting him before he had the chance to offer it.
Very well, if that's what she wanted.
Nodding back at her, the figure skater sat still.
"Do you remember what I highly valued?" Kikuko asked.
Fábio instantly thought back to the answer to that question.
"Of course I am," Kikuko flashed her glowing left eye. "As a loyal servant of Seiryuu, saying the truth is a sign of respect. It tells him who he can trust, and who the heretics trying to get on his good side are…
She took out her ofuda and waved it like a makeshift fan.
"Trust is an important teacher," Kikuko continued. "And it's something I value highly…"
"I– I see…" Fábio blinked.
"Trust, right?" Fábio answered quickly.
Kikuko smiled to herself and nodded.
"Indeed," Kikuko smiled warmly at how quickly he remembered. "...And right now, Fábio, I could use a lot of that."
Kikuko tilted her head, her face looking grim as her eye flashed blue.
"Can I trust you, Fábio?" she asked.
Fábio blinked.
He didn't know where this was going. Kikuko had been acting strange ever since they first stepped foot in the Jungle of Joy. It was then that Kikuko started to walk eggshells around him. Fábio wasn't sure why that was. Fábio didn't remember insulting her culture or being an overall terrible human being. Fábio was Fábio. And he was just doing his own thing every now and then…
So… where was this coming from?
"Um, sure, yeah," Fábio responded to Kikuko, uncertain.
"Are you sure?" Kikuko was unconvinced.
"Uh, yes…?" Fábio blinked.
"Mmm… this is a matter of life or death," Kikuko seriously told him. "I need to know if I can seriously count on you as someone, I can feel safe around in this Killing Game. So, please, tell me, are you sure I can–"
"Yes, yes!" Fábio answered, this time a little firmly. "Yes. You can. Jeez, Kikuko. What's going on here? Sounds like you're about to drop the biggest secret of your life on me."
Fábio laughed to himself about that.
Kikuko didn't.
She sank into the soft side of her bed's mattress and placed her hands against her lap. Softly, she smiled and glanced away. Not before urging Eiji to leave her and Fábio be… It was for her own sake. Not like Fábio could see him anyway. Next, staring at the floor, she began to speak…
"...Because I am," Kikuko responded.
Kikuko closed her eyes, peacefully.
"Please do not tell anyone about this," Kikuko pursed her lips. "Whatever you hear inside this room, should never exit your lips to anyone else. Do you understand, Fábio Barbosa?"
Kikuko looked at him with the most serious expression he's ever seen her in. And the fact that she called him by his full name. Yikes, that was enough to give him chills.
"Y-Yeah, of course," Fábio rubbed the back of his neck. "My lips are zipped. What we talk about between us, stays between us."
Kikuko glanced at him for a while before nodding her head. She was satisfied with that response. Bowing her head politely, she continued.
"...When I told you about the many things I was tasked to do back at my family shrine, I left out another important duty of mine…" Kikuko revealed.
"Another–" Fábio glanced at her, incredulous. "Like more stuff to do aside from your Traditional Unmei Dance?"
Kikuko nodded.
"...You see, a shrine priestess's duty isn't just to keep a shrine clean, dance, and sell charms," Kikuko began. "They are also tasked with the sacred duty of bridging the gap between the living and the dead."
Fábio glanced at Kikuko, surprised.
"W-What?" he blinked.
"In Shinto religions such as mine, shrine priestesses are chosen due to their connection to the spiritual realm," Kikuko explained. "I was no different. My connection came to life when I was ten. But it wasn't until after I turned eleven, that I became a shrine priestess... an Ultimate Shrine Priestess. And because I am an Ultimate, my ability to commune with spirits is far greater than the average shrine priestess. So much so that it's… Well…"
She paused for a second and changed the topic.
"As the Ultimate Shrine Priestess…" Kikuko kept her eyes closed. "I am the one person everyone goes to when they wish to reconnect with the recently departed. And sometimes, well, as you can imagine… most mourners aren't very, how do you say, adaptable when it comes to their emotions."
Fábio tried to visualize what she meant but it was hard. And not because he didn't understand her but because he was more focused on the big banger, she just dropped right in front of him.
"W-Wait, let me get this straight," Fábio blinked, surprised. "You're telling me that you dabble with ghosts… Like honest-to-goodness, Casper and Boos and Paranormal Activity type–"
"Spirits," Kikuko corrected. "Ghosts are a term you Westerners came up with to sell horror media. To the true spirits that wander this Earth, it is the utmost sign of disrespect."
She folded her arms and huffed.
"O-Oh, I'm… sorry," Fábio rubbed the back of his neck. "I… didn't know that."
Kikuko perked her head.
"Mmm, very well," she smiled slightly. "I will forgive you. I'll chalk this down to a simple culture gap."
Fábio was relieved to hear that but went back to his original thought.
"But still, you dabble with gh- spirits, huh?" Fábio cleared his throat. "So, like… You can… You can actually talk to the dead, pass on messages, spirit channeling… all that stuff?"
Kikuko tapped her chin for a moment.
"...Spirit channeling is a far more complex task and a pain in the butt…" Kikuko told him. "Please forgive me for my profanity. But what I mean to say is that spirit channeling isn't a technique I have exactly mastered quite yet. But it is a skill shrine priestesses are instructed to have…"
"Oh, I see…" Fábio noted.
"But as for the other things you've mentioned," Kikuko smiled to herself. "Generally, yes, I can indeed do all of those."
When Kikuko's eyes met with the figure skater, she had to hide her own surprise. She would've thought that Fábio would have acted out more. Show his disbelief a little more outwardly. Laughed at her, thinking like she was some nut. But from the looks of it, it… seemed like Fábio was genuinely interested.
Perhaps… she made the right choice trusting him with this information.
"So, how does it work?" Fábio asked. "Like, do spirits just pop out of nowhere for you? And if that's the case, does that mean you were able to see the spirits of all the others that died before? Like Emmeline and Alina and Mr. Tetch? Wait! If you were able to see those spirits, couldn't you have just asked Emmeline who her killer was and saved us a bunch of time in the Trial? Or maybe ask–"
"Okay, Fábio, that is a lot of questions for one person," Kikuko smiled at him, slightly overwhelmed. "But I am relieved to hear that you are interested."
"A-Ah, yeah…" Fábio rubbed the back of his neck, his face flushing in embarrassment. "S-Sorry. I just, this is… Really new territory."
"I imagine it would be so," Kikuko nodded before bowing her head in a slight prayer. "But here's the general rule of thumb when it comes to my gift."
Kikuko closed her eyes.
"In the spiritual realm, there are two types of spirits," Kikuko explained. "There are the Blue Spirits and then there are the Red Spirits. Both of them are named according to their glow, which I call, their spiritual auras. Blue Spirits have a blue aura surrounding them. Vice versa for Red."
Eiji popped out of nowhere and waved his hand toward Fábio, even though the figure skater couldn't see him.
"The Blue Spirits are the most common spirits you'll find in the spiritual realm," Kikuko revealed. "Typically, they mean no harm. They can be mischievous sometimes, but a Blue Spirit is simply a spirit that has yet to pass on to the afterlife."
Kikuko decided to withhold mentioning Eiji for the time being.
"Most commonly, Blue Spirits are known to move on pretty quickly into the afterlife," Kikuko explained. "For example, when we found Emmeline's body…"
"Just… look away Isolde," Issac covered Isolde's eyes, taking the full image into his mind with a slight grimace.
Kikuko on the other hand remained fixated on the body. She narrowed her eyes for a moment but then her expression softened. She shuddered slightly and folded her arms.
"Kikuko, you alright?" Fábio asked, looking equally disturbed by the sight of the body.
"...I will be fine," Kikuko glanced away. She bowed her head with a slight prayer. "So will Emmeline, I hope…"
"Her spirit passed on…" Kikuko explained. "And she passed on as soon as everybody was able to see her body in person. I suppose she made sure that I saw her for myself before moving on…"
"Ah... so that's why you couldn't ask her who killed her," Fábio frowned. "Her spirit didn't stick around."
"Precisely," Kikuko nodded. "Same thing with the others..."
Fábio blinked.
"Um, so, do all Blue Spirits not typically stick around after death?" he asked.
"Not always," Kikuko shook her head. "Some Blue Spirits choose to stay around just to watch over family members and people they love. The important thing to note with Blue Spirits is that they are at peace with death. They have accepted that they are no longer amongst the living and leave once they feel like they are ready to leave."
"I see," Fábio nodded. "Blue Spirits are peaceful spirits. Got it."
Kikuko smiled softly and nodded her head. But then, her expression changed when she had to reach the next topic at hand.
"Red Spirits on the other hand…" Kikuko frowned. "Those are the more problematic ones."
"Those are ones with red auras surrounding them, right?" Fábio asked.
"Indeed," Kikuko nodded. "While Blue Spirits are at peace with themselves, Red Spirits… They're… Well, they're violent. Chaotic. I suppose you can call them vengeful spirits."
She crossed her arms as she eyed Fábio, closely.
"Red Spirits are the ones that you hear haunting those classic abandoned buildings," Kikuko explained. "They are filled with hate and vengeance. They are the spirits with unresolved business they need to tend to before they could pass on, and most of the time, those so-called unresolved businesses aren't usually very good. In some cases, not all, they have been caught trying to harm those in the living world. That is why exorcists and specific warding spells have been created as simple precautions against those spirits…"
"W-Wow…" Fábio blinked. "So, those Red Spirits… They're a really big deal, aren't they?"
"Of course they are," Kikuko glanced away. "And to an Ultimate Shrine Priestess like me, they are the scariest."
"W-Why?" Fábio asked.
"...Because when I see a Red Spirit, I can feel their hatred," Kikuko shuddered as she looked at Fábio. "I can hear their pain and their lust for revenge. They are the loudest spirits a shrine priestess can ever hear. The coldest a shrine priestess can ever feel. And unlike Blue Spirits, forcing them to move on is a very difficult task."
Fábio watched as Kikuko tried to calm herself down.
He had to admit that it was remarkable that Kikuko would be so well-versed in the arts of the spiritual world. To think that this was her Ultimate Talent… her gift… To think that she had to live with this for who knows how long? To think that she has seen so much, heard so much, felt so much… quite possibly, suffered so much.
"I'm… sorry," Fábio apologized.
"For what?" Kikuko glanced at him, surprised.
"...It must've been tough for you," Fábio grimaced. "Hearing all of those spirits. Feeling them around you. Literally seeing them when you don't want to. I can't imagine how hard it–"
Kikuko softly smiled once more.
"...It is hard," Kikuko smiled to herself. "But I have my own warding charm against those other spirits."
Kikuko glanced at Eiji, who was silently sitting in the corner, watching their conversation unfold. He smiled back at her, giving her a nod. Practically reassuring her that this was going well.
"If there's something I don't understand though…" Fábio opened his mouth. "...Kikuko. Why me?"
Kikuko blinked.
"What do you mean…?" Kikuko asked.
"Your gift sounds like a pretty overpowered thing to have in a Killing Game like this," Fábio explained. "Any sane person would've kept it a secret from… Well, everyone. And yet, you asked me to come here and tell me all of this stuff."
Fábio frowned.
"I'm honored but…" Fábio frowned. "Are you sure this was the right choice you made? Just telling me about it? Do you really…?"
"Trust you that much…?" Kikuko finished his thought. She tapped her chin before slowly shaking her head. "...Fábio. The reason I told you this was because I wanted to trust you. Because I wasn't sure if I could... but even then... I still desperately wanted to…"
Fábio glanced at Kikuko, confused.
"W-What do you–" Fábio prepared to ask before noticing Kikuko holding her tongue.
She was growing nervous. Fábio couldn't see spirits but he could see this much. He could see Kikuko tighten her grip on her hakama. He could see her struggle to voice something but just didn't have the courage to say it. His expression softened and he leaned forward.
"Look, Kikuko, whatever you want to ask me, just ask, alright?" Fábio told her.
Kikuko locked eyes with him.
"...Fábio, are you… a good person?" she asked.
"I… Why are you…" Fábio blinked, confused. "What's with this question? What do you mean am I a–"
"Fábio…" Kikuko's expression pained. "I saw it."
Her eye flickered blue as she gazed back toward Fábio. She shuddered once more, feeling a cold breath exit her lips. She could feel the hatred. The anger. The lust for revenge. She could feel it overwhelming this room. She could feel it overshadow Eiji's as she never dared to leave her eyes from it.
"When we first walked into the Jungle of Joy, I saw it latch onto you…" Kikuko revealed.
"Well, of course," Yukihiko remarked. "It is called the Jungle of Joy, sweet pea…"
"But just the change in atmosphere from Pleasure Park to a jungle is…" Fábio trailed off.
He wanted to say overwhelming, but truth be told, just seeing trees and the jungle-like aesthetic was enough to remind the figure skater of home. So instead, Fábio opted to remain silent. The only person to notice this was Kikuko, who raised an eyebrow. She widened her eyes for a brief moment before furrowing her eyebrows.
"W-What?" Fábio widened his eyes. "Latch onto me? Like… Like a spirit? Like a–"
"A Red Spirit," Kikuko revealed. "He's been hovering around you this entire time. Through all the times we've been speaking to one another, he was always there."
"F-Fábio," Kikuko was also noticeably taken aback by Fábio's outburst. "I… It wasn't her fault. I just spooked her. Th-That's why she…"
She trailed off as her eyes widened.
The more she looked at Fábio, the more she could see the dying twinkles in his eyes burst into something darker. As if the young man had something repressed inside him… Something that was trying to get out. Something that was hurting him…
And around him…
"Well, I was going to get changed too, but…" Fábio twirled a lock of his ringlet hair. "If you want me around for a chat…"
Fábio smiled as he glanced to the side.
Kikuko opened her mouth to say something along the lines of 'she would like that' but something stopped her from saying anything. Her eyes flared blue once more as her hopeful smile turned into a small frown. She instinctively stepped back and hugged herself, feeling a chill against her spine.
Naturally, Fábio noticed.
"Kikuko, you alright?" Fábio blinked.
"Ah, apologies," Kikuko glanced away. "Please forgive me. While I would like to engage in another conversation with you, I do think I should shower."
"A-Alright, Kikuko," Fábio immediately stood up. "Th-This isn't funny anymore. I don't know if you're trying to creep me out or scare me away or what but…"
He turned to leave.
He was no longer fascinated by her unique gift anymore. Now, he was freaked out. A Red Spirit. One of those hateful, harmful spirits around him of all people?! He hoped to God or Seiryuu that Kikuko was just messing with him. That this was some early April Fool's joke. But every time he looked at Kikuko's face, she always looked so goddamn serious.
"...I'm sorry Kikuko," Fábio shook his head. "But I can't. A Red Spirit? One of those scary spirits that actually hurt people. I just can't–"
Fábio walked over to the door.
Kikuko felt her heart ache.
The chills elevated.
She couldn't bear to see Fábio leave. Not like this. Not with that thing behind him. She thought back to the one thing she did hear the more she watched it hover around him. She stood up as well, holding out her hand.
"W-Wait, Fábio," she urged.
"N-No, Kikuko, seriously this stuff is just–" Fábio reached for the door.
"Does the name João mean anything to you?" Kikuko quickly asked.
Fábio froze.
There was stunned silence as Kikuko watched Fábio stand there by the door. Slowly, she approached him. And with every step, she noticed him turn toward her. What surprised her next was his appearance. His face had grown pale. Horrified even. But his eyes. His eyes were not only widened, but they were… tearing up…?
"Fábio…?" Kikuko slowly reached her hand out. "Are you–"
"This is impossible," Fábio shook his head, his eyes glazing down. "How do you… How do you know that… How is he…?"
Kikuko didn't know what to do in this situation.
She tried to approach him but the more she tried, the more the cold feeling returned. The cold feeling of hatred and anger. The feeling belonging to that thing standing right beside Fábio. No. Not a thing.
A young boy, sharing much of Fábio's features. But compared to Eiji, his form was terrifying. His eyes and mouth were seeping with a blood. His mouth wide open, practically wailing. His face paler than normal. A red aura that surrounded:
João.
And as she stood still, helpless, she could hear his voice taunting the figure skater. No, not taunting…
Berating.
Blaming.
Yelling.
Hissing.
He was angry.
Angry at…
"Liar."
"He's a liar."
"He's a liar."
"He's a liar."
"LiarLiarLiarLiarLiarLiarLiarLiarLiarLiarLiarLiar!"
Kikuko tried to block out the noise. She tried hard not to see the wailing bleeding ghost that was directing his dead black eyes toward the figure skater. The chilly spiritual wind blasted against her. To Kikuko, it felt like she was traveling through a blizzard. To Fábio, it was like he was reliving a part of his life he never wanted to remember.
But Kikuko had to try.
She needed to.
For Fábio–
Kikuko placed a hand on Fábio's shoulder. She squatted down in front of him, allowing their eyes to meet. As João continued to repeat that same word over and over again, Kikuko took a deep breath. Her eye flashed blue. And suddenly, the only noise she could hear was the ambience of her own room. The warmth returned.
She suspected that Eiji may have helped her out here, because right now, it was just the two of them.
Just her and Fábio.
Her hands on his shoulders and one burning questioning exiting her lips:
"Fábio…" Kikuko sympathetically looked at him.
…
…
…
…
…
…
"...Who's João?"
DANGANRONPA: TWISTED TRAGEDY
The Boy (3) ~ Red
[]A[]A[]I[]E
The Girl (4) ~ Green
FISHERMAN
The Brother (3) ~ Green
TREEHOUSE
The Sister (4) ~ Green
PRIESTESS
Who is João, indeed?!
Daily Life 5 of Chapter 2: Adventures of Paradise Gloom is out! And boy, what a chapter this is! I've been waiting so long to reveal Kikuko's power: the ability to see and commune with spirits! One of the many things I've been waiting to write out, especially in Chapter 2, like Daisuke passionately making out with male track stars :D Of course, I had to put a lot of restrictions on this power when WolfieRed23 submitted her, which is where the whole thing where the spirits pass on super quickly came from and other stuff. That way, we won't have the whole:
"Oh. Then why couldn't Kikuko have just asked or contacted the spirit of the deceased to help with the last Trial?"
She can't.
Emmeline moved on too quickly for her to do so. Should've talked to Wolfie a little more about it but I think she told me that I could do whatever I want, and this is what I came up with so... Wolfie! If you see this, I hope you like it! If not, then... Oops D: And I also hope you like how I'm portraying Eiji Unmei :D Definitely a delight to write so far!
Finally gave Alisa and Kazuki screentime, thank God XE
Trial Update: Finished both Trial Part 1 and Trial Part 2, which was why releasing this chapter ended up taking it a little longer than expected. Aye ya ya... I hope it's good XE Not that confident in it, but I have something cooking in the boiling pot!
Speaking of Trials...
Today's shoutout goes to Otterplay's Danganronpa: Algorithmic Alteration. He has just published the Chapter 2 Trial, both parts, and my God, it is fucking delicious! Literally go check this guy out! It's like my fic, but with SPRINKLERS! I will proceed to give no context for that.
Only one more Hangman question left! What word belongs to the Boy! I'll start collecting answers! One per person! In the meantime...
Congrats on everyone who got the word PRIESTESS! I already shouted out emberblitz321 for actually getting this one right out of the bat, so I'll just shout out CandleFire45. Good job my dude!
With that said, hope you all enjoyed this chapter! As always, please drop a like and subscribe to my channel... Oh wait. This ain't YouTube. What I mean to say is, please let me know how I'm doing with these characters, especially you Wolfie! I'm expecting a PM in Discord from you tonight! Anyway, let me know how I'm doing... Love the chapter? Hated it? Thought it meh? Let me know! I always love hearing what everyone has to say about the fic! Keeps me nicely motivated :D
Until then... Daily Life 6 is next, and a body is about to hit the floor D: Insert final victim predictions now!
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]