DING DONG BING BONG


"Good morning everyone!" Monaca cheerily greeted over the monitor, sitting on the couch with Jataro, Nagisa and…

"You may have noticed that Kotoko isn't here with us today!" Monaca giggled. "Well, that's actually related to a very special surprise that Monaca has planned today, it should be in the Dormitory… you can't miss it!"

The Warriors of Hope waved goodbye as the monitor turned off. Kaede sluggishly pulled herself out of bed, even now her mind was still reeling from the events of yesterday.

The Death of Rantaro, who despite his mysteriousness seemed to be a kind person, the fact that he had died seemingly investigating the hidden door indicated that he might've been as eager to help everyone escape as Kaede was, Kaede teared up at the thought of losing a friend.

Shuichi… Kaede had tried to take her mind off of it, but she knew it'd never work. She had seen Shuichi die so horrible, so painfully, and after only trying to help everyone escape this stupid Killing Game… whoever the Mastermind was, Kaede would never forgive them, not as long as she was alive.

She'd never forgive them for taking her friends away, for forcing us into this Killing Game…

That's the kind of thought that made Shuichi kill, huh?

I-I should go to breakfast.

But when Kaede walked out of her room to go to the Dining Hall, she saw what might've been the strangest thing she saw yet-


"G-Get away from me, g-go away, now!" She saw that pink haired girl in the warriors of hope, crouched in the centre of the dorms; the (poor?) girl was surrounded by the rest of Kaede's classmates who looked at her with looks of curiosity and confusion as the Actress Kotoko wept, huddled into a ball.

"H-Hey Kaede," Tsumugi greeted, snapping Kaede out of her confusion induced trance as she looked at the Cosplayer.

"Hi Mugi, what's uh… what's going on here?"

"I-I dunno, that Kotoko girl just kinda appeared her and started… cr-crying," Tsumugi explained. "I-I'm half expecting her to cut open her stomach or something,"

"Wh-What why?"

"It's uhh… It's a reference to uh…" Tsumugi looked down dejectedly. "I ruined it, huh?"

"Oh, no no don't worry!" Kaede reassured. "I mean, this situation is already really weird, so it's not like you have anything to ruin anyway,"

"I guess," Tsumugi looked back towards the Actress, everyone was keeping a distance away from her except for Kaito who was standing over her. "We should probably pay attention to them,"

"Right!"


"Hey, the hell are you doing he-"

Kotoko snapped at the Astronaut as she got up. "I don't have to tell you shit! I-I'm a cute girl, y-you're probably gonna try to d-do something to me, leave me alone, LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kotoko continued to weep and screech, most of the students' shoulders squared up tensely as the Actress continued to break down. Kaede went from almost feeling bad for her to actually feeling bad for her, something seemed to have happened from when she was on her chair in the trial room to now…

"H-Hey don't worry about it, it's not-"

"I mean it totally could be like that!" Kokichi chuckled. "We shouldn't trust this girl easily, right?"

"Kokichi!" Kaito scolded.

Korekiyo let out one of his breathy chuckles. "Kehehe, but is he not right? Mere moments ago this young lady had forced us to kill each other…"

"She could be a spy sent in by Monokuma," Maki said, blunt as ever. "She's somehow less trustworthy than Kokichi,"

"Hey!" Kokichi pouted. "At least half of my lies are for the benefit of the group!"

"I… plain doubt that," Tsumugi sighed.

"Doubt it if you want it's the truth!"

Kotoko continued to heave and cry as the conversation around her continued… everyone was distracted, everyone was distracted now was her chance!

BONK

"Gahh!"

Kaede grunted in pain, the Actress had bumped into her while she was bursting past the people who had surrounded her, everyone turned over to what was formerly Rantaro's room as the door to it slammed shut and locked with a loud click.

"Good goin' guys, ya scared her!" Kaito complained.

"So?" Maki quirked an eyebrow. "We can't get all buddy buddy with her, she was trying to kill us a day ago,"

"Maki…" Kaede said, her voice somewhat exasperated from… just how difficult Maki has been since she'd met her.

"You of all people should be the most upset at her," Maki squinted at the Pianist. "She killed Shuichi, you know that, right?"

Kaede's breath caught in her throat, she barely had time to register what she said all she knew was that it was pissing her off. The Pianist didn't have any time to calm herself.

"Maki, shut up," Kaede didn't raise her voice, but anyone could tell just how done she was with Maki. "You're making it really hard to keep calm in this situation,"

"I'm just realist-"

"Maki, I said to shut up," An angry smile grew on Kaede's face. "If your idea of being realistic is to do everything in your power to make us as miserable as humanly possible, then… I dunno, maybe it should've been you under that vent instead?"

"K-Kaede, calm down," Tsumugi reached her hand out to the Pianist.

"Yeah, please don't say something you'll regret," Keebo said.

"Fight fight fight…" Both Angie and Kokichi whispered.

"So… interesting…" Korekiyo chuckled.

"Mmm… does anyone else find this kinda hot?" Miu mumbled.

Keebo heard the comment with his super(human?) hearing. "Miu, gross,"

"Eeeeeeek!"

"Reminds me of prison…" Ryoma mused with a shrug.

"Gonta want everyone to get along, please?"

"Booooring!" Kokichi pouted. "I'm placing my bets on creepy girl,"

"You're placing bets?" Tenko shouted.

"Nyeh… not so loud please, Tenko,"

"Oop!" Tenko lowered her voice to a whisper. "Sorry Himiko,"

"Can we please not fight?" Kirumi sighed. "I don't want us fracturing as a group is all,"

"Y-Yeah," Kaito chuckled uncomfortably. "You're goin' a little far-"

"What did you say to me?"

"You heard me, Maki, you should've died instead of Rantaro," Kaede's smile faded. "At least he would've tried to help, all you do is mope,"

"Do you want to die yourself?"

"Oh, great, threats," Kaede chuckled, she was a bit too pissed off right now to be scared of the woman. "Are you only gonna make it hard for me to try to keep everyone's spirits up? Cause if so, I'd prefer if you just didn't talk… ever? If you just… stayed in your fucking lane where you belong-"

WHAP

Kaede groaned in pain as she fell to the floor, a fresh red mark on her cheek from the… surprisingly strong punch she had taken from Maki.

"Maki!" Kaito scolded.

"Do you wanna be next?" Maki threatened, seemingly out of instinct.

"Y'know, Maki," Kokichi chuckled. "If you keep being all hostile like this… you'll probably be the next victim,"

Maki glared at the Supreme Leader who didn't appear to be at all phased.

"Kokichi…"

"What? It's true!" Kokichi pouted.

"Nyahaha! I have to agree!" Angie gave a big smile. "By being hostile, you're only making yourself a bigger target, Maki!"

Maki's face scrunched up further and further in anger everyone swore she was going to punch someone else… but then the glare faded.

The Child Caregiver looked forlorn, she let out a long sigh as she trudged out of the dormitory and into the courtyard of the Academy.


"Guess that's over…" Kaede let out a long sigh. "I-I'm sorry everyone, I got angry and-"

"You shouldn't be apologising to us, Kaede," Kaito shook his head. "You should go apologise to her,"

"These kinda things tend to spiral outta control pretty quickly," Ryoma warned. "Trust me, I know,"

"Y-Yeah," Kaede scratched the back of her head uncomfortable. "I'll apologise to her soon, I uh… wanna wait until she's calmed down, y'know?"

"That's… plain fair," Tsumugi said. "Are you alright, by the way? That looked like it hurt,"

Kaede tapped her cheek, wincing as she did. "It does… I did kinda deserve it, though,"

"That stuff about… yeah," Tsumugi didn't directly mention it, Kaede already knew what she meant anyway. "That was too far, but… she is being pretty mopey, so it's only like… 60 percent your fault?"

Kaede chuckled. "Thanks Mugi, but you don't need to shift the blame,"

"F-Fair…"

"I meeaaaan… Maki is kind of an asshole," Kokichi shrugged. "She needed a good talking to, y'know?"

"There's better ways to do it," Kaito grumbled.

"Yes, yes," Kirumi nodded. "She was wrong to punch you, but you were wrong to insult her,"

"Jeez, I get it!" Kaede chuckled. "I'll apologise to her as soon as I-"


"Puhuhuhu, have you guys-" Monokuma paused as he and the three Warriors of Hope entered the Dormitory. "The hell happened here?"

"Did you guys already kill Kotoko?" Nagisa quirked an eyebrow.

"I hope not… she's a traitor, so she deserves to suffer!" Monaca shouted angrily.

Jataro chuckled. "Give into your anger… then take it out me next!"

"Has anyone ever told you how weird you are?" Nagisa looked at the masked boy who nodded vigorously in response.

Monokuma cleared his throat. "Well, wherever she is, Kotoko Utsugi has officially joined your party as a student within the Killing Game!" The bear announce gleefully.

"So that's what she was panicking about…" Kaito mumbled to himself. "Poor girl must be scared shitless,"

"Kehehe, such a primal fear is so… shocking yet so beautiful to witness…"

"I suppose I'll have to ask her about when I should come to clean," Kirumi mused.

"So Kotoko's not a super secret spy sent to kill us all?" Kokichi sighed. "Laaaame,"

"As much as Monaca wants her to be, she isn't," Monaca pouted.

"Now, to distract us from the news of Kotoko's horrible betrayal!" Monokuma sighed dramatically for emphasis. "The Ultimate Academy is proud to announce that new areas of the Academy have been opened up!"

"New… areas?" Kaede turned her head.

"More exploring? What a pain…" Himiko pouted. "I'd use my magic to teleport, but that argument drained my mana…"

"More exploring, yeah, just find your nearest Warrior of Hope and we'll open up the new areas for you," Nagisa explained.

"We'll see you around, hopefully you enjoy these new areas to kill in!" Monaca gave a wide smile as she, Monokuma and the rest of the Warriors of Hope left the building.


"You guys can go up ahead, I'll… deal with Kotoko over here," Kaito said.

"Nyahahaha! Interrogate her well, Atua gives you permission to do whatever you want to her!"

"It's nothing like that, jeez," Kaito groaned. "I'm gonna try to get her to open up,"

Everyone poured out of the dormitory to go explore, as he promised Kaito stayed behind, standing near Kotoko's door.

"Good luck, Kaito!" Kaede smiled as she waved goodbye to the Astronaut.

"Good luck to you too, Kaede, Maki seems like a pretty tough nut to crack!"

Right… I have to apologise to her. Ugh, why can't I just control my mouth!

"She does… but, I'm sure she'll understand where I'm coming from,"

"Here's hopin'" Kaito chuckled as the Pianist walked into the courtyard.

Now… where to explore first?


Kaede first noticed a large, walled off area directly across from the Dormitories, Jataro and no one else was standing on the outside of the door.

Kaede elected to go there first, mainly because it was the closest and also because Jataro seemed like the least murder-ey out of the Warriors of Hope.

"Oh, hey weird Piano girl…" Jataro mumbled. "Have you come here to make fun of me?"

"What? No, I'm just here to explore this… gated off area," Kaede explained. "Why would I do that?"

"Cause I deserve it?" Jataro said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Uhh…" Kaede stared confused at the boy for a moment… she elected to walk into the walled of region without saying anything.

There were two huge buildings within the walls: A large, flashing Casino, and a white and pink hotel.

These are not thing you put in a school… Why is this here?

There was only really one way to find out. Kaede walked in front of the pink and white hotel, reading the sign at the front of the door as she did.

"Hotel… Kumasutra? Isn't that the Indian-"

"While often viewed as a mere guide to sexual positions, the text Kama Sutra is actually a guide to fulfilment within relationships themselves-"

Kaede let out a gasp as the Anthropologist seemingly just… appeared behind her.

"Kiyo! How did I not notice you? You stick out like a sore thumb here!"

"Kehehe, that metaphor would apply to you more than anyone given your talent," Korekiyo said, pretty much ignoring the actual meat of Kaede's statement.

"I… have had to delay concerts over that sort of thing, yeah. What do you think this is for? We already have the dorms,"

"Boo!"

"Kyah!" Kaede nearly fell over again as the black and white bear of her nightmares appeared in front of her and Korekiyo.

"This hotel if off limits!" The bear yelled. "Unless of course… you have the keys to enter…"

"That's… most buildings yes," Korekiyo nodded.

"Well this one's special! For when you and the other person fall asleep, you'll be let right into the special love suite of this hotel!" Monokuma giggled like an old pervert. "You'll be able to get it on in all sorts of ways! You and another student will live out your wildest fantasies together!"

The two students paused as they stared at Monokuma.

"…Gross," Kaede winced.

"Really? That's how you react? Kids these days are such prudes!"

"…How would one go about accessing the keys to this place?" Korekiyo touched the side of his head.

"Now that's the spirit I want!" Monokuma laughed. "You can buy 'em with special coins you win from within that casino,"

"Kehehe, you earn the right to live out your greatest fantasies by gambling, hm?" Korekiyo shook his head, but not in frustration or even disappointment. "I suppose love itself a gamble, so it makes sense,"

"I… nothing you say makes sense, Kiyo," Kaede shook her head.

Korekiyo let out another breathy chuckle. "Nontheless, we should explore that Casino… you never know what's in there,"

"I hope to god I do not end up in there when you manage to buy one of those keys…" Kaede grumbled.

"Do you see me as a mere pervert? Because I can introduce people to a world of pleasure they have not experienced before,"

"That is not doing a good job at convincing me," Kaede shook her head again as the two entered the casino.

"Fair, I 'spose,"


The casino was separated into two floors, Kaede could tell by the stairs that seemingly led to the basement. She and Korekiyo looked down to figure out the general vibe of the place.

Each floor decorated with flashy and gaudy decorations most of which were themed after Monokuma. The top floor had desks and machines for exchanging casino coins for prizes… including the love key itself; while the bottom floor had all of the slot machines, games and whatever else there was in a casino.

"Well, this place seems nice… I'll be here gambling away for that key~" Korekiyo chuckled.

"That… doesn't surprise me," Kaede chuckled back. "I just hope you get like… Angie or something, she seems like she'd be into the same things as you,"

"Already matchmaking?" Korekiyo probably smirked under that mask, again, really hard to tell why doesn't he just take it off?

Kaede sighed. "Not really, I'm just hoping for the sake of whoever you end up getting,"

"Fair, fair," Korekiyo said. "Not everyone's interesting in what I'm interested in…"

"I can tell… bye Kiyo!"

"Goodbye Kaede,"


That place is weird… I should go somewhere else ASAP… and probably take a shower.


Kaede walked out of the gated area, glanced at Jataro picking at the grass on the floor, and walked towards the Academy.

There was an area to its side being guarded by Nagisa: Keebo and Tenko were standing directly in front of it. The area was labelled "Pool", so Kaede guess that it was… probably an indoor pool.

"POOL, POOL, POOL!" Tenko practically screeched as Nagisa slowly worked to unfasten the lock on the door.

"Can you please calm down, Ms. Chabashira?" The blue haired boy sighed, his cowlicks lowering in dissapointment. "I'm having enough trouble opening this up as is,"

"It this why you didn't drag Himiko here, Tenko?" Keebo asked.

"N-No… maybe…" Tenko chuckled in an incredibly guilty fashion. "I don't wanna hurt her sensitive ears over how EXCITED I AM OVER HAVING A POOL HERE!"

Kaede chuckled as she patted the Martial Artist on the shoulder, Tenko blushed as she began to speak. "I can tell you're excited, but… I never really took you for a swimmer,"

"Oh, well uh… that's cause I can't swim…" Tenko chuckled awkwardly. "B-But I've always wanted to be near the water… near pretty girls wearing- AH I shouldn't be thinking that,"

Kaede let out another soft chuckle that made Tenko turn redder. "Don't worry about it Tenko, also I think the pool's unlocked now,"

"It's been unlocked for at least five minutes, go in, go in," Nagisa ushered the three people into the pool area: Tenko was shaking with excitement, Kaede was neutrally happy, and Keebo looked confused as to why someone could be so excited about a pool.


It was an incredibly luxurious pool room with fancy lounging chairs surrounding the pool, a door that lead to a storage locker filled with pool equipment, and a… surprisingly shallow pool, according to a sign nearby the pool is 13 by 8 ft… why do they feel the need to specify that? There were also a large window at the top of each of the walls.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeee!" Tenko cooed. "It's everything I ever wanted and more! Ooooo, I wanna set up a parasol here and act like a pampered celebrity!"

"That's… strangely specific," Keebo said. "I never really got the appeal of water, personally,"

"Makes sense, you are a robot," Kaede said. "You'd probably die if you touched it, right?"

"How rude! I am completely waterproof!" Keebo said, hurt and anger clear in his voice. "It's just that I'd sink in the water is all,"

"Oh, uh sorry!" Kaede apologised even though she didn't know what she was apologising for. "The water seems pretty shallow though, so you'd both presumably be fine,"

"Really?" Tenko looked into the shallow pool, and by jove was it ever shallow. "You're right!"

"Why is it shallow though?" Keebo quirked an eyebrow. "Maybe they forgot to fill it all the way?"

"We filled it with a perfectly reasonable amount of water," Nagisa complained as he walked into the pool area. "It's just that the pool goes down too much for you to notice, it's plenty of water to swim in!"

"So I'd still sink…" Keebo looked dejectedly at the water… perhaps another day.

"Ughh, I wish I could swim," Tenko pouted.

"That's your personal problem," Nagisa said as he walked over to something else in the pool area, a small, easily missable sign labelled "POOL RULES"

"Also there are rules to swimming," Nagisa said. "If you swim at nighttime, we will be forced to punish you,"

"Really? Over something that small?" Kaede looked more confused than outraged.

"Yes really, rules are rules!" Nagisa said. "it's been added to your Monopads already, so you don't forget," Nagisa gave a smirk as he left the pool area to go do… whatever it is the Warriors of Hope do.

"Well, that's kinda crummy," Kaede shrugged.

"Huh, maybe me not being able to swim is a good thing! I don't miss out on much!" Tenko smiled.

"There's never a silver lining for Keebo…" The robot was still staring into the water.

"Uhh… I'm gonna go now; gotta finish exploring n' all," Kaede said. "Bye guys!"

"Bye Kaede!"

"If only…"

I kinda feel bad for Keebo now, there's so much he doesn't get to do…


Kaede elected to explore the Academy next, mainly considering that there was nowhere else to explore, she went straight for the second floor and-

"Damn!" Kaede said in exasperated joy as she looked around, the floor had been given an entire extra hallway, though the only thing of note within it was a door with weblike designs covering it… was this Kirumi's Lab?

Only one way to find out. Kaede opened the door and went in.

Kaede walked into a room designed to look like a Victorian Mansion with antique furniture, fancy red curtains, and a large chandelier on the roof. In the middle of the room there was a table with a group of mannequins designed to look like a Victorian era family… that was honestly pretty creepy, Kaede also noticed a large folding door on the side of the room.

"This… appears to be my Ultimate Lab," Kirumi looked deep in thought as she looked around the room. "It looks interesting, but I do not see any way this could help me in my duties,"

"I guess that's fair… wait, what about that folding door?" Kaede pointed to it, Kirumi looked around and eye it curiously.

The Maid nodded and delicately walked her way over to it, her heels clacking on the ground, she opened the door to reveal a large scale laundromat, a more industrial looking room lined with washing machines, driers and other cleaning supplies.

"Ah, here it is!" Kirumi looked rather happily at the personal laundromat. "This help in my duties as a maid,"

"Right… speaking of those, you work pretty hard, right?" Kaede asked as she walked behind Kirumi.

"Of course, it is an honour as a maid to serve my master to the best of my ability, why?"

"Well uh… I just wanted to know if I could help! I don't want you breaking your back over us all alone, y'know?"

Kirumi looked at the Pianist. "It's quite alright, Kaede, I'm perfectly able to do whatever is necessary of me,"

"Hmm… nah, I insist on helping!" Kaede beamed at the Maid. "At the very least it'd be nice to hang out with you!"

"I… suppose that would be nice," A small smile found its way onto Kirumi's face. "Very well, I suppose we can meet up here at about 4 PM, I prefer to clean up after everyone after lunch,"

"Alright, sounds great!" Kaede smiled as she prepared to leave the Lab. "See you than, Rumi!"

"Goodbye Kaede,"


A smile graced Kaede's face as she walked down the newly created hallway on the second floor, there was a larger area with a rail secured hole that allowed Kaede to look down at the first floor's lobby, moving past that, the Pianist spotted another door, this one was decorated with a Butterfly, probably Gonta's lab.

Kaede tried to swallow how gross she found bugs as she entered the room.

It was likely the largest room yet, with a grassy floor and trees dotting the room. The walls were also lined with clear cages that held bugs, and even detailed (gross) pictures of various bugs.

"BUGS! BUGS BUGS BUGS!" Gonta cheered as Kaede walked into the lab. "Oh, Gonta so glad to finally see bugs in this academy!"

"I can tell," Kaede chuckled. "Some of the butterflies here are pretty cute I guess…"

"Oh, Gonta know that not all bugs pretty," Gonta reassured. "But Gonta do know that all bugs deserving of love, because all bugs can love! So as true Gentlemen, Gonta love all bugs!" The man passionately belted out.

"That's pretty admirable, Gonta," Kaede patted him on the back and he blushed.

"No mention it, Kaede, Gonta just want to do what's right!" Gonta nodded. "Cause that's what a Gentleman does!"

"And you're doing a really good job! Bye Gonta!" Kaede reassured with a thumbs up as she left the room.

"See you later Kaede!"


As Kaede left the Entomologist's lab with a smile she spotted a flight of stairs at the very end of the hallway and walked up them to the third floor of the Academy.

Right near the stairs to the third floor was a door decorated with a Tennis Racket. This was… almost one hundred percent Ryoma's Lab.

She walked into what was an impressively large tennis court with a net in the middle, and a machine holding three tennis rackets seemingly playing three eternal games of tennis against the wall. Miu and Ryoma were standing around in the room.

"Hey Kaede," Ryoma greeted the Pianist as she walked into the room.

"Hi Ryoma… Miu,"

"The fuck? How come I don't get a hi?"

Kaede and Ryoma ignored her. "I guess this place would be nice for you, huh? You'd get to play Tennis with… whoever here can also play ten-"

"No,"

"Huh? What do you mean 'No'?"

"I don't play Tennis anymore, too many memories…" Ryoma looked forlornly at the tennis court.

"Memories? You mean that time you killed an entire mafia with your tennis skills?" Miu quirked an eyebrow. "In my opinion that's an indication to keep fucken' goin!" Miu let out a loud, haughty laugh.

"Wh-Wha?"

Ryoma stared Miu down, the woman let out a small squeak before he went back to talking to Kaede. "She's right, though killed a lot of people with my skills, then got life in prison," Ryoma said. "On the plus side, you can't really suspect me of murder cause I got nothing out there waitin' for me,"

"Well… that's depressing,"

Ryoma looked longingly at the court as Kaede's eyes drifted around the room, noticing a more brutalist, metallic looking door.

"Hey, where's that lead-"

"It's a bathoom, I checked," Ryoma said.

"Oooo a bathroom, perfect for you two~" Miu said in her usual pervy tone, the weirdo. "And hey, Ryoma's at perfect height, all he'd have to do is-"

"Miu, shut up," Ryoma glared at the Inventor once again.

"Eeeeeeek! I-It was just a j-joke, man!"

"Not a funny one, Miu!" Kaede scolded.

"W-Well jeez, guess I-I'll just go fuck myself then! God!" Miu pouted as she left the Tennis Pro's Lab.

"Strange woman that Miu," Ryoma shook his head.

"Tell me about it," Kaede sighed. "I guess I'll be going now, too, see you around Ryoma,"

"See ya,"


Kaede continued to walk down the hallway eventually making her way to the end of it which included a blocked off flight of stairs, and a weird, red coloured door, but as Kaede went to open it, a certain Child Caregiver walked out.

"O-Oh hi Maki!" Kaede waved just a bit too quickly. "I guess that's your lab, huh? Doesn't look like a lab for an Ultimate Caregiver,"

"You're not allowed in," Maki squinted.

"O-Oh… I guess that's fair…" Kaede looked at the ground. "Also uh… I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about… roughly two hours ago,"

Maki quirked an eyebrow at Kaede's apology. "Listen, Kaede, I really don't care what anyone here thinks about me, if you think I'm getting in everyone's way that's up to you,"

"I… you're just so difficult to work with, a-and you brought Shuichi into it and…" Kaede sighed. "I got angry, I'm sorry for being mean to you is all,"

Maki sighed. "You don't need to apologise, Kaede, I don't really care," The woman elected to stay in her Ultimate Lab.

That was progress! Probably… she's not mad at me anymore I think?

Kaede shook her head as she walked back down the stairs to the second floor, then to the first floor.

She presumed that she was done exploring for the day, so-

"Kaede! Kaede! Kaede! Kaede! Kaede!" The Pianist suddenly felt herself being practically shaken up and down by Tenko, who judging from the whiplash she was giving her, really wanted her attention.

"What? What?" Kaede breathed in and out as Tenko put her down. "What do you want?"

"Himiko's lab opened up!" Tenko shouted. "Let's go see it, let's go see it!"

"Okay, okay jeez," Kaede put up her hands with an exasperated smile on her face. "Where is it?"

"On this floor! Monaca tore down a wall with her Exisal, and now my… friend has her very own Ultimate Lab!" Tenko giggled "How cool is that?"

"She.., how?" Kaede shook her head. "Nevermind that, that does sound pretty cool, lead the way Tenko!"

Tenko beamed as she took Kaede by the wrist and practically dragged her down the halls of the school, The Magician's lab was in the same hallway as that mysterious checkered door. The Lab's door itself was blue with a cute star pattern, and sigil depicting a strawberry in the middle.

Kaede was taken into the lab and plonked into the middle of it, she got a good look at the room.

It was pretty snazzy, with pretty red curtains covering the walls, a blue carpet covered in arcane symbols, a large witch's cauldron in the middle, and a variety of magic trick setups scattered around the room, most interestingly a large water tank with a length of rope leaning on it.

"Oh, hey Tenko!" Himiko smiled at the Aikido Master. "You brought Kaede here?"

"Yeah, your lab is soooo cool that I think other people deserve to see it!"

"Nyeh, I guess that's fair…" Himiko looked a little disappointed for whatever reason.

"Yeah, this a lot of cool stuff, Himiko!" Kaede beamed. "You could probably set up a whole show of magic tricks with this,"

"I could, but I don't do tricks, Kaede," Himiko put a finger up. "I do maaaagic!"

"Yeah, she does real magic!" Tenko beamed. "Cause she's a real mage!"

"I'm sure she does…" Kaede rolled her eyes. "Seeing all this stuff in action would be pretty cool!"

"It would…" Himiko mused. "Maybe Angie n' Kirumi could help…"

"And me too!"

"Well that goes without saying cuz- uh… cuz you're my friend!"

"Y-Yeah friends!"

Kaede could tell exactly what was going on, but decided to not mention it for now.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone, have fun!" Kaede smiled as she left the Magician's lab.

"Bye Kaede!"

"Nyeh… bye…"


Finally, exploration done for the day, Kaede checked her Monopad for the time

3:30 PM

Kaede smiled to herself as she walked towards the Maid's lab, prepared for a day of… well pretty much just cleaning, but still it'd be fun cause it was with a friend!

Probably…

"Hey Rumi!" The Maid smiled at Kaede as she entered. "You're here pretty early, huh?"

"You're also earlier than I expected," Kirumi stated.

"Well I'm not gonna be late for a friend," Kaede shrugged. "If we're both here we should probably begin now, huh?"

"I suppose, I only need you to gather a few people's clothes for me," Kirumi said as she walked towards Kaede and gave her a piece of paper with a couple names written down:


MIU

KOKICHI

HIMIKO

ANGIE


"Sounds good! See you in a bit, Rumi!"

"Goodbye Kaede, and-"

Kaede turned around as Kirumi called out to her. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for doing this for me, even if you don't need to,"

"Aww, don't mention it Rumi, we're friends!" Kaede giggled as she left the lab for the dorms.


Kaede made her straight shot to the dorms, no one was in the building,

Kaede decided to start with the most normal person on the list (also the least irritating), Himiko.

She gently rung her doorbell, and heard the little Witch trudge over to her door and open it.

"Nyeh? Oh, hey Kaede…"

"Hi Himiko! I'm just here to pick up your clothes for Kirumi!" Kaede smiled at the small Magician.

"Oh… that's nice of you," Himiko lazily smiled as she directed Kaede towards the bottom drawer of her bedside table. "This has all my clothes from yesterday in it…"

"Great, thanks Himiko!"

"I should be thanking you… you're the one doing this for me…" Himiko let out a yawn. "…I'm gonna take a nap, bye Kaede,"

"That's fair, you seem pretty tired… you always seem pretty tired though," Kaede shrugged. "See you around, Himiko!"

"Nyeh…" Was all Himiko mumbled, flopping down onto her bed as Kaede left the room.


Going down from order of irritation was Angie, who Kaede didn't find annoying… just kind of odd. Even for as optimistic as Kaede is, she found the Artist's eternal smile just a touch unsettling.

Still, she knocked on her door with a smile, and soon heard the Artist skip towards the door to open it.

"Nyahaha! Hello Kaede!" Angie beamed. "Has your anemia finally cleared up?"

"That's not… nevermind, I'm picking up clothes for Kirumi," Kaede said. "I kinda need yours,"

"Ah, but such a divine act of kindness from you, helping out our dear friend Kirumi!" Angie prayed for a moment before opening her eyes and beaming even harder at Kaede. "Take them, take them!" The Artist giggled as she handed her clothes from yesterday to the other woman.

"Thanks Angie, and uh…" Kaede noticed a… disturbing, yet obviously incomplete painting behind Angie. "Good luck with whatever you're working on back there,"

"You are too kind, Kaede! Hope your anemia clears up soon!" Angie smiled. "Bye-onara!"

"Buh bye!"


Okay, two down, two to go, helping Rumi hasn't been bad so far, but now was the part that Kaede had been dreading.

Having to talk to Miu…

Actually, maybe I should keep an open mind, Miu's had to have softened since last I spoke to her, right?

"The fuck do you want, titless?"

No, no she hasn't.

Kaede let out a long, pained sigh as she mentally prepared to interact with Miu. "I'm just here for your clothes-"

"Eeeeee, but we barely know each other, you can at least t-take me out to dinner first-"

"Not like that Miu!" Kaede shouted as a furious blush grew on her face. "I mean so Kirumi can clean them,"

"O-Oh… why didn't you just say that flatass?"

"I did!" Kaede grumbled as Miu handed the clothes to Kaede… they smelt really weird, a specific kind of weird smell that Kaede actively refused to think about, which made her think about it more which-

God, brain, will you shut up sometimes?

"Have fun sniffin' them on your way to Kirumi, anyone would be honoured to be allowed to-"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it, bye Miu!" Kaede shut the door on the inventor.

"Th-The fuck? Am I not good enough for ya now?"

Kaede sighed as she moved to Kokichi's room, she wasn't dreading this as much as Kokichi, but knowing the little troublemaker this would still suck.

She rung the man's doorbell, and he quickly opened the door.

"Ooooooooo, Kaede, visiting me while I'm all alone in my room?" Kokichi smiled. "Are you here to kill me for being all mean to traitor girl back there?"

"Wha? No!" Kaede yelped. "Obviously not, I'm just here to pick up your clothes for Kirumi,"

"Ohhhhh… well that's boring!" Kokichi pouted. "Why don't we make this more interesting?"

The Pianist sighed. "Kokichi please-"

"Nope! We're gonna be playing a game now, nishishi~" Kokichi chuckled as he actively blocked his door while reaching into his pocket.

Kaede sighed again, deciding to just go along with it so she could get back to Kirumi quicker, the Supreme Leader pulled out a deck of cards.

"Now, we both pick a card, and if yours is higher, I give you my clothes," Kokichi giggled. "Buuuut if mine is higher… I murder you here and now!"

"Wh-What?"

"Pick a card, Kaede!" Kokichi turned his head to the side.

This had to be a joke, right?

"Kokichi can you just-"

"Nishishi, what, are you too scared?"

"I- ughhh…" Kaede groaned as she pulled a card from the deck, Kokichi did so too.

7 7

"HAHAHAHA, They're… the same?" Kokichi mumbled. "Oh jeez, I didn't prepared for this at all… guess I gotta go with both possibilities now,"

"Wha-"

Kaede was cut off as Kokichi threw his clothes at her. "Take 'em, take 'em, just now that in about three days… you'll be dead and buried!" The small man chuckled as he shut the door.

Kaede stood at his door for a moment, both bewildered and annoyed at what had just happened.

"Asshole…"

Kaede had all the clothes now, she could finally return to Kirumi's lab.


It didn't take long for her to get back to the Maid's lab, she sighed as she opened the door and walked in.

"Ah, hello Kaede," Kirumi greeted in her usual formal manner. "You seem quite exhausted, are you alright?"

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine," Kaede huffed as she handed Kirumi. "Just uh… the people here certainly are… unique, huh?"

Kirumi chuckled as she put the clothes in the washing machine. "They are, but… I manage to tolerate them,"

"Even Kokichi?"

"Yes, Kaede," Kirumi let out another chuckle. "Even Kokichi,"

"Well now I feel mean for saying that about him…" Kaede smiled. "He did kinda threaten to kill me though,"

Kirumi sighed. "Of course he did, I wouldn't take it very seriously,"

"I'm not," Kaede rolled her eyes. "It's still pretty weird though,"

"Yes, yes," Kirumi said. "I can probably finish the rest of my work today by myself, it's getting late, you should rest,"

"I should, I should," Kaede said as she walked towards the door.. "You rest soon too though, okay? It's only a matter of time before people start calling you 'Mom', y'know?"

"I doubt it, but thanks for your concern,"

"I'm serious, bye Rumi!"

"Goodbye Kaede,"

Kaede let out a yawn as she walked out of the academy building and into her dorm room, not encountering anyone in the now somewhat dark courtyard.

Kaede sat on her bed for a moment, before-


DING DONG BING BONG


"Attention students, it is now 10:00 PM," Nagisa announced professionally. "We'd recommend going to sleep now, don't wanna be tired for any investigations, y'know?"

"Yeah… if you guys are tired, then we gotta kill you, and this whole setup kinda falls apart…"

"Wow, you almost said something useful Jataro!" Monaca smiled.

"Awwwww…"

Nagisa sighed. "Goodnight everyone,"

The monitor turned off.


Another day at this academy, huh? Feels kinda weird to see everyone so… normal after the events of yesterday. I guess that's the only way to really cope with it, to cope with the death of two of her friends, to try to go back to normal.

Still… I just can't get over Shuichi, I can't get over how miserable, how scared and how… pained he looked as he died. He thought I killed him, he thought I-


DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG


"H-Hey quit ringing the doorbell, I'm coming!" Kaede grumbled as she bolted towards the door, quickly opening it up, annoyance clear in her eyes.

"Kaito? What are you doing out this late?"

"It's not just me, Kaede," Kaito let out a smile as the other, shorter person near him revealed herself: Kotoko Utsugi.

"Oh and uh… you too," Kaede looked uncomfortably at the Actress. "It's nice to-"

"You don't have to pretend you aren't scared of me, you know?" Kotoko turned her head. "I understand why you wouldn't like me,"

"I uh… don't not like you?" Kaede shrugged uncomfortably, it was sort of the truth, but saying it felt weird.

"See Koto, Kaede already likes ya!" Kaito chuckled as he patted the woman on the back, her look went from her blank expression to a small smile… before returning to that blank expression.

"Y-Yeah, that's right!" Kaede smiled. "Anyway uh… why are you talking to me this late?"

"Ah, well, you know how I'm an Astronaut?"

"Is that a rhetorical question? Cause if so it's pretty dumb," Kotoko said.

"That's mean, but I kinda have to agree," Kaede chuckled.

Kaito chuckled back and shrugged. "I guess so; ever since this killing game started, I've been pretty behind on my training. I thought I'd use that to help botha my sidekicks finally gain some muscle on 'em!"

"Sidekick?"

"I'm not a sidekick!" Kotoko pouted.

"Both are you are now, c'mon, follow me," Kaito laughed as he led the two woman to a spot on the courtyard, right outside of the dorms on a large square of the concrete path.


"Ugh… taking us out to a secluded area, of course!" Kotoko accused.

"Ah, it's not like that, I swear!" Kaito put his hands up in surrender.

"I dunno… you are bigger than both of us…" Kaede mused.

"Kay-Kay, Kay-Kay!" Kotoko cheered. "Lemme jump on your shoulders, so we can take him down together!" The suggestion was odd, cause Kotoko was only about 6 inches

Kaede chuckled. "Maybe later, I think he's got something to say,"

"Yeah, yeah," Kaito smiled. "I want 50 pushups outta botha you!"

"Wh-Wha?" Kaede stuttered. "I uh… don't really exercise much, y'know? These hands only really play pian-"

"One, two, three, ow- four, ow- five, ow- six…" Kotoko trailed on as she begun to do the pushups, although with extreme difficulty. "U-Ugh… why do people do this?"

"C'mon Kaede, the impossible is possible, you just gotta make it so!" Kaito cheered which caused Kaede to smile… it also made Kaede do the pushups alongside Kaito.


"Ugh… one, guh… two, guhh… three," Kaede grunted and groaned in pain as she exercised, she hated how it made her lungs burn, but she kept doing it.

"Don't give up now, Kaede!" Kaito smirked. "If you want you can do girl pushups!"

"Th-They're called knee p-pushups and they're perfectly valid!" Whisper shouted Kotoko, even though she was doing regular pushups.

"S-Say *guh* that again *gah*, and I'll t-tell *shit* T-Tenko you said that," Kaede let out a breathy laugh as she made the threat.

"I take it back now, heh," Kaito chuckled as he stopped doing his pushups, Kaede had just barely managed to get to fifty, leaving Kotoko as the only person there still doing her exercise.


"Guhh…. Fuck… ow…" Kaede groaned and complained as she groggily stood up with shaky legs and hurt arms. "Why did you make me do that?"

"Cause ya need it, Kaede," Kaito said, his tone getting more serious. "You've seemed pretty shitty lately considering… Shuichi n' all. You looked down, and I don't Shuichi would want you to mope about his death,"

"I… yeah, that's right!" Kaede said confidently. "I guess this did help then, thanks Kaito!"

"Don't mention it, now, I gotta help Kotoko do pushups now,"

"I'm *guhh* doing them just fine!" Kotoko pouted as she slowly, painfully did her pushups.

"C'mon Koto, gently does it,"

"GAH!" Kotoko screamed as she suddenly fell to the floor, her limbs completely splayed.

"Huh? What happened, what-"

"You alright, Kotoko?" Kaede asked as she reached a hand out.

"Don't say that!" Kotoko shouted, before quickly covering her hand with her mouth.

"Don't say what?"

"G-Gentle, don't say gentle, I don't like that word," Kotoko breathed heavily as she slowly lifted herself up from the ground. "Okay? Don't say it please,"

"Alright, alright," Kaito's voice went soft. "I won't say it, I won't,"

"I won't either," Kaede reassured.

Kotoko sighed as her face curled into a small smile. "Thank you, thank you so much…"

"So… you wanna talk about it?" Kaito asked.

"No, not in the slightest actually," Kotoko said with the tiniest bit of the chipper tone she usually had. "I'm gonna head to bed now, by the way,"

"I expect you to complete the rest of your pushups tomorrow then!" Kaito said, full of his usual confidence again.

"You too, I counted, you only did 30!" Kotoko stuck out her tongue in a raspberry.

'Wh-Wha, you were counting?"

"We were both counting," Kaede giggled as She and Kotoko both returned to their rooms.

Kaede's muscles felt exhausted as she plopped down onto the bed, falling asleep instantly. Despite that, it was the best sleep she had yet.

Tomorrow was another day.


"Hey, hey Gonta, c'mon open up!" Kaito grunted as he rung the doorbell of the definitely sleeping Entomologist. He heard thundering, yet careful footsteps as the large man moved to open the door.

Gonta yawned. "Hello Kaito, what do you want from Gonta so late at night?"

"Nothing much, just wanna talk," Kaito said. "It's about Kotoko,"

"Pink girl from the morning?"

"Yeah, her," Kaito sighed. "You know how you say Gentleman a lot?"

"Yeah? Is what Gonta wants to be,"

"Well, she's uh… not great with the word Gentle," Kaito explained. "Gets all flinchy when you say it,"

"Oh, Gonta sorry!" Gonta looked guilty. "Gonta been saying it when she was Warrior of Hope, Gonta not know, Gonta-"

"It's fine, it's fine, just like… say a different word,"

"Okay! Gonta find new word instead of… G word," Gonta corrected.

"Nice!" Kaito said as he patted the giant on the back. "I'm gonna head to sleep now, goodnight Gonta,"

"Have a good night, Kaito!"