Chapter 2: Part 17

The game of poker was chaotic. The moment Miu lost, she threw a tantrum and dragged Nagito off before he could play his hand. Teruteru would lose immediately as well, and return to Angie's side. After that, Shinji's hand of card wasn't enough to overtake Angie's. Losing all of his chips, he let out a groan and stormed off. Ryoma's stoic gaze and Kiyo's mask were enough to keep them in the game longer, but eventually their bluffs weren't enough to survive against a good hand from Celestia. This left only the gambler, Angie, and Kokichi at the table.

All three of them exchanged glances. All three of them had calm, yet confident smiles. All three of them were determined to win.

"Well, this has certainly been fun," Kokichi said, scooting himself closer to his giant stack of chips. "Honestly, Celeste, playing against you has been the most thrilling experience I've had since I got here."

Celestia chuckled. "Seeing you excel at poker was a surprise to me. You've finally been able to impress me."

"Nyahaha!" Angie laughed. "Yes, yes, this has been amazing playing with both of you!"

"Yes, yes, we haven't forgotten about you, Angie," Kokichi said half-heartedly.

"Honestly, I've impressed by you as well, Angie," Celestia said as she readied her hand. "But to be honest with both of you, this is where the game ends. You played well, but that couldn't change the fact I could always read you two."

Kokichi pushed all his chips forward. "Let's see what you got."

Celestia smiled as she pushed all her chips in as well. Seeing that was the direction the game was headed toward, Angie also pushed her chips towards the center of the table.

"Count of three, we all show what we got," Kokichi said.

Celestia and Angie nodded.

"One, two-"

"Alright!" Ibuki's voice called out from the center of the room. "Ibuki says it's time for us to eat dinner! Now, let's G O O, GO!"

Kokichi groaned and rolled his eyes and slammed his hand against the table. "Oh, come on!"

"Well, it seems we'll have to play again another time," Celeste rose to her feet. "Come now, my dears."

As Celestia stepped away from the table, she was followed by Kirumi and Gundham. Angie followed suit, with Hiyoko, Hifumi, and Teruteru trailing behind her. Kokichi rose up from his seat, but he decided to stick around to check out everyone's cards. He of course knew he had a straight flush, a 10 of clubs, a 9 of spades, an 8 of hearts, 7 of hearts, and a 6 of clubs. What was surprising to him is that Celestia had a straight flush as well, a 10 of spades, a 9 of diamonds, an 8 of diamonds, a 7 of clubs, and 6 of spades. They were dead even. He then looked back over at Angie's hand and paused. Angie's cards were a royal flush.

Dinner was immaculate. Teruteru's cooking was just as perfect as always. The vegetables like the green beans, squash, broccoli, and peppers were mixed together with just the right amount of spices and herbs for flavor. The fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, and melons were chopped up and placed in a bowl together, all staying cool enough for consumption. All the nice treats like bread rolls, chips, steaks, potatoes, macaroni and cheese were perfect additions as well. Everyone was cheery and talkative as they ate their dinner. Mahiru, who had been taking photos of the group having fun the entire day continued to take pictures. After taking one of the students lining up to get seconds, Leon approached her.

"Hey, so…while you've been taking pics you've been getting my good side, right?" Leon asked.

"Uuuuh," Mahiru looked through her gallery in her camera for any and all photos Leon she could. She did have a few with the baseball player, but everyone single photo he was in was captured at the wrong time. Either he had his eyes closed or something in the foreground blocking his face. "H-hey, sure. I got you."

"Awesome," Leon smiled before turning back around to the dining room table.

Mahiru wiped some sweat from her forehead before going back to eat. Everyone was just caught up in the meal and their own discussions. Ibuki was talking to Sayaka, Kaede, Peko, and Ryoma, Taka, Mondo, Kaito, and Nekomaru were talking about dumb dude-bro stuff. Tenko asked Chihiro on how Keebo's progress was. Gonta talked to Shinji about the proper way to wear a suit. Dinner would last around an hour and a half before Ibuki noticed it was time. She stood up on her seat.

"OK, enough horsing around!" Ibuki shouted. "It's time for our main event! Make your way up to the auditorium room and be ready to ROOOOOOOCK!"

The student body slowly filed into the auditorium, seating themselves in the spots they felt most comfortable in. Taka, Mondo, Chiaki, Kaito and Tenko sat themselves in the front row. Tenko especially leaned forward in her seat, just dying to finally Sayaka sing and Kaede play the piano. Sakura sat down in the second row while still watching over Kiyo. In the same row was Shinji, Rantaro, Mikan, Gonta, Chihiro, and Nekomaru. Angie's group sat themselves on the third row. Right behind them was Mukuro, Leon, Miu, Nagito, and Mahiru, who was taking photos and keeping an eye on Hiyoko. Celestia, Gundham, and Kirumi sat themselves down in the back corner of the theater.

"Pardon me, Miss Ludenberg," Kirumi spoke to her mistress, "but why are we seated all the way back here?"

Celeste sighed as she twirled a strand of her hair. "I honestly despise rock music. And I hardly expect to be impressed by Sayaka's pop style either. The only reason I'm sticking around is to see how Peko fairs playing an instrument."

"While I don't have the same level of distaste for wails of the damned, my dark devas and disciples have hardly enjoyed it," Gundham commented, holding his pets close.

"Perhaps Kaede's piano skills will be enough to keep my attention," Celestia said.

Ibuki paced back and forth while carrying her guitar. The set up for the concert was not going quite how she had planned. Yes, all of the amps and microphones were plugged into the correct ports. Yes, all of the instruments were in the correct locations. Yes, Kaede Sayaka, and herself had easily memorized the song list and all of their parts. However, dragging Peko and Ryoma into their set was not the best idea.

Peko sat herself behind the drum set, but struggled to not only find the right grip to hold the drumsticks but also couldn't figure out what part of the set she was supposed to face. She swiveled back and forth, looking from the snare drum to the cymbals to the kick stick.

"Ibuki, I know you taught me some basics, but are you positive that I should be playing tonight?" Peko asked.

"Ibuki is positive!" Ibuki said with a smile. "You got the music sheets! All you gotta do is feel the rhythm and just go for it."

"What about me then?" Ryoma asked. He approached the rockhead while carrying a bass guitar. "I haven't even practiced before."

"You'll be fine too," Ibuki said with a somewhat forced smile. "Look, just copy how Ibuki plays her guitar and you'll be fine."

"If you say so," Ryoma put his candy cigar in his mouth.

Ibuki's smile became more genuine at the site. "Now you look like a real musician!" Ibuki turned around to face Kaede. "Where's Sayaka?"

"She said she was going to change," Kaede said from behind her piano.

"Change? Oh, right!" Ibuki clapped her hands together. "Idols have to go crazy with outfits."

Right on que, Sayaka stepped into the backstage area with the rest of the group, and she was in her idol outfit. She had her long white boots that stopped just beneath her knees. Her main dress was a mix of white and a Valentine's Day pink that had cute frills at the bottom that still showed off her smooth thighs and a cute little bow tie. She traded out her standard hair-tie with a pink one with a giant pink bow and a white rose in the middle. She flashed a bright smile at them all and performed a quick twirl to show off.

"Well, how do I look?" Sayaka asked. "It has been a while since I last wore this."

"You look really cute, Sayaka," Kaede said with a giggle.

"Yeah!" Ibuki chimed in. "Ibuki's hearts pumping like crazy!"

Peko adjusted her glasses as she checked out Sayaka's outfit. 'She looks more like a doll than before.'

Sayaka smiled at Peko. "I guess the dress does look like something a doll would wear, but I think I still look good."

Peko gulped. 'She is still lying about being psychic, right?'

"Well, enough standing around!" Ibuki approached the curtain ropes. "We got a show to do!"

Everyone got into position. Peko stayed towards the back of the center stage, Ryoma stood off to the left side of the stage, Kaede and her piano were on the right side of the stage, and Sayaka stepped up to one of two microphone stands at the front of the center stage. Ibuki smiled at all of them as she pulled on the rope, pulling the curtains open. Once they were all exposed to the rest of their classmates, Ibuki dashed over to the other front microphone.

"HELLOOOOOOOO, PEOPLLLLLLEE!" Ibuki shouted into the microphone. "Now, for Ibuki's class, this is going to a bit different from the previous concert. Ibuki didn't quite have the time to write new songs."

"Thank Atua," Hiyoko said under her breath.

"So, instead Ibuki, Sayaka, and Kaede decided to pick some oldy goodies to play," Ibuki explained. She lifted her guitar up into position. "So, get ready to rock!"

Ibuki looked to the rest of the group and nodded. Everyone got ready. One, two, three. Ibuki immediately began to play a fast beat with a light tone which Kaede complimented with a gentle melody on her keyboard. Ryoma joined in with added sound while Peko did percussion. After eight seconds, Ibuki began to sing.

"Though I've tried before to tell her

Of the feelings I have for her in my heart

Every time that I come near her

I just lose my nerve as I've done from the start"

Kaede slowly built up speed and a playful energy, which Ryoma and Peko copied until…It peaked. Ibuki continued with Sayaka doing some light background vocals.

"Every little thing she does is magic

Everything she do just turns me on

Even though my life before was tragic

Now I know my love for her goes on"

Ibuki stretched out the last work of that section as the music slowed down once again. It was clear to those that were familiar with the song that they were playing the famous song from The Police "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic." For those that weren't as familiar, they were blown away by the earworm beat and how the song's various highs and lows showed off how wide Ibuki's vocal range was outside of…well, screaming. Still, Sayaka's small hums and e-ohs were cute additions to the song as well. After a few moments, the song slowly faded out. Peko and Ryoma took deep breaths before taking a sip from their own respective water bottles.

Most of the crowd rose to their feet clapping. Taka, Gonta, and Chihiro were particularly impressed by the performance. Leon leaned forward in his seat. He silently mouthed the lyrics he just heard from the song, but struggled. He didn't hear all of the lyrics over all the instruments. However, Ibuki held her hand up.

"Thank you for the applause, but we aren't quite finished yet!" Ibuki said before adjusting her guitar strings. "Kaede, you can go ahead and relax your fingers."

"HA! GAY!" Miu called out.

Kaede blushed as she scooted her seat back. However, Sayaka walked over to Kaede's side and placed an encouraging hand on her shoulder. Kaede smiled back up at the pop idol.

After adjusting the settings on her guitar, Ibuki looked back at Ryoma and Peko. Both of them took one last sip of water before nodding at Ibuki. Ibuki smirked at them before facing forward. Peko started off with a basic drum beat before Ryoma joined with an equally basic bass beat. Ibuki swayed her legs and hips before singing.

"Getting born in the state of Mississippi

Papa was a copper, and her mama was a hippy

In Alabama she would swing a hammer

Price you got to pay when you break the panorama

She never knew that there was anything more than poor

What in the world does your company take me for?

Black bandanna, sweet Louisiana

Robbing on a bank in the state of Indiana

She's a runner

Rebel, and a stunner

On her merry way saying baby, watcha gonna?

Looking down the barrel of a hot metal forty-five

Just another way to survive"

Just like the last song, the song slowed down as it built up to the chorus. When it hit, Ryoma, Peko, and Ibuki went full force.

"California, rest in peace

Simultaneous release

California, show your teeth

She's my priestess

I'm your priest

Yeah, yeah, yeah"

Leon headbanged alongside the beat of the music. He always had a fondness for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and "Dani California" was always one of his favorite songs. Still, his attempts at understanding the lyrics were in vain. They sounded cool, sure, but this also came across as gibberish. The rest of group didn't seem to mind. In fact, Kaito was headbanger more than Leon was. After a few more minutes, the song ended. Once again, Ryoma and Peko needed to rehydrate while Ibuki was still energized. Ibuki gave them a thumbs up and both of them took a step back.

Ibuki took a hold of the microphone. "Ibuki is glad all of you enjoyed that last song, but this is where I take a step back. These next two songs are for the two other music experts here. First off will be a song from Sayaka!"

Ibuki led the rest of the group into some claps of encouragement as Sayaka stepped back to the front mics. Kaede also scooted forward towards the piano while Ibuki placed her guitar on a rack before grabbing a violin. Tenko leaned forward in her seat. She, no, everyone would hear Sayaka sing as the lead. Would she actually live up to her title?

Ibuki started with the violin which Kaede jumped into afterwards. They set a light, romantic mood before Sayaka joined in for the vocals.

"Ooh, oh, oh

We're a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea

But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be

I would wait forever, exalted in the scene

As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat"

Ibuki and Kaede picked up the pace.

"With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay

Strolling so casually

We're different and the same, gave you another name

Switch up the batteries"

Ibuki and Kaede reached the high point of the song while Sayaka began to sing her heart out.

"If you gave me a chance I would take it

It's a shot a shot in the dark but I'll make it

Know with all of your heart, you can't shame me

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be"

"N-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be!

N-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be!

N-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be!

Ooh ooh"

Tenko's sparkled as she listened to Sayaka's voice. It so light yet powerful. She would hit every note, transitioning from soft whispers to high notes with the greatest of ease, yet every word Sayaka sang had a purpose. It was like she was calling out to someone specific. Tenko felt her breath grow heavy. And when she noticed her heavy breathing, she felt how fast her heart was beating. She placed her hand over her chest, but then she noticed her cheeks turn warm.

Tenko looked back up at Sayaka. She had such soft looking blue hair that matched her water blue eyes. Her dress actually accentuated her curves. Her voice was like an angel. She was smart, she figured out so much during the investigation. And she was so kind, she was able to give everyone a chance, even guys or someone who kept a secret like Chihiro. She was practically perfect.

"Oh…" Tenko whispered to herself.

The sound of clapping broke Tenko out of her trance and she immediately joined in on the applause. Sayaka took a deep breath and polite bow before taking a hold of the microphone.

"Thank you, everyone," Sayaka spoke with watery eyes and a bright smile across her face. "It has been a while since I performed, so…I really hope it was worth the wait. But next, is actually a song that Kaede chose. So, everyone put your hands together for the Ultimate Piano Player, Kaede Akamatsu!"

Everyone clapped again as Ibuki skipped her way over to the piano and placed a microphone right next to Kaede's face.

"Are you sure I should sing this?" Kaede whispered.

Ibuki smiled and smacked Kaede on the back. "You got it! This is such a you song!"

Ibuki took a step back and pulled out a harmonica. Kaede nodded. She took a deep breath and stretched her fingers out. After a few moments, Kaede began to play something with a blues feel. Ibuki joined with her harmonica.

Kaede leaned towards the microphone.

"It's nine o'clock on a Saturday

The regular crowd shuffles in

There's an old man sittin' next to me

Makin' love to his tonic and gin"

Kaede couldn't help but feel that her voice was too shaky compared to either of her compatriots. She glanced over at Sayaka who gave her a thumbs up. With another deep breath, Kaede continued.

"He says, "Son can you play me a memory?

I'm not really sure how it goes

But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete

When I wore a younger man's clothes"

"La, la-la, di-di-da

La-la di-di-da da-dum

"Sing us a song, you're the piano man

Sing us a song tonight

Well, we're all in the mood for a melody

And you've got us feelin' alright"

Billy Joel's "Piano Man." A classic, of course, but it was a slight change of pace for Kaede. She was trained for classical piano pieces, like from 1800s or earlier. Still, being the Ultimate Piano Player let her adapt to the more modern style rather easily. Once the song finished, another round of applause was had. Kaede let out a nervous laugh and bowed her head. She stood up from her seat and took a hold of the microphone.

"Thank you, thank you," Kaede said with another nervous laugh. "That was actually my first time singing, so…Hope I didn't blow it. But um, now I'm going to turn things back over to Ibuki."

Ibuki made her way back to the front and took a hold of the microphone. She opened her mouth and-

"SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!" Monokuma screamed into the intercom. "It is now 10 pm. As a result, all the water has been turned off and the food is locked up until morning. Now, good night!"

Ibuki looked up at the megaphone at the corner of the auditorium. "N-no…No. Ibuki still had more songs! Way more songs! We didn't even get go swimming! We never even got to use the bath house either! This isn't fair!"

"Ibuki, don't worry about it," Chiaki said.

"Ibuki's going to worry about it!" Ibuki shouted. She picked up her guitar and swung it against the ground. "Ibuki's going to tear this place down!"

"WOOOO! PUNK ROCK!" Leon shouted.

Peko leapt over the drum and put Ibuki into a full nelson to prevent her from smashing more guitars. "Ibuki, stop."

"Everything's fine, Ibuki," Sayaka said.

"Yeah, today was already a blast," Kaito said with a bright smile. "Besides, we always got tomorrow to do that stuff, right?"

"Don't you think we should go back to investigating tomorrow?" Rantaro asked.

"But we've already found everything we could," Kiyo said. "Besides, I'd rather enjoy using the bath house. It is a setting of comfort here in Japan."

"They were also places of meditation and bonding back on my island," Angie said cheerfully.

Ibuki sighed. "Fiiiiine. Waiting for tomorrow won't be so bad."

Peko released her hold on her friend. Taka then stepped forward.

"Today was quite eventful, but now it's time for us to get our much needed sleep!" Taka said. "Sleep well and meet once again in the cafeteria in the morning!"

Everyone nodded and exited the auditorium before splitting off from each other.

Sayaka couldn't help but giggle to herself. It had been so long since she had been in her idol outfit that walking around with it out in the open filled her with a mix of nostalgia, amusement, and pride. Honestly, she was glad that she fit into the old thing like always. She smiled to herself as she approached her door.

"S-sayaka, hold on!" Tenko called out from down the hall.

Sayaka paused and turned to see dashing towards her. Her smile was still present as she witnessed her friend nearly trip over herself as she stopped right in front of her. Tenko held onto her knees while gasping for air. After a few seconds, Tenko stood up straight.

"Th-that was amazing, Sayaka!" Tenko fangirled to her friend. "I mean, I already knew you'd be a good singer, you're the Ultimate Pop Idol, b-but seeing you perform?! Finally hearing you sing?! You sounded just like an angel!"

'Wow, this really does feel like it used to,' Sayaka thought to herself. 'Seeing fans after a concert. Tenko is just as energetic as any of my other fans.'

Tenko continued. "And it went so well with Kaede's piano playing! Heck, I didn't know Ibuki could play the violin! It was all just so…so…amazing!"

"Thank you, Tenko," Sayaka smiled as she performed a dainty bow. "Being on a stage again and singing for a crowd was so much fun. It really felt…like I became whole again."

"I hope to hear you sing again! I mean, not to rush you or anything, but it was just-"

"Tenko, don't worry. I get what you mean. Besides, I think I won't have a choice with Ibuki around." Sayaka let out a giggle. "Well, I'm going to go to bed now. Goodnight, Tenko."

Sayaka turned back around to grab her doorknob.

"H-hey, Sayaka?" Tenko called out.

Sayaka paused and looked back at Tenko. "Hmmm?"

'Crap!' Tenko thought to herself. 'I didn't mean say that! What am I doing?!'

"U-uh…g-goodnight!" Tenko said loudly.

Sayaka nodded at Tenko before opening her door and shutting it behind her. As Tenko left alone, she placed her hand over her heart once again, and yet again it was beating at a rapid rate.

Mukuro sat on the edge of her bed, alone as usual. That day had been interesting for her. Probably the first day in her live she could have considered "fun." The fact that anyone was willing to play darts with her was such a welcome change from all of Junko's mockery. Still, Mukuro couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. She glanced over at the security camera.

'You're planning something, aren't you?' Mukuro thought. 'You wouldn't have let us have a day like this if you weren't thinking of a way to ruin it… If you were anything like Junko, you'd give us a motive tomorrow…Well, I won't let you.'

Mukuro rose from her bed and moved into her Ultimate Lab.

The original plan was for Sayaka, Ibuki, and Kaede to play more songs and even get to the pool party, but once again things have dragged out long enough. So, you'll have to wait to see all these characters in bathing suits. Still, I hope this chapter was fun enough as is. I tried to include little nuggets of character in between the song lyrics.

I would like to thank all of you guys for telling me to take care of myself. I am at that mental state of mind thinking that if I don't get this done I never will, but I promise I will do other stuff with my free time. I am trying to get other writing outlines done for my own original ideas, but I will also do stuff like watch movies and play video games. Seeing that you guys genuinely do care means a lot and makes me want to make this story even better.

I have noticed that Gonta, Kiyo, Sakura, Ryoma, and Mukuro haven't done as much as I thought in this story yet, but I promise things will change for that at some point. Again, I want to do everything I can for your entertainment.

Anyways, thank you all for reading and leave any thoughts you have in the comments.