DING DONG BING BONG
"Good morning everyone, prepare for another day of enrichment and killing within the Ultimate Academy," Nagisa said.
"Monaca hopes you all enjoyed seeing your loved ones on the motive video, tehehe," She giggled. "Don't let it be the last time you see them!"
"Yeah…" Jataro mumbled. "Also sorry for being the worst last night…"
"They don't forgive you," Monaca giggled as she faced the masked boy.
Another day in this academy, Kaede was feeling more chipper than usual today, she practically skipped all the way to the Dining Hall.
Everyone had gotten there before her, excluding Maki who didn't show up anyway. The people in the Dining Hall were up to their usual antics except for Himiko and Angie who were in the middle of the room, praying.
"Hmmmmm…" Himiko hummed, her eyes closed as she prayed alongside the humming Angie.
"Himiko… what are you doing?" Tenko asked, concern evident in her voice as the little Witch continued to pray.
"Nyahaha, she's praying to Atua as his newest child!" Angie said cheerily. "And it's done wonders for her mental health!"
"Wh-Wha?"
"She's right, Tenko," Himiko said as she stopped praying. "I've found greater purpose under Atua's watchful gaze,"
"Kyahh! You're talking like you've been brainwashed-"
"It's just conversion, she still thinks for herself, Tenko," Angie shrugged. "Try not to be too scared,"
"Yeah, Tenko, I'm fine…"
"Okay, okay, I'll calm down, you're fine," Tenko huffed.
"Our isolation within this school has caused the spread of Angie's own religion, interesting…" Korekiyo beneath that ever mysterious mask.
"I didn't invent the church of Atua, I merely speak as his prophet, nyahaha!" Angie giggled. "You seem interested in-"
"I'm not a fan of organised religion, I apologise," Korekiyo whispered. "Though I am interesting in watching it spread here… kehehe,"
"I-I'm not a fan either, but I guess I can tolerate it as long as it makes you happy, Himiko," Tenko looked down at the girl, who smiled warmly at Tenko in response.
"Hey, creepy ass, what's the point of this?" Miu shouted.
"Yeah, this all seems rather sudden," Keebo pointed out. "How would someone change their beliefs so quickly?"
"Of course a robot wouldn't understand that," Kokichi playfully sneered, Keebo mumbled something out of offence in response. "It's cause Himiko isn't all that hard to manipulate," Kokichi said.
"Hey! Himiko is plenty smart!" Tenko shouted. "Tell 'em Himiko,"
"I'm smart, I'm super smart…" Himiko raised her arms. "I'm so smart, that I'm setting up my very own magic show in the Gym!"
"Yes, the Amazing Himiko Yumeno is holding a magic show in the Gym! Assisted by me, of course!" Angie giggled.
"A-And me!" Tenko shouted. "She's my friend, so I'll help setup,"
"May I assist too?" Keebo asked. "I'm not very strong, but I could do my best…"
"Nyahaha, anyone is welcome to help, even you, Keebo,"
"Why am I being treated like a nuisance for helping?" Keebo sounded offended at what was probably a Robophobic remark… Kaede didn't really understand what was and wasn't Robophobia, though.
"Let's move, let's move, anyone else is welcome to help us setup too!" Angie cheered as the group of four left the Dining Hall.
"W-Well that's sound fucken' stupid!" Miu shouted despite how obviously excited she was for a magic show.
Kirumi looked lost in thought for a moment. "I'll ask if I could assist in setting up later, for now, how are you enjoying the food I've made?"
"Oh, it's great Kirumi!" Kaito cheered.
"Yeah! My parents never made me anything like this!" Kotoko cheered harder. "You're like a mom, but good!"
"That's… quite the concerning comment," Kirumi cleared her throat. "But I am glad, I do live to serve all of you,"
"Kirumi, please don't overwork yourself," Kaede said. "Thank you for this food, though, it's yummy!"
"Kaede, I assure you that I cannot be overworked," Kirumi reminded. "I am the Ultimate Maid, any request of me will be fulfilled to the best of my ability,"
"Right,"
"Well in that case, could you come over to my lab later?" Ryoma asked.
"Oooo, Mom could you clean my room later?" Kokichi chuckled as he asked.
"Please don't-" Kirumi sighed as she saw the annoyingly smug look Kaede gave her as Kokichi called her 'Mom'. "It appears that my workload has increased, I will have to approach this more tactically…"
"Good luck with it, Kirumi," Ryoma said. "I'll be heading down to the casino if you need me,"
"There's a casino here?" Kaito's eyes lit up like a puppy except instead of treats it was the prospect of gambling his non existent life savings away. "Why didn't you all tell me? I've got a metric shit ton of luck when it comes to gambling,"
"I uh… plain doubt that," Tsumugi said.
"Gonta would like to see this luck in action!" The large man smiled. "Could be fun, very fun!"
"Nishishi~ if Gonta's going, I'm going!"
"Can't wait to see you fuck this up, Kaito!" Miu mocked.
"Prepare to be dissapointed then, cause I'll be a millionaire in casino coins by mid afternoon!"
Kaito continued to hype himself up as the crowd followed him out of the Dining Hall. Kaede and Kotoko turned to face each other.
"We should go after him, huh?" Kotoko turned her head with a smile on her face.
"Yeah, I don't want Kaito to… y'know die from embarrassment," Kaede giggled.
"Or from whatever happens when you completely run outta monocoins," Kotoko giggled. "I heard they pour molten gold down your throat when that happens!"
"Don't make stuff up like that," Kaede chided.
The two walked out of the building, into the courtyard, and then into the casino where they walked into the casino's basement to see the scene unfolding in front of them…
"Dammit!" Kaito hit the carpeted floor with his first, the defeated astronaut on his knees after what was presumably the biggest loss of his entire life.
Miu laughed cruelly at his misfortune. "I didn't think you'd be that unlucky, how'd ya manage to lose a country's worth of money this quickly?"
"H-Hey, I'm sure it wasn't that bad of luck, right?" Kaede tried to reassure.
"I think one hundred thousand to zero is a pretty bad pull!" Miu let out another cruel laugh. "Almost as bad as your pull from the genetic lottery with those mosquito bites on your chest!"
"Miu…" Kaede grumbled.
"Miu, you're an ugly pig, and if you died we wouldn't even bother investigating," Kotoko said as if it wasn't the most horrible thing anyone had heard all evening.
"Kotoko!" Kaede chastised.
"EEEEEEEEK!" Miu screeched. "Th-That's not true, I-I'm the most important m-motherfucker here!"
"Miu, don't worry, she's just mad at you," Kaede said. "She doesn't mean it,"
"Don't lie to her, she doesn't deserve it," Kotoko said blankly.
"Eeeeeep!"
"Kotoko!"
"Wooooooow, Ryoma is that your fifth win in a row?" Kokichi asked with a glint of childlike wonder in his wide, purple eyes.
"Gonta thinks so, this the most impressive thing Gonta ever seen! You like the Ultimate Luck or something?"
"Thanks you two, but it's all luck, really," Ryoma chuckled. "Not a real talent, y'know? And knowing me, I've got a ways to go until I'm anywhere near having Ultimate Luck,"
"Knowing you?" Kokichi turned his head curiously, as if he didn't already know the answer. "Oh, right, everyone you know and love is dead!"
"Kokichi, that mean to mention," Gonta chastised.
"He ain't wrong," Ryoma shrugged. "Though, if my motive video has a survivin' family member in it, I'd like to see them again,"
"That'd give you a reason to live, huh?" Kokichi said.
"I suppose, heh," Ryoma replied as he put another coin in the slot machine he was sitting at. "Doubt that'll happen with one video, but it'd be nice,"
Kokichi tugged on Gonta's pants to indicate him to bend down so that the smaller boy could whisper in his ear.
"See Gonta? Showing off the motive videos is only gonna benefit us in the long run,"
"Gonta already agree with that, Kokichi," The Entomologist whispered back. "Gonta just unsure about forcing everyone today, why we not just wait until tomorrow?"
"Cause that's when Himiko's magic show is! Everyone's gonna be too distracted, Gonta," Kokichi whispered and pouted at the same time. "We gotta do it today… and I think I have an idea on what'll convince you,"
"Oh, do tell Gonta!"
"Ugh… I-I think I'm gonna go help Himiko set up her magic show…" Kaito declared as he slowly, pathetically got up from the floor. "It's the only way to redeem myself after this failure,"
"Oooo, can I come? Can I? Can I? Can I?" Kotoko jumped up in down as she grabbed onto the astronaut's jacket.
"Course you can come, I got a feeling Himiko needs all the hands she can get," Kaito chuckled, instantly back to his usual confident self. "I got a feeling Keebo isn't the most helpful,"
"That little virgin needs to let me modify him~" Miu let out a small moan. "I-I could make him so… perfect!"
"Can you just say you wanna bang him? Ugh!" Kotoko pouted. "I don't wanna have to play matchmaker for two couples!"
"Wh-Wha? H-hittin' him would fuck with the upgrades I'm gonna give him!"
"That's not-" Kotoko sighed. "Kaito, let's just go help Himiko now,"
"You said it Koto, I don't really wanna come back here ever again," Kaito chuckled as he and the Actress left the casino
"You probably will though," Kotoko said.
"Heh, shuddup,"
Kaede looked at Miu, who was still moaning and groaning about all the… admittedly cool upgrades she could be giving Keebo. It was kinda cute watching her ramble on about it, but also really weird and gross because she kept moaning it. Kaede elected to leave Kokichi, Gonta, Ryoma and Miu to their own devices and walk out of the Casino.
Kaede let out a breath of fresh air as she stepped out of the Casino, she stood in the courtyard completely unsure of what to do next though. Her arms were still a bit worn out from training, so she didn't think she'd be much help setting up Himiko's show. Confused as what to do, she decided to fall back on her favourite thing in the world, Piano!
But what was a Pianist without an audience? Actually wait, she almost always practices without an audience… still, she wanted someone to hang out with, Kaede mentally thought about all her friends her weren't busy…
She decided on Tsumugi, Maki probably wanted nothing to do with her anyway.
She'd probably be in her room working on that dress… Kaede hoped this wouldn't take up too much of her time.
"Oh? Of course! I-I'd love to watch you play piano!"
"Great!" Kaede beamed at the Cosplayer standing at her door. "Though, hopefully I'm not interfering with the dress you're meant to be making,"
"I-It's fine, really, I need a break from it anyway," Tsumugi smiled at the Pianist, her cheeks turning just a bit red. "A-And I've wanted to hear you play piano since we got here,"
"You did say that, in that case, let's not waste any time!" Kaede grabbed Tsumugi's hand and led her to the Ultimate Pianist's Lab, the two giggling and blushing through the entire trip.
Kaede placed a chair just behind the grand Piano she planned to play on, directing Tsumugi to sit on it.
"Is there anything in particular you want me to play?" Kaede smiled as she walked over to the shelf with sheet music on it.
"You do what you want, Kaede," Tsumugi smiled warmly as she sat down on the chair. "I'm excited either way!"
"Sweet!" Kaede giggled as she selected a casual yet classical piece, something to please Mugi's ears, she sat upon the seat at the edge of the piano and began to work her magic.
Kaede's fingers gracefully danced upon the keys as Tsumugi found herself entranced by the beautiful music, no thoughts in her head beyond how beautiful the music was…
…
And how pretty and confident the person playing it was, with complete and utter focus too.
Tsumugi was nothing compared to… Kaede wouldn't want you to think that, ugh!
Kaede played the piano long into the afternoon until she realised just how long the two had been sitting in comfortable, harmonious silence.
"Oh, I've been playing the piano for awhile now, huh?" Kaede smiled as she turned around to look at the entranced Cosplayer.
"Oh? Y-Yeah," Tsumugi smiled back. "It was really pretty, I can see why you're an Ultimate,"
"Awww, thanks Mugi," Kaede chuckled. "We should do this again sometime, you're a really good audience,"
"And you're a really good pianist," Tsumugi smiled as Kaede walked towards her.
"Yeah? How good?"
"Perfect, you're so… so confident while playing, I honestly think you're the best there ever was!" Tsumugi giggled. "All I could think about was-"
SLAM
"K-Kaito, what are you-"
"Run, Kaede, run!" Kaito said with utter terror in his shrinking voice as he burst into the room.
"Wh-Wha-"
"GONTA MAKE YOU LOVE BUGS!" The three heard the giant shout from down the hall, angrier than they had ever heard him in their entire time here.
"Shit! I gotta go, good luck you two!" Kaito shouted out as he ran back into the hall.
"Wh-What was that about?" Tsumugi mumbled.
"I dunno, Mugi, but we should probably check it out," Kaede said, the Cosplayer nodded as the two walked out into the 2nd floor's hallway, stepping next to Ryoma who was also there.
"Ryoma? What's going on?" Kaede asked. "Why is Gonta-"
"So upset? No clue, kid," Ryoma shrugged. "All I know is that I'd get outta here if I was you,"
"I'm sure he isn't gonna do anything that bad…" Tsumugi mumbled as the giant stomped up the stairs and stood in front of them.
"GONTA MAKE YOU ALL LOVE BUGS SOON!" The Entomologist's voice boomed.
"W-We never hated bugs, Gonta, just calm dow-"
Gonta charged directly at Tsumugi, grabbing her with ease as Ryoma sidestepped the man entirely.
"H-Hey, lemme down!"
"Mugi? L-Let Mugi go!"
"Gonta no can do that, this all part of Gonta's plan to make you all love bugs!"
Kaede ignored the man and ran towards Ryoma, he seemed to know what he was doing.
"Kid, if you think I'm gonna magically get you outta here, you got a ways to go," Ryoma said. "You don't know the shukuchi method like I do, they made me practice it daily back in-"
Ryoma sidestepped Gonta as he made another charge, Kaede wasn't so lucky as the giant ran directly into her.
"Gonta sorry, but he needs to make you like bugs…" Gonta said, remorse clear in his voice as he accidentally knocked out the Pianist. Her world went black…
…
"Mooooorning sleepyhead!" Kaede heard and then saw a certain, tiny Supreme Leader crouching on top of her, his face directly in hers as she woke up in a haze.
"Wh-Wha?"
"You might be wondering where you are right now, well…" Kokichi chuckled. "I think it's safe to say that this is hell,"
"H-Hey, get off of her!" Kaede heard the familiar voice of Tsumugi shouted from behind, Kokichi let out a sigh and finally let the Pianist slowly get up to get her bearings.
She was in the Ultimate Entomologist's naturally decorated Lab alongside five other people: Kokichi smirking in front of her, Tsumugi glaring at the small man, Kiyo leaning against a wall being his usual mysterious self, Kotoko standing up with her arms crossed and a pout on her face, and Keebo staring blankly in the corner, confused.
"Wh-Why are we here? What's going on?" Kaede asked as she wandered around the lab.
"Oh, you guys are gonna be participating in the Insect Meet and Greet!" Kokichi said, a look of delightful, childish sadism in his eyes.
"Meet and greet?" Korekiyo turned his head.
"Ugh… being in here already grosses me out!" Kotoko pouted. "I don't wanna interview bugs!"
"I-I have a really bad feeling about this…" Tsumugi mumbled. "H-How did you get Gonta to do this?"
"Yeah, we saw you talking to him earlier," Keebo said. "What did you-"
"Oh, I told him that you hated bugs, so that he'd gather everyone in one place, really easy if I'm being honest," Kokichi shrugged. "I wanna show all of you your motive videos in one big ol' motive video viewing party! Nishishi!" Kokichi giggled.
"What?" Kaede frowned at the boy.
"You can't do that!" Tsumugi shouted.
"And making Gonta do your dirty work, how sick are you?" Keebo grumbled.
"Hey! Gonta agreed to the showing you your motive videos part!" Kokichi pouted. "I only had to manipulate him into kidnapping you,"
"Sounds like another one of your lies…" Korekiyo shrugged.
"Yeah, I find it hard to believe-"
Kaede was interrupted by Gonta coming into the Lab, carrying three women into the room: Angie, Himiko and Tenko all of which he gently lowered to the ground.
"Nyehhh… what day is it?"
"Even my Neo Aikido was no match for him…" Tenko lamented as she was plopped onto the floor.
"Aww… we didn't get to rehearse for Himiko's magic show!" Angie pouted, yet somehow still smiled.
"These are all the people I could manage to get, Kokichi," Gonta said apologetically.
"What do you mean?"
"Kirumi get really angry and say that she busy, so Gonta leave her alone, Kaito and Ryoma manage to run away and Maki look really scary looking, so Gonta left her alone too," Gonta explained. "Gonta sorry for-"
"Eh, it's fine. This is enough people anyway," Kokichi waved away the man's worries. "I'll go get the motive videos, you handle the Insect Meet and Greet, Gonta!" Kokichi smirked as he walked out of the lab.
"I will Kokichi!" Gonta gave a big smile as he walked towards the cases filled with bugs on his wall. "Now, Gonta show you just how wonderful bugs can be!"
Gonta opened all of the bug cages, letting the small, horrible, disgusting creatures escape their confinement within seconds; chaos broke out in the Entomologist's Lab near instantly, everyone running around and screaming while bugs swarmed each and every person.
"Ahh, how… disgusting…" Korekiyo groaned as he calmly ran away from the dense cloud of bugs flying around the room. "Thank whatever god is out there for this mask…"
"Eugh! Gross, gross, gross. So not adorbs! So far away from adorbs!" Kotoko cried as she huddled into a corner in a failed attempt to hide from the bugs crawling and flying around the room.
"Just wait it out everyone, I know how to get out of here!" Keebo shouted. "We just need to wait for Kokichi to get back!"
"D-Don't open your mouth, it's easier for bugs to get i-" Tsumugi gagged as she swore a bug graze the outside of her mouth. "Bleghh!"
By this point, Himiko had been completely buried in a dome of bugs, Tenko was desperately trying to pull her out of the accursed bug cage.
"Nyehhh… help me…" Himiko mumbled, muffled by the sheer number of bugs surrounding her.
"C'mon Angie, you gotta help me get Himiko out of this thing!" Tenko yelped grabbing onto the Magician's flailing arm. "Kyah! This is so gross!"
"Nyahahaha! Atua will grant her divine protection… more than likely!" Angie smiled as she stood as far away from the bugs as humanly possible, visibly grossed out by their presence despite her wide smile.
"How long is Kokichi gonna take?" Kaede complained as she gagged and ran around the room.
This went on for what felt like hours until eventually the doors to the Entomologist's lab opened, and in stepped the short Supreme Leader responsible for the group's suffering.
"Eugh…" Kokichi mumbled before going back to his usual cheerful demeanor. "Gonta, as much as I definitely one hundred percent love bugs, I think we should start the motive video viewing party now!"
"Awww, but Gonta think everyone just starting to befriend them…"
"You can all go back to befriending bugs later," Kokichi said. "I wanna get to the fun part now!"
"Oh, okay, go back into your homes, bugs!" Gonta smiled as he led all of the bugs back into their respective cages, shutting them to trap them inside.
The entire group huffed and puffed in sheer exhaustion and relief as Kokichi pulled out the small tablets holding their motive videos… all except Keebo.
"Alright, this our one chance to escape!" Keebo declared as he tapped a button on the side of his head. Kokichi's voice began to play from his mouth.
"Oh, I told him that you hated bugs, so that he'd gather everyone in one place, really easy if I'm being honest,"
"Huh?" Kokichi quirked an eyebrow at Keebo's recording. "What the-"
"You've all bore witness to my sound recording function!" Keebo proudly declared as Gonta looked down at the little liar, who know looked just a bit more scared than he did when entering the room.
"You, you lie to Gonta?" Gonta looked angrily at the Supreme Leader. "You trick Gonta into kidnapping everyone,"
"N-No, everyone here really hates bugs!" Kokichi smiled nervously. "Even I hate bugs!"
It took a moment for Kokichi to realise his mistake as Gonta's face lit up.
"Quick, everyone run!" Keebo shouted as everyone bolted out of the room, the robot swiping all of the motive videos from off the floor.
"Gonta, Gonta I was lying about that GONTA!"
"Gonta make you love bugs Kokichi!"
The escapees heard Kokichi's screams for miles as they ran to a safe spot at the top of the stairs leading back down to the first floor.
"Oh, we're f-finally outta there…" Tsumugi huffed. "I-I think I'm gonna pass out,"
"Nyeh… Tenko carry me back to my room…" Himiko grumbled as she flopped onto the ground. "I'm all outta MP,"
"O-Of course Himiko!" Yelped Tenko who still had a surprising amount of energy.
"I'm gonna take so many showers after that, ugh!" Kotoko complained.
"Ugh, that sucked," Kaede put it simply. "Good call back there though, Keebo,"
"Nyahaha! It seems you've finally made yourself useful!" Angie smiled.
"Thanks Kaede, and Angie… I think," Keebo trailed off. "Professor Ibadashi installed that so that I could recall any robophobic remarks in court,"
"I haven't mentioned this yet, but your sentience terrifies me," Korekiyo casually declared.
"Like that, for example," Keebo grumbled.
"We probably should all head to bed now, it's…" Kaede sluggishly pulled out her Monopad. "11:50? Jeez!"
"I think we're all super exhausted…" Tsumugi yawned. "Goodnight everyone,"
"Bye-onara, remember to get up nice and early for Himiko's Magic Show tomorrow!" Angie cheered.
"Magic show…" Himiko lazily put an arm up before it pathetically flopped back down.
"Kyahh! Don't exert yourself too much Himiko!"
"Wait, what are we supposed to do with these?" Keebo asked as he held up the motive videos.
"Huh, I didn't really think about that," Kaede shrugged.
"I'll handle them," The group looked at the flight of stairs to see Nagisa walking up them, they were all too tired to react to the man, though. "I'll take them back to everyone's rooms while you're sleeping,"
"That's helpful of you, Nagisa," Kaede smiled. "Even if it is entirely because these are motive videos,"
"You're welcome, Ms. Akamatsu," Nagisa nodded as he took the tablets from Keebo's hands.
With that problem solved, the students waved each other goodbye and quickly headed to the dorms, exhausted and wasted after the Insect Meet and Greet.
Kaede entered her room, plopped onto her bed and fell asleep within seconds… Kaito probably didn't wanna train today either.
Tomorrow was another day.