Danganronpa: Twisted Tragedy (SYOC) Chapter 35: House of 1000 Low Spirits (Part 10), a dangan ronpa kibou no gakuen to zetsubou no koukousei fanfic

Chapter 3: House of 1000 Low Spirits (Deadly Life #4)

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!

"Happy birthday, Miss Villeray."

...

Alfredo paused.

"Miss Villeray?" Alfredo asked around.

Didn't take long for him to let out a long sigh.

That girl…

Always off in some confounded place…

As the Villeray household butler, he was tasked to do one thing and only one thing by high-ranked fashion director Aurélien Villeray: watch over his only daughter while he went off to Paris. Man was a workaholic, as many fathers were nowadays. Distant and doing whatever they could to support their child but never actually being there for them. It was something Alfredo just didn't really agree with.

Holding a bag of one of Aurélien's most recent gifts: another high-quality dress from TÉAL, Alfredo scanned the room for Aurélien's daughter. No one was inside. Typical. While most daughters with a working father would probably go and do nothing but sit cooped up in their own room doing whatever it is they did, Aurélien's child was different.

She was a kindred spirit.

Adventurous and easily curious.

Meaning finding her was going to be a…

Thump.

Alfredo slowly trailed his gaze toward the ceiling. Then, heaving out another lowly sigh, Alfredo realized he knew exactly where little Miss Villeray was. The same place she always hangs out in now that she's found it.

Tugging the large bag right next to him, Alfredo walked out of Miss Villeray's room and through the murky halls of what seemed to be a very empty Villeray household. Up until he finally reached the obviously open path up into the mansion's attic…

Alfredo said nothing and simply passed through…

…and as expected, there she was…

10-year old Natasha Villeray, sitting alone in the attic next to an assortment of vintage and Victorian-looking outfits. Outfits that were taken out of the glass display cases neatly packed inside. Alfredo gently placed the bag of clothing to the side and looked down toward young Natasha, sternly.

He cleared his throat, making sure it was loud enough to catch her attention.

It worked.

Natasha turned back, but she didn't even seem the least bit ashamed over what she was doing.

"Oh, hey Alfredo!" Natasha smiled. "Look at this cool stuff I found here! Isn't it just elegant?"

"Miss Villeray…" Alfredo sternly looked at her. "Your father strictly told you not to enter this attic again. He was very clear about it."

"Oh, I know that, but…" Natasha simply shrugged. "Daddy isn't here now, is he?"

"Yes, but he left me in charge of making sure you don't get yourself into trouble," Alfredo sighed. "So, please Miss Villeray. Clean up all of this stuff and put it back where it came from."

It was Natasha's turn to sigh.

"But Alfredo!" she whined. "It's my birthday! Can't a birthday girl pick out her favorite birthday present?"

"Your father has already given you a birthday present," Alfredo revealed, gently pushing the bag toward Natasha.

But her face reeled in disgust.

"Ugh, Daddy always gets me TÉAL!" Natasha pouted. "It's so boring now!"

"It's a very high-quality brand," Alfredo pointed out. "All the French girls wear it nowadays."

"But I don't want to be like other French girls, Alfredo!" Natasha huffed and folded her arms. "I want to be different! Life is too short to be dreary and unexciting, let me have fun and choose what I want to wear!"

Alfredo glanced toward the vintage clothing pieces she had picked out for herself. Honestly, he did admit that they looked great. But as the daughter of one of TÉAL's representatives, it probably wasn't going to be a great look when she shows up wearing vintage, old, and outdated clothing from the 18th century Victorian Era. Especially clothing that…

"...Well, that is true, but that gives you no right to rummage through your late mother's old things," Alfredo sighed. "Please. For her memory. Just put it back."

Natasha's face turned cold.

"...How do you know it's not my right?" Natasha remarked. "Mommy is dead, isn't she? That just means all the things she has laying around now are her gift for me."

Alfredo didn't dare say anything in response to that.

"I… apologize for my rudeness, Miss Villeray," Alfredo simply bowed his head.

He meant no disrespect.

Élise Villeray was a beautifully elegant woman who tended to the needs of keeping the Villeray household as stable as possible. When she passed, it was a great loss on everyone's part. Especially for Aurélien Villeray. Practically turned his entire attic into one big shrine for his wife. But now to have it desecrated by his own child…

Alfredo didn't dare think of anything after that.

Natasha was still Élise's child in the end.

There shouldn't be anything wrong with the birthday girl rummaging into her own mother's old things again…

"If this is truly what you wish for your birthday," Alfredo simply said. "Then, I suppose I can just take my leave and give you some privacy."

Natasha's cold expression turned cheerful.

"I'd knew you'd understand, Alfredo!" Natasha beamed.

Alfredo simply bowed his head.

He'd have to hope that Aurélien didn't come home too soon to find this shrine all ruined by his own flesh and blood. If he did, it was his head on a plate. Leaving Natasha alone to her own vices, as he left took the bag of TÉAL and passed down the steps away from the attic, he could make out a melody.

A song coming from Natasha's own mouth.

Her happy birthday song.

"Happy birthday to me…

Happy birthday to me…

Happy birthday dear Natasha…

Happy birthday to me…"

Alfredo closed his eyes and sighed.

...

"Happy birthday, my Queen."

21-year old Beauté Morose looked close to tears.

She's had many birthdays in the past. All of them, classic murder mystery events she would host in celebration of her birth. Birthdays were supposed to be the happiest days of one's life. And yet, her birthdays never felt like that. Even with these murder mystery events, none of her birthdays felt exciting. Until now, that was…

Shortly after the common event proceedings had ended, Silver Lazaru, her now fiancé, had approached her, a letter in hand for her to accept. It was her birthday gift. And at first, Beauté thought it was going to be something uneventful and lame.

But after she had begun to read the contents of the letter, that was when the waterworks began. For the contents read as followed:

'To the family of Natasha Villeray…'

'Congratulations!'

'Natasha Villeray has been accepted as an incoming student to Hope's Peak Toronto's New Life Program!'

Beauté glanced at Silver, touched.

"I-Is this…?" she began to ask.

"It is…" Silver caressed Beauté's cheek, wiping away her stray tears. "Your ticket to this season's upcoming Killing Game."

As soon as he said this, Beauté instantly pulled Silver into a hug. She couldn't believe she had ever doubted him. She shouldn't have thought it to be anything else from Silver. He always gave her what she wanted. Always came through to her in the end. She was spoiled rotten by him. For he was always there to pleasure her as she was with him.

Truly, a match made in the darkest shadows of Victoria.

"H-How?" Beauté asked, smiling widely through her tears. "How did you pull this off? I would've thought that whoever the mastermind was this season, they'd…"

"They didn't mind it one bit," Silver remarked, placing a finger over her lips. "In fact, they encouraged it. Hope's Peak Toronto was always known for its lack of students. As long as there are willing participants to fill up space, the game should run smoothly."

Silver couldn't help but chuckle.

"I even heard one of the elites sent their bastard nephew here too," Silver pointed out. "It's amusing. We had to work similarly to Hope's Peak in order to fill those empty seats. Beautifully coincidental, I must say…"

Beauté held her embrace as she listened to every word Silver said. She kept her arms around his waist as she moved her head to look toward him. She could see the love in his eyes. The genuine look of someone who seemed to be proud to have made his woman happy. But there was something trickling behind his eye. Something… like concern?

"My Dark Lord…" Beauté slowly smiled, as if trying to reassure him.

"Do you like your gift?" Silver merely asked.

"Do you even need to ask?" Beauté rubbed her delicate hands over his muscular body.

She laptops on her tippy toes to whisper in his ear.

"I love it," she softly giggled.

She moved her lips closer to his nape, but the vampiric folklorist moved his head away. That was the confirmation she needed to know that something was wrong. That her Dark Lord had his doubts over the whole matter. Doubts that made her look at him with confusion.

"Oh, my Dark Lord," Beauté slowly frowned. "Don't you get emotional on me now. What's wrong?"

"…Are you sure you will be alright?" Silver simply asked, his gaze turning somber. "These games… They're not easy to win."

"Ah heh heh," Beauté couldn't help but laugh. "Do you not have faith in my capabilities, my Darkest Lord? You insult me with this concern of yours."

"Please forgive me," Silver slowly rubbed her right hand and kissed the ring on her finger.

That engagement ring…

It was his way of sincerely apologizing to her.

"…My concern was more so for me," Silver specified. "You know I will not be there to guide you in any way. My role the moment you depart will only be as a distant memory. My role the moment you succeed is to be the warming arms you can escape to. And my role here without you, is a simple spectator, supporting your every move. So, I ask again. Are you sure you will be alright… without me... my love?"

Beauté felt her heart flutter as she touched his cheek, caressing it smoothly.

"Silver…" Beauté smiled warmly. "To participate in a Killing Game was everything I've always dreamed of doing. You gave me that opportunity. You gave me what's essentially the Happiest Days of my life."

Beauté leaned forward, whispering in his ear.

"I will choose to cherish every single moment of my time there," Beauté smirked. "And after I am done, I can finally allow myself to join you hand-in-hand. Our New Life. Like you always wanted…"

"Like we always wanted," Silver corrected, placing his forehead against hers.

He rubbed her hands once more, but this time, allowed his fingers to rub against her ring. With a silken touch, Silver slid his own ring finger against hers. A Black Dahlia engagement ring. Matching rings in every way. Silver softly sighed, allowing Beauté's rosy scent to enter through his nose.

"Please… have as much fun as you can," Silver softly told her. "But do save some festivities for our honeymoon."

"Ah heh heh heh," Beauté giggled, blushing at the thought. "I wouldn't miss it for the world…"

Beauté and Silver closed their eyes and placed their foreheads against one another, feeling the cold aura that complimented each other greatly. They were enjoying each other's company one last time. Because as far as they knew, this was it. This was…

…what beauty wanted after all.

His beauty.

His sacred beauty…

His Beauté...

...

…

Fábio didn't say anything.

He held onto the warding charm tightly, his mind racing. At the moment, they were put at a standstill. Beauté Morose, AKA Natasha Villeray, had just put them in the most terrible predicament that they could ever imagine. No. Rather, it was their decision to bring back Natasha via spirit-channeling that had put him in the predicament he was in now.

Currently, Fábio was standing in the middle of the podiums, tasked to choose between two different choices:

He could either exorcise Natasha's spirit right out of her body to save Kikuko but damn Manon to death.

Or…

He could choose to do nothing to save Manon but damn Kikuko to death.

The choice should be obvious.

His heart said to choose Kikuko. He knew he wanted to. But how could he even think of that when he had all these voices hammering in his head. A Western voice yapping in his head over how he had to save Manon. A certain toymaker's voice yelling at him to save Kikuko. And the voice of a certain red-headed bitch that put them in this situation in the first place…

Laughing.

She was laughing.

She was enjoying this too much.

All these voices in his head and yet it was up to him to make the decision. The charm was in his hands. Yet he tried to find an alternative. He tried to think of a different outcome that could be played. A way to save both Manon and Kikuko. A way to make Natasha Villeray lose. But that was the problem…

Natasha Villeray has already won.

No matter what choice he made…

"What are you doing?" Issac asked, impatiently. "Get to it Barbosa! Exorcise this bitch out of Unmei!"

"Naw, stay right there Fábio!" Yumi exclaimed. "Ya can't do dis ta Manon!"

Fábio said nothing.

He stood there, cursing the fact that it was him that was forced to choose. Think of it from his perspective. He cared about Kikuko. He really did. But at the same time, to essentially be responsible for the death of someone who didn't deserve it. Ah… at the same time… neither did Kikuko, right?

"Ooooh, who is he going to choose?!" Stanczyk covered his eyes, feeling quite terrified over what the outcome would be. "I can't watch! It's going to be so heartbreaking!"

"That's what I fucking live for," Monoyena grumbled before holding onto his Barbie Blade tightly. "But this piece of shit is taking too long! Oi! Fuckface! If ya don't pick a choice in the next 60 seconds, I'll fucking start the vote and assume yer just gonna choose yer piece of shit girlfriend to die! Got it?!"

Fábio tensed up.

He knew what choice he wanted to make. But… Why was he hesitating? Why was he… scared? Saving Kikuko was what mattered right? But at the same time…?

"Ah hah hah hah hah…" Natasha laughed. "I'm surprised, Fábio Barbosa. I would've thought someone like you would've chosen to exorcise me no problem. I mean, it is your precious Kikuko that's on the line here…"

Fábio turned to face Natasha.

"Go ahead, make your choice," Natasha grinned widely. "The future of this Killing Game rests in the palm of your hands…"

She gestured to the warding charm in his hands.

"...But then again, this isn't the first time you had to make a choice like this, is it?" Natasha added. "...To choose between what you want and the life of someone innocent. I wonder, Fábio Barbosa. What choice will you make this time? Because the choice you made last time… it worked so well, didn't it?"

Fábio's face turned dark.

"You got what you wanted, but at what cost?" Natasha smirked. "That's the question that keeps you up at night. That's the question that's in your mind right now. That's why you're hesitating, isn't it?"

Fábio's eyes started to water.

"Awwww… did I strike a nerve?" Natasha taunted. "Or have you finally come to terms with what I have said? That a relationship in a Killing Game never lasts. Have you finally come to terms with that? Have you finally come to terms with what this Killing Game asks of you…?"

Fábio's hand started to shake; his breathing became hitched.

"Barbosa, quit fucking around and slap that thing on her forehead!" Issac yelled; the anger ever so apparent on his face.

"No, Fábio!" Yumi exclaimed. "Don't!"

"M-Monsieur Barbosa…" Manon was shaking, terrified.

"30 seconds," Monoyena growled, impatiently.

"It's a game of sacrifice," Natasha leaned forward against Kikuko's podium, her eyes piercing into Fábio's soul. "An elegant Killing Game designed to make even the goodest of people… succumb to their darkest desires. I can feel it in you, Fábio Barbosa. The hate you have for me. The only thing keeping you and little Kikuko from having your happily ever after…"

Natasha's right eye turned jagged and twisted, much like the eye of Monoyena's.

"So, if you hate me so much, what's stopping you?" Natasha's grin widened until she looked near maniacal. "Go ahead. Exorcise me. Send me to Hell. Who cares about that French actress? The fate of who you want most is in your hands and you're considering throwing it away for someone so meaningless?"

"10 seconds," Monoyena muttered.

"Barbosa!" Issac gritted his teeth.

"D-Don't do it!" Yumi yelled.

Manon closed her eyes.

"Come on Fábio~" Natasha urged, her voice turning sinister. "Show me your dark side…"

5…

Fábio placed a hand on Kikuko's podium.

4…

He stared into the eyes of the vampire's bride.

3…

The eyes that replaced the eyes of the shrine priestess he grew close to.

2…

The eyes of Kikuko Unmei.

1…

He took breath, closed his eyes, and…

…

"I knew it…" Natasha smirked.

…

…slapped the warding charm over Natasha's head.

"F-Fábio," Yumi's voice quivered. "N-No…"

"Thank God," Issac sighed in relief.

Manon opened her eyes, realized what had happened, and simply looked away. She had already known right then and there that it was over for her. What hope there was for her now, was truly gone.

But no one was more hopeless than Fábio Barbosa.

He let his shaking hands fall off of Natasha's head, watching as the warding charm was stuck straight to her head. Its spiritual magic began to take over. But Fábio didn't find it in him to see the beauty of spiritual power do their thing. Instead, tears were streaming down his eyes, as he tried to bite through the guilt he felt.

"G-Get out…" Fábio glared through his tear-stricken eyes. "G-Get out of Kikuko's body…"

"Ah hah…" Natasha let out a breath, her lips widening with glee. "Ah hah hah…"

Natasha leaned closer to the figure skater, her hand striking away his tears.

"...What right do you have to cry now, Fábio Barbosa?" Natasha laughed. "When you've repeated the same mistake you made when you were 10."

Natasha's eyes glowed blue.

A sign that she was about to leave Kikuko's body and counteract the effects of what their Trial had done. But before her spirit could be casted away from Kikuko's body and sent straight into the Spirit Realm, she let out one last grin…

"...João sends his regards…" Natasha grinned. "Fábio Barbosa…"

…and one last laugh.

"Ah hah hah hah…" every ounce of Natasha's spirit started to sift out of Kikuko's body. "Ah hah hah hah… Ah hah hah hah…"

The eyes glowed brighter than ever as all Natasha could do was relish in making a grand mystery. In making her best mystery ever. She was happy with the life she lived. And now, she could finally leave in peace. Leave and remain satisfied by the doubt and chaos she had sewn into the people she once called her fellow playmates.

"Ah hah hah hah hah…" and as Natasha's spirit floated out of Kikuko's body, her laughter still echoed and remained for all to hear one last time. "Ah hah hah hah… Ah hah hah hah… AH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH! AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! AHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Kikuko's body toppled over but Fábio was quick to catch her.

His expression was dark and cold, but he made sure to hold Kikuko as gently as he could. He could see the shrine priestess's eyes slowly open, her expression weak and dazed. Inside, he felt a tinge of relief form over him. But when he glossed over to the people that were watching… All he saw was judgment.

Judgement from Yumi, who could only look at him with shock and disgust.

Betrayal from Manon, who figured this was going to happen but was still hurt by it, nonetheless.

Everyone else probably didn't see him that way, but it didn't seem like that to Fábio. Every eye that watched what he did felt made him feel like he made the wrong choice. But Fábio couldn't bring himself to care about it. Not now. Not while Kikuko could only smile and open her mouth to speak.

"S-So… did we…?" she weakly asked. "Did we find the truth?"

Fábio's silence fueled a sense of concern inside her. That was when she finally noticed how different Fábio looked. How that caring look he once shared with her was replaced with a gloomy cold look. A look that was bordering the lines of shame, regret, and ultimately guilt. A guilt he was all too familiar with before.

Kikuko slowly felt a chill run down her spine as she glanced over to the side, noting Natasha's spirit floating high above the air and being sent straight up into the Spirit Realm. She was never going to come back. But she knew that Natasha didn't care. She knew that in the grand scheme of things… she had won.

Natasha Villeray had won.

And she had gone out with that laugh she just loved to laugh.

"AH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!" Natasha's spirit continued to cackle, her hands caressing her own face. "AH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH! AH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!"

And slowly…

…Natasha Villeray's spirit faded away.

Gone into the afterlife and sent to probably one of the darkest pits of Hell based on whatever divine judgment Seiryuu served. Natasha Villeray's reign over this Killing Game was over. But not without its own damages. She referred back to Fábio's look of regret. Then, slowly to everyone else…

All of them looking deeply disturbed by what they had to do now…

"F-Fábio?" Kikuko turned to him, her eyes looking immensely worried. "W-What…? What did I miss…?"

"Quite a lot sis," Eiji suddenly appeared, looking relieved.

"Bwa… Bwahahahahahaha!" Monoyena cackled. "Looks like the turd bucket finally made his fucking choice! Not gonna lie, I think I would've rather seen the Oriental bitch die, but killing the Frenchie has been on my To-Do List since that shit she did with the Parade! Win-win for fucking me! Yeah!"

Kikuko turned to Eiji.

"Yeah, like that," Eiji rubbed the back of his ghostly neck.

Then, she turned to Fábio, confused.

"F-Fábio?" she asked.

Fábio said nothing and simply helped the shrine priestess up from the ground. He refused to meet anyone's eyes and refused to say anything after. All he did after was just stand right back at his podium and ignore everything around him. Letting nothing but the guilt eat him alive. The guilt that had gotten stronger after this choice he had made.

"It's Voting Time motherfuckers!" Monoyena cackled. "Y'all know how this fucking works! So get to it! And don't make me wait around like this afro fucking bitch!"

"Huh?" Kikuko blinked. "But wait, who is—?"

She wanted to ask but no one even bothered to fill her in on what had happened. All she could see were the distraught faces of her peers. All she could hear were the sounds of everyone's eTickets being notified of the Voting Booth application opening its voting process once more. All she could witness were those like Issac and Yukihiko going ahead and submitting their votes.

Tapping a picture of who the blackened was in this case…

And then hitting the word 'Submit'...

Submit.

And then this Trial will come to an end.

This crazy, chaotic, and in the end, depressing Trial, could finally come to an end…

No one said a word as it happened.

And no one especially say anything as the results were published on everyone's eTicket:

…

Manon: 8

Natasha: 2

…

"What a fantastic choice!" Monoyena cackled. "But are ya sure it's the right answer? It would be hella awkward if we went through that dramatic countdown and have the answer be wrong, y'know! Bwa… Bwahahahahahaha!"

Monoyena leaned forward, licking his Barbie Blade and allowing his jagged red eye to glint viciously.

"Let's see if yer vote matches well in accordance with the Double Murder Case rules!" Monoyena cackled.

Manon shifted uncomfortably, her eyes trailing down in defeat.

"Time to announce my Final Verdict!" Monoyena laughed. "This sad, limping, 70-year old family bitch, Manon Vivienne Levesque, Ultimate Actress, is…

…

GUILTY

…

…Thanks for losing!"

…

Monoyena couldn't help but burst out in laughter, his excitement growing more eager by the minute as he realized that he could finally kill one of the many people he hated here… which was quite frankly everyone but hey, who's counting?

"Finally!" Monoyena cackled. "I'm having frog legs in the form of a fucking gay ass whore! I'm eating well tonight! Bwa… Bwahahahahahaha!"

"N-NOOOOOOOOO!" Stanczyk exclaimed. "The blackened of this case was in fact, Manon Vivienne Levesque, the Ultimate Actress! B-But… B-But… I… I… I wanted her to live! I wanted her to live to the end! Th-This isn't fair! W-WAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Kikuko blinked, turning toward Manon, surprised.

She… was the culprit?

As in…

She remembered the part of the Trial she herself had figured out. The part where Beauté's plan was quite literally to get someone to become the blackened. In the end, it was Manon who ended up getting caught in that trap?

She watched Manon's expression, noting just how defeated the poor girl was.

Just how… hopeless she was.

And Fábio.

Oh, how his face looked haunted by the outcome of the vote.

…Seriously.

What did she miss while she was offering her body for Natasha Villeray to possess?

[TRIAL END]

"...Why…?"

The silence was killed when Yumi Gundo opened her mouth, her eyes filled with hurt and betrayal as she glanced toward the quiet Fábio. Compared to the quiet Manon who had seemed to accept her fate, Yumi was louder about how scummy this all felt. In the end, the choice that Fábio chose was to save Kikuko and not Manon.

Oddly can yell at Yumi all he wants for her having a problem with this but at the same time, Yumi had a right to. Because Fábio had essentially chosen to save someone else's life, and not Manon's. Not the one girl who acted as a sister to her…

"Why Fábio?" Yumi asked, her hat tipped over her eyes. "W-Why did you…"

Fábio said nothing.

"S-Say somethin!" Yumi exclaimed. "Ah thought you were on our side! You thought it was unfair over what happened ta Manon! You thought it was so unfair dat ya fought fer her! And den ya do dis and pull da rug right under her feet like dat?!"

Again, Fábio said nothing, but this time, Yumi lost her patience. She grabbed the figure skater by his shirt and pulled him closer, to the point where she was nye on threatening him. Kikuko widened her eyes and rushed forward to help.

"Say somethin ya fucking rascal!" Yumi yelled.

"Y-Yumi, what are you—?" Kikuko exclaimed.

"B-Back away, bambina!" Yumi exclaimed. "Dis beef is between me and Fábio over here! Beef between me and dis… and dis…"

Yumi was furious.

She was furious with the decision Fábio made. She was furious with the fact that Manon was going to die. She was furious that all of this had to happen in the first place. But the thing she was most furious about was how Fábio was doing nothing to defend the decision he had made. He said nothing. And that was what pissed her off even more.

He made his choice.

And he had the gall to say nothing and look… look… guilty?!

"Ya could've picked Manon!" Yumi exclaimed. "Ya could've picked her! But ya didn't! Why didn't ya—"

"Gundo, enough," Issac sternly said. "Barbosa made the right choice here. Picking to save Unmei's life over Levesque's. It sucks, sure, but it was something that had to be done."

Manon's face shifted when the toymaker said this.

Kikuko on the other hand simply blinked, confused.

"How can ya say dat?!" Yumi yelled. "Does Manon's life not matter to y'all?! Why does Kikuko have more right ta live dan Manon?! What makes her so much better dan Manon?!"

"Whoa, ease off on the flames there, cowgirl," Issac sighed. "At this point, you're sounding more like those mean girls who're jealous of why some hot dude is going for some other mediocre chick."

"Ignoring whatever reference he's making," Mara stepped up. "You need to cool off, Yumi. Whatever choice Fábio made, it's done. There's no changing that now. Manon is…"

She looked toward Manon, who could only look down with little on her face.

"...she's the official blackened of this case," Mara frowned.

She didn't want to admit it herself, but she also hated that this had to happen too. To think that the only reason she was even in this mess in the first place was because she went and pushed a button. One single button was all it took to seal her fate. By Lao Shi it was… unfair.

"All thanks ta dat blasted vermin over there!" Yumi pointed her finger, accusedly toward Fábio.

"Um, pardon me, but there's a lot of tension here against Fábio," Kikuko frowned. "A context that I am blissfully unaware about. What happened while I was allowing my body to be possessed?"

"You mean, you don't know what happens when your body is being overtaken by a spirit?" Alisa blinked.

"W-Well, no," Kikuko shook her head. "If I was a little more skilled, I probably would be able to have some form of consciousness but for the time being… Usually I get Eiji to do it but..."

She realized none of these people except Fábio knew who Eiji was. It was gonna be a hassle trying to explain that one, so she simplified her response...

"No," Kikuko simply said. "No, I did not.

"In other words, you're completely in the dark over what Barbosa had to sacrifice to save your life," Issac smiled.

"W-What?" Kikuko widened her eyes. "S-Sacrifice?"

"Shrine maiden," Roderick stepped up, his arms folded. "That pesky sea witch was found to be the blackened of the case."

"W-What?" Kikuko blinked. "The blackened? But wasn't it just confirmed that—"

She looked toward Manon, but Roderick continued.

"Aye," Roderick glanced away. "But when ye channeled the sea witch's spirit, the rules of the Trial changed. The sea witch was now considered alive since she be in yer body, it be Captain Nobukatsu's death who we be solving fer then…"

"And in the end…" Kikuko slowly realized.

"Natasha Villeray was found to have been the true culprit behind Kazuki's death," Alisa nodded. "Which put us at a standstill. If we went and voted for Natasha, she would've been executed but in your body. Kikuko. You would've been the one dead…"

"...Had it not been for Barbosa…" Issac smiled. "...Who counteracted it by exorcising Villeray out of your body with that warding charm you gave him."

"But at the cost of… Manon being the blackened…" Kikuko looked down. "Fábio… really did that? For me?"

She looked toward the figure skater, who kept himself secluded from everyone else, completely avoiding all eye contact. The sacrifice he made. The choice he had chosen. All to save her. All to save her life. She admitted that it was touching that he would go so far to do this. But at the same time, the cost that had to be paid…

…That was why he looked so hopeless right now, wasn't it?

"Yeah," Issac rubbed the back of Isolde's body. "Which is why I'm confused on why Barbosa is acting like this. I mean, dude should be happy. He gets bonus points and a free 'Get-Out-Of-An-Argument-With-Your-Girl' pass. Am I right?"

Issac laughed at his own joke.

Kikuko didn't find it funny.

The only thing she felt was concern. Well, relief that she didn't end up as one with the Spirits, sure. But mostly concerned. Because she had to wonder… just how exactly was Fábio taking this. How exactly was he feeling…?

"Why are we celebrating this?" Yumi spoke up again. "What is wrong wit all of y'all? Do ya really not give a darn 'bout Manon? She… She's as much as a human as Kikuko. W-What gives all of y'all a right to celebrate Kikuko's survival and not give a damn 'bout Manon?!"

"Yumi, no one here is celebrating Kikuko's survival–" Aidan was about to say.

"Like hell no one ain't!" Yumi gritted her teeth. "Y'all praised Fábio fer da sacrifice he had ta make ta save Kikuko! But dat sacrifice has a name! Her name is Manon! And she deserves just as much sympathy as Kikuko did! Ah just… Ah just…"

"Stop."

Yumi pointed her finger toward Issac, especially.

"Ya should be ashamed of yerself!" Yumi exclaimed. "Ya were da one who was constantly praising dis man fer essentially damning mah good friend to da gallows! Ya were da one who begged him ta do it!"

"Stop, please."

"How can ya be happy knowin full-well an innocent girl is gonna git killed?!" Yumi clenched her teeth even further. "How can ya be happy knowin full-well one of da nicest women ah have ever met is gonna git—"

"Madame Gundo, arrêtez!"

Yumi stopped her incessant complaints and turned to Manon, the heartbreak clear in her eyes as she stepped forward to finally say her piece. Her eyes were close to watering but it didn't matter in the long run. She looked finished. Whatever was gonna happen to her, so be it. She rubbed her arms, disappointed but a little more willing…

"It's… It's okay," Manon tried her best to force a smile. "Really. It's… okay."

Despite being the Ultimate Actress, it wasn't very convincing.

"W-What?" Yumi widened her eyes. "M-Manon. H-How can ya say dat? It ain't okay. It just—"

"Ze moment I saw zat Monsieur Barbosa had to choose between me and Madame Unmei…" Manon simply smiled. "I knew he would never choose me. Parce que why should he? He cares so much for Madame Unmei, non? Letting me live… I wouldn't have done zat either."

"M-Manon, ya can't be serious!" Yumi quivered. "Ya should be agree with dis! Dis ain't… Dis ain't… Dis ain't fair! It ain't fair fer ya, Manon! It just…"

"Nothing is ever fair for Manon Vivienne Levesque…" Manon simply looked away.

Yumi couldn't believe it.

Even Manon seemed to be okay with this. Was she the only one who was actively fighting for how wrong this was? How unfair it had to be that Manon had to die? Granted, Kikuko didn't either but at the same time…

"Nothing was ever fair for Manon Vivienne Levesque…" Manon continued, her expression turning somber by the minute. "Because ze truth is… as Manon Vivienne Levesque, I am terrible. And ze cards were never in it for me to find happiness…"

She dropped her head down.

"Ze moment I saved Monsieur Nobukatsu from killing himself…" Manon grimaced. "I zought zat at ze time, I was meant for bigger zings. Zat I could be some zing more zan just Manon Vivienne Levesque. But in ze end, all zat actually did was pave ze way for Madame Swan to be killed. Even today, when I helped Madame Garcia try to stop ze killer's plan. All I really did zen was damn myself as ze killer. And when zere was an opportunity to save myself… Madame Unmei's life was in danger."

Manon felt tears form from the sides of her eyes.

"Every zing I do, it never works out," Manon gritted her teeth, looking close to crying. "Parce que, I was never supposed to be ze hero of my own story, non? So, zere is no reason to cry Madame Gundo. Someone like me was always meant to help others to live a great life. But never me…"

Manon closed her eyes and placed her hand over her head.

"A New Life was never in ze cards for me to begin with…" Manon explained. "So why should anyone feel sorry for me, oui? I'm just Manon. I was never meant for happiness."

"Dat ain't true!" Yumi interjected. "Yer Manon Vivienne Levesque! Da Ultimate Actress! Dat has ta count fer at least somethin, right?!"

"An Ultimate Actress?" Manon couldn't help but painfully laugh at that title. "Ha… I wish…"

"Huh?" Yumi blinked.

"Zere is no need to feel sorry for someone like me, Madame Gundo," Manon folded her arms. "As far as my story goes, it ends here. Zat is what God has planned for me since ze very beginning. But before I leave zis plane of existence, I have to at least know one zing…"

Manon turned to Yukihiko.

"Pourquoi?" she asked. "Why do zis? Why make deals with Madame Villeray? Why go through so much just to try to kill Madame Garcia? What did she ever do to you?"

Yukihiko folded his arms.

It was only a matter of time before the conversation was flipped onto him. His part in the case was a major talking point in the Trial. With his deal being made public yet still vague enough for any leftover details, right now was the perfect time to go over what exactly his deal with Natasha was. All eyes were on the child caretaker, his arms folded, and his expression ever so uncaring. Only changing into a smirk at the last minute.

"And why should I tell you?" Yukihiko glared.

"B-Because ze Trial is over!" Manon tightened her fist. "We found out zat you were involved and had a deal with Madame Villeray! We have a right to know why you helped her do all zis! I have a right to know why you helped her!"

"And what benefit do I get from telling any of you why I do things, huh?" Yukihiko narrowed his eyes. "It's not like any of you have ever tried to understand why I work hard to save these children!"

"Dude, making deals with Beauté to have her kill Mara is far different than saving children!" Aidan exclaimed. "At this point, you're no different than Monoyena!"

"Don't you dare compare me to that child-endangering menace," Yukihiko glared. "That thing is torturing children, and you think me trying to get rid of a killer in this game is worse?!"

"A killer…?" Yumi glared. "Is dat what ya really dink 'bout Mara?!"

"Well, yes, honey, because that's what she is, isn't she?" Yukihiko narrowed his eyes. "A cold-blooded killer. And yet, you're all praising and protecting her, while I'm getting ostracized for doing what's right! What is wrong with you people?! How can none of you lay your lives down for a bunch of sweet, innocent children?!"

Yukihiko gritted his teeth.

"I don't have to tell you brats why I make deals and do what I do," Yukihiko glared. "Because at least I know, I'm doing the right thing. While the rest of you play 'Kumbaya' and make friends with one another, guess who's the only one going around trying to gather up the sacrifices necessary to save the children? That's right, me!"

"If you care so much about saving the children, why don't you go and sacrifice your own life instead of telling others to do it?" Issac sighed, running his hand through his pink hair.

"Oh, you really want to go there?" Yukihiko pulled on his braids in frustration. "You really think I can entrust my life to a bunch of people who have voted to put these children in harm's way? Fat chance. Someone has to stay behind and make sure what needs to be done is done! That's why I'm still here!"

Yukihiko pointed his finger to his peers.

"So, don't you dare compare me to the likes of these psychopaths," the child caregiver exclaimed. "At least I'm the only one doing whatever it takes to do it. What about the rest of you? What have you done to even try to save the children?"

"Enough!"

Yukihiko expected this at some point.

He turned to see Mara, staring him straight in the eyes like a predator identifying their prey. She stared at him, hatefully. Like she was getting ready to pummel this twink to bits and pieces. She tried to stay calm, but the anger in her voice was rising further and further the more she listened to Yukihiko's rant.

He clearly thought he was doing the right thing.

But that's the problem.

He wasn't.

He might think his actions were righteous and honorable, but what he was really exhibiting was an annoying assortment of self-righteousness and dishonorable tactics. It pissed her off. It pissed her off that he can say all of these things and stand there like the result of his actions didn't just get an innocent person left on the chopping block.

"Save the children?" Mara's eyes flared a fiery red. "You're like a broken record. Save the children. Save the children. Throughout this entire Killing Game, that's the only thing you talk about. In your little delusional world, you think you're the hero, but in the real world, you're not. You're nothing but a whiny brat who thinks he's Batman but in reality, he's the goddamn Joker! You want to save the kids, save them yourself. None of us have to play along with your games! Especially not after today!"

"So, you reveal your true colors, huh?" Yukihiko distastefully said.

"What true colors?" Mara folded her arms. "Everyone else here agrees me. That's why, no one likes you."

Roderick opened his mouth to speak but decided against it.

Yukihiko tightened his fist.

"Those children could be living their best lives right now!" Yukihiko exclaimed. "What can't you understand about that?!"

"What about the rest of us?!" Mara exclaimed. "What about Manon?! Doesn't she deserve to live her best life right now?!"

Mara pointed to Manon, who only looked surprised at the karate master's insistence on defending her.

"Because of you and your stupid deal or plan or whatever, Manon is about to get executed over something she didn't realize she was doing!" Mara yelled. "She's about to get executed for something you were banking on me to do! And you know what sucks? She's the reason I'm going to live another day! And yet, you pretend and act like there's nothing wrong with that!"

Mara turned to Manon, guilt in her eyes.

"Manon didn't know it then…" Mara grimaced. "But by pushing those buttons, she saved my life. And I'm sure that even if she did know about what you and that Natasha bitch were planning, she'd still do it anyway. Because that's the kind of person she is."

Mara pointed an accusatory finger toward Yukihiko.

"That's what it means to be a hero," Mara spoke through the heart, her eyes getting emotional. "Not because of what you do, but why you do it. Why do you think Manon saved Kazuki in that Parade? Why do you think Manon feels so much over everything that's happened to everyone? Because deep down, she's a good person with a good heart."

"M-Madame… Garcia…?" Manon widened her eyes, surprised at the touching words.

"Knowing that… you still want to cry about saving the children?" Mara gritted her teeth. "You still want to complain about how you're the only one doing anything? Knowing you're the reason a good person is going to die tonight?"

Mara tightened her fist.

"Well?" Mara looked to be in pain. "You going to say anything about that?"

Yukihiko kept his arms folded.

He didn't say anything for a bit. Everyone looked at him, anticipating an answer. But the child caregiver gave it a good thought. As if he were seriously considering what Mara had said. For a moment, it looked as if Mara's words actually reached him. Reached the otherwise insensitive Yukihiko Yuno—

"Hmph," Yukihiko scoffed.

Nothing good can come after a scoff.

"Manon pressing the buttons was her mistake," Yukihiko glanced at his nails. "It has nothing to do with me."

Unbelievable.

"D-Dude…" Aidan widened his eyes.

"Y-Yukihiko, even now you…" Alisa glanced away.

Manon lowered her head.

The look of shock and disgust and visible disappointment over what Yukihiko said was immense. Truly, he was too far gone in his mission. No one knew why he wanted Mara gone, but did it really matter anymore? Now that Yukihiko had shown what he truly believed in? Now that Yukihiko has shown just how flawed of a person he truly was…?

"And now you show your real colors," Mara pointed back. "And you call me the monster…"

"Manon…" Yumi turned to the actress. "...Ah… Ahm so sorry. Ah…"

"Non, c'est la vie…" Manon shook her head, slowly forcing herself to smile. "It's… to be expected. Some zing like zis cannot be reasoned with someone like Monsieur Yuno. I zink… I can say I am somewhat satisfied zat I have an answer at least… oui?"

"Manon…" Mara turned to the actress, placing a gentle fist into the palm of her hands and bowing her head to her in respect. "I… I know this is wrong to say, but I can't thank you enough for saving my life. Even if it wasn't even intentional or anything like that. It's because of you that I'm still alive. But at the same time…"

"Non, Madame Garcia," Manon shook her head. "You shouldn't blame yourself. If no one knew what had happened until it was too late, then how could you know? Zis was nothing more zan fate being cruel once again. Mais… I have one last question."

Manon folded her arms, uneasily.

"D-Did you… mean what you said?" Manon asked. "About me being a good person?"

Mara raised her head.

For the first time in anyone's life, Mara's eyes showed visible tears in those otherwise cold and distant eyes of hers. Her own rants and speech toward Yukihiko definitely added some weight to the emotions she felt about everything. Mara knew that if there was anyone in the world that deserved to die, it was her. But in the end, the one who took the bullet unknowingly…

"...Every word," Mara simply nodded.

Manon's forced smile couldn't be retained any longer. The tears were spilling out. The tears that she was keeping in all this time. All this time, she was telling everyone, or at least, Yumi, that it was going to be okay. That she was fine with this outcome. That she saw it coming. But that couldn't be farther from the truth…

She was terrified.

The most terrified out of everyone in this room.

For the longest time, she thought she was nothing more than the mouse that couldn't do anything right. But now she had someone to give her the praise that she had always been looking for. Finally, a good thing to happen in this hellhole.

"...Thank… Thank goodness…" Manon covered her mouth as she started to sob. "Thank goodness…"

"Well then, I think enough's enough!" Monoyena laughed. "Time for the thing that I've been waiting for all day! Killing this fucker who decided to mess with my enjoyment back in the Happy Highway! Ohhh, I'm gonna enjoy this…"

"No… Manon, wait…" Yumi turned to the actress.

"W-WAHHHHHHHHH!" Stanczyk wailed. "I can't watch!"

"At least… I can finally say for certain…" Manon spoke in her thick French accent, trying to look proud through her saddened tears. "...Zat Manon Marie Levesque finally lived doing some zing right for once…"

"Manon Marie Levesque…?" Mara blinked.

"Oui," Manon tried to force a smile as she sobbed. "Zat is my real name. Manon Marie Levesque…"

"Manon, no no…" Yumi shook her head.

"Thanks for losing!" Monoyena declared, sadistically. "And goodbye…"

Monoyena's jagged red eye glowed wildly.

"Ya fucking, gay-ass mousey French whore!" Monoyena cackled. "Bwa… Bwahahahahahahahaha!"

"Manon!" Yumi couldn't contain it anymore. "NO! NOOOOOOOO!"

Yumi tried to run up toward Manon but the moment she did, she felt Mara's grip pull her back until the shorter girl was practically wrapping her around in a comforting hug, desperate to not have her jump into the execution line like a maniac. The cowgirl reached out her hand, calling out to the French actress in anguish.

"MANON!" Yumi screamed. "GRAB MAH HAND! GRAB MAH HAND!"

But Manon didn't do anything of the sort.

All she did was watch as Mara embraced Yumi in a tight yet restrictive hug. The karate master was obviously trying to protect Yumi. Trying to protect her as she fought desperately to save the actress. Through her tears, Manon could finally admit it. She may be terrified now, but for some reason at that moment… it was… a comforting sight.

It wasn't hard to see why.

Ha.

Silly Manon.

No wonder she never had a chance in the first place…

As she watched Yumi call out her name, she stood still and smiled. For the first time, her smile was no longer forced.

It was genuine.

As if she were happy for Yumi and Mara.

The last thing she had to say regarding the sight before she felt a collar lock onto her neck…

…

"Ah… zey really do make a beautiful couple… non?"

Monoyena leapt onto his couch and whacked the head of his Barbie Blade against a big, red button. The button clicked. Stars burst from the sides as a pixelated screen showcased Monoyena crudely dragging Manon by the neck.

Below this scenery were the words:

…

MANON VIVIENNE LEVESQUE HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY

COMMENCING PUNISHMENT

…

When Manon opened her eyes, she found herself in a vehicle she was all too familiar with. A vehicle that she was just so used to being in and ultimately a vehicle that just hated riding in: a limousine.

Although the windows were dark, shielding her eyes for what was to await her, it wasn't like she was going to get to see anything regardless. She felt herself unable to move. She didn't know why until she found herself strapped to a hand-truck. Her body was completely wrapped in a straitjacket as if she were a patient of an insane asylum and her mouth was muzzled.

A clear Silence of the Lamb reference as she was now playing the part of the infamous Hannibal Lecter.

Sitting in front of her was Monoyena, wearing a pair of sunglasses and holding up a couple of pictures featuring Manon's own face, all signed by her and hers truly. Manon could do little as she watched Monoyena crumble each picture up and toss them to the side. It didn't seem to hurt her as much as he thought it would.

Those pictures were terrible anyway.

But nevertheless, Monoyena maintained that grin and opened the car door, inviting a bright wave of light to blind her as a crowd of Stanczyk standees excitedly welcomed her arrival. Each of them held out cameras that flashed in her face. Pens and paper for her to sign. A smile for her arrival.

But it didn't feel like Manon was being celebrated.

If anything, it felt like she was being laughed at. She was dressed as Hannibal Lecter and quite honestly felt she was being treated like a criminal. She struggled in her straitjacket bindings, feeling herself being wheeled closer and closer to what looked to be a makeshift movie theater. A movie theater built straight for her.

The closer she got, the more worrisome she grew.

The more she could feel that sense of dread.

That soon enough, it was going to be the end of her: Manon Marie Levesque.

Wheeling inside the theater, she saw herself now in an actual theater, with large audience of Monoyenas and a big projector screen showcasing the title of the execution film she was starring in:

Curtain Calls! (Le Grande Première): The Ultimate Actress's Execution

3…

2…

1…

Like one of those old-timey pictures that start everything off with a countdown, the film began and the lights illuminated. But the film wasn't anything Manon herself starred in. In fact, the film looked like a cheap rendition of one of those old slasher films that she grew scared watching. An iconic scenario shown right there on the screen.

A blond wig-wearing Stanczyk answers a phone call from the killer, a hockey-mask wearing Monoyena standing right outside his bedroom window.

Manon's eyes started to tremble as she finally realized what she was seated next to.

Monoyena, wearing the same hockey mask he wore in this cheap parody of the Scream movies, brandishing his Barbie Blade. But it wasn't just him. This entire theater was filled with Monoyena's all looking excited to see what would happen next. All of them brandishing their Barbie Blades. All of them putting on their hockey masks. Waiting…

Manon started to grow nervous as she watched the film continue.

She watched the film's Monoyena toss a chair into the window.

She watched the film's Monoyena pounce on Stanczyk.

She heard the frightful, yet cheap, scream echo in the theater.

Blood red enveloped the screen.

And suddenly, the spotlights shone on her.

All Monoyena's turned to face her.

Manon's face paled.

With a sadistic grin, Monoyena plunged his Blade into her stomach.

Then, a second plunged another one in her back.

Another in the side of her hip.

Another in her chest.

She tried to scream.

She tried to cry.

But she couldn't.

The pain was too much to bear as a swarm of Monoyena's continuously stabbed and slashed her over and over again. She tried to move and fidget and struggle but nothing worked. Blood spilled from her body, seeping through the straitjacket that was starting to… tear?

An opportunity to escape.

No matter how much pain she was in or how many cuts and stabs she was suffering from, there was still hope that she can escape her bindings and run from this swarm of sadistic creatures. She could hear the other Monoyena's cheer on the ones that are actively going for the kill. Going for every part of her body that had yet to be riddled with stab wounds and holes.

Tears finally spilled from her eyes after another Blade was plunged into her arm.

Spilling from the pain she was suffering from.

She felt faint.

She felt like she wanted to give up.

But she couldn't!

Not when there's a chance to escape!

She felt the straitjacket get looser…

Stab!

And looser…

Stab!

And looser…

Stab!

And looser…

Stab!

Until finally…

Manon tore past the straitjacket, pushing past the murderous Monoyena's with a purple-ridden face, tears in her eyes, and agonizing pain seeping through her bloodied body. The amount of stab wounds in her right now were too much for her to live, but she knew she had to leave. She knew that dying like this was way too inhumane for anyone to suffer through. She burst through the crowd of Monoyena's all of them booing what she was doing. All of them trying to stop her from leaving. All of them, readying their blades to go in for the stab.

She limped as fast as she could to the only place she could think of: the stage.

She pushed past the audience members…

Pushed past the blades and cuts being thrown her way…

Until she finally made it…

Until she finally made it onto the stage.

There, she could see the entire swarm of Monoyena's for what they were: a metaphor for the audience she was forced to entertain as Manon Vivienne Levesque. The audience that she never really liked trying to please. The Monoyena's had stopped chasing after her and simply threw their popcorn and soda cans at her.

They were laughing.

Booing.

Cheering.

Blood seeped down her hole-ridden body.

She was in pain.

She was in so much pain.

Wobbling back and forth, she finally ripped the muzzle out of her mouth, spewing out the blood that was unable to escape her mouth the first time… and let out a horrific scream. She wailed into the air, the Monoyena's cheerings growing louder and louder. Tears spilled out of her eyes. Never once noticing the spotlight right above her that was starting to shake…

Never once realizing that even going onto this stage was all part of Monoyena's plan.

Realizing too late that the spotlight had snapped…

…

She widened her eyes, tears continuously spilling from her eyes.

…

BANG!

…

The curtains closed, covering up the projector screen and leaving Manon's heavily stabbed body right in the middle of the stage. Her blood seeped and trickled down off the stage. There was a moment of silence for the poor girl. A moment of silence before the imagery faded into black and white for the real audience of this short film to see:

The playmates.

Written in neat cursive over the screen was one single word:

Fin

In other words: 'Finished.'

Manon Marie Levesque was no more.

Her final performance in her grandest premiere yet.

...

The End.

The first thing Manon Marie Levesque did when she had gotten back home was take off this ridiculous outfit she was forced to wear.

She tossed those Gianvito Rossi high heels across the room, rubbing her feet and wincing over how painful it was to wear something she didn't like. She quickly took off her Royal Queen edition dress, made exclusively for her appearance on the red carpet. And all too quickly, she changed into an outfit she was more accustomed to wearing:

A classic black T-shirt and jean shorts.

Casual.

Simple.

And not outwardly flashy or fancy as the Red Carpet had these people wear. She grabbed a nearby box of chocolates; something she had gotten back on her most recent film premiere… or rather Manon Vivienne Levesque's most recent film premiere. Then, she slipped into some slippers and quickly navigated to an entirely different room…

…her sister's…

She knocked on the door, eager to see her beloved sister once again.

Because after a walk down the carpet and constant blinding photo-ops from those creepy paparazzi freaks, Manon knew she was going to need all the time in the world to vent to her sister… The only person she could truly count on in this prison of a family she had. She took a deep breath and spoke up, shortly after she had softly knocked on the door once more.

"Vivienne?" Manon called out. "C'est moi. Marie…"

"Come in!"

Manon smiled to herself.

She slowly opened the door, pushing it through so that it could open all the way. Once it did, Manon saw her sister sitting on the bed nearest to the window. A bed adorned with hospital equipment and IV bags and the likes. A bed currently accompanied by a girl who looked exactly like her.

Same hairstyle.

Same face.

Same smile.

Her twin sister: Manon Vivienne Levesque.

The real Manon Vivienne Levesque.

Strapped to nose tubes, wires, and all the nooks and crannies required for a very sickly girl. Her eyes were tired, but she was nonetheless happy to see her younger twin skip into the room, ecstatic to see her again after a long day. Manon pulled up her favorite chair and sat next to her, holding her hand as she looked at her sister with hope in her eyes.

"Vivienne," Manon greeted. "Is every zing all good today? No fever? No illness? Feeling good to take on ze world together, oui?"

"I'm afraid not today, Marie," Vivienne gave her sister an amused smile, her English accent noticeably much better than Marie's thick French. "But look!"

Vivienne held up her arm and waved it around.

"I can move my arm a little freely now this time, haha," Vivienne giggled.

Marie was relieved to see that at least there was some improvement being made with her health. But at the same time, seeing her own sister like this never failed to make her feel sad. Just seeing her sister live her life strapped to medical equipment and the likes… It was honestly depressing and unfair.

She held that thought that and forced a smile, pulling out the box of chocolates she had grabbed.

"Look at what I got for you, Vivienne," Marie smiled. "Votre favorite: La Maison Du Chocolat…"

"Marie, you shouldn't have," Vivienne looked touched.

Vivienne slowly took the box and caressed it, smiling to herself as she did. She loved sweets. She knew Marie knew her well in that regard. It was thoughtful of her to do so, that it made her feel bad how much their own parents were taking advantage of Marie's looks just so Manon Vivienne Levesque could be a household name. Honestly, she couldn't even remember what it was like being an…

She put that thought to the side at the time being, listening to her sister speak up.

"Zey were just passing it out at ze concession stand," Marie shrugged. "So, I zought I should just go and grab one, non?"

Vivienne looked amused.

"Do people really understand you with that accent?" Vivienne asked.

"Sometimes," Marie smiled. "It is… a problem, oui. Maman and Papa say it's a dead giveaway… Mais, so far, no one has noticed. And besides, I am not ze Ultimate Actress like you are. You are amazing with ze accents."

"Ah right," Vivienne glanced away. "Ultimate Actress…"

Marie paused.

And there was that thought again…

"A-Ah, Vivienne," Marie looked down. "Je suis désolée. I forgot zat you don't like to…"

"It's alright, Marie," Vivienne gave her a reassuring smile. "It just… reminded me of something. Something good actually."

She took out what seemed to be a letter and handed it to Marie.

"Quoi?" Marie blinked. "What's zis?"

"Open it," Vivienne's face looked excited.

Marie did as she was told. She slowly unfolded each seam of the paper and read the words that followed. And when she did, she could see why Vivienne was so excited. In fact, her excitement linked with hers. Before she knew it, she was smiling and her eyes were brimming with joy. She looked at Vivienne, as if asking her if this was real. But she knew it was. She was holding it in her hands. The paper that read out the following:

'To the family of Manon Vivienne Levesque…'

'Congratulations!'

'Manon Vivienne Levesque has been accepted as an incoming student to Hope's Peak Toronto's New Life Program!'

"Y-You got accepted?" Marie looked up at Vivienne in amazement.

"All right there in the paper," Vivienne smiled.

"Oh, Vivienne," Marie couldn't help but hug her sister. "Zis is wonderful news!"

Marie couldn't help but be ecstatic over what this meant for them. She was excited. This New Life Program was everything they had dreamed of. Doing this could mean fulfilling that promise they had made together! But it didn't take long for Marie to realize that she was the only one who was celebrating. When she looked at Vivienne's face, she could tell something was wrong.

"V-Vivienne?" Marie asked.

"It's wonderful, yes, but…" Vivienne gestured to where she was sitting.

The bed that she was practically confined to thanks to this illness. She brushed her fingers against her sister's. She looked down, almost ashamed. Marie instantly knew what Vivienne was about to say.

"...Marie," Vivienne frowned. "I'm sorry that I have to ask you to do this but…"

Marie held up Vivienne's hand to her heart and smiled.

"Oui, of course," Marie smiled.

"Y-You will?" Vivienne blinked. "J-Just like that? But I always thought you hated—"

"Vivienne…" Marie softly smiled. "Zis is some zing we have wanted for years now. I will not allow zis chance to escape us like zis. So, oui…"

Marie's gaze furrowed to determination.

"I will attend ze New Life Program in your stead," Marie promised. "I will play ze role of Manon Vivienne Levesque one last time. And zen after zat, it's freedom for ze both of us…"

Marie caressed her sister's hand.

"So, please do every zing you can to feel better," she begged. "A New Life awaits for both of us, oui?"

"A New Life for our Happiest Days," Vivienne smiled at the thought.

"For our Happiest Days," Marie repeated, smiling brightly.

Together.

That was the promise they had made as sisters. And the New Life Program was supposed to help keep that promise and strengthen that bond between them. Marie could see it now. The future with her and Vivienne. No longer shackled to the whims of their parents and forced to become the celebrities they never wanted to be. No longer shackled to the pressure of being an Ultimate.

A New Life for Marie and Vivienne was the only adventure they ever wanted.

A New Life for their Happiest Days…

For their Happiest Days…

…

…Together…

…

Yumi stopped struggling in Mara's grasp.

The moment the final spotlight struck Manon's already weakened body in the head, Yumi knew that it was over. Manon was dead. As the second most optimistic person in the cast, she had just lost someone she cared about. Someone that meant a lot to her. A sister figure. It took two deaths for Aidan to lose his footing. But it only took one for Yumi.

One for the cowgirl to drop to her knees and scream:

"A-AAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHH!" Yumi yelled out in anguish.

"Nine left!" Monoyena bounced up and down after his most recent kill. "Fantastic! Now we can't get a fucking tie in the votes anymore! Bwa… Bwahahahahahahaha!"

"W-WAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Stanczyk sobbed. "D-Did ya really have to kill the French girl?! I really liked her!"

"Bitch, we had two French girls in this cast," Monoyena muttered. "What the fuck do ya–"

"A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHH!" Yumi continued to scream out.

Already, the scream of anguish was enough to piss the hyena off. He turned to the cowgirl, his jagged red eye glowing as he gnashed his teeth together. The sound of Yumi screaming was annoying him. Even more than that stupid Western accent she had. He ran his paw through his neon blue and green hair and started to yell alongside the cowgirl.

"WAAAHHHH WAHHHHH WAHHHH!" Monoyena taunted. "You got some nerve crying over that wet dog wipe like this, ya fucking clueless little piece of shit! Scream out again, and I'll fucking cut off yer vocal cords and render you fucking mute! That'll fix that stupid accent of yers! Bwa… Bwahahahahahahahahaha!"

Yumi turned to Monoyena, the resentment dangerously deep in her eyes. She lunged at the hyena, but Mara made sure to grab her and face her the other way before she could learn to regret it. The karate master may be shorter than Yumi by a long shot, but the maturity she had past the pain of having to see Manon die was something to admire.

"Hey, hey, look at me, Yumi," Mara insisted. "Look at me. It's okay. It's going to be okay."

"How can ya say dat?!" Yumi exclaimed, tears exiting her eyes. "He killed Manon! He fucking killed Manon!"

"I know, I know," Mara tried to calm her down. "But listen, you have to calm down. You're just making him enjoy this even more."

The two turned to Monoyena, noting the satisfied look on his face, like he had just enjoyed a meal or something. Or more appropriately, like that itch he had been itching to scratch had been scratched and it felt oh… so good.

"Manon is dead, Mara," Yumi started to sob. "Manon is dead. Manon is dead. Manon is dead…"

"I know," Mara softly told her, allowing the cowgirl to cry on her shoulder. "I know. But it's going to be fine. It's going to be…"

She… was not very good at this comforting kind of thing.

Saying that it was going to be fine while knowing that it wasn't, was just a blatant lie that she knew she shouldn't be telling. She grimaced, simply allowing herself to rub Yumi's back as the cowgirl sobbed uncontrollably. Mara watched as Monoyena waddled back to Stanczyk, the latter of which was obviously sobbing uncontrollably as well.

She glanced toward the others, noting their reactions as well.

Aidan looked absolutely disturbed.

Alisa closed her eyes, her face looking sick.

Fábio was in the same state as he was since the moment he made his choice.

Issac had little reaction.

Kikuko could only look away.

Roderick lowered his beanie.

And Yukihiko?

The bastard was already on his way toward Monoyena, looking impatient as he ever was. Unfortunately for them, whatever shit thing he was about to say, they could hear it. They could all hear it. His snobby tone of voice as he went to Monoyena and Stanczyk with the most uncaring expression on his face.

"Ugh, can we go now?" Yukihiko rolled his eyes. "I have to get to the Gift Shop."

"Yeah yeah, elevator's open now," Monoyena sighed. "Y'all can fuck off. Don't forget to fucking send yerselves up to Floor 3 before ya leave though."

That got Yumi to snap her attention toward the child caregiver.

If she couldn't hurt Monoyena, then Yukihiko was the next best thing. She pushed herself off of Mara and stormed up toward the child caregiver. Then, she grabbed him by the collar, and pushed his back against the Trial walls. There was a growl escaping her Western accent as she gritted her teeth.

"Like hell ya are!" Yumi exclaimed. "Do ya not feel any kind of remorse fer what just happened ta Manon?! Do ya?!"

Yukihiko responded with a simple smirk.

He roughly pulled Yumi's hands off of his shirt and brushed himself aside. It was like nothing about this bothered him. He wasn't scared of Yumi. The girl was acting out of impulse. If anything, he was more annoyed that this was just going to stop him from getting to the Gift Shop.

"I already told you," Yukihiko scoffed. "I have to get to the Gift Shop. So… move."

He pushed Yumi to the side and simply headed toward the elevator.

Yumi couldn't believe that such a heartless guy could exist. Or at least, a heartless guy to his own peers. The man would rather look after children than care about the lives of human beings. At the same time, Yukihiko wasn't the only person to blame here. Yumi turned to Fábio, who had walked past them, a darkened and cloudy expression over his face.

She grabbed him by the arm, forcing him to turn to face her. She didn't care what emotions he was feeling right now. She just had to let it out. Let out the frustration boiling up inside her. Let out the anger and the resentment. The pain she was feeling… it wasn't something she had exactly felt now was it?

"Dis is all yer fault too, y'know," Yumi informed Fábio. "If ya hadn't exorcised dat bitch outta Kikuko, Manon would still be alive."

Fábio said nothing.

At least not for a little while.

All the figure skater could do was notice Yumi's expression and the pain she was in. He was in a similar boat but his feelings were… wandering. There was guilt in his eyes. A guilt that was practically eating himself up from the inside out. All he could muster out in response to Yumi's accusation…

"...I know…" Fábio softly said.

Yumi… was far from satisfied by that. But it wasn't like she could yell at him even more. The figure skater had brushed her aside and wandered to the elevator as well. He didn't stop for anyone. Not even for Kikuko. Clearly the choice he was forced to make was taking a toll on him too. At least with him, he felt something compared to that monster…

And as Fábio wandered off, Kikuko attempted to follow, her mind filled with concern. Key word was attempted, because the moment she tried, someone placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, expecting it to be Issac but instead it was… Alisa?

"Hey, can I… ask you to do something for me real quick?" Alisa asked the shrine priestess.

Kikuko glanced over to Fábio.

She wanted to go with him but at the same time…

Maybe he needed space…?

She frowned.

Uncertain with her decision, she turned back toward Alisa.

"What is it?" she asked.

As Alisa explained what she needed, slowly but surely everyone had gone into that elevator together. The third Trial had ended in tragedy. Some were deeply affected. Some more than others. And then there was a curious batch that found this to be yet another painful experience in the Piero's Playground Killing Game.

Just as the curtains closed for Manon, so did the elevator doors for the remaining 9 playmates…

[The Grandview Mansion]

(Theater of Mystery)

Alisa held a breath as she and Kikuko walked right into the Theater of Mystery.

As luck would have it, Kazuki's mangled up corpse was still sitting there. Kikuko gasped, reeling back in shock. She never did see what happened to Kazuki's body, only heard about it through five other accounts. But seeing the damage that was done to his body, she had to admit that the sight was indeed grotesque. Not only that, but the smell that was starting to form was quite… unbearable.

Not like that stopped Alisa from approaching the body with a grim look on her face. She took one last look at Kazuki's body, stopping herself from letting any tears seep through and instead looking toward Kikuko for some source of confirmation.

"Is he… here?" Alisa asked. "Is he… still with us?"

Kikuko glanced around.

She could feel a presence in the air, but she wasn't sure whether or not it was Eiji or an entirely different spirit. There was a cold chill that crept down her spine but whether this was Kazuki or not… clearly, it was a spirit that didn't want to show themselves at the moment. But… why?

"I'm not sure," Kikuko simply said. "I can feel him but… for some reason. He doesn't seem to appear before me."

"Making because he's afraid of me!" Eiji boasted. "I am the roughest, toughest spirit around these parts!"

"No, no you're not," Kikuko told Eiji.

She caught Alisa staring at her strangely.

"A-Apologies," she looked embarrassed.

This was definitely something that she was going to need to start getting used to…

Alisa on the other hand looked a little impatient. She tapped her foot, looking around. She knew Kikuko had to be telling the truth. If this girl could channel spirits, then this girl could obviously see them too. She already watched her talk to something that wasn't there. So, if that was the case, then where was Kazuki?

Why wasn't he…?

She tightened her fist, her face looking grim.

"Channel him," Alisa looked a little desperate.

"A-Alisa?" Kikuko blinked.

"Channel him, please," Alisa begged. "I have to speak with him. If he's hiding from me, I need him to come out right now and talk to me!"

Kikuko backed away, her face uncertain.

When Alisa saw this, she knew she was already asking too much of her. This girl had just channeled a spirit that was going to get her killed just for being channeled. There was no way Kikuko was going to do it again after what had nearly happened to her. And honestly, fair. Fair but disappointing.

Alisa looked away in shame.

"I'm sorry…" she said. "I… I didn't mean…"

"No, it's fine," Kikuko looked down as well. "I understood what he meant to you. I would love to channel him for you, but you know that in order for a channeling to be successful, I need the three components. And also, because of the risks, I don't think…"

"There's no need to worry about any risk right now, best friend!"

Quickly, Kikuko and Alisa turned to see a curious Stanczyk walking into the room. He had that innocent smile over his mask and was carrying what seemed to be bags of clothing, which if they looked closer, definitely belonged to those of Natasha and Kazuki. Right, because neither of them switched clothing moments before they had died, didn't they?

Rightfully so, both girls tensed up over his presence, but the jester made sure to hold up his hands defensively.

"Don't be scared!" Stanczyk gasped. "It's just me! Stanczyk! Your best friend to the end!"

"What are you doing here?" Alisa narrowed her eyes.

Obviously, neither of the two trusted him. He was the one overseeing this game after all and he was complicit in the torment of those poor children downstairs. But right now, for some reason, he seemed like he wanted to help. The least these two girls could do was listen to what he had to say, right?

"Body removal," Stanczyk pointed toward Kazuki's corpse. "Monoyena and I have to make sure to clean everything up after every Trial. Not like it matters since I'll have to close down this haunted house anyway."

Stanczyk wiped a stray tear from his eye sockets.

"T-Too many bad memories…" he whimpered, before grinning. "Which is why if you want to spirit channel my best friend again, now is the best time to do so! You have his face right there!"

He gestured toward Kazuki's… crushed up face.

"E-Eh… what's left of it!" Stanczyk grinned.

"Will it work even with a face like that?" Alisa turned to Kikuko.

"I can try," Kikuko tipped her head down. "But what use is it anyway if we don't have an item of significance from him? It's not like he gave you anything important, did he, Alisa?"

"N-No…" Alisa looked disappointed.

"Oh, I can help with that, best friends!" Stanczyk beamed, handing Alisa and Kikuko the bag with Kazuki's clothing inside. "There should be some sort of item of significance if you dig inside, right?"

Alisa glanced at Stanczyk suspiciously but dug through the bag regardless.

Kikuko, on the other hand, kept a watchful eye over the jester.

"Why are you helping us?" she frowned. "Is there a catch to this? Like the moment I do it, are you just going to kill me for some trumped up rule violation?"

"Best friend, no!" Stanczyk gasped, his lips quivering. "W-Why… W-Why would you think that of me? I… I would never help my best friends for some malicious reason! I just… I just want to see all of you happy."

"Tell that to the 9 other people that died here, Heath Ledger!" Eiji declared.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Kikuko narrowed her eyes.

"Because… I could've kicked you both out right now?" Stanczyk pointed out. "Because you are both technically not supposed to be here and the body should be long removed now? Because I technically told Monoyena that he can take a break and let me handle things from here on out?"

"What about the risks?" Kikuko frowned. "You said I didn't have to worry about that, right? Why?"

"Because technically the Trial is already over!" Stanczyk beamed. "You found the truth! There's no need for you to worry about another best friend being the blackened and trying to kill you again! There's no point in that!"

Stanczyk giggled.

"Besides, you're a lucky little girl!" Stanczyk grinned. "If it were up to Monoyena, he'd probably put in a ban on it right about now. But luckily, you're talking to me! Your best friend to the end! And there's no time like the present to get to one last conversation with a lost best friend! Am I right?"

Stanczyk tilted his head.

"Just make sure to not spend too much time spirit channeling," Stanczyk pointed out. "We wouldn't want Monoyena to find out now would we?"

"I found something!" Alisa suddenly exclaimed.

Taking out something tucked neatly in one of Kazuki's suit pockets, she raised it up for everyone in the room to see: an origami crane.

While it was strange for Kazuki to have something like this, especially the fact that it didn't seem to be professionally folded or anything like that. In fact, it looked like something Kazuki himself was trying to replicate…

"So, you gonna do it best friend?" Stanczyk asked. "Because if not…"

His face distorted for a moment.

"i'LL hAvE tO aSk yOu tO LeAvE oN tHe dOt…" Stanczyk's voice distorted before switching back. "Ahem! Whoopsies!"

Kikuko glanced toward Alisa, noting the desperation in her eyes in wanting to speak to Kazuki. She considered it. Considered the pros and cons of doing so…

…

...

…until she realized that there really wasn't any problem in doing this.

…

"O Seiryuu! By the powers of your Scales, by the powers of your Might, and by the powers of your Eastern Spring, I, your humble servant, call upon your power to establish a connection with the Gods once more!"

…

"O Kazuki Nobukatsu! Your item of significance is your home! Your face is your vessel! And your name is my mind! I call forth the spirit of Kazuki Nobukatsu! And invite you back into the world of the living!"

…

Alisa and Stanczyk both backed away before looking at Kikuko in amazement. They had watched how her eyes had glowed blue once more. Watched as how she allowed her body to become the vessel to another spirit. But this time, at least the spirit won't be a deranged maniac. At least, the spirit will be…

Kikuko's body slowly picked herself off of the floor.

Noticeably, she had gotten taller.

Her smile was grim.

Her voice was quiet yet polite.

Her face was of someone Alisa instantly recognized.

She remembered walking into the Theater of Mystery trying hard to contain her tears. But to see him again. To see his face and hear his voice and notice his grim smile. She couldn't help but allow herself to cry to see him alive once more, if not for a little while. She slowly approached him. Approached…

…Kazuki Nobukatsu…

…and quickly threw herself into his arms.

"Y-You idiot!" Alisa buried her face in his chest, which was still technically Kikuko's chest but it was also in the form of Kazuki's body.

Look, we're going by Ace Attorney logic here, alright?

"A-Alisa…?" Kazuki's voice finally slipped through Kikuko's lips. "Y-You… Miss Unmei… She…?"

He was confused.

Confused on how he even got in here.

Rightfully so, since Kazuki's spirit was never present for Issac outing Kikuko's powers nor for the reveal that she could channel spirits. Though, as a spirit, he did come to a realization that Kikuko could probably see her which was why…

"She channeled you," Alisa informed Kazuki. "Kikuko can do that. She can… talk to spirits."

She slowly trailed off.

She noticed his face.

His grim-looking face.

Then, she realized why he never appeared for Kikuko. Why the moment Kikuko tried to look for him, he never showed himself to her. Kikuko said she felt his presence, meaning he was still there, watching them. But at the same time, he made sure she couldn't see or talk to him. Because in reality…

"...But you didn't want to be talked to," Alisa realized, her face exhibiting a level of hurt. "...Why?"

When Kazuki avoided looking at her, it confirmed it.

"...I saw you… Miss Zachary…" Kazuki remarked. "Earlier today… During the Investigation Period… you and Mister Barbosa… and Miss Gundo… Miss Garcia… Mister Brighton… I saw you all here… arguing over my death."

Alisa… remembered that.

She reacted negatively toward a comment that Yumi had made over what they should be doing with their time in the Investigation.

"At least… you were the only one who was more outspoken about it…" Kazuki couldn't help but smile to himself. "Your loyalty to me is… remarkable… I must say… Miss Zachary…"

"But that still doesn't explain why you wouldn't come and speak to Kikuko the first time," Alisa frowned. "Why you—"

"Who can say…?" Kazuki glanced away. "Perhaps… it was shame…"

"What do you mean?" Alisa asked.

"...Since you are here… Well and alive with Miss Unmei…" Kazuki surmised. "I… take it you solved the Trial? You figured everything out…?"

"Yeah, it was Beauté," Alisa nodded. "She masterminded the entire thing. All to kill Mara. But instead, she got herself killed right after she… killed you."

"Ah…" Kazuki understood. "So… she was the one who turned off the Lights at night… and..."

He glanced at his own corpse.

"Did... that... to me..." Kazuki frowned.

"Yeah, but we also figured that the only reason you got lured into the trap instead was because you wanted to turn the Lights back on!" Alisa nodded. "You were only trying to do the right thing at the time!"

"But that isn't the full truth…" Kazuki folded his arms.

"H-Huh?" Alisa blinked.

"Indeed…" Kazuki sighed. "Turning the Lights back on was my plan… But could you really say heroism was truly my intent in the matter…? If I truly was trying to do the right thing… shouldn't I have woken you up first to let you know of my intentions? Shouldn't I have just… stayed behind… and made sure you didn't get hurt through whatever was happening last night…?"

Kazuki grimaced.

"Because remember…" Kazuki looked hurt. "...You were at your most vulnerable state. And I just left you… to sacrifice myself… with no regards for your safety or wellbeing. Could you really say that I did the right thing at the time…?"

"K-Kazuki…" Alisa widened her eyes. "You mean… the only reason you didn't want to speak to me was because…"

"...I was too ashamed to do so…" Kazuki chuckled to himself. "Too ashamed to face you… Isn't it ironic? All this time… I've wanted nothing more than to be the sacrificial lamb that all of you can take advantage of. And yet… the moment I become that… I'm still filled with regrets and guilt and shame…"

Kazuki fixed Alisa's glasses for her.

"...All because of you…" Kazuki revealed. "Alisa Zachary…"

Alisa couldn't believe it.

In the end, Kazuki was still acting as that selfless prick that just wanted to get himself killed for no reason. Selfless prick that wanted to be the sacrifice to get them all out of here. In the end, it finally worked. But at what cost? Kazuki was now dead and the only contact she could make of him was through Kikuko. And it's not like Kikuko would be willing to do it a second time after this…

Kazuki Nobukatsu.

You selfish bastard.

You selfish, selfless piece of crap.

This Man of the People persona.

This idea that he had that he needed to protect everyone, even the people he didn't like or didn't know. For once in his life, could he be selfish for someone he wanted to be with? For someone he actually cared about? For once, could he do something that didn't end up hurting the people he was close with? For once…

Alisa couldn't help but laugh.

…That was her Kazuki.

The same Kazuki she fell in love with.

Alisa slowly placed one hand over his shoulder and another on his hand…

"Can we…?" Alisa asked.

"You would still want to dance…?" Kazuki blinked. "With… someone like me…?"

"Of course," Alisa softly said. "You… were the one who taught me how to do it…"

Kazuki's face blushed.

He was hesitant at first.

But after softly caressing her hand, missing the feeling of what it was alike to be alive with… he slowly smiled. Then, he guided her around, placing a hand on her hip and paced around with. Pacing around. Like they were having a dance.

One final dance between Alisa and Kazuki.

…

One step forward.

One step to the left.

One step back.

One step to the right.

Rinse and repeat.

It was only Alisa's second time waltzing and yet she was getting the hang of it this time. She smiled, feeling Kazuki's presence with her as they danced in a rather illuminating night. Once again, she could feel the entire world around them shift; like they were in a private space of their own making. In this space, there was no dead corpse, there was no Stanczyk, there was no Empress statue…

It was just them.

Alisa and Kazuki.

In a space that Alisa wished she could just stay for a long, long time…

"Kazuki?" Alisa asked as the philanthropist swayed her back and forth. "Can I ask a question?"

"Anything…" Kazuki smiled, softly.

"That origami crane I found…" Alisa mentioned. "What is that exactly? A hobby of yours or something?"

"Ah… the origami crane…" Kazuki noted. "The item of significance you needed to bring me back from the dead for one last dance… correct?"

Alisa blushed.

He was teasing her.

She knew it.

Kazuki couldn't help but let out a small laugh. At least for a moment. But as his mind wandered to why he had it in the first place, his smile grew somber. He allowed himself a moment before speaking again, making sure to gently pace Alisa back and forth.

"...It relates to my secret…" Kazuki revealed. "That origami crane… is the entire reason why I've wanted to reveal my secret for so long…"

"Your secret?" Alisa blinked. "Oh. You… mentioned you had one but…"

"Indeed…" Kazuki simply nodded. "Unfortunately… I never got the chance to tell anyone about it… Not even you… Yet… Another regret of mine… I'm afraid…"

"You don't have to tell it if you don't want to," Alisa told him. "I'm fine with just a dance."

"Ah… but it doesn't really seem fair to me…" Kazuki smiled. "...You bravely told your secret to me… Why can't I do the same for you…?"

Alisa slowly placed a hand over his cheek.

"A-Are you sure?" she asked.

"...If you promise not to get mad at me this time…" Kazuki pointed out.

Alisa fixed her glasses, smiling in amusement.

"I promise…" she said.

Kazuki smiled.

He continued to share this dance with her. It was just like this back at their first waltz. A moment in which they didn't have to worry about anything. No Killing Game madness. No outside drama. The starvation and the children. It's just a moment between them. Between him and Alisa as they learned to understand each other more and more. Times like these are when Kazuki wishes he was most definitely alive…

"...I am… not truly the Ultimate Philanthropist…" Kazuki revealed. "Well… technically… officially… I am. But in reality… I am not."

"W-What do you mean?" Alisa asked, confused.

"I suppose the correct thing to call my talent is Ultimate Figurehead…" Kazuki revealed. "You see… everyone was under the preconception that as the Ultimate Philanthropist… I was the one in charge of running my entire company."

He shook his head.

"I was not…" Kazuki said. "I passed that responsibility down to my brother the moment I was given power… Because as the world has it… I knew nothing about finances or board meetings or the likes. The only thing I knew how to do was give to charity and support groups in need… My brother on the other hand. He was the true genius in corporate building. He was the perfect fit for the job."

"But why not publicly announce him to be the CEO of your enterprise?" Alisa blinked.

"Have you forgotten…?" Kazuki smiled. "My brother is really my half-brother. As such… he was never meant to be next in line with the family business. I… on the other hand… was…"

"So, in other words…" Alisa realized. "You became the face of the company while your brother…"

"Worked on everything to keep the company nice and smooth in the background…" Kazuki nodded. "It was the promise we made together as brothers to keep our father's legacy alive. But of course… it didn't come without its own issues."

Kazuki glanced away.

"Many people wanted to take that power from me…" Kazuki muttered. "So… they sought to have me eliminated again and again and again…"

He slowly pulled Alisa closer, as if requesting comfort.

"...It took a toll on my brother and I…" Kazuki grimaced. "...But we pushed through. Until… one fateful day… A little girl made an origami crane just for me… Because I inspired her as the Ultimate Philanthropist. It was a nice feeling at the time. And I so desperately wanted to inspire more children like her… But it ended up being the worst mistake of my life… That little girl perished… over a move that I made…"

Kazuki's face was filled with pain.

"Another assassination attempt…" Kazuki grimaced. "...That same day… my brother had enough… and for the rest of my life… we've been finding ways to try to let the world know the secret deal we made but… trying to do it without destroying our father's legacy was… difficult. As you'd imagine."

"Which is why you turned to the New Life Program…" Alisa concluded.

"The only way which could help my brother take full control of the company…" Kazuki nodded. "And allow me peace from the demons of our world…"

Alisa looked down.

"Kazuki…" she muttered. "I… had no idea. This was your secret? If people found out…"

"I would be nothing more than a fraud…" Kazuki glanced away. "...As you can imagine… It was something I… was quite worried about when deciding whether or not to tell you… I was… admittedly… afraid that you would…"

He grimaced.

"...hate me…" he finished his sentence.

But Alisa frowned.

She let go of his shoulder and hand and placed both of hers back onto Kazuki's cheeks. She made him look her straight in the eye. Straight in the eye so that he could see that there was no hatred. There was only care and affection. A look of support that Alisa desperately wanted Kazuki to see. To let him know that she was and forever will be on his side.

"Look at me, Kazuki," Alisa frowned. "Do I look like someone who would hate you over something like that?"

"...Alisa…?" Kazuki blinked.

"Kazuki Nobukatsu," Alisa grimaced. "Listen to me when I say that you are the strongest and coolest person that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Please. Never forget that. Even after you pass on."

"A-Alisa…?" Kazuki widened her eyes.

He closed his eyes.

He recognized his own words. His own words coming back to him. Honestly, it was so touching for Alisa to say the same words he said that he knew meant so much to her at the time. It was...

"...Ah heh…" he looked like he was having trouble speaking. "I'm… so relieved… Thank you… Alisa…"

He looked close to crying.

He pulled Alisa closer, until the two were practically hugging. They had stopped dancing. Now, they just couldn't let go of one another. They wouldn't let go. They knew right then and there that their time together was coming to a close. The revelation of that secret was the official mark of how much time they actually had left.

Alisa buried her face into his chest.

Kazuki caressed her hair and closed his eyes.

"...Alisa…?" Kazuki asked. "...Do you ever wish time would just stop… for one special moment…?"

"...All the time, Kazuki," Alisa looked close to tearing up. "All the time…"

Their hold on each other grew tighter.

"I… I don't want this moment to end…" Alisa felt that tear exit her eye.

"...I don't either…" Kazuki grimly smiled. "...But my time in this life is over… And you still have a life to live…"

Kazuki slowly released himself from her hold.

He slowly wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"When I die, please wait for me," Alisa told him.

"Only if you don't give up the life you're currently living…" Kazuki told her. "You only have one life to live… Alisa. Please. For me… Live it to the fullest…"

"Like I keep telling you to do?" Alisa looked at this hypocrite in the face.

But all Kazuki did was laugh in amusement.

"And I'd like to think that I did…" Kazuki smiled. "...After all..."

Kazuki trailed his thumb over Alisa's lips.

"...I spent the greatest moment of my life with the greatest woman I've ever come to know…" Kazuki smiled brightly.

Alisa's eyes couldn't contain the tears anymore.

She hugged Kazuki's body, as if desperately trying to keep his spirit in Kikuko's body. But that was far from how spirit possession actually worked. Kazuki glanced up at the ceiling, as if he could see the light trying to pull his spirit out of Kikuko's body. Like a ladder he had to climb. Or a rope from a helicopter. Because unlike Natasha's spirit, Kazuki's spirit was willing and ready to leave.

Even if he would kill for one more moment with Alisa Zachary.

Alisa closed her eyes.

She didn't want to see Kazuki leave. She wanted so desperately hard to imagine Kazuki was still in Kikuko's body. But she could feel Kikuko's body slowly return to what it once was. She could feel Kazuki's presence slowly lift up into the air and enter whatever afterlife he was going to. She could feel that Kazuki was gone.

Truly gone.

And wherever he was now, she knew he was happy staying there. Even if she still clung onto Kikuko's body, sobbing out one last remorseful remark that she hoped Kazuki would hear before his spirit left this world and gone to the next:

"...Goodbye Kazuki, thank you for everything…"

…

"Kazuki Nobukatsu has officially passed onto the afterlife…"

It was one of the first things Kikuko had said when her body was returned to her. She watched as Alisa had cleared her tears away, glancing at only the vessel that remained, completely crushed and destroyed by the elevator that Natasha manipulated for her sinister plot. She had her last conversation with Kazuki. But, a question ran deep into her mind.

"How are you feeling?" Kikuko asked the clockmaker.

"...I don't know…" Alisa didn't turn back. "...I would've thought I'd feel relief but… I just feel… empty. It's strange. I want him back but at the same time I think it's still better that he moves on. Like a paradox. I just don't understand it."

"Death isn't a concept anyone can easily understand," Kikuko simply said. "But I'm sure whatever realm Kazuki is in now, he's doing fine for himself. All he wants now is for you to survive this Killing Game."

"Right… survive," Alisa noted.

"Um, c-can I interrupt you best friends now?" Stanczyk popped his head in between the two girls, reminding the two of his presence. "A-Are you two done now? B-Because I really need to clean up the body and cry while doing so because ugh…"

Stanczyk ripped a piece of his jabot and started to dab it onto his eyes.

"That moment between my two best friends was so sad!" Stanczyk wailed. "W-WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Stanczyk…" Alisa approached the jester.

"Yes, best friend?!" Stanczyk quickly stopped crying and smiled brightly.

"...Thank you," Alisa closed her eyes. "If you hadn't given us the okay to do so, I don't think I'd have accepted Kazuki's death as easily now. So, seriously, I… I'm glad you gave us this chance to do it."

Stanczyk blinked.

For once, one of the playmates was actually receptive to his presence? If there was anything to cry about now, it'd be that but for some reason, Stanczyk looked a little more… touched. As if this were one of the many few times he could express something a little human behind that crying jester gimmick of his…

"O-Oh…" Stanczyk bashfully looked down. "O-Of course! A-Anything for my best friend!"

Alisa smiled at him, gratefully.

Then, she turned to leave the Theater of Mystery.

"So, what are you going to do now, Alisa?" Kikuko asked.

Alisa paused to think.

She admittedly didn't know. But her conversation with Kazuki and his insistence that she live her life had her thinking quite a lot. It didn't take long for her to finally realize what the first step to what she needed to do now was. She took a deep breath. She had nothing to lose now. If anything, all this interaction did was make her will to win this game a lot stronger.

She turned back to Kikuko and fixed her glasses.

"I think…" she started to smile. "...I need to let you in on a secret of mine."

[Pleasure Park]

(Square)

Yukihiko held the next artifact in his possession: a golden key.

It wasn't just any ordinary key. It was larger than the average one. Glimmering with a golden gleam. If anything, Yukihiko recognized it as the Master Key to the Grandview Mansion. A unique artifact for anyone who wanted to enter it at their own risk… at least by show standards. Here in Piero's Playground, it was nothing more than just a souvenir Yukihiko had taken after the Trial was over.

Heading over to Pleasure Park was the next thing he did. And as he approached the Stanczyk Statue, he could see a slot that was opened, ready to accept the gift that he was about to give. With zero hesitation, Yukihiko inserted the key inside, watched the slot close up and accepted it. That was three now.

Two more and the children can be saved.

He turned back, noticing Roderick and Aidan passing by. Aidan didn't even want to give him the time of day. Fair enough. Yukihiko didn't like Aidan anyway. But Roderick. That big buffoon had the gall to smile and wave at him. As if what he did wasn't exactly the worst thing he's done in this goddamn place.

Seriously.

What is with this goof and why was he still willing to act all nice to him?

Didn't he get the memo that he was a terrible person and that everyone should treat him like such, apparently?

Yukihiko even caught Aidan putting Roderick's hand down and giving him a shake of his head. Clearly, that was a guy who was trying to tell his friend that he was bad news. Whatever. Yukihiko simply let out a scoff and turned away from Aidan and Roderick. Those two were idiots and definitely not a threat.

Not a threat compared to…

…her.

He narrowed his eyes over the thought and simply looked back at the Stanczyk statue. He could hear it now. The sound of freedom. The sound of freedom for those poor children…

Without long, he was going to go and rescue them.

That's a promise he made to every child in this world…

[Hotel Mirai]

(Yumi's Room)

Yumi did nothing but stare at the balcony, letting the ocean breeze hit her face as she stared out into the sea.

She allowed herself to glance down toward the sandy beach shore. She remembered the first time she actually connected with Manon as a friend. It all started right there on that beach. Right there, where she watched the sea just as she was doing now but in her pajamas. Manon was the only person to come up to her and invited her to vent her frustrations.

They were practically sisters.

At least, that's what Manon had referred to them as.

Ever since then, Yumi thought Manon to be a valuable friend. Someone she could look to in times of need. She remembered when Manon went to comfort her in the bathroom when she was feeling ill. Remembering the times when she was still…

Now, Manon was gone.

And gosh darn it…

Yumi wished she could've spent a little more time with her. What happened to her just wasn't fair. It just wasn't! How could she be the only one who cared about what had happened? How could she be the only one who thought it was wrong the way she was so brutally executed? She gritted her teeth.

She wanted to do something rash.

She wanted to do something.

Anything.

But…

She felt a hand on her shoulder.

She had forgotten that Mara had practically invited herself in for emotional support. The karate master noticed just how distraught she was after Yumi's death. Bless her soul for reaching. Bless her for being there. Bless her for being the only other person that actually understood how she was feeling.

Tears formed from the corner of her eyes.

And Yumi quickly wrapped Mara into a hug, her body shuddering and eyes bursting with a faucet of tears. She reckoned Mara wasn't ready to be touched or comfort someone like this, but she didn't care. She needed someone to be with her. And right now Mara was with her. Making sure she felt better.

She didn't know it then, but Mara was in fact willing to be the shoulder Yumi could cry on. Her face said it all. There was empathy over her face. Empathy that Yumi had lost a friend. Mara didn't know Manon that well, but after their little misadventures in the darkness…

…Damn it…

Not even she deserved that.

Mara closed her eyes and allowed Yumi to sob.

Allowed one of the strongest girls she knew to weaken herself for the first time…

(Fábio's Room)

Fábio wandered inside his room, aimlessly.

After spending 6 days stuck in a haunted mansion with poor sleeping conditions and little to eat, Fábio would've thought that he'd go and say 'home sweet home' and sleep it off. But in Piero's Playground Killing Game, there was no such thing as 'home sweet home'. There was only pain and suffering. He remembered how this room was the room he was forced to stay in after being sent to this abandoned amusement park. How it was the beginning of all of their New Lives. Now…

9 of them were gone.

And one of them was his fault…

He started to feel hot.

As if a sudden wave of heat had swallowed him up.

He quickly took off his shirt and tossed it onto the bed, exposing his bare and athletically fit body. He didn't bother turning on the lights, letting only the moonlight shine through his balcony window. Letting only enough light to shine on the only part of his body that was important: his hands.

His blood-stained hands.

Stained with the blood of Manon as he watched her get brutally executed… over a decision that he made.

He felt sick to his stomach.

He felt his breathing hitch once again.

He felt his heart beating faster than ever.

Nausea loomed over his mind as he quickly sprinted toward the bathroom. There at the toilet, he let out the negativity that had been churning in his stomach. Vomiting out the sickening stomach acid that had been disturbed. Crap. There was even a hint of blood in there too…

Tears befell him as the mixture of vomit and toilet water was still able to reflect his own disgusting face. The face of someone who had just done something wrong. God. The panic attack set in as Fábio flipped onto his back, resting it against the toilet bowl. He placed a hand over his heart, looking at nothing but the ceiling.

The ceiling brimming with an open bathroom light.

Panting heavily, he had to wonder to himself…

Why…?

Why now…?

He's been a part of these Surveys where he had to make tons of these choices before hasn't he? Perhaps it was the group mentality. As long as he did it as a group, anything went. But the moment it was him deciding for all of them on what should happen… That was probably what set it off.

The idea that he would be responsible for the death of yet another innocent person.

The tears never stopped.

The thoughts never wandered.

And his soft cries were never heard but to him and him alone.

All he could think of was that everything that had happened to Manon was his fault. He just wanted to protect Kikuko. But by sacrificing someone else to do it? He placed his hands over his face and tried to calm himself down. But nothing would work. He was sorry. He was so, so sorry. But that's the thing about sorries.

No matter how sorry he was, it didn't change what happened.

Manon's death was in his hands.

And that was another guilt he had to live with for the rest of his life…

[Central Plaza]

(Beach)

"So, you have a life-threatening condition and you're estimated to die sometime next year?"

…

Alisa did it.

The first thing she knew she had to do was come clean about it all. When she first started this Chapter, she was terrified to let everyone know her secret. She was terrified that the moment she did, she'd be ostracized from the group. Yukihiko was living proof of that ostracization. But as Kazuki had proved to her…

Her secret was nothing for people to get mad about.

And she was willing to test the waters with it with the other person who got their secret unfairly revealed to the public: Kikuko. Her power was amazing and was of great use to the Trials, but her circumstances were probably no different to herself. They both kept it for their own survival. So if anyone was to understand, it had to be her, right?

So far, it seemed like that was the case…

Because now, the two girls were walking side-by-side along the Beach, something they haven't gotten to do in the last 6 days they were stuck living in that haunted house. Never again will they enter a random building and get trapped inside of it.

"That's right," Alisa nodded. "It was… something that I only told Kazuki. But there is also the matter of Yukihiko who knows about it. As for everyone else, I plan to tell them whenever I can."

Also known as, whenever it won't inconvenience my word count limits!

"You're definitely braver than me in that regard," Kikuko couldn't help but seem impressed. "I had to have my powers revealed by Issac of all people."

"What's wrong with Issac?" Alisa asked. "Besides the fact that his infatuation with his toy caterpillar is… definitely unhealthy."

"He has…" Kikuko paused for a moment. "Well, it is going to take a bit to explain how my power works so for now, let's just say that he has a spirit that looms behind him who is… problematic."

"A spirit?" Alisa asked. "Like Kazuki was?"

"Something worse," Kikuko shook her head. "Again, it'll take a bit to explain but please. Watch out for him. I don't trust him."

If Kikuko says it was true, then it has to be true.

Alisa paused and looked out toward the ocean horizon. Speaking of trust, she thought back to the events of the haunted house and how it worked. She thought back to the dances and the starvation and the Hide and Seek rounds. And she thought back to the food trays and the Monoyena and Stanczyk…

…and narrowed her eyes.

"...Hey, something just came to mind," Alisa began.

"What is it?" Kikuko blinked.

"Isn't it strange how Stanczyk and Monoyena were supposedly locked in the haunted house with us?" Alisa asked.

"Well, yes, it was because of their own stupidity, wasn't it?" Kikuko asked.

"I don't doubt that but what I mean to doubt is that…" Alisa grimaced. "If they were locked in the haunted house with us, how were the kids supposed to get fed after Hide and Seek?"

Kikuko blinked for a moment before realizing what Alisa was talking about.

"Wait… you're right," Kikuko didn't even consider that. "If Stanczyk and Monoyena were locked in with us, then does that mean that they were never planning on going to where they were keeping the kids and feeding them in the first place?"

"No, I don't think that…" Alisa frowned. "I was just thinking, what if…

…

…there's a third person controlling everything from behind the scenes?"

[?]

(?)

"Ahhh~ Nothing like a good kill to get me all fucking riled up fer the next round!"

When Monoyena walked into the room, he could see both of his fellow Killing Game partners hanging out in the room they always hung out in. Stanczyk was there, sitting in the corner playing with a Lady Radiance figurine and a totem and reenacting the same waltz that he had witnessed Alisa and Kazuki doing. All with that giddy, childlike expression over his face. Typical Stanczyk behavior. And the third person?

Still seated in front of the monitors, which was now showing the children slowly forcing themselves to eat the pills that they were given today. Y'know, as a reward for what had happened. Monoyena reckoned it was unhinged behavior for this third person to constantly watch a bunch of kids in one single holding try to live through all the shit they were being put through…

…but hey! What did it matter to Monoyena?

He was unhinged too!

The only difference today was that this unhinged third person motherfucker was focused more on some files rather than the actual monitor, so at least today was a good change of pace for these three. Monoyena outstretched his limbs, feeling glad that he got to kill another brat today. Another fucking brat… and it was the French one no less. What a fucking delight!

"Well, I see we're all just minding our fucking business today," Monoyena laughed. "Oi, Stanczyk! What'd ya think of my kill today? Fucking diabolical, am I right?"

"I-It was… so sad to see you do that to my best friend," Stanczyk wiped a stray tear from his eye before grinning. "But if it makes you happy, Monoyena, then I think it was very diabolical, indeed!"

"I'd knew ya understand!" Monoyena cackled.

His jagged eye flared toward the third person still minding their own business in front of those monitors.

"More than the bitch sitting on that chair all day," Monoyena laughed. "Seriously. Yer fucking missing out on the fun sitting here and watching everything! Come on! I know ya wanna do it a–"

"Monoyena," the third person finally spoke, their voice calm and collected.

"Pft, what?" Monoyena picked his teeth with his Barbie Blade, uncaringly.

"Could you come over here and take a look at something for a second?" the third person asked.

Monoyena tilted his head, curiously.

"What the fuck do ya want?" Monoyena grumbled, slowly waddling up toward the person's chair. "If it's a bunch of tax return papers, ya can just shove em up yer ass and shit it out later. Fuck the IRS—"

Monoyena could never have expected what had happened next.

The moment he walked up toward the third person, he was met with a flying kick to the face, skidding him across the floor and forcing him to land against the wall. The hyena never saw it coming and even he was taken by surprise by what had happened. What this person dared to do to him. He patted his face, feeling a mesh of cogs and wheels in his head fall slightly out of place…

"You… fUcking… cuNt…" Monoyena's jagged red eye flashed intensely.

Stanczyk quickly stood up, his eyes widening.

"M-Monoyena!" Stanczyk exclaimed.

He instinctively rushed to help Monoyena but a sharp point from the third person was enough to get him to stay in his little kiddie corner.

"Stay," the third person ordered.

"U-Ugh!" Stanczyk tipped his head down, obediently.

He could do little as he watched the third person storm up toward Monoyena, file in one hand and Ice Cream Man mask in the other. They were not happy. And Stanczyk hasn't seen them unhappy in a long, long time. Clearly, someone flubbed up. And that someone had to be Monoyena if they were going at him at the poor thing.

"YoU motherfUcker!" Monoyena gnashed his teeth together, Barbie Blade in hand and getting ready to pounce. "YoU wanna fUcking die, dipshit?! I'll fUcking kill you fer even thinking of touching me like—"

BANG!

The third person whacked Monoyena across the side of the head with their Ice Cream Man mask, knocking the hyena onto the ground. The hyena could do nothing but wince as he felt some circuits feel a little out of place in his system. The third person was not fucking around. They were clearly angry about something, but what—?

"M-Motherfucking… w-what the fuck did I do, huh?!" Monoyena exclaimed. "I didn't try to stab Stanshit! Ya know I'm trying to go clean—"

The third person tossed the file onto the floor for Monoyena to read.

"Read the file," the third person ordered.

"W-What?" Monoyena blinked, narrowing his eyes. "You asshole. Ya really think I'm gonna read yer fucking Obamacare application, you motherfucker—"

"Read the name," the third person sternly demanded.

Monoyena blinked, once again, confused.

He turned his head toward the file and read the first name of who the file belonged to. Much to his surprise, it was a name he easily recognized:

…

"MANON VIVIENNE LEVESQUE"

…

"Oh… that fucking French bitch that I killed today?" Monoyena growled. "What's she gotta do with anything?! She's just some stupid mousey French brat who couldn't get a fucking cowgirl's cooch! There ain't anything special about her!"

"Actually, you're right," the third person folded their arms. "There isn't anything special about her…

…

…because she's not an Ultimate."

"W-Whaaaaaaaat?!" Stanczyk reacted on the side.

Now Monoyena was even more confused.

"W-What the fuck are ya talking about?" Monoyena slowly picked himself up. "That's Manon Vivienne Levesque. She's an Ultimate Actress. A fucking famous one too! Everyone knows her! So, how the fuck is she not—"

"Because the one you kidnapped isn't Manon Vivienne Levesque, you idiot!" the third person exclaimed. "It's Manon Marie Levesque! Her secret goddamn twin sister!"

"W-What the fuck?!" Monoyena blinked.

This was news to him!

"W-Wait," Stanczyk slowly widened his eyes. "Y-You mean… W-We… W-We… We kidnapped the wrong participant?!"

"We not only kidnapped the wrong participant," the third person clenched their fist. "We kidnapped an Innocent…"

The third person pointed an accusatory finger toward Monoyena.

"...and you killed her!" the third person exclaimed.

Oh shit…

Now Monoyena realized why the third person was so angry all of a sudden. Manon Vivienne Levesque was never in the game to begin with. Her twin sister was. Her twin sister who was undoubtedly sent to Hope's Peak Toronto to attend the New Life Program in her stead. Her twin sister that hardly anyone in the world knew about.

Oh motherfucking shit…

"N-No!" Stanczyk wailed. "N-No! Nonononononononono! If Grandmaster finds out! We're screwed! All of us screwed! Our Killing Game! It's… It's… ruined!"

"And it's all your fault!" the third person accused Monoyena.

"What the fuck are you talking about, you self-righteous piece of shit?!" Monoyena growled. "How the fuck was I supposed to know this was the wrong twin! They look exactly the fuck alike!"

"Why didn't you ask Alvin Tetch?" the third person glared. "You know. The one guy who could tell whether or not someone was an Ultimate? Oh but, then again. You also killed him, didn't you?!"

"Hey!" Monoyena yelled. "Don't act like you didn't want to see that bastard burn in flames as much as I did!"

"Guys, what are we going to do?!" Stanczyk cradled himself in fear. "I… I… Mommy will be so mad at me! Mommy will be so mad! I don't want Mommy to be mad at me! I… I… I just want to have fun. I want to have fun with my best friends!"

"And you will Stan…" the third person softly turned to the jester. "I won't let anything happen to you. I made you that promise, didn't I?"

Stanczyk could only whimper on the floor.

"B-But how will you—?" he tried to ask, tears forming in his eye sockets.

"Simple," the third person glared at Monoyena. "We pin the blame on this little hunk of junk. He's already in hot water with the NWO. An incident like this wouldn't be surprising to them one bit."

"You fuck," Monoyena's jagged red glinted.

"W-What?" Stanczyk blinked. "B-But do we have to? M-Monoyena's like my best friend…"

"Stan, we can find more best friends that are better than this piece of trash," the third person simply told Stanczyk.

"Like hell ya well!" Monoyena growled.

Neither the third person nor Monoyena exactly liked each other. That was a fact. The third person's reasoning was… obvious. It was Monoyena after all and given his reputation, it was still a ballsy move to beat the thing with their own mask. As for Monoyena's reasoning, he hated people that were so full of themselves. Ever since this little shit came into the picture, he had to work double time to keep his way with Stanczyk.

Stanczyk.

Heh.

The only thing that was even keeping this group stable as the optimistic glue of their little team…

…

...

"...Ooooooh, sounds like somebody's in big trouble..."

All three of them froze.

No one else was supposed to be here.

So, how did…?

A figure entered the room, a smile ever-so-present on their face. Undoubtedly, they had heard everything. Their entire argument. About Manon. About the fact that they had kidnapped an Innocent and had her killed in a Killing Game. A Killing Game that wasn't even meant for her. And the third person's plan to pin it all on Monoyena…

"H-H-How did you get in here?!" Stanczyk widened his eyes when he saw who it was.

"Wh-Whoa, what the fuck?!" Monoyena looked shocked.

The figure simply smiled, allowing their eyes to scan each and every single one of these three goofballs in the room.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," the figure mocked, looming closer into the room. "Wait till New World Order hears about what you three clowns just got yourselves into..."

"Of course…" the third person clenched their fists. "I should've known New World Order would send an NWO spy into our game. Well then, I guess I should ask out of courtesy. How are you enjoying our game...

…

…Issac Santiago?"

DANGANRONPA: TWISTED TRAGEDY

And thus, we finally mark the end of Chapter 3: House of 1000 Low Spirits, which by the way was supposed to end like sometime in November cause Halloween and stuff D: While I'm saddened by that, I can at least be happy that I finished Chapter 3 of this fic! And finished it off on a fun little cliffhanger! That's right!

Issac Santiago is a member of the NWO, and it's been a reveal I've been DYING to reveal for a while now! Along with the fact that Manon Vivienne Levesque was NOT Manon Vivienne Levesque this entire time but her twin sister, Manon MARIE Levesque :D

Reveal, after reveal, after non-stop reveal :D

Ugh! Chapter 3 is such a goated chapter, and I'd like to believe a lot of you think the same :D The Trial was well-received which means I've been doing my job and me looking forward to Chapter 3's Trial in particular was definitely a good call! And now that you've seen this Epilogue, oh yeah. We're getting into it now :) More reveals and more juicy content in the future ugh! Deeeeelicious!

So, let's talk about some things:

The Title:

House of 1000 Low Spirits was originally going to be titled House of Lows and Woes but... I didn't like it. Instead, I took inspiration from a horror movie I've seen, House of 1000 Corpses, but simply replaced Corpses with Low Spirits. Because spirits. Get it? And low spirits? To fit the theming of my Chapter titles? No? Oh well! Regardless, I think this title fit this chapter more because the Trial portion had to do with all KINDS of spirits. Not just the spirits of Gold House that were just fun tribute for a story I'm forced to not read until a body is dropped but the spirits that come out in the plot!

Natasha's spirit!

Kazuki's spirit!

The Isabela Vargas spirit reveal!

Roderick... thinking he saw the spirit of Omen!

Eiji is there too because Eiji!

We don't talk about Fábio's brother.

It wasn't 1000 spirits but at the same time, that's a lot of goddamn spirits to deal with so... woowee! It's also really funny because the theming of the place wasn't supposed to go to Candle but for one of Sin's characters. Only... I felt the cartoony nature of this fic felt more line with the fantastic cast of Gold House. Which by the way, since this is a chapter reference entirely Gold House, I'll today's shoutout here:

Read CandleFire54's Danganronpa: Gold House if you want to see more of Alexander, Omen, and Empress! They're at the peak of their power in that story! Consider this chapter free advertising for what is to come in Candle's :D

The Killer:

Manon Vivienne Levesque. Or should I say... Manon Marie Levesque. First off, thank you so much to Sempi for allowing me to bully her child so much like this- I mean... write her character and take care of her like she's my own :D But I have to say... Manon was a goddamn HASSLE to write for XE I really honestly believe Manon was quite possibly one of the hardest characters to write for and that was very surprising to me in my opinion. While her French gimmick was easy to do, what wasn't easy to do was the rest of her personality and her role in the story.

Like, here's the thing...

When I first accepted Manon, I had a clear ending for her. She was to be the Chapter 3 Killer. Not just the Chapter 3 Killer but also the Chapter 3 Killer who unintentionally murdered someone. Then, when she died, I was gonna reveal that all this time, the Manon we were following was actually her twin sister. NOT the real Manon Vivienne Levesque. Because that was essentially the story Sempi wanted to see. All ends well that does well because Manon being Manon Marie was such an important plot device for me to use and was definitely a reveal I was looking forward to.

HOWEVER, I had no clue what her personality was supposed to be. I wanted to try to make her all flamboyant and excitable but it didn't work out. So, next thing you got was 'Mousy Manon' which... worked? Not too big of a deal there since her biggest troubles were trying to figure out what role she should be playing in general so, I guess it was fitting that even I had trouble with that too.

However, her story is where things got finnicky. At some point in Chapter 2, I realized Manon didn't have a major part to play and needed something to give her until her big reveal in Chapter 3. That plot was the Mara-Yumi-Manon Love Triangle which I think Oddly really liked, so glad you did mate :D But here's the thing. It gave her something to do, yes, but was it something I'm happy with for Manon's story? Or rather, was it something Sempi is happy with for Manon's story? I honestly feel I could've done a lot better with Manon had I planned out her story down to a tea, but at the end of the day, I think that for a normie pretending to be an Ultimate Actress, it... still... miraculously worked in a strange way at the end of the day?

I don't see Manon being a character many people liked but if the reveal somehow knocks her up the rankings, I'll take it! At the end of the day, I sincerely hope you enjoyed what I did for Manon, Sempi :0 I did have trouble writing her and had trouble forming her story. But you know what? I think I'll miss bullying this little mouse- I mean rat- I mean... French girl ah heh heh :D

Chapter 3 in General:

While Chapter 2 was the reason I wanted things to take place in an amusement park, Chapter 3 was UNDOUBTEDLY the chapter I was looking forward to when crafting this story. No excuse for the small little hiatuses in between but XE It was ESPECIALLY the entire haunted house reveal of it being an elevator and the spirit channeling of Natasha Villeray and the reveal of Issac Santiago and Manon that got me excited for this chapter! I had so much in this Chapter's endgame that as someone rightfully said... I think it was Prince or Wolfie but they said that it felt more Chapter 5 than Chapter 3. To that I say...

Hawk tuah. Yeah it does!

Ugh! It was so much fun! I love Halloween-esque type moments and OBVIOUSLY, the entire setting was inspired by the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. If you look at the Disneyland map, it'll be right where Galaxy's Edge would be today :D

Undoubtedly, I am so glad people really like this chapter, and I can't wait to get to the next ones. But for now, what else is there to say about Chapter 3 besides the fact that well...

Fun Fact: The entire murder plot of someone getting killed by an elevator and the culprit being the blackened because they were the ones who pressed the button that unknowingly killed them? That was a scrapped murder plot idea I had for a really early Danganronpa fic I had written in my youth. It was a really unique idea that I decided to save and not tell anyone for... how long has it been? Let me check.

6 YEARS! Can you believe that?! Withholding a murder plot like this for 6 YEARS and giving it to someone who actually could utilize it in such a grand way possible! Natasha Villeray! You are a Queen! And undoubtedly, I had so much fun writing Natasha Villeray! Like Grandma Sue, THIS was the big Natasha moment I was looking forward to all story because not only was it going to surprise anyone when she became the VICTIM but when she came back to TORMENT these motherfuckers?! Yeah! Holy shit! Ugh! So good!

Chapter 3! Best Trial I've ever written! Probably the BEST TRIAL of any fic I've written so far... which is two :D

Execution:

Yeah, I didn't have too many good ideas for the Execution except riddle it with two Horror Movie references. Silence of the Lamb for pure Manon ridicule. And... Scream 2! Which is what the entire theater section is referencing. So if you caught that, good for you :D If you didn't... go watch Scream 2 ): It's peak.

Future:

Chapter 1, 2, and 3 are done! Chapter 4 is next! But wait... that's right! Hope you haven't forgotten! After this Epilogue is the Interlude :D And boy... I have to write that DX Luckily, I have some form of idea on what needs to be revealed in it so yeah! Look forward to that. But after that, Chapter 4! You know, while you're at it, I think it'll be fun to hear what guesses you have for what Chapter 4's location will be all about :D

I'm sure I gave enough hints to the matter!

My last semester has officially started, and I think there's much I have to do this semester so writing progress will get... slowed a bit, I think. We'll see what happens, but if I pop off like I did today! That'd be super skibbidi!

Until then, please let me know how I'm doing with these characters and what you thought about Chapter 3 as a whole! Did you enjoy it like I did? Did you think there were problems! We're at the Final 9 so again, let me know what you think about this cast right now? Let me know all your thoughts and opinions! I ALWAYS love hearing what you guys have to say!

Until then!

Interlude

Then, Chapter 4!

And a Marvel postcredit scene...

...

Wait.

Another one?

[?]

He stared at himself in the mirror, hands clasped together as he waited patiently. His only source of entertainment was his own image, staring right back at him as he admired his own vanity.

Count Vanitas was the name they gave him here.

Fitting name.

In Latin, Vanitas is a term used to describe an artform dedicated to symbolizing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death. Vanitas was a believer of such things. But most of all, he was a believer in the futility of beauty. As he glanced at himself in the mirror, all he could see was beauty itself.

Pale.

Gloomy.

Yet muscular and handsome.

A look dripping with elegance.

As he allowed his tattooed scarred eye to gaze upon the many trinkets he had on his Vanitas mirror, the one that spoke out to him the most was a delicate picture. An image of a painting starring him and one Natasha Villeray. That beautiful, elegant, and gorgeous woman. Vanitas couldn't help but smile as he watched just how happy and good-looking they were together…

Yes.

Count Vanitas was the name they gave him here.

But his real name was Silver Lazaru, Ultimate Folklorist, and official member of the New World Order…

…

A series of bangs burst through in succession throughout his room's ventilation. Almost all too quickly, Vanitas reached forward to the side and grabbed his mask, placing it directly over his head. As he waited patiently for the source of the bangs to arrive, he glanced at himself in the mirror once more.

Once more, where he could see who he truly was in this place.

Count Vanitas.

The Vampire.

A man wearing a white mask with horns, reminiscent of a vampire. The left side of his mask was black with a red eye that had the same blood-like scar underneath as Silver did. The right side of his mask was completely white, and his eyehole was black. The jaw itself was mechanically fixed to move whenever the wearer moved his mouth. But in its static position, the jaw was wide open, exposing its vampiric fangs as well as its smaller set of sharpened teeth.

The mask was attached to a hairpiece, a wig, showing completely white well-coiffed hair. It shared many similarities with Silver's real hair, with the only differences being the fact that it was white and much neater than Silver's otherwise messy hair. It was slick back too, appropriate for a Count.

And as typical of a vampire, he wore a high-collar cloak that was red on the inside and black on the outside. Adorned on this cloak, was a pin, showcasing that iconic jagged red eye. At this point, the Ultimate Symbol for New World Order. Underneath his cloak was a white-striped high collar shirt. Over it, a black suit, as well as a white jabot, that didn't dare hide just how muscular he was.

Tracing down his clothing were black pants and black shoes. Overall, an outfit that paid a great homage to the classic vampire/Dracula appearance. After all, that's what his beloved Natasha referred to him as…

The Dark Lord.

Her vampire…

…

"Sire!"

From within the ventilations, a voice echoed and out swooped a plush-sized bat. Like many of his fellow Mascots, he was of two different color palettes. Lavender-toned on the left. Dark purple on the right. His wings were like any other bat. The one on the left was lavender-toned on the outside, but on the inside, inverted with dark purple coloration. Vice versa for the right. Dark purple on the outside, but lavender on the inside.

He had ruffles around his neck, an exposed lavender belly like most of these mammalian animals had, and baby-like feet. Think of it like Paimon from Genshin Impact… if she wore a bat costume. In other words, he was adorable. Given how absolutely cuddly he looked, you would easily mistake him for a children's plaything, which was absolutely the norm for a lot of these animal Mascots.

However, then came the facial features. While this bat had long bat-like ears that twitched ever so frequently, only one side of his face had a mouth: the dark purple side. A mouth that widened into a toothy grin, exposing his row of sharp canine teeth. And most peculiar of all was his eyes. Hooked directly over his eyes were what seemed to be sunglasses with shady red lens. However, each lens was shaped accordingly.

The left lens on the lavender side of the bat's face was circular, a little too circular. The right lens of the dark purple side was shaped in that signature jagged red eye. In other words, they were kind of like a blind person's glasses with the right lens being shaped with NWO's signature symbol.

"Monomori…" Vanitas remained seated by his mirror, never turning to face the plush bat known as Monomori.

The bat swooped in and landed directly on Vanitas's bed, turning to face the wall.

"Count Vanitas," the bat spoke in an English accent. "I bring a message from Arsine."

"Other way, Monomori," Vanitas pointed out.

"Oh!" the bat turned to face Vanitas, his ears twitching in embarrassment. "Vanitas! There you are! I bring a message from Arsine!"

"Send it by letter," Vanitas leaned back against his seat. "I'm busy."

"Actually, it's about…" Monomori cuddled himself with his own wings, a little somber. "...your fiancée, Miss Natasha Villeray."

Vanitas perked up, hearing the name of his fiancée. His glowing red eye started to leak an unfamiliar red liquid. He seemed slightly amused, taking a nearby handkerchief to wipe the blood-like liquid from his eye. His mask grinned, a little excited to hear of his fiancée's accomplishment.

"Is it now?" Vanitas seemed delighted. "How is she faring? I trust she's not having too much fun without me."

He set his red-stained handkerchief to the side, before noting the engagement ring over his finger. An engagement of the same design as Natasha once had. A ring with a Black Dahlia over it. Twisting it to his content, he awaited the bat's answer. The bat who… looked down with disappointment.

"...She lost, didn't she?" Vanitas concluded.

"Afraid so, sire," the bat bowed his head. "She… plotted her own demise. It was quite the spectacle, actually."

Vanitas didn't say anything for a while. He still needed to wrap his mind around the news. Natasha Villeray. His Natasha Villeray… was dead. His…. Beauté. He felt another red liquid seep from his eye. Dabbing it with a cleaner handkerchief, Vanitas made a noise. At first, Monomori thought that maybe Vanitas was showing signs of grief.

But what escaped through that mask was… a light chuckle?

"...Oh, my sweet Beauté," Vanitas mused. "Going out as she had always wanted. You know, we always dreamed we would run a Killing Game together one day. As soon as we married, that was to be our dream honeymoon. But now... I'm saddened to hear that dream will never come to pass."

Vanitas took off his engagement ring, raising it high in the air as he admired what was left of his memento of the most beautiful woman he had ever met.

"My deepest condolences, sire," Monomori bowed.

"No need for such things," Vanitas responded. "You can tell Arsine that the message has been received."

Monomori fixed his shades and nodded.

He flapped his wings, then crashed straight into the wall, completely missing the ventilation. Vanitas didn't even need to turn around to tell him that. His focus was almost entirely on the ring he had taken off.

Almost.

"...Try flying up a little more," Vanitas suggested.

"Y-Yes, sire," Monomori chuckled, embarrassed.

As he blindly navigated toward the ventilation, he stopped and turned his head.

"...Will you be alright?" the bat asked.

"Hmmm," Vanitas sighed, gazing upon the engagement ring lovingly. "Hard to say. Here's the thing about death. It's a concept that not too many people are willing to explore. To them, it's the unknown. They fear it. They don't understand it. Yet, Natasha and I? We've always found a grave beauty within it. In a way, I'm grateful my Dark Queen was able to experience the beauty that we have always craved together…"

Monomori took in Vanitas's response and turned back. Satisfied with the response, the bat flew through the ventilation shaft and away from Vanitas's room. Sensing the animal's departure, Vanitas rubbed his gloved hands over the ring. He gave a deep sigh as he slowly placed the ring directly next to the picture of him and Natasha.

Then, he caressed Natasha's face.

"...Till death do us part…" Vanitas softly spoke. "Repose-toi ma belle…"

Vanitas's mask continued to seep that red liquid, but this time, he didn't bother to wipe it. And this time, the red liquid, as odd as it may have seemed, now had a significant meaning to its appearance.

"My love..." he continued.

He let his thumb rub against the picture one last time.

Letting one last word to his beloved drift away through the room he was in…

"...Ma Beauté…"

Playmates Remaining: 9

Aidan Brighton - The Ultimate Track Star [Omakin]

Alisa Zachary - The Ultimate Clockmaker [ExtraMeme]

Fábio Barbosa - The Ultimate Figure Skater [Rayy12]

Issac Santiago - The Ultimate Toymaker [oddlyillregular]

Kikuko Unmei - The Ultimate Shrine Priestess [WolfieRed23]

Marabel "Mara" Garcia - The Ultimate Karate Master [Epifanio Therion]

Roderick Cutler - The Ultimate Deep Sea Fisherman [Orlando Butler]

Yukihiko Yuno - The Ultimate Child Caregiver [Weekaro]

Yumi Gundo - Ultimate Gunslinger [MrUtenaHolic]