Danganronpa: Twisted Tragedy (SYOC)

by SilverMark16

[Sequel to Corrupted Hope] Eighteen of Hope's Peak's finest awake to find themselves stuck in an abandoned theme park, Piero's Playground, the joyous place in the world! However, behind the smiles and laughs is a deadly game of tears and tragedy starring a Killing Game hosted by the eccentric Stanczyk and his twisted partner, Monoyena.

30. House of 1000 Low Spirits (Part 5)

Chapter 3: House of 1000 Low Spirits (Daily Life #5)

---

Warning: This fic contains intense violence, lots of OFFENSIVE cursing (thanks Monoyena, you fucking asshole!), character death, gore and blood, sexual innuendos, and possible spoilers for the Danganronpa series. But hey, everyone lurking in this fandom has at least played the first Danganronpa so no need to worry much there! Right?

With that said, please enjoy!

---

SNAP!

When the tip of ten-year old Issac Santiago's pencil snapped clean off, the only response he had was an unexpressive look on his face. He blinked once. Then, twice. All the while, trying to register what had happened. For the past hour or so, he had been working on some homework he needed to turn in the next day. For the past hour or so, he had been etching that pencil into his notebook…

Math problems.

Language arts free-response questions.

Some questions that needed to be answered for science and history and all the things kids had to learn these days.

For Issac, it wasn't the work that was the problem.

He glanced around.

The problem was that he was a ten-year old boy sitting in the middle of the living room surrounded by 5th grade textbooks and notebook paper. A ten-year old boy sitting in the living room… alone. He wasn't sure what he should be feeling, but he understood that this empty space was... wrong. With that emotionless expression on his face, Issac rubbed his finger against the wax coating of his pencil.

Slowly, he set it down.

He contemplated his circumstances for a moment.

And slowly, he stood up.

…

"Mom…"

Nothing.

"Mom…"

Nothing again.

Kate Santiago was the spitting epitome of a housewife. She was the caretaker of the household, meaning she had to do the constant errands of cooking three meals a day, keeping the house clean, etcetera etcetera. Common housewife things. It was tiresome. And it showed.

It very much showed…

The sofa he found her resting on was her favorite sofa. It was her sofa. And there she was sleeping in her kitchen apron, still wearing those dishwashing gloves. She was exhausted. She needed her moment to rest. Issac knew that but…

"Mom…"

No response.

"Mom…"

Issac tried over and over again to shake his mother awake. By the fifth time, he could see the grogginess still affecting her as she slowly opened her eyes. She didn't even try to adjust herself into the realm of the awake. She didn't stretch out her arms. She didn't rub her eyes. She simply gave Issac a groggy stare, slightly irritated at how she had been woken up over her well-needed rest.

"Mm… what?" Kate yawned with a disgruntled sigh. "What is it?"

Issac could tell that his mother didn't want to be disturbed. Just by the tone of her voice, he knew he had messed up. He opened his mouth to speak but the words didn't come out of his mouth. Thinking about it now, it was a little embarrassing for him to wake up his own mother over something like a broken pencil…

"...My pencil broke..." Issac simply said. "...Can you help me find another?"

"Oh, Isaac…" Kate sighed, placing her hand on his cheek. "Can't it wait? You know I hate it when my nap is disturbed."

Hate.

There was that word...

"I... I need it for homework," Issac responded, little emotion on his face. "I'm sorry for waking you up. I'm…"

Kate lowered her hand down to his shoulder.

"Please Isaac, Mommy is very tired right now," Kate tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Just wait another half hour. I'll find you another pencil then, okay? In the meantime, just… go and watch TV or something. Maybe by then, Daddy will come back. Okay?"

Issac didn't try to argue.

He stood watch as his mother sat back onto that sofa of hers and slowly drifted back to sleep. Typical. Life in the Santiago household was always like this. Lonely. Just poor little Issac forced to tend to himself. His mother would be doing errands and too busy to tend to his needs. His father… always out working.

He stood there. He knew full well that she wasn't asleep just yet. She knew his presence was still there and yet she was choosing to rest over helping him out. Her own son. He looked at his own mother in disappointment, his frown deepening.

"...It's Issac…" Issac corrected underneath his breath. "You know it's Issac…"

God.

Was a New Life even possible for someone like him…?

…

Issac leaned against the wall as he waited for recess to be over.

They said the life of your youth was supposed to be the most fun time of your life. Theoretically, it made sense. When you're young, you don't have to worry too much about the things a working-class adult would have to worry about: taxes, jobs, getting married, and all of that stuff. Issac was still a kid. He didn't have to worry about all of that. What was supposed to be best of all was the fact that he still had much time to enjoy his youth.

But Issac was no ordinary kid.

He didn't enjoy the things that normal kids enjoyed.

He didn't enjoy video games or comic books or playing classic recess games like Tag or Hide and Seek and all that…

It was all so…

...

…boring.

Such subjects were distractions that parents gave their children so they could work on their own things anyway, wasn't it? So, why should he enjoy something like that? No. Why would he enjoy something like that?

He stuffed his hands over his pockets as he waited patiently for the bell to ring and the children running around on the blacktop to file in for the last half of class. He made sure to keep himself entertained, watching each kid on the playground intently. Watching them have fun. That was the only entertainment he needed in this world. Just watching them running around. Like dogs. Dogs without a leash, the lot of them.

And just like dogs, they didn't seem like they cared.

They were smiling.

Every single child down there was smiling.

Curious.

Issac rubbed his lips.

What would it feel like to… smile…?

"Oh, Issac. Here again? Wouldn't you much rather play with the other children?"

Issac slowly turned toward the voice: a teacher. His teacher. He glanced down. Little emotion on his face as he shook his head. He could hear his teacher let out a sigh. But at the same time, he could feel his teacher smiling down on him like…

...like there was some good news to be shared in all of this.

"You know, Issac," his teacher squatted down to his level with a smile. "A student from another class wanted to give you something."

What?

Issac glanced up, his interest and curiosity piqued.

"...Would you like to see it?" his teacher asked.

Issac said nothing.

Instead, he gave her a timid nod.

…

A multi-colored toy caterpillar.

That was what this supposed student from another class wanted to give him. Issac was confused at first. He thought that maybe it was a cruel prank or something like that. As far as he was concerned, this strange caterpillar thing with the big eyes and the smile…

He just couldn't wrap his head around it.

Why would someone give him this?

He rubbed his hand over the fabric.

100% cotton.

In other words, it was comfortable. Like a neck pillow. And honestly… to think that someone made something like this for him. For… boring Issac. Did that mean he… liked it? Did he really? If he did, he'd be giddy about it, right? That's how most people reacted when they got gifts they liked. Why didn't he?

"Oh, you got my gift!"

Issac blinked.

The moment he looked up was the moment he saw a young girl approaching him. She was roughly the same age. Understandably so, since this was definitely the girl from the other class that his teacher mentioned. Her smile was bright and cheerful, like any other kid from the playground. Except, maybe brighter. Maybe happier. Issac... wasn't sure what to think about her.

"You're Issac, right?" the girl cheerfully asked. "I always see you by the balcony! You always looked so lonely. So, I thought... Maybe you needed a friend!"

Issac gestured toward the caterpillar, confused.

"Her name's Isolde!" the girl beamed happily. "I named her…"

The girl glanced away, her cheeks blushing.

"...A-After myself," the girl cleared her throat. "I-If that's alright, with you. I mean, you can name her whatever you want so–"

The girl squeezed her own cheeks in an effort to get her nerves in check.

"I'm Isabela Vargas!" the girl glanced away, her face flushing red the more she talked to Issac. "I… I… I hope we can be the best of friends from now on. I-If you want!"

Issac didn't say anything.

When his teacher mentioned that someone wanted to give him a gift, he didn't expect that someone to be this… a tiresome bundle of joy. After months of watching children play and act like total children on the playground, here he was, matched with someone of that same caliber. He would've thought he would hate the company but the more she was in his presence…

"...No one's ever given me a gift before," Issac glanced down, holding Isolde tightly in his arms. "...Thank you…"

He could see Isabela tilting her head, confused. From the looks of it, she was trying to figure out whether he really did like it or was just saying it to be nice. His expression never changed throughout this exchange after all.

"Does that mean… you like her?" Isabela asked.

Issac contemplated his response…

...

"...I love her…"

...

…and smiled.

---

[?]

---

Nick's stomach rumbled.

When he woke up, he wasn't sure what time it was. They were never sure what time it was in this prison that they were in. Nick glanced toward their most recent arrival: Shohei as he called himself. He was weak. Nick was too. They haven't eaten for who knows how long. Shohei, probably much longer than the rest of them had.

The effects of starvation had been seeping in.

Nick could see that it was the same for everyone else:

Lucky was situated right next to Fiona, allowing the younger girl to rest her head on her shoulder.

D'andre on the other hand leaned against the wall.

Compared to everyone else, he didn't look as bothered as everyone else was with starvation. But Nick was sure that he was hungry too. The only reason he didn't look like such was solely because he wanted to remain strong for everyone else.

That was what Nick figured was happening here…

Nick turned back to Shohei, curiosity mixed with his tired and hunger-strained face. Shohei was barely in any condition to speak. He could hear his stomach grumbling the loudest. He had to wonder…

Just how long had he been here…?

And...

...were there more?

Nick suspected that there just might be.

…

The door opened and a cart was pushed in.

Behind the cart was the Ice Cream Man, his mask smiling as he situated it right in the middle of the room. He tilted his head, noticing the children watching him with little energy in their systems. If anything, the grin on his mask only served to taunt the position they were in…

"Aww, look how behaved you all are," the Ice Cream Man simply spoke.

The Ice Cream Man gestured toward the open door behind him.

Open.

Practically inviting them to just walk through and—

"The door is open and yet…" the Ice Cream Man began. "You're all choosing to stay. How cute…"

He was met with glares.

Specifically, from D'andre, Lucky, and surprisingly, Nick, himself. The Ice Cream Man only said this because he knew that they were too weak to even walk out of the door. In fact, he was probably baiting them to do so. Like that moment in The Black Phone where the Grabber baits the kids to go upstairs just so he has an excuse to beat em to death.

"Anyway, because you've all been so good," the Ice Cream Man continued. "Here's a reward straight from the top…"

The Ice Cream Man took out trays of what seemed to be small boxes and slid them to each child. With any strength they had, the children slowly reached out for it. Nick and D'andre took there's no problem. Same with Lucky. Though, Lucky made sure to take one for Fiona and Shohei, both of them, perking their heads over the sight of what was given to them.

"Eat up," the Ice Cream Man simply told them. "You'll need it."

"E-Eat?" Shohei was the first to speak up.

Does that mean…

Food…?

F-Finally…

The moment they realized what it was, the children began to tear into the wrappings over their trays. They were like raccoons. Hungry. Ravenous. Desperate to eat whatever had been prepared for them. All the while, the Ice Cream Man pushed the cart out of the door before closing it, allowing them a moment of privacy to enjoy their meal.

Except…

"H-Huh?" Nick blinked. "W-What… Th-This is our food?"

It was shortly after the wrapping over their meals had been torn apart that they saw what was truly given to them as a meal. Nick had expected a three-course meal. He expected tomato soup as an appetizer. A steak sandwich as the main entree. A dark blue cupcake for dessert. Topped with the fact that maybe… it would be completed with some Stanczyk Says souvenir…

Instead…

Nick held up the 'meal' in the air for all to see. He glanced around, noticing that everyone else had received the same thing for their source of nutrition, confused and shocked. He and Lucky exchanged looks.

Exchanged…

Tired looks…

All they got was a single dish.

Not even a dish, actually.

But instead…

…

…

…

…A pill.

One singular fucking pill.

---

[The Grandview Mansion]

---

(Séance Room)

Issac woke up to the sound of a muffled thump.

He furrowed his eyebrows, confused at first. As he glanced around, the only thing he could see was the bluish glow from the crystal ball that served as their only light source within this room. He lowered his gaze, instinctively caressing Isolde. Deciding it was probably just yet another thing to add to the haunted house experience, Issac thought back toward his conversation with Kikuko.

The way she looked at him…

The way she had always looked at him…

It was what he interpreted as hate in her eyes. Hate. What a grotesque word. Why couldn't people just…

Issac took a deep breath and caressed Isolde a little more frequently this time. As if the toy caterpillar was his support animal. Or at least, in his case, a stress toy. At this point, he couldn't sleep.

And thanks to him shrouding himself near the darkest corner of the room, Issac allowed his smile to drop. His lips were flat. And his expression was nonchalant and uncaring. It was always the same with people…

No matter how hard he tried, he was always the background character.

No one paid any attention to him.

No one cared about him.

In fact, the only time it ever changed was because of… her.

The first person to ever notice.

The first person to ever care.

The first person he…

Issac stopped caressing Isolde, realizing the burst of negative thoughts was becoming unconsolable. Issac blinked, felt the cotton fabric on his toy caterpillar, and slowly closed his eyes. He immersed himself in the dark, allowing him to envision his happier memories. The memory of her…

…Isabela Vargas…

The girl he loved.

His true love…

Issac glanced around the room, attempting to see through his adjusted vision but even with the crystal ball serving as a light source, it was still hard to see whether there were still others in the room. He stood up, pacing himself as he picked up the crystal ball and started to loom over each corner of the room.

As it turned out, Yukihiko and Fábio had gone off to who knows where.

Good.

That left him alone.

Alone with Isolde.

Alone with his own thoughts. He couldn't help but smile at the thought. He leaned back against the nearest wall and smiled. Then, a chuckle escaped his lips as… tears started to spill from his eyes? He assumed it had something to do with the constant smiling he's been doing nowadays but now he realized…

"Ah heh," Issac cleared his throat, rubbing Isolde's cheeks for comfort. "Don't worry about me, Isolde. I just miss Mommy…"

Isolde said nothing.

If it wasn't so bright, the only thing he could see that would comfort him from Isolde would be the wide eye stares she was born with. The widened eyes and the smile.

That smile.

Smile.

Huh.

Isabela taught him how to smile.

Heh.

Classic Isabela.

The girl he loved…

His true love…

---

(Dining Hall)

Kikuko sat at the Dining table, her body shuddering as she thought about Issac's interrogation last night.

It was getting out of hand.

The only reason she got out of that conversation yesterday was because Stanczyk decided to look back inside the Séance Room at the last minute. Incredibly lucky for her if she had to say so herself. But it wasn't going to stop Issac. Not until she gave him a valid reason as to why she was so distant from him.

She took a deep breath.

This was different from Fábio. At least with Fábio, his Red Spirit latched onto him when they first entered the Jungle of Joy. Issac…

His Spirit stuck with him before this Killing Game even began.

With a Spirit like that, how could she trust him?

That was why whatever response she was to give; she couldn't give anything mentioning her Ultimate Talent.

That would be the worst outcome.

Compared to Fábio, she just couldn't trust Issac with her Ultimate Talent. For Fábio, she had a gut feeling that he would at least keep a secret. So far, he's been pretty good at it. But Issac…

No.

Someone as shifty and sly as him wouldn't keep it.

She couldn't trust him.

She just couldn't.

"Kikuko, you alright?"

Kikuko snapped out of her thoughts, turning toward Fábio in surprise.

She had momentarily forgotten where she was at: the Dining Hall, where a handful of other people had gathered. They were waiting for Kazuki, which itself is a strange thing to say since he was usually the first one to arrive. In fact, currently in the room was Kikuko and Fábio, as aforementioned, but also Alisa, Aidan, Beauté, Manon, Mara, Roderick, Yukihiko, and Yumi.

Kikuko simply gave Fábio a nod, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Just hungry…" Kikuko smiled. "I'm fine."

"Ah, if I could've shared my food with you yesterday…" Fábio grimaced.

"I know," Kikuko simply assured him. "And once again, it's fine. I know you would've."

Fábio blinked and glanced away. Though Kikuko didn't see it, he was definitely blushing in embarrassment. Regardless, it was so cute that he cared…

"You know, if you were really hungry, you could totally eat out of—" Eiji suddenly appeared out of nowhere, putting a finger over his upper lip like one of those cheeky motherfuckers from anime.

You know what I'm talking about. Those midget-sized Meowth looking fucks who do that pose whenever they do something mischievous. What is it actually called and why do they do it? Genuine question.

"Eiji!" Kikuko hissed quietly, her face flushing in embarrassment. "Does everything out of your mouth have to sound so disgusting?! I'll boom kill you!"

"I think only spirits can do that," Eiji folded his arms, genuinely contemplating the validity of her threat.

It took a single raised ofuda to get him to shut up.

…

As Fábio and Kikuko fucked around to the point of not fucking, Yukihiko made it a point to scoot closer toward Alisa.

She didn't need to see who it was. She could feel the aura that the child caregiver exerted. The interchanging conflict between someone who could be sweet and kind like a mother but violent and demanding like a father. She could still feel the sting over her cheek…

Like her own father had slapped her.

"Have you done it yet?" Yukihiko simply asked.

"Always straight to business, aren't you?" Alisa simply remarked.

"So, I've been told," Yukihiko spoke, as a matter-of-factly. He narrowed his eyes. "Now, answer the question. Have you done it yet?"

Alisa didn't say anything.

She could've lied. She honestly could've lied. But a lie could only take you so far. Alisa knew that well. She's been lying to these people for a while now. But what wasn't a lie was that she tried. She most certainly tried her best to tell Kazuki. The only reason why she didn't was because of Stanczyk…

Of all the unfortunate timing…

"You didn't do it, did you?" Yukihiko exhaled through his nose.

A clear showcase of his annoyance. In fact, he might've done it so hard that he could feel another nosebleed coming on. The child caregiver started to fidget in his seat, sneaking shots toward Alisa like he was going to end her life and career.

"I thought we had an agreement, sweetie," Yukihiko forced a maternal smile. "You tell Kazuki and only Kazuki your secret, or I tell the entire group right here, right now."

Alisa tensed up.

"In fact, why don't I do that right now?" Yukihiko narrowed his eyes.

He stood up, suddenly, as if ready to give a big toast to everyone at the table. But before the child caregiver could stand all the way up and catch everyone's attention, Alisa suddenly spoke up for only Yukihiko to hear.

"I'll tell him today," Alisa assured him. "I'll tell him today!"

Yukihiko tilted his head, furrowed his eyebrow, and simply directed his gaze toward his nails. Oh, his poor nails. He sat back down, folding his legs like a diva as he frowned bitterly at some of the nail paint that had begun to dry off.

"And why didn't you tell him yesterday, honey?" Yukihiko asked in that sweet, sickening tone. "You had all day."

"Stanczyk interrupted us," Alisa pointed out. "I was going to tell him right then and there, but he interrupted us. It was because of the Hide and Seek Event that I wasn't able to tell Kazuki."

Yukihiko wasn't impressed.

"Is that your excuse?" Yukihiko rolled his eyes, dropping his hands. "Blaming the Playtime Event?"

He leaned back and twirled his purple braids.

"Listen honey," Yukihiko sighed. "Allow me to put it lightly. I'm starving. I want food. I want to get out of here. I want this Playtime Event to end. I want those children to stop suffering. And I can only get the best of all worlds… if two people die."

Yukihiko paused and glared at Alisa, like a mother does to a misbehaving child.

"So, get to it," Yukihiko ordered. "Tonight. This is your last chance."

Yukihiko scooted away before Alisa even had a chance to argue. Practically giving her no room to make any demands or anything like that. It was typical parent behavior. Something Yukihiko showed time and time again how capable he was at reenacting things like that. Now that Alisa was alone, all she could do was seriously think about what she was going to do.

What… she should do…

…

Despite Yukihiko not actually making a scene and putting attention to Alisa's secret, that didn't mean that someone here didn't actually notice.

Beauté had watched the exchange unfold, licking a spoon from her tray of food with a reddening glow on her cheeks. As someone who was intrigued over what the secret behind Alisa was, to see Yukihiko speaking to her with such annoyance on his face… She had to wonder. She bit on that chocolate-coated spoon like it was a fudgsicle, enjoying the sweet taste over what looked like a spicy scene.

"H-Hey… how come you get food?"

Beauté turned toward Aidan and Roderick, who were seated next to one another and glancing at the red-haired woman in confusion and envy. It was best to be known that out of everyone in the room, only she was the only one with food.

"Ah heh heh," Beauté stuck the spoon out of her mouth. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Ye saved yer food from yesterday?" Roderick blinked.

She caved in more of the delicious cupcake she had gotten as a meal and began to coat it inside her mouth. Slowly too. Like she was taunting them. In fact, she was taunting them. Especially with how slow she licked the spoon…

It was like watching a woman edge a man but with food.

"Boy…" Beauté hummed with a smile which quickly shifted to that of disappointment. "I sometimes underestimate just how stupid you boys can be."

Aidan and Roderick blinked, confused.

"She won the Hide and Seek round yesterday," Mara interjected with a sigh.

She could make the excuse that maybe Roderick was just feeling the aftereffects of hanging out with Aidan but even then, someone like him who believes in sea monsters probably lacked a few brain cells of their own to begin with. The karate master turned toward Beauté, who simply giggled in response.

"Ah heh heh," Beauté smiled. "Thank you. At least someone gets it."

"Which brings me to a whole other question…" Mara narrowed her eyes. "Just how exactly did you win the Hide and Seek round? There were barely any rooms to hide in."

"A lady never reveals her secrets," Beauté continued to lick her spoon.

"A lady also doesn't lick a spoon like she licks dick," Mara grimaced. "Knock it off or the last thing you'll be digesting is a metal spoon and your own ass."

"Oooh, now that's a threat," Beauté giggled, her face glowing red like she had a fever.

It sure was a threat.

…

And it was hot.

Yumi had watched Mara's exchange from afar, approving the berating against Beauté's inappropriate antics. Like, everyone else was starving and this bitch decided to eat food in front of everyone. Honestly, that was the equivalent of doing it in front of starving children in 3rd world countries. Some behaviors are just stuff you shouldn't do. So gawd damn was it satisfying to see her girl, Mara, knock that bitch down a peg!

Ha.

Her girl…

Yumi felt a warm glow on her cheek. She touched her face… then her forehead, registering her hot temperature. Then, she decided to chalk it to a growing fever caused by the hellhole that they were in. Silly Yumi.

But there was one person who knew better.

Manon watched from the sidelines. The more she watched, the more her heart ached. Here was Yumi. The most amazing gal she ever met and yet she was blushing for Mara. Manon tried to tell herself that it just wasn't true. That there was still hope. But that hope was lingering…

…lingering for a confirmation.

The confirmation that it wasn't true.

Or rather… the belief that it wouldn't be true.

Manon felt herself crack a little inside but the presence of the last two people to arrive forced to maintain the facade she always maintained. The facade of the confident Manon Vivienne Levesque.

…

Kazuki and Issac had entered the room, but there was something off.

Kazuki had looked a little paler. Weaker even. Unsurprising considering out of everyone in the cast, it was always him and Alisa that looked the most off-putting health-wise. Today made him look almost as bad as Alisa did yesterday. Those tired eyes with bags underneath. That grim smile he tried hard to maintain. But the wobbly and hazy feeling as the hunger was overtaking him.

Escorting him into the room was Issac, who comparatively, didn't look as bad as Kazuki did. Of course, this piece of shit got food so who cares.

By the way, Issac getting food can only be pinned onto Oddly. Man really came into my DMs and said, "You know what we're going to say? Fuck them kids! Feed my son!" Kindhearted and not psychopathic me suggested the latter but he declined. Man really said nope, eff those kids, feed my son, and fucked off to the Air Force.

Anyway, the first person to notice this change of physique was of course—

"K-Kazuki!" Alisa blinked, standing up and rushing toward him. "Are you—?"

"Ah… do not worry about me… Miss Zachary…" Kazuki smiled then let out a sigh. "I fear… The lack of food is getting to me…"

"Yes, that was the point of this motive this time around," Yukihiko rolled his eyes. "Thank you, leader, for stating the obvious. Now, when are you going to sacrifice yourself again?"

Alisa shot Yukihiko a dirty glance.

"Dude!" Aidan frowned. "A little tact here? Guy's starving to death!"

"So are the rest of us that didn't vote alongside the selfish child-starving pricks!" Yukihiko countered, the hunger pangs getting to his emotions.

"At least the kids got some food," Issac shrugged.

"I thought I told you I didn't want to hear from you," Yukihiko directed a frown toward Issac.

The toymaker opened his mouth to correct the child caregiver but decided against it. If anything, it'd be a waste of time to argue against Yukihiko of all people. Kazuki groaned and, with Alisa's help, felt himself slowly weave toward the large seat at the end of the dining table where he usually sat.

"Heh…" despite the tactlessness of Yukihiko, Kazuki still couldn't help but chuckle. "…To answer Mister Yuno's question… My sacrifice will happen… in due time. We just… Have yet to figure out a second candidate…"

"Well, I think I have a fantastic candidate for that," Yukihiko said.

"Yukihiko!" Alisa snapped, her expression warning the child caregiver to shut up.

Kazuki didn't even want to know who Yukihiko was suggesting for a second candidate. All he knew was that at this point in time, there was no going back now. Children were starving. He was starving. It was only a matter of time…

"Given the events of things…" Kazuki closed one eye, somberly. "…We obviously can't keep living under the condition of receiving food through a Hide and Seek game."

"Maybe on paper we can't but I still think it's possible," Fábio stuck his hands in his pockets.

"What do you mean, Monsieur Barbosa?" Manon asked, curiously.

"Well, the way I see it…" Fábio shrugged. "We can totally take advantage of the Hide and Seek rounds if we can find a proper way to distribute the food between the people here who need it and the children."

Fábio took one hand out and twirled a lock of his ringleted hair.

"For example, we pick days in which side gets the food: the Children or us," Fábio explained. "If it's the Children, all we have to do is not participate in the game."

Fábio glanced away, his twinkling eyes sparkling slightly.

"But if it's us, we decide on who needs it most and help them hide," Fábio continued. "There's no rule saying that we can't help other Hiders who have yet to be found, right? And remember, the only way to be classified as 'Found' is by Stanczyk tagging them so…"

"Everyone stops and stalls Stanczyk as those in desperate need of food go and find a different hiding spot," Kikuko followed along. "We repeat the process until the Nighttime Announcement hits. Of course!"

"That's… not a bad idea," Issac couldn't help but compliment. "Not bad, Barbosa. Not bad."

"There be two outliers in yer plan," Roderick muttered, lowering his beanie.

He pointed a look toward the first outlier: Beauté, who was still eating her delicious and elegant meal. Then, a second one was pointed toward Yukihiko, who was twirling his braid, trying to ignore the hunger pangs in his stomach. The two outliers in question indeed!

"Yeah, wait," Aidan frowned. "Beauté won't go through with the plan! And Yukihiko… The guy is just gonna go and out us to Stanczyk!"

"Darn right!" Yumi looked miffed. "This prissy pocket be the reason why me and Mara and Manon be caught in the first place!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Yukihiko scoffed. "Was I supposed to let the children starve?"

"At least have a little sportsmanship!" Yumi berated.

"Children are dying of starvation and you want to talk about sportsmanship like this is college football," Yukihiko couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"We're starving too!" Yumi frowned.

"Everyone…!" Kazuki coldly spoke, his gaze growing hollow black.

It seemed like his raised voice took out enough energy from his system but at least it did its job of forcing everyone to shut their trap. Because the moment it did, the philanthropist sighed and situated himself comfortably onto his chair.

"…I understand…" he sighed. "…It's the hunger… You're all fighting… getting riled up due to starvation. But let's not fight and exhaust all of our energy… Please. I… I just wanted to say that I… certainly do like Mister Barbosa's proposal…"

Fábio looked proud.

"However…" Kazuki frowned. "The only problem that lies with it… is the time limit…"

Fábio looked disappointed.

"…Did you all notice?" the philanthropist frowned. "That unlike the previous Playtime Events… There is no exact time limit for this specific event. All Monoyena dictated was that this event will end once two bodies drop. But… what if that doesn't happen…? What then…?"

Kazuki lowered his gaze.

"…I'll tell you what…" Kazuki frowned. "We and the Children will be stuck… in an endless cycle. A loop that will never end… As we continue to pass back and forth trays of food that will only last a person a day before it's back to the drawing board…"

The philanthropist closed his eyes, his mind visibly pained by the thought.

"Just… what kind of sad… meaningless… life is that?" he pondered. "I… was constantly told that to be this selfless 'Man Of The People'… it was a stain on the life I could be living… That… To try to get myself killed… It's a waste of my own life."

The philanthropist opened another eye.

"But how is that any different to what our current circumstances are…?" Kazuki frowned. "…How is rotting away… playing Hide and Seek… passing food between the Children and us… with no sense of progress… living? How can any of us live… never seeing daylight again. Never leaving this dreaded haunted house…"

Kazuki grimaced.

"Is that… truly how much we wish to avoid sacrificing anyone?" he asked.

Everyone went quiet.

They… never really thought of it like that. They had been so caught up over the idea of food and feeding each other and the children that they had forgotten what the main point of being locked in this haunted house was supposed to be all about. This was the true test to their circumstances. The physical endurance that they could withstand before someone finally cracked underneath the pressure…

"K-Kazuki…" Alisa glanced away, guilt forming over her mind. "I…"

…

"Well, what a fucking bleak turn that conversation ended up, dontcha think?"

…

The sudden appearance of Monoyena never ceased to surprise anyone as he waddled into the room with that animalistic grin over his face. Behind him was that same cart he had brought alongside him to the Theater of Mystery, but instead of food, it contained something else.

Only begged the question of how this 4'8 animal thing was able to navigate this thing down a flight of steps, but…

Anyway, based on what he had said, it was clear that he had heard everything. He twirled his Barbie Blade around like it was a toy… which let's be honest, to Monoyena, it clearly was. We been knew this. His jagged eye flared with a short cackle.

"Everyone thinks that life has to be some sort of sacred thing of worship," Monoyena grumbled. "When it comes to life, you only get one of 'em. And how you choose to live it, dictates whether you've wasted it or lived it to its fullest potential."

"That's surprisingly insightful from you of all people," Beauté noted. "Or rather, creature."

"Yeah well, since I'm not like one of you fucks, I don't give a flying shit 'bout what I do with my life," Monoyena started to cackle. "If I can kill a thousand men, I'll fucking do it and die laughing. Now that's the life I wanna live! Bwa… Bwahahahahaha!"

"And zere's ze good old Monoyena we know and hate," Manon sighed to herself.

"Why are ya even here dis time?" Yumi frowned. "Ya can't be here ta start da next round of Hide and Seek! It be too early fer dat!"

"Is it?" Monoyena flashed his jagged red eye. "The game will start whenever I want it to start, so don't lecture me on when is too early, ya blonde fucking bitch!"

He pointed his Barbie Blade directly toward Yumi, dead set on stabbing her should she speak up again. Then, his entire tone calmed as he tossed what seemed to be crumpled up pieces of paper towards everyone.

"...Luckily, fer you…" Monoyena grumbled. "Nothing's gonna be starting right now anyway. The Stanshit wants us to attend some fun little festivities today. In the spirit of being trapped in this specific haunted house and whatnot…"

As he said this, the remaining 12 playmates took the crumpled pieces of paper off of the ground and slowly unfolded it. When they did, the first thing they immediately noticed was what seemed to be a flyer for the Grandview Mansion in general. Because there was Alexander, Omen, and Empress popping out from within the Mansion, like grim-grinning ghosts coming out to socialize.

Did I already make that comment before? Damn it!

Anyway, on the flyer specifically were the words:

'PIERO'S PLAYGROUND PRESENTS:'

'THE GRANDVIEW MANSION'

'A NEW MURDER MYSTERY EVENT INSPIRED BY THE HIT SHOW "GOLD HOUSE"'

'ONLY DURING PIERO'S PLAYGROUND'S HALLOWEEN EVENT:'

'TRICKS AND TREATS WITH STANCZYK!'

'Sponsored to you by the Towa Group. Giving children screams and delight but never a sense of fright!"

The playmates blinked.

What… exactly were the festivities Monoyena was referring to here?

"Isn't this just an advertisement for the haunted house?" Mara raised an eyebrow, holding the paper up in the air for Monoyena to see.

"Did you all happen to open it up on the back?" Monoyena's jagged red eye flickered, incredulous. "Turn it around, dumbasses!"

Ah, classic Ace Attorney. Never turning something as simple as a piece of paper around. But when the hyena said that, the playmates immediately did as they were told and suddenly everything made sense. Because on the back of the flyer, which was actually the front of what Monoyena wanted to show them, were a bunch of words written in a childish scrawl and red Crayola crayons.

'Dear Best Friends,

I'm bored. So, come to the Ballroom in one hour for a special grand party! There will be walt-sing! There will be best friend 'shen-an-ee-gins'! There won't be food! But there will be fun! With me and my best friends!

Your Best Friend to the End

Stanczyk

PS: There is a dress code

"A party?" Yukihiko couldn't help but scoff when he read the paper. "You can't be serious."

"Yeah, like, will some of us even have the energy to party or… walt-sing?" Aidan narrowed his eyes, like he needed glasses to read Stanczyk's handwriting. "Seriously, what kind of singing are we about to do here?"

"It's 'waltzing', motherfucker," Monoyena ran his paw through his neon-colored mohawk. "You know? A fucking dance?!"

Waltzing?

Now that was some real classy shit. In this day and age, these youngins would probably do some other sort of dance like breakdancing, or twerking, or… god no… TikTok dances. Eugh. But waltzing. That was one of the most beautiful dances out there. Not just that, but it was also the most romantic as well. Something that caused a handful of people to glance at potential partners to dance with.

"Who da hell knows how ta waltz?" Yumi couldn't help but laugh. "What happened to da classic square dances and da do-si-do?"

"No one does the do-si-do but you," Mara folded her arms, glancing away.

"Better question," Yukihiko narrowed his eyes. "Why on Earth should we even bother going to a party? It's not like this event is mandatory, is it?"

"Hey, if ya wanna be a lame, lonely loser who would rather fap off in the ladies room than hang out with the rest of us, then be our guest," Monoyena grumbled. "We don't give a shit. But the fact of the matter is… Stanczyk and I, we're fucking bored staying in this place with you pieces of shits and we wanna do something about it! So, that's why we're throwing a fucking party!"

Monoyena started to lick his Barbie Blade, practically gnawing it at certain points in time.

"Besides…" the hyena continued, snickering slightly. "I think you'll want to attend this party fer the very reason of at least knowing when the next round of Hide and Seek will start."

That was enough to get most of the playmates to consider attending.

"Pardon me," Kikuko raised her hand. "But what is this about a dress code?"

To further put into light her question, the shrine priestess pointed toward the postscript near the end of the letter. That was when Monoyena started to grumble and drag the cart closer into the room.

"Oh yeah, that little tidbit," the hyena muttered. "The crybaby thought it'd be better if we'd do it in style. So, uh, here, something we picked out based on yer specifications!"

"Specifications?" Kikuko blinked.

Her answer was met with a neat plastic bag filled with clothing thrown in her general direction. She caught it, but not without an 'oomph' to her efforts. The same happened for everyone else. The only one who allowed her clothing to drop on the ground was Beauté, and even then, she seemed just as excited to be attending this party that Stanczyk and Monoyena had set up.

She glanced inside the bag, gasped, and giggled excitedly.

"Ohhh, thank you Character Applications!" Beauté let slip.

"What?" Kikuko was confused.

"There, now that ya have all the information ya need, we hope to see ya there… or whatever," Monoyena truly did not care whether this party event was a success or not.

With that being the last thing he needed to say, the hyena tossed what was left of the clothing-filled bags and left the Dining Hall, leaving the playmates alone to figure out what to do for the next hour.

"So… a party, huh?" Aidan blinked before sighing. "Geez, are we even cut out for something like that?"

"He did mention that if we go to the party, we'll at least know when the next round of Hide and Seek starts," Issac smiled with a shrug. "I'll go just for that. And who knows, maybe the party will actually be fun. Could take away the distraction of starving, y'know?"

That was a fair point.

It didn't do anyone well to just stand around in this house with no entertainment and constantly think about their lack of nutrition. This party was an opportunity to distract themselves. Distract themselves from the current hardships they were facing. So, naturally, the person to agree with Issac on this stance was…

"...I concur…" Kazuki nodded. "Perhaps… This party is what we may need to rejuvenate ourselves… Please. Let us attend it. I doubt Stanczyk and Monoyena will throw another in the future…"

Another good point there.

Holding onto the bags, the playmates looked at one another and nodded. They were going to attend this party. Even though it was hosted by Stanczyk… which means it might suck, it was the only fun thing they could do that didn't involve a game of Tug-Of-War with food. So, with bags in tow, one by one, everyone began to leave to dress themselves up according to Stanczyk's dress code rule.

By the time everyone left, only Alisa and Kazuki remained. Alisa, who had just moments ago had a silent yet heated conversation regarding her attempts to tell Kazuki about her condition. About her secret…

Alisa glanced toward Kazuki.

"Kazuki, can I–" Alisa was about to say before Kazuki stood up.

"...Heh… I'll see you at the party… Miss Zachary…" Kazuki gave Alisa a warm smile.

"But I–" Alisa was about to say but this time, she stopped herself.

She noticed that Kazuki's smile was a little… brighter. Behind that look of starvation, there was a man who looked… genuinely excited about this party? For what reason? Seeing that level of brightness, Alisa bit her lip. Even though she wanted to tell him right then and there, she couldn't. Because what if…

"...Yes, indeed," Alisa lowered her head with a nod. "I'll see you there."

Kazuki closed his eyes, thankful, and left.

Leaving Alisa behind.

Leaving poor Alisa in the Dining Hall, alone, to her own thoughts.

She covered her face with a sigh.

What was wrong with her…?

---

(Bathroom)

Yukihiko tossed the plastic bag on the floor and simply glanced at the clothing he was supposed to wear.

He refused to admit it.

He really did.

Anything involving those child-endangering fucks shouldn't be praised. And yet, with the clothing he was provided, he hated the fact that he had to admit it. That the clothing actually looked… pretty good. At least in his mind.

Don't ask me, I'm no fashionista.

He slowly pulled out one of the pieces he was set to wear and glanced at himself in the mirror with it. He couldn't help but genuinely smile—

No!

Nope!

Children's lives are in danger.

He couldn't just…

He couldn't just stand around to have fun!

He needed to get back to business.

He had to get back to business.

That's how it's always been for him!

That's what he was trained to do—

Yukihiko threw the clothing piece into the bag and leaned against the sink. He glanced into the mirror, staring at himself. He has constantly told himself that everything he did, he did for the good of the children. He had dedicated his life to protecting the children of the future. That's why he couldn't just stop and back down and just have fun.

He had to save them!

He needed to save them!

He narrowed his eyes, slowly noticing something form over his—

"Wow, we haven't had a Free-Time Event in forever and you've become just as intense as ever!"

"Jesus!" Yukihiko yelped, turning around to see, who else but Beauté, leaning in the corner with her plastic bag in her hand.

Wait.

What the hell was Beauté—

"How long have you been standing there for?!" Yukihiko exclaimed, clutching his heart in surprise.

"Long enough," Beauté shrugged with a smile. "It's your fault for not checking every corner."

"Like I'd do that in the Bathroom," Yukihiko grimaced. "Just be glad I wasn't using the toiletry here."

"Ah heh heh heh," Beauté giggled. "And then I would've finally figured out whether you sit or stand while you pee."

"I— I— You could've said something!" Yukihiko quickly twisted the topic back to the more urgent matter. "Why'd you stay quiet here like a creep?! Why are you even here with me?! I—"

"I'm wherever the plot needs me to be," Beauté simply shrugged. "And right now, it's with you, acting as two girlfriends dressing each other up. Doesn't that sound fun?"

Her lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"Far from it," Yukihiko scoffed. "First off, I'm a boy. And second off, my idea of fun is escaping this park with the children. That's it."

"And right back to serious territory," Beauté couldn't help but giggle. "Seriously, do you even know what 'fun' is?"

It was a rhetorical question.

She knew full well that Yukihiko wasn't one for fun. He was the super serious type that focused on the mission. That was what he was since day one. Since day one, it was always about the children. It was always about finding ways to save them. Even the idea of sacrifice was bleeding into his head until he was giving pieces of himself away to it. All to save the children. Honestly, it was laughable to someone like Beauté.

What was more laughable was the fact that Yukihiko had made sure to fold his arms and scoff at the mere idea of fun.

"Fun, hmm," Yukihiko twirled his braids around, as if the word disgusted him. "Well, of course I do sweetie. Having fun is a concept that only children can obtain. And it is a right that should only be reserved for children."

Wow.

"Ah heh heh," even Beauté was kind of flabbergasted by that, to the point where she had to laugh at the thought. "That sounds like someone who didn't have a childhood would say."

"I didn't," Yukihiko deadpanned.

Ah.

"Is it really that much of a surprise?" Yukihiko couldn't help but smirk at the thought. "I'm the oldest of 8. And as family customs go, being the oldest meant you had to take care of all of them. In my case, however…"

Yukihiko twirled the tip of his braid, uncaring.

"I had to act as the parent in the house," Yukihiko revealed. "The 'parents' were never around or often too busy to help, which meant I had to be both. The doting mother and the strict father. Because that was my role to play in the family as the oldest."

Yukihiko glanced at his nails, rubbing his fingers together.

"And I played my role to absolute perfection," Yukihiko narrowed his eyes. "Seven children to watch over. Seven children to feed. Seven children to care for, nurture, and love. I did that. My entire life, I did that."

Despite it sounding like an accomplishment, Yukihiko's tone of voice made it out to be something else. Beauté had to admit that taking care of seven children was no easy task, but Yukihiko achieved it. He did that. Yet, the anger in his voice told an entirely different story. Like he didn't have a choice. Like it was something he didn't want to do.

"Sticking to the mission was all I ever knew how to do," Yukihiko lowered his tone. "So, forgive me if having fun just doesn't sound like my cup of tea. Okay, honey?"

"Not even during birthday parties?" Beauté smiled, tilting her head.

She spoke not like someone who actually sympathized with him, but like someone who was trying to pick apart the complaints he had in his life. I suppose the correct wording would be to call it 'cross-examining'. Because what else did you expect Beauté to do? She wasn't the type of person anyone should be venting to and yet, Yukihiko was doing just that.

Venting to a hopeless case of the crazies.

"And why would I have fun at a birthday party?" Yukihiko challenged, questioning whether this girl heard anything he had said.

"Everyone has fun at birthday parties," Beauté smiled. "With you having 7 children to look after, surely you would've had fun at their birthday party. Or maybe even your birthday party for that—"

"Are you really trying to pick apart my life right now?" Yukihiko couldn't help but laugh. "What do you think I'd be doing at these birthday parties?"

Beauté didn't answer.

"...Decoration, planning, getting the cake, making sure the children don't hurt themselves," Yukihiko listed. "Do you honestly believe there's any room for me to enjoy myself during idiotic events like those?"

Beauté tilted her head once more.

"Not even on your own birthday?" Beauté blinked.

"Especially not," Yukihiko twirled his braids and glanced away. "There's still the task of watching the kids, isn't there?"

Truly, this was a person who had no freedom and no sense of fun entertainment as a child. What a sad, inelegant life. If Beauté truly cared, her heart would go out to him. But all Beauté cared was about what made him tick. Picking apart the story and calling him out. Doing what she did best…

Her lips curled into a smirk.

"You know," Beauté took out a hand fan and covered the lower half of her face with it. "It sounds like all that time watching children really ruined your childhood. And yet, you spent the entire Killing Game wanting to save them. I would've thought someone like you would hold a grudge… deep, deep down. As if, secretly... you hate children."

Her eyes grew sinister.

"Don't you?" she pressed.

"What nonsense," Yukihiko answered straight away. "How can I blame the children for taking time away from myself when there is a much more valid variable to blame?"

Yukihiko narrowed his eyes.

"The parents," he looked close to spitting on the term. "They casted me the role to play and what did they do to help?"

Yukihiko tightened his hand.

"Nothing," Yukihiko lowered his gaze.

Wasn't the result Beauté wanted but it was still an intriguing backstory drop she was getting here. She slowly lowered her hand fan, revealing her otherwise neutral yet clearly disappointed expression. The child caretaker continued regardless.

"But again, that's what happens when you're the oldest," Yukihiko noted. "What little of your own childhood gets cut to preserve the integrity of the younger ones. An unfortunate sacrifice that had to be made, but it got the job done."

Yukihiko glanced at his nails, smirking.

"Now, for the sake of these children's future," Yukihiko continued. "I have to sacrifice more to make sure they return home safe and sound. So, once again, forgive me if I can't understand the value of having fun."

Beauté went quiet for a few moments before giggling, something that clearly annoyed the child caregiver.

"Ah heh heh heh," the mysterious Ultimate giggled.

"And what's so funny this time?" Yukihiko frowned.

"Oh, nothing," Beauté giggled. "It's just the sheer contrast between you and me. You were someone who never had fun as a child. I was someone who had everything. To think that we would match up together on this momentous occasion!"

She clapped her hands, excitedly.

"There is no momentous occasion," Yukihiko scoffed. "Why are you even talking about this? Are you trying to rub in my face how much better your life was than mine?"

"My mother died during childbirth," Beauté pointed out. "My father was never around. And I was constantly surrounded by death as a little girl."

That shut Yukihiko up really quick.

"And yet," Beauté smirked. "Do you see how differently we coped with our circumstances? You're so angry and serious all the time over how your childhood was overtaken by a bunch of rugrats, and my only issue is that I'm bored all the time. That's why I always try to seek out fun and exciting things to do!"

"You just said you had everything as a child," Yukihiko frowned. "How is never getting to know your mother and not having a father around classified as 'having everything'?"

"Depends on how you view it," Beauté smirked, placing a finger over her lips. "Despite my father not being around, he still showered me with gifts. Only the most elegant and exquisite of French-branded clothing! And my mother… Well…"

"She's dead," Yukihiko pointed out, tactlessly.

"But her memories still lived on through old relics of hers scattered throughout the house I lived in," Beauté continued. "Since I had quite a lot of free time on my hands, I started my own collection. A collection starring all of my mother's old belongings."

She leaned forward, smile widening.

"Old pictures and love letters and oh, how invigorating it all was," Beauté giggled. "It was like being on my own little adventure."

She laughed once again.

"By the way," Beauté giggled. "Can you believe my mother shares my love for the Victorian Era?"

"What's your point in telling me your entire life's story?" Yukihiko narrowed his eyes.

There was always a point to whatever Beauté yaps about.

"The point is…" Beauté tilted her head, her eyes judging Yukihiko with such cold cruelty. "You are so full of yourself. Just because you didn't have fun as a child doesn't mean you can't have fun now. You are always so insistent on completing the mission and saving the children…"

Beauté's twisted in disgust.

"Ugh, it's so boring," she frowned. "Keep this up and people might plot to sacrifice you instead!"

Beauté feigned a gasp.

"Oh, oopsies!" Beauté smiled. "Maybe a little too late for that now. I'm sure everyone had that thought in their heads when you went off on how Daisuke was a hero for what he did."

Yukihiko did not like how this conversation just took a turn like that.

"By the way," Beauté tilted her head, curiously. "How's your nose?"

And that was enough of that.

Yukihiko quickly took the bag with his clothing and stormed toward the door. Any second longer with this bitch and he'll tear his own braids. He didn't want a lecture from Beauté of all people. He was just doing what he thought was right. If the others didn't understand that, then they were a bunch of children with false ideological beliefs. Full of himself…

What was so wrong with staying on course and focusing on the mission?

That was the burning question in his mind as he opened the door, left, and slammed it behind him. Beauté never moved from the Bathroom. She had watched this effeminate young man leave with such haste and frustration that it just made her all the more gleeful. She loved it when she could get under people's skins.

It was just so much fun…

And to think that she was able to learn more things about Yukihiko in the meanwhile. She licked her blood-red lips in satisfaction.

Truly, Beauté and Yukihiko grew closer together. Unfortunately, one of them didn't seem to entirely think so. But no matter. Beauté knew that when the time came, he'd still come back to her like nothing happened.

She was banking on it…

---

(Ballroom)

Fábio had to admire the decor that was now present in the Ballroom.

What was once an empty open space was now an open space but with what seemed to be leftover streamers and balloons that were drifting in corners. Obviously, with how little things they had in this haunted house, Stanczyk probably had to use the bare minimum but still, this wasn't bad. Everything felt right. Everything seemed right. All that was missing was a way to make the lights dimmer and then they'd have a high school prom.

Fábio glanced around the room, noting how he was the first one in the Ballroom.

Granted, it hadn't even been three hours yet, but he did change into his outfit quickly and efficiently. Speaking of which, Fábio's formal outfit was a classic classy style:

A pearl white suit with dark undertones: including a black tie and dark gray sleeve cuffs. His pants were similarly white, although his dress shoes were fully black.

Classy and simple.

Just the way he liked it.

Straightening out his suit, Fábio had to admit, he was slightly embarrassed that he had to wear something as gaudy as a prom uniform to this event. It looked good, don't get him wrong but he hasn't worn anything like this in forever. Since he was young in fact. Seriously, where did Monoyena and Stanczyk even get this junk?

…And how the heck was it a perfect fit?

"Oh! Fábio!"

Fábio turned away from his suit toward the owner of the voice. His eyes widened… no, brightened over the sight of who had just arrived to greet him. His mind compared this event akin to something more of a prom event than a royal waltz of any kind, but who was approaching now…

Gosh, she just keeps blowing him away, doesn't she?

Kikuko had arrived, approaching Fábio in her formal outfit:

A black halter top dress that fell down to her knees, small black heels with a light blue anklet around her left ankle, a white cardigan. To complete her look, Kikuko had taken the time to curl her hair and applied light makeup that enhanced her appearance. Now, don't ask how she did that, but I'm sure the kimono she was originally in held more than ofudas and warding charms.

The moment she stopped in front of Fábio was the moment she bashfully glanced down, twirling a lock of her hair. A blush seeped through the makeup she had applied as she struggled to meet his dashing yet surprised eyes.

"U-Um h-how do I look?" Kikuko asked.

"Beautiful," Fábio quietly and breathlessly let out.

"What?" Kikuko turned to him, surprised.

Her blush deepened.

"A-Agh, really good!" Fábio turned away, embarrassed. "Really good! You look absolutely… good!"

Now it was his turn to blush.

"Y-You too," Kikuko tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, similarly turning away.

Neither could meet each other in the eyes, but both of them had the same idea in mind. Both of them were fucking gorgeous. It took one glimpse for them to understand that the other was just so… ugh! They shared the same ideas. Both hesitating to reach out to each other's hands. Both hesitating to say anything else. Both hesitating to meet each other's eyes.

Honestly, it was just like prom.

And no one looked more embarrassed for them than Eiji, who was stuck standing in the middle of their nonexistent conversation, trying to decide who was going to make the move first.

He gave up.

"You guys are killing me a second time here," Eiji deadpanned.

The flat smile he had on his face. It was the face of a young dead boy contemplating whether to smack his sister for not having the balls to say anything in this situation.

"Yo! Unmei! Barbosa! Well, look at you two!"

"And the caterpillar freak show is here," Eiji groaned. "Along with…"

Eiji narrowed his eyes, noting the Red Spirit looming behind Issac. The Red Spirit of that girl with the broken neck. The girl who glowered over Issac with such… such hatred. It didn't take long for the girl to switch her attention to Eiji.

The ghost boy tensed up.

"A-Anyway, you have Fábuloso to protect you now!" Eiji exclaimed. "Have fun with the dance sis, I'm gonna go now, see ya, bye!"

"Huh?" Kikuko tried her best to breeze through the chill in her spine, turning toward Eiji in surprise whilst speaking in a hushed voice. "E-Eiji? W-Wait! You can't—!"

"Kikuko?" Fábio turned to her, confused. "Are you—?"

"Wow, Unmei," Issac specifically approached Kikuko, his eyes dead set on hers. "You look beautiful…"

Clearly, he was disregarding the stuff Kikuko told him not to do yesterday. Now, he was practically making it a point to do it. Why? Because he wanted to find out why she didn't trust him? Every attempt he made pursuing her like this was both creepy and unjust. And in Fábio's perspective, it gave him all the more reason to want to deck the guy as well.

"Tell me you're saving a dance with me," Issac smiled. "We have a conversation to finish, don't we?"

"Ahem," Fábio cleared his throat.

"Oh yeah, and I guess Barbosa looks good too," thanks Issac.

Just like Fábio and Kikuko, Issac would be wearing the formal wear he was given:

A black button-up fitted nicely to his chest, though to maintain his style, he made sure the top three buttons were undone just to expose his otherwise suave nature. He wore a pair of grey slacks, fitted to his lower half and held together with a black belt. He was also wearing black dress shoes.

Also to note was that Isolde herself was fitted into a tiny white dress that probably came with Issac's clothing. No reason other than for her to join the festivities!

"We have a conversation to finish, yes," Kikuko folded her arms, looking at Issac sternly. "But not during the dance. If you want to talk to me again, I'll do it as long as you don't meddle in anything during the dance."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Got it?" she frowned.

"Hey, no need to say it twice," Issac threw his hands up in the air, defensively. "I'll agree to your terms. I guess it's not every day a Killing Game has a party where you can mingle well with your significant partner. Am I right?"

Kikuko narrowed her eyes, something that gave Issac the hint to move his ass to the corner. With a light chuckle, the toymaker simply shrugged. Though, he did feign some level of fear from Kikuko's irritated glances. Moving away from her, he patted Fábio on the shoulder, laughing as he did so.

"You got quite the spitfire there," Issac simply remarked. "Cherish her well, brother."

With one last smile, Issac went back cuddling his neck against Isolde, making sure to position himself at the farthest corner of the room. The two watched as the toymaker minded his own business, talking to Isolde like nothing had happened prior. Yet, no one's eyes were as narrow as Kikuko's as she braved through the chills in her spine, glancing only at the Red Spirit hovering over Issac.

She admitted that she was genuinely curious to understand what that spirit's story was…

"So, what's this about an unfinished conversation?" Fábio asked Kikuko, confused.

Ah yeah. Kikuko never did get the chance to tell him about Issac's Red Spirit, now did she. Whoopsies!

…

As Kikuko took the time to fill Fábio in on the events of her conversation with Issac yesterday, Aidan and Roderick filed into the room, each wearing their own formal clothing.

Aidan's formal outfit was nice and simple:

It included black dress pants, a light red-dress shirt with a blue and yellow striped tie as well as folded sleeves. Nice. Simple. Plain. And boring stuff.

Roderick's on the other hand was like a formal outfit with certain limitations to accustomed to Roderick's fishing background:

His outfit included a white button-up with a black blazer. For his pants, he wore brown slacks with a black leather belt holding them up. Unlike everyone else however, he didn't wear dress shoes, only opting to wear his regular work boots themselves. As I said, a formal outfit with certain limitations.

"Yo, yo, yo party people!" Aidan gave everyone a thumbs-up. "Everyone's looking good so far!"

Aidan noticed Roderick's boots.

"...S-Seriously?" Aidan blinked. "Are those boots even allowed?"

"Nay, are ye the fashion police?" Roderick grumbled. "Dress shoes be uncomfortable when traveling through the seas! Me boots stay on!"

"B-But… we're not even traveling the seas," Aidan blinked. "I-It's a party, my dude."

"Ye never know," Roderick lowered his beanie, one of the other pieces of attire he kept for sprite's sake. "Ye never know, first mate…"

"Oh, grow up, will you?"

Yukihiko was next to arrive in his formal outfit:

A classic sophisticated and neutral formal ensemble. He wore a high-necked blouse in light lavender. Paired with it are tailored ankle-length trousers in a light gray hue. And finally, completing the look are loafer-style beige shoes. If one looked closely, he even had the time to apply peach nail polish somehow.

"F-Former Capt'n Y-Yukihiko," Roderick was taken aback by Yukihiko's design. "I… Y-Ye look–"

"Huh, you actually came to the party," Aidan was less than happy to see him. "I would've thought an event like this would be the last thing you'd attend. You know, 'Save the Children' and all that."

"Let's get one thing straight," Yukihiko glanced at his peach nails with disinterest. "I'm not here to have fun. I'm just here for when the next round of Hide and Seek starts."

"Yep, there's the Yukihiko we all know," Aidan sighed, shaking his head.

"I-If it be any consolation, lassie," Roderick rubbed the back of his neck, focusing his attention on Yukihiko but trying hard not to stare too hard. "I… I really think ye look good."

Aidan looked at Roderick, strangely.

Yukihiko… didn't change his expression as he turned toward the deep-sea fisherman.

He walked up toward him, then slowly placed a hand over his cheek. Roderick felt his body grow tense. His face heated up. As he shifted his gaze around, he could see that Aidan looked absolutely confused by this. That feeling of loyalty he felt back when he was Yukihiko's second-in-command was ever so prevalent. That connection… Those lingering feelings…

Roderick shuddered in Yukihiko's touch as he listened to the maternal yet motherly words that came out of the child caregiver's mouth.

"Oh, Roderick, honey," Yukihiko smiled. "I think it's so sweet for you to say that."

Roderick's face turned beet red.

"...Unfortunately," Yukihiko sighed. "I don't care."

He removed his hand from Roderick's cheek and simply brushed past the two boys. Aidan winced, watching his new closest ally just stand there and get rejected by the child caregiver like that. Watching Roderick just stand there, his hand rubbing against his own cheek as he couldn't help but feel the image of Yukihiko's outfit locked in his mind.

"Roderick," Aidan sighed, patting him on the back. "It's gonna be alright, man. Don't take everything Yukihiko says at face value. Man's just in a cruddy mood all the time."

"Do ye think I have a chance with Yukihiko, first matey?" Roderick suddenly asked.

"What?" Aidan blinked.

He shifted his glances between Roderick and then to Yukihiko, who kept himself isolated from the others that were already in the Ballroom. He looked back to Roderick. Then, to Yukihiko. Roderick. Yukihiko. Roderick. Yukihiko. Finally, Roderick. He clearly didn't understand why Roderick was acting this way until the fisherman had asked his absurd question.

"Dude…" Aidan looked at Roderick, his mind completely boggled. "...WHAT?!"

…

Mara couldn't believe she had to wear something so ridiculous.

When she walked in, she was adorned in formal attire. It was something she most certainly wasn't used to wearing. If anything, in her lifetime, she's probably only worn something like this once or twice. After that, it was never again and storing it in whatever closet she had at the time. As for what she was actually wearing…

It included a night blue sleeveless gown. Endorned on it was white glitter that can really stain a car seat. Speaking from experience here. The gown included a transformative tiered skirt with a small gap for her legs. Altogether, her dress was supposed to resemble the starry night sky, which was definitely a surprising contrast to how Mara really was. She also wore a white and dark navy frilly headband as well as ribbons that tied her hair into a French waterfall braid.

In other words, Mara was beautiful.

Surprisingly beautiful.

She usually looked so rugged. Of course. She was the Ultimate Karate Master. Beating people up was everything to her character. If anything, she could be compared to Vi, from Arcane. That tough complexion she always bore ended up being a huge contrast to how she looked now. Her dark past and moody persona didn't do her any favors either.

She looked at her attire with a tinge of disgust.

Why'd she even come?

She hated parties.

"Wowee, now dat's a beauty if ah ever saw one."

Oh… right.

Yumi had come into the room. Manon tagged behind her, looking just as mousey as she usually was when she was around the cowgirl.

Yumi was completely out of that Western outfit she usually wore. In fact, the only thing that remained was her white Stetson hat. Everything else was changed to a blue female-cut tuxedo. Replacing her cowboy boots were black wingtips. With such a simple outfit, Yumi looked loud, proud, and absolutely ready to party.

Manon on the other hand looked as beautiful as she did in the tabloids, but the poor girl didn't really want to acknowledge it herself.

Gone was the black shirt and the boots and the fishnet leggings. Now, her outfit consisted of a sleeveless, dark blue knee-length halter neck dress with short cross-strap black heels. Manon clearly looked embarrassed to be wearing her formal outfit, to the point where she was hugging herself and making sure not too much of her own skin was going to be exposed.

All in all, both of them looked good but no one can compare to Mara.

The extravagant looking Mara…

"Mara," Yumi walked up toward Mara, tipping her hat with a charismatic smile over her face. "Ah guess ah was right 'bout ya after all…"

Mara raised an eyebrow, but felt her hand being taken by the cowgirl's.

"Underneath every thorny cactus is a beautiful flower who can bloom brighter dan all da desert flowers in da world," Yumi clasped her hands over Mara's.

Mara's face flushed as she quickly pulled her hand away.

"God, you're embarrassing," Mara muttered, looking away to hide how she really felt about these compliments.

Yumi couldn't help but smile at the karate master.

If anyone saw the cowgirl now, they would see a simple girl smiling for her friend. But Manon saw something different. Yumi's smile was no ordinary smile. It was much too big to be. Much too warm. Manon knew all too well that Yumi's smile was the smile of her worst realizations coming to life. A smile that she didn't want to believe no matter how hard it was staring her in the face.

She stepped forward, forcing a smile of her own.

"Ah, um, Madame Gundo," Manon called out. "Perhaps we can talk about some zing while we wait for ze party to start. Um, how do you Americans say, 'Mingle'?"

"Hm?" Yumi turned to Manon, before nodding. "Ah yea, mingling sounds like fun! Hey, bambina! Ya should join us, yea?"

"Quit calling me bambina," Mara retorted, folding her arms with a sigh.

She stood still, considering her options.

She could either stand in a corner and be her lonesome self like she always did, or she could actually go and interact with someone for once. She looked at Yumi, remembering the Free-Time Event she had with her yesterday. Yumi promised her that she could be a useful ally to her throughout her time in this Killing Game and she did say she would take her up on her offer.

She sighed once again.

"Lao Shi always says that a true honorable warrior always upholds their promises," Mara muttered to herself before speaking up vocally. "Fine. I'll join. But call me 'bambina' again, and I'll leave. Got it?"

"Ya got it, mah desert flower," Yumi winked.

"D-Don't call me that either," Mara blushed.

As Mara joined Yumi, Manon stood to the side, watching the two girls naturally converse with one another. Even though she knew Mara to be the brooding type who would partake in dry-ass conversations, she could see that Mara often seemed in higher spirits when talking to Yumi. It was subtle but Manon could see the signs. She knew the signs in fact. Which was why the more the two talked and left her behind…

…the more she felt jealousy creak into her heart.

…

"Well… I must say… everyone looks quite dashing…"

When it was Kazuki's turn to walk in, he had to admire the formal outfit that everyone had been outfitted into. Though he did feel a little weak thanks to the lack of food, it was the prospect of spending some time with his classmates that made him feel a little more rejuvenated. He noticed two of his peers approaching him: Fábio and Kikuko.

"Mister Barbosa…" Kazuki greeted. "Miss Unmei… Both of you look great…"

"Thanks, you…" Fábio raised an eyebrow at Kazuki's outfit. "...too?"

It was important to note that throughout the Killing Game, Kazuki has always been wearing formal business attire. So, today's formal attire for him was no different than the midnight blue suit he'd always wear. Except, when it came to the attire he was provided, there were a few modifications added to his clothing wear:

His midnight blue suit was swapped with a black alternative. The jacket and pants are black, while the shirt was still white. The midnight blue tie encircled it, keeping the charm of what made his old signature color… uniquely his. Furthermore, he also enveloped his suit with a large double-mantled coat of his typical midnight blue color that he had draped over his shoulder. So, essentially, his formal attire was his normal attire but colored differently and had a coat added to it.

"Kazuki, you wear formal clothing, every day," Kikuko blinked. "I think you'd be the one person who could get away with the dress code."

"So I've considered…" Kazuki chuckled. "But… Where's the fun in not adding a few things to my already perplexing attire…?"

"Man's got a point," Fábio shrugged, sticking his hands inside his pockets. "You look good."

"Thank you... Mister Barbosa…" Kazuki bowed. "But… not as good as…"

He trailed off, his eyes catching wind of the newcomer who had entered the room. Classic romcom scenario of a man being surprised to see a stunning woman make her entrance in slow-motion.

Alisa had entered the room, feeling quite self-conscious over what she was wearing.

She wore an elegant dark blue dress with dark blue high heels. If Kazuki looked a little closer, he could see that Alisa's face looked brighter than it normally did. Did she apply makeup? Also, where are these people getting their makeup from? Now, even though her formal attire was simpler, Kazuki had to admit that seeing her like this…

It was like one hot scene from Scooby Doo 2 where Velma comes in with that super tight squeaky outfit and asks Seth Green's character "Who's your Mommy?".

I have issues.

"Miss… Zachary…" Kazuki moved away from Fábio and Kikuko like he was entranced. "You look…"

"Um, is it too much?" Alisa tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. "I've contemplated keeping some of my original attire, but the dress just looked—"

"Breathtaking…" Kazuki simply said.

Alisa took in what Kazuki said and shyly looked down, her face growing pink. It was something that Kikuko took note of. She grasped onto Fábio's arm, inducting the figure skater to feel nervousness. Turning to Kikuko, Fábio opened his mouth to speak but the shrine priestess was quick to speak first.

"I'm sure you two have much to talk about," Kikuko simply said. "Fábio and I'll be right over there. Feel free to join us any time."

"U-Um, Kikuko, what are you–?" Fábio blinked.

"Come on, Fábio," Kikuko smiled, winking toward Alisa.

As the shrine priestess dragged the figure skater away, Alisa took note of Kikuko giving her this opportunity to be with Kazuki… alone. It was true what they said. Sisters do look out for one another. And yet, here was Alisa, fumbling her opportunity as she couldn't even meet Kazuki's eyes. She was just… too… too…

"Shall we…?" Kazuki held out his arm like a gentleman would.

Alisa glanced at him in surprise. She hesitated, but gently locked arms with him. She simply nodded, not even trying to say anything. If she did, she knew she'd make a fool out of herself. So, she held onto his arms, feeling his warmth as he escorted her toward a corner of the room. He may be thin, but even then, she felt safe. She felt… really safe with him.

…It made her feel all the more guilty to keep her secret from him.

"And saving the best for last!"

Finally, the last playmate, Beauté, arrived, strutting in like she was the main star of the show. As Grandma Sue pointed out in her app, her outfit was formal enough. True. But you really thought you could get away with putting just that as her formal wear? Absolutely the fuck not. So, instead of wearing her regular outfit, she came in wearing something completely new:

A tight, lavender tube dress made of satin. Simple but fancy. There was a level of elegance to it, especially with the tiny black top hat and the purple veil that covered half of her face like she normally did with her hand fan. And running in, ready to take the spotlight, she thrusted her arm in the air for all to see.

To bear witness to the great Beauté Morose!

"That's right!" she declared. "I am here! Give it up for me, everyone!"

...

Yeah, no one cared.

Everyone was too invested in whatever they were doing to give a shit about Beauté. Noticing everyone's lack of respect, the mysterious Ultimate simply folded her arms and huffed.

"Well, that's just rude!" Beauté pouted.

"Oh wonderful, everyone is here!"

The real star of the show appeared.

Stanczyk entered the room, his grin widening as he couldn't believe that all 12 playmates were attending the party. The party that he himself was hosting! Standing beside him was Monoyena, who more or less, didn't look like he wanted to come. It was also important to note that neither of them really changed up anything in terms of appearance.

"H-Hey, how come we had to dress up and you guys didn't?" Aidan complained.

"What are you talking about?" Stanczyk grinned. "I am dressed up!"

Okay, so Stanczyk probably did change in appearance. He gestured to the one difference on his attire… his jabot was replaced by a bowtie. Oh no! Now where is he gonna get something to cry into now?

"You know what?" Aidan rubbed his chin. "That's fair. Bowties are fancier! Now, what's Monoyena's excuse?"

"Bitch, do ya really think I'm gonna do something as lame as waltzing?" Monoyena growled. "Fuck no! I'm just here for the Hide and Seek round right after!"

"But the dress code–" Aidan started to complain.

"I will shove this fucking thing down yer fucking throat and make sure it'll pierce through your Adam's fucking apple!" Monoyena threatened, pointing his Barbie Blade toward Aidan.

Aidan took a step back and threw his hands up into the air defensively.

"Y-You know, dress codes are overrated anyway, so uh…" he chuckled sheepishly.

"So, how is this going to work?" Mara stepped up, folding her arms and staring straight at Stanczyk. "Are we just going to dance to you singing every song or…"

"Wonderful question!" Stanczyk clapped his hands excitedly. "And to answer it…"

On cue, the lights dimmed slightly and the speakers that were in the room started to play an assortment of waltz-like music to fit the vibes. All that was missing was a light show but with what little this house had, this was enough to set the mood. Stanczyk stepped back and extended his arms, excitedly.

"Have fun, best friends!" the jester declared.

…

The moment the music started, the playmates had looked amongst themselves, unsure on what exactly to do.

Kids nowadays. When they thought of a party, they thought of dancing to upbeat electronic, techno, remixes, all of that stuff. But the waltz and the ballroom dances were like classy dances. The most sophisticated and prestigious and frankly, the most beautiful. Fitting for a haunted house of this aesthetic as well. No, this is not the author's opinion being thrown into a fic, it's just fact.

And now, these Gen whatever were forced to waltz with one another.

Luckily, one of them actually knew how to do it…

As the music started, Kazuki turned to Alisa, his hand extended out and his other hand behind him. He bowed down, as if asking for her hand. Though he looked weak and frail, he thought perhaps… he had it in himself for at least one dance. One long dance with the most ravishing girl in the room.

"May I have the honor… Miss Zachary…?" Kazuki asked, politely.

Alisa blinked for a moment, his cheeks turning pink.

"O-Of course… Mister Nobukatsu," Alisa glanced away, her heart skipping a beat. "B-But… I don't know how to…"

"Don't worry…" Kazuki kept his hand extended, a smile assuring her that it was going to be alright. "...I'll lead you."

She took his hand.

Then, with such grace and elegance, Kazuki escorted her toward the middle of the Ballroom, fighting against the hunger pangs in his system. Holding one of her hands and placing another hand over her waist, he softly spoke to her.

"...Place a hand on my shoulder…" Kazuki gently ordered.

Alisa did as she was told.

"Now… just… focus your attention on me and relax your body…" Kazuki simply told her.

Alisa simply nodded.

Then, she felt herself move. She felt herself quite literally get swept off her feet as Kazuki slowly swayed her body back one step… to the left one step… back one step… to the right one step… rinse and repeat.

And for Alisa…

…it just felt effortless.

…

Kazuki's example was a good example to follow.

Definitely an inspiration to Fábio for sure. He wasted no time. Seeing his chance, Fábio quickly turned to Kikuko and held out his hand. Albeit a little too quickly. By the chance he realized what he had done, he already had his hand sticking out for Kikuko to see. She looked surprised. As if he had come on too strong.

Shit.

His hands shook.

"I– I mean," Fábio coughed. "O-Only if you want to—"

He slowly began to retract his hands as if Kikuko had rejected h—

Kikuko grabbed onto his hands, an amused look on her face as she refused to let him pull away like this.

"Don't take your hand away, silly," Kikuko teased. "Of course I want to. You just had to ask."

Fábio's heart paced back and forth. Common male brain. Just needed the confirmation on whether or not it was okay. And once he got that confirmation, his face warmed into a smile. Following Kazuki's example from earlier, Fábio guided Kikuko toward the middle of the Ballroom and joined Kazuki and Alisa in waltzing.

Just like Kazuki…

One step forward.

One step to the left.

One step back.

One step to the right.

Rinse and repeat.

Effortless.

Something that definitely took Kikuko by surprise when she felt herself move around with ease. With one hand over her waist, it was like she was being guided by a guardian angel or something like that. And honestly, to be swinging around at such a gentle pace… It made her heart beat faster than ever once she noticed just how close she was to Fábio.

"W-Wow," Kikuko bit her lip, her face blushing. "Y-You're… really good at this."

"I'm a figure skater, remember?" Fábio chuckled sheepishly. "Following Kazuki's patterns is all I need to do to understand. In a way, it's basically like skating… just not on ice."

"Don't you hate figure skating though?" Kikuko blinked.

"Doesn't mean I can't appreciate having the skills to do this," Fábio smiled.

Kikuko suddenly felt herself spin before being tipped toward the ground. Any amateur would've dropped the girl but Fábio was no amateur. Dancing was probably somewhere in the same artistic category as figure skating. It was a performative art. Meaning somewhere, it had the same fundamentals. Just different movements that Fábio easily got used to.

Different movements that got him a smooth dance with Kikuko…

Fábio's face sank as he blushed.

"S-Sorry, I should've warned y–" Fábio gently raised her back up.

"Again," Kikuko simply said, a bright smile on her face.

Fábio's blush deepened.

…

"Okay, so it's like dis right?" Yumi was fumbling her side of the dance.

She really thought it would be cool to lead Mara in their little waltz, but as someone who grew up with the do-si-doe, clearly she wasn't cut out for the classical Tchaikovsky shit. In fact, the more she fumbled her movements, the more Mara seemed irritated to have been her partner. Truly, Yumi was making a fool of herself.

"Ah gosh darn it," Yumi sighed. "How many steps is it again? Two steps to da right? Or two steps forward—"

"It's one step," Mara impatiently stated. "It's one step for every direction—"

"Hang on, hang on," Yumi was feeling deeply embarrassed. "Ah dink ah—"

Yumi nearly tripped.

"For the love of–" Mara groaned, before swiftly exchanging positions with her. "Let me lead."

This time, Mara, even though she was Sempi-sized 5'2, grabbed hold of the 6'1 Yumi's waist and started to lead her with simplicity.

One step forward.

One step to the left.

One step back.

One step to the right.

Rinse and repeat.

That was all it was…

"Was that so hard?" Mara muttered, glancing away.

Yumi blinked, before laughing as she felt the dance grow ever so gentle. She wasn't used to this feeling. A short queen leading the dance of an Amazon beast like her. As they followed the other couples on the dance floor, Yumi couldn't help but be amazed that someone like Mara could be so talented at waltzing like this.

Her look of amazement ended with a goofy smile on her face.

She knew this based on the look Mara was giving her.

"What?" she frowned.

"Ah, nothin," Yumi chuckled. "It's just… ah remember ya sayin ya don't dance. What happened? Did ya have a change of heart because of little ol' me?"

Mara widened her eyes and blushed.

"Sh-Shut up!" Mara looked away. "It's an easy four-step dance to follow! I'm just doing it because I was bored!

"If ya say so, bambina," Yumi started to laugh.

"I told you to quit calling me, bambina!" Mara exclaimed.

Yumi continued to laugh at this.

She didn't care.

She was happy.

Happy that she was dancing with Mara, just as she had wanted to do so the first time they found this Ballroom together…

…

Manon was not happy that Yumi was dancing with Mara.

If anything, she felt left out of the festivities. Not that she could blame the event. A waltz was a one-on-one dance and yet, she had no one. The one person she was hoping she could dance with instantly dragged Mara onto the dance floor so there she was… just… standing there. Alone.

Forced to watch as Mara and Yumi danced the night away.

Without her.

She glanced down, but then noticed a hand extended out for her. She blinked. Who would want to dance with Manon Vivienne Levesque? Well, a lot of people, she was sure but… She looked back up, noticing a familiar toymaker standing in her presence. On AO3, this could be a great one-shot moment, AKA, I'm doing this for whatever fans shipped Issac X Manon. But in the story, Manon was confused.

Why was he…?

"You looked lonely," Issac simply said with a smile. "Why get left out?"

"Quoi?" Manon blinked. "What about…?"

She gestured to the toy caterpillar he was always so obsessed with.

"Well, you're an actress, right?" Issac smiled. "Why don't you play the role of a human Isolde so I can pretend I'm waltzing with her. That sounds fun, right?"

Ah.

There we go.

Manon snuck a glance toward Mara and Yumi again, noticing just how much fun they were having and how left in the dust she was. She frowned. What other choice did she have besides stand away from the dance floor and sulk. She begrudgingly took Issac's hand and sighed.

"Oui, Monsieur," Manon simply said. "It sounds… fun…"

Then, she allowed herself to be escorted up toward the dance floor.

…

Aidan watched the dances unfold as he leaned against the wall.

Honestly, for someone with no partner, he couldn't help but feel warmed by everyone having a good time. For the first time, everyone was having a good time. No one was being plagued by the thoughts of hungry children. No one cared in the world over what was going on. All that was happening now was a simple dance.

A simple dance to get them to ease their worries before the next round of Hide and Seek started.

As he folded his arms, his mind drifted toward some people who he probably would've enjoyed waltzing with. There was Emmeline. Alina. Fuck Riku. And… his expression softened as he thought about Daisuke. No doubt, he'd ask him to dance. He'd probably be so nervous to ask but in the end, Aidan would've probably said yes.

He chuckled to himself.

"You know, we should probably hit the dance floor ourselves," Aidan laughed to Roderick. "What do ya say, Roderick buddy? Wanna be my waltzing partner as bros?"

He glanced to the side and noticed that he had been asking nothing but air.

Roderick had long abandoned him to approach Yukihiko, because of course he did. When Roderick let out the fact that he liked Yukihiko, that was a shock enough to take ten years off of his life or something. And to see it happen real time… eugh. Roderick man, you can do better than him…

"B-Bro…" Aidan cringed.

"I'll be your waltzing partner!"

Out of nowhere, Beauté popped out and grasped Aidan by the arm, dragging him to the dance floor without consent. With widened eyes, Aidan tried his best to remain where he was, but the mysterious Ultimate's grip was too strong. He was quite literally being forced to dance with Beauté of all people.

"W-What?!" Aidan exclaimed. "N-No! H to the E to the double L, no! No no no no!"

"Aww come on!" Beauté giggled. "It'll be fun! Don't you want to have fun with me?"

"I'd rather have fun with Stanczyk than you!" Aidan exclaimed.

"Aww, now that's not very nice!" Beauté laughed. "Come on Aidan! You know you want to!"

"N-Nooooooooooo!" Aidan wailed.

…

Roderick never once heard Aidan's wails for help.

Even though Aidan was like his new bro or something, Roderick really broke the bro code just to approach a person who he still thought was female. Now, would it technically be breaking the bro code if he was abandoning a bro for another bro but thought that bro was a woman? Surely so, right? Regardless of bro code rules 2024, Roderick had rehearsed on how to ask Yukihiko to dance in his mind numerous times.

Seeing her just standing there…

He knew what she had said to him really hurt that day. But, he did give himself space from Yukihiko. So, maybe… Maybe this time around…

"Aye, Yukihiko, er lassie," Roderick spoke up. "Could I…"

"No," Yukihiko shut it down real quick.

"B-But I–" Roderick blinked.

"Roderick, honey," Yukihiko sighed in annoyance, forcing a smile to go along with his maternal persona. "Let me say this in a language you'll hopefully understand. No… means no. And there is nothing that'll change that for me."

"Awww, you two don't have dance partners?"

Stanczyk suddenly arrived, his face looking slightly distraught.

"Th-That's… That's so sad, though," the jester's mouth began to quiver. "I… I would hate to see two of my best friends just standing here all alone while everyone else has fun! I-It… It doesn't seem fair!"

The jester was trying everything in his power not to cry, especially since he didn't have his jabot acting as his makeshift tissue paper. Luckily for him, his mask shifted to a happy expression, as if an idea had just popped into his head.

"Oh, I know!" Stanczyk grinned. "You two can dance with either me or Monoyena! Doesn't that sound like fun?!"

"The fuck did you say?!" Monoyena yelled from across the room.

Roderick blinked as he considered this alternative, but in an instant, he felt his hand being held and his body being dragged away by the strangely strong femboy. Yukihiko clearly didn't want to have to dance with two child kidnappers so he supposed he was stuck dancing with the fairytale-believing idiot.

"N-Nay?" Roderick blinked. "Y-Yukihiko?"

"Nope, shut it," Yukihiko frowned. "When we dance, we don't speak to each other. Got it?"

"E-Er… a-aye aye, lassie!" Roderick saluted.

"What did I just say about speaking?" Yukihiko narrowed his eyes.

That shut Roderick up real quick, but on the winning side, at least he scored a dance with Yukihiko!

…

And if Roderick took the time to look at Stanczyk, he would've seen the jester cheering him on with that bright grin over his face.

It went all according to his plan. He really looked out for one of the bros and snagged the fisherman a dance with Yukihiko. Maybe… behind that Killing Game mumbo jumbo and the fact that he was literally endangering children, he wasn't all that bad. Maybe, just maybe, he truly did want his best friends to have fun…

"What the fuck did you just say to me, ya tear-gassed bitch?" Monoyena stormed up toward Stanczyk, his gaze burning.

Stanczyk didn't say anything.

"Hello?!" Monoyena growled. "Oi! I'm fucking speaking to ya cumrag!"

But Stanczyk remained silent.

He just watched as his best friends waltzed with one another, genuinely having fun for the first time. His expression was neutral, but just seeing everyone enjoy themselves and not have to worry about anything else. It made him tear up. Genuinely, tear up. Through his plus-shaped eye socket, a tear slipped out of his eye and trailed down his mask.

"A-Are ya… crying?" Monoyena looked at Stanczyk confused.

And once again, Stanczyk didn't respond.

He just… savored the moment.

...

"Aww Aidan, admit it," Beauté giggled as she led the dance with the very unwilling Aidan. "You're enjoying yourself!"

"I don't consent to this!" Aidan exclaimed. "I don't consent to this!"

"Oh, don't be like that," Beauté smirked. "The fanbase wanted to see us together for a long time coming now!"

"What on Earth are you even talking about?!" Aidan exclaimed.

…

Kazuki nearly fumbled during one of his steps.

He could feel the starvation slowly affect his waltzing skills. It definitely wasn't a minor fumble that would go unnoticed either. Alisa took notice and although she wanted to stop, Kazuki didn't let her. They continued to pace around at the same pace that they have been doing for the past 20 rotations. Though, they significantly slowed down…

"K-Kazuki, are you okay?" Alisa asked him, concerned.

"...Don't worry about me…" Kazuki simply smiled. "Just a misstep…"

"No, you're hungry," Alisa frowned. "You shouldn't be pushing yourself to dance like this. You should sit down and rest."

"And miss out on what may be the last moment of my life…?" Kazuki asked with a smile.

Alisa stopped, realizing what he meant.

And it wasn't a thought she exactly wanted to think about.

"...I apologize if this is selfish of me…" Kazuki simply said. "But… Please allow me to cherish this entire moment with you."

Alisa felt the world slow down for them both as she contemplated her decision. She closed her eyes, feeling herself pace back and forth. Then, she moved herself closer toward Kazuki, practically hugging him. Keeping him close to her. Her face blushed as she felt his warmth and smelled his scent. If they were to cherish this moment then… she wasn't letting go. Not now. Not ever…

"...Okay…" was all Alisa said.

Kazuki blinked before returning the hug.

They paced back and forth, no longer waltzing but slow dancing at this point. But no one cared whether or not they were doing the wrong dance. All that had to be cared about was that they had each other.

For at least one single moment, they had each other…

…

"So, you're going to confront Issac about everything today during Hide and Seek, right?" Fábio asked, as he twirled her around and continued to waltz with Kikuko.

"Yeah," Kikuko sighed. "If only to get him to stop getting in between… well, the both of us."

Her face blushed when she said that.

Naturally, Fábio's did as well.

"B-Because I still promised to help you with João," Kikuko corrected herself.

"R-Right, it'd be bad if he walked in whatever sessions we planned," Fábio had to agree.

Absolutely the same wavelength.

And the two recognized it.

Their dance only grew slower as they hesitated stepping up toward one another. Eiji had fucked off to who knows where, which only made the moment all more sweeter. Because for once… for a long time actually… both Fábio and Kikuko finally had a moment of peace with each other. Kikuko inched herself a little closer to Fábio as the two continued to move throughout the dance floor.

Closer.

Something both of them definitely wanted…

…

"Ugh…"

It was half-way through the next rotation that Mara noticed Yumi was looking a little sickly. That confused the karate master. They weren't waltzing at a relatively fast pace. They weren't doing any sudden twirls or tips. Was it something she did or was it…? Mara's face looked genuinely concerned as she stopped for a moment, making sure to move her away from the dance floor.

"Are you alright?" Mara asked.

"Totally fine," Yumi looked sick to her stomach. "Ahm just…"

She looked close to vomiting.

"A-Actually, ah dink ah gotta…" Yumi felt herself start to sweat before turning back toward the Ballroom exit.

She let go of Mara and quickly ran off to find the Bathroom.

She was sick.

But from what?

That was the puzzling part…

And as Mara stood there, feeling confused over what had happened, she felt a presence approach her. She had the urge to punch them in the gut but at the same time, if she did, she'd probably be dead. She resisted that urge and turned to see Stanczyk, extending out his hand with a small smile over his face.

"Would you mind…?" he asked. "If I stole a dance with you, best friend?"

…

Manon noticed Yumi running away from Mara and the karate master get courted by the jester.

As she danced with Issac, she felt her body move in rhythm. But her focus remained on what happened between Yumi and Mara. Specifically, what happened with Yumi. She glanced back toward Issac and slowly let go of herself from his grasp. The toymaker could only look at her in confusion.

"What's wrong?" he questioned, tilting his head in confusion. "Weren't you having fun?"

"Ah, je suis désolée," Manon apologized. "Mais, I must go to ze bathroom really quick. I'll be right back!"

"Hm, if you're sure," Issac hummed, folding his arms. "I was just getting to the good part."

Manon nodded and ignored that last part.

Then, she turned and sprinted out of the Ballroom.

This was as good as any chance she was going to get to talk to Yumi about everything. She had to take it. If she couldn't dance with her, then she was going to follow Yumi wherever she was. She needed that confirmation. This was going to be her last shot to finally figure out…

…what her chances truly were with Yumi.

And as Manon ran off, Issac couldn't help but look down toward Isolde, chuckling sheepishly in her vicinity.

"What?" Issac chuckled. "Come on, Isolde, it doesn't count as cheating if I'm thinking about you when I'm dancing with other women!"

---

(Bathroom)

Tell me if this seems familiar.

Someone pukes in a toilet after a party and their meeker friend is the one who took it upon themselves to comfort them and make sure they're okay. Once you have the answer, you probably have an inkling over where this scene might be going but hey! Who knows? Maybe something different will happen. But regardless…

That was exactly what was happening between Yumi and Manon.

Yumi had puked in the bathroom's toiletry. She coughed and hacked, noting the pile of vomit that was now swirling in the toilet. She furrowed her eyebrows. She blinked. She narrowed her eyes and tried to grasp what exactly she had thrown up, but the toilet instantly flushed, courtesy of Manon. As it turned out, the French actress managed to catch up to her no problem shortly after ditching Issac behind.

And in the French girl's perspective, Yumi had looked quite sickly. Like the lack of food was quite literally killing her here. She made sure to move locks of Yumi's hair away from her mouth just so none of it got stained.

There were no showers here so getting dirty would be most unrecommended.

Manon did her utmost to comfort Yumi.

Even now, she wanted to prove to herself that she still had a chance. Maybe what she saw and heard yesterday wasn't anything worth worrying about. She wanted to believe so desperately that she had a chance that she was so willing to get her and Yumi alone. So, she can show her just how much better she was. How blind Yumi was. She was right here. So, why?

Manon grimaced.

God.

She was selfish.

Manon Vivienne Levesque shouldn't be selfish.

That's not…

"Ugh, sorry 'bout dat, bambina," Yumi slowly got up, rubbing the back of her neck. "Ah don't know what came over me but, thank ya fer da assistance."

"O-Oui," Manon bit her lip.

The cowgirl felt the actress slowly rub her back and, in a way, it felt nice. Not like in a pervy way, God no. But it felt comforting and definitely helped relaxed over what was probably an upset stomach crying for food or something like that. Made her feel rejuvenated. Back to her old self again.

"Y'know, yer kinda good at dat," Yumi tipped her hat toward Manon.

"Quoi?" Manon blinked. "What do you mean?"

"What ya just did," Yumi rubbed her chin. "Takin yer time ta make me feel better and okay after puking. Ah dink it was mighty nice of ya to do dat fer me. Thanks."

Manon blushed.

She rubbed her arms and glanced away. She was unsure on how to take the compliment. Part of her wanted to take it as a win. Just fuel the false hope she had that a relationship between her and Yumi was going to happen. But the other half…

It craved more.

It loved that compliment, and it wanted more of Yumi.

Wanted more to be around her…

She watched Yumi turn toward the door and immediately blurted the first thing that came on her mind.

"I had to do zat kind of zing a lot back home," Manon pointed out but started to shrink when she locked eyes with Yumi's. "Parce que… Parce que ma sœur…"

"Yer sister?" Yumi blinked.

"O-Oui," Manon nodded. "You see, ma sœur was sick a lot back home, so I had to do a lot of zings for her."

Manon lowered her head.

"I told you zat me and ma sœurwere always close with one another..." Manon continued. "Mais, I never did tell you ze reason for zat..."

Yumi looked at her, curiously.

"What was da reason?" she asked.

"...She's sick," Manon revealed.

"Huh?" Yumi blinked. "Ya mean ta tell me dat yer sister is like… suffering from an illness of some kind?"

"Oui," Manon nodded. "She contracted it at a young age. At first, ze effects were minor. Common fevers and cough and sneezing. But as she grew older, ze effects worsened, to ze point where she couldn't even get out of bed to go to school or do ze zings she had to do."

"Dat… sounds awful," Yumi looked at Manon, sympathetically. "Ahm sorry to hear yer sister had to go through dat…"

Manon simply nodded.

"Oui, it is sad," Manon glanced away. "Mais, I was always zere to take care of her. So helping you today reminded me of what it felt like to help her."

Yumi caught the look of sadness Manon had.

Ironic that she was able to catch that but not anything else, like for say, Manon's obvious crush on her. But regardless, it didn't take long for Yumi to realize that she didn't really know too much about Manon's sister. The only thing she knew was the fact that she had one. And looking at her eyes, she could easily tell the obvious fact about Manon.

"...You miss her, dontcha?" Yumi smiled.

Manon looked at the cowgirl, surprised.

"O-Oui," she nodded. "My sister… she…"

She struggled to speak for a moment but gave herself a moment to formulate a proper sentence.

"You… remember how I mentioned zat I feel used by ma mere et pere, non?" Manon asked.

"Of course," Yumi nodded.

"...Ma sœur made me a promise," Manon slowly smiled to herself, looking up toward the sky like there was a spotlight over her. "Zat one day, when both of us were ready, we would run away from Maman et Papa and start a new life together… as equals. Zat is what I would like to do if I get out of here."

Manon placed her hands over her heart.

"I… want to be reunited with ma sœur and live life with her to ze fullest," Manon smiled. "And if possible, I would like—"

She cut herself there, blushing madly over the thought.

"Ah, excusez-moi," Manon looked embarrassed. "I… almost said some zing I shouldn't have..."

She giggled, albeit a little nervously but Yumi didn't seem to catch on. Good. Manon couldn't let her know what her current passion was now that she has met and fallen for Yumi. At least, not until she had her confirmation. She tilted her head, trying to make out what Yumi thought about her story. She watched as the gunslinger took off her hat and lowered her head.

"Ah won't even begin ta pry into what you were 'bout ta say," Yumi winked. "No matter how intrigued ah am."

Yumi glanced away.

"But it sounds nice," Yumi couldn't help but smile. "It sounds… really nice."

The cowgirl couldn't help but imagine Manon's story. It did sound like it was something out of a fairytale. In fact, visually, in her mind, it really did look like something she can imagine. Just Manon and her sister, walking in a field of reeds as free as the wind. Man. What a sight that would be to see.

"Ah always wondered what it'd be like ta have an actual blood-related sister," Yumi noted. "Ah'd say you've helped with mah imagination, bambina. Thank ya."

"A-Ah," Manon blushed once more. "O-Oui."

The actress dug the toe of her shoe into the ground, bashfully.

"Mais, I never asked what your family was like, did I?" Manon asked, curiously. "I remember you mentioned you had a father. Mais, what about–"

"Ah, dat wicked ol' witch?" Yumi shrugged, lowering her hat. "Gone. And good riddance to her. All she did was yap her mouth and made both me and ma Pop's life a living Hell."

"Wicked ol' witch?" Manon blinked.

And she thought her parents were bad.

"Trust me," Yumi smiled. "It'd be better ta not go into too many details her. But if ah had ta compare, and ahm sorry if ah offend you in any way, bambina…"

Manon gave her a reassuring look, telling her that whatever she said was going to be alright.

"...Yer parents are saints compared to the swampy hag dat is mah Ma," Yumi sighed. "Just know, there be a reason why ahm a child of divorce and mah Pa made sure ta move me all da way West."

"Ah, d-divorce," Manon looked down.

"Now, don't go lookin like dat on me, bambina," Yumi smiled. "It ain't no biggie. Ahm doin great enough as it is! S-Sure ah got mahself into a few pickles but ahm still doin good fer a girl with no Ma!"

"W-Was ze divorce…?" Manon was almost afraid to ask.

Yumi rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. No matter how strong she was or how optimistic she was, the fact remained that a divorce was just something that not every child should have to be put through. Especially one like hers…

"It was Hell, alright…" Yumi closed her eyes. "Like tacklin a herd of cows during a Texan tornado. Mah Ma made sure Pa and ah suffered throughout da proceedings. Bunch of custody battles really. Pa wanted me. Ma wanted da child support money. It was…"

Yumi placed her hands over her hips with a frown.

"It was bad," she simply said. "Real bad, lemme tell ya."

Yumi furrowed her eyebrows for a moment.

"Ya know, ah always wondered whether it was dat which attributed to da mah thrill-seeking behavior," Yumi hummed. "Maybe ah did get some of mah Ma's properties."

Yumi started to laugh.

It was admirable.

And yet, Manon just couldn't understand. Just how could she be so happy knowing she had a family like hers? Knowing she had to go through so much. She wasn't just a child of divorce. She was also someone who had been hospitalized and had developed an errate fear of guns during an event in which she mishandled a firearm. It was…

"H-How…?" Manon frowned. "H-How can you laugh at zis?"

"H-Huh?" Yumi dropped her smile. "B-Bambina, are ya alright?"

"Non!" Manon shook her head. "You have been through so much! Divorce! Hospitalization! How can you still be happy after every zing? I always knew you were strong but zis… To still be so optimistic after so much! It is…"

Yumi lowered her white Stetson hat.

"What's da use in bein angry or scared of da past?" Yumi asked. "You were da one who taught me dat, weren't ya?"

"Q-Quoi?" Manon blinked.

"Ah might've let myself slip a little when mah prized gun came back into mah life, but at da same time, it was you who reminded me ta not let stuff like dat git ta me," Yumi shrugged. "Ah have been through so much. But ahm not gonna let da past define who ah am as a person. So, there's really no use feeling sorry fer a rascal's past."

Yumi placed her hands over her hips and smiled.

"Ahm happy now," Yumi beamed. "Dat's all dat matters now! Dontcha agree, bambina?"

Manon… simply nodded.

Once again, Yumi was proving herself to be a strong person unlike any other. Just like her, there were still stuff Manon didn't know about Yumi. She didn't know all of that which Yumi had to go through. And yet, while she's still stuck wearing a sheep's clothing, Yumi here was beaming and showing who she truly was as a person. It only served to make her more attractive. Served to…

Manon bit her lip.

"Anyway, ahm sure da others are waitin on us back at da party so we gotta–" Yumi was about to say before Manon opened her mouth.

"Um, actually, Madame Gundo," Manon held her hands together like a submissive little mouse. "C-Could I perhaps have a moment of your time, s'il vous plaît?"

Yumi tilted her head, curiously.

"Well, of course, bambina," she smiled. "Wer like sisters ain't we? We can tell each other anything."

Did she get sister-zoned?

Curse Manon and the fact that she compared their first Free-Time Event together as nothing more than sisters confiding in one another. If Manon knew she was going to develop a crush she probably would've never have phrased things the way she did. Speaking of which, the actress made absolutely sure that the door was closed before she began her questioning.

"Um, oui, sisters, um mais…" Manon held her breath.

How exactly should she get this questioning going?

"About yesterday, I…" Manon was starting to get cold feet.

An actress getting cold feet over something as small as a relationship hassle?

Hilarious.

"Ah yeah," Yumi sighed. "Sorry fer keepin ya outta dat conversation. But at da same time, I'd like to thank ya fer not interruptin once during it. Ah… needed dat conversation with Mara fer sure."

"Oui, Mara," Manon lowered her head.

Her eyes quivered.

"What do you zink about her?" Manon quickly said, glancing back up, hoping to hear the answer from Yumi's mouth.

Or rather, hoping to hear the answer she wanted to hear. Because if she got the answer she wanted, she could…

"What do ah dink 'bout Mara?" Yumi asked, blinking.

Manon looked at the cowgirl, expectantly.

All the while thinking to herself over and over again…

She's just a friend.

She's just a friend.

She's just a friend.

Yumi laughed.

She shook her head once. Then, twice. Lowering her head and placing her hands over her hips, Yumi thought long and hard about Mara. She was always someone with that cold and tough exterior. But inside, Yumi saw otherwise. She saw a girl who needed help. A girl who needed help and yet maintained a strong appearance regardless. Only the strongest would find the courage to sacrifice their own happiness just so others could be. That in itself was… admirable.

Yumi's face heated up.

She looked back up toward Manon, smiling at her. She was embarrassed. She took off her hat and placed it over her chest, as if she were acting out of courtesy. Already, seeing Yumi do something Manon's never see her was bad news. Whatever answer was going to come out of her mouth, she wasn't going to like it.

"A-Actually, now dat yer askin," Yumi smiled. "Can ya keep a secret?"

Manon didn't even have the guts to open her mouth and say 'yes'.

She just nodded.

"Ah like her," Yumi blushed. "Like, really, really, like her. Whenever she feels comfortable, ah dink ah'll have da courage ta pop da question. And den, we'll go from there."

"W-What if she says, 'no'?" now Manon was desperate.

"Well, we'll just have ta see if she can resist da good ol' Yumi charm, now, don't we?" Yumi joked, but Manon knew deep down, she was serious.

The French actress said nothing.

"Anyway, was dat all ya wanted ta talk about?" Yumi smiled.

Manon simply feigned a smile and nodded.

"Gotcha," Yumi tipped her hat. "Well then, ah thank ya fer da help here, bambina! Ah'll be heading back. Ya wanna head back together?"

"A-Ah, non," Manon spoke, smiling toward Yumi. "I need to use ze bathroom. I'll join you later, oui?"

"If yer sure," Yumi nodded. "I'll see you inside then, bambina."

Manon nodded once more, watching the cowgirl leave the Bathroom.

The moment the door closed, Manon felt her smile fade away, but the truth is, the smile still remained.

She got her confirmation. Yumi loved Mara. The gunslinger said so herself. She was the only girl in Yumi's sights. Not her. It was never her. Of course. How could Manon think otherwise? How could she even begin to believe that she had a chance? That her, Manon, could have a chance with anyone. But, it's alright Manon. On the bright side…

At least she, Manon Vivienne Levesque, and Yumi Gundo grew closer together, right?

Right?

…

A tear dropped onto the floor.

Manon didn't even bother to react.

She just dropped to her knees, her mouth quivering, as if her fake smile was starting to self-destruct. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she quietly sobbed. She had been holding these back for so long. Holding them back over her false hope. All of those tears that was hanging onto a thread. A thread surrounding that confirmation.

And yet, the confirmation she received today was the same confirmation she received her entire life.

Manon never gets what she wants.

She never did.

Why?

As the tears splashed onto the ground and her quiet sobs sounded more like whimpers, Manon hugged herself miserably. Her smile faded. She was absolutely depressed. It was at this point in time that her mind flipped it. Yumi was happy with Mara. So…

Why?

She should be happy, non?

She should be happy for her.

So why?

…

Why was she so selfish?

---

(Ballroom)

Kazuki rested against the wall, the exhaustion fully taking over.

It was shortly after the waltzing had ended that everyone had moved away from the dance floor and situated themselves against the wall. The lights had turned back on to their normal settings and the music had died away. Monoyena and Stanczyk had taken center stage and everyone else was forced to realize that the fun they had has now ended. The distraction from their hunger and what they and the children were going through…

Slowly, it came rushing back.

"Thank you everyone for attending this fantastic event!" Stanczyk declared, removing his bow tie and bringing back his jabot. "I-It truly brings so much joy in my heart to see my best friends having so much fun! Oh! I can cry happy tears!"

"Yeah yeah yeah, you all looked fucking ridiculous," Monoyena growled. "Let's get this real shit on the road! Hide and Seek! It's time to get that up and rolling!"

"Finally," Yukihiko muttered quietly to himself, standing to the side as he ignored Roderick's somewhat happy smile.

A happy smile from a man who got to dance with Yukihiko!

"Now then, Stanshit, if ya can do the honors," Monoyena grinned, placing his paws behind his back with a prideful yet toothy grin.

He was met with silence.

Silence, until Stanczyk glanced down toward Monoyena in confusion.

"H-Huh?" Stanczyk blinked. "What? But… I was Seeker yesterday!"

"Yeah, and does it look like I care?" Monoyena growled. "Ya had yer fun! So, quit yer whining and count!"

Stanczyk looked at Monoyena like he was about to throw a fit. In fact, he was probably going to explode into tears at any—

"Okay!" Stanczyk happily stated.

Nevermind.

"...120…"

And he turned around and started to count down.

"...119…"

"...118…"

"...117…"

"...116…"

That was enough to garner some people to run out and hide.

But some stayed behind.

One of which was Kazuki, who was simply too exhausted, starved, and just didn't seem interested in playing along with this next Hide and Seek round. At least, not until Alisa approached him with concern.

They had their moment.

Now it was back to business.

Back to…

"Miss Zachary…" Kazuki simply smiled. "So… You came to join me… I see…"

Alisa gave him a small smile.

But that smile faded too quickly as she thought about what she must do. Just dancing with Kazuki and allowing herself to be in his company like that… To feel safe around him. How could she just keep it all a secret? Kazuki deserved to know. It was the least she could after everything.

She squatted down and held out her hand.

"...Can we talk?" Alisa asked. "Privately…?"

Kazuki glanced at her, curiously.

Curiously as Stanczyk's timer ticked down.

"...96…"

"...95…"

"...94…"

"...93…"

"...92…"

"...91…"

"...90…"

Neither of them, noticing Yukihiko's expectant stare, as he watched Alisa do her thing. Finally, was she going to uphold her end of the bargain…?

---

(Music Room)

"Well, this is most certainly a unique hiding spot."

Issac thought it to be a welcome surprise that it was Kikuko that dragged him into a hiding spot instead of the other way around. He supposed it was good since when he did it, he had to kidnap her to do it. Here, Kikuko was inviting him. A sheer contrast and definitely told Issac that he was going to get the answer he wanted out of her.

Why did she hate him?

That was his intrigue…

One of many…

"We aren't hiding," Kikuko shook her head. "I told you. I'm not interested in playing the game. I just wanted a private spot to finish our conversation."

"Really?" Issac looked slightly disappointed. "Even though you haven't eaten for five days now?"

Kikuko's stomach growled as she grimaced.

"Thanks for reminding me," she sighed.

She could be speaking with Fábio and having a longer moment with him, but not with matters with Issac unsettled. If she actually wanted a moment with Fábio, she'd have to get Issac off her back. She said she'd help Fábio with his brother's issues but the past few days, Issac had been harping on her case all because she wasn't as subtle as she thought in avoiding him. Steering clear of that Red Spirit that hovered over him.

"So, lay it on us," Issac smiled, pulling up a chair and sitting in it. "Isolde has been getting overprotective lately. Wants to know why you hate me."

This was what you wanted, but okay, blame it on the toy caterpillar.

"...I don't hate you," Kikuko simply said.

Issac furrowed his eyebrows, looking slightly confused.

"I just have trouble trusting people," Kikuko responded.

She's rehearsed it quite a bit. That was the response she was going to have to give. Because compared to Fábio, she can't trust Issac about the real reason why she didn't like him. She just can't. She didn't know what he might do with it and she didn't know what he was capable of… if his Red Spirit was anything to go by.

Even so, the look Issac was giving her was enough to send chills down her spine on her own. With a sigh, the toymaker stood up and paced around the room. He kept his smile, but Kikuko knew that behind it, he wasn't happy with her answer. Or namely, he wasn't convinced.

"Really?" Issac spoke in disbelief. "You have trouble trusting people."

The toymaker couldn't help but laugh, running both hands through his pink hair. He stared up at the ceiling, chuckling in delight before sighing to himself once more.

"I thought I told you, Unmei," Issac sighed. "Isolde and I hate liars."

"...I'm not lying," Kikuko frowned. "It's the truth."

"Really now?" Issac caressed Isolde's chin before turning to her. "What do you think Isolde? Think she's telling the truth?"

He paused.

"What's that?" Issac chuckled. "You think she's full of shit? I think so too…"

"Look, I brought you here to give you my answer," Kikuko felt a little irritated over how demeaning he was sounding right about now. "If you don't like it, you can screw off and leave me alone."

"You wanna know how I know you're lying to me?" Issac countered.

Kikuko paused.

"...Barbosa," Issac simply said, leaning against the shelf with the singing heads. "I've been watching your relationship. You two are a little too buddy-buddy for a girl who says she has trouble trusting others."

Issac snapped his fingers.

"You were quick to latch onto him," Issac said. "So quick. Really makes one think how someone who claims to have trouble trusting others would do something like that. Am I right?"

Kikuko didn't say anything.

"...That's also why…" Issac simply smiled. "...I know that whatever the real reason is, you're never going to tell me. And you know what? Fair enough."

Kikuko blinked.

Really?

He was just going to leave it. Just like that? Even after all the times he meddled in between her and Fábio's moment. He was just going to leave it be… Somehow, Kikuko didn't believe it. She clasped her hands together and slowly sat down on a nearby chair. She looked down, slightly frowning.

Was…

Was she being too harsh not telling him?

She couldn't tell with Issac. She couldn't tell whether he was genuinely sad or just… done. Whatever the case was, she decided to emphasize her response more, lowering her head as she bit her lip.

"...I'm just a secretive person, Issac," Kikuko simply said. "I'm sorry."

"And you entrusted Barbosa with your secret?" Issac asked.

Kikuko simply nodded.

"Finally, something that makes sense," Issac chuckled.

Kikuko didn't say anything.

"It's difficult having to pick and choose who I can trust," Kikuko revealed. "But the fact that Fábio has kept my secret proves that I've chosen the right person. And not everyone can be the right person."

Kikuko glanced down.

"It's for that reason that I didn't really have many friends growing up," Kikuko explained. "It was just me and… well, my brother."

Technically dead brother, but he didn't need to know that.

"Double that with the fact that I'm the Ultimate Shrine Priestess and you can imagine why I'm generally not too much of a people person," Kikuko continued. "Most of the people I work with are family members and clientele, so…"

Kikuko shook her head.

She was going too far in depth with her own personal life. Best not till him anymore than that.

"I guess the reason why I've tried to steer clear from you over the past few days…" Kikuko sighed. "...I don't know. I just thought you talking to your toy like your lover was… a little off-putting. Please pardon me for saying something so offensive but it's…"

Issac seemed a little relaxed now as he gestured for her to stop.

"...So, it's another case of someone thinking I'm a freak," Issac noted.

"W-Well, you can't–" Kikuko was about to say before Issac cut her off.

"Hey, don't worry about it," Issac smiled. "I'm used to it. It makes sense. I get it."

Undoubtedly, it seemed like Issac accepted Kikuko's response to the entire debacle. Thank goodness. But she couldn't help but feel like she was being watched. She glanced up toward Issac, noticing how quickly he had turned toward the singing statue heads, acting as if he had been examining for a long time.

Kikuko felt another chill run down her spine.

She could see the Red Spirit float behind Issac again, hovering again, the hatred burning into his soul as he unknowingly felt her presence. She could see him touching his toy caterpillar for comfort. Whether or not he was doing this because of the spirit, Kikuko didn't know. She didn't know anything about Issac now that she thought about it.

"...Y'know, Unmei," Issac spoke up, making sure to keep his face away from hers. "You aren't the first person to think about me that way. I've had countless people look at me like that. I've heard worse things than 'freak' though."

Issac simply smiled.

"Maybe I am one," he said. "But the truth is… I'm just… different."

Issac softly chuckled.

"All my life, I've always known I was different," the toymaker continued.

He slowly took his hand off of Isolde as he stared at nothing but the statue heads. And the more he spoke, the slower he shifted his gaze away from them and up toward… nothing in general. As if his gaze had gone blank and all he could see was just his past. His… lonely… lonely… past.

"You know what a kid's favorite thing to do in school was?" Issac asked. "Recess. They all loved recess. They all loved to go out and play with their friends. All those stupid, silly games like Tag, Hide and Seek, Handball, Hopscotch… And they all knew how to have fun and smile and be a kid. Be happy… like a kid."

Issac looked down for a moment before looking back up.

"I didn't," he said. "I never understood the meaning behind happiness. Maybe it's because my parents were hardly around to teach me what being happy was like. My father drowned himself in work to pay the bills. My mother wasted her energy on household chores. I didn't have any brothers or sisters growing up. My life was… boring. So, so boring."

Kikuko's expression seemed to soften a little.

"You know how a kid would get excited watching TV every Saturday morning?" Issac asked. "Watching those Saturday morning cartoons or whatever? Wake up every morning, turn on the TV, and start watching. Then, the next day at school, they'd talk about the latest episode. How awesome certain scenes were in like season finales or whatever. So on and so forth."

Issac softly chuckled.

"It boggled my mind over how simple it was," Issac said. "Boggled my mind that a child's favorite thing to do was just sit there and just watch a colorful screen play images and sounds and just be… distracted."

"...Distracted?" Kikuko blinked. "Is… that what you think television is for?"

"You just made my point," Issac smiled. "You see how different I was? Most kids grew up watching TV because it gave them a source of comfort. I grew up being forced to watch TV. All to wait for mommy to wake up and tend to my needs… A distraction. Complete bullshit was what it was."

Issac sighed to himself and looked down toward Isolde.

"But y'know, all of that changed when I met her," Issac softly smiled, as he thought about her. "Isabela Vargas. Completely different from me in every way. She was smart. She was funny. Positive and optimistic. Upbeat. Always telling me to cheer up and look happy. Adorable even. My entire life changed for the better… all because of Isabela…"

"Did she…?" Kikuko started to ask.

"Yes," Issac caressed Isolde. "She… was the one who gave me Isolde. My first gift. My most cherished possession. Hers and mine… Because she was the bond that kept me and her together, forever."

Issac started to blink quicker than usual. It didn't take long for him to realize that his eyes were watering. Tears were starting to form from his eyes. One slid down his cheek, but he didn't bother to wipe. Why would he? He wasn't even looking at Kikuko.

"And then one day," Issac smiled through his tears. "She was just… gone. Left me and Isolde behind. I… didn't understand why. I mean, we loved each other. She was mine and I was hers. That bond we made as kids, should've stuck with us for all eternity, right? That's love, isn't it? That's what love is supposed to be. So even now, I can't begin to understand…"

Eventually, the tears got too much, and Issac was forced to wipe his eye with his thumb. He blinked once more to fix his vision. Even though he hid himself well, Kikuko could hear the pain in his voice. Nothing was fake about that. It was genuine pain behind that voice of his. And it really made her think that maybe…

…Maybe she was wrong about him.

And yet, the more he spoke, the more his Red Spirit intensified, her hatred glowering straight toward him.

"...It's a pity that she's gone from this world," Issac simply said. "Because if she were still alive… Boy. How I would burn the world just to have one more conversation with her."

Kikuko bit her lip when he said this.

"Pardon me, Issac," Kikuko spoke up. "Can I ask you a question?"

"What is it, Unmei?" Issac feigned a smile.

"If… you did have the chance to speak to her, one last time," Kikuko slowly gulped. "...What exactly would you say to her?"

Issac paused to seriously consider it. It didn't take long for him to come up with a response.

"...I would ask her why she left me behind," Issac simply said. "Cause I mean…"

Finally, he turned to Kikuko for the first time since recounting his past. And there, Kikuko saw him. The broken face of Issac, turning cold over the grief he felt from losing Isabela. Though his tears subsided, there were still stains on his cheeks over where his tears had been. But despite this, Issac still maintained his smile. As if all he knew how to do was to smile. Smile through that pain. Smile through the bitter feeling he had in his heart…

"...Did she really hate me so much she had to go and kill herself?" Issac couldn't help but laugh through his pain as he said this.

Kikuko's spine ran cold.

"I hate him."

She could see the Red Spirit intensifying, her bloodshot eyes glowering over Issac's grief. Instinctively, Kikuko covered her ears. Yet, she could still hear the echo. Not the Curse Echo, but a genuine spiritual echo emanating from Isabela.

"I hate him."

"I hate him."

"IhatehimIhatehimIhatehimIhatehimIhatehimIhatehim…"

There was a clear contradiction over what Issac was saying and what Isabela was saying. But, at the same time, Kikuko could feel Issac's grief. There was no way he was lying about his feelings about her. He genuinely did love her. So then… What was the contradiction? What exactly did Issac do to make Isabela hate him so much?

"Unmei?" Issac tilted his head toward Kikuko, curiously.

Kikuko shuddered.

She tried to clear her mind. Eiji wasn't here to help her, that bastard. Really left her alone to take on this mess alone. But she had to try. For the sake of her secret. She slowly removed her hands from her ears and tried to remain as calm and serene as possible. She looked at Issac, avoiding the harrowing glares of the Red Spirit.

"Issac…" Kikuko looked down. "I'm sorry… For judging you…"

Issac blinked.

He smiled to himself. He would've appreciated a hug of comfort or anything like that, but an apology was fine. He chuckled to himself, eyeing Kikuko closely. Taking note of how cold she was. Taking note of her sudden movements. He caressed Isolde softly, before finally saying…

"...Apology accepted," Issac smiled.

A key moment that showed that Issac and Kikuko had grown closer together. But how close could they get together? That was certainly a question that could be explored… Couldn't it?

---

(Photo-Op)

"What did you want to talk to me about…?"

Alisa had escorted Kazuki to the Photo-Op, where she gestured for him to take a seat on the yellow sofa right in front of them. The philanthropist was rightfully confused. He did as he was told, both out of trust in Alisa as well as his own exhaustion. He gave her a grim smile as she joined him.

Based on her smile, whatever she wanted to talk to him about…

Kazuki moved his hand over to his neck, instinctively.

"Oh…" he immediately understood.

In a way, he was kind of disappointed, but he dared not show it. He knew that whatever Alisa wanted to tell him, it was important. This was Alisa's moment not his. He knew that. He understood that. But for once, he would've hoped that they wouldn't speak over something… serious. That for once…

That with how quickly he was succumbing…

He held back the thought. He couldn't be selfish. Even now, he couldn't. If Alisa was willing to work hard to tell him for this moment, he had to allow it. Because how dare he try to take that moment from her. Right? With a smile, he couldn't help but shake his head, laughing softly as he did.

"...You know…" Kazuki smiled. "I admire your courage… Your ability to keep going again after again… It shows strength in character. I think that's quite… inspiring."

Alisa felt her face flush red before fixing her glasses.

"It'll be the same as last time…" Kazuki assured her. "Don't push yourself too hard… Whatever it is you want to tell me… Please tell me. But not at the cost of your own wellbeing…"

God.

He was sweet.

If anything, it kept adding more doubts in Alisa's head over why she shouldn't do this. Kazuki was too good for someone like her. For a liar to have allowed others to sacrifice themselves before herself. Allowed others to die instead of her. Knowing full well that…

No.

She had to do it.

She needed to.

A lie can only go for so long.

Alisa knew this personally.

She knew firsthand how much it can hurt to find out at the last possible moment. If she didn't want to repeat the same mistake as her parents, she needed to do it as soon as possible. But the thought of Kazuki's face. His disgusted face when he realizes all this time what kind of person she was.

Alisa took a deep breath and glanced at Kazuki, seriously.

"Kazuki…" Alisa looked down, ashamed. "You know that I have a secret. And part of that secret is that… I haven't been truthful to you. To everyone here."

"That makes both of us…" Kazuki simply remarked.

He gestured for her to continue.

From her stance, it kind of seemed like Kazuki was trying to relate to himself. Make it as comfortable as possible for her to let it out. Make sure that whatever her secret was, it didn't cause any unneeded stress. That she truly had nothing to worry about. Alisa wondered if Kazuki really did understand her.

He mentioned he had a secret as big as hers too, right?

Alisa let out another breath.

Moments like these always feel like an eternity.

Like a box where all time has stopped, allowing two entities to share their peace. At least, this time, it was all Alisa. Alisa was the time master in this box and she… It was up to her whether to wind the clock or keep it still. She chose…

…

…

…

…

…

…

"I'm–"

Alisa coughed.

...

She widened her eyes.

...

No.

...

Not now.

...

Why now of all times?

...

She was just going to—

"A-Alisa…?" Kazuki blinked, looking at her with concern.

She coughed again.

And again.

Until finally—

"A-Alisa… I'll go… and get you… some wat–" Kazuki never finished that sentence.

"BLERGH!"

A splash of blood splattered against his face and his new formal attire.

Kazuki couldn't help but look shocked. He was covered in blood. In Alisa's blood, straight from her own mouth. He felt like he wanted to cry. The feeling of sorrow was stronger than he ever felt emanating from Alisa. Just… What on Earth was this feeling? He shook as Alisa dropped to the ground, blood seeping out of her nose and mouth.

Tears spilled out of her eyes.

Her eyes.

Her twirling pupils.

"A-Alisa…?" Kazuki could only mutter in shock.

Alisa had little response.

She was weak.

Weaker than she's ever been.

And by the time Kazuki snapped out of it, he quickly stood up. He knew he didn't have much time to act. He had to do something. He had to get someone. Anyone. He turned toward the door, and he sprinted. With the weakness in his muscles still aching away, he sprinted–

But then, he stopped. Because someone gripped onto him…

Onto his ankles…

Alisa, with what strength she had left in her current state, was gripping onto his leg, pleading with him. That was when everything fell into place. This was… This was her secret…

Kazuki turned, squatting down to Alisa's level as he met her eyes.

Her maddening eyes…

"I'm… I'm so sorry, Kazuki," Alisa sobbed. "I'm so sorry. I should've told you…"

She gripped onto his ankle tighter.

"...I'm sorry," Alisa continued. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry…"

Alisa shuddered before him, crying weakly.

"...Please…" Alisa begged. "Please… don't leave me…."

Kazuki didn't know what to say.

He stood before her.

His gut told him he needed to get help. He needed to get other people involved so that she could be okay. But her begging… How much she needed him… What should he do? Kazuki didn't expect their conversation to take a turn like this but… The philanthropist gripped onto his neck, tightly.

He closed his eyes.

And he made his decision.

…

…

…

…

…

…

"...Okay…"

He spoke, softly.

"...Alisa…"

---

DANGANRONPA: TWISTED TRAGEDY

---

The longest chapter of the entire fic in general! 25K words. Like whaaaat?! That's genuinely the cap I'm going for. Anymore and I'm cutting scenes because this is way too long! But regardless, Daily Life 5 of Chapter 3: House of 1000 Low Spirits is now here and right near the end of the year too! Consider this the last chapter of 2024 as we move into 2025. So, I guess big beefy chapter is well worth it in this instance.

So...

Happy Holidays and have a Happy New Year everyone!

Trial Update: Trial Part 1 is complete and just needs to be heavily edited! Like heavily, heavily edited! Trial Part 2... yeah haven't even started on it bruh :D The case so far is intriguing, but we'll see how it works when I actually get to writing it. It's literally the next thing on my To Do List.

Waltzing and Issac's backstory! I think Issac's backstory was one of my more anticipated backstories to write for a while now! Especially the whole "It's Issac, you know it's Issac bit". Hits well in my opinion, especially since that's my 'fuck you' to Oddly for messing up the name :NeroProud: But cannot believe next chapter, a body is gonna drop. Or is it gonna be two bodies? Who knows~ Ooooooh.

Shoutout time. Uhhhh, ExtraMeme's Obscurity's Disgrace! Yeah, you just finished a case, didn't ya? Yeah! Go check him out! I haven't been caught up on Extra's story, partly because a character named Damien makes me want to drink bleach for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but still! Go check out the story! It's good :D

Regardless, hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I certainly did enjoy writing it... even though it took me forever to finish ;D Trial Part 2 now. Ughhhhhh. But as always, please let me know what you thought about the chapter and how I'm doing with your characters! Did you like it? Hate it? Love it? Wanna slap that like button like how Uncle Roger slaps a bag of rice? Let me know! I always love to hear what you all have to say! :D

Until then, place your final predictions! Who's dying?! :D

...

...

...

...it's 5:30 in the morning ;-;

---

Playmates Remaining: 12

---

Aidan Brighton - The Ultimate Track Star [Omakin]

Alisa Zachary - The Ultimate Clockmaker [ExtraMeme]

Beautè Morose - The Ultimate ? [Grandma Sue]

Fábio Barbosa - The Ultimate Figure Skater [Rayy12]

Issac Santiago - The Ultimate Toymaker [oddlyillregular]

Kazuki Nobukatsu - The Ultimate Philanthropist [emberblitz321]

Kikuko Unmei - The Ultimate Shrine Priestess [WolfieRed23]

Manon Vivienne Levesque - The Ultimate Actress [Sempi]

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

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

Yukihiko Yuno - The Ultimate Child Caregiver [Weekaro]

Yumi Gundo - Ultimate Gunslinger [MrUtenaHolic]