The Lady who Knows Everything (Excerpt 1)

An old tale tells of a lady who wanders Earth.

The Lady who Knows Everything.

A beautiful lady who has found every answer,

All meaning,

All purpose,

And all that was ever sought.

…

…

Chapter 5: The Lady Who Knows Everything Part 1 (Daily Life)

Remaining Students: 9

Sayori (Doki Doki Literature Club): Ultimate Poet

Bede (Pokémon): Ultimate Gym Leader

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd (Fire Emblem: Three Houses): Ultimate Prince

Saki Nikaido (Zombie Land Saga): Ultimate Biker Gang Leader

Reyn (Xenoblade Chronicles): Ultimate Tank

Minori Ichinose (Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure): Ultimate Bookworm

Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic The Hedgehog): Ultimate Pilot

Satou Kazuma (Konosuba) Ultimate Thief

Ray (The Promised Neverland): Ultimate Strategist

Sayori's POV

"... Mm… huh…?"

I opened my eyes, and all I saw is a black void with glowing white circles and lines moving upwards. I tried to move my legs, but I found myself not feeling any ground below me. It was as if I was floating, and there was nowhere else to go from what I could see.

"Hello…? Is anyone here…?"

I asked those questions, not knowing if I'd get any answers… but to my surprise I did see something appear before me… or… someone? I couldn't really tell, it was a big silhouette of light, so I couldn't open my eyes when looking at it. However, my confusion on what it could be went away when I heard it speak to me.

"Sa….ori…"

It's that voice from before… his voice… can it really be…?

"Ha… Hachiken?"

As soon as I said his name, I gasped as the light faded away… and Hachiken was right there in front of me!

"S-Sayori!" He says in astonishment, "Can… you see me?"

My hands were covering my mouth, I just couldn't believe it…

"Hachiken!"

I tried to push myself forward and give him a big ol' hug, but I went right through him! It was like he was a ghost, which makes sense because he died… but at the same time, it doesn't because he's right in front of me! I tried to figure out what was going on, and then I saw him flickering like he was a hologram or a broken tv screen.

"H-Hachiken? What's wrong with you?" I asked, but then his eyes widened as he pointed at me.

"Sayori, you should be asking yourself that same question. Look at your hands and legs!"

I did as he told me and I gasped, it was just like what happened at the end of the trial. My fingers had a bunch of ones and zeros on them and my legs looked like green wireframes. It was getting hard for me to breathe, and I couldn't stop myself from shaking from how scared I was.

"Ah… ah… ahhh…"

Why was this happening?

Am I sick?

Is my imagination just going loopy?

What even am I?

"Sayori! Slow breaths, okay? Focus on me, and keep yourself steady…"

Hachiken looked at me dead in the eyes as I tried to follow his instructions. After two minutes, I finally found my rhythm and started to breathe normally again. I briefly closed my eyes and take in one final breath… and exhaled.

"Hoooo, thanks. I needed that."

"No problem… I shouldn't have brought that up if I knew that would happen. But at least it's gone now, whatever it is…"

The two of us traded smiles and I finally felt calm. I may be clueless on what's happening here, but I'm just glad to see Hachiken at all. It feels like it's been forever since we lost him…

"So… what is this? Is it a dream…?" I asked and he scratched his head.

"I… think? The only times we've tried reaching out to you have been when you're asleep. Now all of a sudden, you're right in front of me. I really can't make any sense of it, I may be smart, but I'm not an oneirologist."

I raise an eyebrow at that last word, "One… ologist? Do they study ones? Like the kind that were on my hands just now?"

Hachiken looks a bit baffled at what I said, adjusting his glasses before answering.

"Uh… no. Oneirologists study dreams, Sayori. If you want someone who knows coding, Tails might be the best guy."

"Oh yeah, I can ask Tails! If he can find a way to contact Yuri and Natsuki from wherever they are, he can help me figure out what's happening to my body!"

He nods in agreement, "I'm sure he can pull something off, that kid's brain never ceases to amaze me… I have to ask though, what happened to you that made your body glitch out like that?"

"Oh, it's… complicated. You see, Dimitri kinda went crazy because of… h-huh?"

Suddenly, my vision started going dark, my eyes just couldn't keep themselves open for some reason…

"Sayori? Hey, Sayori!"

Hachiken's voice gets quieter and quieter until it ultimately fades away…

"Hey, she's waking up!"

"Alrighty, let's see if she's okay! Call in the others!"

"Sayori, can you hear anything? It's us!"

"Ugh…"

I slowly woke up from what looked like a hospital bed… this is the infirmary? I looked back and forth, and as my vision slowly became clear that's when I heard familiar voices. Moving my head downwards and in front of me, I saw my three dorm mates who all let out a sigh of relief.

"Morning, sunshine! You good?" Saki asked as she gripped my hand tight and helped me sit up.

Reyn lightly patted me on the back with his left arm, his right one in a sling.

"You really gave us a scare the other night. Thought you'd never wake up after that hit. No offense, but you looked like you could have snapped like a twig when you hit that wall!"

I embarrassingly rubbed the back of my head with my right hand.

"Ehehehe~, none taken. I'm surprised I didn't break all the bones in my body right there, but Reyn… how's your arm?"

He patted his tricep and flinched before awkwardly smiling.

"Could be a lot better, ah ha… but I've taken some wallops that were a lot worse than this! I'll bounce back, and it'll be back to Reyn time soon enough!"

Tails chuckled at the big guy's statement, "Isn't it always Reyn time for you though?"

"Maybe it seems like it for you, but no. I can't have Reyn time without both my arms in fighting condition, just like how you can't have a rainbow without Reyn, baby!" He boasts.

Me and the other two giggled at his silliness as Saki then returned to talking about my condition.

"So Sayo, what was all that glitching stuff about? Looked freaky as hell…"

"Uh… not sure. I don't feel it happening right now, which is good but… I don't know what caused all that. Would you know anything about this, Tails? You're the computer guy!" I asked and he scratched his head.

"This is pretty strange even for me, so I'd have to keep a close eye on you in case it happens again. That way I can figure out this phenomenon and maybe even fix it! Whether it's some kind of digital disease or virus that's somehow infiltrated your body, or maybe something else… I want to help you out, Sayori!"

"Awww, you're the best!"

I felt touched by his dedication as he blushed at the compliment I gave him. Hachiken was right on the money, but I always have faith in our fox friend to pull through! A minute later, we heard a knock at the door and in walked Minori and Bede.

"Please excuse us… It's good to see you awake, Sayori."

"Hmph…"

The two of them were holding two big plates with those fancy domes covering it, just like at a fancy restaurant.

After they placed it down on the table beside me, Bede crossed his arms as he stood against the wall to my right.

"That was truly reckless what you did. You could have gotten yourself killed."

I knew from the expression on his face when he walked in that he was gonna give me a lecture… and I think I deserved one.

"Seriously, Sayori… did you even think before acting there? You managed to help guide the trial to its conclusion, but you couldn't deduce that jumping on Dimitri's back would make you end up like this?"

Saki scowled at him, which made him stop talking.

"Quit it, Curly. Or else, I'm gonna—"

I quickly cut her off, "No… I'm sorry… everyone. I just felt like I needed to do something to try to calm him down but… agh, it was stupid. Sorry again." My head lowered in shame.

Upon noticing how down his words made me feel, Bede's expression faltered and he placed his hands into his pockets. It took about a minute until someone else spoke up and changed the subject, and unfortunately it wasn't one that would improve the mood.

"Has anyone seen Ray today? Dimitri? Heck, even Kazuma?" Tails asked and the others shook their heads.

"The other two I understand, but Ray too?"

I questioned his absence, and Saki shrugged.

"The emo hair kid just hasn't been around, a shame 'cause of how he's always been pretty damn helpful. Dunno what his deal is right now…"

Minori adjusted her glasses before speaking next, "The lack of communication from him is concerning, but perhaps he needs his own time to himself after last night. It was a shock to all of us, so he may be back in due time, which is much more likely than Kazuma or Dimitri at least…"

"That Dimitri… I never thought this noble guy would turn out so crazy. It was like he was a completely different person!" Reyn shook his head as he thought about the prince.

Tails sighs, "I know Kazuma was the one responsible for Kale's death, but just like everyone here, he doesn't deserve to get killed. Dimitri's gone too far, and I don't think he's gonna stop so easily…"

My hands clutched my bed sheets as I asked a question that was likely on everyone else's mind.

"So… what do we do now?"

I was expecting everyone to stay silent, but as soon as I asked that… Saki stood up.

"Ahem…"

She cleared her throat, and the rest of us watched her in confusion.

"I, SAKI NIKAIDO, HEREBY ACCEPT THE ROLE OF LEADER IN PLACE OF THAT BATSHIT INSANE DIMITRI! I'LL DO MY BEST TO FIND SOME WAY OUTTA THIS HELLHOLE FOR ALL OF US, AND MAKE SURE NOBODY ELSE DIES AGAIN! GLAD TO HAVE Y'ALL!"

"Eep!"

Me and the others covered their ears as we tried to make sense of what she had been saying.

Reyn glared at her. "Agh! What was that?! I was right next to you when you started yapping away! I barely caught what you said there!"

Reyn only managed to cover his left ear when she was yelling, so he had a right to complain, as did the rest of us.

Bede, however, was ready to critique her, "Excuse me, you're declaring yourself as our leader on the spot like this? Are you even prepared to take on so much responsibility, especially after our previous one had just lost his mind?"

Saki grinned confidently, "Hell yeah I am!"

"Huh?!" Bede was immediately taken aback by her quick answer.

"Look, I've led more than just a biker gang, I'm the leader of an idol group! Like with both, I see a handful of misfits who wanna succeed together… but just needs a push in the right direction."

"M-Misfits?" Minori lets out, confused as Saki continues.

"Well, I'm not just gonna push you guys, I'm gonna jump in head first and drag you with me! We're gonna all pull our own weight and try to end this killing game, once and for all!"

Bede lowers his eyebrows before asking her, "Okay then, leader, do you have any plans?"

"Nope!" Saki says nonchalantly, making everyone fall down comedically.

Tails awkwardly laughs as a sweat drop falls from his head, "Well at least she's honest about it..."

Saki places her arms behind her head and leans back in her chair before speaking up again.

"Look, I'm only stepping up after Dimitri decided to flip out and get bloodthirsty, so it's fine if you guys don't accept me so soon. I may not have plans, but I promise that I am gonna put in the work. Make sure everyone is safe, nothing goes wrong. But if shit does hit the fan, I'll take the blame too. Anyone with me?"

Me and the other Dorm 4 raised our hands in support of her, but both Bede and Minori were undecided. Ultimately though, Minori did raise her hand and Bede gave up and did the same. It looks like we've elected a new leader!

"I have high expectations for you, Nikaido. And just so you know, I'm not 100% behind you, when you slip up I'll be the first to call you out for it."

Bede then turns around to exit, but stops to look back at me.

"... Be careful next time. And try to think before you act, okay?"

He leaves, as I turn to Minori gesturing towards the plates the two of them brought in.

"It may be surprising to hear, but Bede was worried about you. So much so that it was his idea to bring you this, so I hope you enjoy it. May you recover sooner rather than later, Club President."

She bowed her head to me as I waved her goodbye. Man I can't wait to read another book with her again! I also can't wait to tease Bede about him trying to hide how much he cares about me, he's just a big 'ol tsundere… him and Natsuki have something in common, ehehehe.

Saki and Reyn then began to take their leave. "Agh, as much as I hate to admit it, Bede's right. I'm gonna go see if I can plan anything and act like an actual leader, ha!"

"Need to start working out with my left arm, been relying on righty for quite some time and now that he's outta commission…"

I gave them both a determined smile and two thumbs up.

"You both got this. Good luck, Saki! And you feel better soon yourself, Reyn!"

The two of them smiled back before racing out of the infirmary, and that's when Tails decides to take his leave.

"Just let me know if the glitching returns, alright?" Tails tells me as he hops off his chair.

I nodded at him and smiled, "Of course!" But then I paused as he stopped and turned back around.

"By the way, Sayori… can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Tails?"

"Well… did you happen to say my name in your sleep? Or was I just imagining things?"

Oh… did he hear me earlier? I really don't know what to make of the Ghost Hachiken thing yet, so I think I'll hold off on telling everyone until I figure it out. I hate to keep secrets from them, but until I talk to him more… it's best to keep quiet. Sorry, everyone!

"I do mumble in my sleep, but I don't really say anything like that! That's silly, ehehehe…"

He didn't look fully convinced, but with how smart Tails is, he'll find out sooner or later. I just gotta be ready to explain to him and the others when he does. Sorry, everyone!

"Ha, I guess it does sound weird. Well, I guess I better get going. By the way, I've got something important to show you later!"

"Something important?"

Tails winks at me in reply, "It's a secret, but it's the good kind I swear!"

I tilted my head at his vagueness, but if he says it's good then I think I'll believe him!

"Go ahead and rest up for now, okay? I'll see you later, Sayori!"

I wave goodbye to the fox as he closes the door and I lay back onto my bed and close my eyes.

I start to think back to what happened with Hachiken… he mentioned that "we" had been trying to reach out to me when I was sleeping. Is he talking about the others that died? Have they all just formed a council of spirits, contacting me so that they can rise again and conquer the living?!

…

Okay… hear me out. I may be thinking of stuff that happens more in scary movies, but nothing sounds impossible with what's happened so far! Plus we already have an undead person in the form of Saki… although she is pretty different from the slow and bitey zombies kind I'm used to seeing. Oh no, I hope that doesn't sound offensive to her!

Although, seeing how she's taken the role of leader has me wondering where Dimitri is right now… I hope he's okay, but the way he behaved after the trial really shocked me. It's probably dumb for me to think this, since he's the reason I'm in this bed to begin with - but I still see him as a friend.

A friend that definitely needs help, and the best kind of help I can do right now is sending him some BHE: Big Hug Energy.

*Growl*

Ehehehe, guess my tummy's getting mad that I hadn't fed it since last night. I guess I better see what's under this dome. Come on, something that tastes yummy… oh!

Plate #1: Fried chicken tendies, mac & cheese, a buttermilk biscuit, mashed potatoes with gravy, and coleslaw.

Plate #2: Chocolate chip and double chocolate cookies, two scoops of vanilla ice cream, and a cinnamon bun.

My mouth watered as soon as I saw the first plate, but the second turned it into a drool waterfall. Gross, I know, but could you blame me?!It looks soooooo good!

"Thanks for the food, Bede & Minori!"

I clapped my hands together to thank them before immediately digging into my food. As much as I would want to go for the desserts first, I don't want my main course to get cold so I eat that first. In almost four minutes, I managed to scarf down the contents of both my plates.

"Mmmm…"

I hummed, all full and satisfied. My favorites had to be the chicken, which had me licking my fingers even after it was gone, and the cookies & ice cream that I turned into a mini sundae! That really brought my mood up, and I think I'm starting to feel better physically too!

After a meal like that, I'm starting to feel a little sleepy now… maybe a nap won't hurt… mmm…

…

…

…

*Ding dong bing bong*

"Wuh…?"

Dang it, not even a full hour nap before it gets interrupted by an announcement! That bear times these things at the worst moments I swear… I grumbled to myself as I turned on my e-Handbook, the bright screen making me squint.

"Attention students, the next area is now being made public to all of you! The Y Zone is home to various facilities such as—SD11BJGH0TFBG37VRY"

W-What the heck?!

The whole screen started to get all staticy, and I could barely hear what Monokuma was saying. Even when I tried turning on the subtitles for his message, I couldn't get anything but a jumble of letters and numbers. And then his words just kept repeating like it was a song on a broken record player.

"Just mo-Just mo-Just mo-Just mo-Just mosey on down here and have some fun!"

I blinked twice as the message returned to normal, and I switched my screen off.

"…"

"…"

… I think I'll just get my last thirty minutes in after that… Or forty… Actually let's have that full hour nap I wanted before I go explore, that sounds nice…

Good night…

Happy New Year! First new Epicenter chapter since 2024, hope you all didn't miss me too much! The start of the penultimate chapter, and although Sayori didn't go anywhere physically… things did manage to happen, that are important. Although we still don't know where Dimitri and Ray are… oh, and Kazuma too. We'll see if we can find them next time. And speaking of next time… the Free Time Event voting returns! Obviously a certain someone will be off the board for hanging out with Sayori, but anyone else will be fair game, so think about who you want to see before I set up the poll in the next chapter! I hope you all liked this part, and that this year will be when this story will reach its conclusion, but we'll see. I'm gonna keep working hard for all of you! A big shout out and thank you to mcsquared789 for being my beta reader for this chapter, you've really helped me out here. See you next time, peeps! - Renegade Braveheart