Chapter 1: First Blood

Episode 1: Paranoia

The ruins of a life can happen in an instant—like a fire or an explosion. Most people would be paralyzed by the shock of such a blow. But for me, this wound has been opening slowly for years, creeping deeper until I grew numb to the fear. Giving up was never an option. Experience shapes you in ways that make the extraordinary seem mundane, like fetching a snack from a vending machine. Simple for most, frustrating for others.

The others here are rattled. I can see it in their eyes. But this cursed killing game? I don't fear it. Not at all.

As I lie on my bed, my thoughts drift. It's become routine for me to be the cold, calculating leader—the one holding this ragtag group together, shielding them from whatever comes next. But things have changed. There's a gnawing feeling that I'm at the top of someone's hit list, a prime target for the first kill. Still, a voice inside tells me they need me. I'm the one who can stop the bloodshed before it starts. Yet deep down, I know it's inevitable. Blood will be spilled.

I'm caught in a tug-of-war between instinct and logic when a knock breaks through my thoughts. My caution tells me not to answer, but curiosity wins. I reach for my magnifying glass, holding it behind my back as I inch toward the door. My fingers hesitate on the doorknob, then I crack it open.

Sho stands there, a concerned smile tugging at his lips.

"Hey," he greeted her casually.

Noriko's expression remained cold yet due to their interactions yetser a littler warmer. "What do you want?"

"We're all gathering in the cafeteria to report our findings," Sho explained.

Noriko raised an eyebrow. "That easy already? I thought things would be more disorganized and dysfunctional than that."

Sho frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"We're trapped in a killing game. Forced to kill or be killed. You'd think cooperation wouldn't come so easily," she said, her voice flat.

"Come on! That's not how the cast acted in the show," Sho protested.

"In the show. Fiction struggles to reflect how people would really act in a situation like this," Noriko replied dryly.

Sho's optimism didn't waver. "Still, we agreed to cooperate! I'm betting we'll get through this without losing our heads."

Noriko gave him a skeptical look as she locked her door and grabbed her key and tablet. "I give you one day," she said, extending her hand. "Maximum."

Sho grinned and shook her hand. "Deal."

"Hey!" Noriko replies. "I appreciate your words, yesterday. It was a situation I wasn't accustommed to, it was a situation where I wasn't myself due to how fast it went and my logical side is most certainly pessimistic. And you were there to help me out of that fear. So... Thank you for that."

"No problem!" Sho replies. "You are like my girlfriend, Mizuki. Easy to be afraid of new things, but easy to be find hope."

As Noriko and Sho made their way to the exit, the sound of raised voices froze them in their tracks. They exchanged a wary glance, silently agreeing to investigate. When they cautiously opened the door, they were greeted by the sight of Iwao locked in a heated argument with Riku. Iwao's face was flushed with fury, his fists clenched at his sides, while Riku stood there, cool and composed, a faint smirk playing on his lips like a man indulging in a private joke.

"You seriously had to say that? Why!? Why would you say something like that!?" Iwao shouted, his voice cracking with frustration.

Riku, ever the picture of calm, adjusted the cuffs of his shirt with a casual flick of his wrist, not a hair out of place. "Ah, Iwao, my friend," he said, his voice smooth as velvet, "you wound me with your harsh tone. Care to remind me exactly what I said to provoke such a reaction? I do say a lot of things, after all."

"Don't play dumb!" Iwao snapped, his anger flaring up like a lit fuse. "You know exactly what you said! It was disgusting!"

Sho quickly moved between them, hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Whoa, whoa! Everyone just slow down a second!"

Noriko, standing beside Sho, folded her arms across her chest and muttered under her breath, "Told you."

Sho glanced at her, sighing but still holding onto a shred of optimism. "This is just one argument," he said, turning his attention back to the feuding pair. "Alright, what happened? What's going on?"

Iwao, still seething, pointed an accusatory finger at Riku. "This pervert made a joke—no, not even a joke—some sick comment that crossed the line! I can't stand people like him!"

Riku's smile never faltered, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Pervert is such a strong word," he said with a soft chuckle. "I prefer to think of myself as... an aficionado of life's pleasures." His gaze flicked toward Iwao, his tone playful but edged with something deeper. "Though I daresay your reaction seems a tad... overzealous. All I did was make an innocent observation—our dear Sachika would likely be most delightful in bed."

Sho blinked, momentarily speechless, while Noriko's expression remained unchanged, unimpressed. She unfolded her arms and spoke in her usual blunt tone. "That's immature," she said flatly. "But Iwao, aren't you overreacting? It was a dumb joke. No need to blow up over it."

Iwao's fists tightened. "You don't understand. Where I'm from, perverts prey on the weak, the helpless. They're everywhere. I see them, day in and day out, thinking they can get away with their filth! It's disgusting, and I'm not going to let it slide here."

Riku raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by Iwao's outburst. "Ah, so that's it," he said smoothly. "You're not angry with me, specifically. You're angry at the world, at its... imperfections." His voice was calm, almost soothing, as though he were talking about the weather. "I must say, I admire your passion. Misplaced though it may be."

Sho, trying to defuse the situation, nodded sympathetically toward Iwao. "I get where you're coming from. But don't let this get to you. We've got bigger things to worry about right now." He turned to Riku with a more serious expression. "And you—you need to stop with those kinds of comments. Immature doesn't even begin to cover it."

Riku's smirk widened ever so slightly, as if amused by Sho's attempt at authority. "Ah, of course. My sincerest apologies." He placed a hand on his chest, his tone dripping with mock sincerity. "I'll do my utmost to refrain from indulging in such... colorful commentary. For the good of the group."

Iwao scowled but seemed to be calming down, though his fists remained clenched. "Fine," he muttered.

Noriko shook her head slightly, unimpressed by how easily things seemed to resolve. "That ended a little too smoothly."

Sho sighed, relieved but still wary. "Let's just get to the cafeteria and figure out a plan. We don't have time for this."

Iwao, his anger simmering into frustration, added bitterly, "Good luck with that. Half the group's scattered, screaming at each other."

Sho's expression shifted to alarm. "Wait—what? What do you mean?"

Riku stepped in before Iwao could answer, his voice calm, almost nonchalant. "The moment you left to retrieve Noriko, things rather predictably... unraveled. It's like watching a finely tuned orchestra descend into utter chaos." His eyes gleamed with amusement as he spoke. "You might say the room turned into a battlefield—quite the spectacle, I assure you."

Iwao crossed his arms, glaring at Riku. "This group's a disaster. It's like mixing vinegar and water."

Noriko smirked, unable to resist a jab. "I win," she said, satisfied with the confirmation of her earlier bet.

Sho groaned. "Is anyone still sane in the cafeteria?"

Riku chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "Oh, there are a few remaining pillars of composure, if you can call it that. Shinobu, Venitsu, Aiko, Haruhiko... and Sachika, though I must say, she was rather delightfully red in the face the last time I saw her." He shot a sly look at Iwao, his voice teasing. "I wonder why, Iwao?"

"Screw you, Riku," Iwao muttered darkly.

Sho rubbed his temples, trying to process the state of things. "What about Megumi, Katsu, and Haruto?"

"They've taken it upon themselves to round up the stragglers," Riku replied casually, glancing at his watch as if the whole ordeal were merely an inconvenience. "Such diligence, wouldn't you say?"

"Alright, let's just get to the cafeteria," Noriko said bluntly. "Assuming these two won't bicker themselves to death on the way."

Sho smirked, the tension easing slightly. "Otherwise, it's going to feel like a long trip."

The four of them walked through the heavy doors of the school, the hallway buzzing with the murmur of students and the scent of lunch wafting from the cafeteria. As they approached the entrance to the cafeteria, an unusual scene unfolded before them, casting a shadow over the bustling energy of the school day. Katsu was dragging Joutarou by the foot across the polished floor, the latter's body limp and his skin marred with bruises. Crimson liquid splattered his clothes and dripped onto the floor, a jarring contrast to the bright tiles.

"What the—?!" Iwao exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock as he stepped forward, his heart racing. "What are you doing?"

Katsu blinked, momentarily taken aback by the alarm in Iwao's voice. "What? Oh... yeah, this probably looks bad," he said, his nonchalance doing little to alleviate the tension in the air.

"Did you beat him to a pulp?!" Sho yelled, his voice rising as he pointed at Joutarou. "Look at him—he's covered in blood!"

Noriko stepped forward, narrowing her eyes as she examined the scene. With a practiced gaze, she leaned down and brushed her fingers against the crimson liquid. After a moment of scrutiny, she wiped her fingers on her sleeve, her expression flat. "Paint," she declared, her voice unwavering.

"Paint?" Sho echoed, his confusion palpable. He glanced between Noriko and Katsu, struggling to piece together the bizarre situation.

Katsu shrugged, scratching the back of his head as if the whole scenario were a casual Tuesday. "Yeah. He knocked over a shelf full of paint cans. They fell on him."

Noriko raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Talented people make stupid mistakes too, I guess." Her tone was laced with a mixture of disdain and amusement, a familiar combination that often accompanied her observations.

Riku, who had been standing a few steps back with a bemused expression, chuckled softly, his voice smooth and melodic. "Ah, Noriko, your sharpness cuts deeper than the paint cans did. Such a frosty exterior. Do you ever plan to thaw?"

Noriko didn't respond, her eyes still trained on Katsu, who was oblivious to the tension radiating around them. "You're dragging him like a sack of potatoes?" she asked, incredulous.

"He'll live," Katsu replied, dismissive. "Besides, this is his punishment for calling me a coward."

Sho looked incredulous, his disbelief turning into a mixture of frustration and concern. "Punishment? You dragged an unconscious man through the hall as punishment?"

Katsu sighed, rolling his eyes as if the situation were perfectly reasonable. "Hey, he's the one who kept trying to climb the shelf like it was a jungle gym. Anyway, I'm taking him to the infirmary to patch him up. The bruises are just from the fall."

"And you're dragging him instead of carrying him properly?" Noriko pressed, her voice dripping with skepticism.

"He's heavy," Katsu said matter-of-factly, as if that justified his method of transport. "And it's faster this way."

Before Sho could voice any further objections, Noriko cut in, her tone sharp and pragmatic. "Fine. Get him patched up and come back for the meeting. But take Riku with you."

Riku's smile widened at the unexpected twist in the plan. "Me? My, my, Noriko. To what do I owe this sudden attachment? I didn't think you cared."

Noriko's eyes flicked to him, her expression steely. "Precaution. If something happens, we'll need an eyewitness. Besides, it'll save us from listening to you two argue."

Riku chuckled, the sound smooth and rich, as if he reveled in the chaos of their interactions. "Ah, ever the strategist. How could I refuse such a well-thought-out plan?"

"And it'll save us all from your perverted jokes for a while," Iwao muttered under his breath, his gaze still narrowed in disapproval.

With a resigned sigh, Katsu nodded. "Fine. We'll be back soon."

With that, Katsu and Riku headed off, dragging Joutarou behind them, leaving the remaining three standing at the cafeteria entrance. The faint sound of Joutarou's body sliding along the floor echoed through the hallway as they disappeared into the distance.

"I owe you one," Iwao whispered to Noriko, his voice low and earnest. "Getting rid of Riku for a while is a blessing."

Noriko shrugged, her expression indifferent. "Let's just get through this without any more outbursts."

Sho shook his head, still grappling with the bizarre scene they had just witnessed. "I thought we were supposed to be cooperating, not turning into a circus."

"Welcome to reality," Noriko muttered as they finally stepped inside the cafeteria.

The atmosphere inside was thick with tension, the bustling energy of students starkly contrasting the chaos they had just left behind. Sachika sat at a table, her cheeks still tinged with embarrassment from Riku's earlier remarks. Aiko, Venitsu, Haruhiko, and Shinobu were also present, each of them watching the room with wary eyes, as if expecting a storm to break.

"Wait," Iwao said, scanning the room quickly. "Where's Izumi?"

Shinobu, arms crossed and a stern expression on his face, glanced up from his seat. "She's out helping round up the stragglers with Megumi and Haruto. Glad to see you've regained your composure, Iwao."

Iwao pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his expression settling into something more thoughtful. "Thanks to Noriko and Sho. Though I don't usually lose my temper like that. Riku's comments hit a nerve."

Venitsu smirked from where he sat, leaning back in his chair with a playful glint in his eye. "Almost crossed the line into physical violence, didn't you, Iwao? It's amusing—normally, you're the level-headed accountant, cool under pressure. But one dumb joke from Riku, and suddenly you're ready to explode. How fascinating."

"Enough with the taunts, Venitsu," Iwao snapped, his patience wearing thin. "We need to focus on getting the rest of the group here."

Sho, trying to ease the tension that had settled over them, nodded in agreement. "Let's just stay calm. We don't need more drama right now."

"Agreed," Noriko said coolly, her tone brooking no argument. "We need to gather everyone and discuss our next steps."

Before they could move forward with their plans, Aiko, sitting quietly at the table, suddenly pointed to the door with a look of alarm. "I don't think... that'll be... a problem... but we might... have another... issue."

As if on cue, the cafeteria door burst open, and chaos walked in. Shigeru and Hiroyuki stood toe-to-toe, their voices raised in a heated argument that echoed off the walls. Haruto and Megumi, their expressions a mix of frustration and desperation, attempted to pull them apart, their hands grasping at arms and shoulders, but to no avail. In the corner, Gina pressed herself against Izumi, her eyes wide with fear, while Kuroki stood at a distance, scribbling frantically in his notebook, seemingly documenting the unfolding madness as if it were an everyday occurrence.

"You can't keep interrupting my quiet time!" Shigeru shouted, his face flushed with anger. "Are you completely devoid of intelligence?!"

"You're always in the wrong place at the wrong time!" Hiroyuki shot back, his voice laced with incredulity as he jabbed a finger toward Shigeru, his face contorted in frustration.

Shigeru, his temper flaring, retorted, "Like I'd believe that! You're clearly following me around to piss me off!"

Haruto and Megumi struggled to interject, their voices rising above the din as they tried to mediate the escalating conflict. "Guys, come on! This isn't helping!" Haruto urged, gesturing with his hands for them to back off.

"I'm not the one being unreasonable here!" Shigeru barked, glancing at Haruto with incredulity as he crossed his arms defiantly, his stance firm.

"Maybe if you didn't provoke everyone around you, we wouldn't be in this situation!" Megumi shot back, her voice tinged with exasperation as she attempted to pull Shigeru away from Hiroyuki.

In the corner, Gina pressed herself even closer to Izumi, her voice trembling as she whispered, "This isn't good, right? Shouldn't we be doing something?" Her wide eyes darted nervously between the two boys, fear etched across her features.

Izumi, ever calm and comforting in the face of chaos, nodded slowly. "Yes, but it'll just escalate into more chaos if we get involved now."

Kuroki, hunched over his notepad, scribbled furiously as if documenting the chaos for posterity. He glanced up briefly, his glasses sliding down his nose, before returning to his notes, mumbling under his breath, "T-they really should j-just resolve th-this before s-someone gets hurt."

As the argument reached a fever pitch, Sho finally stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding. "Enough!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the noise like a knife.

The entire room fell silent, all eyes turning toward Sho, who stood firm and resolute at the front of the room. His expression was stern but calm, the weight of authority radiating from him. "We don't have time for this. We're all trapped in a killing game, and you two are acting like children. Fighting among ourselves isn't going to help us get out of here."

Shigeru and Hiroyuki, still glaring at each other, reluctantly backed down, their anger slowly dissipating under the scrutiny of their peers. The tension in the room began to ebb, but the underlying sense of unease lingered, a reminder of the fragile nature of their situation.

Noriko stepped up beside Sho, her voice piercing through the remnants of hostility. "Sho's right. This isn't the time for petty squabbles. We need to think strategically if we're going to survive. If we let our emotions get the better of us, we'll be walking blindly into disaster."

The cafeteria, once filled with the promise of youthful exuberance, now felt like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment. Shigeru muttered something under his breath, but Hiroyuki, realizing the futility of their argument, let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, sorry," he mumbled, glancing away, his earlier anger giving way to a mix of regret and embarrassment. "Guess I lost my cool."

Sachika, having finally recovered from her earlier embarrassment, leaned back in her seat, her eyes wide with surprise. "Wow, I thought everyone was going to kill each other for a second there. That was… intense."

"Don't remind me," Iwao muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose in irritation. "The last thing we need is more chaos. We need to focus."

"We still need to wait for Katsu and the others," Noriko pointed out, her tone pragmatic. "But for now, everyone should calm down and gather themselves. We can't afford to let our emotions dictate our actions."

Just as the tension in the cafeteria began to settle, a new uproar echoed through the hallway. Katsu reentered, dragging Joutarou by the waist, the latter flailing helplessly and yelling at the top of his lungs. "I'm not going back! You can't make me!" Joutarou shouted, his voice laced with a mix of anger and indignation.

Riku trailed behind, an amused smirk dancing on his lips as he watched the spectacle unfold. "Oh, this is quite the sight," he remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Looks like someone's finally awake from their little nap."

The chaos in the cafeteria erupted anew as everyone turned to witness the bizarre scene. Katsu, seemingly unfazed by Joutarou's protests, continued to drag him along, effortlessly hauling his struggling form. "Come on, Joutarou! Quit squirming!" Katsu said, his voice echoing with a casualness that felt almost absurd given the circumstances.

"Let go of me, you brute!" Joutarou yelled, trying to twist away but only succeeding in making the situation more ridiculous. His face was still splattered with paint, and his disheveled appearance was compounded by his evident fury. "I'm not spending one moment with you lot!"

"You are attending this meeting whether you like it or not!" Katsu responded, his voice firm yet oddly light-hearted, as if he were merely coaxing a stubborn child rather than manhandling a fellow student.

"I'm not spending one day in a room full of potential killers and victims!" Joutarou retorted, his eyes wide with genuine panic. "Have you seen Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair!? The Ultimate Imposter set up that party to keep tabs on everyone but ended up getting killed despite his efforts! It's just a matter of time before someone gets offed in this place!"

The room fell into a stunned silence, a mix of disbelief and concern etched across the faces of the other students. Sho's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his mouth agape at Joutarou's sudden outburst. "Uh, Joutarou, it's not like that," he stammered, attempting to reassure him while simultaneously processing the gravity of what Joutarou was implying. "We're not—"

"Exactly! You think we're some kind of cartoonish parody of a murder mystery?" Joutarou shot back, his voice rising again. "We're not here to play games! This isn't just a weird episode of some reality show! This is real life!"

Katsu, undeterred, tightened his grip on Joutarou's waist as he dragged him further into the cafeteria. "Relax, man. We're just having a meeting to figure out what to do next. You're making it sound like we're planning an execution."

Noriko, watching the spectacle unfold with a mixture of amusement and annoyance, crossed her arms. "Honestly, Joutarou, you're being a bit dramatic. Yes, things are serious, but we can't let fear control our actions. If we don't talk, we're only going to make things worse for ourselves."

"Worse?" Joutarou echoed incredulously. "You really think this is a good idea? Just look at what's happened so far! I'd rather take my chances wandering the halls than sit in a room with you all, waiting to see who decides to pull a knife next!"

Riku, still grinning, chimed in, "Well, it's not like we're in a horror film. There's no killer lurking in the shadows, right? I mean, if you think about it, that would be too cliché."

"Too cliché?" Joutarou replied, incredulous. "Look around! We're trapped in this place, and you're talking about clichés? This isn't a joke! I have a bad feeling about all of this!"

At that moment, Iwao, tired of the absurdity, stepped in. "Look, I get that everyone is on edge, but panicking won't help us figure things out. We're all stuck together, whether we like it or not. We need to stick together and find a way out—talking is the first step."

"Yeah, and right now, I'd rather be anywhere but here," Joutarou argued back, still struggling against Katsu's grip. "If I'm going to die, I'd rather do it fighting than sitting like a sheep at slaughter!"

"Dying is the last thing on our minds!" Katsu barked, finally releasing Joutarou, who stumbled backward, regaining his footing but still wearing an expression of defiance.

"You're a pain in the ass, you know that?" Katsu said, exasperated but still grinning. "Look, if you're not going to join us, at least don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"Join you? Join a bunch of people who might be plotting against each other?" Joutarou replied, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, scanning the room as if everyone suddenly bore the mark of a murderer. "You think I'm just going to waltz into a room full of potential psychopaths and trust that everything is fine?"

"Do you have a better plan?" Noriko pressed, her patience thinning. "Staying isolated will only lead to paranoia, which will ultimately make us more vulnerable."

For a brief moment, Joutarou hesitated, the intensity of his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Maybe," he admitted reluctantly, "but how can we trust each other when we're all scared out of our minds?"

Riku, ever the provocateur, leaned against the wall with a flourish. "Trust is overrated, darling! We're here to survive, right? Why not turn this into an exciting game of cat and mouse? Or would you prefer the thrill of a knife in the back?"

"Stop it, Riku!" Megumi snapped, her voice filled with urgency. "This isn't a game! People's lives are at stake here!"

The atmosphere in the cafeteria shifted, the levity from earlier dissipating into an undercurrent of tension. Izumi stepped forward, her expression serious. "Joutarou, we understand your fears. We're all scared. But that's why we need to come together. There's strength in numbers, and we can't afford to let fear divide us."

Joutarou, visibly shaken, finally fell silent, his shoulders slumping slightly as he took a deep breath. "Fine. I'll… I'll listen. But if this turns into a farce, I'm out. I'm not sticking around for a massacre."

"Fair enough," Katsu said, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "Now, let's get everyone settled and start figuring out what our next move is."

As Joutarou reluctantly took a seat at the table, the group's focus shifted.

"Alright, everyone, let's take a moment to acknowledge where we are. We're trapped in this place, and we need to come together to figure this out," Katsu declared, his voice carrying a rare firmness that commanded attention.

"But why couldn't we just sneak out?" Gina interjected, her brow furrowed in concern. "I mean, if we planned it well, this place is surrounded by an open neighborhood—"

Venitsu cut her off, his gaze drifting toward the artificial sky. "We're in a prison. Take a closer look at the sky—the clouds don't move, and the sun looks… fake. And if you pay attention to where the horizon meets the sky, you'll see it doesn't quite look right. It's more like… a ceiling and walls."

"Wait, really?" Hiroyuki asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

"No crap," Haruhiko scoffed. "It's painfully obvious. Only fools would mistake a ceiling for the sky if they looked closely enough."

Izumi sighed, crossing her arms as she looked at Haruhiko. "You could be a little more cordial, you know."

"Am I wrong, though?" Haruhiko shot back, an unbothered smirk on his face.

Izumi let out a resigned sigh. "Still… try to be considerate of people's feelings."

"No promises," Haruhiko replied bluntly, his gaze wandering back to the ceiling, unimpressed.

Katsu cleared his throat, redirecting their focus. "So, we're in some kind of enclosed space. Maybe even a simulation. But if this really is a prison, there's got to be a way out. We just need to stay calm and keep our heads if we're going to find it."

Noriko nodded, a contemplative look on her face. "If we're dealing with an artificial environment, that changes things. There might be a control room somewhere. Or even a weak spot in the walls we could exploit. But it's going to take all of us working together if we're going to find anything useful."

Joutarou, still visibly skeptical, crossed his arms with a dismissive scoff. "Great. So we're going to go poking around, hoping to stumble upon some secret hatch? Sounds like a recipe for disaster."

"Not necessarily," Iwao replied, his voice steady. "If we play our cards right and follow the rules, we might find a way."

"Actually," Shinobu interjected thoughtfully, "maybe we should discuss the rules while we're all here?"

"Good thinking, Shinobu," Katsu said with an approving nod.

"I remember something about a rule against inciting rebellion, right?" Megumi asked, her brows knitted with worry.

"Yes," Sachika replied, her tone critical as she recited, "Rule 1.03: 'Inciting rebellion against the mastermind is unacceptable under any conditions.'"

Aiko's voice was soft but full of conviction. "Well… that is… one way… for the mastermind… or rather… NULL… to keep us… in check…" she said slowly. "By saying rebelling… against them… in any way… it gives... them an… easy way… to stop… us from… conspiring… against them…"

"Well, I guess we should—" Sho responds.

Suddenly, a familiar, mocking laugh interrupted them. "Puhuhuhu!" Monokuma appeared out of nowhere, his grin wide and malicious. "This scene here… it reminds me of a certain first meeting in a cafeteria."

"Aaah!" Gina squealed, jumping back, while the others gasped, a mixture of fear and shock washing over their faces.

"What are you doing here!?" Sho demanded, his voice laced with frustration.

Monokuma chuckled, holding his paws to his face in a delighted gesture. "Oh, I'm just here to see you all at each other's throats! And, of course, to present the first motive."

"The… first motive?" Sachika's voice trembled slightly, a mix of skepticism and concern in her tone.

"Yep!" Monokuma replied, his voice dripping with twisted glee. "So, follow me to the auditorium, everyone. This is one show you won't want to miss!"

As the group shuffled into the auditorium, they were met with an unusual sight: Monokuma stood center stage, theatrically clutching a Monomi Ball as if it were the most precious object in the world. The spotlight cast a dramatic glow over him, illuminating Monomi's expression of sheer distress as she hung from Monokuma's paw like a puppet.

With a gleeful grin stretching across his face, Monokuma began to sing, his voice surprisingly melodic—if unsettling:

"It's the circle of despair. It consumes us all!
Through pain and death, through blood and hate!
Till we find our graves on a path so dying,
In the circle… the circle of despair!"

The absurdity of the performance struck everyone as Monomi Ball, clearly flustered and bewildered, shouted out, "Why are you recreating that scene from The Lion King!? Am I Simba? And why are you Rafiki? You're definitely a Scar!"

"Shut up!" Monokuma bellowed, his playful demeanor quickly turning fierce. With a swift kick, he sent Monomi Ball crashing into a stack of stage props resembling wild animals, much like a bowling ball.

"Monomi!" Haruto cried, his eyes wide with horror as he rushed forward, fear etched across his face.

"This is what happens to those who don't attend auditions! You get thrown into props!" Monokuma cackled, relishing the chaos.

"Gah!" Monomi squealed in pain, scrambling to her feet. "I didn't know there was going to be an audition! You never told me!"

"I know!" Monokuma replied gleefully, a manic glint in his eyes. "That's the point! AHAHAHAHA!"

The audience of students exchanged uneasy glances, the atmosphere thick with confusion. Gina, unable to hold back her incredulity, yelled, "Is that meant to be a parody of Circle of Life!? That is not how it goes! And the rhymes are terrible!"

"Nah!" Monokuma retorted, puffing out his chest proudly. "It's better! A masterpiece, if I do say so myself!"

Noriko, trying to cut through the absurdity, pressed for clarity. "What is the motive?"

"Down to the point!" Monokuma declared, his tone suddenly serious, as if he was switching gears. "I like it! The motive is…"

With a flourish, he produced sixteen tablets, each glowing ominously like a beacon of dread. "Loved ones! The people you value the most. The ones whose absence will haunt you forever!"

"Wait," Venitsu squinted, a look of confusion washing over his face. "There are only sixteen tablets, and there are eighteen of us here. What about the remaining two?"

Monokuma waved his paw dismissively, his face twisted in delight. "These motives came up last minute, so I had to recycle old ones! Didn't have time to make a motive for everyone this time around. To the two lucky souls here, consider yourselves unmotivated! AHAHAHAHA!"

He began distributing the tablets to each student, a twisted grin plastered across his face. But two students remained without motives…

"So… Haruto and Riku are the only ones without a motive," Noriko noted, her voice trembling slightly.

"It's probably a good idea not to look at our motives," Sho suggested, anxiety creeping into his tone. His eyes darted nervously among his peers.

"Y-yeah," Kuroki added, visibly shaken. "The moment we take a look at those motives, we're risking a murder spree."

"How about we redistribute them again and make sure no one has their—" Iwao began, but his suggestion was abruptly cut short by a scream that shattered the tense atmosphere.

"NOOOOO!"

Everyone turned to see Joutarou, his eyes wide with horror, staring at the glowing screen of his motive. The image displayed a grim video, the kind that would haunt anyone's nightmares. An old man was shown enduring a gruesome crime, two masked figures looming over him like harbingers of doom. The screen flashed red words: "It goes on and on. Do you want him to return safe and sound? Escape to find out."

Gasps of shock and disgust echoed throughout the auditorium, the air thickening with dread. Joutarou dropped the tablet, his face pale, and fell into Megumi's arms, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"What was that!?" Gina cried, her voice trembling as she took a step back, her heart racing.

"Who was the man in the video?" Izumi asked, her expression softening with compassion, instinctively moving closer to Joutarou.

"M-my… Uncle Torvald…" Joutarou sobbed uncontrollably. "He was the only one who supported me! My parents laughed at me, and he helped… He was my only ally…"

"I'll take him to his house," Izumi volunteered, her voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. She took a step toward Joutarou, ready to help him.

Megumi nodded in agreement, passing Joutarou gently to Izumi. "Let's go. We'll get you out of here," she said, her tone soothing.

The two hurried out of the auditorium, leaving behind Joutarou's motive with Haruto, who stood there frozen, processing the scene.

"Yeah, so…" Hiroyuki finally broke the silence, glancing around nervously. "Definitely going to redistribute these motives, right?"

Most of the group nodded in agreement until…

"No," Megumi interjected, her voice sharp, cutting through the haze of despair.

"Huh?" Noriko asked, confusion knitting her brow.

"I have a better solution," Megumi replied, her tone serious and resolute, a stark contrast to her usual cheerful demeanor.

With fierce determination, she grabbed all the tablets and, with a swift motion, stomped her foot down with great force, crushing the devices beneath her heel. The sound of shattering plastic echoed throughout the auditorium.

"Megumi, what are you doing!?" Shinobu exclaimed, shock evident in her voice as she stepped back.

"It's obvious," Megumi replied, her resolve unwavering. "I'm destroying the motives."

Katsu opened his mouth to object, but Megumi continued, "I never gave you permission to—"

"Permission my butt!" she shot back, her eyes blazing with conviction. "There was never a rule against the well-being of a motive, right? So if the motive is destroyed before anyone gets a chance to see them…"

"Then there would be no motivation to murder!" Sho concluded, his eyes lighting up with realization, admiration creeping into his voice.

"That is so smart!" Gina exclaimed, her praise ringing out amidst the chaos, the tension in the air beginning to lift slightly.

"My view and respect for you have improved a thousandfold," Venitsu added, a newfound admiration evident in his tone.

"And thus, it makes her have a more dangerous potential," Noriko whispered to herself, observing Megumi with a mix of concern and respect. Her eyes narrowed slightly, taking in the change in atmosphere.

"At first, she was just some bimbo," Haruhiko remarked, his earlier dismissal of her clearly fading. "I guess I was wrong."

"Thank you!" Megumi beamed, her spirit rising amidst the chaos. "And General, I apologize for my behavior, but in this situation, you don't need permission. Sometimes you need to treat us like people rather than… Oh right, it's a habit, right?"

"Yeah," Katsu replied, a hint of a smile breaking through the heavy atmosphere, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

"Grr! This is what I get for my limited budget and cheap tablets!" Monokuma fumed as he gathered the remains of the shattered devices, his face twisted in annoyance. "Well played… This will not happen again! Guess I need to clean this up…"

He paused, frustration flickering across his face before it was replaced by a mocking grin. "Puhuhuhuhuhu… Such an interesting development…"

"Huh?" Noriko replied, brow furrowing in suspicion. "What is going on?"

"No spoilers!" Monokuma retorted, his tone sing-songy and taunting. "Now I'm going to make some adjustments! I hope to see one of you die when I return!"

Hiding his amusement behind a mask of spite and pettiness, he waddled off stage, leaving the group in stunned silence.

"What was that about?" Kuroki asked, glancing around the room, uncertainty etched across his features.

"It… sounds like… he found… something," Aiko said slowly, her eyes wide with concern, sensing the gravity of the situation deepening.

"Could one of the tablets have survived?" Shinobu speculated, her voice low and serious, a chill creeping into the air.

"More than likely," Venitsu replied, his expression darkening, glancing at the remnants of the tablets scattered on the floor.

Megumi wore a concerned expression, feeling the weight of the situation on her shoulders, as if she had failed in her efforts to protect everyone.

"We're going to need an action plan for this," Sho said, taking charge, his voice steady despite the chaos.

"Agreed," Noriko nodded, her mind racing as she considered their options.

Megumi, regaining her composure, added, "Y-yeah! We need to meet up again to discuss our new situation and figure out how to move forward."

Sachika interjected in frustration, "And to actually discuss the rules too! We can't let this go unpunished."

"Let's take a break and regroup after, okay?" Haruhiko suggested, looking around at the worried faces. "We'll figure it out."

As the group dispersed, the atmosphere still heavy with uncertainty, they were left grappling with the chilling reminder that in this twisted game of survival, their lives hung precariously in the balance.

"Goodbye, Noriko!" Sho called out, his voice bright, catching her off guard by the sincerity and care.

"Goodbye," Noriko replied, a hint of surprise escaping her composure as she turned to face him.

In that fleeting moment, a strange warmth enveloped her—a reminder of connection in a world rife with despair. It felt like sunshine breaking through dark clouds, illuminating a path she had long forgotten. Her heart was like a door, sturdy yet slightly ajar, waiting for the right key to unlock it. Sho's simple farewell was that key, slowly returning to the door like a warmth she hadn't felt in what seemed like an eternity.

She longed to turn the knob, to open the door wide and let that warmth in. Yet, a frozen thought clung to her mind, heavy and unyielding. The grim reality echoed in her head: Someone would die sooner or later. It was a matter of time in this twisted game of survival.

Perhaps it was wiser to hold back, to shield herself until peace returned to their fractured world. But the memories of her past clawed at her, relentless and suffocating.

She saw a Christmas tree, adorned with bright ornaments and shimmering lights—a stark contrast to her current reality. She remembered a loving couple, their laughter ringing out in a time when happiness felt tangible.

Then the images shifted, turning dark and jagged. A door was forced open, a knife glimmering ominously in the shadows. She could hear the distant wail of hospital sirens, police lights flashing through the windows, painting her memories in hues of red and blue.

These haunting visions pulled her deeper into the cold, a chilling reminder of what love could cost. The fear of embracing such a fragile emotion was absolute, a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. And yet, amidst the dread, a flicker of curiosity ignited within her—a yearning to explore this feeling, to understand it on her own terms, in a different time and place.

Noriko took a breath, grounding herself in the present, aware that she couldn't allow herself to be swept away by the tide of her emotions. She resolved to keep her distance, at least for now, until the world felt safer. But deep down, she couldn't shake the lingering desire to find warmth again, to discover what it truly meant to connect with someone without fear.

As she turned away, the door of her heart still stood slightly ajar, a silent promise to herself that one day, she might gather the courage to unlock it fully. For now, she would remain vigilant, keeping her heart at arm's length while holding on to the glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could find love again. But the grip of despair is too strong for now. And the first chapter of this horrific nightmare has just begun.