Chapter 2: Tightrope of Tension, Big top of Despair
Daily Life
Ding Dong, Bing Bong!
"Ahem! New Hopes Peak Academy announcement! It is now 8 am! Time to get up! Have a splendid day!" Monokuma's morning announcement blares. Sakura yawns as she stretches. 'Today is the day of Hibiki's Show. But for now, I should head to the gym for our meeting' She thinks as she stands and heads outside. Kiyomi was reading from a book as she walked. "Good morning, Kiyomi." Sakura says
"...morning." She says simply.
"So you looking forward to the comedy show tonight?" Sakura asks as they walk
"I don't want to go." She says simply "I am getting to the climax of this book and I want to enjoy it in silence."
"Oh..." Sakura says 'she really likes her books...guess I should have expected as much from the Ultimate Bookworm' They walk to the gym together
GYM
Everyone had already gathered in the gym, sans Hibiki. Sakura looks at everyone waiting but noticed Futaba sitting slightly further away from everyone then normal 'Is Futaba okay?' Sakura thinks as Hiroto clears his throat
"I'll keep the meeting short." Hiroto says with a yawn "Anyone notice anything suspicious lately?" He asks
"Not me. My Night Walks have been uneventful." Riku says
"I've checked the sewer lock a bit more." Ren says "With the acid plan out of question, I've been trying to notice any faults with the structure, or any possible alternative entrances. But that damn underground circus just threw all my calculations into whack!" He shouts holding his head. "Its like this whole place refuses to follow the laws of physics!"
"Wish I could help, but we used up all the explosives in the Storage Room settin up the fireworks, and making my BakuBaku Flashbangs!" Bakubaku laughs.
"Haha Yeah! This is gonna be a blast!" Cho laughs as Aijin rolls her eyes
"Oh right the Comedy Show is tonight!" Hana claps her hands "Sounds like its going to be a lotta fun!"
"Speaking of, where IS Hibiki?" Ohana asks
"He was here earlier but he ran off. Said he wants to practice on the stage for a bit." Hiroto says. "Not that i'll be there. I already heard all his stupid jokes...anything else?"
"Actually yes." Sakura says "Me and Ohana were on the pier the other day and we noticed. The Motive from the Prize Machine was-"
"Hey!" Monokuma says appearing
"Eep!" Futaba shouts, hiding behind Momo
"Can you STOP that?" Hiko glares at the bear "Our meetings are the one time of day we shouldn't have to deal with you"
"Aww, but I was so looking forward to talking about the Comedy Show with you all!" Monokuma says slumping his shoulders "I bought my ticket already! Front row seats!"
"...the show is free." Sakura says
"What!?" Monokuma shouts "Then who was that sketchy, yet admittedly sexy, Monokuma i gave 40 bucks to!?"
"Every time you open your mouth I hate you even more" Kiyomi says with a glare
"Agreement." Hinata says with her own. Monokuma gulps
"H-hey now! C'mon! I'm just a little guy!" Monokuma says trying to sound innocent. "aaaanyway! Get to work everyone! We have a busy day and a show to go to! I suuuure hope nothing bad happens that would require us to cancel it~ Puhuhuhu!" He disappears
"Thanks for the death flag..." Kiyomi mumbles "But saying it out loud tends to mean it wont happen. Its basic story writing."
"...what?" Sakura asks
"For now lets just get through today. Remember: Heads on swivels everyone." Hiroto says as they depart
'ugh! Crap! That dumb bear distracted me and I forgot to mention the motive!' Sakura thinks 'No..no it's...it's fine. I'll...just tell them about it at the show. For now just gotta get through work' And with that, she moves along to the Pier
PIER
Sakura and the girls all do their usual jobs as Sakura looks at the games. She stops and stares at the Crossbow and Strength Tester games, which seemed to be missing pieces 'Something looks...different about these. But...' She thinks before hearing Ohana groan
"I'm so BORED!" She says as she sits on a bench "Sakura! Entertain me"
'How about a 'Hi Sakura! How are you today?' before making demands...' Sakura pouts but sits with her "How are you holding up?"
"Been stressed...usually I would go for a hike to clear my head." Ohana sighs "But everywhere I go here I just see that stupid bear's stupid face. Then I remember our situation...the trial...the blood...it just..."
"I understand. I'm right there with you." Sakura nods. "So how'd you get started on hiking?"
"Oh I've always been active, even as a kid." Ohana says leaning back "Just somthin about the pain in my feet, the nature around me. It just...called to me I guess."
"How does one become the Ultimate Hiker anyway?" Sakura asks, genuinely curious
"Hehe. You ever heard of the Fushimi Inari Shrine?" Ohana smirks
"Yeah. That's that shrine in Kyoto that has those 1000 gates. Why?" Sakura asks as Ohana winks and points to herself
"I climbed the entire thing all by myself without a single break! 3 Hours baby!"
"What!? Not a single break?" Sakura gasps
"That's right! Nonstop walkin! Didn't even break that much of a sweat either!" Ohana chuckles and leans back "So yeah. Since then they've been calling me the Ultimate Hiker. Even though..."
"...even though what?" Sakura asks
"Ah! No nevermind that ehe." Ohana rubs her head "Thanks for talkin to me. Really helped. Gotta get back to work now." She says before walking away
'What was she going to say...?' Sakura thinks as she stands and looks back at the machines 'This is weird...I should keep this in mind'
After walking around a bit she sees Futaba "Oh. Hey Futaba!"
"Eep!" Futaba shouts and hides behind Momo
"The hell do you want now!" Momo shouts
"Take it easy, Momo. I just wanna talk." Sakura says but Futaba backs up
"S...sorry. I...I'm busy..." She says softly before running away
'Weird...she was really distant at the meeting this morning too...did something happen?' Sakura thinks
"Ah! Sakura!" A voice shouts. She turns and sees Ren running up
"Hey Ren. What's wrong?" She asks
"I was wondering if you could help me with something! I think I'm finally onto something with the lock! I just need your help for an experiment!" Ren shouts excited
"Oh! Yeah of course!" Sakura says "I'm sure I could take a break away from work for a moment...there's not much going on right now-" Suddenly, Monokuma appears
"Hey hey hey! Don't go wanderin off without your boss' permission!" The bear roars. "And what's this I hear about the sewer lock?"
"Ah! Uh! Well! uh..." Ren stutters and sweats as Monokuma shakes his head
"Honestly, just forget about the stupid lock! That is SO last chapter of the hypothetical game!" The despair bearer laughs "Besides, no leaving your station! If you wanna take a break, you still have to stay on the pier!"
"but-" Sakura speaks up
"No buts! Except for mine leaving this conversation!" Monokuma shouts and vanishes. Sakura sighs as Ren groans
"So much for my experiment..." The architect says "Well...while I'm here I guess I might as well play some games"
'He seems upset...maybe I should talk to him for a bit' Sakura thinks as she follows Ren to the games "So Ren. How did you get started with Architecture?"
"Oh. My grandfather was actually the CEO of a construction company." Ren says as he tosses rings. "He would show me some blueprints and job details whenever I visited. Eventually I got so use to them I started drawing my own. I've always had an eye for detail so it was fun." He smiles nostalgically "I even remember the scavenger hunts he would send me on. Where he would hide something in a building and I had to find it without a map."
"No map?" Sakura asks confused "How did you manage it?"
"Well I was so use to designing stuff by then, I could just kinda...guess how a building was structured. Or even if they have any kind of hidden room or how the vents are connected, just by seeing them." Ren explains
"That's amazing!" Sakura says, impressed. "I didn't know you could just guess how things are structured."
"Takes a keen eye to notice." He taps his head, before sighing "Which is why this whole place just confuses me to no end! There IS no structure! No way for things to connect! Its like every floor is its own world! With its own sky and-and!" He shouts
"Woah hey! Take a deep breath." Sakura says, getting Ren to calm down "Getting worked up is exactly what Monokuma wants. He WANTS you to panic because he thinks it'll make you kill." Ren takes a breath
"Right...you're right. Thanks." Ren says with a smile "And thanks for talking to me. Hey, if you want, I could teach you what I know about building structure."
"I'd like that." Sakura smiles. Her E-Handbook beeps as she looks "Oh. Closing time."
"Crap its that late already!?" Ren shouts "I promised Hibiki I would help him get ready!" He stands and runs to the stage "Gotta go! See ya in half an hour Sakura!"
'The Ultimate Comedian Comedy Show is happening soon...I should hurry and get to the Mono Stage' Sakura walks towards the tent
MONO STAGE
"Welcome welcome! Come in and take a seat!" Cho shouts as Sakura walks in "The show will begin momentarily!"
"He has you working as bouncer, Cho?" Sakura asks
"Of course!" Cho says with a massive grin as he looks at his list "Lets see with you here...the only ones we're missing are Hiroto, Futaba and Kiyomi."
'Hiroto and Kiyomi already said they wont be here. But wonder where Futaba disappeared to' Sakura thinks as she sits down next to Ohana
"We still haven't had the chance to tell the others about the motive." Ohana whispers
"I know but with everything going on its hard to squeeze it in." Sakura sighs "Don't worry. I'll be sure everyone knows when this is all over."
"I hope your right...I don't think I can handle another trial." Ohana clenches her fist as Monokuma appears
"Popcorn anyone?" He laughs
'and I can't handle another minute with this bear...' Sakura thinks as Monokuma leans back in his chair
"Bring on the funny! For once I don't have to be the only one with good jokes!" Monokuma shouts
'is that what you call it?' Sakura shakes her head and sighs as the lights go out. BakuBaku laughs
"And now! Gentlemen, gals and weird bear things alike!" The demolition expert announces "The moment you've been waiting for! The comedic stylings of: HIBIKI YABE!" The curtains open as Hibiki runs out, waving
"Hey! Hello everyone!" He shouts and greets as the others clap. Hibiki grabs the mic and smiles "Its great being on the Mono Stage tonight for all my friends. And Monokuma." He says, causing a few chuckles. "So let me tell you about something that happened to me while we were setting this show up."
'Hibiki's show went off without a hitch. A full hour of jokes. And I admit, I laughed a few times.' Sakura thinks as Hibiki continues telling jokes 'Until...THAT happened...'
"-and that, my friends, is why I am no longer allowed in Amsterdam. Thank you very much, you've been a wonderful crowd!" Hibiki waves as the group claps and cheers. "And for our last act tonight, my good friend BakuBaku has prepared something special. Take it away, Bakubaku!" Hibiki backs up as BakuBaku laughs
"Time to end this show...WITH A BANG!" BakuBaku laughs as he presses a button
"...wait a ba-?"
BOOM!
Suddenly, multiple fireworks went off, exploding in every direction as everyone screams
"BAKUBAKU YOU IDIOT!" Aijin shouts
"DUCK AND COVER PEOPLE!" Hiko shouts as well as everyone scrambles for the exit or for a place to hide
"BAKUBAKU I THOUGHT YOU SAID THESE WERE JUST LIGHTS! NOT EXPLOSIONS!" Hibiki shouts as BakuBaku laughs
"YEAH CAUSE I KNEW YOU WOULDN'T LET ME SET THEM UP IF YOU KNEW!"
"JUST MOVE!" Hana shouts as they all break for the exit as the tent gets multiple holes blown into it. But soon enough
Beep beep!
Fwoosh!
Sprinklers came on that put out all the fires as the tent remained stranding. The students all pant and gasp for breath. "Everyone...okay..?" Riku pants
"I'll let you know...once my heart stops beating from my ass..." Hibiki says with a weak chuckle
"Is everyone here?" Sakura asks
"Just did a headcount." Cho says "We all got out."
"Good...at least the sprinklers stopped the fire before it spread." Hana says as Monokuma stares at the tent. His body twitches
"You all...almost burned down my precious Kuma Carnival..." The headmaster says darkly as an ominous aura radiates from him. The students gulp as Hiko aims her gun, Aijin pulls out ninja stars and Bakubaku readies a flashbang. "Destruction of school property is against the rules you know...I have half a mind to punish you right now..." He turns to the students before... "...IF THAT WASN'T SO AWESOME!"
"...eh?" Sakura was confused as Monokuma laughs
"Did you SEE those explosions! I haven't felt a rush like that in so long!" Monokuma says between laughter "Talk about a PERFECT ending!"
"S...so we're not in trouble?" Bakubaku asks
"The fuck you mean 'we' this was your fault!" Hibiki whisper shouts
"Ahahaha! Oh, no you're still in MASSIVE trouble." Monokuma says as he raises a claw "But because that show, and that explosive ending, were so entertaining, I've decided not to punish you in my normal way. Instead, you all need to clean up the mess! Get to it, chop chop!" He says before vanishing
"..." everyone was quiet. "Guess we better get to work then..." Sakura says.
"I'll get my trash cart." Hiko sighs and walks as everyone enters the tent
Everyone works together, cleaning up the mess caused by the fireworks, mopping up the wet floors from the sprinklers, and throwing out the dozens of used fireworks. They worked, tired from a long day until
Ding Dong, Bing Bong!
"Ahem! New Hopes Peak announcement! It is now 10 PM and the Mono Stage is now closed! Please return to your cottages and have a good night's sleep. And for those of you being punished, I expect you to wake up bright and early tomorrow to finish cleaning!" Monokuma announces from the nearby TV as the students yawn and head for the elevator
"Well...I hope you all liked my show anyway. I know it didn't end how we hoped.." Hibiki yawns and rubs his eyes.
"It wasn't your fault Hibiki. Besides it was fun." Hana smiles as Hinata nods
"Confirmed." The poet nods as they all return to the living area and too their cottages. Sakura lays down in bed and groans
'Long day...and that firework incident made me once again completly forget about the motive...No doubt about it. Tomorrow I NEED to tell everyone' She thinks to herself before falling asleep, letting the night pass her by
...
...
Ding Dong Dong Ding!
Monokuma appears on the monitors with a smile "A body has been discovered! Now, after a certain amount of time has passed, the Class Trial shall begin!" He announces "Everyone wake up and make your way to the Storage Room near the Mono Stage!" The message then ends.
Sakura wakes up hearing this "A...body...?" She says before her eyes widen and she jumps out of bed "A BODY!?" She immediately runs out of her room, bumping into Hiroto "H-Hiroto!"
"I know, I heard." He says "Come on! We have to get to the Tent's Storage Room!"
"Right!" Sakura says as they run for the elevator
MONO STAGE
Upon arriving, Hibiki runs up "Ah! Guys!"
"Hibiki!" Sakura looks
"Its-Its...gha! I'll go get everyone who still isn't here! Just go see for yourself!" He yells and enters the elevator. Sakura and Hiroto run for the tent as they see Cho standing by the door to the storage room.
"Cho!" Hiroto yells as the football player looks
"Son of a bitch! How could this happen again!" He shouts and punches the wall.
'No no no' Sakura thinks 'This can't be happening. This CAN'T be happening! This can't be real! IT CAN'T BE REAL!' She then swings open the door to the storage room
'It can't...be real...'
'I kept telling myself that...it can't be real'
'But the moment that door opened...'
'...'
'those words crumbled into meaningless, despair filled dust...'
Sakura and Hiroto look in shock as the storage room opens. Blood stained a tarp laying on the floor, a wooden mallet coated in blood lay not to far away. And all this blood belonging to one person. They looked upon the now lifeless body of Futaba Zenigata, which lay slumped on the wall
'There she was...the once shy but well meaning girl Futaba Zenigata, The Ultimate Puppeteer...lay dead before us'
Chapter 2: Tightrope of Tension, Big top of Despair
Deadly Life
Sakura Masayoshi: Ultimate Lawyer
Hiroto Eto: Ultimate Debater
Hibiki Yabe: Ultimate Comedian
Hiko Seiko: Ultimate Sharpshooter
Kubo Mizu: Ultimate Fisherman: Dead
Ren Kesseki: Ultimate Architect
Cho Sukoshi: Ultimate Football Player
Aijin Tsukuyomi: Ultimate Ninja
Hana Watanabe: Ultimate Impressionist
Hinata Yasai: Ultimate Poet
Riku Yamamoto: Ultimate Contestant
Bakubaku Hakai: Ultimate Demolitions Expert
Kiyomi Kadokawa: Ultimate Bookworm
Futaba Zenigata: Ultimate Puppeteer: Dead
Ohana Ichimaru: Ultimate Hiker
Arthur Mogami: Ultimate Mythology Fanatic: Dead