Chapter Text
GAME OVER
HIBIKI HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY.
TIME FOR THE PUNISHMENT!
ULTIMATE SURGEON HIBIKI OKAMURA’S EXECUTION - EXECUTED
ROOM FOR ONE MORE
With one swift motion, the white sheet covering Hibiki’s body was ripped off of him.
With his new surroundings officially around him, he processed everything he possibly could about the execution he helped create. He felt the cold steel resting underneath his entire body, smelled the scent of embalming fluids sickeningly perfuming the room, and saw the neon glow of the “AUTOPSY ROOM” sign on the door across from him.
He also saw nine people leaning over him.
Each one varied in size and shape, but were unified by two things: the white kimonos each wore in place of surgical robes, and the pieces of paper covering their faces. He could recognize the tufts of red hair from the one with “FROZEN” written on his, the shining red nails of the one with “STRANGULATION” on hers, and winced visibly at the one with “SHOT BY HIBIKI” on theirs.
Despite their obscured vision, each one of them moved over to their target without any issue. Four of them grabbed onto each of his limbs, while the remaining ones made their way over to their collection of tools, grabbing enough for each of them to use.
Then, it was time for their work to officially begin.
The first group up were those with “CRUSHED TO DEATH” and “EXECUTED” written on their papers. The former was slow and lumbering in their retribution, simply grabbing a steel mallet and striking it against his hand. It was the latter who caused more issues, ripping it from his person before slamming it down hard enough for Hibiki’s bones to splinter.
The second one up, someone with “SHOT BY KOTO” on their person, did nothing when faced with Hibiki’s torso. Shaking their head, the one with “STRANGULATION” grabbed a bedsheet and tied it around Hibiki’s throat, silently gesturing to the one with “CYANIDE POISONING” to help them. And, with a clear giddiness, they grabbed a syringe with an unknown liquid and plunged it straight into his closest vein.
The third group approached the body like they were on a mission, with “FROZEN” and “ANAPHYLAXIS” expressly going over to opposite sides of the body in order to inflict their retributions, as “FLAYED” crawled up the body to start doing just that.
Finally, the one labeled “SHOT BY HIBIKI” slowly approached her victim, calculating just what to do next. And, raising her pistol, she delivered swift retribution through a gunshot to the chest.
Yet, despite all of their work, Hibiki still lied on that steel slab, breathing in slow, shallow bursts. Pain shot through every part of his body, but at that point, he hadn’t minded in the slightest.
Now, all that was left for him was the finale.
With their work done, the crowd parted from their victim, making a small clearing in their cluster that Hibiki could see through. And, with it, he watched the door open one last time.
The figure approached with a cold, professional gait to them, nodding politely at the others. However, their entrance was merely greeted with coldness, with only a sparse few walking over to their collection of tools before picking out the best one, and passing it over.
The figure paid their rudeness no heed, simply looking down at the weapon they bestowed upon them. They remained motionless for a few moments, before grabbing it tighter than ever.
In one fell motion, the scalpel in their hand sliced through Hibiki’s neck.
With only a gurgle of blood as a response, Hibiki gazed up one last time at his attacker before his life drained away from him for good.
And the final thing he noticed was the house-coated figure sporting the words “PROPER RETRIBUTION”.
---------
With Hibiki’s blood officially being shed, the building became eerily silent. There was no longer the light humming of machinery pervading the air around them, nor any signs that it would turn on ever again. And what reflected it most was Monokuma: what was once so full of life had been reduced to an empty husk.
All six of them could only look out into the execution chamber, each taking in the finality of everything they just witnessed.
And yet, none of them were as affected by it as Chie.
CHIE: No… Hibiki…
Chie collapsed to the ground, looking at the corpse in front of her with a thousand-yard stare. Tears quickly followed, as hysterical cries of pain shot out from her over what she just lost.
And Nakami knew this wasn’t the first time this ever happened to her.
NAKAMI: …
He took a cautious step towards her, not knowing what to even say to her, but knowing he wanted to tell her something. Maybe a lie about how things would finally be okay. Or maybe some sort of vague comfort to someone who, for all intents and purposes, deserved some sort of apology from them.
But, all he managed to get out instead was an awkward mumble.
NAKAMI: …Do you need a hand?
His clumsy attempts were only met by continued silence from Chie who, whether intentional or not, didn’t bother minding his presence at all.
Instead, the sole response to Nakami was from a sudden tug on his arm. Looking back, he saw Koto, and the pre-written message already laid out to him.
I think it’s time to finally leave her alone, Nakami. It looks like this is her own version of “proper retribution”.
Nakami glanced back one last time, with the final musings Hibiki gave to Chie echoing in his head. With as much as it pained him to fight against his instincts, he finally managed to pull away from the broken mess in front of her, clinging onto Koto to avoid changing his mind. Instead, they reconverged with everyone else, who crowded in a mass near the entrance of the execution chamber.
FUMIO: We… really did it, huh?
Fumio’s words didn’t express relief so much as guilt, as the others went back to silence for a few painful moments.
RYOU: …If that’s truly the case, then how do you suppose we get out of here?
I think the same way Tsukiko almost did.
Koto extended a finger out towards just past the execution chamber, where each of them knew a door was hidden. But, with the display of finality that happened just past those walls, nobody was eager to enter through it.
NAKAMI: …Can’t we use the elevators instead?
NORIKO: Do you think I didn’t try that after the execution happened? The damn thing’s completely shut off. The only possible way out is through that chamber.
RYOU: …
FUMIO: …
…Look, just keep your heads down the best as you can, and try to follow my lead. We can do this, you guys.
The others lingered around the room hesitantly before Koto took initiative, opening the unlatched door to the chamber and holding it for the person next in line. With no other option, they followed behind, but Nakami made the deliberate choice to be the last one there.
Once inside the sleek autopsy room the execution disguised itself as, Nakami wasted no time keeping his nose to the ground, trying to keep a close eye on the footsteps in front of him. Still, the smell of fresh blood was palpable in the air, something Nakami tried desperately to not connect to his past.
…No, calm down, Nakami. We’re almost there.
All you need to do is keep moving forward. That’s all.
So, with as much determination as he could muster, he zoned out the world around him as he carried on.
------------------------------------------------
Nakami’s focus immediately latched onto the pool of blood still under the doorway.
The others had long moved past the lingering proof of Tsukiko’s death, trouncing over it in order to reach the door. However, with the inescapable reminder of the punishment for his own immorality, Nakami could only look on hesitantly before Noriko pulled the latch on the door.
Inside, the darkness greeting them was completely inescapable. It stretched out however far the hallway truly went, leaving them all with uncertainty over just how long their escape would take.
FUMIO: …Well, who wants to go first?
Without any decorum, Noriko pushed past all of them, impatiently entering the door frame. She looked back one last time, lingering cautiously before sharing what was on her mind.
NORIKO: …Make sure you make it out safe, alright, Ryou?
Ryou gave a self-assured nod, as Noriko managed the last smile she had left in her. Then, looking back at the others, her usual psychotic glare having been beaten down to just a stern frown.
NORIKO: …As for the rest of you, thanks for nothing but proving me right from the start.
With those cold words as her parting gesture, she vanished into the darkness.
Well, I guess there’s worse ways she could have sent us off.
RYOU: I… don’t know if her wounds are ones that’ll be fixed overnight, Koto. But maybe freedom will finally start the process.
RYOU: As for ourselves, I think we’ve more than earned the right to follow her. So, how about we get going?
FUMIO: …Actually, I was thinking about lingering back here for a bit.
FUMIO: There’s still unfinished business I have with this building. We never exactly finished investigating, so that means we can’t write off another USB lying around the area.
FUMIO: (sadly) …After all, everyone else deserves a second chance as much as we do.
Then I guess it’s goodbye for now, huh?
FUMIO: I… suppose so.
FUMIO: (soft smile) …Be sure to wait for me, alright?
The two gave a small nod in reciprocation, before they all parted ways. Yet, as Ryou and Koto began entering the doorway, and Fumio successfully left the room for his next mission, Nakami could only linger at their exit.
RYOU: …Are you coming, Nakami?
NAKAMI: …
RYOU: …Ah, your spirit is still misaligned, isn't it?
Nakami gave no response other than a pained choking noise.
RYOU: Then… would it be in your best interest for me to stay back with you?
Nakami shook his head and, without even having to hear his alternate option, Ryou knew who he truly wanted.
RYOU: …I believe the man’s already made his decision for you, Koto.
I figured as much. I didn’t think you’d be putting up with it without a fight, though.
RYOU: I have no reason to doubt what’s been proven to work. If peace will come without my input, then I will not try to stop it.
Is this really because you already helped save our entire class?
RYOU: (smug smirk) Nonsense, I don’t know what you’re talking about~
RYOU: …Still, if you need assistance, don’t be afraid to get into contact with me again. I… know what we’re all like and everything, but that doesn’t make us any less worthy of happiness.
RYOU: (smile) I’m here for all of you. I wouldn't be much of an Ultimate Tai Chi Master if I wasn't.
It’s alright, Ryou, I’ve got this. After all the bullshit you’ve had to put up with, I think you deserve more of a rest than anyone else here.
Ryou gave a thankful smile over Koto’s words. With that, he gave one final bow to the both of them before joining Noriko in the darkness.
It was just Nakami and Koto now, who stood in silence. Nakami could only try to collect his nerves, while Koto waited for him patiently. Eventually, however, Koto finally managed to craft a new message.
You’re still having second thoughts on leaving, aren’t you?
NAKAMI: …Well, can I be sure I ever actually changed? For all I know, we just escaped a punishment we should have been a part of.
…I have a feeling Chie's still getting to you, Nakami.
NAKAMI: …
…I think you need to be more optimistic, you know.
I seriously doubt that the speech I gave you in the courtroom is going to change your worldview overnight. But the fact we’re even standing here shows you believe it at least a little bit.
I can tell you your own worth over and over again, but at the end of the day, you're responsible for yourself. Only you can really prove that small part of yourself right.
It's not an easy road by any stretch, Nakami. But if I can do it, so can you.
Nakami let Koto’s words resonate with him for a few moments, taking in the small smile he had on his face. Finally, he managed to look back into the darkness again.
He wondered to himself just how right Koto was. He wondered if after all the hurt he caused, if he was truly capable of any sort of redemption.
…I guess there’s only one way to find out.
With that, he finally stepped inside.
