Chapter Text
A cascade of footsteps echoed as our group of six raced down the rust-clad halls, chasing after this seemingly vile creature… well, that’s how Fukuizumi would describe it, anyway. Had I not been caught up in heat of crowd mentality, I’d have taken the time to think, hey, maybe chasing a strange creature after waking up in a strange place full of strangers would be a rather strange idea…
Oh gosh, now I’m doing it.
Door after door, we entered the room with the toxic sludge to find several people had already entered. Were they lured there just like us?
Neji was examining some of the rusted pipes around the pool of water, but abruptly pulled his hand back and shaking it as if the water was either scalding or absolutely freezing. Due to the chill in the room, I’d believe it to be the latter.
Shishigami was glaring daggers at Budou, who stood alongside Michizoe and Ookami, all pounding on the now closed door into the Workshop-like room.
Finally, pacing back and forth in the middle of the room, was Crimson huffing and puffing, trying to be cooled down by a somewhat anxious looking Samejima.
I wondered what had happened.
RYUUZAKI: [Fist clenched] What’s going on!? Where did that creature go!?
SAMEJIMA: [Head tiled, finger tapping cheek] Like, you saw one too!?
KUDOU: [Biting fingernails] Y-yeah! It made fun of Fukuizumi-san then ran off!
FUKUIZUMI: [Picking up robes] I wish upon it a thousand splinters! The worst of fates I can bestow upon it!
SAMEJIMA: That’s like, why Crimson-chan here is so mad--
CRIMSON: [Biting] It called Crimson a demonic bat with rabid breath!!! Crimson is no such thing! She brushes her teeth every night and every morning like a good demonic bat!
SAMEJIMA: [Sharp inhale] IIIIIIIIIII wouldn’t say being called a demonic bat is something flattering. It means you’re loud and like, y’know… short.
CRIMSON: … How rude!!!!! Crimson will kick its ass with her steel toed boots!
SAMEJIMA: We can like, settle attacking evil tanuki things later! It ran in that storage room mcthingybob and like, locked itself in!
CRIMSON: Crimson tried to help but Shin-chan said if I got in her way she’d punch me in the knee! She needs her knees to dance and thus can’t afford to have them punched!
SAWA: [Unblinking stare] Thank you for that info dump.
This was all… a lot. A lot of information to take in, a lot indeed. Numerous thoughts ran through my mind, trying to decipher just WHAT was happening.
???: Get back here right this instant!
KUDOU: [Anxiously rubbing hands] Hm?
We turned around to see another Tanuki creature running for its life… yet the colors on this one were different, they appeared inverted. The right side was black with that familiar red eye, and the left side was white with an appearance more like a stuffed animal. Otherwise, it looked remarkably the same -- besides the apron with the name ‘Tatemaeki’ written on it.
Behind the creature was a slightly more friendly sight -- well, friendly as a mob of people could get, anyways. Leading the mob was Jukai who, for some reason, brandished a flyswatter. Behind her was Keali’i, trying to not outpace Jukai. The creature had probably insulted her...thus gave her a reason to lead the pack. Finally, behind them was Iori, who… well, he’s Iori. He seemed to simply saunter at a moderate pace instead of run after the creature, with that perpetually annoyed look on his face.
Before any of us could react to what was happening, the odd creature leapt forth, climbing atop of Sawa’s slender frame to instead pounce towards Samejima.
SAMEJIMA: [Covering her face] EEK!
I braced myself for an attack, Ryuuzaki and Yukuyama reaching out defensively in her direction… yet, the unruly tanuki only bounced off her bow-shaped hair and grounded onto the catwalk above, like it was a trampoline. Scuttling to its feet, the Tanuki quickly ran off into the workshop-like room, disappearing into the darkness.
For a moment, we stood silently, until everyone in the room turned to face Samejima. Her eye visibly twitched as she came to the realization she had been used as a human scissor lift.
SAMEJIMA: [Shocked look, hair frazzled out] L-like… my head… [Sniffle]
Before any of us really got the chance to react, the remaining three stragglers caught up. Well, Jukai and Keali’i did. Iori was still taking his sweet time.
KEALI’I: [Pounding fists together] I… can not BELIEVE how fast this tiny woman can run! Aren’t you tired?
JUKAI: [Brushing outfit off] It is… an acquired skill. You learn a thing or two working in prison.
KUDOU: You can?
JUKAI: [Gasping] Have you experienced the primal terror of the inmate you are set to execute within the hour escaping from custody and untraceably running loose among the facility, forcing you to run in desperation for your life as you hear the vents above you creaking oddly?
JUKAI: It is not very fun, I can assure you that.
KUDOU: [Almost on the verge of tears, mouth open, eyes wide]...
Well I’m going to have nightmares tonight.
KEALI’I: [Rubbing chin] So...I must ask, how are we supposed to go after that creature!?
JUKAI: Indeed, it called me such a rude name! It called me a… priss!
RYUUZAKI: [Annoyed look] A priss .
JUKAI: That is what I said, and that’s what it called me, yes.
SAMEJIMA: [Sniffling] Y-you made that thing give me a headache j-just because it called you a priss?
JUKAI: Oh… I am sorry.
JUKAI: [Saddened Look] Here, I will kiss you on the head and hope it makes you feel better. Just pretend it is not a placebo, but instead a nice cold ice compact. Mwah.
KEALI’I: But.... how we will go after that beast...thing! We can’t go into that room...
Suddenly, a familiar voice chimed in from across the room.
SHISHIGAMI: [Manic look] Indeed we can’t! That foul fiend has made the mistake of barricading itself in a room with no exits! It’s cunning plan of escape has truly backfired in magnificent proportions! As soon as we get this door open, we’ll all be feasting upon vanquished blood and--
MICHIZOE: [Gritting teeth, feral look] Hey FUCKFACE, You’re not even helping us open this damn door! Get off your ass and participate in society for once in your miserable life!
SHISHIGAMI: [Accusatory pointing] Well neither is that.. that… that government official ! Her in the hat!
As if on cue, we all slowly turned to face Budou, a rather annoyed look on her face.
BUDOU: [Crossing arms] I tried to help, remember? Ookami-san insisted his muscles were bigger than mine and thus prompted me out of the way.
OOKAMI: [Clutches chest, shocked expression] Lady, you’re wearing heels . The hell makes you think it’s a good idea to try to pry the door open wearing those things? You wanna slip and fall?
BUDOU: [Blank look] I’ve walked on grates in these heels.
OOKAMI: …
OOKAMI: Oh that is impressive.
MICHIZOE: [Strained expression] Someone just help me get this thing open already! Jesus! It’s like some idiot superglued th’ damn thing shut!
KEALI’I: Pointless arguments don’t--
As if on cue, a low, annoyed grumble rang through the room as Iori finally caught up to us. He quietly rested his hand on my shoulder, as if he was using me as a prop to hold him up.
IORI: [Blank look] My heart… is in… so much pain… right now. I… I’m dying….
FUKUIZUMI: [Tisking] You didn’t even run!
CRIMSON: [Rubbing under nose] You haven’t even broken a sweat, Susu-chan!
IORI: [Accusatory Look] How would you know… you can’t even fuckin’ SEE with all that hair in your eyes.
CRIMSON: [Waving, mouth agape] Crimson is a good demonic bat! She uses her screams to echolocate!
IORI: What? That doesn’t even make any fuckin’ sense.
FUKUIZUMI: Weren’t you just told that was an insult?
CRIMSON: [Tongue out] She’s reclaimed the insult!
CRIMSON: Also, I know how we can get in! Crimson can climb Ken-Chan like a bean pole and clamber onto the--
SAWA: [Disturbed look] Ussse me asss a ladder and I’ll sssue.
CRIMSON: [Gross sobbing] You’re so mean to Crimson, Ken-Chan!
RYUUZAKI: [Clenching fist, furious look] Can we please be normal people for five goddamn minutes!?
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Well. I probably could have said it nicer but still. Is this what happens when you put a punch of eccentric personalities in a room together?
Of course, I couldn’t continue that train of thought as my ears were suddenly assaulted by dreadful trumpet noises. They sounded off key; as if two trumpets played at different pitches. One was faster than the other, but the slower one’s pace changed the longer it droned on.
???: DODODODOOOOOOOOOO!
???: DADADADAAAAAAAAAAAA!
YUUDAI: Huh?
SAMEJIMA: What?
KUDOU: Hm?
All of us turned towards the source of the music, to find… those two strange tanuki creatures standing above us, with comically oversized trumpets in their grasp. I genuinely had no clue what was going on.
IORI: Is everyone here fuckin’ tone deaf or something!? My great grandma can play better than that, and she’s dead .
Almost immediately, Iori threw his fists at the two creatures. Jukai nudged him with her elbow as if to get him back down, and both of those… things turned to face them. The one labeled ‘Tatemaeki’ spoke first.
TATEMAEKI?: [Gross sobbing] What, you don’t like our music Iori-kun!?
TATEMAEKI?: I worked reaaaaaaaaaaaally hard on my trumpet lessons just to impress you!
IORI: [Scoffing, playing with hair] You depressed me.
How Iori could be so calm standing his ground…? Then again, despite that unrelenting dread of our situation, I guess it isn’t too threatening to be mortified over. I mean, two stuffed animals poorly playing the trumpet won’t keep me up at night.
SAMEJIMA: [Pouting lip, Playing With Fingers] Iori-chan! You’re so brave! Aren’t you worried they’ll be like, extra mean to you!?
IORI: [Angry Typing-Esque Expression] I give zero percent of zero fucks! Give me answers to what this place is and what we’re doing here!
MICHIZOE: [Brawling Pose] Yeah! Like, who even are you furry fucks!? Do I gotta come up there and shove your tails up your asses!?
OOKAMI: We need answers, goddamnit! I don’t wanna catch tetanus in this damn place!
YUKUYAMA [Holding up Mallet]: I will SMITE YOU with my mallet of fortune if you refuse to tell the truth!
NEJI: [Hands pressed together in front of face] We want th’ facts, now! There’s no way this place is anything normal!
FUKUIZUMI: Please, explain yourselves! Why did the sixteen of us wake up here!? What happened to our School!?
I felt my throat tense up as the antics of the two tanuki creatures stopped to a halt. They slowly turned, each facing one side of the catwalk. Frigid chills shot up my spine as I swore their red, glowing eyes starred into the depths of my meager soul. This chill was spread among the others in the room, as if we were trapped in the twisted horror movie as Iori had described.
How this went from absurd to unsettling is beyond me. Curse my mind for opening its big thoughtful mouth.
I gathered my nerves as best as I could as everyone stood silently. My hand twitched as I took a deep breath. Everyone was watching each other, glancing around to see which one would speak first. Who would be the voice that would break the silence on what our futures had in store?
YUUDAI: What… What ARE you?
Those blood red glares returned my gaze, once again firing every instinct to either fight or flee. I thought I had made the most grave of mistakes since I just had to open my big mouth.
HONNEKI?: Ponpoko…
TATEMAEKI? Ponpoko Ponpoko…
HONNEKI AND TATEMAEKI?: We… We are your worst nightmare !
TATEMAEKI?: We are the ones that live in the darkness of your hearts!
HONNEKI?: We are the ones that have guided your every action until this point in time!
TATEMAEKI?: We are the ones that know everything about you; and everything you’ve done!
HONNEKI?: We’ve all come to st--
IORI: [Scoffing] Hey buddy, the entertainment industry called, they want their unnecessary monologues back .
IORI: Get to the point you flea-bitten vermin!
KUDOU: [Whispering] Iori-kun, maybe right now isn’t the best time to be antagonizing--
TATEMAEKI?: Why, it’s A-Ok Kudou-kun! It’s just clear Iori-kun over there is jealous we’re actually doing something meaningful with our lives and not just sitting half dressed behind a desk typing on a keyboard all day fixing other people’s problems because we hate ourselves !
All the color in Iori’s face paled away, his mood turning dropping from confidence to that of dejection.. I… didn’t expect those things they said to have gotten under his skin as much as they did. Any smart comeback he could have said found itself silenced as his brows curled into a scowl.Samejima, most likely out of pity, decided the best way to help was through a hug.
SAMEJIMA: [Soft expression] Shhhh… it’s ok Iori-Chan… [Rests his head on her shoulder]
IORI: … Tch, I’m fine. It’ll take more than a discount fursuiter’s fuckin’ petty ass insults to hurt me.
SAMEJIMA: … Want me to let you go?
IORI: Yes .
I… honestly can’t tell if I felt sorry for Iori, or just uneased with how uncomfortable that entire exchange was. Either way, Samejima let him go, and he slunked towards the back of the crowd.
HONNEKI?: [Dancing] Well then! Since mister too-lazy-to-get-dressed hates our introduction despite perpetually wallowing in his misery, let’s get this show on the road, people!
Our attention snapped back towards the creatures, as if they were all we could focus on. Despite the dread rushing through my body like blood, everything about these two just felt… rather campy.
TATEMAEKI?: [Clapping] My name is Tatemaeki, and I run public relations!
HONNEKI?: And my name is Honneki, and I’m here to kill you all!
…
We all took a collective step backwards, as Tatemaeki gave an annoyed elbow to his partner.
HONNEKI: [Sobbing] Owie!
HONNEKI: I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Geez, you all need to lighten up or something!
HONNEKI: I’m really the guy that covers business affairs and internal investigation.
TATEMAEKI: Together… we are…
HONNEKI: Your factory’s foreman! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
⚞ HONNEKI && TATEMAEKI: SUPER TANUKI LEVEL FOREMEN ⚟
From nowhere, confetti rained down from the ceiling, and a triumphant beat began to play over the loudspeakers. The miniature party the pair threw for themselves did nothing to alleviate my worries, and everyone else in the room was just as confused as I was, reactions ranging from confusion to genuine discomfort.
HONNEKI: [Pouting] Why aren’t you clapping? We worked really hard on all of this!
TATEMAEKI: [Sniffles] Please clap …
SAMEJIMA: [Hair frazzled, furious look] Like, are you kidding me? Hell no!
SAMEJIMA: You call this working really hard? Like, you kidnapped us! And that’s like, totally not cool!
SAMEJIMA: Like, I don’t want to be stuck in in some factory!
TATEMAEKI: What’s the matter princess, scared you’ll break a nail?~
SAMEJIMA: [Pointing nails out] These are fake, dumbass!
SAMEJIMA: …
SAMEJIMA: [Gasping] Oh gosh, did I totally like, say that. I’m so sorry! [Sniffles]
HONNEKI: Damn! Samejima just went off on us! Whatever will we do !
TATEMAEKI: Cry?
HONNEKI: Scream?
TATEMAEKI: Ignore her like the insignificant little worm she is?
SAMEJIMA: [Pouting] I have, like, ears you know!
TATEMAEKI: I know, that’s why I said it to your face!
HONNEKI: Hey, be nice to our employees! We don’t need a mutiny on hand!
Wait, did it just say…
YUUDAI: … Employees?
A murmur of confusion instantly rang out throughout the crowd. With so many voices speaking at once, it was hard to pick up everything said.
SHISHIGAMI: … I work for no one but myself…
FUKUIZUMI: What does it mean employees ?
RYUUZAKI: … I have a job, so I know for a fact I didn’t sign up for this...
YUKUYAMA: Something strange is going on here, I can feel it in my bones!
KEALI’I: That’s called arthritis...
IORI: … Knew it. Jukai owes me 1000 yen!
JUKAI: I owe you nothing Iori.
TATEMAEKI: [Pouting] What? Don’t believe us!?
TATEMAEKI: You’re here in this factory to work! You all signed the contract!
MICHIZOE: [Grinding teeth in mouth guard] That’s bullshit and you know it! We signed up to go to the Akihara Technical Institute!
SAMEJIMA: Yeah! I know what I read! It said nothing about like, a factory!
HONNEKI: Oh, you mean… this ?
The confetti raining from the ceiling ceased, and in its place… large sheets of paper fell. I grabbed the first one to enter the perimeter and eyed it over. It was… a contract that we had signed when we applied for the school. When I examined it closer, two things stood out.
The first was the signature; this contract was signed by Kudou. The second, however… was the absence of the words ‘Akihara Technical Institute’ anywhere on it. In fact, every instance of it was replaced...
‘Akihara Clockworks’.....
The contract I signed didn’t describe this place as a factory; not in any sort.
Yet… This signature absolutely was real. I tried to scan in for the faintest signs that it was faked somehow, that this was all just an elaborate forgery! Spotting fakes is what I’m good at, but...damn it all! There wasn’t even a smidgeon out of place! Either whoever made this was skilled beyond anything I’ve ever seen, or that these are real signatures and my memories are lying to me. Whatever was going on here, it was causing anxiety to bubble and spill over like a clogged sink.
I could feel my heart beat fast within the depths of my chest. My knuckles grew white as I tightly clenched the paper within my hand, eyes widening, mind fluttering off. I wanted to cry…
Were we scammed? Was this just a bad dream? No, this couldn’t be a dream. You can’t feel pain in dreams, and a pain surged up from my chest far greater than anything I had expected.
What had I gotten myself into? What had we all gotten ourselves into?
The silence of the room was deafening.
YUUDAI: …
FUKUIZUMI: [Gripping shoulders tightly] …
IORI: [Balling fists, hurt look] …
BUDOU: [Hand over mouth, horrified look] …
OOKAMI: [Hands on cheeks, bewildered look] …
NEJI: [Anxiously biting thumb] …
TATEMAEKI: [Confused] Heh??? What’s with the silence??? C’mon everyone, surely the cat hadn’t stolen all your tongues!
HONNEKI: [Proud look] Yeah, stealing your tongues is MY job!
TATEMAEKI: C’mon, say something, we can’t have our employees acting up already!
RYUUZAKI: [Looking away, fist to mouth] ... What the fuck …
KUDOU: [‘Deer in headlights’ look] No… this isn’t real…
SAMEJIMA: I wouldn’t have…
CRIMSON: No! Fuck! What the shit! Fuck!
TATEMAEKI: Still don’t believe us even WITH cold hard proof?
HONNEKI: What are you all, internet trolls?
HONNEKI: Wait, one of you really is an internet troll.
TATEMAEKI: Dude, think of a better insult then.
I paused, completely unsure of just how to process whatever the hell was happening to us. Where were we? What’s going on!?
MICHIZOE: How about you two to sHUT THE FUCK UP! Give us answers instead of killing trees to prove a point! This paper means nothing if it’s fake!
I don’t know, Michizoe, these signatures look authentic in my opinion...
HONNEKI: Ponpoko…
TATEMAEKI Ponpoko Ponpoko…
Michizoe’s face contorted to a look of both confusion and fear, like she realized had she poked the metaphoric hornet’s nest. Everyone was either on the verge of an anxiety attack, or watching in petrified anticipation.Being unsettled by a cartoony laugh would normally be odd, but with everything going on, can you blame us for being weirded out by the strange and unusual?
CRIMSON: [Pulling at hair] What the--!
HONNEKI && TATEMAEKI: PONPOKOPONPOKOPONPOKOPONPOKOPONPOKO !
Their combined laughter was a cacophony to my ears; Michizoe, what did you do ?
TATEMAEKI: If you still don’t believe us…
HONNEKI: [Smirking] Perhaps you should meet… THE BOSS MAN.
KUDOU: [Biting Nails] The… Boss Man?
OOKAMI: What kind of horse shit…
SHISHIGAMI: [Clutches self] You mean to say… there’s more of you?
TATEMAEKI: Oh mister bosssss maaaaaaaaan ~!
For a while, nothing happened. It was as if they were pulling some big practical joke on us while riding on our sea of mutual anxiety. That sense of dread bubbled within the small room, continuing to build up anticipation for what was about to happen. Something will pop out now! No, now! Whatever was going on, I could say for certain they were good at keeping us on our toes.
I open my mouth, not to speak, but to swallow down air. My throat was drier here than on any mountain peak I’ve been atop. I didn’t know what was about to happen, if only I had. Maybe then I could have prepared myself for what was to come.
???: Upupupupup--
The mysterious voice rang loud throughout the reverberation of the small room. Everyone looked around, confused. As goofy and even humorous as such a laugh may have seemed.. I couldn’t help but be scared, given the context, anyways. Kudou clung to Neji like a lost puppy, Michizoe and Budou gave up the door charade leaving Ookami to slip to the floor with a thud, Shishigami even gave a genuinely startled look as he slowly turned upwards to the ceiling, glancing at the pipes above.
SHISHIGAMI: [Pointing, fearful look] What the--?!
As if rehearsed, a blob of black and white fell from a leaking pipe above onto the catwalk with a loud thud. Was… was this the source of the laugh? The laugh so similar yet so unlike the those of the Tanuki? I swallowed hard, choking on my tongue as the creature stood, dusting itself off.
The creature was, truthfully, similar to the other two -- but oh so different all the while. This one was a bear, right half white, black half left. The only real helpful identifier it had was a top hat; no other clothes, no other marks, nothing… then again, there would be no need for anything like that if there was only one “Boss Man”. Its ears twitched as a twisted smirk curled across its face.
???: Upupupup… I thought I was stuck in that pipe forever! Gee, talk about a pipe dream!
KEALI’I: [Shades falling off face, confused look] ...Excuse Me?
JUKAI: A… bear?
MICHIZOE: Ya got us scared for another one’a you furry fucks?
OOKAMI: [Disgusted look] This isn’t the type of bear I wanted to see today...
FUKUIZUMI: [Skeptical Look] … So you’re telling me… that instead of a human… your leader is another one of you beasts…
FUKUIZUMI: This will not do, no no NO! We wanted answers!
???: [Claws out, grinning] Awww, what’s the matter, you aren’t happy for me to make my beary special announcement?
IORI: [Wincing] I’ve heard better puns from a calculator.
???: Awwww, there’s no need to be jealous Iori-kun!~
KUDOU: [Plays with fingers] Could you please just tell us where we are… I want to go home…
???: Oh, is the little mousey boy scared?~
KUDOU: A-a little, if I’m being honest.
???: Well…
???: [Grinning maliciously] You should be.
KUDOU: [Tearful look] Huh!?
???: [Triumphant pose, hands splayed up] Welcome one, welcome all, to the Akihara Clockworks! You lucky workers are getting the opportunity of a lifetime here!
SAMEJIMA: [Stern pose, hands on hip] What kind of opportunity involves giving prospective students an anxiety attack? All that does is deter people from wanting to go here!
BUDOU: [Arms crossed, deadly glare] Stop calling us workers. We’re here to learn.
???: Upupupup, poor ignorant Budou-san! You still think you’re meant to be a student.
???: Sorry to rain on your parade honey, but you need to get that water out of your ears and listen up! You’re a military lady, you shouldn’t be so hard-headed.
BUDOU: Excuse me for feeling skeptical and simply wanting to determine the situation at hand--
???: Shhhhh, grown bears are talking.
BUDOU: [Offended look] ...
???: Now-now-now, you’ve already met my Mononuki business partners… But you’ve yet to meet me !
MONOKUMA: [Laughing] I’m Monokuma, the head honcho of this here factory! Welcome to your personal hell, kiddies!
⚞ MONOKUMA: SUPER BEAR LEVEL FACTORY OWNER ⚟
SAMEJIMA: [Confused expression] Mono...whata?
RYUUZAKI: That is the dumbest name I’ve ever heard in my life.
RYUUZAKI: [Clenching fist] We’ve been standing here, scared out of our minds, only to meet this cheap toy!
MONOKUMA: [Rubbing under nose] You all could have met me sooner had you not taken 70 odd minutes repeatedly introducing yourselves to each other!
OOKAMI: What in the hell are you babbling about?
MONOKUMA: Oh nothing, nothing important!
MICHIZOE: [Grinding teeth in mouth guard] Just get to the fuckin’ point before I punch’ya to death!
MONOKUMA: [Blushing] Oh my… is that… VIOLENCE I smell?
MONOKUMA: [Sweats] How… alluring… !
MICHIZOE: GHK--
FUKUIZUMI: [Sighs] I believe Ryuuzaki-san said this earlier, but can we please act normal for five minutes.
FUKUIZUMI: You keep putting off answering just what we’re doing here! How did you make these false papers!?
MONOKUMA: Calm down, false prophet! Those papers aren’t faked!
MONOKUMA: And I figured the answer would be common sense! Where are we?
KUDOU: … It uh… appears to be a factory.
MONOKUMA: And what are you all being referred to?
KEALI’I: …. Workers, yes?
MONOKUMA: And what do workers do in factories?
NEJI: … Work on machines to produce goods of some sort, right?
HONNEKI AND TATEMAEKI: [Clapping] Yaaaaaaaaaaay the dumbasses are actually smart!!!! Yayyyyy! Congrats!!! Yay!!!
NEJI: [Offended Look] Excuse me!?
MONOKUMA: [Dressed in a nice suit] But wait, there’s more!
FUKUIZUMI: … I’m scared to learn what more there could be.
IORI: [Scowling] What more could there possibly be except for you forcing us into your horrifically capitalist scheme….
IORI: [Fist clenched] You...ANIMAL!
MONOKUMA: Me? An animal? Upupupupup, the only thing that’s animal-like is you all in the glorific game of cat and mouse you’ll be playing.
SAMEJIMA: [Confused expression] Huh????
SAMEJIMA: If I’m being honest, I still like, doubt this cute widdle stuffed animal could totally be like, y’know, some big bad villain!
SAMEJIMA: [Squishing cheeks] I just wanna pinch his cute fluffy cheeks--
TATEMAEKI: [Claws out] SHHH, stop interruptin’ the boss man!
HONNEKI: Yeah, I’m gonna gut’cha like a fishie!
SAMEJIMA: [Cowering] Like, eeek!
MONOKUMA: You can doubt me all you want honey, but I have a show to keep on the move!
MONOKUMA: You children today all have such pitiful attention spans, it’s like you grew up watching walkthroughs of visual novels instead of playing them themselves ‘cause you’re too lazy to do it yourself!
MONOKUMA: But, if I am being honest, I think I was exaggerating a little on a game of cat and mouse… well, sort of...
NEJI: [Biting thumb] The more ya keep lyin’, the more I find it harder to believe in reason that you’re in on this behind the scenes.
MONOKUMA: Huh???
RYUUZAKI: [Crossing arms] There’s no way you’re in charge of this place. I refuse to believe it.
MONOKUMA: Wazzat????
BUDOU: I’ve seen new recruits with more confidence in their abilities than you.
MONOKUMA: I can’t get my damn point across if you snot nosed brats keep--
????: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!
Suddenly, a loud scream rang throughout the facility, echoing down from the rafters. If I hadn’t covered my ears, nothing would have stopped them from bursting. I glanced up at the ceiling, to see Crimson had SOMEHOW climbed up to the railing.
CRIMSON: [Proud expression] Ahahahaha! Crimson has no time for your pathetic bed-time stories! She refuses to believe you have ANY control over us! You? You’re just a little teddy bear!
CRIMSON: Crimson has no need to feel scared anymore, she’s over that! no, she feels overcome with one thing and one thing only!
CRIMSON: [Growling] The instinct to KICK YOUR ASS --
BUDOU: At ease, soldier!
KUDOU: C-Crimson-san, wait!
SHISHIGAMI: End this pathetic being’s miserable existence! Bring forth thy hellfire!
Some of us cheered Crimson on, while some pleaded with her to stop. I could spot Iori and Jukai standing together, Iori making motions as if he was eating popcorn. My heart froze, unsure of what to do, let alone say. Yet, when I found my voice, it was a triumphant symphony against the cacophony of of group.
YUUDAI: CRIMSON-SAN, NO!
But alas, I was too late. Jumping high into the air, my classmate kicked the sky and shoved her foot right into Monokuma’s chest. The robotic bear gave a low grunt as it fell over the railing, flopping over onto the concrete on the other side of the toxic pool, hardly bouncing against the floor. The group on that side cleared the way as the creature suddenly burst into an explosion, sending bolts and shrapnel flying everywhere. Even after cowering, I’m surprised that no one on our side was injured.
CRIMSON: [Rubbing nose] Huzaaaaaah , Crimson has saved the day! Totally cool, huh?
HONNEKI && TATEMAEKI: BOSS MAN, NO!
TATEMAEKI: You can’t die on us now!
HONNEKI: [Gross sobbing] You didn’t even get to see me get married!
I was in a sort of stunned disbelief as I watched Crimson jump from the catwalk, landing on the floor below without a care in the world.
SAMEJIMA: [Stunned look] Crimson-chan…
IORI: [Eating invisible popcorn] … That was the most beautiful display of stupidity I think I’ve ever seen in my life.
IORI: [Smirks] High-five!
CRIMSON: Yeah man! [High-fives him]
CRIMSON: Whenever one of you becomes a big name movie producer over in America, Crimson wants you all to know that she will gladly have a movie made about her heroic efforts in ending this nonsense if and only if she’s allowed to play herself in--
The air seemed to heat several degrees as a burning presence overtook the room. Truth be told, I was a little scared to turn around, as I could feel someone staring daggers.
TATEMAEKI: Ooooooo, scene girl really did it nooooooooow .
HONNEKI: She made the boss man very upset.~
CRIMSON: What do you mean!? Crimson slayed the beast! It’s over! We can go home now!
MONOKUMA: [Demonicly] THINK. AGAIN .
The hair stood up on the back of my neck. We all turned around very slowly to find that thing… whatever it was, had been brought back to life and was standing right infront of us. God damn it.
CRIMSON: Crimson killed you! You exploded! Go back to being dead! Shoo! Shoo ! This is my victory story!
FUKUIZUMI: [Fearful] Well OBVIOUSLY you didn’t kill that awful awful thing!
SAWA: [Unblinking Stare] I warned you not to climb me… though thisss isss not what I wasss exxxpecting.
MONOKUMA: [Snarling] YOU’VE MADE ME ONE. ANGRY. BEAR!
Unsheathing it’s claws, there was little time to react as Monokuma lunged for Crimson. I could hear everyone shouting her name, trying to get her out of the way. Unfortunately, she was too slow on her feet to react. I watched as the bear jumped forth, ready to eviscerate the girl….
At least, he would have, had it not been for a certain man named Katami Shishigami stepping in at the right time. Pushing Crimson out of the way, blood splattered from his shoulder as sharp metal claws tore through skin. I heard several shrieks of terror as both laid fallen against the dirty concrete floor. Oh god, did they die? Were they...dead? Oh gods. I was never good with death. I couldn’t even bear to go to my great grandfather’s funeral .
CRIMSON: [Groans] Ow…. t...thank you…
KEALI’I: Shishigami-kun!
MONOKUMA: [Cleaning claws] Consider that my warning for what’ll happen if you assault one of the people running this factory.
We all crowded around the two of them, Shishigami slowly sitting up from his prone position. Blood seeped through the claw marks that dug deep within his jacket. Of course, Shishigami didn’t even seem all that phased by it, simply gripping the wound with a sharp inhale. How he could stay so calm after being maimed….?
SHISHIGAMI: [Clutching arm] Is that all you’ve got, hellspawn? Ghk… if this is the worst I have to fear, then I truly do wish the apocalypse was upon us….
FUKUIZUMI: [Horrified expression] Shishigami-san!
SAMEJIMA: A-are you two alright?
CRIMSON: Crimson’s head’s spinning.
SHISHIGAMI: [Grimmacing] I am fine… I am just leaving my mark upon the world with my song written in blood.
OOKAMI: Stop bein’ emo, you’re hurt, dude!
OOKAMI: [Looking away] Hey you, bear fucker! You can’t just leave him here to bleed out!
MONOKUMA: [Furiously] Don’t you tell me what to do!
OOKAMI: [Anxious look] !
MONOKUMA: Fine, fine, he wasn’t my target anyways -- but like I said. This. Is. A. Warning . Next time, we’re heading RIGHT FOR THE JUGULAR!
MONOKUMA: [Somehow snapping fingers] Mononukis! Make sure Mister Purple Prose doesn’t die on the spot!
TATEMAEKI: [Saluting] Yes boss man!
HONNEKI: [Shrugging] No promises!
The two tanuki descended from catwalk, swooping towards Shishigami in an instant. Practically ripping off his jacket, the two vanished under dirtied fabric before emerging in nurse uniforms. Snipping the fabric of the shirt still covering his arm, Tatemeki went to work spraying on disinfectant. A sharp hiss escaped through Shishigami’s masked maw, followed by a cloud of that disinfecting mist obscuring the trio. The empty can was discarded into the murky water, then the jacket was thrown towards the now open doorway of the workshop. When the three emerged, Shishigami’s arm was fully bandaged as if nothing had ever happened. He even smelled better, remarkably.
HONNEKI: Tada! I even sprayed some deodorant on him for good measure!
TATEMAEKI: No you didn’t, I did!
HONNEKI: Nuh-uh!
TATEMAEKI: I had the can???
SHISHIGAMI: Can you two shut up with your incessant rambling, you’re giving me a headache.
MONOKUMA: [Sniffling] Is that the thanks my boys get after saving your worthless life? I see how it is! No more favours for you, mister musky husky!
HONNEKI && TATEMAEKI: Yeah, no more favors from us !
SHISHIGAMI: I beg your pardon?
RYUUZAKI: [Furiously] Can you please tell us what the fuck is going on here!? I’m losing my goddamn brain cells listening to you all bicker like school children!
MONOKUMA: [Pondering] Hm…. ok! Since the lady asked me to, I suppose it’s time for me to play narrator.
RYUUZAKI: What do you mean play na--
MONOKUMA: I mentioned that you’re all in this factory to work, right?
BUDOU: Unfortunately, yes.
MONOKUMA: [Snickering] But I didn’t mention that there’s a “Part 2” to why you’re all here, did I?~
FUKUIZUMI: [Skeptically] There’s a what ?
KEALI’I: A part… 2?
YUKUYAMA: [Saddened look] Oh dear gods in the world above, what more could you possibly have in store for us besides kidnapping and forced capitalist labor?
MONOKUMA: Shh shh shh, I’m getting to that!
MONOKUMA: You see, this isn’t just your average factory, nor is it your average work life…
MONOKUMA: You see, I’m sick and tired of snot nosed brats like you looking gift horses in the mouth!
NEJI: [Biting thumb] I’m sorry, what?
MONOKUMA: You heard me robot boy!
MONOKUMA: I. Am .Tired. Of. You. Being. Un. Grateful. Little. Brats.
MICHIZOE: [Grinding teeth in mouth guard] Don’t. Talk. To. Me. Like. I’m. Only. TWO!
MONOKUMA: Awwww is the wittwe hockey pwayew getting angwy that im bewittwing hew?~
MICHIZOE: [Taken aback] Why you…!!
JUKAI: I am concerned that you can make those noises with your non-existent vocal cords.
MONOKUMA: Now, dumb questions aside, yeah! All of you are taking your talents for granted! You’re all gifted, beautiful individuals! And what do you do, throw your lives away to learn some useless shit at a Technical School. Hell, two of you already know what you can learn at a Technical School! You shouldn’t even be here!
NEJI: I-i’m sure we all have our reasons for being here, y’know. Like, everyone has things goin’ on in their lives!
IORI: [Scowling] Fuck you.
NEJI: That… that’s one way to put it!
NEJI: [Rubbing back of head] Just because someone wants to do something more with their lives than what they’ve been made out to be good at doesn’t mean you have the right to kidnap them! Don’t’cha think that it’s good to have a versatile skill set.
MONOKUMA: [Bluntly] No.
MONOKUMA: Not with a bunch of people given gifts in lives that they’re throwing away!
MONOKUMA: That’s why this isn’t a normal factory!
MONOKUMA: [Malicious grinning] This factory … is going to hold a KILLING GAME!
I blinked slowly in surprise, as if trying to process what he said. Everyone else in the room looked just as confused -- or shocked at what was just said. It was as if none of us could believe what we just heard. “Killing game”… even repeating it to myself, it almost felt too strange to believe.
YUKUYAMA: Ah… ok, that clears up a lot of things.
YUKUYAMA: [Clutches heart, screaming] sAY WHAT!?
MICHIZOE: [Shocked look] That better be a metaphor for somethin’ stupid.
KUDOU: Y-you’ve got to be joking, right? ‘Killing Game’ sounds like an oxymoron of the highest order!
SHISIGAMI: [Solemn look] Even in a world trapped within the clutches of darkness… the idea of a kill or be killed mentality is one that never ends well.
My throat dried as I struggled to find my voice. I was so used to sitting in the background, letting things happen. I always hated drawing attention to myself but… I knew I had to speak up. This isn't right. Nothing about this is right!
YUUDAI: W-what do you mean ‘Killing Game’. Surely you don’t mean that… you’re going to be killing us off just for signing up for a school, are you?
TATEMAEKI: [Laughing] Psshhhh, look at this idiot, thinking we’re going to be doing all the hard work.
HONNEKI: Heeheehee, oh that’s a good one four eyes! I can’t feel feel my spleen!
TATEMAEKI: You don’t even have a spleen!
How can we be part of some sort of killing game if…
Wait.
Oh… Oh no .
YUUDAI: Oh… oh my god…
FUKUIZUMI: [Fearful] Do… do you mean.
MONOKUMA: Ding ding ding, we have a winner! I’m not going to kill any of you.
MONOKUMA: [Grinning, paw on mouth] But that doesn’t mean you all won’t kill each other!
MONOKUMA: I can’t control a bunch of hormonal, rage-induced angsty teens!
FUKUIZUMI: What!? No! We can’t !
KEALI’I: T-this is nothing but nonsense!
NEJI: [Awkwardly playing with fingers] We wouldn’t kill each other! We were s’posed to be classmates!
SAMEJIMA: [Tearfully] That makes no sense, why would we kill each other! Like, that’s super illegal!
BUDOU: … I refuse.
MONOKUMA: Heh...???
BUDOU: I refuse to participate in this game. Manslaughter among comrades is the most grievous of offenses you can make on the field.
MONOKUMA: Hmmm, too bad, you’re stuck here anyways!
MONOKUMA: I’m not letting some white haired bitch go because ‘Oh I’m too good to kill I’m in the military I’m better than everyone myeeeeeh .’
BUDOU: If that’s your attempt at an impression of me I’d stick to your dayjob.
MONOKUMA: This is my dayjob! And your dayjob is to kill people while working in my factory!
MONOKUMA: The Technical Institute was but a front! And now that you’re here, you have to play by MY rules!
KUDOU: [Sniffling] Rules? We… there’s rules for killing each other?
RYUUZAKI: [Grimacing] This is so messed up… even for the atrocities I’ve witnessed….
MONOKUMA: [Wearing a wig] We’ve got plenty of rules! You get a rule, and you get a rule, and you all get rules!
MONOKUMA: First order of business, This killing game ain’t a simple free for all, kids! We run this game like a business; you follow strict company policy! In this case, we go by a trial system like in the real world!
JUKAI: [Playing with braids] And why do we have to do that when our legal system is still so fundamentally flawed?
MONOKUMA: Because you’re still a filthy murderer and have to be subjected to the harshest penalties we as a nation can offer.
MONOKUMA: [Grinning] That’s why you’ll only be allowed to be prompted from this factory if you can get AWAY with a murder! If you get caught, upupupup…. the punishment is Termination .
JUKAI: [Hand over mask, ‘gasping’ expression] Termination?
MONOKUMA: That’s right, goth dweeb! If you can get away with murdering someone, you deserve a reward for being smarter than everyone else in this room! And that can only happen if everyone votes for the wrong culprit! Then that’s on you all for being too stupid to figure it out!
MONOKUMA: [Drooling] Just think, getting to experience that sweet sweet feeling of terror when you realize you fucked yourselves out of surviving another day… why, it’s making me… positively pink!
OOKAMI: [Covering face] Awww gross, T-M-I much!?
KEALI’I: Please stop drooling! I… am uncomfortable!
CRIMSON: [Sniffling] We’re all uncomfortable dude! Crimson nearly gets murdered then has to see a bear drool all over himself! Think of the children, man!
SAMEJIMA: [Casually covers Kudou’s eyes] Ewwww!
HONNEKI: [Covering his own eyes] Boss man, stop it! You’re embarrassing everyone!
MONOKUMA: You all have no right to judge me! After all, I’m not the one who has worry about killing each other! Upupupup !
MONOKUMA: [Hand on mouth] Speaking of, that means we’re gonna have to get fancy...!
HONNEKI: [Unsheathing claws] The idiot among you who commits murder shall from henceforth be known as the Blackened !
TATEMAEKI: While those of you that are innocent shall be referred to as the sheeple!
HONNEKI: … No they won’t?
TATEMAEKI: Uh huh!
HONNEKI: Nuh-uh!
TATEMAEKI: Oh yeah!? And who’s gonna say otherwise.
MONOKUMA: Boys, stop fighting like children! You two run this factory now… oh, I’m so proud of my lil’ foremen!
HONNEKI && TATEMAEKI: [Embarrassed] Bossman….
FUKUIZUMI: Uh….
RYUUZAKI: Err….
I seriously can’t believe this sitcom of horror is playing out before my very eyes.
MONOKUMA: The jury, aka everyone that isn’t the blackened, are to be referred to as the spotless ! Why? …. ‘Cause.
SAWA: [unblinking stare] Wonderful.
KUDOU: Uh… I have a question. I noticed that… well, sometimes one of those two uh, foremen tend to say something that contradicts the other. Sometimes it’s something ridiculous, but sometimes it’s something that’s hard to really pick up as a lie.
KUDOU: [Tilting head] Is that normal, or… is that uh, just them being… well…. You know.
MONOKUMA: What a good question, Little Mouse that Could!
KUDOU: [Timidly] Hey…
MONOKUMA: Nah, it’s normal. My boys are such good law students alongside being such good factory foremen! Sometimes, one of them will tell a lie, and the other will tell the truth.
HONNEKI: Buuuuuuut which one of us is which…. Hell, we don’t know!
TATEMAEKI: We like to switch up the roles! That way we can have equality among us Mononukis!
HONNEKI: [Skeptically] Uh… but there’s only two of us.
TATEMAEKI: [Excitedly] Mononuki rights!
KEALI’I: This can’t be real....
MONOKUMA: Oh it’s real, sweetheart!
KEALI’I: [Pushes glasses down slightly] ... Did you just call me…?
FUKUIZUMI: No, this can’t be reality...! I mean, how on earth could a whole group of intelligent people fall for a scam, get kidnapped, transported to the middle of nowhere, and be forced to kill each other!
FUKUIZUMI: [Tisking expression] Why that is just proposteris!
MONOKUMA: [Pouting] Hey, didn’t you see me maim Stinkboy Edgelord over there?
FUKUIZUMI: … Well, yes.
MONOKUMA: And would you say that was real?
FUKUIZUMI: … Yes.
MONOKUMA: [Malicious laughter] Then you have no reason to doubt me! Debate over! Goodbye!
FUKUIZUMI: … [Huffing]
FUKUIZUMI: Why I never!
And in an instant, the bear creature vanished the same way he came, flying off into the pipe above the catwalk like he was some sort of super hero. I blinked in surprise, reflecting on his words.
A killing game… you can earn a promotion if you successful get away with murder… but be terminated if you don’t…
My heart raced with terror at the idea. There… there was no way anyone would go for it, right? Judging by the tension in the room, I had a feeling everyone felt just as apprehensive at the ideas as I was.
NEJI: [Biting thumb] Does… does this mean…
MICHIZOE: [Shocked] There’s… there’s no fuckin’ way.
CRIMSON: [Clutching self] This isn’t fair… I’m scared ….
YUKUYAMA: [Playing with hands, looking away] Oh dear, I’ll start a prayer and beg for forgiveness to whoever cast us into this life.
FUKUIZUMI: … I shall join you in your prayer.
IORI: I… I’m actually speechless for once. What the fuck is going on !?
SAMEJIMA: [Sniffling] Hey now… I-I’m sure it’ll all be alright…!
SAMEJIMA: [Apprehensive Look] R-right… ?
Confusion stretched our faces into fearful efigies of who we once were. I don’t know what’s going on but I did know one thing… it was too much to deal with.
Our thoughts were interrupted by that godawful tanuki laughter.
HONNEKI: Ponpoko ponpoko ponpoko! Before you all decided to go lock yourselves away like the angsty teenagers you all are, we have a present for you!
TATEMAEKI: [Rolling hands] Drum roll pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaase
HONNEKI: Dodododododododododododumdedumdumdedumdumdedumdooooo!
From within the pocket of his apron, a sleek looking device was pulled out. It had a large screen, but seemed as if it would fit comfortably within our grasp. It was modern, completely out of place in this rusted factory of yesteryear.
TATEMAEKI: Your very own MONOSCHEDULES . Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
MICHIZOE: [Mockingly] Dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
HONNEKI: Ow. that hurt.
TATEMAEKI: Just for that we’re not going to tell you what to do with these!
IORI: What the fuck do you think we’d use Tablets called MonoSchedules for, wiping our asses?
HONNEKI: Maybe.
TATEMAEKI: Anyways, just read over the information on it! Who knows, it might save your liiiiiiiife.~
BUDOU: I highly doubt that. [Scowls]
TATEMAEKI: Now would I lie?
BUDOU: [Saluting] As if your life depended on it.
TATEMAEKI: Wow! For a bunch of super talented teenagers, you sure do seem to enjoy bullying us a lot!
TATEMAEKI: This is home of phobias!
TATEMAEKI: I’m outta here! I’ve got better things to do with my life.
HONNEKI: [Hands on hips] Uh, no you don’t!
TATEMAEKI: [Waving] Bye assholes, I hope someone spits in your food tomorrow!
And with that, Tatemaeki vanished into the workshop, slamming the door behind him.
Talk about a tantrum.
HONNEKI: …. Uh… just read over your MonoSchedules for the important information and head back towards the bedrooms and. Do whatever. I really don’t give a shit. Get Drunk. Go to bed. Drown. Piss on a sheep. Just get out of my hair for the night.
And with that, the other creature slowly vanished into the workshop, slamming the door behind him once again.
OOKAMI: … What in the hell just happened.
RYUUZAKI: … I’m not quite sure myself… but… we should figure out how these things work. Maybe they have a clue to getting out of here.
I powered my Monoschedule on, the screen lighting up before my eyes. Several tabs appeared before me -- an option for changing themes, a map of the facility, a factory regulations tab, among others. I clicked the map, but nothing we didn’t already know popped up. It was simply a map of this floor of the factory… although there were several rooms blacked out, perhaps we couldn’t enter them yet? Two of them faced the far wall of the room, with the blackened windows… Curious.
The factory regulations tab, though, opened a different dialogue option. Numerous snippets of rules lined the page -- enough for a scrollbar to appear. I speed read through them.
AKIHARA CLOCKWORKS FACTORY OF MUTUAL KILLING
FACTORY REGULATIONS
- Employees are required to coexist the AKIHARA CLOCKWORKS FACTORY for the remainder of the unforeseeable future.
- When a murder is committed in the factory, a class trial will be conducted. Participation in this trial is mandatory for all employees.
- If the blackened is correctly identified during the class trial, only they will be terminated for their crime.
- Otherwise, if either the blackened fails to be identified, or if the wrong student is voted as the blackened, everyone besides the blackened will be terminated!
- If the blackened survives the class trial, they are declared the “winner.” They will be promoted from the factory and are allowed to rejoin the rest of the world.
- So long as the spotless continue surviving their class trials, the killing game will continue until only two employees remain.
- Nighttime is designated to be between the hours of 12:00 a.m and 8:00 a.m. During this time, the Dining Hall and Southern Corridor are off limits unless specified otherwise.
- No one is allowed to be alone within the workshop without permission from the boss!
- Every Employee must spend at least two hours a day working in the workshop! Failure to comply will result in reprimanding from your foremen!
- All acts of violence toward MONOKUMA, the boss of the factory, or THE MONONUKIS, the foremen of the factory, are strictly prohibited.
- Your boss can not directly participate in a murder.
- Your Monoschedules are incredibly important. Any damage done to them, or losing them, will result in being reprimanded.
- A body discovery announcement will occur when three or more employees discover a body.
- Employees are allowed to explore the factory as they see fit, so long as they put in their hours.
- Employees who violate these rules will be terminated with extreme prejudice by your foremen.
- The Boss is allowed to add additional regulations at any time.
JUKAI: [Gasping] This is a lot of rules!
MICHIZOE: Yeah… there’s more rules here than in proper hockey regulations!
BUDOU: There’s more laws here than in legal documents I’ve read.
NEJI: Jeez louise…
IORI: So… what should we do…?
BUDOU: … For now, I feel we should sleep.
KEALI’I: How would we know if it’s even night…?
As if on cue, a bell chimed throughout the room, ringing and reverberating off the walls with malicious glee. The faces on the clocks changed from what we thought were simple decorations to digital monitors. If I looked closer, I perhaps I would have been able to tell the difference earlier.
MONOKUMA: Ahem, ahem, attention one attention all! This is an important factory announcement! It is now 12 A.M. As such, it is officially nighttime! Remember Employees, early to bed, early to rise, and you won’t wake up with two broken eyes!
KUDOU: [Shrugging} … Well… assuming he’s not lying, I suppose that’s a good sign.
JUKAI: [Curtsying] I do believe… this is our sign that we should head to rest… we have a big day tomorrow… after all, we need to draft out a plan of escape.
OOKAMI: Right, we’ve got to figure out some way to best this… Whatever It Is’s plan.
OOKAMI: [Confused look] Seriously, is it a robot, or is it some really short guy in a costume, or…?
IORI: I hope it’s a robot for your sake. Last thing we need is you awkwardly making lugnut flowers trying to woo it.
OOKAMI: [puffing up chest] W-what’s that supposed to mean?!
IORI: [Lowering hands] It’s a joke, it’s a joke, relax.
IORI: Furry.
OOKAMI: Don’t call me out like that.
JUKAI: I do not think it is much of a callout if it is blatantly obvious, though.
SAWA: [Scratching Goto’s head] I do not think thisss isss the bessst time and placcce to be having thisss dissscusssion. Let usss alll get sssome sssleep, yesss?
MICHIZOE: [Loud yawn] I’ll agree to that! I’ve got to kick some metaphoric ass tomorrow!
MICHIZOE: C’mon, let’s hurry before those two tanuki fuckers come out and try to put on a puppet show for us.
The crowd dispersed around me, filling out to the central rotunda and heading to their respective bedrooms. I chose to lag behind, for one reason and one reason only, getting a better look at those monitors. There has to be a reason behind them… right? Maybe they’re there for announcements. I mean, it’d be easier to show off a visual presentation than for news to ring out the loudspeakers like in a department store. Not only that, does this mean he’s able of watching us through the monitors?
Soon, it was just me and Shishigami. He simply stood, watching the rippling, rancid water. I approached slowly, not wanting to startle him. A solemn look panged in his eyes, as if he too were as stressed as me. I mean, it’s most likely he is. Even if I don’t care for him, getting your arm torn open was too grizzly of a fate.
YUUDAI: …
SHISHIGAMI: …
Was this awkward silence going to be the room filler between us whenever we’re alone together?
Slowly, he turned around, staring at me dead in the eyes with his traditionally manic look.
SHISHIGAMI: [Head tilted] … Trust not a soul with a smiling facade. I smell a RAT toiling beneath the floorboards.
YUUDAI: Huh? Shishigami-kun, what are you--
Before I could finish, he slowly trudged out the room, leaving me in relative silence. His cryptic statements still made little sense to me… but I felt this one I could decipher with ease. Was there someone among us lying about who they were? That seemed… impossible. Shishigami seemed paranoid as always… but even then, did his words have a ring of truth?
No.
No they couldn’t. I’m just stressed. And tired. And wanting to cry.
My nerves steel as I walk towards my room, entering the big hall of our bedrooms. Only one person was still here, Fukuizumi. I decided to talk to her while I had the chance -- or at least, she decided to talk to me.
FUKUIZUMI: [Gasping] Ah, Yuudai-san, there you are.
FUKUIZUMI: I would… like to take the time to apologize for being a little… unruly.
I would have said she was acting rude, but… she seems to be apologizing of her own free will. Honestly, maybe she’s not as bad as I felt she’d be.
FUKUIZUMI: If we’re going to be stuck here together, I would like to try and stay on good terms with my classmates.
FUKUIZUMI: I prayed with Yukuyama-san and… I’m unsure of if our prayers fell on deaf ears.
FUKUIZUMI: [Determined look] But I know one thing is for certain; I will try and be the person I know I am! I am a servant of my god and it is in his words that I spready serenity to everyone.
YUUDAI: It’s ok, Fukuizumi-san, it’s ok. Everyone’s a little tense, and I think we’re even worse off knowing what all we’ve got to put up with.
YUUDAI: Truthfully, I feel as if I’m in some bad nightmare and that at any minute I’ll wake up… but I can’t wake up, as my body aches from fear.
FUKUIZUMI: [Smiling] Please, do not worry Yuudai-san. We’re all anxious.
FUKUIZUMI: All we can do is play this by ear. We mustn’t give in to that fiendish fiend’s games. That’s the card he’ll hope we deal.
YUUDAI: Y’know… I’ll agree to that, Fukuizumi-san.
She smiles, nodding respectfully before turning around.
FUKUIZUMI: Thank you, Yuudai-san. Now, I wish you good night. I need as much sleep as I can get as we prepare to walk into the dawn of a new day.
Her footsteps are soft as she enters her room, quietly shutting the door behind her. I followed suit, walking towards my own door. Upon taking a better glance at the door’s writing, the room appeared to be a workshop of sorts. Gods, that made my heart race more than it should. I swallowed hard, walking into the room.
Before I could enter, however, another voice entered my ears. Seems as if someone else was still out and about.
SAMEJIMA: Yuudai-chan…
Her voice was weak, a near hoarse whisper of her normal vigor.
SAMEJIMA: … I’m scared, Yuudai-chan… about this… about all of this.
SAMEJIMA: [Sniffling, hand over mouth]. I don’t remember anything about who I am… or where I come from… or even why I’m here… but… I must have done something wrong to end up in a place like this, right?
SAMEJIMA: W-What could we have done to end up in a killing game? What did we do to warrant a death sentence...?
YUUDAI: Samejima-san…
I wasn’t sure how to comfort her, personally. I wasn’t much for being touchy feely when I could help it. I shuffled about awkwardly, sigh escaping my lips.
YUUDAI: I’m sure it’ll all work out… This all has to be… one big fever dream… or something like that…
YUUDAI: Whatever’s happening, it should end soon. I’m sure once our families have realized we’ve gone missing, they’ll be up in arms looking for us.
SAMEJIMA: [Clutches self] A-are you sure about that, Yuudai-chan?
SAMEJIMA: D-do you think they’ll find us quick enough?
SAMEJIMA: [Wiping eyes] i don’t want to die, Yuudai-chan…
Poor girl. My skin shivered with tiny goosebumps as I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I turned to face Samejima, attempting to flash her a reassuring smile.
YUUDAI: Try to get some sleep, Samejima-san… I’m sure things will be better in the morning.
SAMEJIMA: [Sniffling] T-thank you, Yuudai-chan… and sorry for bugging you…
After flashing a kind smile of her own, Samejima entered her own room, slammed the door behind her. I attempted to get a peek inside to see if there was any hint of who she may possibly be, but the room was too dark.
I entered my own, flipping the lightswitch on…
…
...
The room before me was a mockery in the name of architecture and the name of art. It was small, cramped, claustrophobic even.
The walls were all cold, covered with rusted steel creaking with every step. The ceiling was a dirtied plaster. Leaking brass pipes dotted the ceiling, dripping water onto a concrete floor. The back wall contained another door leading to an equally dismal bathroom.
The left wall had a mural covering it. The mural was one I knew quite well, the Fujin Raijin-zu. Though, the darkness of the room illuminated oni’s features, which made the mural a lot more unsettling. Two more paintings hung from the right wall, one of the Lakeside paintings, and “The Siege of Sanjō Palace”. A hanging scroll of the Nachi Falls adorned the wall leading out into the workshop plaza. A statue of Asura sat in the right corner, facing my bed. That statue, in turn, was accompanied by several nor masks. Finally there was a folding screen of cyprus trees, which took up most of the room against the left wall.
As for furniture, the room felt rather run of the mill. There was a brass framed bed with blue bedsheets, a metallic desk, a rusted chair, a sturdy bookcase and a small dresser of sorts, all cluttered about.
Whoever made this room both researched into me as a person, but then decided to stereotype me based on my talent. It felt like an insult.. My room back home was kept in the most pristine of orderwell… aside from the fact I never make my bed. I don’t see the point if I’m just going to crawl back in it later that night.
Sitting upon the bed, I give a heavy sigh, burying my face into my lap.
YUUDAI: … What did I do to deserve this?
YUUDAI: … I… I’m a good person, aren’t I… ?
YUUDAI: Is this… just life’s way of mocking me further…?
YUUDAI: Is this just life’s way of making my life even more of a hell than it’s already been!?
YUUDAI: … I didn’t ask for this.
YUUDAI: I never asked for anything that happened to me…!
YUUDAI: … But why do other people have to always go out of their way to hurt me?
I give another hefty sigh before I glance up,nearly jumping at the sight of the statue. Even with the light on, I feel as if it’s watching my every movement. Setting my satchel against the desk, I cover the statue’s head with my jacket.
There.
At least it can’t watch me undress.
Rather slowly, I head into the bathroom to change into pajamas -- at least whoever kidnapped us was kind enough to give me a pair that fit snugly., Afterwards, I tossed my clothes haphazardly on the floor, only to notice the clock monitor built into the wall. Oh great, more of them, I’d think to myself.
After turning off the lights, I crawled into bed, resting my hands on my chest and burying myself under the warm weighted sheets.
For something so sketchy… being able to lay down and try and forget my woes felt good...
If only my brain could have stopped then and there. If only I wouldn’t have had to endure what was in store for the future. If only.
MONOKUMA THEATER
MONOKUMA: It’s funny, you know?
MONOKUMA: All this rudeness? All this hostility? Teens today, yeesh!
MONOKUMA: I Invite them to my factory, I give them a safe place to work for the rest of their lives!
MONOKUMA: And what do they do? They curse at me! As if I’m the bad guy!
MONOKUMA: But you know what, I laugh at them! I laugh at their pathetic excuses of thinking they can ‘get back’ at me?
MONOKUMA: And why?
MONOKUMA: Why, it’s cause they’re right! I am the bad guy!
MONOKUMA: After all, there’s no reason to just hide behind some facade and pretend I’m something I’m not.
MONOKUMA: What’s the use in being this sneaky villain, hm? A shocking plot twist? Those things get easily spoiled and ruin the entire product!
MONOKUMA: But by being bad from the bone! I can give people what they love! Me!
PROLOGUE: A Minute of Light, an Eternity of Darkness -- END
⚞ EMPLOYEES ON DUTY: 16 ⚟