Chapter Text
Makoto’s eyes slowly drifted open. He was staring up at a bright blue sky, the sun glaring right over his head. He lifted his head off the coarse sand and looked around. A vast ocean, or perhaps a lake, spread out before him to his left. To his right, a bluff stopped the expanse of sand on the beach, separating it from a large forest. Standing up, he wiped sand off of his pants and the back of his sweatshirt. He pivoted in all directions, looking for someone, anyone.
Makoto: “Hello? What is this place?”
Kyoko: “M-Makoto?”
He spun around. The familiar face of Makoto greeted him. She stared right back, her expression a mixture of half fear and half relief. He walked up to her slowly and pulled her into a warm embrace.
Makoto: “Oh, thank God.”
Kyoko: “What… what happened?”
Makoto: “I-I don’t really know.”
He turned his head to the left, then to the right again, taking in his surroundings. Clearly they were on an island. But where? This wasn’t anything like Jabberwock. If anything, it was in another hemisphere.
Kyoko: “You don’t think…”
She didn’t need to finish that. But there was no way this was Junko’s work. Although, she had planned much to happen after her death. Could this have possibly been another step in her plan?
???: “What the fuck?”
A new voice alerted them. They looked toward the forest, where the sound came from. Someone came stumbling out. A familiar voice that they’d not heard in what felt like years. Stepping out of the shadows, they watched as his bright red hair blew in the slight breeze.
Makoto: “Leon…?”
Leon: “Yeah.”
Kyoko: “That’s… impossible. You… you’re…”
Leon: “I’m just as confused as you, dude. Where the fuck are we?”
More people began to arrive at the beach. A crying Chihiro, an exhausted Aoi, a terrified Yasuhiro screaming at an equally terrified Hifumi. Sakura, Mondo, Kiyotaka, Sayaka, Byakuya, Celeste, Toko, all one after the other, each just as confused as the last.
Byakuya: “What the hell is going on here?”
Kiyotaka: “Bro! You’re alive!”
Mondo: “S-so are you bro!”
Sakura: “This… it can’t be… it should be impossible.”
Aoi: “This is heaven, right? We’re all dead.”
Celeste: “Heaven would look like less of a dump than this.”
Kyoko: “Everyone, just be quiet for a minute!”
Eventually, everyone’s senses came back to them. Kyoko began to address them all.
Kyoko: “Look, clearly no one knows what’s happening. But we can’t let… everyone being alive again get in the way of figuring it out. The last time we were all trapped in a weird scenario, more than half of us died. I’d… prefer for that to not happen again.”
Byakuya: “Well said, Kyoko.”
Chihiro: “So, what do we do?”
Yasuhiro: “Beats me, little dude.”
Sayaka: “Dude? What are you talking about?”
Makoto: “Oh boy, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
???: “Well, save it. I’ll let you know what’s going on.”
All of them freeze in their tracks. No one says a word.
Hifumi: “Is that… a loudspeaker…?”
Yasuhiro: “C-certain events have made me really dislike loudspeakers.”
Byakuya: “Hang on, that doesn’t sound like Monokuma though.”
Kyoko: “You’re right.”
Kiyotaka: “It sounds more like some weird middle aged dude.”
???: “Ouch! Rude.”
A whirring noise quickly approaches the fourteen island residents. As they look up, they see a man half-hanging out of a helicopter with a megaphone in his hand. The helicopter lands on the beach, blades still spinning, and thus blowing sand into the student’s faces.
Mondo: “Who the hell are you?”
Chris: “Great question! I’m your host, Chris McLean.”
Celeste: “Pardon me, host? Whatever do you mean?”
Chris: “Chris? You know, from Total Drama Island?”
Makoto: “You’re not ringing any bells, sorry.”
Chris: “Whatever. Follow me!”
The helicopter flew off down the shoreline. Out in the distance, they could barely make out some buildings and a dock. Aoi squinted and stared at the clearing where the helicopter was now landing.
Toko: “What? What do you see?”
Aoi: “It looks like… cabins.”
Sakura: “We must be on a campground.”
Hifumi: “On an island?”
Byakuya: “It’s not impossible, by any means.”
Kyoko: “Hang on. Can we really trust this guy?”
Mondo: “I agree with Kyoko. I mean, there’s already weird shit going on with all of us being alive again. Are we really going to throw ourselves at another danger?”
???: “Well, I can sweeten the deal.”
Another man appeared. He looked much older, and he wore an apron, green jeans, and a chef’s hat on top of his head.
Leon: “Fucking hell, man.”
Kiyotaka: “Who are you?”
Chef: The name’s Chef Hatchet. But you can call me Chef.”
Sayaka: “Well, Chef, why exactly should we trust you and your buddy?”
Chef: “Well, Chris is a seasoned reality TV show host. He’s done eight seasons of this show called Total Drama, and he’s been looking for new contestants.”
Chihiro: “Reality TV?”
Sayaka: “I have a face made for the camera!”
Leon: “You have a face made for the wanted posters.”
Chef: “There’s more. If you manage to win the competition-”
Makoto: “Competition?”
Chef: “Yes, you’ll be put on opposing teams and need to fight to win challenges. Whoever lasts the longest without getting voted out will win and earn one hundred thousand dollars.”
Mondo: “HOLY SHIT!”
Yasuhiro: “That’s, like, one kinda okay crystal ball!”
Chihiro: “I can improve my programming setup with that!”
Sayaka: “I can fund another tour!”
Chef: “And the money is all yours, all you need is to follow me.”
The group began to talk, more excitedly than they had been just minutes before. The promise of money was exciting, and they wouldn’t even have to kill each other for it. This time, at least.
Makoto: “Hang on. Why should we trust you and Chris?”
Chef: “I guess you can’t. But I promise, you’ll never be put in danger.”
He thought.
Chef: “Okay, you won’t get hurt too badly.”
He thought again.
Chef: “Okay, you won’t die.”
Kyoko: “Gee, great standard.”
Leon: “To be completely fair, this standard wasn’t given to us in our last little group exercise.”
Celeste: “I do hate to say, but he’s got a point. Besides, I deserve to earn some money after, uh, you know…”
Mondo: “I mean, no, not really.”
Makoto: “We’ll all figure it out. Don’t worry.”
Chef: “Well, are you in?”
Toko: “We don’t have a choice, do we?”
Byakuya: “Indeed. We don’t have any way off this island.”
Hifumi: “Pardon me, but where is Miss Enoshima?”
Aoi: “Yeah, and Mukuro?”
Leon: “Who the fuck is Mukuro?”
Kyoko sighed and muttered something under her breath.
Chef: “All will be explained. Just come with me.”
With that, Chef strolled down the shore. Most people followed shortly behind him. Only Makoto, Kyoko, Byakuya, and Aoi remained.
Byakuya: “I still don’t trust this.”
Makoto: “I’m obliged to agree, Byakuya. I mean, where are the Remnants of Despair? And why is everyone back from the dead?”
Kyoko: “I have a feeling we’re not getting answers to those questions anytime soon.”
Aoi: “Does it really matter, anyway? We’re all back. We should just enjoy it.”
Makoto: “I mean, she is right, you know. For once, the situation we’re in isn’t a matter of life and death. And we can actually walk away with money here.”
Byakuya: “Fine. But don’t blame me if something goes wrong here.”
Aoi: “How could it? No Junko, no Mukuro, and definitely no death. No one wants that again.”
Aoi sprinted down the beachside after the larger group. Byakuya, Makoto, and Kyoko, after uncertainly facing each other, followed close behind.
********
They sped down the shore, though not nearly close to the pace Aoi was running at. By the time they reached the dock, Byakuya was exhausted.
Byakuya: “Let’s… not do that… again.”
Yasuhiro: “Is he alright?”
Makoto: “He was running.”
Yasuhiro: “Ah.”
Chris McLean, the supposed host, met all the students at the dock, his arms wide open.
Chris: “Well, everyone, welcome to Camp Wawanakwa!”
Mondo: “Wakanawa?”
Chris: “No, Wawanakwa. We’re here on a random island campground in Muskoka, Canada, and the site of the first season of Total Ronpa Island!”
Mondo: “Ah, yes, that clears everything up.”
Chris: “If you stopped interrupting me, it would!”
Mondo: “Alright, alright. Sheesh.”
Chris: “Ahem. As you can see, this island has plenty of features. Dense forests. Pristine beaches. Towering cliffs, deep, dark caves, and plenty of flora and fauna. It also has a few buildings where you’ll be spending your time. First, the cabins. A girls’ side and a boys’ side on each, and where you’ll be living for, well, however long you last here. There’s also the mess hall, where Chef will serve up some culinary creations! And this here is the outhouse confessional, where you’ll tell the viewers at home anything on your mind!”
Chihiro: “We have to pee in there?”
Chris: “Only if you want to. Of course, there are actual bathrooms and showers… but they aren’t much better! Heh heh.”
Sayaka: “I’m in hell. We’re all in hell.”
Leon: “I know that I am, you’re here too.”
Sayaka: “Hey, you killed me!”
Leon: “And you tried to kill me!”
Sayaka: “Those are very different things!”
Chris: “Wow, drama already! I think I’ll like you guys.”
Makoto: “Both of you, please, stop fighting!”
Chris: “Well, hey, that’s no fun! Now, there’s one more very important thing. If you’ll all follow me and Chef.”
Chris led the group past the cabins and a short way into the forest. There, everyone saw a small area with a handful of tree stumps, a lectern, and a firepit with a few logs. Small lanterns on strings lit the area, and so did torches set up along the area.
Chris: “This is the campfire pit, and where eliminations will take place. See, after each challenge, the losing team will come here and be forced to eliminate someone from their team by a private vote. Whoever gets the most votes will be eliminated, sent to the Dock of Shame, board the Boat of Losers, and leave the island. And you can’t come back. Ever.”
Celeste: “And what will these teams be?”
Chris: “Well, before that, I have one more surprise for you all.”
Chris put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. From the forest around them, two figures emerged, standing next to each other.
???: “‘Sup, bitches!”
Toko: “N-no… it can’t be…”
Yasuhiro: “Shit!”
Junko and Mukuro stepped out of the woods. A sinister smile formed on Junko’s face.
Junko: “Hey everyone! It’s been a while!”
Chihiro: “Hey, Junko! We were wondering where you were.”
Hifumi: “Indeed, Miss Enoshima. And your friend here, I don’t believe we are acquainted.”
Mukuro: “The name’s Mukuro. I am the Ultimate Soldier.”
Kiyotaka: “Ah, another Ultimate? Very good to meet you!”
Makoto: “Everyone stay away from them!”
Sayaka: “Huh? Why?”
Byakuya: “They organized the game! They’re both the reason you all died.”
Leon: “Uh, no, that was Sayaka!”
Kyoko: “Please, you have to trust us. Toko, Hiro, Aoi, we’re not lying, right?”
Aoi: “Yeah, they’re telling the truth!”
Yasuhiro: “Junko’s dangerous!”
Junko: “Whatever do you mean?”
Byakuya: “You know exactly what we mean, Enoshima.”
Chris: “Well, the funtime class reunion can happen later. Right now, it’s team time baby!”
Chef: “We will have two teams of eight.”
Chris: “Right you are! Now, if I call your name, please go stand over there.”
Chris pointed to the leftmost stumps.
Chris: “Sayaka. Celeste. Kiyotaka. Aoi. Makoto. Leon. Byakuya. And Mukuro.”
The eight moved over to the stumps. Byakuya sat down on one.
Chris: “The eight of you will be known as the Hope Hippos!”
Celeste: “H-hippo?”
Sayaka: “I am not a hippo!”
Leon: “Funny, I think it fits you well.”
Sayaka: “Fuck you!”
Leon: “Fuck you too!”
Chris: “And you eight. Toko. Hifumi. Sakura. Yasuhiro. Kyoko. Chihiro. Mondo. And… Junko!”
Kyoko: “Shit.”
Chris: “Your team name will be the Despair Bears!”
Junko: “Hey, I like it!”
Sakura: “What was that?”
Junko: “Oh. I mean… that name sucks. Despair is stupid. I want all of you… alive, yeah. Alive.”
Sakura: “Sure…”
Chris: “Well, I’ll give you both an hour to settle into your cabins. Take the cabin with your team’s logo on it. Boys on the left side, girls on the right. You can also go have a quick snack at the mess hall. Be ready, though. Your first challenge starts in one hour!”
Hifumi: “A-already?”
Chris: “Hey, my show, my rules. Get to it!”
********
The campers retreated reluctantly to their cabins. Just before, Makoto pulled Kyoko aside.
Makoto: “Kyoko. We have to keep control of our teams.”
Kyoko: “I agree. We both have someone dangerous to keep track of.”
Makoto: “It looks like Junko is trying to lay low right now, but I’m not too sure it’ll stay that way. Just keep an eye on her, and get her out as early as possible.”
Kyoko: “I wouldn’t do the same for Mukuro. I think she resents her sister as much as we do. Try and get on her good side.”
Makoto: “Alright, if that’s what you think will be best for us.”
START CONFESSIONAL - MAKOTO
Makoto: “Kyoko and I are going to have… a lot of work on our hands. And with Junko and Genocide Jack on the same team? She definitely has her work cut out for her.”
END CONFESSIONAL
Kyoko smiled at Makoto before retreating into her cabin. There, Toko, Sakura, Junko, and Chihiro were all settling into beds.
Kyoko: “Chihiro? Shouldn’t you be with the boys?”
Chihiro: “Uh, heh, what do you mean? I’m a girl, just like the rest of you.”
Junko: “Yeah, she’s a girl. What are you talking about?”
Kyoko sighed. She’d take care of Junko later. Chihiro was the issue right now.
Kyoko: “Chihiro. I’m sorry, but we… found out at your trial.”
Sakura: “I’m afraid to say she’s right. I’m so sorry.”
Chihiro stared at the two of them. Tears began to well in his eyes.
Chihiro: “You both probably hate me, right? I lied to you all.”
Kyoko: “No, it’s the opposite. I think you’re so brave for looking for help from Mondo.”
Chihiro: “R-really?”
Toko: “Yeah, that was a really bold decision. I’m sure… he’d still be open.”
Chihiro: “B-but… he killed me.”
Sakura: “And none of us are saying that’s not bad. What we’re saying is he regrets what he did, and he wants to make it up to you. I think you should talk to him.”
Chihiro: “...”
Kyoko: “Chihiro, please.”
Chihiro: “Okay. Just… don’t make me stay there today.”
Kyoko: “Alright. You wait until you’re comfortable.”
START CONFESSIONAL - CHIHIRO
Chihiro: “I… think they’re right. I don’t want to bicker with Mondo like Leon and Sayaka are. I need to talk to him - civilly - just… I don’t think I can right now.”
END CONFESSIONAL
********
Leon: “I mean, who does she think she is? She tried to kill me, goddammit!”
Byakuya: “And, to be fair, you are the one that killed her.”
Leon: “Well, we’d both have been alive if she hadn’t tried it in the first place.”
Kiyotaka: “Solid point.”
Makoto: “Guys, it doesn’t matter what happened in the past. Right now, only the game matters. And our chief concern isn’t Sayaka - it’s Mukuro.”
Kiyotaka: “Huh? New girl? But why?”
Byakuya: “She isn’t new. She’s been here from the beginning.”
Makoto: “I’m sure you remember when Junko got stabbed by those spikes. Well, that wasn’t Junko - that was Mukuro dressed like Junko. They both put together the killing game, and Junko decided to kill her accomplice in cold blood simply because of the despair it would bring her.”
Leon: “Isn’t that… you know… a bit far fetched?”
Byakuya: “It’s the truth, and you can ask Kyoko if you think otherwise.”
Makoto: “Or Aoi. Or Toko. Or Yasuhiro. Any of them.”
Kiyotaka: “Alright, if you say so…”
Leon glanced knowingly at Taka. He stared back solemnly.
START CONFESSIONAL - LEON
Leon: “I’m sure I’m not the only one that thinks this is bullshit. I can tell Taka’s thinking it, too. I’m gonna need some hard proof of what Makoto is saying, not just word of mouth.”
END CONFESSIONAL
Makoto: “Byakuya, I know you want to target Mukuro-”
Byakuya: “Why wouldn’t I? She could be just as deranged as her sister.”
Makoto: “Her sister that killed her? She has resentment, we just need to feed into that so we can get her on our side.”
Byakuya: “Are you implying - an alliance?”
Makoto: “With her strength and our smarts, I think we can really control this game - for the better. Besides, Kyoko thinks it could be a good idea.”
START CONFESSIONAL - BYAKUYA
Byakuya: “Funny. I didn’t think Makoto of all people had this level of cunning to him. I guess I’ll see how this works out.”
END CONFESSIONAL
********
Sayaka: “And then he just kills me! Just like that!”
Aoi: “I mean, to be fair, you tried to kill him first.”
Sayaka: “But we’d both be alive if he hadn’t come back.”
Celeste: “That is a fair point…”
Sayaka: “New girl, what do you think about this?”
Mukuro: “Hm?”
Sayaka: “That boy with the red hair, he killed me!”
Mukuro: “Oh. I didn't know.”
Sayaka: “Isn't that terrible?”
Mukuro: “...”
START CONFESSIONAL - MUKURO
Mukuro: “It's not as bad as getting done in by your own sister ‘for the funsies’. Whatever. I have to get over it. Not before I give her a piece of my mind, though.”
END CONFESSIONAL
Mukuro: “Yeah… that must suck.”
Sayaka: “Trust me, it does.”
Mukuro sighed deeply, before laying down on her bunk.
START CONFESSIONAL - AOI
Aoi: “I feel bad for Mukuro. I know Junko is a danger, but her? Not so much. I don't know, maybe she'll warm up to us. But last time she trusted someone so deeply, well…”
END CONFESSIONAL
********
Mondo: “Alright, let's check the food in this place!”
Hifumi: “I am sure Chef Hatchet is cooking some delicious meals for everyone!”
Chef: “I sure am!”
Yasuhiro: “Good, cause I'm starving!”
Chef took his ladle and scooped a serving of food onto each of their trays.
Mondo: “Um… what is this?”
Chef: “It's my signature mush.”
Mondo: “It's moving, that's what it is!”
Yasuhiro took a spoonful into his mouth.
Yasuhiro: “But it tastes pretty good!”
Hifumi: “Sure does!”
START CONFESSIONAL - MONDO
Mondo: “I'm not too sure about this place anymore.”
END CONFESSIONAL
The three guys moved their trays to a bench and took a seat.
Yasuhiro: “So.”
Mondo: “So…”
None of them knew what to talk about. All the memories they had with each other were either long forgotten or… well, they'd rather not talk about it.
Yasuhiro: “It's good to see you guys again.”
Hifumi: “I concur.”
Mondo: “Kyoko says you survived?”
Yasuhiro: “Oh, do we really want to talk about this?”
Mondo: “What the fuck else is there to say?”
Yasuhiro: “... I did. I survived the game. And it was the worst feeling of my life.”
Mondo: “I hear you, man. I killed Chihiro, and really brutally too. He was just looking for help. I… I… should've been better to him.”
Hifumi: “...Please, don't be mad at me Mondo.”
Mondo: “Why would I be mad…?”
Hifumi: “I killed Kiyotaka. Celeste told me he was abusing her and… she was using me for money, and I fell for it.”
Yasuhiro: “Like a mouse in a trap.”
Mondo: “...”
Hifumi: “Mondo, you have to forgive me.”
Mondo: “I… can't be too mad. I'm a murderer too.”
Hifumi breathed a sigh of relief.
Yasuhiro: “Well, that's all in the past now. Hopefully.”
Mondo: “Sure, but it still happened. Look at Sayaka and Leon, that resentment isn't just going to vanish.”
Hifumi: “Do you mean…?”
Mondo: “Chihiro. I need to make it up to the little guy. I need to be there for him because I wasn't the first time.”
Yasuhiro: “So go talk to him.”
Mondo: “I’m… afraid he'll hate me.”
Kyoko: “My advice?”
Mondo turned around, wrapping his arm around the back of the bench he was seated on. Kyoko had entered the room, with Sakura close behind.
Kyoko: “Let him be for a while.”
Mondo: “Why”
Sakura: “He's just as uncomfortable as you. Give him time. He clearly needs it.”
Mondo: “...Alright.”
Yasuhiro: “Look at that, character development already!”
Hifumi: “Are you ladies hungry?”
Kyoko: “A little…”
Hifumi: “Here, try some!”
Hifumi held his tray out the Kyoko and Sakura. Some of the pale mush fell onto the ground.
Kyoko: “Actually, I lost my appetite.”
START CONFESSIONAL - KYOKO
Kyoko: “Mondo wants to improve. I can see that. I just hope Chihiro sees it too.”
START CONFESSIONAL - MONDO
Mondo: “Kyoko's right. I'll give Chihiro space for now. But I'll make it up to him soon enough.”
END CONFESSIONALS
********
Kiyotaka: “Seriously, Leon is starting to get on my nerves.”
Celeste: “Same with Sayaka.”
Aoi: “Can you really blame them?”
Celeste: “Yes, actually. It's their fault and their fault alone.”
Kiyotaka: “Not much we can do.”
Aoi: “I don't want them arguing this whole time. I don't want any of us arguing.”
Kiyotaka: “Well, I don't know. If I found out who my killer was, they'd be getting a piece of my mind!”
Aoi: “Oh.. is that so…”
Aoi shot a glance at Celeste. Celeste avoided her gaze.
START CONFESSIONAL - CELESTE
Celeste: “Yeah… that's not great.”
END CONFESSIONAL
Kiyotaka walked back into the cabin, where Leon’s ranting could still be heard.
Celeste: “Please, Aoi, you can’t tell him.”
Aoi: “Why, Celeste? I don't want to keep secrets here. Taka's a good friend. If he found out I was hiding something from him…”
Celeste: “Please. I need to tell him myself… just not now.”
Aoi: “Fine. I'll tell everyone else who was alive. Just a quick word of advice, though - people don't like secrets, Taeko .”
With that, Aoi turned back into the cabin, leaving Celeste out in the open field. Alone.
START CONFESSIONAL - CELESTE
Celeste: “I'm screwed.”
END CONFESSIONAL
********
Junko ducked out of the cabin. Toko was passed out on the bed, Chihiro had left a while back. No chance of being spotted. She ran out into the forest at the meeting point established earlier. Of course, Mukuro was there.
Junko: “Heeeey! Mukuro! Long time no see! How've you been?”
Mukuro: “Better.”
Junko: “Those holes sure healed nicely, huh?”
Mukuro: “...”
Junko: “Well, it's time to talk strategy. What do you think we-”
Mukuro grabbed Junko by the arms and lifted her up. Junko struggled to get out of her grasp.
Junko: “M-Mukuro? What are you-”
Mukuro: “You're a sick fuck if you think I'm working with you.”
Junko: “Muku~, that's all in the past.”
Mukuro: “We worked together for years . I followed your every word blindly. I endured your abuse. I sit back and let you kill my friends. And even after all that, you murdered me. For what? A few seconds of enjoyment? And you're still making dumbass jokes about it.”
Mukuro threw Junko to the ground.
Mukuro: “We’re done, sis.”
With that, Mukuro left the forest. Junko sat on the forest floor, frowning.
Junko: “My own sister. Betraying me and leaving me as I had her.”
Her frown transformed into a devilish smile.
Junko: “Heh. Ha ha. Hahahahahahahahahaha! What despair! Ah ha ha ha ha!”
She laughed to herself, cackles echoing through the trees. Byakuya, peering through a bush, finally retreated from the scene.
START CONFESSIONAL - BYAKUYA
Byakuya: “Okay, I know Makoto wants to earn Mukuro’s trust. But she's proven herself to be too dangerous - even without Junko on her side. And also - that was just unsettling.”
START CONFESSIONAL - MUKURO
Mukuro: “Finally. That's off my chest. Now I can focus on this stupid reality show.”
END CONFESSIONALS
********
Chris: “Well, it's been an hour! Time for your first challenge! Campers, meet me in front of the cabins.”
Yasuhiro: “Oh shit. I'm kinda nervous.”
Sakura: “Don't worry, Hiro.”
Kyoko: “Yeah, it's the first challenge. How hard could it really be?”
All the campers gathered in front of their cabins. Some sat down on the steps, others stood up or leaned against the wooden walls.
Chris: “Well, You're all here, so let's get started. Follow me!”
Chris led the students past the campground, through the forest, and up a giant cliff. They continued upwards, going further and further, until they reached the top. The students looked out over their surroundings.
Chihiro: “Uh, what are we doing up here? I'm kinda… afraid of heights.”
Chris: “Well that sucks for you. Please take a look over the edge of the cliff here.”
Kiyotaka, Yasuhiro, Mukuro, and Sakura looked over the edge of the cliff nervously. There, they saw the lake, hundreds of feet below them. A small circle made of buoys was set up close to the shore.
Makoto: “What do you see?”
Sakura: “You're kidding.”
She turned to face Chris.
Sakura: “You don't really want us to…”
Chris: “I do! Everyone, your first challenge is to jump into the water down below and land in the safety zone marked by the buoys.”
Toko: “What… the fuck?”
Byakuya: “Preposterous! We'll die!”
Chris: “Nah, you'll be fine. Now, whichever team gets the most people in the safety zone will earn an advantage in the second part of the challenge!”
Sayaka: “Second part?”
Chris: “Yep! But worry about that later. For now, Hope Hippos. You'll be the first divers!”
Celeste: “Seriously? The other team can’t go first?”
Chris: “Hey, I already said you’re up first. So hop to it!”
The members of the Hope Hippos peered over the cliff face. Byakuya leaned over, looking extremely pushable.
Byakuya: “How high up are we?”
Chris: “Oh, just about a thousand feet. No biggie.”
Kiyotaka: “Um, YES biggie!”
Makoto: “Seriously, we’d die.”
Chris: “You WON’T die. I pinky promise!”
Chris grinned widely. Makoto was not as amused.
Celeste: “Well, any volunteers?”
Makoto: “I’ll do it… someone just has to do it first.”
Aoi: “I got you dude!”
Aoi, making a running start from a few feet away, hurled herself off the cliff. She fell gracefully, completing several tricks before landing in the safe zone below. She emerged from the water a few minutes later, holding a thumbs up to her team.
Sayaka: “Hey, she made it!”
Chris: “Yeah, too bad there’s no extra points for style, heh heh. Hippos, you now have one point.”
Byakuya: “Well? Who’s next?”
Kiyotaka: “I suppose I’ll go.”
Makoto: “I’ll go too. Let’s jump at the same time.”
They approached the cliff’s ledge, staring down. Aoi, now on the shore, cheered them on. Makoto and Kiyotaka stared at each other before jumping off the cliff.
Makoto: “Aaaaaahhhh!!!”
They fell into the water below. Makoto landed in the safe zone, while Kiyotaka missed.
Kiyotaka: “Dammit!”
Makoto: “That’s alright, at least you tried!”
Chris: “The Hope Hippos are now up to two points!”
Byakuya: “Alright, now who?”
Mukuro: “Why not you, Byakuya?”
Byakuya: “M-me?”
Leon: “Yeah, you’ll have to go eventually. Might as well do it now.”
Byakuya: “Nuh uh. You can’t make me.”
Mukuro: “Funny, I actually can.”
Byakuya: “Wha- wait!”
Chris: “Hang on. If Byakuya doesn’t want to jump, he doesn’t have to. He can take the escalator down.”
Celeste: “Escalator?”
Sayaka: “Why didn’t we take that coming up?”
Chris: “Duh! It only goes one way.”
Byakuya: “Forget that. I’ll take it.”
Chris: “Alright, but you have to wear this silly chicken hat for the rest of the day.”
Byakuya: “Why?”
Leon: “Cause you’re a coc-”
Chris: “Cause you chickened out! Take the hat and go on down.”
Byakuya muttered angrily as he snatched the chicken hat from Chris and descended the escalator. His angry rambling could be heard as he continued down, slowly fading out.
Chris: “Any more takers?”
Celeste: “I will. I simply cannot ruin my clothes.”
Celeste, walking up to Chris, took a second chicken hat and also descended the escalator.
Mukuro: “Alright, I know you two aren’t exactly on the best terms.”
Sayaka: “Gee, what gave that away?”
Mukuro: “My point is that both of you need to at least attempt this dive for us to get the best score we can.”
Leon: “Attempt? Like how Sayaka attempted to kill me?”
Sayaka: “Can you please shut the fuck up?”
Leon: “Not until YOU shut the fuck up!”
Mukuro: “Please, stop. You’re acting like middle schoolers!”
Leon: “I’m not, she is!”
Sayaka: “I’m not, he is!”
Mukuro: “Oh my God, BOTH OF YOU. Shut. The FUCK. UP!”
Angrily, Mukuro shoved both Sayaka and Leon off the cliff. They both fell, screaming, into the lake below. Breathing deeply, Mukuro jumped in after them. Sayaka missed the safe zone; both Leon and Mukuro made it in.
Chris: “And with that last desperate move, the Hope Hippos finish with four points!”
Makoto: “Mukuro! What was that for?”
Mukuro: “They annoyed me.”
Makoto: “But Mukuro, I-”
Byakuya cut him off, placing his palm on Makoto’s chest as he tried to pursue her.
Byakuya: “Makoto, listen. I know you think an alliance with her is a good idea. But she’s just too dangerous. Look at what she did to Leon and Sayaka, they could’ve died.”
Sayaka: “Oh, like how I died when Leon killed me?”
Leon: “Oh, you son of a-”
They squabbled in the background for what seemed like the millionth time.
Byakuya: “An alliance with Mukuro isn’t what’s best for the team. We need to eliminate her - first chance we get.”
Makoto: “...But Kyoko-”
Byakuya: “Isn’t on this team. She’s a danger, and she needs to go.”
START CONFESSIONAL - MAKOTO
Makoto: “What Byakuya is saying makes sense. I’m just… I don’t know how to put it. *sigh* Maybe he is right. Eliminating Mukuro is what’s best for us.”
END CONFESSIONAL
********
Chris: “Alright, Despair Bears! You’re up. Can you beat four out of eight?”
Mondo: “Hell yeah we can!”
Instantly, Mondo dived off. Some of the Hippos had not even left the water yet, but it didn’t matter to him. Mondo, curled into a cannonball, landed smack in the middle of the safe zone, drenching those on the beach.
Mondo: “Fuck yeah! I wanna do it again!”
Kiyotaka re-emerged from the water dizzily.
Kiyotaka: “N-next time… just watch out for me…”
Mondo: “Oh shit. My bad bro.”
Chris: “Wow! Already a point for the Bears! They’re off to a great start!”
Sakura: “Come on, guys, let’s keep this pace up!”
Junko: “Yeah! We need to win this challenge or whatever.”
Kyoko stared Junko down as she conversed lightly with Sakura, Chihiro, and Hifumi. She turned to Yasuhiro and Toko.
Kyoko: “They’re all taking her side. We need to convince them all that we’re right.”
Yasuhiro: “I’m pretty sure she’ll slip eventually.”
Kyoko: “I’m not so sure. And right now, if it’s not her, Toko is their biggest target.”
Toko: “Wh-what? Why me?”
Kyoko: “Everyone here knows about Genocide Jack except Chihiro. If he finds out, well, it’s game over for you. We need to sway them, and fast. Right now, though, we need to complete this challenge.”
Yasuhiro: “You don’t seriously want us to…”
Kyoko: “I do.”
Toko: “B-but shouldn't we try to throw the challenge? So we can get Junko out?”
Kyoko: “And what? Sway them toward Junko more? If we want them on our side, we need to win this challenge as soon as possible.”
With that, Kyoko turned around, slowly walked to the edge of the cliff, and calmly walked right off. She, too, landed in the safe zone.
Chris: “Another point for the Bears! At this rate they’ll surpass the Hippos.”
Toko: “Hiro, I don’t think I can do it.”
Yasuhiro: “That’s alright. Right now, we can afford it. I’ll just… have to dive…”
Toko: “If you’re nervous, I can-”
Yasuhiro: “No, I got this. Go down the escalator.”
Toko smiled at Hiro, then took the escalator down, not before grabbing her designated chicken hat. Yasuhiro, meanwhile, approached the cliff’s edge and leaped off. He screamed as he plummeted, and unfortunately, missed the safe zone.
Sakura: “That’s alright, Hiro! Good attempt.”
Only Sakura, Hifumi, Junko, and Chihiro sat atop the cliff now. All they needed were two people to make it to force a tie, one more than that and they earned the advantage.
Sakura: “Well, I guess it’s my turn.”
She leaped off the cliff, managing to land in the safe zone. Pushing her wet white hair out of her face, she lifted a fist in celebration.
Sakura: “Yes!”
Hifumi: “Good job, Miss Ogami!”
Chris: “After three more people off the cliff, the Bears are up to three points. Only two more and they earn the advantage!”
Hifumi: “Well, who wants to go next.”
Both Chihiro and Junko stared at Hifumi.
Hifumi: “Fine, I’ll go.”
He made the leap, curling into a cannonball as Mondo had. Unlike Mondo, however, he missed the safe zone.
Hifumi: “Damn it!”
Kyoko: “It’s alright, Hifumi.”
She began yelling now.
Kyoko: “Junko! Chihiro! You both need to make it for us to get this advantage! Can you do that?”
Chihiro: “Uhhhhh…”
He stood at the edge, looking down. The mere height was making him dizzy. His legs shivered nervously.
Junko: “Oh, come on Chi. All you need… is a little… push!”
With that, Junko shoved Chihiro off the cliff face. He yelled as he plummeted closer to the water.
Yasuhiro: “Shit!”
He fell in, outside the safe zone, and continued to sink.
Toko: “He… isn't coming back up! Someone save him!”
Yasuhiro: “Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!”
Mondo watched in horror as Chihiro sank further down. Down. Down.
Mondo: “Fuck it.”
Aoi: “Mondo, wait-”
Mondo submerged himself. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he pushed himself further and further downward into the murky depths. He managed to grab Chihiro with one arm, and with the other, forced himself back upwards toward the sunlight peeking through the surface.
Mondo: *just a little… closer…*
He reached the surface, taking a huge breath in. Aoi was right there beside him.
Aoi: “I've got him, Mondo.”
Mondo: “Th… thank you.”
He crawled weakly to the beach, collapsing onto the shore.
Kiyotaka: “A-are they alright?”
Aoi put her ear to Chihiro's chest.
Aoi: “He's breathing… but he needs a doctor. Fast.”
Kiyotaka cupped his hands and yelled up to Chris.
Kiyotaka: “Chris! Chihiro needs a doctor!”
Sakura: “Quickly! Please!”
Chris: “Alright, alright! Chef!”
Chef arrived in an ATV. Aoi picked up Chihiro and placed him in the passenger seat. He was now breathing lightly.
Chef: “That was very noble of Mondo. His friend will be alright.”
With that, Chef sped away.
START CONFESSIONAL - AOI
Aoi: “Yeah… friend…”
START CONFESSIONAL - KIYOTAKA
Kiyotaka: “That's Mondo! Always looking out for people. Except for… when he… did he really feel that badly? Was that his way of apologizing?”
END CONFESSIONALS
Mondo's eyes fluttered open.
Mondo: “Ughhhh…”
Suddenly he bolted up.
Mondo: “Chihiro! Is he-”
Byakuya: “Chef took him away. Right now he's receiving care.”
Celeste: “Not from Chef, I hope.”
Mondo breathed a sigh of relief.
Aoi: “You did good, big guy.”
She patted him on the back. He smiled.
START CONFESSIONAL - MONDO
Mondo: “...This doesn't mean he's ready to talk to me. This doesn't mean he's ready to talk to me. This doesn't mean he's ready to talk to me. *sigh* ”
END CONFESSIONAL
Chris: “Now, back to your regularly scheduled challenge. Junko can force a tie if she dives - but she has to make it as well.”
Junko walked calmly toward the edge of the cliff and looked downward.
Junko: “Nah, not my thing.”
She spun around and turned to the escalator, reaching her foot outwards to step on.
Chris: “Hey! Chicken hat!”
Junko accepted the hat, then threw it off the side of the cliff.
Junko: “Fuck you, pig.”
She angrily descended the escalator as Chris watched in shock.
Chris: “Uh… The Bears finish with three out of eight points. The Hippos earn the advantage!”
Kiyotaka: “Woo hoo!”
Sayaka: “Hell yes!”
Makoto: “Great work everyone!”
START CONFESSIONAL - MAKOTO
Makoto: “This is a great start! And one step closer to eliminating Junko.”
START CONFESSIONAL - KYOKO
Kyoko: “I'm conflicted. On one hand, Junko could be out if we fail this next part. On the other, it could be Toko, and we can't afford to lose an ally this early. We’ll just have to try harder.”
END CONFESSIONALS
Chris: “Hippos, congrats on winning the first part of the challenge. Here is your reward for the second part!”
Chris ran over to a large red sheet covering something. He dramatically lifted it up to reveal a pull cart underneath.
Chris: “The second part of this challenge will be to construct a hot tub with the supplies here on the shore. Hippos, you get a pull cart to carry your supplies as your advantage. Bears, you’ll be forced to carry them all by yourself. Whoever builds the better hot tub by sundown will win the challenge! The team with the worse hot tub, meanwhile, will be sent to elimination tonight. You have around two hours… starting…”
Sakura: “Hey! Aren’t we at a bit of an advantage?”
Chris: “Hm?”
Celeste: “I hate to be devil’s advocate here, but they are right. Chihiro is currently incapacitated and Mondo is in no condition to be working this hard.”
Chris: “They should’ve thought of that, heh heh! Alright, now - with no further interruptions -, you can start… now!”
********
Each team ran over to their piles of supplies. Makoto, Kyoko, Celeste, and Leon worked to load everything onto the pull-cart, allowing Mukuro and Kiyotaka to pull it down the shore. The Bears, meanwhile, faced a little bit more of a struggle.
Yasuhiro: “Th-this is all your fault, ya know.”
Junko: “Who, me?”
Yasuhiro: “No, that crate next to you. FUCKING OF COURSE YOU!”
Sakura: “You are the one who pushed Chihiro down the cliff. He could've died!”
Junko: “Wha- I didn't push him! He slipped off the side! I tried to grab him!”
START CONFESSIONAL - JUNKO
Junko: “Wimpy bitches. They just don't have a sense of humor like mine.”
END CONFESSIONAL
Hifumi: “I-is that true, Miss Enoshima?”
Junko: “Of course, you fuc- I mean, of course it's true. I would never hurt Chihiro!”
START CONFESSIONAL - YASUHIRO
Yasuhiro: “...Seriously?”
END CONFESSIONAL
Mondo: “Guys… we need to move.”
Kyoko: “He's right, you know. Sakura, would you mind taking charge here?”
Sakura: “Of course, Kyoko. Now, lift with your legs everyone!”
Toko: “But Junko-”
Kyoko: “Focus on the challenge. We'll eliminate her sooner or later.”
With that, Kyoko lifted a crate. Struggling, she managed to walk with it, albeit slowly. Everyone else grabbed crates - Sakura picked up three at the same time - and made their way down the beach.
********
Meanwhile, the Hippos were already well on their way down, with Kiyotaka and Mukuro pulling the cart.
Kiyotaka: “Hey… Mukuro, was it?”
Mukuro: “What?”
Kiyotaka: “Thanks.”
Mukuro: “For…?”
Kiyotaka: “Shutting Sayaka and Leon up.”
He stopped talking as he listened to them fight distantly. He ignored it.
Kiyotaka: “For a little, at least. I didn't think it would be possible.”
Mukuro: “Oh. You're welcome, I guess.”
Kiyotaka: “Hey, you're an Ultimate yeah? How come you didn't attend Hope's Peak?”
Mukuro: “...I'd rather not talk about that right now.”
Kiyotaka: “I get it, don't worry. Do you know anyone here at least?”
Mukuro: “Junko, but we… we had a falling out. I guess that's what you could call it.”
Kiyotaka: “Ah, damn. That sucks, losing a friend. Like me and Mondo.”
Mukuro: “What… happened? If you don't mind me asking.”
Kiyotaka: “No, it's fine. I need to talk to someone about it anyway.”
Mukuro: “Go ahead, then.”
Kiyotaka: “Well, we were rivals at first. Then we had a competition to see who was better… and we bonded over that. We became friends, good friends at that.”
Kiyotaka sniffled his nose and wiped his eyes, taking a deep breath before continuing.
Kiyotaka: “When he… died… I felt like I lost a part of me. But good friends helped me realize that that part of him was within me all along. I channeled it, and I persevered. Until I died too. And now I'm - we're… here. We haven't really talked yet - you know, different teams thing - but I want to reconnect with him. I need to tell him I'm… happy to see him again. *sigh* Thanks for listening, Mukuro.”
Mukuro: “You're… welcome, Kiyotaka.”
Kiyotaka: “Please. My friends call me Taka.”
Mukuro looked up at Kiyotaka with a smile. He was staring straight ahead, pulling the cart, but she couldn't help but notice he kept looking back to Mondo and grinning.
START CONFESSIONAL - MUKURO
Mukuro: “Talking with Taka reminded me of something - they don't remember me. I've spent years with them, all their memories… gone, like that. Well, I'll make him remember. I'll make them all remember. So help me God, my sister won't ruin me again.”
END CONFESSIONAL
Byakuya and Makoto strolled along the shore, watching as Mukuro and Kiyotaka conversed lightly. At some point Taka had even laughed lightly.
Makoto: “Hey, Mukuro’s making friends. That's good, right?”
Byakuya: “For our purposes, no.”
Makoto: “Huh? But why?”
Byakuya: “If she makes friends, that's a smaller chance she has at getting voted out, and a higher chance we get voted out. We can't let that happen.”
Makoto: “Byakuya, she probably hates her sister just as much. If we can use that-”
Byakuya: “It's strategy, Makoto. It's what's best for the team.”
Makoto: “I can't really think that, Byakuya.”
Byakuya: “I can. If you want us to win and keep winning, you'll help me get rid of a threat.”
Makoto: “You might be right. I'll… think about it. Let's see how she does in the future before we do anything… harsh.”
Byakuya: “Fine. But someone's getting the boot, Makoto. It can be her… or you. Consider that.”
With that, Byakuya strutted away, creating a distance between the two.
Celeste: “How is the pulling, you two?”
Kiyotaka: “Not terrible…”
Aoi: “You sure? We can take over.”
Mukuro: “We're fine. It's just a little heavy. And we're almost there anyway.”
Mukuro pointed ahead. They were only a few yards away from the cabins.
Leon: “Sweet! Let's get this shit started!”
Finally pulling the cart up to the cabins, the Hippos began unpacking the crates.
Chris: “The Hippos finally make it to the cabins with one hour and forty-five minutes left! The Bears need to catch up, and fast!”
Mondo: “Shit…”
Sakura: “Come on, everyone. Let's pick up the pace here!”
Yasuhiro: “It’s… so… heavy…”
Junko: “...I got it!”
Junko dropped her crate into the sand and ran down the shore.
Kyoko: “Where the FUCK is she going?”
She continued to run. Arriving at the cabins a few seconds later, she watched as Leon and Celeste unloaded the last few crates from the pull cart. She snuck up behind them and, when they left, stole the pull cart for herself.
Byakuya: “Wha- hey! She stole our cart!”
Sayaka: “That- that's against the rules!”
Chris: “What rules? Heh heh.”
Sayaka: “Fuck you!”
Chris: “Hey, easy!”
Junko brought the cart back to her group, who had all stopped to watch her.
Junko: “Put your shit in the cart, now!”
A very relieved Hifumi sighed as he dropped his box into the pull-cart.
Hifumi: “Thank you! That was great thinking, Miss Enoshima.”
Junko: “Don't mention it!”
START CONFESSIONAL - JUNKO
Junko: “After pushing Chihiro, I have to do some goody-goody shit to get back on their good side. Kyoko won't fall for it, but that conniving bitch wouldn't trust me either way.”
END CONFESSIONAL
********
The Hippos continued working. Since they had unloaded all their crates, they began to open them up and search for supplies.
Celeste: “I've got some wooden boards in this one.”
Sayaka: “Same here.”
Byakuya: “I've got some pipes.”
Mukuro: “There's tools in this one… and some screws.”
Leon: “I've got this… heater looking thing.”
Makoto: “Fantastic! All we need are the blueprints.”
Aoi: “Here!”
Kiyotaka: “What is it?”
With everyone now looking, Aoi laid out a large blue paper on the grass.
Makoto: “Oh, you found it!”
Aoi: “Sure did! Let's get building!”
Leon: “And hurry, the other team is catching up!”
Celeste: “Yeah, cause they stole our fucking pull-cart!”
Kiyotaka: “Forget about that. Just build!”
The Hippos began to plan out their build, and had already started when the Bears arrived shortly after.
Chris: “There's just an hour and and a half left before sundown! Get to it, teams!”
The Bears laid their crates across the ground and started unpacking them.
Sakura: “Here are the instructions.”
She too laid out the blueprint for her team to look at.
Sakura: “I can act as the foreman. If that's needed, of course.”
Kyoko: “That would be great, Sakura. Thank you.”
Sakura: “Alright. Well, first off we need to lay out the foundation. It's a sort of circular wooden base.”
Yasuhiro: “Right here, Ogami!”
Sakura: “Great. Lay it right over… there.”
Over the next hour, the teams worked extremely hard, stacking up wooden boards, nailing them in, and hooking up pipes to the water heater. Time flew by, with both hot tubs nearly completed.
Chris: “Half an hour left! Let's see who will have the better tub!”
Makoto watched as Sayaka nailed a board into its place on the hot tub.
Makoto: “Sayaka, can I talk to you?”
Sayaka: “Hm? What is it, Makoto?”
Makoto: “You need to stop fighting with Leon.”
Leon, who was lining pipes with Celeste, heard his name called. He couldn't help but overhear their conversation.
Sayaka: “Yeah? He probably sent you, right?”
Makoto: “No. Look, your constant fighting is just a distraction to the rest of the team. They can't focus when you do, and you saw what happened when they had enough.”
Sayaka: “That's Mukuro's own fault. It's not like she had someone kill her so relentlessly.”
Makoto: “You have no idea.”
Sayaka: “Hm? Are you saying?”
Makoto: “Look, I wouldn't pry, but just remember that people have been in the same situation as you two, and they aren't fighting at all. Look at Chihiro and Mondo. The latter killed the former after you died, but they don't have any problem. I mean, you saw how Mondo dived into the water to save him. There's no reason you and Leon can't make up either.”
Sayaka: “...”
Makoto: “Do you get what I'm saying?”
Sayaka: “Chihiro's a boy?”
Makoto: “For the love of - that's not the takeaway here! The point is you and Leon need to fix your relationship or this team will fall apart picking sides!”
Sayaka: “Alright, I'll try.”
START CONFESSIONAL - SAYAKA
Sayaka: “Apologize? To that murderous freak? No way in hell! Sorry, Makoto, but there are some things I can't do for you.”
START CONFESSIONAL - LEON
Leon: “Makoto might be right here. I hate Sayaka, sure, but I need to put the team first. There's more to this game than little fights. There's money on the line. And dammit, I'm gonna win it!”
END CONFESSIONALS
********
The Bears felt the time constraint crushing down on them like a hydraulic press. They knew they needed to work fast to catch up to the Hippos.
Sakura: “Alright, Bears, let's kick it into overdrive! Yasuhiro, keep working on the boards. Kyoko and Hifumi, hook those pipes in place. Toko… where's Toko?”
Kyoko and Hiro scanned the perimeter. Toko was nowhere to be found.
Kyoko: “I don't see her.”
Yasuhiro: “Mondo! You seen Toko?”
Mondo, who was resting, still exhausted from his dive, looked in Yasuhiro and Kyoko's direction. They both wore concerned looks on their faces.
Mondo: “Toko…? Oh, yeah, she said she was feeling dizzy, so she went to lie down in the cabin. It's been a while, she might have fainted.”
Fear struck Kyoko's heart. Yasuhiro took notice.
Yasuhiro: “You don't think…”
Kyoko: “I do.”
START CONFESSIONAL - KYOKO
Kyoko: “When Toko faints, there's usually only one thing that comes next. I just hope I'm wrong this time…”
END CONFESSIONAL
Kyoko and Sakura both approached the girls’ side of the cabin. Gently reaching for the handle, Sakura opened the door to the cabins.
Kyoko: “Is she in there?”
Carefully, she stepped inside. Toko wasn't on any of the beds, but the window at the far end of the room was wide open.
Sakura: “Shit!”
Kyoko: “What?”
Sakura: “She escaped!”
Hifumi: “Miss Fukawa, please stop!”
Hifumi’s voice alerted them. They turned around and saw Toko - no, Genocide Jack - using her scissors to cut… something.
Kyoko: “Jack! Stop, now!”
Genocide Jack: “Or what, bitch?”
Kyoko and Sakura got closer. They saw Hifumi cowering away, Mondo now asleep on the steps, Yasuhiro frantically picking up pieces of blue paper, and Junko cheering on the violence.
Junko: “Slice! Slice! Slice! Slice!”
Genocide Jack: “Way ahead of you, girl!”
Yasuhiro: “Kyoko! She came from behind the cabin and grabbed the blueprints! I tried to stop her, but…”
Nothing else needed to be said. Genocide Jack kept slicing the blueprints into bits.
Kyoko: “Sakura, please tell me you remember what we need to do next.”
Sakura: “I'm sorry, Kyoko.”
START CONFESSIONAL - KYOKO
Kyoko: “This team is in shambles.”
START CONFESSIONAL - GENOCIDE JACK
Genocide Jack: “Kyeehahaha! Now THAT was fun!”
START CONFESSIONAL - YASUHIRO
Yasuhiro: “I'm not gonna say fuck… but, like, fuck! We're as good as done.”
START CONFESSIONAL - JUNKO
Junko: “Now THAT was interesting! Maybe this team isn't so bad after all.”
END CONFESSIONALS
Chris: “And that's time! Let's judge these hot tubs. First up, the Hippos!”
Chris walked over to the Hippo’s tub. Most were sitting or standing confidently outside of it; Celeste was in her swimsuit, relaxing inside the hot water.
Byakuya: “I still don’t know where you got your swimsuit from.”
Celeste: “That doesn't concern you, Togami.”
Chris: “Well, it's constructed nicely. The water is…”
He dipped his fingers in the water.
Chris: “...warm. And you don't have any supplies left over. Looks pretty good to me! Now, for the Bears.”
He moved over to them. Genocide Jack stood proudly before the half-finished tub, holding a chain of paper dolls made of the blueprints she had cut up.
Chris: “Well, this is… interesting. You aren't finished. There's no water in the tub, and you have plenty of pieces left over. If only I gave points for artistic expression, then you would at least have a few. But I can say without a doubt the Hippos won this challenge!”
Leon: “Hell yeah!”
Aoi: “Let's go!”
Makoto: “Nice work team! We did it!”
Chris: “Despair Bears, I will see you at elimination in one hour. There, you will vote out one of your team members… choose wisely.”
Genocide Jack: “Wait, what's going on right now?”
Junko: “Oh my God! Genocide Jack ruined it for our team. We lost because of her!”
Hifumi: “Yeah, you're right!”
Yasuhiro: “Are you kidding? Junko lost us the first part of the challenge, and that was so much more important!”
Junko: “Whatever, we'll settle this at elimination tonight. See you all there.”
Junko ran off. Hifumi retreated into one of the cabins.
********
Genocide Jack: “Seriously! Someone tell me what's going on or I'll cut you into bits!”
Kyoko: “We're on a reality show. We have to compete in challenges against another team and you just made us lose! Now you could be eliminated!”
Genocide Jack: “Oh fuck.”
START CONFESSIONAL - GENOCIDE JACK
Genocide Jack: “To be fair, I just got here like ten minutes ago.”
END CONFESSIONAL
Kyoko: “Whatever. We'll all vote Junko. Right guys?”
Yasuhiro: “Yep!”
Sakura: “I will, yes.”
Genocide Jack: “If it saves my ass, then definitely.”
Kyoko: “Mondo?”
Mondo, still lying down, weakly raised a thumbs-up to Kyoko, before throwing his arm to the ground.
Sakura: “Let him rest.”
Yasuhiro: “He's probably worried sick about Chihiro.”
Kyoko: “Speaking of him, we definitely have his vote after what happened to him. Junko is as good as gone.”
Mondo: “...Chihiro…”
He sat up drowsily, rubbing his head.
Kiyotaka: “Mondo!”
Sakura: “Mondo, are you alright? You really wore yourself out with that dive… and then that long ass walk.”
Mondo: “I’m… fine… did we lose…?”
Kyoko: “Yeah, we lost.”
Mondo: “Where's Chihiro…?”
Chef: “Great timing there, Mondo!”
Chef rolled back in on his ATV. Chihiro was resting in the passenger seat once again.
Mondo: “Chihiro!”
Mondo ran anxiously to the side of the ATV. Kyoko, Kiyotaka, Sakura, and Yasuhiro followed close behind.
Mondo: “Are you alright, Chihiro?”
Chihiro: “...Mondo…?”
Mondo: “Y-yeah… it's me.”
Chihiro: “What happened?”
Mondo opened his mouth to speak, but someone beat him to it.
Aoi: “Junko pushed you off the cliff. You fell into the water and didn't resurface. Mondo dived in right after you and brought you back. He saved your life.”
Chihiro: “Mondo… you did that for me…?”
Mondo: “Of course!”
Chihiro: “But… in Hope's Peak… you…”
Mondo: “Chihiro, trust me, I know. I was angry at myself, that you were so much more ready to confront your past and your struggles than I was. Nothing I can ever do can fix what I did to you that day. All I'm asking for is forgiveness. Please, Chihiro. Please.”
Chihiro stared at Mondo directly. Then his eyes drifted closed.
Mondo: “Ch- Chihiro!?”
Kyoko: “Oh shit.”
Kiyotaka: “Will he be alright?”
Chef: “The boy’s tired, guys. Let him rest. But if he isn't awake by elimination, then his vote will unfortunately not be factored in.”
Yasuhiro: “What? You can't do that!”
Aoi: “I agree, and I'm not even on their team! You can't just silence someone's voice like that.”
Chef: “We have a very strict production schedule that Chris wants to adhere to as best as possible. If we can't make new episodes fast, then the show gets canned. I'm sorry, you guys.”
With that, Chef grabbed Chihiro, who was still asleep in the passenger side of the car, and placed him in a bed in the cabin. He drove off shortly after.
The guys started away to check on Chihiro. Genocide Jack nearly ran off too, but Kyoko snatched the hem of her skirt.
Kyoko: “Just a minute, Jack. I have a few words for you.”
********
Mondo, Yasuhiro, and Hifumi, who had been resting on a bed, gathered around Chihiro.
Hifumi: “Is he alright?”
Mondo: “Just asleep… I hope.”
Someone knocked at the door. Yasuhiro moved to open it up. When he did, he saw Kiyotaka standing at the door.
Yasuhiro: “Taka.”
Kiyotaka: “Hiro. Can I come in?”
Yasuhiro: “Of course you can.”
Yasuhiro opened the door wider, allowing Taka entry. He stepped into the room, immediately setting his eyes on Chihiro.
Kiyotaka: “Mondo. Can I talk to you?”
Mondo: “Oh, uh, sure. What's up?”
Kiyotaka: “I'm gonna be honest. Makoto and Byakuya are talking about Junko and Mukuro. I'm not sure what they mean, but it sounds serious. They say Hiro knows something?”
Yasuhiro: “You bet I do. Those two were the ones that got us into the killing game. Junko had Mukuro pose as her in the start, and she is the one who got stabbed with all those poles. Junko was pulling the strings from the start.”
Kiyotaka: “Like I said. I don't know for sure if what they're saying is true - I had a talk with Mukuro today, and she seemed very genuine to me. The point is that game doesn't matter anymore - this game does. I want you - all of you - to make sure you kick Junko's ass to the curb.”
Mondo, still kneeling at Chihiro's side, looked up at Taka. Then back at Chihiro. Then back to Taka.
Mondo: “Taka, as your best friend, you have my word.”
Kiyotaka: “Thank you, Mondo. That means a lot. I'm sure it means even more to you to see her go.”
Mondo: “Yeah.”
He looked back at Chihiro.
Mondo: “Yeah, it does.”
Taka turned to leave. He faced the door when he spoke.
Kiyotaka: “Oh, Mondo. One more thing.”
Mondo: “Yeah bro? What's up?”
Kiyotaka turned around. There were tears welling in his eyes.
Kiyotaka: “I'm happy to see you again, bro.”
********
Kyoko practically dragged Genocide Jack away from the cabins. Deep, deeper, deeper into the forest they went.
Genocide Jack: “Stop it already, bitch! I am NOT fucking afraid to slit your wrists wide open.”
Kyoko: “You don't even know what you did, do you?”
Genocide Jack: “I made a wonderful work of art and got punished for it. What the fuck is up with that?”
Kyoko: “You lost us the challenge, Jack. Now you could be eliminated. If not this time, then almost certainly next time.”
Genocide Jack: “Your point is…?”
Kyoko: “Holy shit you are hard to work with. OK, let me put it this way: if you decide to sabotage anyone - ANYONE AT ALL - then at LEAST let them be from the other team.”
Genocide Jack: “The other team?”
Kyoko: “Yes, the other team! That way we get to keep Toko around, since we need Toko's vote!”
Genocide Jack: “I really do hate that bitch Toko, you know? You know what? Fuck you! Fuck your vote! Maybe I'll vote myself this elimination!”
Kyoko: “You do realize that if she wins, you'll both get the money?”
Genocide Jack: “I exist for what, a few hours a week? Money doesn't matter to me. Seeing people suffer… well, that I'm just fine with!”
Genocide Jack ran into the woods, disappearing among the trees, shouting as she left.
Genocide Jack: “I'll be back at voting time! You'll see! Kyeehahaha!”
START CONFESSIONAL - KYOKO
Kyoko: “Shit.”
END CONFESSIONAL
********
The hour passed quickly. It was time for the elimination. The Bears nervously made their way up to the campfire pit for the ceremony. Kyoko and Yasuhiro looked at each other nervously, as they saw Genocide Jack messing with Hifumi. Junko walked confidently, Sakura walked determinedly, Mondo walked with no Chihiro by his side. It all came down to this.
They took seats on their logs and, one by one, cast their votes in the voting booth.
VOTE REVEAL - KYOKO
Kyoko: “I couldn't make an easier choice. Junko.”
VOTE REVEAL - JUNKO
Junko: “As much as I want to get rid of that detective fucker, I realize that my vote has to be Toko here. To keep me in the game. But your ass is next, Kirigiri. Mark my words.”
END VOTE REVEALS
Chris: “Alright, is everyone here?”
Mondo: “No, we’re missing Chihiro!”
Chris: “He's out cold, right? Not much I can do abou-”
???: “Wait!”
Chihiro began running up the hill. His arms were waving in the air.
Sakura: “Chihiro!”
Hifumi: “Y-you made it!”
Chihiro: “Please! I haven't voted yet!”
Chris: “Uh uh uh! The votes were counted and collected. You're just a bit late.”
Chihiro: “What??”
Mondo: “Wait, that's not fair!”
Chris: “Life ain't fair, tough guy! Now, almost all of you have voted and they were counted. If I call your name, it means you've received no votes. Then I will read the votes one at a time. First safe is…”
He held the marshmallow in his fingers.
Chris: “Chihiro.”
He tossed Chihiro the marshmallow. He caught it.
Chris: “Kyoko and Sakura.”
He threw them their marshmallows as well.
Chris: “Yasuhiro… Mondo… and Hifumi.”
They all got their marshmallows. Hifumi did a minute fist pump.
Chris: “Toko and Junko. You both have received votes. I will not read them out.”
Toko: “Huh? What happened?”
Kyoko: “Toko! You're back!”
Toko: “What's going on? What's happening?”
Kyoko: “I'll tell you la-”
Chris: “Hey hey hey! ZIP IT! Ahem, the first vote is to… Toko.”
Chris: “Next vote… Junko.”
Chris: “Next vote… Toko.”
Chris: “Next vote… Junko.
Chris: “Next vote… Junko.”
Chris: “Next vote… Toko.”
Toko: “Oh shit.”
Kyoko leaned to Yasuhiro.
Kyoko: “Why does she have three votes? She should only have two.”
Yasuhiro: “Beats me.”
Chris: “The final vote is for…”
Toko sat nervously, shaking as Chris held the last marshmallow in his hands. Junko just sat there nonchalantly.
Chris: “Junko! Take your marshmallow, Toko.”
Chris threw her the marshmallow. She caught it, breathing a sigh of relief.
Chris: “Junko. You're eliminated. Get on that boat, sucker!”
Junko stood calmly.
Junko: “Well… I just want to say… fuck you all! Yeah, I made the killing game. Yeah I murdered all your little bitch-asses! It was the best damn feeling of my motherfucking life! Sayonara, bitches!”
She held up the middle finger to the group as she walked down the dock. Yasuhiro flipped her off right back. Sakura shook her head disapprovingly.
Yasuhiro: “Fuck you too!”
Hifumi: “Good riddance to you, Miss Enoshima!”
Kyoko eyed her teammates suspiciously.
Junko strolled down the dock, arms crossed underneath her chest. Her platform boots made clacking noises as they hit the rotting wood on the Dock of Shame. Chris was waiting for her at the end, leaning on a post. Chef was at the helm of the Boat of Losers.
Chris: “Junko… anything to say? Surprised?”
Junko, saying nothing, shoved Chris into the water. She stepped onto the boat as it sped off into the distance.
Chris reemerged, spitting lake water out of his mouth.
Chris: “Thanks for checking on me, Chef! Really nice!… Well there you have it! An exciting first episode! Will Mukuro be targeted by the survivors like her sister was? Will Sayaka and Leon ever get along? And just who was Toko's third voter? Find out next time on… Total… Ronpa… Island!”