#s-class perks very-very spoilers

[vnikat]

After the week of talking about Terry angst I’m living in delight, knowing that one day I will behold a tone of crying posts.

[microwaving-tesilid-argente]

creating a spreadsheet of the trio's lines in the webnovel vs webcomic (as one does), and. i am on the FLOOR their characterisation differs so much from the webnovel and webcomic?!?!??? 😭😭 they took away all of hestio's flavour!!! and Ephael is a lot more stereotypical sunshine too i am losing my mind

Gone:

In the toy mansion, Ephael said that Tesilid was not just his friend, but his "best friend", so Ailette gave him more food. Hestio got very visibly sad and angry.

Whenever they're in battle, Hestio kind of talks to Ephael like he's a P*kemon ("Ephael, go and bite them!" / "Uh... okay.")

Ephael is pretty quiet and subdued throughout the toy mansion, while in the comic he's very artificially cheery.

ALMOST THE ENTIRETY OF HESTIO'S LINES WHEN THEY SNUCK TESILID FOOD IN PRISON IS GONE?!?!?!?? 😭😭😭😭😭😭 THE VIBES ARE SO DIFFERENT

Webnovel has BOTH Hestio and Ephael handing over food (in the webcomic only Ephael brought food. I dunno what Hestio was doing there.)

ONLY the webnovel has Hestio's extremely cute "What? Are you going to refuse the food because the rules are important? (annoyed but also genuinely scared)" / ".....I thought I'd have to shove the food down your mouth if you refused. Well, eat up."

The webcomic has Hestio suddenly ruin the entire mood by saying "🙄😒 did you know 🤓 the vatican is taking things out on you bc you refuse to kill heretics. also idc if the heretics are actually evil or not, what matters is that the vatican wants to know if youre on their side." like stfu please 😭 In the webnovel Hestio only brings this up because Ephael went "cheer up! if it werent for the city making a fuss, the vatican wouldn't have done this" and Hestio corrected him bc he wanted Tesilid not to misunderstand his situation with the Vatican.

What did they make comic!Hestio so callous for !!!!! 😭😭😭 Hestio is a SOFTIE with a mean streak and sharp tongue!!!

[jokertrap-ran]

Disney’s Twisted Wonderland: Magic Assault Practice Dire Crowley SSR 【Raven Jacket】 Chapter 2

“Greetings. Allow me to teach you the secrets of magic in this school.” *Spoiler free: Translations will remain under cut*

Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Album Lines

⊱ ──── Cafeteria ──── ⊰

Crowley: Oh, dearie me. This morning could have gone better.

Crowley: But no matter how bad things get… it doesn’t matter once lunch hits! Lunchtime perks me right up!

Crowley: That’s attributed to the delicious food that our school provides, of course! What’s today’s recommended menu?

Ghost Chef: Greetings, Headmage. Today’s menu is the spectacularly filling meat pie stuffed with large chunks of beef!

Crowley: That sounds mouthwatering. I’ll have one of those, thank you very much.

⊱ ─────── ⊰

Crowley: Oh? Crowley and Vargas? Trein too!

Crowley: Are you all out for lunch as well? Mind if I join you?

Vargas: Of course not! Come, sit! It’s so crowded out here - I don’t think you can find another seat even if you wanted to.

Crewel: I was unable to find a seat as well, so here I am, reluctantly putting up with a nag.

Trein: If you don’t want to be nagged at, then I suggest you refrain from doing anything that would warrant one.

Trein: Oh…? You’ve also ordered the beef pie, Headmage?

Crowley: Indeed, I have. I do love meat.

Crowley: Not just beef, but even pork, chicken, and wild game if it comes down to it.

Trein: Wild game?

Crowley: Otherwise known as gibier, yes. Have you ever heard of it?

Vargas: Ohh, gibier! I had some once – venison. It’s so delicious that it really lifts your spirits~

Crowley: Not bad. You have good taste.

Crowley: There are other types of gibier as well. If you have the chance-

Sam: IN STOCK NOW!

Everyone yelps

Crowley: S-Sam-kun… please do not pop up behind us without warning like that!

Sam: Nyehehe. Everyone looked so happily immersed in the conversation that I couldn’t help myself.

Crewel: Sam? This is rare. You’re usually tending to the Mystery Shop around this time of the day, aren’t you?

Sam: The cafeteria ghosts have ordered some ingredients, so I’m simply here to do the delivery, see?

Sam: If you’re ever in the mood and seeking gibier of the rare sort, your humble man, Sam, is the right man for the job.

Sam: I can procure you any food that you fancy.

Crowley: As expected of someone of your caliber, Sam-kun. How reliable! However…

Crowley: I actually love other things other than meat. Vegetables, fruits, sweets, and the like! I love anything and everything so long as it’s not spicy!

Crewel: We’re aware. Your omnivorous tendencies have been quite infamous even in the past.

Crowley: Omnivorous… Couldn’t you express that in a classier manner?

Sam: …Oh? I just realized this, but everyone seems to have ordered different meals. Really goes to show your individual preferences.

Vargas: Taking muscle-building into consideration, I make it so that I consume protein-rich egg-based dishes during lunch!

Crewel: I personally love pies, so I was initially at a loss, but… well, not when it’s that size…

Crewel: While it may work in favor of the students, seeing as how they’re still growing, I’m sure it exceeds the recommended nutritional intake of adults.

Trein: Mmhm. I, too, decided on another meal after witnessing the actual size of the pie with my own eyes.

Trein: If I had such a heavy meal for lunch, it’d likely weigh down on me during the afternoon classes.

Crowley: Really? Shame. It’s such a delicious treat too~

Vargas: Oh, what an appetite you have! I won’t lose out either!

Trein: Oh, to be young and scarfing down such a hearty pie drenched in butter…

Crewel: I know, right? He really hasn’t changed one bit from his time back in my day.

Trein: I don’t think he’s ever changed since I started my tenure here at Night Raven College for that matter…

Crewel: Headmage…? Just how old are you? I want to know, but I also feel like maybe it’s best that I don’t…

Sam: Nyehehe. He’s certainly a man of many mysteries that serve to pique one’s curiosity, isn’t he?

Crowley: Ahh, yum! I’m so thankful for the past me who decided to hire the ghost chefs who used to work in a restaurant that had a five-star rating.

Crowly: And what a dramatic encounter it was when I met those ghost chefs.

Crowley: That was… Oh, wait. How many decades has it been now?

☪⋆ ────── ⋆⋅☆ 𝔗𝔬 𝔟𝔢 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔲𝔢𝔡 ☆⋅⋆ ────── ☪⋆

[cosplayingwitch]

I posted 657 times in 2022

76 posts created (12%)

581 posts reblogged (88%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@thefallenbibliophilequote

@make-me-imagine

@gaitwae

@myraaaa17

@grufflepuff-writes-stuff

I tagged 139 of my posts in 2022

#reblog - 23 posts

#fan fiction - 16 posts

#loki x reader - 6 posts

#tag game - 5 posts

#loki - 4 posts

#tagged - 4 posts

#uquiz - 4 posts

#quiz - 4 posts

#reader insert - 3 posts

#reccomended - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 115 characters

#as in i met a couple people for lunch once or twice in a date like scenario but without it officially called a date

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Not-really spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi ahead!

I love tiny Leia. She is as full of chaos and sass as grown Leia is. Well done, creators of Obi-Wan, well done. I think Carrie Fisher would be happy with this representation.

5 notes - Posted May 28, 2022

#4

I kinda doubt it, but I have an idea if anyone wants a random writing prompt. I call it the "leftover valentine's candy challenge". I still have a box of smarties conversation heart things, so I could give you a prompt of a random candy or two drawn from the box.

So if you want to participate (which I doubt anyone will), let me know and I'll send you a picture of however many random candy quotes as you want. Obviously, you'd have to tag me in your finished story.

(I suspect this would be excellent for writing fluff.)

6 notes - Posted February 18, 2022

#3

What am I doing with my Saturday night? With a migraine and having had quite a bit of my energy taken up in helping my mom with her class reunion, I'll be catching up on Bridgerton.

(Yes, I am only tonight beginning season 2.)

Plus, because I do love period dramas, I will be going to see the new Downton Abbey movie in the morning.

6 notes - Posted May 22, 2022

#2

Anyone else watch Moon Knight and find themselves just enamored by Oscar Issac with an accent? Like, I knew I was attracted to him as Poe Dameron, but add a fucking accent and I'm head over fucking heels over here.

The show itself is cool, but I'll admit, this was one of the two reasons I even tried the show. (The other one being "it's marvel".)

13 notes - Posted April 5, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Three Drinks, Two Texts, and a Phone Number

Here we go! My first new fic since December! This is for @make-me-imagine 's 5th Anniversary Challenge

Pairing: Malcolm Bright x gn!reader (I reread it to double check, but if you spot any runaway pronouns please let me know)

Prompt: “Meet up for a blind date and getting along very well, only to realize halfway through you met up with the wrong person on accident.”

Length: just over 1200 words

Warnings: the reader does do a bit of drinking in this, and maybe mild language warning?

A/N: This is my first time writing in this fandom! I've wanted to write for this for awhile, but haven't gotten around to it. I also messed up with the prompt a bit, so that probably disqualifies me. But I wrote it anyway!

Three Drinks, Two Texts, and a Phone Number

You’d just gotten off work when your best friend called with an usual question.

“You’re single, right? Please tell me you are.”

“Ummm, yeah?” They’d been by your side after your most recent, and rather painful, breakup, so they had to have known this.

“And you still owe me for getting you an advance copy of that book?” You couldn’t lie, having a friend with a job at a bookstore had its perks.

“You’ve held that over my head since you did. Let me guess, you finally figured out how you want to cash in that favor?”

God, you hope it’s not something bad. Or illegal.

“You’re going on a date tomorrow night. Consider it a gift.”

“What?” You’re a little taken aback. “No.”

“You owe me. I’m not saying you have to marry the man, just go out with him. One date won’t kill you. Look at it this way, you’re getting a free meal out of this too.”

“If I do go, which is a big if, can I ask who I’m going on this date with?” You question, still a little hesitant.

“That would ruin the surprise, it’s called a blind date for a reason. And you are going, even if it means I have to drag you to the restaurant myself.” You knew she was being sarcastic, but something also told you that there was a bit of truth in that.

Eh, what the hell. Why not.

As you straighten your shirt, you can’t help but wonder if you’re overdressed for this.

“That’s nonsense. You’re still used to the work-from-home sweatpants. This is absolutely perfect for a date at a fancy restaurant.” Your best friend continued to babble over the video call, but nothing really stuck. You were busy being stuck in your own head.

*ding*

The sound of your phone jolted you back into reality.

“Okay. I sent you the address of the restaurant. Remember, 6 PM. No later.”

—-------

You arrive at the restaurant a little early, choosing to wait in the lobby than take up a table before whoever your date was showed up.

But that was exactly the problem. He never seemed to show up. You waited until 7 before giving up and asking the hostess if there were any seats available at the bar. Sitting down, you checked your phone in case your friend texted you that something happened to your date.

No text. You managed to get stood up by a blind date. 

“Date gone bad?” The man to your left asked.

See the full post

46 notes - Posted July 6, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[maadorii]

Hinata + Hispanic s/o 

max.note’s: tbh, i don’t see much hispanic/latino reader headcanons or scenarios written on here, or anywhere really. so today, we are going to change that >:))) i’m not caught up in the manga but i know the time skip spoilers sooo hinata having s/o thats hispanic/latino just makes sense to me. it’s canon. translations available at the end! 

warnings/tags: fluff!!

part two

to be honest, i don’t think hinata ever expected to date someone outside his own race. not that he was against it, but when you live in a very homogeneous country like japan–– especially in a small town, it’s kinda hard to find somebody. until you came. you both met in your third year of high school. you were the new foreign exchange student that everyone was talking about. hell, it was the highlight of practice last week. 

- “hey, have you guys heard of the new foreign exchange coming?” it was tsukishima who brought up conversation amongst the third years. hinata looked up in interest, sipping from his water bottle. “really? where did you hear that?” kageyama asked, wiping the sweat off his brow. “from some other third years, i heard their... hispanic? i think.” 

- “hispanic? like, they speak spanish and stuff?”

- “i guess so,” tsukishima snapped.

- but when he saw you up close for the first time, you were a lot different then he imagine. but it was good different. your mannerism were different from what he was used to. you were loud, you were bright. you had this sort of... vibe, and it made your body flow like running water. not rigid and tight. and you were beautiful.

- it took him about a month before he finally was able to approach you (he spent that month learning basic spanish so he could speak to you.) it was after class one day when he noticed you were all alone at your desk, finishing writing down the notes for class. this was his moment. with his heart pounding against his ribcage, sweat beading at his brow, he took the on small sept and walked up to you. when you noticed him approaching you, you couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit seeing how his body was literally trembling like a leaf in the wind. he pulled out a pocket journal, flipping through a few pages before he landed on the desired one. clearing his throat, “¡h-hola, soy shouyou hinata! ¿cómo está?” (1) his voice was shaky when he spoke to you but your couldn’t help but flutter at the attempt he took to speak to you in your language.

- your smile with filled with warmth you responded, “¡hola hinata, soy (y/n) (l/n)! estoy muy bein. (2) but you don’t have to go out of your way to speak spanish to me.” you guys hit it off really quick after that fateful meeting. so much so, that hinata began spending his lunches with you instead of his other friends *cough* kageyama *cough* “woah! (y/n), what is that? it smells really good.” he exclaimed, taking a sniff of your food. “it’s a tamale, want to try some?” and it was from that moment on, he literally begs you to bring him something for lunch. seriously couldn’t get enough of your food.

- after weeks of hanging out and getting to know each other, he finally asked you out, officially. and he does it SPANISH, as he should. “¿(y/n)...  me dejarás ser tu novio? por favor?” (3) how could you say no to that?

- surprisingly, he didn’t tell anyone right away. i think majority of people would think he’ll flaunt his relationships the moment the happen but i don’t think so. despite his very social nature, he’s a private man so he’ll just want it to keep it between the two of you in the beginning. and he was good at hiding it for a while from everyone. but eventually, the team catches on to hinata’s secretive behavior. “hey hinata, you’ve been acting... weird lately. is there anything going on?” yachi asked as she handed him his water bottle during their water break. hinata started to sweat even more so then he already was at the question, his tentative eyes nervously shifting around the gym. 

- “uhhh i have no idea what you’re talking about!” hinata laughed suspiciously, his hand coming up to rub the back of his. tsukishima perked an eyebrow, analyzing the orange head and his sudden coy behavior. everyones eyes were on him. “come on hinata, spit it out already!” kageyama growled, towering over the other male. “i- i- uh... i really––” the gym doors creaked opened to reveal you, no longer wearing your uniform but wearing some of your more casual clothing, holding a little wrapped bento box in your hand. hinata head whipped in your direction, trying to decided whether or not he should let his heart soar or sink. 

- “hey shouyou! i brought you some food for just incase you were hungry after practice, which most likely you will. mi gordito.” (4) you gushed, your hand reaching up to squish his cheek. the whole team stood in shock, watching the interaction between you two; both rosy cheeked and giggles. the whistle was blown, indicating break was over. quickly, you placed a kiss on his budding cheek, “te quiero mucho, mi corazón.” (5) “te quiero mucho tambíen, mi alma.” (6) hinata whispered back. you smiled shyly before briskly taking your leave out the door. 

- the gym was dead silent before all hell broke lose.

- “HUH! YOU’RE DATING THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT!?”

- “HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN GOING OUT!?!”

- “SINCE WHEN WERE YOU ABLE TO SPEAK SPANISH, DUMBASS!”

- hinata trembled where he stood as everyone bombarded him with questions. kageyama threw himself at hinata, gripping on his shirt. “how did you–– your googly-eyed self of all people, get a s/o! especially before me!” the taller of the two yelled as manhandled the other, practically shaking him to death. 

- “KAGEYAMA! stop it, you’re gonna make me drop the wonderful food (y/n) gave me!”

(1) hello, my name is shouyou hinata! how are you?

(2) hello hinata, i’m (y/n) (l/n). i’m am very well

(3) (y/n)... will you let me be your boyfriend? please?

(4) my cubby one or little fatty (endearingly) 

(5) i love you lots, my heart.

copyright © 2020 maadorii. all rights reserved.

[multiplefandomsblog]

 Kyoko Kirigiri x Gn!reader(Fluff Prompt #1)

note: Ahh I made this imagine for the prompt 1 for fluff because it was too cute and I- KYOKO FGSJJDBDJKDK god I love her so much I’m getting dizzy

honestly i have no idea what the timeline for this is -mod chia

Prompt: “Is that my shirt?”

Warnings: Spoilers for kyoko’s talent!

Word count: 0.9k+

You were doing laundry for the whole class when you came across Kyoko’s signature detective jacket. You figured helping everyone out with a few of their chores would maybe help a bit after the stressful class trial(-and maybe because you wanted to sniff a certain someone’s coat but mostly the former). So when your eyes caught sight of the mauve jacket, your breath hitched. Just holding her jacket felt like you were doing something wrong. Your eyes lingered on the coat before an idea—that seemed like a good one at the time— popped up in your head.

You picked up the jacket and looked around to make sure no one would catch you being creepy. Once you made sure the coast was clear, your focus was back on the jacket. With some hesitation, you picked up the jacket gingerly and—with all your might—you sniffed it. And man, did it smell good. Her jacket smelt exactly what you thought it would smell like, and some. It smelt of lavender, leather and freshly printed paper.

Being lost in your own world, you didn’t pay attention to your surroundings and so you didn’t hear the footsteps behind you. You continued to sniff the jacket and hold it close to your chest. It almost felt like you were hugging Kyoko’s actual body because of how much it smelt like her. Not thinking clearly from being intoxicated by her scent, you hastily threw on her jacket and decided to be a little silly. Not realizing a certain someone was standing behind you, watching you embarrass yourself.

Kyoko wasn’t entirely sure what you were doing, no amount of detective work could understand how your mind worked, in all honesty. She looked at the jacket on your back and realized it looked a lot like hers. She was about to interrupt your little squealing- a little bit of dancing? What the- session when she noticed how adorable you looked in her jacket. She decided it wouldn’t hurt to let you prance around in her jacket a little longer. She was probably there for about 5 minutes before she heard you start to talk.

Her ears perked up as she heard you start to impersonate her, “Ahem, Hi my name is Kyoko Kirigiri and I’m super mysterious and hot! I may be a detective but I’m so oblivious to any feelings anyone has had for me! Not to mention I smell super good, and like, how the hell do people smell smart? Because if smart was a scent I’d be it!” She thought she didn’t hear correctly at the start, people had feelings for her? ???

Kyoko put her hand on your jacket covered shoulder, and you jerked your head towards her. “Oh fuck.” You cursed under your breath as she leaned in closer to inspect her jacket. “S/o, Is that my jacket?” She was so close to you, you could feel her breath on your neck. She knew exactly what she was doing. She was checking to see if the person who liked her, was you. And judging by your reaction and red face, her suspicions were correct.

As quickly as she moved in to ‘check her jacket’, she backed out and put her hand on her chin. “I see. So you have feelings for me?” Kyoko questioned you nonchalantly, wanting to confirm her conclusion. Your face was still red and you weren’t sure you knew what was happening. You looked at her and opened your mouth to try and say something but your voice just made a squeaky noise. You closed your mouth and tried to process what had just happened. Kyoko stared at your permanently shocked face and waited patiently for your answer.

You tensed up as you realized she must’ve been watching you the entire time. The entire time. She caught you sniffing her jacket like a weirdo! And impersonating her and- Oh god you won’t ever be able to look at her in the eyes ever again. You hastily took off her jacket and bowed on your knees with her jacket presented in your hands above your head. “Sorry for being weird with your jacket! You can just delete me from your life, or I’ll just never bother you again!” You closed your eyes tight and waited for her denial. 

“That won’t be necessary, s/o. And... you can keep the jacket, it looks better on you. I’ve heard that couples normally share clothes with other, no?” She took the jacket from your hands and kneeled down to your level. She wrapped her jacket around you gently and stared into your eyes. You looked at her in confusion, “Couple?” You questioned her, maybe you heard wrong? “Well I assume that when 2 people have mutual romantic feelings for each other, they become a couple.” She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

You looked at her in awe, “A-are you saying you like me back?” She nodded with a blank stare on her face. You were silent for a moment, staring into her eyes for signs of pity or uncertainty, but found none. You smiled widely and leaped forward to glomp her. Hugging the real thing was much better than hugging the jacket, you thought. “I’m glad. And to be honest, even if you took your jacket back I would’ve stole it again. You can’t get rid of me that easil-” Your rambles were cut short as she shut you up with her lips. It was very effective. 

“Yeah right, Mx. ‘Delete me from your life!’ and ‘I’ll never bother you again!’“ She mocked your voice and laughed at your salty expression. You stuffed your face in her chest( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) and muttered out a small, “Shut up.”

pLEASE DON’T LET THIS FLOPPPPP

[bruh-haikyuu]

@arcangel-wings REQUESTED: Heya! I’m new to your blog and I really like your writing! Can I request Tenma Udai with an s/o who’s a baker while he’s in hs? So like he’s a delinquent and she’s a sweetheart who’s always giving people the stuff she bakes? Everyone thinks it’s weird but they fit together kinda thing 🥺?

A/N: Thanks for requesting!! This is über cute. Fem!Reader as alluded in the request^^

kilig. | udai tenma

word count: 2155

warnings: manga spoilers!!

(n.) the rush or the inexplicable joy one feels after seeing or experiencing something romantic

“Chocolate is the ingredient for love~!” you say after pouring what seems to be an entire bucketful of chocolate chips into your bowl.

Your friend Saeko has seen just about enough of your nonsensical chatter about baking, your boyfriend and your abundant love for both. Already exhausted from a recent scolding by the vice-principal, she decides that it’s better off to smile and nod rather than try to come up with a snarky remark for your innocent mania.

“T-That’s a lot of chocolate,” she blurts out. When she picks up her spatula from the bowl, the girl grumbles at the sight of a liquidy trail drizzling down the utensil. “Ahh geez, it’s not supposed to be like this, isn’t it? Katagiri-sensei’s going to fail me again...”

You smile and hand her a bowl of flour. “Don’t worry, Saeko-chan. Just add a bit more flour and you’re good to go! You can never go wrong with cookies.”

The halo above your head is nearly visible. Saeko swears she can even hear angels singing to her in the background as you mix away on your fragrant bowl of dough. You don’t even seem real—from your angelic grin down to your overwhelmingly flowery aura. It’s tough enough to imagine that you’d ever talk to her of all people, but to imagine you’d go for a guy who’s just as much of a thug...

Unthinkable! Saeko shakes her head. She’d thought you’d pulled a joke on her the first time you announced that you were dating... him. Udai Tenma, star of the Boys’ Volleyball Club, a red-hot beacon of undomesticated temper.

She’d always known you liked him—though which part of him you liked is somewhat still a mystery to her—and as much as Saeko wanted to protect you from those ruffians, that absolutely infatuated look in your eyes was too much to bear. And eventually, she succumbed to your incessant ambitions of high school romance.

“You’re a saint, dude,” she sighs longingly. “I don’t get how you’re still dating that guy. I’m not really one to say anything about this, but don’t you think Udai’s kind of a jerk with the way he treats you?”

You chuckle, like a sweet grandmother about to tell a nostalgic tale to her grandchildren.

“I suppose you can say that Tenma-kun is a bit shy. He likes to act tough and mighty when he’s around people, but he’s actually just a normal boyfriend with a very sweet tooth and a penchant for manga.”

Saeko scowls. “Normal’s normal, but you have to at least let him know that you have your limits too. I really can’t stand leaving the two of you alone, w-what if Udai breaks your heart, or worse—”

“Tanaka-san. If you have time for chatter back there, then surely, you’re finished with your cookies?” at the sound of the grouchy Home Economics teacher at the front of the class, Saeko quickly returns to her bowl in a sorry attempt to look busy.

Deciding to humor her interest, you lean towards her and whisper lowly. “I’ll be fine, Saeko-chan. He may not look like it, but Tenma-kun’s actually very cute.”

In her mind, it’s much easier to simply handcuff herself to you so that you’re under her watch at all times possible. But your gaze is nothing short of genuine—you really love this guy, and the fact that you’re still with him, assures Saeko even just a tiny bit that he might not be so bad after all... with you at least.

You’re already storming away in your little world of baking. It amuses your best friend whenever you’re off making your personal masterpieces (“‘Masterpiece’ is absolutely right!” she’d say while stuffing her mouth full of your mini tarts). Each and every one of your creations are whipped up with the utmost amount of love and care, and for just the right reasons, everyone’s been pestering you to set up a bakery after high school. Your regular patrons just happen to be the Karasuno Boys’ Volleyball Club—with the addition of the lively Coach Ukai who is rather fond of how much filling you put into your red bean buns.

As regular as regular can be, you’ve found yourself visiting the Volleyball Club clubroom after school every Wednesday to hand out your treats to not only your aloof boyfriend, but also to his friends, his coach and the prostrated manager who direfully needs a pick-me-up. And suddenly, you’re ‘Karasuno’s Cookie Goddess’.

“Ah, you’re making another batch, Y/N?” Saeko perks up when you split your dough in half.

“Yep!” you giggle, essentially a high school student drowning in love. “I want to make something special for Tenma-kun today.”

“... What’s the occasion? Is it his birthday or something?”

You shrug, face absolutely alight. “Nope, I just want to give him a surprise~”

══════ ⋆★⋆ ══════

Tenma isn’t exactly unapproachable. It’s just that people tend to avoid him at all costs. Perhaps you were just bold... or remarkably stupid, but if you hadn’t addressed him that day, life would’ve probably been drabber.

Your parents and your friends (with emphasis towards your overprotective Saeko-chan) had shown their unfiltered concern when the news of your relationship circulated like wildfire. What was the analogy they used, again?

“You’re like a rabid bridge troll and a rabbit! It doesn’t work!”  You could only laugh at their valiant efforts of a correlation... if they were really trying to make one. But after a few more reassuring pushes and awkward family dinners, they’ve come to be more lenient about your little ‘liaison’.

But you never feel like you have to worry when Tenma is around. In fact, when Tenma is around, you feel calm—even when he’s spouting off curses to a taller rival.

There’s a warmth unlike any other when he holds or kisses you. And though you’d have to drive him through hell and waters to say it out loud, you already know that every action he does for you is out of love. Words are material, it’s the action that counts, right?

“Sorry for the intrusion~!” you call out into the open doors of the Boys’ Volleyball Club’s space.

A flash of obnoxious yellow hair flashes before your eyes and suddenly, an imposingly tall  figure appears in front of you out of nowhere. “Cookie Goddess!”

“Good afternoon, Yukimura-kun,” you smile. “Is there only you right now?”

“I’m here too, Y/N-chan,” the lax-faced captain Tokito emerges from the room in the midst of zipping up his jacket. His eyes flicker towards the packages in your hands and a smile cracks on his face. “Ooh, chocolate chip cookies today~”

You quickly raise the fragrant bags of treats into their view, bringing in the remaining swamp of boys from the clubroom. Suddenly, the common hallway is blocked by an influx of starving teenagers who are rampaging on about your existence.

“So good...” Yukimura murmurs dreamily, mouth full of chocolate. “Man, anyone would be lucky to have you as their wife if you were to cook them these everyday.”

A brazen first-year with frosted tips elbow him and sighs. “Too bad you’re taken, huh, Y/N-chan-senpai? If it were me instead of him, I’d always make it a point that ‘Heeey... guess what my girlfriend made for me today~ Isn’t she the best—”

“Oi, brat. Whose girlfriend do you think you’re talking about?”

The gangle of boys freeze up simultaneously at the grouchy voice behind you (aside from Tokito, who’s yawning at the whole ordeal). Whipping around to the dark aura boring holes into your back, you immediately light up at Tenma’s presence.

“Tenma-kun~!” you launch at him with your arms wide open. You’re ready for some sort of swerve from him, so you make sure you protect his bag of cookies with your arm... You’ve learned this counter-attack the hard way, of course.

But what you don’t expect is that your boyfriend makes no move to avoid you at all.

“H-hey! Don’t just lunge at me like that, you idiot! What if you fell down and knocked your head open?” Ah, at least the embarrassed comment is there.

You can only smile at him kindly. From the edge of your eyes, you swear that you can see a light blush dusting his face as your boyfriend gains newfound interest in your shoes.

“Come with me for a while,” he finally grumbles, effectively breaking the silence between the both of you. Grabbing your hand, Tenma leads you down the little aluminium staircase, eliciting small grates from the steps below you and a mass of curious whispers from the group you’d just left behind.

“Hey, Udai-kun~” Tokito calls out, a lilt of roguery in his tone, “Make sure to get back in time for practice, okay? And keep Y/N-chan in one piece, won’t you? We can’t get another Cookie Goddess if you don’t.”

When he turns into a secluded corner away from the prying eyes of his teammates, you can hear him audibly huff and mutter something under his breath. As silence lingers between you, you nearly forget about the reason why you came to visit.

“I made some cookies for you, Tenma-kun,” you say to him, urging the neatly wrapped bundle into his hands. “I hope you like it.”

You can clearly see the hesitation in his eyes when he takes it in his hands. You can probably guess why.

(“Y/N, your skills with a knife are scary, dude,” Saeko grimaced as she watched you trail over the dough with the gleaming blade of your paring knife.

“Aaand... done!” you proudly wiped the sweat off your forehead. It would’ve been more helpful with a cookie cutter around, but you figured that it would’ve been more heartfelt otherwise.

‘Heartfelt’, you pondered on the word for a moment. Would this be too heartfelt for such a rag-tag person like Tenma? It would probably be better to go for something simpler, just like the other days...

Nah. You shook your head as you chucked the tray of heart-shaped cookies into the oven.)

You’re hoping for a shocked response from him, but Tenma only grumbles meekly. You brace yourself for another scolding for acting too chummy with him, or being too affectionate, or—

“You shouldn’t get too close with other guys.”

Wait.

Tenma crosses his arms, the curls of his hair falling gently over his forehead. His pink cheeks darken into a soft maroon. “If they found out you’re giving me this sort of special treatment, they’ll be all over you the next day, asking for it too... I don’t like it.”

The laugh that rises in your throat threatens to burst. What is this, you think. Your stomach hurt from the mere image of this innocent “delinquent” professing his jealousy for you. If he was like this all the time, wouldn’t that be an interesting change... Aah, your boyfriend really is cute, isn’t he?

A giggle escapes you and you watch him jolt in chagrin. “Tenma-kun, you’re so red.”

“I’m not!” he yells rather briskly, then shoots back at you. “You can’t say I’m red when you were all burning up as you were giving me these heart-shaped cookies.”

Touché. “I’m glad you like them, Tenma-kun.”

His gaze visibly softens up as you give him an angelic smile. “Uh, yeah. Thanks.”

At times like this, you really do see the boy who’d shyly confessed to you under the shade of the summer ginko tree. It wasn’t anything of a distant memory, it was just that Tenma’s usual demeanour and your unrelenting tolerance hindered the both of you from being completely outward with one another. Maybe something like this isn’t so bad after all.

“I-I have to go back to practice. You can go home by yourself, right?” your boyfriend clears his throat, urging you to leave.

Though you wished the moment would last a little longer, you know there are other countless shared opportunities with him. “Mm-hm! You do your best in practice, okay?”

He ruffles your hair and chuckles endearingly.

“Atta girl. Now go home before Tokito catches me getting all touchy-feely with you.”

Bidding him goodbye, you sullenly trudge away from your boyfriend (and his friends waving back at you from the balcony). Then the idea strikes you.

Special cookies ought to have a special flair to them, no?

Cupping your hands around your mouth like a megaphone, you shout, loud enough for his teammates to hear. “I love you, Tenma-kun~!”

And the crowd goes wild.

══════ ⋆★⋆ ══════

From: Tenma-kun ♡

Subject: Untitled

(15:58) Now Tokito’s all over me thanks to you, making me do extra diving drills. You better make more of those cookies as compensation, idiot. Be prepared for it.

(15:58) Btw, don’t forget to look both ways when you cross the street on the way home. If you get into an accident, you won’t be able to apologize to me properly.

(15:58) ... Hey.

(16:00) I love you too.

[bunwritesstuff]

Creepy Crawlies

hello !! this is my first official writing piece for this blog :0 exciting. this is kinda like a test piece to see how i feel posting on here, but i hope yall read it and enjoy either way! fic is under the banner :]

fandom: omori

word count: 1,317

content warning(s): brief mentions of a bug, nothing graphic

characters included: mari, sunny, and aubrey (kel and hero are mentioned but not present)

synopsis: mari, sunny and aubrey are walking to school, and sunny gets distracted by a bug. it gives mari a silly little idea. (small spoiler ->) this is a fic based off when mari admits that she used to put bugs in hero's desk! this is just the first part, i might publish the second part in a post after this !! also i got like halfway through writing this and realized basil is just not there, so say this takes place during a time before basil was properly introduced to the group :]

“Sunny, be careful! You shouldn't touch an icky thing like that!”

Mari was torn from her thoughts at the sound of Aubrey’s distressed squeals a few feet ahead. Pulling her attention to her brother and their friend, Mari noted how Sunny was crouched to the ground, facing her. He must’ve turned back around to get a better look at whatever caught his attention. His expression was drawn into one of interest, mouth slightly agape and eyes widened in awe. There, almost directly under his gaze, was a bug. That's what Mari assumed anyways, it was hard to tell given how far away he and Aubrey were. Aubrey was standing even further back, nose scrunched up in disgust with hands balled into small fists at her sides. It was almost like she was ready for the bug to lunge at Sunny, that way she’d have an excuse to stomp on it. Or something to that degree, anyways.

The older girl quickened her pace a bit to catch up with the kids. Hero and Kel would have normally been walking with them, but when Mari and Sunny showed up at their house to get them, Hero had to inform them that Kel was having stomach issues. He reassured them that they'd catch up later, and that he was going to try and talk his parents into letting Kel just stay home for today. Hero didn't want to risk making everyone late by having them all wait, so he ushered them off. Today it was just Mari, Sunny, and Aubrey. 

It didn’t take long for Mari to slow down in front of Sunny and his newfound fascination, which was in fact, a bug: a beetle of some kind, walking around in almost dizzying circles. It was pretty amusing how interested Sunny was in the creature, as if bugs like this weren’t fairly common. Sunny wasn't a very expressive kid, so moments where he managed to convey clearly how he was feeling were wonderful, whether it was intentional or not.

“Is everything okay?” Mari asked, her tone gentle as she brought her gaze up from Sunny and the beetle to the shorter girl in pink.

“It… it's so big and ugly! Sunny’s sitting so close to it, what if it bites him or something? He could get hurt!” Aubrey immediately expressed, bouncing on her toes to get some of her concerned and worked up energy out. The brunette was never one to really hold back how she was feeling, it was honestly pretty admirable of her to be able to get it all out. Then again, It would be pretty easy to envy an elementary schooler for their lack of filter, wouldn’t it? 

“You make some very compelling points, Aubrey,” Mari started, shooting the younger a soft smile as she knelt down across from Sunny. “However, I don’t think this bug is very big, ugly, or aggressive. If it was an aggressive bug, surely it would’ve tried to attack us by now, don’t you think?”

The silence that followed was enough to answer that question.

“While you may think this bug is big and scary, could you imagine being this little guy? We must be even bigger, louder creatures.”

“Well, yeah! But…”

“But?”

“I…” Aubrey brought her bouncing to a slow stop as she took in Mari’s words. With some hesitance, she took a few steps forward, peeking over Sunny’s shoulder to get a better look at the beetle. Just as Mari said, it was much smaller than she initially made it out to be, and it hadn’t made any moves to attack. It was just a little guy taking a buggy stroll. Aubrey felt her fists begin to unclench as she relaxed, and eventually let out a quiet sigh. “I guess it isn’t so bad… it’s kinda cute, actually.” 

The other girls in her class would’ve screamed and made a fuss like she did, so she wondered why Mari didn’t react that way. Mari always knew just the right things to say, always so calm and collected. It was something Aubrey really liked about her. With her and Sunny both more curious about the bug rather than fearing it, it helped sway Aubrey’s opinion on it to be a more positive one. From the corner of her eye, she saw Mari starting to stand up, brushing off her skirt.

“I agree! It is pretty cute. But if this is settled, what do you say we finish making our way to school, okay? If you guys make it in time, you might be able to have a few minutes of free time before class starts.”

At the idea of having some extra free time, Aubrey perked back up and nodded eagerly. “Okay, Mari!” Leaning down a little, she put her hand on Sunny’s shoulder to get his attention. “C’mon, Sunny! We’ve gotta get going!”

It took a moment, but Sunny quietly stood up at the second reminder. He took one last moment to watch the beetle before stepping back from it and looked up at Mari and Aubrey. Aubrey took her hand off of his shoulder and instead reached down to take his hand, hoping he didn’t mind. He didn't offer much of a reaction, so she decided she was in the clear. “C’mon!” She giggled again, turning around and starting to pull him along with her down the sidewalk. 

“Don’t go too far ahead without me,” Mari reminded the kids as they started to wander off, but the request fell upon ears that were not listening anymore. Ah, well… at least she could still see them. Not that Mari didn’t trust them, Aubrey knew better than to go too far, and if Sunny felt unsafe he’d turn around and come back to Mari. Everything would be okay. Despite this, Mari still wished that Hero were here. He always knew how to keep everyone in the group together. He could get through to Aubrey in a way that not even Mari seemed to be able to, even if he doubted that he could.

Mari adjusted the straps of her backpack and was about to start walking again when that silly beetle caught her attention once again. With Hero on her mind, she was reminded of how bugs made him squeamish. If he and Kel were here, and the group got sidetracked by this beetle, Hero would be quite a ways ahead of the group, not wanting to give the little guy a second glance. The association bridging this bug to Hero did leave Mari to wonder: would it be mean to play a small, harmless prank on him?

Was it cruel of her to even consider pulling a prank on her friend? To lean back down, quickly scoop up the beetle, and tuck it away in her sweatshirt pocket? Was it cruel that she was kind of looking forward to Hero’s expression going from confusion, to processing, to fear all within the same moment? Well, maybe it was! He didn’t have to know it was her who did it, after all. It’ll just be her little secret. She wouldn’t do it every day, that’d be too sudden and suspicious! But every now and then wouldn’t hurt, right? 

His fear of bugs was understandable, but surely he’d grow out of it eventually. They were already in middle school after all! Most kids grew out of their bug fearing phase by then, didn't they? Mari decided that having to face an occasional bug would help him overcome his fear… right? Well, she wasn’t sure it would definitely work, but until it either worked or she got bored of doing it, his reactions would surely be priceless.

With that in mind, and her hand still in her pocket to keep the beetle from escaping, she hurried along to try and catch up with Aubrey and Sunny. This morning would surely be an interesting one.

part 1/2 (end)

[slashermom]

What about some headcanons of the Sinclair brothers on Valentine's Day? Would they celebrate with their s / o? Would it be an ordinary day for them? Instruct us, mom!

Bo

Vaguely aware of the holiday.

Used to use it as an excuse to go to a bar and pick up some lonely sucker for a night of fun.

But if he missed it he’s wasn’t too worried about it. He’s very pleased with his ability of persuasion and he doesn’t need some dumb little holiday to get some.

Just makes it easier.

Now he’s got a reason to keep an eye out for the 14th of February.

Spoiler: He still forgets.

He’s only reminded of the date when you utter to him a breathy ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ as you straddled his waist and started kissing him passionately first thing in the morning.

Son of a bitch! He forgot. How could he forget? You clearly didn’t. There’s still time to fix this, but he’s having trouble thinking of much of anything when you’re rolling your hips like that.

After your little morning adventure in the sheets, Bo is quick to get ready and head out the door.

Promising you that he’s just got to take care of something for Lester and then he’ll spend the rest of the day glued to your side.

Has trouble with the gift part at first.

Intimacy? Fucking for hours on end? Not a problem.

But getting you a gift that is supposed to show how much you mean to him?

He’s clueless.

Bo knows what you like and what you don’t, he’s just unsure of what’s appropriate.

He’s never had to do this kind of thing before.

Bo ends up settling on a necklace. An inexpensive one that looks quite nice and you can’t tell he actually got from Walmart unless you were told.

He feels like a dick for settling and promises to do better next year.

Turns out he was worried about nothing, you loved the necklace.

Bo feels himself lean down to get closer to you as you press a kiss to his cheek. Wanting to feel more of your affection, something he swears is just as addictive as any of his liquor.

He’s definitely gonna do better next year. You deserve it.

Bo’s pretty smug that he was able to pull that off but he also really does love you and is grateful to have you. Even if he does forget about Valentine’s Day.

Vincent

Has been planning this for a while.

When he was a kid he watched Trudy and Victor get ready for a night out during Valentine's Day.

His mother is the prettiest dress and makeup and his father in a clean shirt and his nicest slacks. They looked like something out of a movie.

Obviously, he can’t give you all that, but he’s gonna try to give you the best Valentine's Day possible.

He’s been working on this beautiful acrylic painting for just about a month now.

He’s started over and changed a million different details almost every day.

Vincent wanted it to be perfect for you.

It had to be.

He spent most of the day before Valentine’s couped up in the basement. Finally, the ideas and inspiration flowing through him at a steady pace and he wasn’t gonna let it slip away just because he was hungry or tired.

You began to grow a little worried when it was well into the 14th and you still hadn’t seen your man.

He always hides away, but this time you were concerned and weren’t gonna wait any longer.

Stomping down the basement stairs you barely gave the half-awake man enough time to cover the painting and stand in front of it.

You called out his name and raised your eyebrows as you saw him awkwardly standing in front of something.

He was definitely surprised to see you but was even more surprised to see the vase of freshly picked flowers in your grasp.

You handed him the vase with a smile and a ‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’. He stared at the flowers for a long moment, love swelling in his chest.

It was time to show you.

He set the flowers on the workbench before ushering you forward and motioning you to take the apron off the canvas.

You gave him a questioning look and a cheeky smile before moving the fabric out of the way.

You audibly gasp and hands shot up to cover your mouth as you looked at the painting for the first time.

It was you in the beautiful flower field just through the woods.

The exact place where you got the flowers for Vincent.

You took in all the blues, whites, yellows, and greens with wonderment and even felt your heart stutter as he got all of your features almost perfect.

“This must have taken hours.”

Oh, you wouldn’t know the half of it. Vincent chuckled to himself.

You turned around to face the man who was now sitting on a stool. His fingers tugging at a stray string on the edge of his sweater as he avoided eye contact.

You wedged your legs between his knees and set your hands on his shoulders. Vincent still wouldn’t full meet your gaze so you ran your hands across his shoulder up his neck and tucked your thumbs right under where his mask was. You carefully tilted his head up so he would finally look at you.

“Vincent, I think this is probably the most beautiful Valentine I’ve ever gotten.”

He perked up at that. Really? You weren’t just saying that to make him feel better?

His hands moving from his lap to your thighs where the rubbed up and down before they traveled higher and settled on your waist.

Feeling like the weight of the world was off his shoulders now that he knew you actually liked his gift to you, his head fell forward and rested on your chest.

You carded your hands through his hair and across his back. He shuttered. Even after this long, he could never get used to the way you touched him.

“I really do love your gift... Let me show you how much I love it.” Vincent picked his head up at this. He wouldn’t mind a little appreciation for all his hard work.

Lester

Was the kid who would go ‘EWWWW’ when his mom and dad would be especially lovey on Valentine's.

Yes, he’s been a bastard his whole life.

But in high school, he had this huge crush on this girl in his biology class and tried to give her a less than desirable valentine.

(It was a critter.)

But this time around, he’s determined to do better.

So he gets up early and heads into town to get you a proper Valentine’s Day gift.

He was just gonna do a box of chocolates and pick up a couple of movies for you two to curl up and watch together.

But then something caught his eye.

A ginormous light brown teddy bear.

That’s perfect!

He hauls that thing up under one arm, snags a couple of movies, and pays for it without a second thought.

When he gets out to trunk he realizes it’s probably not the best idea to plunk it in the back where he puts all the dead game so he stuffs it into the front seat with him.

It’s quite a sight.

The whole way home he’s practically vibrating with excitement.

Lester can’t wait to see your face when you see it.

He hopes you like it.

But as he’s on the final stretch home, he starts having doubts.

What if you don’t like it? What if you thought it was dumb? Maybe he should’ve just bought you the chocolate or something?

When he finally pulls into the driveway he’s surprised to see you on the porch with a puzzled look on your face as your eyes see the fluffy bear crowded in the front seat.

He hops out and as he’s making his way over to you he begins explaining and even apologizing.

“I thought it would be cute and all and I know how you like this kinda stuff... But if you don’t like it I can bring it back! I still got the receipt-“

He’s cut off by you wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him for a kiss. Effectively quelling all his worries.

“It’s perfect. Thank you.”

He’s got a big ol’ goofy grin and his neck and ears are a bright red.

Lester leaves you only for a second to tug the bear out of the truck and grabbed the bag of movies before he wraps an arm around your waist and brings you inside to enjoy the rest of the holiday.

[purpli-writes]

Danganronpa: Locked and Reloaded (Chapter 3: Boys, Drinks and Betrayal For Cash)

Summary:

Stuck in Hope's Peak Academy in a cruel killing game, class 78 is forced to either kill or stay trapped forever.

Makoto Naegi, the Ultimate Lucky Student becomes friends with an unusual pair... of people?

Who would've thought discovering who murdered someone would get him two boyfriends.

Spoilers for Danganronpa Trigger Happy Havoc (somewhat)

You can read it on AO3 here

Makoto awoke to Monokuma’s morning announcement annoyed. After the last class trial he was totally beaten mentally.

But I guess I’m faring better than Taka… Makoto thought to himself.

After Mondo’s execution, Kiyotaka had refused to move from his spot. Sakura had to pick him up and move him to his room.

He was just a husk of his former self.

The idea unnerved Makoto. For better or worse, Kiyotaka was the life of the students.

Sure he was loud, a bit bossy, and sometimes annoying. Makoto thought to himself. But he was also a good person at heart and he did things that he thought was for the best.

Makoto frowned at his line of thought. Kiyotaka was going to be fine.

He just had to be.

When Makoto arrived at the cafeteria for the morning meeting, he was surprised that the only other person there was Sakura.

“Ah Makoto,” Sakura said. “You’re the second person to arrive.”

“That’s odd,” Makoto said. “Did something happen…?”

“Not that I know of,” Sakura said. “It seems likely that everyone is still shaken up after…”

“Yeah,” Makoto interrupted quickly. “That was… pretty terrible.”

“Puhuhu!” Monokuma said, appearing out of nowhere. “Already giving up, Makoto?”

“No way!” Makoto yelled. “But… I’m allowed to reflect on the previous events of this ‘killing game’.”

“Aw…” Monokuma said, pouting. “You two are no fun… I’ll come back when everyone else arrives!”

“Do you want to talk about what happened?” Makoto asked. “At least until the others come?”

“No,” Sakura said. “I’ll be fine, eventually.”

“Alright,” Makoto said, falling into awkward silence.

Eventually everyone other than Byakuya, Toko, and Yasuhiro made their way to the cafeteria.

Makoto wasn’t sure if it was a good thing that Kiyotaka had arrived. He didn’t seem any bit better since the class trial.

“Hm,” Celeste said. “It seems that Hiro is skipping, no?”

“That is unlike him,” Sakura noted. “He is not one to miss out on breakfast.”

“It’s a bit too early to assume he was murdered,” Kyoko said. “We haven’t even gotten a new motive yet.”

“Perhaps he’s just oversleeping,” Junko added. “He always struck me as the lazy type of guy.”

“Wouldn’t Monokuma’s morning announcement wake anyone?” Makoto asked. “You could be sleeping like a rock and that would jolt you.”

“Mr. Hagakure dead so soon?!” Hifumi yelled.

“No,” said Kyoko and Junko.

“Speaking of missing students,” Makoto said. “Do we know where Toko went?”

“Wow Makoto, you didn’t notice her huge crush on the rich kid?” Junko asked. “She’s probably stalking him right now.”

“S-stalking him?!” Makoto asked. “You really think she’d go that far?”

“Of course,” Junko said. “Girls like that always chase after the guy they love, it’s in their nature or whatever.”

“Perhaps we should look for Hiro,” Sakura said. “He must have a good reason for skipping.”

“...” Kiyotaka said, staring blankly ahead.

“R-right.” Makoto said. “Let’s go find Hiro!”

Makoto started to leave the cafeteria when he noticed Kiyotaka was following him. Deciding not to comment on it, Makoto thought the best place to check for Yasuhiro would be his room.

Knocking on the door, Yasuhiro warily opened it.

“You can’t let the gh-ghosts get me man!” Yasuhiro yelled. “You’ve got to promise you’ll get rid of the ghosts!”

“Huh?!” Makoto asked. “Ghosts? What are you talking about?”

“T-that green light. Man these ghosts can’t fool me!” Yasuhiro said. “If I step outside I’m sure to be ghost food!”

“...” Kiyotaka said.

“See!” Yasuhiro yelled. “Taka’s seen the ghost too!”

“I still don’t understand,” Makoto said. “What ghosts are you talking about?”

At this point everyone from the cafeteria had gathered up to see what Yasuhiro was talking about.

“The ghost in the bath house!” Yasuhiro said. “Chihiro was surrounded by a green light and he tried to speak to me!”

“Green light?” Kyoko asked. “Could you show us?”

“No way!” Yasuhiro yelled. “That’s a good way to end up dead.”

“As long as you show us,” Sakura said. “No harm will come to you from any ghosts.”

“Do you promise?” Yasuhiro asked.

“Of course,” Sakura replied.

Slowly, but surely, Yasuhiro opened his door.

“A-alright,” Yasuhiro said. “But before we begin, we need something to protect us from the ghosts…”

“Something to protect you from the ghosts?” Junko asked. “What, a vacuum to suck the ghost up?”

“No!” Yasuhiro yelled. “Salt to create a salt circle, that always keeps the occult away!”

Doesn’t that just work on demons and vampires…? Makoto thought to himself.

“Alright,” Junko said. “I’m gonna get some salt. Hope ghosts don’t eat me or whatever.”

“Hey! Take this seriously!” Yasuhiro yelled at Junko’s retreating form.

Shortly after, Junko came back with a salt shaker.

“Will this save you from the ghosts?” Junko asked.

“Was it blessed by a priest?” Yasuhiro asked.

“Sure,” Junko said. “It even said 5 Hail Marys.”

“Then it’s perfect!” Yasuhiro said.

“Lead the way, then,” Kyoko said.

Yasuhiro led the group to the Bath House in which they noticed that a laptop was in one of the lockers.

“Isn’t this the laptop we asked Chihiro to hack?” Celeste asked. “Why is it over here?”

“Perhaps this is what he decided to do with the project we gave him,” Sakura replied. “I believe he wanted to prove himself to us.”

“That doesn’t explain the weird green light, does it?” Junko said. “Or are we assuming Hiro is just going insane?”

“Hey! Don’t be mean, I’m perfectly sane!” Yasuhiro yelled.

“I wonder if we can summon a demon here, Mr. Hagakure.”

“Don’t even joke about that!”

“Perhaps,” Kyoko said. “That green light had something to do with a computer program Chihiro made.”

“A computer program that Chihiro made?” Celeste asked. “What makes you so sure?”

“I’m not,” Kyoko said. “We’ll only be able to confirm this when we turn the computer on.”

Kyoko went to the computer and powered it on.

“Hm,” Celeste said. “There seems to be a program called ‘Alter Ego’, maybe you should turn it on.”

Kyoko clicked on the Alter Ego program, starting it up. The monitor soon showed a green background with Chihiro’s face on it.

“Welcome back, Master!” The image of Chihiro said.

“M-master...?” Hifumi said. “Isn’t this the stuff fantasies are made up of?”

“Hey wait… if this is Chihiro, isn’t that a guy…?” Makoto asked.

“I didn’t know you were so narrow minded, Mr. Naegi!”

“I don’t think this is Chihiro, per say,” Celesia began. “‘Alter Ego’ means other self, no?”

“So you’re saying that this is another part of Chihiro?” Junko asked. “I guess that guy really isn’t dead.”

“Hey,” Makoto said, “I think I’ve heard about programs like this before. They’re supposed to be so advanced that they might take over humanity some day.”

“I suppose a computer program that could learn and grow like a human would have the ability,” Celeste said. “It is scary, no?”

“Well, instead of ogling at it, let’s ask him some questions!” Junko said. “This sort of thing is exciting, right?!”

“Maybe I should do it,” Celeste said. “After all, I am the most trustworthy person here.”

“How are we going to ask him questions?” Yasuhiro asked. “Do we have to learn another language or something…?”

“No,” Celeste said. “I believe I am supposed to type in my answers.”

“Almost like a chat room,” Hifumi said. “I wonder what else it knows…”

“Stay on topic,” Junko said. “No one cares about your fantasies with it.”

“Alright,” Makoto said. “Let’s see how much he knows about the situation.”

“How aware are you of the current going ons?” Celeste typed into the computer.

“Master didn’t tell me much,” Alter Ego said. “But from what I’ve been able to piece together it seems very grim.”

“You keep referring to this ‘Master’. This is Chihiro, no?” Celeste typed.

“Yes,” Alter Ego answered. “My Master is Chihiro Fujisaki.”

“We have to tell him about what happened to Chihiro,” Makoto said. “That’s the right thing to do, right?”

“...” Kiyotaka said.

“I suppose you are right,” Celeste said. “But it’s not like he can feel anyways, no?”

“Your Master was killed by Mondo Owada.” Celeste typed out.

“Oh…” Alter Ego said. “I did know that he had a high chance of dying… but… still…”

“Are there any other things we want to say to Alter Ego?” Celeste asked. “I fear we cannot stay much longer when the threat of discovery lurks near.”

“I want to… apologize,” Kiyotaka said. “For my bro… and my… actions as well.”

“Huh…? Taka can speak?!” Yasuhiro yelled out.

“Hm,” Celeste said. “Well then maybe you can take over, no?”

After saying that, Celeste handed the computer over to Kiyotaka who sat down and placed it on his lap.

“I’msa szoryr fore waht my bros died to hyour master,” Kiyotaka attempted to type while crying and shaking.

“Huh…? I’m sorry but I don’t understand!” Alter Ego responded.

“Maybe it’s better if you let someone else type for you…” Makoto suggested, staring at the garbled text that Kiyotaka had written.

“Can… you tell Chihiro… that I’m sorry for… what Bro has done...” Kiyotaka said, handing over the laptop to Makoto.

“Alright, sure…” Makoto said. “What do you want to say?”

“Tell him… I am sorry... “ Kiyotaka said.

“Taka says he’s sorry about what happened to Chihiro,” Makoto typed. “For both him and Mondo.”

“Apologizing…?” Alter Ego asked. “Huh… does he feel responsible for the death of Master?”

“Yeah,” Makoto typed. “You can say that for sure.”

“Um,” Alter Ego said. “If you don’t mind I have an idea that might be able to lift his spirits.”

“Huh…?” Makoto typed. “What do you mean?”

Suddenly an image of Mondo’s head appeared on the screen.

“Hey, bro!” ‘Mondo’ yelled out. “You’re not takin’ this too hard, are you?!”

Kiyotaka perked up as he heard Mondo, staring intently at the screen.

“Are you already givin’ up?” ‘Mondo’ asked. “What about our manly bond?! Did that mean fuckin’ nothing to you?”

“From what Master told me about Mondo…” Alter Ego explained, “this is the best simulation I can make.”

“Things aren’t going to get better by standin’ around, you know?!” ‘Mondo’ said. “What’s gonna change if you keep mopin’? Nothing.”

“You need to move on, you hear me?!” ‘Mondo’ said. “And I’m not fuckin’ around!”

“I get it now,” Kiyotaka said. “I can feel myself changing deep within my heart, no, my very soul!”

“Those words! They’re inside me…!” Kiyotaka yelled, closing his eyes. After a few short seconds, his hair turned white and his eyes started to flame.

“Taka…?!” Makoto yelled. “What the hell just happened to you?!”

“Taka…? Who the fudge is that?!” Kiyotaka said. “I’m not Taka, I’m me…!”

“That’s an interesting name,” Celeste said. “But perhaps there is something else we could call you?”

“Wh-what just happened?!” Yasuhiro yelled. “Did Taka get taken over by a gh-ghost?!”

“I told you, I’m not Taka!” Kiyotaka yelled.

“Um… what are w-we supposed to call you then, Mr…?” Hifumi asked.

“I’m a mix of Taka and Mondo… so…” Kiyotaka said. “Call me Kiyondo Ishida you dumbfaces!”

“A mix of both Taka and Mondo…?” Kyoko asked, “Could you perhaps explain that in a bit more detail?”

“You wouldn’t get their manly bond!” Kiyondo yelled.

“Woah,” Junko said. “I guess romance can also penetrate the barrier of death.”

“Well, there’s no use staying in here any longer,” Celeste said. “Unless we want to alert the mastermind to our only trump card.”

“We can’t lose Alter Ego!” both Hifumi and Kiyondo yelled at the same time.

“Yes,” Celeste said. “It would appear so.”

“Alright then,” Makoto said. “Let’s head back to the cafeteria!”

After leaving the bath house, the students were stopped by Monokuma.

“Hey, what were you all doing in there…?” Monokuma asked. “Don’t tell me you were getting all frisky!”

“No!” Kiyondo yelled. “That would be fudging unwholesome!”

“Huh…?” Monokuma asked. “Did Kiyotaka go albino since the last time I saw him?”

“Yeah!” Makoto said, “We were all giving him a pep talk and that happened…!”

“In the bath house?” Monokuma asked.

“Yeah!” Makoto said, quickly. “Is there any other place to go?”

“Makoto is right,” Sakura said. “Going to the bath house gives one a clearer perspective.”

“It was very enlightening, no?” Celeste said. “But now we must go have our breakfast so, goodbye Monokuma.”

“Aw,” Monokuma said. “You kids are tooooooo boring!”

After everyone went back to the cafeteria, Celeste started the morning meeting once more.

“Before we discuss investigating the new areas we’ve unlocked,” Celeste said, “I would like to discuss a new rule…”

“Hey!” Yasuhiro said. “Shouldn’t we let our leader lead the discussion if he’s feeling better?”

“Perhaps,” Celeste admits. “But I think this is important to our continued survival.”

“Very well,” Kiyondo said. “As long as you don’t take up too much time with what ya wanna fudgin’ say!”

“I believe I’ve noticed a pattern with the murders,” Celeste began. “That is to say that they all happened at night, no?”

“Huh,” Makoto said. “You’re right.”

“So I suggest we have some sort of curfew,” Celeste said. “Past the night time announcement no student should be out of their dorms.”

“That’s way too restrictive!” Yasuhiro complained.

“Maybe, if you’re a murderer.” Celeste responded.

“But what if we want-” Yasuhiro said, before getting interrupted by Kiyondo.

“Then it’s settled, so everyone listen up!” Kiyondo yelled. “Once ya hear the night time announcement you better get your butts to bed!”

“So now,” Kyoko said. “We must attempt to discover what new areas have opened up.”

“Yeah,” Junko said. “But there’s something that’s been bothering me about our newest revelation.”

“Then speak up!” Kiyondo yelled. “No one here is gonna read your mind you dumbbutt!”

“How did Hiro even discover that anyways?” Junko asked. “I mean he had no real reason to be out, right?”

“H-huh?!” Yasuhiro asked. “Well, um, you see, every couple of years I have to go to a bathhouse and um…”

“And what?” Junko asked.

“And if I don’t, my success rate in predictions goes down!” Yasuhiro said. “It’s really bad and taxing, but it’s what a man has got to do.”

He can’t be serious… right? Makoto thought to himself.

“Isn’t your prediction rate already low?” Celeste asked.

“I’m right at least 30 percent of the time!” Yasuhiro argued.

“Guess someone missed the bathhouse ritual too many times,” Junko said. “If you believe in that bullshit anyways.”

“Alright!” Kiyondo yelled. “Back on topic! We must explore this fudgin’ school until we know all the odds and ends!”

“Alright!” Makoto said. “I’m pumped!”

“This is our only course of action,” Sakura said. “I’ll also see if there’s any hope of escape on the new floor.”

“Everyone split up!” Kiyondo yelled. “And don’t come back until you dumbbutts have explored everything there is to explore!”

Makoto walked out of the cafeteria. Monokuma hadn’t given them any hints on where to explore.

He was really on his own for this one.

Makoto decided the best place to check first was the third floor. It was almost guaranteed that it would be unlocked.

Making his way up the stairs, he stopped when he passed the pool’s door. The scratches were gone, almost like nothing had ever happened.

But that’s not true, Makoto thought to himself. Chihiro, Hina, and Mondo are all gone, no amount of erasing could change that.

Makoto sighs. He knows that line of thinking isn’t going to get him anywhere. Stealing one more glance at the door, he makes his way up to the third floor.

As he made his way up, he noticed Sakura staring at the window annoyed.

“Any luck?” Makoto asked, although he already knew the answer.

“No,” Sakura replied. “It seems that escape on the third floor is also hopeless, as we feared.”

“The Mastermind really thought this through, huh?” Makoto asked.

“It seems, so.” Sakura said. “Good luck on your investigation.”

Sakura walked downstairs, trying to avoid any more conversation.

Makoto couldn’t blame her. She had lost Aoi only recently.

Alright, Makoto thought to himself. Let’s get this over with!

Makoto went to the first room he saw, which seemed to be a recreation room. Celeste was already exploring the area, seeming very interested in it.

“See anything interesting, Celeste?” Makoto asked.

“It seems we finally have entertainment,” Celeste responded. “That is something to celebrate, no?”

“Yeah,” Makoto said. “Wait, are those magazines over there?”

“Puhuhuhu! What a sharp eye, Makoto!” Monokuma praised. “But don’t get your hopes up, those are the only magazines you’ll ever get to read!”

“They do not get updated weekly?” Celeste asked.

“Of course not!” Monokuma answered. “That’s a luxury only people outside of the school deserve!”

“Cruel of you, is it not?” Celeste asked. “Well, I suppose something is better than nothing.”

Monokuma only laughed as he disappeared.

“Nonetheless,” Celeste continued, “I suppose having something to do is better than nothing, wouldn’t you say, Makoto?”

“Huh…?” Makoto asked. “Well yeah, of course…”

“Well, there is much more to explore,” Celeste said, as she began to walk out. “And it seems we have such little time. So until later, Makoto.”

That sure was cryptic, Makoto thought. Well I guess it is Celeste I’m talking to.

Makoto looked at the room once more.

The rec room had darts, othello, and a pool table. Makoto wondered if the magazines were worth reading but decided he didn’t have the time.

I’ll come back here later, there has to be something worth looking at here.

Makoto walked out of the recreation room, deciding to make a turn into the hallway he had ignored before.

“More classrooms…?” Makoto questioned out loud.

“Duh!” Monokuma yelled, causing Makoto to jump back in fear. “This is a school, remember?!”

“Yeah… but I mean, it’s not like you’re teaching us anything…” Makoto replied, scratching his cheek sheepishly.

“I’m teaching you the danger of having friends!” Monokuma said. “It’s a dog eat dog world but that doesn’t apply to me because I’m a bear!”

“Do you have anything useful to say…?” Makoto asked.

“Wow, is our tiny little Makoto finally growing a spine?!” Monokuma asked. “Because if you are, you’re seriously a little late!”

“Um…”

“Anyways, I’ll leave you to explore this classroom!” Monokuma said before disappearing.

Makoto checked the classrooms. He quickly decided there was nothing of note in them other than the weird messages on their chalkboards.

Alright! Makoto thought. There’s only a couple more rooms on this floor, right?

Makoto checked his e-Handbook to confirm that there were only a couple rooms left on the floor.

The icon that was closest was an icon of a statue. If Makoto had to guess it was probably an art room of some sort.

Making his way to the room, he opened the door and saw two desks, some easels, and some statues.

“Hello, Mr. Naegi,” Hifumi said, “enjoying the finer arts?”

“Huh…? No not really,” Makoto replied. “I’m just exploring…”

“Well I’m for one glad this room exists,” Hifumi said. “It now allows me to make more fanwork!”

“Oh yeah…” Makoto said, “you didn’t have any art supplies with you, huh?”

“Unfortunately everything I had of value was taken by the wicked Mastermind!”

“Well, I’m glad the room is good for you,” Makoto said. “But what’s with that door over there?”

“Oh that’s the supply room,” Hifumi said casually. “I’ve already grabbed what I need from there for the time being.”

Makoto nodded before moving to the door and opening it.

Inside was a yellow room with a bunch of art materials, a statue, and some art on the wall.

After a quick glance on the floor, Makoto noticed a picture on the floor. Grabbing it to examine it Makoto realized it was Mondo, Leon and Chihiro.

Huh…? How is this possible? Makoto thought to himself. I thought we all just met each other when the killing game started…?

“Puhuhuhu! Our Makoto is looking at some scandalous material…!” Monokuma said, as he appeared.

“Monokuma!” Makoto yelled. “What is this?”

“What do you think it is?” Monokuma asked. “It’s a picture, you uneducated brat!”

“I can see that,” Makoto said. “But how are they hanging out…?!”

“Huh…?” Monokuma asked. “Well you see, it’s a very long story and we’re running a bit behind schedule!”

“Huh…?”

“Anyways, if you could just give me that…” Monokuma said as he took the picture from Makoto. “Have a nice life, Makoto!”

What the hell?! Makoto thought to himself. How come he can just leave and not explain himself…?

After staring at the spot where Monokuma just was, Makoto decided to leave the storage room.

When he came back into the art lab, Hifumi had already left.

Well, Makoto thought to himself, other than that picture and the Monokuma statue I don’t think there’s anything of note in here.

Checking his e-Handbook, Makoto realized he only had one place left to explore, leaving the art lab he made his way to the last room.

Checking the sign, he saw it read ‘Physics Lab’.

Guess there are more classrooms here, Makoto thought. Not like we’re doing any learning in here.

As Makoto entered the room he could see both Yasuhiro and Kiyondo.

“Hey, Makoto, check it out!” Yasuhiro yelled. “It’s the Psychic’s Lab! Finally, the place for me!”

“Um… isn’t this the physics lab…?” Makoto asked.

“Obviously it is,” Kiyondo said. “This dumbbutt just doesn’t know how to read.”

“Hey!” Yasuhiro said. “Don’t be mean! Now I need to find somewhere else to do my predictions…”

“Why don’t you do your ‘bath house ritual’, then?” Kiyondo asked. “You did fudging mention it before, right?”

“Huh…? The ‘bath house ritual’...? What are you talking about?” Yasuhiro asked.

Did he alright forget his lie already…? Makoto thought.

“Uh, anyways,” Makoto said. “What’s the big machine in the center?”

“Woah! That’s my time machine, so you better be careful!” Monokuma warned.

“Your time machine?!” Yasuhiro yelled. “That’s pretty impressive!”

“Hey, Taka,” Monokuma said. “Aren’t you interested in going back and saving your bro?”

“Obviously that’s not fudgin’ possible, you dumbbutt!” Kiyondo said. “What is it actually?”

“Aww, you saw through my lie too easily…” Monokuma sulked. “In actuality, it’s an air purifier so you freaks don’t die!”

“An air purifier?” Makoto asked.

“Haven’t you been wondering how you’ve been breathing in a locked space?” Monokuma said. “This place is shut tight, so this is the only way you losers can get oxygen!”

“Huh…?” Yasuhiro said. “But don’t you need air too?”

“Of course not, I’m a freakin’ bear!”

Um, Makoto thought. Bears also need air…

“Anyways,” Monokuma said. “If you want to keep living, don’t mess with that machine!”

“He’s gone again,” Yasuhiro said. “Man, I wonder where he gets off to…”

“It doesn’t matter,” Kiyondo responded. “He should be the least of our fudgin’ worries.”

Makoto looked around and noticed a door at the back of the room, just like in the art room.

That’s probably another storage room, right? Makoto thought to himself. Maybe I should ask anyways.

“Hey,” Makoto said. “Have either of you been in the room at the back?”

“Huh…? There’s a door over there?” Yasuhiro asked.

“No,” Kiyondo answered. “I fudgin’ haven’t.”

Makoto hummed, before deciding to head for the room.

Best not to leave any pebbles untouched. Makoto thought to himself. That’s the saying, right…?

Once he made his way to the storage room, he noticed it was largely unremarkable. The room just screamed ‘boring’.

Or maybe that was just because he wasn’t into physics…

Makoto left the room as quickly as he entered.

“Nothing in there, then?” Kiyondo asked.

“No,” Makoto answered. “It’s just a plain old storage room if there ever was any.”

“Of fudgin’ course,” Kiyondo responded.

“Is there anything else I need to see here?” Makoto asked.

“No, you can leave now,” Kiyondo responded coldly.

Makoto frowned at Kiyondo’s response but left the room as suggested.

Alright, the third floor is done. Now let’s see what else has been unlocked! Makoto thought to himself.

Making his way back to the first floor, Makoto noticed that the door near the still blocked staircase was unlocked.

Makoto went inside and noticed it was full of random materials.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome!” Monokuma yelled. “This is the storage closet, filled with all the things you’d ever need and then some!”

“Huh…?” Makoto asked. “‘Filled with all the things you’d ever need’...?”

“Yep!” Monokuma said. “We here at Hope’s Peak Academy wish to make your stay a comfortable one.”

“So this place is just full of everything…?”

“Yep! Anything you could ever think of, although considering it’s you I doubt you could think of much…”

“Hey…!”

“Anyways, enjoy exploring Makoto!” Monokuma said. “And don’t worry, everything here is free!”

Makoto decided not to bother looking around in the storage closet. He had the feeling he would get lost if he spent too much time there.

Just as Makoto left the storage closet, he was intercepted by Junko.

“Hey, Makoto,” Junko said. “Do y’wanna explore together?”

“Huh…? I’ve already explored the third floor and the storage closet.”

“Oh! That means you haven’t been at the nurse’s office yet, then,” Junko said. “I’ll take you there and we can do an ‘examination’.”

“Alright,” Makoto said. “Lead the way, then.”

Makoto and Junko made their way to the nurse’s office.

“So, Makoto,” Junko said. “What d’ya think?”

“It looks very sterile…?” Makoto said. “I’m assuming there’s medicine in here?”

“Yep!” Junko answered. “And sedatives for the desperate girl.”

Makoto walked towards the fridge and opened it.

“Huh…? Is this blood?” Makoto asked.

“Yep! According to Monokuma it’s for blood transfusions,” Junko said. “Although at that point I think you’d be considered dead.”

“I mean, at least it’s useful, right?” Makoto asked.

“Yeah,” Junko said. “I mean, I guess.”

“Anyways, Makoto, I think we’ve explored everything here,” Junko said. “So let’s head back together so we stay safe, alright?”

“That’s smart,” Makoto said. “Alright, to the cafeteria, right?”

“Yep, that’s where the meetings are held, anyways.”

Makoto and Junko headed back to the cafeteria, in which they were the last ones back.

“Oh? Junko and Makoto arriving at the same time?” Celeste asked. “You two weren’t doing anything, were you?”

“You two wouldn’t fudgin’ dare!” Kiyondo yelled. “That’s just not right!” “H-huh…?!” Makoto said. “What are you guys talking about?!”

“Hm,” Kyoko said. “No matter, let us just discuss what we discovered from our investigations.”

“It seems escape from the third floor is impossible, as we had feared,” Sakura said.

“Are the windows just as tight as before?!” Kiyondo asked.

“Yes,” Sakura said. “It seems unlikely that anything we do will get them to budge.”

“Speaking of the third floor,” Celeste began, “there seems to be a recreational room of sorts. I suppose that’s better than nothing, no?”

“A rec room?” Junko asked. “What’s in it?”

“An othello board, a pool table, a dartboard and a few magazines I believe,” Celeste responded.

“Magazines?” Kiyondo asked. “Is there any chance that we’ll be able to use ‘em to get access to the outside world?”

“No,” Celeste answered. “Monokuma has already confirmed that those are the only magazines we’ll be getting.”

“Dang it!” Kiyondo yelled.

“On the third floor there’s also an art lab,” Hifumi began. “Perfect for someone like me!”

“There’s also a storage room,” Makoto added. “Oh wait! That reminds me, I found an odd picture in there.”

“An odd picture?” Kiyondo asked. “Mac, you better fudgin’ explain…!”

Mac? Makoto thought.

“Well, there was a picture of Mondo, Leon and Chihiro all hanging out in school uniforms…” Makoto said. “But that isn’t possible, right?!”

“Hm, and where is this picture now?” Celeste asked.

“Monokuma took it from me and left before I could ask any questions.”

“It was most obviously a forgery, Mr. Naegi!” Hifumi answered.

“Yeah, dude,” Yasuhiro said. “It was probably meant to give you doubt or whatever.”

“Moving on,” Kiyondo said. “There’s also a physics lab with a fudgin’ air purifier.”

“An air purifier?” Sakura asked. “I suppose that would mean that none of the air we’ve been breathing has been fresh.”

“That is worrying, is it not?” Celeste added. “If we’re breathing in recycled air, that means there really is no opening.”

“That has to be impossible!” Yasuhiro yelled. “There’s no way we’re trapped, right?!”

“Perhaps it’s not so bad,” Kyoko said. “That means the mastermind is trapped with us, correct?”

“I mean I guess,” Junko said. “But it’s not like they’re the one trapped inside a killing game, right?”

“Have there been any other discoveries of fudgin’ importance?” Kiyondo asked.

“There’s a storage closet near our dorms,” Makoto said. “Although I think it’s better if we call it a warehouse.”

“Why would you call it a warehouse, Mr. Naegi?” Hifumi asked.

“It’s pretty big and according to Monokuma it has everything you’d ever need and then some.”

“Woah, I wonder if it has more ‘interesting’ magazines…” Yasuhiro said.

“Fuckin’ gross, dude.” Junko responded.

“Stay on fudgin’ topic, dumbbutt!” Kiyondo yelled.

“Sorry, sorry,” Yasuhiro said.

“Oh and before we go to bed,” Junko said. “Makoto and I discovered that the nurse’s office is now officially open!”

“Is there any protein?” Sakura asked.

“No,” Makoto answered. “Just over the counter medication and sedatives.”

“Oh and don’t forget about the blood in the fridge!” Junko added.

“Disappointing,” Sakura said. “But not surprising.”

“Well then,” Kiyondo said. “That should conclude our meeting.”

“Remember, you dumbbutts better hit the sack as soon as Monokuma’s night time announcement plays or else I’ll beat ya!” Kiyondo said. “And also make sure to return here bright and early! Breakfast is very important!”

The class hummed in agreement and they all made their way out.

Makoto was making his way back to his room when the night time announcement played.

Feeling thoroughly exhausted, Makoto locked his door and threw himself onto his bed, quickly drifting off to a dreamless sleep.

Makoto awoke with a bolt, breathing quickly and grasping onto his sheets. He couldn’t remember much about the nightmare, other than Aoi pulling him into the pool and gargling incomprehensible threats to him.

As he realized that sleep was unlikely to come to him again, Monokuma’s morning announcement played.

Makoto shuffled his way into the shower and grimaced when the bathroom light turned on. Quickly showering he turned the lights off and changed into a fresh pair of clothes.

Makoto was the first one in the cafeteria, although he doubted that would be true for much longer.

Makoto turned around as he heard Celeste’s heels clicking on the cafeteria’s floor.

“Makoto, you’re up early, no?” Celeste asked, tilting her head ever so slightly.

“Yeah,” Makoto said. “There was no reason for me to stay in my room.”

“Oh?” Celeste asked. “Do you no longer like sleeping in?”

“It’s a long story,” Makoto replied, looking away. “Plus the sooner I can get to the meeting the better.”

“I suppose that is fair,” Celeste said. “But do be careful you’re getting enough sleep.”

Eventually everyone other than Kiyondo, Hifumi, Byakuya, and Toko made their way to the cafeteria.

“Is our leader skipping the morning meeting?!” Yasuhiro yelled out. “He must be possessed by a gh-ghost or something!”

“Will you shut up about ghosts?” Junko said. “He’s probably doing something ‘private’, if you catch my drift.”

“Still, for Kiyondo and Hifumi to be missing,” Sakura said. “This is worrying.”

“I don’t believe we should assume the worst,” Kyoko said. “After all, there’s no reason for anything to have gone wrong, yet.”

“Maybe we should look for them,” Makoto offered up. “It’s not like we have anything to discuss without them here anyways.”

“Perhaps we should go together as a group,” Celeste said. “I have a feeling I know where they are anyways.”

“Alright,” Junko said. “Lead the way then.”

Celeste led the group to the bath house which they could already hear a commotion inside.

“Sounds like some juicy stuff is happening in there!” Monokuma said, as he appeared. “You don’t think they’re doing anything ‘unwholesome’ in there, do you?”

“Don’t be crude, Monokuma,” Celeste said. “They’re probably brawling it out, no?”

“What are you brats even doing in there?!” Monokuma asked. “I’ve seen Hifumi and Kiyotaka going in there three times just last night!”

“Sounds like the Ultimate Moral Compass is breaking his own rules,” Junko said. “Guess he isn’t that good, right Makoto?”

“Huh…?” Makoto asked.

“You say they went in there last night?” Celeste asked. “Perhaps Yasuhiro’s theory was correct after all.” “You’re saying that Kiyondo was possessed by a gh-gh-ghost?!” Yasuhiro yelled. “I don’t wanna die!”

“Perhaps we should investigate,” Kyoko said. “We don’t know if Monokuma is telling the truth.”

“Hey-” Monokuma began but he was cut off by Sakura.

“You’re right,” Sakura said. “Let’s confirm the situation for ourselves.”

The class moved past Monokuma and went into the bath house. Kiyondo and Hifumi were fighting over Alter Ego, although they hadn’t touched it yet.

“Get out of the way you lard cake!” Kiyondo yelled. “You’re keeping me away from my bro!”

“Your ‘bro’...? Alter Ego is obviously my true love Mr. Ishida!” Hifumi yelled back.

“As if someone like them could love someone like you…!” Kiyondo yelled. “Taka and Mondo’s bond melted into me, I have the fudgin’ right to talk to him!”

“Your ‘bro’ is a fake! Unlike my love for them!”

“How about you say that again to my fudgin’ fist-”

“Will you two idiots shut the hell up?!” Celeste yelled. She looked slightly feral. “If you don’t keep your mouths closed, Monokuma is going to discover Alter Ego.”

Is Celeste okay…? Makoto thought. Did she just lose her temper?

“Huh?!” Both Kiyondo and Hifumi said, only now noticing that they had an audience.

“Monokuma is getting suspicious of the noise,” Makoto explained. “He’s bound to check here eventually.”

“Until Alter Ego can make those files accessible,” Kyoko said. “We should try to keep our time here limited.”

“That is the best course of action, no?” Celeste asked, as she tried to fix her appearance.

“Fudge,” Kiyondo said. “Now you’re gonna say you want us to stay away from the computer or whatever the heck.”

“That is the wisest course of action, no?” Celeste asked. “But you two will have to agree.”

“We already know you’ve broken rules to get into here as well,” Junko said. “Monokuma told us how you both entered here at odd hours of the night.”

“Are you sure this thing isn’t possessing you both?” Yasuhiro asked. “You guys have been acting super weird.”

“Don’t be fudgin’ ridiculous,” Kiyondo responded. “It was a one time slip, it won’t happen again.”

“How the mighty have fallen,” Junko said, as she pushed her hair onto her back. “Anyways, did you two idiots even check Alter Ego’s progress on the files?”

“We might’ve been a bit busy,” Kiyondo admitted. “But that doesn’t give you the right to fudgin’ judge me.”

“Well,” Celeste said. “Then we better ask Alter Ego about their progress then, no?”

Hifumi and Kiyondo moved out of Celeste’s way as she made her way to the computer.

“Hello, Alter Ego,” Celeste typed. “How is your progress on restoring the files?”

“It’s going well,” Alter Ego responded. “Although it might take a day or so longer…”

“Alright,” Celeste typed back. “Keep up the work, we don’t have much time, alright?”

“I’ll do my best!” Alter Ego responded eagerly.

“Then we best depart,” Celeste said. “We don’t want the Mastermind to get too suspicious, no?”

“What excuse are we going to use this time?” Junko asked.

“Perhaps we should blame it on Kiyondo and Hifumi,” Kyoko offered up. “They are the reason we are here right now.”

“Hey! It’s all Mr. Ishida’s fault! He’s keeping me from my true love!” Hifumi said.

“As if anyone could fudgin’ love you,” Kiyondo responded. “You’re the one keepin’ me from my bro.”

“Perhaps we should just drag them out and explain to Monokuma that they are enemies,” Sakura said. “It would not be far from the truth.”

“Maybe we should just say we were bathing?” Makoto said. “I mean, it’s what we’re supposed to be doing here, right?”

“That seems suitable enough,” Celeste said. “Perhaps we should say something of the likes of ‘that was a fun time bathing’.”

“I suppose if it's for Monokuma’s benefit,” Kyoko said. “That would be quite smart.”

“Well Hiro,” Junko said. “You’re the one who spends their time the most doing ‘bath house rituals’ maybe you should announce it.”

“Huh…? But what am I supposed to say?” Yasuhiro asked.

“I dunno, maybe something like ‘Wow, that was a great time at the bath!’,” Junko said. “Or something along those lines.”

“Wow! That was a great time at the bath!” Yasuhiro repeated loudly, as he walked towards the exit.

“God, that guy has no career in acting,” Junko said as she walked out after him.

The others followed after Yasuhiro and Junko as they headed back into the cafeteria.

“So, what the fudge did we miss?!” Kiyondo questioned.

“Nothing of extreme importance,” Celeste said. “We were just worried about the wellbeing of you both.”

“Still, perhaps we should be careful about the bath house now,” Kyoko said. “We do not want Monokuma peeking in at us during questionable times.”

“But it’s not like we can stand guard either,” Makoto added. “We all need to sleep and we have the night time rule in place for a reason.”

“Hm,” Celeste said. “Speaking of which, I find it quite irritating how two of us violated that rule.”

“I wouldn’t have to if that bucket of lard just let me see my fudging bro!” Kiyondo said.

“As if I’m to blame, Mr. Ishida,” Hifumi responded. “You’re the one stopping me!”

“We do not care who started it,” Celeste said. “We only care that you finish it and quickly.”

“Otherwise, perhaps we shall need to look for a new leader, no?” Celeste added.

“Hey! Don’t you dare think about fudgin’ replacing me.” Kiyondo said.

“Then you should step up,” Sakura said. “We are in a tough situation currently.”

“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Yasuhiro asked. “This is kinda boring.”

“Well, does anyone else have anything to fudgin’ say?!” Kiyondo yelled.

The group stayed silent, having talked about everything of importance.

“Well then, this meeting is fudgin’ dismissed!” Kiyondo said. “Now you dumbbutts should get out of here.”

As everyone went to leave the cafeteria, Makoto was stopped by Celeste.

“Makoto,” Celeste began. “I was wondering if we could have a bit of a chat.”

“Huh…?” Makoto asked, “Sure, what about?”

“You see, I feel we don’t really know each other as well as we should,” Celeste said. “Since it seems we are stuck here for the foreseeable future, I wish to change that.”

“Huh…?” Makoto said. “I guess you’re right.”

“So,” Celeste said. “I think the best way to see into someone is to ask them about their romantic preferences, no?”

“H-huh…? My romantic preferences?”

“Don’t be so shy, Makoto,” Celeste said. “Everyone has preferences, no?”

“U-um, yeah I guess…” Makoto said. “You might as well ask away, then.”

“So,” Celeste began. “What kind of behaviors do you attribute to your perfect partner?”

“I guess they’d have to be someone who can take charge,” Makoto admitted. “I mean, they’re supposed to be your opposite, right?”

“Take charge?” Celeste asked. “Do you mean someone prone to leadership roles?”

“Huh…?” Makoto said. “Yeah, I guess…?”

“Is there anything else you might find desirable?”

“I guess… determination?” Makoto said. “I want someone who sticks to their beliefs.”

Celeste smiled before responding. “That is… admirable.”

“Any other questions?” Makoto asked.

“Ignoring the fact that we’re trapped here,” Celeste said. “Where would your perfect date location be?”

“Hm,” Makoto said. “I guess just a picnic?”

“A picnic? That is sort of cliche, no?”

“Haha, yeah…” Makoto said, scratching his cheek. “I don’t know, it just seems like the best place to have a date?”

“I suppose I cannot judge you on that,” Celeste said. “Is this a picnic in nature or anywhere…?”

“It’d probably be better inside,” Makoto admitted. “With my luck the weather would be extra bad…”

“You are the Ultimate Lucky Student, are you not?” Celeste asked. “Unless you’re implying your admittance was some sort of a fluke.”

“Honestly…? I don’t really know.”

“Hm,” Celeste said. “An interesting fact about you indeed, Makoto.”

“Moving on,” Celeste said. “Perhaps we should talk more about you, Makoto.”

“Huh…? More about me?” Makoto asked.

“What are your hobbies outside of the killing game?” Celeste asked. “You must enjoy some things, right?”

“I like the things that are currently popular,” Makoto said. “I guess you can say I stick to trends.”

“So you would want a partner equally as trendy?”

“I’m not so sure,” Makoto admitted. “I mean it would be nice to talk to them about what I like, but I wouldn’t want them to be interested in the same exact things.”

“Hm,” Celeste said. “So more of an ‘in-general’ thing then, yes?”

“Yeah.”

“Well I’m supposing you cannot do the things you usually do in this school, no?” Celeste asked. “What do you do around here?”

“I mostly talk to everyone else,” Makoto said. “I think it’s nice getting to know everyone.”

“So a people-pleaser, then,” Celeste said. “Unexpected but certainly not a bad thing.”

Huh…? Makoto thought. Was that just an insult?

“Hm, is there anything else you do?”

“Not really,” Makoto said. “Up until now, there wasn’t much to do… I might stop by at the rec room now, but I don’t see any other big change coming.”

“Well, since you interact with everyone so often, what are your thoughts about our ‘peers’...?”

“Hm,” Makoto said, putting one of his fingers to his lips. “I mean, Kyoko’s really a mystery to me, Sakura was a bit scary at first but I think she’s a good friend.”

“I have the feeling Kiyondo might dislike me but I was at least a little close with Taka,” Makoto continued, “Hifumi’s nice when he isn’t talking about 2D.”

“Yasuhiro I’m also a bit friendly with, although I could talk to him more. Junko is a good friend to me, she’s very supportive at the very least,” Makoto said. “You’re nice as well Celeste but I don’t know if we really know each other and I haven’t gotten the chance to interact with Byakuya and Toko.”

“I suppose that all makes sense,” Celeste said. “Thank you for this enlightening conversation, Makoto.”

“Of course…?” Makoto responded.

“Until we meet again, Makoto.”

Celeste walked off after checking her e-Handbook.

Makoto decided to head to his room while he decided who else he would hang out with.

He had a couple of options, but he wasn’t sure he was feeling all too well. Now that he had time to think his nightmare came back to him in full force and it wasn’t the most pleasant thing to remember.

Before he could decide what he was going to do with his time, Makoto heard a knocking on the door.

Opening the door, Makoto discovered that his visitor was none other than Junko Enoshima.

Is she blushing…? Makoto thought.

“Hey, Makoto,” Junko said quickly. “Um, wow you’re looking pretty great.”

“Are you feeling okay, Junko?”

“Yeah, I think I could really go for a picnic or something,” Junko said. “That’s the sorta thing that’s great, right?”

“Huh…?” Makoto asked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Um,” Junko said. “I mean I think we really need to do something about our current situation.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, someone needs to step up as a leader because I think it’s kinda obvious Kiyondo really isn’t gonna…” Junko explained.

“Do you have any ideas on who that leader could be?” Makoto asked.

“Um, maybe me,” Junko said. “Boys do like a girl in charge, right?”

“I think it depends…?” Makoto asked. “It’s a preference and everything, right?”

Junko stared at him for a moment, before frowning.

“I’ve got to talk to someone,” Junko said. “We’ll uh, talk later, I guess…”

That was really weird… Makoto thought. Does she have a fever or something?

Makoto decided to brush off Junko’s weird behavior for the time being. He wanted to get out and talk to someone else.

Makoto left his room and checked his e-Handbook. Surprisingly the only people near him were Celeste and Junko, both in the cafeteria.

Makoto decided to head towards the cafeteria, as he was feeling a bit hungry.

Once Makoto entered the cafeteria, their conversation stopped.

“Ah, Makoto,” Celeste said. “Are you here for a snack?”

“Um, yeah,” Makoto said. “I’m feeling a bit hungry.”

“Well, while you're eating, let us talk,” Celeste said. “We have much to discuss, yes?”

“Huh? We do?” Makoto asked.

“There’s an endless supply, really,” Celeste answered. “I’ll wait for you while you prepare a meal.”

Makoto entered the kitchen area and checked the fridge. Seeing a microwavable meal inside, Makoto decided to cook it.

When Makoto exited the kitchen, Junko was already gone.

“Ah, Makoto,” Celeste said. “Please do sit down, I have something of importance I must say to you.”

“‘Something of importance’...?” Makoto echoed. “Did something happen?”

“It is becoming clearer that our continued existence might be hindered,” Celeste began. “After all, we have already witnessed two class trials.”

“I want to believe that all of us can make it out of here,” Makoto responded. “But it might be impossible that we won’t face another class trial again.”

“Besides that,” Celeste said. “You’ve already missed your second chance at romance, no?”

“Huh..?” Makoto asked. “What do you mean?”

“First with Sayaka,” Celeste said. “Which I suppose wasn’t really your fault, no?”

Pausing to take a sip of tea, Celeste continued.

“And then with Hina,” Celeste said. “You did know that she was interested in you, no?”

“Huh… Sayaka and Hina were interested in me…?”

“You truly did not notice?” Celeste asked. “I suppose you are about to tell me you did not notice other people getting together as well.”

“Huh…?” Makoto said. “Other people are getting together…?!”

“You did not notice it, then,” Celeste said. “Out of respect for their privacy I will not tell you who, of course.”

“That’s fine,” Makoto said as he awkwardly scratched his cheek. “But what’s the point in bringing up failed romances now?”

“I believe that love is still in your cards,” Celeste answered. “Of course that only applies if you notice it, no?”

“You mean… someone is going to ask me out?”

“Think of it with an open mind,” Celeste said, as she got up with her cup of tea. “A relationship is beneficial for several reasons, no?”

Makoto stared into his food as he heard Celeste leave.

Am I ready for a relationship? Makoto thought. I guess I’ll just have to wait and find out.

After finishing his meal, Makoto cleaned up and walked back to his room. He started to fall asleep just as Monokuma’s night time announcement played.

“So you’re here again,” Sayaka’s voice whispered into his ear. “You’ve come to watch another girl die, right?”

“Sayaka…?” Makoto asked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“I can already see you betraying someone again,” Sayaka said. “I’m a psychic, you know.”

“I don’t…”

“Do you really not know?” Sayaka asked. “You watched me get executed and then you saw Hina’s body floating in the pool.”

“I’m sorry,” Makoto said. “I didn’t know this was going to happen.”

“Are you really sorry?” Sayaka asked. “Look down at your hands, and see all the blood.”

Makoto did as he was told, his hands were dripping with blood. It was almost enough to make him sick.

“Of course,” Sayaka began. “You don’t feel bad at all, do you?”

Makoto awoke to Monokuma’s morning announcement.

Makoto realized he was hyperventilating. He fell out of his tangled sheets and made his way to the bathroom.

During his shower, Makoto made sure to scrub his hands until they were red, although he wasn’t sure if that made things better or worse.

Makoto made his way to the cafeteria and soon after the morning meeting began.

“So!” Kiyondo began. “What new information have we fudgin’ discovered?”

“Nothing much,” Kyoko said. “Things have been thankfully uneventful.”

“Perhaps we should all convene at the bath house tonight,” Celeste said. “I think it would be a wonderful bonding experience.”

“You mean we get to see…” Hifumi began before being cut off by Celeste.

“Yes,” Celeste said.

“Anyways, I have a complaint to make,” Junko said. “I think we should get a new leader.”

“Huh…?!” Kiyondo yelled. “Do you have a fudgin’ problem with my leadership or somethin’?!”

“Yeah, actually I do,” Junko said. “You’re totally unreliable, you’re fighting with Hifumi one moment and the next moment you’re lusting over your lost bro or whatever.”

“What are you fudgin’ saying?!”

“Not only that,” Junko said. “But you’ve already broken a rule we’ve established between ourselves.”

Before Kiyondo could respond, Makoto interrupted.

“Hey,” Makoto said. “I think that’s enough.”

“Huh…?” Junko said. “You’re telling me you actually agree with his leadership?”

“As if I want Mac’s ideas on this,” Kiyondo said.

“I’m just saying that fighting isn’t going to solve anything,” Makoto said. “Let’s just try to keep the peace, alright?”

“But he’s got no respect for us,” Junko said. “The only person he cares about is long dead.”

“Shut it, Junk!” Kiyondo yelled. “You’re not gonna have your takeover.”

“Junk…?” Junko asked. “Are you calling me trash you albino rat?!”

“This isn’t going to happen again,” Sakura said. “We’re supposed to be co-existing, not killing each other.”

“Technically…” Monokuma began as he appeared. “This is a killing game, so feel free to off each other!”

“Monokuma!” Yasuhiro yelled. “H-how did you get here….?!”

“The same way he appears every time,” Kyoko said. “This shouldn’t be surprising.”

“Perhaps he’s a little slow, no?” Celeste said.

“Anyways, I’m enjoying the fights you all keep having,” Monokuma said. “So if you all could keep that up, it would make your headmaster beary happy!”

“No one asked you, Monokuma,” Sakura replied.

“In fact we will fudging get along just to spite you!” Kiyondo added. “Right, Junk?”

“Don’t call me that,” Junko responded.

“Have fun, kids!” Monokuma said before disappearing.

“That seems to conclude the morning meeting,” Kyoko said. “I suppose we should be careful in these coming days.”

“Do you think something bad will happen?” Makoto asked.

“I’m not sure,” Kyoko said. “But I am sure the motive will be revealed to us sooner than later.”

As the class went to leave the cafeteria, Makoto was once again stopped on his way out.

“Hey Makoto,” Junko said. “Could we talk for a bit?”

“Huh…?” Makoto said. “Sure, of course.”

“Anyways, let’s head to your room,” Junko said. “I want it to be private, alright?”

“Huh...? My room?” Makoto asked. “Shouldn’t it be yours?”

“Already trying to get in my room?” Junko asked. “Damn Makoto, I didn’t know you were a pervert.”

“N-no…!” Makoto yelled. “I’m just saying, there’s nothing in my room, so wouldn’t it be easier to go to yours?”

“If we’re being honest,” Junko said. “My room has nothing in it as well, so we’re not losing anything going to your room instead.”

“Alright then,” Makoto said. “I’ll lead the way.”

Makoto led Junko to his room.

“Alright, Makoto,” Junko said. “Let’s talk about our interests.”

This again…? Makoto thought. First Celeste and now Junko, I wonder if there’s a connection.

“So, um,” Junko began. “I really like picnicking, but sadly there’s like nowhere to do it in this school.”

“Yeah, there would probably be no room here.” Makoto said. “Although I guess if you’re desperate you could probably do it in the cafeteria or something.”

“And get yelled at by Kiyondo?” Junko said. “As if, plus it isn’t as romantic if you’re doing it in a shitty school cafeteria.”

“Romantic?” Makoto echoed.

“Yeah, like first date kinda things.” Junko said. “You know, the perfect girl for you would probably take you on a picnic.”

“The perfect girl for me…?” Makoto asked. “You’re still thinking about matching me up with someone when we get out of here?”

“Yep,” Junko answered. “Damn Makoto, the girl I’m thinking of would wait on you hand and foot. Isn’t that the life?”

“I mean, I guess…?” Makoto said, as he scratched his cheek awkwardly. “Speaking of relationships, Celeste also had a conversation about them with me last night.”

“Huh…?” Junko said. “What did she say?”

“She said she thought it was important for me to get in a relationship,” Makoto said. “Since I’ve already missed my shot twice.”

“She’s probably right you know,” Junko said. “You need someone to take charge for you and keep you fired up.”

“Um… do I really?”

“Yep!” Junko said. “Plus you’ve gotta get over Taka and fast.”

“H-hey…! I’ve told you before I don’t have a crush on Taka.”

“Yeah yeah, sure,” Junko said. “He’s lusting over his dead bro and he’s totally changed anyways. Seriously who the hell calls a girl ‘Junk’?!”

“I mean he’s started calling me ‘Mac’,” Makoto said. “And that’s a bit annoying, so I can see where you’re coming from.”

“So yeah,” Junko said. “But I bet you’re wanting a relationship while we’re in the killing game, huh?”

Am I? Makoto thought. I haven’t really thought about it much, even after Celeste brought it up.

“It’d be safer, right?” Makoto said. “But just getting into a relationship because of that feels… wrong, you know?”

“Yeah,” Junko said. “But, I’ve gotta prepare you for the real girl I’m setting you up with.”

“H-huh…? ‘Prepare me’?”

“Yep!” Junko said. “So let’s just say you’re off the market for now, alright?”

“W-wait, how are you so sure she’ll accept being set up with me?”

“I’ve just got a good feeling, y’know?” Junko said. “So, don’t start dating anyone Makoto or you might just break her heart!”

“Um… alright then.”

“Alright Makoto,” Junko said. “I’m off now, this conversation has made me feel a hell of a lot better.”

Junko left Makoto’s room shortly after, leaving Makoto to his own devices.

Alright, let’s check the e-Handbook and see where everyone is. Makoto thought.

Kiyondo was located in his, or rather, Kiyotaka’s room.

Alright, Makoto thought to himself. I’ve got to talk to Kiyondo eventually, right?

Makoto made his way to Kiyotaka’s room. He hesitantly knocked and Kiyondo opened the door.

“What do you want, Mac?” Kiyondo asked. “Can’t you see I’m fudgin’ busy?!”

“Huh… you’re busy…?” Makoto said. “And anyways, I only wanted to talk.”

“Pff, as if I’d ever waste my time on a buttface like you.”

“Um, alright then,” Makoto said, as he turned to walk away.

“Wait! I’ve changed my fudgin’ mind,” Kiyondo yelled. “I guess we can hang out or whatever the heck.”

Huh…? Makoto thought. I thought he didn’t want me here…?

Makoto was dragged into Kiyotaka’s room by an annoyed Kiyondo.

“So what the heck do you even want to talk about?” Kiyondo asked.

“I want to get to know you better,” Makoto admitted.

Kiyondo only stared at him.

“So um,” Makoto began, awkwardly. “Do you have any of the same interests that Mondo had?”

“Of course I fudgin’ do!” Kiyondo yelled. “Bro is a part of me, now and forever.”

“So I guess you’d know a lot about motorcycles…?”

“Duh,” Kiyondo answered. “Why do you have any knowledge on bikes, Mac?”

“I mean, I guess…?” Makoto said, as he scratched his cheek. “I mean I was almost hit by a motorcyclist a few times. That counts�� right?”

“WHAT?!” Kiyondo yelled. “You were almost fudgin’ hit by motorcycles?!”

“Several times,” Makoto said, laughing awkwardly. “I mean, I always dodged out of the way, so that’s the important part, right…?”

“Why are you the one fudging dodging them?!” Kiyondo yelled. “Do you purposely stand in their way or some other fudged up thing?!”

“N-no…?” Makoto said. “I just have very bad luck, I guess.”

“And here you had me all worried over nothing at all,” Kiyondo said. “What the heck.”

“Sorry… I guess?” Makoto said.

Kiyondo just huffed and looked away.

Man, he’s really hard to talk to, Makoto thought. Does he really hate me that much?

“Anyways,” Makoto said, trying his hardest to make conversation. “How much do you know about gangs?”

“What the heck even is that question?!” Kiyondo asked. “My bro was the leader of a biker gang so what the fudge do you think?!”

“Um, I guess a lot…?”

“How much do you fudging know, Mac?”

“I’ve only really seen gangs on TV,” Makoto said, as he reached for his cheek once again. “So I’m not very knowledgeable.”

“Fudging heck, you’re as dumb as Hiro!”

“H-huh…?” Makoto said. “I don’t think not knowing-”

“I don’t even know why I fudgin’ tried to talk to you,” Kiyondo said. “Do you have anything worth saying?!”

“I guess not…?”

“Then get the heck out of my room, you dumbbutt!”

Makoto awkwardly left Kiyotaka’s room, disappointed in himself for the lack of results.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to make any progress with him, Makoto thought to himself glumly. But at least I know for sure that he probably hates me.

Makoto frowned, not knowing what else to do. Luckily for him, he remembered that the class was going to hold a meeting over Alter Ego.

I might as well head there early, Makoto thought.

When Makoto made his way into the bath house he was surprised to see Kyoko already there.

“Makoto,” Kyoko said. “I see you’ve arrived early as well.”

“Yeah,” Makoto said. “But we’re a bit too early, aren’t we?”

“It’s best that we arrive before Kiyondo and Hifumi do,” Kyoko said. “We’ve already seen what they can do when left unattended.”

“It’s worrying isn’t it?” Celeste said as she came in. “I wonder if the Mastermind will prey on this new-found weakness.”

“That would mean that the Mastermind knows about Alter Ego, right?” Makoto asked.

“It’s stupid of us to believe the Mastermind isn’t curious about why we’ve all been coming here,” Celeste said. “We should keep our guard up, Monokuma does have legs, no?”

“I suppose you’re right,” Kyoko said. “But speaking of this meeting and Alter Ego, is this a full class meeting?”

“You mean Byakuya and Toko?” Makoto asked.

“I suppose we should invite them,” Celeste said. “It would be rude of us otherwise, no?”

“It’s unlikely that they’d listen, right?” Makoto said. “And it’s not like we can give out any information without the Mastermind finding out.”

“Perhaps if we’re discreet enough Byakuya will pick it up,” Kyoko said. “And anywhere he goes Toko is sure to follow.”

“But someone has to extend the invite, no?” Celeste said. “It is unlikely for ‘mind-reader’ to be in Byakuya’s skill set.”

“Hey, what are we talking about?!” Yasuhiro yelled. “Are we finally bathing together?”

“No,” Celeste said. “We’re having our meeting, or at least waiting for everyone to come.”

“Aww, so we aren’t bathing together…?” Yasuhiro asked.

“You really thought we were…?” Makoto replied.

“Of course,” Yasuhiro yelled. “Don’t be mean!”

“Did you really forget about the computer?” Kyoko asked.

“H-huh…?!” Yasuhiro said. “Of course not!”

“I suppose if we are picking a messenger, it shouldn’t be Hiro, no?” Celeste said.

“Perhaps we could ask Sakura or Junko,” Kyoko said.

“I could go,” Makoto said. “It’s not like we have anything better to do, right?”

“That is a wise plan,” Celeste said. “Remember Makoto, you must be discreet about it, yes?”

“Of course,” Makoto said. “The last thing we want is the Mastermind finding out about Alter Ego.”

Makoto exited the bath house and just like expected, after checking his e-handbook he discovered Byakuya was in the library.

Makoto made his way to the second floor, power-walking past the pool’s door and went straight into the library.

“Tch,” Byakuya said. “What do you want, Makoto?”

“There’s something I need to discuss with you,” Makoto said. “It has something to do with the sauna.”

“Is this your way of flirting, Makoto?” Byakuya asked. “Because you’re pitifully bad at it.”

“N-no…!” Makoto yelled. “It has nothing to do with that at all!”

Just as Makoto yelled that, Toko came marching in.

“M-makoto..! A-are you trying to get y-your hands all over my M-master…?!” Toko yelled. “B-because I won’t let you!”

“No way!” Makoto yelled. “There’s just a group bonding activity in the sauna, I think you both could benefit from coming.”

“I see,” Byakuya said. “I suppose everyone else is already involved?”

“Exactly,” Makoto said. “You’re not required but I think you both should come.”

“I g-get to see M-master shirtless…?” Toko drooled. “S-someone pinch me, I must be d-dreaming…”

“Shut up,” Byakuya said. “Fine, in a few minutes you will see that I will at least arrive.”

“Thank you,” Makoto said.

“I’m not doing this for you, idiot.”

Makoto made his way back down to the bath house, where he could hear a fight already beginning.

“What do you mean we can’t touch Alter Ego?!” Hifumi complained as Makoto entered.

“That is exactly what it means,” Celeste said. “You do understand words, correct?”

“There’s no getting down and dirty with Alter Ego,” Junko said. “Even if it could, I’m sure it has higher standards than either of you.”

“What the fudge are you implying?!” Kiyondo yelled.

“I think it’s pretty obvious,” Junko said. “Or can you not see beyond the image of Mondo?”

“Hey--” Kiyondo began only to be cut off by Celeste.

“That is enough, no?” Celeste said. “Petty squabbling will do us no good, will it?”

“It seems every idiot has arrived,” Byakuya said. “What is so important that you had to interrupt my reading time?”

“W-wait,” Toko said. “I’m n-not going to s-see Master shirtless…?!” “There is something we discovered, recently,” Kyoko said. “We believe it holds pertinent information that may relate to why we are trapped here.”

“Are you talking about the computer?” Byakuya asked. “If so, you must think that I am an idiot.”

“Huh…?!” Makoto yelled. “You already knew about Alter Ego?”

“Is that what it’s called?” Byakuya said. “No matter. Yes, I already knew about it.”

“I am p-proud to announce that I i-informed Master of it,” Toko added dreamily.

“Master…?” Junko asked.

“You mean you discovered it?” Celeste asked. “Pardon my rudeness but I cannot imagine a reason why you would enter the bath house after the last class trial.”

“H-hey!” Toko yelled. “Wouldn’t y-you investigate a m-mysterious green light…?!”

“So it seems you discovered Alter Ego the same way Hiro did,” Kyoko said. “I wonder if it was trying to announce its location…”

“Huh…? Why would it want to be caught?” Yasuhiro asked. “Unless it’s working for the Mastermind…!”

“Wouldn’t you be worried about your creator if you hadn’t heard from them for a while?” Kyoko asked. “It was probably in its coding to try to locate Chihiro.”

“Chihiro must’ve forgotten to mention that it should stay discreet,” Celeste commented. “Or perhaps it was desperate.”

“We do know Chihiro gave it the task of making those files visible,” Sakura added. “Perhaps it wanted to update Chihiro on its progress.”

“You’re saying that ‘Alter Ego’ is uncorrupting the files on the computer?” Byakuya asked.

“Yes,” Celeste answered. “That is the main reason why we called you here.”

“I don’t understand why we need him fudgin’ here,” Kiyondo complained. “It’s not like he’s interested in working with us as a group.”

“And who are you to talk to me like that?” Byakuya asked. “Especially when you look like that.”

“I’m fudging Kiyondo Ishida and I’ll kick your butt if you dare speak down to me!”

“Maybe we should break it up,” Makoto offered. “We still have to check Alter Ego’s progress on the files, right?”

“An excellent point, Makoto,” Celeste said. “If there are no objections I will ask Alter Ego on its progress.”

After no objections were held, Celeste began typing to Alter Ego.

“Alter Ego,” Celeste typed. “What is your progress on the files?”

“I’m glad to announce that they are finally able to be accessed!” Alter Ego said. “However, the information is a bit worrying.”

“If Alter Ego is worried,” Hifumi said. “We’re all doomed…!”

“Shut up and let the program explain to us,” Byakuya said.

“W-what Master said…” Toko added.

“You also shut up.”

“Could you tell us the contents of these files?” Celeste typed.

“Sure,” Alter Ego said. “Apparently over a year ago, Hope’s Peak Academy was forced out of commission.”

“That we already know,” Byakuya said.

“Not exactly,” Sakura said. “Our current timeline doesn’t add up with that.”

“If Hope’s Peak Academy was forced to shut down a fudgin’ year ago, why the heck are we here now?!” Kiyondo yelled.

“Alter Ego, are you sure this is correct?” Celeste typed. “We were all admitted this year, so it wouldn’t make sense for it to have shut down a year ago.”

“I’m sorry,” Alter Ego said. “But according to the files, Hope’s Peak Academy hasn’t been in operation for at least a year.”

“That should be impossible,” Kyoko said. “But we’ve already gotten ourselves into a very impossible situation.”

“Is there a reason for a school as big as Hope’s Peak to close down?” Makoto asked. “I mean, they were the most prestigious school in the world, right?”

“Do you know the reason why Hope’s Peak shut down?” Celeste typed into the computer.

“Apparently there was an event called the ‘Tragedy’ that took place,” Alter Ego responded. “There’s not a lot of information on it other than it being a devastating event.”

“The Tragedy?” Junko asked. “What a lousy descriptor for an event.”

“I agree!” Kiyondo yelled. “When you’re writing fudgin’ history you gotta make it memorable!”

“Perhaps the Mastermind left out certain details on purpose,” Sakura said. “There is no reason for us to assume otherwise.”

“Of course,” Byakuya said. “This is a game of wit.”

“Mr. Togami, why do you say that like you’re enjoying it?” Hifumi asked.

“Because I am, you idiot,” Byakuya answered. “This is something truly worthy of a Togami.”

“Someone has a murder kink,” Junko said.

“What did you just say to me?” Byakuya asked.

“Moving on,” Celeste said. “There is probably more information in these files, no?”

“Is there anything else of note?” Celeste typed.

“Yes, something extremely worrying,” Alter Ego responded. “I have reason to believe the headmaster of Hope’s Peak Academy is still in this school.”

“Huh…?!” Makoto cried out.

“What…?” Kyoko questioned.

“What do you mean?” Celeste typed.

“Apparently during the Tragedy the headmaster had the school fortified to be practically impenetrable.” “Like the situation we currently find ourselves in,” Sakura said. “Perhaps we should inquire more about this.”

“Are you implying that the Headmaster fortified this school to trap us in here?” Celeste typed.

“I’m not sure,” Alter Ego said. “However the situations seem eerily similar.”

“Even so, we weren’t here a year ago, right?!” Yasuhiro yelled. “That we know for sure, right?!”

“We couldn’t have been here a year ago,” Junko said. “We’ve only entered High School this year, obviously.”

“Perhaps the Mastermind has planted misinformation,” Byakuya said. “Are you idiots really falling for this?”

“Hey! Don’t call us fudging idiots!” Kiyondo yelled. “Because you’re the fudging idiot you dumbbutt!”

“Shut up,” Byakuya said. “You don’t have the right to speak to me like that.”

“Mr. Togami, how could you imply that Alter Ego could lie about something?!” Hifumi sobbed.

“Take your complaints elsewhere,” Byakuya replied.

“I mean, the Mastermind wants this to be a fair game, right?” Makoto offered. “They have to be giving us some information.”

“There is probably some information we can trust,” Kyoko said. “We know the school is boarded up…”

“So perhaps the Headmaster is still here, no?” Celeste added.

“It would make the most sense for them to be the Mastermind,” Sakura said.

Kyoko looked away, clenching her fist slightly before responding, “We shouldn’t make those assumptions this early.”

“I wonder,” Celeste began, “If this computer contained this information if there’s anything else we may find on it.”

“Would Chihiro really have Alter Ego leave out information?” Makoto asked. “It would’ve helped him too.”

“You really believe he intended to share the information Alter Ego discovered?” Byakuya asked. “You really are an idiot.”

“It would fit Chihiro’s character,” Sakura said. “He always seemed eager to prove himself.”

Kiyondo looked uncomfortable, Makoto noticed.

“Alright!” Kiyondo yelled. “Do we have any more questions?!”

“Can I talk to Alter Ego now?!” Hifumi asked.

“Perhaps not,” Celeste said. “However, there is something else we must share with Byakuya and Toko.”

“Huh…?” Makoto asked.

“We now have a ‘night-time’ rule,” Celeste explained. “During the night, no student should be outside of their dorm.”

“And you expect me to follow this?” Byakuya asked. “Tch, the nerve.”

“Of course not,” Celeste replied evenly. “However, you cannot claim that you were unaware of it anymore.”

“Will you unhand my fudging bro?!” Kiyondo yelled, glaring daggers at Hifumi.

“Alter Ego isn’t yours!” Hifumi yelled back. “She’s mine and only mine!”

“Um, I think we discussed this before but isn’t Alter Ego technically a guy…?” Makoto said.

“Mr. Naegi!” Hifumi yelled. “Who said that you could get involved with matters of the heart?”

“Alter Ego is very important to all of us,” Makoto said. “Isn’t it important that we don’t get him involved in our matters?”

“Are you saying that you don’t think Alter Ego is alive, Mr. Naegi?!”

“H-huh…?” Makoto said. “All I’m saying is that we probably shouldn’t be involving Alter Ego in things like this.”

“Leave Mac alone!” Kiyondo yelled. “He’s just trying to save bro and Chihiro from having you slobber all over them.”

That wasn’t entirely my intention… Makoto thought. But thanks for sticking up for me, I guess?

“A computer is introduced and you’re already at each other’s necks like wild dogs,” Byakuya said. “I guess I shouldn’t have expected any less.”

“Shut the fudge up, Byakuya!” Kiyondo yelled. “Guys like you are all talk and no fudgin’ action!”

Byakuya looked insulted. “You all should be thankful for my presence, but instead you act like idiots.”

After insulting the group one last time, Byakuya left in a hurry.

“Y-you…!” Toko yelled, pointing at Kiyondo. “D-don’t think I’ll let you g-get away w-with insulting M-master…!”

“You’re a fudgin’ idiot if you think he respects you!”

Toko only glared in response before she turned and chased after Byakuya.

“Well that could’ve gone better, no?” Celeste asked. “Perhaps it is time we head for bed anyways.”

“Of course, Kiyondo and Hifumi should leave first,” Kyoko said. “They have proven that this computer is too compelling for them to follow simple directions.”

“Hey!” Kiyondo yelled. “It’s my fudging bro and it was one time!”

“Apparently it was several,” Kyoko said. “According to Monokuma, anyway.”

“You’re trusting that dumb fudgin’ bear over us?!”

“Your behavior seems to line up with his accusation,” Sakura said. “It would be easier for you two to leave anyways.”

“You guys need to build up rapport with the group,” Junko said. “Or you’ll forever be known as the computer freaks.”

“You don’t think they did anything weird with Alter Ego, right…?” Yasuhiro asked.

“Perhaps it’s better if we don’t find out,” Celeste responded.

Kiyondo and Hifumi flushed bright red and out of embarrassment left the bath house.

The rest of the class disbanded and went back to their own dorms.

Makoto glared at his bed as the night time announcement played.

Alright, Makoto thought. Let’s see what nightmares await me tonight.

“Makoto,” a feminine voice began. “Did you think I was weak?”

Turning around to meet the voice, Makoto saw Chihiro. His neck was bruised and his eyes were glossy.

“Of course you did,” Chihiro answered before Makoto could say anything. “Everyone always thought I was weak.”

“That’s not true!” Makoto yelled. “You wanted to improve yourself, I can’t think of anything stronger.”

“And yet you’re trying to date my killer's lover,” Chihiro said. “You really have no respect for the dead, huh?”

“H-huh…? Chihiro what are you talking about?”

“He’s talkin’ about Taka, fucker,” Mondo answered.

When Makoto faced Mondo, he found that Mondo looked like himself and not butter.

“You think that now that I’m gone you can just fuckin’ take over my spot, huh?” Mondo asked. “Well guess what, that ain’t gonna happen.”

“I think you’re confused,” Makoto said. “I don’t like Taka like that, I’m just his friend.”

“So,” Chihiro said. “That’s how you’ve been surviving this long, denial.”

“What?” Makoto asked.

“It’s plain as fuckin’ day,” Mondo said. “You’re head over heels for him, too bad he’s into me, right?”

“You guys are wrong!” Makoto yelled. “I’m sorry that you’re dead, but, you’re wrong about that.”

“Whatever the hell you say,” Mondo said. “But remember you’re no better than me, Makoto.”

“Huh…?”

“You got two people fuckin’ killed so far, Sayaka and I,” Mondo said. “So who’s next?”

“I didn’t mean to…” Makoto mumbled, staring at the ground. “It was either you guys or us.”

“What an odd way to justify it,” Chihiro said. “Whatever helps you sleep better at night, right…?”

Before Makoto could respond, he was awoken by the Monokuma’s morning announcement.

That wasn’t as bad as I thought, Makoto thought. Things are finally starting to look up.

Makoto made his way to the cafeteria finding that Kiyondo and Celeste were already there.

“Hello Makoto,” Celeste said.

“Mac,” Kiyondo acknowledged.

“Hey,” Makoto said. “How did you guys sleep?”

“I slept fine,” Celeste said. “Much more peaceful knowing that no one can die at night anymore.”

“That implies that rich kid is gonna fudgin’ follow our rules,” Kiyondo huffed. “I wouldn’t bet even Mac’s life on that.”

“H-hey…!” Makoto responded.

“Who would kill him?” Celeste asked. “I doubt Toko would ever harm him and that’s the only other person who wouldn’t be following the rule.”

“I guess not, but heck,” Kiyondo said. “That girl is totally fudgin’ obsessed with Byakuya.”

“Isn’t she calling him ‘Master’ now?” Makoto asked. “I wonder what sparked that.”

“Perhaps they have bonded,” Celeste offered. “Even Byakuya can’t stay alone forever.”

As the rest of the class, excluding Byakuya and Toko, came into the cafeteria another meeting began and ended without much fanfare.

After the meeting, Makoto went back to his room.

Huh, Makoto thought. I wonder who I can hang out with?

Makoto checked his e-Handbook, the closest person was Kyoko, as she was outside the bath house.

Makoto walked near the bath house before getting stopped by Kyoko.

“Going to bathe?” Kyoko asked coldly.

“No,” Makoto said. “Actually I wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh,” Kyoko answered. “I hope you don’t mind but I don’t want to leave my current position.”

“No, that’s fine,” Makoto said. “We can talk here if it’s okay with you.”

Kyoko looked at the bath house entrance before sighing. “Yeah, that should be fine.”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a while,” Makoto began. “But, wow you are really good at investigating.”

“Is that so?” Kyoko asked.

“Yep!” Makoto answered. “In fact, if I had to guess your talent I would say it’s the Ultimate Detective or something close.”

“Hm,” Kyoko said. “I’m afraid my talent is still a secret, so I won’t confirm or deny your guess.”

“Well that’s fine,” Makoto answered. “It’s more fun to guess than to actually know.”

“Is that so?” Kyoko asked. “I suppose one could say making the theory is much more fun than proving it.”

“Exactly!” Makoto said. “Especially in our situation.”

“Speaking of our situation,” Kyoko said. “Makoto, I must commend you on your ability to bring the group together.”

“Huh…?”

“You believe whole-heartedly in everything,” Kyoko said. “That’s a respectable ability.”

“Hina told me that,” Makoto said. “I’m not so sure I believe it.”

“But,” Kyoko said. “Perhaps you should be careful with it.”

“Careful…?” Makoto echoed. “What do you mean?”

“The bigger you are,” Kyoko began, “the larger you fall.” “Huh?”

“Keep your beliefs reasonable, Makoto,” Kyoko explained. “We are in a killing game, it is not unreasonable to expect the worst.”

“I can see where you’re coming from,” Makoto admitted. “But I’d like to believe in my friends until the very end!”

“You wear your heart on your sleeve,” Kyoko commented. “Perhaps that’s not so bad.”

“It’s really just natural to me,” Makoto admitted.

“Perhaps we could benefit from one another,” Kyoko said. “Your belief and motivational skills would be beneficial to anyone here.”

“Is that something that can really be taught…?” Makoto asked.

“In return,” Kyoko continued. “I could teach you how to investigate better.”

“Really…?” Makoto asked. “I mean that’d be great but I wouldn’t want to force you.”

“Our respective skills are beneficial to living in this school,” Kyoko said. “I don’t see any reason for us not to work together.”

“You’re right,” Makoto said, “let’s try our hardest to work together and get out of here!”

“Hm,” Kyoko said, smiling for a moment before going back to her natural expression. “You really are determined, aren’t you?”

“Of course!” Makoto said. “If we all work together we’ll be out of here in no time!”

“Are you sure you aren’t the Ultimate Moral Compass?” Kyoko teased. “You’ve been a bit more active than Taka as of late.”

“Have I…?” Makoto asked. “Maybe he was rubbing off on me.”

“Speaking of Taka, I think we should end our conversation here,” Kyoko said. “I must keep watch just in case Hifumi or Kiyondo get any ideas.”

“You know you don’t have to do that to yourself,” Makoto said.

“It’s better than not being cautious,” Kyoko replied. “This is important, we can’t lose it now.”

Makoto nodded, quickly saying goodbye and heading back to his room.

Man, Kyoko calls me determined but really she’s the more determined one, Makoto thought. I don’t think I could ever stand that long waiting for someone to try to go near Alter Ego.

Before Makoto could decide to hang out with anyone else, Monokuma’s voice began to play on the speakers.

“Hello my beloved students!” Monokuma began. “I have a very exciting surprise…! Please make your way to the gymnasium!”

Surprise…? Makoto thought. This isn’t a motive… right?

Makoto made his way to the gym, discovering that he was one of the first people to make it there.

“Mac,” Kiyondo said, “what do you think that stupid fudgin’ bear has planned for us?”

“I don’t know,” Makoto admitted. “But it probably isn’t good.”

“That’s not a positive way of thinkin’,” Kiyondo scolded. “You gotta at least try to fudgin’ try to be positive, or it all will go to heck.”

“Huh…?” Makoto said. “Well yeah, I guess…”

As everyone else entered the gym, Monokuma appeared with a laugh.

“So, I bet you’re all wondering why I gathered you all here!” Monokuma yelled cheerily. “Now I know not everyone here is going to have the most stable financial situation, so…”

Monokuma paused as money fell from the sky onto the stage.

“I’ve decided to fund your killing!” Monokuma said. “Ten million dollars waiting for the lucky blackened!”

“Tch,” Byakuya said. “As if that measly amount would get me to even move.”

“That’s not enough money,” Yasuhiro said sadly.

“N-not enough money f-for what?” Toko asked.

“My debt,” Yasuhiro admitted sadly. “It’s not even close…!”

“How much debt do you have?” Junko asked.

“More than I should,” Yasuhiro admitted.

“As much as I hate to fudgin’ agree with the rich kid,” Kiyondo began, “we won’t kill for this, not at all!”

“Are you so sure?” Monokuma asked. “The money might be enticing for at least one of you.”

“He’s right,” Makoto said. “This won’t work, Monokuma!”

“Puhuhuhu! The hope on your faces, it’s hilarious,” Monokuma said. “I can’t wait for it to turn into despair…!”

“Whatever you have planned,” Sakura said. “You have gravely miscalculated.”

“There’s not much else he can do,” Kyoko said. “He has exhausted most of his trump cards.”

“That’s what you all think!” Monokuma said. “Anyways, I must be off, being the headmaster is oh so exhausting!” Monokuma disappeared, leaving the money on the stage.

“This was pointless,” Byakuya said, leaving as quickly as he had entered.

“M-master, please wait up…!” Toko yelled, following after him.

“Perhaps we should disband as well,” Celeste said. “There is not much to be gained staying here, no?”

“I’m going to go to the bath house if you all don’t mind!” Hifumi said while sweating.

“No, you’re not,” Kyoko said. “If you need to bathe, do it in your room.”

“She’s right,” Sakura said. “There is no reason for you to go into the bath house.”

“M-miss Kirigiri…! You don’t understand, I must bathe in the bath house!” Hifumi said in protest.

“Give it up, man,” Yasuhiro said. “They aren’t going to budge.”

“Didn’t know you were that desperate, Hifumi,” Junko commented. “That can’t be attractive at all.”

Makoto decided to leave the group to their arguing over Alter Ego.

“Mac!” Kiyondo yelled, catching up to Makoto easily. “How about we hang out since you have nothing better to fudgin’ do.”

“Huh...? Sure…” Makoto responded.

“Let’s head to my fudgin’ room then,” Kiyondo said as he grabbed Makoto and dragged him into Kiyotaka’s room.

Once they arrived Makoto decided to speak first, “You call this your room, but it’s technically Taka’s, right?”

“As if anything should belong to that weak dumbbutt,” Kiyondo responded.

“Huh…?” Makoto asked. “Taka wasn’t weak!”

“You don’t fudgin’ know because you don’t have his memories, dumbbutt,” Kiyondo said. “He couldn’t even fudgin’ confess to the guy he liked, or save ‘im either.”

“You’re talking about Mondo, right?”

“Of fudgin’ course,” Kiyondo said. “Who the heck else could I be talkin’ about?”

“N-no one,” Makoto responded quickly. “I just wanted to make sure…!”

“And you wanna know why?” Kiyondo asked, not looking for an answer. “Because of his stupid fudgin’ feelings for someone else!” “His feelings for someone else…? Kiyondo, I don’t understand…”

“So now I’m stuck fudgin’ dealing with it,” Kiyondo complained. “Ugh, Mac, it’s so dang hard.”

“I guess I can see why…?” Makoto said. “But if you like that person as well, why don’t you at least tell them your feelings…?”

“It’s not that fudgin’ easy,” Kiyondo said. “It’d feel like betrayal to my bro, and they already have people interested in them anyways.”

“Oh,” Makoto said, not knowing what to say. “Well I’m sure it’ll work out in the end!”

“What makes you so fudgin’ sure?”

“Despite how you act, you’re pretty nice!” Makoto said. “I’m sure anyone would be lucky to be with you or Taka.”

Kiyondo stared at Makoto, face starting to flush.

“How the heck can you say something like that?” Kiyondo asked. “You’re fudging with me, right?”

“N-no…?” Makoto answered, already putting his hand on his cheek. “I’m being serious Kiyondo, you’ve got a shot if you try it!”

“Ugh,” Kiyondo answered. “You’re just makin’ it fudgin’ worse, Mac.”

“H-huh…?!” Makoto yelled. “I didn’t mean to…!”

“Shouldn’t you be headin’ to your fudgin’ room by now?” Kiyondo asked, checking his watch. “It’s almost time for bed for all the good little boys and girls.”

“Hey! I’m not a little kid!” Makoto complained. “But you’re probably right, haha…”

“Make sure you don’t break any fudgin’ rules,” Kiyondo said as Makoto left Kiyotaka’s dorm.

Makoto made his way to his dorm just as Monokuma’s night time announcement began.

Here’s to a good night’s sleep. Makoto thought.

“Hello Makoto,” Sayaka’s voice said. “I see you’re back for another talk.”

“Sayaka…?” Makoto asked. “Why are we here…?”

“I’ve got a word of warning for you, Makoto,” Sayaka said. “Despite the fact that you don’t deserve it, another murder is soon to come.”

“H-huh…?!” Makoto yelled. “No, that’s wrong!”

“Do you really believe in your friends that much?” Sayaka asked. “It’s foolish, you know?”

“No, another murder won’t happen!” Makoto said. “That I can be sure of!”

“When it does happen,” Sayaka said. “Will you eagerly send another person to their execution as you’ve done before?”

“N-no… I didn’t mean for you…” Makoto began.

“Didn’t mean for me to die?” Sayaka interrupted. “God Makoto, you’re lying to a dead girl, how pathetic are you?”

“You knew what was going to happen to me,” Sayaka said. “And you still outed me anyway, you traitor.”

Makoto dropped to his knees and Sayaka bent down to make eye contact with him.

“You’re just as much of a murderer as I am.”

Makoto woke up with a start, clothes clinging uncomfortably to his body.

Makoto waited until the morning announcement played before going into his bathroom.

Leon’s body flickered into existence just as he turned on his bathroom’s light.

“Don’t mind me,” Leon’s corpse said. “This shouldn’t bother you at all.”

Makoto once again awoke with a scream in tune with Monokuma’s morning announcement.

When he went to his bathroom again, there was no body in it.

Slowly but surely he made his way to the cafeteria. Celeste, Kiyondo, Kyoko, and Sakura were already there.

“Makoto, you’re a bit late, no?” Celeste asked.

“Huh…? But not everyone is here yet,” Makoto responded.

“Yes, but this is later than your usual arrival,” Celeste said. “Did you get a good night’s sleep?”

“Um, sure…?” Makoto said. “I mean I did sleep all the way through.”

“Having a good night’s sleep doesn’t mean sleeping all the way through,” Sakura said. “It is rest for one’s body and mind.”

“Mac! If you aren’t well rested you won’t be fudgin’ performing at your best!” Kiyondo yelled.

“Oh,” Makoto said, putting his hand on his cheek. “Ahaha, I guess I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Still, Makoto isn’t the last person arriving,” Kyoko commented. “So perhaps we shouldn’t worry too much, yet.”

As the group in the cafeteria awkwardly conversed, they were only joined by one more person, Hifumi.

“Have you seen anyone else in the halls, Hifumi?” Sakura asked as Hifumi entered.

“I don’t believe so Miss Ogami!” Hifumi answered, slightly flushed.

“Why are you flustered, Hifumi?” Celeste asked. “You wouldn’t be doing anything odd, no?”

“Miss Ludenberg…! I have not been doing anything…!”

“He was probably in the bath house,” Kyoko said. “It seems he couldn’t stay away afterall.”

“That means Junko and Hiro are missing, no?” Celeste asked.

“To think they would just fudgin’ sleep through the meeting!” Kiyondo complained. “And Junk said she wanted to fudging replace me…!”

“Maybe we should investigate,” Sakura said. “I could see Hiro sleeping the morning meeting away, but Junko?”

“You don’t think…” Makoto began.

“We should be on guard,” Kyoko interrupted. “At the very least we should make sure of their locations.”

“Then we should check their fudgin’ rooms, right?!” Kiyondo yelled.

“That would be smart, no?” Celeste said.

The group first went to knock on Junko’s door. When they received no answer they decided to mash her doorbell.

“There’s no answer,” Kyoko noted. “I don’t think she could sleep through this.”

“Maybe she’s sleeping with Hiro…” Makoto mumbled.

“You really think those two would get together?” Celeste asked. “That would not be my bet at the very least.”

“Huh…? Maybe they’re staying in the same room…?” Makoto said.

“A boy and a girl sleepin’ together, Mac that’d be too fudgin’ unwholesome!” Kiyondo yelled.

“I don’t believe that’s what he meant,” Sakura said.

“I for one wouldn’t understand Mr. Hagakure’s tastes!” Hifumi said.

The group went for Yasuhiro’s room and once again received no answer.

“This isn’t good,” Kyoko said.

“You’re right!” Monokuma yelled as he appeared. “This isn’t looking good at all!”

“Why are you here, Monokuma?” Sakura asked.

“I’m here to give you a hint!” Monokuma said. “Aren’t I nice? Don’t answer that, I already know I am…!”

“Just give us our fudgin’ hint you stupid bear…!” Kiyondo complained.

“If you’re so curious about the location of your friends bear-haps you should check the third floor!” Monokuma said before vanishing.

“There’s nothing left to do,” Kyoko said. “We must check the third floor.”

Makoto felt nothing but dread as he followed the group up to the third floor.

“I cannot help but feel a sense of foreboding,” Celeste said. “This all feels too familiar, deja-vu, no?”

“I’m sure everything is okay…!” Makoto answered. “It has to be!”

“Very little things are going according to plan,” Celeste said. “Perhaps we should expect the worst, no?”

When Makoto stared at the rec-room’s door, he already knew what was going to happen. While his classmates were checking the two classrooms, Makoto hesitantly opened the rec-room door.

At first when Makoto entered, things looked normal but when Makoto looked to his right he saw Junko’s body hanging on the wall.

With nothing left to do, Makoto screamed and the waking nightmare began again.

Quickly the rest of the group ran into the room and shortly after Monokuma’s body discovery announcement played.

“Miss Enoshima!” Hifumi yelled. “She’s hanging on the wall…!”

“This is... interesting,” Celeste said. “I have the feeling I’ve seen this body set up before…”

“I believe you’re right,” Sakura said. “This looks to be the work of Genocide Jack.”

“Genocide Jack is here…?” Makoto asked softly. “And he went after Junko…?”

“Apparently,” Kyoko said. “I suppose we should begin our investigation.”

“Mac, you’re not looking too good,” Kiyondo noted. “Are you sure you’re fudging up for it?”

“I don’t have a choice,” Makoto admitted. “But I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Kiyondo nodded, not looking too convinced. “Then we better get fudgin’ on with it, right?!”

The investigation began, not unlike the one’s previous. As Makoto approached Junko’s corpse, he could feel tears begin to well up in his eyes.

“Wait wait wait…!” Monokuma yelled, appearing from the ground. ”Ya can’t start an investigation without a Monokuma file!”

“Just give it to us, bear,” Kyoko said. “We don’t have time for your usual antics.”

“Aren’t you in a bad mood today,” Monokuma commented. “I can bear-ly believe the lack of respect I get around here…!”

“Well you better learn to believe it,” Kyoko said, looking at Junko’s body. “If you don’t have anything else to say, you should just leave.”

Monokuma pouted silently, leaving after he gave everyone a Monokuma file.

“I suppose we best start investigating, no?” Celeste said. “It seems we do not have much time to waste.”

“Let us assume that the others will come soon,” Sakura said. “They have heard the body discovery announcement.”

“Assuming no one else has died, that is,” Celeste cut in. “After all, apparently a serial killer is on the loose.”

“We know the Blackened has a limit,” Kyoko said. “Monokuma has told us that much.”

“So we can’t assume that they’re dead… right?” Makoto asked, scratching his cheek.

“Mac’s right!” Kiyondo yelled. “We can’t assume that they’re fudgin’ dead so ya better not!”

“Hm, perhaps that is the best attitude to have,” Sakura said. “Assuming the worst only gets you hurt.”

“But it doesn’t matter…!” Hifumi stammered. “We already know Miss Enoshima is dead so what’s the point…?!”

Makoto recoiled at the announcement of Junko’s death, still not coming to terms with it. Kiyondo also stiffened, although for a different reason.

“You don’t have to rub it in Mac’s face y’know!” Kiyondo yelled. “You’re a fudgin’ buttface right now!”

“H-huh…?” Hifumi squealed. “I’m not rubbing anything into Mr. Naegi’s face!”

“Guys,” Makoto interjected. “Can we just start investigating…?”

Kiyondo immediately stopped whatever he was about to say, nodding quickly before responding, “Of fudgin’ course, Mac!”

“Makoto,” Kyoko said, looking away from Junko’s body. “Perhaps you should look at the Monokuma file first.”

Makoto frowned, taking one more glance at Junko’s body. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

Kyoko stared at him, frowning ever so slightly. “Call me if you find anything useful in it.”

Makoto nodded before he turned around and took a glance at the Monokuma file.

“It doesn’t say her cause of death,” Makoto mumbled, staring at the Monokuma file. “Although it does say she has a cut on her right arm.”

“What do ya think that means, Mac?” Kiyondo asked, looking over his shoulder.

“No clue,” Makoto admitted. “But it has to have some importance if Monokuma pointed it out.”

“Yeah,” Kiyondo agreed. “But what the heck could that fudgin’ cut even mean?”

“Maybe it was a sign of struggle?” Makoto said, turning the Monokuma file off. “But we won’t find anything else out without investigating this place.”

“Then let’s get to it, Mac!”

Makoto and Kiyondo made their way to Junko’s dead body. Kyoko was looking over the corpse with a strange look on her face.

“That’s odd,” Kyoko mumbled to herself, staring at Junko’s hair.

“Kyoko?” Makoto asked. “Is there something wrong with Junko?”

Kyoko turned around, “Has Junko ever mentioned something about her hair?”

“Huh…?” Makoto asked, looking up at Junko’s hair. “No, I don’t think so. Why?”

“Her hair,” Kyoko said as she reached up to grab one of Junko’s twin tails before pulling it all off, “is a wig.”

Junko’s natural hair was a short black bob and both Makoto and Kiyondo were shocked into silence.

“She was wearin’ a fudgin’ wig this whole time…?!” Kiyondo finally yelled, staring at Junko’s body in shock.

“That isn’t the only thing fake about her,” Kyoko said. “Her nails are also glue-on instead of a manicure.”

“I mean… at least that makes a little sense,” Makoto said, shaking himself out of his stupor. “Manicures are hard to maintain right…?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Kyoko responded. “But other than an injury on her right arm her body seems to be in perfect shape.”

“Speaking of that cut…” Makoto began, looking at Junko’s body. “There’s no cause of death mentioned, but the cut is. Could that be her cause of death?”

“No,” Kyoko said quickly. “There wouldn’t have been enough blood loss caused by this cut. Whatever killed her didn’t leave a mark on her body.”

“Then what the fudge is the cut for?” Kiyondo asked. “If it didn’t do her in, what the heck is the point?”

“I don’t know,” Kyoko admitted. “But I do believe that her arm was cut after the murder rather than before.”

“Huh…?” Makoto asked. “What makes you say that?”

“Just a feeling.”

Before the three could talk more, the door opened once more and in came Byakuya with Toko trailing after him.

“Did none of you plebeians think to notify me of another body?” Byakuya asked, staring at the group in disgust.

“We assumed your ears were working,” Celeste replied. “We will not make the same mistake again.” “D-don’t insult Master like that,” Toko hissed behind Byakuya. “He has the b-best ears in the w-whole world…!”

“Oh Toko, I didn’t realize you were here,” Celeste said. “Why are you hiding behind Byakuya anyway?”

“I-I’m not hiding…!” Toko responded, peering out from behind Byakuya. Before she could say anything else, her eyes caught on Junko Enoshima’s dead body.

Then she fainted.

“H-huh…?!” Makoto yelled as Toko’s body hit the floor with a loud bump. “Did she just faint…?” “Tch,” Byakuya said. “Of course she would.”

“Interesting,” Celeste said. “I suppose she couldn’t handle this murder, no?”

“Miss Fukawa...!” Hifumi yelled. “Maybe that fall will teach her to appreciate manga!”

“Is that really all you can think of right now?” Sakura asked. “How shameful.”

“She can explain herself when she wakes up,” Byakuya said, glaring at Toko’s unconscious body. “For now I have investigating to do, so stay out of my way.”

“Is it really okay to leave her alone like that?” Makoto asked, staring at Toko worriedly.

“She’s gonna be fudgin’ fine, Mac.” Kiyondo said confidently. “But if there’s anything that rich buttface is right about, it is about investigating.”

”You’re right,” Makoto said, looking around the rec room. “There’s nothing else to do until she wakes up.”

“That’s the fudgin’ spirit, Mac!” Kiyondo cheered. “We’ll have this case solved in fudgin’ no time!”

Why does he keep calling me “Mac”...? Makoto thought. It’s kinda… annoying…

“Alright, so let’s look around the room,” Makoto said. “Anything that catches our eyes is probably important.”

Makoto and Kiyondo decided to look at Junko’s body once again. The sooner they got it over with the better.

“Of course the model would be unnatural,” Byakuya muttered, looking over Junko’s body with disgust.

“Hey…!” Makoto said, glaring up at Byakuya. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m talking about her wig and nails,” Byakuya said. “It should’ve been obvious that the ‘Ultimate Fashionista’ was fake from the very beginning.”

“There’s no fudgin’ reason for you to judge her just because of her fashion choices!” Kiyondo yelled. “She still tried harder than you did, anyway.”

“Tch,” Byakuya said, finally looking down to sneer at Kiyondo and Makoto. “I thought you didn’t like Junko anyway, pleb.”

“Just because she was fudgin’ annoying doesn’t mean she didn’t work for her talent,” Kiyondo said, defending himself. “You’ve got everything handed to you on a silver fudgin’ platter.”

“You absolute idiot of a commoner, you don’t even understand half of what I went through to get my title as the Togami heir,” Byakuya began, face contorting in anger. “I was born-”

“Byakuya,” Makoto interrupted, “I’m sure what you have to say is important… but we kind of have a murder to solve.” “Tch,” Byakuya said, looking away. “It’s not like you idiots would understand anyway.”

Makoto frowned, taking his gaze off of Byakuya and turning it to Junko’s dead body. Seeing her without a wig and a few of her nails was odd.

But he wasn’t sure he disliked how the real Junko looked.

Well, it wasn’t like it mattered anymore.

She was dead, no matter what she looked like.

I’m sorry Junko, Makoto thought. I’ll get to the bottom of this for you!

“Come on Mac, cheer up!” Kiyondo yelled, startling Makoto out of his thoughts. “The sooner we get to the fudgin’ bottom of this, the better!”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Makoto agreed, trying to summon some of his usual enthusiasm.

“Hey.. speaking of things that we need to get to the bottom of,” Makoto said looking up at Junko’s corpse. “She’s hanging… by some sort of rope, right?”

“Actually I’d bet that they’re holiday lights or whatever the heck,” Kiyondo said. “They definitely look just as obnoxious.”

“You’re right…” Makoto muttered. “They kinda look like the christmas lights the stores would sell in bulk.”

“I wonder why she’s hung up like this though,” Kiyondo said, softer than his normal tone. “It’s weird as all heck.”

“Maybe it has something to do with Genocide’s Jack MO…” Makoto said. “Although I wouldn’t know much about it…”

“Well, it’s probably worth fudgin’ remembering.”

Makoto nodded, staring at the holiday lights for a moment longer.

The bright colors of the holiday lights made Makoto feel sick. Holiday cheer was far from Makoto’s mind as Junko’s corpse hung weakly above.

Makoto couldn’t focus on Junko for too long. He didn’t want to get distracted.

“Alright,” Makoto said weakly. “Maybe we should check on what she’s hanging from…?”

“Good fudgin’ idea, Mac!”

Makoto and Kiyondo went to different sides, Makoto went to the side where Junko’s body was hanging from the Dart Board Arcade Machine.

Whoever hung her up took great care to make sure the holiday lights wouldn’t untie.

At least Makoto could confirm that it was done by an expert.

Not that it made him feel any better.

“Hey, Mac, I think you should come see this!” Kiyondo yelled and Makoto quickly rushed to Kiyondo.

“Huh…?” Makoto asked, looking to where Kiyondo was gesturing.

Embedded into the wall was a knife, although Makoto couldn’t see all the blade fully he noticed some ridges in the blade.

“Is this a knife from a kitchen…?” Makoto asked, tilting his head confusedly.

“No you fudgin’ idiot, it’s a hunting knife,” Kiyondo corrected, staring at the knife intensely. “Why the fudge would one of these damn things be here, it’s unsafe as heck!”

“Where would someone even get one…?” Makoto asked. “It’s not like anyone would be hunting right…?”

“Maybe the fudgin’ Mastermind gave it to ‘em,” Kiyondo suggested. “They’d probably help any friggin’ criminal activity…!”

“I don’t know…” Makoto mumbled. “Would the Mastermind give a weapon that didn’t even get used?”

“Fudge, that is a good point, Mac,” Kiyondo said. “But where the heck did they get this damn knife then?!”

“Hm…” Makoto said, putting his hand on his chin. “We can’t be sure, but we should keep this in mind.”

“Yeah, you’re probably fudgin’ right.” Kiyondo said. “So, any other places to check?” “We should just look around the room,” Makoto suggested. “It’d probably be better if we split up, as well.”

“Alright Mac, but as soon as you fudgin’ find anything you better call for me!” Kiyondo commanded. “I’ll do the same for you, got it?!”

“Alright…” Makoto said, putting his hand on his cheek to scratch it.

I guess all of Taka isn’t gone yet, huh…? Makoto thought.

Makoto wandered to where Sakura and Hifumi were standing, seemingly standing guard.

“Hey, Hifumi…?” Makoto began, causing said male to turn over to him.

“Ah, Mr. Naegi!” Hifumi said loudly. “Do you have any questions for me?” “Yeah,” Makoto said, “do you have any information about the blackened?”

“Well of course,” Hifumi said, voice going deeper. “They are a murderous fiend! A serial killer killing such a lady like Miss. Enoshima…”

Before Makoto could say anything else, Hifumi quickly corrected himself. “Not that I’m into 3D or anything, Mr. Naegi!”

So… he doesn’t have anything to say... Makoto thought.

“Sakura…” Makoto began. “Do you have any information about the blackened?”

“Perhaps not about the blackened themselves,” Sakura said. “But I do have information on Junko, or at least how she had been acting before her murder.”

“H-huh…? Junko acting weird…?” Makoto said, excited to hear anything about Junko. “Could you tell me anything about her behavior?”

“She seemed very nervous,” Sakura said, beginning to explain. “She came to me for advice before telling me that it wasn’t that important.”

“She came to you for advice…?” Makoto asked. “When did that happen?”

“Perhaps a day or so after the last class trial,” Sakura said. “Perhaps she thought it was too inconsiderate considering the events…”

That’s right, Makoto thought. Sakura was close to Hina… right?

“I’m sorry about Hina,” Makoto said. “And thanks for the information Sakura.”

“Don’t mention it,” Sakura said simply.

“Hey, Mac!” Kiyondo yelled, causing Makoto to turn his head over to where Kiyondo was in the rec room. “There’s another fudgin’ thing you need to see over here!”

Makoto made his way to where Kiyondo was standing only to be stopped by Kiyondo’s hand.

“You have to be fudgin’ careful where you stand, Mac,” Kiyondo said. “There’s glass shards from a teacup over here, so you better be friggin’ careful.”

“A teacup…?” Makoto asked, staring at the remains of said teacup. “Why would this be here…?”

“Someone was obviously fudgin’ drinking here, Mac,” Kiyondo said. “It��s obvious as heck you dumbbutt…!”

Yeah, I know that, Makoto thought. I mean, what’s the importance of it being here…?

“I mean,” Makoto said, beginning to explain himself. “Why would-”

Before Makoto could continue, a low groaning noise was heard. When Makoto looked over, he could see that Toko was trying to make her way back up.

“Toko…?” Makoto asked, starting to make his way to where she was. “Are you alright?”

“Huh…? Some random stranger...?” Toko asked, staring at Makoto with her tongue out. “Why are you here and what’s it to ya?”

“You just passed out,” Makoto said. “Are you sure you’re alright…?”

“Well, aren’t you just the shining example of a gentleman, ?” Toko asked. “Oh it makes me just feel like a woman!”

“I hate to interrupt this conversation,” Celeste said coolly. “But I just heard an odd noise from the physics lab and it’s best to investigate that, no?”

“As long as it keeps me away from her,” Byakuya said, glaring at Toko’s direction. “Then I don’t see why I shouldn’t at least investigate it.”

“I see you are very keen on her,” Celeste joked. “But I am glad even you see the importance of investigating everything.”

“Tch,” Byakuya simply said, walking out of the room with long strides.

Kiyondo made his way to Makoto soon after Byakuya left, staring at Toko worriedly.

“We’ve gotta fudgin’ investigate that room, right?” Kiyondo asked. “But should we really leave her like this…?”

“I mean, we can take her with us,” Makoto said. “And then after we’ll take her to the nurse or something…?” “Good fudgin’ idea, Mac!”

“Hey, why are you talking about me like I’m not here…?!” Toko complained, crossing her arms. “That’s very rude of ya, y’know.”

“We’re not meanin’ to be fudgin’ mean you know!” Kiyondo said, glaring at Toko. “You’ve just been acting crazy as heck!”

“Well--!” Toko said, about to retaliate, only to be interrupted by Makoto.

“Hey guys…” Makoto said, putting his hands between them. “Maybe we should just investigate…”

“I guess you’re fudgin’ right, Mac,” Kiyondo said, still glaring at Toko. “Let’s just get this damn investigation over with.”

Makoto nodded, leading both Toko and Kiyondo into the hallway.

“Woah, is this Hope’s Peak?” Toko asked, eyes lighting up for a moment in a reddish-color. “Damn this place got a makeover!”

“We’ve been in Hope’s Peak for a while,” Makoto said. “Do you really not remember that?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know, average looking stranger?” Toko rebutted.

“Hey, don’t fudgin’ insult Mac’s looks!” Kiyondo barked, getting all fired up again.

“Woah, is this some real Boys’ Love?” Toko asked. “What are you going to do, defend your boyfriend?”

“Boyfriend…?! What the heck are you talking about?”

“It’s totally obvious you two have the hots for each other…!” Toko wheezed. “What an interesting pair-”

“We’re going in,” Makoto said, interrupting Toko before she could go on a tangent.

What’s gotten into her…? Makoto thought as he entered the physics lab. Did she really hit her head that hard?

When Makoto entered the room, he saw Yasuhiro on the floor with Celeste and Byakuya.

Another person dead…? Makoto thought. I can’t… why…? Why would this happen?

Makoto waited for the body discovery announcement to play, waited for hell to begin once more.

A drop, before someone spoke.

“Well I suppose he is not dead,” Celeste said. “After all, we haven’t heard the body discovery announcement, no?”

“Huh…?” Makoto mumbled. “You’re right…” “He couldn’t be fudgin’ sleeping here either,” Kiyondo said. “It’s against the damn rules!”

“Hohoh…? Hope’s Peak Academy has some strange rules.” Toko said.

“Tch,” Byakuya said. “Why did you bring her here?”

“We couldn’t just leave her…?” Makoto said, scratching his cheek.

Byakuya glared at him, but didn’t say anything else.

If looks could kill… Makoto thought. Jeez, that guy would have killed everyone by this point...

“So what are we going to do about Hiro…?” Makoto said, trying to ignore Byakuya’s glare. “I mean, we can’t just leave him here, right?”

“Does anyone find it odd that he’s knocked out here?” Celeste said, tilting her head slightly. “It’s a bit too close to the body, no?”

“We won’t be able to find out anything until he wakes the fudge up!” Kiyondo said.

“Tch,” Byakuya glared. “Do you have any ideas on how to wake this idiot up?”

“Maybe we could pour water on him…?” Makoto offered. “I think that’d wake him up.”

“Good idea, Mac!” Kiyondo said. “I’ll be right fudgin’ back with the water.”

Kiyondo quickly left the room without flat out running, leaving the room a lot more silent.

“He seemed very eager to fulfill your wishes Makoto,” Celeste noted, a slight smile on her face. “There isn’t something more going on between you two, no?”

“Something more going on…?” Makoto asked, scratching his cheek. “I… don’t know what you mean.”

“Of course you don’t,” Byakuya said. “You’re too stupid to catch onto any subtext.”

“Subtext…?” Makoto said. “I really don't understand this at all.”

“Oh,” Toko said, sneering slightly. “You’re the oblivious protagonist then?”

Before Makoto could express his confusion again, Kiyondo burst into the room with a bucket of water.

“Alright, let’s wake this child born of wedlock up before he breaks any more damn rules!” Kiyondo yelled, spilling some of the water in the process.

“If we’re going to wake him up, we’re going to actually need some water,” Byakuya sneered. “Unless you want to go grab another bucket.”

“Let’s not fight, everyone,” Celeste interrupted. “We must discover what brought Hiro here before we devolve into petty squabbling.”

“Fine,” Byakuya said, “but let’s make this quick.”

Kiyondo carefully came over to Yasuhiro, making sure not to spill any more water before he reached his target.

With little to no warning, Kiyondo poured the bucket of water all over Yasuhiro.

Everyone stared, waiting for a reaction.

There was none.

“Is he actually dead…?” Makoto asked, staring at Yasuhiro worriedly. “There’s no way he didn’t wake up due to that, right?”

“It seems that he’s immune to one bucket,” Celeste said. “Perhaps we should try another.”

“That’s the only fudgin’ course of action,” Kiyondo said. “I’ll be right back.”

Kiyondo was off again and the group decided to converse in the meantime.

“Why do you think he’s here?” Celeste asked. “It seems like an odd place to be, no?”

“In the room near the body?” Makoto asked. “Maybe the blackened disposed of him here?”

“Are we so sure he isn’t the blackened?” Celeste asked. “We cannot deny the possibility, no?”

“There’s no point in discussing this until the idiot wakes up,” Byakuya said. “So if you could keep your useless discussion to a minimum-”

Kiyondo burst into the room, or as well as he could with two buckets full of water in his hands.

“That fudgin’ dumbbutt isn’t going to be able to sleep through this!” Kiyondo yelled.

“How did you carry those two up without spilling…?” Makoto asked, moving out of Kiyondo’s way so as to not get hit with water.

“It’s obvious he’s super strong,” Toko said. “Doesn’t that get you all excited…?”

“Shut up,” Byakuya said before Makoto could even begin to question what she meant.

Kiyondo poured the second bucket of water on Yasuhiro. Unlike the first time, there was a bit of an effect.

“At least he twitched…?” Makoto offered, scratching at his cheek. “But this does seem to be a bit… pointless.”

“We’re not throwing the damn towel in yet!” Kiyondo yelled. “We’ve still got one more fudgin’ empty bucket and plenty more to fill up.”

“We don’t have the time for trying to wake this idiot up,” Byakuya said. “You get one more attempt before we just leave him here.”

“Well then this attempt I’ll be sure to fudgin’ wake him up!” Kiyondo yelled, all fired up.

Unlike his previous attempts of just dumping the bucket onto Yasuhiro, Kiyondo got into a more throwing like position.

When Kiyondo did throw the bucket, some of the contents did hit Yasuhiro.

Unfortunately, the majority of its’ contents happened to hit Byakuya.

“You idiot…!” Byakuya yelled, glaring at Kiyondo with more emotion than he had ever shown before. “I’ll have you know my outfit is worth more than your damn life!”

“Well maybe you shouldn’t have been in my damn way when I was trying to wake Hiro up!” Kiyondo said. “It’s not my fudgin’ fault you’re always trying to stand in the center of attention!”

“A Togami is always supposed to be center stage,” Byakuya hissed. “Although an Ishimaru like yourself would never understand.”

“I’m not a fudgin’ Ishimaru,” Kiyondo yelled, somehow rising in volume. “Don’t ever compare me to him!”

“Oh? You’re not an Ishimaru?” Byakuya asked. “Despite what you try to delude yourself into believing, you are still very much the failure that is named Kiyotaka Ishimaru.”

“Guys…” Makoto said, tone pleading. “Can we save this until after the class trial…?”

“Huh…?” Yasuhiro murmured, slowly waking up to the fight in front of him. “What are you guys all doing in my room…?”

“Shut up!” Both Kiyondo and Byakuya yelled, causing Yasuhiro to put his hands over his face.

“Please don’t hurt me!” Yasuhiro cried.

As Kiyondo and Byakuya continued their arguing, Makoto went over to the still shaking Yasuhiro.

“Hey, uh, Hiro, you do realize this isn’t your room, right?” Makoto said, staring worriedly at the man. “Do you know how you got here…?”

“Huh…? It isn’t?” Yasuhiro asked. “So you’re telling me that they didn’t break into my room and they aren’t going to kill me?” “Yeah,” Makoto said, scratching his cheek. “If they’re going to kill anyone… it’ll probably be each other.”

“Oh, well that’s reassuring!” Yasuhiro said, smiling brightly. “Although… that doesn’t explain why I’m all wet.”

“Well um, I was hoping you could explain at least something about this situation…” Makoto said. “Currently, it doesn’t really make sense why you’re here.”

“Ask away, Makoto!”

“So, why did you come to the Physics Lab?”

“That’s easy…!” Yasuhiro said, pausing for a moment. “I’m… pretty sure I got a note.”

“A note?” Makoto asked. “What did the note say?”

“It was just telling me to meet someone in the Physics Lab early in the morning,” Yasuhiro said. “Weird, huh?”

“Do you still have the note with you?”

“Huh…? Let me check.” Yasuhiro said, padding his wet clothes for any note. After a minute he seems satisfied with the results of his search.

“Sorry Makoto, seems like it’s gone now.” Yasuhiro said. “It’s not like it was important right…?”

“About that…” Makoto said, trailing off. “There’s been another murder and… that note could’ve been important.”

“Another murder…?!” Yasuhiro yelled. “Don’t tell me you did it, Makoto!”

“Huh…?! No way!” Makoto said. “I’m just… trying to figure out how you got here.”

“Oh yeah, I never finished the story, did I?” Yasuhiro said. “So after I came here, I must’ve got hit with something because I don’t remember anything afterwards!”

“Someone… hit you?!” Makoto said, practically yelling. “And you didn’t think to mention this at all?”

“I was getting to it eventually!” Yasuhiro said, scratching at his nose. “You can’t rush a story, Makoto.”

“That’s a pretty important detail to mention, Hiro!”

“You still haven’t even explained why I’m all wet!”

“That’s because Kiyondo splashed you with water to wake you up…” Makoto said, scratching his cheek.

Just ignore that it took three buckets and an angry Byakuya, Makoto thought. But at least Hiro is up…?

“Ah Yasuhiro,” Celeste said, walking up to Makoto and Yasuhiro. “It is good to see you back up, yes?”

“Yeah… but apparently I’ve missed a lot, huh?” Yasuhiro asked, scratching his head. “Apparently there’s been a whole murder.”

“You don’t seem very shocked by this revelation,” Celeste noted. “Could you have already known?” “Hey… are you implying…” Makoto said, as Celeste smiled innocently at him.

“Like I said before, we cannot ignore that this is very suspicious,” Celeste said. “Perhaps if he could give us a reason to trust him then I’d be less suspicious.”

“Hey, don’t be mean…!” Yasuhiro said. “There’s no way I could murder anyone!”

“That is what we thought about the last two blackeneds,” Celeste said. “It turns out we were sorely mistaken, no?”

Makoto frowned. Although he didn’t want to be suspicious of Yasuhiro, Celeste wasn’t exactly wrong.

He’s claiming something that we can’t exactly prove… Makoto thought. But is he smart enough to come up with a plan like that?

“We’ll get to the bottom of this in no time,” Makoto said, finally. “If Yasuhiro really is the blackened we’ll figure that out.”

“Oh…?” Celeste said. “You truly do not believe he is the blackened then?”

“I’m not sure…” Makoto admitted. “But we shouldn’t distrust him until we have more evidence.”

“Thanks, Makoto!” Yasuhiro said. “I’ll make sure to prove myself innocent!”

I think the blackened would especially want to prove themselves innocent, Hiro, Makoto thought. But it’s the thought that counts, right?

“Are you fudgin’ done here, Mac?” Kiyondo asked. “That rich son of a gun is too fudgin’ annoying to stay here any longer.”

“Plus, we still have to take Toko to the nurse’s office since she’s acting like a fudgin’ freak.”

“Oh yeah,” Makoto said. “I don’t think there’s anything else here, no.”

“Then let’s fudgin’ go!” Kiyondo yelled, grabbing Makoto and dragging him over to Toko.

“Ooh, getting handsy with your boyfriend huh…?” Toko asked. “This is getting so X-rated…!”

“Shut up, you’re coming with us you fudgin’ freak,” Kiyondo said, as he dragged Makoto out of the physics lab.

Surprisingly, Toko followed, murmuring something about ‘Boy’s Love in live-action’.

“Kiyondo, why are you dragging me?!” Makoto complained. “I can walk on my own you know…!”

“That fudgin’ rich brat, who does he think he is?!” Kiyondo fumed, ignoring Makoto entirely. “Think that he's so high and mighty and so much fudgin’ better for you!”

“Better for me…? Kiyondo, what’s going on?!”

“Ooh, so the white haired one gets super jealous, huh…?” Toko drooled. “Interesting, very interesting.”

With Kiyondo fuming and Toko drooling, Makoto was very confused as the three of them made their way to the nurse’s office.

Finally able to detach himself from Kiyondo’s vice grip, Makoto looked at the nurse’s office warily.

What are we supposed to treat Toko with…? Makoto thought. We can’t exactly cure her new-found behavior with an ice pack, right?

“Um, Toko,” Makoto began, “do you have a headache or anything…?”

“A headache…? How could I have a headache with some real Boy’s Love happening right in front of me…?” Toko responded. “I’m a real connoisseur of that, y’know.”

“Yeah, right…” Makoto said.

This situation couldn’t get any worse, Makoto thought. Or… at least I hope it can’t.

“Well, since we have no clue what the heck is wrong with you,” Kiyondo said, walking over to the refrigerator. “We’re just gonna give you a fudgin’ ice pack.”

Kiyondo opened the refrigerator and quickly grabbed an ice pack. He examined it for any holes before walking it back to Toko.

“Well, that’s all we fudgin’ came here for, right?” Kiyondo asked. “We can leave this damn place, right?”

“I’m not so sure…” Makoto said, looking over the room. “Since we’re investigating, shouldn’t we just investigate this room to be safe?”

“That’s right, Mac!” Kiyondo yelled. “We’re still investigating a murder so we should take every fudgin’ precaution known to man!”

“Am I supposed to help you with your investigation?” Toko asked, looking particularly dead. “Because that’s like super lame.”

“No, you should just work on getting better…” Makoto said.

Makoto went to the left side of the room, examining the beds to see if anything was hidden.

Kiyondo’s side bid a bit more usefulness as he was quick to call Makoto over.

“Hey Mac, there’s something odd you need to see over here.” Kiyondo said, staring at an opened gray cabinet.

“Huh…? What do you mean?” Makoto asked, making his way over to where Kiyondo was standing.

The gray cabinet in and of itself was usually ordinary, although Makoto couldn’t be completely sure about that as he was only in the office once.

“It’s just an ordinary cabinet…?” Makoto asked, tilting his head to try to see better. “I don’t see anything too weird about it.”

“No you fudgin’ dumbbutt you have to look inside the cabinet,” Kiyondo said, reaching inside and pulling out a mallet. “This dangerous thing was just lurking inside waiting to wack another fudgin’ innocent victim!”

“Another victim…?” Makoto asked. “What do you mean?”

“Damn Mac, you really need to learn to pay attention!” Kiyondo scolded. “There’s a bit of fudgin’ blood on the mallet, you damn dumbbutt!”

“H-huh…?” Makoto said, grabbing the mallet from Kiyondo and putting up to his eye.

Sure enough there was a bit of blood on the mallet, but from where…? “Hey, I hate to break your precious moment, but…” Toko interrupted in a sing-songy voice. “Can I just go to my room and rest there, it’s getting super boring just waiting here!”

“Oh yeah, right,” Makoto said. “You should probably rest before the class trial.”

After one more quick-glance around the nurse’s office the trio left to bring Toko back to her room to rest.

Hopefully she can just sleep off whatever happened to her, Makoto thought. Although something tells me I shouldn’t get my hopes up that much…

Once the trio made their way back to the dorms, Toko cheerfully entered her room.

“Remember, don’t kiss without me watching,” Toko said, smiling. “Or else I’ll have to punish you two, alright?”

“K-kiss…?!” Makoto stuttered. “I don’t-”

“Don’t fudgin’ tease us like that!” Kiyondo said, interrupting Makoto.

“Ugh,” a familiar voice groaned, and Makoto could already feel the glare piercing through his head. “What are you two doing here?”

Makoto turned around to meet Byakuya’s glare, smiling politely at him. “We just came here to drop off Toko.”

“Tch,” Byakuya sneered. “Why do you waste time with that shut-in?”

“Because Mac doesn’t fudgin’ judge people like you do, rich brat!” Kiyondo yelled, glaring daggers at Byakuya.

“Shut up,” Byakuya said. “We had this argument before and I won’t bother with it again.”

“Since I found you here anyway Makoto,” Byakyua continued, ignoring Kiyondo’s glare. “There’s something I need to show you, I believe it to be pertinent to the class trial.”

“‘Something important’...?” Makoto echoed. “What do you mean?”

“I’d rather show you alone, Makoto,” Byakuya said, glaring at Kiyondo.

“There’s no fudgin’ way I’m leaving you alone with Mac!” Kiyondo hissed. “Not after what you fudgin’ said to me.”

“Of course you would be so narrow minded,” Byakuya said. “But if you’re going to insist, you might as well come to.”

“Where are we going, exactly…?” Makoto asked, scratching his cheek.

“To the library’s archive, obviously,” Byakyuya said, turning heel and walking towards the second floor’s stairs.

“I guess we should follow him, then?” Makoto asked Kiyondo.

“Be on your fudgin’ guard, Mac.” is all Kiyondo responded with.

As the two followed Byakuya with a careful distance to the library, Makoto could practically feel the tension strangle him.

That fight that they had… what could it have been about…? Makoto thought. And why are they still so angry about it…?

“Before we go into the archive,” Byakuya began suddenly, “be careful with these documents, they’re worth more than your lives.”

“A-alright…” Makoto said, scratching his cheek for comfort.

“Just shut the fudge up and show us what you wanted to show us,” Kiyondo yelled.

Byakuya glared, but surprisingly bit down any rebuttal he had. Leading both Makoto and Kiyondo into the archive, he closed the door behind them.

“You both know of the serial killer Genocide Jack, correct?” Byakuya asked as he grabbed a document.

“Of course,” Makoto answered. “Even if you ignore the fact that they might be the blackened… their murders were a big thing.”

“Well, the school’s archive has the case file for Genocide Jack’s murders,” Byakuya said, dropping a large file in front of Makoto and Kiyondo. “I however have already read these files since the Togami-”

“Yeah yeah, we fudgin’ get it,” Kiyondo interrupted. “Come on Mac, let’s just read these damn files already.”

Makoto nodded, opening the large case file.

If Makoto had seen the images of Jack’s victims earlier he probably would’ve been disgusted. But now, four murders in, he could barely feel anything at all.

The case file talked about the victims Ken Harada, Tetsuhiro Honda and Shoji Gaku. All of them died in similar fashions.

Along with the victims, the case file also speculated that the killer was a high school student suffering from a split personality.

“That’s… a lot to take in,” Makoto said. “I guess we’re dealing with an experienced killer, huh?”

“Don’t fudgin’ worry, Mac!” Kiyondo said. “We’ll figure this out in no time!”

“Tch,” Byakuya said. “Your optimism is naïve at best.”

“Shut the fudge up!” Kiyondo yelled. “You can’t fudgin’ buy your way out of this.”

“I already know who the blackened is,” Byakuya said, smirking as he grabbed the case file. “But of course you two idiots haven’t figured it out yet.”

“H-huh…?! You know who the blackened is?!” Makoto yelled.

“H-he’s probably just bluffing, you know like the hecking dumbbutt he is…!”

“You can believe what you want to believe,” Byakuya said. “Now get out of my sight, I have nothing more to share with you.”

Makoto didn’t want to argue so before Kiyondo and Byakuya could begin to act on the tension that was growing in the room, Makoto grabbed Kiyondo and pulled him out to the hall.

“Mac, what the heck did you do that for?!” Kiyondo complained. “I was just about to put that rich brat in his damned place!”

“You can’t just keep fighting with him,” Makoto said, trying to stress the importance of keeping the peace.

Before Makoto could begin to scold Kiyondo for his behavior, much like Kiyotaka would ironically, the school’s speakers flared to life.

“A-hem!” Monokuma’s grating voice began, and although Makoto couldn’t see the bear smiling, it was obvious he was. “The investigation period is now over! If all my lovely students could head on to the elevator to begin the class trial, that would be very appreciated!”

“And by appreciated I mean required!” Monokuma added. “Ta-ta!”

“I guess it’s time to figure out who killed… Junko…” Makoto muttered, suddenly reminded about this trial’s victim.

“You’ll get justice for her, I promise you that, Mac!” Kiyondo said, smiling.

I want to believe you, Kiyondo, Makoto thought. But… justice won’t bring her back, will it?

Kiyondo and Makoto made their way to the class trial elevator, everyone except Byakuya and Toko were there waiting.

“I suppose this class trial will be pretty cut and dry, no?” Celeste asked the group as she looked at her nails. “This blackened practically handed it to us.”

“Are you really so sure of that?” Kyoko asked. “Very little is as it seems in this school.”

“Ah, Kyoko,” Celeste said smiling. “Isn’t it better to be positive about this sort of thing?”

“I have to agree with Miss. Ludenberg!” Hifumi said, pumping his hand up. “The way she explained things made it very clear.”

“So you two have been discussing this case then?” Sakura asked.

“Is that so wrong?” Celeste asked. “I did want to get a second opinion before I made any theories.”

“No,” Sakura said. “It was just a question.”

After a short period of silence, Byakuya entered the elevator.

“When is this elevator going to begin moving?” Byakuya complained. “I don’t have all day.”

“We’re all on the same schedule, are we not?” Celeste asked. “I do not know why you are complaining.”

“I’m glad you’re all worried about the class trial starting on time!” Monokuma cheered, appearing out of nowhere. “Worry no longer, because this elevator is starting to move down now!”

Before anyone could tell the bear that Toko was missing the elevator’s doors closed and began its slow descent downwards.

Is anyone going to tell Monokuma…? Makoto thought. I wonder if she can just get away with skipping the class trial.

And… if she can, then maybe I should’ve tried to skip this class trial too.

Once the elevator arrived at the class trial ground, each student went to their respective podium.

“Oh, it seems like someone’s being naughty!” Monokuma announced from his chair. “Which one of you brats is skipping the class trial…?!”

“That would be Toko,” Byakuya informed him easily. “If you could just kill her and be over it.”

“Oh? You are so quick to get rid of her over being tardy?” Celeste asked, raising an eyebrow. “How curious.” “I’d get rid of her for much less if possible,” Byakuya replied evenly. “But this is a way to keep my hands clean of her disgusting blood.” “I’ve got bad news, Byakuya!” Monokuma said, not sounding even the slightest bit sad. “All I’ll do is drag her down here, kicking and screaming if I must!”

“Um… about that,” Makoto said. “She was acting a bit weird before the class trial, I don’t know if she’d come willing with you or not.”

“She was acting weird, you say?” Monokuma asked, tilting his head. “Interesting, very interesting…”

“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about her behavior would you, Monokuma?” Kyoko asked, crossing her arms and glaring at the bear.

“Oh me…?” Monokuma asked. “In this case I’m bear-y innocent…!”

“Monokuma,” Sakura said. “If you could just get Toko and start this trial, that would be very appreciated.”

“Fine, fine!” Monokuma said. “Please be patient while I grab your beloved classmate Toko Fukawa!”

In a moment he was gone again, leaving the room in an awkward sort of silence.

“So what do you all fudgin’ think about this case?” Kiyondo’s voice cut through the tension.

“This case seems cut and dry,” Sakura said. “Because of that we should be worried about its actual complexity.”

“Oh?” Celeste said. “I am sure that the real blackened will be revealed as soon as we actually discuss this case.”

“I agree whole-heartedly with Miss. Ludenberg!” Hifumi added.

“Tch,” Byakuya sneered. “As much as I hate to agree with commoners, this case should easily be solved, even by imbeciles like yourselves.”

“Hey, don’t fudgin’ insult us!” Kiyondo hissed, quick to anger.

“Um… maybe it’s just his weird way of complimenting us…?” Makoto said, trying to ease the tension. Although if he was being honest, he didn’t really believe what he was saying.

“Maybe we should just wait for the trial to start,” Kyoko suggested. “We won’t learn anything until we discuss everything thoroughly.”

“Yeah, but before we begin I just need to clear the air,” Yasuhiro began. “I am 100% not the blackened!”

“Oh…?” Celeste said. “Why are you so defensive about that?”

“Why shouldn’t I be…?!” Yasuhiro said. “I don’t want to die, I’m too young to become a ghost!”

“Guys… maybe we should listen to Kyoko and wait for the class trial to begin,” Makoto said. “Nothing good will come from throwing accusations at each other right now.”

“Exactly,” Kyoko said. “Arguing right now won’t achieve anything.”

“We shouldn’t doubt each other until given reason,” Sakura added. “That is our best course of action.”

“You fudgin’ hear that?!” Kiyondo yelled. “No accusing until the fudgin’ trial starts!”

The silence in the room grew once again, and this time no one attempted to break it.

“I-I don’t want to be here, you s-stupid bear!” Toko yelled as the elevator door opened. “Y-you really don’t understand…!”

“And you don’t understand that you don’t get a choice!” Monokuma responded, sounding somewhat exasperated. “I’m the one calling the shots around here, in case you forgot!”

Toko and Monokuma made their way to their respective areas, albeit Toko a little bit more reluctantly and Makoto couldn’t help but feel a bit of dread.

He didn’t want anymore people to die.

He didn’t want to accept that Junko was dead either.

“Now, let the class trial begin!” Monokuma announced.

“Now I have a question for everyone here,” Celeste began easily. “Are we so sure that that this ‘Genocide Jack’ committed this murder?”

“Huh…? What do you mean?” Makoto asked.

“I mean, how can we be so sure that this isn’t a copycat?” Celeste asked. “Afterall, any of us could’ve easily faked the crime scene to frame the infamous serial killer, no?”

“That certainly is a possibility,” Kyoko said. “We all knew about Genocide Jack especially since they were in the news a few days before we entered Hope’s Peak Academy.”

“Genocide Jack was unavoidable,” Hifumi complained. “I tried to watch a new anime and when I first searched it up all I could find were news articles about Genocide Jack!”

What exactly were you trying to watch that Genocide Jack would show up…? Makoto thought. I don’t think most normal animes would even be slightly related to Genocide Jack…

“Tch,” Byakuya said. “Trivial things such as that shouldn’t even be mentioned here.”

“W-why are we talking about Genocide J-jack so much anyways…?” Toko muttered. “It w-wasn’t them, they aren’t even here…!”

“There’s at least a 30% chance that Genocide Jack showed up in one my readings before I entered Hope’s Peak!” Yasuhiro added.

“Hina mentioned it to me a few times…” Sakura said. “She said she was worried about the outside world with a serial killer running rampant.”

“See, Makoto?” Celeste said. “Everything about Genocide Jack was public knowledge.”

“No, that’s wrong!” Makoto yelled, earning a slight grimace from Celeste. “The blackened knew the exact way Genocide Jack hung the bodies, which wasn’t public information.”

“Oh?” Celeste said, mouth opening in shock. “And how do you know this, Makoto?”

“It’s in the case file located in the archive,” Makoto clarified.

“So it would be totally possible for anyone to access the file, would it not?”

“I mean, I guess…?” Makoto said, scratching at his cheek.

“So, you cannot deny the possibility that the blackened could’ve just read the case file, no?”

“We aren’t going to get anywhere with ‘what-ifs’ about the blackened,” Kyoko said. “I suppose you have an idea on who the blackened might be, Celeste?”

“I do, yes,” Celeste admitted. “I think Hiro is the most suspicious out of all of us.”

“H-huh…?!” Yasuhiro yelled. “How am I the blackened…?!”

“You’re the only one in the most suspicious location,” Celeste explained. “In a room near the rec room without a proper explanation.”

“You’re the suspicious one!” Yasuhiro yelled, pointing his finger at Celeste. “You’re just spouting that accusation without any proof!”

“You claimed to be knocked out but there is no proof that anyone actually did that to you,” Celeste continued. “Unless you can somehow prove that you were knocked out, you have no reason for being there whatsoever.”

“Well actually,” Makoto countered. “Kiyondo and I were in the nurse’s office and we found a mallet with a bit of blood on it.”

“What would something like that be doing in the nurse’s office?” Sakura asked.

“The blackened probably fudgin’ stored it in there after they hit Hiro!” Kiyondo explained loudly.

“That would make logical sense,” Sakura said. “Although it is an odd place to hide a weapon such as that.”

“Assuming that Hiro didn’t do it himself,” Celeste cut in. ”You must admit that the possibility isn’t completely unfounded.”

“And how would you explain that?” Sakura said, crossing her arms. “I understand having a reasonable doubt against Hiro’s story but this seems much more.”

“We know that the nurse’s office stores blood bags, correct?” Celeste said. “Who is to say he didn’t just use the blood from there?”

“That’d be a smart fudgin’ accusation,” Kiyondo said. “If it wasn’t Hiro you were accusing.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“He’s a fudgin’ dumbbutt,” Kiyondo said easily. “You could give him a damn instruction manual on how to get away with murder and he’d still fudgin’ mess it up.”

“Aw thanks, I think…?” Yasuhiro said, smiling brightly.

That was obviously an insult… Makoto thought. How did he not get that…?

“Then what is another theory we can follow?” Sakura asked. “We must discuss something productive.”

“We could let Miss. Ludenberg explain her theory in more detail!” Hifumi offered up. “I’m sure you would all believe her if she explained it to you clearly!”

“Tch,” Byakuya sneered. “Don’t make us go through that waste of time.”

“It’s the only reasonable explanation we’ve seen so far,” Kyoko said. “Unless you have something else to offer up.”

“Of course I do,” Byakuya said. “I already know who the blackened is.”

“You said that before,” Makoto said. “But do you really…?”

“I mean obviously he does,” Yasuhiro said. “The blackened is Genocide Jack! Everyone knows that, Makoto!”

“Of course we all know that the blackened is Genocide Jack,” Byakuya said. “But I know Genocide’s Jack real identity.”

“O-oh…?” Celeste asked. “So it is true that the infamous serial killer is among us, then?”

“Yes,” Byakuya confirms. “Although I’d rather not force the serial killer to reveal, I will if I must.”

“You fudgin’ think a stone-hearted killer would just reveal themself that easily…?!” Kiyondo yelled. “You must be dumber than a bag of rocks!”

“Shut up,” Byakuya glared. “Your voice is grating.”

“Why do you think Genocide Jack will reveal themselves?” Makoto asked. “I don’t think they’d want to be executed…”

“Do you really not remember the file?” Byakuya asked. “You commoners must have worse memories than I realized.”

“Makoto,” Kyoko said, ignoring Byakuya. “You mentioned the Genocide Jack file, but I don’t believe everyone here has read it. Could you perhaps inform us about what it mentioned about Genocide Jack?”

“Huh…?” Makoto said. “Oh sure.”

“The victims the case file mentioned were Ken Harada, Tesuhiro Honda and Shoji Gaku,” Makoto began. “They were each killed in a similar manner and attached to the wall via their injuries…”

“Get to the important information, Makoto,” Byakuya said.

“The police believed that Genocide Jack was a student suffering from a split personality due to their frantic getaways and the schedule of the murders.”

“A student…” Kyoko muttered. “Coincidentally we are all students, so that at least is a possibility.”

“Of course you’re all students!” Monokuma said, interrupting. “And Daddy Monokuma loves you all very much even if some of you are serial killers and others have the tendency to state the obvious.”

“Disgusting,” Kyoko said, shuddering slightly.

“Stop talking,” Byakuya said. “Don’t even imagine that we are even slightly related.”

“Ignoring Monokuma,” Sakura said. “How are we supposed to find Genocide Jack. We shouldn’t expect them to reveal themselves.”

“They already have,” Byakuya said. “They told me who they were when we received the second motive.”

“H-huh…?!” Makoto yelled. “Genocide Jack revealed themselves to you?!”

“Someone fudgin’ trusted you enough to tell you their motive?!” Kiyondo yelled, equally as surprised.

“And you didn’t share this with us because...?” Celeste asked. “Knowing a serial killer was among us would’ve been good information to have earlier.”

“I don’t care about your survival,” Byakuya said. “However, they promised me they wouldn’t kill anyone so I felt no need to tell anyone about their identity.”

“Ah,” Kyoko said. “That is what that mirror meant then?”

“W-wait… you went through everyone’s m-mirrors?!” Toko yelled, completely scandalized.

“H-hey…! I had private information kept on there!” Yasuhiro yelled soon after Toko.

“They were there for anyone to see,” Kyoko said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “There was no reason not to look.”

“You shouldn’t believe what my mirror stated,” Celeste said, more sweeter than usual. “The bear was seemingly wrong with that stupid mirror.”

“Oh…?! You’re accusing your father of getting your own-” Monokuma began.

“Shut up, you stupid bear,” Celeste hissed, face contorting in anger.

“Ignoring everyone else’s motives,” Kyoko continued smoothly. “There was one motive I couldn’t truly understand, up until now that is.”

“T-those were private even if they were p-public,” Toko hissed. “Don’t you have a-any respect for privacy…?!” “Why are you getting so defensive?” Sakura asked. “All of our motives were seen and you seem to be the only one truly bothered.”

“Yeah, my motive was sort of embarrassing but nothing I really needed to hide,” Makoto said, scratching his cheek. “Although I’d rather Kyoko not share it…”

“I already told you,” Kyoko began. “My motive is also just as embarrassing if not more.”

“So… can we just have Genocide Jack be revealed to us?” Yasuhiro asked. “Because after that it’s over and we win, right?”

“That does seem to be the only conclusion,” Celeste said, slipping back into her mask.

���Genocide Jack, if you reveal yourself you probably won’t fudgin’ be judged as much!” Kiyondo declared.

“I don’t think they fear being judged…” Makoto said. “They don’t want to die, or at least they probably don’t.”

“They still committed this murder,” Byakuya said. “So I have no reason to keep their identity.”

“Did they really…?” Makoto asked. “I mean the file mentioned that the police thought they suffered from another personality, right?”

“And, your point?” Byakuya asked. “A person is still dead, a person you were friends with no less.”

“I know…” Makoto said, looking down at his podium. “But is it really right to judge a person for something they couldn’t control…?”

“That does bring up a slight problem in the rules,” Kyoko said. “If Genocide Jack comitted the murder, should the non-murdering personality be punished for the same crime?”

“Puhuhuhu! That does bring up a good point!” Monokuma said. “But Daddy Monokuma has it all figured out, don’t you worry my sweet little Kyoko!”

“Don’t call me that,” Kyoko said, looking away. “I suppose we’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it, then.”

“Now, if you’re done with the moral aspect of it all,” Byakuya glared. “I think it’s finally time to reveal Genocide Jack.”

“Wouldn’t you agree, Toko?”

“H-huh…?! Are you r-really accusing me, M-master…?” Toko asked, biting at her nails.

“He isn't lying,” Kyoko confirmed. “Genocide Jack’s less murderous personality is, Toko.”

“Toko… is Genocide Jack?” Celeste asked, staring at Toko critically. “I guess appearances are deceiving, no?”

“I-I… d-don’t…” Toko muttered. “W-why…?”

“You promised me that you wouldn’t let Genocide Jack kill anyone,” Byakuya said. “It’s obvious you couldn’t keep your end of the bargain so why should I keep mine?”

“I mean, I don’t doubt that she’s murderous…” Yasuhiro began. “But I really can’t see her murdering anyone…”

“Well Mac mentioned that the police thought that she had a split personality or whatever the heck,” Kiyondo explained. “So it isn’t Toko who’s fudgin’ doing it, it’s Genocide Jack or whatever.”

“Then we’ll need to see this personality switch in live action, no?” Celeste asked. “We cannot confirm if Genocide Jack is Toko unless we see it for ourselves.”

“You heard her,” Byakuya said. “Switch into that other personality of yours.”

“B-but I can’t-” Toko muttered, only to be cut off by a glare from Byakuya.

After a second, Toko fell onto the floor, startling the group with the loud thump. After a few more seconds, she arose once again.

Although, she did look a bit different.

“Hello, hello and hello!” Toko, or rather Genocide Jack began cheerfully. “You called for me and so I appear!”

“You’re Genocide Jack…?!” Hifumi cried out. “Miss Fukawa is Genocide Jack…?!”

“Miss Morose and I are two very different people, thank you very much!” Genocide Jack corrected. “But I mean according to the law, I guess you could say we share the same body at the very least.”

“Then you were really fudgin’ here this whole time?!” Kiyondo yelled, outraged. “You could’ve put all of us in any fudgin’ amount of danger!”

“Ahh, are you worried about everyone here or are you worried about Mr. Average?” Genocide Jack asked, putting her hands on her cheek, letting her tongue loll out more than usual. “Don’t think I forgot about how touchy you were with him!”

“W-wait…” Makoto said, looking at Genocide Jack worriedly. “That was you before…?”

“Yep yep yep!” Genocide Jack said, smiling. “What…? Did I really pass off as Miss Morose? Or do you really not care for her that much…?”

“It seems a little unreasonable for us to just assume that Toko had another personality,” Sakura said, explaining for Makoto. “I don’t believe anyone could’ve seen it coming.”

“Well, since the blackened has already revealed themselves to us, I don’t see any need to continue this trial any longer,” Celeste said smiling. “We now know that Genocide Jack exists in our group and is the killer. No need to continue this trial any longer, no?”

“Huh…? I’m a killer, but please catch me up on who I killed this time.” Genocide Jack asked. “All those cute boys flutter in my mind and my other regions….”

“You’re disgusting,” Byakuya said, looking away.

“We’re talking about the murder of Junko Enoshima,” Makoto explained.

“Doesn’t ring a bell,” Genocide Jack said simply. “Could you give me a description?”

“Blonde hair, blue eyes…” Makoto said, beginning to list off Junko’s traits.

“That doesn’t really narrow it down, but continue!”

“Freckles…” Makoto said, trying to think if there was anything else that was remarkable about Junko.

I mean, there’s the fact that her hair was a wig and her nails were fake… Makoto thought. But I don’t think the blackened knew that…

“God, you suck at describing people!” Genocide Jack laughed. “I really can’t remember any specific victim with that little description!”

“So, what did he wear…? Anything like that to point out?”

“He…?” Makoto asked. “Junko was a girl…”

“What…?! And you really think I did it…?!” Genocide Jack asked. “I only go after the most attractive of men. You know, the real catches.”

“That doesn’t make sense…” Makoto said, scratching at his cheek. “The murder scene definetly looked like one of yours.”

“Then I must’ve been framed, and hard!” Genocide Jack said smiling.

“You dare deny this accusation when we have proof?” Byakuya asked, glaring. “You really are as annoying as your other personality.”

“Oh…? A cute boy scolding me…? I think I could die right now!”

“Let’s focus on the matter at hand,” Kyoko said. “You say that you didn’t commit the murder but are there any hallmarks specific to your murders?”

“Well let’s see, I only kill the cutest of cute boys and I’m really picky about it,” Genocide Jack explained. “And, I’ll only kill with my special scissors!”

“Your special scissors…?” Makoto asked.

“Well maybe that’s usually the case, but you can’t have your scissors right now Genocide Jack!” Hifumi yelled. “All of our belongings were taken from us!”

“Ohohoho…? Is that what you really believe?” Genocide Jack asked right before she brandished her scissors. “I’m always prepared for any sort of murdering! Provided there’s a cute boy waiting to be stabbed…”

Yasuhiro and Hifumi screamed as soon as the scissors were pulled out while the others stared in a mix of shock and horror.

“Toko has had those fudgin’ dangerous things on her the whole time…?!” Kiyondo yelled. “And she didn’t see even the slightest problem?!”

“Um… I mean, that is a good reason to not change your way of killing then…” Makoto said.

“We should probably keep this in mind for any future proceedings,” Kyoko added.

“Tch,” Byakuya said. “Perhaps Toko disarmed her and she had no other way to kill.”

“That still wouldn’t make much sense…” Makoto responded before Genocide Jack. “Genocide Jack would have no reason to kill Junko, especially because she didn’t fall under her usual targets…”

“And you believe that she’s telling the truth?” Byakuya asked. “You must be stupider than you look.”

“I mean, we don’t have any evidence to show that she’d be lying about it…?” Makoto asked, scratching his cheek. “According to the case file in the archive, all of her victims were male…”

“Although the average one isn’t as cute, he’s completely right!” Genocide Jack said. “I take pride in my work y’know, assuming otherwise is just plain insulting!”

“You… take pride in murdering?!” Hifumi yelled out. “That’s unacceptable!”

“I’m a master at what I do,” Genocide Jack answered, looking at Hifumi boredly. “You might even say I’m the Ultimate Murderous Fiend!”

“You have a fudgin’ ultimate talent?!” Kiyondo yelled. “Unbelievable!”

“Is it really so unbelievable?” Genocide Jack asked. “Like I said, I’m a master at what I do and Hope’s Peak recognized that!”

“It seems more likely that you forced their hand,” Kyoko said. “If they wanted Toko they would have no choice but to take you as well.”

“But when you say it like that, it makes it sound like they didn’t want a serial killer as a part of their roster! Kyahahahahaha! ” Genocide Jack laughed.

They… probably didn’t, Makoto thought. But then again, if their plan was to start a killing game… she’d be a good addition, wouldn’t she?

“Hey… but if Genocide Jack is telling the truth… then she couldn’t have killed Junko,” Makoto said. “I mean… everything she’s been telling us has been pretty in line with what we know.”

“It’s refreshing that I’m proven innocent, for once,” Genocide Jack said. “However, someone went through a lot of effort to frame me, wonder why that is? Kyahahahahaha!”

“That is correct,” Celeste noted. “Who were the main people pushing for the Genocide Jack theory?”

“Um… wouldn’t that be Byakuya, Makoto and Kyoko...?” Yasuhiro offered up. “Wait… does that make them all the blackened?!”

“Don’t you dare fudgin’ accuse Mac!” Kiyondo yelled. “He’s innocent and you better not fudgin’ forget that or else I’ll make you sorry!”

“I don’t doubt Makoto’s innocence, at least not yet, but you’ve been wrong in your trust before, no?” Celeste asked.

“What the fudge did you just say…?!” Kiyondo yelled. “How dare you fudgin’ mention-”

“I didn’t mean to offend,” Celeste said. “I believe that Makoto and Kyoko are completely innocent in this incident.”

“You… didn’t mention Byakuya,” Makoto noticed. “Do you really think he framed Genocide Jack…?”

“Let me ask you this, Makoto,” Celeste began. “Who gave you that information about Genocide Jack?”

“Byakuya…?” Makoto answered.

“And you don’t find it just the tiniest bit odd that he was pushing the theory of Genocide Jack?”

“I mean… didn’t everyone think that Genocide Jack did it?” Makoto asked. “As far as we originally knew there was nothing odd about the crime scene.”

“Yes, that is true,” Celeste admitted. “However, the fact that he was originally pushing so hard shouldn’t be ignored, yes?”

“Then that’d mean that Byakuya is the blackened…?” Makoto asked, staring at the heir.

“If you’re so sure that I’m the blackened then why don’t you vote me?” Byakuya asked, looking smug.

Why is he okay with being voted…? Makoto thought. Did he really do that…?

“Well if that’s solved, we can just vote Byakuya!” Yasuhiro declared. “Right…?”

“I’m not so sure…” Makoto said, looking down at his podium. “Byakuya wants to win the killing game, right?”

“He has said that before,” Kyoko agreed.

“So why would he make such an obvious mistake if he knew how to properly frame Genocide Jack…?” Makoto asked. “It doesn’t make much sense.”

“Perhaps he didn’t have much to work with,” Celeste said. “He could’ve been rushed for all we know.”

“That… can’t be it either,” Makoto said.

“Oh? And why is that, Makoto?”

“Kyoko said that Junko’s injury, which probably gave the blood for the bloodlust message was caused after her death.” Makoto explained. “If he really was in a rush, he’d probably find another way to make the message.”

“That is true,” Sakura said. “Injuring her after her relatively clean death would take time that he wouldn’t have if he was truly rushed.”

“Well, that is troubling, no?” Celeste asked.

“Huh…?” Makoto asked.

“We don’t have even the slightest clue on who the blackened might be, yes?” Celeste asked. “Unless anyone else has a better theory, we should assume Yasuhiro is the blackened, no?”

“Of course, that is expected of Makoto, to not have any better leads,” Celeste continued.

“H-huh…?” Makoto asked. “What do you mean by that?”

“I suppose after everything that has happened you must be a bit worn out, no?” Celeste said. “Or perhaps you never really cared about Junko…”

“That’s wrong…!” Makoto said. “Of course I cared about Junko.”

“Is that so…?” Celeste asked. “Because from what she told me it seemed like you were just tolerating her.”

“She really thought that…?” Makoto muttered.

I’m sorry Junko, Makoto thought. I really valued our time together as friends…

“Will you shut the fudge up about Junko, Lest?!” Kiyondo yelled suddenly. “Why the fudge are you even bringing this up now…?!”

“Lest…?” Celeste asked.

“How Junk felt doesn’t fudgin’ matter now, all that matters now is the truth and finding the damn blackened!”

“Kiyondo is right,” Sakura said in agreement. “We can focus on the finer details later.”

“Why is Mr. Ishida so fired up all the sudden…?!” Hifumi cried out. “Is my future wife in danger?!”

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s standing up for his boyfriend,” Genocide Jack said while drooling. “Ooh, it’s certainly warming in more places than my heart! Kyahahahahaha!”

“Moving on,” Byakuya said, glaring at Genocide Jack for a moment before looking at Kiyondo. “Is it safe to assume that even an idiot like you can see the truth of the case?”

“Don’t fudgin’ insult me you rich buttface,” Kiyondo said. “But, I think I have more proof to debunk Lest’s theory about Hiro doing it, so everyone here better shut the fudge up and listen up!”

“Ah,” Celeste said. “How vulgar, but please, do inform us.”

“During my time with Mac at the nurse’s office,” Kiyondo began.

“Your first date, right?” Genocide Jack asked. “I’m so glad to have witnessed that! Kyahahahahaha!”

“Shut the fudge up!” Kiyondo yelled. “As I was fudgin’ saying, when I checked one of the damn cabinets there was something weird about it!”

“Weird…?” Kyoko asked. “What do you mean?”

“Well other than a fudgin’ mallet being there…” Kiyondo said. “There was nothing fudgin’ else there at all! Seems pretty damn useless for a nurse’s cabinet.”

“Nothing in there at all…?” Sakura asked. “If I remember correctly, the nurse’s office was well-stocked…”

“What does that cabinet have to do with anything?” Celeste asked. “Perhaps we just had the inventory wrong…” “Or,” Kyoko cut in. “The blackened needed the inventory of the cabinet.”

“What makes you so sure…?” Celeste asked.

“Like I fudgin’ said,” Kiyondo began to explain. “There was already that damn mallet in there, so the blackened fudgin’ knew the cabinet existed.”

“Even so,” Celeste said. “That doesn’t disprove my theory, despite what you vulgarly claimed.”

“Are you so fudgin’ sure?” Kiyondo asked, staring at Celeste smugly. “I think that fits in more than whatever you were fudgin’ saying about Hiro.”

“Oh…? What could you ever mean?”

“Hiro fudgin’ claimed that he was hit when he entered the physics lab, right?”

“Man…” Yasuhiro interjected. “I really should learn not to trust any notes I get…”

“And as he just fudgin’ told us, he got a note telling him to go to the physics lab,” Kiyondo said. “Although following that just proves as dumb as poop he really is.”

“Hey!” Yasuhiro yelled. “Don’t be mean!”

“That’s assuming that he isn’t lying,” Celeste said. “Are you really going to trust that idiot over me?”

“It’s not that I want to be rude,” Celeste quickly added. “But he does not have the brightest track record, no?”

“Well, if I’m remembering correctly, which I fudgin’ am,” Kiyondo said. “You told us to check the physics lab because you heard an odd noise or whatever the heck, right?”

“That is… correct,” Celeste said slowly. “Yes.”

“However when we got there, we learned that Hiro was almost fudgin’ impossible to wake up!” Kiyondo said. “So, what fudgin’ noise did you even hear Lest?”

“I… I’m afraid I cannot recall,” Celeste said. “This… whole trial has been very traumatic for me. Afterall, Junko was a very dear friend of mine.”

“Are you fudgin’ sure, Lest?” Kiyondo asked. “Or did you really not fudgin’ think that far ahead!”

“We really were good friends, not that you would understand…” Celeste said. “We confided in each about everything.”

“You confided in each other?” Kyoko asked. “Could you give us an example?”

“Why bother?” Byakuya asked. “We don’t need to hear any useless gossip.”

“Usually when people confide in each other, it is much more than ‘useless gossip’” Sakura said. “Celeste, if you’re willing to share some of what you and Junko talked about, that would be appreciated.”

“It’s a bit… hard to say,” Celeste said slowly. “But I will if I must.”

“Makoto,” Celeste began. “I do believe that you should know that Junko had a crush on you.”

Makoto, who'd been silent up until that moment startled. “She had a crush on me…?!”

“Are you really that dense?” Celeste asked. “It was the only thing she would ever really mention.”

“Really…?” Makoto asked, suddenly feeling sick to his stomach.

“Yes,” Celeste said looking away. “Too bad you never realized it, though.”

How… did I not realize that…? Makoto thought. I’m sorry… Junko…

“Don’t be so harsh on yourself, Mr. Naegi!” Hifumi said, attempting to cheer Makoto up. “Some people are just hard to read!”

“She wasn’t hard to read,” Byakuya cut in. “She was very clear in her efforts, however, Makoto is just the class's biggest idiot.”

“Hey! Don’t fudgin’ insult Mac!” Kiyondo yelled.

“I don’t understand,” Makoto said, ignoring all of his classmates. “Why are you only mentioning this now…?”

“I don’t understand what you mean, Makoto,” Celeste responded. “Was I supposed to mention my friendship with Junko sooner?”

“I mean, if she really confided with you everything,” Kyoko said, trying to assist Makoto. “Did you know her secret?”

“Her secret…?” Celeste asked. “You mean the last motive?”

“No,” Kyoko said. “Didn’t you say those were fake, anyways?”

“Yes, she did. My little baby Celeste insulted my motive despite it being one-hundred percent accurate for everyone!” Monokuma cut in.

“Don’t call me that,” Celeste gritted out. “And if she had another secret, I was not informed of it.”

“Well, can you really say that she confided in you then?” Kyoko said. “It’s relatively inconsequential compared to the last motive.”

“Of course you would know all about that wouldn’t you?” Celeste asked. “Digging into everyone’s personal information like that.”

“I’ve said it before, it was for public use,” Kyoko said. “If people weren’t supposed to look then Monokuma would’ve allowed us to store them in our rooms.”

“Then Celeste hasn’t been entirely truthful during this class trial, then?” Makoto asked, finally regaining some of his spirit.

“What do you mean?” Celeste asked, turning to stare at Makoto, or rather, glare at Makoto. “I’ve tried my hardest to assist everyone in this class trial since it has begun.”

“But everyone seems rather prone to believe two idiots instead of me,” Celeste said. “And there’s nothing I can do to circumvent that, is there?”

“I mean, I’m sure you were friends with Junko,” Makoto said. “But, I don’t think you were ‘close’ friends.”

“And is that so surprising?” Celeste asked. “I am Celestia Ludenberg, it is even an honor to be my D rank, let alone a C rank like Junko almost was.”

“Ranks…?” Sakura asked.

“I can’t allow just anyone to get close to me,” Celeste said. “It wouldn’t look good for my image, and apparently Junko was the same.”

“Then why did you lie to us about ‘confiding’ in each other?” Makoto asked. “It… doesn’t make much sense.”

“Nothing makes much sense to idiots like you,” Celeste replied coldly. “However, even though I tuned out most of her babble, I could easily see how much she wanted Makoto.” “I thought it would be easy,” Celeste said. “Afterall, I’m Celestia Ludenberg, how hard would it be to matchmake a model and an average forgettable boy?”

“You were trying to matchmake Junko and I…?”

“Really, how did you not notice it?” Celeste asked. “I believe even Yasuhiro would be able to tell what was happening. Were you dropped on your head as a child every single day?”

What was her goal…? Makoto thought. You can’t really say she was doing it out of the kindness of her heart, can you?

“Celeste…” Makoto began, hesitantly. “You befriended Junko because you wanted something out of her didn’t you?”

“What are you saying, Makoto?” Celeste asked.

“You were… planning on murdering her, weren’t you?” Makoto continued. He wanted to be wrong, even after seeing Celeste’s true colors.

“What the hell did you just say…?!” Celeste said, glaring fully at Makoto. “Are you really implying that I murdered Junko?”

“Yes,” Makoto said in finality. “And, I can explain my reasoning as well.”

“Tch,” Byakuya said. “Just end this already.”

“Celeste originally befriended Junko because she wanted to use her,” Makoto began. “As soon as she found out that Junko had a crush on me, she began to exploit it.”

“Celeste discovered that she earned Junko’s trust just as the next motive was revealed,” Makoto continued. “So now she had the perfect opportunity.”

“Celeste wrote two notes on the night of the murder,” Makoto said. “One for Hiro and one for Junko.”

“Hiro’s note had him arrive first in the physics lab, where she was waiting for him,” Makoto said. “When he arrived she quickly knocked him out with a mallet.”

“After knocking Hiro out, Celeste went to the nurse’s office to get what she needed to kill Junko,” Makoto said. “She exchanges the contents of the cabinet with the mallet and leaves the nurse's office.”

“She makes Junko and herself tea, although Junko’s tea is drugged. Then she waits,” Makoto said. “After Junko arrives and drinks the tea, she dies, leaving Celeste alone with the body.”

“After Celeste leaves, Byakuya discovers the body and decides to frame Genocide Jack to force Toko to reveal herself,” Makoto said. “Byakuya grabs several items from the warehouse and changes the crime scene.”

“After everything is said and done, the body is discovered by everyone but Byakuya and Toko in the early morning when we decided to look for Junko and Hiro,” Makoto said. “Isn’t that right, Celeste?”

Celeste froze in place, the perfect picture of unbridled rage. And all in one moment, she deflated like a balloon.

“Well, that’s it, then,” Celeste said. “Honestly, it went on longer than I expected.”

“You’re just going to give up then?” Byakuya asked, staring at her with some sort of respect in his eyes.

“There’s no point in continuing when you’ve lost, no?” Celeste asked, accent coming on just as thick. “Or at least, that’s my personal motto.”

“Why…?” Makoto asked, staring at Celeste in shock. “Why did you kill Junko…?”

“For my dream, of course,” Celeste said, smiling. “I dream of a castle with vampire butlers and it’s all owned by me.”

“That money,” Celeste continued. “Would’ve been enough for me to finance my dream after years of saving up.”

“And that’s why you did it?” Sakura asked. “Just for your dream?”

“I am nothing, if not self interested,” Celeste answered. “Although, that should not surprise you.”

Makoto frowned, but she wasn’t exactly wrong.

“Your reasoning doesn’t fudgin’ make sense!” Kiyondo yelled. “At least bro felt sorry about what he fudgin’ did…!”

“Oh, how touching this is, all my children finally bonding!” Monokuma cut in. “Daddy Monokuma hates to be the bad guy, but it’s voting time!”

The class voted for Celeste, and when their vote was announced correct they were left with a few moments of sadness.

“Before this ends,” Celeste began. “Anything you ever hear about me after this point, you can disregard. It’s all unimportant now, no?”

“And, I suppose it would be nice if we could meet again,” Celeste continued. “Perhaps in another life, yes?”

“Well, my darling Celeste got her last words in, and now it’s punishment time!” Monokuma said. “Hold onto your hats and get a fan, this one is going to get hot!”

“Ohohoho, does he mean in a sexual way?” Genocide Jack asked. “Because I’m all up for that…!”

When Celeste reappeared she was tied onto a stake and a castle was behind her. Hay lay haphazardly under her as she was forced to stare ahead.

A plushie resembling Monokuma in color lit the hay underneath her as she began to burn.

Celeste began to sweat but she also smiled, facing forward in some sort of misattributed pride.

Perhaps it was her final stand against the Mastermind.

As the flames grew higher and higher, Celeste looked up, never once losing her smug expression.

Just as the flames began to lick her face, a fire truck revved up with Monokuma as its driver.

It drove onto a ramp and catapulted up towards Celeste, hitting her and breaking the castle behind her.

Another Monokuma with a waterhose extinguished the stick that started the execution, effectively ending the execution as well.

Makoto stared in horror as the events of the killing game finally started to catch up to him. Another person was dead, and it was technically his fault. Wasn’t it?

I’m sorry, everyone… Makoto thought. Junko and Hina… I wish I wasn’t that dense… I wish I could’ve told you that your feelings weren’t ignored…

Sayaka and Leon… I could’ve saved them too if… if I had just noticed… Makoto thought, not noticing that tears were beginning to fall from his face.

Mondo, Celeste and Chihiro… you guys didn’t deserve to die either…! Makoto thought. I’m sorry… I’m sorry I couldn’t help you in time…

Makoto began sobbing loudly, blind to the world around him. He had enough with this game, although there wasn’t much he could do about it.

Suddenly there were arms wrapped around him. When he opened his eyes he could see white from his blurred vision.

“Come on Mac,” Kiyondo said softly. “I’ll take you back to your room.”

Makoto didn’t say anything as he let himself be dragged into the elevator.

He felt so numb.

[vnikat]

Remembering the scene where smol Terry grabbed Ai’s hand and asked insistently how she knows who he is…… And then Ai was like “YOU ARE HURT”

Awww It’s so cute that for Ai it’s

Terry’s wellbeing >>>>>>>>> everything else

(A bit spoiler for a very-very late chapters)

And the reason why Ai is against Reed’s plan to destroy the world isn’t only because her loved ones live here, but because it is bad for Reed too. He deserves a good, fulfilling life in a world that loves him. will only increase hatred towards him :c

[waitimcomingtoo]

In Case You Don’t Live Forever - Chapter Fourteen

Pairing: Peter Parker x Venom!reader

Warnings: Infinity War spoilers? This is just a filler chapter so we can get to the good stuff.

Masterlist

“He’s still asleep?” You asked. It was almost 1 in the afternoon and you hadn’t heard a word from Peter all day.

“I just checked and he’s completely knocked out. I’m pretty sure he was up all night playing Wings with Ned.” May chuckled. You laughed a little.

“Wings? Do you mean Halo?” You asked with a lighthearted laugh. May nodded in agreement.

“That’s the one. You’re welcome to wake him up if you like. I’m sure he’d much rather have his girlfriend wake him up than his aunt.” May said as she nodded towards his door.

“Aw, don’t say that. He loves you.” You argued playfully.

“He does. But I know my nephew. He has never loved anything the way he loves you. Even more than he loves being Spider-Man.” May replied. Your eyes widened at her casual mention of the masked hero.

“You know about Spider-Man?” You asked incredulously.

“Of course. I walked in on him fully in the suit and he still proceeded to tell me it wasn’t his. He’s brilliant but he’s also dumb as it gets.” May answered.

You laughed at Peters excuse. It reminded you of the time you told Ned you weren’t Venom directly after he watched you turn into Venom. Maybe you really were meant to be.

“Is all part of his charm.” You giggled. “I’ll go wake him up.”

You tiptoed into Peters room and slowly shut the door behind you. You saw Peter fast asleep and smiled at the sight. His mouth was slightly open and you heard quiet breaths escaping his partially parted lips. His hair was defying gravity as usual and you noticed him snuggling into something. You crept closer and saw that he was cuddling into a shirt of yours that had gone missing a few weeks back. The very shirt he claimed he had never even seen. You had chalked it up to going missing in the wash. You couldn’t even be mad. You thought it was sweet that he wanted something of yours to hold at night. You carefully climbed on top of him and bent down to whisper in his ear.

“Peter. It’s time to wake up.” You whispered. Peter stirred a little but didn’t wake up.

“Peter.” You said a little louder. “Guess what today is?”

Peters eyes twitched and he snuggled deeper into your shirt. You sighed in defeat. You needed a new tactic.

“Peter.” You tried again in a sing song voice. He groaned a little in his sleep. You ran your fingers through his hair and a dreamy smile appeared on his face. You sighed, knowing the smile wouldn’t last. You gave it one last attempt.

“Peter!” You yelled into his ear. His eyes shot open and he jumped into a half fighting stance. You fell over onto the bed in a fit of laughter.

“Good morning sleeping beauty.” You cooed. Peter groaned again and flopped back onto the bed.

“Why’d you wake me? It’s too early.” Peters whine was muffled by his pillow.

“Early? It’s 1 o’clock. I don’t want you sleeping away your special day.” You replied. Peters head perked up a little.

“My special day?” He asked.

“Yes. Happy 18th birthday my love.” You said happily and climbed back on top of Peter. You pressed 18 quick kisses all around his face. He laughed as you counted them off.

“14.” You kissed his cheek.

“15.” Other cheek.

“16.” A kiss on the forehead.

“17.” A kiss to the nose.

“And 18.” You leaned in and finally kissed his lips.

“Wait. I have morning breath.” Peter argued.

“I don’t care.” You smiled and kissed him again.

It was August 10th. You and Peter had been together for around three months now. You hadn’t broken up since the night on top of the Oscorp, just like you promised. You and Peter were at a very strong place in your relationship. You had been inseparable all summer. Days were spent with Ned and MJ doing regular teenage things, but nights were spent with just the two of you. You’d talk on the rooftop until the sun began to rise. And sometimes, you’d swing around the city in Peters arms just for fun.

Today was supposed to be the day Andy and Dani got married. You had called Dani after your battle with Carnage and explained everything. She wasn’t too upset, surprisingly. She was mostly glad that she found out how terrible Andy was before she married him. She flew down to New York and stayed with you for a week to catch up. You enjoyed your week with her more than the years you spent with Andy.

One month later, school had started again. Peter was in his senior year and his school was taking a class trip. You drove him to school on your motorcycle to say goodbye.

“Do you have your water bottle?” You asked him. You had asked him before you left but you wanted to double check.

“Yep.” Peter answered. He knocked on his backpack and you heard the clang of his metal water bottle.

“And your phone?” You made sure.

“Yep.” Peter pulled out his phone and showed it to you. His screen lit up with a photo of the two of you kissing on a rooftop.

“And you have your suit?” You whispered.

“Yep. Always.” Peter lifted up the sleeves of his hoodie and revealed his web shooter. It had a little cat sticker on it still that you had stuck on after his birthday. You smiled at the sight of it and fixed his sleeve.

“I’ll miss you.” You told him. Peter took your hands in his and rubbed them slightly with his thumb.

“I don’t have to go. I don’t even like modern art.” Peter laughed. You put your hand on his cheek and brushed his cheekbone with your fingertips.

“Don’t be silly. I’ll see you when you get back, yeah?” You kissed his sweetly.

“Yeah.” He nodded with a smile. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Have fun at MOMA.” You said.

Peter gave you a soft kiss and you heard an array of “ooo”’s and “ew”’s from his classmates. Peters ears tinted pink before he headed onto the bus.

You watched as he took his seat behind Ned and started up a conversation with him. Peter waved to you as the bus pulled away and you waved back.

A few hours later, you hadn’t heard from Peter. He was supposed to come back at 4 and it was currently 4:37. You knew it didn’t take him that long to walk home from school. You began to dial his number when you felt a pain in your chest.

“Y/n?” Venom asked. She sounded funny. “What’s happening to us?”

You tried to walk towards your bedroom but your knees felt impossibly weak. You gripped your countertop as you crumbled to your knees.

“Venom?” You panicked. “What’s going on?”

“We don’t know.” Venom answered weakly. Her voice was distorted. Your chest suddenly felt condensed and achy. A weird feeling spread throughout your body and you felt like you had to throw up. You opened your mouth to gag, and to your surprise, dust came out.

“Venom?” You cried. She didn’t answer. You began to cough up more and more dust. You couldn’t breath, hear, or see two feet in front of you. You could only gag and cough up dust.

“Venom?” You asked again. There was still no answer. You didn’t need her silence to know she wasn’t there. You felt different. You felt her absence. But most of all, you felt devastated. Hot tears gushed out of your eyes as you slowly stopped coughing.

“Wait!” You cried. “Take me too! What ever is going on, take me too!” You pleaded with the invisible force that had taken Venom from you.

“Please!” You begged. “Take me too. If you’re taking her, take me too.”

Nothing changed. You were left on the floor, broken and defeated. You felt empty inside, like a tether had snapped.

You dialed Peters number, but you received no answer. Neither did May, Tony, Ned, or MJ.

“Please.” You whimpered, to no one in particular. “Take me with you.”

You received radio silence. Even your sobs were silent.

“Take me too.”

Tag List 🏷

@monimiin @truthdaze @honeyccoated @constellationswithapurpose @condy-wants-a-cookie @zipp0flare @vxidnik @maddie-laufeyson @bubblegumholland @the-blindwatcher @pmvelez97 @ziggyspurplehaze @grippleback-galaxy @fangeekkk @twilight-loveer @assemblemotherfuckers @bolivianchickennugget @founding-fuck-bois @neonpandicorn

[drowninginblox]

Thrown into It

Part: 1,2,3,4,5, 6, 7, 8

Part 9: Titles at Momo’s

How the fuck did I get here? We were just going over math damn it. Why did we have to train my powers? It’s not like I’m gonna be a pro hero! I’m not main character material after all. Have you seen what I'm packing? All bone and fat. No muscle to this bitch. “Y/n! Cmon! Keep your head out of the clouds!” Ochako called from the front. I can only nod my head and try not to faint. Right now me and the main character gang are walking to Momo’s house. Apparently this is an impromptu sleepover. Momo told us that she’ll cover everything we needed so now we’re just walking. Don't worry the cast dragged me to the local train station before hand and Inko was cool with this somehow. What even is this? “Y/n? Are you alright?” I hear before Tenya- fuck I mean Iida nudge me. It’s so weird acting like a stranger to people you already know. “Oh, um.. Y-yeah just a little.. I don't know how to explain it? Anxious?” I try to look at him but his straight laced demeanor and overall physic is intimidating in itself. “There is nothing to worry about though! Surely Midoryia has told you that we are trustworthy!” He declares while chopping his hand around. I try to hold in my laugh but fail miserably. “Did I do something funny?!” He shouts defensively while chopping more. Fuck its just as funny in person-. I feel eyes fall on me as I just keep laughing. “I-oh holly crap- fuckin give me a minute holy shit-” I takes deep breaths while the group mumbles something about me being weird. “S-sorry- Just.. The fucking hand chops kill me- you remind me of C3PO..” I whip a tear from my eye but when I focus back on the group they all look clueless as to what I was saying. “Um.. Y’know? Star Wars?” I prompt but all look just as clueless. Does this universe not have star wars? “What's that?” Tsuyu asks with a small kero. I couldn't only stare. “Just the greatest movie franchise to grace the planet! Yknow- fuckin-” I cover my mouth and inhale deeply. “Luke, I am your father!” They all glance at each other. “Y/n is it something from your home?” I feel my eye twitch but give up. “Yeah it is, and it's amazing.” I sigh. “What might it be about?” Tokoyami asks. His eyes widened at my overwhelming joy. Midoryia chuckles and smiles along with me. “Now you did it-” Before tonight Izuku made the mistake of asking me who my favorite hero was.

The rest of the journey was me basically explaining all of star wars to them without giving the major spoilers. At some points they had to smack me since in my excitement I was babbling nonsense. Ochako, Tsuyu, and Momo seemed to be the most invested in it from what I could tell. “Does the princess ever go home?” Ochoko questions. Momo interrupts me with a pointer finger. “There it is!”  She announces at the sight of the gates. She runs up ahead of us and speaks into the microphone. Not even two minutes later and the gate opens up to us, two white golf carts not too far behind. “Dude how rich are you..?” I mumble into the open air. She only laughs. I turned to Ochoko, then to Izuku, both of whom shook to the core over how long the driveway was. “My goodness! You have golf carts too Yaoyorozo?” Tenya acquires when two while golf carts pull up to the gate. The fuck even is this bull shitery? “Only for when I’m lazy.” She defends before hopping on the back of one of the carts. We all follow suit and within a few minutes we are in front of a behemoth of a mansion. “Welcome home everyone!” She cheers. The carts come to stop at her front door and holy fuck I am too intimidated to move. 

Everyone gets out of the carts while me and Ochoko take in the sight that is Momo’s home. It was larger than my house, that's for sure. It was also weastern, made of what looked like marble with stone accents near the front door and side of the house. The windows were large and peaking from the roof were two brick chimneys. “Are you two going to stay there all night?” Tenya called with what looked like a cocky smile. “Oh shush Mr. My brother is a pro hero!” I called playfully. His cheeks flashes a bright red and turns to Midorya while I slowly get up, help a dazed Ochoko in the process, and make my way to the front door. Izuku was mumbling about every small detail while Tsu and Tokoyami were notably quiet through this whole ordeal. Momo turned to us and smiled. “My mother and Father are out of town, visiting friends and the likes, so we have the whole house to ourselves!” She rings the doorbell and not even a second later, it opens to a maid. I could feel my face heat up at the sight of any of the main characters in that outfit like that, even though it wasn't that revealing. “Y/n are you okay?” Tokoyami asks about my flushed face but I just cough it off. “Oh my! Are you catching something?” Momo asks before turning to the maid. “Please get them some hot chocolate and hot tea! Also prepare my room with extra blankets, clothes, and pillows.” The young woman bows before walking away from us. “You didn't have to-! I'm not sick!” I tried but I was silenced by Momo rushing to me and covering my forehead with her hand. I jumped at how close we were. “You're burning up! C'mon! You can have a guest room.” She makes some medical masks for the group but Tsu backs me up. “Momo I think you’re overreacting.. Kero.” But she doesn't stop to hear reason, only dragging me through her maze of a house and shoving me into a room. “There should be a maid coming. Once she’s here she’ll give you something to wear.” And before I could say anything she closed the door. What the fuck. Why the fuck. I thought this was the training arch not the filler episode. I swear to god if one of the boys walks in on me changing I will murder. 

Thank god that wasn't the case. A maid got me some silk jammies and directed me to another room. It wasn't until I walked in did I realize it was Momo’s room. And holy crap was she a hero fan damn- I’m talking hero’s of all shapes and sizes. Ethnicities and races. Genders of all kinds. Some of the posters were black and white while others were neon and vibrant. All were framed and signed on the wall parallel to the door. “Holy-” I started but Momo caught me. “Y/n! It's good to see you out first!” She says just loud enough from her king size canopy bed. Her bedroom- in length- was the size of me and Midoryia’s rooms connected and then some. On the wall to my right were instruments, a desk, and cubicles for storage while the rest of the room was empty. Well scratch that, there was a rug. But it was small and a bright white, a needed contrast with the equally white was and dark floors. “Yeah.. um.. How do you know my size..?” I ask while motioning to my pjs. She laughs lightly. “Cmon! Come sit on my bed!” OKAY just leave me in the dark on that creepy fact then. Wordlessly I wander to the bed and take a sit right beside her. “So Y/n, tell me about yourself.” I glance up at her and play with my hair. “I'm not that interesting, trust me.” She waves a hand dismissively. “Oh please! There must be more to you than your quirk! I know I’m more than mine!” She assures. I kick my legs and think for a moment. “I'm a big nerd. I love fantastical worlds, and possibilities that probably won't happen. For better or worse.” I say with a nervous chuckle. “Really?” She asks. I nod and humor her. “YEah- I uh.. I write, draw, sing, creative stuff mostly. But I don’t think I’m that creative honestly.” She loosens her posture. “Well then, prove it!” I jumped at her request. “O-Oh um- I don't think-” 

“Madam, the other guests are ready!” A maid calls after a knock. Momo sighs “Let them in then!” With that the maid from before lets in the rest of the group, all in t-shirts and pajama pants/ shorts. Aside from Iida. He has a classic set of pajamas and a nightcap to go with the ensemble. “Thank you so much for the pj’s Momo!” Ochoko says with a smile, rushing up to us and hugging her in gratitude. “Oh it’s no problem at all.” “What were you guys talking about kero?” Tsuyu prompts. “Oh-” Momo starts but i cut her off. “Oh nothing interesting!” She glances at me and lightly slaps my arm. “Nonsense. Y/n was just telling me about their hobbies. Apparently they write and do art!” Tokoyami perks at this. “What do you write L/n?” I scratch the back of my neck “Ahahahaha- wouldn’t you like to know..” Tenya’s eyes narrow. “Certainly nothing unsavory? Right Y/n?” Fuck his glasses are reflecting light- f u c k. “Oh nooooo! Nothing like that. Mostly self indulgent romantic crap, some angst-“ Izuku gasped. “Y/n! You write angst!?” Of course Midorya’s the only one who knows that I’m talking about. “Strange. Why is your face a rose then?” Tokoyami teases. His tone says otherwise but that knowing glance is dangerous. “Ahahahaha- Tokoyami you jokester-” I get up close to him and say through my teeth. “You cant out me like this man-! Not here!” Over my shoulder I hear Ochoko laugh. “You remind me Jiro-chan, Y/n. She always gets flustered like this when she’s embarrassed.” I back up from Tokoyami and turn to the group. “Wait what?”

“Oh! You don't know Jiro, but she's so smart and talented.” Ochoko says. “Oh yeah, I know her.” I say casually but when I see Momo’s eyes widen I try to recover. “Me and my dad saw her on the TV. Y'know during UA’s annual sports festival. She had dangles on her ear lobes right?” I scratch the back of my neck for a moment to sell it. Thankfully Momo took the bait because she slowly nodded. “That’s her. She is very smart. Don’t underestimate her when you meet her.” Tyu nods. “What was her score on the midterms?”  Midorya hums for a moment. “I don't remember if she told us, but she was up there in ranking..” Before Izuku could go on a mumbling tangent, Iida inquired on the subject. “Seventh in class ranking I think.” The group hums in agreement before turning back to me. “What were you on about before Y/n?” I think a moment before remembering. “Oooh!” I snapped my fingers. I exhale a little at my idiocy. “I just forgot that you guys use titles normally. I was just a little confused.” Tenya’s glasses brightened in the light. Crap. “Shouldn’t you have researched on Japanese culture before you came to Japan Y/n?” He gets up close to me as he says that. “Uhh well.. yasee- I was kind of in a rush to get here and I don't have a phone anymore.. My dad thought it would be a great idea to take away my phone before I go to a whole ‘nother country soooo..” Great job Y/n. Nothing like feeding into the idiot father trope. Dad would be so proud of your creative genius. “And I've been so busy with school and my room..”

“Wow.” the group mumbles. “YEeeeah.. Not the brightest bulb.” I mumble dryly. “Well, surely we can teach you a few things.” Midorya counters. “No one is hopeless unless they don't bother to try! And you want to try don't you?” He says with that signature baby boy smile. I laugh a little at that bright fire in his eyes. That want to help is gonna make him a great hero one day. “Of course! If you guys can teach me that is.” I looked over at the group. Collectively they nod. Que the anime montage.

I was woken up by Midoya at twelve. Am not pm mind you. Momo was kicking us out. “I’m sorry! My parents just called and said they were on their way back home as we speak!” She defended sadly as me and Midorya were finishing up getting our shoes back on. Apparently because of my sleeping habits, Midorya had to watch all of his other friends leave until it was just him and Momo alone in her house together. “Dude, it's okay. Calm down.” I said with a slightly worried smile. Midorya was patiently waiting for me outside with a new duffle bag of his clothes for the night before and some new ones that Momo gave him this morning. “It was an honor staying here for the night Yaoyorozo-sama.” I say with a bow once both my shoes are on. She gasps, a light blush covering her cheeks from the title. But she smiles nonetheless. “It is an honor to meet you too, Y/n-san. And please, call me Momo.” She says with a smile, bowing after. We both rise and I smile back to her before walking out the door. “Y/n-chan, what took you so long?” Midorya asked. “Nothin. Just telling Momo thank you. And chan? Really?” He laughs. “What? Don't like being babied?”

“Oh screw you.”

[docholligay]

BITS FROM THE SURVEYS

For the optional question on the surveys, where I get a ton of enjoyment reading, I asked for all of them “Tell me why you picked what you picked” I loved reading all of them so thank you to those who filled it out, but I’m going to share a few favorites: 

Miscellaneous:

Real talk - I'd love more Bob Ross, but those supplies ain't cheap, either. I may not vote for it in further rounds, because I do not want you to be in financial hurting by trying to provide this for us. (And second real talk - I desperately want to hear you talk about history and formal manners. You make topics come alive in wonderful ways.)

It’s true it is NOT CHEAP, but I do have more of the stuff now so it won’t be QUITE AS MUCH OF A BOMB as last year where we totally lost money on the whole deal ahaha. And thank you! I love history and manners and all of that good goofy stuff. 

JUST FINISH THE WALKING DEAD GAME FOR THE LOVE OF JEW GOD IT'S BEEN YEARS

LIKE THREE I THINK BUT NO ONE VOTED FOR IT

Can’t get enough of your writing

There is no way I COULDN'T choose fix/writing day because your writing is phenomenal and I will never pass up an opportunity for more.

I basically kept these because they made me feel good and I wanted an easy place to get to them, I am bought cheaply.

Utena:

I used a random number generator to pick these! (Because every episode of Utena is wonderful when you're talking about it.)

This absolutely delighted me

Deeper... Go deeper. (Seriously though I’d love to see your thoughts on the Nemuro flashbacks now that you’ve finished the show.)

There are so many things I want to revisit in Utena now that I’m finished but I don’t know that anyone would think it was cute for me just to start the anime again ahaha. 

Sailor Moon: 

 I picked pretty much all of the episodes featuring Michiru and Haruka because IM GAY

Idk any of the episodes, I just picked the ones that sounded the most gay

THESE ARE BOTH THE MOST VALID TAKES. 

CALL IT "MICHIRU BULLIES A TEENAGER AT A PUBLIC POOL" YOU COWARD

WE ALL KNOW THAT IS THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE

You don't normally do inners-only things (for obvious reasons), but I think there's a lot to dig into in EP 45 and it would be really interesting to hear your take!

I pretty much NEVER do anything before S, because if there aren’t my lesbians why is the show even around, but 45 got through! 

Clocks are stupid. 

L O L 

Livestream: 

I am legit shocked you have not seen The Last Unicorn, but it could be that I'm remembering you've read the book instead? I swear I read a post of yours that talked about it…

I swear I haven’t! I’ve seen like 15 minutes of it when Jetty livestreamed it and it was like right at the end so honestly the credits and Jet not being impressed are the only things I know! I have heard great things about the book, and considered picking it up, but never have! 

If I had fuck-you-money, I'd visit every time Ari Aster released a new movie and just goddamn scream about it PLEASE consider the director's cut if possible!!

I am low key obsessed with Ari Aster and approve of you gaining fuck you money. 

Doc talks about class romance YES PLEASE.

ALWAYS CLASS ROMANCIN’ IN MY SENSHI HEART

You made freaks sound very interesting!

IT WAS SO GOOD. It didn’t get through this round, I imagine because it’s not well known, but it was basically the sort of thing I always wanted Xmen to be, and also it was a very Jewish movie on a number of levels. 

Non-Animated:

Doctor Who is my favorite show ever, but the original run is just, well, ummmmm.... Great characters, great stories, wow bad effects. I think this would be more fun for you than the New Who eps starting in 200?

I have seen a handful of Doctor Who episodes: The angry baldish one and the inescapable David Tennant. I LOVED Torchwood though, watched it like wild once it was recommended to me, so we’ll see! 

I thought Twilight Zone was nominated! I thought I had nominated it! A great disservice upon us all! I really love reading your commentary on the Haunting of Hill House, even though I haven't watched it. It's just so fascinating, especially the mentions on camera work and the like.

I was a little surprised no one went for TZ either! But not in a bummed way, just a surprised way, everyone seemed to really really enjoy the TZ liveblog last year. Thank you! I LOVED hill house, and it’s such a treat to me to get to liveblog it. 

I need to see you intensely on your shit, and feel that will happen with most of what I picked.

JEWS ON THEIR SHIT, NEWS AT 11. 

Bc Leverage is the best show in the entire world and it’s so good everyone should watch it

I know almost NOTHING about Leverage except that people want me and Jet both to watch it (And I’m going to have her report back to me when she streams it for Patreon on the 26th, either way) but from what little I know it’s a heist procedural? So I’m sort of surprised people look at it for me, but maybe I have the wrong idea about the show PLEASE NO SPOILERS 

YOU DESERVE SUE PERKINS

WE ALL DO, REALLY. 

Animated:

To quote Regalli in your discord: "make someone liveblog A Place Further Than The Universe, I need well-articulated screaming about spite as a motivator and friendship and loss!"

I know nothing about this show but I have to say this was a magnificent pitch and my ears are officially perked. 

Psycho Pass because I really love your non-fiction pieces and the tidbits of morals and ethics that you dole out and I would love to see your take on the morals/ethics of the ending of the series. <--which is 500 years away until I win a liveblog, but that is my goal for next year, to pay patron and get one of those positions!

Thank you! I feel like I see so much shit just because I started running the patreon liveblog contest, which gives people a chance they might not have had. 

I want to see you talk about the murder cupcake forever? Is that a good reason?

I LOVE THE MURDER CUPCAKE. 

[commentaryvorg]

Danganronpa V3 Commentary: Part 6.3

Be aware that this is not a blind playthrough! This will contain spoilers for the entire game, regardless of the part of the game I’m commenting on. A major focus of this commentary is to talk about all of the hints and foreshadowing of events that are going to happen and facts that are going to be revealed in the future of the story. It is emphatically not intended for someone experiencing the game for their first time.

Last time as we properly began chapter 6’s investigation, the Hope’s Peak book in Kokichi’s lab was obviously planted and had nothing to do with him, a random kid in one of Shuichi’s fake flashbacks was delightfully relevant to Kaito’s issues, Kokichi’s room was a mess in both a literal and a narrative sense, his motive video at least gave some insight into how he could have been sometimes not a dick and had some vague semblance of actual friendship, Himiko was clearly thinking of Kaito as she declared herself Shuichi’s sidekick, it must have sucked to be Rantaro just before his memories were erased, and another fake flashback happened to show just how amazing Kaito was at hiding his illness.

We’ve finished investigating Rantaro’s lab, and Himiko has now left to go check Rantaro’s dorm room for the other part of his Survivor Perk that he mentioned in the video. (This is the same oversight the writers made with Kokichi’s dorm room in that nobody should be capable of entering it without Keebo blowing up the door. And while Monokuma could potentially have forgotten to lock Kokichi’s door in all the confusion of case 5, Rantaro’s door has been very explicitly locked since the end of chapter 1.)

Shuichi is about to go and head to the library next, since Keebo can blow open the hidden door for him, but before he can, Tsumugi shows up to tell him to come and see something in Kaito’s lab instead. Possibly she’s trying to distract him in the hopes that he’ll never have time to get around to the library, but it’s probably mostly just that she really wants him to see some totally relevant evidence that totally isn’t a red herring. It is very telling that the thing Tsumugi helps you investigate in this chapter is the one thing that’s related to the in-universe story about the Gofer Project and the spaceship, while everything that everyone else helps you find is related to the real truth of the situation that proves that story false – that Kokichi wasn’t a Remnant of Despair, Rantaro’s previous killing game, etc.

(It’s rather misleading that they describe Kaito’s lab as being on the sixth floor, when we’re currently on the fifth floor and so you’d think that the way there would be to go up. But nope, the only way to Kaito’s lab is all the way back down to the first floor and then up the spiral staircase behind that one door. Of course Kaito’s lab just had to be special, that dork.)

(I also messed up dealing with an Exisal that was in the way. While obviously the Exisals here won’t actually kill Shuichi if you don’t call Keebo to get rid of them quickly enough, they do have an animation which implies Shuichi gets picked up and thrown backwards into the nearest wall, which is neat. So, uh, that happened a couple of times here. Sorry, Shuichi.)

As soon as we enter the cold sleep room that’s been blown open behind Kaito’s lab, there’s another flashback, and it’s… everyone we care about! Well, sort of. This never really happened and is just Tsumugi’s fanfiction of how they would have interacted while meeting each other and preparing to go into cold sleep, but at least she gets them in-character. Or maybe it’s just some kind of simulation based on the data about their personalities in the Flashback Light computer. …Not that it’s super hard to get them right in this context, because this isn’t a very complex conversation and so they’re mostly just displaying their most recognisable character traits.

This is supposedly everyone meeting for the first time, which is the only point at which it actually matters that they were apparently all in different classes at Hope’s Peak, making that a very unnecessary plot point of the previous Flashback Light. Even if they were in different classes, though, wouldn’t each Gofer Project member have sought out the other ones after hearing they’re in the project together, to get to know them better? They’d especially want to talk to that one guy who’s already an astronaut; surely he’d have some interesting thoughts on this situation and would be able to tell them what it’d be like on a spaceship.

Kaito:  “But y’know, it’s a man’s dream to leave Earth behind and travel across the stars!”

Oh, Kaito, of course it is. Mostly just for the kind of man that you are, though. Curiosity!

(grrr I know this isn’t really Kaito and is just a display of some of his most obvious character traits, but I miss him.)

There’s all kinds of stuff here reminding us of old character interactions – Maki jabbing at Kaito even before they were friends, Kaito reacting to being called an idiot, Kokichi being a dick to Keebo (you know, that thing that made him so lovable), Kiyo hinting at being a fucking serial killer (ditto), which, to at least some extent, really does bring back fond memories of when everyone was alive and things weren’t so bleak. There’s also lots of Kaede, being her adorable optimistic self!

Kaede:  “We’re friends from here on out.”

Kokichi:  “Hmm… Even though you just met us and you don’t even know what we’re like?”

They even managed to fit Kokichi’s trust issues in there.

Kaito:  “No matter how many times we fight, we smile in the end… That’s what true friendship is.”

I would say this is also Kaito being good, but… I’m not completely sure that this is something the real him would have said, actually. It sounds a bit too simplistically waxing-lyrical-about-friendship with nothing distinctively Kaito about it. Especially when you consider the fact that Kaito very rarely referred to Shuichi and Maki as his friends because he was so hung up on the whole hero-and-sidekick thing.

But regardless, because this at least seems on the surface to be the characters we know and (mostly) love, this is the one flashback which actually does inspire hope for us in the audience too! And it probably gives more hope to Shuichi than any of the others did, because this one is based on the people who were real and he genuinely cared about instead of only feeling like he cared about them in the first place through fake memories. These are the people he’s already said are his source of hope, and it’s almost like he’s seeing them all again.

While every character in the flashback had at least one line, most of them didn’t have much more than one or two, except for Kaede and Kaito, who had the most. I wonder if this is just because they would be the two most talkative while meeting a new group of people and trying to encourage them all to get along, or whether it’s because we’re seeing a version of this scene which is tailored to Shuichi specifically and therefore puts the most emphasis on the people he cared about the most (and, for example, Himiko’s version gave Tenko and Angie more lines).

Flashback over, the reason Tsumugi really brought us here, of course, is a document about the Gofer Project participants that just happens to be here (why would this have even been left in the cold sleep room of all places?). Specifically, she wants us to see the part of it that claims Kaede had a twin sister.

Tsumugi:  “It said her sister was adopted by a relative and they barely had any contact, but…”

This serves as a convenient excuse for why Kaede never mentioned having a twin. If they didn’t live together, this twin would be functionally more like a cousin to her and not a significant enough part of her life for Kaede to be likely to bring her up unless she was specifically asked about extended family.

But, really? I don’t think Kaede even had a twin at all. Obviously, technically her entire family wasn’t real and was all fake backstory, but I mean in the sense of Kaede thinking she had a twin and remembering that as something about herself. I don’t think she did. This is a desperate last-minute red herring of Tsumugi’s that goes nowhere; if she’d had this idea in mind from before Kaede’s creation then you’d think she’d have gone somewhere with it and made it into an actual thing.

Tsumugi:  “I’m still a little worried. Because Junko Enoshima also had a twin sister.”

Shuichi: “Ah, true, but…”

Tsumugi:  “On top of that, Junko used her twin sister to run her killing game from behind the scenes. I mean… it’s probably just a coincidence, but I thought I should mention it to you, Shuichi.”

For her supposedly thinking it’s probably nothing, she sure is pressing this point that Junko was the same as if she’s trying to get him to think this isn’t nothing, now, isn’t she.

Shuichi:  (This is the first time I’m hearing that Kaede has a twin. But is that… relevant? It doesn’t really matter, does it?)

But Shuichi knows exactly what the fuck is up. This is not remotely relevant, and the fact that Junko had a twin doesn’t change that. The only actual relevance this has is to hint towards the real mastermind’s identity, since Tsumugi was so insistent about telling us this.

As some bonus dialogue, Tsumugi wonders where Maki and Himiko are.

Shuichi:  “Maki is in Kokichi’s room at the dorms.”

Tsumugi:  “Kokichi’s dorm room? Why’s she there?”

Heh, Tsumugi looks slightly worried at this, almost as if she’s afraid they might have seen Kokichi’s motive video and realised he wasn’t a Remnant of Despair at all.

Next, Shuichi and Tsumugi head to the library together and find Maki already there.

Maki:  “…I knew you would come here.”

Maki’s smiling as she says this! She’s friends enough with Shuichi that she’s come to understand him pretty well, and she’s happy about that fact!

Huh, I’m pretty sure that if you ever came back to the library at any point during earlier chapters past 1, the books Kaede set up had been put back to the mess they were in before. But in this scene, they’re still organised. Guess that’s another minor oversight.

Maki:  “I found a design that worried me a little. It was drawn with *too* much detail…”

If you think about it, Kokichi shouldn’t have needed to draw such a detailed blueprint in order for it to be something Miu could make. Miu is the inventor; she should be able to take someone’s idea of “I want a thing that can do this” and figure out the blueprints and how to build it herself. The writers could have had Maki identify a relevant design simply from the fact that it seems actually buildable and potentially useful compared to all his other childish ideas, without the blueprint needing to be detailed.

This blueprint was for the Bugvac, which Maki then grabbed a finished prototype of from Miu’s lab. Despite it being a prototype, it has apparently already been used a few times, which begs the question of how much Kokichi knew about this. If he was the one who used it, he should have known he wouldn’t be able to see these “tiny bugs” for himself and should in theory have gone to Gonta to ask if he could see them. It’s quite possible this did happen, and Kokichi was able to confirm how Monokuma’s surveillance worked and be sure an Electrobomb would knock out the cameras. (Of course, if so, he still never told anyone else about this because lol what is being helpful, that might compromise his plan.) Or it’s possible he just never got around to this – maybe this was the last thing Miu built, and by the time Kokichi realised it was finished, Miu and Gonta were already dead thanks to him, good job Kokichi.

Himiko then also shows up, but is hesitant to say what she found in Rantaro’s room.

Himiko:  “If I say I didn’t find anything, you’re gonna decide I’m useless, aren’t you…? I-I won’t let that happen…”

Aww, don’t worry, Himiko, you’re still a good sidekick. Someone­ had to search Rantaro’s room to confirm there’s nothing in there, and that’s still a useful clue in itself! I do like this little bit in this chapter of Himiko wanting to be useful. After seeing so many others try so hard to make a difference, she must have realised she hasn’t really contributed much herself, and she wants that to change!

Himiko:  “You’ve got guts to label me, the legendary mage, useless!”

This is… perhaps a little bit Kaito of her? It’s not quite exactly like him, because Kaito would never pull out his Luminary of the Stars line when confronted with how useless he felt (he was probably aware how empty and desperate that’d sound), but he did often try and act like he was a much better investigator than he definitely knew he was and what do you mean he’s useless. Himiko having started to feel useless and wanting to be more help in investigations without knowing how is, after all, rather Kaito of her too.

(Why yes, I am also going to be finding every excuse possible to bring up Kaito in this chapter even when the game isn’t directly referencing him, and you can’t stop me here either.)

Himiko:  “Maybe… the mastermind is hiding behind this hidden door?”

Maki:  “Then, if we kill them… we can end this killing game…”

Shuichi:  “No, I told you, we can’t kill them. If you do that, we’d be the same—”

Listen to Shuichi, Maki Roll! And remember what happened the last time you tried to kill the mastermind! It’s so sad that this is still her ingrained go-to method for solving any problem that doesn’t have an easy solution.

Maki:  “…You don’t have to tell me. I’m not going to kill… I’m just going to get revenge. It’s weird… Sometimes, you’re just like him, you know?”

But she’s fighting against that ingrained instinct! She is learning from what Kaito taught her! And even though anyone would not want their friend to kill someone, Maki associates that sentiment with Kaito in particular because he was always so adamant about saving her from ever killing again.

I also like the way she just says “him”, because she knows Shuichi will know exactly who she’s talking about. He’s still so important to them.

Maki:  “I’ll go in first… I’m the only one who can fight if anything happens.”

And she’s realising that she can fight to protect people! She wasn’t able to use her skills to protect Kaito in the end, but at least she still can for the rest of her friends!

Motherkuma:  “Puhuhu… You found me. Or rather, you just found a place that you were meant to find.”

Sort of. Motherkuma definitely didn’t plan for things to enter “endgame” mode just yet, but since Keebo’s gone rogue and there’s nothing he can do about that, I suppose he does now want to give them hints that’ll help them figure out the mastermind so that the story can be entertaining.

Motherkuma explains that he’s the machine that can make spare Monokumas, and everyone thinks it’s too convenient that he’s just admitting this, which I suppose is a reasonable excuse for why they all then try and get him to prove it.

Shuichi:  “Could you do that right now?”

Tsumugi:  “Yeah! Try and make a new Monokuma!”

Tsumugi is the first one to directly ask, before Motherkuma has brought up the word “birth”. Because of this, it doesn’t seem so out of place that she doesn’t use that word.

Motherkuma:  “I can’t birth a Monokuma for someone who doesn’t love me.” […]

Himiko:  “Whatever, just give birth to a Monokuma!”

Motherkuma:  “No! I won’t do it! I’m not gonna birth one for someone I don’t like just cuz they tell me to!”

Maki:  “…Hurry up and give birth to a Monokuma.”

Motherkuma:  “…”

Shuichi:  “…Are you listening? We said to give birth to a new Monokuma.”

And then once Motherkuma uses the word, everyone else who asks phrases it that way. Which honestly is still pretty forced – that’s not the usual way you’d describe a robot making a copy of itself – but it’s at least somewhat reasonable why they all used that word when Tsumugi did not. And of course Tsumugi doesn’t chip in on this sudden train of people awkwardly saying “birth”, because she’s totally already asked him to do that, right?

I say this is awkwardly forced that everyone says “birth” like this, but even so, I absolutely did not catch the significance of this at all, even after Motherkuma later explained that the word “birth” was important. If Tsumugi had only asked after everyone else had said “birth” and had not used that word, it would probably have stuck out, but because she went beforehand, it’s genuinely pretty innocuous even if everyone else using the word seems a bit odd.

Tsumugi:  “I wonder if the thing about the spares… was a lie after all.”

Shuichi:  (A lie, huh… But why lie about that? There has to be some motivation to lie…)

Obviously it’s not at all a lie. But even if it was a lie and Motherkuma couldn’t make spares (and there was always just the one spare Monokuma lying around for that one time at the beginning I guess?), lying about it would make perfect sense. The supposed Monokuma-making machine was exactly why Kaede ended up “killing” Rantaro, and keeping up that lie even now would help prevent Shuichi from figuring out it was all just a trap.

Survivor Perk Monopad:  Your best chance of exposing them is when Monokuma needs a spare. At that time, the mastermind will go to the library’s hidden room.

Yep. Rantaro was very much lured there by the mastermind so that (hopefully) Kaede would kill him.

Survivor Perk Monopad:  To prove this hint is accurate, I will predict something. The first thing you will remember is the Ultimate Hunt.

Still not sure how that was supposed to be any proof of credibility at all (especially since the plan was to get Rantaro killed before that Flashback Light even happened). Maybe it was purely to get Rantaro to mention it and make himself sound even more suspicious and end up feeling even less safe trusting anyone, which is exactly what happened.

Survivor Perk Monopad:  Only share this information with people who you know you can trust. How you determine that will mean your life or your death.

And they definitely didn’t want Rantaro to go trusting anyone enough to tell them about his plan in case that prevented Kaede from accidentally killing him. So here’s another part that’s trying to make Rantaro super paranoid.

Survivor Perk Monopad:  —Rantaro Amami

Yeah, no, it wasn’t written by Rantaro’s past self at all. This whole thing is simply a note, so there’s no proof it was really from him, and everything in it is designed to get Rantaro killed off in exactly the way that it happened.

Shuichi wonders about the blood on the Monopad, and Maki offers to go retrieve the relevant photo of Rantaro from Kokichi’s room since he was such a convenient mysterious hoarder.

Shuichi:  “Maki… be careful, okay? Keebo and the Exisals are fighting—”

Maki:  “Hey, who do you think I am?” [she smiles] “…Do you want to die?”

[Maki runs off]

Shuichi:  “…I’ve finally reached the point where I can tell that was a joke.”

They are friends! It’s not just that Shuichi can tell she’s joking now, but also that Maki’s become better at showing when she’s joking. I also just like Shuichi worrying about her – of course he already knows she can protect herself and she doesn’t actually need to remind him, but he still worries just a little bit about her getting hurt anyway because she’s his friend!

Shuichi:  (Inspecting it closely, I can see several pink fibers stuck to the surface of the shot.) “They’re pink…” (Wait! That means, this shot…) [he winces] “…” (…I understand. I know how to pin down the mastermind of this killing game…)

Shuichi obviously can’t directly voice what he just figured out because the players need a game to play, but regardless, I do like this moment of him realising that… Oh. Oh, shit, Kaede didn’t actually kill Rantaro, that’s awful… but at least he can use that fact to end this game and finally fulfil her wish.

Shuichi has one last flashback, about when Monokuma woke him up from cold sleep to taunt him before wiping his memories.

Monokuma:  “Although we’re meeting for the first time, you already know me… Puhuhu… Well, of course you know. I’m famous, after all.”

While Monokuma goes on to clarify that this is because everyone watched the Hope’s Peak killing game, these lines here happen to amusingly line up perfectly well with the real truth. He could have said these exact lines to pregame Shuichi, hypothetically.

Monokuma:  “The bonds of trust you’ve forged, your disgusting promises of friendship… All that’s gonna go bye-bye when the killing game starts!”

Yeah, there’s definitely not going to be any bonds of trust or promises of friendship whatsoever in this killing game, right? Hah. This is supposed to make them sad about losing those bonds, but really they forged better bonds after the killing game started than they had in that one supposed brief conversation beforehand. (It was stupid of Tsumugi to write that they were in different classes and didn’t know each other; that just makes this backstory seem even more irrelevant.)

Shuichi:  “What…? Wh-Why are you doing this…?”

Monokuma:  “There’s no point in asking me questions. You’re gonna forget everything, anyway.”

Shuichi:  “Who’s behind this!? Who *are* you!? Junko Enoshima is dead—”

Monokuma:  “Like I said, there’s no point. You’ll just forget that, too.”

Since he’s going to forget this, Monokuma should have no reason not to explain himself anyway only to taunt him that he’ll just forget it all. But he doesn’t, because the only actual reason this exchange exists is as something Shuichi will “remember”, and they didn’t want to give him any meaningful information in it. Or rather, since there is no meaningful information in a backstory that’s all lies, Tsumugi probably hadn’t even figured out the exact supposed reason for this killing game in the context of the Hope’s Peak universe at all, so it was easier to just be vague.

Monokuma:  “I’m gonna use this light, then I’m gonna shove you all into lockers while you’re unconscious…”

So apparently everybody was in lockers at the beginning. But there aren’t sixteen lockers in this school. Damn it, this game and its thing of how any part of the story that you the player don’t need to interact with simply doesn’t exist as part of the game world.

Himiko volunteers to stay behind in the hidden room to look for more clues, since she still feels that she hasn’t been particularly useful yet.

Himiko:  “With my skills, I’ll catch the dastardly Monokuma and the mastermind!”

Shuichi:  “…I understand. Then I’ll leave it to you, Himiko.”

Himiko:  “What? W-Wait, really? Are you seriously going to leave it to me? All by myself?”

Aww. She’s not used to people actually believing in her and giving her this much responsibility! She was talking herself up like the great mage she totally is, but she doesn’t really think she’s that good at helping at all.

Himiko:  “Since you believe in me, I need to give it my all… I’ll find the clue, even if it uses up every last drop of my magic and kills me!”

Tsumugi:  “D-Don’t say such unlucky things…”

Himiko:  “I’m just letting you know how determined I am. You guys should believe in me and go on ahead.”

Shuichi:  “Thank you. That really makes me feel better, Himiko.”

She’s being a performer! She’s saying things she doesn’t quite mean in order to give people a certain impression of her and influence their mood to be more positive and optimistic! Kaito’s shoes were very big shoes, but Himiko’s doing the best job she can at filling them.

(Himiko Yumeno, Luminary of Magic. She’s trying, at least.)

Shuichi:  “We need to split up and check all the labs one more time. If we missed a clue in any of them… it would most likely be *that* one.”

We never find out which lab Shuichi is thinking about here. The only other lab I can think of that’d have anything relevant in it would be his own, thanks to all fifty-two of those very telling murder case files in there, but Shuichi never gets to have another look at that.

As soon as Shuichi and Tsumugi leave the hidden room, Keebo’s fight with an Exisal accidentally blows up the entrance, leaving Himiko trapped inside behind a pile of rubble.

Shuichi:  “…Let’s use the Exisal.”

Keebo:  “What?”

Tsumugi:  “Use the Exisal…? How? We don’t have any more of Miu’s inventions, and the Monokubs are in the Exisals—”

We should technically still have four charged Electrohammers lying somewhere near the entrance of the hangar and could run to get those. The story kind of conveniently pretended they stopped existing last chapter as soon as everyone saw the body in the press.

(We would also have an Electrobomb and the Exisal remote if only a certain someone who is under that press had ever cared about actually helping us, of course.)

Tsumugi:  “Himiko is the Ultimate Magician… I bet she’ll use her magic to find a clue in that room that’s just plain amazing.”

I wonder if Tsumugi is actually worried that she will. After all, Himiko’s talent should make her very good at finding secret mechanisms and hidden passageways.

Keebo:  “I can’t keep evading the Exisals’ attacks beyond that time limit. If we don’t settle this soon, I’ll be destroyed.”

This is the actual reason why Keebo gave us this arbitrary time limit, even though it’s still pretty flimsy that he’d apparently know exactly how long he could keep it up for.

(Oh, hey, Keebo sure would be able to keep it up longer and give us longer to investigate if someone had given us the goddamn Exisal remote, now, wouldn’t he???)

Tsumugi:  “I don’t know if I can get to all of them, but I’ll do what I can! I’ll see you later!”

So Tsumugi is in fact going to go check all of the labs for extra clues. Supposedly. Obviously she very deliberately never goes to Shuichi’s lab and points out the very relevant clues in there. She’s not going to bring back anything of note from any of the labs at all, because of course she wouldn’t want to do that.

This part here is a window of time in which it is possible that Tsumugi could in fact have gone to her own lab and used the sets in there and her ridiculous cosplay-shapeshifter skills to fake the audition videos that she’ll show us in the trial. I acknowledge that possibility, but I don’t believe that’s what happened. We’ll get to that when we see the videos.

---

[Next post]

[trb-reacts]

The Raven Boys, Chapter 12

Adam wasn’t waiting by the bank of mailboxes in the morning.

Oh no. Please tell me Adam was fine and wasn’t caught. Tell me no one hurt our sweet, elegant boy. 

Actually, more properly, he’d used it as a place to turn around and head back the way he’d come. […] At the sight of Gansey’s Aglionby sweater, Adam’s father had charged out, firing on all cylinders.

Lol, oh, Gansey, turn around and head back the way he’d come. I’m also just very afraid for Adam though. If Adam’s father reacts this way to Gansey in his Aglionby sweater, just how exactly does Adam’s father react to Adam attending Aglionby?

For weeks after that, Ronan had called Gansey “the S.R.F.,” where the S stood for Soft, the R stood for Rich, and the F for something else.

Lol, something else, huh?

His watch said he had eighteen minutes to make the fifteen-minute drive to school.

It’s okay, Gansey, I’ve done 10 minute walks within 5 minutes, because I always leave the house too late and have no sense of time. I managed, though, and made it on time, with 2 minutes of lateness. Yay me. 

Noah had let him leave his journal behind at Nino’s after all, and its absence was surprisingly unsettling.

I’m sorry, Gansey, but how old are you? Noah let you leave your journal behind? Have a sense of responsibility, would you, tho I would admit that I would be exceedingly upset if I lost my journal full of my writings.

And Dick Gansey II had let his son know that if he couldn’t hack it in a private school, Gansey was cut out of the will.

He’d said it nicely, though, over a plate of fettuccine.

Oh, the rich people’s version of B+?? You only got a B+?? Only Asians get the threat of a beating (semi-kidding), while rich people get the threat of a fortune taken away with they get below a B. I wonder which one is worse. 

He felt the old fear creeping slowly out of his lungs.

Don’t panic. You were wrong about Ronan last night. You have to stop this. Death isn’t as close as you think.

… I would like to be reassuring and tell Gansey he’s right, except Whelk’s friend did die when they went on their quest to search for the king. And I mean, a beating and death is not that far apart for Adam, is it? I’m concerned, especially with this unexpected radio silence.

Adam must’ve taken his bike, he must’ve had work, he must’ve had errands to run and forgotten to tell him. The rutted drive down to the neighborhood was still empty. Come on, Adam. Wiping his palms on his slacks, he put his hands back on the steering wheel and headed for the school.

Gansey, I’m admittedly a little disappointed in you. School > friend? I mean, I get it, I’m a student crazy about my grade too and most of the time, the worse case scenario isn’t usually actually what happens, though, Gansey? You called him out last night, knowing that consequences would be bad if Adam was caught. You called him, asked him for a favor from one friend to another, and Adam granted it, gave it to you without much more than a second thought for his own wellbeing, because you asked. And now you leave your wait for Adam, without knowing what happened to him at all? You coulda at least went by Adam’s home to see if he is there and then walk in late to class, though I admittedly don’t know how well rich boarding schools take walking in late to class.  

Ronan was head of class in Latin. He studied joylessly but relentlessly, as if his life depended on it. Directly behind him was Adam, Aglionby’s star pupil, otherwise at the top of every class that he took. Like Ronan, Adam studied relentlessly, because his future life did depend on it.

He studied joylessly but relentlessly, as if his life depended on it. Oh, me in every single one of my classes. Joyless and relentless, because my future life depends on it. Not the star pupil like Adam, though I try. 

I’m also getting the Ronan/Adam vibe again. Adam, top in every single one of his class except for Latin, the only class that Ronan tries and therefore excels at. I wonder if Adam gets infuriated by Ronan, the way Ronan doesn’t care about anything including his own talent and intelligence, but shines so brightly when he does try like a light flickering to life at night. 

…. Would it be a stretch if I add ‘and Adam is helpless drawn by it, like moth to flame.’? Probably, but I don’t care. Ronan probably won’t burn Adam much tho. Probably. Hopefully. 

He’d originally resigned himself to taking Latin in order to translate historical texts for Glendower research, but Ronan’s proficiency at the language robbed Gansey’s study of any urgency.

I’m so both amazed by Gansey’s dedication to his reasearch to even consider learning an entire other language (i understand how tough learning another language could be, since I suck at it, even without considering reading and writing formal text in another foreign language) and amused by Gansey’s typical student laziness. I don’t need to take it? Great, not gonna bother then, thank you very much. 

Ronan hissed, “Where’s Parrish?”

Oh, no. Adam!! Also, Ronan cares~

Behind Gansey, someone punched his shoulder blade and said, Gansey boy! as they trotted by. Gansey halfheartedly lifted three fingers, the signal of the rowing team.

Gansey boy! Lol. Also, Gansey’s in the rowing team? He is popular.

A few months earlier, Gansey had offered to buy Adam a cell phone, and by so doing had launched the longest fight they’d ever had, a week of silence that had resolved itself only when Ronan did something more offensive than either of them could accomplish.

I’m so… I don’t know. I understand why Adam would be like, fuck you, I’m not a charity case, but at the same time… sometimes when you see your friend struggling, it physically hurts to have the means to help and just not be allowed to help. Gansey should say stuff like, “Oh, it’ll be easier to help me contact you, which would aid us in our quest. Also, think of this as me investing in you. You can pay me back for the phone later.’ Or just… sell Adam one of his old phone for cheap, idk. 

This reminds me of *spoiler if you haven’t read The Foxhole Court* Andrew buying Neil a phone and Neil looking at it like it’s the devil the first time around. Though, to be fair, Neil and Adam are in different circumstance here. 

Also, I’m so amused by this: a week of silence that had resolved itself only when Ronan did something more offensive than either of them could accomplish. Glad to see Ronan’s antagonistic nature has its perks. No one can seem offensive when in comparison to me!

Thank you, Ronan, thank you. 

“Lynch!” the call came again. “I’m going to fuck you up.”

Wow, that’s… a very strong sentiment. Also, wow, I just noticed but Ronan’s last name is Lynch. Lynch, as in, *give me a second to google the formal definition* 

lynch /verb/:

(of a mob) kill (someone), especially by hanging, for an alleged offense with or without a legal trial.

synonyms: execute illegally, hang, kill; informal string up

“he was lynched by the mob”

Lynch, with all those good feels here. The word lynch reminds of of martyrs and I wonder why I feel like Ronan would be the martyr, despite his strong personality implying/faking that he would be the one doing the lynching. 

Gansey contemplated if he could give Ronan a curfew. Or if he should quit rowing to spend more time with him on Fridays — he knew that was when Ronan got into trouble with the BMW. Maybe he could convince Ronan to …

Gansey boy!: the Mom Friend of the group. 

Gansey asked, “Why are you carrying that bag? Oh my God, you have that bird in there, don’t you.”

Whoops, I forgot about the raven. How could I forget about Chain Saw!! 

“If you get caught with that thing —” But Gansey couldn’t think of a suitable threat. What was the punishment for smuggling a live bird into classes? He wasn’t certain there was precedent.

Ronan, breaking boundaries and making history left and right. I feel like Ronan is the type that prompts people to make new, weirdly specific rules like, “Guys, please, place your hand over the bleaker and gently wave a bit towards you. By heavens, don’t stick it under your nose and sniff like you would with drugs and most of all, I can’t believe I have to say this, but Do Not Drink It! It’s not edible, do you hear me, and definitely do not miss your mouth and accidentally splash it all over your eyes and then knock everyone’s bleaker over and spill the contents all over someone else’s eyes! This is a Safe Zone, you hear me, and we’re gonna Keep It That Way.”

“If it dies in your bag, I forbid you to throw it out in a classroom.” “She,” Ronan corrected. “It’s a she.”

I love how Ronan corrected the impersonal ‘it’ to a ‘she’. Oh, Ronan is such a softie underneath everything. 

Though there was no reason to think Whelk cared about their conversation, Gansey had the strange idea that the lifted piece of chalk in Whelk’s hand was because of them, that the Latin teacher had stopped writing merely to listen in. Adam’s suspicion really was beginning to rub off on him.

Um, Gansey dear, actuallly, Adam’s suspicion is very well founded and also, just listen to your gut instincts. Your guts Knows, alright, it Knows, Gansey. 

Ronan caught Whelk’s eye and held it in an unfriendly sort of way.

Oh, I love Ronan. Stare ‘em down, Ronan, stare ‘em down. 

Because he despised everyone, Ronan wasn’t a good judge of character, but Gansey had to agree that there was something discomfiting about Whelk. A few times, Gansey had tried to hold a conversation with him about Roman history, knowing full well the effect an enthusiastic academic conversation could have on an otherwise listless grade. But Whelk was too young to be a mentor and too old to be a peer, and Gansey couldn’t find an angle.

If Gansey finds it discomfiting every time he can’t find an angle to talk to someone, he would not like my awkward little life or attempts at small talks. I’ll need to know you for a full three months before I can comfortably greet you without thinking ‘Am I overstepping my boundary? Can I greet them and acknowledge them outside of where we met? Do they even remember me or find my greetings too bothersome?’ Yeah, I have lots of anxiety about lots of stuff. 

 Also, Gansey’s such a nerd that he finds it weird when he can’t nerd out with someone who is supposedly a fellow nerd. 

Ronan kept staring at Whelk. He was good at staring. There was something about his stare that took something from the other person.

Me, covering my mouth with a hand, tear brimming my eyes as I reenact the ‘you’re doing amazing, sweetie’ meme. Probably shouldn’t be encouraging him, heavens knows Ronan doesn’t need more encouragement, but I love it when Ronan acts so... him. 

And: there was something about his stare that took something from the other person. I love it!

Gansey would’ve basked once more in the odds of Ronan of finding a raven, but at the moment, with Adam missing, his quest didn’t feel like magic; it felt like years spent piecing together coincidences, and all he had made from it was a strange cloth — too heavy to carry, too light to do any good at all.

Oh, love it. Some doubts from Gansey on his quest, the what-if my faith isn’t really faith, but rather delusions? What if there really isn’t magic and these coincidence (fate, magic) really are just coincidental events that a mad man strung together thinking that they had any correlation or significance at all? 

Also, I love the metaphor with a cloth!!  Too heavy to carry, too light to do any good at all; I spent too much time and energy and faith on it to abandon it now, and yet what had all the time and energy and faith invested really given me in return? Only strings of nothings connected by the thin, nebulous thread of ‘coincidences’.

"You seem to have an extremely large bag today, Mr. Lynch," Whelk said. "You know what they say about men with large bags," Ronan replied. "Ostendes tuum et ostendam meus?" Gansey had no idea what Ronan had just said, but he was certain from Ronan’s smirk that it wasn’t entirely polite. 

So, when faced with untranslated babbles of unknown because I’m not cultured enough to be fluent in more than one language, I can never resist finding out what they mean by turning to the trusty google translate. 

Before that, let me guess what he says without translating the Latin phrase and then maybe we can compare my guess to what he actually said. 

Guess 1:  “You know what they say about men with large bags. They have large baggages,” because symbolism is so my thing. Except Ronan’s Latin phrase ends in a question mark and I think symbolism about bags and baggages is more of my thing than Ronan’s. 

Guess 2: “You know what they say about men with large bags. They have huge dicks,” because I can imagine Ronan making a dick joke here, except that’s also not a question. Ronan, what did you say????

Okay, I’m gonna cheat. 

Final Guess:  “You know what they say about men with large bags. They have huge dicks, amiright?” There, I got the question mark in there now. Totally showed that stupid question mark. 

Answer: Ostendes tuum et ostendam meus?  = You show me yours and I will show

... I’m not entirely sure what that means, so here’s another two guesses, this time on what this translated Lain phrase mean. Gee, Ronan, I like you, but you’re driving me nuts. 

Guess 1: I’m totally right and it’s a dick joke. “You show me your, erm, jewels, and I’ll show you mine.” I like this one because I inappropriately like random oblique dick jokes in Latin, but also because it means Ronan is maybe not entirely straight so my ship with him and Adam might actually be able to leave the port. 

Guess 2: I’m sadly wrong and Ronan is a bright diamond, meaning he’s not only shiny and awesome, but also damn sharp. (Actually diamonds aren’t the sharpest, I’m thinking about... hardness. Diamond’s the hardest of all rocks, I think, and I just compared Ronan to a diamond, so I’ll just leave that here.) Ronan is onto Whelk and he knows that Whelk’s been keeping an eye on them, so Ronan is saying, “You show me your cards, your secrets, and I might impart mine as well, including telling you about what’s in my ‘extremely large bag’.” (I really needa stop making dick jokes.) 

Anyway, the second guess unfortunately sounds more plausible, though Ronan’s smirk seem to imply a bit more of the first guess. Yeah, I don’t know. Tell me if there’s an official interpretation of this or if I misunderstood?

"Being a shit in Latin isn’t the way to an A," Gansey said.

Ronan’s smile was golden. "It was last year."

Ronan’s smile was golden!! *cries* Oh, my son!! I love him so much. 

Adam never showed.

And the somber reminder came back. I really, really hope Adam is okay. I miss him, and I’m sure the boys do too.