Y/N POV: I felt unsurprised when I saw Monokuma show up in the dining hall, I should get used to this. "Oh ho! My ears are burning! Are you guys talking about me again? You must love me! Hm? Are you getting dizzy from the face I make when I concentrate really hard?" Monokuma questioned. "Your face...? It's always the same, isn't it?" Tsumugi questioned. "Never mind that... You guys are probably eager for it, right? My prize, that is. Right? You guys can't live without getting a prize right now, right? That's what I thought, so I brought a prize!" Monokuma yelled.
"Rise and shine ursine-!" Monophanie yelled as the remaining Monokubs made their entrance.
"Rise and shine, ursine!" Monophanie yelled again. "Huh? What's an ursine?" Monotaro questioned. "Oh my... Forgetting your catchphrase is like the kiss of death for a mascot, y'know?" Monophanie said. "Hahaha! Cuz I'm a mascot! Get it?" Monotaro said, at least they bothered to learn something. "That wasn't even a joke! There was no setup, no punchline, no nothing!" Monophanie yelled. "By the way, who's this pink stuffed pig and why is she talking to me?" Monotaro questioned. Monophanie quickly grabbed a frying pan and hit Monotaro on the head with it. "Monotaro's head is busted! One solid whack should make him remember!" Monophanie yelled as she hit Monotaro's head with the frying pan again. "Ouch! Ngh? Where am I? Where's Kaoru...?" Monotaro mumbled in confusion. "Ack! Your character is completely different now!" Monophanie yelled as she hit Monotaro again. "Pops... My family... And you... Thank you...for loving me!" Monotaro yelled. "C'mon! Remember already!" Monophanie yelled as she hit him again.
"... They're so adorably fascinating. I could watch them forever." Monokuma sighed. "I've had about enough of them..." Himiko said. "Heeey, give us some lovin', tooooo. I want my reward alreadyyyyy." Kokichi wined. "When did you get so friendly with Monokuma, Kokichi?" Tsumugi questioned. "Okay, okay. The prize this time is-" Monokuma said as Monophanie took out two items. "Ta-da! The legendary Levistone, the priceless Octobrush, and...a card key! Which just so happens to be the motive, too!" Monophanie yelled. "Did you say...motive!?" Shuichi yelled in shock. "Yep! This mysterious card key is your next motive!" Monokuma yelled. "The classic carrot-and-stick approach! No one can work a carrot or a stick like Daddy!" Monophanie yelled. "Screw your carrot and stick! Gimme whips and chains all the way!" Miu yelled at the bear. "A card key is the motive? What does that even mean?" Kaito questioned, sweat dropping. "So, the new area you can open with the card key... Is that where the real motive is?" Maki asked. "Puhuhu, that's a secret. Why don't you use it if you're so curious?" Monokuma said. "No, we shouldn't. If we want to prevent another murder from happening-" "Yoink! I'll take that card key then!" Kokichi yelled, interrupting Kiibo. He then used his lithe body to his advantage and took the card key from Monokuma.
"B-But that Monokuma's motive! What if another murder happen!?" Gonta yelled. "I wouldn't mind that at all, y'know?" Kokichi admitted. "What?" Shuichi sweat dropped. "Cuz this is the killing game and we're the players, plain and simple. Why wouldn't the players play the game?" Kokichi questioned. "Quit screwing around and just give it to us!" Kaito yelled at Kokichi. "No thaaaanks! See yaaaaa!" Kokichi yelled as he ran out of the dining hall. "Wha-! Hey! Wait up!" Kaito yelled as he ran after Kokichi. "Running in the halls isn't normally allowed, but I suppose boys will be boys. Also, I forgot to mention this, but I've hidden another Flashback Light somewhere. I wonder what memories you'll uncover next! Happy hunting!" Monokuma yelled as he left the dining hall, the Monokubs yelled their catchphrase but however, didn't leave. "Huh? What's 'so long, bear-well' mean?" Monotaro questioned. "You forgot that, too? C'mon, let's go!" Monophanie yelled as they both left the dining hall.
"Wh-What should we do? Kokichi and Kaito are gone." Tsumugi said. "We cannot leave Kokichi alone with that card key motive..." Kiibo pointed out. "But...aren't you curious about the Flashback Light, too?" Tsumugi questioned. "Perhaps we should all search together, and look for Kokichi as well." Shuichi chimed in. "That's a good idea, but...let us look for Kokichi while you focus on the search. Right now, we need your skills as a detective, Shuichi." Kiibo said. "Right... In that case, let me hold onto that. I'll look around again." Shuichi said with a small smile on his face. "Nyeeeh, Shuichi's grown up! He's become so reliable! Now that you're so respectful, I'll let you pet me if you want!" Himiko yelled happily. "Oh, I see, so Shuichi gets that honor." Tsumugi said. "Shuichi is so amazing. Gonta wanna be useful to everyone too." Gonta admitted. "Don't worry. When the time comes, we'll use your body as a meat shield." Maki said. "Okay! Gonta hope time come soon!" Gonta yelled. "No... You should hope that it doesn't come." Tsumugi said with a hand on her cheek. I just want to go back to my dorm room, I don't want to do anything today or the day after that. However...I guess I would be lying if I said that I was completely uninterested by the Flashback Light. But then again, nothing can be worse than this. The worst image that I can see is humanity completely destroyed and the chance of my sister dead being the only possibility. Haha, how sad for me. Life is only going to get more difficult for me, the only escape now is to play the killing game, at least I'll be able to go wherever he is if I do end up getting caught. I'm almost excited for the day. "Y/N...are you coming?" Shuichi asked me. "O-Oh, yes...yes, I will." I mumbled as I walked behind the detective. But then again, I could never have the guts to kill someone. I followed Shuichi to the courtyard, I might as well check everything that has opened up first...I will never know when I will die so I might as well live the rest of my life in somewhat peace.
I watched Shuichi place the Levistone into a small stone box, the stone shot up into the sky and down came a building. "Th-The buildings just combined!" Kiibo yelled in shock. "Ahhhhh! What did you do to my lab!? It's goin' in super deep!" Miu yelled which was followed up by our combined silence. This building is most likely going to be an Ultimate lab, with the design of the outside I'm assuming that this is Kiibo's. "I'll check inside." Shuichi said as he opened the door with us following in behind him. The room itself was certainly Kiibo's Ultimate lab, there were machine parts everywhere and it was extremely bright, almost as if there was a certain theme that they were getting at. "This...is definitely Kiibo's lab." Shuichi concluded. "Whose...lab is this?" Kiibo questioned. "...H-Huh? Isn't it y-yours?" I asked Kiibo. "I don't want this. I don't like this sort of...sci-fi technology... Can we leave now?" Kiibo said, sweat dropping. "But I imagine that a lot of things in here would really help you out. You should take a look." Shuichi persisted. "No...I do not want to be assisted by sci-fi technology. We shouldn't rely on the power of sci-fi for anything." Kiibo argued. Eh...wouldn't that include him also?
"Anyway...I would prefer a more Japanese theme, since I like that food the most...Even though I can only stare at it." Kiibo said. Perhaps he just enjoys the look of it. "At the very least, I'd like some kimonos in my lab and a porch with wind chimes." Kiibo admitted. Ah, I would never have thought Kiibo would like kimonos, I've worn one before and it was rather nice, however, I assume that robots wouldn't be able to feel the sensation of fabric...since the metal and all. "Y-Yeah...that would be nice." Shuichi said. I stood around the lab, I really have no interest in looking at this lab, it's too bright for my liking. I watched Shuichi investigate before I followed him out of the lab, not bothering to wave goodbye to Kiibo and Miu on my way out, I really couldn't be bothered to do anything of the sort. I walked behind Shuichi as we made our way to the staircase that was just below the floor of the incidents. Shuichi must have heard that I had stopped walking behind him and turned around. "Is there anything wrong, Y/N?" Shuichi asked me. "H-Heh...must we really go u-up there?" I questioned. "I have to open the next floor... Do you not want to go up?" Shuichi asked me. "...I can do it, I just wouldn't prefer it." I mumbled as I hesitantly made my way up the staircase with Shuichi, the dark room brought back a lot of uncomfortable memories. So sorry, I'm sorry...all three of you...I'm really sorry. I directed my eyes to the floor as I walked with Shuichi to the red-tinted room and lifted up my head when I heard the staircase open up. "The fifth floor, huh? How many floors does this school have?" Shuichi questioned. "...N-No clue." I responded.
Once we both walked up the staircase the look of the room didn't really occur to me as a normal room, it kind of looked like the inside of a castle in the Victorian times, the red hue of the large room was notable to the setting, the old looking statues of Monokuma were also nice to look at. I think Kiyo would've liked this floor, I remember Kiyo talked about the Victorian times at some point, I don't know if I can recall correctly but it was when we had first discovered Kirumi's lab... Haha, but what do I know? I shouldn't think about things that I'll most likely forget in the afterlife.
I directed my attention to Tsumugi who was standing right next to the staircase. "This has a completely different feel from the 4th floor. Huh? That door over there is just plain suspicious. Could it be..." Tsumugi mumbled as she and Shuichi began walking to the room to the right. It had a few images on it like sewing equipment. I followed Shuichi and Tsumugi as we walked into the room. The room itself was rather amazing and softer on the eyes. This was most likely Tsumugi's Ultimate lab. There were mannequins dressed in clothes and lights with cameras and different kinds of settings in the middle of the room. "This is amazing...It's like an event venue!" Shuichi yelled in awe. Something that caught my attention was a bar that was placed on the side of the lab. "Well, what do you know...it's just like the real thing." Tsumugi said cheerily as she sat down at a table in the front of the counter. "Hey, Shuichi and Y/N, are you thirsty? I can make you one of my signature cocktails if you'd like." Tsumugi offered. "A signature cocktail?" Shuichi mumbled. "Yeah, it seems like all the drinks here are top-quality stuff. I used to make them a lot at my part-time job. Don't worry. It'll be non-alcoholic, of course." Tsumugi reassured. "Ah, okay... I'll talk one." Shuichi said. "Do you want one, Y/N? Maybe a good drink will cheer you up." Tsumugi said. "...S-Sure, okay." I agreed as I sat down with Shuichi on one of the stools. I had begun to hear the sounds of glasses clinking.
"How would you two like it? A little stronger, maybe?" Tsumugi said. "Huh? Ah, sure..." Shuichi responded. "...C-Could you make mine a-as strong as possible, perhaps...?" I asked Tsumugi. "Sure thing!" Tsumugi said which was followed up by some more sounds of the glasses clinking. "Wow, you're good at this, aren't you?" Shuichi said. "Yeah, before I got sponsors for my cosplaying, I worked a bunch of jobs. I used to say to my customers... 'I'm in a bit of financial trouble. If only someone could help me out...'" Tsumugi said. "What?" Shuichi mumbled. For some reason, I feel rather charitable now. However I still have my slight doubts that the technique actually does work, someone with such a pretty face like Tsumugi's or my sister could easily get money, at least that's what I think.
I heard the glasses clink for a third time before Tsumugi spoke up. "Okay, it's ready." Tsumugi said with a kind smile before placing the drinks in front of Shuichi and I. "Thank you." Shuichi said, he really did look like a stereotypical detective now, the one that gets a drink after a hard day of work. Though I never would've imagined Tsumugi working as a bartender. I held the drink in my hand for a few seconds before quickly bringing it up to my mouth and drinking it. It tasted okay, I've had worse. Compared to the bitter taste of black coffee or the uncomfortable burning sensation of lemon juice, it really wasn't too bad. "Please come again." Tsumugi said. "Yes, thank you. I'll be back." Shuichi sweat dropped. I turned my body around on the stool, still sitting down. I looked at the studio as a whole, I'm sure my sister would love this, she's always wanted to learn how to sew or make her own clothes. But eventually, she would've probably gotten bored of it. "Umm...even with all these materials and tools, if it's all by itself..." Tsumugi mumbled. "I see... Cosplay is fun to do with others, right?" Shuichi questioned. "There's no point in doing it by myself... Hey, Shuichi and Y/N! Do you want to give it a try!? Come on, try cosplaying with me!" Tsumugi yelled. "M-Me!?" Shuichi yelled. "Yeah, I think it's just plain fun to become fictional characters. To become a completely different person and feel like you're part of a fictional world... Doesn't that sound interesting? Don't you want to live in a fictional world?" Tsumugi questioned. "Ah, but...I'm investigating right now..." Shuichi pointed out. "I-I mean...most of the books I read are f-fictional...so I guess I won't mind c-cosplaying with you, Tsumugi." I mumbled. "Then, let's do it later. Let me know when you feel up to it. I'll help you become your favorite character, whether it be from an anime, manga, or a game, or even a book! However, even if you're just trying it out, you gotta cosplay with love!" Tsumugi yelled. "R-Right..." Shuichi mumbled.
I moved my head a little to see a little room that I didn't notice at first. It looked like a repair room that had a sewing machine and a work table to go with it. I looked at the different color strings and needles. This is probably a space to make and repair costumes. I left the Ultimate lab with Shuichi. I turned my body a little to wave goodbye to Tsumugi, I felt a little better than I did earlier, I'll have to thank Tsumugi by spending some time with her later, if I'm going to die here, I want to die not completely hated by everyone.
I walked with Shuichi for a minute before we ran into Maki. "There's an angel statue and a demon statue next to the stairs. Don't chapels usually have these?" Maki questioned. "Yeah..." Shuichi responded. In the Ultimate Academy, I really doubt that there is a god, but then Monokuma has things like these it makes you think that it's all just a big joke, I guess people have different types of humor I suppose. I walked behind Shuichi to find another door, this door had no decoration or any flashy colors, it was just a simple brown. "I should check inside to be sure." Shuichi mumbled as he opened the Ultimate lab. Inside of it had a rather comfortable view, there were work tables and comfortable looking chairs, oddly enough there was a hat hanger, this room just like how a detectives room was described in the books, there were two different bookshelves holding different items. There was even a fireplace. The colors are easy on the eyes and the fireplace gives the room a feel of the outside world. This room is truly a wonder to look at. I'm almost jealous.
"What...? Is this...?" Shuichi stammered out. "This looks like your research lab." Maki said. "It is, right?" Shuichi sweat dropped. "Let's see what's going on here. But...I'm getting a bad feeling from this place." Maki admitted. I shrugged off Maki's statement and took a look at the shelf with a bunch of different small bottles with Maki and Shuichi behind me. I carefully picked on up to look at the contents of the liquid. "...I-It's poison." I told the duo. "I thought so. There's no way that can be normal medicine in the Ultimate Detective's lab..." Maki said as she walked next to me and opened the glass cabinets and peered inside. "Yeah, I know what some of these are. They're definitely poison." Maki conformed. "In that case...we should try to dispose of them. We don't want anyone accidentally-" "N-No...even if we got rid of them, M-Monokuma would just replace them. M-Monokuma seems to repair or replace anything that gets destroyed in our labs." I said, interrupting Shuichi. However, I do find myself being irritated by the fact that even destroying your entire lab...everything will still get repaired, no matter how many books you tear or throw. "Even so...I'm surprised they have so many in here. There's poison for instantaneous death, as well as ones that can inflict various symptoms... Depending on how you use them, you can set up different gimmicks." Maki said. "This doesn't feel like an Ultimate Detectives lab. More like a criminal's lab." Shuichi sweat dropped. "It's a fine line when it comes to knowing everything about crimes." Maki reminded Shuichi. I walked to the bookshelf with the files on it. "...A-All together there is about 50 files here." I informed the duo. "What are these files for?" Shuichi questioned as he picked a random one up and flipped through it. "Ah!" Shuichi yelped in surprise. I took the file from him and looked at the pages. It contained photographs of murder scenes and tricks the culprits used. "What is this...?" Shuichi questioned as he hurriedly looked through the different files, from my peeks over his shoulder every now and then, they all looked similar.
"...It's a file containing all the tricks used for murders." Maki concluded. "It seems so." Shuichi sweat dropped. "Did this incident really happen?" Maki questioned. "I cant be sure, but there are pictures of the scene. And all of these cases seem feasible." Shuichi said. "Feasible, huh? Then this would make a good guideline for anyone who wants to commit murder. Well, I doubt anyone's that stupid to use a file that's accessible to everyone..." Maki said as she picked up a random file and flipped through it. "Huh? This file doesn't have any photographs. It's all just drawn illusions, but..." Maki pointed out. "Illustrations?" Shuichi mumbled. Shuichi and I watched as Maki pulled out different files one after the other off the shelf. "The newer files have photographs, but the older ones have illustrations?" Maki pointed out. "But why? Are the old ones just fictional?" Shuichi questioned. It depends on how old the files are. If the files are in between the 1800's then perhaps it would make sense for them to have illustrations. "Everything here has to do with death." Shuichi pointed out. "Well, that's your job as a detective, especially in this killing game." Maki told Shuichi. "Yeah...I know. The only time I can use my detective talent is after somebody dies... A detective...can't save anyone. I'm only useful after it's already too late." Shuichi said as he looked down at the ground sadly. "Why are you so upset all of a sudden? Do you want to die?" Maki asked Shuichi. "You'd kill me just for that!?" Shuichi yelled, sweat dropping. I mean...I guess she was just trying to comfort him.
"Nah, I understand why Maki Roll would say that. Your face looked pretty gloomy. With a face as gloomy as that, I can't believe you're my sidekick. Be more proud of yourself, Shuichi! Everything you've done up till now is amazing!" Kaito yelled. "Ah...thanks." Shuichi said, looking a little happier. I felt my heart beat a little faster out of fear. I...don't want to be here anymore, when most of the attention was directed towards Kaito I began to make my way towards the door slowly and as I outstretched my arm I opened the door and swiftly slid through the open space. I let out a sigh of relief as I had successfully gotten out of the room. I'm a little ashamed of myself for running away but...I don't think I can look at Kaito after what I said to him.
I quickly made my way downstairs and began to walk to my Ultimate lab. However right before I was about to open the door I couldn't help myself but turn around to look at Kiyo's lab. Perhaps...I should pay a little visit. I hesitantly put my hand on the doorknob and open the door to the Ultimate Anthropologists lab. I felt the uneasy feeling in my chest lessen as I walked around a little, stopping to occasionally blow some dust off the artifacts or to make sure everything was in place, just how he would've liked it. I must be a good friend to him, even in the afterlife. I wonder how Shuichi was able to cope with Kaede's death...
No, I don't think he has yet, you don't usually just suddenly get over someone's death, you must feel the emotions that come with being human, such as grief or sadness. I...really do hope I'll see him soon. I don't think I'm going to make it out of this killing game alive with how I am, Ryoma is a prime example, he was weak and that's why Kirumi killed him. And soon enough that's going to happen to me. I'll be killed off like the useless piece of scum that I am. It's not like I can complain really, in the end of the day I am still an accomplice who assisted in the murders of Tenko and Angie... I deserve whatever is to come. However, if I am going to die here...I don't want to die a useless death, I want to help the people that I have hurt like Himiko or Kaito. If I must...I will resort to that plan. If I make a trial that is simple as it is complicated...I might just be able to pull off a crime worthy of a trial. Whether I am the victim or the culprit...I would like to help everyone here even if I myself, won't survive to see the happiness on their faces. At least I'll make my sister a little less angry with me once my time has come. I looked to the side of the Ultimate lab where the Caged Child book was supposed to be held but much to my surprise, I couldn't find the book. I looked on the other side of the Ultimate lab to search for it but to no avail. Everything was supposed to be replaced once the trial ends so why isn't the book here? That meant a lot to him, I need to find it! I walked to the exit of the Kiyo's lab but before I did so I waved goodbye to the room. "Goodbye, Kiyo." I said to no one in particular as I exited the lab to search for the book on my own. And just as I had begun my search I heard the door to my Ultimate lab open, making me jump in surprise.
I quickly turned my head around to find Shuichi at the entrance. "Ah, Y/N we're gathering everyone to the dining hall." Shuichi informed me. I really don't want to go, even if it is another Flashback Light I don't think I could be bothered to go. "A-Ah, I'll be there shortly." I mumbled to Shuichi as I turned my head away from him. Shuichi nodded as he left my Ultimate lab. I stood in my Ultimate lab for a few seconds before walking over to my desk and placing all of the items I had in my pockets. There was nothing different than to what I usually had. Just a handkerchief...and my photo...
And a bottle of poison that I had snuck out of Shuichi's lab, if things come to worse and I decide to give up early on...I'll have this on me...just in case. Even if my sister gets mad at me, I will do whatever I can to benefit them so I can repent.
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