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Chapter 1 - A Sad Party of One
Daily Life
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Ding dong, bing bong!
I groaned as I sat up in bed, lazily rubbing my eyes. Yet again, that stupid bear had to ruin everything and wake me up.
Looks like there are morning announcements too...
"Good morning campers! It is now 7:00 am and what a beautiful day it is! Now get up and get out there! Because you never know what might happen today...Puhuhu!" Monokuma said before the monitor buzzed and returned to a black screen.
Well, at least I got some sleep after all.
I'd better get moving. Hidemi did arrange for us all to meet up at a breakfast meeting in the dining hall.
It's not like I wanna be early or something...I just miss the feeling of a shower.
Yeah, yeah. It hasn't even been a day yet and I'm already stressing about the shower...
This is going to be a pain.
Just as I was about to get ready to shower, I noticed the camera and monitor in the corner of my room.
"Yuck. That would be gross." I rolled my eyes, taking my blazer off and hanging it off the camera. I waved my hand in front of it as if to make sure the bear couldn't see me before sighing in relief and heading to my bathroom.
After taking a long, hot shower where I mostly just stood still thinking about yesterday, I took the blazer off the camera in case Monokuma got pissed off.
I know he must be being controlled by someone, but still. If they can trap us all here, then what if they pull some crazy stunt just because I wanted some privacy?
I lay the blazer on my bed and opened my closet to get dressed.
Well, I wanted to. But when I opened it, all I saw were identical copies of the clothes I wore yesterday.
"Are you kidding me?!?" I thought out loud. "You're going to force us to stay here but can't even get us any other clothes? Geez! That's just cheap."
What kinda person has the time to make so many copies of the same 16 outfits anyway?
Once I was ready, I heard a loud knock on my door.
"Huh? What now?" I tilted my head.
I started walking towards the door, but I noticed something glimmering in the corner of my eye on top of the dresser.
"Don't tell me..."
I turned to the dresser and there it was.
A special wristband.
"Oh for fucks sake!" I cried. "When can I ever catch a break?!?"
"H-Hm? Chiyo? Is everything ok in there?" A person nervously asked on the other side of the door.
I recognise that voice. That must be Hidemi...
Shit! She can't know about the wristband. No one can!
Maybe if I just leave without putting it on, no one will notice...
"R-Relax! It's nothing! I'll be out in a sec!" I gave a quick excuse and inched closer to the door. However, this time I had the now-familiar sound of a gun lowering from the security camera. I slowly turned around to see it pointed right at me.
"Great. Looks like that's not an option..." I mumbled and sighed quietly so Hidemi wouldn't hear.
I reluctantly picked the wristband up and tried to see what my 'special rule' would be, but the thing wouldn't turn on. I even tried shaking it a bunch, but even that didn't work.
Without a choice, I just put the thing on. As soon as I did, the gun retracted and I felt the wristband clamp around my wrist, securing itself. Once it did, that's when it finally came to life.
"Now you decide to work..." I rolled my eyes.
I turned my wrist so I could read the rule specifically for me.
"Writing or noting anything on paper is strictly forbidden."
Those were the words that scrolled past the screen built into the wristband.
"Seriously?!?" I groaned again.
Writing and noting things down is basically most of my talent! If I can't even do that, then what's the point of my notebook and the damn pencil I keep behind my ear?
"Chiyo? You've been in there a really long time. I'm starting to get worried..." I heard Hidemi say.
"I'm almost done!" I yelled.
It's too late now. I'm stuck with this stupid rule and I can't even take the band off. This just keeps getting worse and worse.
With nothing else left to do, I pulled my sleeve down to hide the wristband and left my dorm to meet Hidemi outside.
I didn't want anyone to look at my wrist or even know I had one of those things. Who knows what they could do with it...
"Ah! You're finally out." Hidemi smiled once she caught sight of me. "I didn't know it took you so long to get ready."
"Oh, right." I nodded along, acting like I was doing exactly what she'd guessed.
"Well, you look nice today." She complimented me.
I paused, being caught off guard for a second, before regaining my composure. "T-Thanks. Why'd you even come to knock on my door anyway?"
"I came to pick you up for the breakfast meeting. Almost everyone else is already there."
"I didn't know I was that late..."
"It's fine! Akemi offered to pick you up, but I decided it would be better if I would. I hope you don't mind."
"Thank god. I'd have you over him any day." I said as we started to make our way to the dining area.
"O-Oh! I'm...glad to hear that."
Looks like she gets as flustered as I do...
A few minutes later, we arrived at the dining hall. Hidemi opened the door for me to reveal that mostly everyone was already inside talking and eating some food taken from a small pile at the back.
"Oh damn." That was all I said.
Around the room, I saw everyone sitting together at different tables, talking, eating, and getting along.
Well, everyone except Satoshi. No surprises there.
"Satoshi didn't show up, huh?" I turned to Hidemi.
Her face went pale for a second at the mention of his name, but she quickly calmed down. "Yeah...that does seem to be the case."
"I guess he hates us." I shrugged. "And where did all this food come from?" I wondered.
"Monokuma prepared it all himself apparently. He told me when I first arrived this morning for our meeting."
"Right..."
I went and took some food. It was just a bunch of plain toast and butter with some drinks; nothing like the food we got last night.
"If only one of us could cook and offer to do so. Then we'd have good meals prepared every day." Hidemi added as she took some food by my side.
"I can cook. Too bad I'm not that good though." I told her as I took a warm cup of coffee and took a sip.
Oh, coffee. How I've missed you and your bitter taste. It sucks that you aren't made to my liking though...
"I always prefer black coffee." I sighed and expressed my complaints. "The milk just ruins the caffeine for me."
Hidemi seemed to note that down mentally. "I see...black coffee..."
From now on, I'll just make my own coffee.
"Hmm...Maybe I'll make some food tomorrow." Hidemi thought out loud and nodded again.
Food made by Hidemi...That doesn't sound too bad.
Hidemi and I took our food and decided to sit together at a table by Finn, Kokoro, Shunsuke and Akemi.
"C-Chiyo! There you are! I saved you a sea-" Before Akemi could even finish, I sat next to Hidemi at our table. He glanced at me and back at the empty chair next to him "...Nevermind."
Phew. I just saved myself and Hidemi from a whole bunch of weird compliments from Akemi.
I took a bite of toast and stared at it.
"It's so...plain. And bland." I said, putting the toast back on the plate. "Isn't that bear a robot? I thought he could at least make something decent."
Looks like I'm surviving off bad coffee for today.
"I'm sorry about that Chiyo." Hidemi apologised. "I'll try and make something tomorrow! I'll even get up early for it too. Anything you want in particular?"
"Nope. Anything is better than this." I shrugged.
"Good to know." She smiled again.
"Ah!" Kokoro squealed, immediately changing the subject as she played with Shunsuke's hair. "Shun! Your hair is so soft!"
"Well of course it is! I would never treat the hair upon my head with such disrespect and not take care of it every single day." He proudly stated, using his hand to flick his hair behind his back.
"Aw! Aren't you just the cutest?" Kokoro grinned and cupped Shunsuke's face in her hand from behind. "You have to tell me your hair care routine!"
"U-Um. Thank you." He immediately dropped his eccentric persona and blushed. "Maybe later..."
"I don't want to watch this..." Akemi sighed as he sadly ate a piece of toast. "It's just making me jealous."
Suddenly, Finn's spider came crawling out of his cardigan sleeve and on top of Shunsuke's hand that rested on the table.
"Ok! Now I seriously don't want to watch this!" Akemi exclaimed at the creature.
"Woah. Aren't you lucky?" Finn titled his head to the side and smirked. "Looks like Archie the Second likes you."
"This thing...likes me?" The mortician repeated.
"Obviously! The guy never leaves my side for anyone else unless he likes them." He explained. "I hope you like spiders, cause Archie is gonna be clinging around you a bunch now, haha."
"That may not be so bad..." Shunsuke replied, looking at the creature now in his hands.
"Of course, it isn't. Archie wouldn't hurt a fly. Plus, it took Archie months to even be comfortable around my mates. So if he's already hanging around you, it's a good sign."
As soon as I saw that...thing in Shunsuke's hands, I lost my appetite.
There goes surviving off coffee.
Finn glanced over at me and noticed how I felt. He quickly called the spider back into his hands and placed it back on his neck, the creature crawling back down to his chest behind his t-shirt.
"Sorry about that, Chiyo. Didn't mean to freak you out again." He rubbed the back of his neck and gave a quick apology followed by a grin and a thumbs up.
"It's fine..." I sighed again. "At least you're more considerate this time."
"H-Hey...I like to think I'm a pretty considerate guy all the time." He replied.
"Ah, what a pleasure it is to see you this morning, Chiyo." I heard someone say from behind me. Turning around, I saw Ryoko.
"Oh, morning Ryoko."
"May I sit here? I sure hope I'm not interrupting anything." She wondered.
"Go ahead!" Hidemi replied, welcoming her. "The more the merrier."
"Hello to you too, Hidemi." She said as she took a seat. "You know, my offer on that walk still stands."
"Hm." I thought about it for a second. "Maybe later. We still have to discuss that whole killing game announcement."
"Right." Hidemi agreed. "When everyone has finished eating and is more relaxed, then we can begin our meeting."
"I do find this very interesting though." Ryoko rested her head in her hand as she stirred her cup of tea with a spoon. "For example, I wonder who got those special wristbands..."
When she mentioned those things, I paused. Hidemi saw my reaction right away.
"Chiyo? Are you ok?" She asked.
"Yeah...I'm alright." I lied and took another sip of my bland coffee.
"Hmm..." Ryoko thought to herself as she sipped her tea. "Would you like to try some? It's a rose blend and I made it myself."
She placed the teacup back on the table and slid it towards me.
"No thanks. I prefer coffee." I simply said.
"Oh? That's unfortunate."
"H-Hey! There's nothing wrong with coffee, Ryoko!" I argued. "Hidemi! You've got to back me up here."
"I do have to agree with Chiyo. I always go for coffee. And there's nothing wrong with that at all." She nodded.
"See!" I gestured to the attorney.
"Well then," Ryoko just took another sip. "At least some of us have taste..."
"Take that back!"
"Looks like all my campers are getting along!" That annoying high pitched voice said.
Oh god. Don't tell me it's the bear.
I turned around.
"Yes, yes! It is me, your glorious camp counsellor, Monokuma. Here in the flesh or lack thereof. Puhuhu!" Monokuma announced his presence.
God damn it. It's the bear...
"What do you want?" Tatsuo asked.
"Ah! Such hostility already?" Monokuma cried, lowering his head.
"I just asked...what you wanted?" Tatsuo repeated, confused.
"Anyway, I'm sure you're all excited because your headmaster has prepared another special welcome gift for you!" He cheered.
"A-Another one...?" Kenjiro said.
"Yes! Introducing to you all...Ultimate Labs!" The bear dramatically posed, but nothing happened.
"Ultimate...what now?" Yukari said. "Ugh! This is just another stupid announcement."
"I think he said Ultimate Labs...whatever they are." Yuna corrected her.
"They probably are exactly what they sound like." Shimura bluntly said. "Good. My own lab would give me something to do."
"If you'd let me explain!" Monokuma yelled, before calming down. "You see, an Ultimate Lab is a place where you can practice all of your talents to your heart's content."
"Hey, hey! That doesn't sound too bad!" Akihiro pointed out. "A place where a genius like me can work."
"And don't worry, there's one for each of you." Monokuma continued.
"Well...that's not the worst," Shouko said with her head rested on the table.
"Yeah!" Yukari grinned. "Come on bear! Tell us more!"
"Mhm. Like...where we can find these labs." Yuna added.
"Oops...not all of them are opened." He shrugged.
"You're kidding," I said, rolling my eyes. Of course, the bear would pull something like this: hyping something up before letting us down.
"Only four are open as of now! That means four new cabins have popped up around the campsite overnight!" Monokuma explained.
"How are you able to just make four buildings appear?" Tatsuo wondered.
"I'm not telling!" the best teased.
"And...what about the other labs?" Hidemi asked.
"Those, along with other new places, will open up over time! More specifically, after every successful class trial!"
"You're saying we have to kill and execute someone just to unlock new places? That's so lame and lazy!" I argued.
"Hey! Watch it!" The bear snapped his head towards me. "I mean, imagine all the cool places yet to open! A beach, a theatre, more trees..."
"Oh hey, I like the beach," Finn said.
"Me too!" Kokoro smiled.
"I get it, but to kill someone for a beach or some labs...that would be stupid." Tatsuo talked some sense.
"Agreed." Shimura gave his brief input once again.
"I was just listing some potential locations!" Monokuma yelled. "But I'll let you finish your breakfast and explore this camping ground to your heart's content! Have fun, my campers, but be warned. In case things get boring, I'll have no trouble motivating you guys to kill!"
"No matter how many foolish attempts you make, nothing shall tempt us to commit such an act." Shunsuke declared.
"We'll see about that!"
And with that, Monokuma disappeared into thin air with a cartoony sound effect.
"I guess now would be a good time to talk about the killing game,"
Hidemi spoke up. "Does anyone have any ideas on how to-"
"W-Wait a second! I got something!" Akemi sprung up to his feet and ran out of the dining hall.
"What the heck?" I said out loud.
"What is he thinking now?" Ryoko hummed as she waited.
A few seconds later, Akemi returned with a giant corkboard, red string and pins.
"Where the hell did that come from?" Shimura asked.
"From my cabin! Now, hear me out, ok? Hear me out!" He begged as he pinned pictures of all sixteen of us to the board. "At least one of us is completely mad!"
"Be more specific," Shimura said.
"What are you talking about?" Kairi asked.
"What I am talking about is that Monokuma is a freaky robot." He said as he placed a picture of Monokuma in the centre of the board with a red string coming from each of us to him. "And what do all freaky robots have?"
"Really strong attacks?" Akihiro guessed. "Like in the movies and stuff."
"No! W-Well, yeah some do..." He eventually agreed but shook his head. "Nah, something else! A mastermind! A puppet master. A controller. A...A...You get the idea!"
"So someone is controlling Monokuma? Is that what you mean?" Hidemi said.
"Exactly! The cute girl gets it." He grinned proudly.
"Right..." Hidemi immediately lowered herself after that.
"B-But...why do you think someone here...is controlling him?" Kenjiro asked.
"I'm gonna be honest, I don't know one hundred per cent. But it makes the most sense! I mean, we're on an abandoned campsite. That's already weird!" Akemi replied. "No robot is just gonna roam free unless there's someone behind it. And let's face it, there's no way Monokuma is a real breathing thing, so my theory makes sense!"
"Oh," Shouko said.
"But there's no one else here! Remember we're in the middle of nowhere. Unless this mastermind has an accomplice, we found our main enemy!" He pointed to the Monokuma photo and all the strings attached.
Well, they're surprisingly good at being sneaky. Someone has to be controlling Monokuma. And Akemi is surprisingly making some good points.
His whole presentation went on for ages though. It was mostly made up of him pointing at red pins and photos. I guess that's the Ultimate Conspiracy Theorist for you.
"How about we keep that corkboard here? I mean, this might be our new daily meeting place." Yuna suggested.
"Great idea!" Hidemi nodded. "You don't mind hanging that corkboard up there, right?"
"O-Of course I don't! I'll even include red string and pins for you. That way you can mark off people when they die or shit like that." Akemi immediately agreed.
"That's not a bad idea." I agreed with him for once.
"Ah! Thank you, Chi-"
"Let's just hope we don't have to mark anyone off." Tatsuo cut Akemi off. "On that topic, what should we do?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Yukari spoke up. "Check out those new places. Duh! Maybe mine will already be opened..."
"Exactly. I want to get a feel for this place. It's not like I'm starting to miss my home, but maybe getting accustomed to this camp won't be so bad." Kairi sighed.
"Does anyone have any objections to that idea?" Hidemi looked around the room, but no one seemed to have anything against it. "Very well. Looks like we'll be exploring those new labs."
"Oh! Oh! I have an idea!" Kokoro enthusiastically put her hand up.
"Yes, Kokoro?" Hidemi faced her.
"How about we all look around in partners or groups? That way we'll all be safe and together." She suggested.
"Wow, I didn't think of that." Hidemi nodded. "Right! As Kokoro said, we should explore in groups or with partners. Do we all agree?"
Everyone murmured and nodded in agreement, causing the attorney to clap her hands together. "Great! After everyone's done eating and talking, we can start."
A little while later, people began to split up and leave in different groups to go check out the new locations. Soon, only a few of us were left in the dining hall to pair up.
It's not like I need a partner. I'd be fine by myself. Besides, if anyone does try to kill me, I could probably take them.
"Chiyo!" Hidemi called out to me. "I was wondering if you'd like to look around these new places with me?" She extended her hand out to me.
On second thought, partnering up with Hidemi is a good idea.
"Sure. I'd rather be safe in your hands than be alone." I extended my hand as well to shake hers.
"Perfect. I'm happy to be working with you."
"I apologise but..." Ryoko stepped in between us. "May I join the two of you as well?"
"Of course." Hidemi nodded. "More people means more safety."
"Splendid." Ryoko smiled as the three of us set off to find one of those new cabins.
-
The first cabin looked generally identical to the others. However, its door was extremely customised. It was a total opposite to the rustic wooden walls; it was a sleek black with reflective detailing and caution tape hanging off the top and sides of the door.
"This seems to be...the Ultimate Forensic Scientists lab." Hidemi read the sign on the side of the door. "Satoshi must be in here."
"How lucky are we?" Ryoko smirked. "I mean, the Ultimate Forensic Scientist's lab opening early? In a killing game? We should be thankful."
"Right..." was all Hidemi said.
I went over and tried to push the door open, but realised it was locked. Instead, I knocked and waited for a reply.
Nothing was heard, so I knocked again.
Again, nothing. So I knocked gently one last time.
"Hello? Are you in there?!?" I yelled as I harshly pounded the door with my fist.
"That should finally get his attention. Good job, Chiyo." Ryoko complimented me.
"It was nothing."
"Don't you have anything better to do than bother me?" I heard Satoshi say from the other side of the door.
"So you're not dead. Great." I rubbed my fist as it started to ache.
He paused. "Don't joke about that." I could still hear his loud sighs.
"Can we come in? We'd like to investigate what you have in there." Ryoko spoke to him.
"No chance. Go away."
"Please Satoshi? It'll be quick." Hidemi took a turn speaking to him.
"Hidemi...?" He stopped at her voice and then sighed. "Fine."
He finally unlocked the door, opening it slightly to poke his head out.
"Trying to hide stuff now?" Ryoko caught onto his actions. "That simply won't do. Now, move aside." She said as she lightly pushed him and the door aside, walking into the lab. Hidemi and I quickly followed as Satoshi just groaned loudly again.
"You know I don't practise my talent. Why are you even here?" He asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," Hidemi said.
"Right. If you hate your talent so much, why are you in a room cantered around it?" I called him out.
"It's a killing game obviously. Even if I won't let any killing happen, I have to check what's in here so nothing goes missing." Satoshi replied.
"I see." The attorney nodded.
"Why would you hate such a useful talent?" Ryoko wondered.
"That's a personal reason. I would never tell you so easily." Satoshi said.
"Stubborn, how interesting..." she commented on his behaviour and words.
"And let's say murder does happen? Will you help out with this forensic stuff?" I asked.
"No way...How many times do I have to say it?" He glared. "I don't practice forensics anymore. Do it yourself."
"How are we supposed to do that if the forensic expert is present?" Ryoko rolled her eyes. "Such silly behaviour."
Satoshi didn't bother to reply and just muttered something under his breath.
"Even your stepsister can't defend you from what we're saying. She knows we're right." She continued.
I looked over at Hidemi and noticed she was uneasy, a drop of sweat rolling down her head. She took two deep breaths, fixed her posture and clapped her hands to gain our attention again. "Let's just explore this lab. Do you mind, Satoshi?"
"I don't have a choice, do I?"
"Exactly." I nodded.
It appeared like he wanted to say something, but he just remained quiet before saying it. "Knock yourselves out."
"Perfect!" Ryoko gave a fake smile.
Looking around, the room had a clean, sleek and modern feel with flickering fluorescent lights. The walls and tables were shiny white, covered in equipment and chemicals. There were shelves stocked to the brim with various items and goggles hanging beside them. On the floor were some bags that were filled with forensic gear that you could probably use outside as well.
The whole brightly lit and clean aesthetic of this room totally contrasts his punk look.
"I haven't seen you in a lab coat in ages," Hidemi said as she looked at the lab coats hanging by the entrance.
I definitely did expect a forensic scientist to wear a lab coat. When you look at Satoshi, you wouldn't guess that would be his talent at all.
"Yeah, and you never will. I'm not wearing those things." He said and he just hung around behind us, leaning against the wall while we just looked around.
"My oh my...Look at all of this equipment. This certainly will be useful for any future murders, right Satoshi?" Ryoko teasingly tilted her head towards him.
He just stayed silent, his arms crossed against his chest. However, his eyes did linger on her with suspicion.
"Ryoko has got a point though." I chimed in. "Someone might kill. It might somehow sound like a shocker, but we don't know what these people are thinking about. But only an idiot would commit murder."
"Murder would be a stupid move. No one is going to resort to that." He confidently said.
"You sound positive of that..." I glanced back at all the gear on the table. "What does half of this stuff even do?"
"It's a simple fingerprint dusting kit. Less modern than the stuff I used to use." Satoshi explained.
"And this weird paper...?" Hidemi picked up a slip of paper with some chemicals.
"Chromatography paper. For finding chemicals like poison." He sighed. "Again, not as modern as what forensic teams usually use."
He might not do forensics anymore, but it sounds like he still knows a bunch of stuff about it.
"But even if I were to use it, it wouldn't be that much help." Satoshi continued.
"And why do you say that?" Ryoko turned back to face him.
"I've got a database of everyone's fingerprints, blood and of most poisons...But, if a murder were to occur and if I did choose to assist..." he glared at Ryoko. "Which I wouldn't, it would tell me what belonged to the victim and what belonged to the blackened without actually telling me the killer's name."
"So we'd get a rough idea of what belongs to who without revealing the killer's identity. Damn, and I thought this would be easy." I summarised what I had heard.
"Anyway aren't you done here? There's nothing else here worthy to look at." He said, signalling for us to leave.
"Ok, ok, we'll leave," Hidemi spoke for the rest of us. "Thank you for letting us check your lab, Satoshi."
He turned his head away from her but groaned and mumbled "You're welcome."
"Now then, let's go find someone else's lab," Ryoko smirked and waved to Satoshi. "Goodbye, Mr Homura. I'm sure your forensic capabilities will prove useful later on."
"Tch, whatever." He rolled his eyes at her and shut the door behind us.
"What a nice host." I sarcastically said.
-
The next lab we came across seemed to be the Ultimate Psychologist's lab. The door was wooden with intricate markings and a small window that you could look into the room with.
I grabbed the shining gold doorknob and opened the door, surprised at how it was unlocked unlike Satoshi's.
"Not bad Kenjiro. Not bad..." I nodded, looking at his room.
The room had a vibe that eased you the moment you walked in. There was a large comfy chair with a plushie on it facing a wider chair where I assume patients would usually lie down and talk. The walls were lined with various books of all sizes and plants were placed on the floor and hanging from the ceiling by a large lamp, adding to the cosy feeling.
The back of the room was filled with pieces of paper and drawings pinned to the wall of skulls and brains each with notes and little doodles. A desk was nearby too with a clipboard and a bunch of different pens.
"Hey, Kenjiro is a really good drawer," Hidemi said, taking a closer look at his sketches. "His notes look smart too."
"Impressive," I added.
"Thanks." I heard him reply, standing behind me.
"A-Ah!" I jumped, immediately facing him. "What the hell?!?"
"Oh. S-Sorry." He sighed and lowered his head.
"You should be. A man like you shouldn't be sneaking up on a lady like Chiyo." Ryoko scolded him.
"I said I was sorry..." He repeated.
"What were you even doing? I thought you were already in your lab." I said.
"Well...uh..." he hesitated for a second and then told the truth. "I forgot some files I took from my room to the dining room that I wanted to bring here. So I went and brought them..."
"So then you must've been confused to see your lab unlocked with us inside investigating." Hidemi assumed.
"Right. It's fine though..."
"At least you're honest," I added. "Now, mind showing off your lab to us?"
"Oh. Ok..." he slowly nodded, placing the files on his desk at the back of the room. "Uh...Here is where I keep files."
"Obviously." I tilted my head.
"And...there is where I talk to patients, I-I guess." He pointed towards the two chairs where the plushie sat.
"What's with the plushie?" I asked, picking it up by its ear.
"It's a capybara." he smiled, speaking clearly for once. It was a genuine smile at the mention of the animal.
Damn. I guess he really likes capybaras.
"That didn't answer my question," I called him out, but he ignored it again.
"A-And put it down. I don't want it to get damaged." Kenjiro advised.
"Alright, I guess?"
I carefully dropped it back down on the chair, Kenjiro's eyes watching me the whole time as I did so I didn't damage or harm it.
"Alright. What about the rest of your lab?" Ryoko wondered. "I must say, the decor is quite nice. Definitely, a soothing and comforting place to be."
"I suppose it should feel that way...I-I mean, I wouldn't want my patients or people feeling...uncomfortable with me," Kenjiro said.
"It does fit the theme very well." Hidemi smiled, taking a seat on the wider chair, bouncing on its cushions. "Woah! This really is cosy. I could just fall asleep and sink into this chair."
"P-Please don't do that. And be careful..."
"Right. Sorry." Hidemi apologised to the psychologist and got up immediately. "Ha! I don't really get that much fun at work."
She did seem super excited to be on that chair.
"I believe that may be everything of importance here," Ryoko spoke up. "What do you think, girls?"
"I got to agree. Unless there's some secret room, we've basically seen everything." I added.
"Right!" Hidemi stood up and clasped her hands together. "Sorry again if we were a bother, Kenjiro."
"As I said...it's fine."
As we were leaving his lab, Kenjiro stood in the doorway and called out to us, although it sounded more like some quiet whisper.
"Um...I-If any of you need to talk. My lab is always open. I doubt I'll be anywhere else..." he glanced away for a moment but weakly smiled. "I promise I'm not like this during a session..."
"Hm. What an interesting proposal." Ryoko commented before shrugging and walking away towards the next lab.
Maybe I will take up Kenjiro's offer one day.
-
"This building looks new. It must be another new lab." I said, gesturing towards the building we were standing in front of.
The door was a sleek shiny black, a silver handle beckoning us to enter.
"Definitely. It wasn't here yesterday." Hidemi nodded in agreement.
"Well then let's go inside, shall we?" Ryoko smirked, before waltzing inside the room without knocking.
Hidemi and I attempted to follow behind her quickly, us bumping into each other as we both tried to enter through the door at the same time. The attorney immediately apologised and chuckled whereas I just reassured her it was fine while being slightly flustered.
"Oh my. Now, this lab could prove extremely useful within these deadly circumstances, don't you agree?" Ryoko commented, glancing around the lab.
The walls were lined with shelves stocked to the brim with chemicals stored in little bottles. There were some boxes in the corners scattered around and filled with lab coats, goggles and equipment.
There was a large table at the centre, the top of it being marble clashing with the wooden sides and flooring. Drawers were overflowing with a bunch of junk along with the messy piles of paper and metallic instruments I didn't even know just lounging on the table. The lighting mostly came from the barely open windows, the lights flickering so much that they didn't help at all. Not to mention that obnoxious constant buzzing noise...
"Judging by how messy this room is...Yeah, this must be Shimura's lab. Only a Toxicologist would have that many chemicals." Hidemi scanned the room.
"Look at you. You figured it out." Shimura said, coming out of a backroom holding a cup of coffee.
"Oh, you were here this whole time." Ryoko wondered.
"Is that a problem? I was just getting coffee from the machine I found in that closet." He said shrugging and taking a sip before sitting down. "It's not as bad as I thought it would be. For a robotic idiot, the bear and whoever is controlling him knows his stuff."
"Did you say...coffee machine?" I perked up.
"Yeah...?"
"Finally! Something I can enjoy using here." I grinned, marching towards the closet at the back and opening it to reveal the machine along with shelves containing different accessories for it. "Woah..."
"It is pretty impressive. Even I was surprised." He nodded, taking a final sip.
"Look, you have to let me try this one day. I'll even start coming here every morning to get coffee." I begged.
"No way. That thing is mine. A moron like you would just mess it up anyway."
"No, I would not!" I argued back.
"Ahem," Ryoko called our attention. "If we are done talking about such trivial matters such as coffee, then I'd like to investigate this lab."
"Right. Ryoko is correct I'm afraid." Hidemi sympathetically smiled. "Maybe next time you can sort it out."
"Yes. Besides, we all know tea is a much better beverage." Ryoko added.
"Are you joking? Or are you being that stupid right now?" Shimura just glared at her.
"Exactly. Who would even pick tea over coffee?!?" I exclaimed.
"At least they're agreeing on something and stopped fighting..." Hidemi awkwardly chuckled. "What's with all this paper?"
Shimura sighed, scrunched one up and tossed it behind him, missing the bin completely. "It's paperwork assigned for each chemical in this room."
"Oh?" Ryoko hummed.
"I won't be doing it though. My job is to handle and examine substances, not write paperwork. I already know all the chemicals off by heart anyway." He said.
That's a bit pitiful.
"And these chemicals. I assume at least a few must be let's say...poisonous?" Ryoko picked one up and shook it in her hand, watching the liquid move around the bottle.
"Yeah. But as long as I know what it is, I could make an antidote with the right equipment. However." Shimura stood up, taking the bottle out of Ryoko's hands and placing it back before closing two cabinet doors connected to the shelves, locking it with a small key that he then conveniently slipped into his pocket. "No one's going to have access to this stuff except me."
"I see. And are you sure of that?" She grinned, giving him a piercing glare.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure of my own lab." He returned the favour, staring back suspiciously.
Ok, something was definitely off there.
"Um, anyway!" Hidemi tried to lighten the mood after that strange confrontation by gaining all of our attention. "I believe we have one more lab to search. And we better get going! Nighttime is almost here girls."
"Right..." I nodded, joining Hidemi at the doorway. "Shimura, you better let me try that coffee machine."
"...We'll see." He replied, his answer changing from a solid no to a maybe. Shimura was still suspiciously and cautiously watching Ryoko as she stepped away to unite with Hidemi and me.
"Very well you two." Ryoko placed one hand on my shoulder and the other on Hidemi's. "Let's get going, shall we?"
As we walked away, Ryoko turned back and waved at Shimura with a smile. "Thanks for letting us investigate."
"Hmph. Right." That was all he said, turning back.
He definitely doesn't trust Ryoko. I do get she has weird vibes, but I wonder what Shimura sees...
-
The final lab we found had a creepy vibe just by walking through the dark wooden door decorated with various grand markings.
It was a dark room, dimly lit by candles either clumped together on the floor or standing on iron rusty candle holders. There were cabinets stocked with gothic bottles of which you couldn't even see the contents of. The back of the room had a large floral display with an empty picture frame in the middle, a black ribbon tied and hanging off it.
The massive elephant in the room was the coffin, surrounded and laying on beds of various more flowers.
"I assume this must be the Ultimate Mortician's lab..." Ryoko said, the floor creaking under her as she stepped inside.
"Yes, but where's Shunsuke?" Hidemi wondered, glancing at the coffin. "How peculiar..."
I followed her to the coffin, helping her lift the cover off.
"O-Oh!" Hidemi exclaimed once she saw what was inside.
Laying inside the purple cushioned coffin was none other than Shunsuke, asleep.
"What the hell?" I poked him, trying to get him to wake up. I kept poking him until I gave up and just slapped him. "Get up!"
"Hm...?" His eyes fluttered open before he bolted up. "Pardon me!"
"Why on earth were you in there?" Ryoko stared at him, unamused.
"Well, I was under the impression that some would open that coffin earlier, so I chose to conceal myself inside it. However, I must have fallen asleep..."
So he just wanted to pop out of a coffin and scare someone? I guess he's been there for hours then.
"It wouldn't be my first time resting in a casket though. I don't necessarily mind." He added with a creepy smile.
"What a weirdo..." I mumbled.
He stepped out of the coffin and brushed the dust off his clothes. Then, he looked at each one of us.
"Now, you all must want to know more about my lab." Shunsuke assumed.
"Right." I nodded, walking over to the cabinet and pulling out one of those gothic bottles. I twisted the lid off and looked inside. "This...just looks like a bunch of fruit juice."
"Mwahaha! What a foolish presumption!"
"Huh?" I glanced away from the bottle to look at him.
"That, Chiyo, is no simple juice. That is embalming fluids, used to preserve and restore the body once it's passed so the owner may look as beautiful as they did during life." He explained.
"Oh...gross." I quickly tied the cap back on and put the bottle back. I definitely regret calling it fruit juice now.
"Makeup?" Ryoko picked up some lipgloss off from one counter. "My...what a lovely shade."
"Ah, that makeup is used on bodies for funerals. However, I do too use it occasionally. I have many personal favourites." Shunsuke pointed out a few to Ryoko.
I will admit...his makeup does look good.
"And...what is this?" Hidemi grabbed onto a handle to what seemed to be a small door in the wall, but Shunsuke stopped her.
"Don't be so confident! Tell me. What do you think is in there?" He asked.
"Honestly?" I crossed my arms and answered. "A dead body."
"Of course, you would think that!" He laughed again, walking over to Hidemi. "But in actuality, what is stored in here is none other than simple..."
Shunsuke slowly pulled the door open, revealing a small freezer with...ice cream?
"That's right! Mwahaha!" He obnoxiously cackled yet again. "It's none other than a simple frozen delight!"
"Just call it ice cream." I sighed.
"But yes, I suppose you are correct." Shunsuke nodded toward me. "It is supposed to store bodies, but since there are no bodies to store, it seems as if the bear finds it comedic to fill it with...ice cream. I won't complain. It is quite delicious."
I should've known he had already tried it.
"Comedic or not, let's make sure it stays that way. No one has to die, alright?" Hidemi spoke up.
"I cannot say. Death is...bizarre. Fascinating, even. But yes, a murder would be inconvenient."
"It's not like he would get it Hidemi." I placed a hand on her shoulder. "But you're right. Only an idiot would actually listen to that bear."
Ding dong, bing bong!
"Speak of the devil." I groaned at the sound of the monitor chime, turning to see it flickering on.
"Attention everybody! This is an announcement from your camp counsellor." Monokuma began. "The time is now 10 p.m. That means that it is officially nighttime. As you know, the water has been shut off for the night and will turn back on once it's morning. With that, goodnight to my lovely campers. Rest well for the dangerous day awaiting you!"
"Nighttime already. I suppose that means we should return to our cabins." Ryoko said.
"I'll refuse. I'd like to stay in my lab a little while longer." Shunsuke replied.
"Are you going to sleep in your coffin again or something?" I placed a hand on my hip and wondered.
"That is not a bad suggestion." Shunsuke looked at the coffin as if he was actually considering it.
"I was being sarcastic..."
-
Hidemi, Ryoko and I walked towards the cabins, Hidemi mostly talking to me the whole time.
"I'll let everyone know that our little breakfast meetings will be a daily thing now. Maybe Satoshi will join us tomorrow...Oh! And I have to make you breakfast! Don't worry, I memorised all the complaints you made this morning about Monokuma's breakfast, so I'll try to improve." She began listing a bunch of things.
"You seriously don't have to do that Hidemi..."
"No, no! It's fine!" She smiled.
"Ahem." Ryoko interrupted our conversation, seeming to be left out. "It appears as if we've arrived at my cabin."
I looked up, seeing Ryoko's cabin between Akemi's and Shimura's.
"Oh, right. I didn't even realise." I waved. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ryoko."
"You too, Chiyo. I hope you sleep well." She waved back.
"Goodnight, Ryoko," Hidemi said her goodbyes as well.
Ryoko glanced at the girl, looked her up and down and smiled. "Right. Bye, Hidemi."
With that, she turned away and entered her cabin.
"Alright...I'll walk you all the way back to your cabin, Chiyo," Hidemi said.
"Huh? But isn't your cabin closer?"
"It's fine. Come on, let's go."
Eventually, we reached my cabin. I climbed the steps up to my door and looked back at Hidemi as she chuckled.
"Ha! What a cyclical day. First I came to pick you up and now I'm dropping you off. How fun is that?"
"It was pretty fun, I won't lie. You're cool." I complimented her.
"O-Oh! Thank you!" She blushed.
We just stared at each other in silence before I awkwardly laughed. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow as well, huh?"
"Definitely! I'll pick you up, just like this morning."
"I'd like that..."
Hidemi soon left for her own cabin as I closed and locked the door behind me. I took my blazer along with my bow off and collapsed onto my bed with a sigh, staring at the ceiling.
I didn't expect today to be so busy. Since all the new labs have been explored, tomorrow must be a more relaxed day...
Actually...it looks like I'm going I have way too much free time on my hands. Maybe I could hang out with some people?
But everyone is so weird...so who exactly should I spend time with?
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Just like with Poisoned Hope, you will be able to vote for who gets free time! This book will have 5 free time events per chapter, so make sure to comment which character you'd like Chiyo to spend time with here! ->
Also check out kaerumiaddict they are so amazing and have been making a bunch of super cool DR:PH and DRM:LL fanart so definitely go give them tons of love! 💖
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