Your POV:
I had a feeling that Kokichi would plan is said motive soon. I had no idea what they were planning, but I knew Kokichi would try and sabotage them. He was even willing to use me as the motive to ensure that. I was at least able to hint to Maki that Kokichi was planning on using me as a motive. It was after that point that she left, leaving me alone to think of each and every worst case scenario. I knew I messed up by even hinting at it, so Kokichi would be inconvenienced by it, but I didn't know what he could do that was worse for my mental stability. I hoped he could do nothing, but my mind didn't put it that way. I was stressed by thinking about what could possibly happen to me, and to everyone else.
On top of that, my body was wracked with aches and pains from the constant moving or shuffling on the cold tile floor as well as the feeling of chaffing coming from the handcuffs used on Ryoma around my wrists in a constricting way. Even in the killing game situation, I found myself longing for some sort of comfort again. The only reassurance I've had was from Maki who checked up on me when Kokichi wasn't around. I probably would've been more depressed if it weren't for that. I still wished for a sense of normalcy even if it was from the comfort of my dorm room at this school.
"For once, I really wish I could go to my dorm room..." I muttered myself, "I wish I could talk to Rantaro..."
I couldn't help but still be frustrated. It was at a time like this when I was alone that I would truly be able to vent out my frustration. I felt like I was to blame for everything in some way. His words did get to me, and I knew I couldn't tell Maki about that. It was fear of them thinking that I meant to do this. I didn't intend for myself to be the cause.
"Is this situation really my fault...?" I asked myself, "if I told them what he was saying to me... would they blame me?"
I knew that every worst possibility was still getting to me. I didn't even know if I could trust myself at this point. Even in the past, I was blamed for something that wasn't my fault, and I was forced into believing it was as if it were something that went full circle. I couldn't take the guilt that was placed on me, but I still wanted to try and do something. I still couldn't, but this did feel like manipulation to me... but I felt like I had no way of winning to it.
Kokichi's POV:
I felt like I've heard enough in terms of what everyone was planning. I decided to leave my position of eavesdropping, because I knew it was a matter of time before Maki would notice me. She was an assassin after all, and one of the best. As I walked away, I found myself thinking about how bold their plan was. It was hard to keep my snickering quiet. It was pretty amusing to know mostly everyone was working together to save their friend. I could even hear that bastard playboy in on the conversation about the plan to charge in the hanger at some point soon.
'While everyone is distracted with coming up with a plan to beat me, I will whip something up in order to stop that,' I thought as I snickered quietly.
Up until now, I was able to control what everyone was able to remember. Using the flashback lights, I could implant memories into everyone, and have them believe that. It was one of the methods I came up with to manipulate this game into what I wanted it to be. Because of that, I knew I could turn everyone against (y/n) by utilizing a Flashback Light. The only question was how I should mess with their heads so they turn against her. It was a risky gamble I'd give it that, but I was one to take the risks to get a huge payout.
'Maybe if I make them believe she was working with me,' I thought, 'if I do that, I can turn everyone against her, but the question is if I should make her believe that. No, that would change her personality if she believed that. I want to break her, not change her personality.'
I wanted her to suffer through everyone not trusting her, and for her not to figure out why until they try to rescue her. That was the reason why I was going up to classroom C. There was a special area in the room where I could craft Flashback lights to use. I figured while everyone else was distracted, I would do this, so no one would be none the wiser. I couldn't dismiss that they had something going on as well. I had to figure it out before they could put it into fruition. This plan of mine would at least be able to slow them down.
I made my way over to the staircase before going up it with a quick speed. I was going to focus on doing this for now, and then I would pop over to my hidden room in order to catch up on what I could've missed since I left (y/n) alone. It was the best way to come up with a strategy to thwart these ultimates. I would make sure I would win. And even if I had to use (y/n) I would do that. She was the perfect hostage, but I would soon add a plot twist to that.
Once I got up to the 1st floor, I made my way over to classroom C. I spent some time moving around the desks and chairs, knowing that Monokuma would clean it up later. Once I moved the desks around, I was able to locate the device I used to create the Flashback Lights. Once I was able to do that, the blue computer like device showed itself. Once I pressed the keyboard, the four screens connected with it, hidden in the room were deployed, and the projector screen area lit up in blue, showing the Flashback Light set up screen. The screen told me to press 'enter' like normal, so that was what I did.
Once it loaded, I scrolled through all of the settings I was able to use for the Flashback Light. The screen showed off the ones that I formerly have made, so I went to where the option said 'unlocking new memory'. While there were options to choose from, there was a special option for me to be able to create my own memory. When that happened, the computer would connect what I wanted everyone to remember with the memories I had already given them.
"Let's use this to put everyone against (y/n)," I said with a devilish smirk.
For the Flashback Light, I decided to put in that (y/n) was a remnant of despair, working with me. Using her kindness, she was able to get everyone to trust her, while she worked for me. Something like that was sure to turn everyone against her, and confirm what that playboy was thinking of before. While it wasn't true, I had to utilize my hostage so that no one would try and save her. I found myself smiling as I typed away at the computer, putting in everything I would see fit to have them turn against her.
Once I finished with that, the machine did the rest. It integrated the memory I just created with the ones they have remembered thus far. It would be considered a dirty trick by my part, but I knew it would get the job done. If it didn't, I knew I would have to use more hands on methods in order to get them to give up.
Once the loading process was done for the memory, I heard a thunk sound come from the locker in this room. I couldn't help but laugh as I walked over to the locker, opening it up, to find the all too familiar device used in order to retrieve memories. Now that it was done being made, all I had to do was take it to the hidden room behind the bookcase, and give it to Monokuma in order for him to present it as the motive in a sense. I knew how I wanted to play this game. Once I put everyone against (y/n), I could use their stupor and hopelessness to get them not to trust each other.
I picked up the Flashback Light with a huge grin on my face, laughing to myself. This was going to be so much fun! I couldn't wait to see how this would play out.
"Nee-heehee~!" I laughed, "just all of you wait... come tomorrow, you won't be able to trust anyone. I can't wait to see that."
I found myself cackling manically as I looked down as the Flashback Light. I decided that there was no time to doddle here. I couldn't allow myself or this to be caught, so I decided to make my way to the hidden room. I went back the way I came, using the staircase to go down to the ground level floor. It was after that that I was able to successfully sneak into the bathroom, and use my hidden route to get into the hidden room. I made sure to keep myself unseen, but once I got where I needed to go without getting spotted, I was laughing to myself, giddy with how interesting things were getting. Even if everyone was starting to make this game interesting, I couldn't let them rescue (y/n). I wouldn't let them rescue her. Not after all of the trouble I went to to even capture her in the first place.
I soon got to my hidden room, seeing the ambiance I had in place. As soon as I got there, I decided to go to my monitoring area in order to catch up to what everyone was up to. It was important for a mastermind like me to keep up with what the participants were planning, and quell it before it could get to a dangerous point. I decided to start with what everyone else was planning. That was something very important. I was sure that (y/n) would try to pass the information of her being the motive to everyone. That's why I was so vague with her. I couldn't let her know what I was planning, because it could be used as a disadvantage.
I sat down in the chair that was in front of my monitoring station. I decided to rewind the footage to see if I could catch something. I was under the impression that I would be able to see everything. I was able to. I saw the monitor that was set up into the dining hall, and I was able to see everyone having breakfast. It was after that that the camera was cut, causing me to have an angry expression on my face. If there was interference with the camera signals, then Monokuma failed the one job I gave him. He totally half-assed what he was supposed to do. He wasn't diligent enough if Miu was already able to rebuild the device.
I decided to look more into this. It seemed like the whatever was turned on had more of an area to interfere with the Nanokumas and that was irritating. It was especially obvious to me when instead of one camera being nonfunctional, there were two or three. I knew that I made the right call by creating that Flashback light. I would need to try and piece together what everyone was planning, and with whatever device they were now using, it was going to be harder. I knew they were going to plan something else, especially when they were mentioning before that they couldn't proceed. Now that they had what they needed because Monokuma failed at disposing of what Miu was working on... I had to put in more work to figure out what they were actually going to do. They were actually proceeding with what they were planning.
"I know that everyone is planning a frontal struck on the hanger," I said as I started looking through the footage, "but I wonder if that's all you're doing when you have that white noise device that interferes with wavelengths. It really does look like everyone is taking a page on what (y/n) was doing in order to keep me from finding out about what she was capable of. While it is interesting, I can't let them get far with whatever their planning."
As I looked into the footage, after awhile, I noticed a few things. After breakfast, some people split from the group they were in, and it was leaving Kaito, Miu, Gonta, and Angie in the dining hall. They were all discussing stuff about the hanger and how to get past it. They were still trying to plan the assault on the hanger before I was able to eaves drop on them. That was something that showed me they were thinking of this from before.
"So Miu and company are trying to discuss how to get past the electromagnetic barrier," I said to myself, "and I already knew that the Electrohammers have a low battery, so they will have to just stick with the least convenient option. It's all common knowledge they are all discussing."
I noticed that Rantaro, Kaede, Kirumi, and Ryoma were missing from the group. After I got caught up on what was going on in the dining hall during the time I was with (y/n), I decided that I would try and see if I could figure anything else aside from the plan to attack the hanger. I also realized that if the hanger was going to be the main target of assault. Tomorrow, I really needed to move (y/n) to this room to make it more convenient to keep track of everyone else. I also wanted to be able to do that before giving Rantaro a chance to talk to (y/n), but that could very well pan out today. It was no matter to me, if (y/n) even spoke to Rantaro, she would regret that more than speaking with anyone else.
"Let's see what everyone else is up to..." I muttered to myself.
I knew I had a lot of digging to do. That's what my time here was going to go into. I knew I was running out of time, so I had to make a huge impression with this plan before anything else could hinder everyone. There was no way I was going to let them get (y/n), even if they had to pry her from my cold dead hands.
Rantaro's POV:
I was giving myself some room to relax after Kirumi, Kaede, Ryoma, and myself discussed what we found and what our plan could entail, as well as discussing our false plan in the dining hall. I was pretty sure Kokichi already knew about this plan, and everyone discussing it definitely had some sort of impact on Kokichi. I was sure that he was already able to listen in through the comfort of the hidden room, or he decided that eavesdropping would be a better method. It didn't matter as long as he took the bait. If he did take the so called bait, it would be a lot more substantial for us to discuss the actual plan when he couldn't keep a definitive idea on where all of us were. I was still more worried about what (y/n) was going through. I wanted to see her and help ease her mind at least a little bit.
I knew that I shouldn't focus on seeing (y/n), but I felt like I needed to. Kokichi was probably closing in on some of our actions at this point, hopefully being baited by what Miu and the others were saying. Maki was the only one who's had any sort of contact with (y/n), and I wanted to have some sort of contact with her before Kokichi would try and make his diligence more pronounced in the situation.
The fact was, I wouldn't be able to fully focus on the plan until I had at least one conversation with her. I wanted to at least apologize to her before I could fully focus. If Maki was brave enough to converse with (y/n), then so would I. Even if she reassured me to wait until we could rescue her... I still wanted to talk with her once. I was told to wait until I could talk to her myself, but no one told me when. I felt like still after all I have done, I should at least ease her mind slightly in order to help her in the situation she was in. With what Maki explained about her condition, I knew how I wanted to spend my freetime. I wouldn't give anything about our true plan away, so in a sense, I myself could bait Kokichi by even seeing (y/n).
In a sense, the thoughts I were having were more or less ways to convince myself to go see her. However, as I thought about it, I could tip her off about the first plan we had. The one we would use to bait Kokichi. I knew that in a sense, it would be rude to mislead her, but in order to deceive Kokichi, doing this might help further hook him into the idea that we are just planning an assault on the hanger.
There were times that I had to do something, and I was seen as more or less as maybe a wild card. I wanted to set things straight with (y/n), and I realized I could use that to help us rescue her. I wanted to see her smile again. I wanted to get all of us out of this game before Kokichi could do any damage to her. I knew I had until at least dinner time to sort out what I would say to her once I decided that I was going to see her. I knew I had to do this in order to keep focused. Even Maki said that herself. She wanted me to focus on what we were planning, but it was hard to focus with these doubts in my mind. If Maki went back to the hanger after our discussion, which I was sure sure did, she would be able to guard us while we talked.
Without my mind even thinking about it, I was walking towards the Exisal Hanger building. I had a determined look on my face as I walked down the courtyard path, walking down the stairs in order to get to the area where the Shrine of Judgment, Miu and Keebo's respective Ultimate Labs, and the Exisal Hanger in which (y/n) was being kept inside of. It was a silent walk as I wasn't going to hesitate with this any longer. I knew I messed up by even doubting her, and a part of that led to what happened now. Even though I could think rationally, I still felt like what I did was a partial cause for the situation now.
I at least wanted to be another source of hope for (y/n). With the plan we had, Kokichi was probably going to die one way or another. If the killing game was going to be ended, we had to do that, but I also couldn't tell (y/n) we were planning that. I knew that she had a habit of trying to make sure people had some sort of redemption arc, but some people just didn't deserve it. And, if I tell her what the real plan is, Kokichi will definitely be prepared, and all of our efforts would be in vein.
I soon got to the entrance of the Exisal hanger, my resolve solidifying. I was going to see (y/n) at least once. Even if Maki was opposed, I would still talk to her. My heart was starting to pick up speed as soon as I got to the hanger entrance. I knew I was nervous about this even if my resolve was firmly planted. It was the thought that even if Maki said that (y/n) wanted to repair our relationship and speak to me, my mind was still trying to find every way to doubt those words.
I entered the hanger cautiously before navigating the maze like halls. It always felt somewhat confusing when I was in here, and I was sure that everyone else felt the same way about it. I was sure that the difficulty in navigating in here was part of the reason Kokichi chose this area to store (y/n), but another thing was the Exisals. I was sure Kokichi had Exisals guarding the electromagnetic barrier, as well one or two of them inside of the electromagnetic barrier. Kokichi had most of his assets there, so it made it easy for Maki to go to the Hanger bathroom window. As far as actually bypassing the barrier to get into the hanger area and bathroom, that was impossible for the time being. For now, I, like Maki would have to settle for the next best thing, which was speaking to her from the hanger bathroom window.
It took me around a minute or two to get to the area that the bathroom was in. Looking at the electromagnetic barrier, I could see a couple of Exisals in front of the barrier. That wasn't surprising to me, so I decided to be careful and sneak past, so I wouldn't be noticed. It was a thought of mine that I had to be at a closer distance for the Exisals to notice me, so that was at least a good piece of knowledge to know for the future, but I was sure that Maki already had this piece of information. I knew very well it was too late for me to turn back now.
I turned the corner of the walled up hanger area, so see the glimpse of a small window. I sighed in relief when I saw it, because I knew (y/n) was there. Before I could approach the hanger window, I heard a voice come from behind me.
"So not long after our conversation about our plan, you decide to come here?" I heard Maki's voice ask.
Even though I knew she was going to be here, I couldn't help but feel a tad startled. Sweat formed on my forehead, as I let out a nervous sounding chuckle. I turned my head to see Maki behind me, with her iconic stoic expression she always had.
"You caught me," I laughed in response, holding my hands up in the air, obviously being caught, "I recall you telling me that I should talk to (y/n) at some point to straighten things up with her. You never told me when, and you explicitly explained that you saw here, and probably talked to her, yeah?"
Maki let out a sigh in response to my question. All she did was nod in response to that question. Her glance moved over to the window.
"If you're going to try and resolve things with her at least a little bit, now would probably be a good time," Maki stated, "Kokichi isn't around which is a cocky move on his part, but it probably won't stay like this for too much longer. It's either now or in the future, and I don't think you can focus if you don't do it now."
I chuckled in response to Maki's words. I had a feeling she would let me do this, considering she's been the one worrying about how capable I was based off the doubts in my mind. I was sure she was urging me to go ahead to both help (y/n) and myself. She was right about how we didn't particularly know what Kokichi was going to plan, but him being this lax could only be for so long.
"Ah-haha," I chuckled, "well you are right about that. If you're worried, don't be. I know what I'm doing."
"You better," Maki said with a slight glare, "you only have so much time before Kokichi comes back, and you can't chat with her for too long. So hurry, speak with her before I drag you over there myself."
"Point received," I replied, putting my hands up again, "then I will talk to her right now."
After Maki and I had that small conversation, I walked over to the window. Before even saying anything, I peeked into the window to see (y/n) in the center of the tile floor, on the ground. Her back was turned away from me, but I could see that her hands were cuffed behind her back, just like Maki had said when she told everyone that she spoke with her. I could feel myself feeling heartbroken that she looked like that. I couldn't see her face though because her back was facing me. Either way, she was there, and I had so much to make up for. That's why I had to at least talk to her now.
I knocked on the window, and instantly, I could see (y/n) tense up. Her head slowly turned to the direction to the window, where I had knocked. I could see her trembling as if she was thinking of the worst possible scenario. As soon as her eyes hit the window, and she saw me, I gave her a kind smile and waved at her.
"Hey, (y/n), long time no talk," I said with a slight nervous chuckle, "I was hoping we could talk about what happened."
And fin for this chapter! I know, I've been gone for a hot minute. Checking up on dates I published chapters, it's been since around January, so I bid everyone with a hello!
I feel like a lot has happened since I last updated. Took three classes for college, and one of them was Chemistry (yikes). In any case, finals are over, and I gave myself the weekend in order to kind of decompress. I did decompress, but this chapter was a little late because I decided to create a teaser for the new chapter. (That teaser may or may not be used for the next chapter image... spoiler, I already did it.) Well that, and I was sick. Kinda recovered only hours ago, but it wasn't fun.
I apologize if this chapter isn't as good as the other ones. When I get off a hiatus, the first chapter written after that is usually one to get me back into the whole story writing sort of bit. I hope I did well on this, considering I haven't been back for months. My mind has been occupied by The Owl House, Persona, Welcome Home, and 50% off Free. Probably some others too, but man do things live in my head rent free.
Sorry for the rambling! I will be back next week with a new update, so please keep that in mind. Everyone please enjoy your weekend, and I will be back next week! Ciao until Friday!- yuki_no_fuyu