Family Matters

"Wake up, everyone! It's 7am, and Nighttime is now over! Time to enjoy another fun-filled day at The Ultimate Talent Enhancement Center!" Monorakun's pointy face and low voice came through the monitor. Groaning as I stretched, I got up to get dressed.

To my pleasant surprise, all of my clothes were exactly the same, right down to the opaque tights I wear. Checking the inside of the waistband, I saw they were from Abyssilk, the same brand I wear. That brand is famous for designing opaques that are tear-resistant, water-resistant, and VERY durable. They can resist chipped nails dragged across them without running, stretch when caught on furniture without tearing, survive tripping and falling on concrete steps without ruining, and also keep my legs dry in the rain.

There was also a black mesh bag hanging up, which I used to wash my tights in so they didn't get tangled up in my dresses, blouses, skirts, or other clothes.

My black dresses, above-knee length, were all hanging up, with a white top section. The sleeves were long and black, with white cuffs. The skirt flares out, and looks super-pretty when I twirl around.

Next were my heels. Standard four-inch heel, with a very flexible sole and a pointed toe. However, my heels are custom-made; the heels themselves detach from the shoes, with a three-inch dirk-like blade attached to the bottom of the heels. The blade runs along the back of the heel, ending along the Achilles tendon. There's a locking mechanism within the heel; I have to push forward at the base of the heel to release it, so it doesn't accidentally fall out in public. While they're out, the shoes walk like flats, due to the flexible sole, and it is not difficult to clean the sheath out when the blade is not within the shoe.

As for my hair, I let it grow long, and wore it hime style, though in somewhat different lengths in the back. I had tried for a layered look, and regretfully, I was less impressed with the results than my family and friends were. However, they talked me into leaving it how it was. No one complains about my hair, anyway, so I live with it.

Grabbing my E-Handbook, I opened it up. The Ultimate Talent Enhancement Center logo came up, then underneath it appeared my name. "Shishano Kantoku: Ultimate Mortician". Then the time and several menus appeared: Yearbook, Map, Rules, Chat, Games, Music, Notepad, and Settings.

Yearbook showed everyone's first and last name, Ultimate talent, height/weight, and a brief description of the student.

Map had a map of the first floor and dorms, and showed where I currently was.

Games had several of your typical games (Snake, Solitaire, Hearts, Minesweeper, Pinball, and a few others), with two Top 5 Scores for each game (one for Overall and one for Personal).

Chat had two settings, Private Chat (which was not responding, "Function Unavailable, error 73011), and Group Chat (which was functional). Curious, I peeked into the Group Chat.

*Shishano Kantoku entered the chat.

Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu: I'm not making nice with the girl who photographed my dead sister! Screw that, and screw you!

*Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu left the chat.

Kyoko Kirigiri: Well, that went about as expected.

Sakura Ogami: Well, we had to try. We need everyone to keep their calm in this place. All this infighting is ripe for chaos.

Mahiru Koizumi: Well, I appreciate you trying, Sakura. Maybe we could meet up later today and talk some more?

Sakura Ogami: I would like that.

Kyoko Kirigiri: You two have fun. I have something I need to look into.

*Kyoko Kirigiri left the chat.

Mahiru Koizumi: I'll meet you in Classroom 1-B, ok Sakura?

Sakura Ogami: That would be fine.

*Sakura Ogami left the chat.

*Mahiru Koizumi left the chat.

Korekiyo Shinguji: Shishano, I noticed you're still in here. If you're not busy, I wish to meet with you. As the Ultimate Anthropologist, I feel I could learn a great deal from you, as funerary rites fascinate me. Would you like to meet with me in Classroom 1-C?

I thought about it for a few moments and looked at the time. 7:20am. Having no reason not to meet with Korekiyo, and wishing to know more of my classmates anyway, I responded.

Shishano Kantoku: Certainly. However, I wish to get some breakfast first. May we meet up afterwards, say around 8:30am?

Korekiyo Shinguji: That is acceptable. I shall see you at 8:30am then.

*Korekiyo Shinguji left the chat.

Seeing no one else in the chat, I closed the chat as well, changed my background to a solid black one, and headed to the Dining Hall.

Teruteru made crepes with cream cheese filling, drizzled with either blueberry or strawberry syrup. At least we have an amazing chef here, even if we are locked in here, I suppose. I sat with Sakura and Nekomaru, who both turned out to be very kind people. Sakura struck me as a gentle giant of few words, while Nekomaru was a bit too...intense...for my liking. Not that I disliked him; he's just a bit loud for my liking.

After eating my fill, I put my dishes away in the Kitchen, where Mahiru and Hiyoko volunteered for dish duty. Teruteru offered his assistance as well, but Mahiru showed him the door rather quickly.

Mahiru seemed to be stern, particularly on the males, but did not strike me as a rude or disrespectful girl. Mahiru just seemed to hold males to a high standard. She also appeared to be close to Hiyoko, likely due to this history with Fuyuhiko and his sister.

Hiyoko, on the other hand, appeared to exist merely to insult everyone who crossed her path. She even called Korekiyo "Mr. Mummy", and asked if he tore off the wrappings on his hands to wipe his butt. A truly crass little girl, and for an Ultimate Traditional Dancer, I was truly disappointed in her attitude.

Having some time remaining, I decided to check out the School Store. Looking at my E-Handbook, I saw I had 200 Monocoins. Doing the math, that must be 100 from yesterday and 100 for today. A sign above explained the pricing system:

Perfumes/Colognes: 25 Monocoins

Small Rewards: 100 Monocoins

Medium Rewards: 500 Monocoins

Large Rewards: 1000 Monocoins

Looking at the rewards, I saw a Rabbit's Foot for 100 Monocoins, and a 3 oz bottle of Blueberry Perfume for 25 Monocoins. Purchasing them both, that left me with 75 Monocoins. Figuring I should not run myself empty, I decided to call it good for now.

At 8:25am, I headed to Classroom 1-C, where Korekiyo was already waiting. I suppose neither of us are much for tardiness. He was leaning against the digital chalkboard, arms crossed, but not with an unpleasant demeanor.

"Good morning, Shishano." Korekiyo greeted me.

I curtsied back. "Good morning, Korekiyo. I am sure we have questions for one another. Shall we?" I gestured towards the students' desks.

Korekiyo nodded, and seemed to smile, but it was hard to tell through his mask. We both sat at neighboring desks, facing each other.

Korekiyo started first. "I must know, what draws you to the dead, as your profession?"

I replied, "My family has run a mortuary for centuries. I have been trained in every funerary rite in human existence. mummification, pyres, cairns, caskets, cremation, taxidermy, and others. I guess you could say preparing the dead is in my bloodline."

Korekiyo nodded. "Ah, yes. Perhaps you would agree with me on one thing regarding the dead? Corpses are not simply dead people. You can learn a great many things from them!"

I carefully considered Korekiyo's words. "Most of what I learn is about the deceased's lifestyle. Their eating habits, how hard they worked, and what ultimately ended their life."

Korekiyo's expression didn't seem to change much. "I see. Where you look at the present, I look to the past. Humanity is beautiful, in all its forms. Even in cruelty, humanity's beauty can be found." Korekiyo started hugging himself, his eyes closed.

I chose not to ask what was going through his mind. Instead, I chose to ask him something I am certain he has been asked hundreds of times. "Forgive me if this is too personal, but may I ask why you wear that mask?"

Korekiyo appeared to smile again, though it was difficult to tell through his mask. "Yes, I get asked that a lot. I have a variety of different masks, each for a different purpose. One for eating and drinking, another for bathing, and a different one that I sleep in. And no, I will not take my mask off for you, nor do I wish to reveal the reason why I wear one."

I nodded and lowered my eyes. "I understand. I meant no disrespect, Korekiyo."

To my relief, Korekiyo laughed. "Kehehehe...No disrespect taken, of course. Have you any sisters, Shishano?"

I shook my head. "No, only an older brother. Karadano Kantoku. He is known as the Ultimate Physical Therapist. I assume you have a sister?"

Korekiyo glanced downward. "I have a sister that I love more than anything. However, she is very sick. Perhaps you would like to meet her someday?"

I considered. "Perhaps, if you would accompany me. If nothing else, if things take a turn for the worse, I could help prepare her rites."

Korekiyo, for the briefest of moments, seemed alarmed by this, but quickly regained his composure. "You may be a good friend for Sister. But first, we must leave this place. And, on that note, I shall bid you farewell, for I have other matters to attend to."

I decided to give him the Rabbit's Foot as a parting gift. Korekiyo looked it over in amusement, but accepted it.

Korekiyo examined the Rabbit's Foot. "Kehehehehe...not so lucky for the rabbit, am I right? I have no complaints about this gift, however. If you wish, I may tell you its history before I go."

I politely declined. "I am already familiar with the numerous stories behind the Rabbit's Foot. I appreciate your generosity, however. Now, if you will excuse me..."

Korekiyo left the room, and I decided to check out my E-Handbook some more. Music, to my surprise, was functional, with a lot of my favorite songs on it. You could adjust the volume, shuffle or repeat songs, and even adjust the display (Album Cover, Waterfall, Fire, Electric Storm, or Bars).

Notepad was also pretty useful, at a glance. You could color-code or alphabetize your notes, and name your notes whatever you wanted. It looked rather useful, and I wondered what the others would use it for.

As for Settings, it was your typical stuff like volume, brightness, contrast, and screen timeout. Nothing particularly special there.

Curious as to what everyone else was doing, I poked my head back into the Group Chat.

* Shishano Kantoku entered the chat.

Tenko Chabashira: You mean I really have to try to get along with all these degenerate males?

Sakura Ogami: Yes. Not every male you encounter has evil intentions, Tenko. You must learn to overcome this, if you are ever to become truly stronger.

* Tenko Chabashira has left the chat.

Kyoko Kirigiri: That girl is going to be trouble. I can already tell.

Sakura Ogami: I shall do what I can, Kyoko.

* Sakura Ogami has left the chat.

Kyoko Kirigiri: Shishano?

Caught off guard again, I responded.

Shishano Kantoku: Yes, Kyoko?

Kyoko Kirigiri: May we speak in my room?

Shishano Kantoku: Certainly. Is something the matter?

* Kyoko Kirigiri has left the chat.

Kyoko left barely seconds after I sent my message. Maybe she didn't want to talk out in the open? Before I left, I wanted to check in on Sakura.

Shishano Kantoku: Sakura, are you doing ok?

Sakura Ogami: I am well, just taking a break from my training with Nekomaru.

Shishano Kantoku: I see. Perhaps we can speak tomorrow then? I do not wish to interrupt your training on my behalf.

Sakura Ogami: If you wish, we may speak during one of my breaks. I shall set aside some time for us.

Shishano Kantoku: Thank you.

* Shishano Kantoku has left the chat.

I left Classroom 1-C and headed for Kyoko's room. I noticed Mahiru, Hiyoko, and Himiko talking in the Dining Hall, but did not hear anything that was said amongst them.

I made a right, remembering that Kyoko's room was next door to mine, and rang her doorbell. After a few moments, Kyoko answered the door and let me in.

Kyoko sat at her desk, with her E-Handbook in hand. I sat at the corner of her bed, knees close together. I have always found crossing my legs to be uncomfortable, as my top leg usually ends up falling asleep.

I let Kyoko speak first, since she invited me here.

Kyoko glanced at the camera in her room, then moved in so her back was to it, and started talking quietly. "This...Monorakun, and whoever is controlling him. Their identity is my primary concern. If we can figure out who they are, we may have our first step in getting everyone out of here, alive."

I nodded, suddenly intrigued, and kept my voice quiet as well. "How do you plan on accomplishing this? Subtly, of course, but any starting point?"

Kyoko shook her head. "No, and this is something I must do alone. If the others get wind of my intentions, they would all openly defy him, and it's a bad idea to defy Monorakun without a bargaining chip to use against him. Also, be careful who you trust here. I noticed Korekiyo sought you out earlier today. Don't take this the wrong way, but be careful around him. Something about the way he speaks of his sister just seems...off to me."

I tilted my head, confused. "What do you mean by this?"

Kyoko shook her head. "Just a gut feeling for now, but something about the way that boy speaks of his sister strikes me as wrong. If I were you, I would keep my guard up around Korekiyo." Kyoko paused, then continued. "Of course, whoever you decide to trust, or not trust, is up to you."

I asked Kyoko, though I already knew the answer, "Wouldn't it make sense for everyone to lay their issues to rest, so we can work together to get out of here?"

Kyoko smirked. "Yes, that would be ideal, but it seems that whoever is controlling Monorakun has taken careful precautions to ensure that doesn't happen. You could make the argument that forming friendships may help prevent killings, but who's to say someone isn't feigning friendship to get close to someone else, just so they can kill them instead?"

I had no argument against this, as much as it pained me. Fuyuhiko didn't seem to like anyone, particularly Mahiru and Hiyoko. Tenko seemed to hate every boy in here, calling them "Degenerate Males". Teruteru was a pervert, and would easily make himself a target for any girl tired of his innuendos.

My curiosity got the better of me, as I found myself taking notice of Kyoko's gloves. They appeared to be custom-made and expensive, yet very well-crafted.

"Forgive me for asking, Kyoko, but why do you wear those gloves? They look very well-crafted."

"I don't want to talk about it. Suffice it to say, I never take these gloves off. Ever."

I lowered my eyes. "My apologies. I did not mean to offend you with my question."

Kyoko smirked. "No. You did not offend me at all. In fact, I get asked quite frequently about my gloves. I'm quite used to it, in fact."

I nodded, glad I had not offended Kyoko with my question. I handed her the Blueberry Perfume I had gotten from the School Store as thanks for inviting me into her room. She looked it over approvingly, then nodded.

"I must admit, this is interesting. Thank you. Shishano Kantoku." Kyoko put the Blueberry Perfume bottle on her nightstand, then opened the door to let me out.

I spent the rest of the day in my room, pondering what Kyoko said while trying to make sense of my current situation. I decided that speaking to Sakura would be a great idea, as she struck me as a peacemaker type.

I was unaware that someone else would be looking for me the next morning, with an odd request for us all.