Carnival of Horrors

Monorakun continued speaking. "Welcome to the new Carnival Room! Just got this room built a few days before you arrived, in fact. Dart games, Skee-ball, games of chance, and other fun games in here, and new ways to earn Monocoins!"

Korekiyo and I exchanged suspicious glances.

Monorakun cocked his head at the both of us. "What? You should be excited to see new things, like Shishano's brother. Not fearful that you're gonna die soon, like Korekiyo's sister, right?"

Something flashed in Korekiyo's eyes. Surprise? Rage? It was hard to tell, with his mask covering half of his face.

Monorakun ushered us inside, seemingly eager to show this room off to us. Indeed, there were a lot of games in the Carnival Room, similar to what you would see in a midway. Skee-Ball, a basketball free-throw game, and a game with a sign above it reading "Whack-a-Rakun!".

I also noticed a Cup Game, with three Monorakun cups and what appeared to be a black and white ball. I figured this was the game where the dealer hides the ball in one of the cups, and switches the cups around quickly before stopping. You would then select a cup, and would win if you picked the cup with the ball under it.

Walking in further, I also saw there was large wheel, encased in what looked like plastic or glass, with a cutout where you could spin the wheel. It was divided into sections with pegs and lines, with a flipper that went in between the pegs at the top. I had seen several wheel games like this before; you spin the wheel, make sure it goes around at least once, and you win whatever reward it lands on. A nearby sign read "Spin the Mono-Wheel! Every spin a winner!", and in smaller letters underneath, "Limit one spin per day."

Finally, a video game on a large screen, looking similar to one I would see on the Game Show Channel. There were 20 boxes, each resembling a Monorakun face, but instead of the red jagged eye, there was a red number in its place. If this game played like the one on TV did, you would pick a set number of boxes, then you would be given an offer from a banker. You could choose to take the offer, or leave it and keep playing.

Usually, people played for lots of money, but this game seemed geared towards Monocoins. A sign above it read "Stay or Go?"

Next to each game was a small Monorakun, wearing a black and white cap. They watched us, but said nothing, their heads merely turning to watch whoever seemed to be the closest to them. They were dressed like carnival workers, which struck me as amusing.

"Ah, don't worry about them," Monorakun assured us. "They can't leave their assigned game areas, and they're only designed to operate their specific game. They shouldn't be dangerous...at least, I don't think they are. It's not in their programming to do anything except run their specific game. Either way, no one's allowed to kill any student here in TUTEC except another student, unless they attack me of course. That includes these Monorakun carnies."

Monorakun then walked up to the Monorakun carnie running the "Stay or Go?" game. "You hear me, shitbag? No killing my students!" Monorakun then smacked the Monorakun carnie, who gave no impression that anything had even happened, merely staring blankly back at Monorakun.

Korekiyo and I exchanged confused glances, but said nothing.

Monorakun returned his attention to us. "In addition to scanning your E-Handbooks to activate each game, there are buttons on the counter that, when pressed, will make the carnies talk. The "Rules" button will make the carnie explain the rules. The "Start" button starts the game, and the + and - buttons let you adjust your bet for the games that don't have a set cost to play."

Korekiyo commented, "Fascinating. Carnivals have their history in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893. While other traveling shows certainly existed in the past, this event marked the birth of the modern-day carnival. In older times, carnivals would feature lots of markets to sell various wares at, but this is rare these days. Other events, such as freak shows or goldfish-in-a-bowl games, are almost never seen anymore, due to changes in public opinion on social injustice and animal welfare. Nowadays, you are more likely to find petting zoos, rides, food stalls, and games of chance or skill. Larger carnivals may feature events, such as tractor pulls, demolition derbies, or horse racing or obstacle courses."

I nodded, unsure where this history lesson was coming from, but it was interesting nonetheless how informed Korekiyo was on the history of carnivals. As for me, this room, despite the creepy-looking Monorakun carnies, looked entertaining, and some of the games actually looked somewhat fun.

Monorakun, meanwhile, merely replied, "Thanks for the history lesson. Now, if you're finished, I have other matters to attend to." Monorakun then scurried out of the room on all fours, making a left as he left. I found it strange that Monorakun did not disappear like he usually did, but figured that perhaps he wished to be seen by whoever he was going to next.

Looking at the time on my E-Handbook, it was almost 11am. Korekiyo and I parted ways, with Korekiyo wishing to check out the Chemistry Room some more. For my part, I had already seen what I needed to see in there, and I felt that room would be nothing but trouble.

I headed down to the Dining Hall to get an early lunch. Upon my arrival, Jack was talking to Rantaro. I could not make out what they were discussing, but Rantaro had a pepper shaker in his hand, and was putting pepper on his burger. Jack suddenly sneezed, turning back into Toko, and started to make a hasty exit. As she got closer to me, she stopped, eyeing me suspiciously.

"Y-you there. You were the only one n-not with the r-rest of us during that emergency a few days a-a-ago. I d-don't believe Monor-rakun one bit, that this was not some k-kind of ruse to get everyone in one spot. I thought it was so he could k-kill us all. So what REALLY happened that day?"

Before I could respond, Toko put a hand up. "No! N-not here. In...in my room. It's the only p-place I trust. A-and you better not lie to me!"

Despite not minding talking about the events of that day, I was still not looking forward to this meeting.