Chapter 9

When I opened my eyes, I knew that we have failed again. I was sitting on the ground, and Rantaro was right beside me, "Hey, you are awake?"

I nodded my head, "What about everyone?"

"Physically, they are fine. But things are not looking good for us."

I looked around and saw everyone sitting gloomily again. I also know that this will be a hard mission, but I don't want to give up just yet.

"W-why? I thought I'll finally reach a happy ending," said Miu dejectedly.

"Not yet! We are just getting started!" said Kokichi stubbornly.

"O-of course, this will be.. a piece of cake!" said Tenko, albeit looking extra tired.

"Gonta gonna escape.. become friends with everyone. A gentleman never gives up!"

"Th-this time! This time we'll reach the exit for sure," said Kaede.

After that, we challenged the tunnel a few more times, but in the end, it was not good. At this point, everyone is just too tired. This is looking really bad. Everyone looked like they are going to break. It might be good to stop here for now.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work today. How about we stop early today and take a rest? We can challenge the tunnel again anytime we want later." I said, with slight hesitation.

Everyone looked at me. I was never one to be a leader. Being in the center of attention made my legs shaking. I hoped my smile looked okay as I added, "Besides, we can not know for sure if this is the only way of escape we have. We can take our time to come up with another escape plan. For now, why don't we take a rest?"

This was actually a roundabout way of me saying that this escape plan was a failure. I hope I am not pushing it too far. Everyone is agitated, and I don't want to aggravate the situation further.

Just when I thought my persuasion have failed, few people started to stand up.

"Yeah, you are right. I can't go on anymore. To take a rest is a good idea," said Tsumugi.

"Nyeeeh, I am so tired, I don't have any MP left. I can't stand," said Himiko.

"Himiko, are you okay? I will carry you on my back," said Tenko with trembling legs.

"Tenko, you can go up slowly, let me help Himiko instead," said Kirumi.

"I think to rest right now is the most logical course of action. I too, shall take my leave then," said Keebo.

"Only this far, huh? Well, I guess pushing it further won't make our situation better," said Ryoma.

"Nyahahaha! I am just glad that no one is injured. Praise be to Atua," said Angie.

I breathed a sigh of relief, seeing everyone is back to normal, albeit tired. I turned my head and saw Kaede slowly standing up, with her head lowered. I approached her and slowly helped her to stand up, "Kaede? Are you okay?"

Kaede wiped the sweat from her temple as she said, "Yeah, I am fine. It doesn't matter, we can keep trying again starting from tomorrow!"

"...Knock it off already."

Huh? "Kokichi?"

"You are free to keep trying on your own, but forcing us to join you is basically torture," said Kokichi. His face was full of bitterness and accusation.

"T-torture?" asked Kaede with a pale face.

Kokichi looked at us with teary eyes, "You know what really hurts? Being denied to give up in an impossible situation. You won't give up? Fine. No matter what people said, you've got the high moral ground. Don't you think it's torture for us? When you say we can't give up, you're not inspiring us, you're strong-arming us!"

Kaede was flustered by Kokichi's sudden outburst, "That's wrong. I didn't mean that!"

"Hey! Degenerate male over there! Stop being selfish!" shouted Tenko while pointing her finger to Kokichi in disdain.

"I-I'm not being selfish. Everyone feels the same way."

"What?" Kaede looked at everyone, and no one dared to look back at her. With a weak voice, she muttered, "Everyone?"

"This hardship is gnawing on me," said Kiyo.

"I knew this was impossible from the start," said Maki.

"Keh! This bullshit is a waste of my time and energy!" said Miu annoyedly.

"Please wait! We can't give up!" said Gonta in panic.

"You guys! Are you really okay not getting out of this place?" asked Kaito.

This is bad. If this goes on, the group is going to split apart.

"Everyone calm down! This is a tiring day. Let's discuss our next plan tomorrow morning at the dining hall. For now, we should go back to the dormitory and rest. Okay?" I said hurriedly, trying to appease them with soft persuasion.

"Why do we have to wait until tomorrow? In fact, you are the one who brought it up first," said Kokichi while he smiled cunningly.

"What?"

"You said so right? There is no way to know for sure if this tunnel is the only escape option we have. Aren't you indirectly suggesting something there?"

Kokichi was smiling. He was enjoying this. He enjoyed taunting everyone like this. I don't know how he can see right through me, but I can't let him have his way here. I steeled my expression and said, "I don't know what you think I am implying, but let me tell you that I have a clear conscience when saying that. We shouldn't give up escaping just yet. However, we should keep our options open all the time. I believe we can find another way out. Kokichi, if you have any idea in mind, just spit it out. You don't have to taunt me or anyone else just to put words in our mouths. Stop pretending to be everyone's spokesperson."

Kokichi didn't answer immediately, "....I thought you were just a goody-two-shoes pushover. I must say I am surprised," said Kokichi.

Rantaro let out a frustrated sigh, "Out with it already, Kokichi. Everyone is pretty tired now."

"Welp, since you asked so nicely, then I will tell you. I say we don't have to push ourselves too hard. It's easy. If you want to get out, you just need to kill someone and survive the class trial!"

"So your idea is for us to participate in the killing game?" asked Rantaro.

"Wh-what are you saying? There's no way we can do the killing game!" said Tenko.

"Neehehe, calm down. Want some bubblegum?" said Kokichi cheerfully.

"Oh-ho, looks like this little degenerate wants his head smashed to the ground!" said Tenko in a low voice, ready to grab Kokichi.

"Please stop! We shouldn't fight!" said Shuichi.

"Geez. We're falling apart pretty quickly for a group that decides to be friends and work together," said Ryoma.

Kaede hanged her head low, with a guilty expression, "I'm sorry... This is my fault... I'm sorry."

"No, Kaede," said Shuichi.

"Kaede, it's not your fault. Everyone is just too tired, that's all," I also tried to console her.

"Idiot! Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault at all!" said Kaito.

"Really? I think it's Kaede's fault," said Maki.

"H-huh? Why?" asked Kaito.

The atmosphere was tense, and at that moment, the sound of a bell reverberated throughout the underground. The monitor screen lights up, showing the five Monokubs.

"This is an official announcement of Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles."

"It is now 10 PM. Nighttime is officially starting now."

"The dining hall and gym are locked during nighttime. So be careful!"

After the nighttime announcement was ended, the silence descended once again, until Rantaro said, "Well nothing comes out from pushing our luck. Let's go back to the dormitory and rest for now. Let's meet up again tomorrow at the dining hall just like Mirai suggested, to come up with our next plan. What time do you think is good for discussion?"

"How about at 8 AM?" suggested Kokichi with an innocent face. I was almost baffled at how he could casually change the flow of conversation despite being the source of dispute a few minutes ago.

No one voiced their objection. As if she had enough of this, Maki walked toward the stairs. "We are done here, yeah? I am going back to my room, then."

"Yes. Let's retire for today and have a good night's rest," said Kirumi.

Just when everyone started to leave, Rantaro said, "Hey guys, I thought I will say this just in case. Don't let your guard down. We'll be easy targets at night."

"H-huh? You mean, cause of the killing game?" asked Gonta nervously.

"I don't think we need to worry about something illogical as murder to take place?" said Keebo anxiously, seemed more like to convince himself rather than others.

"I know. It's just a warning," said Rantaro.

After that, we dispersed for the night. One by one, everyone started to leave. However, Kaede stays rooted in her place. Her face was pale. I think what happened earlier came to be a shock for her. I was kinda worried about her, so I stayed behind to talk to her. It was not just me, either. Shuichi and Kaito also stayed behind.

"Kaede? Are you okay?" asked Shuichi.

"Yeah, I'm fine," answered Kaede weakly, despite her face saying otherwise.

"Kaede, please don't take it to the heart. You are not wrong. We are in this together, and I rather feel grateful for your encouragement. Everyone was shocked and anxious, that's all." I added, as I rubbed her back gently.

"Mirai's right. I don't think you're pressuring us. At least, I don't think so," said Shuichi.

"Why the hell are you apologizing?! Don't apologize for something that's not your fault, it'll only make you feel bad! Besides, they only want to give up and decide to put the blame on you to make themselves feel better. I'd give them piece of my mind later!" said Kaito furiously.

"Kaito..." I softly reprimanded him through my eyes. I don't think Kaede wants to hear about that right now. She was already felt guilty just by what happened today, no need to add more troubles into it.

It seemed Kaito realized his mistake as well, as he awkwardly added. "My bad. I was being too emotional there. Just don't think about it too much."

We spent some time trying to make Kaede feel better, but in the end, there's nothing much we can do. In the end, we could only go back to the dormitory with a heavy heart.

I went back to my dorm room. I double-checked the door to make sure my door is properly locked before I fell unceremoniously on the bed. Today so many things happened at once. I was too tired. My eyelids grew heavier, and before I knew it, I fell asleep.