Graduation!

I eventually got up around 4pm, after napping half the day away. If what Kokichi said was true, we'd finally get to escape this horrid place, and soon!

But I wasn't getting my hopes up yet. Someone could still commit another murder between now and then. And then what?

Not wanting to stay cooped up in my room, I left and headed upstairs, to the Batting Cages. I hit balls for about an hour, hour and a half, while taking occasional breaks to rest. My power stroke was getting better, and I was handling Medium pitch better as well.

Afterwards, I went back to the first floor, deciding to cool off by swimming for a bit. I went into the Boys Locker Room (jumping a bit when I saw that chaingun on the ceiling, forgetting it was there!), got changed, showered up to get the sweat off of me, then hit the pool. In my mind's eye, I could still see Akane and Hina swimming in the pool, with Hina doing laps and Akane randomly wandering around the pool. Then I remembered the horror of witnessing their deaths, and I closed my eyes tight, a hitch in my chest.

Clearing my head, taking a few deep breaths, I gathered my wits and got into the warm pool, alone. I was usually best at the breaststroke and floating on my back, so I mostly floated on my back for a while, eyes closed. I was just trying to relax, going in no particular direction other than away from the edges, as the floating sensation from the water helped put my mind more at ease.

After about an hour or so of this, I got out of the pool, showered the chlorine off of me, and dried off. Then I changed back into my normal clothes, leaving my swim trunks on a small rack inside my locker.

I headed to the Dining Hall around 7pm, where a brief flashback of Kirumi requesting my dinner preference entered my mind, before heading back into the kitchen to make some beef and chicken pizza. There were prepared pizza dough, spread out into various sizes. I grabbed one marked "Medium" and prepared my pizza for baking.

After it was done baking, I pulled it out of the oven, cut it into 8 slices, put the slices on a paper plate, and carried it to the Dining Hall table.

I picked up a slice, and noticed Mikan had entered the room. Mikan glanced towards the Kitchen, nervously, then approached me.

"W-w-would you m-mind making me something for dinner? I'm not a v-very good cook, and..." She trailed off, then added, "I-I'm sorry!"

I glanced down at my pizza. "Actually, I'm not sure if I can finish all of this. Want a slice or two? Beef and chicken."

Mikan looked at the pizza, then smiled meekly. "Y-y-yes! Thank you very much!" Mikan then sat down beside me, and I shared my plate with her. Mikan had 2 slices, and I shared a slice with Peko as well. The other 5 slices, I ate. We finished around 8pm, and I threw the trash away. Returning, I gave Mikan a big hug and stroked her hair gently, and she buried her head in my chest for a while.

Afterwards, I headed off to bed, while Mikan headed to the Chemistry Room to check for medicines. I drifted off, rather quickly, to sleep, before the 10pm alert went off.

Monokuma's 7am alert woke me up, with an added announcement that this was the last day at Hope's Peak Academy, and to meet up in the Gymnasium at 5:30pm for the graduation ceremony.

Byakuya and I never did, ultimately, discover the secret of the Hidden Room, but was certain it was the Mastermind's Room. Mikan found some minerals, but no actual medicine, in the Chemistry Room. Peko spent most of her time in the Dojo, practicing her swordplay, with Maki usually accompanying her. I spent most of the day swimming or playing Darts.

At 5:30pm, Monokuma's face appeared. "Alright everybody, get to the Gymnasium for your Hope's Peak Graduation Ceremony!"

I met with everyone in the Gym, and sat down on the front row of bleachers. I remembered the first time we were here, how full it felt with 16 people, but now we were down to only 5.

Monokuma was standing at a podium, wearing a graduation cap. Next to him was a box with five rings, silver with what appeared to be a bluish gem.

Monokuma started up. When I call your name and talent, please approach the podium to accept your diploma: this silver ring with Amazonite, the Stone of Hope, as the gemstone!"

I wasn't sure whether to be impressed, or insulted. On the one hand, these looked like very high quality rings. On the other hand, 11 of our classmates were dead, and THIS is what they do?!

Monokuma continued. "Maki Harukawa, the Ultimate Assassin"

Maki walked up, clearly untrusting of Monokuma, but Monokuma handed her one of the black boxes with the Hope's Peak Academy logo on it, with Maki's name on it. Maki then returned to her seat, on the bleachers.

"Shurinku Kansatsu, the Ultimate Psychologist"

Warily, I walked up to Monokuma, but he just pointed at a black ring case with my name under the logo. I grabbed it and went back to my seat. Sitting down, I opened the box, seeing the Hope's Peak Academy logo carved into the gemstone, with "Shurinku Kansatsu" carved into the band of the ring.

"Peko Pekoyama, the Ultimate Swordswoman".

"Byakuya Togami, the Ultimate Affluent Prodigy." ...Huh, so THAT was his talent. Just being born into a rich family...pfft.

"Mikan Tsumiki, the Ultimate Nurse."

Mikan tripped on the way over to Monokuma, but was able to get her ring handed to her as she lay on the ground.

Monokuma sighed, then spoke once more. "Alright, this concludes our ceremony. At 6pm, the front doors are opening, and everyone will be dismissed!"

Monokuma started walking away from the podium, then turned to face us once again. "No, seriously, at 6pm, get out." Then Monokuma's head, arms, and legs fell off, and his head rolled away from the rest of his body, away from us.

Looking at the clock, it was 5:50pm, so the 5 of us walked to the front doors, which were still locked. At precisely 6pm, a loud CLICK! was heard. Peko checked the door, which was now unlocked, and opened the door inward.

Outside was a sidewalk, with a limo sitting in the driveway. Izuru was standing by the driver's door, with an opened door towards the back. All 5 of us silently got into the limo, which had completely blacked-out windows. None of us said a word, but there was no feeling of danger.

We were all driven to an airport by Izuru, and upon arrival, he handed us a one-way ticket back home. Izuru then drove off in the limo, as we said our goodbyes and went on home.

I swore to myself I would never, EVER, get sucked into a sick game like this ever again....

Boy, was I wrong.