Chapter 7: Brave New Post-Trial World!

The execution was over. I was frozen. Not in shock or fear. Just... done. My body, mind, and soul were just done with everything. I hated everything around me with a burning passion. I just wanted someone to wake me up from the nightmare that was the reality I was in.

"Wooohooo! Extreeeeeeemmmmmeeeee! Man, my adrenaline is pumping right outta control!", Monokuma cheered from its throne.

"Uwah...! Uwaaaaaahhh!", Hifumi yelled in fear.

"Wh-Wh-What's going o-on!?", Toko shrieked.

"I-I can't take this anymore...! Do we really have to keep doing this? I just can't take it!", Chihiro cried.

"Well hey, if you don't like it... all you gotta do is swear to cut all ties with the outside world and accept living here forever! But that's only if every single one of you can get on board with that. Puhuhuhu... Waahahahaha! Bwaaahahaha!", Monokuma laughed.

"Man, f*ck you... Why the f*ck are you doing all this evil sh*t to us!?", Mondo shouted.

"Evil!? You make it sound like I'm some dark, awful, secret society type of guy! Or in this case, a dark, awful, secret society type of BEAR!", Monokuma joked.

"Um, so why are you putting an upstanding young citizen like me through such a grueling ordeal?", Hifumi asked.

"It seems like you're trying to use common sense to make sense of something that doesn't make sense! That's like trying to put a mile on a scale! I just don't think it's possible...", Monokuma shrugged.

"Hey, uh, I don't think what you're saying and what I'm saying quite fit together.", Hifumi muttered.

"You piece of sh*t! I don't know who you are but I'm gonna pound your a*s into the ground!", Mondo shouted.

"Puhuhu. You must really hate me to get so angry, huh? But if you do that, you're barking waaay up the wrong tree. What happened, happened because more than one of you decided you wanted to get out, right? No matter how much time passes, you can't cut free for your regrets from the outside world. You're to blame!", Monokuma snickered.

"Of course we can't cut f-free of the outside world! Being trapped in this insane p-place...!", Toko growled.

"Hmmm... You're trapped, are you? Well, I'm sure once you learn all the mysteries of this school, your thinking will change for sure. You'll think, "Boy, isn't it so wonderful how we all get to live here forever!?" ", Monokuma cheered.

"What are you trying to say...?", Taka asked.

"I feel like there's some deeper meaning hidden in there... Just like before...", Kyoko glared at the bear.

Anyway, let's get to the blackened's punishment! That's what everyone is waiting for, after all!

"When you say "everyone"... who exactly are you referring to?", Kyoko questioned.

"It sure as hell isn't us...", I mumbled.

"Sorry, I said everything I've got to say! I need to save some of the fun for later! Bwaahahaha!", Monokuma laughed as he disappeared.

"Nn...gh--!", Taka was in tears.

"...", Mondo clenched his teeth in anger.

"...", Chihiro was in tears as well. The whole atmosphere was suffocating. I walked over to Leon's podium and saw the piece of his lapel with the oversized safety pin on the ground. I picked it up and unclipped the pin from the cloth. I pinned the safety pin to my belt. I walked past everyone and clicked the elevator button.

"You guys stay for as long as you like. I'm leaving. Don't worry about the elevator not coming back, it has a button for it. See you guys later.", with that, I left. On the ride, I collapsed on the elevator floor and cried. I dragged myself out of the elevator once it stopped and made my way to my room, sobbing on the way. I entered my room and shut the door hard, the sound of the collision echoing around the school.

## CHAPTER 1: TO SURVIVE ## ## THE END ## ## SURVIVING STUDENTS: 13 ##

I was lying on my bed, tears streaming down my face but no noise. Just tears. I lost three people on the same day, and I may have lost my family as well. I sighed and kept silently weeping. I suddenly heard a knock on my door. I shot up and rubbed my eyes with my gloves. I walked over to the door and opened it slightly. It was Makoto.

"Um... Kuno, we're all gathering at the dining hall...", Makoto mumbled.

"... Okay. I'll be there in a second.", I nodded and shut the door. I washed my face, but it was still red and puffy from my crying. I honestly couldn't care less. I grabbed my stuff and went to the dining hall. I walked in to see everyone waiting for me.

"Sorry I'm late.", I mumbled.

"Hey... are you okay, Kuno?", Hina asked as she walked up to me and inspected my face. I turned away quickly and walked over to the stained glass window. I sat on the edge of it and sighed as I traced the grooves in the glass.

"Could be worse.", I muttered.

"You sure took your sweet time! I was just about to go get you and drag you back here!", Taka scolded.

"As I said, I'm sorry.", I replied flatly.

"So, Makoto. What happened? Was your room fixed up like Monokuma said? I imagine it would be pretty hard to sleep with a rotting corpse in your bathroom!", Taka laughed.

"...Dude.", I raised a brow at Taka in disgust.

"Jesus, that's f*cked up, man. Why would you say something like that?", Mondo sighed.

"My room was... spotless. There wasn't anything left. Like the whole thing... never happened.", Makoto explained.

"It must be tough staying there, knowing what happened. Why don't you stay in Sayaka's room?", Sakura suggested.

"Well... staying there, with her scent still hanging in the air... That would hurt just as much. Plus... I've decided that I can't turn away from her death...", Makoto nodded. I looked back at him with shock. He was the closest to Sayaka, and he was moving on the quickest. I looked back at the stained glass then focused on my blurred figure. I had to move on as well, for the sake of my friends and family. I got up from my place and sat down next to everyone.

"M-Makoto... Hey, cheer up! Getting depressed isn't gonna help anything, right? If we all work together, I'm sure we'll find a way out of here! So everyone just... try and cheer up and get back on track!", Hina smiled.

"Is that honestly supposed to make us feel better?", Byakuya shot.

"Huh?", Hina looked confused.

"We were already "working together" and yet someone was still murdered. Anyone could betray us at this point. Now that it's happened once, it's a question of when, not if, the next one takes place.", Byakuya smirked.

"Yeah, because S-Sayaka made the first move...", Toko agreed.

"...", Makoto looked down on his feet. I walked over to him and grabbed his hand gently. He looked up at me with a confused look. I squeezed his hand and gave him a nod.

"Stay strong.", I whispered. Makoto's face went red for a bit and he nodded with a small smile.

"B-But... if we work together against the mastermind, nobody'll have any reason to do something like that!", Hina retorted.

"Keep telling yourself that. I'll be over here in the real world. Working together, fighting a common enemy... Like it or not, it's not that simple.", Byakuya sneered.

"And the pr*ck continues...", I mumbled as I let go of Makoto's hand and sat down next to Sakura.

"... What do you mean?", Hifumi asked Byakuya.

"The mastermind seems to be much more powerful than we ever suspected. They took over Hope's Peak, which was supposed to be well defended, then modified it to fit their desire. They created Monokuma, which seems to be incredibly advanced, and they're providing for our every need. And the cherry on top is the execution we witnessed. Everything has been planned down to the last excruciating detail. This is not the work of your everyday psychopath. Defying them may be too great of a risk...", Celeste mentioned.

"Then... what are we supposed to do?", Sakura asked.

"Anyone who truly does want to escape... will just have to follow the rules. In which case, the only option is to deceive those around you, and win the game.", Byakuya smirked.

"N-No...", Chihiro stuttered.

"No what?", Byakuya growled.

"I don't want to live... if it means killing someone else to do it. I don't want to kill anyone else...!", Chihiro cried.

"Anyone... else? What do you mean?", Hiro questioned.

"Leon died because we all voted for him, right? It's no different from us killing him ourselves!", Chihiro sobbed. I quickly went up to her and wrapped my arms around her. I drew circles on her back as she cried to calm her down. I honestly never thought of it that way, and it made me feel terrible that Chihiro actually thought she was the reason for a classmate's death.

"B-But...", Hiro muttered.

"If we hadn't voted for him, then we all woulda died instead, right...? That isn't what you wanted, is it...?", Hina asked.

"...", Chihiro went silent. I let go of her and got a bunch of tissues to help her wipe her tears away.

"She's right. If you heap that kind of blame on yourself, you'll turn into a full-fledged masochist.", Hifumi laughed.

"Hifumi, not now...", I sighed.

"...", Chihiro cleaned her face and looked back at us before looking down again.

"Chihiro, listen... You're not to blame. Not you, not Leon, and not Sayaka. The mastermind is responsible for everything that's happened. We had no choice but to vote. I can't even imagine what would've happened to us if we'd refused... And in the end, it was Monokuma who ultimately killed Leon...! So don't waste your anger on yourself... Instead, direct it at the mastermind!", Makoto encouraged. That encouragement didn't last that long though, as a bell sounded and the monitor flickered to life.

"Mm, ahem, this is a school announcement. It is now 10 p.m. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall will be locked, and entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Oh, and one other thing... It was totally obvious before that you were trying to make yourselves feel better and justify what you did. See you, see you, don't see you, see you! That's about how much I can see you, even when you try to hide! Now pay attention and remember this well! The burden of judging others is a heavy one to bear. So be well aware of your actions! Order and stability rely on the sacrifice and responsibility of everyone! Okay then... sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite...", Monokuma greeted and the monitor went black.

"What w-was that about just n-now...?", Toko shuddered.

"Was he saying it's our fault what happened? That's pretty cruel, man...", Hiro sighed.

"That piece of sh*t! Who does he think he is!?", Mondo yelled.

"Monokuma, it would say.", I sighed. And so, the day drew to a close... A tense, maddening day that saw the deaths of three classmates. Sayaka, Junko, and Leon... But... this is just the beginning... Our despair has only just begun...!

## CHAPTER 2: BOYS' LIFE OF DESPAIR ## ##DAILY LIFE##

I woke up the next morning to Monokuma's normal announcement... Then I heard it call us to the gym. I felt a little afraid but I had to go anyways.

"What is it this time...?", I grumbled as I went to the gym. Once we made it there, we were practically frozen with fear. But Monokuma was determined to get us involved in its little game... And with that goal in mind, it began it... Monokuma stood on a small podium, instructing us to stretch with it. We didn't do anything, but Taka was sure as hell going to join in, stretching and jumping around like no tomorrow.

"Okay! Lift your arms up, and down! One, two, three, four!", Monokuma cheered.

"One, two, three, four!", Taka yelled with enthusiasm.

"Now reach waaay up, and bend waaay down! Tighten those muscles! Let's add a little strength, a little speed to those young bodies of yours!", Monokuma said as it bent down. Taka bent down as well, showing off his... Ahem, "Gluteus Maximus". I turned away since, to be honest, it was kind of impressive. I felt my face heat up but I shook it off and told myself it was not the time.

"Ahh, doesn't this feel just great!? Being stuck inside like this, you gotta make sure to stay healthy!", Monokuma sighed.

"You're the o-one keeping us "stuck inside"...", Toko muttered.

"Don't sweat the small stuff! That's my motto. Whoa, I sounded pretty cool just now, don'tcha think? Did you fall in love with me? Am I just to die for? Am I just to die in writhing agony for?", Monookuma snickered.

"So... why did you call us here? Certainly, it wasn't just to make us exercise...", Sakura growled.

"Yeah, this doesn't smell very clean to me. Smells fishy...", I mumbled.

" "Just" to make you exercise? JUST to make you exercise!? If exercise makes you laugh, exercise will make you cry! Now, if you keep doing these exercises, you will uncover the secret of the Assassin's Fist! Passed down from generation to generation in the empire of darkness... The power can be yours!", Monokuma offered.

"That sounds like the kind of junk a middle schooler would come up with...", Hifumi huffed.

"It doesn't matter! Just get to the point. Did you really call us down here just to exercise?", Makoto asked.

"Of course not! You think I have that kind of free time on my hands!?", Monokuma yelled.

"Spill it!", I glared.

"Ahh, I'd like to make an announcement! Every time you overcome a class trial at Hope's Peak, a whole new world will open up to you!", Monokuma announced.

"A whole new world...?", Hiro questioned.

"It'd really suck if you had to live here forever with nothing new to stimulate you! Besides, I know how you kids get these days with your ADD and ADHD.(A/N: That was just rude of Monokuma, but I don't make up his lines. It is legit what he says and I don't know how Kadaka-San did that without getting kicked in the head by an angry mob lol XD! Luv the dude tho.) I gotta keep you motivated! So go ahead, look around all you want! Enjoy the brave new post-trial world till you explode!". Monokuma cheered as it left us alone.

"A new world...?", Makoto muttered.

"Is he talking about... a way to get outside?", Hina questioned enthusiastically.

"That seems... unlikely.", Celeste sighed.

"Well we don't know till we look!", Mondo shouted.

"Whatever he meant, it seems we'll have to search the school one more time.", Sakura instructed.

"Okay, then let's split up and start investigating! When you're done, everyone meet back up at the dining hall and we'll share what we found!", Taka nodded.

"You're basically a one-trick pony, you know that?", Byakuya smirked.

"More like a staple food source! Now let's get moving!", Taka cheered as he marched out. Everyone left the gym and I sat there for a bit. I sighed and collected myself before leaving the gym and beginning my own investigation.The first thing I noticed was that the gate that was blocking the stairs has been opened. I climbed the stairs and took a glance over the area. It had a totally different vibe than the first floor, as it blue lights and different tiled floors. The first door I found was a door marked with the word "Pool" over it.

"Nice to see the deaths of our friends got us a pool...", I grumbled as I opened the door(A/N: If you got that reference, I love you :) ). I found Hina, Celeste, and Chihiro in a small dividing area to the pool, along with a locker room for each gender.

"Oh, Kuno! Hey, guess what! Guess what I found! A pool! There's a pool here! A POOL! Pool pool pool!", Hina jumped up and down in glee.

"Glad to see you like it, Hina.", I smiled.

"And there's a ton of exercise equipment in the locker room! Sakura's gonna go nuts when she finds out!", Hina cheered.

"I wouldn't say "nuts" but I guess she'll like it.", I giggled as I walked up to the girls' locker room door. I tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge.

"Oh! And I guess you need your handbook to get into the locker rooms!", Hina pointed out.

"You don't say?", I mumbled.

"Really really!", Monokuma jumped out of nowhere.

"Uwaah!", Hina gasped.

"Stop trying to give me heart attacks, you two-tone bear!", I yelled.

"If you wanna unlocker the locker room... you'll have to swipe your personal e-Handbook across the card reader next to the door. However, to ensure maximum security within each locker room... only a boy's handbook can open the boys' locker room and the same for the girls! And that's the bottom line!", Monokuma explained.

"Hmm... but what if someone opens the door, and then someone else sneaks in?", Hina asked out of curiosity.

"Anyone who commits such indecency will be punished without mercy for their scandalous sexual depravity! See, there's a Gatling gun mounted on the ceiling, right? And it'll be all DUKKA DUKKA DUKKA DUKKA!", Monokuma laughed.

"I bet it'd hurt to get shot by that thing!", Hina pointed out the obvious.

"Um, no... I think it'd be a *little* worse than that...", Chihiro mumbled.

"So pervs die? I... honestly don't mind that.", I replied flatly.

"But what happens if someone loans their handbook to someone else? A boy could borrow a girl's handbook, and that would get them into the girls locker room, would it not?", Celeste asked.

"Wh--!? That never even occurred to me! To think someone could be so low, so cowardly, so devilish! Hmm... Okay, then how's this sound? Time for a new rule! As of this moment, loaning your e-Handbook to another student is strictly prohibited. There! So now nobody can give their handbook to anyone else, right? You like that? I'm kind of a genius, right? It's cuz my brain is 100% cotton!". Monokuma pointed out.

"I do not imagine anyone would have lent their handbook out in the first place. After all, they would likely be held responsible for anything that person might do using the handbook...", Celeste said with a cold tone.

"But ya know, you seem awfully concerned with all this locker room security stuff...", Hina mumbled.

"It's cuz all you teenagers are sex-crazed maniacs! You're at that age you'd try humping a plastic bottle! So to keep anything unseemly from happening, I have to maintain a rigorous watch!", Monokuma declared.

"Humping plastic...? I... Okay, I won't question it.", I sighed.

"Then in that case, I would ask that you keep the same close eye on our dorms. If some man and some woman decided to share a room, there would be nothing to stop them.", Celeste pointed out. I couldn't believe everyone was talking so casually about the topic. I felt my face heat up as I tried to think about anything other than the conversation going on.

"All I care about is protecting the holy image of the school itself! I don't care what happens in your private dorms! By force or by cunning, do whatever you want! Besides, seeing that weapons enthusiast go tomato from embarrassment is absolutely hilarious!", Monokuma laughed.

"Did I mention how much I hate you?", I muttered as I went firetruck red.

"Okay, so the new regulation is now in place! See ya!", Monokuma said as it left.

"Maaan, that stupid bear totally ruined my mood! Maybe I'll go take a dip to cheer myself up. Celeste, Chihiro, Kuno, you wanna come with me?", Hina asked.

"I still need to finish looking around, but thanks for the offer.", I smiled with a small bow.

"There is nothing I hate more than getting water on my face.", Celeste sighed.

"Sorry... I'll pass this time.", Chihiro apologized.

"How come! When you're in a funk, there's nothing better than a good swim to pull you out of it!", Hina retorted.

"That only works on you, Hina.", I laughed. I then bid everyone goodbye and kept looking around. I found a huge door that leads to the library. I opened the door to see Toko, Byakuya, Hifumi, and Kyoko. The library was moderately sized, with shelves and shelves of books, a work desk, a side door to who-knows-where, and a study table. I saw a small letter on one of the tables and got curious. I looked at the outside to see it was signed by Hope's Peak Academy.

"It was buried under a thick layer of dust. It must have been sitting there for quite a while. Well, shall we see what's inside?", Kyoko asked. I nodded and opened the letter. I began to read it aloud.

"From The Hope's Peak Academy Executive Office. Throughout the years, we have been committed to shaping the youth who will one day shape the world. We have a long, proud history as an institution of higher learning with full governmental support. Our graduates enter society ready to take on active leadership roles in every major job field. However, Hope's Peak Academy must now lower the curtain on its glorious history, for the time being. This decision was not an easy one to make, but serious issues beyond our control have made it necessary. But make no mistake-- this is not the end for Hope's Peak Academy. We intend to reopen our doors as soon as the issues forcing our closure have been resolved. That being said, this is the end for now... And I would like to personally and sincerely thank everyone for your help and support over the years. For now, we are waiting official governmental authorization to formally cease operations... And that's the end of the letter. This... doesn't make sense. Hope's Peak closing up? I know a few days ago it was as open as the sky!", I exclaimed.

"Hmm... The contents of this letter are quite interesting indeed.", Byakuya smirked.

"It would seem Hope's Peak had stopped functioning as a school. And judging by the amount of dust the letter had collected, it doesn't seem to have happened recently. If I had to guess, I'd say this letter could be at least a year old.", Kyoko guessed.

"How...? I remember the school was still active when I first came here.", I mentioned.

"Most likely, the mastermind took over the abandoned school in order to put on this little performance.", Byakuya explained.

"But if the school *had* shut down, wouldn't it be all over the news? I mean, let's say it did happen over a year ago, wouldn't we know about this before coming here?", I asked.

"That must have all been part of the mastermind's plan. They lured us all in here... Someone who could create a place to judge and execute people could potentially be capable of anything. Of course, that's all assuming that this letter is real.", Byakuya smirked.

"That... I guess it could be fake.", I nodded.

"If it *is* real, though, that does solve one mystery surrounding the school... The reason there are no other students here could be because the school had already closed down.", Kyoko deduced.

"That would be a nice, simple solution, it's true.", Byakuya chuckled.

"Okay... but what about this other part? "This decision was not an easy one to make, but serious issues beyond our control have made it necessary. But make no mistake-- this is not the end for Hope's Peak Academy. We intend to reopen our doors as soon as the issues forcing our closure have been resolved." What did they mean by serious issues? That's why the school had to close, right? Does it have to do with what's going on right now?", I asked.

"If the two events are in fact connected... uncovering that connection would be a useful clue, on top of figuring out the mastermind's motive... Although I can't really say any more until we find more details.", Kyoko sighed.

"So in other words, only the mastermind knows the truth right now.", Byakuya grumbled.

"Man, you guys are way smarter than me regarding situations like these.", I praised with a nervous laugh.

"On the contrary, Kuno. You somehow know how to investigate pretty well.", Kyoko pointed out.

"Oh, that... I have a distant relative who was a detective. I only met him a few times in my life, but he is really good at what he does. I guess I picked up a few things from him. I just never knew it would be useful...", I sighed.

"... I see.", Kyoko nodded.

"You might be of use to me during investigations. Yes, you would make a great assistant.", Byakuya smirked.

"Don't test me, blondie!", I mock-growled before laughing and walking away. I looked around a bit and saw Kyoko trying to turn on a laptop. I walked over to her but it seemed that she wasn't very lucky. The laptop looked old and was covered in dust.

"It's broken. I tried pressing the power button earlier, but nothing happened.", Kyoko sighed.

"Too bad...", I mumbled sadly. I decided I was done looking around and went back to the dining hall. Everyone had gathered in the dining hall already.

"Okay, ladies and gentleman! How'd it go? Did anyone discover any interesting new anything!?", Taka asked.

"There's a library!", Hifumi pointed out.

"And a pool! A freakin' pool! And locker rooms filled with exercise equipment!", Hina cheered.

"There was not, however, anything resembling an escape route.", Sakura noted.

"Yeah... she's right...", Makoto uttered.

"Well hey, there's no reason to get sulky! Wait till you hear about my amazing discovery! The warehouse and the bathhouse on the 1st floor of the dorms are now open! And the warehouse is chock-full of food, clothes, whatever you want. There's so much it's insane! So go ahead and stuff yourself to the gills whenever you feel like! Ha-ha-ha!", Taka boasted.

"Keep in mind, of course, that going out at nighttime is still prohibited. Please do not forget...", Celeste added.

"Okay, and what about a f*ckin' way out of here? You find anything like that?", Mondo barked.

"Oh, well... umm...", Taka babbled.

"There wasn't anything in the warehouse we could use to get our a*ses outta here? Nothin'?", Mondo growled.

"U-Unfortunately, no... not that I saw...", Taka stammered.

"You f*ckin' people... Who gives a sh*t if we have a goddamn pool now!? Or a warehouse, or whatever the f*ck! We're still trapped in this piece of sh*t school! We need to find a goddamn way OUT!", Mondo yelled.

"Now, now. There is no point in taking your anger out on us. Adaptation is the key, yes? For now, we must each find a way to enjoy our current situation. ", Celeste advised.

"Whatever you say, ya f*ckin' loon...", Mondo grumbled.

"For now, let's just continue our investigation, and let everyone know if you should discover something.", Taka suggested.

"So, are we done for today?", Kyoko asked.

"W-Well... yeah, I guess so.", Taka sighed as the air grew heavier. I stretched for a bit and decided to call it a day. I bid everyone farewell and stayed in my room through the rest of the day. I slept through the whole day until the next day came crawling.

--------------------------------

MONOKUMA THEATER!

-Mr. Monokuma... Mr. Monokuma, do you have a second? I... I don't really like myself. I don't have any kind of skill or hobby I can say I'm super good at... And my grades are totally average, too. My reflexes are okay. Not great, not awful. I could get into a decent school, where I'd make a few friends. Maybe even find a normal girlfriend... Which is exactly why I don't like who I am! I understand that now! My life is just one giant copy-paste! I don't have any imagination! I'm perfectly average cardboard cutout! You see what I mean, right Mr. Monokuma!?

END OF MONOKUMA THEATER!

---------------------------------

I got ready for breakfast and made my way to the dining hall. I walked in with a small smile.

"Good morning everyone!", I greeted.

"Mornin', Kuno!", Hina smiled.

"Is everyone here already?", I asked.

"Nope! Still waitin' on Byakuya and Taka.", Hiro informed.

"Byakuya's no surprise, but it's strange Taka's not here yet...", Makoto muttered.

"Knowing Taka, I imagine he is trying to get the King of Tardiness up and out of bed.", Celeste smiled.

"Nice nickname for Byakuya, but I prefer calling him a pr*ck!", I snickered.

"I'm sure they'll be here soon enough. Just be patient...", Sakura sighed.

"I don't mind waiting for them, but there is one problem...", Celeste pointed out.

"Which is...?", Makoto asked.

"I am thirsty.", Celeste sighed.

"How the hell is that a problem!?", Mondo questioned.

"Hifumi, would you make me some tea?", Celeste asked.

"...Huh?", Hifumi tilted his head in confusion.

"Milk tea, if you please.", Celeste ordered.

"Wh... why me?", Hifumi asked.

"Your roundish figure reminds me of the owner of the coffee shop I used to frequent. I can feel my throat drying out. Quickly, please.", Celeste shooed Hifumi away.

"O-Okay...", Hifumi silked as he went to the kitchen. He came back a few minutes later with, surprisingly, two cups of tea.

"Thank you for waiting! If it is no trouble, I also made a cup for Miss Sawa, as a way for apologizing for my slightly odd behavior.", Hifumi nodded.

"Aww, thanks Hifumi!", I smiled with a small blush. I took one cup and Celeste took the other. I took a sip and smiled at Hifumi.

"I love the taste. You're forgiven, Hifumi.", I smiled. Hifumi got all giddy and started to jump up and down in glee. Celeste took a sip but something about her face was a bit off.

"You c-could've made some for the r-rest of us, you know...", Toko grumbled.

"I emphatically decline! You're not my type at all! Hmhm... It's all about the law of causality, basic instinct, act and react!", Hifumi snickered. I sweatdropped when I realized he just made it for me because I was "his type". I mean, it was flattering, but kind of rude for the rest of the students.

"Grr...", Toko growled.

"Well then, if you don't mind... Wait.", Celeste looked at the cup in her hand for a second before she, I kid you not, threw the cup across the room as it smashed into the wall at full force.

"What the--!? H-Hey! What are you doing, my little white rabbit!?", Hifumi frantically asked.

"I HATE this kind of tea! I can see you enjoy this type of beverage, Kuno, but not for me.", Celeste complained with a hint of elegance.

"U-Umm... I don't understand...", Hifumi muttered.

"Imagine we are at a coffee shop-- just any normal, everyday cafe. I sit down, and I order some tea. They then ask me, "Would you like lemon, or milk?" Now, further imagine that I replied, "Ah, yes, I would like milk tea, please." In this case, along with my tea they may bring me a small container of milk, yes? But this is not for me! I am among those who prefer the milk to be part of the process from the outset! The fragrance is just so overwhelmingly sweet that way... Adding milk or lemon right before you drink is like dousing your fries in ketchup-- mere condiments! Whenever looking for a cafe, I first review their menu to see if it offers the proper style of milk tea. And I cannot acknowledge any "milk tea" that does not add milk during the brewing process!", Celeste explained in detail. I just quietly sipped my tea, hoping this whole shtick would be over in a moment or two.

"Umm... I went to all that trouble to make you that tea... and you wanted me to go farther?", Hifumi mumbled.

"Yes, I realize it can be a bit of a hassle... Even in cafes that offer proper milk tea, it is always more expensive than simple tea with milk. It takes more time to prepare, surely, but... why even bother creating a menu if you are not going to offer the highest level of quality!?", Celeste questioned with a small twitch in her smile. I had a bad feeling about what was going down.

"Well, um... we don't actually have a menu...", Hifumi tried to correct Celeste, and that's when she snapped.

"That does not matter. Hurry up and bring me what I asked for, swine!", Celeste yelled. She looked so... vulgar at that moment. No resting b*tch face, but a genuinely mad expression.

"WHAAAAAT!? O-Okay! Your little piggy will bring it right out!", Hifumi ran off back to the kitchen.

"Hmhm. I do so love coercion.", Celeste said as she went to her regular small smile on her face.

"You were like... a totally different person just now.", Hina muttered.

"Yeah, sh*t... You really went psycho there.", Mondo raised a brow at Celeste, who was still smiling as if nothing happened.

"Hmhmhm...", Celeste laughed. Suddenly, Taka burst through the door with a distraught look.

"Bad news, everyone! There is a mystery afoot!", Taka exclaimed.

"Huh? What happened?", Hiro asked.

"It would seem Byakuya refuses to leave his room! I stood there pressing his doorbell over and over, but he never showed himself.", Taka informed.

"Maybe he just... wasn't there.", Makoto pointed out.

"I'd like to think so. But I'm worried something might have happened to him.", Taka muttered.

"Okay, let's calm down. We can split up and search the school from top to bottom. If anyone sees him, they can inform anyone nearby.", I advised.

"Ah! I was just about to suggest the same thing!", Taka nodded.

"Stop trying to one-up e-everyone...", Toko grumbled. We all agreed that Hina would stay near Byakuya's room while the rest of us search the school. I decided to check the 2nd floor of the school since he was there yesterday. I went up the stairs and checked the library. I opened the door and, thankfully, saw Byakuya alive and well, reading a book with a small lamp next to him and a cup of coffee in one hand and the book in the other.

"Thank God... Byakuya why didn't you come to the dining hall this morning?", I asked with a sigh.

"I'm not obligated to. I'm trying to read. So if you would be quiet...", Byakuya replied and went back to reading.

"Alright... Just glad I'm not dealing with a dead body is all. Can you at least go to the dining hall to show everyone you're not dead?", I mumbled.

"*Sigh* Can't I get a second's peace and quiet around here?", Byakuya sighed as he snapped his book closed and got up as smooth as a shadow. Everyone must have heard the ruckus because they all shuffled in a few moments later.

"Byakuya! So this is where you've been hiding!", Taka exclaimed.

"The heck are you doin' here, man?", Hiro asked.

"We were very concerned...", Sakura informed.

"Well you had no reason to be. I was just reading. I've never read such a... coarse novel before, but it might just prove useful at some point.", Byakuya held the book up to his face with the cover facing him.

"Wh-What were you reading?", Hina asked.

"A mystery novel.", Byakuya pointed out.

"W-Wait, so are you gonna use what you're learning in there to betray us!?", Hifumi shuddered.

"Don't be stupid.", Byakuya sighed.

"Yeah!", Makoto cheered.

"That doesn't sound like Byakuya...", I mumbled.

"It's just something to keep in mind.", Byakuya smirked.

"Yea--what?", Makoto questioned.

"There's the Byakuya I know.", I nodded with a heavy sigh.

"If I decide to fight, of course I'll come up with something original. Otherwise, this game of ours will be totally boring, right? It's not often you get to take part in such a high-stakes, high-tension activity. So if you're going to do it, you have to make sure it's entertaining. Mhmhmhm...", Byakuya chuckled as if he was enjoying himself.

"Dude, are you even listening to yourself? You're calling this a game! An activity for fun! I don't recall birthday parties having killing games as a side activity for kids and adults alike! Are you just saying these things because there is some deranged murderer in that novel your reading that you liked and decided to idolize? News flash, buddy, it ain't cute!", I snapped.

"Yeah! What the f*ck do you mean, "game"!? That's f*cked up!", Mondo yelled.

"But it *is* a game. It's a game of life or death, which can have only one winner. That's all there is to it.", Byakuya shrugged.

"He is right. It's a zero-sum game.", Celeste pointed out.

"Not you too, Celeste! What the hell even is this zero-sum game thing?", I groaned.

"It is a part of game theory, a mathematical model. In game theory, what we are going through now is called a "zero-sum game." In this type of game, in order for one person to gain something, another must necessarily lose something. In other words, it is a situation in which participants must compete for position or resources.", Celeste explained.

"You mean like... a kind of elimination match.", Sakura nodded.

"Entrance exams, sports tournaments, job openings-- most social interactions fall into this category. Everyone must scramble to obtain something which is limited. For you to succeed, someone else must fail. This also applies to the school life we have been subjected to here. In this case... our "limited resource" is that only one of us can successfully become the blackened.", Celeste said with a cold tone.

"I would rather let that "resource" burn.", I deadpanned.

"So, this game was designed from the beginning to force one of us to try and defeat all the others.", Byakuya glared at all of us as if it was our idea.

"Th-That... that can't be what they had in mind!", Makoto retorted.

"This is why adaptation is so crucial. If those who want to escape were to disappear, there would be no reason to continue playing the game.", Celeste reasoned.

"But why would I want to stop playing? It's so much fun...", Byakuya grinned.

"... It's official. Byakuya has officially lost his mind. I am so done with your sh*t. That's it. I'm done. Nope. No more mystery books for you!", I stomped over and snatched the book from his hands. I aimed the book for the top of the shelf and chucked it across the room, making it land at the very top.

"I was using that.", Byakuya growled over me.

"Not anymore!", I smiled and walked away from him and leaned against the wall with a smirk.

"It sounds as if you do not acknowledge even the possibility that you may lose, am I right?", Celeste asked.

"Of course.", Byakuya smirked.

"You do not speak like the others. Exactly what I would expect from the Togami heir apparent.", Celeste stroked Byakuya's ego, for some weird reason.

"... It's just normal arrogance, isn't it?", Hiro asked.

"Nah, it's boosted arrogance.", I commented.

"You talk like that, but what if you end up dead!?", Hina asked.

"I won't. It's simply isn't possible.", Byakuya shrugged. I pulled out my gun and looked at Byakuya dead in the eye.

"Are you *sure* about that? Cuz I am so close to f*cking shooting that arrogant a*s of yours until it has visible holes that make it look like a cheese grater! SOMEONE BETTER HOLD ME BACK!!", I yelled as I pounced. Sakura grabbed me by my waist and lifted me up in the air to stop me. She took the gun out of my hands and put it back in my bag with a sigh.

"Please keep a level head, Kuno.", Sakura advised.

"... Fine.", I grumbled.

"Who the f*ck do you think you are!?", Mondo growled at Byakuya.

"You know, I still just can't believe it...", Byakuya sighed.

"Believe what!?", Mondo questioned.

"That an uneducated, brain-dead, useless piece of garbage like you has survived this long.", Byakuya shot.

"I'm gonna f*ckin' kill you!", Mondo yelled.

"Like I said. I won't die.", Byakuya smirked.

"You keep saying that, but--", Hiro was cut off by Celeste.

"Do not bother arguing with him. For him, the concept of losing simply does not exist. He is the Ultimate Affluent Progeny, after all-- a boy raised to succeed from the day he was born. He considers victory his destiny, and has lived his life accordingly. Tests and challenges are merely ways for him to stand victorious. Even if it is a life-and-death situation... Is that not so, Byakuya?", Celeste asked with a smile.

"At least one of you seems to understand.", Byakuya smirked.

"It is because I am the same as you. Games are meant to be won.", Celeste explained.

"Are you trying to suggest we're on the same level? Close that vulgar mouth of yours.", Byakuya snarled.

"Well, well. I do apologize.", Celeste curtsied.

"Anyway, let me just say this to all of you. You all need to try harder. If an opponent isn't going to give it their best, where's the fun for me?", Byakuya complained.

"Th-That's a terrible way to look at it...", Chihiro mumbled.

"Hmm?", Byakuya looked back at Chihiro with a raised brow.

"This... isn't a game. Our lives are on the line, you know... To kill your own friends is... is... It's horrific!", Chihiro raised her voice for the first time.

"Friends? Who decided that?", Byakuya asked.

"... Huh?", Chihiro looked surprised.

"We're not friends. No, quite the opposite. We're in competition-- we're enemies.", Byakuya nodded.

"B-But... you know...", Chihiro mumbled with tears in her eyes.

"But what? Stop trying to force your contradictions on me and just accept what I'm telling you.", Byakuya shot.

"U-Um...", Chihiro muttered something incoherent.

"Yes? If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, keep your mouth closed.", Byakuya glared.

"... I-I'm sorry...", Chihiro began to cry. I ran up to her and began to calm her down, while silently praying to God that Byakuya would just die already. I would have celebrated his death, honestly.

"Hey, sh*thead! You get off on bullying people that can't fight back? You wanna try that on me!?", Mondo shouted with a raised fist.

"So, you're back to pretending to be friends, huh? And how long do you think that's going to last?", Byakuya asked.

"F*ck you!", Mondo yelled.

"Is that all you can say? It's unfortunate you would waste your breath on such empty gibberish.", Byakuya sighed.

"That's it! You're f*ckin' dead!", Mondo growled as he marched over to Byakuya. Hina quickly went in between them.

"H-Hold on! Just calm down!", Hina reasoned.

"I AM calm!", Mondo retorted.

"How is *this* "calm"!?", Hina asked.

"Anyway... I don't have any intention of working with the rest of you any longer. To cooperate during an elimination game is... Well, frankly, it's a waste of time. And I hate wasting my time.", Byakuya turned his back to us.

"Waste of time...?", Makoto questioned.

"Engaging in "friendly" group meals is out of the question. Someone could easily poison out food. And I'd rather not become part of the Last Supper just yet.", Byakuya replied.

"Quit talking like you're in a f*ckin' movie or something!", Mondo yelled.

"All I'm saying is that, ultimately, you are all free to do whatever you want on your own. Goodbye.", with that comment, Byakuya left.

"Was he serious about all that...?", Hiro asked.

"He was, without a doubt.", Celeste nodded.

"Well f*ck him, then.", Mondo grumbled.

"B-But what he said... He might not n-necessarily be wrong... I mean, can you s-say for sure someone *won't* poison our f-food?", Toko asked.

"Hey, come on! You too, Toko!?", Hina groaned.

"Well, it's n-not like anyone would care even if I w-was gone, right...? Actually, I bet you all *w-want* me gone! You all think I'm disgusting!", Toko seethed.

"None of us think that...", Makoto sighed.

"You j-just *think* you don't think that!", Toko retorted.

"How does that even work?", I mumbled.

"I know some people like to play the victim, but this is just... totally out there.", Hiro sighed.

"You think I d-don't know, but I do... You want me g-gone! And I'm s-sure... the rest of you want the same th-thing, don't you!?", Toko yelled as she ran off.

"Ah, hey! Toko, wait!", Makoto called out.

"Just let her go. Once she gets going like that, there is nothing you can say to bring her back.", Celeste smiled. I sighed and told everyone I was just gonna go back to my room. Everyone went their separate ways. I closed the door to my room, gathering my thoughts for a bit before deciding that I should go talk to someone, anyone, to keep me sane for a bit.

END OF CHAPTER 7!