Am I going to be enough for you all? - Ashinapi (2025)

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Chapter Text

Gakushuu Asano.

That is my name.

My father, Gakuhou Asano, is the owner and principal of the academy Kunigigaoka, which is also known as the school of talents.

Only 2% of the young generation that applied to the academy, are to be chosen to experience the great success and hope, in a classroom with 30 or less students.

You might think I am one of them but pathetically no, no I am not.

I am a normal, what we call, reserve student that does not have the privilege and pleasure to own an Ultimate talent title.

Well, this was before the occurred event happened.

Before our world drowned in despair.

And it's his fault.

His. But not his.

Don't worry you will understand soon.

But for now? Let me tell you the story of the 30 Students, who participated in the killing game.

-Gakushuu Asano

Mornings.

My least favourite time of the day.

Why?

Because of the quiet breakfast that will soon face me. No. I do not live alone. I am still living with my father. If he deserves to be called that is up to debate.

Sitting infront of him, we eat in dead silence. The only thing heard are tge newspaper pages that are getting turned occasionally.

"Asano, I believe it is time for school." Yes he calls me by my- our-surname.

Dismissed, I quickly put my school bag over my shoulder and put my shoes on.

Close behind me, my father copies my movements similarly and just like that we part our ways. While I walk to school he drives. It is better this way.

Maybe it is because I like to walk and take time to think about my day.

Maybe it is just fear.

Maybe it is just the uncomfortable pool in my stomache whenever I am in a small space with him.

Finally arrived, I take a look at the two buildings. The reverse student building looks amazing, yes. Some might say even greater than the building for the talents, which is a bit further away. The reason being that people who do not achieve to be chosen, choose to go to the principals school. In short, it is basically for marketing.

Honestly, in my opinion both buildings are great. The only real difference is that the building for the Ultimates has a dormitory.

Shaking my head a little, I walked into the campus only to see a certain, known someone.

Karma Akabane.

Don't get me wrong. It is not that I completely hate him. He is a bit annoying and obnoxious and a pain an-

You get the point.

Nonetheless, he is my academic rival and he is not as arrogant about his talent, in comparison to many others. Prideful would fit better.

"Look who has finally arrived!", My headache already forming he continues.

"You know I missed to see your little scowl. Reminds me of a grumpy, spoiled brat, who doesn't get his way." Coming closer he looks me once over before meeting my eyes.

"Don't you think today is a weird day?"

Weird day?

Well not exactly. I do feel an uncomfortable pit in my stomache but I usually associate it with the principal.

"Just be careful, goody-two-shoes." He turned around before I could answer him.

Strange.

And careful?

What is that supposed to mean?

Whatever.

"What are you doing here and who are you? Do not dare come any closer to me!" A deep, panicked voice spoke.

The tall octupus-looking creature came slightly forward, revealing his mischievous, unhuman wide smile.

"Nyfufu", It starts laughing before speaking for the first time.

"Any last wishes before you dissappear?"

Wide eyes stared at the two circles, that he assumes to be it's eyes. Nothing in his life could have ever prepared him for the current situation he finds himself in. His heart was beating louder and faster than after a marathon. He was sweating profusely and his pupils were dilated.

Still, he needs to get a grip and make a decision. It has to be smart and rational. He made himself this way, years ago. After the incident, which changed everything. His educational philosophy, his reputation and more importantly, his relationship with his son.

And right now there is only one person he can trust to work out his plan. Only one person would do as he says.

Alright.

"Yes. Let me call my son. Privately." Sternly he gestured the monster, with slightly shaking hands, outside.

It might be dangerous to send his son but no one else other than his son, will be able to stay calm enough to carry out his order. He raised him to be capable of such thing.

"Nyfufu! Of course , but do not think that he can rescue you. No one ever succeeded in beating me, principal Asano." with a last- laugh?- he went out of the door.

Slowly typing his son's number into his phone, he raises the mobile up to his ear.

The phone rings about three times before he finally picks up.

"Gakushuu?"

"Yes, Principal?" Slowly wincing the older Asano fastly reflects. It hurts. Close to death, he does regret it. He might not have failed as a headmaster, hell he even got the Ultimate headmaster title, but he failed as a father.

In fear of his son turning like Ikeda.

"Gakushuu, come immediately to the Ultimate talents building. To my office. Now. And fast."

His son immediately hung up without aswering him.

He prayed that he will soonly arrive. Gakuhou knows that Gakushuu is a fast kid, it will probably just take five minutes. Give or take.

"You can come back!" Gakuhou knew it was an irrational, really irrational decision to call the monster back in but with his decision, Gakushuu atleast will not see that monster head first.

"Nyfuufu, is he coming?"

With a loud bang the door opened and a panting young boy is standing in the doorway. Gakuhou was certainly surprised. This is rather too fast. Yet it did not matter in this very moment.

Gakushuu eyes immediately traveled to his father only noticing the unknown person a second later. Though as soon as he locked his eyes on the person his face became as pale as snow white.

"Gakushuu, as soon as I tell you to go, you need to run into the 3-E Classroom and alarm them about 'Code Black', understood?" The boy saw the firm look in his eyes and shakingly nodded. Gakushuu's eyes looked a little hesitant but he knew that his son would not disobey his request.

"I'm sorry Gakushuu. Go!"

And he ran.

He apologised.

Gakushuu ran as fast as he could, all the way to the classroom of the Ultimate Talents, 3-E.

When he arrived, the teacher he already knows from seeing him in meetings, Karasuma and a new blond substitute teacher, probably, looked at him with curious and shocked eyes.

"The principal told me to tell you that 'Code Black' is happening." My voice is slightly quivering.

I was blinking more than usually. Every time I closed my eye for a second it felt wrong and I had to do it again. It was uncomfortable.

My hands are uncharacteristically shaking.

So are my legs.

The light is way too bright aswell.

Can they not turn it off?

Shake it off. Return to the perfect facade.

Return. Return. Retu-

Karasuma's eyes opened wide. His hands twitching. Does he notice that his hands twitch when he is nervous?

-rn. Return. Return. Re-

Code black is something that is not a joke. It is a serious deal. Usually, only the staff knew about it, so hearing it from a student should be weird and alarming. Obviously, I knew it too, not that my father knows-knew.

-turn. Return. Return. Retur-

Taking a closer look, Karasuma seemed to remember that I am the principals son. Because not a second later he sprang right into action.

Immediately opening a wood plate, revealing a red button, the adult pressed it. His brows were even more furrowed than normally in meetings.

"Excuse me." The blond one approached me. She looked a bit distressed, naturally. "What is your name?", her voice seemed to waver too. She was clearly panicking aswell.

"Gakushuu. Asano Gakushuu. He's going to die." I looked in the blue eyes of the blond teacher, with my own magenta eyes. The confession shocking myself.

Without wasting time, Karasuma approached me once again. His hands were still twitching. Maybe it is a nervous tick that he has? This time his face was circled with a nondescribable face.

"Gakushuu, who is going to die?" the usually serious and composed adult, asked me.

Now tears stinging in his eyes, but not spilling because I am above crying infront of others, I winced embarassed, "The Principle, my father, Gakuhou Asano."

Next to him he could hear multiple gasps, reminding him that the students of 3-E are still here.

This is bad.

They are in danger too.

"Out there is a yellow, octupus, alien creature!", he starts his explanation, voice starring to become uncontrolled.

"The princip-", he interrupts himself. "No, my Father called me, he sounded panicked. Which is weird. He is never panicked. He told me to come as fast as I can, which was easy because I was in this building already.", someone familiar interrupts me, asking what I was doing here in the first place.

I ignored them.

"When I opened it he told me to run here and tell you 'Code Black'. I think the creature wants to kill him and everyone else in this building!" Karasuma seems to try to proceed everything I said slowly, eyes unsure if it can be true, and nods here and there.

The black-haired teacher puts his hand slowly on my right shoulders as some sort of comfort I am guessing. It made things worse. The last thing I needed right now was pity.

Answers.

That is what was needed.

"For now we are stuck here. The police should have gotten alarmed with the help of this button." He looks at me reassuringly.

"Gakushuu, for now you will stay here with us, alright?"

Slowly nodding I start to look around the room. Preferably, he would want to go back to his father. No matter how shitty his father is-wasto him.

"Thankfully we have food and water in here.", the blond teacher grumbled.

Why would they have food here?

"We're lucky to have some supplements because of the Ultimate Cook, Muramatsu Takuya." Karasuma told me, probably seeing my confusion. Pointing at the back I saw Muramatsu standing there. Looking at the teacher with an unreadable expression.

Gakushuu analyses him closely and extensively, until he has a rough impression of Muramatsu. He seems like a laid back student. Not in proper attire, lazy eyes and a memorable stance.

Slowly he averts his gaze to accidently lock eyes with a worried looking girl. She carefully made her way to him and waved a little.

"I am Hinata Okano the Ultimate gymnast, nice to meet you Gakushuu.", hesitantly she says my first name. I noticed that with Karasuma too. Is it now a taboo because my father is dead?

To not trigger me?

If anything, it just makes me more aware of the situation.

I sloewly nodded to show that Iwas listening to her while trying to get a rough picture of her. She has short brown hair and has sincere eyes. Her face is rather serious, which matches her stern voice.

Looking to the ground, once he was done, he felt something cold shiver down his spine.

Death.

Death doesn't have to mean the end, but this time his father died. Which is the end for me. My whole life is dedicated to outrun his father, to have a win over him. Yet, it came to an end. What am I supposed to do now? Do I have any extended family?

"Muramatsu is a great cook you know." Hinata starts speaking again. "I think you will like it and whatever happens or happened we're going to be here with you. I know it must be hard to kn-", Hinatas explanation is soon interrupted by Karasuma.

"Not the right time Hinata, we are going to talk about it another time. Give him time to process." Hinata slowly nods and goes back to where she was.

I followed her with my eyes for a second, which resulted to looking towards the direction of a certain red head. Fastly, I looked away. It is already embarrassing enough when all those students and teacher around you seem to pity you. When my own rival, Karma Akabane, looks at me with pity it is not embarrassing anymore.

It is humiliating.

Deliberate, I closed my eyes, slowly sitting against the wall, not realising how tired he was and drifted into a dreamless dream.

Tadaomi could not belive this is happening. If the principal, Gakuhou Asano, calls in Code Black it's serious.

As crazy as it seems that there is a monster-like creatur, the pale face of the young boy says enough for Tadaomi to believe him. He looks like he had seen death. Not to mention, that he knows that the kid is rather on the serious side. Not one to unnecessarily crack jokes.

"Irina, make sure the door is locked. I am going to check the windows."

After Tadaomi pressed the button the windows got locked with the help of thick metal plates, that are usually used for Code Green, Tsunami and tornados. The principal thought of everything when he build this system. Now he is supposedly gone.

"It seems that the first floor is safe. So if someone needs to go to the toilet it should be fine but do not go without one of us." Said Irina outloud, for the whole class to hear.

A few nodded, while the rest looked relieved. Not being able to go to the toilet? Nightmare.

Are we really safe?

The last thing he registered, before passing out, is Gakushuu leaning on the wall and sleeping.

No. He doubts it

Chapter 2: 🔎

Chapter Text

Saying that I am feeling exhausted is an understatement.

Soon after i fell asleep, the rest of the class settled themself on the floor too and started to sleep aswell.

Obviously, Ido not understand how they could be so calm throughout this situation. Sure they did not see them but usually people would still show more of a reaction. Then again they are the chosen talents. The Ultimates, the best of the be-.

My bitter and jealous thoughts were fastly interrupted by the sound of a machine or monitor turning on.

Slowly moving my eyes towards the direction of the noise, I surprise myself with the discovery of a buzzing monitor.

I desperatly needed to wake Karasuma up, I could have sworn the monitor was not up there before. Yellow is not the color my father would have gone for. Though it might be part of the 'Code Black' alarm.

...

Roughly shaking Karasumas shoulders, I started to wait impatiently for the black haired teacher to wake up.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he groanes but as soon as he sees my face he immediately turned serious. His expression hardens as he sits up more straightly.

"What is it?"

Pointing his finger at the semi big monitor, I answered him about the monitor, which was not up there before.

Panicked Karasuma stands up and rushes trough the classroom door. There he mumbles, almost not audible, something about a camera.

Walking up to him to see, I saw the camera, or to be more specific a security camera hanging from the ceiling.

What is going on?

What kind of purpose does the camera have?

Going back into the classroom we discover the monitor fixated on a Yellow creature.

Startled I take a step back into Karasumas front. It is him, the one who probably killed my father...

"Karasuma, the monitor is fixated on the person that killed the principal!" The uncontrolled shout coming from me, startled the other students awake.

While they are slowly waking up, complaining, not realising the situation yet, he starts talking with a malicious grin. Or atleast it looked malicious to me.

"Nyfufu. It looks like you are finally awake. Now, now if you could, I would suggest you all to look at the screen or you die."

Simple.

The students, plus Karasuma, the blond teacher Irina Jelavić, and he, looked at the monitor. Fully shocked and maybe disturbed. No one dared to disobey an inhuman creature.

"What are you planing to do?" Irina asks suspicious.

"Thank you so much for asking! I will hypnotise you to steal your memories and pull you into a game!" spoke the creature, getting closer to the screen.

What kind of game?

Protests could be heard but the fear easily won as the hypnotherapy started playing on the scree after just a few seconds. The silence made him look over to the students. Most were already looking up to the monitor, clearly afraid. Others were stubbornly hesitating and Akabane-

Akabane looked at me. His eyes were serious and intense. Making me want to look away, but I am not a coward. I looked back into Akabanes mercury eyes.

"Excuse me! You are supposed to look at me not eachother- remember?- or everyone will die." The voice sounded a bit teasing. Mocking us.

Tch.

Even though I was pissed, I too looked at the monitor, away from Akabanes eyes.

What is his deal anyway?

First he warns me that I should be careful and now he stares me down.

Does he have anything to do with this? No. He is not that kind of person.

Right?

The screen was playing an animated video. The illusions displayed made us feel a bit dizzy, making me want to look away. Can you really steal peoples memories with this method?

My thought was interrupted by people falling to the ground and for a second I look around me.

Secretly.

The students were falling down, one by one. Fastly looking back at the monitor, I too start to feel sleepy but forced my eyes open. Fighting against whatever the person was doing. But I had always known that I had never been the best fighter. I was not build to fight, only to run away.

Which is why as soon as I saw Karasuma go down, I knew I stood no chance.

I gave up.

Where am I?

What am I doing in a classroom?

Getting up, I looked around. The familiar looking classroom, looking back at me. It does not look like the normal classroom in his building.

Now walking around, he found a flyer with time and place. It was strangely decorated in different colors and party heads. What is this? A surprise party?

Looking at the clock above the door, it says it is already eight. Exactly the time the flyer says to be at the gym.

Maybe I should head there to get answers, of course not because of the party that seems to be there.

...

Though the problem is, where is the gym?

...

This should hopefully be the gym.

Opening the two large doors, a warm breeze came towards me as soon as i took a step in.

All eyes were locked on me, they look familiar.

Oh, class 3-E.

The Ultimate Talents.

"I think that should be all. After all we have been informed it will be 28 students. I am Kataoka, I am the Ultimate Class representative, nice to meet you."

When did they get informed that they were 28 students? It was not written on the flyer. Maybe before I arrived.

"Let's skip the introductions for later. We should figure out already why we are here." A red head spoke.

He looks oddly familiar.

"Before we look at that, I have a question. Did you all wake up in an empty classroom, with only a flyer?" A girl with purple pigtails quietly asked.

"Obviously. If we would not have got one, than we would not be here." Said the red head again.

Before anyone could speak up again, we were interrupted by a loud noise.

"Nyfufu. All eyes to the stage please, my dear students!"

"Finally we are going to attend this class!"

"This took long enough!"

"Can't believe we all are going to graduate here!"

But I am not supposed to be here. Why am I here?

"That is enough my dear students" spoke someone from the direction of the stage but when I looked the voices way, there was not anyone.

"And whoop."

What?

"Here I am!"

A yellow, definitely at the very least three meters, big Octopus came out of nowhere and stared at us with his supposedly two little round eyes.

Murmurs and screams were heard all around the hall.

Noisy.

"Now, let's not panic. I am the new principal of this school and the one that will give you the rules for your school year, or should I say game!"

Game? An octupus being a principal. What kind of fantasy book are we in right now? Next thing I know, pigs will start to fly around us.

Eitherway, it was quiet for a few moments, probably caused by the shock. Or to process everything.

The silence was soon broken by someone I already know the name of.

"Principal, what do you mean with game?" stammered Kataoka.

"I'm really glad you asked, Kataoka. It's a killing game. To escape, you have to kill eachother. When the body is discovered you guys will get an amount of time to look for clues of who killed the killed student. After the investigation there will be a class trial, understood?"

Once again murmurs were heard.

But...

"Who says we are going to kill one another? What will happen if we do not kill eachother?"

In this situation we need to be rational and composed, atleast that is what I learned from- from...

From who?

"Than Gakushuu, you guys will be here forever. This means, you guys will be staying here without your family, friends or whoever you guys are fond of." At the end he innocently turned his head slightly to the side

"What?!" Shouted a boy with brown hair. "And what make you think we are going to kill eachother? We are a class!"

"Well we are going to see that, Isogai." His voice lacking enthusiasm.

Huh? What is this mood change?

Now stepping off stage the octopus makes his way down, infront of us. He pressed with his never fading smile, a button and out of the blue something vibrates in our pockets.

"This is a handbook. Oh but do not even think about calling someone, you ca not. On this handbook are the school rules, that you will follow, and the information to the murder of your classmate, when they are murdered."

A handbook that can not be used to contact other people. I am pretty sure someone will contradict . Well I would too, why am I here? I do not have a talent like them. I am worthless next to them. Besides even if he does all of this just to see us kill eachother for our desire to see friends and family, I do not remember having a family or friends.

"Funny of you to think we would kill one another." chimed a green haired girl.

"We will see about it, Nyfufu!" With a last glace in our direction, he disappeared again

Taking my handbook out of my pocket I went through it. It included a map of the building. We should all investigate and then meet somewhere big enough to discuss our discovery's.

Looking at the rest, I shifted my body to look at the mass panic happening infront of me.

"What are we supposed to do now?!"

"What now?!"

They were heard around the whole gym. Announcing my idea now, would bring me silence. Maybe now is the time.

"If we want to find a way to escape, everyone here should start investigating and then meet somewhere to discuss our discoveries. The cafeteria seems reliable and big enough to meet up there. You can find the cafeteria with the map on your phones."

Thankfully it was loud enough, helping the students to shut up for a moment.

You could see some people were still looking a bit out of the it but nodding anyways while others seemed to assume that the idea will bring some more answers and I hope so too.

After everyone agreed, with some being stubborn but what is new, we split up in little groups or, like me, went alone and straight to a place to investigate.

I will start with the cameras that you can see everywhere, which I noticed before entering the gym.

I should get a closer look. Searching a stool, because I am clearly not tall enough to reach the ceiling length, I start looking in a classroom and finde one. The lenses seem to have a pretty good quality. The model on the other hand seems to be rather old-fashioned. Maybe they're linked to the computer.

No this would not make sense. Why would the camera show us what we do on the monitor right next to us. It has more to do with the purpose to see us.

It would make sense if he needs the camera to see what we do. He probably thinks we will kill eachother, which would be a reason for a trial. There would be a need for a judge. Judging by the appearance of the octupus, which was alone, he is aiming to be the judge in these. To bad we will not kill eachother.

I should get going. To the right there is a tunnel. Atleast that is what the sign says. Going trough the tunnel, I was soon greeted by a big main room with walls too bright and white next to the red Hallway. The Hallway was on the opposite of the supposed cafeteria.

I could already see some people enter the cafeteria. Seems like they are finished or gave up with investigating.

Entering the red hallway you could see a lot of doors with names. Under all of them, was mine too. Even though mine seems to be the only one that was written with the first name. Come to think of it, I do not remember my last name. Maybe he just did not know it too. Afterall, if I do not know it, well more like remember, how is he supposed to.

I try opening the door with my name but get an electric shock. Letting out a surprised gasp, I fastly take my hand off the handle. An electric lock? This does not make sense. He wants us to kill eachother, but if it is electric locked, we will not be able to go into each others rooms to do so. Not to mention that we can not even get into our own door without getting shocked. The only logical answer for the second notation, is that the principal will give us something to unlock it so no one else will enter it.

"Guessing that the halls are empty in here, everyone should be in the cafeteria by now, right?" Hearing a noise coming from right behind me, I was on high alert and turned around.

As soon as I did, I was startled to see the familiar red head from before. I think he was the first to suggest that we find out why we are here, or how we ended up to wake up in the classroom. I do not know if he implied both, like me.

Still a bit startled I answer with a stern voice back, "If the halls are empty it could mean either in a classroom, an other random room or the cafeteria. But I am guessing too that most are there. If you could excuse me now, I will make my way to the cafeteria."

Satisfied, I tried to turn around and go only to be held back by the boy with his grip on my wrist. He opened his mouth and started to speak. "Well, it seems that we are both on our way to the cafeteria so I am gonna tag along to the goody two shoes boy. Ironically, I'm the Ultimate Delinquent."

Ultimate Delinquent.

I am not really surprised. He does not really wear the whole uniform but added a black jacket that makes him outstanding to some others. He also has this glint in his eyes.

Going slightly behind me we both entered the cafeteria. Ready to find out if someone has answers

Chapter 3: Signature

Chapter Text

When the delinquent and I went into the cafeteria, there were already about fifteen students sitting on the long, plain dining table. The atmosphere oppressing.

After another few minutes of waiting, we were all gathered around the table together, ready to recount what we found.

It was quite. No one wanted to speak up and normally I would talk first but it's different being here now with all these people. In a situation that wasn't comfortable to speak of.

Luckily, Kataoka spoke up and like that broke the insufferable silence that kept us all seated still.

"Right, let's start. Isogai, Maehara and I looked in every room and floor and in each room was a camer and monitor."

"The first and second floor are separated with a metal grid. We tried to break through it but it wouldn't work." A tall boy informed us with a bitter tone. He looked frustrated, with his eyebrows deeply furrowed.

This actually makes less sense. Why would the principal limit our space? If we had more space, it would be more fun for him and his little game. Either he can't do that yet or maybe he is hiding something there? Or there could be an opportunity we can 'achieve' the opening. Maybe we achieve it, when someone gets killed by another student.

Wait.

Speaking up, I shared my thoughts with everyone present. "To yours, it could be that we have to achieve entering past the grid by killing someone, as award,l. Though this is only an idea and not necessarily the reality. We wouldn't want to kill someone afterall." Intensely looking at them they partly nodded. So I continued. "

The cameras on the floors are probably built to keep an eye on us. Mainly for the trails that the principal hopes for. Judging by how a trial works and the lonely appearance that heihas shown us, he will be the judge. For that he needs to know everything about the murder that can be seen or heared." Finishing with the first discovery that I made, I looked around the room to see some confused face. What was so hard to understand about it?

"As well thought out as it is, how come that you are so sure? Not to doubt you or anything, but it sounds like there isn't any other explanation when you explain it." The brown haired boy that Kataoka referred to as Isogai chimed in.

"It wouldn't make sense otherwise. If tthe principal does not know everything about the murder, how is he supposed to do a trial? I doubt anyone would call him and then kill someone right infront of his eyes." A few probably still didn't understand but we need to move on. "In addition, the rooms that have our names on it have an electric lock, which means if you use the handle without unlocking it, you will get an electric shock."

Again only a few nods. If they keep being uncooperative like right now, we will never find a way out of here. It feels like they already gave up.

After several information about the building, we could only make out how it probably looks like. A tall boy, named Sugaya, drew a sketch of how it should look from behind, front and sides judging from the first etage.

Otherwise we didn't get any piece of information, or atleast nothing that will help us escape.

"Great and now? This information is irrelevant." Said the Ultimate delinquent. He shouldn't talk this way, he didn't even say much while we were discussing. Though admittedly, he is right. There is only one option left, seeing that we didn't get any useful information, which would help us escape.

We have to come to terms with the situation.

"This means we have to play along with the principal. Only the rules. Let's not kill eachother. It would be in everyone's best interest to find a way out together." I think for a second.

"Also let's make our own rules too. It could help us to work together since we are basically strangers at the moment. As strangers it's hard to trust eachother, especially in a situation like this."

"I agree. We can not keep working together while not knowing eachother. If we play along it would be more beneficial this way. Like this it will be hard to have the courage to kill anyone too."A girl with a bug sticker on her uniform speaks up.

"Yeah, you're right. Even if I don't think anyone wants to kill anyone right, we don't know if the the curse of the demon principal will take someone over." the Ultimate agrees with a rather childish answer.

"Great. Now, who has an idea for rule number one? We can write them into the note app on our handbook." Spoke Kataoka sternly.

See, I like this kind of people. Straight to the point and serious.

Taking my phone, or as the principal refers to it, handbook out, it turned on displaying my first name. There I open the notes app and added the title and a tiny one. Nicely organised.

"For the first rule, I would suggest it's smart to go to the cafeteria every morning to eat together. Like this we can talk to and get to know eachother." A student with two blue pigtails spoke up. It's a good idea. We can also see if we're complete and doing okay.

Adding it behind the one I add a two. "As second rule, maybe telling everyone to meet up in the cafeteria when they discover anything, that is going to help us escape or is just important to know. This can be done by telling the first persons that you see and they help you to tell the others to meet up." Added. Moving on to number three.

Soon a boy with his eyes covered by his hair started to say something too. "How about for number three we make a plan for chores. We can't just let one person do it all the time. Muramatsu here is the Ultimate cook but I think it's a bit rude if only he does it everytime." The unspoken sentence was louder then the last words he said.

If he gets murdered, we would be out of routine.

Everyone knew what he meant even the Ultimate cook. But nobody said something, silently adding the rule. Noticing that the atmosphere is slowly going back to how it was at the beginning of the meeting, I spoke up too.

"How about an agreement to follow the rules that the principal gave us. If I remember correct it's written that night time is at eleven pm and if we all agree than there shouldn't happen any murder since even if the murderer wants to kill someone he can't go into the room because its locked." Is it just me or do I sound a bit suspicious? They look at me warily too.

Nonetheless, we add my recommendation too, only to get startled by an annoying, loud sound.

"Nyfufu, as funny as it is to see and hear you drowning in frustration and despairing words..." his skin slowly changing grey and his face expressionless he continues. "I'm getting bored. Everyone to the Computer room."

Since the principal suddenly appeared on the monitor it means that he heard us talking, probably because of a function that the camera next to the monitor posseses. The whole expreience actually confirms my theory that he is watching us.

Eitherway, right now the most important thing to do, is to follow the rules and play along. Atleast that is what we agreed on.

Getting out of the cafeteria, we went through the tunnel, searching for our first destination.

"Nyffufufu I needed to wait pretty long." Probably because we had to convince Okajima to stop being a coward and come already.

"Whatever, just sit down where a CD with your name is written on."

Now searching for their seat, my new found classmates wandered well-behaved, around the room, even the delinquent. Though that might be because of his curiosity. Except for me everyone seems to have found their place and is sitting. Is there going to be a CD for me anyway? As much as I know, I shouldn't be attending this class.

"You sit too Gakushuu, in the last row." So there is a CD for me. Why does he have one for me? Did he plan this, plan to have me here? Afterall, I'm not part of this class. And if yes, why did this one person not tell me that I too am in this class.

Who was it again?

Still questioning, I make my way to the only free table, dicovering the golden CD. It has my first name on it too.

"Now that everyone is sitting, you can insert the CD into the little entry at the left." Suspiciously happy he made a hand movement. Looking at the computer sitting right infront of me, I take the CD in my hand and soon insert the CD, which made me look at the computer where a loading symbol is displayed. Soon after it loads to show an image of a boy. The boy had ash blond hair and pinkish eyes. He was build tall and kinda thin. He was on his phone with a sad expression.

Ikeda Rikuto,the beloved student of- a teacher?

In the next image you can see him taking off his shoes and soon he laid his phone away too, to jump off the bridge.

...

He doesn't remember being particularly close to the boy but he used to idolise the former student of-

Looking up,I could see everyone with either a shocked or disturbed face. It was quiet. No one dared to make a noise. Some of the faces got as pale as they could get.

This is

This is just cruel. I already proceeded the information that he drowned years ago but it just brings back memory's of being in this buildings garden. Playing around with Ikeda, Nagai and Mori.

In this school. This school.

I don't remember. If I was here before why don't I remember the principal or anything related to this school beside the students. Rather then knowing the students, I could fastly tell they were the Ultimates by the way they had accessories or just carried that kind of aura.

Abruptly a boy stood up and run out of the room. Making quite the ruckus. Seeing that no one makes a move to go after him I decide to follow him. It felt really natural to go after a student to assure that they are feeling alright.

Catching up to him I decided to carefully grip his shoulders. Turning him around, his eyes were blown wide and swollen.

"My parents and sisters!" He interrupts himself with a sob. "They're being captured and tutored by a man with white hair!" Out of his mind, he strongly gripped his hair. Slowly taking his hands off his hair, I look him in the eyes. Those filled with despair, eyes.

So this was the plan of the principal. To make us aware of the despair looming around us. Yet, I can't seem to give up. I never do and they won't with me in their present. We can't give up. We can't give in. I have to reassure him, so we don't lose ourselves. To make him hopeful.

"We are going to make it out of here together. Everyone. Remember, we don't know if this is real. The principal is not a reliable source and should it be real, we will look and rescue them. Actually we have a clue how to do so." a white haired man isn't that commonly. Especially in Japan. The man could have something to do with this whole thing. No he definitely has something to do with the killing game we are in.

The boy infront of me, still frightened, gave me a thankful nod to show that he appreciates the efforts. After a minute of awkward silence the others came out of the room too. If they all have the same kind of terrifying videos, it can only mean he doesn't know much about me. Sure, he could have spared my family but I do not know anyone besides those three students. Looking around for the last time I decide to speak, seeing some neutral faces among the traumatized ones. The delinquent too, he looks like he could care less about the video but he's too stiff. His posture is more straight, almost like mine, while he usual just stands with a relaxed back posture.

"I figured out that this was a motive to make us fall into despair and maybe kill someone. As bad as it is, I hope none of you are thinking about killing someone to see those you are fond of. I know we are strangers but those strangers also have to face the same fate as you and the people you are fond of."

After my speech pretty much everyone split up again to do anything to calm their nerves. I decided to go to the cafeteria for more clues and maybe answers. The cuisine is big and pretty much filled up with food. The problem is, how long is it gonna last and are we going to starve to death if we are out of food?

I can't believe that I'm seriously about to do this.

"Yellow creature?" The camera suddenly blinked red and then stopped. Making me frown. Was he going to ignore me?

"My Name is Korosensei!"

Annoying. In less than 10 seconds after thinking he is going to ignore me, I could feel a slight cold breeze and there he was standing, right infront of me. Taking a step back I get straight to the point.

"What happens if the food will be fully consumed? Are we all gonna starve to death?" It would be conceivable if he wants us to die. But that also wouldn't match the ideal of his killing game.

"Till the next day it will be filled with as much as you ate the day before, no worries. Imagine you guys starving to dead!" He shook his head. "That is far too boring." With his ever grinning face, he took off, only leaving some dust articles.

Is he serious? The point with the food? Valid. But his thoughts on how we could die by starvation? Cruel.

Sighing I go back to the cafeteria where the boy from before was. Waving at me he walked up to where I was standing.

"Thanks for earlier dude! You were so relaxed it made me see clearer and I calmed down a bit. If you don't have anything against it we could team up!" Surprised I stare at him. He looked like he genuinely wants to team up with me and he suddenly made my head hurts. He reminds me of someone, actually.

"I- it would be good if we team up. Maybe we can look into every room on this floor." I looked at my feet. Not feeling like showing him that my head hurts. Show him weakness.

Though it is unusual for me to accept any form of physical touch, I do not loudly protest when he processes to put an arm around my shoulder.

"Neat dude! You are my sidekick then! Let's begin." Sidekick? He is more of a sidekick than I'll ever be and why does he need to touch me.

Already regretting saying yes, I indicate the way to the next station. The library.

Unexpectedly, there were a lot of students. Scowling I look at them while going to one of the bookshelves, the boy still following me.

"I never asked your name or talent, what is it?" Now a few eyes were on us, since he spoke too loudly. What am I supposed to say? I don't have a talent. "Just call me Gakushuu. Let's look for something that could help us." Avoiding the second question I fixate my attention to the books.

"Gakushuu." Testing my name he looks to the ceiling. Did he notice? "Then call me Maehara dude! I'm the Ultimate Soccer player."

Atleast I know his name now and I guess his Ultimate Talent.

Reading the diffrent covers of certain displayed books, I see one about this schools history. This should have answers.

Trying to take it down, it clicked quietly. Looking at Maehara, he just bluntly blinked at me, not sure if he has something to say.

Apparently as much as I had.

I said nothing.

The rumble of the shelf moving was quite loud so the attention was, again, on us. The bookshelf moved to reveal a room with more bookshelves. The books look different then the one in the displayed area of the library.

Taking a step into the room I went towards the shelf. Or I tried to. Embarassingly, two steps in I stumbled over a thick book. This book looks different from every other book in the library and secret room, making me interessted again after contemplating disappearing forever. It looks exactly like a photo album.

Slowly opening the album, I saw a baby picture. Could this be the creature before he was turned into his current form? With every page my eyes got wider and wider. This photos are certainly me when I was younger. Is the principal someone I know?

"Gakushuu, are you alright? I heard a thud." Entering the room he looks at me sitting on the ground and the book in my lap. He approaches me, while slowly sitting next to menon the ground.

"Is this you?" His face serious. "On this photos. Why would it be here? Do you know the Octopus?" Unsure he starts laughing.

"Maybe it's not even the Octopus' school?"

Not the principals school.

That must be it. I don't remember having a teacher that I'm close to. Not to mention my weird relation to this building.

"That must be it. I don't remember knowing someone like him. But this school can not have been his for too long. Request the others to look through the black books. You will come with me to look for someting." Dragging him outside he immediately spoke up as he saw the group that sat in the right corner on a round table.

"We have a request! Look through the black books, in the secret room, we might have found a clue to escape. If one of you want, you can come with us." No. I don't need another one besides me.

"I would love to. Blondie over here looks like he doesn't want another person to accompany him so it would be a pleasure to accompany you two." I'm sorry, my name is Gakushuu not Blondie. The red haired boy made a stop next to me laughing at my offended face.

Whatever.

Maehara leaned down to me with a low 'sorry' feeling assigned to apologize to me for making me offended or annoyed. "Well, what are we looking for?" Asking with a teasing tone, the red haired boy looked at me.

"An envelope, I think it has answers. I don't remember what happened before but after looking at this" gesturing to the album with my head his eyes avert. "I remembered something." Eventually giving him the photo album, he switched his face from a smile to a serious one.

Opening the album he watched with a curious look in his eyes, as he skipped through the pages. When he was on the last page something sprung into my sight.

"There is a signature and map. It looks like this building, take out your handbook Maehara." While Maehara takes his handbook out of the pocket, red hair seems to try to identify the signatures name.

"What's your last name?" Pardon? Seeing my confused eyes he continued his reasoning.

"Maybe its the same as the signature, right? I mean this is a baby album of you." That would make sense. Though The problem is.

"I don't know my last name.I don't remember or can look it up on this handbook. There is only my first name. I don't even remembermy parents." Being honest is the best option now.

"Interesting. I don't remember what happened before we were here too. Though I still remember my family." He too? Does Maehara maybe not remember either?

"Oh me too, I don't even remember what was written in the acceptance letter that I got in here." Could it be-

"Seems that you got it Blondie. It really is obvious."

"Brainwashed. And my name is not Blondie, it's Gakushuu." Scowling at him I searched the in drawer and when opening the last drawer compartment there was exactly the letter I memorised.

Here goes nothing. With Red hair and Maehara standing next to me, I opened the envelope.

'Dear students of Kunigigaoka acade-'

Before we could even finish the first sentence, I felt a cold breeze behind my back and the letter was ripped off my hands.

"Seems like you remembered something, Gakushuu. As fabulous as it is, you guys are not allowed to see what is written in it." The expression of Koro-sensei changed. It's more a expression and aura of a teacher who forbids you to see the answer sheets of the test. It reminds me of someone.

The letter is important, that's all we know. I remember something and that bastard has to take it from me. Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I looked around to see Koro-sensei was already gone. Maehara was now holding it as form of support but this didn't help at all.

Right. I'm not the only one who doesn't remember. They're probably disappointed too. As I'm thinking of an solution to get the letter back I get distracted by a voice. "I'm guessing the letter was an acceptance letter for us students. Sure the letter is away but we still have the photo book. We could identify the name and have find out your last name, Gakushuu."

This time the voice belongs to the delinquent I still don't know the name of. He is right. The signature is still a big clue. If we get the signature we might find out the reason why it's in a library of all places.

Let's hope for good results

Chapter 4: 🔑

Chapter Text

And as time flies, we already have dinner time. We met once again in the cafeteria. This time not everyone came. I really hope they are just trying to get a grip and not thinking about murdering someone. I can't imagine that someone killing anyone but then again I don't know them. At all.

The Ultimate cook is preparing some of his dishes at the moment while the ones that are in the cafeteria are forming groups, I'm guessing. I hope I won't bother the cook if I'm gonna take a look at the kitchen again. Standing up from my chair as quite as possible, I make my way to the door that separates the kitchen and cafeteria. Softly knocking I waited for an answer. You could hear a rushed voice yelling that to come in.

Isn't he a bit too laid back, I would be more careful. Entering the kitchen I was greeted with a delicious smell and warm air, contradictingthe situationthe cook found himself in. The cook was going from one shelf to the other. It seems a bit hectic. I should offer my help, as gratitude for the food he is making in such an situation.

"Hello. I was planning on investigate a bit but it seems it's quite busy here. So I wanted to offer some help, of course I am no match to an Ultimate cook but still." It isn't that I'm not a great cook, I get often compliments from...

A person, about the food I create. Getting back to reality I looked at the Cook that turned in my direction with a lityle grin. Haven't I seen him before meeting them all in the gym?

"Well I need to help as much as I can, don't I? As Ultimate cook it's obviously the right thing to do what I do best so you guys won't starve while searching hard for a way to escape. I might not be smart but my cooking abilities are top tier." Looking pretty confident he almost forgot to turn the oven off. Rushing to the oven I admire the kitchen for one more second. Over all, the kitchen is modern and useful. Whoever designed it has good taste.

Putting on an apron I waited for orders while looking at him deown in his ability. Although I really do hate getting orders, he is the chef right now.

The Ultimate Cook, Muramatsu, was doing ramen with rise and miso soup as side dishes. In the oven was some kind of beef that looked almost done and honestly really good. Going through all this trouble in case someone wants meat instead of Ramen was crazy but understandable and not impossible.

For setting the table, another boy came in. He had black hair and black eyes. He was around my heigh and had bits of oil on his face. Taking the dishes out of the dishwasher, we both started fulfilling our task from the chef.

"Yo, I'm Teisei Yoshida. The Ultimate Mechanicer." Intodrucing himself he took half of the plates I'm holding into his hands standing in front of me, not moving. Probably waiting for me to introduce myself too. "I'm Gakushuu." Surprisingly he didn't seem bothered by me only saying my first name and gave every seat a plate after nodding. Copying his movements, I finish with the last plate on my hand.

"Gakushuu, could you look for the rest? I'm gonna help Muramatsu in the meantime." To be honest I would've rather helped in the kitchen then search people. Turning my destination to the door I opened the door.

As soon as I stepped outside I could hear some screams. Thinking about the baddest outcome that was presented in such situation we are in, I ran towards the screams. When I arrived at the hallway with the red walls I felt irritation rising in me.

"What are you guys doing!" speaking my mind, I walk towards the two boys who are injured and most likely fought just a second ago. Unbelievable, the others that crowded around them were just helplessly standing there doing nothing. The two boys were now looking at me. One of them had white hair with a weird looking headband while the other was that one boy from the cafeteria that tried breaking a grid. He was build tall and quite muscular. Shaved hair on the side which were dyed blond. Surprisingly he got more hits on him.

"I wanted to tell you guys dinner is ready only to find two of you fighting while the others are watching?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Now stand up and go to the cafeteria, I think the Ultimate nurse is there. Let her treat your wounds." The smaller boy just headed out without a word and so did the crowd, after some apologisedfor not doing anything.

When almost everyone was hone I look back at the still sitting, injured boy. Slightly kneeling beside him I ask him I'd he needed help only to be interrupted before I could finish my sentence by getting slapped.

I got slapped. Slapped by some random guy, whose name I don't even know.

"Stop looking down on me." He stood up. "Don't act like you are my owner or the leader of the group. You act all knowingly but don't know shit so shut up before I hit you again, nerd." Looking down on him? Yes I do, silently, but so what? He might have a talent but I don't think he has enough brain cells to tell me in what position he just put himself in. Right when I wanted to answer someone decided it would be the best decision to chime in.

"Well well well Terasaka." Ah the delinquent. "Losing your cool like this, while we all agreed to get along. Even going as far as hitting a classmate of yours." Stepping closer he made a motion that I should understand as 'stand up'. Not wanting to kneel beside that Terasaka boy anyway, I do so only to get dragged away from him by the red head. Which reminds me , I still don't know his name.

"Fancy apron you're wearing. Bright, eye damaging yellow." Oh. I'm still wearing the apron. His eyes seem to glint in mischief again.

"Anyway, would've never thought you would let someone slap you." I would've done something if a certain someone had not dragged me away.

I need to keep an eye on Terasaka. Out of everyone around us he and the other boys are alarming in my eyes at the moment. Even if Terasaka doesn't look or seem smart, I hope he won't do anything to the other boy again to provoke him. Or the other way around . The other boy confused me though. He just walked away with no hesitation. Almost like he didn't care.

Pulling away from the red heads grip. I made a head gesture towards the cafeteria, where the door was open with someone waving at us. Looking closely I could make out the Ultimate Soccer. Still waving, he run towards us with a huge smile, which most likelywas caused by the food. "What were you and Karma doing? We're waiti-" Cutting himself off he stared closely at my face. As realisation hit he turned to the boy, now known as Karma, and started scolding him.

"Is this a hand palm! Karma did you hit him? We agreedto get along. I know you are the UltimateDelinquent but have some class dude!" with firm eyes he pulled me behind him. Seriously, what's withe people dragging me? Looking back at what Maehara said, I atleast know the delinquents name. Karma. I'm guessing it's his first name.

Grabbing Maehara by his shoulders I explain what really happened before he gets lead on by a misunderstanding. "He didn't slap me. It isn't from him but this is not important right now. We wouldn't want to worry the others so let's go inside already." Making once again a head motion to the cafeteria I took off that awful apron.

Sitting in the cafeteria, eating with strangers is kind of strange. Even though it's probably the situation. Come to think of bWhere do we sleep or shower? I didn't see a shower or bed in the rooms I investigated. No one mentioned it either. The only rooms we couldn't explore were the rooms that are at the second stage and the rooms with name tags. Right, I wanted to ask the principal about it but I can't just call him in here with everyone. Some people are still a bit shaken from the video he made us watch. Outside of the cafeteria then? If I go now they might suspect me but no one would see that I'm talking to him since they're all eating.

Standing up with a half full plate I proceed to tidy it to go accomplish my newest plan. Making a point to not look back. That was considered rude after all, I didn't excuse myself and didn't thank the cook.

At the red hallway I walked up to the door with my name tag. It could have clues about ourseves or the past life we lead before coming here. It's definitely a dorm but we can't open it so we might have to improvise something to sleep on. That is only if the principal doesn't give us some sort of key to open the door.

Taking deep breaths I look for a camera. When I spotted it I walked towards it and started speaking. "Principal, I have a question. Could you bother coming here for a second." Waiting for an answer I stood there. Is he asleep? Does he even need sleep? But before I could start making up theories, I could feel someone's presence behind me.

"Calling me at such a late hour, my student. Shouldn't you get sleepy it's almost night time." Looking clearly displeased, as well as you can make out that is, he sighs. We would be in our room in atleast half an hour if we had a room, idiot. "Excuse my sudden urge to talk to you, principal but I might have an answer for your question and myself a question." Motioning my hand to the door next to me I continue speaking.

"I finished eating and thought about where we're going to sleep. Guessing that on the doors are our names, I assumed this are dorm rooms. Now, if this is true why can't we enter them?" When I spoke out my question he looks a bit panicked. Turning around he moved from to side mumbling something. 'I forgot, I forgot' to be exact. Suddenly it hit me.

He forgot to give us the fitting keys.

Blankly looking at him I decided that the best for us students would be to have the key, without him being there to pass them to us.

"Seeing you panicking, means that you forgot to give us sort of a key for our rooms. Certainly you know that few of the students are still scared and traumatized from the video. So I'm volunteering to give it to them if you would be willing to give them to me. I can tell them that I found those keys too if you are too embarrassed." To be honest I don't care about how he feels, he's selfish after all. Making a game with teenagers supposed to kill each others for his own pleases. But I don't want the others to be even more on guard then they already are.

Embarrassed and looking down he muttered something I couldn't understand clearly. Seriously that creature is pathetic. Shouldn't I be the one that is showing negative emotions towards an inhuman game and principal? He tells me that he will come back in just a minute.

He came back, as he told me a minute later with a bag of keys. And started explaining a few thing that I should tell the others. He could just say something like 'So you finally found them and then explain them through the monitor. Maybe he can't always use it?

Bowing slightly, not out of respect but habit, I go back to where I was way too often today. The cafeteria. I don't know how often I already opened that big grey door.

As expected they were all still eating and talking to eachother. Walking towards the students, I cough a bit to get their attention. I really didn't want to be the one intruding them while eating but this is important. When I had the full attention I started. "Is everyone still here? I have to call a some what named meeting from rule number two." Nodding, they curiously looked at me. Raising my hand where the bag of keys are I started my explanation.

"I asked myself where we are going to sleep since the rooms with our name tags are locked so I asked the principal. Here are our keys to the dorm and a few informations." I took one key out of the bag, Teisei Yoshida, and showed it to them. "The bigger key is the one for entering the dorm room while the smaller one is the one for the bathroom. In the closet should be your clothes from your home. There is also stuff related to your Ultimate talent." Telling almost everything, careful not to mention the last pece of information from him, I spread all of the keys on the head of the table. I don't know every name so this will do it.

Searching for mine I immediately turned away only to be held back. "Did you talk with it? Why wouldn't he gave us these himself?" A girl with brown hair and light purple eyes, asked. Of course they would have questions. Do I come off as suspicious? Taking my time to decide if I should say the truth or only half the truth I turned to her.

"Yes I had a conversation with him. I asked him while standing infront of a camera if he could come to see me. After a few he was standing behind me and asked me why I'm not almost sleeping since it's about to be night time. I answered with that we don't have something to unlock it. He was embarrassed, so I offered to give it to you. But of course not because of Korosensei. I offered because I didn't think you would want to see him." Dismissing them, I start to wonder how my room would look like. Did he just see the room that I have at home and took inspiration on it?

Now standing infront of the dorm, I stuck the key into the lock, where it automatically opened. The lights were already on which blinded me a bit. My theory is true. He took inspiration on my room at home. The room was big and has a white bad at the right. Bookshelfs, a table, chair, closet, carpet and a shelf with some trophy and medals that I won. Overall it looks like my room, except that this room has a different closet and bed. Taking my shoes off, I take a look in the closet and it seems that he really got the clothes off of our closets at home. The door on the left leads to the bathroom, I assume as I get the smaller key. Like the other door it automatically opened. The bathroom looks really modern too. It's clean and has a few little water motives. Overall everything in this school is modern and almost looks like a western school. Of course you could still see the big difference but that is beside the point.

When I stepped out of the bathroom a knock was to hear. Did someone want to see me? Is it safe to open it? This could be an opportunity to kill me. Waiting to hear someone talk I leaned on the door. "Huh, he isn't answering. Is he sleeping? Let's knock again." the voice sounds familiar. The next knock was loud, it was more banging then knocking, but this time the voice spoke up. "Gakushu, Maehara here, can I come in?" A little pause. "Isogai and Nagisa are here too, don't worry." Its Maehara. But can I trust him too? He said two others were outside with him that should mean killing me would be stupid. Nonetheless, I don't know if they're actually there.

My worry soon faded when the two others finally spoke up. Deciding that it's safe, I opened the door slowly and it's true, Maehara and two other boys were standing there. The blue-head and Isogai from before stood on either of his sides. Greeting them I wait for the reason they're here. Though instead of asking to enter, he set foot in my room. "Sorry, he wanted to see your room too, so we tagged along. Hope you don't mind." Isogai apologieses which I answer with that it's alright. The blue-head soon entered too.

"We didn't get to introduce eachother. I'm Nagisa Shiota the Ultimate analyser, you can call me Nagisa though. He is Yuuma Isogai, the Ultimate Ikemen." They should already know my name by seeing the name tag, which is why I don't bother introducing myself.

"What is this supposed to mean? It's rather plain compared to mine, except for the trophies and bathroom." He does not have those waves? Is this supposed to symbolise Ikedas death...

"Oh! Maybe Ultimate swimmer?" Maehara was practically going from side to side. The questions are the unanswered till the end.

Silently panicking I wait until he's standing still. When he finally stood still he just ignored what he asked befor. Did they all just made a deal to no ask me the question or why are they never pushing? Nagisa and Isogai don't seem like they care either.

Suddenly Maehara leaned closer to me and took my hand in his to open it. Not looking away from my eyes once he grabs something from his pants pocket and laid it into the palm of my hand.

"Let's look at the other rooms too guys! Thank you Gakushuu, we're going now!" With a last goodbye from the other two, they left. Opening my hand I could make out a letter. What would Maehara want me to know that the other two are not allowed to see?

I should probably open it where no camera is. The bathroom is the only room I saw that has no cameras and monitors. Perfect plan for a murder, well not exactly, and respectful.

Going in, I closed it with the key. Just in case. Seconds later I opened it, I recognised it. The letter from the drawer.

How did Maehara get it back? Didn't Korosensei take it away?

'Dear ===== of Kunigigaoka academy,

You have done it.

With this letter I welcome you dearly to the class of the talents. You impressed us with your talent the last few years and showed us that you are the number one student in your field.

Make the school proud and take that success to your new class. Show us that we didn't make a mistake with you here.

Please think about your clothes and personal stuff. You will be living in a dorm that provides everything, so does the cafeteria.

More information will be send to you by email.

Yours,

Prin'

Noticing two strange things I observe it closely. The name of the student whose the letter belonged to, was drawn over. I could only identify a 's'. Secondly the name or signature was torn out. You could barely read the word 'Principal'. I'm pretty sure there was a name in the library. And the page wasn't torn apart on the bottom. That was the current principals doing, no lie in that. It's safe to hide it here for now.

Faintly hearing the principals voice I step out of the bathroom. There was he displayed on the monitor talking about how it's nighttime. It would be safer to lock the door wouldn't it?

Changed into Pyjamas, I laid there on the bed. I still can't believe this is supposed to be real. But is it really? I'm not dreaming am I? I should pinch myself.

Ouch.

This is real.

Guess I have to deal with all of this. For now though, I slowly close my eyes as I drifted in a light sleep. Giving into the darkness once more.

Something is off Gakushuu Asano.

Chapter 5: Too much

Chapter Text

Waking up to the annoying voice of Korosensei is going to be the death of me. If no one kills me, this morning announcement will. Especially when he starts talking about killing method's. Today he chose choking on gas that we can't have access to.

Going to the bathroom I brushed my teeth and took a well deserved shower. To my luck the pricipal gave us the shampoo we usually use. Which is kind of creepy but my precious hair is thanking him.

Stepping out of the shower, I look at the drawer for a second. There were several types of yellow towels and most importantly the hidden letter. Maybe I can get Maehara to tell me how he had stolen it and gotten away with it.

Right, we wanted to meet in the cafeteria every morning, I can ask him there. Before I go there though I have to change my clothes to something more presentable. Looking into the closet I decided to just wear my school uniform. It's probably not saturday or sunday, yesterday shouldbhad been Monday. First day of 'school'.

Eventually making my way outside, not without locking my room, I spotted the boy that slapped me yesterday. He looks conflicted. Coughing I spoke up.

"Can I help you?" Looking up his eyes widened the slightest. For a minute or so he stared down into my eyes. What is he standing here so helpless? Sighing softly I decided to just leave, I have somewhere to be and so does he.

The cafeteria was empty. I'm probably the first or no one showed up because of some random activity. Wouldn't I have been informed then? Was I too deep of a sleeper, so they didn't have a chance to contact me? Either way, I'm concerned. A lot could've happened. Come to think of, didn't Terasaka look really good, maybe he knows something. Or knows as much as me. Nothing. If he let's his pathetic pride down we could actually work together.

Sighing out loud I begin to go back to where I found him a few minutes ago. As I hoped he still stood there as helpless as before. In hope to see someone else befor going to him, I looked around a last time only to be disappointed with no one. Standing right beside him I reach out to tap his shoulder. Drastically turning around he swings his hand.

Really? He slapped me again, this time unintentionally but still. I'm losing my temper with this boy.

Looking shocked he turned to me. Once again I remind myself that he is probably still just stressed because of this situation. Still, if I wouldn't understand I would have probably kicked him in his place.

"I didn't come here because I want to start a fight or whatever you're probably thinking. I just wanted to ask if you know where the others are." Explaining myself I wait for an answer.

"How the fuck would I know?! I just woke up too!" Terasaka nearly screamed. I asked nicely and polite, why is he so vulgar? Is this how they normally speak or is it just him? No, Isogai is polite in contrast to whatever he is. Moving on from this absolute rudeness, there has to be a reason as to why no one is here. If I remember correctly in the handbook it's clearly stated that breakfast would be at 09:00 am. They could be all be late but then again, perfect attendance would be important for people like Kataoka. She is after all the Ultimate Class Representative. Someone that is an idol.

Did I miss something? Or someones saying? I can just look for them if they aren't coming out in 10 minutes. Till then I will have to burden my waiting time with Terasaka who doesn't seem to feel the need to go away.

"So Mr. Smarty have any ideas where they are? You were thinking for quite a while?" The boys tone sounded a bit teasing but also curious. He cares where they are, clearly. Since he asked nicely for once, minus the nickname, I respnd.

"No. We can at most wait for about ten minutes and then go search for them. It's just one etage anyway. If they all somehow didn't hear the alarm or well Korosensei then we cant enter their room anyway. We could also just call Korosensei." Yes, calling the principal would be a rational move but I don't like the him, he is annoying and the reason I am in this situation. The boy next to me only nodded while furrowing his eyebrows, mumbling something inaudible.

Taking my handbook out of my pocket I turn it on, to waste some time. Like the first time, the display displayed my first name.

"Gakushuu. Only that? Don't you have parents or something?" Not sure if it was meant in a mean way or not but he was right. I should have a surname from someone even if I don't remember my parents or orphanage.

"I don't remember if I have parents or if Iwas in an orphanage, I also don't know my surname." Turning the handbook to myself I looked through the apps installed there.

We have a notebook app, timer, camera, map and rules. That's it. The notebook app can be used for taking notes while investigating, the timer I have only theory's and they don't make much sense. For the camera it's obvious that it's for taking photos at the crime scene. Korosensei did think this through good even if it's absurd. He really is into the idea of having a class trial. Though where would the trial be?

That isn't the problem right now they all said they won't kill anyone. I am gonna be naive just this one time and hope that nothing is happening or happened involving death. However, should something have happened and they were going to meet somewhere, wouldn't atleast Maehara have told me. After all he declared me as his sidekick.

Maehara.

He gave me the letter yesterday, didn't he. Does their disappearance have something to do with the letter? Maybe it's because someone stole it and he is trying to find out who. But why are we not where ever they are? The only difference between our schedules from the day before is that I went directly to my room and didn't leave while some still ate or like Maehara walked around.

!

"Teraska. Where were you last afternoon after you got the keys?" Since I went directly into my dorm room and he could've only seen me walking in there and not out of the room, all things considered he doesn't think I could have stolen that letter. This can be confirmed if Teraska went into his room immediately as well and never went out.

"If you need to know." he was rolling his eyes slightly, "After you gave us the keys I went after you, at first I was suspecting you but saw that you were just going into that damn room. So I went into my own room and let no one in and didn't go out. Why do you need this answer, huh? Got something on your mind?"

Then it could be right. If the others went out after entering he could've seen them going out too. The question is wouldn't he have noticed if someone was there wherever he hide it? Around the school are cameras in every room. Surely it was in a room where everyone was except me and Terasaka but where?

"I think I know the reason why they're not here. They have been taken away somewhere." he was honest to me too right now so I will trust him with half of the story of the letter. Just so I don't owe him something, not any other reason.

"Yesterday Maehara, Karma and I found a letter where." when I was about to finish my sentence, I realised. The principal can still hear and see us. The camera is directly pointed at us. We need to do this in a room without cameras. The only option being One of the bathrooms.

For once I am the one dragging someone. Locking the bathroom door I let his arm go. He opened his mouth to speak but I interrupted him almost immediately.

"I apologise for dragging you here without saying something but I think I should tell you this are the rooms with the privilege of no cameras or monitors. Because if he knows I have it and you know it he will take us both too." now I can tell him without having to worry. The principal can't hear or see us in here, if he did then he could've known I am in charge of keeping the letter.

"I will begin telling you now. Maehara, Karma and I found a letter yesterday. Here." taking the letter out of the wardrobe, I passed it to him to read. "Korosensei took it away before we could read it but when Maehara and two others visited my room to check out my dorm he gave it to me in secret. At the bottom was a name but the principal in all likelihood ripped that part off, so we can't find out who the former principal is." At the end of the explanation he looked up from the letter and I saw an unusual expression for someone like him, on his face

Befor he always looked like a aggressive bully who doesn't care about anything that doesn't have anything to do with him. Now he looks serious and not as empty-headed as before. Possibly it was that he thought I'm suspicious as he said before and now that I told him such information I am less suspicious. I don't blame him though. After all I myself thought I really am suspicious.

"Then let's split up to search for them and then meet at the gym. We were first there anyway. If you found them just wait at the gym." for someone like him this plan isn't too bad.

Putting the letter back we made our way out of the tunnel. While he is going left I go right. Let's see if we're gonna find them.

Running to the gym I silently curse. Hopefully Terasaka found them. My hopes were soon destroyed when Teraska already stood there looking as disappointment and bitter as me when he saw me. The only room we didn't check is the gym and honestly the most obvious room to check.

Opening the doors a light and warm room welcomed us. It was abruptly quite but I was relieved. They're here. Not noticing how terrified they look I search for the principal while entering. He isn't here, was I wrong? Does this really not have anything to do with the letter? I came back to my senses when a terrified Maehara walked towards me.

Now I saw it. The wide eyes, shocked as if they saw something horrible. Did someone die? Why didn't I hear something about this? My thoughts were ended when he hugged me. My brain went blank.

I don't remember when someone last hugged me.

Well I don't remember anything much.

"How are you not dead?" He suddenly screamed, hurting my ears a bit. Why I'm not dead? What does he mean. Am I supposed to be dead?I need to know what is happening rightnow.

"What do you mean, me dead? We were searching for you guys. You all weren't at the cafeteria so we searched for you guys." Finishing my sentence, Maehara looked as confused as me. While looking at eachother the brown pony tail girl spoke up.

"But Korosensei told us that if we don't give him the letter he will kill you two. He even showed us pictures, here!" The girl held up two pictures. In the photos you could see me and terasaka looking unconscious. It had to be photoshopped because I'm in my pyjamas and I only wear pyjamasif I'm sleeping, kidnapped or not.

Seriously, he took pictures of me in my pyjamas while sleeping.

That is creepy and perverted.

"That is clearly photoshopped, we are clearly only sleeping. Some blood and bruises and there you have it. He just wanted to threaten you." did Maehara tell Korosensei who has it? Approaching him, I lean closer to his ear as I whisper.

"Did you tell him that I have it?" Taking a moment to understand what 'it' meant, he cleared me up.

"Of course I did not. If I had told him that you have it something could have happened to you. And after he showed us the pictures I thought that now no one had it technically."

He is right, if I was unconscious and kidnapped I wouldn't be in charge for the letter. I'm thankful either way. He risked the life of his to protect mine. Looking to the others I was a bit lost what to say. My keeping of the letter caused them to have this inconvenience. Opening my mouth, Terasakas turned out to interrupt me.

"It doesn't matter anymore, does it? We are alive and doing as good as we can so let's go out of here!" With that he turned around. He is right we are alive no need to be this down.

Sitting in my room I look through the bookshelfs. Hopefully there are some informations that will help me. Not that I think there will be but I don't have anything else to do, do I? The only thing I can do here is investigate for an escape route. The books are normal ones. The normal schoolbooks I have at home too. Looking through one of the math books I hear a knock. If someone wants to kill me right now...

Deciding to open it I an greeted with a whole groupe of people. So I'm not gonna get killed?

Asking them what they want I open the door now a little wider. Not waiting for me to speak up I was already asked the savoury question from a darb blue haired boy.

"We are going to study in the library. You want to join us too?" The Library. I suppose I could search there too. Last time I didn't get to read any of the books there.

Nodding I take my key and lock the door. Just in case someone tries to go in. Well the only important thing in there is the letter. Only Terasaka and I know where exactly. If someone finds out then it has to be Teraskas or my fault and that could mean the death of us.

Shaking my head I look at the whole group that was going to the next door. I think I will head towards the library alone.

Excusing me, I go through the tunnel and into the library. As expected no one was in there yet. It was relaxing how quite it was, no one talks or goes around with loud footsteps.
Going to the history section, I could already see books about Ultimate Talents and the very school we are at right now. Promoting the books about the own school in the schools library is sort of lame. Taking out the first book in the shelf I look at the cover.

"Ultimate Talents categorys !"

It wouldn't hurt to read the book, would it? I could start to understand more why they think it's so special to be an Ultimate Talent.

'Have you ever wondered in which category you would fit in the Ultimate Talents? Well you are lucky to find this book then! We will tell you everything you need to know!'

Enthusiastic much.

'FIRST CATAGORY: The persona.

If you're given a title of a Person that keeps a role you are part of this catagory.
For example:
Here we have the Ultimate Princess, princess Lea! She doesn't only look like a princess, she acts like the stereotypical one too! If you think of any personality trait a princess possesses, she does fit. You are a role.'

Wouldn't Karma fit into that category? But he isn't like the stereotype...

'SECOND CATAGORY: Hobby.

If you're always first place in your hobby you are part of this catagory. It means that you are excellent at your talent and can get first place when you play against people that don't have this talent. It doesn't count if you get first at something you don't enjoy though so you aren't in this catagory if you don't like it, buddy!"

It feels like it's dissing me, somehow.

'Example:
Here we have the Ultimate dancer! They have not lost one time in their hobby in their whole life! This is crazy isn't it?! I'm sure not many people could come close to here competition scores. They got 115 points from 120 points. That was their highest score. They are now 17 Years old. Such a young person and so good at her hobby!"

And that is no big deal I also got 115 points of 120 points in several dance competitions once when I was younger. I don't dance anymore and didn't really enjoy it either.

'THIRD and last CATAGORY: Job.

If you are given a certificate for what Job you're doing, you are automatically an Ultimate Talent. You might think, " Well that is easy", guess what IT'S NOT. Only about 30 People around the world have it. So don't think about it if you could care less about being an Ultimate Talent, you need to be desperate.
Example: The Ultimate Headmaster. ------ a--- s - a -----'

The photo of the Person was ripped out and the rest was drawn over. It was hard to identify any letters. This smells fishy. Is Korosensei just jealous?

Wait a second. All the ones that were listed in this book came from this school, does this mean the principal that was on this page is the real one? Is it someone we don't know or is it Korosensei when he didn't have that hideous form? Because he couldn't have been like that since for ever. No one is born with superpowers. I should keep this book. Hearing voices coming my way I close the book and search for a random history book. They don't need to know everything it will make them even more unsure about this situation.

When I sat again the door was opened with a loud sound. I could hear someone curse but pretended as if I was too focused on the history book of Rome. I already know everything so if someone asks what it's about I can answer easily. I could hear a few hello's and sometimes questions but nothing more, they came to learn here after all.

Standing up and going to a corner I opened another book about the school behind the book about Rome. The title was 'How to get into Kunigigaoka academy'. And it was exactly what I already knew and stood in the letter. Nothing new. This means that they all dont have informations. Probably. Still I'm going to look through them to find names.

Two hours passed and the most of them make their way to lunch. Today it was two girls, named Okano and Yada, turn to do the kitchen duty. Even though I didn't eat breakfast I don't feel like eating I'm too stressed to swallow something. The only thing I need at the moment is espresso or just black coffee. That wouldn't be too bad, I could stay here all night then. I would break the rules but I could ask if I'm allowed to stay here over the night. Howbeit, then I would hav3 to speak to the principal that didn't show himself to anyone since the incident at the gym. I think most are still a mess.

Sigh, I'm just gonna ask him when the others go away. Lunch is half an hour away anyway there shouldn't be an issue with having some private time. I will just read a book I don't already know. The black books are for later, if he doesn't allow me then I will ask for a bag where I can put them in and take them into my room.

Finding a nice book about the human anatomy I sit back into the corner. This could be helpful if someone gets sick or more than one. The Ultimate Nurse shouldn't be alone in this moment, its stressful taking care of people.

As expected they left one after one. They questioned me if I want to go with them but I turned that offer down I had a plan to fulfil. When asked I just said I am not hungry to make them less worried. I think they are worried that something will happen to me. I can't blame them, just today they saw the terrifying pictures of me and Terasaka. Still, he does not need their worry or pity. After all he lived for so long without it.

Who forced me to live like that?

Now it's my opportunity to call Korosensei. Closing the door I walk to the camera and monitor. Will he come again? Or was it just yesterday because it was our first day? Is he still mad because of the letter? I should've thought about this before deciding to do this...

"Korosensei, can you hear me by any chance and could you come to me I have a question. If you can't then I'm afraid I will do as I want." That sounds threatening, which wasn't my plan. Standing stiff and looking up I find myself feeling the same presence as before behind my back.

"Gakushuu! You seem to really like me, compared to your classmates. The second time you call your favourite principal to you. So ask me, what is your question?" He was as always smiling. That smile looking like a quarter of the moon.

Coughing a bit I finally speak up. "My question. Could there be a possibility that I can stay here while night time? I am really interested in this books at the moment and can't wait to read more. And because it is rather lively here today I would like to use night time as a possibility to have this atmosphere and library." Lying. I am lying once again and I'm sure he knows it. He looks down at me.

"Gakushuu, what about sleep? Not to mention you're not eating lunch with your classmates right now." Heh, for this question I was already prepared. He is right, to have enough energy you have to sleep. But this is for an important reason.

"As to why I am not going to lunch.I can't eat much when I'm thrived to do something and I had the idea to go to sleep now for balance." This is true. I can't eat when I have a plan to go through.

The principal was clearly unsure. I could make this out for once because he was silently looking at me. His smile even seemed to shrink what could be only my imagination. He has some weak points. We need someone to write them down.

"Alright. If you go to sleep now and promise me to eat something before coming back here to read, I allow you to spend the night in here." He spoke. It's funny how it sounds like he cares. He wants us dead anyway. I won't let him fool me.

I agreed though. Like this I can read more, which can help us escape from this hell of a situation. As agreed I went to my room. I didn't want to sleep I want coffee but this might work too. I set an alarm for 20 minutes before night time. Like this I can grab as promised something to eat and drink. Turning into my comfortable clothes I make my way into my bed, not without a pen and notebook. When I was looking through the bookshelves in my room I found this empty notebook and saw it as an opportunity to write my theories down.

Relaxing into the bed I slowly drowned into the black world.

Some nerve wrecking noice woke me up. Trying to figure out what it was I realised it soon. The timer I had turned on was ringing loud. I was almost afraid people outside and in the dorm room besides me could hear it.

Standing up I didn't bother combing my hair or changing into some other clothes. I was just wearing black sweatpants and a dark red sweater. To my luck very few will see me because they have to be in their room.

Opening the door I quickly peeked through it and saw that no one was in the halls. This means I can go without explaining anything. Walking towards the cafeteria I get a déja vu. I was already so often here in just two days. Going in I sigh. Of course some of them had to be in here. Seeing me like this. My hair messy wearing non-formal clothes. Trying to be as quite as I could I make my way into the kitchen to see iced coffee in the fridge. My eyes lighted up slightly. I liked iced coffee, not as much not my most liked coffee but it's in my top three. Taking it out I decided to eat some bread. It's fast and easy to digest. Looking at the camera as sign to show that I ate to fulfil our promise, I finish the bread with my last bite.

This should be enough for now. I can eat later if I want to either less, I am allowed to be out at night time.
Two girls, I think this are Okano and Yada, the girls that had kitchen duty, came into the kitchen. They were in a deep conversation so I decided to go quietly around them as to not to disturb them.

With my coffee I went out and looked around me to make sure no one saw me going in the tunnel that will lead me to the library. I'm happy the lights aren't turned off, I still need to adjust myself to the building. Not that I'm planning to stay here a long time. Just in case.

Looking at my handbook I saw that it's not five minutes until night time. Then I wouldn't have to worry someone seeing me.

The library looked the same way as when I left to sleep earlier. The atmosphere and the silence too. When Korosensei voice was announcing night time I was already pulling the book that would lead me to the secret passage and the black books. Let's begin the long night.

Chapter 6: 🍋

Chapter Text

The stack of black books was getting bigger and bigger. I read it as carefully as I could but there was nothing related to this school. Only Crimes that happened outside the school.

Even though I did not plan to read all this books to get any crime information, I couldn't stop. The more knowledge I have, the better I can help.

Hypothetically, if someone does get killed, this tricks to discover a murder could help me in trials.

Will there be an execution or just a little punishment? In the books most trials ended with an execution of the killer after the murder.

Reading the eighteenth bbookof the night, I heard the annoying voice again. Already seven in the morning? That means in an hour there will be breakfast.

Already having missed the meals yesterday and looking quite unpresentable, I decide to go to my dorm room to get ready.

Making my way trough the tunnel, I look at my handbook. It made a weird sound two hours ago but back then I was way too focused on the books to look or care.

There was a little '1' next to the app where the rules are standing. Pressing on the app I saw that a rule was added.

'The maximum of the people you can kill is two.'

What is that supposed to mean? Why do we need this 'reminder'? Did something happen or did someone happen to ask? Not realising that I'm already at my door, I opened the door only to go, not before taking my uniform and underwear, straight to the shower. I didn't shower in like two or three days.

Disgusting

Ten minutes before breakfast, I heard a loud knock on my door. Going a bit unsure to where the noise came from, I opened it slightly. Peeking out I saw two familiar faces. Maehara and Karma. Come to think of, I didn't see those two at all after the incident in the gym. I was reading and sleeping and then again reading.

"Good morning, Gakushuu. We are heading to breakfast, you wanna tag along? Don't want something happening to you!" Maehara spoke while Karma stood next to him relaxed and raised a hand as a greeting. Merely nodding I close my door and tag along. Saying no would be unnecessary since I was going to go there in a minute anyway.

On the short way to the cafeteria some other students tagged along. Soon I realised what they were doing as they formed a round circle of people around me. They were making a shield to protect me from Korosensei. It seems that they are still not over it. Obviously. I feel a bit bad that personally I dont like this weird protection shield but I never need or needed protection before. Especially not from students like me.

Finally arriving at the cafeteria, you could see a lot of food at the table. Just like a fancy birthday breakfast. From everything a bit. Starting from bread to rice. We sat down and waited. Waited to be complete because there was no way someone was going to eat if someone was missing. Eight o'clock breaks in and there were still five people missing. That might not be much but you could feel how everyone was a bit tense and didn't talk, afraid something happened to them.

"Guys, I'm starting to feel anxious. It's already almost 9 am and one person still isn't here." While waiting for almost an hour four girls came in excusing themself that they slept in. We asked them if they saw the missing person but their answer was a simple no.

The food was still untouched. If they want to have strength today they have to eat. I feel like this is going to be a long day. A long, bad day. Standing up I sigh. I'm not a morning eater, or rather morning person, anyway. Even though I did that before to be with someone.

"You guys can eat. I will look for him. I'm not hungry anyway." Not waiting for an answer I make a motion to turn to the door. I was held back by Maehara though. In his eyes you could see the worry and uncertainty. "If you go I will come with you just to make sure my sidekick is okay, of course!" Playing his worry of with some silly words, he stands up. "I'm not hungry too so it's okay, right?"

He looked to the others who were just nodding slightly.

"I will come too. Whether you want me to or not. I'm bored in this quite place anyway." A lazy voice was heard and everyones heads turned to the owner of that voice. Karma.

It wasn't necessary to have company but of course I get it. Not that I'm annoyed but now it just feels like I'm some poor boy who can't go anywhere alone.

"Where were you last night?" Karma spoke into the silence. Looking at him he had already turned my way. Assuming that the question was for me I play dumb. There is no reason why he should know the truth.

"What do you mean? Where should I have been?" The smartest thing to do is ask questions back when you don't want to answer.

"You weren't in your room. After you went out of the cafeteria you didn't go back to your dorm. Not even after night time." was his simple answer to my questions.

Maehara now also interfered the conversation, "That's true. We saw you going to the cafeteria and then trough the tunnel a bit before night time but you never came back. At least not until one because then we went to our own rooms. Did you find something ?" From the tone of his voice I could clearly hear that he is serious right now. They were waiting for me to come back? I thought no one was there but I was wrong apparently. This is not going my way. I have no other option then tell them the truth without sounding suspicious.

"I was at the library the whole night to search through the black books. Didn't find anything important." They don't need to know about the interaction with Korosensei, they stayed outside while night time too.

I could still feel the slight disbelieve from both but that was the truth. Nothing was a lie there. For once.

"Let's knock on his dorm first, then we go to the library, then we will go to the classrooms and at last the gym." Maehara suggested. Wouldn't it be smarter if we split up? Like this we are finished earlier a d the others don't have to worry too much. Speaking my thoughts out loud I stopped walking.

"Why don't we split up then? It would fasten up the progress of finding Yoshida."

"It would but think about it. What if something happened to one of us? Maybe the same thing that happened to him." What happened with Yoshida? We don't even know if anything happened. Is he implying?

Is Karma implying that someone killed him

Sighing we make our way to Yoshidas dorm. His dorm was almost at the end of the long corridor. Next to someone named Horibe and Fuwa. Knocking on his door, I nervously tapped my foot. If he slept in I will actually be a bit mad for making me nervous but on the other side I really hope he only slept in. A sweat drop started to form on my forehead as I knocked harder and faster. Is he just a deep sleeper? Maybe if I jus-

"That's enough. Let's go to the classrooms." A hand grabbed my arm so I couldn't knock anymore. His voice sounded cold as if he is trying to hide something but if you looked closely into the red heads eyes you could see the concern and irritation. Right. Not only I am concerned and want to know the answer.

Still holding into my arm Karma turned around and motioned Maehara to follow.

"Let's check the first room we see." With that we entered the library. Going to the book that opens the extra room I pull it. I don't think he is here, I think that he shouldn't have known of this room. Going to the door both were already waiting, what meant no one in here.

This went on for three of the classrooms. Until we came to the door with a two plastered on a lottle shield above it. Trying to push it, Maehara almost walked into the door. There has to be something leaning against it. Maybe a chair? It's a classroom after all. This would mean that only Yoshida could have blocked it because everyone else is in the cafeteria. Karma, who pulled Maehara and me a bit behind him, stormed against the door where it moved.

Almost destroying school property like a real delinquent.

Now that I saw what was blocking the door I would have just wished Karma wouldn't have opened the door.

"Nyfufu." A bell, laughing.

"Dear students, a body has been discovered. All important information can be found in your handbook. You will now have a period of time to investigate. After the time is over, a trial will be held. Have fun!" The monitor turns off again.

We found him. Dead. His cold dead body was the reason the door was blocked. Nonetheless, taking a step into the room I take my handbook out of my pants and read the informations. For the sake of his dead I will stay as calm as possible and take revenge by finding his murderer.

' Victim

Name: Taisei Yoshida

Gender: Male

Hight: 1,73 cm

Weight: 63 kg

Appearance: Black hair, black eyes.

Cause of death:

Taisei Yoshida got a deep knife wound on his left chest side. There were also several cuts on his arms and legs.

Murder Weapon:

Knife

Time of death:

04:47 am

Location:

Classroom 2'

Hell, I was awake and near him when he died. How did I not hear? Was I too focused on the books to even notice how he was murdered?

I ignored the voices that were to hear outside and inside, instead I looked closely at the knife wound. It seems to be a slim knife. Probably from the kitchen. I should go and check later. The body anatomy can be checked by the nurse. I'm positive that she won't mind, she had to learn on corpses eventually. The cuts don't look old but there didn't come much blood out so we can assume that he was already dead when he got them because when you die the heart does not pump blood anymore, resulting to the blood not to splash anymore. This is a diversionary maneuver. The blood on his chest looks like someone tried to wipe it of with something.

"Excuse me. I wanted to do a body autopsy. Could you please let me go to the body?" The Ultimate Nurse Kanzaki asked me. I just moved away with a nod. I'm finished here for now. I will write down what I found out then head to the next location.

The Kitchen looked just as perfect as it looked the first day we were here. There were a few missing ingredients from breakfast but overall it looks normal. The knife wasn't found yet. That could mean the murderer either made sure that it won't be found or put it back.

There has to be a list with all utensils around here. I remember Muramatsu telling me about it but I don't know where. There goes nothing but searching.

Opening several of cabinets I finally find it. It was torn apart at the into four pieces but if you laid them next to eachother you were easily able to read everything.

How would the killer know about the list? The only one who knew was Muramatsu and me as far as I know. The list wasn't just displayed for everyone to see too.

Making a photo with my handbook for the trial, I go from the cafeteria to kitchen back and fort until I found a missing utensil. The medium kitchen knife. Judging by the knife holder the knife was too very thin. Which would match the wound.

Making a photo of it I take the knife holder thing to give it Kanzaki. This could help with defining the wound.

Next stop. Yoshidas room.

Why would he go out at night time would interest me. There could be a hint in his room. Maybe he wanted to explore and help like me?

On the way to his dorm I saw a blonde girl looking confused while standing infront of a door. Approaching her I decided to ask her some things. It couldn't hurt to see who has an alibi.

"Excuse me, I have a question for you." Looking at me she nodded, still slightly confused. "Were you in the kitchen yesterday?" first I will ask her about the knife then about the alibi. If I immediately ask her if she has an alibi, she might think I'm accusing her and that could cause some issues.

Raising an eyebrow she replied with a simple yes.

"Right. By any chances did you see a knife there?" Turning my handbook on I show her the place where the knife was supposed to be. Surprisingly she answers positively.

"Huh? I'm sure there was a knife yesterday. Around this big and this thin" making hand motions to show her words, she continued.

"Nagisa, Kayano and I wanted to make some tea for ourselves. It was around nine pm. If it's missing, do you think it's the murder weapon? In the file it says knife after all." Writing her words into my handbook I agree with her.

"Yes, that's what I thought too. Nowhere else you could've gotten a knife. Atleast in this etage." Bowing my head slightly as excuse to leave, I make my final way into Yoshidas room. Would it be opened? If not then I will figure out another way to go in. I don't care if I go against the rules to not break any school property. I'm fastly over it right now.

To my benefits the door was wide opened. This means someone is already in here. Taking a step in I didn't expect this many people to be in here. Around six or seven people were either standing on a spot looking around or actually searching. Deciding that the obvious places were already searched I look at more subtle places. As to under the carpet and a motor. Nothing to be seen there. His room wasn't as full as you would expect. It has more papers on one place and the rest was nearly empty if you don't include the big motor and building set. Going towards the garbage can in the corner I debated with myself if I should actually look in it.

Sighing I stoop down. It was a trash can that could be opened while stomping on the lifter. Pressuring a bit of my weight with my hand on the lifter it opened. Falling on my rump my eyes wide drastically. In there was a sweater sinked in blood. It was still not dry. Looking around I was still too shocked to stand up.

This is messed up. We are fucking teenagers, why in the world do we have to do this? For his enjoyment? Stop this, I hate it.

Get yourself together. Showing that your weak in such a serious situation isn't how I taught you.

A voice in my head spoke. I remember this voice. Someone. I know this someone. They are right, Yoshida didn't die for us people to simply give up.

Adding this too, even if with shaking hands, I go to the piles of papers. As someone who likes to have everything organized this was truly a nightmare. Ignoring the twitch in my eye I go through all the papers but nothing was eye catching. Well, atleast not for the investigation. I have to give it to him, some of the designs look presentable.

But still. Its disappointing. No hint was seen here.

That's when someone tapped my shoulder. Trying to keep my flinch in, I saw the duo which seem to follow me everywhere.

"You can't just go away from us! We were searching for you, we found something in his jacket pocket when Kanzaki pulled it off... you know" Maehara motioned Karma to pull out that something.

It was a blank white paper. But the paper does not look like those that Yoshida has. Yoshida either has a normal white paper or sketching paper. This looks like the ones in the notebooks that I found in my room.

"Yoshida doesn't use those. This might be from the killer. But why would they put it in his jacket? Maybe there is a secret message hidden on it?" starting to mumble I get the handbook out, writing my thoughts. It wouldn't hurt to experience a bit on it right?

"Maehara?" Looking at them for the first time after getting the paper I saw those two looking at me. Almost like they are analysing every little move. After a second or two Maehara hummed.

"Could you get me a lighter? From the kitchen I mean."

"Why would you? You know what, I trust you man I will get you one as fast as possible!" With that he runs off. He trusts me? I thought I'm rather suspicious, especially because I was out of my room while the murder happened.

"You think there is a secret message?" For the first time since those two arrived, the red head spoke up. It was a bit weird when I think about it. He suddenly went quiet. Maybe the murder pulled a toll on him too?

"Yes. The paper smells a bit sour and as you probably know, you can easily write a secret message with the liquid of lemons. Though I still dont get it why there would be a secret message when it's not even burned. Maybe it's not from the killer but from Yoshida, but-" before I could speak more he cut me off with a hand on my shoulder.

"You're mumbling again. I noticed you like to do that. But smart I thought so too. The paper was smelling way too nice for the old color it has." Squinting at the paper he continued, "We should go to the computer room next. Watch his CD, maybe it can help. Though, let's not take Maehara with us." His eyes turned a bit serious not matching his tone.

Realizing that Karma doesn't want Maehara to go back to that place, I nod. If Maehara panicked we might won't be able to get to watch the CD. The whole investigation is time limited after all.

When I wanted to speak up about my plan Maehara came running in. Looking proud of finding the lighter, which you could identify with the way he was holding the lighter up in the air. Thanking him I formed an excuse.

"Could you try to heat the paper up a bit. We have a suspicion that there is a secret message on it. We would go to investigate a bit more if you don't mind? The time is limited after all."

Luckily, he nodded understanding. Giving us a last grin. The grin looked rather forced though. After all he must be suffering right now, like the rest. It made me almost want to stay with him but we have things to do and I don't sympathy with people enough.

Walking to the computer room, Karma told me a bit of what he knows.

"I'm planning to go to Kanzaki soon. I want to know if she found something, maybe some poison? Anyways, Maehara and I didn't do much other than go through Yoshidas jacket and asking around." Slightly turning his head to me he asks "What did you find? Maybe the knife? Nobody has it found till now which is weird."

"The kitchen has an equipment list and the only thing missing from the utensils is the knife, which was probably used to kill Yoshida. That's the reason why I need to go to the ultimate Nurse too." He hummed.

"Do you have any suspicions? I do." With that he entered the computer room. Do I? Well, Muramatsu seems to be a bit suspicious at the moment. Atleast to me. He was the only one knowing about the list next to me.

Following, I see Karma already standing at the monitor with two CDs. Finally inserting it, sfter we stood in complete silent for and instant, it started.

What shocked me wasn't the video, Maehara had a similar one after all. The white hair piercing once again. What shocked me was the tentacles that attacked his family. They weren't yellow like the ones that Korosensei has, they were more of a brown-ish color. At the end of the video Korosensei popped up telling that if he wanted to see his family again, he has to get out of here. And to no ones surprise the only way to get out of here is to kill and get away with it.

"Did he say something like that in your video too?" I asked Karma who seemed to be really focused. Snapping his head to me he questions me back "Your Video didn't?"

Shaking my head I lead him to the desk with my CD and let him watch it. Karma begins to scowl when that student jumps off. His eyes turning a bit darker but then confused again since the video just ended instead of the message from Korosensei.

Before I could speak he takes my arm and drags me, once again out of the computer room. Out of the computer room, I could see that he was pulling me in the direction of his dorm room.

Entering I had little time to look around his room. It didn't look that much like the stereotypical Delinquent. I could see some study books peeking out of the bookshelf with comics and it was organized. The room had red walls and you could see some material like handles and weights to workout. As I turned my head a bit to look more, I was already dragged into the bathroom.

"Sorry for the little drag." A tiny teasing smirk split out for a second before his face turned serious again. "But I didn't want the Octupus to hear our conversation." Waiting for some reaction he looked at me before continuing after I nodded.

"You can't remember any of your friends or family, right? What if that's important somehow. I mean he also erased way more memories of you than the rest. After all I know that my name is Karma Akabane is and who my parents are." Nodding again I try to form a sentence. He is right. Maybe my memories could come against him? But-

"Maybe my family is linked to him in some way? It's weird that my family name isnt displayed anywhere and that I cant remember it." Humming he looked down.

"Let's solve this later, we have to check on Maehara and Kanzaki" with that I started going outside the bathroom, making sure he is following me.

As soon as we enter Yoshidas dorm, Maehara excitedly shows us the paper. We were correct. It has some weird message but I can't read it. Maybe it's some computer code? Nonetheless, I take a picture and add it to my notes.

"We can give it to Itona or Takebayashi! You know that dude with the headband or the dude with that weird hairstyle and glasses." Are they programmers?

"You think you can do it? We will go to Kanzaki for a second." Karma spoke.

"Leave it to me!" and with that he vanished. Maybe he is reliable after all. I had a few doubts but the paper was well burnt and he does as someone says without much questioning.

Karma and I left the room after debating what the code could be for a while. Suddenly that Terasaka dude approached us. I didn't see him since the incident at the gym. He looked nervous. He had sweat on his temple and was playing with his right index finger. Karma who caught up too saw it and started to tease him. As expected Terasaka started to scream and those two started their bickering. Though it felt more like Karma teasing him and Terasaka lashing out on the other.

Finally arriving at the classroom I see Kanzaki cleaning her utensils. She was a bit pale and her bangs were sticking on her forehead. Looking at us she asks politely if we needed anything.

"We are here to ask you a question. I was going through the kitchen before and I found that one of the knives is missing, which I'm guessing is the knife used to kill him." She politely nodded once in a while.

"The width of the knife should be about this" I clarify with my fingers, "wide at the bottom. I have a picture of the person's showing the width, if it helps." Taking my handbook out of my pocket I show her. Looking at her own notes she nodded again before speaking.

"It would fit the wound, did someone find the knife yet? No one came back other than you three." Shaking my head I motioned to the door.

"Sadly no. If you don't mind we will go investigate a bit more. Make sure to stick to a group as soon as you are finished with cleaning up." With that we bit our goodbye.

Right, so we know that it's with a high and only possibility the murder weapon. The murder weapon came from the kitchen and as far as I know only about three to five people went there. And if the blond girls testimony is right then only the two girls that had kitchen duty and I were there.

"-llo? Hello? Gakushuu?" Snapping out of it I see Maehara infront of me, he looks slightly amused. Huh? Looking around I see the boy with the glasses, Takebayashi, standing next to Maehara.

"I apologise, I was lost in my mind. What is it?" Judging by the unfamiliar company he found out about something, maybe the code. That would be impressive in such short notice but what do you expect. This are the Ultimates so I shouldn't be surprised.

"Good and bad news. Good news first! Takebayashi here can read it! Bad news... The message itself. It's about how two people, probably Yoshida and the culprit, should meet up in a classroom to explore." A trick to get Yoshida to the classroom?

"So Yoshida was tricked?" Speaking my thoughts Terasaka made himself noticable. My bad, I forgot he followed us.

"That's what I think." pushing his glasses up his nose bridge, Takebayashi pulls out another paper. "Here is the direct translation, keep it." With a mere nod he turns around and leaves.

Making a picture I add it to the other hints as I go to my notes app. Lastly, going through everything a last time before a voice spoke up

"I'm getting bored~" the principal was shown on the monitor. "Everyone the trial starts now! Go to the big yellow door in the gym that was closed and hidden till now. This will lead you to the trial room!"

The time has come.

We will find out, who the murderer of Taisei Yoshida is as revenge and to show Korosensei that this isn't a game!

Thank you

Chapter 7

Chapter Text

When I entered the elevator the atmosphere was drained. The only sounds coming from the elevator ruckus and some crying students.

I don't understand, they don't even know him? Trying to avenge him, alright, but actually crying and moping around?

Rolling my eyes, I watched the door open infront of us. Squinting my eyes a bit at the change of light, you could see stands out of wood that were formed into a circle. I'm guessing that's where we will stand while debating.

Finally stepping out of the elevator I see the disturbing picture. On the right side of the circle, of my perspective, was a picture of the victim, a cross in yellow drawn on his face.

Is this supposed to be humorously?

Drawing my eyes from it, I go back to looking around, analysing the room. The walls were covered with several motorcycle components.
Guessing it's because of Yoshidas talent.

Slowly wandering my eyes to somewhere else, I see the person behind this. The principal, Korosensei.

That creepy smile of his, doesn't fit the atmosphere at all.

"Seems like my dear students have arrived, so let's start with the class trial. But before that the rules!", screaming the last words he sat up.

"One! Getting in position, you will start discussing and point fingers at others. Until you come to a conclusion who the killer might be and how the crime scene was build up. So listen closely.

Two! If you have a split opinion in your class we will deal with it by starting a closed argument between the two opinion. Team Blue and Team Red.

Three! If the blackened is found out, they will get their punishment for breaking the seventh rule. But if you don't find out who the right blackend is, everyone but the blackend will be executed while the blackend gets to escape.

Four! If you choose to be an alibi or accomplice for the murder, you won't be executed because only the killer will be executed."

Looking around, with that weird smile of his, Korosensei began to slunp down again.

"Well, take place dear students of mine."

Deciding to make the first move the delinquent moves forward with relaxed shoulders. If you look closely you could see his face tensing up though.

Seeing no point in waiting, I make my way to one of the stand. Seeing names printed on them, as if the murder was actually planned for this, I find my own stand that was too close to Korosensei for my liking.

Though it took a couple of moments, everyone eventually took their place.

It was awfully quite, with no one wanting to start and I can't blame them. This, what I wished would never happen, is way too cruel for teenage students.

The silence is insufferable. Almost making me want to choke on air and disappear to escape this intolerable atmosphere. The air too shallow, clothes too sticky and every little sound from a slight movement of a students obnoxious.

I have to stop this or we might really die.

"So," I start safely, "We should start talking and discussing." Blunt. It took a while for someone to speak up and to my surprise it wasn't the expected two, Karma and Maehara.

"I'm suspicious of someone" , the boy with that weird hair and talks. If I remember correctly the others called him Itona. He had white hair and piercing green-ish eyes, short built. And he stared at me. If I wasn't used to getting glared at, I might would have had shivered a bit.

"Well tell us bastard." Terasaka. Did those two make up? Or are they still silently fighting?

"I think I'm not the only one that thinks that way." he shortly stopped looking at me and I knew immediately. "The majority of us have been thinking this. Gakushuu, why are you the only one in contact with Korosensei? You dont seem afraid of him the slightest." Yeah, why am I not afraid?

Hearing a few affirmations from several other students, I try to collect my answer as fast as possible.

"Because he is pathetic." Eyes on me again, some dumbfounded, some scowling and one pair of amused eyes.
"Why should I be afraid of someone who forgot to give us the keys to our dorms and started helping me making excuses as to why I suddenly have them?"

"Gaksuhuu!" Korosensei, who also stared dumbfounded at first, screamed, regaining his usual posture.

"You seem to forget what I'm capable of." Capable of? How should I know that?

Before I could speak up, a girl with green hair spoke up.

"Then why are you the only one that has their first name on the door? You stand out the most." If I remember correctly she is named Kayano Kaede, Ultimate talent yet unknown to me.

But what she said is true, I stand out. Is that really my fault though? After all I'm not the one who hung up my name tag on the door.

"I don't know. But is that really relevant right now? We can talk about this after the trial." If we make it out of here that is. Why my first name is on the name tag isn't why we are here after all.

"Gakushuu is right! Our main goal is to get the culprit not what mystery is in him!" Maehar spoke up.

"Yoshida, a classmate of ours got killed and we should focus on that."

Silence.

"Right," Kataoka started, her voice stern, "let's focus on Yoshida. How about we start with who we saw outside the last?"

"Well, Yada and I had kitchen duty yesterday. The last people that we saw were Rio, Nagisa, Kayano and Gakushuu." Spoke a girl with short hair.

The name on the stand saying Okano. She was sweating and her feet were constantly moving making her shift left and right. Squinting my eyes at her for a moment I realise that the suspicion on me is still there.

"Oh yes, we made tea and went back into our dorm together." spoke the same girl that I spoke to before, Rio Nakamura.

Turning their heads to me I had the full attention on me again. What should I say? Will they believe that I was at the library the whole time? Can I ask Korosensei to confirm that I was at the library?

"I was at the library the whole night. Since Korosensei set a curfew I also asked him if I'm allowed to stay at the library for the night." Hoping that Korosensei confirms I looked at the doubtful faces.

To my luck, for once, the annoying teacher spoke up, "That's right! He asked his favourite teacher of all times and how could I say no?" Dramatically he made a turn.

"Especially if he spend the whole night reading those secretive black book." Making wild gestures with his tentacles as he spoke.

"Guess Gakushuu has an alibi now." Karma spoke up smirking. Just then I noticed how I made the principal give me an alibi. A slight smirk made it's way to my face looking at him.

His face getting blunt. Before you could hear a scream. Covering my ears I look at him. He was looking sulky now, repeatedly touching his tentacle finger, or how ever you call it, against his throne.

"Gakushuu I can't believe you would do such thing, manipulating me! I thought we had a good relationship!" With a last cry he stopped, mentioning to continue with his sad tentacle.

"Gakushuu is safe then." looking around the blue haired boy said,"But what now? Yada and Okano were together and teaming up wouldn't get them anywhere."

The rest of the students nod in affirmation. But maybe they did team up.

"Doesn't anyone think it's weird that Yoshida was outside at such time?" Chiba, a boy with covered eyes.

And an argument started

"There weren't any blood traces inclining that the murder happened in his dorm room." Mimura. I think I saw him standing in Yoshidas room before. He was filming a video of the room.

"And there was a lot of blood in the classroom too! But no where near the area. Hazama and I looked through every corridor for blood!" Kurahashi. The girl with that bug sticker.

"So he was killed in the classroom. Now what?" Terasaka began looking a bit mad. As expected of him.

"What if he was planning to meet up with someone?" Isogai spoke up. My eyes suddenly widened and I remembered the code.

"I agree." I stated, "Karma and Maehara actually found a paper in Yoshidas Jacket." Taking out the paper I showed it to them. Some were confused but Takebayashi quickly explained.

"It's a coded message. It's about how they should meet up and explore. Yoshida was probably tricked into meeting up with the culprit and then he was killed..."

Suddenly, Muramatsu chimed in, "But is it really from the culprit?" Huh, "It's not like I was listening on purpose but when Karma and Maehara gave Gakushuu the paper it wasn't burned yet." That. That is correct. I didn't think about it before, I was rather focused on wanting to know what the message says. But what does it mean?

"But does that really matter? It has to be the culprits!" Hara.

"Why else would Yoshida have the paper?" Sugino asks.

"How did he read it then?Kurahashi talks back.

Wait a minute. That's right, maybe not what she meant but how did he read the code? Or who else could write such code? Maehara said that it's most likely that Itona and Takebayashi can read it, but are we sure there isn't anyone else? Just because it's not their Ultimate talent doesn't mean they don't understand it. But that would take me back to square one.

Everyone could be the killer!

"It seems that the class is split into two opinions! Let's start with the Closed Argument! Please choose if you want to be on Team Red, the ones that think the culprit wrote it or Team Blue, who think the culprit wasn't the one writing it!"

Feeling the stand that I'm standing on move I quickly clings my hand to it. Choosing with the other hand, which is not clinging, I choose the blue team. To my surprise Karma was on the red team. I hope he didn't choose red just because of his hair.

And when everyone was levitating and infront of eachother, it began.

"The note says that he should meet up with the culprit! How else would he know?" Kimura, from the red team. This should be easy to counter.

"That could have been told privately!" Stern voice. Hayami, blue team. True it could have been discussed beforehand. That would make sense, actually-

"But why would the paper exist then?" A nervous voice rang. Okuda, red team. Yes, why does the letter exist then? Many reasons actually.

"The note could be from someone else who originally planned to investigate with him bastards!" Terasaka, blue team.

"Stop with the vulgar language will you, angry bird? I think the culprit gave it to him as reminder." Karma. As reminder? And angry bird, really? He looks like the red one as well.

"But why would he give it to him in code then. Takes a lot more time to read the code and you would have to heat it up a bit." Nagisa, the boy with the blue hair on the blue team. True but the possibility that it still be a reminder that he just didn't need yet, is still standing.

"But who else? Do you really think he wanted to give it to someone?" Someone. Exactly. Now that I think about it, didn't Yoshida write something like that in his drawings. Hand reaching my pocket I take my handbook out, looking for a picture I made.

Here. You could see a code sprawled across the paper. At first I thought it might have been calculations but if you look at it closely you can see a certain pattern.

"Exactly! And I can prove it with this." Before I could show what I found, we were pulled down again.

Korosensei only mumbling something about the blue team winning, still sulking.

So it's confirmed. Yoshida can read and write in code.

"When investigating Yoshidas dorm room I found a lot of papers. At first I didn't think much about a specific paper, thinking it were mere calculations. But if you look closely it looks like a code, doesn't it?" I show the picture around before passing it over to Takebayashi. Who seemed to be concentrating on the code.

"You guys should continue, give me a minute." timidly he took out his handbook and started typing.

"Then let's think he did write the paper. Why didn't he give it to someone? He was just in the classroom by accident or?" Rio. She has a point unless-

"Hey!" Maehara shouted, "We should talk about the murder weapon instead, no?" Yes. The murder weapon, which was yet to be found.

"It was a knife right? Don't you only find them in the kitchen?" Fuwa.

"That's right! But strangely this morning one knife was missing. And it's not easy to find them without the utensil list." Muramatsu. Come to think of-

"Weren't Yada and Okano on kitchen duty yesterday?" Sugino.

"What?" Yada screamed, "I would never do such thing as murdering!" Suddenly almost everyone was speaking against each other.

"You and Okano could have easily searched around the kitchen!" Sugaya.

"But I would never kill anyone!" Okano.

"When I was in the kitchen with Nagisa and Kayano yesterday, I'm pretty sure I saw the knife in one of the corners when searching for tea." Rio.

"Doesn't that make you suspicious? You are the only one knowing where they were!"

Wait.

"No that's wrong!" I start, interrupting Hara, "She isn't the only one. Muramatsu please answer truthfully..."

Nervously he looks at me, his eyes slightly unfocused.

"I'm not gonna accuse you, don't worry. My question is, did you tell anyone other than me about the utensil list?" Other than him and me because if no one else knew about it, then it would have been one of us three. Muramatsu, Rio or I. Though I have an alibi it could still be doubted because Korosensei gave it.

Stammering a bit, he tries to remember. Something seems to ring because suddenly his head snaps up, "Wait a second, the only other person that I told about the list was Yoshida!"

What. I circled down everyone but Yoshida. But then again, it would fit to my theory that he wanted to meet up with someone first. Did Yoshida want to kill someone first?

As if he can read my thoughts, Takebayashi chimes in, speaking against the silence that formed.

"Gakushuu was right. It is a message and I don't know if you guys will be happy about this." Pushing his glasses up his high nose bridge he starts.

"Dear Yoshida, I know that we both are currently suffering. Both our families are living through the same fate. I have a plan, you have to trust me though. Meet me at the classrom with a two. Make sure no one sees you. Together we will investigate." He stops for a second, taking a deep breath.

"Yours, Muramatsu." Everyone, excluding me, looked at Muramatsu. But I was interested in something else.

Looking at Takebayashi I take in the information.

"Doesn't the other letter, the one that Yoshida had, sound awfully similar. Almost as if it's the answer to the letter. Both are talking about meeting up and investigating." I tell.

Honestly, this is complicated. My gut feeling is telling me it wasn't Muramatsu but everything we spoke about till now speaks against him.

"I don't think Muramatsu is the culprit though." with that all heads snap to me.

"What do you mean it's not that bastard. Aren't you supposed to be smart?" Terasaka.

"Me too. I don't think it was Muramtsu." Karma.

Finally. I thought he was never going to say anything. Not that I care much but I investigated with him and he seemed to be smart enough, despite his Ultimate.

"But I wouldn't rule Muramtsu out completely. I don't think he killed him. Rather that, I think it was supposed to go the other way around." Other way around?

"What do you mean by that Karma?" Isogai spoke up with a sheepish smile, clearly trying to understand Karmas way of thinking.

"Well that's because I saw Muramatsu go back to the dorms with another person about half an hour after the murder occurred."

...

and I snapped. Well, inside my head.

WHY WOULDNT HE SAY THAT BEFORE???

"Why were you outside at that time, didn't we go to our dorms at the same time?" Maehara asks confused. And truly, I'm confused too. What would he do outside?

"I was making sure everyone would go to their dorms and a few people were still missing at the time. So simply I waited till around 6 am." He was smirking. His smirk almost as if he was amused that he hid his knowledge about something important like that.

"What the fuck?!" Terasaka. Seriously what is it with him and his vulgar language and shouting. It's giving me a headache.

"Didn't you say he was with another person? Who was it?" Nagisa questioned him.

"I don't know." He simply shrugged.

He. Doesn't. Know.

"Muramatsu was covering them with a cloth but you could smell a disturbing smell." And he didn't think about telling someone? Is he lying? But Muramatsu is painfully silent.

"Why didn't you go up to them if you smelled something iffy?" At that Karma seemed to not know how to answer. His hands twitched slightly, eyes darting around the room.

"That's because he was focused on waiting for a certain someone!" Korosensei. Who would he wait for?

"That someone didn't show up till this morning so of course he was worried!" At that Karma blushed ever so slightly, clearly embarrassed. Coughing a bit I try to move the attention to the real mystery right now.

"Muramatsu can you tell us who you were with then?"
He didn't answer. My patience is slowly running out. Seriously, can't he just confess what haplened?

"Fine. Don't answer me. I will find out if you want me to or not." With that I go through my handbook again. Searching for evidence. Then it hit me, when I saw the picture of blood soaked fabric.

"You covered the person you were with because they had blood on them didn't you? Scared that if you come across someone they would see it. To our luck and your misfortune, someone was outside and smelled the blood." Feeling my eyes brighten dangerously and lips thinning I continue, ignoring the wide eyes majority of the class threw at me, "the person had to be wearing a white turtleneck sweater, am I right?" my eyes practically glowing I look around to find someone that i remember wearing a turtleneck sweater. Before I could remember by myself, someone spoke up, though hesitating a bit.

"Didn't-" Cutting herself off Okano took a deep breath, "Yada, you were wearing one during the kitchen duty." her eyes were looking at Yada now. Betrayed and maybe a bit scared.

"I swear that is just a coincidence!" Yada tried to defend herself but Okano was right. I saw them at the kitchen yesterday and the two clothes look identical, minus the blood.

"Guys?" Kanzaki spoke up. I remember now that she didn't really contribute in the trial till now. Which is weird, she did have one of the most important roles here.

"Karma said that maybe Yoshida tried to kill Muramatsu right?" A few nods, "I think I can prove that she was at the crime scene." Prove?

Motioning for her to continue, she starts explaining.

"I didn't think it was weird before but today a few after six am, when I was taking a walk, Yada asked me to lend her a few bandages."

"For what would she need bandages for though?" Nagisa.

"What does this have to do with the trial?" Itona, looking as unexpressive as ever

Does she think that she was attacked before killing Yoshida?

Hearing a sigh I see Muramatsu holding his head in his hands.

Is he giving up?
Are we close to the end?

Making me flinch slightly, Muramatsu looks into my eyes saying, "You know don't you? You are already looking at me as if you know exactly what happend."

Do I? I do. Why am I trying to not understand? Maybe it's that I don't want to think someone here would actually kill someone else. Trying to live in denial, ignoring what was right infront of us this whole time. From the key missing, which we didn't take into account before, to the knife missing to the torn utensil list. From the location of the murder to the turtleneck sweater to the letter. To the fate of everyones loved ones, family who get tortured or are dead at the moment. I ignored it.

The principal, Korosensei, tricked us all. The gloomy look Yoshida wore the whole time, his hands clammy almost dropping the plates he took off me. Sending me away to talk to Muramatsu alone. I should have known.
I could have prevented it.

I could have given Yoshida comfort too.
I could have made sure everyone was at their dorm like Karma tried.

But I was selfish.

Selfish, selfishly trying to find clues.

"Goody-two-shoes?" A loud obnoxious voice brought me out of the depressing thought spiral.

Karma who looked at me, his eyes sharp, almost looking concerned. As if, we are rivals.

What? Since when are we rivals?

"What is it, delinquent?" I mock his words. Something is familiar, this kind of banter with him to be specific. As if it happens often. But we only know each other for barely three days. Maybe he just reminds me of someone? But the rival thing-

"Would you like to share with the class? Tell us." His voice still teasing but I could sense that he was curious.

Taking a deep breath I started.

"This is what happened!

After we were at the computer room, a lot of us suffered. Feeling burdened, scared or were feeling depressed. Yoshida wasn't feeling much diffrent. His family getting tutored made him feeling burdened,making him longing to save them. Muramatsu knew that, knew the feeling. That's when the plan started. If they would have written in kanji, a diffrent alphabet or a diffrent language, there might have been someone understanding it. To their ill-luck we have someone who could read teir exchange, where they planned something. Something to get out of here. But they knew that the only way out of here at the moment, is killing someone. So they searched for a victim.

If Yoshida wanted to kill Muramatsu behind his back, which I'm assuming, he would have taken revenge for him too. That is for sure.

But their plan didn't go as planned. Yoshida having the knife in his hold, it was probably suspicious to Muramatsu already. That is when I think Yada came. Saving Muramtsu but killing Yoshida, getting hurt in the process.

During the murder, Yoshida and Yada both struggled, leading Yada to get hurt by the knife while taking the knife over. To treat the wound she went to Kanzaki asking for the bandages.

Not knowing what to do, covered with blood, Yada probably wanted it to not be too obvious he died because of stabbing. Not knowing that he was already dead and not much blood would come out of his body.

Muramatsu, who basically owed something to Yada for saving him, helped her. Helped her get out of the classroom, not before taking Yoshidas dorm key. Again to their misfortune Karma who waited for a certain someone saw them. Too focused on his task to not notice what is going on.

Arriving, Yada changed clothes and probably showered. That is when she went to Yoshidas room. Opening it with the key and disposing her turtleneck sweater in his trash bin. I'm guessing she closed and locked the door. Thinking that if no one has the key, no one can enter and find her cloth. What she didn't know is that Korosensei opened it to let us investigate!

So confess you two.

You are responsible for the death of Taisei Yoshida!"

Finishing my conclusion I saw Yadas slight smile, teary eyed. She gave up, knowing that it won't help fighting back. Muramatsu as teary eyed as her, nodding, signaling something to Yada.

"It's crazy isn't it? That I was able to kill him- I mean. It feels like I was brainwashed. Not seeing properly, only the knife directed at Muramatsu and then at me. But I can't lie, I'm relieved you figured it out. Otherwise I would live forever with the guilt knowing you guys died because of me, Yoshida included." I heard sniffles beside me and my left eye twitched.

"Yada!" The principal whines as he continues, "That was beautiful- but also a lie wasn't it? You knew why you killed him, not only because of Muramatsu and self defense."

Ashamed Yada looked down.

"Now my dear students, let's watch Yadas motive video!" Suddenly the room went dark until a big monitor turned on. Way to bright. The video louding.

"Oh who do we have here?" a familiar voice spoke. You could see a little boy. Sitting on a hospital bed. Pale and thin. I looked over to Yada, her eyes shut tightly.

"It would be a shame if something would happen to him wouldn't it?" Turning around I recognise the man. He was pictured in one of the black book. A criminal. Akira Takaoka. He was known for his 'incredible' teaching abilities. Almost getting called the Ultimate Trainer, which got later on stolen from a colleague named Tadaomi Karasuma.

After that he went crazy, going as far to abusing and almost killing them during training. Can I find the white haired male from Yoshidas and Maeharas video in one of the books too? I have yet to read around 12 more black books.

"If you want to see your brother healthy and living you better hurry up and escape!" his smile unsettling, it looked innocent like a smile of a parent.

No wonder. Threatening us, making us see black and red. Making us kill eachother. This is just some sick game to them. A sick game from Adults. Sick Adults and their ways to destroy a childs life.

The monitor turned off. Only thing you could hear were a few sniffles and Yadas apologys. I have to. I have to do something.

"Yada," I turn to her, making her stop apologising, "whatever is about to happen. I promise you that we will avenge you. We will save your brother." A smile. A small one. But that is enough to make me see that she is grateful, she did maybe give up covering for herself but she won't give up on her brother.

Shout of agreement are heard, till Maehara speaks up, his words making even me smile slightly, "And not only you're brother but also Yoshidas and everyone elses loved ones. We are in this together!" Together.

But. You are wrong Maehara. You guys will be together. I don't belong here, in this class, it isn't where I'm originally supposed to be.

That doesn't mean I don't want to help though. After all I just promised and I'm someone who doesn't break their promises.

The moment too beautiful to last forever, was interrupted through the reason that we had to vote. Vote for the killer of Yoshida.

Toka Yada.

The machine next to Korosensei shows us that we were correct. A part of me wanted it to be wrong. But this is real life. I have to get a grip, not get attached to them like this, wanting to be sad even though I don't know her.

"Ready for your punishment?" Korosensei asks. He didn't look as happy as I would think he would be, his voice less enthusiastic.

"What punishment do the culprits get?" Questions Isogai, his voice quivering a bit.

"Maybe a ritual?"Hazama. She didn't really speak during the trial. Maybe she doesn't want to be involved in this? But.

"An execution." My heart dropped. The theory my half asleep mind made was right. The culprit will face an execution just like the killers in the books.

My breath was getting sharper and shorter. I can't make this about me. I should go to Yada, try to protect her from the execution. But I can't. My feets are stuck to the ground, the invisible glue glimmering under my shoes, almost making fun of me for not being able to move.

Suddenly Yada was pulled into a tunnel by two figures. A well built man and a shorter woman. Analysing the situation, still not being able to move anything but my head, I recognise the man.

That is Tadeomi Karasuma. Is he also on the same side? But I'm sure I read that he is training students at the moment. Squinting my eyes I took in how robotic he moves. Stiffly and always regularly.

Shifting my attention to the woman, I saw her blond long hair and her white uniform, which is kind of short but he won't judge, her choice. To his disappointment she walked just as robotic and you couldn't make out any more.

Feeling a touch on my shoulder, I see Maeharas hand on it. Karma standing on the other side, as the monitor turned on again, revealing Yada infront of a hospital.

Out of nowhere multiple green and red robots, that suspiciously looked like man were displayed. Perverts. Is that her fear or one of them?

Seeing her run towards the door to escape she pulls and pushed but nothing happens.

It's locked.

She had not choice but to climb up. Those disgusting pigs following her with perverted expressions. Suddenly hands sticking out the window were trying to grab her. Dodging them she climbs and climbs. If he wasn't aware of the situation he would be amazed at how she is using her Ultimate Talent to her advantage.

"Brother!" Her voice full of hope. I saw it too. The same boy that was in the video of the motive, was standing at the window Yada was hanging on.

All hope seem to disappear when her brother betrays her.

Pushes her. Making her lose her grip on the railing. Falling about 30 stories. Not before colliding with some of the Perverts. And then I really wished Maehara or Karma covered my eyes.

She makes contact with the ground. Her limbs turned. Her neck snapped making it loose. Blood coming out of her temple, leg where her bone was sticking out making even more blood come out of her and her arms which were turned it multiple direction. Her Ponytail messy, loose, slowly turning her brown hair even darker. Eyes closed.

What caught my attention the most though, was her slight smile.

Smiling.

Smiling because she got to see her brother standing, instead of sickly laying in his bed, before she died.

I want to puke. Scream. Cry.

But I dont. I look at people faces. Disturbed, crying, panicking. Despair. That's all I felt.

That's all I felt when I went to my dorm room.

Ignoring everyone.

That's all I felt when Korosensei announced that it's night time.

That's all I felt when I changed my clothes and brushed my teeth.

That's all I felt, even when I wanted to vomit the food I didn't eat today.

That's all I felt when I finally passed out.

And in the end.

That's what we all felt at the moment.

Don't back down now Gakushuu.

Chapter 8: 💪

Chapter Text

I wake up.

I look around my closet as I search for my uniform.

But should I really wear it?

It is not like it is a normal school or a normal school day. Not to mention, many other students did not wear their uniforms.

Like Yada.

But then again, it is always better to keep a professional and collected appearance.

It is also way too early to head towards the cafeteria. As it seems, earlier then the in the near furture coming, everyday morning announcement.

So technically night time.

Though it's forbidden to go outside during nighttime and would go against our own rule to follow Korosenseis rules, I go outside.

Afterall, I will not get punished and I will not kill anyone like he wants us to.

I realised Korosensei is just a joke anyways.

A cruel one.

Suddenly, the image of Korosensei during Yadas execution appears infront of my eyes. He did not have that crazy overbearing presence at that time. He looked rather gloomy and cheerless then happy, almost as if-

No.

I am just overthinking again. He is the one that is trying to force us to kill eachother- and succeeded once. We did not choose or accept that kind of fate. A fate that will lead us to the path of drowning despair.

He did.

However, I can not help but think that maybe he is not the real mastermind behind all of this. It might be the fact that we still do not know much about him- and the almost concerned look he gave me in the library.

Still, he is keeping us locked up and tries giving us motivation to kill eachother. If not the mastermind than an accomplice. He is never gonna get any sympathy or quite the similar from me.

There were already two deaths within this class in the span of only a few days. The terror is caused by him or by his help.

Whatever. I do not have enough clues to back up any of my spontanous theories, which is why I should not tell anyone about this. If I am right and Korosensei finds out, I am surely going to be in trouble. Besides, we already have a lot going on in our heads after the tragedy.

Finally clothed well and opening my dorm door, I slowly looked around the hallway. Making sure no one sees me and asks any not-wanted questions.

With my guard high, I decide to explore more. The first day we arrived here we already discovered a lot of important clues. If it is important might be debatable though. But for an example the metal bars next to the gym, that I remember Terasaka reported.

Maybe they are opened by now?

Making my way to the destination, I hear the morning announcement, which means the other students will arrive at the cafeteria close to an hour. Though I do not want to worry them with my absence, this is way more important and it's not like I am going to take long.

Because when I looked ahead of me I saw that the metal bars are indeed up, making me able to enter the other side.

Seems like my theory is right afterall, huh?

The stairs were painted in an unsettling black, which was making my reflection shine back at me. I will have to look for some concealer because the outline of me eyebags are currently staring back at me harder than my actual eyes.

The walls were coated with a basic white color, including a few medals hanging there. They look familiar. Carefully reading every single medal that is hanging, I finally fully climbed the stairs.

It looked normal. Almost underwhelming. The corridor was blank, just plainly white with a shiny floor.

To my surprise there were not any cameras directed at the corridor and no monitor.

Does that mean it is similar to a dead spot?

We could do as we want here and Korosensei would not have a chance of knowing what is going on.

Turning around I went downstairs. As much as I want to explore the new opened area, the corridor is really long and the more we are the more we can find and explore.

Maybe we will find a similar clue as the letter.

Which reminds me, Korosensei should still be in the dark that I have it. I could blackmail him into giving us information.

Should I push it?

No. I tried to blend it out as much as possible but the way Yada died was brutal and as much as I do not care about living, atleast at the moment, being brutally killed like that isn't something I wish to experience.

When I arrive at the cafeteria Muramatsu was already running around. It was kind of nostalgic how he synchronized with the kitchen and a female student named Hara right now.

If I remember correctly, she is really good at serving. Or creating a great looking meal.

The Ultimate crafter.

Most of her clothes, that she wore till now, are supposedly made by herself.

"Gakushuu!" A surprised voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Hara was standing infront of me, balancing six plates stacked with food. Pursing my lips a bit upon the food, I take two of the plates from her and set it.

"I didn't expect anyone to stand up and go to the cafeteria. This early too! Did you get enough sleep?" Her tone makes it sound like she was lightly scolding me.

Hypocritical of her. Her eyes were swollen and the place under her eyes were slightly painted with a feverish red. Her sweater crinkled and her hair a bit messy, which could also be the result from the hectics of the kitchen.

Speaking of kitchen.

"Ah I slept enough. I just woke up earlier than expected." I turned my head to her. "Do you need some help?"

Nodding while letting a heavy sigh leave her mouth she starts talking about how difficult it is to keep up with an Ultimate cook. Especially when he wants to make multiple dishes, so that everyone can choose something to their likings.

"Even though Muramatsu didn't kill anyone, he feels guilty." Hara mutters before making her way to the table.

Well, that does not surprise me.

Many people would feel guilty if they helped a murderer or the potential murder of their own multiple classmates.

Helping them, I could slowly see different students walk inside. Head hanging low. Only few muttering an unenthusiastic good morning before sitting down.

I do not know if it would be hypocritical of me to say it because I feel the same negative emotions as they most likely do too but they should not let despair take over them completely.

No one but we ourselves can do something to escape together.

Atleast that is what I hope for.

I feel numb, yes. I seriously want to change my positions with the dead classmates, though that is disrespectful.

But I will not let despair take over me fully. I can not stop hoping for our good end. If everyone is lost in the clouds of despair, we will not make it out of here alive.

Being lost in thoughts, I did not notice someone approaching me. It was Hara. Her eyes still holding a kind of worry.

Still, you could see that she is not holding into despair as much as some of the others.

"Are you sure you slept enough? You are really pale, well even paler than before." What is it with this class and empathy? Most of them seem to care about eachother already. Taking you in, caring about your wellbeing, asking you how you are doing.

Annoying. ( Is it though? )

I only nod. Not wanting to have this conversation. I slept enough. The last thing I need right now is anyones attention on my current flaws.

Though I do need attention to tell them about the new discovery of the second etage.

It is a rule we made up before.

To our luck- and relief- everyone arrived to breakfast.

You could see some eating while others picked on their food. Only very few were chatting. Me included.

Hazama, the Ultimate writer, started it. It came a bit surprising but it was pleasant. Especially because we share a similar liking in books.

Suddenly, I remember the reason I am staying longer than needed. Excusing myself to Hazama, I try to get everyones attention.

Which honestly, was not difficult seeing that it was pretty quiet.

"As soon as we all finished breakfast, we should go explore. I woke up a bit earlier and saw that the gate, which was closed before, is now opened. Which proves the theory that we have to 'achieve' something to get through them."

Some nodding, some surprised, some quite. The atmosphere not changing.

"Alright. Let's clean up together and start right away. I hope we are going to find some more important clues this time." said Nagisa, to my surprise, with shining eyes.

Hope.

Walking up the stairs as a group, I kept wondering about Korosensei. Though I told myself that it does not make any sense over and over again, my head just does not want to listen.

Fully invested with my own thoughts, I did not notice the person infront of me coming to a halt.

Walking into the shorter boy, to be exact the boy who directly stated his suspicions about me, I startle the slightest.

Not letting me apologise, he turned around and spoke directly with no hesitation or emotion.

"Let's investigate together."

It's probably just to keep an eye on me.

Still, I will not give him the satisfaction of winning. Do not have anything to hide anyway.

"Alright. Lead the way." Observing everyone separate into little groups I see Maehara waving to me, instructing me to join his group, containing Isogai, Kataoka and he himself.

Motioning my head towards Itona Horibe, he seemed to get the hint fastly.

Good, it would have been a hassle to explain why he is investigating with the white haired student.

"Let's go." With that short sentence he walked to the right, the walls becoming more and more darker until they are black.

Midway we saw two doors, with each a person on it.

Obviously school toilets.

Seeing that Itona was continuing to walk, I grab him by his left shoulder.

Even if they are just toilets I want to investigate everywhere.

"Let's take a look. I have a weird feeling about this toilet." His usual monotone face shifting ever so slightly, as he answered.

"It is a toilet. What could it possibly have." The last sentence sounded more like a statement then a question but I entered the room at the right with the supposed male human symbol anyways.

Something about that door makes me remember.

Remember.

The bathroom was modern and elegant. But it smelled disgusting. Not of urine but of something rotting.

Which was the first red flag.

"It smells." Itona said, really helpful.

He lightly shoved me behind himself, which was surprising, and pointed to the corner of a mirror.

"There is a drop of blood."

It is not much but noticeable enough and the next red flag.

Carefully, he nears the mirror and I hesitantly follow him once again. With every step the rotten smell increases, Itona even puts his hand infront of his nose and mouth.

What the hell happened in here? The smell is seriously obnoxious.

While Itona reached out his hand to the corner of the mirror I turn around. I have to find the reason of the smell.

Smell. Smell. Smell.

I open the first door on the left. A normal toilet.

I open the second door on the left. A normal toilet.

I open the third.

A normal toilet. But there are writings.

That's weird. Is this some sick joke of Korosensei? There is no way someone beside me and itona entered this room and wrote this. It is not only disrespectful but also disturbing.

On the wall was written about the exact ways on how to cut off limbs in a safe medical way.

It was written with red paint. The writing looked awful, cruel. It brought back those thoughts after the execution of Yada Touka and I realize that this might be about her and her broken limbs.

I should take a picture and confront everyone later.

Slowly I turned around. Itona was crouched under the sink, so I continued.

Slowly I open the fourth door to the left.

A normal bathroom. I let a breath out.

Slowly I open the fifth door to the left and the last door.

As I opened the door, I could finally tell what was rotting. But now that I saw what the reason of the smell is, was it worth it?

It was a limb. An arm. Blood and dirt adorning the single arm.

"Itona." I call out, my voice sounding too strained to my likings.

"I know what is rotting." Though I could not see him I heared him coming near. His footsteps almost obnoxiously loud next to the silence standing in the room. Stopping next to me he let's out an almost inaudible gasp. It was quiet and short but it sounded horrorfied.

"You were right. Something was and is weird with this bathroom. Let's call a meeting as soon as we are finished with our investigation." I nod.

Can I continue to investigate after seeing this?

The answer is, I have to. I promised to get out of here and help save Yadas and Yoshidas loved ones.

And I am a man of my word, I will no0t break my promises.

"Let's continue our way." Stepping out of the room, not before taking a picture, I head straight.

Around seventy steps, we encounter a golden door. It had written entrance on it. We shared a look before he grabbed the handle and opened it. The lights were dim and it smelled like laundry detergent.

It was a washroom.

The washing machines were obviously turned off, seeing that no one was able to enter this etage before.

To both of our surprise, no one but two people were here and they were chatting, not noticing us or atleast purposely not acknowledging us.

Listening to what they are saying, I stop looking around the room.

"Come with me, here is nothing interesting." Itona interrupted my listening on what the two students, which he identified with Mimura and Okajima, were talking about.

Going out of the room we turn left, only to be greeted with the next room. This time the door was a basic, heavy metal door.

Entering the room, I feel myself getting a bit fascinated and cold. The room was much more interesting than the previous one and way more full with objects and momentarily students.

It was a storage but not a normal one. The room was bombarded with many shelfs, which were almost impossibly high and all stacked to the brim.

Itona and I made our way through diffrent shelves, sometimes taking pictures if deemed worthy or stopping to talk to some of the there present students.

Among unnecessary stuff, as in a toilet seat with a leopard pattern, there were multiple helpful and interesting objects. Itona seemed to agree as he took notes on his handbook and even took a few small things with him, carrying them in a pastic bag- which was also taken from one of the shelves.

Not paying enough attention to my surroundings, Itona stopped me while staring at the two girls in the corner, which I could identify as Hazama and the Ultimate biologist, Kurahashi.

They were whispering among themselves, while occasionally sparing a glance at the door.

"What are you doing?" Asks Itona, completely uncaring of interrupting their conversation.

"Nothing!" Shouted Kurahashi.

"Then why are you two whispering to eachother?" Itona interferes again.

"Can we not have a conversation without screaming?" Hazama was looking the slightest bothered.

Are they hiding something?

"Alright, then you two will not have anything against investigating with us?" Itona narrowed his eyes.

"Why not? We got nothing to hide." The smile Kurahashi added did not make it better. It was wobbly and unsure.

Nonetheless, the newly formed group of four that contains me, makes their way back to the corridor with multiple directions. Since we all went right first, we chose the left path next.

I am scared that it will contain yet another limb...

This time the corridor was shorter and we soon faced the next door. On it you could see the same water symbol that is shown in my dorms bathroom. A little wave.

Entering the room we got greeted with yet another two doors. This time they had the male and female symbol, clearly two locker rooms.

Sharing a look we each went to the door of our own gender. The male one was colored in blue and looked a bit scratched up and had a loose handle, making me anxious that there really was something cruel again.

Opening the door, Itona and I were met with a normal male locker room. Smelly, to my distaste, and full with lockers, benches and to be expected from a basic, disgusting, hormonal teenage boy locker room, posters of half naked woman.

"Gakushuu, come look at this." Itona was standing at the only already opened locker. Hand deep in the locker.

Taking whatever he found out of the locker, I felt my eyes widen.

It is a picture of Itona, Hazama, Yoshida, Muramatsu and Terasaka. Outside of school, in a small ramen shop.

They were eating and though Terasakas face looked deformed while eating the ramen, it was a friendly, normal picture.

"Did you know the others before coming here?" He asks, to which Itona does not respond for a while.

"No, that is why I am shocked. Especially because I do not remember being here before."

Right, we did not have access to this etage until today, which means none of the students could have put it in the locker room.

Maybe it is photoshopped like the pictures of me and Terasaka being held hostage but it looks too real...

"Do you think the octupus put it in here?" Itona asks but sadly I do not have an answer that will satisfy him because I seriously have no idea too.

"I do not know." I start off, as honest as I can be, "But I think you might have known them before." Looking at me with curiosity lingering in his eyes, he sits down on the bench next to me.

"You might have already noticed but I am not refered to with my last name on the name plate on our dorms." Seeing him nod thoughtfully I continue, "Not to mention when I turn on my handbook only my first name is displayed." Showing him by handing over my handbook, I get to the most important part.

"The thing is, whatis even weirder, is that I can not remember my surname or anything concerning my family or friends, if I even had any." I am not gonna mention the fact that I was probably here before, it's insignificant at the moment anyway.

"Karma, Maehara and I came to the conclusion that our memories were stolen by brainwashing or something familiar to that."

"I think the same." He suddenly spoke. "Though I can remember my-" he pauses a second, "Family. I do not remember getting here." This matches with the other twos but why am I different from those three.

Ignoring the fact that I am not an Ultimate.

"Let's continue. We still did not find anything useful for escaping." Ignoring his own bag that Itona carried around since we were at the storage, we go out of the locker room but this time from a different door.

It lead us to a big swimming pool. The water shining back at us, clear and calm.

"There you are!" Kurahashi spoke loudly. "We were worried that you guys ditched us already."

"I was not."

"Hazama does not mean that." She elbows Hazama as she explains to us how all the lockers were closed in the girls locker room, other than one locker with an empty notebook -I should look into that one later- and that the pool area was nothing interesting.

Except for the closed brown door at the left, which is closed and unavailable. Looking at the map on our handbook, which newly got upgraded giving us the opportunity to view the whole etage, we try to figure out what it could be.

"What about a sauna?" Hazama suddenly asks.

It certainly would make sense.

Changing the subject, Itona starts telling them our new discovery.

"We found something in the boys locker room. Take a look." Itona pulls out the picture and Hazamas bored and unimpressed stare turned confused for the first time since we got here.

"But I do not know you guys." Hazama ripped the picture out of Itonas hands, looking closely, while Kurahashi mumbled something similar to 'this has gotten creepy'.

"Weird. Gakushuu, you could ask Korosensei the next time you two talk." Hazama addressed me , confusion still held in her eyes.

"Come one! I bet even Gakushuu is scared of him and just wants the best for us." Kurahashi said, clinging to Hazamas arm.

I am not scared.

"Sure."

Moving on with our investigation after a few more minutes of pondering, we find ourselves back to the corridor with the multiple directions. This time though, we go straight.

Once again we are faced with the option of two paths.

Left and Right.

Going firstly right again, we are faced with yet another room with pretty much half of the students. By the endless pills, bottles of medicine and the handbook which shows a symbol resembling a pill, I obviously came to the conclusion that it is indeed a pharmacy.

Before I could take a closer look by myself, a familiar voice interrupted our group.

"Gakushuu there you are!" Stepping closer, Maehara dragged Isogai and Kataoka with him.

"We found poison among the medicine. We identified every single poison but one, with the help of Okuda Manami." Kataoka gave us all gloves before handing us a bottle.

"You have to be careful we don't know what is in it and what kind of side effects you could get by mere touching."

The bottle was clear with no label telling us the side effects or risks. The liquid was yellow-ish which is usually one of the colors of poison. Not to mention, that it's contained in a bottle used to store poison in.

"Do not let anyone touch this or open it, we can nott risk anything." Giving the bottle back, I see Hazama and Kurahashi go towards the section with the mentioned pill bottles. "Did you guys find anything else in here?"

"No, Okuda and Kanzaki are currently designing labels for the bottles with the help of Sugaya. Different to the poison, the medicine is already labelled and nothing is too dangerous." Isogai chimed in, already turning to the door, "You two would not mind us joining, right? We spend our time in here until now."

Telling them that it is fine to tag along, Itona, Kataoka, Maehara, Isogai and I went out the door and into our last destination. Leaving Hazama and Kurahashi behind with Nagisa, Sugino and Kayano.

This time going straight to the only undiscovered area by us, I fastly became confused. We were faced with four statues of people. The first on the right was a woman, the second a man. Across from them were two more man forming the room into a square.

"Is this just for decoration, or?" Maehara asks while lifting an eyebrow.

"Maybe it's a monument?" Isogai responds with another question while looking closely at one of the male statues.

"If it is a monument, they should be connected to the school, no?" Kataoka had a point. "They are probably Ultimate Talents."

"But if they are known well enough to be put as a monument in this prestigious school, would we not know them?" Maehara touched the statue of the man at the right.

Wait a second.

The male statue at the left has a very well built physique with very noticeable creased lines indicating his older age. He had short hair with a defined chin, giving him a sharp face.

Is he not oddly familiar.

Huh?

My head hurts.

"Lovro Brovski!" I suddenly say without meaning to. "He was once a talented assasin but later retired and started as a hitman trainer and mediator. He started recruiting people with Ultimats talents, that were suited for killing. Some say he was jealous of the Ultimate assasin, who stole his title when he was around 44 years old and tried to get his revenge by trying to kill him, which never worked. Only a few years later he was killed by a still unknown assasin." Taking a deep breath, I was shocked by myself.

Looking up I see all four of them looking just as confused as me. I do not think I have ever read anything about him in those black books before and the only other way to know is that someone told me about him before this killing game started.

Are my memories finally coming back?

If they would come back faster, or atleast the relevant ones, we might get behind a few mysterys of the school.

Afterall, I have memories of being on campus when I was still a child.

Feeling Maeharas hand on my shoulder I come back from my thoughts.

"My apologies. It just blurted out for some reason." Looking away to a diffrent statue, not daring to avert my eyes to the ground.

"No need to apologise, Gakushuu. It actually helped confirming our theory." Isogai approached me aswell, looking as confused as reassuring.

I simply acknowledge it with a nod.

"Let's go back to the cafeteria and meet the others." Itona suddenly suggested looking indifferent.

No one protested.

"We did not find any clues to escape. Why do we even try?" Okajima who was fooling around with his camera spoke up.

While we met up at the cafeteria, the despair in their voice returned. Not only did we not find anything to escape, this time we were also two students down.

"Speaking of clues." Hazama started, holding out the previous picture. "Itona and Gakushuu found a picture of Terasaka, Muramatsu, Yoshida, Itona and me in a ramen restaurant."

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Terasaka snatches the picture off of her. "This has to be fucking photoshopped like the picture in the gym!"

Karma took the picture from Terasaka, "Calm down, bone head. It probably has to do with everyone's mental blackout."

"What mental blackout?" Kimura asks.

"You do not know?" Karma smirks while looking around the room. "Can any of you remember getting here? Or the days before coming here?"

No one said anything.

"We were definitely brainwashed, making us believe that we do not know eachother." Only that I actually should not know them like they know eachother.

"What is the last memory that comes to your guys mind about the time before being here?" Nagisa ask frowning. "I only remember graduating from the year before."

"Me too, actually." Rio stood up. "Maybe it is just me but I feel pretty familiar with you guys."

Almost everyone- only almost because I do not- agreed upon that, speaking up too.

"What about you Gakushuu?" Suddenly all eyes were on me looking expecting.

Should I tell them the truth?

"I do not particularly remember anything relevant."

The room shifted into a quite and awkward atmosphere.

"But I think that if you all have a similar last memory, it could lead us closer to the mystery of the school."

"That is true guys!" Maehara took the initiative. "Let's think about something to get out of here."

"We can not really do anything, dumbass. We are kept here unless we kill someone and get away with it." Okano speaks.

Tension.

"The octupus sure is sadistic." Itona. And right, we wanted to speak to them about the limb.

"Everyone who can not deal with gore should close their eyes. Itona and I found yet another disturbing information in the boys bathroom." Taking my handbook out of my pocket I turn it on.

No one was closing their eyes.

Here goes nothing.

"We found a limb, we think it might be Yadas, considering how she died." While showing the picture the faces of the students morphed into horror.

"What the fuck." Terasaka took the handbook out of my hand, turning it off. "How can you two calmly announce shit like this?" He screamed.

"It is because I do not know her currently." Says Itona. "I do not feel much empathy towards her death."

It makes sense in my eyes. He does not know her, I do not care much about her as a person in particular too. It is disturbing sure but not enough to make me cry.

None of their deaths will make me cry.

"You guys are fucking weird." With that Terasaka stormed off.

He is the weird one. It didn't seem like he cared much about her death either. So why is he calling us weird.

Whatever. He is not worth my time.

"Hey fighting and bullying is a no-no!" The monitor suddenly turns on, displaying the ever smiling Korosensei. "Let's comply, if you guys do not want to get punished like Yada."

Guess we can not get a break today.

"We found more. Let's talk later." Itona.

No one spoke.

"Alright my dearest students, turns out that the method worked last time and a murder happened."

Obviously.

"You will find the next motive in your own room!" With a last laugh the monitor turned off.

The room was yet again silent with the weight of the last minutes packed with information.

Nonetheless, I could not stop myself from wondering what could be in our dorm rooms.

Last time we were shown a video where others were getting hurt.

This time he said something and it is making me think it is an object but it could be literally anything. Naturally- given the situation-, it could be that we ourselves will get hurt, though it does not make enough sense, considering that the principal told me that if we would starve to death it would be boring, which leads me to think that killing us himself would also contradict the killing game ideology. It could also-

"You are mumbling again, blondie." Trying to hide the slight flinch I look up to see Karma sitting infront of me.

The cafeteria was also almost empty, most probably have already gone to their dorm room to see what Korosensei meant.

Should I go too?

"Not even gonna say hello?" The red head was now waving a hand infront of my face, slightly amused. "And here I was being nice and offering to do this together."

"Do what exactly together?" Raising my eyebrow I finally spoke.

"Obviously looking at the motives together." He paused, giving the sentence a kind of sass. "First we go to my room and then to yours." Standing up, not waiting for my agreement, he heads to the door, leading me to follow him.

Not even looking at me, he spoke up, "Maehara told me you had some kind of knowledge breakdown. He did not go into detail but apparently you could tell the identity of one of the statues." I would not call it breakdown, it was more of a realisation. Continuing, he asks, "Did you read about him in one of those black books?"

"No." I think I should be truthful. "I am not sure but my head started hurting and then I just-" pausing for a second I search for the right word.

"Jabbered about that weirdo?" Not the words I would have gone with but exactly. "Maybe you are just getting some of your memories back."

My thoughts.

"Anyways, we arrived at my room." He took his key out of his pocket.

"Get ready." Winking, he proceeds to open his dorm room door with full force.

His room looked the same as before nothing looked off or so it seemed to me. Karma looked rather suspicious at a- postcard? At least it looks like one.

"Guess we got items from the octupus." Turning around his eyes looked like they had slit pupils. "Should we destroy it?"

What?

"I am kidding. It is not like I am right anyway." Tossing the photocard back on his desk he continues, "It is a normal vacation postcard." He yawns.

What does he mean, not right about it anyways?

"Well, let's move on to your room then." Taking my key out of my hand, which I took out when walking away from the cafeteria, he lead the way. "Let's see if everyone got the same stuff."

Entering my dorm, we saw a signed CD sitting on my bed, looking out of place with the almost untouched-looking room. Approaching the CD I read the title out loud.

"Japanese Hardcore Punk. Not really my taste and probably also not the goody-two-shoes students, right?" Karma was leaning over my shoulder glancing at the title. "Why would he give us objects that we do not particularly enjoy?" If I remember correctly, this is supposed to be a motive, meaning to lead us to kill someone.

"Maybe it belongs to someone else. A priced possesion." Stating my theory I look around my room. Nothing looks out of order but...

Running to the bathroom, I check for the letter.

It was gone.

"Why did you run away? You feeling unwell?" While I was about to hit my head against the wall, he looked into my drawer curiously. "This are many skin-care products." Opening the next drawer his face changes into disturbed again, "I hate those yellow towels with a passion."

Looking at him unimpressed, I close the door. "Look, remember the letter? Maehara found it and gave it to me, which lead me to hide it in this drawer assuming he would not find out because here are no cameras." He looks confused for a second.

Did Maehara not tell him?

"The stuff we got are definitely our priced possession, who are deemed important to us." Which is sad, because why is the letter my priced possession. "But we could literally just exchange those and it will not be a problem anymore."

He answers after just a few seconds, "What if we have to kill the person if we want it back?" Nodding, I hope no one will do such drastic thing.

"Although, I would like to know who would kill someone for that ugly-looking postcard? It looks cheap." He continues while looking at the motive he got.

"Do you have an idea what your priced possession is?" I ask him, casually might I add because he looks at me like I just said something outrageous.

Which might have offended me slightly.

"Uhhh-" he starts stammering, "Maybe my spice collection?"

He sounds unsure and it is starting to make me suspicious...

We are not close enough to start pestering him though..

Which is why-

"Sure, let's get out of here."

Maybe he will tell me once this is over.

Hearing a knock on my dorm door, we both look at eachother.

It is probably Maehara. He normally walks up to me to talk about anything new that he discovered or wants discovered.

But surprisingly when I opened the door, I was met with a kind smile and brown hair.

Isogai Yuuma.

"Gakushuu! Good thing you are here." His eyes shifted to Karma, who was standing next to me raising an eyebrow. "You too Karma. We were searching for both of you."

"For what?" Karma asked.

"We decided to make sure to stay together and maybe bond?" To make sure no one kills someone.

"What would we even do together? Watch the sun go down through the closed windows?" The delinquent slumbed into the wall next to the door. He is right about that. Or well, concerning the bonding-solution.

"We wanted to go swimming!"

Without thinking I blurt out, "No way."

...

Seeing the confusion adorning Isogais face and Karmas face shifting into a curious one, I reflect for a second.

It is not that I can not swim and the video of Ikeda drowning does not have that much effect on me. The point is, that we are not in an appropriate situation where swimming and having fun is a good idea, when we just got our second motive. We should get together and come to a conclusion.

"You do not have to swim or anything." Isogai starts. "You can just sit on the bench and maybe read? Hazama is doing the same!" He seems desperate.

"Well," Karma finally speaks up from his position leaning on the wall, "I would not have anything against the idea of swimming but just so you know if this is a trap and you try something-" His voice got deeper.

Suddenly it hits me that this could have been a trap to kill us...

I gulp.

"I am not afraid to show why they call me the Ultimate Delinquent." Isogai visibly startles while sweat dropped down his forehead. Me on the other hand cringed.

What in the high-school bully drama am I witnessing?

"Fine. When do we all meet?" Before Isogai could answer Karmas threat, I saved not only him from answering but also myself from hearing another one of those corny lines.

"Right- in an hour at the locker rooms. Until later!" Bowing the slightest while smiling kindly once again, he scurried away.

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow at Karma. "What was that banal line?" My unimpressed stare makes him grin.

"Hey, I just wanted to make sure we are safe to go there."

"Whatever. I am going to go to the storage, you coming with me?" I searched before in my closet and there was nothing for the occasion. Such as swim trunks or a wet suit.

He made a sound of agreement and together we took off to the stairs. On the way he starts talking about the various things he found in the storage before.

"Why would a school have fake cockroaches?" I ask him while he looks like I am the weird one.

"Patently to prank people? Have you never heared of Hitoshi Matsumoto, better known as Matchan? He used to study here as the Ultimate Comedian." How am I supposed to know? It is not like being funny is that impressive.

"I clearly do not. What is special about being overly funny anyways?" He just well-naturedly shook his head.

"I guess his impact is special."

He opened the door to the storage, mockingly letting me enter first.

"Your highness."

"Very funny." I roll my eyes while looking around the room for the swimming equipment.

"Are you going to swim?" Karma lead me to the right where wet suits and bathing suits were placed.

"No, I am only going to sit there." I simply don ot feel like it, no other reasons.

"What about you?"

"I will think about it. Many things can happen while being in a pool with potential murderers."

"Like what?" I asked. Sure, they could drown someone, have the water poisoned, make slipping on the floor beside the pool look like an accident and more, but still. We just need to be careful enough and keep an eye out concerning the issue.

"I know that you know, blondie. And adding to all those reasons your mind just made up, I do not trust majority of the class." I guess he is right. Not that I will admit it outloud. "You know, if you trust me or do not" He stares into my eyes.

Yellow meeting violet.

"I think my mind chose to trust you. No matter how suspicious you might look to an outsider, I feel some kind of familiarity with you." I felt that too.

My thoughts during the class trial prove it. There was something so comfortable about bickering with him.

"Do not let it boost your ego but I know what you mean. I think I used to know you before we entered this killing game."

"You mean were forced into this killing game." Way to kill a moment-ish thing.

"Just know I got your back, ace." He says while turning away.

Ace...?

Almost as if programmed we both grabbed our own heads.

The hurting from before returned.

"What the heck?" Karma looked at me again, his hand reaching out to my shoulder.

Before his hand could hit my shoulder, the door to the storage opened, revealing a group of students chatting.

Pulling away we look at them, head still hurting and hands empty with no foundings for the future hang out. With a silent exchange we slowly made our way out of the room, but not before greeting the students.

To be less suspicious.

When we were going down the stairs, we both knew we had to talk about it soon. Preferably, away from the cameras and monitors.

Chapter 9

Chapter Text

Entering my dorm room, Karma and I both lock eyes once again, with the hangout temporarily forgotten and put aside. Neither of us knew what to say or even where to begin.

"This means we are familiar with each other, right?" Karma clears his throat before addressing the elephant in the room. "And that we are not supposed to know each other. But why?"

Nodding along, I look around my dorm room. If Karma and I have known each other before, under which circumstances? Obviously there is a connection between Karma and the other students, since they all have an Ultimate talent. Where do I stand?

More importantly, who am I?

"That Octopus probably has his own reason why he brainwashed us. Maybe to lessen our sense of being a team?" Karma keeps on rambling, taking a seat on my bed. "Or maybe it is purely for entertainment reasons? That octupus is fucked up."

"What if he brainwashed us to have false memories?" I suggest. "If that is the case, then it is the other way around, though. He wants us all to come together and fight against him."

Upon hearing my suggestion, Karma starts to frown immediately, clearly not agreeing. "He wants us to kill each other for his entertainment!" He raises both of his hands in exasperation, getting louder.

So Karma did not see Korosensei's expression during the execution. There is no way he would agree with my theory then.

"Whatever. Better question is, what are we going to do about this?" Dismissing the former topic, I make my way to sit next to Karma on my bed. "As far as I know, none of us can de-brainwash anyone." Perhaps we do not need to do that. After all, I have gained some of my former memories.

"How about you, Mr. Flashbacks, teach us how to trigger our memories?" Karmas teasing grin returns for the first time since we both experienced the regaining of memories together.

I could not help myself either, as the corners of my mouth circled up the slightest bit. "Did you forget that you too have had a 'flashback' around 20 minutes ago, delinquent?" Slightly shoving his shoulder, I stand up while dusting the non-existent dust from my pants. "Now stand up; we got a hangout planned."

Taking my dorm keys and a random book for passing the time at the pool, I practically shove Karma out of my dorm room without him having much of a chance to complain.

(Though I did hear him mumble about me being too bossy.)

Rounding the corner, we join the seemingly formed trio consisting of Hayami, the Ultimate Dancer, Rio, and Hara. They were telling us about what exactly they had planned at the pool. Apparently, they found out that the closed door in the pool room is indeed a sauna and that there were no cameras as well.

Another blindspot of Koro-sensei's.

While pushing the door to the pool room open, not before going through the locker rooms, we were welcomed with loud chippering and swimming students.

Hearing us come in, they welcomed us immediately. Isogai, who initially invited us, got out of the water to personally show us around the room, which they had prepared nicely. There were towels laying on the ground with many swimming glasses and shoes.

Deciding to sit down on one of the benches, I start reading. It was one of the black books that I have not read yet. Noticing Karma, Hazama, and Kayano sitting on the same bench as me, I try to link the crime described in the book to one of the statues. It could not have been Lovro; this happened after he got killed.

The book was about a woman who had died by being impaled by a spear during a lab accident. She had short, dark hair and dark eyes. She almost always wore her white doctor coat and smiled. She was engaged to the head doctor of the science lab. The book explains that people believe that the head doctor caused the accident on purpose because of their famous toxic relationship.

The description did fit the appearance of the female statue, but why would Korosensei give us such a hidden clue, especially in a book hidden behind shelves? Not to mention, what if the woman's fiancé is one of the other statues?

I close the book while standing up, ready to head to the second floor. Not before excusing myself, of course.

While walking straight to the door, Itona joined me, looking as blank as always. He simply stated that he was going to accompany me because he wanted to discuss something with me.

The walk up until the stairs was quiet. Not one of us feels like talking. As expected, Itona only started talking when we entered the hallway without any cameras.

"I think I had some sort of flashback, just like you." He leaned against the wall as he looked up to the ceiling, frowning. "It was weird." Never had I seen this guy look this disturbed. Not even when we found Yada's limb in the boys bathroom.

"Why was it weird?" I ask calmly, trying to get him to feel as comfortable as possible with telling me.

Our eyes meet as he answers my question with almost glowing eyes, "Korosensei is my brother. I used to have tentacles too, but they were cut off. That is why I always wear this headband. For some reason I never rook it off during our time here, so I never questioned it. It was natural." His eyes flickered slightly, giving away the slight fear, which he is trying to hide.

I register his information immediately. Itona is Korosensei's brother. Right, of course, why not? This is not the weirdest thing that has happened here. Nevermind, it is the weirdest thing that has happened over here.

"What you are trying to say is that because you used to have tentacles, you are related to Korosensei? How did they remove your tentacles? And how do you have limbs? Is it perhaps that you were not the same species as Korosensei but instead a different one where the tentacles look different? I am guessing that you did not look as yellow as Korosensei—wait, did you not mention that you wear a headband because of that? Did the tentacles come from your hair or maybe head? And what-" Suddenly my theorizing was interrupted by Itona lightly shaking me by my left shoulder.

"The reason why I believe that me and Korosensei are brothers is because someone said we are brothers in the flashback. I don't know if I should be offended by you using the word species, but I am not sure yet. Yes, they did grow out of my head." Answering all my questions, he sighs defeated.

"I will try to remember to tell you again the next time I get a flashback. It seems obvious, but keep it a secret from the others; I don't want to seem suspicious." Simply nodding, affirming his worries, as I start walking towards the statues again. Processing his information.

"Since we are sharing out thoughts, I might have found out the identity of one or two of the statues. One of them being the woman. She was an assistant at a science lab who got impaled during an accident." I am not sure about the Ultimate talent of her, but at least it is something.

"You think that the statues are some kind of puzzle?" Itona looked at Lovro as I also entered the area. One of the men and the only woman were facing each other, while the other two men were each looking in different directions. Lovro, for example, was looking left.

Maybe the statues have some kind of connection? But what does the woman have to do with the former Ultimate assasin, Lovro?

"Hey Itona, did anyone talk about these four memorials during the meeting? I was sunken too deep in my own thoughts to listen to everyone." Approaching the now interested Itona, I began to ponder.

"Well, Karma did mention that solving this mystery might lead us to a secret." He scratches his chin slightly. "But Karma also said that it is not worth solving anyway. "Not worth solving?

"Seems like Karma and I do not agree on this. These statues should be deemed as very important. Maybe even be prioritized right now." Having Lovro and that woman standing diagonal from each other might not necessarily mean that they have or had any relations to each other, but their stances and their direction of staring are by no means just coincidences.

"Itona, if I may request something, could you get me Takebayashi, Hara, and Fuwa?"

Itona seemed to look me up and down once before leaving.

The reason why I chose these three is quite obvious. Takebayashi is smart and an ambitious student. His Ultimate could perhaps help understand the dynamic of the statues and their positions. Maybe it is a code?

Hara, she is obviously a very emotional and understanding person. She seems to be very empathetic, and not to mention, her Ultimate might help me understand why they are looking in their designated direction. It is some kind of symbolism, if I dare say.

And last but not least, Fuwa. Her Ultimate might not seem to be fit for this location and mystery, but due to a conversation that I allowed myself to listen in, I could learn that Fuwa is into detective mangas. She could inspect this better than a mere reserve course student, without an Ultimate or purpose for this class.

Sooner than later, the three requested students and Itona join me in the area. They look confused, and honestly, next to each other, they do not seem like the perfect team.

"I appreciate you guys coming here. Cutting straight to the point, I need your help." I look at all three of them. Takebayashi is the only one catching up and already looking at the memorials.

"Itona already told us a little, but what exactly do you need help with, Gakushuu?" Hara smiled gently, though this time it felt different than the one in the cafeteria.

"I need your help with figuring out the secret of these statues. I was able to identify one of the statues as Lovro, the former Ultimate Assasin, and this woman. An assistance who unfortunately died in a lab accident." I each time point to the named statue while explaining to them what I expect from them, or rather why I asked them to join me in my investigation.

While Takebayashi was already sketching the area around us, Hara and Fuwa were both analyzing the stances and body language. At the same time, Itona and I tried to inspect the statues more closely with the help of magnifying glass that Fuwa lent us.

Suddenly I hear a soft gasp next to me.

Fuwa was looking at the back of the shoes that one of the male statues was wearing. Proudly, with her hands on her hips and a wide grin, she basically explodes with interest.

"I found a clue! It is written very small, which shows why you guys missed it before." I take a closer look as well, identifying the written words.

"Balance the gaze where truth is revealed.
The toxic bond must be healed.
Turn them all to face the light,
And uncover the hidden sight," I mumble to myself.

A toxic bond must be healed...

Toxic...

"What the fuck does that mean?" Expressing her sentiments, Fuwa furrowed her eyebrows, lightly hitting the statue. "Huh?"

Fuwa hits the statues again, this time slightly harder. With the impact of the hit, the statue turned slightly. Now it was facing a different direction.

Balance the gaze...

Turn them all to face the light...

The toxic bond must be healed.

"Got it!" Suddenly, without thinking, I go to the woman who is facing the man, who is now facing away due to Fuwa's hit. Slightly turning her in a different direction, I explain to the other my discovery.

"If the woman truly is the one from the book, she should be involved with the man standing opposite from her. Those two were said to be engaged, but the engagement was severely toxic, which resulted in a lab accident." Having the woman face away as well, I move to the two other statues.

"I get it! We will give her an opportunity to be set free, to heal." Silently agreeing to Hara, I only move my head slightly towards them to confirm.

"We will heal the toxic bond by letting her 'face the light' with the help of turning her away from her fiancé. This way she breaks free—they turn their backs to each other." I move towards the other two men, positioning them to look in the same direction as the woman.

"What about the two other statues?" Itona asked, getting closer to me. He inspected the way I directed the statues.

"This might be farfetched, but the poem did say turn them alltowards the light. This might balance the unity and show the truth." I turn the last statue, both Fuwa and Hara approaching us too.

The click we hear is the only validation we got before the floor started to shake.

"What is—What the hell is happening?" Fuwa holds onto Hara while trying to avoid the slight dust that is falling from the ceiling.

Not a minute longer, and the truth got revealed. The former blank wall disappeared without a trace, presenting only a table.

Immediately, I approached the desk. It had three drawers, and the desk was fair without any trace of imperfection.

Behind me, a throat was cleared and footsteps heard.

"If I may get access to one of the drawers?" Takebayashi pushed his glasses up his nose, almost as if he were expecting something. And while I wanted to look into the drawers myself, I moved to the side, giving Takebayashi full access.

"As I expected." He opened the drawer in the middle and seemed to have found something, given his words and slight scrunch of his nose. "I do not know if it is smart to tell you this, but the gift that I got from the headmaster was a laptop." This catches my attention immediately.

"A laptop?" I get closer to him again. Trying to see into his eyes through his glasses. They seemed honest, but his pupils are slightly shaking. Is he nervous?

Slightly narrowing my eyes, I step an inch closer to him. "If you did get a laptop, does that not mean it belongs to someone else? How would you know that there would be a computer chip in this secret room?" Takebayashi started to slightly back off, not wanting to get cornered.

"Gakushuu." Hara spoke up behind us, "I'm sure Takebayashi has an explanation; no need to corner him." Her words are kind enough for Takebayashi to relax the slightest, his straight posture going back to his usual.

Without saying another word, I back off just the slightest. Giving him no way to run away from this confrontation.

Takebayashi takes a deep breath, adjusting his glasses once more before he speaks. "You are right, Gakushuu. I did receive a laptop from the headmaster. It was a... peculiar gift, considering our situation. But there's a reason behind it."

He carefully pulls out a small chip card from the drawer, holding it up for everyone to see. "This chip card... it's not just any chip. It's the key to accessing hidden data within the laptop. The headmaster hinted at its significance but never elaborated. I had my suspicions that it was more than just a regular laptop, especially given the circumstances we find ourselves in."

Hara steps closer, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And what exactly did you suspect, Takebayashi?"

Takebayashi's gaze meets hers, a mix of determination and apprehension in his eyes. "I suspected that the laptop contained information about us—information that we were never meant to see. When I saw the desk in this secret room, I knew there had to be something here that would confirm my suspicions. The chip card is that confirmation."

I raise an eyebrow, still skeptical. "But why would the headmaster give you something so crucial? What motive could there possibly be?"

Takebayashi looks down at the chip card in his hand, his expression somber. "The headmaster enjoys playing games with us. This chip, this laptop—they're part of his twisted game. But beyond that, it’s tied to the swapped items we received. Each of us was given an item deeply significant to someone else, stirring emotions and memories, creating tension and conflict."

Hara frowns, crossing her arms. "A test? For what purpose?"

Takebayashi meets her gaze, his voice steady. "To push us to our limits. To see how far we’ll go to protect what we cherish or to reclaim it. The headmaster wants to see if we can piece together the puzzle and find the truth hidden within the lies, all while dealing with the emotional turmoil of these swapped items."

I step forward, my eyes fixed on the chip card. "So, this chip card... it contains the key to unlocking the secrets of the laptop? And in turn, the secrets of our past?"

Takebayashi nods. "Exactly. The laptop might contain files, videos, or even logs that can help us understand who we were before the brainwashing and why we’re here. But more importantly, it might explain why these items are so crucial to our survival and sanity. My suspicion is that the laptop will reveal how these items are linked to our pasts and why they were swapped."

With renewed determination, I reach out and take the chip card from Takebayashi. "Then let’s not waste any more time. We need to find that laptop and uncover the truth. It’s the only way we can hope to escape this nightmare."

The group nods in agreement, the atmosphere tense but filled with a newfound sense of purpose. With the chip card in hand, we move forward, ready to face whatever revelations the laptop might hold and determined to uncover the true motives behind our captivity.

We made our way to Takebayashi's dorm room, where he had stored the laptop. Without paying much mind to our surroundings, Takebayashi turned on the laptop, inserting the computer chip in a swift second.

Among the files on the laptop, we uncovered a document simply titled "Diary Entry: Descent into Despair." Opening it revealed a haunting account, penned by an anonymous author whose words bore the weight of prolonged confinement and despair.

"I can't take this anymore. Locked up like an animal, every day blurring into the next. There's no way out; no one cares. I've done things I never thought I was capable of just to survive.

It started with hope, believing someone would come for me and rescue me from this hell. But as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, hope gave way to desperation. The walls feel like they're closing in, suffocating me.

I used to be someone else, someone with principles and morals. Now, I'm not sure who I am anymore. I've lied, cheated, and hurt others—my own son—all to protect myself and my philosophy. The guilt eats away at me, but what choice do I have?

There are others here, but we're all just shadows of our former selves. We look out for ourselves now, trusting no one. I've lost count of how many times I've seen relationships dissolve into betrayal. Survival of the fittest, they say.

I don't recognize myself in the mirror anymore. The person staring back at me is a stranger, consumed by fear and desperation. What have I become? Is there any way back from this darkness?

Maybe this is what they want—to break me down, strip away everything that makes me human after the confrontation with him. If that's their goal, they're succeeding. I'm not sure how much longer I can hold on.

I write this not knowing if anyone will ever read it. Maybe it will be found years from now, a testament to the horrors I endured. Or maybe it will be lost, like so many of us are lost in this endless nightmare.

I hope, if nothing else, that someone learns from this, maybe even my son. Don't take freedom for granted. Cherish every moment, every breath of fresh air. Because once it's taken from you, you'll do anything to get it back."

The entry chronicled a gradual erosion of hope, ethics, and sanity in the face of relentless captivity. The author described how isolation and desperation had driven them to acts they once believed unimaginable, all in a desperate bid for survival.

Silence filled the room as we absorbed the raw emotions conveyed in those lines. The diary entry underscored the profound toll that confinement had taken on its author, shedding light on the darkness that could consume even the strongest spirits.

"We're not just physically trapped here," Takebayashi murmured, breaking the silence. "Our minds are at risk too. This place... it changes people."

Hara nodded gravely, her expression reflecting the weight of the revelation. "This diary entry confirms our suspicions. We're in a place that can push us to our limits, to actions we might not otherwise consider."

Closing the document, we exchanged solemn glances. The words we had read served as a stark reminder of the challenges we faced and the urgency of uncovering the truth behind our confinement.

In the dimly lit room, the echoes of despair lingered, a haunting reminder of the darkness that surrounded us and the unknown depths to which it could lead.

"No." Standing straighter, I turn my gaze away from the solemn gazes. We do not get to be all sad and drowning in despair already. "Did you guys forget what the person was saying? This is the masterminds plan—to turn us into different people without any morals or ethics!" They all didn't look all that excited by my words. Not convinced.

"Itona, remember what you just told me before in the hallway? That should give you hope!" Itona nodded, not fully convinced.

Hara looked the most devastated as she stood up, Fuwa following her. Fuwa looked devastated as well, not raising her eyes from the ground once. It seems that the situation reminded them of Yada and Yoshida. How they changed due to this place.

With slight desperation, I turn to Takebayashi. He, already looking at me, opened his mouth. "You know what interests me the most about this diary entry?" I shake my head slowly.

"Who is the person who wrote this?" Not appropriate to the situation, I feel a slight joy in having someone around me that doesn't fall into despair and its foolish tricks.

I nod, "Me too. As well as the mention of their son." It is weird, but I feel a strange connection to the person who wrote this diary entry. Maybe it is just my hidden empathy, but...

"I cannot promise anything, but I am ready to try to find any hidden clue on this computer chip." Takebayashi sat down on his own desk, seemingly ready to search.

"We will let you focus on your self-assigned task." Itona walked out the door, dismissing us both without looking at us once. Strangely, I didn't think the entry would have such a big impact on Itona. It looks like I misjudged him before.

I close the door to Takebayashi's room, letting out a huge sigh. Maybe I should distract myself by going back to the pool hangout.

Lost in thought, I leaned against the railing of the poolside, staring out at the shimmering water below. The events of the day had left me unsettled, my mind racing with questions and suspicions. The hangout area buzzed with activity around me, students chatting and laughing, oblivious to the secrets hidden within our school's walls.

"Hey, Gakushuu!"

The familiar voice of Maehara cut through my reverie, pulling me back to the present. I turned to see him and Karma approaching, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.

Maehara grinned as he reached my side. "Long time no see, buddy. You've been keeping to yourself," he remarked, nudging my shoulder playfully.

Karma leaned against the railing next to me, his gaze searching. "Everything okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," he commented, his tone laced with genuine curiosity.

I sighed, knowing I couldn't keep them in the dark any longer. "Things have taken a strange turn," I admitted, deciding it was best to fill them in on what had transpired.

I recounted the discovery of the hidden room, the laptop, and the chilling diary entry we had found. Maehara's eyebrows furrowed in concern, while Karma's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"So, we're dealing with more than just a school mystery," Maehara mused, glancing around as if to assess our surroundings.

Karma nodded slowly. "Seems like this place is full of surprises. Any leads on who wrote that diary entry?" He asked, his mind already piecing together the puzzle.

I shook my head. "Not yet. Takebayashi is looking into the laptop now. Hopefully, we'll find something that sheds light on all of this," I replied, my voice tinged with determination.

Maehara, to my distaste, clapped me on the back, a reassuring smile on his face. "Well, you're not in this alone. We're here to help however we can," he assured me, his usual optimism shining through.

Karma crossed his arms, a determined and mischievous glint in his eyes. "Let's get to the bottom of this. The sooner we uncover the truth, the sooner we can figure out how to get out of this mess," he declared, his resolve unwavering.

With Maehara and Karma by my side once again, I felt a sense of relief amidst the lingering tension. We gathered in a quieter corner of the hangout area, away from the bustling crowd of students enjoying their evening.

Maehara broke the silence first, his voice tinged with concern. "This place gives me the creeps sometimes," he admitted, glancing around as if expecting shadows to jump out at us.

Karma leaned against the wall, his gaze flicking between us thoughtfully. "No kidding. It’s like there’s a mystery lurking around every corner," he remarked, his tone half-joking, half-serious.

I nodded, unable to shake off the weight of the recent discoveries and the unsettling feeling that we were being watched. "We’ve uncovered some strange things already," I said, thinking back to the statues and the cryptic diary entry. "But we’re still missing pieces of the puzzle."

Maehara’s brow furrowed in thought. "Do you think Koro-sensei is testing us?" he asked, voicing the suspicion that had been nagging at all of us. "Everything feels like it’s leading to something bigger."

Karma’s expression darkened slightly. "Maybe. Or maybe he’s just toying with us," he suggested, his eyes narrowing as if searching for hidden motives behind our predicament.

Before I could respond, Koro-sensei’s voice filled the hangout area once more, announcing the approaching nighttime curfew. His tone was cheerful as ever, yet there was an underlying urgency that sent a shiver down my spine.

"We should head to our dorms," I said, glancing at Maehara and Karma. "But let’s keep our guard up. We don’t know what’s waiting for us next."

Maehara nodded, his jaw set in determination. "Agreed. We’ll meet again tomorrow, same place as usual," he said, his voice firm with resolve.

Karma cracked a faint smile, a glint of determination in his eyes. "We’ll get to the bottom of this," he declared, his tone unwavering despite the uncertainties ahead.

As we parted ways and headed to our assigned dorms, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease. Even while entering the dorm and taking the object that Korosensei gave me, I kept feeling a shadow creeping and looming around me.

Maybe falling asleep will help...

Down...

The cheerful, slightly mischievous voice of Koro-sensei resonated through the speakers, waking me from my light slumber.

"Good morning, my dearest students! Rise and shine! Let's see if today is going to be interesting."

Slowly opening my eyes, I try to adjust to the dim light in the room. I still felt the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me, but the urgency of our mission drove me to push through. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, I sigh.

Sitting up, rubbing my temples as memories of the previous night flooded back. There was still much to uncover, and time was of the essence.

After a quick shower, I made his way to the cafeteria. The aroma of breakfast filled the air, and students were already gathering around tables, engaged in lively conversations. I quickly spotted Karma and Maehara at a table near the window, deep in discussion.

Grabbing a plate of food, I joined them. "Good morning," I greeted, setting down his food.

"Morning," Karma replied, barely looking up from his plate. "We were just discussing our next steps."

Maehara nodded in agreement. "We need to follow up on the lead we received last night. There is much we still do not know."

As I took a bite of his toast, I started considering our options while my eyes surveyed the room, noticing Takebayashi's absence.

"Have you guys seen Takebayashi?" Gakushuu asked, trying to sound casual.

Karma shook his head. "No, now that you mention it, I haven't."

Maehara leaned in, lowering his voice. "Do you think he discovered something?"

Before I could even respond, I suddenly felt a strange prickling sensation on the back of my neck. Turning slightly, I caught sight of Itona staring intensely at us from across the room. It was unnerving, but choosing to ignore it for the moment, I answer Maehara.

"We should check on Takebayashi," I suggested, standing up in the process. "He might have information that could assist us."

Karma and Maehara agreed, and the three of us made our way to Takebayashi's room. The corridor was quiet, the usual morning bustle replaced with a tense stillness. When we reached Takebayashi's door, I knocked firmly. In the distance of my mind, I feel the Déja vu building in my head.

After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing Takebayashi with dark circles under his eyes, clearly having stayed up the night working.

"What is the matter?" Takebayashi asked, stepping aside to let them in.

"We were concerned when you were not at breakfast," Gakushuu explained. "Did you uncover anything?"

Takebayashi nodded, pointing to his desk where the laptop and multiple papers were spread out. "I discovered a file, but it is encrypted. Without the code, I cannot access it."

Karma frowned, examining the file on the computer. "Do you have any idea what the code might be?"

Takebayashi shook his head. "None. I believe it is something unfamiliar to us."

Maehara sighed. "So, we are back to square one."

"Not quite," I interjected. "The fact that there is an encrypted file indicates there is valuable information being concealed. We simply need to determine how to obtain the code."

The group exchanged determined looks, understanding the critical nature of their discovery. We had a lead, but the path forward remained unclear.

"Are there limited tries?" Maehara asked full of curiosity.

"It seems so. Those papers around the room are all the combinations I have tried until now." Takebayashi gestures towards the scattered papers, letting a big sigh out of his mouth.

"If you want, I can try to find out the combinations. I am a really fast typer." I sit down on the chair in front of the laptop, proving my statement. "We can take turns."

"You don't have to do that..." Takebayashi starts but soon notices my intense stare. He should not be this stupid; he is going to collapse if he does not take breaks. Hell, his hands are shaking. "But if you are offering to do that—"

Nodding in satisfaction, I turn off the laptop. "Go to sleep, Takebayashi. We will wake you up in an hour again. Than we will continue." I push both Karma and Maehara out the door with a last wave towards Takebayashi.

"What now?" Maehara leans against the wall, shoulders slightly slumped down. "We can't continue, have no clue, and are stuck here doing nothing."

"We are not stuck in here doing nothing, Maehara. I could have just taken the laptop and code combinations with me if I did not have something else planned." Waving a hand in front of the camera in the corridor, I demand Korosensei's presence.

"Korosensei, will you answer me? I have a question regarding the second killing motive." Seeing the realization in both Karma's and Maehara's faces, I nod to myself. Good, no explanation needed. I have to know who got the letter and get it back, as well as finding out the reason for the motive. Why can we not just exchange it?

This time, different from the other times where I requested to speak with Korosensei, instead of coming to speak to me personally, he appeared on the monitor hanging right next to the camera.

"Requesting to have a conversation with me again? I'm starting to think I really am your favorite teacher!" The headmaster's everlasting grin got even wider, his gaze as intense as always.

"It is not like you have much competition, no?" Karma butted in, his gaze matching Korosensei's intense one.

"I guess it is not, Karma." Korosensei's voice lowers. "At least as for now..." As for now? Does this mean we will be introduced to someone in the future? Are they a 'teacher' like Korosensei or a real teacher? An Ultimate? Are they going to be an ally to us?

"Anyways, Gakushuu! What is the question your brain created?" With the headmaster's full attention on me again, I sort my former theories to the back of my mind and ask the question.

"Maybe it is just me, but I do not understand the motive. Can we not just exchange the objects with each other?" I squint at the screen, trying to absorb any reaction being expressed by him.

"Did I not tell you? Guess it flew right over my head!" Korosensei chuckles, placing a tentacle over his mouth. "Everyone! To the gym." The monitor turns black again, dismissing us students once again.

Obviously, Korosensei did not forget. He probably either expected us to ask, as we three did just now, or maybe even wanted someone to exchange the objects.

"Whatever, let's get going." I go towards the corridor, not even sparing a glance towards the other two. I don't know what just came over me, but I suddenly feel this all too familiar pit in my stomach. I cannot fathom what it is; I only know that no one is supposed to see me as weak as I am right now.

Korosensei's words somehow sounded too sadistic, too different.

---

"Good, good, and great! Everyone was able to join this school assembly, 10 points each." Korosensei jumped from behind the podium. Isolating myself further into the back of the crowed, I await the answer to my question.

"You can't just exchange the objects that I gave you." He paused, students mumbling and speculating. "If you had done that, I would have gotten you exploded!" His smile is growing again. Coldness shivered down my spine, making me shudder.

"What the fuck?" Terasaka steps to the front, getting closer to Korosensei. "You think I believe your sorry ass? How would you even explode us?" His hands curling into fists, he was about to swing at Korosensei when we suddenly heard a strange beeping.

I gasp, running towards Terasaka.

"Your handbook!" I exclaim, reaching Terasaka and being able to take his handbook out of his pants and throw it away just in time. While still spinning in the air, the handbook exploded, making my ears ring again. "Are you actually insane?!" I push Terasaka away, scowling.

Honestly, how dumb can a person be? Did he forget what the headmaster did to Yada? Or how he literally got us to be stuck in an academy, where we cannot easily escape, getting monitored at every chance?

"Will you believe me now, Terasaka?" Korosensei's amused voice gets me out of my rhetorical question asking. "This is what would have happened. You should thank your classmate for saving you from endless pain and maybe even death. Who knows."

Terasaka looks down, fists trembling. If because of fear or anger, not clear to me. "Whatever, octupus! Just fucking continue." He stormed off towards his former place, not thanking me. Rude. Just rude.

But I agree, Korosensei needs to hurry with an explanation. We know now that we are not allowed to just exchange the objects; otherwise, we will face severe consequences. "Korosensei, you said we cannot exchange it. Do we have to kill the person instead?"

"That is what I thought as well!" Kataoka speaks, stepping closer. "But how are we supposed to know who has whose object?"

"But who would kill someone for some object?" Isogai interrupts.

"The person's morals must be nonexistent if they kill someone for an object!" Sugaya adds his opinion to the conversation.

"Now, now students! If you would let me speak." He turns around. "I can tell you that you do have to kill the person currently having your most precious item; stealing will get you exploded to!"

Murmurs were head again.

"But how are we supposed to know who has our item?" Itona asks Korosensei, his gaze unexplainable. Is it still his flashback?

"Wait—are you actually planning on killing them?" Chiba looks exhausted.

"Silence!" Korosensei's obnoxious voice keeps interrupting the discussion between us students. "If you want to know who has your object, just ask me. I will tell you secretly." And with that, the octupus flew away.

Distancing myself from the talking of the others, I go to the broken, exploded handbook. It was by no doubt non-repairable. I let a little bit of the ash sit on my finger cup, examining it. It does look like gun powder; does that mean that our handbooks are built a little differently than normal ones?

...

Should I take the powder with me? To make sure...

Before I could continue to entertain my idea, I acknowledged the lack of voices in the room. It seems like the majority of the students went back to do whatever they did before. I hope no one gets the idea of killing anyone again.

I stand up. Not sure what to do now. I cannot just walk up to someone asking if the object they got was a letter. Maybe it would raise even more suspicions towards me. Or well, they would lie. To protect themselves from getting killed.

Sigh...

The day ends with a dinner prepared by Nagisa and Kayano. We decided to eat together again to strengthen or bond. To decrease the risk of killing each other. No one looked too down. Sure, there were four or five students that did not interact a lot with the rest, but they came to the dinner.

It was supposed to be peaceful.

We were supposed to decrease the risk.

I was supposed to make sure nothing happens.

"A body has been discovered!"

Why Έμπιστη φίλη.