(See the end of the chapter for more notes .)

Oh, by the way, I have something important to note. See you at the end.

Free Time votes were for Chiba and Mai this time around.

I've decided to pick up the pace a little. Fortnightly is not good enough for things so simple as chapters of a fanfic, at least before things get too complicated.

Chapter Text

Monokuma: DING DONG DING DONG!

[We see Monokuma on a TV screen, lounging in a chair comfortably, as he sips a glass of red wine through a silly straw.]

Monokuma: Good morning, class!

This is your amazing principal Monokuma letting you know it's 7 o'clock! Nighttime's over!

Which means it's time to get out of bed and stop being a lazy bastard!

[The screen blinks off. We see Minami's Room.]

Ugh... Another day stuck in this hellhole...

At this rate, someone's going to snap soon...

...

I really don't want to think like that.

But there's not much I can do to stay positive, is there?

...

I better have a shower soon. I don't want to be late today.

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Move to Minami's Bathroom]

[Examine Shower]

Remember, Minami... Just a QUICK shower...

[Fade to black. We hear the sound of running water.]

OK, I better stop now...

[The water stops. Fade in to Minami's Bathroom.]

Hey... I think I'm actually going to be on time for once!

[Move to Minami's Room]

[A knocking sound is heard.]

[OST: None]

...Maybe not.

[Examine Door]

Chiba: [Bored] Oh... hey, Minami.

Minami: Huh? Chiba? What are YOU doing here?

Chiba: [Shrugging] I've been sent to collect you. Hagino's orders.

Minami: ...Damn. I thought I was on time for once.

Chiba: [Smiling half-heartedly] Later than ever, actually.

...I'm dead.

Chiba: [Bored] Come on... We better get going.

Minami: ...Alright. Time to face the music.

[OST: Beautiful Days (Piano Arrange)]

[Move to Green Hallway]

[Move to Foyer]

Minami: So... why did Hagino send you, of all people?

Chiba: [Shrugging] I'm on time the most, apparently.

Someone as disinterested as you is always on time?

Chiba: [Bored] Come on, then. She's really pissed off, so...

Minami: Let's get this over with...

[Move to Cafeteria]

[OST: The Justice's Brightest Star]

Hagino: [Angry] And what time do you call this, Minami!?

Whoa! This is way angrier than I thought she'd be!

Hagino: [Angry] You're damn right I'm angrier than you thought I'd be! You are late!

Not just late, either! Later than ever when you PROMISED you'd be on time!

[Pointing] You went back on your word, damn it!

Fujihara: [Nervous smile] Um... Hagino? Aren't you going a little hard on her?

Hagino: [Irritated] She broke her word. I hate it when people break their word!

Noguchi: [Smirk] We can tell.

Okazaki: [Worried] Like, you need to calm down, Hagino! Before you get high-blood pressure or something!

Hagino: [Irritated] ...

I...

[OST: Beautiful Morning]

Hagino: [Sighing] I apologise. I'm a little... on-edge at the moment, I'm afraid.

Minami: We all are, I think...

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Indeed.

[Stern] Regardless, I'm still sending people to get you to the meetings on time, understand?

Minami: OK, OK...

Fujihara: [Surprised] Wait a minute! I forgot to start filming!

I'm a little relieved he didn't catch that argument, actually...

Fujihara: Hang on...

[Camera out] OK... We're on!

Matsuoka: [Melancholy] Well... Day Three has arrived, and there's still no exits...

Urayama: [Arms crossed] Aside from the obvious, you mean?

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] B-but... nobody's going to do that, right?

Akutagawa: [Pointing] Correct! To even attempt to leave via the door in the assembly hall is suicide!

Junpei: [Surprised] Huh? N-no, I meant no one's going to commit murder!

Mai: [Cheerful] Right! We just have to keep being happy, and nothing will go wrong!

Chiba: [Bored] Nice plan. Any other world-beaters in there?

Muramoto: [Neutral] Mr. Chiba, please cease with your sarcasm. It adds naught to this discussion.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] Um... we haven't seen Monokuma in a while...

Do you think he's abandoned us, maybe?

Tamura: [Grinning] If only, right? Then we could have a proper go at tryin' ta bust outta here!

Washio: [Looking down] He wouldn't... I mean, um...

He wouldn't... leave us alone, I think...

So, um, yeah, I guess...

Degawa: [Arms crossed, looking away] Y'all oughta know I hate admittin' this, but it's the god's-honest truth.

There ain't no way, no how, that bear's left us t'our own devices, y'all hear?

Matsuoka: [Smiling] Either way, let's just keep trying to find a way out.

You're all free to go now.

Noguchi: [Leaving] At last...

Okazaki: [Leaving] Like, see you all later!

Everyone's heading off...

Well, better go back to the room.

[Fade to black.]

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

Once again I find myself with nothing to do...

I should probably hang out with someone to pass the time...

...

It's a little scary how well I've gotten used to this situation already...

[Move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt)]

[Move to Foyer]

[Move to Red Hallway]

[Move to Incinerator Room]

[Talk to Chiba]

Chiba: [Smiling half-heartedly] Top of the morning to you, Minami.

Minami: Um... hi?

Was that supposed to be a joke, or is he just weird?

Chiba: [Shrugging] So what brings you down my neck of the woods? Getting rid of some garbage?

[Bored] Or did you just want to talk?

He says "talk" like I'm making him miserable just by being here...

Do I spend time with Chiba?

-> YES

NO

Minami: Do you mind if we chat?

Chiba: [Smiling half-heartedly] Not at all. It gives me a chance to practice my routine a little with an audience.

[Shrugging] You don't mind, do you? If I try out the new joke?

Minami: Not at all! Let's hear it!

Chiba: [Explaining] Well, first off, it's for a kid's show, so you might not like it that much.

Minami: I don't mind. Just say the joke.

Chiba: [Explaining] Second of all...

Minami: Just tell the joke, Chiba!

Chiba: [Exasperated] Alright! Fine! I will!

[Thinking] OK... one second...

[OST: Love is Survival]

Chiba: [Goofy grin] Howdy howdy! It's time for Satoshi Chiiiibaaaaaaa!

So... A man goes to the circus, and he says, "I wanna job here!"

The ringleader says, "Right then. Show me what you can do!"

Now the man, he starts flapping his arms like crazy! And all of a sudden...

WOOSH! He takes off and starts flying around the big top!

Whoa! He's acting the whole thing out!

He's getting really into it, too!

Chiba: [Excited] He's doing loop-de-loops around the trapeze! Diving over the lions! It's a sight to behold, ladies and germs!

And he sticks the landing! 10 out of 10! And he looks at the ringleader with the biggest grin and he asks, "What did you think?"

And the ringleader just stays quiet for a bit. Then he looks at the man with a frown, and he says, get this...

"That's it? That's all you do? Bird impressions?"

[Laughing] Ahahahahaha!

Minami: Hahaha! That's actually pretty good!

When I heard how much he was talking it down, I thought it wouldn't be that good...

But it's actually pretty funny!

Chiba: [Smiling] I'm glad you like it.

You might surprised to know that I have three separate repertoires of jokes - one each for the three major types of clown.

Minami: There are three types of clown? Really?

Chiba: [Explaining] Each with different makeup, too. There's the Whiteface, the Auguste and the Tramp.

[Smiling] So tell me... which clown do you think would tell that joke?

Minami: Huh? Um...

Well, I know literally nothing about clowning, so...

Time to make a guess, I suppose! Let's see...

Which type of clown would tell that joke?

A: Whiteface

B: Auguste

C: Tramp

Answer: B

Minami: Is it... the Auguste clown?

Chiba: [Impressed] Not bad. Yes, that's right.

[Explaining] The Auguste clown is the really comedic one - the one that does the pratfalls and tells the biggest jokes.

The Whiteface clown is, by comparison, more artistic in his comedy, and the Tramp is very morose, doing deadpan jokes and suffering the most.

He's like a completely different person when he performs...

Minami: I had no idea there was so much technicality in being a clown.

[OST: When You Wish For Execution]

Chiba: [Sighing] Few people do anymore.

And he's back to normal... Damn.

Chiba: [Bored] Unfortunately, clowns have fallen out of favour in recent years.

[Shrugging] Think about it. When's the last time you saw a movie with a nice clown in it? Not an evil monster clown?

Minami: Well... um..

He's got a point...

Chiba: [Bored] All I ever want to do is entertain people. To make them laugh.

But just because I wear a little makeup, I'm instead derided for my goals.

He's far more philosophical than I thought he'd be...

Chiba: Ah well. It doesn't matter, really.

[Smiling half-heartedly] I suppose I am just a sad Pagliaccio. It adds to my Tramp character, I guess.

Minami: Well... I think you're funny, at least.

[OST: None]

Chiba: [Bored] ...Thank you for helping me with my routine, Minami.

[Shrugging] If you don't mind, I'm going to go relax for a little now. Maybe come up with a new joke. Who knows?

Minami: Oh! OK. No problem. See you around, Chiba.

Chiba: [Leaving] Likewise...

...

Hmm... he's a lot more sophisticated than his talent would suggest, isn't he?

He's not half-bad a comedian, either...

...

Nothing much else to do here. Better go back to the room.

[Fade to black.]

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

Hmm... I'm bored again...

...in a place where anyone could kill me! Get a grip, Minami!

...

Still... it wouldn't hurt to spend time with someone, would it?

[Move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Days]

[Move to Foyer]

[Move to Cafeteria]

[Talk to Mai]

Mai: [Cheerful] Hiiiii Hanni! How are you?

Minami: I'm fine. Yourself?

Mai: [Excited] I'm super good! Super SUPER good! I'm bursting with happiness! I just want to share it with someone!

[Pointing excitedly] You! Hanni! You shall be the target of my happiness!

Well... I'd feel really bad if I didn't talk to her after that big appeal...

Should I talk with Mai?

-> YES

NO

Minami: Alright... I'll be the "target of your happiness".

Mai: [Cheerful] Yaaaaay! OK, OK, OK! What do you want to talk about first?

Minami: Um... how about your talent? I mean, you don't usually meet many jockeys.

Mai: [Excited] Sure! Yes! Let's talk about that!

So, what do you know about my horse?

Minami: Um... I know its name? Tsunami Rider, right?

Mai: [Cheerful] Hey, that's right! But that's just his racing name, you know? His secret name - the one I call him - is Kokai!

Minami: Huh. Do horses usually have two names like that?

Mai: [Excited] Yeah! He's registered to race as Tsunami Rider, but I call him Kokai!

So, what else do you know about him?

Minami: ...Nothing.

Mai: [Crocodile tears] Aww... I thought you might have known more...

[Cheerful] Oh well! It means I get to explain it all to you! Yay!

She needs to lay off the sugar, I think...

Mai: So, Kokai is about three years old right now! He's super cool! So slick! So fast!

[Excited] And, hey! There's a special word for horses like him, too! Do you know it?

Minami: ...I don't NOT know it...

Um... a male horse that's three years old...

Isn't that...

A: A colt

B: A gelding

C: A foal

Answer: A

Minami: So... he's a colt, right?

Mai: [Cheerful] Yaaaay! You got it!

Because he hasn't been neutered, he's a colt! And in one year, he'll be a beautiful stallion! SUPER COOL!

Minami: You really do love Kokai, huh?

Mai: [Excited] Sure do! Actually, at first I was gonna turn down my Hope's Peak invitation because of him!

Minami: Wait... what? Really?

Mai: [Cheerful] Of course! See, Hope's Peak lets you have small pets, like cats and things.

[Crocodile tears] But they said they might not be able to let me bring Kokai along because he was too big! I cried all day!

[Excited] But in the end they made a special exception, so I was happy again!

Wow. Talk about being dedicated to your pets...

[OST: Despair Syndrome]

Mai: You should have seen me when he got sick! I was sooooo sad!

Minami: What happened?

Mai: [Neutral] He got a cold. A really bad cold. So I stayed with him until he got better. Didn't eat... didn't sleep... just stayed with him in the stable.

Minami: Wow. How long was he sick for?

Mai: About five days.

Minami: What? You went five days without eating or sleeping?

Mai: [Cheerful] Of course! He's my horse, you know!

[Smiling] Besides, I can go a while without eating. I'm used to it!

Minami: ...Really?

Mai: Yeah! Gotta stay the right weight to ride!

That sounds a little dangerous...

[OST: None]

Mai: [Cheerful] Anyway, I wanna go take a nap!

Minami: Huh? Oh, OK. See you later.

Mai: [Leaving] Buh-BYE, Hanni!

...Well, that was certainly... an interesting conversation...

I feel tired after talking to her. It's like she's on a permanent caffeine buzz...

Monokuma: DING DONG DING DONG!

Huh? It can't be nighttime already, can it?

[We see Monokuma on a TV screen, lounging in a chair comfortably, as he sips a B-52 through a silly straw.]

Monokuma: Attention all students! Attention all students! A meeting is being held!

Please make your way to the Assembly Hall and await further instructions!

That's all for now! See you soon!

[The screen blinks off. We see the Cafeteria.]

...This can only mean trouble, can't it?

Well, I better head over...

There's no knowing what that bear might do if I don't turn up...

[Move to Foyer]

[Examine Black Double Door]

Well, it's open now...

Here goes nothing.

[Move to Assembly Hall]

Everyone else is here already...

I'm late as always, I guess.

Urayama: [Thinking] Anyone have any idea what the bear has in store for us?

Okazaki: [Nervous smile] Maybe, like, he's gonna let us go?

Noguchi: [Unimpressed] Stupid girl. Isn't it obvious?

Washio: [Reluctantly looking up] Um... no...

So, um... what do you think... he's going to do?

Noguchi: [Smirk] He's going to kill us all in one fell swoop, of course.

Matsuoka: [Serious] Not likely. It wouldn't be in keeping with his rules.

Tamura: [Scratching head] D'ya really think he follows his own rules?

???: Of course I do! It wouldn't be much fun otherwise!

[OST: Momomomonokuma]

[The camera zooms past everyone, from the rear of the assembly hall to the front. As it nears the stage, Monokuma leaps out from behind the podium, landing on top in a seated position.]

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson]

Monokuma: And to get the stupid questions out of the way first, no, I'm NOT letting you go!

Matsuoka: [Glaring] What do you want, bear?

Monokuma: [Sad] Is that any way to greet your headmaster?

I'm dismayed... Despairing... Woe is me...

Takanashi: [Uncertain] Um... I think you hurt his feelings, Matsuoka...

Monokuma: [Chuckling] Wrong! I don't have any feelings to hurt!

Minami: Why did you call us all here, Monokuma?

Monokuma: Simple! I'm noticing a distinct lack of murder!

[Black side] By this point, I would have thought at least ONE of you would have broken! I'm beary disappointed in you all!

Degawa: [Angry] Get to the point! What're y'all trying ter pull?

Monokuma: Well, now! That's the fun part!

[Arms in the air] I'm giving you all a little incentive to get you hyped and ready for action!

Akutagawa: [Determined] Impossible! Motivation only works if you are a good person!

Monokuma: [Thinking] Really? So how do serial killers get the energy to murder people?

Akutagawa: [Surprised] Well... er... that is...

Monokuma: [Angry] If I could continue without being interrupted by MORONS, that would be great!

[Excited] So! Time to unveil my latest and greatest motive!

Feast your eyes... on these!

[We see Monokuma brandishing several TV remotes, each with two buttons.]

Monokuma: Mono-Remotes! There's one of everyone, so don't be shy to take one free of charge!

[Back to Assembly Hall]

Muramoto: ...This is your grand scheme to set man against man? Television remote controllers?

Monokuma: [White side] Not just ANY TV remotes! They only work on one TV around the school - the one in your room!

So be sure to get the one with your name!

I managed to find the one marked with my name. It had a green button and a red button on it.

Monokuma: [Explaining] They auto-tune to the new Mono-TV channel!

There isn't much in the way of shows right now, but the channel does have one thing that's definitely worth watching!

[Bashful] And it took forever to make! I'm very proud of it!

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] S-so... what are we supposed to do with these?

Monokuma: [Chuckling] Upupupu... Why don't you all go back to your rooms and try them out?

I'm sure you'll have a memorable experience with Mono-TV!

[OST: None]

So... that's it? He's just going to disappear?

Hagino: [Serious] ...I think it would be prudent to listen to him.

Fujihara: [Nervous smile] H-hey... I'm sure it's nothing to worry about! Right, guys?

Mai: [Cheerful] Right! We just have to stay positive!

Matsuoka: [Serious] Alright. Everyone go see what's up, then meet at the Cafeteria.

Chiba: [Leaving] What the hell could he have got for us...

Degawa: [Leaving] See y'all soon, I guess...

OK... Let's see what the bear has in store...

[Fade to black.]

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

So... I'm assuming I just press the green button, and...

[There is a beeping noise as the TV turns on.]

At first, I'll admit, it all seemed fairly underwhelming.

A TV station was Monokuma's grand scheme to get us to kill? Really?

But... as the TV blinked on...

I began to realise just how much I'd underestimated the bear...

[We see a young man with brown hair and eyes, around 22, chained to a chair in an empty glass tank. He is utterly and completely terrified beyond belief, and is bruised and bloody. Monokuma is doing a voiceover.]

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Extracurricular Lesson]

Monokuma: Hello, you bastards! Welcome to Mono-TV! A twenty-four-hour live marathon of the most despair-inducing content there is!

Here's our extra-special guest! Why don't you tell us your name?

???: T-Tooru Minami...

Minami: What!? No! Bro!

Monokuma: Hello, Mr. Minami! Do you have anything you want to tell the folks watching?

Tooru: Hanako... Please... Help me...

Minami: O-oh my God... Tooru!

Monokuma: Upupupu... he can't hear you, sunshine! He doesn't have the access to the cameras that I do!

But he does have a message for you! Go on, read it like we rehearsed!

Tooru: "I-if Hanako Minami doesn't kill anyone in 48 hours... this tank will..."

Monokuma: This tank will what?

Tooru: Please... don't do this...

Monokuma: Stop going off-script! This tank will what!?

Tooru: ..."This tank will... flood with water, drowning me... S-so..."

Oh, God... "So you better kill someone, Hanako! For me!"

Monokuma: Perfect! Well done! Oscars and Emmys all around! Woo!

N-no... Tooru...

Monokuma: Well, you heard him, Minami! Better get a-killing! Upupupu...

Gyahahahahaha!

Minami: Sh-shut up! I'm not listening to you!

[The screen goes dark as Minami switches off the TV.]

[OST: None]

[Back to Minami's Room]

Oh my God... I...

I don't know what to do...

I have to go meet the others!

Tooru... Please be OK!

[Auto-move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Weekly Despair Magazine]

[Move to Foyer]

[Move to Cafeteria]

[We see the students gathered around a table in the Cafeteria.]

Matsuoka: Everyone! We need ideas right now!

[Back to Cafeteria]

Noguchi: [Shaken] S-so... am I right in assuming we all saw a person we care about deeply?

Washio: [Tearing up] My mom... He's got my mom...

Okazaki: [Surprised] Like... it's OK! We'll... we'll think of something, Washio...

Fujihara: [Nervous] A-are you sure? That bear... I'm sure he's thought of everything...

Akutagawa: [Sweating] W-we cannot give in, classmates! We must combat everything Monokuma throws at us!

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] E-easier said than done! What can we do?

Takanashi: [Biting brush] We just have to think it through!

...Right?

Degawa: [Furious] If I ever get my hands on that good-fer-nothin' bear, I'll fucking kill him!

Tamura: [Angry] Ya have ta get in line for that!

Minami: ...

I can't think of anything...!

Muramoto: [Eyes closed, sweating] There is... nothing we can do except...

Hagino: [Serious] No one is killing anyone. I forbid it.

Chiba: [Wringing hands] You think a killer's gonna listen to you?

Mai: [Crying] I... I don't want anyone to die!

Urayama: [Irritated] Listen to yourselves, all of you! The bear has thought of all this already!

We have a choice, either one of us or sixteen innocents!

So one of us has to die!

[OST: None]

Matsuoka: [Lost composure] ENOUGH! EVERYONE, ENOUGH!

...

[Shaken] Urayama... I will NOT have you, or anyone else, spill Monokuma's venom here! Understood?

Urayama: [Surprised] ...Understood.

Monokuma: DING DONG DING DONG!

[We see Monokuma on a TV screen, lounging in a chair comfortably, as he sips a banana daiquiri through a silly straw.]

Monokuma: Attention all students! It's 10 o'clock, which means Nighttime has officially started!

All water systems will be turned off, and the cafeteria will be locked.

Good night, sleep tight! Don't let the murderer bite!

[The screen blinks off. We see the Cafeteria.]

Matsuoka: [Sighing] ...Everyone get some rest. We can talk more tomorrow.

[Fade to black.]

Everyone left the cafeteria in dead silence. No one could really think of anything to say.

We were all still in shock, I think. It was the first time we really understood how dangerous Monokuma was.

As for me... I went back to my room quietly and locked the door tight.

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

Tooru... How did Monokuma get his paws on you?

...I have to save you, bro. I don't have any other choice.

Tomorrow...

I have to kill someone.

[Fade to black.]

MONOKUMA THEATRE

Monokuma: You know, I'm starting to realise how to prevent any murders from happening!

All I have to do is remove myself from the equation!

If I wasn't there, then you bastards wouldn't kill each other, right?

You'd all live together in peaceful harmony for the rest of your lives and...

...

Gyahahaha! I can't keep a straight face!

Who am I kidding? You'd all kill each other anyway!