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

Free Time goes to Matsuoka and Mai this time around.

Haha, I will confess that this chapter has been a daunting task for a long time. Quite a bit goes on, and I just pray to whatever deity may or may not be there that it goes smoothly.

Back from holiday at last! And, hey, new year, so why not have a new chapter to go with it?

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 brandy 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... this is by far the worst way to start the day...

Matsuoka: [Smiling] Not the most cheerful wakeup call, is it?

[OST: Beautiful Dead]

Minami: A-ah! Matsuoka! Good morning!

For a second I almost forgot you were here...

Matsuoka: [Sighing] I didn't forget you. You snore. Loudly.

[Coy smile] But cutely.

...Does that make it better, or...?

Matsuoka: [Neutral] Come on. We have to get to the meeting so we can tell everyone about... the thing from last night.

Minami: R-right...

That thing...

[The photograph of the hooded figure in the Monokuma mask is shown.]

Just what in the world was that...?

[Back to Minami's Room.]

Matsuoka: [Smiling] Alright... lead the way.

[Move through: Green Hallway -> Foyer -> Cafeteria]

Even with Matsuoka accompanying me, I still couldn't make it on time...

Everyone was there already.

Matsuoka: [Smiling] Good morning, everyone.

Tamura: [Scowling] Here we fuckin' go...

Hagino: [Concerned] Why the disdain, Tamura?

Tamura: [Frowning] Cuz we all know what's happenin' next!

Matsuoka's gonna launch into another one of his lecture things!

Matsuoka: [Smiling] ...Not this time.

Tamura: [Stunned] Say what?

Matsuoka: [Hand on chin] I only have one thing to say today.

You guys are free to talk.

Urayama: [Eyes narrowed suspiciously] ...Any reason why you aren't saying much?

Matsuoka: [Smiling] Call it trusting you all to do the right thing.

Noguchi: [Sneering] Hmph! Some consistency would be nice.

[Smirk] You give more mixed messages than the airhead in a tuxedo.

Okazaki: [Arms crossed, pouting] Like, hey! Mai doesn't wear a tuxedo!

Matsuoka: [Looking down, remorseful] I have been... erratic... lately...

I'm... trying hard not to be from now on.

Chiba: [Bored] ...If you need help, I'm here.

Matsuoka: [Grateful smile] Thank you, Chiba. Now, before I speak my piece...

...does anyone have anything to say?

Akutagawa: [Pointing passionately] Indeed I do, classmate Matsuoka!

[Arms folded, frowning] I was in the gym, doing my morning routine...

[Arms akimbo, shouting] ...when I noticed that the ten-kilogram dumbbell was missing!

Minami: Hmm... that isn't good...

I remember the gym had that poster about using a dumbbell as a weapon...

Hagino: [Gasping, hand on mouth] You think someone took it with lethal intent?

Junpei: [Panicking] ...D-don't look at me...!

[Biting thumbnail] There's n-no way a s-scrawny guy like me could do it!

Okazaki: [Smiling awkwardly] Like, nobody was accusing you of anything...

Urayama: [Looking away] Speaking of theft, I too noticed something missing.

Mai: [Surprised] Huh? Two things went missing in one day?

Talk about spooky mysteries! We should call Detective Conan!

Urayama: [Frowning seriously] No... actually, this was yesterday. I didn't have the chance to bring it up, though.

Tamura: [Pointing, grinning in agreement] Oh, yeah, I know whatcha mean!

[Arms folded, frowning] See, Urayama an' me were gonna do some pool, ya know?

Urayama: [Neutral] But one of the pool cues was missing.

Matsuoka: [Hand on chin] Pool cues, and weights? Strange things to disappear...

Takanashi: [Biting brush] Do you think... it was the same person...?

Noguchi: [Smirk] No, it was a coincidence. Of course it was the same person, stupid girl.

Hagino: [Frowning] Hmm... while I disapprove of Noguchi's tone, he is probably right...

Everyone, be on your toes.

Okazaki: [Excited] Oh! Like, speaking of being on your toes...

[Winking] I'm doing, like, a dance thing today in the hall! So, like, everyone be there!

Washio: [Confused] A dance... thing?

[Looking up reluctantly] Um... what, uh, what made you want to do that...?

Okazaki: [Shrugging] Well, like, actually, it was Junpei's idea.

Junpei: [Scratching head, bashful] Aheheh... yeah, I admit it, I thought it would be cool...

Minami: Junpei, wanting to see a cabaret show? How scandalous!

Junpei: [Panicking] Sh-shut up, Minami! N-not like that!

Muramoto: [Arms folded] For what reason, then?

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] All that b-backstage stuff looks cool...

[Smiling awkwardly] I wanna give it a try, if that's fine.

Hagino: [Smiling gently] Of course it is, Junpei. Now...

Matsuoka, you had something?

[OST: None]

Matsuoka: [Serious] Yeah... I did.

Everyone please take a look at this photo, taken by Chiba last night.

[OST: Despair-Syndrome]

[The photograph of the hooded figure in the Monokuma mask is shown.]

Akutagawa: Wh... what is that...?

Muramoto: A new layer of devilry atop the ones already crushing us...!

Mai: Eww... that thing is super creepy!

Even though I'd seen it before...

...the image of that thing still gave me chills.

[Back to Cafeteria.]

Matsuoka: [Hand on chin] To what end, I'm not sure, but...

...this thing seems to be wandering around the tower.

[Serious] Everyone, please be careful.

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson]

Monokuma: [Head tilted] Huh? Everyone be careful? What kind of weak and meaningless advice is that?

Junpei: [Screaming] G-GAAAAAAH! He's here!

Okazaki: [Annoyed] Hey, like, do you HAVE to show up now?

Monokuma: [Sad] Oh... I was going to tell you what that thing was, but...

...I can see I'm not needed.

Chiba: [Grimacing] Y-you can't just do that...!

Monokuma: [Both arms raised] I can do whatever I want! I'm Monokuma!

[Thinking] Also... do what?

Mai: [Mock anger] Be tricksy like that, and make us want you to stay! GOSH!

Hagino: [Serious] Just tell us what it is, please.

Monokuma: [White side] Weeeeeeeell... only because you said please.

[Neutral] But don't try that on any other bear. They don't listen to please. They just eat you.

[OST: DISTRUST]

[The photograph of the hooded figure in the Monokuma mask is shown.]

Monokuma: For starters, that thing is one of you.

H-huh? One of... us?

Monokuma: Specifically, it's the one of you who's working for me!

Noguchi: W-working for you...?

Tamura: Hold it! None of us would ever work for ya in a million fuckin' years!

Hagino: I-indeed!

Takanashi: You... have to be lying!

Monokuma: Sorry! No joke.

One of you is working for me, and is under that hood.

I can't tell you who, of course, but I can tell you one thing.

In that guise... in that despairing visage...

[OST: None]

[Cut to black.]

Monokuma: Their name is Ultimate Despair.

[Fade in to Cafeteria.]

Monokuma: [Bashful] ...Well, that was fun! Bye, kiddies! Upupupu!

...

...

Ultimate Despair...

That name makes me feel fear like I never have before...

Fear of what? Of who?

[The photograph of Ultimate Despair appears again.]

Who is Ultimate Despair?

[Fade to black.]

Nobody knew what to say after that.

One by one, in total silence, we all left the Cafeteria.

Some went to prepare for shows. Others went to do their own thing.

Me? I went to my room and stared up at the ceiling.

I just... stared.

Things had looked like they were getting better...

...but that wasn't the case at all.

In fact... they were getting worse.

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

...I can't mope around here all day.

I have to go talk to someone.

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Dead]

[Move through: Foyer -> Blue Hallway -> Stairwell -> Entrance Hallway -> Central Lounge]

[Talk to Matsuoka]

Matsuoka: [Hand on chin] ...Minami. It's... really good to see you.

Minami: ...Good to see you too, Matsuoka.

Matsuoka: [Weary smile] Do you want to... sit for a while?

I'm... more than happy to talk.

Should I talk with Matsuoka?

-> YES

NO

Minami: I'm happy to talk with you, too.

Matsuoka: [Neutral] ...Good.

[Looking down, remorseful] I need to talk...

[Fade to black.]

Matsuoka and I talked for some time.

I wasn't sure if it was because he was tired, or upset...

...but he kept closing his eyes.

Maybe he didn't want to look at me...

...or maybe he didn't want to see me looking at him.

[Back to Central Lounge.]

Matsuoka: [Neutral] ...How well do I really know you, I wonder?

Minami: Hmm?

Matsuoka: [Hand on chin] Think about it. I don't know a lot about you, to be honest.

I don't know your talent, your thoughts, your favourite colour...

Minami: Yellow if that helps.

Matsuoka: [Smiling] Heh... alright, that was a good one.

[Serious] But I'm sure you see my point.

Minami: Yeah... If I could tell you, I would.

Matsuoka: [Looking away] No... I prefer it.

Minami: Huh?

Matsuoka: [Eyes forced shut] I thought I knew someone really well, once.

But then... they did something I thought they could never do.

[Looking down, remorseful] From then on, I've had a lot of trouble...

...working out who to trust and who not to trust.

Minami: I... see...

Matsuoka: [Eyes forced shut] I was a lot like this someone. So I don't trust myself at all.

[Weary smile] But you... you mystery. I can trust you. I know it.

I can trust you to do the right thing.

Minami: ...Trust is important to you, huh?

Matsuoka: [Hand on chin] It's important to everyone. Just to some more so than others.

[Staring] ...I have to go now. I'm...

[Looking down, remorseful] ...my eyes hurt a bit. I think I got some dust in them...

[OST: None]

...

I should go back to my room...

[Fade to black. Fade in to Minami's Room.]

Monokuma: DING DONG DING DONG!

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

Monokuma: Ahem... attention all students!

Please report to the Assembly Hall at once. We're gonna do something fun!

Oh... and if anybody's late, they'll be severely punished!

That's all. See you there! Upupupu!

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

...Oh, joy...

I have a feeling this is going to be one of those "motives"...

I better get moving...

[OST: Beautiful Morning]

[Move through: Green Hallway -> Foyer]

Everybody's starting to show up already, it seems.

Urayama: [Dry smile] So, we're obviously in for some showmanship, and possibly kidnapping.

Hagino: [Frowning] Is everything a source of sarcasm for you?

Urayama: [Pouting slightly] ...At least I'm funnier than Chiba.

Chiba: [Bored] ...Not surprising, really...

I'm a pretty useless clown.

Noguchi: [Cruel smile] You're a pretty useless human being, full-stop.

Chiba: [Looking down] ...

Oh, no... Chiba...

Mai: [Mock anger] Hey! Why are you guys fighting? We didn't even get the reason to kill yet!

Washio: [Wringing hands] ...Hopefully we, um... we won't fight... after that happens, either...

Akutagawa: [Arms akimbo, shouting] Of course not, classmate Washio! We will all stay motivated and resolute!

[OST: None]

Tamura: [Pointing] Yo, guys! The door's openin'!

Indeed it was. And, on the other side...

I don't think anyone really expected what we saw.

[We see Monokuma behind a lectern on the other side of the room, in academic gown and spectacles, waving a cane. In front of him, sixteen desks and chairs are laid out, each with what seems to be a sheet of paper on it.]

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson] Monokuma: Alright, you guys! Everyone take a seat! Reading time for the exam starts in five minutes!

Matsuoka: E-exam...?

Junpei: Why are we d-doing an exam?

Monokuma: You brats have been skimping on your study for a while now!

So, we're having a test! Specifically, the Monokuma Aptitude Test!

MonokumaAptitudeTestisaregisteredtrademarkofUpupuEducations.

Muramoto: What new devilry are you attempting to drown us in?

Monokuma: I said shut up and sit down!

...Hmm, looks like we're two short. I'll have to call their parents! Upupupu!

Now... get reading!

[We see Minami reading the test, utterly confused.]

"How many ways are there to skin a human?"

"Using the diagram, how do you stab into the aorta?"

Wh-what kind of questions are these...?

Monokuma: Writing time begins now!

[Fade to black.]

I did that crazy test to the best of my ability...

...mostly out of fear of repercussions.

[Fade in to Assembly Hall.]

Monokuma: [Both arms in the air] Aaaaaaalright! Time's up!

Noguchi: [Irritated] What was the point of that?

Monokuma: [Angry] You brats have no patience! Let me look over your tests...

[Neutral] ...Ah, I see...

[Sweating] ...Hmm...

[Chuckle] ...With a teaspoon! Excellent choice!...

Urayama: [Annoyed, brushing fringe with hand] ...Any time you want to make sense?

Monokuma: [Neutral] Alright! I'm using the magic of technology to PM your results to your ElectroIDs!

[A beeping noise is heard.]

Here we go...

[We see two scores, one in hot pink, one in blood red. Minami's hot pink score is 6, and her blood red score is 8.]

Huh? Two results...?

Monokuma: Allow me to explain!

That hot pink ranking, you see, is your position as a victim!

Takanashi: W-what...!?

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Extracurricular Lesson]

Monokuma: The smaller the number, the more likely you are to be axed off by one of your friends!

Hagino: Then... the red rating is...!

Monokuma: Correct!

The red rating indicates how likely you are to become a blackened traitor! Upupupu!

[Back to Assembly Hall.]

Matsuoka: [Clammy, sweating] ...This is a lie. It... it must be a lie.

Monokuma: [Angry] Do you pay any attention?

[Black side] I bend the truth, sure. But I never lie! Bear's honour!

[Neutral] Feel free to keep your scores secret, or to blab about them to your friends.

But, whatever you do...

[Angry] Just get outta my hall, you crazy kids!

[Auto-move to Foyer]

[OST: Weekly Despair Magazine]

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] Wh-who has... the highest murder score...?

Tamura: [Angry] ...Hey, the fuck ya lookin' at me like that for, bird boy!?

Noguchi: [Smirk] You're violent, quick to temper... of course it's you.

Tamura: [Cracking knuckles] Not fuckin' likely! I'll kill ya for sayin' that!

Minami: H-hey, guys! Calm down...!

Muramoto: [Eyes shut] Compatriots... t'is obvious the falconry fiend has the highest murder score.

[Arms folded] He's confessed to finding homicide desirous.

Okazaki: [Awkward smile] But, like, what about the victim, too?

We gotta, like, protect them, or something!

Chiba: [Bored] Protect? We can't protect anyone.

The murder's happening. It's inevitable.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] That's... very despairing...!

Maybe you're... you're...

Hagino: [Shouting] Stop, everyone! Don't you see he's trying to make us paranoid?

Akutagawa: [Forcing a grin] Right! We must forge on, classmates! Isn't that right, classmate Matsuoka?

[Surprised] ...Classmate Matsuoka?

Minami: ...He's gone already...

Noguchi: [Cruel grin] Typical. He trusts all of us until the moment conflict appears.

Washio: [Teary] I... I can't do this...!

Akutagawa: [Arm extended, surprised] W-wait! Classmate Washio! Come back!

[OST: None]

Hagino: [Eyes shut, sweating] We need to calm down, somehow...

Okazaki: [Finger pointing up] Like, I got it!

[Striking a pose] Everyone, like, wait around a bit, and my show will, like, cheer us all up!

Urayama: [Dry] ...It's not much of a plan.

Minami: Better than nothing...

I'm going back to my room.

Takanashi: [Anxious] ...You okay, Minami...?

Minami: I'll be fine.

[Examine Green Door]

Chiba: [Looking down] ...

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] ...I-I better get things ready...

[Accusatory stare] ...Away from y-you, Chiba...

[Fade to black.]

I didn't hear any more. By that point, I'd closed the door.

[Fade in to Minami's Room]

...

...

Ugh, I have to do something or I'll go insane...

I should go talk to someone.

[Move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Ruin]

[Move through: Foyer -> Blue Hallway -> Stairwell -> Entrance Hallway -> Central Lounge -> Right Hallway -> Music Room]

[Talk to Mai]

Mai: [Excited] Hanni! Hanni Hanni Hanni!

Minami: Whoa... slow down, speed demon...!

Mai: [Cheerful] We should do some totally super cool!

[Pointing, beaming] Ooh! I got it! Let's make a rock band!

[Excited] "Hanni and the Super Cutes!"

Minami: Uh...

Do I hang out with Mai?

-> YES

NO

Minami: Well, I don't really see why not...

Mai: [Excited] SUUUUUPER!

Bagsy on the drum kiiiit!

[Fade to black.]

I tried to keep up with Mai's Animal-style drumming...

...but she was far too fast to keep up with!

She couldn't even play drums...

I think she was just excited to hang out.

[Back to Music Room.]

Mai: [Sweaty] Whew... that was... intense...

Minami: You... really are pretty energetic, huh?

Mai: [Grinning] No duh! A jockey has to be super full of energy!

Minami: ...Shouldn't the horse be the energetic one?

Mai: [Mock anger] Ugh! I always hate that sooooooooooooooo much!

Minami: H-huh? You... hate horses?

Mai: [Surprised] No! Of course not! I looooooooooove horses!

[Mock sadness] I hate the way people view race winners, though...

Minami: The way people view race winners...

Hmm...

Maybe she means it in this sense?

A: Recognition

B: Trophies

C: Pay

ANSWER: A

Minami: ...You mean, who gets the recognition for the race?

Mai: [Agreeing smile] Yeah! That's it, exactly!

I mean, I put in a metric ton of work to get Kokai over the line!

[Exaggerated crying] But whenever you see the races in the news, they always talk about his trainer and owner!

Minami: I see...

Mai: [Neutral] It's half the reason I'm always so shouty!

[Twiddling fingers] I figure if I speak loud and proud enough, people will start to remember me.

Minami: And... the other half of that reason?

Mai: [Cheerful] Because I'm just so CUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE!

...Yeesh. My ears are ringing...

Mai: [Excited] Okay! I'm gonna keep practicing the drums so we can be a monster band!

If she's going to keep "playing", I better get moving...!

[Fade to black.]

I returned to my room to rest my aching eardrums...

[Fade in to Minami's Room. A knocking sound is heard on the door.]

...What now?

[Examine Door]

Noguchi: [Irritated] Minami.

Minami: Noguchi... what are you doing here?

Noguchi: [Embarrassed] Ahem... "Hello, cutie!"

Minami: E-excuse me?

Noguchi: [Blushing, tugging collar] "You are specially invited to Kaede Okazaki's spectacular cabaret performance!"

"Noguchi will escort you to the Stage so that we can get this incredible performance underway."

"Hugs and kisses, Kaede Okazaki."

[Embarrassed] ...

Minami: ..."Hugs and kisses"?

Noguchi: [Irritated] Not my idea, I assure you. Okazaki forced me to on pain of sitting through her show.

Minami: You chose calling me a "cutie" over watching a show?

Noguchi: [Scowling] Just be quiet and move.

[Auto-move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Days (Piano Arrange)]

[Move through: Foyer -> Blue Hallway -> Stairwell -> Entrance Hallway -> Central Lounge -> Stage]

Okazaki: [Blowing kiss] Like, hey, Minami! Good to see you! Mwa!

Minami: Okazaki... the show starts soon, huh?

Okazaki: [Surprised] Right! I, like, better get on-stage right now!

Noguchi: [Irritated] I'm leaving now, and I don't care what you, she, or anyone else says.

Minami: Bye... cutie.

Noguchi: [Scowling] Shut. Up.

Hmm... there's quite a lot of people here.

[Talk to Urayama]

Urayama: [Neutral] I admit, I'm not particularly interested in... this sort of thing...

But, anything to raise spirits. Even a bad idea like this.

[Talk to Tamura]

Tamura: [Toothy grin, excited] Aw yeah! Ain't nothin' like a good dance ta lighten the mood!

Minami: Do you... know what type of dancing cabaret is?

Tamura: [Scratching back of neck] Somethin' like disco, right?

...Oh, she's in for a show...

[Talk to Akutagawa]

Akutagawa: [Melancholy] I had only hoped that classmate Washio could have attended...

In fact, it seems several people are missing...

Minami: Right... I don't see Chiba, Takanashi, Hagino, Muramoto...

Akutagawa: [Thinking] Not to mention classmates Matsuoka and Noguchi... and where is classmate Junpei?

Minami: He's working backstage, remember?

Akutagawa: [Laughing] Ah, yes! Of course!

[Talk to Mai]

Mai: [Cheerful] This is gonna be super cool! I've never seen cabaret live!

Minami: So, you've seen cabaret... before?

Mai: [Grinning] Well, yeah! Who hasn't?

[Neutral] I just wish Umi could watch... but she's got other things to do.

...Hmm.

[OST: None]

Okazaki: [Off-screen] Like, ladies and gentlemen! How's it going?

This is Kaede Okazaki! And, like, I hope you're ready for the show of a lifetime!

Junpei! Like, gimme a spot!

[Fade to black. A light shines down, revealing Okazaki, her leg kicked into the air in a raunchy pose.]

[OST: Mrs. Monomi's Practice Lesson]

Okazaki: Like, let's get this party starteeeeeeed!

Okazaki began her routine.

It was fun, even if I didn't enjoy it on the level I was supposed to.

Everyone was rapt. We couldn't take our eyes off her.

[OST: None]

...That was, until we heard a horrifying sound.

Snapping rope.

[We see a heavy metal dumbbell, attached to a severed rope, plunge from the ceiling. The students watch in horror.]

Urayama: What the hell!?

Mai: Kaeki!

Tamura: Fuck! Move!

Okazaki: Huh?

...YIIIIIIIIIII!

[Smash to black with the sound of splintering wood.]

...I slammed my eyes shut.

For a while, I was too terrified to open them, for what I would see.

...When I did...

...

[Fade in to Okazaki, shivering on the floor, next to the dumbbell, as the show's audience gathers around her. The dumbbell has put a massive hole in the floor of the stage.]

[OST: Weekly Despair Magazine]

...Tragedy had been averted...

...narrowly.

Okazaki: ...L-l-like...

...S-someone tried t-to... to...

...

Mai: Kaeki! Are you okay!

Urayama: ...She's fainted, but she looks unharmed.

Minami: Oh, thank God...

[OST: None]

???: Thank God?

...There is no God for you to thank.

...Even under the mask that muffled the voice and made it heavy and gravelly...

...it was thick. Dripping with contempt and loathing.

Even before we looked up, we knew who it was.

[Cut to Ultimate Despair, standing on the railings of the catwalk.]

[OST: Despair Syndrome]

Ultimate Despair: No God... save the all-pervading dread inside you.

[Back to Stage.]

Urayama: [Shaken] I-it's that thing...!

Ultimate Despair: [Neutral] "That thing"? How thrillingly degrading.

Look at you all. Scrambling in desperation.

[Arm extended, gesturing with palm] Your precious slut is saved by nothing but fortune. Will you be so lucky next time?

And what of the time after that? And after that?

[Arms either side] Do you see now the glorious inevitability of the void?

Give in. Despair will claim you all.

Mai: [Sweating] ...

Urayama: [Shaken] ...

[OST: The Justice's Brightest Star!]

Tamura: [Enraged] ...Not fuckin' likely!

Akutagawa: [Pointing heroically] You do not scare us! In fact...

...let us see you face to face!

[Cut to Akutagawa pulling himself up one of the sandbag ropes as the others cheer him on.]

Mai: Yeah! Go get 'em, tiger!

Urayama: Someone needs to go around and trap it!

Tamura: I'll get the others!

Minami: We can get that thing! I know it!

Ultimate Despair: ...Really, now.

You know nothing.

Urayama: It's getting away!

Akutagawa: I can't... climb in time...!

[Fade to black.]

None of us could figure out how it snuck out.

...It was some time before everyone showed up.

...Barring Matsuoka, for some reason...

[Fade in to Stage.]

[OST: Despair Syndrome]

Junpei: [Clutching head] Wurgh... my head still hurts...

Urayama: [Scowling] You did a brilliant job stopping that thing, I must say.

Junpei: [Teeth gritted, sweating] H-he must have s-sabotaged the sandbag before the show...

And he kn-knocked me out cold... I c-couldn't stop him...

Akutagawa: [Fists clenched, frowning] All that was left by the time I had scaled the rope was the costume!

Ultimate Despair was gone already...! I have failed you all!

Hagino: [Serious] Things are worse now than ever.

Now we have someone who is not only working for Monokuma...

[Looking away quietly] ...but who wants to see us all dead.

Chiba: [Eyes shut] It's only a matter of time before he tries again...

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Extracurricular Lesson]

Monokuma: [Claws out] NO. IT. ISN'T!

Muramoto: [Sweating] M-Monokuma... was your agent insufficient at making our day hellish?

Monokuma: [Angry] Zip it, archer! I'm not in the mood!

[Both arms in air] I'm not blowing your cover yet, Ultimate Despair, and YOU BETTER BE GRATEFUL OF THAT!

Takanashi: [Confused] W-what's going on...?

Monokuma: [Turned away] In case your feeble human mind cannot grasp the beary brilliant plan of Monokuma...

[Claws out] ...I had a strict deal with you, with a clause more important than my own gleaming claws!

[Both arms in air] No murder! That was it! Your single, solitary, easily-followed guideline!

Tamura: [Scratching back of neck] Wait, lemme get this straight...

[Stunned] Ya sayin' that the guy ya got workin' for ya isn't allowed ta kill?

Monokuma: [Angry] Of course not! That's an unfair advantage over the other players in this game!

I really didn't want to do this, but you have forced my paw!

[A beeping noise is heard.]

Huh? My ElectroID...

[We see Minami's ElectroID. A new Rule 7 has been implemented, moving the original Rule 7 to Rule 8.]

Rule 7: Any individuals working for Monokuma are forbidden from deliberately taking the life of another student.

...What kind of rule is this...?

[Back to Stage.]

Monokuma: [Angry] There! Maybe a written rule will do better than an unwritten one!

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] H-he's really p-pissed off...!

Monokuma: [Claws out] Damn right! I'm incredibly legendarily supremely pissed off right now!

One of you tried to play unfairly! I'M the one who decides who plays unfairly and who doesn't!

[Angry] That was a direct undermining of MY order! Of MY rules! Of MY dictatorship!

[Both arms in air] Nighttime starts now! Every one of you bastards get the hell back to your rooms immediately!

[OST: None]

Mai: [Shocked] ...I've never seen Monokuma so super angry...

Junpei: [Panicking] ...Th-this Ultimate Despair... they made a b-big mistake, d-didn't they...!

Chiba: [Bored] ...Anyway, we all heard him. Bedtime.

Tamura: [Stunned] But... we gotta look around here! See what the fuck happened!

[P[Fired up] We gotta do an investigation or some shit!

Hagino: [Looking down in melancholy] We can't... all we can do is go to bed...

...What an awful end to the day...

[Fade to black.]

I returned to my room.

There was literally nothing else I could do.

Monokuma, as usual, was far too overpowering to challenge.

I tried to force myself to sleep in this early Nighttime...

...but the only things that came to my mind were bad dreams.

MONOKUMA THEATRE

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson]

Monokuma: Have you ever had sticky rice pudding?

When you eat sticky rice pudding, it starts off nice.

But then, it gets a bit gluggy and heavy.

Pretty soon, your gut starts to grow from gluey sloggy sticky rice pudding.

Finally... BOOM! Explosion of sticky rice pudding!

...What, you expected me to say something that was plot-relevant?

Sorry! Like sticky rice pudding, too many hints will make you explode!