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

With that said, FTEs for this chapter were Urayama, Okazaki and Hagino.

to make it a bit less cumbersome.

[Move through: Example -> Example -> Example]

Second, movement through multiple areas will be written as shown:

First of all, since I was starting to burn out a little, there will only be one multiple-choice FTE per chapter. If it isn't fun for me to write, it won't be fun for you to read, right?

That said, I'm implementing two new things this chapter.

OK, hey, everyone! First off, I'm absolutely stoked that I got 1000 hits. Thank you to everyone who's supported me over the months I've been writing Heights, and I hope you continue to enjoy it into the future.

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.]

Get ready for another beautiful day...

I wonder how things will go wrong this time.

Worst case scenario, there's been another...

...

Damn it, I need to have a shower.

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Move to Minami's Bathroom]

[Examine Shower]

...Doesn't matter how long or short it is.

I'm not going to the meeting.

I can't look Matsuoka in the eye.

[Fade to black. The sound of running water is heard.]

...

Why does everyone in here have to be completely insane?

[The noise stops. Fade into Minami's Room.]

I'll give it... five minutes.

Everyone will have left by then...

[OST: None]

[A knocking sound is heard on the door.]

...Damn it.

I can never get a moment's peace.

...

I'll feel bad if I leave them hanging there...

[Examine Door]

Takanashi: [Biting brush] Um... hi, Minami...

Minami: Takanashi? What do you want?

Takanashi: [Fixing glasses] I was...

[Biting brush] ...you know... checking to see if you were OK...

Minami: I'm fine.

Takanashi: [Worried] ...You don't look fine...

Minami: ...Yeah, I know.

...Look... I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

Takanashi: [Confused] Huh? What do you mean?

[OST: Despair Syndrome]

Minami: I like Matsuoka. I want to like him.

But with everything he's doing... I don't know how I can.

Takanashi: [Biting brush] You... like him...?

Oh, um...

[Small smile] ...Hey, Minami... can't you just apologise?

Minami: He's the one who should be apologising, not me!

Takanashi: [Startled] Ah! I'm sorry! I...

[Biting brush] I didn't mean to... to...

Minami: ...It's not your fault. I'm just really on-edge.

[OST: None]

Takanashi: [Eyes closed in thought] ...

[Determined] ...Come on!

Ah! She... grabbed my hand!

Minami: H-hold up! What are we doing!?

Takanashi: We're going to the meeting so you two can apologise!

Wait a minute! I didn't agree to this!

[OST: Beautiful Ruin]

[Auto-move through: Green Hallway -> Foyer -> Cafeteria]

Okazaki: [Winking, posing flirtatiously] Just to, like, clarify, the girls will be having their bath at around midday! So, like, you guys stay away, OK?

Chiba: [Stroking chin] ...Midday, huh? Got it.

Takanashi: [Neutral] ...Nobody noticed us yet...

Minami: ...Can I have my hand back now, Takanashi?

Takanashi: [Surprised] H-huh?

[Biting brush] Oh... sorry...

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Thank you, Okazaki.

Matsuoka: [Serious] If there are no more announcements, I'll wrap things up.

[Arms folded] Be careful during your bath, girls. You will be defenceless.

Tamura: [Scowling] Fuckin' this again...

Matsuoka: [Staring] "This" is important, Tamura.

[Gesturing, arms folded] Remember, as always, stay sharp. A killer could be anywhere.

[Pointing] And they could be anyo--

[Surprised] ...

Eep! He saw me...!

Matsuoka: [Eyes shut, grimacing] ...

[The sound of a closing door is heard.]

He... he just left...

Mai: [Mock sadness] Oh, fiddlesticks... Kenka's super not feeling great...

Noguchi: [Smirk] Thank you for showing up when you did, Minami.

I didn't feel like a lecture.

Urayama: [Staring into space] ...Hmm.

Hagino: [Surprised] ...Well, then...

[Neutral] I'll say the meeting is over. Girls, see you all later today.

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] Classmate Washio! May we speak for a minute outside?

Washio: [Wringing hands] A-ah... um, sure...

Well... not much else to do, since the meeting wrapped up...

...

I better get back to the room.

[Fade to black.]

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

Hmm... nothing to really do.

Maybe I should go hang out with someone.

[Move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Dead]

[Move to Foyer]

[Talk to Urayama]

Minami: Hey, Urayama.

Urayama: [Neutral] Hello.

Minami: ...I thought you didn't like this statue.

Urayama: [Dry smile] I don't.

Minami: ...Oh.

Urayama: [Contemplative] ...

What a riveting conversation...

Urayama: [Looking to the side] Are we going to talk, or...?

Oh! He was waiting for me...

Should I hang out with Urayama?

-> YES

NO

Minami: Yeah, of course we're going to talk.

Urayama: [Frowning] About?

Minami: Uh... why exactly this statue is so terrible?

Urayama: [Dry smile] ...I can do that.

[Gesturing] Let's start with the subject matter.

[Fade to black.]

I listened to Urayama rant about the Monokuma statue for a while.

There wasn't a single opportunity for me to get a word in...

Regardless, I was enthralled.

For someone usually so dry, he was particularly vibrant as he spoke.

[Fade in to Foyer.]

Urayama: [Neutral] ...And that's basically it.

Minami: ...Huh.

He nearly talked my ear off...

Minami: So, this is a real passion of yours, I guess.

Urayama: [Smiling] Of course. I have sacrificed everything in the name of my art.

Minami: Everything?

Urayama: [Contemplative] Let me put it this way.

[Looking to the side] Food, water, sleep... you need these things to live.

[Nostalgic smile] But art... art is something you need to live for.

Huh, that's pretty deep...

Urayama: [Smile] Everyone has the potential to be an artist.

That's my belief, anyway.

Minami: I disagree.

Urayama: [Raised eyebrow] On what grounds?

Minami: Experience.

I don't have the technical skill to do anything like carve or paint.

Urayama: [Arms folded] I didn't either, once.

[Nostalgic smile] But... I saw the beauty of art firsthand in my hometown when I was still young.

Minami: Your hometown? Where was that, Kanazawa, or some other arty place?

Urayama: [Arms folded] Not at all. It was a much larger city than that.

[Dry smile] Hmm... let's make this fun. See if you can guess where I live.

[Eyes closed] In that city... I saw the most beautiful sculptures I had ever seen.

Ones that only lasted for a short amount of time...

[Nostalgic smile] Impermanent art.

Impermanent art?

Hmm... this might be a long shot...

But could his hometown be...

A. Tokyo

B. Sapporo

C. Nara

Answer: B

Minami: Hey, Urayama... is your hometown Sapporo?

Urayama: [Dry smile] Correct. I grew up in the north.

Minami: Then, these sculptures you're talking about...

You mean the winter Snow Festival, right? With those ice sculptures?

Urayama: [Neutral] Indeed I do. They inspired me to become a sculptor.

Minami: In what way?

Urayama: [Eyes closed] Those men who chipped at the ice and snow...

They made such beautiful creations, even in the knowledge that they would be gone soon after.

If they, I reasoned, could put in so much work for something that would only last a few weeks...

[Nostalgic smile] ...I could do the same for something to last forever in stone, or steel.

Hmm... I think I understand a little about why Urayama is so passionate about art...

[OST: None]

Urayama: [Neutral] In any case, Minami...

[Smile] I hope you, too, can one day make something beautiful.

Farewell for now.

...Man...

That guy can talk forever...

[Fade to black.]

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

Here I am again...

This room is getting more and more familiar.

...Unfortunately.

[OST: None]

[A knocking sound is heard on the door.]

Huh? Who is it this time?

[Examine Door]

Tamura: [Grinning, flashing a thumbs up] Yo, Minami! Get your towel!

Minami: H-huh? Are we doing it right now?

Tamura: [Eyes burning, excited] Fuck yeah we are! I'm fuckin' hyped!

[Scowling] Long as Okazaki ain't gonna try an' brag or anythin'...

[Grinning] Aw, who gives a fuck 'bout that anyway! Let's go, Minami!

Minami: O-OK! I'll meet you down there!

Tamura: [Punching the air] That's the fuckin' spirit!

...Damn, she's fast...

OK, just need to grab my towel.

[Move to Minami's Bathroom]

[Examine Towel]

OK, got it.

[Move through: Minami's Room -> Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Days (Piano Mix)]

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

Looks like almost everyone's here already...

Tamura: [Punching the air] Awright! Minami's here! This is gonna be fuckin' sweet!

Mai: [Cheerful] You said it, Rira! Suuuuuuuper coooooooool!

Washio: [Wringing hands] Um... I, uh... still don't feel too, um...

Too comfortable...

Okazaki: [Beaming] Like, don't worry, Washio. None of us are, like, judging.

Hagino: [Warm smile] Correct. We don't think it matters in the slightest what you look like.

Washio: [Crying softly] You... you're all so, um... so nice...!

Minami: H-hey! Don't cry! This is supposed to be a big fun thing for everyone, right?

Mai: [Tilting head] Speaking of everyone, did anyone see Umi?

Hagino: [Concerned] Hmm... I thought she said she was coming...

Tamura: [Arms crossed] It ain't a girls-only thing till all the girls are here!

Takanashi: [Surprised] S-sorry! I'm sorry!

Tamura: [Grinning, flashing thumbs up] Yo! There's my main gal!

Hagino: [Frowning] Is there a reason you're a little late, Takanashi?

Takanashi: [Biting brush] N-no! Not at all!

Mai: [Smiling] ...OK, let's not be all inquisition-y!

[Excited] Let's go super bathhouse fun time!

Washio: [Surprised] Ah... so soon? But, um...

[Shy smile] ...OK... Let's go...!

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Alright, everyone, remember... This is supposed to be relaxing.

Takanashi: [Awkward smile] R-relaxing, yeah...

Okazaki: [Striking pose] Like, you all better not be jealous!

Minami: Hah! As if we'd be jealous of you!

Okazaki: [Giggling] Like, what's THAT supposed to mean? Haha!

Tamura: [Eyes aflame, excited] Yo! Less talkin'! More bathin'!

[Fade to black.]

It was a really fun experience.

Everyone was having a great time.

[We fade into the steam-filled tiled interior of the bathhouse, which has two square baths - one is 40°C, and the other, 50°C - and a row of stools and showerheads in front of mirrors. Hagino is up to her neck in the 40° bath, her eyes closed in contentment, while Tamura is similarly relaxing in the 50° bath, her arms behind her head and a massive grin on her face. Mai and Takanashi are washing themselves with the showerheads, chatting as they sit on the stools - although Takanashi looks a little uncomfortable - while Okazaki hovers over them in a towel, waiting her turn while bragging about her figure. Washio clings to the back wall, wearing a towel, trying not to be noticed, while Minami stands in a towel a little towards the front, her eyes looking shiftily to the right of the camera.]

Perhaps the most interesting part of the visit, however...

...was when I heard the soft sound of a door being shut.

Hagino: Are you not getting in, Minami? The water is lovely!

Minami: Hmm...

Tamura: Come on, Minami! We're waitin' on ya! An' Washio, too!

Washio: Ah! B-but...

Okazaki: Like, no buts! We're, like, all doing this!

Minami: ...One second.

Takanashi: Huh? Minami... where are you...

[Fade to black.]

[OST: None]

Given what I saw before at the meeting...

And what I saw last night...

There's only one person that peeping tom would be!

Minami: Satoshi Chiba! It could only be you!

[Cut to Minami in a towel in the bathhouse entrance, arms folded and with an extremely irritated glare on her face, staring down Chiba, who is holding an instant camera and photo in his hands and has a look on his face like a deer in the headlights.]

[OST: Class Trial Dawn Edition]

Chiba: ...I can explain everything.

Minami: Including the camera?

Chiba: ...Yes.

There was this chestnut... it made me feel all...

...

Minami: Uh huh.

Chiba: I... I had to take the picture! I was compelled to!

I... I wasn't gonna show anyone!

Akutagawa: [Offscreen] Classmate Chiba! Did you take the photograph yet?

Junpei: [Offscreen] D-don't keep us waiting!

Minami: ...Give me that photo. NOW.

Chiba: ...Alright...

Have fun with the girls. Have fun...

Tamura: [Offscreen] Too late ta chicken out now, Minami!

Minami: ...Yeah, I will have fun. And, Chiba...

[OST: None]

Minami: ...if you ever need help feeling happy, just ask.

Chiba: ...! You... you saw...

...Thank you. For the offer.

Takanashi: [Offscreen] Don't keep us waiting, Minami!

Minami: Coming!

[Fade to black.]

That was the first time in quite a while...

...that I really had a lot of fun.

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

Hmm... there's still a bit of time left in the day...

I think I'll go hang out with somebody...

[Move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Ruin]

[Move through: Foyer -> Cafeteria]

[Talk to Hagino]

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Good day, Minami.

Minami: Hey, Hagino.

Hagino: [Neutral] I was just about to make myself some tea. Would you like to join me?

Should I hang out with Hagino?

-> YES

NO

Minami: I'd love to.

Hagino: [Beaming] Perfect. I shall begin boiling the water straight away.

[Fade to black.]

Hagino returned a short while later with tea and sweets, and we started to drink.

Everything she did was perfect - and I mean that in terms of mannerism.

Not once did she do anything to betray her refined exterior.

...Unfortunately for me, the tea was ridiculously bitter, so I didn't go too well...

[Fade in to Cafeteria.]

Hagino: [Concerned] ...Your face has shrivelled...

Is this the first time you've had tea like this?

Minami.: ...Maybe.

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Here, try a sweet. You're supposed to balance it out a little.

Minami: Thanks...

Agh! Too sweet!

Hagino: [Sighing] ...Your palette is unpleasable.

Minami: Can we talk about something other than my tastebuds?

Hagino: [Neutral] Of course. Go right ahead.

Minami: Well... what do you do as a priestess?

Hagino: [Embarrassed] ...In all honesty, it is not much.

I help with cleansing, do fortune telling, and sell souvenirs.

Minami: Souvenirs?

Hagino: [Concerned] You mustn't have been to a shrine in some time...

[Neutral] Most shrines have small shops attached these days. We sell little trinkets in order to help with upkeep.

Minami: And you work the counter?

Hagino: Aside from my other duties, of course. Most women do in shrines.

I'm not exactly sure how to feel about this...

If she only does small jobs, why is she called the Ultimate Priestess?

Hagino: [Sighing] Although... I am not fond of it.

Minami: Huh?

Hagino: [Concerned] Working in a shop, even to support my beloved shrine...

[Frustrated] It is not right.

When a kami bestows you prosperity, it is in the hopes that you will use those gains to become a better soul!

[Enraged] I would rather pray in a building falling apart around me than in one propped up by petty change!

Minami: Even if I'm not sure I fully understand, I get what you mean...

Hagino: [Embarrassed] So... I have been doing the wrong thing from time to time...

Minami: Huh?

Hagino: Rather than let the money of others fund us...

[Sighing] I pay out of my own pocket, and donate the money from the shop to charity.

[Biting finger worriedly] Ooooh... my intentions are pure, but it feels so awful to steal in such a way...!

...I think that answers my question.

This must be why why she's an Ultimate...

Hagino: [Sighing] ...I'm just a priestess, you know... I don't want to be an Ultimate.

Minami: But... surely it brings more people to your shrine?

[OST: None]

Hagino: Perhaps, but... never mind.

[Gentle smile] Thank you for this chat, Minami. And I hope you recover soon from your tea-induced shock.

Goodbye for now.

...I got so wrapped up in the conversation...

...I forgot how much of a headache that tea gave me!

I should go rest up for a bit...

[Move to Foyer]

[OST: Beautiful Morning]

Mai: [Whispering] Psst! Hanni!

Minami: Oh... hey, Mai. What's up?

Mai: [Cheerful] Wanna see something adorable?

Minami: Adorable?

Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

Mai: [Excited] Meet me in the lounge! It's suuuuuuuper cute!

...Time waits for no man... and, apparently, Mai waits for no girl.

Hmm... I wonder what it could be...

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

Mai: [Cheerful] OK, OK! Take a look! But you have to be super quiet, OK?

Minami: ...OK?

Mai: Follow me!

[Auto-move to Right Hallway]

...Why are we standing in front of the Gym?

Mai: [Excited] Get ready! It's totes adorable!

Minami: The way you're building it up, it better be...

Mai: [Whispering] Ssh ssh! Look!

...I'm not going to lie...

It was pretty touching to see.

[OST: Love is Survival]

[We see Akutagawa supporting a punching bag in his muscular arms as Washio, wearing a pair of red gloves, weakly hits the bag. Though Washio is sweating, and not doing the best job, Akutagawa is shouting commands with a confident grin on his face. Washio, too, is panting with a small smile.]

Akutagawa: Right jab!

Washio: Um... right jab!

Akutagawa: Left hook!

Washio: ...Left hook!

Akutagawa: Let's see some footwork, classmate Washio!

Washio: R-right! Footwork!

Akutagawa: You're a boxing machine! Nothing can stop you!

Washio: Nothing... nothing can stop me!

Akutagawa: Tsutsuji Washio is unstoppable!

Washio: Tsutsuji Washio is unstoppable!

Wow... Washio's looking a lot more upbeat than usual!

[OST: Beautiful Days (Piano Mix)]

[Fade in to Gym.]

Akutagawa: [Grinning] Alright, classmate Washio! We'll stop there for the day!

Washio: [Stretching out hand] U-um... wait!

Akutagawa: [Confused] Hmm? What is it?

Washio: [Wringing hands] Um... let's... keep going...!

Akutagawa: [Surprised] Y-you aren't tired?

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] I... I am, but...

[Blushing] When I'm near you, I'm, uh... less tired...

Akutagawa: [Blushing, looking to the side] ...

[Pointing passionately] Certainly! Let's get moving!

Washio: [Determined] Y-yeah! I'm Tsutsuji Washio! I'm unstoppable!

[Back to Right Hallway.]

Mai: [Cheerful] Squee! They are just sooooooo super cute!

Minami: You really think that... Akutagawa and Washio...?

Mai: [Hands clasped, beaming] Of course! This is how all the great love stories start!

[Dramatic pose] "Two students, both alike in dignity, in fair Mono-Tower where we lay our scene..."

M-Mai knows Shakespeare!?

Mai: [Hands clasped, beaming] Calling it now, they're gonna be the first kiss! Maybe even more!

Minami: Mai!

Mai: [Mock anger] Oh, come on! They are so adorable together!

[OST: None]

Akutagawa: [Arms folded, grinning] I am glad you enjoy watching us work, classmate Hanabayashi!

Mai: [Cheerful] How could I not? You guys are...

...

[Startled] ...EEEEEEEEEEEEK! SORRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

...When you can run that fast, why bother with a horse?

Akutagawa: [Neutral] Classmate Washio is feeling a little self-conscious. Do you mind, classmate Minami?

Minami: Oh! Uh... sure. Sorry.

...It was Mai's idea.

Akutagawa: [Arms folded, grinning] I'm sure it was.

[Auto-move to Central Lounge]

...

It's moments like these...

...that prove Monokuma wrong, isn't it?

[Fade to black.]

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

[Fade in to Minami's Room.]

Hmm... I don't wanna just hang around here all day...

I should go spend time with someone.

[Move to Green Hallway]

[OST: Beautiful Ruin]

[Move through: Foyer -> Cafeteria -> Kitchen]

[Talk to Okazaki]

Okazaki: [Cheerful] Like, hey, Minami! I was just about to, like, get a snack!

Minami: What were you getting?

Okazaki: [Beaming] Strawberries! I love them!

Minami: Strawberries?

Okazaki: Yeah!

[Excited] Heeeeey... like, we can have some together!

Should I grab a bite to eat with Okazaki?

-> YES

NO

Minami: Works for me!

Okazaki: [Beaming] Like, cool! Um... so, like, what sort of stuff do you like?

[Peace sign] I hope the answer is strawberries!

[Fade to black.]

Okazaki grabbed a punnet of strawberries and began to wolf them down.

She gave some to me as well, of course, but...

...she was like a vacuum cleaner or something!

As such, she was sort of occupied for a while...

[Fade in to Kitchen.]

Okazaki: [Cheerful, mouth stained red] Man! I, like, love strawberries!

Minami: I can see. You've, uh, got a little...

Okazaki: [Surprised] Oh! Like, thanks!

[Pouting] Jeez... if I'd missed that, it would have, like, made flirting so much harder!

Minami: Why are you so flirty, anyway?

You can't seriously have eyes for everyone you wink at, right?

Okazaki: [Angry] Of course not! I'm not, like, skanky!

[Arms crossed, frowning] Like, I want an apology right away!

Minami: H-huh? Okazaki, I didn't say that!

Okazaki: Sorry, can't hear you!

Minami: Okazaki, you're acting like a spoiled kid!

Okazaki: ...

Minami: ...Alright! I'm sorry, OK?

Okazaki: [Cheerful] ...Like, apology accepted!

It... doesn't take much to please her, does it?

Okazaki: [Frowning, arms crossed] But, like, no, I don't have a thing for everyone I flirt with.

[Winking, flirty pose] For starters, like, guys only. Sorry to, like, get your hopes up!

Minami: ...I'm not even...

Okazaki: [Sighing] ...Like, bad joke, I get it...

[Neutral] Anyway, like, I'm not really into anyone in particular here.

[Excited] So, like, I'll just keep trying until, like, someone decides they're into me!

Minami: Doesn't it bother you, though? Being stuck in here?

Okazaki: [Worried] Are you, like, kidding? Of course it does!

[Eyes shut, sweating] I wanna, like, go home and see my family more than, like, anything!

[Sighing] But... if I act all flirty, then, like...

...it's kinda a distraction, I guess...

Minami: ...Oh, I see...

Okazaki: [Down] Like, I miss mum and dad... and my little sis, too...

[Smiling hopefully] But, like... that's the Okazaki family motto!

[Cheerful] "Keep living to the fullest every day, cuz, like, it might be your last!"

[Striking a pose] So I'm gonna, like, keep being the dancing queen until we go home!

Hmm... I think I'm understanding the way Okazaki acts a little more.

[OST: None]

Okazaki: [Clutching stomach] ...Ooooooooh...

Minami: Are you OK?

Okazaki: ...Too many strawberries...

[Looking up slightly] I gotta, like, go, OK? Bye!

Minami: Wait! Okazaki!

What a reaction...

Let me see... I had five, and according to the box, there's...

...Well, I guess I won't be eating fifty-three strawberries any time soon...

[OST: None]

Monokuma: DING DONG DING DONG!

[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! 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 Kitchen.]

Nighttime already, huh?

Hmm... I am a bit tired...

[Fade to black.]

[OST: Despair Syndrome]

[Fade in to Foyer.]

[Move to Green Hallway]

Hm? Is that...

[Talk to Matsuoka]

Minami: ...Matsuoka.

Matsuoka: [Remorseful] ...

Minami: Any chance I can go inside my room tonight?

Matsuoka: ...I didn't want to do this in front of the others.

Minami: ...Do what?

Matsuoka: [Serious] Apologise.

[Eyes shut, fist clenched] I shouldn't have treated you that way before.

Minami: ...Why couldn't you say that this morning?

Matsuoka: [Dejected] Listen, I have my reasons, alright?

I'm trying to be a strong leader - one who doesn't break.

[Rubbing temples, covering eyes] But it isn't working.

Minami: I know. I heard you cried yesterday.

Matsuoka: [Dejected] ...The others don't have any faith in me anymore. Maybe they never should have.

I just... it's a personal thing, OK?

Minami: A personal thing?

[OST: None]

Matsuoka: [Serious] ...Alright... I'll tell you, and only you. I trust you.

The truth is...

...you see, my brother --

[The sound of a door slamming open is heard.]

Matsuoka: [Confused] The hell is...

Chiba: [Panicking] I... I need to hide...!

Minami: Chiba? Are you OK?

Chiba: [Sweating, tugging shirt collar] N-no...! I saw this... this thing!

I... I got a photo... here, look!

[OST: DISTRUST]

[We see a photograph of a massively-tall figure, in a black hooded coat, towering near the entrance to the Assembly Hall. Their face is concealed by a mask of Monokuma.]

Minami: W-what the hell is this?

Chiba: I... I don't know! It was tall - taller than Akutagawa and Muramoto, even!

It... it just stood there, like it was waiting...

Then, as I was watching it... it looked at me!

I got the photo and ran here as fast as I could...!

[Back to Green Hallway.]

Matsuoka: [Enraged] This... this has to be one of Monokuma's schemes!

Chiba: [Sweating] We have to go tell everyone!

Minami: That won't work... If what you said is true, that thing is still out there!

[OST: None]

Matsuoka: [Eyes closed in thought] ...Minami's right.

[Serious] We'll tell everyone tomorrow morning.

[Looking away] ...Minami, I'll need to spend the night with you.

Minami: Huh?

Matsuoka: [Serious] ...I know this is a big ask, Minami.

[Looking away] But... I'll admit it, I'm scared of that thing.

I don't want to cross the foyer to reach my room.

[Serious] ...I've got faith that you won't do anything in the night.

...Sharing a room with someone...

That's one of the riskiest things any of us could do...

...But there's no choice, if the alternative is leaving him to face... whatever that thing is... all by himself.

Minami: ...Alright.

Chiba: [Sweating] L-look... Matsuoka, you take the photo...

I'm... I'm going to bed...

Matsuoka: [Serious] ...Thank you. Good night.

[Looking away] ...We should sleep, ourselves...

Minami: ...Come in.

[Auto-move to Minami's Room]

[OST: Welcome to Despair Academy]

Matsuoka: [Neutral] I'll just sleep on the couch.

Minami: Yeah...

Matsuoka: [Looking away] ...I know you don't trust me fully anymore.

[Dejected] To be honest... I wouldn't.

[Serious] But... either way, I trust you.

Minami: ...OK.

Matsuoka: [Small smile] ...Good night, Minami.

Minami: ...Yeah. Good night, Matsuoka.

[OST: None]

...

...

...I trust him.

[Fade to black.]

MONOKUMA THEATRE

[OST: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson]

Monokuma: I find it amazing that you humans waste so much time waiting for things!

Waiting for the next episode of an anime or TV show...

Waiting for a new game to come out...

Waiting for a fanfic writer to get off his lazy behind and write...

You all do an awful lot of waiting, don't you?

What else could you be doing?