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

As a sidenote, a character I ended up rejecting from Heights makes a small cameo appearance. It's nothing major, just a fun tidbit.

I'm sorry this took a while. I've been busy with job applications, not to mention university, which is a whole new kettle of fish. But, it's here! Yay!

Okay! The final chapter for one of the students! I wonder who it is?

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... what a rough night's sleep...

That whole Ultimate Despair thing... not to mention the motive...

...

The morning after the last motive...

[Flash back to Degawa's body.]

...Degawa was dead.

[Back to Minami's Room.]

...Even if things are going badly...

...I have to have hope... don't I?

[We hear a growling noise.]

...Ugh.

I had to skip dinner because of that early nighttime... I'm starving.

I'll skip the shower and head straight to breakfast, I think.

[OST: Beautiful Dead]

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

Takanashi: [Upbeat smile] Ah! Good morning, Minami!

Minami: Hi yourself.

...Where is everybody?

Akutagawa: [Frowning] After what happened yesterday, it seems our classmates are all a little shaken...

[Looking down, disappointed] I tried to persuade classmate Washio to come, but I'm still not sure if she will.

Urayama: [Neutral] I'm fine with it being quieter than usual.

It means I can think to myself for a bit.

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] Yeah, b-but you had all n-night last night to do th-that...

Urayama: [Eyes narrowed] Let me rephrase that: think to myself around other people.

That is, draw inspiration from you.

Muramoto: [Arms folded] Apologies for my tardiness.

Minami: I wouldn't say you're late... Not even Hagino is here.

Muramoto: [Neutral] Mm. I was holding conversation with Mr. Matsuoka. He will not be attending today.

Akutagawa: [Surprised] You've seen classmate Matsuoka? He's alright?

Muramoto: [Eyes shut] I would refrain from saying such things. He was physically unharmed. Naught more.

Tamura: [Fired up] Awright! I'm here, an' I gotta fuckton ta say!

[Confused] ...Where is everyone?

Urayama: [Dry stare] Not here yet. What were you saying?

Tamura: [Surprised] Oh yeah! Right!

[Scratching neck] So I peeked 'round the Stage this mornin', lookin' for clues, ya know? I mean, for what happened yesterday.

[Excited] An' I think I got somethin'!

[Fired up] See, that dumbbell musta been tied up there before the motive!

Takanashi: [Head tilted] How do you get that idea?

[Biting brush] ...Um, that is, how do you know?

Tamura: [Smug grin] Easy! Ya couldn't have tied it up ta the rope from the catwalk! It's too heavy!

[Pointing] So I reckon they tied it up on the stage, then used one of those sandbag thingies ta lift it.

Akutagawa: [Arms akimbo] Excellent work, classmate Tamura!

[Hands on hips, confident grin] That means whoever this Ultimate Despair is must have been around the Stage before the motive was announced!

Junpei: [Smiling awkwardly] B-but... that doesn't really n-narrow it down much...

Chiba: [Bored] ...Hmm.

...That's the first time Chiba's spoken since I got here...

Noguchi: [Neutral] Good morning, everyone.

Takanashi: [Shy smile] Morning... how are you?

Noguchi: [Scowl] I was fine until you tried to initiate a conversation with me.

Let me get my breakfast in peace.

Mai: [Excited] HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

Urayama: [Dry smile] Good luck with that, Noguchi.

Mai: [Excited] GOOOOD MORNIIIIIIIING!

[Cheerful] Let's be super positive today so that the creepy mask guy doesn't feel good about himself!

Chiba: [Bored] ...Where's Okazaki?

Mai: [Surprised] Huh? Oh, uh...

[Beaming] I was talking to her, and she's a little freaked out, soooooooo she's having a private bath!

Muramoto: [Stroking chin] Understandable. She was indeed nearly sent off this mortal coil.

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] U-um... hi, everyone...

Akutagawa: [Smiling] Classmate Washio! You came after all!

Washio: [Blushing smile] I, um... I guess I, uh, did...

[Eyes averted] ...Not many, ah... people here...

[OST: Beautiful Ruin]

Hagino: [Neutral] Enough people are here.

Tamura: [Surprised] Gah, fuck! Where the fuck d'ya come from!?

Noguchi: [Neutral] She's been waiting behind the kitchen door since you all arrived.

[Smirk] Or was I the only one smart enough to notice?

Hagino: [Gentle smile] ...Even though there are several of us missing, I would like to propose something.

A tea ceremony. In the Karesansui. Directly after this meeting, as a matter of fact.

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] A t-tea ceremony?

Urayama: [Eyes narrowed suspiciously] And why are we doing this?

Hagino: [Serious] Because Mai is right. We need to prove to Ultimate Despair that we are not giving in.

That we will continue to enjoy ourselves, in spite of hardship.

Takanashi: [Shy smile] I suppose... I'm for it.

[Biting brush] ...I mean, if enough people are interested, that is...

Tamura: [Fired up] Hell, ya know me an' big events like this! I'm in, no question!

Junpei: [Smiling awkwardly] I... I c-could do it...

Muramoto: [Eyes shut] Regrettably, Miss Hagino, I am running an errand for Mr. Matsuoka today. I will be unable to attend.

Hagino: [Gentle smile] That's a fair excuse. I'll accept that.

Noguchi: [Scoffing] Hmph! A tea ceremony. What an insipid idea.

Minami: Well, I guess I'm in.

Noguchi: [Serious] ...I will come.

Tamura: [Smug grin] Eh? Whatsat flip-floppin' about, bird boy? Ya got a new girlfriend?

Noguchi: [Glare] Shut up before you say something you regret.

Mai: [Giggling] Heehee! You're funny when your feathers are ruffled, Noguchi! Get it? Feathers?

Noguchi: [Scowl] I hate all of you.

Mai: [Cheerful] Anyway, I'm totally coming!

Akutagawa: [Hands on hips, confident grin] I would love to attend, classmate Hagino!

[Faltering grin] ...However...

Washio: [Looking up reluctantly] Actually, um... Akutagawa and I are, ah... doing a, um... a...

[Blushing smile] ...a private workout session, so...

Hagino: [Gentle smile] ...Ah, I see. Of course, you can miss it.

Chiba? Urayama? How about you two?

Chiba: [Looking down dejectedly] ...Whatever.

I'll come.

...Oh, Chiba...

Urayama: [Neutral] No, thank you.

Hagino: [Gentle smile] You have a reason, I'm assuming?

Urayama: Of course I do.

[OST: DISTRUST]

Urayama: [Dry smile] And I don't need to give it.

Hagino: [Taken aback] Pardon...?

Urayama: [Eyes narrowed] You all think that you're being so clever by acting cheerful.

But you're just trying to obscure the truth: you're all terrified.

[Arms folded] As an artist, hiding the truth goes against everything I stand for.

In fact, I don't need to spend my time with you all. Your self-deluding will affect my work.

[Leaving] Good day.

[OST: None]

Tamura: [Angry] ...Fuckin' prick. He's almost as bad as bird boy...

Takanashi: [Head tilted] So... that's it? Nothing else anyone has to say?

[OST: Beautiful Days (Piano Arrange)]

Akutagawa: [Arms akimbo] As a matter of fact, there is!

[Flexing] It is of the utmost importance!

[Pointing passionately] Classmates! Hear me!

Junpei: [Smiling awkwardly] We can h-hear you, you know...

Akutagawa: [Shouting] Sayaka Maizono! Ibuki Mioda! Lee Seul-Ki!

[Pointing passionately] Out of these three musicians, which is your favourite!?

Chiba: [Exasperated] ...

Hagino: [Disbelieving] ...

Minami: ...That's it?

Akutagawa: [Hands on hips, confident grin] Indeed, that is it! I need a music recommendation!

I've never even heard of that last one...

Minami: Uh... Maizono, I guess.

Tamura: [Smug grin] Mioda all the fuckin' way!

Junpei: [Smiling awkwardly] I g-guess I'm a Lee guy myself...

Akutagawa: [Smiling] And you, classmate Washio?

Washio: [Blushing smile] A-ah... I, um... I like Maizono...

Akutagawa: [Confident grin] Of course! Maizono!

The survey is complete! Thank you, classmates!

Mai: [Giggling] I get the feeling Tsushi's getting a CD as a present sooooooooon!

Washio: [Blushing profusely] A present...?

Akutagawa: [Blushing] I-it was not meant like that at all!

Hagino: [Laughing] Haha... Anyway, everyone...

[Gentle smile] Finish breakfast, then head down to the Karesansui, please.

[Leaving] I'll meet you down there.

Tamura: [Grinning] ...So! Anybody here seen the Tammy Gotcha things on their ElectroID? I love these things!

Mai: [Cheerful] Ooh! Ooh! And they always turn into poop for some reason!

Muramoto: [Arms crossed] ...Why do I feel I require a translator...

[Fade to black.]

We talked and ate breakfast for some time together.

One by one, everyone left to head downstairs...

[OST: None]

...until it was just me in the Cafeteria.

[Fade into Cafeteria.]

Hmm... that was a nice meal.

Anyway... I better get going...

...I don't wanna miss anything.

[OST: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt)]

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

[Talk to Hagino]

Hagino: [Beaming] Minami! Welcome! I'm so glad you came.

Minami: Not a problem at all.

...Okay, I sorta need to get past you --

Hagino: [Gentle smile] Hold on, Minami. This is a tea ceremony.

Leave your shoes outside, please.

Minami: Oh... got it.

...

...Okay, can I go in now?

Hagino: [Beaming] Of course, of course! Please, come in!

[Move to Karesansui]

Hmm... as I expected, there aren't actually that many people here...

[Talk to Junpei]

Junpei: [Biting thumbnail] Jeez... it's q-quiet...

Minami: Yeah. I was expecting a few more people to turn up...

Junpei: [Awkward smile] W-well... they might sh-show up later, right...?

Minami: I hope so... there are too many people missing for me to relax at all.

[Talk to Tamura]

Tamura: [Grinning] See, now, this is what I'm talkin' 'bout!

Nothin' like hot drinks an' sweets, am I right?

Minami: I guess?

Tamura: [Shrugging] But, hey, I'm just happy ta be here, ya know what I mean?

[Smug grin] Heh! A party's a party!

[Talk to Mai]

Mai: [Puffed-up cheeks] MMBMMHMMM.

Minami: ...Sorry, what?

Mai: MMMBHMHMMBM.

Minami: ...Swallow your food, Mai.

Mai: MMKY, MMKY...

[Excited] ...THIS IS SUPER COOOOOOL!

Hanging out with my very bestest friends! Yaaaaaaay!

...That ringing in my ears is telling me that I maybe should have left her with her mouth full.

[Talk to Noguchi]

Minami: Why did you come, anyway? I thought you hated parties.

Noguchi: [Looking away slightly] I do. But yesterday, someone nearly died.

Minami: So you want to band together...

That's... noble of you.

Noguchi: [Smirk] Please! I'm only here so that none of you can accuse me when someone does bite the bullet.

...For a moment I thought he was being a decent person.

I never learn, clearly.

[Talk to Takanashi]

Takanashi: [Biting brush] I'm not so sure this party will work out...

...We're missing a lot of people, after all...

Minami: It's better than nothing.

Takanashi: [Worried frown] ...Is it?

[Talk to Chiba]

Chiba: [Bored] ...

Minami: ...You okay?

Chiba: [Eyes down slightly] ...

He doesn't seem like he wants to talk...

[OST: None]

Hagino: [Upset] ...Nobody else is arriving, are they...

Monokuma: [Off-screen] Upupupu! I beg to differ!

[OST: Master Monokuma's Special Lesson]

[We see Monokuma at the entrance to the Zen Garden, dressed in formal samurai wear and with a paper umbrella.]

Monokuma: You weren't going to throw a party without yours truly being invited, were you?

[Back to Karesansui.]

Tamura: [Annoyed] Aw, come on! Can't ya fuck off for just one day?

Monokuma: [Thinking] Eh... I could try, but I don't see any female bears...

[Blushing] Or male bears! I'm an equal-opportunity pervert, you know.

Minami: Why are you even here!?

Monokuma: [Neutral] Because, young grasshopper, tea is an inevitable portion of life.

[Both arms in the air] So decrees Grand Sensei Monokuma!

...Wow, he's more annoying than usual...

Monokuma: [White side] Hey, are those sweets? Don't mind if I do!

Mai: [Mock anger] Hey! Those are mine!

Monokuma: [Sweating] Sorry, but as a principal and samurai, I must confiscate these in the name of me!

Noguchi: [Scowl] You make less sense every day.

Monokuma: [Thinking] Call it, hmm...

[Black side] ...the shifting stage of our relationships!

Takanashi: [Confused] What does that even...?

Junpei: [Shaking head] Th-this is getting too weird... I'm outta here!

Hagino: [Reaching out] Junpei! Wait...!

[Upset] ...

Ugh... how typical...

[OST: None]

Monokuma: [Head tilted] Aww, is the poor old priestess getting abandoned again?

Hagino: [Taken aback] ...!

[OST: Despair-Syndrome]

Monokuma: [Sighing] There, there! I'm sure he didn't mean to leave behind all the hard work you put in.

[Chuckling] He probably had more important things to do... upupu!

Hagino: [Clammy] What did you... say just now...?

Monokuma: [Neutral] Oops! I didn't mean to touch a nerve there.

[Chuckling] I meant to stab into it, with great force!

Minami: Hagino... are you okay?

Hagino: [Furious] Monokuma... get out now.

Monokuma: [Black side] Can't and won't! Messing with you brats is the entertainment spectacle of a lifetime!

Hagino: I said get out.

Monokuma: [Annoyed] And I said "can't and won't"! Jeez! Buy a hearing aid or something!

Chiba: [Hand raised] ...You still haven't told us why you're here.

Monokuma: [Thinking] Eh? I gave a perfectly muddy and meaningless answer just a few minutes ago...

Did that not count, for some reason?

Noguchi: [Scowl] ...Just tell us why you're here.

You never show up without some ulterior motive. So tell us, or...

Monokuma: [Thinking] Or... what? You can't exactly hurt me, you know...

[Neutral] ...Oh, alright! I was coming here to warn you about...

[OST: None]

???: YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

Monokuma: [Chuckling] ...Double oops. Looks like I'm too late to warn you!

...Was that... a scream...?

Noguchi: [Serious] ...Minami. With me.

Minami: H-huh?

Noguchi: Are you coming to find out who that was, or not?

Minami: R-right...!

Mai: [Determined] And someone else better come, too!

Noguchi: [Arms folded] No. Stay here.

Tamura: [Annoyed] An' why the fuck should we do that?

Noguchi: [Cruel grin] Because Minami is the only one remotely intelligent enough to bring along.

Tamura: [Snarling] Grr... motherfuckin'...

Hagino: [Serious] Tamura... now isn't the time for arguments.

We'll wait here. Go.

Monokuma: [White side] Don't worry, kiddies! I'll keep you safe! Upupu!

Noguchi: [Serious] Minami! We're going.

Minami: O-okay!

[Auto-move to Entrance Hallway]

Okazaki: [Off-screen] S-somebody heeeeeeeelp!

Noguchi: [Scowl] That brainless airhead again... We need to keep her on a leash.

[Auto-move to Central Lounge]

[OST: Weekly Despair Magazine]

[We see Okazaki kneeling on the ground next to a bloody Muramoto. Muramoto has been smashed over the head with something, and his hair is matted and bloody. Okazaki is shaking him to keep him awake.]

Okazaki: Like, d-don't faint! Don't faint!

Muramoto: ...Nng...

[Back to Central Lounge.]

Minami: O-oh god...! Muramoto! Are you okay!?

Okazaki: [In tears] S-stay awake! L-like, stay awake, Muramoto!

Noguchi: [Scowl] Out of the way, bimbo. I need to check his pulse.

[Neutral] ...He's alive. Shame.

Okazaki: [Accusatory] L-like, "shame"!? What is wrong with you!?

Noguchi: [Questioning] Who hit you, samurai?

Muramoto: [Clutching bloody head] ...In...

...inside... ggh...

Minami: ...Inside the stage! Come on!

[Auto-move to Stage]

Okazaki: [Pointing] L-like, look!

[The camera zooms to focus on the mask of Ultimate Despair lying onstage, with a puddle of blood next to it.]

Noguchi: [Tugging glove] Could the assailant be our mysterious masked man, perhaps?

[Thinking] Monokuma did seem to know something about it...

Minami: Theorise later! Look everywhere! We have to make sure that nobody's...

They realised what I meant as I was speaking.

All of us looked around frantically.

In spite of the blood and the mask, we couldn't see a body anywhere.

[OST: None]

Okazaki: [Freaking out] L-like, this is ridiculous!

W-we see b-blood, but, like...

...where's the bod--

[Aghast] ...

Noguchi: [Annoyed] ...? What are you staring at...?

[Shaken] ...

Even though every bone and muscle in my body screamed telling me not to...

...I forced myself to follow their gaze.

I looked up...

[OST: Hope's Breaking Noise Music]

[We see the body of the Ultimate Jeweller, Kentaro Matsuoka, swinging gently from a rope around his neck. His eyes are bulged slightly, and the cloak of Ultimate Despair has been draped over his shoulders. His shirt has been ripped open, and the word "DESPAIR" carved into his chest, from which blood drips slowly down to the stage below.]

...and I instantly found myself wishing I hadn't.