I FUCKING HATE THIS
JUST CAUSE YOURE A HORSE GIRL DOESNT MEAN YOU GET TO USE PROFANITY, MIWA.Ā

#extradirty
Peter Solarz
Sade Olutola

blake kathryn
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i don't do bad sauce passes

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we're not kids anymore.
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⣠Chile in a Photography ā£
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Kiana Khansmith

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@shslperfuming
I FUCKING HATE THIS
JUST CAUSE YOURE A HORSE GIRL DOESNT MEAN YOU GET TO USE PROFANITY, MIWA.Ā
hey @shslperfuming are the kids we found in that ocean place HUGE NERDS OR WHAT
Hahaha! Aw, Junpei-kun theyāre not so bad! I mean cāmon, oneās got a giant tv head!!Ā
Roulette Rampage End Game
Commission by Chauncelle.
[[ENDGAME START]] Final Scores || OPEN
The execution of Nabiki Kaname was painfully fresh in Misakiās mind, leaving her speechless and frozen in place as the elevator slowly made its ascent. All of the things that happened⦠this whole tragedy was coming to an end at last. Or so she thought. Before even letting the remaining students take a moment to get settled, that bear spit out yet another excuse to keep them locked inside of this hellish place.Ā
It took the botanist a few moments to process what Monokuma had just announced. For some reason, she couldnāt find it in herself to be furious. Instead, she felt tired. Tired of investigating, tired of being trapped here, and tired of watching her classmates die. Though it seemed as if the latter was at an end. She wouldnāt have to see anyone die anymore⦠And there was still hope for escape. All they had to do was find out who was responsible.Ā
Even if it was going to be difficult, there was still hope. No way was she going to give up here, when they were all so close. She couldnāt let all of this struggling be for nothing. She couldnāt let all of her friends die in vain. She was going to make it out of here, she was going to meet her family again, and she was going to make sure everyone else did, too. She looked up from where she was staring at the floor towards the others.
Junpei, who was standing not too far off from her, seemed to have the same thoughts.Ā
"Nakagawa-san, youāre completely right. We canāt stop here. I will help you look as much as I can." She stepped out of the elevator behind him, filled with hope that they will definitely be able to escape.
"Weāre definitely getting out of here. If its the last thing I do. Where do you think we should start looking?"
Out of all of them (although āall of themā is only six, now, ten of them murdered or executed or punished), Misaki is the first one to speak up in support. When he looks at her now ā shaken from the execution, but with a cautious optimism in her voice and a determination in her eyes ā she seems like an entirely different person to the shy, hesitant girl he met at the start of all this. Certainly, sheās a different person to the girl with the malicious eyes int he photograph ā and thatās all that matters, isnāt it?Ā
This is the Misaki he knows ā theĀ friend he knows ā and theyāre going to get out together. Nobody else is going to die. He, Kaori, Miwa, Etsuko, Misaki, and Atlas are going to get out of here.
If the thought that the perpetrator could be one of them crosses his mind, he doesnāt show it. Instead, for the first time in a long time ā maybe since before Oten died ā heās able to smile properly.
"Asaihara-sanā Iām glad. Iām⦠really glad. Letās work as hard as we can to escape this place with everyone, yeah?"
"I figure we should take it from bottom to top, since weāre down here anyway ā and I donāt wanna take the chance of missing anything, not when itās this important, yāknow? Iāll search the place as many times as it takes!"
Itās⦠been a while since he was this motivated. A combination of the end finally being in sight and a promise of no more killing means that he can maybe, just maybe dare to hope once more. With renewed vigor in his voice, he looks at the rest of the group.
"Anyone else wanna come? I think⦠now especially, we should work as a team. Thereās no reason for us not to trust each other any more, right?"Ā
Kaori couldn't get the last few words Nabiki had said out of her mind. Even watching the waves splashing up on deck before a shark swallowed her whole didn't feel real. None of it did. Her body and mind was numb to the world around her as she followed the crew back up.
When Monobear collected them at the top and explained what they had to do an overwhelming rush of exhausting took over her body. Moving her arms or legs felt like they were being weighed down. As if invisible weights were strapped to her limbs.Ā
Her tired, sad expression stared lowly at her feet. The worn brown loafers looked different then before. Kaori hadn't even noticed how long they had been confined within the prison. Not that she was keeping track of time. What she was doing was pretending each death hadn't happened. Just like she had sworn she wouldn't do after remembering Haru's own.Ā
Tears welled up in her eyes and it took all her strength to hold her sleeve to hide her face. In silence she thought back about every student who was lost, about who she'd have to remember for the rest of her life, and cried. Masato, Kouya, Boa, Nagisa, Banri, Ryouta, Oten, Ai, Jinta, and Nabiki... Ten of them were gone from this world and pretending that they weren't wasn't going to bring them back.
The sound of Misaki and Junpei speaking made its way into her ears. Though she wasn't paying attention to much of it, just their voices brought her out of it. If they weren't letting it effect them this much... Could she really just truly let them do all the work? Being left behind in the prison was scarier than following them into the outside world. Kaori wanted to be with them all.
It took her a few moments to work up to courage to take a deep breath. Bringing both hands to her face at an alarming speed and slapping her cheeks hard. The smack of flesh hitting flesh echoed the room around her. The Perfumer faced her classmates with rosey cheeks and a genuine smile.Ā
"I- I want to join you! Junpei-kun... Misaki-chan... I'm scared... I'm really scared... But! I know if I'm with you guys when we leave everything will work out! So..." She nodded, wiping the last few stray tears from her face.
"Let's do this together!"
Worry Seed | OPEN
Misaki wiped off what tears managed to form at the corners of her eyes in what was a gross yet somehow touching scene of two girls crying at the bottom of a staircase. It was certainly reassuring to have her best friend by her side again. In a place as crazy, wretched, and unforgiving as this prison, the botanist felt a certain warmth in having Kaori closeby. It gave her something to cling to, something she could try her best to protect and someone that would appreciate her in return. She felt a little selfish thinking that way, but at least she could honestly say that this girl was one of the most important people to her. If anything were to happenā¦. well, she wouldnāt think about that right now. There was something more important to be doing rather than getting emotional all over again.
Still, Kaoriās change in attitude was bothering Misaki. Even if she was trying her best, Misaki couldnāt help but feel as though she were faking her optimism. She couldnāt blame her for being upset, though. Anyone would be, after seeing all that they have seen in the past weeks. Those weeks that felt like forever. Everything before this whole incident seemed so far away now. Even so, she wanted more than anything to escape out of this prisonā¦
She was brought back from her thoughts by her name being called. They were in front of the cafeteria now. Perhaps they would find some useful clues here. She smiled back at Kaori and nodded. Hopefully she didnāt look as worried as she felt. She was surprised as her friend tripped a little ahead of her, and for a second she believed that there would be another body hanging there again, just like there had been when they discovered Boa in days past. She let out a little sigh of relief with Kaoriās ājust kidding!ā and followed her a little closer around the kitchen, searching around with the perfumer instead of splitting up to search further.
Following the other girlās eyes near the sink, she saw that there was indeed a bucket missing. She searched a bit inside a few cabinets around where the bucket was missing, perhaps it had just been moved somewhere close? ā¦.Apparently not.
"Thatās strangeā¦" Misaki continued to look, taking a peek inside the sink for good measure.
Kaori followed Misaki with her eyes as she continued to inspect the areas where the bucket could have gone. The echoes of cabinets opening and closing filled the kitchen. The bucket was no where in sight, but maybe someone just misplaced it. There was never a rule against taking objects out of the room, after all.
The Botanist's voice broke the silence following her latest discovery and Kaori hopped up next to her. She peered into the sink, staring at the glossy substance covering the bottom.
"Whats that..? Did you turn the sink on, Misaki-chan?" She questioned, wondering why it looked wet. With the faucet on, water poured out into the base and down the drain. Quickly enough water flooded back up the drain and began to fill the sink.
"Huuuh? Weird."
With her own background working with essential oils, Kaori figured just what was clogging the drain after putting two and two together. "I think that's... probably oil. I've poured out some of my own perfumes enough times to clog the drain at home. It's an amateur mistake at best." She forced another grin in the direction of her friend.
Honestly, for the most time they've spent at the prison Kaori forgot about her own passion... Ā The reason this was even happening was because they were all Super High School leveled students. But that aside, they should probably look for a clue to make sure it was actually oil.Ā And if the killer poured the oil into the sink the jar should be in the trash. At least, that's where Kaori would put it...Ā
"Hey... Misaki-chan... If you were the killer, you'd still recycle right? I mean- it's not just me?" Kaori pointed to the trashcans across the room and began to make her way over there. Though it's not a long walk, the Perfumer misjudged her steps and kicked the trashcan over accidentally. Small particles of yellow powder covered the black lining of the trashcan, and more appeared inside the can.Ā
"... What's that?"
Worry Seed | OPEN
"Of course⦠Iāll always stand by you." Misaki smiled at her friend and nodded, squeezing her hands a little tighter before releasing them. Her face grew more serious as Kaori continued to speak.
"Katsuragi-san..?" She felt a bit shocked at hearing the name- it was always shocking when finally realizing who exactly they had lost⦠It was even more shocking seeing their unmoving face in their final expressions, never to smile, frown, nor speak ever again.
Jinta wasnāt someone that Misaki could exactly call a close friend. Every time they spoke, there was a large wall of mistrust that loomed high between them. It wasnāt as though anyone could blame them. It was a situation where trust was hard to come by and, in some cases, brought others to their end. With that picture that was shown of them, they had more reason to distrust one another.
Kaori was right, they had to search. They had to find out who did this so that they could bring themselves closer to escape⦠It was all they could do. However, the thought of following the rest of her classmates up the stairs to witness the lifeless body of the former class president made her knees feel weak. She wanted nothing but to get out of this prison with everyone, but she didnāt know if she could bear witnessing another death. Of course, she would eventually have to come to terms with it. The sooner the better. But it wouldnāt hurt to search somewhere else, right?
"Y-yeah⦠Why donāt we go look in the kitchen? Maybe weāll find a few clues there." Misaki turned to walk to the kitchen, being sure to stay close to Kaori.
Having Misaki back at her side was most comforting. Kaori finished her sobbing once again, wiping her snotty face all over her sleeves. She forced a goofy grin at her friend and nodded assuringly. That's right, if she had Misaki with her she'd be alright... Because wether she liked it or not, the Botanist had become something like a safety net for her.Ā And hopefully her friend thought the same.
"T- The kitchen? Alright..!" Kaori pushed forward, taking lead. By doing this she'd hopefully make her friend less worried about her mental state. Actually, the Perfumer hadn't cried this much in a long time. She held back most of her tears after seeing the death of her beloved and pushed back most negative emotions since then.Ā This was finally her breaking point. Despair, anger, sadness had all snuck past her walls and took root in their structure. Like a weed they crumbled from the inside out. Looking at it now, this was probably for the best.
Living like she was before now was just selfish.Ā
"Misaki-chan?" Kaori looked over her shoulder, making sure her friend was still behind her. "I can't say it enoughā but thank you again." Kaori pushed through the doors of the cafeteria and glanced up to the giant burger ahead. For a small minute she saw Boa hanging from the ceiling peacefully.
"A- aaaaah!" She stumbled, quickly recollecting herself. "Just kidding..!" Moving forward again she found herself standing before the kitchen door's. Kaori held it open for Misaki and followed her into the room. Once in the room she began searching high and low for anything out of place.Ā
Near the sink where a bucket was once kept, one was missing. Honestly, the only reason she knew it was gone was because in chapter 1 she had to clean up her own puke... "Where the bucket at?"
Worry Seed | OPEN
It had been a number of days since Misaki had said even a word to Kaori. Those dramatic words exchanged in that moment had lurked in her head through all else that happened in the days afterwards. Misaki had wanted to speak to her a number of times then, but could never bring herself to it. She stood there, racking her brain for words she could possibly say to the perfumer as she was approached. Thankfully, Kaori spoke first.
Misaki found herself overwhelmed with emotion from start to finish. Kaori seemed to be very desperate to apologize. It was a relief to know that she didnāt completely hate her. That last part, though, took her completely by surpriseā¦Ā Her face matched the other girlās in shade.Ā
"Kaori-chanā¦.ā she paused, taking a moment to gather her emotions despite the tears that almost found themselves escaping. She stepped closer and gently took her friendās hands, looking her in the eyes.
"Iām just⦠really glad youāre okay." She couldnāt find much to say after that. She was honestly just glad to see Kaori alive⦠Even if she was probably right about there being nothing outside of the prison for them to escape to.Ā
When Kaori saw the outcome of Jinta's death, she felt a rush of ease and terror combine inside of her. Heart pounding and eyes flooding with the only thought that she wanted to apologize. It wouldn't fix the death of their classmate or whatever happened to the outside world. Thankfully enough, Misaki was only a floor away. And luckily she even accepted her apology.Ā But still... That wouldn't change the fate of this situation.
They were going to have to have a trial for another classmate. For someone who thought they were doing the rest of the class good. Her heart pained for everyone in this situation and she couldn't stand around idly any longer.Ā
"M- misaki-chan..." She sniffed back. "Thank you..." Kaori took her hand and looked her in the eyes. Eyes watering up as she faced her. "Thank you so much for forgiving me... For standing with me... For being my best friend..."Ā
"J- Jinta-kun... is dead... And- And we can't leave here... Without a trial..!" Her voice cracked and she let out a short sob. "We have to search..!"
ITS PLATONIC
*whistling in the background*
Worry Seed | OPEN
For Misaki, leaving her room in the mornings to search for clues had become less of a meaningful search for escape and more of a forced routine. After finding that photograph, there hadnāt been much luck in locating anything else that would be helpful to finding a way out. Whether she hoped to find something or not didnāt matter; searching gave her something to do and made her feel at least a tad useful and kept her busy.
That very daily routine was interrupted today with the set of sounds that was becoming increasingly familiar. For once, she wasnāt that surprised. After all, every single time they were given a motive someone had taken up the offer. She stared at the wall for the few moments it took her to respond to the news. Suddenly, one thought sprung into her head: Who was it? It could be anyone whoās body she would see laying on the ground, motionless and surrounded by the remaining students.
Slowly, she turned towards the stairs, her steps growing faster with each thought that entered her mind. Before she could actually make it to the staircase, she heard the footsteps of someone else and turned to them expectantly. Maybe they could tell her without her actually having to see another dead person, or worse, a dead friend.
Taking the stairs felt longer than before. The climb up them was shorter considering how fast she was moving. Butā After seeing the body of her classmate resemble another boy she once knew her perception of time had changed. As she stood there staring at his body, it felt like hours had came and gone when really only seconds had passed. Finally when Kaori realized what was happening and talked it out with Junpei she decided to leave the investigation at the moment. Maybe it was for the best.Ā
Luckily for the Perfumer, Misaki was just in her sight. Though she still didn't know what to exactly say to her. 'Sorry' wasn't enough. Would anything actually be enough to prove how guilty she felt? Hopefully anything she could muster up could get the point across. While Kaori's body was still heavy with emotions, her feet glided gently against the concrete floor of the facility. Finally making her across from Misaki.Ā
"M- misaki-chan.." She muttered. Her lip trembled as she forced back anymore tears. "I- I- ..." Kaori stopped and took a deep breath, forming a fist with her hands.
"I'm so so so so so so so so so sorry. I'm so sorry! I know- I know you'll probably never forgive me... I know that I ruined everything... Butā" Without a doubt her face began beating red, still forcing the tears away.
"Misaki-chan... I love you.."
[Body Discovery] Stairway to Heaven
ultimatenun:
Deathās call echoes the halls by way of a distraught teenagerās voice, hitting across her ears as casually as someone would ask āhow are you?ā However a simple conversation starter wouldnāt give the nun a despairing feeling of elation, that moment between hearing about something and seeing it for oneās self where the last strings of hope unravel. The last thoughts of āmaybe itās not trueā or āI didnāt hear that correctlyā.
But the scene she walks into is quite the contrary.Ā
And for the first time in a while, the nunās smile cracks. Fades into an expression where nary a flicker of hope remained.
Jinta was dead.
Kaori was screaming.
Junpei was distraught and everything is a mess, a mess, a mess ā had she failed to be that beacon sheād always strove to be once more? Hands wringing, she can only stand there and watch the trainwreck before her eyes.
"Why are we being forsaken like thisā¦" She murmurs, barely above the breath of Ā a whisper.
Kaori drifts past him like sheās in a trance ā Etsuko follows soon after, and he accompanies the both of them back up to the second floor landing, where Jinta lies at the top of the stairs. Despite his lack of response⦠lack of aĀ pulse, before, heās half-hoping, deliriously, that heāll sit up ā like Etsuko did in the cathedral, before, alive after all. But Jinta doesnāt move, and Kaori is screaming and crying, and even Etsukoās ever-present calming smile is gone, and thereās the familiar ding-dong-ding-dong of the body discoveryā
ā..-!?ā
ā¦It had been a lie. Or, if not a lie, a deception. They had been lead to believe that if someone killed⦠everyone else would be free to go. But thatās not the case ā the echo of āsevenā in his head gives way to a new number, something much more final and foreboding.Ā Six.
Another investigation. Another trial. Another execution.Ā
ā¦Junpei wanted to cry. He wanted to scream, like Kaori is now. He didnāt want to lose anyone else, any more of his friends ā no matter what, he didnāt want thatā¦! But⦠what other choice do they have?Ā
For now, though⦠for now⦠he approaches Kaori, stepping in front of her to shield Jintaās body from her view and putting his hands on her shoulders. If he canāt cry, and he canāt scream⦠then he can at least try to stop Kaori from doing the same.
"K-Kaori-san, calm downā¦! I⦠thereās nothing we can do, so⦠so please donāt cry, okay?" Looking at her crying face, and looking over his shoulder at Jintaās body⦠two and two suddenly put themselves together to make four. Kaori crying upon the reveal of her secret ā and all the way back at the beginning, when Kaori had fled his and Miwaās company upon seeing the shards of plastic while investigating Masatoās death. TheĀ shards of glass that he sees scattered around Jintaās bodyā¦Ā itās reminiscent of that. Is that whyā?
"ā¦Reiki-sanā" he says, looking at the nun over Kaoriās shoulder, "ā¦Unless you want to investigate with me, could you take Kaori-san somewhere elseā¦?"
"ā¦I donāt think itās good for her to be here⦠unless you want to stay, Kaori-san?"
This certainly wasn't a game anymore. But then again, Kaori never really saw it as a game in the first place. At first, she just wanted to leave and to see her family again. But, with the outside world looking like it does... She could hardly care at this point. Someone else did thoughā They wanted to leave so badly they were tricked by monobear into killing a precious student.Ā
Her mind went blank with the screeching of tires and horns blaring. The poor girl didn't even notice Etsuko walk onto the scene. When the Perfumer came to she found herself being held up by Junpei. His words found themselves into her ears playing on repeat. Without a second thought, she pushed herself away from his grip and into his body. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, sobbing into his shirt.Ā
"This... This isn't fair anymore! He even trickā tricked... Someone else is going to die..! All for our sake... It's not fair..!" Her head laid against his chest. " I- I'm so tired of this..!"
Kaori took into consideration of everything he had said prior. Maybe she should leave the investigation... The best bet was to make up with Misaki right away, she couldn't handle this situation and the thought of her friend hating her. It was too much.
"I- I'm gonnaā gonna go find Misaki-chan..." She let go of him and stepped back. Her speech was still off but she kept her tears to a minimum. "You two should st- stay here and continue the s- search." Kaori added, sniffling.Ā "Th- thank you, Junpei-kun.."
And off she went, dragging her feet down the flight of stairs.Ā
[Body Discovery] Stairway to Heaven
"K-Katsuragi-sanā?!"
There had been an atmosphere around the prison that morning ā something he couldnāt quite explain. Maybe it was the pressure of the motive, of the possibility of escape⦠no matter what it was, it had made him feel restless. That and the clue he and Misaki had found⦠he couldnāt just sit around and wait for something to happen⦠couldnāt take a back seat to things any longer. That was what had brought him up the stairs in the first place, and nowā
ā¦He makes a token attempt to check Jintaās pulse, with shaking fingers, but finds none, and thatās all the confirmation he needs. Turning back the way he came, he flees down the stairs, nearly tripping as he reaches the bottom, feet pounding down the hallway as he throws open the door to the cellblock. There are so few of them left, he canāt count on anyone stumbling across him by chance ā he has to let them know.
"E-everyone!" he calls from the doorway, voice wavering and trembling. Itās a grim parallel to his announcement in the lobby a few days ago, only this time his face is pale and his entire body is shaking. Because, while Jinta is dead⦠the reality is he didnāt know him that well, and the motive echoes in his head. Seven, seven, seven.
"Katsuragi-sanā¦I found Katsuragi-san on the second floor! Heāsā"
"ā¦D-dead. Katsuragi-san⦠heās dead. I-I donāt know if we still need to get two more people to find him, or if we can justā¦" he trails off, the word lying unspoken on his lips.Ā Go?
Still working up the courage to speak with Misaki, the Perfumer found herself keeping her distance. She wanted to talk to her but she couldn't find the words to say 'I'm sorry'. Though it wasn't a bad place to start, it was still no place to stop. Kaori knew what she had done wrong, that her actions and words like knives, hurt her beloved friend. Again, when she brought herself to finally approach her she found Junpei's voice echoing into the room.Ā
'J...un..pe..i..?" Mustering all the strength she could, Kaori choked out her reply. What scared her the most is the information that followed.Ā
Someone was dead. No... Not just someone, but another classmate. Jinta Katsuragi to be exact. The situation didn't hit until she realized that seven students remained. Seven. The lucky number that would allow them to leave this place. Did that mean... They were free?
Even if it meant being free Kaori couldn't accept it. She had to see his body and even say goodbye. Something she hadn't done since the beginning. Pretending to accept that everyone was dead was easy. But, deep down she knew she'd have to say goodbye at some point. To let them go.Ā Kaori trailed past Junpei and up the stairs to the second floor.
As her eyes reached Jinta's body, the same horn that played back in her memories blared out in her mind. It was almost an identical scene to the death she witnessed years ago minus the car.
Eyes watering, she cried out. "Jinta-kuuun! E- enoooough! Wake up! Come on!"Ā
TASK 5 || Making It Count [OPEN]
Out of everyone here, Junpeiās probably seen Kaori the least since the day the watchtower opened up to them all; the last heād heard of her was her crying after the fight with Misaki. As far as he could tell, sheād spent the rest of her time confined in her room, and⦠he understands the sentiment, really. He probably would have done something similar, if his head hadnāt been spinning so much with the discovery of the paper and picture. Ā By the looks of Kaori now, her headās spinning just as much, if not more, checking and double checking as if she canāt believe her eyes.
"I-Iām really sure! Asahaira-san can back me up, we found it togetherā¦"
"ā¦I donāt get it either, Kaori-san⦠Asaihara-san says she doesnāt remember ever taking a picture like that, and⦠she looked so upset, thereās no way I couldnāt believe her. I mean, if I saw a picture of me looking like that, I wouldnāt know what to think, eitherā¦"
Gently, he takes the picture and document back out of her hands, turning them back towards him and giving them another look, for what feels like the eight millionth time. His eyes lock on the number ā15ā that Kaori seems so stuck on, and the corners of his mouth turn downward in an unhappy frown, his brows furrowing even more.
"ā¦What Fujikawa-san said⦠about one of us maybe not being a Hopeās Peak student⦠do you think thatās it? If thatās true, I⦠I donāt reallyā"
"ā¦Haha, sorry, Iām just kind of babbling at you, huh? This whole thingās got my head in a real mess, you knowā¦? Especially with the motive, now, too⦠I donāt wanna think about it any more, but I donāt think I can do anything else."
So Misaki found this picture with him? Even the Perfumer could gather how world changing that might be. She really wanted to learn the full story but by the looks of it there probably wasn't much more she would get out of any of them. Boa was... well... dead. Misaki has no idea what it all means according to Junpei and Jinta probably didn't either. And now there was a motive...Ā
If someone killed then they'd all go free right? Still, that small seed of despair had blossomed into a small sapling. Really would anyone go as far to kill someone just to go outside? They had no idea where they were and the entire world was barren. They were probably safer in the prison and that thought scared her.Ā
"Misaki-chan... I still trust her!" Kaori blurted out. She didn't want things to stay the way they were. "It's not her fault. I know it's not. This has got to be photoshopped, something? Right?" Letting the documents back into Junpei's care, the girl counted on her fingers how many students had died.Ā
"Eight." Holding out her fingers to show him. "So none of them... they were probably all on the list. Right?" She wasn't certain, but would someone this crazy let themselves get killed? "It has to be one of us then..! And if- If Jinta-kun, Misaki-chan, and Hoa-san are all in that picture with the uniform... They're clear right?"
Kaori forced one of her famous smiles and winked at him. "You don't have to apologize. I prooooobably should have talked to everyone sooner. It was getting lonely in my room!" Heh... yeah.Ā
TASK 5 || Making It Count [OPEN]
Ever since the reveal of the new room, there hadnāt been anything even vaguely resembling peace ā unrest, confusion, doubt, and fear had been running uncontrolled through everyone, it seemed like. Certainly, they had been running through Junpei, and from the look of the other seven students he was hardly the only one.
The watchtower had been one thing, but then there had been the picture and the document⦠After talking about it with Misaki for a little bit, she had given him possession of both. The torn document had been folded and placed in his pocket for safekeeping, the picture on top of it ā he hadnāt had a chance to show everybody yet, and something like this⦠something like this was something everybody deserved to see.Ā
Because of that, although his heart sinks in the familiar way when he hears Monobearās voice over the loudspeaker, thereās a silver lining ā everybody will be gathered in one place. If he shows everybody then, then itāll be easier ā although depending on what exactly Monobearās āgood newsā is, whether theyāll be up for hearing anything more isā¦
Well, thereās no way to know until they get there. And when they do ā when the conditions of the next motive are revealedā
"ā¦Escapeā¦?!"
Seven⦠those doors will open if seven people are left. They can find out what happened ā they can all get outā! Or⦠seven can get out, at least.
ā¦Itās huge ā itāsĀ monumental.Ā Only one more person has to die, and then they can all goā but he stops the thought there. He came here with an idea in mind, didnāt he?! No matter what the motive is ā no matter how earth-shattering it is, thereās something else everyone has to know, too. He needs all the help making sense of it he can get, after all.
"Um, everyone!"
Junpei raises his voice, clearly uncomfortable, but his tone has an uncertain resolve to it. āI know this really isnāt a good time, but⦠since youāre all here anyway⦠Asaihara-san and I found something in the Wardenās Office, hidden in the wall. A picture and a document. I have them hereāā He pulls them out, then, holding them out for people to see.Ā
"The document says something about the new Hopeās Peak class after⦠āThe Most Despairing Incident of Mankindā, I thinkā¦? And the pictureā¦"
"ā¦I donāt even know what to think of that, really⦠does anyone know anything?"
The days following the big reveal and her mental breakdown were hard enough. She spent most of the time sulking in her room, not wanting to face the rest of the class or Misaki for that matter. When the time came and Monobears voice played over the speaker, the girl forced herself to get up out of her bed and into the hall. It seemed like everyone was already on the move since the cell block was almost empty.Ā
Kaori didn't want to waste their time so she stepped up her game and got a move on. Obviously this was going to be another motive where they'd be forced to kill each other. Honestly, what was the point of this all again? He probably just wanted to kill them until no one was left standing. Wasn't the watchtower motive enough?
Just as she made it into the lobby, the remaining classmates were standing around. Waiting for her to notice, Kaori locked her eyes on Misaki and tried to make her way closer to her. But, that small seed of regret still lingered in the back of her mind. Maybe she shouldn't... After this she should apologize... It had already been long enough. Right?
"Mā" Kaori held her hand out to her but stopped as the Monobear greeted the entire class. He spoke about the newest motive and the lucky number Seven. If just one more classmate died, they'd be home free..? But, what was really waiting for them out there... Honestly, she didn't care... She didn't want to watch anyone else die...Ā
While Monobear finished up his speech Junpei began his own. The Perfumer still wanted to speak with Misaki but she thought she should listen to Junpei first. What was he speaking about? That- That picture... Why were they with Boa... and their uniforms..? Most Despairing Incident? it all didn't make sense. With that in mind, Kaori moved slowly over to look at it closer and without thinking... Grabbed it from his hands and looked at it intensely.Ā
"T- this doesn't make sense! Junpei-kun..! Are you sure?!" She looked over the letter and the picture a few times, each time it said the same thing. "Misaki-chan..? Hoa-san... Jinta-kun..? And- 15? That doesn't make sense! There's sixteen of us!"Ā
[Free Time] ENCAPSULATION
After a long morning of being knocked out in a cramped locker, an even longer afternoon of investigating, came a trial that had, truthfully, went by too fast. Of course, that wasnāt to say the emotional baggage that came with it wasnāt any easier to carry than it was during the last time. The entire day had been both physically and mentally draining, ending with him lying face first on his bed as his fingers recklessly tapped the cold frame holding up the mattress. Despite everything, he hadnāt gotten a wink of sleep, much to his dismay. In a situation as stressful as this, most would look forward to the temporary escape they would be able as they lost themselves in a dream. Atlas was no different. He shoved off the covers then threw them back on, lifted up his pillow then turned it over to the cold side, a small, tiny part of his brain wishing thatĀ maybeĀ someone would come over and drug him once again, anything to get him away from this place and deep into slumber. At this point, the nightmares were beginning to feel more pleasant than this reality.
And as he got a single glimpse out of the clear glass separating them from the outdoors, he decided that nightmares were definitelyĀ more pleasant. By a landslide.Ā
"No way."
As much as heĀ didnātĀ expect the yard of a prison to be beautiful flowers and sunshine all around, the fact that there wasnāt a bustling city or even just theĀ sightĀ of anything that could hold life made his heart drop. He ignored the bearās classy exit and moved closer towards the window, hoping that he just wasnāt looking close enough or it was right outside of his field of vision. It wasnāt until his ears picked up a familiar sob did he snap out of his search, and found his attention diverted over to the two figures huddled up on the ground.
"ā¦Um," He started, making his way over and restraining himself from outright asking if Etsuko had been the one to make her cry. "KaorāĀ Nā¦Natsume-san, Reiki-san.ā
"Can⦠I help with anything? I-Itās fine if you want me to leave, I mean, uhā¦"
Cries of despair paint the room and bounce across the window, ringing in the nunās ears, but she does not waver from this smiling demeanor. As Kaori continues to wail Etsukoās grip tightens gently in attempted comfort.
"Itās alrightā¦" She coos. "God forgives all, and God will inspire the forgiveness within othersā¦." Her eyes open at the sound of a new voice. Ah, Batmanās here again.Ā
"Are you a friend?" Well, they were all friends here.
"Just being there for each other is what we need right nowā¦" She extends a hand asking him to join their little sap fest.
What else was there? What could possibly fill the void that crept into the back of her mind... With Etsuko's gentle grip tightening, it was somewhat easier to push past those thoughts of despair. If anything just having that reassuring hug there was enough. Though, what she truly wanted to do was get up and find Misaki. Her arms and body felt limp as she continued to sob, it was like every emotion she ever felt was flowing out into the open room.Ā
Was this... Was this the first time she had cried since back then? The more she fought past the doubts of the future, she spent the remainder of the time looking over the past. If she could just have more time to think about her actions and that day... But before anything else Kaori heard his voice. She turned her body slightly to face Atlas and quickly hid her head in shame.
What was that? Did he hear the entire thing? Of course he did and he probably though she was horrible for it. But- he almost used her first name... So maybe... Maybe he wasn't mad with her.Ā
Fighting herself to stop sobbing, Kaori nodded her head. If she could do anything, she could at least put off her feelings to talk to the two. She trusted them both and wanted to stop crying. Maybe they could give her the strength to move past it and apologize.Ā
"Mhmā"Ā Kaori used her cardigan sleeve to wipe her eyes and face.Ā "It- it's alright... Atlas- I- er... Well- It's not okay, but- Thank you.." She choked out her response as she continued to hold back anymore sobs. "Y- you almost used my first name right..?"
The perfumer tried to force a bigger smile. Even though she was genuinely happy at the sentiment, it was still hard to stop herself from crying. "I- I'm glad. Thank you.." Just maybe she could learn his name too...Ā
[Free Time] ENCAPSULATION
The scene that had transpired was like the soundtrack to the despair filling the room. Kaori and Misaki, two close friends who stuck by each other, ripped apart at the seams. As Misakiās footsteps exited the room to be replaced with the perfumerās sorrowful wails. Frantic attempts to grasp at forgiveness when it had already scattered from her reach. How sad. Very sad.
The nunās eyes lift from one terrible scene to another, turning from the window and approaching the crumpled heap of perfumer. A pause occurs in which she simply stares at the poor creature, head tilted as if in attempt to understand.
She finally kneels, almost as she had done earlier with another student, except this time her hands venture to softly stretch across Kaoriās back and hold her shoulders.Ā
"Natsume-sanā¦" She whispers, lips frozen in a smile that hadnāt left since the trial. Forced, but she had to do it, she still had to be it ā the beacon of hope sheād aspired to be this whole time! Even if every part of her ached to frown. Her voice still managing to maintain its silky smoothness, if not with a bit of trembling waver here and there. "Itās alrightā¦"
With a touch soft like drizzle, the Nuns hand's traveled across her back. Etsuko grasped her shoulders tenderly and reassuringly. It wasn't until the Nun spoke out that Kaori finally removed her hands from her eyes. Her tears poured out onto her cheeks, flooding the floor below. How could she be so nice to her after what she did to Misaki? Guilt and regret burned into the back of her throat as she sobbed.Ā
"WAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaah! UUUuuuuwaaaaaaaaaah!"
Kaori sat with Etsuko like that for what felt like ages. Sobs of despair completely muting out the background noise. Her mind going over all of her questions and thoughts, like clockwork. Just how many people were still there, watching this scene? Watching her cry... It was Stupid, stupid, stupid. How stupid could she be? Hurting her dearest friend all because of some stupid trialā Some stupid window to the outside world?
"W- why..." She gulped out, trying to steady her sobs.Ā
She clenched her fist to her heart, pulling on her shirt. A distant flash of pain filled her chest. The pain of lossā heartbreak. Kaori knew that pain well, she'd try to hide it all this time but it was a common pain. Always alluding it's presence deep in the back of her mind.Ā
"I- I really... I messed up, Reiki-sama... I- Waaaaaaaah..." Kaori gasped out, still clutching onto her own shirt.
Talking out loud in this emotion was never easy for her. Speaking when she was ... it wasn't something she was fond of doing. If the girl said something now, it'd make it more real. The situation at hand, her tantrum, everything around them... But it was real and it hurt.Ā
"R- reiki-sama....."Ā