Saturday, April 26, 2014

Visual Novelist: Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc #8 - Coin hunt, round two!

Welcome to the next post of the Visual Novelist Let's Play of Danganronpa! Where, in the last chapter, Sayaka Maizono was killed by Leon Kuwata and Leon himself was executed for it. (That actually happened.) While Makoto Naegi can now hear the voice of my character! (That was completely made up for this Let's Play's meta-plot.) Let's see what happens... (Real.) (Or faked.) ...in Chapter 2! (Also, the post contains the events of about one and a half days...)

Warning: This is an LP of a game that contains blood, intense violence, strong language, and suggestive (read "sexual") themes. If any of those things offend you, don't click on the link below.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Makoto Naegi: ...
Yeah, I can see why you're being rather quiet...

Makoto Naegi: ...
(On top of two of your friends dying, you find out you're being haunted by the ghost of someone that, for all you know, is a complete stranger...) Akurei, that's not helping matters at al!

Makoto Naegi: ..."Akurei"? Who's that?
Huh? (*sigh* I think it's safe to assume that because the Monster and I only exist in YOUR own mind, Makoto can't hear us.) I don't know about you, Naegi-kun, but I'm tired and would rather just go to bed...

Makoto Naegi: ...
Ah, not really up for it right now I see...

Makoto Naegi: So, you can't force me to do something?
Nope, at best I can only give suggestions. It's your decision if you want to act upon them or not. Well, since the rest of the room's cleaned up, maybe it's best to check that... You know what, isn't still in the Shower.

Makoto Naegi: Right... ...It's gone...
Just like I thought.

Makoto Naegi: ... She...she really is gone.
And, yes, I've checked. I haven't seen any sign of Sayaka's ghost being anywhere. Nor Leon's for that matter...

Makoto Naegi: ...It's almost like...there was never anything there to begin with. If you're a ghost, why not them as well?
To be honest, I don't know either...

Makoto Naegi: It's almost like... Every last sign of Sayaka's existence has disappeared without a trace...
Well, there's one sign that remains that even Monokuma can't erase, our memories. (You sure about that?)

Makoto Naegi: It's just like he said...
(He does realize he's talking to himself, right?) *whispering to Niyagi* Maybe he's talking at me, who knows?

Makoto Naegi: After the class trial, before we took the elevator back up, Monokuma told us...

[flashback]
Monokuma: Oh, I almost forgot! Since the class trail is over, I'll go ahead and dispose of all the corpses!
Huh? The trials just about the death of Maizono-san? (Nope, you're forgetting Enoshima-san and the executed Leon-kun.)

Monokuma: It's okay, no need to thank me! Just seeing your delighted, smiling faces is thanks enough for me! After all, nobody wants to look at a rotting corpse every day! That can't be good for your health... Nyohohoho!
[/flashback]

Makoto Naegi: I didn't even have time to mourn Sayaka and Junko's deaths... I'm sure that's exactly why he did it. It's a bad joke, a sickening dream... But I have to accept the reality of it all...
Even if it means accepting the absurdity of being "haunted" by a ghost?

Makoto Naegi: I headed back to the dining hall to meet up with the others.
(At the dining hall...)

Makoto Naegi: Sorry I'm late...
(And... Ishimaru-kun's going to throw a fit over it soon...)

Aoi Asahina: Hey...are you okay, Makoto?
Kiyotaka Ishimaru: You sure took your sweet time! I was just about to go get you and drag you back here!
...Can't un-see that mental image now...

Makoto Naegi: S-Sorry...
Kiyotaka Ishimaru: So? What happened? Was your room fixed up like he said? I imagine it would be pretty hard to sleep with a rotting corpse in your bathroom!
Yet another thing I can't un-see...

Mondo Owada: Jesus, that's fucked up, man. Why would you say something like that?
(...) (...For once, I'd have to agree with the delinquent...)

Makoto Naegi: My room was...spotless. There wasn't anything left. Like the whole thing...never happened.
Sakura Ogami: It must be tough staying there, knowing what happened. Why don't you just stay in Sayaka's room?
Makoto Naegi: Well...staying there, with her scent still hanging in the air... That would hurt just as much. Plus... There's the matter of the constant reminder of death lingering in my mind. And that I can't escape from...
I'm sorry I'm causing you such torment...

Makoto Naegi: None the less... I've decided that I can't turn away from her death...
Aw...

Aoi Asahina: M-Makoto... Hey, cheer up! Getting depressed isn't gonna help anything, right? If we all work together, I'm sure we'll find a way out of here! So everyone just...try and cheer up and get back on track!
Byakuya Togami: Is that honestly supposed to make us feel better?
(Well...) That's the impression I'm getting from Asahina-san.

Aoi Asahina: Huh?
Byakuya Togami: We were already "working together" and yet someone was still murdered. Anyone could betray us at this point. Now that it's happened once, it's a question of when, not if, the next one takes place.
Toko Fukawa: Yeah, because S-sayaka made the first move...
No! It was because Monokuma pushed her into doing it, and you know it! (*sigh* It's human nature to scapegoat their problems to others...)

Makoto Naegi: ...
Aoi Asahina: B-But...if we work together against the mastermind, nobody'll have any reason to do something like that!
Byakuya Togami: Keep telling yourself that. I'll be over here in the real world.
Ow... Harsh...

Byakuya Togami: Working together, fighting a common enemy... Like it or not, it's not that simple.
(Indeed, if "Attack on Titan" is of any indication. Humanity is just destined to destroy themselves...)

Hifumi Yamada: ...What do you mean?
Celeste: The mastermind seems to be much more powerful than we ever suspected. They took over Hope's Peak, which was supposed to be well defended, then modified it to fit their desire.
(Well, this human's clearly smarter than she looks...) Well, clearly, not all humans are stupid. Although some of them can be...
Makoto Naegi: What was that?
Sorry, it's just that I've seen some of the worst traits of our species in life...

Celeste: They created Monokuma, which seems to be incredibly advanced, and they're providing for our every need. And the cherry on top is the execution we witnessed.
(Please...) Don't remind me of that...

Celeste: Everything has been planned down to the last excruciating detail. This is not the work of your everyday psychopath. Defying them may be too great of a risk...
Sakura Ogami: Then...what are we supposed to do?
Byakuya Togami: Anyone who truly does want to escape...will just have to follow the rules. In which case, the only option is to deceive those around you, and win the game.
Chihiro Fujisaki: N-No...
Byakuya Togami: No what?
(I thought that was very obvious.) As in, "No, we shouldn't do this!" or "No, I don't want to do that!"

Chihiro Fujisaki: I don't want to live...if it means killing someone else to do it.
(Speaking of ceasing to live, congratulations! Chihiro's going to be the next to get killed!) What!?
Makoto Naegi: ...
...Oh, Naegi-kun, it's just that a horrible thought came to mind and I was reacting to that.

Chihiro Fujisaki: I don't want to kill anyone else...!
Yasuhiro Hagakure: Anyone...else? What do you mean?
Indeed, may you elaborate on that Chihiro-san?

Chihiro Fujisaki: Leon died because we all voted for him, right? It's no different from us killing him ourselves!
Yasuhiro Hagakure: B-But...
Aoi Asahina: If we hadn't voted for him, then we all woulda died instead, right...?
(Yeah, the dumbass has a point...)

Aoi Asahina: That isn't what you wanted, is it...?
Chihiro Fujisaki: ...
(Understandable...) On one hand, a rock; on the other, a hard place...

Hifumi Yamada: She's right. If you heap that kind of blame on yourself, you'll turn into a full-fledged masochist.
(Or become an hero.) *ji...* (What!? Just saying...)

Chihiro Fujisaki: ...
Makoto Naegi: Chihiro, listen... You're not to blame. Not you, not Leon, and not Sayaka. The mastermind is responsible for everything that's happened.
Yeah, the mastermind and Daemon Spearmeister. But they're working together in this case, so it's close enough for government work.

Makoto: Naegi: We had no choice but to vote. I can't even imagine what would've happened to us if we'd refused... And in the end, it was Monokuma who ultimately killed Leon...! So don't waste your anger on yourself... Instead, direct it at the mastermind!
Point, Naegi-kun...

'*Ding dong, bing bong*'
([sarcasm] Oh great, this again... [/sarcasm]) I hope that's not another dead body announcement...

Monokuma: Mm, ahem, this is a school announcement. It is now 10 p.m. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall will be locked, and entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Oh, and one other thing...
*sigh* What is it now...!?

Monokuma: It was totally obvious before that you were trying to make yourselves feel better and justify what you did. See you, see you, don't see you, see you! That's about how much I can see you, even when you try to hide!
That... Didn't really make any sense.

Monokuma: Now pay attention and remember this well! The burden of judging others is a heavy one to bear. So be well aware of your actions!
That sounded pretty close to a "bear" pun. And Teddie did a much better job at those...


Monokuma: Order and stability rely on the sacrifice and responsibility of everyone! Okay then...sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite...
Toko Fukawa: What w-was that about just n-now...?
Yasuhiro Hagakure: Was he saying it's our fault what happened? That's pretty cruel, man...
Mondo Owada: That piece of shit! Who does he think he is!?
(Indeed. You know what, even after the first trial, I think he's cool. We should hang out with him some time.) I'm not sure, after he punched Naegi-kun and my lights out before...

Makoto Naegi: ...That came out of nowhere.
Huh... Please, just ignore me if it sounds like I'm talking to myself...

Makoto Naegi: And so, the day drew to a close... A tense, maddening day that saw the deaths of three classmates. Sayaka, Junko, and Leon... Not to mention that *I* maybe going insane myself...
Sorry, but I'm not a madness-induced hallucination...

Makoto Naegi: But...this is just the beginning... Our despair has only just begun...!
Speaking of which, that's an event horizon we should never, ever, cross...

'CHAPTER 2 Boy's Life of Despair'

'Daily Life'

Makoto Naegi: I woke up the next day to Monokuma's normal morning announcement. Then he called us to the gym.
*groan* I don't think I'm EVER going to get used to hearing the voice of that sadistic bear every morning...

Makoto Naegi: What's he gonna do to us this time...?
(Open up  the second floor and maybe even the public baths...) ...Looks like we have more exploring to do.

Makoto Naegi: We were practically frozen with fear. But Monokuma was determined to get us involved in his little game... And with that goal in mind, he began it...
(*sigh* In the Gym...)

Monokuma: Okay! Lift your arms up, and down! One, two, three, four!
(Well... That was unexpected...) Hey! Just 'cause you're spirits of some kind doesn't exempt you from group exercise! *sigh* What's the point if we don't have muscles to stretch...?

Kiyotaka Ishimaru: One, two, three, four!
It matters, okay! Because of you, Makoto's slacking off! I mean, that's the second kind of harm you're doing to him through your very existence...
Wait! What? You mean... You can't hear what I'm saying to you during Monokuma's announcements? (What I'm surprised to hear is you thinking that we WANT to hear your particular brand of bullshit.) Indeed, besides, nope didn't hear a thing from you. Although I'm pretty annoyed from hearing Monokuma's voice alone...

Monokuma: Now reach waaay up, and bend waaay down! Tighten those muscles! Let's add a little strength, a little speed to those young bodies of yours!
What!? You don't know? I thought you actually watched that stupid anime about the cursed classroom. You're a dead spirit that's brought death to Hope's Peak, and now these students are going to die until you and your host are dead! Like you should be, THAT'S what I've been trying to use the announcements to remind you of...

Makoto Naegi: ...
That's the biggest heap of bullshit I've ever heard from you!
Makoto Naegi: What? From Monokuma?
...No... (It seems like Naegi-kun can't hear Daemon Spearmeister as well.) You know what, never mind, forget I said that.

Monokuma: Ahh, doesn't this feel just great!? Being stuck inside like this, you gotta make sure to stay healthy!
Dude, hanging around him isn't at all good for my health... (Are you talking about Monokuma or Daemon?) Both.

Toko Fukawa: You're the o-one keeping us "stuck inside"...
(Not quite...)

Monokuma: Don't sweat the small stuff! That's my motto.
Well, mine is "Fuck all the bitches and get all the money!"
Somehow, I doubt that's in the sense of "Disregard Females; acquire currency."...

Monokuma: Whoa, I sounded pretty cool just now, don'tcha think? Did you fall in love with me? Am I just to die for? Am I just going to die in writhing agony for?
Let's see, "No.", "Hell no.", "No.", and "You've got to be fucking kidding me." In THAT order. Same goes for Daemon.

Sakura Ogami: So...why did you call us here? Certainly it wasn't just to make us exercise...
(Of course not!)

Monokuma: "Just" to make you exercise? JUST to make you exercise!? If exercise makes you laugh, exercise will make you cry!
...By now, I'd swear that Monokuma's just spouting nonsense like that just to screw with us.

Monokuma: Now, if you keep doing these exercises, you will uncover the secret of the Assassin's Fist!
What?! You mean like "Hokuto Shinken" or something like that...? (He's just pulling our collective leg.)

Monokuma: Passed down from generation to generation in the empire of darkness... The power can be yours!
Sure sounds like Hokuto Shinken to me... (Dude. That is, indeed, a joke.)

Hifumi Yamada: That sounds like the kind of junk a middle schooler would come up with...
Alphmega, that sounds like an insult to Buronson and Tetsuo Hara...
Makoto Naegi: "Alphmega"?
Oh, It's something I made up based upon Yamada-kun's nickname of "The Alpha and the Omega", which I thought was too much of a mouthful. So I refer to him as "Alphmega"...

Makoto Naegi: It doesn't matter! Just get to the point. Did you really call us down here just to exercise?
Monokuma: Of course not! You think I have that kind of free time on my hands!?
Makoto Naegi: Okay, so then...
Monokuma: Ahh, I'd like to make an announcement!
(Get on with it, already!) (...By now, I'm thinking you're doing this on purpose.)

Monokuma: Every time you overcome a class trial here at Hope's Peak, a whole new world will open up to you!
Yasuhiro Hagakure: A whole new world...?
(Oh no! You just HAD to say THAT you two...!) "A new fantastic point of view! No one to tell us no or where to go! Or say we're only dreaming!" ("A whole new world! A dazzling place I never knew! But when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear! That...") [simultaneous] ("Now I'm in a whole new world with you!") "Now I'm in a whole new world with you!" [/simultaneous] *record scratch*
Makoto Naegi: Wait, why are you suddenly singing?
Oh, right... Something Monokuma said reminded me of a song I've heard back when I was alive. I guess that you can also ignore me when I'm singing...

Monokuma: It'd really suck if you had to live here forever with nothing new to stimulate you! Besides, I know how you kids get these days with your ADD and ADHD. I gotta keep you motivated!
Monokuma, the only difference between ADD and ADHD is that ADHD has "Hyperactivity"... (Which is what the "H" stands for...) ...while ADD doesn't. (Meh, it's all semantics anyway...)
Monokuma: So go ahead, look around all you want! Enjoy the brave new post-trial world till you explode!
Makoto Naegi: With that, Monokuma disappeared, leaving us even more confused than when he'd shown up. But... A new world...?
Yeah, that's kind of what the sadistic bear said.

Aoi Asahina: Is he talking about...a way to get outside?
(Nope.) That's something we shouldn't get our hopes up about...

Celeste: That seems...unlikely.
Mondo Owada: Well we don't know till we look!
(Point, Owada-kun... Even though I know that the exit's not what we'll find.)

Sakura Ogami: Whatever he meant, it seems we'll have to search the school one more time.
Kiyotaka Ishimaru: Okay, then let's split up and start investigating! When you're done, everyone meet back up at the dining hall and we'll share what we found!
Byakuya Togami: You're basically a one-trick pony, you know that?
Kiyotaka Ishimaru: More like a staple food source! Now let's get moving!
(That...Doesn't really count as a rebuttal...)

Makoto Naegi: Seeing his words as their signal, everyone scattered and left the gym.
'Leave the area?'

-Yes-
-No-
Looks like we'd better make like dandelion seeds and follow their example... *leaves the gym* Supernova's in the gym lobby... (Naegi-kun can hear our "strange" nicknames now.) Oh, right, what with me being the Ultimate Psychic in life, I'd know of Hagakure-kun by the nickname "Supernova".

Yasuhiro Hagakure: Hey, Makoto! Did you see what's inside the display case!?
If you're talking about the Haniwa, I'd understand why you'd be blue with shock there...

Yasuhiro Hagakure: Bad... This is super bad, man!
Makoto Naegi: What are you talking about? I didn't notice anything all that weird in there...
Don't tell me you've forgotten when we noticed the Haniwa back then...

Yasuhiro Hagakure: Sure, to the untrained eye it's nothing. But this is awful... A bad, awful, terrible trap!
Well, I mentioned that those Haniwa would be a terrible trap for me... But that was back before you could hear me.

Yasuhiro Hagakure: That stuff you see lined up there? Any god could come by and use it to send a message!
Makoto Naegi: Huh...?
I have to agree with you there. That came out of the proverbial left field...

Yasuhiro Hagakure: Ahhh! I've been struck with knowledge! It's an ill omen of total devastation and ruin! L-Let me outta here! Let me ouuuut!
Makoto Naegi: I have no idea what that "ghost" and he's talking about, so...maybe I'll just leave him alone.

'Leave the area?'

-Yes-
-No-
Indeed, we'd better move on... (In the hallway...) Hey, there's Ishimaru-kun and... Look! The stairs are unblocked!

Makoto Naegi: The gate that was blocking the stairs has been opened. Is this what Monokuma meant by "a new world"?
Indeed... (I'm betting on "yes".)

Makoto Naegi: If so...what's up there?
Well, let's go up there and find out...
(Uh, Makoto, Kiyotaka is just nearby in the hallway... He's likely to think you're crazy for talking to yourself...!)

Makoto Naegi: This is...the 2nd floor of the school. Maybe there's some kind of clue here... Yeah, I'm sure of it. There's gotta be something here...!
Well, here's another set of bathroom doors... (One for the ladies room and another for the mens room...) (In the mens room...) Apparently one of my powers was to see auras of things that can be interesting to look at... (We know, you unwittingly used that power since that one day in Naegi-kun's room.)
Makoto Naegi: Whoa! I can see that as well...
There's only one thing here interesting enough to look at, so...

Makoto Naegi: This is where the bathroom cleaning supplies are stored. I don't see anything useful in here...
Dang it, not even a coin...

'Leave the area?'

-Yes-
-No-
Indeed, there's nothing else in here to look at. (We're walking down the hallway, and we find this door that leads to...) (Another classroom...) And there's Ogami-san! (By the way the chalkboard has several neon pink flowers... Or are those supposed to be blood-splatters?  Along with a drawing of a snoring and drooling Monokuma and text reading, "The baby is sleeping. Please be quiet...") Ogami-san, what's up? Aside from the ceiling of course.

Sakura Ogami: This must be what he meant by a "new world"... I should probably take a really close look around...
Speaking of which... Oh! What's in the cabinet over there?

'Leave the area?'

-Yes-
-No-
Not yet... (*LOL* You'd mistaken the door for a cabinet!) (Well, there isn't anything else that seems to be interesting in this room that you can inspect...) Fine... (Quite a bit of wandering the hallways later...) Oh! (I think that's going to be your new favotite place here...) The Library! (Inside the aforementioned room full of books...) We can talk to Togami, Fukawa, Alphmega, and...Kirigiri-san!

Kyoko Kirigiri: It's remarkably dusty in here. And the lighting is less than ideal. For a library, it's not the kind of place I'd want to do much reading in...
Aw man... Alphmega, your thoughts?

Hifumi Yamada: I'm absolutely shocked!
Makoto Naegi: ...How come?
Indeed, why are you so shocked? (I've got a bad feeling about this...)

Hifumi Yamada: They have all these books here, and not ONE copy of ANY of my works!
(Well, of course! No school library's allowed to stock pornography!)

Toko Fukawa: W-Well, yeah... Why would they have c-comics in a library?
(Dude, in a parallel world; Shimohi's been to libraries, both school and county libraries, that had not just comic books of the American sort but MANGA as well!)

Toko Fukawa: Plus, most "fanfic" is j-just porn drawn by a bunch of a-amateurs...
Objection! I've read fanfic that are not only safe for work, but are also excellent expansions on their source material! (Well, yes, 90% of fanfic is absolute shit. But then again that goes for everything. But Shimohi here believes that the 10% that's actually of any good is worth sifting through all the shit for!)

Hifumi Yamada: You just don't get it. Not. At. All.
Toko Fukawa: I-I do too get it...
No... (You...) Do not, Fukawa! (Oh, I think she does. And so do I...)

Toko Fukawa: And w-with a face like yours, anyone can tell n-nothing you do is worthwhile.
(Hey! Fukawa! If Yamada-kun's a pot, then your the kettle!) (Monster!)

Hifumi Yamada: Say whatever you want about me, but never judge a book by it's author! Now hear this! Appearances mean nothing at all! What you see before you is nothing more than the rind that contains the meaty pulp of my genius!
(That "rind" must be heaven'a thick...) Akurei!

Hifumi Yamada: My creations are what determine my meaning and value!
Toko Fukawa: You're so f-full of it...
Pot meet kettle. Discuss.

Hifumi Yamada: Hmph. I'm used to being misunderstood. You think weak attacks like yours will drop my HP?
Makoto Naegi: Those two...really worry me.
Indeed, I know of a certain pair that worry me as well. But at least, they'll work together in a dire crisis and a pinch... (Is Shimohi talking about us?) (Yes, Pansy, he's talking about us...) Anyway, I'm wondering what Togami has to say...

Byakuya Togami: ...But still, this library is most interesting...
I'd say that most libraries are interesting, but what's it about this one in particular?

Makoto Naegi: Huh? What's interesting about it?
Byakuya Togami: Oh, nothing... I was just thinking out loud.
Boo! (I don't think he ment to imply that this libray's actually boring.) [sarcasm] Right... [/sarcasm] But, speaking of books and the writers of them, what's Fukawa-san's got to say?

Makoto Naegi: You must be pretty happy to have all these books around, huh Toko?
(Makoto, that DOESN'T look like a happy face to me...) ...Well, maybe she's pissed that the school library doesn't carry any of her works like Alphmega.

Toko Fukawa: N-Not particularly... Nothing's really c-caught my attention so far.
Called it...sort of.

Hifumi Yamada: Indeed. There's a plethora of books, it's true, but the content seems...lacking.
Yeah, lacking of the great Alphmega's works! (Oh brother...)

Hifumi Yamada: Where's the comic books!? Where's the young adult section!?
Indeed, most libraries I've been to had those.

Toko Fukawa: Comic b-books? Young adult? That stuff's a w-waste of time...
Hey! I dare you to say that again after reading the works of Osamu Tezuka, especially Pheonix!

Hifumi Yamada: I've seen what you write, Miss Fukawa. Talented as you are, your stuff isn't any more "worthwhile."
Point, Alphmega. (What!? You remember the description of Toko and her work by Makoto when we first arrived here!) ([sarcasm] So, it's the "Twilight" for fishermen. Big fucking deal! [/sarcasm])

Toko Fukawa: My stories are filled with true love and pure feelings! Don't compare them to that gargage of yours!
Okay, yeah, I can see the Twilight comparasion there. Along with the fact that, maybe, they're not so different after all...

Toko Fukawa: Your writing doesn't even m-mean anything. It's just a bunch of j-jumbled up letters...!
(...Even to the point of trash-talking the other while holding up there own works as masterpieces. Impressive... Point, Shimohi.)

Toko Fukawa: S-Someone should just...burn it all.
And... Now Fukawa's lost any form of sympathy from me.

Hifumi Yamada: Ooh, the lady doth protest too much, methinks! I bet you're secretly into boy-on-boy action!
Guilty!
Makoto Naegi: What!?
Oops, I guess I forgot to mention how I'm bisexual... (Awkward...)

Toko Fukawa: Boy-on-boy...? I don't care if it's a-anime or comics or fanfic or wh-whatever! It's all filth! Throwaway culture that'll be trashed and forgotten in half a decade!
Okay, that does it! You and I will never, ever be friends or even neutral acquaintances!

Toko Fukawa: Ugh...just t-talking about it makes me sick to my s-stomach. I feel like I'm g-gonna throw up...
The feelings mutual, bitch! (Hold it! It's a bad idea to get Makoto queasy from this weird synchronization effect...)

Hifumi Yamada: Grr...! You've insulted me, and you've insulted my honor!
Not to mention that of the great Osamu Tezuka, you asshole!

Makoto Naegi: These two are really started to freak me out. I've never seen anything like it... Nor have I "heard" anything like it from that "ghost" either...
Hey, wait, what's that letter on top of one of the short bookshelves?

Makoto Naegi: The shelf is covered in dust. But on the shelf is...a letter. What's this...? Hope's Peak Acaemy...?
So, Naegi-kun, what does the letter say?

Kyoko Kirigiri: It was buried under a thick layer of dust. It must have been sitting there for quite a while. Well, shall we see what's inside?
Indeed...

Makoto Naegi: But...we shouldn't read other people's mail without their permission.
What?! It's not like any sort of law enforcement’s going to "book" us for doing that, and I highly doubt that the sadistic bear really cares about that... (*facepalm*)

Kyoko Kirigiri: What we *shouldn't* do is leave this here without finding out what's inside.
What she said. (*LOL*) Akurei, you know I didn't mean it like THAT! (I know THAT, it was just funny to react as though it WAS like that.) Okay, fair enough...

Makoto Naegi: O-Okay... And, once again, the "ghost" is talking to himself...
I already said you can just ignore that.

Makoto Naegi: I broke the seal on the dusty envelope, and pulled out the single sheet of paper I found inside. I unfolded the paper, and read what was written there...

'From the Hope's Peak Academy Executive Office Throughout the years, we have been commited to shaping the youth who will one day shape the world. We have a long, proud history as an institution of higher learning with full government support. Our graduates enter society ready to take on active leadership roles in every major job field. However, Hope's Peak Academy must now lower the curtain on its glorious history, for the time being.'
Well, that's interesting...

'This decision was not an easy one to make, but serious issues beyond our control have made it necessary. But make no mistake--this is not the end for Hope's Peak Academy. We intend to reopen our doors as soon as the issues forcing our closure have been resolved. That being said, this is the end for now...'
Wait, what...?

'And I would like to personally and sincerely thank everyone for your help and support over the years. For now, we are awaiting official governmental authorization to formally cease operations...'

Makoto Naegi: What does this mean...?
That we have a mystery on our hands?

Byakuya Togami: Hmm... The contents of this letter are quite interesting indeed.
Kyoko Kirigiri: It would seem Hope's Peak had stopped functioning as a school.
Yeah, now it's more of a sadistic prison...

Kyoko Kirigiri: And judging by the amount of dust the letter had collected, it doesn't seem to have happened recently. If I had to guess, I'd say this letter could be at least a year old.
Makoto Naegi: So...you're saying Hope's Peak closed down at least a year ago?
Byakuya Togami: Most likely, the mastermind took over the abandoned school in order to put on this little performance.
Makoto Naegi: B-But that would mean it was closed when I got there just a few days ago...
(Not quite...) (What are you talking about!?) (Shimohi and Kirigiri-san aren't the only one's here with...) Wait, did you say something about me and Kirigiri-san? (Oops, I wasn't supposed to say that yet.) You "weren't supposed to say" what!? What are you implying that Kirigiri-san and I have in common!? (I can't say that yet, you'll just have to find that out for yourself...)

Makoto Naegi: But I didn't get that sense at all.
Okay, it seems I wasn't there for that...

Makoto Naegi: Plus, if the school *had* shut down, don't you think it would've been in all the newspapers and stuff? I mean, you're saying it could've happened over a year ago, right? But before I got here, I looked stuff up online about the school, and never saw anything about this.
Maybe... Hope's Peak Academy was a trap the whole time, and both of us fell for it! (*facepalm*)

Byakuya Togami: That must have all been part of the mastermind's plan. They lured us all in here... Someone who could create a place to judge and execute people could potentially be capable of anything. Of course, that's all assuming that this letter is real.
(Of course it's real!) (And how do WE know you're not just lying to prank us?) ...Good point.

Kyoko Kirigiri: If it *is* real, though, that does solve one mystery surrounding the school... The reason there are no other students here could be because the school had already closed down.
Either that or the other students... (Including yourself it seems like...) were involved in this killing game before you guys, if not both...

Byakuya Togami: That would be a nice, simple solution, it's true.
(Going for an Occam's razor reasoning, I see...)

Makoto Naegi: But then...what about this other part?

'This decision was not an easy one to make, but serious issues beyond our control have made it necessary. But make no mistake--this is not the end for Hope's Peak Academy. We intend to reopen our doors as soon as the issues forcing our closure have been resolved.'

Makoto Naegi: What did they mean by serious issues?
I don't know. (Me neither.) (I know... But I'll just leave you to find out what that is later.)

Makoto Naegi: That's apparently why the school had to close... Is there any connection between that and what's happening to us now...?
(Yes.) A mathematician’s answer are we Akurei...?

Kyoko Kirigiri: If the two events are in fact connected...uncovering that connection would be a useful clue, on top of figuring out the mastermind's motive... Although I can't really say any more until we find more details.
Byakuya Togami: So in other words, only the mastermind knows the truth right now.
(Or the Monster, but she won't tell us.) (Or "Genocide Jack", but I doubt she cares...) Wait, did you just describe Genocide Jack as a... (Nope! You shouldn't let Naegi-kun hear that! As a matter of fact, that's another thing I shouldn't have said...)
Makoto Naegi: Huh? No one mentioned Genocide Jack.
(Good, let's let Naegi-kun believe that. Shall we?)

Makoto Naegi: The mastermind's motive... If we can figure out why they would want to imprision us all here...will that be enough to get us out of here?
Well, even if it doesn't directly help with that goal, I hope it'll at least indirectly help...

Makoto Naegi: Or...?
What? ...Oh, hey look! Is that a laptop computer?

Makoto Naegi: It looks like a laptop... The laptop looks pretty old. And it's all covered in dust.
After we break out the pressurised air can and go to town on this, we could give this to Fujisaki-san! (Figures that she'd have the most use out of it...) (*LOL*) (What's so funny about this?) (Nothing.)

Kyoko Kirigiri: It's broken. I tried pressing the power button earlier, but nothing happened.
Are you SURE it's not just that the internal battery has run out of power or something like that?

Makoto Naegi: It's broken, huh? Too bad... I was hoping I could use it to go online and see what's going on in the outside world.
That assumes that either the school has a working wi-fi or wired connection to the Internet which... "...is really, really great!" ("For porn!")

Makoto Naegi: ...if it's broken, there's nothing I can really do about it...
Aura scanning and... It seems there's something about the desk that's standing between Fukawa and Togami.

Makoto Naegi: There's a thick layer of dust on top of the desk. It looks like this library's been neglected for a pretty long time.
And it's such a crying shame as well... (Like a bus full of lawyers going off the edge of a tall cliff but it has an empty seat?)

Makoto Naegi: As nice as the school itself is, whoever's in charge of upkeep has been pretty lazy. Strange...

'Nice'
Well, at least we got a coin for that. Is there anything useful, or at least interesting, on the bookshelves?

Makoto Naegi: The shelf if packed tight with books. But looking at it...the whole thing is incredibly dusty. It looks like this library's been neglected for a pretty long time. As nice as the school itself is, whoever's in charge of upkeep has been pretty lazy. Strange...
And it's equally strange that you're repeating yourself... Well, there's one or two more bookshelf auras we could check before going on to the door...

Makoto Naegi: The shelf if packed tight with books. But looking at it...the whole thing is incredibly dusty. It looks like this library's been neglected for a pretty long time. Even though it's a prestigious high school, they've been pretty careless about keeping it nice.

'Nice'
Makoto's still kind of repeating himself, but at least we got another coin out of this. (And... We check the third bookshelf, Naegi-kun sounds like a broken record, and we find a third coin.) To the door! (I'm betting over nine-thousand Internets it's the exit...)

Makoto Naegi: What's behind this door...?
Byakuya Togami: It's some kind of archive. All I saw in there was stacks of old books and files.
(And... I've lost those over nine-thousand Internets...) (Which is another reason not to believe you, you're not one-hundred percent accurate!) (At least I get the important stuff right!) (Define "Important".)

Byakuya Togami: I can't imagine what business you would have in there.
Makoto Naegi: That's true... I don't really have any reason to check it out.

'Leave the area?'

-Yes-
-No-
Well, we've done everything we can in this room. (Let's go...) And in this branching path in the hallway near the second floor bathrooms is... (Something that Ms. Aoi would love!) ...a Pool! (Let's check it out!)

Aoi Asahina: Oh, Makoto! Hey, guess what!
The school has a pool.

Aoi Asahina: Guess what I found! A pool! There's a pool here! A POOL! Pool pool pool!
(Wow, you actually called it Pansy...) (Thank you.) Now that I think about it, Haruka Nanase and Aoi Asahina would make the cutest couple! (Well, if Haru wasn't so attracted to water itself... Or Rei.) (Don't you bring your gross shipping into this!) (Too late! Shimohi already has!) (*sigh*)

Makoto Naegi: Y-You don't have to keep repeating it, I got it...
Aoi Asahina: And there's a ton of exercise equipment in the locker room! Sakura's gonna go nuts when she finds out!
Hurray!

Makoto Naegi: Yeah, you're right about that...
(You have no interest in exercise equipment.) No... I don't really have an interest in that myself, but I'm happy for when Sakura herself, I expect, will be happy about this.

Makoto Naegi: Hina seems way more excited than usual...
(So, you're happy about someone else's happiness?) Pretty much... Oh, maybe we can tell Fujisaki-san about the "broken" laptop in the library!

Makoto Naegi: Hey Chihiro, have you checked out the pool yet?
Chihiro Fujisaki: No.. I...don't like wearing swimsuits.
(I can see why not...)

Makoto Naegi: Yeah, you do seem like the type who might not be into that kind of thing.
Chihiro Fujisaki: But still...it sounds like the locker rooms here have all the exercise equipment you could ask for. Maybe I'll give it a try. I'd kind of like to get a little stronger...
Makoto Naegi: You want to get stronger? I have to say, that's kind of unexpected...
(Indeed, that IS surprising.) (Not to me, it isn't...) (*looks up* Wait, what did she say? That sounds more like something to come out of the mouth of a man rather than a woman...) You're obviously forgetting about Sakura here... (Or more like the Pansy's on to something for once.)

Chihiro Fujisaki: But...I'm not even brave enough to step foot into the locker room...
Makoto Naegi: Huh? You don't even wanna go in the locker room?
Chihiro Fujisaki: It's not that I don't want to. It's just...
(He's afraid he'll be found out.) (Who'll be "found out"?) (You'll see...)

Chihiro Fujisaki: ...
Makoto Naegi: I don't get it. Is she afraid of locker rooms or something? That's a pretty weird phobia, though...
It may be like Akurei said, maybe Fujisaki-san's hiding something.
Makoto Naegi: Okay, just who is this "Akurei"?
I-I Guess you can consider that my nickname for my precognitive powers. I don't quite have control over it, so I kind of attributed human features to it. (Speaking of me, I'm curious as to what Princess Celestia's doing here.) ...Hey, Celestia! What's up?

Celeste: The 2nd floor has opened up, the living area has grown, and a number of facilities are now available. Whatever else is going on, I must admit things have been made much more comfortable for us. If things continue like this, the occasional class trial may not be so bad.
(Tha-That sounds horrible!) ([happy] I know! Right! Weeee! [/happy]) ...And the personality of my "precognitive powers" can be pretty disturbing at times...

Celeste: Hmhmhm...
(Yeah... Celeste's very disturbing...) Hey, will we get anything interesting out of checking out the lifesaver? (Like the...?) No, not like the candy... (I know that, I just said that for the lulz.)

Makoto Naegi: It looks like one of those lifesaver flotation donuts.
Still not talking about the candy.

'Nice'
But at least we got a coin out of it... Now what about the rack full of kick boards?

Makoto Naegi: There are a bunch of different pool-related items on the shelf.

'Nice'
More useless information, but we got another coin. Hurray! (And yet, you're ignoring the machine gun hanging from the ceiling...) Point, what IS that doing up there. (The most extreme automatic version of pervert revenge mode.)

Makoto Naegi: Is that...a real gun?
(Yes.)

Makoto Naegi: It's not like we're at war here. Why would we need something like that here...?
Obviously, you've not seen Vandread. (Heaven, even YOU haven't seen Vandread.) Well, I think we should check out the lock next to the door to the boys locker before we check out the aforementioned locker room and pool...

Makoto Naegi: Is this some kind of card reader? I wonder what it's for...
(I think we're about to find out soon...) Okay, time to check out the boys locker room!

Makoto Naegi: Behind this door is...the locker room?
I believe that was pretty well established already...

Aoi Asahina: Oh! And I guess you need your handbook to get into the locker rooms!
Makoto Naegi: Really...?
(Brace yourselves, it's Monokuma time again!)

Monokuma: Really really!
I back bitches! (See, totally called it!)

Aoi Asahina: Uwaah!
(I said you should brace yourselves.) Retarded demon, you already forgot that these people can't hear you? Besides, bitches always be screaming about something...

Monokuma: If you wanna unlocker the locker room...
I believe that should be "If you wanna unlock the locker room..." And I belive the "sissy man" should just shut the fuck up! ...This is exactly why I hate being in the same room as you...

Monokuma: ...you'll have to swipe your personal e-Handbook across the card reader next to the door.
Makoto Naegi: ...Huh?
No, I'm talking about another "ghost" of sorts that's haunting Monokuma. It seems that you can't hear what he's saying either, and I'd say you're lucky for that...

Monokuma: However, to ensure maximum security within each locker room...only a boy's handbook can open the boys locker room, and the same goes for the girls! And that's the bottom line!
Aoi Asahina: Hmm...but what if someone opens the door, and then someone else sneaks in?
Monokuma: Anyone who commits such indecency will be punished without mercy for their scandalous sexual depravity! See, there's a Gatling gun mounted on the ceiling, right?
(Well, that's a kind of machine gun... Right?) Wrong, bitch! Actually, the Gatling gun is the precursor to the machine gun. It's close enough for government work.

Monokuma: And it'll be all DUKKA DUKKA DUKKA DUKKA!
So... It's shoot you four times? (Get it, because "four is DEATH"!) [sarcasm] Aw look! The bitches and the "sissy man" think they're being "intelligent" and stuff... Isn't that precious... [/sarcasm]

Aoi Asahina: I bet it'd really hurt to get shot by that thing!
Underestimation of the century there...

Chihiro Fujisaki: Um, no...I think it'd be a *little* worse than that...
What Fujisaki-san said. (What? No "What she said"?) Last time I did that, you treated it as innuendo. Also, there seems to be some kind of debate between you and Niyagi over Fujisaki-san's gender...
Makoto Naegi: "Niyagi"?
Yes, I also anthropomorphised my mind reading power as well. But it only works if I look people in the eye... Anyway, for the above reasons, I took a third option.

Celeste: But what happens if someone loans their handbook to someone else? A boy could borrow a girl's handbook, and that would get them into the girls locker room, would it not?
Monokuma: Wh--!? That never even occurred to me! To think someone could be so low, so cowardly, so devilish!
That's what I told you, you retarded bear!

Monokuma: Hmm... Okay, then how's this sound? Time for a new rule! As of this moment, loaning your e-Handbook to another student is strictly prohibited. There! So now nobody can give their handbook to anyone else, right? You like that? I'm kind of a genius, right? It's cuz my brain is 100% cotton!
Actually... (Nope, stop right there! *whispers to Shimohi* Do you WANT Daemon to alert Monokuma to a loophole in that rule!?) What "loophole"? Nope, forget it, never mind...

Celeste: I do not imagine anyone would have lent their handbook out in the first place. After all, they would likely be held responsible for anything that person might do using the handbook...
Aoi Asahina: But ya know, you seem awfully concerned with all this locker room security stuff...
Monokuma: It's cuz all you teenagers are sex-crazed maniacs! You're at that age you'd try humping a plastic bottle!
I'm not like that. ([sarcasm] No, you're not CRAZED, you're just INTERESTED. Right... [/sarcasm]) (Although I did hear about how this one teenage boy fucked a hot pocket and a pop-tarts box...) (Ew! That's just gross!)

Monokuma: So to keep anything unseemly from happening, I have to maintain a rigorous watch!
It wouldn't be "unseemly" if all the bitches in this school wanted me to fuck THEM! Actually, yes, yes it would...

Celeste: Then in that case, I would ask that you keep the same close eye on our dorms. If some man and some woman decided to share a room, there would be nothing to stop them.
(Point, Celeste... So DO SOMETHING about that!)

Monokuma: All I care about is protecting the holy image of the school itself! I don't care what happens in your private dorms! By force or by cunning, do whatever you want!
FUCK YEAH! Monokuma, as stupid a name as that is, you're MY kind of bear! ...I SO wish I could punch you right now...

Aoi Asahina: I hate you so much...
What Asahina-san said.

Monokuma: Okay, so the new regulation is now in place! See ya!
And... the sadistic bear's gone. Good riddance.

Aoi Asahina: Maaan, that stupid bear totally ruined my mood! Maybe I'll go take a dip to cheer myself up. Celeste, Chihiro, you wanna come with me?
Celeste: There is nothing I hate more than getting water on my face.
Chihiro Fujisaki: Sorry...I'll pass this time.
Aoi Asahina: How come! When you're in a funk, there's nothing better than a good swim to pull you out of it!
Makoto Naegi: I'm pretty sure that only applies to you...
...And Haruka Nanase, but that's aside the point. (And that point is that Makoto has one.)

Makoto Naegi: Anyway, now I have a pretty good idea what's on the 2nd floor.
(You DO realise you're talking to yourself again, right?) Niyagi, Naegi-kun can't hear you. And if you're wondering, she's just commenting on how you're "talking to yourself again".

Makoto Naegi: But I didn't see anything that might lead to any kind of exit or anything... All I can do now is hope someoene else found something worthwhile... Okay, I 'd better head back to the dining hall as soon as possible!
(Later, at the aforementioned location...)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru: Okay, ladies and gentlemen! How'd it go? Did anyone discover any interesting new anything!?
Hifumi Yamada: There's a library!
Fuck yeah!

Aoi Asahina: And a pool! A freakin' pool! And locker rooms filled with exercise equipment!
(Yeah!!! *snorts like a horse*) Wait, what?

Sakura Ogami: There was not, however, anything resembling an escape route.
Unfortunately, point Sakura...

Makoto Naegi: Yeah...she's right...
Kiyotaka Ishimaru: Well hey, there's no reason to get all sulky! Wait till you hear about my amazing discovery!
What is it? (It's the opening of the public baths.)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru: The warehouse and bathhouse on the 1st floor of the dorms are now open!
(See, called it on the baths as well!)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru: And the warehouse is chock-full of food, clothes, whatever you want. There's so much it's insane! So go ahead and stuff yourself to the gill whenever you feel like! Ha-ha-ha!
(I know you're supposed to be the Ultimate Moral Compass, but still, why did that just sound like an evil laugh?)

Celeste: Keep in mind, of course, that going out at nighttime is still prohibited. Please do not forget...
...that it's not an official "school regulation" either.

Mondo Owada: Okay, and what about a fuckin' way out of here? You find anything like that?
Kiyotaka Ishimaru: Oh, well...umm...
Mondo Owada: There wasn't anything in the warehouse we could use to get our asses outta here? Nothin'?
Kiyotaka Ishimaru: U-Unfortunately, no...not that I saw...
Mondo Owada: You fuckin' people... Who gives a shit if we have a goddamn pool now!? Or a warehouse, or whatever the fuck! We're still trapped in this piece of shit school! We need to find a goddamn way OUT!
Celeste: Now, now. There is no point in taking your anger out on us. Adaptation is the key, yes? For now we must each find a way to enjoy our current situation.
Mondo Owada: Whatever you say, ya fuckin' loon...
(Well, Shimohi DOES usually say something about his own family tree being full of nuts...)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru: For now, let's just continue our investigation, and let everyone know if you should discover something.
Kyoko Kirigiri: So, are we done for today?
Kiyotaka Ishimaru: W-Well...yeah, I guess so.
Makoto Naegi: The air seemed to suddenly grow heavy again.
(I think that's mostly, what you humans describe as, "creepy" background music that's doing that.)

Makoto Naegi: Was this the mastermind's plan? To give us hope, just to turn around and betray that hope...?
I would not be surprised it that WAS part of the mastermind's plan. That's exactly what describes a "Hope Spot" after all...

Byakuya Togami: ...
What is it? Speak up!
(Back in Makoto's room...)

'*Ding dong, bing bong*'
It's the dreaded nighttime announcement. Again...

Monokuma: Mm, ahem, this is a school announcement. It is now 10 p.m. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall well be locked, and entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Okay then...sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite...
Makoto Naegi: We all promised not to leave our rooms during nighttime... There's not much else to do. I guess I'll just go to bed...
Indeed, good night Naegi-kun...

'Monokuma Theatre'

Monokuma: Mr. Monokuma... Mr. Monokuma, do you have a second? I...I don't really like myself. I don't have any kind of skill or hobby I can say I'm super good at... And my grades are totally average, too. My reflexes are okay. Not great, not awful. I could get into a decent college, where I'd make a few friends. Maybe even find a normal girlfriend... Which is exactly why I don't like who I am!
[sarcasm] Aw... You sad, sad little man... [/sarcasm]

Monokuma: I understand that now! My life is just one giant copy-paste!
If that "sissy man" and those two bitches were awake right now, they'd probably say something stupid about "copypasta" or something like that...

Monokuma: I don't have any imagination! I'm a perfectly average cardboard cutout! You see what I mean, right Mr. Monokuma!?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*sigh* I think Monokuma was mocking Naegi-kun for the entirety of this "Monokuma Theatre" just then... (Well, here's something even Daemon hasn't thought of mocking, the Monty Python Reference Jar! And it's time to pay the piper!)

Monty Python Reference Jar
Akurei: $39
Shimohi: $23

No comments:

Post a Comment