Ichika wandered around campus, carefully examining the scenery in hopes of finding something. She eventually found herself back in the boiler room.

"Geez... this place is honestly so overgrown." Ichika grumbled to herself, kicking at someone the tangled vines growing on the floor. Ichika carefully stepped over the pipes on the ground and went to see if the door on the left was open. She grabbed the door handle and tried to open it.

"Locked... of course." Ichika sighed. She looked to her right at the walls covered in leaves and vines. Her eyes widened. "Huh...?" Ichika leaned over the railing a bit and pushed the vines out of the way. That's when she saw it. A message.

"Twins B...? What the muffins does that even mean...?" Ichika mumbled to herself. "Did... Did the mastermind write this? Why?" Ichika moved more vines and leaves out of the way, but found nothing else. Ichika pushed the vegetation back to where it was, shielding the message from view. "Mental note, found a weird message in the boiler room."

Ichika left the boiler room and did a bit more wandering. She found herself in the warehouse and noticed a polaroid camera on the self. Ichika hummed and picked it up, putting it over the neck and taking the packet of film with her, shoving them in her pocket. She left the warehouse, camera in hand, ready to take pictures.

She entered the dining hall and walked down the stairs, and headed into the A/V room. Ichika stood at the doorway and snapped a picture of the whole room. She looked at the shelves and saw a bunch of different movies. She then looked over at the projector in the room. She took note of the speakers and the projector screen before heading out of the room.

Ichika started walking over to the library, but she saw Shuichi and Kaede exit the room together, nervousness apparent on their faces. Shuichi then told Kaede to keep what they found a secret. Ichika narrowed her eyes at them and watched them leave. She went over to the library and swung the doors open.

"What did they find...?" Ichika muttered to herself. She checked every nook and cranny in the library until she noticed a few things about a certain bookcase.

"Why doesn't this have any books on top of it like the rest...? Also, what's with these strange markings?" Ichika crouched down to get a better look at the markings. "It looks like... its been swung open a few times." Ichika quickly snapped a photo of it.

She then grabbed the right side of the bookcase and tugged, but nothing happened. She grabbed the left side and-

"Woah-!" Ichika stumbled back as the bookshelf opened and a door revealed itself. A black and white door, at that. "What the-!?"

Ichika scrambled to her feet and rushed to the door to get a better look. She looked at the card reader lock on the left then back at the monochromatic door.

"A black and white door that's locked..." Ichika's eyes widened. "Is there a traitor among us?" Ichika bit her thumb. "What a grim possibility... But that would make the most sense, since Monokuma is a robot, so someone must be controlling him."

Ichika looked back at the card reader and noticed some dust was placed on the reader. "...Has this door not been used for a long time? Or had Saihara-san and Akamatsu-san purposely placed this here. Either way, I better not touch the dust, just in case."

Ichika looked around the door some more, moving books from the bookshelves next to the door out of the way to see the wall behind then, or trying to see if there was a small crack under the door so she could peek into the room. She even tried climbing up on top of the door and looking at the top of the bookshelf, but in the end, Ichika didn't find anything else.

The nighttime announcement played and Ichika snapped a picture of the door and the card reader before heading back to her room.

***

Ichika woke up bright and early and headed outside. Ichika wandered around campus, taking in the surroundings. As Ichika walked around, she noticed someone dressed completely in white enter the boiler room. She blinked in confusion since the only one dressed in completely white was Kokichi.

Ichika just brushed it off as him trying to passage again. She wandered around a bit more, finding strange patterns in the grass, many huge rocks and another smaller, flat grey rock hidden in a bunch of tall grass.

"Good morning, Aki-san!" Ichika turned around and saw Kaede, giving her a bright smile.

"Why good morning! To what do I owe the pleasure of being greeted by such a pretty girl? How are ya feeling on this fine day?" Ichika looked up at Kaede with stars in her eyes. "You excited to finally go home?"

Kaede blinked. Huh?"

Ichika tilted her head. "Well, since Monokuma's gone, that means we can all go home, right?"

"O-Oh, um, yeah." Kaede nodded nervously.

"Nyufufu..." Ichika smiled widely. "Just as I thought. You don't believe that Monokuma's actually gone, do you?"

"What? N-No! I just-"

Ichika burst out laughing. "Ah-hahaha! Don't worry, I'm glad! I'm glad at least one person isn't lying to themself."

Kaede was taken a bit off guard. "Lying to themself...? What do you mean?"

Ichika simply smiled. "Sometimes, we create our own suffering by our expectations. Those that refuse to face logical facts are the ones who get hurt the most." Ichika then walked off to the dining hall without further context.

"..." Kaede stared after Ichika nervously before making her way to the dining hall as well.

***

"Maaan, for a moment, I have no idea what was gonna happen! I'm glad it turned out like this." Kokichi chirped.

"Nyeh... I slept well last night. Also, I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth by myself."

"You did all that with magic!? You're so amazing, Yumeno-san!" Tenko squealed.

"Praise be to God." Angie placed her hands together in a praying motion. "He helped you in his own, mysterious, miraculous way."

"But... When is someone coming to save us?" Gonta pondered.

"Whoever does... I assume they will come today. There's no need to worry." Kiibo reassured.

"Hey, why the long face?" Ryoma looked at Rantarou, who looked very uncomfortable.

"It's nothing... I figure no one would listen to some guy who can't even remember his own talent, right?"

"What do you mean?" Kirumi inquired.

"Really, its nothing. This is... quite the happy ending."

"But... is this really how this ends?" Kaede blurted out. "I mean," She continued. "It just seems to easy. I don't think it'll end like this."

"I wonder..." Korekiyo said. "Do you wish the killing game would have continued?"

"N-No, not at all-"

"Then don't ruin our happy moment, you fuckin' skank!" Miu shouted.

"Hey, Akamatsu-chan... I don't know what you're so worried about." Kokichi tilted his head. "But Monokuma is dead now. There's no way the killing game can continue, y'know?"

"And that's my cue to appear, kuma!" Monokuma, who now had some weird getup appeared in front of the students.

Kokichi stumbled back a bit. "...What?"

"M-Monokuma!" Kirumi exclaimed.

Kaito sweated. "H-He's still alive!?"

"No, no, are you guys blind or something, kuma? I ain't Monokuma, kuma. After dying in a tragic car accident, I've been reborn as a Yo-kai! Call me Jibakuma, kuma! From now on, I'm the headmaster of the academy, kuma. You might feel uncomfortable at first, but eventually, you'll get used to it."

"No duh, you freakin' fraud!" Miu yelled. "Go find another car to run you over, and this time, stay dead!"

"Ah geez... such a low-level cosplay, I can't bear to look at it." Tsumugi commented.

Ichika's eyes lit up. "Was that a pun?"

"I have an important question..." Korekiyo spoke up. "Haven't you mistaken ghosts for yokai? Yokai are mythical creatures first created back when humanity lived closely with nature. Back then, the embodiment of unexplainable natural phenomen-"

"Man, you guys are buzzkills," Monokuma interrupted Korekiyo. "I was all set for adventure before you started yelling at me! This is why I hate teenagers! I'd have cash for days if I was dealing with the under 10 crowd!"

"Geez, it's loud in here." The Monokubs suddenly showed up, probably due to the yelling. "What's all the ruckus about... Wait, WHAT!? Our father, who we thought was dead, was actually aliiiiiive!"

Monokid smashed his guitar. "No way! Papa Kuma's too hip and modern to resort to the "death is cheap" trope!"

"I bet the yokai did it!" Monophaine huffed.

"...No, that bits already over." Monokuma said.

"It ain't over yet..." Monosuke pushed his glasses up. "I think we're still talking bout' spooky stuff."

"Wait, if Papa Kuma's standin' here, then whose body is in the stew pot!? Wahhhh! Which Papa Kuma is the real one!?"

"No." Monokuma interrupted. "They're both real."

"Huh? But father, you said there's only one of each of us. That we're unique, like snowflakes."

"Oh... well, yeah, there's only one of each of you guys. But I've got loads of spares."

"Gahhh!? Why do you get to have spares and we don't!?" Monokid screeched.

"Of course you don't get to have spares! Do you really think anyone in this day and age would tolerate the 'death is cheap' trope?"

Monophaine looked confused. "Huh? What does that mean?"

"This school... had a machine somewhere that can make a whole lotta Pops. Just activate that machine, and you can have as many spare Pops as you wa-" Monosuke was interrupted by Monokuma picking up each cub and licking them.

"Slurp, slurp, slurp, slurp, slurp, slurp!"

Monokid started screaming. "Hell noooooooo!"

"This is an emotional reunion, so you all gotta take your licks!"

"F-Father! Your love is smothering us!"

"Heeeee!!! No more, no more!"

"When I see you guys, I just get so excited until I can't take it anymore!" Monokuma was panting. "You guys are so cute! Gosh, I just wanna see what you're parents look like! ...Wait, *I'm* your parent."

"..." Tsumugi was speechless. "Does this mean... the killing game is going to continue?"

"C-Continue? The killing game... is gonna continue...?" Kaede stuttered.

Ichika put her hands on her hips and gave everyone a smug grin. "I'm saying this now, I told you so."

"N-No one gives a shit if you were right, fuckin' midget!" Miu screeched.

Kokichi was shaking. "Wh-What do you mean... the killing game... is gonna continue...? I mean, that sounds a lot less boring, so I guess it's okay." He chirped; any signs of fear gone.

"No, it's definitely not okay!" Tenko barked.

Rantarou placed a finger to his chin. "So that's how it's going to be... If we want to end this, we have to take down Monokuma and the person behind him."

"I predicted there would be a spare, but I did not expect it to be built within the academy..." Kirumi looked darkly at Monokuma. "Either way, I assumed this would happen... This development is not surprising."

"Is that so?" Monokuma tilted his head. "Then did you also assume this next exciting development? Ahem! Now then, I'm pleased to announce an additional motive! A time limit is now in effect! If a murder does not occur by nighttime, two days from now... then every student forced to participate in this killing game will die! Mauled to shreds by countless Monokumas from the rumoured Monokuma making machine! So unless you wanna end up as pink smears, you might wanna take this game seriously!"

"T-Time limit!?" Gonta exclaimed.

"What? Everyone will die?" Even Ryoma looked a bit shaken up.

"What!? That's not fair!" Tenko screamed.

"Geez, why'd you guys even come to this school if you're not gonna participate!?" Monokuma snapped.

"You're the one that forced us to come here!" Kaito barked.

"Why are you doing this!?" Kiibo shouted. "How much suffering do you want to put us through!?"

"I see... Well, if you're suffering, you all better hurry up and start the killing game. Puhuhu... then you can say goodbye to all your suffering."

Kaito clenched his fist and glared at Monokuma. "Y-You bastard!"

"Don't you realize that working together is pointless? So just knock it off already. You know what you gotta do, don't you? You're surrounded by strangers, neither allies nor friends. No need to worry about them!"

"Plus, you got the first blood perk! That means the first kill is free!" Monosuke added.

Monophaine sweated. "But... the killing game is gory, huh? I'm startin' to feel a little queasy..."

"Hell yeah!" Monokid waved his guitar around. "And if they don't play then they're dead anyway, and that's way more gore-ay!"

"I see... If its gratuitous, over-the-top gore, I might be able to stomach that... Forget the killing game then! It'd be better for you all to just die together!" Monophanie said.

"Shut up and get the FUCK back!" Miu cried out.

"Well, whatever you guys decide next is all up to you. Do whatever you want. You can all die working together, or you can survive on your own. It's your call." Monokuma and his cubs all laughed their signature laugh and left the students alone in complete fear and utter despair.

Tsumugi shivered. "What are we gonna do? Nighttime in two days... will be here in an instant."

"Th-There's gotta be somethin' we can do... I can't die... The world needs my genius!" Miu blubbered.

"I-I don't wanna... I... don't wanna die yet!" Kokichi whimpered.

"You don't need to worry. God will welcome you with open arms." Angie said calmly.

"... That's after we die, right?" Himiko grumbled under her hat.

"W-We can't panic about something like this. I'll... do something about it." Kaito spoke up.

"... Did you have a course of action in mind?" Kiibo asked.

"I'm... gonna start thinking of one right now!"

"...Figures. I didn't expect anything from you in the first place." Maki coldly stated.

"W-We've got to fight back then...!" Gonta exclaimed.

"Y-Yeah!" Tenko agreed. "If we strike them with some sneak attacks, we might have a chance at winning!"

"Everyone! I'll use my body to keep you all safe!" Gonta stated.

"Aaaand that's too reckless." Ichika sighed. "Those machines are much bigger and faster than most of us."

"B-But we have to do it!" Tenko cried. "If we don't, we'll die!"

"Wait!" Kiibo called out. "We still have plenty of time to calculate all possible options-"

"We've got no use to be indecisive. We are being urged to make a decision." Korekiyo butted in. "To die fighting... Or die from the time limit."

"Why do both choices involve us dying!?" Tsumugi shrieked.

"N-No way... Are we really gonna die?" Kokichi was shaking. "I don't wanna die yet... I'm gonna survive! I'm gonna make it no matter what!"

"N-No matter what...?" Kaede repeated. "Wait! You can't do that, though! Even if you make a mistake, you can't-"

"Then you'll accept the blame?" Kokichi's face went blank.

"Huh?"

"Will you accept the blame if I die? I have people who'll be sad if I die, y'know. Nee-heehee...I'm lying. No one will be sad if I die... But I dunno if the same can be said for everyone else. Anyway... I'm gonna take off now."

"Take off...? Where are you going, Ouma?" Rantarou questioned.

"Oh, I don't knooooow. Maybe I'll go back to my room and just think things over. Alone." Kokichi walked out of the room and towards the dorms.

"A-Alone in your room? What do you mean by that? Are you invitin' me to come to kill you?"

"What." Ichika deadpanned and stared blankly at Miu who flinched a bit.

"N-Not that I'd... try to claim that perk for myself... I-I'm way too classy to kill someone! Talkin' to you idiots is exhausting... I'm gonna go to my room and rest!" Miu scampered out of the room quickly.

"Iruma-san! You better not do anything shady!" Kaede called out after her.

"There is no need to worry, is there?" Kiibo asked nervously. "No one is going to... kill anyone, right?"

"If someone is going to kill, they should just go for the robot." Himiko mumbled.

"That's even worse!"

Korekiyo hummed. "Hmm... so everyone feels that killing is wrong... But why is that?"

Kaede blinked. "What?"

"Of course, I know it to be against the law. But laws are simply rules people decided upon. This is a space removed from those rules. Therefore, we've no need to follow them."

"Don't say stupid shit like that!" Kaito barked. "Even kids know killing is bad. It's common sense!"

Korekiyo tugged his hat down a bit. "Even if it is to survive...? We are as guinea pigs upon a lab table... We cannot be picky about our means of survival."

"Wh-What?"

"Kehehe... I only wish to observe the beauty of humanity and witness the depth of its sins. So you've no need to fear me." Korekiyo then left the room.

"Shinguji-kun!" Kaede called out after him.

"M-Males in the soft sciences are pretty soft themselves, so I don't think he'll do anything..." Tenko mumbled.

Ichika sighed. "But he's right. The only reason this news hit you guys so hard was because of your expectations to receive a happy end. Not every story ends happily. And at the rate this is going, we're all going to reach a very bloody ending to our stories."

"B-Bloody ending...?" Tsumugi shivered.

Ichika smiled happily. "I wonder if you guys are people who are okay with dying. Because if not, then I'm pretty sure this isn't an ideal situation, huh? " Ichika then turned on her heel and strutted out of the room.

"Wait, Aki-san, wait!"

"She has a point. If we want to stay alive, standing around grumbling's not gonna change anything." Ryoma's face went dark. "As things are, we're not going to escape together... we're going to die together. Are you guys okay with that?" Ryoma then left the room as well.

"H-Hold on, everyone... We haven't decided on our plan yet..." Despite Kaede's desperate attempts to keep the group together, everyone all left the dining hall, one by one.

***

Ichika woke up the next day and made her way to the dining hall. Once she opened the doors, voices that were huge argument erupted in her face. She shut the doors as fast as she could and walked away.

Ichika headed outside again and found herself standing outside the school building, looking up at the sky. That's when she heard a panicked voice.

"Hey, Aki-san! Have you heard about the fight that's happening in the dining hall?" Kaede asked.

Ichika tilted her head. "Oh? You mean that fight I just walked away from?"

"Wh-What!?"

"Yeeeeah... I opened the door to the dining hall but once I opened the door, I found people arguing. It looked pretty heated too, so I just shut the door and left without saying anything."

"Why did you walk away from it? Why didn't you try and stop it!?" Kaede glared at Ichika.

Ichika just shrugged. "It's not my problem. They started the fight, they can end it themselves. Besides, this could potentially trigger the killing game, y'know?" Ichika smiled brightly.

"N-No! There's no way that would happen! I *won't* let that happen!"

Ichika blinked. "Well, if you adamant about stopping it, why are you still talking to me?" She smiled brightly. "You need to go play hero, and stop this battle!"

"Yeah, that's right!" Kaede nodded and sprinted off to the dining hall.

Ichika watched as Kaede sprinted off to the dining hall.

***