Ding dong, bing bong.

I looked up to the source of the sound. "Was that the bell?" Shuichi gasped. "Guys, look, the monitor!" We looked at the monitor and it showed the Monokubs sitting on a couch. "Everyone make your way to the gym, please! It's time for the opening ceremony."

We made our way to the gym, which also had plants growing in it. "It seems like all 17 of us are here." Kirumi said. Kaito smiled with his hands on his hips. "It's pretty spectacular seeing 17 of us Ultimates altogether." I nodded in agreement. Kiyo chuckled. "You may not be able to be so easygoing for much longer."

Tsumugi put her finger on her cheek. "In this situation, it's best not to think. So Tsumugi stopped thinking for now." I looked at her in confusion. What?

"Pardon me, but we need to be on our guard. We don't know when danger will strike." Kiibo reminded me. Kokichi whimpered. "Don't say that... I'm so scared... I don't know what to do..." I looked down at Kokichi, but then I heard Angie talk. "Don't worry, Atua will protect us!" And there she goes with Atua again.

"Phew! That's a relief!" Kokichi exclaimed enthusiastically. Right now, I'm not in the mood to check if he's lying. Either way, I wasn't able to because, "Is your brain full of weeds or something? I'll whack 'em out of that skull of yours." Miu blurted.

"Don't worry about it, just leave it to me." Kaito cracked his knuckles. "If those teddy bears show up again, I'll kick their butts!"

Gonta's eyes widened. "Wait. What that?" I listened. "It sounds like..." My eyes widened this time as I heard the sound of robots powering up from where Rantaro and Kokichi were standing. I quickly pull Kokichi by the arm and Rantaro by the shirt as the robots appear where they were just standing.

"Whoa, you're reflexes are insane." Rantaro muttered. I stepped back as Gonta stepped in front. "Everyone, behind Gonta!" I pulled Kokichi back, but I noticed this certain glint in his eye. "Whoaaaa. So cool!" He marveled. I peered at his face in utter disbelief. That thing almost killed him!

"These are Exisals. Highly mobile, bipedal weapon platforms." Weapons. "Hey, didn't someone say they were going to kick their butts?" Maki said to Kaito. "Well, no one told me about these!"

I examined the Exisals. They have guns but they're not pointed. "I don't think we're in any danger here, so don't worry." I assured.

Rantaro walked up to the Exisals. "So what do you want from us? There's gotta be something, right? With those guns, I think you're gonna tell us to do something or we get hurt, right?" Hey, isn't assuming people's thought my job? "Okay, okay we'll tell you. It's a killing game!" My eyes widened. A killing game?

I held onto Gonta's bicep as the Exisals suddenly started fighting amongst themselves, calling each other "jabroni''. "Are they really getting it on right in front of us?" Kiibo nodded in agreement. "We've gotta get out of here before-"

"Now, now, now."

I flinched at the sudden new voice. "Gonta hear something." I hummed in agreement. "My cute little cubs, you've gotta stop this useless fighting." The Monokubs got out of their exisals. "Father?" The red one yelled. Father? They have a father now?

The lights in the gymnasium shut off as I held Gonta tighter. I felt a hand on my shoulder. The lights turned back on and it was Angie. Even Atua can't keep her from being scared. I put my hand over hers as a light shone on stage. A bear, barely bigger than the Monokubs appeared. He was half white, half black and had wings, although those disappeared quite quickly.

"I am the god of this new world, and the headmaster of the Ultimate Academy!" I let go of Gonta as I straightened up and bit my lip. "The one... the only... Monokuma!" Do they all start with "Mono"? The Monokubs started calling him "father", "papa kuma", and such while he gushed over how cute they were. What is happening?

Although, the Monokubs seemed to have done something wrong.

"I said, I'm... not... MAD!" Monokuma suddenly had this weird glowy ball form in his hands. "Anyways, I'm really not mad. I'm proud of you guys." It sure seemed like he was mad. Me and the others looked at each other in confusion. Why are stuffed animals talking to each other?

"More teddy bears?" Tsumigi asked. Kiyo walked up. "That one is not like the others. I can see the despair swirling through his eyes." I looked at Monokuma. I see nothing. "Show some respect! I'm your headmaster after all!" Our headmaster's a bear, huh?

"The situation may be strange, but I'm concerned about this killing game you're talking about." Rantaro said. I hummed in agreement. Monokuma giggled. "I want you to compete in a killing game!" I bit my lip. "U-us? In a killing game?"

Monokuma tilted his head. "What? You don't want to participate?" Gonta shook his head. "Course not! Gentlemen not hurt people!" Monokuma turned away. "Well, you don't have a choice! There's no way to escape, and with these exisals, you can't defy us!" Tenko suddenly burst out. "You've gotta be kidding me! Why would friends kill each other!"

Monokuma tilted his head in a questioning manner. "Who said you guys are friends?" He looked straight at me. "Although... you all seem to be really close to this one." He got really close to my face, but Rantaro pulled me back, putting me behind Kokichi. He stood there with his arms crossed as if his small figure would be intimidating. "No need to get suspicious. Y/N's just friendly." Monokuma moved back.

"Anyways, you're enemies out to kill each other."

Shuichi stared at Monokuma. "Enemies?"

"Wait! How are we supposed to kill each other? Are we given weapons?" Ryoma wondered. "W-what?" I peered at Ryoma. He's not actually planning on killing someone, is he?

"Weapons? Oh, no. The killing game is far more sophisticated than that!" Monokuma said. "After each killing, there will be a Class Trial. You will be given time to investigate and in the Class Trial, you will present your evidence and say who the murderer is! The murderer will be punished."

I crossed my arms. "And if we get it wrong?" Monokuma laughed. "Everyone except for the murderer gets punished! The murderer will be able to graduate."

I tried to comfort myself by wrapping my arms around me. "What is this punishment you speak of?" Kiyo asked. Monokuma cackled. "Execution of course!" I gritted my teeth. Execution? "Anyways, let's get on with the killing."

And with that, Monokuma disappeared. "Killing game..." Rantaro mumbled, rather unfazed. "Risking our life for some foolish game is rather absurd." Kiyo stated as I nodded, but I was more focused on Monokuma's interest in my "friendliness". Is that a bad thing in this kind of game?

"Monokuma seemed to be really interested in you, Mind Reader!" Kokichi exclaimed. Gonta hummed in confusion. "Mind Reader? Gonta confused." Kokichi giggled. "They're really smart, and they always know what you're thinking!" Rantaro chuckled. "Better watch out for you during Class Trials, then." He joked.

All our Monopads ringed. I pulled mine out. Great. rules.

All students will remain in the school until the foreseeable future.

Once a murder takes place, all surviving students must participate in a Class Trial.

• If the blackened is exposed, they alone will be executed.

• If the blackened is not exposed, all remaining students will be executed.

• If the blackened survives the class trial, they will graduate and re-enter the outside world.

• The killing game and class trials will continue until only two students remain.

• "Nighttime" is from 10:00pm to 8:00am.

• The dining hall and gymnasium are off-limits at night.

• Violence against Monokuma, the headmaster of the academy, is strictly prohibited.

• Monokuma will never directly commit murder.

• Your Monopads are very important items. Please do not damage them.

• The body discovery announcement will play when three or more students discover the body.

• With minimal restriction, you are free to explore the campus at your discretion.

• Students who violate these rules will immediately be exterminated by the exisals.

Kirumi put her hand on her chin. "I do not understand why someone would force us to do this."

Kokichi grinned and put his hands behind his head. "But the rules are pretty cut and dry. This game doesn't seem like it'll be boring." I looked at Kokichi, worry evident in my eyes. He said he has a secret evil organization... with ten people at least. Murder might be a normal thing.

"Why does the game end after there's two people left?'' Angie asked.

"Maybe it's because you can't have a trial with only two people." Shuichi answered. "I see! You're so smart Shuichi!"

"Q-quit joking around. We're in a killing game with some wack regulations." Kaito stammered. I put my hand on Kaito's arm. "It won't last long, I'm sure!"

Kaito suddenly lit up. "Right! None of us will go along with this!" Kaito raised his Monopad. "Wait! Don't do that! That'll be breaking the rules!" Rantaro exclaimed. Maki looked down, her hand on her chin. "If you break one of the rules, the exisals will dispose of you." Kaito punched his hands together. "Who cares? I will break this game!"

Miu scoffed. "Forget him! It's one less idiot to deal with!" They began bickering, so I took a deep breath, along with Kaede. "STOP FIGHTING!!" We said at the same time. Everyone silenced themselves. "We aren't going to get anywhere with all of us at each other's throats." I said, crossing my arms.

Tenko sliced the air. "I agree with Y/N! We have to remember who the real enemy is. My master taught me that strength should always be aimed at the right person." I felt a slight shake under my feet and turned around. "Y-Yeah... just stay calm... l-like me." Himiko stuttered. Angie's eyes went wide, but she almost looked joyous. "Wow! You're shaking so much!"

"Why don't we search for an exit, one last time?" Kaede suggested.

"But that wall outside has no hole! I've searched all around it!" Tsumigi recalled. Kiibo's eyes lit up. "Wait! If we got in here, there's gotta be a way out! An entrance can also be an exit!" We all nodded in affirmation. "Well, I for one think the smartest ones should stay together." Kaito said. He turned to Shuichi and I.

"H-huh? We're the smartest?" Shuichi asked. Kaito nodded. "Y/N was able to guess my talent from my choice of words. You're a detective. You'll work great together!" Kirumi nodded. "It seems as though we are in agreement. Y/N, you were able to guess my talent from something as seemingly inadequate as my outfit, and I'm sure you were able to do similar with the others. Shuichi has the ability to recall events that seem to not have much effect on him, like the fact that I am the Ultimate Maid. You two will be the best pair to go together."

Kokichi looked to the side with a smirk. "Seems like you two are quite the couple!" Really? I can tell he's lying anyway.

Gonta's eyes lit up, as if he remembered something. "What is it Gonta?"

"Well, maybe it not matter much, but Gonta find manhole outside. In grass, behind school building. Gonta looked inside. Maybe it exit." My eyes lit up now. "That's great! Even if it isn't an exit, it may be useful!"

"Man, I look like a total emo next to you." Shuichi said, pulling his hat over his eyes. "Well when you do that, of course you do, silly!" I tilted up his hat. "Let's check out this manhole, okay?"

We all followed Gonta to the manhole behind the building. "Y'know, that was pretty cool. Bringing everyone together with Kaede. You seem to have a way with words." Rantaro told me. I chuckled. "That's my job." He smiled. "Just be careful. Whoever's running this won't want us working together. They might come for the glue that keeps it that way."

I nodded and walked faster and walked next to Kaede. "You guys totally like each other!" She squealed. "Oh, shut up, Kaede! That's absurd!" Little did I know, a certain purple-haired teenager was listening into our conversation.

"Rantaro sure is a... peculiar guy." Shuichi said to me. I looked at Rantaro. "I guess so. Especially since he forgot his Ultimate talent. However, we can't be suspicious of whoever. Besides, we forgot how we got here, so forgetting your talent isn't the weirdest thing that can happen."

We made our way behind the school and I looked around. "So where's the manhole, Gonta?" He pointed to a cluster of grass. I walked over and brushed some dirt out of the way. "Yep, he was right." Angie walked over. "It looks kind of heavy. How do we open it?" Kiibo came up, twisting his artificial wrists. "I can try." He tried lifting the cover, but to no avail. It wouldn't budge.

I turned around to Gonta. "You said you peaked inside? Can you lift it?" He put one hand on the cover and lifted it as if it were a coin. "Wow! So easily?" Tsumigi exclaimed. "His strength must be because of my magic." Himiko said, proudly. "What should Gonta do with cover?" He asked. "Just put it somewhere else. Be careful not to hit anyone!" Kirumi replied. But Gonta shook his head. "Gonta can not litter." I assured him that it's not littering if it's not garbage, so he tossed it aside. I pulled Rantaro aside as the manhole cover flew across the yard. "Your reflexes are kind of scary, Mind Reader." Kokichi giggled.

"Such manpower! You could easily crack a child's skull with such strength!" Kiyo admired. Yeah, like Gonta would ever. Gonta climbed down first and help everyone off the ladder. Like true gentleman!

"Yodeleyeeeeehoooooooo!" Kokichi yodelled, it echoing back. "What is this place?" Maki gazed upon the huge manhole.

"Oh, look! There's a sign that says 'exit' over here." Rantaro pointed out. "Someone actually took the time to put the word exit on a sign down here?" Tenko asked, suspiciously. "Well, it can't hurt to try! Besides, the rules never stated anything about following signs!" I recalled. Kaito grinned. "Exactly what I was going to say! Give me a hug!" I was about to walk over when, "Don't just hug some degenerate, Y/N!" Tenko scolded. "He just wants you to press up against him!"

I scratched the back of my head. "I-I'm sure that's not what his intentions were... but okay."

We walked through the tunnel, but I heard a yelp, and my first instinct was to grab whoever was in front of me. "W-Whoa, that scared the living tunes outta me. Thanks Y/N!" Kaede thanked me as I pulled her up. I knelt down and tried feeling the floor in front of me. "I think there's a drop here." I took a rock next to me and dropped it into the darkness. I heard a splash, but it seemed pretty distant.

"Um... there's water." I told everyone. I looked forward. "Um... step back." I ordered. Everyone moved back. I got a running start and jumped. "Y/N!" Shuichi yelled. I opened my eyes and found myself on a stone platform. "Oh... it's okay guys!" I noticed the three feet of space between me and the edge. "I don't think you need a running start. Just jump!"

Everyone followed my lead and jumped. I had to help a few people like Himiko and Angie, but other than that, it was fine. Miu sniffed. "Does anyone smell smoke?" I tilted my head and saw a fire shooter underneath. "I've got this!" Miu said, walking in front of me. Nothing happened. I looked up and saw the motion sensor that activates the fire shooter. "U-uh, Gonta, Kiyo, Kaito... can't you crouch a little, just in case?" They nodded and crouched as we walked past.

Once we got to the other side, they stood up straight. "Wait!" I blocked a bullet with my arm, making blood drip down it. Kokichi walked up to me and took off his scarf. "Look, I know I said your reflexes are great, but don't use them like this." He wrapped his scarf around my wound and patted it. "There! Now we don't have to carry you if you pass out from blood loss!" He gave me a side glance. Liar, you were worried.

"Um... Y/N... you're looking a bit pale." Kaede said after a bit of jumping and running and pushing. I wasn't going to deny it. I had a headache, my vision was blurry, and my arm was numb. I looked down and realized Kokichi's scarf fell off. "Oh well, you weren't going to get past this anyways." We turned around and saw Monokuma. "Now, if I were to push over Y/N, they'd probably pass out. Even if they weren't about to pass out from blood loss, I wouldn't have let you escape anyways." His words got muffled and the last thing I heard was someone saying, "Y/N!"