On my way to my dorm, I encountered Shuichi, he seemed to be on his way to Kaede's ultimate lab.

"Hm...Shuichi? Why are you going to Kaede's lab..?" I ask him quietly

"Oh... I just wanted to visit...in memory of Kaede." He replied, avoiding eye contact. I couldn't help but feel bad for him, they seemed to get close in the short time we had here. I can't even imagine how I'd feel if I ever lost Tenko..or maybe even Kokichi, even if he can be annoying.

"Ah, I see. Are you sure you're alright? I know it must be har—"

"I'm okay." His voice got shaky and he looked down to the floor. I was about to leave but I saw him crying. "O-Oh...um sorry.." he tried to hide his tears from me but I just hugged him.

"It'll be okay. I know you two were close, I'm sorry." I could feel his body tense at my sudden action, but soon enough he relaxed and hugged back.

I don't like seeing others sad, it makes me sad. I'd do anything I can to make them feel better, but I'm not the best at comforting. It was a nice moment...until a certain someone decided to show up.

"Heyy! So you hug him and not me? Wow y/n, I'm heartbroken!" It was none other than, Kokichi. At the sound of his voice I broke out of the hug.

"Wh—Kokichi?! What are you doing here.." I ask

"I could ask you the same thing, but that's not the point. I'm heartbroken, did you not hear me!?" The male exaggerated

"Um..okay? Also it's none of your business, I was just leaving anyway." I turn back to Shuichi, waving him goodbye and then walking to my original destination.

"But I wanna knowww!" Kokichi ran after me.

"I was just comforting him, he seemed to be going through it. That's all, can you leave me alone now?" I respond in annoyance. I was tired and wanted to sleep, Kokichi was making my head hurt.

"But you never comfort me when I cry,"

"Cuz I can tell your tears are fake. I'm not that gullible, I can see through your lies."

"Ohhhhh really?~ great! I guess I'll just have to keep lying until you fall for one of them!~"

"Mhmm, suree." I say sarcastically

We ended up walking all the way back to the dorms together, we said goodnight and went to bed.

——

It was the next morning. Getting out of bed was a struggle as usual, but I made it. I headed to the dining hall, seeing some others on my way there.

"Heya Y/n!" Tenko greeted me

"Morning, Tenko" I respond with a smile

"Yeah! Like someone try to hide writing in grass! Weird, right!?" I hear another conversation from across the room and decide to listen in. Some others were walking into the dining hall too as we were talking.

"Hmmm... Atua says it's just graffiti. Nyahahaha! Now we don't gotta worry about it anymore!"

"What's up with you guys? Are you still talking about that graffiti? Whatever...I brought Shuichi, so let's start breakfast already." Kaito entered with Shuichi and the room fell quiet.

"Good morning..." Shuichi greeted, I'm guessing everyone was so surprised because he wasn't wearing his hat today.

"You finally got rid of that emo hat! Is this cuz Kaede died or whatever?" Kokichi shouted

"Quiet, you male! Learn some manners, why don't you!?" Tenko yelled at Kokichi, I laughed at their arguing.

"Oh, huh, you're not wearing your hat. I didn't even notice." Kaito said

"And you could stand to learn some manners too, you insensitive jerk!" Tenko shouted again

"N-No, I just felt like it was getting in the way is all." Shuichi's face turned a light pink in embarrassment.

"You guys don't have to stare, he just took of his hat." I say

"You are right. My apologies, Shuichi." Kirumi spoke up

"I like it. I think you look more handsome with your hat off." Angie said

"Ah...thank you."

"Keh, how nice for you. Unlike plain Jane over here, who turns invisible as soon as her glasses come off." Miu added

"I am plain...but it's the other way around. Taking off my glasses reveals my true form." Tsumugi giggled before continuing. "Didn't you know? Those who see my true form pay a terrible price."

"Anyway, we already decided we're eating breakfast together." Kokichi said

"Since whe—" Kirumi interrupted me

"Yes, yes. I prepared breakfast for everyone."

"Oh, really? Thanks Kirumi!" I smile

"Kirumi, be my mom!" Kokichi shouted

"Gonta want you to be his mom, too!" Everyone began to make conversation while Kirumi brought out the food. Although.. everything felt forced. Nobody can forget what we witnessed yesterday, but everyone's still trying to act normal like nothing happened.

"Hey, Y/n? Are you okay?" Tenko asked, bringing back my attention

"Oh, yeah. Sorry I must've spaced out.." I answer, then continued eating.

"By the way, that thing Gonta talked about earlier...are we going to go check it out?" Ryoma asked

"Keh! Quit fussin' over some lousy graffiti and worry about your shitty future instead!" Miu shouted

"Huh? Graffiti?" Shuichi questioned

"Oh, Gonta find it this morning... On concrete, hidden in grass... Words "horse a" written there."

"Huh... What do you think it means?" Shuichi asked

"Well... it's meaning is entirely shrouded in mystery." Korekiyo said

"Not even the ultimate anthropologist knows... I thought it was some anthropology thing." Tsumugi said

"Well, Shuichi's a detective, right? Let's hear his opinion." I suggest

"Oh...uh....I don't know either."

"Gonta, I'm surprised you were able to find that graffiti hidden in the grass. Do you channel the divine, too?" Angie asked

"Oh... That cuz of tiny bugs." Gonta answered

"Bugs...? I thought vermin were nowhere to be seen in this academy." Kirumi said

"Yeah, Gonta think that before, but... When out walking in courtyard, Gonta think he see tiny bug. But, bug so tiny. Even Gonta no could see it. And Gonta have 20/0.625 eyesight. So maybe Gonta just make mistake. But Gonta think... No, maybe Gonta just see things..."

"Ugh! Just make up your mind already, you degenerate!"

"So, you found that message while you were out chasing some bug? Wooow, Gonta! You did it! I knew I could rely on you since the moment we met!" Kokichi said

"What? Really?"

"...Yep! So you should work for me!"

"Okay."

"What? You're going to agree to it just like that?" I ask

"Be careful, Gonta. That guy's a real liar." Kaito added

"What? Really?" Gonta asked

"Haha, no way." Kokichi said

"Good. Then Gonta have no reason to worry."

"Oh jeez.." I facepalmed

"Nishishi... Gonta, you're so gullible. Y'know, if you keep being this gullible... You'll be killed before you know it. Understand?" Kokichi said, everyone went silent

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with Kokichi's advice?" I ask

"Oh, Kokichi... You no should say thing like that, even as joke." Gonta said

"Hm? Say what. "Kill"? Has the K-word been banned? That's not very reasonable, is it? Not when the killing game is still happening."

"H-How can you be so insensitive..? Especially after what happened yesterday! This is why I hate degenerate males! They're about as considerate as amoebas!" Tenko yelled

"...it's that kinda talk that lets Monokuma play you all like fiddles." Kokichi said, I gave him a glare.

"Oh, did you hear that? Don't mind me—I was just talking to myself." Just as he said that, Monokuma showed up.

"Helloooo! Looks like you guys are having a good time. Let me join in"

"Yeah! They're having a jolly good time ganging up on me!" Kokichi whined

"*cough* loser *cough*" I teased him quietly.

"...Hm? Ganging up? No bullying! Bullying is not cool! Bullying is the worst! Personally, I think bullying is cuz of lousy parenting. It's all the parents' fault! They should do a better job raising their kids!" Monokuma rambled

"Why are you even here?" Ryoma spoke up

"Ahh... I figured I'd give you guys a prize for surviving the class trial." The Monokubs showed up to give everyone the prize.

"Listen up! Cuz we got these here fabulous, nonsensical prizes for youse! A dragon Gem, an Ocarina, an Ancient Passport, and a Hexagon Crank from some zombie game! These prizes all come in a bundle!" Monos ikr said

"Wow, thanks for the random junk.." I say sarcastically. "What are we supposed to do with this anyway?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe there's a way to use them without knowing what they're for? Who cares? Just put your best foot forward. It's easier to move forward than backward." Monokuma answered

"How nice." Gonta said

Don't get inspired from him, Gonta." Tsumugi said

"Anyway, that's the situation so just do your best however you please!" Monokuma laughed, and then left along with the Monokubs.

——