-Komaru P. O. V.-

Yuta and I entered the dining hall and saw everyone sitting at a table together, aside from Takemichi, who sat at a different table, a little bit away. We sat down at the remaining two seats, next to each other. Hiroko had set Kameko's jar down on the table, and Cheri sat curled up in Kenshiro's lap. Appears that they've become the designated keepers.

"So, how was everyone's search of their rooms?" Takaaki said, standing up.

We all basically said the same thing. We found either a toolkit or a sewing kit in their rooms. Hiroko and Kenshiro said they found similar things in Cheri and Kameko's rooms. After everyone shared, Yuta spoke up.

"I also found an empty pouch in the drawer, and a coin in the trashcan. Komaru did, too. Did anyone else find something like that?"

Again, everyone found about the same thing. Kenshiro left the pouch and the coin. Hiroko also left the pouch, but didn't pass up the chance for free money.

"Anyway, I wanted to address something before we start this meeting." Takaaki continued.

"And what's that?" Hiroko asked.

"I think we should elect a leader among us." He said. "We should have a figure of authority in this situation. Naturally, I vote for myself."

"Why the fuck do you get to make that decision, old man?" Takemichi grumbled from the other table.

"Watch your mouth, young man! And for your information, I happen to be a police officer!"

Hiroko seemed interested in the conversation. "If you're a cop, then where's your gun?"

He seemed almost angry at the question. "I think those kids took it."

She smirked, putting her feet up on the table. "Seems like you could use some more training."

Takaaki grumbled. "Fine! We'll take a democratic vote. One by one, we'll take votes, and you can vote for yourself. Naturally, I vote me."

I spoke up. "I also vote for Takaaki. He seems... capable. Plus, he's an adult. He should be better than someone like me or Yuta."

"Thank you, Komaru." He said, bowing slightly. "Who's next?"

The next person surprised me. Yuta stood up, slamming his hands on the table. "I vote Komaru!"

Everyone was shocked, including me. "What are you talking about? Why the fuck would you vote for her?"

"Komaru is a smart girl! She told me about the killing game before the Warriors of Hope did! She cares about us! We can trust her! I'm sure of it."

"Yuta..." I didn't know all that meant that much to him.

I also stood up. "I change my vote to Yuta!"

There was another round of surprised looks.

"He clearly is a smart and compassionate kid! Look at him! He voted for me just because I was nice to him! He deserves to be the leader!"

There was a bit of silence.

"I also vote Yuta." We all looked at Kenshiro, the source of the voice. "He clearly is a headstrong boy."

Takaaki slammed a fist on the table. "Kids should not be in charge of a group of people! Not when there are capable adults around!"

"I say Komaru." Hiroko said. "A good leader would acknowledge the others around them. Koko voted for Yuyu instead of herself when he stepped up. They both have balls. I like that."

"Yeah, well I say Takaaki." Takemichi grumbled. "I don't want those two stupid morons in charge. At least this guy won't be all rainbows and fucking sunshine."

"Screw you, too." Hiroko said.

"I... I think Yuta should be leader, too." Taichi said. "He was very nice to me earlier."

"Komaru! Sure, Yuta's cute, but we need a woman in charge! Komaru's got the balls and the boobs to run this place!" Kanon added.

"I guess... Komaru?" Ayaka said quietly. She didn't seem like she wanted to participate that much.

"I say Takaaki." Fujiko said. "If the kids are in charge, I won't be able to study them as research for my... projects..." That doesn't sound good.

"Komaru seems to be a headstrong individual. The logical choice is her." Fuhito said.

"My vote is for Takaaki. Master Byakuya would vote for him, so I must vote in his absence." Aloysius said.

"That's all accounted for. I think we can all agree not to let animals choose a capable leader. What's the vote count?"

Hiroko added the numbers in her head. "Kaka has 4 votes, Yuyu has 3, and Koko has 5. The girl wins."

"U-Uh... Um, thank you guys?" I said. I wasn't sure how to handle this.

Takaaki sat down, grumpy. Yuta sat down with a smile. I sat down too, a bit worried.

"Well, Ms. Leader. What's the plan?" Takemichi grumbled.

"Uh..." I thought. "Takaaki, I'm going to put you in charge of this meeting."

That cheered him up. "That works. Though, before we get to what I wanted to do, I suggest we go over the rules in the handbooks."

Everyone took out their handbooks. I turned on mine on. It showed 'Komaru Naegi' when it started up. There were five buttons. Map. Truth Bullets. Presents. Report Card. Regulations. Itapped the regulations button. There was a series of rules.

Rule 1: Students may reside only within the school. Leaving campus is an unacceptable use of time.

Rule 2: "Nighttime" is from 10 pm to 7 am. Some areas are off-limits at night, so please exercise caution.

Rule 3: Sleeping anywhere other than the dormitory will be seen as sleeping in class and punished accordingly.

Rule 4: With minimal restrictions, you are free to explore Hope's Peak Elementary at your discretion.

Rule 5: Violence against Headmaster Kurokuma or the teachers, Mr. Daimon, Mr. Kemuri, Ms. Utsugi, Mr. Shingetsu, and Ms. Towa is strictly prohibited, as is destruction of surveillance cameras.

Rule 6: Anyone who kills a fellow hostage and becomes "blackened" will graduate, unless they are discovered.

Rule 7: Additional  school regulations may be added as necessary.

After I read all the rules, I looked back up at Takaaki.

"Now, there are a few things I want to go over regarding these rules." He said. "The first is about the second rule. This 'nighttime' rule. I'm assuming that nighttime is the time that the Warriors of Hope wish for us to sleep. Now, the rule doesn't say that we have to stay in our rooms during that time, so I think we should make that a ground rule, to establish trust."

"Yeah yeah, whatever." Takemichi seemed to not care at all.

"Next, is the third rule. The rule says we can only sleep in our rooms in the dormitory, but doesn't restrict us to our own rooms. So, I'm going to enforce that myself. If I catch a male and a female sleeping in the same room, there will be trouble!"

I get the feeling Kanon doesn't like him enforcing that.

"Also, the fifth rule. It appears that we haven't met this 'Kurokuma' person. If we find him, we are to report to each other immediately."

We all nodded. I hope he wasn't too much trouble.

"That was all I wanted to discuss about the rules. Now about the reason I suggested we have this meeting."

"I thought Kenshiro said we should all meet here?" I said.

"Anyway." He continued, changing topics immediately. "The reason is because I wish to make another ground rule. I think we should all meet here in the morning to have breakfast, as another way to establish a feeling of trust and safety."

We all nodded again, as it seemed reasonable.

Except Takemichi.

"Maybe I'll come. But don't fucking count on it. I might just ditch all of you assholes."

"Lastly," Takaaki continued again. "I think it's best that we all investigate this place for a way out, or any clues about our situation."

Fuhito stood up. "I agree. We should all split into groups."

We all decided to spit into groups and certain parts of the school.

Fuhito decided to investigate the room labeled with the bear head alone. Takemichi also went solo, going for the entrance hall. Ayaka, Kanon, and Fujiko decided to band together and look through the rest of the hotel. Taichi and Kenshiro, who carried Cheri, went back to the AV room. Aloysius went alone to look at the trash room. Hiroko, who carried Kameko, and Takaaki went to the playground. And Yuta and I went to investigate the school store.

It was 8:30. Probably pm. After we made our groups, we agreed to meet up in an hour, just a little bit before nighttime.

I hope this turns out okay.