Jim and Claire made their way to the dining hall to meet up with everyone. And once they got there, everyone was already waiting as Issei had said. Though, some of them looked like they didn't want to be.

Rias Gremory: "Okay, so everyone is here now? Good. Now, let's begin."

Loona: "Begin what, exactly?"

Katsuki Bakugo: "Yeah, it better not be for a stupid reason. I hate it when my time is wasted on senseless bullcrap!"

Shoto Todoroki: "I'm with him on that one."

Katsuki Bakugo: "I didn't ask you agree with me, Icy-Hot!"

Izuku Midoriya: "Kacchan. . . Todoroki. . . please listen up. This must be important if we're all here now."

Rias Gremory: "So, as you all know. . . we've been trapped in this school with no way out, other than to kill another student."

Knuckles: "That much was made very clear."

Rias Gremory: "And we've all done our share of investigating, right? So tell me. . . did anyone find anything of use?"

Rouge: "Not really."

Izuku Midoriya: "There's not much around to find. It's just like a normal school here. Except for all the blocked off areas, that is."

Raphael: "I still don't understand why we're stuck here. Like, what is that bear getting out of us killing each other?"

Katsuki Bakugo: "The bastard just wants some sick fun! Well, I'm not gonna let him have it! If I can't fight him. . . then I'll simply not listen to anything he has to say."

Shinobu Kocho: "But there are still rules we have to follow. So, if you want to disobey the bear, then go ahead and see what happens when you do. If what happened earlier is anything to go by, then you'll be dead before you know what's happening."

Katsuki Bakugo: ". . ."

Shinobu Kocho: "That's all. What you guys do in your free time is not my business."

Jim Lake Jr: 'This woman. . . she's kind, yet stern. Almost like a gentle mother. And she's got a strange aura. Almost like she's trying not to break her character.'

Kanao Tsuyuri: ". . ."

Rias Gremory: "That was going to be my next point. If the rules here are so important, then what's the deal?"

Issei Hyodo: "What are you saying, Rias?"

Rias Gremory: "If there's rules to this game, then there must be something more to it than what we thought. I could be wrong, but. . . what if we're being watched?"

Raphael: "We're being watched?"

Claire Nunez: "Hmm. . . that makes sense, I think. If Monokuma is so serious about us following the rules, then there has to be a reason for them to exist."

Douxie: "And thinking about some of the rules this far. . . it almost kind of confirms it. Take a look again at the first rule. And then rules #6 to #9."

. . .

Rule #1: You are free to explore the school to your discretion. However, any blocked off areas or locked doors are forbidden to enter until further notice.

. . .

Rule #6: If you want to escape so badly, you must commit a murder and get away with it.

Rule #7: A body discovery announcement will play once 3 or more people find a body (This doesn't include the killer themselves).

Rule #8: An investigation period will be held once a body is discovered. You will have a certain amount of time before the class trial begins. So use the time wisely.

Rule #9: During a class trial, if you find the correct blackened, they alone will be punished. But if you find the wrong one, then all besides the blackened will be punished.

. . . .

Douxie: "It almost feels. . . formulaic, in a way."

Raphael: "Like a TV show!"

Douxie: "And the first rule. . . it's like all of the areas are blocked for us to look into later. Such as, maybe. . . after a murder case is solved, perhaps?"

Issei Hyodo: "Oh, I see! It's formulaic and you can only access certain areas after certain events! It's like a video game!"

Loona: "Don't even try to compare the two. This is a serious real-life situation we're in."

Rias Gremory: "And if this formula is in place, then *someone* has to be entertained by this."

Knuckles: "Who in their right mind would be entertained by this?"

Katsuki Bakugo: "Sickos. . . that's who."

Rias Gremory: "As different as we all may be from each other, we'll have to stick together if we want to escape this place. If there's rules in play for a reason, then we will just play by the rules."

Izuku Midoriya: "That. . . doesn't involve the killing part, does it?"

Katsuki Bakugo: "Ah, quit your whining, you damn nerd! Nobody is gonna kill anyone! If anyone is gonna die, it's that butt-ugly bear!"

Rias Gremory: "We also can't be too brash with our decisions. If we give in to despair, then nothing will ever be normal."

Jim Lake Jr: 'This woman. . . she's already acting like a powerful leader. I guess this is the aura of the Ultimate Club President, after all.'

Lila Rossi: "I would be careful, if I were you."

Rias Gremory: "Excuse me?"

Lila Rossi: "I understand that it's not easy to lead a group of students, but it's best to watch yourself when you step up to be a leader."

Issei Hyodo: "What are you trying to say?"

Lila Rossi: "Just be careful. It's a tough world out here in the battlefield. I should know. I fought a very powerful villain all by myself."

Izuku Midoriya: "You've fought villains before?!"

Lila Rossi: "Don't worry. . . whatever villain may come our way. . . I'll defeat them for you guys."

Rias Gremory: "I'm sorry. . . I don't think I'm buying it for a second."

Knuckles: "Hang on, Rias. . . maybe this is what we need right now. If someone like Lila can take down powerful foes, then she should lead us."

Rias Gremory: "I've taken down even tougher foes before. . ."

Lila Rossi: "Alright then. . . let's leave it to a majority vote."

Knuckles: "A vote for what?"

Lila Rossi: "For a team leader. For now, things are hot between me and Rias. So. . . let's see who's the favorite?"

Rias Gremory: ". . . Fine. Let's play it your way."

Lila Rossi: "Wonderful. Now, whoever wants *me* to lead the team, raise your hand."

A small group of students then raised their hands for Lila.

Lila Rossi: "Okay. It's looking good. Now, whoever thinks Rias should lead us, raise your hand."

A small group of students then raised their hands for Rias. But it was a couple less then Lila. But only because there were a couple of people who didn't even vote.

Lila Rossi: "Ooh! Looks like I win!"

Claire Nunez: "Some people didn't even vote."

Loona: "I really don't give a shit."

Douxie: ". . . What?"

Shinobu Kocho: "I think it would be best if we all got along and work as one."

Kanao Tsuyuri: ". . ."

Katsuki Bakugo: ". . . Tch"

Jim Lake Jr: "So. . . that's it then? Lila is our leader now?"

Lila Rossi: "Oh, you won't regret it one bit."

Rias Gremory: "Well, at least I've got Issei's vote. That's all that matters to me."

Issei Hyodo: "I'm always on your team, Rias!"

Rias Gremory: "You just want a chance to see my boobs again, don't you?"

All of the girls then looked at Issei as Rias asked that.

Issei Hyodo: "Uh. . . . . . No comment."

Lila Rossi: "So then. . . for my first order of business. . . let's split. We'll continue to look around for anyway out of this place. We won't stop until we find out way out."

Everyone then disbanded from the dining room and went their separate ways to investigate.

After a little bit of exploring and getting caught up, Jim went back to his room to rest for a bit. It was only still the first day and he was already exhausted.

. . .

*DING DONG BING BONG*

Monokuma: "Ahem. . . this is a school announcement. It is now 10 PM. As such, it is officially nighttime. And the doors to the dining hall will be locked. Make sure you're all sleeping in a dorm room, and goodnight! I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!"

. . .

Jim Lake Jr: 'Huh. . . it's night already? Dang. . . I must've been exhausted today. Go figure. . . a lot happened today that I feel I had no control over. And Lila is the group leader now. . . The Ultimate Manipulator. Did everyone who voted for her just forget that? I can already sense the chaos that's going to unfold. . .'

Jim then closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

To be continued. . .

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