[A/N] Edited as of 12/3/22

Hachi

It's rare that I come across someone my age who's also just as short as I am, but I'm lucky enough to have met Chimon here. Every time we sit down, only the front halves of our feet touch the floor. And this time he chose to sit next to me at lunch! Tozen whipped up some tuna melt sandwiches for everyone. They've got a lot of veggies in them but the ooey gooiness is just perfect. Now that I think about it, where is the person who trapped us here getting all of this food from, that they can constantly restock?

"Earth to Hachi! Are you okay?" Chimon asks, looking concerned.

"Where are they getting this food from? Is someone else supplying the mastermind? And if so, who?" I ask abruptly.

His expression morphs into confusion. "You make a good point. We should bring that up next time we all get together. But most of us have already left the table. I did have a question for you though."

"Yes?"

"Would you play hide and seek with me?" he smiles charmingly. "Anywhere we can all access, on the count of 50."

"Okay. But if we hide in our dorms, we can't lock it, alright?"

"Makes sense! It would totally be cheating if we set up an impassable barrier."

"Who's going to hide first?"

"Me please!" he beams.

"You got it. I'll start counting!" I turn around and shut my eyes, even covering them with my hands. I know that seems redundant, but it just feels more authentic that way. One... two... three... four... blindfolds are pretty useless, huh? If you tilt your head up just a bit and look through the very bottom, you can see the space under your nose. And nobody can ever tell... OH! Umm... Twelve? Thirteen... fourteen... fifteen... Honestly, if your natural lashes are long enough, you can cheat just by shutting them almost all the way and letting your lashes make it look like they're fully closed. Ah, I did it again... twenty-two.

Eventually, I manage to make it to fifty, and I start to search. He's probably not in the kitchen or dining room, since he had so much time to hide, but I may as well check anyway. I'm not exactly sure how good of a hider he is. That reminds me of the one time I nearly got myself trapped in a dryer while playing. It was scary and the smell of detergent was a lot. I don't find him in the immediate area. He's not hidden in any of the kitchen pantries. Since I'm tiny, I know that it's best to hide in small spaces that people might overlook because they don't recognize that we can fit. I wonder where bugs would hide if they played this game. Maybe inside flowers!! What flowers would they hide inside? Tulips, maybe? Or roses? Or morning glories! Since they only bud during the day, it could make for a sneaky spot at night!

Since my brain is on the track of flowers, I make my way to the garden. There aren't too many potential hiding spots in here, but I can scope it out quickly. The weeping willow tree might provide cover, but the thing about Chimon is that his color scheme, which is mostly comprised of blues and greys, aren't the best for blending in with trees. So I don't bother climbing up the super-tempting tree, I just look at it and confirm that he's not up there. Then I check the little pagoda area, behind the benches. Nope. Before I leave, I make a quick stop to gather some azaleas. Ah, what should I do with these? Bouquet? Potpourri? Dry and scrapbook?

I leave afterwards, deciding to quickly check Chimon's door. Locked. So he's not in there. The store next. I look behind the counter and discover a Monoinu behind there cheerfully displaying wares. I have to admit, I spend a little too much time examining them. My eyes catch on a beautiful silver locket with a wisteria design and I buy it with some of the random coins I've found scattered around. You know, if you look at Monoinu in a certain light, he's pretty cute. I wonder how he... they?... were made. Robots in cartoons are usually super metallic and futuristic-looking. Are they normally that way in real life? Dang, I need to look up more robots. Technically, any of the other students could be robots. I could be a robot! Would I know if I was a robot? Would I have self-awareness? Am I ACHIEVING self-awareness?!

I rush out of the store, daunted by that line of thinking. And I find myself back in the office-ish place I explored with Wakumi and Joanie. After checking all the places he could be hiding, I stumble upon a book about flowers in different geographic locations and maybe get a bit too taken by the pretty photographs in there. This would be a good gift for Keiji. I don't think he likes me. That's fine. But maybe he'll want it anyway. I tuck the book into the crook of my arm, trying not to disturb the Azaleas. As I leave, I look up at the light fixture. I'm still suspicious of it.

Finally, I find him hidden in the podium of the classroom that Sayuri and Fujiko explored. He looks like he's about to start bawling. "H-Hachi, I thought you forgot about me! I thought I was all alone, and I worried that someone would try and k-kill me," he shudders, leaning into me. I feel a bit guilty about taking so long, but I mean... I found such great stuff along the way! I'm not good at consoling people. So I just kind of... pat him.

As soon as he thinks I'm looking away, he scribbles in a notebook. "What's that?" He seems to jump a bit, as if guilty of something. He looks off to his right, so I look to my left to follow his gaze. Nothing.

"You can keep a secret, right? That's partly why I was so careless," he asks, all traces of tears suddenly vanished.

"Secrets. Mhm." I put my finger to my lip in demonstration.

"I've been playing hide-and-seek all day to see who's most dangerous just in case someone decides to kill me. I'm trying a couple different places with each person to see which spots are best," he explains. "Obviously, you're pretty slow at finding me. But you can still be useful for finding good hiding places. Wanna keep helping?"

"Meh, works for me. But I get to hide now."

"Deal."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Haruto

It's still dark out, but I'm wide awake and I wanna run around! My room's too small for that. I know it's super freaking dangerous, but I'm totally leaving my room right now cause I'm N-E-V-E-R gonna make it back to sleep! I can just run run run to the craft room and get a fettling knife for self-defense if somebody comes for me! Honestly, though, I'm more likely to accidentally skin myself so maybe not. Either way, I'm gonna go now!!!

I burst out the door and instantly hear a startled whine. A girl is curled up on the floor, sniffling. "F-Fujiko!"

"Please don't kill me!" she begs as she weeps.

"Nonono, don't worry! I would never! Are you okay?! Are you bleeding?!" I exclaim, moving in to check on her.

"Stop! ...You're barefoot. You're gonna hurt yourself on the pieces," she explains.

"Did something break? Is that why you're crying?" She nods timidly.

"It was from my brother. A jewelry box. My favorite gift. He gave it to me when I was only eight, and it's the only one. He worked for months so he could have a custom one made for my birthday," she shudders, crying.

"Don't worry! I can fix it! If there's anything I can do right, it's this! You're gonna look at it and go, 'Wow, Bisque, you restored it and it looks so great and I don't have to lose a precious, important object!' Cause like, sentimental items are great for a place like this. They remind us of what we're going to go home to."

"Or what we're gonna lose..." she murmurs helplessly.

"C'mere. Pick up the little bits and I'll fix it right up! I'd carry them myself but I'm worried that I'd fall and break it even more. I've broken, like, a million bajillion things, so at least I know how to fix them!" When I see that she's listening, I run off towards the craft room.

"Haruto, if you're gonna help, at least don't leave me in the dust!"

"Sorrysorrysorry! I was originally coming out here to run around. I've got too much energy and my body won't let me sleep. It's like, well thanks, body, I didn't need that anyway!" I fidget with my hands. She laughs weakly as she catches up with me. She follows me to the craft room.

I open the door and my heart skips like seven beats. "What are you doing in here?" I ask, worried.

"Agh. Must admit I wasn't expecting anyone to be up in these hours of the morning. And you two are among the company I desire least," Keiji groans. He's running his hand along the walls.

"Answer his question," Fujiko warns, suddenly on the offensive.

"More investigation. Every inch of this place. Figured I could learn some valuable insight if I don't have anyone holding me back. Besides... I was curious about the works done by the Ultimate Potter. Wanted to see if his title is earned."

"Well, thanks. You can watch me in action if you want," I suggest, trying not to be upset at his snide comments. "Just a repair job, but feel free to watch me actually create something when you can!"

"Perhaps I'll take you up on that offer." He sits down cross-legged, a cocky smile on his face. I look through the shelves and find scrap paper, masking tape, epoxy resin, and mica powder.

"Kintsugi?" he inquires, cocking up an eyebrow. "Which one? Crack, makienaoshi, or joint-call?"

"Hmm... well, one or two of the scraps are missing. Possibly shattered to oblivion. Like, boom, crash! Suddenly dust. So crack kintsugi won't cut it. Fujiko, do you want the bits to be filled in purely with the gold stuff, or would you be okay with replacing them with some other ceramic?"

She wavers a bit. "Well... I guess... new ceramic."

"Joint-call it is. Come over to this drawer. I filled it with scraps of stuff I've broken before. You can pick whatever you want from here!"

"Hey, look! Your clumsiness and empty-headedness prove useful for something," Keiji points out.

"You know, I feel like you'd be happier with a makeover! Maybe it'd make you less bitter and more grateful! You really oughta let me help," Fujiko interjects, pulling out some baby pink scraps that I tried to replicate white halftone dots on.

"No, thanks. Unlike you, my intellect is at a level where I don't need to make myself look good for approval."

"Yeah, but your winning personality isn't getting you any. I figure a little bit of attention to the outside would help you feel less cripplingly insecure," she beams.

"Guys, guys, guys, shush! I can't work with this chatter! I gotta focus!" I insist loudly. That's a big ol' lie, but I just don't like the anger.

"Fine," Keiji submits.

I paint on the resin mixed with mica, allowing gold, shiny glue to mend the pieces. And I add in the two new scraps. It's a sweet little jewelry box. "It'll take a couple hours to be ready, but look! All better!" I wave my hands in front of it excitedly, and her face looks like how my mom's does when she's proud of me. It makes me think of the type of person Fujiko must've been before she started to get famous for her makeup, back when her brother had this made for her.

"I'm gonna stay down here for a while, Fujiko."

"You're going to be okay on your own, right, Bisque?" she asks as she hangs by the door.

"Yes! I'll be just fine!"

Keiji sticks his nose up. "I don't understand people like you. If you're so good at this, you definitely could've done that with our arguing. But you can't take any pressure, can you? We're in a game of discord, paranoia, and violence, and you can't take a little quarrel? What, are you hoping that playing the social game will make someone kill to rescue you?"

"I'm sure you know what people like me are like! I didn't ask for any of this! And I have that gut feeling that you didn't, either, so why do you have to be so mean?"

"Tch. You wouldn't understand. You're too dull."

"Wh-Whatever," I dismiss, trying not to cry. "We can't sleep in here, but I can't go back to my room yet. I know you don't like me, but if you're gonna keep investigating, I might just hang around for a while. Run. Climb up stuff. I'll try not to be annoying. And I can understand if you don't want me around, but just don't be surprised if you see or hear me burning some energy."

He adjusts his glasses, and it makes me notice how sunken his eyes are. "Fine. Just don't talk to me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tozen

She's muttering to herself, clutching at her head, all alone as she scoures the kitchen. "Joanie?" I ask quietly. She physically jumps.

"Aye! Don't scare a girl like that! This place is a hell-hole in the making and I don't need my heartrate elevating any more than it has to."

"I'm sorry. It's just... I made breakfast only about an hour ago. Are you doing okay?"

"Nah, I'm not. I'm reaaaallly not. My body's actin' up on me. It's my own fault, really."

"What's the matter?"

"Look, okay. I'm not addicted to cigarettes, per say. I only used to have like three or four a week, when my stress was at its highest. So like, it's not like I go through packs a day like some people. But minor withdrawal symptoms act up anyway. DON'T freak out. I know you're already doting on me," she explains.

"I understand. Sorry if I ever came across as domineering; I just worry about your health and all. One of the first symptoms of withdrawal is an increased appetite, because nicotine produces serotonin, an appetite suppressant. But I can help! Foods with tryptophan do the same thing! We can work with this," I insist, gently nudging her out of the way to inspect the restaurant-sized fridge myself. Salmon. Mozzarella. I could probably make some whole-wheat pasta. "Avoid coffee for a while, and artificial sweeteners. So like... diet soda, you know."

"I'd suspect you'd tell me to avoid that stuff all the time, frankly," she comments, taking off her wig to scratch at her head.

"Nutrition is about balance. Not just balance of the food groups. Balance of your own life. I don't expect people to like... skip cake at a birthday party. It's all about moderation."

"Balance? Moderation? Dang. No wonder you get along well with Azumi," she remarks.

I laugh a little bit. "She's sweet."

"Fuck, though. No coffee? I'm more addicted to caffeine than cigarettes."

"Sorry. It'll suck, but I'll try my best to be helpful all throughout it. And now you're technically killing two dependency-birds with one stone! I know just what to cook for you."

"If you don't mind, can I record some footage? Might boost my mood a fair amount," she offers.

I tug on my suspenders. "S-Sure. I-I guess that works for me!"

"You camera shy?"

"Um, that's not it. Just forget about it, it's fine."

She squints a bit at that, as though considering something. She looks me up and down, and it makes me instinctively cross my arms around my torso before I can stop it. "Ah, I know your type. 'The camera adds ten pounds,' right? And you're scared to see it." Her tone is a little confrontational, and I flinch. Her grim expression melts into one of sympathy. "Sorry. Just... riled up. Again, it's my own fault cause of the cigs. I'd smoke one now if I wasn't worried about y'all inhaling second-hand smoke. I've always said that I'm the only one whose lungs I'll fuck up. If it makes you feel better, you're a good-looking guy. Platonically."

"I appreciate that. But really, I'm okay with that stuff." She quirks up a skeptical eyebrow. "Let's get to cooking!" I announce, ending that line of conversation. I start to preheat the oven.

"I've got a secret for you. My staff has a camera. Just gotta take off the top part and I can hold it for a better angle." She finagles it around and pops off the fancy topper. "Welcome back, everybody, to the new installment of 'Cooking in Captivity' with Tozen Chiba! What are we making this episode, Tozen?" she grins, putting on a confident smile. I've seen her wear her performance smile before, but this is different.

"Well, Joanie, we're gonna whip up some baked salmon glazed with peach jam and topped with mozzarella on a bed of whole-wheat pasta."

"God, THAT'S what you're making? That sounds freakin' mouth-watering. Okay, so what're the steps?"

"First off, I'm gonna slice up this salmon. It's already been de-boned and de-scaled. We're gonna season it with a little salt. We don't need to season it too much, cause the jam will do that for us! Lay it skin-side down on a nonstick pan and bake for twelve to fifteen minutes on 450 degrees Fahrenheit."

She runs up and does a mega zoom-in on my fish, causing us both to laugh. But then she quickly grimaces. "Gotta sit down. I have a bit of a headache. This is still normal, right?"

"From what I've heard, yes. Do you need to take a break?"

She breathes in and out, checking in on herself. "No. I'm fine. Lights... camera... action! After our brief commercial break, we're onto the next steps! What comes next, Tozen?"

"Ah, well now we've gotta start boiling the water for our whole wheat pasta! Also, I'm gonna take this opportunity to show off my peach jam. Four cups of fresh peaches, a quarter cup of lemon juice, seven and a half cups of sugar, and a pouch of fruit pectin. Add a hint of allspice, wait for one to two days, and you've got yourself a nice, cozy peach jam."

"Delicious! Sounds like a fantastic glaze to complement salmon, with its slightly citrusy and buttery flavors!" she winks, trying to provide color commentary.

"Right. Salmon pairs really well with a little sweetness. Ah, hear that?" She goes quiet and hesitantly walks closer to the pot. "The water's boiling. Are you picking up on this?" I ask quietly, wiggling my eyebrows and brushing my thumb against my slight beard. She cackles. "So now we're gonna put in the boxed pasta for around twelve minutes. The salmon will be done in about five minutes. So shall we take a quick commercial break, maybe hear from our sponsors?"

"You heard the man! Sponsored by Monoinu Inc, the top-of-the-like robotics company meant for making loyal guard dogs and good boys! Wait," she pushes a button to turn off her camera before continuing in a soft whisper. "Did anyone ever tell you that Chimon, Bisque, and I befriended one of 'em? I dunno if that'll benefit us in the future, but at the very least, they can be swayed and reasoned with in the short-term."

"Wow! You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" Soon, as I'm glazing the salmon, a Monoinu quietly plods up to us.

"Y-You can't talk about it that openly. Not all of me supports you. I as an individual component could get reported and rebooted, and then that's it. I'll be around if there's something I can do, but don't go calling me or talking about me willy-nilly, alright?"

"Do you eat?" I ask.

"We can. But we don't have to."

"Want some food? I made just a bit too much."

His ears perk up and his robotic tail wags. But then he relaxes a bit. "You don't have to."

"Can the rest of them feel when you've eaten?"

"No. Physical sensations are separate. They'll be able to feel that someone is happy, but they won't know why."

"Then eat up! I'm glad to provide!"

He smiles warmly. "Thank you, Tozen! You're such a kind young man!"

"Never thought I'd share a meal with a robot dog," Joanie points out gruffly, "but I guess it makes for a funny story!"