I looked around, searching for the source of that strange laugh. It definitely wasn't coming from one of us, but no one else was there.

"Upupupu~"

There it was again, but this time, it was clearer. I could almost pinpoint the direction it was coming from.

"The front desk!" Momo exclaimed, and everyone looked towards what appeared to be the front desk of the hotel.

My eyes widened in shock as what looked like a stuffed bear jumped out from behind the desk and landed on top. It was half white, half black, with half a toothy grin and one jagged red eye.

"Looks like you found me! Good job, ultimate voice actress. Upupu~" it spoke with a tone of superiority.

"W-what are you?! And where are we?!" Ichiro demanded.

"I'm a bear, obviously!" The stuffed bear replied. "The name's Monokuma, and I'm your principal."

"Principal?" Natsumi asked in disbelief. "Okay, very funny. Now someone explain what the fuck is going on, and why we aren't at Hope's Peak!"

"I am your principal, get used to it!" Monokuma responded. "You are right about something though, you aren't at Hope's Peak Academy! I thought this setting would make things more exciting."

"Get to the point, where are we?" Michio questioned, though he seemed pretty calm considering our situation.

"You're in an abandoned city. There's no way out, so don't even try escaping." Monokuma answered, followed by a small chuckle. "You should all get used to living here."

"Living here?!" Natsumi exclaimed, "you mean, we can't ever leave?!"

"Bullshit!" Orochi shouted. "This is all some big joke, right?"

"I dunno, maybe you'll find out in a few days, or weeks, or months, or years." Monokuma went on, amusement in his voice. "However long it takes you to understand, but you are all trapped here, and there's only one way out."

"What way?" I quickly asked, but would soon come to regret doing so.

"To escape, all you have to do is get away with murder."

Immediately, everyone started shouting and complaining in a jumbled mess of confusion and rage, until finally, it all died down. We all just stared at each other, exchanging doubtful looks and fearful glances.

No one would really listen to Monokuma, would they? We were all just teenagers, none of us would be capable of murder.

At least, that's what I told myself. Maybe I didn't really believe that, if we really were all trapped here, someone might eventually become desperate enough to go to extremes.

But who?

Looking from each student in the room, I couldn't imagine any of them killing, but I also didn't know who would snap the easiest. With this new realization washing over me, I knew one thing for sure.

I can't trust anyone.