Your POV:

Earlier, I got to explore the rooftop area of the mansion, finding a pair of mounted binoculars as well as a storage closet. I got to look around the Virtual World with the binoculars, being able to see the river, trees, rocks, and obviously snow. I recalled not being able to see past a certain point after the dock area. Miu explained that she would tell us what that was about as soon as we got there, so that was the objective now.
We were now going to head to the chapel in this Virtual World. Everyone aside from Kokichi and Gonta were going to head outside because Gonta decided to watch Kokichi to make sure he didn't get into trouble. I felt kinda worried about that situation because Kokichi really was good at manipulating others.
I walked down the stairs with a small sigh. Rantaro was beside me as I walked down the stairs. Some things about this Virtual World were nice to me, but I also found a lot of things concerning. Even though I was concerned, I had to focus on getting outside.
Shuichi and Keebo were farther behind than Rantaro and I were, but everyone else was ahead of us. That meant that we were going to be meeting with everyone else outside. I was wondering if Gonta and Kokichi would meet with us as well.
    Rantaro and I soon got to the door that led to the outside of the mansion. Rantaro opened the door for me, and I couldn't help it but stifle a small giggle.
    "There we are, princess," Rantaro said with a smile, "you can go on through."
    "Thank you," I replied with a small chuckle, "you're such a gentleman."
    I walked out of the door, waiting for Rantaro to come out. Once I walked out, Rantaro closed the door behind him, and he followed after. I felt the same thing I felt when I walked out onto the rooftop. I felt cold. It was weird to think that all of our senses were connected to our avatars. That thought was on my mind as we walked down the stairs of the stairway that led to the entrance of the mansion. Once we got down from said stairway, we walked down the trail that led to the river dock.
    I honestly wondered how we would get across the river. When I saw the map of the mansion, I noticed that the we would have to cross the river to get to the chapel... but the question is... how would we cross the river? All there was was a dock, no bridge. Hopefully Miu had that covered.
    We soon got to the river dock. Everyone was here aside from Shuichi, Keebo, Gonta, and Kokichi. Everyone seemed to be waiting for both Shuichi, and Keebo. I had a feeling that Kokichi and Gonta would meet with us by the time we would be ready to see the chapel. He did have a habit of showing up when he felt like he needed to.
Looking over at the massive group consisting of mostly everyone, I noticed that Kaito was looking upset about something. His positioning was next to Himiko slightly above the dock. He had a tick mark above his avatar. I wondered if someone said something that ticked him off.
As I was thinking about that, Keebo arrived, no joining the group that was patiently waiting for him to arrive, and not too long after, Shuichi too arrived. Everyone was now here aside from Gonta and Kokichi, and I was still concerned.
"Am I the only one who's concerned about Gonta and Kokichi being separated from the rest of us?" I asked.
"I can assure you that you aren't the only one," Rantaro replied, placing his avatar hand on mine.
"Rantaro's right," Kaede told me, "I think all of us are concerned. I think the best course of action is to trust that Gonta can see through Kokichi's words!"
"Kaede is right!" Tenko announced, "Gonta is one of the better *males* here. We need to trust him!"
"Nyahahaha! Atua is watching over our dear Gonta!" Angie exclaimed, "I'm sure nothing bad will happen!"
"Angie, relax..." Kirumi replied calmly, "the last time you tried getting us to believe Atua, you almost killed (y/n), and you almost died yourself... I think a lot of people are still a bit disheveled by that whole situation."
I let out a small sigh as dread lines appeared over my avatar. There were some things I didn't want to be reminded of because of impending PTSD. I didn't want to have a meltdown right now. I would prefer to do that when I would be alone. I needed to focus on what we were here for.
"Let's not talk about anything negative right now," Kaede said, "we should be focusing on getting to the chapel."
"I agree," I replied, "we need to focus..."
After I said that, I decided that I would ask Kaito what was making him so upset. I never forgot about the look that was on his avatar. With a concerned look on my avatar, I walked over to where he was standing. He seemed to be incoherently muttering things to himself, not paying attention to what was happening around him.
"Hey, Kaito... are you okay?" I asked nervously.
"How dare Miu call me stupid!" Kaito exclaimed, "how the heck are we supposed to cross this without a bridge!?"
"Kaito, why don't you shut your fuckin' mouth!" Miu shouted in response, "you guys need to quit takin' your sweet-ass time! Hurry up and come on me!"
'We didn't even leave her waiting for that long, and she's already making more inappropriate comments...' I thought.
Miu was obviously very impatient. She hasn't even been waiting for five minutes, and she's already cursing people out and making inappropriate comments. This was a situation that made me glad that Gonta was keeping an eye on Kokichi.
    "Er, I mean...come with me!" Miu exclaimed, taking back her inappropriate words, "hurry up!"
    I let out a small sigh as I directed my attention at the dock area. It was obvious that there was supposed to be a bridge there, but there wasn't. Himiko said something about this, asking how we were supposed to cross the river. She then proceeded to say that her magic didn't work in this world.
    Maki asked if we had to swim across the river, but I didn't even know if that was possible. Miu told us that she wouldn't tell us...and that we couldn't go in the river. I guess that answered one question.
    That brought on the conversation topic everyone was joining about how we would cross this river. Kaito recommended a boat, and Miu called him and idiot for that suggestion. Miu explained that the river current would sweep away the boat before we could even board. Kirumi told us that wouldn't happen unless there was some sort of anchor or rope to tie the boat to the dock. Kirumi then took back that suggestion, proceeding to tell us that the boat would travel with the current instead of going across.
   That was plainly obvious to me that we were going to need a bridge. Tsumugi stated that fact too. It was very clear to me that Miu wanted us to investigate this world, so she must've had something here to act as a bridge. That's what I was hoping for anyway.
"I told you, we already got a bridge!" Miu exclaimed, "there's a wider river downstream that connects to this one. Next to it, there's a long signboard that says *Mirai Hills*. Apparently it was meant for the mansion, but we can use it as a makeshift bridge."
"So there is something we can use as a bridge?" I asked nervously.
"It looks like it," Rantaro spoke, "we would be in trouble if Miu wanted us to explore this world without something essential to do so."
"Well no fuckin' shit!" Miu shouted, "stop talkin' like I'm not here!"
"So we just need to get that signboard?" Keebo asked.
In response to Keebo's question, Miu started to turn around multiple times. It seemed that she was looking for somethings. A few moments went by before she stopped in front of Rantaro and myself.
"Yeah, but I'll ask this bitch to go get it!" Miu exclaimed, "if she likes being a bossy then she can be pegged down a level and listen to orders! That means our prissy little (y/n)! You go get the signboard!"
"Wait a minute... me?" I asked in response.
"Miu, (y/n) asking a question doesn't make her bossy," Rantaro replied, "maybe you should get the signboard."
"As the one who made this world safe, you plebeians owe it to me to get that signboard!"
I let out a small sigh in response to that. I didn't want this to escalate any further. I knew that Miu didn't like what I told her about her inappropriate comments about Rantaro and myself. She was targeting me because of that, and it kinda hurt because I stood up for her when Kokichi insulted her. Back to the topic at hand, I thought it would just be better to get it over with and just do what she told me to do.
"Alright, fine..." I muttered, "I'll get the signboard..."
"Yeah... go get the signboard," Maki replied.
"Better you than Pooichi, right?" Miu asked, "he is a total masochist!"
"What does this have to do with me...?" Shuichi asked in response to Miu's words.
    "I have no idea, but Miu is right..." Himiko replied, "you are a total masochist."
    "Huh?" Shuichi asked as a sad look appeared on his avatar, "wait a minute... Do you *all* think that about me?"
    In the past, I could never stand up for myself, but I always tried to stand for other people... one of the things I had to decide in that regard is whether that said person deserves to be backed up. Shuichi definitely did... working with him and Kaede to bring the truth to mysteries here... he did a lot to keep everyone safe, yet Himiko and Miu were saying that about him.
    "Before you guys answer... you should think about something..." I muttered, "Shuichi has always helped during trials to keep you all safe. Why would you think of him as a masochist...? If anything... Shuichi is a hero as well as a damn great detective. I know that a good few of you guys know that..."
    "Well said," Kaede replied, "we all need to be more respectful to each other."
    "I agree," Rantaro replied, "I make it a point not to insult anyone as long as I can help it."
    "If that is an order, I will do my utmost best to follow it," Kirumi spoke.
    It was nice to know that people were agreeing with me. I didn't like it when others got insulted. I didn't mind it when I got insulted, but when someone had words said about them that were terrible even though they were one of the nicest people here... it made me upset.
    "Now that we covered Shuichi, I think I should have Miu apologize to my girlfriend," Rantaro said with angry look directed at Miu, "she stood up for you, and you call her a bitch, prissy, and bossy? (y/n) may have agreed to get the signboard, but she still deserves an apology."
    "Fuck that noise!" Miu shouted in response, "just to make it special, I want her to get it while she crawls like a dog!"
    "Rantaro, just drop it..." I muttered, "I don't want this to escalate. And Miu, I plan to walk normally if you don't mind."
    "Alright, fine..." Rantaro replied, "I'll walk with you, so you're not alone, princess."
    I could feel myself blush lightly in response to that. It was sweet that Rantaro wanted to stand up for me as well as offering to walk with me. I just nodded lightly in response to his words before we started to head in the direction of the signboard.
    Rantaro and I both walked down the river current to find the signboard. The current direction we were walking in was specifically downstream, so if we did try to use some sort of raft or boat on the river, it would take us in the direction we were walking.
    Soon enough, I saw what Miu was talking about earlier. I saw the river that connected to the one we were supposed to cross, supposedly merging into one river. Right at the edge of the river, I saw a wooden signboard that white lettering on it.
    Rantaro and I walked up to that signboard to get a better look at it. There was only one which was plainly obvious. Taking a closer look at the signboard, it read "Mirai Hills". That was what Miu told us the signboard said.
    "I'm guessing this is the signboard Miu was talking about," Rantaro spoke, "allow me."
    Before I could protest, Rantaro picked up the signboard. I had to back away slightly so I wouldn't get hit. I know he didn't want me to exert myself, but I told everyone that I'd do it, but Rantaro decided to pick it up.
    "I want to see the look on Miu's face when she sees me with the signboard instead of you," Rantaro spoke, "I won't let her win."
I let out a small laugh in response to that. I knew Rantaro was calm and collected most of the time, but if someone messed with someone he cared about, he would do whatever he could to get back at that person. He was stubborn, and that showed a lot more than it did when I first met him.
"Since I grabbed this, we should head back to the others," Rantaro told me.
"I agree," I replied, "let's head back."
The walk itself wasn't that long. Rantaro carried the signboard as we made our way back to the large group of people waiting for us to return with the signboard. This time, we walked upstream to get back to the others, and soon we made it.
Once Miu saw Rantaro carrying the signboard, a tick mark appeared over her avatar. She defiantly looked pretty angry. Rantaro seemed to just have a happy expression on his avatar as he saw Miu's reaction.
"I thought I told (y/n) to get the signboard!" Miu exclaimed, "why did Craptaro get it instead!? And also why aren't you on all fours, (y/n)!?"
"I just thought I'd help my girlfriend out by getting the signboard," Rantaro replied, "and also, (y/n) shouldn't have to go on all fours when the dog is in front of us. Don't you recall what you did to convince us to come here?"
"Wha—?" Miu asked in shock, "What the h-hell is with you..? Why are y-you mocking me...?"
    "I'm just stating the obvious," Rantaro replied.
    "W-Whatever..." Miu stuttered as dread lines appeared over her avatar, "quit wastin' time and lay the signboard across the river."
    Rantaro didn't even reply to Miu in response to her words. Rantaro walked onto the dock area that was on the riverbank. He then carefully set the signboard onto the edge of the dock, the end of the board meeting up perfectly with the shore across. Miu was right, that signboard did make a perfect bridge.
    "See?" Miu asked her sully avatar expression gone, "it fits perfectly! We have ourselves a bridge now!"
    Himiko and Tenko seemed to think that the signboard looked too shabby to cross, but Miu reminded them that things don't break in this world. Kaito then mentioned that even a crappy signboard could make a sturdy bridge in this world. After Kaito said that, Miu made it very clear that the "Mirai Hills" signboard was the only bridge we had. She proceeded to tell us not to let it be washed away by the river as well as saying if that happened, we wouldn't have a bridge anymore. It seemed that some of the others were very annoyed with what Miu was saying.
    "Miu, cool your jets..." Ryoma spoke, "we get it already, so you can shut your mouth."
    When Ryoma finished saying his piece, I heard footsteps get closer to our group. Turning around, I saw that Kokichi and Gonta came to join us at last. They finally met up with us, and I couldn't help it but feel relieved.
As soon as Kokichi and Gonta got here, I saw a shocked expression on Kokichi's avatar. That much was obvious considering an exclamation mark over his head. He must've been shocked about the bridge.
"Huh?" Kokichi asked, "there is a bridge! Oh, thank god! I gave up when I realized I had no way to cross the river."
"Where were you and what were you doing?" Kaito asked as a tick mark appeared over his avatar.
"Oh, I was in the forest over there, looking for the secret of the outside world," Kokichi replied, "but unfortunately, I couldn't find it... Welp, I wasn't expecting it to be that easy anyway....Right, Gonta?"
"Yeah..." Gonta replied with a nervous expression on his avatar.
"Perfect!" Miu exclaimed, "it's more convenient when we're all together anyway."
"Hm? What do you mean, convenient?" Kokichi asked in response.
"N-Nothing!" Miu exclaimed in response, "urgh, whatever... Let's just cross the river!"
As soon as Miu finished her words, she quickly crossed the river. As soon as Miu crossed the river, Kokichi crossed the river as well. He called for all of us to cross after he crossed. He told us that it was too late to back out now.
After that, one by one, we all crossed the makeshift bridge. Like exiting a room, only one of us at a time could cross. It did take awhile considering over ten people crossed the bridge. After a about a minute or two, every one was safely across the bridge. Himiko thought it was stressful, but she did mention that Miu was right.
    Shuichi then asked if we were just beyond the wavy line on the map. After Shuichi said that, I realized that he was right. We were just beyond the the wavy line on the map. In response to Shuichi's words, Miu explained that he would find out as soon as he went ahead. The same applied to the rest of us, and I found that to be slightly concerning.
    Shuichi went ahead of us, and we soon followed after. Going down the trail, a few steps later, my vision went black for a moment. It felt like my ears popped, no sound being able to go through. Before I knew it however, I appeared back on the trail. What I felt just now... it felt like I lost consciousness for a moment, and then I appeared here. I was shocked about it, an exclamation point appearing over my avatar.
    It seemed that everyone had a similar reaction, as me, seeing that they too had exclamation points above their avatars. Even Ryoma, Rantaro and Kirumi looked very shocked about this. Something happened at that squiggly line on the map. It must've caused that slight blackout.
    Everyone seemed to be sharing their concerns and questions as they tried to register what happened. Kaito mentioned that it felt like he lost consciousness for a moment before ending up here. Maki told Kaito that it happened in this world and not our bodies. Kaede and Kirumi agreed with Maki, saying that if it was our bodies, it would last longer.
    Keebo told everyone that what was being said was an accurate description of what was going on. It was like the world itself switched over. Tsumugi then asked if the world itself was loading. Miu replied with the fact that Tsumugi was correct, trying to make the word correct into an inappropriate word after. Tsumugi noticed that she said the first word correctly, but Miu didn't listen to her. She decided to move on and explain why Tsumugi was right.
    "Anyway, Four-Eyes is right..." Miu explained, "you all just passed through the map loading point."
    "Map loading point...?" I asked in response, "what is that...?"
    "In some games, if you go into a building, it'll take a moment for the inside to fully load," Miu explained, "well, the outside is like that too, cuz the Virtual World is divided into two large maps. That wavy line represents where the two maps meet. Think of these two maps as if they're two different rooms. In the same way you have to go through a door to move between two rooms... To move between the two maps, you have to pass through the map loading point."
    I could feel everything start to click into place after Miu explained that. The map loading point was the point where two maps met. Basically the map was split in half, but the halves were two separate maps. That's why I couldn't see past that point from the rooftop. It was because of the map loading point. I wasn't the only one who noticed this either. Shuichi stated the same thing I was thinking. That's when Miu decided to continue her explanation.
"Obviously, you can't see what's inside one room when you're standing inside the other," Miu explained, "I thought that much would be obvious to you mush-heads!"
"I think we get what you're trying to say..." Ryoma replied, "can you just stop assuming what we are or aren't getting?"
After Ryoma asked that, Kokichi seemed to voice his excitement over the map loading point. Kokichi then ran back through the map loading point, coming out seconds later. It was then that he was telling us that it was so much fun as well as the fact that it wasn't just sight that got cut off. It was sound too. Miu replied to that by telling us that no sound went the loading point as well. In better terms, no one could hear anything while inside of the map loading point.
I felt like that was obvious. Rantaro even said so himself. It was like my ears popped when I was in there, a buzzing feeling in my head when I went through. It was almost as if it felt like slight static on a television.
"So the chapel is over here, right?" Kokichi asked, "well, I'm gonna go on ahead theeeen. I'll meet you there, my beloved."
After Kokichi said that, he ran down the trail that lead to the chapel, Gonta following behind. I could feel myself deadpan slightly. He really did enjoy going off alone... as well as calling me his "beloved". I never even knew why he did it, but I knew even if I told him to stop, he would just keep doing it.
I let out a small sigh as Kaito's avatar had a tick mark over it, and he wasn't going to let Kokichi go off by himself. He didn't trust him. Kaito then chased after Kokichi, and Maki seemed to say that what made Kokichi keep doing this was Kaito having a reaction. After she said that, she too went after them.
"I think we should go after Kokichi," Kaede explained, "I don't know if we should trust him if he's alone..."
"I agree," Rantaro replied, "let's go to the chapel, princess."
"Why is it when I hear chapel, I think of that specific scene from Black Butler...?" I asked myself.
After that, all of us made our way down the trail and to the chapel. It didn't take us that long to get there. When we saw the chapel, there were a few things I noticed. First of all, the chapel looked to be stone, with a staircase extending from it. One by one, we all entered the stone chapel... and words could not describe... how much of a mess it was...

Hello all! I'm here with the update, and I apologize for how slow things are going. As I explained before, I'm doing the Virtual World segment in 5 chapters, so hopefully it will end soon to reveal what's going to happen.

In terms of the fan art competition, next week is the deadline I think. If any of you need more time, please tell me. I don't want to force anyone to do this.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this update. Thank you all for reading today, and I hope everyone has an amazing day. I'll see you all next week! Ciao for now- yuki_no_fuyu