As, from what you can guess from thetitle picture above, we get to meet the three members of DICE. God, Idid a poor job with Kimiko's face. I was trying to replace the maskwith a face and... yeah. But yeah, I think you can get the idea. Ialso couldn't include Shuichi's uncle, because this group was alreadytaking up the entire picture. If any of you would like to draw any ofthese characters, please let me know and I will place it up in one ofthese chapters or even the next one. I will give credit to theartist. If you need to know what Shuichi's uncle looks like, thedescription is a navy suit with a white collared shirt and red tie,also navy dress pants. His eyes are gold like Shuichi's, but hasblack hair with some gray to it. He also wears a cap. I will see if Ican draw him, but not at the moment. 

Anyways, yes, we finally get to thehostages. There will be other ones in Team Keebo as well. As forShuichi, he is allowed to sync in with hostages as well, but theycannot be informed of his "death" by the others before meetingShuichi. Also, the amount of hostages the classmate is allowed tosynch in with is unlimited. This works in Monaca's favor anyways,since she just needs to kill one classmate and that will instantlykill a large amount of hostages. That's why you're going to see theteam splitting the hostages to each character. Enjoy.

"We should probably go into ourrooms and find anything we can use to survive or something,"Rantaro suggested.

"I agree with that," I agreed,looking at my forbidden action. I would not be able to use anyphysical objects to fight with, so I will have to use other means. Imight have to fight with my physical body, though I'll need some sortof armor at least. My forbidden action doesn't prevent me from usingarmor. "Let's try to make this quick. We need to figure out thisship, if we plan on defeating Monaca."

"True. We can wait for each othernext to our rooms. I'll knock on your door when I get done,"Rantaro promised as I nodded, then made my way to the next hallway.

Before making it to the girl's hallway,I noticed something strange. At the end of the boy's hallway wasKokichi's room, but it was farther from the nearest door. That toldme his room was the biggest one out of everyone's. I wonder why.Kokichi was always a mystery, but he seemed genuine. He did seem tobe helping us earlier in his own way. I wonder what changed? DidMonaca really get to him? I wonder...

I made my way to my room, the tabletscanning my face before opening automatically. I took the tablet andfound a few tabs. There was a Team tab that showed Rantaro'sinformation. Though, it showed Ultimate Survivor. For some reason,Ultimate Adventurer was on my mind. Why is Rantaro called UltimateSurvivor? His forbidden action is blank though. I saw my owninformation under the Profile tab. It showed my information,including my forbidden action. There was also a Hostage tab. I guessthat's if any of us found any hostages.

That dawned on me, if any hostages heredie, so would the person whose loved one belonged to. Who would myloved ones be? Monaca said something about Motive Videos, but I diedfrom the first trial and the motive was the Blood Perk, so I don'tknow. I could only think of my parents. They've always supported meand were with me until the end. They must be here too, since I can'tthink of anyone else important to me. There was also someone else.Someone I vividly remember.

Thinking deeply, I remember sitting ona park bench in front of an academy of sorts. There was a small boywith jet black hair looking up at me. He was so small and frail, verynormal, but also innocent. He wore a white t-shirt and jean shortswith white tennis shoes. He looked like some normal, average kid andyet... I somehow knew he wasn't. He was important to me- No, he wasimportant to all of us! How could I forget him!? How could Iforget...

I heard a knock on the door. Gasping, Ilooked around, then heard Rantaro call, "Kaede, I'm ready! Are youstill in there!?"

I quickly ran to the door and openedit, allowing Rantaro inside. Even though it was my room, it wasn'tlike I was going to change or anything. There didn't seem to beanything in here for me to use, no armor or anything. I was theUltimate Pianist, so of course there wouldn't be anything. I bowed myhead in disappointment. There was a piano in here at least, but thatwon't help me, especially since I can't use any objects to attack ordefend.

"Having any luck? I'm guessing bythat glum face, you haven't come up with anything," Rantaro asked.

"I'm not exactly a fighter, so Idon't have anything. I'm just a pianist. My forbidden action isn'tgiving me anything either," I sighed, staring at my bracelet.

Rantaro stared at me gravely, then heldhis chin, thinking deeply. He nodded, "I see. What is it that youneed?"

"I need to know how to fightw-without using physical objects," I admitted. I know I can trustRantaro. He's been the only one that could help me.

"Is that your forbidden action?"Rantaro asked as I nodded hopelessly. "I see. Well, I might not bea master of kung fu, but I do know some survival tactics. If youwould like, I can teach you."

"Would you!? That would be great?Thank you, Rantaro!" I thanked Rantaro happily, showing mysignature smile.

Rantaro chuckled a bit, lookingbashful, while he was rubbing the back of his neck. He kinda remindedme how bashful Shuichi was when I first met him. I seem to always getattached to cute, shy boys. I mean, I suppose Rantaro is a bit cute.He makes me think of Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2. It's a calmingand peaceful melody of peace and tranquility. Even his voice- wait,what am I thinking? I don't have time for this!

I turned and began rummaging through mycloset to find anything I could use to protect myself like someleather or something. I could hear Rantaro chuckle in the background,but I ignored him. Geez, I shouldn't be thinking of music at a timelike this!

"You might have a better chance infinding armor using this," Rantaro suggested, pointing at my piano.

"M-My piano!? I'm not going to takeit apart! That was given to me by my mother when I was learning mytime tables!"

"Relax, that's not what I meant. Imean... you have to tune your piano right? Replace wires and whatnot. Don't you have extra wire or something? I might be able to useit to make you an armor of sorts."

"O-Oh, I... guess that could work.Wait, you can do that!?" I asked, my eyes turning into saucers.

"Yeah. I have some stuff from myroom. Though, are you certain that your forbidden action doesn'tcount armor?"

"I'm sure. It only says 'usingobjects to attack or defend.' That means I would have to physicallyuse them to attack or defend myself. I'm not physically usingclothing to attack or defend. As long as I don't try to physicallycover myself using my armor, then it doesn't count."

"Ah, a loophole. I'm going to guessthat it doesn't count someone else attacking or defending for you,right? I could cover for you when you need it."

"Thank you, Rantaro. I suppose I cancall you my knight in shining armor," I slightly teased, as Rantarorubbed the back of his neck. I could see a little blush on hischeeks.

"I suppose so. Anyways, where do youusually keep the tuning strings for your piano?" Rantaro asked.

"Oh, over here," I replied, guidingRantaro to my closet where all of my supplies, oils and tuning partswere located. I didn't want those parts to be used, but it was amatter of my protection and we needed to use whatever we had on hand.At the very least, my piano was spared.

Placing down his backpack he carried,Rantaro pulled out some strong leather, then wrapped it around wheremy vital places were located before tying it together with the wire.He then took out some sort of helmet and placed it on my head,clamping the strap under my chin. Then, he gave me work gloves Inormally use to tune my piano, so I don't create callas. I placedthem on.

"You might need those, since you'llbe using your hands often to fight," Rantaro said as I nodded.

"We should get going. The others haveprobably left already," I said, opening the door. I noticed Kaitoand Maki were talking to Keebo while Kirumi and Ryoma made their wayover across the hallway. Ryoma entered inside his room as Kirumi madeher way over to her room.

"Hey Kirumi," I greeted with asmile.

"H-Hello," Kirumi greeted. I couldtell she was trembling.

"Is everything alright?" I askedworriedly. I could tell Kirumi was scared, but... there was no doubtsomething was wrong with her. Was it her forbidden action?

"Yes! I'm just fine. Why do you ask?"Kirumi asked, showing a fake smile.

"It's just... I'm worried. You looktroubled by something and it looks like it's eating you," Ireplied.

"..."

"If there's something bothering you,you can tell me."

"N-No.... you should not worry aboutme. After all, I am only a maid. My only job is my services,"Kirumi replied.

"Not to me," I said quietly. Therewas a pause. "You are our friend, Kirumi. You are one of our mostimportant people in our lives. All of us on this ship, then a killinggame. We've grown to be much more than classmates or even a maid toserve us. You should not have to carry our burdens by yourself. Allowus to help you or at least me. So far, my only team is Rantaro and I.You can join us."

Kirumi looked at me, her eyes veryhallow. Something was definitely wrong, but I couldn't tell what. Shesighed, "I will meet you back." From there, she entered insideher room.

Ryoma returned back, humming, "I'mguessing she is in your team?"

"Yes, she is," I replied.

"What? You want to join us?"Rantaro asked, smiling.

"Sure. I don't plan on wasting mylife again," Ryoma replied, shrugging.

"I-I don't know what you mean, butwelcome to the team," I replied with a sweet smile.

"It says we can choose a leader. Youseemed to do a good job at keeping everyone together last time, evenhaving Shuichi carry out your wishes it seems. Perhaps you'd like tobe leader?" Rantaro offered.

"I-I don't know. I mean I am just apiano freak," I replied bashfully.

"Believe me, you were a lot more thanthat. You seem like the leader type. I'd pick you," Ryoma repliedas Kirumi slowly came out of her room. She seemed to carry a blackduffel bag, her eyes remaining their hallow look.

"Shall we go?" Kirumi asked.

"We were actually about to choose aleader. Ryoma and I think Kaede would be a great leader. What do youthink?" Rantaro asked.

Kirumi sighed, then showed a gracioussmile, replying, "I would happily agree to that."

"There you have it. Looks like youare our leader, Kaede," Rantaro replied as I noticed my name underthe Team tab now named leader.

I smiled, happy that my team looked upto me. I took a deep breath with full confidence. Everyone wasdepending on me now to lead them, so I made the first decision.

"We should move to the left. We needto find some sort of map or way around. So far, our tablets only giveus a limited amount of things we can do," I said. Rantaro seemedconfused as he looked to me and everyone else. He then smiled at me,almost like he was hiding what he was thinking. It seems even nowhe's a mystery.

As we walked through the dark emptyhall, I began noticing how quiet my team was. I didn't know what wasup, but I could feel the strange quietness between Kirumi and Ryoma.I didn't want to pry, but there was something troubling the both ofthem and I couldn't figure out what. I never liked fighting in anygroup, but at least I knew what it was they were fighting about orwhere they stood. I can't even figure out where these two werestanding or what it was about. On top of that, it felt eerily quiet.

I opened one door, which lead to whatlooked to be like a large cockpit. It was so big and amazing that Igasped. Though, I also felt I've seen this place before. Lookingaround, I saw some chairs. On the control panels, I envisioned Kaitositting there, focusing and getting lost in driving this spaceship.He was at awe, a grin plastered on his face. On the next seat, I sawMiu with her arms crossed and fighting with the others, making somesexual innuendo jokes. Then, I saw the chair where the Captain wassupposed to sit and for some strange reason, I saw Kokichi Oumasitting there with a Captain's uniform, showing his signature cockysmile, spouting playful insults back at Miu. I saw Kirumi next toKokichi smiling, offering some Fanta soda and lunch, since thecaptain missed his meal, which of course made Kokichi poutlike a child. I couldn't help, but laugh.

That was when I heard something:sobbing. I turned to see Kirumi covering her face, trying her hardestnot to cry, but it came sputtering out. Ryoma looked to look around,showing a strangely soft smile. I walked up to Kirumi and held her,patting her back. She must have envisioned some memories here too.

"It's alright," I said calmly.

"N-No... Kaede, at the killinggame... I did something.... unforgivable," Kirumi explained. BeingI was the first to be executed, I wasn't around during the otherexecutions, but I knew she must've killed someone too.

"Kirumi, I killed someone too or atleast tried to. I'm sure... whoever it was will forgive you. It was akilling game after all. We were all forced to kill someone," I saidcalmly. Kirumi shook her head.

"It's not just that...." Kirumisobbed.

"If it means anything, it was just asmuch my fault," Ryoma said, looking at the stars of the vastuniverse.

"Huh?" Kirumi asked, confused.Ryoma turned to her.

"I was wishing for my death, becauseI thought I had no one to live for. There was no one important to me.There was nothing or no one to live for, so why bother living? That'swhat I thought," Ryoma admitted. I felt so bad for him. I'mguessing Kirumi killed Ryoma. Rantaro could already connect thepieces together. He felt just as bad for him. "Monokuma lied to me.He made me think there was no one important to me, no one to livefor. I suppose outside of this ship, he was right, but I had 15people to live for. I was just foolish to not realize that, until mykiller drowned me in my own sink." A wave of shock hit me, enoughto create a few tears. Ryoma... to him, we are the mostimportant people in his life. I couldn't help it, but I felt sotouched and much joy in those words. Smiling, I wiped my tears.

"Ryoma," I muttered.

"That's why I forgive you," Ryomatold Kirumi, who I now realized was just as surprised to hear thatfrom him as I was. "You must have realized it, right? Even thoughyou had everything to live for, an entire country, those 15 peoplewere just as important to you as the rest of the country. It's humanto push the fat man off the train to save the many, but it's onlyafter that you realize how valuable that fat man's life really is.Kaede knew that, that's why she refused to use the Blood Perk."

He was right. I didn't want tosacrifice anyone, because everyone was just as important as thosethat were important to me outside this ship. That's why I did notadmit to the kill. I couldn't. I'm sure Kirumi must've felt the same.No life is more valuable than another no matter how close or howmany.

Kirumi seemed to be deep in thought,her lips trembling. Just then, we heard some sort of noise behind thedoor of the cockpit. We turned our attention to the door as we heardfootsteps, metal footsteps. Rantaro pulled out what looked to be likea rifle. I was shocked he had that on hand. Does he even have alicense!? I suppose he technically doesn't need one, but being theUltimate Adventurer, he must be skilled in using those things. Ryomagot out his tennis racket and ball, ready to strike at any moment.Kirumi placed one hand behind her back, grabbing what I now realizedwas the handle of a sword, while cautiously approaching the door.

As soon as the door opened, we saw abunch of large, very large Monokumas wobbling toward us. I screamedbloody murder as a bunch of them ran toward me. Maybe screamingwasn't such a good idea. Just then, while all of them were focusingon me, Kirumi and Ryoma stuck two of them, while Rantaro shot threeof them at once with at least three bullets. I was shaking the entiretime, feeling useless.

"Great job distracting them, Kaede,"Rantaro cheered me on.

"I wasn't exactly intending on beingbait," I replied, feeling embarrassed.

"There are more coming!" Kirumiwarned as they all ran for her.

Wait, all of them are distracted bynoise, sound waves. I could use that to my advantage if I knew theirweakness. Ryoma shot his tennis ball directly at the Monokumas' redeyes and they all fell instantly. That gave me an idea. I looked toRantaro.

"What's the best way to punchsomething made of glass or metal?" I asked in a whisper.

"Hm... I'd use the back of the palm.I won't promise you damage, but it will certainly hurt less,"Rantaro suggested.

I nodded, then ran toward one of themgoing after Kirumi before using my back palm to punch one of them inthe red eye. Since I had working gloves on, it protected my hand fromthe glass and the rubber from electrocution. There was someelectricity bursting from the eye and I heard, "troubling" beforeit began exploding. Rantaro pulled me away just as it exploded. Ikept note to dash away after hitting them.

"Heh, way to find their weakness, buthow did you know?" Rantaro asked.

"I noticed how they fell quickly whenhitting them on that part of the eye. I also have photographicmemory," I mentioned.

"Wow, really? That's cool," Rantarogrinned, then looked up before shooting a Monokuma. "We have to getout of here quickly. More are coming and it looks like we've gotabout an hour before we're put into a sleep."

"I agree. Let's get out of here,guys," I commanded as I led everyone out of the cockpit.

Running into the hallway, we found moreMonokumas heading toward us. Wasting no time, I ran to the Monokumaright next to the right side of the wall, punching it in the red partof the eye before kicking it to the ground, then running off beforeit exploded, making another one explode. Just then, another onegrabbed me before Kirumi sliced it with what looked to be like asamurai sword. I ran as fast as I could before kicking anotherMonokuma in the red part of the eye before running off as itexploded. Rantaro had just finished shooting about two of them,staring down at me.

"That's all of them, I think," Isaid.

"Uh... yeah," Rantaro replied,blushing cherry red.

"What?"

"Your skirt was up, while you werekicking the Monokuma," Ryoma said.

"EEK!Sorry!" Iapologized, blushing cherry red.

"I-It's fine. I suppose it could'vebeen more awkward. At least I didn't ask you to strip at the gym,"Rantaro said, bashfully rubbing the back of his neck.

"WHAT!?! Wait, he asked you too?" Iasked freaking out.

".... let's move along," Ryomasaid, trying to get rid of the awkwardness in the air.

Moving along, I saw Angie and Kiyoacross from us. Angie had a hammer with her, which I'm guessing sheuses to create her sculptures, but now is going to use it against theMonokumas. Kiyo appeared with an ancient looking katana. Angiegrinned, waving excitedly to us.

"Nyahaha! It's good to see all ofyou!" Angie grinned.

"You too, Angie. We checked out backthere and it's just the cockpit. My guess is that Monaca must besomewhere else on this ship," I said.

"Ah, true true. We should look otherplaces," Angie grinned.

"I notice this pad mentions a teamleader. Kaede wouldn't happen to lead this one by any chance kekeke?"Kiyo asked cheekily.

"Y-Yeah, I am. You guys can join, ifyou want," I offered.

"I will happily join," Angiereplied before all of heard some sort of explosion across the hall.

"W-We should go, now," I said aseveryone nodded, then made their way across the hall where theexplosion was heard. We then heard some banging noise against onedoor and a voice of some sort.

"ACK!" I heard a struggle frombehind that door, then tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge.

"I can't open it!" I complained.

"Allow me," Kiyo offered.

"On a count of three?" Rantaroasked voluntarily.

"With pleasure."

"One, two, three."

The two boys, using their strength,rammed their shoulder against the door and it burst off its hinges,if that was even possible. There, inside the room, we saw an olderman no older than 45 struggling against three Monokumas with only acrowbar to defend himself. He wore a dark navy blue suit and dresspants with a red tie and a cap. He had dark hair with some grayshowing and big gold eyes that felt so strikingly familiar. It seemedlike the Monokumas had torn bits of his suit from the struggle.

Wasting no time, I ran to the man,punching one of the Monokumas in the red part of the eye beforedragging the man by his hand to move him out of the way. Just as Idid that, I heard some sort of beeping sound from my wristband justas the Monokumas exploded. I gasped, looking at my wristband as itshowed in orange letters: Norio Saihara. No way! Is he...?

"Look out!" Norio warned me,pointing at two more Monokumas, who squeezed out of the vent. You'vegotta be kidding me!

"I got this!" Ryoma said, shootingtwo tennis balls at the Monokumas.

"Troubling," the Monokumassaid together before exploding. I sighed in relief.

"Geez, I hope there's not more ofthese!" I complained.

"Your bands," Norio said, lookingat mine. I realized his was orange. He must've noticed.

"Y-Yeah. I'm Kaede Akamatsu, theUltimate Pianist. You must be....." I said, not wanting to say hisname. Oh god.

"You're a student from the GoferProject. You know of my nephew?" Norio asked as I nodded,trembling. "Is something wrong?"

"Unfortunately... one of us didn'tmake it. Shuichi was found under the table dead by the time the gamestarted," Ryoma explained as tears threatened to come out of myeyes. I didn't want to cry again, but... it was just too much.

"Oh... I'm... very sorry," Noriosaid sorrowfully.

"N-No, I... it's all my fault. I madehim promise to carry out my wish to end the killing game when we werestuck in the virtual reality killing game. Because he carried out mywish, he..." I sobbed as Rantaro came to me and patted my back.

"It wasn't your fault. Shuichi wasbrave for what he did. He did what no one else could. He would'vetried stopping the mastermind with or without you. That's just who heis. He is the Ultimate Detective after all. It's the same with mebeing the Ultimate Adventurer, even more so now that I'm the UltimateSurvivor," Rantaro said.

"He's right, unfortunately. I toldShuichi that once he takes any case, his life will always be on theline. It's the same with me. As detectives, we know what we'resigning up for. Don't blame yourself for his sacrifice. I know mynephew, he wouldn't want that," Norio assured me.

I still feel it's my fault, but hearingtheir words of comfort was enough to lift the burden a little bit.Wiping my tears, I nodded humbly. Just then, I heard several morenoises. Were there more hostages. Norio looked toward a closet ofsorts as three teenagers came out, one a girl with blond pigtails, atall guy with short blond hair and a beautiful girl with shortlavender hair. All of them had masks over their heads, white outfitsand checkered scarves just like... Kokichi.

"Is the coast clear, Mr. Detective?"The blond pigtail girl asked, then her eyes perked as soon as she sawRantaro, then squealed. She quickly ran next to him, grinning almostflirtatiously. "Well, hello there handsome."

"Uh..." Rantaro respondedawkwardly.

"Mana, do you have to flirt withevery guy you see that is your age?" the lavender-haired girlasked, seemingly annoyed as the blond pigtailed girl stuck her tongueat the other girl.

"Oh, co'mon Kimi, he's so cute andyummy. I just want to eat him alllllllll up~" This Mana girlreplied with her cute little cat-like face.

"For the love of god, stop calling methat! Only the boss or family can call me that," this Kimi girlreplied, who seemed to be more gloomy compared to the pigtailed girl,though I could see she was worried.

"Awww, don't worry about Kimi. She'sjust worried about Kichi," Mana assured us, then whispered loudly,"he's her little brother, you know."

"And, would you stop calling KokichiKichi!? Only I get to call him that!" The Kimi girlshouted possessively. So, she is Kokichi's older sister. She turnedto us with her deadpan face. "Sorry about Mana. My name is KimikoOuma. That's Mana and the tolerable one is Noboru." Kimiko pointedto the blond haired guy, who seemed shy.

"H-Hi," Noboru greeted shyly.

"Quick question, are you members ofKokichi's organization?" I asked.

"Sure are! You thinking aboutjoining? What's your name?" Mana asked brightly, still holding ontoRantaro's arm. Rantaro seemed very awkward and uncomfortable. Icouldn't help, but feel sorry for him. Regardless, I continued.

"My name is Kaede-"

"Oooooh, Kaya! I love that!" Manareplied perkily.

"Uh... that's not what I..."

"Get used to it. Mana gives a pet name for everyone. It's her... shtick," Kimiko replied, sighing.Then, she looked at me with grave eyes. "Anyways, you said you knowmy brother. Where is he?"

"I... don't know. We all woke up insome sort of office. That's when Monaca showed up on a televisionscreen and told us about this new killing game, as if we couldn't geta break. As far as I know, all of us have these wristbands withforbidden actions. We're also synced to any hostages we find. In mycase, I'm synced to Norio Saihara," I explained, showing his namein orange letters on my wristband.

"Oooooh, is that why my name is oncutie's wristband? I thought he was just thinking about me," Manasaid perkily.

"Uh... I don't think that's how itworks," Rantaro said awkwardly uncomfortable. "Anyways, um...Mana, could you please um... get off?"

"Oh... sorry," Mana said, lookingembarrassed and disappointed, while tapping her index fingerstogether.

"So, we have to choose one of you tobe synced to?" Kimiko asked with seriousness in her eyes.

"Pretty much. I mean if one of youdies, so does Kokichi," I explained as Kimiko's eyes turned tosaucers, then became very grave. I could tell she was veryoverprotective with Kokichi.

"Very well, looks like we'll need tochoose who to be in sync with. Who is the leader of this group?"Kimiko asked.

"I-I am," I replied. Then, Kimikobowed to me, her head on the ground, which startled me.

"Please, take me to Kokichi. I... Ineed to know he's alright. He's the only family I've got. Thisorganization is all we've got and without it, I only have him.Please, take me to him, I'm begging you," Kimiko pleaded, her voicenow sounding desperate. I can't imagine what she must be goingthrough right now to know her little brother is being forced into a killing game. I couldn't just leave her.

"I'll take you to Kokichi. Ipromise," I promised Kimiko, who then got up, then our hands joinedtogether. I could hear a beep from my wrist band, showing in orangeletters: Kimiko Ouma.

Noboru looked around shyly, then sawRyoma. Giving the tennis pro a glance, he asked meekly, "a-areyou... Ryoma Hoshi?"

"Yeah, Ultimate Tennis Pro or so Iwas," Ryoma replied.

"N-Not that, I mean... y-you saved mylife," Noboru muttered as Ryoma looked at him, very shocked. I wassurprised as I didn't know what he meant by that. "I-I was... in avery rough situation... with the mafia. I was forced to play...against my will. I was a slave you see. Th-Then... when you destroyedthe mafia's reputation, you inspired us to rebel against the system.M-My family was already taken away, so... yeah. Had it not been foryou, I would've killed myself or worse. I... never got to thankyou... for the sacrifices you've made for us. I have a new family nowI can call my own."

Ryoma stared at him, obviously shocked.He didn't have time to respond as Noboru shook his hand. A beepingsound was heard from Ryoma's wristband, showing Noboru's name inorange. Ryoma looked at the name on the wristband, then back toNoboru, nodding. He hummed.

"You're welcome. You're the first tothank me for something not related to tennis. It's... refreshing, Isuppose," Ryoma said as Noboru smiled shyly.

"Teehee, Nooby is such a cutie whenhe's shy," Mana grinned.

Noboru groaned, flushing shyly, "I-It'snot like that."

"Not to interrupt anything, but we'vegot about 15 minutes before the sleeping gas is activated. We shouldprobably go to a secure room and I don't think this place is secure,"Rantaro said.

"Oooooh, the cutie Avocado is ontosomething. Probably a place with no vents here or there," Manasaid, pointing left and right.

"Right, right. At- We should find asafe place to rest and protected from those robots," Angie stated.She almost said Atua. Now, that I think about it, she hasn'tsaid Atua since the game started. Is that her forbidden action? Ishould probably ask her later privately.

"Agreed. Unfortunately, there aren'tany safe rooms I know of, besides the cockpit," Kiyo replied,looking at his tablet.

"I noticed a restroom not too farfrom here. I know it must be... awkward using a restroom, but it'ssafer. The vents are small, the doors are thick with locks and thereare crowbars we can use to make sure the room is safely secure,"Norio replied. The way he talked reminded me so much of Shuichi.There was no doubt this was the man that taught him all his detectiveskills.

"It's going to feel weird, but oursafety is more important right now. We'll use the boy's restroom.Hopefully, it won't be so smelly," I decided.

"Nyhahaha! I agree. The boy'sbathroom will be our sanctuary," Angie replied, clasping her handstogether.

"Let's hurry, we don't have muchtime," Kirumi responded.

"Alright. Detective Norio, you takethe lead," I said, showing him my confident smile.

"Ah, sure thing, young lady," Norioreplied confidently, leading the group and me out of the room andinto the boy's restroom. We rushed in as fast as we could, Rantarorunning with me from the robo Monokumas creating chaos across thehallway. Using the supply closet, Norio and Kirumi used it to securethe room and lock the restroom door. All of us leaned up against thewall, sitting on the bare, tiled floor. I was on Rantaro's right,while Mana was on his left. Next to Mana was Noboru, then Kimiko.Ryoma, Kirumi and Norio leaned against the wall beside us, acrossfrom the stalls. I checked the time, ten minutes.

"So... what's going to happen now?"I asked quietly.

"One of us or someone from our groupmay die, whether it would be a classmate or a hostage and if ahostage dies..." Ryoma replied. He sighed, "we really do have along ways to go."

"Just when I thought this killinggame would end, another one just suddenly appears... and Shuichi..."I muttered, clutching my legs tightly to my chest.

"You really liked him, didn't you?"Norio asked as I hesitantly nodded. "Heh, he was never good when itcame to getting chicks. I sometimes teased him about it. Gets it fromhis dad. I'd probably have teased him, if he was still here today.He'd just pull his hat down, like he always does."

".... what were his parents like?"I asked quietly.

"Hm... My brother was a writer. Heloved getting lost in his own fantasies. I often teased him aboutthat when we were young. He one day met a beautiful actress, whopaved him the way to become a screenwriter. Just the two of them,they were able to create masterpieces of movies and theatreproductions," Norio replied, chuckling a bit. He then sighed."Then, I heard the News that my brother's girlfriend was pregnant.A child was now going to be part of their lives and weren't ready forit. After all, they had only been dating for about a year and didn'tthink about marriage. Things started going downhill from there.Fights became frequent from what I've heard and my brother became sooverwhelmed. He was always the passive type and it was fine at themoment, until a child became a part of the subject. The both of themhad to choose between their careers and their son. The mother choseher career, not wanting to lose the luxury of becoming a movie star.My brother... he wanted both. He wanted the love of his life to behappy, but he didn't want to abandon his son either.

"One day, my brother came to mydoorstep, pleading with me to help him. He didn't know what to do. Hedidn't want to lose his girlfriend or his son. I always hated thatpassive side to my brother. He never had the courage to stand up forhimself. After some convincing, I reluctantly agreed to raise hisson, but he also had to agree to pay him visits as often as he could.At least see him one month out of the year, while also paying forhim. He agreed.

"Shuichi never formed a relationshipwith his mother, but he did somewhat with his father. Felt bittertoward him at first, until he realized that passive side was just asmuch a part of him as it was with his father. The incident with thefirst case made him depressed for a long time and his father camearound and comforted him. I suppose that was when they finallyconnected. Shuichi started calling his father often after that. I washappy about that. Though, he still is heartbroken his mother neverwants to see him."

Hearing this, I felt so sad. Shuichidid consul with his father, but to know his mother never loved himmust be horrible. I could never imagine my parents never loving orsupporting me. I smiled.

"I'm glad you took care of him asmuch as you did. You really are a great uncle for him. It's no wonderyou're an important person in his life," I said.

"Heh thanks. I suppose I'm just gladmy brother isn't here. On one hand, I wish he was more important inShuichi's life, but in this kind of situation, I'm glad he's not,"Norio said, chuckling sarcastically as I laughed with him.

"That reminds me, I wonder if myfamily is here too. I lost all 12 of my sisters during my adventures.Now, that I think about it, it was after I agreed to participate inthe Gofer Project," Rantaro replied. That was enough to make meturn pale.

"Tw-Tw-Twelve sisters!? Youthink...!?" I gasped.

".... wouldn't doubt it," Rantarosaid, his eyes seemed so lost.

"Awww, Avacado boi, I'm sure you'llfind all of them. Hey, maybe I can be like their big sis like Kimi!"Mana grinned.

"Ugh, give me a break," Kimikogroaned, hiding her face in her clown mask. 

"I'm sure they're fine. I mean you'refine, right? If one of them died, you'd die too. So, that means theymust be alive," I said, as Rantaro's eyes widened, looking at me.

"You're right. They're still...alive," Rantaro muttered.

Just then, sleeping gas seeped throughthe vents, making us all fall asleep. I felt my head slowly slidingon Rantaro's head. I could barely managed to stay awake. I then felthis fingers lacing mine, telling me it was all going to be alright.We're going to make it through this. We're going to....

Yep, Kumuchi has an older sister.Honestly, I like the idea of Kokichi having an older sister that is amember of DICE. Usually, when Kokichi has a family of his own, theyall hate DICE and are often a dysfunctional family. In this case,Kumuchi did have a loving family, but after the Towa City Massacre,her parents were both killed and her older sister became the onlyfamily she had left. For those of you wanting to know, Kimiko andKumuchi are two years apart. If you want to know Kimiko's side of thestory to the Towa Massacre, that will be revealed later on in thestory.