It should go without saying, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the magic show. The next day, Himiko couldn't stop smiling. The others kept complimenting her magic, and asking her how she did all those neat tricks. Of course her only response was always.

"It's magic!"

Now its been two days since that happened, and what was I doing with my time? Trying not to grimace as Gonta continued to show me his bug collection in his lab. 

"This one is silk worm! They make silk for our clothes and materials! Aren't they cute?" Gonta asked, referring to the worms that was crawling in my palm. "Yeah, very cute, very cute....." I muttered. That couldn't have been a more obvious lie, but of course Gonta doesn't notice I'm disgusted by the slimy things in my hands. I'm not even gonna get in on the bees and flies that are crawling in my hair and shoulders.

"Hey Gonta, what's this one? I don't recognize it." Kaede said, holding up what looked like a moth. Gonta wanted her to come as well, and show off his bugs. Ever since after the show, Gonta and Kaede had been pretty friendly with each other, not that I mind or care. 

Gonta walked over to Kaede and looked at the moth with a smile. "That the Cecropia moth. They're native to America. They largest moths in North America." he said. Kaede's eyes widened as she looked at the moth on her finger.

"The largest in North America? That's crazy. What's the largest moth in the world?" she asked Gonta. It wasn't a forced question either. It had genuine curiosity.

"Oh, that's the Atlas moth. They as big as your hand. Let's see...." Gonta looked around the room, reached out to a moth, and held it out. And my god it was definitely as big as his palm, and definitely bigger then mine.

"Whoa..." Kaede said, looking at it in awe.

"They live in Asia, but Gonta not remember where in Asia. Sorry." he said. Kaede smiled. "It's okay. There's so much information about bugs, I bet its hard to remember." she said.

"When can I hold a pretty butterfly or a moth? Why am I stuck with these gross, slimy, creepy worms...." I thought, holding back the urge to gag. Gonta looked back at me, a smile on his face. "Kokichi having fun?" he asked. I forced on a grin.

"You kidding? I'm having a blast! What else would I do instead of have bugs crawl all over me?" Maybe play a fucking video game where I can blast at disgusting pests like these things. 

"Kaede have fun too?" Gonta asked.

"Honestly, I was a little nervous to see these bugs at first. I sometimes feel a little squimish around them. But this has actually been a lot of fun. Thanks for showing me Gonta." Kaede said. Gonta blushed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. 

"O-Oh, you're welcome. Gonta glad you like bugs." he said. Within a few minutes, Kaede suggested we wash up for dinner, which I had no agreeing with. Anything to get away from these bugs. Once we were out of Gonta's lab, Gonta looked to Kaede nervously. 

"U-Um..." he held out his hand, "Y-Your hand, m-my lady. L-Let Gonta escort you to y-your room." Kaede giggled at his shyness and gladly took his hand. 

"Thank you." she said. Gonta looked back at me.

"Gonta meet with Kokichi at dining hall soon. Promise." he stated. "Got it." I said. With that Kaede and Gonta walked down the hall, hand in hand. I smiled, placing my hands behind my back. I never expected them to be that close, but I kinda like it. They certainly looked cute together. Better then Kaede and Shuichi toge- I stopped dead in thought when I felt something crawling in my shirt.

"OH MY GOD SOMETHING IS IN MY SHIRT!!! GROSS! GROSS! GROSS!" I cried, scratching at my shirt.

*    *    *    *

I had bolted to my dorm, immediately stripped myself of my clothes, and hopped into that shower.

"Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!" I whined, using a sponge to scrub furiously at my body, making sure there were no creepy crawlies on me. I especially made sure to clean my hair thoroughly. I sure as hell don't want any eggs or shit in my hair. That would be a god damn nightmare! Once I felt clean enough, I hopped out, put on a fresh outfit that hasn't been touched by bugs, and double inspected my hair in the mirror.

"Okay, I think I'm bug free." I told myself. I left my room with a hop, skip and step. I was more then ready to get something to eat. My stomach was growling at me to run to the dining hall, and so I did. The alluring aroma of Kirumi's cooking, making my mouth water. I placed both hands on the door, rushing inside.

"What's for dinner?!" I asked in a cheery tone. Everyone looked to me....but with concerned expressions. I blinked, puzzled.

"Uh, what's with the looks?" I said. 

"Where were you Kokichi?" Shuichi asked, standing up. "Hmm? I was in my room taking a shower. Sorry I took so long. Did the food get cold?" I asked. "Is Gonta with you?" Kaede asked, her tone laced in concern. That's when I noticed the big lug wasn't in the room.

"Uh, no he isn't. And I didn't see him on my way here." I said, raising a brow, "What's going on?" I asked.

"Sorry, its just that you and Gonta were awfully late. We were staring to get a bit worried about you." Tsumugi said. I chuckled, rolling my eyes.

"Geez, you guys worry too much. Like I said, all I did was take a shower. I'm sure Gonta just got distracted by another bug or something. He'll be on his way shortly." I said. "You really think so?" Kaede said, not seeming convinced. "Kaede, I spend the most time with him. Trust me, he may be dumb, but he'll be a-okay." I stated.

"Well, I guess you would know him best, since you're his best friend." Tsumugi said. I blinked. My best friend? I never really thought of Gonta to be my best friend. I've never had one before. 

"Didn't really think of that...." I murmured. The sudden sound of a door being opened behind me made me smile, and I whirled around, immediately recognizing the large brown hair and glasses. "There's the man of the hour! Took you long enough. Everyone was starting to....worry....."

My eyes widened in horror.

An arrow stuck out of Gonta's arm.

Gonta was panting hard, with his trembling legs struggling to keep him standing. Blood streamed down his sleeve and dripped onto the floor. My throat felt dry, and I suddenly couldn't find any words to say.

"G-Gonta.....?"

"Gonta....not feel well...." Gonta murmured. Finally his legs gave out, and he collapsed onto his knees. 

"GONTA!" I heard myself cry out. I hurried over to him without even thinking and knelt beside him. Kaede was on his other side within a matter of seconds, her eyes wide. 

"Gonta! Oh my God! W-What happened?!" she said. Gonta gave a small cough before answering. "M-Monokuma shot Gonta...." he stuttered out. My eyes widened. What....did he say? "Monokuma....shot you?" I repeated. Suddenly the monitor turned on, and we all snapped out heads to it.

"Good morning everyone! It appears you've found our favorite entomologist. Poor guy~" Monokuma said. Kaito immediately growled, marching up the screen. "You asshole, what the hell did you do to Gonta?!" he snapped. 

"Whoa there, hold your horses there space man. I'm sure you're all surprised by this sudden turn of events." Monkuma said. 

"Tell us what you did!" Kaede demanded, glaring daggers at the screen.

"Awe, now how can little old me turn down a request from such a nice lady. Alrighty then, I'll explain to you what's going on. If it isn't obvious enough for you dumbasses, I shot Gonta with an arrow with one of Maki's crossbows, which I might've borrowed from her lab," Monokuma explained, making Maki narrow her eyes at him, "But anyways, it wasn't just any arrow. The tip was covered in a lethal poison."

"P-Poison?!" Shuichi said.

"Pufufufu, that's right mister detective! A lethal poison. Meaning our bug man only has a limited time before he meets his maker!" Monokuma stated, chuckling. 

"You jerk! Why would you do that to Gonta?! He didn't do anything to you!" Himiko stated. 

"Use your brains, dummy. This is a motive." Monokuma stated. Everyone gasped, looking around at each other before looking back at the screen. 

"A motive?" Maki said. "That's right. You see, you have no idea what poison I used, so you can't find the correct antidote. But I do have the antidote. So, this is how this'll work. If you want the antidote for poor Gonta, then one of you will have to finally kill someone. If you are able to graduate through the class trial, then you and Gonta will get to leave scott free! But, if no one gets to killing....well, I imagine Gonta only has maybe six hours, given the size of his body." Monokuma explained. 

Everyone's eyes widened.

"W-What?! S-So then, you won't give us the antidote unless we k-kill someone!" Keebo said. Miu growled, slamming her hands down onto the table.

"That's bullshit! You can't pull this kinda crap on us! That's not fucking fair!" she stated. "I know that, sweet cheeks. That's what makes this fun for me~" Monokuma stated. I barely listening. I....was beyond pissed off. 

"Why you bastard...." Kaito growled. Gonta coughed again, more vioently this time, covering his mouth with his sleeve. Kaede gave him a concerned expression. 

"Gonta...." she said. Kaito sent another glare at the bear. "Listen here you son of a bitch-"

"Give it to us." 

Everyone looked to me as I slowly stood up. I clenched my fists tightly, looking up at the screen with a dark glare. "Oh? Got something to say, Kokichi~?" Monokuma said. 

"Give it to us...." I marched right up to the screen, feeling my face heat up with anger, "Give us the antidote, right now! I swear if you don't hand it over I'll march right down to you, face to face, and I'll kick your sorry ass! You'll wish you've never been built!" I shouted, each word laced with venom. Everyone looked at me in shock, surprised by my sudden outburst.

"Kokichi." Shuichi murmured. Monokuma just burst into laughter.

"Bwahahahaha! Oh yeah, short stack? I'd like to see ya try to touch me! But just so you know, you lay a finger on me, that violates the school rules. Meaning that's an instant invitation to the Exisal derby!" he said. 

"Yeah, like I'm gonna let that stop me! Just watch!" I snapped. I didn't hesitate to start walking towards the door, but someone grabbed my arm to stop me.

"Kokichi wait!" I looked back, surprised to see Shuichi stopping me. 

"I know you want to get that antidote, but Monokuma is right. If you try to attack him, the Exisals will kill you! We need to think about this!" he stated. "I'm sorry, didn't you hear him?! We don't have time! If we don't act now, Gonta is going to die!" I stated. I yanked away from his grip, but he just grabbed my arm again.

"Getting yourself killed won't get anything accomplished!" Shuichi stated.

"Let me go!" I snapped.

"Kokichi stop...." I froze, and snapped my head over to Gonta. Despite the pale look on his face, he put on a weak smile. "Gonta....will be okay. Please....don't worry. Gonta....not want anyone....to get hurt.....because of me....." he murmured weakly. He coughed again, leaning forward, but Kaede helped him to sit up properly.

"Gonta..." he said. I could only stare at him. I've never felt like this before. So....scared. I clenched down on my teeth, looking away as a shadow cast over my eyes.

"Dammit....." was all I managed to mutter.

(Hey guys, thank you so much for reading, voting, and commenting on this story. I'm glad that you guys are enjoying it so far. However, I just wanted to let you know that I might be taking a hiatus on it shortly. It wouldn't be a long hiatus. Just maybe two or three weeks or something. There are other stories I wanna work on right now, so I might work on those. Anyways, enjoy this cliffhanger!)