Sayaka was killed by Leon...
Junko was killed by Monokuma...
Then Leon was executed.
Chihiro was killed by Mondo, then he got executed too.
Then, Ishimaru was killed by Yamada, who in turn got killed by Celeste....
Celeste...
My first love...
She also got executed...
I couldn't save her...
I failed...

...Which brings us here.
A night has passed since Celeste-san's trial.
A night, together with Byakuya Togami, the boy who acts as if he hates everyone.
But just what was Celeste trying to say to him before she died?
She knew Kyouko was my friend, so why didn't she tell her to take care of me?
Togami...Why him?
Is there something only her gorgeous ruby red eyes have seen?

Thanking the Lemon for staying over, we returned to the same routine, cafeteria in the morning, some breakfast, then went to explore the new opened area.

Hope's Peak Academy's 4th floor... So it really has opened...

This time... I hope we're going to find something helpful...!
No, we'll definitely find something!
For Celeste! For my Brother!

Ultimately, the most interesting room proved to be the Chemistry Lab, which had three different cabinets, each containing a certain type of pills and liquids.
Supplements, vitamins, proteins, amino acids, minerals, creatine...
Poisons, arsenics, explosive liquids, if combined properly...

Byakuya: Don't.
me: Huh?
Byakuya: You seemed bewitched by the cabinet with the most murder potential.
me: I always liked doing explosive experiments.
Byakuya: You mean failing them?
me: Oh no, I did them on purpose. It was fun...*sighs* Until I burnt my hair.
Byakuya: *smirks* Yes, definitely fun.

The next room was the music room, and upon entering the room, a slap of nostalgia hit me.
As Byakuya looked around the room, I felt like in a trance, and went up on the stage and gingerly pressed some keys, that in turned to change into a beautiful melody...
The same one I remember playing for my brother on the rare occasions when he'd come home.
It was his favourite, and it also helped him relax.
How...Lovely.
I bet Celeste would have liked it as well...I think.

Byakuya: *claps* Great job, little Mozart. Is there something you can't do?
me: Hm...Walk properly, I suppose.
Byakuya: True enough. Now stop thinking about your dead girlfriend and snap out of it. If you want to cherish her memory, don't let her have died in vain.
me: I...How...?
Byakuya: You may not be the easiest to understand, but you've let your guard way down since she died.
me: I see...How stupid of me. I apologise.
Byakuya: Apologies are meaningless if you don't act accordingly.
me: *nods* Yes, of course. Let's go.

The next room was the faculty room, which surprised us with the number of flowers.
But what surprised us even more, was a single picture. One that made my whole word go upside down.

It was a picture of I, in a classroom, being hugged by Celeste, and...
My brother was behind me, smiling.

How could this picture happen?
H o w ?
I s t h i s e v e n p o s s i b l e ?

me: K-Kyou...Suke...?
Byakuya: Is that your brother?
me: *nods* How...?
Byakuya: Must be photoshopped or something.
me: How did they get this picture of him?
Byakuya: Your brother was an Ultimate too, right?
me: Byakuya, my brother was supposed to be in his last year of school, when I'd start my first. It's gradually impossible, but at the same time...It is more than likely it's true...
Byakuya: Don't bother me with you silly theory again.
me: Believe what you want, Togami! I don't care! But Celeste believed it, and that's all that matters to me! She was the only one who believed in me! Unlike you! Maybe it's not me who's the stupid one, maybe it's you and your closed-mind!
Byakuya: You're so not worth my time...But fine, let's say what's your ground.
me: This is not the first picture like this we've found. They can't be photoshopped, since they are Polaroids, so that must mean that we're not new here, and that somehow, we properly attended the Academy for a while. And the reason why we can't remember anything...Memory wipe is the only thing that'd make sense.
Byakuya: And do you really believe technology got this far?
me: I don't know, but...Well, this was supposed to be strictly confidential, but when he got home one day, I saw some papers from whatever his work place is called and the researches there seemed to be...Out of this world. Truly magnificent from any way you'd look at it, so if that would be possible, maybe having the Ultimate Neurosurgeon play a bit with our Hippocampus a bit could just do the trick.
Byakuya: Fine, let's say that's plausible. For what reason, then?
me: Research? Experiments? Fun on the wealthy? Despair?
Byakuya: I am from a wealthy family, so that won't be the case.
me: Have you ever heard about the Hunger Games?
Byakuya: Unfortunately, yes. One of my sisters kept bothering me with it.
me: Maybe our class was chosen for this, just like those guys were randomly chosen to kill each other.
Byakuya: That's ridiculous.
me: But it happened before, didn't you know?
Byakuya: Something like this?
me: Yes. A wealthy guy made some contracts with some people and had them live in Siberia together, bound by no rules or laws, and the last one standing would win some prize. But it was quite expensive to pay for the livestream broadcast...
Byakuya: That's just sick.
me: It is, but it happened, so what's to say something similar isn't happening to us too? Being Ultimates, and the Hope of the world, it would inflict great damage and Despair on the world, and people like the ones controlling Monokuma would get off while watching the world burn.
Byakuya: I have to admit, it makes much more sense now, that we've been through three class trials, and Monokuma's sick personality arose.
me: It takes a bit of pushing, but provoking him works wonders...But...
Byakuya: But what?
me: *shakes head* Nothing, I was just thinking of my brother. He's definitely out of school and working full time at that...Place...And I feel like he'll save us.
Byakuya: Doubt it. I think we'll be the ones saving ourselves.
me: That's...True.

The next place we tried to investigate was the Headmaster's office, but the door was locked.
Just as I was about to suggest breaking the door, both my and Byakuya's monopad beeped, and that's when we saw a new rule,telling that we must NOT destroy a locked door.

me: Guess those idiots are gathered up together by now.
Byakuya: Bet Hagakure was stupid enough to suggest that loudly.
me: Poor Sakura.
Byakuya: This just proves this place is more important than any place in this school.
me: Indeed...Don't worry, I'll think of something.
Byakuya: Getting yourself killed won't help anyone.
me: Killed? No...Not yet. I have to get out of her before I allow myself that kind of weakness.
Byakuya: Glad to see you're finally back to normal.
me: Shut up, stupid Lemon.
Byakuya: Idiotic Blueberry.
me: *giggles* Touche.
Byakuya: Now that we're done, let's go back to those plebs.
me: Onwards!

Getting to the cafeteria, we noticed the guys arguing, which was very uncharacteristic of them.

me: What do we have here? A quarrel within the Friendship is Magic circle?
Byakuya: I guess even your friendly act has its limits...
Naegi: T...Togami-kun...! Raven...!
Byakuya: Nevertheless, that's a fine array of gloomy faces I see here. Adding a gloomy expression to an already ugly face may be going too far, though... You look like frogs caught in a cesspool. I fear just looking at you can get something stuck to me.
Hiiro: We're sorry!
Hina: Why are you apologizing?! Anyway, go away! This has nothing to do with you!
me: That's rather rude...
Byakuya: You're correct here. It has nothing to do with me. Me and you will never have anything to do with each other. And since I have absolutely nothing to do with your ugly faces...Conversely, you have nothing to do with the helpful information I just got from a certain something.
Naegi: Eh...?
Hina: Did you just say... What I think you said?
Kyouko: ...Togami-kun, where have you been all this time?
me: Away from Fukawa,for starters.
Byakuya: I can tell you this much. Let's give your lazy heads something to think about. I've just walked out of a nice long bath. Is there anything else you want to know? Maybe my horoscope for today?
me: I think I could help with that. Capricorn and Taurus actually get along really well! Nevertheless, with the tension in this room, I think... You could all use a nice bath right about now...
Sakura: Yes, I think you are correct.
Hiiro: Mixed bathing, 'right?
Hina: Mixed bathing...!

As the guys left for the bath, I and Byakuya went to the boy's bathroom, where there were no cameras, so he could tell me what the AI found out, which was atrocious, but managed to solve and create countless questions.
From the fact that the actual Headmaster had us locked in the school to live here forever, to the fact that some Tragedy worse than the two world wars happened, which threw the whole world into despair. And that the Headmaster, a man in his thirties, and most likely the Mastermind, is here.

me: Byakuya...I don't think the real Headmaster and this Headmaster are the same person. I can't explain, but I just...Doubt that someone like Monokuma could be manipulated by a person who was a real Headmaster for a long time.
Byakuya: I don't know what to believe, but for now, we'll have to leave it at that.

Soon enough, the nighttime announcement was heard, so we went back to our rooms...
Actually, he did.
Not me.
I had to urgently talk to Kyouko-

The next day, I was feeling rather bored, but I was lucky enough to stumble into Fukawa as I left the room.
She seemed flustered and angry enough that I was the first person she saw this morning.

However, what I didn't realize until it was too late, was that instead of Debbie Downer, miss.Psycho was on.

Me: Morning sunshine~!
Syo: HAHAHAH! Look at you, little cockroach! Whadya want? Bother me more, loli?
Me: Ergh...Nothing, nevermind. Bye.
Syo: Bye? BYE? Why ya think I'd let ya go just like that?! So you could go steal my Master?
Me: *confused* Urgh...What? The Fuck?
Syo: Oh, nononono, I won't let you do that! Not again!
Me: Again? Fukawa, chill out, I'm just going to get some breakfast. You should too.

However, that wasn't the case, for she lunged at me, grabbing my throat tightly and pinning me to the wall, with her scissors glued to my face.
Honestly speaking, I don't know if the situation was scary, cause she was close to breaking my windpipe, or hilarious, cause she got so worked out and overprotective over her crush, who hates her guts.

Syo: Listen here, loli! If I ever see you go near MY Byakuya-Sama any time soon, I'm just going to break my rule of only killing pretty boys!
Me: Ch-Chill, damn it...
Syo: You're like one of those sluts who's gonna show up to my wedding and say 'I OBJECT!'
Me: The hell-
Syo: Just face it! Lolis aren't even his type! Master is not some perverted lolicon! He wants a mature woman!
Me: Mature enough t-to threaten...Others...?
Syo: I'LL KILL YOU!
-?-: Honestly, Fukawa, can you stop saying things in my stead?
Syo: M-Master!

She let go of my neck as soon as she saw Byakuya, letting me cough and try to regain my breathe on the ground.
Slowly leaning on the wall, I get up and walk next to Togami, who looked more pissed off than usual.

Byakuya: What do you even know about my type of girls? Did I ever tell you? No! So shut up about it!
Syo: *blushes* Master yelling at me with such fire in his eyes is sure turning me on!
Byakuya: How about you go get some weight on? I don't like girls that are overly thin. Now leave!
Syo: Y-Yes Master!
Me: *sighs* Jeez...Thanks for the rescue call, Byakuya.
Syo: Oh, hey Black! Before I leave-

Before I could even blink, I saw a shining object pass in front of my eyes.

I couldn't even react, but as I saw her happily leaving the corridor, I felt myself falling back on my knees, and a liquid slowly dripping down my cheek.

Genocider Syo cut my face with her scissors faster than I could blink.

Blink.

Breathe.

Blink.

Breathe.

But I couldn't do either of those, instead, I could only stare ahead of me, feeling my lungs burning and an anxiety attack building up.

"Black, get up, what are you dawdling there for?"

Breathe, Raven, breathe. That's the key.

Don't let it overpower you.

"Are you deaf now? Get up!"

Don't panic.

Don't panic.

Don't panic.

"Black, get a grip! It's just a cut, you're not dead."

Breathe in-

1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...

Breathe out.

That's the key.

As I regained my composure, but not my breathing, I blinked, feeling tears forming from getting too dry, and I saw Byakuya staying on the ground, in front of me

Byakuya: Took you long enough.
Me: Urgh...Sorry. Didn't realize something like that would still affect me.
Byakuya: Anxiety has been a childhood affection?
Me: Mhm.*sighs* How tragic.
Byakuya: Miss Doctor should take better care of herself.
Me: If I take that advice, I'd end up doing autopsies on myself.
Byakuya: *chuckles* That'd be hilarious.
Me: Doctors in wars operated on themselves.
Byakuya: I'd rather not get there.

Taking the handkerchief from his pocket, he gently held my face with one hand, and cleaned the blood with the other, earning a slight blush from me, not expecting any of this to willingly happen.

I muttered a thanks, then we left for breakfast.

After that, I went to the rec room, played some cards by myself, until a certain Lemon entered the room, which made me smirk.

me: You sure seem not to get enough of me. Is there anything you need?
Byakuya: Nothing in particular. However, I enjoy a good game of cards from time to time.
me: Oh, really? You didn't seem the gambling type.
Byakuya: I am not. I enjoy a good challenge. Can you prove to be one, Black? Did your dear Celeste teach you any hot trick?
me: She taught me how to play Strip Pocker. Are you up for that?
Byakuya: S-Strip Poker?
me: Don't tell me that you're still shy after last night?
Byakuya: Keh. For an asexual person, you sure enjoy seeing me half-naked.
me: I have an eye for aesthetics~.

This time, we went to the cafeteria, grabbed provisions, then went to his room, making ourselves comfortable on the ground, and began the Ultimate Poker Game in history. (Imagine Celeste, Makoto and Nagito playing poker...)
Round after Round passed, ties, shoes, socks, accessories and blazers were taken off, until Byakuya only had his pants on, while I had my long shirt on, as we glare at our cards, until both of us suddenly threw our cards on the ground, only to reveal the shocking outcome of the last round-

A TIE.

me: N-No way-
Byakuya: A...Tie?
me: How is that -
Byakuya: Even possible?
me: I'm done.
Byakuya: Me too.
me: Might as well hang out, right?
Byakuya: Do as you please. Just don't bother me.
Me: Do I, ever~?

For the rest of the day and night, we shared the bed and read together a detective book he took from the library, and discussed each chapter in detail, trying to guess who's the culprit.
And his large shirt was comfortable to sleep in.
But I couldn't sleep much, because my mind was busy trying to solve the countless mysteries surrounding me.
And while at it...
Maybe I'm slowly starting to understand Celeste's dying words about the Lemon.
Maybe...
Maybe even someone like me can have a second chance.

The next day we had to gather at the Gym, only to be told that Sakura was the Mastermind's mole.
Frankly, I cannot say I'm not surprised, but at the same time, I can't believe that she's actually evil.
I mean...
Everyone who knew her, like Asahina does, can say that.
But things got worse, and for the next breakfast, surprisingly everyone but Sakura was present.

me: Um...This is a peculiar sight.
Kyouko: Good morning,Raven.
me: Morning, Kyouko. Can you tell me why these two are here, and Sakura is not?
Kyouko: You see...
Byakuya: We're here to protect ourselves from the mastermind's assistant.
Naegi: Isn't that a bit harsh? It's not like she actually hurt anyone.
Byakuya: If she were here, I wouldn't be. I came here specifically to protect myself from Oogami's menace.
Hina: M...Menace...?! Why are you trying so hard to make Sakura-chan your enemy...?
Byakuya: It should be obvious. It's because it isn't fair.
Naegi: It isn't fair...?
Byakuya: The participants in a game should all stand on equal ground. A mole for the mastermind breaks that balance.
Hina: That's your stupid reason...?
Byakuya: "Stupid reason"? This is a game of life and death we're talking about here.
Hina: It's stupid! And so are you!!
Kyouko: Hey. Before we stoop down into that kind of fighting, I think we should all think things over one more time. Why did the mastermind reveal Oogami-san as the mole...?
Hiiro: He was retaliating against her, wasn't he? Eye for an eye, and all that...
Kyouko: But that wasn't the only reason.
me: I'm sure that by divulging the secret, the mastermind also intended to give us a new "motive". He wanted to throw us into discord by planting feelings of distrust, which would eventually turn into mutual hatred...
Kyouko: In other words, quarreling between ourselves plays right into his trap. And yet... You still want to fight...?
Hina: I...It's not that I want to, but...What else can I do...? No one wants to trust Sakura-chan anymore...
me: Maybe it's not as bad as you think it is. It's just 3 of these people who don't trust her anymore. She still has us.
Hiiro: If she really does as she said and defeats the mastermind, she'll have my trust in a second...
Hina: You idiot! That's just silly! Don't you get what would happen if she tried that!?
Byakuya: ...Why should we care?
Hina: ...Eh?
Byakuya: If Oogami dies it just means one less person on the mastermind's side. What is it to us?
Naegi: W...Wait, Togami-kun...!
Byakuya: Furthermore, if she just gives us the courtesy of dying, we'll have this problem done and over with. One less issue we have to deal with...!
me: Hey, wait a second! You can't say things like that! It's a human's life we are talking about, it's not to be handled without care!
Byakuya: This is about the truth, Black, and words don't hurt people. This isn't a situation for a doctor, so back off.
me: You said...Words don't hurt people? Didn't I tell you otherwise some time ago? Say that again. Say that to a suicidal person. See if they are alive the next day. Their death is in your hands. Tell it to a person with terrible self-esteem or issues with themselves, you'll completely ruin them!
Byakuya: It is not. It's a survival game, not best friends' gathering. It's their own fault for putting at heart.
me: How can you be so mean?
Byakuya: You say you're any different? Playing everyone like that, just before their death?
me: I never made anyone kill themselves! I tried to save them!
Byakuya: I don't see your beloved gambler alive. Guess you failed. Nice job, Black.

Failed.

You failed.

Celeste is no more.

Kyouko: Togami-kun, I think you went too far. Celeste's death was a huge emotional blow to her, you of all people should know.
Byakuya: Yes, and? She's dead. No more mourning the dead. She had it coming anyways. It's Black's fault for getting to attached to the wrong people all the time.
me: ...Like you?
Byakuya: Said something?
me: I get attached to the wrong people...? Then...Maybe I should just die? Is that it?
Byakuya: I never said that.
me: But who cares? It's not like you would care, right? You said so yourself. If you were to see me dead tomorrow, you wouldn't even care. How stupid of me...Maybe I should have listened to Fukawa long ago, I had the perfect opportunities to kill myself-
Byakuya: Shut up! Stop putting words in my mouth!
me: So what? You're dissing Celeste's death, now you're pressuring and pushing Sakura mentally and emotionally...You're just an abusive, heartless, narcissistic asshole!
Byakuya: That traitor should kill herself and spare us the trouble! There, I said it! Is this what you wanted to hear?
me: The way I see it, the only traitor here is you!
Byakuya: Oh, really? Do enlighten me, what exactly did I do to betray you?
me: I get attached to the wrong people, huh? Then maybe I did a mistake in getting attached to you. Maybe Celeste was wrong, as well.
Byakuya: That doesn't make any-
me: Remember that your words have an impact in everyone's lives.
Toko: You sow...! You think Byakuya-sama will ever care about you? You dare speak to him like that? You deserve not just simple death but an especially torturous one!!
me: You know what? Hell, maybe that's exactly what I'm going to do! Maybe I'll just fucking go die somewhere, since nobody's gonna notice or care! Enjoy your toxicity to the maximum degree. Just make sure it won't backfire.
Byakuya: I welcome the challenge.

Feeling heavily light-headed, I hurried to the Chemistry lab, grabbed some pills and sealed myself in my room, not leaving for days. Thankfully, I had stocked enough food and drinks to last for a while.
I didn't feel capable of interacting with anyone, but at the same time, I had to keep in touch with Kyouko by any means necessary, so I'd only leave after nighttime, get updated on their progress, and return to my room, thinking about my next step over and over, until I would eventually pass out.
The pills kept me stabilized...Sorta, but I just felt so...

Strange.

Out of place.

Betrayed.

No, silly me. It's nobody's job to care about you. They don't care, and neither should they. So why bother anymore?
You could just easily kill yourself and have another area unlocked.
Maybe they'll be able to escape this way.

No, that's wrong.
I wouldn't be able to see my brother anymore.
I miss him.
But I miss Celeste too...
Maybe if there was an after life, dying wouldn't have been so bad.
But...
Maybe I'm just overthinking.
Sooner or later, Monokuma will get tired of us, and will just let us go.
But what's to say the world outside is normal? Especially after that Tragedy?
The reason the school shut itself, with us inside...
Maybe the real reason was to protect Humanity's Hope? But someone overthrew the real Headmaster, and brought Despair?
Maybe it was the one who created the Tragedy?

Wait....What am I saying?
One single person couldn't do that. It's ridiculous...

*ring ring ring*

Huh?

*ring ring ring*

Groggily opening the door, I see Kyouko looking concerned, so I wasted no more seconds and followed her and Naegi in front of the Rec room, where a frantic Hina was waiting.
Inside the room, Sakura was slumped on a chair...Not moving.
No...Don't tell me...

me: Is she dead?!
Hina: Dead?! Don't say something like that!
me: *sighs* I got so scared for a second...

Apparently the door wouldn't open, so Hina found a broom and had Makoto break the door window with it, moved the chair blocking the door, and rushing inside, the dreadful truth hit us like a brick in the gut.
Makoto's face went white, Kyouko was pissed off, as she tried to see the cause of her death, I fell to the floor, holding my throbbing head, and Hina left the room, trembling in shock, to announce the rest.

A dead body has been discovered!
After a short period of free investigation, we will commence our school trial!

Sakura Oogami was dead.
But was she killed? Or...Did she commit suicide?
But a suicide...Under those circumstances...Would it count like a crime?
The purest, most noble heart had to be sacrificed...And for what?
Is any of this worth anything anymore?
Is the life of so many worth this mess?