Chapter Text
“You guys are the last to arrive. What are you dilly-dallying for?”
It hadn’t taken too long to walk to the beach. By now though, with all the working the day had put you through your legs were already starting to slightly ache. You stared around at a few of the other students but you couldn’t see any complaints being made. Ah it was going to be an eventful day. You just hoped the cottages lived up to how they seemed in the game.
Amidst your thoughts you had missed a small chunk of conversation. Coming back to attention you could make out the other students beginning to discuss their observations, zooming in as Pekoyama discussed the blocked bridges.
“So we don’t get lost..? Is this island really so big?”
You wondered the same. You were still unsure as to how you were here, so the need to reconsider your ideals of reality was beginning to catch up to you. Just where were you? But you snapped yourself out of the unwanted thoughts, tuning back in to the conversation at hand as it began to steer to a more relevant path.
“All of you are fools... I can’t believe nobody has mentioned the most serious truth.” Byakuya said. He met everyone’s eyes with a level look, before focusing his attention onto Chiaki for a moment – who had started to speak.
“...The most serious truth?” She asked, and he let out a small sound of disapproval as he began to speak again.
“If no one here has realized it, you’re all bigger fools than I thought.”
“What did you say, you fat bastard? Don’t be talkin’ all big and shit!” Fuyuhiko interrupted. You cringed the irritation in his voice, which was shrill and loud as he faced Byakuya with a heated glare. Had he been this angry in the game too? You supposed experiencing it in reality really must have enhanced things such as this.
“Small dogs shouldn’t bark so loud.” Byakuya retorted coolly. You supposed you agreed, but you couldn’t hold back your desire to spot beating around the bush. You stared at Hajime who seemed slightly lost in thought, and at the other students who were watching the argument. You resisted the urge to roll your eyes.
“Uhm? Would you mind going back on route to what you were saying about ‘the most serious truth’? Have you discovered something significant about the island?” You urged him. You almost slipped you thought, having had to stop yourself from saying his name before you had even been told it.
“...” He stared at you for a moment, before offering you a respectful nod and turning to face the rest of the class.
“Have you all gone to the park that’s across the bridge?” He asked.
“The park with that weird bronze statue and all of those creepy animals, right?” Hajime responded, and you were only happen that you had managed to steer the conversation back onto track.
“When I saw it, I remembered a story I’d heard before. There’s an island in the Pacific Ocean, a beautiful island paradise where summer never ends... it consists of a central island surrounded by five different islands...it’s also said that five holy animals symbolize each of those surrounding islands.”
“Eh..?” Hajime mutters, and eyeing him you can see the gears begin to start to form.
“That island’s name is... Jabberwock island.” Byakuya finally completes.
“Could this island be...?” Nagito trails of, slightly lost in thought as his eyebrows begin to furrow.
“Jabberwock island? Is that... the name of this island?” Hajime finishes, and if the moment hadn’t been so oddly tense you perhaps you would have laughed at how alike to siblings they seemed.
“Still there is something on my mind. In fact, according to what I’ve heard, Jabberwock island is already...” for a moment he didn’t complete his sentence. There was a quiet moment as he debated sharing his train of thought, before immediately deeming it as useless and shaking his head to himself. “...Never mind.”
Nekomaru was the next one to speak.
“Hold it right there! That’s a rather incomplete story you’ve told us.”
“No need to shout. I’ll let you know once I obtain more information.” Byakuya was calm, and he didn’t let any underlying feelings show. You had to respect that.
“Meh, I don’t care what this island’s called Nikoniko island or Papua island or whatever... doesn’t change the fact that we all gotta live here, right?” Akane added, to which Ibuki made herself the next one to share her thoughts.
“Living together on this tropical island sure is exciiiiting! I’m super looking forward to it!”
You couldn’t help but notice the conversation was starting to turn sideways. You couldn’t make out how talk of this was relevant, but Nagito seemed to think the same thing as he spoke up.
“There still is one question I think we have unanswered. Would you like to try solving it [Name]?” He asked, turning towards you.
Oh god. You were being directly addressed now. You picked your nail with your fingers, staring back at him, though Hajime was quick to add onto his words.
“You’re talking about how she isn’t in the handbook right? I did find that weird.”
Nobody asked! From the corner of your eyes you can make out Chiaki eyeing you with an intense gaze and the pressure of the situation is starting to get to you. You open your mouth. You close it again. You-
“That would be my fault! Between preparing the island and getting everything ready I unfortunately forgot to provide [Name] here with a handbook and log her onto the system. Here you are, I’m terribly sorry that it’s late! Aaah my first day as your teacher and I’ve already messed this up!”
Usami. She stared at you with a stitched smile and you leaned down to take the handbook from her soft paw. You held onto it for a moment, which she didn’t seem to mind, sinking you nails into the soft cotton of her that held the handbook, before pulling away with a grateful smile on your face.
“Thank you Miss Usami. I really appreciate it.”
She gave you a small bop of her head, and Byakuya seemed to be irked by the interaction as he started to speak again.
“Forgetting to provide a student’s information and monitor things correctly. What if your actions place everyone here in danger?” He asked her.
“Th-The word ‘danger’ is a bit much! I wouldn’t do something like that! Uhm... the number one rule of friendship! Mistakes are caused sometimes, but it’s about learning to move past them!”
She was cute. You imagined sparkles glowing around her as she spoke.
“Usami is right. I understand how we all feel but I think we should all calm down a little.” Nagito said, though his words seemed to be more centered towards Byakuya, who only offered him a small ‘Tsk’ in response.
“F-for now... as long as we don’t do anything weird, it seems there is no danger. There are a list o-of rules in the handbook.” Mikan said, and you were glad she was growing more confident at least.
“And as long as we gather the hope fragments, we’ll be able to get off this island soon.” Chiaki helpfully added. You were glad to see the conversation start to take a lighter turn at least.
Byakuya finally seemed to understand the reasoning though, making sure to present himself as the bringer of the conclusion. “There’s no other choice but to believe... for now that is..” Ah. Of course he wasn’t sold yet. In your opinion Byakuya was the character who was the least stupid.
“Anyway, Usami! What’s this present you mentioned in your announcement earlier?” Ibuki asked.
“Ah, that’s right! Well, of course I didn’t forget...” She did, but you let her continue anyways. “Love! Love! This is it! Don’t be upset! I’ve prepared one for you all, so don’t worry!”
You couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped as small straps started to be handed out.
“... What is this...?” Nagito deadpanned and you held back a little snort as you responded.
“Not a fan are you?” You asked, and he turned to face you as Usami began to speak again.
“Pfft, teehee! It’s an Usami strap! If you squeeze the tummy, it talks.”
You pressed the stomach of yours, smile brightening at the words it said in response.
“I’m Usami... Magical Miracle Girl <3 Usami. I’m an itty bitty girl who’s sweet like milk!”
“Isn’t it cute?” Usami asked. “Love! Love”
The other students didn’t seem to think the same though, complaining as they began to toss their straps onto the floor. You had found it fond how Chiaki had risen to defend the small creation by calling it cute, and soon the conversation was diverted onto the topic of a fun motive, Usami bringing out the swim bags. You pocketed the Usami strap though, unwilling to toss away what you could consider to be a ‘souvenir?”
“That’s right. I have swimsuits for everyone. Well, school swimsuits actually. I hope that’s okay.”
Oh yeah. Would you be swimming? Hmm, you thought to yourself as they continued to talk.
“A-are you telling us to go swimming...? In a situation like this...?”
Haha. Hajime was really beginning to sound like the nerd emoji.
“It’s not like I’m ordering you guys to swim or anything. It’s just, if you wanna go swimming, you can...”
“Th-There’s no way I’m going swimming! There’s no way anyone would be so thoughtless as to go swimming in a situation like this...” Hajime exclaimed, trailing off as he was interrupted by Ibuki letting out a squeal of excitement.
“YAAAHHHOOOOOO!”
“Eh?”
Yeah. You were asking the same thing Hajime.
You could hear a small chatter start to begin as a few students seemed eager for the chance to enjoy the weather and relax. You wondered if you would feel the same? Supposing you were meant to be here, you were meant to be a student of Hope’s peak academy. Would you be more like Hajime, hesitant and on guard? Or would you find yourself eager for an escape, and grab at the chance for an escape with blind eyes?
You stared at Mikan, who starting to make her way to the hotel to change. You caught eyes with Nagito who was just wrapping up a short conversation with Hajime, and he offered you a smile as he walked over to you, to which you tried to return.
“Do you not plan to swim?” He asked, and you shook your head. You’d rather not embarrass yourself knowing they’d barely have time to step in the water.
“I’m alright. Sea water doesn’t hold the best effect towards my skin. Haha, I’d rather try to avoid the risk.” You said. In your defence it could be true! It didn’t exactly cause wonders...
“You and Hajime are quite similar you know.” He said. Huh?
“Neither of you remember your talents. To be honest I was a bit sceptical of you but talking to you now I see there really was no reason for me to be. I guess I’ve just been thinking too negatively. But I get the sense that both you and Hajime must have truly astounding ultimates, hence why neither of you seem to remember.”
Eugh, you could sense the bluffer from a mile away. You internally cringed. Was he trying to set you guys up or some shit? But you offered him a pleasant smile and a small laugh nonetheless, rubbing the back of your head.
“Thank you Nagito. I appreciate it.”
You could see a small twitch in his eyebrow as you said his name. Oop. Not part of the plan [Name]!
“Haha I skimmed past the handbook. Not a fan of loud places? We match in that department at least.”
And it was true. You had found yourself skipping past a tab or two amidst some conversation trying to refresh your knowledge and find any contradictions. He seemed to have remembered spotting you doing so though, his expression instantly becoming relaxed again as he gave you an easy smile.
“I never even considered going through the student profiles on there again. Maybe it’ll have something about your ultimate there if Usami has finally yours by now?” He asked, taking his out. You leaned closer towards him to peer down at the ipad, trying to ignore how close you had suddenly made yourself. He didn’t seem to mind though, swiping through it until he eventually found a section with your name, that for sure hadn’t been there before.
[Name] [Last Name]. Your height, weight, chest size and blood type was there. Your cheeks were slightly heated up now seeing so. So everyone had access to this via their own handbooks? Sheesh. But that wasn’t what you found to be the most important.
Likes: Hope. Dislikes: Despair.
It was enough to make you pause, you fingers twitching lightly to hold onto the corner of the ipad. You could see Nagito gripping it a bit tighter with his fingers, and contrary to what you had assumed about not having an ultimate it seemed you were wrong. And strangely enough it provided itself as another puzzle piece, something you couldn’t find it in yourself to argue with.
You pinched yourself. You banged your head lightly against Nagito’s shoulder. You scratched your forehead with the tip of your nail.
Nagito didn’t comment on it. Neither did you.
For there, imprinted besides the word ultimate was dreamer.
You were the ultimate dreamer.
-
Nagito hadn’t given you too much of an outwards reaction to it. He had put away his handbook, without checking whether or not you had finished reading your page, which you had – thank you very much. Given you a somewhat eased smile.
“That’s something. The beach is starting to look emptier now, so I’m going to go change. As I told Hajime, I’d be happy if you came along. No pressure though.”
And that was all he said before he turned around and left. You watched him fade away until he was out of sight.
“You’re not gonna swim [name]?” Hajime said, pulling you out of your thoughts. You stared at him, a bitter feeling left in your mouth from the interaction you had just faced with nagito and you faced him with a small frown on your face.
“Were you just listening in on our conversation?” You asked, and your eyes focused on the small cower he gave you. Good. You didn’t know why you were here but you doubted it was to be here with a social rejected turned corrupt.
“N-no! I was talking to Fuyuhiko whilst you were talking to Nagito, I swear I didn’t hear a thing!”
You gave him a small roll of your eyes. “Relax Hajime, I don’t bite. Fuyuhiko did you say? I didn’t peg him for the speaking type.”
A small blush started to form onto Hajime’s face and he cleared his throat, nodding. He opened his mouth to speak, though found himself interrupted by Usami.
“Ah! Speaking of which, everyone has returned!” She exclaimed. You listened in on the lively chatter of your ‘classmates’. It felt wrong to think of them as such, and as it crossed your mind that perhaps you were acting too comfortable for someone in your shoes you noticed a few of the students dressed in swimsuits start to enter the sea. You stared back at Hajime, who had a puzzled look on his face, noticing that he didn’t even seem to be taking in what Usami was saying. You brought him back to earth with a hesitant hand on his shoulder, and a nod.
You didn’t mind nudging him to his canon choices.
“I think they’re waiting for you, y’know? Nagito keeps glancing back at you.” It was a lie. You hadn’t caught him staring since you had found your page together in his handbook, and staring at him from where you stood with Hajime you wondered if his smile would remain this dull during the rest of the game. The rest of the game-!
“You’re right. Usami hand me one of those swimsuits-“
And the sky began to darken.
You couldn’t stop the dread that began to pool up inside of your stomach, crossing your arms over your chest in an attempt to ground yourself as you mentally face palmed. Shit [Name]. You had lost your only chance to intercept with the killing game!
Had you just been gifted the wits to speak to Usami before canon events began to take place, such as Nagito and Hajime introducing themselves to everyone, and the small argument between Byakuya and Fuyuhiko you were sure you would have been able to prevent the game! You would have to speak to her directly at some point, but being caught up with Mikan and being the odd one out had clearly clouded your head before you could warn her about the virus in the system.
Usami was starting to panic now. You gripped your head. Surely you could still do something now? But what if it didn’t work out? That would immediately paint you as even more suspicious than you already were, and who’s to say that Monokuma wouldn’t try to hurt you?
The monitor buzzed to life. And from there you knew that no matter what you did, to Monokuma, or rather to Junko Enoshima? The game had already begun.
“Ahh, ahh...! Mike check! Mike check! Ah, ah! Ah, ah! Can you hear me, can you hear me?”
There was a brief silence.
“Puhuhu... surprised? You were totally surprised! ...Riiiight?” He gave the mic a small tap, a sound coming out of the monitor. “Now then, sorry to keep you all waiting for so long. Let’s leave all this worthless entertainment behind... it’s time for the main attraction! You guys better hustle over to Jabberwock Park!”
“Could it be? This voice...!” Crap. So everyone was scared. Thanks for being the responsible adult Usami. Your fear is toooootally helping this whole situation ten times more. Just how crappy was this system? Not only were you not meant to be here but the announcement of Monokuma had begun.
“I-if this is... Oh, this is very bad. I gotta do something... It’s all up to me!” She took off to Jabberwock island and Hajime weakly called after her before turning to face Byakuya, which the other students were also starting to do. You reckoned you had at least thirty seconds to start dashing towards Usami before she reached the island.
You chased after her, pushing hair out of your face and covering your chest as you ran. How you couldn’t wait to down your aloe vera drink when you got the chance, which you had stored inside the large pocket of the hoodie you had been dressed in since you woke up here. It was quite plain, white and oversized, paired with black leggings and a black and white pair of jordans. You hoped you at least wouldn’t be expected to refund the money for them.
“Usami! H-hold up please. We need to speak!” You called after her, and as you uttered your last sentence she turned towards you. You picked her up as she paused, resuming a walk towards the park.
“[N-Name]?” She stuttered, but you gave her no room to argue shaking your head.
“You must surely already realise something is up. I’m here, Junko’s here, we need to come together if we don’t want this to all fall into shambles.” You said, and she silenced herself, looking into your serious eyes.
“I don’t know why I’m here. I have no idea but all I know that can help you is that she wants to start up another killing game, and with the way things are already set out, she is going to succeed. You are going to die. Chiaki is going to die. A-and I didn’t get the chance to tell you so at this rate, I may as well be taken as well.”
You stared down at her. For a moment neither of you spoke, but she was quick to defeat the silence.
“I had a feeling this was going to happen. When I noticed you here I requested one of my higher ups do a scan through the java and code here, but by then it was too late! Aah, this was all my fault! B-but who are you? A-and just what do you know?”
“I know everything. About Makoto, about the future foundation, the remnants of despair. A-and I have a clear idea of what’s going to happen here if events go untampered with. I just don’t know how I’m here, or why.”
She looked back up at you, and through her cotton eyes you could see a glimmer of something more serious start to shine.
“Your code said a few things. The general information for your person was hidden between some binary which is why I was able to add it into your report card. I hate to have baited you out somehow but I had no choice as it was already engraved into the program. Seeing as Monukuma, or rather Junko as you understand has hacked her way into the program she has no way she can harm you directly, unless she uses one of the other students...”
She trailed off in thought, and you nodded.
“As a motive. Would I really be worth all of that trouble though? I-I’m the ultimate dreamer. Was there not a single thing in the code stating what that means?”
You were approaching the island now, and you held onto her soft fur a slight bit tighter. Her ears twitched lightly as she responded.
“She who finds herself unable to dream shall be destined to eternal slumber. That’s what was listed besides your name. But besides that it says nothing directly about your talent.”
And as you set her down and entered the park with her you found yourself already knowing just what this meant.
This was a dream, though to you, you supposed it more of a nightmare.. And if you didn’t find out the truth behind it you’d be unable to exit. Usami nudged her body against your legs and turned her body slightly to point towards someone else who had just entered the park.
Hajime.
You were destined the same fate as him.
As Usami parted from you with a small waddle and parting words you couldn’t quite make out, that igniting feeling started up inside of you.
Hajime had changed his fate, and you’d do the same. You’d best this stupid game and once you awoke you’d refund your stupid ass money and delete tumblr.
-
The moment was tense as everybody departed to their rooms. You were tired.
It wasn’t much too different from what you knew of the other rooms, but you did notice a few things that Hajime hadn’t had whilst you played as him.
You could make out a Nintendo switch on your bed, and as you turned it on you were disappointed to find that it was almost out of battery. There was only one game, but it was enough to make you groan in frustration, slapping your head.
Twilight syndrome murder case. You’d been given a later motive, and you couldn’t help but wonder why.
Eighteen percent. You wouldn’t have time to play through it without a charger, which you debated finding now but decided against. The first murder was approaching, and it was only a matter of time before you needed to speak one on one to some of the people around you, Byakuya coming to mind as you thought this.
You noticed a different array of clothes as you searched through you wardrobe. You were pleased to say the least, you’d be able to switch up your wardrobe every so often. You’d go out in style if you had to. You changed yourself out of your clothes so you were left wearing your undergarments, picking up a stray blanket that had been left stashed inside one of your drawers and setting yourself onto you bed.
Just how long had it take for Nagito to set up his scheme and how were you going to intercept this? These were the thoughts that lingered through your mind as you fell asleep, your hair sprayed out onto the pillow you rested on.
You weren’t pleased to up to Monokuma’s loud voice as it spoke from the monitor, shoving your head into your pillow before rolling over and getting up.
You showered, changing into a stray outfit you had found inside of your wardrobe. You were glad to have been given the option to style yourself, you thought as you sorted out your hair, turning around to leave.
“No no! You’re to stay right here!”
You let out a small shout at the shock of finding Monokuma right besides you, refraining the urge to kick him as you lightly fanned yourself. He stared up at you, and you found it in yourself to speak.
“Monokuma? What do you want?” You asked, and he gave you a small giggle in response.
“Brighten up buttercup! I wouldn’t come here over a boring reason.”
“I’m inclined to believe that you and I share very separate ideals of fun. Why are you actually here?” You asked, patting down your head.
“You already know don’t you, dreamer.” He said, and suddenly the air seemed to be more still. But you had expected this. You weren’t surprised.
“I know a virus when I see one. You didn’t actually think you could hide the truth from me, did you? I know all about how you’re not from here, in fact I know exactly where you’re from!” He said, and you took in a sharp inhale, sitting onto your bed.
“You’re taunting me. Tell me what you want already.”
“I want you to keep silent. It’d be a shame for something to happen to you when you’re not even supposed to be here, wouldn’t it?” He said, and in a surge of confidence you gripped your bed, responding.
“You can’t hurt me, I already know that much. You just as anyone have to respect the rules of the programme. This isn’t your game we’re playing. It’s the future foundation’s one.” You said, and he seemed annoyed now.
“I can’t hurt you, sure. But who’s to say one of the other students wouldn’t. Listen to me [Name]. I don’t need you, so be assured that I’m speaking in your best interest.”
“You don’t need me but nonetheless I’m still an inconvenience to you. You have your tricks. I’m allowed to have mine.”
A pause. You waited with baited breath. In a way, you were challenging him. And he knew this.
“The students here are interesting. I suppose all I need to do is provide them with a motive.”
And then he was gone. Oh boy.