Chapter Text
[Exit Room]
Monokuma: Good morning!
The first thing that happens to me when I leave my room… Monokuma greets me.
Monokuma: So, how was your time in the Storage Room of Love? Was it hot? Was it stimulating? Come one, details! Forget all of that a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell crap! You’re a healthy, young high school boy dammit! Gossip! Spill every last juicy, steamy detail!
Makoto: Huh? Oh… that’s right… I did visit that place with someone last night, didn’t I?
Monokuma: Oh! Silly me, it slipped my mind that what happened last night slipped your mind! You don’t remember your time in the Storage Room of Love at all, do you?
That’s right. I forget everything that happens in that room every time I exit it that room. The same goes for the person who enters with me. It’s probably for the best considering that person starts fantasizing that I’m their ideal person and acts… differently. It would have been pretty painful for them if they did remember.
Monokuma: What a shame. You sure forgot some… interesting stuff.
Makoto: Huh? Wait… how would you know that?
Monokuma: Why? Oh, I was watching you.
Makoto: …
Monokuma: …
Makoto: …
Monokuma: … So, about last night…
Makoto: Wait a minute!
Monokuma: Whoa! Calm down! Bears have very sensitive hearing.
Makoto: Never mind that! What do you mean you were watching us!? You said there weren’t any cameras in there! There’s no way you could have been watching us!
Monokuma: Yeah… I lied.
Makoto: What!?
Monokuma: They’re just smaller and hidden better than the others. What, you think I would have these bulky, easy to see cameras pointing at you when you and your partner do the deed? Talk about a turn off. Unless… you know… you’re into that. Then maybe I can have a little something arranged.
Makoto: But… why?
Monokuma: I told you I was bored. I wanted to see what you freaks fantasize about. Also… I wanted to get a new… let’s call it…. motivation tool… for something I was planning for a future project. But I decided to scrap that idea and just mess with you guys instead. Upupupu.
I’m not sure what he meant by “motivation tool,” but something tells me not to delve too deeply into it. I would have dropped the matter there if and just crawled back into bed if the second part of his taunt did not grab my attention.
Makoto: Mess with… you guys! What does that mean? Nobody else saw that footage… did they?
Monokuma: What!? Are you suggesting that I, your illustrious headmaster would be so depraved as to show my students questionable footage involving improper relationships between their own peers? What kind of educator do you think I am?
A long moment passed between us. I gave no response, knowing he only gave that winded rebuttal just so he could set me up to respond with a retort.
Monokuma: Well… I did have a run in with your playmate from the storage room.
Still I said nothing. I had a feeling I knew what was coming.
Monokuma: And I may have given them a copy of the footage.
I knew it.
Monokuma: Welp, I’ll be on my way.
[Monokuma disappears]
As if it had nothing to do with him, Monokuma nonchalantly turned the corner and left me by myself. And with that… my day just got that much more hectic. Oh boy, the next time I see that person is really going to be awkward.
[Speak to Togami]
Makoto: T-Togami-kun…
Byakuya: Oh… it’s you, Naegi.
I spent time with Togami-kun last night. According to Monokuma he gave a copy of the footage to him, yet he doesn’t appear to be looking at me any differently.
Makoto: A… well… did Monokuma come to you with…
Byakuya: No he did not.
Makoto: Huh? But I just had a run in with Monokuma. He told me…
Byakuya: What ever that stuffed animal told you is not important.
Makoto: Huh? But I didn’t say what it was he told me about yet.
Byakuya: I’m sure whatever it was as pointless as usual.
Makoto: It’s just that… last night.
Byakuya: There was no last night!
Makoto: Huh?
Byakuya: Whatever the stuffed animal came to you for, whatever it told you about, whatever that so called “last night was,” it was simply non existent. And if you or Monokuma says otherwise, know that I can use all of the Togami influence to crush you several generations over. Do I make myself clear?
Makoto: Ah… y-yeah.
Byakuya: Good. Now be gone with you. We have nothing further to discuss.
I see. So Togami-kun would prefer it if we just forget about everything. What kind of fantasy did he have? I better not pry too deeply.
[Speak to Fukawa]
Toko: Gack!
Makoto: H-Hello, Fukawa-san.
Toko: Y-You!
Makoto: Fukawa-san… d-did Monokuma by any chance…
Toko: S-Stay away from me!
Makoto: Huh?
Toko: W-Who do you t-think you are? Y-You’re not n-nearly as smooth as you think!
Makoto: What are you…?
Toko: Shut up! Y-You just want to make a fool out of me don’t you? Y-You think acting like that will m-make me lower my guard! W-Well it won’t! I’m onto you!
Makoto: I… I don’t know what you’re talking about!
Toko: I-Is this another trick? A-Are you going to launch a sneak attack of some kind?
Makoto: Why would I do that?
Toko: In the storage room… w-we don’t act like ourselves, but I know you do… y-you have the key. S-So it had to be some kind of trick. You were j-just messing with the poor brainwashed girl, weren’t you?
Makoto: I’m telling you I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Toko: Y-You don’t?
Makoto: We lose our memories when we leave that room. I don’t now what it is I did to you.
Toko: S-So you don’t remember?
Makoto: No, I don’t.
Toko: Y-You don’t remember what you did? I… I wasn’t myself… y-yet you were… and you still acted like that… y-you acted like… What the hell’s wrong with you!? Are you s-some sort of beast!? Will you go after anything you set your sights on? G-Get away from me!
Fukawa-san then ran off in a panic before I could find out what it was I did. For the sake of her sanity, I figured it was better not to inquire any further.
[Speak to Asahina]
Makoto: Asahina-san.
Aoi: N-Naegi… kun…
Makoto: Eh? What’s wrong Asahina-san?
Aoi: S-So, Naegi-kun… d-do you know… what it was we… did last night?
Makoto: Ah… that’s right. Monokuma said that he has… footage of what we did. What exactly….
Aoi: So you don’t remember!?
Makoto: What?
Aoi: You don’t remember!? You really don’t remember anything!?
She seems really frantic, and her face is completely red. What did she see in that recording? Did we… do something last night?
Makoto: N-No, I don’t.
Aoi: I-I see…
I can’t really tell what kind of look that is. Is that relief or disappointment? Is she relieved that I don’t remember doing something embarrassing, or mad that I did something to her?
Makoto: A-Asahina-san… what did you see in that…?
Aoi: Forget it! There’s really no reason for you to remember!
Makoto: What!?
Aoi: Keep it forgotten! Just… just don’t remember anything at all!
Makoto: But… I-If I did something to you last night then maybe… I should do something to make it up to you.
Aoi: Make it up to me? L-Like how?
Makoto: I-I don’t know. Maybe like… listening to one request of yours, no matter what it is.
Aoi: Eek!
She suddenly jumped back and put her arms around her chest in a panic. What’s with that reaction? Was it something I said?
Aoi: … I… maybe I’ll take you up on that… just don’t go back your word.
Seriously, what in the world happened last night?
[Speak to Kuwata]
Makoto: Kuwata-kun.
Leon: Ah!
Makoto: Did Monokuma….
Leon: Show me some damn footage of us in that damn storage room! Yeah he did!
Makoto: I see. What did you…
Leon: Guy pact, here and now!
Makoto: Huh?
Kuwata-kun leaned close and puts a hand around my shoulder.
Leon: No talking about it, not mentioning it, no referencing it, ever again!
Makoto: W-Was it that bad?
Leon: It wasn’t red light district if that’s what you’re worried about, but I ain’t letting any girls see it. Bad enough I went into that room with a dude, but if they see that I’ll get a whole new fan base of girls I don’t want.
Makoto: Um… okay…
Leon: So, we’re doing a guy pact.
Unsure what to do next; I put my own arm around Kuwata-kun’s shoulder in response like what he did to me.
Leon: Huh? Ahh!
He suddenly jumped back in surprise.
Leon: Stop doing that, dammit!
Makoto: Stop… doing that?
Leon: F-Forget it… let’s just not talk about it anymore!
I did not understand that response, but with the pact made, I decided not to ask what it was that got him so riled up.
[Speak to Owada]
Mondo: Oh… ah shit.
Makoto: Owada-kun. Did Monokuma… show you something?
Mondo: Y-Yeah… he did.
Makoto: I see…
Mondo: Heh… I really made an ass outta myself.
Makoto: What do you mean?
Mondo: It’s just…. last night was just pretty weird. How should I say it? I probably would have spent part of the night hunting for some guys who pissed me off in a fantasy if not for you.
Makoto: I-Is that so?
It sounds like whatever happened last night really got to him.
Mondo: Well, what’s done is done. Still, it was… really weird seeing who my ideal person is.
Makoto: You mean you didn’t know what you’re ideal person is like?
Mondo: Not really. I guess ya learn something new about yourself every day, huh?
Makoto: I suppose so.
Mondo: Anyway, don’t worry about what happened last too much. Let’s not give that shitty bear another reason to get under our skin.
Makoto: Right, I understand.
[Speak to Maizono]
Sayaka: N-Naegi… kun…
Her face is red. What happened last night?
Makoto: Maizono-san… did Monokuma… s-show you something?
Sayaka: Y-Yes… he did.
Makoto: I-I see…
Sayaka: …
Makoto: …
Sayaka: …
This is way too awkward! Neither of us can look at the other in the eye. It’s obvious something happened, but she does not seem to want to say it. What happened?
Makoto: I don’t remember what happed in the storage room. If I did something i-inappropriate to you… I apologize.
Sayaka: Well… how should I say it… You have nothing to apologize for. In fact… quite the gentleman.
Makoto: Gentleman? What did I do?
Sayaka: …
She seems to be in deep contemplation. What is she thinking about?
Sayaka: I think I’ll keep it to myself for now.
Makoto: What? Why?
Sayaka: I can’t let what happened last night become public knowledge and I’m not sure if you’ll use last night to blackmail me to do who knows what?
Makoto: What!? I would never…! I don’t even know what I did!
Sayaka: Just kidding. I know you’d never do something like that.
Makoto: I-I see. So… what did happen last night?
Sayaka: Like I said… I think it’s best I keep it to myself… for now at least. In the mean time… the whole experience has given me a lot to think about. Just be ready for my response.
With a playful smile, she left me standing there more apprehensive than I was before.
[Speak to Fujisaki]
Chihiro: Oh… h-hello Naegi-kun…
Makoto: F-Fujisaki-san. Did Monokuma… show you anything?
Chihiro: Y-Yes…
Makoto: …
Chihiro: …
This silence is so awkward! Did something happen or didn’t it?
Makoto: Um… did something inappropriate happen between us?
Chihiro: N-No… we just talked.
Makoto: I see. So nothing extreme happened.
Chihiro: No, even when you pushed me down…
Makoto: What!? I pushed you down!?
Chihiro: N-No! Actually it’s more like I pulled you on top of me!
Makoto: Which is it!?
Chihiro: I mean… oh how embarrassing. Let’s just say we tripped.
Makoto: A-And what happened after we tripped?
Chihiro: … I…. I would rather not say…
What in the world happened?
Chihiro: Um… d-don’t worry about it! Everything that happened was all because of that weird room. I just hope I haven’t inconvenienced you in any way.
Makoto: No, you haven’t. I’m just worried about what this whole mess did to you. Monokuma clearly did this to mess with us.
Chihiro: You don’t have to worry. I won’t let Monokuma get to me. What kind of Aniki would I be if I weren’t tough enough to take Monokuma’s pranks?
Makoto: Aniki?
Chihiro: Oh… sorry… I meant Aneki. Anyway, I’ll be going now. Have a good day, Naegi-kun.
Makoto: Right…
It looks like there’s nothing to concern myself with. Wait… what was that about being an Aneki?
[Speak to Yamada]
Hifumi: Awawawa… Naegi Makoto-dono! I would like to apologize profusely for my behavior last night!
Makoto: Huh? You’re apologizing to me!?
Hifumi: Indeed! What I did was reprehensible! If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, just name it!
Makoto: What… happened exactly?
Hifumi: W-Well… I will have to learn to keep my passions in check!
Makoto: What’s that’s supposed to mean!?
Hifumi: It’s all about understanding my own personal feelings and keeping them in line. In addition, I must find a better way to channel them lest who knows what way they may come out?
Makoto: Yamada-kun! Speak plainly! I don’t understand what you’re saying!
Hifumi: For now I know what must be done. I must get the biggest bottle of cola I can find, guzzle it down, and contemplate. After contemplation, I must meditate on a way to make up to myself and the 2-D girls of the world.
Makoto: What do you mean? What does this have to do with me?
Hifumi: Fair thee well Naegi Makoto-dono! I shall treasure this experience always!
Makoto: Yamada-kun! You haven’t answered any of my questions yet! Yamada-kun… Yamada-kun!
[Speak to Ludenberg]
Makoto: Celes-san. D-Did… Monokuma come by with footage of what happen last night?
Celestia: …
Makoto: Celes-san?
Celestia: Naegi-kun… how are you feeling?
Makoto: How am… I feeling? Now that you mention it… my body is kind of sore. Why do you ask?
Celestia: I see....
Why isn’t she looking me in the eye? Does she know something about why my body’s aching so much?
Makoto: Celes-san? Is something wrong?
Celestia: Nothing at all. I admit you probably weren’t ready for that… initiation for your current rank, but it did cause me to reevaluate my standards as well as you. I must say I was impressed with what I saw. You certainly took my little ceremony well and were able to pass it with relative ease.
Initiation? Ceremony? What does she mean?
Makoto: What happened last…
Celestia: Shh… there’s no need for you to know. In fact, I think it’s better for you to live in ignorance for now.
Why!? What happened!?
Celestia: You seem worried. I assure you, there’s nothing to fret over. Our time together was quite… intimate.
Makoto: Intimate how!?
Celestia: Let’s just say… I wouldn’t mind going back in again…. Although let’s not return for some time. Your body may need some time to recover.
Then the reason why my body is aching so much is because of last night!?
Celestia: In the mean time, would you like lunch? It will be my treat.
What did she do to me!?
[Speak to Hagakura]
Yasuhiro: Yo, Naegi-cchi… seriously last night was pretty crazy.
Makoto: Did something happen?
Yasuhiro: Nothing too bad. We just talked a bit… oh, and I told your fortune.
Makoto: My fortune? Wait; if it’s a fortune in that room, would it come true?
Yasuhiro: I… I’m actually not sure. I mean, it’s a fantasy so it’s probably a fantasy fortune.
Makoto: I see…
Yasuhiro: But who knows. My predictions are 30% accurate. It may come true after all.
Makoto: And what did you predict?
Yasuhiro: Well… you had to have seen it yourself. It’s not really something I can say out loud.
He seemed bashful about it. I wonder what it was he saw. Well, I suppose he has his own. It has to do with me, but I don’t think I’ll pry too deeply.
Yasuhiro: Anyway, about your fee.
Makoto: What fee?
Yasuhiro: The fee for the fortune telling of course.
Makoto: I still have to pay you for a fantasy fortune!?
[Speak to Ogami]
Sakura: …
Makoto: H-Hello Ogami-san. Did Monokuma come by?
Sakura: He did. It appears as though I acted rather… unlike myself.
Makoto: What do you mean?
Sakura: … Nothing. It’s just… Monokuma’s room was more affective than I originally anticipated. I will have to train my mind to make it more resilient to such tricks.
Makoto: Was what happened last night that bad?
Sakura: No. It did however bring up some… personal memories from the past.
Ogami-san stood silently for a moment as if in thought.
Makoto: Is it… something you want to talk about?
Sakura: Hmm… I suppose you can call it… a concern I have. Watching that footage reminded me of what it is I train for.
Makoto: Is that so.
Sakura: Sorry, ignore my ramblings. Thank you for tolerating me.
Makoto: It’s no problem. I’m always here if you need to speak.
Sakura: … That you are.
[Speak to Ishimaru]
Kiyotaka: Naegi-kun!
Makoto: Huh!?
Kiyotaka: I would like to humbly apologize for the behavior I displayed while we were both in that accursed room last night!
Makoto: W-What are you talking about?
Kiyotaka: I thought my higher morals would allow me to better resist the pull of that room and thus give me the ability to overcome its affect on the minds of the students! Obviously it was not enough!
Makoto: What do you…?
Kiyotaka: How could I not have the ability to overcome Monokuma and his tricks!? I’ll never seal that room at this rate!
Makoto: Well… I…
Kiyotaka: No! I cannot think like that! My moment of weakness should not be the end of my crusade, do you not agree?
Makoto: Uh… yes?
Kiyotaka: I see! You’re right! We should band together in an even stronger united front! Only then can we obtain victory over this degeneracy! Excellent thinking, Naegi-kun!
Makoto: What? Me?
Kiyotaka: Worry not! We shall try again when I have learned to over come my weakness! Monokuma shall not have his way!
Ishimaru-kun then left leaving me wondering what in the world just happened.
[Speak to Enoshima]
Junko: Y-Yo… Naegi…
Makoto: Enoshima-san… have you seen…
Junko: A video by that freaky bear… yeah I saw it.
Makoto: I-I see…
Junko: Honestly, how did you even get me into that room in the first place? Are you secretly a playboy behind that rabbit-like demeanor?
Makoto: I… wouldn’t say that.
Junko: Well I guess it would be fair to call you a rabbit considering how you went at it last night.
Makoto: Huh!?
Junko: Kidding, just kidding. Or am I? You don’t remember what we did last night at all, do you?
Makoto: No… I don’t.
Junko: … I see…
She seems upset.
Makoto: Is something wrong? Nothing bad happened last night did it?
Junko: What? No, nothing at all. It’s just… a shame you didn’t remember.
Makoto: Huh!? W-What do you mean by that?
Junko: Who know?
Makoto: Huh? Are you… inviting me back into the room?
Junko: … we’ll see.
Makoto: It might become awkward if we go back. We know Monokuma will be watching us next time.
Junko; Yeah… that bear did make fun of me nonstop for what we did.
Enoshima-san went silent for a moment as if in thought.
Junko: You know what, screw that perverted bear! If I want to make a return trip, let him watch! If he wants to make fun of me afterwards, then let him. I can take any verbal abuse he hurls at me!
Makoto: I see. That’s pretty admirable of you, Enoshima-san.
Junko: T-Thanks.
Another awkward pause settled as Enoshima-san took the compliment.
Junko: So… if you ever want a return trip, I won’t be totally against it.
Makoto: Huh?
Junko: Just… something to keep in mind.
With that, Enoshima-san left leaving me baffled and embarrassed. Maybe she’s teasing me again, but if we do go back, I may take her up on her offer.
[Speak to Kirigiri]
Makoto: K-Kirigiri-san…
Kyoko: Ah, Naegi-kun. I assume you are here because of Monokuma?
Makoto: Y-yeah. So he did give you a video of… what we did last night?
Kyoko: Indeed. I saw the whole scene transpire.
Makoto: I see. B-By any chance… did anything happen?
Kyoko: What do you mean by anything?
Makoto: It’s just, I don’t remember anything that happened last night and… I just…
Kyoko: I see. Knowing you, you want to know if you did anything to me you feel need to apologize for, is that right?
Makoto: W-Well…
Kyoko: Let me put your fears to rest; you didn’t do anything that warrants an apology. Frankly I don’t understand your need to apologize.
Makoto: Are you sure? I mean… y-you may not have been yourself when you were in that room. And I…
Kyoko: You were worried you may have just gone along with the mood and done something to me the clear minded me would not have approved of, am I right?
Makoto: Y-Yeah. Kind of.
Kyoko: Honestly, have a little more confidence in yourself. Didn’t I enter that room with you while I was in my right mind? That means I had at least some idea about what would have happened if we went in there together, is that not true?
Makoto: I-I see. You do have a point.
Kyoko: So there’s nothing for you to worry about. I knew what I was getting into when I entered the room with you, and nothing has changed. Whatever happened was the result of the choices of both parties mutual understanding.
Makoto: I understand. I’m sorry for worrying so much.
Kyoko: And you still found something to apologize for. Well, I suppose that’s just like you.
She gave a small smile as she watched me awkwardly apologize.
Makoto: So… what did happen?
Kyoko: Hmm… I think I’ll keep it to myself for now. I’ll tell you a little later.
Makoto: Later when?
She looks away from me with her face a shade of red.
Kyoko: When I feel you are ready to handle the responsibility.
Makoto: Huh? What does that mean?
Kyoko: I’ll leave that to your imagination.
With finality, Kirigiri-san made her exit leaving me embarrassed and confused. Even after all the time we spent together, she’s still a mystery to me.
[END]
[Play Video]
???: What’s this?
My day began so normally. Well, as normal as one gets on this Island. I was out taking a stroll on the beach when I noticed a small bottle sticking out in the sand. Picking it up and emptying its contents, I discovered two items. The first was a strange key with a ribbon that looked like a cross between a heart and that strange bear that our 'teacher' got into a fight with on the first day here. The next item was a rolled up parchment. When I unrolled it, a map of the island was imprinted on one side. On the corner was an image of that bear wearing a pirate’s hat as well as a small note.
“To Whom It May Concern:”
“Xs marks the spot where you will find the greatest treasure of this island! Gather your friends and discover something new. Bring the key, it will be important. Upupupu”
[Two students appear]
I see Komaeda and Nanami coming towards me.
Nagito: Hey, Hinata-kun. What’s that you have there?
Hajime: It’s a map. I found it in a bottle.
Nagito: Really? That's cliché, but appropriate for the setting. What do you think, Nanami-san?
Chiaki: Hmm… could this be a hidden quest?
Hajime: I don’t think that’s the case. Do you remember that bear Usami was fighting when we first came here? His image is on this map.
I showed them the map and gave them a moment to look it over.
Chiaki: Do you think we should inform Usami about this?
Nagito: Wait a minute. I think we should follow it and see where it takes us.
Hajime: Are you sure about that? That bear from before seemed like trouble. If this map is from him, should we really be following it?
Nagito: What’s the problem? Whoever dropped it took the time to draw it and wait for us to find it. So why waste a perfectly good opportunity to do something exciting?
Hajime: Even if it’s from that troublesome bear?
Nagito: Why so concerned? You’re all Ultimates. You can overcome anything with very little effort. But that’s just my opinion. Why don’t I gather everyone else and see what they have to say?
Chiaki: The map did say to "gather our friends."
Hajime: But where does it lead?
I scanned the map for some kind of clue. IThe map did say look for the Xs. At first I thought the fact that the X was written in plural was a typo, but then I discovered it was intentional. There was more than one X… or rather, there were three of them around a point on the map. That was already a red flag that whatever this was a map to would be either weird, stupid, or both. The second indication came from what was written next to the Xs. Pink letters spelled out two words that both confused and disturbed me.
Hajime: … Love Cabin?
[...to be continue]