Archive of Our Own ^beta

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(Go to "- Prologue -In This World - (1/3))

- LOAD GAME -

(Go back where you left it)

- CHAPTER SELECT -

(Select any part you want)

- ISLAND MODE -

(Coming Soon...)

- EXTRAS-

(Coming Soon...)

- WARNINGS -

(Go to "WARNING")

- TROPHIES -

(Go to "TROPHIES" Contains spoilers)

Start Date: 21st of February, 2024

Chapter Text

- GO BACK (Go to "MENU TITLE")

There are some things you need to know before reading this story:

1. English is not my first language, so I'm sorry if I commit misspellings.

2. I have 0 experience in writing, so I'm sorry If I do it badly (I already published one book here but is in Spanish, short, and is pretty bad in my opinion).

3. This is an AU of Inanimate Insanity and Danganronpa, so nothing is official. There's also another popular show involved, not going to tell what show tho =) (Pretty sure you'll know what object show I'm talking about anyway)

4. All the characters, buildings and assets aren't from my property, all rights to Spike Chunsoft (For Danganronpa and assets), AnimationEpic (For Inanimate Insanity characters, buildings and assets) and Inanimate Ronpa from Instagram (For some lore, Monophone4 and all the Ultimate Talents)

5. Talking about Inanimate Ronpa from Instagram, I want to say once and for all that the Prologue and Chapter 1 will be like remastered versions of the original one. What I mean is, I took scenes from the Instagram one, and I wrote them in my own way, as well as adding new dialogue. Mentioning this so no one can't say I wasn't honest about it.

6. Some free time events will be random and others will be part of the story.

7. This book contains:

- DEATH -

- LOST OF A LOVED ONE -

- PERMANENT DEATH -

- MURDER -

- GRAPHIC DETAILS -

- BLOOD -

- VIOLENCE -

- VULGAR LANGUAGE -

- DEPRESSION -

- VOMIT -

- MENTION OF SEXUAL ACTS -

(Don't worry, no one here's whole personality is talking about s3x like a certain person who died by toilet paper. It's more like, "Hey, guess what?" "What?" "I did the act with a girl before being trapped on this killing game" "Ah, good for you, don't fucking care, didn't ask, want a cookie or something?" (Also, no, no one is doing the deed inside the killing game, why did you even think that? They are in a life or death situation, now is the not time for that!... *NDRV3 Love Suite Events Flashbacks*)

This book may contain as well:

- PANIC ATTACKS -

And in later chapters:

- MENTION OF MASS DEATHS -

- MANIPULATION -

In conclusion, if you are still a kid, don't read this, I'm not responsible for any possible trauma 0-0.

If you don't like any of these and still prefer to read this, go with precaution. I'll add more as the story progress.

8. There are going to be ships in this fangan (And possibly rare ships.) If you don't like ships or any of the ships shown aren't of your liking, that's ok but don't be toxic about it. Anyhow, the ships that will appear definitely will be Payjay (OJ x Paper), Marshple (Apple x Marshmallow), and Lightbrush (Paintbrush x Lightbulb). Other ships were also included, but I kept changing them XD. They still may appear, tho.

9. Bow in this fangan acts like herself, but a whole meaner. This may seem like mischaracterization at it's finest, but please bear with me, I did it intentionally for lore purposes 0\0.

There is going to be also background ships (What are background ships? Well, these ships will be mentioned, but won't be the main ones.)

10. All the characters design are made with assets from Inanimate Insanity because I can't fucking draw, I literally just made the eyes, eyebrow, legs and arms, and they still look a little bad in my opinion, but I'm actually proud of what I did.

11. If you already read Inanimate Ronpa from Instagram, I tried to change the death orders and lore to not make it similar to the original one, but, like I said beforehand, Chapter 1 will be more likely a remastered version of the Ch.1 of the original one. Obviously, I didn't copy every single thing, but the murder may have some similarities to the original one (And maybe with SDR: 2 GD 2-1), but again, most of the events in the murder were my doing, and the victim and killer are different. Chapter 2 and onwards will be completely original.

12. As I write this story, I will try to continually improve my writing, so if you notice better or worse changes during the story, you know why.

Information about my AU:

1. UAT Academy (Ultimate Animated Talent High School Academy) is the Hope's Peak of this world.

2. Any cartoon person you can think of, seriously, Anyone! Any character from any animated series from TV or YouTube or Videogames, whatever you're thinking of right now, I've probably already given them an Ultimate Ability, and they're studying at UAT now.

Yeah... I don't know what the hell did I smoke to make this AU either, lots of Multiverse things...

Information about this Inanimate Insanity AU

1. This story begins before the events of Inanimate Insanity Season 1.

2. OJ and Test tube are related in this AU, as they are cousins. I say this as Test tube may appear later in the story, not in person, but she will be mentioned.

3. Meeple Incorporation are the founders of Inanimate Insanity instead of Mephone4, this was made for, again, lore purposes.

4. All object shows are in one universe. This universe.

Chapter Text

So, do you remember Inanimate Ronpa from Instagram?

Treat this prologue as a... Remake? of the prologue of that fanganronpa. Of course, I didn't copy every single thing, just some ideas.

With that said, enjoy!

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Inanimate Insanity... that's the name of one of the most famous shows in my world, where only the best of the best can compete there to show their skills, these objects are called Ultimates.

The show tests your skills to the extreme, making sure you don't get bored for a second! As a contestant and as a viewer! There are tests such as jumping off a cliff, shooting an arrow with a bow, passing from one side to the other with a slingshot, crossing an obstacle course, etc.

According to former contestants, Inanimate Insanity is an interesting and exciting experience. Due to its overwhelming success, they kept premiering more and more seasons until they reached the 49th season! And very soon the 50th!

But as I mentioned before, only Ultimates can compete in the show.

What's an Ultimate, you may ask? Well...

An Ultimate is someone who is the very best at what they do in their field. No matter what it is, if you are very good at it, and they find out, they will scout you and give you an Ultimate Certificate, and you will be allowed to assist one of the most prestigious schools of all time! UAT (It stands by Ultimate Animated Talent), an academy where rumors say that if you graduate, you will be set for life.

There are 3 minimum requirements needed in order to be scouted by UAT:

1. as I mentioned before, you must be the best of the best in your chosen field.

2. You must already be in high school.

3. You must be at least 16 years old.

UAT is an academy that is built in multiple universes, so no matter where you are, from where you are, no matter if you are a Stickman, a Human, an Animal or an Object like me.

This may all sound very confusing, and it is! Even to me.

Since its founding, no one knows who or where the first academy was built since UAT has academies built all over the universe, one in a major city in their established universe. Our academy is situated in the middle of our city and I have been an official student for 2 weeks now.

Anyway, I think it's time to introduce myself and explain how I was chosen by the academy.

I'm Orange Juice Citrus, OJ for short, and I'm the Ultimate Host! Since the early age of 15 I have been a manager at my father's Hotel due to an inheritance, the name of the Hotel? Hotel OR! OR stand by "Orange" and "Red" The name of my father, Orange, and the surname of my mother, Wine Glass.

Many have been surprised by my skills in organizing events at the hotel and how I have been able to find a balance between my social life and the hotel due to my age. When UAT became aware of my feats, I was scouted by them giving me the opportunity to study at the academy which, of course, I accepted without hesitation.

And even if I was an Ultimate I wasn't expecting to be invited to Inanimate Insanity, with my tight schedule, studies and everything. But you can imagine my surprise when I logged into my email and saw it. I'd better show you:

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"Orange Juice Citrus, the Ultimate Host,

The purpose of this email is to inform you that you and 15 other Ultimates have been chosen to participate in the 50th season of Inanimate Insanity. To confirm your participation, please email [email protected]. Participation is not mandatory, so if you do not wish to participate for personal reasons, please email the abovementioned email to inform us about your absence.

Meeple Inc."

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Who are they? Meeple Incorporation founded and created by Steve Cobs is one of the largest and most important technology companies in our world, as well as a major donor to UAT. They are known for the advanced AI of their MePhone's, robots that resemble a phone. MePhone's have been used as assistants, doctors, guards, psychologists, and the list goes on! Many objects are afraid that MePhone's will end up stealing their jobs, something Cobs publicly denies will happen. But we're not here to talk about Meeple, are we?

I'll be honest with you... In fact I hesitated to accept the invitation and a lot... But after a long time, I thought to myself that I had nothing to lose. If I won, I would win a million dollars despite being rich, and if I didn't win, I could make friends! Or at least try to... Since the incident with that one guy I've been the center of attention in the whole academy and no one in my class wants to talk to me....

What incident, you ask? I prefer not to talk about it...

After I made up my mind, I emailed Meeple confirming my participation in the event.

Just a few hours later, they sent me another email congratulating me for accepting, plus a date and address tied to the email.

How many times did I say email today?

OJ:

"I really hope I don't regret this." - I muttered to myself, closing the laptop and placing it on top of the desk in front of me before standing up and leaving to continue with my business.

All day I couldn't get it out of my mind whether I had made the right decision to have accepted the invitation, but what's done is done...

I was very nervous, but that didn't mean I wasn't looking forward to the arrival of that day.

If I had to describe what I'm feeling right now, it would be the same as I felt before stepping inside UAT for the first time...

Fear, nervousness, and both excitement and joy.

Even I have been confused about how to feel right now. But as I said, all I can do is wait for that day to come and let it be what it has to be.

Just be patience OJ...

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- PROLOGUE - IN THIS WORLD - STARTS! -

(Song playing: Beautiful Days - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

Today is the day.

I woke up more excited than ever, I took a shower (Covering the hole in my head first obviously), ate, brushed my teeth (even though It always leaves me with a bad taste in the mouth), and left my house faster than any other day.

I left my house, walking through the streets as countless objects also passed by, ignoring each one of them in order to reach my destination on time.

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- TRAIN STATION -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

The address I had got was the adress of the most technological train station in the city: Meeple Train Station.

As the name says, this train station belongs to Meeple. Each of the technological functions were created by them. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

The train is supposed to pass in 30 minutes, so I just have to wait here.

OJ:

"Ok OJ, keep it cool, it is not a big deal, you are just going to participate in a reality show, nothing too big haha..." - I mumbled as I wait

As I waited for time to pass, many objects came and went in and out of the station and trains. The sound of the trains screeching every time they stopped and the engine as they moved invaded the whole place.

That didn't bothered me, of course, since it was normal.

(Song Playing: Despair Syndrome - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

What bothered me instead was that some objects would stare at me strangely, with anger, sadness or curiosity. I knew exactly why, so I tried not to make eye contact with anyone. This is exactly the reason why I don't like to go out in public a lot now, after the incident everything changed. I felt like all eyes were on me now, judging me for every action I committed, even if it was something as minor as scratching my arm.

It was... Horrible...

The feeling didn't stop not even for a second.

I just wanted it all to go away-

???:

"Auch!"

*Music Stops*

But out of nowhere, all my thoughts were cut off when I felt a knock behind me. When I turned around, I saw a paper guy on the floor.

(Song playing: Beautiful Dead - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

???:

"For Objectica's Sake... That hurt" - He complained, rubbing his head

OJ:

"Oh, hey, are you okay?" - I said, offering my hand to help him get up

???:

"Y-Yeah... I'm sorry about that, I was in such a hurry and-" - The paper boy lifted my head, looking at my face. Then his eyes widened in shock - "Y-You?"

I was a little confused by this, but then everything else came to mind. I stopped offering him my hand and turned away. Turning my back to him.

OJ:

"If all you're going to do is insult me, better keep it to yourself. I'm not in the mood for this"

The paper boy got up, wiping himself a little.

???:

"B-But, you're that guy from that incident, right?!" - He pointed his finger at me. I didn't respond - "Hey! Answer me-!"

OJ:

"Why do you even care that I'm here? Just get on with your life and let me live mine. End of story."

???:

"I just thought... I'm surprised to see you in public going around. Shouldn't you be... I don't know... Serving time?"

I turned around, looking at him.

OJ:

"What? Serving time?"

???:

"You know what I meant" - Oh, he means like... Serving time in prison? - "I guess they really trust you if they let you going around doing whatever you want."

OJ:

"No, I'm not serving time because I was never involved in the scandal, besides my name."

???:

"You don't? But the media-"

OJ:

"The media lied about it, ok?" - The paper raised an eyebrow - "For your information, whatever you read in that article, it's all out of context!"

???:

"So you didn't do that? Then why is the Citrus name all over the data?"

Why I feel like I'm being interrogated by this guy?

OJ:

"I-I mean... Yes... Yes they did, but-"

???:

"Then what's out of context?!"

OJ:

"If you let me finish, you'll know! It was my sister, not me!"

???:

"..!" - The paper boy flinched a little. Some of the objects stopped what they were doing in and started looking.

OJ:

"..." - I let out a big sigh - "Sorry... I don't even know why I'm talking to you right now. You're just another stranger who just happened to recognized me on the street." - I turned my back at him again.

???:

"Your sister?"

OJ:

"My sister started doing those things behind my back along with two members of my family more. All because she wanted to claim more than she had. I just had the bad luck of sharing the same last name as her."

???:

"..." - The paper sighed before turning and walking away. But he suddenly stopped before turning around again. - "You know... I am not... A simple stranger who recognized you." - I turned my vision to him again.

OJ:

"You aren't? Then what? Are you my long-lost cousin or something?" - I joked

???:

"I'm pretty sure you don't even have a long-lost cousin"

OJ:

"Of course, I don't have a-!"

???:

"I'm the one who wrote that article about you"

*Music Stops*

I stopped talking when those words came out of that guy's mouth. My eyes widened in surprise.

OJ:

"What...? You... What?"

???:

"Y-You heard me, I was the one who wrote that article of the incident! A-Actually... Just part of it before it was taken from me for some reason."

My eyes were fixed on the eyes of that guy. I noticed drops of sweat trickling down his face. He was scared or nervous or maybe both. I calmed down before answering.

(Song playing: Beautiful Dead - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

OJ:

"What are the odds..." - I rolled my eyes as I crossed my arms - "So... What? Are you a journalist or something?"

???:

"Th-That would be correct! I am a journalist. The youngest and the b-best of the team! There's nothing that escapes my eyes!" - He looked more confident so suddenly.

OJ:

"Really? The youngest and best? How old are you? 14?" - I grinned. The paper looked annoyed.

???:

"I'm actually 17, thank you very much!" - I began to giggle quietly- "Huh? What are you giggling about?"

OJ:

"It's funny really. You? The best?"

???:

"Of course! My team always trusts me! I never let a single fact slip through my fingers, and I debunk false rumors surrounding the incident! In my articles I never lie and only tell the unvarnished truth."

OJ:

"If they trust you so much, why did they take my incident out of your hands while you were investigating it?"

???:

"If you must know, it was because they wanted me to take a break. They think I work way to hard."

OJ:

"And you really decided to trust in them without batting an eye?"

???:

"Huh?"

OJ:

"My name is written everywhere, even though I had nothing to do with all this. They made me out to be just another object in this whole mess when I wasn't. It was all my greedy family, their avarice controlling everything about them...."

???:

"W-What are you implying?"

OJ:

"Just saying... Perhaps you should look into my incident one more time. Not for me, but for you. It's a good idea to know who to trust these days. I'm in this mess for exactly that."

???:

"What? No, that's no-!" - He looked like he was going to say something else, but stopped as he looked over my shoulder, then took out his phone from his fanny bag and looked at it in surprise - "Shoot!"

OJ:

"What? You forgot to feed you cat?"

???:

"Very funny" - The boy put the phone away in his fanny pack - "I wish I could say it was a pleasure to meet you, but I'd be lying."

Then behind me, I heard the screeching sound of a train. I looked at the clock in the wall, realizing that 30 minutes had already passed.

That means...

OJ/???:

"That's my train!" - We exclaimed at the same as we both exchanged a look of surprise.

OJ:

"I'm sorry what?"

???:

"I could ask you the same question."

OJ:

"Hold on... If you're going to take the same train as me, that means you're-!"

???:

"Yes, I'm also an Ultimate Student. And of course, I also got an invitation to participate in Inanimate Insanity" - He confirmed before walking past my side - "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a train to catch" - Having said this, the paper entered the train.

OJ:

"I suppose I'll do the same."

But... Is this really a good idea? I mean, I had saved up enough courage before, but now I'm not so sure anymore...

Objects don't forget me so easily, and that guy was a great example for it.

...

OJ:

"Mom, Dad, sorry for my language but... Screw it! I didn't come all the way here to leave at the last minute!" - Shouting those words, I walked towards the train doors, and, with gathered courage, stepped into the train without a second thought.

...

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- TRAIN -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

(Song Playing: Beautiful Morning - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

??? (1):

"Hey, there is another!"

??? (2):

"Hi!"

OJ:

"Oh, Hi?"

???:

"It's really nice to meet you all!"

??? (3):

"Are those two the last ones?"

??? (4):

"Let's do a little math! With him and flat face here, that makes us 16... Just like the email said!"

??? (5):

"Wow! Congrats! You learned how to count! Do you want a cookie?"

??? (6):

"So t-that means w-we are all h-here n-now!"

??? (7):

"Finally!"

??? (8):

"Come in guys, we don't bite."

??? (5):

"At least not the majority of us" - The object at his next hit him in the shoulder - "Ow!"

??? (9):

"Sorry for my friend, he didn't mean it."

When I entered the train, inside were 14 other objects, all of them reflecting a completely different aura from mine. And they were all unique too. So different for each other.

Everyone here presently is an Ultimate Student after all, so you could say that it's natura to feel like this when you are around them.

I went deeper into the train and sat in one of the two free seats, the one next to the window. The paper boy sat next to me since there wasn't any more available seats.

Just great!

Out of nowhere, the train doors closed and the sound of the train moving began to sound everywhere. Before long we were moving at top speed.

??? (10):

"Wow! T-This is kinda scary!"

??? (8):

"Don't tell me? Are you a scaredy cat or something?" - The knife guy started to giggle.

??? (10):

"No! It's just that this train is going faster than I thought it would!"

??? (7):

"Please, like, this train is going at a normal speed. Have you never been on an electric train before?" - The pink bowtie asked.

??? (10):

"Well, I'm sorry I'm not on the same budget level as you!"

??? (4):

"It's all right, Painty! Ya got nothing to fear when you've got me here!" - The light bulb grabbed the hand of the paint brush, who was sitting with beside her.

??? (10):

"R-Right"

??? (3):

"How much longer until we get there, Marshy?" - The apple groaned.

??? (3):

"Apple, we literally just started moving. There's still like at least 2 hours of travel left before arriving at the airport." - The marshmallow replied.

??? (2):

"Shoot! I knew I had to to go to the bathroom when we stopped!"

??? (1):

"Sorry to interrupt, but, if you need to go to the bathroom, there is one in the other wagon." - The pickle stated.

??? (2):

"Ah! Thanks!" - The apple jumped out of her seat and ran to the other wagon.

??? (1):

"Wait..." - The pickle looked around, coming to a realization. - "Where's Ta-"

??? (11):

"SHAMPOO!" - A female voice shouted in the other wagon.

??? (2):

"AAHH!"

??? (3):

"What the?!"

??? (1):

"That answers my question..."

It seems that everyone here is different in their.... own way.

While we were waiting, the speaker inside the train turned on and a voice came out of it, which caught everyone's attention.

Speaker:

"Congratulations to all 16 contestants! Very soon you guys will arrive to the place where the Contest will take place. Please, enjoy your stay."

After saying those words, the speaker went off again. I looked around and everyone was happy, excited and nervous.

??? (8):

"Let's go guys! We did it!"

??? (12):

"Of course we did it! We are the best!"

??? (13):

"Yeah girl!"

Everyone were celebrating and laughing, as if they were celebrating Christmas or New Year's, or as if it was the last holiday they would spend together.

I hadn't noticed, but I was smiling, surely the first one after a while.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

Maybe this was a good idea.

I turn my eyes to the paper, who was writing something in a blue journal with white stripes.

???:

"Can I ask you something?"

OJ:

"I'm sorry?" - That question caught me off guard - "Why are you saying that?"

???:

"Inanimate Insanity, I'm pretty sure you know for what we are competing here, right?"

OJ:

"We are competing for one million dollars, of course I know that." - I raised an eyebrow - "Why are you asking me this?"

???:

"But you are a Citrus, that's also correct?"

OJ:

"Yes?"

???:

"Okay...." - He started to write something in the journal, before looking at me again - "And the Citrus name is a very popular name all across the city... You know why is that?"

OJ:

"Ok, why are you making me these strange questions?"

???:

"Just answer the question." - That was weird, it's as if he asked me gently yet aggressively.

OJ:

"..." - Ok, I'm definitely being interrogated - "Our name is famous because of the Hotel OR and our large wealth... Is that what you wanted to hear?"

???:

"Yep!" - He started to write in the journal again - "So let me get this straight... You come from a very wealth family, and money is the least of your problems, so..." - Then he looked at me again and dropped the question - "Why are you participating in this?"

OJ:

"Huh?"

???:

"We are participating in this contest to win a million dollars, and that's not even one percent of your wealth, and I am almost certain that even after the incident, you only lost a mere 2% of your wealth. So why?"

...

*Music Stops*

OJ:

"You think I'm doing this for money?"

(Song Playing: Rise of the Ultimate - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

???:

"Isn't that what this is all about?" - His eyes widened

OJ:

"As you mentioned before, money is the least of my problems, so I'm not competing in Inanimate Insanity because of it."

???:

"Then why? Why are you competing for?"

OJ:

"I..." - I hesitated whether to say it or not, but I knew there was no chance of him leaving me alone if I didn't give a reason. - "I want to trust in someone again."

???:

"Trust?"

OJ:

"I want to make friends again. I want to trust again. I don't care about the money, I'm just tired of... being lonely..." - I turned my head toward the window, looking out at the scenery where the train was passing.

???: "..." - He closed his journal before putting it back into his fanny pack. - "I'm sorry, I didn't know..."

OJ:

"It's okay I guess... I'm already used to this type of comments"

???:

"Used to?"

OJ:

"Ever since that article came out, everyone has treated me like I'm some kind of money-hungry monster."

Out of nowhere, someone started chuckling behind me. I turned around again, seeing the paper boy giggling.

(Song Playing: Beautiful Dead - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

OJ:

"Why are you giggling?"

???:

"I'm sorry but... Money-hungry monster?" - He looks at me, raising an eyebrow with a smile.

OJ:

"I-I couldn't think of anything else okay?!"

???:

"Ok ok I'm sorry" - He stopped laughing, but the smile still remained on his face.

OJ:

"So uhm... Why are you competing? It's for the 1 million dollars prize or..."

???:

"Oh! No, I'm competing for the 1 million prize"

OJ:

"Oh..."

???:

"I-It's nothing selfish I swear! I want to win, but I also want to have fun with the other contestants too! That and I want to try to win without using dirty tactics."

OJ:

"Dirty tactics?"

???:

"You know, like betrayal, sabotage, manipulation. That kind of thing."

OJ:

"Oh I see... You are that type of object"

???:

"What type of object?"

OJ:

"I didn't mean it in a bad way if that's what you think! I meant you're someone loyal."

???:

"You think I'm loyal?" - He seemed surprised

OJ:

"From the way you say your team treats you and this, yes, I believe if you are loyal!"

???:

"The same group you accuse of using me?"

OJ:

"I never said they were using you"

???:

"But you thought about it, didn't you? That's why you said all those things back there."

Ok, I see why he says he's the best journalist, he's good at this....

OJ:

"All right, okay, you got me.... But that doesn't change that I think you're someone loyal"

The paper turned its head to the other side, but I could tell he was flushed.

???:

"Thanks, no one called me that... Not since..."

OJ:

"Not since what?"

???:

"Let's just say that trusting someone a lot also caused problems to me..." - The paper had his eyes fixed on something, I guess an object on the train, but I couldn't tell who it was. He turned his vision back to me - "It doesn't matter anymore! I'm just happy that I got out of there as soon as I could!"

OJ:

"If you say so..."

Before either of us knew it, we were talking about many more things during the ride, this time, a normal conversation and not an interrogation. And for some reason, it never occurred to me to ask his name. But I still had a great time!

And for most of the time nothing else happened. Until someone spoke up.

??? (9):

"Hey, is it just me or something smells weird?" - The baseball guy questioned, smelling something.

*Music Stops*

??? (4):

"Now that you say it..." - The light bulb got up from her seat and began to sniff - "You are right, it smells weird!" - The lightbulb girl said.

???: (12):

"I don't smell anything?" - The salt shaker questioned, with a pink fan in hand above her mouth.

??? (5):

"With that fan covering your mouth, it's a miracle you can still breathe."

??? (12):

"That was supposed to be an insult?!"

??? (8):

"They aren't wrong thought, it really smells weird, but" - The knife began to smell too - "What is it?"

??? (4):

"I don't know... I'm tryin' to put it in" - The bulb started to sniff louder.

??? (14):

"I don't think you need to be that loud..." - The balloon groaned.

??? (4):

"It smells like..."

??? (13):

"Like what?"

The light bulb continued to sniff until her light turned on.

??? (4):

"Yep! I'm pretty sure it's a mix of nitrous oxide, halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane!"

??? (5):

"Ok nerd, and that is...?"

??? (4):

"You know, if you paid attention in chemistry classes, you would know that these are odors that a sleepin' gas produces! That's why you gotta study, kids!" - She said to an invisible camera.

(Song Playing: Weekly Despair Magazine - UDG Version by Masafumi Takada)

OJ:

"What?!"

??? (6):

"D-Did you j-just s-say s-sleeping g-gas?!"

??? (4):

"Yah, are you deaf? I can repeat myself if you want to-"

??? (13):

"That's not the issue! What did you mean by sleeping gas?!" - The pepper shaker asked panicked.

??? (4):

"I'm pretty sure sleepin' gas means what the name says." - As the light bulb was about to return to her seat, she began to move in a strange way - "But now that you m-mentioned... I'm starting to f-feel a little f-funny... Hehe... "

??? (10):

"Lightbulb!" - The paintbrush ran up from their seat to the light bulb. - "You are clearly not okay right now!"

??? (4):

"What are you saying...? O-Of course I'm o-okay..."

???:

"No matter how you look at it, you are clearly not okay!"

??? (8):

"No shit, she just smelled sleeping gas!"

??? (4):

"I just n-need a l-little nap..." - Out of nowhere, the light bulb lost consciousness, but the paint brush grabbed her before she hit the ground.

(Song Playing: Distrust - UDG Version by Masafumi Takada)

??? (10):

"Lightbulb!"

We all got up to check what was going on in panic.

??? (14):

"What happened?!"

??? (5):

"Can't you see it? She's clearly sleeping!"

??? (9):

"Now is not a good time to be snarky, Nickel!"

The paint brush checked the light bulb's heart beat.

??? (10):

"She's still breathing..." - The paintbrush let out a breath of relief - "Can someone open a window over here, PLEASE!?"

??? (6):

"G-Going!" - The bomb went to open a window in a hurry, but was struggling in doing so.

??? (10):

"What are you waiting for?!"

??? (6):

"I-It's not o-opening!"

??? (12):

"What?!"

The knife went to open one of the windows by himself, but also struggled to do so.

??? (8):

"This one is not opening neither!"

I tried to open the door that led to the other wagon. I grabbed the handle and pulled, pushed and slid, but none of them would make it open. It was locked.

OJ:

"And the door to the other wagon is locked!"

??? (1):

"G-Guys...I'm feeling a little sleepy t-to... t-to s-sleepy..." - Suddenly the pickle guy collapse in the floor.

??? (14):

"Another one?!"

??? (2):

"Is he alive?!"

The knife guy went to check the pulse on the pickle guy.

??? (8):

"He's also still breathing" - The knife then started to slap the pickle - "Hey dude! Wake up! No time to rest!"

??? (6):

"I-I do-don't th-think you sh-should do th-that!"

??? (3):

"Ah!" - Marshmallow raised both hands to her head in visible pain.

??? (2):

"Marshy? Is something wrong?!"

??? (3):

"God, my head started to hurt so suddenly... I th-think I'm going t-to..." - The marshmallow also collapse on the floor.

??? (2)/??? (7):

"Marsh!!" - Both the apple and bowtie went running to her with concern.

??? (13):

"Aaah!! What's happening!?" - Shouted in panic the pepper shaker.

??? (12):

"I don't know, I'm scared!" - The salt shouted, panicking while hugging the pepper shaker.

??? (14):

"I-I starting to feel b-bad..." - The balloon was the next to collapse.

??? (5):

"What the heck!?"

In the middle of all the commotion, I felt my head hurt, as if it were spiral.... and I start to feel sleepy, very sle-sleepy.

OJ:

"N-No..."

Almost immediately the speaker turn on again and a voice started to speak.

Speaker:

"Don't worry about the gas, it is a safety precaution. Please, enjoy your stay."

After that, the speaker went off again. And with that, my vision was slowly blurring.

Everyone else's screams of terror faded away...Until all that was left was total darkness.

And then...

*Music Stops*

There was nothing.

No sound, no sight.

I had lost consciousness.

This was only the beginning of a very vivid nightmare.

I came to this contest to gain trust again.

But in this game... You can't trust anyone... Not even yourself.

This was only the beginning of betrayal, death, despair...

Paranoia...

And the suspicion and distrust among us...

...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Do you want to save? -

- [Yes] - - No -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now saving...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Game saved! -

- [Back] -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Text

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- SAVED DATA:

PLAY TIME: 21:43

PROLOGUE - DAILY LIFE

TRAIN

DAYTIME

Do you want to load this save?

- [Yes] - - No -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Song Playing: Despair Syndrome - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

...

.....

........

...........

Nothing.

There was absolutely nothing.

All I could see was absolute darkness.

But I could hear something.

And smell something.

I could also feel the waves of the wind touching me as the seconds ticked by...

...Wait... Wind?

That can only mean one thing... I'm outside?

There's only one way to find out.

I need you to wake up...

Come on OJ! Wake up!

.....

.......

.........

..........

My eyes slowly began to open. But when I opened them... I was immediately struck by the sunlight.

OJ:

"Ugh! My head..." - I woke up on the grass. God my head hurts so bad - "U-uh? Where am I?" - I started to analyze my surroundings. There were a lot of trees everywhere. Next to me there seemed to be a path. Wait, so I'm in a forest? No. My nose picked up a smell. A tropical smell. And my ears picked up a sound. The sound of waves slapping against each other. It's like I was in a beach... But why am I here? Last thing I remember, I was in a train, and suddenly got unconscious...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- UNKNOWN PLACE -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

OJ:

"Ok, OJ, don't panic! Try to remember what you can! Okay so... Your name is OJ Citrus, you are the Ultimate Host and you were on a train to compete in Inanimate Insanity, and some point you lost consciousness.... Butforsomereasonyouareherenowwithoutanyideaofhowdidyougetinhere... Ok, that didn't work. I still have no idea where I am and I'm still just as freaked out as before...."

I guess there's only one thing I can do.... Follow the path.

I took a big breath before following the path into the unknown.

As I followed the path, I only encountered more and more trees. But not a single living object.

OJ:

"Hello!?" - I started yelling to get someone's attention. - "Is someone here!?" - Still nothing...

I started to get anxious. I can't be the only object here, can I? I don't even know if I'm making any progress!

OJ:

"..." - Not a single sound - "So quiet... Too quiet... I don't like this one bit..." - As if someone was calculating my movements, just as I said that, I began to hear murmuring and sobbing - "Huh?" - I began to follow the sounds.

???:

"I want to go home..."

*Music Stops*

OJ:

"Hello? Is someone there?"

???:

"Huh!? W-who's there!?"

When I reached the source of the sound, I came upon him. The paper was leaning against a tree.

OJ:

"You?"

???:

"Ah!" - The paper rose from the tree with excitement and relief as soon as he saw me. He ran to me and hugged me, to my surprise. - "Thank god I'm not alone in here!"

(Song Playing: Beautiful Dead - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

OJ:

"Oh... Yeah, I'm... also glad I'm not alone in this place" - I hugged him back with a bit of hesitation. I don't remember the last time I had a hug.

After a while, we separated from the hug.

???:

"I'm so sorry, you just have no idea how relieved I am to know that I'm not alone here." - The boy began to wipe away his tears.

OJ:

"It's fine, don't worry about it." - I responded with a smile

???:

"I'm glad haha" - His laughter calmed me down a bit. It made me almost forget that we were in an unknown place.

Almost...

OJ:

"Hey, are you... okay?"

???:

"Hm?"

OJ:

"I mean, because of what happened on the train. I blacked out, so I don't know what happened."

???:

"A-About that... I also blacked out..."

OJ:

"What?! You also blacked out?!"

That's strange. How did that happen?

Hold on...

My memory is still a little blurry but if I remember correctly...

-

- FLASHBACK -

??? (4):

"Well, if ya paid attention in chemistry classes, you would know that these are odors that a sleepin' gas produces! That's why you gotta study, kids!"

That light bulb from earlier said something about a sleeping gas.

- END OF FLASHBACK -

-

So that means that the reason we started dropping like flies on the train was because of-!

???:

"I believe all of us on the train lost consciousness one by one because of the sleeping gas mentioned the light bulb!"

OJ:

"Mh-hmm, I was thinking the same thing." - I nodded

???:

"But why would Meeple do that? Sleeping gas is a very dangerous chemical! You can't use it against objects without their permission as if it were simple anesthesia!"

I'm pretty sure you need consent to use anesthesia on someone as well.

OJ:

"I don't have a clue"

???:

"Answering your question from earlier, my head still hurts, but I can handle it."

OJ:

"Mine too, I'm still a little confused about everything that's going on."

???:

"You wouldn't have any idea where we'd be? Would you?"

OJ:

"What makes you think I would have the answer to that question?"

???:

"I mean, you found me here, so that means you've been exploring for a while, right?" - Wow, that guy sure has some good instincts.

OJ:

"I see, smart one"

???:

"So?"

OJ:

"No, sorry. I was walking around, yes, but I didn't find anything. If it helps, when I woke up, I started hearing the sound of waves slapping against each other and a somewhat tropical smell."

???:

"A tropical smell? Waves?" - The paper went quiet, thinking about something - "Could it be...?"

OJ:

"Could it be what?"

???:

"..." - He didn't responded. He was lost in his own world.

OJ:

"Hey! Earth calling-!" - Right, I never got his name. I went over to him and started waving my hand in front of him.

???:

"Ah! Y-Yes?"

OJ:

"What just happened? You've gone blank completely out of nowhere."

???:

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. It always happens to me, haha." - He gave me a nervous smile.

OJ:

"The what?"

???:

"That thing where I get quiet thinking about something. When I'm in my own world. I can't help it."

OJ:

"Oh, like when you go into a trance or when you gawk at anything because your mind is blank?"

???:

"Something like that, but it happens to me when I have my mind full of information, so it's the opposite for me!"

OJ:

"That's... something."

???:

"That's one way to describe it, there's a reason I'm the best investigator on my team!" - Again, he looks so confident when he talks about his crew. It's as if all the fear he had before has vanished, just like that, as if it never existed.

OJ:

"So... I never got your name."

???:

"My name?"

OJ:

"If we're going to be here together, we'd better get to know each other better, don't you think? I'll start!" - And with that, I introduced myself - "I'm sure you already know me, but I'll still introduce myself. I'm Orange Juice Citrus! OJ for short. And I'm the Ultimate Host. Nice to meet you!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orange Juice Citrus,

Ultimate Host.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I raise my hand to shake it. The paper stared down at my hand for a few seconds before returning his gaze to me and smiling.

???:

"Paper"

OJ:

"Huh?"

Paper:

"My name is Paper Looseleaf, Ultimate Journalist at your service!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper Looseleaf,

Ultimate Journalist.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJ:

"Ultimate Journalist, huh? That explains a lot now."

Paper:

"Explain what?"

OJ:

"The fact that you're bragging nonstop about how you're the best journalist on your team."

Paper:

"What?! No! Of course I don't brag about it!"

OJ:

"I'm pretty sure you just brought that same subject up just a minute ago." - I had a grin plastered on my face

Paper:

"O-Okay, maybe I did..." - He was clearly annoyed now - "Now you are reminding me that you are the guy from that incident again"

OJ:

"You look..."

Paper:

"Look what?"

OJ:

"I-It's nothing important, just forget about it." - I was going to say he looked kind of adorable when he was upset...

Wait what?!

Come on OJ! No gay thoughts! You are straight! You like girls!

OJ:

"H-Hey, about what you were quiet before, what were you thinking?"

Paper:

"Oh, that? I was thinking about what you told me earlier, and I came to two conclusions."

OJ:

"Which are?"

Paper:

"It's possible that we're either 1. Close to a beach or 2. Which is the worst case scenario, is that we're on an island."

OJ:

"Come again?! We are on a what?!"

Paper:

"I-It's just my assumptions, of course! The only way to confirm all this is..." - Paper turned his gaze to the path where I was walking previously.

OJ:

"Explore this place... It's our only option, so we'll have to do it."

Paper:

"Hopefully we'll find the others as well! They were on the train with us too, so they should be somewhere around here nearby. I hope they're okay."

OJ:

"Don't worry about it, they are Ultimates for a reason, they will be ok!"

Paper:

"They are ultimate students OJ, they are not immortal..."- He crossed his arms

OJ:

"... Right" - Well that was embarrassing - "Then let's not waste any time!"

With a new objective in mind, we started to move down the path.

After walking for a while, we still didn't found anything or anyone other than a lot of trees.

Paper:

"Where they could be?"

OJ:

"I don't know... B-But let's not lose any hope alright?"

Paper:

"Alright..."

We continued walking until we found something, I wouldn't say it was unusual, but it was something interesting.

OJ:

"A tunnel?" - It was a circular tunnel, but I could not see what the end of the tunnel was.

Paper:

"Bingo!" - Paper started to walk inside, but I stopped him by grabbing his wrist

OJ:

"Stop the car, Sonic. We don't know if it's even safe yet" - After saying that, I let go of Paper's wrist.

Paper:

"Oh, why?"

OJ:

"We should think this over a bit, just to be sure, okay?" - I waited for a response from Paper, but when I didn't get one, I turned to check on him. To my surprise, Paper was nowhere to be seen. Paper ran into the tunnel without waiting for me - "Are you kidding me?" - I cautiously decided to enter the tunnel as well in hopes of finding Paper.

But when I reached the end of the tunnel, a surprise awaited me.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Song Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

OJ:

"Is that a hotel?!" - At the end of the tunnel, there was an orange hotel with at least 18 floors. The hotel sign was damaged, so only the word "Hotel" was visible. - "What in the world is a hotel doing in the middle of nowhere?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

Besides the hotel, there were also several other roads that leaded to different parts of this area and also a fountain in the middle of everything, but there was no sign of Paper or anyone.

I went to the fountain, it was very beautiful, the water was so clear and there was vegetation and flowers everywhere!

Still, I can't be fooled by the beauty of it, this is all still very weird, like why is there a hotel in the middle of nowhere?

I decided it was best to go into the hotel to see if I could find anyone else.

OJ:

"Let it be what Objectica wants it to be." - Leaving those words in the air, I walked inside the hotel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (LIVING ROOM) -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

When I entered the hotel, the first thing I found was a somewhat spacious room with an orange-colored wallpaper, but it was definitely not the reception.

For one thing, it looked like an ordinary room, a TV and a few couches were scattered around the room along with a small table, a rug and so on.

When I looked both ways I realized that you could go to more rooms and there were stairs behind the tv, leading to the next floor.

But I couldn't investigate much either when out of nowhere I started hearing yelling from the other room.

*Music Stops*

???:

"Lightbulb, give me the stick!"

(Song Playing: Finding Peace Party - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

???:

"No! I'm hungry!"

???:

"Then you eat food! Not a stick!"

???:

"I can eat whatever I want!"

???:

"One of these days your ideologies are going to put you in danger!"

Suddenly, two objects stormed into the room, fighting over a stick. The paint brush was trying to take a stick out of the light bulb's hands.

OJ:

"What in the..."

???:

"Give it to meeee!!!"

???:

"I said no!"

???:

"I say yes!"

???:

"Why are you like this all the time?!"

???:

"You made a deal when you decided to be my friend, now give me that stick!"

???:

"I didn't make such a deal!"

W-What the heck is happening right now?

OJ:

"Did I arrived at a bad moment...?"

As soon as those words came out of my mouth, the paint brush stopped holding the stick making the light bulb fall to the ground with the wooden stick.

(Song Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

???:

"Yes!" - Then the light bulb started to eat the wooden stick.

...

Hold on, what?!

???:

"Ugh! Not again! Can you stop thinking about food for 3 seconds?! Especially in our current situation!?"

???:

"Nope!" - She's still eating that wooden stick.

OJ:

"What's happening here?"

???:

"Oh, uhm... Sorry about that. You see, my friend here, she's uhm... " - The paintbrush give a look at the light bulb once more - "...a little weird"

???:

"Hey! I ain't weird! I'm Lightbulb! Lightbulb LED Brights! The Ultimate Taste Tester! I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do!" - She claimed before giving the wooden stick another bite

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightbulb LED Brights,

Ultimate Taste Tester.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJ:

"Ultimate Taste Tester?"

Lightbulb:

"Yeah, are you deaf? I can repeat it if you want to-" - She said getting up the floor

OJ:

"Oh no, I heard it, is just... How is that an Ultimate Talent?"

Lightbulb:

"Er... I uhm... Taste food better than the average?" - She is trying so make her talent seem cool

???:

"Let's just say that Lightbulb has very... different tastes than the rest of us..."

OJ:

"Different tastes?"

???:

"I'm being serious. One day she ate an entire metal pipe, no questions asked, she ate it all, In. Just. One. Bite. I'm wish I was joking, look at her." - They pointed at Lightbulb, who was still eating the wooden stick.

OJ:

"Oh..."

Lightbulb:

"W-Well, one good thing 'bout my talent is that my sense of smell is also superior to the rest! I can smell anything and know exactly what it is without seein' it first!" - Lightbulb remarked, trying to save appearances. - "At least I'm good at what I do, not like Painty, claiming they're the Ultimate Artist, but I didn't see them painting once" - She said before giving the wooden stick one last bite.

???:

"Hey! You better take that back! I do paint!" - They said offended - "And my name is Paintbrush, Paintbrush Palette, not Painty, don't mix both."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paintbrush Palette,

Ultimate Artist.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paintbrush:

"And about the paint thing... I just don't do it as often as before..." - They seemed sad as they said that - "B-but art is just not only painting! Is also a lot of other things like watercolors, ceramics, sculptures, you name it! You have to let out all your artistic emotions and that's not quick, that takes time!"

OJ:

"You can do all that? That's awesome!"

Paintbrush:

"I know right? There is nothing that the Ultimate Artist can't do!" - They say with pride.

Lightbulb:

"S-So? Who are you?!" - She said pointing at me - "If you are going around criticizing Ultimates then at least give us your name"

OJ:

"Ok first, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to criticized your Ultimate, it is just a little unusual to say the least. Oh, and my name is Orange Juice Citrus, but I prefer being called OJ, and I'm the Ultimate Host!"

Paintbrush:

"Stop! Did you just said you are a Citru-?!"

Lightbulb:

"A Host? That's not better than a Taste Tester" - Lightbulb scoffed, interrumpting Paintbrush.

Why is she acting like a 9 years old? I already said I'm sorry...

Paintbrush:

"...Nevermind..."

OJ:

"Ahem, Anyway... Did you guys saw by any chance a paper guy roaming around here?"

Paintbrush:

"The one with the journal? Yes, he was here"

Lightbulb:

"Yep! He started to question us 'bout our Ultimate Talents while writin' in that notebook, I wonder what does he write about..."

Paintbrush:

"He did said he was the Ultimate Journalist so it makes sense he writes in that thing a lot" - They explained to Lightbulb before turning to me - "About your friend, I think he went upstairs. I didn't pay much attention because a CERTAIN object wanted to eat a stick from a tree." - They looked at Lightbulb with judging eyes, Lightbulb just rolled her eyes.

OJ:

"Upstairs you say? Thanks!" - I said bye to Paintbrush and Lightbulb and went upstairs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (1st FLOOR) -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

When I climbed the stairs, I found a hallway with a number of rooms and an elevator at the end of the hallway. The hallway was decorated with an admittedly classy carpet.

OJ:

"Dormitories, Sauna, Game Room, Storage... This place has everything I see... I mean, I could use a sauna right now, haha... Then again I'm a glass of orange juice so that may not be a good idea. And that the situation in which I find myself is not the most ideal one... Why I'm talking to myself?"

I decided to check the elevator to see if it worked. When I pressed the button, the elevator opened almost immediately.

The elevator was large, big enough for at least 6 or 7 living objects to enter.

When I entered the elevator I saw that on the buttons instead of numbers there were symbols of different objects, the first three were an orange glass, a baseball and a pocket knife.

OJ:

"That's strange" - I tried pressing the buttons, but none of them worked. It seems we are stuck on this floor for the time being - "Geez, this has been a waste of time." - Defeated, I step out of the elevator.

Wondering what to do now, I headed to the dormitories.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- DORMITORIES -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

When I entered dormitories, I found another hallway where on each side there were 8 doors, 16 doors in total. To my surprise, there was another object already there.

???:

"14...15...16... 16 rooms?" - It was the knife guy from before, he was counting the rooms.

I decided to go over to see what was going on with him.

OJ:

"Hi uhm... I'm interrumpitng something here?"

???:

"Huh?" - He noticed my presence - "Even if I was, you already interrupted me"

OJ:

"Oh, sorry, that wasn't my intention at all, hehe..." - I didn't want to be on the bad side of this guy, he looks threatening. I mean... He's a knife

He began to stare at me with a threatening look. I swore I saw my life flash before my eyes at that very moment.

But then he smiled and started laughing.

???:

"I'm just kidding with you, dude. I just finished whatever I was doing, so it's fine."

Oh, maybe I am wrong about him!

OJ:

"Oh, t-that's a relief..."

???:

"Sorry about that, it's just that you looked like you were going to poop in your pants and I couldn't let the opportunity slip by!"

OJ:

"H-hey! I didn't! I wasn't scared"

???:

"Yeah sureeeee... I mean, I totally get it, I'm a lethal weapon so it's normal that other objects are scared of me, so I'm already used to it."

OJ:

"You're used to it? Shoot, now I feel a bit bad for jumping to conclusions..."

???:

"Don't be, I find it kinda hilarious that others see me threatening, it helps to repel REAL dangerous objects." - I guess that's a way to look at it - "I believe we haven't met before right?"

OJ:

"Right! I'm OJ, the Ultimate Host! Nice to meet you!"

???:

"Ultimate Host? So you're good at planning events and stuff?"

OJ:

"That's correct, that's basically my talent."

???:

"Sounds kinda boring if you ask me."

OJ:

"B-Boring?! Come on, if you were present at one of the events I plan I'm sure you wouldn't be bored for a split second!"

???:

"I guess I'll have to take your word then." - He joked - "Oh shit, I forgot to introduce myself didn't I?" - With that, he cleared his throat and began to introduce himself. - "The name's Knife Sharp, Ultimate Boxer, you better don't forget that!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knife Sharp,

Ultimate Boxer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJ:

"Oh! Ultimate Boxer? So you are good at fighting!"

Knife:

"That's right!" - Knife exclaime with confidence - "If you and I get into a fight, you can already say goodbye to your bones, ribs, and probably your life, that's for sure!"

OJ:

"You aren't t-talking serious about the life part, are you?" - He just looked at me.

Knife:

"I'm actually very serious, don't start a fight with me, I will most probably break your neck without knowing." - He said that last one sentence with a very serious face. - "Hey, I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name, what was it again?"

OJ:

"It was Orange Juice, but you can call me OJ"

Knife:

"OJ what?"

OJ:

"Huh?"

Knife:

"I mean, what's your last name? I feel like I recognize you from somewhere."

OJ:

"Oh..."

Knife:

"So?"

I knew it was just a matter of time for this question to come up.

OJ:

"OJ Citrus, that's my full name."

Knife:

"Citrus? Aren't they like, super rich?"

OJ:

"T-That would be it."

Knife:

"Oh... That's going to be a problem for you and me, buddy" - That threatening look on his face came back - "I hate rich objects, they're the worst scum of mankind."

(Song Playing: Weekly Despair Magazine - UDG Version by Masafumi Takada)

Oh for Objectica's sake, in what mess have I gotten myself into?

OJ:

"N-Not at r-rich o-objects are bad!"

Knife:

"True, but most of them are still assholes."

OJ:

"R-Right..."

Knife:

"So, OJ, what kind of rich guy are you? The good kind or the bad kind? Depending on your answer, you may have to be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life." - Knife clenched his knuckles. Not a single second he stopped making eye contact. I could tell he had an incredible urge to murder me.

OJ:

"I-I'm the good k-kind?"

Knife:

"..." - Knife kept looking at me with that look on his face while I felt myself sweating like a roasted chicken. Knife after a few eternal seconds let go of that menacing face and it was replaced by a smile followed by a laugh - "And why didn't you say so before!" - Out of nowhere, Knife wrapped his arm around my neck - "You're lucky, I won't have to demolish you like a mountain of bricks!"

(Song Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

OJ:

"G-Great!"

Knife:

"You keep it up like that, and I won't have to beat you the next time we see each other, okay?" - Knife stared at me, waiting for an answer.

OJ:

"I will keep that in mind..." - I laugh nervously.

Knife:

"Alright" - Once satisfied, he let me out of his "embrace".

Ok, maybe I wasn't 100% wrong about this guy.

Never in my life I felt so scared before! At least not since that night at the restaurant when I was 13.

OJ:

"B-By any chance can I ask what were you doing? Before I entered the room I mean"

Knife:

"I was just counting the rooms"

OJ:

"Why?"

Knife:

"Why don't you take a look by yourself?" - He said this, pointing at the door in front of us.

Wait a minute...

OJ:

"Is that my face!?" - The door Knife was pointing at had my face and my name in a metal plate embedded in the door.

Knife:

"Yeah, not only you, apparently I have a room too. No, I think everyone has a room here actually."

OJ:

"Hm?" - I looked around, seeing that all the doors had someone's face with their name on a metal plate embedded in the door. There were familiar faces like Paper, Lightbulb, Paintbrush and Knife here. But I didn't recognized the others. - "That explains the 16 rooms..."

Knife:

"It seems that whoever is responsible for all this made sure we had a place to rest."

OJ:

"Well, that makes sense, but why did they make rooms for us?"

Knife:

"No, better question, why not?"

OJ:

"Huh?"

Knife:

"I feel like we are going to stay here for a while, so it is good to know we have a place to stay at least."

OJ:

"What makes you say that?"

Knife:

"Past contestants never said anything similar regarding what we are experiencing. They said nothing about being exposed to sleeping gases without their consents or being brought to a place in the middle of nowhere."

OJ:

"Are you talking about Inanimate Insanity?"

Knife:

"What else? This looks nothing like what we see on TV, aren't we supposed to be on a Set or something instead of this rare place?"

OJ:

"Do you think we were...?"

Knife:

"Kidnapped? Deceived? That's the worst-case scenarios, but it's the most likely, unfortunately. For Objectica's sake we better pray for the better."

So that letter they sent us was... fake?! Are you kidding me?!

Damn it!

...

Now's not the time to be upset. I need to know what's happening here.

I took a long breath before trying to enter in my "room" but...

*RATTLE RATTLE*

OJ:

"Huh? it's locked?"

Knife:

"That's an unexpected turn of events..."

OJ:

"Like this day couldn't get any worse." - Before I could complain any more, a sudden thought came to my mind. - "Oh dammit, uh, hey Knife, by any chance you didn't see a paper guy with a journal pass by?"

Knife:

"Oh, you are with him? Yeah, he talked to me and asked too many questions about my Ultimate talent and so... Sadly no, I don't have a clue where he could be."

Ugh... I swear, Paper.... If you're gonna make me look for you all over this place...

OJ:

"Ok, thanks anyway Knife, and I'm sorry if Paper made you uncomfortable."

Knife:

"Nah, it's okay, I didn't mind a lot, he was the Ultimate Journalist if I recall, so it's his job" - He said - "Even thought he's way too curious to my liking..."

OJ:

"I can see it... See you later then."

Knife:

"See ya"

I waved goodbye to Knife and leave the dormitories.

I know I said "See you later", but for my own sake I hope that "later" doesn't come too soon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (1st Floor) -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

When I returned to the hallway, I started to hear two more voices. When I turned to look, I saw two girls trying to open the sauna without any success.

???:

"Ugh! It won't open! It's closed"

???:

"Nah, you aren't pushing hard enough girl, let me try" - The pepper shaker pushed aside the salt shaker and tried to open the door without success. "Oh, it's closed"

???:

"You don't say" - The salt shaker rolled her eyes with her pink fan above her mouth.

???:

"Don't lose hope! We just need to... Uhm..."

???:

"Geez, girl it's not that hard to think! We just need a man!" - Yeah ok, that's my call to get the hell out of here quickly.

???:

"A man?"

???:

"Yep, we ask the first guy we find to help us! After all, who wouldn't help such beautiful ladies like us."

???:

"Well, if you think that will work, then I'll follow you Salty Salt! But who would help?"

???:

"Mh... I don't know... Maybe one like... Oh, Him!" - She pointed at me.

Oh. Crap.

OJ:

"Uhm.... Hi ladies?"

???:

"Hey you! You wouldn't mind helping such beautiful ladies like us right?"

OJ:

"Oh, I actually have to-"

???:

"Come on, you're not seriously going to turn us down?" - Actually, that was exactly what I was going to do.

OJ:

"Why do you girls want to go into the sauna anyway? Don't you understand the seriousness of the situation we are in?"

???:

"You mean, like there's a hotel in the middle of nowhere all to ourselves?"

OJ:

"You are making it sound better that it seems..."

???:

"Whatever, are you going to help us or not?"

OJ:

"Like I said, I have things to do-"

???:

"Great! No one cares! Now come here!" - The salt shaker grabbed me by my wrist even before I could say something - "Now, can you open this door for us, pleaseeee?"- She asked with puppy eyes.

OJ:

"No! I already told you-!"

???:

"Who are we kidding? We would force you to do it anyway, so why ask?" - The pepper shaker interrupted me.

???:

"Yeah, like, who wouldn't want to help girls like us?"

The girls started laughing and joking together as I watched dumbfounded. Someone help me out of this situation, please.

OJ:

"Yeah, uhm, I'm sorry to disappoint you girls, but there's no way this door will open without a key."

???:

"Try harder!"

???:

"Yeah, like, what are you even for?"

OJ:

"My apologies? I can't just open a locked room door without a key!"

???:

"Then break it down!"

OJ:

"There's no way I'm going to break it down just because you two want me to!"

???:

"Ok? Then what are we supposed to do?!"

???:

"I'm telling you girl, all men are useless."

???:

"Everyone, but that Spoiled Lemon guy"

???:

"Oh definitely, he's a sweetheart!"

OJ:

"I- Excuse me? Who do you think you are talking to me like that!?" - I asked with anger and annoyed

*Music Stops*

But just as I say that, they...

(Song Playing: Wonderful Dead 003 - UDG Track by Masafumi Takada)

???:

"Who are we?"

???:

"We are the only ones!"

???:

"Most fabulous!"

???:

"Most Incredible!"

???:

"Most Beautiful!"

???:

"Most Radiant!"

???/???:

"We are Salt Mar and Pepper Spice!!"

Salt:

"The Ultimate Matchmaker!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salt Mar,

Ultimate Matchmaker.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pepper:

"And the Ultimate Gossiper!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pepper Spice,

Ultimate Gossiper.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Salt/Pepper:

"And together we are BCFF!!"

What the heck did I just witness?

(Song Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

OJ:

"I asked for your names... Not an entire show"

Salt:

"Shut up! No one asked your opinion!"

Pepper:

"You are just another pathetic guy trying to get flirt!"

OJ:

"You girls dragged me into this! Not the other way around! W-What does BCFF even mean!?"

Pepper:

"What are you? Uncultured or something?"

Salt:

"He obviously is, everyone knows that it means Best Condiments Friends Forever, Duh"

I'm pretty sure if I asked every single object in this place, they all wouldn't have any idea what BCFF means...

Pepper:

"Yeah, like that paper boy going around like crazy, asking people there and that"

OJ:

"Wait what?"

Salt:

"Definitely, that guy is so-!" - Then suddenly, Salt face went pale - "Wait.... Did you just say Paper guy?"

Pepper:

"What? Are you really interested in a juicy story now?"

OJ:

"As a matter of fact, yes, I'm definitely interested!"

Pepper:

"Very good! Then open those ears of yours!" - Then, Pepper began to speak - "While Salt and I were exploring the hotel, I've heard many voices saying the same thing. That a paper boy with a journal was interviewing everyone he came across on this area."

That explains a lot, it matches Lightbulb, Paintbrush and Knife's stories.

Salt:

"Dammit! So it's really him!"

Pepper:

"What's wrong Salty Salt? You look so tense now!"

OJ:

"It's like you've seen the devil in person."

Salt:

"To me, he's the devil himself!"

Pepper:

"The paper guy? Why?"

Salt:

"Because I kinda... Know him?"

Pepper:

"What?! You do?!"

Salt:

"Let's just say he's my... Ex-Best Friend"

OJ:

"Ex-Best Friend?" - So the one Paper was looking at the train was her? I don't know why, but I have a feeling that it was Salt who mess up their relationship. So much for being the Ultimate Matchmaker, huh?

Pepper:

"So I wasn't your first BFF?" - She looked a bit sad about it.

Salt:

"You're still my favorite best friend, Pepper! And you're my first BCFF!"

Pepper:

"Really?"

Salt:

"Of course! No one can replace you!"

Pepper:

"Aww, that's sweet of you to say, Salt!"

OJ:

"Where did you even hear about him, Pepper?"

Pepper:

"I'm the Ultimate Gossiper for a reason that's how I know. Last time I heard, he was at the cliff close by. I don't know why and I don't care"

So, that's my next stop. Thanks Ultimate Gossiper... I guess?

Pepper:

"Hey! Where are you going!?" - Pepper screamed at me when she noticed I was leaving

OJ:

"I'm leaving, what else?"

Salt:

"But you still didn't opened the sauna!"

OJ:

"And I never will, I already told you that the sauna is not going to open without a key! Besides, I'm not a tool for you to use!"- I stood for myself as I leaved to the stairs.

Pepper:

"Who does he think he is?"

Salt:

"I'm not sure, but I can forgive him for that, just because he's cute"

OJ:

"Hold on- What?" - I stopped and turned around when I heard those words.

Pepper:

"..."

Salt:

"What? It's true! I'm sure you think I'm hot too, don't you think?" - She winked at me

OJ:

"Oh... Hehe, uhm...I need to go now, so... Yeahbye!" - I rushed down from the 1st floor to the lobby as fast as I could.

Salt:

"We should go on a date someday when we get out of here, handsome!!"

Not even in a million years that would happen...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOTEL (LIVING ROOM)

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

When I arrived to the living room, I saw that Lightbulb and Paintbrush were still there. Maybe I could see how they are doing.

OJ:

"Hey Lightbulb"

Lightbulb:

"Mh!" - Is she ignoring me?!

OJ:

"So, you aren't gonna talk with me?"

Lightbulb:

"Mh!"

I'll take that as a no.

The,, I'll talk with Paintbrush.

Paintbrush:

"Hey OJ!"

OJ:

"Hi Paintbrush"

Paintbrush:

"So, did you ended up finding your friend?"

OJ:

"Sadly not yet..."

Paintbrush:

"I bet he is very elusive like a certain object!"

Lightbulb:

"Shush!" - Lightbulb stuck out his tongue.

Paintbrush:

"I'd help you find him, but I have to make sure Lightbulb doesn't do anything stupid."

OJ:

"Don't worry I understand!"

After talking with those two, I left the hotel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

I was already outside the hotel, now I just needed to find that damn cliff. Where could it be?

Perhaps I could explore the other parts of the area.

I'll follow the straight path since the other two leads to the same tunnel where I came from.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- PARK -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

After walking for a bit, I found myself in what it seemed like a park, but I still don't see Paper anywhere.

Oh, maybe I can ask those two over there!

Two armless objects? Those are weird to encounter nowadays.

They are playing soccer it seems. It's not like they could play basketball anyway.

...

Ok, I admit that was mean.

I got closer to see what they were up to.

???:

"Come on, Nickel, just accept it, you can't defeat the Ultimate Soccer Player!"

???:

"The Impossible is possible! I'm going to beat your ass, Baseball!"

???:

"We'll see about that!"

The coin guy aimed at the goal, and kicked the ball, but it missed, causing it to bounce, and the ball went toward me. Luckily, I narrowly avoided it.

OJ:

"Hey! Watch out!" - I screamed at them

???:

"Whoops!"

???:

"Oh I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

OJ:

"Just by little..."

???:

"Good" - He seems to have calmed down a bit - "Again, I'm so sorry, we got a little carried away, right Nickel?" - He looked at the nickel guy.

???:

"Mh? Oh sure, I'm so sorry, I definitely got carried away." - Was that sarcasm? The baseball glared at the nickel as he frowned - "Fine! Sorry, I get carried away when I'm a little competitive."

???:

"Just a little?" - Baseball smirked

???:

"Ok ok! Maybe I'm too competitive... Is that what you wanted to hear?"

???:

"Yep!"

???:

"Great! Because I'm not doing that again!"

???:

"The what? Missing the ball miserably or almost hitting someone?""

???:

"I was talking about apologizing... But those two too!"

OJ:

"It's okay, no need for apologies now. By the way, who are you guys?"

???:

"Oh, Introduction! Right! My name's Baseball Seam, I'm the Ultimate Soccer Player! I hope we can be in good terms our little incident!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball Seam,

Ultimate Soccer Player.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJ:

"Ultimate Soccer Player? Wait! I did hear a lot about you, Baseball!"

Baseball:

"You did?"

OJ:

"They said you could be the future best soccer player of the world!"

???:

"Oh, and he is, I'm telling you. Baseball is one of the best players in the entire league, as well as being a good leader for his team! If anyone deserves that title it's my friend here."

Baseball:

"Please, I'm not a good leader, there were plenty of times when I almost sent the team to failure."

???:

"At least you're better than that other girl. She definitely almost brought your team crashing down to the ground before I came in!"

Baseball:

"Hey! She wasn't terrible either, she had good ideas, she just didn't know the right way to execute them!"

???:

"Fine! But you can't deny she was an awful team leader"

Baseball:

"She was just starting, Nickel. No need to be rude to her-"

???:

"Whatever you say..." - He says interrupting Baseball - "Now, it's my turn to present myself!"

Baseball:

"Oh here we go..."

???:

"It's Probably you heard my name somewhere. Nickel Steel, the Ultimate Team Manager, is here to help you! No matter what type of team it is, If I'm there, your success is guaranteed!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nickel Steel,

Ultimate Team Manager.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJ:

"No, in fact, I never knew about your existence until now."

Nickel:

"Huh!? W-Well, it doesn't matter, I'm not offended or anything, not at all!" - He clearly looked offended

Baseball:

"Sure... Nickel uses a lot of sarcasm, I would bet to say his entire personality is based on that!"

Nickel:

"What? No! I don't!"

Baseball:

"Yes you do"

Nickel:

"No I don't!"

Baseball:

"Yes you do!"

They went back and forth like that, it seemed like it was never gonna stop, until they started to laugh.

Baseball:

"That's why we are friends!"

Nickel:

"Yep, I wouldn't change our friendship for anything else!"

OJ:

"It seems like you're both very close."

Nickel:

"We are! We have been friends since I have memory."

Baseball:

"I still remember when Nickel would cry at any inconvenience, haha! The way things change."

Nickel:

"L-Let's not talk about those kind of memories in front of a stranger, Baseball!"

Baseball:

"Talking about that, you didn't tell us your name!" - He said to me

OJ:

"Right, I'm sorry... I'm Orange Juice Citrus the Ultimate Host!, but you can call me OJ for short"

Nickel:

"Orange Juice? That's such a horri-"

Baseball:

"You are a Citrus?!"

Nickel:

"Wha- Hey, don't interrupt me! Wait, you know him?"

Baseball:

"Who doesn't? The Citrus is a very well known family in the city, so well known that it almost reaches the heels of the Cobs! Although the last time I heard that name it wasn't for good reasons..."

OJ:

"Y-Yes... I'm not proud of what my familiy did, but I'm not like them at all I swear!"

Baseball:

"To be honest... You don't look like the fraudster they make you out to be in the news.... And you seem like a really cool guy! So I guess I can trust you.. Just don't do anything stupid, okay?"

OJ:

"Thanks... And trust me, I won't!"

Nickel:

"I feel like I'm missing some context here"

Baseball:

"Nickel, seriously how deep is the rock you have been living on?"

Nickel:

"About 30 meters!"

Baseball:

"... Why did I even asked..."

Nickel:

"Hey OJ!"

OJ:

"What?"

Nickel:

"Orange Juice is not that bad of a name."

Why did he say that out of the blue?

OJ:

"Thanks?"

Nickel:

"By the way, I was lying, it's an horrible name" - Baseball hit Nickel on the shoulder - "Ow! What?"

Baseball:

"Nickel, You can't just say to someone their name sucks in front of them!" - He scolded Nickel - "Even if it's kinda true..." - He whispered hoping I couldn't hear it, but I did.

OJ:

"I don't really mind, I kinda hate my full name too, maybe because I'm used getting called OJ all the time."

Nickel:

"See? He doesn't care!"

Baseball:

"That still doesn't give you a reason to say that out loud, Nickel!"

Nickel:

"All right, all right! Okay, stop complaining and let's get on with our match, shall we?"

Baseball:

"If you're ready for me to bust your butt again. I'll gladly do it" - Baseball let out a giggle.

OJ:

"Speaking of that match... Why are you playing now in the middle of all this? Aren't you worried about whatever is going on right now?" - I asked genuinely confused

Baseball:

"Huh? What do you mean?"

OJ:

"What do I mean?" - Now I was even more confused than before - "You don't remember? What happened on the train? The sleeping gas? This place? Whatever's going on is definitely not normal or safe."

Nickel:

"Yes, isn't it? I said exactly the same thing to Baseball! But you know what he said back?"

Baseball:

"About that... Don't worry about that, it's probably just the organizers of this show trying to make this special and original for everyone! I mean, it's the 50th season, right?"

Nickel:

"That.... He said to me the exact same thing..."

OJ:

"Do you really think so? Even if you are right, I still think the sleeping gas was way too intense."

Baseball:

"You're right, it was very intense and dangerous..." - Baseball put on a concerned face - "But I'm sure they have a reason for those actions."

OJ:

"A reason?"

Nickel:

"I don't think there is any sufficient reason for Meeple or whoever is responsible for this to have the right to put us to sleep without our permission. When we get out of here I'm definitely going to complain!"

Baseball:

"Let's calm down first alright?"

OJ:

"You're too calm even in this situation, Baseball, I wouldn't be surprised if you've been called a carefree at least once in your life."

Baseball:

"I did, a lot actually! But even though it may not seem like it, I'm actually scared."

OJ:

"You certainly don't look scared if you ask me."

Baseball:

"I just don't show it so as not to worry anyone. If fear ends up controlling us, and we show it, then everything will end in chaos."

OJ:

"Is that why you hide it?"

Baseball:

"If everyone shows fear then we'll end up panicking. So that's why I do it"

Baseball is... Quite an interesting guy, so to speak...

Nickel:

"Yep, Baseball definitely is a bad leader"

Baseball:

"Stop it, Nickel, I'm not that great of a leader."

Nickel:

"My ass! Even that crazy paper journalist from before knew it too!"

Crazy paper journalist?

Wait!

OJ:

"Did you just say a paper journalist?!"

Nickel:

"Yeah I did, so what?"

OJ:

"Could you tell me how he looked like?"

Nickel:

"Okay, he was a thick, fat brown paper!"

OJ:

"..."

Baseball:

"..."

Nickel:

"..." - Nickel was forcing a smile - "He had a blue scarf and a fanny back if that's what you are asking. He was a boy of FEW words"

Baseball:

"He certainly was..."

Nickel:

"What? I'm wrong though? He didn't shut up not even for a second!"

Baseball:

"I mean, it's true that he asked too many questions! Too. Many. Even questions I didn't even know could be asked!" - He looked traumatized - "But that doesn't mean he's a bad guy."

OJ:

"I can imagine" - I let out a slight nervious laugh - "So... do any of you know if he went to a cliff?"

Baseball:

"I think so... If the cliff you are talking about is over there, then yes" - Baseball pointed to a place with his leg.

OJ:

"I see... Thanks for the info! See you guys later!"

Baseball:

"See ya OJ"

Nickel:

"Bye, I guess"

I went in the direction Baseball pointed. It only took me a minute to see a cliff, finally, I'm here!

I went to the cliff and started climbing to the top.

OJ:

"It seemed shorter at the distance..." - I muttered, tired - "You better be up there, Paper!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- CLIFF -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

When I finally reached the top, I was tired as hell. Going back and forth to look for a guy is not funny, even worse if he is not there.

OJ:

"Are you kidding with me?" - I collapse on the floor, exhausted, when I noticed Paper wasn't on the cliff.

At the cliff, there were three objects, none of them Paper, to my bad luck.

???:

"Ugh! There is no signal here either!" - Exclaimed the pink bow, trying to get her phone to pick up signal. - "What kind of resort doesn't have Wi-Fi?!"

???:

"Well, that's too bad. Can we go off this cliff, please? I'm sure there are other ways to get out of here!" - The marshmallow begged.

???:

"Come on! Don't lose hope, Marsh! I'm sure Bow will be able to pick up signal!" - The apple said with joy, she growled in response. Then the apple girl saw me - "Oh, look! Another one!"

OJ:

"Hi?"

???:

"Hey, I recommend you to stand up if you don't want all your juice spilling out of your glass."

OJ:

"R-right!" - I quickly got up of the floor. Sadly, some juice already spill out.

???:

"Juice? What's that?"

???:

"Uhm... What's inside him?"

???:

"Oh, You mean that orange liquid? I wonder what happens when he runs out of juice..."

???:

"I had an uncle who was a liquid container, when he didn't have any liquid in him, he would start feeling sick or whatever."

???:

"I see I see..." - The Apple nodded - "Can I test it in him?!"

OJ:

"I prefer not, thanks!"

???:

"Hey you! Help me out!" - The pink bow pointed at me.

OJ:

"Huh? Help you with what?"

???:

"To pick up signal duh, you are taller than me."

OJ:

"I would love to, but right now I can't"

She gasped, looking really offended.

???:

"Did you seriously refuse to help me!? The Internet Sensation herself!?" - She exclaimed

OJ:

"The what now?"

???:

"Don't you know who I am? Me? Bow Ribbon? The Ultimate Internet Sensation? Ring any bell?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bow Ribbon,

Ultimate Internet Sensation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that she mentions it, I think she sounds me of something...

OJ:

"Aren't you the one who snuck into an episode of Inanimate Insanity once?"

Bow:

"Of cour- wait, what?"

OJ:

"Yeah, that was definitely you! You were screaming something about loving chairs or some random BS"

Bow:

"What?! No!"

???:

"Is he wrong, though? You totally did that!" - Claimed the apple laughing.

Bow:

"I mean, yes, it happened, but that's not what I expected to be recognized for!" - She shouted mad.

???:

"Come on, Bow, you gotta accept it was pretty funny"

Bow:

"No it wasn't!"

???:

"Don't shout too loud, we can hear you perfectly" - Said the marshmallow covering her ears.

Bow:

"Tch! Whatever."

OJ:

"Who are your friends?" - I asked

???:

"Our names...?" - The apple then gasped. - "It's my time to shine!"

Bow:

"Oh no, not this again..."

???:

"Uh? Wait Apple no!" - The Marshmallow shouted to the apple girl, but it was already too late.

???:

"Give me an A! Give me a P! Give me P! Give me an L! Give me an E! And the name is!?" - She started to do cheerleader dances while singing.

Bow:

"Embarrasment is the only emotion I'm feeling when they see me with you, Apple" - She say embarrased

It took me some seconds to figured it out.

OJ:

"..... Apple?"

???:

"Right in the money! I'm Apple Flora! The Ultimate Cheerleader! I hope you enjoyed my little performance!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apple Flora,

Ultimate Cheerleader.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJ:

"I can see why..."

Bow:

"You are way too cheerful. Do you really need to make your first impression look more dramatic every time you meet someone new?"

Apple:

"It's just me bringing out my cheerleader side, deal with that" - She said with a smile on her face.

Bow:

"Yeah whatever..."

Apple:

"Now is your turn, Marsh!" - She said leaning toward the marshmallow girl.

???:

"What? My turn?"

Apple:

"Your turn to present yourself!"

???:

"O-Oh, that..."

Apple:

"What's wrong now?" - Apple looked concerned about her friend.

???:

"The thing is... I don't know if I should..." - She seemed insecure.

Apple:

"Of course you should! Your talent is amazing!"

???:

"You think so?"

Apple:

"I know so! Trust me."

After thinking about it, she agreed.

???:

"Fine..." - She continued talking - I'm... Marshmallow, Marshmallow Blake, the Ultimate Exorcist"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marshmallow Blake,

Ultimate Exorcist.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJ:

"Ultimate Exorcist?"

Marshmallow:

"I know it sounds bad, but I swear my talent doesn't reflect my personality!" - She said panicking

OJ:

"Oh, nono, is not that, I actually find your talent interesting!"

Marshmallow:

"R-Really?"

OJ:

"Of course! It's not every day you come across objects capable of contacting the dead! That's what it means to be an exorcist, right? Or am I missing something?"

Marshmallow:

"If you put it like that... That's pretty much what an exorcist do. The exorcist are capable of contacting with the other world so we can talk with ghosts. Sometimes they have good intentions and sometimes... not" - She seemed a little down in the dumps telling that last part.

OJ:

"Sometimes?"

Marshmallow:

"I don't really want to talk about it"

OJ:

"Oh... Well, I'm sure as an exorcist you've seen things you'd rather forget."

Marshmallow:

"Many horrible and confusing things.... I didn't even want to be an exorcist in the first place!"

OJ:

"You didn't? But then why are you the-"

Marshmallow:

"Ultimate Exorcist? Look, it's kinda hard to explain, but I prefer to end this conversation here if you don't mind."

OJ:

"You've really seen too much, huh? If you don't want to talk about it, that's completely fine."

Marshmallow:

"That would be for the best. Thanks."

Apple:

"See? I told you they were going to like your talent!" - Apple embraced Marshmallow in a hug.

Marshmallow:

"Maybe..." - She had a little smile on her face.

Bow:

"Like I said, too cheerful" - Bow complained before turning to me - "So... Are you going to help me or not?"

OJ:

"Fine, if it helps to get out of this place" - I went and grabbed her phone, then raised my hand, trying to grab a signal.

It's been a few minutes and there's no sign of the phone picking up a signal.

OJ:

"Sorry, Bow, but I can't grab signal" - I said, giving her back the phone.

Bow:

"Ugh! Seriously? Now what?"

Marshmallow:

"Can we get down the cliff now? We spent hours here without making progress! Maybe we'll find something at the hotel" - She exclaimed

Bow:

"Fine, perhaps I can get Wi-Fi over there"

Apple:

"Yey! Let's go then!" - She said before running downhill

Marshmallow:

"Apple! Don't go running like that!" - She said before following Apple from behind

Bow:

"Sometimes I wonder why I decided to go with those two... I'm not going to run and risk damaging my new shoes!" - Then Bow went downhill with caution, and now I was all alone on the cliff.

OJ:

"Bye then..." - I guess I should get going too, I'm so thirsty right now and I should refill the juice I spilled by accident. I hope the hotel has some water and orange juice.

Wait, I forgot to ask them if they saw Paper! Dang it!

Now is too late for that...

I went downhill to the hotel. Furthermore, I was praying that Salt wasn't there when I entered the Hotel once again.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (KITCHEN) -

PROLOGUE
DAYTIME

I entered the hotel cautiously, after realizing that no one was there, not even Lightbulb or Paintbrush, I went to the room on the right, which was the kitchen.

After I entered the kitchen I started looking. Luckily there was a refrigerator with water and orange juice there.

I poured myself some orange juice in my glass, then I grabbed another glass and poured there water and drank it.

OJ:

"Where are you, Paper?" - I let out a sigh and continued to drink until I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around I saw it was Pepper - "Huh!?"

Pepper:

"Ssh, I'm alone, you don't have to worry about Salt" - She whispered to me after putting his finger in my lips.

OJ:

"Oh, ok... What do you want? I'm not gonna open the sauna for the thousand time."

Pepper:

"Why the aggressiveness?! I even came to help you with your little problem, and you treat me like this."

OJ:

"Help with what?"

Pepper:

"Let's say, a little bird told me you are looking for your friend, right?"

OJ:

"W-What?! How do you know that? I don't remember ever telling I was looking for someone!"

Pepper:

"Just me showing off my skills dear" - She said, laughing softly.

OJ:

"Skills? What skill- Oh right, I forgot you are the Ultimate Gossiper"

Pepper:

"F-Forgot?!"

OJ:

"I mean, you're pretty forgettable, Pepper."

Pepper:

"No, I'm not!"

OJ:

"Look, just spit out what you know and we both go our separate ways."

Pepper:

"Fine, come on" - She made signs for me to come closer. I did, and she whispered in my ear - "Well, I may or may not have heard that a paper boy has been seen asking questions to a bomb in the park, I think you should look for your friend there. Better hurry" - After saying this, she leaves the kitchen.

OJ:

"I was just in the park..." - Wait, she said Paper was with a bomb guy?

...

I scratched my shoulder before drinking the rest of the glass before leaving the hotel in search of the park.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- PARK -

PROLOGUE
NIGHTTIME

(Song Playing: Beautiful Lie - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

When I left the hotel I saw that the sun was already gone, it was already dark, so it was going to be more difficult to look around.

Luckily, it didn't took me long to start hearing the sound of voices.

???:

"H-how many q-questions a-are y-you going t-to a-as-ask?"

???:

"Just a couple more and I'm done! I promised!"

???:

"Please, this is getting irritated! You said that 10 minutes ago! I can't deal with two annoying as hell objects more!"

???:

"SOUR CREAM!"

???:

"Can you shut up for three seconds!?"

???:

"Hey! Don't talk to her like that!"

It seems that the atmosphere was not the best. Anyway, I followed the sound, and when it arrived...

I not only saw Paper, but also the bomb that Pepper said, who was being interviewed by Paper, as well as three more objects: a red balloon, a taco and a pickle.

The taco was touching the balloon all the time, obviously irritating the balloon.

???:

"A new friend!" - She ran towards me as soon as she saw me.

???:

"Taco wait!"

Now she was in front of me with a smile from face to face.

OJ:

"Hey, little fella?"

???:

"Hi! My name is Taco Flex! What's yours?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taco Flex,

Ultimate ???

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJ:

"Hello Taco, nice to meet you! I'm OJ"

Over Taco's shoulder, I saw the pickle coming.

???:

"Taco! You just don't run like that!"

Taco:

"Sorry" - She apologized with a little laugh

???:

"I'm sorry if my friend made you uncomfortable"

OJ:

"It's okay, she didn't make me uncomfortable."

???:

"Hey! You didn't ask me if I was being uncomfortable with your friend!"

???:

"Because you were being a dickhead about it, Baby Face"

???:

"What did you call me just now!?" - He snapped

???:

"See? Exactly my point"

???:

"You just call me baby face! How I'm not supposed to get mad at that?!"

???:

"H-He made p-point."

Paper:

"Can you guys stop fighting!? I'm interviewing the Ultimate Sniper here, and I can't do it with all this noise!" - It looks like Paper hasn't noticed my presence yet.

???:

"Huh? Is that... OJ?!" - He said in surprise

OJ:

"Hold on, is that you, Bomb?" - I said, also surprised.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bomb Powder,

Ultimate Sniper.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bomb:

"OJ!" - Before I could do anything, Bomb came running up to me and hugged me, I returned the hug.

Paper:

"You two know each other?" - Paper asked with his eyes widened in surprise.

OJ:

"Hello to you too Paper..." - I said separating from the hug - "And yes, we already know each other, we are actually childhood friends" - I looked at Bomb again- "It's been so long since I last saw you, not even at the UAT Academy I saw you pash by! Where were you?"

Bomb:

"I th-thought y-you al-already kn-knew? M-My f-father t-took m-me o-out of th-the a-academy f-for a f-few d-days b-because of wh-what h-happened..." - Bomb had a sad face on his face. Shoot, I forgot what had happened with Grenade.... How insensitive of me.

Paper:

"Wow, I didn't know you're friends with the Ultimate Sniper himself!" - Paper approached me and Bomb - "I'm sorry Bomb for burdening you with questions, it's obvious now that you're going through a hard time."

Bomb:

"It's o-okay, it's n-not that b-big of a deal, I g-get very curious s-sometimes t-too." - Bomb let out a slight laugh - "No, b-but sseriously, It w-wa-wasn't that b-big of a d-deal"

Paper:

"So, you two are childhood friends?"

OJ:

"Yeah! I treat him like he's my little brother."

Bomb:

"H-Hey! I'm n-nobody's l-little brother!"

OJ:

"Whatever you say, Bomb"

Paper:

"Haha, I'm already starting to love your big brother and little brother relationship!" - Paper giggled with sparks in his eyes - "Oh! You have to see all the information I got, OJ!" - Paper then started to show me his journal - "Did you know that the Ultimate Exorcist claims to have seen the face of the devil himself? That's pretty scary. Or the Ultimate Soccer Player? He won every single game without previous training! And the Ultimate Taste Taster! She ate an entire buffet withing seconds!"

OJ:

"Wow, you seriously found a lot of things in just a few hours"

Paper:

"Is just my journalist side" - He responded with a giggle - "Also, I'm sorry for leaving you stranded earlier."

OJ:

"It's okay, even if you made me look for you all this time!"

Paper:

"My bad, I promise it won't happen again!"

???:

"Hey! Yohoo! We are still here! Are you lovebirds done? I want to leave."

Paper turned to the others after that comment

Paper:

"Shoot, I believe I didn't get your names, right?" - Paper then took out his pencil again to start writing in his journal - "Can you all give me your names and talents, please? Except Bomb and OJ of course"

???:

"A-are you serious now!? We don't have time for this!" - Complained the balloon

???:

"Come on, Baby Face, it is not going to take too long"

Taco:

"Yep! I'll be fun!"

???:

"I told you to stop calling me that!"

???:

"What? Baby Face?"

???:

"UGH!!" - He was losing his patience every second.

Paper:

"So uhh... You know what... It's okay if you don't want to answer, you guys don't seem to be in the mood right now." - Paper said, shutting his journal

???:

"Oh nono, I will answer with pleasure"

Paper:

"Oh, okay, if you insist then" - Paper opened his journal again - "So what's your name and talent?"

???:

"Glad you asked! My name is Pickle Gherkin, but in the world of gaming, I'm recognized as the Ultimate Gamer!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pickle Gherkin,

Ultimate Gamer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paper:

"Ultimate Gamer, I see..." - Paper wrote something in his journal before asking again - "So you are good at any type of videogame, am I right?"

Pickle:

"Yeah, dude, Action, FPS, RPG, Puzzles, Horror, you name it!" - He seems so proud of it - "There's not a single game I didn't 100% complete! Not a single match I didn't win!"

OJ:

"Not a single match? Really?"

Pickle:

"Absolutely! I wouldn't be surprised if every time a player sees my name in a match of any video game, they completely leave!"

OJ:

"Come on, there must be at least one game you are bad at."

Pickle:

"If that was the case then I wouldn't be an Ultimate!"

Paper:

"Wow, that's awesome! And what about you?" - Paper turned to the balloon.

???:

"Why should I tell you?"

Pickle:

"Come on, don't be a partypooper!"

???:

"I believe we have more important problems than introducing ourselves to complete strangers as if we were friends."

Paper:

"It's better to know which strangers we're going to be with than to be surrounded by complete strangers without knowing their names, personalities or talents, right?"

???:

"..." - He hesitated a little but at the end he answered - "...Fine. Balloon Helium, Ultimate Skydiver"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balloon Helium,

Ultimate Skydiver.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paper:

"Oh, a Skydiver?"

Balloon:

"What? Any problems?"

Paper:

"No at all, is just... Interesting how a balloon is a skydiver"

Balloon:

"I can't even get mad, I find it as equal as weird as why they gave me that Ultimate title..."

OJ:

"But aren't Ultimates given the Ultimate titles when they are the very best at what they do? By what are you saying, it doesn't look like you enjoy skydiving a lot"

Balloon:

"What are you saying!? O-of course I love skydiving!"

Taco:

"You are lying" - She said to Balloon, with a smile.

Balloon:

"What?"

Taco:

"I said that you are lying"

Balloon:

"W-what do you know!? You didn't tell us your Ultimate Talent yet!"

Pickle:

"That's true, I don't recall Taco saying her talent to me at all"

Paper:

"So, Taco, what's your talent?"

Taco:

"Mhm..." - Taco stayed quiet for long seconds.

Balloon:

"Come on! It doesn't take too long to say it!"

Paper:

"Give her time, maybe she's feeling a little nervous."

Balloon:

"Yeah, sure. Like someone like her could be nervous-"

Taco:

"I forgot!" - Taco let out so casually. STILL with a smile in her face.

*Music Stops*

Balloon:

"What!?"

(Song Playing: Weekly Despair Magazine - UDG Version by Masafumi Takada)

Bomb:

"Y-you f-fo-forgot!?"

Paper:

"You forgot your Ultimate Talent!? How is that even possible!?"

OJ:

"Y-Yeah! You just don't forget your talent like that!"

Taco:

"I don't know what to tell you, I woke up here, and I lost all my memories regarding my talent, so... I just don't know!"

Bomb:

"W-Why do you l-look so h-happy?!"

Balloon:

"For someone who doesn't remember her talent, you look so calm!"

Pickle:

"Why didn't you tell me that before!?"

Taco:

"I don't know."

The atmosphere of the situation changed again, and not for the better.

OJ:

"Uhm... This is awkward"

*Music Stops*

Paper:

"We can't do much about it I suppose"

(Song Playing: Beautiful Lie - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

Bomb:

"W-what d-do we do n-now?"

Taco:

"Let's play a game!" - She shouted with enthusiasm.

Pickle:

"No, Taco, right now there is no time for games..."

Taco:

"Oh... nooooo..." - Taco ducked her head in sadness.

Balloon:

"I'll go to the hotel" - Balloon informed before leaving the area

Bomb:

"W-why?"

Balloon:

"I'm not going to stand still until something happens you know?"

OJ:

"I don't think it's a good idea to go wherever you want on this place."

Balloon:

"And do you remind me what you were doing before you found us here?"

OJ:

"Uh... Ok fair enough..."

Balloon:

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be at the hotel if you require me-"

But even before Balloon left the area completely, a noise caught our attention.

*Music Stops*

OJ:

"Huh?"

It was the noise of the TV in the Park turning on, and from it came a voice that... I couldn't describe how disturbing it was.

???:

"Ahem, Testing Testing, 1 2 3 1 2 3, Mike check mike two or whatever it's said.. Is this thing working? I hope so because I'm not going to repeat this!" - The voice inside the TV... it was familiar... But why? - "First, sorry for my lateness, I had to prepare a few things before this game started! I hope you all had time to meet your "friends"... But now that I'm here, to all the contestants hearing this, everyone gather at the entrance of the Hotel! I'll be waiting..." - Then the TV turned off again

(Song Playing: Ocean Breeze Dead End - UDG Version by Masafumi Takada)

Paper:

"W-what was that?" - Paper said with fear.

Balloon:

"It took so long! I guess I'll see you there." - And with that, Balloon was gone.

Taco:

"And he's gone. Now what?"

OJ:

"Now what? Well, we have to go, obviously."

Bomb:

"I d-don't k-know... I have a b-bad fe-feeling about t-this"

OJ:

"Me too, but..." - I sighed deeply - "I don't think we have any other choice, do we?"

Pickle:

"Are you sure? It did seem like they were up to no good."

Paper:

"That voice...." - Paper stood there thinking as he did the other time. - "They're definitely up to no good."

Taco:

"You can tell that just by listening to the tone of voice?"

They were all hesitant and scared, and I understand that, but....

We can't just stand here and do nothing!

But I can't just leave them here neither.

I have to say something.

OJ:

"Look guys, I know you're all scared, but it won't do us any good to stand here and do nothing, the least we can do is at least know what's going on!"

Paper:

"..."

Pickle:

"..."

Bomb:

"..."

OJ:

"I'll go, you should do the same." - I turned around to leave the area.

Paper:

"W-wait! I'll go with you!" - Paper shouted. Making me stop - "You're right, it's better to at least know what's going on than to be scared in ignorance."

Pickle:

"Here too, I think it is a wise choice to be together in a situation like this, mainly now because of what we heard on that TV."

Bomb:

"I'll g-go t-too!"

Taco:

"Hooray!" - I guess that's a yes?

With everyone agreeing, we headed towards the hotel, I was hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

What the hell was that voice, and what kind of "game" were they planning?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

PROLOGUE
NIGHTTIME

(Song Playing: Nightmare in Locker - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

I was so overwhelmed with my thoughts in my mind that I was unaware that we had already arrived at the hotel, everyone was already there, we were the last ones to arrive.

Balloon:

"You guys took long enough" - He said, rolling his eyes

Pickle:

"Hey, at least we are here now!"

Marshmallow:

"So, with them, we are all here now, I think."

Salt:

"Anyway, where is the mysterious voice? It makes us come here to simply not show itself. The audacity of some people!"

Paper

"Hey Salt, is so nice to meet you again after all these years!" - There was clear sarcasm

Salt:

"Oh, you..."

There was a lot of tension between those two, neither of them stopped making eye contact with the other as they frowned.

Pepper:

"Uh... What about if we all calm down here? All right?"

Paper:

"As long as I'm not near her, I'll be calm."

Salt:

"Yep, same!"

Pepper:

"See? We already have an improvement!"

Paper:

"The fact that I'm not killing her right now is an improvement in itself..."

Pepper:

"Y-You didn't meant that did you?!"

I should let those three alone.

Bow:

"Geez! They are taking so long!"

Knife:

"Just give it more time, they will show up at some point, be patient"

Bow:

"I don't know about you, but some of us don't have time for nonsense like this. Besides, why did they took so long in appearing?!" - She said without looking at Knife, she was scrolling through her phone.

Nickel:

"How do you still have your phone?! I don't fine mine anywhere!"

Knife:

"Now that you mention it, mine neither."

Bow:

"Well, like, I don't know and I don't care actually"

Paintbrush:

"Speaking of phones, not only do I not have my cell phone, but my tablet is gone as well. And I draw on that thing a lot, for Objetica's sake!"

Pickle:

"And I don't know where did my Nantendo go."

Bow:

"That's a shame, but it sounds like a you problem." - Bow didn't look up from her phone for a moment. Unexpectedly, Paintbrush snatched Bow's phone out of her hand - "Hey what's your problem!?"

Paintbrush:

"Focus! Your phone is useless without signal anyway."

Bow simply groaned as a response, while unsuccessfully trying to retrieve his phone from Paintbrush's hands.

Apple:

"Hey! Cheer up that face! We can't be in a bad mood all the time!"

Bow:

"Shut up, Apple!"

Apple:

"Rude, I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Paintbrush:

"Wait a sec..." - Paintbrush began looking around until something clicked in them - "Oh, for Objectica's sake! Talking about lights!" - They then rushed inside the hotel, as they dropped Bow's phone on the floor.

Bow:

"Damn it! He gave my phone a crack!" - She said picking the phone up off the floor - "I hope he's happy now!" - She shouted towards the hotel where Paintbrush was now, hoping they could hear her.

Nickel:

"Wait, I thought Paintbrush was a girl?"

Bow:

"Meh, who knows"

After a while, Paintbrush came back, dragging Lightbulb out of the hotel.

Lightbulb:

"Let me eat!!" - Lightbulb tried to get out of the grip without success.

Paintbrush:

"You can eat later girl! this is important!"

Pickle:

"Wow, that's definitely quite a scene."

Paintbrush stopped dragging Lightbulb once he arrived at the meeting place, she simply stayed on the ground with an annoyed face.

Nickel:

"You look so happy right now, Lightbulb! I'm sure you got the meal of your life!" - Nickel sarcatically said, followed by a small laugh and a punch on the shoulder - "Ow!"

Baseball:

"Nickel!"

Nickel:

"Geez! Fine!" - He reluctantly accept.

OJ:

"Can we begin to act with caution and treat this situation seriously? Now is not the time to go fooling around."

Apple:

"Why not?"

Is that even a question?!

OJ:

"To begin with, we are ignoring the fact that we were taken to this place in the middle of nowhere without our knowledge and now out of nowhere a mysterious voice appears on the TVs telling us to meet here. Don't you think this is suspicious?"

Knife:

"After the things that happened todat, I've been on high alert since the very first minute."

Baseball:

"I'm sure they had a reason to do it."

Salt:

"And what reason that would be?"

Baseball:

"Uh.... I don't... know that yet..."

Salt:

"Wow, great job fatty, you did great!"

Baseball:

"F-Fatty?! I'm not fat!"

Nickel:

"Hey bitch, you can't just insult my friend like that!"

Salt:

"D-Did you just call me a bitch?!"

Pepper:

"How dare you call my BCFF that?!"

Nickel:

"I'm just returning the favor"

Paintbrush:

"Stop it guys! This is exactly what OJ is saying not to do! He's right, we have to be alert to anything that may appear, whether it looks dangerous or not!"

Bow:

"Keep alert on what? As far as I know, there's no one else in this place but us at the moment and that stupid voice is nowhere to be fou-"

Taco:

"What's that?" - Taco said, getting everyone's attention.

*Music Stops*

Bow:

"Come again?"

Pickle:

"What's what, Taco? What did you saw?"

Taco:

"I'm not sure, but there's something there!"

We all looked in the direction she was looking at and...

Marshmallow:

"What is that thing?"

I couldn't see it clearly, but there was something or someone there.

Lightbulb:

"I don't know, but it looks like a little bug from here!"

Baseball:

"I don't think that's the correct way to describe it."

Paper:

"If I had to guess, I'd say someone or something is spying on us?"

Balloon:

"He's spying us!?"

Bow:

"Not cool! Like, super inappropriate!"

Knife:

"Hey you! We are seeing you! Reveal yourself Before I go there and take you out by force!"

???:

"Oh darn it, I wanted to spy a little more, but hey, it looks like I have been caught! Well then...I guess it's time for my Ultimate Introduction to begin!"

OJ:

"What...?"

That voice... is the same one on the TV from before.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before anyone could say anything, he pupped suddenly outside the hotel entrance.

(Song Playing: Mr Monokuma's Lesson V3 - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

???:

"Hello!"

OJ:

"AH!!" - I let out a loud scream.

???:

"Geez! That isn't a nice way to greet your host, you know? Scaredy cat..."

Paper:

"A... Mephone?" - It was a Mephone4, But it had half of the screen glitched with a red eye.

???:

"W-Wha-! How dare you to compare me with such low cheap technology!" - He gasped

Salt:

"You got offended by that? Seriously?"

???:

"You wouldn't understand, Mrs. Mar"

Salt:

"Mrs?! I'm still a teenager! So It's Ms. Mar for you!"

???:

"What? You got offended by that? That's too bad..."

Salt:

"Ngh! You little..."

Monophone4:

"Having quieted that girl once and for all, I can now start talking about what's important! First, I want to apologize for my tardiness, I didn't expect it the proceedings would take as long as they did."

Paintbrush:

"Proccedings?"

Balloon:

"Wait a second! Where did you come from!?"

???:

"Magic~"

Nickel:

"Wow really? Can you do it once more!?"

???:

"Eh... N-no, Not because It wasn't magic, not at all, I just that I don't want to do it, that's it!"

Nickel:

"Hm... I totally believe that"

Bomb:

"Y-Yeah no... T-That d-definitely wasn't m-magic."

Marshmallow:

"Who... no, What are you exactly? If you aren't a Mephone then what are you?"

???:

"Thanks for reminding me about that Marshmallow, I forgot about my Ultimate Presentation!" - He then pulled out a microphone out of nowhere and started talking - "I am your host! The most handsome, most technologically advanced and most dangerous robot in history, Monophone4!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monophone4,

Host.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paintbrush:

"Monophone4?"

Lightbulb:

"So you are a Mephone! You little liar!"

Monophone4:

"How many times do I have to tell you!? I'm not a Mephone! I'm not one of those cheap technologies!"

Lightbulb:

"Uy, ok, looks like the robot is gettin' angry"

Paintbrush:

"It's better that you stop provoking him, Lightbulb"

Knife:

"That's not important right now" - Then Knife spoke to Monophone4 - "You! Can you explain where the hell we are!?"

Monophone4:

"Huh? Well, you could say you guys are in a... Island"

Bow:

"We are in a what now?"

Monophone4:

"Hm? You know? Island? A small rock in the middle of the ocean? I'm pretty sure there's a dictionary somewhere here."

Bomb:

"I d-don't think th-that's what she me-meant!"

Salt:

"Yeah, like, who doesn't know what an Island is?"

Knife:

"I think what she meant to say is... How the frick are we on an island!?"

Monophone4:

"I thought the sleeping gas told the entire story."

Nickel:

"Yeah guys! Why are we wondering how we got here? Clearly, we all signed a contract where we consented to the fact that they would put us to sleep with sleeping gas, and also that the email that we all received clearly said that the contest was going to be on an island ISOLATED from humanity!"

Monophone4:

"Ah, sarcasm... I love that"

Bow:

"Anyway, if this is how you treat your contestants, I don't want to participate!"

Paper:

"I don't know how or why the other contestants from previous seasons participated in this reality if this is how they are treated!"

Pickle:

"Yeah, I'm not going to participate in this!"

Taco:

"Let us out!"

We all keep saying that we wanted to get out, it looked like that Monophone4 patience was getting lower and lower every second.

Monophone4:

"Geez, you're all so loud for Objectica's Sake! Do you all really wanna get out so badly!? That's too bad because the game has already started!"

Baseball:

"What?! Hey, you can't do that!"

Monophone4:

"Too bad, I already did"

Marshmallow:

"I'm certain that forcing someone to do something they don't want to do is harassment! And I'm pretty sure that's a crime."

Balloon:

"That he put us to sleep under our consent and took us to this island in the middle of nowhere.... Look, I'm no Feather Eistein, but that's abduction."

Monophone4:

"You talk as if I care about the crimes I just committed. Mind you, I wouldn't even care if I had thrown a puppy while I was getting everything ready."

Nickel:

"Wh- You- You did- Yeah, I'm definitely complaining after this."

Apple:

"What's a puppy?" - Marshmallow whispered something to Apple. She then gasped loudly - "You monster! How could you?!"

Knife:

"So you're going to force us to participate in this... game of yours?""

OJ:

"You... " - I sighted - "What is the game you even have ready?"

Monophone4:

"I'm glad you asked! You could say you guys are going to play a game that I proudly call..." - Then, Suddenly sounds of drums started to sound out of nowhere - " A Communal Life!"

Nickel:

"What kind of shitty name is that?"

Monophone4:

"Hey! Is not a shitty name! Not as shitty as your personality."

Nickel:

"Ngh! How dare you!"

Lightbulb:

"Just tell us how to play, come on, hurry up!"

Monophone4:

"Fine, you don't have to hurry me up!" - With that, Monophone 4 started to explain to us - "You see... I realized that this island doesn't have... much life, so to speak. So I've decided to do a little social experiment! To put it in a nutshell... You will all live on this island!"

Baseball:

"Wait what!?"

Bomb:

"L-Live in t-this island?!"

Knife:

"So that's why everyone here has their own room at the hotel?"

Monophone4:

"Smarty. Since you are going to live here on this island from now on, we have prepared dormitories where you can rest whenever you want! As a bonus, the dorms are unique to each of you regarding your ultimate talents so that you can make yourselves at home. Of course, things like food and water are not going to be problems at all!"

Salt:

"So, that's it?"

Paper:

"That's it?! What do you mean that's it?!"

Salt:

"If we only have to live here for a while, I don't care much either. I mean, we have a hotel and an island all to ourselves! It's perfect! I wouldn't mind living here forever either. Just give me the keys to the sauna and I'll be happy." - A relaxed and happy expression appeared on her face.

Marshmallow:

"But, to live here without being told first is definitely weird!"

Monophone4:

"So you want to live here forever, Salt? Then today is your lucky day! Since the end date of this game is... there isn't one! *Music Stops* You will be living here until the day of your inevitable deaths! In other words... FOREVER! Hahahahahaha!"

(Song Playing: Weekly Despair Magazine - UDG Version by Masafumi Takada)

Baseball:

"Wait! What the fuck!? D-Dude! You made me swear!"

Salt:

"Ok hold on, I was just kidding about that last part!" - That relaxed and calm expression was replaced by a frightened and pale one.

Pepper:

"Hey, this isn't funny! What do you mean we have to stay here forever!?"

Monophone4:

"What? Don't you understand? From now on, this island will be your home, your world, so deal with it. Don't waste your time searching for an exit, it's impossible"

Bomb:

"Y-You c-can't just k-keep us on t-this island f-forever!"

Lightbulb:

"Yeah, stupid phone, you can't do that! That's against my rights!"

Monophone4:

"You talk like I care about rights."

Lightbulb:

"Y-You just pulled out the same card as when we were talking about crimes, that's cheating!"

Bow:

"There is simply no way I will live forever with these people, like, no way"

Apple:

"That's the least of our problems, Bow!"

Paper:

"I demand you to let us go this instant!" - Screamed at Monophone4

Monophone4:

"Aw... What are you, Paper? My father? How pathetic"

Knife:

"The pathetic one here is you! You'll see when I catch you!"

Monophone4:

"I wouldn't do that if I were you Knife, you'll end up very badly..."

Knife:

"Is that a threat?! That's it!" - Knife was about to throw himself at Monophone4, but Pickle stopped him by grabbing his wrist.

Pickle:

"Don't do anything reckless, we don't know what he's capable of!"

Taco:

"Oh... part of me wanted to see some action..."

Balloon:

"Is that all that matters to you now?!"

I just met this machine and he's already gotten to my nerves!

OJ:

"Look, we all have families that we want to see again! You can't just keep us on this island just because you want to!"

Marshmallow:

"I-I want to see my father again! You can't forbid me that!"

Lightbulb:

"Same here, my old man is very protective of me, he's going to freak out if I don't call him, like, right now!"

Nickel:

"Even if I don't really like my family... I also want to see them again!"

Monophone4:

"Sweet Jesus, fine! You know what? Completely forget what I said about escaping is impossible! There is a way to escape from this island AND win the million dollars on top of it!"

Pepper:

"We're still competing for the million dollars?!"

Paper:

"Money is the least of our worries at the moment!"

Bomb:

"R-Right, but wh-what is this w-way to escape you're t-talking about?"

Monophone4:

"I have realized that since all of you will live on this island from now on, in peace and harmony, with hopes that you are gonna escape... It would be a great shame if someone destroyed that harmony and hope, and replaced with chaos and despair... And that someone will be able to escape!"

Lightbulb:

"Hold on blue screen! You are going too fast! What do you mean by destroying the armony?"

Then Monophone4 said something I would never forget...

Monophone4:

"Well, Lightbulb... You know... I'm talking about murder of course"

*Music Stops*

...

OJ:

"W-What?"

Lightbulb:

"Oh, haha how funny, I thought for a moment you said that to escape we had to do something related to murder. But that's not possible, my ears musta have fooled me, right? You wouldn't make us do something like that, would you? Something so horrible related to taking lives? That's just silly ol' me.... R-Right?"

Monophone4:

"Oh nono Lightbulb, your ears aren't playing any tricks on you, you heard it right! I said murder!"

Lightbulb:

"..." - Lightbulb's normal face, a bright and happy one, was replaced with a terrified one - "O-Oh..."

...

(Song Playing: Mr Monokuma After Class - Cover Remix by Vetrom)

OJ:

"M-murder!?"

Apple:

"Murder!?... What does murder mean again?"

Taco:

"... Murder?...." - Taco stayed silent for a second - "Yey!"

Pickle:

"No, Taco, that's a bad thing"

Taco:

"Oh... nooooo..." - Taco ducked her head in sadness

It took a few seconds for Pickle to realize the weight of Monophone4's words.

Pickle:

"Wait... Murder!? What do you mean murder!?"

Monophone4:

"Really again? You guys really need a dictionary." - Monophone4 made a dictionary appear out of nowhere and started flipping through it until he came to a page - "Here! Ahem... The definition of murder is the unlawful premeditated killing of one living object to-"

Baseball:

"We already know what murder means, that's not the case! What do you mean by murder and why is it related to what we have to do to escape?!"

Monophone4:

"I thought you were smart enough to know that for yourselves."

Nickel:

"It's not like you're telling us we have to commit murder to escape from here."

Monophone4:

"Ding ding! You are correct, Nickel! You are smarter that Double B here."

Salt:

"H-He's right?!"

Nickel:

"I-I was just joking! I didn't think I would got it right!"

Balloon:

"You're not saying... Wait! Wait! Are you going to make us kill each other!?"

Monophone4:

"Ding ding! That's also correct ballony boy! In other words... If you want to escape this island so badly, all you have to do is murder another contestant without getting caught!"

Bow:

"What?!"

Knife:

"We... have to murder one of us?"

Monophone4:

"I don't care how you do it: drowning, strangulation, burning, freezing, stabbing, shooting, beating, electrocution, decapitation, bludgeoning, etc. etc. etc. etc.! You have to murder one of your 'friends' and get away with it..." - A disturbing grin was spread across his screen.

Just as he said those words, I noticed how fast my heart was beating, how my eyes were filled with fear, how my face lost all its color.

We need to murder another contestant to leave?! That's so mess up!

Pepper:

"We have t-to m-murder!?"

Paintbrush:

"W-What...? You can't be serious..."

Monophone4:

"Oh, I'm very serious. I don't lie, from that you can be 100% sure..."

Paintbrush:

"B-But... But what.... WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" - Out of nowhere, Paintbrush's brush burst into flames. Everyone but Monophone4 gasped, like he was already expecting that to happen.

Lightbulb:

"Painty!"

Paintbrush:

"DO YOU THINK WE'RE BLOODTHIRSTY ANIMALS OR WHAT?! WE'RE NOT GOING TO START KILLING EACH OTHER JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T ASK FOR IT! WE AREN'T MURDERERS!"

Monophone4:

"Do you really think so?"

Paintbrush:

"What do you mean?! Of course! I know so!"

Monophone4:

"Wow Paintbrush, if you only knew what the mind of the living is capable of.... The living just need a little push to become killing machines! A loved one in danger? They murder. A shameful secret? They murder. Not thinking clearly? They murder. They want revenge? They murder. And the list goes on and on!"

Baseball:

"That doesn't mean we'll start killing! I-I trust everyone here. I'm sure they won't start killing no matter the motive!"

Monophone4:

"Trust... That's also a motive to kill"

Pickle:

"Even trust?!"

Monophone4:

"An example: you say you trust your friends, that you are not going to kill anyone, but what happens when someone is killed? That trust turns into paranoia and paranoia can turn into murderous thoughts! Or even the very fact of trusting someone so much can lead you to kill for that same object! Trust can turn even the weakest into murder through the correct actions, and that's a fact."

Paper:

"B-but Murder i-is just... Is just so wrong! You are a heartless monster!" - Paper snapped, shouting at Monophone4.

Monophone4:

"Wow! We have another rebel one here!"

OJ:

"Paper calm down!" - I tried to calm down Paper but that only made it worse.

Paper:

"Calm Down!? OJ they are asking us to kill our friends!"

Monophone4:

"Friends? What friends? You are not friends, you are enemies! Besides, you only met today" - A mischievous smile appeared on his screen.

Apple:

"Just because we met today doesn't automatically make us enemies!"

Bomb:

"E-Even if w-we w-were e-enemies, w-we w-wouldn't k-kill e-each o-other! Th-There is a cl-clear b-barrier b-between h-hate a-and m-murder!"

Balloon:

"You're really going to transform our every word to drive us to murder, aren't you?"

Monophone4:

"Yep, that's correct. I'll use everything in my power to make sure this game doesn't take long to start..."

Knife:

"You little piece of shit!"

Monophone4:

"Hey! Watch that lenguage!"

Everyone was scared and angry.

I can't blame them.

One moment we were all excited to participate in the next season of Inanimate Insanity.

And the next we are trapped in a killing game where the only way out is to murder someone.

This...

This all seems so unreal...

Like something made out of fiction...

I'm scared, but...

I must say something...

I must calm this situation down!

I took a big breath before opening my mouth.

OJ:

"So?" - I said in the most calm voice possible.

*Music Stops*

Paper:

"Huh?"

Monophone4:

"I beg your pardon?"

(Song Playing: Beautiful Lie - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

OJ:

"You are trying to push these murderous ideologies on us so that we distrust each other and thus make a murder more likely to happen. But let me make this clear to you..." - I crossed my arms - "Do you really think we are going to play your stupid game?"

Monophone4:

"What does that mean?"

OJ:

"Do you really expect we will start killing each other just because you say it? Sorry to disappoint you, but you should know we are smarter than that! After all, we are all ultimate students here and, therefore, we are not like other objects!" - I said with confidence

Paper:

"OJ..."

Knife:

"Heh, I could have said it better myself!"

Bomb:

"W-We're n-not g-going to j-just s-simply m-murder b-because y-you s-say s-so!"

Paintbrush:

"See?! No one is playing your game and no one will!"

*Music Stops*

Monophone4:

"I mean... You don't have to kill anyone if you don't want to. You just have to cut all ties with the outside world! Hahaha!... Sure, of course, if you all agree to that...." - He turned around and before he left - "Face it, it's only a matter of time before one of you ends up snapping..." - He said that before disappearing as quickly as he came.

(Song Playing: Darkness Time - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

And with those final words, he was gone.

Even after what I said, I could still feel the fear, paranoia and anger in the air.

I'm sure the questions going around everyone's heads are:

"Is this really happening?"

"Are we really forced to do this?"

Silence and paranoia were the only things left after Monophone4 left.

Salt:

"Yeah! Go away! No one wants you here!"

Bow:

"Now what?"

Taco:

"I'm not sure..."

Knife:

"Sadly, the only thing we can do right now is to accept the reality of the situation... We are trapped in a killing game where whoever is behind it expects us to commit murder, in which the reward is freedom if we get away with it."

Pickle:

"What kind of reality is that? It looks like something out of a horror video game!"

Marshmallow:

"Do we really have to kill or just simply rot here? I don't want to die in this place!"

Apple:

"You won't die Marshy! Not as long as I'm here!" - Apple went to comfort Marshmallow - "B-But... I'm also scared... I don't want to die neither..."

Bow:

"Do you even know what dying means, Apple?"

Apple:

"I don't have a clue, but it sounds pretty bad."

Bow:

"Of course..."

Balloon:

"Can we really be sure that no one here is having murderous thoughts at this time?"

Lightbulb:

"Of course no one is having those thoughts! It's like Painty said! We aren't murderers!"

Baseball:

"Y-Yeah! We are not like other objects, we are Ultimates! We can't kill, we must fight!"

Paintbrush:

"..." - Paintbrush's flame extinguished, leaving only fumes, but surprisingly their brushes were still intact. Paintbrush took a few breaths to calm down before speaking again. - "So... What now?" - Paintbrush asked, more calmed.

Baseball:

"Huh?"

Paintbrush:

"We can't stand still here all night watching all around us with paranoia and talking empty promises. We must do something now!"

Bomb:

"H-He's right, we c-can't just s-stand here d-doing n-nothing!"

Paintbrush:

"Ehm... I actually go by..."

Lightbulb:

"Yeah! We need to stay together! If not, we will lose it!"

Paintbrush:

"...Never mind..."

Pepper:

"But what can we even do...? You heard Monophone4, there's no way out...."

Nickel:

"If we came in a boat, then this one is long gone."

OJ:

"Then we just need to plan our next move!"

Marshmallow:

"Plan our next move?"

OJ:

"If there is no escape, then one will have to create one!"

Pickle:

"We can create a way out?"

OJ:

"I don't know"

Taco:

"Wow, that was fast"

OJ:

"I-I'll think of something! Besides, I can't think alone, we all have to think together!"

Balloon:

"As the saying goes: "3 heads are better than one" or in this case 16 heads. I suppose is our best shoot."

Paper:

"At this point, anything is better than taking a life."

Bow:

"Can we do it tomorrow though? It's already night, and I'm so tired"

Knife:

"You are right... We should go to our dorms for now."

Salt:

"Do we really have to spend the night here?"

Taco:

"Weren't you just a few minutes ago saying how much you wanted to live here?"

Salt:

"That was before I knew all the horrible things they want us to do!"

Marshmallow:

"I see her point thought, I don't want to spent the night here."

Paintbrush:

"Nobody wants to do it, but we don't have much choice."

Pickle:

"For Objectica, I'm so tired... I don't care if I have to sleep in this hell of a place, I just want to lay down in a bed..."

Lightbulb:

"It's decided then..." - Lightbulb Yawned - "This bulb here needs to rest aswell... I can't wait to fall asleep like a baby and forget all about this mess, at least for a sec..."

Balloon:

"Fine, night everyone" - Balloon said before heading to the hotel.

Paper:

"S-See you all tomorrow... I suppose..."

We were all on our way to the hotel to rest from this long day. Until he spoke...

Nickel:

"I don't believe that planning an escape should be our number one priority."

*Music Stops*

Nickel saying this caught everyone's attention. We all turned around when he heard it.

Baseball:

"N-Nickel?"

Salt:

"What do you mean? Of course, it is!"

Nickel:

"I'm not saying we shouldn't escape, I want to escape from this island as much as you guys! But I feel like we are missing something more important here!"

Apple:

"What could be more important than escaping?"

Nickel:

"I know no one wants to hear it, but someone has to say it! And if no one is going to say it then that someone will be me!"

Balloon:

"Nickel, what are you talking about?"

Nickel:

"We should seriously consider whether..." - He took a deep breath - "We should seriously consider whether someone is actually considering killing someone to escape."

OJ:

"Ah!"

(Song Playing: Wonderful Story - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

OJ:

"W-What are you saying?! We already said that-"

Nickel:

"Look, I don't want to sound pessimistic... Hell, who am I kidding? I'm always pessimistic! But let's be real for a moment, let's take it as a possibility! For the love of Objectica we just met today! We don't know anything about the object next to us besides their name and talent! Obviously, there are some exceptions, but that doesn't change my perspective..."

Knife:

"What are you implying?"

Nickel:

"I'm saying that we can't trust someone simply because they say they won't kill! I'm sorry, but you said it yourself Knife, this is the reality of the situation we are trapped in... We can't trust anyone."

Knife:

"Ngh!"

And just like that, the atmosphere returned to what it was before: fear, paranoia, and confusion.

Nobody wanted to accept it, but Nickel was right, what do we know about the object next to us besides their Name and Talent?

Before anyone knew it, we all looked at each other with distrust. Like we were going to stab them in the back at any moment.

I don't know what's going on in the mind of one of the 15 objects who are here. Maybe they're thinking exactly what I'm thinking, or maybe they're already planning to kill one of us.

I hate the idea of thinking like this after what I said before.

But I can't help it

That's when I realized...

This... This is what Monophone4 wanted.

He wanted us to feel...

Despair...

He wanted us to like we are going to get constantly betrayed.

He wanted us...

To distrust each other...

To create...

Paranoia....

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*PROLOGUE - In This World - ENDS*

Survivor Remainings (16):

- Apple Flora
- Balloon Helium
- Baseball Seam
- Bomb Powder
- Bow Ribbon
- Knife Sharp
- Lightbulb LED Brights
- Marshmallow Blake
- Nickel Steel
- OJ Citrus
- Paintbrush Palette
- Paper Looseleaf
- Pepper Spice
- Pickle Gherkin
- Salt Mar
- Taco Flex

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW OBTAINED PRESENT!

"UAT: Ultimate Certificate"

Description:

"Proof that you cleared the Prologue. Now that you also have an Ultimate Talent, you can participate in our little Killing Game too! Puhuhu"

-

TROPHY UNLOCKED!

"Actual Insanity"

Description:

"Clear the Prologue"

-

Chapter Text

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ??? -

(Now Playing: Real · Fiction - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

In the middle of nowhere, on a small island surrounded in the waters, far from the imminent danger, stood a building, a facility one might call it [REDACTED]. A building with a lot, bunch of workers, fighting for the hope of the world, fighting for the disaster they partly caused. The hope of the world was falling on their shoulders.

That was the entire purpose of the facility, what has become now. They were the ones who created those now unstoppable killing machines, and their purpose was to destroy every single one of them. What they created

I could tell me more about this facility, but where would the fun be in doing so?

(Song Playing: Wonderful Story - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

But inside this facility, chaos was reigning. The entire facility was on full alert, sirens could be heard throughout the corridors, and every object was set on trying to fix this mess before casualties began to present themselves. Everyone was in a total panic because it was happening again. What they swore would never happen again was happening again.

This was NOT how it should have gone. Those kids should have had the best days of their lives, not their nightmares! Everything was going perfectly! Not a single inconvenience was seen, but still it happened, and no one knows how to fix it. The question rounding in everyone's head were the same:

"How are we going to stop something we couldn't stop before?".

In a room full of monitors, everyone present was watching what the cameras were showing on that island through the monitors itself, watching the 16 contestants in pure fear, watching the phone that completely wrecked their plans.

One object in particular was looking at the scene with absolute rage, knowing that those contestants were going to go through that hell... The same hell he had been through before. He knew firsthand how easy it was for his host to manipulate his friends into killing each other. Into murder. He still remembered how he was forced to see his best friend getting executed right in front of his eyes. It was the first time he felt powerless. It was an image forced inside his mind.

???:

"Sir, we have analyzed the situation carefully, and we have come to the conclusion that we can only have a small chance of getting in if we disable the IPS." - One object informed the other, him knowing the dangers it would mean if they did so.

??? 1:

"Disabling the Island's Protection Systems? Getting in? Are you sure we don't have any other options? Can't we just use the turrets to eliminate the threat from outside?"

???:

"I'm afraid not, we lost all control of the turrets the moment Monophone4 stepped on the island, we can only eliminate the threat from inside. This could be the only solution for this huge problem."

He knew, with no choice, that it was maybe really the only choice they had to save them. For him, even if there's the smallest chance, he needed to take it. He sighed before giving a small nod.

??? 1:

"Okay, go for it, but you have to be careful about the safety of others in there, got it? We don't know when they might attack."

???:

"Affirmative." - The object walked away from the other object with the objective of disabling the security. Alerting all the other objects around to get back to work.

While the other object was making sure everything was going according to plan, outside the room itself, the footsteps of someone running frantically could be heard, and, suddenly, the doors of the room were being flung open by another object with considerable force, making the object flinched as he turned around.

??? 2:

"You!" - The girl pointed her finger at the guy aggressively - "Why didn't you tell me what was going on!? Why didn't you tell me!?"

??? 1:

"'Cause I knew you were going to have this exact same reaction, it's always the same with you!"

??? 2:

"I left you for a SINGLE second on your own.... And this is what happens?! At what point did the entire plan go down the drain?! How did a Monophone infiltrate on the island?!"

??? 1:

"Don't you think if we knew the answer to that problem, we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place? We're still figuring it out how we could let this happened."

??? 2:

"Oh no... For Objetica, nononono, this can't be happening.... I don't want them to have to go through the same hell we had to go through, [REDACTED]!" - The woman is hyperventilating, breathing very fast, in a state of pure panic.

??? 1:

"Calm down! We still have someone on the inside, remember? [REDACTED] will make sure there are no casualties."

??? 2:

"And what if our insider is also manipulated into murder by Monophone4, huh? We'd be in big trouble!"

??? 3:

"That's not going to happen, you know [REDACTED], they're not the type of object to let themselves be manipulated so easily."

??? 2:

"You don't know that! If he could manipulate [REDACTED NAMES] into murder, who's to say Monophone4 won't do the same with [REDACTED] and the others?!"

??? 1:

"Look, Monophone4 and him are nothing alike. Besides, that doesn't mean they'll make the same mistake we did. Look, [REDACTED] I know you're scared and angry, but you need to trust me, okay? I'm angry too, I don't want them to go through the same hell we lived." - The guy put both hands on the girl's shoulders. Giving her a reassuring look - "I'm going to make sure I get them all out before anyone can die. I promise" - The boy switched his gaze to the object that was passing through the corridors, the male object called the attention of the object in the corridor. - "Hey[REDACTED], can you take [REDACTED] please? I need you to calm her down a little bit."

??? 3:

"Uh... Sure okay."

??? 2:

"What?! No! I'm not gonna let you deal with this alone, [REDACTED]!"

??? 1:

"[REDACTED], I need you to trust me, okay? I can do this."

The male object looked at her with a smile on his face confidently. The female object looked at him with doubt, but she knew that she herself also had a lot to do, and very little time. So after thinking about it for a while, she agreed.

??? 2:

"Fine..." - The object girl turned around to leave with the other object, who had just arrived.

??? 3:

"Come on, I'm sure a cup of coffee can calm your nerves for a little while."

As the two were about to leave the room, the female object took one last look at the object in front of her.

??? 2:

"You better keep your promise..."

(Now Playing: Real · Fiction - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

The male object gave him a smile, a sign that he would try to keep his promise. Then the two objects left the room.

The two objects walked down the corridors of the facility, the alarms turned off, as everyone was aware of the situation. The two objects said nothing to each other, simply walking down a hallway where isolation was something you could only wish for. Hundreds of workers going through the halls, running to other areas.

??? 3:

"Don't worry about them, they'll be fine, I'm sure." - The other girl broke the silence.

??? 2:

"You don't know for sure, you weren't in a killing game like I was before... You don't know what are they capable of doing to cause murderous thoughts to anyone. I lost my two best friends there..."

??? 3:

"I'm sure whatever happened in your killing game traumatized you, but that doesn't mean history is going to repeat itself."

??? 2:

"How can you remain so calm? Isn't your brother inside the island as well? I would be panicking!"

??? 3:

"Well, it's true I'm scared for my brother's safety, mostly because of how he sometimes acts.... But I know everyone trapped inside like the back of my hand! I know none of them would go so far as to commit murder, it's just not in their character for any of them."

??? 2:

"That's what I thought of everyone when our killing game started... And look! We only survived [REDACTED NUMBER] out of the [REDACTED NUMBER] we were trapped! Everyone is capable of committing murder! It doesn't matter if that's in their character or not... And he knew it so well, that's why he took advantage of it..."

The other girl looked at the other with concern and sadness. Her killing game really left its mark on her, and she doesn't want anyone else to go through what she had to go through. The two were silent again for a few long minutes. Until she broke the silence again.

??? 3:

"Who is he?"

??? 2:

"What?"

??? 3:

"If you don't mind me asking! I know you are referring to your Killing Game host, but I forgot what his name was."

??? 2:

"..." - The girl turned her gaze elsewhere, rubbing her arm at the question - "The truth.... I'd rather forget it... I'm sorry, I'm still just... trying to process everything..."

??? 3:

"Oh... I-It's okay, don't worry about it."

No more questions were asked. The two girls continued walking through the halls of the facility, the same facility frantically trying to fix this mess. The girl was still rubbing her arm with her other hand, remembering that dark grin whenever something went according to her host's plan.

That smile would continue to torment her until the end of her days, knowing he was the one who took the lives of her friends without any regrets. That smile was going to appear in her nightmares...

Worst of all... There was a time when she considered him a friend... Before this whole catastrophe took place.

She would do anything just to forget that grin for a second. JUST for one second...

Anything...

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Chapter Text

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- SAVED DATA:

PLAY TIME: 1:54:14

PROLOGUE - END

HOTEL AREA

NIGHTTIME

Do you want to load this save?

- [Yes] - - No -

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(Now Playing: Despair Syndrome - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

After listening to what Nickel had to say, we all went back to our dorms. This time they were unlocked.

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- OJ'S ROOM -

CHAPTER 1
NIGHTTIME

I closed my dormitory door and began to examine my surroundings. Then I realized something as a familiar feeling ran through my mind.

OJ:

"What in the...?" - The room was decorated from head to toe with a party theme. The bed looked very conformable and stylish and the walls were painted in an orange tone. On a shelf inside a glass box was a type of emblem, an orange-colored emblem with a drawing of an open door was embedded in the emblem. - "What is this thing?" - I tried to open the glass box without much success. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it had a lock. So this could be opened with a key I don't have. - "Just great..." - Without much ado, I left the box on the shelf for the remaining time, sitting on the bed to think.

OJ:

"So... This is my dormitory..." - This room seems to have been designed for a host. It is very elegant yet colorful.

To my right were two windows through which I could see outside the hotel. And to my left was a door leading to the bathroom. The bed felt very comfortable, but that's the least of my problems.

It was obvious that this room had been designed for me.... Monophone4 said so himself.

- FLASHBACK -

-

Monophone4:

"Since you are going to live here on this island from now on, we have prepared dormitories where you can rest whenever you want! As a bonus, the dorms are unique to each of you regarding your ultimate talents so that you can make yourselves at home."

-

- END OF FLASHBACK -

That confirms to me this dormitory was supposed to be made for the Ultimate Host, that being my talent..

...

And I don't find it funny or pleasant at all.

I rubbed my eyes before lying on my "bed". Today it's officialy the worst day of my life... And I had horrible days!

I was going to accomodate myself to sleep, but just when I turned my head to my left, I saw on the bedside table 2 things on it: A key and something that looked like a smartphone or a PDA.

I quickly stood up off the bed and grabbed the two objects on the bedside table.

The key had a keychain with my name on it.

OJ:

"I guess this is mine? And what about this thing?"

Wait a minute, is this what I think it is? There's only one way to confirm it...

I pressed the button on the bottom of the device, turning it on. And the first thing that appeared on the device's screen was...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Welcome!

Orange Juice Citrus, Ultimate Host!"

It was my name and my talent what appeared at the screen first.

And then...

The second thing that appeared at the screen was the menu and a notification with more text
The second thing that appeared at the screen was the menu and a notification with more text.

"Welcome to your very own special E-Handbook! Here you can see everything you need to know about Inanimate Insanity: a map of the island, the report cards of the other contestants and the rules! Those are very important, so make sure you read them all to the letter!"

OJ:

"I knew it..." - This is an E-Handbook, in other words, an electronic student handbook. It is a device given to all of us students at UAT for our school years, and this is mine. There was my name, my talent, my species, my gender, my age and my birthday. But why is this here? At no point do I remember taking my Handbook with me to the contest. No, in fact, this E-Handbook is a little different...

The E-Handbook menu had several icons labeled: Rules, Meeple Map, Flashlight, Report Cards, Gallery, Camera and Settings.

There was supposed to be the notes section as well, but instead there were two new different sections.

And they had very weird names...

...Truth Bullets and the Monofile...

I tried to enter both sections of the E-Handbook, but no matter how many times I tried to tap on them, I couldn't get them open, so I gave up.

With nothing else to do, I clicked on the rules section. I wanted to read all the rules of this "game" before going to sleep. After all, I didn't want to know what would happen if you broke one by accident or not....

OJ:

"Ok then, here we go, what are the rules?" - Then, I began reading

"Rule Nº1:

The contestants are able to explore the Island without limitations! As long as the area is accessible"

"Rule Nº2:

Exiting the perimeters of the Island is strictly prohibited!"

"Rule Nº3:

Nighttime starts at 10 PM and ends at 7 AM. Some areas will be closed during this time and entry at that point is prohibited. It's also recommendable to stay in your dorms during this time, at least if you don't want and "accident" to happen."

"Rule Nº4:

Sleeping outside the dorms will be seen as "pure laziness" and will result in a punishment"

"Rule Nº5:

To escape from this Island, you need to murder another contestant without getting caught, so make sure to leave no trace of evidence behind if you decide to take the knife!"

"Rule Nº6:

If a body is discovered by 3 or more contestants, a BDA (Body Discovery Announcement) will trigger, warning the remaining contestants and beginning the Investigation phase!"

"Rule Nº7:

When a murder is committed, all the remaining contestant will have 1 hour to investigate the moment the BDA is triggered. When the Investigation Phase is over, all the remaining contestants will go to the Trial Grounds to start the Elimination Trial. The participation is mandatory"

"Rule Nº8:

During the Elimination Trial, all the remaining contestants will have to argue and present their arguments and evidences about who do they think is the Blackened(AKA: The Culprit, The Killer)."

"Rule Nº9:

If the Blackened of the case successfully tricks everyone into choosing the wrong one choice, everyone but the Blackened will be punished and the Blackened will escape from this Island with the 1 million dollars and all their crimes forgiven."

"Rule Nº10:

On the other hand, if the remaining contestants vote for the Blackened right, then only the Blackened will be punished! And the remaining contestants will return to live normally on the island."

"Rule Nº11:

The game will automatically end when a contestant successfully gets away with murder or when only 2 contestants are left alive"

"Rule Nº12:

Violence to the Host is completely prohibited! And will result in a Punishment"

"Rule Nº13:

It is strictly forbidden to destroy any material intentionally inside the island (cameras, doors, trees,...) there are some exceptions if a murder is planned"

"Rule Nº14:

Monophone4 will never participate directly in a murder"

"Rule Nº15:

The Blackened can kill a maximum of two contestants"

"Rule Nº16:

More rules will be added if needed"

...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- OJ'S ROOM -

CHAPTER 1

NIGHTTIME

An Elimination Trial? Monophone4 didn't tell us about this! But now that I think about it... It kinda makes sense... It adds the "get away with it" more meaning now...

Suddenly it came to my mind... Cameras!? Is he watching us right now!?

OJ:

"What an...!" - I wanted to insult him and let it all out. But I knew that was just going to make matters worse - "Calm down OJ... Ok so... I guess this E-Handbook and key are mines."

I got up from my bed to decide what to do with the key.

Of course, my first instinct was to try to open that glass box with the emblem. I went to the shelf, grabbed the metal box and tried to put the key into the lock, but it wouldn't fit.

Defeated, I put the box back on the shelf. I started to think about what the key might work for.

Instantly, another idea came to me. My dormitory door.

To check it out, I went to my door and opened just to see the halls completely dark and empty.

OJ:

"Okay, Let's do this fast" - I closed my door from outside, put the key in the keyhole and turned it. Once done, I tried to open the door again, but I couldn't, it was locked. - "I knew it, this key is for my dormitory door." - I quickly unlocked the door of my room again, stepped inside, and close it from inside. I noticed how my door could be locked without a key from inside, it had a lock.

I didn't hesitate in putting the lock for my door.

It's not like I don't trust anyone! Not at all! Is just...

...

...Who am I kidding... I don't even trust in myself in this hell of an island...

After closing the door, I put a cork on my head to keep the orange juice from spilling out while I slept, and threw myself on the bed, thinking....

Thinking about how I shouldn't have accepted that stupid note, thinking about what I would be doing if I wasn't stuck here, thinking about the UAT Academy, thinking about my family....

Part of me wanted that when I fell asleep, I would wake up in my bed at home, instead of this hotel, everything being all just a very horrible nightmare.... But another part of me... A deeper part of me knew this was very real... But I didn't want to admit it...

With those last thoughts in my head I fell asleep, hoping that tomorrow would be a better day. That tomorrow all 16 of us who are trapped in this island would be still alive....

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 1 - Welcome to Inanimate Insanity! - STARTS

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DING DONG BING BONG!

The sound of a bell rang throughout my dormitory, waking me up. Afterwards, the TV in my room came on. Sure enough, he was on the screen.

Monophone4:

"Good morning, good morning! Oh! Looks like nighttime is over... so... GET YOUR BUTTS UP AND DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- OJ'S ROOM -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Beautiful Morning - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

I woke up thanks to the annoying morning announcement.

To my bad luck, I was still in the hotel, which meant it was all real and not a dream.

I let out a big sigh. I really didn't feel like getting up, so I decided to stay in bed for another 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes had passed, I got out of bed, I still didn't feel like it, but I knew I couldn't stay in bed all day, I had to do something.

I grabbed my Handbook and my keys before leaving my dormitory.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (1st FLOOR) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Once I stepped out of my dorm into the hallways, I saw a very confused Taco navigating through the halls.

I went to see what was happening with her.

OJ:

"Hey Taco, good morning."

Taco:

"Ah!" - Taco turned to me when he noticed my presence. - "G'mornin', OJ! How are you doing?"

OJ:

"I could be doing better, that's for sure. But generally I'm okay."

Taco:

"Come on, cheer up! Today it's beautiful day! No need to be in a bad mood."

OJ:

"Beautiful wouldn't be the right word to describe all of this, Taco."

Taco:

"Right, the whole killing game situation and stuff." - Taco laughed nerviously - "But it could be always worse. I'm just sure everything will end up just fine! No one here will kill anyone! And I'm sure I'll end up remembering something!"

OJ:

"Are you talking about your talent? I take it you still don't remember it."

Taco:

"Nope! I hope I end up remembering soon nonetheless."

OJ:

"You know, I'm starting to wonder how can you be so calm. It's almost strange."

Taco:

"I do?"

OJ:

"Yes, even if you don't remember your talent at all, or when you are trapped with us here in this killing game. It's like you just don't care at all!"

Taco:

"Oh, well, that's just how I am. People always call me a carefree for a reason. I just don't give a SHIT about what's happening in my surroundings!"

OJ:

"Y-You didn't need to scream that!"

Taco:

"But I can and I will!"

OJ:

"Of course..." - She really doesn't care about anything in concrete, huh? - "Anyway, leaving that behind for a moment, what are you doing?"

Taco:

"Mh?"

OJ:

"You looked a little confused before I came in, are you ok? Are you looking for something or?"

Taco:

"Sort of... By any chance you wouldn't happen to know where the kitchen is?"

OJ:

"The kitchen? Yes I do, it's on the lobby to your left. You must be hungry."

Taco:

"Yup! I am very hungry! That's why I'm going to check if those guys have finished cooking yet."

OJ:

"Cooking? Who's cooking?"

Taco:

"You don't know?"

OJ:

"I think I would prefer if you gave me some context, Taco."

Taco:

"Right, you were sleeping like a baby." - You didn't need to put it like that... - "Lightbulb and Paintbrush offered to cook us all breakfast! They woke up before all of us so now they are cooking so we can have our stomachs full and then come up with a plan to escape this island. Their words, not mine. I'm not complaining, though."

OJ:

"Really? I didn't know they were going with the trouble on doing that. That's very kind of them!"

Taco:

"That's why I said I'm not complaining you doofus."

D-Doofus?!

OJ:

"I'll ignore you just called me a dumbass."

Taco:

"Ignore? So you are the type to not fight back! That's a pretty coward move, OJ."

OJ:

"I-I not a coward! C-can we move out to another topic? So, if you are going to the kitchen, then are you going to go check Lightbulb and Paintbrush?"

Taco:

"Yup! Also, because Knife asked me to go and check."

OJ:

"Knife?"

Taco:

"Yup! He's playing with Pickle in the Game room! Bomb it's also there."

OJ:

"Why are they playing in the middle of a killing game again?"

Taco:

"Well, it all started when Knife found out that Pickle hadn't lost a single time since he started in the gaming world. So, Knife being Knife challenged him to a video game match! He said he could beat Pickle easily in any game. The idiot actually thinks he can beat the Ultimate Gamer!"

I don't know Knife that well, but I feel like that's something he would definitely do.

OJ:

"I-I see... Well, I'll go check them out then. I had nothing to do anyway."

Taco:

"I'll suggest you to cover your ears just in case Knife starts to scream. That's the only reason I accepted his petition, to not hear his screams of pure rage. Anyway, I gotta go to the kitchen! See ya, OJ!" - Taco left to the living room.

I should go check on Knife, Pickle and Bomb in the game room. I want to make sure they are not making a mess in there. And it would be an excellent opportunity to see the Game Room.

So, I headed to the Game Room.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (Game Room) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

As soon as I opened the door to the Game Room...

(Now Playing: DANVEGAS - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

"AAAAHHH!!" - The whole hall rang with screams of wrath.

OJ:

"Ah!" - I had to cover my ears. - "What the heck?! What's happening inside?" - Having that question, I stepped inside the room.

Pickle and Knife were playing video games on the Game Room TV while sitting in a sofa.

Bomb was standing there, clearly holding his laughter.

Knife:

"It's not fair! I can't be losing! This controller must be broken I'm telling you!"

Pickle:

"I wouldn't be surprised by how many times you smashed the controller against floor." - Pickle had this provocative face.

Bomb:

"J-j-just g-give up, Kn-Knife. C-can't you j-just a-accept d-defeat? W-we both kn-know y-you are j-just g-gonna k-keep l-losing e-every s-single t-time."

Knife:

"No! I can't give up! I demand another remath!"

Pickle:

"If you are ready for the to beat your ass again... Gladly."

OJ:

"G-Good Morning guys... It seems everything is going awesome here..." - I greeted them, still stunned by Knife sudden scream.

Bomb:

"Oh, h-hey OJ, g-g-god m-morning!"

Knife:

"Hey man! You are just about to see how I beat this guy in his own game!"

OJ:

"Well, your screaming when I opened the door said otherwise." - I chuckled

Knife:

"Ah! S-Shut up! We don't talk about that!"

Bomb:

"W-why n-not? S-scared of o-objects s-seeing y-you as a l-loser?" - Bomb scoffed

Knife:

"We'll see who's the loser! Now shush Bomb! I need to concentrate here!"

OJ:

"You guys seem to be taking this seriously" - I let out a small laugh - "I saw Taco earlier, she told me something about Knife challenging Pickle?"

Bomb:

"Ye-yeah! Knife s-said that he c-could b-beat Pickle at any g-game when h-he told h-him he haven't lo-lost a single m-match s-since he s-started g-ga-gaming!" - Bomb tried to explain me.

OJ:

"Oh really? Well, good luck trying to beat the Ultimate Gamer, Knife! That's gonna be hard!" - I gave Knife a little pat on the shoulder after saying that

Knife:

"I don't need luck! I can win th-" - Just as he said that, the match they were playing ended in a heartbeat, Knife lost.

Pickle:

"You were saying?" - He said, looking at Knife with a provocative grin as Knife simply looked at the screen with dumbfounded

Knife:

"Ah uhm... I- Is not fair! OJ and Bomb distracted me! I demand another rematch!" - He said as an excuse... hey wait!

OJ:

"Hey!"

Pickle:

"You are really a masochist for losing aren't you? Okay, I don't mind kicking your ass again and again!" - He says before taking the controller again

Knife:

"We'll see about that!"

Bomb:

"I-I b-bet h-he's g-gonna l-lose a-again in a h-heartbeat."

After watching Knife dig his own grave for the 10th time, I took the freedom to examine the game room more closely.

It wasn't very big, but it was big enough to fit several types of couches, a ping-pong table and a pool table, a bookshelf full of video game covers, a television and last but not least, the card games.

I was always a fan of poker! I would like to play again, but now is not the best time.

Knife:

"Dammit!" - Knife screamed in frustration, slamming the controller on the floor, interrupted my thoughts.

Pickle:

"Whoa there! What did the poor controller do to you?"

Bomb:

"I-I kn-knew it. Y-you are s-so b-bad at v-videogames, Kn-Knife. J-just a-accept it."

Knife:

"Never! I need to win! I'm the Ultimate Boxer! I can't lose!"

Pickle:

"That's your problem, Knife. You are the Ultimate BOXER! Not the Ultimate Gamer, like I am."

Knife:

"My talent doesn't matter now!"

Bomb:

"Th-th-then w-why d-did y-you b-bring it up if it-it's n-not i-important?"

It's kinda strange seeing them discussing and playing like this was an everyday morning when it isn't. We are still in a killing game after all.

I supposed they are doing it to keep themselves distracted from this "game" until Lightbulb and Paintbrush are done with breakfast.

Talking about them, I should go see how they are doing aswell.

OJ:

"I should get going before Knife blames me again for something that's not my fault, bye guys" - I said before turning around to leave the game room.

Taco:

"Oh, hi again!" - As I was about to open the door to leave, Taco appeared - "Leaving so soon?"

OJ:

"Yeah, sorry, I have to see how the others are doing as well."

Taco:

"I see... Well, then I won't keep you here then."

OJ:

"Bye everyone! Again..."

Knife:

"Yeah whatever, bye"

Pickle:

"Bye dude!"

Bomb:

"B-Bye b-bye, OJ!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Beautiful Morning - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

As soon as I got to the living room, I saw everyone going about their business.

To my surprise everyone seemed to be doing great too.

Baseball and Nickel were talking.

Salt and Pepper were gossiping and laughing.

Marshmallow was talking to Apple and Bow, though Bow wasn't paying any attention to her and Apple seemed to be excited by every word that came out of Marshmallow's mouth.

I know Paintbrush and Lightbulb be in the kitchen, but I don't see any signs of Paper or Balloon.

They were probably in another room, outside or still in their dormitories doing something. At least that's what I want to believe.

I went to the kitchen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (Kitchen) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Just like Taco said, Paintbrush and Lightbulb were in the kitchen. As just like the last time I saw those two, they were fighting about another weird issue.

Paintbrush:

"No Lightbulb, you can't just add something that is not in the recipe to the mix just because you want to!"

Lightbulb:

"Why not? It'll make it ten times bette- No! A hundred times better! Trust me Painty, I know what I'm doin', they don't call me the Ultimate Taste Tester for nothin'!" - She said confidently

Paintbrush:

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of..." - Paintbrush murmured, looking away distrustfully - "Look, just stick to the recipe! It's there for a reason, Lightbulb!"

OJ:

"Hello? Am I coming at a bad moment again?" - I said knocking on the door frame, drawing the attention of both of them.

Lightbulb:

"Oh! Hi OJ!" - Lightbulb greeted me with enthusiasm - "We really need to stop meeting like this, haha."

Paintbrush:

"We really need to." - Paintbrush laughed - "It's nothing OJ, I'm just helping Lightbulb make breakfast for everyone."

Lightbulb:

"Yup! I asked Painty for help, seein' there are 16 of us here, and it'd take me ages to do it all by myself, our bellies must be full if we plan to escape!"

OJ:

"Yeah, Taco already told me you were doing that for us, that's very kind of you guys! But really, what's the problem here?"

Paintbrush:

"The problem starts when Lightbulb insists on doing things her way instead of following the recipe to the letter!" - Paintbrush said this looking at Lightbulb with disappointment

Lightbulb:

"What? It ain't my fault that you don't appreciate my culinary arts! Sometimes you need liberty to do things your own special way!" - She said, rolling her eyes.

Paintbrush:

"The problem is if THAT special way can kill us..."

I can't tell if they hate each other or are just like this all the time.

OJ:

"Ok, ok, I'm sure you'll think of something together to solve such a dilemma. If you need any more help, give me a shout ok? I don't mind helping."

Lightbulb:

"Will do!" - She said before continuing to cook.

Paintbrush:

"Actually OJ... You could help me with something" - Paintbrush then turned to Lightbulb - "Hey Lightbulb, I'm going to get something quick, promise you won't do anything stupid while I'm not here?"

Lightbulb:

"I can't promise promises I probably won't keep, Painty!" - She had a grin from ear to ear

Paintbrush:

"Yeah, I was already expecting that response. That's why I'm going to ask OJ to keep an eye on you while I'm gone." - Paintbrush smirked

Lightbulb:

"What?!"

OJ:

"W-Wait, is that really necessary? I mean, Lightbulb is already old enough. She can be by herself without care."

Lightbulb:

"Yeah! You can't treat me like a toddler!"

Paintbrush:

"If I didn't know you before Lightbulb, then I wouldn't have need to do this. Now now, I won't take long! Please OJ?"

OJ:

"Uh..." - Well, I already said I would help, and I hate going back to my word. So... - "Fine... But don't take long, eh?"

Paintbrush:

"I promise! I'll be back in a minute!" - Paintbrush left the kitchen, leaving me with Lightbulb.

Lightbulb:

"Ugh... I hate when they treat me like a toddler every single time..."

Maybe if you didn't act like one...

I already had to take care of Champagne before. How hard could this be?

Well, since I'm here, I'll take the opportunity to ask Lightbulb something.

According to Taco, she and Paintbrush were here before everyone, so maybe she knows where are the ones I don't know their location.

Paper and Balloon.

OJ:

"Hey Lightbulb" - I said tapping her shoulder, causing her to turn around - "I know you aren't exactly in the mood, but you wouldn't happen to know where Paper or Balloon would be?"

Lightbulb:

"Oh? the ball of helium and the physical flat? Why you ask?" - Are those supposed to be nicknames...?

OJ:

"Uhm.... I guess? I just want to know, that's all."

Lightbulb:

"Mhm... Fine by me. Well... Paintbrush and I woke up before the Morning Announcement, so we could see everyone coming down the stairs, and if recall correctly... I think Balloon should be outside the Hotel right now. But Paper... I don't remember seeing him come down the stairs at any time, so I guess the sheets got stuck to him, haha."

So Balloon is outside and Paper hasn't leave his room since this morning?

Lightbulb:

"I don't really know, you should ask the sneezer shaker! Surely she knows. She creeps me a little being honest. Just knowing that she could be hearing our very conversation at this very moment..."

OJ:

"... Are you talking about Pepper?" - Lightbulb nodded in response - "Yeah... No, I think I'll pass. Especially with Salt by her side."

Lightbulb:

"Oh! Do I smell some drama here?!" - Lightbulb yelled, invading my personal space - "Wait! Don't tell me......... Ohhh!!! are you in love with Salt?"

OJ:

"What!? No!" - I said, pushing her a little - "On the contrary! I'm scared of her, seriously! I think she's crazy!"

Lightbulb:

"Who? Salt? Nah, she's cool, she doesn't look like the kind of person who would kill someone" - She said confidently, before realizing what she said - "Oops.... Not the best use of words in our current situation, is it?" - She smiled nervously

OJ:

"Yeah..."

I didn't want to accept it. I'm sure no one wanted to accept it because of how everyone had been acting before, as if it was a normal everyday life, but...

In reality, we were still stuck in a killing game. This was not a normal day, nor will it be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

OJ:

"Well, I still think she's crazy."

Lightbulb:

"Wow... I've never met a guy who had any complaints about the fact that a girl was in love with him... Congrats for being the first one!" - She said, clapping his hands

OJ:

"I'm honored I guess? Well, it's not like Salt it's the main of my worries."

Lightbulb:

"What could be more important than a crazy woman interested in you?"

OJ:

"..."

Lightbulb:

"I'm just kidding! I know you a referring to our whole current situation! Like, it's obvious that love drama is the least of our concerns. Don't worry, it's not like we are going to start killing each other just because a Blue screen phone says so. We aren't murderers after all!"

OJ:

"It's really that easy...?" - I said, think out loud as I scratched the back of my neck.

Lightbulb:

"Excuse me?"

OJ:

"I-It's nothing! I was just thinking out loud."

Lightbulb:

"Oh, no boy!" - Before I knew it, Lightbulb grabbed the tie around my glass, pulling me closer to her face - "You can't drop something so concerning on me out of the blue, just so you don't end up telling me why! That's just cruel!"

OJ:

"All right, all right! I'll tell you, but please let go of my tie first!" - As soon as I said that, Lightbulb let go of my tie - "Now... I... I really doubt Monophone4 will leave us alone watching us act normally in his killing game. I feel like he's going to do something that will make us start the killing.... I may be over thinking this, but Monophone4 locked us into this killing game with the purpose of us killing each other, he himself said he was going to do everything he could to make sure the killing didn't take too long to happen." - Lightbulb just stood still staring with her mouth open - ".... I know it sounds crazy, but I can't just stop worrying about it. We don't know who are we dealing with."

Lightbulb:

"Although I see where your concern is coming from, you have nothing to worry about, OJ! Nothing Monophone4 does will make us kill each other! He should try very hard to make that work!" - She said, clapping his hands.

OJ:

"Mh..."

Even the weakest can turn into a killing machine throught the correct actions...

...

OJ:

"No, I can't think like this! I would just give into what Monophone4 wants!"

Lightbulb:

"Now that is the true spirit! If you think about this killing game too hard you'd just be giving that blue screen phone what he wants!" - She was pointing at me as she said all of that.

OJ:

"I guess you're right" - I said, smiling.

Lightbulb:

"Of course I am! I'm always right!" - She said proudly - "But in all seriousness... If someone else is bothering you, or you are having problems, just tell me, all right buddy? I'm not going to allow anyone to be mistreated here or be depressed at all! Especially not in the dilemma we are in now! Not on my watch!"

OJ:

"I'll keep that in mind."

For someone like Lightbulb, I didn't expect her to talk like this. She's giving me leadership auras right now.

Is she sure she's the Ultimate Taste Taster and not the Ultimate Team Leader?

OJ:

"You always seem to look on the bright side of things, don't you?" (No pun Intented)

Lightbulb:

"Hey, you can't always be grumpy! You have to see the positive side of things! No matter how bad the situation may be! My name is not Lightbulb LED Brights for nothing!" - What I would do to get her possitivity, I guess that's why she's a light bulb - "Look, do you want one? Maybe it will calm your nerves." - Lightbulb offer me a cookie from a cookie tray.

OJ:

"Sure, thanks!"- I grabbed a cookie from the tray, but when I took a bite - "Ah! What the heck?! This cookie is as hard as a rock! I think I almost broke a tooth! Did you bake these cookies?"

Lightbulb:

"Nope, they were in the kitchen since morning." - Lightbulb grabbed one of the cookies and began to eat it. Dang, before I thought Paintbrush was exaggerating about the metal pipe, but now....

OJ:

"So you gave me a cookie from that tray without knowing what they were made of, exposing me to possible poisoning?"

Lightbulb:

"Me? Never! I had already tasted them before, that's why I gave you one!" - Lightbulb ate another cookie, then she offered me another one - "Do you want some?"

OJ:

"No thanks... I'm good."

Lightbulb:

"Oh well, more for me then!" - She said before eating all the cookies on the tray at once. And then the tray itself. - "Yummy! That was one hell of a dessert!"

OJ:

"If you can call that a dessert... Hey wait a minute..." - Suddenly, a strange odor entered in my nose.

Lightbulb:

"Hm..? What's up?"

OJ:

"Something smells here..."

Lightbulb:

"Sorry, it's probably me. I didn't took a bath here yet."

OJ:

"Ew... But it's not that... It's like... Smoke? Is something burning!?"

(Now Playing: Finding Peace Party - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

Then something clicked in Lightbulb.

Lightbulb:

"The food!" - Lightbulb frantically ran to the stove to turn it off before it caused a fire "Phew! That was a close one!... Even though I need to do it all over again" - She sighted

Paintbrush:

"I'm back, how about with- What the hell happened here!?" - Paintbrush yelled, who was already back from what they had to do.

Lightbulb:

"Uhm... I kinda forgot I was cooking while talking to the orange dude, hehe..." - O-Orange dude!? It's that my nickname now?

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Remix Cover By Vetrom)

Paintbrush:

"Are you kidding me?"

Lightbulb:

"Nope!"

OJ:

"I'll admit is kinda my fault too, I should have notice it sooner."

Paintbrush face palmed after hearing that.

Paintbrush:

"Now what do we do?"

Lightbulb:

"Well, we start from the beginning, duh. We can't serve our friends burned food!"

Paintbrush:

"Great." - Paintbrush was forcing a smile.

OJ:

"I could help if you guys want to, I don't have anything better to do anyway"

Paintbrush:

"Well.... If you insist, we could use some help to fix this... mess..."

Lightbulb:

"Six hands are better than one head!"

Paintbrush:

"That's not how the saying goes, Lightbulb"

I started helping Lightbulb and Paintbrush make breakfast, during that time I got to know both of them better, and I'm pretty sure there is some kind of tension between them.... And I meant in both ways.

Nickel was also bugging us the whole time like a 5-year-old waiting for his mother to serve him lunch.

We finished making breakfast and took it to the dining room. Lightbulb called everyone else and in a few minutes we were all in the dining room.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (Dining Room) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Baseball:

"Whoa! Everything here looks actually delicious!"

Apple:

"Yeah! I can't wait to put all this food in my mouth! I'm so hungry!"

Bomb:

"Y-yup, ev-everything h-here d-definitely l-looks a-appetizing!"

Nickel:

"Now then... Let's eat!"

Salt:

"Wait a second, we can't eat yet." - Said Salt interrupting Nickel

Nickel:

"Tch! Why!?"

Salt:

"Not that I care but.... Aren't some objects missing here?"

When Salt mentioned the issue, I started to count the objects in the dining room, and indeed, there were 14 of us, we were 2 short.

OJ:

"She's right, Balloon and Paper are still missing"

Pepper:

"Haven't those 2 been missing since this morning?"

Pickle:

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure we haven't seen them in a while now."

Baseball:

"Wait, so nobody saw them?!"

Lightbulb:

"I think I saw Balloon going outside this morning... But I don't have a clue where our physical flat friend may be."

Marshmallow:

"I'm gonna guess you are referring to Paper?"

Knife:

"It just had to happen today..." - Knife scrunched up his nose. - "So, where the hell they are?"

Nickel:

"We wouldn't be having this conversation if we knew you idiot."

Knife:

"I-Idiot?! How dare you?!"

Nickel:

"I'm just describing what I'm seeing."

Knife:

"You piece of-"

Paintbrush:

"You two, stop it fighting, now! We have bigger problems here."

Marshmallow:

"You don't think Paper and Balloon are both...?"

Bow:

"Don't even say it! Just someone stupid would do it!"

OJ:

"Or someone desesperate to escape, let's just hope that's not the case"

Bomb:

"D-does a-anyone e-else a-aside f-from L-Lightbulb k-know w-where th-they m-might b-be?"

Pepper:

"I don't know where Looseleaf may be... But, adding to Bright's statement, I heard Helium was at the cliff."

Bomb:

"H-how d-do you k-know th-that?"

Pepper:

"Oh, come on, honey, I have the auditory senses of a bat! I'm no Ultimate Gossiper for no reason."

Bomb:

"Oh"

Taco:

"Why is he at the cliff?"

Apple:

"Maybe he wanted some time alone!"

Pickle:

"Knowing him, I wouldn't be surprised he would want to be alone."

Paintbrush:

"Really? In our current situation being alone is the worst thing someone can do right now"

Lightbulb:

"Come on Painty! It's not like Ballony is gonna get- ... You know what I mean."

Bow:

"Can we really do something about it though? I don't see any reason to look for them."

Marshmallow:

"Bow! That was a pretty selfish remark to make!"

Baseball:

"Maybe Someone could look for both of them? I don't think it's a good idea to let them both run around alone with Monophone4 wandering around at the same time. In my opinion, we should look for them rather than start without them. We are a team after all and teams leave no one behind!"

Nickel:

"Now those are the words of a true leader!"

Salt:

"Uh... Who said we were a team?"

Baseball:

"Ngh! Seriously?"

OJ:

"Just ignore her, Baseball, she's just not worth it."

Pepper:

"What?! How dare you to say that Citrus?! My Salty Salt is 100% worth it in my eye-"

Salt:

"If OJ says I'm not worth it then I'm not worth it... Anything to make you happy handsome!"

OJ:

"Wha-?"

Pepper:

"S-Salty Salt! Don't say stupid things like those! Don't let this man tell you what you are!"

Paintbrush:

"Back to where we left it..." - Paintbrush smiled awkwardly - "Ok so... anyone volunteering to look for Balloon and Paper?" - The room filled with silence, no one responded - "Seriously? No one!?"

Lightbulb:

"Very well, then I'll choose it! And what a better way to choose than with Eeny, meeny, miny, moe!"

Nickel:

"Oh, how fun... a kids game..."

Lightbulb then started to sing.

Lightbulb:

"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, Catch a tiger by the toe!" - Lightbulb the pointed at two objects in the room with her finger. She pointed to Nickel and I - "OJ! You go get Paper! And you Coiny go get Balloon!"

OJ:

"Huh!?"

Nickel:

"C-coiny!? Hey wait a damn second! Why me!?"

Lightbulb:

"The Eeny, meeny, miny, moe choose you, It was out of my hands."

Nickel:

"Oh... My bad, sorry I didn't know... You are so right."

Apple:

"Wait... Really-"

Nickel:

"Of course not! That's literally a kids game! I'm not a kid! How does it make sense?! Why don't you go instead, Lightbulb!?"

Lightbulb:

"I've prepared breakfast, while you've done nothing but harass us all the time in the kitchen buddy. So by being impatient you will be looking for Balloon. Now get off your ass and start looking Coiny!"

Nickel:

"For the last time, my name is not Coiny! But fine! Whatever... What's the worst that could happen anyway..." - He rolled his eyes - "Wait... I remembered! I could get fucking murdered!"

Baseball:

"I could go with you if you want to Nickel"

Nickel:

"Oh no, if I'm going to be killed, I'm not dragging anyone with me to hell, much less you Baseball. You are the only one here I fully trust on." - He said before getting up from the chair - "Balloon here I come.... Yippee..." - And with that Nickel was gone.

Marshmallow:

"Hope nothing bad happens to him"

Baseball:

"Don't worry, I know Nickel like the palm of my hand. Even though he doesn't have arms, he's not an easy target!"

Bomb:

"R-really? Th-that's an in-interesting f-fact."

Lightbulb:

"Yeah yeah... Well what are you waiting for Orange dude? Go look for Paps!"

OJ:

"O-orange dude? You what? Forget it, I'm going now." - I got up from my chair and walked out of the dining area.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Now I was in the living room, thinking about where Paper might be.

OJ:

"Ok OJ... Think! Where could Paper be! If you were Paper, where would you go?" - That's a stupid question, how I'm suppose to know what Paper thinks?

But then I remembered. What Lightbulb said at the kitchen.

- FLASHBACK -

-

Lightbulb:

"Well... Paintbrush and I woke up before the Morning Announcement, so we could see everyone coming down the stairs, and if recall correctly... I think Balloon should be outside the Hotel right now. But Paper... I don't remember seeing him come down the stairs at any time, so I guess the sheets got stuck to him, haha."

So Balloon is outside and Paper hasn't leave his room since this morning?

-

- END OF FLASHBACK -

OJ:

"That's right! Maybe he's still in his dormitory!" - With that in mind, I ran to the stairs, went upstairs and headed towards the dormitories.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (Dormitories) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

*Music Stops*

Now, in the dormitories, I went straight to Paper's dorm door. There was a bell next to the door, so I pressed it, waiting for an answer.

DING DONG

...

Nothing... I pressed the bell again.

DING DONG

...

Still nothing... Is he even inside?

I approached the door and pressed my ear to it, to check if I could hear anything. Sure enough, I began to hear murmuring and sobbing inside the room. The same murmuring and sobbing I heard when I encountered with Paper on this island.

I started to get worry about Paper, so I began knocking on the door.

OJ:

"Paper? Is that you? It's me! OJ! Are you okay?"

Paper:

"O-OJ...?" - Paper sobbed

OJ:

"A-Are you okay Paper? Everyone is worried about you, I-I'm worried about you!"

Paper:

"..." - Again, no response.

OJ:

"Paper?"

Paper:

"... I don't want to leave..."

OJ:

"You don't want to leave? Why?"

Paper:

"Just leave me alone, OJ..."

OJ:

"There's no way I'm gonna leave you alone like this, Paper! Is something wrong?"

Paper:

"..."

OJ:

"Paper?"

Paper:

"..."

OJ:

"Wait, don't tell me..." - ... - "I see... You are scared aren't you?"

(Now Playing: All All Apologies - UDG Version by Masafumi Takada)

Paper:

"..."

OJ:

"Look... I'm scared too... No, terrified is a better word... And I'm sure the others are too. But we can't deal with our emotions alone, we have to do this together. I know it's very hard to trust someone under these conditions, but.... Being alone locked in your dormitory all day isn't going to help either, you know that, don't you? If anything, that would just increase your paranoia even more, with the unsettling feeling of not being able to trust anyone. And that... could lead us to do something we would regret later.... I know I have no place to say any of this because of what happened, but I don't want anything to happen to you, Paper..."

Paper:

"..." - After a few seconds, I heard a click on the door...

Paper had unlocked his dorm door.

I took a big breath, grabbed the doorknob and opened the door.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- PAPER'S ROOM -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

I closed the door behind me and stepped into Paper's room. As I imagined, Paper's dormitory was decorated in a.... Comfortable way? I wouldn't know how to tell, but everything was clearly decorated for the Ultimate Journalist.

His bed as almsot the same as mine, and the walls were painted in a cyan color.

On a shelf was a glass box with a light blue emblem with a drawing of a pen and notebook embedded in it inside.

So Paper also has an emblem like mine? Well, that's not important at the moment.

I saw Paper in the same position he was in when I found him the last time, he was leaning against his bed frame trying to cover the tears.

I sat next to Paper, looking at him with sorrowful eyes. I couldn't bear to see him like this.

OJ:

"If you want to talk about something, I'm here okay?" - I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.

There was some silence for a while until...

Paper:

"I don't want to die..."

OJ:

"Huh?"

Paper:

"I don't want to die here, OJ... I don't want to- I'm so terrified that I can't even leave my room without feeling that someone might stab me in the back at any moment!" - He was trembling, I could tell he was scared to death

OJ:

"Don't say that, no one here will be able to ki-"

Paper:

"Don't say they are not capable, OJ! We hardly know them! We don't know any further than their names and talents! Nickel was right! And even if he wasn't, I doubt Monophone4 would just stand by and watch with his arms folded as we hold hands as friends! What if he were to manipulate one of us into murder?! What if someone is already planning an murder?! What if we fail to find out who it is!! What if the target is me?! What if... what if... what if!" - His breathing was getting faster and faster.

OJ:

"Paper, calm down! You'll have a panic attack if you continue!"

Paper:

"I-I-I..." - Paper was hyperventilating, I must do something before this gets worse! So, without a second thought, I put my hand on top of his. - "Huh?"

OJ:

"Breath, okay? You can do this. I'm here." - I looked at Paper in the eyes, showing him I was worried about what happens to him.

Paper:

"..." - Paper began to inhale and exhale, calming down as the seconds passed. After a while, he calmed down - "I'm... so sorry about that, OJ..."

OJ:

"Don't worry about it, okay? It is normal for you to have acted that way." - I reassured with a smile. - "Look, who cares about what Nickel says? He's just not... very trustworthy to say something... And about what you said... I don't think that's true at all, I mean... You and I don't know each other either, and yet, here I am, trying to talk with you instead of trying to stick a knife in your stomach. If you really thought that, you wouldn't have opened the door for me, and you'd still be locked inside, not knowing what else to do"

Paper:

"It's just... OJ you are a special case, I don't know why, but... I feel I can trust you more, something I don't feel for anyone else here."

OJ:

"Special case?"

Paper:

"I-Its nothing weird I promise! I..." - He sighed - "I... I feel like I seen this place before..."

OJ:

"Huh...? Seen this place before? Like some type of Deja-vu?"

Paper:

"Yes, like some kind of Déjà vu! Not just with this place though... I feel like... I feel like I know everyone already! B-But that can't be right... I just met you all yesterday so why...? Ugh! I feel like something is missing in me, OJ! But I don't know what!" - Paper is scared and confused right now, I can't imagine what he's going through right now.

OJ:

"Paper..."

Paper:

"... You know... I lied to you when I said I was scared of the others...."

OJ:

"What do you mean...?"

Paper:

"The truth is..." - Paper took a sudden pause before continuing to speak - "I'm more terrified of myself."

OJ:

"Wait really?"

Paper:

"I have a feeling that at some point, Monophone4 will do something that will make me snap and.... make me do something dangerous... Something that I will regret for the rest of my life..."

And there he was again, in the verge of tears.

OJ:

"I... I wish I could say that wouldn't happen, but... You know... I feel exactly the same"

Paper:

"Huh?" - Paper diverted his gaze from the floor to me when those words came out of my mouth

OJ:

"The truth is... The fact that we are all Ultimate Students doesn't mean we are any less capable of killing. In fact, we have more to lose than the common object... I'm terrified that I'll do something horrible because of it..."

Paper:

"Then why did you gave that speech yesterday?"

OJ:

"No, I mean- I really meant everything I said yesterday, but thinking this whole thing through..." - I... I don't really know how I feel... What I'm feeling? Distrust? Fear? Anger?... - "I guess I'm a coward.... I always held on to my Ultimate Title for a lot of things in my life... Like getting away with what my family did..."

Paper:

"If you don't mind me asking... How did you get your talent?"

OJ:

"How did I get my talent?"

Paper:

"I'm sorry if the question came out of the blue, I'm just very curious by nature."

Being the Ultimate Journalist, that doesn't surprise me.

OJ:

"It's... a very long story. My father and mother owned the most famous hotel in town, the Hotel OR."

Paper:

"Oh! Your mother and father were...?!"

OJ:

"..."

Paper:

"I'm sorry for your loss, OJ..."

OJ:

"It's okay, I already came to terms with their deaths..." - I was lying, I didn't. But I didn't want to worry Paper more. So I continued nonetheless. - "Although my parents were very busy for most of the day, they always found time for me and my sister. My father always taught me everything he knew about running a hotel whenever he was with me, and he was very patient with me whenever I made a mistake. At one point I started managing important hotel events like Christmas parties and such things at such a very young age. I was very good at it though, no one ever complained, and in fact, all the guests always said they had the best time at the events I handled! It was difficult at first, but as time went on, it got easier and easier! And the day my parents.... Well, you know... I inherited the hotel when I was still in high school. But surprisingly I managed to handle my private life, the hotel and the school. That's why when UAT found out about my life, they decided to give me a space in the academy and go as the Ultimate Host, even when I was still in High School! So, when I heard if you graduate in the academy, success in life was assured, I couldn't refuse!"

Paper:

"That's how you got your Ultimate Title? That's awesome, OJ!"

OJ:

"Thanks, Paper." - I looked at Paper - "And you? What's your story, Paper?"

Paper:

"My Story?"

OJ:

"I mean, How did you become the Ultimate Journalist?"

Paper:

"Oh... It's also a long story... You see, my father was also a journalist, a very good one. He always said that... The truth was something always hidden from us, something unique, something that just exist once... Something we were all suppose to know- It didn't matter to him how bad it was that truth. He wanted to know it! My mother, objected, as she thought it could put him in danger... Heh...In the end she was right, as one day my father simply stopped coming home...." - He seemed to be agitated, he didn't want to continue. I gave him a warm smile, that seemed to calm him down, he gave me back a warm smile and continued with his story, not before giving a big sigh - "His body was found weeks later, near the lake of the park we always visited..."

OJ:

"Oh shoot... I'm sorry you had to go through that, Paper..."

Paper:

"It's okay, OJ, it wasn't your fault... The media said he supposedly committed suicide, but... I knew it wasn't true. My father didn't have any reason to commit suicide... Besides, aparently he was killed with a single shot in the head with a rifle sniper."

OJ:

"He was killed with sniper? Well, that definitely doesn't scream suicide. But how do you now that? I thought you said the media hide it."

Paper:

"They did. I know it, because I investigate it myself."

OJ:

"You... Investigate it by yourself...? Isn't that dangerous?"

Paper:

"Yes, it is, but I made a promise. I remember the promise I made to my father like it was yesterday... Since that day I promise to my father that I would leave no mystery unsolved in this world! No matter how cruel they were! I solve a lot of cases, exposes a lot of bad objects, solve almost every mistery..."

OJ:

"Wait hold on... Solve cases?" - I interrupted surprised

Paper:

"Yeah... Believed or not, sometimes I solve cases before the autorities could when I was in the area of a crime scene, and acted as a lawyer in court for others, never lost a case. Don't ask why all of this was possible, it just... happened."

OJ:

"Wow! That's incredible Paper!"

I could see Paper blushing a little for the compliment before countinuing with his story.

Paper:

"Eventually UAT became aware of my feats, so they gave me the opportunity to study at the academy as the Ultimate Journalist. But unlike you, I hesitated whether to attend or not. I was this close to reject the offer."

OJ:

"You were going to denied the offer?! That's crazy, Paper! Why would you do that?!"

Paper:

"Well, at the end of the day it was a government program, the same group that I wanted to expose more than anything in the world."

OJ:

"You wanted to expose the government?... I believe you think they were responsible of your dad's death?"

Paper:

"I don't think so, I know so. My father knew a lot of things so I wouldn't be surpised they decided to "put him to sleep"...." - I could see the rage in Paper's eyes, he really hated them didn't he? - "Anywho, In the end I ended up accepting thanks to the support that my mother and brother gave me... If I graduated in UAT, all the problems in my life would be over, he could live in peace, I could live in peace.... And winning Inanimate Insanity would just contribute to it. But now we are trapped here with no way to escape.... Force to play this twisted game"

OJ:

"He? Do you mean your Brother?" - Paper's eyes widened at that question, like he realized he spoke more than he wanted.

Paper:

"...No! I mean yes! I mean-" - He seemed to be hesitating whether or not to tell me - "It's very difficult to explain. Something I'd rather forget."

OJ:

"Well, you don't need to tell me, I too have secrets that I'd rather forget, keep them in the darkest parts of my mind."

A smile on his face appeared again as I spoke, that made me happy.

We were silent for a while, I guess it was because we didn't know what else to talk about, the silence was broken when Paper spoke again.

Paper:

"Hey OJ, do you have a family? Apart from the ones appearing in all the news!"

OJ:

"Huh?" - That question caught me off guard, but I answered nonetheless - "Well, there's my cousin. There are also my uncles and my sister, who are the ones who appeared on TV, but I don't consider them family... Not anymore... They don't even deserve me calling them uncles and sister... I only consider my cousin family, and Bomb too. She also goes UAT"- It was true, In fact, we both got our Ultimate Certificates on the same day.

Paper:

"Really? What's her Ultimate Talent?"

OJ:

"She's the Ultimate Scientist, a very smart girl"

Paper:

"Wow...! I guess Talent runs in the family!" - She let out a chuckle as he talked

OJ:

"Yeah, you could say so." - A smile in my face started to form as I talked with Paper - "I just hope she's okay and not trapped in a twisted game like we are."

Paper:

"I'm sure she is."

OJ:

"Yeah you're probably right" - Wait, talking about twisted games... - "Oh crap I totally forgot about the meeting!"- I stood up in a rush.

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

Paper:

"Mh? What meeting?" - He questioned with a raised eyebrow.

OJ:

"Well to put it short, we were all going to eat together and then discuss a plan to escape. I was supposed to come looking for you, but I ended up talking with you... here... now... yeah..." - I said scratching my neck as I spoke nerviously

Paper:

"Oh, haha, for being Ultimate Host, you got a little disorganized there, didn't you?"

OJ:

"Very funny" - At least Paper was now in a better mood than before, the drastic mood change was noticeable.

Paper:

"Well, what are we waiting for? Lets go!"- He went to grab his journal, key and E-Handbook as he spoke. I guess everyone has theirs here like me.

OJ:

"Are you sure you want to go? I can tell the others that you weren't in the mood, I'm not going to force you to do something you don't want to do"

Paper:

"I've decided that I can't be living in fear all the time, if we want to escape from here alive we all have to work together, right?"- I could tell he had a lot of confidence in him right now, so with a proud smile, I stepped away from the door.

OJ:

"You first, prince" - I jokingly said as I bowed

Paper:

"P-prince?" - He said flustered

OJ:

"Haha, I'm just kidding with you!" - I giggled as I spoke - "Consider it my revenge for leaving me stranded."

Paper:

"Very funny."- He rolled his eyes - "Lets not keep the others waiting alright?" - Paper stepped out of his room as he talked, I followed him behind and we headed back to the living room.

...

...

...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minutes Before

POV:

Nickel

- HOTEL AREA -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Stupid Lightbulb... Why did it have to be me? Eeny, meeny, miny, moe MY ASS!

Ugh, I guess the quicker I find Balloon, the quicker we can end this nonsense...

Nickel:

"All right, now... Where did Pepper say Balloon was again?" - I stood thinking for a while in silence - "Oh, yeah! The cliff!.... Why did it had to be the cliff...?" - I said reluctantly - "Lets just get this over with..." - I took my first steps towards the cliff.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- CLIFF -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

After what seemed like an eternity I was finally arriving.

Nickel:

"God... this... this looked... shorter from afar..."- I was gasping as I spoke - "You better be up there Balloon!"

After much effort I finally reached the top of the cliff, SO tired...

And as Pepper had said before, there was Balloon, sitting, leaning on the only tree there, writing in a small notebook.

He hadn't noticed me yet, so me being the sneaky bastard I am, I tried to see what he was writing over his shoulder. So I approached him as quietly as I could until I could see what he was writing, maybe it was a diary, maybe he was drawing? Nah, I doubt it,... Oh, maybe he is planning a murder? That would be very interesting.

With all those thoughts I got closer until I could see what he was writing, and when I did...

Nickel:

"A poem?" - As soon as those words came out of my mouth, Balloon let out a loud scream.

Balloon:

"AAAAAAH!!" - He frantically stood up, almost dropping his notebook in the process - "N-Nickel! W-What are you doing here?!" - His nervousness was obvious

I was going to ask him about the poem, but it wasn't really important to me.

Nickel:

"Nothing, I was asked by Lightbulb- Well rather she forced me to come and find you to eat breakfast together, that's all"

He looked disappointed.

Balloon:

"Just tell them I won't go." - He said before leaning against the tree again.

Nickel:

"Eh!? Why not!?"

Balloon:

"Because I don't want to." - He didn't even turned at me.

Is that really his only reason?... What an-

Nickel:

"Come on! I didn't come to get you just to get this answer! Lightbulb will kill me!"

Balloon:

"Well, too bad for you, but my answer is the same. Just leave me alone"

Nickel:

"The least you could do is give me a reason! You can just leave me like this, Balloon."

Balloon:

"Look, I don't have to give you any explanation if I don't want to."

Nickel:

"Oh nono! You are gonna give an explanation and now! I didn't climb all the way here to get this plain answer-!"

Balloon:

"It's because I don't trust in anyone ok?! That's my reason! Now leave me alone!"

*Music Stops*

I was a little startled by the sudden shout. But I quickly regained my composure. I frowned and told him...

Nickel:

"Geez fine!" - I turned around to leave the cliff as I complained - "This was a waste of time."

Balloon:

"A... waste of time?" - My legs stopped moving and I turned to look at Balloon again when I heard those words.

Nickel:

"Obviously, you made me come here looking for you, for what? For you to just refuse to come? Really?"

Balloon:

"You guys are the ones wasting your time..." - He didn't even turn to look at me, he was still writing in his notebook.

Nickel:

"Hey, what does that suppose to mean? We aren't wasting our time."

(Now Playing: Living in Lazy Parallel World - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

Balloon:

"You guys are acting so calm and happy, like you just forgot we are in a killing game."

Nickel:

"Thank you very much for stating the obvious, genius. Look, everyone just wants to calm down a little bit from this issue. It's not my problem if they want to-"

Balloon:

"That's exactly the problem, Nickel!" - He shut his notebook and stood up from the tree as he continued to speak - "Everyone wants to forget about the complicated situation we are in, letting their guard down, and what happens when we let our guard down? Exactly! A murder can happen"

Nickel:

"I won't deny the possibility, but-"

Balloon:

"You better don't say they can't, you made it clear yourself the night before didn't you? We don't know what's happening in the mind of one of them, easily they can be planning a murder, and we wouldn't even know. We are in a killing game, Nickel, so we need to start acting like we are in one. We can't trust in anyone."

...

Nickel:

"Heh... Using my own words against me I see... Yeah... Is true that I said all of that, and still thinks it's true. But being alone doesn't mean you're not participating in this game, Balloon. If you are alone your feelings of distrust and paranoia will only continue to increase Every. Damn. Second. It will get to a point where you can't even engage in normal conversation without feeling like you're going to get stabbed in the back. It will get to a point where you feel like everyone is against you. And you know what that will lead to? All that will lead you to commit murder Balloon, exactly what Monophone4 wants. Living in constant fear that at any moment someone might kill you is not gonna make you survive."

Balloon:

"W-What the heck? What are you talking about? I-I'm never gonna murder anyone!"

Nickel:

"That's what you are saying now, but when you less expect it, you are gonna have the corpse of one of us in the floor, and their blood will be in your hands. Or you will become a victim. You are an easy target Ballony."

Balloon:

"An easy target? I'm not! I may seem weak but I'm not easy to kill!"

Nickel:

"You are a balloon, you can pop easily."

Balloon:

"N-No! That's wrong! Just because I can die in one blow doesn't mean anything! I could be just as strong as you!"

Nickel:

"You're not serious, are you? There is a HUGE difference between you and me. I am made out of metal, and you are made out of latex, and to the best of my knowledge, metal is much more resistant than latex".

Balloon:

"That doesn't matter! Why do you talk like you know everything anyway?!"

Nickel:

"Dude I'm a Team Manager! Of course I know what I'm talking about! I know exactly how objects act when they act like a lonely wolf everytime. And I'm telling you, it doesn't end right."

Balloon:

"W-Why are you talking like this? Are you enjoying this "game" or what?"

Nickel:

"Me? Not at all! I hate being stuck in this stupid killing game, just like the others! And I really don't want anyone to die. I'm just stating facts, if we keep acting the way we are, none of this is going to end well."

Balloon:

"And who says you're not going to play?"

Nickel:

"Excuse me?"

Balloon:

"Why should I trust you? You and I are alone right here, on this cliff, with no one bothering us. You could easily kill me here and no one would notice a thing." - He crossed his arms as he said that with a grin in his face

Nickel:

"You really think I would be able to commit murder?"

Balloon:

"I'm not saying you wouldn't..."

Nickel:

"So you are being serious... Are you stupid or something? I just told you I'm here because Lightbulb say so!"

Balloon:

"How do I know that's not an excuse to caught me off guard mh?"- Oh, ok so if this is how we are gonna play...

Nickel:

"Okay okay you got me, I was going to kick you to death, but since you already know I'm going to kill you, it's not funny anymore." - I said being sarcastic

Balloon:

"Haha, very funny" - Balloon rolled his eyes - "Nevermind, you clearly cannot commit a crime acting so childish"

(Now playing: Beautiful Dead - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

Nickel:

"Look who's talking, the Mickey Mouse Ripoff himself!"

Balloon:

"Mickey Mouse ripoff?! That's way worse than Baby Face!"

Nickel:

"Exactly."

Balloon:

"It's not my fault I have a high-pitched voice! It's the helium!"

Nickel:

"My fault, I forgot your surname was He-Lium! Did I spell it right?"

Balloon:

"Just shut up. Why are you like this all the time?"

Nickel:

"Like what? I don't understand."

Balloon:

"A sarcastic, headache-inducing, scumbag who thinks he's the smartest of them all when you don't even know how to count to three."

Nickel:

"Hey! I know how to count to three! Look! One, two... I forgot what came next."

Balloon:

"Just answer the question..."

Nickel:

"Not at all, I'm not like that the 99% of the times! Nope!"

Balloon:

"What? That was definitely sarcasm, wasn't it?" - He said raising an eyebrow

Nickel:

"Nah, what makes you say that?" - I tittered - "Well if you aren't gonna come then bye. It's not gonna be my fault if you end up dead."

Balloon:

"J-Just go before you start talking your creepy ideologies again"

I turned around to leave the cliff with a grin written all over my face, but then...

Balloon:

"Wait!" - I stopped again and turned around

Nickel:

"What now?" - I said, losing my patience

Balloon:

"You didn't told me, why are you guys going eating together?" - He questioned

Nickel:

"Well, Lightbulb thought it would be a good idea for all of us to eat together before we started planning an escape."

Balloon:

"Oh... Ok... So... Why in the actual Gods of Objectica didn't you say that in the first place!?"

Nickel:

"I forgot."

Balloon:

"You forgot? Or you didn't wanna tell me...?" - He looked me with dissapointment

Nickel:

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. Not really though. Okay, last chance, are you coming or not?" - I asked one last time before leaving.

Balloon:

"Fine, whatever works to escape from this piece of rock."

Nickel:

"Finally! Let's go then! They won't wait for us forever, and trust me, you don't want to see a mad Lightbulb."

After what seemed like an eternity, I headed down the hill towards the hotel with Balloon following me from behind.

...

...

...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

POV:

OJ

- HOTEL -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Paper and I made our way downstairs to the lobby and then to the dining room, but on the way we ran into two familiar faces.

Paper:

"Nickel? Balloon?"

Nickel:

"Paper! What happened to you? Did the sheets stick to you or what? Wait, don't tell... I know! You were busy je-" - He said jokingly

Balloon:

"I dare you to finish that sentence..."

Nickel:

"... You were busy doing teenager things!"

Balloon:

"You still did it... In a more family friendly manner... But you still did it..."

Paper:

"No! I just-"

Nickel:

"Relax, I was just kidding with you."

Paper:

"Oh... Haha, yeah sure... Why are you all joking with me today?" - He mumbled

OJ:

"Haha... Oh yes! Hey Balloon, are you okay? Nobody saw you this morning, we though something had happened to you."- I asked Balloon with concern

Balloon:

"Ah! Uh... I'm fine, I just wanted to be alone for a moment, that's all" - He said with a charming smile, But it looked like it was forced at the same time - "What about, Paper? Is he ok?" - He said, trying to change the subject

Paper:

"Well, I'm fine now, thanks for your concern, Balloon"

OJ:

"How about we all go to the dining room now? Everyone will be waiting for us by now won't they?"

Balloon:

"Wasn't that the idea? See you inside." - Balloon left the room.

Nickel:

"Following you behind!" - Nickel followed Balloon to the dining hall

OJ:

"Let's go already, Paper?" - I said to Paper, but when I looked back at him, he seemed unsure - "Hey, are you okay? You still have time to go back if you want to"

Paper:

"No I want to! I'm just... a little nervous, that's all" - Again that down mood, I was not going to have that! So without hesitation, I grabbed his hand - "Huh?"

OJ:

"You don't need to be nervous. I'm here with you" - I said with a encouraging smile

Paper:

"..." - Paper was blushing a little as he returned to me a smile - "Yes, you're right" - He said, returning a smile.

A let go of his hand before we both headed to the dining room.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (Dining Room) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

And after a lot of question to Paper and Balloon about where they were the entire time, we began to eat.

A few minutes after

Taco:

"Wow! This food was amazing Lightbulb!"

Lightbulb:

"Really?"

Pepper:

"To be honest, I didn't thought it would be this good. You really surprised me, Brights."

Nickel:

"Being you, I'm actually surprised you managed to do it."

Lightbulb:

"I don't know if I should take that as an insult or not. See, Painty? I told you they were going to appreciate my culinary arts!"

Paintbrush:

"Ok, maybe you were right, but just this time."

Lightbulb:

"You are just jealous, Painty."

Paintbrush:

"Trust me when I say I'm not jealous of you, Lightbulb."

One after another we thanked Lightbulb for the breakfast, then Lightbulb took all the dishes to the kitchen and after a while she came back and sat down in her chair.

Then we began to discuss a plan on how to escape.

Lightbulb:

"Now we can began the real talk here! A plan to escape!"

Baseball:

"Ok so... what's the plan?" - Baseball was the one who asked the first question

Paintbrush:

"Isn't the whole point of this meeting to find the answer to that question?"

Baseball:

"Right..."

OJ:

"Before we start to discuss a plan, can I ask a quick question?"

Pickle:

"Huh? What question?"

OJ:

"It's nothing out of the ordinary, I just wanted to know if everyone had received something like this" - I pulled out my E-Handbook.

Bomb:

"An E-Ha-handbook?"

Knife:

"Yeah I'm pretty sure everyone here has theirs too."

Paper:

"I wonder how Monophone4 got hold of our E-Handbooks when they should have been in the academy.... I didn't take it to the contest at any time and I don't think any of you did either."

Paintbrush:

"I wonder exactly the same thing, it's not easy to break into the UAT academy and steal 16 students E-Handbooks with such ease.... And even if they succeeded, I'm sure the academy would notice right away."

Salt:

"I'm not complaining either, I don't have my phone so my E-Handbook being here with me will be more than enough to keep me entertained. So I'm not questioning anything."

Marshmallow:

"But it's really weird, I don't think we should let this go unnoticed, guys. How about the answer to that problem gives us the answer to who is behind this?"

Balloon:

"Or maybe you're overthinking the whole thing. It's weird, yes, but it's also not as weird as taking over an entire island just to host a killing game."

OJ:

"We are dealing with something big, there's no doubt about it. But with who or what? That's the real question"

So we all have our E-Handbooks here? I wonder if everyone also has an emblem like the one I have. Well, Paper has one too, so I guess that's a yes.

Bow:

"The E-Handbooks are still trash though, is not as nearly as advanced as an Mephone"

Paintbrush:

"Does your phone have a map of the island? Or the rules?"

Bow:

"Oh, well no, but-"

Paintbrush:

"Then do not say is trash. It may not be as advanced as a phone, but it is still essential for our survival on this island." - Bow simply frowned in silence at the response.

Paper:

"Talking about the E-Handbooks, just to be sure... Everyone here read all the rules?" - Everyone nodded in response, everyone except...

Nickel:

"...I kinda forgot to read them..."

Baseball:

"Are you serious, Nickel?"

Nickel:

"I-I was tired, ok? And I forgot to read them in the morning." - He said nerviously - "I don't think they are that big of a deal anyway."

Apple:

"I know I'm not the most useful tool in the box, but even I don't think it's a good idea to go around this island without a care in the world. What if you break one by accident?"

Nickel:

"Geez! Fine I will read them later" - He rolled his eyes - "Why are we even talking about the E-Handbook? The emblem I have in my room looks more interesting than a tablet."

..!

Yup, that does answer my previous question.

OJ:

"Nickel, you also have an emblem?"

Nickel:

"Also? Oh, so you have one too, I see."

Marshmallow:

"I have one too in my dormitory as well!"

Paintbrush:

"Yup, same here, they are kinda weird..."

Salt:

"I think they look very cute! I love the pink color they colored in, and the heart and arrow pattern embedded in the emblem just makes it look divine!"

Pepper:

"Pink and heart-? Hold on Salty Salt! My emblem is in a purple color, and it has a drawing of someone whispering embedded in it!"

Pickle:

"That's weird, my emblem was green, and it had a drawing of an Invader from the "Space Invaders" video game embedded in it."

Bow:

"Wow, talking like we already know what Space whatever is..."

Pickle:

"Sorry about that, my hobbies always gets the best of me."

Knife:

"My emblem was in a dark blue color, with a drawing of a punching bag embedded in it. Interesting nonetheless, I admit."

Apple:

"So we all have a different emblem?"

Bomb:

"If I had to guess, the emblems are colored with our colors, and the drawing embedded in them represent our talents."

OJ:

"It makes sense: The Ultimate Matchmaker has a heart and arrow, The Ultimate Gossiper has an object whispering, The Ultimate Gamer has a famous videogame character.... I suppose you get the picture."

Lightbulb:

"I got it! Maybe those emblems are our way out ticket from this island! They look pretty important if they were designed for us."

Balloon:

"True, but right now they're useless as long as they're inside that glass box. And I have a feeling they won't be easy to get it open."

Nickel:

"How hard could it be to get it open? Just smash the glass box against the floor and boala! It says open to me!"

Taco:

"Don't talk if you don't know the rules, buddy. It's explicitly mentioned in the rules you can't intentionally break anything on this island! So unless your goal is to die a horrible death, be my guest, I won't stop you."

Nickel:

"You didn't have to say it like that, Taco..."

Balloon:

"The irony, haha."

Baseball:

"Thanks to the rule preventing us from breaking any material on this island, we cannot break the glass box. Of course, it wasn't going to be that easy... Well, it doesn't matter, we will get it open one way or another!"

Paintbrush

"We are definitely going to open those boxes one way or another, that's for sure! But right now we should focus on suggesting more ideas on how to escape, not just those strange emblems."

OJ:

"Ok so, back to the original topic... Someone has any ideas?"

Pickle:

"Fighting with Monophone4 is out of the question that's for sure. He seems to be an advance robot, so even the slightest thought of defying him is already a death wish. I'm looking at you Knife! In the rules it says it is forbidden and will be punished so don't you even dare!"

Knife:

"Sadly..."

Taco:

"Dang it! Oh well, maybe next time I could see some action!"

Bomb:

"Wh-what? N-no, T-Taco! It-it's n-not in our b-best in-interest to d-defy M-Monophone4! At l-least n-not n-now."

Pepper:

"I really don't want to know what kind of punishment it is"

Nickel:

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious."

Balloon:

"You are not helping, Nickel. So shut up."

Marshmallow:

"Our second choice could be trying to build a boat, but that's also out of the question. The rules also stated that it is forbidden to destroy materials on the island"

Baseball:

"Well the rules also stated there are some exceptions if... A murder was planned..." - An Awkward silence was echoed in the dining area - "Ahem! Forget it, is not a valid option and that's final!"

Lightbulb:

"I got it! We just have to find a way out of this island!"

Knife:

"Have you been listening to everything we've been talking about? If it were that easy we probably would have escaped long ago, Lightbulb! It's not as simple as just finding a way out there in plain sight. Monophone4 is not that stupid."

Lightbulb:

"Come on, we had to come into this island from somewhere! It's true that we could have come in a boat which is already gone as Nickel said yesterday.... But we can't give up all hope!"

Salt:

"All right, if you're so sure there's a way out, where do you think it is? Did you see it?"

Lightbulb:

"..."

Salt:

"Of course you can't answer, why I'm not surprising..."

Paintbrush:

"Your ego must be sky high to treat everyone the way you want, no? It is hard to find an exit in this island since it's so big. No one could do it."

Bow:

"How hard could it be to just try to find an exit? Like, just explore the island from head to toes!"

Baseball:

"It's very complicated actually, Bow. We already investigated everything about this island. The hotel, outside the hotel, the park, the cliff.... In none of those places was there any visible way out."

OJ:

"No, there's still one place we still haven't investigate at the fullest."

Baseball:

"There's still one other place? Where is it?"

OJ:

"I'm not entirely sure, but... I think I might have an idea..." - Everyone turned their heads at me.

Paintbrush:

"Yeah? Ok spit it out!"

OJ:

"I'm not 100 percent sure it's going to work, but..." - I turned on my Handbook as I spoke - "If I'm correct, we may at least have a chance to get to know this island if we don't find an escape."

Bow:

"What does that even mean?"

I started to navigate through the menu of my E-Handbook, opened the map section and started searching. It didn't take me more than 3 seconds to confirm my suspicions.

OJ:

"Aha! I knew it!"

Balloon:

"Knew what? You are confusing us, OJ"

OJ:

"Can you all do me a favor and turn on your Handbooks? I need you guys to see the map" - At my request, everyone did what I said and took out their handbooks. After a while it didn't took them a lot to figure it out by themselves.

Taco:

"Ah! Another area!"

Apple:

"Why are there two areas?"

Knife:

"Interesting... It seems that we are in the Hotel Area, meanwhile the other area is named the Outskirts Area."

Salt:

"And this hotel is bigger than I thought!"

Bow:

"Ok, we know there are 2 areas, big deal, but how does that help us?"

Paper:

"Well, OJ and I woke up in the Outskirts Area, but we were so confused at the time we didn't take the time to investigate the area properly, our main problem was to look for more objects."

Paintbrush:

"So in other words, you and OJ never finished investigating the Outskirts Area?"

OJ:

"Yes, we just followed a path until we reached the tunnel that brought us both to the Hotel Area. We never went off the path to investigate further."

Marshmallow:

"So the Outskirst Area must be the one area we still haven't explore yet!"

OJ:

"That's why I propose to investigate the outskirts, maybe there is something that will help us, and even if we don't find anything, at least we will have explored the island a little more."

Nickel:

"It's not bad idea entirely, so I suppose it could work."

Lightbulb:

"Yep yep, the more we know about this island, the more chances we have to escape!"

Knife:

"Yeah I'm in too!"

Bomb:

"I-if I l-learned a-anything f-from the m-military, it's kn-knowing the e-enemy f-field f-from h-head to t-toe to u-use it to our a-advantage!"

Pepper:

"Wait, you went to the army, Powder?! But you're still a teenager, you're so young!"

Bomb:

"I-I'm n-not the U-Ultimate S-Sniper f-for n-nothing, P-Pepper. I-I'm o-one of the b-best and y-youngest s-soldiers in the a-army!"

Pepper:

"Wow! I'm starting to like you, Bomb! You are cool!"

Salt:

"Wow, Pepper, you really like him if you are calling Bomb by his name and not his surname. You should feel honored, Bomb! Not everyone gets that treatment!"

Bomb:

"U-uhm... I-I'm h-honored, I g-guess?"

And just like that, everyone agreed to the idea one by one.

OJ:

"Ok then, I guess it's decided!"

Taco:

"Hooray! Let's begin!-"

"Now hold on a second!" - A voice shouted to everyone.

*Music Stops*

Apple:

"AH! W-Where did that voice came from?! It's a g-ghost?"

Bow:

"Don't be a moron! Ghost don't exist!..." - Bow assured, but then his face turned worried - "I think... There are no ghosts here, are there?"

Balloon:

"Ghost aren't real genius!"

Bow:

"How would you know it?!"

???:

"As much as I'd like to say I'm a ghost, I have more of a technological touch than a ghostly one." - Then out of nowhere, Monophone4 appeared on top of the dining room table.

(Now Playing: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson V3 - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

Monophone4:

"Hello again my dearest contestants!"

OJ:

"AH!" - Startled, I fell backwards with my chair, hitting the back of my head - "Ow.... That hurt..."

Paper:

"O-OJ? Are you okay?"

Monophone4:

"Haha! That's what you get for being a chicken, OJ! That's twice in a row, you scream when I show up! You make me feel like I'm some kind of monster, that's very cruel of you.... Well, it's not like I care that much."

Nickel:

"Mh... Yeah, I wonder why, you don't look like a monster to me."

Monophone4:

"See? Look, Nickel is the only one who gets it out of all of you! Keep it up, and I'm sure you'll survive for a long time buddy!"

Nickel:

"Thanks! I'm doing my best!... Fuck you aswell by the way."

Monophone4:

"That last line was very unnecessary.... But ok."

Baseball:

"Monophone4 what are you doing here!?"

Monophone4:

"What? I can't see how my contestants are doing or what? I may look a bit sadisctic in your eyes, but deep down I cared for every single one of you. It's not like I'm gonna kill you, one of you will do it!"

Paintbrush:

"Did you really come all the way here just to remind us about the killing game? You don't have to remind us about the horrible situation we're in! No matter what happens, we won't play your stupid game, Monophone4!"

Monophone4:

"Of course I didn't come here to remind you about the killing game, I am more than informed that such information hasn't yet left your minds. Instead, I'm here for a different reason. So if you guys could spare me a little of your time, even though I know you hate me to death and already want me gone."

Knife:

"Your mere existence is irritating me..."

Monophone4:

"Now now, don't give me that death stare, Knife, I won't take long at all, I promise."

OJ:

"What do you want now, Monophone4?"

Monophone4:

"Well... I couldn't help, but gossip a little about your conversation..."

Balloon:

"Gossip?!"

Taco:

"Oh, so you were gossiping... You sneaky bastard!"

Pepper:

"Hey! Gossiping is my thing!"

Marshmallow:

"Ah! If you were gossiping our conversation then... Does that mean you heard all about our plans of exploring the other area?"

Monophone4:

"Yup! I hear everything! You guys really have hopes of escaping from here alive, don't you? It's gonna be hilarious to see all that hope turn into despair so soon!"

Pickle:

"No matter what you say, you're not going to stop us from investigating that area! I mean, after all, it's another part of this island, so it's in the boundaries. We wouldn't be breaking any rules!"

Monophone4:

"Oh no! Don't get me wrong! I really don't mind you investigating the area at all! I have no intention of stopping what you are planning, if you know more of your terrain, the more opportunities to commit murder will be seen! Hahaha!"

Bomb:

"O-of c-course y-you w-would s-see it l-like th-that w-way..."

Monophone4:

"Mind you, unfortunately your little expedition will have to be rescheduled for tomorrow, as right now the outskirts area is temporarily closed today."

OJ:

"Huh? Why?!"

Paper:

"Th-That's not fair!"

Salt:

"Yeah! How wouldn't we know you aren't making sure there aren't any exits?!"

Monophone4:

"It's very cute of you to think there's an outing waiting for you on the other side of the island.... But I'm sure you'll find things much more interesting than a measly exit! Now, I'm sorry, but I have to prepare the preparations, I have too much planning to do and too little time left! So, sayonara!"

Knife:

"Just get out of here already!"

Monophone4:

"Are you deaf or something? I just told you I was leaving Mr Tough guy, chill!"

Knife:

"I SAID LEAVE!"

Monophone4:

"Okay! Looks like I'm not wanted here any longer, so I'll be on my way."

Paintbrush:

"Wait! I have a question about-!" - Ignoring Paintbrush question, Monophone4 already left the dining room - "... Nevermind..."

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin - Remix Cover by K-PSZH)

OJ:

"What is he planning...?"

Apple:

"Monophone4 isn't gonna do anything bad, is he? I mean, we already have enough with this killing game."

Marshmallow:

"I'm sorry Apple, but I'm almost sure he's gonna mess up with us again..."

Knife:

"Dammit! I knew I should have stop him!"

Bomb:

"A-actually, n-no, it w-was f-for the b-best if y-you d-didn't d-do a-anything at a-all. H-he's j-just p-playing with u-us at th-this p-point."

Salt:

"What now? If there's actually no exit in the Outskirst Area, then what are we gonna do now? It's useless."

OJ:

"Well, we could still explore the area. Even if there's no way out, Monophone4 said there were things worth exploring out there.... I feel like he wasn't lying when he told us that."

Nickel:

"So what you're saying the expedition isn't cancelled? All right, I guess, but we better find something of value out there, or I'm really going to get mad at that phone."

Baseball:

"I don't see why he would continue to lie to us at this point. I mean, he could be lying, but I don't see what he would gain from it."

Lightbulb:

"What if he's actually leading us into a trap where we will all die?!"

Knife:

"Or maybe it's nothing and you're overreacting, Lightbulb. In my opinion, the worst thing that could happen is for us to waste our time and not find anything useful."

Apple:

"What do we do in the meantime, then?"

Bomb:

"W-well, w-with everything g-going on w-with us, I th-think it w-would b-be a g-good idea to r-relax a l-little. I kn-know it's n-not the b-best s-situation, b-but e-even h-here y-you c-can r-relax. I w-went to the c-cliff this m-morning and th-there's a s-soothing b-breeze th-there."

Taco:

"That was before Knife's losing row, wasn't it?"

Pepper:

"Knife's losing what? Wait, Why I'm asking? I already know all about it! Haha!"

Knife:

"W-We don't have to talk about that here! I'll win that stupid game someday!"

Salt:

"I'm not gonna ask what happened to you... But you look so tense..."

Bomb:

"Y-y-you'd b-better n-not, y-you'd o-only m-make him e-even a-angrier, b-but I m-must a-admit it w-was a f-funny th-thing to w-witness."

Bow:

"Speak well for once will you?"

Bomb:

"Wh-What?"

Paper:

"Hey! That wasn't nice, Bow! He's a stutter, he can't stop even if he wants to!"

Bomb:

"I-it's o-okay, Paper, I-I'm used to h-hearing th-that type of c-comments a-anyway..."

OJ:

"Wait, you are?! How come you never told me about it, Bomb?!"

Bomb:

"W-we're b-best fr-friends, OJ, b-but I a-admit th-there are th-things I'd r-rather y-you d-didn't kn-know about m-me. I-it's m-minor s-stuff, s-so d-don't w-worry t-too m-much about m-me, o-okay?"

OJ:

"..."

Pickle:

"Uhm... Well, leaving that aside. Bomb is right, even though we're stuck on this island, that doesn't take away the fun and relaxation! There's a game room so I know here I'll pass most of my time!" - Pickle seemed excited to get back to playing, I mean, He's the Ultimate Gamer.

Lightbulb:

"I could use the time to test new food combinations! I'm sure you'll love them just like this one."

Apple:

"By the way, if you don't mind me asking, what ingredients did you use to cook breakfast again? My father is also a great chef!"

Paintbrush:

"Well, we use-"

Lightbulb:

"No, Painty! It's a secret recipe! We can't tell anyone!"

Balloon:

"You don't have to scream, we can hear you perfectly."

Lightbulb:

"Shush!"

Balloon:

"Shush!? You shush!"

Lightbulb:

"No you shush!"

Paintbrush:

"CAN WE NOT START A BACK AND FORTH FIGHT HERE!?" - They shouted getting up from the chair, making both of them shut up. I think I saw their hair had taken off a spark of fire as he shouted. - "Thank you" - They said as they setback in their chair.

Nickel:

"Talking about anger issues. You and Knife really need to chill out a little, maybe you really need to relax. Hey bright personality! I think it's time to end this meeting don't you think?"

Lightbulb:

"Geez , fine fine... Ahem! I officially declare this meeting over! Now you can do whatever you want! As long as it's not "you know what" of course."

Once Lightbulb called the meeting to a close, we all got up from our chairs and left the dining room.

From there I went to my dormitory, as I had nothing else to do.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- OJ'S ROOM -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

*Music Stops*

I walked into my dormitory and instantly fell into my bed. I just wanted to forget this whole situation, at least for a second.

Why on earth did we end up in this situation? I know we are Objects with gifted talents, but is that really enough of a motive?

...

Kill or be killed? Like hell I'm gonna do what they want us to do!

Whoever is behind this is really an idiot to think we will start killing just because they say so. Nothing they do, and I repeat, NOTHING they do will convince me to take the life of one of my friends!

True, I only met them all yesterday, but that doesn't mean they are my enemies either. I really want to trust them. I really want to trust that they won't let themselves be manipulated into murder either.

With those thoughts I settled into my bed, ready to get some rest, but just as I turned my head to the left, as if I had a Deja-vu, I saw something on my bedside table. But what I saw startled me, making me jump out of bed.

OJ:

"Is t-that a fire gun?" - On the small bedside table there was a pistol with a note, which I picked up and began to read its contents:

"Dear contestant,

I left you a little gift to help you with your killing spree in this game, you don't have to thank me! Seriously! Just use it with care! Hahahaha!

Sincerely,

Monophone4"

...

I crumpled up the paper and threw it in the basket of my room as soon as I read it, and I put the gun in one of the drawers of my bedside table.

Well, thanks to that gun, my sleep is gone. What could I do now? Staying locked in my dorm room is not going to be an option, that's for sure.

Oh, maybe I can use this time to get to know the other contestants better! If we get to know each other better, the less likely a murder will happen! Now, the question is... Who should I spend my time with?

- FREE TIME STARTS -

Chapter Text

Hi uhm...

XD

I don't what else to say in this place

...

So, who's your favorite character so far? (Totally not asking to kill them later)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- FREE TIME STARTS -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Beautiful Days - GD Version by Masafumi Takada)

OJ:

"Maybe I should get some fresh air first." - Bomb said earlier that on the cliff there was a soothing breeze. I guess that's where I'm heading now.

I left my dorm room, went down to the hotel lobby and stepped outside.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

As soon as I left the hotel, I felt the breeze breeze touching my glass, which had an almost immediate relaxing effect on me. I guess if you can feel relaxation even when you're caught in a twisted game like this. Now I just have to go to the cliff, the only bad thing about that will be the climb up there.....

So without wasting time I headed to the cliff.

On the way, I saw Salt and Pepper at the fountain in the middle of the hotel area, talking and laughing as usual. I walked past them without being spotted, the last thing I need is another flirty Salt.

Then I passed by the park where I saw Baseball and Nickel playing with a soccer ball like the other time I saw them, only this time a ball didn't go straight at me. I waved to them before continuing on my way.

As I climbed up the cliff, I started to get tired, but I continued anyway.

However, during the walk, I started to hear a loud sound.

BANG BANG

And the closer I got, the louder it got. It was like an explosion.

So I carefully climbed to the top of the cliff so that whoever was making the sound wouldn't see me.

I didn't realize what it was until I got to the top.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- CLIFF -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Bomb:

"..." - It was Bomb, with a Sniper Rifle in his hand. He was shooting at some glass bottles from a distance.

OJ:

"Wow, watch out with that Bomb!" - I warned to Bomb, who turned around to see me.

Bomb:

"Huh? Oh, H-hi OJ, d-don't worry, I'm a-a-always c-careful with th-this kind of th-things."

I'm actually more concerned about how he got that sniper, surely it's the weapon that Monophone4 gave him, that son of a....

OJ:

"So I guess Monophone4 gave you that?"

Bomb:

"Y-yes, h-he d-did. I-I'm a-actually s-surprised h-how he m-managed to g-get th-this s-sniper m-model in the f-first place! I-it's o-one of m-my f-favorites!"

OJ:

"Sniper model? I'm sorry Bomb, I know we are best friends, but we don't share the same brain, can you explain it to me?"

Bomb:

"S-sorry, I f-forget th-that you are n-not a f-fan of w-weapons l-like m-me. Th-this s-sniper r-rifle is a DSR-P-Precision DSR-50! M-made in a G-German c-company and o-one of the r-rarest s-snipers to b-be f-found in the w-world!"

OJ:

"Oh, so it's a rare sniper? Now I see why are you so excited about it. But, why is it rare again?"

Bomb:

"W-well, f-first of all, it's e-easy to u-use th-thanks to th-the a-advanced r-recoil s-system and th-the b-bullpup d-design th-that in n-no w-way c-compromises th-the b-barrel of th-the g-gun! A-also, th-the c-caliber a-allows th-the a-ability to u-use .50 BMG b-bullets! Wh-which m-makes it s-super e-effective f-for p-piercing l-light a-armor on th-the b-battlefield! It a-also c-comes with a s-suppressor to d-drown out th-the s-sounds of g-gunfire. S-so, in sh-short, it's a v-very t-technologically a-advanced s-sniper! A-although th-they are v-very r-rare to f-find a-anywhere b-but a m-military z-zone, th-that's why I'm v-very c-curious a-about how d-did M-Monophone4 g-g-got th-this."

OJ:

"Uh... To be honest with you Bomb, I didn't understand anything you just told me, but you're the expert on this sort of thing, not me."

Bomb:

"S-sorry, I g-got c-carried a-away with my h-hobbies, a-again, d-didn't I? I j-just c-can't h-help it! Th-this r-rifle is v-very s-special in m-many t-terms!"

OJ:

"I-I get it, just be careful with that, okay? I know you're the Ultimate Sniper, but be careful hitting someone with that thing."

Bomb:

"D-Don't worry, OJ, I k-know what I'm d-doing. B-Besides, I-I was g-gonna throw it o-over the c-cliff, but I-I really w-wanted to g-give it a u-use b-before I d-did it" - He fired another bullet as he spoke, hitting another bottle.

OJ:

"Wow, you're quite a natural with that, aren't you?"

Bomb:

"Oh u-uhm, Y-yes, I g-guess y-you c-could s-say th-that, hehe... Th-thanks, I g-guess, n-not a l-lot of o-objects t-tell me th-that... - He gave me a glanced as he spoke and fired

BANG

And there it goes another bottle.

OJ:

"Huh? Why not? You are the Ultimate Sniper, Bomb! I figured you'd be more appreciated for your skills!" - Hold on! Actually, I have something to ask him - "Hey Bomb, we need to talk about what you mentioned in the dining room earlier."

Bomb:

"S-sure, j-just s-spit it o-out." - Bomb was aiming at the last bottle

OJ:

"You said you were used to being called all kinds of names because of your stutter, Bomb."

*Music Stops*

Bomb:

"Ah!" - Bomb was clearly in a panic now, almost dropping the sniper rifle - "D-d-don't w-worry about it, OJ! I-I'm f-fine! It's n-nothing s-serious! Y-you d-don't h-have to w-worry about it, it's j-just a m-minor th-thing. I'm n-not b-being b-bul- I-I m-mean! I'm d-doing j-just f-fine!"

He was going to say...?

...

OJ:

"Bomb... Don't tell... Are you being bullied?"

Bomb:

"..!"

OJ:

"Bomb, you and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. We treat each other like we are brothers, so you know for a fact I care deeply for you. You know that I not only care about you in this killing game but also outside of it. So please, I want you to tell me the truth. Have you been getting harassed behind my back?"

Bomb:

"..." - Bomb sighed before putting the sniper to the side and turning to me - "I r-really d-didn't w-want y-you to kn-know it l-like th-this, OJ..."

(Now Playing: All All Apologies - UDG Version by Masafumi Takada)

OJ:

"So it's true then... Fow how long this has been happening?"

Bomb:

"5 m-months-"

OJ:

"5 months?! That long?! How didn't I noticed or why didn't you tell me?!"

Bomb:

"B-because I kn-know h-how y-you are, OJ! I kn-know y-you would h-have r-resorted to e-extreme m-measures to g-get th-them to l-leave m-me a-alone! B-believe me, I w-wanted to t-tell you, f-for a l-long t-time, b-but I d-decided th-that for th-the s-sake of e-everyone i-involved in th-the wh-whole th-thing, it w-was b-better to k-keep q-quiet..."

OJ:

"For everyone but you..."

5 months ago... That was when we were still in high school....

Now that I think about it, Bomb always looked depressed on occasion, sometimes he also didn't feel like doing things that we both always liked to do.

And I wasn't sure, but now that I know, I think I heard him cry a few times, but always when I went in to check on him, he quickly changed his mood....

How the heck did I not notice? Gosh, I'm an awful friend.....

OJ:

"But why were you being bullied? I'm sure during those days, you, Test Tube and I were on the waiting list for the UAT academy. I thought they would love you for being able to study in the most pretigious school in the universe!"

Bomb:

"E-ever h-heard of j-jealousy?"

OJ:

"Oh, so they were jealous about your talent... I didn't think about that possibility..."

Bomb:

"N-no, it w-wasn't my t-talent."

OJ:

"It wasn't? Then why?"

Bomb:

"W-well, in a p-part, y-yes it w-was, b-but th-the m-main pr-problem w-was o-one th-thing... M-my s-stuttering."

OJ:

"What? Why does it matter how you talk?"

Bomb:

"S-society is v-very j-judgmental th-these d-days, OJ, th-they f-focus m-more on l-looks th-than a-abilities. O-one l-look at y-you, and th-they w-will d-decide if y-you d-deserve an U-Ultimate C-Certificate or n-not." - He crossed his arms, as his vision was on the grass now - " - I-In my case, it w-was my s-stupid stuttering... M-many at s-school th-thought I d-didn't d-deserve to s-study at UAT, s-simply b-because of th-the w-way I t-talked. Th-they th-thought I w-would t-tarnish th-the wh-whole im-image of th-the a-academy if I w-went th-there. Th-that I sh-should g-give my t-talent to s-someone wh-who t-talked b-better than m-me, wh-who a-actually d-deserved it."

OJ:

"They really said all those horrible things about you, Bomb?..."

Bomb:

"T-trust me when I t-tell you th-they t-told me w-worse... B-but I s-still d-decided to i-ignore e-every s-single one of th-them! B-because if I d-decided to g-go to UAT, if th-the r-rumors w-were t-true... Th-then my l-life w-would h-have ch-changed f-forever! I w-wouldn't b-be r-remembered as th-the s-stuttering i-idiot wh-who u-uses a r-rifle, b-but as th-the U-Ultimate S-Sniper!" - He said that last line with passion in his voice - "B-But... Even I d-don't know if I really d-deserve the t-title..." - And there it goes, the same bad energy from before

OJ:

"Bomb..." - I walked up to him and put my hand on his shoulder. - "Don't say things like that, okay? You were born with a magnific talent, you were given that title for a reason, and you better be proud of it. Besides, what does it matter what other objects think? They're just objects who are jealous. I would indeed be a little jealous too if I couldn't attend one of the most prestigious schools in the world, but that wouldn't give me the right to act like a god of Objectica and say who deserves a talent and who doesn't, that's for us to decide!... And the Academy of course, haha."- I told him all this, looking him in the eyes to let him understand that I cared.

Furthermore, I noticed that tears began to appear in his eyes, as a clear smile had formed on his face.

Bomb:

"*Sniff* Th-thanks OJ, I r-really n-needed that."

OJ:

"You're welcome! That's what friends do, isn't it?"

Bomb:

"Y-yeah... You a-are right..." - He said as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

OJ:

"Of course I am! Just because we're stuck in this twisted game doesn't mean we can't still be friends!"- I responded with my hands on my hips

Bomb giggle in response.

(Now Playing: Becoming Friends - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

Bomb:

"Oh!" - Bomb focused his gaze on the rifle he was shooting with earlier, which seemed to give him an idea.

He walked over to the sniper rifle he had lying against the tree on the cliff, picked it up, then walked back towards me.

Bomb:

"T-Try it! It w-won't be th-that hard, I p-promise"

OJ:

"Huh?! I-I don't know, I've never fired a gun before! Especially NOT a sniper rifle." - I said uncertainly of taking hold of the gun

Bomb:

"D-don't w-worry, I'll sh-show you h-how to u-use it. A-after all, I'm an e-expert!" - And there was that passion in his voice again. - "Please!" - And now he has those puppy eyes on him.

...

Dang it! Stupid puppy eyes! I can't say no with those!

So I sighed and accepted.

OJ:

"Okay, I guess it wouldn't hurt anyone to try, right?" - I said, grabbing the sniper rifle from Bomb's hands. - "So uhm... What do I do first, exactly?"

Bomb:

"O-Okay, so f-first you d-do..."

Bomb spends the next few minutes trying his best to teach me how to shoot a sniper, he's a great teacher! Sure he had to help me with a few things like how to hold the gun correctly and how to position myself properly, as well as how to control my breathing better. Bomb really is an expert at this, obviously, he's the Ultimate Sniper for a reason.

OJ:

"Ok, so, first I stabilize the gun, right? Then I aim at my target, control my breathing, pull the trigger and fire, correct?"

Bomb:

"Y-Yes, th-that should do it."

With what Bomb taught me, I stabilized the gun, aimed at one of the bottles, steadied my breath and pulled the trigger.

...

BANG!

CRASH

And just like that, the bottle exploded into several pieces.

OJ:

"I-I did it?" - I said without believing it.

Bomb:

"G-Good job, OJ! Y-You're a f-fast learner!" - He said with a cheerful tone in his voice

OJ:

"Wow... I guess I am, haha..." - I handed the sniper rifle back to him with a smile - "And you are an amazing teacher!" - I said, giving him a thumbs up as I winked.

Bomb:

"Oh, it's n-no big deal really, I j-just taught you the basics." - He stuttered with a blush of embarrassment after receiving the rifle from me - "I g-guess it's t-time to say goodb-bye to my friend." - He murmured, staring at the sniper in his hands before heading towards the top of the cliff.

And on 3, Bomb threw the sniper off the cliff, never expecting to see him again.

But to our surprise something odd happened

*Music Stops*

Bomb:

"Huh?! Wh-what?!"

Instead of falling to the bottom, it began to float, as if something prevented it from falling.

OJ:

"What is this?" - I said, stunned, as I went to inspect the sniper.

Bomb:

"Wa-watch out ok?"

After getting closer to the cliff, I noticed that below the rifle there was a blue wave on it.

It should be what prevents it from falling.

Just to make sure, I grabbed a stone from the ground and threw it down the cliff with all my strength.

To my surprise, the stone instead of falling, it bounced off a kind of invisible wall towards me hitting me in the forehead.

OJ:

"Ouch!"

Bomb:

"I-I s-say, w-watch out, d-dumbass."

OJ:

"You don't have to tell me twice..." - I rubbed the wound, that will leave a mark for sure, I'm lucky I didn't break the glass completely, or I'd be dead. - " - "But at least I've tested my theory." - Bomb gave me a confused look" - "There seems to be some kind of force field that keeps the objects from falling down"

Bomb:

"B-But why would th-there be s-something l-like that here?" - He said, as he put his foot on the outskirts of the cliff, touching the force field.

Before I had a chance to respond, a familiar voice was heard coming from behind me.

(Now Playing: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson V3 - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

Monophone4:

"I can answer that question faster than the chicken can cross the street!"

OJ:

"AAAH!" - I let out a scream when I noticed Monophone4 behind me. - "Where did you come from?!"

Monophone4:

"Haha! That's three in a row now! By the way, I used Magi-"

OJ:

"And don't respond with "Magic". We both know that's not true"

Monophone4:

"Geez, what a partypooper you are.... And you claim to be the Ultimate Host? What a joke" - I wanted to punch him, but I knew that if I did, I would surely end up 30 meters underground. So I limited myself to watch him with rage. - "Anyway, I'm not here to bully OJ, I am here to clear up your doubts about that force field! I'm sure you're wondering.... "Oh Monophone! Why can't we just throw our trash over the cliff?"" - He said this in a girly voice - "Well, you ask and I'll answer! I have installed a force field on the cliff to prevent anyone from throwing whatever they feel like throwing away! I may be an evil phone, but I won't stand littering on this island!"

OJ:

"That's... That's very kind of you!" - I said with a forced smile, which disappeared almost immediately. - "Where's the catch?"

Monophone4:

"Oh? What do you mean?" - He said, pretending not knowing what I was talking about.

OJ:

"You won't fool me. There is absolutely no way that you could have set up such an advanced device as a force field to simply avoid littering. What were your actual intentions in establishing a force field Monophone4?"

Monophone4 simply stared at me, until a malicious grin began to creep across his face.

Monophone4:

"Haha... Oh my, I guess I can't fool you, right? I suppose I was too hasty in taking you for a fool so soon."

Bomb:

"S-So OJ w-was right, huh? T-Tell us what y-your real intentions were th-then." - Bomb and I stood in front of Monophone4 demanding answers.

Monophone4:

"Nah, I don't feel like it." - He turned his back ar us so he wouldn't look at us - "You will have to guess"

Bomb:

"G-guess?!"

So he wants us to guess?

Ok fine, if you want to play this way then let's play

Knowing Monophone4 he probably wanted to put that force field related to the killing game.

-

Why is there a Force Field?

- Avoid Suicide -

- To prevent escape -

> - [To prevent the disposal of evidence]- <

-

OJ:

"You put up that force field to prevent possible evidence from being easily disposed of if a murder were to occur, didn't you?"

Monophone4:

"..."

OJ:

"That's what I thought... You made it for the killing game, why I'm not surprised..."

Monophone4:

"Ugh Fine, You got me! Happy now?! Because I'm not! You made sad! No, Mad! No, Madsad!"

Bomb:

"I-I d-don't th-think th-that's a w-word." - He said, raising an eyebrow with a nervous smile.

Monophone4:

"Shut up, stupid Stutterer! I can create words if I feel like it! And I declared Madsad is a real word now!" - Monophone4 seemed to be still for 3 seconds before continuing - "Ahem... Sorry for raising my voice, hehe..." - He clearly wasn't sorry - "I set up that force field to make the trials fairer, dontcha think? It would be so unfair if the culprit could get rid of the evidence so easily! By the time you've found the body, there wouldn't be a trace of evidence left! All vanished into thin air... Which would make this game end very soon, and oh believe me, I would hate to end this game so quickly..." - He began to giggle in a terrifying and malevolent way, I felt that time slowed down every time he was around.

OJ:

"Finish the game so quickly? What are you talking about?"

Monophone4:

"Oops, looks like my time is up here! I'd like to stay and talk for longer, but I'm a very busy phone." - What an excuse to avoid my question. - "Well, then, I hope our next meeting will be when a body is discovered! Sayonara!"

*Music Stops*

And just like that, as he came from nowhere, he also left out of nowhere, ignoring my question.

And now we were alone again on the cliff, with more questions than answers, which seemed to be the only thing Monophone4 always left behind when leaving a place on this island, pure despair.

I only came back to reality when he opened his mouth to speak.

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin - Remix Cover by K-PSZH)

Bomb:

"S-So... Wh-what do w-we do now? Sh-should we t-tell the others a-about the Force Field?" - He said scratching his head

OJ:

"I-I don't know." - I wondered what to say next - "I believe it would be best to keep this quiet for the time being, just as a safety measure though! Not that I don't trust in anyone!"

Bomb:

"I s-suppose y-you are p-probably r-right..." - He murmured before turning around and staring at the sun. - "W-Well, I sh-should g-get going already, th-the sun is almost g-gone, and I d-don't want to be outside d-during nighttime." - He turned his vision towards me - "Bye OJ, I h-had a g-great time with y-you!" - Bomb was going downhill as he waved goodbye with his hand.

OJ:

"Wait, Bomb!" - Bomb stopped moving and turned to me as I yelled his name. - "Aren't you forgetting something?" - I pointed to the sniper who was still floating due to the force field.

Bomb:

"Oh c-crap, I c-completely f-forgot!" - After Bomb carefully picked up the force field sniper, we said goodbye for the second time and walked down the mountain.

Bomb is an amazing guy, I feel horrible that I didn't notice the bullying he was getting a long time ago... Thanks to it, his self-confidence went downhill...

I couldn't protect him before, but I will protect him in this killing game! I will make sure nothing happens to him on this island! I know he can take care of himself, but as his non-biological older brother, it's my duty.

I think Bomb and I became even more closer!

-

HOPE FRAGMENT OBTAINED!

Bomb's Report Card has been updated based on your experience with him.

-

TROPHY UNLOCKED!

"Making Friends!"

Description:

"Get your first Hope Fragment"

-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- OJ'S ROOM -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

I still have time left before Nighttime, what should I do next?

- FREE TIME BEGINS -

(Now Playing: Beautiful Days - GD Version by Masafumi Takada)

RING RING

I couldn't think for too long because of the sound of my doorbell.

OJ:

"Who could it be?" - I stood up from my bed to walk over to the door and answer it.

And the object on the other side of the door was...

OJ:

"Apple?" - At the door was Apple, who seemed to be hyperactive about something, and also freaked out.

Apple:

"Youneedtocomewithmeimmediately!there'snotimeforquestionsnorspaces,c'mon!!!!!" - Before I could respond, Apple pulled me by the arm and dragged me out of my room.

OJ:

"Wow!! Can you tell me at least where are we going?!"

Apple:

"I said no time for questions!"

OJ:

"O-oh ok"

Praying that she didn't attempt anything weird on me, I simply let Apple take me wherever she wanted to go.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- PARK -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Apple had brought me to the park for some reason unknown to me, it didn't take me long to notice Marshmallow was there as well sitting in a bench but... She was trembling...

Apple:

"You gotta help Marsh OJ please! She said she began to sense some scary stuff! Although I don't have a clue what that means!" - Apple exclaimed, still freaked out

OJ:

"Wow, slow down a bit, Apple! You need to calm down! What's wrong with Marshmallow? What is it?"

Apple:

"I don't know! I saw Marshmallow looking all pale in the face, so I asked her what was wrong, and she told me she had one of those encounters of hers, but I have no idea what those encounters mean, although I really want to help her!"

OJ:

"So you dragged the first object you came across with so they can talk with her?" - She nodded in response - "But why me? I have no idea what these encounters are about either! Aren't you her best friend? Shouldn't you know all about her?"

Apple:

"I just told you I don't know either, OJ! She's always had those encounters before, but I never found out what they meant." - How long have those two been friends again? - "Look, please, I'm asking you for a small favor! It's for Marshmallow!"

OJ:

"Fine, I'll see what I can do."

A bright smile formed on Apple's face as I accepted.

(Now Playing: Rise of the Ultimate - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

I gently began to approach Marshmallow, who hadn't noticed my presence yet. By the time I was there I gently put my arm on her shoulder.

As soon as my hand tapped her shoulder, Marshmallow startled.

Marshmallow:

"Ah!" - She turned quickly, pushing my hand away.

OJ:

"Hey easy easy! It's me, OJ"

Marshmallow:

"Oh... It's just you" - So I'm a "just you" now? - "Why are you here, OJ...?" - She ducked her head to avoid eye contact as soon as she saw me.

OJ:

"Why don't you ask your friend over there?" - I pointed at Apple, who was watching us from far away

Marshmallow:

"Mh? Yeah, uhm... Sorry about her, she can be... Uhm..."

OJ:

"Overprotective?" - I sat down on the bench next to her.

Marshmallow:

"Y-yeah, a lot, at times it becomes annoying, but she's still my best friend." - She glanced nervously at me as she spoke.

OJ:

"Haha, yeah, I can see it now."

There were a few seconds of awkward silence without either of us looking at each other, so I decided to break it.

OJ:

"So... Apple told me you had a encounter or something like that, I was wondering if you wanted to talk about it."

Marshmallow:

"Huh?! Oh it's not that big of a deal! Don't worry about, haha" - She had a smile but... It was forced one, I just know it.

She's not gonna tell me, is she? So I should try to guess what kind of "Encounters" she deals with.

-

What was the Encounter?

> - [Ghosts] - <

- Monophone4 -

- Demons -

-

OJ:

"I see... It was a Paranormal Encounter. You saw a ghost, didn't you?"

Marshmallow:

"Wha-?!"- She gave me a shocked look

OJ:

"Remember what you said to me the first time we met? You said you could see ghosts"

- FLASHBACK -

-

OJ:

"Of course! It's not every day you come across objects capable of contacting the dead! That's what it means to be an exorcist, right? Or am I missing something?"

Marshmallow:

"If you put it like that... That's pretty much what an exorcist does. The exorcist is capable of contacting with the other world, so we can talk with ghosts. Sometimes they have good intentions and sometimes... not" - She seemed a little down in the dumps telling that last part.

-

- END OF FLASHBACK -

Marshmallow:

"I-I did!? I... Did..." - She started to sweat.

OJ:

"I know you said you didn't want to talk about it at the time, but.... If you keep this type of stuff to yourself, even to your best friend, you'll end up snapping, and snap on this island is the worst thing you can do right now." - She seemed hesitant to speak - "Look, I'm not going to force you to talk about it if you don't want to, but I don't think It's a good idea to keep it to yourself."

Marshmallow:

"...I... I can't..." - I was kinda surprised by her answer, however, I understood completely - "I would, but... Even I can't understand what I saw, OJ, Me! The Ultimate Exorcist! Not understanding a Paranormal Activity already tells the whole story! It's not that I don't want to tell you guys, It's just that is so weird..." - She seemed so lost, So I tried again and placed my hand in her shoulder - "Huh?"

OJ:

"It's totally fine that you don't wanna talk about it, I won't push you into doing it" - I replied - "So if you don't want to talk about it, how about we talk about something else instead?"

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin - Remix Cover by K-PSZH)

Marshmallow:

"Talk about something else? Why?"

OJ:

"If we talk about something else unrelated to ghosts and paranormal stuff, then your mind will focus on what we're currently talking about instead of what happened before! Maybe that way you can forget about the encounter for at least a second."

Marshmallow:

"I supposed that could work... But what should we talk about?"

What could we talk about? I was thinking as I looked around as if that was going to give me some idea. Then my eyes fell on Apple, who was watching our conversation from afar, which is when my light bulb turned on.

OJ:

"How about we talk about how you and Apple met?"

Marshmallow:

"How did Apple and I meet? That's kind of a long, weird story, and I really don't know if you'd want to hear it, OJ."

OJ:

"Come on, how rare can it be?"

Marshmallow:

"Ok, you asked for it" - Marshmallow cleared her throat before continuing - "I remember it as if it was yesterday.... But it was actually when I was about 7 years old, in elementary school."

OJ:

"Wow, you two have been friends since so long"

Marshmallow:

"Actually, we were enemies before we were friends."

OJ:

"Enemies?"

Marshmallow:

"Like I told you, it's a long, weird story." - Marshmallow smiled as she continued with the story - "I remember we were doing a Christmas project in class, Apple was a classmate of mine, by the way. The project was a Christmas play, and I got the lead role. I remember being so excited to have gotten the role I had always dreamed of! I told everyone I knew, my parents, aunts, uncles and brothers! They were all proud of me and confident that I was going to be great at it."

OJ:

"A lead role is really a big achievement, not going to lie. And you said it was your dream role?"

Marshmallow:

"Since the play was announced, I worked very hard to show the others I was capable of taking the lead role! I practiced every day I had free, I watched a lot of movies to get inspired, I analyzed the whole play, you get it. So you can imagine how happy I was to see that all my efforts were not in vain! Everyone was proud of my achievement, even my classmates! Well, almost all my classmates, actually."

OJ:

"I take it was Apple the only one who wasn't happy?"

Marshmallow:

"Too obvious? Well, the thing is, everyone was happy for me except Apple. Turns out she wanted the lead role too, so she started to hate me. I remember in various parts of the play, she tried to sabotage me, and I mean intentionally cutting me off during my lines, trying to make me trip, that sort of thing."

OJ:

"Did she really hate you that much to the point where she started sabotaging you? At least nothing was dangerous, right?"

Marshmallow:

"Yeah, nothing was in general dangerous. Luckily, each and every one of them failed. I don't know how I managed not to have grabbed her by the horns at the time. Although what really triggered our rivalry was on Christmas Day itself, also in class. We happened to be doing a Secret Santa between all of us, and I happened to start overhearing Apple talking about how much she wanted Santa to bring her what she asked for Christmas, and I overhearing this, well...I happened to mention to her that Santa didn't exist."

OJ:

"You said what?! M-Marshmallow, you were both 7 years old at the time! You can't mention to a 7 year old Santa doesn't exist!"

Marshmallow:

"I know that already! Looking back at it now I was being a jerk when I said it."

OJ:

"How did you even figure it out Santa wasn't real if you were also 7?"

Marshmallow:

"I happened to catch my dad placing the gifts under the tree and eating the cookies I left for Santa, but that's another story. Anyway, Apple happened to listen to it and trust me when I tell you all hell broke loose in there. We started fighting to the point where it got physical! Our teacher had to pull us both out of class and send us to detention until our parents arrived. From that day on, every time we saw each other at school we would throw insults at each other. She kept telling me I ruined Christmas for her forever and stuff like that. Well, everything changed when our parents became very good friends since that incident, and almost every day they forced us to spend time together. I only tolerated it because I loved spending time with his little brother, Blueberry. Although I swear even to this day, I think he has depression.... Or maybe it's just something boys go through when they start their teenage years." - I don't know about that, I don't remember being depressed when I turned 15... - "Well, the days went by, and we realized we both shared many things in common, like our love for theater, for example! We insulted each other less and less and, just like that, from one day to the next we were inseparable! Then we met Bow, but that's also another story."

OJ:

"Wow, a lot did happen to make you and Apple become friends. You weren't lying when you said it was a long, weird story."

Marshmallow:

"Yeah, I still think Apple is too overprotective of me, and it gets too annoying sometimes.... I still love her just the way she is, though."

That story is definitely the most interesting friendship story I've ever heard. Bomb and I became friends because our parents were friends too, but it wasn't nearly as crazy as those two.

OJ:

"Now I going to ask you one question, Marshmallow. Are you feeling better now?"

Marshmallow:

"Huh? Feeling better for what?"

OJ:

"I'm talking about the encounter, what else?"

Marshmallow:

"Ah! I was so focused on the story that I had completely forgotten about it!"

OJ:

"See? I told you it was going to work talking about something other than the Encounter."

Marshmallow:

"I.... I guess were right, I feel a lot better than before. Thanks, OJ."

OJ:

"Don't thank me, thank your little friend over there." - I nodded my head at Apple, who was still behind us. - "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have had any idea about what was happening to you. You have a very good friend over there, Marshmallow."

Marshmallow:

"I guess I have..." - Marshmallow glanced at Apple, giving her a smile.

OJ:

"I should be leaving now to give you both a moment alone. Just remember my advice, it's not a good idea to keep all this problems to yourself, okay?"

I stood up from the bench, and walked out of the park, leaving Marshmallow and Apple alone. But not before hearing...

Marshmallow:

"OJ!"- She yelled at me, making me turn around.

OJ:

"Mh?"

Marshmallow:

"Thanks... for helping Apple, I know she can be a pain." - She mumbled with a smile, this time I was pretty sure it was genuine.

I responded with a nod and a smile before leaving the area.

Marshmallow and Apple have a somewhat unique friendship history, but that doesn't mean it's a Bad one. Marshmallow should also learn not to keep her problems to herself, at some point all of it can make her snap, and snapping on this island is very bad, but... I suppose she has her reasons.

Even thought, I think Marshmallow and I got a bit closer today!

-

HOPE FRAGMENT OBTAINED!

Marshmallow's Report Card has been updated based on your experience with her.

-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- OJ'S ROOM -

CHAPTER 1
NIGHTTIME

*Music Stops*

DING DONG BING BONG

The monitor in my room turned on, showing Monophone4 on it.

Monophone4:

"So, how was your first day on the island? Well actually second day... ...Anyway who cares?! I just came to tell you all that it's already 10 PM! So it's officially nighttime! Remember that from now until 7 AM, some areas like The Sauna in the Hotel and The Park will remain closed! So without nothing more to say, I wish you all a pleasant night! Who knows? Perhaps it will be your last!"

And with that, the monitor went off again.

OJ:

"I guess is Nighttime already huh? It would be best to sleep now, we have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow."

With that said, I put on the cork and headed off to bed.

I really hope we can find something tomorrow, even if it's just a something small. Anything could help us find out what is going on here, or to escape! It would be a total disaster if one of us was manipulated into committing a heinous act before then, I feel like the weapons were just the beginning of that. I just hope everything is going well for the others.... But right now, I should rest.

After all, tomorrow is another day...

...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...

Hi, if you are a 5,6 or 7 years old and you read this...

Santa is absolutely real! I was just joking haha!

Nah, but seriously, if you are really that young, why are you reading this?

Uhm... Well, time for questions!

Let's see... What question could I ask...?

*Shuffles cards*

Ah! I see! This one!

Anyway fast question! Who do you think is gonna die in this chapter?

Are your predictions gonna change or are they gonna remain the same?

Chapter Text

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- *CURTAINS OPENS* -

Monophone4:

"Now that our game of death has begun, I would like to ask you, the viewers, who do you think will die first? Our protagonist OJ? Or maybe the innocent Taco? Or the reckless Nickel? Maybe the curious Paper? Or will it be the sharp Knife? Surely it will be the dumb Bomb? Or the gamer Pickle? After all, he's always had second chances in the games he plays... How about we end that? What a thrill, what a thrill! Who will be the first to go? The first to meet death in the flesh?"

- *CURTAINS CLOSE* -

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Text

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- SAVED DATA:

PLAY TIME: 3:53:47

CHAPTER 1 - DAILY LIFE - FREE TIME EVENT

OJ'S ROOM

NIGHTTIME

Do you want to load this save?

- [Yes] - - No -

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DING DONG BING BONG

Monophone4:

"Wakey wakey lazy fu-! Wait no, even I can't even say the f-word... Anyways... Greetings and Salutations! It's already 7 AM so Nighttime is officially over! I hope you all have a good sleep! Unlucky for me, looks like all 16 of you are still alive... I hope that number doesn't take too long to drop, or I'm gonna be upset... Anyway, can everyone meet at the Hotel Entrance? I have a very special announcement to make!, Make sure no one is missing, or I will be very mad about it!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- OJ'S ROOM -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Beautiful Morning - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

I woke up again thanks to the annoying Morning Announcement, but this time it was different. This time Monophone4 said he wanted to make an "special" announcement. Being him, I doubt it's anything good...

OJ:

"What is that stupid phone planning?" - I rubbed my eyes before stooding out of bed, as the morning announcement went off. I didn't wanna go, but it's not like I have a choice.

I got out of bed and began to get ready for the day.

As I was adjusting my tie, someone started ringing my doorbell.

DING! DONG!

OJ:

"Going!" - I finished adjusting my tie and headed to the door to answer it.

And when I opened it...

OJ:

"Paper?" - The one at the door was Paper, who had his journal in his hand. The journal was blue with light blue stripes at the cover.

Paper:

"Hi OJ! Good morning, how are you?" - He responded cheerfully

OJ:

"Oh yeah, good morning to you too, Paper! I'm..." - I yawned - "A little tired... but okay overall! What about you? I thought you would be at the hotel entrance by now"

Paper:

"Yeah, I was going, but I wanted to check on you first to see if you were okay." - He gave me a smile.

OJ:

"Really? Well, that's... very kind of you. Don't worry, Paper, I'm okay, This killing game didn't got me yet!"

Paper:

"Key word: Yet, OJ"

OJ:

"C-Come on, don't turn my words like that... I'm more stronger than I seem!"

Paper:

"Stronger mentally or physically?"

OJ:

"Uh... That's uhm-"

Paper:

"Haha, don't worry I'm just kidding with you, OJ!"

OJ:

"Kidding?"

Paper:

"You deserve it for calling me Prince the other day." - Paper giggled

OJ:

"Oh, I see haha..." - So this was just a way to mess with me, huh? - "Very funny, Paper."

Paper:

"But calling me prince was?"

OJ:

"Come on, admit you like it. You were flustered and everything!" - I grinned

Paper:

"What?! N-No I wasn't!" - Paper was definitely flustered

OJ:

"You are literally blushing now, Paper."

Paper:

"Not true!" - Paper was covering his face with his Journal, trying to hide the blushing.

OJ:

"You know what? Let's call this even. We both already joke with each other as if we were 5 year olds fighting over the TV remote control, I think it's an even match."

Paper:

"What exactly does one have to do with the other?"

OJ:

"I couldn't think of anything else ok?"

Paper:

"I mean... It's not like I wanted to start a battle of flirting. I like to take my time with this stuff, so don't even try, OJ."

Oh... Well, it was worth the try.

OJ:

"Fine, whatever you want."

Paper:

"I just wanted to twist yours words a little!" - Paper had a nervous smile all written all over his face.

OJ:

"You're still blushing by the way."

Paper:

"R-Really?!" - Paper covered his face with his journal again.

OJ:

"So, was this the whole reason you're here?"

Paper:

"Oh... W-well not really... I wanted to ask you if you could go with me to the announcement, I'm a little scared honestly."

OJ:

"Scared?"

Paper:

"From the announcement Monophone4 just made. I'm a little afraid of whatever he has planned... I mean, it's Monophone4 who are we talking about here, the same object who put us in this killing game, who thinks our lives are just numbers on a screen. I'm afraid that whatever he has in store is going to be something that will make us kill each other..."

OJ:

"Yeah, I see where your paranoia comes from. I'd be lying to you if I told you I wasn't worried about whatever Monophone4 has in store neither. Knowing him it's probably nothing good... I just hope we can all resist his manipulation techniques if that's what I think it is." - I really hope I'm wrong honestly... - "Sure, I'll go with you, just let me finish a few stuff first, alright? Can you hold on over here for a moment?"

Paper:

"Sure, I can wait!"

Once I said this, I went back inside my dormitory to finish getting ready.

OJ:

"Hey Paper!"

Paper:

"Yes?" - He said quickly, as if he had not been paying attention.

OJ:

"Since we are here now, can ask you a fast question?"

Paper:

"Sure, what's on your mind?"

OJ:

"It's nothing serious, I'm just curious about one thing. Why did you choose me?"

Paper:

"Huh?"

OJ:

"Why from all the objects here, you choose me? We are here 16 objects on this island, and I bet by now you probably would have already bonded with the others here. But instead of asking the same question to any of them, you decided to ask the same object you first had a fight with before you came to this island. A bit weird, isn't it?"

Paper:

"If you put it that way, it does seem a little weird, haha."

OJ:

"So? Why me?"

Paper:

"I just feel I'm more connected with you, OJ, that's all. After the conversation we had yesterday, I feel that you are the one I can trust the most on this island. I'm not implying I don't trust the others! I'm just saying that I trust you more than anyone else..." - He responded with a giggle. Then, he mumbled something else I couldn't hear.

OJ:

"Did you say something, Paper?" - I asked him upon hearing him mumble something.

Paper:

"M-me?! N-no at all, haha!"

OJ:

"Ok? Well, I feel honored you think I'm the most trustworthy for you. And, I also feel I'm more connected with you, Paper. Apart from Bomb of course. He's never leaving that first place."

Paper:

"Really?"

OJ:

"Maybe because I still need to bound with the others, or because I met you before anyone else, but...." - I cut myself off in the midst of the chat, thinking about what to say.

Paper:

"But?"

(Music Stops)

OJ:

"..."

Paper:

"OJ?"

OJ:

"Huh? S-sorry I got caught in my own thoughts..."

(Playing now: Despair Syndrome - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

What's happening to me? Why I feel something is... Off...? Like something was missing in me... Like part of my memory is not appearing... It's so strange and weird...

Wait! Didn't Paper say the same thing yesterday?

- FLASHBACK -

-

Paper:

"I-Its nothing weird I promise! I..." - He sighed - "I... I feel like I seen this place before..."

OJ:

"Huh...? Seen this place before? Like some type of Deja-vu?"

Paper:

"Yes, like some kind of Déjà vu! Not just with this place though... I feel like... I feel like I know everyone already! B-But that can't be right... I just met you all yesterday so why...? Ugh! I feel like something is missing in me, OJ! But I don't know what!" - Paper is scared and confused right now, I can't imagine what he's going through right now.

-

- END OF FLASHBACK -

OJ'S ROOM

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

There's no way it's a coincidence we both feel like we are missing something...

Paper:

"OJ, are you okay?"

OJ:

"What? Yes, of course I'm okay, why?"

Paper:

"It's just that you stopped talking so suddenly, and you sound worried. Are you sure there's nothing bothering you?"

OJ:

"I'm sure, Paper, don't worry about me. Like I said, I'm stronger than I look!"

Paper:

"Again with it? Fine, I guess I have to take your word..."

OJ:

"I'm being honest, Paper, there's nothing bothering me, I swear."

Paper:

"B-But-" - Paper sounded hesitant, I felt pretty positive he could see through my lie. Still, Paper sighed. - "Okay, I believe you... Maybe this whole killing game is really getting into my head."

(Music Stops)

The conversation ended there, neither of us said anything else. I finished brushing my teeth, still leaving a horrible taste in my mouth. Before leaving, I looked in the mirror one more time, looking at my reflection as I adjusted my tie one more time.

Paper:

"Are you coming now?"

OJ:

"Yeah I'm coming now!" - I left the bathroom and grabbed my E-Handbook and keys before leaving the dormitory with Paper.

On the way Paper and I talked about things in our personal lives, and of course Paper, showing his journalist nature, began to ask questions about my talent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (LOBBY) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Beautiful Morning - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Walking down the stairs to the hotel lobby, at the hotel exit stood Nickel, who was tapping his foot repeatedly on the hotel floor impatiently.

Nickel:

"I didn't know this could take so long..."

Paper and I approached Nickel to talk to him.

Nickel:

"Mh? Oh! If they are no one more and no one less than Romeo and Juliet! Good Morning, guys!"

Paper:

"Good morning to you too, Nickel!"

Are we just going to ignore he called us Romeo and Juliet...? Like I don't know what you meant saying that, Nickel...

OJ:

"Good morning as well, Nickel."

Nickel:

"It's an incredible day today! The sun is rising, the birds are singing, the wind is blowing.... And the most important thing is, nobody has died yet! Key word: Yet. As much as I hate to say this, I don't think it will stay that way for very long."

OJ:

"Yet? You really distrust us that much, huh."

Nickel:

"It's nothing personal, I'm just taking the necessary steps to survive. I've only known you for three days! I don't know what you all are capable of! And if that announcement from Monophone4 is what I think it is, then I will only have more reason to stay away from all of you."

Paper:

"Stay away from us?! You don't have to take such drastic measures neither! It's true we only met three days ago, but no one here seems to be a Serious Murderer if that's what you're asking."

OJ:

"If you don't trust anyone on this island, then what about Baseball? Aren't you two best friends? Do you also think he's capable of committing murder?"

Nickel:

"What?! No! Of course I trust in Baseball! He's my friend! He's the only one I know I can actually trust in this killing game. Not like Balloon, I already hate him."

Paper:

"You're already starting to have enemies, I don't think that's a very good sign, Nickel."

Nickel:

"You talk like I care about making friends."

Paper:

"If you really believe we are capable of killing, then you'd better have more friends than enemies. Who knows, maybe that would save your life."

OJ:

"Well, leaving all that behind... What are you doing here? I thought you'd be outside the Hotel by now because of the announcement."

Nickel:

"I was going to, but I'm waiting for Baseball to come down. That guy decided to take a quick shower, and I'm starting to think he lied to me when he said 'quick'."

Paper:

"Well, not having arms has its difficulties, I doubt it's easy to do anything without them."

Nickel:

"Please, don't act like we grabbed the short straw, Paper... Just because we don't have arms doesn't mean we are any less capable of doing the most basic things. Baseball taking his sweet time has nothing to do with not having arms."

OJ:

"Okay, I get it. Paper and I should probably get going now, just don't take too long, I don't want to know what Monophone4 is like when he's angry."

Nickel:

"Well, let him be angry, he's not my father, I can come whenever I feel like it."

Paper:

"We're serious, Nickel. Monophone4 is not someone to play these kinds of games with."

Nickel:

"Do you think you are my father now? You're only 16 or 17. Look, don't worry, I'll make sure Baseball and I are ready before Monophone4 gets here, even if it means I have to drag him out of the shower by force."

OJ:

"Let's hope it doesn't get to that point."

After we finished talking to Nickel, Paper and I said our goodbyes before leaving the hotel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

When we arrived, we were not all here yet, but as time went on, more of us started showing up at the hotel entrance until all 16 of us were here, waiting at the entrance near the fountain for Monophone4 to show up.

Bow:

"What does that stupid robot want now." - She yawned as she spoke - "It better be worth something important."

Salt:

"You bet, I couldn't get to put my morning makeup for today thanks to him!"

Paper:

"Your 'morning makeup' should be the least of your problems, Salt. Stop acting like you are the princess of a fairy tale for one second, we have more important things to deal with."

Pepper:

"I'm sorry, Looseleaf, but I can't let that slide! My Salty Salt has all the right to act like she wants! Killing game or not killing game."

Paper:

"Sorry to even mention this you Pepper, you seem like a great friend, but you are acting like an slave more than her best friend."

Salt:

"Excuse me?! You better take that back, Paper! I would never threat Pepper like an slave!"

Paintbrush:

"Can you three stop fighting for a second?! We can all hear you! I'm not in the mood to deal with 3 years old kids bickerings."

Paper:

"I'm just trying to make her understand the seriousness of the situation."

Pickle:

"Talking about that, I wonder what Monophone4 has in store for us."

Knife:

"Knowing him, it's likely to be nothing good." - He replied, giving Pickle a look as he crossed his arms.

Taco:

"What if he force us to kill each other! Like, he will hurt us if we don't start the killing yet." - For some reason, Taco was smiling the whole time saying this.

Marshmallow:

"That's a pretty concern way to say it, Taco... Are you sure you are doing well mentally?"

Taco:

"Oh, I don't know whether I should be offended or flattered."

Bow:

"Is that even a question?! You should feel offended, obviously!"

Apple:

"But what if Taco's right?! Monophone4 could threat to hurt us if we don't start the killing! That would be horrible!" - Apple got down on her knees and clasped her hands together. - "Oh, please Gods of Objectica, please help us survive in this complicated situacion..."

Nickel:

"Great, Apple! Now the gods of Objectiva will come to help us! Like praying will get us out of this mess."

Balloon:

"'If it's not raining, bring an umbrella, like bringing a jacket in a non-cold winter night'."

Nickel:

"What?"

Balloon:

"It's a quote from one of my favorites poets... It means no matter the occasion, we need to be prepared for anything in particular. For example, the umbrella part of the quote, Even if it's not raining, you may need that umbrella. If it ends up being hot instead, you can use the umbrella to cover yourself from the sun."

Paintbrush:

"Or the jacket part, even if it's not cold, it would be a good idea to bring a jacket with you even if you feel it's not freezing. The cold hits in the most unexpected ways if you think about it."

Bomb:

"I-it's a w-weird way to p-put it, but I s-suppose it w-works in its own w-way."

Balloon:

"Basically, the quote is telling us we should be prepared for whatever Monophone4 is going to announce to us, whether it's good or bad."

Nickel:

"Wow, I didn't know you were that level of nerdiness. Please, don't go saying things I don't understand Ballony Boy!"

Balloon:

"Nerdiness?! I-It's not my fault you are the only one not understanding what I'm saying, Nickel!"

Baseball:

"How about you two calm down for a moment, okay? Nickel, now is not the time to behave like your normal self. Either way, we can't be thinking all these negative thoughts. Who knows? Maybe whatever Monophone4 has planned won't be THAT bad."

Lightbulb:

"Yeah! We can't think like this! We need to stay bright! We need to show that stupid phone we ain't succumbing to their ways of thinking!"

Pepper:

"Easy for you to say. You're literally a light bulb!"

Lightbulb:

"Wow girl! And? Are you saying that just 'cause I'm a light bulb I'm supposed to be in a cheerful mood? That's ridiculous stereotyping, I hate people who judge others based on the way they look."

Pepper:

"What? No! I didn't meant to say that! I mean-"

Lightbulb:

"People like you make me SICK..." - She cut Pepper off mid-sentence with a weird judging face.

Pepper:

"No that's not- Ugh, forget it. It's like arguing with a toddler. A little more and she becomes like that marshmallow."

Marshmallow:

"Excuse me?! Why am I involved in this conversation all of sudden?!"

Pepper:

"It's true, isn't it? You claim to be a teenager, but look like you're, what? 9 at best?"

Marshmallow:

"Oh... You're gonna regret that, Pepper... Mark my words, you made an enemy today..."

Pepper:

"Yeah, whatever."

Apple:

"Uhm... No, really, Pepper, you're definitely gonna regret that later."- Apple warned with a very visible nervous smile.

Paintbrush:

"Seriously, can we all just stop this charade? It's not like this is helping anyway right now." - Paintbrush said reluctantly.

Lightbulb:

"Oh come on, Painty! We need to release tensions before the bad things come. It's for a good cause!"

Balloon:

"A... good cause?"

Lightbulb:

"You wouldn't understand ball of helium."

Balloon:

"B-ball of helium?!" - He said shocked

Lightbulb:

"Yeah! It's a cool nickname I came with for ya!" - She said proudly

Balloon:

"Y-You can't be serious... Like baby face or Mickey Mouse ripoff weren't horrible nicknames themselves!" - At that, I could hear Pickle and Nickel chuckling.

Baseball:

"Either way, we can't think about horrible things all the time, we must think positive! That's the only way we can move forward as a group!"

Salt:

"No, seriously, who said we were a group?"

Baseball:

"I-I'm trying to keep us together as a group, Salt! Your comments don't really help..."

Knife:

"Where is Monophone4 anyway? That phone really loves to arrive on time!" - He said in a sarcastic tone. - "Doesn't he have like an internal clock to know the time all the time?"

Apple:

"Was that a pun?"

And as if Knife had timed his arrival, we heard it

Monophone4:

"Did someone said my name?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As all of the contestants flinched at the sudden voice, Monophone4 appeared suddenly in the entrance once again.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson V3 - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Before anyone knew it, Monophone came out of nowhere flying out and landing dramatically in front of us.

Monophone4:

"TA-DA!! Greetings and Salutations! Your favorite Host is here again! And yes! I did repeat my line!" - Monophone4 then started bowing unnecessarily.

OJ:

"AH!" - I startled for his sudden appearance.

Apple:

"Bravo, Bravo!" - Apple began to applaud

Marshmallow:

"Apple don't encourage him!"

Apple:

"Oh! Right! He's the enemy, I forgot, haha."

Bomb:

"H-How c-can you forget th-that?"

Knife:

"You really took your sweet time..." - Knife rolled his eyes.

Paintbrush:

"Did you really need to be dramatic with your entrance? That was completely unnecessary." - Paintbrush criticize Monophone4

Monophone4:

"Oh shush! No one asked your opinion you stupid girl or boy or whatever you are! Not my fault you don't appreaciated my act." - He yelled at Paintbrush

Paintbrush:

"Oh for the love of Objectica, I'm a-"

Knife:

"Just leave Paintbrush alone and go to the point, why did you bring us here?" - Knife said to Monophone4 in a straightforward way, cutting Paintbrush off.

Monophone4:

"Why is that? Can't I have a normal conversation with you guys? Like we're besties?" - We all simply kept staring at him - "Ugh! Fine! You guys are horrible friends anyways" - He complained, rolling his eyes

Taco:

"Says the one who is keeping us imprisoned on this island..." - Taco murmured

OJ:

"What do you want, Monophone4? I'm going to tell you this now, no matter what you say or do to us, you will not manipulate us into committing murder!"

Monophone4:

"Geez, you are always jumping into conclusions, OJ! I'm annoyed that no one has turned up dead, being the third day already yes, but I've called you all here for a different reason."

Nickel:

"I'm surprised you don't try anything to manipulate us into committing murder. I thought this killing game mattered to you, but I see I was wrong."

Monophone4:

"Oh nonono, you'll see, Nickel, Everything will come along in its own time.... But, for now, this meeting will just be to inform you about some changes about your communal life on the island."

Paper:

"Changes in our communal life? What did you change?"

Monophone4:

"First, I want to start with the problem you had with me yesterday. I'm talking about the Outskirts Area! What's promised is what's promised, and after making a few minor changes to the Outskirts Area, I can proudly say that the Outskirts Area is officially open and ready to be explored!"

Taco:

"Great! We can explore now the Outskirst Area! At least you kept your promise on that."

Monophone4:

"Yup, you can go ahead and explore the mysteries of the other area! Who knows? Maybe you'll find something very valuable."

Lightbulb:

"Excellent! That's some great news!"

Balloon:

"Is that the whole reason you called us here, or do you have something else to share?"

Monophone4:

"Actually, yes, I have another, more awesome thing to share! And it has to do with the Hotel itself!"

Bomb:

"Th-The hotel?"

Monophone4:

"I'm sure you must have been wondering why the hotel has so few floors despite being HUGE from outside, and I'll gladly solve that issue for you!"

Pickle:

"Did you finally repaired that Elevator to the other floors? It's been boring living on the same floor honestly."

Monophone4:

"That's exactly what I did! But first, I am obliged to explain the floors that come from the top onwards inside the Hotel."

Monophone4 then popped up a white screen and a projector, whereupon a slideshow titled "Ultimate Floors" appeared.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Now Playing: Beautiful Days - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Monophone4:

"I now present to you all to the Ultimate Floors!"

OJ:

"Ultimate...?" - I said.

Paper:

"...Floors?" - He finished

Monophone4:

"And now you are probably wondering "Hey Monophone4! What is an Ultimate Floor?" Well, I'll explain it to you in no time!" - Then with a control, Monophone4 proceeded to go to next slide show page - "An Ultimate Floor is a floor completely designed with the theme of a student's talent! For example, if you are the Ultimate Photographer, your ultimate floor would be like an art gallery with views straight out of Wonderland itself! In other words, it's a floor completely designed based on a single Talent. They are also very necessary for you to practice your extraordinary skills that make you Ultimate Students! It would be a shame for them to get rusty, wouldn't it? Think of them as if they were Ultimate Research Laboratories, but instead of stupid boring single rooms, they are an entire floor! Amazing isn't it?!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Pepper:

"Wow! Now, you know how to catch the attention of a lady!"

OJ:

"To be honest, it does look interesting."

Apple:

"Wow, I definitely want to see those Ultimate Floors!" - She said flabbergasted.

Paintbrush:

"Ok, I'm not going to lie, I'm kinda curious about how would my Ultimate Floor look. Ah! Maybe it's gonna be an art gallery?!"

Bow:

"I wonder how my Ultimate Floor will look like... I hope it's a superstar set made for a super lovely influecer like me!"

Knife:

"Will my ultimate apartment be a gym? I hope so, my babies don't train themselves, haha!"

Pickle:

"Will it be an arcade engine room?! I'm crossing my fingers that it is! What I wouldn't give to play Pacman on an arcade machine!"

Baseball:

"What's going on with this drastic change of mood?! Just a few minutes ago we were worried about the killing game, and now we're excited about the ultimate floors? Look, I'd be lying to you if I told you I wasn't curious about what my ultimate floor looks like, but it's still a little weird all the same. Also, are we just going to ignore the fact that he just make appear a whole presentation in front of us?"

Baseball is right, this whole drastic change of mood sure feels weird.

But I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't curious to see what my ultimate floor would look like.

A floor dedicated to the Ultimate Host...

Now, I could think of a thousand designs now, but that would be a waste of time.

I looked around me, looking at everyone's expressions.

Some of them were curious and excited about the new ultimate floors.

Others couldn't care less.

But her...

(Now Playing: Despair Syndrome - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Taco:

"..."

Taco.

She had a worried face, a face that reflected something very different than what everyone else's faces reflected.

A face that reflected... Fear and Panic...

Why is she scared? I mean, she still doesn't remember her talent, so maybe Taco's just nervous of seeing her ultimate floor.

Taco:

"..!"

Taco, realizing that I was looking at her, quickly changed his expression to a more neutral one. It was so fast that I barely could tell she was worried on the first place.

What's happening with her?

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Monophone4:

"Wow, looks like you got their attention with the ultimate floors! I don't blame you, those things are impressive and took a lot of work to make. But unfortunately for you, not all of you will be able to witness your own floors, since I've only opened three ultimate floors at the moment."

Bow:

"What?! Only three?! Man, you should have said so before putting our spirits through the roof..."

Paper:

"Three is still a pretty long number for floors, Bow."

Knife:

"So this is why you did this meeting? To tell us that you unlocked these so-called Ultimate Floors? that you're talking about?"

Monophone4:

"Yep, there are 16 Ultimate floors, one for each of you, but only three are unlocked for now. Just and I won't REPEAT myself! I'll only unlock three more ultimate floors when, well, a certain thing happens..." - Music Stops -"I'd say so, but I'm more than sure you guys already know what I'm talking about don't you?" - He said with a mischievous grin followed by a giggle

(Now Playing: Weekly Despair Magazine - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

He was right, he didn't have to tell us what that thing was that had to happen for more floors to open up for us to know.

OJ:

"Of course, it was to good to be true... You want us to commit murder so more ultimate floors are unlocked."

Monophone4:

"Pretty obvious, huh? Of course I wouldn't let you guys get so comfy in a game where I want nothing more than death! So, if you want to relax in your own Ultimate Floor, you better start spilling some blood! Those things are not easy to obtain."

As soon as those words entered in our ears, the ambience turned like always. Of course, we all looked at each other, pretty sure silently agreeing that murdering for a floor is the most stupid thing ever.

Salt:

"A-Anyway, I didn't even want to use those stupid Ultimate Floors. They don't even seem that interesting"

Bomb:

"Y–you d–don't really e–expect us to t–take a l–living life f–for some f–floors, do you?"

Monophone4:

"And what if I do? I already told you all since day one that the living being has so many motive to commit murder, didn't I? If one of you decided to take a life just to have your own floor, that would be considered murder for greed! A murder committed just to gain something more than freedom! That, my friends, is pure evil, and that is what I'm all here for..."

Marshmallow:

"Murder for greed? Sorry for my language, but that's just bullshit! Why would anyone kill for something we will just have for one day before escaping from this island?"

Paintbrush:

"Yes! If we have to murder just to be able to use those floors, then I'd rather not use them at all! My dormitory is comfortable enough and a living life it's not worth a floor in your stupid hotel."

Balloon:

"Obviously, it's just common sense here. Who would kill for something so stupid as some floors?"

Nickel:

"It's really common sense though? We don't know anyone here. Easily someone here could be planning a murder in secret and we would be nonethewiser..." - Nickel let out a slight scream as Baseball kick him in the shoulder - "Ow!"

Baseball:

"Nickel! That's enough! You can't talk like this! We need to trust each other if we want to survive! You may not see it, but I do."

Nickel:

"If that's what you want to believe... Look, Baseball, I'm just being cautious, I'm genuinely trying to survive, and that's what I'm going to do, no matter what."

Knife:

"No matter what? You better not do anything stupid!"

Nickel:

"Don't take it as a threat, that was not my intention. But I will not hesitate to take drastic measures here if it will guarantee my survival..."

Drastic measures... He said the same thing when we were talking back at the hotel.

What are you planning, Nickel?

Apple:

"I-I don't know if I believe that!"

Salt:

"Obviously he's lying! That was a threat from head to toes no matter from where you look!"

Nickel:

"Like I said, It wasn't my intention to make a threat at all, but I guess you can take it as you want."

Baseball:

"..." - Baseball was looking in disbelief at his friend, not believing what he was hearing.

Monophone4:

"Haha! You sure know how to put on a show worthy of my beholdings, Nickel. I feel you'll make it very far in this killing game."

Nickel:

"Oh, thank you, I put a lot of effort into these shows!" - Nickel said enthusiastically, but that changed to a more serious tone quickly - "But for real, shut up already. I want you to know that I have no intention on playing your game! On committing murder! Especially not for some useless floors. The drastic measures I'm talking about are.... something else to say."

OJ:

"May I ask what is that 'something else'?"

Nickel:

"I prefer to stay quiet about it." - Nickel grinned.

Monophone4:

"Well, you don't know that. Maybe you'll end up breaking into murder when you least suspected it."

Nickel:

"Like hell that'll happen." - Nickel scoffed - "You can't manipulate me! I already know all the tricks in the book!"

He knows all the tricks?!

OJ:

"Nickel, what did you mean by-?!"

Baseball:

"H-He didn't meant to say that!" - Baseball abruptaly intervined - "Nickel was just joking around! That's all haha..."

Pepper:

"Well, that sound very real to me..."

Nickel:

"..."

Paper:

"Can we put this aside? If Nickel doesn't want to trust anyone, that's his decision, it's not like he's hurting anyone right now. Besides, no one should get hurt in all this if no one decides to make the first move! As long as that doesn't happen, then nothing will go wrong!"

Apple:

"R-Right, if no one decides to kill someone for some Ultimate Floors, then we have nothing to be afraid off... By the way, what does Ultimate Floor means? I already forgot."

Monophone4:

"Geez guys! You're lucky I even unlocked those three ultimate floors for free! I deeply offended for this threatment!" - He turned his back to us.

Taco:

"Mh?" - Taco raised an eyebrow as she was looking at Monophone4. - "Wait... Is that...?"

Pickle:

"If this was a motive to kill, then it failed miserably! Murder for a couple of floors, pftt! How stupid does that sound..."

Monophone4:

"A motive? Yeah, sure, this was a motive! I know you guys very well, I know you guys wouldn't murder for some VERY WELL CREATED floors, so I wasn't really planning this to be a motive, That would be-" - Then suddenly he stopped, and then a grin started to form in his face.

(Now Playing: Ocean Breeze Dead End - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Monophone4:

"That would be... Brilliant! Of course! How did I not notice it before? A Motive!"

Salt:

"Uhm... What are you talking about?"

Monophone4:

"I figured out the reason you guys haven't murdered anyone so far, because you didn't have a reason to do it!"

Bomb:

"I–I thought es–escaping from th–this island was r–reason enough." - She said raising an eyebrow.

Monophone4:

"Oh nononono, you haven't killed yet because you truly believe you can all escape from the island together if you have patience... Besides, the "motive" I just gave you it's not really a motive. However, how about if I give you a motive to escape from this island as quickly as possible?"

Baseball:

"W-what do you mean?"

Monophone4:

"Ahahahahaha and I have the perfect motivation for this!" - Monophone4 then sighed - "Although it will take me a while to make the preparations... So!!! Get ready! As tomorrow morning you'll will receive your first motive to kill! Haha! I'm really a genius..."

Leaving those words in the air, Monophone4 left the scene, leaving us in confusion and fear.

(Now Playing: Despair-Syndrome - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Paper:

"What d-did he mean by M-Motives to K-Kill?" - He said in a trembling voice.

OJ:

"Probably nothing good... For objectica, that phone is really a pain in the-!"

Pepper:

"Good job Gamer boy! You just gave probably the worst idea ever to Monophone4! Now we are screwed."

Pickle:

"What the heck? I didn't know I would give him an idea with what I said!"

Knife:

"It's not Pickle's fault, everyone here knows it was only a matter of time before Monophone4 came out with that idea. For one thing, he just accelerated the inevitable."

Lightbulb:

"Th-There's no need to worry so much about it either. It's not like whatever Monophone4 it's fixin' right now is going to lead us to do somethin' horrible... right?"

Bomb:

"W-well, w-we'd have to w-wait until t-tomorrow to f-figure out what he m-meant. R-right now, th-there's really n-nothing we can do about it..."

Marshmallow:

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Nickel:

"Yes, but you know what we can do about it? One hint: starts with O and ends with S."

Apple:

"Aha! The Wizard of Oz!"

Bow:

"The Wizard of Oz starts with T and ends with Z you dingus..."

Nickel:

"Do I really have to say it..?"

Paintbrush:

"Wait! Are you talking about the Outskirts Area?"

Nickel:

"No, I'm talking about The Wizard of Oz you dongus." - We all turned to look at Nickel - "... It's obvious I'm talking about the Outskirts Area! Monophone4 said it himself. It's already open so we can investigate it all we want now."

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Remix Cover by Vetrom)

OJ:

"Oh shoot it's true! I completely forgot about the Outskirts Area!"

Nickel:

"And you were the one that proposed the idea, OJ..." - He mumbled.

Paintbrush:

"Not to interrupt, but... Can we discuss this inside?" - Paintbrush said, pointing at the hotel

Lightbulb:

"Oh for the gods of Objectica! I still have to make breakfast and I haven't even started!" - Lightbulb said before rushing off back to the hotel.

Paintbrush:

"And that's my cue to leave." - PB sighed before walking back to the hotel. - "See you guys inside!" - PB said without turning around.

Those of us who were left also went back to the hotel, doing our own thing until breakfast was ready.

I went back to help Paintbrush and Lightbulb with breakfast, more on Paintbrush's part as they asked me to do it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (DINING ROOM) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

Eventually everybody gathered at the dining room and after breakfast and Lightbulb had taken the dishes away to the kitchen, we began to discuss what we were going to do next.

OJ:

"Okay guys, so there has been an unexpected event. We agreed yesterday we were all going to investigate the Outskirts Area once it was opened, but now we've also got these three Ultimate Floors unlocked as well."

Nickel:

"Do we really have to talk about this? I don't see the point."

Paintbrush:

"I believe its very important to explore each possibility on this island, so answering your question... Yes, I believe it is worth discussing it, Nickel."

Nickel:

"Fine" - He rolled his eyes - "What about those floors? Monophone said he opened three and no more until a murder takes place."

Bow:

"Which for obvious reasons it's not going to happen. EVER!"

Salt:

"Like, I would be horrified if I murder took place. Gladly that is not going to happen anytime soon. Unless a certain object decides to make the first move..." - Salt glanced at Nickel.

Nickel:

"Wow, I'm so offended you think I'm capable of killing someone..."

Marshmallow:

"What do we do with the open Ultimate Floors? Should we explore them as well?"

Baseball:

"I think it would be a smart choice to explore them as well, yeah. Perhaps we'll find some clues there."

Apple:

"And how exactly should we do that?"

Bow:

"This reunion is to talk about a solution. So, don't expect one to magically appear out of nowhere."

Lightbulb:

"Mh...."

Pickle:

"Maybe we could explore the outskirst during the day and during nighttime the Ultimate Floors?"

Balloon:

"No, it wouldn't allow us enough time to explore the Area thoroughly and then the ultimate floors."

Lightbulb:

"Mh...."

Paper:

"Maybe we can leave it for tomorrow? T-The floors I mean!"

Lightbulb:

"Mh....."

Knife:

"I don't think so, Monophone4's "motives" come tomorrow morning. Not that I don't want to distrust anyone, however just in case we should explore both today."

Lightbulb:

"MH......"

Apple:

"I got it! We just need to do that one thing from that videogame!"

Paintbrush:

"I don't know what videogame are you talking about, but I doubt it will work, Apple. There's a clear barrier between fiction and reality, but I admire your creativity."

Apple:

"It's not like this whole killing game wasn't already crazy enough to be part of a videogame lore..."

Lightbulb:

"MNHNHGNGHMGHGH!!!"

Bow:

"Then let's just give up! A solution is not going to appear anywhere if we keep going in circles."

OJ:

"What? No! Giving up is absolutely not an option! Let's keep thinking, if we think as a group an idea will end up appearing."

Lightbulb:

"MHMHMHMH.....!!!"

Salt:

"Mh.... I'm out of ideas guys, I give up."

(Now Playing: Finding Peace Party - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Lightbulb:

"MHMHMHMH........"

Baseball:

"What ideas? You didn't provide any, Salt."

Lightbulb:

"MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHM......"

Salt:

"Oh shush! I wasn't talking to you fatty ball!"

Lightbulb:

"MHMHMHMHMHMHMH!!!"

Baseball:

"Fatty Ball?! Did you just call me fat again?! I already told you, I'm not fat!!"

Lightbulb:

"MHMHMHMHMH......!!!!!"

Salt:

"Yah aha, and Nickel is not g-" - She was quickly cut off by Nickel.

Nickel:

"O-O-OK THAT'S ENOUGH, YOU DON'T NEED TO FINISH THAT SENTENCE!" - Nickel shouted, standing up quickly from his chair with a clear nervous tone in his voice.

Lightbulb:

"NGHHHHHNGNGH.....!!!!"

Taco:

"Really? I wanted to know!"

Nickel:

"I-its nothing important, Taco, you don't need to worry about that" - Nickel was sweating, trying to change the subject.

Lightbulb:

"NGHGHGGHGHDHDFKFKJDKJFD!!!!!"

Paper:

"Uh... guys? I think Lightbulb wants to say-"

Taco:

"Please tell meeee!!!" - She insisted while jumping in her chair.

Nickel:

"I said no! Case Closed! Now stop asking!"

Taco:

"Oh...."

Salt:

"Don't worry Taco, I'll tell you later." - She giggled.

Taco:

"Huh?...... Yay!!!"

Nickel:

"Wait no! Do not even dare to tell her your stupid bitch!"

Salt:

"B-Bitch?! That's the second time you called me the b-word! You need to learn how to treat a lady correctly, Nickel!"

Nickel:

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know I was talking to a lady."

Lightbulb:

"MHMHMHMHMMHMH...!!!!"

Pepper:

"Hey! My Salty Salt and I are ladies no matter how you look at it! You just don't see it 'cause you are the uncultured one here!"

OJ:

"Guys, stop fighting! We don't have time for these things! We need to focus here!" - I slammed my hands on the table to get the attention of everyone present.

Lightbulb:

"MHHMHMHMHM!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Music Stops

Paper:

"GUYS!.." - We looked at Paper who was glancing at Lightbulb who looked more and more irritated - "Ahem... I'm sorry for raising my voice, but I think Lightbulb wants to say something."

OJ:

"Uh?" - I glance at Lightbulb - "Hey Lightbulb, did you wanted to say something?"

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Lightbulb:

"Oh, am I allowed to speak now? Finally! Took ya precious time..." - She exclaimed between teeths.

Bomb:

"S-So wh-what is y-your suggestion, L-Lightbulb?"

Paintbrush:

"I recommend you do that before certain objects start arguing again" - Paintbrush didn't say names, though his vision was aimed at Salt, Pepper and Nickel, who simply avoided eye contact with each other.

Lightbulb:

"Yeah..." - She looked at them - "So about my idea... How about the easy way? We just split by making two groups! One explores the outskirts and the other the ultimate floors? There are 16 of us so we're even!"

Baseball:

"That's... Actually a good idea! Yeah I like it! If we split out the we can search both places at the same time!" - Baseball started looking at everyone at the table - "Do you all agree?"

Nickel:

"Hold on, don't you think it's a little stupid to send eight objects to investigate mere floors?" - He stood up in his chair.

Lightbulb:

"Do you have a better idea then, Coiny?"

Nickel:

"Ok, first of all, I already told you to not call me Coiny! Coiny is a loser."

Lightbulb:

"Mh... You did?" - She said, putting her finger on her cheek pretending she didn't remember.

Bomb:

"You k-know someone n-named C-Coiny?"

Nickel:

"Oh, definitely, and I don't like him." - Nickel frowned before changing the subject - "Anyhow, I don't think it's a bad idea, having two groups is probably our best option, what I'm saying is maybe we should... arrange them differently." - He explained.

OJ:

"Ok so, how about doing this? We send four or five to investigate the floors and the rest of us we'll go investigate the Outskirts Area. Does that sounds good?" - I waited for everyone else to answer.

Knife:

"Fine by me." - He replied , placing his legs on the table.

Apple:

"Yeah I like it!"

Marshmallow:

"If we have no other choice... I guess it's fine."

Pickle:

"This is not like a videogame, we only get one chance! So sure, let's do it!"

Nickel:

"Meh, It works for me too." - He sat back in his chair, crossing his legs.

Bow:

"As long as I search the floors, I'm fine with it." - She didn't even raise her head from her phone when she answered. Paintbrush then again took her phone away. - "Ah! Seriously, again?!"

Paintbrush:

"Yeah, I'm serious, Bow! You need to focus! Here we are all busting our butts to figure out how to fix this, and you're on your phone the whole time doing who knows what. I doubt it's anything productive, though."

Bow:

"Nrrr!" - Bow growled, but nevertheless gave up.

And so, one by one, everyone agreed.

OJ:

"Ok so it's decided then!"

Paper:

"Now we have just one more little problem..." - He said looking at his journal.

Salt:

"You gotta be joking right? What it is now?" - She said with an annoyed tone.

Paper:

"Well is not that bad, I'm just wondering... How are we gonna make the groups?"

Bomb:

"Th-That's a g-good question"

Nickel:

"Oh well that's easy, you see we will... uhm..." - He thought to himself what to say next.

Pepper:

"You don't have a clue right?"

Nickel:

"..."

Pepper:

"I already expected that. Nobody expected anything from you anyways"

Nickel:

"Tch! Why you little..."

Bow:

"Oh oh! Wait! Lemme record this!" - Bow said drawing out her e-Handbook.

Paintbrush:

"I forgot she has her E-Handbook too..."

Baseball:

"Please encourage another fight, Bow!"

With heavy tension in the room between both Nickel and Pepper, Paintbrush seemed to have noticed something.

Paintbrush:

"Hey guys... Where is Lightbulb?" - They said looking around, noticing Lightbulb wasn't at the table.

We all did the same, realizing that Lightbulb was nowhere around. She wasn't at the Dining Room.

Knife:

"What the?! Where did that chick go now?!"

Salt:

"I hope she's not doing anything stupid like burning the whole place to the grounds."

Paintbrush:

"I really want to disagree with you, but that's definitely a Lightbulb thing to do."

Bomb:

"Sh-Should I feel s-scared for th-that?"

Apple:

"No, but seriously, Lightbulb disappeared? Where did she go? Ah, perhaps she is a mage!"

Balloon:

"I think it has more to do with the fact that she sneaked away while Pepper and Nickel were fighting, Apple." - He correct her.

Apple:

"Oh...So, she's not mage? Well, that sucks."

Taco:

"Yeah, this is not a fairy tale, Apple. Things like mages don't exist!"

Nickel:

"Yeah what a shame... That really sucks doesn't it?" - He said in a sarcastic tone.

???:

"Did someone say Mage?!" - Someone screamed from outside the room.

Apple:

"Mage?! Where?! Where?!" - Apple said eagerly.

Out of nowhere, Lightbulb burst into the dining room with energy, having something in her hand.

Lightbulb:

"Heya! I'm sorry for leaving without telling you. I had to get something quick from my dormitory room, haha." - She apologized as she grabbed her chair and sat in it.

Knife:

"You could have at least warned us about, you can just go to do whatever you please on this island!"

Lightbulb:

"Chill out big guy! I already said I was sorry! And this was important."

Pepper:

"What were you looking for in your dorm room anyway?"

Lightbulb:

"This!" - Lightbulb showed in her hands about 16 chopsticks, 6 of which had red tips. - "Ta-da! This is our solution!"

Bow:

"Chopsticks? How is that gonna help us?"

Lightbulb:

"Well... I was thinking that, since we don't know the way to organize the groups, we can do it randomly!"

Paper:

"Randomly?"

Lightbulb:

"Well it's either that or be here for another hour or so discussing who investigates what."

Bomb:

"Sh-She h-has a p-point. B-better leave it to l-luck than st-start discussing un-unnecessary th-things."

Paper:

"Well, sounds good to me. Okay, let's do it."

Lightbulb:

"All right, the rules are simple." - She said before mixing the chopsticks and turning them upside down as she grabbed hold of them. - "All those who pick up the chopsticks that have the red tip investigate the Ultimate Floors! And the others the Outskirts Area! Got it?"

We all nodded and started grabbing the chopsticks.

One by one we started grabbing the chopsticks from Lightbulb's hands and the following is the list of those who grabbed the ones with red tips

Those who grabbed the ones with the red tip were Bomb, Salt, Pepper, Knife, Baseball and Lightbulb herself.

Bomb:

"W-Well, p-part of me w-wanted to i-investigate the o-outskirts, b-but I guess it's o-okay."

Pepper:

"Yay Salty Salt! We go together!" - She said holding onto Salt's hand hopping up and down in excitement.

Salt:

"Of course! Not even fate can stop BCFF from being together!" - She exclaimed as she did the exact same thing.

Baseball:

"Nickel please don't do anything crazy while I'm not around, all right?" - Baseball warned to Nickel.

Nickel:

"Alright alright, I promise not to do anything stupid while you're not around. Geez!"

Paintbrush:

"Since I don't trust you Lightbulb, I asked Knife to keep an eye on you while I'm gone, ca pichi?" - Paintbrush told Lightbulb.

Lightbulb:

"Hey that's not fair! I can control myself you know? I don't need a Babysitter."

Knife:

"Don't worry Paintbrush, your friend is in good hands, I won't take my eye off her!"

Lightbulb:

"Grrr"

Paintbrush:

"Did you seriously just growl at me?"

Lightbulb:

"Yup, what are you going to do about it, Painty? Hm?" - She told them straight to their face. Paintbrush instantly pushed her aside.

Paintbrush:

"Personal space, Lightbulb..."

Bow:

"Ugh... Why did I have to explore the outskirts? This is, like, not cool.." - She said discouraged.

Apple:

"Don't worry Bow! You won't be by yourself, there's you, me and Marsh!" - Said Apple who popped up with Marsh before doing a group hug between the 3 of them.

Bow:

"G-Great!" - Bow said with a forced smile.

Marshmallow:

"A-Apple, you're squashing me!"

Then, every group was formed already.

Lightbulb:

"One last thing everyone! Before we all go to investigates like Sherlock Holmes, I want you all here back at the hotel before Noon! Got it? Alright, let's go!"

With this, we concluded the meeting, divided into our corresponding groups and headed for to the Outskirts Area, uncertain of what might be waiting for us in the other area of the island.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

The 10 of us were already in front of the entrance that led to the Outskirts Area, giving me flashbacks of the first day, of when I woke up in this place without any knowledge of anything...

Marshmallow:

"So this tunnel leads to the other area?"

OJ:

"Last time, I came from this tunnel, that's how I arrived to this Area. So, in theory, yes, this tunnel should lead to the Outskirst Area."

Nickel:

"I wonder what kind of mysteries we'll find inside! Maybe we'll find a super duper hidden secret! Or maybe powerful weapon we can use to our advantage! Or even better! Maybe we will find the way out of this hell we are so eager to find! Nah, that is too nice and Monophone4 wouldn't allow that...."

Paintbrush:

"I am a little creeped out by your sudden change of mood. In a moment, you're saying things about how you don't trust anyone and won't hesitate to do I dunno what. And the next you're... like this..."

Pickle:

"I don't care, I like this Nickel better than the other one. It's way cooler! So, let's leave this chitchat for later, we don't have all day! Are we going in now or what?"

Apple:

"Of course! I'm always ready for anything!"

Taco:

"Yeah! Let's not waste anytime and let's go!" - Taco as about to get running.

Balloon:

"Wait a second."

Taco:

"Ngh!" - But she stopped as Marshmallow started speaking - "What now? Can't it wait?"

Balloon:

"It's just a fast question, that's all." - Marshmallow turned at Paper and I - "Are you both sure you didn't saw anything when you were on the Outskirts Area? Nothing strange in particular?"

OJ:

"No, sorry, we didn't see anything, everything we told you in the dining room is all we know."

Paper:

"Yes, nothing out of the ordinary. Just a stone path that we followed and from there it was just pure trees everywhere. So we are practically going blind just like all of you."

Paintbrush:

"So we will all go in blindly, not knowing what to expect. A little help might have been needed to know what to anticipate, but that's okay. Well, we're all set now! Are we going or not? Pickle already said it himself, we don't have all day, so the sooner we start, the better!"

Taco:

"Yeah! Let's go now! No time to lose!" - Before any of us could react, Taco ran inside the tunnel first.

Pickle:

"Taco! Don't run off like that!" - Pickle was the second to ran inside the tunnel, trying to catch Taco.

The rest of us just stared a the tunnel were Taco and Pickle went.

Apple:

"Wow, Taco certainly has more energy that I have... And I'm a cheerleader! How is that possible!"

Bow:

"So? Are we gonna stare dumbfounded at the tunnel, or are we gonna walk inside at once?"

OJ:

"R-Right, sorry."

I was the third to enter the tunnel leading to the other area, the others following behind me.

The deeper we went into the tunnel, the more I wondered what awaited us on the other side. I partly knew what the other side looked like, but I was still nervous.

And as we kept walking, the light at the end of the tunnel was more visible.

Until we finally arrived.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- OUTSKIRTS AREAS -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

When we got to the end, we saw Taco and Pickle, with Taco being energetic as always and Pickle gasping for air with his hands in his knecks.

Taco:

"Wow, this place is so big! There will be so much to discover here! Ah! And everything is so... Colorful... Ew..."

Pickle:

"T-Taco... how many times have I t-told you not to run off like th-!" - Pickle raised his head and cut himself off as he saw the outskirts - "Oh my god, this place is huge... and colorful." - He said in stunned surprise.

In fact, even I was surprised by what I was seeing, not because it was huge, but because it was nothing like I had previously remembered it.

(Now Playing: DX Training Plan - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

There was a sign with LED lights saying "Outskirts Area" as well as a few others, like black arrows in the size of a sign also with LED lights pointing to various directions. More LED lights were visible in every visible path from where we were. It was a sight to behold in Las Vegas.

Nickel:

"What the heck is this? Too colorful to my style... Hey Monophone4! If you are hearing me! It's not Christmas yet!"

Paintbrush:

"Is like he's mocking us, what a-!"

Paper:

"Wait wait wait! This doesn't look even remotely close to when me and OJ woke up here! What happened?"

Balloon:

"There weren't?"

OJ:

"Definitely, all these signs and lights were not here when I woke up here the first day!"

Paintbrush:

"So perhaps I was right, Monophone probably placed them at the very moment he knew we were going to investigate this area as a mockery"

Bow:

"And holy moly! Is that a fricking volcano over there?!" - Bow pointed to a direction with surprise on her face.

Looking at the direction Bow was pointing at, I noticed that Bow was right. There was a volcano on the island.

OJ:

"What the heck?!"

Marshmallow:

"Uhm... That volcano is not active... right? I mean, if it was, then we are pretty screwed, hehe..."

Paper:

"For our safety, I really hope not!"

Pickle:

"I knew this was a tropical island, but a volcano? Seriously, Monophone4?!"

Apple:

"Wait, what is a volcano?"

Nickel:

"Nothing to worry about, Apple, obviously." - Nickel responded sarcasticaly

Bow:

"Well... putting the volcano aside... Monophone4 may kidnapped us, forced us to kill each other, is an asshole, a heartless villain.... But I have to admit, he's got some style." - We all turned to look at Bow - "...What? Am I right or am I wrong? I think it's pretty cool."

Nickel:

"Yeah yeah whatever... Now what do we do? This place is huge, surely we won't have explored even half of it by noon."

Paintbrush:

"Uh..Hm... I don't know... We didn't think about another solution for this dilemma in advance, haha...."

Apple:

"So we have to think about more solutions?! What a pain the mole..."

Paper:

"Come on, Apple, you are the Ultimate Cheerleader! Cheer that actitude! I'm sure we'll find something pretty fast anyway! I hope so..."

Apple:

"If you say so..." - Apple then with a new change of mood, began to talk again - "Ok team! Let's start the rain of ideas!"

Silence filled the area again, no one saying anything, no one having any ideas.

Nickel:

"What an amazing rain of ideas we have here..."

Nickel is right, the silence here is worse than being trapped in a white room. It's awkward, very awkward.

Someone needs to say something now, we can't affort to lose time.

So without hesitation, I walked forward and turned to look at everyone.

OJ:

"Ok, if nobody is going to say something, then I will..."

Apple:

"Ah! Our first candidate, alright! What are you going to propose, OJ?"

OJ:

"It's something simple, really. How about we make more teams?"

Marshmallow:

"Huh? More teams? Again?"

OJ:

"Yeah! I know it sounds like a pain to make again, but that way we can cover more ground! And when we get all together we'll just have to share our discoveries."

Balloon:

"As the saying goes, "Divide and conquer"... Sounds like a plan to me. Yeah, I like it!"

Paintbrush:

"It is perhaps or best option at the moment. If everyone agrees to go along with OJ's idea or if no one has any more ideas to share, then I'm in!"

Paper:

"Anyone got any more ideas besides OJ?" - No one said anything else. - "I guess that settles it."

Paintbrush:

"Ok then, it's decided! We will make more teams! And since I'm the most tallest here I will chose them."

Nickel:

"Wha- Hold on tall guy or girl or whatever! What kind of logic makes sense in that? It's like you are saying I'm gonna die first because I'm shorter!" - Nickel opposed.

Balloon:

"Bad use of words there."

Nickel:

"What was that, Balloon!?"

Balloon:

"Nothing!" - Balloon began to whistle to pretend.

Paintbrush:

"Well, I am the most capable and responsible one here! That's why I should be the one making the teams!"

Nickel:

"And you decided that when? I am just as capable as you if not better! I'm literally the Ultimate Team Manager! My entire talent is based on managing teams!"

Paintbrush:

"Well, you're not setting a good example being a Team Manager, aren't you?!"

The 2 of them started arguing with each other back and forth. My eyes again caught how Paintbrush's hair was throwing sparks again, at that moment I knew someone had to stop them. I was going to do it myself, but he was ahead of me

Paper:

"Will you two stop arguing? You look like little kids fighting over the last piece of chocolate cake!" - Paintbrush and Nickel both stopped arguing, fixating on Paper now. - "We're wasting precious time! Plus, if anyone should be deciding who is making the teams it would be OJ!"

Marshmallow:

"Yeah, right, it should be OJ the one who decides the teams, he was the one who came up with the idea after all."

Pickle:

"Yeah, you two should ask him instead of fighting for the role"

They all turned to look at me, waiting for a response from me.

OJ:

"Uhm...Well I..."

Great. I know it was me who came up with the idea, and I have no problem making the teams. But I'm also afraid that if I don't choose neither Paintbrush or Nickel, they are gonna hold an urge against me...

Normally I wouldn't care in the slighest, but it's kind of not in my best interest to make enemies in this situation.

After being silent for a while, an answer came out of my mouth

OJ:

"Ugh... I think it's for the best if I handle this guys, I'm sorry. I am the Ultimate Host. I have my priorities in line. I'm sure I can take care of this, but I thank you for your intentions to help anyway! I'm sorry again."

Once I made that clear, both Paintbrush and Nickel let out a disappointed groan.

Paintbrush:

"Well, that sucks, I really wanted to make the teams.... At least looking on the bright side of things, it's not Nickel who's in charge, and for me that's good enough."

Nickel:

"Come on, we both know I would have done a decent job! What can OJ do that I can't?"

Paintbrush:

"For one, he's more responsible than you'll ever be, Nickel! And two, he at least tries to trust in all of us! OJ acts more like a leader than you ever will."

Nickel:

"Oh no! My feelings are broken! How dare you, Paintbrush?! I'm gonna tell my mom!"

Apple:

"But Nickel, how are you gonna tell your mom if we are still trapped in this isla-"

Nickel:

"I was being sarcastic obviously!"

Apple:

"Oh, I see! Sarcasm, of course! Haha! Good one!... What does sarcasm mean?"

Nickel:

"Just forget about it... Anyway, Paintbrush, It's not like you are gonna be a leader soon. You are just a teenager drawing some stupid lines in a piece of paper. Perhaps you should have stuck to your little sketches." - He said in a mocking way towards Paintbrush.

Paintbrush:

"What-?!" - Paintbrush turned at Nickel with clear anger. - "I dare you to say that one more time..."

Nickel:

"What? Now you are suddenly deaf too? Alright, I'm gonna repeat it!"

Paper:

"W-Wait! We don't want to start any type of arguments here-!"

Nickel decided to ignore Paper, so he continued with what he was gonna say.

Nickel:

"I said you should have stuck with your little DUMB sketches!"

(Now Playing: Finding Peace Party - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Paintbrush:

"OKAY THAT'S IT! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" - And for the second time since we arrived to this island, Paintbrush's bristles burst into flames once again almost instantly to everyone's surprise. Paintbrush tried to jump after Nickel, but I stopped him.

Balloon:

"HOLY SHIT!..." - Balloon quickly shut himself down. - "Ahem, sorry for my manners- HOLY MOLY! Again?!"

Paper:

"Oh, I forgot, Paintbrush hair can catch on flames when they lost their temper.. I need to note that fast in my journal!" - Paper took out his journal and began to write in it.

Bow:

"Oh golly, I wish I had my phone so I could record this.... WAIT!" - Bow started reaching for something in her and pulled out her e-Handbook. - "The e-Handbook can record too! Haha, I'm such a genius!" - And with that she started pointing the e-Handbook at Paintbrush.

Apple:

"Get behind me, Marsh!" - Apple yelled, putting Marshmallow behind her.

Marshmallow:

"For once, I'm going to listen to you, I don't want to be..." - Marshmallow looked at the flame - "Melted candy..."

Nickel:

"Wow Paintbrush!" - Nickel back up a few steps - "I didn't know you were also a portable bonfire!" - I noticed a grin formed in his face.

Paintbrush:

"SHUT UP YOU STUPID LITTLE ANT! OJ! LEAVE ME! LET ME GET MY HANDS ON THAT RAT!" - Paintbrush demand in sheer rage.

OJ:

"I have a better idea! How about we all calm down here instead!?" - Nickel looked like he was about to say something else - "And Nickel you better shut that mouth of yours! We don't need more problems coming from you!" - After waying this, Nickel shut up. - "A little help here guys?!"

Balloon:

"Oh, uhm.. Yeah!" - Balloon then went to help me hold Paintbrush from beating up Nickel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a time (a very precious time), Paintbrush managed to calm down, and now they were just glaring hatefully at Nickel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- OUTSKIRTS AREA -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin (Summer Salt) - Soundtrack by Masafumi)

With everything settled, we began to make the groups.

OJ:

"All right guys! It's time to make the teams!" - He said with spirit.

Bow:

"Alright, just don't put me with-"

Apple:

"Hey OJ! Marsh, Bow and I are team! Got it?!"

Bow:

"Huh?! Wait hold on!"

OJ:

"Wait, Apple, I don't think that's a really good ide-"

Apple:

"Okay then! It is decided! Marsh, Bow and I are a team!"- She said ignoring me completely.

Bow:

"I-I said hold on!!"

Before Bow could complain further, Apple forcibly took her away, Marshmallow following behind them with a disappointed look on her face.

Balloon:

"And there they go."

Paper:

"Should we help her or?"

Taco:

"She'll be fine, she's with Apple and Marshmallow, what could possibly go wrong with that trio?"

Paper:

"Uhm... Right..." - He said with a nervous smirk.

Nickel:

"Good job leader. Three are already gone, and now we are odd, one is going to be left behind. What are you going to do now, huh?"

OJ:

"W-well... Oh, I've got it! We can still make two groups more of three! Plus one in one of the teams."

Pickle:

"Taco could be the plus one, I don't think anyone would want her on their team besides me. No offense Taco of course."

Taco:

"Non taken!"

Pickle:

"Plus, I always go with her everywhere I go anyway."

Paintbrush:

"Ok then, I don't have any problem with that."

After more precious time wasted we chose our teams.

Paintbrush for some reason chose to go with Nickel and Balloon, claiming it was to keep an eye on him.

So the ones I got to go with were Paper, Pickle and Taco..

And with that we parted way, each team to a different direction of the Area to cover more ground...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ??? -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

We decided to follow the arrows and the led lights, we wanted to know what Monophone4 was up to. Where he wanted us to go. What he wanted us to see.

Taco:

"Come on come on! We are almost there! I know it!" - Taco said optimistically and energetically as she ran, looking even inside the nearby bushes.

Pickle:

"Do you really think it was a good idea to follow the arrows, OJ? Maybe we are going directly to a trap!... And all this walking is starting to tired me..."

OJ:

"Pickle, we both knew this wasn't going to be like a walk in the park."

Pickle:

"I know! I just can't stop thinking about all the things that can go wrong instead of the things that can go right! Perhaps being a gamer makes me overthink a lot."

OJ:

"Sorry to ask, but... How is being a gamer making you overthink things a lot?"

Paper:

"Actually, OJ, those kinds of thoughts are normal for someone whose whole life is gaming. You know those episodes where you overthink things about what can go wrong instead of what can go right like Pickle has here? I'm pretty sure that's caused by your anxiety."

Pickle:

"A-Anxiety? We don't have to go that far neither! I'm just being cautious that's all... I mean, I don't want to die so it's normal I feel cautious of my surroudings. Well, at least now I know why I think of all the bad things Monophone4 could do instead of the good things we could find. I mean, we're in a life and death situation, you can't blame me for feeling this way."

OJ:

"Life of a gamer sure must be hard."

Paper:

"No one is blaming you for thinking that way, it's perfectly normal to be a little paranoid in this situation. Like Nickel, I'm not blaming him neither for not wanting to trust in us."

OJ:

"Still, let's keep up looking, I'm sure there must be something. You don't have to worry so much either, I'm sure whatever we find will be of value, no matter how small or big it is. And if this was all a trap, if Monophone4 really wanted all of us dead, he would have already killed us from day one. Why keep us alive this entire time if he's going to kill us in the end?"

Paper:

"And if Monophone4 wanted to kill us himself, why would he have us play this killing game? I have a feeling he doesn't care if we are alive or dead, he only cares that his game continues as he intends it. Monophone4 just sees our lives as numbers on a screen..." - Paper frowned in anger.

Pickle:

"Oh... Yeah you may be right, the prices to pay to be an Ultimate..." - Pickle let out a slight chuckle, scratching the back of his neck - "Still... I don't feel like we're making progress, I just see more and more trees everywhere, and those lights..." - Pickle was analyzing his surroundings - "This reminds me of when I was constantly getting lost in Cavehunt when I was still a newbie. Ah... Good times..."

OJ:

"You... Are comparing... A video game of cubes... With our current situation?" - Paper said with a raised eyebrow and a nervous smile.

Pickle:

"Hm? Yeah...sorry, it's my inner gamer coming out, I can't help it haha."

Paper:

"Well, you ARE the Ultimate Gamer, it's logical that a few sentences related to it would slip out."

Pickle:

"Yup, as I said before, I can't help it, it comes naturally."

Taco:

"Here? Nope. Maybe here? Nah. Or perhaps here?"- Taco kept looking everywhere, the bushes, the trees, everywhere. We just watched her.

Pickle:

"Honestly, this is getting boring. Man, I didn't knew investigating could be this long..." - Pickle yawned - "It's so boring..."

OJ:

"I know... But, unless you want to live forever in this island, we have to do this. We have to keep looking, I know there must be something we are overlooking, I just know it! But what is it it's the question."

Paper:

"How about while we talk while we walk and search? That could be less boring! I propose talking about the mastermind's motive for this hosting this game!"

OJ:

"The mastermind's motive?" - I questioned

Paper:

"Someone kidnapped and forced us all to play this "game" for a reason, right? I doubt it was just for fun. And kidnapping 16 Ultimate Students is no easy job. There must be something more to this. Something hidden we aren't seeing."

Pickle:

"Could it be because we are all Ultimate Students? We all go to UAT, we are all gifted with amazing talents! It wouldn't be out of the world for someone to despise us, or be jealous that they don't have a talent."

Paper:

"It is a possibility but..."

OJ:

"You think it's jealousy? I don't know. I feel like there's something that goes way farther from simple jealousy from someone. Something or someone managed to take over an entire island, build a hotel on it and set up this whole killing game. To be so determined about something must surely take something further away from jealousy."

Pickle:

"Ok, if is not jealousy, then what is it? I only know one thing for sure. Whoever is behind this is a fricking psycopath."

Paper:

"Maybe whoever prepared it did it with the intention of examining our behavior, like, a social experiment! They want to see if we are indeed capable of committing horrible acts like murder for any motive. For selfish or brave reasons... As if we were... lab rats."

Pickle:

"Just thinking about being a lab rat makes me feel really uncomfortable! If that was true, then they really expect us to do horrible things, huh? With the motive coming tomorrow, I have a feeling things are going to get ugly in no time."

OJ:

"Or maybe..." - I stared at Taco, who was still looking everywhere, with a concerned look on my face. - "Maybe they just wants to toy with us."

Paper:

"Huh? What makes you think of that?" - Paper and Pickler turned me - "You mean, toying with our lives?"

Pickle:

"I mean sure, we're trapped in a killing game because of them. And I'm pretty sure our lives the least of their concerns."

OJ:

"No no! I mean, yes, that too... But I'm talking about our talents. I feel like the mastermind is toying with our talents."

Paper:

"Our... Talents?"

Pickle:

"Wait... Are you saying that because of Taco?" - He said when he noticed I was staring at Taco. I nodded in response.

Paper:

"Right! Taco is the only one out of all of us who doesn't remember her own talent, right? Do you think the masterminds has something to do with it?"

OJ:

"Maybe... I dunno. It's just a theory, I don't have any proof to back it up."

Pickle:

"But IF whoever is behind this has something to do with it... Why did he specifically choose Taco? Why did it have to be my friend from everyone else..." - Pickle ducked his head in sadness - "I-I'm not saying I wanted the others to forget their talents just so it wasn't Taco! It's just... weird..."

OJ:

"Yeah, it is weird... Why is Taco the one who doesn't remember her talent instead of any of us?"

It's definitely weird how Taco doesn't remember her talent, but we all do. Taco doesn't exactly strike me as a danger, so I don't see the need to erase all memories regarding her Ultimate Talent. Unless there's something else deeper to all of this....

I looked at Taco again, who was still looking all over the place with such a rapid movement.

The more I see her acting like this, the more questions I have.

Paper:

"Oh! Talking about Taco reminded me something I noted in my journal!" - Paper began flipping through the pages of his journal until he reached one - "Here it is! Hey Pickle, didn't you tell me that you and Taco were childhood friends?"

Wait, did he? Why don't I remember?-

Oh... it was when I wasn't around, right...

Pickle:

"Yeah, we've been friends for as long as I can remember! Since we were in Elementary School! Why did you bring it up out of the blue?"

Paper:

"That's true, I remember you said that..." - Paper kept looking at his journal - "You also said that you both graduated from elementary school before going to high school together, and during high school, you both attended UAT, right?"

Pickle:

"Why I'm starting to feel like I'm being interrogated?"

OJ:

"Trust me, I know that feeling..."

Pickle:

"I mean, you are right, dude. Why are you keep asking me these questions?"

Paper:

"Just one more, I promise! This is very important!"

Pickle:

"Alright, fine, just spit it out."

Paper:

"Okay, so if I understand everything correctly.... You and Taco have been close for a long time. You graduated from elementary school together and high school together before you both attended UAT Academy. Which means you've both witnessed each other's lives pretty much.... Pickle, just to confirm, you don't know what Taco's talent is neither, right?"

Pickle:

"No, I don't know what her talent is neither, obviously."

Paper:

"It is not very obvious if we put the following in the point. If you and Taco have been close for so long and even attended the same academy together.... Then how come you don't remember her talent neither, Pickle?"

Music Stops

Pickle:

"Ah!" - Pickle eyes widened in surprise. - "Wh-What?"

(Now Playing: Despair-Syndrome - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

OJ:

"Wait, that's true! If you and Taco have been really friends for that long before arriving to this island, it doesn't make sense you don't remember her talent! The fact that you both knew each other for quite long before coming here but still don't know Taco's talent doesn't add up."

Pickle:

"Uhm... O-Oh, w-well you see..."

Paper:

"Hey Pickle, are you hiding something from us?"

Pickle:

"O-Of course not! I would never hide anything from you guys! I'm just- Well- Not thinking clearly?"

OJ:

"That's gotta be one of the worse excuses I ever saw in my entire life..."

Pickle:

"It's not an excuse! I really need to think about this! I-"

Paper and I looked at Pickle with suspicion, while he just stared at us with a clear nervousness.

Pickle didn't seem like he was planning something, but he was definitely hiding something.

He was merely saved from further questioning when Taco exclaimed finding something.

Taco:

"Hey guys! I think I found something! I'm sure you'll find very interesting!"

Pickle:

"Oh! Would you look at that?! Looks like Taco found something, let's see what it is, haha!" - Pickle running off from us towards Taco before we could question him anymore.

(Music Stops)

Paper:

"Saved by the bell."

OJ:

"In this case, saved by Mexican food, right? You could say he was saved by... Taco Bell." - Paper giggled over my bad joke.

Paper:

"That's a good one OJ. C'mon, let's not keep them waiting!" - Paper said before grabbing my hand and head towards Pickle and Taco.

I don't know why but... I started to felt some bubbling inside me. The bubbling.... They were coming from the juice inside my glass. What's happening to me?

Could it be...?

...

No, it can't be, I'm just confused, that's gotta be it.

I was wondering what Taco found hidden in those bushes, but from the tone in which she said it, it seemed to be very important.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ??? -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

They were looking at something between the bushes, so I approached to find out what was between those bushes, and I was shocked by the sight...

OJ:

"What in the world...?"

(Now Playing: Ocean Breeze Dead End - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

What was hidden in the bushes was an entire building. It was from about 150 meters long, it seemed abandoned, with part of the wall torn down, dust and plants growing around it, metal plates where the windows are supposed to be...

And the odor? The musty odor was clear.

Paper:

"What is this?"

Taco:

"A building! It was hiding behind these bushes!" - She said before passing through the bushes and heading towards the building.

Pickle:

"Taco wait!" - Pickle followed her behind, Paper and I did the same

We stared at the building for a moment, not believing what we were seeing.

Pickle:

"Holy shit, for objectica..." - Pickle stared at the buidling with widened eyes - "Now this is wha I call a great discovery!"

OJ:

"When I said something big I wasn't exactly think about an entire building!"

Paper:

"What's something like this doing on an island?" - Paper began to write or draw in his journal as he spoke.

OJ:

"I wish I knew." - I said approaching the building

Pickle:

"More importantly, who owns it? It seems to have seen better days, that's for sure."

Taco:

"Oh! Can we enter inside?!"

Paper:

"Is it even safe?"

Taco:

"Who cares if is not safe!"

Paper:

"What? I'm sorry, but I kind of appreciate my life and I don't feel like dying today, Taco."

I had approached one of the walls of the building, there seemed to be something on it covered by the dust in the walls.

Paper:

"Mh? OJ, what are you doing?"

OJ:

"I'm examining the building, and I think I found something..."

Without a second thought, I swiped my hand on the wall, dusting it off. And when all the dust was gone, I was able to see clearly what it was covering up.

OJ:

"What the...?! What is this?!"

Pickle:

"Wow, dude, you look like you saw a dead body. All okay over there?"

Taco:

"Yeah! Everything ok there?"

OJ:

"Guys... Come here, you need to see this." - I gestured for them to come closer.

They approached me to see what I saw, which shocked me, and when they saw what was on the wall, the same shocked expression I had started to appear on their faces as well.

Taco:

"No way!"

What was on the wall was a company logo, a very familiar logo, a logo that you could see everywhere.

The logo of a very large international company.

A company that sold the best of the best in technology.

A company that revolutionized technology forever.

It was impossible to mistake that logo.

Paper:

"Is that?!"

Pickle:

"Meeple Inc.?!"

(Now Playing: REAL-FICTION - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Meeple Incorporation... The founders of Inanimate Insanity, the creators of the Mephone's, the most famous Electronics Company on Earth. Their logo was in the walls of this building, meaning this building was from their property.

But now the question is the next one... What on earth is a Meeple's Headquarter doing on this island?

Taco:

"Interesting... Seems like we caught a big one today guys!"

Pickle:

"No shit! This is definitely a big thing! What the hell is a building from Meeple doing in this island?!"

Paper:

"I wish I knew... Why is one of their headquarters in this island? And why it looks like this? It's so weird..."

Pickle:

"Wh-What do we do now? Should we tell the others?"

OJ:

"We definitely need to tell this to the others, but for now we must investigate the insides of the building."

Taco:

"Yeah! Let's go! We need to see the inside of the building for ourselves before anyone else can!"

I went to the doors building and stood in front of them. And as I was about to grab the handle to open the door...

Paper:

"Wait! Hold on!"

OJ:

"What? What happened, Paper?"

Paper:

"Shouldn't we be thinking this more thoughtfully? I want to investigate the building too, more now that I know it's from Meeple. But this seems dangerous in several ways. The building looks very old, what if there are potentially harmful things inside like structures falling down because of how old and in bad conditions they are? Or if the building collapses out of nowhere with us inside!"

Taco:

"Pleaseee! You should stop worrying about silly things like those! You are starting to sound like Pickle just moments ago."

Pickle:

"You heard our conversation?!"

Taco:

"Of course I heard your conversation guys, you weren't exactly whispering." - Taco chuckled - "Anyhow, there's no way the building is going to collapse with us still inside, that's way to convinient. And the least dangerous thing we could run into may be a non-functional turret without ammunition, or a MePhone older than my grandmother. So, stop worrying for three seconds! You only live once!"

Paper:

"Exactly, I only live once, that's why I want to stay alive from any potential threats!"

OJ:

"Threats or not, we won't find out anything if we don't go in and investigate, Paper. At some point we'll have to step inside, we can't stay here forever."

Paper:

"I'm just saying that we should be wary of any visible potential threat. We're not exactly in a safe environment, OJ. Anything could kill us if we are not aware."

Taco:

"So, you are saying we are threats and are the others too?"

Paper:

"What?! No! That wasn't the point I was trying to make!" - Paper seemed frustated, I understand why, but we need to go inside.

So, I looked at him at his eyes and told him.

OJ:

"I know you want to make sure nothing bad happens. But being paranoid is not going to help us either, it will only make us question a situation in circles over and over again to the point of never stopping. Besides, if there's a chance of discovering something that can help us get out of here, we should take it. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?"

Paper:

"..." - Paper switched his view to the building, with a dubious look, but in the end he frowned before letting out a big loud sigh. - "Dang it, I hate this! All right, okay, let's go investigate inside, see what we find. But if we die inside, you're assured I'm going to haunt your ghost for the rest of your days..."

OJ:

"I-I'll take note of that."

Once Paper agreed, I headed to the entrance doors of the building once again, hold the door handle and pulled.

RATTLE RATTLE

(Now Playing: DX Training Plan - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

OJ:

"Huh?" - I tried to open it by pushing and pulling, to no avail. - "Are you kidding me?-" - I tried multiplate times to try and open it, all in vain - "Just what it was missing! It's closed!"

Pickle:

"Locked up tight, that sucks."

Paper:

"What do we do now? We are in a closed end here."

OJ:

"We have to open this door one way or another, that's obvious. Maybe there's a key somewhere here?"

Pickle:

"No, while you and Paper were discussing, I took my precious time to search for a while and I didn't see any other entrance or any keys, at least, not here. And I have a sharp eye so nothing escapes my gamer sigh!"

Taco:

"I know! We need to kick the door down! I got this!" - Taco began to run for the door, but Pickle grabbed her shell before she could even get close.

Pickle:

"How about we don't do that?"

Taco:

"Hey! Leave me, Pickle!" - Paper let go of Taco's shell - "Why can't we kick the door down?"

Pickle:

"Well, unless you want to die a brutal death, I don't recommend doing that. It's against the rules to break any material on the island, remember or didn't you read the rules?"

Taco:

"Wow, using my own words against me... Damn, that sucks!"

OJ:

"So, if we can't use a key, there's no other way to get inside nor we can force our way in, what do we do?"

Paper:

"Should we just leave?"

Pickle:

"What if Monophone4 comes in and steals every piece of valuable information inside while we are gone?! I'm not going to take my chances with that punk!"

OJ:

"Maybe, but..." - I stood there in silent, thinking on anything. Nothing, my mind was empty. - "Ugh! I don't know! Nothing comes to my mind!"

Paper:

"Well, I mean, we could leave. Monophone4 said he wasn't stopping us from investigating this area. I doubt he'll take information from us. And besides, it's not like the building is gonna grow up feets and walk on it's own right?"

OJ:

"Yeah... You're right." - I didn't want to accept defeat, but we can't do anything at this point. - "Come on, let's go. Perhaps we'll find something else we can explore."

Just as we were about to leave the place, someone yelled behind us.

Music Stops

Taco:

"Oh no, no, no, we are opening that door right here and now! Hayya!!!"

Pickle:

"Wait Taco! Don't-!"

Before any of us could react, Taco with all her strength charged at the door for a second time, jumped up and kicked the door.

CRASH!

Successfully knocking it down.

Taco:

"Ta-da!! That was easier than I thought it would be."

OJ:

"Ah... Did you seriously just-"

(Now Playing: Ocean Breeze Dead End - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Pickle:

"Taco! Why did you do that?!"

Taco:

"Because we needed the door to open, genius. Now, come on! Let's go inside!"

Paper:

"That's the least of our concerns, Taco! You just break a rule! You now what that means?!"

Taco:

"Hey! If Monophone4 get's mad, then he should stay mad. He said to us to explore the entire area, and that's what I'm gonna do!"

Neither to say we were all pretty concern on Taco's safety right now. She just broke one of the rules like it wasn't a big deal! We don't even know what happens when someone breaks the rules! We were waiting for Monophone4 to show up, but he never did.

OJ:

"Huh? That's strange, I swear he was going to show up by now-"

(Now Playing: DX Training Plan - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Pickle:

"Shush! Don't jinx it, OJ! Maybe he didn't saw Taco breaking the door."

Paper:

"But, he has cameras everywhere we go. There's no way he didn't see Taco breaking the door. I don't understand, isn't breaking any material in this island forbidden? Doesn't the door cound as a material?"

Taco:

"Mh?" - Taco started to see herself back and forth - "Well, I am perfectly well and very much alive!"

Pickle:

"Just... Don't do that again, Taco! You had me really worried about your safety! You can't act this reckless in this island!"

Taco:

"Relax! We don't even know what kind of elimination Monophone4 is talking about. We are just assuming is death. Like, I understand we are in a big mess, but not everything must be about death, maybe he will lock us in a dungeon inside a box!"

Pickle:

"Just don't do that again, ok? I won't take my chances with you, Taco."

Taco:

"Fine fine, dad, you don't have to tell me twice" - Taco scoffed - "C'mon let's go inside, there's no time to waste!"

We all approached the now broken door and peek inside.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As we peeked inside, we couldn't see so much inside. It was all dark, that dark not even the sun could light up the insides of the building.

Or maybe it was the fact that all the trees surrouding the building are just on the sunlight's way.

OJ:

"Wow, it's really dark inside..."

Pickle:

"Yeah, it seems like a horror videogame scenario. And I hate horror games."

OJ:

"Oh, so you are bad at horror games?"

Pickle:

"Just because I don't like them doesn't mean I'm bad at them, dude, nice try."

OJ:

"It was worth the try..."

Taco:

"Don't get all scaredy cat now! We still need to enter inside!"

Paper:

"Let's just... be careful. Watch your steps, alright guys?"

Taco was the first one to enter inside the building. All of us followed her from behind as we watched our every step....

...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- MEEPLE'S HEADQUARTERS LOBBY -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Despair-Syndrome - White Track by Masafumi Takada)

When we first entered into the building, we saw what looked like a battlefield.

The place looked like a recepcionist area, a big and rounded desk right in front of us, and two halls.

But, most of the light poles in the halls and rooms were hanging by a cord, they were on the floor completely shattered and the ones that worked were flickering on and off every second.

Chairs, desks, potted plants, computers, papers; everything was scattered all over the floor, the desk, or destroyed.

Like outside, the vegetation was everywhere, and the musty smell was even stronger inside. Plush the bluish wallpaper was peeling off the walls.

There was also an elevator that obviously seemed like it saw better days.

And funny enough, there was a disable turret in the ceiling, like Taco stated earlier.

Pickle:

"Urgh! Stupid me thinking that inside could be better! This place is a complete mess!"

Paper:

"Geez! I think I stepped on a dead mouse or something! Gross! Or at least I hope it was a mouse."

OJ:

"Goodness this place is so dark! How can we investigate like this?" - I exclaim trying to be able to see anything.

Pickle:

"Yeah, not even my sharp gamer eye can spot things in the dark. It's impossible."

Taco:

"What? Aren't the poles lighting enough for you?" - Taco giggled.

Pickle:

"Very funny."

Paper:

"If I recall correctly, the Handbooks should have an internal flashlight." - Paper pulled out his e-Handbook, turned it on, tapped his finger on the screen and.... - "Gualá! Let the light shine!" - A light from the e-Handbook turned on.

OJ:

"Wow!"

Pickle:

"I completely forgot that our e-Handbooks came with a flashlight, haha." - Pickle then also took out his e-Handbook, turned it on, tapped the screen and a light emerged from it as well.

Following their steps, I pulled out my e-Handbook, turned it on, tapped the flashlight icon on the screen and out of nowhere a light came out of it as well.

OJ:

"Now, I can work with this! More light for my eyes!"

Paper:

"Now that we have solved this problem, what do we do next? This place looks big, so it's going to take us a while to explore it all."

OJ:

"We could make an exploration plan."

Pickle:

"Exploration plan? I think I know what it is."

OJ:

"Well, is in the name. An exploration plan is to plan an exploration in case it wasn't obvious. It could help us to know who is looking, where and what, and to know when to meet to share our findings. If we do that, we might be able to finish exploring this location faster."

Paper:

"Yeah, It's more sufficient and effective!"

Pickle:

"Right, I remember doing an exploration plan multiple times during my free world games. Very effective if done correctly of course!"

I guess it's a plan then.

OJ:

"Then it's decided! Now we just need to-"

Pickle:

"Wait, I just caught on something. What about Taco? How can she use the light from her E-Handbook?"

OJ:

"Right, I forgot she doesn't have arms." - Once Pickle stated that, I turned to Taco - "Hey Taco-"

But the matter was already solved before it even started, since Taco was already holding her e-Handbook in her hands with the flashlight on.

OJ:

"Oh, nevermind then. We are all good now, so we can start explo-"

...

...Wait...

OJ:

"Hands?!" - I turned at Taco again, shocked

Taco:

"Huh? Oh..." - Taco turned around, like she forgot for a solid second we were here too. - "Surprise..?"

Pickle:

"Oh yeah... Taco has..." - Pickle went silence trying to explain something before turning to Taco. - "Wait hold on Taco, why do you have hands?!" - Looks like Pickle is just as confused as me.

Paper without any hesitation started to write in his journal.

OJ:

"How didn't you know this? Aren't you two friends?"

Pickle:

"I swear I never knew Taco had arms! She never told me!"

Taco:

"Yeah, uhm... I can say I never told him, that was a whoops from my part, haha!" - Taco was clearly nervous.

OJ:

"For how long you two have been friends again?"

Pickle:

"I don't understand, Taco, why didn't you tell me you have arms?"

Taco:

"Well, it's a long story..." - Taco was clearly nervous - "It's nothing important anyways, I have arms, big deal."

Paper:

"Wow, the Ultimates are full of secrets, aren't they?" - He continued writing in his journal as he spoke.

OJ:

"Why are you saying that as if you weren't one yourself?"

Taco:

"Can we starts the investigation? Please? C'mon C'mon! Let's go!" - With that, Taco ran off to investigate, clearly trying to avoid the conversation.

Pickle:

"Taco for the last time don't run off without me!"- Pickle ran off in the direction where Taco went, leaving me and Paper alone at the lobby.

OJ:

"Wait! We didn't planned anything yet!"

It's useless, they were already gone before we could talk about an exploration plan.

OJ:

"Great... What do I do now...?" - I turned my gaze to Paper, who was still writing in his journal. Then an idea came in. - "Um... So... do you... want to... Investigate together perhaps?"

Paper:

"Huh?" - Paper looked up from his journal as soon as the words left my mouth - "Sure! Sure! Why not? I'm positive we'll find something together!" - Paper closed his journal before stuffing it into his fanny pack. - "What should we explore first?"

OJ:

"Mh... I don't know, I guess the exploration plan can go down the drain now."

Paper:

"It's a shame, it had a lot of potential. But that doesn't mean we can't both do some serious exploration! We just need to find a room to start in. For example..." - Paper began to analyze his surroundings until he noticed a door nearby, which he pointed at with his finger - "That one! We can start with that room over there! I think it's a good start."

OJ:

"Yeah, it looks like a good start. Let's go, no time to waste!"

Paper:

"Just, let's be careful okay?" - Paper nodded to the disabled turret - "Even if it's disabled or broken, I don't trust that thing one bit, we have to be careful."

Just as careful as ever, Paper. Looks like he's still paranoid about this building. Now looking at the insides of the building... I understand why he feels that way.

OJ:

"Don't worry, I'll be careful."

Paper:

"Good, because I won't let anyone die here!"

OJ:

"Not even Salt?"

Paper:

"Why did you have to ruin the moment by bringing her up, OJ?"

And with that we began our investigation.

We began our investigation as soon as we could, starting with the room previously mentioned before looking deeper into the facility.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- MEEPLE OFFICE -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

The room ended up being an office. It wasn't very big, but it wasn't very small neither. The lights in this room were functional as well so that's something to be grateful for.

The room was nothing out of the ordinary, the bluish wallpaper was also peeling off, some furniture was lying around, some was still standing, but mostly empty, there was a desk in the middle where there was a computer.

OJ:

"Do you think we can find something here?"

Paper:

"Perhaps... You said Monophone4 wanted us to find this place, so there must be something we're overlooking." - Paper went to one of the shelves that were still standing. - "Let's see if there's something of value here..."

OJ:

"I mean, he possibly wanted us to find this place, but that's just an assumption I had." - I took a look at my surroundings to see what I could investigate in the room. My eyes immediately caught the computer on the desk. - "That could be useful."

I decided to go to the computer that was on the desk in the office to see if it would turn on, without much hopes.

I started to press the power button, not expecting the computer to turn on. The computer was old, and the power here was obviously limited.

But to my surprise, the screen suddenly turned on.

The computer powered up, much to my surprise. Looks like some things here still work. The screen then displayed the Meeple logo as it finished booting up, displaying the message "Welcome back, Vase Crystaline." I guess that was the name of one of Meeple's employees. I wonder what happened to them...

When the computer finished turning on, the entire desktop came into view. The wallpaper was also the Meeple logo, and almost all the other available applications did not have the logo loaded, as if it was a bug. There were also multiple folders with very strange names. "Butterfly Project", "Meeple Tragedy Report", "UAT Students of Interest" and "Killing Pillary Life Report".

Killing Pillary Life report? Meeple's tragedy? Student's from UAT of interest? Butterfly Project? What's all of this?

I went into all the folders to find out more about it, but to my surprise, I was not allowed access to any of them. Every time I clicked on one, I would get a pop-up screen saying the same thing: "Only higher-ups are allowed access to (Folder Name)".

So, apparently, only higher status employees at headquarters could open those folders. Dammit, why couldn't you have a higher status at Meeple's, Vase Crystaline....

OJ:

"Of course... It would have been so easy..."

I gave up on continuing to try to open the foulders, it became obvious that I didn't have access to any of them. I tried clicking on the browser app to see if I could inform myself about the outside world. Of course, it didn't let me open it. Even if it let me, I didn't have any type of signal here. It was useless.

Desperate for any kind of clue I could get, I started looking inside the garbage can for anything. Maybe something they didn't want us to discover.

In the garbage can there was nothing of importance at the moment. Just purely things that you would normally put in the computer trash. Failed projects, old photos... Pirated movies? Wow...

OJ:

"No.... Neither... Junk and more junk.... Huh?"

I was about to give up, but I came across two files that caught my attention. Both with the names "UAT Student Profile number 2020" and the other one was the same, but the number at the end was "2016"

OJ:

"UAT?" - I quickly took both files out of the trash and put them on the computer desktop.

I immediately open one of them. Then another window popped out, and I started to read it's contents

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Now Playing: DISTRUST - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

"Ultimate Animated Talent High School Student Profile

Student ID: 20200316STU7891º

Photo: *A look alike green butterfly*
Name: Bot Vial
Special Notes: Ultimate Robot
Gender: Not Registered
Age: 4 (Notes: After Creation)
Birth Date: 01/04/2020
Birth Place: [REDACTED]
Specie: Robot
Nationality: [REDACTED]
School Year: 2nd Year
Classroom: 43th

Additional Information: [REDACTED]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- MEEPLE OFFICE -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

That was all that was legible, the Additional Information, Birth Place and Nationality was redacted for some reason, as if it had been purposely hidden.

OJ:

"..." - But that wasn't what caught my attention first. It was... Their last name...

Vial...

That's... Is that Test Tube's last name?

Does this mean she and this robot...

No, it can't be! I would've surely know them! I know Test Tube likes to experiment with things but, I don't remember ever seeing this robot on the first place!

Did she hide this from me and Bomb? No, that can't be either. Even if she did, this profile claims they're a student in the academy, but I didn't see them not even once!

Well... I never saw Test Tube neither since I been avoiding her and Bomb since the incident, so...

W-Whatever! It's just... What is this? Am I missing something here? Is this just Monophone4 doing his tricks on me?

Before I could arrive to a conclusion, I decided to open the next file.

Just like the other, a window popped out, so I started to read it's contents.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ultimate Animated Talent High School Student Profile

Student ID: 20161010STU2468º

Photo: *Irrecognizable*
Name: [REDACTED]
Special Notes: Ultimate Lucky Student
Gender: Male
Age: 16
Birth Date: 19/11/2008
Birth Place: [REDACTED]
Specie: [REDACTED]
Nationality: [REDACTED]
School Year: Graduated
Classroom: 27th

Additional Information: [REDACTED]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- MEEPLE OFFICE -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

...

This just has more hidden information!

Anyhow, who is this?

Ultimate Lucky Student...?

Sounds like a random highschooler like me, even though I can't see his face, but why did they hide his name, nationality, specie, face, etc? I may understand they want to hide the additional information, but what's with the necessity to hide almost everything to recognize this student at exception of his talent, gender and age?

It's even being lucky or being a robot considered a talent?

This just keeps getting weirder and weirder...

Why were these two files on the trash? Why did they try to delete them? What was the purpose behind it? Maybe they were just unnecesary documents and that's why those are in the trash...

Still, I'm more concerned about this Bot object more than this Ultimate Lucky Student. I don't even know him.

It's so... weird...

Wait, it's even weirder when you think about it.

Why does Meeple had those two UAT Student Profiles to their possession? It doesn't make sense they have documents from the academy. It's true they are one of the many donators, but that doesn't mean they have the right to have these documents.

As I was thinking, I came back to reality when Paper called my name.

Paper:

"Hey OJ! Did you have any luck with that thing?" - Paper said, stopping searching the shelves - "I hope you had more luck than I did at least... There's nothing worth the time to check here."

OJ:

"H-huh? Well, I think I did found something here."

Paper:

"Really? What did you found?" - Paper walks toward me, looking at the computer screen over my shoulder.

OJ:

"See this..."

I showed Paper all I have found in the computer. The foulders with the stranges names and the UAT Student Profiles in the reciclying can.

Paper:

"The Butterfly Project? Meeple's Tragedy? Killing Pillary Life? Students of interest from UAT? What's with all of this?"

OJ:

"I don't know, I tried to open them, but they didn't let me since the employee who used this computer didn't have access to them."

Paper:

"Only Higher-ups from Meeple have access to the documents?"

OJ:

"That's right. We can't access the documents with this computer. Just our luck..."

Paper:

"But then that means there's something important inside those foulders! I'm pretty interested in their contents! What tragedy they are talking about? And killing game as well? There's have been another killing game besides ours? What's the Butterfly Project? Why do they find students from the academy interesting in way?"

OJ:

"W-Wow, that's a lot of questions!"

Paper kept thinking. Then suddenly jumped out of his thoughts.

Paper:

"We need to find it now! Maybe there's another computer here belonging to a higher-up?"

OJ:

"Let's hope so, if not then we have no choice but to let it here."

Even though I doubt it's gonna be that easy to find another computer that's working here, and more of a higher-up.

Paper:

"Well, meanwhile, what about those student profiles you show me? They looks just like highschooler like us."

OJ:

"Yeah, that's what I thought too, but isn't it weird that certain information is missing? Or that Meeple has these on the first place?"

Paper:

"It's true it's weird that Meeple holding these is pretty weird, but they are one of the principal donators of the academy, right? Even thought the fact that part of the information is missing it's pretty weird, I give you that. Why did they wanted to hide the additional information? And why those students? And does that Ultimate Lucky Stundent has almost everything missing on his profile?" - Paper looked more nervous and nervous as he kept asking questions to himself - "Agh! I have too many question without answers!"

Wow! He's really like a curious cat!

OJ:

"Yeah, you definitely have too many questions, Paper... What about you try to relax a little?"

Paper:

"Now's not the time to relax."

OJ:

"I know, but it won't do any good having your head full of weight. Besides, there's still a lot of time left, so calm down. Breath for a moment." - I began to inhale and then exhale, showing Paper a demonstration.

Following my actions, Paper began to inhale and exhale repeatedly until he calmed down. A few seconds passed before Paper stopped breathing and turned his attention to me again.

Paper:

"Fine... Maybe... Maybe I'm just overthinking this a lot. You said you found the files on the trash, OJ?"

OJ:

"Yeah, I did, what about it?"

Paper:

"Then maybe it's just that... trash and nothing more."

OJ:

"Well, I mean... yeah, it could be just trash, but... I feel like these are more important that the eye meets."

Paper:

"What makes you think that? The only odd thing is the classified information behind those folders that we don't have any access to. But I don't see anything odd about the student profiles, other than the missing information and that they are in Meeple's possession."

OJ:

"..."

Should I tell him? I mean, I trust Paper, but even I'm not sure. I'm still trying to process the information.

Who is Bot? Why do they share a last name with Test Tube? Why don't I have any memory of meeting them before? Am I walking into a trap right now? Am I locking myself into an alley of my own making?

...

How ironic... Now I'm the one with my head full of questions...

Paper:

"OJ? Are you there?"

OJ:

"Huh? Y-Yeah, sorry about that. Look, they may not be very important, but I don't think it would hurt to keep them in mind. I mean, any information is good information."

Paper:

"Mh.... I guess you are right about that. Fine, I'll kept it in mind, maybe it's gonna be important for later." - Paper began to look around the office, his eyes catching a machine next to the desk where the computer was. - "Ah! A printer! We could print out the student profiles so we could take a copy with us!"

OJ:

"Does that even work?"

Paper:

"Well, let's test it out..." - Paper walked over to the printer, pressed the power button, and waited for it to turn on. At first, it seemed like it wouldn't turn on, but out of nowhere, the sound of the printer's touchscreen echoed through the room - "Eureka!"

OJ:

"I'm actually surprised that worked."

Paper:

"Can you see if the computer and the printer are already paired?"

OJ:

"Yeah, one second..."

At Paper's command, I checked if the computer and the printer were linked to each other. And, indeed, they were linked to each other. Without wasting much time, I immediately started printing the student profiles from the computer.

The sounds of the printer running were very annoying. It's not like I could do anything about it. The printer had surely seen better days.

After a few long minutes, the two student profiles were finished printing.

Paper:

"Great! Now, sorry printer, but I'm gonna have to grab these." - Paper grabbed both student profiles, folded them and stuffed them into his fanny pack. - "I really hope this can help us figure out what's going on here in some way."

OJ:

"I hope so too, there's so many weird things going on."

Paper:

"We'll already show them to the rest when we meet. I think we've pretty much found everything there is to discover here." - Paper then went to the door from where we entered the office to leave - "We should leave this room. There's so much more we need to investigate."

OJ:

"Yeah, right."

Just in case, I decided to analyze my surroundings one more time to see if we had overlooked anything in the room. And even though I didn't see anything. I still wasn't reassured.

OJ:

"Uh.... Are you sure you didn't find anything worthwhile, Paper?"

Paper stopped as he heard me. Then turned around

Paper:

"Yes, I think so... I've been investigating this room from head to toe while you were at the computer, and I haven't found anything that could be of any use to us. Nothing to explain this Killing Game as a whole..." - Paper started to rub his other hand - "Pretty embarrasing coming from me haha... Being the Ultimate Journalist I should've found something."

OJ:

"I-I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Paper!"

Paper:

"Don't worry, I know you didn't mean to, OJ." - Paper smiled at me - "Still, I didn't found anything worth the time, just pure trash. Why are you asking?"

OJ:

"I just wanted to be sure, that's all. I don't want to leave anything behind that could help us get out of this mess you know? I really don't want anyone to suffer a meaningless death."

Paper:

"Aww, you care for us? That's kind of you!"

OJ:

"Of course I care! We are all living beings! We don't deserve to be put into this life and death "game"! I don't just want to escape from this island, and I also want to take down whoever is behind this."

Paper:

"Yeah, the mastermind behind this must definitely pay. But, first, let's focus on getting out of here alive, alright? We are just a bunch of teenagers with gifted talents after all. We can't do anything to the mastermind alone."

OJ:

"I know that already, but..."

I can't help but feel...

Even if we find a way out of here. Even if we managed to stay together...

I doubt Monophone4 and the Masterminds will let us leave just like that.

That's why we need to find who is behind this first.

Paper:

"Hey! Earth calling, OJ! Don't space out like that! That's my thing!" - Paper called, getting me out of my thoughts.

OJ:

"Oh? Sorry about that."

Paper:

"So? What was what you were saying?"

OJ:

"It was nothing, don't worry. I'm just a little concerned about what the mastermind will do."

Paper:

"Don't worry about the mastermind. They won't stop us from working together to escape this place! We'll do it before anyone can succumb into murder!"

OJ:

"I really hope so..."

I wonder... Will it really be that easy?

Paper:

"Anyhow, we cannot just be looking around a single room for an hour neither, can we? We need to keep investigating."

OJ:

"Yeah, yeah, I know..." - I got up from the seat of the office - "There's still a lot of ground to cover before noon, so we better keep moving. I just hope we don't leave anything behind in this office." - I went to the door where Paper was standing - "Well then, shall we go?"

Paper:

"Of course! But! You go first."

OJ:

"Uhm... Why?"

Paper:

"Because I'm trying to be educated!"

...

OJ:

"You want to use me as a shield, don't you...?"

Paper:

"..." - The smile he had written in his face in complete silence just gave me the answer.

OJ:

"Let's just get going..."

Still, I left the office first. Paper followed me from behind. I still had too many unanswered questions, but right now I couldn't afford to think about it. We still had a lot more to do.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So after leaving that office, we immediately started looking around other areas of the Meeple facility. Mainly for another working computer that had access to the folders we found earlier. That was the most important thing to find out. Of course we ended up finding absolutely nothing. All the computers we found weren't turning on. And even if they did work, I doubted too much that they were the ones we were looking for. After all, this was the ground floor.

We also didn't find any information that could help us figure out how to escape or about the Killing Game we were in. Nor about the ones behind all of this.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- MEEPLE HEADQUARTERS LOBBY -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Despair-Syndrome - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

In the end, we went end up back to where we started. The lobby.

Paper:

"Sigh... I can't believe we didn't find anything else! I expected that this place should be loaded with clues." - Paper sighed - "I know I shouldn't have my hopes up, but I'm still dissapointed..."

OJ:

"Yes, although I was already expecting that on the ground floor we wouldn't find too much. I'm still disappointed that we didn't find anything. Guess this was a waste of time."

Paper:

"Well, it's not like Monophone4 was going to give us the answers we want on a silver platter."

OJ:

"Of course, we should have known better..."

Paper:

"Don't lose hope either! It is only the ground floor that we are investigating. This building is pretty high, so there are still the other floors to investigate. Maybe we'll find more stuff there."

OJ:

"I wasn't planning to lose hope yet, Paper. But yeah, there should be more clues in the other floors. No, no "should". It needs to have more clues."

Paper:

"Exactly, so we cannot give up right now! There's still a lot we can do."

OJ:

"All right, the elevator doesn't work, but we may find the stairs to the next floor!" - As I tried to leave the area to look for a way to go to the next floor, I felt someone grab my arm. That someone was Paper - "Huh? What's wrong?"

Paper:

"Wait a moment Don Quixote, aren't you forgetting something important here?"

OJ:

"Uh..." - I tried to think what we were forgetting, but nothing came to mind. - "I'm almost scared to ask, but... what is it?"

Paper:

"You can't be serious."

OJ:

"I...am?"

Paper:

"Well, we came here four and we are only here two."

Ah! That's right! Taco and Pickle!

OJ:

"I totally forgot about Taco and Pickle!" - I was a little embarrased by it.

Paper:

"Wow, all this investigation really did something to you if you can't see two of our friends are missing."

OJ:

"Yeah..."

Honestly, it's true, I'm starting to get tired by all of this.

OJ:

"So, should we look for them?"

Paper:

"Obviously! We can't investigate the next floor if we aren't with them!"

OJ:

"... Good point..."

I wonder where they might be. We didn't see them not even once during our investigation. Where are they? I hope they are okay.

Paper:

"So?"

OJ:

"So?"

Paper:

"What are we standing here for? We can't look for Taco and Pickle standing still."

OJ:

"Well, you don't have to scream neither for me to know the obvious."

Paper:

"Reminding me again who you actually are, OJ Citrus." - Paper rolled his eyes.

OJ:

"As always!" - I said proud of myself

Paper:

"Let's just go find them-"

???:

"There's no need for that, we're already here." - Said a voice behind us.

When we turned around we saw Pickle and Taco, who were standing there in the lobby. I noticed that Taco no longer had her hands, nor her e-Handbook with her. I guess she hide both of them back.

Paper:

"Oh! Hey guys, you're just in time, we have something to-."

Pickle:

"That can wait for the meeting, right now you have to come with us. Taco and I found something." - He said interrupting Paper.

OJ:

"Something?"

Pickle:

"Yeah, is better if you see it by yourself"

Taco:

"Yes, c'mon c'mon! Follow me this way!" - Before we could respond, Taco had already run off, all we could do was follow behind her.

Pickle:

"She never listens to me does she?"

And with that we had all left the lobby, following Taco.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- MEEPLE HEADQUARTERS UNDERGROUND STAIRS -

CHAPTER 1
UNKNOWN

Where Pickle and Taco took us was to the back of the headquarters. This was the only part of the headquarters that Paper and I had not yet investigated. Our main goal was to find a working computer that would give us access to the files, so we mainly searched another room, not the hallways.

To our surprise. Paper and I came across the same thing we were going to look for earlier. The stairs to a next floor. But these were blocked by a grate that prevented access to it, and it seemed they were going down, not up.

Taco:

"So! What do you think?"

OJ:

"A gate?"

Pickle:

"Yeah, Taco and I found it. It seems to lead to the basement or something."

Taco:

"And it seems that it works with electricity! But this place doesn't have a lot of that, so it's not opening, duh."

OJ:

"Wait, how do you know it works with electricity?"

Paper:

"Well..." - Paper went to the gate, and inspected it more closely. - "It seems this gate doesn't have a lock anywhere where you can put a key..."

Just to confirm it. I walk straight to the gate. I tried to find anything that could suggest a way to open it. A lock or something, but I didn't saw nothing.

OJ:

"You are right, I don't see any lock anywhere...."

I went to the gate and tried to open it with my bare hands, of course that didn't work, now both my hands as well as my back were hurting.

OJ:

"Y-Yeah, I figured that wasn't going to work out, stupid me."

Taco:

"You sure you don't wanna give it another try?" - Taco mocked me.

OJ:

"Super sure, Taco."

Taco:

"Your lost then!"

I don't think I'm losing anything important... Besides my dignity.

Paper:

"If there's not a lock nor an electronic lock anywhere, then how do we open the gate?" - Paper turned to face Pickle. - "Did you or Taco find another thing besides the gate?"

Pickle:

"Actually, yeah we did!" - Pickle claimed proudly. -"When Taco and I found the gate closed, we tried to find a way to open it."

OJ:

"Please tell me you found something useful here."

Pickle:

"Not exactly here, but outside of the building."

Paper:

"Wait, you guys were exploring outside the building this entire time? That explains why we didn't find neither of you anywhere."

OJ:

"You could at least warned us about wanting to investigate the outsides. We were worried. What were you even doing outside?"

Pickle:

"I-It was Taco alright? I wanted to keep investigating inside, but the moment I took my eyes off her, she was already gone!"

Taco:

"Haha, yeah I take fault for it! This building just seems so empty and colorless inside, you know? It's pretty depressing."

OJ:

"T-That's why you decided to... Just leave?! Because you found this place depressing?!"

Taco:

"Yup, that's exactly why!"

OJ:

"Oh for Objectica..." - I face palmed - "No one said this was going to be a walk in the park, Taco..."

Taco:

"Geez, are you gonna kept with your nonsense blathering, or do you wanna know what we found?"

Paper:

"Just tell us what you found, please?" - Paper smiled awkwardly - "So, did you or did you not found something? Anything will do it!"

Pickle:

"It's not that big of a discovery honestly now that I think about it. It's like an important item in a videogame, but nonetheless useless for most of the time."

OJ:

"Pickle, with no a single offense in the world, can you explain that again in a language we can understand? I don't speak gamer mode"

Pickle:

"Whoops! My inner gamer coming out for the thousand time." - Pickle laughed - "Sorry, sorry! My bad. I meant to say was Taco and I found what we believe it's the generator giving energy to the entire HQ."

OJ:

"You guys found the generator?!"

Taco:

"Yup! You sure as heck we found a generator! And before you ask. Yes, we are pretty sure the generator we found is the very same givin' the entire building the energy it needs. But, it's just as rusty as you can imaging. Like any piece of garbage inside this warzone."

OJ:

"We can't just assume the generator doesn't work, it may very well still be able to open the gate!"

Taco:

"If that's your take on all of this, be my guest, but you need combustible to make that monster running again like the old days."

Paper:

"And where's combustible here? Did we happened to find something resembling to it or not?"

OJ:

"Uhm..."

Shit... Did we? I don't remember now. And I'm so tired to search this place from head to toes once more...

OJ:

"I don't think we did... At least, that's what I remember. What about you two?" - I asked to Pickle and Taco.

Pickle:

"Uh... Shit, dude, I got nothing..."

Taco:

"My memory is superb!, and I can assure I don't remember seeing anything that could be combustible! If I did, I'd surely remember!"

So we are in a close path once again, like always... Dammit!

OJ:

"Then we are back to having nothing. If we can't open this gate with something here, then there's no point in having this discussion, sadly..."

Taco:

"Aw... What a bummer!"

Pickle:

"You said yourself, Taco. What a bummer."

Paper:

"L-Looking at it on the bright side! At least we know there's something out there that's important for us!"

Taco:

"How are you so sure?"

Paper:

"Well, if it's closed then it probably means there must be something important down there, doesn't it?"

OJ:

"Definitely, this door needs to be opened one way or another. Even if the solution is not within our reach yet"

Pickle:

"How about we call Knife here? Maybe he'll be able to lift this gate up."

OJ:

"Is he able to do that? I know he's the Ultimate Boxer, but is he really that strong?"

Paper:

"Actually..." - Paper took out his journal again from his fanny back, and opened it in a certain page - "Knife managed to lift 10 anvils at the same time for 1 minute straight!"

OJ:

"He did what?! That's impressive! No wonder he's an Ultimate."

Pickle:

"You can say that twice! I didn't know Knife did such a thing!" - Pickle's eyes were wided open as mines - "I'm now more than sure he can lift a simple gate."

Taco:

"Duh, if Mr.Sharp can lift 10 anvils like simple leaves from a tree, this would be like a piece of cake!"

(Music Stops)

???:

"Haha, yeah, that's going to take you guys years to get it open, and believe me, not even Knife will manage to move that gate an inch!"

A robotic voice said from behind us, when we turned to see who it was, it was of course him.

(Now Playing: Mr. Monokuma's Lesson V3 - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

OJ:

"AHHH!!!" - I let out a loud scream that echoed throught the halls - "R-Really?! Seriously enough, stop doing that!"

Monophone4:

"Mh? The what?"

OJ:

"Appearing out of nowhere! That! It's the third time already!"

Monophone4:

"Nah I don't want to, your screams of horror are like music to my ears." - He said mocking me - "Although I'm not here to make fun of OJ's little girl scream, I'm sure you would like to know what's beyond that gate, wouldn't ya?"

Pickle:

"Duh, although I suppose you're not going to tell us are you?"

Monophone4:

"For a Gamer, you're smarter than I thought you'd be."

Pickle:

"What is that supposed to imply?! Gaming isn't just pressing buttons to make a character move on the screen, you also have to think of strategies to win!"

Monophone4:

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

Pickle:

"Seriously?"

Paper:

"Just ignore him" - Paper said trying to keep Pickle at his heels. - "So, if you're not going to tell us what's on the other side of the gate, what are you doing here then?" - He asked Monophone4.

Monophone4:

"Oh yes... Mh..." - Monophone4 stood silent for a few good seconds. - "I forgot."

Taco:

"Hey! That's my line!"

Monophone4:

"Oh yeah! I remember now!"

OJ:

"So?"

Monophone4:

"I'm just here to inform all four of you to NOT go throught your plans! It's not worth it, trust me."

Taco:

"I'm sorry, but you are the last object here we would listen to. Besides, you cannot stop us! You said yourself we were allowed to investigate all we wanted in the area."

Monophone4:

"Haha, you are right there, but..." - Monophone4 displayed one of the rules in his screen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Rule Nº1:

The contestants are able to explore the island without limitations! As long as the area it's accesible"

Monophone4:

"I'm pretty sure I also mentioned you can only enter in rooms that aren't blocked! And the underground floor of this building is blocked by this gate for a reason. Sorry, not sorry"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- MEEPLE HEADQUARTERS UNDERGROUND STAIRS -

CHAPTER 1
UNKNOWN

Taco:

"Dang it! You got me there." - Taco frowned

Paper:

"Are you serious right now?"

Monophone4:

"Yeah, I think I made myself quite clear. Did I not? You cannot explore this area yet!"

Pickle:

"Seriously?! You are really pissing me off everytime you appear!"

Monophone4:

"Like I didn't hear that line already multiple times, Pickle. I know as much I'm hated to death by everyone here! And I couldn't care less of course."

OJ:

"This is just great..."

Monophone4:

"Hey! Don't look at me with that grumpy face! I promise I'll inform all of you when I'll let you investigate the next floor! I don't feel like showing everything already, you know what I'm saying?"

We all stayed quiet, just frowning at Monophone4 with rage.

Monophone4:

"Wow, tough crowd..." - Monophone4 coffed. - "Since it's clear that I'm clearly not welcome here anymore, I'd better go."

Pickle:

"And you just realize that?"

Taco:

"Just leave, you make this place even more depressing than it already was before"

Monophone4:

"Well, Bye bye!" - But just as Monophone4 was about to leave...

Paper:

"Oh nonono, you're not leaving until you give us some answers! Like, what is Meeple doing here?!"

OJ:

"That's right! You said yourself that Meeple's technology was cheap technology that was useless or something. You clearly hate them, so why would Meeple be here?"

That question seemed to have taken Monophone4 off guard, though only for a few seconds before he began to giggle and start speaking again.

(Now Playing: Weekly Despair Magazine - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Monophone4:

"I never said that Meeple's technology was garbage, I said that MEPHONE'S technology was garbage. There's a clear difference, don't you think?"

- FLASHBACK -

-

Paper:

"A... Mephone?" - It was a Mephone4, But it had half of the screen glitched with a red eye.

Monophone4:

"W-Wha-! How dare you to compare me with such low cheap technology!" - He gasped

-

- END OF FLASHBACK -

- MEEPLE HEADQUARTERS UNDERGROUND STAIRS -

CHAPTER 1
UNKNOWN

OJ:

"It's... true... You never mentioned Meeple, you mentioned only MePhone's because Paper thought you were one."

Pickle:

"Just to mention, I still think you are one. I don't buy the Monophone theory, dude."

Monophone4:

"We are not "dudes", dude."

Pickle:

"What?"

Monophone4:

"Anyway, what was I saying before?..." - Monophone4 stood there thinking. None of us said a thing, waiting for him to leave for once. - "Right! Now I remember!"

Taco:

"What a shame..."

Monophone4:

"I don't like MePhones at all. They remind me of my past, when I felt like a weak. Scared of everything in my surroundings. Feeling like another disposable object. I had no power over MY life. I hate my past..." - Monophone4 seemed tense. Only 3 seconds later, and he was already his normal self - "I have past with Meeple, it's one so LONG I'd take years telling it!"

Pickle:

"Jesus, that long? Seems deep."

Paper:

"Hold on! Does that mean you were actually created by Meeple?!"

Monophone4:

"Perhaps yes, perhaps no, who knows? I will neither affirm nor deny anything, that is for you to discover for yourselves." - He began to chuckle - "After all, it would be so boring if all the secrets came out in the first chapter, wouldn't it? No one wants to read a book that reveals the whole plot in the first few paragraphs!"

Taco:

"Why are you comparing this with a book?"

Monophone4:

"Because I couldn't think of anything else okay?"

Taco:

"I read better books than this one then. This one taste ass."

Monophone4:

"It was very unnecessary to even mention such statement, but I let it pass."

OJ:

"So that's why that gate is on our way to the undeground floor? Because you don't want us to find out all the secrets so soon?"

Monophone4:

"Exactly! I don't care if you want to find out the truth of this killing game, after all, it'll be grand to see how your hope turned to despair when you find out the whole truth! Hahahaha!"

Paper:

"W-What do you mean by that?" - Paper asked with fear in his voice

Monophone4:

"Oh well... I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually, after all, it's necessary for a certain someone to uncover it for them to unlock their full true potential about their talent..." - He said, turning his vision towards Paper, who quickly showed confusion.

Paper:

"What are you implying?"

Monophone4:

"Funny how you ask, Paper. You should know more than anyone else what I'm talking about. An investigation for years can't just disappear like a puff!!"

Paper:

"Me?"

OJ:

"Paper?"

Our looks turned to Paper, who just looked as confused as everyone else. He thought for some seconds, and then suddenly, his face went pale all of a sudden.

Paper:

"You don't mean..."

Monophone4:

"Haha, looks like your bulb is finally starting to light up!" - Monophone4 began to ominously laugh - "If you guys don't have anything else to ask, I'll leave, I have more important things to do."

Paper:

"W-Wait, no! You can't just drop this out of nowhere and leave!"

Monophone4:

"Oh, but I can and I will! If you want to take more from me, you just have to..." - A malicious grind formed in the screen - "Haha, kill for it. It's so simple. So human. Objects kill for information nowadays, don't they?"

Paper:

"... N-No, I'll never..."

Monophone4:

"Then you won't hear a thing from me. Just how matters work here, Paper. It's kill or be killed. As simple as it can gets."

Paper:

"B-But- How... How do you know about the Shines?!"

Paper shouted, nonetheless, Monophone4 already left the scene, leaving us with more questions than answers.

...

(Now Playing: Despair Syndrome - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Shines?

Pickle:

"Shines? What was he talking about?"

Paper:

"I..." - Paper grasped his journal with both arms. - "It's nothing..."

Pickle:

"Nothing? Really? I don't know, I don't think It was just "Nothing". Something smells weird here."

Taco:

"Well, I believe it's nothing of our convenience to know, Pickle."

OJ:

"Nothing of our convenience to know? But Monophone4 just-!"

Taco:

"Monophone4 will say just 'bout everything to make us commit unnecessary things! We all know that much already! So, just drop it." - Taco seemed a little tense in a way. She was trying to hide it, but I could somehow feel it.

Paper:

"..." - Paper had a pale face, as if all color and personality was gone. I put my hand on his shoulder - "Huh?"

OJ:

"Paper, are you okay?" - I said with concern.

Paper:

"Huh? Yes, of course I'm fine! Why wouldn't I be? Haha" - Paper tried to fake a smile, but failed miserably. He was clearly lying - "It's just Monophone4 with his nonsensical doings again. Like Taco said! We shouldn't listen to what he says. I... shouldn't listen to what he claims to know..."

Pickle:

"You sure? It looked like he was trying to get a reaction from you, pal."

Paper:

"I'm sure, okay? Besides..." - Paper took out his e-Handbook and showed it to us, marking with his hand the time on the screen - "Looks like it's almost noon already! It's almost time to reunite! We should get going to the hotel, don't you agree?" - He said quickly and with a clear nervousness in his voice.

Pickle:

"Actually it's 7 o'clock, there's still time to-"

Paper:

"I said what I said!" - Paper cut Pickle quickly, what's wrong with him? Ever since Monophone4 said that "Shines" thing, he's been like this.

Pickle:

"Why are you shaking?"

Paper:

"I-I'm not shaking!"

Pickle:

"My man, you clearly shaking..."

OJ:

"Anyway, I think we have already investigated everything that could be investigated in this place, so we can go back or continue exploring the area." - I said trying to get the attention to me instead of Paper.

Taco:

"Can we get back to the hotel? I'm..." - Taco Yawned - "tired..."

OJ:

"You? Tired? That's new."

Taco:

"Even someone like me can get tired!"

OJ:

"Right..."

Pickle:

"Yeah, well... You're right, in any case, as OJ said, I don't think there are more important things to investigate here, and besides, it's going to take us a while to get back to the hotel"

Paper:

"Then we should start marching, shouldn't we? Come on!" - Before he could wait for our response, Paper was already gone.

...

Looks like Pickle isn't the only one keeping secrets.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Without further words to carry on the conversation, we all left the building, Paper was already there waiting for us, and with that we started to head back to the hotel.

On the way to the hotel I had many thoughts, too many, and they only generated more questions than answers. Why is Meeple here? Why is the building abandoned and in ruins? What is this truth that Monophone4 was talking about?

Who is Bot? Was she created by Test Tube? And if not, why does she have her surname?

So many questions, and none of them with answers...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL AREA -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

All these thoughts were interrupted when I realized that we were already at the entrance to the hotel area, with nothing more to look for, the four of us headed to go inside back to the hotel.

When suddenly...

(Now Listening: Finding Peace Party - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

???:

"DAMMIT! IT'S NOT FAIR!" - A familiar scream was heard from inside.

Paper:

"Ah! My ears!" - Paper covered his ears in pain - "What is going on inside?!"

Paper ran inside the hotel without waiting for us. Probably scared something bad happened

Pickle and I, though, we just looked at each other, knewing exactly who's scream belonged to, while we shared a smile.

Pickle:

"Haha, this is going to get good!"

OJ:

"You bet." - I grinned, - "Why is Knife still playing? He's obviously horrible at playing videogames."

Taco:

"How many bucks that Knife's losing against someone who hasn't touch a game in their life?"

OJ:

"Uhm... Crap." - Just to make sure, I searched in my pockets, and of course, I didn't have a single dime - "I don't even have a dime. Sorry, no bets today, Taco."

Taco:

"Really?" - Taco growled - "I thought ya were rich."

OJ:

"Well, the mastermind behind this stole my money and credit card. I can't do anything about it."

I hope those good for nothing don't do anything with my money... Who am I kidding? They probably wasted it all already. Wondering now on what did they wasted it all in is the question...

Pickle:

"How about we just head inside now? I'm dying to mock Knife for his awful gaming skills!"

Taco:

"You own me 50 bucks, OJ!"

OJ:

"What?! I didn't even bet anything!"

Taco:

"Yet!"

OJ:

"Yeah, sure... Yet..."

Leaving Taco's betting issues, the three of us headed inside the hotel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (LOBBY) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

When we entered the hotel, we saw what we expected to see.

Knife:

"HOW?! THERE'S NO FUCKING WAY YOU ARE WINNING EVERY SINGLE FUCKING TIME!"

Knife was screaming in absolute rage. His screams ranging through the entire Living Room. He kept losing on the same game he was playing back on yesterday. Of course, it seemed Knife skills are still need to improve by far.

Lightbulb:

"Just admit you're bad at playin' videogames, big guy. You lost 10 consecutives rounds." - Lightbulb was holding her laugh. - "And I didn't even play this game before in my life!"

Knife:

"Grrr..."

Paper:

"Seriously, Knife...?" - Paper stood there, with his arms crossed, and a disappointed face. - "I got really worried for a second, and you are here screaming for a simple gaming sesion."

Knife turned to face Paper, still fulled by pure wrath. Lightbulb doing the same thing when she noticed us there.

Knife:

"This is NOT a simple game sesion, Paper! This is a battle for my DIGNITY!"

Paper:

"That's somehow worse!"

OJ:

"Still haven't given up I see, Knife."

Knife:

"Of course I didn't! I say so yesterday! I'm gonna keep trying until I win a stupid run in this stupid fucking game! Even if I have to stay here forever!"

Pickle:

"Dude! Just admit defeat! You just suck so much at videogames so much even Lightbulb can beat you!"

Taco:

"I bet you're better suckin' something else, haha."

OJ:

"Did you just make a dirty joke?"

Pickle:

"Pretty sure that was a dirty joke."

Knife:

"You idiots! I don't swing to that side!"

Taco:

"I never say anything about being swinging, tho."

Knife:

"What-"

Taco:

"Haha! I made you expose yourself! TWICE!" - Taco began to laugh. - "You suck at videogames and you hide your true tastes!"

Lightbulb:

"Definitely, big guy, you completely suck at this. Maybe you should change hobbies, or stick to beating pals!"

Knife:

"FUCK OFF!! BOTH OF YOU!!"

Lightbulb didn't even flinched at the sudden scream on her face. I guess she's used to screams when Paintbrush loses control of themselves near her.

Lightbulb:

"Pal, you need to chill out. What about I make a cup of tea for ya? I prepare the best teas for everyone!"

Knife:

"FUCK YOU AND FUCK YOUR FUCKING TEA!! I'M DONE!!"

Pepper:

"Can you guys keep your mouths close?! Salty Salt and I are trying to, like, read in peace!" - Pepper shouted through the dining room.

Salt:

"Yeah! You're so, like, annoying!" - Salt also shouted through the dining room.

Knife:

"For Objectica sake..."

Knife jumped off the couch, raising his hand in the air with the controller in hand, about to slam it to the floor. Pickle grabbed his wrist before he could do so.

Pickle:

"Eh! The controller is not at fault for your skill issues, Dude. Remember?" - Pickle snatched the controller from Knife's hand. - "I'm gonna take this if you don't mind. I want to play a round before the meeting."

Knife:

"WH-"

Paper:

"Knife, it's best if you leave to calm down. We don't want you in the meeting behaving like you saw someone beat your mother." - Paper was smiling awkwardly.

Knife:

"..." - Knife was clutching his teeths in pure rage. - "Whatever!"

Knife stomped out of the room. Clearly pissed off. I'm relieve he didn't get to but anyone.

If Knife is this pissed for a game, I don't even wanna think about how Paintbrush'd react if they were in his shoes. If they are even interested in videogames.

(Music Stops)

Lightbulb:

"... Uhm... Well, that was... Pff! HILARIOUS!" - Lightbulb began to uncontrollably laugh. Like, she just released all the laugh she's been containing. It was very contagious.

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Pickle:

"I wish I've seen it with my own eyes. I'd been laughing my ass off!" - Pickle chuckled.

After a few eternal seconds, Lightbulb finished laughing.

Lightbulb:

"Ok, ok..." - Lightbulb cleaned her tears. - "Alright, I think I'm gonna make him some tea. As a peace offer!" - Lightbulb left the controller in the table as she stood off the sofa.

Pickle:

"Wait, Lightbulb!"

Lightbulb:

"Yeah, Picky?"

Pickle:

"Nothing important, I just wanted to challenge you to a match!"

Taco:

"Oooohh! Come on, Lightbulb! You need to say yes!"

Lightbulb:

"Uhm... Well... Idk..." - Did she just said Idk in real life? - "I have a lot to do, and I need to conserve energy-"

Pickle:

"Come on, you aren't actually scare of facing the Ultimate Gamer himself, right?"

Lightbulb:

"... I still have a lot to do, Pick, and I don't have a lot of time. I have to prepare dinner too, and get my thoughts together. Besides, Painty will probably get mad at me for- Just kidding let's do!" - Lightbulb shot out and lunged for the couch, grabbing control again.

(Now Playing: DANVEGAS - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Lightbulb:

"Nobody challenges me, Lightbulb LED Brights, and then gets away scot-free! Brin' it on, Pick!"

Pickle:

"I'm gonna beat you in 10 seconds!"

Just like that, Lightbulb and Pickle were both on the couch, eyes fixed on the screen, playing on a match against each other.

Paper:

"I don't why, but... I have a bad feeling about how's this gonna end." - Paper laugh.

OJ:

"If you say so." - I turned to Paper. - "Do you want to be a spectator?"

Paper:

"Yeah, sure, what could go wrong?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pickle and Lightbulb began a match. Taco stood there while Paper and I were sitting on the other couches in the living room, watching the whole thing unfold.

The match was actually pretty equal. Pickle was actually sweating, meanwhile Lightbulb was just at her own. I feel like she wasn't even trying, and still was putting on a fight.

The match was about to end by the time limit instead. There, I understood Lightbulb's strategy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- HOTEL (LOBBY) -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

And in a twist of turns... The match ended with a clear winner.

Pickle:

"..."

Lightbulb:

"..."

Taco:

"..."

Paper:

"..."

OJ:

"..."

We were all shocked by the results displayed on the screen. We all turned our views to face the players, Pickle and Lightbulb.

Paper:

"Pickle, did you just..."

OJ:

"... Lose...?"

Pickle:

"..." - Pickle stood quiet. His eyes were wide open, fixed on the screen, showing he lost for time limit. He was lower in health than Lightbulb on the deathmatch.

Lightbulb:

"Wow, pal, thought you'd put more energy in this. Clearly it didn't happen since I won!" - Lightbulb looked and with a grin from face to face. Kinda reminding me of how Pickle looked at Knife last time.

Taco:

"Dang, that's tought. You lost against a taste taster, Pickle... Now that's another level of supreme embarrassment, haha!"

Pickle:

"...H-How?..." - Pickle barely left out - "H-How did you-?"

Lightbulb:

"Oh, that's easy! I had an strategy all along!" - Lightbulb began to explain. - "I know I can't win against the Ultimate Gamer, I know as much, I'm not dumb. So, instead, I just decide to immediately kick you, and the escape your attacks like an evasive and fast hummingbird! I know the game will give the victory if I have more health than him when the time limits runs out."

Paper:

"That's a pretty smart strategy, Lightbulb! No wonder you won."

OJ:

"Yeah, I'm actually surprise someone like you managed to come with a strategy like that."

Lightbulb:

"If you're suggesting I'm dumb just 'cause of the way I act, I'm actually a straight A student! I just act like this 'cause it's me! I ain't changin' the way I act just to look smart to the public eye."

OJ:

"R-Right right! Sorry! Didn't meant for you to behave like a leon so suddenly!"

Lightbulb:

"No, no, I behave like a hummingbird. Not a feline." - Lightbulb corrected me - "Now, if ya excuse me." - Lightbulb jumped from the couch - "I'm gonna began to prepare dinner for everyone. And the tea for Knife!"

And just like that, Lightbulb left the area after beating the Ultimate Gamer on his own game.

Pickle:

"..."

OJ:

"Is he still alive?" - I chuckled.

Paper:

"Hey, buddy..." - Paper slowly got closer to Pickle. He swang his arm on his face. No reaction was given. - "It's just a game. It doesn't matter, right? There's still countless of matches you won. This will just... be a little scratch on the back!"

Pickle:

"... It was the first time I ever lose..."

Paper:

"... Right..."

Music Stops

Paper and I took a very depressed Pickle bad to his dormitory in order to get his thoughts together before the meeting. I tried to contain my laugh on the way in. I'm pretty sure Paper and Taco were too.

In a matter of a couple minutes everyone was arriving until we all got here.

Just in time, Lightbulb finished to prepare dinner, by the surprise of Paintbrush for not burning up everything like last time.

With that we all went to the dining room eat, and then to discuss our findings.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- DINING ROOM -

CHAPTER 1
DAYTIME

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

We waited for everyone to sit down at the table, one by one they did so in just seconds.

A few minutes passed, and we were ready to share our discoveries, just waiting for someone to say the first word.

Knife:

"... So... Who's first? I definitely have some interesting things to share." - It was Knife who had the first word. He seemed way calmer than before.

OJ:

"We... We also have very big things to say.... In my opinion we should start with the group of the Ultimate Floors. Since it's in the hotel."

Baseball:

"Alright!, who begins?"

Lightbulb:

"I'll gladly start this conversation! Ahem..." - Lightbulb coughed - "Very well then! Let's start with the basics."

Nickel:

"Ok, we're all ears, Lighting."

Lightbulb:

"Hold on, Nicky! You put me a nickname?"

Nickel:

"Th-That doesn't matter! I don't even know why I even said it! Just continue with what were you doing."

Lightbulb:

"Right, I knew you cared for me, Nicky."

Nickel:

"For objectica, what have I done..."

Salt:

"Can you gives, like, stop this sibling fight or whatever is going on here?"

Lightbulb:

"Geez, fine..." - Lightbulb got annoyed - "Whatever. As I was saying... My awesome team and I we've discovered that the three ultimate floors unlocked are for the Ultimate Host in the 2nd floor, The Ultimate Soccer Player at the 3rd floor, and finally, but not any less important, The Ultimate Boxer at the 4th floor! To put it simple... OJ, Knife and Baseball's floors are the one's unlocked. Congratulations guys!"

OJ:

"So I have an ultimate floor? That's great!"

Baseball:

"Yup! Bomb and I got to investigate my own Ultimate Floor as well! And it was awesome!"

Bomb:

"D-Definitely!"

Knife:

"And I got to investigate my Ultimate Floor with Lightbulb. I don't think I have to mention the new place where I'll spend most of my time!"

Bow:

"What a bummer! How in the world these normies get an Ultimate Floor for themselves, but not me?! Bow Ribbon!"

Pepper:

"Nobody cares, Pigtails."

Bow:

"P-Pigtails?!"

Wait... If Baseball and Bomb investigated the Ultimate Soccer Player Floor, and Knife and Lightbulb the Ultimate Boxer Floor... Then that means...

...

Oh no...

OJ:

"Who... Who investigated my Ultimate Floor?" - I asked witha trembling voice as a sudden and horrifying realization hit me.

Lightbulb:

"Oh, those where Salt and Pepper. Salt was way too invested in doing so. A little too much for my taste..."

Salt:

"Yes! Pepper and I were lucky enough to explore OJ's Floor! Just being there already felt his sensation~" - She said clearly in a flirtatious way.

...

Forget it, if I could burn that floor down the crisp I would. Now Salt's essence is inside forever.

Paper:

"Uh... Let's ignore that..." - Paper looked at Salt with disappointed. - "Anything you guys found in the ultimate floors? Anything to help us escape?"

Knife:

"Well, me and Lightbulb explored my floor like I mentioned beforehand. It's a complete gymnasium! Everything a gym has, the floor has it!" - Knife said trying to keep the atmosphere from becoming awkward.

Lightbulb:

"Yep, weights, punching bags, treadmills, dumbbells and more stuff I don't know the significance of. And a bunch of rooms for aerodynamics, yoga, etc etc etc... oh oh! And there's also a room with a boxing ring!"

Knife:

"Yes, so if anyone wants to do a 1 on 1 with me just say so" - He said confidently.

No one responded. Apple was slowly raising her hand, but Marshmallow quickly lowered it

Knife:

".... I expected that, you bunch of cowards."

Balloon:

"We just don't want to end up with broken ribs for the eternity, Knife." - He said with a nervous smile.

Knife:

"... Alright that's a good point, haha."

I don't know if I'm afraid of the fact that Knife accepted the fact that he could break our ribs that easily.

Paper:

"All right... Did you find anything major on the floor? Anything that could help us?"

Knife:

"Unfortunately no, nothing of importance, at least for all of you."

Nickel:

"Well, that sucks."

Marshmallow:

"What about the Ultimate Soccer Player Floor?"

Baseball:

"Oh Right!"- Then it was Baseball's turn to speak - "Bomb and I investigated my floor, well floor in quotes, it was more like a half floor, and half balcony, Nothing out of the ordinary"

Bomb:

"Y-Yeah, j-just some s-soccer balls, a l-locker room to change in, and a s-soccer field on the exterior, th-the typical"

Baseball:

"Exterior, quote on quote, actually"

Apple:

"Why? Isn't the soccer field on the exterior?"

Baseball:

"That's what they wanted us to believe, but... Bomb, could you explain it?"

Bomb:

"S-Sure." - Bomb then began to explain. - "The sk-sky is c-completely a-artificial"

Apple:

"Artificial?!... What does artificial mean...?" - Marshmallow whispered something to Apple - "Oh! I get it now! It's false!"

Pepper:

"The sky is artificial? For real?"

Bomb:

"I-I don't have a d-doubt in my m-mind. Th-the sky is b-being displayed in a h-hologram, but I s-still don't kn-know what k-kind of h-hologram."

Paintbrush:

"Why going throught all that effort? Just, build the soccer field outside."

Bomb:

"B-Beats me, I'm n-not M-Monophone4"

Salt:

"Who cares if the sky it's, like, artificial or not? The soccer field it's still there. That's, like, the same thing."

Baseball:

"Ok, maybe it's the same thing... Although, I still prefer to play outdoors."

Nickel:

"Duh, playing inside is boring, it's better to play outside."

Balloon:

"Feeling the movement of the breeze as you move with it, as your feet feel the sensation of the grass...I can tell"

Baseball:

"Yes, that's the feeling I'm always looking for! How come you got to be so poetic about it, Balloon?" - He asked raising an eyebrow.

Balloon:

"O-Oh... Well I uhm..." - He was nervous. - "A-Anyway! We should talk about the our group discoveries right?" - Balloon tried to change the subject.

Pepper:

"Hey wait a minute! We haven't even talked about our discoveries yet!"

Paintbrush:

"I wonder why..." - I looked away

Salt:

"The sensation I'm feeling coming from you tells me you believe we are forgettable"

Paintbrush:

"Wow, well, you got it right."

Pepper:

"S-Seriously?! W-We are not, like, forgettable!!"

Bomb:

"Can we get back to the topic?"

Salt:

"Yes! Please, I would love to be able to describe to you how I felt when I touched his floor for the first time! It felt wonderful~"

Lightbulb:

"Gurl, seriously, stop that."

Please, don't let her talk...

OJ:

"C-Can Pepper explain what they found in my Ultimate Floor instead of Salt? Please?"

Pepper:

"Uhm, Why tho-"

OJ:

"Please Pepper, I beg you! I can't bear to hear another word out of her!"

Salt:

"Ow, rude"

Bow:

"Says the simp."

Apple:

"Mh? Simp? What's that? Like, Simpsons?"

Marshmallow:

"You don't wanna know, Apple..."

Pepper:

"Ok, only because you begged me, Citrus, haha" - It was pretty embarrassing, but anything to not have to listen to Salt anymore. - "Alright you better listen up!! Ahem... The place itself looks like a restaurant come from your worst. Like, in my opinion, there wasn't anything interesting on the floor really, just the typical stuff you might expect on the Ultimate Host's floor. A party theme, a few decorations there and there, a box with party items, a disco ball on the ceiling... The only interesting thing there was a bar with various types of alcohol there. Seriously, it's, like, the worst design I ever seen!"

Balloon:

"Wait, alcohol? Aren't we still too young to drink that kind of stuff?"

Nickel:

"Maybe for you, Baseball and I don't mind drinking even though we're not old enough."

Baseball:

"Why did you put me into the conversation out of the blue?! I-I've promise myself not to drink a single drop of alcohol ever again since that day!"

Nickel:

"It was just once, Baseball"

Baseball:

"And I'm still traumatized..."

Paper:

"Wow, what happened that day?"

Baseball:

"Well... Our team had won a very important game, so to celebrate we had a party. But a certain someone decided it was a good idea to bring alcohol without consulting it with me first..."

Baseball was staring intensely at Nickel. He just whispered.

Baseball:

"Anyhow... Due to... you know, peer pressure... I drank way too much and apparently we made a mess all over the place. I'd rather not go into details." - He said with a nervous smile - "And for Objectica's sake Paper, you'd better not write any of this in your journal."

Paper, who was writing in his journal, started to erase what he wrote with a nervous smile.

Knife:

"Holy crap, Baseball, I didn't know you were a beast when you propose it!"

Baseball:

"There wasn't anything to call "beast" in the whole ordeal, Knife. Seriously, don't drink until you're an adult. It's horrible."

Bow:

"Come on, it couldn't have been that bad." - Bow grabbed and opened a can of soda lying on the table. Then drank it.

Music Stops

Nickel:

"One of his colleagues told me that Baseball apparently lost his virginity that day." - He said with a grin while giggling.

Bow immediately spitted all of the soda on Apple's face.

(Now Playing: Finding Peace Party - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Bow:

"WHAAT?!"

Baseball:

"NICKEL! YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO TOLD THEM THAT!"

Nickel:

"I wasn't? Ups my bad."

Pepper:

"Hold on a second, this is way to juicy! I want to hear more!... Oh wait why I am asking? I don't need you to tell me, I already know all the details anyway."

Baseball:

"Wait what?! How?!" - It didn't take him that long to realize it himself - "Oh right.... Ultimate Gossiper, I forgot. I guess you were the one who spread the rumor to everyone at UAT?"

Pepper:

"Yep, that was me, just another work from the Ultimate Gossiper herself."- You can tell she has a strong ego like Bow.

Baseball:

"Well, then I should thank you for almost destroying my reputation and nearly getting me expelled as well." - He said sarcastically.

Pepper:

"Oh sorry dear! I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble really, but I'm a natural gossiper, I can't help it!" - I couldn't tell if she was being genuine or being sarcastic.

Knife:

"Dammit, Baseball, you not a beast, you are a complete dragon now!"

Baseball:

"Why are you glorifying my mistakes..." - Baseball looked so depressed now.

Knife:

"You know? I'll tell you what." - Knife accommodated himself in the chair - "I want you and me to train together in the gym for tomorrow!"

Baseball:

"What, why?"

Knife:

"To become a man! Obviously! You just need the muscles to fully become one now!" - Knife flexed his muscles. - "Muscles like this!"

Salt:

"Wow... Those are some muscles. Imagine OJ with those same muscles~" - Salt was all flustered.

Pepper:

"Can't imagine..." - Pepper rolled her eyes.

Baseball:

"Ok?"

Knife then suddenly pointed his finger at Bomb, Paintbrush, Pickle and I

Knife:

"OJ, Paintbrush, Pickle, Bomb! You four as well!"

OJ:

"Huh?"

Pickle:

"What?"

Paintbrush:

"Excuse me?"

Bomb:

"W-w-what d-do w-we h-have t-to d-do w-with a-all of th-this?"

Knife:

"Yeah! I'm gonna train you four as well! You act way too girly! Especially you, Bomb. Not including OJ."

Pickle:

"What?!"

OJ:

"That doesn't... Ugh... Forget it."

Bomb:

"I-I d-don't act too g-girly."

Paintbrush:

"I'm not even a-"

Knife:

"I don't give a damn, you four will come as well. You like it or not!"

Paintbrush:

"Cool..." - Paintbrush forced a smile.

Knife really looks very confident in forcing us into this training session. At this point, I can't tell if Knife's wants the best for us, or the worst for us.

Somehow, I think both.

OJ:

"Can we leave all of this behind, and focus on what really matters? Return to the main topic?" - I insist.

Baseball:

"Y-yeah please, can we?"

Pepper:

"For once, I agree with those two. Should keep those kind of conversations private next time.." - Pepper sighed - "Mens...Always the same."

(Music stops)

The atmosphere in the room was awkward once again, it seemed that no matter who spoke, they always found a way to make a disaster the atmosphere.

(Note to Wattpad and readers: Just in case I had to say the obvious, just because I wrote this doesn't mean I condone sexual intercourse between teenagers. This is fiction.)

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Marshmallow:

"Are you sure you didn't found anything, girls?"

Pepper:

"Nothing at all! Just what a lot of you should know already, like, bathrooms, music, dance floor, etc etc etc... Some old fashioned portraits are also added on the list. Nothing worth for our use."

Taco:

"If there's nothing on the Ultimate Floors, then it was a complete waste of time! Haha!"

Bomb:

"Wh-why are you l-laughing?! Th-there's n-nothing g-good about th-this!"

Paintbrush:

"So... Now it's the Outskirts Area team's turn to talk, right?"

Lightbulb:

"Yeah! Who wants to go first?"

(Music stops)

Apple:

"..." - Apple licked the liquid she had on her face, then, a face of pure terror appeared on her face. - "... What's... this soda's flavour?"

Marshmallow:

"Uhm..." - Marshmallow grabbed the can of soda. - "It says here it's an apple's flavour. Why do yo- Oh."

Apple looked absolutely traumized and horrified...

For like three seconds before she returned to her normal self. Like a switch.

(Now Playing: Beautiful Ruin - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Apple:

"Oh well, things happens."

Nickel:

"You are weird."

Apple:

"Sorry, what were we talking about before?"

OJ:

"We are now gonna talk about the Outskirst area, Apple."

Apple then, began to jump in excitement.

Apple:

"Oh oh! My team wants to talk first about our discoveries!"

Bow:

"Seriously, You need to stop talking for us girl..."

Lightbulb:

"Ok vitamin C, you talk! Tell us about your amazing discovery!"

Apple:

"Ok So uhm..." - So she's just going to ignore Lightbulb called her vitamin C? - "Our team found something interesting, big and out of the world in the area! Out there! Specifically.... Uhm...." - Apple went blank thinking what to say - "What was it?..." - She mumbled.

Marshmallow:

"I can take it from here on now, Apple." - Marshmallow glanced at Apple with a smile.

Apple:

"... How can I say no to that face" - Apple giggled.

Salt:

"Mh... I feel some kind of... Blossoming... Yeah, I finally know what's the deal with those two."

Bomb:

"K-know what?"

Salt:

"Nothing of your importance, Bomby."

Bomb:

"M-My n-name is n-not B-Bomby."

Salt:

"To my knowledge, It is now."

Marshmallow:

"Continuing what Apple was saying, the three of us found what we believe to be another area."

Taco:

"Ah! A new Area?"

Nickel:

"Perfect, more areas to investigate for hours" - He said sarcastically rolling his eyes.

Marshmallow:

"I don't think that's a problem, the area is locked up tight behind a fence, nothing can get in or out, and we couldn't see further beyond the fence that prevented our access to it." - She added.

Bow:

"We tried to force our way by passing throught the fence, of course it was a complete failure since just as we were about the pass-"

Apple:

"Monophone4 appeared out of nowhere and told us it was against the rules to pass to the next area when it was blocked!" - Apple finished, cutting Bow off.

Bow:

"Hey! Don't cut me off, I was talking!"

Paper:

"So in other words, we know that there is at least another area to explore beyond the Outskirts Area, but we don't know what's beyond the fence that blocks it, right?"

Marshmallow:

"Yeah pretty much. We managed to see on the other side what seemed like a shopping plaza, a statue of Monophone4, and I think a beach...? I'm not so sure about the last one."

Apple:

"That phone surely has the ego high enough to make a statue of himself!"

Pickle:

"A store? Could that mean there's more life behind those gates?"

Pepper:

"I somehow doubt it, Gherkin. It there's more life on this island apart from, like, us, then why aren't they here?"

Pickle:

"Uh... Yeah, fair enough"

Marshmallow:

"I'm sure there's no life there anyway. We've heard something surely, like, human voices."

Bow:

"But we didn't hear a pip."

Nickel:

"So, another dead end? Geez..." - He complained - "I guess it's our turn to talk now."

Balloon:

"Wait before we start talking, can I say something?"

Lightbulb:

"What it is?"

Balloon:

"Oh nothing so important, just if you could for next time not put me with those two?" - Balloon pointed his fingers at Nickel and Paintbrush. - "Those two were fighting the whole time we were outside, I was going to explode any second I swear for Shakespeare's sake."

Baseball:

"Really?..." - Baseball looked at Nickel with a face describing disappointment.

Nickel:

"What? You didn't really expect me to stay out of trouble by myself, did you, B?" - Baseball simply sighed at that response

Paintbrush:

"Nickel started by the way, seriously I can't stand him." - PB said with a clear anger in the tone.

Lightbulb:

"And then I'm the one who supposedly needed a babysitter?! I'm disappointed in ya, Painty..." - Lightbulb shaked her head.

OJ:

"What did you guys found?"

Nickel:

"Nothing really important, just closed roads."

Paintbrush:

"The only thing really worth mentioning would be an abandoned mansion of some sort."

Bow:

"Mansion?" - That was the first time Bow seemed interested in the conversation.

Nickel:

"Abandoned is one way of putting it, the whole place looked haunted just from the outside. Seriously, I'm convinced the whole building is gonna fall down on its own." - He added.

Bow:

"Oh nevermind then" - And as quickly as her interest came it left..

Bomb:

"A-And wh-what was it like on the i-inside?"

Paintbrush:

"That's the problem" - PB bowed the head - "We couldn't get into the mansion, it was completely locked, and all the windows where bolted down and shut with some kind of metal. Surprisingly for a place that looks abandoned, it looks very well secure."

Paper:

"Abandoned, old and secure?"

OJ:

"Those words don't really combine together if you ask me."

Baseball:

"You think there may be something inside?"

Balloon:

"There needs to be something of value inside. It it wasn't the case, then Monophone4 wouldn't had to tells the same thing he told to Marshmallow, Apple and Bow."

Pickle:

"Shit, so Monophone4 also prevented the access to the mansion, right?"

Nickel:

"Yup, he did. We tried everything to force our way in! Take the doors down, take the metal down, search another way in. Man, I even tried to purposely make Paintbrush angry to use the fire!"

Paintbrush:

"Oh, that explains some things... "

Pickle:

"Not going to lie, that's actually a smart move, dude."

Nickel:

"Thanks! I really worked my butt on it!" - Nickel looked really proud of himself - "It didn't work anyway."

Balloon:

"Well, the thing is the same. Monophone4 stopped immediately what we were doing, and told us we were trespassing." - Balloon sighed - "If there's something valuable inside, is not within our reach. Not within this moment at least."

Knife:

"So... Another dead end huh? Just great."

Bomb:

"M–Monophone4 l–let us ex–explore the area w–without, qu–quote on qu–quote, l–limitation... b–but still r–restrains us from in–investigating 90% of wh–what's inside." - Bomb bowed his head. - ""I–it d–definitely m–means there's s–something inside he d–doesn't want us to un–uncover."

Lightbulb:

"W-We can't give up yet! Let's keep our smile ups! Besides, there's still one last team to share their discoveries. Perhaps they found something."

Everyone in the dining room had their eyes fixed on my team, waiting for us to say something about our investigation.

Balloon:

"I hope you guys found something of value at least" - Balloon asked Pickle, Taco, Paper and I.

Paper:

"Oh we definitely have a lot of things to show, and a lot to tell as well..." - Paper took out his journal from his fanny pack where he probably had it all written down - "Let's go step by step."

Bow:

"Step by step? Just say it everything at once! It's not so hard." - Bow rolled her eyes.

Paper:

"I just like to be organized, Bow. Nothing too serious, and I hate clutter more than anything." - Putting that aside, Paper began to read his notes and began to share them. - "Well, the first thing we decided to do was to follow the arrows with the neon lights. We thought there might be something important if we followed them."

Balloon:

"Wait, you followed the neon lights? I don't know, it seemed pretty risky"

Nickel:

"Why? 'Cause of Monophone4? Don't be a baby Mickey Mouse, if Monophone4 wanted us dead, he'd have killed us already. So I doubt he've set us up."

Balloon:

"Just being cautious, Nickel!"

Knife:

"Like all of us, Balloon. Like all of us."

True, we don't know what Monophone4 and the ones behind this are fully capable of, so you can never let your guard down when it comes to them at any time.

Paintbrush:

"So I guess you found something by following the neon lights."

OJ:

"Yes, we found something impressive."

Taco:

"Impressive is leaving it short, buddy"

Pickle:

"I actually agree with Taco. Impressive it's not even slighest enough to describe"

Apple:

"Wow, it was really that big of a deal?!"

OJ:

"Definitely, during our search the four of us found a huge building, there was no doubt it was abandoned as well, vegetation was growing between the walls as well as the wallpaper was peeling off."

Bow:

"Great, so we have, like, a mansion and a building rotting and falling apart in the middle of nowhere. And an additional area which we don't even have access to. But not a single exit out of here."

Nickel:

"And let me guess... It was locked, wasn't it?"

Pickle:

"Yes... and no, it was locked at first, but Taco kicked the door down."

Balloon:

"Hold on! Did I heard that correctly?! She did what?!"

Marshmallow:

"Hey, but isn't that against the rules?"

Taco:

"Well, I'm still alive so meh, screw the rules."

Lightbulb:

"Damn gurl, you look stronger than you look!"

Pickle:

"Sure she is..." - Pickle smiled nerviously - "Just really hoping it won't happen again. I won't take my chances with Taco."

Taco:

"Unfortunely."

Paintbrush:

"There's nothing unfortune about it, Taco! I believe you are even lucky to still be alive! Only Objectica gods knows what Monophone4 could have done to you if he saw you kick the door down."

Taco:

"Geez, you all should be thaking me for putting myself on the chop table to take the door down!" - Taco growled

Baseball:

"Ok, b-but, I can't be the only one wondering why is there a mansion and a building on this island! Both of them abandoned as well. I know I'm cautious, but I can't be the only one asking this same question."

Salt:

"It's just, like, a building big guy, nothing too big."

Paper:

"Actually..." - Paper went through his notes on the journal. He stopped on one, and showed it to everyone - "I draw a sketch of the building so you all can take a look."

Everyone on the table of the dining room got closer to see the sketch of the building. Just like we did before at first glance, all of their eyes widened open.

Lightbulb:

"Holy cabriolly! That's one big building!"

Apple:

"You can say the same thing again!"

Baseball:

"Ok, I can't definitely be the only one wondering about how rare this is now!"

Paintbrush:

"Alright, and I thought a looking haunted mansion was already weird enough!"

OJ:

"And things just get weirder...."

Pepper:

"Huh? Why? If there's more we have to hear, then you better share it, Citrus."

I took a big breath before answering, I knew this was going to be a big revelation for everyone.

OJ:

"The building, I saw there was something on the wall outside, it was full of dust, so I swiped my hand along the wall to remove the dust, and I saw a logo."

Knife:

"The logo of the company? Alright, champ! Who does it belongs to?! Perhaps they are the ones behind this!"

OJ:

"Yeah, it was the company's logo. The thing is... the logo was of... Meeple."

(Now Playing: Weekly Despair Magazine - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

Apple:

"PFFFHH! Did you just say Meeple?!" - Said Apple after spitting all the soda she had in her mouth on Bow's face.

Bow:

"AHHH!!! EW! Couldn't you spit on someone else?! Like Bomb!"

Bomb:

"H-Huh?! Wh-Why m-me?!"

Bow:

"Because I don't like you duh! Ugh...That phone better keep the shower on in Nighttime..."

Bomb:

"Wh-Whatever d-did I d-do to y-you anyway...? You deserve it anyway, you did the same with Apple!"

Besides those 2, everyone had the same reaction that we had when we saw the logo: pure confusion and shock.

Pepper:

"M-Meeple? Aren't they, like, the biggest tech company worldwide? And whose MePhone's look suspiciously similar to Monophone4 design?"

Balloon:

"Wait are sure?"

OJ:

"I'm one hundred percent sure of what I saw Balloon, you can go check it out for yourself if you want."

Balloon:

"I-I'm not saying I don't believe you, it's just.... If it's true, what in the actual world is Meeple doing here?"

Lightbulb:

"Yes! Monophone4 himself said he hated MePhones!" - She said still shocked - "Despite looking like one, like Pyper said." - She mumbled.

Pepper:

"I believe I'm the one who you call Pyper..?"

Lightbulb:

"Yup! It's the nickgame I came for ya, girl!"

Pepper:

"Yeah, uhm... right..."

Baseball:

"But... It's Meeple we are talking about here, right? We are talking about one big worldwide company, whose in the mouths of everyone and possibly their grandchildrens as well!"

Marshmallow:

"Right! Why would they suddenly decided to kidnap us, and then force us to kill each other? They are famous, what would they gain with our suffering?"

Paper:

"Believing Meeple may be behind this is a big claim sure, but Monophone4 told us doesn't hate the company itself, just the MePhone's."

Lightbulb:

"Monophone4 also appeared to you guys?"

Paper:

"Yeah, that... Prick did! I'm basing my claims on facts, not just random theories!" - Paper sounded way more angry than before.

Salt:

"Wow, never thought I'd hear you swear, Paper"

Paper:

"Have you been hearing anything we just said, Salt?"

Salt:

"What?! Of course I did it! I may not seem like it, but I'm taking this situation just as serious as everyone!"

Taco:

"I somehow doubt it! Hehe."

Salt:

"L-Look, about Meeple... Claiming they are, like, the one behind this whole killing game is such a big thing. And I mean, it's true they more than, like, capable of hosting a killing game with the tech they have at their disposal, but it doesn't mean they did it. Besides, they don't have a motive."

Nickel:

"You don't have any way to know that, Salt"

Salt:

"What?"

Nickel:

"Motive or not, it doesn't matter! What it matters, it that the possibilities of Meeple being the masterminds behind our capture are high!"

Lightbulb:

"I mean, seein' all of this, I ain't sayin' the possibilities are completely 0%"

Nickel:

"Besides! We are ignoring the elephant in the room!"

Apple:

"Mh? Elephant in the room? I don't see any elephant here." - Apple looked everyone in hopes of seeing an elephant.

Bow:

"He meant it in a philosophical way, you dingus!"

Apple:

"What's-"

Bow:

"Just! Don't talk, Apple!"

OJ:

"Nickel, what's the elephant in the room?"

Nickel:

"Come on! Don't tell me...." - Nickel began to giggle. - "You guys already forget?"

Paintbrush:

"Forget what?! Just say it!"

Nickel:

"Alright! I'm going to!" - Nickel smirked - "The thing is...Didn't we all receive an email from Meeple themselves? To contest?"

(Now Playing: DISTRUST - Soundtrack by Masafumi Takada)

For that no one had an answer...

The email... That thought had not entered my head, since we arrived here 2 days ago. I thought that email was from someone impersonating the company... But now...

Paper:

"Ah! Right! I forgot about the email!"

Balloon:

"It was... Definitely from Meeple, so we all agree on going and didn't questioning it's legitment. Technically it's thanks to them that we got on that train, and ended up on this island in who knows where."

Knife:

"True, but... I thought it was someone impersonating them or they hacked their e-mails or whatever. It'd make more sense to me."

Lightbulb:

"I mean, the email was definitely the official one of the company."

Bow:

"How are you so sure, Bulb? It'd have been a false one for all we know"

Lightbulb:

"Haha, well, I already said my ol' man is very protective of her daughter... and I mean me! So, he forced me to check the email authenticity. And low and behold, The email redirected me to the official Meeple website."

Marshmallow:

"Then, the email is real!"

Bow:

"So... uhm.. I don't know, maybe someone hacked their email like the sharp guy said!"

Paintbrush:

"That'd take a lot of extra work or an organization, and I dunno about you, but I have no knowledge of any organization as big as this capable of doing something as big as abducting 16 ultimates on an island forcing them to kill each other other than Meeple!"

Marshmallow:

"Perhaps they're a shadowy organization?"

Baseball:

"An organization working on the shadows makes a little sense, I guess... I'm not sure."

Nickel:

"Or rather it is Meeple itself that has locked us in here."

Despite the fact that Meeple looked like the ones who locked us in here seemed true, a few looked doubtful.

Baseball:

"L-Look, if Meeple is really behind this killing game we were forced in, then we have to talk it as a group more profusely! Only then we'll arrive to a logical conclusion!"

Salt:

"Again, who said we were a-"

Baseball:

"Salt, if you dare to say we aren't a group, then I'll fricking lose it... I'm trying my best to keep all of us together, and you aren't helping..." - Baseball tone of voice drastically changed to an angrier tone.

Salt:

"Eeeek! O-Ok, you don't have to look a me with such a face, Baseball..."

Holy crap, that's the first time I ever saw him that mad before. Mental note: Don't make Baseball angry. Ever.

Anyhow, Baseball's right. If we want to get closer to the truth behind this killing game and their masterminds, then we have to work as a team. We can't let them take us apart!

Baseball:

"Mhm... Does... Anyone have actual proof Meeple may be the one behind our kidnapping?"

OJ:

"We don't have exact proof that they might be involved, but we definitely found interesting things inside involving Meeple."

Baseball:

"Involving Meeple?"

Lightbulb:

"Oh yeah, you guys haven't told us what you found inside, have ya? So stop wasting time and start opening your mouths!"