Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Day 12

14:00

Question 1. How do you push past having a lack of motivation in your field specifically?

Oh wow! What a great question. I’m happy to answer. I suppose I can address two different points on this: a lack of motivation at a specific moment and a lack of motivation more generally.

If you’re lacking motivation at a specific moment, as an Internet Idol—I have two ways of dealing with it. Engaging chat is the first way—it’s extremely helpful in getting a new idea or reading out things to give my mind a break. The next one is straight up taking a break! Streamers are sometimes nervous to do so as they’re worried about audience retention, but trust me—it’s much better than producing a boring or worse, poor quality stream.

As with a more general lack of motivation—I think it’s just a love of my fans that keeps me going. It’s just—I know I wish these are things people would tell me, and that helps to know I might be helping someone.

Question 2. What animal would you associate yourself with?

This is actually a question I got once on stream! I liked it a lot and the person who gave me it was a pretty devoted fan so I wanted to give them a good answer. So, I did some research. I think I’m most like a songbird of some kind. A shima enaga, or a bush warbler, or a chickadee. I’d be a bird with a beautiful voice, but one that doesn’t go that far from home.

Birds are pretty and birdwatching is a really great hobby, though it’s not an easy one to do in the city! 

Question 3. If the killing game were to end right now, and you all got to go home, who would you miss the most? The least?

Well firstly, if we went home right now, I wouldn’t have to miss anyone. I’ve exchanged contact information with almost everyone so I’ll be able to talk to them when we get out of here!

I guess you’re saying if I wasn’t able to talk to them again, huh. Well, assuming we, like, couldn’t contact each other once we got out of here- the person I’d miss the most would be Manami. I doubt that’s surprising if you guys have been watching us. She’s pretty obviously my best friend here! She’s such a sweet and fun girl I love hanging out with her.

Miss the least? I guess… Kamimura? I just get the sense that he really doesn’t like me. I don’t really dislike him, but I guess I don’t really like him either. Maybe it’s just because he’s been locked in his room lately. I don’t dislike anyone here though. There’s no one I’d mind seeing once I get back home. 

Question 4. How much do you like everyone here? Could you put it in a list?

Well! That’s a bit of a loaded question.  

Um, no problem though! I sometimes do tier lists on streams, usually for games or music. I…suppose it might be best for me to treat it like one of those right? Okay! No problem.

Um, top tier would have to be Manami. I just adore her, she’s an absolutely lovely person. When we get out of here, she’s the type of person I want to be friends with my whole life.

Then from there…the Student Council! Hitomi, Takeshi, Hama, and Yanagi. We’re all working together to make everyone comfortable and to find a way out of here. I’d be a lot less comfortable without them around, and having a common purpose helps.

Then. I guess I’ll call the next category people I really, really like. I’d say that would be…Ken, Nishino, Ruiko, and Chiba. Ken’s someone I think I have a lot in common with, Nishino and Ruiko are a riot, and Chiba’s just so sweet.

Then I think I’ll call the next category…they’re cool! Hayashi is just a really cool person. Hiroaki is a little mean, but mostly in a fun way and I’ve been spending time in the art room recently so I’ve gotten to know him a bit. I don’t know Okazaki very well, but she says the funniest things. And Harada’s so sweet—I just haven’t seen him much lately unfortunately because he’s been stuck in his room.

Then there’s Kamimura who I think I just need to get to know better. Fortunately, there’s no one here I dislike! 

Question 5. How has being in the killing game affected your agoraphobia?

…I suppose it makes sense you know about that. I’m doing fine, thanks. I might go into my room a bit too much, but I spend plenty of time outside it. Plus, it’s not like any part of this building is outside. I’m doing great! Thank you for asking.

Question 6. How do you feel being perceived as a perfect angel?

Do you mean, like, by my fans? Well, um, okay, I mean. Part of being an idol is being an ideal. Someone you look up to! Ideally, I mean. But, I’m not entirely certain that my fans view me as a perfect angel? Other than the fact that I have angelic imagery in my streams occasionally it’s—well it’s hard to explain. Basically, I’m not trying to present myself as perfect or above my fans—and I don’t think they see me that way either! I’m glad for support of course but I’m not—I mean I’m. I’m just a person, you know? Sorry. I haven’t been asked something like this before. 

Question 7. Do you think Tsuno is overworking herself or do you think she’s just doing what she enjoys doing in helping others? Perhaps a mixture of both?

She’s not overworking herself! Though I think that might be because we aren’t letting her overwork herself honestly.

We discussed this in a meeting a few days back—Manami does way too much, and we need to help her out. Hitomi has set up shifts for us doing laundry, Takeshi is assisting her in the kitchen and every third day someone else does the cooking instead—usually Hayashi or Hitomi with Takeshi helping out, but sometimes Yanagi does it instead. I’m not great with cooking, but I’ve been helping Manami clean when she decides she needs to clean something. Half the time she tells me she’s okay to do it alone, but otherwise I help her! Yanagi’s going to be helping her in the medbay going forward as well.

I think Manami does it because she enjoys it, but she doesn’t always respect her own limits—so we help her! So no—she’s not overworking herself because we aren’t allowing her to.

Question 8. How do you feel about the possibility of both Wada and another of your classmates having done this killing game before? Do you feel it’s only one person or multiple? Who are you most suspicious of?

I think that it’s pretty clear that Masa had done this before. How do I feel about it? Terrible! How could you do this to him? How could you do this to anyone—but especially how could you do this to someone twice! …Sorry. I just. I hate that this happened to him twice.

As for who was with him? I don’t know and I don’t care to know. I know Hitomi cares and I respect that, but I think if someone was kidnapped before like Masa, then they probably don’t want to talk about it. So I’m not going to make them. If they want to tell us, they will. And I’m sure if they thought it would help, they would. 

Question 9. If you, Wada Masanari, and Tsuno Manami all lived the killing game, do you have any specific plans for what you would have liked to do?

We said we would get ramen together. If you asked this question, you already know that. Just leave me alone. I don’t want to talk about Masa. 

Question 10. Are you afraid?

…Yeah. I’m terrified. Of course I am… Can I go now?

Chapter Text

14:00

Question 1. What is perfect leadership to you?

Firstly, there’s no such thing as perfect leadership. All leaders have flaws the same way that all people have flaws. There are several important traits to being a good leader. The ability to take into consideration the desires and suggestions of the group you’re leading. Organization—to be organized is to be capable and being capable helps one lead effectively. Compassion is important—you have to be able to feel for the people you are leading. As is confidence. If you do not believe in yourself others will not believe in you. Lastly, I think what might be the most important trait of being a leader is willpower. The ability to continue forward in the face of disparagement and difficulties is essential to leadership as if you falter, the group you lead can falter with you. 

Monomoko: Ah, that transfers nicely into the next question. 

Sasaki: Does it?

Question 2. As the self-appointed leader, do you have any regrets on your decisions within the game so far?

Of course I have regrets. I regret putting so much hope on the idea of the vent getting us out of here that Kamimura killed himself. I regret not attempting to encourage him myself. I regret the fact that we weren’t able to find the passageway by the cold lockers fast enough that you all were able to lock it down before we got through it. I cannot, however, allow these regrets to in any way bring me down or stop me from moving forward. Mistakes are the building blocks that lead to success. And if I don’t have regrets, then I’m not paying nearly enough attention to what I’m doing.

Question 3. How do you decide the group’s course of action during investigation periods?

Well, for Wada, I wasn’t exactly prepared. I was functioning on very little sleep. I mostly allowed people to select their partners and then I divided up the rest almost randomly. Well, not randomly, I tried to put people together who might keep others on track—I put Hasegawa with Watari for that reason for example. For the second investigation I was much more prepared. I honestly suspected poison from the start and also suspected Tsuno and Yanagi because they had the most access to both medication and Kamimura. I do feel bad about that to a certain extent. They’re both very helpful people and I didn’t want them to be the killer, but still I suspected them and had to do my due diligence. So, I kept Tsuno with me even though she wanted to go with Isono again and I sent Yanagi with Hama. Hama is strong and considerably more intelligent than I expected when meeting him for the first time. I thought he would be the best person to watch after Yanagi. It was also prudent to keep them away from the kitchen and medical bay areas due to their access. After that—Ojima with Hasegawa as he was another potential suspect, and Ojima’s another person whose trust I’ve established in the student council. Isono with Okazaki as another potentially dangerous person. I sent Chiba and Watari upstairs because it seemed unimportant and I figured Hiroaki and Tamba could figure out the last bit. Then Hayashi was with the body and I put Harada with her so he could handle Sawa if she acted up. It was a fairly smooth dividing process. 

Question 4. Who do you currently think Masanari was referring to in his suicide note?

Frankly there are so many options I’m not entirely certain who to start with. I think I’ll only go over my top suspects though. Hayashi Mai was my first thought when I came up with this list. She’s implied that she’s been kidnapped before. She’s fallen a bit down my list given her unfamiliarity with this game compared to some other people—but the idea that one person could be kidnapped by two separate people in their life is, well, upsetting and unlikely but not impossible. I also briefly considered Tsuno Manami and Isono Miki, but I’ve concluded that neither shows any indication of familiarity with this game. Then there’s Yanagi Shigeki who constantly seems secretive, but I’ve concluded that this just seems to be his personality, as oftentimes he will admit to innocuous things he was hiding that he treated as though it was a large secret. So from there, there’s Kamimura Kazutoshi. Given his suicide it seems very likely that he was the other person, or one of the other people, that were kidnapped along with him, as he followed his footsteps. I think it would have been very useful to have read his note, but unfortunately Hasegawa destroyed it and it would be callous to ask. But yes, while Kamimura is a very strong option, I think it’s entirely possible there was more than just the two of them. Next, Hiroaki. This isn’t something that I would normally consider, given his celebrity status, but I think it’s possible Hiroaki is another former victim. He showed a shocking familiarity with the rules of the game during the second trial. But the fact that he is a celebrity makes it seem unlikely that either this wouldn’t be news, if it happened after he became famous, or a well-known fact about his history if it happened before. Which leads me to my next suspect and one that seems considerably more likely. Ojima Takeshi. Ojima and Hiroaki were whispering right before I interrupted them and Hiroaki talked about the rules. It seems extremely plausible that Ojima was telling him about the body discovery and Hiroaki relayed it on Ojima’s behalf. Ojima had an intensely strange reaction to the killing game the first few days, insisting that it wasn’t real and that magic wasn’t real as well as acting far too familiar with several people. I think it’s likely he was suffering some kind of episode after finding himself back in the game. Presumably, under this theory, he told Hiroaki who’s kept it to himself. So, I think the most likely fellow kidnapping victims were Kamimura Kazutoshi and Ojima Takeshi. 

Question 5. Do you believe a child can always stay innocent or that they all lose that innocence inevitably?

Innocence. Innocence is an interesting concept. I suppose it’s inevitable, in some ways, to be corrupted by the world, or, or maybe it’s not corruption that’s inevitable. Maybe it’s just change that is. I’d like to think there’s still some innocence in all of us, but, to be completely innocent?  I think even if you live a life without excessive pain, even if you aren’t targetted or trapped or harmed by someone yourself, you’ll see it one day and that will take away some of your innocence. Even the knowledge that the world can be cruel, even to other people, I think that does taint someone’s sense of innocence. I don’t know if the knowledge of evil though—I don’t know if just knowing that would be enough for someone to lose their innocence. I wish I knew. 

Question 6. If you had to choose a fellow student to kill right now, who would it be?

I’m not answering that.

…

 

Wait as long as you like; I simply won’t be.

 

…

 

Shall we continue? 

Question 7. Sasaki, how do you feel about Hiroaki?

How do I feel about Hiroaki? That’s an interesting question. He’s not someone I spend as much time with as several of the others, but he’s certainly someone I have thought a lot about. Hiroaki is. Hmm. If I had to put it into one word I would say erratic. He’s intelligent, which is not something that I was expecting when I met him at first. He’s a potential kidnapping victim as I mentioned previously, but I’m in no way certain on that. He’s disagreeable, but clearly attempts to curb his tongue, except when I attempted to talk with him on his relationship with Ojima where he acted like I was accusing him of being a sexual predator. He said a lot of…unkind things then, but I’m trying to keep in mind the adrenaline. He’s very helpful in trials. I have a lot of thoughts about Hiroaki, but I suppose none of that answers how I feel about him. I feel—I feel like he’s a troubled person who is ultimately good for the group and who is interesting to talk to. So I suppose I lean more positively toward him, strangely. 

Question 8. If you could snap your fingers and a single peer was released from the killing game alive, no strings attached, who would you save?

That’s an interesting question as well, actually. There are a lot of good options. Let me think. Hiroaki and Chiba both have rather large platforms that they could reach but…I struggle to see either of them being taken very seriously. Yanagi and Tamba have similar situations. Hayashi is very practical, but she’s not famous in any way. Getting Tsuno out would be nice—she’s a positive force for the world, but I’m uncertain how much attention she could bring to us either. Perhaps he’s just on my mind because we were looking for a way out earlier, but I have to say Hasegawa. He’s a public figure and very intelligent. He should be able to help us out from outside the school. Additionally, I’m concerned about him. After Kamimura. It might be helpful for him to be out of here. Yes. Hasegawa. Final answer. 

Question 9. What's your plans for if you get out of the killing game?

I plan to contact the authorities and have this entire place shut down and everyone involved with this “game” arrested. That will be a long and arduous legal process, but I’m certain it will be helped by the presence of several celebrities. And perhaps by not mentioning you. Other than that—I’m sure you were asking regarding my personal plans. Meet back up with my friends—with my real student council. Hug my parents. Contact everyone I met here. Write. Well, write once I recover from whatever surgery can fix my hand. Assuming it can be fixed.  Go back to school, get into college, and bury this place to the ground. In my heart and in my head and in reality—there will be nothing left here when I am done with it. 

Question 10. If you had anything to say to whoever's running the killing game, what would you tell them?

I can’t shame you. I don’t think you have any shame. So: you heard me already. I’m going to end whatever miserable thing this is.  Even if it’s not me who does it, this place will be destroyed. That’s all I’m willing to say to you. 

Chapter Text

Day 21

14:00

Monomoko: Tsuno Manami, I appreciate you coming. I was not expecting another person to accompany you. 

Student Eleven: Neither did I! But it’s fine—let’s get started. 

Question 1. What does being a superhero entail?

Student Eleven: Oh! I love talking about this. In some ways, being a superhero is a bit like being an idol—Miki and I have talked about that a lot. It’s about being someone for people can look up to and inspire other people to be like. In other ways though, in more important ways, being a superhero is being there for someone. It’s helping in any way you can.

Most of my job is volunteer work. Helping out at the food bank, cleaning the streets, volunteering at animal shelters. Reaching out to people who might be suffering, to people who might be suffering from poverty, or addiction, or unsafe environments. It’s the only real way to be a superhero in real life and it’s what I want to do! I want to inspire people who can help to help and I want to inspire people who need help to seek it. I want to be there—for anyone. Everyone.

Question 2. If you could bring Wada or Kamimura back to life at the expense of another one of your peers, would you do it? Who would you choose to die in exchange?

Student Eleven: That’s a cruel question. Why would you ask that?

Monomoko: I did not write this question.

Student Sixteen: You shouldn’t have to answer this, Ms. Tsuno—feel free to tell them you won’t be. 

Student Eleven: No—I—I’ll answer. 

Student Sixteen: If that is what you wish. 

Student Eleven: No, I wouldn’t. I don’t see how that would be any different than killing that person myself. I wish I could go back. Go back to save Wada, though I’m not sure how we’d live past then. But I could have been there for him—been there for Kamimura. They didn’t need to die. Ugh, nothing I’m saying is making sense. I wouldn’t trade anyone because that’d be killing them. That’s my answer.

Question 3. Tsuno, how do you deal with burnout?

Student Eleven: Hmm. Well, I find the best way for myself personally is doing something I really enjoy with people I love. At home, playing games with my brothers, going to their baseball games, hanging out with my friends, spending time with my parents—all of that helps me unwind and be able to do things going forward!

That hasn’t changed much here. Spending time with people like in our sleepovers, visits to the library and the art room, just hanging out in people’s dorms—all of that helps me unwind and makes all my effort every day feel worth it! I like cooking and cleaning, but Hitomi has a good point—it certainly doesn’t hurt to have someone else working as well. As long as it’s a person who can handle it.

Question 4. Do you have any romantic inclinations towards anyone in the student body?

Student Eleven: Do I… have a… crush? I—um—Shigeki does!

Student Sixteen: Indeed, I do.

Student Eleven: Well, it’s not as fun if you just admit it. But I guess that means your feelings are serious! It’s really sweet, honestly.

Student Sixteen: Th—thank you. 

Student Eleven:  You’re not going to turn this back on me?

Student Sixteen: I would never do that to a lady!

Student Eleven: Geez, you’re so serious. Um, I’ll answer. I guess… I sort of like Ran. He’s sweet and fun and funny. Shigeki, what do you like about Mai?

Student Sixteen: She’s so kind.

Student Eleven: Oh. Wow. You sound… like you have it bad.

Question 5. In a scenario where you would have to kill one person among your peers, or else the entire student body died, who would you choose to kill and why?

Student Eleven: Why all these questions about killing people? I don’t want to kill anyone.

I guess Okazaki, if she is the person who’s been messing with Miki. I haven’t gotten to actually ask her about that yet. If not, then whoever’s been doing that.

Student Sixteen: I truly believe she is. 

Student Eleven: Seems likely, yeah. 

Question 6. Is there any advice you find important on journeys to self-improvement?

Student Eleven: It’s hard, and difficult. It’s even more so if you try and do it alone. Find someone. Whether you’re trying to learn how to do something you don’t know, or becoming kinder, or going to rehab, or trying to get more involved with people: accountability and assistance are huge helps. Someone who can help you do what you need to do and someone who’s able to help you with your accomplishments. A teacher, or a friend, or a family member—even a coworker might be able to do it. Depends on the circumstances and what you’re attempting to improve.

Other than that? Backsliding isn’t inevitable, but it is common. Don’t let failure or a bad day impede your progress forever. And also change is sometimes subtle. It doesn’t have to be huge! Sometimes you just get a little better and that’s okay too. Do you have any suggestions, Shigeki?

Student Sixteen: I find routine to be useful. Routine and discipline and I agree with you, Tsuno, having someone you’re accountable to is always extremely helpful. 

Question 7. Do you think the relationships you are currently building will be enough to protect you in this game?

Student Eleven: Well, firstly, I’m very strong! I do aerobics and yoga and a whole lot of physical activity as a superhero—so it’s not as though I’m in major need of protection!

Though—I guess I’m not strong in comparison to Hayashi and Ran and the major athletes. And really, anybody can die. It’s not as though strength is really a factor there. I guess maybe you’re talking about protection in a “would anyone kill me sort of way?”

I’m not sure there’s any real way strong relationships can lead to protection.

Student Sixteen: That isn’t—

Student Eleven: True? It sort of is. But honestly, I’m less worried about someone going and killing someone and more someone deciding that we’re not going to get out of here and doing the same thing as Masa. I would like to do whatever I can to stop that—I’m trying to make sure everyone’s okay, but I just. I really don’t know how. 

Question 8. If you were given the choice between keeping a secret to protect someone from something they might do, or telling the truth and risking their safety, what would you choose?

Student Eleven: Is it wrong to say it depends? Because I think it really depends. Like, if the secret would put someone in like. Immediate bodily danger, of course you’d hide that. I don’t know what that sort of secret would be, but if, like, you thought it might kill someone or get them seriously hurt you’d want to keep that. If it’s something that wouldn’t do that, I would probably tell them. It’s polite, you know. And shows that you trust someone.

Monomoko: You appear to be looking at Yanagi Shigeki rather intently.

Student Eleven: Am I?

Monomoko: You are. 

Monomoko: Did you have anything else to add to your answer?

Student Eleven: …Guess I don’t! 

Question 9. Tsuno, what are your thoughts on Okazaki and Isono?

Student Eleven: Okazaki and Isono? Like, what’s going on between them right now or them individually?

Monomoko: I cannot elaborate. 

Student Eleven: Uh, okay! I guess I’ll just answer both ways? Or maybe I’ll just say what I think of them individually? I think that’s what it means. I think my opinion on what’s going on with them should be pretty obvious—Okazaki needs to back off, if she’s the one doing it. 

Individually—Miki is one of my closest friends here! She’s sweet and funny and silly. She’s charming and hanging out with her is a great time. She’s been having a rough time lately—between the harassment and the cold which she’s really bad with; especially since she lost her hoodie. She doesn’t have a lot of warm clothes, though Hiroaki’s helped. But yeah, Miki’s a wonderful person and she’s been working really hard with Hitomi to get us out since this motive started. She’s just a little scared right now, for good reason. 

Okazaki—my opinion on Okazaki is going to change a lot depending on if she is the one who’s harassing Miki or not. If she is, I think she’s despicable. There’s no reason to do that—it’s just cruel. If she’s not, I guess I think she’s someone who’s a little strange and a little quiet. People find people like that easy to take advantage of.

Question 10. What are your thoughts on phantom thieves? 

Student Eleven: Well, as a superhero, of course I have to oppose phantom thieves. Some, of course, are noble, but those that are not must taste the fist of Tsuno Manami, the arm of justice! Who—Shigeki? Shigeki, are you okay? You look sick.

Let’s get you out of here. Thanks for the interview, Monomoko! I guess.