Danganronpa: Digital Daze

Chihiro and I both alternated glances between the screen, Monorakun, and each other. Monorakun didn't move an inch, at least not yet.

I finally spoke up to Chihiro. "I...I think we should answer them."

Chihiro silently nodded, clearly nervous, and responded in the chat.

Chihiro Fujisaki: Who are you?

After about a 30 to 45 second pause, we received a response.

未来: Who I am, what I am, is no concern of yours, Ultimate Programmer. Nor is it yours, Ultimate Tailor, who I know is watching over your shoulder.

We looked at each other in shock, but then I remembered that Monorakun was still in the room. Of course this...未来 person...knew I was here.

未来: Now, give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you, Ultimate Programmer, for hacking into your E-Handbook.

We both froze in shock, looking at each other. What do we say to this? What CAN we say to this?

Chihiro started typing.

Chihiro Fujisaki: If you kill me, you'll have to have to have an Investigation and Class Trial, per your rules. When the others find out you killed me, they'll make you explain why, and your game will be ruined."

A pause. Did Chihiro go too far?

Monorakun's eye started glowing red for several moments, then went dim again.

未来: Very well. I won't kill you then, Chihiro. But on the same token, I can't have you going around, telling everyone that you hacked your E-Handbook, either. It seems we're at an impasse, then.

Chihiro looks over at me. "I'm sorry I got you into this mess with me. What should we do now?"

I start thinking. My only conclusion is that a deal of some sort needs to be struck.

"I think we need to make a deal with...whoever this is," I answered.

Chihiro thought for several long moments. Then her eyes lit up, and she started typing.

Chihiro Fujisaki: Maybe we could make a deal of some sort?

We waited. What would this mysterious person say?

We wouldn't have to wait long.

未来: A deal, you say? This sounds interesting. State your terms, and I'll consider it."

Chihiro and I looked at each other. "Wait, this is actually working?" I blurted out loud.

Chihiro looked at me, worry in her eyes. "What...what should we ask for? I mean, I don't want Monorakun to kill either of us, and I know we can't tell anyone about this. But...Can we get something more?"

I think for a moment. "Maybe we could get information from them? Like...maybe a question a night?"

Chihiro's eyes lit up. "Maybe, yeah! I mean, it couldn't hurt, could it? I mean, they could always make a counteroffer, right?"

I shrug. "I hope so."

Chihiro starts typing again.

Chihiro Fujisaki: Ok, how about we make a deal. Bera and I will agree not to tell anyone about me talking to you. In return, you have to promise not to kill either of us with Monorakun. Also, if possible, we would like to be able to ask you one question per night, if that is ok?

We waited, holding our breaths. How would they respond?

未来: I accept the terms on the first part. As for the second request, I have one condition. I am only required to respond to questions with "Yes", "No", "Maybe", or "Irrelevant". I also agree not to lie to you with my responses. Also, at 7am tomorrow, there will be a new rule forbidding anyone from tampering with their E-Handbooks. My claim will be due to the Computer Room, but we know the real reason, don't we? And what will happen if that rule is broken?

Chihiro gulped, looking at me with pure fear in her eyes. I was just as scared as she was, but...if this meant we weren't going to die, then we had to take this deal.

I give Chihiro a nod. Chihiro starts typing once more.

Chihiro Fujisaki: We accept these terms, both Chihiro Fujisaki and Bera Haikiko. Now, may we ask our one question for tonight?

We waited on a response. I had no idea what to ask, but Chihiro seemed to have something on her mind.

未来: Sure. What?

Chihiro Fujisaki: Are you the Mastermind behind this game?

My eyes went wide. I couldn't believe Chihiro would be so bold, to ask a question like this.

"What are you doing?!" I quietly admonished Chihiro.

Chihiro, instead of responding, pointed back to her E-Handbook.

未来: No. However, I will share that I am working with that person. Goodbye.

未来 then disappeared from the chat, kicking us out in the process.

I looked over at Chihiro. "Did this help us any, you think?"

Chihiro nodded. "Yeah, it did. We now know there is more than one person in charge."

"Yeah, true, but what good does that do us? We can't tell anybody!" I was less optimistic than Chihiro on this.

"Well, it's still better than knowing nothing at all, right?"

Chihiro...had a point there. It was better to know something and tell no one, than to not know something at all.

"Well," I stated. "I think it's time for us to to get ready for tomorrow. I'm gonna head back to my dorm."

We said our goodbyes, and then I returned to my dorm, working on some sketches for dresses of various lengths.

Suddenly, my E-Handbook vibrated. Puzzled, I opened it up, and saw I had a Private Message waiting for me. It was from Leon Kuwata.

Leon Kuwata: Yo! Think you can help me with something?

Huh? What could Leon possibly want with me? We barely even spoke with each other.

Bera Haikiko: Sure. What's up? Need some clothing ideas?

Leon Kuwata: Nah, I'm good with that. I need some advice on Kaede and Sayaka.

Huh? I gazed, confused, at my tablet. What does he mean, needing advice on those two girls?

Bera Haikiko: Sure, I guess. What about them?

Leon Kuwata: Well, I know you and Sayaka were hanging out yesterday. Which is cool, don't get me wrong. But I'm thinking about quitting baseball and getting into music, and those two girls are hot! Hey, what kind of guy is Sayaka into?

I continued to stare at my E-Handbook. Why would I have any clue, whatsoever, about something like that?

Bera Haikiko: No idea. I work with clothes, not relationships. Maybe you could ask her? Or Kaede?

Leon Kuwata: What? No! That would be, like, super lame to the max! A dude's gotta approach a girl like that, knowing exactly what she wants, and how to give it to her. Know what I mean?

So...it seemed like Leon either really wanted to start a band with these two girls, or he just wanted to get up their skirts. I closed my eyes and shook my head. My...older self would have smacked the taste out of his mouth, but unless I wanted Leon as an enemy, I would have to give an honest, even if somewhat nice, answer to him.

Bera Haikiko: Honestly, I have no idea. They're both pretty, I'll agree, but I haven't really been considering starting a relationship while worrying about if someone's gonna try to kill me tomorrow. If you want me to, though, I could maybe strike up a conversation with either of them, or both, on that topic, and see what they say.

Leon Kuwata: Are you shitting me? I didn't expect you to actually do this for me. You're totally awesome, man!

Bera Haikiko: I'm not making any promises that this will go anywhere, though, ok? I just don't want you mad at me if Sayaka or Kaede don't tell me much.

Leon Kuwata: Yo, you're doing something for me. Whatever goes down, you've still got a huge thanks from me.

Bera Haikiko: Thanks! That really means a lot to me. I'll let you know if I find out anything useful.

Leon Kuwata: Sure thing! Thanks for having my back, man.

I closed the Private Messaging window, then considered some of the things I said. And, immediately, worry started eating away at me. 

Did I sound too...girly...when I told Leon "That really means a lot to me."? Should I really have agreed to go through with this, with Sayaka and Kaede? What if they both look at me like I'm weird, or think I want to be their boyfriend?

I sighed as the thoughts began surrounding me, but I knew one thing. I couldn't go back on my word. Even if I didn't find out anything, it would be better for Sayaka and Kaede to just tell me they don't want to answer, rather than lie and have Leon pissed at me.

I decided to spend the rest of the time working on my sketches again, although I didn't have much time until Nighttime started. I always found sketching to be relaxing; I never had to worry about messing up, because I could always just erase and try again, and no one would know my mistakes. I only worried about the finished products, but everyone so far seemed happy with everything I made. Well, except my dad, but he was never happy with anything I did anyway.

At 9:30pm, an announcement went overhead, with Monorakun's face appearing. "Oh, I forgot to mention this earlier, shitbags, but tomorrow's a holiday. I have some fun stuff prepared for this, believe me. Heh heh heh hee heeeeee..."

I looked at my E-Handbook. Today was 10/30, which meant tomorrow was 10/31. Which could only mean one thing.

Halloween.