Danganronpa: Digital Daze

"Wake up, everyone! It's 7am, and Nighttime is now over! Time to enjoy another fun-filled day at The Ultimate Talent Enhancement Center!"

I woke up to a message playing overhead, with Monorakun's face on the screen. However, Monorakun's face disappeared, replaced with the TUTEC logo.

I stretched in bed and debated falling back asleep, as I have never been much of a morning person. The bed was surprisingly comfortable, and I had little trouble falling asleep last night.

As I continued to lie in bed, weighing the pros and cons of consciousness, I heard a four-note ring coming from the ceiling, the old "Ding-dong, ding-dong..." doorbell sound you'd sometimes hear at older houses, or near churches at the top of the hour.

I glanced at the door, confused. Who could be ringing my doorbell, and why? Shrugging, I stood up and walked over to my door, looking through the peephole.

It was Chihiro, looking nervous.

I opened the door sleepily. "Huh?"

Chihiro's eyes went wide. "Oh...sorry."

I yawned and stretched my arms outwards. "No, it's alright. What did you want?"

Chihiro glanced down the hallway for a long moment, then looked back at me. "Would you mind...walking with me to the Dining Hall?"

Shaking the cobwebs out of my head, I figured out that Chihiro was scared that someone might try to kill her on the way to go eat, and didn't want to walk there alone.

"Yeah, sure. Lemme get dressed, and I'll be right out. Just need a few minutes. You can come in, if you want."

Nodding, Chihiro came in with me and sat on the far side of the bed, looking away from me. I assumed it was so she wouldn't see me changing, which was fine with me. After my Gender Reassignment Surgery, there are two scars on my chest (one on each side) that I'm self-conscious about.

I took my PJs off, folded them up, and tossed them onto my bed. Chihiro moved her head slightly towards my PJs, then quickly looked away again.

Still in my boxers, I opened my closet, noticing seven identical outfits. Black hakama pants, a blue T-shirt, with a darker blue jacket going over it. I put them on, my hakamas hitting just above my ankles, then walked over towards my boots and socks.

"Chihiro? I'm dressed now, just need my socks and boots now." I informed her.

Chihiro nodded, and slowly stood up and looked at me. Meanwhile, I was opening my sock and boxers drawer, grabbing a pair of black crew socks and putting them on before slipping my black boots on. My boots had about an inch high heel to them, and featured double buckles on the outside of each boot; one just above the ankle, and the other towards the top of the boot. The soles are made of a non-slip, water-resistant, heat-resistant material (sorry, I forgot the name of it, but it's not a material I usually keep handy).

After adjusting the belt on my hakama, I let Chihiro know that I was ready to leave with her, and we walked out together towards the Dining Hall.

All of the other students were already seated, eating breakfast. Theo, it seems, had taken it upon himself to be our chef.

"There are pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and crepes laid out in a buffet-style in the Kitchen. Also, there is milk, chocolate milk, orange juice, coffee and tea for drinks. Help yourself to whatever you need!" Theo enthusiastically informed us.

Nodding a thanks to Theo, Chihiro and I headed back to the Dining Hall. I got me some biscuits and gravy, with two crepes on the side, and a chocolate milk for my drink. As for Chiaki, she got a waffle with maple syrup, and a glass of orange juice.

We sat across from each other at the near end of the table from the Kitchen (as Theo was at the end), and ate our breakfast in relative silence. Chihiro seemed calmer after eating, and I generally dislike talking while eating anyway. 

Meanwhile, Sayaka and Kaede were chatting away about music, while Mukuro was taking repeated glances at Makoto. Kenchikka was talking to Celeste and Leon, while Yasuhiro and Angie conversed. Sonia and Hifumi were talking about princesses again, and Chiaki was playing her game with one hand while eating a pancake with the other hand, which was holding a fork. Kaito seemed...agitated by something, but was eating with the rest of us anyway.

After breakfast, Theo and Kaito volunteered for dish duty, as Kaito said he wanted to talk to Theo about something anyway. Not wanting to pry, I decided to mind my own business and leave.

After wandering aimlessly for a while, I found myself in the Game Room. I looked over the Roulette wheel, the dartboard, the pool table (which already had balls racked up for a new game), and the Poker Table. Looking at my E-Handbook, it was now 9:20am.

"A game of chance, or a game of skill?" A feminine voice spoke behind me.

Turning around, I saw Celeste standing in the doorway, taking a challenging pose. I had the feeling that she would not let me leave this room.

Thinking quickly, I answered, "A game of skill."

Celeste chuckled. "Probably a safer guess for the likes of you. Shall we try some Roulette, then?"

I considered her offer, but knowing nothing about Roulette, I decided against it. "How about Pool, instead?"

Celeste cocked her head, an amused look on her face. "Do you perhaps assume that you stand a better chance because this is not a pure gambling game? It sounds as if you do not acknowledge even the possibility that you may lose, am I right?"

I shrugged. "I feel like I would have the best luck against you in pool. Besides, some people do gamble on Pool, you know?"

Celeste chuckled again. "Luck? What would you know of luck? However..." Celeste considered my proposal. "You have nothing I want. At this point, you barely qualify as a D-grade."

I cocked my head, confused. "Huh?"

"Nonetheless, let us begin! Bera, I'll even let you have the honor of first break!" Celeste pointed at the pool sticks, and we each chose one.

I approached the pool table and removed the triangle from the pool balls. I then picked up the cue ball and placed it, and took the first shot, knocking the balls every which way.

Unfortunately, none of them went into the pockets.

Celeste giggled. "It would appear that Lady Luck is not at your side, Bera. Now, if you please, step aside, and allow me to demonstrate how this game is truly played."

Celeste lined up behind the cue ball, and moved her head side to side, as if to consider which ball to knock into which hole. After several moments of consideration, a smirk appeared across her lips, and she made her shot.

The cue ball struck several balls, but the 2 and 7 balls went into the pocket.

"Stripes for me it is, then," I stated.

Celeste gave me a look, and then repositioned herself for her next shot. Cracking the cue ball off another ball, the 3 and 5 balls ended up pocketed this time.

I felt my chest tighten up a little bit. Two shots, four balls down. Would I even GET another shot?

Moving to her left slightly, Celeste knocked down the 1 ball, then the 4 ball and 6 ball in consecutive shots. She then looked up at me.

"Prepared to lose, Bera?" Celeste asked me in a lighthearted fashion.

I shrugged. "I suppose. I can't do anything until you miss a shot."

"Hmph." Celeste apparently didn't like my answer, and returned her attention to the 8 ball, tapping a corner pocket with her cue stick first. She then sunk the 8 ball with no problem, leaving the cue ball on the table.

She not only won, she completely obliterated me.

Celeste turned to me and smiled. "A shame I did not make you bet, but alas, what I said was true. You have nothing I desire, so why take something I do not want?"

Deciding I was finished with her insults, I decided to change subjects. "So what kind of gambling events have you won?"

Celeste smiled. "Hmhmhm, I have many fond memories of the events I have won. Russian Roulette Mahjong, Shogi, King of Liars, among others. I have played against every type of opponent you can imagine, at nearly every type of place you can think of. And, as expected from one such as myself, I never lose."

I never heard of any of those games, nor did I really wish to ask of them. "What about any Poker games?"

Celeste smiled. "Ah yes, numerous ones. Not just your normal games, of course, but also games like Ghost Poker, Black Market, Ditch the Body, and Four Horsemen. Granted, the last one is more luck-based than skill."

I nodded, unfamiliar with any of those games, either, and decided to change topics. "Interesting. I might have to learn some of those from you. Anyway, what do you plan on doing once you're out of here, Celeste?"

Celeste interlocked her fingers, then rested her chin on them. "Why, I plan on buying a castle, and hiring many handsome male servants to serve my every whim. I shall live like a queen."

I nodded again, and thought to my own future. What did I want to do with my future? I wanted to make my own clothing line; I knew that for sure. But...then what?

Suddenly, I felt the need to do some private thinking. "I'm gonna head back to my dorm for a bit. I just had an idea I want to work on, before I forget it again. Thanks for the game, though!"

Celeste smiled. "Of course. And remember, only those who adapt will survive. Lose your head, lose your life. It is that simple."

Deciding that, despite Celeste's demeanor, she may be correct with needing to adapt to this new reality of ours, I decided to head to the Art Room to do some sketching.

Inside, Angie and Hifumi were busy working on various projects of their own. Angie appeared to working on a sculpture, while Hifumi was scribbling away on a piece of paper.

I began working on an outfit, a collared T-shirt with several buttons going up to the collar, with cargo shorts and sneakers for a boy. I drew out the basic outline without much difficulty, even the height of the side pockets. I wanted to go for a neutral color scheme, with black shorts and a grey shirt with a black collar.

Suddenly, I felt the presence of a hulking figure next to me. Glancing to my side, I saw Hifumi examining my sketch.

"Hrmmm...I see quality in your work, Mr. Haikiko. True quality! However, a problem arises! No male protagonist can compare to the majesty that is Demon Angel☆Pretty Pudgy Princess!"

I glanced at my drawing, then at Hifumi, trying to draw a connection between his rambling and my drawing. Finding none, I asked him, "Huh? What do you mean?"

Hifumi gasped. "Whaaaaat?! You know nothing of the most popular anime, Demon Angel☆Pretty Pudgy Princess? Now, I've done more than merely copy her style, Mr. Haikiko. Oh no, I created my own meta Sci-Fi style for her! Now, some people found my style odd, but I was pulling Demon Angel☆Pretty Pudgy Princess out of the doldrums of a simple moe anime! Why, my Princess Piggles fanfic works were the total antithesis of the new-wave Sci-Fi movement!"

Most of this was going far over my head, but I was happy that he was so enthused about this.

"Nah, nah, Hifumi. I think you've got the wrong idea with me. I'm just drawing up ideas for an outfit. It's not for anyone in particular," I responded, still wondering what Hifumi was all excited about.

Hifumi thought for a moment. "Hmhm...Ah, yes. You're the Ultimate Tailor, right? So you have entered your own Sandbox Mode to experiment. Very clever of you, Mr. Haikiko."

After I finished shading in the grey of the T-Shirt, I turned to Hifumi. "I see you and Sonia talking a lot lately. You two getting along alright?"

Hifumi nodded. "Ah yes, the Ultimate Princess, she calls herself. Doesn't compare to Princess Piggles, of course, but Miss Nevermind doesn't dismiss my work as so many others have. But she keeps asking to meet Princess Piggles, in person... I don't know how to get through to her."

Hifumi continued. "You see, I have always preferred 2D over 3D, no contest! If I could live in 2D myself, I would do so without a second thought! The only purpose of 3D is to worship 2D!"

I cut him off. "I...I get the idea, Hifumi. You are the Ultimate Fanfic Creator, after all. However, what I'm creating is no fanfic, just an outfit that I may try to create and sell at some point."

Hifumi cackled happily. "Gwehehe! You and I are not so much different, then. Each of us creates something on a piece of paper, with the goal of bringing it to life for others to purchase! If you ever need my assistance, Mr. Haikiko, do not hesitate to ask!"

"Thanks, Hifumi."

"Absolutely, Mr. Haikiko. But now, Princess Piggles awaits! And her bidding is my command! Here I come, Princess Piggles!! Fwehehehe!"

Hifumi ran back to his desk and resumed scribbling away at his drawings. I, at the meanwhile, finished up my simple outfit with a pair of black sneakers, with grey laces. I wanted to avoid white laces because those are so frequently seen.

Satisfied with my sketch, I left the Art Room, with neither Angie nor Hifumi acknowledging my leaving, and returned to my dorm.

Arriving at my dorm, I realized there was a board above my desk, where I could post various drawings onto magnetic clips. I clipped my sketch onto one of them, then opened my E-Handbook to see what was going on in the Group Chat.

All hell had broken loose in that chat, and I had missed it.