Danganronpa: Once Upon an Smiling Priest

Inside the gym what greeted me was what looked like a normal entrance ceremony, with the entire room holding flags on each side of the ceiling. Ahead of me, there was a stage with a podium that had an emblem of Hope's Peak Academy. Another detail was that before the stage, there were sixteen chairs. No doubt to add some semblance of naturality to all this mockery of a ceremony.

"Oh, it does look like an entrance ceremony…" I heard Mr Naegi pointing out.

"See? Told ya!" Hiro said, his chest puffed up in apparent pride. "It's just normal entrance ceremony stuff!"

I considered my capacity to keep my cool one of the few genuinely positive points I had for me, but at that point, even I was genuinely playing with the idea of letting out an irritated scoff and shutting the Clairvoyant off.

The fact that all of this looks 'normal' when everything beforehand has been red flag after red flag, just shows this is where the real danger begins. But I guess that's just humans for you.

I had to, metaphorically, keep my eyes open, along with my ears alert for anything.

Will they begin to shoot us? Or maybe close the doors and fill the room with poison… I thought cupping my chin before shaking my head slightly. No, no, that would ruin the play. if they wanted to get rid of all of us, they had their chance when everyone was fooling around during the introductions, so… what that means is that―

"Hey there, howdy, hello! Is everyone here? Good! Then let's get things rolling!"

My attention and that of all of the whole group went to the stage. No sooner all of our attention was on a single spot, that happened.

From behind the podium, a figure jumped out of it to reveal itself.

It was…

A bear?

What the…? Is this supposed to be our token mascot character?

The left side of the… bear, save for his nose and the centre of his belly, was black in its totality. The mascot's teeth were shaped in a perpetual grin, while up on the left side of its head, a strange jagged red shape made for an eye.

…Actually, doesn't that come from Hope's Peak logo? So it is our mascot character... Or making a mockery of Hope's Peak.

The left side, on the other hand, was straight contrast. Instead of black, it was a contrasting white, lacked any teeth, and had a simple black dot for an eye. All in all, that side was no different than your average teddy bear.

Still… what was this? Some toy? No. A robot, perhaps? How was it controlled? By an A.I. or a person? If so how?

Does the technology to achieve that exist? Perhaps Mrs Fujisaki knows.

It was a truly unusual sight… though one that might fit into this strange play we've found ourselves in.

But it was of no importance. I had to keep my head on the game. For now, that's about the most effective in which I could gather information.

I promised myself that I was going to be ready for anything our bizarre kidnapper would throw at me, and I sure as hell will keep my word on that.

"Huh? A… teddy bear?" Mrs Fujisaki asked, a reasonable amount of confusion and fear on the programmer's face.

"I'm not a teddy bear!" The teddy bear exclaimed. "I am… Monokuma! And I am this school's headmaster!"

Huh, so it does have a speech formulation function. That sounds advanced enough to point towards it not being an ordinary machination. Also, the school's headmaster? Odd. Though not completely unexpected.

Hmm. I looked over the bear with slightly opened eyes as my mind began to whirl. The windows and entrance were barred. Machine guns attached to that same entrance. Various cameras all over the place and now this bear claiming to be the headmaster...

Wait! No! I brought my hand up to my head as a realisation came to me. I-it can't be!

"Wh-!? Waaaaah!" Mr Yamada screamed, with no small number of our fellow classmates imitating him. "T-The teddy bear… it can talk!"

"Calm down!" Mr Taka snapped, and although it didn't show in his voice, his trembling hands gave away his true feelings on what was happening. "I'm sure there's just a speaker inside the teddy bear!"

While that's certainly also a possibility, that's not the thing we should be concerned about people!

"Can you people cut it with that!? I'm not a teddy bear." It appears that the monochrome bear got tired of being mocked. Standing as tall as a two-and-a-half-foot ursine could, he raised its paws in what looked like an attempt at intimidation. Credit where it was due, it worked as intended for some people as much as I disliked it. "I'm Monokuma! And I'm your headmaster!"

"Eeeeek, it moved!" Seemingly invested with far more immediate concerns, Mr Yamada and most of the class, made their surprise clear at the monochrome bear's vivid gestures.

"Seriously man, calm down!" Mr Mondo snarled, but I did notice there was some edge and the briefest of stuttering in his voice. "It's prolly just a remote-control toy or some crap like that."

"How dare you compare me to a child's plaything! You cut me deep. Deeper than the Mariana Trench…" Monokuma mumbled, his shoulder slumped in his false attempt at a depressive state. This acting is atrocious. Get to what you really want bear! Stop delaying the inevitable.

I was quickly proven right about my suspicion when, no sooner than a few seconds later, the monochrome bear stood straight while a smug look took over his face. "If you must know, my remote-control system is so complex, even the people at NASA can't recreate, or even begin to comprehend it!"

Leaving aside the ordeal with all those personalities, that last detail made my brows slightly rise in interest. A, admittedly welcomed distraction from the incoming 3rd act nightmare.

That's a, unfortunately, very important piece of intel. I shook my head, trying to get rid of the incoming migraine. If this 'Monokuma' is controlled by remote control, then chances are that whoever is in control couldn't go too far from it. Otherwise, the commands for the white and black mascot would come delayed at best, and straight up wouldn't follow through with the inputs made in their worst, and our best, case scenario.

Perhaps that was the main reason why the stairs I saw on our way here were blocked by a gate. The one responsible for our capture might be somewhere in the building, with those blockades being the only thing getting between us and them.

Nothing I could do with that at the moment, but it was useful information nonetheless.

"Ah, but don't make me say stuff that might destroy NASA's dreams, I just couldn't BEAR that!"

Pfft. Hehe, wow what a terrible pun you made Mr headmaster. Completely un-BEAR-able.

"'Bear' that? Really? You are… unfortunate." If Celes's contempt-filled voice was anything to go by, it appeared I wasn't the only one who lamented that sense of humour. Although I think they disliked it far more than me. And if Celes's quick glance in my direction she knew I'd laugh a little. Geez. At least I know that our soon-to-be killer has a sense of humour.

Even in this situation.

And yet... there was another pair of eyes I felt on my person.

...Odd.

"Now then, moving on!" Ah, he already moved from it. "We really must hurry and get started!"

"Giving up already?" Mrs Enoshima deadpanned. "No other stupid bear puns?".

"Quiet down now, quiet down." If this Monokuma was offended by Mrs Enoshima, he didn't make it known. "Ah, okay, so, where was I?"

"It appears he has truly abandoned the gag…" Ogami stated with some relief in her voice.

"Right! Everyone, stand at attention and bow! And… good morning!"

I could only think of one person who would follow along with something that ridiculous.

"Good morning!"

Yeah, I think I have Mr Taka well figured out by now.

"Y-You don't have to s-say it back!" Mrs 'failure' Fukawa snapped at the Moral Compass, not like anyone could blame her for that.

Leaving that aside, though…

I hated how long we were delaying the truth of our situation. Though I do wonder, what he had to gain by following this whole gag?

The only thing that came to mind was… did he want us to drop our guards?

Everyone, including me I must admit, had been following along in some way or another on his ridiculousness. Was that his plan? To make us feel a false sense of security and then drop the metaphorical bomb on us?

He'll drop the act soon. It's the only way for the 3rd act to hold any weight to it.

Before he continued I raised my hand. Much to his, and everyone's shock. "Oh? My, my what do you have to ask little old me?"

Everyone looked at me, mostly in confusion as I began speaking with a straight face. better get this out of the way before things get out of control. "Is there anywhere where prayer and religion can be conducted? An empty room is fine."

The room fell silent as my words hung in the air. Everyone looked at me with all kinds and forms of emotions. Even Mrs Kirigiri looked quite confused by my words.

"Huh?" Monokuma paused with a hand on his chin. I don't think he was expecting me to ask such a question. Though eventually, he did respond. "Well... no." The black and white one paused with a bit of hesitation. Allowing me to cut in. "Then if you could provide me with a room, some drapes and such I would be most indebted." I said with a smile on my face.

Seeing the bear and everyone else stunned by my words I decided to take the spotlight for a little bit longer. "We can talk about the details later if it's better for you."

"Yes... Well... With the prelude finally outta our way." Just in time, huh? If I didn't know any better, I would've thought he had read my thoughts. "Let us commence with a most noteworthy and memorable entrance ceremony."

This is it…

"First, let's talk a bit about what your school life here will be like." The monochrome bear paused; his gaze lingered on each one of us. It wasn't until he confirmed we all were giving him our undivided attention that he continued. "Now, ah, make no mistake. You few students, so full of potential, represent the hope of the world, and to protect such splendid hope… you will all live a communal life together solely within the confines of this school."

What does he mean by―

! ! !

…

I was right! It makes so much sense now!

Even if I succeeded in suppressing myself from showing any other reaction, I couldn't help but have my eyes widen under my eyelids in realization.

If he's truly implying what I think he's doing, then…

This play is going to be a rather chaotic one, isn't it?

For all my effort at being discrete though, the way my brows raised might have been noticeable enough, because the bastard responsible for that reaction turned his head, slowly and just enough to look at me. A dangerous gleam on his red eye. Whether it was a function of his, or a mere effect of the illumination, I couldn't make a guess. Neither I cared enough to ponder too much about it.

"Everyone will live in harmony together, and adhere to the rules and regulations of the school… Ah, now then, regarding the end date for this communal life…" He paused for a moment, then as if actually taking air, he puffed his chest before bellowing the so-awaited bombshell. "THERE ISN'T ONE! In other words, you'll all be here until the day you die! Such is the school life you've been assigned!"

Discretely looking around, I could observe the panicked faces from everyone around me, the severity of our newfound reality finally dawning on their minds. The truth of the situation finally, finally dawned on them.

Took you all long enough. God has given me a real handful huh?

"W-What did he say?" stammered Mrs Fukawa, already on the verge of tears. "Until the day we d-die…?"

"Oh, but don't worry!" Monokuma's voice was almost reassuring. That only assured me that whatever he was going to say next was anything but. "We have quite an abundant budget, so you won't lack for all the common conveniences, you have my word on that!"

"T-That's the least of our worries right now!" Mrs Maizono pointed out with a finger. Though her figure was anything but stable.

"Yeah, what the hell!? You're saying I have to live here forever? You're screwing with us, right?" Mrs Enoshima grunted, several nods in agreement and other shouts of protest following her.

"I am not screwing with you! I am no liar; of that, you can be one hundred percent sure!" Monokuma growled in annoyance. Quickly enough, though, his demeanour changed into one of amusement. "Besides, and just for your information… you're completely cut off from the outside world. So, you don't have to worry about that dirty dirty land beyond these walls ever again!"

Fascinating. If he's to be telling the truth then that would mean that we are either somewhere exceptionally hidden and/or incredibly well-guarded and defended.

"Cut off…? So, all those metal plates all over the school…" Mr Naegi trailed off, with a large part of the group following with their whispers of disbelief and realization.

Of course, it was not until it smacked them on their faces that they saw the danger we had all been in since the beginning.

The mental integrity of any of them couldn't be any lower on my list of priorities even if I tried to, but… she wouldn't sit idly by while this was happening.

"Not only the metal plates." I decided to make it as clear as it was possible for even the densest of them. If I weren't so irked, I would've found it amusing how some people turned toward me with looks of surprise after noticing my presence in the room for the first time.

"The security cameras. The mounted machine guns. And yes, the vault door with high-end technology works to keep us trapped inside this place. All of that should have been clues enough to give you all an idea of how dire the situation we were in was since long ago. Reality had long since made itself known but you dismissed it. Just like the great Don Quixote!"

I was not someone who liked to rant, at least not verbally, but it was time for everyone to finally wake out of their ideal, fake world, and see the grim reality our situation was made of.

Lies might be sweeter than the truth, but the truth will make you stronger.

I couldn't care less about the faces full of shock some of them were sending me.

"Upupupupu, of course, something like that didn't go past you, young Voyager!" He started with a weird grin on his face. "Yep! Everything he just said is true! No matter how much you may yell and scream for help… it will not come!" Was the school covered with soundproof material too? Well, with the walls reinforced with the right material, it would do that while also keeping us well trapped. It's not unfeasible. "So, with all of that in mind, feel free to live out your life here with reckless abandon!"

"Come on, w-what the hell is this?" The nervous voice of the Baseball Star made it clear he wasn't a fan of the idea. "I don't care if the school or whoever else is behind it all, this is just a really bad joke!"

"Yeah! Cut this shit out! It ain't funny anymore!" Mr 'tough guy' Owada growled.

It seems some people are still in denial… How... Irritating.

"You keep saying this is a lie or a joke. A bunch of sceptics, all of you! Well…" Following that clamorous declaration, once again his strangely shaped red eye flickered in my direction. "Maybe Voyager-san not so much, is he?"

"…" A first time, I could take it as coincidence, but twice?

Mentioning a background character like me? What is he planning now?

"I guess you people can't help it, can you?" So he wasn't going to let me mull over what you said? Smart bear.

"You all grew up in an age where you're taught to doubt your neighbour… Well, you'll have plenty of time to find out whether or not what I say is true. And when that time comes, you'll see with your own eyeballs that I speak the undeniable truth!"

"Having to live here forever would be… quite the problem." Celes complained. Even if the nonchalant manner in which she was playing with one of her pigtails might lead to think otherwise, the frustration in her voice was clear as day. Celes-san was not someone who would be happy with this predicament. Not at all.

Mr Owada scoffed. "Fuckin' understatement of the century…"

"Come, now. What's the matter with all of you?" Monokuma taunted. "You decided of your own free will to attend Hope's Peak Academy, didn't you?" Technically speaking... yes. Yes, we did decide to attend Hope's Peak. However, to say we decided to our current state would be a lie.

"And now before the entrance ceremony is even finished, you've already decided you want to leave? Oh well, if that's the case…" That resignation in his voice only prompted me to narrow my eyes for the umpteenth occasion. There's no way he had given up on this so easily. "I guess I did forget to mention one thing. There IS one way for you to leave the school."

"R-Really…?" Mrs Fukawa asked with an utterly and truly misplaced spark of hope in her voice. This girl truly is a lost cause. A shame.

"Really! Really!" Monokuma chirped with a playful smile. Playing alone. Despicable little shit. "As headmaster, I've crafted a special condition for those of you who would like to leave. I call it… the Graduation Clause!"

Oh? Well, at least this dangerous game has a way out. Though I somehow doubt that it'd be that easy to accomplish.

"Now, let me tell you about this fun little rule. As I mentioned, in order to maintain an environment of harmony here, we rely on a communal lifestyle. And if someone were to disrupt that harmony, they and they alone would be allowed to leave the school."

Considering the build-up he was been making so far… And the way that he has been talking about our permanent stay here, that could mean a few things.

"That, my students." Spreading his arms, Monokuma basked in the applause and cheers he clearly wasn't receiving. "Is the Graduation Clause!"

Ah, I see... So that's what he wants, doesn't he? A chaotic, mismanaged play.

"What do you mean by 'disrupt' the harmony?" Demanded the Togami.

That's why he's singling me out. The way he's been looking at me. Responding to me. He or rather, whoever is in control of him knows about it. Not that its harder to find out about with it being worldwide news and all.

"Upupupu… Well, you know… if one person were to murder another."

He's waiting for someone to bite the bait and ask that question. Holding up the plot for a bit of suspense I see. Whoever orchestrated this must be into dramas.

"M-Murder!?" Mr Naegi half-asked half screamed. If this was our protagonist then I was going to have to whip him into shape. His attitude is starting to get annoying.

Oh well! My smile widened slightly as the butterflies that had disappeared earlier silently made their way back to me and rested on my shoulder. I suppose that is my role in life after all. Making all the other actors look better.

"Stabbing, strangling, bludgeoning, crushing, hacking, drowning, igniting, poisoning, how you do it doesn't matter. You must kill someone if you want to leave. It's as simple as that." One only had to hear the protests and cries of disbelief some members of the group made clear to know that, in fact, no, not everyone thought of such terms as simple.

"The rest is up to you. Give it your all to achieve the best result in the worst possible way… especially You. Otherwise, it would be such a waste to have you here, dontcha think so as well?"

The bastard was not even trying to be subtle about it anymore! He's setting me up! Is he going to reveal it to them? It's not as if I was hiding it from them, one look at my outfit and you could tell what I was. O' Lord, please don't let my enemies win. Especially not like like this!

Although seeing that nobody is pointing it out, it's possible that the shocking news was impactful enough to distract them from noticing that… probably... Hopefully.

Whatever the case it may be, the monochrome bear continued with his spiel, "Upupupu. I bet THAT got your brain juices flowing! Beats the heck out of a human catching a salmon, huh?" And he's back with the bear jokes, it seemed. Also, what in Odin's name does that even mean? Not even Toth would create suck complex riddle.

"As I said before, you guys are the hope of the world. But you know… taking that hope and seeing it get murdered creates a darkened shadow of despair… and I just find that so… darn… exciting!"

Was… was he panting? Are they... no... they aren't right? Surely. They aren't being indecent in front of kids right?

There's a special place in hell for your kind.

"What the hell are you talking about!?" Mr Kuwata stammered, his composure falling with each word that escaped his mouth. "T-To kill each other is… it's…!"

"To kill each other is to kill each other." Monokuma said as if it was a matter of fact. Looking down at the redhead as if he had grown a second head. "I'm sure there's a dictionary here somewhere if you need it."

"We know what it means, that's not the problem!" Mrs Asahina shouted, with indignant tears poking out of her eyes. "Why do we have to kill each other!?"

"Yeah! Let us go home already!" Mr Yamada… roared? Huh. At the very least, it appeared he was getting pumped up. "Stop blabbering on with all this nonsense!" "

"…Blabbering?"

The deadly quiet tone in which Monokuma echoed that word put any following protest to an end, with everyone waiting with growing trepidation about what would happen now.

They pushed a button, didn't they?

"Blabbering, blabbering, what do you mean blabbering!? Stop blabbering on about blabbering on!" Before anyone could utter a word, Monokuma pushed his head forward with his red eye glowing intensely, startling a few people with his stunt.

"You guys just don't get it, do you!? 'Let us go, let us go!' You keep saying the same thing over and over and over and over! Listen. From this moment on, this school is your home, your life, your world. Got it? Set yourselves free from those annoying thoughts and kill as much as you wanna kill! So go ahead, go on a kill-kill-killing spree… it's not like that's different from your usual killing lifestyle, right?"

Oh, you little shit. You've crossed a line with that one.

If he's gonna tease it that much, he might as well say it already instead of waiting for someone to ask.

"Alright, come on… How long are ya gonna keep this up?" The moral compass asked with an acusitory finger at the stuffed bear.

Was Hiro's stupidity gonna come to my rescue, derailing the conversion so off the rails Monokuma would wound up forgetting about that particular subject?

Please! I Beg! I'm on my knees here! An offering will be made post haste if it happens.