Gacha ?!

*Manhole Pass (Over the sewer)*

*Time - 7:10 pm*

- POV KAEDE

"Let Gonta raise this. Gonta is strong. "

The entomologist took it and removed the manhole cover as if it were nothing, his strength must be really insane.

"So easy!?" Said Tsumugi, who looked astonished.

"Your strength ... It can only be because of my magic. Yeah, there's no mistake. " Said Yumeno with a proud smile.

"Ooohh! You are incredible, Himiko! "

Why is it that Tenko flatters the magic girl so much ... It's kind of cute actually.

"Nyeh ... It's no big deal", it's just magic. " Her

proud smile only increased in size; she must love that kind of attention.

It makes a lot of sense considering that magicians present to audiences looking for applause and praise.

Still not knowing what to do with the metal in his hands, Gokuhara asked, "... What should Gonta do with the lid now?"

 "Give it to Keebo, I bet robots eat metal like in the movies." Said Kokichi in his playful voice.

"I don't eat metal! I was raised not to need food! " Said the ultimate robot pointing accusingly at the 'Supreme Leader'. It seemed kind of sad that he couldn't eat, it's such a good thing ...

Ryouma lets out a tired sigh and looks at Gonta, who is still standing with the lid on. "Just throw it somewhere."

* THUMP *

The cover is thrown to the ground, in a place far from everyone, opening the way to the basement.

Everyone looked at the entrance without knowing whether to go first or not. They were scared, but I wasn't going to let something like that stop us.

"I'll!" I start walking towards the passage, I realize that Shuichi was about to hold my shoulder to stop me, however he stopped before he did that.

This Shuichi really cares too much, there's nothing here. I bet if he stayed with more determination, he would be able to talk better with others.

Yes, as time goes on I will make him less afraid and worried about everything. So maybe he'll make more friends and talk more.

His voice is already so cute, it's a shame to be so little used ...

No. Focus, I need to focus here. It could be our way out.

I enter the dark place and go down the stairs

The place was dark and damp, you could barely see anything here.

"Hey! Is everything okay over there?" Kaito's voice calls my attention upwards, where no one has entered but me.

"Yes! There seems to be nothing dangerous here! " I shout for everyone to hear, my voice echoing a little. I start looking around the room looking for a way out.

I look right and left, it didn't seem to matter at all. Only several sewer pipes.

I hear the sound of someone on the stairs and see people coming down. The first after me was the detective. He didn't say anything and just came over to me. A smile quickly plastered my face.

We formed a team one day and we are already inseparable. I will be sure that we will be even more friends when we leave here.

One by one they went down the stairs so that everyone was together in the underground, except Rick.

I wonder what he's doing now ...

__________

*Corridors (1st Floor)*

*Time - 7:15 pm*

- POV RICK

There is?

I was looking confused to be in front of me.

Why is there a small Monokuma with a red backpack on that table?

...

This is a hidden monokuma right?

I keep watching him but nothing happens.

So, I reach out and nudge him.

He looks at me and leaves five gold coins on the table he was on, before jumping off the table and disappearing into a passage that appeared on the floor.

But what... ?

I spend a few minutes processing the situation, until I understand more or less.

Basically it is the gameplay of finding coins and monokumas hidden by the map, if I'm right, each strange monokuma on the map delivers five coins only the first time it is found.

I analyze the golden coin in my hand that had Monokuma's face.

They can be used in the store ... On a certain machine that trapped me a lot in the game ...

The gacha of items.

If I remember correctly, he should have been at the school store, and fortunately, that room is next to me.

It's time to test my luck. Maybe this is my super high school talent.

Nah, I highly doubt it.

____________

* Manhole passage (sewer) *

* Time - 7: 45 pm*

- POV KAEDE

"Kekeke ... That looks very suspicious"

I couldn't agree with Korekiyo anymore, but the fact that he was laughing about it worried me. An exit sign appeared when we were looking for exactly a way out of that place. It was too suspicious.

"We have no other option." Ryouma said looking at the sign.

There was something very wrong here, I was sure of that. However, I could not let something like this pass in vain. This may be our only chance to get out of this craziness.

Many seemed nervous and concerned, even Shuichi was hesitant about choosing whether or not to take the sign path.

We needed more encouragement and that would have to be my job. I will help my friends!

"Don't worry guys!" I said with a thin smile on my face.

"We are all ultimatums here, if we work together there will be nothing that we cannot fix." My voice was determined as I raised my arms in an encouraging pose.

"Y-Yes ... you're right." My detective partner said. He seemed to be less afraid, but he could still see the sweat of stress falling from his forehead.

"That was exactly what I was saying! It looks like we're on the same page, Kaede! " Kaito was as always excited. He was one of the most carefree people I have seen so far.

"Come, give me a hug!" It is also one of the most perverted.

"Um ... No." I refused his strange advance, it was a bit uncomfortable but I knew he was just playing.

"Typical of degenerate males! You just wanted to make her squeeze his breasts on you! " Said Tenko, looking threateningly at the astronaut. Because of her reaction, he wouldn't make any more jokes around her.

Several of us were still talking to each other, not knowing who was going first ...

Yeah ... It looks like I'm gonna have to be me again.

____________

*School Store (1st Floor) *

*Time - 7:49 pm*

- POV RICK

A coin.

Only one coin left, of my five.

It was all or nothing, will my luck give me something rare? Everything depends on this machine.

"Hey, bastard! I could go with that! I don't want to lose the reaction of the other bastards to the pops' impossible exit. " Said the bear half yellow with brown stripes.

Monosuke was like the store clerk and his job was to give me the items I got on the MonoMono machine. A gacha machine that gave me a random access paper for a specific store item.

I had to give the paper to Monosuke and he would give me the item that I won. A very simple and straightforward gacha.

But addictive as fuck. Or I have problems with sweepstakes, they addict me so fast.

I already lost four of my coins, and I won a bunch of nothing.

Ok ... Oolong tea has an acceptable taste so it's not that bad. But I don't know what I would need it for: a silver earring and two ladybug pins.

Using this is not my style. So, maybe I give it to someone or throw it away? I'll think about it.

I better spend my last coin before Monosuke blows me up.

I put my last plug in and turn on the gacha machine, or MonoMono, whatever.

 It turns on and glows for a few seconds, before the final sound sounds and a ball of gacha rolls out of the machine. It was a light blue ball.

I open it and pick up the paper to read. He had not only the name of the item but its description.

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

Illusion Rod

A miraculous stick that can show a happy illusion when rotated in circles before someone's eyes.

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

...

Confirmed. My talent is not luck.

I wanted a taser gun to defend myself and I get this toy wand instead.

That certainly goes for Himiko, not me.

"It's almost time! Give me that paper, come on! "

The yellow monokub was nervous, I think everyone must have already entered the manhole exit.

I hand the paper over to the teddy who returns in an instant and places the object on the counter. A small 'staff' with a red circular crystal at the end.

After that the receptionist disappears and I have no coins.

Didn't I have to go to the library? I don't remember now ...

Nah, I'm hungry, let's see what's in that feeding room.

___________

* Manhole passage (sewer) *

* Hours - 8 pm *

- POV SHUICHI

I opened my eyes tired and confused. Looking at the dark place I was in.

I lift my head and sit down, noting that everyone else is the same. Sitting, sad and disappointed.

Wait! Kaede is still lying down, I must go help -...

"Are you feeling good?" Passing in front of me, Kirumi went and helped the pianist to get up from his place.

"II am fine, what about the rest of the staff?" The gentle blonde quickly started looking around seeing that everyone was sad and silent.

I suppose that when we went through the passage we ended up finding some kind of robots that blocked us with a gas, which made us sleep.

We had lost. It was clear that it was a trap. Putting hope in front of us right in our reach, just to break it at the last second.

"Heavens, what a sad emo party this is!" Said the evil black and white bear that appeared suddenly. His voice conveyed clear amusement at our current state.

"M-Monokuma !?" Akamatsu said, her eyes wide with fear for our enemy who might already know about our plan.

No, I suppose he already knew from the beginning.

  ~ Rise and Shine, ursine! ~

The five monokubs also appeared alongside their distinctive sound. Could they teleport? Where did they come from exactly?

"Ooh you poor little guys look so exhausted, I feel bad for you." For some reason, Monophanie, who must have been one of our kidnappers, acted kind and concerned for everyone. But at the same time, she never did anything to stop this deadly game.

I suppose it might be some kind of scary game from the mentor of the whole situation.

"Damn, that filthy place is going to hurt my skin." Said Monotaro, running his 'paws' over his feet to remove dirt.

"I bet Monodam is feeling lucky now! His body is all scrap and garbage! " Said the half blue bear, bulldoing his 'colleague' as if it were something extremely recurring.

The Monodam I suppose to be the most robotic green bear did not answer the accusations and was silent as usual. I feel a little afraid of his face, as if he is plotting something horrible for anyone who despises him.

"Why don't you answer him, Monodam? It will raise the mood a little, you know? " Monosuke says, he looked a little more upset than all the other bears.

"Ehn? Monosuke, why do you look so upset? " Asks the half red bear who had found a place with little dirt.

"It is nothing important. Just a bastard who kept pissing me off. " Said the yellow monokub while wiping sweat from his body. I still don't understand how they can sweat like that.

Wait a second. He's talking about ...

"It's Rick you're talking about, right?" Interrupting my thinking, Kaede looked at the bears with anger and concern, afraid of what would have happened to her colleague.

"Ahh ... Now I understand why there are only fifteen students here." Monophanie's female voice said to her fellow monokubs.

"Puhuhuhu ... So the Super High Schoolers couldn't even get together to find a way out ... Puhuhu." Monokuma continued to mock everyone with his amused and somewhat ironic tone. It was frustrating to hear it.

I wanted to say something ... But my fear made me hesitate.

I hated that.

"So did you realize that we found a way out !?" Said Momota, directing all his anger in his gaze at the monochrome bear.

"Got it?" Your ironic question confirmed my suspicions. He had always known about this place. No. He made this place so that everyone believed there was a way out.

"I always knew about this place! In fact, I prepared it myself! " Said the black and white animatronick as he tilted his head back opening one exposing his sharp teeth with a huge smile.

"So it's not a way out ... What a bag." Said Himiko in her usual tired tone. She pouted disappointed with the situation.

"No, no. You're totally wrong, little girl. This is a legitimate way out! "

Was it really reliable what the 'director' said? Of course not. But I couldn't totally discredit it. We all didn't have that privilege.

"Now, why don't you try to cross the passage again. I bet if all the ultimatums come together they will make some progress. " His paws were in front of his mouth making it look like he was laughing at all of this. He continued. "Oh, really ... All the ultimates are not together, I forgot! Hahahahaha ... "His laughter echoed in the room, leaving many nervous and pale. Realizing that Rick's lack only showed how little together we were.

"Kyahahahahaha!" The monokubs joined their 'dad' laugh before quickly disappearing. They seemed to be teleporting, but I suspect it was through some kind of secret passage.

...

The silence reigned in the place where we were all ...

"Folks! We have to try again. " Kaede's determined, feminine voice encouraged everyone once again.

She was so different from me. So determined, social, friendly, kind ...

I felt like I should just follow her. That she must be the Ultimate Detective and not a fearful idiot like me.

"But Monokuma said-"

"It doesn't matter what Monokuma said!" The pianist interrupts Ryouma's speech, her voice showing no doubt of her choice. "We can't lose to him like that! We have to try until we get it! "

Everyone looked astonished at the blonde girl without knowing what to say.

"And then when we get out of here ... We can all become friends!" Her conclusion was so beautiful. She just wanted the best for everyone, just something good and innocent.

He seemed so naive and yet not. I felt weak around someone like that, and I bet many others too.

"Yeah .. You're right." Kirumi agreed, getting up and positioning herself near the passage once again.

Soon after, many began to do the same. It looks like we might have a chance.

I let out a breath. I still felt it would be futile ...

But I wouldn't let Kaede face it alone. I felt that I should defend it ...

A really different feeling ...

"Well done, guys! Let's go one more time! " Akamatsu's voice again caught my attention as she advanced on the passage followed by everyone else including me.

Only Rick was missing. How is he now?

_____________

*Dining Room (1st Floor)*

*Hours - 8:30 pm*

-POV RICK

This kitchen is on another level. I've never seen so much food in my life.

I'm starting to like this place more and more, and it kind of scares me.

But it is better to take advantage while the deaths have not started, I doubt that anything can stop them.

And that was how I calmed down enough to eat nachos with melted cheese while exploring the school.

Decorating places, laboratories, paths, etc ...

I also took the opportunity to get more coins. I haven't found any yet.

I hope I don't have to break things to find one.

Hmm ... I also had to go to the library. Only I preferred to go tomorrow.

I'm not that stupid. With everyone together except me, of course I am drawing the 'mentor' of this place. He must be watching me closely right now ...

If I just go to a secret passage I would be too suspicious. And maybe that makes him want to eliminate me ...

I can't have a problem like that.

So I'm just going to waste my time as a complete idiot.

That should lift some suspicions, maybe ... Well, I hope so.

Oops! Is that a coin in the grass !? Finally, luck.

I flip the coin over and choose Monokuma's face mentally.

It falls into my hand and I see it. It was expensive.

It looks like I'm lucky, doesn't it?

...

Lie ... She has the face of Monokuma on both sides ...

...

Yeah, I need entertainment and fast ... Or I'll end up becoming a troll like Kokichi. The urge to make 'Kaedead' and 'Knot in the neck' jokes are very strong.

__________

* Manhole passage (sewer) *

* Hours - 9:55 pm *

- POV KAEDE

So many times. There were many attempts.

But we have not succeeded in any of them, without even a significant advance.

It was just despair in the end. Waking up in the same place always.

I COULD NOT ACCEPT THIS! I COULD NOT LOSE TO MONOKUMA!

I get up even with my weak and tired limbs "One more time!" I say tired more determined.

"Enough." Maki looked at me threateningly, I never thought I would receive such a bad look from a friend in my life. "I'm done with that."

The ultimate nanny started to head towards the stairs. She had given up. And yet, I couldn't blame her.

"Hey, wait! We can't give up yet! " Kaito tried again to call them back. Telling them not to give up. I could admire you for that.

"I can." Harukawa said determined to leave.

"We still have to try! We can't lose to him! " I try to dissuade them once again. If one leaves, it is very likely that everyone will give up in sequence. We were going to be defeated completely by the mentor's maniac.

"You want to torture us, is that it?" The little boy who called himself the ultimate supreme leader looked at me accusingly, his tears falling out of the corner of his eyes. I felt bad, but something told me that it wasn't true.

"This is not inspiration! You want to force us to do something impossible! This is torture!" Said Kokichi, wiping his tears that kept falling from his face. "If you want to go, go alone! Don't deny us the right to leave this! "

His charge was absurd. And yet, I felt that he was right somehow. Maybe ... This is not the right choice after all ...

And then her crying stopped. "Look at everyone, they think the same."

Obeying the boy in the checkered scarf, I begin to notice how frustrated and desperate everyone was. It was a horrible thing to see.

"This failure is increasingly dominating my body, I can't take it anymore." The exhausted anthropologist clenched his hand. I couldn't see much of his face because of his mask, but his annoyance was clear.

"The most logical decision at the moment is to give up." Keebo replied calculatingly.

"Yes ... I feel like Mamoru Endo facing the Imperial Institute for the first time." The cosplayer said through an otaku reference that I didn't understand.

"You can't count on me this time ... I'm totally without MP." The little red-haired girl looked sadly at the floor, holding her skirt tightly.

"I'm just happy that we didn't have any complications. Glory to Atua! " Angie knelt and clasped her hands in prayer. She was really too weird to be happy in such a situation.

"Enough of that shit, this is a total waste of my precious time." The inventor went towards the stairs to get out.

Maki had left, then Miu, and so one by one they came back up.

We had been totally defeated ...

"I'm sorry guys." I could only cry in this situation. My decision had clearly been bad for everyone. All thanks to that bear.

"Why are you apologizing?! It's not your fault!" The astronaut tried to cheer me up, but I knew it had been my decision in the end.

"Y-Are you okay? ... "Shuichi put his hand on my shoulder and looked at my face with concern.

I can't let him see me in that state. Not if I want him to be stronger, I need to be stronger too. I use my hand and wipe the tears from my face and eyes. A thin smile again on my face.

* Ding Dong Bing Bong *

The monitor turned on showing the monokubs. It seems that the Night Time has started.

We really spent a lot of time and effort in that place, and for nothing.

...

But it was not yet time to give up. No. It was time to be even more determined.

Tomorrow will be a new day with new possibilities, we have many chances to leave this cage.

We just need nobody to start this game of death. This shouldn't be too difficult to avoid, right?

Right?

____________

 - POV RICK

When the Night Schedule announcement rang I was already on my way to the dorm. Not because I'm the ultimate fortune teller or something, I just saw the time on Monopad. Yes, it has this function and some other fun ones, like taking pictures.

Yes, he could take pictures here. This would be extremely useful in the trials.

On my way, I kept turning the staff I had won. It took some of my anxiety away, it was incredibly therapeutic.

But as Murphy said, nothing ends up that easy.

Near the building where I was going to sleep, I ended up meeting two other students.

The problematic master of aikido and magic. And the last one looked at my toy with starry eyes, she really wanted it.

"Where did you find him? A mage like me is badly in need of a staff like that. " She clearly wanted a lot. I wouldn't doubt that she would beg me to tell you where I found him.

Tenko just looked irritably at me, I better be careful with her. In fact ... Fuck her.

I advance towards the mage receiving a great death glare from the fighter. And then I stop right in front of the little girl and hold out the toy.

"Nyeh? ... "Himiko just looked confused at the situation. Without understanding anything.

Giving a small smile to the redhead I said: "Take it. You would make better use of it than me. " My eyes intently waiting for your answer.

She took it and held it, a happy smile gracing her face before she looked into my eyes. "Thank you big brother."

...

Big Brother? I really didn't expect a nickname like that. But it was still great to look at Tenko's reaction.

"You're welcome" After saying this, I continued my silent way to my room. The path had no one else to block me. Except for the magical girl who followed me into the dorm.

Entering my room I realize the luxurious place that was waiting for me ... It is much more than I had before.

It was like an expensive apartment. Bathroom well done, comfortable and soft bed, closet, all that was missing was a kitchen.

I took the key to my room that was on my desk, it reminds me that Kokichi knows how to break down doors, maybe I need a countermeasure for that ...

I'm out of ideas at the moment.

I sat on my bed while waiting for some Monokub to show up to talk some bullshit ... According to my knowledge of the game something like that should happen.

But several minutes went by and nothing. Maybe I was not privileged for that? Or does Kaede only receive this warning as a grotesque kind of joke?

Nothing too important after all.

I lay my body on the comfortable mattress, for what would be a relaxing moment ...

However, at that moment several memories started to cross my mind, along with incessant doubts.

Would I go home? Was there any way this could happen? Would I never see my family again? Will I die in this place? Who will be the Mentor? Is there any way out of this hell?

I let out a long breath. This will be a night like that ...