First motive

"I have to continue" This kept going on in my thoughts again and again.

My body was weak, I could barely feel my legs while forcing my eyes to stay open.

The place was quiet ... A closed, gray maze with moss growing on all sides. On the walls, several monitors were securely attached.

There was a countdown from 10 to 0 on his screens.

Now It's was at 5.

I didn't know what to do, I just kept going; just ahead without looking back.

It was possible to see a door at the end, on its sign it was written in bold 'exit'.

It could be the end of that hell. I could finally go.

* 5 *

It was so close. Few meters away.

* 4 *

I'm finally at the door. My shaking hands going straight for the doorknob.

* 3 *

I put my hand on the handle and turn it.

*2*

It begins to open and on the other side a bright glow that rivaled the sun.

*1*

The images of my home, my family flashed through my mind. My hope.

I would go back. It would be like before.

* 0 *

And then everything went dark.

In the end the glow was gone. And in its place the great mystery appeared.

A simple and extensive brick wall.

...

There was no end. There was no way out.

* Klink *

Long metallic spines impaled my entire body. I didn't know why ...

But I knew it was all a trap. It was all fake. Everything False.

...

IT'S A LIE.

*GAME OVER*

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Waked up panting and startled, my body was sweating while my heart was racing. All because of a nightmare.

A nightmare similar to one I have had in the past, based on the punishment Junko gave Chiaki Nanami at the end of Danganronpa 3.

That extremely cruel and sadistic ending made me really sad and even haunted my thoughts several times.

Over time I had forgotten it as a fiction that was, however, now it was different.

I'm in fiction.

Because of this stressful situation, my memories came back to haunt.

After all, I could be the next cruelly punished.

...

I shake my head from side to side. I need to compose myself. If you get more depressed it will only be anti-functional at that time.

I take my MonoPad that was still in my pocket and turn it on.

The information for all the other students was here, height, weight. It was time for some precautions ...

What I was going to do is simple.

With the notebook I had in my drawer, I will write down information that may be important for the trial. Things like height, skills, personal rules, the type of footprint, can be very important at this time.

Not to mention alibis and the like.

I'm not in the game, which means there is no more 'Bullet of Truth' and things like that, that is, I will have to do it my way.

Looking at the MonoPad I notice something interesting. In my profile, the 'likes' and 'dislike' category was empty and written that could be personalized.

So I had to fill them out, it's kind of unexpected.

[Likes: 'Nanami Chiaki']

[Dislikes: Pepper]

Ready.

Now that everything was done, and my little notebook was in my pocket, it was time to go to the cafeteria to meet the other students.

Today the first reason will be announced after all.

-XXXXXXXXXXXX-

Dining Hall (1st floor)

8:01 am

POV RICK

The evening hour ended a few minutes before I arrived at the cafeteria.

Thanks to that, I was the first to enter it. And on the bright side, I could choose the chair I wanted.

Because of my morning hunger, I went to the kitchen to do something to eat. But, even before I picked up an ingredient, it appeared.

"Sorry, Mr. Rick, but you better go back to the lounge and relax, let me do it and serve the food." Kirumi was the second to arrive and she came straight to the kitchen as soon as she saw me.

"Okay then ..." I close the drawer and go back to my place at the table, leaving the Ultimate Maid working in the kitchen. She seemed happy doing these boring things, so who would I be to intrude.

It was strange to see her so happy cleaning the dishes, making the food and the juice. All at once. Just an ultimate.

While the others did not arrive, I took my notebook and my Monopad and started to profile the students.

Height, Weight, Clothing colors. The Monopad even had the girls' chest size information. Not that it was useful, but it is interesting to think that Monokuma was probably the one who measured it.

"Hi, I believe we haven't performed yet." Taking my head to see who is the person who started the conversation. Unfortunately, it was Korekiyo who sat across from me. "My name is Korekiyo Shinguji, I am known as the Ultimate Anthropologist."

I'm beginning to suspect that I'm the Ultimate Unlucky. "Nice to meet you. I'm Rick Amami and I don't know what my Ultimate talent is. "

The anthropologist raises his eyebrows puzzled. "What's the reason for that?"

"I can't remember, and it doesn't appear on MonoPad. That simple." I mean looking at the MonoPad more than at it.

"Interesting ... Mayb—"

"Good morning, big brother." Hearing my prayers, Himiko arrives and saves me by sitting on the chair next to me. "Last night, Himiko managed to brush her teeth and go to the bathroom alone. Isn't it amazing? "

I'm not sure how old this girl is, but if she can be proud of something as common as that, it must be a lot smaller than I think.

Well, let's do what she wants after all. "Congratulations Himiko, I am proud of you!" I put my hand in her hair and give him a little pat. Being the older brother has his responsibilities.

She gives a cute smile for the compliments she received. As a stage presenter, she must love receiving attention and flattery, and perhaps that is one of the reasons used to get her hooked entirely by Angie's craziness.

"How dare you touch Himiko! Your degenerate male! " Arrived whoever shouldn't have arrived.

After that, Himiko's face went from happy to annoyed, with a little anger in her eyes. "The problem is not yours! Also, I let him touch me if he wants to! " Her statement sounded very wrong, drawing the attention of students nearby.

Maki, stop looking at me like that.

"B-But!"

"No but!"

"Heavens ... What's going on here?" Said the tennis player who just arrived in the cafeteria. His eyes were fixed on the figure of Tenko who looked like a kicked puppy.

"I explain." I need to resort to drastic measures. All for my reputation. "Korekiyo and I were arguing about ancient people, and these two here started fighting over which was the coolest."

"So that was it." Ryouma says uninterested. He sat at a distance from everyone and because of his stature it was difficult to perceive him. Seriously, half of his head was under the table.

Korekiyo looked at me with a raised eyebrow, because I lied in the hard face.

The two problematic girls, on the other hand, stopped their stupid discussion, more precisely, Tenko noticed the ambiguity of the previous phrases and was quiet with a red face. And Himiko got tired and seems to be sleeping in the chair.

I put my tablet and notebook back in my pockets, since it was all over for now

"Since we were talking about ancient people, why don't you say which one is your favorite, so to speak." Taking advantage of my lie to bring up more subject, well I deserved it.

"I'm not sure about a 'favorite', but I really like the Celts." In fact, it was the first one that came to my mind.

"Celts? Why are they exactly? " I will have to improvise with what I know.

"For many reasons. One is that I am a foreigner and my ancestors were Celtic. " I continue the conversation, gathering half truths and some thoughts. "And I also like their mythology, like that of Cú Chulainn and Rei Arthur."

"Butt Chullain and King Arthur !? Wait, are you guys talking about Fate? " Tsumugi enters the middle of nowhere, like a jumpscare. What a fucking scare.

But I got the reference.

"What would that Fate be?" Don't you know Fate? Heresy. THIS IS HERESIA.

"It is an anime that involves myths from several different cultures. Very famous among otaku for its quality in animation and history. " I answer the anthropologist, who did not know a splendid anime. If he saw more anime instead of killing girls, his life would be much better.

"I understand, so it is specific to a niche that's why my ignorance." Said Korekiyo rubbing his mask.

Meanwhile, the ultimate cosplayer looked at me with great interest.

"Wow, you know it too! Tell me your favorite character! I really like Arturia and how she wants to redeem herself from the past and her design is so beautiful and majestic ... "It seems that she is very intense when talking about her Hobbies. But it is always good to talk to fellow Weebs.

"Arturia is ... I like Rin better."

"Da Rin? Because she?"

Because she has the best thighs in the anime, plus I love a tsundere.

... Nor in hell would I say something like that. Better to go by cult mode.

"I like her strong personality and how she tries to help everyone, and the tragic story of her family attracts me a lot." Now it got better.

"But what is this nerd talk? It's making me want to kill someone more and more. " The cursed child has arrived. "Ah, don't worry. It was just another lie. "

Kokichi has already arrived, putting an end to all the mood and my otaku conversation. The cosplayer sat in the chair next to me silent. A little offended by what the supreme leader said.

I don't see why to be ashamed about it. They all should be ashamed for not knowing about the fantastic anime that is Fate. Bunch of normie.

"Thanks for waiting for everyone. Here is the food. "

The table was in an instant full of various forms of food, and with plates positioned for each person. As expected from Ultimate Maid, efficiency was its virtue.

"It looks so delicious! You're really amazing, Kirumi! " Kokichi gave cheerful and cheerful praise. However, being the liar he was, no one really believed his words completely.

"Thanks for the compliments, but I just did my duty." So formal, it makes me feel like a famous rich man or something.

"They really look good! Finally, something good from this place! " Kaito entered the noisy hall as usual.

But he was right, the food looked incredible. Fried eggs, bacon, sandwiches of various kinds, juices, bowls of rice, and even sauces that I didn't know about.

How did she do all of that in less than 30 minutes? Magic? Maybe Himiko is more certain than everyone thought ...

I put the ham and egg sandwich in my mouth and chew. Well, TOO GOOD.

It was such a perfect homemade taste that I could eat several without even getting sick.

My eyes were on Korekiyo, waiting for the moment when he would lower that mask. But he didn't even touch the food.

You will probably only eat when you are alone.

That reminded me ...

I use my elbow and nudge Shirogane to get her attention. And then I whisper, "Don't you think Korekiyo looks like a merger of Kakashi and Orochimaru?"

His eyes bulge and fix on the anthropologist for a little while, and then come back to me.

"Now that you say ... It's like he's cosplaying. Even his arm is bandaged as a reference to the loss of Orochimaru's arms." She whispers.

"Interesting, isn't it? I wonder what is the reason for such a coincidence ... "Probably Kodaka was inspired by it to create this psychopath. Since the two kill for their sick ideals.

"What are you two whispering about there? Are you planning a murder by any chance? " Kokichi meddles in search of creating more discord.

"It's about anime, you wouldn't understand." I say a little more offensive than expected.

"Woah, sorry! I didn't want to be nosy. " The liar had a playful smile on his face. It was obvious his intention to irritate everyone.

"Yes! Just ignore this stupid child! " Miu said he was also already in the cafeteria. Now, only the protagonists were missing.

"Right. It is better not to take the meaningless things that this robophobic talks about seriously. " I realize for the first time Keebo that he was well camouflaged for a robot among several students.

"What's going on here?" Kaede arrives, stopping a probable discussion.

"Ah, Kaito threatened Rick with death, forcing him to tell all his secrets. Nothing more."

"W-what !? I didn't do anything like that! " The astronaut paled by making a face too exaggerated for what was clearly a lie.

"I know, it was just a lie." Kokichi finished with a big smile on his face.

"Well, you little pest!" This would continue for quite a while ...

My vision turns to the pianist who was very upset as if she was going to explode at any moment and- Oh damn.

"Enough!!" Motherfucker! My ears have broken now! How can anyone have such a loud cry?

"Stop those screams, you fucking bitch! Now my ears are fucking sore! " I have to agree with Iruma on this one.

"Sorry, but I did it to stop the fighting."

Then Kaede started with her phrases of pure protagonist. 'We have to be friends' and 'We must come together'.

I was really getting sick of it.

Then he appeared.

"Oops! Sorry, but I will have to meddle a little! " The monochrome bear magically appears on the table, like, I didn't see any passageway opening and it just dropped there. He was on top of the sandwiches.

He destroyed the wonderful sandwiches.

"M-Monokuma ?!" He shouted at Kaede, who had her cliché speech interrupted.

"Myself. The incredible, beautiful, seductive and charismatic Mono—! "

"What's with that stuffed animal?" I interrupt the robotic narcissist, just to annoy him.

 "I am not a stuffed animal! Do not call me like that!"

"If I squeeze him, will he stop talking?"

"Well, yours! ... "The irregular red eye begins to shine at the same time that its paw has been raised with three exposed metal claws. "Say that one more time! Let's see if you have the courage! "

We stared at each other for a while, until I took a deep breath and spoke. "Stuffed animal, stuffed animal, stuffed animal, stuffed animal, stuffed a—"

~ Rise and Shine, Ursine! ~

"Wow, what's with all the noise?" Monosuke asks, holding his glasses.

Monokubs started analyzing the situation until their 'eyes' stopped on their 'dad'. That he was clearly angry.

"Wooow, Papa Kuma is really pissed!"

"What is it that made him so angry?" Monotaro asks, pretending he didn't know what had happened before they arrived. Or didn't they even know? I'm not sure.

But annoying Monokuma was hilarious. His angry face is very funny, even when you imagine Junko controlling him. Even if it's not her in that case.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to piss him off?" Ryouma asks nervously. In fact, many of the other students looked at me with fear and concern.

Unlike me, they didn't know how absolute the rules were.

"How dare you disrespect me like that ... It looks like I'm going to have to use you as a test." I have no idea what he's talking about ...

"Kubs! It's time to use Exisals! " Oh, I see, he's going to bluff like he did with Kaito in the beginning. It worried me a little, but he couldn't kill me just because I 'insulted him'.

So I stood still and indifferent, staring at him as if I didn't care at all.

"We are finally going to use them!" Monotaro wept with satisfaction, leaving me with more doubts about how a robot could cry.

"Get ready, bastard, you will be used as an example for everyone." Monotaro said.

"Erg ... I don't like violent things like that ... I'll just be a spectator this time."

I look at the half-pink bear and say, "Monomi pirate."

"I will be the first to kill him." I told Monophanie with her 'angry' face that she was as scary as the face of a snarling poodle.

"Wait a minute, are you going to kill him?" Kaito seemed very concerned now that he finally understood the implications of what Monokuma was saying. "You can not do that. I-I won't allow it! "

"Stay quiet." I spoke in my usual normal tone, not wanting to hear the astronaut's screams.

"H-How can you be so calm? Don't you realize they are going to kill you !?" Kaede asks, looking ready to cry. So exaggerated.

"I want to see them try." My voice came out as a challenge for the bears, especially Monokuma, who continued to stare at me.

We continued to stare at each other, I was hoping that some monokub would catch an Exisal. But they just stood there.

"Hmpf! You teenagers are really the worst. But, as I am in a good mood, I will forget about it for now "said the director who was returning to his normal and clawless way.

"Y-Will you forget?" Looking at the monochromatic bear in disbelief, Tenko relaxed her taut and firm limbs that were prepared for a fight.

"As expected of the big brother. Monokuma was so scared that he gave up even facing it. " It's not really Himiko ... But thanks for the compliments.

"He's not afraid of Monokuma, just like a knight." Gonta's eyes shone with adoration. It looks like I got a fan.

"Okay, okay. Enough with that stupidity! " Shouted the black and white bear, who continued. "Now, it's time to give my ad."

Everyone looked at the being on the table, waiting for his announcement. But he said nothing and just stood there. Then he still wants to complain about me pissing him off.

"What ad?" Ryouma asked.

"Ah, as you just get along with being friends with each other, I started to get bored" A playful and cruel smile appeared on his face. "I thought about increasing the chances that someone would take the initiative and kill soon."

"Don't even play with that!" Shouted the angry pianist. Seriously, now I understand why she tried to kill the 'mentor', her eyes were full of hate against Monokuma. "No one is going to kill anyone here! No matter what you say! "

"Puhuhu. Are you sure about that?" He was clearly laughing at Kaede's determination, increasing the flames of her anger.

"Yes, without a doubt! No one here is going to do what you want! " It is so brilliant, its certainty and purity. The fact that she trusts so much people she just met is so beautiful and rare.

It is a pity that she is so wrong. Just having a serial killer among us shows how wrong she is in trusting everyone. Not to mention others with murderous tendencies.

Miu, Kokichi, the suicide bomber Ryouma and I believe Angie too. If I took those 4 out of here, Akamatsu's speech would be perfect and flawless.

But as they are here, their speech is just a pool of naivety and ignorance.

"Then I will finally announce the first reason! Make sure to keep it! "

Yeah, I monologized too much again.

"Now, the special reason that I prepared is called the First Death Bonus" Everyone looked nervously at the bear, the name already made it clear that it would be a bad thing.

"Incredible, for the first time that a murder happens, no trial will take place! Can you believe?" No matter how many times I hear it, it always seems like a trap. "This means that the first one to kill will graduate, leaving without a problem!"

...

"You can leave ..." Maki says, thinking about the big implications of this reason.

"So just kill someone who can leave this place ?!" Says Miu with a hostile face.

"What do you mean' just kill '? Calm down!" The robot, along with other students, moved away from the inventor, afraid that she would actually do something like this.

"II wouldn't do that ... I'm too noble for do that ..." Said Iruma in her cowardly and defensive way.

"Bullshit." I say drawing everyone's attention.

"Huh, bullshit?" The astronaut looked at me with suspicion, I think his thoughts about me are changing a lot today.

"Mr. Rick, I believe this is too serious to be considered an lie." Corrects Kirumi, who was incredibly indifferent to everything.

"Well, I think this is totally stupid. Like, come on! " I smile at Monokuma in mockery. "A talking pokemon wanting humans to fight each other to the death is ironic too much to not be bullshit."

...

"Pffftt" Tsumugi puts her hand over her mouth to stop her silent laughter. In the meantime Monokuma was starting to get into his 'I'm so fucking pissed off' mode.

"Enough!" Claws came out of his dark paw again. "The Exisals now !!"

"Not this one." Said Kaito sounding afraid again.

"I will be the first!" Monotaro runs out of the room, and then a loud machine sound goes through my ears.

"Run Rick !!" Shouts Kaede, with tears streaming from her eyes.

I stayed there looking indifferent until Exisal appears and smashes.

* SMASH *

Monokuma is clear.

"GRRRRRAAHHH!" The monochrome bear was under the legs of Monotaro Exisal. By being attacked his defense system was turned on and—

* BOOOM *

It exploded.

...

"DAD!" Shouted Monotaro who had appeared in the place of his red Exisal.

"Did the father become a pile of garbage !?" Monophanie said, throwing up something white. Disgusting.

"That was for my sandwiches." I mean, before I go back to my chair and get some bacon.

Meat is so good ... I understand you Akane.

"But what's going on?" The astronaut tilted his head in total confusion.

"I have no idea." Tsumugi said that he gave up on understanding the situation and went back to the food just like me.

"I only know that Monokuma is in pieces." The tennis player was watching a fragment of burnt metal that had fallen on his feet.

I swallow the wonderful meat, which was also unfortunately the last one on the table. "Monokuma died, that's all." After saying that, I turn my attention to the remaining eggs.

What? Of course, I'm very hungry ... Not as consistent as almost a day ago.

 "Monokuma died ?!" The pianist looked closely at the burn stain on the floor. Not believing what she had heard.

"Wait, certainly the controller must have created backup copies." The Ultimate employed was smart as always, getting it right the first time.

"There is no copy! Don't treat his life so idly! " Said Monophanie, continuing her sad cry.

The other Kubs also talked a lot of bullshit but I was more focused on other students and food.

"So, that's it ... Are we free?" Maki looked indifferent as always, but I could see a little relief in her eyes.

"I believe so." Said Tojo.

"Alive! We did it! Nyahahaha! " Angie raised her hands happily for the victory.

"We are free! And all thanks to Rick! " Of course, Kokichi would throw everything at me.

"Because of this degenerate?" Said the fighter taking her eyes to me.

I not like your face either.

"Of course, it was he who caused the destruction of Monokuma!" Thanks to the statements of the supreme leader, everyone was staring at me.

"What? Are you really going to stare at me? " After my speech, I get up and go straight to Kaede's side. "Since they want my opinion so much. Why don't you listen to what Kaede has to say. "

Yes, I threw all the attention to the protagonist. That's her job, taking care of everyone and that shit.

"I?" Said the pianist.

"Yes, you! I loved your friendship speech is magic and can defeat everything. " I couldn't contain my smile, but I still tried to speak as seriously as possible. "I just caused Monokuma to be destroyed by luck, but I believe you have a much better chance of defeating the' mentor 'than I am."

"What are you saying?! The mentor has already been destroyed! " Said Kokichi, a little annoyed that I didn't follow the way he wanted.

My smile grew as my eyes grew more frightening. "Do you really believe that?"

My speech was so intense that it seemed to echo in the room.

Everyone who was relaxed before started to get tense again.

"W-What the fuck do you mean by that ?!" The inventor tried to be hostile even in fear, it was cute.

"Yes! Spill your degenerate male! "

"What I mean?" Should I explain to them why the game was clearly not over?

...

Nah. "Find out for yourself." I turn around and go outside, leaving all the idiots confused and curious.

It would be more fun that way. They need to discover something for themselves, like the symbols of hope that they are.

Hehehe, I look like Nagito.

But now I must begin preparations. I can't procrastinate here either.

After all ... One mistake could cost my life.

-XXXXXXXXXXXX-

 Dining Hall (1st floor)

10:20 am

POV KAEDE

I just stood there, watching Rick leave the room after dropping a bomb.

It was clear that he knew or suspected that the 'mentor' was alive. Well, I also thought it would be too good if he had just died so easily.

It seemed too forced, it must be some kind of theater.

But, everyone had the hope that it was over. Everyone wanted to believe it was over.

Your hope declined with Rick's phrase, and the tension returned with everything for everyone.

"Himiko! where are you going!?" The scream drew my attention to the little red-haired girl who was walking out of the room.

"I'm going after the big brother." Said Yumeno before continuing her walk out of the room.

"I will go too! It is not known what that degenerate can do to you! " Tenko followed quickly, using a very weak excuse.

It had been three fewer together. But it was not just those who left.

"I will go too. I believe that people from our culture are better together. " I didn't understand what the meaning of what she said was, but Tsumugi also went in search of Rick.

"I must also follow Rick! Acta told me that he knows the best way! " Angie left shortly after.

"Wait! Wouldn't it be better if we were together at a time like this !? " I was afraid it would start to separate us all.

"Shut up." Maki looked at me with such hostility that I felt bad. Very bad. I just wanted to help them. "Nobody cares about your half-bowl speeches anymore ..." After that, the silent nanny left the room.

That feeling ... That hurt.

"I thought the game was over ... But if Rick believes it is still happening then ..." said Kokichi as he looked at me.

"So?" Ryouma asked.

"Nothing more. Besides, I think we're done here! " Said the boy with the same playful smile he always had on his face.

Since nobody had any more ideas, they all separated and went to do whatever they wanted.

I went to my room exhausted. Tears fell from my eyes when I entered it. I was not sure why, as there were several in this situation.

But it was so frustrating.

I just cried in my bed for a while, until my room bell rang.

* DING DONG *

I wiped away my tears, and even with a little fear I opened the door.

"Shuichi?" The familiar detective was waiting for me in front of my door. He must have a good reason for that.

"Kaede ... Are you alright?" Saihara looked worried, well, my eyes must still be red from my tears.

"Y-Yes, I'm just a little frustrated ... Nothing much." My voice came out in my usual tone and I smiled, not wanting to worry him.

"I want you to know that it was not your fault, that secret passage was made to fool everyone. To break our hope. "

"Yes I know." But that didn't lessen the pain of seeing them disappointed in me.

...

"I know how you feel, Kaede ... And I believe you."

"Do you believe me?" The happiness I felt for that simple phrase was really incredible. Shuichi is much better at encouraging than I thought.

"I have something I want to tell you. Could you come to the library with me? "

Library? Well, that looked a little suspicious.

But it's Shuichi. Just as he trusts me, I trust him.

"Sure, let's go!" My mood had improved, and with that we both walked home to the basement.

Halfway there we find Rick in a strange situation.

"WHAT HELL! STOP FOLLOWING ME!!" He ran like a convict out of school, and behind him a familiar girl.

"Ya-haha! You will not escape! Actua will love your offering! " Fast Angie was following him at high speed. It looked like they were having fun.

"Come on, this is it." Even so, we continued on our way to the library without any further interruption.

What would be important in that place?