Fifth Floor Investigation

After finishing my shower, I got myself dressed and ready for bed. The 10pm Nighttime alert would go off in a few more minutes, but Fuyuhiko's execution and Hiyoko's bawling still played in my mind. Certainly, I was used to dealing with death on a daily basis, but this...this was different. This was worse than anything I had ever experienced.

These were people we were supposed to get along with, to find a way to escape with. Instead, with the exception of poor Ryoma, we were bickering and killing one another.

Worse, Monorakun seemed to enjoy our misery, our infighting, and only seemed to care about us during the suspected security breach, and when showing us the Carnival Room. Otherwise, he taunted the others, hurled snide remarks around, and generally was a thorn in everyone's side.

Tomorrow, the Fifth and final floor would be opened for us all. I had to get some rest, so I would be prepared for what was to come the next morning.

And, once again, another dream of my past visited me. This time, it was daytime, and I was speaking to Officer Keisatsu Yakuin outside the mortuary, in the parking lot near his police car. He was asking me about Tonchiki Gehinna's disappearance.

"So, Miss Kantoku, witnesses say you were seen with Mr. Tonchiki Gehinna about two weeks ago, watching a movie together at night. Is this true?" Officer Yakuin inquired.

"Yes, I had watched a movie with him the night he disappeared, but he had dropped me off at the mortuary afterwards," I responded. This was technically true; we did go to the mortuary after the movies.

"Ok. And what happened after he dropped you off? When did you see him next?" Officer Yakuin asked next.

"Regretfully, I had not seen him since that night. While I did enjoy the movie, we did not end up having a second date. In fact, after that night, Tonchiki never spoke to me again," I answered, glancing off to the left, at the ground.

Officer Yakuin looked puzzled. "Hmmmm...I see. Well, his car was found at his home, but no one has seen him since that night. Any idea where he may have gone after he went home?"

"No, sir. He dropped me off at the mortuary, as I often prepare bodies and perform other duties at night. He made no mention to me of any other plans, so I do not know," I responded, shrugging my shoulders slowly.

"Alright, miss, I think that's everything I have for now. If you see him again, or hear anything about his whereabouts, please let us know, ok?" He patted the hood of his police car a few times.

I nodded in reply, then glanced towards the mortuary. "May I resume my duties inside? I still have cleaning to do before this evening's visitation."

After the police offer was convinced that I had nothing to do with Tonchiki's disappearance, he let me return inside, so I could resume vacuuming the lobby.

"Wake up, everyone! It's 7am, and Nighttime is now over! Time to enjoy another fun-filled day at The Ultimate Talent Enhancement Center!" Monorakun's voice woke me up. Today was the day the Fifth Floor would be opened to everyone. Clearly, I would be wise to find a partner to go up with, and with this being the final floor, I knew just who I wanted to accompany me.

I headed to the Dining Hall, and after making a omelette with bacon, ham, and both Cheddar and Swiss cheese, I sat next to Kyoko, who was eating a bagel of some sort.

"Kyoko? I know we have not have much cause to speak much, other than the Class Trials, but I was hoping we could go to the Fifth Floor together this morning, after breakfast."

Kyoko considered my request, then nodded. "I prefer working alone, but in this case, I won't object. After all, if we spend all our time trying to avoid danger, we'll never move forward. Am I wrong?"

"No. I fully agree, Kyoko. Shall we depart after each has finished their breakfast?"

Kyoko nodded and took another bite of her bagel. My eyes were drawn, once again, to her gloves. However, I did not wish to be rude, so I kept my questions to myself, and refocused on my breakfast instead.

After both of our breakfasts were finished, we put our dishes up and walked towards the stairwell. However, instead of immediately walking up the stairs, Kyoko started staring at the floor in front of the First Floor stairs. She started to kneel down, placing her hand on one of the tiles in front of the stairs.

Suddenly, Monorakun appeared before us, scurrying quickly down the stairs before stopping on top of the tile Kyoko's gloved hand was on, standing on all fours.

"Uh uh, once is enough, Kyoko. Basement access is restricted! I've barred this hatch from the inside to keep you, and the others, out! Now, move along!" Monorakun warned, then sat on his haunches, not moving off of the tile in question.

Not saying a word, Kyoko stood up and, after glancing at me, walked up the stairs. I followed, not wishing to get involved needlessly in this altercation.

When we finally got up to the Fifth Floor, we decided to make a left turn, entering the only room along that wall. To our pleasant surprise, the room was filled with flowers, a few cacti, and some short flowering trees. The ceiling in here was the same glass as in the Courtyard, so the plants could get some natural sun. There were also misting pipes along the ceiling, likely to water the plants at various intervals.

"Why would a robotic raccoon bother to grow plants and flowers? I have to admit, though, the thought is rather amusing," Kyoko noted.

"It would make sense for this room to be on the top floor, though. The natural light means the sun's rays can reach the plants easily," I observed.

Kyoko nodded. "Indeed. I must admit, the entire layout of this school makes little sense to me, however. The rooms seem to be placed without any particular rhyme or reason."

I had no argument for this, though I also admit that I did not give it much thought.

After we finished looking at the Botany room, we left and headed further down the hallway. We were met with a T-intersection, with...another set of stairs headed up?

I had to ask. "Monorakun, why is there another flight of stairs here, when there are only five floors to this building?"

Monorakun came bounding down the stairs, on the other side of the gate. "These stairs lead to the roof. There's nothing interesting up here for you."

Kyoko crossed her arms. "Oh, really. And how can we be so sure, Monorakun?"

Monorakun replied, "Because I said so! If you don't believe me, ask that headmaster father of yours!"

He then feigned shock, as if remembering something. "Oh yeah, that's right, Junko killed him, didn't she? That crazy bitch..." He then scurried back up the stairs, as Kyoko's eyes narrowed at him.

Choosing not to say anything to Kyoko, I instead headed away from the stairs, noting a door to our left, at the other end of the hall. Entering, we found ourselves in an Archery Room, with a round bulls-eye target with Monorakun's face as the background. Bows and crossbows were hung up along the wall, along with what appeared to be different types of arrows.

Kyoko examined several of the arrows. "These are high-quality, sharp arrows. These could easily pierce a human body as well as that target over there."

I nodded solemnly. "And those bows? What do you make of them?"

Kyoko pulled one off of its hook and tested the string. "Stronger than any regular training bow you would find in your typical gym class." She then turned her gaze towards me. "This has become a very dangerous room, Shishano. This has everyone one would need for a long-range murder, yet we can't exactly have someone guard it at all times, either."

I agreed with Kyoko, staring at the Monorakun target. I did not like this room. "Shall we check out another room, Kyoko?"

Kyoko, having no real reason to remain here, left with me, and we headed down the next hallway, coming across an offset intersection. Going right would lead us back to the downstairs staircase, so we went left instead, coming across two rooms.

The room in front of us was labeled "Staff Meeting Room", but Kyoko was focused on the door to our right, along that wall, instead. It was marked "Headmaster's Office". She started walking towards that door, and I followed her silently.

Strangely, this room was mostly empty, save for a large executive-style desk and an executive chair, which looked comfortable to sit in. No bookshelves, no pictures, not even a name plate on the desk.

Kyoko searched the desk drawers, which were all empty, then sighed in relief. "As I thought."

I tilted my head, confused. "Hmmm?"

Kyoko continued. "This was not my father's desk, and I don't recognize this chair, either. I didn't really know my father, so I can't pretend to know what he was thinking in the days leading to his death at the hands of Junko. But I can, at least, say this with certainty; the Kirigiri name has nothing to do with this school, as it currently stands."

I smiled, happy with this information, but realized that I was happier than Kyoko was. Not that this surprised me; Kyoko was never an emotional girl, not that I faulted her or held it against her.

Finding nothing else in here, we closed the door to the Headmaster's Office and decided to check out the Staff Meeting Room. Reaching the door first, I turned the handle and opened the door...well, tried to.

The door was locked. The handle would move, but the door would not budge.

"Locked? Here, let me try something," Kyoko suggested. She produced a lockpicking set, and went to work on the lock. However, after several seconds, she froze, her eyes going wide.

"There's...no locking mechanism in this door. Is this door electromagnetically locked, perhaps?" Kyoko asked, mostly to herself.

"Very observant of you, Miss Ultimate Detective," a low, gravelly voice came from behind us.

Kyoko gasped in spite of herself, and we both turned around.

Monorakun was standing behind us, his red eye lit up, and his teeth bared.