Phobia

Thanatophobia

Although people were physically focused on the wheel they've come to hate spinning in front of them, most were still thinking about the cute couple that had just been revealed, especially Miu. In fact, some were so focused on Rantaro and Korekiyo that the only reason they came back to the present was thanks to Kaito's yelling as he reached for the girl who was being pulled away from his side by familiar chains.

Maki didn't struggle, or scream, instead she just stood on the stage staring emotionlessly at nothing in particular like she usually did. She knew she couldn't do anything to prevent her inevitable punishment.

But nothing happened.

Everyone, including Maki, looked around in confusion as they realised Monokuma had now disappeared, or they thought he had until a painful creaking noise caused them to stare at the gym entrance. The previously barricaded door had now been opened and Monokuma was standing there with his paws on his sides triumphantly. 

"Alright you little shits go to the trial grounds! If you aren't there in five minutes then..." He trailed off, ending his instruction with his signature laugh as he disappeared in his usual Monokuma fashion. Maki was the first out the door, making her way to the trial ground without any questions before the others followed quickly behind, none wanting to be even a second late.

"Oi Maki-roll, whatever happens just know it's all fake. I'm here for you if you ne-"

"Do you want to die?"

"Don't be like that Maki-roll! You're about to face your biggest fear it's going to be tough but I'm sure you'll ge-"

"I'm not scared of anything. Especially something as stupid as ghosts." Maki spat her final words before walking ahead, leaving Kaito to sulk next to Shuichi as they walked in silence.

"I'll get her to open up eventually." Kaito slapped Shuichi's back, causing him to loudly cough in pain.

The students all filed into the elevator while most tried to figure out where the damn thing came from to begin with. Shuichi noticed how Kokichi was slightly antsy, but just put it down to him being worried, they all were slightly scared since they were  told a class trial happened after someone dies, and they were in the elevator supposedly going to the trial grounds.

A ding sounded through the small space as the doors creaked open, revealing the deep blue room and pink, weirdly patterned windows. "Get over there." Monokuma pointed towards a bare area of the room next to a circle of sixteen podiums. The kids all took their place as Maki was pulled to the front of a large roller door mounted to the wall.

"Kaito. I have a little surprise for you~" Monokuma cheered as another chain pulled Kaito away into a small room out of sight from the other fifteen ultimates. Shuichi instinctively reached out for his friend before quickly realising it was useless and looking down at the ground before being hugged by Kaede. Maki was staring at the door Kaito disappeared behind, yet again emotionless but there was the smallest hint of sadness if you looked close enough, which a certain purple, observant student was.

The loud gears of the roller door in front of Maki slowly turned to reveal something confusing. The rocket ship made everyone feel like they were in some sort of fever dream. Chains wrapped around Maki but she didn't fight, knowing there was no use in wasting her energy. The lights dimmed as a screen next to the door flashed with the words 'Blast Off! Second Ignition.'

A calm, motionless body sat inside the rocket ship, the astronaut stared coldly at the students on the other side of the door. 

"Iiiiit's PUNISHMENT TIME!" Monokuma shouted as he hit a big red button. It was this moment that the other students realised what Maki's fear was, and it was this moment that Maki realised the one person she ever properly loved was about to die right in front of her, just because of a stupid phobia she had. She felt weak.

The rocket ship's doors slammed shut as it took off, shooting high into the air before suddenly turning and slamming into the ground, spinning like a centrifuge as it broke through the ground and disappeared from the horrified students' views. Maki refused to show emotion, she wasn't going to reveal herself to anyone, but even she couldn't stop the lone tear than ran down her cheek. 

Shuichi's eyes were wide with horror as his new friend was killed right in front of them, and for no reason at all. The ground rumbled as Kaito's hearse reappeared in front of the unwilling audience and crashed on the ground next to the massive hole to a void that no one knew what it led to. The doors swung open to reveal Kaito's limp body covered in blood as Monokuma cheered again, the bear and a specific student overjoyed with the despair radiating around the room from a person's death.

No one said a word since no one knew what to say, they had just seen one of the most upbeat, enthusiastic members of their class die right under them. Maki's restraints recoiled as she was let go, although she still didn't move, staring at the corpse in front of her with horrified eyes. She knew that death was inevitable for everyone, and she had seen her fair share of death during her secret work, but watching Kaito die felt... different. She didn't understand what she was feeling, the feeling of defeat in the pit of her stomach was about to overtake her soul before she felt someone hugging her from behind.

"Hey Maki-roll, calm down." The child caregiver hadn't realised that she had been shaking and crying that entire time she was standing there. She grabbed one of the hands wrapped around her and spun around to face the owner. Everyone expected her to kill Kaito right there and then but instead she just hugged him tight, afraid if she let go then he would disappear again.

"Not to be that person, but if Kaito is here... then who's the unlucky bitch in there?" Kokichi questioned. Most just groaned at the fact that he spoke but Gonta backed the small boy up.

"Kokichi is right. Kaito is not dead but Kaito is in big flying room. Gonta confused."

"Puhuhuhu~ That's because this Kaito is a dummy!" Monokuma kicked the corpse and shocked everyone as it's head detached from it's plastic body and rolled away.

"Why did you use a fake Monokuma?" Kirumi somehow managed to convey her elegance through her question.

"It's obvious! I can't execute an innocent person! That's against the rules of this fine institution!" The bear seemed offended at such a hint from the maid.

Monokuma was satisfied at the trauma he created during this single punishment, so he decided to spin away from the room, although he was still listening to make sure Maki exposed her secret according to the rules.

"Maki-roll, you need to explain." Kaito and Maki were now separated from the hug.

"You dunce! She's obviously got a lady-boner for ya!" Miu laughed before a hand quickly made its way around her throat.

"Do you want to die?" 

"N-no." Was all Miu could say as terror flashed through her eyes.

"Maki put her down!" Shuichi yelled out, running over to help the inventor. If there was one thing the detective knew, it was that he wouldn't trust Maki around kids... ever. Maki dropped the girl, not before staring daggers into her soul, before walking away towards the edge of the group.

"My fear... is the children I take care of in the orphanage all dying." Is all she said as she walked off towards the elevator, Kaito following at her heels like a loyal puppy. 

Monokuma couldn't help but cackle at the child caregiver's half-truth, but she wasn't completely lying. After all he knew that part of her fear was her siblings at the orphanage dying, but she was also scared of loved ones dying. He laughed again as he remembered what was in store for her in a few chapters to come.

The principal watched the cameras in glee as the students all made their way in the elevator and back to the gymnasium for the next ten punishments to come.