Manipulation at its Finest - Classroom of the Elite

Prologue - 0.3

"Okay, so we can now commence with our splendid entrance ceremony !"

Visibly overjoyed by the attention he was getting, Monokuma made a small pause to savour it.

Tension building up among the students, we now looked at Monokuma with apprehension.

Worries had replaced the surprise and confusion, since it became obvious that Monokuma was related to what was happening.

Everyone, and I was no exception, was listening to his every word.

"First, I expect all of you to respect the rules I'll expose in a few minutes... otherwise, the outlaws will have to receive a punishment !"

Looking at how he mentioned it, what the punishment was seemed to already have been defined. However, Monokuma did not seem like elaborating further for the moment.

"Now that you learned about that, I must go on with the facts and rules !" Monokuma clapped his paws. "So first of all... nobody is allowed to leave this place. And this, ladies and gentlemen, forever !"

Only silence responded to Monokuma, who expected a reaction.

The truth was that most here already expected something along those lines to be said, and waited for Monokuma's next words.

Some, although they also expected it, were too stunned to pronounce even one sentence.

"No reaction... ? That means that until you die, you'll be trapped in this school ! But I guess it doesn't surprise you that much..."

"Rather than telling us that, I think it would be better to explain what you expect from us, why are we only sixteen students and what are the circumstances of our restriction here." Katsuragi cut off Monokuma, having enough of this comedy.

"Y-You're so exigent, Katsuragi-kun ! But I understand. So, I'll reveal it to you, this horrible truth... Suspense... Suspense..."

Monokuma suddenly seemed to realize something.

"Oops ! I actually can't say anything ! It would be spoiling the fun, after all."

Another deception from Monokuma, which amused no one.

We were meant to be kept out in the dark for the time being, it seemed.

No answers would be given to any of our uncertainties, no matter what. One could always theorize about the reason of our presence here, but there was no way to know the exact truth.

But the thing was that, without any detail presented, we also had the right to not believe what Monokuma had to say, including what he said about us never leaving this place.

Although I was fine with it under certain circumstances, it could as well be something used just to scare us, or whatever.

I was sure that someone was about to make a remark about that, but Monokuma spoke before it happened.

"Wait, I already mentioned that you won't be leaving this school until death, right ? Actually, there exists one way to leave it !"

Warily, everyone's ears perked up.

Even though Monokuma's words were not trustworthy for the moment, the possibility that he was delivering correct information still existed. And in that case, giving him an ear would find itself valuable.

"It's by killing another student here !"

...Huh ?

"What ?!" Karuizawa instantly screamed, not believing what she just heard.

"This-... this is ridiculous !" Ichizaki added, terrified.

"What is this complete nonsense ?" Horikita, next to me, asked herself in a whisper.