Beneath the Mask [Oumasai]

Chapter Seven

Shuichi's POV

About two weeks ago, there were sixteen students gathered in the dining hall, eating breakfast and chattering with each other. Now, only six of us, sitting in silence. Somewhere, there was a seventh, the one who I had feelings for. Seeing how few of my friends survived this long made me feel sorrowful. Not only that, the person closest to me turned out to be the enbodiment of malice. But I still couldn't help being worried about him. After all, I haven't seen him for a whole day. His cold body could be lying around somewhere, waiting to be discovered... No. I shouldn't think about it like that. He's way too smart to get killed. Besides-

The sound of Kaito slamming his palm on the table snapped me out of my thoughts. I flinched a little and looked at him questioningly.

The astronaut shot to his feet. "Listen up, guys," he started, his gaze fixed on his hand. "I've already said this, but...I'm going to get you out of here. But to do that, I'll need your help." He looked around at us."Now's our chance. We have to fight Monokuma!"

Tsumugi furrowed her eyebrows doubtfully. "Fight...Monokuma? Would that really work? I mean, who knows what he's got up his sleeve?"

"Y-yeah, and he probably has tons of replacements too!" Himiko piped up.

"Then we'll fight until we kill all of them. If we don't do it, we'll have to sit and watch more of our friends die!"

"...I'll fight him with you," said Maki, her usual emotionless tone replaced with a more determined one.

Keebo stood up proudly, his hands on his hips."Me too! My inner voice is telling me to stand up and fight! Besides, I'll do anything to prevent any further deaths."

The magician gave in too. "Fine then. I'll lend you my magic to defeat Monokuma!" She threw her hat in the air cheerfully.

Seeing the others agreeing to the plan, Tsumugi sighed and agreed to help as well. It was only me who didn't say anything yet. Everyone was looking at me expectantly, so I also promised to go with them, even though I had my doubts.

After everyone finished their breakfast, we decided to meet in the gym in the evening to face our opponent. Kaito told us to go and prepare mentally for the battle, while he'd prepare the rest. I had nothing to do and I didn't feel like talking to the others either, so I decided to try finding Kokichi. To be honest, I still didn't forgive him for what he did. How could I? He caused the death of two friends of mine on purpose. But despite that, I still thought there was some good in him. All those times we spent together, I got to know him well. At the last trial though, he seemed like a completely different person...But maybe there was an explanation for it.

I marched throught the courtyard again, hoping to glimpse the dark-haired troublemaker. But there was no trace of him anywhere. Expect the smooth stone lying in the grass. It was the one with the writing on it. After each trial, more letters appeared on it's surface, and now it had a complete message.

"This world is mine. Kokichi Ouma," I read it out aloud. What does that mean? He isn't the mastermind, is he? No. It sounds naive, but I refused to believe he's the one who put us through this hell.

I spent hours trying to find Kokichi, but to no avail. I went back to my room and slumped onto my bed in defeat. The sun would start going down soon, signing that it was almost time for our final battle. Can we really defeat Monokuma? There's no way he isn't prepared for a rebellion against him. I sighed and closed my eyes. There was nothing else we could do.

By the time the sun was gone and the sky was painted in dark blue, all of us had arrived to the gym. There were various weapons in front of us, collected in a heap.