[x] Use the e-Handbook; read rules as well as other programs.
-[x] Afterwards, talk about the contents of the ebook with Kyoko. Maybe together, the two of you can get some insight into who could be behind this, why, what purpose the rules serve, and learn anything useful that Kyoko picked up on that you didn't, and vice versa.
[x] Talk to that blond-haired boy.
[x] Free time: You don't even know half the people here. Before anyone go their own way, it would be good to conduct a round of introductions. Even if Glasses-kun and Yakuza boy are the least likely to like the idea, surely they can all agree to not want to call or be called 'Hey, you!'.
The atmosphere turned dark, the inhabitants of the gym whispering to each other conspiratorially or not at all. Wary eyes wandered, distrust in every single one of them. As childish as Monokuma had seemed, his words created a rift between everyone, literally and figuratively, as the others shifted away from each other slowly. Kozue squirmed uncomfortably, right hand gripping her left shoulder protectively. A standoff gripped the room, an all encompassing silence following suit, as everyone waited for someone else to make a move--
"I-I hope you're not all s-seriously considering what Monokuma said..." A small voice stuttered out, pitiful in its lack of strength. The speaker was a young man with mousy brown hair and a green sweater, a strained look on his face as he stepped forward, "It's not like he's forcing us to do anything, really."
His words were weak, softly spoken, and it was clear that Monokuma's speech affected him as well, but it was more than enough. Palpable relief surged through everyone, Kozue included, as the young man seemingly woke them from a trance. Others echoed the boy's sentiments, equally lacking in strength, but Kozue noted it was probably no different than someone amping themselves up. Still, the forced optimism did its job.
"You're right, man. Ain't no way some dude hidin' behind a remote controlled bear gonna be tellin' me what to do." The Yakuza boy slapped his meaty fists together angrily.
A chorus of "Yeah!"s and "That's right!" echoed him, but with a few other students noticeably silent. The pale girl in the gothic outfit rolled her eyes and played with her hair, twisting it around her forefinger casually. Kyoko, as one might expect, was lost in thought, seemingly deaf to the world as she pondered.
"Hmph, as if I needed you people to tell me what I already know." Pushing up his glasses, the blonde-haired boy snorted, "Still, I must admit what he said was interesting."
"Your interests aside, you brought up something that we should probably get out of the way, especially if we truly are trapped together." Kozue snapped her fingers, "We still don't know each other's names."
"What's the point in getting to know each other? For all I know, one of you could die within the hour, making introductions a complete waste of my time. If there's one thing I hate more than anything, it's gross misuse of my time."
Despite his antagonistic tone, Kozue only sighed patiently. There was certainly one thing that would likely stick in his craw, based on his pride, "Well, the alternative is for all of us to simply call you "you" or "hey". The more friendly among us would probably say "dude"."
"...Byakuya Togami. Ultimate Affluent Progeny."
"Excellent. My name is Kozue Kirigiri and this is my...twin--"
"Kyoko Kirigiri." Kyoko herself finished Kozue's sentence, which Kozue was grateful for. There was still an ounce of awkwardness when introducing a close family member that she had no recollection of. With that, there came forth a watefall of names, almost too many to remember.
Sayaka Maizono, Junko Enoshima, Makoto Naegi, etc.
Ultimate Pop Sensation, Ultimate Programmer, Ultimate Doujinshi Creator, Ultimate Affluent Progeny. The list went on and on. Some of the titles made sense, others were bewildering, and a few of them were interesting, such as the Ultimate Lucky Student. Each of them had a wide array of backgrounds. Hope's Academy truly did take the best, wherever they came from.
"If we're done blathering about then, I have some things I would like to do." Without so much as a goodbye, Byakuya strode out without a backward glance, his interest in the group long gone. The rest of the students, directionless, took their leave as well, mumbling about the dorms or the school or whichever. None of which currently interested Kozue. As they retreated from the gym, Kozue walked up to her sister, who was scrolling through the e-Handbook.
"Anything life changing in there? I believe I've had my fill of that today." Kozue dug into her jacket pocket and produced her own e-Handbook, flipping through the few functions it had.
"A standard set of rules, to be honest, with a few standout ones. Like this one here." With a gloved hand, Kyoko tapped the screen and showed it to Kozue. On it was,
Rule 4
With minimal restrictions, you are free to explore Hope's Peak Academy at your own discretion.
"Oh? So Monokuma isn't going to show up and self-destruct every time we try to open a door? That's good to know." Kozue said drily.
"Not necessarily. If you look at the last rule, Monokuma says more rules can be added as his own discretion. There are doors we won't be allowed to open, despite Rule 4, you can be sure of that." After staring at the screen for a few moments, Kyoko turned it off and stuffed it in her jacket pocket.
Instinctively, Kozue knew what Kyoko wanted to do, though it wasn't particularly hard to guess, "I suppose you're going to take advantage of the rule 4 straight away."
"Indeed." Kyoko cooly replied as she walked towards the gym entrance doors. Kozue followed, their footsteps echoing. Behind them, acrid traces of smoke remained from the splintered crater that was the Monokuma bear. She hesitated. Monkuma had given his warning only once, before nearly executing Mondo. The thing was merciless.
As they stepped out into the muti-colored hallway of the Academy, Kozue gave her sister some parting words, "Well, watch out for locked doors and a two-toned bear."
"Oh, you're not coming with?" Through Kyoko's neutral tone, Kozue thought she detected a smidgen of disappointment.
"Splitting up is the quickest way to gather information right now. I don't think the others are going to convene and share what they find immediately. We'll talk later."
Kyoko nodded, before setting off. Kozue smiled wryly. She made it sound as if she had a specific plan in mind. As of now, she didn't, but the appearance of strength was going to be a source of confidence for someone. The act of walking around was enough. Perhaps one of the other students discovered something, although Kozue doubted that. A quick jaunt through the halls showed Sayaka talking with Asahina, though neither greeted Kozue when she strode by.
That was to be expected though. Once again, Kozue found herself in the violet lit hall, with the hot pink door of the Medical facility jumping out at her with, little red hearts merrily stamped all over the door. She'd seen that door earlier, but hadn't thought to go inside, due to her circumstances. But now that she had time, it might be best to--
Suddenly, the door shot open, and Kozue caught it before it slammed into her face. A blonde-haired boy strode out, and glanced at Kozue. Byakuya was easily recognizable, his glasses glinting purple in the light. No apology came to his lips, only a simple snort and an, "Oh, you. One of the twins."
Then, he tried to brush past her. Without thinking, Kozue reached out and gripped his shoulder. It was the second time she had to catch someone today. Maybe her Ultimate was being the Ultimate Ballroom Dancer. If so, her technique only caught her a derisive stare, and a meaningful look at her hand on his shoulder that clearly said, "Remove yourself."
Putting up her hands in mock surrender, Kozue asked, "My name is Kozue. So, what did you find in there?"
"You have eyes, see for yourself." Byakuya snapped, "Must you people be babysat through everything?"
"I asked out of courtesy. Maybe there's something in there I have no knowledge about, something that caught your eye, or maybe I'm just trying to make conversation." Kozue replied icily.
"What makes you think I wish to speak with you? And to answer your question, I found the usual things you find in a nurse's office. Gauze, bandages, plasma, blood--"
Kozue couldn't help but cut him off, despite knowing it would sour his mood, "Wait, you found plasma and blood? I know Hope's Peak is extremely prestigious, but that seems a little--"
"I would thank you not to speak over me. What oddities Hope's Peak has doesn't matter. The items are there. That's all that matters." Byakuya sniffed.
Kozue couldn't bring herself to agree with him. He was too antagonistic, too direct, and had little consideration for others. His personality was quite blatant in that regard. It was mere pettiness that was stopping her from saying, "True enough". Biting her lip, Kozue decided to inquire further.
"Why are you interested in the nurse's office? Did you not do any preliminary exploration before Orientation?"
"Of course I looked around. However, this room was locked then. I assume the bear undid it as soon as he was done with his announcement about this game."
"Good to know. You still haven't answered why you came here."
With a heavy sigh, Byakuya enunciated his words slowly and carefully, as if he were speaking to a child, "Because I am investigating area's that can create a threat. Anything that can be used as an armory for a would-be killer."
Kozue ignored the obvious bait, "That shouldn't be too exhausting. There aren't many areas we have access to. Though I have yet to check the Despair Hotel just yet."
"That's my next destination." And just like that, Byakuya wheeled into the hall and left. Again. With the conversation unceremoniously ended, Kozue muttered blankly,
"Now what?"
Choose one!
[] Despair Hotel
[] A/V Room
[] Check the Classrooms
[] Speak to Sayaka and Asahina
[] Monokuma's School Store
Byakuya Togami knows your name now! Extremely Minor social increase.
I like that it needs to be stated that it's only an extremely minor social increase.
