Monokuma didn't so much as wiggle—then pop, the monochrome menace was simply gone.
"Right, K?"
Kyoko's question snapped my shell-shocked brain back online. I remembered the promise we'd forged moments ago and answered as smoothly as liquefied neurons would allow.
"Uh… y-yeah… right…?"
Yeah, smooth my ass. My favorite character in the whole franchise just announced we're dating.
My heart is pounding so hard it might launch itself through my ribs. Watching me stammer, face blazing scarlet, Kyoko lets out a small, private laugh.
"Still embarrassed? Even after everything between us?"
"W-well… blurting it out in front of everybody is, y'know… kinda intense…"
Fine. I'll lean into the hopelessly-led-around boyfriend act. Honestly, it isn't an act at all.
"Uh, c-congrats, I guess…?"
"I shall not tolerate unwholesome romantic conduct! If you must date, do so in a manner befitting your age!"
"You told me you were single, deceiver! You cad, you scoundrel!"
"Need your fortunes read? I'll check compatibility for free, darling!"
"H-h-how far have you gone? A steamy rendezvous in the locker room—d-don't tell me…!"
Once the others processed Kyoko's bombshell, the room detonated with chatter. Fukawa spiraled into her own delusions and, hitting her limit, fainted stone-cold.
"Haa… every last one of you is an imbecile. That's hardly the issue at hand, is it?"
"Indeed, my darlings. Have you already forgotten what K just revealed?"
Byakuya and Celestia doused us with a bucket of ice water.
The students finally remembered how nuclear my secret really was. Anxiety twisted their faces.
"So, K, you not only know the secret behind this Killing Game, you deliberately hid it?"
"I do want to explain, but not out here. If you'll give me some time—"
"No explanation necessary. The only point that matters is you possess that knowledge."
Byakuya's chilled verdict came while he eyed the unconscious Fukawa.
"Subdue that girl."
At the command Fukawa jerked awake, eyes dilating as she flipped into Genocide Jack.
"Yeees~! You want me to carve up that zero-moe K over there? Child's play!"
She lunged straight for me. A stainless-steel appointment with death—until a huge hand yanked me backward.
"The hell d'you think you're doing?"
Mondo shoved me behind him, glaring daggers at Byakuya. The heir snorted.
"Friendship between society's trash and the Mastermind's lapdog? Laughable."
"What'd you just say, you bastard?!"
"Everyone, calm down…!"
Makoto tried to cool things off, but the fuse was already burning. Genocide Jack twirled her scissors; Mondo's rage hit critical. Just before detonation, a new voice cut in.
"Hold on! Knowing the Killing Game's secret doesn't automatically make him the Mastermind! You can't condemn him without listening!"
Sayaka stepped to Makoto's side and shouted. Some students nodded, yet Byakuya forged ahead.
"If he isn't the Mastermind, how else could he know the truth? Don't spout rubbish about finding it in the school—I've searched every inch. There's nothing."
"But if K were really the Mastermind, Monokuma wouldn't have exposed him, right?"
"Simple. K is an accomplice or a pawn. Perhaps betrayed by a secondary mastermind, or maybe this entire confrontation is scripted. The latter is far more likely."
"That's just your theory—"
"And are we to leave a mere 'theory' roaming free?"
Byakuya pointed at me.
"Lock him in his room. Break a few things so he can't try anything clever. If you understand, assist me."
Silence thickened. Damn it, this is spiraling fast.
"Forcing your unilateral decision on everyone without even hearing other opinions—how arrogant."
"Shut up. You too, Kyoko. If you're truly involved with him, you're tied to the Mastermind as well. Want to join him in solitary, limbs shattered?"
Something inside me snapped.
"Sit the fuck down, you delusional princeling in glasses."
"W-what did you say?"
"Yeah, go ahead—break me, toss me in a cell. I won't resist."
Trash-talk me all you want, but insult Kyoko and we're done. I stepped closer to Byakuya.
"But do that and none of you will ever learn the truth. You'll all die in here. If that's fine by you, be my guest."
I stopped inches from him, locking eyes.
"And for the record, I'm not bluffing. I really do know how this Killing Game ticks."
Byakuya's glare met mine, tension screaming toward catastrophe—until Celestia's velvet voice floated in.
"Then perhaps the time-honored tool of democracy—a vote—would settle what to do with K?"
"A… vote?"
"Yes. An anonymous ballot on whether K is trustworthy. More votes for 'untrustworthy' and he's confined. More for 'trustworthy' and he remains free."
"Honestly… that sounds better," someone muttered, and heads nodded.
Celestia smiled elegantly at me.
"We'll hold the vote at dinner, when everyone gathers in the dining hall. Until then, K, you'll remain in your room."
"What? Stay locked up?!"
"Oh my, did you plan to wander about while under suspicion?"
Damn… This was her angle from the start. With me confined, she can sabotage me all she wants.
Scanning the room, I saw agreement on every face. I'd been outmaneuvered—but I wasn't finished.
"Fine. But if I'm locked up, at least let me appoint a spokesperson to plead my case."
"A spokesperson?"
"Yeah. Someone who can talk to the others in my stead."
"Well, a bit of courtesy seems fair. Who will it be? Your girlfriend, perhaps?"
Kyoko would be perfect, but she's under suspicion too. Excluding her, the only person capable of persuading everyone is…
"Makoto, can you swing by my room when you're ready?"
"H-huh? Me? Uh, sure…"
If I'm going to survive this, I've got to recruit the Ultimate Lucky Student.
Leaving the tense hall behind, I headed for my room. Kyoko brushed past, whispering.
"After the vote, meet me in the locker room tonight."
Looks like winning the vote is mandatory.
.
.
.
.
.
I'm sitting in my room, waiting for Makoto. Anxiety gnaws at me. Will he believe me? Can I convince him?
Creak
The door opened and Makoto stepped in, holding a bottle of mineral water—always the considerate guy.
"Makoto, I appreciate the gifts, but aren't you overdoing it? You should save some for the others."
"Ahaha, thing is… I barely spent any medals, but the MonoMono Machine kept spitting presents at me. They're piling up. I'm handing them out, but I still don't know what everyone likes."
Ultimate Lucky Student, ladies and gents. Honestly, his real talent is Ultimate Hope, but whatever. A mountain of gifts, huh…
"You okay? You look worried."
"Ah—sorry, just spacing out. Whew… Makoto, I know it's shameless to ask, but I have my reasons—"
"What do you need me to do?"
"Huh…?"
Persuasion success already? I haven't said anything yet!
"Th-thanks, but why agree without hearing me out?"
"Because I trust you."
"…What?"
"You've always stepped up for everyone—talked with anyone who was hurting, volunteered for night watch, tried to block Monokuma's motives."
"Ah…"
"And I'm grateful you saved Sayaka, even got hurt doing it. Someone like that can't be the Mastermind. So I've decided to believe in you."
Okay, not gonna lie— that hit me right in the feels. In a room full of doubt, having one ally calms the mind.
"Tell me what to do. Anything."
I'm no superhero. The timeline has already gone off-script; game knowledge alone won't save us now.
To end this Killing Game, I'll need help from more than just Kyoko. And this is the first step.
"Thank you for trusting me. Here's the plan. First…"
Makoto listened to everything, vowed to give it his all, and told me we'd never give up on each other. The protagonist's class never fades.
.
.
"Uh, K, kinda awkward given the situation, but… are you really dating Kyoko?"
"Huh? Yeah, something like that…"
"Then, before we start… could I—um—get a little advice?"
"Advice?"
"It's about Sayaka… I haven't, uh, made much progress yet…"
Makoto's face flushed crimson as he asked his clandestine question.
Damn it. Never had a girlfriend in my life, and now I'm a love counselor.