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04/04, 23:56

M.Arisu

hey... anybody who's awake to see this. hope you're not having too much trouble sleeping.
get rest when you can. work together when you can.
all we can do is keep trying, but i'm hopeful for this year.
feels weird to say... but it's all going to be gone soon, so...
anyways.
see you at school tomorrow.

Any replies on the forum go unresponded, and at the stroke of midnight, the past year's worth of messages are completely gone from the PDA forum, including any sent over spring break. Hope you have a good memory if you were in the middle of a conversation! Though you should really be in ...whatever you've managed to make your bed... because tomorrow is a big day.

04/05, 06:00

The silence continues until six in the morning with the toll of the clock tower bells, and anybody near the locker area will hear two women in mid-conversation as they phase through the front doors, heels clicking on the ground: "-—didn't even have the decency to finish the job! And now I have to— oh, stop crying, for goodness' sake! I swear—" It's a one sided conversation, mostly, and one that stops short the moment the women spot the students lingering around. While the younger woman, recognizable as the assistant principal, hurriedly scrubs at her face with her sleeves, the unfamiliar older woman with the oddly dissonant voice scowls intensely. "I don't need this on the first day of school! Students trespassing over break! I can't believe it! I don't have time for this—" she huffs, shaking her head and stomping down the hall towards the faculty office. "Miss Nene, I expected better of you! And you! Miss Ritsuka— the two of you shall report to the faculty office after the entrance ceremony. I expect a full report of everybody involved. Now behave yourselves and go to the auditorium."

Goodbye...

The assistant principal is left behind and looks confused and distraught. She sniffles and ducks her head a little, draws a shaking breath and stands a little taller. "I'm so sorry. I'll hear you all out after- after this is done. Alright?" She too heads towards the faculty office, trying her best to smile at those she passes by. While they may be followed, they seem to phase through the faculty office doors which remain closed and locked, and cannot be interacted with until after the ceremony.

Until then, other students start to filter through the front door, seeking out friends and chatting about their breaks, remembering about homework and asking if anybody actually did it so they can copy off them before classes start, laughing at any mention of being locked inside the school all break because what?? that's silly. A handful of students wear yellow armbands on the left sleeve of their uniform, marking them as members of the student council, and these student council members go around finally removing the gorinto from the window sills, tossing the rocks into a bag without any apparent ill effects, and collecting the snacks in a separate bag— though they'll offer the food to anybody they pass who looks hungry enough. Which is a lot of you. One or two might give a short lecture about the importance of eating breakfast to start the day off right. Other student council members busy themselves in the locker area, posting the new homeroom assignments and updating the school calendar to reflect exam dates and breaks for the coming year, or help setting chairs out in neat rows in the auditorium in preparation for the entrance ceremony.

04/05, 08:00

The opening ceremony starts at 8, with students and staff moving to the auditorium to sit with their homeroom class, calling characters out by name and dragging them over to their seat— physically if need be, and they're much stronger than they look. Unlike the graduation ceremony, characters are not forced to come to the entrance ceremony, but the moment they take a seat, they find that they can neither speak nor get up again until the ceremony is over.

The assistant principal stands behind the podium on stage, looking rather nervous as she glances down at the watch on her wrist for it to be time, and clears her throat before addressing the room. "Yogen High welcomes you, all our new students," she pauses, beaming at the row of first year classes before her gaze sweeps over the rest of the student body, "our transfer students, our returning students, our... repeat students..." Looking at you, Norton, Gawain, Abel... "I, um. You may have noticed that I am standing in for our principal today, who is currently... unavailable... and didn't exactly leave any notes to go off of..." She wilts a little, but trucks on nonetheless and continues the address, promising that the teachers will pass along any important announcements, expressing her belief in the potential of young minds, and wishing everybody a fulfilling school year. The ceremony concludes in a little under an hour, and the spell binding the students to their seats is broken, allowing everybody to rise and leave.

School lets out for the rest of the day with classes starting the next morning, and while many students take the opportunity to leave, some linger around the school. Gossip is flying already with news of the transfer students caught breaking into the school over break and what punishments they might get, rumors of what happened to the principal ranging from a family emergency to hospitalization to death, complaints about the water pipes not getting fixed over break, and general excitement over upcoming events listed on the bulletin board by the lockers, in particular new club advertisements, fortune telling ads, and a Charity Auction to be hosted the Monday after Golden Week next month.

April

School is school... The first thing teachers ask at homeroom Tuesday morning is for students to hand in their spring break homework. Didn't do it? You're on their shit list now. Characters are not forced to attend class, but patrolling faculty and student council members will heckle any truant students into going and can be a pain to deal with. Classes aren't taught terribly, though. The second year math teacher has a knack for easily digestible explanations, even if she writes and erases the board a bit too quickly to copy. The third year literature teacher combines weekly analytical essays with film studies, and is showing Child's Play, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Silence of the Lambs, and Where the Red Fern Grows this month. The first year biology teacher brings eyeballs and frogs and rats for dissection during anatomy lessons, and if you have a special request for a specific eye color, give him a day or two and he can deliver. 2-A's homeroom teacher can be seen stealing chalk from each of the second year classroom she rotates through and is offering extra credit to any students who sneak her chalk without asking questions.

New students will quickly learn that merit points are awarded for a full day's attendance, turning in homework, participating in class and clubs, scoring 80% or higher on quizzes and exams, etc. Less predictably, the PDA may sometimes ping for a single merit point when hanging out with a friend or arguing with a classmate, with stronger emotions (positive or negative) when interacting with somebody else more likely to trigger a point, and if students are abusing this system, it's kept out of the faculty's eyes. As the month goes on, sometimes a student comes to class with a cut eyelid, or a busted lip, or bandages wrapped thick around a wrist, but they always deny anything more than clumsiness or an accident or having pets who very aggressively show their love. Sometimes it's harder to hide, when a bloody nose drips onto the ground or bleeding knuckles brush against the wall, and those near enough to see blood touch the building will find that everything sort of... shifts... Just for a second. The feeling of vertigo that stops almost as soon as it begins, the world tilting without slotting back into alignment. You feel a bit nauseous. Just a little.

You go to the bathroom to splash water on your face and the pink looks a little darker, a little more solid. On the fourth floor, the water has stopped running in the bathroom sinks altogether, and students are told to go downstairs to do their business so that they may wash up after. With more students milling around the bathrooms, it's much easier to notice that people's reflections in the mirrors are just a bit off, lagging that split second long enough to be impossible to ignore once aware.

Every day you have homework. A new essay for something or other is assigned each week. Nobody wants to do group projects with a slacker who can't promise to meet up after school to get it done. Like clockwork, the school empties out at 6 PM each school day, leaving those behind to their own devices. There is no school on Sundays. Golden Week marks the end of the month, and guess who's going to be stuck at school for an entire week with only vending machine junk food to live off of if they aren't able to make progress concerning their living situation? Yeah.

Charity Auction

At least students have the charity auction to look forward to and work towards. Information about the auction set on May 10 can be found on the bulletin board, and appears to be put together by the student council as an annual event and an incentive for students to start the year off strong in earning merit points. Both students and staff are encouraged to donate to the auction, with the items collected and put on display in the auditorium behind locked glass cases. On May 10, students will be able to bid on items using their merit points, those who donate will receive 10% of the winning bid towards their item, and the school will match donations 100 to 1 point with proceeds going towards the "Save A Brain Foundation."

Throughout the month, glass cases lining the walls of the auditorium start to fill up with donations. The most popular donations seem to be physical items: possessions such as jewelry or gaming consoles, or artistic creations such as hand sewn clothing or paintings. There are placeholders for things that can't be put on display all month, such as placards with a picture or description of homemade food that won't be prepared until the auction date, or the promise of fishing lessons with the guidance counselor or a dinner date with the school principal (pending availability). At the back of the room stands the largest case, with the skinny black cat often found lying on top of it as if guarding it, although it will run away when approached.

Inside the case is a body.

OOC

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✽ The plot will only move forward as things are discussed and acted upon, and clues distributed during app acceptances are meant to be shared and connected, so don't be afraid to ask questions and dig into things! I am here to enable.

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[He's barely even conscious of Meng Yao's presence. He just kneels there, with tears streaming down his cheeks, as he looks at the case.]

...Ah...

[That's the closest thing to an answer that he can manage at first.

Then, he just weakly mutters a question.]

...Have... have you seen... a black-and-white bear anywhere...?

[All he can think of is that it's happening all over again. He's trapped in the killing game all over again.]

[ ...Could it be some kind of monster (a yaoguai)? He'll come closer either way, his own expression turning to something more mild, and full of more concern, less for the body and more for the reaction his current companion had.

After trying to decide what else to do, he'll try to move to somewhat block the other's view of the case if he can (depending on how close the other was to it; he'd even try squeezing into the line of sight if it was possible.) Meng Yao was on the short side, but Ishimaru was kneeling, so maybe...it'll help a little? ]

No, I haven't.

Can you explain to me why you believe a bear might have something to do with this?

[There is enough space between Ishimaru and the case for Meng Yao to stand. He did drop to his knees the moment he could clearly see the body, so he wasn't right up against it. As Meng Yao steps in front of him, Ishimaru blinks and pivots his view to look up that guy. There's still cheers resting on Ishimaru's cheeks, but otherwise his expression looks very blank. It seems a struggle for him to put any words together.]

...M....Monokuma... [More of a pause.] ....Monokuma is in charge... of the... k-killing game...

[ That was not exactly what he had expected, but it didn't make it anymore of a comfort. Far from it, actually.

He could only imagine that seeing this kind of thing was familiar enough to invoke this kind of response...and he hoped that they wouldn't be put through whatever it was Ishimaru had experienced.

But as he looked at the vacant expression and tears, he knew he couldn't just ask everything right then and there. He's seen what happens when people are pushed too far and Ishimaru didn't seem like the type of person who deserved that. Not when he was kind to him.

So he'll reach out tentatively to try to touch Ishimaru's shoulder. ]

I don't know if this is the same. But...how about you allow this one to assist you and lead you away from here? I think it'll be best if we had time away from all this for a moment, don't you think?

[The gesture provides a small amount of comfort, as he looks up towards Meng Yao. He seems just a bit hesitant as he considers that.]

...Would that be... alright? ...Do we not have to... investigate...?

[That's the life he was forced to grow used to. A daily life that could quickly become a deadly life. One in which friends were cut down and driven to suspect each other. What other friends could he lost this time...?]

[ When the other looked at him, Meng Yao gave a gentle squeeze, which was easy for someone of his size. He hoped for it to be comforting.

Of course, Ishimaru's reaction in general was telling about the expectations of his time in a "Killing Game". ]

I'm sure we'll have to investigate and look into it at some point. But, who is to say that we have to do it now?

[ There's a minute pause, where he's not sure how to put this gently, however it needed to be said anyway. He believed it'll become quite obvious when the dust settles that this was also intended as an "item" to be auctioned away. No matter how disturbing it was. ]

...Not to mention, I don't think we'd be able to do much "investigating" regarding the body until the end of the auction, as that's...in a case to be bid for in the first place.

[It gives some level of comfort, even as he's caught up in his current state.

Ishimaru looks like he's struggling to understand Meng Yao's words. Then he blinks in acknowledgement.]

...Ah yes. Right, the auction... I- I forgot all about it. [He was starting to get really excited about it just minutes ago! But that feels like a different life now. A blissful time when he had forgotten about the idea of being surrounded by murder.]

It will have to... wait until then? [He remarks uncertainly.] Is... is that really alright...?

I can understand why you did.

[ Sometimes dead bodies really had a way of ruining excitement of actual fun things. It's a shame, really.

But Meng Yao is pleased to see that the male is coming back to his senses more and more thanks to his own efforts. ]

But, I'm sure it's fine that we wait for now. I don't think we'll be able to do much until we have access to it, and even if that's troubling on its own... it just means we have more time to prepare. Or look into other matters before then.

[He's... slowly booting back up. Very gradually. But this is a very harsh and stinging whiplash for him. It brings him back to the state of mind he had been trying to move past... his blank slate after losing Mondo.]

I - I see. [He softly, slowly nods along. And he finally rises to his feet - again, slowly.] ...Very well. I will... take my time and learn what I can about... what has transpired.

We have to be ready... in the event of a class trial.

[ He probably shouldn't ask what it was, not yet. But all the same, he would at some point, and he supposed the male was back on his feet now, so why spring it on him later?

He'll just nod at the other's words. At least he continued looking a little concerned (not hard, considering his worries) and sound cautious when he presented his inquiry. ]

...Class trial? What do you mean by that? If you're...able to answer that, of course.

[Ishimaru has a distant look in his eyes, like he's mentally somewhere else. Back in the halls of Hope's Peak... He recites an answer almost robotically.]

Once a murder takes place, a class trial will begin shortly thereafter. Participation is mandatory for all surviving students.

If the guilty party is exposed during the class trial, they alone will be executed.

If the guilty party is not exposed, they alone will graduate, and all remaining students will be executed.

Those are the rules... of the killing school life...

...I see. Thank you for telling me.

[ He actually felt a little guilty for making Ishimaru talk about it when he was like this, but he believed that it would've still caused the same amount of pain should he have asked him later. ]

Did you want to walk with me in the halls for a bit? To begin with clearing our heads due to what's happened, of course.

...Walk...? Walking...

[He pauses, and blinks.]

...Yes, ah... walking is a nice and simple form of exercise. ...It... can be helpful... for stimulating one's mind.

That it can. We could also talk about something you like or a hobby you have, if you want.

[ He'll move his hand from the shoulder of the other but offer a smile that's meant to be reassuring was given to the male. ]

Or it could be something else entirely.

[ Then he'll begin to walk towards the exit, but slowly, and turning to look over his shoulder to make sure Ishimaru came along or was following. ]

...I... I see...

[He frowns as he speaks. As Meng Yao moves, it takes Ishimaru a moment, but eventually he starts shuffling his feet in the other guy's footsteps.]

I do not... know what to discuss... [It's hard to think of anything, the way things are right now. Especially things unrelated to the body, and to the deaths at Hope's Peak.]

...Would you like to start...?

[ Small steps.

Surely it was bound to be some work, but he's no stranger to that, for one reason or another. Either way, he was absolutely serious about leading him out of there, and so eventually it stood to reason they made their way to the halls; not that it really was a long way out, anyway. ]

This one will happily accept.

It's been unfortunately quite awhile since I've indulged in hobbies myself, as my services had been required to the point where there was hardly time for rest, and upon reaching a sort of relieving from these duties, I found myself here. But, I could start with my interests; for example, I've always had an inclination towards music, and if I had the chance, I would have liked to play something among the qin.

[ Though he said this with no expectation that he would. He hadn't the time, honestly speaking, even if he'd like to. How could he not, what with part of his name possibly a reference to the yaoqin? ]

Reciting poetry is another, but also unlikely. Most of my peers would make my own attempts irrelevant. With all that said, there's apparently a music room available, but finding something familiar from my 'home' in there would be a surprise.

Edited 2021-04-15 14:43 (UTC)

[Ishimaru follows Meng Yao at a slow pace and listens to each word. They give him things to think about and focus on that aren't murder and the danger now present in this school life.]

...I see. I know what type of instrument you speak of. I- I hope that you can find one in these halls...

I only know how to use castanets myself, and I've also practiced the recorder a little bit.

[He then also adds-]

I would also encourage you to recite your poetry, Meng Yao-kun. I am sure that the student body will be thrilled to hear it... [He's trying to sound sincere, while also being drained of energy.]

[ He actually hoped he would too, though he's keeping his expectations low on that. Nevermind the fact he'd need to teach himself how. ]

The recorder? I don't think I've heard of that. Or castanets, for that matter.

[ Unsurprising, because those names are unfamiliar to where he's come from. ]

...Are you sure that they would? This is a far different place from my home. I suppose there's only one way to find out, though I can't see myself standing in front of an audience of every single student here in doing so.

...You have not? I am sorry... They are both lovely instruments.

The recorder is a woodwind instrument and a type of flute. As for castanets, they are small percussion instruments...

I wish that I could find some to show to you.

[But it feels dangerous to wish for anything in this school. Who knows what other danger could be afoot?]

...I-I believe... I believe that they would. People could enjoy learning about your culture. ...And, public speaking is an important skill... please cultivate it...

Maybe we could find some in the music room?

[ He wouldn't know what they'd look like. Or, well, he'd have an idea of what the recorder looked like by now due to Ishimaru's helpful description, so maybe that wasn't exactly accurate.

But, he'll smile slightly at the other's words regarding reciting poetry. ]

I'll consider it, then. We do have a lot of time on our hands, so maybe they'll be something to get out of trying. Whether it'd be building up that skill or gaining the interest of others.

That being said, I also do appreciate you having faith in me.

...Possibly. I have looked in there. ...There is a piano, and... several locked cabinets. It is likely that... either of the instruments could be... contained within one of those cabinets. ...I hope we find a way to open them.

[This school is full of too many locks. He doesn't like it. Aside from it being too constraining, it's another thing that reminds him of Hope's Peak.

As Meng Yao agrees to consider Ishimaru's words, a hint of a smile comes to his face.]

I- I am certain that both are significant possibilities, Meng Yao-kun. ...You will be sure to benefit from the experience.

...Of course I believe in you. You are a good man... and you seem quite diligent. You are... a vibrant, living soul. ...And I wish for you to... keep on living, and doing your best...

...I hope so as well. There may be something else of interest in there as well besides instruments, or that could be just wishful thinking.

[ If he were the kind of person who could pick locks, Meng Yao would have also attempted to do so later on, but alas. That was something not in his skillset.

As his mind pondered upon perhaps locating someone who could, Ishimaru was going right on to speak some more, and surprised him a bit with a compliment that stopped his thoughts short. It was a simple one, but spoken with such honesty that he couldn't help but feel good and a touch embarrassed. ]

You praise this one too well, Ishimaru-xiong. Yet, it is appreciated that someone of your good character could find it within himself to do so. Let it be known that your own positive qualities, including your own kindness and thoughtfulness haven't gone unnoticed.

And with that said, I look forward to our continued teamwork, as well as our success in all of this.

Wishful... thinking... [He does look wistful at that, because he knows the price of wishful thinking. How easily hopes can be dashed. How he wanted to deny how things went with Mondo, and here how he tried to deny the reality of the situation until he finally saw the body. Even so, Meng Yao has been nice to him, so... he wants to believe.]

I do not think that it is bad to have some hopes. ...Try to... to hold onto them.

[Ishimaru knows nothing of lockpicking himself and does not intend to. That is a skill for thieves!! Anyway, with how things have been locked in this school, he's not sure if even a master lockpicker would be effective.]

...Thank you, Meng Yao-kun. [He responds gently. In this moment, with the reminder of morality, he feels the need to express the value of life so much more. At least Meng Yao can know how important he is!]

Your own words are quite kind. ...A-and I share your sentiment. ...Let us both do our best, and... work hard together!

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Charity Auction

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