Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Danganronpa OR its characters! ALL RIGHTS go to the creator, Mr. Kazutaka Kodaka! I only own my OC, Akemi, her Ultimate Title, her backstory, strengths, weaknesses...etc. Now without further ado, enjoy the story! :) Also, here is a key for the format of my story:

*: voice over; actions at times

!!!:Surprise

???:Confusion or unknown name

Italicized words: thinking; emphasized words

*insert Danganronpa theme here (video on top)*

???:I should probably start from the beginning. Hello everyone. I'm just on my way to my new school, Hope's Peak Academy. It's a school where the highly elite students with special talents go for higher learning. It's said that if you graduate from here, you're set for life! And the school is smack dab in the middle of Tokyo! Anyway, today starts my first year here. I was chosen...Because I am...The Ultimate Singer. Translation...Out of all of the students in my Elementary School music class, and my choir class in Jr. High, I was the child (now turned teenager) prodigy. Many record companies have knocked on my door or paid me a visit in class, begging me for countless record deals. I respectfully declined and continued to write, produce, and record my own music. And a few months after that, I was invited to attend Hope's Peak. It was a high honor for me. So naturally, I accepted. Oh right! By the way, my name is...

Akemi Minako: Akemi Minako! Nice to meetcha! Anyway...Soon, I'll be meeting my teachers and my new classmates. Maybe...I'll even meet...The man of my dreams! *Happy and excited for my new school...I stepped inside. This was gonna be great! Or so I thought. That first step into Hope's Peak should've felt me with hope...But instead...Everything swirled around me, fading and restoring...Swirling and fading again. Repeating over and over again, until finally...I passed out. Darkness enveloped me. Little did I know, the core curriculum wasn't going to be what I expected. Nope. The core curriculum here....was Despair.* 

-hours later-

Akemi:*wakes up and groans* Huh? Where am I? Am I...in a classroom? *I looked around, slowly taking in my surroundings* Security cameras?! Iron plates?! *grunts and tries to pull one off, hurting my fingers* Ow...What the hell is with this place? *I looked on the desk I was asleep in and picked up a small brochure. inside, the words said, "Welcome to school! A new semester has begun! Since yer starting new lives, this school will be yer new world. Gather in the Gym at 8 for the Welcoming Ceremony." I gasped, looked at the clock, and quickly ran to the Gym. When I got there, fifteen other students around my age (if not older) were waiting as well. I walked up to one with brown hair and grey eyes.* Hello. *smiles politely*

Makoto Naegi: Hey. I'm Makoto Naegi. Nice to meet you. *He put his hand in mine and I shook it* Apparently...I'm the Ultimate Lucky Student. What are you?

Akemi:I am Akemi Minako. The Ultimate Singer. I can sing any song, any notes, any genre of music. You name it, I'll sing it. *smiles proudly*

Makoto:That's amazing!

Akemi:*I smiled and turned to the rest of the students. The tan-skinned one with wild hair that looked like he'd stuck a fork in a light socket at a young age smiled at me* 

Yasuhiro Hagakure: Oh good! That makes sixteen of us! Oh. I'm Yasuhiro Hagakure. Everyone calls me Hiro. I'm the Ultimate Fortune Teller! You're Akemi Minako! Of course I've heard all of your music. I'm a REALLY big fan! *He pulled out a huge poster of a cover on one of my CDs.  It was very flattering of him to collect my posters and CDs (If he's as big a fan as he claims to be, he has 'em.).*

Akemi: *I smiled at him* I can see that. *After that, a fat boy with circular glasses stood in front of me.* 

Hifumi Yamada: So, is this everyone? I'm Hifumi Yamada. I'm the Ultimate Fanzine Artist. Maybe now, we'll get some answers! 

Akemi: I sure hope so...I have no idea what's going on here...*My thoughts were interrupted as a boy with black hair and ruby red eyes jammed his finger at my face. He wore a white military uniform with a bunch of medals and a school crest on his left arm.*

???: A-ha! Truant! Instructions said 8 o'clock SHARP! You have no excuse for your tardiness!

Akemi:*puts my hands up, surrendering* Right, right. I understand. I'll be on time from now on. What's your name?

Kiyotaka Ishimaru: The name's Kiyotaka Ishimaru! I'm the Ultimate Moral Compass! You may call me Taka!

Akemi: Note to self...Never be late around this guy! *Another student's voice rang out from the other side of the gym* 

???:Yeah...Could you just NOT?! *She has pink hair, grey-blue eyes, and wore a bunny hair tie in one pigtail and a HUGE red and white bow in the other. She looked like the type that was easily bored. The diva type, if you will.* 

Akemi:And you are..?

Junko Enoshima: Junko Enoshima. I'm like, the Ultimate Fashion Diva. *She turned away from me and glared at Taka* And as for you, Mr. Boring Ass Hall Monitor, who gives a flying flip about being on time?! None of us even KNOW why we're HERE!

Akemi:*A young girl wearing a green and white sailor top and a plaid skirt with high white socks and with brown hair and gold eyes raised her hand.* 

???:Question...Did you happen to wake up in a classroom by yourself? 

Akemi:*nods* I did. Though, I have no idea how I got there. By the way, I'm Akemi Minako.

Chihiro Fujisaki:I'm Chihiro Fujisaki. The Ultimate Programmer. And that's what I thought. *She put her hand down slowly* That's exactly what happened to the rest of us.

???:Sudden unconsciousness only to converge in the Gym upon awakening...Fabulously peculiar.

Akemi:And...you are?

Celestia Ludenberg:I'm Celestia Ludenberg. You may call me Celeste. *she smiled sweetly at me*

Akemi:N...Nice to meet you. Man this chick is looks like someone out of a gothic painting or novel! I'd better be careful around her! *My thoughts were interrupted once again by a loud voice. *

???:Yeah. That's the word! *A male with an orange pompadour and black hair down to the base of his neck with light purple eyes growled and clenched his fists* Reminds me of the digs we had back in Juvie.

Akemi:*I blushed a bit as I looked him over. For a tough guy running the largest biker gang in Japan, he was quite...handsome. I gulped nervously as he rounded on me*

???:You got a problem, chick?! *he cracked his knuckles*

Akemi:*I looked him in the eyes and shook my head repeatedly.* N-no! I just...wanted to know...your name. I thought...we could be...friends.

Mondo Oowada: Mondo Oowada. Nice to fuckin' meetcha. And you are?

Akemi:*stammers my name* I-I'm A-Akemi M-Minako. The Ultimate Singer. Nice to meet you too, Mondo-kun.

Leon Kuwata:Yeah 'cept the only difference this time...We got kidnapped! I'm Leon Kuwata by the way.
Akemi:*I've seen this guy before. He's the best at baseball! Especially when it comes to pitching! His skills could get him into the Major Leagues if he really wanted!* Nice to meet you.

Leon:*smirks* Hey maybe they'll auction off our organs or something!

???:*A mocha-skinned girl with brown hair and icy blue eyes smiled and stepped in front of Leon* Think positive! It's a motivational program! This is supposed to be a special school, right?

Akemi:Yes. And you're Aoi Asahina, correct? The Ultimate Swimmer?

Aoi Asahina:Yup! My friends call me Hina. Nice to meet you, Akemi. ((AN: She heard her name when Hiro shouted it.))

Akemi:Y...You too. *She seems nice enough. Athletic too. She reminds me of my older sister, Mira.* I'm sure we'll be great friends.

Hina:((AN:I'm calling her this from now on. It's easier than writing her first and last name.))*nods*

*Another dark skinned girl, this one with white hair, VERY muscular and covered in what looked to me like scars, folded her arms. I know this girl from stories at my Junior High. The Ultimate Grappler, Sakura Ogami.*

Sakura:*scowls, her face like stone* It's difficult to say. I suggest that first we assess our situation.

Akemi:Umm...Okay. *So these are them, huh? The lead Freshman Class of Hope's Peak Academy...*

???:*A girl with brown hair tied into two long braids, large circular glasses, and wearing a dark purple and red Jr. High sailor uniform screams and stares at Makoto, her expression wide with fear* I knew it! He's undressing me with his eyes!

Akemi:*Now I remember her. She is Toko  Fukawa. The Ultimate Writer. All she writes are romance novels and things of that sort. I'm not really into that kinda stuff, so I never read them.*

Makoto: Huh?!

Toko: Bet he thinks I'm a TROLL!

???:He's certainly not all that! *A boy with square spectacles, blonde hair and icy blue eyes glares angrily at Makoto and me* Why don't you take a picture?

Akemi:Alright Akemi, keep it cool. Try to make friends with him! *I smiled at him* Hi. I'm...

???:Akemi Minako. The Ultimate Singer. I've heard a great deal about YOU. To be honest though, your music isn't that great.

Akemi:*I looked down. This guy was being REALLY mean! He knows my music is everything to me! Stupid jerk!* A-and you are?

Byakuya Togami: Not that it's any of YOUR business...But my name is Byakuya Togami.

Akemi: The Ultimate Affluent Progeny. You're only here because of your money. Not because of your talent! *clenches my fists*

Byakuya:*growls and turns away*

Akemi:Looks like I got him on that one! Bulls-eye! *smiles to myself*

*Across the room, a girl with light purple hair, wearing a black suit with a white shirt and violet eyes turned to me and Makoto*

???:Yes? Help you with something?

Akemi:*Her eyes are blank. As if none of this situation phases her in the slightest. How can she be so calm at a time like THIS?!* I...was wondering...What's your name?

Kyoko Kirigiri: My name is...Kyoko Kirigiri.

Akemi:What's your Ultimate?

Kyoko:...That doesn't matter. *walks away*

*Shortly after that, a girl with blue hair and eyes to match appeared before us. She was smiling and staring at Makoto.*

???:The name's Naegi, right? *she smiles brightly at him* We went to the same middle school?

Makoto:*gasps* M-Maizono?

Akemi:*I just recognized that name. She's Sayaka Maizono. The Ultimate Pop Sensation. She and her pop group are famous worldwide!*

Sayaka:*smiles more* What a relief! There's someone here I know! 

Akemi:*After hearing that, I decided to leave them alone, so they could catch up. Instead, I stood in the far corner of the room and sighed. Bored out of my mind, I talked to Mondo.*  Hey, Mondo...You're the leader of the largest biker gang in Japan, right?

Mondo:Yeah, and you're a singer. We've figured out that much!

Akemi:What I mean to say is...How did you get such a large gang together?

Mondo:*rubs the back of his head*My older brother started it. He left it to me after a while. And I've been running it ever since. 

Akemi:Do you enjoy riding with them?

Mondo:*smirks, giving me a thumbs up* Hell yeah I do! That's the best part! *He frowns at me* Oh, but....You probably wouldn't understand that feeling. You being a girl and all.

Akemi:*smiles* No, I do! Really. My father and older brother would take me on rides with them all the time! It's not a biker gang,but...I totally understand where you're coming from!

Mondo:*His eyes widened* A girl...who knows about motorcycles? 

Akemi:You sound surprised to hear that. *I giggled a little and smiled at him* You being the Bad Boy Biker, and all.  

Mondo:*chuckles* Bad Boy Biker, huh? Well from what I've heard...You have the voice of an angel. Guess that makes you...The Good Girl Angel! 

Akemi:*I blushed. I nowhere near resemble an angel. Why would Mondo think that?*  Please don't call me that.

Mondo:I won't...*smirks* In public anyway.

Akemi:*I looked down and turned red. It was embarrassing of him to say that about me! I was used to it from my friends, family, and teachers, but this was coming from a guy I just MET!

Mondo:*smiles* I'm only kidding. Lighten up, Akemi.

Akemi:*I blushed more. His laugh was nice too. Everything about him...Is nice.* Why is my heart thumping?  Is it the excitement of being here? Yeah. It must be.

Byakuya:*scowls* If you two are done flirting, we have weightier matters to attend to!

Makoto:Such as?

Byakuya:*scoffs angrily* Such as our quandary. Someone has collected us here for a REASON!

Toko:*screams again* We're all essentially PRISONERS!!!!

Junko:You think the least they could do is give me back my cell phone! It's, like, totally barbaric!

*Everyone gasps and starts searching their pockets.*

Akemi:What's going on?! Mine's gone too! Is this a new school rule or something?!

Sakura:My phone is missing as well. Does this mean they've been confiscated?

Hiro:Yeah, no. There's no way! They'll give us back our stuff after orientation, I'm sure of it! *He pulled out a huge crystal ball from his jacket.* In fact, it's been foretold!

Leon:*scowls and frowns at Hiro* Please. A crystal ball?!

Hiro:*smiles* I'm dead-on 30% of the time!

Toko:*sarcastically* Isn't that impressive?

Akemi:*Suddenly there was a loud screech from the speakers above our heads. Everyone covered their ears and as we waited for it to stop, we heard a voice.*

???:Mic test! Mic test! One, two! Everyone hear me on this thing?!

*We gasped and he cleared his throat before continuing.*

???:Hiya kiddos! Time to roll out the Welcome Wagon! Not literally, of course. I don't even know what that means literally! 

Hiro:See? Nothing out of the ordinary! It's just how they DO things at Hope's Peak!

Kiyoko:*stone-faced* Well...You're half right. 

*We all waited in anticipation as the one who spoke to us appeared. He was soon revealed...As a black-and-white bear with one black eye and one red eye. We gasped and looked at it in awe. What the heck was this thing?!*

Makoto/Akemi:What the HECK?!

???:I know what you're all thinking...And no, I'm not a high-tech Build-A-Bear reject. I'm the principal of this illustrious institution! Monokuma! Pleased to meetcha! 

Hifumi:*screams loudly* I had a nightmare just like this once!!!!

Monokuma:Young man, some respect, if you please! *says his name in separate syllables* Mo-no-kuma! Your PRINCIPAL!

Akemi:*looks on in awe* This thing? Our principal? You've...gotta be kidding me! It's a teddy bear! 

Monokuma:*waves his arms repeatedly* Yes, yes! Like nothing you've ever seen before! Uncanny! Unsettling, even! Yadda, yadda. Movin' right along. *puts his arms at his side* Now all of you, stand at attention! Give your principal your snappiest "Good Morning"!

Taka:*bows* Good morning, Principal, sir!

Toko:*shocked at Taka's behavior and screams* Please, don't encourage it!

Monokuma:That'll have to do, I suppose. Anyway, welcome bright young things to your new living quarters! Now before you get all uppity, rest assured that it's for your own good! Mustn't let the outside world dull your dazzling inner spark! We got to keep that special talent closed in.

Mondo/Leon:*gasp*

Makoto:Hold on!

Junko:Um....I don't THINK so! *pouts and scowls angrily*

Monokuma:Anyway, I bet you're wondering how long you'll be guests of our program! Umm...Approximately...THE REST OF YOUR LIVES!

*Everyone gasped at those words. They were the last ones we'd expect to hear when starting our school lives here! We have to live at this school FOREVER?!*

Monokuma:*smirks* Oh yeah! By "new living quarters", I meant "permanent living quarters"!

Leon:*eyes widen in shock* You can't be serious!

Chihiro:We'll be here...Forever?!

Monokuma:Aw, don't fret! We have an astronomical budget. Your needs will be satisfied in perpetuity!

Sayaka:*eyes narrow angrily* That's not the issue here! What if we have families?!

Junko:*scowls and folds her arms* No! Just no!

Makoto:Excuse me! So, the iron plates in our rooms...Those are to shut us in?!

Monokuma:Bingo! You're here for keepsies! Kick and scream all you WANT! No one outside can HEAR you.

Celestia:Forgive me if I suggest this to be less than ideal...But to spend the rest of our natural lives confined in a place like this?

Monokuma:*rubs his chin* Hm. Natural lives? Heh, that's rich! Actually, for those who wish to leave, there is a loophole.

Byakuya:*glasses flash angrily* Enlighten us.

Monokuma:*smirks more* Good old-fashioned MURDER!

Akemi:*eyes widen in horror* Murder?! Are...Are you serious right now?! Please tell me you're not serious about this!!!!

Monokuma:*does a backflip and lands perfectly on his feet* Yes! Whoever kills a classmate, and gets away with it, will be permitted to walk out of here scot-free! *He gives us a list of things to do* Pummel, shiv, mutilate, extribate, asphyxiate! No magic? Conjurate! *laughs and stands up, holding a salmon* You know what you kids and this salmon have in common?

Akemi:Umm... *I was interrupted before I could say that his words didn't make sense.*

Monokuma:None of you has even the teeniest notion of how fun me watching you all slaughter yourself is gonna be! The best of the best! The creme de la creme! Forced into a gore-soaked free-for-all! *face turns red as he sweats* Is there anything HOTTER?! Oooh! 

Leon:*growls angrily* You're CRAZY! 

Sayaka:But why?! What could POSSIBLY be the point in making us KILL?!

Hifumi:Yeah! What they said! If you think we're on board with this bull-crap, you're out of your MIND! 

Monokuma:*glares at us as his red eye flashes dangerously* Bull-crap?! Where do you get off, talking like that to your PRINCIPAL?! Love it or hate it, sweetie pies, from here on out, this school is your entire world! 'Dems the breaks! Look on the bright side! I'm letting you get away with MURDER! For reals! So stop WHINING and start PLOTTING!

Mondo:*steps in front of Monokuma, his fists clenched*

Akemi:Mondo, no! *I tried to move toward him, but Taka held me back*

Mondo:You want MURDER, teddy two-tone?! Keep this shit up, and you'll be victim number ONE! 

Monokuma:*laughs* Is that a THREAT?! You gonna impale me on that pompadour? 

Mondo:*face turns red with pure rage and he picks up Monokuma* BITCH! No!!!! What I'm gonna do is tear you apart until nothin' is left but what's making you JABBER!!!!!

Monokuma:*struggles against Mondo's tight grip* School rules expressively state that no harm must come to the principal under any circumstances!!!!

*Everyone watched as Monokuma's red eye began to flash and he started beeping*

Mondo:*raises his eyebrow* Uh, guys? What's that noise?!

Kiyoko:*gasps* Oh no! Toss him!

Mondo:Huh?!

Kiyoko:Trust me! Just DO it!!!!!

*Mondo chunked Monokuma as hard and as high as possible into the air and we all watched in horror as Monokuma exploded. If Mondo hadn't threw him when he did, it would've been him in pieces!*

Makoto:This is real, isn't it?!

Mondo:*gasps in horror* It could've blown my face off!

Akemi:Mondo! *I ran to him and touched his shoulder gently* Are you alright?

Mondo:Y...Yeah! But I'm TOTALLY freaked out!!!!!

Chihiro:*walks up, her arms folded in front of her* So the teddy bear's kaput?

Monokuma: Not a teddy bear!!! MONOKUMA!!!!!! *springs up from behind the podium again*

Akemi:*I gasped* But...how?! You were...blown into pieces!!!! We all saw it happen!!!

Mondo:Y...You son of a...!!!!

Monokuma:Consider that a verbal warning, young man! Get smart with me again, any of you, and let's just say we forgo extreme warnings...in the form of instant corporeal punishment!!!! *bares his claws to us*

*Everyone just stood there in silence. We now knew just how serious Monokuma was about this! Break one of his rules, and we'd be in a world of TROUBLE!*

Monokuma:This concludes the entry portion of your orientation, boys and girls. Here's to you all enjoying a fun, fulfilling, and not so long, scholastic enrichment at Hope's Peak Academy! *disappears under the podium*

*Everyone stood there in shock, taking in everything Monokuma had just told us*

Celestia:So if I understand this correctly, to make it out of this place, we're to kill? 

Taka:*growls angrily* This is absolutely BOGUS!

Chihiro:No...*her eyes filled with tears* It's a joke!

Byakuya:*scoffs* A joke it may very well be. That doesn't alleviate my concern as to if one of you takes it at face value! 

Akemi:*So began our lives as students of Hope's Peak Academy. If you could call it a life. 'Cause this place is far from a place of hallowed learning where achievers are stoked to hit the books. No...The name itself...Was 100% ironic!*

-Time skip to a few hours after the Opening Ceremony-

*We were all waiting in the Gym and watched as Hina and Sakura gathered around one of the metal plates blocking our escape*

Hina:*fists clenched encouragingly* Alright! Give it a shot!

Sakura:*yells and punches the metal wall, not even denting it* It appears my strength is insufficient.

Akemi:*I turned away from them and looked closely at the E-Handbook (electronic handbook) Monokuma had given us* Okay, this is kinda cool. Better than the ones we had in Jr. High.

Hiro:*pops up out of nowhere* Hey, I'm not gonna lie! I'm kinda digging the digital notebook! 

Hina:*hops down from the bleachers and lands in front of us* Nothing.

Mondo:*looks around the podium with Leon* Same here! *kicks it angrily* 

Akemi:*I looked over at Mondo, my eyes brimming with concern* Mondo... 

Taka:*tries his best to encourage us* Don't lose heart friends! If we persevere, the way out is bound to reveal itself!

Hina:*nods and smiles* I'm with Captain Pep-Talk! Better to stay positive than spin our wheels!

Sakura:I agree.

Leon:*rubs the back of his head* Yeah, fine. No stone unshucked, right? 

Akemi:Unturned, Leon. 

Leon:Whatever! Same freakin' difference!

Byakuya:I prefer to search alone. 

*Everyone gasped when they heard that*

Junko:*puts her hands on her hips and scowls at Byakuya* Think that's SMART?!

Byakuya:I do, yes. Considering that one or more of you might already be planning my untimely demise. *walks away*

Sayaka:Oh, come on!

Byakuya:*continues walking* Only a fool would deny it.

Mondo*runs up to Byakuya* Whoa, pal! You can't just do whatever you WANT!

Akemi:Oh no, not again! Mondo, please stop!*I ran over to them as quickly as I could, trying to stop them from fighting* 

Byakuya:Out of my way, narwhal. 

Mondo: What?! *cracks his knuckles* Oh, your paranoia is about to be RIGHT ON!!!!

Akemi:*I quickly stepped between the two, and Makoto to the side of them* Hold on, you two! The last thing we want to do is fight!

Makoto:She's right!

Mondo:*turns to me and growls angrily* Say what?! Who the hell do you think you ARE, chick?! You wanna lecture me?! Give me a lesson on TEAMWORK?! *bares his fist at me* 

Akemi:*I gasped and gently grabbed Mondo's shoulder, trying to calm him down* N-no! I just thought that-!

Mondo:SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *punches me in the face*

*The last thing I heard was everyone gasp in surprise as well as shock at what Mondo did and then...I blacked out.*

-Time Skip-

Akemi:*I woke later in a bed I didn't recognize. I groaned and looked at my surroundings as my vision righted. I saw a banner on the wall across from me that said "Crazy Diamond" on it. It was the exact same thing inscribed on the back of the jacket Mondo wore.* H-Huh? Where...Where am I? *I sat up and noticed two things draped over me. One was a white blanket, and the other was the black jacket Mondo wore. That's when it hit me. I was in Mondo's room.* He must've carried me here when I passed out. What a sweet guy. *I draped the jacket over my shoulders and walked into the Dining Hall where I saw the others sitting. Hina was the first to notice me.* 

Hina:O-Oh hey! There's the girl of the hour! You okay?!

Akemi:*I nodded slowly and sat down in the chair beside Mondo* Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Never better. *I turned to Mondo and smiled* Good Morning, Mondo-kun.

Mondo:*He simply nodded and sighed, before telling me something* So...Let's chalk the whole thing yesterday up to stress. I'm sorry for hitting you like that. I just...Snapped, y'know? 

Akemi:*I smiled and waved my hand, brushing the notion aside* Yeah, no worries, Mondo. I mean, we're all on edge lately. I can't blame you really for the way you acted. Tempers flare up sometimes. Oh, here. This is yours, by the way. *I handed him back his jacket* And thanks for, you know...Taking care of me.

Mondo:*blushes deeply and takes the jacket back* A...Anytime, Akemi.

Celestia:*eyes closed, playing with her hair* I doubt any of us would kill in front of witnesses. That is to say, in present circumstances, safety in numbers would seem to hold true. 

Taka:*stands up* Right! Listen up! I hereby call the first meeting of the Hope's Peak Academy Reconnaissance on Academy Affairs! Let's review the present state of our intel! And remember, all cards on the table!

Mondo:*growls angrily* I kicked at that stupid door for an HOUR! Nothing! Didn't leave so much as a single DENT! Thing's as hard as IRON!

Celestia:It is iron, so that makes sense.

Sakura:At the end of the Main Corridor, we found a stairwell leading to an upper floor.

Hina:But the security gate was down, and we couldn't get it to BUDGE! 

Kiyoko:I see...It is interesting that certain areas of the facility are evidently out of bounds for the time being.

Hifumi:The dorm rooms are actually quite nice! Firm beds, good lighting, stylish decor! Except for the iron plates and security cameras, I'd give them five stars!

Chihiro:I searched the kitchen. They've got enough food packed in the fridge to feed an army! Safe to say we won't go hungry. 

Hifumi:Surely there's not enough to feed 16 people for the rest of their lives!

Chihiro:No, there is! The fridge gets restocked every day according to how much we've eaten the day prior. *smiles* See? Monokuma told me so!

Junko:What?! You saw him?

Chihiro:*nods* Mm-hm. He popped up out of nowhere when I was looking at the kitchen and then disappeared before I could see where he went. 

Taka:*clears his throat and glares angrily at the sidetracked people* Anything else to report? 

Toko:Report. We're still in the dark about this, and we're still TRAPPED! This investigation was a waste of time! 

Celestia:No, some information was gleaned from our combined efforts. We now know the boundaries of our confinement. And that we'll be here for a while.

Toko:*grabs her head and screams* Stop! I'm having a nervous breakdown!

Byakuya:Monokuma mentioned that perfectly clear! From where else could the incentive come for us to kill?!

Junko:*glares angrily at him* That's NOT something to joke about!

Leon:*grabs his head, frustrated* Oh man! What are we gonna do?!

Celestia:Adapt, I suppose. 

Junko:What?!

Celestia: These aren't such bad arrangements. 

Junko:So we just suck it up and get used to being PRISONERS?!

Celestia:*smiles sweetly* In the game of Survival, neither the strongest nor smartest have the advantage. But rather those most willing and able to adapt. The most pliable. 

*Everyone murmured, taking in the words Celestia had said* 

Celestia:With that chestnut out, I'd like to offer a suggestion. 

Mondo:Yeah? And what would that be?

Celestia:You will note in the rules, a designated curfew. Observe. 

*She pulls out her e-Handbook, which says "The hours from 10 P.M. to 7 A.M. are designated 'night hours'. Please bear in mind that some areas are restricted during the night hours."*

Celestia:Why not make an amendment to these so called "night hours"?

Junko:Like what, exactly? 

Celestia:At night we all stay in our rooms. Simple as that. 

Toko:What?! What would even be the POINT?!

Celestia:Think about it, my dears. Given this predicament, the dark hours will be extremely hard on our nerves as it is. The tiniest of sounds will persuade us of foulness afoot. 

*Everyone gasped. None of us thought of what Celestia had said!*

Celestia:Now, needless to say, this rule must be self-imposed. Its only means of enforcement will be peer pressure. 

-Time Skip- 

Akemi:*The next day, we picked up where the search left off. And the day after that. But, as you probably figured, we had absolutely no luck. There was no exit whatsoever. And when we met up in the Dining Hall the next day...Well...*

Leon:*runs his hand through his hair angrily* Damn it! No matter how many times I look, I still end up with SQUAT!

Mondo:Same here.

Chihiro:*tears fill her eyes* We're stuck...We're never getting out of here...No one's coming to help us! *she begins to cry and Hina tries to cheer her up*

Hina:Aw! Chin up, Fujisaki! Someone on the outside's bound to start missing us soon! 

Toko:Y-yes! Of course!

Junko:You think so?

Hina:Huh? Well, we've been gone long enough to raise the alarm. We're talking THREE DAYS! The police are bound to be closing the net on this place!

Akemi:Y-yeah! You're right, Hina! The police are looking for us, I'm sure of it!

Monokuma:*laughs* Dear, oh dear! You're not hedging your bets on Law Enforcement! You know, it's quite simple...If you want outta here, all I gotta see is a little initiative! *he laughs again* Well, I gotta hand it to ya, you've got balls when it comes to dealing with authority. Frankly though, the attitude only goes so far. You're boring me to TEARS!

Makoto:*glares angrily at Monokuma* If you think you can trick us into murdering someone, you've lost your mind!

Monokuma:*pounds his fist on his hand in realization* Eureka! That's the problem! Granted, my set-up's perfect. The right atmosphere, a good balance of temper and intrigue, the perfect amount of pressure...But not the vital ingredient to bring it all together!

Leon:*clenches his fists angrily* What are you gettin' at, buddy bear?!

Monokuma:Motivation, son! All students report to the multimedia room at once! *stifles a laugh* For a brief, informative presentation on just what I mean!

Makoto:Multimedia room?

*We all headed downstairs and found it. Once there, we grabbed the DVD with our names on it, put it in the DVD player, put headphones over our ears, and hit "play".*

Akemi:*The screen went dark for a few seconds. And then an image appeared on-screen. It was my family. My mother, father, older sister Mira, and older brother, Tio. I smiled at them all as my mother spoke* 

Mom:Oh wow! This is amazing! And we're so proud of you, Akemi, dear! *smiles brightly*

Dad:I knew all of that music would get you somewhere in life! Congratulations, baby girl!

Mira:Little sis, I hope you're happy with the way things turned out! Give 'em hell, listen to your teachers, and above all, just enjoy your life at school! And who knows...Maybe you'll meet your dream man!

Akemi:*I smiled and giggled at that part. I'd thought the exact same thing on my first day here!*

Tio:Emi (Tio's nickname for her)...Oh boy, how do I even say this?! Words cannot express how happy I am for you! If anyone deserves it, you do! Have fun out there, and make the most of it, okay? I'll see you when you get home! And no matter where you are, know this...We all love you so very much. And we'll support you through and through. Good luck, little sis!

Akemi:*After that, the screen turned to static for a few minutes. When the picture returned, my house was in ruins, there were scratches all over the living room walls and floor, and the couch looked like it was ripped in half. But the thing that got me the most...Was the blood on the floor. There were splatters, pools of it, and streaks of it everywhere. I gasped and covered my mouth. All around me, I heard people doing the same.* N-No...M-Mom...D-Dad....Mira....T-Tio...*I ripped the headset off of my ears and threw it across the room*This can't be true!!! I have to get out of here!!!! *I ran for the door and gasped as my wrist was grabbed by someone. Mondo.* Mondo, let me go!!!!!!

Mondo:Akemi, calm down! Everything's okay. I'm your friend, remember?

Akemi:*I yelled louder and struggled more against him* LET GO!!!! *I knocked his hand away* I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!!!! I HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM!!!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!! *Just when I was about to slap Mondo and run, I felt him wrap me into a hug. I gasped and my body trembled as warmth spread throughout my body.* What...is this...feeling? 

Mondo:I'm here for you, Akemi. And I promise you...I'll get you out of here somehow so you can find your family! I don't know when or how, but I promise you I will! It's my promise...As a man!

Akemi:*After he said that, I broke down sobbing into his arms* M...Mondo!!!! *I hugged him back and cried to my heart's content in his arms.* 

Mondo:Shh...It's okay. I promise, everything will be okay. Whatever was in that video...You can't believe it, okay? Monokuma's only trying to set us up. Alright?

Akemi:*I nodded slowly* M...Mondo...? 

Mondo:Hm?

Akemi:C-can I...sleep with you tonight? Please? I'm...Too afraid to go into my room. 

Mondo:*pulls me closer to him and nods* Of course you can, Akemi. Stay as long as you need to.

Akemi:*I closed my eyes and lost myself in Mondo's scent. He smelled good. Like a mix of cologne and leather.* Thank you...Mondo. *My moment with him was cut short as we heard a loud shriek come from where Sayaka was sitting* S...Sayaka-chan?!

Sayaka:NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I...I can't do this! I...I have to get out of here, before it's too late!!!!!

Akemi:Poor Sayaka. I understand how she feels.

Makoto:What did you see?!

Sayaka:*falls to the floor, trembling and sobbing* Why?! Why did this happen?! I didn't deserve this! A kid shouldn't have to make this choice! 

Makoto:*eyes wide with concern* Maizono...

Monokuma:*shows up on the screen in front of us and laughs evilly*

Kiyoko:Yeah. Who are you really? And what are you getting from all of this? Is this all just some sick GAME to you? 

Monokuma:*smirks* Yes, what AM I getting out of this? Veery good question! My payoff...Is your Despair! 

Sayaka:*stands up and screams again* NO!!!!!!! *runs out of the room*

Akemi:Sayaka-chan!!!!

Makoto:Maizono, wait!!!! *chases after her*

Akemi:*I looked up at Mondo, tears in my eyes* Mondo...Will Sayaka-chan be alright?

Mondo:I dunno. But whatever she saw on her video...It sure spooked her. 

Akemi:But...What could've been so...terrible?

Mondo:Who knows? Come on. Let's get some sleep. 

Akemi:*I blushed as he gently took my hand and lead me to his room. When we got there, he laid down.*

Mondo:*looks at me and pats the empty space on the bed beside him* What are you waiting for? An invitation? Come on.

Akemi:*I smiled and giggled slightly at that joke.* Okay. *I laid down beside him and sighed with relief. His bed...smelled exactly like he did. That warm, reassuring scent* 

Mondo:*turns to face me and smiles* Well...You seem like you feel better now. 

Akemi:*I blushed a bit and nodded.* I do, but...Mondo...Do you mind if I...? *I trailed off, scared of what he'd say* 

Mondo:What? Spit it out, Akemi.

Akemi:*I gulped and quickly asked before I lost my nerve* May I get closer to you?!

Mondo:*blushes a bit, then nods* Sure. Come here. 

Akemi:*I blushed even deeper as he pulled me closer to him. Our lips and faces were only inches away from each other* M...Mondo...Did...you really mean what you said before? About getting me home?

Mondo:*nods* I sure did. And a man always keeps his promise.

Akemi:Mondo...*Before I lost my nerve again, I leaned in and kissed him. To my surprise, he kissed back. When he pulled away, I smiled.* Thank you.

Mondo:*smiles* Anytime, Akemi. Now...Go to sleep. And when you wake again, I'll be there. 

Akemi:*I yawned and snuggled deeper into his loving embrace* Y-you promise?

Mondo:*nods and smiles* I promise...as a man. I'll always be by your side. 

Akemi:*Once Mondo said those words, I felt safe. More safe than I've ever felt. Soon after that, I yawned and fell asleep. Little did I know, things were about to get a hell of a lot worse for us!*

To be continued...!

Surviving Students:16.