SHSL Springboard Diver

{cw: water, drowning}

It was exhausting. 3 bodies had been discovered, and yet Kumi had told all of you to finish up at the pool? The students carefully filed their way in, heads searching for anything that may have looked like one of their classmates. The pool deck seemed a lot more wet than usual, and it wasn’t until one of the students pointed and yelled out at the pool, that everyone’s attention turned to its deep end.

Could the body have been in there? It was certainly dark enough to conceal it. The students looked around, gazing into the deep end of the Dank Pool before Mizuiro was already preparing to dive in. Without a word, he jumped, sinking quickly to the bottom and out of everyone’s sights.

It seemed like too long a time for him to be up there. Part of you hoped that there wasn’t anything down there, and that Kumi was just having some morbid fun. Bubbles were gently popping on the surface as you waited for Mizuiro’s return.

Kumi beckons, and the students must follow. It’s hard to believe - or maybe it’s that you don’t want to - that someone else could possibly be dead, with two people already gone, but it’d be just as unlike them to start lying about it now of all times.

As instructed, the students make their way down the stairs, into the depths of the basement. As promised, there it is.

One more dead student.

Two. There were two bodies, just like Kumi had asked you to do. Somebody killed two people, and their bodies were found - clearly, there were people who’d miss them as well, judging by the reactions of the people who found them. It was so early, too, you thought. Not one, but two people were killed, and it was just so early in the morning. Why didn’t people kill at decent times, you thought. Why did you have to investigate these kinds of things in the first place?

As you stood, looking on in silent shock at the corpses, the announcement ping sounded again, coming from what seemed like the Midori side of the castle, taking your attention away from the corpses. What was happening?

<<Students. I said this would be interesting, didn’t I? Please…>>

They paused for a few seconds, and you could almost picture their mask spreading into a toothy sneer.

<< Come to the Midori Basement stairwell first, and while you’re at it…>>

Coughing softly, they chuckled quietly.

<<Finish up at the Dank Pool. A treasure hunt, of sorts.>>

You tore your attention from the bodies, and made your way inside the Midori side of the castle reluctantly with a heaviness to your step. What was going on? Well, there was only one way to find out, and as you went inside the castle and entered the stairwell, you could finally see what Kumi was talking about.

{cw: blood, neck trauma}

Before Akae, and before the rest of you, was the body of Shun Nagase.

Lying on his back, he had his right hand resting on his stomach - from where Akae had set it - and his left extended out to the side, both bloody. Even his poncho is stained dark with it. His face is turned away from the crowd, but from the blood covering his neck it’s safe to assume there isn’t a good surprise waiting for you as you look closer.

The first thing you notice as you move in is the sharp stab wound in his neck, perhaps owing to all the blood around it. Looking up towards his face, you can see his pained, upset expression. The glint of something on his face reveals fresh tears, and not just ones that came from the person standing over him. His mouth is drawn into the slightest frown, though what’s more noticeable is the blood that’s leaked from it that’s run down his face.

Though perhaps not as gruesome as the body found previous, Shun’s expression and (mostly) calm pose, with his best friend crying over him, doesn’t set much of a better mood at all.

Waking up in the middle of the night to learn one of your classmates was dead wasn’t easy the first time. It definitely wasn’t easier this time either. You didn’t even have time to change out of your pj’s, and yet once more it was happening. You were meeting up with everyone else to see who but the dust this time.

Knowing that they had to meet up on the opposite side of the castle, the students from the Midori class began making their way. While there were a few different paths to take, a few found themselves out in the courtyard between the castle entrances. Here, they heard someone crying, before they spotted a certain redhead in the dim moonlight, bawling over a body.

It was difficult to make it out in the distance and in the dark, however it was clear Akae Kase was kneeling down in front of someone’s body, her tears staining her face as her blood-soaked hands tried wiping them away. Her right hand gingerly let go of the student’s hand, and it fell limply on top of their stomach, motionless. Akae didn’t say a word as the crowd of students grew around her- she merely wept, her minimal makeup starting to run down her cheeks.

As more and more students joined, it was obvious that the question on everyone’s mind was why she was crying so much, with all that blood on her hands.

The answer, was lying clearly, right in front of them.

{cw: blood, stabbing}

While it wasn’t obvious from where the shrieking came earlier, the first thing that the students from Aoi saw were two people lying on the floor, in the hallway leading from the dorms. Mizuiro Ren seemed to had just fallen to the ground, slightly red and puffy eyes wide in shock and terror. He was numb, as he stared at the mess in between him and the rest of the students. What ever sleepiness you all may have had in your eyes was certainly gone now.

And on the floor, right in front of Mizuiro, you could see what – or rather, who – had him so upset.

So much happens. So, so much. It was shortly after the motive had been given and Louise was stabbed, that you had gone to bed with a heavy heart and clouded thoughts. Would you truly be able to escape with one of your number? Would you truly be able to finally leave back to your home for good? But that would mean that more blood had to be shed, and there was still no guarantee that your captor would carry through with their promise. Though there wasn’t any gauge by which to judge the veracity of their claims, either.

When those of you on the Aoi side woke up the next morning, you weren’t completely sure exactly what woke you up. Rubbing your eyes, you sat up confusedly on your bed, throwing your gaze around your room. There was an abrupt shriek in the next moment, and the intercom system crackled to life with an oh-so-familiar voice (for half of you) filtering through the system.

<<Students, wake up, wake up. It’s… a beautiful day for murder.>>

Oh, is that all? You paused for a second, dragging yourself to your feet as you readied yourself for the coming investigation. It was no big deal; people killed, you investigated, you got it right most of the time. What was the fun in that?

<<It’s quite an interesting one this time around. Has that gotten you excited?>>

Interesting? What could they possibly mean by that? Either way, you managed to exit the door, Kumi’s voice echoing around the castle as you did and providing you with directions.

<<Please head to the Ye Olde Toilets in Aoi, first and foremost.>>

Mizuiro stands perfectly still, in shock at everything that had happened up until now. Eyebrows furrowing while Kumi discusses the motive, he looks…puzzled for a long moment.

“Wait…you’re not…” Slowly, an unreadable expression flashes over his face as he realizes what exactly Kumi is saying. Running a hand through his hair, Mizuiro cusses softly under his breath….Basically…basically they’re saying a life for a life aren’t they. God that’s messed up. So, so messed up.

But…then again, what about this who stupid situation wasn’t?

{cw: swearing, impalement}

Shortly after Kumi dismissed you all the booming voice echoed through the castle. It had came from who most knew as Louise, The roller derby girl with her rather harsh personality from the opposite side of the castle, an unfamiliar face to some…or a rather feared face to others.

“You’ll actually let someone take their buddy out for killing two people, yeah right. How many damn weeks in, and we’re being expected to still trust you guys?”

Her chest seemed to puff out in irritation, her body shaking as if it wanted to respond more than that. It felt like all she could really do was yell words and curses, and what had that done for her here so far?

That realization, that feeling, seemed to finally culminate in a single line from the derby girl, as she let out a sigh that sounded a little quieter, but not at all less angry.

“You know what? Jesus–fuck. Fuck this! I’ve had enough of this shit!”

(Not like she had much to lose by this point, and she wanted a quick moment of vindication she’d wanted for a while.)

Once you gathered at the square, you saw that Kumi was standing there, with Midoritarou by their side. A little ways away were Aoiko and Maru, who seemed deep in conversation and oblivious to the fact that there was a motive about to be given. That’s what they gathered you here for, right? To both sides, the announcement was quite familiar, so it was only logical. In any extent, Kumi cleared their throat and began addressing the students there with a flat tone of voice.

“

“Students. I am certain you know who I am, those of you from my class. For the people that do not, it is a pleasure. I am Kumi, and I will supervise murders with the aid of my ah…. liege, Maru.”

This immediately earned a glare from the catgirl, who turned and began tromping towards the fox-person with murder in her eyes. Aoiko immediately held her back with a nervous grin, and Midoritarou instinctively hid behind Kumi before rushing out to place himself between the two. After a few moments, she gave up and hissed at them, before turning to stomp back to her former place. 

“Who you must excuse. She’s very testy. In any extent, I’m certain you know the drill by now - I tell you what you want to hear… or don’t. You kill. Before that, though, I heard they’re having a wonderful deal at Ye Olde Murder Shoppe.”

They paused for effect, chuckling.

“A… two for one deal, if you will. Aren’t I incredibly generous? I bet you are all thinking that - ooh Mx. Kumi, you’re offering this at such a low price! And indeed, I am. What measure is another person, anyways? You see, as I said, it’s a two for one deal.”

Tilting their head, they continued on.

“That is correct. Two for one. See, in this shop of mine, the price is freedom - you realize I will kill all of you if somebody manages to get away with killing twice. But I am generous - even if you have not already killed, if you manage to get away with murder twice, I will allow you to take other people out with you. Ah, but again, I know what you’re thinking - Mx. Kumi, lives aren’t cheap! They’re people. And that is why I have decided to raise the stakes a little bit. To get you to think long and hard about my offers.”

They grinned widely.

“Take at least two lives, bring one person out with you. I will not enforce a penalty, other than the reminder that… ah, you’re trapped here. Forever. I am certain there are others on the outside who miss you - or who’d rather see you dead. As I have said, it is your choice.”

At this point, Maru had once again fixed her gaze on Kumi - though the tension was broken by Aoiko waving her hands wildly at the students, sucessfuly distracting the two foes.

“Thaaaaaat’s all folks! Hah, marvelous presentation, good job Kumi-sama! Now if you will come with me, please… there are such important things to tend to.”

The exorcist had gripped their robe tightly and was tugging them away, to an “OW!”. At the same time, Maru was staring, baffled, at the scene that unfolded, before huffing and turning. Almost leaving the square, your captor shouted out one last comment in an irked tone of voice.

“You’re ALL DISMISSED.”

Everything happens so much.

That was the thought on your mind the past few days - the doors of the castle had opened, the entire class was reunited at last, and strangely enough, considering the mutual killing, there was a sense of relief. You were out, this meant you were able to do things and had greater control over what was going on - you were out and about. The sunshine had never seemed so beautiful - even if you really were trapped in an alternate dimension and the temperature was rather cold. 

It was easy enough for the thoughts that you were still in a mutual killing to cross your mind. Indeed, trials happened just earlier for both sides of the castle, more people were dead. Was it selfish to enjoy the air outside, in that case? Well… one way or another, they had still been executed or murdered, so there was no doubt. Either way, it was easy to push back - thoughts that were brought forth one way or another when the ping of the announcement resounded (did the intercom seriously stretch all the way to the forest?)

And the voice that came over the intercom was…. Midoritarou’s, this time around.

<<S s s s students….>>

He only managed to stutter out the first word of the sentence before a scuffling occurred, resulting in Aoiko gaining control over the intercom. 

<<Please… arrive in town square. Circle. Whatever! That’s where you’ll meet from now on… ah, sorry.>>

Another shifting sound, and Midoritarou spoke again. 

<<H h h h h…. ur r ry.>>

[Cw: Moths]

Not more than a day after Maru and Kumi made their childish war known and the remaining students got to meet without a wall separating the two of them, many students had already began investigating the new outdoor area. With the ability to go outside brought many new possibilities of being far from your classmates, giving you just the amount of space one might need.

But were you any closer to being freed from this nightmare experience?

While everyone was left to their own devices some of you had been exploring the Lakeside Area and found a rather peculiar cave, once that didn’t seem to belong there once entering due to its rather lavish interior, if one didn’t know better it would appear to be something only seen in a Ghibli movie due to the amount of mysterious bottles on shelves and paintings.

However, the caves tenant appeared to be rather displeased with who woke them up. Appearing from behind the beaded curtains, from a more secluded room, a tall woman with long black and red streaked hair and gigantic moth wings stood before them.

“How DARE you disturb me?”

Her voice echoed through her home, eyes narrowing onto the faces of the ones to disturb her. It was not a rule to break to wake up a sleeping authority(?) figure but she was making you feel like that.

“That comes with a price~. I am Leena, Queen of the Moths and some of your classmates worst nightmare.”

She was now circling around the unlucky two who had disturbed her and spoke roughly once more.

“That price being, I will do you a favor… I will give you a poison to kill one of your fellow classmates… for a price of course. You have 24 hours to use it. If you do not complete your end of the deal, I take your life instead. Isn’t that great?”

…Well it seemed that yet another way to kill your classmates has arrived. But will you trust the partially mysterious woman with a crystal ball?

Mizuiro…Mizuiro is finding it hard to give a damn anymore. 

This investigation, this trial…god, he hates it. Hates how he’s finding it so hard to care. Tiger dead, Berry Blue Dead… There’s very little to give a @#%* about anymore…

Upon hearing they mistrialed, Mizuiro curses low under his breath, running a hand through his hair agitatedly. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t, not anymore he doesn’t give a damn…but why the hell does he feel so guilty?

Bowing his head, Mizuiro holds his head in his hands as Bond (look, he knows he’s not actually a spy but screw it) get executed on the screen. It…sucked. That’s not a real reaction, Mizuiro knows that…but at this point he’s just glad he never really talked to him, if at all. He…honestly doesn’t remember at this point.

When the execution ends and they’re called out of the trial room, Mizuiro follows numbly, just as unresponsive as before until…

“Wha….” He breathes, watching Foxface and Whiskers fight one another. There’s an odd look on his face - almost like he recognizes Whiskers, but isn’t sure why. That’s impossible though. There’s no way he could’ve seen them before….right?

Turning away, Mizuiro doesn’t bother looking at their new maps before he wanders off. Walking aimlessly, he eventually finds himself at the edge of a lake…