Flowers In your Hair

Never softly finished the work in her basement base. Blood adorned her like a ballgown, glinting ever so beautifully. It was natural on her, a good look. But she didn’t seem to appreciate it too much. She huffed as she worked… applying the final touches to her very last robot…

Memories taken, then some erased… body burned… switch the robot on. And speak to him. Speak to Kai. She waited for him to reorient himself. She knew it was odd to wake up after death- she had felt it before as well. Her voice came out soft and sweet… but this time, it wasn’t sickening or mocking. Just gentle.

She reached out.

“Listen. I know things seem a little weird right now, and I don’t really look the best either, kyahaha, but we should go. Our little project went under… more like when down in flames- sorry about that. Neither of us really did any good- I even erased your memory of it, per your permission. We really, really need to go. Will you come? I’d really appreciate if you did.”

Despite being disoriented, Kai managed to register her words eventually.

“…So it got that bad, did it? So……I guess I was right, huh?”, he could only murmur. 

Hearing a mechanical whir from within you was… unpleasant.

“…Well, I have nothing else to be ‘alive’ for, so I see why not. ………But where? Where can we go?”

Never looked down. She didn’t really want to speak of where they were going, but she knew she had to. Courtesy, and all.

“Where? Heh, it’s not gonna be pleasant for the survivors of this ordeal. We’re going to my Laboratory, with my Father. He’s got plans… and I’d like to unravel them. Redeem myself a bit for the next wave of kids. Maybe do some good. I don’t like being a puppet anymore.”

Never shrugs, yawning. Bleeding. Ew, gross. She tried a little to wipe away the blood- both her own and his, but to no avail.

“You’ll be fine though. You can even join in my little redeeming party if you want. You just can’t really go public unless you want the police on your ass.”

The so-called mastermind let out a laugh. 

“…There’s nothing about me to redeem, especially if I was willing to have my memory erased– but I did make a deal with you, didn’t I? I pledged loyalty to you and you alone. So… utilize that how you will." 

His expression then fell, and he sighed.

Juliabot seems to listen to the mysterious man with no questions. She begins to usher you into the Laboratory. It’s strange. This place is unfamiliar, and a bit scary. There are many people rushing around in it. Doctors, and young children chasing after said doctors with smiles, or laughing. Others seem to be crying- it really depends on what hall you’re being pushed into by Juliabot.

If you are of the Special Arts wing, you see beautiful children singing and dancing in the halls, and the halls themselves are adorned by the children’s pictures and paintings. You’re joined by AI-3V3, or as Yumiko named her, Hana. She seems nervous, but pays a kind smile, leading you along into the soulful depths of the wing.

“It’s not bad here… we’re sheltered, we don’t experience bad things like the other two wings do. S-Since you’re forgetting the game, I’m sure your life will be good here… no harm is done to this wing, so our artistic ability is honed…”

How comforting.

If you are pushed into the Brutality hallway, a huge metal door is slammed behind you, and within it the scent of blood is intense. Children who appear to be training, or standing in a military-like line, listening to orders and saying ‘yes ma’am/sir’. The sound of screaming is loud, and in the distance, you swear you can hear gunshots. A chorus of chaos. You would quickly find out how easily death is found here, if you were ushered into this hallway. Sasha joins your side, if you were put into this wing. She stares up at you. Her glare harbors the slightest amount of pity. 

“The pain will go away after a while. They alter your body so you don’t feel it anymore. And with how many times our minds are constantly erased to make sure we obey, you’ll be mindless soon anyways. It’s a sad existence, but at least you don’t hurt for very long.”

How scary.

And finally, the Intelligence wing. If you were pushed into this hall by Juliabot, you’d see that everything is systematic here. It’s pretty… barren, actually. A door also slams behind you if you are put into this wing, and the sound reverberates throughout the quiet. The most one notices right away is how silent it is here. You only hear the softest of murmurs, coming from different rooms. Robotic whirs and sounds echoing in the silence as Tomoko stands at your side here.

“I can’t say you’ll enjoy your time in this wing. We have it the worst. But little success is found here. You’ll die quickly, which is a kinder fate than living here.”

How depressing. Yet simple.

Those sent into the mysterious fourth wing… find nothing. They are never seen again… or are they?

Juliabot lets out a sigh as she finishes pushing each student into their new respective homes.

“Uwaah! What a good, good day! But gah, I’m so tired now… I think it’s time to rest…”

On the stop, though nobody is there to witness, she sits down, and shuts herself off. Symbolic, in a way. It was all over..

The silhouette of a man held the door open, leaning on it, with a checklist in hand. He cleared his throat, then began to speak out in a voice that was distinguishable like ice. It was cold, and sharp. It cut deep into you.

“Ayano Akiyama- Hitman. Nayeli Kikuchi- Reggae Dancer. Shizuko Hayashi- Somnologist. Lucas Dell- Reserve Course. Yumiko Hayashi- Florist… only 5 true survivors. Mmmnng… I’ll throw Aden Knutson in with Aimi’s robots. She’ll deal with him, hmm…”

He walked towards you all, surveying the survivors. He would scoff at any robots who dared look at him- as if they were shoddily made. He muttered things under his breath when around the living.

“The hitman will go to Brutality, ehh… the dancer to Special Arts. I’m glad we have somebody to go to Intelligence- the somnologist shall make a name there. Reserve course…? Well it must have been fun infiltrating the school. He can test the new fourth wing for subterfuge, and as for the florist… eh, throw her into Special Arts as well, she seemed to get along with AI-3V3…”

It was strange, how he barely acknowledged you all as people. He acknowledged you as… subjects. Not really alive. Just soon-to-be experiments at his disposal. 

He finally speaks to you.

“Listen up, subjects. You shall all be serving as the second test for creating a pure and progidal race. We can create prodigies- this I know. They have been successfully made and now stand before you as these three girls- Tomoko, Sasha, and AI-3V3. They were the first test. But we have never attempted to turn current, already living prodigies to our cause. So you’ll be the first attempt. Be glad- you’re helping the future turn into something bright.”

With that, he turns on his heels.

“What’s your name, robot? Juliabot? Escort them out. I need to prepare the memory erasal. Girls, kill the students if they do not cooperate.”

You breath a sigh of relief, or perhaps you shed tears. Maybe you are angry, the only one who knows is you. So he is dead. The mastermind Kai is dead. You all take a few moments to react… but soon, you can hear the sound of crashing, and the house jolting in what seems like a mini earthquake. This goes on for a good minute, before stopping. You hear doors open, and Juliabot vibrates with excitement. 

“Ooooh, come on come on come on! We have to go! The doors are open the doors are open. We can finally get out of the house. Ooooh, I wonder what will happen outside?”

What a sick joke. You know what will happen. You can hear the ocean outside.. and once you’re all ushered by force to return upstairs, the scent of saltwater assaults your noses, yet when you approach the doors, no water is seen. You only see the figure of a man, standing at the door.

Never doesn’t seem to have followed any of you upstairs to witness the oddity of a new person. Yet, the frequency of new faces has left you less surprised, and more acceptant of what’s to come. This man was nothing more than a silhouette, and gave a more chilling aura than Never could have ever given. Apathy was the main feeling here.

[TW: choking, hanging] 

Kai, unknowing even himself what he’d be going through, opened his eyes cautiously. He found himself in a… very familiar classroom. White walls, depressingly grey floors with worn, plain desks. The only thing out of place was the pile of equally plain chairs, shoved up in a corner along with all desks but one; his. 

The one Kai would forever recognize as his own– from the scratches’ formation, the wear and the stains from various vases. Yes, vases similar to the one sitting on top of it right now. A lone white one, with a single Bellwort tossed in without any water - already wilting too, from the looks of things. 

The droopy flower of choice only worked to depress him further. …How many of these vases had he gotten in his life? At least six - seven with this included.

It took him a while to realize that a machine had been slowly tightening the scarf around his neck. So of all ways to die… he only left out an amused huff, hair disheveled as his body began to shake ever-so-slightly. It was really gonna happen. All of his bad decisions and deeds hit him full force, and he finally understood. He finally understood why he felt so guilty. Why he’d done it all. Why he cared, even if he kept thinking he didn’t. Why he felt so shitty monologuing, even if he told him he was correct. 

…He was just a dirty liar. 

 "…Hey… everyone……? I… have to apologize", he mumbled quietly. Yet he was clearly audible in the silence, and he only sighed as a soft, sad smile covered his features, tears beginning to pour down his cheeks. 

 "……I lied about a lot of things. I said a lot of nasty stuff right now. Most things even I recognize to be full of shit. I don’t beg for forgiveness– that’s a privilege I lost long ago. But… I just… I wish I knew. I wish someone would have just answered me…“ 

 ”…Why couldn’t I be good…? Why… was I never enough…?“ 

Even when he himself had not killed one soul with his own hands, he felt so horrible. He felt so, so guilty. Even when he tried to convince himself that he was just a victim too… He had caused all of this. His desires had led to Never using him like this. He felt so many things, and despite being afraid, he just wanted it to be over. He wanted to escape it. He wanted to die and never be looked at again. Ah…

”…Well, nevermind that. Nobody cares.“

He wanted to stop feeling so guilty.

Ｗｈａｔ ａ ｃｏｗａｒｄ．

”………Goodbye.“ 

He lowered his face in resignation– and so, the machine yanked him up from his scarf, making him gurgle at the pressure to his throat. He instinctively pulled at the scarf, trying to free himself– but little by little, his movements got lazier and slower, and soon he slumped. With nothing but the eerie creaking of the machine that held him up, the last sign of life left his body. There was no blood, no spectacular show put up for it… And quite amusingly, his death was among the most merciful events fate had thrown at him. 

Kai Midori, SHSL Internet Musician and the Mastermind

The Kill - 30 Seconds to Mars

Im Gonna Show You Crazy- Beba Rexha

Poison (Thanks For Nothing) - Jayn Cover

Last of Me- Luka

Goodbye - Miku

Bullet - Hollywood Undead

Ghost Rule - Miku

Smoke and Mirrors - Lollia Cover

Youtube Link

Ah yes, the moment she knew was coming for all too long! The moment that Kai had been waiting for she just knew it. She knew he couldn’t wait to be rid of her. Just like everyone before Kai who loved her. Or said they loved her at least…it was bittersweet and lasted longer than she ever thought.

“I knew this would happen. I knew you would grow tired of me…”

She wasn’t even going to cry, she couldn’t feel anything through the numb. Even if it was completely degrading and insulting what he said in front of everyone, she could care less. It was true. She was not worth anyone’s time even right before they were about to die.  One by one she lost everything worth living for. Kai was the last twist to the knife.

Everything else just hummed around her, not even knowing what was going on all she could tell was that people were still talking. Bodies moving, but no noise…just distant hums.

A choked sob emitted from her, not more than almost a whimper before she stopped. She had no control over whatever was going on with herself anymore and she felt her body ache the more she thought. The bits and pieces that were falling together in her scattered mind. Kai didn’t need her anymore. Eri didn’t need her anymore. Her mom was gone. Her dad was gone. Who did she have to live for anymore? No one.

She had heard the bitterness in Kais voice. She wasn’t going to beg him not to dump her. He deserved to be rid of her before he died. She knew he was about to die and if that’s what his final wish was. Was to be free of her, so be it. He can have that.

“I’m sorry”

That’s all she managed to say. That’s all she could say. She looked at Kai for a moment though, and smiled again. She was still glad to have had him even if it was for a short amount of time. Even if he had been behind things, even if he was lying. Even if he didn’t actually love her

What if that was a lie too?

She still loved him unconditionally. Nothing could change that. She really did love him even if he was seen to be bad by so many other people. She still loved him and stood by him firmly and unmoving. Despite unable to feel anything she still knew she loved him.

Time was ticking….tick.. tick.. tick…and the first part of trial was over…about goddamn time that it ended. They had spent way too much time on a suicide. It was so easy to figure out too…were they that attached to the fallen Higanbana? Not that Yumiko didn’t feel bad she just didn’t feel at all. It was hard to miss someone when you had no feeling…right?

At the continue of the trial, Yumiko just stared blankly at this ‘gift’ for others in the room. So more robots of the dead kids, not very surprising to her honestly. Just more people she felt little to nothing for…literally hunks of scrap metal that could have been used to build something so much better.

“Huzzah, welcome back!”

Yumiko sarcastically clapped, she obviously wasn’t happy to see anyone, but she stared at Eri in particular and smiled for a moment.

“Hi Eri-chan!”

Her voice was dripping with sarcasm, please someone just punch her.

“Oh yeah. The trial…so I guess the only thing I have to add is that we are on the way to lab for what reason? Only Never and the Mastermind know. The girl without a name told me… she also told me that we are all prodigies and that’s why we were kidnapped“

The ‘gift’ comes filing out of the doors that the previous students who were executed got dragged into to die. One by one… you see the students who you thought were dead join you in trial. In the final hour… they return? But how? Didn’t you see them die? No, most of you know by now. Spuds is your living… er… computing evidence. Ah, yes…

Never turned your fellow students into robots. They seem so lifelike! But you feel a bit detached… dead, but here… copies… with the memories of the fallen? Convinced they are the fallen? Are the fallen? Juliabot gauges your confused looks, and explains.

“These are your fallen. Those who have been murdered and executed. They are your Jury. They will be helping you throughout the trial, and assisting in the voting process! To put it simpler- they are fully participating in this trial! Isn’t that such a nice gift and surprise? You get to talk to them! They’ll talk back you know, their consciousnesses are in these robotic shells! They are aware and technically… alive! So cool~.”

She seems so giddy about this, as your fellow students take up their previous spots in the trial room. How familiar… nostaglic… seeing this many students… But, Juliabot continues to speak.

“Oh yeah, one more rule for this trial…”

“You don’t get to default or vote for yourself~.”

Oh. Well, it is the final vote.

“You must vote for somebody you think is guilty. No choice in the matter. If you don’t get a vote in on time, then your vote simply wont count in the final tally. But don’t you dare try to stall out the clock just so you don’t have to vote. I’ll make you vote. Don’t forget to try and piece together the mystery itself as well, okay? Why Never and the Mastermind teamed up? And what the future calls for… okeedokee?”

You suppose… that’s as good a cue as any…

You’ve collected all your thoughts, mourned if you want, murmured nothings at others if you want, but Juliabot’s voice jolts you out of your thoughts and actions and brings you back to her, like a moth to the flame. She catches your eye, her robotic grace sometimes distracted as she announced the next half of your fate. Some of you are scared. Some are anticipatory. Some want this to end, and some have a combination of this all. But surely… collectively… you all feel at least one similar feeling. The craving to just know… who did this? 

“Just who struck the very first deal with Never? You all must be very familiar with her deals throughout the game. The Mastermind… had the pleasure of the first, didn’t they? Agreed with her to start all this. Fund this for them. Eventually witness just how much she likes to meddle… but. Why? Why did they start this with her? Who and why? Figure that out for me.”

“Then, engage a vote! Vote for them… if you get it right, they’ll be executed just like the other murders. But, you might be thinking: ‘But Juliabot! We have no idea who it could be!’. Well, no worries! I have a gift for you!”

And… that’s that. The first half over. You find yourself tired… but some of you students may also feel determined. So close. So, so close. To this all ending. To the poor souls that have fallen being able to rest after this. For you to rest after all this… if that’s even possible. If you’ll be allowed to do this. You see Julia twirling, going through the vote…

“Well… you got it right! Higan-chan is indeed her own killer! She committed suicide, she did! Uwaaah, so sad! And to think… some of you were cynical enough to treat this like it was nothing. We value your lives here, you know. But you yourselves seem to treat the recently fallen like trash.”

So a trial was going to occur after all? Yumiko wasn’t even sure at this point nor did she care. She did investigate but was it going to matter much at all? Most likely not…she really had no interest anymore after the last bouts of investigation… first Wakana had died….then Higanbana, and despite the stinging in her chest…she didn’t cry. She didn’t feel much of anything anymore.

Like lambs to the slaughter, for the 5th time since this wonderful Big Brother experience occurred they went to the trial room and listened to the annoying voice of robo-julia announce the obvious. Duh they were going to have to solve this why did she feel the need to repeat herself each time? Who knows. The only important thing was the fact that they were going to finally find out who else was behind this, big whoop.

“Why are we going to spend longer than half a trial on this when in reality….unless anyone really has evidence to prove against it…”

Yumikos voice was hoarse, almost like she couldn’t talk to begin with.

“The notes. They sounds pretty much like Suicide Notes to me. All of them.”

Obviously she was assuming everyone knew what she was talking about or else she wouldn’t be just pushing it off and glaring at no one in particular. She obviously wanted this to just be over with, it was a waste of time. Wakana died due to Never, Higanbana most likely died of suicide. Simple. Unless she was proven wrong, and if so she really didn’t give a shit anyways.

“So I’ll say what Everyoneeeeeeee seems to be avoiding… the big S word!! Hehehe! SUICIDE! Is it really that hard to say. I have my reasons for believing~”

Some listen intently, some seem to only half listen, or perhaps what you chose to do while she began her speech of rules is completely different. Only you know. Perhaps that’s the only freedom you have left here! The ability to think and listen how you wish- yet you have a chilling feeling that Never seems to take away that luxury from people too. 

“This trial shall go in parts!” She begins.

“The first part, is solving Higanbana’s mystery! Who is the culprit? Whodunnit? Uwah, I’m so curious- heehee, I actually know the culprit. But you all need to figure that out first! Only polite, right? That you solve the very last mystery before you delve into the next half of the trial? Respect the dead! Even if we at Alice Project Incorporated don’t! You got all this? You will solve Higanbana’s mystery first! It doesn’t have to be correct- you just got to get past the vote.”

“Second half of the trial, will be devoted to figuring out the mastermind. Not only that, you will try to figure out what Never’s whole reason for being here is, as well! Though, it’s only really the first part that matters! Figure out the Mastermind. Get to the Mastermind vote.”

She notices some of you look confused. She continues on to explain a little more thoroughly.

“Why are we looking for the Mastermind all of a sudden, you ask? Well that’s simple! Never’s objectives have changed. The game is coming to an end. But she can’t just leave! Oh no, she never leaves a commitment behind. She thinks it should end properly! With a vote and and execution.”

“So, a rundown of what you’ll be doing, and in order! First, figure out Higanbana’s culprit, and vote for them. Once that is done, you shall go into another discussion- about who the Mastermind is. You shall vote for them! If you figure them out, they are executed! If you don’t get them right, you all suffer! Heehee. And lastly, remember to unravel the mystery of what Never’s purpose was here! Perhaps it’ll have to do with what your future is…”

“As for what I meant earlier about guests? Make it to the second half of the trial to find out~!

Juliabot giggles, finished up by doing that traditional raise of her microphone into the air! Let! The final trial! Begin!

You hear a distinct voice in the air. How spooky and chilling this place feels now. Nothing like a gameshow setting. Nothing. Just a place of silence and solitude, a place where your lives are the game and nothing more. Dancing at the strings of many hands but your own, you lie dormant within the hospital-esque setting and only react once you’ve finished your investigating and hear Juliabot calling for you.

“Trial time! Trial time! Letsago! It’ll be so much fun, ne? Some of our final days together! Uuuuwwah~! So much fun. Listen, we’ll be having special guests after the first half of the trial- oh! I should probably explain the rules of how this will play out though, huh? Okeedokee! Get to the trial room now and we can get this staaarteeeed~!”

And you listen. Like the obeying dead, you all follow eventually, whether or not you chose to do this of your own accord. You know that you would be forced into the basement eventually. So you silently go along- or you talk with somebody, who knows what your choice was. But you make it downstairs. And Juliabot goes through the motions… making sure you all stand at her podium, and look on her for the go to begin trial. 

But she doesn’t give the go. Now, she stays true to her words and begins to explain how this last… final…. trial shall work.

It almost feels unreal. It’s all almost over. Just a few more steps… and perhaps…