#execution reaction

(What was she trying to prove here?)

Lowell grimaced as Shinobu started to reprimand them, as if she had any right to do so whilst excusing her own actions with her past. As if she knew what any of them had gone through in their life, hah, so much for trying to understand others, huh--

Was she trying to cash in some pity for revealing her life story? Did she really think that she would be forgiven for what she’d done if she was just sorry enough? Was she actually attempting to guilt-trip them, to make them feel bad for not thanking her for her sacrifice? For not liking her with that kind of attitude that she displayed during her stay here? Did she simply assume that everyone would believe her just like that?

(Humans were surprisingly good at faking their emotions and using that to manipulate others.)

(However, she sounded so genuine--)

(Don’t they always sound like that, only to turn out to be the absolute worst--)

Don’t judge a cover by its book.

Even if he wanted to say something, there was simply not enough time, as Shinobu had been already dragged off to her execution. He only lasted until the first bullet, before he looked away. There was no point in watching someone’s cruel demise - especially when it was the murderer of your friend, circumstances be damned--

(Funny, really, when he considered that--)

(... Let’s not go there. Ever.)

After the execution was over, Lowell was about to head straight to the elevator, away from all these people here, but as if to call on his empathy, his thoughts steered itself to Junpei’s direction. Although he hadn’t said anything, he certainly did agree with most of the points he made. However, that wasn’t important right now, as the poor guy didn’t look like as if he would manage to get to his room by himself.

Sighing quietly, Lowell made his way to the other’s podium and asked him in a concerned tone:”Hey, Wakatsuki. Want me to carry you to your room? You, uh... really don’t look too hot.”

Suddenly, Mika stormed off to confront Suji and Lowell stared at her in surprise, taken aback by how daring she was. When Mei came in and planted the publicist against the floor, Lowell was already taking a step forward, ready to get the maid off the girl.

“ASO--!”

Fortunately, Mika was let go only a moment later, but his blood was boiling by how those two dared to absolve themself from any guilt in that matter. As if their rage towards them wasn’t justified.

“... I hope Karma ain’t gonna spare you one bit when the time will come, you lying, fucking scumbags.”

He hissed, his tone holding nothing but malice towards their supposed caretakers. God, he couldn’t even describe how much he loathed those two (and he definitely needed to burn that goddamn Mei charm for good).

Lowell turned his gaze to Mika, his expression looking more concerned now, but it was clear that he probably held a lot of anger back about... everything, really.

“Hey Aso, you alright? That fucking bitch didn’t hurt you too bad, yeah?”

@silken-misfortune

[TW: Insect mention in second paragraph]

Usually, Kaya would’ve observed the so-called execution, so she could remember their last, possible moments. After all, even though all culprits only landed in prison thus far, which guarantee had they that they’ll be kept alive? Aside from simply hoping for that to be the case, the mascots never explained themselves in that regard. For all they knew, prison here could mean a worser fate than death.

However, none of that mattered, as Kaya had passed out by the time the execution started. She’d been sick since quite a while and now, she’d finally reached her limit. Hell, she hadn’t even realized yet that Mikka had killed for two human-eating bugs that had camouflagued themselves as eccentric ribbons! At this point, the cosplay idol sincerely believed that she had hallucinated them and thus, was truthful to Shiruku when she said that she might feel a lot worse than anticipated.

Either way, the cosplay idol had absolutely no idea how much time passed before slowly, her consciousness returned back to reality. Stirring awake, the pink-haired girl attempted to open her eyes, but when she did, she almost immediately closed them. Not only was the light almost blinding, everything was such a blur that it made her dizzy.

However, if anything, Kaya was a stubborn one. Thus, she attempted to open her eyes again, whilst also realizing that she was lying on something... comfy. A bed? Probably.

Regardless, she blinked for a few times and soon enough, her view got a bit clearer - still not incredibly sharp, but what can you do? If you’re sick, you have to do with what you have at your disposal.

“... Huh...? Where...”

Her voice was hoarse and she felt thirsty. However, she was more occupied with where she was and why. What happened? She remembered going to the trial and... it happened. However...

“Hngh...!”

@kcbayashi

It really was as obvious as it seemed, after all.

Even though people like Nyakuma have raised good points on not rushing their votes too soon, to take their time and really consider every possible suspect thoroughly, it hadn’t been necessary this time. However, in Kaya’s eyes, this would remain as a single occasion anyway, because who would want to repeat this horror again? To see one of their beloved classmates dead, to investigate how and why it happened, to suspect one another and then accuse each other of unspeakable deeds... the lingering fear of getting it wrong and making an innocent pay for their mistakes. That justice does not prevail like it always should.

Surely, no one wanted to make this a lasting cycle, right?

Right?

Either way, after Niji explained their reasonings as to why they did it (Kaya had suspected as much, because they had been so nice to her and they only had everyone’s well-being in mind, but--), the cosplay idol seemed to be more at ease. Well, a miniscule amount, because the fear of losing another classmate was still very real.

Then, they were suddenly dragged away, too sudden for anyone to act upon. Only moments later did a TV flare up to life and through it, all she could do watch helplessly how the color theorist suffered. Although she still stood by her point that they had to be punished for their deeds, making them suffer wouldn’t do anything, especially not if it led to--!

Then suddenly, Niji disappeared into the ground and Kaya remembered - if the true culprit is caught or if they’re on the opposite side of the victim, they would only get imprisoned, right? Which was what Kaya thought was only fair, given that a life was taken, but... in this kingdom? Who could guarantee their safety?

Still, it was better than outright executing them. After all, they had the chance to save them when they finally find an exit out of this nightmarish land. There was still a chance... a chance that Hachinoko would never get.

For now, it was best to rest up and see what could be done the next day.

...

Well, they were all called to the ballroom which transformed back to its initial state. Kaya couldn’t say that she was happy to see the wretched animals, but opposing them would be a bad idea now. At least openly, that is.

Truth be told, Kaya did not care which group got more points - her aim was to free everyone from this insane game! To hell with some kind of points, they will be ultimately not necessary for their escape together!

“Oh, bug off, you third-rate mascot who insults all frogs around the world with your devilish nature.”

Yeah, you tell ‘em, Kaya. Shows them who the boss in this place is, surely.

The pink-haired girl shook her head, before focusing her attention on something else - or rather someone. Well, someone’s. There was a lot of people she wanted to check upon, but she couldn’t do it simultaneously! Thus, it was one person after another and it just so happened that Airi was the first to catch her eyes. They’ve met briefly in the kitchen and the poor girl had injured herself during investigations, as well as cried when she voted for Niji. Right, she would be the first one Kaya would check up on! Not to mention that she always wanted to speak with her anyway! So, two birds with one stone! ... Actually, why was the phrase called like this? Did someone ever get two birds with one stone? And if so, why? Let the poor birds live their lives!

That aside, Kaya approached the smaller girl with a big smile on her face - smiling was important and she felt like as if she hadn’t done that enough the last few days! A heroine must always spread positivity! Brightness! Happiness! Everything that was good, so people felt good as well!

“... Eh?”

This, along with the confused expression she wore as she came around, described Kaya’s initial reaction perfectly. Although the latest events came rushing back to her mind, she wasn’t capable of focusing on them - not with a frog and a dog greeting them in these strange lands! Admittedly, both of them were really cute, although she already prefered Chihue. Cute dog and a great wizard? Beats a frog king in her books any time! Sorry Bibbit, but you’ve already experienced your first loss before even explaining everything.

However, there wasn’t much time in adoring the two little creatures - not with the information they’ve been spewing around. A dispute over who is more fit to rule BeroBero Kingdom? (The name’s cute, but she’s never heard of it before) They were summoned here for the purpose of deciding who will win at the end? Something about earning points, not revealing your affilations to anyone- wait, did that mean they couldn’t even choose whom they wanted to represent? Well, it still meant there was a 50-50 chance, but-

Wait, what, they weren’t allowed to leave? And- oh right, she had already subconsciousley felt a new weight on her wrist, but now that she glanced towards it, Kaya saw that a watch had been attached to it.

Just as Kaya wanted to throw in a question, she froze up at the mention of murdering each other for more points. She couldn’t have possibly heard that right. No, no, this didn’t make any sense and even if, why would anyone here do that? For seemingly murderous little creatures that held them against their will no less?

However, they were shooed to another place; something about punishing the one who brought them here? But that would mean-

As they’ve arrived at their destination, Kaya was horrified to witness the last moment’s of Shinda Unten. They might’ve get acquainted only for a few minutes, but she thought that he was definitely someone she wanted to talk to! And yet... here they were, the cosplay idol too shocked to even move a finger. Despite urging herself to dive forward and help the poor man, her body refused to listen to her.

(Maybe, a part of her had really hoped that this was a nightmare that would soon end if she’d just observe it?)

His words reached her ears and Kaya could only internally vow to grant his last request to the best of her abilities. She couldn’t even think further than that, because right afterwards, the bus hit Shinda. The pink-haired girl wanted to scream, but at the same time, she didn’t want to look that terrified when everyone else must feel the same! Thus, she put both of her hands quickly to her mouth and closed her eyes.

Only when Bibbit raised his voice again, did Kaya dare to open her eyes - and shuddered when she saw the inferno not far away from them. This was- how in the world-

“... T... This... Unten-san...”

Only a few moments after Bibbit started to go on his merry way, did Kaya manage to break herself free from her rigor. However, it wasn’t as if all of her negative emotions were suddenly gone - far from it. If anything, other emotions were merely getting stronger than any horror she currently felt.

Righteous anger.

As someone who valued justice as much as she did - as someone who wanted nothing more than for people to get along and live happily -, this was nothing she could allow to happen any longer! Such a mockery of life could not be tolerated!

(Not to mention, if a warrior of justice won’t do anything, than who would?)

(It didn’t matter that she’d put herself in great danger - Kaya wanted to fulfill Shinda’s wish to get everyone out of this place as quick as possible! Without anyone dying! Not on her watch!)

The cosplay idol’s hands were clenched into fists, teeth gritted. Although she knew that she should smile for her fellow peers, to ease their worries and help where she could - someone had to stand against Bibbit and Chihue!

“DON’T YOU DARE GO NOW, YOU DEVIL! I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO CONDUCT ANY MORE INJUSTICE!”

For a small girl, she sure possessed a booming voice! That aside, was she actually starting to stomp after the murderous frog?

...

Yep. She sure did.

Hisa had been relatively quiet these past two trials. He was speechless, honestly. He couldn’t believe this level of depravity and barbarianism from the World’s Brightest. Yes, they were tempted and threatened, but... they were supposed to be better than that, right!? 

He watched the execution with puffy yet jaded eyes. He followed the cashier like a puppy as he investigated. Turns out he was the monster all along. Hidehisa felt a strange sense of fulfillment from this, but it sickened the boy immediately after. How could this be satisfying? Another of his classmates were dead.  

“E-enough...” he whispered, his voice soft and trembling.

“ENOUGH.”

“THIS ISN’T HAPPENING ANYMORE. I SWEAR. I SWEAR ON EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING. THE MURDERS STOP HERE.” the boy screeched, pounding his fists on the podium “WE’RE THE STUDENTS OF HOPE’S PEAK ACADEMY. THAT’S SUPPOSED TO MEAN WE’RE THE BEST. WE’RE SUPPOSED  TO BE THE BEACONS OF POSITIVE AND POWER NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN. WE CAN’T DO THAT IF WERE ALL DEAD.”

He was crying again. 

Hidehisa wiped at his eyes before continuing. “I’m going to stop this. I don’t know how, but... I’m going to stop this.” He took a second to thing. How was he going to? He wasn’t smart enough to help them out, but there had to be something...

As always - can it be as always when it's only the second time? - Michi watches one of her classmates get executed. it should have felt worse considering this was someone she had spoken to, but all she could really think was how her room was going to feel a bit more empty without Theodosia.

It's not to say that any of the points Haruka is making are entirely incorrect, and she probably knows what she's talking about given her talent and all, but when she speaks, Michi merely stares back with an unimpressed stare. Really. Feel bad for a murderer? Oh, they're victims, too?

When it was Saoko, that grey area definitely popped up, but this time...

"Haruka-chan, listen. When it was Saoko-chan, I could definitely relate. Hell, something like money is appealing to me, too - my family is flat out broke. I can relate. But food? I can't get behind that. I can't pity that. They want us to kill each other - I doubt they would have just let us starve. That's not fun."

Tapping her fingers against her crossed arms, she shrugs.

"Of course I'm not happy he's dead, and yeah, of course we're all victims at this point, but it still stands that he killed multiple people and smiled through his confession. But, whatever. It's over, and it's not like you're totally wrong."

Michi shrugs. At that, she's ready for a nap, or something of the sort, so when two more people suddenly show up, yelling across a pool, she fixes them with an entertained stare. 

Trita... and Daichi.

So that was it, then. She cast Kouki a look of disappointment, before lowering her head and staying silent. The fact was, he did fit her profile. And she hadn’t seen it, until it was too late. He was resigned to this fate. There was nothing she could do to help him now.

But… dear God, their voices were annoying. All saying the same things. He’s trash, he’s weak for killing for food… What the hell do they know?

All she could do was watch. She swore she would, facing his own end - same with Saoko. It was the only thing she could do, to honor them. The only thing. Just remembering their deaths, how they died. Even if she never knew them very well in life - Kouki more than Saoko - she had to remember them in some way. Because in the end, just what did they all have in common? They were all victims of a bigger killer - the man upstairs.

Once Kouki was gone, she waited in the silence that had fallen over the room. Once she was satisfied, she cast her gaze towards Itsuki, then Momoko, then Michi.

“Are you happy now? You got what you wanted. The trash you hated so much, he’s gone. Are you satisfied?”

She took a deep breath, trying to stop her own shoulders from shaking.

“You all seem to enjoy calling him weak, because he killed for food. But you don’t really understand, do you? Do you even want to understand? Or are you just content playing your parts in this little field trip? Did you even bother trying to understand things?”

Glaring at Michi, her eyes narrowed.

“If you even bothered to think, you’d consider the fact that Kouki used food as a stress release. Not to mention his talent - a cashier. Not exactly pampered, let’s say. But you never thought, did you? There are some of us here more familiar with death than others. I mean, if you know my name, you know my talent, you know dead bodies don’t really faze me. But him? He was a little odd, a lot shy, and he had his fears, but for all apparent purposes, he was completely ordinary. He was a cashier. What was he supposed to do? They took away his only stress release in an already stressful environment. What was he supposed to do?”

She closed her mouth, realizing her voice was starting to grow louder than she intended.

“I’m a criminal profiler. I’ve seen my share of horrible killers, killing to satisfy sick fantasies, killing out of gross inferiority complexes, killing out of misguided jealousy. I’ve seen plenty. And Saoko? Kouki? They don’t really measure up. Have you considered that? Have you considered why they actually killed someone? Or are you too busy living out your little power fantasies, and sending him off to die?”

At this point her gaze had fixed on Momoko, before returning to Itsuki.

“Don’t get me wrong, they’re not innocent. Murder is murder, and in the end they deserve to be punished. But I want you to take a step back and think about how willingly you sent him to go die. Is that okay? Is that justice?”

Her gaze swept over the group.

“Or are you doing exactly what the man upstairs wants you to do? Consider this - He offers a large sum of money to kill someone. Who ends up killing? The girl whose family could most use that money. He takes away our food. Who kills? A shy kid who relied on food to comfort himself in stressful times. Have you considered? That these motives are tailored exactly to target someone among us? That he knows our weaknesses, and he’s more than willing to use them against us?”

Oops, she was getting riled up again. Taking a few deep breaths, she continued, more subdued.

“With that in mind, how can you not consider them victims too? You all… should be ashamed of yourselves, really.”

Saoko had killed, this was something that deeply troubled Kouki, and made him honestly feel very sick to his stomach. He understood fully well why she had done it, doing something for her family that was… it was grossly relateable to Kouki. Although his family was in no need of money, if they had been, it was painful to say but he may have ended up on the same path. He decided however that it was best to take this as a sign that he should never fall victim to the petty motives of the gross person who was in charge. Now that… that was somebody who should have no friends.

The execution however, that was what brought Kouki down to his knees, watching somebody get tortured so mercilessly, it was… it was disgusting not only to watch, but to think about. Kouki vomited a few times, and not only this but he was crying like crazy. His gross sobbing probably heard by everybody around him but honestly nobody probably blamed him, many probably wanted to do the same thing. Kouki hated violence, he hated blood, and he could not mentally stand something like this.