When the group reached Jabberwock Park, Usami's yells were reverberating through the air.

"W...Where are you?! Where are you hiding?!" Usami yelled aloud, waving her stick around.

"W...Who's hiding? Who are you talking about?" Citrine asked in confusion.

"Upupupupu!! ...Eh? Hey hey! Where are you? Where? Ahahahahaha!!" A scratchy voice echoed, and then it happened.

A monochrome bear teleported on the statue, similar to Usami.

Is that an off color?

"Have I kept you waiting? It's been a long time, hasn't it?! I am Monobear! I'm this school's headmaster! And now that I've made my long overdue appearance, the first thing I have to say is... That was tepid! Lukewarm! Damp!" The bear glanced at Nagito. "Are you... damp too?"

Usami gave an unsure look. "As I thought... it is you! But... why...? Why is Monokuma here?!"

"...Monokuma?" Citrine repeated. What was that exactly? A... 'kuma'?

"Quiet! I'm very angry! This tepid mood you bastards are wallowing in is making me sick! Oy! What's with this silly "Heart-thumping Field Trip"?! It's boring! Despair-inducingly boring! Who can get excited over something like that?! Let's end this farce, already! We have to respond to society's needs, you know! No one wants to see a bunch of high-school students enjoy peaceful, quiet days in paradise! No. What everyone wants is..."

"Suffering. Hardship. Misery... Despair!" Monokuma exclaimed.

Kuzuryuu shook his fist in an bubbling anger. "W...What the fuck is this stuffed toy...?! What's this bullshit he's spewing...?!"

"What... is going on? Who's this new stuffed toy?" Chiaki asked, dazed.

"It's dangewous, everyone! Pwease step back and let me handle it! I don't know why Monokuma is here, but as long as I have this Magical Stick..." Usami said, readied her staff.

"Aha!" Monokuma laughed. "An opening!! Take that! And that!"

Monokuma tackled Usami, Citrine couldn't exactly described it. A flurry of fluffy fists and legs -- Citrine was intellect, not a fighter. He didn't know the terms that were correct, or the just facts of battle and war.

"S...Stop it...!" Usami whined.

"Bang! Wham!!" Monokuma said, punching the poor Usami.

"Kyaaaaaaaa!" Usami screamed in defeat.

"Ta-daaaaaah! Flawless victory!" Monokuma said, ending they're scuffle. He took Usami's weapon -- a long, pink wand -- and snapped it into two.

"Fuwaaa!" Usami cried. "My Magical Stick!!"

Monokuma gave Usami a menacing look. "And now for the finishing touch... You're too plain, you know?" He criticizes. Citrine notes the Earthling next to him -- the loud one, Ibuki -- gave a horrified look. "White bunnies are so out of fashion. Therefore, I'm going to remake you to my liking! Ahahaha! If you try to resist me... you're just going to savor the sweet taste of suffering that much longer!" Monokuma lunged at the bunny, and a flurry of dust surround the two.

"Kyaaaaaaaaa! Stop it!!" Usami cried in fear and embarrassment.

Monokuma laughed. "Hey, stand still! I can't push this wooden rod into you if you keep moving!" Wooden rod? What..?

"Noooooo! I...I said, don't do that!" Usami cried, not consenting to this tranformation.

Once the change was done, the dust cloud dispersed, revealing Monokuma and Usami. "Ta-daaaaah! Perfect!"

Wha...! What is this?!

She was now two toned -- similar to that Monokuma. However, she was pink and white. She also wore weird, white shorts. Usami looked like she was in a perpetual state of distress. "What's with this tewwible outfit!? Turn me back wight now, pwease!"

Monokuma laughed. "Oh? You're being a bad girl, Monomi, snapping back at your big brother's sense of style like that."

"Huh?" Mioda said in shock. "Usami-chan's coloring turned weird!" She said in distaste.

"Weird coloring...? But it's just the same as mine... Are you trying to hurt my feelings...?" Monokuma sarcastically said in a fake, emotional pain.

Usami -- or was it now Monomi? Citrine was... confused. "Eh? Big bwother? Monomi?" Monomi/Usami said in confusion.

"I thought the whole premise of your character was iffy..." Monokuma explained. "So I decided to make you my little sister Monomi. ...It's a retcon, you see."

"W...Why do I have to be your little sister?!" She stuttered.

"...Do you want to be my big sister? The big sister I had no contact with for years and years?" The evil bear shook his head, disapproving. "No, I just can't see it. Little sister it is. And therefore, Monomi! You should never disobey your big brother! I won't let you off so easily next time!" Monokuma snapped at Monomi, growling at her, completely ignoring the students and the gem.

"Howawa!" Monomi cried in anguish. "Even the author uses 'Monomi' now?! W...Wait! I can't let you just make all these changes!"

"Ugyaaaaaaaaaaa!" Monokuma laughed at the rabbit, punching her lights out. "Silly sister! Did you really think you can fight your big brother?!"

"It hurts!" Monomi cried. "Being punched weally hurts!!"

Monokuma towered over the rabbit. "How about it?! Prepared to give up already?!"

"W..." Saionji stuttered. "What's even going on at this point...?"

"Two stuffed toys fighting...?" Pekoyama questioned. "This is just too much...!"

"Uu..." Monomi cried. "If I only had my Magical Stick... I could teach this big bad Monobear a lesson..."

"Upupu... You shouldn't have left me that opening..." He laughed. "In war, a second of inattention may cost you your life."

"I...I don't really get it, but... did a new stuffed toy just appear...?" Owari groaned. "...And why's this new one talkin' as well?"

"I told you! I'm not a stuffed toy! I'm Monokuma! Hope's Peak Academy's headmaster!" Monokuma explained.

"Monokuma...?" Kuzuryuu repeated.

Koizumi looked at the gangster. "Did he say 'headmaster'?!"

"Enough rabbiting. It's time to bring our newest development to bear. Your headmaster has an announcement for you bastards! Our 'Field Trip of Mutual Killing' begins... now." Monokuma smiled menacingly.

"Field trip... of mutual killing...?" Citrine repeated.

"'Becoming friends' is way too boring a goal! Where's the punch?! Where's the impact?! No one wants to play that kind of game! You agree, don't you, you bastards?! Therefore, I hereby declare this a 'Field Trip of Mutual Killing'! You bastards are the participants, of course!" Monokuma explained.

"M...Mutual killing...? W...What are you talking about?!" Monomi screamed. "I shall positively not allow such blood-chilling developments! Ugyaaaaaa! It hurts! Being kicked weally hurts!!"

Monokuma sighed, looking at the group and then back at Monomi. "Honestly... Monomi is a bit of a dim child. She just doesn't get it no matter how many times I tell her." He sighed. "But, you know, a little sister smarter than her big brother is a fantasy that only exists in manga, isn't it?"

"U...Uuuu...!" Monomi whimpered.

Monokuma clapped his hands together. "Well, then. We've derailed a little bit, but let's get back to my explanation of our 'Field Trip of Mutual Killing'."

Mikan crossed her chest, crying. "Uyuyuyu... W...What do you mean by 'mutual killing'...?" She asked, mumbling.

It's just what it says on the box! You know, "killing each other". What could be less clear?

"Killing each other, huh..." Souda repeated. And then realization hit him. " K...KILLING EACH OTHER?!" He yelled in despair.

"W...What're you talkin' about?! That's clearly impossible!" Akane exclaimed.

"But... getting to leave the island just because you made some friends?! It's just so tepid and boring, don't you think? Which is why I'm changing the rules!" Monokuma laughed. "If you want to leave this island, please kill one of your friends! And then, please overcome the 'school trial' successfully!"

"...School trial?" Mioda repeated.

"Right! The school trial is the cherry on top of this 'Field Trip of Mutual killing'! In case murder occurs between you bastards... The survivors must participate in a school trial. The school trial is a faceoff between the 'culprit' who murdered and the other, 'innocent', students. During the school trial, you will try to deduce who the culprit is, and then vote on who to accuse... If you figure it out, and vote correctly... The culprit will be 'punished', and the rest of you will continue on the field trip. But, if the culprit successfully tricks you bastards into accusing the wrong person... ...Then the culprit gets to leave! And the rest of you will be 'punished' instead! These are the rules of the school trial! In other words, anyone who kills and successfully hides their guilt will be able to leave this island. But, if they cannot overcome the school trial, they will be 'punished'..." Monokuma explained long-windedly. "Upupu, they're the usual rules, so it's easy to grasp, isn't it?"

"You keep talking about being 'punished'..." Souda mumbled. "What are you talking about...?" He asked, filled with discomfort.

"In simple terms... execution!" Monokuma answered.

"E-execution?!" Sonia screeched.

"The spectacular "Punishment Time" following a school trial will be a high point of this Field Trip of Mutual Killing. Upupu, I can't wait to see what kind of terrifying punishments we'll have!" The bear paused to chuckle. "We'll probably have some humorous ones as well, like skewering the culprit's head on a spit or something! Also, I'm not fussy about the method you use to kill. There's the classics, like burning, brutalizing, strangling and poisoning... But there's also shooting, striking, running-over, cooking, tickling, beheading, drowning, electrifying, crashing, cursing... You are free to choose whatever method takes your fancy. This is all-you-can-eat murder with no time limit. A buffet of murder. An amusement park of killing. This is what this 'Field Trip of Mutual Killing' is all about!" Monokuma cackled at the group.

...! K-killing?

Citrine wasn't all too familiar with killing. A term only used for war or when talking or treason. A term for brutes -- Quartz and gems of the sort. Citrine was never made for such things, of course. But killing? What was this... creature asking of them?

Kuzuryuu bubbled with anger. "Don't... fuck with us...!"

Koizumi stood next to Kuzuryuu, frightened. "H...He's right! No one's gonna kill anyone!"

"I'm not ordering anyone to kill. Whether you do or not is up to you bastards to decide. But you should be careful! Youth goes away in a blink of the eye! You'll regret it if you wait 'til you're in your forties before you start killing!"

I...I won't believe it. Won't believe it. I won't believe anything. "W..." Citrine squeaks. "What if no one kills? Are you saying we can't leave?"

"Who knows?" Monokuma answered. "Anyway, I hope we'll enjoy a fair-and-square Field Trip of Mutual Killing from now on!"

"W...Wait a second! Why do we have to kill each other, anyway?!" Mioda asked.

"Isn't it obvious? It's because you bastards have a reason to." Monokuma answered.

"...Eh?" Mioda squeaked. "Wait... We've let you say every bit of nonsense you wished to..."

Nekomaru flexed his body. "I don't like direct violence, BUT IT SEEMS IT'S OUR ONLY OPTIOOOOOOOON!" His voice echoed and bellowed around.

Akane sketches her arms. "A battle, huh? Can I take this black-and-white dude out?"

"Anyone thinking about murder will be stopped with force." Pekoyama said calmly.

"Yeah!" Mioda exclaimed. "Our group of jocks will never accept someone saying these messed-up things!"

"Ah, is that how it is...? Well, I guess this was also inevitable..." Monokuma sighed. "If you use violence against me, I shall have to reply with some of my own."

"Violence...?" Komaeda repeated. "What do you intend to do...?!" He asked in utter concern.

"O scions of the void between light and shadow, hear me! Fulfill thy ancient contract.." Monokuma prayed. "Monobeasts! I bid y'all to rise!"

The statue behind Monokuma - the symbol of Jaborwock - glimmered in light.

Then it split apart — the stone encasing unveiling its body - then splitting apart into five robotic beasts.

Citrine froze, trying not to get scared.

I've already seen several astonishing things on this planet. But this... whatever this is... puts everything else to shame.

"Eh... eh...? W...Why... is the statue moving?" Souda asked, confused.

"It's not a statue! It's the Monobeasts!" Monokuma exclaimed.

"M...MONSTEEEEEEEEEERS!!" Nekomaru screamed.

"Aren't you listening?! They're Monobeasts!"

Older gems always say a big enough shock can render anyone speechless.

Well, He now knows that they're right.

Monsters suddenly appearing... it sounds like a cliché from an old gem legend.

But, seeing it happen right before his eyes... Citrine couldn't even begin to process it.

Citrine should've been afraid. His mind should've been racing. But instead, He just stood there, dumbfounded.

I...I don't like this... this is all wrong... all wrong...!

"Am I asleep? Is this... a bad dream...?" Hanamura asked.

"Kyahaha! A dream! What a dummy!" Saionji laughed, most likely trying to hide her fear.

Monokuma laughed in shame. "Honestly! Are you bastards still trying to explain this away as a dream or an illusion!? You bastards are so quick to reject anything that falls outside that tiny reference frame you call 'common sense'! Honestly! Neanderthals were more open-minded than this! Trying to separate everything into genres is just another disease of the modern era!"

Monomi dashed in front of the group. "Everyone, pwease, stand back! I...I will pwotect you! Even at the cost of my own life... I will pwotect you all!"

"Uppu. ...Huh? What is this? Uppu... uppu..." Monokuma laughed. "Oh, I see! This is that feeling before you throw up! The nausea one gets from witnessing such a hackneyed sense of justice! But don't worry, I'll only physically abuse you. For now." He smiled at everyone. "Furthermore, to celebrate the beginning of our "Field Trip of Mutual Killing", I've updated your Electronic Student Handbooks. You'll now find the rules to this "Field Trip of Mutual Killing" there, so please read them carefully later. Ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable excuse... just like in any other world or society. Now, then... Please enjoy this liberal, cruel, gruesome tropical island field trip!"

After finishing his one-sided speech... Monobear and those monsters he called "Monobeasts" disappeared.

To tell you the truth... Citrine was completely exhausted. Experiencing all these ridiculous things, one after the other... Why couldn't they just... skip to the end now...?

"W...What's going on here?" Mikan shook her head, ready to cry her eyes out. "U...Um... Um..."

"I...I won't believe it... That's it... that's it... Nothin' else's gonna happen..." Owari whimpered.

"I...I can handle people and animals as opponents, but... What am I supposed to do with such ridiculously huge monsters?" Peko asked.

Kuzuryuu sighed. "I...Impossible... W...Why are such impossible things happening...?"

Koizumi shook her head, sighing. "No, they're not... impossible. Those Monobeasts are nothing more than moving machines. That stuffed toy probably is one too. And if that's all they are, it means someone made and is controlling them."

"So, there's someone behind this...?" Gundham asked. "Someone who put us in this ridiculous situation?"

Souda teared. "W... Who is it?! Who?!"

Hanamura laughed uncomfortably. "Heh... Heh heh... It doesn't matter... I...I don' believe it, after all... There's no way such unbelievable things are actually.... Say, aren't you getting hungry? Don't you think we should leave things alone for now and go eat?" He shuddered. "Maybe you should've eaten something before."

"I don't care how much you want to freak out or distract yourselves. There's just one thing you should carve into your hearts... I have no idea if there's really someone out there who is trying to trap us, but..." Togami spoke calmly aloud, explaining calculatedly. "The thing we should be most guarded against isn't those ridiculous machines or whoever is operating them... No, more than that, we should be guarded against..." He paused.

"Ourselves. The people standing right here. We've been taken to this tropical island - a group of strangers - and ordered to kill each other. The atmosphere of fear and despair that has been created, and we wish to escape it. That is the enemy we should be most concerned about right now."

Naturally, Citrine looked around at the Earthling's faces.

As soon as he saw the Earthlings expressions, it was immediately apparent. Everyone here... agreed with Togami's words.

They'd accepted that the possibility exists, even for them.

Only a student who shatters may leave this island... In other words, anyone who truly wants to escape... is going to have to sacrifice others.

He can't be sure that won't happen. No, could he even be sure if he wouldn't do it himself?

...He doesn't think he could.

Faced with such a nightmarish situation, how can he say with the right confidence that he wouldn't? The paranoia that was planted in him...

...It also made him fear.

...That's exactly what makes it so despair-inducing.

PROLOGUE — SMELL OF ISLAND BREEZE. END.

Surviving

Citrine/Hajime Hinata- SHSL "???"
Nanami Chiaki- Ultimate Gamer
Nagito Komaeda - Ultimate Lucky
Mikan Tsumiki - Ultimate Mikan
Togami Byakuya - Ultimate Heir
Nekomaru Nidai - Ultimate Coach
Koizumi Mahiru - Ultimate Photographer
Kuzuryuu Fuyuhiko - Ultimate Yakuza
Sonia Nevermind - Ultimate Princess
Souda Kazuichi - Ultimate Mechanic
Mioda Ibuki - Ultimate Light Club Music Member
Gundham Tanaka - Ultimate Breeder
Akane Owari- Ultimate Gymnast
Hanamura Teruteru - Ultimate Cook
Pekoyama Peko - Ultimate Swordswoman
Saionji Hiyoko- Ultimate Dancer
Monokuma -- Headmaster
Usami -- Senpai

Dead

Not available - CAUSES OF DEATH: Unknown/Not Available

UP NEXT => CHPATER ONE "I WAS A TEENAGE GEM BOY" (Part one)