Chapter Text
Ann Takamaki jerked awake to the sound of someone calling out to her.
"Hey...are you okay? Come on, wake up! Please!"
She lifted her head from a wooden desk, blinking hard. Her vision swam for a moment before it settled on a girl standing beside her. The girl had red hair tied back and wore a neat uniform that wasn't too dissimilar to her own, though much less gal-ified than Ann's. She looked concerned.
"Huh...?" Ann frowned. "I...fell asleep?"
She was acutely aware of how slow her voice sounded, like she had just woken up from a very heavy sleep. This wasn't the first time she had taken naps in class, but the feeling of exhaustion that fell on her body was more than a normal nap would cause.
She pushed herself upright and looked around, and her suspicions were indeed confirmed: she hadn't been napping in class. Because not only had she definitely not emerged from a nap, but the room was not her classroom.
Tall bookshelves lined the walls, filled with old-looking books. The desk she sat at was polished and heavy. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft golden light over everything. The whole place looked rich, like something out of a movie set in a European mansion.
"...Where the heck am I...?" Ann muttered.
"You were out cold...Well, we all were at some point, but you've been asleep the longest," the red-haired girl said. "I tried to wake you a few times. I'm...glad that you're finally awake."
Ann rubbed her head.
"Thanks..." she said slowly, standing up, "...I think."
Something felt wrong. And it wasn't just the room. Her thoughts didn't line up right.
"I was...I was going to school..." she tried to recall, the words coming slowly. "Shujin Academy...It was the first day. There was some new program..."
She pressed her fingers to her temple. The red-haired girl tilted her head.
"You mean the Ultimate Talent Program?" she asked.
Ann snapped her fingers in recognition.
"Yeah, that's it!" she exclaimed. "It was the Ultimate...uh...Talent...thing...I don't remember what was going on, but...they said they were picking special students..."
"That sounds familiar."
Ann looked up as she heard a new, unfamiliar voice. For some reason, it had taken her this long to process that she and the other girl weren't the only ones in the room. Far from it, in fact.
A group of people stood nearby, all around her age, except for one older man. Some looked confused; others looked tense.
Doing a quick headcount, including both herself and the girl who had woken her, there appeared to be 12 of them in total.
"Yeah, I remember that too," a boy with messy blond hair said, scratching his head. "That talent program thing."
"Same here," a girl with short brown hair nodded.
"Yeah."
"I got in as well."
"I was invited."
"So was I."
"I'm not even a student at this school, but I guess I got on their radar."
One by one, the others spoke up and said pretty much the same thing. Ann stared at them.
"Wait...all of you too?" she asked. And most of them nodded back at her. They all seemed just as unsure as she felt.
"That's not even the weird part," came another, higher-pitched voice.
Ann turned in the direction of the voice, and while she thought the situation was confusing enough, it became even more so. The voice unmistakably came from a black cat sitting on one of the desks as it flicked its tail.
"D...Did that cat just talk...!?" Ann's eyes went wide, and she felt her heart skip in unfamiliar terror for a second.
The cat clearly noticed this and looked a little downtrodden, but seemed to shake it off, trying to retain a look of pride.
"Apologies, but there's no time for that right now!" it said quickly. "All of us, myself included, seem to have some kind of recollection of going to Shujin Academy, but look around! This place isn't Shujin!"
Ann stood up slowly, taking it all in again, from the tall windows, to the carved wood, to the heavy doors to the room they were in.
"...Yeah," she said. "This definitely isn't school."
"And yet, we all seem to have woken up here with gaps in our memories," another boy added, his tone sharp. "In a building that looks like a European castle, from what I can tell."
"Gaps in our memories?" Ann crossed her arms, unease settling in her chest. "You mean nobody knows how we got here?"
No one answered.
"No...I don't remember anything after heading to school," the red-haired girl who had woken her said, shaking her head slightly.
Everyone else began to speak, and while Ann couldn't keep track of what everyone was saying, the general consensus was that they all experienced the same.
She began to feel an odd chill as the reality of their unfamiliar situation began to dawn on her, until finally, a boy with neat brown hair stepped forward. He looked more composed than the others and had a sort of...reliable way about him.
"May I make a suggestion? If we don't understand our situation...then the least we can do is understand each other," he proposed, glancing around the group. "If we truly are all in the same position, with no memories of how we arrived here and no clear way out, then cooperation may be the key to overcoming this issue."
"So what are you suggesting?" the older gentleman asked.
"Well, for starters...we introduce ourselves," the brown-haired boy replied. "We share names, backgrounds, whatever we feel comfortable sharing. If we're going to figure this out, cooperation will make it easier."
Ann hesitated. It made sense. But something about all of this still felt...off.
Still, with no better idea, she gave a small nod.
"...Yeah," she said. "I guess that's a start."
As the group slowly broke apart, people began talking in smaller groups. The room filled with quiet voices and uncertain questions.
Ann stayed where she was for a moment. Then she turned back to the red-haired girl beside her. She figured if there was any good place to start, it was with her, since they'd basically already gotten acquainted...kinda.
"Hey," the blonde said, causing the girl to look up in surprise.
"Y-Yes?" she hiccupped in response.
"I know I probably don't need to say this, but...thanks. For waking me up, I mean," Ann said. "It does make me feel a little better that someone was looking out for me like that."
"Oh! N-No, it's nothing!" the girl chuckled awkwardly, waving her hands a little. "I just thought you might be in trouble or something, so I...um..."
She trailed off, her face turning slightly red.
"Sorry, I just...I didn't know if you were a heavy sleeper or if something was wrong...It got a little...panicked..."
"Ah, I get that," Ann smiled a bit. "Still, I appreciate it."
"R-Right..." The girl looked even more flustered. "You're welcome."
There was a short pause, as neither of them spoke, leaving a rather awkward air. Ann straightened a little and cleared her throat.
"Right, well...You want me to go first then?"
"Huh?"
"We're doing introductions, right? I don't mind introducing myself first if you're a little nervous to do so."
The girl nodded quickly.
"Yes, that's probably a good idea," she said. "I'm sorry..."
"No worries!" Ann placed a hand on her hip. "Anyway, I'm Ann. Ann Takamaki. I'm the Ultimate Teen Model."
The girl's eyes widened slightly.
"A model? Like...a fashion model!?"
"Yeah," Ann said. "I do magazine work mostly. It's kind of a side job, but I'd like to think I take it pretty seriously. I mean...I'd HAVE to if Shujin recognized it for the Ultimate Program."
"I should have expected as much," Kasumi brought a hand to her chin. "You're very beautif-uh...! I-I mean you...have that...aura around you."
Ann chuckled, blushing a little.
"Were you complimenting my looks just now?" she asked, putting a teasing tone in her voice. "That's pretty flattering...or, well, it would have been if you didn't abandon it halfway through, huh?"
"P-Please stop that!" the girl begged. "I already want a hole to form beneath me and swallow me! Th-This is so awkward...!"
"Hahaha! Calm down, I'm kidding! I appreciate the nice words, really!" Ann giggled, brushing a strand of hair back. "I use my background to help stand out. I'm part American, so I've got a look that gets attention. Although...sometimes that attention isn't always for the best."
"...What do you mean?" the girl asked.
"Eh, don't worry about it. Just rumors and the like. I'm used to it, and I'm still proud of what I do," the model gave a small shrug. "Though it's not like I've hit the front cover or anything. Not yet."
"That's still amazing," the girl said quickly. "It must take a lot of effort."
"It does," Ann said. "Long shoots, keeping in shape, dealing with people...it's not all as easy as it looks, especially since I love myself a good crepe."
"Ooh! Crepes! I love those too!" The girl nodded, listening closely. "Maybe we should get one! If that's alright...?"
"I'd love that! You can come with me and my friends!" Ann gave her a wink. "But, uh...maybe you should tell me your name first? I'm not really one for getting crepes with people who I don't know."
The girl gasped a little and blushed some more, realizing she hadn't had her turn with introductions yet. She placed a hand over her chest, trying to stay composed.
"Right...I'm sorry..." she took a deep breath before facing Ann with a much more confident smile. "My name is Kasumi Yoshizawa. I'm the Ultimate Gymnast."
"Gymnast, huh?" Ann raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Kasumi said, more steady now. "I'm a first-year at Shujin Academy. I was accepted as an honor student, and I compete in gymnastics competitions. National level, mostly."
"That's pretty serious...!" Ann tilted her head, surprised to hear that.
"I'm aiming higher than that, though," Kasumi added, her voice firming up. "I want to reach the world stage someday."
Kasumi stood there, still a little shy in how she held herself, but her eyes didn't waver.
"...Wow," Ann said. "Your goal is the Olympics, then?"
"Uh-huh!" Kasumi beamed. "I consider myself a humble girl, but if I were to have one pride, it'd be gymnastics. Making it to the world stage spotlight has been a dream my family and I have shared for a long time! I've spent a long time practicing with my sister, and hopefully, this should be my first step there!"
The blonde girl hadn't expected that.
At first glance, Kasumi seemed soft-spoken, maybe even a little timid. But that goal was anything but small. Ann gave a slight smile.
"Guess you're more intense than you look," she said.
Kasumi blinked, then smiled back, a bit embarrassed.
"I'll do my best," she said quietly.
Ann gave Kasumi one last nod before stepping away.
"I'll catch you later," she said. "We should meet the others too."
"Yes, of course," Kasumi smiled and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for the opportunity, Takamaki-senpai!"
Ann felt a little flustered at being called "senpai" so casually by this girl. It was quite an honor to be given that honorific, but...she certainly wasn't about to insist upon NOT being called that, sooooo...
With that, they split off into the growing mix of conversations around the room.
Ann walked past a few small groups, catching bits and pieces of introductions, such as names and mentions of talents, but didn't really process them fully. Everyone seemed just as unsure as she felt, even if some of them hid it better.
Then she stopped.
Someone stood near one of the tall windows, looking outside. At first glance, they looked like a girl around her age. But something about them felt...off.
They immediately stood out as the one person in the room not wearing some kind of uniform. Instead, they were wearing a white, silicone-like one-piece outfit with bell sleeves, black markings, and ring-like accents, paired with black shorts and rubber boots with silver soles.
It was a petite, fair-skinned figure with cyan eyes and bright red hair styled with short back layers, M-shaped bangs, a small ahoge, and distinctive heart-shaped pigtail-like ornaments.
But Ann could tell that their movements were too smooth, and their posture too still. And parts of their body, especially around the joints, had a faint mechanical look to them...
"...Okay, yeah. You're not human," she said without thinking.
The girl turned toward her.
"That is correct."
Ann blinked once, then nodded.
"Oh, did I...say that...out loud...?" she rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.
The girl didn't say anything, but nodded. Or rather, she bowed her head forward, which made Ann feel all the more nervous and awkward.
"I'm really sorry about that...I didn't mean anything by it," she assured the girl.
"No offense taken," the girl waved a finger in response, almost directorially, stepping away from the window and walking a bit closer.
"Right, well...That's good! A-Anyway, I'm Ann Takamaki," she said. "Ultimate Teen Model."
The girl gave a small, precise nod.
"I am Sophia," she said. "Humanity's Companion."
She paused briefly, and Ann frowned.
"And...it's JUST Sophia? No surname or anything?"
"Correct!" the girl said again. "Although, if you wish to call me by a surname, I can adopt the surname of my creator, Ichinose."
"Sophia Ichinose...And...you're 'Humanity's...companion?'" Ann parroted. The girl bow-nodded again.
"Correct!" she replied once again. "Although...I have officially been designated by Shujin Academy as the Ultimate Artificial Intelligence."
Ann let that sink in.
"...Artificial Intelligence," she repeated. "So, like...an AI?"
"Correct," Sophia replied, giving Ann the sense that she really liked that response.
"But you've got a body." Ann looked her up and down again.
"Correct," she said once again, folding her hands neatly in front of her. "I was created by a neuroscientist named Kuon Ichinose. Her goal was to develop an intelligence that could support and understand humanity."
"So..." Ann raised an eyebrow, "like Siri or Alexa?"
"That is a simplified comparison," Sophia said. "But not incorrect."
"Got it," Ann gave a small nod. "How'd you wind up here, then?"
"The Ultimate Talent Program took interest in Doctor Ichinose's work," Sophia continued. "They collaborated with her and some incredible engineering and robotics experts to provide me with a physical form. This allows me to interact with humans more directly...Although, there is only one copy of this body, so I need to take good care of it. If it's destroyed, I am essentially killed."
Ann circled her slightly, still taking it in.
"That's...actually kind of amazing," she said.
Sophia remained still, watching her, and Ann's attention shifted to Sophia's outfit.
It looked soft...Really soft...The kind of soft that made you want to reach out and touch it without thinking.
Ann leaned in a little.
"...Okay, serious question," she said. "Can I floof it?"
Sophia paused.
"...Define 'floof.'"
"Like-" Ann made a small grabbing motion with her hands. "Just, you know? Touch it? It looks super fluffy...!"
"Ah...I understand," Sophia shook her head once. "Request denied. I am not a children's dress-up doll."
Ann pulled back, a little disappointed.
"Aw...no floofing..." she sulked.
"I must maintain proper function and appearance," Sophia said. "Unnecessary contact is not advised."
"That's a shame," Ann sighed, glancing at the outfit again. "...It really does look soft, though."
Ann stepped away from Sophia, still thinking about what she had just heard.
So far, an AI with an artificial body, a gymnast aiming for the Olympics, and a teenage model—that being herself—were stuck in a place that looked like a castle.
"...Yeah, this is a lot," she muttered.
"Hey! You there!"
Ann froze, recognizing the familiar high-pitched voice, and she slowly turned her head.
The black cat from earlier sat on a desk nearby, tail flicking with clear intent.
She stared at it, and it stared back, and in her mind, she began to process what she was looking at.
She'd heard the cat talking earlier, but she thought that maybe someone else had been talking and, for some reason, in her haze, she interpreted it as the cat talking. She believed that it had been otherwise, trying to ground herself in the reality she was in.
But this...was NOT...NORMAL.
"AAAGH!?" she yelped. "Y-You really are talking!?"
"I've been talking this whole time!?" the cat replied in a surly manner. "Honestly, how long is it going to take for all of you to-"
"You're like some kind of-! of-!" She pointed at him. "Monster cat!"
The words slipped out before she could stop them, and a flash of internal pain crossed the cat's face before his ears lowered.
"M-Monster cat...!?" he repeated. "I-I'm not a...! I'm not-!"
"Wait-! N-No!" Ann winced immediately. "I didn't mean it like that-!"
"I see how it is," the cat looked away, clearly offended. "Never mind then...I'll just leave you be-"
"I'm sorry!" Ann said quickly, holding up her hands. "Really, I am!"
The cat didn't respond right away. Ann sighed, lowering her arms.
"Look, seriously, I'm so sorry, that was incredibly rude of me..." she said slowly, speaking carefully to the cat in case it tried to run away again. "It's just...this whole day's been weird, okay? I wake up in some random place, I don't remember how I got here, there's a robot girl, and now there's a talking cat. It's messing with me."
The cat glanced back at her.
"...I suppose that's fair," he said after a moment. "Humans are usually afraid of the things they don't understand. It did hurt, but I suppose I get it."
Ann gave a small, relieved nod.
"Thank you," she smiled. "Again, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude."
He straightened up a bit, regaining some composure.
"Very well. I accept your apology," he flicked his tail again, and Ann relaxed a little. "Let me introduce myself to you properly. My name is Morgana. And for the record, I am NOT a cat."
Ann blinked before studying the creature once again. She did a once-over of his feline form and raised a confused, curious eyebrow.
"...Aren't you?" she asked. "You sure look like one."
"I only RESEMBLE one," Morgana replied, sticking his nose up. "In truth, I was originally human."
"...Seriously?" Ann stared at him, not sure whether she should buy it.
"That is what I believe," Morgana affirmed.
"You believe?" Ann repeated, and Morgana seemed to hesitate.
"Admittedly...my memory is incomplete," he admitted. "I don't fully recall how I became like this. Or why I'm here."
"So you don't actually KNOW if you were human?" Ann crossed her arms.
"I know enough to be certain I'm not just some ordinary animal!" Morgana huffed. "How would you be able to understand my words if I was just an ordinary cat!?"
Ann rubbed the back of her head.
"You've got me there," she admitted. "Wait, though...if you're here along with the rest of us, does that mean you also have some kind of Ultimate Title? At this point, I'm expecting the unexpected."
"As a matter of fact, I do! Although, I don't remember how or why or who bestowed it upon me..." he lifted his head proudly. "I was chosen as the Ultimate Infiltrator."
"Infiltrator?" Ann raised an eyebrow once again.
"Yes," Morgana said. "With this body, I can slip into places others can't. Tight spaces, hidden paths, areas that would be impossible for normal people, and other such things."
He gestured with a paw.
"I have a history of breaking into locations in search of treasure, such as palaces, banks, temples...you name it!"
"I don't really know if you having the form of a cat really justifies anything, buuut..." Ann tilted her head. "That sounds...kind of illegal."
Morgana smirked.
"Not when it's done for the right reasons," he boasted. "I operate with style. Precision. I'm what you'd call a debonair hero, like those adventurer archaeologists in the movies with the fedora!"
Ann looked at him for a moment, then she smiled a little.
"...Right. Of course you are," she said.
Morgana puffed up slightly at that. Even if her tone wasn't fully convinced, she wasn't laughing at him either.
"Well, either way, it's nice to meet you, Morgana," Ann said, crouching down a bit to be closer to his level and reaching to pat him on his fuzzy head. "And...sorry again. For the monster cat thing. Promise I won't do it again."
Morgana looked at her, and Ann could swear that she saw a bit of a blush underneath the cat's black fur. Although, she had never seen a cat blush before, so who could say for sure?
"...It's fine," he said, though his voice softened just a little.
Ann gave him a friendly smile before standing back up.
"I'll see you around, okay?"
Morgana watched her as she walked off, his tail swaying slowly.
"...Hmph," he muttered, though there was no real bite to it. For a moment, he just sat there, looking in the direction she went. "...What a strange...but kind girl..."
Ann moved on again, scanning the room. At least this time, everyone she saw looked normal. No more robotic-looking humans or talking animals. Everyone just kind of looked like a regular person. The only one who stood out among the remainder of the crowd was the one single adult in the room.
The first person Ann spotted by themselves that she decided to go and talk to was a girl standing nearby, reading the spines of books along one of the shelves. She had short brown hair and a very straight posture, like she was always on guard.
Ann walked up to her with a small smile.
"Hey," she said. "I'm Ann Takamaki. Ultimate Teen Model. Nice to meet you!"
The girl turned to face her right away, her face betraying no evident warmth or satisfaction upon meeting a new person, which immediately threw Ann off a little bit.
"Makoto Niijima," she said. "Ultimate Student Council President."
Her tone was clear and precise, like she had said it many times before. Ann instinctively felt her veins become icy from the girl's disposition.
"Student Council President, huh?" she pondered and said aloud regardless. "That's actually a talent?"
"Yes," Makoto replied bluntly.
There was a short pause, and Ann shifted her weight.
"So..." she scratched her face, "whaaaaat does that involve for you?"
"I oversee student conduct, manage school events, and ensure that rules are followed," Makoto folded her arms lightly. "I also coordinate with faculty when necessary."
"Sounds...busy," Ann nodded slowly.
"It is," Makoto replied. "But it is important work."
"Right," Ann said. "Keeping people in line and all that."
"Order is necessary for a proper learning environment," Makoto gave a small, firm nod. "Even in an environment like this, it's important to have a curriculum and rules, and to ensure that everybody follows them without reproach."
Ann scratched the back of her head.
"I mean...sure, but people aren't robots. You can't control everything, surely?"
"Discipline is not about control," Makoto's expression didn't change much, but her eyes sharpened slightly. "It is about responsibility."
"Yeah, I get that," Ann let out a small breath, "but sometimes people just want to relax a bit."
"And sometimes that leads to problems," Makoto replied.
The conversation stalled for a second, so Ann tried again.
"So..." she spoke up again, running out of things to say, "you actually enjoy doing all that?"
"Yes. It allows me to contribute in a meaningful way," Makoto answered without hesitation. "How could I not enjoy it?"
"...Huh," Ann said, leading to another long pause. Makoto stood calmly, waiting, like she expected the conversation to continue in a more structured way.
Ann, on the other hand, felt like she was hitting a wall.
"Okay, yeah," Ann said after a moment, letting out a small, tired laugh. "You're...really serious about this."
"Is that an issue?" Makoto tilted her head slightly.
"No, no," Ann said quickly. "Just...different, I guess."
She took a small step back.
"Well, it was nice meeting you," she added. "I'm gonna...uh...go talk to some of the others."
"Very well," Makoto gave a polite nod.
Ann turned and walked off, rubbing the back of her neck.
"...Man," she muttered under her breath. "That was kind of intense."
As much as she hated to say it, something told her that she and the Ultimate Student Council President weren't going to get along very well...
Ann drifted further through the library-like room, keeping her eyes moving. The conversations around her were starting to blur together.
She spotted another figure near a side table.
A boy leaned back in his chair with his legs stretched out in a messy posture, like he didn't care much about appearances. Bleached blond hair, a slightly rough expression, and a kind of restless energy showed in the way he tapped his fingers.
"...Yeah, I'm gonna avoid that for a second," she muttered, secretly thinking about how much of a punk he was and how she didn't really have the patience for that.
She started to turn away, but unfortunately for her, the boy had already noticed her and got up out of his seat.
"Hey, you!"
He stood up and pointed straight at her. Ann froze, sighed, and turned around.
"What's up?" she greeted him casually. "Sorry, I was just distracted...The name's-"
"You're Ann Takamaki, right?"
Ann stopped in her tracks, a little surprised that he already knew who she was.
Like, yeah, she was a fashion model, but so far no one she had spoken to had immediately clocked her. She could excuse Morgana and Sophia for their unique...dispositions, and Makoto and Kasumi didn't seem like the type to read fashion magazines often. But for the first person to know her from a ladies' fashion magazine to be a guy?
Not only was it unusual, but it didn't exactly give her a vote of confidence in this guy.
"Uh...yeah," she said. "That's me. Ultimate Teen Model. Who's...asking exactly?"
The boy scoffed.
"For real!? You don't recognize me!? Do I really look that different now?" He put a fist on his chest like he was saluting her or something. "It's me, Sakamoto! Don't you remember!? Or what, you too famous for me now or somethin'?"
For a moment, her expression shifted. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him more closely...and finally, it clicked.
"Wait...Sakamoto?" she asked. "As in...RYUJI Sakamoto!? From middle school!?"
Ryuji prodded his head with his finger and stuck his tongue out at her playfully.
"Yeah! Duh-doy!" he teased. "We were in the same class, remember!? We sat next to each other for all our second year! Though I guess we didn't talk a whole lot...You were always hanging around Suzui-san, right?"
Ann relaxed a little, surprise giving way to recognition.
"Yeah," she said. "I remember you! Holy crap, it's been a MINUTE!"
Ryuji looked different now. A LOT different. The messy energy she remembered from that spry little boy was still there, but it had turned somewhat rougher. He had a bit of a limp as he walked, and his posture was downright awful.
"You kinda changed," Ann added. "And by 'kinda,' I mean you REALLY changed. Is it any wonder I didn't clock you immediately?"
Ryuji snorted.
"Yeah, I get that a lot," he leaned back against the table again, less tense now that the introductions were out of the way. "After middle school...things went kinda downhill...Family stuff happened, money got tight, and I ended up gettin' quite the rep...People started calling me a problem kid."
He shrugged like it didn't matter, but it clearly did. Ann listened to him carefully, feeling sympathetic.
"Guess I didn't really fit in anywhere after that. But somehow," Ryuji continued, "I still ended up gettin' picked for that Ultimate program thing as the Ultimate Track Runner."
"Track Runner?" Ann parroted.
"Yeah," he said. "I used to run a lot, remember? I was on the middle-school track and field team, and then I joined one in high school too! But, uh..."
He tapped his knee lightly.
"Then I got injured. Pretty bad one, too."
"Oh...well, that explains the limp," Ann glanced at his leg. "Is it still bad? You okay?"
"Not like it used to be," Ryuji hesitated, frowning slightly. "But I don't really get it. I remember being fast. Really fast. But...the details are kinda fuzzy."
"That's happening to a lot of people here, I think," Ann nodded slowly.
"Yeah...seems like it," Ryuji said. He looked at her more directly then. "Anyway, we can worry about all that stuff later. How's Suzui-san doing?"
Ann's expression softened slightly.
"She's okay," she said. "We still hang out, but...she's gonna be moving away pretty soon, so we might not be able to meet as much. Other than that, things are going pretty smoothly for me."
"Good," Ryuji let out a breath. "That's good..."
There was a short pause again, but this one felt more comfortable. Then Ryuji scratched his head.
"Kinda wild running into you here," he said. "Out of everyone, I didn't think I'd see someone from middle school."
"Same," Ann said. "It's a little bit awkward, huh?"
"For real," Ryuji gave a small grin. "Guess we're stuck in this mess together, though, so we'd better get used to each other's company."
"Looks like it," Ann replied. "I am glad that there's someone here I know, at least."
"We should catch up later," he shifted his weight. "Once we figure out what's going on."
"Yeah, sure," Ann nodded, then she smirked slightly. "I'd be glad to catch up again, though. After all, you still owe me money."
"...What?" he frowned.
"Remember the dolphin statue?" Ann asked calmly. "From the aquarium trip? You said you'd pay me back."
"Oh, come on, that was like years ago!" Ryuji's expression twisted immediately.
"So you remember it," Ann tilted her head with a smirk.
"I-! Ugh!" Ryuji groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You really gonna bring that up right now?"
"It's important," Ann shrugged. "And I never forget a debt."
"Unbelievable..." Ryuji muttered, looking away. Ann smiled a little and started to step back.
"Later, Ryuji!"
"Yeah, yeah," he said, still annoyed. "Later."
Ann continued moving through the room, trying to track down whoever she hadn't spoken to yet. Then she spotted someone sitting quietly near a window.
The girl had soft, fluffy hair and wore a comfortable-looking sweater over her uniform. She seemed calm in a different way from Makoto, though; less strict and more gentle.
Ann approached with a small smile.
"Hey," Ann said to get her attention. "Hope you don't mind me. I'm Ann Takamaki, Ultimate Teen Model. What about you?"
The girl looked up immediately and gave a small, polite bow.
"It is a pleasure to meet you," she said warmly. "My name is Haru Okumura. I am the Ultimate Gardener."
"Gardener?" Ann repeated.
"Yes," Haru replied, still smiling. "I specialize in cultivating plants and designing garden spaces. It's...not exactly anything flashy, but it's nice, relaxing work!"
"Hm...You're right! That actually does sound really nice," Ann tilted her head slightly, then nodded.
"Thank you," Haru's expression stayed soft and composed.
Ann paused for a moment, with Haru's introduction triggering a faint memory inside her...and then something clicked.
"Okumura..." she repeated quietly.
Haru nodded again.
"Yes?" she asked. Ann thought for a second longer, then her eyes widened slightly.
"...Wait," she suddenly asked. "Like 'Okumura Foods' Okumura?"
Haru gave a small, gentle nod and a quaint smile.
"Indeed. My father is Kunikazu Okumura, the CEO of Okumura Foods. You've heard of us?"
"Of course I have! Most people have!" Ann's eyes widened a bit more. "That's the Big Bang Burger company, right!?"
"Yes," Haru said.
"That's actually kind of cool. Your family's really well known. You must be a rich girl, huh? Well, that definitely explains the look you've got going on," she complimented her. "And you've got a pretty unique talent too. Gardening sounds peaceful!"
For a moment, Haru's expression shifted slightly. Not upset exactly, but quieter.
"...Yes," she repeated.
Ann noticed the change and slowed down a bit.
"Hey...did I say something wrong?" she asked. Haru hesitated, then she shook her head gently.
"No. It is just..." she looked down at her hands for a moment. "Most people tend to react strongly when they hear my family name. They make assumptions based on it."
"Assumptions?" Ann frowned slightly.
"Indeed," Haru nodded. "So I usually avoid mentioning it at first."
Ann blinked, then gave a small, understanding nod.
"Oh...got it," she lowered her tone a little. "Sorry. I didn't mean to just bring it up like that."
"No, please don't apologize," Haru looked up quickly. "It is not your fault!"
"Still," Ann scratched her cheek, "if you want me to keep it quiet, I can."
Haru paused, then shook her head again, a bit more relaxed now.
"It is fine," she said, giving her another small, gentle smile. "It is fairly well known already. I am just glad you do not seem to mind."
"Nah. I don't really judge people like that," Ann smiled back.
Haru seemed to soften further at that. Ann glanced toward the window where Haru had been sitting earlier.
"So," she said, "you said you're a gardener, so how about we talk about that instead? What's that like for you?"
"It is very calming," Haru's eyes brightened slightly. "I keep a small garden on the roof of our family estate!"
"On the roof?" Ann repeated.
"Yes," Haru said, looking out the window. "It allows me to take care of plants while still being close to the city. I do enjoy the wilderness. It feels very different from my everyday life. More natural, and much more peaceful and quiet."
"So you like the contrast," Ann said. "I guess I understand that. It sounds really nice."
"Yes," Haru smiled faintly. "Very much."
Ann gave a small, warm smile in return.
Ann took a few more steps through the room, scanning for the next person to talk to. She didn't have to look far.
The brown-haired boy who had spoken up earlier stood near the center of the room, watching the others. His posture was calm, his eyes sharp, like he was already trying to piece things together.
As Ann approached, his gaze shifted to her.
"Ah," he said. "You were the last one to wake up, correct?"
"...Yeah," she said slowly.
Immediately, something about the way he said it made her feel oddly called out.
"I hope you're not still disoriented," he added.
"I'm fine," Ann crossed her arms slightly. There was a small pause, then the boy's expression softened.
"My apologies," he said. "That may have sounded harsher than I intended."
He gave a small, polite nod.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Goro Akechi. I'm a third-year student from another school." He placed a hand lightly against his chest. "I was invited to this program as the Ultimate Detective. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ann Takamaki."
A detective? Well, that definitely explained a lot. This guy seemed to have pretty reliable intuition and a weird habit of pointing out the facts.
Still, one fact he pointed out concerned her.
"...Wait," she said. "I didn't tell you my name?"
"That's true," Goro gave a small, knowing smile and reached into his pocket and pulled out a smartphone. "Don't worry, I'm not stalking you or anything. Have you checked your phone since waking up?"
"...No," Ann frowned slightly and pulled out her own.
The screen lit up, and immediately, Ann saw the reason why he had brought it up, as there was an app she didn't recognize.
The symbol on it looked like some sort of eye, and it was weird, pulsing, and black-red.
"...I definitely didn't download this," she said.
"None of us did," Akechi replied. "Yet it was already installed when we woke up."
Ann tapped it open, her eyes scanning the screen.
"The reason I knew your name is because we all had this app installed, and we can't delete it for some reason. When we try, it just comes back. However, it does contain some basic information," Goro added. "Mostly on the other people here, like our titles, measurements, and some details about our backgrounds."
Ann looked back up at him, blushing.
"M-My measurements are none of your business!" she blurted out. Goro raised his hands defensively.
"I wasn't paying attention to that part, I swear!" he pleaded. "Believe me, I'm not that kind of person! I was more interested in seeing if the app contained any information about our surroundings, but unfortunately, that stuff is notably absent."
He slipped his phone away, and Ann did the same with hers.
"That being said, it is still a valid concern. Whoever brought us here has access to quite a bit of personal data," he continued. "And the ability to gather us all in one location without explanation."
Ann felt a small chill.
"...That's not exactly comforting," she said.
"I agree," Goro replied calmly.
"So, Ultimate Detective..." Ann looked at him more closely, "Do you have any leads?"
Goro shook his head.
"Nothing concrete yet," he gestured lightly to the room. "That is why I suggested introductions. The more we understand about each other, the easier it will be to notice inconsistencies. Oh, and before you ask? We may have our smartphones on us, but none of us have managed to get even a hint of a signal to contact the outside."
"Makes sense," Ann said.
"I also believe exploration will be necessary," he added. "This building may hold answers. So, if you happen to find anything unusual, I would appreciate it if you informed me. I would be more than willing to investigate it for you."
Ann raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Well..." she remarked, "there's a humanoid robot and a talking cat, if that counts?"
For the first time, his composed expression slipped just a little, and he let out a light, awkward laugh.
"I must admit," he said carefully, "I am not entirely certain where to begin with that."
"Yeah. Same..." Ann gave a small shrug.
There was a brief silence, then Akechi straightened slightly, regaining his composure.
"Even so," he said, "they are still part of this situation. Which means they may still be important."
"Yeah, you've got a point," she admitted. "If I find anything more than that, I'll let you know for sure."
Unfortunately, Goro's words lingered in her mind.
Someone brought them here. Someone who knew who they were, and a lot of important, sensitive details about them. Someone powerful, at that.
Ann exhaled quietly.
"...Yeah, I'm not gonna think too hard about that right now," she muttered.
"Pardon?" Goro raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing," Ann said quickly. "Just...trying not to stress myself out. Like I said, I'll let you know if I find anything."
"I appreciate that," Akechi replied.
Ann turned and walked off again. As she did, she ran a hand through her hair.
"Overthinking this is just gonna give me gray hairs," she muttered under her breath.
Ann slowed her steps as she looked around the room again, trying to figure out if there was anyone she hadn't spoken to yet.
Something felt off immediately as she did so, though. A quiet, uneasy feeling settled in her chest, like someone had been watching her for a while.
"...Okay," she muttered under her breath. "This is getting weird again."
She assumed it was probably Morgana stalking her, but she saw him on the other side of the room looking like he was getting into some heated argument with Ryuji. So it couldn't have been him.
She kept walking for a few seconds, pretending not to notice, but the feeling didn't go away. If anything, it became more obvious the longer she ignored it.
With a small frown, Ann stopped and turned, and managed to catch him in the act.
Her eyes landed on a lanky boy standing a short distance away, his dark blue hair framing a calm but focused expression. He wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was watching her directly, tracking her movements with clear interest.
Ann crossed her arms.
"...Hey!" she called out. "You've been staring at me this whole time. You wanna explain that?"
The boy blinked, as if pulled out of a deep thought, then straightened slightly.
"My apologies," he said, stepping forward.
"Yeah, that doesn't really explain anything," Ann didn't relax.
He hesitated, his expression sharpening with a strange kind of intensity.
"I simply found myself captivated by you..." he said suddenly. "Th-there is something I wish to ask you."
Ann instantly felt her face flush.
"C-Captivated!?" she exclaimed. "Wait, hold on a second!"
"You're the woman I've been searching for this whole time," the man declared. "Please! Will you-!"
"Hold on! Th-this is too sudden!" Ann pleaded. "If this is about to get weird, don't-!"
"-serve as the model for my next art piece!?"
Ann stared at him.
"...What?"
"Your form, your presence...! It is quite striking," he continued. "There is a natural elegance to the way you carry yourself, paired with a boldness that is difficult to ignore!"
Ann stared at him, still a little flustered by his sudden compliments.
"Okay, well, now I'm just confused..." she uttered.
"The balance of your features, the way your hair frames your face, the subtle contrast in your expression," he made a frame with his fingers as if capturing her with a camera or a canvas. "It would translate beautifully onto-!"
"Whoa, okay, back up!" Ann said, holding a hand out. "Take like...three steps back! I still have no idea what you're talking about."
The boy obeyed without question.
"Thank you," Ann let out a small breath. "Now, would you care to tell me your name, who you are, and why you're stalking me?"
The boy gave her a sour look.
"Stalking you? That's outrageous. But to answer your question, my name is Yusuke Kitagawa," he said. "I am a second-year student at Kosei Academy, but I was invited here to the Ultimate Program by Shujin as something of an exchange student. I have been recognized as the Ultimate Artist."
Ann lowered her hand slightly.
"Artist, huh...?"
"Indeed. And not just a mere artist," Yusuke placed a hand over his chest. "I am a student of the esteemed Ichiryusai Madarame."
Ann blinked.
"...Wait. That name sounds familiar," she said mostly to herself.
"He is a master of traditional Japanese painting," Yusuke said. "Renowned for his versatility across many styles."
"Oh! I've seen him on TV before!" Ann snapped her fingers lightly. "Like, those morning shows that talk about famous people!"
"That would be him," Yusuke affirmed.
"Wow! That's amazing!" Ann looked a little more surprised now. "And you're his student?"
"I was taken in by him at a young age," Yusuke explained. "After my mother passed, he raised me as his own."
Ann's expression softened slightly.
"Oh..."
"It was through him and his tutorship that I found my path," Yusuke continued. "From a very early age, I have sought to understand and recreate true beauty. My ultimate goal is to one day recreate the feeling and desire of his magnum opus 'The Sayuri.'"
He looked at her again, that same focused gaze returning. Ann shifted her weight, still a bit unsure how to take all of this.
"I actually think even I know that painting," Ann remembered it loosely from the last time she'd been to a museum. From what she remembered, it was a gorgeous painting of a beautiful woman staring melancholically at an unseen item in her hands, and even for her, someone who knew little about art, it had left a long-lasting resonance with her. "That's a pretty big goal."
"It is. And it is one I intend to achieve," Yusuke said calmly. "No matter what."
"...You're still kinda intense, you know that?" Ann forced a giggle. "I guess 'eccentric' would be the best word...and the most polite one..."
"I have been told as much," Yusuke replied.
"But...you're serious about it," she said. "I can tell. And I respect that."
"I'm glad you think so," Yusuke smiled sincerely. "I believe you are currently my best path towards that goal. Your soul is as beautiful as your appearance. So please, consider my proposal?"
Ann blushed again.
"If you're talking about the modelling thing...I guess...maybe," she said, shifting awkwardly. "No promises."
"That is more than enough," Yusuke's eyes lit up slightly.
"H-Hey now!" Ann raised a hand again. "Don't get too excited."
"I will await the opportunity," Yusuke replied, completely serious.
"...Yeah. Okay..." Ann let out a small breath.
Still a little weird, but at least she understood him now...mostly...
Ann finally decided to bite the bullet as she moved away from Yusuke and, of the remaining people in the room, approached the one who stood out to her the most among them.
Not just because of where he was standing, but because he was clearly so much older than everyone else in the room. He was taller, broader, with a goatee and long hair, as well as a worn-looking coat and a tired expression that didn't match the rest of the group.
"...Yeah, that's definitely the adult," Ann muttered, secretly hoping that he had more answers than the rest of them, though she wasn't holding her breath.
Especially when her thoughts of expecting someone more serious were shattered when the man noticed her and gave a casual wave.
"Yo," he said. "Haven't seen you before, girlie. Where you from?"
"...You're really laid back for someone who looks like they should be supervising us," Ann slowed to a stop and said. The man shot her a look.
"Wow," he grumbled. "Straight to it, huh?"
"I mean it," Ann continued, folding her arms. "You're clearly older than everyone here, but you're acting like you're just hanging out. It's kind of weird."
"Hey, I've got my reasons," he let out a short, awkward laugh. "Don't knock me till you know me, okay?"
Ann tilted her head, clearly unconvinced.
"Right," she said. "Seriously though, what are you even doing here? This is supposed to be a high school program."
The man scratched the back of his head, his tone shifting slightly.
"Yeah, about that," he said. "Since this whole thing is new, the school wanted someone from Public Security involved. You know, just to keep things safe and make sure nothing weird happens."
Ann gestured around the room.
"...Little late for that."
"Tell me about it," he muttered. He straightened a bit, though his posture still felt too relaxed for what he was saying. "Anyway, I'm that guy with Public Security on the policing side of things. They figured it'd be a good idea to assign someone to keep an eye on you kids, especially since there's rumors some of you may be troublemakers. And I'm not just talking about rowdy kids. I was told that some of you here actually might have criminal histories."
Ann instantly felt her skin prickle. Criminal histories? For a group of high schoolers? Sure, they were Ultimates, but who among them would do something so bad to warrant that, and for what?
Before she could dwell on it for too long, the older gentleman sighed.
"Not that I had much say in it," he added. "Got dragged into this and told to play babysitter."
"Babysitter?" Ann raised an eyebrow, feeling a tad offended herself.
"Yeah," he said. "Make sure you all stay out of trouble, don't get hurt, and report anything suspicious. Of course, now I'm stuck in the same mess as you, trying to figure out what the hell's going on."
"...So you're basically useless," Ann didn't hesitate.
"Hey!" the man stiffened, clearly she had hurt his feelings. She held up a hand.
"Sorry. That sounded harsh."
"Yeah, it did," he said, frowning.
Ann shrugged slightly.
"You said it yourself. You were supposed to keep things safe, and now we're all trapped in some weird castle with no explanation," she remarked. "How the hell are you gonna explain that to your bosses?"
He opened his mouth, then paused.
"...Okay, yeah, fair point," he admitted. Ann let out a small breath.
"Sorry, I know you don't deserve this smoke," she lowered her head a little. "I'm just...a little on edge."
"Yeah, well," he said, crossing his arms. "You're not the only one. Been dealing with a bunch of ungrateful brats since I got here."
"Right. Sorry for being a 'punk,' I guess," Ann winced slightly.
"Eh..." he huffed. "At least you admit it."
"So...what's your name?" she inquired. The man straightened a bit.
"Zenkichi Hasegawa. PubSec, like I said," he hesitated for a second, then added, "They slapped some honorary title on me too. 'Ultimate Law Enforcer.'"
Ann looked at him with a dissatisfied scowl.
"...That sounds made up," she remarked. Zenkichi stared at her.
"What...!?" he winced. "It is not made up! They seriously call me that!"
"I mean, it sounds official, but also kind of not," Ann said. "Like they just gave you something so you'd fit in."
"You're really good at offending people," he pointed at her. "You know that, right?"
Ann gave a small, apologetic shrug.
"Sorry," she said haphazardly. He sighed, rubbing his temple.
"...This is gonna be a long assignment," he groaned.
"Probably." Ann smiled faintly. "Anyway, I'll let you know if I find anything weird. Though, honestly, it feels like that detective guy might figure things out first."
Zenkichi let out a short breath.
"...Yeah," he said. "Can't argue with that."
"Oh?" Ann blinked. "Really? Have you worked with him before? You're in the same line of work, right?"
"Not personally, no. But that kid's kind of a big deal," he said. "Haven't you ever heard of Goro Akechi before now?"
"Not really," Ann shook her head. "He didn't really seem all that surprised I didn't know him when we spoke earlier..."
"Huh," Zenkichi raised an eyebrow. "Thought more people would know...I mean, you're a young person, so it's surprising that I'm the one in the know here..."
"Why? Is he like...famous or something?" Ann asked.
"Psh! You kidding?" he blew out some hot air. "They call him the 'Next Detective Prince.' Been showing up on TV a lot the past few years. Talk shows, interviews, that kind of thing. Got famous pretty fast."
"...Seriously?" Ann's eyes widened slightly.
"Yeah," Zenkichi said. "Kid's sharp. Way sharper than he looks."
Ann glanced across the room, thinking back to their conversation.
"...Huh," she said quietly.
That explained a few things.
Ann spotted one more person standing a little apart from the others, near the edge of the room where the light from the windows didn't quite reach.
He looked...
...Well...
...Normal?
He had dark, slightly messy hair, rectangular, unassuming glasses, and a relaxed posture. He immediately gave the vibe of the kind of person who didn't draw attention unless you went looking for him.
She walked over to introduce herself.
"Hey," she said. "I'm Ann Takamaki. Ultimate Teen Model."
The boy looked up from where he had been staring at the floor, a little surprised at first, but not uncomfortable, slightly adjusting his glasses as he talked to her.
"Oh," he said. "Hi. I'm Ren Amamiya."
His tone was calm, even friendly, though there was a slight hesitation behind it, which wasn't exactly what she was getting from his vibe.
"If you don't mind me saying, you don't seem too shaken up by all of this," Ann pointed out.
Ren gave a small, thoughtful look around the room.
"I am," he assured her. "I'm just...not very used to talking in situations like this."
"What do you mean?" Ann tilted her head.
"I transferred to Shujin recently," he explained. "From the countryside. The boonies, basically."
"Heh...your words, not mine," the model chuckled a little. Ren gave a faint smile back.
"So this kind of situation," he continued, "being around a lot of unfamiliar people all at once...well, it's not something I'm used to."
"Fair enough," Ann nodded. "Well, I hope I don't come across as too intimidating for you so early on, new guy. What's your Ultimate Talent?"
Ren hesitated.
"...I'd rather not say just yet."
"Seriously?" Ann raised an eyebrow.
"It's a bit personal," he said. "I know that makes me seem suspicious, so...sorry about that."
Ann watched him for a moment. He didn't look nervous about it so much as firm in whatever convictions kept him silent, in a manner that made her really not want to push him on it for some reason.
"...Alright," she said. "I won't ask if it makes you uncomfortable."
"Thank you," Ren nodded slightly.
"But," Ann added, pointing at him lightly, "you have to tell me later."
"Later?" Ren blinked.
"Yeah," she said with a smile. "Once we actually know each other a bit. Deal?"
Ren thought for a second, then nodded.
"Alright. That's fair, I guess. It's not like I can expect to keep it on the down low forever," he said, and Ann relaxed a little.
"So," she said, "any ideas about what's going on here? You seem like the thinking type."
Ren looked off to the side, considering.
"A few," he adjusted his glasses again, more focused now. "If we assume this isn't a normal relocation, then we have to consider something outside of standard explanations."
"Like what?" Ann frowned slightly.
"Something coordinated...but not in a way that leaves a clear trail," he glanced at her. "Possibly something...unconventional or even...supernatural..."
Ann blinked.
"...That's a big jump," she remarked.
"Trust me, I'm well aware," Ren admitted, gesturing to everyone else. "But think about it. Multiple people, all with specific talents, brought to a completely different location without any clear memory of how they got here. On top of that, we have things here that don't fit normal logic. A fully functioning artificial intelligence with a physical body. A talking animal that claims to have been human."
"Uh...yeah, okay," Ann hesitated. "When you put it like that, that stuff is pretty supernatural..."
"It sounds ridiculous," Ren said. "But it also fits the available information better than a normal explanation. I think we need to be prepared to expect things that we would not ordinarily expect to encounter. At this point, literally anything could happen."
Ann studied him for a moment. To any ordinary person, what he was saying would sound like meaningless conspiracy theories. But the way Ren said it, with such determination, made her almost believe him wholeheartedly, and made it sound so normal, like he had actually thought it through thoroughly and even used physical evidence to back himself up.
"...You're smarter than you look," she noted. Ren gave a small, neutral smile.
"Well, that's very nice of you to say," he said. "I don't really get that a lot."
"That's unfortunate," Ann sighed. "You seem like a nice guy. And someone who I reckon I can rely on for a little while. Hopefully you can stick around to help us out."
"Well, in that case, if I figure anything out," he said, "I'll share it with you. And the others, of course."
As Ann turned to move on, something near Ren caught her eye. A slight movement, low to the ground.
"...Wait," she said, narrowing her eyes.
"What is it?" Ren glanced at her.
"...Is someone under the desk?" Ann pointed downwards.
Ren looked down, then sighed softly, like he already knew. He smiled awkwardly and rapped on the desk he was leaning against a few times.
"...Futaba?" he said. "You should probably come out."
There was no response. Ann stepped a little closer and crouched down, peering under the desk.
A small figure was curled up beneath it, hoodie pulled tight, barely visible in the shadows.
"Hey," Ann said gently. "It's okay. I'm not gonna do anything."
The girl flinched, then pulled her hood even further over her head, shrinking back as much as she could with a whimper.
"...Okay," Ann said quietly to herself. "Not okay."
She leaned back slightly and looked up at Ren.
"Is she alright?" she asked. "She seems really scared of me. Did I...do something to freak her out? You seem to know her."
"Yeah, you could say that..." Ren sighed, keeping his voice calm and low. "Her name is Futaba Sakura. She's...really not good with people. Or unfamiliar places. She's incredibly agoraphobic. There's a reason for it, but...well, it's not my place to explain."
Ann glanced back under the desk to see that Futaba hadn't moved.
"Right..." she nodded slowly before her attention shifted back to him. "How do you two know each other then? Are you close?"
"That's...well, that's a pretty long story," Ren hesitated before replying. "Her guardian, Sojiro, has been letting me stay with them. I transferred recently, and...things have been unstable for me."
He didn't go into detail, nor did it seem like he intended to. Ann had to assume that whatever it was was really personal, like the two of them were both in a pretty rough spot.
"Anyway, because of that, I've spent a lot of time around her," he continued. "I'm one of the few people she's comfortable with, but even then, it took her ages to warm up to even me."
Ann looked between them again. Futaba was still hiding, but she had shifted slightly closer to where Ren was standing.
"...So you're kind of her safe person," Ann figured.
"Something like that," Ren gave a small nod, glancing down again. "I'd like to make this easier for her. Being here, surrounded by strangers...it's not something she can handle well."
"...Yeah," Ann's expression softened. "I get that."
However, to her surprise, after she said this, Futaba finally made her move. She crawled out from under the desk, keeping low, and quickly moved to stand just behind Ren, half-hidden by his shoulder.
Her hood stayed up, her face mostly obscured.
"...I...I'm...Futaba Sakura," she said quietly. "Ultimate Hacker."
The words came out fast, like she just wanted to get them over with. Ann gave her a small, gentle smile and a nod.
"Ann," she said simply. "It's nice to meet you."
Futaba gave a tiny nod. Then, just as quickly, she stepped back and slipped behind the desk again, disappearing from view.
"...Okay," she said softly. She stood back up, looking at Ren. "...That's rough."
Ren didn't respond, but his expression said enough. Ann glanced once more at the desk.
"...I wonder what happened to her," she said quietly to herself, not really sure if she wanted the answer.
Only the faint sense that whatever it was, it hadn't been something minor...
The group stood gathered in the grand foyer, the cold from earlier still clinging to the air like it didn't belong there.
However, Ann's eyes were locked on Ryuji.
He sat on the floor near the base of the stairs, his arm stiff and pale where it had been almost completely frozen off...! A thin layer of frost still clung to his sleeve as Makoto carefully checked it, her movements precise, while Haru pressed a cloth against it in an attempt to warm him back up.
"Ryuji, you idiot!" Ann muttered under her breath, though the worry in her voice softened it. "What were you thinking, charging at that thing like that!?"
"Yeah yeah, I know...!" Ryuji winced as Makoto grabbed his almost frostbitten arm. "That thing's no joke...!"
A few steps away, "that thing" stood above them, at the top of a flight of steps in the large foyer, looming down on them intimidatingly despite its short stature.
Whatever it was, it wasn't any kind of human, and had rather proudly introduced itself with one simple name...MonoJack...
The small, snowman-like creature tilted its head, its split-colored body and wide grin making it look more like a toy than something dangerous. But the cold that still lingered around it said otherwise.
"Hee-ho!" it chirped, clapping its tiny hands together. "Now that I've got your attention, let's go over the rules of my game once more! Nice and clear, okay?"
Ann's stomach tightened. Even the casual mention of what it had planned for them made the hairs on her arms stand on end, and yet now she was going to hear it in full. MonoJack spun in place like it was putting on a show.
"As I mentioned already, you're all trapped here in this lovely Castle of Lust!" it announced brightly. "No exits, no rescue, no way out at all! ...Unless you play my game."
It paused, its grin stretching wider, and a cold silence followed. Ann felt her fingers curl slightly as MonoJack raised one tiny arm.
"The Killing Game!" it said, almost cheerfully. "If you want to leave, it's super simple. Just kill one of your fellow students...and don't get caught."
No one reacted right away, like the words didn't land. Or maybe like they did, and no one knew how to respond. MonoJack rocked back on its heels.
"Of course, there's more to it than that, but I'll explain the fun details later," it added. "For now, just get comfy! Explore, relax, make friends...or better yet...ENEMIES. Hee-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-hoooooo!"
Ann felt sick. How could she not, after hearing such a despairfully sadistic explanation? Who the hell could call that a "game" besides this insane little creature!?
MonoJack, not caring about how she felt, gave a small wave.
"See you soon!" it cheered. And just like that...it was gone.
The cold it left behind lingered for a moment longer before slowly fading, and a heavy, still silence filled the foyer. Akechi was the first to move, stepping forward slightly.
"In simple terms," he said, his voice steady, "we have been given two options. We may remain here indefinitely, living out the rest of our lives within this castle...or we may kill one another and escape, provided we are not discovered."
Ann looked at him, still trying to process what she had just heard. The weight of it settled over everyone. Haru shook her head slightly, her hands tightening around the cloth she held.
"I...I don't want either of those...!" she said. "I don't want to hurt anyone, and I don't want to stay here forever!"
"To force such a decision upon us..." Yusuke's expression darkened, his usual calm replaced with something more tense. "It is a deeply troubling situation."
Zenkichi stepped forward, trying to take control.
"Alright, that's enough. Nobody's killing anyone here. We're not playing along with this!" he said, raising his voice, trying to meet each of their eyes. "We'll figure something out. Let's stick together, keep calm, and we'll find a way out of this mess."
A few people shifted uncomfortably. Others avoided looking at him entirely, and as such Zenkichi's confidence faltered just a little.
"...Tough crowd," he muttered, being forced to accept that he wasn't exactly the most trustworthy despite being the oldest.
"W-Why...?"
Ann turned as she heard a small voice break through from near the back. Futaba stood half-hidden behind Ren, her hood pulled low, her voice trembling.
"Why would we have to kill each other?" she asked. "We're just...high school students...!"
She hesitated, then added quickly...
"Except the cat...and the robot...and the adult..."
"Hey!" Zenkichi almost pouted at her. "Don't lump me in with those two!"
"I'm not a-!" Morgana went to (ironically) bark at her, but quickly, feeling how scared she was, stopped himself. "Doh...never mind..."
"But still," Futaba rushed on, "we're not supposed to be in something like this...! This is like a horror manga or something...!"
Ren glanced at her, then looked toward the group.
"Nobody needs to panic. No one here is stupid enough to actually go through with it," he said, his tone calm and grounded. "Right now, fear is doing all the talking. If we stay rational, there's no reason for anyone to commit murder."
For a moment, that seemed to settle things. He was greeted by a few nods and murmurs of agreement, and at first, it looked like things were okay for now...
...But then...
"That's quite the bold assumption...and not one that has a strong basis..."
Makoto's voice cut through cleanly, and Ann looked over at her. The Student Council President stood upright, her expression firm despite everything.
"...What do you mean?" Ren gave her a tense look.
"I don't want to sow fear or anything, and it's my job to try and keep everyone here together. I get that," she said to him. "But you're assuming everyone here will act logically under an incredibly pressurising situation, and that's not something you can guarantee."
Ren didn't argue, so Makoto continued.
"And do you really think that MonoJack thing is going to just let us do what we want? Clearly it wants us dead somehow, and it will stop at nothing to make sure that that happens," she declared coldly, darkness in her expression. "So even if you don't intend to kill anyone...
...I guarantee you that SOMEONE here DOES..."
Silence returned, much heavier than before, and Ann Takamaki felt it press down on her. She looked around at the others.
Ryuji, still shaken.
Haru, trying to stay composed.
Futaba, barely holding together.
Yusuke, tense and quiet.
Akechi, watching everything.
Ren, calm, but not dismissing it.
Zenkichi, clearly out of his depth despite his role.
Morgana, hairs standing up.
Sophia, looking pensive, like even her algorithm understood the stakes.
Makoto, clearly convinced of her own conviction.
And Kasumi, who drew closer to Ann out of fear and need for codependence in that frightening moment.
All of them...different people...but sharing the same fear...
Ann swallowed, her throat dry.
This was far too real, no matter how nonsensical it seemed. At any moment, something could change. Someone could panic...someone could break...
Or worse...
Her chest tightened slightly.
...I could.
The thought made her stomach twist, though she said nothing.
She just stood there in the center of the grand foyer, surrounded by strangers...
...Knowing that from this point on, any one of them could become something else entirely.