Prologue - Lifeless Ocean
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???: ''....''
???: ''14 out of 16 Ultimates have been caught.''
???: ''..So only 2 left huh?''
???: ''Indeed. I heard that they are on their way right now.''
???: ''So they will be together then huh...Prepare a sleeping gas bomb then. Once you see them, immediately knock them out with it."
???: ''Understood.''
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It was almost 4 o’clock. A girl seemed to be standing in front of a brown house, her foot tapping on the ground as she clearly seemed a bit annoyed as if she was waiting for sometime now. Who was she, and what was she waiting for..? Or...who was she waiting for..?
???: ″Ugh...Where is he!? I have been waiting for over an hour now! And it’s almost time for the aquarium to open! Cmon REDACTED...Where exactly are you!?″
Meanwhile, inside the brown house...
???: ″Shoot shoot shoot...I am definetely late! Hopefully she didn’t reach the house yet..Perhaps I will be the one waiting for her! Yeah, that’s it!″
All over the house was a panicked dude with a beanie on his head, brown hair, brown shirts, black jacket and jeans. The man seemed to be looking for something all over the house, him panicking more and more as he couldn’t exactly find the item...but who was he really? Well...
This man was...Hisashi Mayeda, the Ultimate Drummer. A famous drummer in REDACTED academy at class 34-A. He was uhm...the flirter of the class, to say the least. He always was the kind to try and catch ladies hearts but...He never really managed to do so, even with his look. Most reasons he was given was cause the girls were either lesbian, or cause they already had a boyfriend/girlfriend. But, it was unknown if they were telling the truth, or just lying...Nevertheless, even if he didn’t manage to catch atleast a single girl’s heart...He managed to get a friend! Well, he had many friends...but this one...He was spending most of his free time with her, cause they were also working on making a band together! But, you will find out soon enough about her...For now...
Hisashi: ″Finally! Here is the ticket to the aquarium! God, why must I be so messy sometimes...″
Yup. Hisashi Mayeda was searching for a ticket. After all, today was a very important day!
Hisashi: ″Now time to leave the house, make sure that I didn’t forget anything and-″
???: ″There you are Hisashi! What took you so long!″
Hisashi: ″A-Ah! M’lady Nana! I-I didn’t know you were already here...h-haha...″
Nana: ″Well, obviously..We both were going to go to that aquarium opening which happens at 4 o’clock, remember? I decided to try and come here earlier so that you wouldn’t have to wait for me, and so that we wouldn’t be late...But it looks like even with my thinking, we still are going to be late.″
Hisashi: ″H-Haha...sorry Nana..I lost the ticket and well...It took me a while to find it.″
Nana: ″You lost the ticket!? Please say you actually found it though...″
Hisashi: ″Of course! Otherwise I wouldn’t have left my house without it!″
Nana: ″Thank god...I was getting worried just now...″
Hisashi: ″Oh cmon Nana...I am not that forgetful, am I?″
Nana: ″Want me to remind you of that time when you forgot to do your part of the project, and the teacher gave you a 6 thanks to my part of the project?″
Hisashi: ″Well-″
Nana: ″Or that time when you were supposed to meet everyone at exactly 3 o’clock in the afternoon cause we were going on a school trip, but you came very late like...One hour later after we have left cause we couldn’t keep waiting for you?″
Hisashi: ″O-Oh cmon Nana...You know that was cause of traff-″
Nana: ″Or that time when you told me and your other friends to meet up at exactly 4 o’clock in front of your house, but you had us wait once again, just like now, for almost an hour?″
Hisashi: ″W-Well...Uhm...L-Look at the time! We better catch the bus or else we might be super late!″
Hisashi in attempts to stop Nana from well...basically reminding him of the moments he was late and such, or even forgetful...He immediately grabbed Nana’s hand and dragged over to the bus station. The two had been waiting for just..around 15 minutes, before the bus finally came as they both got on it. For some reason..they were the only ones inside the bus..Or well..Them and the bus driver, but he didn’t count. So of course, Nana and Hisashi both sat down at the end of the bus, as they looked in different reactions outside, thinking about different things.
Hisashi:Hm...I wonder how the aquarium will look like...I heard it’s going to have many places to visit, and many different kinds of fish to see...Heck, even sharks even if they are dangerous..But I also heard there will be an Ultimate Police Officer there, so that he could keep everyone safe in case of any danger.
...Mysterious Lake Aquarium...A new aquarium that has been built over these years in Japan is finally being opened today. And certain lucky Ultimates have been given a ticket so that they could enter the aquarium without even needing to buy a ticket..And well...me and Nana have been chosen.
Ah yes..Nana Okuda, the Ultimate Pianist. She is one of my classmates from REDACTED academy in class 34-A. At first we technically weren’t friends...we were just classmates who talked to eachother when we needed help..or well..when I needed help most of the time. But as time went on, we got to know eachother better, and we then became friends! Honestly, it was a bit surprising, seeing as she technically was the only girl who was ok with my flirting, showing no reaction whatsoever..I guess that is probably a sign of: ‘Hisashi is just a friend’, as some would say.
The bus finally arrived at the destination, and Hisashi and Nana both finally got up as they were walking towards the front of the bus so they could exit but then...
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A sudden bomb has been thrown inside the bus, the bomb suddenly releasing a gas while the bus doors and windows all closed instantly.
Hisashi: ″W-What the!? What’s..cough..going on!?″
Nana: ″Cough!I-I don’t know but...cough..i-it’s definetely not g-good...!″
Hisashi: ″Cough..y-you are right..W-We should try to get out as s-soon as possi-″
Before Hisashi could even say anything, Nana dropped to the ground.
Hisashi: ″N-Nana!? N-Nana!Cough..! C-Cmon girl..D-Don’t leave me l-like this! Y-You gotta..a-atleast...h-help me...cough...cough...cough...h-help me...cough...cough...cough.....he....lp....me....op...en....th...e...cough...cough...do....or...″
And so, Hisashi tried to stay awake, but his efforts were in vain as before he even knew it...He fell off to the ground, his eyes closing as he was now asleep along with Nana. The doors and windows of the bus opened up, as a mysterious shadowy figure would walk inside the bus, and look at them.
???: ″...And that’s 16. Now I should get them inside..Don’t want the boss to be mad that I am late on schedule.″
What just happened..? Who was this shadowy figure? Why were Hisashi and Nana knocked out in the first place? And most importantly...what was going to happen to these 2 right now..?
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Darkness...There was nothing to see at the moment. Obviously...After all, he was knocked out. It made no sense if he was able to see while knocked out...but then...
Hisashi: ″Ugh..What...the..?″
Hisashi slowly opened his eyes, barely getting up from what seemed to be a bed, slowly rubbing the back of his head as he seemed confused.
Hisashi: ″Ow...my head...What the heck happened..? One second I am on the bus and the-A-Ah! Nana!″
Looks like he was getting back his memories now.
Hisashi: ″T-That’s right! I remember now..Me and Nana were on our way to the aquarium...then, when we were about to get off the bus...A..smoke bomb? No no..it was something else...It was..a sleeping gas bomb!″
″That’s right...A sleeping gas bomb has been thrown inside the bus, and afterwards the windows and the door all closed while the sleeping gas was getting all inside the bus...and then..before we knew it..me and Nana both got knocked out..″
″But...this isn’t the bus...″
As Hisashi took a look around the room, the first thing he could notice was that the room seemed to be more of a...bedroom? A dorm room? Heck if he knew but..He definetely wasn’t in the bus right now. He slowly got off the bed, rubbing the back of his head a bit more. Looks like when he was knocked out he hit the floor pretty hard..
Hisashi: ″Ugh..This head hurts like hell...I wonder where the heck I am...I mean..I can definetely tell I am in some kind of bedroom or dorm room...but why is that?″
Before leaving, Hisashi decided to first check out the room, to see if he found anything to note of.
DORM ROOM INVESTIGATION...BEGIN!
Hisashi began walking around the room, noticing all kinds of things that seemed to be good enough to keep in mind..
Hisashi: ″Let’s see here...Some desks, a bed, a door which leads to the bathroom..Hm, seems mostly things you would see in a dorm room...But then there is...that.″
He then looked towards the wall, where some pictures seemed to be on.
Hisashi: ″All these pictures...all of them are mostly about ocean life, or aquarium life..Nothing else. No family pictures, no random paintings...just ocean life and aquarium life pictures...Just where the heck I am?″
He continued looking around, but from the looks of it that...was mostly all of it.
Hisashi: ″Hm...looks like this is all..I guess I should try to see if I can get out of here though...″
DORM ROOM INVESTIGATION...END!
Hisashi then would slowly walk towards the door, and try to see if he can open it...Luckily, and easily, the door opened revealing what seemed to be a hallway.
Hisashi: ″Well..atleast I can get out of there..that’s good to know.″
???: ″HISASHI!″
As Hisashi got into the hallway, he suddenly was tackled into a hug by someone...That someone was..
Hisashi: ″N-Nana!″
Nana: ″Hisashi! God, I was getting worried! I thought you were hurt or something!″
Hisashi: ″H-Hey now, you and I both know that this pretty face cannot be hurt at all~″
Nana: ″...And there is that flirty attitude once again.″
She immediately let go as soon as Hisashi said that line.
Hisashi: ″Awww, cmon! We both know ya like me~″
Nana: ″Not even a chance Mayeda. For god’s sake, please take this serious right now...″
Hisashi: ″R-Right..Sorry Nana. You know how I always am..″
Nana:Nana would sigh″I know..Sometimes I even wonder how I was able to not get annoyed at all during these years with you..″
Hisashi: ″Awww cmon M’lady Nana! You are hurting my feelings right no-″
???: ″Uhm...Miss Nana? Is everything alright?″
As the 2 friends/classmates were talking, someone else seemed to approach them. The outfit they were wearing seemed..to be interesting. A hat which Hisashi was trying to think of what the hat resembles, a jacket with long sleeves...And the main colors seemed to be blue and orange!
Nana: ″Oh! Ken! Right! Everything is alright! No need to worry.″
Ken: ″Ah, that’s a relief! Ken was getting a bit worried that something happened, since Miss Nana rushed off so suddenly without even saying anything!″
Nana: ″R-Right..sorry about that, again. I just..″
Hisashi: ″Ahem...Mind if you introduce me to your little friend right here, m’lady Nana~?″
Nana: ″O-Oh! Right! Ken, meet-″
Hisashi: ″The one and only, the pretty boy with pretty lines, the best of all of them...Hisashi Mayeda, the Ultimate Drummer!″
Ken: ″Ohhh, an Ultimate Drummer! Ken actually believes Miss Nana told Ken about Mr. Hisashi! Miss Nana kept saying how she was worried about where Mr. Hisashi is! She said that the last thing she remembered was being on her way to an aquarium just like Ken! Except that she was taking a bus, and Ken was going on feet...″
Hisashi: ″Awww, so Nana was really getting worried about the pretty face right h-″Before he could even finish the sentence, Nana hit him on the backhead, clearly motioning for him to be serious.
″O-Ow! R-Right...Uhm..Anyway...Who exactly are you?″
Ken: ″My name is Ken Teshima, Mr. Hisashi! And I am the Ultimate Jester! Cmon now, let’s put up a smile on your face shall we!″
Hisashi: ″Uhm..Maybe not now, Ken. For now, we kinda have to figure out where exactly we are..″
Nana: ″Well..I actually talked with Ken about it, and he said that this certainly looks like an aquarium!″
Ken: ″Yup yup! Ken has looked around for a little bit, and could definetely say that this looks like an aquarium to him!″
Hisashi: ″An aquarium...″Could this be perhaps the...Mysterious Lake Aquarium..? But then why would we be knocked out if...
Nana: ″...You probably were thinking that this might be Mysterious Lake Aquarium, weren’t you Hisashi? And..I would honestly agree that it is a possibility but...There would still be the question on why we were knocked out in the first place if we were going to be dragged to the place we were visitting.″
Ken: ″Yeah! Ken doesn’ really understand why he and other people would be knocked out if they were going to the same place...″
Hisashi: ″Hmm..perhaps it could also be a different aquarium.″
Nana: ″True...but to know that, we would have to investigate further to see if it’s truly the same aquarium or not.″
Hisashi: ″Then we should definetely get going, shouldn’t we?″
Nana: ″I mean...Yeah, but what about Ken?″
Ken: ″Miss Nana doesn’t have to worry about Ken! Ken was anyway going to go back to his dorm and relax there for a while! He already met everyone else, and needed a break after all the conversations!″
Hisashi: ″Everyone else..?″
Nana: ″Oh yeah..I forgot to tell you! Ken says that there were other uhm...13 people in here besides him! With me and you, that makes 16!″
Hisashi: ″16? But 13 with 2..Makes 15!″
Nana: ″...Hisashi, with Ken it makes 14, and with us 2, it makes 16.″
Hisashi: ″...Oh. Right. Cmon Nana, you shouldn’t expect a lot from me on maths...You know how bad I am at it!″
Nana: ″I know I know...You always were the one to get only F’s in maths. I am even surprised the teacher let you pass the class like that..″
Hisashi: ″Must be because of my very own awesomene-″
Before Hisashi could even finish the sentence, Nana already grabbed his arm and began dragging him away, while waving goodbye to Ken, who left to his dorm.
Hisashi: ″H-Hey! M’Lady Nana!!!″
Nana: ″As much as I enjoy being your friend, you have to take this serious this time Hisashi. Who knows what is actually going on here...For all we know, we all could have been kidnapped actually!″
Hisashi: ″Awww, cmon Nana...I am sure everything is alright! Probably some misunderstanding or something, ya know?″
As the 2 were talking, Hisashi noticed how from the dorms hallway, the 2 Ultimates reached a..2 path way? He was confused, but then Nana just went ahead and chose one path, dragging Hisashi along with her until they reached what seemed to be bar cells locking some stairs which were going...down? Weird...But along with that, there seemed to be 2 guys who were discussing something.
???: ″Yeah, I believe it’s kind of weird...12 other people besides us...Each one of them being an Ultimate as well, and even going to the same aquarium...I doubt it could be a coincidence.″
???: ″Ya got that fucking right. Who the fuck knows what is going on around he-″
Nana: ″Uhm..Hello you two!″
Hisashi: ″What’s up my dudes! What you two talking about eh?″
The 2 guys who were discussing looked at Nana and Hisashi, one of them immediately greeting the drummer and the pianist
???: ″Hello you two! Don’t think I met you two before...Guessing ya just woke up right?″
Nana: ″Mhm! We just woke up some minutes ago, and we decided to try and explore the place, to find out more about where we are!″
???: ″Great! The more, the merrier, just as I say!″
???: ″Didn’t you fucking say that you were alone in the wild west buddy?″
???: ″H-Hey now! It’s a difference between wild west and this place!″
Hisashi: ″The wild west buddy? Yooo, you gotta tell me how it is there! I heard about it and wanted to visit it for a few days!″
???: ″Hm? Really? That’s great to hear! I could tell ya more about it, since that is where I come from! After all, I am the Ultimate Sheriff, Alex Katashi! Pleasure to meet you both!″
Nana: ″Nice to meet you Alex! My name is Nana! Nana Okuda, and I am the Ultimate Pianist!″
Hisashi: ″And I am Hisashi Mayeda my man! The Ultimate Drummer, as you can see!″
Alex: ″A pianist and a drummer...An interesting duo, I admit! I am guessing you 2 are friends, correct?″
Nana: ″Mhm! Classmates actually! We are both fromREDCATEDAcademy!″
???: ″REDACTED academy? Huh, I actually used to study there before I officialy graduated myself!″
Hisashi: ″Yoo, really? And what’s your name dude?″
???: ″Well, since you asked, and since it is only manners...My name is Hiroshi. Hiroshi Fujioka, the Ultimate Police Officer. Now it should be even more obvious that I truly graduated long ago.″
Hisashi: ″Yoooo, Police Officer!? And a sheriff!? Those are super cool Ultimates!″
Alex: ″Heh, indeed! Though, I am surprised you guys are still at an academy..″
Nana: ″Hm? How so Alex?″
Alex: ″Well, for me...I just got the letter with my Ultimate, was asked to go to the academy but...I refused!″
Hisashi: ″H-Huh!? You refused!?″
Hiroshi: ″Yup. This idiot right here refused to go to the academy, saying that he didn’t exactly want to leave his wild west hometown. Somehow, the academy actually accepted the refusal, and left him alone with his Ultimate and stuff...″
Alex: ″Mhm! After all, like Hiroshi said..The wild west is my hometown, and if I left..Who else would even be able to make sure it’s safe from all the robbers around!″
Hisashi: ″I...see. I suppose that is reasonable...atleast for now.″
Alex: ″For now? Aw cmon, don’t say I should have abandoned the wild west just like that amigo...″
Hisashi: ″Amigo?″
Alex: ″Mhm! It’s spanish from what I remember, for friend!″
Nana: ″Amigo...But I am guessing that is for boys right?″
Alex: ″Indeed! For girls it is amiga! Surprised that a sheriff knows a bit of spanish, ain’t ya no-″
Hiroshi: ″Alright alright you 3. I don’t think there is enough time to just talk about whatever. We must find out why we are here in the first place. And why the fuck these stairs are not only going down...but also locked up.″
Hisashi: ″Oh yeah...I was wondering that too! Do you guys have any ideas?″
Alex: ″Me and Hiroshi tried to see if it was something like..pull a lever or push a button hidden close to it to unlock but..Nothing! We searched everywhere and there was nothing!″
Hiroshi: ″Yeah, so now we were just discussing the things we know so far.″
Nana: ″And what do you exactly know so far..?″
Hiroshi: ″Well, for starters, everyone who we talked to actually woke up in a dorm room, except it was at different times.″
Hisashi: ″Huh..I suppose that makes sense. After all, I was the last one to wake up.″
Nana: ″Mhm...And I am guessing I was the pre-last one..″
Hiroshi: ″Yup. Another thing we know is that everyone was here from the beginning. The 1st person who woke up in here said that they didn’t see anyone passing by the dorm hallway at all, so we can safely assume that everyone was dragged to their dorm room, and left alone until each one woke up.″
Alex: ″Mhm! And everyone here is an Ultimate from the looks of it! Well..Almost, everyone.″
Nana: ″Almost..? Is there someone with no Ultimate?″
Alex: ″Well...Yes, and no..? I mean, she says that she doesn’t actually remember her talent. Which is both kind of weird but...It could also be possible that she hit her head at a certain point and got amnesia...″
Hiroshi: ″Either that, or she is fucking lying about not remembering her Ultimate. That could also be possible.″
Hisashi: ″Lying...Well, I doubt someone would already start lying like that! After all, there is no reason to hide anything is there?″
Hiroshi: ″..So you must be the fucking guy who believes nobody lies about their Ultimate to total strangers who could be a danger to them and such...Great.″
Nana: ″That’s how Hisashi is..sadly enough.″
Hisashi: ″H-Hey now! Now that is just bullying me at this point! Plus, I can be negative as well! Just so you know!″
Alex: ″Haha..I am sure of that. Anyway...I suggest you 2 get going now. You probably want to meet everyone else, and see the places in here so...″
Nana: ″That is exactly what we were thinking Alex! Cmon Hisashi, let’s go!″
Hisashi: ″Eh? Already? Aww cmon! I wanted to see if Hiroshi knew anything about the exams this year! I wanted to see if I can che-″
Once again, Nana grabbed his arm and began dragging him away, before Hisashi could even finish what he was saying. But it was pretty clear what he wanted..So it didn’t really matter. After that, Hiroshi and Alex went back to discussing more about the place and the people in here. Meanwhile, Nana just dragged Hisashi through the other path, walking through a hallway with water all around them, like an aquarium hallway..Inside the water there were just some seahorses and jellyfishes swimming around...
Nana: ″This really looks like an aquarium from the looks of it..″
Hisashi: ″But we don’t exactly know if it’s Mysterious Lake Aquarium or not..″
Nana: ″True but...We can atleast agree it is an aquarium no matter what. I mean, what kind of place would have a hallway with water all around it and seahorses and jellyfishes swimming in it?″
Hisashi: ″Good point Nana...Good point.″
The 2 then kept walking until they reached...The entrance! There was even a sign which said: ‘Entrance/Exit’ right above it. Though, it looked like it was...locked!
Hisashi: ″I-Is that the entrance?″
Nana: ″Looks to be...But it seems closed. Or well..More like locked.″
Hisashi: ″Dang...And here I thought we can just get out whenever we want!″
Nana: ″I doubt we will be able to get out anytime soon...after all, if the assumption about us being kidnapped is right then...″
Hisashi: ″..Aww cmon m’lady Nana! Don’t overthink this too much! Cmon! We have 2 paths to take now!″
Nana: ″Ah..Right! Where should we go first then?″
Hisashi: ″How about the right? I believe I even see someone in the distance! Cmon!″
This time the roles have switched, as Hisashi was the one to grab Nana’s arm and drag her around, going through the right path which lead to..another locked room, except this time there was someone there! This person seemed to be wearing a great fire shirt in black and white, with white jacket and white sleeves, 2 stars on the jacket, short jeans and...And a pilot hat? I think it’s pretty obvious what this guy’s Ultimate is...
The guy seemed to be trying to open the door, but to no avail. If Hisashi looked carefully above the door, he could see a red plus sign, which could show the possibility of the room being a..infirmary? Nurse’s room? Whatever it was called, it was clearly a room to treat the wounded people.
???: ″Ughh...Cmon door! Open up already! This is just nonsense at this point!″
Nana: ″Uhm...Hello there..?″
???: ″Hm? Oh! What’s up new people! Didn’t know I was being watched! Don’t mind me, I was just preparing myself to open this locked door over here!″
Hisashi: ″Yooo, really? Then cmon! Opening it means more places to explore and check out!″
???: ″Right away buddy!″
The possible pilot would try once again, with all his force in his hands as he tried to open the door...but again, to no avail. The door was locked really well, and it was pretty clear it wasn’t going to budge or open up any soon. So the possible pilot turned back to Hisashi and Nana and said
???: ″Well..sorry man, looks like the door is locked! Can’t open it, even if I use all my strength..″
Nana: ″So..you aren’t exactly the strongest to even open a locked door, are you..?″
???: ″I-I am the strongest! It’s just that..″
Hisashi: ″Aww, cmon Nana! It’s pretty clear that the door is shut tight and cannot be opened by anyone no matter what! Plus, do you honestly think a guy would lie about his strength?″
???: ″Y-Yeah! Exactly!″
Nana: ″....″Nana just looked at both Hisashi and the other guy, and then let out a sigh.″Alright alright...I suppose I will believe you then Mr...uhm...″
???: ″Saburo Nonaka, nice to meet ya! I am the Ultimate Pilot if you were curious about that!″
Hisashi: ″Pleasure to meet ya as well Saburo! I am Hisashi Mayeda, the Ultimate Drummer, and this beautiful lady right here is-″
Nana: ″Nana Okuda, the Ultimate Pianist of course!″
Saburo: ″A pianist and a drummer...sounds like the perfect couple to me, if ya ask me!″
Hisashi: ″I know right! Ya hear that Nana? Perhaps we should truly-″
Nana: ″I am sorry to ruin your ideas, but me and Hisashi are just friends. Nothing else Saburo.″
Saburo: ″O-Oh! I see...Sooo, that means I have a chance with you the-″
Nana: ″No thank you.″
Saburo: ″Got it, got it. Sorry about that. When you fly all around over other countries, you kind of lose the chances of finding a girlfriend, since most girls in other countries just want to be with men who are from the same country and stuff...A shame, but eh, not like I care about it anyway. The plane is all I need, and the air is the place I go to!″
Hisashi: ″I am guessing ya really like flying around as a pilot huh?″
Saburo: ″You bet cha! Flying around from country to country is really awesome! When you finally get a break from being a pilot, you get to see the many places in the country you are in! Plus, I got very own hotel room with 5 stars on it!″
Hisashi: ″Wooow, really!? That sounds so cool! So you get a very high salary huh?″
Saburo: ″Well...I suppose you could say that! Haha...haha...″
Saburo looked a bit to the side, but then looked back at Hisashi and Nana and said
Saburo: ″Anyway, leaving that aside, I am guessing you guys are exploring around right?″
Nana: ″Yup! That is what we were doing!″
Saburo: ″And so far, have ya found anything?″
Nana: ″Well...besides the dorms, the locked stairs and the locked entrance..Nothing much actually.″
Saburo: ″Well, don’t worry! I explored the other places, and I can say without a doubt you might find something!″
Hisashi: ″Really? You found something in one of the other rooms?″
Saburo: ″..Not really, but I know you guys can do that for me, right? We are friends after all!″
Nana: ″Well-″
Hisashi: ″You bet we will! Cmon Nana! Let’s go to the left path now! We must see if we find any information about this place!″
And so, without even saying goodbye, Hisashi immediately left to go through the other path, while Nana sighed, waved goodbye to Saburo, and then followed immediately after Hisashi. The 2 would finally reach the entrance, and then go through the left path of the entrance, soon enough reaching a room which seemed to be...a kitchen! Inside the kitchen they were met by 2 other girls, one who was checking the food while the other seemed to just be talking to her.
???: ″Sooo like...You are serving a very charming prince? My oh my, you sure are a lucky maid! I still haven’t met mine...or even my charming princess...Such a shame, really.″
???: ″I wouldn’t exactly call them charming prince Miss Obi, I am merely just saying that I am serving a prince at the moment, and that’s all.″
???: ″That is what everyone says at first, but then they end up falling in love! I am sure you will do that soon enough as well! After all, you look absolutely amaz-Oh! Why hello there~!″
Hisashi: ″Yooo, what’s up beautifuls~ Didn’t know 2 angels were in here...I would have atleast have gotten some flowers!″
Nana: ″There he goes again with his flirting...″
???: ″Hello there sir and ma’am. I am guessing you 2 must have just woken up in your dorms, am I correct?″
Nana: ″Yeah...My name is Nana Okuda, and I am the Ultimate Pianist!″
Hisashi: ″And I am Hisashi Mayeda~! The Ultimate Drummer, ready to go get some flowers for the 2 ladies in here~″
???: ″Awww, charming, but sadly...I am not the kind to fall for those who flirt with me, so no thank you.″
Hisashi: ″Awww shucks, but what about you, pretty one~?″
???: ″I believe there are no flower shops in this place...So I doubt you would be able to get flowers for me and Miss Obi.″
Hisashi: ″U-Ugh...″Another failed flirt attempt...Jeez, is Hisashi supposed to be unlucky in here..?
Nana: ″...Right uhm...Anyway, who exactly are you two?″
???: ″My name is Aya Nakajima ma’am. And I am the Ultimate Maid, ready to try my best and serve you all.″
Nana: ″Ah, a maid..That sounds like a truly deserved Ultimate...after all, you would need to work a lot, am I correct?″
Aya: ″Right you are Miss Okuda. As a maid, I am here to serve those who need to be served, including you and Mr. Mayeda and Miss Obi as well, who seems to mostly be thinking about love for some reason..″
???: ″Hey now! A girl gotta have her dreams ya know?″
Hisashi: ″And you are, m’lady?″
???: ″Minako Obi, Ultimate Swimmer. Sure I may be a flirt, but I still treat others with respect, so don’t expect only flirting from me, alright?″
Nana: ″A swimmer and a maid...Those are really hard working Ultimates!″
Minako: ″Why thank you Nana! I have to admit, yours is kind of hard working as well, same with Hisashi’s! Being a pianist means to learn everything you need to know about a piano, how to tune it, and even how to play it and so on...Same with being a drummer.″
Hisashi: ″Ya got that right Minako! Congrats!″
Nana: ″Mhm! Ever since I was a child I was actually passionate about music, and well..I always wanted to try out an instrument and...I tried out the piano! In the end, it worked out very well!″
Minako: ″Awww, passionate about music ever since a child? So adorable~! And what about you Hisashi?″
Hisashi: ″Ah well...My father is a drummer and well...I decided to become like him! That’s mostly all...Nothing much about me there.″
Aya: ″Following the footsteps of your own father is still something Mr. Mayeda.″
Hisashi: ″I know I know! It just seems a bit weird, since most music related people seemed to have chosen their own paths and instruments on their own, while I just chose to become a drummer just like my father.″
Minako: ″Oh cmon Hisashi! Don’t be like that, I am sure there are musicians who also followed in their parents footsteps! Plus, who cares?″
Hisashi: ″....″
A bit of silence filled the room after that, Hisashi looking away, while everyone looked at him, worries starting to overflow the 3 as they were thinking that Hisashi still didn’t accept it...Until Nana suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder and looked at him with a smile
Hisashi: ″!! ..Nana?″
Nana: ″Cmon now..Hishi. Do you honestly think people will treat you differently just cause you followed in your fathers footsteps?″
Hisashi: ″H-Hey now! I told you not to call me that nickname! It sounds horrible for...″
Nana: ″For what?″
Hisashi: ″...Heh..″A smirk formed on his face, as he looked at Nana and said″You know that nickname sounds horrible for the great drummer Hisashi Mayeda~! Plus, the ladies won’t look at me if they hear you calling me that! They will think its my name!″
Nana:Nana would giggle, happy to see that Hisashi went back to his mood as per usual″Right right, sorry about that. Just needed to get you back on track.″
Minako: ″Awww, such a cute friendship~! Don’t you think so as well Aya?″
Aya: ″Well...I suppose so, Miss Obi.″
After that, Hisashi looked back at Aya and Minako and asked
Hisashi: ″So then you two, what have you found so far around this room?″
Aya: ″Ah, great question Mr. Mayeda. It looks like there is food stacked in the pantry right over there.″Says Aya as she pointed over to the pantry filled with lots of food
Hisashi: ″Food eh? Well, atleast we know we got something to eat until we find out why we are here!″
Minako: ″Isn’t it obvious though? We clearly were kidnapped!″
Hisashi: ″Awww cmon Minako! I doubt it would be that obvious!″
Nana: ″...Hisashi...″
Aya: ″As much as I would love to agree with you Mr. Mayeda, I believe Ms. Obi is right. After all, when I was really close to the aquarium, I myself have been attacked from behind and put to sleep somehow...″
Minako: ″Yeah! Same with me here! I was just going there after I was done with classes, and when I got there...Bang! I was attacked from behind and put to sleep in some way! And when I woke up, I woke up in one of the dorms in the dorms hallway, just like Aya and probably you two!″
Nana: ″Well, meanwhile, me and Hisashi were on the bus when it happened. We reached the destination, and as we were about to get off, a bomb was thrown inside the bus, and the windows and doors closed immediately, as some gas filled the room and...then we fell asleep..″
Aya: ″It might have been a sleeping gas bomb then, Ms. Okuda.″
Nana: ″Yeah, that is what I thought so as well...″
Hisashi: ″...Well, anyway! We won’t know until we are told so! Or until we find more information! Speaking of more information...Let’s go explore some more Nana! We still got many rooms to explore most likely!″
Nana: ″Alright alright, well...Goodbye for now Minako and Aya!″
Aya: ″Goodbye to you too, Ms. Okuda. And goodbye, Mr. Mayeda.″
Minako: ″Bye bye beautifuls~!″
Hisashi: ″Goodbye you two!″
And so, Hisashi and Nana both left the kitchen as they went back to the locked entrance/exit, where they then looked to where they came from..The hallway or...more like, the third hallway, as once they looked in front of the locked entrance, they were able to see that there were actually 3 hallways and not just 1.
Nana: ″3 hallways...This aquarium must be really big then..″
Hisashi: ″Looks like it. And I can definetely say that we came from the right one! So we only have the middle and the left one left to take!″
Nana: ″Then..how about the middle hallway first? Might give us some clues after all!″
Hisashi: ″You and I think the same m’lady Nana! Let’s go!″
And so, the 2 immediately took the middle hallway, as they began walking through it. Once again, like in the right hallway, the 2 were surrounded by water and glass, but this time, behind the glass were...Sharks!? Oh god, this was becoming a bit scary...But as they kept walking, they suddenly were met by 2 people on the way to the end of the hallway. One seemed to be wearing a mask and some kind of...beige? No no...blue? No no...Well, the color was hard to identify, but it was clearly something around..kind of dark? Heck if anyone knew...While the other seemed to be wearing some cat headphones, along with a white skirt and...are those..hearing aids? It wasn’t clear enough right now, so Hisashi and Nana approached the 2 who seemed to be talking about something.
???: ″Ugh, I keep telling you...I am not SCARED of sharks! You were the one who screamed when one literally approached the glass!″
???: ″No no! I can definetely remember you were the one who screamed like a girl!″
???: ″I was not you little lying piece of s-″
Hisashi: ″Uhm...Hi there you two!″
Nana: ″Hello there!″
???: ″Hm? Oh great..More people. What do you two want? What? Did you hear someone scream like a little girl? Cause it was this one right here!″The man with the mask immediately pointed to the headphone girl, and the girl just pouted
???: ″First off, the little girl has a name! And second off, I didn’t scream! You did, cause you didn’t even know there were sharks in here!″
???: ″For the last fucking time, I didn’t scream! Why would I, an OLDER person than you, scream like a little girl!?″
???: ″Maybe because you got scar-″
Nana: ″Uhm...how about we don’t argue for now, and instead..introduce ourselves? My name is Nana Okuda and I am the Ultimate Pianist! Pleasure to meet you both!″
Hisashi: ″And I am Hisashi Mayeda, the Ultimate Drummer!″
???: ″Oh great..More music related talents...″
Nana: ″Hm? More?″
???: ″Yup..Cause this one here also has a music related talent.″
Hisashi: ″Yoo, you do? What are you, some musician? Some music composer?″
???: ″Nope! My name is Cho Onaga, and I am the Ultimate DJ! You probably know me from the many people who keep suggesting to invite me to parties where DJs are needed!″
Hisashi: ″Yoo....That’s a really cool Ultimate girl! I may have not heard of you at all, but Ultimate DJ is pretty cool!″
Nana: ″I must agree! Pleasure to meet you Cho! Hope we can get along!″
Cho: ″Pleasure to meet you both as well! I hope we can get along as well!″
Hisashi: ″Great great, now that we got your introduction over with Cho...What about you, mask dude?″
???: ″...Teruo Tokanaga, the Ultimate Doctor. There. Now don’t EVER call me mask dude again.″
Hisashi: “Wow wow, chill man! I was just giving ya a nickname since I didn’t know your name before!”
Teruo: “Tch. I am gonna guess you are one of those youngsters who just act all ‘cool’ and stuff.”
Hisashi: “You bet cha!”
Nana: “..And I am guessing you don’t like those kind of teenagers do you?”
Teruo: “Of course not. You all are basically the same. Idiotic teenagers who live their lives doing things that get you in trouble, hurt, or even killed. That’s how stupid most of you are.”
Cho: “Hey now! I am not like that!”
Teruo: “Suuuure, like I would believe a DJ who only thinks about partying! Or a drummer who probably is an idiot in school, or a pianist who is only all about positive.”
Hisashi: “Listen dude, if ya don’t like how some teenagers act, ok, but you don’t have to lash your anger on EVERY teenager like everyone is the same!”
Teruo: “..Tch. Whatever.”
And so, without another word, Teruo left, going the way Nana and Hisashi came from, while Nana, Cho and Hisashi were left alone.
Nana: “Well...Looks like we found the first problematic person..”
Cho: “You can say that again! He really acts like he is some kind of an adult, when all he is...uhm...he is....uhm...”
Hisashi: “....”
Cho: “...Uhm...”
Nana: “...You don’t know how old he is, do you?”
Cho: “...No...I never really asked him that. And if I did he would have probably declined to say itmm”
Hisashi: “Probably. Anyway..I think we should continue on our path. I think I can hear some voices from over here! Cmon Nana!”
Cho: “Awww, you 2 are already leaving? Oh well..Guess I will go talk to the sheriff then! Hopefully he is still around those locked stairs!”
Nana: “Well, have fun then Cho! Bye!”
Cho: “Byeee!”
Cho would wave goodbye, so would Hisashi and Nana, and the 3 would go seperate ways, with Nana and Hisashi continuing on their path, while Cho went to meet up with Alex who..Who knows if he was still hanging out with Hiroshi.
Anyway, as the drummer and the pianist kept going their way, they finally reached a dead emd, with a blue locked door in front of the 2, no sign above it..Just a locked blue door and..Another 2 people, one with pink hair while the other had some kind of..grey to white hair which was covering her eyes. The pink haired one was trying to open the door but to no avail, while the grey to white one was just watching and chuckling at how much the other was trying and not giving up.
???: “Ughhh...Just fucking, OPEN UP ALREADY!!”
???: “Heh, looks like you still cannot open it. What a shame, really.”
???: “Maybe if you fucking helped me, we would already be inside this fucking room!!”
???: “What for should I help you? For all I know, you could be planning something on locking me inside once the door opens.”
???: “Now why the fuck would I do that, you fucking piece of shit! Instead of thinking about stuff that fucking makes no sense, you help me open up this stupid door!!”
Hisashi: “Uhm...Yooo, what’s up girls! What are you two doing over here, huh?”
???: “Hm? Oh great, even MORE fucking bastards! Now who the fuck are you two?”
Hisashi: “Woah woah, chill with the language girl! As for who I am, I am Hisashi Mayeda! The Ultimate Drummer!”
Nana: “And I am Nana Okuda, the Ultimate Pianist! Pleasure to meet you!”
???: “Well, it seems with these 2 that makes it..16 Ultimates..”
???: “15, ya stupid idiot. You don’t know anything about your talent, so we barely know if you truly have one or not.”
???: “I do have one. I just cannot remember it, that’s all.”
Hisashi: “Not remembering your Ultimate...”
Nana: “...Ah! You must be the girl who Alex was telling me and Hisashi about!”
???: “Indeed. My name is Tomoko Furutani...Talent..Unknown at this moment.”
Nana: “Not knowing your own talent...Do you think it is possible to have hit your head really hard when you were knocked out? And it gave you some kind of..amnesia perhaps?”
Tomoko: “...Yes, that is indeed possible.”
???: “Ugh, who the fuck cares about that anyway. Amnesia or not, she is suspicious nevertheless.”
Hisashi: “Now cmon girl, let’s not suspect people already! Instead, how about ya tell us who exactly you are hm?”
???: “Tch. Fine. Misako Sako, Ultimate Game Influencer.”
Nana: “A...Game Influencer?”
Misaki: “Yes. A fucking game influencer. Someone who plays online games on livestreams or Twitch or whatever! Got a problem with that pianist girl?!”
Nana: “A-Ah, not at all! I was just confused on what that Ultimate was, that’s all...”
Misaki: “Tch. Yeah, sure, whatever.”
Hisashi: “Cmon now Misa! Don’t be like that with someone you just me-”
Misaki: ”Try fucking calling me Misa ever again, and I am gonna make sure you get out of here with bruises all over you!”
Hisashi: “W-Wow! H-Hey now! L-Let’s calm down, shall we?”
Tomoko: “...Interesting..”
Misaki: ″Yeah yeah whatever you say. I anyway don’t have time to be angry at a fucking stupid idiot. I have worse to deal with.″
Nana: ″Worse to deal with? What seems to be the problem Misaki?″
Misaki: ″Isn’t it obvious Ms. Ultimate Pianist? This door won’t fucking open at all! It’s like-″
Tomoko: ″It’s locked, obviously.″
Misaki: ″Oh would you shut up amnesia girl!?″
Tomoko: ″...Whatever.″
Nana: ″Well, I mean..Tomoko could be right. There was also a nurse room which was locked, and some locked stairs as well.″
Tomoko: ″Oh? Really now?″
Hisashi: ″You guys didn’t investigate those places yet?″
Misaki: ″Oh sure, let me just investigate the things I come across upon...Of course not ya fucking dumbass! As soon as I woke up, I immediately went to try and get out! I wasn’t gonna stay here any longer, but then I saw that the fucking entrance was god damn locked!″
Hisashi: ″Yeah..Looks like whoever knocked us all out really wants us to stay here.″
Tomoko: ″...You can say that again, truly.″
Nana: ″Right..So then, I am guessing you guys are still investigating, and don’t have much to say..″
Misaki: ″Unless ya fucking ask me on how the fuck I got here, I got nothing else to say. And I doubt amnesia girl here can do better than me.″
Hisashi: ″Then, I suppose this ends our conversation ehre! Cmon Nana, we got more places to visit! We still have that left hallway after all!″
Nana: ″Ah, that’s right! Well then..Goodbye Misaki! Goodbye Tomoko!″
Misaki: ″Bye bye losers.″
Tomoko: ″Goodbye to you both...″
And so, Hisashi and Nana would wave goodbye, as they both left Tomoko and Misaki alone once again, Hisashi and Nana going back to where the entrance was, and then going through the left hallway this time, which looked exactly like the other 2, except this one only had fish swimming around..Guess each hallway will have a different kind of sea animal swimming around..
Suddenly, as the 2 were walking, they were welcomed by 3 other paths. Left, right and middle like the hallways.
Nana: ″Another 3 paths..? How big is this aquarium..?″
Hisashi: ″Well, who knows! But I believe we should first try and see what the left path has for us! After all, since we went through the left hallway last, let’s go for the left one first this time!″
Nana: ″...Your words confuse me sometimes Hisashi, but I think I get what you mean. So, let’s go!″
Hisashi: ″Ya got it girl!″
And just like that, Hisashi and Nana both took the left path, which eventually lead to only one door, which had a book sign above it, showing that it was a room which was about books...could it have been..a library? Well, there was only one way to find out! And so, Nana and Hisashi would slowly open the door, and make their way inside...and just as they thought...The room was indeed a library, filled with many different book genres, a section for each genre, and even combined genres as well! It truly was a big library!
Hisashi: ″Woah! This is one big ol librar-″
Nana: ″Shh! Hisashi, as much as there might be no librarian in here...You still gotta be quiet in a library!″Says Nana in a quiet voice, as she tried to warn Hisashi to be quieter
Hisashi: ″O-Oh! Right! Sorry m’lady Nana!″And now, Hisashi was speaking quieter as well
???: ″Talk as loud as you can you two, there is no need to follow the rules if there is nobody to tell you that you broke them.″
Hm? What was this? Who was that? A sudden voice could be heard coming from...the chemistry section! Hisashi and Nana both approached the said section, and there they would find a person with...cyan, I believe, hair, who seemed to be reading a book about..the period table?
Hisashi: ″Yoo, what’s up man! Were you the one who told us to not be so quiet?″
???: ″...″The person stood quiet as their eyes were stuck on the book
Hisashi: ″Uhm...Hello! Yo, dude! Didn’t ya hear me? Cmon buddy, talk a bit!″
Nana: ″..Hisashi, I think they are busy reading the bo-″
???: ″If you 2 could be a bit patient, I am trying to see if this book is any different from the one I have.″
Nana: ″O-Oh! Of course! Apologies!″
???: ″...No worries.″
And so, Nana and Hisashi kept quiet, while the cyan haired one kept looking through the book until...they finally closed it and placed it back in the bookshelf, afterwards looking back at the 2 and saying
???: ″Kaoru. Ultimate Chemist. You wanted an introduction, am I correct?″
Nana: ″H-Huh? O-Oh! Yeah! We actually did! Nice to meet you Kaoru! My name is Nana! Nana Okuda, and I am the Ultimate Pianist!″
Hisashi: ″And I am Hisashi Mayeda~! The Ultimate Drummer at your very own music service!″
Kaoru: ″..I see. By my understanding, I am guessing you 2 must be the last Ultimates to wake up, am I correct?″
Hisashi: ″Hm? How did ya know?″
Kaoru: ″Simple deduction. That, and I was actually smarter than the rest to check out how many dorms were. 16 in total. Before I met you 2 just now, I counted 14 with me. And now with you 2, it is exactly 16, just as many dorms there are.″
Nana: ″Wow...You actually checked to see how many dorms there are?″
Kaoru: ″In a situation where you are knocked out and don’t know where you are, it is best to try and see your surroundings, and inspect everything there is to inspect.″
Hisashi: ″Well, ya do have a point my m-″
Kaoru: ″And before you say anything else, do note, I may have the looks of a man, but I consider myself non-binary. So instead of man, how about something else?″
Hisashi: ″Oh-Got it then! I will think of something uhm..Kaoru!″
Nana: ″I got it as well! I will make sure to use the correct pronouns then!″
Kaoru: ″Good. Now, you can leave.″
Hisashi: ″Eh? Leave? But we still need to-″
Kaoru: ″Talking to me is useseless. You have met the other Ultimates, am I correct? Especially the sheriff and the police officer.″
Nana: ″Well, yeah, but-″
Kaoru: ″Then there you have it. If you have met them, then you have heard everything there is about everyone else. Plus, I believe you have another person you can try talking to.″
Hisashi: ″Hm? Really?″
Kaoru: ″Indeed. He is in the history section, looking through the history of Napoleon, I believe it was what he said.″
Nana: ″History section...Ah! There it is! Then...Goodbye for now, Kaoru!″
Hisashi: ″Well..I suppose goodbye Kaoru!″
Kaoru: ″Goodbye to you two as well.″
And so, Nana and Hisashi went to the history section to meet with the other person, while Kaoru went once again to check the other books of the chemistry section. Meanwhile, in the history section, the 2 were met with a brown haired person with one of those bags you have from shoulder to waist, looking through the history of Napoleon himself, just like Kaoru had said.
Hisashi: ″Yo! Napoleon dude! What’s up man!″
???: ″Interesting, so that is what Napoleon must ha-Hm? Ah, hello there you two! I am guessing Kaoru has sent you 2 to me, correct?″
Nana: ″Uhm..Yeah, but...how did you guess?″
???: ″The same thing they had done with everyone else who searched around the library and us 2 were already here. Or well, atleast with those who went to them first and then me.″
Hisashi: ″Jeez, they must really want to be alone while reading then!″
???: ″That might be so. But nevertheless, let’s leave that aside, shall we? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tsuyoshi Sama, the Ultimate Historian. It is a pleasure to meet 2 new Ultimates.″
Hisashi: ″Well, pleasure to meet ya Tsuyoshi! Name is Hisashi Mayeda, and this is Nana Okuda! I am the Ultimate Drummer while she is the Ultimate Pianist!″
Nana: ″Hello there!″
Tsuyoshi: ″First a DJ, and now a pianist and a drummer..So many music related Ultimates! I cannot wait to hear more about the 2 of you, and Cho as well, once we find out why exactly we are here!″
Nana: ″I would love to tell you about me! While there isn’t much to say...I still have some things that might be interesting! Hopefully...″
Tsuyoshi: ″Whatever that comes out of your mouth Miss Nana, it will be interesting nevertheless.″
Nana: ″Ah..Well, I appreciate that. Thanks Tsuyoshi.″
Tsuyoshi: ″It is no problem at all. But what about you, Mr. Hisashi?″
Hisashi: ″Hm? Me? Well, same here! Not much about me! Just a simple drummer living his life to the best!″
Nana: ″And a flirter as well from time to time.″
Hisashi: ″H-Hey now! There is no need to tell them that!″
Tsuyoshi would laugh a bit as he had heard that.
Tsuyoshi: ″Please, do not worry Mr. Hisashi. For I, do not judge the person based merely on whether they are a flirter or not, but I judge them based on how kind they are.″
Hisashi: ″On how kind they are? Then you should probably see how rude Mi-″
Tsuyoshi: ″I am guessing you are talking about Miss Misaki, and Mr. Teruo, am I correct?″
Hisashi: ″H-Huh? Yeah actually! How did ya know?″
Tsuyoshi: ″A simple guess, as I have already heard enough about the 2 from the others. And I have actually already talked to Mr. Teruo...He definetely seems the more of the serious type, just as expected from the Ultimate Doctor.″
Nana: ″I mean...you do have a point there.″
Hisashi: ″But still! He should chill out and take a chill pill sometimes! And perhaps Misaki as well!″
Tsuyoshi: ″That is easier said than done, Mr. Hisashi. But, enough about the two. How about instead we swap information?″
Nana: ″Information?″
Tsuyoshi: ″Indeed. Information about how we each got here, about what we think of this place..You know, general information needed when awake in an unknown place.″
Hisashi: ″Ah, that’s quite easy! You see-″
Nana: ″Me and Hisashi were on the bus together, and right as we were about to get off, a sleeping gas bomb was thrown inside, and the doors and windows all closed while the gas began spreading around. Soon enough, before we knew it, we woke up in here one after another! I woke up first and met up with Ken, while Hisashi woke up minutes later!″
Tsuyoshi: ″Ah, I see...So then you 2 must be friends, am I correct?″
Hisashi: ″Classmates actually! We both are in same class fromREDACTED academy!″
Tsuyoshi: ″Oh?REDACTED academy? My, I haven’t heard that name in years! It is truly a surprise to see 2 Ultimates coming from that academy!″
Nana: ″I am taking a guess you were once a student there, Tsuyoshi?″
Tsuyoshi: ″Why, indeed you are correct Miss Nana! I was once a student of that academy, and it was my pleasure to study there! I met a lot of different kinds of Ultimates, from Ultimate Lucky student, to even Ultimate Psychic! Each one had a very different trait of personality, and each one of them was nice to talk to! Even the teachers were truly nice! They-″
Hisashi: ″Uhm..Sorry to burst your bubble, but let’s not talk about the academy please...I don’t want to get bored while in here..″
Tsuyoshi: ″A-Ah..Apologies, Mr. Hisashi. I sometimes start rambling when I get excited about the topic I talk about. Just like with Napoleon! I could say many things about him right now, and I wouldn’t stop until.....Ah, it happened once again. Apologies.″
Nana: ″No worries! No need to apologize! Really!″
Tsuyoshi: ″Ah, but it is only good manners, you see, Miss Nana. But anyway...since you have given me information, I shall give information as well.″
Hisashi: ″Bring it on buddy!″
Tsuyoshi: ″Well, I am guessing you have already investigated the other 2 hallways, correct?″
Nana: ″Mhm!″
Tsuyoshi: ″Was this room the 1st one you visited from the left hallway?″
Nana: ″Yup!″
Tsuyoshi: ″Then, let me tell you this. The right path will lead you to another single room, that being the storage room, where a lot of things are stored, from hammers and nails to even guns or seesaws.″
Hisashi: ″A storage room? Well, that is something you don’t see so often in an aquarium..″
Tsuyoshi: ″Indeed. And then there is the middle path, which will lead you to a room with a stage at the end once you open the door. Not only that, but besides the stage, there are also 16 chairs exactly, just like how there are 16 of us..Clearly, not a coincidence.″
Hisashi: ″A stage and 16 chairs..? Jeez, next thing you gonna tell me is that there is also a whole room only about geography and the world!″
Tsuyoshi: ″That, unfortunately, is all actually.″
Nana: ″Eh? That’s it?″
Tsuyoshi: ″Indeed. I have already investigated those places myself, but I have found nothing. But you, perhaps might find something if you look careful enough.″
Hisashi: ″A storage room and a stage...Hmm..Well, if that’s all, then we will probably investigate those places now! Just to be done faster with all of the searching!″
Nana: ″Eh? Oh cmon Hisashi...What if Tsuyoshi still wants to talk to us?″
Tsuyoshi: ″No need to worry Miss Nana, for I do not mind if you 2 go investigate those places now. We have other times to talk as well, plus I believe this is the best thing to do right now, rather than trying to have many conversations.″
Hisashi: ″Yeah! Exactly! See, Tsuyoshi gets it! Cmon, let’s go!″
Nana: ″Well...If you say so! Bye Tsuyoshi!″
Tsuyoshi: ″Goodbye, you 2.″
And so, Tsuyoshi waved goodbye as Hisashi and Nana left the library, went back to where the 3 paths where, and then took the right path this time, to first check the storage room and see if anyone is there as well. Just like Tsuyoshi said, the 2 were met once again with just a single door, with a box sign above the door, and so, the 2 entered only to be met by a big storage room, just like Tsuyoshi had said.
But, what Tsuyoshi hadn’t told them, probably because he didn’t know, was that there seemed to be a girl scouting around through the boxes, opening them up and looking inside, then closing them and going to another box, until she suddenly noticed Hisashi and Nana, and stopped to a halt and said
???: ″Oh! Hello you two! Do you..need something?″
Hisashi: ″What’s up girl! We don’t need anything, we are just investigating!″
Nana: ″Mhm! Or well..I guess you could tell us if you had found anything in here. But, first and foremost, some introductions are needed! I am Nana Okuda, the Ultimate Pianist!″
Hisashi: ″And I am Hisashi Mayeda, the Ultimate Drummer!″
???: ″Ah, right! Well then, be lucky to meet me..For I am the one who will change the technology used today to the way it was used in the past! I am Naoko Noya! The Ultimate Steampunk at your service!″
Hisashi: ″Ultimate..Steampunk? What even is that?″
Nana: ″It’s actually a kind of inventor, Hisashi! Except that they focus on more the steam-powered machines, just like in old times!″
Naoko: ″Nana is right! I am one of those people who..don’t really use the modern technology, and are mostly basing things on the steam-powered ones!″
Hisashi: ″Eh? But why would you do that? Isn’t the modern technology bet-″
Naoko: ″Don’t even try to say such a thing! Modern technology is way worse than you think! Which is why I will try to change it back to steam-powered technology! Just like in the past!″
Hisashi: ″...Riiight...Well, ignoring the whole what is a steampunk part...How about you tell us what you have found around here, huh?″
Naoko: ″Right right, well...There isn’t much I can say in here. For example, this storage room got a lot of things like..Hammers, nails, guns, seesaws, wrenches..You know, usual storage room stuff! But besides that, nothing else!″
Nana: ″And you are sure you searched everywhere?″
Naoko: ″Every nook and crany! You can trust me! A steampunk never lies!″
Hisashi: ″Hm..I don’t know, I mean...what if there is something, but you haven’t found it yet?″
Naoko: ″Well..that is possible, but-″
Before Naoko could even finish her sentence, suddenly the monitor inside the storage room would turn on, and a voice would play out as it echoed through the whole storage room for the 3 people inside to hear.
???: ″Ahem..1 2, 1 2, Mic check, mic check..Everyone can hear me, correct? Good.″
″Ahem...Welcome participants! First of all, I would like to thank you all for not trying to destroy anything while you were investigating! While sure some of you tried to use force to open locked doors, the doors were not broken, so that is truly a relief, for which I must thank you for!″
″Second of all, I believe you have waited long enough to hear why exactly are you all here for, and when you will be able to get out so...″
″I invite you all, to come and join me in the announcement which will be made at the stage! To reach there, you must go to where the locked entrance is, then take the left hallway! After a while, you will reach 3 paths, and you must take the middle path and enter the only room you will see there! I shall await for all of you to get there, and be sitted. Goodbye, participants.″
And so, the monitor turned off, as a sudden weird feeling rushed through Naoko’s, Hisashi’s and Nana’s bodies, as they were a bit..scared.
Hisashi: ″W-What the...What was that?″
Nana: ″It came from the monitor...and it told us..to go to the stage..″
Naoko: ″Hm...I don’t know...it could be a trap...″
Hisashi: ″But..what if it isn’t? Y-Yeah! Perhaps it isn’t a trap, and we are truly finding out how to get out of here and why we are here! Or perhaps this is a whole misunderstanding that we will be told once we all are there!″
Nana: ″Hisashi...″
Hisashi: ″C-Cmon now Nana! Don’t look at me like that! Look, if you want to, I can go there first and see if it’s a trap or not! Sounds good?″
Nana: ″N-No! It doesn’t sound good at all! Instead, we should just all go tog-″
Hisashi: ″Too late! See ya there!″
Nana: ″H-HISASHI!″
And so, before Nana could even grab Hisashi’s arm...Hisashi had already left towards the stage, and once there..He was already met up with a few people...Tsuyoshi, Kaoru...and someone else, who seemed to be wearing all black.
Hisashi:Hm? Who is that? I don’t think I introduced myself to him yet..Perhaps I should before I sit!
And so, Hisashi approached the sketchy guy wearing all black, and immediately said
Hisashi: ″Hello there! My name is Hisashi Mayeda, and I am the Ultimate Drummer yo! Who am I meeting today, huh?″
???: ″...Hm? Oh! Why hello there~! Do you perhaps want an item from me?″
Hisashi: ″Eh? An Item? No, not rea-″
???: ″Cause I do have a lot of items with me right now. Like a drumming stick which will make your music be adored by alll the ladies!″
Hisashi: ″E-Eh?! By all the ladies!? You actually have that kind of drumming stick!?″
???: ″Of course! And since you are an Ultimate..I am giving you a 100% discount~! Just close your eyes, and open your hand, alright?″
Hisashi: ″Got it! Thanks dude!″
And so, Hisashi did as told, closing his eyes and opening his hand so that he could be given the magical drumming stick that will bring all the ladies to him.
???: ″Good good! Now I am going to place the stick in your hand, but you must not open your eyes till I say so!″
Hisashi: ″Got it!″
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Hisashi: ″....Uhm, dude! Ya done now? I still don’t feel anything in my hand and well-H-Huh!? Where did he go!?″
Hisashi opened his eyes, only to see..nobody in front of him! Looks like the stranger was gone..somehow...
Tsuyoshi: ″Ah, it looks like you have finally met him, Mr. Hisashi.″
Tsuyoshi would approach Hisashi, placing a hand on his shoulder
Hisashi: ″Eh? Oh! What’s up Tsuyoshi! Do you perhaps know where the guy in all black had gone to?″
Tsuyoshi: ″In the shadows, of course. And, you can call him Yuuda actually.″
Hisashi: ″Yuuda?″
Tsuyoshi: ″Yuuda Kasai, the Ultimate Scammer. He is known for being one of the best scammers out there, scamming people into buying his things, only for them to find out that the items given were either fake, or a rip off..and when they come back for a refund...Yuuda would be gone by then.″
Hisashi: ″The Ultimate Scammer!? So then...What he just did was..″
Tsuyoshi: ″A scam. Indeed. Except, he didn’t ask for money...Probably because he knew nobody in here had any money with them, so obviously there would be no way for him to get any money at the moment.″
Hisashi: ″Dang man..And I really wanted something to catch all the ladies attention! And all with just the power of the drumming stick he could have given m-″
Nana: ″HISASHI MAYEDA!″
Before Hisashi could even finish his sentence, bursting through the door would be Naoko and Nana, Nana immediately running off to Hisashi
Hisashi: ″O-Oh! N-Nana! H-Heya t-″
Nana: ″Don’t you dare ‘hey’ me, mister! Next time, don’t be so ignorant of my words, and instead try to think of a plan instead of just going directly where a sketchy announcement tells you to do! For all you know, it could have been a trap to kill you!″
Hisashi: ″O-Oh cmon now N-Nana...I doubt someone would go that far-″
Nana: ″You always say that, but you know it is possible! For all you know, the kidnapper could have called everyone in here to just kill them in an instant! So next time, don’t go running off to places without atleast telling me so we can discuss it!″
Hisashi: ″A-Alright alright...Now how about we just calm down a little bit? Look, the others are already coming!″
Indeed. While Nana was lecturing Hisashi, one by one, the other Ultimates would come in and already sit on one of the 16 chairs, waiting for everyone else to sit at. Tsuyoshi would do the same, not saying anything to Nana and Hisashi anymore.
Nana: ″...Ugh. Fine. But we will talk about this once this announcement is over!″
Hisashi: ″You got it!″
And so, Nana and Hisashi both walked to the 2 remaining chairs, and sat down. Now everyone was just waiting, as the curtains were closed on the stage at the moment. Minutes passed by, and still nothing. Even more minutes passed by...still nothing. No announcement whatsoever...Until...
Misaki: ″Ugh...Where the fuck is that bastard!? He says to come here, and now he is the one ditching everyone!? What a fucking bastard he-″
???: ″Now now, Miss Sako. We do not use such language towards me..after all, I merely was late so that I can prepare everything for this arrival.″
Suddenly, the curtains would open only to reveal...A masked person, dressed in black and white standing on the stage as he was looking at every person inside the room. He pointed his hand to each chair, and looked like..he was...counting? Probably to make sure that all 16 were here. Once done, he said
???: ″Ahem...There. 16 in total..just as expected. Now we can truly begin the ceremony.″
Cho: “Ceremony?”
Hiroshi: “What ceremony? This isn’t some kind of academy, ya know?”
???:“When did I say it was an opening ceremony for a new school life? It is a simple ceremony for a new start of your lives.”
Naoko: “A new..huh?”
Minako: “I am confused...”
???: “Do not worry. For everything will be explained soon. Let me simply begin with this...”
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“...You, will be staying in this place, for the rest of your lives.”
Silence. As soon as the mysterious mask person had said those words, a sudden chill through everyones bodies passed, everyone looking angry, confused, scared, nervous..Every emotion you could think of. And before you knew it, the silence was just interrupted
Alex: “H-Hold on a second! For the rest of our lives?! That is impossible! We can’t just stay here forever!”
Saburo: “Yeah! We have families to visit outside! Places to go to and so much more!”
???: “Now now, I do understand your anger, but-”
Misaki: “Oh please, just shut up already. We won’t stay here for the rest of our lives. We will just break down the door once this announcement is over.”
???: “Are you sure about that? I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Aya: “And why not, if I may ask?”
???: “Cause then, you would be breaking one of the rules.”
Ken: “Rules?”
???: “Indeed. If you could let me finish explaining everything, you would understand.”
Everyone stood quiet.
???: “...Good. Now, let me first introduce myself. I am known as Mystery. This is how you will call me throughout your days in this aquarium. As for what is going on..”
“...You have all been chosen. Chosen to participate in a certain game.”
Hisashi: “Yoo, a game? That sounds pretty cool!”
Ken: “Yeah! What game we playing? Monopoly? Escape room? Oh oh! Perhaps jenga!”
Mystery: “It is none of what you have said, Mr. Teshima. The game you will all be playing is...”
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“...A killing game.”
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Saburo: “...Huh?”
Hiroshi: “...What?”
Naoko: “A-A killing game!?”
Teruo: “Are you crazy!?”
Nana: “N-No way!”
Mystery: “Everyone, please calm down.”
Misaki: “You god damn tell us to calm down after hearing that we will be playing a killing game!? Easier said than done bastard! What the fuck is with you!”
Mystery: “But you haven’t heard everything else.”
Minako: “What else is there to say, huh!?”
Mystery: “The fact that you could also not play the game, and live in this aquarium for the rest of pur lives.”
Kaoru: “Tch..Both sound bad.”
Mystery: “Though, before you all panick, I would like to explain certain things.”
“The place you currently are in, is Mysterious Lake Aquarium. Whether it is a fake, or the real one, that is not for me to say.”
“Next up, you have a choice. You can either play the killing game, or live the rest of your lives in this aquarium, till the day you die of old age.”
“Third of all, the killing game is played exactly like this: If you want to get out, all you have to do is kill someone else from the other 15 participants. Stabbing, bludgenoning, blunt force trauma, burning, drowning, in any way you can think of, that is a way you can kill. As long as you manage to kill, you will have the power to get out, while everyone else will remain in the aquarium.”
“Understood?”
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Silence once again. Everyone was too stunned to speak. They didn’t even know where to begin with. A killing game...Where you could die, kill, or anything else...How could they even react to such a thing!?
Tsuyoshi: “What is the catch, if I may ask?”
Mystery: “Catch?”
Tomoko: “You think it isn’t obvious that there is a catch? Kill someone and you get out? It’s pretty easy if you think about it.”
Hiroshi: “As much as I hate to say it, she has a point. For all we know, Alex for example, could kill someone right here and now, and he would get out without doing anything else. So what’s the catch?”
Mystery: “...It looks like I may have understimated some of you. Yes, there is actually a catch. But you see...This catch, I will only be telling you AFTER a murder occurs.”
Minako: “Why after a murder?! Shouldn’t we know from now what the catch is!?”
Mystery: “I believe it is obvious that I want this game to be fun to play. I can’t just reveal everything from the start though, can I?”
“Now, before I go, I want to tell you all that after this announcement, you are free to go back to your dorms or explore the aquarium to your liking.”
“If you go back to your dorms, there will be a E-Handbook waiting for you on your bed. On that E-Handbook you will be able to find an open section by the name of..‘Rules’.”
“Since this is a game, it obviously needs rules. Which is why you all have the obligation to read them whenever you can, and follow them strictly. Breaking them will result in a punishment being given to you. So please, beware of what you do these days. Who knows if you end up breaking a rule or not..”
“That’s all though. I shall leave you all now to comprehend the given information. Goodbye.”
Mystery would snap, and the curtains closed. After a bit, they re-opened only for Mystery to be gone, while everyone was left in shock.
A killing game? Kill one of your friends to get out? What kind of sick game is this?! Why would anyone play it?! Everyone looked at each other, clear distrust in their eyes, as they knew.
They knew that even if they tried to argue that there is no way this was real...It was real. And not only that but now, only one question was going through their mind..
Who. Can. They. Trust. 16 Ultimates, ones who are older, and ones who are still at school...Who can they eventually trust? Who will be the one to break? Who will be the one to kill? Who will be the one to die? And of course..who will survive?
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???: “...Got any information?”
???: “No sir. We are still trying to find out the location.”
???: “Keep trying. We can’t let this one end like the other ones.”
???: “But what if it do-”
???: “Do not try and finish that sentence. It will not end like that. Not this time.”
???: “But how do you know that..?”
???: “....”
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