Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#20)

“......”

I’m not sure how long he stands there with the rest of us closing in. His gaze flits from person to person, like he’s searching for his master’s approval—or just afraid we’re gonna mob him. As if that’s ever been an option.

“Um, well, if it’s that belated, I might have to check to see if it’s really necessary.”

“The rules don’t have a timeframe, you know...! M-maybe I can open the investigation in a couple of months?”

“MONTHS?! How many MORE of us will be DEAD by then?!”

“Um, none, ‘cuz we’re totally not staying that long.”

She takes one big stomp towards Monochap.

“Just call the stupid body discovery already!”

“U-uwah! But...”

We’ve got him right here. Right at the edge. And with his master right in front of everyone else, there’s not much they can instruct him to do. If this comes down to his interpretation of the rules, he can judge it just about any way he wants. Even if that means pushing the mastermind investigation far past the point any of us would still be standing.

But if it’s up to his own judgment, I know exactly how to handle this. He’s our chaperone—his whole purpose is to make sure we’re playing the game that we’re supposed to be playing.

But, intentional or not, there’s more to him than that single purpose. And that’s what I can easily target.

I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this... But if it can tip the scales, I’ll do whatever I have to.

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#19)

I don’t know where I expect to find him or if I should even move around to find him, but here I go, anyway.

“Monochap!!”

I turn the corner to the main hall before I find him.

“O-oh, Kakumi!”

“Were you calling for me...?”

I keep charging towards him.

“U-uwah?!”

“I need answers, and you're going to give them. Your ability to carry out your precious game hinges on it. Got it?”

“......”

“I don’t understand...”

“You will.”

THANKS they were casualties of Discord deciding it wouldn't host images anymore and I totally forgot I had them saved there. Hopefully should work now!

-Roadie

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#18)

Lunch is my first remotely decent excuse to leave Mahavir’s side. As much as I’d like to support my friend, watching him stew in his guilt sure isn’t helping me. Which means I’m not helping him much, either.

I confirm he’s staying in the Nurse’s Office, then trek back to the cafeteria. No Tsunyasha, at least.

“Oh, GREAT! JUST when I thought I might get some PEACE AND QUIET!”

“Right, I’m the threat to that here.”

I flee to the kitchen before he can manage a coherent response. No idea what I want to eat, though, and Mahavir certainly didn’t have suggestions. Time to stand blankly in front of an open refrigerator and hope it hikes up the young master’s electric bills.

Unfortunately, it’s also cold, so I grab some cheese and deli meat and shut the door before too long. After a few moments’ contemplation, I decide I’m not in the mood for any more meal-making decisions, so I’ll just make rollups of these. Bread’s overrated, anyway.

“...And so are condiments, I guess.”

Whatever. I’m sticking with it.

...And standing in the kitchen to eat so I don’t have to hear whatever Ichiriki’s raving about now. Is he just bored? Does he need some new colors of chalk for a little enrichment?

Well. I make fun of him, but I sure wouldn’t mind access to the art room again. No chance of that unless someone else uses it for a murder, though.

“...”

I finish my food and make Mahavir a plate. Can’t imagine him having any remnant of an appetite right now, but might as well try.

Unfortunately, the cafeteria’s still the only exit from here. 

Maybe I should run.

Or actually check on Ichiriki, I guess. Gotta admit, “Is Ichiriki doing okay” is not a thought that’s crossed my mind much. He’s just... He just is. I don’t know. He’s free to leave with the rest of us if he is one of us, but until then... Not my problem. Got enough of those already.

So, a fine brisk pace it is.

But when I step out, Ichiriki is no longer alone.

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#17)

“.......”

“...”

“........”

It is... definitely too late to hide anyone from anyone here. This is happening. Now. Apparently.

I gingerly grip Mahavir’s shoulder. Feels like I’m taking sides I shouldn’t, but it’s not like Tsunyasha would let me do this. And she’s at less risk of falling over or fainting.

...Probably.

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#16)

I check up on Mahavir first thing, then breakfast. There’s time to eat something warm before I worry about what to take back to him. Or should I be worrying about what everyone’s eating? Considering the distribution of cooking skills at this point.

Which I will never get used to.

Either way, I don’t go for anything more exciting than instant miso and a banana. By the time I'm out of the kitchen, Aidan’s started his own soup at his table.

Or, at least he’s staring at a spoonful of it.

“.......”

“You, uh. Need me to throw that back in the microwave, or.”

“...”

He stares a moment longer before blinking and actually meeting my eye.

“Oh, no, it should be fine as is. I just need to muster up the appetite for it, haha.”

He resumes staring. Don’t see any mustering happening here.

“Maybe the Nurse’s Office has something to help with appetite? I’ll go check.”

He quickly drops the spoon in favor of an enthusiastic “cut it out” gesture.

“No, no, no! There’s no need to fuss over my precise pace of eating.”

"I need to grab something for Mahavir, anyway, so it’s not much fuss. One sec.”

I set my stuff down and take off before Aidan can stop me.

“Fuss, huh?” I’m thinking there’s not enough fuss over that guy. Too injured to use more than one limb and still trying to lead the whole march himself?

Though he may be the most put-together mentally. Doesn’t completely override the physical context, though.

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#15)

I manage not to kill Mahavir within the next few hours, and by curfew he’s in decent enough shape to rest in his own room. Thankfully mine isn’t much farther. I clean up for the night and lie down.

“...........”

Thoughts still swirl. Am I doing what I need to be doing, or what somebody else needs to be doing, or do I need to be doing anything more than resting, or does anyone, or...

No attempt at an answer sticks for long. For once I’m tired enough to slip into sleep without any proper agonizing.

...

I'm not looking to produce a full playable fangame for this project or anything of that sort, so no. If you feel like trying to voice something for fun, you're always free to send it in, though!

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#14)

After my exciting egg experiment featuring a number of completely random spices, there’s not much left to do but wander.

Not towards the filing cabinet. Won’t do me any good now. 

My boots are quiet on the carpet. I don’t pay attention to much else.

At least Apex Academy is well-equipped. Even barred from whatever’s outdoors, there’s plenty for me to do. In theory. In practice, it’s just hard getting invested in any options. Because we’ve been coming to these same places for a while now? Or does it just feel pointless? Reading all the books in the library won’t end this game. Taking up chalk art won’t get the sick and injured somewhere safe for treatment.

It’s all just... existing.

But existing is all I’m obligated to do. 

Wish it wasn’t all I can do.

No, there’s... something. There has to be. I just haven’t come up with it yet.

Wandering across the second floor, I hear voices. A girl and a guy, but I can’t guess at more details from here. No reason not to take a look.

Opening the door into the west wing is slightly more difficult without looking up at the handle, but not by much. The voices are more audible, but I’m not paying great attention. Easy to tell the girl isn’t Tsunyasha, though.

Kanagi’s study hall door is ajar—not that it isn’t usually. Not a lot of voices coming out of it lately, though. Considering how few of us are in shape for sports and how busy Kanagi’s been playing nursemaid, that’s not surprising.

But she’s sure here now.

The swish-crunch of sand doesn’t do much to cover up her voice.

“...not like it was ever gonna be, like, fair, tho.”

The reply is a low enough rumble I still can’t make out the words. I draw closer, still staring at my boots as they move. A few smacks come from the study hall, but it’s not too hard to guess what that must be. Glad she found some time to practice. Since she’s been taking care of Mahavir...

Wait, wasn’t that Mahavir’s voice?

He's been getting out more recently, but diving straight into sports seems excessive. Could just be watching Kanagi do drills, though.

Something scoops through sand with a swish, then crashes.

“...”

There’s a moment’s total silence before Mahavir cries out in pain.

“!”

My gaze snaps up, and i stop dragging my feet. My pulse twitches in my throat as I dart into the study hall.

I have to look down again.

ArtFight posting continues with an Aidan by renasdoodles!

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#13)

When I leave my room in the morning, chunks of pulled chicken and a few stray broccolis lie forlornly on the movie night table. Next to the open ranch dip.

”Did none of us put this away last night.”

Natural consequence of all the responsible people passing out, I guess. Still, yikes.

“Maybe I can take care of this before Aidan gets out here.” Don’t need a spiel on how many germs can grow in a room-temperature cup of ranch dressing.

I dispose of the offending leftovers without issue. Maybe I could save some of the less dangerous dishes? Hard to be overly concerned about waste here.

“The young master’s clearly got plenty of money to waste.”

Which can probably be assumed of someone called “young master.”

By a robot maid.

But it’s not like the student files had writeups on everyone’s exact socioeconomic statuses. I won’t be taking Ichiriki off the suspect list, but I can’t cross anyone off on those grounds, either. 

And I can’t go back and double-check the files.

What am I supposed to do? Just keep cooking and cooperating and hoping we aren’t forced to kill again? No telling when the next motive’s going to hit. I don’t want to just stand around waiting for it.

But what else can I do?

What do I have the strength to do, at this point?

Before I can spiral or un-spiral or anything else, a door clicks open. It takes me a second to catch back up with reality.

More ArtFights! from https://instagram.com/GreyToeBeans/

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#12)

I make my rounds from task to task all evening, and Aidan has to remind me to sit down for a minute at some point. Even so, I’m pretty exhausted by the time 9:00 hits. At least the bedsheet “screen” seems to be holding up despite Ichiriki’s best efforts to not perform his task.

Despite our event being a movie, there’s no popcorn this time—trying not to think too hard about who made the last batches—just some fruit, veggies, and a nacho bar that no one with an appreciation of symmetry could stand if all the lights were still on. 

There were only so many matching containers in the kitchen, okay?

There’s also a big jug of hand sanitizer, in case anyone doesn’t want to take five more steps to go wash their hands in their dorm bathroom. Or someone else’s. Most of us are set up with chairs at our own doorways, but Kanagi’s apparently crashed Ichiriki’s to be a little closer to the screen. Tsunyasha’s room is even farther, but I think she’s more interested in watching the rest of us than the movie, anyway. Not sure what she’s got against the silver screen, but as long as she’s not stirring up trouble, I can’t complain.

Aidan and I ended up with front-row tickets, so he doesn’t have much issue getting people’s attention as he prepares to start the movie.

“It is now 9:00 PM, and our feature film will be beginning shortly!”

“First, I do want to thank everyone for coming, and for your cooperation in getting everything set up!”

“Should you need to take a break or start to nod off—well, your rooms are right there, nehe.”

“But, as far as what you can stand, I’m confident we can all enjoy this event if we only allow ourselves to.” 

“So, grab some food while we’ve still got it, and we’ll get this thing off the ground, shall we?”

An ArtFight Apex Academy Aki by kanomwanie!

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#11)

I’m doing my best to unwind when there’s a knock at the door.

“Dinnertime already?”

Or I guess someone could just want to talk to me. For some reason.

I roll off the top of my bed semi-gracefully and step to the door.

“...”

I don’t wait for more introduction before tugging it open.

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#11a)

I wind my way back to the file cabinet without any interlopers.

“All right...”

Got a while before I need to worry about the movie night. I’ll try and keep track of time, though. Might be a little awkward to explain what I was doing if I show up late. 

I take the key out of my pocket and unlock the cabinet with about as much fanfare as any other time.

“I was at... Kokoro?”

That was drawer three, right?

If I’m actually reading it this time. Really shouldn’t skip what little info I do have here just because it hurts to think about. Just gonna have to grin and bear it.

I sigh and yank the appropriate drawer open.

Chapter 6: The Decay of Our Lives (#11b)

The stench of burnt everything covers the auditorium hallway. How long has it been since I’ve come back this way?

Awful lot of rooms here with too many memories.

But right now, it’s just me and the projector.

“That is pretty high up.”

I can see why you’d assign Tsunyasha to this, with her skills in... I’d call it acrobatics, but she seemed pretty put off when I said that to her before. 

Guess it’s just supposed to be some... assassin skill.

I peer up at the ceiling, then down to the chairs below. The projector hangs over the empty center aisle, so that’s one stumbling block we don’t have to worry about. Still, I’m surprised Aidan would request something so risky.

But if that’s what it takes for all of us to be able to do something together... Can’t say it’s not worth a little trouble.

“Oh? And what have we here?”