SDRA2 Redux: Trouble on Jabberwock Island

Chapter 5 Part 1

Monocrow Theater

Whenever I spot a boy, I have a tendency to stare.

I can't help it-I just gaze with intensity.

The other day, I rode my bike to the train station...

I was in the bathroom, just looking at myself in the mirror...

POV - Nikei

There were fourteen... no, fifteen of us...

Yuri died first from the neck of a noose...

Hajime was then executed. We all watched his body get shredded...

Emma was the second victim, her throat cut in the Funhouse...

Yoruko was then sentenced to death. She was mercilessly tormented by video games before she was crushed...

Shinji and Kanade got murdered because of a sister...

Setsuka was then executed in a most barbaric fashion...

Poor Hibiki was accidentally poisoned...

And then Mikado's sister Sora was executed on a stage... and that's why the six of us are still standing here at present.

Chapter 5: Smile at Hope in the Name of Despair

- Daily Life

I didn't wake up feeling depressed, nor did I feel much like mourning. I didn't actually feel much at all.

It was the morning after yet another trial. Yet another one of my friends had been murdered, and yet another one of us had been gruesomely executed for it. If I concentrated, I could actually feel the toll it was all taking on my psyche. I could feel the scars it was all leaving on my brain.

Hajime... Emma... Setsuka...

All of them were dead, as were the ones who had murdered them. Yet during our time on this nightmarish island, even they had become my friends... so the betrayal hurt even worse when they were driven to kill, only to be found out and killed themselves...

Numb.

My body felt entirely numb. I shivered underneath my blankets before throwing them off. They were damp with sweat and tears; though I knew why, I mentally felt nothing for it, even as my body retched and spasmed from a subconscious psychosomatic response. It knew I was supposed to be grieving. It knew I was supposed to be mourning.

Damn you, Monocrow... you won't even allow me the right to grieve my friends...!

Frustrated, I got out of bed and headed for the cafeteria. Maybe some food would settle me down.

Iroha was the last to arrive at breakfast.

"Gooooood morning everyone!" she beamed as she collected herself a massive breakfast of fruits and pastries.

"Uh... what's with Iroha?" I asked quietly, all too wary of her extremely sudden mood change.

Teruya shrugged. "All she would say is that she had some sort of... epiphany. She wouldn't elaborate." I pursed my lips and looked on with concern as we turned to see Iroha balancing and spinning plates on her head.

I don't know if I like this... but at least she's feeling better than yesterday, I suppose...

Our breakfast finished, we set off together for the final island.

It was a city.

I decided to explore.

There were not many noteworthy sights there, so it was a rather boring island.

However, there was a Starbucks there.

I went instead and ordered a Pink Coconut drink.

Sitting there, drinking the cold beverage, I was greeted by Iroha, who was drinking some coffee.

"Would you like to talk!" She said.

"Yes..." I said.

"Okay..." Iroha said. "When I was 10, I first discovered nature. I was kept inside all day, and I couldn't go outside for the first 9 years of my life."

"Can you talk about nature?" I asked.

Iroha's eyes sparkled.

"You want to talk about nature? You've come to the right girl! It's my father's job to make sure everyone knows everything about the greatness of our world! This is important stuff, so make sure you listen up!"

She then cleared her throat.

"The rose is considered the most beautiful flower in the world, which is why it's called the "queen of the garden." It's one of the most popular flowers worldwide, and it comes in different sizes and colors. Also, they're very common throughout the world. It's my favourite flower."

"Can you talk about something other than flowers?" I asked as Iroha began to gush about flowers.

"Sure!" Iroha said. "You just have to be optimistic!"

"But you are optimistic!" I said. "Too optimistic, in fact. There's something wrong with that!"

"There's nothing wrong with a bit of optimism from time to time! Let's just try it, okay?" Iroha insisted.

"Stop getting into my face, okay?!" I shouted.

"Anyways, about this killing game." Iroha said. "On our honor as Ultimates, we will not be confined on this island any longer!"

You could be a good leader, Iroha...

At the dinner meeting, we discussed where we would be staying.

Apparently, it would be in this hotel.

How nice.

This time, the hotel had rooms.

We put our dishes away, then briefly returned to our rooms for towels before heading for the hotel's Indoor Pool. Mikado and Iroha splashed and swam around, while Syobai, Teruya, Kokoro and I elected for light conversation while relaxing in the pool. The other two would join us on occasion, then leave for a time to play before joining us again.

Before we knew it, it was almost Nighttime. Feeling exhausted after the day's events, Kokoro, Mikado and I quickly showered off the chlorinated water and took our leave. The Indoor Pool had no time restrictions, so Teruya, Iroha, and Syobai decided to stay a while longer, enjoying each other's company. My entire body felt warm and fuzzy as I returned to my room... maybe tonight, I would finally have a good night's rest.