What would it be like in a world where the killing game went differently?
What would it be like if different people lived and different people died?
What would it be like...if this story...had an entirely different hero.
A rewrite of the game Super...
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"Ahem! Hope's Peak Academy Executive Committee has an announcement to make. Good morning, everyone! Today looks like it's gonna be another perfect tropical day! Let's show some enthusiasm and make sure we all do our best today!"
The shrill, robotic voice of Monokuma blared from the speakers, pulling Mahiru out of a half-conscious haze. She groaned, rolling over and pulling the blanket over her head.
She was not in the mood to get up. Staying up late to watch the fireworks had left her sluggish—not to mention the strange emotional turmoil Ibuki had stirred up in her last night—and the warmth of her bed was far more inviting than whatever nonsense the morning would bring.
She almost let herself drift back to sleep...until a sudden, rhythmic BANG BANG BANG rattled her door! Her eyes shot open, her heart hammering at the abrupt noise.
"What the hell...!?"
Before she could even process what was happening, a loud, familiar voice rang through the air:
"Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise, playin' in the street, gonna be a big MAN someday! You got mud on your face! You big disgrace! Kickin' your can all over the place, singin'—WEEEE WIIIILL, WEEEE WIIIILL ROCK YOU!"
The pounding on the door continued, perfectly in sync with the beat. Mahiru groaned, dragging herself up and stumbling toward the door. Without thinking, she swung it open—
WHAM!
Pain exploded across her nose.
"Gh-!? OW!"
She staggered back, clutching her face, eyes watering. Standing before her, mid-knock, was Ibuki, fist still frozen in the air. She had been in the middle of her "drumming," and as Mahiru had thrown the door open, the musician had accidentally pounded her nose.
"Oh!" Ibuki chirped, blinking in surprise. "Sorry!"
Mahiru pulled her hand away, checking for blood. Thankfully, there was none, but that didn't make it hurt any less. With a scowl, she looked up at Ibuki, who was grinning ear to ear like nothing had happened.
"WHAT!?" Mahiru snapped, her voice thick with irritation.
"Heh! Heh! Heh! Four hehs!" Ibuki had the nerve to grin, as if she hadn't just woken half the island in the rudest way possible.
"...That was three..." Mahiru scowled.
"What are you, my math teacher!?" Ibuki shot back. "If you have time for pedantry, why don't you use it to come to the restaurant!? You'll hear the rest over there! And with that...Ibuki bids you adieu!"
With a dramatic flourish, she turned on her heel and sprinted away, kicking up dust as she scuttled off like a cartoon character.
Mahiru exhaled sharply and leaned her head against the doorframe, exasperated. As she did, she noticed Hajime and Nekomaru approaching, both still in their pajamas and looking just as groggy as she felt.
