Chapter Text
The last thing Gura remembered was a blinding flash, a weird tugging sensation, and a pit of dread sinking into her stomach. Then—bam—she was waking up, sprawled on a cold, metallic floor. Her head pounded like she’d been hit with a trident, and her vision blurred as she blinked against the harsh light.
Where… am I? She pushed herself up, wincing, and took in her surroundings. This wasn’t Atlantis. This wasn’t anywhere she recognized.
The room was massive, like a stadium twisted into something alien. A glowing digital sky flickered overhead—sunrise one second, static the next. Metal walls hummed faintly, etched with strange, pulsing holographic symbols she couldn’t make sense of. And all around her, people were scattered across the floor—some groaning, some still out cold.
Gura’s chest tightened as she counted them. Fourteen… including me. Her tail flicked nervously. Who are these people? What’s going on?
A shaky whimper snapped her out of it. A girl with bright orange hair sat up nearby, rubbing her temples. “What’s happening?” she mumbled, her voice trembling. “Where are we?”
“I… uh, I don’t know,” Gura admitted, scooting closer. She wanted to sound reassuring, but her own confusion leaked through. “You okay, though?”
The girl blinked up at her, tears already pooling in her eyes. “I-I think so… but this isn’t right. This isn’t—”
A sharp laugh cut through the air, making Gura jump. “Isn’t it obvious?”
She turned to see a girl with brown hair standing a few feet away, her head tilted at an odd angle. Her smile stretched too wide, her glassy eyes glinting in a way that sent a shiver down Gura’s spine. “We’re somewhere we’re not supposed to be,” the girl said, her voice lilting. “Doesn’t that make your heart race?”
“Uh… not in a good way,” Gura muttered, edging back slightly.
“Hey, cut it out,” a sharp voice snapped. A tall girl with long blue hair leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her gaze icy as she stared down the creepy one. “We don’t need that right now.”
Before Gura could say anything, a loud chime echoed through the room, nearly knocking her off balance. A glitchy hologram flickered to life in the center—a tiny, winged pixie-like thing with a grin that didn’t match its flickering red eyes.
“Good morning, idols!” it chirped, its voice way too cheerful for the vibe. “Welcome to the Digital Coliseum! I’m your host, MonoPixy, and I’ll be guiding you through this delightful little game.”
“Game?” Gura echoed, her stomach sinking. What kind of game lands you on a metal floor with a bunch of strangers?
The orange-haired girl clutched her knees, her voice cracking. “What do you mean, game? Where are we?!”
MonoPixy giggled, its form distorting briefly before snapping back. “Oh, it’s simple! You’re all trapped here until one of you commits the perfect murder. Once a body’s found, we’ll hold a Class Trial to catch the culprit. If you succeed, they get a fun punishment! If you don’t… well, the rest of you take the fall instead.”
Gura’s jaw dropped. Murder? Punishment? Her brain scrambled to process it. “Wait, hold up—this is a prank, right? Some messed-up reality show?” She forced a laugh, but it came out shaky.
“No way!” A girl with horns yelped, scrambling to her feet. “You can’t expect us to—to kill each other!”
“Yeah, what kind of twisted joke is this?” Another voice piped up—a girl with rat-like ears, her fists clenched.
MonoPixy’s grin widened. “No joke! The rules are absolute. Murder’s your only ticket out. Better start making friends… or enemies!” With a glitchy laugh, it fizzled out, leaving a heavy silence behind.
Gura stared at the spot where the hologram had been, her heart racing. This can’t be real. It can’t. She glanced around, hoping someone would say something—anything—to break the tension. Most of the others looked as stunned as she felt, their faces pale or frozen in disbelief.
The orange-haired girl sniffled, hugging herself. “This is a nightmare… we’ll wake up soon, right?”
“No,” the blue-haired girl said flatly, her tone cutting through the air. “This is real.”
“Real?!” Gura squeaked, her tail flicking faster. “But—how? Why? Who’d even—”
“Okay, okay, let’s not freak out,” she interrupted herself, taking a deep breath. She stood up, brushing off her skirt, and forced her voice to steady. “We’re all confused, right? Maybe… maybe we should figure out who we are first. Like, names and stuff. Since we’re stuck here.”
The others blinked at her, some nodding slowly, others still dazed. A tiny girl with sparkly, crystal-like hair stepped forward, puffing out her chest. “Fine, I’ll start! I’m Koseki Bijou. Or, uh… maybe Jewel Queen Supreme? Nah, kidding—just Bijou!” She grinned, though it wobbled a bit.
Gura managed a small smile. “Cool. I’m Gawr Gura. Uh… just Gura’s fine. Nice to meet you, I guess?”
The introductions stumbled along from there, each voice carrying a mix of nerves and uncertainty.
A soft-spoken girl with green hair went next, her hands clasped tightly. “I’m Ceres Fauna. It’s… um, good to meet you all, I suppose.”
“Hiya!” The girl with rat ears waved, her energy a little forced. “Hakos Baelz—call me Bae. I’d say this is fun, but… yeah, not so much.”
Two girls who looked almost identical clung to each other, speaking in tandem. “I’m Fuwawa Abyssgard—” “And I’m Mococo Abyssgard! We’re a package deal, okay?”
A tall girl with a regal vibe hesitated, then spoke quietly. “Nerissa Ravencroft. Nice to… be here? Not really, but you know.”
The orange-haired girl wiped her eyes and managed a shaky smile. “I’m Takanashi Kiara. This is crazy, right? Tell me it’s crazy.”
“It’s crazy,” Gura agreed quickly, nodding at her.
The blue-haired girl sighed, her voice flat. “Ouro Kronii. Don’t expect me to sugarcoat this.”
A quiet girl with purple hair stepped out of the corner, her tone soft but firm. “Ninomae Ina’nis. That’s all.”
“I’m Shiori Novella,” said a girl with black-and-white hair, her grin a little too sharp. “Fair warning—my answers might freak you out.”
“IRyS!” A horned girl chirped, her cheer sounding strained. “Hi, everyone! Uh… let’s not die, okay?”
The brown-haired girl tilted her head again, her smile unsettlingly calm. “Nanashi Mumei. Call me whatever. Names don’t really matter here, do they?”
Kronii shot her a look but stayed silent.
A blonde girl in a deerstalker hat adjusted it with a smirk. “Amelia Watson. I’m an investigator—well, kinda. I’ve solved some weird stuff before.”
“Whoa, really?” Kiara’s eyes widened. “Like, actual mysteries?”
“Unofficially,” Amelia said, waving a hand. “But yeah, I’m on it.”
Finally, a girl with pink hair crossed her arms and sighed. “Mori Calliope. No clue what’s happening, but… we’ll deal.”
Gura nodded, trying to keep everyone’s names straight. “Okay, cool. So… we’re not total strangers anymore. That’s a start, right?”
“Maybe,” Kronii muttered. “Doesn’t mean we’re safe.”
“Not helping,” Amelia said, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, we should look around. Figure out where we are, how we got here—anything.”
Gura swallowed hard, her tail still twitching. “Yeah… yeah, let’s do that. Better than standing here freaking out.”
As the group started to move, splitting off to explore the massive room, Gura hung back for a second. Her eyes drifted to Mumei, who’d wandered ahead, humming a quiet tune under her breath. Something about her—those wide eyes, that creepy smile—made Gura’s stomach flip.
This place is bad enough, she thought, hugging herself. But her? She’s… something else.
The metallic hum of the walls seemed to grow louder as they spread out, the Digital Coliseum stretching before them like a puzzle no one wanted to solve.
The metallic hum of the walls seemed to buzz in Gura’s ears as the group started to spread out, their footsteps echoing in the massive space. She hugged her arms to her chest, her tail flicking nervously. Okay, we’ve got names. That’s something. Now what? Her eyes darted between the others—strangers, all of them, thrown into this nightmare together.
Amelia adjusted her deerstalker hat, her voice cutting through the tension. “Right, standing around isn’t gonna help. Let’s check this place out—see if there’s a way out, or at least figure out what we’re dealing with.”
“Out?” Kiara whimpered, still clutching her knees. “You think there’s a door or something? This doesn’t feel like a place you just… leave.”
“Maybe not,” Amelia said, shrugging. “But I’m not sitting here waiting for that pixie thing to come back. Come on.”
Gura nodded quickly, grateful for someone taking charge. “Yeah, uh, let’s move. Beats freaking out in one spot.”
The group shuffled forward, some more hesitant than others. A soft blue glow caught Gura’s eye—a corridor branching off the main room, its walls pulsing faintly with light. She pointed. “Hey, what’s that way?”
“Only one way to find out,” Bae said, her rat-like ears twitching as she stepped toward it. The others followed, their movements cautious, like they were waiting for the floor to drop out from under them.
The corridor led to a row of doors, each one marked with a holographic symbol glowing faintly above it. Gura squinted at the nearest one—a trident, sharp and familiar. “Whoa, that’s… kinda like mine,” she muttered, brushing her fingers against it. The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a small room inside.
Her jaw dropped. The space was tiny but… personal. An ocean-blue bedspread, seashell decorations on the walls, even a faint sound of waves playing in the background. It was like someone had peeked into her head and pulled out her favorite things. “This is… creepy,” she said, stepping inside. How do they know this stuff?
“Creepy’s right,” Amelia called from a few doors down. She stood in her own room, holding up a deerstalker hat identical to the one she wore, her brow furrowed. “Mine’s got my stuff too. Whoever set this up knows us.”
Gura peeked out as the others explored their own doors. Bijou squealed, holding up a sparkling crystal statue of herself. “Look! A Bijou shrine! They’ve got taste!”
“Seriously?” Bae laughed, peering into Bijou’s room. “That’s extra, even for you.”
Fauna traced a leafy pattern on her door, her voice soft. “Mine’s got plants… it’s almost comforting. Almost.”
The twins, Fuwawa and Mococo, opened a shared room, its space split down the middle—one half pastel, the other bold. “Whoa,” Mococo said, clinging to her sister. “They even got us right.”
Kronii stood in her doorway, staring at an hourglass ticking ominously on a shelf. “This isn’t comfort,” she said flatly. “It’s a cage.”
Mumei giggled from her own room, twirling a glowing owl feather between her fingers. “Personalized bird cages, huh? How thoughtful.”
“Bird cages?” Bijou tilted her head, confused.
“Cut it out, Mumei,” Kronii snapped, her eyes narrowing.
Gura shivered, her tail curling slightly. She’s too calm about this. Too… weird. She stepped back into the hall, watching as the others emerged from their rooms, their expressions a mix of awe and unease.
Ina lingered in her doorway, her room pulsing with a faint violet light. “This isn’t random,” she said quietly, her voice steady. “They’ve been watching us.”
“Watching us?” Kiara’s voice trembled as she clung to Nerissa’s arm. “Why us? Why trap us here?”
“To play with us,” Mumei said cheerfully, spinning on her heel. “Like chess pieces. Or dominoes.”
“Mumei,” Kronii hissed, her tone a warning.
“What?” Mumei blinked innocently. “It’s true, isn’t it?”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Amelia interjected, her tone firm. “We need to keep looking. There’s gotta be something here—clues, answers, anything.”
Gura nodded, though her stomach churned. “Yeah… let’s keep going.”
he group moved deeper into the Coliseum, the corridors twisting like a maze. Gura stuck close to Fauna, her nerves buzzing. The walls felt alive, humming and shifting, and every step made her feel smaller.
They reached a set of double doors, a holographic sign flickering above them: CAFETERIA. Gura’s stomach growled despite herself. “Food?” she said, glancing at the others. “Maybe this place isn’t all bad?”
“Doubt it,” Kronii muttered, her arms still crossed.
Gura pushed the doors open anyway. Inside, warm lighting bathed rows of polished tables, and a buffet counter gleamed with trays of steaming food—everything from snacks to fancy dishes. The smell hit her like a wave, tempting but… off.
“Okay, this is… weird,” Fauna said, her green eyes scanning the room.
“Suspicious,” Ina added softly, hanging back.
Bijou darted to the counter, grabbing a shiny plate. “They’re spoiling us! Look at this spread!”
“Don’t just eat it!” Calli barked, snagging Bijou’s arm. “What if it’s poisoned?”
Bijou pouted. “Aw, you’re no fun.”
“I don’t trust this,” Bae said, her ears twitching. “It’s too convenient.”
Before anyone could argue, the lights dimmed, and a burst of static crackled through the air. MonoPixy flickered into existence on the counter, its glitchy grin back in full force.
“Welcome, idols!” it chirped, making Kiara yelp and hide behind Nerissa. “This cafeteria’s your one-stop shop for dining! Food replenishes automatically—never go hungry, isn’t that delightful?”
“What’s the catch?” Kronii asked, her tone icy.
“No catch!” MonoPixy giggled, then paused. “Well… one tiny rule. Cafeteria closes at 10:00 PM sharp. Stays locked ‘til 7:00 AM. No late-night snacks!”
“And if we break that?” Shiori asked, her grin unsettling.
MonoPixy’s eyes flashed crimson. “Break the rules, and you get consequences. Think… execution-style fun!”
A chill ran through Gura. “Execution?!”
“You’re sick,” Calli growled, her fists clenching.
“Thank you!” MonoPixy chirped, wings fluttering. “That’s all for now—enjoy your meal, or stew in dread. Either way, I win!” It fizzled out with a laugh.
Gura stared at the empty spot, her appetite gone. “It’s… controlling us,” she mumbled. “The rooms, the food—all of it.”
“Let’s not panic,” Amelia said, forcing calm. “We eat, we stick together, we figure this out. No rule-breaking yet.”
Mumei giggled softly, poking at a tray. “It’s all so… neat. Like a puzzle waiting to break.”
“Enough,” Kronii snapped, glaring at her.
Gura stepped in, her voice shaky but firm. “Let’s just eat, okay? We’re all freaked out. Food might help.”
The group grabbed plates reluctantly, sitting in tense silence. Gura couldn’t shake the feeling this was just the start—and Mumei’s faint, lingering smile didn’t help.
After the cafeteria, they pressed on, the air thick with unease. A door labeled COMPUTER ROOM caught Ina’s eye, and she pointed it out. “Maybe we can find something there.”
“Worth a shot,” Amelia said, leading the way.
Inside, sleek computers lined the walls, glowing with an eerie blue light. Fauna slid into a chair, her fingers flying over a keyboard. “If we can get online, maybe we can figure out where we are.”
Gura hovered behind her, hopeful. “Anything?”
Fauna’s face fell after a moment. “No… it’s a local network. No internet. We’re cut off.”
“Great,” Kronii muttered. “Another dead end.”
“Are you sure?” Amelia asked, leaning over.
“I know tech,” Fauna said, her tone firm but gentle. “They’ve locked us in.”
Shiori chuckled, her grin sharp. “Nice skills, Fauna. What else you hiding?”
Fauna glared but didn’t reply, turning back to the screen.
Gura drifted to the back, where Mumei stood staring at a monitor. “Hey,” she said softly.
Mumei didn’t look at her, just smiled faintly. “Hey, Sharky.”
“You’re… too calm,” Gura blurted, crossing her arms. “Everyone’s freaking out, but you’re just… standing there.”
Mumei’s smile widened slightly. “Is that weird? I’m just… curious.”
“About what?” Gura pressed, her tail flicking.
“Everything,” Mumei said, finally meeting her eyes. “This place. The game. Us.”
Gura stepped back, unease crawling up her spine. “I just wanna get out.”
“Of course,” Mumei said, her tone light but odd. “We all do.”
“All right, let’s go,” Amelia called, cutting through the moment. “This room’s a bust.”
As they filed out, Gura lingered, watching Mumei hum and wander ahead. She’s not right, she thought, her chest tight. None of this is.
The group trudged out of the computer room, the hum of the machines fading behind them. Gura’s tail dragged slightly, her shoulders slumped. No internet, no way out… this place is a trap, she thought, her stomach twisting. She glanced at Fauna beside her, hoping for some reassurance, but the green-haired girl’s frown mirrored her own.
“Dead ends everywhere,” Bae muttered, kicking at the floor. “What’s next, a locked closet?”
“Let’s keep moving,” Amelia said, her tone steady despite the frustration in her eyes. “There’s gotta be something we’re missing.”
Gura nodded, though her legs felt heavy. The metallic corridors stretched on, cold and endless, the walls pulsing faintly like they were alive. She stuck close to the others, their footsteps echoing in a rhythm that made her head throb.
A sudden crackle broke the silence, sharp and jarring through hidden speakers. Gura flinched, her tail puffing up. “Oh no, not again…”
“Attention, idols!” MonoPixy’s glitchy, chipper voice boomed, making Kiara squeak and grab Nerissa’s arm. “Please report to the Gymnasium immediately! We’ve got a special announcement—don’t dawdle now~!”
The sound cut off, leaving a ringing in Gura’s ears. She groaned. “That thing’s gonna give me a heart attack.”
“Great,” Calli muttered, her hands clenching into fists. “What does the little freak want now?”
“We should go,” Amelia said, adjusting her hat. “If we’re late, who knows what it’ll do.”
The group followed glowing arrows on the walls, guiding them toward the gym. Gura hung near the back, her eyes darting around. The twins, Fuwawa and Mococo, lagged behind too, whispering to each other. She caught a glimpse of Fuwawa’s wide eyes as she grabbed her sister’s arm.
“Wait…” Fuwawa said softly, pointing at the wall.
Gura slowed, curiosity tugging at her. “What’s up?”
“Look,” Fuwawa whispered, her voice trembling. Deep scratch marks gouged the metal, jagged and uneven, like someone—or something—had clawed at it in a panic.
Mococo’s tail puffed up. “Those… weren’t there before, right?”
“No,” Fuwawa said, shaking her head. “They weren’t.”
Gura’s stomach dropped. “That’s… not good,” she mumbled, her tail flicking nervously. “What made those?”
“Hey, you guys coming?” Bae called from ahead, her voice sharp. “Let’s move!”
The twins hurried to catch up, but Gura lingered, staring at the marks. Someone tried to get out. Or… something. She shivered, forcing herself to follow.
The gymnasium was huge, its polished wooden floor gleaming under harsh lights. A small stage sat at one end, and in the center, a circular dais flickered to life with MonoPixy’s hologram, its red eyes glinting.
“Welcome, welcome!” it chirped, twirling in the air. “Hope you’re settling in nicely!”
“Nicely?” Kronii scoffed, her arms crossed tight. “You’ve trapped us here and told us to kill each other. What’s nice about that?”
“Aw, don’t be so grumpy, Kronii!” MonoPixy giggled. “I’m here to make things entertaining. Now, let’s talk rules!”
“Rules?” Kiara whispered, her grip on Nerissa tightening.
“Of course!” MonoPixy clapped its tiny hands, the sound echoing unnaturally. “First: no violence outside a murder attempt. Can’t have you breaking my toys too early!”
Gura’s jaw tightened. Toys? We’re not toys!
“Second,” MonoPixy continued, its tone darkening, “the gymnasium’s for announcements and group stuff. Trials happen somewhere else—you’ll know when. No funny business ‘til then.”
“Trials?” Gura muttered, a chill creeping up her spine.
“Oh, yes!” MonoPixy giggled. “Where your fate gets decided! But don’t worry, that’s later. For now, just behave!”
“What if we don’t play your game?” Amelia challenged, stepping forward.
MonoPixy’s grin stretched wider, but it ignored her. “Lastly: cafeteria closes at 10:00 PM sharp. Break that rule, and… consequences!”
“Consequences?” IRyS squeaked, her voice rising. “Like what?”
“Naughty idols get punished,” MonoPixy said cheerfully. “That’s all for now—see you soon~!” It fizzled out, leaving the group in stunned silence.
“We need to figure this out,” Amelia said, breaking the quiet. “Fast.”
“Agreed,” Kronii muttered, her icy demeanor unshaken.
Gura glanced at Fuwawa and Mococo, their worried faces tugging at her. “Hey,” she whispered, leaning closer. “What’s wrong?”
Fuwawa hesitated. “We saw… scratch marks on the wall. Like someone clawed at it.”
“Clawed?” Gura’s eyes widened. “That’s… creepy.”
“Yeah,” Mococo said, her voice small. “It didn’t look normal.”
Before Gura could reply, a soft ping made her jump. A small tablet floated beside her, glowing faintly. She grabbed it, her hands trembling as the screen flickered on. Her name—Gawr Gura—scrolled across it, followed by a list:
Murder is the only way out.
Class trials decide the culprit’s fate.
Cafeteria closes at 10:00 PM.
No violence unless it’s a murder attempt.
Your actions may be monitored.
MonoPixy can add rules anytime.
“Whoa,” Gura breathed, scrolling through. “Did… everyone get one?”
Mococo nodded, holding up her own. “Yeah…”
“They didn’t mention these,” Fuwawa said, frowning.
As the group checked their tablets, MonoPixy’s voice crackled back to life. “Ah, I see you’ve got your tablets! Good, good. No coincidence there—I sent ‘em right to you. Everything here’s curated… for maximum fun!”
Gura froze, her tail stiffening. Curated?
Kiara blinked, then let out a nervous laugh. “Wait, so… this is a simulation, right? Like a game? That’s it, isn’t it?”
A flicker of hope rippled through the group—Gura felt it too. Maybe it’s not real. Maybe we’re safe…
But Mumei’s eyes narrowed, her voice low. “A game… not real…”
MonoPixy’s laugh cut through, high and mocking. “Adorable! You think this is just a game? Oh no, no, no. This is real. Your bodies are hooked into this simulation. Die here, and you die out there too.”
Gura’s breath caught. Die for real?
Kiara’s laughter died, her face paling. “W-Wait… if we die here, it’s… permanent?”
“Exactly!” MonoPixy grinned. “Every move, every step—it’s all tied to your real selves. So play smart, idols. You’re in for keeps!”
The room went dead quiet, the weight of it sinking in. Gura’s hands shook around the tablet. This isn’t a joke. It’s a death trap.
Mumei muttered something, her lips curling into a faint smile. “A death game… now that’s interesting.”
Kronii shot her a glare. “Stop.”
“What?” Mumei tilted her head, her eyes gleaming. “It’s true.”
“We’ve got no choice,” Calli said, her voice tight. “Play along or die.”
“No,” Fauna whispered, her hands trembling. “This is… too much.”
“It can’t be real,” IRyS stammered, covering her face. “It can’t…”
MonoPixy’s voice rang out one last time. “Now you know the stakes! Explore, rest, plan—but death’s always one step away.” It vanished with a cackle.
The group stood frozen, then slowly dispersed, some muttering, others silent. Gura’s legs felt like jelly as she shuffled toward the hall. Murder… death… Her mind spun, the tablet heavy in her hands.
Kiara tugged Nerissa’s sleeve, her voice shaky but determined. “Come on, let’s look around. We’ll find a way out, right?”
Nerissa nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah… let’s try.”
Amelia vanished down a corridor, muttering about clues, while Calli leaned against a wall, lost in thought. Gura watched them, her chest tight. We’re strangers… and now we’re stuck in this.
She wandered toward the cafeteria, needing a moment to breathe. The clatter of trays and quiet murmurs greeted her as some of the others ate. Bijou knocked over a cup, laughing as Shiori teased her about curses. It was almost normal—almost.
Gura slid into a seat near Calli, her voice soft. “Hey… mind if I sit?”
Calli glanced up, her sharp eyes softening slightly. “Sure. Could use the company.”
Gura fidgeted, trying to lighten the mood. “So… uh, what’s your deal? You seem chill about this.”
Calli chuckled faintly, adjusting her scarf. “Chill? Nah, just used to weird stuff. Not this weird, but… you learn to keep your head on straight.”
“Yeah,” Gura said, nodding. “I’m still hoping this is a bad dream.”
“Same,” Calli admitted. “But we’re here now. Gotta stick together, right?”
“Right,” Gura agreed, though her voice wavered.
As night fell, the lights dimmed, and the group drifted to their rooms. Gura lingered in the hall, watching Mumei wave cheerily before disappearing into her owl-themed space. She’s too happy, Gura thought, shivering.
A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts. Fauna peeked into her room, her smile gentle. “Hey, Gura. Just checking in. You okay?”
“Uh… kinda?” Gura sat up, rubbing her eyes. “This is a lot.”
“I know,” Fauna said, stepping inside. “But we’ll get through it together, okay?”
Gura smiled weakly. “Thanks, Fauna.”
“Goodnight,” Fauna said softly, closing the door.
Gura sank back, the tablet glowing faintly beside her. What a mess, she thought, staring at the ceiling. The rules, the strangers, Mumei’s weird vibe—it all swirled in her head as she drifted into an uneasy sleep, the hum of the Coliseum lulling her into the unknown.
The soft hum of the Digital Coliseum pulled Gura from a restless sleep. She blinked groggily, the fake dawn filtering through her room’s walls in shifting hues—blue, then orange, then static. It wasn’t real sunlight, but it still made her squint. She stretched, her tail flicking lazily, then froze as the night’s events crashed back. The tablets. The rules. Murder.
“Ugh,” she groaned, rubbing her eyes. Not a dream. She rolled out of bed, the cold floor jolting her awake. Her trident-themed room felt less comforting now—like a cage dressed up as home.
Stepping into the hall, she spotted Fauna at the far end, waving gently. “Morning, Gura! Sleep okay?”
“Morning,” Gura mumbled, forcing a smile. “Uh… kinda? Still wrapping my head around this place.”
Fauna nodded, her green eyes tired but warm. “Yeah, it’s… not exactly cozy.”
“Understatement of the century,” Gura said, chuckling weakly. “What’s everyone else up to?”
“Kiara and Nerissa are chatting,” Fauna said, shrugging. “Calli’s pacing. Amelia’s poking around, as usual.”
Sure enough, Amelia rounded the corner, her deerstalker hat slightly askew. She ran a hand through her messy hair, sighing. “Morning, you two. I’ve been all over this place—no exits, no hidden panels, nothing. We’re stuck.”
Gura’s tail drooped. “Stuck? Like, for real?”
“For now,” Amelia muttered, her frustration clear. “This whole setup’s designed to keep us in. It’s driving me nuts.”
Before Gura could reply, a familiar crackle split the air. She flinched, her tail puffing up. “Oh no…”
“Good morning, idols!” MonoPixy’s glitchy voice blared from the speakers, its hologram flickering into view above them. Its red eyes glowed, its grin too wide. “Hope you slept well, ‘cause it’s time for the next part of our game!”
Kronii stepped out of her room, her icy glare fixed on the pixie. “This isn’t going to end well,” she said, crossing her arms.
MonoPixy giggled, twirling midair. “Oh, don’t worry, Kronii! No punishments yet—just a little motive to spice things up. You’re all feeling stuck, right? Well, here’s a push!”
Gura’s stomach sank. A motive? That sounds bad. She glanced around as the others trickled into the hall—Kiara clinging to Nerissa, Calli frowning, Mumei humming softly with that creepy smile.
“A push?” Amelia asked, narrowing her eyes. “What’s that mean?”
MonoPixy’s grin stretched wider. “A gift! One of you gets a Get Out of Jail Free card! That’s right—a free pass to murder anyone, no Class Trial required!”
The air went still. Gura’s heart skipped, her tail freezing mid-flick. Murder… without a trial? She stared at the hologram, hoping she’d misheard. “W-Wait, what?!”
Mumei’s hands trembled at her sides, her eyes widening with a manic glint. She giggled, soft and sharp. “No trial… just freedom. Perfect.”
Kronii’s glare snapped to her. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Think about what?” Mumei tilted her head, her smile growing. “It’s just… interesting.”
“Interesting?!” Kiara’s voice cracked as she stepped forward, tears brimming. “This isn’t some fun twist! This is insane! You can’t be okay with this!”
“I’m not okay,” Mumei said, her tone oddly light. “I’m curious.”
“Curious?!” Kiara’s fists clenched. “We’re talking about someone dying! How can you—”
“Enough!” Amelia cut in, her voice sharp. She adjusted her hat, stepping between them. “Yelling won’t change it. We need to figure out what this card is—and how to handle it.”
Gura nodded fast, her voice shaky. “Yeah, uh… we’re not actually using it, right? I mean, no one’s gonna…” She trailed off, her laugh dying when no one joined in.
Calli sighed, crossing her arms. “Doesn’t matter what we want. That thing just lit a fuse. Someone might try.”
“Or snap,” Bae muttered, her ears twitching as she eyed Mumei.
Mumei didn’t seem to notice, her glassy gaze drifting upward as she hummed.
Gura hugged herself, her tail curling tight. This is worse than yesterday. Way worse. “So… what now? We just wait to see who gets it?”
“No,” Amelia said firmly. “We stick together. Watch each other. If we don’t know who’s got it, no one’s alone.”
“Trust’s a tall order now,” Kronii said dryly. “Good luck with that.”
The words hit Gura like a punch. She’s right. We barely know each other. Her eyes flicked between them—strangers she’d met yesterday, now thrown into this mess. Could she trust them? Could they trust me?
Fauna’s voice broke the silence, soft but steady. “We have to try. If we turn on each other, that pixie wins.”
“Wins?!” IRyS squeaked, twisting her hands. “I don’t wanna die! I don’t want anyone to die!”
“No one’s dying,” Gura said quickly, more for herself than IRyS. “We’re not playing its game. Right?”
A few nodded—Nerissa, the twins—but the silence from others was deafening. Shiori smirked faintly, her eyes glinting. Ina stayed quiet, unreadable. Mumei kept humming.
“Okay,” Amelia said, clapping her hands. “First, we check the tablets. Maybe there’s a hint—where the card is, who gets it, something. Then we keep it out of… certain hands.”
“Certain hands?” Bijou grinned, tilting her head. “Like mine? I’d use it to escape and rule a jewel empire!”
“Bijou, no,” Calli groaned, pinching her nose.
“Kidding!” Bijou puffed her cheeks. “Mostly…”
Gura forced a small smile, but her unease crept back as they pulled out their tablets. She fumbled with hers, the screen flickering on with the same rules—no mention of the card. “Anything?” she asked Fauna.
“Nope,” Fauna said, frowning. “Just the basics.”
“Same,” Amelia muttered. “It’s toying with us.”
“Maybe it’s hidden,” Shiori said casually, leaning against the wall. “A cursed treasure hunt.”
“Great,” Gura mumbled. “My favorite.”
MonoPixy’s voice crackled again, making her jump. “Oh, I forgot to mention! The card’s already out there, waiting for a lucky idol to claim it. Finders keepers!”
The hologram vanished, leaving a thicker silence. Gura’s tail twitched. Out there? Where?
“Let’s split up,” Amelia said, breaking the quiet. “Search the place—rooms, cafeteria, gym. We find it first.”
“Split up?!” Kiara yelped. “That’s how people die in movies!”
“We’ll go in pairs,” Amelia said, softer. “No one’s alone. We cover more ground and keep tabs.”
Gura nodded slowly. “Okay… I’ll go with Fauna?”
“Sure,” Fauna said, smiling faintly.
The group paired off—Kiara with Nerissa, the twins together, Amelia with Calli. Kronii hesitated, her eyes on Mumei, then muttered, “Fine, I’ll take her.”
Mumei’s smile widened. “Aw, Kronii, you care!”
“Shut up,” Kronii grumbled.
As they split, Gura and Fauna headed for the cafeteria. The halls felt colder, the hum louder. Gura couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched—not just by MonoPixy, but by each other.