Danganronpa D4 V4: Despair Jockeys

D4DJ Battle Time

"And now, our dear, fine, fellow, esteemed students!" Monochio declared once the class finally settled down. "Allow us to introduce you to... the D4DJ Battle Time Ring!" The grandiose Headcatster led the students through the first floor, to the very back. A locked door awaited them, the only one that had never been opened before. At least until now. Monochio used its claws to pick open the lock, and the students gasped. What awaited them was the most magnificent theater they'd ever seen!

"So... all of this has been right here... this whole time?!" Maho gasped, clasping her hands together, eyes going starry.

"As we have said before, this academy was created to cultivate Talent, after all!" Monochio bragged. "In particular, it was meant to have a musical focus and flare. That is why the academy logo has a music note in it! And of course, as you have all seen before, the front half of the academy is a normal high school while the back is... this." It gestured with its tail to the sprawling concert hall.

Beneath their feet (and paws), a red carpet. On either side, a sea of golden chairs with red cushion. Dead ahead, a massive wooden stage was concealed behind a big, bright red curtain. The ceiling was ornate and elaborate, golden. Arched pillars raced down every wall, covered in marvelous and fantastic paintings, carvings, engravings, and sculptures. There was also a balcony level of even more red and gold seats. Bright, white lights encased in gold and diamond glittered from above. All the large, heavy, black stage lights above the stage were presently off.

"Happy... AROUND!" Rinku's trademark cheer echoed as she raced down the red-carpeted aisle.

"There were plenty of other motives to choose from," Monochio purred, eyeing Rinku smugly. "However, in light of the... accident... in Stage IV, the fifth floor of the academy is still... under reconstruction. But fret not, for little was lost!" There weren't enough words to accurately describe the jaw-dropping, eye-popping radiance of the academy auditorium attached to the entire back half of the school (hence why some of the generators were immediately attached to that wall). The fifth floor, meanwhile, only contained more classrooms, similar to the second.

"Oh, Dalia, you would've loved it..." Marika sighed wistfully. It was the Ultimate Dancer's ultimate dream to one day dance on Broadway. This isn't Broadway, of course, but I dare say that it might even be better! If only we'd come to this motive sooner...

In the week since her passing, the tension between M4 and the others persisted. Even if their behavior in the fourth class trial was understandable, it put everyone on edge to think just how far M4 was willing to go to protect one of its own, even when guilty. It said a lot about their character. Would anyone else dare go that far? Would M4 kill if push came to shove?

Close by, someone else was mourning the loss of another student born for the stage. Oh, God... Was this where Noa was...?

Towa winced as she looked up at the big, wooden stage. Her thoughts were similar to Marika's. How cruel it was that this motive hadn't come sooner. Ah, but fear, Despair, and Monochio were an ultimate, deadly mix, and an unholy trinity. When combined, even the strongest and smartest students—such as Dalia and Noa—didn't have a hope. Marika couldn't help but wonder if Towa would've lied to protect Noa. It seemed that the only reason she hadn't was because she was too taken off guard by Noa's psychotic break. They all were.

At least Dalia didn't go down like that. Marika heaved another sad sigh. It wasn't easy watching her refuse to confess, arms crossed and face dark, but Marika understood and forgave her. It would've been much more disturbing if she'd snapped like Noa. Marika finally walked up to Towa to rest a comforting hand on her shoulder. At first, Towa jumped and pulled away in surprise and alarm, but when Marika flashed her a dazzling smile, Towa chuckled nervously, though she made no more move to move away from the Ultimate Model.