Part 12: Update X

♪ BGM: Wonderful Dead 001 ♫

Alright, so last time, we went through this hotel. There's a path over to the right, but we're not going to be going that way.



Instead, we have an ominously black-and-white bridge to be checking out.



We get a setup made for some more creative Move application.



Shoot Move...



...squished Monokumas!



♪ BGM: We Can't Change The World ♫

There's also some more corpses piled up.

They probably don't have a real reason. From what I can tell, they're just doing it for fun.
They're doing something like this...for fun? What *are* these kids...?
When I got here, they were already wearing those helmets and marching in the streets. Killing the adults...and bringing Monokumas with them like a parade...
Why do they hate the adults...?
L-Like I said, I have no idea! I'm just as confused as you are! Stop asking me about every little thing!
Jeez... You don't have to be so angry...
I-It's because you nag just like those brats!



♪ BGM: Wonderful Dead 001 ♫

Moving on exploring, it seems like Hotel Towa has been assigned a new purpose by the kids.



We head up a staircase and can practically see the bridge, but let's check around first.



Heading down here and checking in the back nets us another collectible!



♪ Jingle: Skill GET! ♫



Hrm. I have no idea what "Despair Time" means in this context. Oh well, not like I intend on using Genocide Jack much.



Heading down the other side of the stairs, we make it to the bridge!





We did it, Toko! Just a little more! We're going to be alright!
I wonder...if it will really end this easily...
...Huh?

Toko is a writer. She knows when we're only in the first chapter and the story obviously isn't ending here.

I-I have a bad feeling about this... This bridge has...a dangerous scent...
???: Heeey! You two girls over there!



♪ BGM: DSO_Beautiful Dead ♫

A new person!

That means...you're on my side, right? Right?
Huh? Uh...yeah.



Man, it's been forever since I've seen a normal person! I'm so happy!
I hate this kind of guy... Just walkin' up and talking to a girl like it was nothing!
Ah... I think this handshake is over now...



H-Hey! How much longer are you gonna hold her hand!? You're like a creepy fan meeting an idol!
No! It's not like that... It's just, this wristband... Could it be...? Were you also captured by those kids who call themselves the Warriors of Hope?
...Huh?
And then you got thrown out here, and told it was part of some game, right? Well, look! Me too!



Ah, that wristband!
Oh, this is great! Well, not...completely great. I'm already at my wit's end trying to figure out what to do... I guess I was just so relieved to see someone in the same spot I'm in. Still...cou|d be better.
I sorta understand. I'm also a little glad to know that I'm not alone in this situation.
Right!? Right!? Oh, that reminds me, I never told you my name! I'm Yuta Asahina!



Toko again notices something Komaru doesn't and we do. This guy is related to Aoi Asahina and is her motive person.

I'm Komaru Naegi. Nice to meet you, Yuta.



...What're you doing?
Oh, this? If you wanna really remember a name, write it down on your palm three times.
Oh, I see. I've never heard of that.
Ah, but seriously, it is so reassuring to finally have a friend to work together with!



...
Oh, this is Toko. Toko Fukawa.
I-It's fine, you don't have to make introductions like this... Not for an outcast like me.
Listen to you two, going on like you're lovers already! And you j-just met!
I-It's not like that!
Well, come on, I'm sure we'd all be happier on that side of the bridge. Now let's hurry up and get out of this town!

And he heads off.

Toko, we should go too!
...
What is it?
Like I said... I-I don't like it. I have a very bad feeling about this...
Oh, you're just being paranoid! Come on, if we don't hurry, Yuta will leave us behind!
H-Hey, don't just run off! Hold on!



♪ BGM: Wonderful Dead 001 ♫

So now we just head down the bridge, with Yuta running ahead of us.



But eventually...



♪ BGM: We Can't Change The World ♫

N-No! Isn't there something we can do?
There's nothing we can do... It's impossible to get over the bridge now! Dammit! We were almost there... Stop screwing with us! What the hell is this!?
Hmph, how pathetic... Giving up right away just because things got a little screwed up.
If you have the energy to shout and scream like that, use it to move your weak ass instead!
Huh? M-Move...?



♪ BGM: DSO_Welcome Despair Academy ♫

Go back!? You want us to actually go back there!?
Yes. That's the only way... If you wanna live, you can't always take the easy path. Sometimes, you gotta take the painful ones.
On that path you might suffer and writhe in pain, but at least you'll survive.
...You say that as if you've experienced it before.
...Hmph.

I guess it kinda is hard to reveal the shit she's been through without bringing up the whole part about Makoto and Aoi being there.



♪ BGM: Silence ♫

But suddenly, explosion!

Wh-What?



Explosive charges have been set under the bridge...



...and they start going up!



The children looking on are quite happy with this development.



And one kid has a detonator!





Our gang decides that getting the fuck out of Dodge is the best way to proceed from here.



♪ BGM: DSO_Living to the Fullest ♫



So, we're on a timer now and have to head back.



Monokumas are now roaming the bridge as an impediment, though in my case the main impediment is my desire to score nice shots.



We also find this trailer blocking the way.



We deal with it by shooting the Bomber Monokuma in it...



...which then leads to the entire thing exploding and us being able to pass.



We get to repeat the fun with the trailer one more time, this time with more Monokumas popping in and out from the trailer. We have to wait a bit for the Bomber to show up, and killing it takes a bit...



...but eventually, the path is open.



♪ BGM: Silence ♫

And thus our heroes escape from the bridge as it collapses behind them.



Shit's pretty fucked. Even more fucked than before.



♪ BGM: DSO_All All Apologies ♫

I-I thought we were gonna die...
We're safe for now... But with the bridge like this, there's no way we can get across.
N-Now we have...no chance of escape...
...
No! Not yet! I'm not gonna give up yet!
Wh-Why are you yelling!?



And if I don't do everything I can, I know that nothin's gonna get solved!
What're you doing?
Isn't it obvious? I'll swim!
What!? Swim!?
Yeah! I mean, my specialty is more track and field... I'm not that confident in swimming... Well, it's not that I'm not a good swimmer, it's just... There was always someone better.

I think we know who that "someone better" is.

But now's not the time for that! Can't chicken out now!
Wait! Even if you are gonna swim... It looks really far to the other side.
...Yeah, that looks pretty tiring.
But the water is freezing, and with all the pollution, there are weird creatures in there...
Then I guess I'll just be extra careful.
No, it's not that! I'm telling you not to try it, you idiot swimmer! D-Don't be a hero!
Idiot swimmer...? But I'm on the track team!
Grr, anyway! This isn't the time to rush into things. Let's think this out.
I'm honored that you worry about me, but I've already made up my mind.
S-So you're just going to refuse to listen to reason!?
Look, all I have to do is ask for help from those Future Foundation guys after I cross, right?
I'll bring back help, I promise. No matter what it takes! So just wait for me until then, okay?
Ah, Yuta!
Hm?
Um... Be careful... I-If you run into any trouble, come back right away, okay?



And with that, he gets ready to go.



♪ BGM: Business Trip Version Punishment ~Swimming Explosion Episode~ ♫



...well, now you can tell this isn't going to end well. Komaru and Toko are unsure of what's going to happen...



...as Yuta jumps into the water and gets going.



He turns on the jets and really blows through the water.



Komaru is very excited, but just a bit afterwards...



...his wristband starts beeping...



...and goes "boom". And in the middle of the water pouring down from the explosion...



...Komaru, once again, doesn't know what the fuck.

So that'll be it for this update. Next time, we find out how much Komaru cannot deal with this turn of events and if she can maybe manage to deal with this after all.