At about the same time, the four groups met back outside the dorms.

  "Everyone, decre what you've found!" Shouted Taka.

  "How about your group goes first? After you chill out some, of course," said Mukuro.

  "Oh, ah... my apologies." Said Taka sheepishly. "My group found these."

  He presented two pieces of paper.

  "Css rosters. We have determined that there are two csses present here. 8 from the 78th, and 8 from the 77th. Additionally, 8 other students from both csses appear on the rosters but are not present here."

  "Thank you. As for the findings of my group..." said Mukuro."We found nothing of note. Some junk mail addressed to random people."

  "And a sword," added Peko.

  "And a sword," confirmed Mukuro.

  "I'll go next," said Sayaka. "My group found that all our rooms contained a sewing kit, which Monokuma wanted us to use for... Anyway, more importantly, Monokuma appeared and warned us of a surprise he had in store regarding the second floor."

  "I guess that leaves my group!" Hifumi said. "Me and the dies found a undry room, bath area, and cafeteria. We found no notable items, lest you consider a party cookbook to be such. Worry not, though, good people! The great chef, Mr. Hanamura is currently sving away in the kitchen to create a scrumptious meal for us all!"

  "Maybe he could cook up all these red herrings we've got..." said Leon.

  "N-now that you mention it, we also discussed our dreams while we were i-in our group." Said Mikan.

  "Oh yeah" Started Sayaka. "Did all of you guys dream about waking up in this school and falling into a void too?"

  Everyone gradually nods in agreement.

  "But that still doesn't tell us what the, it means. We've got all these clues, but they don't seem to be meshing together." Said Peko.

  "W-wait a minute..." Ryota spoke up. "I think... there's a connection."

  "Connection? What the hell are you on about?" Said Mondo.

  "Well... for starters... t-the junk mail letters, do you still h-have them? " Said Ryota to Mukuro.

  "No, I threw them away, remember?"

  "I-I got them out of the trash..." said Chihiro, embarrassed. "Just in case..."

  "Alright, now if I could see those letters..." Ryota took the letters from her. "A-and those rosters, if you could." He took the rosters from Taka and id everything down on the table.

  "Well, I'll be..." said Nekomaru, stunned.

  "Maybe I was too harsh earlier..." said Hiyoko.

  The names on the letters all matched one of the 16 missing students on the roster.

  "But what does this mean?" Asked Celeste.

  "W-well... if you take into consideration the connection..." Started Ryota.

  "Uh-huh..." said Mikan, nodding along.

  "As well as the surprise about the second floor..." Ryota continued.

  "No... you don't think-" Mahiru whispered.

  "T-The only logical solution I can think of is..."

  Ryota was interrupted by a perfectly timed Monokuma appearance.

  "...Exactly right." Said Monokuma, giving a slow cp as he approached the group.

  "You lot aren't as dumb as you look, I may seem unbearable at times, but I'll give credit as it's due. Congratutions, Ryota Mitarai. You spoiled my surprise! How despairful..."

  He handed Ryota a shiny gold star.

  "For you unintuitive students, Ryota just discovered that you guys are not alone here. The other members of your css are ying hidden somewhere in the school. You didn't think a headmaster as good as me wouldn't know where all his students are, did you?"

  "Yeah, kinda." Said Ibuki.

  "But wait, all the dorms and food and stuff are here. Where else could they be?" Questioned Mahiru.

  "Kehehehe! You guys don't know the half of it. You solved one mystery, but you'll never beat despair." Monokuma retorted. "But hey, I'll leave you with some parting words, maybe look for a clue in them. If you guys never kill anyone, for better or worse, nothing will change. There's a lesson in there somewhere, but I'm not a teacher! Ciao!"

  With that, Monokuma once again left them in shock.

  Ryota looked at the gold star in his hand. What did it mean? He found an answer, but even more questions, too. What is this pce? A school? Limbo? Purgatory? A simution? Who else was here? And where? And why? Would he be killed? Would he kill?

  As the moment of silence stretched longer and longer, and he and his cssmates got lost deeper and deeper in thought...

  Of all things, a bell broke the silence.

  "Dinner time, you beautiful people!" Said Teruteru walking into the scene, ringing a dinner bell. "My, you all look more worn out than usual. Well, why not allow yourselves to unwind with some fine dining? Made by yours truly, of course."

  Despite all that had just happened, everyone was eager for a chance to sit down and enjoy a nice meal.

  They headed off to the dining hall...