Morpheus couldn't fathom where Haruno Yukinoshita drew her confidence, willingly offering herself and her sister into servitude.
Though she didn't say it outright, her actions were tantamount to selling themselves.
"I'm curious," Morpheus said. "What makes you think I'll help? And what makes you think I'm not a worse fate?"
"Aren't you afraid I'm a bad person?"
Haruno replied, "A bad person wouldn't risk angering yokai to save my sister."
Morpheus raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
Haruno nodded firmly. "That's enough."
She left one thought unspoken: even if she bet wrong, it couldn't be worse than being toys for a group of elites. She knew their kind too well, having once been among them.
Morpheus laughed. "You're interesting, Haruno Yukinoshita. For your decisiveness, I'll lend you a hand."
Haruno, overjoyed, bowed deeply. "Thank you, my lord."
"No need for thanks. It's a small matter," Morpheus said, waving it off. He scribbled a phone number and handed it to her. "When you're back in Tokyo, call this number. The person is Kotoko Iwanaga. She'll help you."
Haruno quickly memorized the number.
Morpheus said, "You can go now."
Haruno paused, then stood, pulling Yukino up from the sofa.
After another round of thanks, they left.
Medea watched their retreating figures with a sly smile. "Not planning to enjoy the sisters, Boss? With their looks, they'd be considered great beauties in ancient times."
Morpheus replied calmly, "I'm not so desperate as to take advantage of their situation."
Raikou chimed in, "If you wish, Boss, I can keep you company tonight."
The faces of Hitomi, Hana, Miko, and others flushed red. Was this something they could just overhear?
It was too brazen.
Saeko Busujima's cheeks also reddened, but she mustered her courage. "If you need me, my lord, I'm available tonight as well."
Miko gaped at Saeko. Weren't they all high schoolers? Wasn't this too bold?
Morpheus wasn't one to back down. Since they were so forward, he'd respond in kind.
"Those willing, stay tonight. Those who aren't, you're free to leave."
Tonight, he'd indulge.
In the end, Hitomi, Hana, Miko, Nobunaga, Medusa, and Martha left his room.
The rest stayed, and they have sex all night.
The next day, Morpheus rose early.
Despite the late-night sex, it was nothing for a Dimension Lord like him.
He was as refreshed and vibrant as ever.
Today was the final day before the Dark Tournament.
After breakfast, Morpheus headed to register.
The tournament was tomorrow, but today was for signing up and drawing lots to determine opponents.
There was much to do.
Soon, Morpheus and his companions arrived at the registration site—a dilapidated shrine on Kyoto's outskirts.
The shrine looked ancient, its deity unknown, as even the statue was gone.
A man in priestly robes approached. "May I see your invitation?"
Morpheus presented the Dark Tournament invitation.
After verifying it, the man led them to the shrine's rear, where a grassy patch awaited.
He crouched, reached into the grass, and pulled, revealing a hidden staircase as the turf lifted.
It was a concealed mechanism.
"Follow these stairs to the tournament venue," The man said.
Morpheus nodded and descended, his group following in single file.
As they entered the tunnel, the turf closed behind them, the mechanism resetting.
Every ten meters, a light bulb illuminated the staircase, making it bright as day.
Morpheus descended hundreds of steps, plunging over a hundred meters underground, until they reached the end.
A wallpapered corridor appeared before them.
After walking a few hundred meters more, the space opened up.
A vast underground hall, the size of a football field, sprawled before Morpheus's group.
It was packed with all manner of yokai and humans, most of whom were tournament participants.
Morpheus noticed multiple entrances to the hall—over a dozen—through which competitors streamed in.
As they entered, a graceful bunny girl approached.
Not the kind in fishnet stockings, but a genuine rabbit yokai.
She smiled warmly. "Welcome! Are you the Team Extraterrestrial and Team Heroics?"
Morpheus nodded.
She handed number tags to Morpheus and Raikou. "These are your number tags for the draw. Please keep them safe."
Morpheus and Raikou glanced at theirs. Morpheus was number 55, Raikou 56.
The rabbit yokai left to attend to other teams.
Morpheus scanned the room, spotting a myriad of bizarre yokai.
And some humans.
Then, he noticed familiar faces.
The Nura Clan yokai.
Rihan, leading Kubinashi, Yuki Onna, and others, was here for the tournament.
The crowd and mixed yokai aura likely masked Morpheus's presence from Rikuo.
Beyond them, Morpheus saw the Ryozanpaku group brimming with energy.
Even Kenichi Shirahama and Miu Furinji were present.
Notably, members of the dark martial arts organization, long-time rivals of Ryozanpaku group, were also competing.
***
If you like the Classroom of the Elite and Danganronpa series, don't hesitate to check out the new project I'm currently working on:
[COTE: The True Perfect Human]
Synopsis:
Since the era when humanity was still focused on steam and coal, people have already been questioning what the Perfect Human truly looks like.
Some say the Perfect Human possesses overwhelming physical strength… others claim the Perfect Human has unparalleled intelligence.
Of course, there are also those who believe the Perfect Human possesses both... strength and intellect.
Like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
That's why when people ask who the most perfect human in all of fiction is, they often point to the Masterpiece of the White Room as the Perfect Human.
But… only the OGs know that the only Perfect Human who has ever walked this earth is...
The Ultimate Hope…
Izuru Kamukura.
...
This is the story of Izuru Kamukura as he challenges Classroom of the Elite searching for whether there is anything in this world capable of dispelling his boredom.