5pm finally arrived, and everyone was present in the Gymnasium. To my surprise, there was a blue tarp completely covering the floor, which we assumed Monorakun put there. However, Theo stated he set up the tables and chairs with Kaito, Leon, and Yasuhiro, stating the tarp was already present on the floor when they arrived.
As Sayaka and Kaede moved the snacks and punch from the Kitchen to the Gym on a cart, Angie took it upon herself to gather bowls, plates, utensils, and cups for everyone, placing them on a central table for easy access. Chiaki prepared the Halloween game stands around the gym, with Chihiro's help.
Finally, the others arrived, still in costume, and we all started chatting amongst each other. I spent most of the time talking to Kenchikka, Chihiro, Chiaki, and briefly to Kaito.
At 5:45pm, Monorakun graced us with his appearance.
"Ah, sorry about that. Needed a software update, or I would've been here earlier. No matter, better late than never, am I right?"
Kenchikka glared at Monorakun. "Didn't corrupt during update, require formatting? Pity."
Monorakun ignored her. "Anyway, looks like you figured out most of it. Food, drinks, games...dig in! We'll go over the Costume Contest results later, but for now, enjoy yourself!"
I grabbed a plate and got myself some Halloween-themed food and sat next to Yasuhiro, eating while he started rambling about some prediction he made. In truth, I didn't really care what he was saying; I was just hungry.
As I drank my "Blood" punch and ate my "Small Intestines" spaghetti, I took another look at the other students. Sayaka was still stunning in her blue and navy blue bunny outfit, so she would have a strong chance to be declared the winner. Chihiro's cyborg costume looked really cool, too, though. Angie's PBS painter guy outfit looked good, although the personality and speech didn't fit at all.
Meanwhile, everyone else was either eating or playing the games: Bobbing for apples, Eyeball game (like the Shell game, but with three red Solo cups and a fake eyeball), a table for "Old Witch" (Old Maid), ring toss, Skee-ball, and pumpkin carving (complete with pumpkins and carving kits). Smaller Monorakuns, with Halloween party hats, were working the games, but appeared to be immobile.
As everyone randomly checked out the games, or partook in food, I decided to take the fun-filled moment to see what everyone else was up to
Yasuhiro had brought a crystal ball, and was trying to convince people to let him give them a psychic reading. Everyone was ignoring him.
Sayaka, Kaede, and Leon were taking turns on the Skee-ball game, which let you play after you scanned your E-Handbook. It showed your current score, your personal high score, and the game's high score (currently held by Chiaki, because of course it was).
Angie, Makoto, and Mukuro were carving pumpkins. Well, Angie and Mukuro were carving; Makoto was watching Mukuro work her knife, as she refused to use the pumpkin carving kit. Angie, meanwhile, was cheerfully whittling away at her pumpkin with her kit.
Chihiro and Chiaki were playing the Eyeball game, with Chiaki never failing to guess the correct cup, but Chihiro had more trouble with it. Chiaki kept her spirits up, though, and Chihiro still looked like she was having fun.
Celeste and Theo were discussing something off to the side. I couldn't hear what, but it seemed like a friendly conversation, so I left them alone.
That left Kaito and Kenchikka, who were playing "Old Witch" against each other and the Monorakun dealer. I had no idea who was winning. However, it looked like the dealer was out of cards, and Kaito and Kenchikka were still playing, so the game didn't appear to be over yet.
I decided to kinda check out everything. I played Skee-ball with Yasuhiro for a while, who finally gave up the fortune-telling idea. He beat me on the first game, but I beat him on the next two.
After that, I joined Kenchikka and Kaito for a game of Old Witch (Kaito won the previous game). I lost the first round, getting stuck with the Old Witch card after Kenchikka took my Spider card to pair with hers, I took her Old Witch, and she took my Skeleton card to pair with hers for the win. Kenchikka then went on to beat Kaito in the next round, avenging her loss.
I next went over to the Eyeball game. Chihiro had left to play Old Witch with Kenchikka, but Chiaki was there. We took turns on that for a while, with Chiaki never missing the win. I won about half the time, myself.
As I made my way to the pumpkin carving booth, Monorakun showed up. Looking at the time, it was 8pm.
"Alright, shitbags, it's time to announce the winners of the Costume Contest. My favorite three customers, and the reasons why. Is everyone ready?" Monorakun announced.
We all glanced at each other, unsure as to what was happening next.
"Alright, in third place is Kaito Momota, The Ultimate Astronaut!" Monorakun announces. "Who has...never...actually been to space yet."
Monorakun scratches his head, then continues. "Huh, how does that even work?"
Everyone looks at Kaito, who starts to say something, but is cut off my Monorakun.
"Anyway, while that's the truth, it doesn't really matter right now. Let's move on to the Runner-Up: Chihiro Fujisaki, who celebrates Halloween every day!"
Everyone looks, confused, at Chihiro, who looks equal parts confused and nervous.
"Wha...what do you mean?" Chihiro asked.
Monorakun chuckled, then approached him. "Well, that means that you're really a boy, who dresses like a girl, every day of the year!" Monorakun starts laughing.
Chihiro, meanwhile, turns pale as a ghost, eyes going wide. Her lips move, but nothing comes out.
"Hey, don't believe me, check under his skirt. If you find a vag down there, I'll let everybody go, RIGHT NOW!!" Monorakun continues!
Chihiro falls to her knees, crying and trembling. Kaede approaches her, kneels down, and gently asks, "Is it true?"
Chihiro, unable to speak, merely nods.
Suddenly, everyone's E-Handbook goes off at once, signaling an update. They all shut off, then reboot. Leon checks Chihiro's profile.
"Whoa! Dude, it says you're a boy now! The hell IS this?" Leon exclaims.
Kaito looks even more pissed, but is again cut off when he starts to yell at Monorakun.
"And now, our Costume Contest winner is... Akage Haikiko!" Monorakun proclaims, his arms spread wide as he faces...
...Me.
I feel numb, and I faintly realize my mouth is hanging open. How did this robot know my deadname? I haven't gone by Akage, or even breathed the name, since my surgery.
Monorakun continued speaking. "Not only did Akage dress like a girl, she USED to be a girl! Then she went and got Gender Reassignment Surgery and Hormone Replacement Therapy to become the Bera Haikiko you all know and love."
I wanted to throw up. I wanted to run. I wanted to crawl into a ball, in the middle of the floor, and die. I wanted to...
"So fucking what? What difference does any of this make?!"
That voice...that was Kaito!
Snapping myself out of my stunned state, Kaito was fuming, fists tightly clenched, glaring hard at Monorakun. "It doesn't matter what Bera is, or used to be. He's still a cool guy. And you know what? It doesn't matter if Chihiro's really a boy or a girl, either. He's still my sidekick, and I will ALWAYS have her back!"
Kaito reflects. "Well, I guess it's 'his' back now, but still!"
Leon, meanwhile looked disgusted at Chihiro. "So you mean this chick is really a boy? Totally not cool!"
Angie shrugs. "No difference to me. Atua loves us all, no matter what form we choose to take."
Celeste shakes her head sadly. "Looks like you two lost big on this one. I do no envy being either of you, Chihiro and Bera."
Kenchikka rolls her eyes. "Boy, girl, robot, computer program, don't care. Just don't be like Asshole Raccoon."
Sayaka, meanwhile, curiously asked, "So, what does this mean for Chihiro?"
Chihiro suddenly stood up and ran out of the Gymnasium, quietly sobbing. Kaito and I exchanged glances.
"I'll go check on Chihiro. You can handle things here, ok?" I instructed Kaito.
"Come back with duct tape, bind Asshole Raccoon's mouth shut," Kenchikka remarked.
I headed out of the Gymnasium, but don't see Chihiro anywhere. I could think of only two places he could have gone: his dorm, or the Computer Room.
Where is he? And is he ok?