Hiroto Toriumi - GAME START - {H3} - 12AM

[hiroto_toriumi]

The prospect of failing History class and to endure extra classes with Mrs Hamaguchi was enough to guarantee full attendance on the coach trip. After lunch, the coach departed from Kitashiokaze school, with forty-five students on a coach bound for Nagano. The consent forms were keenly scribbled by caring parents after reading the pamphlets; Binzuru Military Observation was one of the proudest and largest festivals in the Greater Republic, not to mention it fully coincided with a teaching module about the triumphant Arms Race against the Imperialists. Of course, most of the kids were just looking forward to a week away from the school.

The students of class 2-B enjoyed the journey rowdily as scenery rolled past lazily for hours, under the watchful, apathetic eye of Mr Takiguchi, and -surprisingly-Mrs Hamaguchi herself, who had decided to invite her on the trip on a whim, and was sat next to Jun Nakamura reading a book. She was the first to fall unconscious; the book in her hand fell to the ground, and soon after, the rest of the coach followed her into slumber.

The coach turned left, and headed away from the city.

45 students remaining
---

The lights in the bunker were strong, far brighter than they should be, but that was because these lights didn’t belong in a bunker, they belonged in, well… a TV studio. Which is what a Battle Royale came down to, when you thought about it. One giant landscape, a battlefield, acting as a studio, and a class full of students as the actors - only the ones with the best quirks were acceptable - all for a show that consistently got the highest ratings every year. Loads of unnecessary equipment went into this, lights, sound effects, computer screens, all of his gimmicks, everything needed for a successful show. The sheer amount of berating the government did But no, if he was going to be hosting a program - any program, not just The Program - he was going to settle for nothing less than top notch production.

Besides, Hiroto Toriumi had been working in show business for years, and if the government wanted someone who knew what the people wanted to see in a Battle Royale program, he was it.

Yes, yes, the setup process was laborious, but that was in the past and this was his present. Now, where was he…

He stood at the front of the room quietly, stroking at his mustache - his signature look, of course - and carefully appraising the class, trying to match faces with the files he had read many weeks earlier. Most of them had already woken up and were squinting up at him as their eyes adjusted to the light.

Precious young girls about to have their perfect illusion of the world shattered, the occasional scowl from a male (perhaps a promising hopeful?), a wheelchair - a wheelchair! Ohoho, what a wonderful clusterfuck this was going to be!

“Welcome!” he cried out joyfully, voice booming.

Above his head, a small sign lighted up with the word ‘Applause’. To his disappointment, Toriumi was met with blank silence. Not even a sympathy clap from one of the armed shoulders that lined the edges of the bunk. The nerve, they were given cues for a reason, can’t they read?

Well, he reasoned, to be fair, some of them looked questionable.

A small voice creaked forward from a student he didn’t know - nor care about, really, but the audience participation was too much to resist.

“Are… are we on a game show?”

“No, you are not!” he belted back, pumping his fist in the air. “… Well! Not your typical game show. Welcome to your class’ very own… Battle Royale!”

Gasps of horror and shocked murmurs of ‘no!’ were drowned out as Toriumi crushed his palm over a button and loud, cheery music blasted out over the speakers. The music ended after a crescendo and the room erupted into a rush of hushed murmurs, the noises growing louder and louder like the buzzing of insects. Disgusting, disgusting insects, which is what this class came down to.

There were tears; there was stress and signs of panic, there were a lot of things, but not many screamers. That was too bad, he always liked them best. They brought the best cheer. Looked like it was up to him to make up for it!

“Yaaaay!” He cried out over the commotion, hands above his head as he clapped loudly. “Congratulations! And for our winner, there is a fabulous prize. And that prize is…”

He waited for a rise of interest, drawing out the anticipation, and when he was rewarded with nothing for his fruitful efforts, he continued, “… not death! Hooray!”

“Now, if everyone could please just take a seat…”

They didn’t bother with proper desks this year. Space was limited as it was, so they just shuffled some folding chairs in, set up in messy rows. He would have preferred proper studio seating, but the government committee drew a line after a while. Such a shame…

As he waited for everyone to be seated, the telltale whine of a whoopee cushion broke through the stunned silence and Toriumi tittered to himself before punching at another button. Loud, rancorous laughter suddenly filled the air from the speakers, and just as suddenly as it started, it cut off again.

Behind him, a screen lit up. On it was displayed a list of various categories to aid him in his explanations, things like ‘rules’, ‘weapons’, and ‘location’.

Toriumi began his spiel as the animations kicked in, supported by fluffy background music: "The rules of this game are very simple! Even a stupid girl could understand them! Listen carefully…"

"Rule number one: Kill everybody in your class! And rule two…" he paused for breath, "Don't die! Dying will result in immediate disqualification from the game!"

He pressed the button for the 'Laughter' sign to switch on, but nobody took up the cue. He sighed. "Boy, you're a tough audience. Okay, so the weapons. Each one of you will be given a neat little goodie bag with you when you leave. Inside you will find food, water, a map, flashlight and compass. But that's not all! There will also be a special something for each of you. Some are better than others, but if you don't like your present, you could maybe, ah, borrow one from a friend!"

On the screen, a cartoon duck and a cartoon panda were holding hands; the duck was gripping a rifle while the sad panda held an axe. With a sudden swoosh, the panda beheaded the duck and now held a weapon in each hand. A friendly chime and pink hearts surrounded the happy panda. The duck's torso bled freely on the ground.

"And lastly, you're probably wondering where we are? Well, I don’t want to give the game away just yet, but you're a long way from home! Get to the end, and we'll take you back to your family. Don't try to escape, or to attack this studio, because if you do… it's an automatic disqualification! And you know what that means, right?"

A loud BANG erupted from the cannons in the corners of the room. The entire class jumped. Toriumi laughed heartily, and wondered if he could actually smell urine, or if it was just his imagination.

"The collars around your necks tell us where you are at all times. You'll have to keep on your toes, though! Every six hours, I'll make new parts of the arena forbidden, and update you on your progress. If you keep out of the forbidden zones, you'll be fine. Move away from this building after your departure, as its zone will become a danger zone immediately after the final contestant leaves," -the screen showed a map with a small square flashing red, and another lazy-looking cartoon animal getting decapitated- "And remember: there's a time limit of three days on this game. If you want to keep your head…. you're gonna have to keep your head!"

Everybody looked slightly pale. Toriumi played the catchy theme tune again. And did jazz-hands.

"We're gonna go off for a commercial break," he said with a wink. "Stay tuned for this year's Battle Royale!

A sudden "Fuck you!" came from one of the end seats. It was a boy's voice. Toriumi glanced to see Hayakawa face just before he yelped; the nearest soldier had pistol-whipped him and he crashed to the floor.

"Mr. Hayakawa, remember you're on TV. Watch your language, it's a nuisance to edit live material."

Hayakawa was still sideways on the floor. Toriumi carried on regardless. "Does anyone have any questions before we go?

Two people's hands shot up. "Yes, Miss Mori?"

"Um… I'm going to have a baby, so…." Her voice was soft. "Will the game still go ahead?"

Toriumi screamed. "Pregnant?? You're pregnant? I didn't notice; to be honest, I just thought you were fat. But you should have said something! We had no idea at all."

God, these kids were stupid. He decided to play up to the audience a little more.

"Miss Mori is your very own special good luck charm! Give her belly a rub for good fortune! Although, heh, she didn't bring you guys that much good luck in your coming here, right? The game continues regardless, but who knows? Maybe one of you might get a knife and stop Miss Mori's ankles from getting any fatter!"

Yes, he could definitely smell urine. He hoped the cameramen had found out who had peed themselves, and zoomed in already. He looked at another kid with his pudgy hand raised.

"Tsurikan?"

"Why are you doing this?" he wailed. Toriumi had noticed this kid had been awkward and fidgety, and since Mori got humiliated, he behaved all the stranger.

"You're kidding, right? Some of you kids are lucky you weren't euthanized at birth."

He suddenly heard a girl crying between Honda and Aihara. He leaned close to her face.

"It's... Makaki, right?" he played false concern in his voice, and got her to look up at him. "Aw, what's wrong?"

"Where... where is Mr Takiguchi? And Mrs Hamaguchi?"

Ah yes... the teachers. "Tell you what, come closer and I'll tell you where they went."

He was whispering to her as she leaned in obediently. She was fawny-eyed and weepy. Ugh, he wasn't paid to be a counselor to kids like that.

He looked at her kindly, then grinned as he smacked her hard on the ear. "SMILE, STUPID GIRL! You're on television! Your teachers are all in the past now…. Because you're probably going to die! Want to prove me wrong? You know what to do!"

He hopped back to his position as the program was about to recommence. "Everybody, I'm about to read your names out one by one. Take your bags from the gentlemen there, and proceed up those five steps. Go down the corridor and…. Your game begins!"

Another musical cue played, as the 'Applause' sign flashed futilely above his head. He picked up his card and began to read:

"Boy #1 Junpei Aiba. You're the first lucky contestant! Away you go!"

There was a sudden uneasy silence as all eyes turned to Junpei. The background music played up, and it suddenly felt like it was going somewhere. The boy took his cue, and left the room with a dash.

A minute later, he read the next name: "Girl #1 Kei Aihara! Say your goodbyes!"

The quiet girl stood up and collected her bag, and stepped into the darkness. He was always interested by the quiet ones. The pretty, quiet ones. It was half the reason he liked to toy with them. It was half the reason he lost his old job, too. The quiet little girls needed to learn the hard way that…

A loud gunshot exploded from nearby, as did a cry. Three more shots followed.

"...What the hell?"

Toriumi looked up, and saw that same girl, Kei Aihara, coming straight back into view, revolver in hand. Her face was smeared in somebody's blood.

She fired twice at him, but both shots went a fraction wide. A few of the class screamed as she stepped down one step. Then an ominous click issued from her weapon.

Her face changed. Either she was out of bullets, or the revolver had jammed.

Something violent, a gun? - oh no, that won’t do. With the lightening quick reflexes of someone who was used to being on his toes in anticipation of incoming pranks, Toriumi yanked out a gun of his own from the inner folds of his suit and pointed it at Kei, as four soldiers appeared from the corridor behind her. “Oh, no, no, Miss Aihara, this is a game, and on my show, we play by the rules...”

With a condescending shake of his head, he pulled the trigger. A loud pop! off, a shower of sparks, and the room exploded into silence. From out of the gun sprouted a little white flag. On its center, in perfect black, was the word ‘BANG!’

“Hah, you’re dead! … No, you’re not, I’m just kidding! I wouldn’t shoot you. That’s so messy. Who wants that? Not me!” He broke into hilarious laughter, and had the situation not been so… dreary, he was certain everyone else in the room would join in. What stiffs, this was no fun at all. Oh, well. He had more pressing matters at hand. He couldn’t exactly have this girl rampaging around his studio with a weapon. That was an outside activity.

“No, no... No, I have others do the dirty work.”

A chorus of gunshots rang around the room as a few of the soldiers closest to them took Toriumi’s cue and shot Kei Aihara on the spot. He clapped his hands in delight at the brief spray of blood before she fell down the step and sank to the ground, and without paying her anymore attention, turned to his small console. He smashed a button and that same damn catchy show tune sang out. Another button and confetti rained down from the ceiling, soft and gently as snow.

“Now I bet the rest of you won’t try anything, huh? Hah! Let’s see… Ahh, yes, boy #2, Keisuke Akita, step on down!”

What fun this was going to be!

44 students remaining


[RULES] Read them and weep. Contains a lot of information you're might be after.

PC kills are currently not permitted, so no attempting on other players until the mods give it the Okay. NPCs are fair game to kill now. However, please do not kill more than two NPCs until further notice. This is to give everyone a chance to use them, and to stop somebody hogging them all. Inactivity sweeps and the first report will be confirmed and announced in a few days. We'll let you know, in br_ooc, so be sure to have that community added.

WEAPONS

If any of the following links don't work, just use google, m'kay?

Junpei Aiba -- Hunga Munga
Keisuke Akita -- Fish Knife
Daisuke Arai -- Boxcutter
Junpei Aragaki -- Cactus
Tatsutarou Iwamoto -- Large Plastic Bag
Katashi Oshiro -- Double-Bladed Shuriken
Atsuo Katsumoto -- Sai Dagger
Kenta Kobayashi -- Kilij
Kiba Sasakami -- Caffeine Pills
Ryo Jo -- Marushin Cop .357
Kazuhiro Tsukino -- Naginata
Akimitchi Tsurikan -- Obsidian Knife
Kouji Totani -- Inflatable Machine Gun
Jun Nakamura -- Cordless Iron(fully charged base)
Taro Hanazawa -- Glass Cutter
Masakichi Baba -- Fire Extinguisher
Akio Hayakawa -- Urumi
Eizo Horiguchi -- Claw Hammer
Haruki Masato -- Bag of Tangerines
Kenji Matsuda -- Cheese Knife
Keitaro Miyagi -- Eavesdropping Device(think GPS tracker but instead of monitoring collar locations, it monitors collar microphones)
Yuya Murakami -- Wazikashi
Yuu Yanagihara -- Bubble Wrap

Kei Aihara -- Smith & Wesson 642 .38 SPL
Seira Asagiri -- Katana
Tsukiko Inoue -- Hello Kitty AK-47
Akemi Kasai -- Crowbar
Aimi Katsu -- Wooden Tengu Mask
Nobuko Kansui -- Tanto
Miyako Kitagawa -- Taurus 608
Fuuka Kuroki -- Horseshoe
Hana Gomi -- Soba Kiri
Aiko Sakada -- Hand Grenades(Six)
Emi Sekiyama -- Cheese Grater
Mao Chikamatsu -- Dadao
Kyoko Nozaki -- Naval Dirk
Mimiko Hashimoto -- Benelli Nova
Honami Baba -- Springfield TRP 45 ACP
Kotone Fujino -- OTs-01 Kobalt Revolver
Miki Honda -- FN P90 Submachine Gun
Rukia Makaki -- Remote-Controlled Pterodactyl
Hikari Minami -- Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 627
Kana Minamino -- Ancient Mace
Harumi Munemura -- Wheat Sickle
Kiku Mori -- Meat Tenderizer

MAP

Version 9 will be taking place HERE

Kodamanotani is an old village settlement buried within the Yatsugatake mountain range. It is located on the west side of Mount Kitayoko, though its summit extends some way further to the east. The settlement was created in the late seventeenth century, by a small community of people led by Shinto priests. Although that settlement does not exist in the present day, there are still parts of that ancient legacy visable.

Today, the site is known mainly as a place of natural beauty. To the east, there is a small mountain town, who overlook and maintain the historical sites within the region. It is still considered an attractive visitor spot; in springtime, more than 17 million peach blossom bloom over all the mountain, making it an excellent location for hikers, spiritualists and anyone just wanting to drink a cup of green tea and enjoy the warm sunshine. It is a popular location for retirees, and young families looking to escape city life.

The Battle Royale Committee have overseen the erection of fifteen-foot electric fences around an aerial rectangular perimeter in the region. Furthermore, GPS traces in the collar design ensure that students cannot go further than thirty feet beyond the perimiter without activating two backup defense systems. The Kodamanotani residential area is located outside the fence, to the southeast. Only those buildings on the outskirts fall within the arena boundaries. Regardless, the residential area has been fully evacuated as a precaution. In addition to the fence and the HQ bunker, the Committee have installed cameras all over the mountain area. These are mostly installed in the rockfaces, on poles, trees, and buildings.

Please note there are many safe tracks covering the area (these have been marked in brown). These are the recommended hiking trails, and double as roads for cars and jeeps to travel along (although they are not particularly wide or smooth, so drivers are asked to use caution). These are guaranteed safe paths, although this is not to say the rest of the mountain is not safe. You are free to travel anywhere you please. Just remember: if you have to climb a mountain at three in the morning, then you'd probably want to stay on safe footing, right?



22. HQ Bunker.
This is your starting point. The interior has been decorated lavishly to convey the gameshow to the watching public, and it's here where you begin. It's been erected specially for the Program, and the assorted rooms are surrounded by reinforced steel walls.

1. Clifftop Meditation Area
A peaceful spot that overlooks much of the valley to the south. The meditation area is perched on a cliff, though it is a safe, gentle climb if you approach from the west.

2. Spring
The water escapes from the rocks at this spot. The actual source of the stream is about a mile further west, but the rock has eroded enough to allow a jet of fresh water to escape here.

3. Waterfall
The water plummets down a cascade in the rock here. It's not exactly high (about 25-30 feet), but noticeable all the same. A trail path leads behind the waterfall's descent. It's noisy here, too!

4. Cliffs
It is easy to reach the top of the cliffs from the west, through the meditation area. The vertical drop below is perilous, but the view from here is fantastic, and you can see for miles from this vantage point.

5. Floating Shrine
Situated on the lake, this Shrine is still considered a sacred location. You would need a boat (or a raft) to reach it, though, unless you're an excellent swimmer.

6. Torii
Traditionally, one should pass through this gateway first before approaching the shrine, by ritual of self-purification. The old wooden torii has been reinforced with steel, and was recently given a fresh coat of vermillion paint, but it's still a visible and sacred landmark.

7. Sub-Summit
The true summit of the mountain falls outside the arena, but this is the highest point within the enclosure. A trail road comes past here, but other than that, there is nothing here besides the spectacular view in all directions.

8. Southern Meditation Area
This spot was carved into the rock-face a long time ago. You can either approach from below, from behind, or from above. There is a fully-functioning drinking fountain here, which taps directly into the freshwater source below. It's potable and unlimited.

9. Old Bridge
The fissures to the south are particularly treacherous here, so a wooden bridge has been erected to span one side to the other. Following a near-fatal accident with a car a year ago, vehicles have been prohibited from crossing. The wood has aged and weathered even more since then, but it should be fine for people to walk across.

10. Fissures
The rocky terrain becomes particularly jagged around here, and expands to the north-east. They're not exceptionally deep, so you could cross them should you wish to do so. However, they're slippery and sharp, and it's very easy to twist your ankle (or break it) here, if you're careless.

11. Pond
A relaxing man-made feature for people who have little lust for nature. Built on the outskirts of the village, it is popular with children and birds alike. Swimming in it is a bad idea; it's not only deep, but hasn't been cleaned out in thirty-five years, and you would probably catch every disease in the dictionary if you swallowed any water.

12. Ranger Station
One of three small ranger stations within the enclosure, easily spotted on the west side of the region. Contains three tiny rooms, all emptied except for the larder, which still has much of its food in stock. There might be some painkillers and disinfectant in the cupboards.

13. Hunting Store
Of course, without any weapons, tools or ammunition still present. There is still equipment with which you can carry and clean weaponry, and the doors and windows are very secure. Don't forget to say hello to the multitude of stuffed animal heads dotted around the store, too.

14. Outdoor Sports Store
For all your hiking, biking and kayaking needs! Large equipment is still in store, but some things might be too cumbersome for one person to move with their bare hands...

15. Wooden Shack
Hidden deep in the thickest woods, this wooden shack was once used to store timber and coal. Although mostly bare, there is enough sawdust to make it fairly comfortable. Unfortunately, the shack was designed for storage, not for security.

16. Pagoda
An elegant four-storey tower on high. It is a shadow of its former glory, but is still an attractive landmark, overseeing the river to the north. The entrance is boarded up with wood.

17. Lookout Tower
The Republic built this lookout post in the forties in such a way that it was difficult for intruders to reach undetected. The tower is still an excellent fortress, although it is cold, damp, and completely empty.

18. Grand Mountain Home
A summer retreat belonging to a recently-deceased millionare. Has large glass windows that give amazing views in all directions, though one end of the house juts out and is held up by supports. As it's rarely lived in, the odds of finding edible food is remote.

19. Ranger Station
One of three small ranger stations within the enclosure, ideally positioned to descend the mountain. Contains two tiny rooms, both emptied except for the living room, which has a large first-aid kit stored in a cupboard. No painkillers, sadly.

20. Ranger Station
One of three small ranger stations within the enclosure, which covers the woods to the north and the higher ground. There are three rooms, one of which has a stash of high-strength instant coffee. There is also an operational buggy out back, though you would have to find the keys first...

21. Trading Post
Very much defunct, though they occasionally store spices and similar fragrances here. If you visit, you'll probably leave smelling delicious.

23. Museum
This place houses some information about the mountains and neighboring region. There are a several exhibits in glass cages, public restrooms, and a posh café.

24. Lodge
For families who are just visiting the area, this provides warm comfortable accommodation. The beds won't be made up, but sheets and pillows can be found if you look hard enough. The water is heated using solar panels.

25. Visitor Center
On the edge of the village, this is essentially a souvenir shop with an information kiosk attached. Has a large, eye-catching sign on top of it.

26. Schoolhouse
Local children often come here if inclement weather in the winter months makes travel to their normal schools impossible. Contains three classrooms, and a small hall. Mostly untouched, except anything that could be a weapon is gone.

27. Restaurant
A traditional diner from the 1970s, this is a family-owned business that thrives on tourism. All knives and kitchen equipment have been removed, and the cookers and refrigerators have been deactivated, so any non-longlife food will have spoiled.

28. Clinic
The main calling point for anyone in the village and their medical complaints. It has about twenty beds in it, and several smaller offices and examination rooms. Most of the equipment has been removed (as well as most medical supplies), although the larger equipment still remains. There is a vending machine and a water cooler in the lobby.

29. Helipad
Sort of. This is only ever used in winter months, in case the clinic needs to rush somebody to a proper hospital in an emergency. The helipad is otherwise covered in tarpaulin to prevent frost. There is a hangar close-by with a small helicopter, though of course it has neither keys nor fuel.

Any concerns or queries, feel free to drop a mod a private message; our details are on the front page.