VOLUME I – GOD COMPLEX OF A SUICIDAL FREAK
CHAPTER RUNDOWNS & BONUS CONTENT
Semi-spoilers ahead (duh)
CHAPTER 1: My Suicide is Interrupted
Zero attempts to end his life by jumping from the Black Bridge, but things go awry when fellow student, Marina Almandez, accidentally falls into the icy depths of the river below him.
CHAPTER 2: the student council president might be more of a freak than i am
Zero is forced to encounter his childhood rival/least favorite person at Kane Academy: Student Council President Jordan Adrian. Insults are thrown, threats are made, and baths are drawn. (Yes, you read that last part correctly.)
CHAPTER 3: Lost one’s weeping
Zero attempts to go to his classes. He also checks in on his river-surviving-companion, Marina, but the interaction doesn’t go as he expects … not by a long shot.
BONUS
Read Between The Lines of Zero & Marina’s Interaction
M: If only you didn’t have such a horrible personality … It’s really a shame.
Z: Stop insulting my personality. That’s the same as just outright insulting me.
M: But it’s just too bad. If you weren’t so awful on the inside, just think about how popular you could be, you know? It’s almost scary to even entertain the thought.
Z: “Entertain the thought?” You don’t have to quote the one grown-up novel you’ve read every time you have a conversation with someone.
M: Hey, what were you even doing all morning that made you so late to see me? You know, I heard they gave you a bath and everything. You must have enjoyed that, huh? Having that girl rub her hands all through your hair like that.
Z: How do you even know about that? *sighs* Your ability to stick your nose into the business of others has never heard of the word “boundaries.”
M: *completely ignoring Zero’s comments* I bet you really had fun. You probably wish you were still there. You do, don’t you?
Z: What exactly are you imagining right now …?
M:
Z: … This is so disturbingly incorrect that I’m going to end this bonus installment here. Where are the roses coming from? Why am I making that expression?
M: Huh? Isn’t that just how you normally look?
KANE ACADEMY FACT
Students are ranked twice a semester, after midterms and after finals. This rank is separated by grade level and is used to determine many factors in a student’s life. There is also an unofficial ranking revealed at the end of every week to give students an idea of where they stand and what they will have to score on the midterm and final to maintain or improve their standing. While rank is primarily determined through tests and assignments, factors such as individual class placement, attendance, club activities, and outstanding achievements also contribute to a student’s overall placement, along with numerous unknown factors determined by a select few higher-ups.
CHAPTER 4: Sakayume
Ms. Kurima, Zero’s English teacher, forces Zero to have a chat with her. That night, our “protagonist” sets off to return to the Black Bridge and finish what he started. But when he reaches his destination, he finds he’s not alone.
ZERO FACT
When considerably sleep deprived, in dangerous situations, or emotionally distressed, Zero often suffers vivid hallucinations, or “memory flashes,” that can appear so real, they look as if they’re actually happening. When he was taken to the doctor about it as a child, no explanation for the phenomena was found.
CHAPTER 5: God’s least favorite
Zero saves Briar Thornswood from falling/jumping off the bridge. He makes a(n internal) promise to help Briar before going through with his own plans of suicide. The idea of a club is sprung, a lunch date is had, and many “accidents” occur.
QUIZ (try not to cheat)
Hey, since we’re both here with nothing to do, humor me with a little game.
Come on, what do you have to lose? It’s not like I can jump out of the page to punish you if you don’t win … right?
Right. It works like this: I’ll give you a string of numbers and you figure out the pattern to say which comes next in the sequence. (I’m bored so, really, you have no say in the matter. But I promise I’ll go easy on you.)
Thank you for your response. ✨
Yeah, I think that was too easy.
Thank you for your response. ✨
ANSWERS (cos then what’s the point?)
Answers to Zero’s number sequence game:
- 24
- 134
KANE ACADEMY FACT
Only students placing within the top 50 of their year for at least two consecutive ranking periods are eligible for a room and board scholarship (outstanding circumstances notwithstanding). Only those in the top 10 are guaranteed a full scholarship to the university of their choice upon graduation.
CHAPTER 6: I Meet Three Idiots And Am Forced To Expend Physical Energy (Again)
Zero is surrounded by Three Idiots who wish to take him out. Will he face them alone, or will Briar come to his “rescue?” Marina re-enters the plot.
Q & A
Q: “Are you sure you want to make me your enemy?” That’s a direct quote. “Stay down on the ground where you belong.” So is this. I bet you thought you sounded pretty cool, Zero.
Z: Is that even a question?
Q: “Should I shut them down, or stay out of trouble by finding a peaceful resolution? I’ll be nice this time and go with whatever you decide.” These are also your words, Zero, are they not?
Z: Uh … yeah, they are. Are you just going to quote back the entire chapter to me?
Q: Irrelevant—are you ever going to make good on your promise here?
Z: I’ll consider it. But can I go now? I’m kind of in the middle of an important plot line.
Q: Yeah, yeah, whatever. See you next time.
Z: Yeah, sure … Wait, next time?
KANE ACADEMY FACT
Rankings give students a certain number of “credits” that are sent to their ID cards and can be used as currency for various things, including spending money at stores and food stations. Whatever a student is given in rank credits is theirs and won’t be taken away even if they drop in rank later on. Those credits are replenished every quarter in an amount dependent on what placement they’re at. Ex: 1st gets $10,000 in credits while 150th gets $0.
CHAPTER 7: Unpleasant encounters
President Jordan imposes an ultimatum on Zero and his club for Briar: solve a case on behalf of the student council or forget about ever having a club to begin with. Also, the intro to Ms. Sharp + the hint of conflict between Briar and a boy from her previous friend group: Benjamin Hawkins.
Q & A II
Q: Zero, what is your life motto?
Z: What? Why would you want to know that? You already have our “personal comments,” isn’t that enough?
Q: Look, we warned you we’d come back, so just answer, please.
Z: Fine. I guess it’d have to be … “I do what I want—it’s not my fault what I want to do is nothing.” Or something like that.
Q: Wow. That’s …
Z: …
Q: …
Z: …
Q: … terrible.
CHAPTER 8: The case begins
Student rankings are being messed with, assignments are being stolen, and something just isn’t adding up as Zero and Briar find themselves thrown into the midst of a very desperate/upset group of high-ranking students who are affected by the case. The Charts are created and Zero spots an unnerving pattern that may well change the entire identity of the case. Also … there’s a traitor hiding amongst them.
ZERO FACT
Zero used to have a popular, anonymous MyTube channel in which he—ah! Hey, Zero, you can’t do this! Let us speak the tru—
CHAPTER 9: Traitor
Zero, Briar, and Marina theorize on the identity of the traitor. Zero schemes up something secretive that involves taking Briar’s phone, and in the process, he runs into the most popular girl at Kane Academy: Alina Carter – the Ice Princess. Zero’s first meeting with her goes … well … interestingly.
WHO HAS MORE ATTITUDE?
Q & A III
Q: I have a really bad feeling about this. You’re up to something aren’t you, Zero?
Z: Don’t worry about it.
Q: You’re always getting into trouble—for once, couldn’t you get into the fun kind of trouble?
Z: I wasn’t aware there was a fun VS not-fun kind of trouble.
Q: I’m just saying, would it kill you to let loose and get yourself a girl—
Z: Contact me again when you have something worthwhile to ask. I’m busy.
BONUS
X’s drawing of the two wolves
CHAPTER 10: Brutality
“Zero be out here handing away free trauma” – our audiobook producer regarding chapter 10. Basically, Zero scares the shit out of Benjamin Hawkins. Ok, and maybe messes him around a bit … Or more than a bit. Or …
BONUS
A Look At What The Senior Representatives Are Up To Tonight
Analisa: James, it would appear we have our own bonus installment. How do you think we ought to make use of it—
James: Hey! How come that boring junior asshole up there got a profile and I didn’t?
Analisa: I don’t think it’s something you should take personally—
James: Fine. I’ll just make one myself. Name’s James Hudson, I’m a senior, I’ve got reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, I’m 6’0—
Analisa: Try 5’9.
James: Goddamnit, Ana—who asked you, huh?! It ain’t like you know how tall I am or anythin’.
Analisa: I know you’re one inch taller than me. I’m 5’8.
James: Ana! Quiet down, jeez.
Analisa: Shouldn’t we be more focused on the case at hand, hm? You are aware that if our spots in the top 10 are taken out from under us, we’re no longer guaranteed scholarships to the universities of our choice, yes?
James: … yes.
BONUS II
Thank you for your response. ✨
KANE ACADEMY FACT
KA uniforms are custom-made per each student.
CHAPTER 11: Why Do People Want Me to Sing so Damn Bad?
Zero learns an important secret from Ms. Sharp, one of the representatives is found to have damning evidence inside their bag, the teachers finally become involved in the case, and everyone goes to karaoke together to blow off steam. Including Alina Carter.
Pic: Briar Thornswood (chibi-style)
Q & A with YOU
Q: Zero didn’t sing a single song, which disappointed everyone greatly.
BONUS
A Look Inside Marina’s Mind While She Stands in the Hallway:
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!!!!!!!! Zero!!!!!! Since when???? How?!!!?!?! I knew I felt muscle when he was holding me in the river, but I never imagined …. !!!!! Eeeek!!!
BONUS II
Juri’s Search for Help—a Re-telling:
Juri: Ms. Kurima, I want to perform a song for the Talent Festival.
Kyouka: That’s a great idea, Juri! 🙂
Juri: But … it’s a duet and … it’s in Japanese. You see, I don’t feel fully comfortable singing in English … *Juri is a Japanese foreign exchange student.
Kyouka: Japanese, did you say? And you need help finding someone who can sing in Japanese with you?
Juri: *nod, nod*
Kyouka: Preferably a boy, I assume?
Juri: *nod, nod*
Kyouka: *devious chuckling* Oh, I have the perfect person for you, heh heh heh ❤ Here’s what you need to do, follow my instructions exactly …
BONUS III
Meanwhile, Back at Karaoke …
Myles: Anyone seen Zero?
Alek: *playing with Myles’s hair and sticking stickers on his face* Eh, who cares?
Myles: Alek, I appreciate this mini-makeover you’re giving me but, uh … why are you doing it?
Alek: You and Jordan have such nice hair; but Jordan would never let me close enough to touch his, so you’ll have to do.
Myles: You’re kind of weird, you know that?
Alek: *humming a breakcore hyper-pop song no one’s ever heard of* Hold still. I’m gonna add one more sticker, ok?
Myles: *obediently holding still* Seriously, though. Where’s Zero?
Alina: Did Thirteen take off? Hm, I didn’t notice his absence.
Jake: *looking at Briar* Well, someone did …
Briar: *staring at the door* …
BONUS IV
BONUS V
Thank you for your response. ✨
CHAPTER 12: I take Briar to hell
Zero discovers how the traitor has been stealing assignments. He and Briar explore the secret tunnel system running under the academy. The chamber they find has a shocking discovery in it.
JAMES HUDSON CHARACTER PROFILE
CHAPTER 13: The true target
After a life-threatening experience (on Briar’s behalf), Zero gets all the final pieces of info and proof he needs. Time to call the whole gang together and reveal the true identity of the traitor. But, wait …
Pic: That Day – Nine Years Ago
Pic: Zero’s mental image of “X”
WHO IS THE TRAITOR – VOTE!
Hey, I want you to make a decision now. Yeah, it’s time.
BONUS
Are you kidding? We don’t have time for a bonus! Get to the next chapter!
CHAPTER 14: something I’ve missed
The traitor is missing from the group. On top of that, is Zero missing something within the pattern he noticed from the start? Could something even more sinister be going on here? Is the traitor the one who’s actually in danger?
BONUS?
Umm … something has to go here! Hey, author, don’t get lazy—
CHAPTER 15: I finally die (sort of)
Zero races through the tunnels to find the traitor and rescue them. But first, he must die. (Sort of). In the setting of a giant, beautiful marble chamber, the finale turns into a horrifically magnificent event. One which Zero is unable to witness himself.
5 people will be sent to the hospital.
Pic: Zero stepping from the pool
MR. HENDERSON CHARACTER PROFILE
Zero’s Flashback
BONUS
Martial Arts Terms (What Was Zero Doing?)
*Axe kick: A kick used in a variety of martial arts in which you bring your leg straight up to crack down on your opponent. Daniel attributed this to Kyokushin Karate.
*Scissor kick: A Taekwondo kick used to hit two opponents at once by making a split in the air.
*Back kick (or spinning back kick): Taekwondo’s most iconic attack in which you spin into a kick aiming straight back.
CHAPTER 16: Everyone I’ve Ever Had the Misfortune of Meeting Comes to See Me Even Though I Didn’t Ask Them to
Zero wakes up in the infirmary. He is visited by everyone. Literally. But the consequences for what he did will continue to haunt him for a long time coming. And the appearance of Chairman Callan Adrian only serves to make everything much, much worse … Zero’s plans for suicide may have to be put off once again, or else.
A new case is on the horizon. And The Problem Solving Club (The PSC) is open for business.
CHAIRMAN ADRIAN CHARACTER PROFILE
BONUS
So, long time no see. Did you miss me? I didn’t have time to warn you beforehand, but you’re still here, so I assume my absence was bearable. Hey, what’s that?
Thank you for your response. ✨
Zero 
