Danganronpa: The Despair of Tomorrow

Prologue: Good Morning Despairica!

"And cut! Alright everyone, with that we are now done with the shooting process of our movie! Let's give a warm round of applause for our actors for the spectacular performance they have done!" Everyone clapped for them before the director looked towards me. "And let's give an especially big hand to our lead actor for helping this movie become what I know will be the ultimate blockbuster of the year!" The director shouted out as he, the staff, and the other actors applauded and cheered. I even heard most of them call me out with cat calls and whistles and I couldn't help it when I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. Even with nearly eleven years of acting and getting all this praise after every role I have ever done, I still get so flustered.

But that doesn't matter right now. I should know better than to go on a tangent without a proper introduction. Especially for an actor like myself.

My name is Kai Brugger and for as long as I can remember I have always loved acting; Whether it was in movies, TV shows, plays, or really anything that involved acting or voice acting. I began participating in the theatre when I turned six by joining the community's kid production of "High School Musical". I know it may have not been the best to start off with but it was the only thing I was allowed at the time.

Anyways I happened to get the role of Troy and the director found it surprising that I picked up on the role much faster than any child she worked with. I also happened to be working with the daughter of a CEO company who enlisted his daughter to participate as Sharpay.

Her father apparently saw one my scenes with his daughter during rehearsal and called up a buddy of his. The man he called then came to our show on our final night and was impressed with my performance. How do I know that? Well he approached me and Mother and asked if he could be my agent. At first, Mother wasn't for it but after he negotiated things with her, she allowed me to go with him.

Now almost eleven years later and I'm ranked as the number one child/teen actor of the decade! How crazy is that? I mean I have only done about 79 movies; both including normal acting and voice acting, made 27 TV show appearances, 31 roles as video game characters, English dubbed 23 anime characters, and even done 11 audio books for major authors and poets. Not to mention every time I got nominated for an Oscar I won that category which now left me with 17 Oscars. Okay maybe it's understandable why I got the title. Although it may not measure up to other adult and child actors but the reason people say I have this title is because of how easily I pick up on every role. They say I do exactly what the director wants and suddenly we finish production months in advance since I only need a one-time run through of my portion of the script, which is true but I don't like showing off.

I know it's impressive but I never would say I'm better than all the other child/teen actors. That was until I got approached after that final shoot by a man I never thought would want to see me.

He was pretty plain looking but the most interesting feature about him was that he wasn't American. In fact he was Japanese, which surprised me since my acting isn't really recognized outside of America. Or so I thought.

He was waiting outside the studio as he looked out upon the sea of actors, equipment staff, and cameramen to try and spot out his target; which he beamed when he saw the director thanking me one last time before we parted ways with me walking away from the man. He immediately rushed after me, waving one hand while the other hand clung a clipboard to his chest. "Excuse me Kai Brugger! I need to speak with you about," But before he got the chance to finish, my agent popped out of seemingly nowhere and tackled the poor man, pinning his head down and sitting atop of him. The man gasped out in pain as the clipboard dug painfully underneath his chest.

"Now unless you want to leave this place with your arms in splinters, then I suggest you make an appointment before rushing up to my client, got it?" He growled at the man.

Despite him manhandling an obviously harmless man, I couldn't help but lightly chuckle at him. Terry Bobinski was the 36 year old man who took me under his wing all those years ago and he's never left my side. Despite not being related, he has the same black hair I have except his is smoothed down and short while mine had more height and volume for the movie I shot. He had brown eyes but mine were very different. My eye coloring was hazel but they had a brighter yellow hue to them, making them look like two blazing suns were there on my head. His body was very muscular while mine was also built but more like an average swimmer than a pro wrestler and our skin color was similar in the fact we both were quite tanned.

He taught me everything I know today and he has helped me to climb the ladder to success, fame, fortune, and all that other obvious stuff. He's also appointed himself as my main bodyguard to help fight off paparazzi, fangirls (and guys), and even the others that I work with. Yes even other actors get kinda crazy when they see they're working with me on a movie or something. He's dedicated his entire existence to my well-being as he has said multiple times and honestly I could never thank him enough because trust me, I have tried.

I almost forgot he was crushing the poor Japanese man as I rushed over to him. "Come on, Terry. Stop hurting the man." I sighed as I eventually pulled him off of the man.

Terry grimaced as he dusted his suit off. "Must you always ruin my fun? I haven't gotten such a thrill like that since I pushed you out of the way of the lamppost in your last theatre rehearsal of Hamlet. The idiot stage hand had forgot to screw it to the set properly and I gave him a lesson in manners."

Again I couldn't help but chuckle. "You always have to be overdramatic about these things. Looks like you might be the new top child/teen actor of the decade."

"Keep that up and soon I will knock you down both figuratively and realistically." He smiled as he lunged at me but I smirked as I sidestepped him and wrapped the hand towel that hung around my neck across his face. His eyes widened as he got a nose and mouthful of my body's natural stench of sweat as he began clawing at the towel, desperate for release. "I think not." I whispered to him as I let go of the towel.

He quickly recovered as he gasped in the fresh, hot California air that plunged into his lungs. He then glared at me with the same playful smirk as I had on. "God, how do you always smell so bad after a performance?"

I simply shrugged at him until we heard a grunt from behind. Oh right, that man was still here as he slowly pushed himself off the ground. He looked queasy as he reached for his clipboard. Terry made a move again but I put my hand to his chest to stop him as the little man cringed in fear. Terry snorted at him as I shook my head and approached the man. "I apologize about Terry. But it is best if you arrange an appointment with him first so that kind of thing won't happen again."

He looked up nervously and then back down at his clipboard. "Yes but this is short notice for me just as much as it is for you. See I was sent here by request of Mr. Kirigiri."

Terry's eyes suddenly lit up as he approached us. "Wait a minute. Are you referring to Jin Kirigiri?"

The man smiled as he seemingly broke out of the protective shell he had on. "Y-Yes sir, the one and only."

I looked at Terry with confusion written plainly on my expression but he simply nodded to me, silently saying not to worry. He looked back at them man and motioned to him. "Come, let us take this to Kai's trailer. We'd be happy to discuss this further in private."

Honestly they both lost me at this point as those two quite literally skipped their way to my trailer. All I could do was feel my cheeks puff out in annoyance since they haven't said a word to me yet.

My trailer was about the size of a fifth-wheel with all the normal accommodations an actor's trailer would have. 52" flat screen, all the video games, movies, and TV shows on Blu-Ray that all starred me, big, velvet sheeted foam bed, a trophy case with all my Oscars and other various awards, and other similar items.

We sat the man down on the leather couch as I decided to sit on the stool in the kitchen area and down a ham and cheese club sandwich I had saved earlier.

Terry had his hands placed together in front of his mouth as he then lowered them and looked at the mysterious man. "So I can only assume you are here for one reason right?"

The man nodded. "You are correct Mr. Bobinski."

Terry again couldn't help but smile. "I knew it!"

I sighed again and looked to them. "Will someone please clue me in? What's so amazing right now that you're forgetting to include the person I highly believe you'll be talking about?" I took another chomp of the sandwich as the two looked to each other and nodded. 'Was this supposed to be an unspoken language that only they can understand?' I thought annoyed.

"Mr. Brugger, have you heard of the prestigious academy in Japan called Hope's Peak?" The man asked.

My face turned blue as I felt myself inhale a gasp of surprise and the sandwich into my air tube and coughed uncontrollably. Lettuce, onion, mayo, ham, cheese, and other ingredients went flying all over the plate and counter in front of me. As soon as I recovered I noticed Terry behind me, making sure he didn't have to perform the hemlock on me and the man looking intently at me too.

I blushed after making myself look like the Queen's fool and quickly looked over to the man. "You are talking about the academy that can guarantee successful futures for its graduates, right? Who hasn't heard of that school?"

"Well I am glad because the reason I ask is because I am a scout for the school and after learning about your history in the theatre, Mr. Kirigiri and I both think you should attend." The man told me.

I felt my heart skip a beat when I heard that. "Really? You want me?"

"Of course," He then began thumbing through the papers on his clipboard with a firm nod. "But first I need to ensure you fit the requirements." He began looking for the correct paper and then brought the paper to the front of all his paperwork. "Now then, are you the best at what you do?" Terry laughed. "Well you should already know that he's currently rated the top child/teen actor in America so I think that requirement has already been met." The scouter nodded as he wrote it down and looked back up "Alright but for the next one is what I am not sure of. Are you currently attending high school?"

I smiled as I nodded quickly. "Technically speaking I am! I may not be going to a public high school but I am attending classes. In fact, Terry is my teacher as well as my agent and bodyguard."

Terry nodded to confirm what I said was true. "I have met all the requirements to teach him his education on the road and he is currently on high school level lessons where he is supposed to be."

The man slowly nodded, showing his understanding as he wrote it down. "Then in that case… You can attend!"

I blinked. "That's it?"

"Yes sir! All your dedication and hard work is what has been recognized and we want to see the hope of the world grow within the best of the best. So with that said, would you, Kai Brugger, like to attend Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Actor?" The man asked.

Terry looked to me with the same look he always gave me. It was hard and strong but gentle and sweet. I always knew he was secretly saying this is a fantastic opportunity but he would be okay if I rejected the offer too. But I didn't even need to think on it. I looked back to the scouter and replied to him with one, slow nod of approval.

12 hours later…

Michael Strahan and Lara Spencer sat on the set getting ready to greet the country as they did every day. Soon the director came up and gave them the countdown. The timer hit zero and the cameras turned on. Lara smiled and began. "Good Morning America, welcome back and might I say we have a very special story to open up with, isn't that right Michael?"

"Yes indeed Lara, we have a very special guest coming in to tell all of America what this young, prodigy actor has in store for the future." Michael replied. The comment got the live audience to swoon with interest and excitement. "Yes that's right and what I'll say right now is that it is a mind-boggling change that's gonna blow you out of your seat! So let's not waste any time!"

"He's the little actor with big wins under his name with nearly 20 Oscars in his possession, has been in a plethora of movies, shows, games, anime, and even audio books, the child/teen actor of this decade…" Lara started.

"…And probably the next 5 or 6 decades to come too, if you know what I mean," Michael whispered comically which got Lara and the audience laughing before she continued.

"Please give a warm welcome to Kai Brugger!" Lara shouted as the audience stood up and cheered loudly. That was my queue so I took my deep breath and entered the set with a big smile. I called out to the audience whose screams turned absolutely wild when they saw me. I high fived the closer people before making my way to Michael and Lara, giving Michael a firm handshake and Lara a hug, greeting them both as we then sat down.

Michael shook his hand out before he commented, "Wow I thought you just finished shooting a teen romance movie, not an arm wrestling reality show."

Everyone including myself couldn't help but laugh. I looked to the side and replied, "Well you don't know what kind of things a man's gotta do in the name of love." The girls of the audience swooned as everyone else laughed more.

"Oh no, trust me. I wouldn't." Michael followed up again making us chuckle.

"So Kai let's cut straight to the point. Do you know why you've been brought in to be our first guest this morning?" Lara asked.

I looked away thoughtfully before replying, "Only because my agent has a mouth almost as big as Michael's?"

The audience not only laughed but gasped at the sudden burn I threw at the black host. He just blinked at me staring in comical silence which made us laugh. He finally stated, "Wow. I was just dissed on my own show. I guess I gotta go home now."

He was getting up to leave before me and Lara pulled him back down, all three of us smiling and giggling like five year olds. Then l looked to both of them, showing I was gonna be serious this time. "It's because I had a meeting with a scouter after our final shoot for the movie we just wrapped up."

"And what exactly was this meeting with this particular scouter about?" Michael followed up. I shuffled in my seat for a moment before looking back up. "Well… It turns out that a certain school has taken notice of me in Japan and the headmaster has asked if I would like to attend this academy."

Lara nodded as I went on. "What academy are you referring to?"

I left a big, dramatic pause as I saw most of the live audience literally got to the edge of their seats, their curiosity and intrigue clearly visible. "I've been asked to attend at Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Actor!"

Everyone gasped except for the hosts, who simply nodded at the reveal; having already been told in advance by Terry. "That's right America! Our own Kai Brugger here has been selected to attend an elite academy that basically guarantees successful lives for its graduates! How amazing is that?!" Lara asked and the audience erupted again with cheers. I couldn't help but blush from the praise again.

"So Kai what I bet all of America is wondering now is when will you be leaving and will we be getting updates on how things are going in Japan?" Michael questioned.

I couldn't help but smile as I was about to drop a major bombshell on them. "Well actually I was told something that I am now allowed to share with all of America." Again everyone began whispering gently to each other. Even the hosts this time looked at me with the same curious expression the audience wore. "I am actually attending the school in America!" Gasps resonated throughout the set. "That's right! Hope's Peak Academy is opening up a brand new school back in Los Angeles, California and fifteen other American Ultimates were recruited along with me to be the first American class to attend the new Hope's Peak!"

Everyone began murmuring even louder as they whispered their amazement at such a reveal. Even the hosts look flabbergasted. Soon Lara broke the silent air. "That's such an amazing thing to hear. They must have really kept this on the down low if there hasn't been any word about such a prestigious school begin built in America."

I nodded before continuing, "Yeah, they even told me it's because they wanna see if they can bring even greater hope to the world by opening up an academy in multiple countries, starting with one of the most populated countries of all, the good ole US of A."

Michael shook his head as he adjusted himself. "Incredible, incredible. Now tell us something. You are the Ultimate Actor. That is your title, correct?" I nodded. He then sat more upright and looked at me with a serious look and spoke in a serious tone. "This school is a big energy can of success for you upon graduation. But don't you already have that? You're making millions of dollars, you've got the championship belt of the number one teen actor in America, and you even got a star on the walk of fame. Why would someone go to a school that guarantees a future when you've already secured it yourself?"

"Oh, yes good question." Lara complimented before Michael added another question. "Are you that power hungry?" Which made myself, Lara, and the audience burst out in laughter again before we went back to seriousness. "Yes he does bring up a good point. Why attend the academy when you've already got what it can give?"

I looked down, feeling slightly embarrassed by what I was about to confess. "Well you see… I never really got to attend a public school before and I don't really have any friends my age. Don't get me wrong I love to be around all the amazing actors and actresses that I work with but I generally get along with the older ones, not many my age. Also I never got to experience what it's like to be a normal kid in a school."

"Sure the students will all be elites in their selected talents and the school is technically a private one but it'll probably be the closest thing I can get and my one and only chance to try something like this ever. I wanna be able to make friends to just hang out with. No work, no interviews, or acting all friendly towards each other for a good publicity image. I want actual meaningful relationships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Friendships, companionships, and I may even find the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. That last one might be a stretch with the conditions of it being a school but if there is even a tiny chance I wanna take it before I lose it forever. So in a way, I'm not looking for guarantee success for my career but for success in developing the personal relationships I've only dreamed of."

The entire audience sighed, heartfelt by my confession. That didn't help me feeling any less flustered as I wriggled around in my seat uncomfortably. Michael smiled as he placed his hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry. I have no doubt things will work out for you." I couldn't help but smile at his words as I sheepishly made eye contact with him. He lightly patted my shoulder a few times when I did.

"Well thank you again for coming in and sharing this with us, Kai. Will there be any chance America will get to see how you're doing at the academy?" Lara asked.

I chuckled softly before looking to her. "Unfortunately no. The school will not allow any cameras for shows or bloggers on the premise and the general public is asked to stay away so that the students won't feel crowded and overwhelmed when they enter the school for the first time."

"But the students themselves are more than free to be themselves so I could take photos and record videos that I can share online. That way people can see how things are going not only for me but for my other fifteen classmates." I explained to them.

"They say you can view the other students that wish to share their information online so you can see who you will be attending classes with. Have you looked into it?" Michael prodded me but I shook my head. "It's like learning the entire cast of characters in a movie a month before it is released in theatres. It will just spoil the fun of meeting new and exciting characters so I'd rather wait until the school year starts in the next two months."

"Well we are just excited for you and we hope that everything works out for you." Lara commented which I thanked her for with an appreciated nod. "Let's give big hand for Kai everybody." Once again the audience began clapping and cheering just as loudly, maybe even louder, as before when I first arrived. I waved to them as the camera zoomed around me and focused in on me.

*3rd Person View*

The camera was focused in on Kai as he waved to the audience whose cheering echoed throughout the relatively big office as the man in the big cushioned chair watched the show. The screen to the TV behind the desk was turned off and soon there was a knock at the door. "Come in." The deep voice grumbled.

The office door opened as the Japanese scouter from before opened the door and entered. He quickly approached the desk and bowed. "Greetings Headmaster Lovington, I have marvelous news. All sixteen of the students we originally got word of from Headmaster Kirigiri has all accepted a place here at our academy."

"Yes, yes I already know. I just finished watching the morning show with Kai Brugger." Headmaster Lovington replied tossing his hand out to the side, limply.

"Oh so Kai has already let all of America know of the academy's existence in America then? I bet he also talked about his reason for wanting to attend like he did me, huh? That boy has a bright future as well as the other fifteen." The scouter smiled as he looked through the profiles of the collected students he recruited.

"But can we be sure about that?" Lovington asked which made the scouter looked up in confusion. "I don't understand what you mean, sir."

"Think about it. Things might not all go according to plan. There's always something we can't predict will happen. It's only human nature to overlook even the tiniest possibility right?" He lectured.

The scouter shook his head in bewilderment by what was being said. "Headmaster? Are you feeling fine? Your voice sounds a bit scratchy. Also what tiny possibilities could we have overlook?"

"No, no! I'm perfectly fine. As for those tiny, isty bitsy things, well you got an earthquake that could flatten us all. They're quite common in states like California. Or or! The chance a major snow storm could bury us all alive!" He exclaimed throwing both arms into the air as his palms facing upwards and bounced a little from being thrown up.

The scouter was completely lost now. Sure earthquakes were common in California but the school's foundation was reinforced so it could withstand earthquakes and knowing snow was very rare for the Golden State did not help make any sense of what the headmaster was spewing out. "Or…" The chair began to slowly turn towards his direction now as it slowly creaked which also did not help calm the nerves the scouter felt tense up so suddenly. "Or maybe a tidal wave? A tidal wave that will tower over us, wash away our hopes and dreams once its looming shadow crashes down and crushes us. A tidal wave of DESPAIR!" The last word had a suddenly change in voice as a higher pitched voice screamed it out almost comically.

The scouter's eyes widened in horror as he saw Headmaster Lovington fully reveal himself at the last sentence, only to find the headmaster that Kirigiri had hired on sat there with his wrinkled, empty eye sockets pooled with his dried, pink blood in them. But that wasn't all that he noticed. His nose looked to have been cut off as well as his tongue and teeth as his jaw hung lifelessly down. The same pink blood slightly tricking out of all the open wounds showing he had been dead for quite some time but his body was still fresh. The scouter screamed (pink?) bloody murder as he stumbled back, trembling madly. He ended up tripping over the big rug on the ground as the files on his clipboard fell out and scattered across the floor as a result of him falling.

Soon the body that seemed to sit up on its own slowly fell forward with a sickening and squelching thud on the desk as the body began leaking the last of its fresh blood out on the mahogany desk. The Japanese man would then see what was speaking to him just a second ago and what had most likely killed Lovington. It was a stuffed bear that was half black and white with a devil-looking red eye and a big, matching, devilish smile on the black side with a normal button-looking eye and small, cute bear muzzle on the white side.

His face turned purple from fear and green from the nausea he immediately felt upon seeing this bear standing behind the dead headmaster's body. The bear then began walking up the headmaster's back and stepped on his head which squeezed out more of the unusually colored blood out of his head. The man couldn't handle it as his weak stomach exploded and he vomited right there on the floor with small chunks splattering almost every profile on the ground. He slightly coughed as he looked back to see the bear standing on the edge of the desk.

"Hello Mr. Yamato! Nice to finally introduce myself! Unfortunately Lovington asked me to tell you he would be too preoccupied to tend to the school so I have taken upon myself the responsibility of being the headmaster's academy! Wait that came out wrong! Dammit, I knew I should have written this down on a flash card! Oh well I think you got what I was trying to say." The bear cooed gently after throwing a fit.

"W-What the hell? You killed him! Why d-did you…?" Yamato couldn't even finish as he was too freaked out.

"Don't worry everything will be alright once we hit the climax of your story. Speaking of which I'd say that same climax that got to poor Lovington here will hit the faculty of the school right about… NOW!" The bear had thrown his arms up at that and suddenly Yamato could hear screams echoing from outside the office.

He quickly put two and two together as his staggered breathing hitched against his chest. "The faculty!" He whispered in horror as he quickly crawled over to the door only to find it had been locked from outside despite the lock being inside. He heard the men and women Lovington hired on as teachers, janitors, and other critically important staff members of the school as cries of terror and death carried throughout the hallways. He desperately shook the door trying to get it open but finding he lacked the strength due to the shock he felt ringing in his head.

Suddenly he saw a bear shadow loom over him as he looked back slowly, shaking like a cold puppy that came out of the bath. He began feeling the fear well up as he tried shaking to doorknob to get it open. As he approached him, the bear began to whisper, "A tidal wave that will tower over us…" Yamato felt tears quickly escaping his eyes as he began beating on the door. "…To wash away your hopes and dreams…" He began kicking at the doorknob only to break it off as he began crying out for help, clawing at the cherry doors. "…Once its looming shadow crashes down and crushes you…" Yamato kept clawing even though by this point he'd lost all his fingernails and the blood had begun to pour out from his fingers. "…A tidal wave of despair…" Yamato weakly looked back as the bear's shadow practically consumed him with him standing right above his weeping form. "That's me…" His red eye lit up as claws extended out of his paws. Yamato's eyes widened as his trembling could create the worst earthquake ever recorded in California history. "MONOKUMA!" The bear leapt up as Yamato screamed out as the reflection of his red, wet eyeball showed Monokuma's claws closing in on him until...

The sound of flesh tearing and cries of pure agony, pain, and despair rang through the office and outside as well from the remaining staff and faculty. The blood of the man poured out and was splattering everywhere. It went across the door, the tables and couches, the rug, and across every student profile that still laid scattered out on the ground, now drenched with vomit chunks and blood splatters.

Monokuma breathed heavily as he stood on top of the now deceased and shredded up corpse of the previous scouter before he looked back. He waddled over to the files and picked up the portrait shot with Kai's smiling face on it, which now had streaks of blood and the vomit pieces all over his picture.

"Puhuhuhuhu. Very soon, my students. Soon I will greet you to this pure world of mine, where you will all feel my despair!" With that Monokuma slashed at the file, slicing Kai's picture into three diagonal shreds as they gently floated down, landed in the pool of Yamato's pink blood, and soaked it up until the picture became completely unrecognizable.

End of Prologue: Good Morning Despairica!

I am finally back with something fresh! Just like Yamato's body! X3 I hope everyone has enjoyed this opening act to a despair inducing story! Just so you know I will be taking a lot of credit for the story but I do have some collaboration and help coming from two friends of mine who agreed to help me progress the story so it's as original as possibly! Those buddies are Weapon X Foxfurry and ChaosFlash912! Thank you both for agreeing to help me with this story and I can't wait to share my dream cast of Ultimates with you all! Until next time have a despair filled day! PUHUHUHUHUHU!