If anyone's curious, no, the characters in the story don't wear the same outfit 24/7 like they do in the games, especially since they're aged up. I'd like to imagine they're wearing the outfits/hairstyles that I've seen in those Tumblr sprite edits (FashionRonpa for example).
When I woke up the next morning, I cried because I remembered Hiyoko's insults from the previous day. I didn't get the tears out when I got home last night like I usually do, so they had been bottled up the entire night until I next woke up. I couldn't complain. I had a nice sleep without any nightmares, fitful tossing and turning, or spontaneous childhood fear of things that go bump in the night. It was also best to get these tears out now in the privacy of my own home before I went on to work.
I walked to the train station and took the nine-thirty train to Hope's Peak hospital. It was early in the morning, so not many cars were in the parking lot. It was rare that people would discover an ailment at this sleepy time. Though, the same couldn't be said for the patients who stayed overnight.
Two nights ago, a young girl had a seizure in school. We kept her around to do some extra testing on her. Her father was very persistent in staying with her to keep her company. He even slept in the stiff chair late at night.
None of that was really my business, though. I was just the nurse. All I was supposed to do was check her vitals and give her her meals. Everything else was up to the doctor. I didn't mind. I liked the small amount of time I got to spend with the patients. I loved caring for them, and I loved their appreciation for my care. Knowing that someone enjoys my presence is one of the most rewarding feelings I've ever experienced.
I was eating lunch in the cafeteria at my usual spot by the window. The chatter of other doctors and nurses on their lunch break echoed in the spacious room. The aromas of their meals mingled together in a less than appetizing manner, but that didn't stop me from enjoying my own meal.
Suddenly, a woman sat down in the chair across from me.
"I tell you, these patients can be so ungrateful," griped Mariam.
Mariam was a nurse who acted as my mentor when I first applied here. Although I knew more about nursing than most people in this hospital, she acted more as a social mentor. She taught me about how to interact with patients, their loved ones, the other workers, and little tricks on how to make the job easier.
She was a beautiful Egyptian woman with dark chocolate skin, brown bespectacled eyes, and micro braids. She was tall and slender; even her blue scrubs looked good on her figure. I admired her.
"I haven't had a-any trouble with any patients," I told her.
"Lucky you," said Mariam as she unzipped her lunchbox "They must really like you."
Flattery rose to my cheeks "Hehe, y-you think so?"
"Definitely," Mariam confirmed "Wish I was in your shoes."
"Well, d-don't take the patients' rudeness personally," I tried to reassure "They're probably in a lot of pain and want to take their frustrations o-out on something."
Mariam snorted "Still doesn't excuse it."
"I-I'm sorry," I fumbled "I d-didn't mean to sound like I was defending them."
Mariam sighed "I know, Mikan, I know," she said.
Dr. Aiko tapped her pen against her ring finger "Mariam sounds like a good friend," she noted "Have you ever considered hanging out with her?"
"Huh?" said Mikan "I-I don't know. I like talking to her at work, but…I'm not sure she would like seeing me anywhere else."
Dr. Aiko lifted her gaze "Do you think you're afraid she'll dislike you in your natural state?"
Mikan bit her lip, her violet eyes full of worry as they pointed to her lap.
"It's okay to feel nervous about seeing your coworkers outside of your workspace," consoled the therapist "But I'm sure Mariam doesn't just like you because you're a nurse."
The pale-skinned woman apprehensively spoke up "Wh-what if she doesn't like me…for who I am outside of work?"
"Then she's not worth calling a friend."
On my way home walking from the train station, I came across a peculiar sight.
Kazuichi and Yasuhiro were talking to one another, but both of them were looking at something in the distance. Based on their bemused expressions, I figured whatever they were staring at was the topic of their discussion.
When I followed their gaze, I saw Nagito staggering about his driveway in a slightly crouched position.
My interest piqued, I approached Yasuhiro and Kazuichi "U-um, what's going on?"
Luckily, neither men were too preoccupied by Nagito to give me their attention.
The curly-haired man was the first one to speak "I'm not entirely sure. We were on our way to the movies when we saw that new guy just wandering around his house."
Kazuichi anxiously scratched at his ear with a frown "Man, Hajime said he was a nut job, but I didn't think it was this bad," he said "The guy's been muttering to himself like that for ten minutes now."
I grew worried by that description "Wh-What is he muttering?" I asked.
The cherry-haired male shrugged "Probably gibberish. I mean, the guy is off his rocker."
"I'll admit, I'm curious to know how this is gonna end," Yasuhiro's face paled slightly "But I'm a little afraid of being out here with him."
"Yeah, we can't stay out here that long anyway," agreed Kazuichi "We've got a movie to catch," he then started to walk down the street, leading Yasuhiro with him "Bye, Mikan."
"Later," signed off the other male.
"Goodbye, h-have fun," I told them as they left. I then turned back around.
My house was just across the street.
Nagito was just three houses ahead of me.
"I should…at least check to see if he's alright," I thought.
I walked over to the cream-haired man, who was now crouching beside one of the bushes lining his home. He seemed to be too focused on his activity to see that I was standing right behind him.
I could vaguely hear that he was muttering something in English. It sounded strange with his native accent on it, but there was a definite melody.
"Uh…N-Nagito?"
The man turned around and pointed his olive green gaze at me, seemingly surprised by my presence.
My body clenched in defensiveness "I-I'm so sorry for scaring you. I just—just wanted to know what you were doing. I'm really sorry for interrupting…"
"Oh no, it's okay. No need to apologize to me," Nagito said as he stood back up "I was just looking for my pet rabbit, Monomi."
"Your…pet rabbit?" I repeated.
"Yeah, she ran out the door when I left to get the mail. Just my luck," explained Nagito "I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up getting eaten by a stray dog."
The statement rattled me "D-Don't think like that…!" I stammered.
"Well, it's possible," commented Nagito.
"But i-it's so morbid…!" I objected.
I must have looked visibly frightened, because Nagito gave a nervous chuckle and said "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you or anything," he then looked around himself "Well, in the case that the worst doesn't happen, I should keep looking. There is always a chance she'll turn up safe and sound, too."
The cream-haired male walked further towards the side of his house. I watched him saunter around the small area for a few minutes before I decided to follow him.
Again, he looked at me in slight bemusement.
"U-Um…would you mind if I try to find her too?"
Nagito's eyes widened "Huh? You would help someone like me?"
I couldn't help but find the surprise in his eyes cute "Of course," I affirmed.
Nagito told me that Monomi was a white rabbit with a pink collar that had tiny angel wings on it. Based on that description alone, I assumed Monomi would be easy to find. But that didn't change the fact that she was still a rabbit, a rabbit who would skitter away at slightest sound. So the process of finding her had to be slow and patient. Eventually, we had searched the entire area around Nagito's house, but had come up with nothing.
"She probably ran across the street while we were looking," Nagito said when we reunited in the front lawn "I know she wouldn't go far, but it's clear that she's not here. You don't have to keep looking. I'll take it from here, but I appreciate you helping me anyway."
"But wait I…" I paused, not even sure where the beginning of that sentence was going "Please l-let me keep looking," I chose to say instead "I really want to h-help find her."
Nagito's brows raised a bit in what I could only call surprise "Are you sure you would want to keep helping someone like me? I'm really not worth wasting any time over."
"Yes," I then hurried to correct myself after realizing the way my answer sounded "I mean, n-not that I'd be wasting time! I-I'd love to help you, Nagito…"
The cream-haired man hesitated, and for a second, I feared that I had angered or disgusted him, but his response told me otherwise "To have someone extend so much kindness to me," a smile pushed up his cheeks "I must truly be a lucky man! Thank you, Mikan."
His smile gave me warmth in my chest.
Happiness.
Yes, that was the feeling.
"Sure thing!" I giggled "I was thinking that perhaps w-we could ask Gundam for help."
Nagito raised a brow "Who?"
"O-Oh right, you're new to the neighborhood," I turned and pointed at a large house farther down the street "He lives just o-over there with Sonia. He's very good with animals."
Nagito studied the home "Hm, so that's who lives there," he said as if I had just solved a great mystery.
Many people had that reaction, though. Next to Celestia, Sonia had the largest house in the neighborhood. It was at least twice the size of any house on the block. It was a creamy yellow color with deep magenta roofs. Leaves and roots were free to grow across the house and added a colorful splash of life to the structure.
Despite the regal appearance of it all, the front door simply stood on the end of the cobble stone walkway leading from the sidewalk, beckoning every and anyone to come by.
I rang the pearly white doorbell as Nagito stepped up onto the porch with me. After a few seconds of muffled footsteps, the door opened to a cheery, bright-eyed blonde.
"Ah, Mikan! So nice to see you," Sonia greeted.
"It's n-nice to see you, too, Sonia," I chirped.
Beside me, Nagito said "Hello there, Sonia. My name's Nagito."
In that moment, I could see the light in Sonia's eyes fade when she noticed Nagito, but she still made the effort to keep her polite and welcoming disposition.
"I really h-hope I'm not inconveniencing you or anything…but I was hoping Gundam could help u-us with something…?" I asked.
"Oh? Gundam?" the blonde questioned with a curious look.
"Yes…you see, N-Nagito's rabbit got lost. I just wondered, since Gundam is so good with animals…" I nervously tapped my fingers together. Asking for help always made me uncomfortable. There was always a lingering fear that I would be cruelly declined.
"That's definitely something Gundam could handle," assured Sonia with confidence illuminating her eyes again "I'll go get him right away. Oh! But would you like something to drink while you're here?"
I found myself surprised when both Nagito and I said "No thank you," in almost perfect sync. From the look on his face, he was surprised, too.
Sonia laughed at the coincidence and invited us inside so we wouldn't have to stand outside waiting.
Nagito and I sat in the lounge while the blonde hurried off to get Gundam for us. Like the outside of the house, the interior was both humble yet regal in appearance. Even though Sonia was from royalty, she was somewhat down to earth, and that showed in her decor. Combined with Gundam's ideal image of a "Tanaka Empire", the two create a lovely aesthetic.
The decor became my primary focus in those silent minutes between Nagito and I.
Nervousness was an emotion I had become well acquainted with over the years, and something I wished to detach myself from. However, this was not the same nervousness that plagued me for years. There were butterflies in my stomach rather than a tight knot. My heart thumped against my chest, but not in fear. I didn't recognize this feeling at all. It was completely foreign to me.
"Say Mikan, do you have a pet?" asked Nagito.
"No…"
"Oh."
The awkward silence continued after that small exchange. The next spoken words came from neither of us.
"You have requested my services?"
Gundam entered the room with a professional stance with Sonia at his side with an encouraging smile.
"Yes, you must be Gundam," Nagito greeted as he stood up from his chair "It's great to meet you."
"As to you, Nagito," replied Gundam as he extended his hand to shake the male's "My wife has informed me that your beloved companion has gone astray."
Nagito chuckled "My rabbit? Yes. She ran out the door when I was getting the mail. I saw her run around the house, but we couldn't find her there."
Gundam smiled "You have consulted the right person."
In contrast to the painstaking, long search Nagito and I did, Gundam returned with Monomi in his arms within what felt like seconds.
Sonia sat down in the lounge with us to fill the empty silence while Gundam was gone, but our conversation was cut short when her husband entered the room with the white rabbit in his arms.
"You found her!" Nagito beamed with open arms.
The dark-haired man gave a smug smile "Naturally," he said as he handed Nagito the rabbit.
"Thank you so much for going to this trouble for me," Nagito said "Mikan wasn't kidding when she said you were good with animals. How did you find her so fast?"
"Well, when you told me the characteristics of your companion, I had already began composing several tactics to attract her to the backyard," explained Gundam "Thankfully, the first tactic was the one that succeeded."
"And what was that?" curiously asked Nagito.
Gundam then reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a small pink trinket with three holes in it "My specially hand-crafted rodent-summoning ocarina."
Beside me, Sonia worriedly inclined her head "Gundam, honey, did any rodents other than Nagito's rabbit come to the backyard?"
At that, Gundam's prideful aura seem to falter "Ah, well…" he looked off to the side and tugged at his purple fashion scarf "…perhaps more than I had intended."
"That makes sense. Monomi responds strongly to anything resembling music," said Nagito as he pet the ivory ball of fluff.
I started to speak up "Is that why…" but the rest of my sentence got lost somewhere in my throat as I lost confidence.
We all said our last goodbyes of the evening and Nagito and I left Sonia's home. Without the couple, we had gone back to awkward silence between us.
"S-She really is cute," I noted "Monomi, I-I mean."
"Thank you," said Nagito with that same lovely smile.
We were getting closer to my house. It would only be a few minutes before we would have to go our separate ways.
"Hey…Nagito?"
"Hm?"
"Y-You said Monomi really likes music. Is that why earlier…you…?" Again, the words got lost in my throat. I didn't feel like asking the question anymore, but Nagito was already looking at me in curiosity.
"Oh, you heard me singing?" he then gave a coy chuckle "Hehe, it's kinda embarrassing, but yeah. I was hoping Monomi would recognize my voice since I've been humming that song a lot, lately."
"Really? What is i-it?"
Nagito shrugged "Just an English song I heard on TV recently. It was called "Like a Star". A woman named Corrine Baily Rae sings it," he explained.
My house was almost right in front of us. Just a few more steps and I would have to leave.
"You know, you've really helped me a lot today, not just with Monomi, but also with getting friendly with the neighbors," Nagito said "Would you like to keep in contact?"
"K-Keep in contact?" I gasped "You mean…e-exchange numbers?"
"Yup, the way I am, it's best for me to have a friend who can help me out when I'm in a pinch," he joked "I understand if you don't want to, though. We pretty much just met."
"N-No, I'd love to…!" I squeaked, immediately embarrassed by my overly enthusiastic response "I-I mean…this could be a chance to get to know each other better, you know?"
Nagito nodded "Yeah. I think that's perfect."
In that moment, something seemed to change about his smile.
There was a familiar warmth in his eyes.
Happiness.
Yes, that was the feeling.
Mariam Nabih is a direct expy of Mira Nygus from Soul Eater since she's a nurse character, too.
As you can tell, writing Gundam's dialogue isn't the easiest for me. I can't guarantee he, and the other DR characters, will play major roles in the story, but I'm pretty sure everyone from both games will appear at least once.
By the way, "Like a Star" is a real song and I highly recommend you listening to it. It's beautiful!
