"Text with apostrophes is being talked"
Text in italics is being thought.
Chapter 7: The Stain
Chisa Yukizome's P.O.V.
Several weeks had passed since I came back from the Reserve Course and everything has been great ever since. It was good to feel that same excitement I always had when I teach my students, or when they talk to each other as if they have known for a long time… It was good to see that everything was exactly the same as before… Well… not exactly the same… I've been watching Blank-kun adapting to his new surroundings and companions, and as I expected, he's doing just fine by himself.
It is good to see him talking with Sonia-san about their home countries restlessly, watching pictures that Koizumi-san took and praising her skill, listening to Souda-san's complaints about Sonia-san not noticing him, talking with Tsumiki-san to get her more comfortable around him… Although, Saionji-san still tries pointlessly to get on his nerves, and Kuzuryu-san still acts hostile towards him. Regardless, he has done a great job at growing fond with everyone… and he looks much happier than when he was in the Reserve Course... alone and quiet…
This change on him is… incredible… It makes my heart melt with happiness… Seeing him smile each and every day… Participating excitedly in every activity that is proposed… Listening and advising his classmates whenever they have a problem, making use of his talent… It's just so satisfying…
"Well… Look who we've got here" I heard a voice from behind.
"Oh! Sakakura-san! Good evening!"
"I see that you are in good spirits. Is there something happening?"
"Don't you remember?! Tomorrow we will be having the entrance ceremony for the new students! Don't you find it exciting?!" I couldn't help myself from jumping in joy. Having new students around the academy was always something I get excited about!
"Not really… There are just another bunch of troublesome kids running around. Have you forgotten what happened several months ago? When our entire gym was blown up to pieces in the practical test?" He said annoyed.
"Of course I remember, but we can't put the blame on all the students just for that. You've gotta enjoy life a little more, you know?" I said as I nudged him.
"Anyways, I was looking for you" He said as his tone became more serious "How was your investigation in the Reserve Course?" Oh… so it was about that… I recalled Blank-kun's words at that moment, the horrible project the academy has been working on in the dark…
"Well… about that…" I can't ask him to do that… I would put him at risk if I did it… but what else could I do…? I saw him looking at me expectantly, I had to tell him something… Maybe I'm being selfish to put him at risk just for this, but Kyosuke is counting on us and I have no other way to find out more… "… Could it be possible for you to get a Hope's Peak Academy access card?"
He looked stunned for a second as he understood the consequences of my request "You mean a Trustee ID? Those are exclusive for the rulers of the academy" I nodded in understanding "If they catch me red-handed I could get myself fired. Or even worse…"
He wasn't convinced… I had to make him to cooperate somehow "Have you heard of the 'Kamukura Project'?"
"Kamukura Project?"
"The headmaster and the board of trustees are moving forward on this plan in secret. Most of the Reserve Course's funding is being destined for this project, apparently" Sakakura frowned, it looks like this is beginning to sound fishy to him as well "Besides, they have named the project after the Hope's Peak Academy's founder, Izuru Kamukura. They wouldn't use that name if the project wasn't important. But, in order to learn more about this, I need a trustee ID"
He sighed as he thought about it for a second before adding "When it comes to Munakata, you really get serious" He said mockingly.
"So you do, isn't it?" I said, trying to mock him back, but he just looked away annoyed. Then, I realized something else I found out while I was investigating "Oh, that's right! Do you remember Blank-kun?"
"Who?"
"The student you caught last year, the one from the Reserve Course"
"What about him?"
"He told me that when he received back the accepted application from the academy, they also added an offer to join this project. Apparently, they need a volunteer to carry it out. Moreover, another student by the name of Hajime Hinata quitted school shortly before I came to the Reserve Course, and nobody seems to know where he is" I said sternly, but deep inside I was terrified. I didn't want to believe that Hinata-kun could have joined that project… "That's why I need you to get a trustee ID for me. Students could be in danger, and who knows what that project is all about! I have to find out!" I tried to sound determined.
Sakakura sighed for a moment before he spoke again "Alright, I'll see what I can do, I'll get you an access card. But you owe me one" He said with a cheeky smile.
"Of course! Thank you!"
Néstor Blank P.O.V.
Another day at school begins… It's crazy to think that I've been studying at Hope's Peak Academy for a whole year now, even if most of it was at the Reserve Course… It feels like it was yesterday when I met Hajime and we began to talk and laugh about stupid stuff, it was fun back then… If only he could be here with me and Chiaki, just like he wished for…
"Um… B-Blank-kun…?" I heard a soft and hesitant voice from behind, dragging me back from my thoughts.
"Yeah? What is it?" I turned around to see Mikan standing there all alone, looking at me shyly.
"S-Sorry! D-Did I interrupt you…?" She asked terrified as her eyes began to water up.
"N-No, of course not! I was just thinking about something… You just surprised me, that's all" I said calmly to make her see that it was okay.
"I-it's fine if you're mad at me… I-I'll let you hit me if it m-makes you feel better…" She said as her voice quivered. She stiffened as she felt my hands pressing on her shoulders, but calmed down when she saw tenderness in my eyes.
"Tsumiki-san… We talked about this already: Harming you in any way won't make me feel better at all, so please, please don't ask me to do that… If you want to make me feel better, how about you try to smile for now?" I said while she looked tense at the proposal. "Come on, let me see your smile. Please?" I spoke softly.
She hesitated for a second, unused to such kindness. Eventually, she looked up as a shy smile was drawn on her lips. She can still do better, but this is perfect for now. "Good!" I said as I gently petted her head while she giggled embarrassed.
Mikan Tsumiki… I think she is the one who I most feel at debt with… and I didn't lend her any money… It's just that all these weeks I've spent talking with her and learning about her life… it has made me to care about her more than I could even imagine… Sure, the others had problems too, and I even tried to let them speak freely about what troubled them in quick therapy sessions:
Fuyuhiko feels pressured to be the next heir of the Kuzuryu's clan because he believes that his youthful and harmless appearance makes him unworthy to be called a yakuza. As such, he compensates it with an overly hostile attitude… He didn't take it too well when I pointed this out to him…
Nekomaru's dream of becoming a team manager lies on an experience he had in his childhood. He met up with a team manager who was going through a severe illness. Thing is, even if he knew he would die, he never showed any weakness to his team in order to keep them in high spirits. That man's determination made what Nekomaru was today, and he didn't regret to have chosen this path.
Mahiru doesn't give her own pictures enough credit. She believes that she could never be a great photographer as her mother was. One day, she left, and Mahiru had to take care of herself alone because of her irresponsible and neglecting father. This is the reason why she is so strict and demanding with men, and she admitted it depressed. I told her that what she has been through is terrible, but she had to understand that even if people like his father existed, there were other nicer people out there that she had to give a chance. She complied with a chuckle before saying that she will try.
Gundham's bizarre act comes from an insecurity complex and a feeling of loneliness. He tries to conceal his real feelings and insecurities under that sinister persona he has created. And when I told him about it, he was stunned. He simply walked away in silence, not even daring to look at me. He hasn't changed a bit ever since, but he seems friendlier towards me than before. I guess he just wanted someone to notice.
But Mikan… Her story is so devastating that it was hard for me to listen to. At a very young age, she has been abused physically, psychologically and sexually at home and school as well. She fears that she could be annoying or boring to those she is with and asks them to hit her, draw on her or even strip her naked, whatever it takes as long as they don't hate her. She says that she prefers to be abused than to be ignored, because when that happens she feels as if nobody cared about her. Eventually, I deduced that she might have Dependent Personality Disorder, which could explain most of her traits…
Luckily, despite letting herself to be around those who wanted to harm her in the past, she seems to grow fond fast to those who are nice to her, as she has proven these days when she would get less and less tense around me. She would feel or act awkward of course, she is not used to these kinds of situations, but she likes to indulge herself when it happens.
That's why I promised myself to be caring, patient and understanding with her, and help her in any way I could. I will personally help her feel confident with herself and make her see that, even if there are people that might hate her, it won't matter, because there would always be people that love her just the way she is.
"Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?" I asked.
"O-Oh! Um… I-I just wanted to ask you… if you could accompany me home… after classes are over… It w-would be nice to have someone to talk to…" She admitted still very shy "N-Not that you have to either! I just-"
"Of course I would like to walk with you, Tsumiki-san" I answered with an honest smile, a gesture that made her tear up a little in joy and relax.
While we were on our way to class, I decided to be the one to bring a topic up, considering that Mikan wasn't still ready to do so by herself "So, tomorrow there will be an entrance ceremony, uh? Aren't you excited? Now we won't be the juniors in the academy anymore!" I said joyfully.
"Y-Yes! I feel excited too" She said before letting out a soft giggle "From tomorrow, I'll be a senpai…" She whispered to herself excited. I smiled, seeing her so happy. Then, I looked up to find a certain chubby guy standing in front of us with a stern look.
"Mitarai-san?" I asked in confusion.
"You two are coming with me" He stated dangerously, making Mikan to cower and hide behind me. What's up with him? He looks like a complete different person…
"W-What are you talking about?" I was still stunned.
"I need you both to do me a favor. It will be just a moment" He said as he lowered down his tone, realizing his imposing request. Looking back at Mikan I could feel that she was still afraid of the sudden appearance.
"Um… Not to sound rude or anything but class will start in a few minutes and we have to pack our things to move to the new building and-"
"It will be just a moment" Ryouta insisted. Okay… have it your way…
"Do you mind, Tsumiki-san?" I asked the girl clinging to my clothes behind me. She looked uncertain, so I needed to push her a little "It's okay, he's our friend, he won't harm us. And remember that I will always be there to protect you if something happens, okay?" I said in reassurance.
She let go of my clothes as she nodded a little "Okay…"
After 10 minutes or so of walking, we reached his house, an apartment complex. I was wondering what would he want from us while he was opening the door and taking us to his bedroom. I could see Mikan staring at me apprehensively, which made me to squeeze her hand a little. Now in the room, I could see a person lying down on the bed, breathing heavily. When I got a good look at him I could notice that he looked exactly like Ryouta! Well… not exactly, as this one was much thinner. Maybe they were twins? I could be possible… But right now what mattered was to aid him, seeing that he wasn't in a good state.
"Tsumiki-san, I would like you to see what is happening to him and help him if possible" Ryouta said serious. So this was it, he needed her and her talent as a nurse, it makes sense. But what would he want from me?
"O-Okay…" Mikan said shivering, as she took her hand away from mine hesitantly. She began by putting a hand on this person's forehead just to retract it automatically due to the heat. From here, I could notice dark circles under his closed eyes. He hasn't slept for a while… I deduced.
"U-Umm…" Mikan turned around to face me "C-Could you bring a clean cloth and cold water please…?" She asked shyly.
"Got it" I nodded as I looked at Ryouta, who understood and helped me to get what Mikan requested. Once it was all settled, she put the wet cloth on his forehead. "I-It's overwork and malnutrition… If he rests and eats properly he s-should be fine…" She said.
"Now, can you tell us what this was all about?" I asked Ryouta.
He sighed annoyed "After seeing this much I guess I owe you an explanation" Mikan quivered as she clung to me again, fearing that we might have gotten ourselves into something we shouldn't have. But I was curious about this, I won't back down now.
"It happened shortly after we began school at Hope's Peak Academy" He told "One night, while I was in my room, I began to hear odd noises. I opened the door… and I found him there, skinny, tired, lying unconscious… I felt the need to take him in…"
Who… Who are you?
I have no name. No familiar register, no relatives… Nothing. The only thing I've got is my talent to impersonate. Using that, I've been living in the guise of others…
?: Ultimate Impostor
I've been doing a research on you.
On… me?
You find nothing pleasant, other than making anime. If you could, you'll spend all your time making anime.
Yes… That's right… I want to… keep doing anime…
… I propose you this… Lend me your name, the existence known as Ryouta Mitarai…
"Mitarai wanted to shut himself away from the world to make anime. I wanted to take his place. Our interests were the same... And that's how it has been ever since…"
"So, let me get this straight. You are not Mitarai-san, he is," I said as I pointed to the unconscious student "and you are just someone impersonating him, right?"
Imposter, as I decided to call him for now, nodded "Indeed"
"Then, let me ask, who are you?" But Imposter simply looked away and crossed his arms "You are not telling us, I suppose…"
"S-Since you've told us everything…" Mikan's shivering voice said from behind as she held tightly to my clothes "… you have no intent to let us leave a-alive, right…?"
Imposter chuckled and shook his head "Don't be silly. We are classmates, and as my companions I fully trust you two"
"Y-You do…?" Mikan said in disbelief as she relaxed.
"How can you be so confident?" I asked with my own uncertainties "I can see why would you trust Tsumiki-san, but you have only known me for a few weeks. How can you trust in me?" Maybe I was just digging my own grave here, but I was curious on Imposter's reasoning.
"Simple" He said calmly "It's because of the way you always talked to me with interest, and I have seen how you listen and care about the others. From your attentive personality I knew that you were reliable and that you would understand this situation" Oh…! Thank you! "Besides, there is something I need you to do, something I know you can pull off perfectly"
"You… want me to give him a therapy?" I asked.
"I only want him to realize how this is damaging him, he is neglecting his own health for the sake of his anime!" Imposter yelled in annoyance "I know that it's very important to him, but he can't let this be his obsession…"
"I…" This was sudden. I wasn't prepared to take a therapy just like that,… but I have been doing a lot recently, so I simply nodded. This can't be too hard, I could handle it "I'll see what I can do" I stated.
That's when Ryouta began to open his eyes as he grumbled in pain "Where am I…?" He asked disoriented.
"Mitarai-san…?" Imposter asked as he approached him "You fell unconscious. You haven't eaten what I brought you before, right?" He scolded Ryouta.
"Who… Who are they…?" He said when he saw us. I think it's time for me to begin.
"Good afternoon, Ryouta Mitarai. I'm one of your classmates, Néstor Blank. Nice to meet you"
He looked over Imposter worried "Do… Do they know…?"
"I do" I cut him as I sat beside him in the bed "But that's not important right now. I would like to speak with you about what your friend said just now. Tell me, Mitarai-san, have you been eating properly lately…?"
He struggled for a second, as if he knew that he was in trouble "…no…"
"Can I ask why?" I asked almost immediately. I already know why, but I need that he makes this path by himself, I need him to be the one to notice things with these questions. I can't point him in which direction he must go, but I can certainly give him a little push whenever he needs.
"I wanted… to create anime…?" He said as a melancholic smile crossed his lips. This was it, this was the weak spot I had to press. This will surely cause him distress for a while, but this has to be done.
"You really like anime, right?"
"Yes… Anime… saved me…"
"Why do you like anime?"
And that's when his face took a sudden change. He was remembering, he was going back to the cause, just where I have to work on "My world has always been painted in grey… When I was young, everyone picked on me… They called me trash, stinky, ugly… It was hell... I didn't want to leave home, there was nothing out there for me…" Tears began to form up in his eyes. "One day… while my parents were yelling to each other, wondering what they were going to do with me… I found this disk containing a film I have never seen before… Its colors and drawing were eye-catching, so I decided to watch it… and I fell in love with it… From that day, I was determined that I wanted to create anime… anime that would put hope into people's hearts… anime that will paint my grey world… Anime saved me from my own despair… and I won't rest until I've created the perfect anime…" Ryouta stated angrily as he sobbed. At least he looked healthier than before, even if I have brought his dark past back… Just a little bit further…
"Would you like to show it to me…?" I asked softly. He looked at me confused "I can see that you have been working on it for a while now. Would you kindly let me have a quick peek?" Ryouta seemed hesitant for a second before he stood up and walked with difficulty to his desk.
"I don't have much, but I guess I can show you a couple of scenes…" He said as he clicked through the files until he found a couple of videos. He clicked play on the first one while I shifted to watch it more comfortably. The scene was pretty simple actually, it was simply a little girl followed by a lamb while they both were running through a large green field. The girl was giggling out loud in pure joy. It was something so simple… and yet it made me cry like I never did in my life… It was incredible the emotion, purity and innocence it transmitted in barely a few seconds… I could hear Mikan crying out loud too…
"Th-That is… actually pretty good…" I said as I sniffed and wiped my tears.
"Thanks… I guess it is because I'm the Ultimate Animator… Through a precise use of subliminal messages I can convey a certain feeling. As such, anyone who watches the messages will most likely feel that way…" Ryouta stated proudly. Now that he mentions it… it's true… The colors, the light, the background music, the innocence on the girl's face, the purity of the joy in her giggles… It's just as if everything about that video were working and pulsing together as a whole being, caressing my eyes and whispering sweet things on my ears…
"In fact" Imposter added "If he focuses enough, he can also create a subliminal message that will make anybody who watches it to act in a certain way, without resistance" Even though is hella impressive… it also sounds creepy… Make anybody who watches it to act in a certain way? That almost sounds like brainwashing to me…
"You see now, Blank-san?" Ryouta asked "You see why I have to finish this, no matter what it takes?" So it has come to this… very well, so far so good. Here comes the finishing touches.
"I can see, Mitarai-san" I admitted "Let me confess that I am also a big fan of anime, and from what I have seen from your work, I can clearly say right here and right now that you will create one of the most endearing animes in existence… But I need you to realize, this is destroying you"
Ryouta looked at me outraged "What are you saying?! I just told you my past! To a complete stranger! And now you are telling me to forget about it?! How dare y-!"
"I'm not telling you to forget about it" I said calmly "On the contrary, if you were going to throw in the towel it would be a shame actually… No, I'm not asking you that. What I'm asking you is for you to take care of yourself. Tell me, how would you be here to complete your anime if you die from exhaustion or starvation?" He was relaxing now, it looks like my words are finally reaching him, and he is starting to see the truth behind them. "If you don't want to come to class or do other stuff just to focus on your anime, then I will not stop you. But in exchange I want you to sleep your needed 8 hours, to eat your five meals a day, and to go out for a walk every once in a while to get fresh air. If you let your mind rest, I assure you that it will work better than ever…" Now he was looking at me shocked, as if he has just been found something lost for a long time…
"And if you don't want to do it for me…" I rest my hand on my chest "… then do it for her…" I pointed to the young girl, giggling in the screen. He broke out in tears as he finally understood and gave up on my words… I smiled at the poor guy as Impostor looked at my work surprised of what I achieved. "So… do you promise to take care of yourself more?"
"I-I… I p-promise…"
Narrator's P.O.V.
Meanwhile, at the nearest airport, a certain girl was back in the country to meet up her closest relative, and to put her plans into motion. She was driven to the airport terminal by the taxi services there, she was even kind enough the left her purse in the backseats, telling the driver that he could keep the change, much to the driver's delight… Little did he know that the purse was hiding a bomb… a surprise he never realized until it was too late…
Now the people around the terminal were looking in shock at the blazing remains of the taxi… while the girl stood back with a big grin in her lips "Good! Part B is about to start! It's the Enoshima Time everyone has been waiting for!"
Junko Enoshima: Ultimate Fashionista
Ignoring the tragedy she has just created, she went back to her luggage to wait for the person she has been waiting for to arrive. Sitting on top of one of her suitcases, she took out a notebook and- "A young, gorgeous and mysterious girl, standing alone in the airport, Junko Enoshima" Wait, is she…? "Waiting for her is… Yes, one of the Despair Sisters: The smelly Mukuro Ikusaba" Hey! She has just stolen my job! "Now, she is looking up at her sister, who is narrating the story"
Mukuro Ikusaba: Ultimate Soldier
"Junko-chan, I'm glad you came to meet me, but… what are you doing?"
"Ah! I'm talking in 'narrator style'!" I knew it! She stole my job!
"I-I see…"
"Thus, it will begin the event that would plunge the world in despair" She's doing it again! "The Biggest, Most Atrocious Despair-Inducing Incident in Human History" That is a really long name… "Like a black stain on a white cloth, it is quietly moving forward…" Is she done yet…?
"Junko-chan…"
"Weeell, this got boring quick" …uh? Oh! I get to narrate again! Ahem… She said as she tossed the notebook away. Soon enough, they were both enjoying a glass of cocktail in their limousine, road to Hope's Peak Academy. The cocktail's bottles were resting on a bucket full of ice and an ice pick just beside Junko Enoshima. The sisters let out a satisfied sigh as they both drank up their cocktails. "Hey sis, is it me or you have more freckles than the last time I saw you?" She said right before she tried to stab her sister's eye with the ice pick.
"Y-You think so?" Mukuro Ikusaba asked in worry as she blocked her sister's murder attempt.
"I say that you have more now, so of course you have more!"
"N-No, it's not…"
"My vision level is 53000!"
"Are you like that deep-space real estate speculator?"
Both sisters were having this conversation nonchalantly while Mukuro Ikusaba frustrated all the attempts of her sister to stab her.
Ah… Junko-chan is trying to kill me… She's trying to taste the despair of murdering her sister with her own hands… Mukuro Ikusaba was thinking with a face of ecstasy. Junko Enoshima then tried to throw a grenade towards her sister, just for her to pick it with her glass and throwing away the window. Junko-chan… you'll fall into despair if you kill me…! She thought in a disturbingly pleasured way.
"Still, you sure do stink, sis" Junko Enoshima gave up on her murder an instead covered her nose with her hand. "Are you even bathing?"
"I-I have…!"
"Then you've got some serious B.O" Junko Enoshima stated disgusted as her sister smelt herself.
"That aside, why did you call me here so suddenly?"
"Because tomorrow's our high school entrance ceremony"
"High school?"
"I'll say this for your benefit, since you are stupid, ignorant and smelly. This isn't just an ordinary high school" Junko Enoshima said as an evil smirk crossed her lips "It's a 'special' school which they call 'the Academy of Hope': Hope's Peak Academy. And you were chosen to be a student there too! We are going there together!"
"Junko-chan, you seem happy" Mukuro Ikusaba smiled, seeing her sister excited.
"Of course I am! My heart is throbbing with excitement!" Junko Enoshima said in delight, seeing that her plan was beginning to get on motion:
The Tragedy
To be continued…
And thus, our sisters of honor make their appearance! You already know what this means, right? Shit is going down from this point on! Yahoo! (who am I kidding? Those two truly threw me to the pit of despair when I saw the anime… T_T) ANYWAYS, as Makoto would say, we cannot lose hope now! On another note, I tried to write down Junko's fragments from her own perspective, just like I do with the rest of the characters. Thing is that if I can't even begin to understand her acts, then I will completely lose her mind. (I loved the gag I came up with when she pretended to be the narrator tho).
Also, did I forget to mention that Mikan is my other DanganWaifu? It's just that I think that it wasn't clear enough… yeah, sure… Too bad the plans I have for her in this story are very unpleasant… It's so hard for me to put my sweet and delicate nurse in danger but I have to do it for this story's sake T_T.
Anyway, leave a review if you liked it and see ya next chapter!
