Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Danganronpa series. I only own Hikari Seishin and her family.

Note: I try to make the story as canon as I can with obvious creative liberties.

Chapter Two

The Feeling of Uselessness

A gentle breeze rustled the trees of Jabberwock Park as Hikari sat on one of the benches situated around the park's square where the island's statue stood. Byakuya was nearby but both teens were content to be by themselves, lost in their own thoughts. Hikari looked down at the small pile of gems on her lap.

Usami called them "Hope Fragments," right…? Hikari held one by her finger and thumb, raising it towards the sky, light hitting off the small blue crystal-like jewel. Just thinking about Usami reminded the Spirit Medium about being on the beach a short while ago. Hikari frowned as she reminisced the awful sensation of realizing she was really alone in a spiritual sense.

^o^ ^o^

"So please collect as many Hope Fragments as you can! You are all free to explore the island!" Usami said happily as she finished her long lecture about the school rules and how to use the electronic handbook. Then, just as magically as when she appeared, Usami disappeared. It took a few moments for the high schoolers to recover from the bizarre encounter with their supposed teacher. The more socialite teens started chatting with each other about what to do and those who would be labelled as a "loner" or an "adventurer" began to walk off on their own.

Once Hikari snapped out of her trance of hopelessness, she realized the beach was deserted besides Nagito, the unconscious boy, and herself. She turned to her right to see the boy was still asleep but gaining a bit of color back to his face. Hikari mentally questioned why she felt a wave of relief when she saw the boy's recovery but pushed that aside when she glanced up slightly to see Nagito standing nearby, leaning against a palm tree. He was facing them, hands in his pockets. Once he noticed Hikari's stare, he smiled cheerfully.

"Oh, I'm sorry if I was staring. I was a little concerned about you when you didn't move with a blank look on your face. I thought you might have gone into shock as well."

Hikari smiled weakly and looked towards the gentle waves. "…Maybe I have…this…is very overwhelming…" Especially when I can't use my talent… She started to feel miserable again at the thought of that. The situation she found herself in didn't panic her as much as what seemed to be a loss of her ultimate talent and the feeling of safety from the spirits of her family and friends. The girl frowned as she watched the water. "My talent…somehow I cannot use it…I sense no spirits anywhere…"

Nagito smiled assuredly. "I don't think that means you lost your talent."

Hikari glanced at him, her eyes losing their spark. "I always…always have sensed spirits around me as long as I can remember…this has never happened before."

Nagito looked taken aback when their eyes met. Is this…despair…? Nagito thought to himself, shivering a little. However, he swiftly recovered and smiled optimistically once more. "Don't give up! You just need to have hope. I'm sure that you will be able to use your talent again soon. This whole situation could be what is interfering with that."

The bespectacled teen looked at him silently and slowly got up, dusting sand from her skirt. She did not want to tell him that she couldn't use her gift in the classroom either. She stretched her arms out before saying, "I'm going to explore the island, okay? I need some time to myself. Is he going to be all right?" Hikari eyed the sleeping mystery boy as Nagito beamed.

"I believe so. I'll stay here with him. I already talked with everyone else and gathered some Hope Fragments. You should do the same."

"Hope Fragments?" Hikari asked as a small chime came from the electronic handbook in her pocket. She blinked and reached in her pocket and felt a small object along with her handbook. She took out the object and held it on her palm, looking at the light blue gem.

"That is a Hope Fragment. We are supposed to collect them as our assignment, remember?"

Hikari nodded slowly. "Vaguely…"

"Well, I'll see you later! Hopefully this guy here will be awake and able to meet you too." Nagito waved at Hikari as she put the Hope Fragment back in her pocket and set off to learn about her surroundings. The Spirit Medium also hoped that while exploring she could find some spirits who have lived here and give her some comfort that she's not helpless.

^o^ ^o^

Hikari sighed as she put the Hope Fragments back in her pocket, having talked with almost everyone on the island. Jabberwock Park was her last destination. She learned a few things while walking around. There were a total of six islands here, five islands connecting, via bridges, to a central island which she is currently at. The students only had access to two islands so far: the first island where the class arrived and the central island. Four of the bridges were blocked off so that students wouldn't get lost according to Usami.

There wasn't much of anything on the central island besides the park. The first island had different kinds of buildings there: a hotel and restaurant with seventeen cottages, a pool situated between the cottages and the hotel, an airport where there were engineless airplanes, an animal ranch, and a supermarket that seemed to have anything and everything one can think of. Upon exploring the different facilities came the realization that Usami was right about there being no people around. That also included dead people, much to Hikari's dismay.

So, here was where Hikari ended up, on a park bench feeling depressed at losing her sense of self since her talent was what she identified as like most Ultimates did.

"So…this is a park…"

Hikari jerked her up instantly and gazed at the entrance. I know that voice… To her surprise, she saw Nagito and the unknown classmate. Looks like he's okay. That's a relief. She quietly watched the two boys talk and walk over to Byakuya. Hikari frowns, feeling a pang of jealousy towards the boys who seemed to be surrounded by the sun's rays, basking in how easily they can become friends while she was alone on an empty park bench in the shade. The only real friends she can remember were the spirits that were around her. Sure, living people were polite and kind toward her, but it was the kind of courtesy that she could tell was shown in order to get something out of it. Hikari knew people were friendly to her just to use her powers to talk to their dead loved ones. That was all she was good at. Who would want to be a friend with a meek looking little girl who had spirits following her around? She heard the rumors in middle school. Cursed…Followed by evil spirits…Witch…Pushed a bully down the stairs using a spirit when the idiot tripped over his own feet…

"Hey, Seishin-san!" Nagito called out as he puts his hands around his mouth to make sure it carried to her from his spot across the square. Hikari snapped out of her self-pity to see Nagito leading the mystery boy over, their conversation with Byakuya apparently over.

"Are you all right?" the brunette teen asked her, a bit concerned. "You seem down…"

Hikari felt her cheeks grow warm and shook her head, smiling weakly. "Yeah, I'm okay. It's just…this is a lot to take in…"

Nagito smiled at the other male. "This is Hikari Seishin, SHSL Spirit Medium. She's known for seeing spirits and even channeling them. She was on TV a couple of times demonstrating her powers by mediating conversations between the living and the dead. I heard one nonbeliever doubted the validity of one such appearance and Seishin-san squashed those accusations by telling her that her dead mother was ashamed of her cheating on her husband. That woman immediately shut up because she never told a soul about the affair." Nagito chuckled a bit.

Hikari fidgeted a little, embarrassed. "It…wasn't that great…"

The other boy smiled kindly at her. "My name's Hinata Hajime."

She blinked after a few moments of silence. She pushed her glasses closer to her eyes. "…And your talent?"

Hajime smiled nervously. "W-well about that…"

"He doesn't remember," Nagito interjected, wearing his usual cheery smile.

Hikari looked surprised, glancing from Nagito to Hajime. "O-oh, I'm sorry…that was rude of me…"

Hajime waved his hands. "No, no. It's all right. You wouldn't have known. Plus, it's normal to ask a classmate from Hope's Peak Academy about their talent." Hajime still seemed troubled from not remembering his talent.

Nagito grinned. "That reminds me…Seishin-san, were you able to recover your powers?"

Hikari jolted from her seat, feeling more embarrassed. "Komaeda-san!"

He blinked. "Was it supposed to be a secret?"

The Spirit Medium sighed. "No…but I don't think it's your place to disclose that information…"

Nagito smiled sheepishly, a hand rubbing the back of his head. "My apologies…I was just trying to say that you two have something in common of sorts…the inability of use of a talent." At this statement, both Hikari and Hajime looked downcast. Nagito sweatdropped. "Don't worry! I just know that you'll both regain your use of your talents! Never give up on that greater hope!"

Hajime nodded slowly, feeling better. "Thanks, Komaeda-san." Seeing Hajime's spirits lifted somehow made Hikari feel better. Hajime blinked, as if he just remembered something. "Oh! Komaeda-san told me you helped me out when I went unconscious. Thank you for that." He extended a hand out towards the smaller teen with a grateful smile.

Hikari blushed and nodded, taking a hold of his hand, shaking it shyly. "I-it wasn't just me…Komaeda-san helped…"

Nagito grinned as he waved a hand nonchalantly. "But you took the initiative, Seishin-san."

Hikari smiled a bit. His hand feels so warm…and strong… A familiar sound rang out from her e-handbook in her pocket as well as from Hajime's. Hikari reluctantly let go of Hajime's hand as they checked their e-handbooks. "I think I got a Hope Fragment from everyone."

"Same," Hajime said, nodding.

*Ding dong, bing bong*

Hajime looked around, confused. "Was that a school bell just now?"

Nagito pointed across the square, close to where Byakuya was standing. "Hinata-san, Seishin-san. Look at the monitor over there." The monitor was displaying static for a brief moment before Usami was shown sitting on a big comfortable armchair. The three teens walked over and joined Byakuya in front of the monitor. Byakuya had his arms crossed, glancing at them in acknowledgment before resting his eyes on the monitor.

"This better be important…" Hikari heard him mutter under his breath.

Usami appeared to be very excited. "Congratulations, everyone! It seems that everyone has collected all the Hope Fragments!" She rubbed an eye with a paw. "I'm…I'm so happy…" She sniffled a little before continuing. "Soooooo…I prepared for everyone a present that will make you all veeeeery happy! Sorry for the trouble, but may I have everyone please gather at the beach?" The rabbit clapped her paws. "Tee hee hee! May shining hope be with you all!" Then, the screen turned off on its own.

Nagito turned to his classmates. "What to do…she said to meet at the beach."

Hajime frowned a little. "Is that…going to be okay? I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this…"

Hikari looked towards the ground, weighing out the pros and cons of listening to Usami. Byakuya scoffed and headed to the park's entrance. "I'm going…only to learn what information the others have acquired from their exploration. I could care less about what the stuffed animal has for us."

The three skinnier teens glanced at each other and followed him. He sure has a lot of confidence… Hikari walked a couple of steps behind the boys.

About thirty minutes later, all seventeen students met up at the beach on the first island, the remnants of the classroom they were in just a couple of hours ago were gone. Hikari was a bit concerned about that. How did that disappear like that…? She looked around. And how come no one seems perturbed by it…?

Byakuya stood visible to everyone, his arms crossed, his posture screaming "authoritative." "Now, this is our only chance to deliberate between ourselves before the rabbit returns."

Hiyoko raised both arms in happiness. "Hahahaha! Let's talk then!"

Byakuya stared at everyone with mild interest. "Let me hear everyone's initial impressions of the island."

The group of students took turn reporting what Hikari learned from her own exploration. She listened to each report only to confirm her own discoveries about the uninhabited island. Once everyone finished, Byakuya frowned, unimpressed. "All of you are fools…I cannot believe that no one mentioned the most serious truth."

Chiaki tilted her head in curiosity. "…The most serious truth?" Everyone glanced at each other with puzzled expressions with a couple of them shrugging their shoulders.

Byakuya sighed. "Then you all are bigger fools than I thought."

Fuyuhiko clenched his fists and glared at the Affluent Progeny. "What did you say, you fat bastard? Don't go talkin' all big and shit!"

Byakuya stared at the Yakuza intimidatingly. "Small dogs shouldn't bark so loud."

Hikari sweatdropped. Note to self, do not cross paths with the two blonde guys…

Before that conversation escalated, Hajime asked Byakuya, "What's the most serious truth? Did…you find out something about this island?"

Byakuya turned his attention from Fuyuhiko to the rest of the group, his stance facing Hajime. He was silent at first and then asked a question of his own. "Have you all gone to see the park across the bridge?"

Hikari blinked. "Yes…that's where the bronze statue of the man and animals is."

The blonde teen looked pensive, pushing his glasses up slightly. "When I saw it, I remembered a story I heard once…

"There's a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, a beautiful paradise where summer never ends…It consists of a central island surrounded by five different islands…It is also said that five holy animals symbolize each of those surrounding islands. That island's name is…Jabberwock Island."

Nagito seemed on edge. "Could this island be…?"

"Jabberwock Island?" Hajime finished. "Is that…the name of this island?"

Hikari fingered her necklace absentmindedly. "That appears to be the case…I mean…there is a sign outside of the park that says 'Jabberwock Park.'"

Byakuya still looked deep in thought. "Still…there's something on my mind. In fact, according to what I heard, Jabberwock Island is already…" He paused before turning away. "…Never mind."

Nekomaru shook his head, his hands on his hips. "Hold on right there! That's a rather incomplete story you just told us."

"No need to shout. I will explain more once I've obtained more information," Byakuya said matter-of-factly.

Akane shrugged, looking carefree. "Meh, I don't care that this island's called…It doesn't change the fact that we all have to live here, right?"

Ibuki jumped up and down animatedly. "Yahoooooo! Living together on this island is going to be so exciting! I'm super looking forward to it!"

Kazuichi gave a thumbs up, grinning. "Hey, this ain't a bad school at all!"

Hajime frowned, looking at his classmates. "Hey guys…?" Hikari glimpsed at Hajime, completely understanding how Hajime was feeling, but there was nothing they could do to get back home to their families, right? Why stress out over something out of their hands? Plus, Hikari was hoping her inability to use her powers was due to stress; as a result, she was very slowly coming to terms that she's stuck on this island for now. Everyone seemed to be doing the same, accepting that they were on this island and to make the most of it.

Hajime was still unconvinced. "Are you listening to what you are saying? We need to stay calm and think about this…! We're all here to attend Hope's Peak Academy, right? But now, we're on this island instead…no matter what, this is completely weird!"

"Why don't you stop talking for a while? Go cool your head off or something," suggested Gundham, his arms crossed and eyes closed. Hikari sweatdropped again.

How is he comfortable wearing all those dark layers…?

Teruteru stated, "Even if we wanted to leave, there's no way that we can…"

Kazuichi nodded in agreement. "There are no ships, and the planes are just for show…"

"From what I've learned, there doesn't appear to be a way to contact the outside world, either…" Peko pointed out. "In conclusion, it would be impossible to call out for help."

"Um, then why don't we just swim home?" Akane asked as if that was the most obvious answer to their problem.

Mikan whimpered, "It's impossible…! There's no way we can swim that far…!"

Nekomaru roared at his classmates. "SHOW SOME SPIRIT!"

Mahiru has her hands on her hips, very annoyed and unfazed by Nekomaru's outburst. "Are you stupid!? I'm telling you, it's impossible!"

Hajime looked at a couple of palm trees. "Then…what if we cut down some trees and make a raft…?"

All of a sudden, Usami appeared out of nowhere, looking at Hajime sternly. "You can't do that! That's the biggest of no-nos!" She calmed down and explained further. "Please recall the guidelines of the school trip."

Hikari took out her e-handbook and looked at the rules. "Oh…" She read the school rule out loud. "'Littering is not allowed. Let us co-exist with this island's beautiful nature in mutual prosperity.' So…cutting down trees is a form of littering…"

Usami nodded, smiling. "I want everyone to get along and to live peacefully on this beautiful, tropical island.

Hajime made a face, frustrated. "What's with these rules? Who cares about that…!?"

Byakuya glanced at Hajime. "That's enough. This rabbit seems to be rather finicky about these so called rules. Based on that, what if your reckless actions place everyone in danger?"

Usami lifted her arms in panic, looking terrified. "Hwa-wa! The word "danger" is a bit much! I would never do something like that!"

Hikari looked at Hajime empathically. "Hinata-san…I understand how you feel, but…"

Nagito smiled next to him. "Please calm down a little, okay?"

Mikan stuttered nervously. "F-For now…we don't…s-seem to be in d-danger…as long as we…d-don't do anything w-weird…"

"Yup," Chiaki agreed. "As long as we gather all the Hope Fragments, we can all get off this island soon."

Hajime frowned, exasperated. "You all are just going to believe that…?"

"There's no other choice but to believe…for now," stated Byakuya straightforwardly.

"Hey! Hey!" Ibuki shouted, looking around Usami eagerly. "Usami, what is this present you mentioned in your announcement earlier?"

Usami jumped in surprise. "Hwa! That's right! Of course I didn't forget…!"

Hikari looked at her, deadpanned. She totally forgot…

The rabbit pulled out seventeen mini Usamis out of nowhere. "Love! Love! This is it! Don't be upset! I've made sure that I prepared one for each of you, so don't worry!" Everyone took one and looked at it silently.

Nagito was the first to break the awkward silence. "What is this…?"

Usami giggled enthusiastically. "Teehee! It's an Usami strap! If you squeeze the tummy, it talks!" She went to Nagito and squeeze the stomach of the mini Usami.

"I'm Usami…Magical Miracle Girl Usami. I'm an itty bitty girl who's sweet like milk!" the small Usami chirped in an even higher pitched voice than the original's.

Usami smiled, feeling so proud. "Isn't it cute? Love! Love!"

Byakuya sighed, irritated. "…What a waste of my time." Even Ibuki looked disappointed.

"Aww…and I got my hopes up, too…"

The only ones who didn't seem deflated were Chiaki and Hikari. Chiaki looked a little confused. "Really? I think it looks pretty cute. Especially how its ears look like a rabbit's…"

"Tada! Usami does mean 'rabbit,' you know!" Usami declared. Hikari looked at the Usami strap and couldn't really argue its cuteness. To Usami's dismay, the Usami straps ended up on the beach, the students tossing the straps there once they were handed to them. The white rabbit gripped her magic stick, upset. "Hey! You can't taint the beach with trash!"

Ibuki did a finger gun pose. "See? Even you think they're trash…"

Usami bent down and picked up the straps with tears in her eyes, looking heartbroken. Hikari frowned, feeling bad for the stuffed animal even though she did kidnap everyone and put them on this island. The girl discreetly put the mini Usami into her pocket before catching Chiaki's eye. Hikari froze, embarrassed until she realized Chiaki was smiling at her, putting a strap in her pocket as well. Hikari felt a wave of relief and smiled back at the Gamer.

"…And I even prepared one more present for everyone but I don't want to give it to you bad kids…" the rabbit sobbed, holding the straps in her arms.

Peko looked at Usami. "Hm? You have something else?"

Usami nodded, her ears flopping back and forth. "Um…well, compared to the Usami straps, it's not that big of a deal…I've prepared a motive for everyone."

"A motive…?" Hajime asked hesitantly.

Usami turned to Hajime and smiled happily. "Yes! A motive for everyone to get along! We've come all this way to a tropical island, so I thought we can do something island-themed."

Akane grinned, a hand on her hip. "Like what? Throwin' some kinda big party or somethin'?

Usami lifted up her arms in excitement, the straps flying everywhere around her. "Ding ding ding! Cooooorrect!"

Sonia clapped her hands, star twinkling in her eyes. "Is it a festival? Perhaps a miniature shrine? How wonderful!"

Hikari glanced around to see almost everyone getting pumped up for the party. Honestly, she felt a bit drained from being emotionally overwhelmed. She just wanted to take it easy for a while.

Suddenly, Usami grabbed two bags out of nowhere, yet again. "I have swimsuits for everyone! They're school swimsuits actually. I hope that's all right!"

Hajime still seemed wary of this situation. "Are you telling us to go swimming…? In a situation like this…?"

Usami looked apologetic. "I'm not ordering you guys to go swimming. This is just if you wanna go swimming…"

"There's no way I'm going swimming!" Hajime shouted. He closed his eyes, arms crossed. "There's no way anyone would be so thoughtless as to go swimming in a situation like this…!"

"Yahoooooooooooooooo!" Ibuki screamed, grabbing a swimsuit and ran off to get changed.

Hajime opened his eyes, dumbfounded as he saw some of his classmates take a swimsuit. "Eh…?"

Hikari yawned a little and saw Chiaki was headed to some shade under a couple palm trees, looking sleepy herself. Hikari followed her quietly and stood near her as the Gamer sat down and leaned her back against one of the trees. Hikari rubbed the sleeve of her purple long sleeved shirt shyly, looking to the side. "Nanami-san…?"

Chiaki yawned loudly, a hand covering her mouth. "…Yeah…?"

"Mind if I join you..? I'm pretty exhausted myself…" Hikari asked nervously.

The pink-haired girl smiled gently. "Sure."

Hikari blinked and stared at her. "Really…?" Chiaki nodded and patted the ground next to her, her eyes closing with another yawn, not even bothering to cover her mouth this time. Hikari smiled and sat down and leaning against the tree next to Chiaki's. Hikari watched some of the students have fun in the water, slowly feeling at ease. She watched Gundham make a sandcastle for his four ha—Dark Devas of Destruction before she gathered the courage to speak. "Nanami-san…I just…thank you for keeping the Usami strap. I thought I would be seen as a total weirdo…being the only one who kept theirs…"

Chiaki opened her eyes and smiled at Hikari. "I really liked it too. I wasn't planning on throwing it away." She raised a finger as if to make a statement. "Plus, it would be against the rules for littering." Hikari couldn't help but let out a few giggles before they both heard a chime from their e-handbooks. The two girls smiled at each other, knowing this friendship will definitely be close.

Hajime looked at the group of teens swimming, seeing Nagito having fun. Then, he scanned the beach and saw that Hikari was not going to back him up on telling everyone that this was not the time to relax either. He took a deep breath and allowed himself to give in. "Fine…I just gotta do it, right?" He nodded, looking determined. "Then I'll do it! That's right! I'll do it!"

Hikari opened one eye and smiled towards Hajime as she watched him ask Usami for a swimsuit and turn to the people in the water before closing her eye again. Good…I'm glad he's going to have fun too…

At that moment, Hikari didn't feel the sun hitting her closed lids but darkness. She opened her eyes to see that the sun has disappeared and the blue skies turned grey and the clouds black. "W-what's going on…?" she asked out loud to no one in particular. Hikari could see the worry in Chiaki's face as they stood up and walked to Usami to see if she knew what was happening.

Usami looked up at the sky, looking very nervous. "Wha-wha-wha…!? What is this!?"

Hikari looked confused as did Hajime. "Huh?" they both said in unison.

"I didn't do anything! What is all this…?" Usami seemed to be panicking. "There's no way! Something like this shouldn't be happening!"

The monitor turned on abruptly, static filling the screen with a hazy silhouette in the center. Another high pitched, though a bit masculine, was heard through the monitor's speakers. "Ahem! Mic check! Mic check! Can you hear me? Can anyone hear me?" Hikari felt a strange feeling when she was listening to this cheery, yet laidback voice, a sense of dread filled her body. Somehow, she knew this wasn't a good thing, that this voice would cause something terrible. She could feel her body grow tense with anxiety as it continued to speak. "Surprised? You were totally surprised!...Riiiiight?" the voice laughed in glee. "Now then, sorry to keep everyone waiting for so long! Let's ditch all this worthless entertainment behind…because it's time for the main attraction! Hurry on over to Jabberwock Park!" Then, the screen shut off.

Usami looked nervous. "Could it be…? This voice…! If it is…this is very bad! I have to do something!" She gripped her magic stick and glared off in the distance with resolve. "It's all up to me!" With that, she vanished.

Hikari looked around at those who opted out of swimming. "What…just happened?"

"It seems…that was an unusual occurrence…" Byakuya replied.

"It's best…if we go too…" Chiaki said, concerned. "Jabberwock Park, was it…? Let's hurry." Hikari nodded slowly and followed her new friend, the dreadful feeling in her chest growing stronger.