I know I haven't updated this in a while, but after I heard about Danganronpa Decadence I got super excited. I thought that this would be a great way for me to play the games again and get to know the characters better since my PC is slowing down. However I saw the release date for the west ... 😭. I've been mainly playing games to pass the time along with volunteer work, but thought to update this for the time being. Once Decadence comes out it'll probably help a lot more with characterisation than the clips from youtube since I don't wanna spoil myself past Ch5 on V3. I'm also curious on what S is whether it truly is just like the V3 boardgame or Spike is going to troll us and it be a kiling game in an alternate timeline. I could go for either honestly😁

Also, the beginning of this chapter takes place before the two day time-skip so just after Maki and Shuichi leave Kokichi's room. Just thought I'd mention it since in the previous chapter it says they haven't visited him only Himiko and Kyoko have and it might've been confusing for some.

Also, there's a poll on my profile for a Danganronpa oneshot collection I plan to do in the future. It will be to help me with characterisation of characters a bit more than this will because usually I feel like oneshots help me with characterisations than chapter-based stories since chapter stories I like to slow-burn the characterisation a bit more. At the moment it's mainly oneshots centred around the V3 characters but in the future I'll think of others. As I said it's to help me with writing the characters especially since I don't know them that well since I haven't played the games in two years, but once Decadence is released I'll be able to work around that problem a bit😅. It's also to help me with writing them for this fanfic and possible future ones. But, I have other stuff to do than just fanfics so don't expect a lot.

Once again I apologise if any characters are OOC. I haven't been able to play the games in a while, so the only way I can get to know the characters is to write them. That's my opinion anyways.

Anyways, enjoy!


Chapter V: How The Past Catches You

Future Foundation Headquarters - Medbay - Outside Kokichi's Room - 3:05pm

Shuichi ran out after the assassin as they both left the leader's room in the Medbay. He had seen how angry she was at Kokichi for what he had said to her about Kaito.

He was too.

The guy was his friend and the leader used him.

Hell, if they had known Kokichi was still alive ... Kaito wouldn't have had to be executed.

But a dark thought crossed his mind that Kokichi was right.

Kaito had been dying long before the killing game started ... it wouldn't have mattered if he had been executed or not.

Kokichi was just pointing out the obvious and saving Kaito from a worse fate of slowly dying.

But ... he still died by his disease not the execution...

He shook his head, trying not think about it as he ran after the assassin down the medbay hallway outside of Kokichi's room. "Maki, wait!" He shouted after her, causing her to turn and glare at him.

"Do you want to die..." She growled out causing him stop and to take a step back from her, but noticed how her stance wasn't agressive like it normally was when she said that.

Was she hiding how she truly felt?

Was she that upset about Kaito?

"No, but..." He tried to think of something to say to her.

Her red eyes narrowed at his gold ones and he couldn't help but look away. "But what, Shuichi?"

Why was she so intimidating?

Then again ... he never really could look people in the eyes...

Even before the killing game...

"I ... umm..." He couldn't bring himself to say anything, biting his bottom lip in worry. He took in a deep, shuddering breath. "I wanted to check on you ... to see if you were okay, is all?"

Her eyes seemed to pierce into his very soul and he found it very uncomfortable.

"Why?" She ground out between clenched teeth.

"Because ... you seemed upset back there. And between the two of us ... I know you would've rather Kaito live than Kokichi..." Shuichi finally brought his eyes to meet Maki's and saw how she had her head down; fringe covering her eyes.

The detective was unable to decipher what she was thinking.

What her expression was like...

But he could tell that she wasn't happy.

She kept up a cold front, but warmed up to him and Kaito after a while.

It was Kaito who had gotten them out of their shells after all...

It was all thanks to him.

And now he was dead...

"You don't get to say stuff like that to me..." She growled out causing him to flinch. "I was not upset. Yes, I want Kaito to be alive instead of that bastard, but..." She went quiet, hands trembling by her sides and Shuichi noticed something trickle down her cheeks. "I can't stop blaming myself. It's my fault he's dead too..."

The detective swallowed, watching the assassin fall a part right in front of him.

He turned his head away, biting his bottom lip.

Should he comfort her?

Or will she kill him because he noticed her weakness?

He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath and approached the prone assassin.

He'd take the chance...

They were friends after all...

She wouldn't kill him, especially after they just lost Kaito not too long ago.

He stopped in front of her, wrapped his arms around her form and brought her into his chest.

She immediately noticed the difference in temperature around her, looking up and glaring at Shuichi with a blush coating her face. "What do you think you're doing?" She snarled out, though Shuichi could still see remnants of tears in her eyes.

"I...I thought you might have wanted ... a hug. Was I wrong to do that?" He asked, unsure of if he did the right thing without her permission.

She turned her head away from him, hiding her blush. "It's fine ... I guess..."

He fell silent as she leaned into his chest, making him freeze up and causing his face to go red.

"M...Maki...?"

"Thank you ... for being here with me, Shuichi..."

Future Foundation Headquarters - Dining Room - 9:45am

Th day after Kokichi had his little chat with Kyoko and Himiko he was finally deemed well enough to be allowed to leave the Medical Bay, in a wheelchair however; sitting at the dining room table and eating from a bowl of cereal.

He was told that he most likely won't receive surgery for a prosthetic until his leg has properly healed from the amputation.

Which could take weeks to months in advance...

He hated waiting...

No, he hated this...

He never wanted this yet Kyoko decided this for him.

He knows it was the best for him, but being confined to certain areas for so long would drive anyone crazy.

Not only that ... his arms hurt because his wheelchair wasn't remote controlled.

He couldn't go to areas that had stairs leading to them and had to always use the elevator.

It was such a pain...

He was glad he wasn't confined to a bed anymore...

But, he was a bit jealous by everyone he saw walk by him as he rolled by.

He kept up a front that it didn't bother him, but he knew at some point he'd crack.

He really didn't want that day to come...

Ever...

The sound of the door opening caused him to turn his head, seeing Himiko enter with Maki and Shuichi behind her.

Himiko smiled and hopped right over and sat down beside him while the other two avoided him by sitting at the other end of the table.

The leader glanced at her from the corner of his eye and shook his head, sighing.

She however glanced at him, blinking her eyes at him in surprise. "Umm ... Kokichi?" He turned his face to face her, partially with a small grunt. "Your hair..." She gestured at her own head. "...the roots are turning black."

He blinked at her, picking out a lock of his hair and twirling it around, examining it. "Well, I guess you could say ... I dyed my hair. It looks like its starting to return back to its original colour now."

She just let out a small sound of understanding as his eyes drifted across the table to the detective amd assassin that had caught part of the conversation, but not all of it.

His attention turned back to the magician beside him, letting go of his hair and letting out a sigh.

He should apologise for what he said to her yesterday.

It was stupid of him to say that.

But he really didn't want to say an apology in front of Maki of all people.

But maybe he should just swallow his pride for once and do it...

Before he could think of apologising for his rude behaviour the door burst open and a girl with short, choppy brown hair ran into the room. Her hazel gaze found her target before launching at him and wrapping her arms around him with a huge smile on her face, surprising him.

The sudden appearance of the girl surprised not just her target but also the others in the room.

"So, this is where you've been? I looked in your room, but you weren't there! It's so good to see you again, Koki!" The girl exclaimed.

A defeated sigh escaped the leader's lips. "Did you just get back from your mission with Toko then?"

"Yep! I missed you so much Future Brother-In-Law!" The girl exclaimed, squeezing the shorter boy, tightly.

A frown fell onto the leader's face as he registered the girl's words.

His eyes widened as he cried out, "THE BITCH DIDN'T TELL ME SHE WAS ENGAGED!"

The girl tilted her head as though confused. "Kyoko ... didn't tell you yet?"

"NO!"

She let go of the boy almost instantly, afraid of his wrath, chuckling nervously about her little mistake causing Kokichi to turn to her with a glare in annoyance.

There was a silence between the two that lifted around the room.

"Whoopsies!"

"Don't 'whoopsies' me, Maru!"

The detective next to the assassin watched the scene unfold before him, frowning.

He had heard what the girl in front of them said and it surprised him.

That meant that Kokichi's sister was engaged and never told Kokichi.

She may have not wanted to burden him with it especially after he just came back from a killing game.

And especially after the operation he just had days prior to have his leg amputated.

She probably wanted to tell him when the time was right.

Now it was spoiled...

The girl; Komaru turned around and smiled at the others at the table, waving at them. "Hi! My name is Komaru Naegi! You've probably met my big brother, Makoto, already!"

Kokichi rolled his eyes at this. "You two have the same last name ... it's so obvious."

Komaru eyed Kokichi before laughing at his comment. "That's funny considering Makoto didn't realise you and Kyoko were related until she actually confirmed it."

The leader folded his arms, growling. "She was raised by our old man and I by our Mother which is why our surnames are different."

The girl seemed to ignore this and grabbed his cheek, pinching it with a huge grin on her face. "Aww, did I make you mad, Koki?"

This only seemed to fuel Kokichi's anger as he glared at her and tried to force her arm away from him. "Yes! Now get away from me you bimbo!

"Bimbos are blonds though?" Komaru replied, sounding genuinely confused by his insult.

"I don't care!" He shouted, finally getting her to let go and glare back. "I hate how happy you always are! It's so damn annoying!"

This actually caused the girl to laugh, finding it funny. "No, you don't. You love me~!"

"I swear, Komaru, you will end up dead tomorrow," Kokichi growled at her.

Naegi laughed this threat off before hugging the boy causing him to freeze. "I'm ... just glad that you're okay. After you disappeared I was so scared that the Warriors of Hope got to you. Toko was more scared of Kyoko's wrath especially after what happened to Yuta, but ... we never imagined you were kidnapped..." Kokichi could hear the sadness in the girl's voice and also the faint wetness of tears on his shoulders.

He turned his head to face her, seeing her eyes wet and teary-eyed. "Hey, I'm fine. You don't need to worry."

"But you're not fine!" She exclaimed, sounding frustrated with him. "You're in a wheelchair and missing a leg! Why do you always have to hide what you're really feeling, Kokichi?"

This surprised him.

He hadn't expected her to react this way.

Then again she was his first friend after everything went to shit.

She cared about him more than he cared to admit.

She was also going to be his future sister-in-law.

She was ... kind of like a little sister to him, but he never wanted to admit that.

"Komaru, I..." He cut himself off not knowing what to say to the crying girl in front of him.

How could he?

He hasn't been around a lot of girls to handle this.

He doesn't even like showing his own feelings to others.

Rather hiding it instead...

They stood there in silence before she finally took in a shuddering breath, turned on her heel and left.

Leaving Kokichi blinking in confusion and slight frustration at the girl's attitude of just leaving like that.

He let out an annoyed sigh and ran a hand through his hair, staring at the table with narrowed eyes.

His violet orbs lifted up to the detective, assassin and magician; who were staring at him and he frowned at them. "What?" He growled out before grabbing the wheels of his wheelchair, rolling back and rolling out of the dining room, leaving his cereal behind.

He hated confrontations when it didn't benefit him.

He didn't want them to question him about how he knew Komaru.

Not yet at least.

Future Foundation Headquarters - Hallway - 1:09pm

After what happened in the dining room earlier that day; Shuichi and Maki decided to walk around the HQ, explore a bit. They didn't realise Kokichi was there until Shuichi walked into his wheelchair, knocked him forward a bit and a glare aimed at the detective.

"Watch it, Saehara..." Kokichi hissed out between his teeth.

That only caused Maki to narrow her eyes at him. "What are you doing skulking about out here?"

He rolled his eyes and gestured to his legs. "I can't fucking skulk at the moment can I?"

This only made Maki glare harder and Shuichi turn away.

Sure, he had agreed with what Maki had said about Kokichi, but he still felt guilty.

Kokichi couldn't walk anymore thanks to the events of Kiibo blowing the school up.

It had also created discord between him, Maki and Himiko too.

Even though the mage didn't want to get involved in it she knew she was because she sided with Kokichi.

Shuichi was now having doubts of whether it was right for him to have said such things to him, especially after he barely survived...

However, he can never catch the leader long enough and without Maki around to ask him anything ... he always makes a clean getaway.

Shuichi chalked it up to that the leader was purposely avoiding him and Maki, but now he believes that Kokichi may not want to tell the truth.

Does he hate it that much?

Or is it something else?

Before Maki could open her mouth to argue back at the boy-in-a-wheelchair they heard the sound of footsteps that stopped just around the corner from where they were.

Kokichi tensed at seeing the shadows of his sister, saviour and his sister's friend.

Were they doing what he thought they were going to do...?

Shuichi glanced at Kokichi, noticing him tense up at the shadows and frowned.

What could make him do that compared to what they experienced?

"Toko, Kyoko, what is it that you two wanted to talk to me about?" Aoi's voice rounded the corner, making Kokichi look down into his lap.

That was right.

Her last name was Asahina.

They must be telling her about...

"It's not like I wanted to tell you or anything, but Master Byakuya asked me to!" Toko's voice came next.

Kokichi rolled his eyes at this since it was obvious she was forced to.

"Well, what is it?" Aoi asked, confusion entering her voice. "I really need to get back to work you know."

"You'll be taking a few days off, Aoi," Kyoko's voice entered the chat, stoic as ever but had a soft edge to it.

"W...What! Why!"

Shuichi blinked, looking at Maki; who also held a frown but shrugged.

He turned his attention to Kokichi; who was sitting in his wheelchair, head lowered and hands clenching into fists.

Maki and Shuichi both eyed the shorter boy, realising that he knew what the conversation was about.

And that the outcome wouldn't be good.

"Asahina, you're...y...you're..." A pause before a scream of frustration was heard. "GAAAHHH! I can't do it. Forgive me, Master Byakuya!"

Kyoko let out an annoyed sigh before continuing where Toko left off. "You will need the time to recuperate because..." She took in a deep breath, trying to steady her breathing. "Your brother was one of causalities caused by the Warriors of Hope."

Shuichi froze, trying not to peek around the corner to investigate what the scene looked like.

But it probably wouldn't look good for three teenagers to eavesdrop on such a private conversation.

Maki took in a slow breath before letting it out, realising how affected by this game even these people were.

"N...No. Not Yuta..." The sound of Aoi's sobs was what they heard next.

"Aoi ... I understand..." Before Kyoko could finish Aoi cut her off.

"No, you don't, Kyoko! Your little brother is alive while mine is dead! Your best friend is alive while mine is dead! H...How is that fair...?" Aoi continued to breakdown, whimpering at the end.

Shuichi turns his head away, understanding too well this emotion that Aoi was feeling and knew that Maki felt the same way.

They had thought over and over why had Kokichi lived instead of Kaito, but never thought of the repercussions it'd have on his sister and how she would feel.

They ... had only thought of themselves and what they had seen Kokichi as in their game, but never thought about what Kokichi was like before the game and if he even had a family.

It was selfish.

And that's probably why Kaito gave him the antidote because Kokichi had someone to live for.

A sister that genuinely cared for his wellbeing no matter how much of an ass he was.

"That may be, but during those few minutes where I didn't see Kokichi with the survivers..." There was a light tremble in her voice, causing Kokichi's head to lift. "...I was terrified. I had failed as his older sister and now he was dead until I found him, bleeding, but alive."

"But ... that makes me the failure then..."

"Were your parents together?"

"Yes..."

"Did you ever leave your brother behind?"

"No..."

"Did you two have a good relationship?"

"Yes..."

"Then that tells me you aren't a failure. You never left your brother before the killing game happened." Kyoko lowered her head, shaking it before narrowing her eyes at Aoi. "I'm sure that Yuta is thankful to have had you as his sister."

A sniffle was her response. "Kyo...ko..." The young woman lunged at the other, earning a look of surprise from her. "Thank you..."

Kyoko pat her back with a smile on her face, "You're my friend too, Aoi. Don't forget that."

"Ugh! I'll be over here puking!"

The assassin and detective took a few steps away, surprised by the way Kokichi's sister handled that.

Shuichi turned his head to notice the wheelchair-bound boy was gone, sighing to himself before they too left before they could get caught eavesdropping.

There was more to Future Foundation than he thought.

This also told him there was more to Kokichi than he thought.

Was Kokichi hiding something?

Was he hiding what he knew all along even during the killing game?

Is that why he kept to himself so much?

The Mastermind would've seen him as a threat for knowing too much and would've gotten rid of him?

The only way to find out ... was to get it out of the leader himself.