Darkness.
That was the only thing I could see right now.
I couldn't move an inch…
Then, I felt like I was being thrown at high speed !
I tried to scream for help…
But nothing…
I couldn't even scream…
My eyes opened wide, as I felt myself going at a sudden stop.
I took several breaths to calm myself down…
Where was I… ?
Why did it felt familiar… ?
I was in an enclosed space…
With only three slits in front of me letting the light in…
…
…
No…
This… shouldn't be happening…
I began to push against the door to get out !
I kept pushing, until the door gave in, and luckily, I managed to not fall to the floor.
I looked up…
And saw… her...
…
Ah…
« Aaugh ! » I yelled out in shock.
« How rude ! Don't freak out at me like I'm some sort of monster ! » She said.
This can't be…
It was…
Kaede Akamatsu.
...
How… ?
Then it hit me.
The wish…
No way… it worked ?
« Hey uhh, are you ok ? I'm sorry if I scared you. » Kaede apologized.
« I-It's fine… And you are… ? » I played dumb to not raise suspicion.
« Oh, where are my manners ? I'm Kaede Akamatsu, the Ultimate Pianist. Nice to meet you ! » She smiled at me.
Kaede Akamatsu
Ultimate Pianist
« Well, it's nice to meet you, Kaede. I'm Shuichi Saihara, the Ultimate Detective. » I smiled back.
Shuichi Saihara
Ultimate Detective
« A detective ? That's amazing ! » She praised me.
Right, this is supposed to be my depressed unconfident self for now. I needed to be in character if I didn't want Team Danganronpa to be suspicious of me.
It was then I realized I still have that cursed cap. I definitely want to get rid of it as soon as possible. But for now, it will have to stay if I wanted to stay in character.
« W-well, I only had one case solved because I happened to stumble upon it… » I looked away.
« Well, you should feel more proud about it. You- »
« Rise and Shine, Ursine ! »
Oh great. Them.
The Monokubs.
They said pretty much the same thing than last time, so I pretended to pay attention.
After that, Kaede and I went outside the classroom to look for the others.
This time with her… I missed it so much…
If I did time travel, then I will not allow her to die again. I promise I won't.
Which brings the question, did Maki and Himiko remember too ? Or was I the only one who time-travelled ?
Well, time to introduce, or rather, re-introduce myself.
First… Tsumugi…
I REALLY held myself from grabbing her and shove her against the wall, but I managed to restrain myself. So instead I poked Tsumugi's cheek like Kaede told me too.
« I never thought I would be poked from both sides. How truly unexpected. » Tsumugi spoke.
« So she wasn't a mannequin. Well, I knew that. » Kaede chuckled.
« Sorry, I just didn't feel like talking, but now I do. » Tsumugi replied.
« Well then, could you tell us your name ? » Kaede asked.
« Oh, my name is Tsumugi Shirogane. I'm the Ultimate Cosplayer. » Tsumugi smiled.
Tsumugi Shirogane
Ultimate Cosplayer
« A cosplayer, huh ? I guess it makes sense. You have this almost sexy aura about you. I bet it's because people are ogling your curves- » Kaede said.
I gently bumped her arm with my elbow.
« Kaede, you can't say things like that… » I stared at her, frowning a bit.
« O-oh sorry, I didn't mean anything wrong. » She apologized.
Tsumugi looked at me in confusion.
Crap, I wasn't supposed to do that, do I ?
« It's fine Kaede. Normally I don't like people looking at me like that, but I just like making cosplay. I'm fine with others wearing them, but lately, more cosplayers are putting themselves before their characters. I would rather wear my outfits myself, with love, than give them to people like that ! » Tsumugi said as she got a little too close to us.
« Wow… You're pretty intense. » Kaede gently pushed her away.
« Sorry, it makes me happy when I get to show people the outfits I have made. And thanks to my sponsors, I can use materials that are just plain expensive. » She explained.
« Right, of course the Ultimate Cosplayer would have sponsors. You're pretty much a celebrity. » Kaede said.
« Well, we should try to find the other students, and an exit, if possible. » I told them, trying to skip the conversation.
« Oh yeah… Are we going to be able to get out ? » Tsumugi pretended to look scared.
« Worrying won't get you anywhere, you know. It's better to just be carefree. A lot of people do say I'm carefree ! » Kaede said determinedly.
« Yeah, I guess so. Being all depressed won't help anything. » Tsumugi nodded.
So me and Kaede left her, and we searched through the school once more.
Until we found Rantaro…
Rantaro… The Ultimate Survivor.
He was so mysterious when I first met him. And he remained that way until I saw the video where he spoke about the Survivor Perk. All because of Tsumugi killing him.
I won't let that happen again. Both Kaede and Rantaro will live, I promise it.
« Oh hey there. You two got kidnapped as well ? Well, you both look alright. Do you remember how you got here ? » He greeted us.
« I don't remember to be honest, what about you ? » I asked.
« Same here. The others don't remember as well. » He sighed.
« So no one remembers… » Kaede looked down.
« Well, I hope we will remember soon, or I might end up as the outcast. » He scratched the back of his head.
« What do you mean ? » She asked.
« How should I put this… I forgot my own talent. » He confessed.
« Y-you don't remember ? But you remember your name right ? » Kaede's eyes were wide.
« Yes, my name is Rantaro Amami. Although I don't remember my Ultimate talent, I promise I'm not a bad guy. Nice to meet ya. » He smiled.
Rantaro Amami
Ultimate ?
I could tell Kaede had some suspicions about him, but I'm sure they will get along soon.
We then went to the Dining Hall, where Tenko and Himiko were. That's where I got an idea.
« Hey Kaede, I'm going to speak to this magician over there. You go see that girl on our left and once we are done, we swap ? » I proposed her.
« Sounds good ! See you soon ! » She went to talk to Tenko, so I approached Himiko.
« Hello, are you a magician ? » I greeted Himiko.
« No… I'm a mage. Prepare to be amazed… Fall to your knees… I am Himiko Yumeno, the Ultimate Mage. But they call me the Ultimate Magician. » She answered.
Himiko Yumeno
Ultimate Magician
…
…
« Shuichi… ? » She said out of the sudden.
It look me by surprise…
She remembered…
« Himiko… You remember. » I smiled at her.
« Y-yes… The wish worked… ? » She asked quietly.
« Seems so. We have a chance to save everyone. » I replied.
« I'm scared… What if we mess up… ? » She looked down in worry.
« Hey, we have to try. That's why we wished it for- » I put my hands on her shoulders to calm her down.
« Hey ! Don't you dare touch Himiko ! » I heard Tenko yell at me.
Crap.
« Hey, uh, sorry… I was only trying to calm her down her fears. » I tried to look embarassed.
« That's my job to do ! If you touch her one more time… » She got in a defensive position.
« Tenko… It's fine. » Himiko defended me.
« Eh ? » Tenko was surprised.
« I said it's fine. Shuichi is a good person. » Himiko replied.
Tenko stared at me for a few seconds before replying to Himiko.
« Fine, but if he does anything inappropriate, I'm gonna punch him ! » She threatened me.
« Right… Shuichi, this is Tenko Chabashira, the Ultimate Aikido Master. » Kaede told me.
« That's right ! HAIYAH ! » Tenko took a pose.
Tenko Chabashira
Ultimate Aikido Master
« It's nice to meet you, Tenko. » I greeted her.
« Sure, but remember what I said, degenerate male. » She warned me.
« E-excuse me ? » I played dumb.
« Oh right. Tenko is uncomfortable around men, so she throws them if they try to touch her. » Kaede explained me.
« And that includes Himiko and the other girls too ! » Tenko added.
« Ok, ok ! I understand ! » I said out loud, causing Kaede to giggle.
So we left the two girls and headed for the warehousen
Wait…
Oh crap…
Miu.
« Don't sneak up on me, bitch ! »
Great.
« Look, we are sorry if we surprised- » I was about to tell her when she interrupted me.
« Hey crotchrot, you starin' at my tits ? Help yourself ! A guy like you can only dream of landin'a big-boobed hottie like me ! » She laughed.
« I assure you I wasn't ! » I said out loud.
« Yeah, right. I can identify pervs on sight , and you are definitely a fuckin' perv ! » She exclaimed.
« Stop it… » I frowned.
« Huh ? What did you just say- »
« I said stop it ! » I exclaimed.
Miu recoiled in shock, while Kaede stared at me with surprise. I guess I said that too out loud.
« S-sorry… Just… please stop insulting Kaede so casually, she's my friend. » I looked down genuinely.
« It's ok, Shuichi. Anyway, who are you ? » Kaede asked her.
« What ? You don't know who I am ? I'm the gorgeous girl genius whose good looks and golden brain will go down in history ! I'm the one, the legendary Ultimate Inventor herself, Miu Iruma ! » Miu declared.
Miu Iruma
Ultimate Inventor
So we kept talking about her inventions until we left the warehouse for Classroom A, where Keebo and Kokichi were.
« Heeeyy ! Wait for me ! » Kokichi approached him.
« Please stop ! Don't come any closer ! » Keebo stepped back.
Seeing Kokichi act like this… It felt so weird. How he went from a mischievous kid to a sadistic monster was shocking. But, like he always said…
It was all a lie.
I had to make sure to help Kokichi open up his feelings and allow him to show his true self. But it was easier said than done.
« C'mon ! Lemme touch your body a little ! I have always wanted to be friends with a robot ! » Kokichi didn't listen to Keebo.
« What ? A robot ? » Kaede exclaimed in surprise.
« What ? Are you another robophobe ? » He narrowed his eyes in suspicion at us.
« No, we are not. We are just surprised, that's all. What's your name ? » I asked him.
« I am K1-B0, the Ultimate Robot. But please, address me as Keebo. » He replied, calming down.
K1-B0
Ultimate Robot
« That's not faaair! You can't be the only one who gets to show off ! » Kokichi pouted.
« Then tell us your name. » Kaede said.
« I'm Kokichi Oma ! The Ultimate Supreme Leader ! » He declared.
Kokichi Oma
Ultimate Supreme Leader
Kokichi then proceeded to mock Keebo and tell us lies about his organization. We then went to the basement, and once again I went in front of Kaede. We arrived at the Game Room and met Ryoma.
« We may be trapped here, but it's pretty cool here compared to prison… » He spoke.
« Prison ?! But aren't you an Ultimate student ? » Kaede exclaimed in surprise.
« Hmph, that's an old story. Ryoma Hoshi, the man called the Ultimate Tennis Pro… no longer exists… I'm nothing more than his empty shell. » Ryoma replied in his gloomy voice.
Ryoma Hoshi
Ultimate Tennis Pro
« I remember you from the newspaper… You single-handedly took down an entire mafia with a tennis racket and an iron ball. » I said.
« Hmph, so you know that much already… Well, what do you think of the loser before you who used his talent to kill ? » Ryoma asked us.
« B-but… why would you throw away your future like that ? » Kaede asked back.
« Hmph, because I didn't need a future anymore… Anyway, it's dangerous to just walk up to a killer like me. » He replied, turning his back to us.
We decided to leave him alone and went to the library, where Maki was. Did she remember like Himiko ?
« Hey, are you an Ultimate student too ? » Kaede greeted her.
« Yeah, that's right. » Maki replied.
« I'm Kaede Akamatsu, I'm the Ultimate Pianist. » Kaede continued.
« I'm Shuichi Saihara, the Ultimate Detective. » I added.
« Maki Harukawa, the Ultimate Child Caregiver. » Maki told us.
Maki Harukawa
Ultimate Child Caregiver
She didn't seem as distant as before, did she remember ?
We spoke for a bit, when Maki stared back at me.
« Hey, Shuichi. Since you're a detective, shouldn't you have figured out what's going on here ? » She asked me.
« W-well, I'm working on it… » I told her, trying to stay in character.
« Besides, escaping this place is way more important ! » Kaede added.
« You think so ? We have been kidnapped. They must have a lot of power and ressources. They won't let us escape that easily. » Maki shook her head.
Unlike last time, Maki stayed at the library. Just as me and Kaede were leaving the library, she showed me a piece of paper.
I remember everything. Himiko knows I remember too.
I nodded, and she nodded back. I'm so relieved I won't have to face this alone.
Kaede and I left the library, and headed to the entrance hall.
Right… Korekiyo was watching us thinking we could escape through the main doors.
« Worrying about that isn't necessary. I have already examined the doors. » He told us.
« And you are ? » I asked.
Of course I knew who you were, you incestuous serial killing bastard.
« My name is Korekiyo Shinguji… I am called the Ultimate Anthropologist. » He greeted us.
Korekiyo Shinguji
Ultimate Anthropologist
He then spoke about anthropology and the beauty of humanity, then we left him as we went outside.
« What a creep… » She said uneasily.
« Agreed. » I nodded.
The Monokubs then explained us about the cage surrounding the academy, and we explored the outside of it until we found… him…
Kaito…
His death broke us…
I won't let you die this time, Kaito. I promise you.
« I'm Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars ! Even crying children adore the Ultimate Astronaut ! » He declared proud and loudly.
Kaito Momota
Ultimate Astronaut
He explained us his backstory, and needless to say Kaede didn't like Kaito's forgery to take the exam.
« There are no walls you can't get over ! The same goes for that one ! » He said.
« So you know how to get past it ? » I grinned, which was followed by Kaede.
« Th-That's not the problem ! » He replied nervously.
We all laughed, then Kaede and I went inside the dormitory, and after a quick interruption by the Monokubs, we went to talk to Kirumi.
« I wonder why they captured us… They set up this whole place, I fail to see their objective… » She wondered out loud.
« I agree with that. Why would they go through all this trouble ? » Kaede nodded.
« Pardon me, I have not introduced myself yet. I am Kirumi Tojo, the Ultimate Maid. Please let me know if you require my service. » She greeted us.
Kirumi Tojo
Ultimate Maid
« I have heard of you. You work as a private maid, and you're so perfect you can complete any request given to you. » I noted.
« She's that amazing ?! » Kaede was flabbergasted.
« You're incorrect. I will not complete any request that is asked of me. I once received a request to annihilate a rival nation, but as it was impossible, I rejected it. » She told us.
« You have been hired by foreign dignitaries as maid, correct ? » I asked.
« Indeed, but moving on, what do you two intend to do now ? » She asked us.
« What would you do, Kirumi ? » Kaede asked.
« I hold no opinions or desires of which to speak. I only fulfill the desires of others. I am here to serve everyone. » She told us.
We then got out and met Gonta.
« Um… excuse me ? » She said.
« Oh, thank you ! » He was happy.
This caught her by surprise.
« Oh ! Sorry for scaring ! Gonta scary-looking. Most people not wanna talk to Gonta when meeting for first time. So, like gentleman, Gonta say thank you ! Thank you for talking to Gonta ! » He smiled at us.
« No worries Gonta ! It's nice to meet you ! » I smiled back.
« Oh right ! Gonta need to make introduction ! Umm… Gonta's name is Gonta Gokuhara. Gonta's talent is Ultimate Entomologist. Gonta want to become gentleman ! Becoming true gentleman Gonta's goal ! » He greeted us.
Gonta Gokuhara
Ultimate Entomologist
He then explained us his backstory, and then…
« Oh, you like bugs too ? Hey, what your favorite bug ?! What you like about them ?! » He asked me in excitement.
Crap, I won't make the same mistake twice.
« W-well, I like… butterflies ? They are so pretty ? » I replied uneasily.
Gonta stared at me for a few seconds, then smiled.
« Gonta like butterflies too ! Butterflies pretty ! » He nodded.
Phew, I avoided Gonta's wrath this time. I made sure to not let out a sigh or this could have gone badly.
Kaede and I arrived at our final destination, the Shrine of Judgement, where Angie was waiting.
« Yah-hah ! How are ya ? My name is Angie Yonaga ! I'm the Ultimate Artist ! » She greeted us.
Angie Yonaga
Ultimate Artist
« You gotta live every day like it's bright, cheery, and fun ! So says Atua ! » She said.
« Atua ? » Kaede repeated.
« The god of my island, Atua, is always with me, speaking to me with His divine voice… » She closed her eyes.
She explained about her island, talent and Atua.
« I see. What about you, then ? » She turned to look at me with a smile.
« Umm, no thanks. I'm good. » I avoided another situation.
And then…
ding dong, bing bong
The monitor lightened up, with the Monokubs appearing with their drinks, who told us to go to the gym for the opening ceremony.
We obeyed, and everyone gathered there.
« All 16 of us have gathered… » Kirumi noted.
« Hey Himiko, you can use amazing powers, right ? Cuz you're a psychic and stuff, right ? » Tenko asked Himiko.
« I'm not a psychic… I'm a mage ! » She shook her head.
While Tenko was fangirling, the Monokubs showed up in the Exisals.
« Yoo-hoo ! Rise and shine, ursine ! » They said throigh their mic.
I approached Himiko, which made Maki and Kaede join me.
Rantaro approached the Exisals.
« What do you want from us ? » He asked them.
« Well aren't you a wiseguy ? » Monosuke chuckled.
« We want you to do a… » Monokid began to talk.
« KILLING-GAME. » Monodam interrupted him.
This caused the Monokubs to fight between each other, until Monokuma appeared on a stand with a mic.
« I am the god of this new world… and the headmasyer of the Ultimate Academy ! The one, the only… Monokuma ! Nice to meetcha ! » That cursed monochrome bear greeted us.
Most of the others were confused of seeing a new teddy bear.
« First of all, I'm no teddy bear. I'm Monokuma ! And show some respect ! I'm the headmaster of the Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles ! » He declared.
They explained us the rules of the Killing Game, and everyone began to panic.
« We won't do it ! We will never participate in a killing game ! » Kaede declared.
« Ah, this defiance… I love it so much ! Seeing you fill yourselves with hope… only to fall hard to despair ! » Monokuma mocked her.
The Monokubs joined the laughing, as we watched them do so.
I looked at Maki and Himiko, who nodded at me, whoch I nodded back.
Together, we could save our friends and end Danganronpa once again.
We can't let our wish go to waste.
PROLOGUE
The End is Only the Beginning
THE END
Surviving Students
16
To Be Continued
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