Hello again. I took the responses from the last chapter as a sign that people didn't really have too much of a preference for the characters I explored. So I've decided to continue where we left off with some little side plots I put in place earlier. A lot earlier. Oh, and I'll be trying to do some smoother scene transitions from now on. I realise that my writing style is annoying to read because of how FanFic displays paragraphs. Sorry for that. I tried to and will continue to try to space out paragraphs as I did last chapter. I hope this makes the story a fair bit easier to read. Thank you, everyone!
Jum-P was squeaking in anticipation in his hand. Ibuki usually visited him around this time. And that meant some treats for the Devas. Though he feared they would be receiving less and less as the seasons changed. Though Hajime was not one to worry others, he couldn't hide that their supplies would begin to dwindle soon. His claims of a decade's worth of food and water was a clear bluff. But to their underclassmen, the thought was relieving. Perhaps the Detective had already used her Phantom Third Eye to see through his deception. Their move would have to occur within a few months too. Would the hospital's inhabitants be alright if they were to migrate west? If Nekomaru truly had fallen into despair, would the likes of the Assassin and the Entomologist be enough to stop him? Even during spars in which they had both held back Nekomaru was a significant physical threat. He closed his eyes and placed his hands on his knees again. He steadied his breathing. Thinking of the past was a guarantee to be visited by the spectres that haunted him so aggressively. As long as he kept his mind on the present, his Devas and Ibuki, he could remain strong enough to overcome them. With shaky hands, he traced the chalk outline of his prayer circle. Maga-Z sensed his master's tenseness and nipped at his earlobe in an attempt to provide comfort. A silent gesture. A helpful gesture.
Stomping footsteps and the clanging of the metal staircase reached his ears and he allowed himself to slump forwards in relaxation. She was only 15 minutes late, but to him it seemed like an eternity. The door to the tower's control room creaked open and he recognised the same bounding steps sprint across the carpeted floor to him. How she ran so fast in flip-flops was a mystery. A pair of slender arms slinked around his chest and a chin rested on his shoulder. ''Sorry I'm late. Chiaki needed me to watch Hiyoko while she helped Mahiru finish dinner.'' He smirked. ''I was beginning to think you'd forgotten your master's teachings on teleportation magic.'' He said with an air of sarcasm. She sighed in content before pulling away and reaching into her handbag. The Rocker's hand emerged with a large bottle of champagne. ''You've still got those glasses from last time, don't you?'' She asked as she placed the bottle on his chabudai and crawled on all fours to his cabinets. ''What are we celebrating with such a powerful concoction?'' He studied the contents of the bottle's label. Ibuki spun and sat on her rear, a glass in each hand and an eager grin on her face. ''Managing not to kill someone yesterday, duh.''
''And that's how I ended up eating that entire pie! Hahahahaha!'' Ibuki fell back onto the cushions behind her in uproarious laughter. Gundham's face was red from laughing at her band stories, trying and failing to suppress chuckles. Ibuki thrust upwards and grabbed the half-full bottle. She began pouring her fourth glass of the early evening. He himself was only halfway through his second. She smiled warmly at him as she did so. It would've been cute, if she weren't missing the glass every so often as her hand swayed. He stretched over the low table and gripped her wrist to steady her. She gasped. ''So forward of you Gundham, you deviant!'' She said jokingly. ''I haven't dealt with someone so forward since the warehouse!'' She almost yelled.
Gundham's eyes widened in horror. Had she really made a joke about her own… assault, like that? She stared back at him, wincing. ''Sorry, that was… that was-'' Her face fell. ''I don't know how to fully get over it.'' He understood all too well. ''It seems that reminiscing is only a pathway to battles with our own demons for us damned souls.''
He grabbed the bottle and forced the cork into the top as well as he could. ''Perhaps this potion was a mistake, once more. It seems to only awaken the beasts that bore within our minds.'' She nodded as she sniffled. ''Maybe I should go.'' He rolled the bottle away from them and raised his head to look at her. He felt all the air in his lungs whistle out his mouth and nose. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes and he froze in fear as a cold sweat settled on his brow. ''Gun-Gun?'' Ibuki tilted her head. He didn't respond. The Musician realised he was looking past her. She turned and saw nothing. That could only mean one thing.
''Who can you see?'' She asked softly. ''S-Sonia.'' He gulped. The Princess stood directly behind Ibuki. She wore her uniform; immaculate and perfect as her clothing was, her face drew his attention. The smile she has worn upon her death was warped into a hideous grin that stretched her cheeks into appearing like a caricature. Her eyes were devoid of life, helped partially by a lack of pupils and in other parts by a twitch in her left eye. She was silent, she always was, but this time seemed to display more emotion on her other features. When she did appear, usually roughly a few weeks after her last appearance, her face never faltered in remaining transfixed in it's demonic and foreboding grin. But now her brows seemed to fall and her lips quivered in a way that suggested she was sad or upset.
Ibuki's face suddenly filled his vision. Pink orbs met his heterochromatic ones. ''Look at me Gundham, not her.'' She placed his cheeks in her palms and straightened his head to restrict its movement. They were millimetres apart. ''Just- Just look at me.'' She said barely above a whisper as she leaned forward and clashed her lips against his.
He had never experienced such a sensation before. It wasn't an unpleasant one, if anything he welcomed it. He was simply paranoid when he considered that Sonia was observing. Would this anger her astral form further? He tilted his head so that Ibuki's turned with him. Her eyes were closed in what he assumed was embarrassment at having to go to such lengths to protect him. He would beg for forgiveness when Sonia was gone.
The regal ghost came into view. Visible tears streamed down her face and her grin had been replaced with the forlorn expression Sonia had when she felt homesick. He had seen it enough during their time at the Academy to know. She held a sharp piece of glass with both hands. She held both arms above her head and readied to plunge the blade into her abdomen. She craned her neck to meet his gaze and swung her arms down. Before contact could be made, Ibuki pulled away from him, obscuring his view. A string of saliva was all that connected the two now, though it quickly broke as Ibuki spoke. ''I'm staying here tonight, okay? I don't want this feeling to end.'' She spoke softly but made no attempt to hide the affection in her voice. Or the blush on her cheeks. ''And I would be a fool not to allow you.'' He returned, deep lying joy bubbling up at the realisation that she was still trying to protect him. She gripped his hand and she rubbed circles into the back of it with her thumb. ''I just need to grab some stuff from my room.'' She stood sharply, his hand already losing the lingering warmth she provided. She grabbed her bag and briefly looked inside. ''I'll be real quick, promise. And when I get back, we can par-tay!'' She rushed out of the room and down the stairs.
His Devas lined up in front of him on the table. They had finished their treats almost instantaneously and laid under the chabudai until now. He let his eyes shift to where the apparition had stood. His curiosity got the better of him and he pushed himself to his feet. He was still shaking slightly as he gradually walked to the spot. He cast his eyes down. There, surrounded by a heart drawn from blood, lay a shard of glass.
[][][][][]The Shelter[][][][][]
Mahiru was sitting in her room sorting through photos when Peko strode in and sat on Ibuki's bed opposite her. ''Hello.'' Her crimson eyes darted around the room before settling on the pictures in the Photographer's lap. ''Hi Peko. What do you need?'' Peko's steely expression broke to allow for a small smile. ''I'm afraid I am here to help you.'' The redhead raised a brow. ''Have you forgotten? Our names are on the rota.'' Mahiru clicked her fingers. ''Ah, locking up the farm. It is getting dark, I suppose.'' She straightened the pile of photos. ''May I see those?'' The Swordswoman asked. Mahiru passed them over and Peko began flicking through them. ''I don't like that you're still on the rota. You're pregnant. Surely someone else can do it. Especially Hajime; even if he didn't have all those powers, he's still a boy.'' She hesitated. ''I guess he can't do everything himself.''
''No, he's fully capable of doing everything alone.'' Peko offered, continuing to study the pictures. ''He gives us tasks to keep us sharp. And to value ourselves more as part of the group.'' She stopped at the largest picture of the batch and her lips curled upwards. ''I don't remember this.'' She spun it around and pointed. ''Judging by Hiyoko's height, this was our first year. I have no recollection of this.'' She turned the picture back around again, paying closer attention to faces and uniforms. Mahiru watched on in perplexed amusement. ''It is strange.'' Peko didn't look up as she mused. ''When I look over these photos, I am somewhat thankful that so many of us were allowed to die before we reached this point.''
Mahiru spluttered in disgust. ''W-What?!'' Peko's head finally rose. ''How can you say that?'' Mahiru's face was as red as her hair. ''None of us deserved to die for being good at something, or for-'' ''Stop.'' Peko remained composed. ''I was not suggesting that and you know that.'' Once again, Peko spun the picture.
''Hiyoko, Kazuichi, Sonia, Mitarai, Teruteru, Mikan, Nagito.'' Mahiru waited for her point. ''Dead.'' Peko's index finger shifted to Nekomaru and Akane. ''Missing.'' Peko placed the photo back into the pile and placed the pile on Mahiru's nightstand. ''I only meant that I believe that they would rather be in a better place than living in a world like this one.'' Mahiru was gradually calming down; her cheeks were now a soft pink. ''I-I wouldn't know. But I know I would rather live in a world where they were still with us.'' Peko nodded. ''Agreed. Life would be easier with their talents at our disposal.''
The Photographer looked at her quizzically. ''You don't think we'd enjoy it here more with them around?'' Peko took off her glasses. She took a cloth from her blouse pocket and gently cleaned the lenses. ''I am indifferent. Even when we would partake in activities as a class, I felt alienated. Whether that was due to my lack of emotion or intimidating nature, I am unsure.'' Mahiru shuffled uncomfortably. ''In a way, these tragic events have positively impacted my relationships with you all. I now feel as if I am truly one of you, as opposed to an observer.'' The cloth had been placed back into her pocket. She pushed the glasses up her nose. Having such a strong poker face made it impossible to decipher if recalling their time at Hope's Peak was upsetting to her.
''I'm sorry that I never noticed.'' It wasn't much but it was sincere. Peko stood slowly. ''Think nothing of it. I simply wanted to get that off my chest.'' Her opposite number stood too. ''Want to get going then?'' The quieter woman started for the door, only for it to burst open.
''Mahiru! Good, you're here!'' Ibuki leapt to her bed and grabbed a pillow. She threw her bag onto her bed and began shoving the pillow, as well as seemingly random items, inside. ''Where are you going?'' Ibuki spun with a massive grin. ''Gundham's. We're having a rockin' sleepover!'' Peko leant against the door. ''You have never stayed there before. Why this sudden change?'' Ibuki zipped up the small bag and stood it up. ''Oh please, a lady never kisses and tells!'' She said with a wink. ''Let everyone know I'll be there tonight. Ooh! I need snacks!'' She dashed out of the room and ran to the kitchen, bag swinging wildly on her shoulder.
''Am I the odd one out now?'' Mahiru thought aloud with a sigh. ''Why don't you just tell Hajime?'' Peko asked in confusion. Mahiru turned beet red and her eyes felt like they'd pop out of her head. ''Wha-WHO… How do you know about that?!'' Peko, again, seemed confused. ''You don't exactly hide it. It's incredibly apparent you harbour feelings for him.'' Mahiru felt weak. She fell back onto her bed and placed her head in her hands. If Peko knew, Hajime did, without a doubt. ''I take it that my knowledge is shocking to you.'' Mahiru sighed again, deeper and with more frustration behind it. ''Let's just go lock up. I'll tell you on the way.'' Peko smiled as she walked behind her friend. She was right about the sense of belonging.
A short one, I know. I'll start writing the next one as soon as I publish this to make up for it, I promise. I think we'll focus on Chiaki next. Maybe Junko. I haven't really explored Junko in detail yet so it'll be a challenge to grasp her character accurately but I'll try. (You'd think I'd know these characters better after 6 years of being a fan of Danganronpa, but y'know)
Hope to see you in the next one. Bye bye!
