A/N: Everyone who requested a free time event with Junko. Fam... they're sisters. Every day with Junko is a Free Time Event w/ Junko. (I'm kidding, I love you guys.)
This is kind of experimental.
Anyway, everyone seems to respond positively to Fortune Teller!Celeste so y'all can have your Celeste content. Finally.
Time for Free Time Events with the other students!
Chapter 2.2: I Was Just Totally Clueless
"Call me crazy, but are we a few people short?" asked Hiro, scratching his chin.
"I swear to god, I'm having fucking deja vu," muttered Junko to herself over her breakfast.
"Pardon?" I pulled up a chair beside her, looking around the dining hall.
"Once again, we're a few kids short of a breakfast, just like Hiro is a few cards short of a deck," said Junko. "Not this again. I thought we'd overcome the whole ditching thing yesterday."
I did the briefest of headcounts, and he was right. Two people missing, and two people… gone. I didn't know if I would ever get used to the emptiness.
"Hmmm…. Has anyone seen Makoto?" asked Sayaka.
Strange. He was usually a pretty early riser.
Chihiro shook her head. "No," she said, "I haven't seen him all morning. Usually he is here by now. Is he alright?"
"Well, how should we know that?" asked Junko. "Sorry, babe," she added upon realizing who she'd snapped at. "I'm pre-morning coffee and all that. A girl needs her beauty sleep, and I'm exhausted."
Chihiro smiled back, unperturbed.
"Anyway," added Junko, "we should probably go look for him."
"Absolutely!" I said immediately without thinking, rising to my feet. Junko raised an eyebrow at me.
"Who are we looking for?" A familiar voice came from the entrance of the cafeteria.
"Makoto!"
The others rushed him.
"Thank god, you're here!" said Sayaka. "We were so worried." She was hovering by his side, one hand on his arm.
"We were gonna go looking you!" said Hina.
Despite the rocky start, the others had been doing better about re-integrating her into the group. She still came to breakfasts, and there was still some hesitancy around her, but I was glad we were making progress. Hina's overall mood seemed to be improving as well.
Once everyone had calmed down, I spoke. "Glad you're here," I said, nodding slightly.
"Oh, thank you for worrying!" he said, turning a light shade of red. "But I was actually going to talk to Byakuya. I was hoping to convince him to come join us, but I don't think he's in his room." He frowned, and I felt the strange feeling of disgust for anyone who could ever let this boy down.
We looked around at each other, the question of what to do about Byakuya still in the air.
"Is there any hoping that if we just ignore the problem maybe it'll go away?" asked Junko. When no one answered, she sighed, getting to her feet. "Fine. Let's go find Four-Eyes."
"I suggest we check the second floor!" said Taka.
"If we split up, we can cover more ground," said Makoto.
"Precisely!"
"S-stop trying to one up everyone!" whined Toko, but Taka ignored her.
"I'll go check on his room again," said Makoto. "Just one more time, just to make sure."
"I'll go with you!" said Sayaka.
There was something hasty about the way she'd said it.
Junko grabbed my hand, distracting me from my thoughts. "You and me are gonna stick together."
Once outside the dining hall, Junko looked to me. "So, where to?"
Before I could answer, someone else spoke.
"Um, pardon me?"
We looked over, and Chihiro was standing beside us, raising a timid hand. "I don't know if this is any help at all, but yesterday he did seem to be spending a strange amount of time fixated on the library. Sorry, I'm probably reading too far into things."
I shook my head. "No, no, that's a good hunch."
"You know what, now that I think about it, Ultimate Shut-In did show the barest trace of interest beyond his usual holier-than-thou disdain," said Junko.
"Exactly," I said. "We can start there."
"Oh? Then lead the way, Ultimate Detective," said Junko, smirking.
—
Chihiro's hunch appeared to be correct. When the three of us found Byakuya, he was sitting at a desk at the back of the classroom, reading a book. Distinctly remembered from yesterday that the lighting in the library was awful for reading, but then I saw beside him a lamp connected to an extension cord.
Junko stood in the doorway indignantly. "Hey!"
He ignored her.
"Hell-o?" said Junko. "Is this where you've been the whole time?"
"B-Byakuya!" said Makoto. I hadn't even noticed when he'd entered the room, but he must've heard Junko's yelling. "What are you doing?"
"I'm fishing," said Byakuya, not bothering to look up from his book. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"We were all seriously worried about you!" said Makoto.
"Well…" began Junko, but Makoto ignored her as he continued.
"We went looking for you!"
"Did I ask you to do that?"
"We're supposed to be spending breakfast together!" said Makoto. "We made a promise!"
Several of the others had wandered into the room, either from hearing the conversation or word of mouth, and they continued to spill in.
"A promise? Hmph. I thought I made it perfectly clear that as long as Hina is around, I have no wish to attend. I'm done participating in your delusional little co-op game."
Upon hearing this, Hina shied back as if hurt by his words.
"C-co-op?" asked Toko. "W-what do you mean?"
"Can you stop treating this like a joke?" asked Hina indignantly, recovering from her former wounded pride.
Celeste walked in and past everyone else, but from the way everyone was looking at her you'd think she'd fabricated out of thin air.
"On the contrary," said Celeste, despite the fact that I was fairly certain she had not been here to experience the entire conversation, "he is treating it like a game. A zero-sum game to be exact."
"Oh, yeah, huh?" said Hiro. He scratched his head as though in thought. "You mean, a situation in which for one person to win, another's gotta lose."
"A rudimentary explanation, but essentially, yes."
Hiro raised an eyebrow. "You gamble? You're like twelve, yeah?"
"The words of the twenty-year old high schooler," said Celeste, to which he only laughed good-naturedly. "Absolutely not, being underage, I would never participate in such illegal activities." She smirked, and with the fact that she was laying it on so thick, I was wholly unconvinced.
"Whatever, enough with the moralizing. A zero-sum game? So… an elimination match," grumbled Mondo.
"In a sense." Celeste nodded. "It is a game in which competitors must scramble for limited resources. But actually, beyond gambling, many forms of social interaction fall into this category: entrance exams, sports tournaments, job openings." For someone who supposedly did not participate, she certainly knew a lot. Her voice was impassive as always, but there was a strange gleam in her eyes. "In order to to succeed, someone else must fail."
"Exactly," said Byakuya. "And I wouldn't want to be unprepared for our little game."
"B-but that's horrible!" said Chihiro, voice surprisingly resolute. "We can't be treating this like a game! The price of failure is our lives! We shouldn't fight! Win or lose, I don't care. The idea of killing our friends is… is…"
"So eloquently put," said Byakuya, full of sarcasm. "We are not friends. By nature of the game, we are competitors—rather, we are enemies."
"Even so, perhaps Chihiro is right," mused Celeste. "After all, adaptation—" she began in her usual mantra, but she was cut off before she had the chance.
"Who said anything about adapting?" said Byakuya. "It's a game, and I'll treat it as such. It's so much more fun that way." His face twisted in a sickening grin. I couldn't believe he was enjoying this. "Besides," he added, his tune shifting and even his usual look of disdain couldn't describe the contempt in his eyes as he looked at Chihiro, "win or lose, what could the Ultimate Affluent Progeny possibly know about loss?"
"What?" Chihiro's eyes were wide.
"I must admit," said Celeste, "the very name of Fujisaki Corp. evokes victory. I think our twee little programmer here is simply pointing out that your success is built on the very foundation of defeat."
"'Twee little programmer'?" said Byakuya, but Celeste ignored him.
"What do you—" asked Chihiro, but Celeste continued.
"How do you think such corporations came into being?" asked Celeste. "How do you think they became world superpowers? Surely you can't be so naive."
Byakuya was again dismissive. "Please. How could she possibly understand? What even is failure to an heir who has been handed everything she could possibly ask for? How could you possibly understand true victory without struggle?"
"I—that's not…" Chihiro's eyes began to well up.
"I don't know how someone as weak as you has lasted this long," said Byakuya.
"Hey!" said Mondo. "Cut that shit out! Haven't we told you enough times to keep your damn mouth shut?" It was a question, but he bellowed it so loud that it sounded otherwise.
"I see, you're still playing at being friends," said Byakuya. Very well, that is how you feel, but I see no need in indulging in your delusions. She is not your friend. She voted for Sakura, just as you all did."
"But I—" began Chihiro.
"Oh, lay off," said Leon. "we're not masochists. Sometimes, you just gotta choose between the lesser of two evils, ya know?"
"Exactly," said Sayaka, "It isn't right to sit around blaming ourselves, and we're done placing blame on others. Isn't that right, Makoto?"
"Absolutely!" said Makoto. "Chihiro isn't to blame, neither is Sakura or Hifumi! This is all the Mastermind's doing!"
"Mastermind or not, we've been placed in a situation in which we are pitted against one another," said Byakuya. "The sooner you accept that, the better off you will be." He shook his head, as if disgusted with himself. "And here I am, trying to rationalize with my competition."
"I-I'm sorry," said Chihiro, her eyes full of tears. She fell to her knees, her face buried in her hands."I shouldn't have said anything. I-it's hopeless," she blubbered out. "I just—"
"Chihiro!" Sayaka was at her side, crouching to put out a reassuring arm but Chihiro flinched away. Upon realizing that Chihiro was being unreceptive to her help, she backed off.
"Kid! Come on, don't let him get to you like that." For once, Mondo's tone was surprisingly gentle. That was gone in an instant. When Chihiro didn't let up, Mondo turned to Byakuya. He was seething. "Quit picking on her just because she can't fight back! Fuck you, asshole!"
"Mondo! Please, think! Do not do anything rash!" said Taka.
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do!"
"Spoken with the eloquence of a bratty child," muttered Junko.
"Mondo, I understand that you're mad, but please try to calm down!" said Makoto.
And to my continued surprise, ever brave Makoto stepped in between Mondo's rage and someone else.
"I am calm!" He said, still approaching Byakuya, but with Makoto in between he could do little.
Thankfully, this time he didn't take his anger out on Makoto instead. Well, at the very least, he didn't punch him again. Rather, he shoved Makoto out of the way, but other than that, he at least calmed down enough that he didn't try to snap Byakuya in half. With a painful sounding thud, Makoto fell onto the floor.
Byakuya scoffed, completely unperturbed by Mondo's targeted anger. "Please, by all means, continue to keep this up. You all thought Hina was your friend, didn't you? And instead she tried to get you all executed. That's exactly where this foolish belief will lead you."
The eyes in the room turned to Hina, which on the one hand meant Mondo was sufficiently distracted, but now meant that Hina was under heavy scrutiny. She looked pretty close to tears.
"I—I didn't mean..." Began Hina, but she was unable to finish her thought.
It was the second time he'd lashed out at Hina. Noticing Hina beginning to shrink back again, Sayaka put a comforting hand on Hina's shoulder.
"Well, yes, but…" said Sayaka, frowning. "We forgive her. She's making amends."
"If you were smart you would leave her to fend for herself."
"Do not berate the poor girl, Byakuya. This must all come as a shock to her," said Celeste. "As I was saying, we must simply learn to co-exist. Therefore, we will no longer need to compete."
I was always so taken with Celeste. I couldn't read the damn girl. At times she seemed sympathetic to others, and at other times she seemed completely devoid of emotion or care.
"But why would I want to stop competing?" said Byakuya. "It's everyone else who needs to step their game up. The competition is no fun without active participants."
"I will say," said Kyoko, who almost seemed to emerge from the shadows as she spoke. "If you plan on winning, provoking your competition by being as intentionally aggravating toward them as possible is certainly an… interesting self-preservation technique."
My lip twitched in a small smirk.
"What?" said Byakuya. "'Intentionally aggravating'?"
Kyoko didn't answer.
Junko spoke up, intentionally ignoring him. "Oh, but I so much liked the sound of 'twee little programmer'," said Junko with a sigh. "I do so wish I'd come up with that one myself," she said to Celeste. Turning to Byakuya, she added sharply, returning from her fanciful thinking, "All the same, what makes you so sure you won't be next?"
"I won't die. It is simply a fact." He turned to go. "I am through. If anyone still needs further clarification, do not expect me at our 'friendly' group meals. Someone could easily poison our food. Continuing to indulge my competition is a waste of time, and I hate wasting my time."
Once he was gone, I made my way over to Makoto—who was still on the floor—and offered a hand to help him up. "You good?"
"Oh. Y-yeah." He said. He took my hand, grunting as he struggled to lift himself up.
"Are you alright, Makoto?" asked Sayaka immediately.
He blushed. "Y-yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
Hina sighed. "It's no use. And Byakuya calls us deluded?"
"I'd love to know what's got him so sure of himself," huffed Junko.
"Pretty much we can just chalk it up to simple arrogance, man," said Hiro.
"You wear embroidered coats and gold-plated shoes!" says Junko.
"Hey!" Hiro pointed a finger indignantly. "Why am I always the one getting picked on? Byakuya just said this was a game, does that not trigger anyone else's alarm bells?"
"Besides," I jumped in, "didn't you say it yourself? 'Vanity is great and all, but nothing beats good old-fashioned egotism'."
Junko smirked, relenting. "Okay, yeah that was pretty good." She sighed. "Alright, I get it. Whatever, it's just him and his unusually inflated ego. Death 'doesn't compute' or whatever. And you're right. My bullshit alarm has been going off since day one."
"He is one that speaks as though he knows little of failure," said Celeste.
"More like he's one who speaks as though he's never had a normal conversation with a human before," grumbled Junko.
"B-but, he has a point."
We all turned to see Toko, hunched and shaking her head as usual.
"Toko?" asked Hina. "Come on, what are you saying?"
Toko grimaced at Hina. Out of everyone left, Toko had definitely been one of the slowest to re-integrating Hina back into the dynamic with no trouble. "Ugh. Y-you couldn't p-possibly understand, could you? Y-you, you treacherous bitch, you nearly g-got us all killed! B-Byakuya, h-he's right, we d-don't know who is going to strike next. F-for all we know, someone could poison our food."
"Come on," said Junko. "Forget what he said. This kind of worrying is totally bad for your skin."
"Yeah, seriously," said Leon. "Fuck him."
"I don't w-want advice from a slut like you!" said Toko to Junko.
Junko glared at her. She looked as if she were about to retort, but Toko continued before she could.
"W-why would you ever bother helping s-someone as ugly enough as me? You d-don't care about my skin. You w-wouldn't even c-care if I was the next one to go!"
"Toko," said Sayaka, and once again she moved to comfort, but Toko just backed away. "No one said that."
"B-but you're thinking it!" cried Toko. "There, I can s-see it in your eyes! You don't want me here! You all th-think I'm some filthy disgusting creature!" She began to pull at her hair, voice rising.
I had this sick feeling in my gut. I didn't know where it was coming from. Perhaps it was from listening to Toko talk about herself, perhaps it was hearing Toko's comments toward Junko, but I couldn't understand why I was so upset.
"Please," reasoned Makoto. "Toko, no one thinks you're disgusting."
For once, I couldn't tell if it was something said in earnest, or something more performative. He was usually so patient, and this continued to be the case, but there was a strange false note. Did my suspicion make me like Toko? I wanted to say something, but I didn't know how.
"D-don't be ridiculous," said Toko. "Y-you all hate me! You wish I was gone! Even if you don't know it yet, you will, just wait!"
"Toko, wait!" said Makoto.
She ran off, and from what I could tell she was holding back tears. The twisted feeling in my stomach did not subside, but it was now accompanied by guilt for simply watching her leave.
"There is nothing to be done," said Celeste. She smiled. "Just let her be. When she gets this way, she is beyond hope."
I grimaced, the sick feeling in my stomach twisting even tighter, but I stayed silent nonetheless.
"I—I don't like it," said Sayaka, as though voicing my thoughts aloud once more. "Shouldn't someone go talk to her?"
Leon shook his head. "By all means, feel free, but I'm so done dealing with crazies."
Sayaka frowned, brow furrowed in contemplation.
"Eh, who needs Byakuya, anyway?" said Junko. "It's not like he was cooperative or pleasant when he was around."
"Are you alright, Hina?" asked Sayaka. "I know he was kind of hard on you."
"I'm okay," said Hina. She and Taka were in the process of helping of helping Chihiro to her feet. "I mean… I didn't get the worst of it." She glanced at Chihiro before adding, "Nothing a few donuts can't solve, right?"
Sayaka smiled. "That's the spirit. And you, Chihiro?"
Chihiro looked up. "Hm?" Oh… I… I'll be okay."
"Well, I think it's about time we headed back down to breakfast," said Hina. "What do you say, Chihiro, why don't you and I split some donuts? Maybe that'll make you feel better."
"You and your donuts," mumbled Hiro.
Hina ignored him.
Chihiro managed a small smile. "That would be good, I think."
"See?" Sayaka's returning smile was bright. "Better already!"
Slowly, we all filtered out of the library and back downstairs. Ultimately, our breakfast meeting came to an end without answering any questions. Everyone headed back to their rooms…
—
With much time left in the day, I was left to wander the school.
—
I came across Kyoko in the girls locker room.
"Hello, Kyoko," I said upon entering the room.
She let go of the pull-up bars, nodding to me in return.
"It's good to see you," I added.
Kyoko took a swig from a water bottle sitting on a nearby bench, shooting me a quizzical look. "If you're looking to be entertained, it is probably best to be on your way." She'd worked up quite a sweat.
"What?" I asked, taken aback.
She didn't answer, perhaps because she was breathing heavily, and instead sat down on the bench, grabbing a towel sitting beside her and wiping her forehead. She hadn't been wearing her usual gloves, but she quickly wiped her hands and slipped them back on before I could get a good look at her hands.
Realizing that I was staring, I shook my head as if to clear my thoughts, hastily trying to find something to say. "Oh, no! I-I was just—"
She shrugged, ignoring my incoherent stammering. "However, I am taking a break for the moment. So I suppose I have the time. Is there something you wish to tell me?"
I shook my head. "N-no, nothing in particular."
"Hm… Then what brings you here?"
"Just looking for a way to pass the time."
"With… me?" She hesitated to meet my eye.
I shrugged trying to seem nonchalant, but I could feel my face grow warm. Just then, I remembered the bag I kept on my person. It kept random junk I'd taken from the gift shop. Most of the stuff was admittedly of no use to me, but I'd grabbed it nonetheless. Perhaps they could be enjoyed by others. "Uh…" I dug through my bag, grabbing a box I thought looked promising and offered it to her. "Do you like coffee?"
"For me?"
"Yeah, I, uh… found it in the giftshop." Luwak coffee was way more expensive than my typical price range, so I'd certainly never tasted it, but that meant it would be all the nicer for a gift.
She took it gingerly from me, examining it. "How did you know I was interested in this?"
I shrugged again.
On her lips, the barest trace of a smile. "Very well. You're an enigma, Mukuro Ikusaba." She looked at me expectantly, patting the empty seat beside her on the bench.
"Oh. Hah, thanks..." My ears were burning. I was surprised she'd changed her tune so quickly. I sat down next to her, staring at my feet so as to avoid looking at her, and swinging my legs just a little.
"You wish to converse?" She was watching me.
"I—I suppose. It's not necessary, but—"
"Why? Are you here to psychoanalyze me?" She eyed me shrewdly.
My head was spinning. Just a moment ago, she'd almost seemed happy to see me, but now she was back to that icy demeanor. "What? No, I—"
"Is that your strategy, Ultimate Detective?" she asked me. "Are you trying to scope out information on the competition?"
"I... And what if I am?" I challenged, pulling myself together and changing tactics. "Does that scare you? I think the Ultimate Soldier could take me in a fight." I laughed weakly at my not-joke.
She didn't laugh, but rather looked away. "It is natural to feel fear. It keeps you on your toes. It means your imagination is working."
"Hm. I thought the super-soldier would be over fear," I mused. "You never seem scared in the slightest."
Except yesterday when we came across the letter in the library.
"Of course, I am afraid. But to show it would be to expose weakness. I thought you of all people would understand."
"Me, of all people?"
"You just… seem like the kind of person who can see beyond outward appearances."
I thought about it. "Well, reading people is… kinda part of the job."
"And you're good at only letting people see what you want them to see," said Kyoko. I didn't see what she was getting at, but I didn't protest. I wanted to say the same to her. Out of all the students here, she was particularly difficult to read. "However…" She paused. "You still have a weak link."
"I do?"
She nodded. "Your protective nature for your sister. You are not as…" She pondered the right choice of words, "foolishly open as some of the others, but if you do not learn to keep those emotions in check, they will soon become your weakness."
I scowled. "I'm just looking out for her."
"You don't want to lose her."
"Of course!"
"And that is your fear. Fear of what you might lose."
"I don't understand. Isn't there someone or something you would be afraid to lose? Am I not supposed to care for my sister?"
She nodded serenely. "I understand, Mukuro. I have lost as well. Just… be careful. I would hate for someone to take advantage of your weakness."
What was that supposed to mean? Was it supposed to be a warning? And a warning for what? Or who?
I hugged my arms close to my chest. "I think people are more afraid of it than anything." It was more than I wanted to admit. Forcing myself to remain composed, I pushed thoughts of the night of Sakura's trial out of my mind.
"That is exactly why you ought to be careful." She paused again, and we sat in silence for a moment. "Are you afraid?"
I frowned. "I already answered that."
"Of me?"
I hesitated. "No." I dared a glance at her. "Should I be?" My breath hitched as our eyes met. Was it just my imagination, or did we seem to be getting closer?
"I'm afraid that's for you to decide. I won't tell you how to feel."
For who knows how long we just sat there, locking eyes until a click and the sound of a voice brought us back.
"Hey, 'Kuro! Hiro told me you were up here, and he said he wanted someone to play cards with, but I figured screw that, I've just been dying for someone to braid hair with, and I know, I know, you're hair is short, but I was thinking—oh, hey Kyoko! Didn't see you there." Junko grinned, waiting for me in the doorway.
Upon hearing her come in, I cleared my throat, scooting away from Kyoko just a touch.
Kyoko didn't respond to Junko. Rather, she stood up, brushing herself off and slinging her towel over her shoulder. "I should get going."
"Already?" I asked.
She headed for the door. "I will not further occupy your time, since it seems you are in such high demand. Besides," she turned back to me, lip twitching ever so slightly in a crooked smile, "you're not the only one with an air of mystery to maintain."
She left me in the locker room with Junko, sitting there dumbfounded and awestruck.
Junko looked to me, to where Kyoko had just passed through in the doorway, and then back to me. "Did she just… What the hell was that?"
"I have no idea," I whispered.
—
"Well, this is certainly a new look for you, Mukuro," said Celeste as I entered the kitchen, a small smile playing on her lips as she took a look at me.
"It's my sister's doing," I muttered, turning away from her and opening up the fridge in hopes of finding a snack. I'd paid my dues to society and allowed myself to be Junko's guinea pig, and now I was hungry.
"Of course," she said, her smile unfaltering.
I did my best to ignore her stares and quiet giggles. The pigtails were certainly a bit juvenile, but I certainly couldn't undo all the hard work my sister had put into them, could I? What kind of monster would I have been?
"What're you looking for?" I asked, more so out of politeness than any real desire to keep the conversation going. I'd rather be out of there than get roped into a full on talk with the Mistress of the Undead.
She sighed. "Oh, I was hoping perhaps to find tea for later, but I don't know if anything here is to my taste."
I recalled seeing something in the gift shop that might've been the answer. "Hm…" I fumbled through my bag, finally spotting what I was looking for and grabbing a box and tossing it to her.
She caught it, eyes wide in surprise.
"Rose hip tea," I explained. "Is this what you're looking for?"
She turned it over in her carefully manicured fingers. "You wish to give this to me?"
"Uh… Yeah." I shrugged sheepishly. "Call it an apology."
"For?"
"For… snapping at you the other day."
For a moment, she stood there, impassive. Then, she smiled. "There is nothing to be done. The past is in the past." She examined her gift once more. "Interesting!" She looked up at me again, and for once her smile seemed genuine. "The gods heard my prayer, and my wish has been granted!"
Certainly dramatic, but her thanks did not go unappreciated. Perhaps praying to the gods had something to do with her whole fortune teller deal.
"Hmhmhm," she said, sounding self-satisfied. "This is all because of my daily sympathy and compassion, is it not?"
I snorted. "Uh… Sure." I closed the fridge, unsatisfied and instead just grabbed an apple from the stockpile and began to head out, but before I could, Celeste spoke.
"Would you like some company? I'd be happy to grace you with my presence."
I nodded slowly, not sure what was could've been in it for her. If there was one thing I felt pretty sure of, it was that Celeste did not extend herself without expecting something in return. Furthermore, I was still wary. Yes, she had accepted my earlier apology, but I didn't know what she got out of spending further time with me.
She smiled. "Please, relax. I am merely wishing to amuse myself. If you must know, it is a step up from being pestered by… certain individuals."
"O...kay…"
I was a little ansty. I supposed I had no reason to be, just my basest instincts were very unnerved by Celeste. But I complied. Perhaps I had been too hasty to judge her.
We left the kitchen, sitting ourselves at one of the smaller two-seater cafeteria tables.
"Are you sure?" I asked, still offering her an out. A small part of me wanted her to take it so that I could book it. "It's just an apple, I can take it back to my room—"
"It is quite alright," she said. "I doubt you would be any more tiresome than the others."
Well, alright then.
"I bet you say that to all the girls," I joked. When she merely shot me a questioning look in response, I sighed.
"Well," said Celeste, ignoring my comment and moving forward. "In return for your thoughtful gift, you may ask me a question. I'm certain you must be curious about something."
"Wait, you mean like a fortune?"
She laughed. "You are quite the joker, Mukuro."
I didn't see what was so funny, but she continued.
"Really, very hilarious, but no. I don't sell my talents for free…" She thought it over. "Then again, you did give me that tea as payment. And I am certain that us meeting is no mere coincidence. I can give you a discount. Care to take a crack at it?"
It was certainly enticing, but I didn't have that kind of money. "I'm okay. But If you're still open for questions, can I ask you something?"
"Of course," said Celeste.
"How does your fortune-telling actually work?" I asked, unable to help myself. "You went into it a little bit during the trial, but I'm still a bit hazy on the details."
She'd gone on this whole explanation on the performative aspect of her talent, but in the end I was still disbelieving. I didn't know what to think. Was she telling the truth, and the pageantry was her just fulfilling her customers wishes, or was there something more sinister involved? I was dying to know, but also more than a little scared to ask. I was already beginning to regret my decision.
"Well, normally I would not disclose my trade secrets," said Celeste. "But since you asked so politely, I will tell you. I use several methods with my divination tools, including tarot and my crystal ball. Of course, to be in the business and become as successful as I am, you have to have a talent for correctly reading your divination tools. In that way, you can correctly interpret the messages from the powers from beyond. Are you following?"
"Yes…" I nodded slowly, trying to absorb it all.
"Of course, skill and talent are important, but there is one power in particular that comes to aid me that can trump any skill."
"I see…"
"My power… is luck."
I blinked. "Luck?"
"Yes. Don't you see? That is why the success rate for my fortunes is unbeatable. Because you can have all the skill in the world, but in the end, I have been granted the gift of luck. And with luck, I will never fail."
"So after all this, you just rely on your luck? That's all there is to it?"
"Do not misunderstand me, Mukuro," said Celeste. "I do not rely on simple guesswork or trickery. My clients come to me for results, and thus far, that is what they have gotten. Most fortune tellers don't have nearly as high a success rate as myself. Good luck is, in itself, a kind of supernatural force, a blessing. It is a power beyond human understanding." She paused. "And I hope that clears things up for the nay-sayers."
I was speechless.
"If truth be told, a part of me is curious to find someone in this school whose luck can challenge my own. Perhaps the gambler? Or the Ultimate Lucky Student?" She hummed in satisfaction to herself. "Hmhmm. Well, if that is all you wish to ask, have a nice day, Mukuro. Thank you for the tea. If you wish to know your future, just remember that I am always here for you." She smiled once more, the ruffles on her dress swishing and jewelry clinking as she rose to her feet.
Without another word, Celeste quietly disappeared.
—
"It's awfully quiet today," said Sayaka, looking around the dining hall from her seat at the big table.
"I know… It feels so empty," said Makoto.
He'd chosen a seat across from her. Generally, we had no problems doing our own thing, but for breakfast we were still keeping up the practice of all sitting at the big table. It was easy to tell who was missing. Unsurprisingly, Byakuya was absent, but Toko had failed to show up after storming out of the library yesterday. And the other absence that was even more surprising than Toko—who'd always been a touch paranoid—was Hina.
"Naturally," said Celeste from her end of the table, not looking up as she sipped her milk tea. "Two people are dead and three are abstaining."
"Well, I mean let's be real, Byakuya is a lost cause," said Junko. "So I don't know how much we oughtta worry about him. But what about Toko and Hina?" She looked across to me, and then to the others as if to ask them the same question.
There were some shrugs. Sayaka spoke.
"Um… Do you think we should go check on them?" she asked.
"Fuck that," said Leon. "Toko gives me serious creep vibes, and Hina—"
Sayaka interrupted, ignoring him and continuing her train of thought. "Well, I'm gonna go see if they're ok. Someone ought to."
They weren't sitting next to each other like usual.
Hiro grimaced. "Ah, I don't know 'bout that. Maybe you should—"
Junko scoffed. "Seriously? Are you really following the lead of Toko and Byakuya?"
Celeste shook her head. "Hiro, you have no spine."
"That is factually incorrect!" said Taka. "It is clearly evident that Hiro has a spine!" When making a statement, he tended to point it out literally with his finger.
"What hell are talking about?" said Mondo. "Goddamn, you idiot, that's not what she means!"
"Idiot?" gasped Taka. "You're an idiot!"
"You—"
Before it would escalate any further, Junko interrupted. "Oh my god, cool it!" she groaned, rubbing her temples. "All Morticia is saying is that it might not be best idea to take social cues from the paranoid slut-shamer and the antisocial internet troll. Personally, I'm inclined to agree. Look, I'll admit, I'm still a little," she shifted uncomfortably, "peeved about what Toko said to me the other day, but," she paused dramatically, "I'll let it slide."
"How very gracious, your majesty," I said, rolling my eyes.
I felt a sharp pain in my ankle as she kicked me under the table. I winced, but remained silent.
"I still think we should check up on them," said Sayaka. "Hina at least. Byakuya was pretty hard on her."
"Well, sure, but that's just him being his usual self, don'tcha think?" said Leon. "You don't think he'd try anything, would he?" he asked, forced grin twitching like it usually did when he was visibly anxious. "I mean, that's just crazytalk."
"Nah, that guy is up to something," said Mondo. "He's acting super shady and shit. I don't like it. We gotta do something about it! Tie him up or something!"
"Whoa, hey man, I wasn't saying—"
I tuned them out, and instead noticed that Chihiro had gotten up to leave and was wiping at her eyes.
"Are you alright, Chihiro?" I asked.
Chihiro stopped when I called to her. She sniffed, standing there small and glum. "I'm fine. I'm just—never mind, it's not important."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm just… going through something," said Chihiro. "Byakuya said some things to me yesterday that kinda got to me. And I couldn't even defend myself. Mondo had to step in, and even he said I was someone who couldn't fight back. I… I'm so helpless and weak. I just don't know if... I deserve to be here."
"What?" cried Sayaka, astounded. She was by Chihiro's side in an instant. "Of course, you deserve to be here!"
"I see," said Taka. "So it is Mondo who has upset you."
"Me?" said Mondo. "What the hell did I do?"
"Uh, hello? You made her feel bad!" said Junko, tapping her skull. When she got blank looks in return, she extrapolated. "You called her weak. That's not cool."
"Well, yeah! But I mean…" he floundered helplessly for words, "Girls are naturally weak, right? I didn't mean anything by it!"
"'Naturally weak'?" asked Kyoko sharply.
"Agh!" Mondo groaned, rubbing his forehead with one hand. "I didn't mean—Fuck, forget it."
Chihiro sniffed again, hiccuping and wiping the tears and snot with her cardigan sleeve.
"Augh…" Mondo approached her, shifting uncomfortably. Look," he began, "don't cry anymore, alright? I swear, I won't yell at ya anymore. I'll make you a promise as a man."
Chihiro looked up at him. "Promise… as a man?"
"Yeah, I mean," said Mondo, "Ever since I was a kid, my brother always told me that no matter what, a real man always keeps his promises." He sighed. "Anyway, I don't wanna… go into it, it's not something that's easy for me to talk about. Just know you don't gotta cry anymore."
He offered her an encouraging smile, but there was something... morose about his demeanor. Or perhaps it had been the shakiness of the sigh, and how hard it had seemed for him to get the words out.
However, the words seemed to console her. Chihiro smiled at him in return. "Thank you, Mondo."
He mumbled something, blushing slightly.
"Aw, babe, there's that smile," said Junko, and Chihiro giggled.
"Thank you, Mondo," said Chihiro again, "that's very good of you."
Mondo looked away. "Don't mention it."
"You should come with us to go for a swim!" said Sayaka. "That'll cheer you up for sure. Leon is coming. Aren't you Leon?" It was much sharper than her usual tone as she looked over at him "In fact, a bunch of us are coming. The more the merrier, I say."
"Hang on a sec," said Leon, "when did we agree—"
"That sounds like a great idea!" interrupted Junko loudly, giving me a look.
I nodded. "Yes," I said equally as forcefully, meeting Junko's eyes. "I agree. I will go with you."
Chihiro hesitated. "Oh, I don't know…"
"Come on! It'll be fun!" said Sayaka.
"Oh, m—" said Chihiro.
"Maybe next time?" asked Sayaka, finishing her thought. "I'll hold you to that."
Chihiro beamed. "Thank you, everybody. I'm feeling much better now."
—
"Mukuro, can I ask you a question?" asked Sayaka, brushing her wet hair back from her face and swimming near the edge of the pool where I was sitting.
I was wary. "Okay, shoot."
Sayaka edged nearer to me, resting her arms on the pool deck and looking up at me with her big blue eyes.
"I don't know, it's kind of a weird question…" Sayaka paused as if considering whether to really go through with it. Was she blushing? "Do you have a boyfriend?"
I blinked. "Do I what?"
She looked away. "See, I knew it was a silly question."
"Oh, n-no, that wasn't what I—" My face grew warm as I stammered for something to say. "I mean…"
"No, it was too personal, I understand. I just thought I'd ask. I… I was curious."
"It's no problem, don't worry about it."
"It was silly, of course someone as cool as you would have a boyfriend."
Cool?
"Yeah, you're so smart!" said Sayaka, as if she'd read my mind, and I flushed even deeper at the compliment. "Remember when we were sent to get Hina the other day? I haven't forgotten our conversation. You know…" she mused, "it's too bad we don't talk much. We should fix that, Mukuro. You're a good friend. We are friends, right?"
"Of course!" I said, face still burning.
"I'm glad to hear it."
"And for the record," I added. "I don't have a boyfriend. I figured the psychic might be able to guess that."
Sayaka giggled. "I guess, but I just thought I'd ask. Even if it is probably silly to be thinking about crushes at a time like this." She glanced over at the group of our classmates sitting poolside together, smiling fondly. I followed her line of sight to see Junko chatting animatedly with Hina, Leon, and Makoto, who were listening along.
For a moment we didn't speak, we just sat there together watching the others. Then, Sayaka shook her head. "I don't remember how long it's been since I've had close friends."
"Does your modeling career keep you busy?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yeah, it can be kind of lonely. I mean, yes, I get people clamouring to know me and be my friend, but I never feel like anyone really wants to know me. Does that make any sense?"
I nodded. "Sure." I mean, I couldn't relate, but I understood it enough. Nobody cared enough about me to pretend to be my friend. What would be the perks of being friends with a detective anyway? Special access to recently murdered corpses?
Her usual cheerful demeanor faltered for just a moment, but her frown was quickly replaced with her familiar chipper smile. Perhaps she felt my eyes on her. "Which of course means no boyfriend on my end of things either!" She shrugged. "I just don't know if I'm at a point in my life where I can deal with that sort of thing. I imagine it's the same for you? You must be busy as the Ultimate Detective, and all."
I thought about it. "I... suppose." Anytime the subject was breached in conversation, I'd always made the same lame joke about being "married to my career", but maybe she was right.
"But there has to be someone you're interested in!" she prompted earnestly.
I clammed up. "I dunno." Talking about all this stuff was always alright in the abstract, but I wasn't keen on going into details. Or perhaps lack of details. What prospects did I really have here? What prospects have I ever really had at all?
"Oh, come on, Mukuro! We're friends, right?"
I grimaced. "What's with the third degree? I thought investigating was my thing."
"You did say I'd make a good assistant. Tell me, there has to be someone."
"I… I guess," I said, but that was all I was willing to relent. I didn't say anything else. I wanted this conversation to be over.
I was a moment before I realized Sayaka was staring intently at me. "So… aren't you going to ask me?" Her blue eyes were piercing, voice low.
"I… what?" I asked, mesmerized. Even after swimming, hair dripping and face bare of any makeup, she looked absolutely gorgeous.
"Ask me if there's someone I'm interested in."
My ears were burning. "R-right."
"That's how it works right?" asked Sayaka. "You're supposed to tell each other these kinds of things? I—I've never really had girl friends my own age before."
Before I could say any more, we were interrupted by the sound of a screech and a loud splash. Turning to see what had caused the commotion, it soon became clear to both of us that Junko was the one screaming, for Hina and Leon had just pushed her into the pool.
"I'm going to kill you!" shrieked Junko indignantly, to which they only laughed.
Makoto, who had escaped torment from the other two, stifled a laugh behind his hand, but said, "Uh, guys, that's not very—"
"Shut up, Makoto!" said Junko. "Don't tell me you didn't see this coming! You're an accessory to the crime." She grumbled something under her breath before calling out to me. "Ugh! Mukuro! 'Kuro, help me out, will you? Get me a towel or something, I'm totally drenched."
"I… I'd better help her out," I murmured to Sayaka.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," she said, backing off a bit and treading water.
"Mukuro!" called Junko again. "Mukuro!"
"That's my cue." I sighed.
Junko shrieked again as she proceeded to get splashed once more. "Cut it out! Mukuro, get over here!"
I chuckled. I couldn't help it. "Sure thing, sis." I stood up, quickly scurrying off to grab a towel from the stack sitting on the nearby bleachers and handing it to her.
Junko was too busy bemoaning her poor lot in life, and the others were too busy laughing, that I hadn't noticed Sayaka approach me. I hadn't even realized she'd climbed out of the pool.
"The answer is yes, by the way."
"What?" I asked.
She was drying her hair with the towel, not looking at me, but she couldn't have been speaking to anyone else. "Yes. To answer the question you didn't ask," she clarified, although I was still a little mystified. "There is someone." Once again, she looked over at the group of students. Hina waved her over, Leon flashed a cheesy grin, Makoto flushed a light shade of pink. Sayaka then looked back to me. "It's probably silly to think about that sort of thing, considering our predicament."
I was still watching the others. They looked so happy and carefree—a moment of levity in a dreadful situation. "It's not silly to have feelings."
"Thank you. You are always so kind, Mukuro."
"Not as kind as you," I murmured. Sayaka was always the first to rush to someone's side, or provide a word of comfort. It was amazing. She was so pure of intention. When she looked as though she were about to protest, I added, "It's true. Everyone loves you. You—you stuck up for Hina when everyone else wanted to turn her away. You got her to come here, cheered her up. That was all you."
"Oh, stop it," said Sayaka, shaking her head, but she blushed happily with a small smile on her delicate lips. She looked to me again. "Mukuro?"
"Yes?" I asked, and our eyes met.
"Can I ask you something?" she asked, voice now surprisingly earnest.
"You just did."
"Ok, but really."
I paused. "Of course. Anything."
"This person I'm interested in. Should I tell this person that I have feelings for them?"
I felt a lump in my throat. "What? I—"
"I thought it might be silly to mention it, but you saying otherwise—your words have really given me strength! I know now might not be the right time, but what the hell is the right time, anyway? It might be the only time I get the chance! What with life here..."
"I see."
"I mean, if you care about someone, you should let them know any way you can, right?"
"Yeah… I—yeah. You should go for it. I'm... happy for you."
"You are so sweet!"
"But why are you asking me? I… don't matter."
"Because I trust you! You're a really good friend."
"I see. Is that what you think?"
"Of course that's what I think! But what do you think?" Sayaka looked at me expectantly. "I… I don't want to embarrass myself… What if I get rejected?"
"I… think that whoever it is… would be lucky to have you. I mean, everyone loves you. Who wouldn't want—I mean, I'm sure they feel the same way."
It was the truth.
She beamed. "Oh, my goodness, you are so sweet I can practically feel the toothache coming in."
"You don't have to keep saying it..."
Sayaka pulled me into a slightly damp hug. "But I do! Thank you so much!" Letting go of me, she looked me up and down, letting out an embarrassed laugh and tucking her hair behind her ear. "Sorry about that."
"S'fine," I mumbled, my hand covering my mouth.
"Thank you so much, Mukuro, for helping me make up my mind. I owe you."
"Of course. You and… and Leon would be great together."
"Leon?" She laughed. Loudly. "You think I have feelings for—for Leon?"
"But I thought—"
"Oh, Mukuro, you must have quite the imagination!" said Sayaka. Which was odd, because they I didn't find it so wild of a conclusion. They really did seem thick as thieves. "It's… not Leon." She said, not looking at me. "Definitely not."
I shot her a quizzical look.
"Leon has been very nice," she added. "But we're just friends. He's... a good friend. But he—"
Sayaka glanced other at him, and I followed her line of sight. He was still chatting with Junko who to my surprise didn't look completely bothered at all. He must've made a joke because she laughed, giving him a playful shove. The kind a girl does when she wants to casually touch someone. I didn't know much about flirting, but I knew that much.
Sayaka cleared her throat, quickly looking away before the two of them could spot us. She continued, "Yeah. He's uh… He's great, but. But I… I don't know if we're a good idea."
It was almost too small to notice, but when Sayaka was upset she would develop a little crinkle between her eyebrows, and a small line on the bridge of her nose, almost like a little frown. She was smiling, as usual, but it was the little details that gave her away.
Well, it if wasn't Leon, then who—
"It's… Makoto." she said, as if she could read my thoughts. "Of course."
"M-Makoto?"
"Yes! I'll admit, I thought he was kind of a pushover at first, but I've been starting to see him in a whole new light! We've been spending more time together. He's so kind. He always checks on me to see how I'm doing."
"Yes, Makoto is a very thoughtful person…" I said, but my voice was hollow.
"He is," she said with a sigh. "And I feel like he really sees me as a person, you know? Not an object. I—that's never really happened to me before."
Her smile was fond. Looking over again, Makoto was grabbing a towel for Junko. He really was very sweet.
I didn't know what to say. "I—I, um..."
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I didn't say anything."
"But you were going to, right?"
I shook my head, ignoring her usual creepy intuition thing. "I—I don't know. It's just… unexpected. It's nothing. I guess—I just. You and Makoto." I fidgeted around, wringing my hands before looking back up at her again. The words tumbled out in a rush. "Do you really think you guys would be good together?"
She frowned. "I don't understand. You were being so supportive a second ago, what's the matter?"
"Nothing! I just think… Makoto is a very nice boy, but he's nice to everyone. And he's way too nice to lead a girl on…"
"Well, yeah. But we were talking the other day, and he gave me these beautiful cherry blossoms as a gift. Flowers are a romantic gesture, right?"
As the realization sunk in, I nodded, trying not to let my voice give my feelings away. "Right," I said, but it was hoarse. She was right. What else could it have possibly meant?
"Thanks again, Mukuro. You're a really good friend, you know that?" She was surprisingly serene. "I need you by my side. I… I know I can count on you. Because that's just a crush, I don't expect it to turn into anything serious. What's most important is getting out of here. That's my number one priority. But… I'm still chasing what I want. It's just who I am, it's what I've always done."
I didn't answer.
"Sayaka!" called Hina. "Jump in!"
"But I'm already drying off!" pouted Sayaka, but it was said through a laugh. It was amazing how quickly she could change her tune. It was like a mask. With more persistence from the others, she relented. "Oh, alright," she said, dropping her towel. I looked away, but she must've jumped back in because I heard the big splash.
Hina shrieked with laughter at the water sprayed everywhere. Sayaka emerged, and the two of them swam off.
But Sayaka and Makoto? That was ridiculous. They were entirely wrong for each other. But… Sayaka was good and sweet and…. Beautiful. And he'd given her flowers.
I thought I was good at reading people, but maybe I was just entirely clueless.
In the middle distance, the others were involved in some sort of splash fight. I watched the amusing spectacle until Sayaka lurked over to me again.
"Come here." She beckoned me in with her finger.
"I am here."
"Closer. Lean in, I have something I want to tell you."
I shook my head. "Oh, no you don't. I'm not falling for that."
She batted her lashes. "I promise I won't dunk you."
I rolled my eyes, crouching low so that was were nearly face to face. "Alright," I said, "what is—"
She lunged her arms around my neck, dragging me in, and I didn't even have time to react before I felt the lurch forward, and I hit the water with a loud splash.
I broke the surface, gasping for air and coughing. "I knew it!"
She smiled innocently like some sort of ingenue. I elbowed her, splashing her just a little. I wasn't really all that angry, but I felt the need to fight back, just to assert myself.
"The 'drenched in chlorine-water' vibe is a good look for you," she said, appraising me.
"Shut up."
—
I was wasting time in my room when I heard my doorbell ring.
Curious, I sat up from my bed, hurrying over to the door. I really had no plans for the afternoon, so I was welcome for a disruption. I opened the door. Without invitation, Toko forced herself past me and into my room. I watched her in silent disbelief, hoping for some sort of explanation. I didn't receive one; rather she stood there, anxiously carding her fingers through her braids.
"Um… Can I help you?" I asked.
"Quit l-looking at me like that," said Toko, scowling at me before averting her eyes again.
"I'm looking at you?"
"Are you joking? I know you don't want me to be here, I c-can s-see it in your eyes." She took a deep breath. "Whatever, I j-just… I need you to do me a f-favor and then I'll stop bothering you and be out of your sight."
"Oh, you're not bothering me," I said on instinct, and I was struck with memories of the previous day when she'd left the library in tears. After that, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt her feelings. Besides, she was hardly being bothersome. I didn't have much to do in the realm of entertainment. "I'm just surprised you're here. What's going on?"
"C-can you come somewhere with me?"
"Um, sure?" It came out like a question. "Where?"
"The library."
Okay.
"Hm? But you said none of the books were to your taste," I said.
Her eyes went wide. "You r-remember that?" she asked.
"Of course."
Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized me. I couldn't tell if she was suspicious or flattered.
"Well," I said, not wanting to prolong the awkward silence, "if you want to go, let's go."
"Huh?" asked Toko, possibly surprised at my cooperation. "Ok, hurry, let's go." She was oddly insistent as we made for the door. Before leaving she turned to me. "But you h-have to keep this a s-secret, ok?"
I sighed. "Sure."
The walk had just involved more awkward silence, but we crept into the library, Toko shushing me to keep quiet. Perhaps it was my imagination, but the library seemed even more poorly lit than usual. The dim lighting made it hard to see the surroundings, but Byakuya was sitting at his usual desk. To my surprise, he wasn't the only one in the library.
"Chihiro?" I asked. "What're you doing here?" I approached the desk where she was sitting.
"Mukuro!" Toko hissed at me, but I ignored her. I realized we were supposed to keep operation under wraps, but I didn't see any problem with saying hello to the people who were already here.
"Huh?" Chihiro looked up and upon spotting me, snapped shut whatever she was reading—not a book, but what looked like a folder. "Oh, uh… I'm just doing some light reading."
"Uh-huh." I nodded skeptically, but didn't challenge her.
"So," said Chihiro, and I didn't miss that as she spoke her eyes kept darting around the room. "What brings you and Toko to the library?"
I looked to Toko and then back to Chihiro. "I'm, um… not sure, actually."
Toko was not paying attention. Instead, she was watching Byakuya with unusual attention. I shot Chihiro a questioning look, but still followed Toko's example. I was intrigued as to where this was headed. The two of us crouched behind one of the bookshelves, getting a good look at him.
"There he is!" said Toko in hushed whispers. I'd never heard this giddiness in her tone before then. She nudged me forward. "He's here. Go talk to him."
"What?"
"G-go talk to him!"
"Why would I do that?" I asked.
"W-well, I can't do it! Come on, j-just, say something!"
Byakuya looked up at us, annoyed expression on his face. "What are you doing here? Leave. the last thing I need is more people here to bother me." As he said this, his eyes darted over to Chihiro.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"I believe I told you to leave." He nodded to Toko. "And take her with you. I can't afford to be bothered by the likes of you."
"Alright then," I said. I looked to Toko. "Let's go."
She hesitated. "Byakuya?"
"What?"
"Remember how you said 'Don't be a woman who dominates w-weak men, be a woman dominated by a s-strong man'?" asked Toko, and to my surprise she was smiling and giggling. She kept her eyes averted, tapping her little index fingers together. She was blushing.
"I never said that," he said shortly.
"W-Well, actually, I read it somewhere, and I just thought it sounded like something you might say…" said Toko. "It's from—"
Byakuya bristled. "I don't care where it's from. Get out. And go take a bath, you reek."
It was then that I knew I wanted to get her out.
"Wh—" began Toko, but she was cut off.
"Don't make me repeat myself. Go." He waves her away. "Before your stench overwhelms the room."
I'd had enough. "Let's go." I took her by the hand, leading her into the hall. She did not resist.
Once outside, Toko began to shake her head, muttering incoherent babble to herself. She was shaking, face ashen and glasses askew.
I wasn't sure what to do, so I reached out a hand to comfort, but I hesitated to touch her. "Uh… Never mind him," I said. It was all I could think so say. "He's just being his usual irritable self."
"I—I can't believe he w-would say that…" said Toko.
"I'm sorry," was all I could think to say.
"He… he must really care about me!" she squealed, completely changing her mood. She was blushing, all sweaty and hands clasped together, eyes far away.
What?
"He told me t-to take a bath and everything!" responded Toko. "He must really care a-about my well-being!"
I hadn't even realized I must've spoken aloud.
I'd never seen her so elated. She was smiling, actually smiling. On the one hand, I was relieved to know that she was not upset. On the other hand, the uneasy feeling in my stomach from the day prior had returned. Once again, it was for reasons I could not place, I just knew something was off. I didn't know what to say.
"M-Mukuro, what do you think? Would w-we make a g-g-good couple?"
I blinked. "Who?"
"Byakuya and I, of course!"
"Oh, um… Right. You and Byakuya. I… I don't know about that…" However, not only was I unsure, I was also uneasy. I wanted to dissuade her, but I had no idea how to go about it.
I didn't know why I was so invested in this whole ordeal, but I just… I didn't want to make her cry again.
Is this really what love was supposed to be? Admittedly, I'd spent many years far too absorbed in my work to really know, but I imagined it should be better than this. He'd been so… so nasty to her.
I'd been wrong about Sayaka. Was I making the same mistake with Toko? I knew I was inexperienced, but maybe I really didn't know anything about love.
"It's ok, you don't have to understand!" said Toko, bursting my inner thoughts. "He's my prince! Nothing can s-stand between our love! I know exactly how this will go!" She sighed dreamily, taking my hands in hers and grinning from ear to ear. "Oh, Mukuro. Maybe some day y-you will understand love. Maybe. S-someday. If only y-you could be so lucky!"
I managed a chuckle, despite the lump in my throat. "Yeah, someday."
Without so much as a goodbye, she sauntered away happily, still in a state of euphoria.
"Well, well, well, wasn't that something!"
A familiar high pitched squeaky voice rang behind me.
I whirled around.
Monokuma grinned, fanning himself. "Ah, young love! To be so intertwined in such drama, Mukuro! This must all be so riveting for you! But eager passion can also be scary! Sometimes it can lead people off in the wrong direction!" And on that ominous note, he disappeared behind one of the many columns in the hallway.
I stood outside the library alone.
"Please, be careful…" I said to her, my voice faint, despite the fact that Toko was long gone.
A/N: Initially I was very very set on making sure the tone was similar to the game, particularly involving the romantic relationships. Specifically, the fact that all the romance is mostly just implied, it never gets very serious which... is similar to what I'm going for, but I also decided to write what makes me happy so also. My fic my rules. I hope y'all like melodramatic semi-relationship bs.
Nobody is going to "date". There's murder going on here! This is not the place for dating! However, teenagers have feelings, so of course those feelings are going to be involved in the story.
Please don't forget to let me know which characters you want to see more of! Feedback helps me know which free time events to do for next chapter!
Also just. General feedback. I really like dialogue-heavy writing, and feel confident in my abilities, but when it comes to introspection & setting I fully admit those are possible weak points.
Hummus. Thoughts?
