Things will start of hunky-dory. But trust me, this is only the calm before the storm. Disclaimer: I don't own Dangan Ronpa or Ace Attorney.
Chapter 1: The 78th Class
The class got settled into their individual rooms after orientation, then met the next morning for breakfast. Of one would expect, there were three groups of people who arrived for timed events. Those who arrived at the exact time in question were real sticklers for the rules, such as Tora, Oogami, and especially Ishimaru. The next group were those that were slightly tardier, just your average high school students, even they were elite. These included Komaeda, Naegi, and Enoshima. Then there were those who felt their time should not run by the standards of others, such as Togami, Celes, and Hagakure.
Tora spent most of breakfast getting to know his fellow students. He had been a little surprised to find their headmaster was Kirigiri's father, and that she had deliberately showcased her talents as a detective so that Hope's Peak would scout her out and she could meet her father, which turned out better than she expected. "I came here wondering why he would choose this school over our family," she said during breakfast, "But it turns out I didn't need to go to the lengths I did. He was planning on bringing me here all along." She smiled. "I guess... My father truly loves me as his daughter after all."
"Quick question," Komaeda said, "Why the gloves? Are you trying to emulate a typical movie detective?" "Actually my gloves serve a more practical purpose," Kirigiri said as she carefully removed them. The others cringed at the sight of her scarred hands. "It's a little embarrassing," Kirigiri said as she put her glove back on, "A mistake I made when I was still an amateur." "There's no need to feel embarrassed," Naegi said, "Everyone makes mistakes early in life. It's all part of the growing experience." Kirigiri blushed as she smiled.
"That reminds me," Koizumi said, "I remember seeing you and Maizono together before orientation. Did you know each other before today?" Maizono nodded. "We've known each other since middle school. But until yesterday we had only seen each other in passing." "When we met again just outside the school," Naegi said, "I was surprised she even remembered me. We got to talking and I learned... Well... That she had always had a crush on me." Kirigiri suddenly narrowed her eyes, and Tora couldn't help but feel that there was a potential rivalry brewing.
Over at the next table, Fujisaki asked, "Saionji, how come you haven't tried the orange juice yet?" "I did try a little," Saionji said, "But it was too sour for me. I don't like sour things." "That explains why you don't like yellow gummies," Tora said, "I noted they were a little sour." Ooshida seemed to be wolfing down her food, right alongside Owari. "Look out guys," Oowada said with a laugh, "We got a couple carnivores here." Tanaka scoffed. "Breeding animals for food. Is there nothing more shameful. Hunting is one thing, but I cannot abide the use of such a noble art just to have the creature slaughtered." That got him a few funny looks, except from Sonia who seemed moved by his words.
Time passed slowly, as if to give the students more time to get to know each other. A few days into the school year, Saionji and Koizumi found Souda sobbing while he was working on one of the large vehicles in the shop class. "Something wrong Souda?," Saionji asked. "It's Sonia, man," Souda said with a sob, "I've been trying to get her to go out with me for a while now. But... But... She prefers to hang out with Tanaka! What does he have that I don't?!" "Cute, cuddly hamsters for one thing," Saionji said, "I remember Tanaka blushing when Sonia called them that." Koizumi chuckled. "It also doesn't help that your remarks towards Sonia have been slightly perverted. I mean, you're not as bad as Hanamura, but still..."
Remembering Hanamura's frequent lewd remarks towards the females of the group, minus Oogami, Saionji, and Fujisaki, cheered Souda right up. "Yeah, he is much worse isn't he. I think I earlier caught him trying to convince Sonia to help him suck the 'poison' out of his lower body. Needless to say, he was quickly stopped by Tora and Komaeda." He sighed. "Maybe I was a little bad, but I can't help it. I've always wanted a blonde bombshell for a girlfriend, and Sonia definitely qualifies." "I'm sure you'll find another," Saionji said, "After all, Sonia may be naive, but she's no airhead. Although I can honestly say it's not your appearance that drives girl's off." "Thanks," Souda said, and he got back to his work.
"I guess it's only natural that some of us would start hooking up," Togami said. He and Tora were in the library, having found a mutual interest in reading old police files. Tora was reading on the multiple crimes committed by Ooshida's father, the Phantom. Togami was engrossed in a confidential report on the mysterious serial killer Genocider Shou. "Anything interesting the public doesn't already know?," Tora asked. "Well," Togami said, "There is the interesting fact that Genocider Shou apparently crucifies his victims with his scissors. I remember reading about this in a similar file in my family's reading room."
At that moment a strange smell greeted Tora's nostrils. "What the...?," he said as he turned to the source of the smell, which turned out to be Fukawa. "You should go take a shower," Togami said, "You're stinking up the library." Fukawa seemed embarrassed and hurried off. "That girl needs to pay more attention to her hygiene," Togami said when she left, "Going too long without a shower cannot be healthy." "You sound as if you're truly worried about her," Tora said. Togami nodded. "I've noticed her stalking me several times, but never said anything." He smirked. "To be honest, I think she may be worth my attention." Tora chuckled and sipped his soda.
Fukawa was scrubbing herself in the women's bath. She looked at the kanji carved into her upper thighs. 'I suppose sooner or later I'll have to tell them about my DID. I saw Togami reading that file. About "her" murders. My other self. A side I'd prefer didn't exist.' "Those look nasty," came Tsumiki's voice. Fukawa turned to see her standing there with her bathing gear. "How long have you had those?" Fukawa looked nervous. "For a while now. They were self-inflicted, but not out of a suicide attempt." She looked down. "You see, I have dissociative identity disorder. It tends to be triggered when I sneeze or faint. Then the other me comes out."
Tsumiki looked worried. "Dare I ask what your other side is like?" Fukawa looked at her. "Her name... Is Genocider Shou..." Tsumiki gasped. "You mean that serial killer that's been all over the news? That's you? Well, I guess technically not because of your DID." Fukawa nodded. "When I noticed my ElectroiD contained a profile for Genocider, I realized the headmaster knew. I was surprised he didn't have me turned in. Anyway, Genocider was officially given the title 'Super High School Level Murderer'. I guess since the school was in need of my talents as an author, they had no choice but to let her in as well. Though don't ask me how a serial killer can bring hope to the world."
The others were a little thrown when Fukawa went and admitted to her condition. "Note to self," Hanamura said, "Use less pepper in my dishes." "I can't believe she actually went and admitted she was a serial killer," Oogami said. Tora shrugged. "To be fair, her DID gives her ample cause to plead insanity in a court of law." Togami smiled. "Well... You've certainly become much more fascinating to me." Hearing that, Fukawa started blushing. "Togami..." She fainted then and there from joy. "Uh oh," Tsumiki said, "She told me earlier that fainting brings out her other side as well.
Sure enough, Fukawa's eyes snapped open, now much wider and bright red. Her teeth seemed to become razor sharp and her tongue seemed to grow in length. This was clearly Genocider Shou. "Huh?," Genocider said as she looked around in confusion, "Oh wait, this must be Hope's Peak Academy. So you guys are the other students huh?" Genocider seemed to be much more open than Fukawa, and she quickly revealed a great deal about herself. This included the fact that she and Fukawa shared knowledge but not memories. Apparently, her preferred choice of victim was cute guys that turned her on. Luckily, the only guy in the class that came close was Togami, and even he came just short of the mark. Genocider was simply infatuated with him, not aroused.
A few days later, Enoshima met with Tora at the game room. "Seems like students are already starting to hook up, huh?," she said with a coy smile. Tora smirked. "If you're trying to get my attention, you're too late. You already had it the second I laid eyes on you. The only reason I haven't made a move is because I wanted to get to know you first, so that I couldn't be accused of dating you simply because you're a model." "Wow," Enoshima said, "You may be the first guy who thought that about me." She frowned. "Me and my sister Ikusaba grew up homeless. Our parents, they had never even married, which is why the two of us have different last names."
"Must have been hard," Tora said, "I can't imagine that sort of life." Enoshima nodded. "Eventually we took to our individual jobs to make the money needed to survive. Ikusaba eventually joined the Fenrir Company, and I got my first modeling contract. It was a surprisingly easy ride for me. I didn't even have to do that whole bulimia crap other models seem to drag themselves into. My metabolism proved to be good enough to keep my natural figure, gaining only a normal amount of weight which was easy to get rid of with regular exercise. Heck, I didn't even need all that heavy make-up. You could say I was born to model. Anyway between me and my sister we made enough to live a comfortable life. Talk about rising above despair huh? I guess getting accepted into Hope's Peak Academy was destiny for us." Tora smiled and nodded.
Later that same day, Naegi walked into the cafeteria when he heard Ishimaru call out, "Naegi, perfect timing." Naegi saw Ishimaru standing there with Oowada. Apparently, the two of them had been clashing again. It was no surprise, a delinquent versus a prefect. And since these two were the pinnacle of these types of students, this would naturally be taken to the next level. "This chump here is accusing me of having no balls," Oowada said angrily. "Well you don't," Ishimaru retorted, "You keep resorting to violence to solve your problems, ergo... YOU HAVE NO BALLS!" "OH REALLY!," Oowada yelled back, "AND WHAT?! YOU THINK YOU HAVE BALLS?! YOU THINK THEY'RE BIGGER THAN MINE?!"
Next thing Naegi knew, he was acting as a witness for Ishimaru and Oowada while they had an endurance test in the school's sauna room. Oowada had even kept his clothes on just to prove he was tougher. "How long's it been?," Ikusaba said as she walked by. "They've been at it for forty minutes," Naegi replied, "At this point I think it's sheer will that's keeping them in there." Ikusaba looked at the two of them, a little concerned. "Don't worry," Naegi said, "Sooner or later they'll be out." He smiled at Ikusaba, causing her to blush.
Meanwhile, Pekoyama walked into the gym to train her swordsmanship when she saw an interesting sight. Nidai was on the ground, his head resting on Owari's lap. Oogami was standing over them, Asahina raising Oogami's arm in victory. "Let me guess," Pekoyama said, "Nidai and Oogami had a sparring match, and Oogami won." "In one move," Asahina said excitedly, "All she did was counter Nidai and he was out cold." Pekoyama couldn't help but giggle. Asahina then noticed the necklace she was wearing. "Wow, that's pretty." Pekoyama blushed. "It was a gift from Kuzuryuu. You see, I'm his bodyguard. But... He sees me as more than just that."
She smiled. "I don't know if I'd go so far as to say he loves me, but up until my last birthday I thought I was just a tool to him. You see, I was raised by the Kuzuryuu family, and it was from them that I learned my skill with the sword. When it was clear how much of a prodigy I was, the family employed me as a part-time assassin, and a full-time bodyguard for Kuzuryuu. So, we wound up growing up together, and over the years... We became close. He's more dear to me than anything else in the world, but until he gave me this necklace I was sure he only saw me as another tool to be used, which I didn't mind. I thought that was my destiny."
"Then for her last birthday, I gave her that necklace," Kuzuryuu said. He was playing pool with Tora, Celes, and Togami. "I gotta say, as we got older, I started to realize how much she meant to me. Heck, I'd go so far as to say... I'm crazy for her." Tora took his shot, sinking two correct balls. "I certainly hope you don't save the love confession for her next birthday," Celes said, "A girl can only wait so long." "You seem to have gotten pretty friendly with Yamada," Tora said. Celes giggled. "While he's not my preferred type, he is sweet. And he knows to lay off the perversion in the presence of lady... Unlike a certain chubby chef."
The four of them laughed at the thought. Of course they also knew that Yamada didn't see his doujin as a form of perversion, but rather self-expression. His dream was to break the stereotype of doujin artists being complete perverts, and it showed in his efforts to keep his inner thoughts to himself while in public. His ultimate goal was to draw a doujin so perfect it would inspire others to create their own. "I don't know if it truly is possible to create such a doujin," Togami said, "But everyone needs a dream, regardless of wealth or status. It's what keeps us in the real world."
The next day saw Ishimaru and Oowada in the cafeteria laughing together with their arms over each others' shoulders, acting like brothers. "They've been like this ever since they got out of the sauna," Naegi explained, "Seems while they were having their contest, they passed the time by talking, and apparently found they had more in common than they thought." "That's nice and all," Saionji said, "But who won the contest?" Ishimaru smirked. "Just forget about it. Forget... Forget... Forget BEAM!" That got everyone else laughing.
"By the way Kuwata," Fujisaki said, "I saw you in the art room earlier making out with Mioda. Are you two together now?" Kuwata suddenly turned as red as his hair. "It's not a big deal," he said, "I met Mioda a year ago in a hair salon and fell in love with her. I mean, as an All Star I'm used to being around pretty girls, but Mioda was a step above and beyond. But since she was a musician I thought my only shot at her was to become one myself. So when I came here I thought I could quit being an All Star and become the 'Super High School Level Musician'. Imagine my surprise when I find out she's attending this school with that very title."
"Ibuki overheard what Kuwata had intended," Mioda said, "So I approached him and said he didn't have to do that just to be with me. Ibuki is musician enough for two people." Kuwata smiled. "When I heard that, my drive to be a top athlete suddenly came welling up again. With my level of skill, I didn't even need practice. I wouldn't have even kept going except for two things. One, it kept people from kicking me out of school just because of my bad attitude. Two, it made me incredibly popular. But now that I know the girl of my dreams doesn't need me to be like her, I feel that old passion again." "So we wound up kissing in the art room," Mioda said, "After all, when Ibuki first saw Kuwata in that salon I thought he was hot."
Earlier in the sauna Oowada had accidentally broken his ElectroiD and had to get it replaced. Turned out they couldn't withstand high temperatures. He was waiting in the men's changing room for Fujisaki, though how she was going to enter with a women's ElectroiD was beyond him. To his surprise though, that's exactly what she did. "Wait a minute...," Oowada said, "Fujisaki, are you actually a guy?" Fujisaki nodded, embarrassed. "See, I've always been small and weak, and those around me kept saying I had to be stronger because I was born a boy. I thought by disguising myself as a girl I could escape that."
He placed his bag on the bench. "But I want to overcome that weakness. And I thought that by working out with someone I could do that. Since you're one of the strongest people here I thought you could help." Oowada smiled. "Kid, strength doesn't come from one's body alone. Me, Oogami, and even Nidai realize this. Let me give you an example from my past." He closed his eyes. "The man who ran my gang before me was my brother, Daia. He made the Crazy Diamonds. I was always the number two, but my brother was soon to retire and pass leadership to me."
"So what happened?," Fujisaki said. "I was afraid the gang would always compare me to Daia," Oowada said, "So I challenged him to a race. I was determined to beat him and prove my strength. But I was careless. I was so intent on winning I wound up driving into oncoming traffic. Daia quickly pushed me out of the way of a truck that would have run me over, only to get run over himself. In his dying moments, he made me swear to keep the gang together. When I told them the truth of what happened, and made it clear I intended to keep my promise, they saw the true strength within me. After that day the Crazy Diamonds became stronger than ever." He placed a hand on Fujisaki shoulders. "The weight of man can only be carried by themselves, but when it's shaken off, they become that much stronger for it." Fujisaki smiled and nodded.
Deep inside an unknown portion of the school, two students were talking to each other. "These are the students of the 78th class," one of them said, "The new 'hope' for the school." "Hope...," the other one said, "Of what use is hope. In the end it is fleeting, it is temporary. Granted despair is the same, but it is so much easier to except." The first student smiled. "And we have an entire reserve school filled with students who are ripe to fall." The two of them chuckled to each other, already plotting for the following years.
To be continued...
Nothing's going pear-shaped yet, but I thought I'd give a set-up for future events. This first chapter quite clearly set up the various friendships the group will have. And things will only get more interesting from here.