AN: Just making this Author's Note to thank the constant support this story is getting, like seriously, almost 20 favorites and followers each and more than 3k views in a bit more than a month and a half since being published, I don't know if it should be considered a big achievement or not, but it definitely is one in my book!
And also, special thanks to chomat7 oa for leaving all those reviews! I'm glad to see that Shigaraki and his interactions with the rest of the cast are so well received, hope that keeps being case on the future.
...So, yeah, that's all I had to say, once again, thank you for the support so far!
Paths, Dreams and Possibilities.
*Ding dong bing bong*
"Good morning, everyone! It is now 7 a.m. and nighttime is officially over! Time to rise and shine! Get ready to greet another beee-yutiful day!"
"…So high-pitched…"
Thanks to the incident from last night, I slept less than yesterday, but even taking that into consideration, I am used to pulling all-nighters from time to time, so it was no problem.
Same as yesterday, I repeated the previous morning routine of getting out of bed, doing some stretching, taking a shower, and using a new change of clothes, only today I took one step further.
That deviation came from the fact that I only had one change of clothes left. While it is true that I still have clothes for one more day, waiting until tomorrow would be careless of me, plus, I am not planning to do much today, so taking my time to do laundry wouldn't be a problem.
Taking all of the dirty laundry, I prepared to leave my room.
Save for a loud "Good Morning!" from Taka just outside the dorm area, my travel to the laundry room was quick and completely uneventful, something for which I was thankful for.
Once I was in front of the doors, I didn't waste any time getting inside.
The laundry room was…well, not really any different from what you could expect in any laundry…save for the surveillance cameras and a TV that works as the broadcasting system of a robotic monochrome bear who has a thing for roleplaying as the headmaster of this place and watching teenagers suffer.
Pretty normal stuff.
There were around 7 washing machines, a pair of laundry baskets, a…vending machine? 'It looked like it was…for drinks, it seems, that's convenient', there were a pair of chairs and a table with some magazines, basic laundry products, and a box full of clothespins that could be used on the multiple clotheslines around the room.
I could see that there were already some clothes, some of them looked dry, so they must've been here since yesterday, there was also a…swimsuit?
Huh?
As far as I know, our wardrobes only contain the standard set of clothes and nothing else…Hmm maybe it is an extra 'gift' like the daggers I have with me? Or is it part of a personalized room? Either of those would make sense, so…if it's a swimsuit, it belongs to Hina, maybe?...wait, why I'm wasting time pondering about this? I should focus on washing my clothes.
And so I did, choosing the first washing machine from my left, I added some detergent and some fabric softener 'Gotta make use of the luxuries this place offers…' and turned it on.
With that done, I choose to sit and wait.
…
…
…I didn't had any thoughts to distract myself with, so I picked the first magazine I could reach.
The one I ended up picking was called one 'RedRibon' and on its cover was…
…Enoshima.
It just doesn't stop, huh?
I mean, what else should've expected? It is common knowledge that in one way or another, as the Ultimate Fashionista, she has at the bare minimum, a mention of her in every magazine with any self-respect around the world, and yes, that includes even magazines whose themes aren't related to fashion.
…
…Whatever, it's just to kill some time.
Flipping through the pages I could notice that this magazine is basically a recompilation of the most trending works she has done, things like a census of which places the dresses she models became the most popular or which one's tendency in general even with the passage of time, things like that.
There were other things, sure, like gossips. Rumors about what she likes, her hobbies, or about the next big thing she will do next, like jumping from fashionista to singer, to an actor, among others.
But the most important to me was…
How different she looked in comparison to the real deal.
It's not some kind of grand discovery, honestly. It was one of the first things I noticed when I met her in person, still…when I say that the Enoshima on the cover and the one I have met here are different, I don't mean it as if there wasn't a point of comparison, because there was. Yes, they are similar, there's no doubt about it…but things like the shape of her face, the size, and the color of her eyes, among other physical divergences. The differences are enough that if you stopped to appreciate them, then it's as if you were looking at two different people. 'I feel like there's more, but I just can't point what is it…'
But I guess that at the end of the day, it is to be expected. The 'standards of beauty' for someone at the top of the fashion world like Enoshima must be hellishly high. The people in charge of her image must make every single change they see fit until they are satisfied with the standards set or end up getting swapped away by the competition.
…Reshaping someone until said someone meets the standards expected of them and even more…
…
…I guess that at least she got lucky that in her case, they recurred to using 'photoshopping and junk' instead of other…more extreme measures.
In any case…it still kind of bothers me that removing her freckles is one of those changes made to her, like…they made her look better, right? Or…
…Or is it just me that I have a thing about them? Is…is that really the case?
If…If that were indeed the case…well…I don't know…
Any more mental debate I could have about that new discovery about me got interrupted by the door opening, and the person who appeared from it was…
You gotta be kidding me…
"Ah, Morning Shigaraki! Whatcha do―…Ehhh~? Is that what I think it is?" The fashionista commented with a cheeky smile.
...Sigh, the guy with the bad luck is supposed to be Naegi, not me…
"…Good morning, Enoshima…what are you doing here?" Asking someone what is it doing in a laundry room…I see that some Hiro is sticking to me too…
"…Oh? Are you getting that shy to the point of wanting to avoid talkin' about that magazine of me you're holdin', is that it?"
…Ugh, since when does she feel comfortable enough to talk to me that way?
…
…Since the beginning…
…Seriously, what's up with her?
"…I was just trying to read something to spend the time until my clothes were ready to begin to dry, that is all" I explained.
"Aaaand the best thing you could find was something related to me? Or is it that I am really that charming to you~? Do you really―"
"Can we talk about something else…like what are you doing here?" I interrupted before things became…too much.
"…"
"…"
"…Fiiine, truth is I'm here to do the same thing as you, see?" She said while revealing a pile of clothes she had behind her back just moments ago.
"…Alright" Was all I said.
It seems she took the following silence as a signal to repeat the same process I did for her own clothes. Then she took a chair and sat beside me.
And that was it.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…Sooo…who's better?" Enoshima randomly asked.
…Huh?
"What are you talking about?" I asked, not for the first time in her presence, genuinely confused.
"Oh c'mon, you know what I'm talkin' about!"
"No, I honestly don't understand your question…"
"…"
"…"
"…Between me and the person on those magazines…who do you think is better?" She asked…while hiding her face, turning it opposite of me.
…
…Is she seriously asking me this?
"…I don't think it matters what I―" I tried to argue, but the fashionista seemed to have none of it.
"Oh, don't give me that! It's not like I'm asking you to…to confess to me or some junk like that! Even with all that 'Cold and Mysterious' vibe you're trying to sell, you still have some kind of preference, right!? So…who do you think is better?"
…
…Vibe I'm trying to sell…? But putting that aside…
…
…Why do things have to be so complicated when it's her?
Dammit.
"…The you here is real" I replied.
"…Huh?"
"What I'm saying is…you said it yourself, right? The Enoshima on those pictures is a false version of you, with all that edition on your image…it's just an illusion…"
"…"
"…I…that Enoshima…is someone I don't know. There are the things said in the magazines, sure, but that's about it, there's nothing that I could truly use to make a profile of and it's not a guarantee that what is told in them are real. It's not really a secret that unknown factors are something someone like me wouldn't feel the most comfortable with, and you…well, you're here…that…that, at the very least, makes you better than someone I don't know at all" I finished.
…Those were just facts…right? Nothing less, nothing more…
Right?
"…I see…um, thank you for…for putting up with me when I asked that, it probably is among the kind of things you're not used…or even like talking about, so thank you…really" she said while turning to me with one of those small and sincere smiles I've seen her done before.
…
"…Mhm" Is all I could say…because once again, I don't trust myself to not say another…weird thing…even if they were just facts.
Nothing less…and definitely nothing more.
With that, we waited in silence…or as much silence there could be with washing machines working around you.
Or well, that was the plan during the first 25 minutes of waiting but…
"God, I am so seriously freaking boreeed…!"
That happened.
"I'm gonna die...I'm gonna die from being so bored!"
I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes at her antics right now. What else does she expect? Being here, in a laundry room waiting for our clothes to be ready…it doesn't help that I am not the best conversational partner, true, but being bored it's her problem, not mine.
"I'm infected! I've got terminal boredom disease!" Enoshima exclaimed.
Scratch that, I'm gonna roll my eyes.
"You don't have to be so dramatic, being bored is a normal thing when doing the laundry…" I commented.
"It's just that I hate being bored! Hate it I say! I never noticed how much I hate it…but once we got trapped in here, it finally hit me"
While it is true that I believe she's blowing it out of proportion…I can sort of get where she is coming from.
I have never killed someone out of personal feelings, and that includes both positive and negative ones, and neither for entertainment or satisfaction…but…how do I put this? I feel kind of restless with the lack of usual action my life usually has. Save for the bomb incident with Owada at the beginning of the first day, my lifestyle here has been…too peaceful, it's not that its bad…but I'm just not used to it, so yeah…being out of your 'comfort zone' for this long…well, it's a strange feeling, I suppose.
"I'd rather be living homeless on the street than stuck in here!"
That comment REALLY caught my attention…
"Homeless…?"
"Yeah, you know! Like the hobo life! I've done it before, ya know?"
!
"…Is that so?"
"Yeah…the…the first years of my life…well…they weren't the easiest…but that's a long story" Enoshima commented in a way that it was obvious she was not going to tell me more about it.
It makes sense that she won't tell me more, it would be weird if she confided what is probably one of the most important aspects of her life with some stranger 'Because that's what we are, no matter what has happened so far, it's been only three days…'
But focusing on what she actually told me…
That.
…That…
…That actually explains a LOT of things about her.
So that's where that side of her comes from?...It's not guaranteed, but it is definitely a possibility. It's true that the first part of my life I lived in an orphanage, so I can't compare myself from that point in my life…but, well, when They 'recruited' both me and Her, and began our training regimen, for the very first part of our 'training', what they did was to throw us in the streets, under the premise that our stay in the orphanage was too comfortable and that would just not do, so They forced us to live in…more precarious living conditions which also worked as an initiation of sorts.
And, well, it definitely roughed us up. So, if Enoshima went through that since an even a younger age than me, then…
"And you went from that…to now being a model?"
"…Well…something like that…but that's a long story, too"
…It is a shame that she won't tell me more about it, but honestly, it is understandable.
"…I see"
"Seriously, if I had to choose between staying here and being homeless again, gimme the street!"
…
"…Do you really see the homeless life as safer than this place?"
I was not judging her, at least not negatively. It is true that the environment Monokuma set for this 'school' is a very risky one, where letting your guard down will only lead you to a safe death…but the same can be said about the lifestyle as a homeless person, so I was kind of interested in learning what was her perspective on that.
It seems things weren't as simple as she made it sound previously.
"Oh, hell no! That lifestyle is full of all kinds of dangers! You never know when a pack of wild animals might show up!"
"…Wild animals, huh? Yeah, that's a way to call them…"
"Mhm…. Those bastards would attack anyone and some of them for nothing else other than wanting to hurt you. The world's full of animals like that, ya know?"
"…That's putting lightly…"
…Yes, I am very aware of that. I have seen first-hand the scum of the world at their lowest, the things people are willing to commit with the 'right' motivation…it makes killing people seem like child's play in comparison.
God really doesn't exist in this world…
…That's another thing She tends to say from time to time…can't say I have reasons to think otherwise...
"Yeah…but I think having to live like that made me way stronger…Sorry, that kinda got weird, huh? All I was trying to say is―"
"No, not really" I replied.
"…Eh? What do you mean?"
"What you just said…about those kinds of experiences making you a stronger person, that is definitely something I can understand…I too, at some point, was forced to live first-hand…well…not the best of living conditions"
That seemed to caught her attention.
"…Yes, that's something you-Ah! I-I mean, really? It's just…erm…when you think of 'assassins', usually, movies and other junk show them as these super-rich people, yeah? With all kinds of expensive stuff in their houses while they travel around the world with all kinds of luxuries…Ah! W-Wait! It's not like I'm tryin' to assume things about your life either! I-it's just―" I interrupted her before she panicked even more.
"Don't worry. It was just something you weren't aware of; you can't be faulted for that. In any case, I will not say that our experiences were the same, nor that one of us had it better or worse, that would be presumptuous of me…but embracing what you went through because that allowed you to survive the cruel side of this world and become more powerful because of it…I get the thinking process behind that…"
"…"
"…"
"…I suppose that makes us have something in common, huh?" Enoshima commented.
I didn't say anything to that statement. At least, when it comes to what she just told me…well, I've just admitted just now that we indeed have…it would be illogical to deny it.
There was just silence after that…but unlike the previous one, this one was more…comfortable.
Yeah, something like that.
Though this silence lasted even less than the previous one, as it looked like she wanted to add something more while her brows began to furrow.
"Anyway, the point of everything I said back there is…when the hell are we gonna get out of here!?"
Ah, she returned to her usual self…
"Hey! Whatever dumb bastard trapped us in here, are you listening!? When are you gonna let us OUT!? Just tell us what we gotta do to get out of here! Hell, you can even just tell me! I know how to keep a secret!"
…Is this another of her impulsive moments?
"Nothin', huh? Pisses me off…"
…Well, at least Monokuma seemed to have ignored that rambling of hers. That's…that's good, yeah…
But…
Just tell us what we gotta do to get out of here!
…This is ridiculous…and asking about that is irrational and stupid, I of all people know that better than anyone trapped here.
…But I don't lose anything with just doing it, might as well go with it…
"…Enoshima…are you planning to go along with Monokuma's intentions…?"
I've been saying multiple times that it's too early to be desperate enough to commit murder in an attempt to escape this place…but at the end of the day, I am saying that from my perspective. I have the mental fortitude and the awareness to know and accept that I'm not escaping this place anytime soon 'At the very least, I'm waiting until the rule 6 gets explained properly'… but the same can't be said about the rest of the people here…and that includes her.
"Monokuma's intentions…? Oh, you mean the whole 'kill someone' thing?"
I nodded.
"Haha! Don't worry, I could never kill someone!" She said with her trademark grin and peace sign gesture.
"…"
"What, do I look like I would? Do I seriously look like a killer!?"
"…It's not whether you look like one or not, anyone, and I am being completely serious, anyone is capable of falling into temptation with the 'right' motivation or circumstances…For your own good, you should not underestimate that, Enoshima, it could cost you dearly…"
I should know. If there is one thing They make clear with its existence and how they operate, is the fact that anyone can be turned into a monster...
"…I guess that someone with your experience should've seen enough things to know about that, huh? But anyway…is that your way of saying you are worried about me~?" Enoshima commented with a cheeky smile.
…
…
"…Eh?"
"Gotta say, Shigaraki…that's kinda cute, didn't know you had that side. You almost killed me with cuteness there! Ah! Is that part of the stuff you learn as the Ultimate Assassin~?"
…
…
"…Eh? What…What are you talking about?"
"…Pfft hehe! C'mon, I'm just screwing with ya! You didn't believe I was serious, did you!?"
"…"
"…"
"…You're so confusing sometimes, that it's hard to know with you" I don't care if it was out of character for me to make a comment like that out loud, I had to point it out to her.
If my voice contained some amusement and my cheeks were slightly heated up…well…that's just another weird thing with no importance.
It seems she didn't took my comment in a negative manner, if that amused look on her face is any indication.
"Hehehe…Ya know…there's something about you. I don't get sick of talking to you, like I do most people"
"…What an honor, huh…" Even when someone with her personality is probably one of the last types of people I would've seen myself getting along with, when it's her, there's just something…different? Strange? I don't know, but…
…. I can't say that the feeling isn't mutual.
Not much after that moment, the washing machine I was using stopped making any sound, signaling that my clothes were ready to dry, so I took them out to hang them. They didn't had anything important in them so it was safe for me to leave them alone until they were done drying 'Though, I should definitely check on them periodically, just in case someone is fool enough to try to steal from me…' In the case of Enoshima, hers were going to take quite a while more so she had to stay in the laundry for a while, I thought that it would be…impolite, yeah, impolite to leave her just like that and, well, I wasn't in a hurry to leave soon, so I offered to stay a bit longer.
But she actually refused, saying something about 'Being rude of me to watch and that I would be a pervert if I insisted'. Not wanting to deal with…whatever that was, I left the laundry room to get something to eat.
The dining hall was quite empty, with only two people besides me. One was Togami, who gave me a glance and narrowed his eyes before returning to his meal and the other person was…
Kirigiri, eating what looked like some noodles and coffee 'Weird combination, but hey, who am I to judge her tastes?', though it didn't go unnoticed by me the fact that she, too, narrowed her eyes when she caught sight of me.
…
…
…Geez, we just need Fukawa here to make things better, huh?
Whatever, I'm just coming here to eat, not making conversation partners.
I learned from yesterday's events that cooking is out of question for me, so I went with what I knew…
Sandwiches.
After I was done preparing them and grabbed some orange juice, I decided to take a seat on a different table, located on the opposite corner of the room from where my other two 'meal companions' were sitting.
I was about to begin, when…
Someone else entered the dining hall, it was…Naegi.
I just shrugged at that and began to consume my food while keeping an inconspicuous glance on the ahoge boy.
While looking at him I could notice that it didn't seem like he was here to eat. At first, he approached Togami, but the heir didn't even acknowledge him with a glance, seeing that he was fighting a lost battle, he slumped down…but just as fast he gained a determined look and approached the closest person he could find.
Kirigiri.
…
…He must be really desperate to talk with someone if his choices are the people inside this room.
Unlike Togami, though, Kirigiri actually acknowledged him, but it seems that it was just to dismiss his attempts at socializing, if the face of a rejected puppy he was making was anything to go by. Then, he turned to his third and last option inside the dining hall.
Me.
I don't know what does it says about him the fact that his brightened face tells he likes his chances more with me than with the previous two…or that he sees me as an actual option for conversation at all.
"Shigaraki! Good morning!"
"…"
"…"
"…Greetings, Naegi"
And neither the fact me actually responding back to him seems like it made his day.
Weird.
But I decided to don't give more thoughts about it while I continued with my food…at least that was the plan until the 'lucky' student decided to take a seat in front of me.
He sat there…and just stared.
…And I stared back.
"…"
"…"
"…Do you need something?" I asked.
"E-Eh? Ah, um, n-no, not really…"
"…Alright"
I was about to resume with my food, but the ahoge boy spoke again.
"…Actually…um, I wanted to thank you" Naegi commented.
Huh?
…Thank…me…?
"…Why?"
"Erm, because of what you did back on the first day"
What I did on the first day? What happened that was related to him that he would feel the need to thank me? The only thing that comes to mind is…
"…Are you talking about when I checked you when Owada knocked you out?"
The ahoge boy winced at the mention of that "Y-Yes, that, haha…Maizono told me that when Owada…um, did that, everyone stood still in shock at what happened and it was you who took the initiative to make sure I was fine…so, yeah, thanks for that" he finished with a smile.
…Well, it was more to see if he was dead or not, rather than 'making sure he was fine' what I did in that moment, but…
"You're welcome" I gain absolutely nothing by making this more complicated than what it should be.
I had nothing else to say, so I continued with my meal…though it looked like that wasn't the case for Naegi, if that fidgeting of his was any indication.
"Um…besides thanking you, there is also the fact that I would like to talk with you…to know you better, y'know?" Naegi said while scratching the back of his head.
Know me better…?
"…Why?" I said while putting my food back on the plate.
"Ah, well, you see…in the time we are trapped here, I think it would be great for us to cooperate with each other, and the best way to do that would be if we all stopped being strangers with each other! That's why I'm trying to get to know everyone better…It makes sense, right?"
"…I suppose it does…" What else could I say? It looks like this idea of his comes from an optimistic perspective that being friends with each other would allow us to work together against Monokuma, and it might have some merit…in the short run.
For all the drama of the first day, things have been peaceful between all of us, to the point that some people already found someone else to get along with.
Like Enoshima and me.
But I am not naïve to believe that the monochrome bear will leave such harmony to prosper, it's just a matter of time until he pulls his next move…
"So…does that mean you don't mind if we talk?" Naegi asked in a hopeful tone.
…Do I mind? Well, indulging him would give me some points on making a better image of myself, that's true…but, even so…
"…Even if I accepted to do it, I don't think there is anything we can talk about…"
"Huh? I'm sure there's gotta be something! What about…Oh, I know! What's your favorite TV show?"
"I don't have one" The few times I do watch the TV, is to check on the status of a target on the news or to make sure there isn't any leads or suspicion of me or Them being involved after I took care of said target.
"Um, what about your favorite music genre?"
"I don't have one either" I don't listen to music, period. Having any sound stuck to my ears would distract me and block me of hearing the environment around me, it would be like putting a sign on my back saying 'Kill me please', and things like concerts…well, I already have enough taste of crowds in my average urban mission to take an unnecessary risk like that one.
"…What do you say of videogames?"
"No"
"…Anime?"
"Like I told Yamada back at the introductions: I know what you are talking about but I have no experience with it"
At that last denial, Naegi gained a slightly resigned look while he sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"…Geez, your parents are really strict, huh?"
"I don't have those either"
"…"
"…"
"…Eh?"
"Parents, I don't have them, I was raised in an orphanage…"
"…"
"…"
"…A-Ah! I-I'm sorry! I had n-no idea! I thought that the lack of hobbies was because of strict parents that would believe that such things would distract from your education or something among the lines" Huh, if only he knew about that too "b-but…Shigaraki, I'm really, really sorry! I promise you I―"
…Sigh, maybe I shouldn't have revealed that.
"It's fine"
"…H-Huh?"
"I am talking about your comment, it's fine, I didn't took offense to it in any kind of form"
"B-But, it's not right! Even if I didn't know, it was insensitive of my part to make a comment like that! That's why I'm sorry! Reminding you of something like that must be―!"
"As I repeated, Naegi, it doesn't bother me…I've been orphan since I have memory, and most probably, even a bit earlier than that. The point is, it's been something normal for me since the beginning, so I've had enough time to accept such fact and move on from it"
If I am honest, I didn't really needed that much time…After all, I had Her…
"…I-I see…if you are sure, then I won't push it anymore, alright?"
"Mhm" That would be for the best…it was actually beginning to irk me how much he apologized for that…how much he was pitying me.
"Um…back at the hobbies part…is there anything you like to do in your free time?"
Free time? I don't have 'Free time' per say, but if we are talking about activities…
"…There is actually something that would probably classify as an activity that I like to do when I'm available to…"
"Wait, really!? I-I mean, that's great! What is it?" Naegi asked with renewed hope.
"Reading"
"Oh, I see…I guess in my case I only tend to do it for studying…but everyone has different interests! That's why it's completely fine to like reading! So, uh, what do you like to read about?"
"…You could say that history is what I prefer to read about the most"
"History? Is there any specific reason why?"
"Yes, actually there is, you see…history has multiple examples of assassination attempts of all kinds, whether they ended in success or in failure, it is still valuable information"
It looks like Naegi's enthusiasm faltered at that.
"You…you like history, because you can read about assassinations in there?" Naegi asked in a worried tone and expression.
"…Well, not because of the assassinations per say, at least not directly…it's more because of the educational aspect of it"
That seemed to change is face from a worried one to a confused one.
"Educational aspect? Is there really something like that?"
"Mhm, learning about how the assassins of the past did their work, how did they succeed or what factors were responsible for their attempts to end in failure…such a thing allows me to make sure to not repeat their own mistakes or learning from their success and analyze what of it can I make use for my own improvement. The kind of information I can acquire from that has helped me in the development of my talent" I explained.
"Development of your talent? What do you-oh…you are talking about your talent…as an assassin, right?"
"That's right"
…Did he really forgot that was my talent?
"…"
"…"
"…Can I ask why?"
"Hm?"
"What I'm trying to ask is…why become an assassin? Even if you only go after bad people…killing is…" The lucky student trailed off.
…Putting aside the 'only bad people' part…that question, I suppose someone was going to ask it sooner or later.
…It also didn't went unnoticed by me how both Togami and Kirigiri have been paying attention to this conversation for quite a while, but it doesn't matter, everybody knows what I do, Monokuma made sure of that.
Anyway.
"Why?...You could say that it was something out of my control, the circumstances made it so that becoming an assassin was the only possibility in my life"
"Are you saying…that becoming an assassin is the only option you had? But…but…That can't be, Shigaraki! I'm sure there must've had other possibilities besides that! M-Maybe you could've become an―"
"There were none, Naegi" I told him in a firm tone of voice before sighing and returning to my default neutral one "…Not everyone is born with multiple opportunities in their lives or at the very least, one different from what I ended up with…as I just said, the circumstances of my life only led to that single path…"
Naegi gained a saddened look at that, but I didn't bat an eye at it…I've long since accepted what I am and what I do…a talk with a guy that I haven't know for more than a few days has absolute zero chances in changing my perspective on that.
"…I would be best if we change topics, right?" Naegi asked.
"…I guess so" It doesn't really matter to me.
"…"
"…"
After my response, silence was the only thing that followed, which both the heir and the mysterious girl took as a signal to stop paying attention to us. It seemed this was going to be the end of our 'talk'…when suddenly Naegi threw me a curveball.
"…So…erm…um, you and Enoshima, huh?" Naegi commented nervously.
!
What?
"What about Enoshima and me?" I asked with narrowed eyes and some edge in my voice.
"E-Eh!? Ah w-what I mean is…you and her have become good friends very fast, right?"
…
…Ugh…well, it's not like I've been discrete about me spending time with her, still…
"…I wouldn't call us 'good friends'…she is simply the one I'm in best terms with among everyone in the group" I tried to dismiss…whatever he was implying.
Though the look the ahoge boy was giving me told me he didn't believed any of it.
…Sigh.
"Even so…what I was trying to say is, that it was…um, unexpected from someone like the Ultimate Fashionista to get along with you, she doesn't seem like she would be interested in someone like the Ultimate Assassin and vice versa, well I think most people wouldn't…Ah! I'm not saying that it's bothersome to spend time with you! Not at all! It's just that your talents are so different that it's hard to see a common ground for you guys to find something to talk about, haha…" The lucky student said while waving his hands defensively and laughing nervously.
But putting aside that…
…Lack of common ground, huh? If only he knew how full of surprises Enoshima is…
"…I suppose it is a valid concern, but in any case, about us talking…it is less us each talking different topics in our conversations, and more…she does the talking and I give my input on it, nothing more, but it works for me, and Enoshima seems to have no problem with it…so I guess it's fine"
At that, Naegi gained a pensive look.
"Hmm…I see, I suppose that everyone gets along in different ways, right? But at the end of the day, I believe that having someone you get along well with is important, much more in a situation like this one…that's why I'm grateful I have someone like that here" The lucky student finished with a smile.
"Someone…you are talking about Maizono, correct?"
"I guess it's not a secret, haha…but yeah, I still can't believe that someone like her would take her time to spend it with someone like me, I mean, she is THE Sayaka Maizono, famous all around the world with a talent as great as the Ultimate Pop Sensation…and I'm just an average and normal person that just got 'Lucky' to get here…and well, seeing our current circumstances, even that was not truly Luck, huh?"
Hmmm, I didn't noticed it before, but it seems he has some self-esteem issues…it kind of makes sense, at least when he's surrounded with Ultimates. For all their…quirkiness, it is a fact that most of them have achieved great things in their respective areas, and those who haven't yet, have the potential to do so in the future… and him, well, luck is supposed to be the thing he stands up more than anyone else in this place, but as he has shown so far, it is more bad luck than good.
Still…I will admit it is strange that someone like Maizono would be so close to him, not because some kind of arrogance from her part, no, far from it, she seems like the type to get along with all kind of people and at the very least, that side of her doesn't appear to be fake…so far.
But it's just weird that, from what I've seen so far, she treats him as if they have been long friends, always talking with enthusiasm when she is with him, and even when it is obvious they have completely different lifestyles, and at first glance it would look like they couldn't have anything in common, that doesn't stop them from spending time together at every chance they get…
…I guess it could be useful to dig a bit more.
"…Naegi, did Maizono and you knew each other from before all of this?"
That question seemed to caught him off-guard for a moment, though not that much, as he recomposed himself relatedly fast.
"…H-huh? Me and Maizono…? Actually…both of us attended the same middle school"
…I see, that kind of explains why they have acted that way with each other so far, they must've been long friends and―
"But we never interacted during that time, if I am honest, this place…this is where I've talked with her for the first time. I suppose it is something I am grateful for, though I really wish it were under better circumstances…"
…Never talked before this? That's…curious.
"…I see, well…I am not expert in it, but maybe the fact that you are a familiar face is much more valuable for her than when in comparison to complete strangers, after all, unknown factors are something to be wary off" I commented.
"…I guess that makes sense, I don't believe that anyone here is a bad person…but it definitely makes sense for us to have a bias towards someone we know in comparison to people we don't know at all, still…I have faith that none of us will go along with what Monokuma wants!" Naegi exclaimed.
I just nodded at that.
The part about having a bias towards someone you know is the only part of his statement that I believe, though.
"Anyway, thanks for humoring me, Shigaraki…it's not like I'm judging you or anything like that, really! But you seem to be more like…Togami and Kirigiri, in which you aren't a social type of person, haha…ah, but I guess we still talked quite a lot, huh? W-Well, the point is that I won't interrupt more of your meal…" The ahoge boy said nervously.
"Mhm"
With that, Naegi got up from his chair and prepared to leave, though for some reason, he stopped dead in his tracks and his eyes widened slightly, as if he just remembered something.
"Ah, I almost forgot!...um, I gained this at a vending machine that is in the school store, it's nothing impressive, really, but you can have it…here" Naegi commented while pulling something out of a pocket and presenting it to me.
…A gift? That's…huh.
I took it to give it at look, it was…
!
…It was a keychain, nothing special as he said, but the figure attached to it…
…it was the figure of a dish…
…A Japanese dish…
…A maki roll.
A maki roll keychain.
"…"
"…"
"…I guess you didn't like it, huh? You probably are interested in less simple things, um, maybe I can―"
"No, it's fine…I actually like it"
"Huh? Really!? You don't have to force yourself to―!"
"I'm not, I am being quite honest about liking this, Naegi. But the chances of…Hmm I suppose your talent is a factor to take into consideration for this…"
"I don't know how to feel about my luck only working for gifts…" Naegi sweatdropped.
I shrugged at that "Well, in any case…Thank you, Naegi"
In response the lucky student gave a smile and a nod. After that, Naegi, not wanting to stall my meal anymore, left to…do things. Leaving me with nothing else but my food, my thoughts…and that keychain.
…
…Maki roll…
…How long as it been since…
Since…I've called Her like that.
The last time was before They 'recruited' us, that's for granted. So…a decade at the very least, huh?
…Sigh.
…It…it doesn't matter, I can count with the fingers of my limbs how many times we have talked since That incident.
She is fine-no…
…She's better without me around.
…
…
…A gift.
Right, I still have that thing with me and was planning to test it at some point to see what kind of things can be obtained.
It seems I know what my next move is going to be.
After finishing eating and doing the dishes, I left the dining hall with the intention of heading to the school store.
The walk there was quite uneventful, if I had to take a guess, it's because that on both the first and second day of being trapped here, people already looked all the areas and rooms of the first floor. There's a limit about how much, people with no proficiency for investigation, can search for. I wouldn't be surprised if most of them kind of gave up in looking for anything new and now they are just fooling around, waiting for an external factor to come at their aid. 'The fact that there is an assassin wandering around also seems like a good motivator to spend more time inside their rooms than walking through the halls too…'
In any case.
Once again, I stood in front of the doors that would lead me to the store and once inside, I found myself with…no one.
I just came here to use that thing and see what I would get out of it, so I avoided any distractions and went directly to the vending machine.
I inserted the 'Monocoin', twisted the handle in the form of Monokuma '…Geez' and saw how the capsules inside the machine began twirl around until I heard the sound of one of them being dispensed.
There wasn't anything out of the ordinary on the exterior of said capsule, though I couldn't see what was inside of it. Deciding to not waste any time, I opened it and saw…
A hairclip.
A red hairclip with the figure of a white kitten with a black spot on its right eye, said kitten also wearing a blue ribbon in its neck.
…
…Well, I really didn't had big expectations to get something of value out of this. This is a vending machine Monokuma put here, it would be ridiculous if he were to put something that would help us escape, like, I don't know…the switch to open the vault-door or something like that.
In any case, I had nothing else to do here, so I will just leave to do something else.
As for that 'something else' to do…I really don't have anything else. I've checked every single place I can check multiple times 'Save for the girls restrooms, but that's' why I did a meticulous inspection last night, I'm not setting a foot there again…' and the search for secret rooms won't happen until nighttime…but not this one, the nocturnal explorations are something I don't plan to do every single day '…Or night, we still don't know which is truly the case', the last thing I want is to make a pattern which Monokuma could use to get tabs on me and my movements.
…
…I suppose I will just walk randomly through the halls, for the sake of not slacking off, I guess.
Before leaving, though, I gave a look at the hairclip I got from the MonoMono Machine.
"Now, what to do with this…?"
…
…Well, I will keep it with myself and get rid of it when I get the chance.
Zero.
That's the number of new discoveries I've made in the following hours that I have been investigating.
But if I am honest with myself, it didn't truly bothered me, after all, I was doing this more to kill time than anything else. In any case, last time I checked, there wasn't much time left before nighttime comes, so I went to the last place left to inspect today.
The AV room.
Fortunately for me, I was already in front of its door.
The AV was…well, it was full of audio-visual equipment as you would expect of it. The first thing you would probably take notice of, is the big projector screen found at the very front of the room. At the sides of it, there were some considerably big stereos with all kinds of buttons that I could only guess their functions, of course, there was also the standard TV screen and the surveillance cameras you can find everywhere in this 'school'.
And lastly, the 'main content' of this room: multiple rows of desks mounted up with the same equipment and each one also with a chair included. Said equipment consisted of a screen and a DVD player, there were also a set of headphones for each desk that you could plug or unplug at convenience.
…Well, I said that the desks were the last part, but…
There were two extra things that caught my attention.
The first one was…
…
…
…Honestly, I'm not surprised at this point.
It was Enoshima.
Though it didn't seem she has noticed me yet. The fashionista looked as if she was…distracted, thinking deeply about something if that pensive look full of concentration was anything to go by.
…As much as I didn't want to interrupt whatever she was doing, she would probably take it worse if she suddenly takes notice of me rather than me announcing myself…so that's what I did.
"Enoshima, greetings"
Well…it didn't seem like it worked, as she faced me with those fierce eyes that always end up accelerating my heart rate before taking notice it was me and gave a slight yelp.
Huh, déjà vu.
She moved from a surprised face to a slightly irked one.
"Again with the sneaky crap, Shigaraki? I already told you, like, seriously, you totally won't―"
"Yes, yes, I won't be popular with girls, you told me that already…but it's really not my fault, you know? Both times you just were way too distracted" I commented.
"…"
"…"
"…Oh? Moving from jokin' to now makin' snarky comments, huh? Moving fast, are we?" Enoshima replied with a cheeky smile.
…
…It…it's fine…
…If its only her…and it's not like being a bit more open would make that much of a difference, right?
…Right.
I could notice Enoshima was beginning to make a worried face like the past incident, so I spoke before it got worse.
"…*sigh* Whatever, I already talk with you, don't I? At the end of the day, they are just words, I suppose…and as long it's just us two…" I waved off her concerns.
For some reason, what I just said seemed to make her regain her previous enthusiasm and some more while she began to do her trademark grin and peace sign gesture.
"Man, I'm glad you're getting rid of that brooding attitude of yours with me around! Ah! Could it be that you are really falling for me, is that it~? Is that the reason you're here? You couldn't wait to see me and began stalking―!"
"Don't push it Enoshima…" There wasn't any negative emotion in my voice but I made sure to sound in a way that meant what I said.
She just laughed awkwardly at that.
"Hehe…right, right…um, anyway, whatcha doin' here?"
"Basically, what I've doing since the first day: investigating and looking for…anything if I am honest, what about you?"
"Ah, well…kinda the same thing, y'know? Doin' detective junk it's not my thing, but I don't wanna feel like dead weight like some of the guys I've seen around lately" She commented that last part with a frown.
Yeah…as I pointed out before, some people gave up, oh they haven't lost hope of escaping this place…but they just don't see a reason to keep investigating anymore.
"…I see" Was all I said.
But the reason for that is mainly because of the second thing that caught my attention in this room.
It was a box.
A cardboard box.
There wasn't anything out of the ordinary with it, it was just the kind of box you could see anywhere, completely normal save for just one little peculiarity about it…
This was not here on the first day or yesterday.
I approached it with narrowed eyes.
Once close enough of it, I opened it, and inside of it was…
Nothing.
"Hm? What are ya doing?" Enoshima asked.
"…"
"…Shigaraki?"
"…Enoshima, have you seen this box before?"
At the mention of that, the fashionista approached me the give it a look.
"Erm, no, not really…but it doesn't seem to have anythin', and it looks, like, totally normal, no?"
"Yes, it is completely normal…but it wasn't here before" I stated.
"…Eh?"
"Every day I have taken a look at this place at least once and this is the first time I have seen it here"
"T-That's…huh, strange, yeah…but it doesn't look like somethin' important, right? I mean, it's just a box and its totally empty"
"Hmm…I suppose that's the case" Not that I was convinced of that.
It is true that I saw a few boxes not so different back in the kitchen, but then the next questions would arise…who put this here? And why?
If we are talking of a classmate…why put it here? What does he/she could gain by doing this?
…If it was Monokuma…does that mean this is a signal he is already planning to make his move soon? Did he put something in here and someone else already took it? I am jumping the gun to quickly for thinking that? No, it's not out of the realm of possibility.
I couldn't help but sigh. Even if this is part of Monokuma's scheme, there is absolutely nothing for me to do, as the true and important part of whatever he is planning will not be revealed and put into action until at least tomorrow considering nighttime is approaching. 'Of course, just in case, it seems that tonight I will have to be an extra light sleeper…'
There was nothing else for me to do here, so I prepared to leave while I turned to face Enoshima to ask her if she was coming too.
Or at least that was my intention until I saw Enoshima's face was morphed into a conflicted expression while biting the bottom of her lip, as if she wanted to talk about something but she was worried about it at the same time.
I couldn't help but furrow my brows at that, though I didn't say anything, to let her have a word first without pressure.
Eventually, she found her voice to express what she wanted to say.
"…Hey, Shigaraki? Can I tell you something?" She said in the most serious tone of voice I've ever heard from her.
"…You can…what is it?" I too took an absolute serious stance for this conversation.
"…My true intentions"
…
…True intentions? What is she talking about?
It was just too vague for me for understand, as it could mean a lot of things, so I keep myself silent as to let her know she could continue.
Fortunately, she understood the non-spoken message.
"Too be honest…I'm kinda fed up with all this. We're all Ultimates, right? So we get carried away and rush face-first into stuff…even I have to wonder if it's okay to live that way…"
…
…Rush face-first into stuff, huh? Not something I can truly related to 'More like forced in my case...'.
But about what she said…
"…Is this related to your career as a fashionista?"
Instead of confirming or denying what I said, she hesitated with another conflicted expression. It wasn't as intense as the previous one and neither lasted as long, but this was enough for me to understand something.
There's more to it of what she is telling me, isn't it?
"…Dreams are meant to change as you grow up, right?"
…
…
…Dreams…
…If this came from any other person, I would probably wouldn't have batted an eye about this topic.
But in this case…
…When we are talking of the person in front of me…
"…" I didn't say anything to that, but I paid attention at how her face changed from a conflicted to a sad one.
"Depending on where you're at, be it kindergarten, elementary school, junior high, high school…and even throwing that out of the window…just growing up in general…our dreams…they are supposed to change over time, right? But I've had the same dream since I was a little kid and I've been rushing toward it ever since. So I've never really had to think all that hard about my dream…"
"…"
"…"
"…And do you still feel the same way about it? About that dream of yours?"
"That's what I used to think…but if it doesn't change, your opportunities can't grow right? That's how new possibilities are born…right?"
…Possibilities, huh? That word again…
"And up until now, I never did that. I never let my dreams grow…All I saw was that one dream. I put everything I had into that one narrow little world…"
…Why…
…Why is she confiding this…
…Something so important…to me of all people.
"I…I feel like there's so much more I could be doing that I'm not, and I don't like that feeling…I think it would be for the best to start looking for it" After saying that, she turned to face me directly "…Is it childish of me to think…to think like that? Am I just being a baby, Shigaraki?" She asked me.
…But the way she did it…it was like she was begging me to give her the right answer, as if my response, my opinion would be more important that what anyone else in the entire world could give her, me…some random guy she has met for a few days and just so happens she gets along well with him because of…some weird quirk of hers.
Me, who has committed atrocities that I have no doubt some of my classmates would throw up if hearing about them.
Me, a monster…no, that would be giving me too much credit…a tool who knows nothing but causing suffering and death to those that have the misfortune of meeting me. '…I mean, that's the exact reason They gave me that code name…'
All of that without feeling any kind of remorse.
And she…wants me to tell her if pursuing a new dream is the right choice?
This moment.
If there is a moment to end this farse of me being 'besties' with an eccentric model.
This farse that is doing nothing but clouding my judgement more and more with every single day that passes.
To make sure for her to never talk to me again.
Is this moment.
…
…
"…Enoshima"
"Yes?"
"…Out of everyone inside this place…you…you choose the worst person talk about this"
"H-Huh…?" For the very first time since we have meet each other…she looked wary of me.
"You are asking me about your dreams and your doubts related to them…so I will tell you first what is a fact"
"A…fact?"
"Yes, a fact…I don't know what did you saw in me that made you believe that telling me what you told me was a good idea, so I will be as direct as I can: Ever since I have memories up to this day…I've never had a dream"
"…"
"The first years of my life I just existed, I would not say that it was an empty life, because it wasn't, I personally believe I had a pretty decent early childhood…and certain factors that makes me remember those times up to this day as…happy memories" I had a small smile on my face when I said that, remembering those good old days with Her…
…Days that would never come back.
And just as fast the smile faded.
"But at the end of the day, no matter how happy I was at the time, that was not dreaming and the closest thing I had to an aspiration was to survive…then when those happy times came to an end…I received a path" I said while looking at my hands, as if something…something of great value was in them.
"…You are talking about becoming an assassin, right?"
…I suppose I wasn't being subtle about it…
"Yes, although…even when I said that I 'received' a path, it was more among the lines of forced upon me…but I didn't mind that…hell, if I am completely honest with myself, I would even dare to say that it made me happy at first, I was just a kid and They never stopped talking about some grand purpose I would be part of, how could I reject that? I would finally have something to truly aspire to…a dream to follow, but…"
"…There wasn't any dream for you in there, was it?"
"…No, there wasn't…but I suppose I couldn't say that I got empty handed either, I already told you that I sympathize with embracing the power you receive trough terrible life experiences, right? So…yeah, not empty handed…anyway, I am getting side-tracked with what I am truly trying to tell you…"
After saying that, I gave a long sigh before I turned to face the fashionista with the most serious face I have shown her so far in the time we have known each other.
"If I were talking with facts alone, Enoshima…I would say that I couldn't care less anymore about them…about dreams, and even less about the dreams and doubts of someone else, and of course…that includes yours…"
…I didn't even had to end that sentence to see…
…to see…
…to see how hurt she was at those words.
She expressed something incredibly important to her and all I did with that comment of mine was to dismiss it…no…it was worse, I basically stomped the feelings inside what she shared with me.
As if the short but impactful time we have spend together meant nothing to me…
…
…
…And if I stopped here, there's no doubt that she wouldn't want to have anything else to do with me again.
That would be the most intelligent and rational decision for me to take, to stop saying anything else, cut off our…our friendship and that way I could guarantee not getting compromised nor attached anymore.
…
…
…
…Unfortunately for me…
…In more ways than one…
…I am a fucking idiot…
"…That was what I would say if I were only talking with facts…but what I truly want to tell you, Enoshima, doesn't come from facts…comes from what I feel"
At that, the growing hurt expression of Enoshima changed to a confused one.
"…What…What you feel? A-Are you talking about…about your f-feelings?"
I winced at that, I wanted to think of it as instincts rather than that, but I already implied something horrible 'Even if I didn't mean it…at least not to her', any attempt to correct what she said could only make things worse.
…I…I can't do that to her.
I can't back down with this.
"…Yes, my feelings about…about what you told me, you asked me if it was immature or wrong to feel the desire of chasing a new dream and the truth is…I don't have any idea. As I pointed out before, I have no experience with them, so I am a complete ignorant when it comes to dreams…but for that very reason…I feel like they are something special"
"…Special?"
"Mhm…people capable of dreaming…they have something that I don't, so I consider that a special trait to have…you Enoshima, in my eyes, are someone who is even more special for being capable of dreaming for as long as you have been doing"
"You…You see me as someone special…in your heart?"
W-What? Why does she keeps changing what I am saying? And what she said…that sounds as if…as if…
Ugh…not backing down…
"…Mhm…I don't know if it's the right answer or not, but in my opinion…as long as you are capable of dreaming, as long as you are capable of feeling any aspirations and as long as you are capable of as much as breathing…"
I took a breath before facing her directly with the what I hope is at least a bit bigger, friendlier and reassuring smile than what I've done so far in her company, while finally answering the question she made me.
"I feel like it is completely fine for you to change your dreams and search for new ones as many times as you want…because you are that special and for that very reason, it is your right and yours alone to being capable of doing so" I finished.
What I just did…what I just said…I really meant it…
This…
This was my chance to put an end to all this…
This…This is probably the last nail in the coffin, and if it's not, then at the very least…getting compromised it's just a matter of when rather than if…
But once again…I…I feel like that's a better alternative rather than seeing her sad like she was just a moment ago.
…Being trapped in this place really ended up being more problematic than what I thought at the beginning, huh?
After I said that, there was an awkward silence 'At least to me it feels awkward' where neither of us said anything.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…Shigaraki" Enoshima was the one who broke the silence.
If I hadn't the self-control I have, I would've probably flinched.
"Yes?"
"…You…You really suck at motivational speeches" Enoshima deadpanned.
"…I do, don't I? Huh, I guess that and cooking are out of the list…" I commented.
"Oh? Another setback, huh? Keep goin' like this and that 'Mr. can do it all' image of yours will lose its shine"
"…Mr. can do it all?" I asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Don't think too hard about it…" The fashionista waved off "…More importantly, about what you said…I think you are right, trying and trying while getting lost can be a good thing! As long as I keep looking for a dream…as long as I am capable of even that, maybe that's enough to be happy…Yeah. I'm definitely gonna remember what you said, thanks, Shigaraki" She finished with a small smile.
...That much trust on me, huh?
…I don't feel like I deserve it.
"…You're welcome" …But it is her right, not mine, to decide that.
"And! And! As a token of appreciation, I promise that if I do decide to kill someone, it won't be you!"
…
"…"
"…"
"…Hmph, as if I would give you the chance in the first place" I replied with amusement in my voice.
"Ehehe, Now that sounds like a challenge!" Enoshima commented with a grin.
I was glad she understood I didn't took her comment in a serious manner, still…
The amusement of my face got wiped off for a serious expression as I addressed the fashionista once again.
"Enoshima"
"Hm?"
"I want to apologize"
"Huh? Apologize…? What for?"
"…When you asked me about your dreams…at first, I made it sound as if I was disinterested in what you said, to the point of looking as if I was implying that I didn't care at all…it was not my intention, it's just…just…expressing something like I did today, I'm not the best when it comes to that, but still…at the end of the day it still hurt you, so I feel like a apology for that is the least I can do"
At my declaration, Enoshima gave me a sympathizing look, before she sighed and addressed me with a stern expression.
"Yeah, I will admit that it caught me off guard, and if it were any other girl, that would've made her cry, y'know? So…I don't care if you are the Ultimate Assassin or whatever, I'm gonna kick your ass if you pull another stunt like that, got it?"
"…Yes, I suppose it is reasonable" I said with a nod.
"Alright, with that said…" Her stern expression changed to a cheeky grin "I will accept your apology if you make it up to me!"
"Make it up to you?" I asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Yep! You didn't think you could get scot-free of that, did you?"
"…No, I guess that wouldn't be fair…" I gained a pensive look at that while I put my hands in the pockets of my pants.
Hmm, a compensation? I have no idea how to do that if I am honest 'Something else to add to the list of things I lack experience of, huh?'
I mean, there isn't much to do in this place with the rest of the floors blocked off, so it will be hard to think about something…
What to do…what to do…
While I was distracted with my thoughts, I felt something in one of my pockets, I decided to pull it out and saw…
It was hairclip with the kitten figure.
…Right, I had that thing, I usually don't forget about what I have with me, but, well, as a hairclip, it was low on my priority list of things to remember.
Although it seems Enoshima noticed that I had something in my hand.
"Eh? What is that?" The fashionista asked with a tilted head.
"This? It's some kind of hairclip. Remember what you told me about the Monocoins and the MonoMono Machine?"
"Ah, that…did you really gave it a try at that junk?"
I shrugged "Mhm…when I was exploring the 'school' I found one of those coins, so I just thought 'Sure, why not?' and gave it a try at the vending machine…and that's where I got this" I finished while showing her the hairclip.
"Hmm…I see" Enoshima commented…thought it was in a distracted manner as she was…looking quite intently at the item.
…
…Does she want it?
…I mean…sure…I don't have any use for it, so…if she likes it…
"You can have it" I stated.
"…Huh?"
"The hairclip, you can have it" I commented while offering it to her.
"…H-Huh!? B-But it is yours a-and―! "
"And I need to make it up for you, remember? And you seem interested on it…it is a win-win, I guess…"
"…Are you giving me this…a-as a gift?" Enoshima said while hiding her face facing in the opposite direction while she was fidgeting with her fingers.
…Eh?
"…Yes, I…I suppose this can count as a…gift, huh?"
At those words, she accepted the…gift. Once it was on her hands, she stared at it with some intense but pensive look, as if she was debating something. After what felt like an eternity, she…presented it back to me.
What?
"What is it? As I said, I really―"
"Put it on me" she said with a completely serious tone of voice.
"…"
"…"
"…What?"
At my question, that seriousness was replaced with absolute nervousness while her cheeks were tinted red.
…Eh?
"T-The h-hairclip…p-put it on me"
"Why do you want me to―?"
"Oh, c'mon! You already gave it to me, no!? Don't be more of a jerk today and do it!" Enoshima snapped while making a 'Cute, I will admit…' pout.
"…Fine, I will do it, just calm down, alright?" I said while taking the hairclip from her hand and decided to get on with it 'Geez, those aggressive moments of hers are so random…'
First of all, I needed to get closer to her.
Closer to her.
To her.
…
…A mission.
Just think of this as a mission, and things should be fine, right?
Right.
Once I mentally prepared myself, I approached her.
The moment I did that, the slight height difference between us became more noticeable, with me being taller than her to the point where my eyes were around the level of her forehead.
So, yeah, there was a difference in height…just not enough for me to not notice how her light-violet eyes were boring into me with so much intensity that was making me feel like putting just a simple hairclip as one of the hardest missions I've had in my life.
…Not only that, but…
At the end of the day, I am a teenager boy…and while They were capable of, well…change my perspective of life in some aspects 'Yeah, that's a way to put it, I suppose'…there were some things that stayed.
One of them is…as not so subtly pointed out multiple times…my capacity to feel physically attracted towards someone.
And if Celeste had Sayaka's psychic powers to read minds and were in this room, well…she would probably laugh at how bad of a liar I would be if I told myself that I don't find Enoshima…physically attractive.
But only that. As worrisome as it is…these past few days 'I can't believe it's only been 3 days…' have showed me an undeniable truth.
I consider Enoshima a friend…basically, my best '…well, she's the only one, so, yeah…' friend.
But it is a whole different ordeal to have…to have…ro…ro…that kind of feelings towards her, it's just impossible, there's no way that would happen in less than a week of knowing her, I'm not even talking about the repercussions of that, it's just simple logic that I couldn't have developed something like that towards someone in this short amount of time, it's, well, not possible…right?
…Right?
…
…
…I'm…I'm getting side-tracked, the point I was trying to make is that…it is an undeniable fact that She's attractive, and now that I'm so close to her…that only worked to reinforce such fact.
Her small nose, the freckles around the bridge of said nose, her narrow eyes…her…her lips, even something like the oval shape of her face, seeing all of that from this distance, when you put it together…it really is a pleasant sight…and It didn't help at all that I could feel her breathing around my neck and that was sending shivers down my spine.
I REALLY need hurry up with this.
Fortunately for me, I have experience with these kind of things 'Well, it is true I haven't done this since I was a kid, when playing with Her…but if I was capable back then, then there's no question of my competency for it now'
And as tempting as it was, I made sure to do it in a way that didn't disturb her wig 'If…by any chance…I managed to see a tiny little bit of black, well…that was just part of the process'
I didn't took me more than a few seconds before I managed to clip the accessory in her 'hair'.
The moment I was done with it, I immediately distanced myself.
"There" I said.
The fashionista put one hand on her head, around the hairclip more precisely. If I had to take a guess, to make sure I didn't mess it up. Once she looked satisfied with the results, she turned to look at me, with the nervousness from a few moments ago coming back.
"…Um…how…how does it look?" Enoshima asked.
I was about to protest about the need of me making a comment about this, but I could notice the signals of another snapping coming back if I didn't say something soon.
…This REALLY isn't in my expertise area.
"…You…you look…good" And it was true, that accessory did complement her. Must be a trait of her being the Ultimate Fashionista that everything she tries seems to work with her.
However, I bet it would look better in her real hair rather than on the wig.
I don't believe that what I said was that big of a compliment…but it seems Enoshima didn't though the same if that warm smile and the gleam of her eyes were any indications.
"I-I see…um, thank you…a-and I guess that if it's that good of an accessory…I wouldn't mind accepting it as your apology and keeping it" The fashionista commented while a blush formed once again on her face.
I just gave her a stiff nod…while a small smile of my own formed itself.
We just stood there for who knows how long, staring at each other with matching smiles on our faces.
Of course, such a moment couldn't last much in a place like this.
*Ding dong bing bong*
"Ahem, Ahem, this is a school announcement. It is now 10 p.m. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall will be locked, entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Okay then…sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite…"
"…"
"…"
"…Urgh, I really hate that piece of scrap"
"Even without his direct presence, he is capable of being more dislikeable day by day, isn't he?"
"Honestly, that's puttin' it lightly, but anyways…we…we really should get going, right?"
"…Yes, as he said in his announcement, it is already nighttime…" And it's no longer safe to walk through these halls.
With that, the two of us prepared to leave the room and head to the dorms.
But Enoshima called me out once again.
"Shigaraki"
"Yes?"
"About what you said…about not having a dream…"
…Right, I revealed that to her, didn't I?
"…Enoshima, you don't have to worry about that, I―"
"Maybe we can look for one together!" Enoshima exclaimed.
…
…
…
…Look for one…a dream…
…Together…
…
…
…Huh?
"…Enoshima, what…what are you talking about?"
"What I mean, duh! Once we get outta here I'm gonna need to look for this new dream of mine and you said that you lack one in the first place, right? Looking for a dream together…that would be, like, two confirmed kills with one bullet! Isn't it perfect!?"
"…"
"…"
"…Didn't you mean 'Killing two birds with one stone'?" I questioned.
"E-Eh? That's…um…Oi, Shigaraki, stop looking at the tiny details! That's not important and you know it!" Enoshima exclaimed with a pout
…I mean, she's right…
…Even so…
…
"…Enoshima, I…I don't think that―"
"Oh? Are ya planning to pull another jackass move, is that it?" Enoshima asked with narrowed eyes.
…She's still hasn't forgiven me completely, has she?
…Not for the first time, I feel like things are so complicated when it comes to her.
"…I will consider it…truly, I will do it" I replied.
I will truly take it into consideration…not that I really have hopes of such possibility becoming a reality. It's less because I lack the desire to do so, and more because…
There's no way They would allow something like that for its most valuable asset…
…
…
…But…in the time I am trapped here…
…It doesn't hurt to drea-lie to myself a little…right?
…Just a little.
"…"
"…I suppose that's the best I will get with you, even so…geez, you truly hit the jackpot with me! First, I will find ya a girlfriend, and now, I'm helping you in this search for a dream. Hehehe, seriously Shigaraki, you truly are lucky for knowing me, aren't you?" Enoshima exclaimed with her trademark grin and peace sign gesture.
…Wait, is she still going with that girlfriend thing!?
But putting that…that aside…
"…I guess I truly am, don't I?" I commented with a small smile.
There was nothing else the two of us needed to say, and it has already passed some time since nighttime was announced, so, this time for real, we left together for our rooms.
Though, even when it was getting further from us, I couldn't help but look back at the A/V room with narrowed eyes.
Several days have passed without Monokuma showing even his shadow and even with my presence, the lack of movements on my part has made everyone to relatedly drop their guards and relax.
Just like he wants.
Oh, I have experience with this. When extracting infor-when torturing someone, one of the oldest tricks in the book is to give them a false sense of security, make them believe that there is still any hope for them, a light at the end of the tunnel, and when they least expect it, well…the bear has already made clear what does he wants from us.
Everything so far has been nothing but the building-up of a false sense of security before it all comes crashing down. The calm before the storm.
And I highly doubt there's much…if any calm left.