Chapter 3: Sums For Our Fallen Grace (Daily Life #02)
Warning: This fic contains intense violence, lots of cursing, character death, gore and blood, sexual innuendos (thanks Maggie), and possible spoilers for the Danganronpa series, most notably the first one. But hey, everyone lurking in this fandom has at least played the first Danganronpa so no need to worry much there!
With that said, please enjoy!
"She's a rebel, she's a rebel!
She's a rebel, and she's dangerous!
She's a rebel, she's a rebel!
She's a rebel, and she's dangerous!"
Everyone knew the Ellsworth family. They were rich. Powerful. Renowned for their contribution to taking care of the horses and hosting horse-related events for their community. Ellsworth was a house of respect. Courtesy. Proper nobility. So, who would've guessed that the youngest daughter, Abigail Ellsworth, would hang out with the number one outcasts of her school: Jude Niles, Ruebel Harkor, and Dylan Quint.
They were the purest definition of the bad crowd every rich girl should've avoided. A bad influence as most parents would call it.
Jude Niles? Once pissed off a bunch of cops by egging their police cars whilst chanting "Fuck the police!" over and over again. Man was put into juvenile detention for a couple of weeks until he was let free thanks to his older brother. But after a few punishing punches from his old man, Jude was back to doing whatever the fuck he wanted.
Ruebel Harkor? Hung out with certified drug dealers and even helped out the business on several occasions. Once he was busted though, he didn't go to jail, but the adults have been keeping a close eye on him. Man also got caught drinking illegally with fake IDs as well.
Dylan Quint? What were they going to do with him? He was a troublemaker at home and at school. The adults had no idea what to do with him and there was no way he could've gotten thrown into juvenile detention. After all, whenever he did something, he did it cleanly and quietly. No evidence. No problem.
It was clearly the wrong crowd Abigail should be hanging out with and yet, the four managed to forge a bond with one another. The cop harasser, the drug dealer, the troublemaker, and the rich girl trying to rebel against her family name.
They were a team. They always will be. Today was no different. Ruebel didn't even have a license but who the hell cares? They had everything they needed! A nice clean Mustang. The thrill of speeding past the limit. Heavy bottles of beer scattered across the floor. And Green Day.
Fuck. They loved Green Day. And all they did was sing "She's A Rebel" on repeat.
"She's a rebel, she's a rebel!
She's a rebel, and she's dangerous!
She's a rebel, she's a rebel!
She's a rebel, and she's dangerous!"
Clink.
They clinked their second beer bottles together, drunk out of their mind as Ruebel continued to speed like crazy, cheering and whooping out the window like animals.
"Yeah!" Jude yelled. "Fuck the world! Whoo! Faster Ruebel! Faster!"
"Let me finish my beer first!" Ruebel laughed. "Hey hey! You know what would be funny?! If I just threw this bottle at that truck up ahead!"
"Dude, we would be breaking so many laws here," Dylan giggled behind his drunken state. "Fuck it. What do we have to fucking lose?! Throw it! Throw it!"
"Throw it!" Jude chanted with an insane laughter. "Throw it you motherfucker!"
"Hey Abby!" Ruebel turned to Abigail, who had just popped open a third bottle. "Should I do it or not?! Hurry and answer or we'll miss the truck!"
"Hey, if the cops find your fingerprints on it, I'm not bailing you out," Abigail jokingly rolled her eyes, her face burning red from the alcohol flush.
"I'll take that as a yes!" Ruebel yelled before chucking the bottle against the truck. A loud honk sounded from the truck as the glass shattered into pieces on the highway they were speeding on. "Whooooo! Double points!"
"No one was keeping a point system, asshole," Abigail chuckled behind her third bottle.
"They are now!" Ruebel turned his head to Abigail once again. It was clear the man was drunk out of his mind. Even Jude and Dylan felt it as the car started to swerve.
"Hey, hey, Ruebel, keep your eyes on the road, yeah?" Dylan placed a hand on Ruebel's shoulder, a little dazed. "Or at least make the barrel roll a little more smoother, okay?"
"Do a barrel roll!" Jude mimicked. "Relax Dylan. Ruebel's got this. He's got a fake license."
"Fuck yeah I do!" Ruebel closed his eyes and cheered once again.
A light shone against their vehicle. But none of the boys seemed to acknowledge it as they continued to sing to the lyrics of Green Day's song. Abigail, on the other hand, did.
"Hey…" Abigail narrowed her eyes. "Hey… guys… that light."
As her impaired vision struggled to clean itself up, the rebellious finally saw what was causing the light: a vehicle driving straight toward them. The honking was getting louder and louder. And then finally it dawned on her on what had happened:
They had swerved toward the wrong side of the freeway.
"G-Guys," Abigail widened her eyes before shaking Ruebel. "RUEBEL! THE CA–"
…
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Abigail woke up to the sound of a monitor beeping, the smell of alcohol wipes, and the sight of her mother, Francine Ellsworth, staring over her with elated breath. Where was she? She continued to make some sense of her surroundings before noticing the feeling of the soft hospital bed she was on.
Ah yes. She was in the hospital. But…
"Abigail," Francine surprised the girl with a hug, with a voice mixed with both relief and anger. "What were you thinking?! Drinking?! In a car with those boys?! I told you time and time again to stop hanging out with them! And look at you now! Oh my sweet little girl!"
Abigail felt nothing when Francine hugged her close. But she did see that there were some scars on her body. She also apparently lost plenty of blood but fortunately for her, she was able to recover from whatever happened. She rubbed her head.
"What… happened?" Abigail groaned.
"It's nothing of a miracle that you're okay now," Francine sighed in relief. "And those boys. Thank God they won't be hanging out with you any time soon. I just, I just can't lose another…"
"J-Jude," Abigail breathed, remembering the car and the friends she was with. She turned to her mother with desperate eyes. "J-Jude! R-Ruebel! D-Dylan! W-Where are they?! Are they–?"
Francine's relieved face turned serious. She bit her lip and looked away. That was a tell-tale sign. Abigail's hands trembled.
No.
They couldn't be.
No.
That wasn't true.
"But don't worry Abby," Francine leaned toward Abigail. "I took care of everything. I told people that those boys dragged you into everything. You were easily tricked. And after what happened, they've paid for what they did."
"What?" Abigail turned to Francine, this time with disgust. "Y-You– W-Who did you tell?!"
"J-Just about everyone I know," Francine looked at Abigail.
"W-Why would you do that?!" Abigail yelled. "I was– They're not the bad guys– Are you seriously that messed up to spread lies about my friends who aren't– who are–"
"I did it because I care for you," Francine placed a hand on her daughter's cheek. "Because a mother does everything to protect her family–"
"BULLSHIT!" Abigail screamed. "You didn't give a damn about me until today! You didn't give a damn about how I felt back then! Where was the protection, then huh?!"
"Abigail," Francine gave Abigail a soft, yet stern look. "I… I don't like this tone, young lady. You made a mess of the Ellsworth family name and I helped fix it for you. Shouldn't you do something to help fix your image too? You owe our family name–"
"I don't owe shit to anyone!" Abigail argued, tears seeping from her eyes. "If anyone has anything to owe, it's you! It's your fault that this happened! It's your fault Dad left! And it's your fault that Ashlen is gone!"
Francine stepped back as if the name haunted her. She clenched her fist before softening them and looking down. Placing a hand on Abigail's bed, she looked at her daughter, apologetically.
"...I think you need to calm down a bit," Francine softly stated. "I'll check up on you later."
Abigail turned to look away from her mother, not even bearing to see if she left or not. She could hear the footsteps anyway. The footsteps of her mother trudging away from her daughter. And as soon as she left, all she could do was cry to herself.
She owed her mother nothing.
She owed her nothing.
She owed nothing.
(Cafeteria)
Another same old cruddy day spent living in this hellhole. Another same old batch of nightmares. Another sleepless night. Abigail lost count on how many days she has been imprisoned now, but if she had to guess, it was probably at least two weeks now. Maybe less.
The Cafeteria remained gloomy as fuck. She tried to take a bite out of her breakfast sandwich but her appetite refused to digest anything. Her fellow prisoners felt the same way once they filed in one by one to grab a snack.
Today was supposed to be the day they were to check out this whole 'Kane having two Cells' conundrum. Abigail had no idea what the fuck that was all about but did it really matter that much to them? Should it matter that much to them?
Again. She had no idea. Yet, here was something peculiar. No one seemed more out of it that Jared was when he had filed into the room. Man looked as if he hadn't slept all night. Pfft, she knew that feeling all too well.
Once everyone had arrived, Jared made his daily announcement, albeit in a more gloomy expression. He tipped his hat down and began the morning meeting.
"Okay, so plan of action today," Jared began. "We're checking out Kane's Ultimate Cells. Get everyone to see why Kane just so happens to have two nearly identical cells. You guys are down for that, right?"
"Quick question," Abigail glumly raised her hand. "What's the point?"
"The point?" Jared blinked.
"Yeah, what's the point?" Abigail frowned slightly. "So Kane has two nearly identical cells. Doesn't really help with our situation does it?"
Abigail had a point. Usually they went around checking for a means of escape. Now, they were just grasping at straws here. Hoping that there was a deeper meaning to why Kane had two Ultimate Cells.
"Well, I just, I mean…" Jared bit his lip.
"We're checking this conundrum out because of how out of place it is," Arthur answered. "After all, why does Kane get two Ultimate Cells and everyone else we've seen get one? Doesn't make any sense."
"It's as if White Collar is basically asking us to figure this one out," Haruto rubbed the back of his neck. "Not like I got any fucking clue on why."
Jared didn't have much of anything else to add. He glanced toward Arthur and Haruto and then shared a look with Abigail, gesturing to her to listen to them. Zuri stepped in to speak this time.
"Well, we might as well stop standing around doing nothing," she pressed. "Let's all head up to the Pawnbroker Cell's and try to find what we can!"
"I agree," Maggie nodded, folding her arms.
Without much of anything to add to this conversation, the group of 11 consented to that idea and began to file out of the Cafeteria. Once they were out, they headed straight for the stairs that would lead them up to Cell Block C. And once there… well…
As they stood in between the two entrances of the two Pawnbroker Cells, Jared took charge once again. They were a group of eleven, except not really. After all, they had been whittled down into two groups of five and six respectively.
"Okay, so to reiterate the teams we've established," Jared began his commanding yet not-as-vibrant announcement.
"T-Technically, you made the teams," Carter pointed out.
"...Okay, so to reiterate the teams that I established," Jared corrected himself with a sigh as he continued. "The ones who will be checking out Kane's Cell on the left would be me, Arthur, Carter, Holland, and Zuri. And the ones who will be checking out the one on the right, will be everyone else. Abigail, Barracuda, Cassandra, Haruto, Maggie, and Mimi. Any objections?"
"You forgot Ina," Barracuda raised his hand.
"Ina's already checking a cell in Cell #66," Jared bluntly answered. "Either case, once anyone finds anything of importance, holler."
"Or use those phones that are connected to one another between the Cells," Zuri pointed out.
"...Or that too," Jared tipped his hat down. Jared had to do better if he was going to continue leading what was left of their little group!
Either case, once the police officer gave the green light, everyone was off to explore the Pawnbroker Cells they were assigned to.
(Right Pawnbroker's Cell)
When Abigail, Barracuda, Cassandra, Haruto, Maggie, and Mimi walked into the Right Pawnbroker's Cell, they would notice that it was pretty much left how Cassandra and Jared had left it when they originally went to investigate it: an absolute mess. Such a mess was courtesy of the broken Robo Justice cardboard thing on the ground and the broken camera, also on the ground.
Haruto narrowed his eyes as he picked up the broken camera before noticing the display in which that object had originated from. Noticing the price, the former basketball player could only laugh.
"The fuck?" Haruto cackled. "4000 dollars? For this abstract piece of shit? You've gotta be joking! Looks like a broken camera!"
"It is a broken camera, dumbass," Cassandra rolled her eyes. "I was the one who broke it. Now can you put that away? We have more important things to look at than shitty objects with shittier prices."
"Someone seems to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed," Abigail quietly retorted.
"Cassandra always wakes up on the wrong side of the bed," Maggie sighed, having responded to Abigail upon hearing her.
Barracuda moved past Maggie, forcing the supermodel to shrink back awkwardly. It's only been three days so of course things were still shifty between the two. Though, it seemed Maggie was a little more anxious about it than the former.
Either case, the personal trainer felt it important to look upon the Robo Justice cardboard project thing that was just left on the ground. He tapped his chin as he looked toward the display where it originally stood from. Widening his eyes at the price, he turned to the others.
"Man, these things are expensive!" Barracuda exclaimed. "When we escape, can we sell these?"
"Okay, who would want a bunch of painted cardboard?" Haruto deadpanned as he limped over to the pile of painted mush. "Looks like something from an anime. Like a robo cop thing."
"It is a robo cop thing, dumbass," Cassandra sighed. "I broke that thing too."
"Bitch, you gotta stop breaking shit in here!" Haruto growled.
"What is this robo cop thing anyway?" Barracuda blinked. As he was a person from Russia, of course he would know the beauty that was Japanese culture.
"Robo Justice," Mimi answered the personal trainer with an innocent smile. "The fabled Galactic King. He's a feared space warrior who seeks only for three things: the truth, justice, and peace throughout the Milky Way."
Everyone turned to Mimi with an incredulous look. The witch girl looked taken aback by the number of eyes that were on her before shrugging.
"What?" Mimi pouted slightly. "I watch anime too!"
Everyone turned back and continued their mini investigation. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything out of place that anyone had seemed to find. Cassandra let that show as she stomped on the ground.
"Whatever we're looking for, it's not going to be in here," Cassandra sighed in frustration. "Place looks pretty much the same since Jared and I left it."
"Now that you brought him up, has anyone noticed anything weird about him lately?" Abigail asked.
"What, you mean the fact that the guy's been a little out of it lately?" Haruto grumbled.
"Or how he's not as confident as he normally is," Maggie tapped her chin.
"Yeah, something is off about Jared," Mimi looked down.
The only one who had yet to contribute to this conversation was Cassandra and Barracuda. But Cassandra already knew something was off way before anyone here bothered to question it. And Barracuda? Well…
"Huh?" Barracuda blinked. "Something is wrong with Jared?"
Barracuda was an idiot.
"You know anything about it, Cassandra?" Abigail turned to Cassandra. The unknown talent turned, surprised that she would be approached about something like this. Not only that but by her of all people.
"What?" Cassandra blinked before frowning. "Why me?"
"You did investigate this area with Jared," Maggie folded her arms. "Maybe you might know something about what's going on?"
"Ugh, and what?" Cassandra rolled her eyes. "You think I had something to do with it? Is that it?"
"Not really," Abigail mumbled, tiredly. "It was just a question."
"Can it Abbygail," Cassandra frowned. "Whatever's going on with that cop has nothing to do with me. Alright?"
Cassandra spoke in a much more heated manner that she had intended to. Something was definitely up. But for the sake of not trying to start something, a couple of shared glances had the same level of agreement in mind.
Something was definitely up.
Cassandra was way too heated up over it.
And who knows what was going on in Jared's mind.
(Left Pawnbroker's Cell)
Speaking of Jared, the police officer found himself wandering around the room that looked practically identical to the room he had investigated the day prior. It was as Holland and Zuri said. The room had everything. The camera. The urn. The Robo Justice suit. The hammers. Everything except the price tags.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Jared ended up being alone in achieving the task at hand. Arthur, Carter, Holland, and Zuri's only interest was Jared, who seemed squirrelier than he usually was. It didn't take long until the police officer finally noticed.
"Er, guys?" Jared blinked. "Aren't you going to contribute to the search? Or are you all just going to stare at me all day?"
"S-Stare?" Carter stuttered. "W-We weren't staring. N-Nope. Not at all!... E-Er unless, y-you want us t-to–?"
"I assure you, we weren't staring out of anything other than curiosity," Arthur folded his arms, stepping forward to interrupt Carter before things got weird…er.
"What, why, is there something on my face?" Jared frowned.
"No, Jared, it's just that well…" Zuri twiddled her fingers together. "You've seemed off ever since… well…"
Zuri referred to everything that had happened regarding Yuumi and Mayu's death. They weren't names she wished to bring up and fortunately, Jared understood well enough that she didn't have to spell it out for him.
"Oh, do I seem that way?" Jared tipped his hat down. "Don't worry about it."
"Y-You know it would be better if you maybe just… Well, t-talked about it with us?" Carter suggested.
Jared said nothing. He tipped his police hat further down, fully covering his eyes– or rather his one visible eye not covered by his blue hair –as avoided the topic altogether.
"J-Jared?" Zuri perked her head, concerned.
"Well, I'm just…" Jared began before a voice that had been silent for quite a while, spoke up.
"...Hey, I found something…" Holland stated, interrupting whatever important plot point Jared was about to dump on the group.
Though, to Holland and much to everyone else, this was equally important, maybe even moreso. Right below where the two hammers were displayed in the room, were two files placed directly below. It was a pattern that they have seen twice before, only this time, the one thing missing was a box waiting for them to peek into like an early Christmas present.
Two files which two people grabbed.
Holland took the first file that rested underneath display Hammer #4.
Carter took the second file that rested underneath display Hammer Number Blank.
Then, one at a time, as if they were pausing for dramatic effect, Holland opened his file first, revealing notable information on one familiar name to Jared:
Name: Kiyotaka Ishimaru
Gender: Male
Ultimate Talent: Ultimate Moral Compass
Birth Date: August 31
Height: 5'9
Weight: 146 lbs
Blood Type: B
Status: Deceased
Carter was next as he slowly opened up his file to reveal yet another familiar name for Jared to read:
Name: Hifumi Yamada
Gender: Male
Ultimate Talent: Ultimate Fanfic Creator
Birth Date: December 31
Height: 5'7
Weight: 342 lbs
Blood Type: O
Status: Deceased
Two names of familiarity. Two pictures for them to identify. And each located under a respective hammer coated with their possible dried up bloodstain.
"T-This isn't– C-Could it be–?" Carter stammered. The sudden appearances of these two files, much like the sudden appearances of the others, would shake anyone down to their core.
"...Yeah, these are the other students in the incident," Jared breathed. "We… We should alert the others."
Zuri didn't have to be told twice. As soon as Jared said it, she had already sprinted off into the Right Pawnbroker Cell to retrieve the group that had gone off to investigate there.
…
Arthur, Carter, Jared, and Holland were shortly joined by Zuri, who had brought alongside Abigail, Barracuda, Cassandra, Haruto, Maggie, and Mimi… y'know, just in case you had forgotten who was in the Right Pawnbroker Cell. When the news came that they had found something of importance, there was a feeling of trepidation as they scuttled into the room, one by one.
Though of course, this time, things were even more chilling given the fact that there were not one, but two files this time.
"T-Two files?" Barracuda shuddered. "B-But wasn't it only one the last two times?!"
"Good point, why the sudden increase in file numbers?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"And you don't think they died from…" Zuri trailed off, but if they followed her eyes, they would know that she was referring to the hammers on display hanging above where the files were found.
"Two files, two hammers…" Jared rubbed his chin. A thought creeped into his mind. It wasn't a scenario he'd like to imagine but the facts remained that if two files were found at the same time and the hammers were any indication to how they died, that would mean… "I… No…"
"Sounds like the cop's got it all figured out," Cassandra muttered, glancing away. She was still a little peeved about last night when it came to Jared.
"H-Huh, what do you mean?" Mimi looked toward Cassandra with quivering eyes.
"Tch, isn't it obvious?" Cassandra glowered toward the little witch girl. "They died at the same time. Or rather, they were killed in the same round. And if everything that's been happening here ends up being some clear parallel thing, there's no doubt that this time, two of us will die in the same round too."
"You're calling them rounds, like this is some game," Maggie frowned.
"Isn't it?" Cassandra retorted. "It's called a Killing Game for a reason. And if these other students were put into the same game years prior… You know I'm right when I say that two people are going to get murdered."
"So you're suggesting that Hifumi and Ishimaru's case ended up as a double murder," Arthur remarked. "Fascinating. Or, you know, a separate thought, this is nothing more than a coincidence and a red herring meant to rile us up as a group."
"...But what reason would White Collar have to show us this if it's just to scare us?" Holland stoically asked the Ultimate Snowboarder.
"We are the survivors of the previous two incidents are we not?" Arthur asked. "In order to kickstart the third, White Collar would undoubtedly want to up the ante a little."
"O-Or th-this is an o-omen," Carter shivered. "A-An omen to w-warn us on wh-what's going to happen next! O-Oh God! T-Two of us are going to get m-murdered! A-And with the h-hammers no less! N-No! N-No!"
"C-Carter, get a hold of yourself!" Zuri gasped, looking concerned as Carter began to freak out.
"Yeah, no one is going to die again," Maggie crossed her arms. "Not if we have anything to say about it. Right Jared?"
Maggie turned to Jared. As the leader of the group, it was technically his job to assure everyone that nothing bad was going to happen starting right now. Unfortunately, Jared's gaze remained on the file, his mind clouded with different questions and faulty solutions.
"Jared?" Maggie perked her head.
"Oi, Jared," Haruto raised an eyebrow. He walked up to Jared, waving his hands over the police officers' eyes. "Earth to sad cop over here!"
"Huh?" Jared blinked. He tipped his hat down. "O-Oh, y-yeah. W-What exactly are you guys talking about?"
"Talking about- We're calming down Carter and telling him that nothing's going to happen," Haruto explained. "No one else is going to die."
"Isn't it your job to say that?" Abigail raised an eyebrow toward Jared. "Seriously, what's up with you? Ever since… well, that, you've been acting weird."
Jared didn't say anything, instead leaving more questions to be unsolved, specifically about Jared. Shaking her head, Abigail turned back to the cowering Carter, who's mind kept drifting to all of the different possible ways he might die.
"Whatever," Abigail muttered. "Anyway, if we've learned anything from the past, we're not going down that path ever again. We'll all survive and then we'll get out. It's as simple as that."
"E-Easy for you to say," Carter shivered. "Y-You're not as s-scrawny and w-weak as I am…"
"Yeah, and this Hifumi guy weighs 342 pounds," Haruto grumbled, waving Hifumi's file into the air. "Don't know what you're arguing about here."
"Look guys, maybe we should stop talking about this," Zuri pointed out. "I mean, I think a lot of us are freaked out enough as it is. Especially with what Cassandra said."
"Hey, I'm just telling the truth here," Cassandra dismissed. "Everything that happened in the previous incidents have been paralleled by what happened years ago. Why should this be any different?"
"Because we're going to make sure it doesn't happen," Zuri put on her bravest face.
"Oh and that worked so well the last time didn't it?" Cassandra rolled her eyes. She shook her head. She had enough of this conversation and this unsettling discovery. "Whatever. I'm done talking to you people. If you guys are going to ignore the fact that two people are going to die this time around, then by all means go for it. But when it happens, I told you so."
With her final words ingrained in their brains, Cassandra left the Left Pawnbroker Cell, leaving behind a rather unhappy group of people. Haruto specifically was feeling miffed that this girl would have the balls to act all high and mighty about the situation they were in.
"That fucking bitch," Haruto grumbled. "Who does she think she is? She ain't a goddamn fortune teller! How the fuck would she know that we're about to get hit with a twofer? I'm telling you guys, we shouldn't have any business listening to her."
"...She does have a point though," Holland mumbled.
"The fuck you say?" Haruto's eye twitched.
"Holland!" Zuri whispered, her eyes questioning what deranged thing he was going to say.
"There have been parallels in the incidents we've experienced," Holland rubbed the back of his neck, uneasily. "...Same murder weapons. Same cause of death. I'd hate to say it, but I think we need to be more careful this time around. Because if Cassandra is right, and if she's right… then…"
Holland didn't finish his thought. In no universe did he want two people to die for the price of one. The questions now were, how exactly will that work and when exactly will it happen? And most importantly, could they prevent it from happening?
If they couldn't, then the chills coursing down their spines would be all the more grave.
(Ultimate Personal Trainer's Cell)
Kiyotaka Ishimaru.
Hifumi Yamada.
Exceptional students that disappeared and were most likely confirmed to be dead. That would make four of those damn evidence files that they've found. And if their earlier discussion was anything to go by, Barracuda just couldn't take it anymore. He didn't want to think about the idea that two people were going to die this time around. He didn't want these next few days to fulfill a certain destiny that they were all headed into…
Rubbing his head, the Ultimate Personal Fitness Trainer stumbled into his Ultimate Cell. He needed to calm down in the best way he knew how: exercise. Five sets. Five reps. And if he still felt like wanting to break, add five more to each!
That was the plan.
But like every plan, there was always some wrench that's meant to clog the cogs. That wrench was named Maggie, who looked to have been waiting for his appearance. Or at least, that was what Barracuda had thought at first. As soon as he entered, there was a look of hopeful regret on her face. Two expressions that clearly clashed with the other.
Barracuda bit his lip. He fixed his glasses. He hadn't talked with her directly for about three days now, was it? All because of…
"...We need to talk," Maggie seriously said after taking a deep breath.
Barracuda breathlessly stared at Maggie before slowly nodding.
…
"...I'm sorry for everything," was the first thing Maggie had started out with. Both Barracuda and Maggie sat together by the dumbbell racks as the fitness trainer listened to the supermodel carefully. "For making things between us…"
She trailed off. There was nothing else she really needed to say about it. She knew how much deep shit she had put the two in. This hole that they were trapped in. It was a hole of her own making. And just speaking to Barracuda now was making that hole deeper and deeper.
"No, no, don't be," Barracuda softly spoke to Maggie. "I just… It was the first time I've ever had to deal with something like this. And I'm pretty stupid so I just didn't know what to say."
"Don't say that about yourself," Maggie pointed a disappointed frown toward him.
"But it's true, isn't it?" Barracuda chuckled softly. "I'm so stupid, I didn't even pick up on any of your hints, heh."
Maggie opened her mouth to respond but decided against it. He did speak some truth on the matter. She'd been practically gift-wrapping hints to him, and the man never reciprocated any of them. She hesitated to place a hand on his wrist, instead pulling away but still willing to share her sentimental views on the matter.
"To be fair, I doubt it would've worked," Maggie looked down. "You're way too good for someone like me, Barry."
"Hey, don't say that about yourself," Barracuda frowned.
Maggie glanced back up toward Barracuda, chuckling at what he had just said. For two people with completely opposite backgrounds and interests, they seemed to have some form of connection regarding their words. She admired that in Barracuda. That… feeling of connection.
"Truth be told Barry, I hate it," Maggie sighed. Noticing Barracuda's confused face, she gestured to the entire room. "This place. Everything. My life. Me. I hate it all. I… Honestly, I never asked to be a supermodel. It's not even something I love doing."
"It isn't?" Barracuda blinked. "But I thought supermodels would have everything they ever wanted in life."
"Nope, not me," Maggie smiled at Barracuda's adorable sense of ignorance. "It was all my parents. My parents were the reason I became a supermodel. Thought it would help the entire family live by easily. And they were right…"
Maggie let out an amused scoff.
"I never had it all," she continued. "Even now… I still don't. And now look at me. I've completely destroyed myself and now I'm paying for it."
Maggie hugged her knees slightly bitterly. Normally, most guys would assume that someone like Maggie was attempting to make herself out to be a little more sympathetic. Someone trying to salvage was left from the life they've already damaged. But Barracuda was not like most guys. He was a brainless, stupid, idiotic dolt with no social cues… but that was what made him lovable and innocent.
"Hey hey, Maggie, I uh, don't say that–" Barracuda caught himself. He was practically repeating himself at this point. God! Couldn't he say anything else besides "don't say that?!"
"Isn't this why this is happening to us in the first place?" Maggie asked, bitterly. "Because we all made some stupid mistakes and White Collar thinks they're all good reasons enough to murder each other for."
Maggie's lips trembled.
"Sometimes I wish I wouldn't feel so lonely all the time," Maggie mumbled.
"...But you're not alone," Barracuda frowned. "You got me. And everyone else here."
"And who's to say that everyone won't eventually try and kill me?" Maggie frowned.
"Because I won't let them," Barracuda assured Maggie. "Simple!"
Maggie blinked. She was slightly surprised that Barracuda would step forward and say something so arbitrary and yet so confidently. But then again, why should she be surprised? This was Barracuda. This was the sweetest guy in their group and there was a reason she had the hots for him.
A reason she had… an admiration for him.
"B-Barry," Maggie's expression slightly pained. "You're too good… For this place."
Barracuda chuckled softly at Maggie's comment. But he had to disagree. As he calmly looked up, he sighed.
"Not really," Barracuda disagreed. "It's as you said. We all made stupid mistakes that we're being punished for. I may be stupid, but that's no excuse for what I've done."
"And what did you do Barry?" Maggie raised an eyebrow, curious to know this trainer's past.
"...I left," Barracuda tipped his head down.
It was quick. Vague. Maggie blinked. She didn't push for more. She left it simple, open in case he had more to share. But he didn't. Maggie frowned. She couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe herself actually. To think that she still held onto that desire– then again, it had only been three days –that she would ever be with someone like him.
To think that he would trust her enough to tell her what exactly was on his mind and in his heart. To think that she could finally get the satisfaction she longed for in her twisted game of catching mice.
"...I see," Maggie said nothing more. She pursed her lips. "But that can't be it, right? I mean, I cheated on my boyfriend with countless affairs. You leaving doesn't mean–"
"...No, it is," Barracuda clenched his dog tag necklace tightly. "I left. And leaving is against the law… Heh. I'm a criminal in my own country."
A criminal?
Maggie stared at Barracuda in bewilderment. Her mind was furiously scrambling through every question she thought of to ask but nothing came out of her mouth.
What did he mean by criminal in his own country?!
What did he mean by leaving?!
She wanted to know more!
But Barry wouldn't give her more. Instead, that was all he gave, and Maggie never thought to ask him anything beyond that. She sank down next to him. God. So pathetic. She was so pathetic.
"And I'm a criminal to my own desires," Maggie joked.
There was a silence between them before Barracuda spoke up.
"You know Maggie," Barracuda sighed. "I think even after everything you told me and everything that went on here, I'm still glad to have met you."
Maggie looked back toward the personal trainer. Softly, her lips curved upward.
"...Yeah, me too," she said.
And the two sat next to each other for a next while, knowing full well that they grew a little closer together.
(Ultimate Sailor's Cell)
The Ultimate Sailor's Cell was Mimi's definition of a happy place. Why wouldn't it be? Nice decor. Big space. There was a bloody shark residing in captivity too! How cool was that?! But perhaps the happiest thing about the cell was the connection Mimi had resonated with the longer she stayed here.
Holding Sailor Penguin in her arms, she found herself watching the shark swim around like a lost puppy. But just by the feeling, she often thought Yuumi was sitting beside her, talking about what the ocean life would be like and how amazing it would be if the three of them (Sailor Penguin included) could sail the Seven Seas and be the Mermaids of the New World.
That was the dream. That was the escape her mind had built for her. The escape that this very Cell provided. And here she was, staring at Brucey– the name she had decided to give the shark –eating some leftover chum that she had tossed in during the morning. And as she watched the shark, that looming loneliness started to creep in.
She tried hard to imagine Yuumi by her side and yet she couldn't. That visage of Yuumi gleefully talking about their hopes and dreams together slowly ghosted away into a fading apparition. The thought of seeing Yuumi fade away…
…A tear was nearly shed for that thought.
"Mimi?"
Mimi gasped, turning and wiping her eyes quickly. She expected Maggie to be here but this time, it wasn't. It was… Haruto, limping into the Sailor's Cell as he examined every nook and cranny the Cell had to offer.
"O-Oh, Haruto, why are you here?" Mimi looked down.
"...You gals mentioned this place having a shark," Haruto moved around with his crutches. "Wanted to see if it was true."
Haruto glanced at the shark.
"...Which I guess it is," Haruto continued.
"Ah, you mean Brucey," Mimi tried to force a smile. "Yeah, you've come to the right place, then."
Haruto paused, staring at Mimi with a raised eyebrow.
"...You named it Brucey?" Haruto deadpanned.
"Y-Yeah, I mean, all friends have to have names so," Mimi hugged Sailor Penguin tightly. She slowly looked away; her words slowly trailing. "I named him… Brucey…"
Childish.
That was the first thing that Haruto thought as he stared at Brucey the shark swimming around like a puppy. But that rude mindset was wiped away as he had to remind himself of some important details. Mimi was younger than them all, most likely. Not only that but she just lost someone close to her.
Someone she really cared for. She needed this so he might as well let her have it.
"...How have you been holding up, kid?" Haruto sighed, slowly sitting by the spot that Mimi had been sitting before. He patted down, gesturing for her to share that seat. Mimi joined him, sitting beside him as she hugged Yuumi's pet toy.
"Not very good," Mimi looked down.
"Yeah, I'd imagine so," Haruto sighed before grumbling. "These past few days have been nothing but pure shit so…"
Haruto blinked for a moment before glancing back toward Mimi.
"Er, sorry," Haruto apologized for the curse words.
"I'm not a baby Haruto," Mimi slightly pouted.
"Er, right," Haruto scratched the side of his cheek.
Damn him for being so patronizing!
"I just wish I knew a spell that could let me go back in time," Mimi frowned. "Open that door on that night and stop her from going to that Cell. And then maybe she would still…"
Haruto had many issues with that statement, but he bit his tongue. Now wasn't the time for him to be judgmental. It was the time for him to comfort and be there for the little witch girl. Watching Brucey swim around once more, the two sat in silence for a moment.
…
"Haruto?" Mimi's voice slowly peeped from Sailor Penguin.
"What's up kid?" Haruto glanced back down toward Mimi.
"Do you have anyone you really care about back home?" the witch girl slowly asked. A topic that came out of nowhere, huh? Haruto wasn't sure if he felt comfortable responding and reminiscing about his past… but he's done it plenty of times before so why would it hurt now? Especially with Mimi?
"...Plenty of people," Haruto answered. "My little buddies back home who're probably waiting for me. And maybe even my little bro, Shiota."
"You have a little brother, Haruto?" Mimi blinked. She never knew that about him. Rather, she knew little about Haruto. To him, he always seemed brash, mean and just someone with a lot of issues to work with.
"Yeah, was that a surprise?" Haruto raised an eyebrow.
Mimi shook her head.
"No, not… Er well, it's just that you don't talk about your family much, so I didn't…" Mimi twiddled her fingers.
"Well, my family's not much to talk about anyway," Haruto scratched the back of his neck. "It's just been me, Shiota, and dad. Just a big borefest, y'know?"
"Wait, but what about your mom?" Mimi blinked.
"What about her?" Haruto deadpanned.
"Er, you um, left her out," Mimi looked down, slightly nervous being in the very aggressive Haruto's presence.
Haruto looked back at the aquarium's glass as it reflected his image. He sighed, resting his head on the pillar behind them.
"Well, she's been gone for a while so, there's not much to talk about her either," Haruto stated.
"Oh, she left?" Mimi blinked.
"Nah, dead," Haruto scratched the back of his neck.
"Oh… I'm sorry," Mimi bit her lip.
"Don't be," Haruto grumbled. "That was a decade ago. She gave birth to my baby brother and then she just died. Happened as quickly as that. In a way, I guess I can see why Dad became such a piece of shit afterwards."
"Your daddy," Mimi frowned. "Is he mean?"
"Ha, who do you think I got my best qualities from?" Haruto snarked. He shook his head, slightly amused by his behavior before deeply exhaling. "I wouldn't really call Dad mean. He's just constantly on edge. Trying to make me and Shiota something we're not. Doubt Shiota and I really want to take over the family business one day, but Dad is way too insistent that we do."
"Family business?" Mimi blinked.
"Yeah, I come from a really fucking rich family," Haruto revealed. "Dad is the head of the biggest company from where we are. So, like every rich CEO dad, he expects someone in the bloodline to carry the legacy."
"And that's not you," Mimi gasped. "But Haruto! You could've been rich!"
"Yeah, and completely bored out of my mind," Haruto clenched his fist. "My passion was basketball. I didn't want to sit in the office talking about stocks all day and shit. I wanted to play basketball with the local boys. Throw a few hoops, slam a few dunks. But Dad never liked it."
"Ah…" Mimi's eyes trailed to his broken leg.
Haruto caught it.
"Yeah well, I guess I might as well go back to pursuing Dad's path," Haruto frowned, eyes glancing down toward his broken leg. "Cause at this point, that's the only good these legs can do."
"Can you?" Mimi perked her head curiously.
"Probably not," Haruto slightly sneered at the thought. "Dad's been pushing everything onto my little bro now. So now he's undergoing the same thing I went through back home… God. I wonder if he hates me."
Mimi was about to ask why but immediately she backed down, understanding the situation. His father failed pushing everything onto him… so he moved on to the next in line. And poor Shiota. Could he handle it?
"'Nuff about me," Haruto cleared his throat. "What about you? You don't talk about your family a lot either. Got any siblings?"
"No, just a mommy and daddy," Mimi revealed. "But um, I never see them…"
"Huh, the fuck kind of parents don't check in on their daughter once in a way?" Haruto raised his eyebrows.
"Well, actually, they do come to me for dinnertime," Mimi explained. "But other than that, they are always busy perfecting their magic."
"They're magicians too?" Haruto deadpanned.
"Yeah!" Mimi's face slowly lit up. "Mommy is a bone sorceress! She always digs and digs and digs to find bones! And Daddy is a wood and brick wizard which is important in building all of those wizard homes in the world!"
"...So, your mom's a paleontologist and your dad's a construction worker," Haruto translated. "Sounds rough for them. But you're actually okay with them hardly coming over to see you?"
"It doesn't bother me that much," Mimi stated. "I had my wizarding books to keep me company. I even found access to the Darkhold and that was just madness!"
"I'll pretend I understood that one," Haruto exasperatedly stated. "But seriously… All this time, you literally had no one to take care of you. Does that mean you've been taking care of yourself this whole time?"
Mimi tapped her chin in thought. Then smiling, she glanced back toward Haruto, nodding happily.
"I did have my imaginary grandma help out sometimes but she's only there when I need her to be," Mimi slowly giggled.
"...Huh…" Haruto blinked.
Perhaps he underestimated this little witch girl. She's practically a victim of child neglect and yet here she was, still much more positive than the other angsty people that they were all stuck with. Still much more innocent and pure-hearted than… Still much stronger… Oh, if only Mimi knew herself.
Haruto smiled to himself.
"Heh," Haruto chuckled.
"Huh, what's so funny?" MImi blinked.
"Forget it," Haruto rested his back on that pillar. "Just thinking about something. You know the moment you escape this place; I think you'll come to realize you're someone that Yuumi was already proud of since the day you two first met."
Mimi looked at Haruto confusedly. But the mere mention of Yuumi and his words… They meant something much deeper to her.
"Ah, thank you, Haruto," Mimi had often found herself nervous around his presence. She gave him a small smile. Now, she felt like she had found a reason to feel a little comfortable with him now.
The two sat closely with each other, watching Brucey swim in his aquatic habitat as they relished in the fact that they grew closer together…
(Therapy Room)
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Arthur continued to dig through the Therapy Room to find something. Anything. But aside from the stuff he's already found during his time here yesterday, nothing new was added. Nothing like those files pertaining to Kiyotaka Ishimaru and Hifumi Yamada's information.
Nothing!
Arthur sighed, gripping the side of the file cabinet he had just pulled out. He thought about their situation carefully. His half-sister was locked up. He was getting headaches. Flashes of certain moments he couldn't recall or piece together what they meant. It was like the entire universe was out to get him.
Why?
Why him?
What has he ever done wrong?
Frustrated, Arthur slammed the file cabinet back until he turned his head, having heard the peckish footsteps of Zuri, who watched him in concern.
"Ah, Zuri," Arthur cleared his throat. "What brings you here to the Therapy Room?"
"Er, n-nothing," Zuri rubbed the back of her neck. "You left the door open and you seemed really frustrated so I just thought that…"
"Well, it really doesn't concern you," Arthur coldly remarked. "I'm feeling fine."
"O-Oh, I see," Zuri blinked as she tipped her head down.
There was a silence between the two. Zuri saw that she wasn't really needed, or rather her presence bothered Arthur, and turned. But of course, Arthur spoke up, forcing her to stop and turn back.
"Actually," Arthur deeply sighed. "Maybe another session between the two of us would be nice."
Arthur gestured to the couch and the chair. Zuri blinked. If there was anything she didn't expect would come from checking up on Arthur…
…
…It was a therapy session.
Arthur had laid back against the couch, staring at the ceiling. His face was grim with all of these thoughts plaguing his mind. Zuri on the other hand sat uncomfortably on the chair, constantly positioning herself as she glanced at the Ultimate Snowboarder.
"Do you have any siblings, Zuri?" Arthur asked.
"Mmm, not really," Zuri shook her head. "If anything, the closest to siblings I've had were the members in Dream Palm. But…"
Zuri bit her tongue for a moment.
"Er, why exactly are you asking?" Zuri blinked. "Or, wait. Don't tell me. This has something to do with…?"
"Ina, yes," Arthur nodded.
Zuri assumed correctly. She remained quiet, gesturing to him to start talking. After all, they were playing a game of therapy, and she was the therapist and he was the patient.
"I don't know what I should do or how I should approach her," Arthur revealed. "The reveal that I had a half-sister all this time. And all this time, I could've helped her if I had known but…"
"Well, you can't really blame yourself for that, Arthur," Zuri perked her head. "I mean, neither of you knew until two days ago."
"But she's still right, you know?" Arthur miserably sighed. "She's right for all the reasons why she wanted to kill me. I just… I just don't know what I can do to make up for all that lost time for her."
Zuri blinked. She frowned. Truthfully, even she didn't know what he could do. She wasn't an Ultimate Therapist with the ability to implant careful thoughts that they could use to better themselves or whatnot. She didn't have the answers to every question in the world. She was just as lost as everyone else.
"Truthfully, I don't know either," Zuri honestly answered. "I don't think there's anything you can do to make up for anything. I don't blame Ina for hating you and at the same time, I don't blame you either for not knowing. But I think the way you're talking to me about this… it really does tell me that you do at least care for her."
"Of course I do," Arthur turned his head toward Zuri. "She's my sister."
"Half but…" Zuri smiled softly, correcting his small mistake.
She tapped her chin, remembering a detail of Arthur's family.
"Actually, you have an adopted sister back home, don't you?" Zuri asked. "How is your relationship with her? Because maybe if it's good, you can try to–"
"My adopted sister has become too corrupted with my father's slimy ways," Arthur bitterly stated.
"O-Oh," Zuri looked down, slightly disappointed.
Arthur sighed.
"Though, you do bring up a good point," Arthur stated. "I suppose part of the reason why I care so much is because of my adopted sister."
"Oh, what do you mean?" Zuri asked.
"As I said, my adopted sister has become too corrupted with my father," Arthur repeated. "But I just thought that perhaps if I could make up time with my half-sister, it could redeem me of my inability to help my adopted sister."
"I almost lost you there," Zuri honestly stated.
"Well rather, I would like to make sure my half-sister doesn't follow the same path as my family did," Arthur sighed.
"Oh, Arthur, that's actually, really noble of you," Zuri looked surprised. She never expected this from the cold and calculative Arthur that could only tolerate her of all people.
"Is it?" Arthur scoffed. "Or is it just pure idiocy?"
Zuri didn't know the answer to that.
"It's ironic," Arthur chuckled slightly. "I wanted to pursue my passions as a way to escape my family. Now I'm imprisoned with whom else but a long-lost member to my family. A family member that doesn't even want me around. Life can be so cruel."
Arthur seemed to be in a much bitter mood than before. He still had no answers to how he could take care of Ina. How he should approach someone who didn't even want to speak to him. Part of the answer needed to come from Ina's willingness to talk to him, but if she didn't want to… what then?
"You know, Arthur," Zuri twiddled her fingers together. "I think you should just keep talking to her."
"Did you not hear what I just said?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"No, I did, but it's better to try than not try at all, right?" Zuri gave him a small encouraging smile.
Arthur said nothing in regard to that.
"...One of the big things I've learned is that you should try to talk to someone you're close with about anything," Zuri revealed. "You know, when I aspired to be part of the Dream Palm, my parents were always yelling at my decisions and trying to push me away from my friends."
"So you've mentioned," Arthur nodded.
"And I kept all of that from Hana, my best friend back home," Zuri looked down. "I didn't want her to constantly worry about me or hear what my parents were saying about her, so I always kept quiet. Always acted like nothing was wrong. I never even tried to talk to her about anything."
"But you eventually did?" Arthur sat up.
Zuri nodded with a small smile.
"Well, I was kind of forced to," Zuri smiled before slightly frowning. "Hana overheard a fight I was having and asked about it. That's when I told her and that's when she helped me get everything back in order. Or rather, get me away from my parents and pursue that passion we shared."
Arthur glanced at her thoughtfully.
"My point is, you should at least try to talk to Ina," Zuri suggested. "I mean, no matter how much she pushes you away, eventually she'll give in and give you a chance, right? I mean, that's how Holland and I made up and how he got his second chance."
Arthur rubbed his chin curiously. Then, he looked back at Zuri.
"So just keep visiting her, even though she tells me to go away?" Arthur asked.
"Yeah," Zuri smiled at Arthur.
"What if she never gives me a chance?" he pushed.
"Well, eventually she'll have to," Zuri tapped her chin. "I'd imagined she'd be the type to get annoyed if you keep coming over and over again."
She had a point there. Eventually she'll give in. And then maybe… maybe… just maybe Arthur will finally get the redemption and chance he needed to make up things with his long-lost half-sister.
"...Thank you, Zuri," Arthur glanced at Zuri gratefully.
"Of course," Zuri gave him a small smile.
Sitting up, Arthur prepared to leave with Zuri's words in mind. As for Zuri? She also tried to sit back up as well, feeling the uncomfortable mess of that therapist's chair.
But nevertheless, the two could verily say that a moment with each other was all they needed to get some stuff on their mind sorted out, specifically Arthur's.
A clear indication that Zuri and Arthur have grown closer together!
(Cafeteria)
Would two people actually die this time around?
Would there be some sort of double murder?
Those were the questions that plagued everyone's mind to those that sat in the Cafeteria for a quiet dinner session. Though of course, everyone but Ina, and Arthur, who had gone off to deliver food to Ina's solitary confinement.
Jared was no different to everyone else in the Cafeteria however. He was quiet. He stared at his badge, blinking occasionally. However, each blink forced him to remember. Imagine. Forced him to conjure an illusion that his own badge was covered with the blood of Warren Nizens. The guilt was eating him. And soon it wasn't just Nizens' blood…
He clutched his badge tightly and closed his eyes before smacking it down onto the Cafeteria table.
Then he stood up.
Two actions played one after the other forced everyone in the Cafeteria to glance at him in concern and curiosity. What was it this time? At this point, everyone knew how weird Jared was acting. But could this be the moment that…?
"Guys," Jared merely stated.
The room was dead quiet. They waited for Jared to continue, but it looked as if he was having a little trouble with wording out what he wanted to say. What he wanted to reveal.
"Look, I'm going to be straight with you all," Jared sighed. "I know I've been out of it recently. I know things have been tough. But if I'm being honest, I just…"
Jared trailed off. He gripped his police hat, taking it off and slowly placing it next to his badge.
"...I can't do this anymore," Jared gritted his teeth.
"J-Jared?" Zuri blinked.
"These past few days," Jared took a deep breath. "I thought I could do it. When Titus and Kane were killed, I thought I could prevent it from happening again. I really did. But after Yuumi and Mayu I…"
"Jared, what are you talking about?" Maggie stared at the police officer, sternly.
"Fucking hell, man, don't tell me," Haruto looked at Jared in surprise.
"Yeah," Jared pushed his badge and his police hat toward the end of the table, away from him. "Starting today, I'm stepping down as the leader of the group. I couldn't prevent two more deaths like I wanted and as such, I failed everyone as the designated leader. I failed us."
"No, Jared," Mimi looked at him, slightly teary-eyed at the mention of Yuumi again. Not only that, but she didn't realize how much her death had affected someone like Jared either. "Y-You can't blame yourself for that. It wasn't your fault."
"And yet it was my responsibility to make sure it would never happen again," Jared turned away, his pained expression on his face growing. "I couldn't stop Ina or Mayu. I couldn't save Yuumi. I failed my responsibility and my duty as a leader and a police officer. And because of that, I'm stepping down from that role."
"But Jared–" it was Barracuda's turn to chime in. But the moment he did, the police officer interrupted him.
"This isn't up for debate," Jared said with a small sigh. "I mean it. I'm done. I won't be your leader, but I'll still do everything in my power to make sure no one else bites the dust. And I'll do it alone."
"So that's it then?" Abigail frowned. "You're just going to leave us to ourselves? What happened to working together? What happened to making sure everyone got out together? Do you even hear yourself, Jared? You're literally abandoning us just so you can what? Take on White Collar all by yourself?"
Jared didn't say anything. It seemed like he had placed a lot of thought into his decision and Abigail was definitely not happy with it.
"You're a hypocrite," Abigail folded her arms, annoyed by what was happening. "You decide that you can't lead us and help us and yet you're thinking about doing things alone. What kind of twisted logic is that?"
Jared continued not to say anything. If he had his hat on, he'd totally hide his only noticeable eye right about now. But instead, he turned away from his peers, his face filled with pain and regret by what he was going to do.
"My job as a police officer isn't to make you guys happy," Jared stated. "That was the leader's job. All I can do now is try to make sure no one else dies. Even if it costs me my life."
"Jared you–" Abigail tried to argue but she was held back by Haruto.
"And what about Kane?" Haruto looked disappointed by his cop friend's decision. "You seriously gonna shit on his legacy by stepping down from his role?"
"Go find another to take that place," Jared glumly stated. "As I said, my decision is not up for debate. Either you like it, or you don't."
Haruto said nothing in return. Abigail couldn't say anything. In fact, anything anyone would say to change his mind was not going to cut in. Jared had long made up his mind. He stepped down as the leader. He was going to set off to do things by himself. And he was going to make sure no one died.
Even if it costs him his life…
Jared left the Cafeteria, leaving the room much gloomier than it normally was. Haruto was the first to speak amidst all of that confusion and revelation.
"That bastard," Haruto growled. "Really leaving us all to ourselves now. Who the fuck does that?!"
"...Does that matter anymore?" Holland questioned. "The point now is, we don't even have a leader to take up the mantle and take control of the situation."
"To hell with that!" Haruto exclaimed. "We don't need a fucking leader. We can take care of ourselves!"
"...And if more people die?" Holland asked. "If all-out chaos gets spread within this facility. Who's going to help keep things calm and clean it all up? No, we need a leader… That's how most of us managed to stick together as one."
"Yeah, and what good that did," Haruto grumbled.
"Haruto," Maggie snapped toward the former basketball player in disbelief.
"What?" Haruto looked visibly annoyed. "Jared can say shit like that and I can't. To hell with finding a goddamn leader, is what I'm saying. We don't need one."
"B-But sh-shouldn't we at least have s-someone just so w-we can... b-be..." Carter gulped, a little fearful of what was to come if they did not have someone trying to keep them all together.
"Yeah, but who?" Mimi asked, looking down. "Who should be our leader?"
That was a question for another time. Almost right on cue, that quiet Cafeteria setting now intruded by these perilous thoughts and shocking revelations was quickly interrupted by the voice of one peculiar snake.
"Attention all prisoners," Monohebi announced. "It is now midnight. Curfew hour begins now. As such, all prisoners must report to their confinements. Anyone who is caught outside of their confinements will be punished accordingly. Be sure to review the rules on the Rules App of your Handbook. That is all."
"Guess we'll have to figure that out tomorrow," Maggie sighed. "What a hole we're digging ourselves into…"
"Thanks a lot, Jared," Abigail grumbled to herself as she left her table. Haruto followed her shortly, also similarly disappointed that this was happening.
Disappointment was the perfect word to describe everything. Disappointment that their leader had practically abandoned them all. Disappointment that things were looking dire for their group. Disappointment that deep in their minds, they all knew that things were going to get much, much worse.
One by one everyone left until one remained. One left standing by the Cafeteria where Jared's badge and hat still rested on. Someone named Cassandra, who stared at Jared's two signature objects, feeling equally disappointed that this was happening.
She got her answer as to what was going on with Jared.
…
She never thought she would hate the answer.
Franz Liszt's Mephisto Waltz played through the gramophone in his office. White Collar has done little today except sit back and listen to the music quietly, replaying it ever so often to the beautiful melody that resided in the middle of the piece instead of its intense beginning and end. Swirling his glass of red wine simply, the man in the devil's mask blankly stared against the wall as he let the music dance inside his mind, picking up parts from his memory. Parts of his memory to a simpler time.
He deeply sighed to himself before he felt the presence of Monohebi slithering toward him. Sweet little Monohebi. Always so loyal to him. Always there whenever he needed her. And yet, he cared little of how the snake felt of him. Cared little of why the snake did what she did. Hated the fact that she called him her Master.
He gripped his wine glass tightly.
"What do you need, Monohebi?" White Collar asked, without turning to her, listening to her voice as closely as possible.
"Master," Monohebi tipped her head down.
"Do I have to–" White Collar began before stopping himself, shaking his head. That snake never learns. "Nevermind. Just give me a brief report of why you're within my presence."
"I would have thought you would be aware that today is a very special day," Monohebi sounded a bit disappointed. She slithered a little bit closer. "...For both of us."
White Collar blinked behind his mask. It took him a moment before he remembered what day it was. He set his glass of wine to the side, shut off the gramophone, allowing the disk to spin until it slowed down to a stop and turned to look at his snake companion.
"...Is it that day already?" White Collar asked. "...I apologize. I've been so… distracted as of late."
"With these kids, no doubt," Monohebi nodded. "I understand, Master."
White Collar stared down at the snake, who had coiled herself up, waiting for the grand moment of her announcement to her Master. He leaned against his cane before squatting down and patting her on the head.
"Are you ready Master?" Monohebi asked.
"...Yes," White Collar nodded, slowly taking off the mask he constantly wore. Looking into his real eyes, Monohebi tipped her head.
"Say the words," Monohebi ordered.
"...Activate Command #106," White Collar nodded.
Monohebi blacked out.
…
The moment she opened her eyes, she could see her Master's face riddle with tears. He sat back against the bookshelf, holding the mask and carefully caressing it. Monohebi knew that the command had worked. This was the exact result that would happen every time the command was activated.
Slithering up to her Master's shoulders, she rested her head onto it, flicking her tongue ever so softly against her Master's cheek.
"Happy Anniversary, Master," Monohebi announced. "Thank you for giving me a purpose and a place to stay."
"Thank you for helping me with everything," White Collar merely responded.
"To another year, then?" Monohebi asked.
"To another year," White Collar slowly nodded.
Sweet little Monohebi. Always so loyal to him. Always there whenever he needed her. And yet, he had a thought. After this Killing Game, would he even need her again? Would he still allow her to be by his side after these kids die? White Collar wasn't sure.
But what he was sure was that he was going to need her for the entirety of this Killing Game.
He placed his mask back over his head, the eyes glinting red as he petted Monohebi on the head. His voice distorted to that British accent fixated within the headwear as he glanced off to the distance… to that framed picture by the bookshelf on the other side.
"...To another year…" White Collar spoke behind his mask.
DANGANRONPA: CORRUPTED HOPE
Oh man! Finally! After so long, the next Daily Life part for Chapter 3 is finally out!
First off, I apologize for the extremely long wait. A lot has been happening personally. I was busy with finals. Busy with a lot of personal stuff. And now that I'm back home with family, my schedule has been totally outta whack, so I had little time to actually focus on and write for this! Hopefully that won't be the case for the future chapters D:
Also hoping that things are still consistent and seem fine story-wise. With a long two-month break, it's possible I probably forgot some minor details or maybe something might seem off here or there writing-wise and if that's the case, do not hesitate to let me know! I'll get to fixing it as soon as possible and hoping things will be a little smoother from here on out! Chapter 3 will have some interesting things and of course... The Trial! DX Haven't even bloody finished that yet or even gotten to a point where I think it looks pretty damn good!
Also, pacing for this chapter might be a little off so I apologize for that. This author's note is nothing but apologies but hey, at least it's updated and we will get to see more of White Collar, Monohebi, and friends who will be killed off sometime ;D
Do leave me reviews, let me know what you think, and of course, if I need to change anything regarding your characters. With that said, hope you look forward to the future and what is next to come ;D
Prisoners Remaining: 12
Abigail Ellsworth - The Ultimate Equestrian (oddlyillregular)
Arthur Kingston - The Ultimate Snowboarder (SinWriter7)
Barracuda - The Ultimate Personal Trainer (Weekaro)
Carter Franklin - The Ultimate Opinion Columnist (armadas)
Cassandra Mura - The Ultimate ? (ExtraMeme)
Haruto Walker - The Ultimate Former Basketball Player (theotakureader101)
Holland Delaney - The Ultimate Game Designer (Sempi)
Ina (Hamamura) Kingston - The Ultimate Revolutionary (VividIsSleeping)
Jared Ceartas - The Ultimate Police Officer (Otterplay)
Maggie LaDroubi - The Ultimate Supermodel (Project Drama)
Mimi Kazoo - The Ultimate Fairytale Writer (Idraegan)
Zuri Auraline - The Ultimate Bassist (CandleFire45)