Preface (Part 2): The Goddess
Warning!
This is a Danganronpa Fic, so expect dark and serious themes! But also fun and whimsical themes! Enjoy!
Asher walked through a small forest trail. His home was fairly detached from the big roads, but he didn't mind it. He liked being nestled in his own little cozy cove. Besides, this was his father's old home. He couldn't just abandon it. He already lost the film studio to a mysterious buyer, so he doesn't want to lose this too. Too many memories at risk.
"Dad…" Asher muttered out loud to no one. He had a habit of doing that.
Asher John Sr. was a renowned filmmaker in these parts. Short films, feature-length films, you name it. He made it all. He had amassed his own cult following, even earning the "Ultimate Filmmaker" title some 40 or so years ago. Asher Sr. was notably special among filmmakers, as he always collaborated with his fans for ideas. In his mind, himself and his fans were the collective "Ultimate Filmmaker." He loved his fans a lot.
And Asher Sr. enjoyed his profession a lot, especially when his son would help him. Asher John Jr. was a fan of his father's work ever since he was introduced to it. Even after his passing, Asher constantly watched his father's works. He couldn't move on that easily.
But he entered his late father's home after another stressful day at work. Asher Sr. had always supported his son's dreams, even when he revealed he didn't want to go into filmmaking. Asher Sr. didn't mind. He just wanted his son to be happy.
Well…
How could he be happy now? His father was gone. Taken from him by that… that damn… bitch.
Asher quickly looked around guiltily, like he was afraid someone would reprimand him for swearing, even though it was all internal.
Asher was always kind to those around him. That was a lesson he was taught by his father. But something about her just makes him so mad.
He didn't know why or how she got admitted to where he worked. He was told Dr. Agata had something to do with it. But he didn't care. It gave him an opportunity to relieve some of the trauma he got from the incident. He knows that their plan for her is extremely inhumane. But again, he didn't care. It was revenge that she deserved.
She deserves it.
She deserves it.
She deserves it.
Asher repeated those affirmations in his head every day he worked with her. He was confident in those too. Right?
He knew what she did was wrong. He knew it was horrible. But every time he looks at her face…
She just looks like a normal girl. A normal girl who is lost and confused in the world. But no. Asher knows it's an act. That's what she does. And what she did.
Asher will always remember the fear and anxiety he felt that day. From the breaking and shattering glass all the way to the mind-numbing explosions. Then that moment when the police told him the news will always haunt him. The words they told him…
"Asher John Sr. died in the explosion."
He still hears those words in his sleep. He felt like he'd never get rid of those echoing words. But everyday he works with the patient, those words get quieter and quieter. He felt so horrible saying this. But everyday he sees her suffer little by little slowly makes him feel better. Those words ever so slowly drift away from his mind.
That's why he continues doing this. So people like her won't reign in this world.
"She even called herself the "Goddess of Fame." How full of yourself can you be?" Asher once against muttered out loud. People would assume he's a little crazy if they heard him talking to himself like this.
Asher shook himself out of his trance and went to his backyard. It's where… his father was buried. He approached the lone tombstone nestled in a small grove of trees in his backyard. He knelt down at the tombstone.
"Hey dad. Just wanted to give you an update. We- Or uh- I lost the film studio. The one you had for 25 years. I know it meant a lot to you. But the buyer bought it for a lot! Mr. Yuto said the buyer wanted to stay anonymous. But they reassured him that they were going to use it for some sort of show. I think they said it'd be about "throwing people into an exciting game full of twists and turns." That sounds exciting right?"
Asher Sr. didn't respond. It's not like he could respond in the first place anyway.
"But I'm sure the studio is in good hands. Mr. Yuto is trustworthy too. You knew him right? He's a good guy. So… I'm sorry. But I'm sure it'll work out!"
Asher Sr. stayed silent. If he were still here though, he'd be smiling.
"Well, I guess that's all I have to update you on today. I always like talking to you, dad! I… I love you. I love you so much. I miss you. I still want you here so badly. I want your advice. I want your guidance. I want your jokes. I just want you back so badly."
Asher couldn't hold back his sobs as he talked to his father. This happens every time he talks to him. He can't help it. He…
He just wanted to hug his dad one more time. But… she ruined that. She took that away from him. His anger evaporated his tears like a sun to water.
"She ruined everything. She ruined my life. She crushed my dreams." Asher muttered with his head down on the ground.
"Dad… don't worry. I'll get revenge for you. Me, Mr. Nakata, Dr. Yokomizi, and Dr. Agata. We'll get revenge for you. We'll show the "Goddess of Fame" that she can't abuse her power. She won't ruin any more lives. We'll mend her ways. Trust me."
...
...
...
"Trust me."
"Seriously? You just want me to "trust you"?!"
"Yes. Trust in me Yukari. Trust that everything will work out alright."
"Zenkichi, are you serious? This is the millionth time you've came home from work a whole 6 hours late, and you give me no reason! You seriously just want me to "trust you"?!"
Mr. Nakata, or calling him by his full name, Zenkichi Nakata, had just came home late from work. He works exhausting day after exhausting day, just to further his goal with her. Though Zenkichi's wife, Yukari, isn't having it. And they were having another one of their daily fights.
Yukari Nakata was a renowned chess grandmaster. She had natural talent from a young age and quickly moved her way up in the chess world.
Only recently did she suffer her first ever loss. It was at the hands of their daughter...
Yuri Nakata.
"Zenkichi. Please just listen to me. Please just stay here. Stay with me. I'm scared Zenkichi." Yukari implored her husband.
Zenkichi didn't relent though.
"Yukari, you must understand. You need to understand the importance of our work. The "Goddess of Fame" must change. And we can do that! We are so close!"
"I don't care how close you are! What you're doing to that girl is inhumane! Don't you have a conscience?! How you can stand doing those things to her?!" Yukari snapped back.
"Come now Yukari, do you not know what she did? Do know what she did to our daughter?! Yuri is gone! Taken from us by that witch! My morals are gone. This is what she deserves."
"Zenkichi! Listen to yourself! You sound like a madman! And of course I know what she did! I know that our daughter is gone! I know that she did it! How could I not?! But what you're doing is ridiculous!"
"If you know then why fight with me? I'm giving us what we want! Her even being here is an amazing opportunity. We can get revenge, and we can-"
*SLAP*
Zenkichi was cut off by the sting of his wife's hand across his face.
"You're crazy. You're insane. You aren't the man I fell in love with. I need to be alone for a while. I need to leave." Yukari started to walk away.
Zenkichi knew he should leave it there, but he just couldn't fathom why Yukari didn't understand what he was doing. He was doing this for them!
"Fine. Leave then. Yuri already left me, it makes no difference if you do too."
Yukari turned back around after that remark. Yukari had a hauntingly blank look on her face. She stepped back over to him and...
*SLAP*
Another slap.
"How DARE you say that to me. I'm done. I'm done with you. Get your head out of your ass! Stop being a selfish lunatic! You psycho!"
This time, Yukari stormed off before Zenkichi could offer any more curt and heinous remarks.
Zenkichi watched through the window as Yukari got into her car and drove away.
"I..." Zenkichi muttered out loud to no one. Zenkichi and Asher definitely share one habit at least.
Realistically, he knew he should apologize. But his pride wouldn't allow it. He thought Yukari would understand. The sheer weight of the opportunity that having the "Goddess of Fame" with them provides is just too much to deny. Zenkichi meant what he said earlier. His morals were gone. She took away his little girl. She'll feel his wrath, no matter what.
Zenkichi slowly walked towards Yuri's room. Well, more like her old room. It's not like anyone would be using it anymore. Everything was left untouched. It was exactly the same as when she left the house for the last time. Zenkichi gazed at her favorite chess set.
Yukari and Yuri loved playing together. Yuri was a natural prodigy, just like her mother. Something she definitely inherited from Yukari. Zenkichi will always remember that day when Yuri beat her mother in chess for the first time. It was widely televised.
"Worldclass Grandmaster Yukari Nakata Loses?!?!"
"Grandmaster Yukari Nakata loses to newly anointed Ultimate Chess Player?!?!"
It was a headline on every local newspaper and news station he saw. So many people, plenty of which who were fans of Yukari, instantly started calling her a "failure" and a "disgrace" among other things.
But if anything, Yukari was overjoyed as the news. For one, it did take some pressure off of her as the so-called unbeatable grandmaster. But the main reason why she was happy was that her daughter was happy.
Yuri had earned the "Ultimate Chess Player" title a mere 3 weeks ago at the time. And the smile that graced Yuri's face after she beat her mother for the first time would always stick with Zenkichi and Yukari both. But...
That was the last time they saw her smile.
Zenkichi looked away from Yuri's chess set and looked longingly at a school picture of her framed on the wall.
"Yuri... My sweet girl... You shouldn't have had to suffer such a fate. You didn't deserve it. I'm sorry I failed you as a father. But you don't have to worry. I'll make sure you can rest easy. That "Goddess of Fame" won't get away with this. Trust me."
...
...
...
"Trust me."
"Hm? Trust you?"
"Indeed. I implore that you trust me. Trust me when I say… I will make your dreams come true. So look upon it!"
The two figures stood silent, gazing up at a large film studio.
"Asher J.'s Movie and Media Studio? Good choice. I've always wanted to be here."
"I am of course aware of that. That's why I purchased it for us. Purchased it for you. This pleases you correct?"
"It does please me. But... Hm."
"Is something the matter?"
"Nothing. I just want to make sure everything is ready. Where are the 16 of them?"
"Arrangements have been made to transfer them here. You needn't worry, they'll all arrive here soon.
"Very good. What about the cameras?"
"All of them are set up. Ah, I read through your documents and saw your plan about the hidden cameras, so those have been set up as well."
"Good, thank you. Lastly, what about the uh- contraptions?"
"Contraptions? Ah, I know what you mean. Again, you needn't worry my dear. All of them are ready."
"Okay. Then I believe that's everything. And I think it's about time.
"About time?"
...
...
...
"It's about time for Pheme, The Goddess of Fame, to debut!"
Heyo! I'm back again with a little update!
I hope you enjoyed the new story bits!
And I also am here to announce the official deadline! The official deadline for submissions will be:
July 4th! You got two months!
The very latest I'll accept a submission is July 3rd at 11:59 pm CDT!
But if you do need an extension, just pm me about it!
That's all I have for now! I hope you enjoyed, and I hope you have a good day/afternoon/night!
Don't get crushed under the weight of fame darlings!
