Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. So yeah, so far, my goal to do daily updates isn't up to fruition as of yet. Wasn't really expecting that to be easy, but I was hoping to at least be finished in two weeks. Not near four months.
(Sigh) Ah well. Just need to keep trying, and figure out an update/writing method that will work for me. Anyway, this chapter is shorter than usual, just so I can post this as soon as I can, and get back into the writing flow (Hopefully). I hope you'll still enjoy it, despite the shortness.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa.
Chapter 70: Watching Chapter 4: All Star Apologies Part 4
The next morning, Makoto entered the dining hall as usual. There, he saw Sakura, Hina, Hiro, and Toko. The sight of Toko stopped him in his tracks as he was surprised that she was there at all.
The present students were also surprised by the sighting of the writing prodigy. "Um, am I seeing things, or is Toko actually in the dining hall?" Hiro asked in shock.
"Nope, I'm seeing the same thing dude." Leon replied, rubbing his eyes just to make sure.
"What are you s-staring at…?" Toko asked defensively
"Oh, Toko…?" Makoto replied, voicing his surprise.
"What, you think y-your eyes will rot just by l-looking at me?" The writer questioned, shrinking. "Fine, then DON'T l-look at me!"
"I think he's surprised to see you at the breakfast meeting, is all…" Hiro pointed out with a sigh.
"What is Miss Fukawa doing there?" Hifumi inquired curiously. "I doubt she had any off-screen character development during the night."
"20 bucks that it has something to do with Byakuya." Junko deduced.
"But Byakuya isn't here." Taka pointed out.
"Doesn't mean it doesn't have anything to do with him."
"Indeed." Sakura nodded in agreement. "It's been quite a while since you joined us."
"Yeah, what made you change your mind?" Hina inquired.
"Byakuya said he… l-likes a girl to have some meat on her bones, so…" Toko giggled.
"Called it." Junko chimed.
"Did he really say something like that, though?" Hiro wondered. "Or did he just insult her weight or something?"
"I'm placing a bet on the latter, if it is not one of Toko's messed up fantasies." Leon remarked. "Really doubt Byakuya would give her advice like that."
"No, I would not." The heir himself agreed.
"I'm g-gonna start eating! I'm gonna force it d-down into my stomach! I'm gonna eat till I d-drop!"
"I refuse to l-lose!" Hina exclaimed in response.
That got some snorts and eye rolls from the students. "For someone who gets embarrassed at being called a big eater, you sure do live up to the title." Junko teased, getting a blush and pout from Hina.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you…" Sakura advised.
"Well, other than that…" Makoto spoke up, changing the subject. "It looks like Kyoko isn't here."
That earned the attention of everyone. "Wha- Hiro's right." Hina said, now noticing the absent detective. "Where is she?"
"Oh, she said she'd come by later." Hiro informed him.
"Later…?" The luckster turned to the fortune teller in confusion.
"Yeah. After you leave."
Slowly, everyone processed what Hiro had just said. Then, they slowly turned towards Kyoko with blank looks or baffled ones. The detective herself looked away from everyone, her cheeks actually burning in embarrassment.
"You're avoiding him?" Leon asked incredulously. "You're seriously avoiding him? Just straight out shunning him?"
"Are you fucking serious right now?" Mondo asked blankly.
"I… that's…" Hina stammered out, struggling to find the words how shocked and upset she's feeling right now.
"But…" Hiro spoke up, confused. "Isn't Kyoko supposed to be the mature one here?"
"That's what I thought too…" Hifumi murmured, also confused.
And just like that, Makoto's head dropped down in depression. 'She's not even trying to hide it anymore…' He groaned.
"No kidding…" Junko snorted, amused by Kyoko's childish actions. "She's really taking Makoto's refusal personally."
"And this is the girl who admonished Makoto for being so emotionally open…" Byakuya remarked, honestly disappointed by the detective's action. Kyoko is one of the few people that gain some modicum of respect from him, yet she's doing the exact same thing his future self is doing, for such petty reasons.
"Why… is your future self treating him so harshly?" That question came from Mukuro, who looked positively frustrated. Her hands clenched tightly on her knees, while her eyes dilated in anger. "He trusts you, sees you as an ally and friend, only feels worried about you, and only wants your trust back. Yet the one time he kept something to himself, the only time he refused to be open, you act like he's been using you the entire time?!"
How could her classmates treat Makoto like this? Sayaka tried to frame him, future and present Mondo punched him out of anger, both Hiros tried to sell his organ… and now Kyoko, whose bond with the luckster makes her envious, is unjustly giving him the cold shoulder. Over something that she has done multiple times.
Why do they take someone like Makoto for granted? Why can't they treat him better?
Kyoko, who managed to recover her neutral look out of sheer will, could only look forward under the questions or looks. Honestly, she couldn't answer any of the questions without revealing her emotions. It's just taking this much to keep up her cool facade.
"I know I said she wanted you to show some backbone, but you didn't need to show her THAT much!" Hina admonished Makoto. "You're dirty, Makoto! Dirty! President Dirty of Dirtlandia!"
Hina's words earned several blank looks and facepalms. "Why am I not surprised?" Byakuya groaned.
"I honestly forgot about Hina's assumption after the trial…" Celeste sighed in annoyance.
The mentioned swimmer could only blush in embarrassment, feeling slightly guilty for what her future self is assuming.
"You don't understand…!" Makoto protested.
"You're the type who takes the stairs of love three steps at a time, aren't you?!" Hina accused him of.
"I'm telling you, it's not like that!"
"Seriously, Hina…" Leon groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. "I know you have no clue about the situation between them, but still…"
"I know!" The swimmer groaned, covering her face in embarrassment. "Sorry, Makoto!"
"It's fine, Hina…" The lucky student waved off with a small smile. "Like Leon said, you don't know the story."
"J-Just shut up already, Hina…!" Toko hissed at her. "You've been running your f-filthy mouth like that all m-morning…"
"Filthy? ME?!" Hina exclaimed in shock.
Toko's words caused several eyes to widen, especially Hina's. "Toko!" Taka shouted in shock and admonishment. "That's extremely rude of you!"
"Should we really be surprised?" Mondo retorted, despite looking surprised himself. "I mean, this is Toko we're talking about here, man."
"G-Guess it's been a while since we've heard an insult from her…" Chihiro replied with a slight stutter.
Meanwhile, Sakura's upper face started darkening slightly.
"Don't m-make me repeat m-myself…" The writer grumbled.
"I'm not filthy!"
"It's n-no use denying it." Toko snickered, an incorrigible grin crawling up her face. "We can all s-see how disgusting you are…"
"Sh-Shut up…!" Hina stuttered, a massive blush crawling up her face.
"You and that lusty body of yours…" Toko breathed out. "Night after night, you go out for your illicit c-club meetings…"
Like with poor future Hina, several classmates began blushing at Toko's words. Chihiro, Makoto, Sayaka, and Taka are the worst off, all four of them heavily blushing, while Mondo and Leon have light blushes.
Celeste, Mukuro, and Kyoko have blank looks on their faces, while a disgusted look enters Byakuya's face. Hifumi is having the time of his life, whereas Hiro just looked uncomfortable. Junko herself also had to hold back from giggling.
And Hina herself? She has a blush as bad as her future self, with her body shaking from embarrassment. Toko was also shaking, but it was out of fear rather than embarrassment, seeing the ever growing dark look from Sakura.
"I don't wanna hear it. I don't wanna hear it. I don't wanna hear it!" She repeated to herself in agony.
"H-Hey, knock it off." The swimmer pleaded weakly. "I can't deal with dirty stuff like that…"
"Your m-midnight sextracurricular activities only put us in e-even more danger…!" The writer giggled out, a blush covering her own face.
"S-Stop it…" Hina continued pleading, looking ready to either crawl in a hole or pass out.
"I-I agree." Taka stuttered out, looking extremely embarrassed for Hina. "This is sexual harassment at this point. Shouldn't somebody stop Toko by now?"
"I'm pretty sure everyone's just stunned by what Toko is saying…" Leon said, looking away from the screen. "Otherwise, I'm pretty sure Sakura would've said something by now."
"I would…" The martial artist herself growled, causing the writer to shake even more.
"I-I hope she does s-soon…" Hina stuttered out, wrapping her arms around herself tightly as she shook. "I really can't handle dirty stuff…"
"I don't b-blame you Hina…" Sayaka replied, burying herself in Makoto's arm. Dirty comments like that is something she probably won't get used to, especially ones from Toko.
"You'd like me to s-stop, wouldn't you? Your sweaty h-hands gripping the big, fat chalk t-tight…" At this point, the writing prodigy was leaning towards the swimmer from within her chair breathing heavily. "Going for all that e-extra credit… your screams are like the s-screech of a violated blackboard!"
"Oh my…" Hifumi said, mouth open and almost drooling. "Miss Fukawa's fantasy is really intense."
"P-P-Poor Hina…" Chihiro whimpered. He couldn't imagine how he would react if he was in her shoes.
"And…! And!" She then leaned back, as if she pushed or shoved. "Ah! I-It's amazing! Indecent ideas are c-coming to me one after another!"
Hina let out her own whimper, her face beet red at this point. This is almost as bad as when she first met Teruteru at the dining hall! Thank goodness Sakura was there, or she probably would've fainted in pure embarrassment.
Said martial artist let a growl of protective anger. "Toko…"
"Future me! F-F-Future me!" Toko immediately cried out. "Please don't kill me!"
Slowly, Sakura calmed herself. However, she still had a fierce look in her eyes. "Make sure that you don't make the same mistake your future self is making…" The book writer nodded her head rapidly at that.
A slam was then heard from the table. "So, would you rather have your black eye on the left or the right?" Sakura growled, standing up from her seat.
"Hyeeeh!" Toko screamed in fear, quickly losing her aroused look. "S-Sorry, sorry, sorry!"
"Let's leave Toko alone." Hiro advised. "She's gone a little… funny from all her pent-up frustration."
"That's an understatement." Leon snorted, trying to shake off the second-hand embarrassment. "Seriously, do I need to start throwing baseballs at you now Toko?"
That earned a glare from the girl. "Y-You wouldn't d-dare!"
In response, the redhead raised an eyebrow and slowly lifted a ball…
"O-Okay! You would!" Toko immediately backtracked. "S-Sorry, sorry, sorry!"
"Anyway, you and Kyoko need to make up already, ya know?"
"Y-Yeah, I know…" Makoto sighed. 'I mean, of course I want things to get better as soon as possible.'
"But that's easier said than done." Celeste remarked, sounding cold yet dry at the same time. "After all, Kyoko is being the childish one here."
"I really hope that she can make up with him soon." Chihiro said, looking down sadly. "I don't like seeing them so distant."
"It's Kyoko that needs to take those steps and let go of this grudge." Taka stated, disapproval coloring his tone. "After all, it's her that's refusing to mend bridges with Makoto."
It's the testament to the detective's will power that she kept on her iron-clad mask for the most part. Inwardly however, she is very upset. She hates it. Hates how obviously petty and emotional she's behaving; hates how she's letting those emotions cloud her judgement; hates how she's treating Makoto through all this.
All of this is really gnawing at her heart, and straining the mask she spent years developing.
'But with everything that's been going on, I haven't had a chance to talk to her about what I saw…' He turned his eyes towards Sakura. 'Before anything, I need to talk to Sakura about it.'
The martial artist in question, after calming down, could only look down guiltily, her hands clenched tightly on her lap. She knows that the others said that it isn't her fault, and logically, that knows that it's at least partially true.
However, it is thanks to her future's self decision that led Makoto in this tough spot. That led to the rift between him and Kyoko. Hopefully, once Makoto talks to her future self, she can take it upon herself to solve the issue between them.
"U-Um… Sakura?" Makoto called out nervously, getting the martial artist's attention.
"What is it?" She inquired simply.
"Can you make some time later?" The luckster requested. "I was hoping I could talk to you."
"So you're finally gonna talk with her about what you witnessed?" Byakuya mused, eyes narrowed. "It should be interesting, to say the least."
"Hopefully, things will get resolved once Makoto talks with Sakura." Chihiro said, looking nervous yet hopeful. "Maybe he can tell Kyoko what he saw and make up with her."
"That is if the amnesiac detective doesn't decide to continue acting petty and ignore him." Celeste remarked, her red eyes narrowed at Kyoko. "That's still a possibility."
At this point, said detective had to close her eyes and take a deep breath in order to keep herself calm. Still, she can't deny the idea that that will happen. In fact, that probably would happen.
"If she does, I'm sure my future self will step in and help them reconcile." Sakura cut in, her voice firm. "I won't let their bond be severed due to a mistake of my own."
"Ah!" Hina's eyes widen, the fading blush now returning. "Now that Kyoko's dumped him, Makoto's trying to win Sakura's heart!"
"Are you in h-heat, Makoto?" Toko accused the luckster of. "Don't care who they a-are as long as they've g-got the right equipment?"
"Watch out, Sakura! Makoto's transformed into a wild beast!" Hina warned her friend. "Prime Minister Wild Beast of Beastopia!"
The statements earned several groans, eye rolls, and even a few irritated growls, with both Hina and Makoto beet red in embarrassment.
"Damn it, Hina…" Mondo growled out in irritation. "How the hell did you jump to that conclusion?"
"Miss Oogami would probably just snap him in half if he tried." Hifumi pointed out.
"Girl, you got your mind way into the gutters…" Junko sighed, trying not to giggle.
"Both her and Toko…" Hiro stated, sighing himself.
"It would probably be funny if the situation isn't so annoying…" Leon huffed.
"Uggh... I'm SO embarrassed!" Hina cried while shrinking into her chair.
"Why is this happening to me…?" The luckster couldn't help but moan.
"I'm so sorry, Makoto!"
"I-It's fine, Hina! Really!" Makoto waved off once more, trying to shake off his own blush. "I know you don't mean any harm!"
"Can our talk wait till tomorrow?" Sakura requested, getting the attention of the others. "I'd like to get some rest today. For some reason, I've been feeling worn down these last few days."
Immediately, some of the students were concerned for the martial artist. "You think it's because of the fight she has with Monokuma?" Leon inquired.
"Probably." Celeste answered, her eyes narrowed. "I'm amazed that she was able to leave that fight without any sort of punishment. The bear had made it clear that he won't allow any sort of rule-breaking multiple times already."
"Guess it really shows how strong Sakura really is." Makoto stated, though a frown was on his face. "Monokuma must've got some hits in though if she's still feeling bad…"
"Yeah." Hina agreed, biting her lips nervously. "You really shouldn't do stuff like that, Sakura. I know you're strong, but still…"
"I know, Hina." Sakura said, giving an apologetic look. "I'm sorry for worrying you. For worrying all of you." She said the last statement to the rest of her concerned classmates.
"It's fine, Sakura." Taka spoke for the group. "Let just hope your future self will be more careful from now on."
"We can only hope."
"Huh?" Immediately, a concerned look entered Hina's face. "Are you sick? Did you get hurt?"
"No, nothing serious." Sakura waved off the concern. "I've just had some minor aches and pains."
'Huh?' Makoto thought curiously. 'Is that from…?' A flashback of the stare-down between Monokuma and Sakura was briefly shown. 'It must be because of that battle…'
"Exactly how powerful is Monokuma?" Taka mused. "Did he fight Sakura through the use of various traps and weapons around the school? Or was it pure physical combat?"
"Maybe it was both." Sayaka suggested. "We did see them exchange blows after all."
"And Monokuma did say that his controls are much more complex than that of NASA…" Chihiro hummed in thought. "So it isn't too far-fetched."
"But it must be pretty bad if you have to go rest." Hina remarked, still concerned. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm sure a protein shake and some sleep will get me back on my feet." Sakura assured her friend.
That got the swimmer nodding. "That's true, protein is good for all kinds of stuff!"
"You guys, like, worship protein." Hiro sighed. "It's like your god or something…"
"No kidding…" Mondo snorted, with some nodding or making different sounds of agreement. That got a pout from Hina while Sakura paid no mind to the comments.
"Makoto!" Quickly, the swimmer turned towards the luckster. "I dunno what it is you wanna talk to Sakura about, but save it for tomorrow! She's in pain!"
"Y-Yeah, I got it…" Makoto stated, holding his hands up in surrender.
"Sorry…" Sakura apologized.
"Well, for now… let's eat!" Hiro said, changing the subject.
"E-Eat? I'm kinda n-nervous…" Toko said, shifting in her chair.
"Huh? How come?" The fortune teller inquired.
"Cuz… I don't usually… e-eat in front of other p-people." Toko stated. "Ever since I w-was a kid, I'd… eat b-by myself."
"What about your family?"
"Oh, well y-yeah." The writer merely shrugged. "I used to live with my d-dad, my mom, and my m-mom."
"...Your dad, your mom, and your… what now?" Leon asked blankly.
"L-Like future me s-said, I live with my dad and both my moms." Toko replied with a shrug.
That earned her several blank, baffled, or concerned looks before slowly, everyone turned back to the screen. They do NOT need to know the details!
"You had… two moms?" Hiro repeated, baffled.
"What? That's just how th-things were…" Toko replied defensively.
"That's, like, a serious issue!" The clairvoyant cried out.
"Just let it go." Hina advised. "You're asking for trouble getting involved with her more than you have to."
"Definitely." Stated several students across the room. That earned a withered glare from the writer herself.
"A-And what's that s-supposed to mean?!"
"It means you got a messed up childhood that none of us want the details to." Leon deadpanned. Toko's glare was then solely directed at the baseball star.
"No one asked you!"
"You kinda did. Just now"
"Sh-Shut up!"
"How d-dare you speak to me with that d-digusting mouth of yours…" Toko retorted back.
"S-Stop saying stuff like that!" Hina stammered out, her blush returning.
"Toko…"
"Future me! Future me!" Toko cried out once more, curling up into a ball. "I have no control over what my future self is saying!"
"You better not say similar things to Hina in the future." The martial warned. "Whether or not I'm here. Otherwise…" She left the threat hanging, making the writer gulp and shiver in fear.
"A-Anyway…" Makoto spoke up, before an argument could happen. "I'm gonna go ahead and eat. If I don't, Kyoko will never show up."
"Pretty miserable situation, man." Hiro sighed in sympathy. The luckster could laugh awkwardly.
The reminder of Makoto's and Kyoko's current situation caused the mood to dim once more. "Kyoko better stop with this shit and make up with Makoto!" Mondo growled in annoyance.
"No kidding." Leon huffed. "Seriously, this whole thing is stupid! It's not like Makoto outright refused her like she did. Multiple times."
Sayaka hasn't said anything about Kyoko avoiding Makoto. But the darkened, along with the tightened grip on the luckster's arm, said a lot.
How can Kyoko, the same person who admonished her for betraying Makoto, act like such a… such a CHILD?!
She can't fathom a guess, at least not while she's furious. But one thing's for sure; she, like everyone, hopes that it will end soon.
And that's the end. Sorry for the chapter for being much shorter than usual, and if it's not up to par. But like I said before, I want to get it out soon, and hopefully get back my writing flow. Until then, expect at least some of these chapters to be shorter than usual. I don't plan on it to happen, but it'll probably end up that way.
Also, thanks for the positive feedback you guys have been giving me. Even the bit of criticism I received doesn't feel hateful. While I do like writing this fic, the abundance of reviews does help me push on, I will admit. So, review, favorite, and follow, check out my blog Galactic Media, and I will see you guys later.
