Chapter 1: First Blood
Episode 5: FREE TIME EVENT!
WARNING: MENTIONS OF S**C*D*
Noriko and Sho arrived at his house, the faint creak of the gate barely audible under their soft footsteps. Sho pulled out his key, unlocked the door, and stepped inside, with Noriko close behind.
The house greeted them with an eerie silence. Their shoes tapped against the wooden floor, echoing faintly as they climbed the stairs. Their breaths were quiet but heavy with tension. At the top of the staircase, they halted, standing side by side in the dimly lit hallway.
"What... the... hell…?" they muttered in unison, their voices low and tinged with confusion.
From beneath the bedroom door, a concentrated crimson-red gas seeped out, curling along the floorboards like tendrils of mist. It glowed faintly, writhing and twisting as if alive, inching forward with an almost predatory grace. Judging by how far it had spread, it had only recently been released, the source still hidden behind the closed door.
"What is this?" Sho asked, his voice uneasy.
Noriko took a cautious step closer, squinting as she studied the gas. "This... isn't normal. Not even by Danganronpastandards." She tugged absentmindedly at her braid, her mind racing. "We should get out of—"
Before she could finish, a familiar high-pitched voice broke the tension.
"MOI?!"
Monokuma burst onto the scene, appearing out of nowhere.
"Gah!" Noriko jumped back in surprise.
Sho, startled but recovering quickly, "You nearly gave me a heart attack, you outdated, walking disaster! You look like someone put a teddy bear through a garbage compactor and then tried to make it sassy!"
His ad hominem attack was so scathing, so precise, that Monokuma froze mid-laugh, staggered, and then toppled over dramatically, clutching his chest as if he'd suffered a heart attack.
Noriko blinked, utterly baffled. "Uhh… did you just short-circuit him?" she asked, trying to make sense of what she'd just witnessed. "I don't even get how roasting someone that hard can do that."
Sho shrugged defensively. "It was in the heat of the moment, okay? That glorified stuffed mistake caught me off guard, and all my pent-up feelings about this monster just… came out."
"At least you didn't try to tackle him again like you did earlier," Noriko said with a wry grin.
"Don't remind me," Sho muttered, rolling his eyes.
Their banter was cut short when a faint trace of the crimson gas wafted toward them. It slipped into their noses, causing them to cough violently.
As they struggled to catch their breath, Monokuma sprang back to life, looking thoroughly annoyed. "I was going to explain that this gas is harmless," he grumbled, glaring at Sho. "But you, you obnoxious racer, are officially on my list!"
Sho raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Monokuma waved his stubby paw dismissively. "Anyway, this is just the Refreshment Gas! BAM! There, I'm done with you two!" With that, he vanished as abruptly as he'd arrived.
"Refreshment Gas?" Noriko echoed, coughing again. "But isn't it supposed to—" She paused, realizing Monokuma was gone. "And... he's gone. Great."
Sho let out a frustrated sigh. "Typical Monokuma."
"Anyways, there's no need to ask, 'Should we believe in Monokuma?'" Noriko said, crossing her arms. "He wants us to kill each other, not get killed without any complexity."
"So… it's harmless?" Sho asked, his tone skeptical.
"Probably. Though I wouldn't put it past him to throw in some annoying side effects," Noriko replied, eyeing the creeping gas. "Still, it's a bigger risk to let it keep spreading. We should seal off wherever it's coming from in that room."
"I'll handle it," Sho said, stepping forward. "You can go."
"Are you sure?" Noriko asked, hesitation flickering in her voice.
Sho waved her off. "Noriko, if I can walk from the school all the way here without collapsing, I think I can handle covering up a gas leak in a few minutes."
"If you say so," Noriko replied, her brow furrowed. "But don't push yourself too hard. Get some rest after this."
"Sure thing," Sho said, smirking faintly. "Oh, and don't forget—our meeting is tomorrow."
"Right," Noriko said, pausing before realization hit. "Wait… we didn't pick a time or place."
Sho chuckled lightly. "How about 12:00 PM in one of the piano rooms? Room B-6 sound good?"
"Done," Noriko said with a small nod. "See you there."
Noriko left the house, the creak of the door behind her barely registering in her ears. As she walked back toward the school, she noticed the others dispersing, their figures retreating into the distance. The meeting had clearly ended without her.
With a quiet sigh, Noriko turned on her heel and made her way back home.
She dropped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts drifted back to Sho. His behavior gnawed at her. He'd insisted on dealing with the gas himself, but his earlier exhaustion had seemed genuine. And yet, he'd brushed it off so casually.
It was inconsistent. Suspicious, even.
Noriko frowned, running her fingers through her braid. It wasn't enough to draw any concrete conclusions—it was all circumstantial, after all. But something about it didn't sit right with her. Her instincts whispered that there was more to Sho's actions than he let on.
Shaking off the unease, she sat up and grabbed her Monopad from the desk. If her gut was right, there might be something in the other students' profiles worth revisiting.
Noriko navigated to the profiles, her grey eyes scanning the screen intently. Her fingers hovered over the names, her mind racing as she decided where to begin. But, after a while...
"I'm bored," Noriko responds, "I still have some time left. I wonder what I should do with what remaining time I have left."
FREE TIME START!
Noriko steps into Poseidon's Oysters, half-expecting to catch Gina devouring oysters yet again. Instead, she finds Iwao behind the counter, his hand brazenly rifling through the cash register.
"What do you think you're doing?" Noriko demands, her voice sharp.
Iwao glances up, his expression cold and indifferent. "What does it look like I'm doing?" he replies flatly. "I'm collecting more Mono-coins."
"Wait, how did you even get—" Noriko begins but then pauses, her eyes narrowing. "It was the key, wasn't it?"
Iwao's lips curl into a faint, condescending smirk. "Yes and no. The numbers on that key? They're coordinates."
"Coordinates?" Noriko echoes, her brows furrowing.
"Exactly," Iwao confirms. "They led me to the actual key for this register."
"So that key has more than one purpose," Noriko mutters, half to herself.
"Obviously," Iwao says curtly, his tone laced with impatience.
Noriko crosses her arms, tilting her head mockingly. "You could at least try not to be such an 'ice queen' about it."
"At least I don't waste time stating the obvious," Iwao retorts with venom.
Noriko shrugs, her tone light but barbed. "Maybe cool down with a glass of water. Oh, wait—you won't melt, right?"
"Hmph," Iwao scoffs, dismissing her jab. "For what it's worth, the key doesn't fit any other lock here, but its importance is undeniable. Keep it safe."
"Geez, Iwao, I already got that memo," Noriko grumbles. "Care to tell me something I don't know, or can I leave now?"
Iwao's smirk returns, this time with a hint of mischief. "There's a gift vending machine in here."
Noriko blinks, caught off guard. "A vending machine? Since when?"
"Since always," Iwao answers matter-of-factly, handing her a small, crumpled slip of paper.
Noriko smooths it out and reads the words aloud: "A gift for those in need is waiting in the vending machine, the doorway is hidden under where fish disappears."
"Where is it?" she asks, scanning the room.
Iwao steps aside with a mocking bow. "Find it yourself, Ms. Not-Ultimate-Detective."
Noriko glares at him. "You arrogant little—" She cuts herself off, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Is that all?"
"That's all," Iwao replies coolly. "There's nothing else worth mentioning here."
Noriko narrows her eyes at him before going deeper into the restaurant, muttering under her breath. "You're impossible…"
Behind her, Iwao smirks, clearly pleased with himself.
Noriko scans the tables, her eyes darting from one corner of the room to the next. After a few moments, her fingers brush against something hidden beneath a table in the back. A button. Without hesitation, she presses it.
A section of the wall slides open with a mechanical hiss, revealing a Claw Crane Vending Machine. It rolls forward, settling into place with a soft thud before the wall behind it closes again, sealing the secret away.
Noriko stares at it for a long beat, her expression unreadable. Finally, she lets out a dry laugh. "Seriously?" she mutters. "This has got to be the oldest trick in the book. Then again…" She glances around, then shrugs. "Maybe that's the point. It's designed to be found."
Lost in thought, Noriko barely notices the sound of footsteps approaching. A familiar, high-pitched voice breaks through her concentration.
"Congratulations!" Monokuma announces with arms outstretched in exaggerated enthusiasm. "You've completed the quest!"
Noriko whirls around, her eyes wide. "What—?! Monokuma?! What are you doing here?!"
"To give you a quick summary…" Monokuma begins, ignoring her shock as he spins in place dramatically, "Since Iwao found the key, a treasure hunt was officially triggered! See, the watch had a nifty little coordinate function that led him to the key. That key opened the register, which—ta-da!—revealed the Monocoins and that cryptic little note. And then!" He claps his paws together for emphasis. "You stumbled across the button that exposed the claw crane vending machine. So here we are—voilà! Treasure found! Congratulations!"
Noriko stares at him, dumbfounded. "You mean to tell me this whole thing was a setup for… what? A treasure hunt?"
"Bingo!" Monokuma chirps, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Isn't it thrilling? A little game to spice things up! You should be grateful for the excitement!"
"That's a pointless waste of time," Noriko mutters, crossing her arms.
Monokuma gasps dramatically, one paw over his mouth. "Pointless?! How rude! But fine, fine—I'll sweeten the deal. Since you found the Gift Vending Machine, I'll share a little secret with you!"
Noriko narrows her eyes. "A… secret?"
"Shh! Don't tell anyone," Monokuma says, leaning closer as though sharing forbidden knowledge. "There are other places you and your classmates can go… but it's a one-way ticket!"
Her brow furrows. "What are you talking about?"
"Curious, are we?" Monokuma teases, his red eye gleaming mischievously. "Well, survive the next Class Trial, and maybe you'll find out!"
Before Noriko can press for more, Monokuma spins on his heel and waddles away, humming a cheerful yet unsettling tune.
Noriko stands there for a moment, her mind racing as Monokuma's words sink in.
"One-way ticket…?" she murmurs to herself, staring at the vending machine. Her gut tells her it's more than just some elaborate distraction. If Monokuma bothered to dangle a secret like that, it had to mean something—something dangerous.
With a frustrated sigh, Noriko turns her attention back to the claw crane vending machine. It hums softly, its brightly lit interior displaying a variety of odd items: small trinkets, strange tools, and objects that look both ordinary and entirely out of place. Among them, a shiny, golden ticket catches her eye.
"That has to be important…" she mutters, stepping closer. But before she can make a move, she hears footsteps behind her.
She spins around quickly, her heart racing, only to see Iwao leaning casually against a nearby wall, his cold gaze fixed on her.
"You're still here?" she snaps, trying to mask her unease.
"I was curious what Monokuma told you," Iwao replies coolly, his voice devoid of any real interest. "He seemed unusually... chatty."
Noriko hesitates, then crosses her arms defensively. "Nothing worth sharing. Just his usual cryptic nonsense."
Iwao smirks faintly. "You're a terrible liar."
"Yeah, and you're an insufferable know-it-all," she fires back. "What do you want, Iwao?"
He shrugs, pushing off the wall. "Nothing. Just wanted to give you a warning. If your actions make way to liabilities, then you're a liability."
His expression shifts suddenly, darkening like a storm rolling in. His eyes widen, sharp and menacing, an unspoken threat simmering behind them. The intensity of his gaze is enough to send a cold shiver down Noriko's spine, but she holds her ground, masking her unease with a calm, collected demeanor.
Iwao leans in slightly, his voice low and cutting as he finishes his warning, "And I hate liabilities."
Noriko swallows hard, her mind racing, but she refuses to let him see any cracks in her armor. Instead, she tilts her head and narrows her eyes, her tone steady. "Good thing I'm not one, then."
For a moment, the tension hangs heavy in the air between them, a silent battle of wills. Finally, Iwao smirks faintly, the intimidating glint in his eyes fading as he straightens up.
"Time will tell," he says coolly, turning his back on her and walking away. His footsteps echo ominously in the quiet space.
Noriko exhaled slowly, releasing the breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her fingers twitch at her sides, but she forces herself to stay composed. "What a pain," she mutters under her breath, already bracing for whatever trouble Iwao's warning might foreshadow.
After carefully studying the golden ticket's position, Noriko lets out a groan. It was buried too deep in the machine, practically impossible to grab on the first try. And with the cost of 5 Monocoins to activate the machine, she knew she'd burn through her entire stash before even getting close.
"Guess I'll have to let someone else waste their coins digging it out for me," she muttered with a sigh. "Still…"
Her gaze shifted to the other gifts displayed inside the vending machine. Unlike the golden ticket, these were smaller, more attainable prizes—some practical, others downright strange. She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"A few gifts wouldn't hurt," she decided, a small smirk tugging at her lips.
After sliding her MC Credit Card into the reader three times, she activated the machine. Using the controls with surprising precision, she snagged three items: a Hawaiian Beverage, a Marshmallow Snack, and a pair of sleek Headphones.
Retrieving the prizes from the machine's compartment, she inspected each one briefly before tucking them away. "I think I know exactly who would appreciate these," she mused with a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.
Stuffing the prizes into her satchel, Noriko glanced once more at the golden ticket inside the machine. "You're not going anywhere," she murmured. "I'll get you eventually."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, pondering how the recipients she planned to give these to would react.
Walking to the School, she finds Megumi there by the lockers, checking them out, while fumbling with the locks using two open-ended wrenches there were locks next to her that seemed broken, with their shackles broken in half.
As Noriko stepped into the school, her sharp gaze locked onto Megumi, who was hunched over near the lockers. The clang of metal echoed faintly as Megumi wrestled with a pair of open-ended wrenches, snapping yet another lock in two. Beside her lay a small pile of broken locks, their shackles bent and twisted—a clear testament to her work.
"Megumi?" Noriko called, her tone cutting through the sound of the wrenches. Suspicion laced her voice as she approached.
"Hmm?" Megumi muttered without looking up, her focus glued to the stubborn lock in her hands. "Oh, hey, Noriko."
Noriko folded her arms, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the scene. "What are you doing?"
Megumi gritted her teeth as she gave the lock one final twist. With a satisfying sound of metal breaking, the shackle is left in halves. She smirked triumphantly, tossing the lock aside and stuffing the wrenches into her bag. "What does it look like? I'm investigating."
"Investigating," Noriko repeated flatly, glancing at the pile of broken locks. "By breaking into lockers?"
"Yep." Megumi stood up straight, brushing her hands off on her pants. "Someone's gotta do it. These lockers aren't going to open themselves, and it's not like anyone's using them. Who knows what kind of clues could be inside?"
Noriko sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "You realize this is just going to make you look suspicious, right? Especially if someone walks in and sees this."
Megumi shrugged nonchalantly. "Let them think what they want. I'm doing this for our survival. Can't have anyone else dying on my watch." She shot Noriko a confident grin. "Ultimate Camp Counselor, remember? I've got a duty to keep everyone safe—even if I have to break a few rules to do it."
Noriko raised an eyebrow, her expression softening just slightly. "That's one way to look at it, I guess. But maybe next time, don't make it look like you're ransacking the place."
Megumi laughed lightly, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Noted. So, what brings you here? Looking for clues, too?"
Noriko gave a small smirk. "I have something to give you, actually."
"Oh?" Megumi tilted her head curiously, her eyes glinting with interest.
The conversation is getting curious on her part. What would you like to give her?
Noriko fishes for the Marshmallow Snack.
A tasty treat with chocolate and gram crackers in this yummy treat. Like a Hot Chocolate Bomb, except this just needs a little roast instead of a cup of water, and you'd have yourself a S'more.
Would you like to give this to her?
Yes.
Noriko fishes out the Marshmellow Snack and hands it over to Megumi.
Megumi's eyes lit up as she took the snack. "Oh, yum!" she exclaimed, practically drooling. "I'd love to use these for my next campfire!"
Megumi loves your gift.
"It's not exactly something to get excited about," Noriko replies.
"No, no! This is huge!" Megumi insists. "Do you want to help me?"
"Help you?" Noriko asks, raising an eyebrow. "With the locks?"
"Yeah!" Megumi says enthusiastically. "Like you said, it'll look suspicious if I break these on my own. If we do it together, it'll be much safer. Besides, more hands make it go faster. You know... like that math equation where one's the numerator and the time it takes for a person to finish a task is the denominator?"
"I'm impressed by your knowledge of math, considering your Ultimate Talent," Noriko replies.
"Just because I'm the Ultimate Camp Counselor doesn't mean I'm clueless in other areas," Megumi explains. "My talent might be the most notable, but I'm also really good at math and art."
"Ah, yes," Noriko responds with a nod. "It's true, one person can be gifted in multiple areas. Alright, I'll help."
"Thanks!" Megumi says, handing Noriko two wrenches. "Just use these on the shackles of the locks, and they'll break in half."
"Ummm..." Noriko responds, "Alright."
You and Megumi spent a long time breaking locks on the lockers.
"Whew!" Megumi exclaims in exhaustion, "That took a while!"
"Yeah," Noriko responds, feeling drained. "If I had to spend one more minute on this, I might just pull a Maizono!"
"Uhhh..." Megumi mutters, her concern evident.
"Relax, I'm kidding," Noriko reassures her. "I'm not that desperate."
"Y-yeah," Megumi replies hesitantly. "Still... that's a bit cold."
"It is," Noriko admits. "But humanity has always turned tragedy into comedy to cope with the pain of the past. It's how we process things. Tragic events have spawned countless trends and jokes—like blood oozing from a wound, painful but oddly formative. Some of those jokes, however minor, have shaped who we are today. It's been five years since Team Danganronpa fell apart. Their lives have found peace. So yeah, it's cold... but maybe looking at it with optimism instead of horror helps in hindsight."
"That's rich, coming from you and me," Megumi mutters under her breath.
"What did you just say?" Noriko asks, narrowing her eyes.
"Uh, nothing!" Megumi says quickly. "I didn't mean to offend you—"
"No," Noriko interrupts, her tone sharpening. "You said, 'That's rich coming from you AND me.' What did you mean by that?"
"Ah!" Megumi exclaims, realizing what she's said. "W-well, it's a long story, so I'll keep it brief: before I became the Ultimate Camp Counselor, I wasn't the nicest person. And that's putting it lightly."
"What do you mean?" Noriko asks, intrigued.
"To put it simply, I was a bully," Megumi admits. "I used to take people's belongings, write threats, mock others, and manipulate people to hurt others emotionally. I was... the worst."
"I doubt you could've become the Ultimate Camp Counselor if you stayed that way," Noriko points out. "What changed?"
"My big brother," Megumi explains, her voice softening. "He was always calling me out on my behavior. We'd fight about it constantly. Then one day, while he was borrowing my car, a victim of mine mistook him for me. She... she drove the car off a cliff. He didn't survive."
Noriko's eyes widen. "That's... awful."
"It was," Megumi continues, her voice trembling. "At first, I wanted to get back at her. But when she confessed and said it was my fault, I realized she was right. My actions—my bullying—led to my brother's death. I was a brat who caused my own brother's downfall. The culprit was arrested, but it didn't change the fact that I had to live with the guilt. I fell into a deep depression, but eventually... I remembered my brother. He wanted me to be better—not just skilled, but better as a person."
"And that's when you decided to turn things around?" Noriko asks.
"Exactly," Megumi nods. "I started paying for my mistakes, volunteering, working with people, and building relationships. I found out how much fun it was to help others instead of hurt them. I devoted myself to making people happy, to creating fun experiences and bonding with others. That's how I became the Ultimate Camp Counselor. Kind of ironic, right? Someone like me, with a backstory like that."
"That's... horrible," Noriko says, still processing. "You had to endure all that? I mean... you kind of deserved a wake-up call based on your past, but still, that's a lot to handle."
"Yep," Megumi replies with a small, bittersweet smile. "And that's why I destroyed those motives. I can't afford to let anyone else feel the misery I once caused my victims."
"This might be a sensitive topic," Noriko asks cautiously, "but... did any of your victims ever... you know... take their own lives because of you?"
Megumi shakes her head quickly. "Oh, no! I may have been a bully, but I never wanted anyone to die because of me. But looking back now, I see how foolish and contradictory that was. Bullying always has the potential to lead to something terrible."
"Still, that's a lot of messed-up stuff," Noriko says. "How did you get appointed as the Ultimate Camp Counselor with a record like that?"
"Corruption," Megumi answers bluntly, her scowl unmistakable. "One of my former friends was part of an elite family. Anytime someone tried to accuse us or sue, her family's influence swept it all under the rug. I hate that it happened, but... I wouldn't be who I am today without it."
"Hmm..." Noriko hums thoughtfully. "Did you—"
"Yes!" Megumi blurts out before Noriko can finish. "I regret every bit of pain I caused. But at least I can do something about it now. I even worked hard to make peace with my victims. I used the skills I gained at the camp I stayed at the following summer. Of course, they didn't forgive me easily, but I worked until we could at least part on good terms."
"And the ones who didn't forgive you?" Noriko asks.
"I'm not called the Ultimate Camp Counselor for nothing," Megumi responds with quiet determination.
"Okay..." Noriko replies, processing the weight of Megumi's story. "What about the culprit? The one who ran over your brother?"
Megumi's expression darkens as she crosses her arms. "She was executed before I ever got the chance to talk to her. But I wish I could have."
"Right. Just that thought alone..." Noriko trails off. After a moment, she looks at Megumi and adds softly, "I'll bet your brother would be proud of the woman you've become."
"Thank you." Megumi stutters, while she blushes.
"Anyways, do you need help with searching these lockers?" Noriko asks.
"Nah. I think I can get through these lockers rather quickly." Megumi replies, "Thank you for everything you've done so far."
"No need to thank me," Noriko responds, waving, "Have a good day!"
"You too!" Megumi relies as she waves back.
She is quite an interesting person. I am actually surprised to see her with a dark secret like that. If I were one of her victims, I would certainly be firm in hate for a while, but I'm glad she is not the person she was then.
The soft hum of lo-fi beats filled the air, blending seamlessly with the gentle clinking of cups and the quiet murmur of conversation. Noirko Taira stepped into Café Monochrome, the warm aroma of coffee and baked goods wrapping around her like a familiar embrace. She had been here before—several times, in fact—and every time, she found the same figure sitting in the far corner, lazily stirring his drink, nodding in time with the rhythm.
Hiroyuki looked every bit as relaxed as always, though the slight furrow in his brow as he adjusted his old, worn-out headphones suggested otherwise.
"You sure spend a lot of time here," Noirko commented as she approached. "Not that I blame you."
Hiroyuki looked up, smirking at the sight of her. "Oh? If it ain't my favorite detective. Heh. Something about a good café just hits different, y'know? The vibe, the ambiance… though these old headphones of mine are starting to kill the mood."
Noirko crossed her arms, glancing at the battered pair resting around his neck. "Still clinging to those? I thought you said the sound quality was getting worse."
"Yeah, well, it's hard to part with something that's been with me through thick and thin," he admitted, lazily spinning them around his fingers. "DJs gotta respect their gear, even the busted ones. Still… if I had a fresh pair, I'd probably cave in and switch."
Noirko's fingers brushed against the small box in her pocket. She had come across a high-quality pair of DJ headphones earlier, and while she hadn't initially thought much of it, Hiroyuki's complaints had stuck with her. Now, it felt like the perfect time.
Without a word, she pulled them out and placed them on the table in front of him.
Hiroyuki blinked, staring at them for a moment before glancing up at her. "Wait… what?"
"You've wanting these right?" Noirko said simply. "Figured I'd get you what you want."
For a second, Hiroyuki didn't move. Then, carefully, as if afraid they might disappear, he picked up the headphones, running his fingers over the sleek design. His lips parted slightly in disbelief.
"Damn… these are high-end," he murmured. "You really went out of your way, huh?"
Noirko shrugged. "I just happened to come across them. If you don't want them, I can always return them."
His head shot up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don't even joke about that!" He wasted no time plugging them in, sliding them over his ears. The moment the music kicked in, his whole expression changed—eyes fluttering shut, lips curling into an almost euphoric grin. He leaned back, tapping his fingers against the table in time with the beat.
"Ohhh, now this is what I'm talkin' about," he groaned. "Crystal-clear sound, deep bass—ugh, this is heaven."
Noirko watched, mildly amused. "Glad you like them."
"Like? Nah, I love 'em." He tilted his head, peeking at her from beneath his bangs. "Y'know, Noirko, you got a good ear for what people need. Might not be music, but still…" He chuckled, stretching out his arms. "Next time, I owe you a track. My way of sayin' thanks."
Noirko smirked. "Looking forward to it."
As Hiroyuki leaned back into his chair, fully absorbed in the music, Noirko allowed herself a small smile. Maybe, just maybe, there was something satisfying about seeing someone truly enjoy a gift.
I'm not sure how that is something to thank for. He really must have a jovial attitude towards anyone.
The scent of aged paper and fresh ink filled the air, the quiet hum of soft classical music playing in the background. Rows upon rows of books stood like silent sentinels, their spines lined neatly in perfect formation. Noirko Taira stepped through the bookstore's entrance, her eyes scanning the aisles until they landed on a familiar figure near the history section.
Katsu stood with perfect posture, flipping through the pages of a thick, leather-bound book. Even here, in a peaceful bookstore, he carried himself with the rigid discipline of a man forever prepared for battle. His uniform was pristine as always, his sharp eyes scanning the text with quiet intensity.
Noirko approached, hands in her pockets. "Didn't take you for the bookstore type."
Katsu didn't look up. "Strategic thinking isn't limited to the battlefield. A good leader studies history, philosophy, and tactics from all walks of life." He turned a page with practiced precision. "What brings you here?"
"Just browsing." Noirko leaned against the nearby shelf. "Thought I'd find you at the baseball field, not buried in books."
Katsu let out a quiet huff. "A strong mind is as vital as a strong body. Besides…" He finally glanced up at her, his sharp features softening just slightly. "A change of scenery is necessary sometimes."
Noirko smirked, pulling something from her bag. "Speaking of change, figured you could use a break."
She placed a bottle in front of him—a Hawaiian beverage, its vibrant label a stark contrast to the muted colors of the bookstore. The condensation dripped down the sides, the tropical scent faint but inviting.
Katsu raised an eyebrow. "This is… unexpected."
"You've been running yourself into the ground," Noirko said. "Figured something refreshing might help."
He studied the bottle for a moment before carefully picking it up. Twisting the cap off with a crisp motion, he took a small sip. His brows lifted ever so slightly, the faintest flicker of surprise passing over his face before he lowered the drink.
"Hm. Sweeter than I anticipated," he mused. "But… not unpleasant."
Noirko smirked. "So, you like it."
"I wouldn't go that far," he said, though he took another sip almost immediately. "But it's… acceptable."
Noirko chuckled. "I'll take that as a win."
Katsu exhaled, glancing at the book in his hand, then at the drink. "You're sharp, Taira. You understand people's needs before they do." He nodded slightly. "That's a valuable skill in any battlefield."
Noirko shrugged. "It's just a drink."
"Perhaps," he said, setting the bottle down beside him. "But small gestures carry weight." He closed his book, tucking it under his arm. "Next time, I'll return the favor."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Gonna get me a book on military tactics?"
Katsu gave a rare, amused huff. "Perhaps. Or perhaps something more fitting." He met her gaze, his expression unreadable but not unkind. "We'll see."
As he returned to his reading, Noirko found herself smirking.
Well, I should have seen someone like him to have more militaristic standards. At least he didn't dislike it. It's progress, I guess
With that thought, Noirko returned to her house, letting out a quiet sigh as she kicked off her shoes.
This has been rather a good day. Got some investigation done, got to bond and form potential alliances, and now I can rest for now. Talking is a lot of work for someone like me to do. Now I can do what I want to do...
"Reading!" she practically squealed, eyes sparkling like polished gems. "I can finally catch up on my nighttime reading! This whole situation has been a total habit-breaker—it's so annoying!"
She flipped open the book, already feeling the tension of the day melt away. No murders, no investigations, no exhausting conversations—just her, her book, and the quiet solace of fiction.
As much as reading pleased her, Noirko couldn't shake the feeling creeping into the back of her mind—an unease she couldn't ignore. Her thoughts drifted to Iwao and Sho, lingering like a shadow over her moment of peace.
It was as if something had been set in motion, like a demon unleashed upon the world. A time bomb waiting to explode.
She tried to push it away, to lose herself in fiction, but the weight of reality pressed against her like an invisible force. No matter how hard she tried to distract herself, the thought clung to her, refusing to be drowned out by the comfort of her book.
The first murder was coming. She knew it.
Her initial excitement faded, replaced by a somber realization. The pages in her hands no longer felt like an escape but a necessity—preparation for what lay ahead. As her fingers turned each page, she wasn't just reading for pleasure anymore.
She was steeling herself for the future. Whatever it may bring.
