Old Despair, New Hope (a Danganronpa adult au)

I Guess I Have No Choice

(Rantaro POV)

(TW: Descriptions of murder, death, blood, and violence!!)

"Mr. Amami, please come to the headmaster's office!"

I sighed. So many things were going through my mind.

What'll my motive be?

Who's the traitor?

Will I die?

Will someone I love be the mastermind?

Will someone I love die?

I made it to the office.

"Ah, headmaster, hello. I'm ready. What's my motive?"

She smirked at me. "Oh, you aren't getting a *normal* motive. I'll give it to you simply. I have your sisters. All 12. You're going to work against the group, and if we come to a standstill, you kill someone. If not... Well, let's say the outcome will not be favorable for anyone. That's all. Good luck!"

I walked out calmly, calmer than I really was. My room wasn't far, and as soon as I got in, I shut and locked the door. I sat against the door and immediately broke my composure.

"I- Why me? What was- How did she-" Before I knew it, I was in tears.

Then I heard knocking on my door.

"Rantaro? Are you alright? Do you want me to come in?"

I stood up and unlocked and opened my door. Kiyo looked about as sad as I was. He came in and we sat on my bed together.

"So... What was your motive, Kiyo?"

Kiyo looked at the ground. "My motive... was that she'd hurt you if someone didn't die."

"Kiyo, I'll tell you this. But please, tell nobody. I- I'm the traitor."

Kiyo looked at me and pulled his mask down. "I... I believe that you won't have to kill anyone. And if you do... I'll forgive you."

I smiled. "Guess I have no choice, huh? I don't wanna kill someone, but I-"

I was cut off by a sudden announcement.

"A body has been discovered! Those who haven't found it, please look for the body to investigate!"

Kiyo and I ran out and hunted the body down. We saw Kyoko and Shuichi, and Shuichi looked very shook.

I looked into the room and saw...

Kokichi. Dead.

He had a knife through his windpipe. He looked absolutely terrified. He had a knife through his heart, and there was blood everywhere, except for the knives.

Everyone got there, and the investigation began.