Danganronpa: Painful Truth

Real Talk

After leaving Shinji's house, Kokichi and Shigeri parted ways with Kaito and headed up the mountain to the larger mansion. With all the excitement of everyone getting settled in and acquainted, they had yet to tell Tetsuo anything about the rescue mission. With how scarcely he left his vast library, it was likely that he hadn't even realized they'd returned.

Tetsuo's scowl deepened as Kokichi and Shigeri described the details of the infiltration. "And this doesn't seem suspicious to either of you?" he snapped.

"Obviously," Kokichi nodded, looking bored. "I've thought of a whole list of possible reasons why we had such an easy time getting in and out. That doesn't change the fact that we succeeded, at least for now."

"I see." Tetsuo didn't look convinced. "So you've checked their bodies for tracking devices? Explosives?"

"They'd've used 'em by now," Shigeri yawned. "Chill out, dude, maybe they just weren't ready for us."

"I find that highly unlikely."

"Well, you weren't there," Kokichi reminded him cheerfully. "Just leave it to me, you pompous dick, that's what a Supreme Leader is for!"

Tetsuo smirked. "True enough. And if the Future Foundation shows up on our doorstep, I shall take none of the responsibility."

"That outcome isn't as likely as your ignorance would lead you to believe." Another lofty voice emanated from across the quiet library. A tall, blonde, arrogant-looking man stepped out from behind a set of shelves.

Tetsuo sneered. "Would you care to explain, Father?"

"I suppose I've no choice." Byakuka Togami smirked smugly and crossed his arms. Aside from Tetsuo's dark hair, the family resemblance was uncanny. "Your paranoia is reasonable, however, the explanation is far more simple. You see, the Future Foundation is a pathetic shadow of what it once was."

"That explanation is far from sufficient," Tetsuo scowled. "They have the technology to modify memories and brainwash th-"

"Mere recycling." Byakuka pushed up his glasses. "That technology has belonged to the Future Foundation since before you were born. It is simply being repurposed to suit their current goals." He shook his head disdainfully.

"That doesn't explain why there were no guards posted," Tetsuo insisted. "No weapons, very little surveillance. Even a shopping mall has better security than this."

"Most of society is probably unwilling to involve themselves, of course," Byakuka explained. "Those outside our community are fully content to enjoy the killing game as a spectacle, witnessing controlled atrocities without the accountability of causing it themselves. Those who would oppose the killing game have conditioned themselves to believe that they are part of a powerless minority, and have given up." He smirked again. "That is the complacent, lazy society that this pitiful new iteration of the Future Foundation has created."

"Your dramatic ramblings are meaningless without further context," Tetsuo argued impatiently. "I have exhausted all of my resources attempting to find information about the original Future Foundation. I have found absolutely nothing. Would you care to explain?"

"Hm. Perhaps it's time I allow you a look at my personal archives."

"Personal...archives?" Tetsuo repeated. He got to his feet, looking livid. "Father, do you mean to tell me that there are research materials in this building that I have yet to see?"

"Naturally. Not all information is suited for the eyes of a mere adolescent."

"Cool, so, can we go?" Shigeri interrupted with a yawn. "This is gettin' awkward."