Danganronpa: Painful Truth

Not Listening

After briefly discussing our plan, the five of us joined the small group surrounding Himiko. She was now detailing the process of casting a silencing curse. It involved reciting a complex incantation, spinning counter-clockwise three times, then distracting the victim long enough to place a strip of duct tape over their mouth. The father and son looked impressed, while Tenko's eyes sparkled as if the magician were performing superhuman feats right in front of her.

"So the incantation is pointless then," Maki muttered before she could stop herself. When Shigeri elbowed her, she rolled her eyes and revised the statement. "I mean, such a powerful and skilled magician should be able to use nonverbal magic, right?"

Himiko blinked at her in surprise, but she recovered quickly. "Nyeh, of course I can! But, if I show off too much power, my enemies might come looking for me, and then you'll all be in danger."

Hiro's eyes widened, while Yoshi gasped audibly. "I th-thought it was all j-just p-pretend! Boss, y-you s-said--"

"Sorry Yoshi, that was just a joke!" Kokichi laughed. "Himiko can definitely use magic!"

Hiro patted Yoshi's fluffy hair. "What'd I say, kiddo? Don't take the occult so lightly! The truth is out there!"

"Hey, thanks for lookin' out for us, Himiko!" Kaito winked at her, grinning brightly. "But don't worry about us, we ain't scared! You don't gotta hold back!"

"Ah, Kaito, I don't know if that's such a good idea." I smiled gently, hoping my performance was convincing enough. "Yoshi seems a bit nervous. We shouldn't ask Himiko to do anything that will make him uncomfortable."

"Don't underestimate my minions, Shuichi! Yoshi can handle way more than you think!" Kokichi snapped. "So come on Himiko, show us something good!" His eyes lit up with delight as he watched her expectantly. "If your enemies show up, we'll help you take 'em down!"

"Nyeh...like what?" Himiko asked slowly. She seemed proud to see so many of her peers suddenly willing to believe in her 'magic,' but the way her hand trembled as she brought a finger to her chin betrayed her anxiety at being put on the spot.

"Just start with somethin' simple, like straightening Yoshi's hair," Shigeri suggested.

"N-no!" Yoshi whimpered. "I l-like my hair!"

"Ugh! You degenerates!" Tenko shouted, raising her hands defensively. "Quit putting pressure on Himiko!"

I almost apologized, but Kokichi spoke first after a bored yawn. "Uh, Tenko, how can you stick up for Himiko when you weren't even listening to her?"

Tenko's eyes widened in panic. "Of course I was!" she protested. "I always listen to her! There's nothing else I'd rather hear!" she added wistfully.

"Oh yeah?" He smirked slyly at her. "What was step two of the silencing curse then?"

Tenko blanched, but fought to regain her composure. "Spin around clockwise, of course!"

"How many times?"

"Uhhh...once?" Tenko pressed her index fingers together with an awkward expression. "I'm right, right? Himiko?"

"Survey says....!" Kokichi declared, pointing at Himiko.

"Nyeh, no, that's wrong," the mage confirmed, frowning at Tenko.

"WHAAAAT?!"

"I knew it!" Kokichi giggled merrily. "Counter-clockwise, three times. You weren't paying attention at all! She could have confessed her eternal love to you and you wouldn't even know! You were too busy staring like some dirty old degenerate!"