Danganronpa Zero

Volume Two, Chapter Two

Hope's Peak Academy's east district.

The faculty building.

In the unpopular fourth floor's corridor, only two sets of footsteps could be heard. One set of footsteps belonged to the school physician. The other belonged to ̳Super High School Level Neurologist', Matsuda Yasuke. The physician, with dark shadows cast over his face, led Matsuda, a depressing feeling floated in the atmosphere. Matsuda wore his usual dingy white shirt that fit him loosely, the hem of his shirt met his trousers and he wore a jacket on top. It clung to his shoulders stiffly as he walked, most likely because he never wore it.

"... Ah, I really owe you one for this," said the physician walking ahead of him, Matsuda raised his head, "he's nowhere near my specialty... I was extremely troubled on what to do. So I appreciate your cooperation with this." He had a relieved sounding voice - Matsuda replied in an indifferent voice.

"Still, in the future you should talk to an expert about it. But, if you can't do that, come to me... That's all there is to it, right?"

"T-That's-" The physician choked back his words. Matsuda could not see his face from his position, but he could easily imagine the man in front of him looked concerned.

Did something happen?

Matsuda took some deep breaths to calm himself.

"...It's fine. I'm not going to use the excuse that I'm a student on you. No, instead I should be helping the experts more."

"I... I see... in any case, I owe you my thanks." The physician's face returned to normal. However, in turn Matsuda had only become more tense and irritated. He reminded himself to suppress his emotions.

Either way, there's no turning back.

So I can protect her I need to keep going on. No, instead...I need to keep falling down...?

The physician continued to lead him around the corridor corner. Matsuda followed him - the atmosphere immediately changed. This part of the corridor was eerily silent, he felt the temperature rapidly drop. On one side of the corridor, every window was covered up by thick curtains. The other side was lined with a number of doors, on each door there was a darkly tinted small window. This corridor was longer than the last. The faculty building was exactly as Matsuda had imagined it would look like since he first learnt of its existence.

"...Usually, all the rooms are vacant." The physician abruptly started to explain. He may have sensed Matsuda's question.

So then, I suppose he means these rooms are only really used in an emergency.

He followed the physician, looking around absentmindedly. The physician who had been walking ahead of him stopped suddenly.

"... This is it." As he said that, he gestured to the door next to him. There wasn't anything unique about the door, in fact it was a miracle the man was able to identify the door. "Apparently all the equipment has already been delivered but... Can you really go by yourself? The principal had asked for two people..."

"It's fine." Matsuda replied flatly.

"No, but..." The physician hesitated. Matsuda had rendered his argument useless.

"The principle and the steering committee have given me full access, in their absence they have left it to me. Besides, it would make no difference if two people went. Actually it would probably affect the subject in a bad way. So, I ask of you to please leave the rest to me."

"Mhm" The physician looked subdued - He quickly gave up and nodded, not bothering to argue anymore. "I see. Well then, I'll leave it to you." The physician turned away from Matsuda and walked around the corner into the depths of the corridor.