Danganronpa: Painful Truth

Like A Gentleman

The sun was starting to descend as Shigeri led Kokichi into the forest, but the June air was still warm and humid. It was a bright and uplifting day that was also somewhat uncomfortable, much like Kokichi's newest mission.

To him, the sun seemed to stare down harshly, judgementally, as though taunting his vulnerability. The protective and comforting arm around his shoulders felt like he was being scolded for taking so long to address the situation. Every footstep that crunched audibly on the forest floor seemed to echo back the words 'too late.'

He was annoyed at himself, now, for failing to take the advice for so long. At first he had obliged simply to make everyone leave him alone, but the results of his attempt at expressing his remorse hadn't been what he'd expected at all. It had been accepted, for a start, without any suspicion or mocking. Maki had been condescending, but uncharacteristically patient and kind. The sky hadn't caved in, and no one had abandoned him for it.

Even though anxiety was still coursing through him, he felt...light. He'd never noticed the crushing weight of his repressed guilt until he'd felt it lessen slightly. Like a disgustingly symbolic slab of steel that was finally starting to rise.

"How ya doin', Boss?" Shigeri asked casually, breaking through his thoughts.

"Fine," he said automatically, although he could hear the obvious lie in his voice. He glanced up at them blankly, too exhausted to fabricate a reaction. "What if it's too late?"

Shigeri blinked, then shook their head. "Nah." The arm around his shoulders tightened slightly. "I mean, yeah, it happens sometimes. Bein' sorry doesn't mean they gotta accept it. But I'm pretty sure it ain't gonna be a problem this time."

Kokichi nodded weakly. He hesitated before speaking again. "I don't have to apologize to everyone, do I?"

"Only if you feel like they deserve it."

"And if there's someone I don't think deserves it?" He raised an eyebrow. "Is that wrong?"

They glanced down at him with an amused yet sympathetic smirk. "No one's gonna make ya apologize to the loud horny bitch, don't worry about it."

He nodded again, noticeably relieved. For once, he was glad that he didn't have to lie.

As they passed the cemetery, they heard a slight rustling sound. A moment later, Yuri appeared in front of them, looking worried. "I was...gonna...jump out...and scare...you guys..." she explained. "But the boss...looks upset..." She stepped forward to peer closely at his face. "What's wrong...?"

Kokichi grimaced and averted his eyes. He could easily have lied to her, to deflect attention from his anxiety, but he didn't want to. If he started lying now, he wasn't sure he would be able to stop.

Shigeri spoke instead, coming to his rescue. "He's fine, we're just lookin' for Gonta. He around?"

"Yep..." she confirmed, pointing to a cluster of trees to their left. "We found...a praying mantis...egg sac... they're supposed...to hatch...in spring...so he's...making sure...they're still okay..."

As if summoned by the conversation, a much louder rustling announced Gonta's arrival. He was beaming with joy and carrying a plastic cage for insects. Inside, crawling tentatively over the twigs and leaves, were a few dozen freshly hatched mantises.

Yuri grinned brightly when she saw the occupied cage. "You...did it...they're...alive..."

"Uh-huh!" Gonta nodded proudly. "Only a few make it, but Gonta take care of them so they grow big and strong!"

Shigeri examined the cage with a frown. "Looks like a hell of a lot to me, dude."

"Yes, but lady praying mantis sometimes can have 300 babies at one time! So there many more that...not make it." He looked slightly sad.