Danganronpa: Poisoned Hope (Fanganronpa)

Chapter 6 - Class Trial 3

A few moments passed as we all stood uneasy at our podiums. Nothing was happening except for Shiro, Reina, and Mizuki expressing irritated complaints and Kei still leaning his head on his podium on his knees, refusing to get up. At least this period of time gave me a chance to wipe my tears away and prepare myself for this second half of the trial despite the overall guilt and sadness I felt.

Even Monokuma hadn't said a word. In fact, he hadn't moved an inch, his glowing red eye now dull and off.

However, we soon heard heavy footsteps approaching along with a loud yawn.

"Aw man, sorry about the wait. But that sucked, didn't it?" The voice said, seemingly replacing Monokuma.

But...It sounded so familiar...yet so different.

A figure walked out of the elevator, stretching while adjusting his coat.

"You! You bastard! How are you still alive...? We just-" Shiro exclaimed but was quickly interrupted.

"God, calm down, will you? At least let me reach my podium first before you start the questions." The figure said. "I look like a mess, huh? Sorry 'bout that. Had to rush down here..."

I turned to take a look at this mysterious figure and immediately gasped once I saw him.

He was Ryuto...but at the same time, he wasn't. This version of him at least looked much more of a mess. His hair was slightly longer. He appeared to be tired by the eye bags he had like he hadn't slept in days. His outfit was different too: he wore a green and red coat over what seemed to be the Nozomu Academy uniform. The coat was decorated with various Danganronpa inspired pins, such as two matching Monokuma ones along with earrings. But aside from those, he really did look like Ryuto. From the gloves to the brown hair and even eye color...

"What the hell is this?!?" Mizuki exclaimed. "First ghosts, now clones!"

"I doubt it. Probably another dumb A.I." Reina turned her down.

"Says you! You were freaking out about clones too!"

"Woah, you hit the nail right on the head." This new Ryuto pointed at Reina with a smile.

"Wait...Seriously?" Reina was surprised. "Damn, for a mastermind you sound pretty normal..."

"I guess I do, but that's just 'cause of my extensive programming. I'm just another A.I. But we'll get into that later..." he shrugged before smirking. "At least I'm self-aware."

"What does that mean...?" I wondered.

"The fact that I know I'm not real already makes me better than that other Ryuto. I mean...he seriously thought he was human and not the mastermind. Who does that?"

"That's...cruel..." I sighed, refusing to look at this new Ryuto any longer.

"He really thought he wasn't the mastermind...?" Reina repeated, suddenly feeling guilty.

"Yeah. I guess technically he was right. The real Ryuto mastermind is right in front of you all!"

So the Ryuto we just watched die...was technically innocent?

Reina and I must have realized...If he seriously thought those things and believed he was innocent, then his pleads and began for life must have been real...

This is just getting worse...

I feel worse...

Like I want to just break down into tears...

I understand how Kei must have felt now...

Ryuto...The one the considered me a close friend...once again...