Blood Crusted Lavender {Danganronpa OC Fanfic}

Chapter 5 - Late Night Hot Chocolate

That night, I lay awake in bed staring pointlessly at the glass angel that I had ended up buying.

I shook my head. I couldn't get to sleep. And no, it wasn't because of Shi-Shu's snoring or our neighbors arguing unnecessarily loudly.

It was because my mind kept going around in circles, starting with that stupid angel.
It's all your fault, I thought. You're what started all this. I stared at the angle's peaceful form and elegant structure, scoffing.

No, if it weren't for that stupid antique store, I wouldn't have even seen Kyoko. Why was she even there anyway? What are the odds she would be in the same city at the same time in the same place as me?

Or maybe it's my fault.

I turned over in my bed.

Now, whenever I saw something that even slightly reminded me of Kyoko, the image that formed in my mind was of my former friend staring at that picture in the antique store. Then I would think about how that person was the same girl who used to smile at my jokes and run through the woods with me. Then I would think about the look she gave me before leaving, and the conversation we had.

Why did I have to open my big mouth like that? I put her in a situation she didn't want to be in because of how selfish and clingy I was. I could have handled it in any way, but it just had to spill everything out to her like some desperate ex. Better yet, I should have just ignored her and went on with my day. We were friends when we were like... ten. Why did I feel the need to rekindle our relationship when she probably barely remembers me?

Subconsciously, however, I knew why. Because I never fully got over her leaving. With my mom engrossed in her work all the time, my dad with his alcohol addiction, and Kaoru never home, Kyoko was the person I felt most connected to in my life as a child. Then when the rug was pulled on all of that...

Frustrated, I grimaced, stuffed my face into my pillow, and groaned loudly. Why was I like this?

Kyoko...

"Blair..."

I removed my pity pillow from my face to see Shi-Shu standing in the doorframe, looking at me in what I think was concern. It was too dark to tell.

I guess I had been so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice Shi-Shu's snoring had stopped. Our neighbors had even stopped fighting.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"I can tell there's something bothering you."

"..."

"Do you want to talk?"

"....."

"Hot chocolate?"

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The moon shined high in the star-streaked sky as the cold midnight breeze gently tufted my hair. I stared out at the view on the other side of the roof's ledge. I felt like I could see the whole world from up here. Everything from the twinkling lights of apartment buildings to cars to flashy store signs was right before my eyes.

I had always had the impression that big cities like Tokyo were just crowded places flooded with pollution. And after being here for a few days, I still believe that's true. But I still had to admit, the city could be pretty magical.

Not taking my eyes off the view, I clutched the warm drink Shi-Shu had made for me as they sat in the chair across from me.

We sat there in silence for a while before I finally said, "Do you remember Kyoko?"

Shi-Shu gave me a look I couldn't read. "Your friend that moved away before I met you. I recall."

"I bumped into her today after you went back to the hotel."

Oddly, Shi-Shu didn't look surprised, nor did they give a reply. They just sat there and waited patiently for me to continue.

"She didn't remember me. At least I don't think she did. I thought I saw a look in her eye like she did, but that might have been my imagination. I wanted her to remember or at least acknowledge me, so I put her in an awkward situation I shouldn't have. I wasn't thinking. It didn't help, anyway. She just walked away."

"Oh..."

"Why do I miss her so much, Shi-Shu?"

"Because she was your friend. And you still care about her."

Instead of responding, I just sighed and leaned on the table between the two of us.

"Maybe you'll meet her again someday. Hey! Maybe the reason she's here is because she's a Hope's Peak finalist as well!"

I smiled at the thought. I had considered that a possibility. She was a very talented and intelligent person after all. Her talent could be a number of things. But I didn't want to get my hopes up, so I scratched the idea despite Shi-Shu's hopeful attitude.

"And even if she's not, and even if you don't meet her again..." Shi-Shu wrapped my hand in theirs. "You'll always have me."

I laughed a bit. "Thanks Shi-Shu."

They smiled back at me.

"That still sounded cheesy as hell, though," I added, which deserved me a light slap.

I giggled, which made them giggle too. Guess we were pretty loopy from how late it was.

We ended up passing out on the roof together. Not ideal since I had a big day tomorrow, but I slept like a rock that night.

Sure, my friend may not be the most organized or most mature person in the world, but they sure as hell know how to cheer a girl up.