Danganronpa AZ: Stained Destiny

Side-Story: Raiden Miyazaki

[5 years before the start of the Killing Game. In a simple bedroom, a young boy lays, hooked up to various medical devices. In the next room over, he can vaguely make out the sound of a woman on the phone.]

[Raiden: Age 13]

Raiden's Mother: "...J-Just tell me, please. How long until we can buy that medicine? He needs- ...What? N-No, no, no, we need it sooner, that's... He can't wait that long, sir, it's just not possible. That medicine is all that is keeping him alive, he's almost out of- ...Y-yes, yes, I understand... I know that it's not easy to come by given how new it is, but he- ...I... Yes, I understand. I... Yes, I can afford it... I... Wait, really?! Oh, thank you, sir! I won't forget this, thank you... Yes, of course... I see. Alright, goodbye. Thank you again..."

Raiden: "..."

[Raiden's Mother slowly enters the bedroom.]

Raiden's Mother: "Um... How are you feeling, sweetie?"

Raiden: "...Wonderful."

Raiden's Mother: "That's... Good. So, um, listen. I was speaking with the doctor, and it's possible for us to get your meds by Friday."

Raiden: "...I heard."

Raiden's Mother: "Isn't that exciting? We-"

Raiden: "...How long is this going to go on?"

Raiden's Mother: "H-Huh?"

Raiden: "I've been in this bed for a month now, hooked up to these same machines, taking the same medicine every day that's supposed to keep me alive a bit longer. And you're already struggling to keep getting me those same meds on a regular basis. I... I could hear you on the phone, clearly you got lucky this time. But what if that doesn't happen next time?"

Raiden's Mother: "I... Listen, honey, I know this is uncomfortable, but there isn't much we can do... You just need to power through it, okay?"

Raiden: "...I- Cough Cough... asked what's going to happen next time you struggle to get that medicine like just now."

Raiden's Mother: "...I... I'm not going to fail to get that medicine, okay? You're gonna keep getting it, it's okay."

Raiden: "That's... Cough... Not what it sounded like."

Raiden's Mother: "..."

[Slowly, Raiden's Mother begins to tear up as she speaks.]

Raiden's Mother: "...I... I don't know what's going to happen next time. But... Your father and I are working very hard to make sure-"

Raiden: "You and Dad can hardly afford to buy this stuff every week... I don't... Cough... Understand the point of keeping this all going... This medicine isn't gonna stop me from being sick, nothing's making that go away..."

Raiden's Mother: "...I... D-Don't say that..."

[Raiden's Mother begins to cry even more, unable to find the right words.]

Raiden: "I... Cough Cough... I'm sorry, I didn't want to make you cry. I was just kinda thinking out loud... Sorry."

Raiden's Mother: "...I-It's not your fault... I-I shouldn't be crying like this in front of you..."

Raiden: "...Sigh, it is my fault. I shouldn't say things like that, I know."

Raiden's Mother: "..."

Raiden: "...I've been doing research into this. It's like the doctors said, my immune system is... Messed up. Permanently, I guess. This virus isn't gonna go away any time soon because of that."

Raiden's Mother: "I-I know that... That's why this is all we can do..."

Raiden: "...Li- Cough Cough Cough... Listen. My immune system is damaged, but not useless... It will take a while, but this specific virus will pass. After that... I want to make a cure."

Raiden's Mother: "A... Cure?"

Raiden: "...Yes. Once I can get out of bed again, I... I want to create a cure for my disease. The one that messed up my immune system and is making me stuck like- Cough Cough... Like this. I... I can't let you and Dad keep dedicating every minute and every dollar trying to keep me alive... I'm going to find a cure."

Raiden's Mother: "I... R-Raiden..."

[Raiden's Mother smiles through her tears and gives Raiden a slight hug, trying not to put too much pressure on him. Raiden hesitates for a moment before returning the hug.]

Raiden: "...I... I do have something I need you to buy for me, though... Sorry."

Raiden's Mother: "O-Of course, honey. What is it?"

Raiden: "I- Cough... I want to stop taking risks once this virus passes. It's too easy for me to become sick. I need protection... One of those gas masks and some gloves should- Cough... Cough Cough Cough Cough... Cough Cough..."

Raiden's Mother: "Ah! I-Is it happening again? I-I'll go get it!"

[Raiden's Mother runs out of the room as Raiden has a coughing fit. Despite his continuous coughing and the immense pain in his chest, Raiden's head is filled with plans for the future.]