Hopeful Blacksmith (Danganronpa 1 x OC)

Chapter 26: G's Instructions

Just like that, it was over... The third execution...was over. Taeko's death was over. Taeko killed two of my friends, so I can't pity her. But... at one point, I considered *her* a friend, too. And for Monokuma to just come along and--!

"Isn't it just awful? Someone couldn't cut free of their regrets from the outside world, and so more people had to die... You guys are still young! You need to place more value on your lives! Jeez... And here I thought you guys were gonna pass the torch of hope to the next generation!"

"Wh-What do I care about hope!? I'll throw it in the trash if you just let me out of here!", Hiro begged.

"You're all the embodiment of hope, whether you like it or not. And it's my destiny to knock you down one by one! It's sad, yes it is. But that reality just can't be avoided."

"Don't talk like you're not responsible... How long are you gonna make us keep going through this!? What do you want from us!?", Makoto yelled.

"God, I'm so sick of people asking me that! Give it a rest already! So anyway... Kyoko, did I see you get some kind of key-type object from Celeste? So uh...what's the deal with that?", Kyoko stayed silent, Monokuma not liking that. "Huh? What's the matter?"

"I'll answer your question, if you answer mine.", Kyoko paused, then her faced morphed into a mix of anger and confusion, something I never saw in her until now. "What did you do? What did you...do to me?"

"...What!?"

"Answer me. What did you do to my body?"

"Wh--!! Did that monochrome bastard hurt you!?", I yelled, about to pounce at any second. Kyoko raised her palm, signaling to not interfere.

But... What happened to Kyoko!?

"Uwaaah! Oh man, oh jeez... Oh man, oh jeez! What do you mean, what did I...do!? I-I have no idea...! I don't know anything about it...!", Monokuma stuttered, denying everything. Kyoko went quiet, but her stare was still strong. "Okay, things are getting kinda awkward. I think it's about time I got out of here... Meanwhile, you guys can go on enjoying your school life. If you get lonely, gimme a shout! Not that I'll do anything about it, of course! Puhuhu... See ya!", Monokuma left us with that despair... but somehow, there was still some hope.

"Hey, Kyoko. Monokuma already mentioned it, but... What's that key that Celeste gave you?", Makoto asked.

"Most likely... It's the key to one of the dressing room lockers.", Kyoko revealed.

"What!? Then that means...!", Hina gasped.

"Celeste probably hid it in there.", Togami summarized.

"I suppose sometimes it's easiest to miss what's right beneath your nose. Well then, we'd better go check.", Sakura suggested.

"Good idea.", Kyoko nodded. I collected myself, rubbing away my tears with the back of my hands and following the others. After just a few minutes, we were outside the dressing room. As we approached the dressing room, Kyoko looked back at us and said...

"I'm going to go on alone from here. Everyone else head to the dining hall. I'll check in with you later."

"Why, exactly, are you going alone?", Togami asked.

"Do you even have to ask?", As she spoke, she glanced quickly at the surveillance camera.

"That's not what I meant. Why *you*? There's still the risk of a spy, you know.", at that, Kyoko went silent. Makoto then stepped up.

"Then I'll go too."

"You...?"

"Please, let me go!"