Different Paths (Danganronpa)

Ch 6: The Start Of The Pain

Now that Sayaka thinks about it she still hasn't seen Sato.

Now that she also thinks about it, she also hasn't seen Natsumi in a while.

Ever since that time they ran into each other on the school balcony she hasn't seen the Kuzuryuu again.

Maybe something happened between her and Sato again and they got suspended.

But shouldn't Sayaka have heard about it?

She'll ask Hinata later. But for now, her focus is about that letter.

How can she proceed if she doesn't have that? And has she even made her decision about it yet?

It was later that afternoon, early before her classes ended, that she went back to that fountain. I know it's bad skipping class but I'm not in the mood to sit tight today.

She saw Chiaki there, sitting alone with her eyes stuck onto the same screen.

Sayaka approached her and sat next to her on the bench, where Hinata usually sat.

She noticed that Chiaki didn't spare her even just a glance.

Maybe she's just too busy on her game. Maybe being the Ultimate Gamer keeps you busy. Sayaka thought as she observed Chiaki moving her fingers expertly on the buttons.

"Do you want to play?" the girl suddenly said, making Sayaka flinch upon hearing her voice.

Sayaka stayed quiet for a while before humming in agreement. Chiaki nodded, still not looking at her, as she took anotjer game boy from her bag and lent it to Sayaka.

Sayaka took it but not before inspecting the gadget. Her parents had never before bought her anything game related before so this moment would be the first time she would be playing with one, if Chiaki actually allowed it.

Chiaki glanced at Sayaka's confused expression of the device before she reached out to it and turned it on. It beeped as it turned on.

"Okay. Have you ever played..."

-----

The next day in her house Sayaka was suddenly called.

She picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello, this is from Hope's Peak Academy. Maizono residence, yes?"

"Um... Yes?" Sayaka answered the person on the other side. It's from Hope's Peak, huh?

The person stayed silent for a while, before speaking again. "All right."

"Why did you call, if I may ask?" she said, and the other line went quiet again.

"I regret to inform you that there had been an unfortunate incident in the Reserve Course third floor, and second floor." the caller answered.

Sayaka furrowed her brows in confusion. She decided to play her cards right. What could've happened?

"What happened?" she finally asked.

"That is classified information, I'm sorry. But I am sad to say that you are now the only student remaining in Class B. We will change your class once classes come back."

After that, the person hung up. At the last parts she was left wondering.

She slowly put the phone back down. What...?

How am I the only student left? What happened?

Panic started rising in her chest. What happened while I was gone!?

-----

Later that afternoon Sayaka rushed to the school.

She used her uniform as an excuse to leave as her parents didn't know of what happened.

She ran like hell and she didn't even care that she was out of breath.

Damn it. I need answers!

She gritted her teeth the whole way, hoping she can go back to class.

They never told her that the Ultimates would also stop having classes, so it might only be the Reserve Course.

Sayaka's heartbeat quickened once she reached the way to the Reserve Course building.

She panted for a while, standing in place, before deciding to walk again.

She speed-walked and soon enough, she reached the main entrance of the Reserve Course students.

When I was around playing with Nanami-san, what happened? What happened to my Classmates?

I was never close to them, but...

She also tried to speed-walk her way past but the guard standing there stopped her.

She scrunched her face at him. "Let me through!" she tried to budge through the guard, but he only grabbed her shoulders to keep her from forcing her way through. "I'm sorry ma'am but this area is off-limits!" the guard shouted. Sayaka tsked. "Shut up! I need to kno–"

Suddenly a hand grabbed her collar and threw her back.

She grunted as her back hit the ground.

She looked up and saw a green-haired man staring at her with a frown. She couldn't tell if he was disappointed or if it was just his natural look.

"Hey! I just wanted to–"

"Shut up, kid. Go back to your house. Don't you know school's out today?" he said, turning around.

Sayaka sat up with a groan. Her back now hurt suddenly. "Wait! Tell me the truth!" she shouted, and the man halted in his steps.

He turned his head around slightly, his lone eye piercing through her soul.

"The truth?" he huffed, turning around again. "Well what happened is that a school shooter came and killed all of the occupants of class B, and also killed both Natsumi Kuzuryuu and Sato. You only survived because you weren't around when it happened. Did that sate your curiosity?" after that explanation he started walking again.

Sayaka gritted her teeth, and jumped up.

"Stop lying! I know that's not what really happened!" she confronted him. He sighed, turning around again.

"There's no way they would just target a class and two students out of the blue!"

"Look, kid, stop sticking your nose in adult matters. It's what they said so suck it up and leave." he said, but right then Sayaka balled her fist and launched it towards him.

"'What they said'!? So Hope's Peak is trying to hide what really happened!"

He stepped back, dodging the incoming right hook as a left hook was also brought. Sayaka panted. "Tell me the truth!" she yelled while trying to land a hit. The man dodged both attempts
easily.

"Are you really that desperate, kid?" he asked gruffly just before he planted a firm punch on her abdomen.

She let out a pained shriek as she fell to her knees and clutched the new throbbing pain on where she was attacked.

"Did you think I'd hold back just because you're a girl?" he asked, his tone taking an irritated note. She already knew the frown hardened on his face.

Sayaka didn't answer as she then felt pressure on her right shoulder.

She fell face-first onto the stone floor as she tried holding herself, keeping her body from falling down completely.

She bared her teeth at him, craning her neck around painfully just to look up at his glare.

"You... You're only covering it up because–" the boot the man had planted on her shoulder pressed harder. But she braced herself for more pressure to come.

"Because you don't want to soil your school's reputation!" she continued, purposely making her voice loud.

The man scoffed. "Do you actually think your words matter, kid?"