Dangan Ronpa:return to Despair Academy

The Second Floor

I woke up in a cold sweat,not getting nearly enough sleep after waiting for Aya for so long.

The morning announcement broke me out of whatever dream I had been having.I paid it no mind as I mechanically got out of bed and onto my feet.

'Today we explore.'

I internally groaned at the prospect of walking all over the school while groggy.

Nevertheless,I marched down the hall and into the Dining Hall.

"MAIKO LET ME GO!!!"

I stopped just as I stepped in.

"CANT DO IT!!!WONT DO IT!!!WHEEEEEE!!!

'What.'

"Maiko,I ask that you release Shoichi."I heard Akihiro's familiar rumble.

"NOOOOOOOO THAAAAANK YOOOOOUUUU!!!!!!!"Maiko screamed.

Maiko was hanging on one of the ceiling lights,Shoichi was hanging from her legs bent under his shoulders.He was barely moving as she slowly swung back and forth,as if the slightest movement would mean a plummet to the floor.

Everyone else was sitting at the main table,looking up at them with interest...it was safe to say we had become used to her behavior.

I joined everyone as Akihiro continued to coax Maiko down.

"How does this sort of thing happen?"I asked,sitting next to Takumi,who answered.

"He was the second to arrive,and she ambushed him."

That didn't really answer my question,but I was satisfied.

"MAIKO PLEASE LETS JUST GO BACK DOWN!!!"Shoichi's gelled hair was hanging limply infront of his face,and brushing his nose on every swing.It probably tickled,not that he would risk raising a hand to itch it.

"But it's boring down there!!!"she whined.

"...hey guys..."

"???"

We all turned towards to source of the voice.I could hear the sound of two people crashing on top of the table behind me,but all of our eyes were glued on Aya,who just joined us.

I smiled.

"Aya!"Kimiko,surprised,rushed over to pull a chair out for Aya.

This was meant as a sort of a white flag,but Aya just sat in the seat without a word of thanks to Kimiko.

It shouldn't have been that easy,but at least Kimiko was making an effort.I knew that Aya felt somewhat responsible for Yoshie's death,and Kimiko was supposed to be the target from the start.

"So are we ready?Then let's end this pointlessness."It was just like Satoru to get down to business.Well,like Satoru and...

"Hey, where's Igao?"I looked around the Dining Hall for any sign of him,but he was no where to be seen.

"Perhaps he started while the rest of us were waiting for Shizuko."Satoru recommended,giving me a dirty look.

"Yeah,seriously Shizuko you should be more punctual!"Kimiko pointed at me sternly.

"I can't be on time,it is a physical impossibility."I stated.I've always had a problem with being on time for things,always.No matter what I did I couldn't fix my punctuality,so I accepted it as my fate.

Everyone gave me a strange look,then we started to head out.

We arrived at the now uncovered stairs when Kimiko said,"We should break into groups again."