Alter (UDG x OC)

Chapter 2 (II): Real Loathing

(Art by birdfuckery)

As Komaru and Toko continued underground, they bumped into a white Monokuma with an AI calling himself Shirokuma. They were about to destroy it before he started pleading for his life, telling them that they were an ally. He seemed to be really sweet and told them about a shelter for adults.

After a while of him leading, Toko spoke up, still looking suspicious of Shirokuma. "Hey, give me some useful information, will you?"

"Hm? Some information useful to you?" Shirokuma repeated.

"For example, just what the hell are you? Let's assume it's true that you really have no idea why you have an AI loaded inside you... Because you have consciousness, you should be able to explain what happened up till now... in detail."

"...Well, I don't mind explaining, but..." Shirokuma looked nervous. "Promise me one thing, first?"

"...Promise?" Komaru said.

"What I'm going to tell you will sound... fishy. But if you promise you'll believe me, I'll talk."

"So you're not going to talk unless we promise?" Toko muttered. "Sounds like a threat."

"I just don't want to be doubted." Shirokuma stared down, looking dejected.

"Fine." Toko sighed. "We 'promise'. Even if you tell us something crazy, we'll believe you."

"Thank you!" He perked up. "Then I'll give you the truth. The day I awoke was the first day of the violence, when the Monokumas began their attack. It was right here, just above us... I saw Monokumas attacking adults and I thought... 'I have to do something!' I painted my body white and covered my red eye and was ready to help..."

"So you just happened to wake up on the very day the riots started," Toko cut in. "It's fishy alright. Even a kid would assume you and Monokumas share the same origin."

"But I'm pure white inside, just like this body..."

"You just painted yourself. You feel like confessing? That you're a spy?"

"Y-You promised that you wouldn't doubt me!"

"Hmph, there's no way I'd keep a verbal promise to a mechanical bear."

"Ugh, this is why I didn't want to tell you... and I wasn't even finished telling the story yet..."

"Hm? What else...?" Komaru asked.

"Well, when I wandered out, ready to help, I saw a girl leading a bunch of adults into what looked like a secret area. I heard them muttering about it and how it was a good shelter for the adults. I was inspired by her acts and that's why I was determined to help!"

"A girl...?" Toko narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Can you describe her?"

"Um... I couldn't really make out her features since I was so far away, but... uh... she had black hair!"

"A lot of people here have black hair, you useless hunk of scrap metal..."

"Ugh... sorry..." Shirokuma whimpered. "I... checked the entrance of the shelter the next day to see if she would pass, but she never showed up that day or the day after that. I never saw her again. Though, judging from her figure, I'm guessing she was around your age..."

"Ah, Fukawa-san...!" Komaru said. "Do you think it's her?"

"..."

"If so, Shirokuma-san's strange story must just be true if he knows about her."

"Tch... fine, I guess it isn't too far-fetched, then." She went into a mutter. "Wow... How noble of her... but how much is that really going help?"

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