Danganronpa - Second Chance (V)

Chapter 4 - Daily life part 1 (Elephant in the room)

Getting up bright and early, Chihiro got dressed and made his way to the cafeteria to see Taka and Ibuki already there.

"Oh, hey guys....................how's your morning"

Taka stood still, still shaken up after the day prior

"Adequate"

Ibuki slumped over

"Meh"

"Yeah...........It's been a bummer since yesterday................three people............just like that"

After the three of them stayed there for a good while, they decided to scout out the 5th floor. After looking around, they found an exercise room with equipment such as Treadmills, a game corner with primitive arcade machines, and a rather large room with a fashion show catwalk down the middle. After checking out the rooms, the three went back to the cafeteria to regroup. Ibuki immediately slumped into her chair and groaned

"Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. We still haven't found a way ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut"

"Well the most we can do is outlive what's happening here"

the three turned to the person who was talking, who was revealed to be Ryoma

"Considering 5 people have tried to kill so far, I doubt it's gonna stop anytime soon"

Taka straightened his posture a bit

"Be that as it may, we should still make precautions in case someone tries again"

"Whatever. Even if you do, someone'll kill eventually"

After a long stretch of silence, everyone else started entering, starting with Nagito, then Tenko, then Sayaka, and finally Rantaro, who immediately took notice of Hiyoko not being there

"It appears Hiyoko will likely not be joining us today, hm?"

Everyone avoided eye contact, still thinking about the day before.

"I highly doubt she'll show up, and even if she does, she will have some nerve trying to hang out with us after she killed Nekomaru"

Chihiro badly wanted to say something. Something to defend Hiyoko........................but he couldn't. This time, Rantaro was completely right. Even if it was to try to save Mahiru, she still murdered a powerful mentor figure among the group.........and for that, none of them could find it in their heart to forgive her

After each of them got their food and sat down to eat, a noise comign from the entrance caught their attention. Hiyoko came in, looking away. Each of the others looked at her with a mix of confusion and surprise.

"W-what're you looking at?"

Rantaro saw this as an opportunity

"A cold blooded murderer who should be dead"

At that one statement, the entire room was divided in two. Taka felt himself get up automatically

"Hey! Couldn't we learn to maybe forgive?"

"Forgive? She killed Nekomaru. She tried saving Mahiru, who killed Byakuya. She sould never be forgiven"

"Be that as it may, it is clear she wants to atone for her sins"

Hiyoko spoke up

"Yes. I really do-"

"Wanna know how o atone for your sins?"

Rantaro suddenly walked towards her, causing her to back up

"Off yourself. Now"

Ibuki rushed over and got between them

"Hey hey! We can work this out! I'm with Hiyoko! She can still redeem hersel-"

Sayaka, who has been silent throughout most of their time in this killing game, spoke up

"No. She can't be forgiven. I know from experience that those wo kill can't be forgiven........."

Both Taka and Chihiro looked down, knowing what she meant. Ryoma stood next to her

"I'll have to agree. a killer deserves no fate but death"

Tenko went to protect Hiyoko with Ibuki

"Give her another chance! I believe in her that she'll redeem herself!"

Nagito stood up

"She'll never change. Nobody will be able to change"

"Nobody will be able to change"

This small line caused a fire to begin to grow deep in Chihiro's heart. This fire soon grew, and began to erupt into a giant flame

"Killers will never change. Never"

Rantaro shoved Ibuki and Tenko out of the way, and grabbed Hiyoko's arm when she tried to leave

"Let go of me!"

Hiyoko began to struggle, which made Rantaro pull her closer to him, and lifted up his hand, attempting to strike her down. As he struck his hand down towards Hiyoko, Rantaro suddenly felt a pain begin to grow in his cheek area. Before he knew what was happening, he felt his head whip back, and his body hit the floor with a thud. As he looked up, he saw the last person he expected, towering over him. Chihiro Fujisaki.