Danganronpa: Boiling Point

Chapter 13: Tenko's Conflictions

I woke up a bit earlier than normal, about 6:30am, and decided to get up early. I found it hard to believe it had already been seven days in this place, but my dirty clothes hamper confirmed this. I had eight full outfits, all the same dress and tights, so I would have to do my laundry tomorrow. I was curious as to where the blouse and skirt I wore here ended up, but I had a feeling they were likely disposed of. A pity.

Looking myself over in the full-length mirror, I could not help but smile at my reflection. I am, perhaps, a bit more vain than I should be, but I've discovered that appearances can get you into, and out of, situations. And if not, there are always my heel-blades in a pinch. No one ever sees those coming.

I gave my dress a twirl in the mirror, watching it billow a bit around my thighs, then turned to leave my room to get some breakfast: Blueberry Bagel Egg Sandwiches, with Blueberry Jam and Scrambled Eggs, and your choice of Bacon, Sausage Patties, or Honey-Smoked Ham. Choosing the Honey-Smoked Ham, I sat over by Toko, who was sitting alone, and talked...well, tried to talk to her for a bit.

"Wh-wh-what do you want?" Toko almost spat at me. I could almost smell the self-contempt in her voice, but I pretended to ignore it.

"Just wanting to enjoy some breakfast before starting my day off. You?" I asked politely.

Toko glanced away. "L-locking myself in my room. No one can k-kill me if I d-d-don't leave."

I lowered my eyes. Truly sad, that this girl was too scared of everyone to join us, and is instead secluding herself away. Then again, she does have a serial killer locked away, inside her psyche, her mind...

I realized Toko was staring at me. "What, do y-you think I'm some sort of freak? A freak with another freak sharing her body? I b-bet you want me to be the next to die, just so y-y-you can examine me and find out what's wrong with me!"

Ok, Toko has gone off the deep end a bit here. I have no desire to kill Toko, or even Jack for that matter. I took another bite of my bagel sandwich, swallowed it down with some orange juice, then replied, "I have no desire to see anyone die here. You, or anyone else."

Toko scoffed. "So, what, are you just gonna live here forever then?"

That...was not a question I had an answer for. The rules could be changed at any time, with a mere notification sent to all of us. Maybe a new way out could be done via rule change, too?

Even if I did wish to kill to escape, I would have to choose my victim carefully. I knew Fuyuhiko had already killed before. Jack, too, and although Toko appeared weak, a mere sneeze could change that in a hurry. I would be a fool to try to take on Sakura, Nekomaru, or Mondo; they were simply too big and strong. Tenko, because of her martial arts, was likely out too, at least in direct confrontation.

My breath suddenly caught in my chest. Why am I thinking like this? We should be forming a united front against whoever is controlling Monorakun, rather than deciding which among us we should be trying to murder.

I finally answered Toko. "No. I plan on surviving as long as I can, and gather as much information as I can while I am in here. Maybe something will present itself, here or on another floor, and we can use this to our advantage, somehow. I confess, I do not have a firm plan to escape."

Toko merely responded with, "Yeah, h-hopeless." I decided to resume my breakfast, rather than continue this conversation with Toko.

After I finished eating, I then put my dishes away, deciding to find Tenko next. She had left with Sakura before I could get her attention earlier.

I first checked the Exercise Room, but only Mondo, Nekomaru, and Sakura were in there.

"Sakura," I called out. "Tenko wished to speak with me today. Do you know her whereabouts?"