Danganronpa: Fallout

Prologue Part 6: From Russia With Love

October 23, 2077 - [City Redacted], Japan, 10 PM

"Hey, dearie. Shouldn't you be going to bed soon? You don't want to stay up too late. It's a school night, after all," Makoto's mother told him, drinking water out of a glass. Makoto was currently sitting right next to Komaru at the dining room table, reading a manga issue to get his mind off of the stress of school and recent events. Things aren't looking so good for us... tensions between Japan and China haven't been improving, and now that the Soviets might be getting involved, who knows what could happen. I just pray I get to live long enough before anything drastic happens.

"Ugh, don't w-worry, I won't stay up too late, Mom," he drearily said, a hint of fatigue in his voice. "Just... just give me a moment, please." I can't even read my freaking manga without these thoughts getting to me.

Komaru stopped eating her ramen noodles and took a look at her brother's state. His eyes were red, giving off a dull stare. She was only about a year younger than him. Her short, dark brown hair, with a tint of green in it, often made her look about as plain looking as Makoto.

"Big bro, what's wrong? You're looking kind of frazzled. Your eyes don't look so good. Do you have pinkeye?"

"No, no, Komaru, my eyes aren't feeling itchy. It's just that... that..." Makoto struggled to find the right words. I'm scared that the world will tear itself apart. That our country will go to war with China. That I'll be forced to join as an army conscript. That I'll never get a chance to meet my Hope's Peak classmates, or have a bright future. Yeah, there's a lot going on.

"Makoto, what's wrong? Did someone say something to you at school today?" His mother asked him, placing her hand on his shoulder. Makoto couldn't help but haggle when seeing her concern.

"N-No, Mom, nobody said anything. I'm just frustrated, that's all." At least, no one's said anything out of the usual. No one really has it out for me, but like, they don't think too fondly of me, either.

"Well, I don't blame you, boy," he heard his father call out from the living room. "There's a lot to be scared of right now. But promise me that we'll stick together no matter what happens, as a family. Can you do that for me?"

"Y-Yeah, Dad, I can do that." I'll try at least. "Say, what are you watching?"

"Oh, the news, same as usual," his dad replied. "There's something about a domestic act of terrorism going on down near Vietnam, from what I'm hearing."

Makoto tried not to converse much with his family that evening. Things had already been stressful enough, and he barely had any clue how to manage it. He felt a nudge against his shoulder when he saw Komaru trying to get his attention.

"Makoto, you're awfully quiet today. This isn't like you. Are you sure you're okay? I-I'm always here for you if you need anything."

"Thanks, Komaru, but I'm fine," he said with a nervous chuckle.

"Guys?! You should come and see this!" The unexpecting shouting from his father surprised Makoto, dropping his manga to the floor. Komaru was unsettled by it as well. What's happening? What does he need us for? The siblings got up from the table to the living room to get some answers.

"W-What? What are you talking about, Dad?"

"Did something happen?", Komaru hesitantly asked.

Their father didn't reply, and at this point, there was no reason to. Makoto anxiously watched the black-and-white television screen before him, seeing the words "State Of National Emergency" appear on the news report. A few seconds later, a broadcast from a news anchor was being played.