~Mistpouffer~ Danganronpa V2: Goodbye Despair x Male Reader

Chapter 16: The Caucus Race

A/n: I bet you all thought that the last chapter was the end but nope! You are still in for a ride! Also, a caucus race in this context is "Any event or activity that requires a great amount of time, energy, and commitment, but which is or is considered to be ultimately futile or arbitrary" Think Alice in Wonderland.

This might be the last chapter in 1st Person too— I might switch to 3rd

M/n's POV:

Cool water lapped at my legs, causing sand to stick to their damp surface. My skin was hot to the touch, red-tinted. I was no longer in the shade of the palm tree, rather, I was fully exposed to the sun. I sat up slowly, listening to the calming lull of the ocean waves, hours must've passed. I looked up at the monitor fastened to the palm tree for the time. Nothing.

The screen stayed black and I couldn't check my Monopad either seeing as I was still in this dreaded hospital gown. I sluggishly stood up. The sand was warm— almost scalding against my bare feet— as I made my way off the beach. It was almost ironic. I woke up on the exact same beach we all first came to this island on. The pavement didn't offer much comfort in terms of heat, nonetheless I trudged on.

Where was everyone? Surely they knew I was gone. I crossed the bridge, passing by the music venue as I made my way to the hospital. Just as I entered however, the people inside whipped to face me. "GAH! HE FOUND US!!" Soda shrieked, ducking behind the row of chairs in the center of the waiting room. Hajime, who was the only other person in there, squinted his eyes at me. "M/n... you're not feeling... violent?" I shook my head, perplexed. Why would I feel violent? I would never attack anyone here. Why was I in a hospital gown? What was going on?

All of my questions died within my throat before I could voice them as Hajime gave me a look of dread. His face paled significantly as his eyes shot wide open. I looked to Soda worriedly, confused why Hajime was so mortified I wasn't acting abnormally. Gundham entered from the corridor, his eyes shut in thought, "It seems my all seeing eye was correct. The foul curse that befell upon Nagito has been vanquished and he is recovering steadily."

Once his eyes opened, they met mine. The heterochromatic boy exclaiming in surprise, "Palaemon! BWAHAHA! THE DARKNESS THAT ONCE CONSUMED YOU IS NO MORE! Truly exquisite. Though that was expected, as you are no mere mortal." Miraculously Soda managed to hunt down his final brain cell and reach the morbid conclusion Hajime did before Gundham.

"If M/n is back to normal, Nagito too, then... the motive is over. That means..." Gundham scowled, "Some foul beast murdered." Hajime stood up, his legs shaking so harshly, I was  afraid he would fall over. Hajime stumbled haphazardly towards the door, "M-Maybe.. it isn't too late..!" Soda quickly followed the brunette, leaving just Gundham and I.

After a short beat of silence, Gundham looked at me, "I take it you are rather confused, Palaemon." I nod slightly, letting him guide me to the hospital room that was apparently mine. I shut the door, leaving a crack so I could hear Gundham on the other side as he explained the entire situation.

I had been affected by the newest motive— a despair disease. The only reason I forgot anything was because I was knocked out before it wore off... minor amnesia. Now, Gundham informed me that Monokuma said the disease would only disappear if someone killed. Which makes sense why Hajime was so panicked now.

I finish getting dressed in my usual attire, re-emerging from the hospital room so Gundham and I could find everyone. Before we could step foot outside, the monitor mounted to the wall flicked to life.

"Upupupupu! A body has been discovered!"

My heart practically dropped into my stomach at the announcement. Gundham and I only remained frozen in place long enough to hear that the body was found in the diner on the second island. By the time we arrived at the crime scene, we could see everyone crowded around a body slumped over in one of the booths.

"Who would do such a thing..." Sonia spoke softly, her hands clasped over her heart in solemn mourning. I glanced around, noticing that Mikan, Fuyuhiko, and Ryota weren't there. Gundham noticed my look, "Well, you gave the small one quite a fright. He lost consciousness and the other two helped him to his cottage. They have been at their abodes since."

I nod, telling Gundham to keep an eye on things while I rounded the three up. Mikan opened her door, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Once she noticed it was me, her cheeks burned red and she abruptly slammed the door shut. I heard her shuffle around a while, along with a loud crash and a thud. 'She fell, didn't she?' In seemingly record time, the door was flung back open and Mikan was there in her usual attire. Though, "Ah... let me fix that," I gently grabbed the nurse's wrist to fix the bandage on her arm that was slightly messy due to her trying to wrap it quickly (and with one hand). 

Her blush seemed to deepen indefinitely as she giggled almost drunkenly. Once I secured the bandage, I let go of Mikan, "Can you come with me to get Ryota and Fuyuhiko? I have something to... tell you three." Mikan nodded slightly, her mauve eyes reflecting worry. Mikan opted to check on the animator while I woke up the yakuza. 

I knocked on Fuyuhiko's door and almost immediately heard muffled curses. Fuyuhiko had quite literally just woken up, judging by his baggy shirt and sweats he was wearing. His golden eyes were unfocused and I noticed he didn't have his eyepatch on. The revealed eye being cloudy gray.

Fuyuhiko rubbed his good eye, grumbling, "Tch... what do you want? Waking me up for no damn reason..." He muttered the last sentence under his breath gruffly. Before I could say anything, Mikan's loud scream emitted from next door. 

"KYAAAAAHHHH!!"

Without waiting, Fuyuhiko and I rushed into Ryota's cottage to see what was wrong. The first thing I noticed was water all over the floor before I noticed Ryota's body half submerged in the full bathtub. 

The monitor mounted to the wall turned on and played the body discovery announcement for the second time today. I ran my fingers through my hair, "You have got to be kidding me... two..?" Fuyuhiko stopped in his tracks, his eye twitching in annoyance, "What the hell do you mean, two?" I looked at Mikan and Fuyuhiko, "The whole reason I came to get you two was to tell you that we found a body in the diner."

I glanced back down at Ryota and couldn't help but wonder how the trial would work with two victims. Now, there was double the work. I have to investigate the murder of Ryota then return to the diner to investigate Teruteru's as well.