Danganronpa: Boiling Point

Chapter 44: Graduation

I returned to my dorm room, and decided to kill some time by washing and drying my clothes in the Laundry Room, then putting my clothes away in the closet. It was already 6:45pm by the time I finished, and I was debating whether or not I should go to the Dining Hall for dinner. While I was not hungry, I did not wish for anyone to worry about me needlessly.

Rantaro talked me into eating some beef stroganoff that he made for everyone, however. I reassured Sakura and Nekomaru that I was physically and emotionally ok. Toko and Hiyoko, while glaring at one another, were silently eating their own food.

After finishing my dinner, I swam in the Pool with Rantaro. I mostly alternated between swimming laps back and forth, and just wandering aimlessly around the pool with Rantaro. As 9:30pm approached, though, we both got out to head to our respective Locker Rooms. I showered the chlorine off of me, got dried off and dressed into the PJs I brought with me, and then headed back to my dorm, ready for bed.

And, for once, my dream was not one of an old death, but rather, one of a new life.

I was speaking with my brother, Karadano, outside the mortuary, about four years ago. It was an overcast morning, but it was not supposed to rain for another few hours. Karadano was speaking to me beside his car, and I was not happy.

"I'm sorry, Shishano, but this is not my calling. I want to help the living, not tend to the dead anymore. Besides, the eldest female always runs the mortuary, and the male always takes her name. Even if I were to remain here, I would be forever in your shadow, whether it's fair or not."

"Yes, I know. And you have said that, even if I treated you fairly, and split the money from the mortuary 50/50, it would not make any difference. But why?" I asked him, still wishing I could somehow change his stubborn mind.

"Because that's not the point. I want to walk my own path, to find my own way, and make my own money in this world. I don't want to be chained to this mortuary for the rest of my life, like our parents are...like you are." Karadano said the last part softly, as if full of regret.

I huffed at him, my hands on my hips. "So what, are you running away from us now? Are we never going to see you again, onii-chan?" I never called Karadano by his name; as my older brother, that would be disrespectful of me, even if it bothered him to be called "onii-chan" by me.

Karadano grimaced, then looked at me, very annoyed. "Of course, you will see me again. I have my own place lined up, only 15 kilometers away from here. You can all visit me whenever you want, as long as you call to let me know first, of course."

That last part went without saying; to visit without obtaining permission first was very disrespectful. I would never dare do such a thing.

Karadano then put his hand on my shoulder. "Look, Shishano. I'm happy doing what I'm doing. You're happy doing what you're doing. Isn't that what's most important in life? Doing what makes you, and others around you, happy?"

I could not deny his words, no matter how cornered he made me feel, so I just nodded while narrowing my lips angrily at him.

Karadano smirked at me, then headed back to his car. "Alright, I'm gonna finish unpacking a few more boxes, then take it easy at the new house for the rest of the day. You take care of yourself, and call me if you need me, ok?"

I bowed, as curtsying to my brother always felt awkward to me. "Of course. Safe travels, onii-chan."

Monorakun's 7am alert went off, awakening me from the dream. I got up, got dressed, and...

Noticed a graduation cap and gown hanging from my dorm room door. They were both in the traditional black color, which somewhat surprised me.

Curious, I decided to enter the Group Chat, to see if anyone else had one, too.