Danganronpa: Despair to Prodigy's

Back on Track

(Ayanokoji POV) 

It was the afternoon now. We were woken up very early from the screams of Bell and then had a class trial right afterward so everyone agreed to try and get some sleep in order to try and get some energy back

I went into the Cafeteria, where for once Horikita was not the first one. I sat alone in the cafeteria, waiting for the others to show up.

It was a strange feeling. Almost nostalgic about how lonely this room felt. It felt like a separate part of the universe and the only thing making any noise once so ever was the voice of my own thoughts.

However, that feeling of loneliness and quiet ended when a girl entered the room a few minutes after I had. She had long purple hair and a look of smarts to her. It was none other than Kyoko Kirigiri.

"Good afternoon," She said as she sat across from me at the lunch table

"Afternoon," I replied back casually.

It was weird. The strange silence that hung between me should have been no different from the room just a few minutes ago when I was alone. Yet, now it is different. Was it the presence of a human being in the room? Or was it the presence of Kyoko in the room?

"It feels empty without Horikita in the room," Kyoko said as she looked in the spot where Horikita usually was.

"I agree."

"..."

Once again there hung an awkward air between us. I knew exactly why that was too. 

Cid was used for the first one, Rimuru for the second, and now we had a third. Who would lead the third trick? Would it be me or Kyoko? I already had plans in motion, but I kept quiet as I waited for her to start the subject.

"...Ayanokoji, allow me to do the last trick."

"And if I already had plans in place?"

"I want you to stop them. Leave this to me."

"The group would be better with you rather than me."

She then tilted her head to the side "You think I'm going to sacrifice myself?"

"That is the easiest way to perform such tricks isn't it?"

She let out a thin smile "I won't be dying anytime soon, and neither should you. We are both instrumental to this group."

"...sigh, alright. If you wanna do it the hard way then so be it."

"Thank you."

After that, our conversation went quiet again. 

The cafeteria slowly filled up, until all of our remaining members were here.

Noell sat at the main table with Kyoko and me, trying her best to keep a stern face. Bell sat alone at a side table, a terrible expression ridden on his face. Subaru sat at the main table, drinking some apple juice. Shinobu also sat at the main table, also keeping to herself.

No one was talking, the emptiness in here compared to how it was on the first day was astounding, not that I can blame them though.

However, my main concern is with Bell. He's...Failing my expectations. I expected him to choose right on the class trial but he choose wrong. Rimuru is currently the reason we are all alive despite being the one who almost killed us.

"Shall we go to the next floor?" Kyoko asked the group after a while, and everyone followed.

The fifth floor, and known to me as the last floor. This is where the game would reach its conclusion. 

Only two people stayed back, that being Bell and me.

"..."

"..."

I moved to sit across from him at his table. His eyes were a terrible shade of dark red with dark circles under his eyes as well.

"Do you want to hear what I believe about Hestia?" I asked

His eyes only raised, showing that he was at least interested in what I had to say.

"I believe Hestia was not the traitor the whole time. Her actions at the start were far too natural compared to her 'acting' when she turned into the traitor."

"...What do you mean?" He asked in a quiet voice

"I mean, Hestia became the traitor during this game. Was there ever a point where the mastermind said that they would do something to either you or Hestia? No matter how unimportant it seems, please do share."

He went silent, however, his eyes widened as light finally started to show through again.

"Y-You remember that photo right? The one with Makima, Emilia, Isagi, and Naruto?"

"Of course, that is a critical piece of evidence."

"The mastermind said if I were to reveal what had happened, then a curse would fall upon me..."

He seemed to have the same conclusion that I had just realized when I heard him finish the sentence.

"So...Because of me, Hesita was forced to turn traitor? But then why not me, if she said a curse upon me?" His eyes seemed to waver under bits of water that were forming. If I didn't choose my words carefully, Bell could very well lose his mind.

"Wrong," I said in a demanding voice "As you said, she never left your side correct? If that were true, she left on her own after getting something, likely an invitation to speak with Monokuma. From there, she likely forced her into submission using their abilities. As for your second question, it is a curse. One called despair."

"What do you mean by that?" He asked referring to the first question

"As you know, the world is destroyed. Do you really think that someone behind the end of the world would not be able to manipulate one student into turning traitor?"

"..." He remained silent, but his eyes showed how serious he was looking.

"Bell. I'm going to give it to you straight, you need to get yourself together. Hestia is gone for right now, and while you are allowed to miss her, dragging everyone else down as well is not helping."

"I-I know."

"With that said, prove yourself Bell. When the next murder appears, I want you to play an instrumental role in finding out who it is."

"...What if I can't?"

"Then you'll be a disappointment, a defective product for what is known as a human."

His eyes opened in shock, but he seemed to understand.

"I get it. I'll do my absolute best."

"I'd expect nothing less, now let's get going with the others."

Right as I said that though, Subaru burst into the room.

"Hey, guys," He had an unusually big smile on his face "We got some free some time right now. Monokuma's out of commission,"

He led us to the Gym where Monokuma lay dismantled.

"I tried calling him when I saw...A certain room, but he didn't appear. I went to look for him and here he is. I dismantled him just so you know."

"...And Kyoko?"

"I reported to her first despite you guys being closer, she nodded and then walked down with me as well to the first floor. She's going to do something isn't she?"

"Who knows," I replied.

As for right now, Kyoko would be performing her trick, and I would take over leadership. 

It's time to finally start wrapping this up.