DANGANRONPA V2: ECLIPSE

Chapter 3: Part 5

"Just breathe," Rantaro told me as Monokuma brought me to the top of the tank so me and the ultimate adventurer could switch places. "It's not that terrible. For us, at least."

For us. 

That still made it terrible for the people after us. The water had risen just below his knees. I knew it would only keep rising when I got in. For four hours, I'd be stuck.

Monokuma helped us make the switch. He pushed me in first, causing me to fall with a splash. I felt the impact from the glass at the bottom run up my spine and throughout my body, but I wasn't hurt all that bad. Rantaro was quick to help me up. 

"Alright, pretty boy. You're out," Monokuma laughed, tossing down a small rope ladder. Rantaro and I exchanged nervous glances before he grabbed ahold and climbed out. Then, the hatch was shut and I was trapped.

When being pushed in, I got a quick glance at just how thick the glass was. Far too thick for any of us to break. Even Yuuki, who seemed fairly strong, wouldn't be able to make a dent. 

I felt my pulse quicken slightly once the hatch screeched shut. What if I ran out of oxygen? What if something went wrong and the water filled faster than it was supposed to?

"Hey, look at me," Rantaro told me once he was down the stairs and Monokuma was gone. He pressed his hands to the glass.

I turned to him, my body trembling with unease. Confined spaces... ugh, the worst. I despised being locked away, even in my own room. As a kid, my parents sometimes would put me in there for a short time when I misbehaved. It was a small punishment, but it felt suffocating. Being contained in such a tiny space never sat well with me.

"You'll be okay, Suki," he promised. "Alright?"

I nodded, but I only half believed him. Logically, I had nothing to worry about, but I was still panicked.

He turned to leave, and I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from calling out to him and demanding he stay. It wouldn't have been fair of me to ask that of him, though. Especially since no one stayed behind for him. 

So I waited, all alone in that tank as the water slowly rose. For a while, I hardly noticed it, but it became apparent once the coldness drifted up above my knees and toward my thighs. The water felt even colder than the river, somehow. My shoes and socks were all soggy. They couldn't even warm my now growing numb feet. 

I thought about Ruji and how he hated being alone. I wondered who he'd be chilling with at the moment. Sora went to work on the plane, but I wasn't sure if he had any company. I really hoped someone was there to lend him a hand. Building a plane solo would be tough, especially considering his condition...

I never did ask him about his prior illnesses. I was afraid of approaching the subject because it seemed rather sensitive. 

But he was a little pale this morning. Pale and coughing...

No, he was probably fine. He and Saikoro were both so full of life the day before while rafting. He looked as upbeat as ever. 

I allowed my mind to drift as I waited. I thought of home, I thought of Ruji, I thought of Tora, I even thought of Maikeru. Maikeru, who was guilty of murder. Yet, I still saw him as a good person. How crazy was that? Before this, murder was the absolute worst thing anyone could ever do. Now? I don't know why, but I sympathized with these murderers. A part of me would always resent Nori, but even then I didn't completely blame her. The students weren't enemies. It was Monokuma. It was-

"Suki."

I shook my head and looked up as the water climbed higher and higher still.

Daiki was standing just in front of me. Nothing separated us but glass.