Danganronpa: Digital Daze

Chapter 25: Private Messages

I quickly sent a reply to Chihiro via Private Chat.

Bera Haikiko: Where should we meet up?

Chihiro Fujisaki: At my dorm, in half an hour. I have to share what he said last night.

Thirty minutes later, Chihiro and I were at his dorm. He opened his E-Handbook, where a conversation between Chihiro and 未来.

未来: So, it's just Chihiro? No Bera?

Chihiro Fujisaki: Yes, it's just me tonight.

未来: Very well. Ask your question, per our agreement.

Chihiro Fujisaki: Do you gain anything from us being trapped in here?

未来: Yes. Sometimes. Goodbye.

*未来 has left the chat.

My eyes widened. Something is gained from us being in here? Sometimes? What could that mean?

Chihiro looked at me, concerned. "What do you think they could gain from us being here?"

I shrugged, having no idea.

Chihiro and I just stared at each other, wondering what this all meant. But neither of us had any more of a clue than the other.

I had walked into Chihiro's room concerned, and left his room with more questions than answers.

As I returned to my dorm room, still processing what Chihiro revealed to me, another message came in via Private Chat, this time from Kenchikka.

"Hey. Meet me in my dorm room. I've got a question for you about the Shop Room."

Wait... Was this really Kenchikka? But her speech was usually broken up. I didn't understand, but I decided to make my way there anyway.

I knocked on Kenchikka's door, and she opened it after a few moments.

"Greetings. Come in!" Kenchikka greeted me.

I let myself in, then looked at Kenchikka, confused. "Your message... It was... -"

Kenchikka sighed, looking annoyed. "Let me guess, grammar? Traumatic Brain Injury not affect typing, just speech."

I cocked my head, even more confused. "Really? How does that work?"

Kenchikka closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "You know Ozzy? Famous musician, singer? Hear him sing, sounds amazing. Hear him talk, mashed potato mouth. Similar thing with me."

I nodded, finally understanding.

Kenchikka continued. "Usually, use text-to-speech, helps prevent people from think, I fake my speech for attention. Not true, don't enjoy sounding like this. But, can't help it. Stupid TBI."

Kenchikka continued. "Anyway, text-to-speech doing update, can't use it yet. Had to type. Had question about Shop Room. Thinking, you work with Chihiro, Sayaka, Kaede on outfits, correct?"

I nodded, surprised. "How did you know?"

Kenchikka smirked. "Sayaka, Chihiro tell me. Anyway, if free time obtained, maybe make me jacket? Arms get cold sometimes. Asshole Raccoon denies request for jacket."

I nod. "Yeah, I think I can do that for you. Should help keep my mind busy, too."

"Thanks."

I left Kenchikka's dorm room, and decided to head back to my dorm room to do some more sketches. I decide to message Kenchikka again.

Bera Haikiko: I'm going to need your measurements before I make anything. Can I get them after dinner tonight?

Kenchikka Kowareta: No problem. Remind me after.

I put on "Use Once and Destroy" by Dawn of Ashes on my E-Handbook while I draw sketch after sketch, design after design.

Around 3:45pm, I get a private message from Kaito.

Kaito Momota: Hey, Bera, I'm not sure if I should mention this to anyone, but can you keep a secret?

I cock my head. What could Kaito be talking about here?

Bera Haikiko: Sure. What's up?

Kaito Momota: I just saw Mukuro disappear under the floor in front of the First Floor stairs. I think there's some sort of secret floor or basement or something underneath us, but I can't figure out how she got down there.

My eyes went wide. There was another, undiscovered floor underneath us? What was down there? And, more importantly, why couldn't Kaito figure out how to access it, but Mukuro could?

Kaito Momota: I don't know about you, but I'm gonna ask her later how she gets down there. She may be scary, but the only way to find the truth is to confront Mukuro head-on!

I, honestly, thought this was a terrible idea, but telling Kaito this would have been pointless.

Bera Haikiko: Do what you need to do, but be careful, ok?

Kaito Momota: Heh, there's no need to worry! Of course it's gonna be a little dangerous, but we've got each other's backs, right?

I wasn't sure how to react to that. Hifumi didn't have Sonia's back when he murdered her. Celeste doesn't seem to have anyone's back, either.

Kaito Momota: Hey, look, I gotta go. I'll come talk to you later, alright?

Bera Haikiko: Sure. See ya later!

I then put my E-Handbook down and started sketching out some jacket ideas for Kenchikka until 6pm hit, then headed to the Dining Hall to see what the others had in mind for dinner.

Theo made spaghetti and meatballs, with garlic bread, for everyone. We ate in relative silence, with the exception of Kaito and Kaede trying to improve spirits amongst the group, with mixed results. While Chihiro, Chiaki, Sayaka, and Kenchikka seemed to appreciate it, the others either focused on eating, or in Celeste's case, actually bristled at their cheerfulness.

Afterwards, I asked Kenchikka to follow me to my dorm for measurements, which she agreed to. I got her measurements, recorded them in my E-Handbook's Notes section, and wrote them down.

"Thanks. Also, like this particular design, Bera. Denim's durable, yet not suffocating. Sleeves are good length, trunk not too short. Zipper, buttons, no difference to me. Whichever's easier."

"Alright, I'll bear that in mind, Kenchikka. Thanks for your input."

Kenchikka left my room, and I started a new sketch, with Kenchikka's input fresh in my mind. I did two sketches total; one with a zipper front, and one with a button-up front.

"Attention everyone! It's now 10pm, which means it's Nighttime. The Dining Hall, Trash Room, and Pool doors are now closed and locked, and the water has been shut off to the facility at this time. Get some rest, and see you all in the morning!"

The 10pm alert went off, as it did every day at this time. I decided to get ready for bed. Despite usually being a morning shower person, I decided to take one this evening, before bed. I turned on "Angels" by Dawn of Ashes as I showered, making sure the Repeat 1 option was turned on. I like listening to the same song over and over while I'm showering or studying, instead of worrying about what song's coming up next and playing the "Skip, Skip, Play" game.

After my shower, I slipped into my PJs, put away my notebook and sketches, and then turned off my lights and finally turned in to bed.

I planned on spending the next morning, after breakfast, working on Kenchikka's jacket. Then, I planned on getting more ideas from Chihiro about a potential new outfit.

My plans, however, would be shot to Hell.

Almost literally.