𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀 𝐋𝐢𝐞... | Inquisitormaster & Z squad | Danganronpa AU

☘︎ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟒☘︎ || 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝

Chapter 4: For the Truth...

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: **✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *

~Alex's POV~

Jade rolls her wrist in circles as she massages it. I place the first aid kit onto Jade's desk and my eyes follow her as she paces up and down her room. Her eyes are lingering on the fresh bandage. We've been here for some time since I had asked about the wound hidden beneath the bandage (It ranges from the palm of her hand and almost touches her elbow).

We talked for some time in her room. During our conversation, I took note of Jade giving short answers and highly avoiding eye contact. Every time I had asked Jade if she was okay, she'd simply say "yes" and go no further or brush it off as nothing. I had asked a final time before she retorted my question with a question of her own.

"Are you... How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, but I'm worried about—"

"No, no," Jade quickly intervenes and shakes her head slowly. She sits down on the bed beside me and pushes herself back up against the wall. "... How do you hold yourself together through all of this."

It felt as if my heart abruptly skipped a beat. "What do you...?"

"I don't get it... We're in a killing game and you're still so... So hopeful about keeping everyone together even though the majority of us have died. I don't— I can't do it. No matter how hard I try... I want to protect everyone here, but I don't trust anyone... Only you and Drake for now. I know you've had a few moments of your own, but even with those, you came back up... And I simply can't do that."

"Jade..."

She shakes her head again, her eyes lingering on her legs. "It's like... I want to be strong for you guys, I really do. Yet, I can't do it. If I had broken down, even for a moment, I wouldn't be able to overcome it as quickly as you do... You're really inspirational to me, ya know? You're a pretty cool person and... And I hope we get out of here together. I want to get out of this madness and be able to go to the beach and watch the waves with mocktails. Mocktails are better than cocktails, and it'll be easier to remember the sound of the waves and the feeling of relaxing... I miss being strong without having to worry about dying every time I turn my back."

I'm stunned for a moment. I stare into Jade's eyes, even if she isn't looking into mine. For a moment, I see her eyes glaze over and a tear welling along her water line. She swiftly brings her bandaged arm up and wipes her eye before it can escape down her cheek. 

I'll have to admit that I'm a bit shocked to hear Jade talking like this. She's always so cheerful and hyper and ready to attack at any moment. I understand people have their moments, and a part of my heart aches for her... She trusts me enough to tell me. A sorrowful smile breaks out on my face.

"Jade, you're the strongest person here," I mumble, staring at her in complete awe.

She chuckles, "Thanks, I—"

I interrupt before she goes any further. "No. You're the strongest person here. Emotionally, physically, mentally, and anything else there is. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but you've done a lot for us in regards to bringing us together... You know that, right? You've formed many friendships with our classmates regardless of our situation and..."

I pause. All of the times that Jade and I have spent together flash through my mind. She spent the night with me when I was feeling ill, I spent most of my time in the hospital with her when she had fallen to the Despair Disease, we sat together at breakfast and Lunch, whenever we chose her outfit for the fashion show, and she helped me through an anxiety attack, and when we first met, even if she hadn't warmed up to me yet.