Danganronpa Beginnings of Despair

Chapter 1: The sweet calm before the torment of despair part 3

Skadi, without losing her diva pose, extended a hand toward Mukuro. "If you're going to stay in her life, learn this: we protect with style," she said, adjusting the bear clip in Mukuro's hair with a painfully affectionate pinch. "And if that pathetic redhead touches a hair on your head..." Her smile showed too-white teeth. "My roses need fresh fertilizer."

From her hiding place, Junko scribbled frantically in a tiny notebook, her baguette now unrecognizable from her bites.

Her eyes shone with a mixture of jealousy and strategic fascination, like someone finding new pieces for a macabre game.

"So Abrian has a small personal army," Mukuro murmured, more to herself than to the sisters. "That explains why she always seems so... free."

"Free isn't the word," Skadi corrected, unnecessarily smoothing Mukuro's bangs with a brusque but strangely careful gesture. "Let's just say she has a safety net woven with obsessive love, constant vigilance, and lots and lots of glitter."

Mukuro felt a strange familiarity in that gesture. Unlike when Junko touched her—always with a controlling intent—Skadi's actions had a genuine intention to improve, to elevate rather than dominate.

"You look like her," Mukuro said without thinking. "Like my sister. But you... you shine on your own, not to outshine others."

The comment surprised Skadi, who narrowed her eyes suspiciously before giving a predatory smile.

"Your sister looks like the type who wears pink lipstick just to match her victims' blood," he replied, looking straight into the bushes where Junko was hiding.

I respect that, but you should know that in the Kumashima family garden...—her crystal-embellished nails flashed dangerously——there are flowers that devour insects.

Göndul watched the exchange with growing fascination, his hammer now forgotten as he clasped his hands in a gesture of pure emotion.