『 ♧ Escape Artist ♧ 』『 RANMARU KAGEYAMA × DANGANRONPA V3 』

CHAPTER 3-2: Regrets

3RD PERSON POV:

"I need your help!"

Ranmaru stood quietly for a few seconds before finally letting out a quiet; "Huh?"

"I need your help with the ritual! If we want to perform this ritual tomorrow with the council, I'll need a 2nd set of hands to help prepare! And as my co-president, you shall help me!" She explained.

"Oh.... is that it?" He asked. Angie nodded and continued speaking.

"Indeed! So please meet me on the 4th floor, and we'll spend the night preparing!!" She finished. After that, she sauntered out of the game room.

Left alone in the game room, he stayed a while to contemplate the day so far. Within 6 hours, he had; been indoctrinated into a cult, spooked by Angie while butt-naked, given a motive, realised he could reunite with hid friend, and now wasn't going to sleep tonight to help prepare for the ritual. It all felt so surreal for him, and he couldn't keep up with how fast it all was. However,

He actually liked that.

He was genuinely surprised at how, so far, he was ok. No schemes, no murder plans, and no personality disorder or swapping places. For now, all he wanted to do was enjoy his life here. With his final sigh, he raised himself from where he was sitting and exited the game room. Once he had ascended the stairs, he immediately sped up as he walked, one sentence on his mind.

'I wonder where Shuichi is?'

___________________________________________

It was now midday in the Ultimate Academy, and nothing major had begun yet, the remaining duos hung out, while most people simply walked around or stayed in one place. In the dining room, though, one person walked in to tend to his hunger. He brushed his blue hair out of his eyes as he opened the fridge and scoured the food. As he decided on making some Tsukune for lunch, Shuichi stood still in the silent room for a moment.

'Is someone else in here...?' He thought impulsively.

As he looked around the kitchen, he slowly focused back on the ingredients in his hand. However, he nearly dropped them when he saw movement by the door. When he focused, the door remained unmoved. He then chose to set down the chicken in his hand and slowly approach the door. When he was a little closer, he was able to see a small tuft of fluffy white hair poke out from the corner.

"..Ranmaru...? Is that you..?" Shuichi asked. After another few seconds of silence, the guilty student slowly revealed himself from behind the door.

"...is stalking each other the norm for us now..? If so, you're not doing the best!" Shuichi said, letting out a quiet chuckle. Ranmaru responded with a chuckle as well but remained slumped over as he tried to hide his beat red face.

"S-sorry for spying.... again. I just... wanted to.. t-t- talk to you..." Ranmaru muttered. "D-do you mind... if we spend time... to-together..? It's OK if you d-"

"Hey, I never said no! Maybe.. we can talk over lunch! How does Tsukune sound?" Shuichi interrupted Ranmaru, to which the latter quickly nodded.

After that, Shuichi invited Ranmaru into the kitchen, and the two immediately began cooking. Shuichi took the initiative, being the surprisingly better cook between the two. Ranmaru stood back, giving little compliments and asking questions that Shuichi accepted. However, Shuichi had one thing on his mind with Ranmaru, and once the chicken balls were coated and frying, he shared an awkward look with the stiff white-haired boy

"So.. hmm..  how is the student council?" He asked slowly.

"Uhh... notttt normal. But hey, it's Angie.. and she can be quite spontaneous." Was Ranmaru's reply. The two continued tending to the food, but their awkward conversation didn't take long to get going.