𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞'𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 | Inquisitormaster & Zsquad| Danganronpa

☆𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑☆ || 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝, 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬

FRESHMEN YEAR- JANUARY

~Drake's POV~

Why do the halls seem to be so empty and quiet all the time? As I make my way through, I'm greeted by the gentle drone of the air conditioning and the rhythmic rattling of pipes echoing in the walls... That might just be a personal thing. The silence is so deafening that my game cracks like thunder off the walls, despite it being at the lowest sound setting. It doesn't do much to me since, well, I don't give a damn. The world hears it or they don't big deal.

During the winter break, a lot of snow came down, making our Christmas unexpectedly white and magical. My Christmas hall isn't the most enticing compared to my siblings: a few games I'm sure I already have two— now three— copies of, a screen protector, a headset with a microphone, a new blue controller, some in-game gift cards, and a new blue King Boo themed Nintendo Switch™ case. I didn't stay home, either. Midway through Christmas night, I left without any of them noticing and went back to the dorms. I was taken aback to find Jaxx waiting for me when I showed up. No questions were asked and we simply spent the day watching Christmas movies and playing a few of the games I had gotten earlier. Light had stopped by as well, joining in our "festivities". It was the best way I'd spent my holiday in a while.

Then, New Year came around, and I didn't even bother going home. I had learned to zone Zach's pleading and begging in the days leading up to New Year's Eve until he eventually went back to the house on his own. I stay in the dorms, experiencing the welcoming of the new year with Jaxx, Light, and the few others who decided to stay on campus. I found the whole situation pretty odd, mainly because I never really got into New Year celebrations like everyone else. Becoming a recluse wasn't an option, either, as Light had torn me away from the comfort of my corner and pulled me with him toward the excitement. Again, not something I was used to, but I was going to have to adapt to my surroundings if I was gonna stay there. Things did get a bit crazy, though. A student from another class managed to sneak in a bottle that I think is champagne along with some other drinks, but I turned down every single offer without hesitation. I eventually grew wary of everything and retreated to the room I was supposedly sharing with Light and Jaxx, and they followed. I was knocked out pretty quickly, completely exhausted.

Now, it felt strange wandering the quiet corridor. Most of the Christmas decorations were gone, and the halls were barely lit by the dim, sad glow of the outside weather. I can feel a muscle in my arm stemming from my thumb burning from how hard I'm hitting the buttons of my console. A wince slips through my teeth the second the words "Level Completed" blink on my screen; I wave my hand repeatedly to relieve the sore muscles. The familiar crooked-silled window comes into sight, and I know that I'm approaching the classroom.

That is until my feet catch onto something, and I feel my soul part from my body momentarily as I regain my balance. My palm presses against the wall as I look back over my shoulder to see the cause... Chiaki.

With her legs curled up to her chest, she stares at me, her big opal eyes filled with exhaustion. "I didn't see you. I'm sorry."

"... Shouldn't I be saying that to you?" I raise a brow and tilt my head slightly.

"Oh... Well, I could've tucked my legs in. I just... Wasn't paying attention, I guess."

"Hm..."

Silence. We didn't stare at each other for long; she'd glance down at her screen and I'd find a different focal point. I guess the silence between us became too much of a nuisance. Chiaki's delicate pink eyes look me over, and then she gestures for me to join her, just like she always does. I lower myself next to her, adjusting my position until I feel relaxed.