Danganronpa: Song Of Despair

Chapter 6: Coming To Terms

Once we were out of the sewer, after silently climbing back up, I finally spoke. "She's alive...."

I was really glad that Satchiko wasn't dead, that we were wrong and she was still kicking. It felt like a weight had been lifted... only to be replaced by another at the realization that she was working with the enemy.

"I-I'm shocked..." Jikkō breathed out. "I knew something was really off with that case, but I can't believe I didn't notice it wasn't her. The wounds didn't match those of any prior victims in the slightest, so the thought didn't cross my mind...."

"It was still a new body? You're sure?" I asked, feeling incredibly uneasy.

Jikkō nodded. "Yes. We investigated the death of a stranger." She let out a small sigh. "Let's go see the others... though it may be distracting, we can't keep this new information from them."

"Yeah... let's go." I responded.

~*~

"W-what?!" Katashi exclaimed, "You're not messing with us... right? She's really... alive?"

Jikkō nodded. "Yes, Satchiko's alive... but she's working with Michio. She's probably watching us right now...."

"No." Katashi shook his head. "She wouldn't... she wouldn't do that."

We were all gathered in the hotel lobby, and since Jikkō dropped the news, Mai and Willow hadn't said a word. They were probably in shock, I didn't blame them.

"Katashi... we saw her. She's the one controlling Monokuma." I said, not meeting his eyes. "But she didn't seem anything like herself. She was almost... robotic."

"I-I'm gonna kill him..." Katashi spoke quietly. "Michio... must've done something to her. If he hurt her...."

"Well, she was covered in bandages." Jikkō pointed out. That's not gonna help.

"W-what? Bandages?! She was hurt?! We have to go get her!" Katashi exclaimed.

"Bad idea. They won't let us in so easy next time." Jikkō stated. "The most we can do is find out what's going on, and then we'll know why Satchiko was down there."

Katashi was silent for a moment, staring at the floor. When he spoke, it was quiet and shaky. "Do you think... she didn't do it willingly, did she? I mean... she still cares about us, right?"

Everyone was quiet. I didn't know what to say, I wanted to believe that Satchiko was still my friend, but....

"I'm sure she still cares for you, Katashi." Jikkō spoke softly. "She's probably just being used. If we figure out what's been going on, I'm sure we can save her."

The pianist let out a sigh. "Thanks, Jikkō... but... can we really be sure?"

"I guess we'll have to see." Jikkō said, reaching under her hair and untying her grey bandana. She took it off and handed it to me, and though I was confused I took it. She pushed her black hair to the side, and for the first time, I saw her right eye.

It was grey, like the other, yet slightly clouded over, the pupil dilated. Over her eye was a thin pink scar, ending at her cheekbone. I was almost certain that eye was useless; blind.

Before I could ask about it, or what she was doing, she gave me a small smile. "Kazuki, if I die, find out everything for me, okay?"

My eyes widened. "J-Jikkō, what do you-"

She cut me off, quickly turning to the security camera and glaring right at it. "C'mon out Monokuma, I have something to say to you!"

It wasn't but a few seconds until the robotic bear had entered the room. "Ooh, finally showing your face I see!"

"Yes, I am. It's only fair since we've seen yours." Jikkō said, taking confident strides towards Monokuma. "Why are you doing this, Satchiko? I know you, I know you're not like this. You cared so much, it was foolish, yet sincere. I couldn't understand it, but I liked that about you." She stopped in front of the bear, looking down at him. "I know you're better than this. Just what did he do to you to push you this far from yourself?"

"Not telling!" Monokuma responded, though less enthusiastic than before. Was Jikkō getting to her?

"I see. Well, that leaves me no choice." Jikkō narrowed her eyes, pulling back one of her legs. Before I could even tell what was happening, she swung her leg forward at full force, sending the bear flying until he crashed against the wall.