Danganronpa Ghost Town: RISE OF DESPAIR ACADEMY

The Vow of Hope

Botanist:

Rika Madoka strode down the hall of the staff building located in Hope's Peak's east district. Anyone who saw her carefully looked away. It was in their best interest to do so because the teacher of Hope's Peak Academy's 76th class had been summoned to the headmasters office. The hard look in her green eyes and the way she shoved her gloves into her back pocket made it clear to all how she felt towards the summons.

She rounded a corner swiftly, her long fair braid smacking her as she did so. Rika only kept moving, making her way to Jin Kirigiri's office on the fourth floor. Bystanders almost felt bad for the headmaster. The look in her eyes only meant that she meant business and when Rika Madoka had that look in her eyes, her opponent always lost.

Rika was currently hoping her opponent would indeed lose this discussion, but it was a small hope. After all, the entire staff and committee agreed while she did not. She could not. It wasn't in her nature.

The Botanist approached the door at top speed and opened it without invitation. She blew past the secretary and entered with all her tension into Jin Kirigiri's office.

Kirigiri looked up from his desk in slight surprise. "Ah Rika, I thought that would be you."

She looked around the office to be sure they were alone and not shadowed by a committee member.

After making her observation, she turned her green eyes to him. "I'm surprised there isn't a representative here." She reminded herself to be civil and respectful. She found it extremely difficult.

"I didn't think we needed an audience." Kirigiri sat back in his chair. "I think it's safe to assume that you already know the nature of this summons."

Rika narrowed her eyes. "Yes. Unfortunately I've come to discover that I can no longer discuss my opinions with colleagues."

"We all have our own opinions on this choice of action." The headmaster looked troubled. "If there were a better way-"

"I can certainly think of many, simply standing right here." Rika snapped at her employer. Her soul was aching with the schools decision and it heated her blood to know that no one else opposed it.

"Rika I understand how you feel. No one is happy with what has unfolded before us, but this decision is final."

"We're covering up a crime!" Rika threw her arms out with anger. "How? How can you of all the staff be okay with that? The Kirigiri family-" She realized her mistake too late. Rika had drastically overstepped the bounds. She slammed her mouth shut but couldn't bring herself to apologize. She had meant it.

Jin didn't physically react, but the look in his eyes became hard as steel. They were cold and critical. The well known gaze of the Kirigiri family bore into Rika.

"The decision is final. While I don't want to come to any more difficult conclusions if you force my hand I'll have no other choice to but to let you go."

Rika had of course suspected as much. And as expected, it angered her but it was more directed towards the school committee than at the headmaster. Although, she had definitely began to question his character during the past weeks.

"I assumed that would be the consequence. Although...I'm not going to-" Rika took a breath, deeply at war with herself. Some things she had sworn to do. She never went back on her word even now, she couldn't. "I will do as I agreed. I will not mention the Kamakura Project." Although she deeply regretted her involvement. "I signed the paper, and I gave my word. But-"

Rika looked out his office window fighting for the strength to continue.

"I won't lie to my students about what has happened." She rushed to continue and explain. "I'm not going to go forward and tell them, but if they ask I will not lie to them. I will tell them what happened "

"Rika-"

"Think about it." She pleaded to him. "My students are clever, Headmaster. They've heard the rumors- started many of them actually. They're going to look for answers whether I tell them anything or not. But instead of letting them get involved if I just told them the truth they wouldn't be compelled to break any rules to pursue it themselves."

Jin shook his head. "We have no way of knowing that they-"

"I'd be extremely surprised if they hadn't already begun their own investigations into the rumors." Rika crossed her arms. "I want to protect them, and by telling them the truth, I'll be doing just that."

"Rika you've been a teacher here for many years. You get along well with the staff. I'd hate to have to let you go." He rubbed his forehead in agitation, clearly burdened with heavy thoughts.

"The year is almost over." Rika unfolded her arms and put all her focus into her words. He had to understand her intentions. "I want you to know this so it's clear where I stand. If it weren't for my students, I'd resign right now. I can no longer stay here if this is what Hope's Peak is truly like. I ask you to allow me to stay the remainder of this year, but once it's over I'll be leaving this place. What we're doing isn't accomplishing hope. It hasn't been for a long time."

Jin sighed deeply. It was a sigh that Rika found familiar. She had sighed it herself many times in the past months. "The committee will be notified of your intentions and they may overrule the decision I'm making."

Rika looked at him expectantly. "Decision?" Was she really going to get through this?

"You're a good teacher," He began frankly. "-yourself and your daughter both alumni to Hope's Peak. I don't want to see you go like this so....I'll allow you to stay."

Rika's eyes widened.

Kirigiri looked up from his desk, gazing at her with warning. "As long as you keep your word about the Kamakura project."

Rika tightened her lips. "I have no other choice." She admitted. "The committee has my signature."

Their meeting grew silent. The Botanist thanked him solemnly and turned away, hand reaching for the door.

"Rika."

She stopped.

"I'm doing what I can." Jin said quietly.

Rika nodded, but swallowed what she really wanted to say: Whatever he was doing wasn't enough.