Danganronpa: Song Of Despair

Chapter 6: The Decision

I looked around at everyone, growing worried by their fearful expressions. I knew that no matter what, we had to get out, and though I understood their hesitation... would they actually vote to stay?

Mai spoke up first. "If it's really safer to stay... shouldn't that be what we do?"

Willow slowly nodded. "Yes... you'd be in danger out there, I don't want that...."

"I want him dead." Katashi stated. "We have the option to kill him, let's take it. He deserves to die for all he's done."

"The logical choice would be to stay and kill Michio. We get safety and eliminate the enemy." Jikkō said.

"Jikkō... not you too..." I couldn't believe it... none of them want to escape?

"You didn't let me finish." The black haired girl responded. "Even though thinking simply as that would make it the obvious choice... it's stupid. We've been working all this time to escape, I don't know how you three are so easily giving up."

"B-but, it's dangerous!" Mai exclaimed. "If we go out there and die, it'd be just as pointless!"

"No, that's wrong!" I objected. "It would at least mean we tried, doesn't that count for something?"

"But..." Mai looked to the floor. "I don't... I don't know...."

"Mai." I softened my voice. "You have a family that could be waiting for you out there. Don't you want to know if they're okay? If they're looking for you?"

"Y-yeah... I guess so..." Mai responded weakly.

"I don't want to lose anyone else." Willow stated, petting her snake. "Don't we deserve safety after all this?"

"What about everyone else outside?" I said, "If they really are all suffering, maybe we could help them, and make the whole world safe!"

"I get what you're saying, Kazuki, but it's a little unrealistic..." Willow responded.

"We just..." I paused for a moment. "Need to hope. Hope for the future. If we hold onto hope, we can get through anything!" I turned to Satchiko. "That's what you told me... remember?"

Satchiko's eyes darted from left to right, before landing on me. "Hope...."

"But..." Katashi spoke up, "Can we really just let Michio go?"

"Wouldn't it be more satisfying to kill him yourself?" Jikkō said, "Just saying."

"I guess..." Katashi replied with a small nod. "It would be pointless to stay here after everything... the world might not even be as bad as he says."

"Willow, Mai, Katashi, Jikkō..." I paused for a moment. "...Satchiko. Will you leave here with me, and move forward with hope for the future?"

"Of course." Jikkō responded, a small smile forming on her face. "And... you can call me Toki, the five of you. I trust you."

"I'll vote to leave too..." Katashi said.

Mai quickly nodded. "Me too! I wanna see my family!"

"If Mai wants to go, I better vote to go too. To protect her." Willow stated, giving her friend a small smile.

We all looked to Satchiko, who still appeared emotionless. "Satchiko..." I started, "Come with us. You're still our friend, you always will be. We'll help you... we won't let you get hurt again."

"Hope..." Satchiko muttered. "Yes... hope... over despair...."

I assumed that was a yes. I looked up at Michio with determination. "We have our answer."

The mastermind nodded. "Alright... It's a shame I won't be able to experience the ultimate despair of death, but oh well." He got up, walking around behind our stands before approaching me.

"That hope of yours, it was my goal to crush it into despair. Looks like I failed." Michio said to me. He took a key out of his pocket, handing it to me, and I took it. "That'll unlock the gate at the end of the first street. I'll turn off the power before you get there." He leaned in close, whispering into my ear. "This won't be the last time we meet, Kazuki. I look forward to seeing you again."

Michio stepped back, walking towards the exit. He turned around, looking back at the girl he broke. "Satchiko, you could still be useful to me. Why don't you come along?"

"No!" Katashi quickly shouted. "You're not taking her!"

The mastermind shrugged. "Guess it was worth a try. Well, it was fun while it lasted." He gave a small wave before leaving the room.

~*~

"Well... this is it. We'll finally be free." Jikkō... no, Toki, said, staring up at the now shut off electric fence.

"Yeah..." I breathed out, looking down at the key in my hand. "Even after everything that happened... I can't help but be happy."

"Because we did it! We're getting out without having to kill!" Mai exclaimed. She grabbed onto Willow's hand, looking into her light hazel eyes. "You have to show me all the species of snake you were talking about! I wanna hold a hognose and a burmese python!"

Willow laughed a bit. "Those are two very different species... but of course, I'll show you all of them!"

"And I'm going to help you..." Katashi said to Satchiko, gripping her hand. "You'll be back to your old self in no time, I promise."

"Well, what are you waiting for, Kazuki?" Toki asked playfully. "Let's get out of this dump."

"Everyone's ready?" I asked, and each person nodded. I felt my heart racing with joy as I inserted the key into the gate.

Finally, we were free.