Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Chapter 1: To Survive (Daily Life) Pt. 9

The player switched off. I stood up and backed away. I fell on my bottom and my entire body shook. I couldn't speak. I couldn't say a word. Makoto did that for me.

"Wh-What is this? What happened to everyone?!"

He shook too, but out of anger.

"GOD DAMMIT!"

He slammed his fist on the desk over and over. Me?

I clutched my head tightly and curled myself into a ball. I sobbed loudly, not even bothering to hide it.

Everything was completely silent. I wasn't aware of my surroundings. All I was focused on were my brother and sister.

What happened to them? Where are they? Are they alright?! Are they safe?!

"...e... L... o... Lo... r...e... Lore!"

I was pulled back into reality. Right in front of me was Makoto. He had concern written all over his face.

"Lore! Are you alright?!"

I looked around and almost everyone was gathered in front of me. I looked around a bit more and found Byakuya off to the side, giving me an unreadable look.

Without thinking, I pulled Makoto into a hug. I sobbed into his shoulder while he held me in his arms and rubbed my back, occasionally patting it.

...

...

...

"Um, guys? I think it's best that Lore gets some space."

One by one, everyone left the room. The only person who hasn't left yet was Byakuya. I shrunk under his intimidating glare.

I wondered what I did to make him mad, but I couldn't think of anything. The way he looked at me almost seemed like... Like...

...

Oh. I get it now.

Despite my understanding of the situation, what he said caught me completely off guard.

"If anything happens to her, I guarantee that you *will* suffer."

Finally, he left the room. I let out a breath I didn't realize I held in. The room was no longer suffocating.

The only thing keeping the room from falling into silence was Lore's silent crying. I squeezed her a bit tighter for comfort, which must've worked because she squeezed me back.

After a few minutes have passed by, she finally pulled away from our hug.

She sniffled, "S-Sorry 'bout that..."

I shook my head, "Don't be. I wasn't acting rationally either."

She chuckled, "I'm a pretty crappy bodyguard, aren't I? I cried in front of everyone."

I gripped her shoulders, making her tense up, but she relaxed right after.

"You are not a terrible bodyguard. If it wasn't for you, I would've lost it."

She blinked once then twice before giving me her signature smile that I've grown used to and even loved.

My heart beat erratically at the thought of her kind smile, showing how grateful she feels for having a friend who truly cares about her.

In a way, she reminded me of my mom. They both cared about me as if I was the most precious thing in the world to them.

My thoughts were interrupted by Lore's contagious laughter.