Danganronpa v1 [Talentswap] [Female reader: You are Mukuro]

Chapter 1.3: The (Almost) Party Crasher

"May I join you?"

The following afternoon I had entered the cafeteria for a bite to eat--only to see Kyoko sitting by herself. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something in me was compelled to join her.

Kyoko looked surprised at being approached. At my question, she didn't speak, but nodded slightly. I sat down in the seat opposite her.

I looked around. Many of the other students were in the room as well, making polite small talk and eating. However, I noticed that Junko was not among them. Perhaps she was in her room. I could always find her later.

Thankfully, I found upon searching the cafeteria, Junko no longer seemed to be on Leon's mind. He and Sayaka were sitting at a table, having a cup of tea. They were chatting animatedly with each other.

"—No really, I was bright red for days," said Leon, clearly in the middle of a story.

She laughed. "Oh my goodness, I have the same problem. Can't tan to save my life. Last summer when I came back from vacation all sunburnt and peeling, my poor manager nearly fainted when she saw me. 'Course, they'd rather I stay out of the sun anyways because of all the shoots. I mean, I get it, but it's all nonsense."

I turned away so they wouldn't see my staring. Leave it to Sayaka to get along with anyone. She really was a sweetheart. Not that I had expected a self-absorbed diva, but you never knew what to expect with famous model types.

It wasn't that I didn't like Leon. After talking to him, I realized he was actually an alright guy. But there was something about him... We just didn't "click".

At a separate table, Hiro and Celeste were sitting together having a conversation. Or more accurately, from what I could pick up from the little I heard, Hiro was trying to cajole her into reading his fortune, but Celestia was having none of it.

"Come on, Celeste."

"No," she said, her tone firm.

"Please?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Absolutely not."

"Well, why not? Just one fortune. It doesn't even have to be a good one." He pouted.

She scoffed. "Do I look like I'm running a charity?"

The corners of my mouth twitched in an small smile, amused at Celeste's ability to endure Hiro's... muchness.

Kyoko made no attempt at conversation, but instead sat silently in her seat.

"How are you Kyoko?" I asked.

"I'm fine," she said briefly, not looking up at me.

She didn't elaborate any further, so I continued. "Been having fun?" I asked, more as attempt at humor than a genuine question.

She stopped looking down at the table and looked up at me questioningly.

I smiled wryly. "Yeah, me neither."

Just then, Junko walked into the room, in what appeared to be enthusiastic conversation with Hina and Sakura.

"--Yeah, I know what you mean, but my arms get so flabby, I just can't for the life of me build muscle there," said Junko.

"Seriously! Weight training, it works miracles. Trust me," said Hina.

Sakura nodded in agreement.

"You should join me and Sakura for workouts!" said Hina.

"I agree. You are most welcome."

"Oh, I doubt I could keep up with you guys," said Junko.

"Come on, it'll be so much fun!" said Hina. "Sakura is such a great workout partner, she really motivates me to hit my goals."