On their way up Ren keeps throwing worried glances at Kaida. She's sitting on the ground this time, with her back against the wall of the elevator, her legs pulled to her chest and her arms wrapped around her knees. He knows there are emotions swirling in her eyes, but he can't figure out how she feels.
Maeko is trying to cheer the bluenette up by making silly jokes, but she only response she gets is a smile that's so fake even Ren can see through it.
The doors of the lift open, meaning they arrived on the ground floor.
"C'mon, Matsui-san, gotta get out of here." Maeko stands up and holds out a hand to Kaida.
The calligrapher keeps staring at her feet, but doesn't move an inch. She just bites her lip.
"Could you give us a moment, please?" Ren asks "We'll catch up to you later."
Tatsuya nods "Of course."
Maeko seems hestitant but agrees. The others leave, though they have to drag Aika away since she's being stubborn and muttering about how important this is for her notes.
Ren sits on the ground in front of Kaida "Are you okay?" He mentally facepalms while shaking his head 'Stupid, of course she isn't.'
"Not really." She admits "I really don't know what to think. This is the second time I was supposed to be the victim... Two people wouldn't have died if I weren't here anymore."
"Hey, look at me." Ren places his hands on her shoulder "Quit blaming yourself already, it's not your fault. It's messed up to murder someone to begin with, I don't care who it is it's just wrong."
Kaida nods "Yeah, I know. It's just not easy to know someone died in your place." She sighs "Something else has been on my mind too."
"What is it?"
She looks a little more determined than before "I don't want to depend so much on others anymore. I had to rely on you to prove my innocence during the last two trials, I couldn't defend myself. I don't want that anymore." She gets up, so does Ren "You know, people have always been helping me. Someone suggested I should do calligraphy, my parents helped me publish my work, you're proving my innocence, all those things in my life that are important, weren't done by me." She clenches her fist over he chest "I think I should stop relying on others so much, so I can help everyone too. I want to be able to stand on my own two feet." She drops her fist smiles "I'm sorry if I'll be distant, but I really need to do this."
Ren nods and he can't help but smile himself "I understand. Don't worry, I'll still be there if you need me."
"Thank you." Kaida turns around "Good night." And she walks away.
"Good night."
Ren keeps standing there for a while longer, thinking about what she just said. He doesn't think she's always relying on others. It's thanks to Kaida that everyone else can keep going, and that they can get along in the first place. He glances in the direction she just walked. She might not realize it, but she's probably the one who keeps all of them together.
The ravennette sighs and starts heading back to his room. There's another problem, one of them is the mastermind. Kaida's attempts to unite them will be pointless as long as the one behind this is still around, because they'll just keep manipulating everyone into murdering others. Ren runs a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. He has no clue who is the mastermind, he knows that it's not him and he trusts Kaida so he doesn't think it's her but he doesn't know anything else.
He pushes it to the back of his mind. It's a dumb idea to start doubting everyone now. That's exactly what the mastermind wants him to do. He's not going to fall for it.
~*~
This time the mood hasn't turned gloomy all of a sudden. Everyone has already been upset over Ginjiro and most of them weren't really attached to Naomi. Heck, Maeko even seems a bit happy that the hunter is gone, she's way more relaxed.
"Good morning!" Monokuma beams.
"Fuck off." Maeko grumbles as a response.
"Has the next floor opened?" Tatsuya asks, though they already know the answer.
"Geez, you're all ruining the fun." Monokuma sulks "But yes, the next floor has opened so feel free to explore!"
"Okay, you can leave now." Ichiro says.
"Why are you always so rude... I was even so kind to confirm an alibi during the Class Trial..."
"Just. Fuck. Off!" Maeko hisses.
Monokuma keeps sulking while he disappears. He's probably learned by now that everyone loathes him.
Tatsuyagets up "Okay then, let's take a look at the new floor."
YOU ARE READING
Living Danger
FanficWhat are you going to do when you're locked up with your fifteen classmates in a building and the only way out is by killing one of them? This is the question the students of the 94th class of Hope's Peak Academy have to ask themselves when they're...
