Small Danganronpa Project Fics

A Helping Hand

   
    Shuichi had returned from the dining hall after eating breakfast with the other students. Although he knew breakfast was the most important meal of the day, he just couldn't bring himself to down a full meal. He was shaken up, only having recently been told of the situation he was in.

    To put it simply, it was cruel. Too cruel. Having been kidnapped and trapped in an abandoned school with several other students, only to be told they'd all be forced to murder each other in order to see the outside world once again. It was hard to fully register. In fact, the concept alone was almost like a bad joke. 

    Since then, his mind had been clouded with a deep sense of dread. Would the other students really play along with this? Would he be the next victim? Does it all end here for him? His head was plagued by anxious thoughts and unanswered questions. 

    Distracted by everything going on in his mind, he wasn't paying attention to where he was going, and consequently ... tripped. 

    Shuichi cried out as he tumbled to the ground, just meters away from the dormitory. 

    "Ngh!.." He put a hand up to the side of his chin, having hurt it from the fall. 

    It was then that he heard a familiar feminine voice cry out from behind him. 

    "Oh! ..Shuichi! Do you need a a hand?" 

    Shuichi adjusted his hat and looked up to see a young girl with blonde hair, rosy cheeks and a warm smile on her face. She was leaning over and holding out her hand for him.

    Kaede Akamatsu, the Ultimate Pianist. 

    Kaede was unusually friendly and optimistic. She was everything Shuichi strived to be. Caring, determined, and sweet. 

"K-Kaede..?" He blurted.

    Shuichi took her hand and she helped him up. He leaned over brushed off his knees before looking up at her, dazed. 

   "I-I'm sorry.. I wasn't paying attention and-" Kaede cut him off.

   "No, no, It's alright. I'm clumsy too, you know." Embarrassed, Shuichi fell silent. Kaede noticed the look on his face and displayed an expression of concern. Shuichi looked tired. Not just physically but..mentally, too. He had been through a lot in the last few days, and it was showing. There were dark rings around his eyes and his skin was more pale than usual. 

    "Uhm, Shuichi..? Is everything alright? You look .. Tired."

    It was true. Shuichi hadn't slept much after what had happened. It felt impossible. Last night, he was tossing and turning, unable to block out the feeling of dread. It was like a bad taste he just couldn't spit out.

    Shuichi's expression sank.  

   "Here.. I'll walk you back to your room." Kaede said quietly. 

    Shuichi nodded. The short walk back was completely silent. He was absorbed in his thoughts once again. Before he knew it, they were there. Kaede paused for a second, eyes scanning across Shuichi's expression. He looked troubled. Tired. Scared.  She immediately recognized the cause of it - It was obvious. 

   "Is it okay if I.. to talk to you really quick?" Shuichi flinched, his thoughts interrupted.

   "O-Oh..! Uhm, alright." He opened the door and let Kaede in. She sat on his bed, hands clasped together, signaling him to sit next to her. 

    There was a silence for a second as Kaede gathered her thoughts. 

    "Shuichi... Are you ... Afraid?" She said softly. Shuichi's heart dropped. He was scared to open up about it - to make himself vulnerable, especially in a situation like this. 

    "A-Afraid? N-no, no no. Haha- D-Don't get the wrong idea.. !" He stammered, clearly tense. Kaede smiled sadly. It was true. She looked him in the eyes. 

    "It's okay to feel that way. I'm afraid, too. ...We all are. Never in my life did I ever think I'd be put in a situation as- horrible as this. ..I think it's the same for you." Her expression softened, seeing the dark blue-haired boy so distressed. "...Right?" Shuichi opened his mouth to speak, but the words just wouldn't come out. Kaede knew what was going on. There was no use lying about it any longer. "We have no choice but to keep pushing forward. And.. That's why I want you to believe in yourself, Shuichi."

      "But.. Why?" He mumbled in a shaky voice. "Why are you.. t-trying to help me..?" Shuichi felt a lump in his throat and his lip quivered.

    The whole time Kaede had been in the school with the other students, she'd always see Shuichi in a miserable state. He'd been doubting himself, holding himself back from trying. Giving into the fear. It overwhelmed him. And.. Kaede had been there at some point, too. 

    Kaede took Shuichi's trembling hand. "Because I.. Hate seeing you like this. I don't want you torturing yourself even more than Monokuma is torturing you. I've- I've done the same thing to myself. When I was in primary school, my musical performances felt like pure misery. I was so afraid of messing up - Of making a terrible mistake. It made me feel like puking. But I had to move forward, go along with it, and try my best. It was the only thing I could do. ..And I want you to do that too, Shuichi."

    Shuichi abruptly wrapped his arms around Kaede, tears forming in his eyes. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. Shuichi was afraid. They both were. The pianist gave a small, sad smile and patted Shuichi's back, returning the long hug. 

   "Hey, It's going to be alright." She reassured him.

    They pulled away and Kaede looked at him.

    "I can't assure you that I'm going to make it out of here. - But if I don't, I want you to try your best to make it out alive with all the other students. Promise?" Kaede smiled and leaned in, wiping Shuichi's tears. He was quiet but finally looked up at her, making eye contact.

    "Promise." His expression, although concerned, had a little more confidence to it. Kaede looked as though she was deep in thought, resting her chin on her hand. She was the kind of girl that was able to jump from one subject to another at a surprising pace. 

    "I-Is everything alright? I'm so sorry for causing a scene..!-" He stuttered.

    "Oh-! No, it's not that. I'm just thinking about what I can do to help you feel better." After a moment of silence, her eyes lit up.  

    "Ah! I got it! How about we spend some time together, Shuichi? I'm sure Kirumi could make us some tea. And then, you'll feel all better in no time!" She exclaimed. 

  "You.. think so?" 

   "Yup! Kirumi told me she was always up to do stuff for us. After all, she is the Ultimate Maid."

   "Alright. That sounds good."

   "Here, c'mon!" Kaede grabbed Shuichi's arm, but he stopped her. 

   "Wait- I just wanted to say ... Thank you, Kaede."

   "Thank you?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "Thank you for... Helping me. It means a lot to me. 

    "Ah, that? No problem." She said, looking down and running her fingers through her hair. There was a warm silence, then Kaede smiled again, her bubbly facial expression returning. 

    "So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" She urged, dragging Shuichi out of the room by his arm. 

   "A-Ah! Be careful..!" He cried. 


    The rest of the day was bliss for the two highschoolers. 


   And it was all thanks to Kaede, who lent Shuichi a helping hand when he needed it the most.