My Best Friend (A Nontoxic Pregame Saiouma Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

His face shape isn't right..dammit...

I frustratedly erased the part of the drawing that was bothering me. This had to be perfect. His birthday was tomorrow, and I needed to finish it or else-

"Saihara-san! It's your turn to read," my teacher called, alerting me of my presence in his classroom.

"A-ah! Sorry, Sensei..." I grabbed my book and started reading as the class stared at me. Amami-san scowled. I don't think Ouma-kun looked back.

After the teacher dismissed us for break that day, I decided to linger in class and work on the drawing more. Pumping the danganronpa soundtrack through the old iPod I had found in my parent's garage, I got to work. I stared at Ouma-kun's face on the paper and started smiling, subconsciously rubbing my finger on the page like I was stroking his cheek.

I had no clue why I had latched onto Ouma-kun the way I had. Why did I want to be friends so bad? I couldn't tell you. There were a couple things about him that I knew I liked and other than that it was just...a connection. I got those once in a while with people. I was too afraid to pursue them usually, but there was something about Ouma-kun that made me calm down when I was upset and brought a smile to my face. The way he laughed, the way he was always trying to be nice to people. It was like he was untainted. Not like in a dirty way or anything! That's gross. Untainted meaning he was innocent but he was also smart enough to know what's good for him.

Eh, I take that back. He got bullied a lot and he thought that was normal. But I think Harukawa-san taught him a thing or two about how being bullied isn't ok.

I wanted to help him too. He was the only thing keeping me from submitting my audition for Danganronpa. I still wanted to audition but I figured I'd try to make friends with him first before I commit.

We talked once before, I think! I was at a party with Akamatsu-sam- I mean, Akamatsu-san. Everybody in our class was there. I think that Ouma-kun was only there because Momota-san threatened him.

I was drinking a can of beer when Ouma-kun approached me.

"S-saihara-kun! Isn't that illegal?" He asked, nervous.

"Oh, it is," I replied. "I shouldn't be doing it but the cops aren't here so it's really no big deal. Plus, it tastes good."

"But it's bad for you..."

"Eh, I guess you're right. Here, just for you, I'll only drink half the can and then stop, ok?"

"Ah! Okay!" He smiled and giggled. I felt better after hearing him laugh. I think that was when I knew I really wanted to be friends with him.

He sat down next to me. "I d-don't really have a-anyone to hang out with s-so is it ok if I sit here?"

"Yeah, sure," I said. "I'm actually in the same position..."

"Huh? D-didn't you come with Akamatsu-san?"

I looked for her, and found her. She was in a corner kissing Amami-san passionately. I pointed her out for Ouma-kun, totally unphased.

"Ah, she's a little busy right now. See?" I put my hand down and giggled.

"B-but, uh-"

"What? She's a good kisser!"

"I-isn't she your girlfriend?!?"

"Yeah, but she does this all the time. As long as she's happy, it's fine!"

He looked down sadly. At the time, I didn't notice. "O-oh..I see.."

"Sometimes it hurts my feelings and I tell her, but she usually gets mad at herself and snaps at me, so I kinda just learned to brush it off."

"B-but-"

"When she gets mad at herself, she threatens to uh...hurt herself. And I really don't want her doing that. So even if she stands me up on our date this weekend like she did last week, that's ok!"

Akamatsu-san started french kissing Amami-san and tugging on his tie. I winced and chuckled sadly.

"Sometimes it makes me think that I failed her," I continued. "I'm really not good enough for her. But if she wants me to stay with her and keep her company, I guess I can do that."

"S-saihara-kun..." He looked over at me, concerned.

"Yeah?" I glanced back, trying to brush off what was happening as usual and get over it.

"Y-you might get mad at me b-but-" He pushed his two pointer fingers together, avoiding eye contact with me. I could tell he was having a hard time with words. He had a really bad stuttering issue so sometimes it took him a bit to get things out. "I d-don't- I mean- I think th-that if it h-hurts your f-feelings and sh-she doesn't st-stop she's like a....um...a b-bully..."

"Huh? Really...? That's what I thought but she said I was wrong so I just..." I pondered the point Ouma-kun had just made.

Why was Ouma-kun reaching out and caring about me? I hadn't done anything for him before.

The bell rang and class started again, pulling me back to reality. I got back to classwork, trying to work on the card as much as possible without letting anyone see.

I promise I'll make you happy, Ouma-kun. Please, just give me a chance...