Despairing Hope [Goodbye Despair: Danganronpa 2 x Male Reader]

Introductions - 3

Compared to an understanding silence such as the one the three of us had when Hinata was just getting up, this one was tensed, and it honestly felt pretty suffocating. Looking at Komaeda's face only made the feeling worse because he just looked so...disappointed.

Was I not supposed to say that?
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Yeah, I wasn't supposed to say that.

Komaeda's voice was distant as he questioned, "How exactly does that work?" I felt like I was being interrogated for committing a crime, and awkwardly replied, "Well, every single sport, game, bets even, I...lose. Most of the time. Like, you guys can bet with me on something right now."

Catching onto Hinata's curious gaze, I turned to him and smugly grinned. "Try me, sand boy." After brushing himself off out of embarrassment from being called out for the sand still stuck onto his clothing and hair, Hinata stuttered, "W-well...how about...about a...standing contest?"

"What do you mean?"

"Ah well, I mean...do you want to bet that you can stay standing for 3 seconds? I honestly don't think anyone can really lose to that." I shrugged and rooted myself into the beach's sand, with a smirk of cockiness. "Alright, let's bet. Wanna count Komaeda?" Komaeda looked very uncomfortable with the boost of confidence but mumbled, "I suppose so," and began to count.

"One..." Hinata held my gaze, the look on his face hinting that he still didn't understand that was going on but was also skeptical. "Two..." I stared back with determination, praying that just for this once the world would be on my side. "Thr..." Komaeda didn't get to continue.

There was a sudden sharp pain in my gut, catching me off guard. The other guys watched with mixed emotions as I doubled over in agony. However, I tried to play my luck, weakly stating, "I-I'm still k-kinda st-" I lost my balance and fell onto the floor from my hunched position, rolling onto my side while holding my stomach.

Curses and groans came from my mouth and Hinata slightly bent down next beside me, asking, "A-are you okay!?" As soon as he asked me the question, the cramp in my abdomen was released and I let out a shaky breath.

"H-ha! Ow. That hurt, but it wasn't that bad actually. Once I had a swarm of fire ants climb my legs and bite me in the middle of winter." Hinata cringed and Komaeda smiled lightly. "You must live up to your 'talent' if it got you into Hope's Peak Academy, [L.Name]."

It seemed like he wasn't in a pissy mood anymore so neither was I, standing up while playfully glaring at him. "That better not be an insult." He shook his head, playing along, and put his hands up in surrender, stating, "It was supposed to be a compliment!"

The imaginary thick fog that was cast over us earlier dissipated, but Hinata still looked a bit uncomfy just standing there and once again Komaeda didn't miss it. He looked at Hinata with sympathy, saying, "...We feel a bit out of place here too." I did but I never... Whatever, go off I guess.

Hinata was startled by his words, rubbing his own arm in some way of comfort as he nodded silently. Komaeda hummed and then found a way to return to a topic beforehand. "What's your talent, Hinata?" Hinata looked ready to reply but his defense fell a bit abruptly. He slowly closed his mouth and stared down at the ground, abashed.

Eventually, he just quietly muttered, "H..u..h?" Right after he shuddered, making Komaeda quickly step forward, murmuring, "Hinata...what happened?" Hinata shook his head, looking back up at us and trying to seem okay. "Ah... it's nothing...!"

Once again, he rubbed his arm nervously and honestly answered, "I guess...I'm still pretty confused about all this... I'm having trouble remembering some things." I picked up on the context clues hidden beneath his statement and asked, "You can't remember your talent?"

Hinata squeezed his arm and tried to avoid a direct answer. "I'm probably just...shaken." Komaeda gave him a look of understanding, admitting, "I understand how your memory might be confused after suddenly getting into a situation like this..." With a bright grin growing, he waved his hand in a form of reassurance.

"I'm sure you'll remember soon once you've settled down. So...I don't think you need to worry about it all that much." I backed up Komaeda's point with a simple thumbs up. Hinata still seemed unsure but he managed to give us an awkward and thin smile. "You're...right...," he hesitated.

Komaeda and I both returned the expression in full, and I realized that I never fully introduced myself. Affirming my suspicion, I questioned Hinata with, "Hey, Hinata, did you ever get my first name?" When he shook his head I took the opportunity to grin and declared, "It's [Name]. If you find it easier to call me by my first name, you can. Nice to meet meet you."

Nodding in understanding, Hinata's forced smile seemed a little less forced in the moment. Komaeda looked like he had something to say but suddenly, there was a beep that came from all of us, the poor guy being the only one who didn't visibly flinch. "Hey, did something just beep?!"

While Hinata tried to play off his panic, I let out a shaky breath from the sudden audio scare of the stupid e-Handbook. God, I hoped there was a 'turn off notifications' button on that thing or I'd be super annoyed by the end of the day. Hinata pulled out his e-Handbook and looked at it with wonder.

"Wh-what the hell is this? It's like a PDA or a smartphone... Wh-Why is something like this inside my pocket?" Komaeda was perplexed, recalling, "Usami was passing them out earlier... Remember?" However, his confusion passed by quickly and instead he laughed at his own reaction. "Oh right... You seemed pretty out of it when that was going on."

Hinata narrowed his eyes in concentration, retaliating, "N-now that you mention it...I think I kinda remember but... What is this?" He totally didn't remember. Usami made a 'ding ding ding' ad-lib while cheerfully informing, "It's an e-Handbook!"