Danganronpa: Sunken Despair - Free Time Events

Edward Duncan Free Time Event (1/5)

I found Ed alone in the cafeteria, his back facing towards me as he's busy writing in his pocketbook. I couldn't help but think it's a little weird without seeing him with Kai, though I guess even those two have time apart from each other. I held out the book, To Be or Not, thinking it'd be pretty cliché giving him this...then again, I didn't see much use in me having it, so I figured it'd be a good gift to give him.

When I got closer to him he didn't seem to have noticed me at first, so I tapped his shoulder to get his attention. It worked, but he jumped to where it looks like I brought him back from his world to reality. He must've been really deep in thought as he had the look on his face as if he wasn't expecting to be snuck up behind. "S-sorry Ed! Didn't mean to scare you like that," I apologized, rubbing the back of my head awkwardly.

He looks away shyly, unsure of what to say now. Smooth moves Haru...I took out the book and handed it to Ed, causing his eyes to perk up. "Sorry if it's not that grand, I got it from the Monomono Machine and uh...figured you'd like it, due to poetry and stuff," I smiled, still feeling awkward about it. However, that didn't stop him from showing his smile from outside his scarf, hugging the book to show his appreciation. Seeing this gradually made my forced and smile into a real, sincere one mixed with relief.

"What are you doing alone?" I asked, hoping to start a good conversation.

Ed's smile slightly faded underneath his scarf, looking away from my direction as if he was deep in thought. After a few minutes, however, he takes his book and shows me what he was writing.

Light Within the Darkness

Deep in the abyss,

with no promise of escape

despair surrounds us

We find ourselves to

be completely sealed off to

where we're left unheard...

However! Never

give up, for we're all still here!

Don't let fear take you!

No one will die here,

Monokuma will not have

his fun, we are strong!

Do not give in, please.

We are all Ultimates, right?

Then I ask: take heart!

Just look around you!

Even in the darkest depths,

light of hope is seen.

Screw Monokuma,

He's blind to all us sixteen

We will all escape!

Wow...this...I don't know what to say. I couldn't help but cry a little just from reading this. I looked back up to Ed and saw he was looking away, somewhat bashful that I'd criticize his work harshly. I could tell by the way he's holding his left arm timidly. I smile and handed it back to him and said, "That's...that's really awesome, Ed!"

He perks his head up in surprise, smiling that I really do enjoy it. He flipped to a new page and wrote down 'Thanks! I hope to show this to everyone at the bulletin board near the bathrooms,' and showed it to me.

"That sounds like a great idea, I bet everyone would appreciate it," I responded, making him smile more. Though...I know I shouldn't pry, but I couldn't help but feel concerned that Ed still hasn't talked to us yet. Is he really that shy? Does shyness work like that? "...Hey Ed, can I ask you something?"

His head perked up, signaling that I should ask away.

"Are you...still not comfortable with us? Still haven't talked to any of us but Kai..."

His eyes widened in surprise and looked in the opposite direction of me, followed by gripping his scarf as it covered his mouth. Was he...thinking of something to say?

I lean forward, extending my hand to one of his that's holding the scarf, attempting to say "You can trust me, you kn-," and before I could finish he suddenly bolts past me, leaving me inside the cafeteria. I sigh to myself in self-annoyance, saying, "Did I go too far...?"

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Haru Notes:  Despite feeling nervous at first, I'm glad Ed likes the 'To Be or Not' book, and I even loved the poem he has planned for everyone!... Though why did he feel nervous about the poem? He's the Ultimate Poet so there's not much to worry about in my opinion...though maybe Ed still doesn't trust us to talk to us...makes me wonder how far his shyness goes...