danganronpa: rise up

i. where the end begins

Saki never thought they'd be here.

The school was large-- of course it was. The architecture was just another way for the people running the place to flaunt their wealth in the faces of the lowly, foolish mortals who thought that Lone Star Academy for the Gifted was the modern Olympus.

Really, rich people were horribly predictable. Always looking for some way to assert dominance over another.

Saki took a last look at the exterior before sighing to themself. This was ridiculous-- why did they feel so intimidated by a building of all things? Sure, it was big and fancy, but it was nothing to get so worked up about. Saki was just being stupid.

With that thought in mind, they opened the door.

It was even bigger on the inside. People were going into every hall, making it impossible to find which was what and which led where. Saki had to once again remind themself that they belonged here. They were an Ultimate just like fifteen of the other students enrolled here, meaning that they were the best at what they did. Sure, maybe their talent wasn't the most prim and proper, but they'd worked hard to be recognized for it. The Ultimate Activist wasn't a title for just anyone to be given, Saki thought.

Or maybe they were just hyping themself up. They could never be too sure what was true and what was them trying to give themself some semblance of enough self confidence to get them through the day.

They frowned, trying to think back to the message they'd read yesterday. They'd been emailed instructions yesterday on where they were supposed to go. The gymnasium. The standard choice of location for an orientation.

Saki wondered what an orientation would entail. Everyone already knew what the school was about, or at least the Ultimate branch of it. It was the main school to preserve, study, and put to use the talents of Ultimates. They'd been sent pamphlets detailing how classes and the like were going to work along with their invitation papers. So really, this was pointless. Was this just a chance for the students to figure out who they'd have as enemies throughout the school year? Who they'd have as friends, even? Or maybe a chance for the headmaster-- whoever they were, they seemed to be inclined to anonymity at all times-- to find out who had been picked this time around? Or maybe, Saki realized, trying to move their thought process from the cynicality that was often common for them, it was just to explain the processes of the school again, just in case it had been missed by anyone. Yeah, that was probably it.

With a low sigh, Saki unbuttoned the jacket to the school uniform they were wearing. Black and made with uncomfortably stiff fabric. Saki shouldn't have expected anything less. After a moment's consideration they slid their arms out of it, wearing it on their shoulders. Uniform modification completed, they continued walking, shoving their hands into their pockets and hoping they weren't just walking aimlessly. Talk about the bad first impression that would make. Someone had put signs up, they noticed after walking through a few hallways. Probably so dumbasses like Saki wouldn't get hopelessly lost in the large, winding halls of the school. Saki continued walking with the signs as their guide, a bit more confident in their ability to stay on track now.

While they walked, they kept looking around.The ceilings were high, the windows were large, and all in all the place seemed almost untouched, like some sort of museum. Glancing around now, Saki realized they were the only person in this area of the school. There had been quite a few people outside, though.. maybe Saki was taking a different route on accident, or something. Yeah, that had to be it.

Finally, Saki reached the gymnasium. Looking through the window on the door, they could see people already inside. A head count indicated that there were thirteen people currently inside, all clothed in the same school uniform and all of them already talking to each other. Shit, maybe Saki was late. They wished they'd remembered their phone. Maybe then they could check the time. Taking a breath and steeling themself, they pushed open the heavy door and walked in.