Danganronpa: String Theory (DrV3)

4.24 - Echo of a Person

And if nobody is out there? If Monokuma isn't lying, then my options lie with the same group of people we're trapped here with. Then...there probably isn't anyone out there for me. Would they even be capable of liking me for me? Will they see every facet of me like Tenko, Rantaro, and Kokichi have? Or is seeing a multi-faceted person what causes them to not like me like that? Maybe it's better to just settle for the reality presented to me right now: I'm going to be alone for the rest of my life.

By the slight fall of Rantaro's expression as I tune back into the real world, it seems he's registered that his efforts are for naught.

"If you can't believe it, I'll believe it for you then," he says, before making a gesture with his hand. "We should get back to the original topic."

I nod, grateful that he's dropped the sensitive subject. I know he means well, but...coming from a person I know I have feelings for that also won't return them, it'll damage our current relationship if I ever brought that up. It just hurts more than it helps when I hear him say it.

The words just make me feel more empty.

There's no way I'm going to get out of this killing game.

"After I brought soup to you guys in the dormitories, Angie had us congregate in the Artist Lab to talk about the Necronomicon. She said she was going to bring Kaede back- if it even works as it's supposed to. Kaede was picked since she's the only option that never achieved murder," I explain, making Rantaro nod with a slight scowl as he processes the news.

"Well, let's hope it remains that way. With no future attempts. What else?"

I shrug and push some of my hair back. It's chilly enough that shivering Rantaro scoots closer and wraps an arm around me- whether to warm me up or warm himself up. I don't particularly need it thanks to my new freakish cold immunity, but at least it'll warm him up. He looks kind of pale.

"Himiko said she had a special magic powder that would calm me down from all my stress. It did help, that much I can attest to. It was like some kind of seasoning of flakes rolled up into a paper, and every time we lit the wide end of it, we would have to inhale the smoke," I describe, my mood brightening when I remember the feeling and how at ease I'd been.

Rantaro immediately snaps his fingers and sits up from the wall to face me.

"That's it. The plant you and Himiko were smoking is weed- one slang term among many. Still...to think Himiko has that on her person. I would have never thought she was a smoker, but I guess it makes sense with her personality," Rantaro admits, thinking a bit harder on it.

"Right," I say, before it occurs to me that he never saw me smoke. Actually, Shuichi and Kokichi never saw me smoke either. "Hang on, how did you know anyways? Can you smell it on me?"

Rantaro lets out an incredulous laugh at that, green eyes narrowing on me.

"Can I? Cannabis has a strong scent, anyone within a five mile radius is going to smell it on you and Himiko. And guess who's going to be stuck with that 'perfume' until we find a solution for showering and cleaning ourselves?"

...I didn't think this through.

"Better than the stink of B.O.," I eventually state, crossing my arms and raising a brow at him. "You smell like the sports locker room after a match under a sunny day."

"Okay, whatever you say, Señorita mofeta," Rantaro shoots back immediately to my shock, making my mouth pop open.

"I'm not a skunk!" I growl back, watching him grin more. And he had the gall to call me the brat before! Clearing my throat, I change the subject back to the serious topic. As much as I'd like to go back and forth teasing one another, it's better to fill in the gaps of our memories from yesterday if the others ask us. And considering Rantaro's beaten state, they'll definitely have questions. "Were you inside the laundry room the entire night?"