Danganronpa: String Theory (DrV3)

1.4 - Third Time's a Charm

"...Prairie-" Rantaro begins, making me timidly shrink back from him as I continue to avoid his gaze. Does he mistrust me now? Will I see suspicion in his eyes again when I look at him?

"Wooow, the first girl! And I was starting to think this would just be full of boring boys," I hear Kokichi blurt out with an almost dejavu feeling as Rantaro and I turn, watching the violet haired boy's eyes sparkling as he bounces over to us. "Hey, I'm Kokichi Oma! The coolest one here! You can go ahead and skip the rest of that lots' dull introductions, don't worry. You're not missing anything."

Kokichi surprises me by grabbing my hands and swinging them side to side with playful ease and a bright grin, making me almost question if he's the same evil gremlin I'd met the other two times.

"Who are you?" He inquires, violet eyes glimmering with interest.

I swallow before gently pulling my hands out of his, quickly covering my face with my hair when my cheeks start to turn red.

"I-I'm Prairie Marble," I nervously answer, half leaning away from him since his behavior is just a bit too abnormal from the behavior I've already seen from him. I give him a timid smile after I quell my blush, causing Kokichi to grin before turning to Rantaro with an equally bright smile.

"And you, playboy?" Kokichi blurts out shamelessly.

Ah. There he is, I think, visibly deadpanning at his words behind his back. What an appalling remark to someone as nice as Rantaro...! Why would he go and assume Rantaro would be a womanizer, anyways? Is it just because of his good looks?

"...Rantaro Amami," Rantaro answers dryly, stepping closer to me when the three other guys in the gym approach us. Is it because he's being protective again? Or to ensure he can have a moment to ask me about what that stupid bear said?

"What a nuisance you are... Please just ignore him, he seems to enjoy getting on other people's nerves. My name is Korekiyo Shinguji. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Korekiyo speaks up, causing a heavy sigh from Kokichi as he throws an arm over my shoulders- much too close for comfort.

"See? Wha'd I tell you. Boring!" Kokichi rolls his eyes, but makes no move to remove his arm as I squirm under the pressure of his overwhelming presence. I should say something...! I should shove it off! Slap it off! Punch him!

...Instead, Rantaro reaches over and removes Kokichi's arm himself, much to Kokichi's apparent surprise and my relief as I relocate to Rantaro's other side away from the violet gremlin.

"Kokichi maybe rude, but Gonta sure he harmless!" Gonta speaks up, smiling at Rantaro and I. "Me Gonta Gokuhara! Very nice meet you both!"

Kiibo jumps in after, hair and face still concealed by his coat and hat. I wonder what he's hiding under there... "And I'm Kiibo! I have no last name, just Kiibo."

"It's nice to meet you all," Rantaro picks up the greeting while I shy away from their attention. "So...any ideas why we're here?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, but...didn't that mecha chasing you two say something odd?" Kiibo points out much to my quiet dismay. "Something about your friend keeping her mouth shut 'this time'?"

Everyone's attention falls on me and I quickly avert my gaze to the floor as if there's something marvelous about it. Should I lie? Or just...don't say anything?

"Prairie, do you know what they meant?" Kiibo asks, voice gentle despite his suspicions.

I guess I could just... No. No, I can't. No hints.

"...Maybe," I answer instead, causing surprise to appear on the faces of the boys around me.

Wait till I get to the part where I tell them I can't say anything about it... I think with a sad look.