Danganronpa: String Theory (DrV3)

2.12 - Ascent

I turn and march back into the warehouse after Monokuma's confrontation, returning to the shelf where I remember seeing Miu hide the climbing gear she invented and shoving the Sudoku puzzle book in the back of my belt where I don't have to carry it with my hands. Getting on my tiptoes, I pick up a box and haul it out of the way to grab the box Miu shoved in, carefully pulling it out of it's slot on the shelf and making sure it doesn't take me down with its weight if it happens to be too heavy.

"Prairie Doooog~"

I stiffen up, pausing in my efforts to slide the respective box off the shelf so I can glance back over my shoulder. Unsurprisingly, it's of course Kokichi. After all, he overheard my conversation about meeting up with Miu in here earlier, so why wouldn't he check it out? Someone as nosy as him doesn't let things like these slip his notice.

"Go away," I huff as our eyes meet, turning away from the leech with the much-too-innocent deceitful grin that's usually plastered to his face. "I've had enough of you and I refuse to deal with you anymore."

"Oh, really? If that's true, why are you talking to me? Shouldn't this be the part where you give me the silent treatment again?" He asks curiously with a sweet tone just as I finally pull the box from its slot on the shelf. Thankfully, it's not as heavy as I expected it to be and I sigh in mild relief. Maybe it's dumb of me to not have thought Miu would consider making it lighter so I could climb with it. She may be vulgar, but I've got to give her credit where credit is due.

As for Kokichi, that dumb leech ought to know I've realized ignoring him clearly doesn't work. We danced that tango last time, so I'm simply going to put my foot down and firmly state my stance rather than pretend he doesn't exist.

"Just make like a tree and leave," I add, putting the box down and flinching with a small squeaky yip of surprise when Kokichi throws his arms over my shoulders from behind and slumps against my back with a dramatic sigh.

"But Mousey-mouse, trees don't mooove...!" He whines annoyingly, barely resisting when I quickly shrug him off of me, take a few steps back, and whirl around to face him irritably.

"Put an egg in your shoe and beat it. Make like a banana and split. What part of 'leave me alone' do you not understand? You're annoying me and I don't want you around. Why don't you go bother Rantaro or Kaito- someone else but me! I'm trying to get us out of here and you keep getting in my way like a roach or-" I cut myself off as realization hits me, causing me to stare at Kokichi quietly when I notice his piercing stare. He just continues to smile back, making a point to flutter his eyelashes and turn his body either side in a playful motion that only bugs me even more.

I'm being distracted, but I don't know from what. What did he do and when did he do it?

I reach for my key ring and tap them to check if my two room keys and the key for the classroom on the second floor are still there.

"Nee-hee-hee!" He laughs as I pat myself for my monopad and clips, finding nothing he could have taken since everything that's usually on my person is still on me. I turn my glare towards him.

"What did you do?" I demand, causing a look of hurt and sadness cross his features as a result of my pointed stare.

"H-Huh? I didn't...why are you always so quick to accuse me of things? That really hurts my-"

"'Feelings'? What feelings? You're just a slab of meat that's dead inside and walks around bothering people," I snap suddenly, irritated yet sensible enough to feel guilt bubble up inside me immediately when I hear what's just come out of my own mouth. More guilt forms when I see Kokichi slightly pause as a result of my words.