Danganronpa: String Theory (DrV3)

3.3 - Not A Child

Calm down. Control that temper and just...walk away. Show them you're the one in control, even if it hurts.

"Sorry, Tenko," I say after a second, turning to face the Ultimate Aikido Master after mentally stabilizing my rampant emotions. "I know you mean well and I don't mean to be rude by taking out my anger on you."

Tenko doesn't seem surprised, rather smiling as a result of my apology in what appears to be relief and embarrassment.

"No, no, don't apologize! I didn't mean for it to seem like I was looking down on you or anything, if that's what you're thinking. I know you can already do incredible things, after all!" Tenko explains, managing to somewhat placate my anger towards her slightly. I can't tell if her words are genuine to how she really feels, but I guess it suffices for now.

I hear Kiibo breathe a sigh of relief from where he is, like he'd been holding his breath despite being a robot. "For a moment there, I almost thought there was going to be another explosive reaction...! Good on you for controlling your temper, Prairie! That was very mature of you!" Kiibo praises me.

All of a sudden, I feel sick again, but I force myself to just ignore him and bite down on my tongue harder. As if I need him to praise me and confirm I'm doing something 'mature' when I can tell the difference by myself. Does he want to give me a gold star and a lollipop for my good behavior while he's at it too?

"Are you guys sure about that? Ugly and mature don't belong in the same sentence at all. How sure are you of her age anyways? Our records aren't that accurate. She could be twelve for all we know-!" I hear Monophanie start to speak innocently, only to see Tenko's expression twitch slightly before she kicks back with a leg and knocks the pink bear back a few feet to most of the other teen's horror.

"Tenko-!" Rantaro objects, eyes flicking from me to her and back when I look his way. What, does he think she'll be a bad influence on me? Like I'll just pick up whatever I see like some kind of monkey? God, they really do act like I'm a toddler or something.

Monophanie growls as she jumps back to her feet, swatting Monosuke when he fails to hold back a snort of amusement at her expense.

"So RUDE! Whatever! Have fun with the ugly preschooler then while it lasts! Sooner than later, she's just gonna end up being one more little ugly stain in this place!" Monophanie complains furiously, jumping angrily before bounding out of there without the other three Monokubs.

"Ahhh, look what you did, Ugly!" Monosuke complains as well, paws on his hips. "You got Monophanie all upset and fired up again! This is your fault for being so prepubescent!"

Monosuke bounds out of there, and with him goes Monokid, who doesn't spare a single glance back even as I watch him leave. In the end, all that's left is Monodam, and we all turn to look his way.

"..."

Eventually he too decides to leave, but not before making eye contact with me for a beat- enough that my nerves react a little and distract me from what had initially made me upset before. I'm not sure exactly what that look was supposed to mean, but I make sure to commit it to my memory before he disappears and leaves us on our own.

"You know what, I'll catch up with you guys later. I'm not really in the best of moods and I need to cool off by myself before I go exploding like the moe prepubescent I am," I state, surprising everyone when I suddenly make for a power walk towards the exit.

"Prair-?" I hear Rantaro start, until Shuichi unexpectedly scurries after me and blurts out, "Ah, can I actually speak to you outside really quick before you go? It'll be fast, I promise!"