Danganronpa: String Theory (DrV3)

3.8 - Capricious Emotions

It becomes painfully apparent once I've sat in one place that there's not much to do down in the middle of the tunnel, save for progressing which I don't want to do. My only other option is basically to roll around on the ground and do nothing else...except sleep.

"Prairie!"

A voice cuts through my attempts to sleep, making me blink open my dry eyes from my constant mood swings between bitterness with myself and plain exhaustion. When I see Monokid beside me, I'm a little surprised. For a second I look around almost expecting to find myself in my room all over again, but when I see the violet lights of the familiar tunnel, my nerves relax and I stare off towards the gate ahead.

I'm not thinking about anything in particular, so after another attempt at getting my attention, Monokid is successful.

"Prairie, aren't ya tired? I can take you back to your room if ya want! You don't have to stay down here if you don't want to, I know it's cold and stuff and there ain't blankets or pillows around...so whadda ya say?" Monokid offers, stepping to my side to hug onto my arm.

"...It's okay. I just want to stay here for a little longer," I murmur, before feeling something be tossed over my head and back from behind. Almost instantly, the cold is blocked out and I hear Monokid click in slight vexation.

"Monodam, I didn't say to do that yet," Monokid comments as he pulls the blanket back just enough so he can wrap it around me properly. "We can wait till you're ready."

He takes a seat at my side, and to my surprise Monodam wiggles under the blanket to get to my other side, hugging my other arm hesitantly before robotically sitting down like he's unsure of his actions. Did he come of his own volition, or did Monokid drag him down here? Well, I guess it doesn't matter.

...The blanket is nice and warm though, even if I am still a bit damp from falling in the water so much.

"How long have I been down here?" I ask, breaking the silence after a couple of minutes.

"Ah, like five hours give or take...you need to eat!" Monokid comments, rubbing my back and eventually gently pulling on my arm.

"SOMEBODY'S-COMING," Monodam speaks up for the first time to my ears, voice much deeper and robotic sounding than I would have expected. Not even Kiibo sounds as cliche as that.

Wait, did he say someone was coming?

I jump up to my feet and look back the way I came as a knot begins to form in my stomach at the thought of one of the others approaching me essentially when I'm at my most emotional. Who's coming? Why would anyone be down here?

As if sensing the atmosphere, both bears jump up to their feet as well.

"S-Shit. We'll be back later, 'kay? Please get some food when ya can, don't get sick!" Monokid urges me before he and Monodam share a look and then bound away.

It's probably best, considering anyone that sees me with the monokubs will only believe that I'm untrustworthy even more than they already do...but did someone figure out I was down here, or are they simply choosing to look here to cover all bases? Actually, are they specifically looking for me, or is this just one of the others coming down to challenge the-?

Someone far back pops out of the shadows, making me sharply inhale and freeze momentarily at the sight. When a second familiar figure appears beside them, I drop the blanket back and dive down the dark pit in front of me with my eyes closed, turning at the last second so the only thing holding me from falling are my fingers at the edge of the platform. I can feel the blanket graze my legs as it falls further down, leaving a sullen sensation in my thorax.