Danganronpa: String Theory (DrV3)

Interlude.iii - Rantaro

A/N: The above art is my own work and for my own use only!

⚠️ tw/ depression, suicide, self-harm ⚠️

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Rantaro lets out a prolonged sigh, the flashing colors on the slot machine screen spinning around and around...and around. Almost hypnotizing enough to make Rantaro's eyelids get heavy.

The sound of the energetic machines around him turn to white noise...lulling him to a tempting slumber of comfort and ease...into a dream where the people he cares about are safe...and Prairie...

Rantaro's head suddenly bangs down hard against the slot machine.

He doesn't bother to censor himself, cursing freely as he nurses his forehead with a hand. At first he's pissed off, but a rare jingle from the slot machine catches his attention long enough to set aside his irritation so he can examine whatever's happened.

Triple sevens across. Just his luck, now he just needs to get a few more of those and he'll be able to purchase his own hotel key. Still, it's a relief he'd been able to send Shuichi to deliver food to Prairie. How Shuichi had amassed as many coins as he had is still a mystery to Rantaro, but he was grateful nonetheless. As nice as it is though, he'd much prefer to see Prairie with his own two eyes and confirm her security for himself. What if he didn't pack her enough food? What if he should have sent some dessert? What if it was too cold in there? What if she got lonely? What if-

"Huh. That's an interesting method to win a jackpot, I guess...if you also want to give yourself brain damage," an amused voice says over the chaotic sounds of the casino, prompting Rantaro to turn his gaze to see who's disturbed his focus. Going by the deep voice, it really can only be one person.

"I guess I'm a little tired or something. Anyways, what brings you around these parts?" Rantaro asks pleasantly, trying not to appear as exhausted as he feels. It's only the first day since he heard Prairie came back from wherever she went, although her past whereabouts are unimportant compared to how she's doing now.

According to Maki who saw her in the flesh...she was bloody and in bad shape.

To say he's worried sick isn't too far from the truth for once. Even more frustrating, Monokuma intentionally made things all the more harder with that damned rule of his that stated the key to the hotel would be confiscated if the owner gave it to another student...

Rantaro can't help but think that if it had been for anyone else besides Prairie, that rule wouldn't have been implemented at all.

"Nothing much, to be honest. I was just drifting by when I saw that impressive technique of yours. I didn't take you for someone interested in gambling," Ryoma continues, approaching Rantaro to take a seat beside him and examine his coin balance.

"'Impressive technique', he says..." Rantaro hums sourly, followed a breath of amusement. If he doesn't see the bright side of things, this hellish endeavor to win ten thousand casino coins is going to drive him crazy. "Jokes aside, you're right. I have about zero interest in gambling altogether, but this is the only way for me to get my own hotel key, so I'm not complaining. I'm not very good at it either, but I'm not giving up until I get that key. I need to get into that hotel at all costs and I'll gladly pay with my sleep schedule."

"...To see Prairie, huh? Even after the two of you have been at odds as of late... How sure are you that she even wants to see you?" Ryoma questions as Rantaro rolls the slots of his machine again. The colors race across the screen, blending together before their eyes as they watch the segments line up to another loss for Rantaro. At least, to Rantaro's mild relief, he's a lot less sleepy now that Ryoma has stopped to converse with him.