The bathroom smells like ash and rot. Tenko breathes in deeply, trying to get the smell to be her anchor to this sad little reality she’s been attempting to create here. It does work out a bit. After another inhale, she finds herself gagging a bit at the stench, so she splashes her face with cold water and walks out back into the living room. Almost trips on an old takeout box. Cursing quietly, she picks it up and looks at the overflowing trashcan, then puts it back down on the floor, not particularly in the mood to take the garbage out right now. Maybe tomorrow.
Maybe.For a moment, it almost feels - peaceful. Almost. And then a shrill scream pierces the three AM silence of the tiny apartment, and Tenko sprints to the bedroom, already afraid.“Miu!” she cries out. The girl is trashing on the king-sized bed taking the entire space, and Tenko is terrified to see her hands are on her neck. Terrified - but not surprised. She did watch Miu get killed, saw her limp body in HD as other simulation - the Dangan Ronpa one, not the inner one - survivors shook their heads and said they had expected such turn of events. And Tenko just - felt sick. Just like right now.“Miu,” she repeats, lying a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Wake up.” When Miu does and lets out a sob, Tenko says, “Look a me- just breathe, okay? I’m here.”“You’re here,” Miu mumbles out, clinging to Tenko. “You’re here, fuck, you’re here, and I’m here, and not being f-fucking-” She breaks off, and soon Tenko’s shirt is damp with tears. She doesn’t say anything about it, just strokes Miu’s hair and holds her close.At least they survived. For the past twenty years, they’ve been surviving - and there’s no other choice but to keep doing it.