“I want to die of honor. When I'm old, grey, and my lungs give out. Not here. Not when I have people I can protect... I couldn't protect Heather, but I can protect Leshawna, Cody, even you. Even if I don't feel like it sometimes."
(TDDRI Chapter 2)
Harold is my favorite character. I’m done being in denial of such. Harold is the best. Period.
So you can imagine my state in writing Chapter 3, knowing what I was gonna do. (I was crying)
But looking back, his fate was foreshadowed since the very first chapter, and the character development to get to that point is nothing short of heartbreaking. Having such an idealistic outlook on yourself and hope of the world, only to get jumpscared by your bully, said bully becoming your mentor for your goal, said bully being a bad role model, your close friend dying from you failing to protect them, and the love of your life finally accepting you and making you want to work even harder to protect everyone… yeah.
This is one of my favorite negative character arcs I’ve done in my writing ever. And it hurts. Im a little surprised very few people saw Chapter 3’s results coming. Just about everyone said that Harold would likely be a Chapter 4 death, or if he did die at all, he certainly wouldn’t be a killer. Despite Third Case Syndrome, this is my favorite trial in the fic so far. With the first and second trial, they turned out good, but this is the one I truly felt like I was IN the trial getting my heart crushed. Im working on the Deadly Life of Chapter 4 right now, and even if it’s probably more plot important and out there than Chapter 3, it’s gonna take a LOT of effort to top Chapter 3. If I even manage that.
Btw, I have an Instagram now. ‘TotalDramaDanganronpa_Island’ is the visual novel series of this fic. Check it out if you want! I’d love that!
