#fracturesinreality

[fracturesinreality]

Hey makoto,kyoko,asahina,Toko,komaru wanna know about tsumugi?

Kinda. I mean, she sounds really rotten...

That’s an understatement. She was cruel and manipulative. She had us all fooled until the very end.

That sounds a little like Enoshima...

Almost textbook. We all thought Junko died early on, but she was alive the whole time.

S-Sounds almost like a copycat criminal.

What do you mean by that?

If this Tsumugi girl was keeping her identity hidden for the whole game, and only revealed her true nature right at the end, it might be b-because she was inspired by Junko.

Actually, she did say something like that right before she was executed. Something about being a near perfect copycat...

But that would contradict her narrative about the Tragedy not being real. If Enoshima never caused the Tragedy, why would Tsumugi want to copy her?

Maybe Junko was doing other crimes?

But Tsumugi claimed we weren’t real. By extension, wouldn’t that mean Junko was also fictional?

She never said anything about Junko being fake, did she?

Not necessarily, but it’s not an unreasonable assertion given what else we were told.

Then maybe everything was just a lie? Like, she just said all that stuff just to confuse you guys?

Hmm...maybe.

...

What’s up, Kyoko?

Hm? Oh, I’m just thinking.

You’re really cute when you think, y’know?

Not the first time you’ve told me that.

Regardless, this definitely needs to be investigated. If there’re Junko copycats forcing people into killing games still, we need to put a stop to it as soon as we can.

Yeah, don’t you guys worry! We’ll figure this out!

Would’ve been more honest to say they’ll figure this out. You’re not great at that investigation stuff.

Oh come on, Toko! I’m not that bad!

Maaaaybe we should call it night, yeah? We’re not gonna figure anything out if we’re all stuffed and tired.

Hina makes a point.

You going to take them back to Hope’s Peak then?

Yep. Ready to go whenever you guys are.

Thank you, Naegi.

[fracturesinreality]

Checking In

*Shuichi lays in bed, reading a book, before there’s a knock at his door*

Hm? Who is it?

Maki: It’s me. You’re not naked or anything, are you?

Uh, no, I’m not.

Maki: Good. *She opens the door and steps in, closing it behind her*

Hey.

Hey. You doing ok?

I was going to ask you the same thing.

Well, I’m pretty tired, but I’m just relieved that we’re here.

Yeah...

...

Maki?

It’s...it’s nothing.

That sure didn’t look like “nothing” to me.

...do you really think we’re safe here?

You’re still hung up on that?

I’m willing to admit that there might be people out there looking for us. In fact, I think it’s a definite. If Tsumugi really was working with a team back there, they’re probably going to try and get us back.

But we’re not alone anymore. It’s not just you, Himiko, and myself. Naegi and his friends and family have our backs.

I know that. But I just don’t trust them completely yet.

Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I don’t think we should let our guard down. Who knows how many people were connected to that Danganronpa thing.

I’m not judging you for being cautious, but you can’t just go around being suspicious of everyone and everything.

You really think I want to be like that?

I spent my entire life not being able to rely on anyone but myself. If I got careless, I would be dead. And a lot of the time, that suspicion saved my life.

So what if Naegi and his family say they’re going to keep us safe? That could mean absolutely nothing. They could just be trying to get our guard down for anyone who’s after us.

We can’t believe anyone with anything they say, Shuichi. You might not feel that way, but I do, and someone here needs to be on the lookout for danger.

Maki, you’re being irrational. I get your concerns, I really do, but being that suspicious will come back to bite you once you realize you’ve been pushing people away who just want to help you.

...

...

Maki?

...I’m...I’m scared, Shuichi.

W-What?

We went through so much shit back there. We dealt with so much trauma and we lost so many people. Kaito...Kaede...Keebo...

I just...I want to feel safe. For once...I don’t want to be afraid.

Maki... *Shuichi pulls Maki into a hug as she stifles her sobs*

I know what you’re feeling. I’m scared, too. I’m afraid of what’ll happen, or what we’ll have to face.

But after everything we’ve been through...you know why I’m not as fearful as before?

It’s because of you. It’s because of Himiko. You two and everyone else we knew back there. It’s because of all of you that I’ve never felt braver in my entire life.

I trust you guy with my life. And I want you to trust us too. Having you two with me makes me stronger, and I’m sure Himiko thinks the same way about us.

I care a lot about you, Maki. So please, don’t be scared. We’re all in this together.

...

...p-please promise that.

I promise.

[fracturesinreality]

Settling In

Alright, that should be everything.

Thank you again, Naegi. We greatly appreciate the help.

Yeah, thank you.

No problem. The three of you deserve some comfort, after all.

Yeah, for sure.

The school’s hours start at 7:00 AM, so from then on, students will be coming and going downstairs. I’d recommend gathering whatever you need for the day beforehand.

Are you saying we can’t leave our rooms?

It’s for your own safety, I assure you. The Tragedy damaged a lot of trust people have for one another, and seeing unrecognizable faces around could cause a stir.

Now you’re making it sound like you’re hiding us.

That’s not what we intend to do. I’m just giving you caution is all.

You’re free to come to us if you need anything. We’ll do our best to help.

We’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.

If you all are set, then I’ll head out. Sleep well, guys!

*Makoto then leaves the hall and exits the building*

Would people really be that upset if we were walking around?

We’d stick out if we were. The students here all wear uniforms.

Then, couldn’t we just ask Naegi if we could borrow some?

Maybe, but for right now, we should wait and see how things go.

Besides, I think we all need some time to relax. We’re not in danger anymore.

Don’t count your blessings. It’s entirely possible that someone or several people are looking for us.

B-But we’re safe here, right? No one’s gonna hurt us while we’re here, right?

Most likely not, but we can’t act like our lives aren’t in danger anymore.

If what Tsumugi was saying is true, the rest of her staff should be looking for us. In that case, we’re far from safe.

I appreciate your skepticism, Maki, but Naegi and the others are gonna make sure no one comes after us. They promised they’d look out for us.

What if it’s a promise they can’t keep? They’re just a few people, and if our threat is bigger than that, they won’t stand a chance.

I think you’re just being paranoid...

*sigh* Maybe I am. But we still need to keep an eye out, just to be safe.

For now, we should just get some rest. We can talk about this later when we’re a little more awake.

I could really use a nice hot shower right now.

Heh. That sounds like a good idea.

It really does, doesn’t it?

[fracturesinreality]

I'm curious, how are Byukuya and Hiro doing? Do you still keep in touch with them?

Well, Hiro works at Hope’s Peak with us, so we see him every day.

Byakuya...doesn’t like to be bothered much.

He keeps talking about rebuilding the Togami family or somethin’. I just think he’s using that as an excuse to ignore us.

[fracturesinreality]

After Hours

*stretches* Nyyyeeeh. I’m stuffed.

Thank you very much for the meal.

Yes, it was very good.

Glad you guys enjoyed it!

So, what’re you guys gonna do?

Hm? About what?

Like, in terms of staying somewhere. We don’t have enough space here for three more people.

She’s right. The only option would be to sleep in the common area, but there’s only one sofa in there. And it’s not a pull-out either.

We could find a hotel to stay at. Shouldn’t be that hard.

True, but it’s not a great long term solution.

Hmm...

How about staying at Hope’s Peak for the time being?

S-Staying...at Hope’s Peak?

That sounds a little...scary.

It’s just a school building. Not like there’s anything in there that’ll hurt you.

If you’re worried about scary stuff, we’ve cleaned the place up since it reopened.

Is there somewhere we can sleep?

We did leave some of the old rooms there, didn’t we?

Only a few. We kept them in case anyone needed refuge from the Tragedy.

Well, sounds like that works perfectly!

You sure it wouldn’t be an inconvenience? We’re not going to mess up class schedules or anything, are we?

No worries. That area’s usually kept off limits anyway.

Then I think we’ll accept the offer. Thank you, Naegi.

Of course!

[fracturesinreality]

Don't worry Himiko, you'll always be the Ultimate Mage to the rest of us.

Nyeh. Thank you.

[fracturesinreality]

Did all of you exchange what talents you have, or at least did have before everything happened?

Technically, we never had talents to begin with.

At least…I’m assuming we never did.

Nyehhh…all this confusing stuff is hurting my brain.

At the very least, I can confirm that these three have never attended Hope’s Peak Academy. Not even before the Tragedy happened.

How would you know that?

Well, judging by your appearances, you look at least five or six years younger than myself. And if I’m right about that, you would’ve been in middle school when we were at Hope’s Peak.

Uh, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?

Don’t you know it’s rude to ask a woman her age?

Ah! S-Sorry for asking!

*snickers* I’m just messing around. No need to apologize.

I’m 25.

24.

Same.

M-Me too.

I actually just turned 21!

Y-Yeah, and you got totally shitfaced!

I-It wasn’t that bad!

You tried making out with Hina and spent the whole night belting J-Pop.

God was that uncomfortable.

I-I said I was sorry!

We also had to keep you from stripping the entire time. That was not fun.

Why do you guys have to keep bringing that up?

Well sounds like it was a…festive day.

That’s one way of putting it, I guess.

[fracturesinreality]

Maki, Shuichi and Himiko. If you remember your talents when you were in the, you know, do any of you three remember if anything popped up during the last trial?

As far as we know, our talents were never real to begin with. Tsumugi claimed everything about us was made up.

But how can that be possible? You can’t just make someone good at something because you want them to be.

If I wasn’t a mage before, then why am I suddenly so good at magic?

That’s the frustrating thing. Tsumugi was vague about nearly every detail, so we barely have anything to go by.

Nyeh...I wish we just knew what was going on.