Freedom Beckons and Hope Calls || Modelronpa || Endgame Start
Time stops for nobody. But, in this case, you all feel fortunate to know that your hours spent confined to these glamorous halls is finally coming to an end. Between the emotional back and forths of your classmates and your captors, a gentle ‘ping’ would ring out on occasion. When you carried your eyes up to the voting board, you were reminded of the task you all had been given.
[SPARE] or [EXECUTE]? [MERCY] or [REVENGE]? [HOPE] or [DESPAIR]? Was it right to give some pardon to those who had destroyed the lives of so many to get to this point? Would you be any better than them to enact on your desire for justice? Well…
[ EXECUTE ]
Atsuko: 3
Preston: 1
[ SPARE ]
Atsuko: 3
Preston: 5
It seems your minds were split. Luckily, or maybe not so, the screens began to blink with a new message.
[TIE BREAKER ENACTED]
On the displays, a small chibi Mina poofs on screen. Looking between the two options, she presses her tiny hands together before jumping up and hitting in her vote. She was still a participant of the Killing Game, wasn’t she? It takes a few moments for the new results to load.
In the end, it appears the cycle of bloodshed was decidedly coming to an end - at least within what remained of your numbers. Once enough time had passed, a satisfactory bell and the word S P A R E was presented on all of the screens. With that, an unconscious breath that had been held was finally released. Modelbot, in particular, had moved in-between Preston and Atsuko to wait for the verdict and clung to the Reserve Course Student’s leg in what was best described as relief.
“Thank goodness… Thank you…. Atsuko-san, Preston-san… I’m glad…!”
Once Modelbot clings to her leg, Atsuko kneels down to pull them into a hug, letting out a breath of relief. She hadn’t cared if she lived or died, but she was glad she still had a beating heart in order for her to be able to give the small bot at least one last embrace. Her little bot was safe, and she was able to at least hold them one more time.
“I’m here, little one. I’m here...I won’t leave you. Not until they make me. I won’t.”
She glances at all of you as she stands up, letting go of Modelbot but still resting a hand on top of their head with her fingers absentmindedly going up and down their head as though threading through hair.
“...Th...T…”
The words seem to be causing her physical pain to utter, but she eventually gets them out.
“Th...Thank...Thank you. For. The vote.”
Preston watches Atsuko with a softened gaze, relieved that she will live and that she is trying to be somewhat polite about it. But he doesn't smile. Now the only way is forward, and he had never given any thought as to how he would take the next step. He looks around at his classmates, but unable to bear meeting their eyes for too long, he returns to just looking down at his hands placed on the podium before him.
Modelbot hugs Atsuko tightly again, watching the class before they clear their “throat”.
“Ahem… Right. There’s still work to do, I-I guess…”
Slowly, the small bot detaches from the blonde girl’s leg and moves before the podiums. Wringing their hands, they eye you all with that normal level of suspicion. But, this time, you’ll notice some level of thankfulness in their expression.
“Dr.Choi wanted you to join them down in the basement… If you follow me, I’ll take you there as asked…” A pause. “I- …” They shake their head, “N-Nevermind. Come.”
Shoulders slouched with the weight of uncertainty, they tentatively push open the doors and marvel at how they swing open with ease this time.
For once, doors here in HP’s Most Excellent’s Agency are opening for you rather than slamming in your face.
