Chapter Text
...Keebo didn't have to destroy the dome. We were going to get out anyway, right? I...I miss Keebo already. He did so much for us. And...even if his exit was the only way out, it was too high up for us to get out on our own.
The sun is setting now, it was daylight when we got out. To be fair, we have no idea when our families could have gotten any sort of contact to pick us up. Despite getting our phones back, they either have no charge, or in Himiko's case, there isn't a signal out here anyway. They....I mean, Team Danganronpa staff members said none of us would be partaking in a 54th season. There will ne no 54th season...at least for a long while. From what we picked up on, half the staff are freaking out or quitting.
"Hey...what do you think your real families are like, you two?" I turn my head, Himiko and Shuichi to my left as we are all sat on a picnic blanket of sorts outside the dome...
...those aren't their real names, are they? And what's mine?
"Real families? Uh...well, statisically, I expect at least two of us to have two parents, most likely a mother and father. One of us might have a single parent. And as for siblings...maybe one or two? Or we could be only children." Shuichi theorises.
"Using statistics isn't very fun or uplifting, Shuichi." Himiko replies.
"Ah...I forgot to account for the rates of adoption. But...only about 10 percent of kids are-"
"Shuichi, please stop discussing statistics." I sigh.
"Ah, Sorry Maki. I'm just...trying to picture what kinds of real family we could have. Kaito's motive video showed his grandparents, but...those weren't really his grandparents, were they? And...actually, how did they pull off that motive video? Was it photoshopped? It was just a still photo before the grandparents talked on a couch. I...wonder who got my motive. Would it have shown my uncle? Who is probably my fake uncle. Do I even have an uncle? My parents could be single children, or I'd have an aunt instead."
"...I've been thinking about it too. The orphanage is definetley not real. I've never killed anyone. But then...what is left for me? Who is going to pick me up?" I question.
"Hey! I see a car! It looks like an...um...I only know the popular brands but this looks like an SUV!" Himiko calls out.
We all watch the white car drive through the gates. As it gets closer, we can see people through the windows. A man and a woman and two children peeking out from the back. I...don't know who this is for. It could be for one of us, or one of the deceased.
It parks improperly along the lines. The engine stops and the family pours out of the car. Their eyes are wide as they run over t-
Hrk! I'm being...crushed...by hugs...struggling to breathe....
"Suki!"
"Big sis!"
"We're so relieved...!"
...Suki...my name...that's my real name...
"I...c-can't breathe..." I cough in an attempt to get them to lighten the hugs.
They thankfully recoil by stepping back. I pull my head back and look up. This man wearing glasses...he's my dad, he must be, right?
"Your name is actually Suki?" Himiko chimes in, shuffling closer.
My uh...family turns to look at her. They stare curiously before the person I assume is my brother speaks up.
"Ah, you are the girl behind Himiko, the 2nd ultimate magicain! Um...Uh...I thought I'd be more excited to meet someone that was on Danganronpa, but knowing that it all the murders were real...I don't know what to think anymore." He explains. If I glance at his expression, it's a mix of wonder and fear.
"...huh, so there was a Magcian before me. That makes sense, considering that Shuichi said in his interview there have been multiple ultimate detectives." She replies.
The person I assume is my mother looks at both Himiko and Shuichi, bending down to their sitting level. She warmly smiles at them. "Are you two holding up alright? Do you want us to stay till your families come get you?"
"It's a nice gesture, but...you should get your daughter home as soon as you can." Shuichi insists. "And um...sign her up for therapy. I mean, that's what I think we all need after this..."
...Therapy...yeah, seems about right. But just mentioning that...it makes me wonder how the survivors of the previous games handled it. Would they have survivors guilt? PTSD? Some sort of anxiety disorder? I feel like it's going to be inevidable that I'll develop at least one of those.
"Therapy...agh! Team Danganronpa should be responsible for paying for it, I say!" Himiko calls out to the sky.
A hopeful thought...but...ugh. My thoughts are starting to swirl with harsh memories. I stare off blankly, thinking about everyone we lost, from Kaede to Kaito...
Kaito...
"Are you ready to go, Suki?"
I snap back to reality, turning to my father.
"Uh...no! I...I want to meet Kaito's family first! Please..."
"...your feelings for him...they aren't fictional, are they?" Shuichi speaks up as he gently grips onto his shirt collar. "...of course they aren't. I mean, you're a real human being, your emotions are real. You want to see Kaito off one last time." He pauses, then going to grab a hat that isn't there. "...out of everyone, Kaito has had the biggest impact on us both. And I bet you feel the same about Tenko...don't you, Himiko?"
Despite how painful the emotions are, Shuichi's words bring some solace to the situation. I turn to Himiko, her eyes watery. I gravitate towards her and pull her into a gentle hug. I can feel her lean into my chest.
"...you're a tough young man..." My father compliments Shuichi. "You lead the charge to stop this loop of heartache and destruction...not just anyone can do that."
"A-ah...I don't think I deserve such flattery, sir. I just did what I could so no one would have died in vain."
The young girl that I should start calling my sister shuffles closer. She stares intently at Shuichi's face.
"Did ya have a crush on someone that died? Cuz your face is all scrunched...all the boys at my school that get called out for having a crush scrunch up their faces."
"Shika! Leave the young man alone! He's clearly upset!" My uh...mother scolds.
"...It's ok, really. She's...kinda right." Shuichi says. "But...I think that's on me, falling for someone in a game that revolves around murder." He tries to dryly laugh it off.
Himiko pushes herself out of my chest to look at Shuichi, her eyes a little red, and now a part of my clothes feels a lot cooler as the breeze passes by...
"...was it Kaede?" She asks bluntly.
Shuichi stares ahead blankly. "It was that obvious, huh? Everything about her was just so comforting, like I could tell her anything." He answers. "But...then...how come I felt the same way about-"
Shuichi's mumbling is cut off by the kid that's my brother, I think. Still getting used to it...
"Did you actually see her ghost after chapter one?" He asks.
"...uh...what?" Shuichi seems confused.
"...aw...it was some sorta special effects, wasn't it? I thought so."
"Hey, that's enough." My father raises his voice slightly. "Behave yourselves until we meet Kaito's family."
"...in that case...you guys should...probably sit down, or something." Himiko suggests, trying not to sniffle. I just rub her back.
"...yes. Um, Shika and...-"
"S-satoru!" My brother answers. "...you actually forgot our names...that last trial wasn't lying. It...it wasn't acting..."
"Hey...it's not all bad. I mean, you're here to help me remember, aren't you?" I turn to him, putting on a smile. "Why don't you sit down next to me and start with your earliest memory of me..."
Re-learning about myself...it's probably the best way to kill time until Kaito's family shows up. I just hope it doesn't take all day. With Shuichi and Himiko-...no, those aren't their names...what are their names? I...we can sit and learn about the world we forgot until then.