Chapter Text
Danganronpa was once most popular television show in the country. With its thrilling "Real Fiction" killing games, it was just what a peaceful, yet boring world needed to entertain itself. Yet, upon the 53rd killing game, known as New Danganronpa V3, everything came crashing to a halt. Abruptly, the show was ended after a handful of contestants on the show chose to rebel against the system and convinced much of the audience to end Danganronpa. As a result, the killing games all came to an end, and many assumed they would never hear from the show or the rest of the franchise again. At least that was until a peculiar video surfaced online. The video was of one of the deceased participants in the 53rd killing game, Rantarou Amami. The video appeared to be an interview tape, depicting the young man explaining his desire to join Danganronpa.
Immediately, some began to call the video a hoax. However, many who attempted to audition for Danganronpa in the past but weren't fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be selected to be on the show came forward and stated that the interview process they went through was just like in the video. A girl claiming to be one of Amami's siblings even came forward and stated that she was certain the video was not fake. In the hunt for the truth, internet sleuths traced the video back to a user only known as 'Kuro3'. Kuro3 posted the video claiming to be a former member of Team Danganronpa, the company behind the Danganronpa TV show. They stated that they were disappointed with the disbandment of the team and the end of Danganronpa, so they were going to try their best to keep Danganronpa alive. The only other message left with the video was a promise to upload more audition tapes soon.
Amami stood alone in an empty room, staring directly into the camera. Bright lights shone down on him, making it clear that there was some sort of professional set up in the room. Unlike on the show, where he was known for his fashionable clothing, he simply wore a plain brown school uniform. The video focused on him standing there in silence for several moments until suddenly another voice spoke up. The voice didn't seem to be coming from Amami, meaning that it likely was coming from someone behind the camera. The voice sounded like that of an adult woman, likely in her later 20's. She spoke with a professional, but calming tone, like that of a typical secretary.
"Please state your name and number."
"My name is ██████ ████████ and I'm number 077." Curiously enough, as Amami said his name, the audio on the video become distorted.
"So, what has brought you here to audition for the 52nd Danganronpa killing game? Are you a fan of the show? The games? The anime?"
A visible bead of sweat began to form on his forehead as he began to rub at the back of his neck with his right hand. It seemed as if he knew the question was coming, but still wasn't exactly anticipating. After a brief pause he eventually spoke up to give his answer.
"Ah, about that... If I'm being honest with you, I've never actually watched Danganronpa." He said, keeping his cool in the process.
"You've never seen Danganronpa before?! How strange that you'd show up to audition for the show, then."
"Ahaha, I can explain..." He said, continuing the rub at the back of his neck. "I'm not auditioning for myself. You see, my younger sisters are actually huge fans of the series. I never really saw the appeal of it, but they're the type to try to fake being sick so they can stay home to watch Danganronpa instead of going to school. They even have merchandise of all of their favorite characters, as well. And, you see, they always used to look up to me, but then I disappointed them."
"You disappointed them? How so?"
"If you don't mind, I'd rather not say. It's actually quite embarrassing." Despite his words making him seem as if he was nervous or embarrassed, he still managed to keep his composure as he continued to talk to the woman interviewing him.
"That's fine, then. So, I take it this means that you are auditioning for the sake of your sisters?"
"Yes. I figured that would make it up to them. If they could see their big brother that they used to look up to on their favorite show, maybe then they'd be able to learn to look up to me again. I remember how excited they all were when they found out one of theirs friends had a sibling on the show. Apparently that kid instantly became popular at school for being related to someone on Danganronpa. If possible, I'd like the same to be able to happen for my sisters."
"My my, you certainly seem like the type to put others before yourself. I'm sure your sisters would be delighted to see you on the show."
He let out a somewhat forced sounding chuckle before replying.
"Yeah, I just wonder... Do you think they would be rooting for me to live, or rooting for me to die?"
"Now don't say that, I'm sure they'd want you to survive. You're their brother, after all. Now then, that leads us right into our next question. What role do you see yourself fulfilling in the game? A killer? A victim? Or do you think it's possible that you could go all the way and survive the killing game?"
"Ahaha... I'd like to survive if possible, but I feel like in reality I would just end up being the first victim."
"That's quite alright, nothing you say here will necessarily guarantee what your role will be like if you are ultimately selected to participate in the killing game. I'll jot you down as a potential victim, then. But don't worry too much, most people see themselves as being victims. Things tend to change quite a bit once you actually get in the game. Now, let's see here... Ah yes, do you have any strengths that you think might come into play to help you during the show?"
"Strengths...? Well, I guess if I had to pick something, I'd like to think that I would make for a good leader. I try my best to remain levelheaded, even in stressful situations."
"Ah, how admirable. Now then, there's only on more thing I need to know before we can conclude this interview. Do you have any idea on what talent you would like to have for the show?"
"Talent... I haven't really put that much thought into it. Like I said, I don't really watch the show, so I don't know what's already been done before."
"No need to worry about that, we have plenty of repeats. Super High School Level Detective is often a popular choice, for example."
"Ahaha... I don't really see myself being something like that. But, whatever it is, I'd just like to have a 'cool' talent, you know?"
"Cool? Ah, perhaps you could be something like a Super High School Level Idol or Super High School Level Model? It would truly fit your look, you know."
"Ah... Maybe not that. I'm not really that kind of type. Even if I look like it."
"But what you are now doesn't matter once you're on the show. We can make some basic adjustments to allow you to, ah, better fit your role."
"Still, I'd really rather not, if possible."
"I see. That's alright. I'll just put you down as indeterminate for now. No worries, it won't have a big impact on your chances, anyway. It'll just save you the disappointment that could potentially come with expecting one role and getting something entirely different."
"But... If none of my answers really matter, then what's the point of me answering them in the first place?"
"It's best if you just don't think about it like that. We promise to give you the role that we think will best suit you, that is if you do end up being selected for the show. Although, just between you and me, I think you're almost guaranteed to land a spot on the show."
Just before the video ended, there was a brief second where you could even see just a twinge of regret in Amami's eyes as his interview came to a close. But by then, it was already far too late and his fate had been sealed.