Chapter Text
When you awaken, the first thing you notice is bright, sterile lights akin to those found in a hospital. The second thing you notice is the presence of 16 pods, all lined neatly in a row besides yours. The third thing you notice that Three of those pods are open. The final, and most shocking thing you notice is that three people, presumably the former occupants of those pods, are hovering over you with worry and relief written over all of their faces. You recognize them. Your friends.
You jolt up at the sound of your name (is it really your name?) being called and the entrance of a young woman wearing a crisp white lab coat. Dizziness overtaking you, you lie back down in an attempt to remedy your discomfort. Your three friends, (you are finally able to recall their names as Shuichi, Maki and Himiko) all step aside as the woman looks over you, worry etched in her face. She speaks, but you are only able to make out a few words.
“.....Simulation...Show..Danganronpa.....alive...”
Alive? You’re dead! You were crushed by a falling rock, the debris from the academy sending you to the same death as the mastermind!
Master...mind?
Suddenly, all of the memories come flooding back. You wretch into a bucket strangely placed beside your pod. You wonder if they knew this would happen. As you shakily lay back down, the woman in the lab coat begins to explain everything.
If you were nauseous earlier, you were absolutely ill now.
“So, we don’t even have families to return to?”
“I’m afraid not.” The doctor, who had introduced herself as Hana replied sadly.
“Most of you lacked enough information to have your relatives traced, and those who we managed to find either had no living relatives or none that wanted them.”
“So, there’s no information on us? We have no identity?”
“I’m afraid not. For all we know, your names aren’t even real.” Hana replied.
Despite yourself, you feel a few tears forming at the edges of your eyes. You quickly turn away from the others in a frail attempt to hide them.
Hana was about to speak again, but her attention is quickly redirected to the sound of another pod opening. You recognize the rather well dressed young woman to be Kirumi Tojo, although who’s to say if that’s her real name.
“I apologize, but I must tend to her now.” Hana says, ducking away and sprinting off in the direction of the half-conscious Ultimate Maid.
You are now left alone with the three sole “survivors” of the game you had so mercilessly been made to play.
Shuichi speaks first.
“How... how do you feel?” He asks, voice barely above a whisper.
“Well, considering I just came back from the dead, I’d say I’m doing alright.” You reply, the attempt at humor falling flat. You try to redirect the conversation.
“So, how long have you been awake?” You inquire, wanting to know just how long they’ve had to wait for you, and how long you may need to wait for the others.
“About a week.” The assassin replies. “The three of us woke up around the same time. You and Kirumi are up now as well, so that makes five.”
You sigh, carefully lying back down to rest your head on the cold metal of the pod.
As soon as your head hits the bottom of your “bed”, you see Hana walking back towards you, looking a bit worried. She makes her way over to you, and takes a deep breath. You brace yourself for whatever she is about to say.
“Ah, well...” she begins. “So,
As none of you have any place to return to, Team Danganronpa has decided that you will reside in a house owned by them. Together.”
Maki jumped up, and Hana shrunk away in fear. The ultimate Assassin takes a deep breath, and sits back down.
“And how does Team Danganronpa expect us to all live together with everything that happened?”
Hana sighed in defeat. “I don’t know. I’m sorry. I’d help you if I could, but it’s all up to them. I suppose you’ll just have to figure it out.”
And with that, she left the four of you to contemplate just how the hell 17 students with already sour relationships could all live together under one roof.