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The trouble had started two days ago when Iruma came giggling into the dining hall. Then after that had come Chabashira who was, in contrast, almost completely emotionless. The room had descended into chaos before everyone realized Akamatsu hadn't joined them.
It'd taken Ouma to get into Akamatsu's room. The long minutes ticking by with two out-of-character classmates and no Akamatsu had been agonizing. Once in, the sight hadn't been pretty. Akamatsu started wailing right away, tossing anything she could get her hands on towards the door.
Maki had to kick all of them out and take charge of Akamatsu herself.
She'd have done it anyway, but at least no one would be questioning why. She was lucky enough Toujou wanted to vouch for her. The assistance probably wasn't out of any consideration for Maki, but more out of respect for Akamatsu's decision to reach out to her after the second trial.
Maki dodged the hand clawing at her face, ducking under and gently sweeping an elbow to the side. Akamatsu howled, but her struggles were too weak to even budge Maki away. The arm Maki held radiated heat even through the sleeve. Akamatsu yanked against Maki; once, twice, and then came at her with the other arm.
That was just as easily pushed away. Maki straightened her up as gently as she could. Akamatsu, realizing the situation, yelped and pulled back.
Tears trailed over Akamatsu's flushed cheeks, her eyes hazy and wide. Unfamiliar guilt rose in Maki's stomach before she ruthlessly pushed it down. The fear in Akamatsu's eyes was vague, more unfocused than anything concrete.
Akamatsu wasn't scared of Maki, because it wasn't Maki she was seeing at all. It was unsettling. Fear was a well worn reaction; fear of what Maki could do, what Maki could end. Akamatsu's fear was more akin to a mouse trapped in a cage. No reason or logic; just pure fear at suddenly being trapped.
Despair Disease, as Monokuma had dubbed it before naming the three afflicted diseases and giggling while disappearing. Iruma was almost overly innocent. Chabashira barely said two words since she'd come into the dining hall that morning.
Akamatsu was scared in general, scared that someone was going to hurt her or kill her. She kept trying to furiously protect herself, with no regard for the things she'd been saying a few days previous.
It was probably the reaction she'd been meant to have at the start of all of this, instead of taking charge and marching forward. That made it that much more unbearable. Akamatsu had been the one to reach out to her. The flinching Akamatsu in her arms was someone entirely different.
"Come on," Maki said, trying to awkwardly rock her. She'd dealt with scared orphans plenty, but there had been an instinctive trust held between her and the orphans that she wasn't getting with Akamatsu. Even at her most distraught, even her old friend hadn't been this far gone.
"Ssh, shh." Back and forth, back and forth, She let go of Akamatsu's hand experimentally and Akamatsu curled it to her chest. "You're safe."
As safe as she could be, anyway. Monokuma had told them the disease was contagious. No disease Maki ever heard of caused these wild personality changes and was contagious.
Akamatsu sniffled in Maki's arms, but it was calmer than she'd been in a while. Hopefully, the lucidity would last longer this time.
"I'm scared, Maki." Akamatsu bit her lip, almost too hard. Maki gently rubbed her chin to work it free. The dropped honorific had happened several times the past two days. She wished she could enjoy it more.
"I know. I promise you, I won't let anything happen."
"I thought about it, you know?" She said abruptly. "When Saihara-kun showed me the door, I thought about killing the Mastermind. I almost did."
"What door?"
"The door. If it worked we wouldn't be here anymore."
"The door in the library?"
"It was bad thought but what if it worked? What if— I'm so sorry—"
She dissolved into frightened whimpers once more. Maki patted her back absently. Saihara had shown them the door, but nothing had come of it since they'd determined Amami killed himself. Maki hadn't thought about it in a while; whatever Akamatsu was blubbering about had to have happened way back.
If she was even in the right head-space to be truthful. It was possible her Fear Disease was warping her own guilt about it. Maki had a hard time imagining Akamatsu killing anyone, Mastermind or not. Regardless, it would be impossible to ask her about it in the state she was in.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"Hey," she said, trying to soften her voice. "Nothing is going to make it past me."
Akamatsu sniffled again, but she stop trying to wriggle away. Progress. It was stupid to think about, but maybe Akamatsu trusted her enough that it was chipping through the sickness. She flushed, and manhandled Akamatsu further onto the bed.
She let her.
In another few hours she'd have to bring Akamatsu more water, which was a hit or miss affair. Better than food, which sometimes she'd become even more absurdly paranoid about. Maki could usually get yogurt down, but anything chewier was difficult.
"Thank you," Akamatsu mumbled.
"It's nothing."
It wasn't. This was the least Maki could do.
She pushed back a stray strand of hair, unwieldy without Akamatsu's usual clips. Her cheek was still hot where Maki brushed against it. She settled in for another night's watch, propping up the Monopad to act as a clock so she wouldn't have to turn around.
'You're strong,' she wanted to say. 'You'll make it through this.'
It all felt too sentimental. Gross. She still wanted to, despite that. Akamatsu reached up and grabbed her hand. She held it loosely, eyes still fluttered shut. Akamatsu had been touchy in the beginning, but backed off when Maki had bristled.
Maki flushed. Normally, she'd pull away. Normally, Akamatsu wasn't so scared she was trying to fight the walls. Normally, Akamatsu would be the one craving touch.
It'd be okay…just this once.