Chapter 1 - Part 1 | Danganronpa MK2

This... this is unbelievable.

Someone’s got to be pulling my leg here.

Maybe it’s me. Maybe this is all one big demented dream.

If it is, I’d do anything to wake up right now.

As I tried to put my fragmented thoughts into words, something trickled down my spine.

A familiar tingling sensation...

...Goosebumps. There were goosebumps all over my body.

I switch off the tablet and look up from where I’m sitting.

It was the hotel’s courtyard.

Night had already arrived, bringing with it a cool breeze.

....

This isn’t normal... None of what’s happened is normal.

I’m trapped on an island where I could be killed at any moment...

It was a reality so unbelievable, I mistook it for a dream.

If there was anything I could trust to be normal, it would be the very epitome of unchanging - the sky.

No matter what happens down here, the sky will always stay the same.

Yet when I looked up, I saw something alien.

Scattered across the vast fabric of space... were stars.

Millions of tiny, twinkling stars.

If I can see this, I must be extremely far from home.

Somewhere far, far away in the middle of nowhere...

.....

As I continued to stare, certain words trickled into my mind.

“If you want off this island, please kill one of your friends”.

After hearing those words, we all stood frozen in place. No one said a thing...

And then, after a brief period of silence, everyone went their separate ways.

Everyone just... left.

*Ding dong Bing bong*

...Huh? Is that...?

Ahem ... Hope’s Peak Academy’s School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make...

It is now 10:00 p.m.

Nighttime can be confusing... If you’re out at night and accidentally meet a killer, then it sucks to be you!

But if you’re worried about that and can’t sleep, I’ve prepared a cottage on the hotel grounds for each of you.

Every single one of you, please feel free to rest in your own rooms.

However, before you go to bed, I strongly recommend you lock your doors.

You never know who might be planning to kill you!

Puhuhu! Sayonara!

.....

It feels like... there’s a weight inside my stomach.

What was it he said? Cottages?

Had he somehow... refurbished them?

I guess I should check mine...

Um, could you hold on a moment?

Eh?

A little startled, I quickly put away my handbook and got up from the chair.

Um... I’m sorry if I scared you there.

...Nagito? What are you doing out here?

I saw you sitting around here and thought we could talk.

To be honest, I’m a little surprised someone like you is still out here this late...

...Huh? Are you okay?

W-What’s the matter?

Your face is all red... Have you been crying?

Have I...!?

Um... I’m really sorry for leaving you at the park earlier.

I needed a moment to myself, which I realise sounds a little lame...

But... I’m here now.

...

I couldn’t think of anything to say.

For him to find me crying like a little kid... all I wanted to do was run away.

Seems I’ve made things awkward.

Huh?

Maybe I came on a little too strong... I should probably just head back to my cottage.

You should return to yours, too. It’s getting pretty dark.

You’ve looked inside your cottage, right?

W-What’s it matter to you?

You might like what you see. They’ve been redecorated to better reflect their occupants, you know?

I don’t think some decoration is going to cheer me up.

Yeah, maybe not...

Well, I’ll be on my way. Have a good night. [leaves]

.....

What... was that conversation?

Letting myself be consoled by a guy like that? What’s come over me?

............

What... kind of redecoration is this?

...Whatever. Right now, I just want to sleep.

Once my head hit the mattress, I started crying again.

Everything that’s happened... it was still so hard to take in.

We were no longer a group facing a common enemy... The enemy was now each other.

I want to believe no one would give in to that rule... that only someone who kills can escape...

...but how can I be sure?

.......

Eventually, my mind went blank.

I couldn’t think anymore. I couldn’t speak.

It didn’t take long for me to finally fall asleep.

My tension and exhaustion... I was relieved of them, just for a little while...

Well this is exciting, isn't it?

Not to mention a little deja vu-ey...

But as always, let’s make this formal.

To the one watching this right now, enjoy your “Super DanganRonpa 2: Goodbye Despair”...

Wait, that was a typo, wasn't it?

No friend, please enjoy your “DanganRonpa: MK2”!

I realize it took a while to get to the main story, but...

I dare say you shall not be disappointed from now on!

Tremble in anticipation... wait with bated breath... for the moment your buddies finally splitter and splatter!

Get ready for your long-awaited ride! Get ready for the salvation you've been promised!

...Huh? Too overdramatic?

Whatever. Enjoy your game!

*Ding dong Bing bong *

Ahem... Hope's Peak Academy's School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make...

Gooooood morning, everyone! Looks like today is gonna be another perfect, tropical day!

Now then, let's show some enthusiasm and make sure to give it our all today!

...The moment I registered my surroundings, memories of yesterday came flooding back.

A wave of nausea instantly came over me, and I slumped back into bed.

All I want to do is sleep forever...

No, no, no! Don’t go back to sleep!

H-Huh!? Monokuma!? What are you doing here!?

Hey, no need for hysterics. I'm here for a very good reason!

G...Good?

Yes ma’am. I think it’ll give you a valuable dopamine kick.

Now you see, it’s to do with my figurines.

I got ahead of myself and made too many.

But it'd be a waste to just throw 'em away, so I decided to play a game of hide and seek.

You’re seeking! Please find my figurines, which are hiding in various places!

W-Why? What’s the point of this?

Cuz I said so! You can't say no!

I've already hidden one of 'em in this room, and I won't let you out until you find it!

C’mon, you depressed idiot! Go find it! [leaves]

I have to collect figurines? Is that thing serious!?

What an admirable effort! Did that finally instill some life into ya?

As a reward, I’ve left you some Monocoins. Aren’t I chivalrous?

Mono... what now?

These coins can be used to buy all sorts of fancy items at the beach and Rocketpunch Market.

If you run out of coins, worry not! There’s a bunch more of my figurines around this island.

And if you manage to find them all... well, that’ll certainly give you reason to smile! [leaves]

What... was that even about?

Whatever... I should see what’s happening with the others...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

AAAAAA!!

...Oh, sup Mahiru. Don’t scare me like that.

l... what are you doing here!? These are the girl’s cottages!

B-By the way...did you see them?

Ahhh man...not good... What the hell are they...? Definitely not good...!

P-Pull yourself together. I can’t understand you...

The bridge, you know... Remember that bridge at the central island?

Yeah...? Did something happen to it?

No shit! Why the hell else would I be here!?

Hey! I told you to calm down!

Th-Those monsters are in f-front of the bridges... They're...they're blocking them off...

They're not monsters. They're Monobeasts.

OH MY GOD IT'S HEREEEEEEEE!

The Monobeasts are the guardians of Jabberwock Island.

They're making sure you guys don't think about ignoring the progression by going to the other islands. [leaves]

............

So... they’re gatekeepers...

In that case, we probably shouldn’t go near those bridges...

Ugh... so annoying... I can't stand this anymore...

We're gonna get eaten by monsters... There's no way I can enjoy vacationing here now...

...Man up a bit, will you?

Hey, what's with all the noise?

AAAAHHHH! ANOTHER M-M-M-M-MONSTER!

And I came all the way here to get you both, but if you're going to call me a monster...

Huh? Why were you looking for us?

I was told to come get you because we kept waiting and you two never showed up...

We’re having a meeting at the hotel restaurant. Byakuya’s orders... hurry up and join us. [leaves]

Byakuya's "orders"? Who does that guy think he is?

Ugh... Whatever, man...I don't care...I don't care at all...

I-I'M OUTTA HEREEEEEE!

Eh!? No, you’re not!

Before Kazuichi could try and run, I grabbed him by the arm.

H...Hey!

You’re definitely coming along! I’ll tie you down if I have to!

Uu...! I don’t wanna go...!

Following Peko’s lead, I took a detour for the restaurant, slowly dragging the sobbing Kazuichi with me.