Danganronpa: Return of Despair

Chapter 2, Part 1

I woke up at the morning announcement and headed down to the dining area again. I noticed Zenshiro was already there. He was asleep on a table. I walked over to him and tapped his shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, laughing a little.
"Kaz kicked me out, literally," He laughed.
I sighed, "What did you do to her?"
"I almost got in her pants," He nodded and laughed.
"You WHAT?!" I smacked the table.
"You heard me," He leaned back in his chair.
"Kaz had every right to kick you out," I laughed, "Why didn't you just go back to your room?"
He shrugged, "Didn't feel like it,"

After some time had passed, a few others had begun to file in. Koki, Shichiro, Takahiro, and Yokichi. They all joined us at the table we were at. I waved as they arrived. Takahiro started writing in her notebook.

"Oh yeah, I forgot you can't talk," Zenshiro said.
"And why are you here so early?" Koki asked.
Zenshiro laughed, "Long story,"
Takahiro showed the table her notebook, "I'm glad you are all still here! It was scary to witness that yesterday,"
"Yeah, it was kind of scary," I nodded.
"B-But- We are all s-still here..! Well u-us at least," Yokichi tried to stay positive.
"We're gonna get out of here soon, I know it," I nodded.
"If we even can get out of here," Koki sighed.
"What?" I looked at him.

A few others walked in, Shin, Kaz, Kunihiko, and Daisuke. They sat at our table as well. We greeted them.

"Did you sleep well?" Zenshiro smiled at Kaz.
"Shut the fuck up." She growled.
"I really want to know what happened between them," Shichiro laughed.
"You won't." Kaz crossed her arms.
"Did everyone sleep well?" Kunihiko asked, changing the subject.
"Not really!" Shin smiled.
"Oh, was it because of...Asa..?" Kunihiko asked, in a more serious tone.
Shin nodded, "I couldn't get the image out of my head,"
"Yeah, I had the same problem as well," Daisuke shuddered.
"I-Is it weird to feel b-bad for her? Sh-She did kill someone, a-and she's dead now, so.." Yokichi asked.
"I don't think that's weird, I think it's normal," I nodded.
"Mamoru's right, it's alright to feel bad for her, even if she is gone," Shichiro said.
"But, w-what about Rokuro-?" He asked.
"I feel bad for him," Shin sighed, "I didn't even barely know him, but it's still different here without him, Asa too,"
"No one else has to die here, we can find a way out!" I announced.
"Are you sure? Do you even know how to "get out", or if that's even possible?" Kaz glared at me.
"I...I'm not sure, but we can find a way," I nodded.
"You're so inspirational, Mamoru!" Takahiro wrote.
I smiled, "It's because I only speak the truth,"
"Do you really?" Koki asked.

Before I could respond, everyone else had arrived. Ayu, Seiko, Arisa, and Isamu. They all joined our table. Besides Rokuro and Asa, we were all finally together. It was like the beginning again, before the fear was implanted into us. I felt safe here, like this could be my home, if we never got out. I knew we could prevent the deaths if we just tried hard enough! Monokuma can't make us kill anyone. Then, there was an announcement.

"Ahem, attention all participants, please check your Mono-Pads for the updated Motive!" Monokuma announced on the speakers.
"Motive? What's that?" Seiko asked.
"There's only one way to find out," I shrugged.

We all had our Mono-Pads out. I found the Motive section on mine. I tapped on it and it opened up a screen. It had something labeled "Second Motive". Huh? What was the first motive? Was it just being here? I sighed and pressed it. It opened up to reveal a message.

Second Motive: If you kill, and get away with it successfully, you can leave with one other participant of your choice!

Huh? That's it? I can see how some people might kill over that, but most of us probably won't. I closed my Mono-Pad and sighed. Kaz walked over to me and tapped my shoulder.

"Corner, please," She gestured to the corner of the room.
"Huh? What is it?" I asked.
"Just come with me," She sighed.

We walked over to the corner, she was holding her Mono-Pad still, she sighed.

"I...can't read," She laughed a little.
"HUH?! REALLY?" I was shocked.
She covered my mouth, "Shut up, I don't wanna draw anymore attention,"
"Oh- Sorry-" She removed her hand, I cleared my throat, "Do you need help?"
"Uh, just read it, I dunno," She gave it to me.
I read what the screen said, "If you kill, and get away with it successfully, you can leave with one other participant of your choice,"
"Huh? Like you can take someone with you if you don't die?" She asked.
"Yeah, I think so," I said.
"That's stupid." She took her Mono-Pad back and started walking away.
"I- YOU'RE WELCOME." I shouted at her.
"Oh, yeah whatever," She got back to the table.

I sighed and left the corner. I got back to the table. Zenshiro immediately flocked to me.

"What did she say? What was it?" He asked frantically.
"I can't tell you," I shook my head.
"Why not?" He asked.
"She probably doesn't want me to tell you," I shrugged.
"So she can tell you but not me?" He crossed his arms.
"Are you really gonna pout over it?" I rolled my eyes.
"No." He looked away, "Maybe,"
"She's not paying attention, right?" I asked.
"I don't think so, she went somewhere with Ayu just now," Zenshiro leaned on the table, "So tell me,"
"Okay, come closer so I can whisper," I instructed, he leaned forward, I whispered into his ear, "She can't read,"
"REALLY?" He moved backwards, almost falling out of his chair.
"Yeah, that's it," I shrugged, "You can't let her know that you know,"
"Gotcha!" He nodded.
"Do you really?" I asked.
"Yup," He nodded again.
"What are you guys talking about?" Shin came over and leaned on both of our heads.
"Nothing," I shrugged.
"Oh, okay! Do you guys wanna go hang out? If you looked at the map, there's a new floor!"
"Really? Let's go explore then!" I got up.
"Alright! Are you coming, Zenshiro?" Shin asked.
"Yeah, sure, maybe that's where Kaz went," He got up as well.
I sighed, "Do you have any other thoughts than Kaz?"
"Umm, maybe," Zenshiro laughed.
I lightly smacked the back of his head, "Alright, let's go,"

The three of us walked out of the dining hall and headed for the second floor.