Danganronpa 2: ReCaptured

Trapped by the Ocean's Scent: Part 17

Mahiru took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down after the mortifying series of events she had just endured. Her pulse was still racing, her face still warm, but she had to push past it. There were more important things to deal with, namely, Hajime.

Nagito had already propped Hajime onto a chair, standing beside him with a furrowed brow, his usual eerie grin absent. His expression was something rare: genuine concern. Mahiru hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, crossing her arms tightly against her chest as she stood beside him.

"So, if I'm understanding this right..." Nagito began, tilting his head slightly, "you talked with Hajime last night about everything that had happened, and back then, he seemed fine...But when you came into the restaurant this morning, he was...making passes at you?"

"I wouldn't say he was 'making passes.' It was more like he was rambling on like some kind of poet about how 'cute' I am." Mahiru scowled.

"Either way...it's incredibly weird," Nagito hummed in thought. "Not only does Hajime not have a flirtatious bone in his body, but it's extremely rare to see him be so...upfront about something. Especially something personal as this."

Mahiru frowned. Nagito had a point. Hajime wasn't the type to randomly start spouting romantic nonsense, let alone with such reckless abandon. He was usually more reserved, carefully choosing his words...or hesitating to say anything at all. This kind of behavior just didn't add up.

"When YOU find something weird, that means something REALLY weird must be going on," Mahiru muttered, rubbing her temple. "And being painfully upfront is more your thing."

"I don't think it's a bad thing..." Hajime suddenly spoke, his voice softer now, almost thoughtful. "I've always struggled with saying what's on my mind. Sometimes, I really worry that my words come across the wrong way to people...It makes me feel like I can never really fit in."

Mahiru and Nagito both turned to him, watching as he spoke, his expression strangely serene, as if he were simply voicing thoughts he had never dared to say out loud before.

"Like you, Nagito," Hajime continued, his moss-green eyes locking onto Nagito's with surprising clarity. "I hate you, and I think what you've done is awful, but I really just want to understand how you think. I'm really sorry for all the mean things I said to you. I wish we could just be normal friends, but I don't get your ideology, so I'm sad about that..."

A thick silence filled the room. Mahiru's jaw nearly dropped. Nagito blinked, his mouth parting slightly, his usual smooth demeanor faltering.

"That was almost TOO honest..." Mahiru slowly turned to Nagito.

"Yeah..." Nagito muttered, staring at Hajime like he had just started speaking in another language. "Um...Hajime...? Do you mind if I just quickly touch your forehead for a second?"

"A little bit," Hajime blinked, his gaze unfocused. "But go ahead."

Nagito reached forward, brushing the back of his hand against Hajime's forehead. The instant he made contact, his entire body flinched, and he immediately pulled away as if he had touched a hot stove.

"Oh!" he gasped, his eyes widening. Mahiru felt her stomach drop.

"Wh-What!?" she demanded, stepping forward. Nagito shook out his hand, eyes flicking between her and Hajime.

"He's...hot!" the Lucky Student exclaimed. "I mean, he's seriously burning up! Far too hot to be normal!"

Mahiru's panic spiked. Without hesitation, she pressed her own hand to Hajime's forehead. The second she touched his skin, she flinched, feeling the unbearable heat seeping into her palm.