Danganronpa 2: ReCaptured

Trapped by the Ocean's Scent: Part 21

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the once-bright sky deepened into a rich shade of indigo, signaling the arrival of night. The hospital's dimly lit corridors carried a lingering hush, interrupted only by the occasional squeak of Mahiru's cautious footsteps.

She had spent most of the day inside, preoccupied with checking on Nekomaru and making sure the others were holding up despite the strange illness plaguing them. Now, with a moment to breathe, she wandered into the hospital lobby, stretching her arms to work out the stiffness in her shoulders.

Her gaze swept across the room and landed on an unexpected sight. Peko standing near the entrance, engaged in conversation with Akane.

Mahiru slowed her pace as she watched Akane press a folded piece of paper into Peko's hands. In return, Peko handed her a different note, the exchange happening swiftly and wordlessly, like a routine they had already rehearsed multiple times.

Akane grinned, slipping the paper into the waistband of her shorts before turning to Mahiru and waving.

"Yo, Mahiru! Later!" she called before darting out the door, disappearing into the night with the boundless energy only she seemed to possess.

Mahiru blinked, momentarily thrown off by what she had just witnessed. She turned to Peko, who remained standing in her usual stiff, collected stance, holding the note and carefully reading it.

"What...was that about?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Peko met her gaze evenly. 

"It is a temporary solution to our current predicament," she explained. "Since there are no working phones or any other form of communication between the hospital and the motel, we have had to rely on alternative methods. Akane has volunteered to act as a messenger, delivering written notes between the two locations."

"Seriously? That's your plan?" Mahiru exhaled, shaking her head. "I mean, I get it, but isn't that kind of...straightforward? Impractical?"

"It is far from ideal," Peko admitted with a slight nod. "However, given our current limitations, it is the most efficient option available to us."

Mahiru sighed. As much as she wanted to argue, she knew Peko was right. There was no better way.

With Monokuma still pulling the strings, any real means of communication had been cut off, forcing them into these makeshift strategies just to stay in touch. But she supposed that with Nekomaru under the weather, Akane, arguably the most athletic person on the island, was the perfect paper courier.

"Yeah, I guess it'll have to do for now," Mahiru relented, rubbing her temple. "Just...let's hope Akane doesn't lose any of those notes. Or worse, mistake them for a quick snack."

"That would be...unfortunate." Peko adjusted her glasses, her expression unreadable.

"So..." Mahiru asked after a brief pause, watching as Peko tucked the note away in her blazer pocket, "how's Hajime holding up?"

Peko's expression darkened just a fraction, a slight crease forming between her brows. She let out a quiet sigh, crossing her arms as she turned slightly toward Mahiru.

"I see what you meant earlier," she admitted, her voice calm but laced with unmistakable irritation. "I much preferred him when he wasn't saying every single thing that came to his mind."

"Yeah, that checks out," Mahiru smirked. "He's got no filter, huh?"

"None whatsoever." Peko let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh. "Take this as you will, but...he also kept saying that he missed you."

Mahiru's smirk faltered, her stomach doing a weird little flip.

"Wh...he what?"

"He kept saying he missed you. Repeatedly." Peko gave her a blank stare, either unaware of or simply uninterested in whatever effect the words might have had on her. "It seems he feels a lot safer with you around..."