Ouma's POV:

I'm going to die...

When...when was the last time I felt fear like this? When...when was the last time I had to fear for my life like this....?

No...no when did I get to stop fearing death? Even after the game, my life was constantly hanging on by a thin string...and yet...here I am unable to do anything but sit back and wait...wait for death to finally claim me...

Is this the universes way of making things right? Is it because I died in that game that I have to die in real life? Is that the rules the universe has set out for me? That I can't live in a world like this...no...

"I WON'T ACCEPT THIS!" I screamed, the pregame just looked down sadly, "i-it doesn't matter i-if we accept i-it or not...it w-will still happen no m-matter what we do...." he told me, he was sitting against the wall again, and unlike last time he wasn't panicking just reclused as if he has already accepted his fate.

Well...I haven't...come on...think...think...isn't that the one thing you can do?! You outsmarted the mastermind to survive as long as you did in the game! You were the one who led them to victory! SO YOU CAN THINK YOUR WAY OUT OF DEATH CAN'T YOU?

I REFUSE TO DIE FOR NOTHING! 

"Don't just sit there and do nothing! BECAUSE I REFUSE TO DIE OK? THINK OF SOMETHING! ANYTHING!" I screamed at the other one, he shook his head, "I...I c-can't...I n-never could do a-anything..." he whispered his voice was full of despair.

I groaned as I paced around the room, the walls were closing in on themselves, ignoring the boy as I tried to figure my way out of this situation, the sounds of a hospital, and screams of others ricocheting into the room.

Think...think...I have to...

...

...

...

"Tell me why you joined Danganronpa" I finally said, he looked over at me in shock, "What?" He asked, "You heard me, I need to know...why...? WHY DID YOU JOIN DANGANRONPA? If I'm going to die I at least deserve these answers don't I?" I asked.

The pregame didn't say anything, instead, he just sat out and extended his hand, I looked at him curiously, "Is this...i-is this your w-way of fighting b-back...? F-fine...I'll show you..." he told me, I hesitated a little before I grabbed onto his hands and the room disappeared into white light.

~-~-One year ago~-~

I felt myself sweating as I walked into the school. It seemed to loom over me, and I could see the other students walking past me, bumping into me, they all seemed to be carefree when compared to me while my feet felt like they were made of lead with every step I took.

"Ouma" a monotone voice called, I turned around and smiled happily, "Saihara!" I called and quickly ran over to him, he had on his usual monotone expression and disinterested look, "I m-missed you!" I told him, I couldn't resist smiling.

"You saw me yesterday" he reminded, "y-yeah but I...I s-still did ok? O-oh god d-do I sound c-clingy? I-I'm sorry if I d-do I d-didn't m-mean it I j-just" I stuttered as I rubbed my hands together anxiously, oh god why do I keep doing this? If I keep doing this he's going to leave and I'm going to be all alone again, I don't want to be alone again but I can't force him to stay with me oh god I sound like a stalker-

"I'm glad to see you" he eventually said as I let out a giant sigh of relief, "p-phew, b-but if you don't w-want to hang o-out anymore o-or if I g-get to c-clingy feel f-free to go ok!" I told him, "I m-mean I would b-be sad b-but I don't w-want to trap you or a-anything so oh g-god I sound like a w-weirdo I'm s-sorry-"

"I won't leave you," Saihara told me, I felt tears coming from my eyes as I quickly tried to brush them away before he could notice, "why are you crying?" he asked curiously, oh boy...I guess he was always got at picking out the details...

"N-No real r-reason...s-sorry I'm just e-emotional..." I apologized, Saihara shrugged as he entered the school and headed over to change our shoes, I opened my locker.

There were pieces of trash stuffed inside along with glass shards stuffed inside of my shoes.

I backed away from the locker as a few pieces escaped the small opening, I felt myself blushing as I heard the whispers of other students as they gazed over at my locker and I could feel their stares burying themselves into my back as I quickly reached to grab the trash and throw it away, as I touched a piece my hand was yanked back as I turned to face Saihara.

"You'll cut yourself, grab a bag," he told me calmly, I blushed harder as I just nodded, he then took off towards what I guess was the supply closet, calm down Kokichi...it's ok...it's ok...

Trying my best to look calm I took off my shoes and exchanged them for the ones in my locker, doing my best to avoid cutting myself along with picking up any of the pieces that fell onto the floor.

This is fine...

A few months ago...I attempted something in an attempt to escape my suffering, only to be saved by a stranger, who was kind enough to become my friend and stand by my side despite not knowing who I was as a person, and for my many faults as a person.

It was amazing this feeling! I felt like I was alive! Like for once...for once I could be brave and confident and have fun at school! I felt safe for the first time in years! I almost feel guilty about being this happy, with my friends back home being ignored a bit...

It's not like we can help it though, once we got to high school our lives became complicated and confusing, with cram school, clubs, or other after school activities, and trying to figure out what we want to do with our lives...and unlike them...I was alone here for a long time...

Till Saihara saved me.

"Ouma" Saihara called as he snapped me out of my thoughts, he was carefully picking up all the garbage as I stood the side awkwardly, he didn't seem to mind as he eventually put away the garbage.

"There has been a lot of littering in your locker lately," he told me, "o-oh...y-yeah I guess...h-huh?" I mumbled, "it doesn't seem to be a coincidence anymore," he told me, "not that many people can confuse a locker for a trash can..." he said with...was that concern?

"I-It's not...n-nevermind" I gave up, Saihara continued to lead me through the halls, I could feel the walls closing in on me, the eyes staring, what are they saying? I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to do anything! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't mean to! PLEASE JUST PLEASE-

"Ouma, are you scared?" Saihara asked, stopping dead in his tracks, I quickly looked down as I felt embarrassment overflowing me, I just looked down and didn't answer hoping he would drop it.

He grabbed my hand and walked me through the halls, I looked up confused, "You don't need to look up, I won't let you crash into anything" he assured me as we continued, I felt myself blush as I reluctantly looked down relief watching over me as I was finally able to avoid the eyes of the people watching...

It was a temporary break.

"T-Thank you...thank you Saihara..." I told him taking a deep breath, Saihara didn't respond as we went on with our day, as usual...

It's fine. I'm ok with living like this. It's fine.

~-~-~-~

"Ouma, why does everyone call you a slut?" Saihara asked me out of the blue one day, we were on the rooftop eating lunch and his question made me choke on my food, "a-agh! W-What?" I asked confused.

"I asked why everyone calls you a slut, I know the definition of the word, but I don't understand why they would use such hostile language towards you, can you explain?" Saihara asked, the question...it seemed innocent.

I took a deep breath, "I...I h-have a r-reputation..." I told him, "everyone has a reputation," he told me, I shook my head, "n-not a good o-one..." I elaborated, I clutched tightly to my other hand trying to keep myself calm.

"I...J-I'm weak..." I started, "I thought...I thought I k-knew w-what love was...but I d-didn't...so w-when I c-came to this school...a b-boy promised me...he s-said he l-loved me...and b-because he l-loved me I h-had to let him...I h-had to let h-him touch me...I d-didn't...I d-didn't like it b-but...I thought...I thought I had to..." I mumbled.

"H-He...h-he lied to me..." I mumbled, "h-he lied, a-and instead...h-he took something p-precious from me...w-when I w-wanted us to b-break up...h-he told everyone...h-he told everyone I w-was "e-easy" a-and so...I...I...I didn't w-want to get hurt...t-they promised....they p-promised...w-why....? W-Why did they?!" I began stuttering more as I felt my breath hitch and my voice shook uncontrollably.

"W-WHY?! W-WHY D-DIDN'T I S-SAY NO?!" I screamed, "Ouma, I understand now," Saihara said, I felt him place a hand on my shoulder as I looked over at him, I'm sure I looked like a snot-filled mess right now.

I looked down, "t-that's why...t-that's why I w-was there t-that day..." I told him, Saihara remained quiet but I felt his grip on me grew tighter, not in the way there's did to enforce control or intimidate...or hurt me...no...it made me feel...calmer almost.

"B-But god had m-mercy! H-He let me m-meet you!" I said smiling widely, "y-you're so nice! Y-You never h-hurt me! And y-you even help me! S-So thank you! T-Thank you so much!" I told him, I could feel my mouth hurting from how much I was smiling.

"Ah I see," Saihara said, "Ouma may I be bold?" he asked, "b-bold? H-How so?" I asked, "Ouma, would you like to enter a relationship with me? If you do I promise full consent on everything from us eating together like this, to any physical contact, everything you feel you need to consent to, this may be sudden but...I never had a friendship before...the people in my life have always told me I was inferior...or strange...but you...you ignore that...you make me feel, like...like I can be happy I was born as well Ouma" he told me.

My eyes widened as I felt tears brimming in my eyes, "y-you...y-you like me?" I asked, he nodded, I noticed the slightest hint of a blush on his face that he desperately tried to hide under his hair and hat, he looked adorable.

I smiled, "f-forgive me...i-if I don't w-want to do r-romantic t-things like k-kissing f-for a long t-time..." I told him, "that is fine, I just want to enjoy your company, only under a new label if possible," he told me.

I pondered his question for a while before nodding and hesitantly I held his hand, "t-then...i-if you c-can put u-up with me...yes...I'll be y-your boyfriend...j-just please...a-always keep y-your promise t-to me..." I begged him.

He nodded, "I won't hurt you, I won't be like them, we can protect each other, is that ok?" he asked, I nodded, "o-ok then...I'll p-protect you a-against y-your parents...and y-you protect m-me from the b-bullies?" I asked.

Saihara nodded, "t-then ok...! I...I p-promise to a-always p-protect you! J-Just p-please, p-please never forget o-our promise!"