86Disclaimer: Despair, for I do not own Danganronpa;/
Chapter 4 – Before…
"I see. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. For what it's worth; I'm so incredibly sorry all of this had to happen, and for such a long time, as well. Make no mistake, justice will be served. Compensation for everything that happened, will be taken directly out of the pockets of those involved; right after they are put away." A wave. "You are free to go."
"Of course, thank you. If you'll excuse us."
Makoto nodded to the warden and stepped out of the room, a serious expression adorning his face. The prison was a rather dreary building just down the street from Hopes Peak Academy. The distance of which was a definite blessing.
Dragging three overweight men by their hair was a tiring exercise, even for someone like him.
"Ne, Mako-nii?"
He smiled down at the girl in his hand.
"Yes, Koto-chan?"
The girl blushed at the nickname. He wasn't sure why though; her name for him was quite similar, he thought.
"Ano… what are you going to do with me…?"
Thatwas the million-dollar question now, wasn't it? His first inclination was to search for any other living relatives of hers and explain the situation to them. But, according to what Kotoko, (read: timidly), mentioned back in the prison, she had no knowledge of any extended family.
Even then, Makoto wasn't too keen on leaving the poor girl with anyone related to the couple who instigated the whole situation. It turned out that in actuality it was her mother who originally set everything up, her father just profited.
They were still equally guilty, in his mind.
The orphanage then? It was the next logical step.
Reading through her school records put that idea to rest. As the recently admitted Lil' Ultimate Drama, the girl was placed into the 'troublemaker' class of Hopes Peak. Alongside several other children that also sported the beginnings of mental instability, it appeared as if the school thought it best to just push them aside without administering any help.
Makoto's teeth grinded together at the thought.
"Mako-nii…?"
Kotoko's voice brought him back from the brink. Schooling his anger, he ruffled her hair with a smile. Her expression was love incarnate.
"Sorry Koto-chan, I was just thinking of an answer to your question…" he trailed off. Kotoko frowned at him and poked his arm.
"You don't have any ideas…?"
He considered it further. Then he turned to her, eyebrow raised.
"Not anything concrete no. You sound like you do?" he hedged as a guess. "Do you have any preference for what you'd like to do…?"
The girl's reply was far too quiet to hear. She played with her hair awkwardly and kept her head low.
As they stepped outside the building, Makoto pulled her over gently. Getting down on one knee he looked her in the eyes.
"Can you say that again for me, Koto-chan…?"
Her expression told him she really didn't want to, but he was nothing if tenacious. So, he waited, and waited.
Eventually she acquiesced.
"I… I want to stay with you, Mako-nii…"
He blinked at the admission.
It shouldn't come as a surprise, he supposed. The girl was just saved from a lifetime of sexual abuse by his hand. She probably felt safer around him than anyone else at the moment.
"I, uh…" he struggled to think of a rebuttal. "I could try, for sure. I just don't know if my family would go for it…"
"Your family…?" she looked at him in confusion. "You don't live with them though, right?"
Makoto couldn't fault her there. Still, he wasn't old enough to legally adopt a child nor would his parents go for it, (probably).
"Yes, but I still would need to talk to my parents and my imouto about it because-"
"Imouto…?"
Her voice sounded dead. It was, unnerving to say the least. Why-
"But I wanted to be your imouto…" her voice was pitched, and slightly warped. It was almost as if some metaphorical mask was cracking. "Why can't I be…?"
'Not good.'
First it was Celeste with her crazed alter-ego, then it was Sayaka with her borderline bi-polar disorder. Following that, there was Mikan who bares multiple scars; both physical and mental in origin. Then, of course, there was the briefly-met Saionji, who looked to be someone that lashed out at everyone and everything she could for attention.
Now this!?
'Does Hopes Peak barre entrance to anyone lacking a mental issue? My past self may not count, admittedly, but everyone else I've met so far seems to either struggle with something; or have some deep dark secret they don't want out. I included. No wonder Enoshima took over so easily.'
He shook his head. Such things could be thought on in more detail later. After all, he couldn't exactly blame Kotoko for her instability. That fault lay solely with her so-called parents.
It didn't make it any less concerning, however.
"Hey, hey calm down Koto-chan. It's okay." Makoto hugged her small body to his chest. She relaxed quickly. "I never said that I didn't want you: I just need some time to sort things out with my family, okay?"
Kotoko didn't respond.
"Now, are you absolutely sure that out of anywhere I could bring you, you would like to stay with me?"
Kotoko didn't respond. A moment later she nodded.
"Alright, then."
Her smile lit up the street. It was bright, pure and so full of happiness that, to an outsider, it may have looked as if the girl had never struggled a day in her life. Makoto, upon seeing it, made a promise to do everything he could to keep her smiling. To keep that precious light going.
Nothing would stop him.
…
Well, aside from the headmaster and his family, that is. Any explanation he could give them, seemed inadequate at the moment, and he just knew how the latter would react.
It had been a while since Makoto felt such fear.
"So, let me get this straight." Jin Kirigiri started, incredulously. "You had the intuition to single-handedly save a child from a life of sexual abuse, get those involved thrown behind bars AND find a way to get out scot-free… and then you decide that adopting her by keeping her in your room, without proper identification, or even notifying your family, is the best course of action."
Makoto shrugged. "Yeah, pretty much."
Jin's head hit his desk in annoyance.
"Naegi-kun…" he groaned. "Your lack of forethought reminds me too much of a certain mutual acquaintance of ours. Surely you must see what's wrong with your plan…?"
He did but refused to answer.
"Speaking of which," Jin continued, annoyance obvious. "Why exactly did the police let you two go like that? Without contacting someone to take care of her."
"Dunno." Makoto shrugged. "I just told them that I would sort everything out for her and they let me go. Pretty lucky if you ask me."
"Right…" Jin sighed. "Lucky. You know, most anyone wouldn't be able to accept such coincidences as fact. You do realize how far-fetched this whole thing is, don't you?"
Makoto didn't look particularly bothered.
Jin hung his head in resignation.
Kotoko, who had been silent up until now, was growling openly at the man in front of her. She didn't like him very much. He was trying to keep her away from her favourite person!
… Granted he was the only person she really liked, so that wasn't really saying much; but still.
"Kirigiri-san, I understand how it may sound a little… crazy," Makoto admitted. "But there really are no other options. I doubt the orphanage would take her due to her… issues, and even considering the idea of sending her to her family feels wrong to me."
The boy shook his head.
"This keeps her out of their hands and keeps her near me." He patted her softly on the hand making her smile brightly. "I asked her what she wanted to do, and she wanted to stay with me, for the moment so-"
"Not for the moment."
The two men blinked.
Kotoko pouted.
"I don't want to stay with you for the moment. I want to stay with you forever!"
Makoto rubbed his head nervously.
"Ah, Koto-chan, forever seems a bit excessive you know-?"
"No." she stomped her foot petulantly. "Forever."
He hung his head.
"Fine. Forever."
Kotoko smiled, placated.
Jin watched the proceedings with a critical eye. In his family's line of work, he had seen the effects of PTSD take all different forms over the years. An over-attachment/reliance on someone was certainly not unheard of. Perhaps…
"How about a compromise then, Naegi-kun?"
Makoto and Kotoko looked at the man with open interest.
"You will have to take full responsibility of her, and anything she does which could negatively affect the school, will be your fault to bare. Additionally, once a week, I request that Kotoko, come in for a psychological evaluation. Given… everything that has happened to her, I think it's necessary. When she is finally deemed alright for classes this condition can be dropped, if you so choose." He elaborated. "If you accept this arrangement, I'll have a single bed delivered to your room at once, alongside some basic necessities. I will also ensure that the official documentation gets done and covered up. Your family won't know until the parent-teacher meetings a month from now. Sorry to say, but I am obligated to tell them by that point."
The headmaster linked his hands together.
"Do you accept?"
It felt as if he was making a deal with the devil. Though, that was more likely due to the older man's dramatic way of speech and less from the terms themselves. They certainly seemed fair, to him.
He shared a look with Kotoko. Her face sealed it.
"Alright."
"Ne, Mako-nii?"
"Hm?"
"What are we doing here…?"
Makoto looked down at his newly adopted sister. He tousled her hair with a smile.
"We're going clothes shopping, silly." Makoto looked around the mall thoughtfully. "We need to get you some new clothes since all you have are your various uniforms, alongside the clothes that…"
"That…?"
His expression darkened. It took everything he had in him to let go of his anger.
"Never mind. Only your uniforms." He shifted the topic. "Just tell me which store you want to go to, and we'll go. I have a bit of money put away for occasions such as this. When the police get their act together and your money comes in, you can buy your own. Until then, my treat!"
The Luckster knew that after this he'd probably only have enough left over to afford a single bottle, but it was worth it.
Kotoko grew on him fast.
"Then, let's go here!"
He smiled at her childlike excitement before his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"A lingerie store…?"
"Mhm~!" She exclaimed, happily. "It's the place girls take the guys they love and make them happy!"
Makoto couldn't deny the truth in that statement. Still, it was multiple levels of wrong.
"Koto-chan," Makoto began softly. "while that may be true, it doesn't apply to everyone. It shouldn't, especially not someone your age."
She looked confused, and sad.
"But I just want to make you happy. I thought that would make you happy."
Of course. He felt like slapping himself on the forehead. How could he have so quickly forgotten her upbringing?
The Luckster looked at the girl sorrowfully, before engulfing her in a hug. Initially surprised, the girl hugged back eagerly.
"You just keep being yourself around me Koto-chan and I'll be as happy as can be." He grinned down at her. "Be the best little sister you can be, alright?"
Kotoko could agree to those terms.
"Good. Now then: why don't I show you some more… PG options."
She looked confused.
"What's PG? Oh!" she jumped excitedly. "Does that have anything to do with R or triple X? Those were the only movies I was allowed to watch at home."
Makoto was stunned once more. This girls home-life somehow got worse the longer he heard about it. The urge to put her in a safe bubble away from humanity was growing stronger every minute.
"Uh… how about this: I'll explain on the way."
"Okay!"
A quick tug away from the risqué store front, and they were off.
The excursion went well. Two bags stuffed to the brim with clothes, (alongside a bleeding wallet) picked out from Kotoko herself, could only be viewed as positive, in his mind.
Granted, he had to stop her a number of times from picking things that would no doubt lead to his immediate arrest, but aside from that, it was a good time.
"You happy, Koto-chan?"
The two bags sat on top of her newly-arrived bed. His luck must have been in overdrive today, as he didn't run into anyone he knew on the way here. He was far too tired to explain anything at this point.
"Yep!" Kotoko squealed. "Thank you nii-chan! You're the best!"
Makoto chuckled at her exuberant answer, before heading into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Thankfully, the girl's bathroom supplies had arrived just as the headmaster had said they would.
"Koto-chan, I need to get up early for class. So, I'm going to sleep soon."
"Aww…" she pouted. "I wanted to spend more time with you."
His eyebrow rose at the childish rebuttal.
"You just spent all day with me, I figure you'd want a break all things considered."
"No!" she denied vehemently. "I can never get tired of hanging out with my totally adorbs brother!"
Makoto deadpanned.
"Don't say that again."
"Ehhhhh!?" Kotoko looked genuinely surprised. "Why not?"
"Just…" he gave up. "Never mind. Go to sleep, alright?"
"Okay."
…
…
…
"Mako-nii…?"
A sigh.
"Yes, Koto-chan? What is it?"
…
"Goodnight…"
Makoto blinked. That single word was laced with so much desperation it surprised him. Though, in retrospect, it wasn't abnormal given her situation. She probably never had anyone to say that to. At least, no one lacking an ulterior motive.
"Goodnight, Koto-chan." Makoto responded softly. "Sleep well."
Kotoko curled up at that, warmth enveloping her. She felt so happy.
Today had been a good day.
The Next Day:
Makoto rose with a jump. Clutching at his chest he felt his heart rate continue to skyrocket. His usual remedy was just out of reach, but where there's a will there's a way.
He grasped at the flask hidden just under his bed and took a swig.
"Shit…" he wiped his mouth. "I didn't even dream of anything too horrible, for once. Why the hell did my body react so poorly?"
The Luckster clambered out of bed, reaching for the sink in his bathroom. Letting the water run, he continued to splash water on his face in an attempt to wake himself up.
"My instincts flaring up like that means that something undeniably integral must have slipped my mind. What could it be?" Makoto muttered to himself. "What am I forgetting-?"
"Ne, Mako-nii…?"
Makoto shook his head and turned back to the little bundle curled up on her bed. Kotoko stretched with a yawn and cocked her head to the side cutely.
"Are you ok…?"
He considered the question. Was he okay? No. Should she know that?
"Yes, I'm fine Koto-chan. Sorry if I woke you."
The girl shook her head with a smile on her face.
"Mm, mm. There's no need to apologize, I wanted to be up when you were!"
Makoto raised an eyebrow at that.
"Oh? Why's that?"
It couldn't have been for class as she had been given an indefinite reprieve in light of everything that happened to her. Breakfast, maybe?
Nope.
"So, I can meet all your friends, of course!"
He sweat-dropped.
"Oh dear."
"… and this is my newly adopted sister, Kotoko. She'll be staying with me for the foreseeable future." He bowed and she immediately followed suit. "Please watch over her whenever I'm not around."
An elbow to his stomach. "though such a thing will never happen, of course." and he 'fixed' the introduction.
The classroom was silent.
Makoto began to sweat.
When he approached Kizakura to ask if he could give a quick announcement to the class, he was given permission. But perhaps he should have waited to do it in a more… private setting.
"Ehhhhhhhhhhh!?" Hina exclaimed, rather loudly. "How come your sibling gets to live with you on campus, but ours can't? That's not fair."
"Speak for yourself." Leon scoffed. "Not all of us here want to associate ourselves with our relatives, on such a consistent basis. I almost pity him."
Makoto sweat dropped. 'You and me both, Kuwata-kun.'
"Eh, well there is a reason actually." The Luckster admitted. "Though, I'm not allowed to speak on it. It's confidential, between a select few people. Sorry."
That caused a stir in the classroom. Students previously not interested in the turn of events, such as Byakuya and Kyoko, narrowed their eyes in intrigue.
"Anyway," Makoto smiled roguishly. "I just wanted to bring this to your guys' attention on the off chance you see her walking around the school without me. That's all. Thank you for listening-!"
"Hey, is this class 78?"
Makoto felt his blood freeze.
"Yeah. You're the new students, right? Got your enrollment finalized?"
How could he have forgotten them!?
"Yep! Took us a while though. Apparently processing two students at once doesn't speed things up any. Ugh. What a bore."
One girl nodded, the other stepped forward.
"Ne, what's your name?"
That's when Makoto finally saw her.
"I'm Junko Enoshima. It's nice to meet ya!"
The devil smiled back.
A/N: And that's a wrap! :D Big things'll happen next time. Despair has come. Get ready;p. Also keep up with the support; the amount of reviews definitely helped me to write faster 3.
Reviewer Responses:
Doomqwer: It's okay man xD not much happened. Just temporary loss of internet:). Yes, I plan to. She was one of the worst used characters in canon, imo. Also, yeah. I've always felt the worst for Kotoko of the kids, so I chose her to focus on. The others will, eventually, appear though!
Xrangel: Thank you!:)
Fortitude501: Ayy ;D. Well, I was gonna go with your route but then figured the whole process might get too long and drawn out. Why not just say it's luck and go with that ;D. I found your review funny as ever though;p.
AcausalTrilby: Damn. Thanks man. I really, really appreciated that kind feedback. It made me smile like crazy:D. I plan on Makoto keeping it to himself for a good while;p. Hope you enjoyed!
Survivor Naegi: Omg your summations are so hilarious XD. I appreciate your humor greatly lol. As for the harem, took a bit of a backseat this chapter. Expect it back next time ;D
TellThemNaegi: Omg senpai noticed me 3 ;D lol jk. Thanks for the well-constructed review though man, I really appreciate it. :) Yeah I went into this fic not expecting any response or for me to enjoy writing it as much as I do xD. I have ideas, we'll see how it goes!
Camcario: Who knows ;D. I think something is brewing too. And lol that pun. xD
Fortitude501: I was planning on having that at some point actually! Just not yet; you'll see. :p