Danganronpa: Beta Memories

Hajime didn't want to join her and waited by the elevator. Saddening, but understandable. Chiaki could hear faint humming echoing off the walls. They got louder as she approached the bedrooms. As she reached to the last door on the left, the humming stopped. She gently knocked on the door.

"Who's there?" Nagito asked in a sing-song tone.

"Nagito?" Chiaki called out. "It's me, Chiaki..." She began to get worried.

"Hmm? C-Chiaki?" Nagito asked. "Oh...Chiaki! Come on in."

The hairs on the back of the neck stood up. He never called anyone by their first name. She began to regret coming over and wanted to leave. However, a small part of her pushed her through the fear. She opened the door and saw a empty room with the exception of Nagito. He was rocking himself back and forth, wearing a straitjacket. His eyes were spiralled black and white and a creepy smile was stuck on his face.

"Chiaki...I am so glad to see you...there is such a thing as hope." His voice was distorted, which gave her chills. She kept her distance from him while keeping her back to the wall.
"What's wrong? Come sit beside me."

"No...I am okay..." She said, sliding down the wall to sit down. "The better question is, are you okay?"

Nagito giggled. "Of course. I have never been better. I haven't been this good in a really long time. Those pills were a real mood killer."

"Mood killer?" Chiaki asked.

"Yes. I was a killjoy among my peers. I was anti social for the sake of protecting others, but what did that lead us? Seven of our classmates dead!" Nagito took a deep breath as he began to fume in anger. "You see, they were Remnants of Despair...wanting to destroy what is pure and good in this life."

Chiaki didn't say a word. This other side of Nagito scared her, not only by changes in appearance, but philosophical reasons as well. If this was how he felt this whole time, why didn't say it before he changed? Or was this the other personality trying to trick her? Sadly, she had to address the elephant in the room.

"Was that why you attacked Fuyuhiko?" She meekly asked, bracing herself. However, he didn't snap.

"Fuyuhiko...?" Nagito pondered for a minute. He then answered in a grim tone. "Ah, yes. Honestly...I could vaguely remember the incident. All I remember is seeing him in blood and Hajime looking at me with horror...but the reason why I did it?"

"Was it because he was a Remnant of Despair?"

"Maybe...maybe not..." He sighed. "He believed that I was in cahoots with Monokuma."

"Huh?" Chaiki remembered when he and Monomi were talking in the lobby. Of course, she did hear that he owned Nagito. Whatever the reason was, it was suspicious.

"He figured that because I hadn't been targeted by anyone, I am considered as a traitor. Hehehe. What an idiot. So hard headed that he cannot see what is really happening!" Nagito laughed. "We are all Remants of Despair...except for you, Chiaki."

"Me?" She sat up. "Why me?"

"I don't know, per se. Maybe it is some of give you give off. A pure, innocent vibe that shows hope that truly beat de-ssssss-"

Nagito began to stutter as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Then, his head suddenly dropped down. Chiaki gasped, witnessing it all like it was like a horror movie.

"Nagito?" She called out. No reply. Was he dead? Is he asleep? Anxiety built up inside her chest as she wanted to move closer. Wishing she had brought something to protect her, she inched closer and closer to him. As she got arm's length of him, she could hear faint, but shallow breathing.

"N-Nanami..." Nagito spoke, his voice weak and broken. He looked up at her with his eyes normalized and welling up with tears. Was he back to normal? "I need you to listen to me. I can only hold him back for so long...don't trust him."

"Why not? It is you, right?" Chiaki asked.

"Yes, but it is a side of me who wishes for nothing but destruction and chaos. A side of me which I wish I didn't have...but he will take over me entirely. That's why I need you to do three things for me..."

"Yes?" She gripped his hand, holding back her own tears.

"Firstly, find Monomi and find my pills. If we have any chance of surviving, she is the last chance we have. Secondly, when he comes back, ignore everything that I say. Even if it is the truth, do not encourage me. Lastly, if it all backfires...you make sure Hajime protects you." Nagito sniffled. "There is a good chance that I won't survive this killing game, but you do."

"Don't be ridiculous, Nagito!" Chaiki cried, hugging him. "If you go, then I go! I love you!"

"Nanami...I love you too...I always have..." He whispered in her ear. "If there was a way to change the past, I would've told you. However, as long as Hajime keeps you safe, I will be happy-". He groaned in agony. "You need to run. Don't forget!"

"No! Nagito, I-" Chiaki tried to reason with him, but he pushed her off of him.

"NOW, NANAMI! For your own SAfETy, r-RRUN!" After those last words, he began to howl in pain. Chiaki didn't waste any time exiting the room just as a few Monokuma nurses came rushing down the hall.

Leaving the hall, his screams echoed and continued to play in her head. She couldn't bear the thought of him suffering. She began to cry and she fell on her knees.

"Chiaki?" Hajime ran up to her and knelt down. "What happened? Chiaki!"

However, she couldn't hear him as her mind was too deep in despairing everything that has happened. As Nagito's screams lessened due to a sleeping drug, Chiaki lost consciousness with Hajime keeping her off the ground.

"Nanami...don't forget...I am still here..."
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To be continued...

Oh man, this is getting intense and we haven't gotten to the motive yet. I really wanted a Chiaki/Nagito segment for a while and I think this was pretty good. As I was writing this, my heartstrings were being pulled by Beta Nagito and mind you, I am the one who came up with his personality. 😬

Also, as an added note, this story has reached over 700 views! Woo! I can't believe that it is so close to the 1K views mark. So...what should I do for that milestone? A Q&A? Another short story?

Let me know and let me say THANK YOU ALL!

-Luna

P.S. Happy Belated Canada Day and Independence Day!

P.P.S. You are all awesome peeps! 😁