past & present

Most people would pay for normalcy, swearing on stability and the understanding of what comes next, the kind of day to day life that ensures that one’s future remained set in stone, not dirtied by unwanted surprises or deficit. And, admittedly for most in the area that Shuichi lived in…everything– no, almost every person fit the standard mold. Children entered lower education, then grew into higher education once they became teens. Young Adults trained in whatever interests or jobs that they wished to obtain, then performed the job for the rest of their life until they retired of old age, while sometimes having children of their own somewhere in-between. An undying cycle that repeated for eternity. And, most wanted nothing more than that.

Given Shuichi’s unassuming stature and appearance, most would naturally assume that he would be the same. Not wishing for adventure, not wanting anything more. Yet, even as the boy adjusted his cap slightly to keep the harsh sunlight out of his eyes, and as he for the most part avoided everyone around him…he always remained thinking.

…Well, thinking probably wasn’t the correct word. Daydreaming was the more accurate term.

Shuichi’s eyes always had a habit of turning vacant whenever he shuffled home from school, imagining what news he missed while he wasted time in High School, or perhaps what new merchandise released on both the fan sites and the official ones that he could impulse spend whatever cash he had left for. Of course, Shuichi might have had the full collection of Kirigiri content, but god knows how much he needed the latest chibi charm for his school bag, or even the limited edition detective notebook that the inside of the covers was signed with all the characters from the original Danganronpa Game (a classic!) and a forward by Team Danganronpa themselves! They were like, the bottom of  Maslow’s hierarchy of needs! Of course, the biggest aspiration that Shuichi dreamed up the most was getting in Danganronpa, he had to join in the action! Shuichi often came up with his own OC Killing Games, eagerly scribbling down execution concepts, even full on murder plans in the limited edition notebook that would guarantee him a lifetime on the No Fly list…Of course, if Danganronpa wasn’t as widespread as it was at least. But in light of him probably never getting in Danganropna, his second highest (and most easily obtainable) was just…attending Conventions. Not just Danganronpa, as he did have several other interests as well as that series, but…every single convention that he could, Shuichi took time out of his week to attend as much of the event as possible. Sometimes the noise level got to him and he grew forced to duck out and leave early…but most of the time the boy toughed it out for the sake of something he genuinely loved more than anything else. Pain was the price he had to pay for true love after all!

However, for as much research and time Shuichi put into finding out every single event or every opening time for Anime Conventions…naturally, he occasionally missed one or two. Hey, he frequented many many forum boards, but some people have smaller groups, or their own special events that they did for clubs! How was he supposed to know they were happening? So when out of the corner of his eye, Shuichi spotted a lanky stranger with long flowy hair, and a mask that concealed his face…

Shuichi’s eyes instantly lit up, his eyes sparkling as he dashed over to the other boy, practically jumping up and down! His dreary day completely transformed! The gods have blessed him with another event!! 

“Ah!!! Mister, please wait up! First of all, I love you hair! It looks so natural, uh…unless it is! In that case, I’m surprised how dedicated you are to your craft! Your cosplay looks impeccable-Of course, I am…not entirely sure of what anime or game it’s from, but wow!” Shuichi’s voice turned vaguely breathy and starstruck, completely enthralled by the stranger’s outfit. His gaze turned towards the man’s sleeve, looking longingly at the fabric’s handiwork…yet knowing much much better than to touch it without permission. He instantly regretted forgetting his phone at home that day. How else was he supposed to take pictures! “But, how long did it take for you to maintain that wig?Or hair! I don’t know either, but that must take serious work, like I tried messing with that stuff but uh…the results didn’t come out so good! And well, I’m not the best at sewing either! But, it’s just…fantastic! I can’t believe it! Man, uh, you wouldn’t mind if I borrowed your phone so I could like…take a picture and send it to myself, right? I’d normally use my own, but I didn’t bring it….” Shuichi deflated, all his features turning forlorn and filled with regret…before suddenly jumping up again. “Oh, but never mind that! I didn’t know there was a con today! Or a club event, or anything! Man…I thought I uh, followed everything, but I guess I wasn’t up to date…I guess it’s somewhere on Reddit or Tumblr, or something but…Oh, I guess that’d be nice to know! I mean, assuming your events are public, after all! If they’re private, then uh, sorry for intruding!” Shuichi finally took a breath after chattering endlessly, before letting out a small awkward laugh and falling silent. 

    Lone delinquents exist as well, Sadamu is no exception to this role he plays in life. Long ago, he never embraced his status after defending himself again and again, realizing he’s stuck in a never-ending cycle of repetition. Tormented, taunted, called indecent and inappropriate names, insulted for his appearance, and thrown into a passive-aggressive battle he’ll never win. Instead of climbing up into positive popularity and acceptance, he stole an old baseball bat from his local high school’s team and wielded it for self-defense. Due to this, he’s popular for all the wrong reasons; infamous, is what he’d call it.

   Sadamu grew tired of this relentless treatment, after being exposed to this dishonor and unkind behavior; he snapped in a burst of rage. His fury kept a lot of people away from him, other than a timid clothes-weaving hobbyist who stuck around him daily. He’s dangerous, but there’s a bubble in his mind waiting to pop about why? Is he really that approachable for some people?

   He twirled his long, ebony black hair with a twig-like finger, deep into his thoughts. Humanity wasn’t his favorite group to be around, as humans are naturally born selfish and unkind; if not treated, ruggedness can occur. Maybe, this is why Danganronpa exists. To have live action actors define a murder mystery drama where others could see themselves in the victim or murderer. In a way... it’s traumatizing to his eyes, as those deaths are tragically realistic and the entire script... those actors are uncannily talented at their craft. 

   Humanity’s cruel fascination with death disgusted him, to where Sadamu despised Danganronpa. He wondered how those who went into hiding are coping with their situation? Sadamu hummed in confusion as he walked across the pathway carrying his bookcase in his other hand. Somebody approached him? He heard another guy speak, of course, looking straight backwards is his first action before peering down at the shorter teenager.

   Naturally, his stare is fearsome and cold-blooded. It faded away quicker once he realized who and what he was dealing with. Damn, this one talked a lot!

      “... Cosplay?”, he inquired in his harsh and whispered tones. This is some nerd, isn’t it? “I had no fuckin’ idea what you were talking about at first, kid. But, I’m not a cosplayer.” 

     He completely turned around to face Shuichi, tightening his green tie and snorted behind his mask, “... But, you’re complimenting me a ton and it’d be rude if I fought you because of that. This hair of mine isn’t a wig. I maintained this through... daily usage of shampoo and conditioner.”

    “Even if it will be gone once I’m older, it’s best to have it sooner than later.” Others didn’t enjoy his feminine looks due to their fragile natures, oh well! What's Sadamu’s solution? Beat them up! He’s quite flattered by the other boy’s enthusiasm, lending his flip-phone over and putting a hand in his pockets.

   “You can take a picture with me!” Because he’s never had a single one in his life. “But, you can join me on my way home, company's real great. What kind of shit do you like? You sound a lot like a nerd. Are you?”