Kanata frowned a little when Rantaro told her that he had been filming for Danganronpa. That he went away, and stayed away on purpose.
“So, what that boy Kagehara-kun said is true… why would you go and do something like that? Be a part of that awful show?” She played with her fingers nervously, picking at the clear coat of gloss on her fingernails. “…You really aren’t okay, are you? You told me last time I saw you that you were okay, I knew you weren’t, but I trusted that you wouldn’t lie and you did…”
She looks down. “Why can’t you come back now? What’s happening? Are you in trouble? Why would you lie?” She can’t help the tears from falling. She was angry at herself for being so stupid, for letting him go even though she never even knew, and she was angry at him for closing up and lying like always. She knew he wasn’t okay back then, skipping days on end of school and zoning out into nothing, staring at his phone yet sometimes not picking up until hours after she sent a text. “What’s happening Rinrin…?”
Rantaro could feel a sinking feeling in his gut in time with her expression dropping into a frown, already understanding that he had definitely screwed up somehow. His mind already whirred with excuses and explanations that would have totally justified why he went on a show he never even cared that much about to begin with, eyes scanning her face and nervous fidget as if gauging her reaction to each idea that popped to head.
It all reached a jarring halt at the conclusion she had made - that he wasn’t okay. That she knew he wasn’t and he had lied about it. His hands sprawled out in front of his chest, almost like he was in surrender. He was going to interject, but his mouth clamped shut as Kanata’s head dropped, noticing the tears falling to the ground soon after. His lips pressed in a thin line in consideration of how to proceed.
“I’m okay.” He carefully started after a pause, “Really, I’m okay. And I’m not in trouble either. Promise. There’s no need for you to worry about that.” He tried to reassure, moving a hand to pat her head in a comforting manner, but pausing when his finger brushed against a screen instead. “I just wanted to do something impulsive and reckless. I didn’t realize how exhausting being on TV was though, and wanted some space. That’s all.”
He knew it wasn’t the complete truth. But it wasn’t really a total lie. Regardless, it ate him up - he felt the need to be a little more honest to make up for what he wasn’t saying. “I’m staying pretty lowkey since, um.. they want me back for another season.” He admitted sheepishly, eyes darting elsewhere as his hand moved to his hair, fingers fiddling with his green locs. “I don’t really want to do it, but I’m contractually obligated or something. It’s whatever. I’ll be back for good once that’s all over.”
