Chapter Text
FTE 1
I gave Komaru the Hope’s Peak Ring.
Komaru: Wow, thank you! I’ll treasure it.
Toko: You’re welcome… I guess…
Komaru: This is a reminder I’m really here. Hope’s Peak, amazing isn’t it!
Toko: I’m sure it would be amazing…
Komaru: Is something wrong Toko? I’d expect you to be more excited about this.
Toko: You’re seriously dense. Aren’t you aware of the situation we’re in?
Komaru: Oh, that stuff with Monokuma right?
That stuff? People are dying!
Komaru: But this is an opportunity to meet so many amazing people! Like Sayaka!
Toko: Ugh, it figures you’d like that dime-a-dozen idol.
Komaru: She’s not dime-a-dozen! No other idol could compare!
Toko: She’s the type of girl you always meet, smiling at you one second, talking shit behind your back the next.
Komaru: Hey, that can’t be true! She’s- You know what, just talk to her. You’ll see what a nice person she is!
Toko: No chance.
Komaru: Oh, come on, it‘s not that hard. All you do is go up to her and tell her something like: ‘You look really pretty today!’
Toko: W-What? I could never do that, it sounds awful!
Komaru: Aren’t you being a little dramatic?
Toko: Absolutely not. People hate talking to me. And I hate starting conversations. So I don’t try.
Komaru: You started this conversation. And I don’t hate talking with you.
Toko: I- It’s different with you. I don’t know.
Komaru: But it’s a shame you don’t like talking to others, maybe I could help fix that?
Toko: What?
Komaru: Yeah, you know like in the movies where there’s a shy girl, who learns to open up to others and stuff like that!
Toko: Gah, that’s so unrealistic. It’s not like you can actually become more sociable so easily.
Komaru: Well even-
Toko: And what’s wrong with me being introverted anyway? What does it matter if I prefer being alone!
Komaru: It- I- I think I’ll leave you alone now.
Toko: Hmm…
That was awful, I’m sure she’ll hate me now…
Somehow, my bond with Komaru deepened.
FTE 2
I gave Komaru the Kitten Hair Clip.
Komaru: This is super cute, thank you!
Toko: …
Komaru: So uh… I wanted to apologise. For what I said last time.
Toko: Huh? What are you-
Komaru: I guess I was just projecting the stories I’d read onto you. I am sincerely sorry for my mistake.
Toko: I accept your apology.
Komaru: Oh, speaking of stories I’ve read, I went to the library the other day! Guess what I read?
Toko: How would I know?
Komaru: I read some of your books!
Toko: W-What? Are you here to make fun of them?
Komaru: Why would I do that, they’re amazing! Especially So Lingers… in fact, I loved them so much, I read all your books at once. Do you have anything new coming out?
Toko: Possibly, if we get out of here…
Komaru: Wonderful! And uh, Toko?
Toko: Yes?
Komaru: How do you write so well? Do you have any advice?
Toko: Uhh, I don’t know really, it’s just always come easily to me.
Komaru: Really? That’s pretty cool…
Toko: Do you want to be an author then?
Komaru: Yeah! Well, kinda. I want to be a manga artist.
I stared at her for a few seconds…
Komaru: Is something wrong?
Toko: Manga… I’m not a huge fan. Especially shojo stuff.
Komaru: Really? How come?
Toko: Ugh, it just all feels the same, girl falls for asshole, then suddenly she changes everything for him, and only then does he notice her…
Komaru: Ah, I see. Well, I’ve never been good with romance, so I won’t be writing any of that.
Toko: And what genre will you be facing?
Komaru: Aha… I’d never thought about it really, I’m more interested in the drawing part.
Toko: I see…
Komaru: Oh! I could write a manga based on our time here!
Toko: Who would want to read something about a bear who likes to make us kill each other? Even for manga it’s pretty far out there…
Komaru: I suppose… but it’s worth a shot right?
I can’t tell if she’s serious…
My bond with Komaru deepened.
FTE 3
I gave Komaru the Voice-Changing Bowtie.
Komaru: No way! This is amazing! And here I thought you hated manga.
Toko: What are you talking about?
Komaru: This gift is… ah, you didn’t know.
Toko: Well whatever it is, I don’t really care. I’m just glad you like it.
Komaru: Thank you. I love it!
She stared at me intensely.
Toko: What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?
Komaru: Oh, nothing like that, sorry. I was just wondering if you were dating anyone.
Toko: W-what?
Komaru: So… you are dating someone?
Toko: No! Whatever made you think that? I’ve never had more than one date with someone…
Komaru: No way… your writing is just so mature, I was sure you were like, in a really long term relationship or something…
Toko: No, I’ve never had anything like that. Sorry to disappoint, but it’s all just fantasies.
Komaru: No, that doesn’t disappoint me at all, in fact it- well uh, would your ideal romance be something like your stories?
Toko: I guess…
Komaru: Alright… next question:
Did I agree to this impromptu Q&A?
Komaru: What is love?
Toko: That’s a pretty open-ended question, isn’t it?
Komaru: I guess, but it leaves a lot of room for discussion, doesn’t it?
Toko: Alright, then you answer first. What is love?
Komaru: Well, love is when you have a person, and you’d do anything to make them happy. You look at them, and instantly know how they’re feeling, no matter how they try to hide their emotions. And even if you only stay good friends, never end up dating, you only hope she’ll be happy in life…
Toko: That… that’s rather sweet, it’s not what I’d expect from you…
Komaru: Aww, thank you.
Toko: Who is it? The person you like?
Komaru: I- uh… I don’t ‘love’ love anyone right now, but there is someone I’m becoming increasingly fond of… but I can’t tell you who.
Toko: Oh, alright then…
Komaru: But trust me, if I ever tell anyone, you’ll be the first to know!
That’s nice, I guess…
Wait, did Komaru call that person a ‘she’?
My bond with Komaru deepened.
FTE 4
I gave Komaru the Rose in Vitro.
Komaru: Wow, thanks Syo! This is lovely.
Syo: My pleasure dear. Toko didn’t have the courage to give it to ya, so I decided to do it for her!
Komaru: Wait, Toko wanted to give me this? You’re joking.
Syo: I’d never lie about this! There aren’t many things I’m not willing to do, but making fun of a maiden’s heart is a definite no-no.
Komaru: I see… Well, I’m very grateful to both of you.
Syo: Don’t mention it! I’m more of an errand girl right now, but I’m up to chat if you’re free.
Komaru: That sounds great! So, what do you want to tal-
Syo: Are you a lesbian?
Komaru: I- yes. I am.
Syo: Wonderful. I can tell we’re gonna get along. So, what’s your type?
Komaru: This is a bit sudden…
Syo: Hey, I’ll tell you my type in girls if you do.
Komaru: Alright, fine… I guess I like long hair…
Syo: Mmm Hmm?
Komaru: And uh… glasses are kinda nice I guess.
Syo: Go on…
Komaru: And I guess I like someone who’s really into romance? Like, a- a-
Syo: A romance novelist?
Komaru: Yeah… I mean, someone like that! I’m not specifically talking ab-
Syo: You’re totally talking about Toko, aren’t you?
Komaru: Yep… so uh, what are you gonna do?
Syo: Oh, nothing really. You’re a nice girl, I trust you.
Komaru: Thanks. I trust you too, I think?
Syo: I can’t imagine why. Oh, right, I never told you who I liked! You won’t believe it!
Komaru: Is… is it me?
Syo: It’s you! Nice guess.
Komaru: Well, I’m honoured. But I don’t know you that well yet, only Toko. So uh…
Syo: Don’t sweat it. I’m not really telling ya for myself. But I’m gonna let you in on another secret: Toko and I may have different memories, but we share emotions. See ya!
I started running off, not knowing why. In the distance, I heard Komaru’ slight confusion, and hopeful realiation.
My bond with Komaru deepened.
FTE 5
I gave Komaru the Cherry Blossom Bouquet.
Komaru: Toko, these are beautiful. Thank you so much.
Toko: You’re welcome…
Komaru: …
Toko: …
Komaru: So, I was talking to Syo the other day…
Toko: I heard…
Komaru: And she said…
Toko: I know…
Komaru: Then you know…
Toko: That you probably hate me now.
Komaru: Yea- wait what? No! I don’t hate you!
Toko: I can’t imagine why.
Komaru: Toko, I have a feeling Syo didn’t tell you everything. Because I told her that I like you too!
Toko: Wait… you’re lying right? Making fun of me?
Komaru: Of course not! I’d never make fun of you, I promise. I really, really like you Toko.
Toko: And I like you too…
Komaru: So… are we dating now?
Toko: I think so… this school isn’t really the best place for romance, is it?
Komaru: Well, sometimes good things come to us in bad situations. Right?
Toko: That’s a nice way of looking at it.
Komaru: Yeah… Hey Toko, please could I hold your hand?
Toko: Of course you can.
She squeezed my hand, and we just stayed there for a while, enjoying each other’s company.
I have maxed out my bond with Komaru.