On the Path to Bravery in a Coward’s Paradise

Prologue: Being an Ultimate is Free For a Price (Part 1: Awaken)

Class Change 2 won’t be started for a long time, so here’s something to tide you over, Mummy. An AU in I put the SDRA2 characters in Brave Danganronpa's location. This is an experiment to see how a different protagonist would affect the story of Brave Danganronpa and how it'd be impacted by the different characters. I have the survivors planned. I've got the death order figured out as well, so all I need to do is plan the cases, and I've already ironed out the first case! Hope you enjoy the story. This story will alter between first person and third person. When you see this emoji (🕵️‍♀️) you know the narrative has changed to first person.

Hope’s Peak Academy. Probably the best school in the world.

A plain jane was how most people described her. She didn't like being called a plain jane though.

By the way, the definition of plain jane is a girl that is plain, ordinary and not especially memorable or special. An example of plain jane is a woman who is not beautiful or exceptionally smart.

She had lilac eyes, and she had long black hair with an ahoge sticking out the top (the ahoge conventionally covered by a brown hat), one bang covering her right eye.

She wore a long brown trench coat (reaching to her knees) over a white button up blouse. Below the blouse, she wore a dark purple skirt, and below that she wore white stockings and brown shoes. She carried a notebook in one hand. Around her neck was wrapped an orange scarf.

What was her name?

Nanako Yomiuri.

Nanako looked like a normal girl.

Just looking at her, one may not guess that Nanako Yomiuri was an Ultimate herself.

She was known as the Ultimate Mystery Novelist.

But she believed she wasn’t deserving of that Ultimate Title.

Let me explain.

Despite being the brother of Nikei Yomiuri, the Ultimate Jouralist, Nanako hadn’t published mystery novels yet. I mean, she only had a first chapter and a few scattered thoughts for some at the moment, some had full-but-basically-abandoned first drafts done, she was actually in the middle of final revisions on some and she had plans to start querying agents soon, she had some ideas about how other stories could go, but she couldn’t say she had fully settled on whether she would actually be writing them or not. She didn’t have all the details ironed out yet, but she had other stories still in the preliminary stages of planning. And she had written a prompt scene for the rest.

In other words, Nanako did not think she was fitting to become an Ultimate.

Her brother Nikei had an unfinished murder mystery story that Nanako had been begging him to finish because it was one of her absolute favorites (it basically had all the aesthetics of Danganronpa, but with a totally different plot), another nail in the “I’m not deserving of becoming an Ultimate” coffin.

So Nanako was surprised when she was chosen to become the Ultimate Mystery Novelist.

She could still remember the acceptance letter…

Dear Ms. Yomiuri

On behalf of Hope's Peak Academy, I would like to congratulate you, for our talent scouts have determined that you have qualified for a spot in the 80th class.

You’ll be known as the Ultimate Mystery Novelist. I hope we get along with your classmates.

When she received that letter, her head was filled with rapidly bouncing thoughts. No no no, this is wrong, it's too soon, I'm not ready, do I have the proper supplies? Pencils, pens, notebooks- did I even remember to pack spare clothes!? What if-

After she packed her suitcase, she took a deep breath and stood up straight and confident. So...let's do this! Class 80, here I come! But first, I have to tell my brother Nikei about it.

Things would be smooth sailing once she told Nikei about her bright future.

At least, that’s what Nanako thought at first.

Prologue: Being an Ultimate is Free For a Price

🕵️‍♀️

Hey wake up!

I woke up in a strange room. I didn’t know where I was.

Wh… Where am I..?

I finally adjusted, and I saw an identical-to-me-boy with one of his bangs covering his left eye, like an opposite me, shaking me awake.

I looked around.

I was in a large metal room.

Is this… a storage room?

I got up, and I found that this metal room was filled with students. The students turned their heads towards me.

Some of them looked and dressed rather… peculiar as well.

“We’re all awake now? I believe that makes seventeen,” said one voice.

"Seventeen? I don’t know if I like the sound of that..." spoke another voice.

After a few minutes, there was a loud beep and a strange voice spoke.

“All students have awoken. Releasing lock.”

As if on cue, as soon as the voice finished speaking the heavy-looking door opened with a mechanical whirr and clank.

We all started towards the door and took a cautious step through.

Where are we? Is this some kind of reponcist hall or something?

“Welcome, Ultimate Students, to Last Hope Sacturaty!” The strange voice spoke again. "Feel free to explore and get familiar with the facilities. It will do you well to get used to them as soon as possible. Another announcement will be made after an appropriate amount of mandatory socialization and investigation has occurred. Goodbye for now.”

🕵️‍♀️

The prologue is now premiering on Friday! Thank god I have my soundtrack to ward off writer’s block! Because it took me 9 days to finish Class Change 1, I can already tell that this story is going to take a while to finish. Next time: Nanako meets the Ultimate Students.

Prologue: Being an Ultimate is Free For a Price (Part 2: Ultimate Students)

Here, Nanako meets the other Ultimate Students. After that, the host makes their grand appearance. I apologize for not letting everyone know how the narration works. So just to let you all know, this is how the narration works for this fic: the story will be mostly in third person. Every now and then, there will be an change to first person. I hope you understand.

Nanako stared at the ground, dumbfounded.

Merely a few minutes ago, she had been in her house. And now she was in an Sacturaty?!

What the hell?

After a few minutes, the boy nudged her on the back.

“Where is everyone?” Nanako asked as she looked at the boy.

“You were staring at the ground.” The boy explained. "Everyone else left while you were doing that."

"I was?" Nanako asked in surprise. "For how long?"

"Long enough for everyone to leave, apparently," The boy said. "You should really pay more attention to your surroundings, sister.”

Sister?

The boy looked embrassed. “Oh, where are my manners? I'M NIKEI YOMIURI, THE ULTIMATE JOURNALIST! I'm glad to see someone's normal around here."

“My older brother?” Nanako asked.

“My little sister?” Nikei asked, bamboolzed by the sight of seeing his younger sister in front of him.

Talk about a family reunion.

“As for myself,” Nanako said.

“I’m Nanako Yomuri, and I am the Ultimate Mystery Novelist! Given that I look like a normal girl, I didn't think I was anything special, but here I am."

“You’re a mystery novelist?” Nikei asked. “Have you published mystery books?”

“Actually,” Nanako explained. “I have not published any mystery books yet. Some of them are still in the first stages of planning, others are in final revisions. Others still are only first chapters so far, and some have full but abandoned first drafts done. I have a scene scribbled for the rest. Also, I have some ideas for a couple others. And you have an unfinished draft that I’ve been begging you to finish, because it’s my favorite draft. It’s basically a very different version of Danganronpa, one of my favorite game series. My favorite games in the series are DR2 and V3. In V3, in particular, I loved Kokichi Ouma and his over-the-top plans to end the Killing Game. Writing a character based on him would be a lot of fun!”

“I understand,” Nikei said. “So will you ever publish a book?”

Nanako just chuckled. “I might publish a book sometime in the next few years. Now, what do you mean by normal?”

“Most of the Ultimates here are sorta odd.” Nikei said.

“What about we get to know them?” Nanako suggested.

“Great idea, sis.” Nikei said.

The two then began to make their way to find the others.

The first location they came to was some kind of AV Room.

On the stage, a girl was standing. She had long silvery blue hair tied in a ponytail with a red hair scrunchie and she had an ahoge like Nanako. She wore a girl’s school uniform.

The girl then realized something as she turned to them. "Oh, I nearly forgot," She said. "We haven't introduced ourselves to each other, right? Let's go ahead and do that. My name’s Sora. Talent? I’m kinda drawing a blank about it.

"Wait, what? You don’t know what your talent is?" Nikei asked.

"No, I can’t remember it, Sorry…" replied Sora.

“I hope your talent comes back to you,” Nanako said.

The two then left the room, saying goodbye to Sora.

The next location the two students came to was.. a gym of some sort.

There was an eerily lifelike statue of a tall girl in this place. Her hair was blonde, long, and she wore a school uniform with an orange ascot tied at her neck. On her feet were black boots. Over said school uniform, she wore a fur coat.

Next to the statue was a man whose wrists were wrapped up in white bandages. Nikei was disturbed by the mere appearance of this man.

“Some people call the lovely lady standing next to me a living and breathing doll. Isn’t that right, Emma?” the man said.

On hearing her name, the statue came to life.

“Oh, where are our manners?” She asked. “It’s polite to introduce yourself to strangers!”

"I'm Hajime Makunouchi, Ultimate Boxer!” The man said. Then he pointed to Emma. “And this is Emma Magorobi, the Ultimate Actress."

“But plain old Emma is fine. I highly recommend the flicks I've been in." Emma laughed.

“By the way, I’m a very famous actress. And Hajime here is a world famous boxer.”

Meeting a famous actress and a famous boxer at the same time wasn’t how anyone usually plans to add to their day. It was just Nanako’s luck.

“Let’s explore more of this place,” Nikei sighed. “We may meet new people along the way.”

After making an agreement, the two of them kept on going.

The next location they came to was a classroom.

In this classroom was a girl who had lilac fading to pink hair tied into two twin tails on either side of her head with pink musical note hair clips. Next to her was a identical girl, but with wavy hair.

The wavy haired girl seemed to be scolding the other girl.

“Ugh! You always keep me waiting, Kanade!”

“Sorry…” the girl, apparently called Kanade, said.

The wavy haired girl seemed to notice Nikei and Nanako.

“You should know who the two of us are!” She said.

Two people I’m supposed to know already? Good god…

“Sorry, I don’t know you.” Nanako said.

The girl was angry.

“What do you mean you don’t know who I am? I am Hibiki fucking Otonokoji, the Ultimate Vocalist! Just so we’re clear, I am not going to say my name again, so you better remember it for the rest of your miserable life!”

Nikei made a noise of disgust. Clearly Hibiki had not been what he was expecting.

“She looked cute, though!” He then said.

“Her personality and looks don’t match,” Nanako sighed.

Next, the straight haired girl stood up.

“I-I’m Kanade Otonokoji, the Ultimate Guitarist. I-It really is nice to meet you all. Even if it doesn’t seem like it...."

If Hibiki had been cruel, then Kanade was quite timid.

“I’ve heard of you two!” Nikei said.

“You’re apart of a band called Melody Rhymth!”

“E-Exactly,” Kanade said.

Two personalities that counteract each other. Wow.

“There’s other people still to meet.” Nikei said, pulling on the collar of Nanako’s coat.

“I hope they’re not as cruel as Hibiki or as timid as Kanade…” Nanako sighed.

The next place they entered was an art studio of sorts, where various art supplies were set up.

Standing there was a brunette girl wearing a school uniform.

She didn’t seem to have noticed the two coming in.

She suddenly turned towards them.

“Ahhh!” She screamed.

“I think I can see where this is going," Nikei cringed, memories of Kanade’s intro still in his head.

“Sorry,” said Nanako.

“Ah, nice to meet you, Nikei and Nanako! I'm Iroha Nijue. I’m the Ultimate Painter!” the girl said. “But I like to be called the Ultimate Artist.”

“Why?” Nanako asked.

“My passion is arts and crafts hobbies. Anything involving drawing, painting, sewing, scrapbooking, and decorating, I’m your girl!” Iroha spoke up cheerfully.

Easily the most cheerful girl I’ve ever met… She’s not as cruel as Hibiki…

“We’d better get a move on!” Nikei said.

The next location they stopped at was a dining room.

A brown haired, bespectacled girl who wore a pink sweater-dress over black shorts, a black and orange tie and blue doggy slippers was there.

“Let’s see…” she sighed, noticing the two. “I’m Kokoro Mitsume. They call me the Ultimate Pyschologist…”

She’s so cute…

“I can see how you got your ultimate title!” Nikei said, excited.

“You’re so calm, and psychologists are always calm.”

“Thanks!” Kokoro complimented.

“There are things still to see,” Nanako reminded her brother.

She then essentially dragged her brother out of the dining room.

The next room they came across was a kitchen.

Suddenly, someone jumped into sight.

He wore a long violet cloak, a hat and there was even half of a white mask on his face.

“Hello there!” He said.

“What’s your name?” Nanako asked, confused.

The man cleared his throat dramatically. "Fall to your knees. Be prepared to be amazed! Mikado's name is Mikado Sannoji, the Ultimate Wizard! Mikado is going to show everyone a beautiful show of real magic today!”

“Why does it sound like you’re trying to be a wizard?” Nanako asked.

“Some people call this wizard the Ultimate Magician, but Mikado is disgusted by it.” Mikado explained, his face slightly tinged green with disgust. “Hence why he decides to go by the moniker of Ultimate Wizard. After all, Mikado doesn’t want people laughing and throwing tomatoes at him.”

Nanako laughed as she pictured people hurling produce at Mikado.

Nikei wasn’t laughing.

“I have a good mind to take that wizard and throw him in a garbage can.” He said, his voice full of disgust and hatred.

“Garbage can?!” Mikado exclaimed, crying. “Mikado doesn’t want to go in the trash!”

Nikei and Nanako then left, without any further words.

Mikado was extremely insane. Believing in magic was something only a child would do, so Nanako found it downright ridiculous for a high school student to do the same. In other words, Mikado was totally fucking bonkers.

The next place they found themselves in was a garden.

Flowers were blooming.

Watering a patch of them was a girl with pale blue hair with purple eyes. Her right eye was strangely closed.

“Oh, you’re just in time!” She said.

"My name is Setsuka Chiebukuro, and I am the Ultimate Billiards Player!"

“What about your closed right eye?” Nanako asked.

“It’s my devil’s eye,” Setsuka said in a dark voice. “Besides, a girl’s gotta keep her secrets!”

What an odd girl. She’s laid back and cheery, but always keeps her right eye shut… I wonder why?

“Let’s meet more students!” Nikei said, dragging Nanako off.

They arrived at another classroom.

A muscular man was there.

“Is it my turn for intros?” He asked.

He seemed to notice Nikei and Nanako.

“The name’s Shinji Kasai, and I guess I’m the Ultimate Firefighter! If you ever need a fire put out, I’m your guy.” He said.

He’s funny.

“You’re strange and funny,” Nikei said. “I feel like you’re gonna be a joy to be around.”

“Nikei, we need to get a move on!” Nanako said as she practically dragged Nikei behind her.

The next place they entered was a… some kind of nurse’s office.

It smells like antiseptic in here…

Standing there were two other students. One was a man with grey hair, and the other was a girl who had long platinum blond hair.

“I know these two,” Nikei said.

“Yeah, how did you know?” Nanako asked.

“I was in the same class in school as them.” Nikei said.

“What’s up with them?” Nanako asked.

“Well, the grey haired one is… sorta sleepy. And the blond haired girl... well... you'll see." He pointed to each of the duo in turn.

The grey haired man wore a white jacket over a black shirt and red tie and white pants. Unusually for such a dressed man, he wore… sandals?

“Hello,” he said in a slightly monotone voice.

"I'm Shobai Hashimoto, the Ultimate Broker. But you just can call me Syobai."

Holy shit. We have a broker among us?

“People have also called me the Ultimate Trafficker.” Syobai explained. “It’s because I’m also involved in human trafficking.”

H-human trafficking?! Syobai is involved in human trafficking?

“What the hell is human trafficking?” Nikei demanded.

“Trafficking is the beautiful art of seeing children and young people tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and moved or transported and then exploited, forced to work or sold!” Syobai said with an excited look in his eyes. He wasn’t his usual sleepy self.

“As for human trafficking, it’s the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labour or sexual exploitation. There are variants of human trafficking, though. For example, after getting sold, the person’s organs might get harvested and sold on the black market. Or they might be smuggled to an Eastern European country, where they would meet… a very morbid fate.”

“That’s simply horrifying.” Nikei said. “What else are you also involved in?”

“Let’s see…” Syobai said. “I’m also involved in stealing, murder, mutilation, animal cruelty, violence, dealing out drugs, kidnapping, setting off bombs, and arson. Anything involving illegal things, I’m your guy.”

Yup, it’s offical. We have a full out criminal among us.

The other person in the room was a short girl (though not as short as Iroha) had long, wavy platinum blond hair with a light pink and pale green ombré and grey eyes. She wore a green blazer over a white blouse, a yellow and black striped tie, a blackish brown pleated skirt, white knee stockings, and black Mary Janes. She had a black, space themed backpack.

“Hi everyone!” She said. “Yuri’s name is Yuri Kagarin! Her talent is Ultimate Astronomer!”

Jesus, another person who doesn’t make use of first person pronouns?

“Everyone we’ve met here so far seems to be friendly towards all genders.” Nikei said. “Do you like men as well?

“Nah, Yuri doesn't like men.” Yuri said. “In fact, she! hates! them!”

And she lifted up Nikei by the throat and tried to strangle him for emphasis.

“Yuri! will! choke! you! TO! DEATH!” Yuri screamed.

“In fact, all men should rot in the dirt where they belong!”

Nanako punched Yuri, and she dropped Nikei, who fell on the floor, prone but unharmed.

“That was fun,” Yuri commented.

“Fun?!" Nanako repeated as Nikei got up. "Nikei was nearly beheaded!"

“All men should be beheaded!” Yuri retorted.

“An energetic astronomer and her lethargic broker friend? Sounds like a classic anime trope, but it’s real.” Nikei said. “Even though the astronomer is kinda misandrist.”

“Looks like we have more people to meet!” Nanako said she walked off, essentially dragging Nikei behind her.

Well, that was interesting. Meeting a misandrist and a criminal (who was involved in human trafficking) at the same time was definitely not how anyone planned on adding onto their day. Then again, this place wasn’t normal, so there wasn’t much surprise there. What awaited Nikei and Nanako in the next room?

The next room, it turned out, was a library of sorts.

A tall, pink haired girl was checking the shelves. She didn’t seem to have noticed the two coming in.

She wore a brown blazer over a white long sleeved shirt, a red string bow tie, and a brown pleated skirt. Her legs were covered with white socks that ended below the knees, and her shoes were brown loafers.

“The latest book in that Regency political intrigue fantasy series I just started reading is just over here…” she said.

She saw Nikei and Nanako approaching.

“Ahhh!” She screamed.

“I was just looking for the latest book in a series I just started reading.” She explained.

“It’s called The Brightest Star, and I just started reading it! It’s so well written, it’s my favorite book series. However, there’s no magic. There are seven clans â€" muchly inspired by Scotland. I would classify this series as a regency political intrigue fantasy series in genre.”

“Sounds interesting,” Nikei mused.

Suddenly, the girl looked embrassed. "Oh, where are my manners? My name is Yoruko Kabuya, the Ultimate Hostess!"

“Do you host parties?” Nikei asked, confused.

“No! No! It’s not like I host any parties!” Yoruko shrieked. “Instead, I’m an underage bartender.”

But’s that illegal!

“I do love fantasy books, though.” Yoruko said.

“I would totally recommend Another New Hope. It is not as well written as the Brighest Star. I mean, it has many spelling errors, some questionable story choices and the first few chapters are slow. It’s a contemporary fantasy Celtic fae series, by the way.”

“What are your personal favorite books?” Nanako asked.

“Some examples of my personal favorite books are Galactic Melancholy, anything Venetian masquerade, and anything by Jane Austen. And the best books are anything that’s old and set in England, because why not? I do love books that’s set at Christmas. Especially if they’re old and have soup, roast, and ice cream, and then obviously lots of snow in them.”

She’s a young bartender, yet she loves books…

“Come on!” Nanako said as she ushered Nikei out of the door.

“We have 2 more people to meet!”

The next room they came to was a communal laundry room.

2 people were there. One was a tall green haired man and the other was a shorter, red haired boy. They appeared to be talking to each other.

Suddenly, the two boys turned to Nikei and Nanako.

“Didn’t see you there,” the green haired one commented.

“We should introduce ourselves!” The red haired one suggested.

“Let’s go ahead and do that!” The green haired one said. “Hi! I'm Teruya Otori, the Former Ultimate Merchant! I look forward to getting to know you all!”

He then motioned to the red haired one. “This is Yuki Maeda and he’s this year’s Ultimate Lucky Student.”

Yuki nodded his head. “I look forward to having a great time with you all!"

I think that’s all of them.

Nanako and Nikei headed back to the reciponist hall, where every Ultimate they had met was standing.

“Now I have an announcement to make.” said the strange voice.

Suddenly, a desk began to glow.

“That’s strange.” Nikei said.

Suddenly, something jumped out from behind the desk.

It was a bizarre chipper robot of sorts. Half white on one side with blue “hair”, the other all black with “pink hair”, it struck a pose.

And that’s when things went from bad to

worse.

Next time: Monochrome explains the killing game and the prologue ends!

Prologue: Being An Ultimate Is Free For a Price (Part 3: Monochrome!/Prologue END)

Last time, we met Nikei Yomiuri and 15 other Ultimate Students, and a strange chipper robot appeared! This won’t end well 😳.

(https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZP8Sw2DiP0)

“Greetings, filthy insects! You may call me Monochrome. Hyper, suuuuper advanced robot and curator of Last Hope Sanctuary…!" The robot announced.

“What are you doing?” Nikei asked.

“You’re the strange voice?” Nanako asked.

“Exactly!” Monochrome said.

“This place is relaxing, right? You guys will relax till the end of your lives!”

(https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zSHvUG5W7kE)

Nanako heard a lot of voices squealing variations on “What?!” or “Oh no!” or “No way!” all at once, everyone suddenly shouting together.

Monochrome kept explaining.

“You’re living in this place forever!”

“That’s not happening!” Nikei screamed. “I’m the Ultimate Jouralist, and people will be sad if I’m gone for at least 24 hours!”

Hajime suddenly cleared his throat.

“There’s seventeen of us and one of you! We can stop you right here!”

“Hajime is correct,” Otori added. “While some of us may not be good at hand to hand combat, the odds are strictly against you. I believe we have a good chance of success.”

Monochrome let out a loud growl. “Excuse me? Are you threatening mutiny?! A revolt - another word for mutiny - is not allowed in this Sacturaty!”

“Is there a way Mikado and his friends can leave?” Mikado asked, as Hajime started to regret suggesting the now-failed revolt.

“Yes,” Monochrome said. “And it’s gonna come at a cost.”

“What’s that cost?” Yuki asked, sweat going down his face.

A horrible smile flickered across Monochrome’s face.

“At least one life of your fellow pests.” Monochrome said.

(https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_A6cMPhdpw0)

"K-Kill?" Kanade muttered.

“Yes,” Monochrome said.

“There’s no way we’ll kill each other to get out!” Iroha said.

“I will explain the rules…!” Monochrome said.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy0JuVXTcUw)

“As you all know by now, you are all trapped in this Sacturaty forever! The only way out is murder! If three people find a body, an announcement will be made. After that, an investigation will occur, where the innocent students (for brevity’s sake, let’s call them the spotless) will search for clues left behind by the Killer (known as the blackened). After that, the CLASS TRIAL will begin! If you find the blackened, then they will suffer execution, my favorite part! If you don’t find the blackened, though, then they will go free while the rest of you will suffer fate rightfully theirs. Then the blackened will leave the Sacturaty!”

Sweat began dripping down Nanako's forehead as she imagined the gruesome fates that possibly awaited them.

Nikei was probably the one who was freaking out the most, as he was hyperventilating, saying "This can't be real! This has to be some hyperbole!"

But it wasn't hyperbole. It was pretty much real.

“Now, let the Coward Exermination Program begin!” Monochrome said, before they disappeared.

The 17 students looked at each other in horror. Their happiness had been replaced with fear.

Fear that one of their one could turn on them.

Fear that they would not survive.

Fear that might drive them to spill someone’s blood.

Nanako was just a young girl caught up in a deadly situation, where anyone could potentially die at any moment.

But she couldn’t be weak! She had to guide everyone to safety!

All that was in Monochrome’s mind was probably hope that they would kill.

But all that filled Nanako Yomiuri’s mind… is despair.

(Opening: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SbTvRr97O7c)

(https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E6tSqpNZAII)

Prologue: Being An Ultimate is Free for a Price

END

Remaining Members: 17

The end of the prologue! On another note, you may have noticed that Nikei is the support character and I wanna explain that a little. Nikei is Nanako’s twin brother. I believe having him as the support works well.

I wasn’t a fan of the original “surviving students” screen in BDR, so I made a new one, inspired by V3’s one.

Next will be Chapter 1!