Chapter Text
“Goodbye everyone, perhaps we’ll meet again in another life,” Celeste — no, Taeko said with acceptance before allowing Monokuma to take her to her execution.
...
“Damn, another win?” An unnamed D-rank said. “I swear, your hands are always amazing!”
“Of course they are, I have gambler’s blood,” said Taeko.
“What do you mean?”
“My parents were both seasoned gamblers. They each won millions separately during their time in France and Germany”
“I thought you were Japanese?”
“Yes, I am...”
“Then how are your parents French and German?”. Taeko put her fingers to her lips and giggled with fake sweetness.
“Oh silly, they were born in France and Germany, but they had me in Japan!”
“Ah, I see...”
“Anyway, this pile is enough for me today. Good day, sir,” Taeko stood, collected her chips, and left. Once she was out, she shoved her head in her hands. This was so stressful, and the lies were piling on too fast, just one mistake and people would discover her name was not Celestia, her parents were not French and German and her 100% win streak was barely recognised or even believed in the outside world. She was afraid people would discover that her entire personality was a fabrication to feel better than she truly was. Taeko was so boring and had nothing special to her; Celestia was glamorous and luxurious. Why wouldn’t she want to be her when she was obviously better than other people?
“Man, that sure was unlucky, huh?” Taeko’s head shot up at the familiar-sounding voice, but she could not recognise where the familiarity came from.
“Yeah, but at least you got a refund!” Another familiar voice said. Taeko, without thinking, went straight to the 2 people.
“Do I know you?” She asked.
“U-umm...” the boy said. “I was going to say no, but... You do seem very familiar”
“What are your names?”
“I’m Makoto Naegi!”
“And I’m Sayaka Maizono...”
“I see, I see. My name is Celestia Ludenberg, but you can call me Celeste. Are you from around here?”
“Yes, we’re both from around here,” Makoto replied.
“Do you know why you’re so familiar to me?”
“No, I’m afraid not”. Taeko frowned.
“Very well then, have a good day you two.”
“Ummm... Have a good day!” said Sayaka.
Celeste scowled when she turned away. How annoying it was for 2 people to feel so familiar and not know where from or why!? She took a deep breath, scowling causes wrinkles, she told herself, and put her smile back on. Tomorrow was her first day of high school and she needed to ensure she was sufficiently prepared. First impressions would be important if she wanted to gather any C-ranks. She needed her beauty sleep and to prepare her uniform, so she headed back to her home. Unfortunately, not the castle she wanted, but damn it she would get that castle!