Upon arriving back in my room, I exuded out another sigh and closed the door.

What had happened this morning had drained me immensely. I felt sleepy, tired, angry...

My eyes locked onto the bed, the soft fabric slowly looming me closer and closer to it. I couldn't avert my gaze on the soft blankets laid down on the 4-legged stable.

And, when my head laid down on the pillows, I was out.

---------------

(A few hours later)

And soon enough, I felt my eyes flutter awake. Slowly creeping out of my bed, I glanced at the time to see that 5 hours had passed. It was currently past afternoon.

"I should get something to eat..."

Dragging myself out of my room, I locked my door and went towards the Dining Hall. Eerily, there wasn't anyone standing by the halls. Normally, there'd be at least one person hanging around, but...

Calming my nerves down, I continued my walk towards the Dining Hall. Still not fully awake, I felt like a zombie entering the hall.

But, that sleepiness effect wore off when I saw who was sitting down by the chairs.

"What the-!?"

Sitting down on the chair, was the child that I saw in my dream. 

"What... is he doing here...?"

What made this all the more creepier, was the child's eyes. It was stuck out and wide. But... 

Those eyes were tracking my every movement.

And... when I walked close to it, the eyes slowly turn to a tint of red.

Apollo: H-Hello...?

...

The child didn't respond, but its eyes...

Those eyes...

???: ...w...wa...k...e...u...p...

Apollo: A-Ah!

Jumping back from shock, I looked at the child to see its eyes had fully gone red, black swirls starting to form.

???: ...wak...e...up...

Apollo: Wake... up...?

Frozen in shock, I watched as the child's head slowly turnt towards my direction, its body's reaction lagging behind.

???: ...wake...up...brother...

Apollo: B-Brother...?

...

...

The child then jumps off the chair... and started walking towards me.

 I scooted back in fear, but the child continued walking towards me ominously.

Apollo: W-What do you want... with me..?

...

???: ...come back...to us... dear brother...

Apollo: What brother...!? I don't have a sibling!

...

...

???: ...remember us...dear...brother...

Apollo: G-Get away from me!

I continued scooting away from the child, its red filled eyes gazing into my weak soul.

But, I felt my back bump into something. 

I looked back to see that I had scooted back towards the Dining Hall's Wall.

Yet, when I looked back, the child was still walking towards me.

Apollo: What do you want from me!? I don't have a brother!

The child then stops cold in his track. But... 

He started to laugh. A doll-like laugh. 

???: Pu...pu...huhu...p..uhu...hu...

I was frozen in place. Frozen, out of fear.

???: ...i...will...make you...remember...everything...

Another step. And another. And, another.

But eventually, it stopped walking. But... I looked up to see...

Black swirls...

And red eyes.

"you...will...remember...us..."

"you...will...remember...des...PAIR!"

And, when those words flew out from his mouth...

I looked to see...

"COME BACK, BROTHER OF DESPAIR!"

---------------

Apollo: AHHHHHHHHH!

After letting out that scream, I looked up again to see that...

The child was gone.

And, I was met with a worried stare from Hina.

Hina: Apollo, oh my goodness! Are you alright?

She runs over and checks on me.

Apollo: H-Hina...

Hina: The heck happened? You came in here, freaked out, scooted to the wall, and screamed! Did you see a ghost!?

Apollo: I... I...

Shaken, I took a deep breath.

Apollo: I don't know... I... think... I'm just tired...

Hina: You really worried me there... I think you're hallucinating.

Apollo: Yeah... I-I think so, too. I mean, did you see a kid there?

I point towards the seat the child sat at.

Hina: A kid...? No, I didn't.

Apollo: Yep, I'm hallucinating.

Letting out a deep breath, I got up to my feet. I then tried to walk, but my legs gave out on me.

Hina: Woah woah woah! Relax! Here, let me help!

Using Hina as support, I walked over towards the seats and sat down. There, I burrowed my face to my hands and started calming myself down.

Hina: There, there. You're gonna be alright. No more ghosts.

Apollo: Yeah... yeah... no more...

Taking another deep breath, I looked straight ahead to see the normal layout for the Dining Hall, no child in sight. 

Apollo: Okay... I-I think I'm good now...

Hina: Erm... What number do you see?

She points 3 fingers in front of my face.

Apollo: Three. 

Hina: How about... this?

She points 5 fingers.

Apollo: Five. 

Hina: 'Kay, you good now?

Apollo: Yeah... I'm good.

Hina: That's a relief...

I let out a deep sigh.

Hina: So... why did ya come here?

Apollo: I wanted to grab something to eat... but then I hallucinated, so...

Hina: Right, right, I see. 

Apollo: I'll ask the same question too, then. What're you doin' here?

Hina: Oh, I was just about to go swimming upstairs! Byakuya's gotten me all riled up, so I wanted to calm myself down!

Apollo: Ah, I see... 

Hina: If you want, you can join me upstairs! I'm sure that after what you just saw, you need to take your mind off something. Swimming helps calm me down, maybe it'll do the same with you?

Apollo: Hmm... I-I'll think about it... I do need to calm my nerves...

Do you want to spend your Free Time with Hina?

Yes?

No?

Free Time, start!

Apollo: You know what? Sure. I'll join you.

Hina: Great! Oh, but aren't you gonna eat first?

Apollo: I guess that can wait. I'll go make some tea or something.

Hina: Nonono! You can't exercise on an empty stomach! Here, I'll make you a donut!

Apollo: Nah, I'm fine. I can whip up snacks for myself too, you know? I mean, you did see me make all of you milk tea just now.

Hina: I guess that's true. You and Leon made quite a frenzy in that kitchen.

Apollo: Yeah... I'll go make myself something first...

Hina: 'Kay! I'll go to the warehouse and grab a swimsuit!

Apollo: Sure. I'll join you by the pool later.

Walking towards the kitchen, I decided on what to eat first. Eventually, I decided on some bread and nutella.

"Heh, let's get this bread."

Whipping out a butter knife, I dipped it into the nutella chocolate and pasted it on the bread. After pasting it, I folded the bread. 

"Hmm... Yeah, one more. Why not?"

Getting a 2nd loaf of bread, I did the exact same thing and ate my bread. After that, I cleaned up the plate and grabbed some water. Then, I walked out of the kitchen and into the Dining Hall. 

And, sure enough, Hina had left. 

"She should be by the pool by now. I won't make her wait, I guess."

Going downstairs towards the warehouse, I grabbed myself some black swimming trunks. 

But, as I picked out the swimming trunks, my eyes glossed over another piece of clothing. I looked to see that there were more pairs of hoodies available for us to use.

"Hmm... I guess I can use the outfit change, even if it is Monokuma giving them out..."

Looking over the hoodies though, it was in black and white palettes, the same color palette as Monokuma himself.

"Damn narcissist..."

Letting out an angry sigh, I grabbed a Monokuma hoodie that fitted my size and went towards my room. 

Placing the spare hoodie by the bathroom, I went over towards the swimming pool now, swimming trunks at the ready.

When I arrived at the pool, I saw Hina by the sidelines. She was currently stretching, getting her arms and legs flexed out to avoid cramps.

But, I noticed that she wasn't wearing a swimsuit.

Apollo: Hina?

Hina: Oh, Apollo! There you are!

I walked over to her.

Apollo: So... what happened to the swimsuit?

Hina: Oh... a-about that...

She started to blush a little.

Hina: There... wasn't a swimsuit available. So... I only got a spare shirt to use...

Apollo: Dang. That sucks.

Hina: Y-You better not stare at me! I'll beat you up if you do!

Apollo: Woah now! I won't do such a thing!

"Even if she has huge badongka honkeroos, I'm not indecent enough to peek at privacy..."

Hina: You better keep your word for it then...

Apollo: R-Right, heh, I will... L-Let me change, first...

Brushing off the awkward air, I went over towards the bathroom to change into my trunks. Taking off my hoodie, uniform, and joggers, I walked out of the bathroom. There, I placed my clothes by the sidelines and placed my towel there, too.

When I looked back, Hina was already doing laps around the pool, her shirt already starting to get soaking wet. 

Then, I noticed that it was a white shirt, meaning that it was hella see-throughable.

"Fuck... This is going to be a hard, hard challenge..."

Mentally sighing, I ignored my pubertal urges and started stretching. Then, once I was done, I dipped into the pool.

Surprisingly enough, the pool felt cold, but at the same time, warm.

"I guess Monokuma cared at least enough to not let his students get hypothermia..."

So, without further hesitation, I started doing laps around the pool myself.

---------------

(1 hour later)

After an hour of swimming, I decided to take a break. 

Pulling out of the water, my trunks soaked to all hell, I walked over to the sidelines to grab a water break.

Sitting down, I grabbed my water and started drinking. And, surprisingly enough, I felt refreshed. Energetic, even. 

"I guess Hina was right when she said that swimming helps with the mind and body."

As I swam, Hina urged me to race with her. Obviously, I hesitated, since she was going to win no matter what I do, but I decided to do it either way.

And woopty doo, I would lose every race by a longshot.

Whenever we had to do a diving start, she would somehow always get off to the best starts I've ever seen. 

I've had my share of swimming experiences, and dare I say that I'm quite good at it, but seeing Hina swim laps is something else. 

"No wonder why she'd always win every event she'd go to..."

And to think that she was holding back against me...

That's a yikes right there, if I do say so myself.

Eventually, Hina had decided to take her own break, as she pulled out of the water and walked towards the sidelines. There, she sat down beside me and grabbed her own water.

Hina: Ah! Isn't it nice? 

Apollo: Hmm?

Hina: To swim and free your mind! To become one with water and calm your mind! To become a raging wave and feel freedom in what you do! It's the best feeling ever!

Apollo: I... guess so... 

Hina: You feel it too, don't you? You look ten times better than before! I can see the smile on your face!

Apollo: Yeah... Heh, it actually really does help. I feel quite refreshed now.

Hina: Mhm! That's the spirit! Can't always be a moody-two shoes and mope around all day. Good vibes only, that's what I say!

Apollo: Yeah... Good vibes... Yeah...

I can't even explain how hard I was trying not to look lower than Hina's face right now. I'm just forcing my eyes to look at her face, and solely her face.

Because I knew, that once my eyes drifted down... It was game over.

Mentally slapping myself, I forced myself to look away. And, to prevent any awkward air, I started a conversation.

Apollo: Say, Hina... You really like swimming, don't you?

Hina: Huh? Of course I do! 

Apollo: Heh, that'd explain your millions of accomplishments you've earned, eh? It's really impressive.

Hina: Hmm?

Apollo: I've heard about your accomplishments. In every single swimming tournament that you joined in, you would always break records. It's quite something to behold.

Hina: Oh, that. Well, I guess it really is impressive to someone else, huh?

Apollo: What? You're not proud of your achievements?

Hina: Huh!? Of course I am! But... it's just that... I always strive to become better, you know? I'm not gonna stop until I reach the absolute peak! And, I'd go further beyond that peak to achieve a new peak! It's why I can't be too satisfied with breaking records.

Apollo: I see, I see... I get what you mean. Kinda like in a videogame, where some people would try finish the game as fast as humanly possible. 

Hina: I... guess you can put it that way, yeah.

Apollo: But... is swimming the only thing you major in? It'd be a shame if people view you as a one-trick pony.

Hina: Well... I do specialize in swimming, but I'll have you know that I join 6 other sports teams during my junior years!

Apollo: S-Six!?

Hina: Yep! Track, basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, and swimming!

Apollo: Holy sh- Damn! H-How do you even handle all that!? Does it not tire you out?

Hina: Duh! I'm human too, you know? I'd always go home, completely exhausted and beat! But, it's all part of training!

Apollo: What... if you get sick? That ain't part of the regime now, is it?

Hina: If you get sick, that just means that you're weak! If you get sick, you need more training! You gotta keep pushing yourself to the limits!

Apollo: I... I see... 

"Is she actually human...?"

Hina: Oh, don't tell me that someone that's pretty sporty like you are the type to get easily sick...

Apollo: Hmm... I'd say I have the average immune system. I exercise, like, three times per week.

Hina: I... guess that's good for people as average as you.

Apollo: Hey! That sounded really condescending!

Hina: But... if you're really, really dedicated, you gotta amp up those numbers to as high as possible! If you haven't got health, you haven't got nothin'!

Apollo: J-Jeez... You're quite extreme, you know that?

Hina: Heehee! Not extreme enough, if you'd catch my drift!

"No... I clearly don't catch her drift..."

Apollo: So... what do you do once you get tired? Do you take a break, or...?

Hina: Well, I do, but it's also part of exercising! I would always energize myself by eating lots, sleeping enough, do a numerous amounts of sickness prevention drills, and more!

Apollo: Again, that's quite extreme. You just don't stop exercising, do ya?

Hina: Nope! It's all part of reaching the top! You can't stop once you hold down the gas! Gotta keep going and going and going and never stop!

Apollo: But... what happens once your body starts failing? Have you thought that ahead, yet?

Hina: Hmm... Well, it depends on your routine. Your body won't fail if you keep up with your daily routine. Because, when you stop your routine, that's when your body breaks.

Apollo: I see... So, you're just gonna keep at this until you're old, huh?

Hina: Yup! 

Apollo: Jeez... Your whole life really revolves around sports, huh?

Hina: You make it sound like its a bad thing...

Apollo: Nonono, I'm not. It's just... quite unheard of for someone like me. 

Hina: I... guess so. Heh, that makes me unique, then!

Apollo: Hehe, yeah. I mean, everyone here's unique, with their Ultimate's and all.

Hina: Yep! Anyways, enough talk! Let's swim more!

Apollo: Hmm... Sure! I'll try my best to match your pace!

So, without skipping any beats, we began our 2nd session of swimming.

---------------

(Timeskip)

Eventually, I started feeling exhaustion starting to creep in. So, seeing as I should call it off, I got out of the water and told Hina that I was done for the day. 

Hina: Oh, you're done?

Apollo: Yep. I'm tuckered out...

Hina: Aw man... It was getting fun, too...

Apollo: Wait, you mean to tell me that for the past 4 hours, that wasn't fun for you?

Hina: No! I mean- like- you know what, never mind... 

Apollo: ... Never mind the fact you had fun, or-?

Hina: Argh! I had fun, okay!? There, I said it!

Apollo: That's reassuring. I'll go take a shower, then.

Rubbing myself with the towel, I walked towards the bathroom in the pool area. There, I took my shower.

Once I was done, I walked out to see that Hina was out of the pool and was drinking her water.

Apollo: Oh, you're done too?

Hina: It's... not fun to swim alone by yourself. If you're done, I might as well stop too, y'know?

Apollo: Mmm, I get it.

Hina: Anyways, if you'll excuse me...

Putting her clothes in front of her chest, Hina proceeded to walk towards the bathroom.

And, when she closed the door, I think I letted out the biggest sigh of relief in my entire life.

Apollo: Finally, she gets to take off that damn see-through white shirt... I swear, if she was standing here for another minute, I'd lose all damn sense of control... Can't even recall how many times I had to stop myself from getting rocky down there...

Taking a huge drink out of my water, only to realize my 2 water bottles were now empty, I waited for Hina to come out. 

Eventually, when she came out with her regular outfit, I waved over towards her.

Apollo: So, you goin' back to your room after this?

Hina: Well... After an exercise session, you always gotta end it off with a huge meal! You can sleep happily after that!

Apollo: Ah, so you're heading towards the Dining Hall? I can make us food, if you want.

Hina: Oh please, that'd be grand!

Apollo: Then I'll go get started, then. Depends on what you want, though. I specialize in ramen, if that's what you're interested in.

Hina: Sure, go ahead! I'd eat anything at this point, I'm starving!

Apollo: Right then. I'll see ya later.

Waving towards Hina, I walked out of the pool's doors. Then, I headed towards the laundry to place my wet clothes. 

After that was done with, I walked towards the kitchen in the Dining Hall. Seeing how no one's arrived yet, I readied myself to get to work on making ramen.

Sometime later, with 2 bowls filled with ramen on both hands, I waited for Hina to show up. Eventually, she comes in to the Dining Hall, her eyes filled with delight at the delicious food awaiting her.

Hina: Heh, I can smell that ramen all the way from here! 

Apollo: The smell's just a preview, the taste is the main source.

Hina: Ohh, I'm so ready to dig in!

Apollo: Same here. I'm starving...

Placing both bowls on the table, I grabbed chopsticks laid out on the table. Saying my blessings, I dugged into my ramen.

Now, I'll say that I might not be the best at making ramen, but... 

My ramen's delicious as hell.

And, Hina's reaction seems to agree with my statement.

Hina: Oh wow... This is nice!

Apollo: Heh, of course. I mean, I'm cooking it, after all.

Hina: What'd you put in this? It's got a familiar tingle, but I can't put my finger into it.

Apollo: Oh, I put in some cinnamon in there... Some white pepper too... Curry powder... Those types of spices.

Hina: I see, I see... You're quite the cook, aren't you?

Apollo: Learnt it from the best, my mother.

Hina: Heh, that makes you perfect husband material, then.

Blinking at what she just said, I placed my chopsticks down.

Apollo: ... Say what?

Hina: What? I'm just saying that your skills are perfect husband material.

Apollo: Oh. Oh... R-Right, yeah, my skills. Yeah, cool, mhm, yep.

"It couldn't hurt to say that I'm perfect husband material now, could it?"

Rolling my eyes, I continued digging into my ramen. 

Eventually, I finished and waited for Hina to finish her fill. 

Once she was done, I grabbed her and my bowl and washed it in the kitchen. 

But, once I came out of the kitchen, I couldn't catch myself from taking a deep yawn.

Apollo: Man... I'm exhausted... 

Hina: Heh, I can't help but feel the same way as well. Today was fun!

Apollo: It sure was. 

Hina: Let's do this again, yeah? We can start tomorrow with a run around the school!

Apollo: Hmm... That sounds inticing, but no thanks.

Hina: Aww man...

Apollo: But, if I do feel like it, let's exercise again. 

Hina: Great! Then it's decided. Thanks for the day, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Apollo: Right. Take care, Hina.

I then watched as Hina skips away out of the Dining Hall. Letting out a sigh, I proceeded to walk out of the Dining Hall.

Only to realize that I wasn't alone.

"Oh god... No... Please, don't let it be that damn child... Please..."

Praying to whatever god that's looking down on me, I looked to the side...

And breathed a sigh of relief, to see Kyoko leaning by the wall.

Apollo: Oh, thank to whatever god that is shining their faith down on me...

Kyoko: It seems that you've had quite an eventful evening.

I snapped back to reality to respond to Kyoko.

Apollo: Yeah, I guess I did, huh? 

Kyoko: Didn't know you're quite the cook, too.

Apollo: Well... A man's always got a secret or two up their sleeves.

Kyoko then walks over towards a chair and sits down.

Kyoko: So, I guess you took my advice to heart?

Apollo: Hmm? What advice?

Kyoko: What I told you this morning. It seems that you've decided to trust a few people, even if its just a little.

Apollo: Oh... Well... 

Kyoko: It's good to at least put some people on your good side. That way, you won't be stranded once something bad occurs.

Apollo: I... guess you're right. But... What happened today just... happened, y'know? I needed to relieve some stress, and Hina invited me to swim, so... I took it.

Kyoko: And, it seems that you've quite needed it, by the looks of things. You look way better than the Apollo I saw this morning.

Apollo: Yeah... I guess so. T-Thanks, Kyoko.

Kyoko: Don't thank me. I merely guided you away from an endless pit.

Apollo: But, that's thank-worthy, is it not?

Kyoko: Hmm... I guess it does.

She gives me a slight smirk, and I responded with a chuckle.

Apollo: Anyways, I'm dead-beat, so I'm gonna sleep. So, if you don't mind, I'll head out now.

Kyoko: You do what you want. Goodbye.

Apollo: Right. Goodnight, Kyoko.

Waving, I walked back towards my room.

And, upon arriving towards my dorm room, I locked my door and took a mighty flop towards my bed.

Landing on the soft fabric, I quickly hustled inside the blankets. And, when my head fell on the pillows...

I fell into darkness, ending off quite a much-needed evening.

"I... guess it can't hurt to trust others, even if its just a little..."

But, lingering in the back of my mind...

Was the fear of seeing that child again.

I don't know why I felt so much fear towards a child, nor I'd want to know.

And... I hope to never see that child again.

---------------

Next time on Rebirth:

Chapter 22: Lighting Up Spirits

A/N: Hey ya'll, Carter here! I'm back at it again with another Danganronpa chapter! I hope you guys enjoyed your free time with Hina! That idea has been lingering at the back of my mind for quite some time, and seeing how Apollo's been in a bad state recently, why not get Donut Girl to re-energize him?

The next chapter should be out in 2 days time, so stay tuned for that! I'll be posting 2/3 more chapters depending on my mood before returning back to re-edit my RWBY book. Anyways, that's all, I'll see you all later. Carter Out!