Chapter Text
***KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK**
“What the-?” I mumble as I’m startled awake abruptly by a loud sloppy knocking sound. It was coming from the front of my room. I stumbled out of bed and headed for the door as I rubbed the corners of my eyes.
What time is it?
I searched for the clock on my wall to see that it was 5 AM. Who’d be up at this hour?
By time I reached the door the knocking had stopped. I proceeded to open the door anyways, but as it creaked forward there was no one to be seen. Confused, I stepped out into the quiet desolate hall. As I looked in all directions all I saw was the dust settling as the moonlight illuminated my surroundings.
What the-? Then who was knocking?
“Hello..?” I croaked, my voice even less awake than the rest of me.
No response.
Just as I was about to head back inside I felt something crumple under the weight of my feet.
“Huh-?”
I looked down as I stepped back and that’s when I saw it.
Another note.
Without even picking it up yet my groggy eyes could recognize the colorful drawings on the top as none other than Kokichi’s signature work.
Maybe leaving him that note wasn’t the best idea..
Despite the pit forming in my stomach I bent down and grasped the note.
I wonder why he didn’t just slip this one under my door this time..
“Heyy Shumai!!（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
Ty for returning my tea set!! U could’ve at least washed it though… |(￣3￣)| gross! Anywaysss come to the place where losers go to throw away their $$$ for fun! I’ve got a cooool surprise for u!!”
-Ur pal Kokichi Oma
Now that he wasn’t issuing a bomb threat, my attention was drawn to his grammatical errors and flourishes through little doodles… they’re kinda cute.. They suit him.
The stylized note brought a smile to my tired face.
“Ur pal” huh? Interesting.
I got half way through fixing my appearance before realizing this could be a trap. The joy I’d felt dissipated as the thought of this being a note luring me to my death entered my mind.
Kokichi always went on about wanting to win this killing game… there’s no way he’d be stupid enough to kill, right? But then again who better to dispose of than the ultimate detective?
After mulling it over my curiosity got the better of me. I threw on a hoodie I’d found in the warehouse and didn’t bother changing my grey sweatpants I’d gotten from the same place. I slipped my shoes on and headed out the door.
A place where people throw away money for fun, huh? He must be talking about the casino. But why not just say that? I don’t know if I’ll ever fully understand Kokichi’s antics..
I made my way out of the dorm building and through the courtyard. It was quiet out, everything seemed still. The soft moonlight illuminating my path made this place feel more serene than scary. This scene put my mind at ease a little as I headed towards the casino. A mixture of excitement and dread filled me as I spotted a small figure leaning against one of the pillars at the entrance to the casino.
As I neared closer the figure began to look off.. it seemed less real? Eventually I reached them, and when I went to tap their shoulder they collapsed. Reflexively I jumped back from the sudden movement.
Ah it was a cardboard cutout….
I sighed and slapped my hand to my forehead in disbelief of how easily I allowed that to stun me.
Once I calmed mylself I noticed a sticky note had been stuck to the back of the cutout. An all too recognizable handwriting accompanied by doodles caught my eye. I bent down to reach for it.
It read:
“Turn around! (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))♡”
Note gripped in hand I did as the note said while still close to the ground. The sight I saw when I shifted scared me far more than any card board cut out.
It was Kokichi, holding a gun!
“AH- Kokichi wait!” I stumbled backwards, crushing the cutout as I tumbled. My hands instinctively flew up above my head and the note fell from my grasp.
“Hiii Shumai! I was starting to get worried you wouldn’t show!” Through the darkness of night it was hard to see but I noticed a devilish grin spreading across his face.
“Kokichi please-“ I started as I attempted to get to my feet.
“Hey hey! No moving Mr. Detective!” Kokichi waved the gun around as he directed me.
“Now then,” His voice grew serious, “this is for not washing my tea set,” he held the gun up, aimed directly at me, and fired.
I clenched my entire body, preparing for the pain. So when all I felt was water soaking through the sleeve of my hoodie I was utterly confused..
“Wait- what?” I stammered, staring at the supreme leader in disbelief.
“Hahaha!! You should’ve seen your face Shumai~!!” Kokichi began cackling, doubling over as he did.
“Ohhh boy you really thought it was real!!”
I felt my face begin to burn hot in a mix of embarrassment and frustration. I stumbled to my feet, wiping the dust off and strode up to Kokichi.
Caught up in his fit of laughter he had his eyes closed, and therefore didn’t notice my advances. While he was distracted I swiped the water gun from his hand.
“Give me this!” I whisper shouted, as it was still nighttime. “Where’d you even get this anyways!?”
“Heyy! That’s a family heirloom, give it back!” He pouted.
As he stretched his hand out towards the water gun, I raised mine to a height I knew he couldn’t reach.
“No.” I said, dangling it above him.
“Uhg you’re no fair Shuichi!”
I began noticing how his rotation of names for me changed based on his mood, interesting…
As Kokichi continued pouting I backed away once more, sitting atop the steps that led up to the casino. I sighed heavily, “So why’d you ask me to meet you here? Just to give me a heart attack for your entertainment?”
“Hey it’s not my fault the ‘ultimate detective’ can’t discern fake from real..” the supreme leader mocked me by using air quotes when speaking about my ultimate talent.
I glared at him, raised the gun, and fired a perfect shot to the face.
“Gh- hey!” Kokichi raised his hands to his face to wipe away the water. “No fair! Now I’m all wet!”
“You made me wet first, and at least I aimed for your skin and not your clothes.” I motioned to my soggy hoodie sleeve as I lifted it.
The annoyance that previously riddled the supreme leader's face was now replaced with a mischievous grin. His concerning smile only widened as he tip-toed his way closer to me. Just like when we had tea and scones, Kokichi’s face was once again only a few inches from mine.
Too close..
I could feel heat rushing to my cheeks as he fixed his gaze on me. Just as I was about to protest and shift away, Kokichi lifted a finger and booped me on the nose. “I made you wet hmmm~?”
Now my face was really flushed, “Hey- no that’s not what I-“ I began before a finger pressed to my lips stopped me. “Wow Shuichi you really have a dirty mind don’t you~?” I froze, my brain short circuiting from all the heat circulating towards my face and neck. I could only hope that the darkness hid my redness from Kokichi..
Wait, why did I care about that?!
Upon asking myself that question I regained what little composure I had and slapped Kokichi’s hand away. “That’s not what I meant, now get off-“ I began to try and escape but while I was distracted by our proximity I felt the weight in my hand lighten.
Ah the water gun!
“Hah! Got you Shumai~!!” Kokichi jumped back, gun aimed and ready to fire again.
“Uhg you little-“ I shot up and dashed towards him.
But this time he saw me coming, and bam! He sprayed me with more water from the gun. I continued trying to grab at the water gun in his hand as we staggered around the entrance to the casino. Shots aimed at both of us went off as our struggle continued. Eventually, somehow, I’d been able to confine Kokichi’s hands above his head while he was backed against the casino doors.
“Hah! Now I’ve got you!” I started a monologue of triumph until I saw the supreme leader’s face. The light shining out from inside the Casino illuminated him. What normally was pale in complexion was tinted a shade of pink…was he blushing?!
His expression seemed to be that of bewilderment at the situation. It was then that our position truly dawned on me. I had him pinned… against a makeshift wall… with his hands restrained by mine… and our faces were once more inches apart.
“You’ve got me huh?” Kokichi’s voice was low and sultry. He seemed to lean in almost..
“I- uh,” I stammered, my face flushing to match Kokichi’s shade. “I’ve got your water gun- is what I meant!” I snatched the weapon from his hands as it was his turn to be distracted.
A frown formed on the purple haired boy's face as I backed away. He looked almost…disappointment?
Probably from losing his water gun, I concluded as I shook my head.
While no more distractions were eminent, I did what I should’ve done in the first place. I opened the latch at the top of the gun and emptied its contents onto the ground.
“Maann, borrringg” the supreme leader whined.
“It was a distraction.”
Kokichi seemed to perk up at that, “Oh really?” He hummed. I could hear the mischief seeping into his words. “Distraction from what exactly Mr. Detective?” Somehow, Kokichi continued to worm his way back into my personal space. And every time he did it became that much harder to concentrate…
He was bent over in a bow almost, with his head tilted to the side as a grin adorned his face and he held his hands behind his back.
I turned away to try and hide the heat that crept onto my face every time he got too close.
“From you answering my questions.” I mumbled
“Hmm? Which questions exactly? You talk so much
Shumai you can’t expect me to remember it all~!”
I eye-rolled so hard at his hypocritically laced lies that I let a scoff escape.
“Yeah, right, like I’m the one that won’t shut up..” I muttered under my breath
“What was that Shuichi?” There was that serious tone and name change again..
“Ah- I said my question was why’d you ask me to meet you here? And at such an early hour no less..”
Kokichi’s silence made me confident enough to turn back towards him once more. He had shifted out of his bow-like position and had backed up slightly. His gaze was positioned towards the ground as he fidgeted with his own fingers.
“Kokichi..?” His silence had lasted long enough to become concerning. Instinctively I reached a hand toward the supreme leader as a sign of comfort. My outstretched arm was only met with a swat from Kokichi’s. Upon contact he finally returned my gaze, though it still wasn’t the same as usual.
“You said if I wanted to hangout to just ask..” he mumbled it so quietly I almost didn’t hear it.
Ah that’s right, my note.
Guilt washed over me as I’d basically spent this entire time trying to integrate him.. when there was no hidden motive to be found.
“Ah- yeah I did say that didn’t I?” I stumbled over my words as I brought my hand up to my face.
“Yeah.. unless that was a lie..” the sadness laced in his voice caused a pit to form in my stomach.
“No- no no! Of course not!” I stammered, inching closer to the supreme leader without realizing.
“Nihihi~! Awww Shumai cares about me~!!” Kokichi’s mood took a 180 as he threw his arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. The sudden contact startled me, I felt my face begin to darken in shade once more. Stunned at first, I eventually regained composure and wrapped an arm around Kokichi as well, patting him on the head.
Wow, his hair was soft..
“You still didn’t answer my second question though” I hummed
Then just as I’d gotten used to the contact, the supreme leader pulled away. The heat the rest of my body had felt began to cool as the simulated night air hit me once more as there was no one there blocking it.
I expected to have to repeat my question once again but to my surprise Kokichi had remembered.
“What’s wrong with an early hangout? You not a morning person, Shumai?” He teased.
Before I could respond his eyes began scanning me, my comfy attire, eye bags, and slightly ruffled hair. Being under his gaze worried me more than it should’ve, my hands flew to my hair to try and tame my bed head. But he already saw it, “Wow who would’ve thought the Ultimate Detective hates early mornings?” Kokichi laughed as he folded his arms and arched his eyebrow.
Man do I wish I had my hat right now so I could hide my face…
At that moment I remembered that my sweatshirt had a hood; I decided to make use of it and flip it up. “I don’t.. hate mornings.. I just prefer nighttime…” I mumbled as I hid behind my hood.
“Mmm.. noted.” Kokichi mused through a grin.
I wasn’t sure whether to feel at ease or on edge at the fact I let that information slip..
“So are you done interrogating me now Mr. Detective?” The supreme leader placed a hand on his hip and tilted his body in a sassy manner as he questioned me.
“Ah- yeah sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like that’s all I cared about..” I fidgeted with my hoodie strings as I averted my gaze.
Kokichi sighed heavily, “Well that is your talent after all, I guess you can’t help but use it..” he shifted his hands to be clasped behind his head.
Huh, just earlier he was making fun of my talent-
“Anyways~ cmon let’s go!” Kokichi began moving towards the Casio.
“Hey-! Wait a minute didn’t you say this was the place where only losers waste their money??” I questioned as I recalled his riddle.
“Yep! That’s why we’ll be using your money!”
“What-!?” But before I could finish protesting I felt a sudden presence in my hand. Kokichi had slipped his fingers between mine, interlocking them. He beamed, before dragging me towards the casino doors. I was lucky my feet operated on auto pilot as my mind wandered elsewhere..
I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to Kokichi’s lax attitude towards personal space…
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