Chapter Text
Teruteru had been executed. He had pleaded and begged for his life, but it had been meaningless. His pleas had meant nothing. He was killed without any mercy from Monokuma.
Kazuichi had made it back to his cottage at some point after the trial, but he hadn’t moved from the door. After he had turned the lock, his body had frozen in place. Just standing and staring at nothing.
It wasn’t surprising his classmates had the capacity to murder. People were full of bad intentions. Selfish desires were always bubbling just below the surface. It was only ever a matter of time.
He kept trying to will his body to move, but it just wouldn’t.
What if he was the next one dead?
Teruteru had killed Byakuya, and was willing to sacrifice everyone, just to get home. Others were likely thinking of doing the same. Just how far were others willing to go in order to save their own skin? Nagito had been practically begging for another murder at the trial. His skin prickled. He couldn’t rely on anyone. He couldn’t trust anybody. Betrayal here would mean death.
His legs felt wobbly, so he forced himself to walk over to his bed and sit down. His whole body felt unnaturally stiff. He hated how easily panicked he was. No matter what, his body always felt like it was on high alert. Even when he wasn’t this stressed he jumped at practically everything.
He took Gundham’s earring out of his pocket and held it up to his eyes. He couldn’t trust him. Gundham wasn’t a good person. He’d already learned that lesson before. He knew that nobody was actually a good person.
And yet, more than anything, Kazuichi wanted to talk to him right now.
When Monokuma had first appeared and announced this whole killing game, Kazuichi had been terrified. Everyone had been, really, except for Gundham. Gundham had turned to him, and instead of telling him to ‘man up’ or to ‘quit being such a pussy,’ he told him that he would be okay. He hadn’t laughed at him or made fun of him or called him weak.
Why..?
Did he think he was better than him? It didn’t make any sense.
He wished he had spoken to him during the investigation, or after the trial, or something.
Maybe he shouldn’t have taken his earring. At first, it had been amusing to see him so worried about it. It had been his own form of payback, and it had definitely worked in making him feel better. It was just a cheap piece of jewelry, so he figured it didn’t matter if it went missing. However, Gundham had seemed really upset about it. He’d even spent the entire class trial freaking out over it.
He should give it back tomorrow. He leaned back, throwing his arms out on the bed. Tomorrow was so far away.
As the sun began to peak through the windows, he decided to get up. It was still a long while before the morning meeting. Others were likely (hopefully) still sleeping.
He wasn't sure he’d gotten any sleep—it certainly didn’t feel like it. He had spent a large part of the night replaying the events of the party, the investigation, and the trial, over and over again. Now that the sun was out, it all felt like a blur.
He tucked his e-handbook into his pocket and left his cottage. It was early enough that it wasn’t as hot out as it usually was. If anything, it was strangely peaceful outside, as though the world itself wasn’t aware of the terrors that were happening around it. He walked to Nekomaru’s door and knocked. After a few moments, the door opened.
”KAZUICHI! Great timing, I just started my workout, you can join the next rep!” He shouted, grinning wide.
”Agh—Stop! Don’t be so loud!” He winced, waving his hands in an attempt to get him to quiet down. “Listen, I need your help with something, but you have to be quiet.”
Out of everyone, Nekomaru was his best option. He was the strongest guy around, and he seemed chill enough. And, well.. Hajime wouldn’t help him with something like this. And he couldn’t ask Gundham for obvious reasons. And there’s no way he would ask a girl for help. So.. Nekomaru was really his only option.
”What is it?” Nekomaru asked.
”Do you have rope?”
”Yeah, I’ve got a ton!”
”Oh, thank god! I came up with a few plans, actually, but I think this one is the best, the others are, uh, more tedious.. So this is good,” he rambled, his thoughts falling out of his mouth without pause. Ugh.. What was that? Sleep dragged at his eyes, but he straightened and cleared his throat, ignoring any exhaustion. “I need you to help me tie up Nagito.”
”HUH!?”
”We can't just let him do whatever he wants.. He tried to kill somebody! Tying him up would be best for everyone.”
Nekomaru narrowed his eyes, staring intensely at Kazuichi. Was he going to refute him?
”I agree that he’s a threat to the team, but is this really the best way to deal with him?”
”Yes! I mean, think about it, what other option is there? I could try putting a tracking device on him, but it’s not like that would stop him.”
”Hm.. You make a good point. What do you need me to do, then?”
”I was thinking that you could knock on his door and get him near the hotel. Then, you could hold him down and I’ll tie him up with the rope!”
”You’ve really thought this through.. You’d make a great coach! Gah-hahah! Give me a second!”
Nekomaru turned back into his cottage while Kazuichi waited outside. He rolled back and forth on his heels. This was actually going to work! Nekomaru reappeared in the doorway, holding a short spool of rope and a chain.
”This is much stronger than rope,” he said, holding up the chain.
”Oh, awesome! Uh, you can hold onto it for now, though.” He smiled nervously.
Nekomaru wrapped the chain around his neck, next to his other one. Geez.. just how strong was he? Kazuichi took the rope from him and started walking. Nekomaru slammed his door, shaking his doorframe. He shot him an annoyed look, but Nekomaru merely shrugged and laughed.
”Are you two planning a murder together? You’re awfully loud.”
He turned to look at Nagito. He was standing outside of his cottage, his hands tucked into his coat pockets.
Shit.
”You do know that only one of you can be the blackened in a case, right?” He sounded concerned. His face was pinched in a strange imitation of pity. His footsteps were light on the boardwalk as he slowly walked closer. “Even knowing that, you’re still willing to work together..” He stopped in front of Kazuichi. His face twisted into a wicked smile. “If you’re looking for a victim, I’d be glad to assist. I’ll do whatever I can to ensure your hope prevails.”
”Shut it..! We’re not killing anyone!” Kazuichi shoved him back.
He stumbled back with little reaction. His face was still twisted, baring that unnatural curve. Ever since the trial he’d become so creepy.
”Hah.. What a shame. With your talent, you could certainly pull it off.” He paused, leaning closer to him. “You know you could. And who would you really miss here? ..Sonia? Gundham? They’d make easy targets for you—!”
”Shut the hell up!” He punched him. Nagito fell to the ground.
”Settle down!” Nekomaru grabbed his shoulders firmly, holding him in place.
They both stared down at Nagito, waiting for him to pop back up with another of his provocations. He hadn’t punched him that hard..? Just how weak was this guy..? He shook Nekomaru’s hands off of him, unravelling the rope in his hands. He crouched down, beginning to wrap the rope around his legs.
”Gh.. Whatever! It’s easier this way, at least he’s finally quiet,” he grumbled. “Are you gonna help or not?”
”Ah.. Yeah.” Nekomaru hesitated before crouching next to him, wrapping the chain around his hands.
He took a slow sip of an energy drink as everyone settled into the hotel restaurant. This morning had been going by so slowly. He’d felt a bit out of it earlier when he was dealing with Nagito, but now that he had a can in his hand he felt better.
People began chatting, but he tuned it out, wanting to get on with his day already. He needed to talk to Gundham after the meeting. He patted his pocket, checking that the earring was still there. They’d both been jerks to each other last night, but that meant they were equal now. So, really, there was no reason for either of them to be mad anymore. When he gave the earring back, things could go back to normal. They could laugh and get over it. And anyways, Gundham was so stressed, the second he saw the earring again he’d probably be overjoyed. He might even thank him for having kept it safe. Yeah, if anything, he’d done him a favor! It would’ve been bad if someone like Nagito had found it instead.
”Hah! Nagito? Who knows what could’ve happened to that guy. I-I certainly don’t know ANYTHING! Just wanted to put that out there!” He heard Nekomaru laugh nervously. He’d been super tuned out of the conversation, but it seemed that Nekomaru was going to blow their cover already.
”Hey, be quiet! You’re being too obvious!” He whispered loudly to Nekomaru. Too loudly, as everyone’s eyes were on him now.
”Kazuichi. Where is Nagito?” Hajime asked, arms crossed.
Hajime had been closest to Nagito. His switchup at the trial must have been hardest on him.
”Eheh.. Whaaat? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he smiled awkwardly, hoping it would convince him.
”..It’s obvious you do. What did you two do with him?”
”Ugh! C’mon Nekomaru you totally gave us away!”
”I didn’t know what to say!”
He sighed. “We just tied him up so he wouldn’t cause another murder..
”..You tied him up? You should’ve told us you were doing something like that.”
”Well, I just told you all! So what’s the problem? Do any of you seriously think what I did was wrong?”
Everyone was silent.
”Does this mean you tied up Gundham too? Or is his absence not related to you,” Peko asked.
”H-huh? He’s not here?”
He looked around, and sure enough, he wasn’t.
He felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He bent the tab off the can he had and anxiously chewed on it.
”Duh! We already went over this: do you even listen?” Hiyoko groaned, glaring at him. “Why are we still talking about this! Bat boy is probably preparing a new annoying monologue.”
”Mm.. I wonder if he’s still looking for his earring,” Chiaki said.
”Aww, you think he hasn’t found it yet!? Poor guy! He seemed like he was gonna go totally yandere for it last night!” Ibuki exclaimed.
Giving it back wouldn’t be so stressful if everyone wasn’t aware that it was missing. There was no reason for it to be such a big deal. Gundham was probably gonna beat the shit out of him when he found out he’d taken his earring. Whatever: if it made him feel better, then fine. He looked pretty weak anyways.
”I do hope he’s able to find it,” Sonia said.
He stilled. With everything going on, Sonia had slipped his mind. He might not be able to trust Gundham, or Hajime, but Sonia was a different story. She wasn’t like everyone else. She wouldn’t betray him.
”Don’t worry, miss Sonia! I-I’m sure he’ll get it back soon,” he said to her.
He hoped Gundham wouldn’t tell anyone that he’d taken it. Maybe he shouldn’t tell him. If he told Gundham he’d found the earring, then Gundham would technically be in his debt. And if Gundham gushed about how Kazuichi had helped him, then wouldn’t that make him a savior? Everyone would praise him—even Sonia.
He tasted blood. The metal tab must’ve scratched his gums while he’d been chewing on it.
”My dear students..! You’re all gathered together, that makes me so happy!” Monomi chirped, appearing seemingly from nowhere. She looked pretty beat up, which wasn't that strange. Monokuma had beat her up a lot the other day.
”Ugh. Get out of here,” Akane scoffed.
”Huh-wha-wha!? But I just got here!? Sorry, I-I guess I’ll go..” she sniffled.
”Wait. Why did you come? Do you have something important to tell us?” Hajime asked.
”W-well.. I saw how hard you were all working last night! And I wanted to help you all too. So I defeated a monobeast last night. Now you can all go to a new island!”
”No way..! You defeated one of those things?” Kazuichi said.
”A new island! How wonderful!” Sonia said.
”One of your classmates is already over there as well,” Monomi said. “H-he totally ignored me..”
”Ohhh, so that’s where Gundham went off to?” Akane said. “Dang, he doesn’t waste a second.”
”I-I hope the new island has a way for us to get out of here..” Mikan mumbled.
Everyone began excitedly chatting about the possibilities they might find. Everyone was eager to explore, and so it wasn’t long before people started getting up to leave. Kazuichi spat out the tab and tossed it in the trash. He eyed Sonia and strode over to her, glad she hadn’t rushed out.
”Hi, miss Sonia.. Wanna explore the new island with me?” He asked.
”Oh.. I am sorry, but Chiaki asked me already..” she smiled nervously.
He looked over at Chiaki. She stared back.
”..Yeah. No boys allowed,” Chiaki said after a long pause.
”I really wish I was a girl right now..” He muttered under his breath, his brain feeling a bit foggy. He sighed, then turned back to Sonia and said: “wanna meet up after then?”
”Ah..” She eyed Chiaki. “Well, um.. ”
”She won’t be free, probably.. She wanted me to show her how to play the arcade game downstairs.”
Sonia nodded fervently in agreement, a shy smile creeping onto her face.
He blinked, trying not to let his disappointment show. At least she wasn’t hanging out with a guy.
”Oh.. Have fun! I’ll catch you around some other time..?”
”Perhaps,” she replied, turning to leave.
He watched them walk away. Sonia leaned towards Chiaki and whispered something. Chiaki shrugged in response.
It was obvious what she was doing. She was playing hard to get. His dad had told him about this: it was one of those weird things that girls did. She might seem uninterested, but it didn’t mean she actually was. She wanted him to chase her. She was testing him, to see how devoted he really was. He would just have to prove himself to her. Next time, he’ll be quicker.
For now, though, there was an island to explore. If Sonia was busy, then he would just have to go with Hajime instead. He turned his eyes back to the room and saw how barren it had become. The only two people left were Mahiru and Hiyoko.. Mahiru was pretty chill, but he couldn’t see Hiyoko being pleasant to be around. The two of them were chatting, with Hiyoko grabbing onto Mahiru’s arm while she attempted to push her back. It was a really odd sight to behold. Her gaze caught his and her face instantly dropped.
”Ew, you creep! Why are you watching us!? It’s so obvious you’re getting off to this!”
Yeah, he wasn’t even going to try approaching them. He turned and left the hotel, heading towards the central island. He felt his own excitement grow with each step. As tuned out as he had been, the talk of possible escape had lifted his own hopes. If there was a boat, or even boat parts, or even an engine, then they would totally be able to escape. He really hoped there would be an engine, it felt like it’d been ages since he’d last seen one. He needed to work on something that could actually move.
It didn’t take long before he reached the new island. It seemed just as huge as the other one. He chose a random direction to walk in. He wondered where Sonia was on this island. Maybe he’d end up running into her? He saw a diner in the distance. He wondered if they had different soda brands there then at the market.. The thought made him salivate. He walked inside and immediately froze.
Inside was Gundham, sitting at a booth alone. Nobody else seemed to be in the diner. How long had he been here? He looked totally out of it. His hair looked to be falling out of its usual shape. A few strands noticeably fell freely onto his face. He didn’t notice that he had walked in. His body screamed at him to turn and run and avoid the confrontation entirely, but he forced himself to stay put. His heartbeat felt uncomfortably loud. He just needed to give it back, it wasn’t that big of a deal.
He walked towards him carefully, slowly, as though afraid to be too loud.
“Hey man..” He said, sitting across from him. Gundham didn’t move. Not even his eyes bothered to look towards him. He tried not to let it get to him.
Was he mad about last night? He had told him not to talk to him, but it wasn’t like he’d actually meant it. It was just something he’d said in the heat of the moment. And besides, Gundham really had no reason to be mad, he was the one who’d been a jerk in the first place.
He tapped his foot, wishing he still had the tab to chew on. He'd get him to talk to him again soon enough.
“Heh.. Look, I just..” He looked away, feeling an uncomfortable pit in his throat. He couldn’t lie while looking at him. He was already a horrible liar as it was. Seeing Gundham like that was just making him feel bad, too. “I found your earring.”
“Are you talking about the Hellhound earring?! Where is it, fiend?”
He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. “Here.” He placed it on the table and slid it over to Gundham.
“In what location did you unearth it?” From the corner of his eye he saw him pick up the earring and put it on.
“Uh.. Near the old building.”
“In which dark corner?”
“..What?”
Why was he asking so many questions?
..Did he suspect he was lying?
“Do not force my voice to echo once more! In which dark corner was the Hellhound earring?”
“The.. floor? Look, does it seriously matter?” He rubbed the back of his neck. His head was starting to hurt. Gundham was so damn persistent.
“Keh..Trust is a matter of cosmic significance.”
He could feel his gaze on him. Trust. Was this some kind of test?
Was he failing, then?
“To imagine that I, the Overlord of Ice, would succumb to such pathetic delusions is pitiful! I scoured the darkness for the relic. When did it fall into your grasp?”
If he didn’t say anything, he might get in even more trouble. Gundham was playing some weird mind game on him, it was like he didn’t trust him at all. He tapped his finger on the table anxiously. Did he want him to confess? Why couldn’t he just say that outright then? What was the point of talking around it like this!?
“The relic bears no dust. It appears well-preserved for being abandoned outdoors.”
“Ugh..! Fine!” Kazuchi groaned. “I took it! It’s not a big deal. It’s just an earring, man!”
“You conspired to deceive me, leading me to believe it had vanished! You permitted me to bear the weight of this upon my own soul!”
“I didn’t think-”
“Certainly, you did not.”
“Hey! C’mon, I was gonna give it back!” He grit his teeth. He couldn’t understand what the problem was. They should be equal now; nothing had even happened to the earring.
“Do you not comprehend the calamity you unleashed upon this realm?!”
“What..?”
“The vanishing of the Hellhound earring was followed by a chain of misfortunes.” Gundham touched the earring. “The blackout transpired, then two deaths occurred. It began with you.”
“Dude..what?!” Kazuichi grimaced. “You’re blaming me for the murder?!”
First, he had Nagito encouraging him to kill, and now Gundham was saying that he had killed. At least Nagito had made some kind of sense. Gundham wasn't making any. Did he seriously think an earring is what caused their deaths? That it was Kazuichi’s fault?
“You created the conditions that allowed it to occur.”
“That doesn’t even make sense! If anything, it’s your fault, you lost it in the first place!”
“You sequestered it beyond my grasp! Had it not been for your interference, the dark tide of misfortune would never have breached our realm.”
Even though it was ridiculous, his words still stung.
“I can’t believe Miss Sonia actually wants to hang out with someone like you! Seriously, nothing you say makes any sense!” He glared at him. “Are you even listening to yourself right now?!”
“Then perhaps that is your true problem.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” He felt exasperated.
“You assume the princess’s thoughts should mirror your own.” He crossed his arms. “Similar to the redback arachnid, you seem to persist despite the overwhelming likelihood that the devotion will be rewarded with indifference.”
Kazuichi scowled in response.
That wasn’t true.
Gundham didn’t know anything at all.
“You sacrifice your pride and judgement.”
Bang!
He stood up and slammed his hands on the table.
“When will you learn to shut up!”
His hands stung from the force he had slammed them with. The feeling sparked up his arms and into his skull, making him shake from how frustrated he was.
For just one long second, neither of them moved. He squinted from the sunlight that was now piercing his pupils. His whole body felt like it was buzzing with an electric current that was ready to strike.
“You think you’re so much better than everyone else—than me! I hate it so much! I sacrifice my pride and judgment? How would you even know! You don’t sacrifice anything for anyone! You went out of your way just to take the one thing I wanted!”
He inhaled shakily, his breaths coming out short and rapid. Anger stuck to all of his senses, making his blood feel hot and his head pound. Gundham’s face was stuck in a frown while his eyes stared intensely.
“I just asked for one thing, was that really too much!? God—I should’ve known you wouldn’t care! I mean, it’s like everything you do is just to make fun of me. It must feel great to hang out with someone who's sooo below the oh so great overlord of ice! Ugh, seriously, I wish you would stop putting up this weird act around me!”
His eyes prickled with tears. He always cried so easily whenever he was upset, whether from anger or sadness. He wouldn’t let himself cry, not in front of him. That would be an admittance of defeat, it would give him a way to make fun of him.
”Do you think it’s cool or something!? Are you just mad at me about last night? Fine, then, I’m sorry! Sorry that I actually thought I could be your friend! Is that what you wanted to hear!?”
He stared at him, waiting for a response. Gundham was still, the way he had been earlier. Was he ignoring him again? His face twisted. Kazuichi had ripped out his feelings and was met with absolutely nothing. It was like he was nothing!
“Are you even listening?!” He grabbed Gundham’s scarf and yanked, leaning closer.
Their faces were only inches apart now, but it still didn’t feel like he was close enough to get under his skin, to get him to listen.
He noticed that his eyeliner was cracking in places. It looked like it needed to be redone, like it had been on for too long now. His face held a sharp look of disapproval, though his eyes had slightly widened now. He’d never looked at him with so much contempt before, but it was hard to imagine his face any other way. He preferred seeing him like this. It was more honest; it was a lot easier to grasp. It showed what he really thought of him.
“Stay back! My poisonous essence is already tainting your very being!” Gundham tried to pull back. “Get any closer, and you will reap a harvest of eternal sorrow!”
“There you go again with that crazy act!”
Gundham had completely ignored him. It was like a slap to the face.
He should’ve known. People didn’t listen if they didn’t care. The only time Kazuichi ever listened was when it hurt. The body always remembered better than the mind. He could feel his veins thrumming like wires in his arms. They wanted to connect with something, to complete the circuit. To spark and burn. He wanted to punch him. He deserved it. He tightened his grip instead, his knuckles turning white.
“I knew it, you weren’t even listening to a word I said!”
“You fiend! The corruption is already visible!”
“No. You don’t get to do whatever the hell this is!”
Gundham always had to be in charge of the conversation. He refused to talk about anything that he didn’t want to. It was so unfair!
Something sharp dug into his hand. He recoiled, letting go of the scarf.
“The hell–?!”
He saw a hamster peeking out from Gundham’s scarf before he pulled it up, hiding his mouth.
“I was attempting to prevent your suffering!” Gundham stood up. “However, you are incapable of grasping the cataclysms I am protecting you from! It is clearly written in the stars that our paths must diverge.”
Gundham began to leave. Kazuichi turned on his heel and shouted: “I should’ve known that this would be a waste of time!”
The door closed with a loud smack!
He slammed his hand on the counter, his vision blurring. His whole body suddenly felt more weighted and shakier than before. Now that Gundham was gone it seemed all the tension that had built up was collapsing in on him. He hadn’t even realized he had been so tense.
His absence left a hole that stretched beyond just an empty space. He could feel it in his body: it pressed in on all sides, stabbing him with a hollow feeling. He was utterly alone here. It wasn’t just the fact he had left, it was the fact that he could treat him so coldly in the first place.
Even though he knew Gundham was going to do something like this sooner or later it still stung. And it wasn’t because he cared—he was just annoyingly sensitive. His moods were always shifting based on those around him, and there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn’t help but to notice how people acted: how their faces dropped when they saw him, how they turned away, how they changed seats in class and left as soon as the bell rang.
He had been used again.
It was too familiar of a mistake. Gundham had completely ignored him. He hadn’t even given him a chance. Worst of all, Kazuichi had been too willing to forgive. He knew better than to do that—why had he even tried? This had all been a waste. Knowing him was a waste, hanging out with him was a waste. It had all just been another utter waste of time.
”Damn it,” he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Everyone was the same in the end.
”Ew! He’s here!? Mahiru, let’s go somewhere else!” Hiyoko’s shrill voice rang out.
He jumped, swiveling his head towards her.
Mahiru and Hiyoko stood in the doorway. Hiyoko was tugging at Mahiru’s skirt, trying to urge her to leave. Her hair was noticeably wet.
”Oh, shush! You really need to try and get along with the others more.” She scolded Hiyoko before turning her attention towards him. Her eyes narrowed in concern. “Did something happen?”
”..Nothing happened,” he said slowly, trying to will his frustration to go down. His head was still pounding.
She crinkled her nose, marching towards him.
”You’re acting weird.” She picked up his wrist, squinting her eyes at the bite mark. “Your hand is bleeding.”
”Gh-!?” He pulled his hand away, wiping the blood onto his coveralls. “It’s Gundham’s fault! Ugh, he’s such an asshole—his stupid hamster bit me!”
”Pfft! How idiotic do you have to be to get bit by one of those puny things? You should’ve just squished it!”
”What? I thought you two were friends..?”
”We are not friends.” He grimaced.
She looked like she was going to say something, but closed her mouth instead. She furrowed her brow.
”I don’t know what you two were fighting about, but you should really wash that cut. If it gets infected there’s only so much Mikan can do.”
”You’re wayyyy too nice, Mahiru. He doesn’t deserve your kindness,” Hiyoko pouted.
”We were exploring the island. Did you want to come with us? I heard there was a pharmacy somewhere.”
He looked between them. Hiyoko had a foul expression on her face. She looked like she wanted him dead.
”Uh.. it’s okay.. It’s not that bad,” he said nervously.
”Jeez, you boys are always so lazy! It’ll take like five seconds! Just come with us.”
She grabbed the collar on his coveralls and dragged him out the door while he protested.
”Mahiru! Why does he have to come with us!? He’s a creepy, stupid, ugly virgin!”
”Hey?!”
”Someone has to help him.”
”B-but.. You said it would just be us!” She started crying. “W..Waaaah!”
”I’m not gonna help you with your kimono again if you keep acting like this!” Mahiru snapped. Hiyoko sniffled but stopped crying. “Sheesh!”
”You don’t have to keep dragging me.. You’re gonna rip a hole in my clothes..!”
She let go and he stumbled, nearly tripping and falling.
Before long they had reached the pharmacy. They went inside and Mahiru scanned the shelves. He waited by the door with Hiyoko.
”I know you’ve got a thing for blondes. Mahiru told me that you’re into Sonia. I bet there’s a bunch of perverted thoughts running around that small brain of yours right now.”
”What!? You’re not my type-! I only have eyes for Miss Sonia!”
Being around Hiyoko was not helping him quell his anger. She always had something to say.
”Thank god! I don’t want another ugly pedophile lusting after me!”
This was the first time he’d ever been truly irritated at a girl.
He opened his mouth to reply, but Mahiru walked back over, opening a bottle. Hiyoko turned towards her and smiled innocently, and Kazuichi decided it wasn’t worth it to try and argue with her. She pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket and poured a bit of the disinfectant onto it. She grabbed Kazuichi’s hand without warning. He tried to pull away.
”Hold still!” she grumbled.
She dabbed at the cut, looking concentrated. He winced at the pain that followed as the cold liquid seeped in. She wrapped the handkerchief around his hand and tied a loose knot.
”Put an actual bandaid on it later.”
”Yeah, yeah, whatever..”
He crossed his arms. She was totally overreacting. He hated being fussed over like this.
She put the bottle back on the shelf and the three of them left.
He ended up exploring the rest of the island with them. Despite his earlier excitement, it turned out that this new island didn’t have much to offer. All of the locations were pretty boring. There wasn’t a single engine or vehicle anywhere.
It had been a horrible day.
As they walked back to their cottages, Mahiru paused, letting Hiyoko skip ahead. She turned to Kazuichi, her mouth drawn in a thin line. He stopped, confused.
”..What happened with you and Gundham?” She asked carefully.
He stared at her.
”I didn’t wanna say it in front of Hiyoko, but you looked really sad when we walked in—”
”What? I wasn’t sad.”
”Okay, well, whatever it was you looked pretty upset.”
”I wasn’t upset.”
He could care less about what had happened earlier. It didn’t matter at all. It was just another example of how people can’t be trusted.
She took a long breath, making a weird face at him.
”..Do you know why I don’t stage my photos?”
”Um..? Why?”
”I want to capture the way people smile when they aren’t told to.” She paused, fidgeting with her camera. “Even in a situation like this people are able to find joy. I think those moments are worth remembering more than anything else.”
He blinked. That was.. weirdly profound of her to say.
”What I mean is—Urgh..! Just try to focus on the good, not the bad! You boys are always so bad at dealing with your emotions!” She started to walk off, seemingly flustered. ”Give me my handkerchief back tomorrow!”