Chapter Text
How do you explain something so bizarre? How can you explain a person being sent to you in a box? Not just any person, but you. Shuichi couldn’t figure the answer out himself. This mystery was stumping even the ultimate detective. He had heard his doorbell going off, then was greeted by the box. Upon opening it he discovered what looked to be a version of himself. He immediately called his friends over in the panic. And now there everyone was, standing in front of Shuichi’s door discussing what this could be and what they should do about it.
“Do you think it’s a clone?” asked Himiko, “No. Monokuma can only create clones of himself.” Maki responded.
The possibilities had been flying back and forth amongst everyone, but with every plausible explanation came a rebuttal. Shuichi had noticed however, not everyone was standing in front of his dorm. That person being, Kokichi Ouma. He had seen the male when everyone initially gathered, but it appears as though he had left at some point, taking Gonta with him. Shuichi had to ignore them for the moment however, there were more important issues at hand.
“Hey Tenko, Kiibo, can you two help me in getting him out?” Shuichi asked. Kiibo and Tenko nodded, taking either side of the sleeping Shuichi and brought him into Shuichi’s dorm. They then proceeded to place him gently on the bed. Shuichi looked down at the sleeping version of himself curiously. It was certainly an out of world feeling for Shuichi.
“Do you think this could be a trick of some sort? Or a twisted motive?” Kiibo asked as he looked over the body as well. “I’m not too sure. I can’t see what Monokuma would gain from giving us another Shuichi as a motive.” Maki said. Kaito stood behind Maki, presenting his signature smile and a thumbs up towards Shuichi.
“If anything it just makes it easier for us to get out of here with two ultimate detectives!” he said. “That’s a nice thought Kaito, but we don’t know anything about this version of Shuichi. We should take precautions instead of making irrational judgment quickly.” Kiibo commented placing a hand on Kaito’s arm, “Your heart is in the right place but we mustn't take things at face value.”
“Maybe we should wake him up and ask him what he remembers before coming here.” Shuichi thought to himself as he looked over at his sleeping form. He approached the body passing Kiibo. But before Shuichi could wake up his sleeping self, a voice rang out.
“Hey, Shuichi!” Shuichi turned around and spotted Kokichi at the doorway beckoning him over. “I think I have something that might help with your investigation going on here,” Kokichi said.
It was new to see Kokichi void of his usual mischievous grin while talking about clues. It didn’t seem like he was lying but Shuichi had been proven wrong on that multiple times. Still, if Kokichi had some sort of information to bring light to the reason this other version of Shuichi was here, he was willing to entertain Kokichi. Shuichi hesitantly followed Kokichi outside of his dorm, leaving his sleeping self with the rest of his friends. The others had tried to follow Shuichi but then Kokichi spoke up,
“Just Shuichi.” he said coldly, looking at the rest of the group in the room. “And leave Shuichi alone with someone as shady as you? No way!” Tenko said readying herself in a fighting stance. “It’s okay guys,” Shuichi said, trying to placate the situation, “Just let us know if the other me wakes up.” He smiled in afirmaion of his safe return, whether he was trying to convince himself or the others, he wasn't sure. Still, his curiosity got the better of him as he followed Kokichi to his dorm.
When they arrived at Kokichi’s dorm, Gonta had already been in the room. “Ah, Shuichi! Gonta glad you are here. Kokichi think Ouma will help with investigation.” Gonta said in his usual broken grammar. “Ouma?” Shuichi repeated back. When Kokichi opened the door, moving aside Gonta, there sat another person. No, another Kokichi. Shuichi gasped softly as he entered the room. “When-?” But once again, Kokichi chimed in; “Couple days ago. I kept him hidden from everyone except Gonta and Kiruimi. Before she… Y'know.” Kokichi sighed walking over to who he called ‘Ouma.’
He placed a hand on the other version of himself, taking his attention away from the book he was currently reading. Shuichi watched as Kokichi seemed to be explaining the situation to Ouma, the ladder’s expression was difficult for Shuichi to read if it was one of fear or relief. Kokichi then pulled Ouma over towards Shuichi, the detective finally getting a good look at the duplicate. He looked like Kokichi but with some very noticeable differences. He was covered in cuts and bruises, bandages hidden under his sleeves, the way he trembled as he stood in front of Shuichi, even his stance seemed to differ from Kokichi. Was this really Kokichi?
“I know you’re going to ask about the scars and cuts. No, I didn’t cause them. He had these long before coming here.” Kokichi said with a small sense of urgency within his tone, as if this was a subject he wanted to avoid, “Gonta can vouch for me.” Shuichi nodded in understanding. He will press on with the subject at a better time, he had to deal with the prior issue of why Ouma was even here.
Kokichi seemed to pick up on this, stepping back to stand next to Gonta. Now that Shuichi had the floor he began, “Is it alright if I ask you a question Ouma?” Ouma nodded shyly as he avoided Shuichi’s gaze. He appeared to be timid, which was a vast contrast from the outlandish Kokichi. “Do you remember how you got here?” Shuichi asked. Ouma nodded, “I-I remember a bit. I was walking home from school and I got the feeling that someone was watching me. Nothing new…” Ouma said, mumbling out the last part. “I tried walking faster like I normally do, but then some people grabbed me. I don’t remember their faces, but I was dragged into a car. They placed a cloth on my face and it was about then I blacked out.”
Shuichi could see the little things Ouma was conveying subtly as he spoke to Shuichi. The way he’d tug at his sleeve as he talked about being watched and mentioning how he normally walked faster as if this was a consistent tactic he would use. It made Shuichi wonder if Kokichi had gone through the same thing or anything similar before they entered the academy.
“Thank you, Ouma. I’ll let you know if I have any more questions, okay?” Shuichi said, smiling at Ouma. Ouma’s face flushed as though this was the first time someone had ever thanked him for his time. Shuichi made a note to ask Kokichi about Ouma’s situation later, but he had to get the rest of the story.
“Kokichi,” Shuichi spoke up, grabbing the other’s attention. “Oh? Is it my turn already?” Kokichi said with his usual snark having returned as if it never left. “You said Ouma showed up a few days ago, how did he show up here?” Shuichi questioned. “Same as your clone. In a box right at my doorstep. However, it was in the middle of the day while everyone was doing their own thing so no one else was present in the dorm at the time.” Kokichi continued, “I grabbed Gonta to bring him in and eventually told Kirumi so she could make extra food for him whenever he needed.” Gonta then chimed in, “Gonta was scared when he saw Ouma for the first time. But Ouma very kind compared to Kokichi.”
Shuichi had noticed that as well. Ouma was very quiet and polite in comparison to the Kokichi he had come to know. It brought into question what Kokichi was like before entering the academy. Was he anything similar to Ouma or was he always how Shuichi knew him to be? Shuichi brushed the thought aside once more, continuing forward.
“Why are you telling me this anyway Kokichi? You kept Ouma a secret for this long, why reveal him now?” Shuichi asked. Kokichi thought for a moment before placing his arms behind his head, “I thought it would make things more interesting. Ni shi shi! Don’t you think adding in an extra element to this mystery makes it much more interesting Shuichi?” Kokichi asked. Shuichi scoffed in response, of course, he wasn’t going to get a straightforward answer.
“Does this also apply as to why you kept Ouma a secret to begin with?” Shuichi folded his arms as he gave Kokichi a look of disbelief in whatever his next answer could be. “Not intentionally.” Kokichi said, he then pointed towards Ouma who was silently watching as he hid near Gonta, “He’s the one who asked that I keep him a secret. Can you blame him Shuichi?”
Kokichi stepped forward pressing his accusing finger into Shuichi’s chest. Shuichi continued to stand his ground as he listened to Kokichi continue, “Look at the commotion you caused. If the others had followed you in here and seen there was another version, do you think they’d be as accepting of understanding something they aren’t familiar with?”
Kokichi wasn’t wrong, he did unintentionally cause a fuss but Shuichi believed in his friends. If it weren’t for them he wouldn’t have been able to solve any of the cases thus far. Still, it seemed out of character for Kokichi to care for something that he would normally deem as something to keep the killing game interesting. Shuichi wondered if there was more to what Kokichi was saying that he couldn’t see on the surface level or if he was saying this in an attempt to stir Shuichi up. Whatever the reason was, he managed to take Shuichi off guard.
Shuichi’s expression must have said it all to Kokichi, as the smaller seemed to be contemplating his next choice of words. But before Kokichi could speak, it was Shuichi’s turn to interrupt.
“I believe in my friends Kokichi, if you think that keeps you safe I will not judge your choice. But even so, it can be helpful to have others to rely on.” Kokichi scoffed softly, “Yeah like how you all enjoy ganging up on me in the class trials.” Shuichi sighed, rolling his eyes, “Kokichi-” he started but Kokichi held up a hand pausing Shuichi. “That’s a lie!” Kokichi said, placing a finger over his crooked smile, “I don’t care what any of you think of me. I do what I need to so I can stay entertained through this boring game.”
Shuichi looked back at Gonta to see if he had anything to say about Kokichi’s comments, but he seemed to be having his own conversation with Ouma. A thought passed as to what they were possibly discussing but it wasn’t any of Shuichi’s business. At this point, Shuichi felt he had enough of Kokichi for the time being since there was a more important situation he needed to tend to at his dorm.
“I better go back to my dorm to check up on the other me.” Shuichi said with a sigh, “I would like to talk with Ouma again later. Could you bring him over to my dorm when everything quiets down?” Kokichi nodded in response. “Of course mister ultimate detective. I’m curious to see how that other you will behave.” Shuichi’s eyes widened, he hadn’t considered this other version of him was going to be any different but after seeing the contrast Ouma and Kokichi had, it was a possibility. “Ni shi shi! I’ll be seeing you soon then Shuichi.” Kokichi said, pulling Shuichi out of his thoughts. Kokichi then turned to Gonta waving a hand over at him, “You should go with Saihara chan. He might need help handling the initial freak out his clone will have if he’s anything like Ouma.”
Gonta nodded, “Kokichi right. It alright if Gonta joins Shuichi back to dorm?” Shuichi gave Gonta a small smile as he affirmed. “Thank you Gonta.” Shuichi said. “It is gentleman’s duty!” Gonta responded proudly.
Shuichi headed towards Kokichi’s door to exit, but as he glanced back at the two Kokichis, he noticed Ouma had been staring in his direction with a flushed face. He would have chalked it up to his imagination until he saw Kokichi turn to Ouma with a stern look. Kokichi seemed to have said something to Ouma which made Ouma blush harder but made Kokichi more frustrated.
For now, Shuichi would leave that to the back of his mind, because once he and Gonta exited Kokichi’s dorm, the sound of panicked shouts echoed through the dorm building. Kaito ran up to the two panting heavily. He appeared to have been cut up a bit, which was contrasting to when Shuichi had seen him early.
“Kaito? What happened to you?” Gonta asked in concern. He was about to help hold up the out of breath Kaito, but Kaito stopped him. Kaito looked up at Shuichi with a weak attempt at appearing composed. “Shuichi! What did Kokichi want to talk about?” Kaito said with a wide smile picking himself up to stand straight.
“We can talk about that later. Why are you injured?” Shuichi asked, seeing right through Kaito’s poorly executed facade. Kaito sighed, “The other you woke up. When he did he began to grab things in your room and throw them at us, which was fine until he found a bottle.” Shuichi gasped in shock. Gonta gripped onto Kaito’s shoulders then spoke, “Are you or any of other friends hurt?” he asked with worry in his eyes. Kaito shook his head no. “Nah we backed off once he broke the bottle. No one was hurt but I’m kind of banged up from protecting Maki roll!” Kaito laughed.
Shuichi was relieved that none of his friends had gotten injured, but it meant it was time for him to confront himself.
Literally.