Work Text:
Shuichi's POV
I walk into the dining hall to see everybody's faces painted with nervousness. Except a purple headed liar who didn't seem to he here yet.
"Guys? What's going on?" I ask them hesitantly.
"There's going to be another motive," Rantaro said calmly.
For the past few weeks since we've been in the killing game, all of us have sworn to ignore every single motive Monokuma has thrown at us. Even the time limit motive. He didn't kill us because, in his words, it would 'ruin the fun.'
We had survived peacefully until now. I went on to grow closer to everybody, especially Kokichi. Surprisingly, he's very fun to be around. A lot of work, but it's worth it. The others know that I'm a little...well...gay for the purple gremlin. Maybe someday I'll tell him, but not now.
Everybody just hung out around the school-prison we were in, enjoying each other's company for however much time we had left. Would Monokuma let us go if we were too boring? Or would he just kill us and find a new batch of kids to kidnap and force to kill each other? Either way, we trusted each other to ignore the motives and survive.
But seeing everybody's worried faces here made it seem like this motive won't be like the others.
"Has he given the motive yet?" I asked nobody in particular.
"No, Gonta just came to dining hall to see note on table saying to gather everyone for new motive," The bug-obsessed man said.
"Phuhuhu, you're right about that!" The black and white bear sprung into the dining hall, startling all of us.
"I see Ouma isn't here, so I'll just let you all fill him in when he gets here I guess," the robot bear shrugs.
"What do you want this time? Don't you know we won't do your motive?" Kaito shouted. I can't blame him for getting annoyed at the robot. It was tiring after awhile.
"Oh yes I've seen. You all are boring me to tears and it's getting old! That's why I've made a motive that goes against the school rules a bit," Monokuma smiles menacingly. It sends shivers down my spine, giving me goosebumps under my stripped coat uniform.
"I thought you couldn't break the rules?" Keebo asked.
"Yes, it's a rare occasion. But I'm not afraid to twist a rule or two if it gets this game going!"
"Just what the fuck is this new motive you dipshit?!" Miu yells at him.
"To keep the explanation simple...if none of you murder someone by noon tomorrow, one of your fellow classmates won't be so lucky," he growls.
"What do you mean by that? Are you gonna kill a student?" I ask, getting more and more worried about this new sudden motive.
"Goodness no, that takes away the whole point! Just a bit of torture is all!"
Some of us inhale sharply at the sound of torture.
Who would do such a thing? We're just kids!
"Which student?" Maki asks calmly.
"Oh it'll be at random. I have a wheel prepared for tomorrow that'll decide the unlucky meat bag for their minor punishment," he says.
"Well then, I'll leave you to it! Kill or have a 1/16 chance of being tortured by yours truly!" He leaves the dining hall, leaving us alone with our thoughts.
"This-this is crazy! He can't to that r-right?!" Himiko shouted.
"He can do whatever he wants. We're at his mercy," Rantaro points out.
He's right. We have no choice, no escape from this nightmare. We can't just ignore this motive unlike all the other ones.
"Hey, I'm gonna go fill in Kokichi," I say.
"Why the fuck would you wanna do that
poo-ichi? He's caused enough damage, he doesn't deserve to know about it," Miu says grabbing my wrist, stopping me from leaving.
"It's only fair that everybody knows about this motive. It applies to all of us after all," I say, yanking my wrist from her hand and heading towards Kokichi's room.
I walk to the dorms, listening to my thoughts.
What's gonna happen after they're tortured?
What if I'm tortured?! I'm a wuss when it comes to pain!
But I don't want anybody else to get hurt either.
What if he accidentally kills them?
Thankfully, I reached Kokichi's room before I could think any more dangerous thoughts.
"*knock knock* Ouma? Are you in there?" I say. I hear shuffling before the sound of the door clicking. The smaller boy opens the door, his hair a little messed up while wearing a purple Panta shirt and checkered sweatpants. My face heats up a bit.
Why does he have to be so cute?!
"Hey hey Shumai! Fancy seeing you here this early," he says, as if he didn't just wake up a second ago.
"It's almost 12 in the afternoon..."
"Nishishi~ I knew that! I was testing your logic Mr. Ultimate Detective. Anyways, whatcha' doing here," he leans on the doorway of his room and crosses his arms.
"W-Well I came to tell you about a new motive Monokuma gave us this morning," I say as calmly as possible. His smile drops a bit.
"Why? Can't we just ignore it like all the others?" He says, pushing the door open to finally let me inside. His room is a mess. Panta bottles everywhere, a whiteboard with everybody's pictures on it, and his bed sheets all disoriented like they were kicked off to the side.
"Not this time I'm afraid," I say, looking down as my voice shakes slightly.
"Saihara-chan? You're acting a bit strange, what's this motive about?"
"If one of us doesn't murder by noon tomorrow, Monokuma will...."
"Will what?"
"Torture one of us," I say. He eyes widen a little before sitting beside me.
"That's uh, I-I thought he couldn't hurt students?" He asks.
Since Kokichi and I have gotten so close, he shows a bit of weakness to me every once in awhile. Mainly it's just a stutter or look of surprise and fear, but it's more than the others get.
"We thought so too."
Kokichi and I sat in silence for what seemed like hours, even though it was probably just a couple seconds.
"Well, I'm gonna go change and you just make yourself at home! A supreme leader can't go around in his pajamas all day!" He grabs one of his normal white outfits and checkered scarfs while walking into the bathroom.
I take this opportunity alone to clean up his room a bit. Not too much, I just made his bed, put some papers together on his desk, and threw some of the lose Panta bottles in the trash. After a few minutes, he came out looking like his usual self.
"So Shumai, what did you wanna-?
Cleaning my room now are we? I hope you didn't snoop too much~" he says, smirking at me.
"N-No! I just thought it could be a bit more organized that's all!" I turn red out of embarrassment and put my hands up defensively.
"Neeheehee~ I'm just kidding you Shuichi! Anyways what did you wanna do today? I'm soooo bored and I just woke up!" He says, stretching his hands behind his head.
"I hadn't really thought about that. I'm still a little shaken over this new motive. What if I'm the one being tortured? What if it's you?! What if he goes too far and-"
"Hey, it'll be okay. I promise nothing bad will happen to anybody, I just feel it in these ol' bones of mine! Monokuma wouldn't kill a student by himself, it's too boring for him. We should just wait till tomorrow and see what happens," he brings his hand up to wipe away tears I didn't even know were forming.
"Y-Yeah, okay. Thanks Kokichi," I say, my voice wavering a bit.
—-꧁♥︎꧂—-
Kokichi's POV
"Alright you losers, everybody gather in the gym for the show to begin!" Monokuma said right as the clock stuck noon. Everybody in the dining hall slowly got up from their seats and made their way to the open gym.
We all stood in separate places, but I was a bit closer to Shuichi. I wouldn't admit it to him, but I was terrified for this motive. Who would it be? One of us is gonna get tortured my MONOKUMA. This psycho bear that's kept us trapped here.
"Now that everybody's here, listen up! I'm gonna spin this wheel and whoever's picture it lands on will be the loser. I have a torture method in mind for everybody, so it doesn't matter who it lands on. I'll be prepared," he smiles and starts to sweat somehow.
"This is stupid! You think torturing one of us will make us kill?!" Tenko shouted to him.
"Hmm, maybe not. But I gotta get my entertainment somehow! Maybe this'll spark up some sadistic desires in one of you and you'll crave some more action," he smirks.
"Y-You're insane!" Shuichi yelled. It was rare to see him yell. But this motive seems to be having a bigger effect on him than the others. Maybe because we can't just ignore this one.
"Yep! Now let's spin that wheel!" He sings, grabbing the edge of the wheel harshly before pushing down, sending the colorful wheel spinning. It seemed to spin for ages, the tiny red arrow at the top flickering between our pixilated pictures.
I closed my eyes, wishing this would just all be over with and that I could get back to my beloved Shumai.
But then I heard the wheel spin slower and slower, until it came to a stop. I heard the whole room breath in harshly. I hesitantly opened my eyes to see the entire gym staring.
Staring at me.
Then I looked up at the wheel.
The red arrow was pointing to a head of purple hair. My purple hair. I felt my blood run cold and my face paled. The realization hit me.
I was going to be getting tortured in front of everybody for only god knows how long.
"Nishishi~ C'mon guys! Don't act like out of all people here, you didn't wish it would be me getting the motive," I say, putting up my carefree persona as usual. They all just looked at me. Blank, pale faces staring back into me. Like they could see right through me.
I couldn't dare look at my beloved Shuichi. I could only imagine his face.
"Ah, so the unfortunate winner is...bum bud ah bum! Kokichi Ouma!" The monochrome bear announced, as if we didn't already know that.
"P-Please! Don't do this!" Saihara screamed at the stage. I could here the cracks in the emo's voice. Monokuma simply ignored him.
"I've prepared a very special punishment for the Ultimate Supreme Leader! Although you won't be getting executed, this'll almost be just as fun! Watching the despair on all your classmate's faces as well as your own, the thought just makes me wanna-" he cut himself off by shaking his head and pulling a lever.
The wheel on the stage quickly descended, and something else rose in its place. A wooden chair of some sort, with a metal helmet like thing on top and places to strap in your arms and legs. There was also a small digital gadget beside the bear that could've easily been mistaken for an alarm clock. The time wasn't on it though, it was blank.
All of a sudden, a chain came out of nowhere and latched around my neck. I reached out to wherever Shuichi was, but I could hardly see as I was whirled to the front.
I didn't see him reaching out for me too.
My arms and legs were tightly strapped down onto the chair and wires were placed all over me. As I began to take in the situation, I realized what this was.
A liar's greatest fear.
A...lie detector?
"Now then, let the fun begin! I'll start by asking Mr. Ouma here a few questions. If he answers honestly, nothing will happen. However, if he lies..." Monokuma pushed a button as waves of electricity was shot through the wires and ran through me. I squeezed my eyes shut snd couldn't hold back a painful wince. I could head my fellow students gasp. All of their eyes were on me, no doubt.
I hated it. Sure I love being the center of attention, but not like this. Not when this stupid robot bear is gonna make me look weak in from of them. Anger boiled up inside me just thinking about it.
"Before I get to my questions, does any lovely brat in the audience have a question to ask our friendly liar up here?" Monokuma said into a small microphone he pulled out of nowhere. Sure enough, nobody answered him. Some of them just looked to their feet as others looked away.
"Alrighty then! Since there are no further objections, let the game begin!" He say down onto a chair and pulled out some flash cards. I could feel the nervousness in me start to build. My hands were trembling slightly and I kept my gaze towards the stage floor, trying to ignore everyone's pitiful eyes.
I don't care how much it hurts, he won't get weakness out of me.
I don't care.
I won't care.
I'll never care.
"Oh, and I'll start by saying since I've monitored each of you for awhile now, I know a lot about you bastards. So I'll know if you're lying, and it also gave me some juicy questions! Just answer a simple 'yes' or 'no'," A shiver ran down my spine.
What could be possibly know about me?
"First question, do you actually care for your classmates here?"
So that's what he's doing.
"...No," I answered hesitantly.
The bear smiled and pushed the button as more electricity coursed through me. It was stronger than the last time. I grit my teeth together through the pain. On the alarm clock thing, it read 'lie' in digital print.
"Tsk tsk, it'll just get stronger each time y'know! Next question, do you like to lie?"
"Yes," I answered without hesitation this time. There's no way he could know the truth.
But my eyes widened as he reached toward the button again.
"Hey! That wasn't a lie you stupid bear!" I yelled.
"Did you forget? I know everything about you stupid kids," he pushed the button. My hands clenched together and my legs struggled against the restraints. Tears began to collect in my eyes but I refuse to let them fall. I've fake cried enough, so I'm practically an expert at not crying for real. But it's different when I'm in excruciating pain. Only the second shock and my body is already stinging.
"Now then, do you think Keebo is a good person? Not a robot?" He asked.
So he just wants to expose me in front of everybody.
That lethal bastard.
"No I don't. He's a robot," I grit through my teeth.
Another shock, stronger than the last. My body feels like it's on fire. I can't bare to look up at the people watching me in pain. But I do anyway.
A few look almost emotionless, like Maki, Ryoma, Rantaro, and Kiyo. Others like Miu, Tsumugi, Tenko, Himiko, Angie, and Kaede have tears in their eyes, covering their mouths. Kirumi looked heartbroken. Kaito and Gonta have looks of sadness and anger on their faces. Keebo has said before that he can't physically cry, but from the look on his face, he wanted to. It took all my energy to swallow my pride for a split second and look to Shuichi. Fat tears were rolling down his beautiful face, his grayish-yellow orbs staring into my purple ones. A true look of despair on his pretty face.
This is what Monokuma wanted.
I looked down and swallowed a lump in my throat. My breaths were heavy but short. The shocks were almost unbearable at this point. It felt like someone was stabbing all over my body with needles each time he pushed that stupid button.
Question after question, the shocks just kept coming. I wanted to tell the truth, just to stop the pain. But I couldn't. No matter how much I tried, I didn't want the truth to come out of my mouth. I couldn't let it.
To make matters worse, he even resorted to other torture methods while I was strapped in that chair. Saying things like all my classmates hated me, that they wanted me dead. Some of them would shout out to protest, but Monokuma threatened them when they did. They could only hope I didn't believe him.
I could even remember him bringing out a few small knifes at one point. Small cuts on my face, while bigger cuts were able to be seen through my pink stained clothes.
That mixed with the electricity, I just want to die at this point. I can't handle it anymore. The mental torture along with the excruciating pain flowing throughout my body through every new cut he made.
"Just two questions left, I wouldn't wanna kill ya now. First off, don't think I didn't see those scars. Were those cuts on your wrist really an accident? I know I sure didn't cause them," his mocking laughter rang through the gym.
"They were an accident. I-I didn't mean to-" I was cut off with another shock. Tears were already streaming down my face at this point as I was slowly but surely losing my composure.
"PLEASE JUST LET HIM GO ALREADY!" Shuichi cried, I could hear the pain and sobs in his voice.
"Shut up or I'll kill him right here and now! Last question, you ready Ouma?" He asks, mocking the state I was in. My head hung low as I barely gave him a nod.
"Do you love Shuichi Saihara, the Ultimate Detective?"
My eyes widened and I stopped breathing for a second.
"W-what?" I cursed myself for stuttering.
"Do you love him? It's a yes or no question," he scoffed.
I looked to my beloved, a hand over his mouth as he had fallen to his knees on the floor. More tears fell down his cheeks and he didn't even try to make an effort to control his rapid breathing. One hand sat on the floor next to his knees, supporting his body. His silently shook his head, as if he was telling me not to answer at all.
"I need an answer Ouma-"
"No I don't."
It broke my heart to say those three words.
"Hmm, I thought you might learn something from this. But it looks as if you'll always be a liar," he pushed the button one last time. I fought against the restraints as shock rushed through my veins. Even when it all stopped, I was still in pain. The straps on my wrists and ankles retracted, I was free. But I couldn't find any strength to move.
After all that, I just wanted to die.
"KOKICHI!?" Shuichi ran up onto the stage. I tried to stand, but ended up falling onto the hard wood floor. I could feel some blood start to pool around my legs where Monokuma had stabbed the most. I fell limp, useless.
I could feel Shuichi sit next to me on his knees.
"H-Hey, it's okay Kokichi. It's over, you're okay," the navy blue haired male said through his tears.
I just shook my head. I know when's a person is lying, it might as well be my talent.
Kokichi Ouma, the Ultimate Liar.
I heard more people rush to the front.
I started to fade into unconsciousness, but before I did I heard some faint yelling.
"Somebody go_____now!"
"Yes of_____but we_____"
"I DON'T_____JUST HELP HIM!"
I smiled a bit hearing Shumai act so worried about me. His hand cupped my face.
Then everything went black.
—꧁♥︎꧂—
Shuichi's POV
I yelled at Kirumi to go get some kind of first aid kit. Ouma had slipped into unconsciousness. I held two fingers to his throat and monitored his pulse. It was dangerously slow, but he was alive.
Kirumi rushed back and began to bandage his legs and arms in the places that horrible bear tortured him. She had to roll up his pant legs and sleeves, allowing us to see the scars Monokuma was talking about.
"There is not much we can do for the shocks, so he just needs rest," she stated. Her voice was full of sorrow. I know Kokichi joked about her being his 'mom,' but I think a part of her liked that role. They're pretty close.
"I'll take Kokichi back to his room and watch over him," I say. By that point, Monokuma had disappeared, despite Kaito and Gonta's attempts to fight him. Even if the others didn't have the best relationship with Kokichi, we would've never wanted him to get tortured.
"Okay, I can believe he trusts you the most out of everybody here so that seems like the best idea," she says, helping me stand with Ouma in my arms. I'm assuming she's referencing Monokuma's last question and his lie.
I carefully made my way to Ouma's room, my classmates following quietly behind me. I opened his door, but stopped at a hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, don't tell the little shit I told you this, but take care of him will ya?" Miu said, the others nodding behind her. I smiled and shook my head 'yes' as they went on their way. Kirumi stayed behind to make sure he was laid down properly in his own bed.
"If you need anything, or if something happens, please do not be afraid to come get me," she says.
"I will, don't worry," I say. Kirumi bows and walks out, leaving me alone in ear piercing silence.
I stared at the shorter boy laying on the bed. He looked to peaceful, even after enduring such trauma.
Why did he lie so much? It would've done him better to tell the truth.
Was that last question really true? Does he...love me?
I shake my head, reminding myself to ask him when he wakes up. I pick up a mystery novel I left in his room the last time I was here and began reading to distract myself.
A few pages in, I hear rustling in the bed. I rush over to the purplenette as he slowly opens his eyes with a groan.
"Sh-Shuichi? Where am I?" His voice sounds exhausted and raspy.
"I brought you back to your room to rest after Tojo-san bandaged you up," I kneel down beside the bed to make eye contact.
"I'm not dead?"
Why did he sound disappointed?
"No, you're not Kokichi. You're okay now," I smile and reach forward to cup his cheek in my palm.
"I guess...there's no escaping the awkwardness of this situation then huh?" He laughs softly. I tilt my head to the side in confusion.
"The last question silly, did you already forget?" He says, reaching up to mess with my ahoge. I blush and remember what he said.
"Is what you said...really true?"
"The lie part or the truth part?"
"What you actually said, not what the lie detector told us," I clarify. He sighs a bit before turning away.
"What would you say if I did lie? That Monokuma rightfully shocked me," he turns over. I walk around to the other side of the bed.
"I would be able to tell you that I love you too."
His eyes widen, before he chuckles a bit.
"Even after all that, you're still being all mushy," Kokichi says. I blush and laugh along with him.
"I'm gonna go tell the others you're awake-"
"No, please!" He grabs my sleeve, preventing me from leaving.
"Wha-?"
"Please stay with me. I-I don't want to be alone," he says.
He must really be out of it.
I lean down and kiss his forehead.
"I won't leave if you don't want me to," I smile at his flushed face.
He pulls me down next to him into the bed. He pushes his head into my chest and closes his eyes. I hear soft snoring as I look down to his sleeping body against me.
"Goodnight Kokichi."