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Kokichi had never been one to open up about feelings. If he was honest with himself, he didn’t know how he felt most of the time. You can imagine the frustration it was figuring out romantic feelings, something he didn’t think he would have to do.
But he met someone, and that someone made him confused. It started off as an odd rivalry, then blooming into something more.
The other didn’t know how to feel either, he wished to experience human emotions but was confused what they were really like. He definitely knew when he was happy, or upset, but strong emotions like this were conflicting.
He quickly learned what friendship felt like, and rivalry. He had felt feelings of love with most of his classmates. Despite being a robot, he felt like a normal boy in this environment.
Kaede Akamatsu was a nice girl, she didn’t treat him differently, though she was like this with everyone. Miu was fascinated with him, she still treated him as a robot but it was different. She was just an inventor with a passion for helping him with his functions. Shuichi was nice too, he was often around Kaede, he seemed like a loyal friend.
He got close to a few classmates as time went on, but one he was unsure of was Kokichi.
Kokichi was unsure of how he felt about Keebo as well. He was just some annoying classmate, but the more he stuck around him, even if he was being rude, he grew a bit of an attachment to him.
He did a lot of things that upset Keebo, but that wasn’t all hard too do, the boy was sensitive. Still he poked fun at him every day and mocked him.
Keebo was frustrated, rubbing his metal hands through his ‘hair’.
Shuichi slid next to him, seeing he was visibly upset.
“What’s the matter Keebo?”
“Kokichi! He’s rude to me everyday. I don’t understand why he bothers talking to me, he just mocks me!”
Keebo gave a frustrated huff, keeping his clenched hands on the table in front of him. Shuichi scratched the back of his head awkwardly laughing.
“I don’t think you need to worry about it too much. You know Kokichi is that way with everyone right? He probably doesn’t have anything personal… he’s just annoying.”
“I guess you’re right, but he know it makes me upset.”
Keebo sat, almost pouting like a child about the whole situation.
Kokichi skipped through the dining hall, hands swaying by his sides. He spotted Keebo and twirled over to him.
“Heyyyyy kii-boy!”
The robot let out another small huff ignoring the student beside him.
“Hello Kokichi.”
Kokichi stayed around for a while, talking about nothing pretty much. It’s not like Keebo would know, he wasn’t listening to a word he said.
The two had more interactions like this often, Keebo frustrated and Kokichi laughing as he mocked him.
After one day, Kokichi seemed drained. He went to his dorm room after class and laid in bed, staring up at the wall. Part of him felt bad he made fun of him constantly. Why did he even do it so much?
Kokichi’s cheeks heated up a bit as he realized the possibility of this being from repressed romantic feelings. No, he couldn’t think of a classmate like that! Especially not someone who was a boy. Well, was Keebo really a boy? Maybe Keebo isn’t either, but it didn’t matter. Keebo is a robot anyways, he couldn’t possibly give Kokichi the affection he needs.
Kokichi grabbed a pillow and held it over his face, groaning into it frustrated. He rolled over in bed, not getting the thought of Keebo out of his brain.
He was too late to realize this, Keebo probably hated him at this point. The longer he started thinking about this, he realized how obvious it probably was. He was always over by him, even if it was to bother him. He would stay for too long, and sneak glances occasionally. Maybe it seemed like he was just making a judgment?
It didn’t matter what anyone else thought was happening though, he realized his own actions.
Does he bring this up to anyone? What will happen if Keebo finds out? Kokichi thought for a while, finger brushing his chin as he lost himself in ideas. He could slowly drop hints? But Keebo probably won’t figure it out… maybe he should be a little more forward.
Kokichi thought it was a good idea! But what does he gain if Keebo does figure out? He definitely doesn’t like Kokichi.
After a while of hard thinking, Kokichi eventually fell asleep, pillow shoved in his face, and school uniform still on.
-
The next day, he got up earlier and went to class faster than normal. He was a bit nervous. He played with his hands, but immediately stopped once other students came into the room.
Keebo eventually came in, smiling as he walked to his seat.
Class went on, and Keebo was surprised Kokichi hadn’t done anything to mess with him yet. But he wasn’t relieved, what if he was planning something bigger?
When it came time to work alone, Kokichi finally started pestering poor Keebo. It started off with a light tap on the shoulder, then to more aggressive affections when he wouldn’t respond.
“Ouma please leave me alone you know I’m working.”
Kokichi pouted and slid up beside him.
“But I wanted to talk to you today.”
Keebo ignored this and continued to work, ignoring the smaller man next to him. Kokichi wasn’t enjoying being ignored, but was unsure of how else to get his attention.
He ran his hand through his hair and looked at stared at him. This visibly made Keebo uncomfortable, he scooted further away from him and stayed focus on himself.
“Your hair looks nice today.”
Keebo didn’t respond.
“I said-“
“I heard you, now please leave me alone! My hair looks fine everyday.”
-
So attempting to flirt didn’t exactly work out. Every time Kokichi made a move, Keebo took it the wrong way.
Keebo was currently sitting next to Shuichi, hands on his knees and head towards the ground.
“I don’t get why he can’t leave me alone. But he’s been acting weird recently. He keeps complementing me? I wouldn’t usually be mad at that but he’s acting all strange and I think he’s just making fun of me.”
Shuichi ran a hand down his back, trying to soothe his friend.
“I thought I told you to ignore him, he’s just an ass.”
Keebo nodded, trying to think of ways to ignore him. It seemed no matter what he did he couldn’t get away.
“Hey Keebo, do you think he really is being nice to you? What if something has changed. Or maybe there’s a reason he was mean to you before? It may be stupid but it’s just a thought.”
The robot didn’t respond to his friend, he just rested his hands against his palms and listening to him.
Could there really be another reason for this?
-
It turned out, Kokichi needed someone to talk to as well. None of his ideas were good, he thought of talking to Shuichi but he would probably think it was a weird joke.
He left his dorm room to get a tea, finding Kaito in the dining area.
He took a seat across from him with his drink in his hands. Kaito looked up from his book, reading something about astronomy. It was weirdly surprising seeing him read, well not really, it just didn’t seem like something he enjoyed.
“oh hi.”
The man didn’t seem excited of his presence.
“Kaito, you’re with someone right?”
Kaito looked around the room then back to Kokichi.
“Well you’re here with me.”
Kokichi sighed and have him an annoyed look. Kaito quickly realized what he meant and perked up.
“Well of course! I’ve been going strong with Maki-roll for some time now! But why do you ask?”
Kokichi played with his hands like a child again, a habit he had that he was trying to break.
“How did you tell her how you felt.”
Kaito was definitely confused by these questions, Kokichi didn’t strike him as someone who would be interested in romance.
“Well I kind of just told her how I felt one day when we together. Just be real honest, that’s the best idea. I think girls like when you’re honest about feelings! Well uh- I’m not sure if you’re talking about- well it doesn’t matter!”
“Yeah… I’m not sure if I want to be upfront though.”
“Just write a note or sumthin’ I don’t know! Why are you bothering me about this anyways? Are you trying to tell me how you feel?”
Kokichi’s nose scrunched up and he shook his head. As if he would ever think about Kaito like that. He wasn’t exactly an enemy, but he was a big fool in his own eyes.
He got up and walked back to his dorm, thinking of what Kaito had told him. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea, he didn’t even have to put his name on the note!
Kokichi slammed his door behind him, getting out a notebook and preparing himself for maybe one of the dumbest things he’s ever done.