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The first time it happened was when Usami revealed her first and only motive, the group of freshmen swimming and splashing to their hearts content. Kazuichi doesn't remember the last time he went swimming and makes the most of it, his gaze flitting across his classmates and landing on one Nagito Komaeda.
The off-putting boy was surprisingly toned despite how sickly he appeared and his hair looked so soft, the way the sun reflected off his pale skin almost mesmerizing..
'..he's really pretty'
The thought hit him like a semi-truck, the startled mechanic frantically shaking his head in an attempt to force the thought away. He wasn't supposed to like guys, it was unnatural...right? ...he was almost relieved when the sudden change in weather took everyones attention.
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The second time, he's exploring the second island and stumbles upon one of Akane and Nekomarus fights. He finds himself focusing on Nekomaru, who expertly countered each of Akanes attacks. His muscles flexed and strained with every movement, and Kazuichi catches himself staring for a little too long.
He scurries away in a panic, unable to get the image of Nekomarus muscular frame out of his head as he locks himself in his cottage and fidgets with his beanie. Why was he thinking like this? He's supposed to like women, like the elegant Miss Sonia!
"I'm sure spending more time with her will make these thoughts stop! Yeah.."
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Spending more time Sonia does not, in fact, end his struggles like he thought it would. The third time it happens, he's opening up to Hajime about his trust issues on the beach. Hajime had listened to every word, and Kazuichi felt better than he had in a while.
"Let's definitely get out of here, all of us!" "Yeah...definitely."
As Kazuichi made his way back to his cottage, yet another thought hit him like a pound of metal. 'He's so understanding, he'd make a great partner- NO NO NO!' He slams the cottage door behind him and pulls at his hair, trying to keep himself together as he rambles to himself.
"Why won't these stupid thoughts stop!? My old man would kill me if I brought a guy home!"
He doesn't want to think about it. He wants it to stop..so he throws himself into his work, hoping all the tinkering will keep his mind busy.
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The tinkering doesn't help either, but at least it kept him distracted for a while. The fourth time those panic-inducing thoughts creep into his head, he's at the dining hall with everyone after exploring the new amusement park island. His attempts to focus on his food are futile as his eyes keep returning to the recently recovered Yakuza.
Fuyuhiko has been much more friendly and cooperative since he returned to them, an intimidating eyepatch now complimenting his features...and Kazuichi nearly chokes on his food as his torturous mind gives him the image of that soft babyface flushed red and blissed out under him, the panicked teen swearing under his breath and trying to force the image away to no avail.
He ignores everyone's stares as he quickly finishes his food and rushes out of the dining hall, hiding in his cottage yet again and screeching into his pillow.
"WHAT THE FUUUUCK!?"
He's reaching the end of his rope and no longer knows what to think, not sure what to do anymore. He was so sure he liked Sonia, so sure that liking guys would be the death of him...but now he isn't sure of anything.
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The fifth and final time is after they've escaped the simulation. It's Kazuichis turn to watch over those who haven't woken up yet, and he's now staring intently into one of the VR pods, Gundhams comatose body inside. He had originally seen the dramatic breeder as his rival in love, a man he was supposed to hate no matter what...but he's had time to think since then.
He stares quietly at his unconscious form, memorizing his features and letting his thoughts flow without panic for the first time.
'..he's really fucking hot'
And he supposes that isn't wrong. Gundham had more muscle than expected, along with a handsome face and dark eyes you could stare into forever. In the killing game, Kazuichi would have freaked if he had thought such things about his rival, but he understands himself a little better now. He never truly liked Sonia, he simply clung to her because she was the kind of woman he thought he was supposed to be with. He now knows he never really hated Gundham either, it was all in his denial-filled head.
He stares quietly at the sleeping form in the pod, quietly muttering to himself.
"...I hope ya wake up soon Hamster-chan, I have a lot to apologize for."
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Kazuichi Souda was finally ready to come out of the closet. He's already told Teruteru, Nagito, and Hajime, as he knows they're LGBT as well and would accept him right away, and they've assisted in putting together a coming out party for him. His anxiety rises as everyone arrives, his other classmates only told it was a party and not what it was for.
Once everyone has had a good time, Kazuichi gets everyone's attention and takes a deep breath to calm himself.
"Hey everyone! You're probably wondering what all this is about, huh? Well...welcome to my coming out celebration! It's taken a while for me to accept myself, but...I'M GAY!"
He closes his eyes and waits for the expected insults or punch to the face...and opens them again when he only hears applause. There's not a single frown in the group, and he visibly relaxes as everyone congratulates him and gives their support.
"About fuckin' time ya closet case!"
"Congratulations tamer of automatons."
"Who cares about that stuff, is there anymore food?"
His coming out goes without a hitch as he fully relaxes, the happiest he's ever been, and if the celebration ended with a confession letter or two arriving at his cottage, well...it was certainly worth it, that's for sure.