Work Text:
“Hey... we can still pretend it was just a joke, so put that away.” Kaito sighed out, scratching the back of his head. It took every ounce of his being not to scream at the sight. He didn't want to crack in front of somebody else.
But it was such a nasty, filthy, disgusting, grotesque thing.
“Sorry!” Kaede scrambled to put a monkey's paw back into her backpack.
Why would she carry that around with her? That thing is definitely haunted! And was she really trying to give that thing to him?!
“Yeah, uh, anyway...” Kaito blew an out-of-place hair that was starting to poke at one of his eyes. He wanted to continue his train of thought, but he couldn't get his mind off that creepy thing!
“Uhhhh, I'll just come back later.” Kaede held her hands up awkwardly before proceeding to absolutely demolish every chair in the room with them.
She seriously had issues with that whole slapping thing of hers.
In her defense, though, she did snag a few Monocoins from the destruction before turning around and walking away. Kaito couldn't help but be curious, though. Those coins were for that... machine thingy right? The Mono Mono Machine? Is that where she got that weird-ass monkey's paw from?
Monokuma's a sick bastard for loading that type of shit in there!
But,
Kaito is admittedly curious about what else is in that thing. He doesn't have any Monocoins himself...
SLAM
“OUCH!” Kaito waved his stinging hand around frantically.
Well that hurt like hell! Kaede was one helluva trooper doing that shit all the time! Maybe there's a trick to it? He did just bash his whole bare fist through a thick table. Kaede just kinda open palms these things. Is that it? You don't punch? You slap?
Pain (and splinters) in his hand aside, though, he was now one Monocoin richer! Hell yeah!
Oh, but the dining hall doesn't really have any furniture anymore.
“Hopefully this doesn't mess with pep rallying the others too much.” Kaito thinks, as he plucks a splinter out of his hand. His hand was throbbing and bleeding, but it was an INVESTMENT!
One he should probably get disinfected.
Kaito exited a bathroom and peered around the corner of the room that held the Mono Mono Machine. Before he could enter the room, he noticed Kaede dumping coin after coin into it, cranking out items.
He was hoping to go in and try his luck, but seeing as Kaede is still messing with it, he'd have to wait his turn.
So, straightening himself by the door, he waited.
And waited.
And then he waited some more.
…
How many Monocoins does this girl have?!
After what felt like ages, Kaede finally seemed to be done with the machine. She retrieved her last item, inspecting it—
Wait- IS THAT A MILK PUZZLE?
Kaito had no idea Monokuma would have something as cool as that in this messed up place! He used to solve those all the time in preparation for his astronaut exams!
Kaito watched as Kaede put the milk puzzle into her backpack. She turned around to head out.
“Kaito?!” Kaede jumped back in shock.
Oh right, he was just kinda watching her the whole time.
“Oh hey, Kaede!” Kaito waved enthusiastically, “I didn't mean to scare you, I just wanna try out the machine myself!”
“Oh, uh, good luck then.” Kaede said, still somewhat surprised by his presence.
“I've got plenty of that!” Kaito cheered, punching his uninjured fist in the air.
“Oh, by the way, will you be free in a bit? I'm really sorry about that whole monkey paw thing.”
“Huh? Oh don't worry about it. Like I said, we can just let it be a joke!” Kaito grinned, giving a big thumbs up with his uninjured hand, “But, I'm always down to chat with you, Kaede! If you want, we can meet up by the entrance hall after I'm done here. That sound good?”
“Sure,” Kaede nodded, “that works for me! I'll see you later.”
With that agreement set, Kaede left the room.
“Alright. Let's see what we got!” Kaito shouted, slamming his one Monocoin into the machine.
Click
“Come on...” Kaito pleaded, watching as the capsules jiggled in the machine, sending one down.
Kaito grabbed his prize and opened it.
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!” He screamed throwing the damned monkey's paw he had received onto the ground.
Of course that would happen.
Kaito Momota didn't know much about all that 'disappointment' nonsense. Sure, it was unfortunate that all he got out of that stupid machine was something he hates (and totally isn't afraid of), but, hey, Kaede got a milk puzzle that she's definitely going to give to him. So there's no need for disappointment when excitement is right around the corner!
Kaito stared at all the vines growing around the entrance hall. Waiting for the pianist to arrive.
Surely enough, a pink blur made its way in front of him. Alarmingly fast.
“Hey Kaede!” Kaito grinned.
“Hey!” Kaede greeted, as she started to dig through her backpack.
“Y'know, I'm the Ultimate Astronaut!” Kaito hinted, pointing a thumb to himself.
Unfortunately it was his injured hand, which had cuts that were a bit too noticeable.
“You alright? When did that happen?” Kaede asked, concern laced in her voice.
“Oh don't worry about it,” Kaito dismissed, “really I can still use this thing!”
Kaito frantically waved his injured hand around. It honestly still hurt him.
“See? I can use it to wave... and solve...... stuff.” Kaito smiled.
“...Okay?” Kaede tilted her head in confusion.
“Yeah! Just.... yeah!”
“Anyway, here. This is for you.” Kaede smiled, pulling a gift out of her backpack and handing it over.
“Kaede...this makes me so happy! Gimme a hug!” Kaito yelled, fighting tears that threatened to pour out of his eyes.
They weren't tears of joy.
She was giving him a Japanese doll wig. Another thing that definitely didn't freak him out or anything.
It's definitely not from a haunted doll. Ghosts aren't real ghosts aren't real ghostsaren'treal...
“Uh... you liked it that much?” Kaede awkwardly smiled.
“Yes!” screamed Kaito who was stretching out his arms extra wide for a hug (and not even bothering to grab the wig).
Kaede rolled her eyes. She clearly wasn't going to hug him.
He had to think of something to get that puzzle from her! But you can't just tell somebody what gift to give them! She doesn't have to give gifts, after all, she's doing it from the kindness of her heart!
But he really wants something he actually likes at the very least! And getting his own Monocoins to blow on the machine might lose him an arm!
Or gain him more
from cursed wish-granting monkeys.
“Teach me how to play the piano.” Kaito blurted out, pounding his fists together. A regrettable decision, really, as that was a very painful action for his poor fist.
“Huh? You're interested in piano?” Kaede was shocked, putting Kaito's awful gift down so she can put her backpack back on, “You're actually interested in piano?”
“'Course I am!” Kaito beamed, “And I just know you'd be a great teacher!”
It's not like Kaito was lying, per se. He really was interested in music. It would definitely be helpful for his space exploration one day, after all! It just so happens that if he has Kaede trying to teach him piano then, totally coincidentally, he'd have more chances to be gifted a milk puzzle! It's a bonus, really.
“So c'mon, let's go!” Kaito exclaimed, already starting to march off.
“Wait, we can't.” Kaede frowned.
“Why not?”
“Well, for one, my lab isn't exactly open yet.”
“Oh.” Kaito scratched the back of his head. This was a setback.
Or was it?
“Can't you just... y'know, bust the door down?” Kaito asked, scratching his stubble.
“What do you mean?”
“You can slap the shit out of anything, man, you ever tried that door?”
“I can't slap in the hallways.” Kaede sadly sighed.
Kaito furrowed his brow. He raises his hand in the air.
“High five!” He shouted.
“Kaito, a high five isn't the same thing as the slap.” Kaede rolls her eyes. She gives him the high five he asks for, nonetheless, “if it was, that would have sent you flying.”
“Fair enough.” Kaito responds, scratching his stubble again in thought.
“Wait how are you even aware of that? The slap.”
“When you go around slappin' furniture in every room, it's pretty hard to miss.”
“Well, yeah, but the furniture always fixes itself...” Kaede pondered out loud, “I just... assumed it was one of those things other people just can't notice.”
“Can't notice?” Kaito asked. It was starting to sound like Kaede believed in some weird conspiracy or something.
Then again, they are trapped in a school and being told they have to kill each other. And don't even get anyone started on that Death Road of Despair they traversed the other day. But those are all things EVERYONE noticed! So what does she mean?
“If we couldn't notice furniture flyin' around the room that'd make us blind!” Kaito laughed.
“Sure, but then how does it get reset? Do you see the furniture go back into place?”
“Uh...” Now that she mentions it, he hasn't ever caught things going back to the way they were... but things did always seem to fix themselves after being slapped.
“Right? Do you notice those blackouts?” Kaede continues.
“Blackouts?”
“There's this fade-out of black and then everything is back to normal.”
“Nope, I hadn't noticed anything like that,” Kaito crosses his arms.
It's certainly weird.
“Aw, but that's all nothin' to worry about!” He smiles, “If we spend all our time worryin' about weird blackouts fixin' furniture, we'll miss out on our chance to fight Monokuma!”
“You're actually going to try that?”
“Yeah! And speaking of that, actually, I think you'd be perfect to help us out! You can totally slap the shit outta him!”
“...I'm not going to do that.”
“Aw c'mon! Trust me, I'll put together a whole group of us! We can handle Monokuma!”
“I'm just not sure that'll work. Besides, I can only slap furniture. It doesn't work on people.”
“Then we'll train your slapping abilities!” Kaito roared, putting on a huge grin, “You'll be unstoppable, Kaede!”
“I'm sure...” Kaede sighed, rolling her eyes with a smile “but for now, I've got other things to do.”
“That's fine, we all gotta do our own thing once in a while!” Kaito nodded, “Oh but when that lab opens up, you're teachin' me piano, yeah?”
“Yeah. It's a promise.”
Kaito waved to Kaede as he watched her walk away before starting to walk off himself.
Though, before he could walk very far, he stepped on something.
Right!
He had forgotten the wig was on the floor there and immediately started screaming.
It's been a long day.
Kaede's lab finally opened up, though. Unfortunately, Angie was much more pushy with her desires to have a paint-and-piano jam session, so Kaito didn't get that chance to hang out with Kaede like he'd hoped.
He hopes she didn't forget her promise.
He also hopes she still has that milk puzzle and didn't give it to Angie.
Though, of course, he cares about more than just the puzzle! Her lab being opened means he can learn piano, but Kaito's also got his own plans he's trying to put together: A final fight with Monokuma.
He has a group ready. He hadn't thought to ask Kaede to join originally, but, on second thought, her slapping skills are truly something else! He just wishes she'd say yes. If they could just train and hone her skills... she might be able to bypass all those restrictions it seems to have! She'd be able to destroy that stupid bear and even break through the dome holding them all captive!
Kaito walked around the game room, surveying the area.
Yes, this is definitely a good meeting spot.
Kaito smiled to himself. All he needed to do next was bring the fighters here when the time limit's almost up. Nobody's killing anybody on his watch!
“There you are, Kaito.”
“Yo! Kaede!” Kaito waved, “What's up? You got some free time to teach me piano?”
“Yup! That's exactly what I'm here for.” Kaede smiled.
“Lead the way!” Kaito gave her a thumbs up.
“But first,” Kaede begins, taking off her backpack to rummage through it, “I have something I want to give you.”
Kaito beamed.
Please be the milk puzzle.
Kaede handed him a plate with a slice of cake on it.
“It's an astro cake. Since you're an astronaut and all.” She laughed, putting her backpack back on.
“Oh, that's pretty interesting.” Kaito smiled, grabbing the plate. It wasn't the puzzle, but Kaede's definitely improving her gift-giving skills! For once, it's something he actually likes! “This is almost the perfect gift for a Luminary of the Stars! You're on the right path.”
The two then left the game room and headed to Kaede's lab, Kaito devouring his cake along the way.
If only he had some milk to wash down that cake.
Or a milk puzzle hahahaha!!!!!!!!
“Wait, that implies I'm going to drink the milk puzzle.” Kaito realizes, snapping himself out of his thoughts. He focuses on the piano that is now in front of him instead.
“Alright, Kaede, show me the ropes!” Kaito says, sitting himself down on the bench in front of the piano.
“Could you make some room for me?”
“Oh sorry!” Kaito shifts himself over.
“Oh wait, shouldn't you take the backpack off?” Kaito questions.
“What? Why?” asks Kaede as she sits down on the bench beside him.
Kaito hates what he's planning. Even a kid knows it's wrong to steal! But, he just wants to play with that milk puzzle... Just solve it once, and then return it. No harm done right? She won't even know it ever went missing. The more sane part of his brain is asking— no begging him to just talk to her about it. But there's a part of him that just doesn't want Kaede to know the gifts she's been giving him, the gifts she puts her all into giving, just haven't quite hit the mark. It'll make him look like he's ungrateful!
He isn't sure how much free time they're going to get. This may be his last chance to try out that milk puzzle before it's time to enact his plan... Not that either of them are going to die or anything. No, of course not, but once that's done... when they finally do make it out of here, he won't be able to get his hands on that specific milk puzzle that Kaede has just lying around!
He has to get it now!
“Uh, it's gonna give you a hunchback!” Kaito blurts out.
“Well it's... not exactly that heavy.” Kaede responds.
“You sure? You keep a lotta stuff in there! Like that cake you gave me!”
“A cake doesn't weigh 300 pounds, Kaito, it's fine.”
“You have more than just cake in there!”
Kaede eyeballed Kaito in a way he hadn't seen from her before. She looked at him, eyes wide, in an almost horrified expression that quickly shifted into a more calculating one. Looking him over. Analyzing him, but also... afraid? He wasn't sure what was up with such a weird reaction, but she wasn't responding to what he had said, so he felt like he needed to be a bit more specific.
“I mean, you had the wig and the paw the other day. And I saw you usin' that Mono Mono Machine a whole bunch! You definitely have a lot more gifts than just cake, man.”
Kaede's expression lifted. She seemed relieved.
“Right... Well, even with all that stuff, it's still not so heavy that it's going to kill my back.” Kaede forced out an awkward laugh, “I'd rather just keep it on.”
He was losing this fight, but he didn't want to give up his chances!
“M— ”
“Why do you want me to take my backpack off so badly?” Kaede spat.
Well there goes that.
“What? I don't! It's just we're sitting hunched over this piano so... with all that stuff you carry, I'm just watchin' out for you and your back!” Kaito said, pointing a thumb to himself, “Y'know! 'Cause I've always got your back!”
“We're not 'hunched' over the piano. Actually, let's start with that. Good piano posture is still good posture,” Kaede explained, tracing her hand along her side to emphasize how she was sitting, “You don't wanna be like a stiff pole, but you need to sit up straight like this.”
“Like this?” Kaito asked, sitting up as straight as he could.
“You're kinda exaggerating it, but yeah.”
“And then I put my hands here!” Kaito proudly announced, resting his hands flatly on the keys.
“You need to curve your fingers. Let the fingertips be the only things touching the keys.”
“Like this?”
“Not quite..... Can I touch your hands for a moment?”
“Go right ahead!”
Kaede gently began moving Kaito's fingers. Despite her careful touch, the cuts on his hand was still fresh enough that her grabbing at it, and bending the stiffened wounded fingers, was extremely painful.
It wasn't until Kaito let out a small pained yelp that Kaede noticed she was hurting him.
“Are you okay, Kaito?”
“I'm fine! Don't worry about it.” Kaito lied. Kaede wasn't buying it.
“I'm sorry, I should've noticed that I was hurting you.” Kaede frowned, “We could work with one hand, but typically what we wanna work with is the right hand first since that's the hand that typically plays the melodies... but your right hand is the one that's injured.”
“Aw c'mon! You sayin' you can't teach me piano?”
Kaede rubbed her chin in thought, furrowing her brows.
“I guess I can teach you chords for the left hand. We can do a duet! You play the chords while I play the melody. That could work.”
“Awesome!”
After some time fiddling on the piano, Kaito noticed how engrossed Kaede would get. She wouldn't even notice when she's practically shoving herself into him just to show him what position his left hand needs to be in for each chord. This was his chance for sure. He just needed her to play on the higher register so that her back would be turned enough that he could stea– borrow the milk puzzle from her backpack!
“Why don't you use those keys?” Kaito nodded his head towards the higher register keys.
“You want me to play up the octave?” Kaede laughed.
“Hey, why not?” Kaito grinned, “Who says we can't play our own version of– whatever we're playing!”
“Greensleeves,” Kaede interjected, “and we're already playing our own version just by doing this duet! But sure, let me try... all the way up here. Let's see how this sounds.”
It was very high-pitched, but it still was the same melody. Kaede's back wasn't turned to him as much as he'd hoped, but her face was turned enough away from his direction and, just like before, she got fully engrossed with what she was doing. She got into the music. She was distracted.
Kaito, too, was distracted. Distracted by his thoughts of committing theft. He hoped his half-hearted chords were enough for the part they were playing right now.
He reached out his injured right hand and carefully, but quickly dug into Kaede's backpack. He felt around until he felt his hand brushing on what seemed like puzzle pieces stuck together on a board. He's pretty sure Kaede only has one puzzle in her possession, so he's certain his hand must be on the milk puzzle!
Got it!
He tightened his grip and pulled. For some reason it was stuck on something. Something heavy. And WOW did it hurt to pull at it. The shock of the pain was enough to get Kaito to start screaming.
“AACK!” Kaito yelled out in pain, startling Kaede who physically jumped at the yell. She snapped her head to his direction.
He couldn't let her see him just digging into her backpack like some savage, though!
“AAAH!” Kaito shouted as he threw himself backwards off the bench, dragging Kaede down with him while he continued to pull at the puzzle.
“W-WHOA HEY!” Kaede stammered as she crashed to the floor.
The two were collapsed backwards on the ground. Kaede's back was on top of Kaito's less-than-stellar arm.
“OW!” He screamed, feeling all her weight and whatever the hell is so damned heavy in her backpack, crushing his right hand.
This plan was probably the dumbest thing he has ever thought up! How does he actually get the milk puzzle out now?!
Oh, actually there's one thing he can do...
NOW!
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!”
Kaito, with all his strength, pulled his right arm out of Kaede's backpack and flung the milk puzzle across the room.
CRASH
That was a louder sound than one would expect from throwing a puzzle, but whatever. The deed is done.
“OWWWWWWWWWWWWW SHIIIIIIIIIT” Kaito cried. Holy SHIT did that hurt!
“Kaito, are you okay?!” Kaede pulled herself up off the ground, “Can you get up?”
“SHIT!” Kaito bit his lip. He definitely pulled something.
But at least he pulled it off!
(That phrase should not be about his arm, mind you.)
“And what was that crash?”
Curse your functioning ears!
“Ah! It was probably just shit falling from when we fell!” Kaito clenched his teeth together as he struggled to pull himself up off the ground. He couldn't move his right arm without the most god-awful pain he ever felt, so all the work was done by his left and his legs.
“Kaito! I think you broke your arm!”
“What?” Kaito seethed. It did hurt like crazy, but no way did he just break it!
“It's... definitely not bent properly.” Kaede gaped.
“Oooooh, damn. This ain't good.” Kaito looked at his arm. It didn't look natural, and trying to move it felt like putting his bare arm in a deep fryer.
“What happened? Why'd you fall like that?”
“I'm not sure,” Kaito rubbed the back of his neck with his good hand, “I just... felt a sting.”
“You should go see Kirumi. She'll probably know how to help you.”
“B-but...” Kaito stammered. He realized if his arm was out of commission, his plan to fight Monokuma was already becoming a total bust! He shook his head, “SHIT!”
“Come on, let's get you help.” Kaede said, grabbing Kaito's good hand.
“Kaede...” Kaito started, “Please help us fight Monokuma! You've got the strongest slaps I've ever seen!”
“I already told you that I can't!” Kaede sadly shook her head, “Just help yourself right now.”
She dragged him out of the lab.
It was dislocated.
Without an X-ray to check, it was hard to tell for sure if it was fractured, but it was definitely popped out of place.
Kirumi had helped to pop it back (which was excruciatingly painful) and gave him a makeshift arm sling from a couple of tablecloths.
Kaito was annoyed by that, but with all the time that passed between the incident and getting himself fixed up, he had to hurry up and put his plan into motion.
Their time limit was drawing closer and closer to its end. And extremely annoying music started playing.
It was obvious what that music meant!
But Kaito was quick. By the time the annoying music began, he already had his fighting group gathered and following him: Gonta, Maki, Tenko, Angie, Himiko, and Rantaro. Unfortunately, they weren't too pleased with his arm situation, given that that technically makes them one person short.
But surely he could make up for that with Kaede's help!
If only he knew where she was. He hadn't seen her since the incident.
“Stop staring at us, degenerate male.” Tenko snapped.
“What? I'm not staring!” Kaito defended. He was just kinda spacing off, but he wasn't staring.
He was reminded of something, though.
He never got to do the milk puzzle!
Y'know, the thing he broke his arm for!
Kaito lead the group, chatting amongst themselves, down the stairs and to the game room.
“One second. I've gotta grab something real quick.” Kaito said, “You guys can start the strategy meeting. I swear I'll be back in a second.”
“...That sounds like a death flag.” Himiko drawled.
“What happened to sticking together?” Maki flatly said.
“Your arm is injured too, degenerate. You're way too easy a target like this!” Tenko shook her head.
“It'll only be one second! Damn!” Kaito growled.
“I also need to leave for a bit. I actually have to use the bathroom.” Rantaro sheepishly said.
“.......red flag.”
“Okay okay whatever! I'll be back in a sec, I swear!” Kaito yelled, rushing out of the game room as fast as he can.
Running at his personal top speed, he made his way to Kaede's lab in record time! Rounding the corner to where he knows he threw the milk puzzle...
“Wow how hard was that thing? This shelf is broken!” Kaito exclaimed. He crouched down by the broken shelf and noticed a round dent on the bottom part of the wall. Next to it was...
“A shot put ball?” Kaito reached out and grabbed the ball, inspecting it.
It was kinda heavy.
A familiar weight.
Putting the ball down, Kaito felt around the ground picking up white puzzle pieces that were scattered all around the area.
His (read: Kaede's) precious milk puzzle was destroyed. The pieces themselves had pieces of pieces.
But, hey, it makes for a harder puzzle!
He collected all the pieces he could find, and put them in his pocket. He found the board that held the pieces, but it was busted, so he didn't bother picking that up. He'll just have to connect the pieces together on a table or something.
He then picked up the shot put ball again.
He can probably use it as a makeshift weapon against Monokuma! Though, his aim with his left hand isn't the best.
Oh well, better than nothing!
Kaito ran out, rushing to try and get back to his group as fast as possible.
Once he reached the hall to the stairs, he saw an interesting sight.
Shuichi ran out of a room, bolting to the stairs.
It was a weird sight. He's definitely in a rush.
Then something clicked in Kaito's mind.
Shuichi and Kaede are usually always together, so that must mean Kaede's in that room!
Kaito ran to the room he saw Shuichi come from, while Shuichi started running down the stairs.
“Kaede?!” Kaito shouted, as he entered.
“AH!” Kaede screamed. She looked like a deer caught in headlights as she stared back at him.
She was on the ground, digging frantically in her backpack and kneeling right beside an open vent.
“Whatcha doin'?” Kaito asked, genuinely confused.
“I– Um... I was just... uh,” Kaede stammered, sweating profusely, “w-where did you get that?”
“Get what?”
“Kaito! You have to give me that shot put ball before it's too late!”
“This?” Kaito shook the ball he held in his one good hand, “You don't need a weapon, Kaede! You've got your slaps!”
“Kaito, this is serious!” Kaede shot up, walking closer to Kaito, “We need to stop the mastermind!”
“The mastermind? Well, ya, that's the plan! Like I said—”
Kaede desperately grabbed at the shot put ball, but Kaito kept his grip tight. The two were pushing and pulling at each other while the ball was being swung side-to-side between them.
“W-whoa! Kaede! What's gotten into you?”
“It's the surest way.”
“Hey! Careful, this thing's heavy!”
Unfortunately for Kaito, Kaede had two hands pulling at the shot put ball compared to his one that was gripping it.
Unfortunately for Kaede, Kaito pulled with a lot of force.
This caused both of them to lose balance and fall, both landing on their asses.
While the shot put ball was thrown.
Humorously, it was chucked right into the opened vent!
Is that humorous?
Not sure.
Regardless, that thing was chucked in there. Clanging all the way!
Sort of. It only really clanged twice.
“AHH!!” Both Kaede and Kaito yelped from the ground, sore from their respective falls.
“Shit!” Kaito gasped, struggling to stand back up before realizing his puzzle pieces were falling out of his pocket.
“SHIT!” He clamored to get them sorted back in. Then he stood up, looking around for any stray pieces.
He noticed one by the vent.
As he leaned down to grab it, he felt a curious urge to peer in the vent.
There was one pretty deep dent right at the back. No doubt from the force of the shot put ball being thrown right in. Nothing else too noteworthy just from looking in. He stuck his head in deeper, turning and inspecting far into the vent. It was too small to crawl into, but he also felt he saw all he needed to see.
“Oh my God what have I done?” Kaede muttered, covering her face.
Now, contrary to popular belief, Kaito wasn't a complete dumbass. The struggle that just transpired with that shot put ball was definitely a big red flag. He believed in Kaede, regardless, and he wants to keep believing in her. She must have her reasons.
But there was definitely something that was planned here.
That something bothered Kaito. There's no way she was planning a murder, right? He pulled his head out from the vent, stood up, and walked to Kaede.
“Kaede, what was that all about?” Kaito asked seriously, extending his hand to help Kaede up.
She turned her head away and rejected his hand. Instead, she got up off the ground on her own.
“I... I just want everyone to escape together.” She sadly sighed out, keeping her gaze downward.
“Chin up, Kaede! You've gotta stay confident, alright?” Kaito shouted. He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and sighed, “Just explain it later, okay? Now c'mon let's head to the game room.”
Kaito charged out of the room, with Kaede following closely behind.
“We need to go to the library first.” Kaede said.
Kaito wasn't too sure about the detour, but he decided to listen to her.
...
…
Neither of them were prepared to see Rantaro's corpse in the library.
Nor were they ready for Monokuma to make some obnoxious announcement about a body being discovered.
Shuichi and Tenko were already here, equally shocked that a fellow student was lying lifeless on the floor.
“So you round us all up in the game room just to go run off on your own? Typical degenerate male behavior.” Tenko complained.
“Hey! I WAS on my way back!” Kaito spat.
As the other students flooded into the library, all reacting to the death of Rantaro Amami, Kaito couldn't get his eyes off the bloody shot put ball.
When Kaede wasn't talking to anyone, Kaito took it as an opportunity to address the situation.
“Can we talk in private in a bit?” He whispered to her.
“We'll need to...” She solemnly whispered back.
After that, a whole lot started happening. From Monokuma and his stupid First Blood Perk, to the actual start of the investigation when nobody claimed it.
Kaito couldn't quite put it into words, but he felt like there was something very wrong here. Very very wrong here. Not just in the murder way.
In a logical way.
How did the shot put ball end up here?
When Kaito saw it stuck in the vent?