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Christmastime at Hope’s Peak Academy is always eventful.
As it marks the year coming to a close, it was no surprise that Kaede had the idea to host a celebratory party for your class. After all, the lot of you had successfully passed midterms—though, you wondered exactly how extraordinary that even was. At Hope’s Peak, “midterms” were nothing more than showcasing one’s talent to a panel of judges. Since you were all masters in your respective regions, it would be more surprising to have someone fail than pass.
That aside, said party was currently in full swing around you. Shuichi and Kaede put the most work into coordinating everything, as they were always stuck to each other’s side like the opposite was their air supply. Their relationship was everything you aspired to eventually have. Even now, they stood beside a table laden with intricate winter themed snacks, Kaede teasing Shuichi while he smiled and slowly became rose colored.
You sighed, and took an idle sip from the cup you’d been nursing since your arrival.
The rest of your classmates were present as well, interacting just the same as they’d come to grow comfortable with. Miu and Keebo’s endless one-sided banter, Tenko trailing behind Himiko like a puppy, Kaito being far too passionate in a speech about sun flares to a completely intrigued Gonta. The sight of their spirited joy, complimented by rhythmically flashing Christmas lights and cheesy overplayed holiday music, made you feel warmth that contrasted the bitter cold outside of the academy.
Still, something was missing from this display. Or rather, some one.
Kokichi was nowhere to be seen.
He had a habit of disappearing, so you didn’t pay him much mind regularly, but you’d hoped he’d at least show to something like this. A bit forlorn, you traced your fingertip along the collecting condensation dripping down your drink thoughtlessly. To put it plainly, you were missing him. It felt like he was present less and less lately…
At some point, Rantaro had made his way to your side. You didn’t notice him until he lightly elbowed your arm, smiling his lazy grin when you faced him. He greeted you with your full name, a habit he’d curated over the course of your years together.
“You shouldn’t be thinking so hard right now, you know,” he scolded loosely, leaning against you.
Your gaze drifted to your cup.
He sighed.
“…Would it be overstepping for me to say I can guess what’s got you down?”
Despite his playful tone, you felt yourself prickle a bit. It was embarrassing how easily people read you sometimes, especially Rantaro.
You fidgeted with a piece of your hair in your free hand. “Have you seen him at all tonight?” you asked, immediately regretful of how desperate you sounded.
Rantaro chuckled. “Yeah, actually. He’s right outside. I asked him why he was out there alone, and he told me he was ‘organizing a meeting with the Colonel of New Jersey,’ which I completely believe.”
You felt a flushed itch suddenly bloom about your upper region. Setting your cup on the table behind you, you opened your mouth to thank Rantaro, but not before—
Your nickname rang out across the din, sung in a way that you knew only one person could.
“Ah-!”
Before you could even be surprised properly, a warm hand clasped itself around your wrist, yanking you towards their retreating figure.
Sure enough, it was Kokichi.
He seemed to be repossessing you from the room, leading you out behind him at lighting speed. You accidentally bumped into Angie as you did, who simply giggled and uttered you should be blessed by Atua. You were too focused on Kokichi to even notice. When the two of you finally stopped moving, you were now outside, the party continuing in muffled boom behind the tall glass windows of the cafetorium.
Kokichi finally turned to face you, a silly grin on his face. His hold on you dropped as fastly as it had come.
“I missed you so much! I’m sorryyy I haven’t been around to hold your hand and feed you grapes like a Greek princess. It’s just, y’know, I’m busy with the old…”
He made a flapping gesture with his hands.
You were not listening to a single word he spoke.
Instead, you focused on his face. For some reason, you wanted to cry. It had been nearly a month since he stood before you like this, and he still looked as pretty as he ever did. His soft, mussed hair was highlighted with a gentle glow from the risen moon, and that same light reflected against his bone pale skin in a way that made him look otherworldly. His eyes had been flitting around since he’d begun to speak, but now they were focused on you. He scanned over you methodically, and you wondered what he was thinking.
“Heyyy, are you even listening? You really are mean. It’s been so long, and you’re ignoring little ol’ me,” Kokichi lamented, sniffling.
You liked his voice a lot too, even if he chose to use it to be obnoxious.
Your hands moved of their own accord, both rising to rest on his shoulders. He flinched away from the contact, something that never changed. You squeezed him lightly.
“Kokichi…”
His expression dropped the dramatics now, and he regarded you with a relatively blank countenance.
“If you wanna say something, you should. I’m a busy leader, and keeping your mouth open like that makes you look-“
“Kokichi!”
The two of you stood in silence now, looking at each other without even a breath in the air. Kokichi tilted his head to the side.
“Um, have you been avoiding me? I’m sorry if I did something wrong. I missed you a lot. You know, I love Rantaro and everything, but there’s only so much of him I can take without my favorite person around. Which is you. Who I also love. A lot,” you spouted suddenly, loosing your hands from him and instead fumbling with the hem of your sleeves.
Kokichi seemed surprised for a second. Then, a smile found itself on his lips.
“Was that supposed to be a confession? I always knew you liked me. You’re so bad at hiding things! It’s adorable in, like, a really pathetic way.”
You felt your face grow hot.
“No, idiot! I just… value you, so…” You frowned, then turned on your heel. “Forget it. I’ll see you whenever, Kokichi.” Why did you like him again? Good grief.
From behind, you felt his arms creep around you. He held you surely, resting his face in the crook of your neck. No matter how closed off and cold he acted, his body was so, so warm.
“I really did miss you. That’s the truth,” he said gingerly.
Right, that’s why.
Although you wanted to be indignant and annoyed, you were weak to his touch.
“Hey, turn around.”
You obeyed silently, his grip loosening only momentarily while you did. Now, you were breathing in the sweet scent of his hair, and you could feel his mouth tugging in a smile against your skin.
“You would be an amazing subordinate… maybe I’ll let you join my organization, but only if you drop to your knees and tell me how much you love me again!” he was giggling now, and you rolled your eyes. He really knew how to break a moment.
“I’ll tell you that whenever you want, Kokichi. You’re my friend,” you returned, albeit uncertainly.
His head rose from your neck, making the two of you directly face-to-face. His violet eyes bore into yours, sparkling with mischief as always. He leaned in close to you, so close that the tips of your noses touched. Then, he angled his head, his cheek to yours and lips ghosting your ear.
He whispered your name, followed by words you never thought would leave him in sincere,
“I love you, too.”
Then, he snapped away from you entirely, his arms raised casually behind his head. He wore a strange expression, one with a wry grin. “Goodniiiiight. I’ll see you later,” he cooed serenely, already walking away.
You wanted to tell him to stay, but it’s not like he would have either way.