Archive of Our Own

Shuichi walked down Hope Peak’s Academy hall. It was a beautiful of school, full of unique people and places alike. Shuichi felt lucky to get to attend such a school, lucky to have a talent he loved so much: The Ultimate Detective. It was his one goal, his one passion. It was all he needed.

Not everyone at the school was like that, though. Sure, people had their talents, but it was unfortunate when people assumed that meant they had no other talents… Tenko was an excellent singer, but hardly a person would listen since she was known as the Ultimate Aikido Master, and Maki really was amazing with kids, but that Ultimate Assasin title meant hardly a parent would let her within a hundred foot radius.

And it was not like you knew everyone’s other talents. It was instinct really, to only focus on someone’s ultimate talent, but of course- people could surprise you. Around any corner, behind any door, a hidden talent could be waiting there, ready for someone to find.

Shuichi was fine with what he had now though, he did not need any sort of extra talent to focus on. He had a wonderful Ultimate talent, wonderful friends, and an absolutely wonderful boyfriend.

Speaking of which, he was heading to said boyfriend’s lab right at that moment.

They spent quite a lot of time in Shuichi’s lab, being cozy and comfortable, but if he wanted to find Kokichi, he knew his lab was where he had to look. It was possibly the most opulent lab of the few revealed with the Ultimate Lab Development Plan and it had everything he needed- though really Shuichi had no clue what that entailed. They were dating, sure, but even he did not know what Kokichi’s talent truly involved.

They were fleeting thoughts of course, keeping him entertained as he brought himself over to the hidden lab of his boyfriend. Entering those opulent doors revealed quite the surprise however, something he really had not expected to see.

Kokichi was sitting on the floor, that itself certainly was not unusual, but the boy was surrounded by cloths, fabric, spools, needles, machines and three mannequins. Two were undressed, sitting off more so in a corner, but the one next to him had a deep blue dress of a stunning design, intricate and woven with grace. Shuichi stared dumbfounded at it, like a foreign object he did not recognize.

Kokichi was clearly quite focused on whatever he was doing with the spool and needle in his hand, threading something along the bottom of the dress. Noticing Shuichi’s presence however, seemed to send him into defense mode, dropping everything to stand and throw himself in front of the mannequin, arms extended wide to hide it.

“D-Don’t look!”

“Wh-what’s going on?”

Kokichi’s face was flushed red, eyes squeezed shut as he yelled, “Wh-why didn’t you knock?! This is an invasion of my privacy!”

Shuichi just kept staring, walking closer and trying to look around Kokichi. Kokichi would not let him, however, moving whenever he moved his head and earning a sigh from the taller.

“Come on ‘Kichi, I already saw it when I entered. You may as well let me look at it and tell me why its here…”

Kokichi whined,

absolutely adorably

as his face reddened further, but he conceded, clutching his hands at his chest as he stepped aside.

Shuichi ran a hand over the silky fabric. It was smooth, cool against his hand. The dress was gorgeous, but Shuichi could not pinpoint what it was doing there. He looked around the room, and immediately his mind connected the dots.

“Did… did you make this?”

Kokichi bit his lip, “N-no… some spy from another organization stuck it in here to incriminate me!”

“Right…” Shuichi drawled, “Because this place is very easy to find.”

“That’s why they had to be a spy!’ Kokichi cried out, “Keep with the program, Shui!”

Shuichi rolled his eyes, a bit put off by his boyfriend’s nervous energy. It was clear he was still fighting such an obvious truth, which did not sit right in Shuichi’s stomach.

He looked over, smiling, “You’re into making clothes?”

“Maybe…”

“That’s-“

“I know!” Kokichi cried out, throwing his hands over his face, “Its embarrassing! You weren’t supposed to see it! No one was supposed to see it!”

Shuichi was absolutely blown away, to think- his boyfriend of three months had managed to keep such a big passion hidden from him. All because what, he was embarrassed?

“Its adorable.”

Kokichi looked up, “Wh-what?”

“And this…” He thumbed over one of the dress’ patterns, “Its so pretty… you’re- really good at this.”

Kokichi scoffed, “You’re just saying that to make me feel better!”

Shuichi turned his attention fully to his boyfriend, wrapping his arms loosely around his waist, “Lie? Why would I lie?”

“I didn’t say you lied…” Kokichi huffed. Despite his angry demeanor, he leaned himself into Shuichi’s chest, “You’re just biased… boyfriends gotta love everything you do, you know?”

Shuichi tsks, playing with the locks of his hair, “I’m not biased… it really is pretty.”

“I don’t like liars, Shui.”

“Then why don’t you show it to someone else? See what they think of it?”

“Are you serious?!” Kokichi spat, throwing up his head to look Shuichi in the eyes, “What if they think its terrible? I’ll be the laughing stock of the school!” He looked down, almost ashamed, “That’s why I didn’t tell you…”

Shuichi hummed, twirling a strand of his hair between two fingers, “I could show it to my friends, if you like. I’m sure they’ll say its great.”

“Doesn’t fix my issue,” Kokichi grumbled, looking over at his design with a scowl, “If they hate it they’re still gonna make fun of me…”

“What if I say I made it?” Shuichi suggested, “That way, if they hate it, which they won’t, it’ll be someone their close to, someone they wouldn’t make fun of.”

Kokichi thought on it for a long, few seconds in silence, “that could work…”

Shuichi nodded, “Let me show my friends, I’m sure they’ll love this as much as I do .”

“You’re sure?” Kokichi’s voice sounded so uncertain, so shy, so- unlike him.

“Of course Kichi~Ko.” Shuichi reassured him, smiling as he looked back over at his the new talent of his boyfriend’s he had discovered, “You have to admit your curious to see what people think of it.”

Kokichi bit the inside of his cheek, looking over to his dress, “I-I guess.” He looked back over at Shuichi with watery eyes, “And- and you won’t make fun of me?”

“Wouldn’t I have done that by now if I was going to?” Shuichi pointed out, heart spiking when Kokichi giggled honestly, a small smile flicking up.

“Okay… Okay lets do it.”

He really never did stop learning things about his boyfriend.

Shuichi walked back down the hall, but this time, a clothing bag was draped over his arm, hanging down to his feet with the beautiful blue dress within. His eyes dotted around, trying to locate his friends. He knew around that time, they started walking over to get him so they could all go have lunch together. So really, he was not surprised to hear Kaede’s loud voice chatting alongside Kaito’s equally abrasive tone and Maki’s quiet quips.

Minutes later, he saw them, turning a corner to see Shuichi. Kaede spotting him first, eyes sparkling as she ran up.

“Hey Shu!” She called out, “Perfect timing, we were just about to get you for lunch!”

“TeruTeru helped out in the kitchen today!” Kaito exclaimed, “So that means we getting some top tier food today.”

“That sounds nice,” Shuichi usually brought his own lunch, but hardly anyone could resist the delicacies made by the Ultimate Chef.

“What’s in your arms?” Maki inquired, cold- calculating eyes locked on the clothing bag.

“W-well I was actually going to ask about that.” Shuichi’s eyes glanced behind him, where he knew Kokichi was hidden behind the wall’s turn, listening to their conversation, “See I- uh- I actually got in to clothes making recently…”

“Really?” Kaito asked skeptically, “You make clothes?”

No. He had no interest nor ever showed any interest in it. At least Kokichi has expressed an interest in design and fashion, so it was not the weirdest thing that he made clothes, but Shuichi? Shuichi did not . That’s why it was such a hard lie to pull off…

Nonetheless, he stuck to it, “W-well its sort of a hobby I’ve been dabbling in. I just finished my first actual piece.”

Luckily, Kaede seemed nothing but passionate and supportive, contrary to the suspicious glare Maki was giving him, “That’s so awesome Shuichi! I never would’ve expected that from you. Not that that’s a bad thing, just surprising!”

Shuichi looked over his shoulder, trying to send Kokichi a look that said, See? Of course, if he could see Kokichi, he knew he would just be sticking out his tongue at him. Shuichi looked back at his friends, smile shifting into something far more nervous, “Th-thanks… I was actually wondering Kaede. Um- would you try it on?”

“Try it on?” Kaede looked down at the bag, Shuichi flipping it over so she could see the dress. Her eyes blew wide, “Oh my god you made that?”

“Y-yeah…” Shuichi gritted his teeth. He hated lying…

“You gotta try it Kaede!” Kaito told her enthusiastically, pumping a fist into the air, “You gotta support my sidekick!”

“Of course I’ll try it on!” Kaede exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly, “Are you sure it’ll fit me?”

“Y-yeah, it should.” According to Kokichi, it had the best chance of fitting Kaede. That was good- he felt it would’ve been rather difficult to shove Maki into such a frilly dress…

“Come on! Lets go to my room!” Kaede grabbed Shuichi’s hand, starting to drag him down the hall. He looked back, seeing Kokichi waiting for them to turn a corner before starting to follow. In the brief moment he saw his face, he looked, nervous, extremely so. Shuichi worried for him, of course, but he was confident Kaede would love the dress, just as he had.

When they arrived outside of Kaede’s door, she cautiously took the dress from Shuichi’s hand, entering and leaving all her friends outside to wait. Maki and Kaito fired question after question to Shuichi about his secret hobby. Shuichi either made up nonsense on the spot (“I-I’ve always had an eye for fashion apparently, I just never focused on it…”) or just said whatever Kokichi had told him when he was gushing on an on about it (“I get my supplies from different ultimate’s and set them all up in my lab. I always felt like no one would find it there.”) Eventually, they heard Kaede squeal. Though their immediate reaction was to run in and see what was wrong, they were too slow. Kaede threw open the door a second later, the dress billowing below her and the happiest smile on her face.

“Its so pretty! Its so so so pretty!”

Shuichi was right, it was absolutely gorgeous. The midnight blue sparkled with her eyes, sequins dancing along in patterns. The skirt hardly fit in the door way, pillow out from the corest-eqsue top. The gentle waves of it were a perfect representation of her hair. It really did look like it was made for her. He was starting to wonder if it was.

“That- that looks professional.” Maki noted, a tone of surprise she hardly held as she stared wide-eyed at the dress.”

“I always knew Shuichi was multi-talented but damn! Can’t believe you hid something like this from us! You’re like a fashion prodigy!”

Shuichi glanced back, seeing Kokichi’s head poking out from the turn. His eyes were sparkling as they gushed over the dress, warming Shuichi’s heart and bringing a faint red hue to his face.

“Th-thanks,” Shuichi stuttered, “I’m really glad you like it…”

“Shuichi you have to let me wear this to my recital next week!” Kaede exclaimed.

“Oh…” Shuichi caught Kokichi’s gaze, trying to get an answer. He received a subtle nod from his boyfriend, and turned back to Kaede with that same nod, “Of course you can… I’d really like that actually.”

Kaede cheered, squeezing Shuichi into a tight hug. He laughed softly, eyes casting to the floor. Once she let him go, she turned to meet all of their eyes, “I’m gonna go get changed back, then we can all head over to lunch! Mind if I keep the dress in my room Shu?”

“That should be fine,” Shuichi deduced. He hardly doubted his boyfriend would care. “I um- actually have to grab something before lunch… I’ll meet you in the cafeteria.”

“Alright then,” Kaito said, “Me and Maki will wait out here for you Kaede!”

“Thanks guys, see you in a bit Shuichi!” Her smiled warmed, “Thank you so much for this, I love it so much!”

Shuichi smiled, waving to them before turning and walking down the hall. Kokichi had shoved himself completely behind the wall, most likely to avoid being to caught, but when Shuichi turned the corner he saw nothing but happiness written over his expression. He took his hand instinctively, walking down the hall with him.

“See? I told you they would love it?”

“They really did…” Kokichi gaze cast away dreamily before he snapped his eyes back over, “Of course they would! I’m in charge of this whole world! If they dared insult my designs they would be guillotined in a moment!”

Shuichi pouted, “I hope you’re not trying to say you don’t believe them…”

Kokichi grinned, “Nishishi! Of course not! It’s a lie, silly. And now Clair De Lunatic is gonna wear it to her concert!”

“Ah- shouldn’t I tell her the truth?” Shuichi mentioned, “In case anyone asks about it?”

Kokichi shrugged, “Nah, its not a big deal. There’s no point painting you as a liar over something so small. Just tell them you fell out of doing it.”

“Alright then,” Shuichi agreed, “I’m going to join them for lunch, alright?”

“Abandoning your sweet boyfriend to eat lunch with peasants?” Kokichi cried out, “How rude!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Shuichi sighed, kissing him on the cheek before releasing his hand, “I’ll come see you after.”

He turned the opposite way of his boyfriend, who did nothing more than wrap his hands behind his back and continuing walking. Shuichi still had questions of course, what was he going to do going forward? Was he ever going to tell anyone else about his hobby?

But those could all wait, it was not like there was a rush to answer them or anything, right?

Kaede’s recital had been beautiful. Of course, the dress was a factor, but the concert hall and her exquisite playing had turned that performance into an out of world experience. That was how it always was, listening to the Ultimate Pianist, and Kokichi and Shuichi had been thrilled to experience it.

Shuichi honestly thought it was over too soon, but the after party was nothing short of opulent. He certainly enjoyed watching performances silently than mingling with stranger, but with Kokichi by his side it was not that bad.

So the two sat chatting by a desert table, Kokichi drinking a beverage he was certain he stole from the bar or convinced some adult to buy for him. Shuichi just smiling nervously and drinking a similar looking non alcoholic beverage in his hand, hoping to make Kokichi’s drink look less- well- like alcohol.

Not that anyone their would mind. Most of them were adults infatuated with music, but the Ultimates usually came as well to support each other, especially the same class. Indeed everyone of Shuichi’s class had attended the recital except for Maki and Kaito, who had prior arrangements. Kaito had some exam, and no one wanted to question what Maki was doing, so no one asked.

After chatting with his boyfriend for quite a few minutes. He saw Kaede walking over to him, with a few of the other ultimates around her. She approached them, waving enthusiastically as she led them over. Before even greeting the two boys, she gestured at Shuichi, and turned back to her friends.

“Ta daaa! Here’s my dress’ designer!”

Shuichi’s heart stopped, looking over to Kokichi worriedly, but he just smiled plaintively, an unreadable expression he was always a master at creating. Shuichi turned back, deciding to just play along.

“Y-yeah that’s right…”

“No way…” A girl he knew to be Mahiru spoke up, “I thought you were the Ultimate Detective?”

“I- I am,” Shuichi admitted nervously, fiddling with his fingers, “Its just um- a side hobby.”

“Some side hobby!” A girl of straight blue hair spoke up, “I would’ve totally believed a professional made that dress! You’re really talented.”

Shuichi opened his mouth to answer but squeaked as he felt two arms wrap around his own. He looked down and saw Angie, his classmate, smiling up at him with that wide smile she always had.

“What beautiful work! Worthy of Atua’s love! Yes yes! The amazing artist Atua thinks it is a masterpiece!”

Even though the credit did not belong to him, Shuichi found his heart melting at such a complement, cheeks warming up intenstly, “Th-thanks Angie…”

“And Atua wishes to use your service! Yes! Service to Atua!”

“S-service?” Shuichi squeaked.

Angie nodded enthusiastically, “Atua used Angie to make some beautiful art pieces! And now I have an exhibit of them in the city’s museum! The curator said I couldn’t wear my outfit, said I need something formal! But all the stores only sell stuffy dresses Atua does not approve of! Atua wishes for me to wear something that matches the style of Atua’s art!”

“O-oh… and you- ah- want me to make it?”

“Yes yes!” Angie agreed, “I had faith in Shuichi after seeing Kaede’s dress! He can fufill Atua’s desires.”

Shuichi’s eyes jumped over to Kokichi. He had been staring at the interaction, all with that unreadable smile, and when Shuichi saw him once more he could swear it was quivering. Still, he nodded at Shuichi, a certain excitement in his eyes that made Shuichi swoon. When Shuichi did not speak up, Kokichi decided to.

“Shuichi would love to!”

Shuichi opened his mouth to answer but Angie beat him to it, “Wonderful! Atua is so grateful! Shuichi can have anything as payment!”

“M-maybe just stop asking for my blood?” Shuichi offered, earning a nod from Angie.

“Very well! Atua will except this dress rather than your blood! Her exhibition is in two weeks! Is that enough time?”

“Plenty,” Kokichi answered, “Shuichi works very fast! I watched him make Kaede’s dress!” It always surprised Shuichi how easily he could lie, and when he knew he was lying, it baffled him how easily everyone bought into it. Was it not suspicious to them Kokichi was doing the speaking for Shuichi? Oh, he did that quite often didn’t he, when Shuichi felt too nervous to answer someone…

“Shuichi is going to have to take your measurements though,” Kokichi tapped his finger to his cheek, “You guys could use my talent lab if you like! Its much bigger than Shu~Shu’s!”

“Well you’re being awfully kind for once,” Kaede teased, “Anything for Shuichi, hmmm~”

As she always could, Kaede managed to cover Kokichi’s face in a deep blush, “Shut up piano freak! You’re just jealous I’m dating your bestie!”

Kaede laughed, “If you recall I’m also dating your ‘bestie.’”

“Ugh!” Kokichi huffed, grabbing Shuichi’s hand and pulling at Shuichi, “Come on Shushi! Lets go talk through ideas for Angie~Chan’s dress! I’ll help you like a good boyfriend!”

Angie waved at them enthusiastically, “Call me when you need me for the measurements!”

Shuichi waved back at everyone nervously, watching them laugh softly. He could see how happy Kaede looked, staring down at her dress, saw the excitement in Angie’s eyes to receive one of her own. And felt pure joy in heart, knowing all that happiness was for him, because of what he pushed forward.

Perhaps he could see that purpose in white lies Kokichi was always talking about.

Shuichi slipped into Kokichi’s lab, spotting fabrics of different hues than the ones from Kaede’s dress. Kokichi was over the mannequin, putting finishing touches on the off shoulder long sleeves of the pale yellow dress. It was absolutely adorable, suited perfectly to Angie’s taste. The short skirt was shorter than the sleeves of the dress itself, bows tying off separate slits in it. Shuichi really had no clue where Kokichi had found such a talent from, but it was clear he was gifted.

“There you are!” Kokichi chirped, not looking up from his intricate work, “Its almost ready for you to take it to Angie~Chan, just gotta finish this liiittle bit!”

“Its really cute, Kichi~Ko,” Shuichi breathed out, stepping over a sowing machine to run his hand over the halter top, “You’re amazing at this…”

“Awe how sweet!” Kokichi swooned teasingly, “Luckily I had my super sexy assistant to get the measurements for me! Saved me a lotta time!”

Shuichi tried to not let the blush reach his cheeks, “It would’ve been suspicious if you did it…” The sentence reminded him of what he had came to discuss before picking up the dress, turning his attention back to Kokichi, “Look, um- I wanted to ask you…”

Kokichi waited after his sentence rolled off, glancing up curiously with an eyebrow raised, “Yeah?”

“Are you really okay with this?” Shuichi checked, “With- um- Angie and Kaede thinking I made their dresses.”

Kokichi hummed, looking back at the dress, “Yeah. I already told you, you’ll look bad if they figure out your lying. Its just two dresses… that’s not so bad. Not worth making your friends angry at you.”

Shuichi shuddered at the mere thought of getting caught in the lie. He was ecstatic Kokichi had said that. Of course he would reveal the truth if the lie was making him uncomfortable (not that he would know why it would, he was still making the dresses so everything should be fine- right?) but he really did not want to upset his friends. They knew him as incredibly honest person, and if he broke that trust…

It was only for one more dress. He could say he fell out of it after that.

“Done!” Kokichi chirped, snapping up and looking at his work proudly, “In record time too! Having an assistant really does help!”

“I love it,” Shuichi gushed, moving over to wrap arms behind Kokichi, “I’m sure Angie will too.”

Kokichi smiled softly, leaning into his boyfriend’s hold, “Then you should go take it to her silly. Her exhibition is in three days. She needs to try it on.”

“Alright,” Shuichi hummed, kissing him on the head, before he started taking the dress of the mannequin, “I’ll tell you what she thinks of it.”

“Alrighty!” Kokichi waved at his boyfriend as he exited the room, that chipper smile still stuck to his face.

And the moment the door closed, that smile fell.

The art exhibit was amazing. Of course it was, Shuichi knew no artist more talented than Angie. He certainly felt more lonely than he had at Kaede’s concert, being that Kokichi was not attending with him, and the amount of people around him certainly felt more terrifying, but he distracted himself by studying all the different pieces, some he noted seeing Angie prepare or assisting with. It felt amazing ot know so many talented people, perhaps it made his talent feel a little more useless, nothing to be shown off at a convert or exhibit, but he could not imagining showcasing something he created to multiple people, so he knew it really was for the best. Having a subtle talent that took place in the background, it was exactly what he wanted to do.

He had not actually seen Angie that night. He supposed she was waiting to come out until the party actually started, rather than just the opening of the exhibit which really only was in a few minutes. Sure enough when the intricate clock she designed struck 7, Angie emerged, wearing the beautiful dress Kokichi designed and her hair up in a ponytail. She looked as beautiful as the art around her, catching the eyes of everyone.

“Thank you so much for coming!” Angie exclaimed once she had everyone’s attention, “Atua is so please to have so many followers dedicated to his art, and Angie is honored to be his vessel!”

Shuichi tried not to laugh at the concerned looks of the critics there. He had not realized most of the critics there probably have not actually met the artist behind such talented pieces, meaning they would not know of her- eccentric personality.

“I will answer any questions you have about these pieces for Atua!” Angie offered, “Lets enjoy this wonderful night!” Her eyes lit up, as if she remembered something, “And yes, I am wearing an art piece too! Made by a wonderful friend of mine, Shuichi Saihara!”

Shuichi’s face flushed red in embarrassment and guilt. Oh- he had not expected her to ANNOUNCE THAT TO EVERYONE!

Angie pointed over, multiple eyes turning to him as she waived, “Thank you Shuichi!”

Polite applause emerged, something that had Shuichi struggling to keep his eyes off the floor. His chest knotted in panic, desperately wishing any of his friends were there with him as a form of comfort. He looked around the crowd as they all resumed chatting with Angie, eating, or observing the different pieces, trying to find someone he knew that would not have a bunch of attention on him. Luckily, he spot a familiar face in the crowd: The Ultimate Princess, Sonia Nevermind.

Shuichi was not sure what brought Sonia and him so close together. Something about their personalities just clicked. Seeing her already made the knot in his chest loosen, so he approached her where she was staring at a statue with sparkling eyes, and once she caught his gaze, the sparkle only grew.

“Shuichi!” Sonia chirped, clapping her hands excitedly, “How wonderful! I was going to go find you myself, but I saw this beautiful piece and just had to examine it!’

Shuichi stared at the- lump that was supposedly considered a statue. He understood some art, but the abstract stuff really flew past his mind, “Its- uh- something?”

“Isn’t it just?” Sonia cooed, “I must employ her to design my castle’s pillars. Our stone mason seems to be on his last legs!” She said it so brightly, it was a bit offputting to Shuichi, but he did not mhave much time to process it, “Speaking of, I never knew you were into fashion Shuichi! You designed just the most beautiful dress for Angie!”

“Thank you,” Shuichi had gotten a bit more used to it, taking credit for something he hardly had a place in, “I’m really glad she likes it.”

“She should love it! It suits her so well!” Sonia leaned forward, hand folded in front of her, “Why did you make it for her? Did she ask? Is it something you’ll do for anyone?”

Shuichi’s eyes fell gripping his arm nervously, “W-well I wouldn’t say anyone. I- ah- did one for Kaede as well.”

“Oh so you do take requests!” Sonia exclaimed, jumping up on her heels, “Oh Shuichi please! Please! Would you let me make one?”

“A request?” Shuichi checked, biting the inside of his cheek quite harshly.

“hear me out!” Sonia assured him, “I will be returning to Novoselic for a celebration. A ball is being held you see? I’ve toured thousands of clients but how boring it is to have a dress just like everyone else!”

“A ball?! For royalty?!” Shuichi shrieked, “I-it’s a hobby!”

“Oh no, no, you’re mistaken,” Sonia assured him, “Yes, a ball, but a quaint one, its my friend’s birthday. She is not royalty, a girl I met in the village. We are hosting her party in our ballroom yes, but she is a humble baker’s daughter. While the dresses are to be fancy they are not to the status of a royal’s ball’s gown.” Her smile grew a little more strained, “That is my issue, you see? I have many extravagant dresses I love but I just cannot out do my dear friend on her special day. I wish for my dress to be beautiful, but I do not wish for something so fancy.”

“Ah, I see,” Shuichi said through a smile, “That’s- really sweet of you, Sonia.”

“Of course! Anything for my friends!” She announced, pumping fists into the air before grabbing Shuichi’s hands, “So please Shuichi! I will pay you handsomely!”

Shuichi looked around, he did not have Kokichi there to ask… “I- I’d have to think on it…”

Sonia’s smile fell for a brief moment, but she pulled up an obviously fake one, trying not to let disappointment meet her eyes but ultimately failing, “Oh Shuichi, its alright if you would not like to-“

“No!” Guilt swarmed him when he saw her disappointed expression, and he swore his mouth moved on its own, “No I’ll do it.”

Her eyes lit up, squeezing Shuichi into a tight hug, “Oh thank you Shuichi! Having a dress from a friend would be better than any tailor! I will send you the measurements from my personal tailor! How much would you like?”

“I don’t-“

“Oh I’ll send you some thousands, you deserve it! I’ll have to talk to my treasurer!”

“No you-“

“I’ll go make the call now! You don’t know how excited I am!”

She kissed Shuichi on the cheek, running out of the room so fast Shuichi could hardly process it. He stared forward, a hand uselessly outstretched towards her.

He clutched it to his chest as he realized, I have to tell Kokichi what I said…

Never had he been more nervous walking into the Ultimate Supreme Leader’s lab, knowing he was going to tell Kokichi what he had said to Sonia. He was terrified, terrified what his boyfriend would think of his actions.

He slid into the room almost silently, seeing Kokichi propped up in his throne, scribbling on the whiteboard pulled down from the ceiling. He recognized what he was doing: planning. He had plans for every student at that school. What that meant, he had no clue. He was secretive about what he did with his talent, but Shuichi knew he worked tirelessly with it. It amazed him how he managed to find the time to design clothes with his talent, just another thing he fell in love with.

He clearly heard Shuichi enter, his smile brightening, “Oh good! I was waiting for someone to torture! I’ve been so bored I need to see some blood already!”

He looked over, taking in how nervous Shuichi look, and his smile immediately fell. He dropped his marker, standing and running over to Shuichi’s side. Shuichi smiled shakily as Kokichi grabbed his hands.

“What’s up with you? You look really nervous.”

Shuichi bit his tongue, turning his head away. Kokichi did not let him, grabbing his cheek and turning it back, showing him his soft smile.

“Whatever it is, its going to be okay…”

Shuichi took a breath, wriggling his hands out of Kokichi’s to cover his face, “I’m really sorry! I did something really bad and I know you’re going to be angry and I don’t know how to make it up to-“

“Hey, hey,” His voice was soft, losing all his previous chipperness as he grabbed Shuichi’s waist and lowered them both to the floor, “Take a breath, Shuichi.”

Shuichi took deep breaths, calming himself down and finally taking his hands off his face. Kokichi head was tilted curiously, that soft smile still stuck to his face, “Tell me what you did.”

“I- I told Sonia I would make her a dress…” Shuichi admitted with barely a whisper, “She asked and she looked so disappointed when I said I had to think about it and I didn’t know what else to do so I just-“

“Deep breath.” Kokichi interrupted, as Shuichi cooperated, hanging his head low.

“I’m sorry…”

“I’ll do it.”

Shuichi’s head snapped up, “R-really?”

“Of course silly,” He subtly slipped his hands back into Shuichi’s, squeezing them tightly, “I’m not gonna leave you all worked up like this. Besides its really fun. Send me her measurements and any requests she has and I’ll start making it.”

Shuichi lunged into his hold, squeezing him tightly, “Thank you thank you thank you!”

“Nishishi! You’re so lovesick!”

“I’ll go ask her to send them to me, you’re amazing ‘Kichi!” He kissed him chastely on the lips, earning a giggle from the shorter.

“I know!”

Shuichi stood, leaving the room with a heart full of relief.

Once more, the door closed, and with it Kokichi’s smile fell. He looked down gripping his fist tightly.

Why… why do I feel like this..? Why does it- hurt so bad?

Sonia twirled in front of her mirror, smile as bright of sun. The pale pink dress glimmered in her room’s light, its single sleeve fluttering from the kicked up air.

“I love it! I love it so much!” She gushed.

Shuichi smiled from his place right behind her, watching her take in every feature as he did as well. He never was able to get used to how talented his boyfriend was.

“Oh Shuichi, you’re such a talented tailor!”

“Oh I-I’m not that good…” Now that certainly was not a lie.

“No! This is amazing!” Sonia assured him, “I hope the pay was acceptable!”

It freaked Kokichi out… Shuichi sighed. His boyfriend had not even accepted it, refusing to take the payment for the work. That was fine, Shuichi just spent it on gifts for him and meals when they went out instead. It was a smart plan, really.

“Of course it was,” Shuichi told her, “I’m glad you like it.”

“You know it is missing something…” Sonia pondered aloud, seemingly coming to a realize as her head snapped over to Shuichi, “Oh yes! Your initials!”

Shuichi was taken aback, “M-my initials?”

“How are people to know who this dress was created by when they see it?” Sonia pointed out, “It must have a symbol that matches it to you! Sow your initials into the sleeve, would you? I’ll pay you handsomely.”

Shuichi cringed, guilt overtaking him once more. That was wrong, so wrong, putting his initials in a work he had no part in creating, but seeing the excitement behind Sonia’s eyes, it was all he could do to nod, “Of course I will. I-if that’s what you want…”

“It is indeed!” Sonia smiled, “Tell me Shuichi, do you enjoy fulfilling these requests?”

Well, that was an interesting question. He knew Kokichi absolutely loved making clothes, and Shuichi absolutely loved seeing people’s bright smiles when he presented them with the outfits, so he supposed, “Y-yeah, I do a lot.”

“And do you do kimonos?”

Shuichi’s smile dropped. Oh god, he knew where this was going, “Yeah, I’ve done one…” He had seen a mannequin with a kimono in Kokichi’s room before, during the design of Sonia’s dress.”

“Perfect!” Sonia cheered, “Hiyoko has a dance coming up and the class wanted to surprise her with a new kimono! One she could tie herself since she- ah- struggles too…”

Shuichi cringed, “And I’m guessing- you want me to make it?”

“Would you?”

Shuichi remembered the bright smile Kokichi had when he saw Kaede’s reaction to the dress, remembered how happy he looked. And nodded.

“Y-yeah… yeah I can do that.”

Just one more, he told himself, just one more.

But it did not stop there.

”Oh Shuichi! That kimono is rockin’! You gotta make a dress for my concert!

”S-sure…”

”You’re so talented! Do you do requests? I really wanted to impress the people at my interview!”

”Its… nice… do you make- cute and comfy..?

”Do me next! Me next!”

”Oh Shuichi!”

”Shuichi!”

Shuichi. Shuichi. Shuichi.

27 dresses. In the three months that passed Shuichi was responsible for “making” 27 dresses. 27 times had he been asked, sneaked off to tell Kokichi, and delivered the dress as if it was his own creation, with his initials embedded into the design. He never realized what he had signed himself up for, trying t reassure his boyfriend about his secret hobby, but he had turned them both into a small shop almost, where Kokichi would make, and Shuichi would give.

But Shuichi got all the credit.

But Kokichi was fine with that, right? He never showed any apprehension, never showed any despair. He made dress after dress with the same enthusiasm, even admitting he was glad his hobby was getting some use out of it.

So he was happy, and Shuichi was happy, receiving such praise, a blanket of gratitude, a spiral that never stopped spiraling, until he was so embedded in the lie, he hardly thought of it as a lie anymore.

And so he walked towards his boyfriend’s lab to collect a dress Tsumugi had asked for. Kokichi told him it should be done that day, and Shuichi was ecstatic to give off another design. It was- fun, really. Something he never expected to do, but was now known in Hope’s Peak for.

He kept doing his detective work, of course. It was just- a hobby.

His hobby.

He opened the doors to the Ultimate Supreme Leader lab, the words he wanted to say already on his lips. Just like all the other times fabrics were scattered across the floor, strewn about in cluttered messes and Kokichi sat in the middle, needle held by the dress.

Usually he was working, but there he was crying.

He was on his knees, holding a string still connected to the dress in his lap and he sobbed, Shuichi ran over in a hurry, spotting the dress almost complete except working on Shuichi’s initials on the hem.

He fell to the floor, carefully taking the needle out of Kokichi’s hands and holding him tenderly against his chest.

“What’s going on? ‘Kichi talk to me.”

Kokichi just shook his head, trying to pull away from his grasp and furiously wiping at his eyes, crying through clenched teeth.

Shuichi recognized it well, he was trying to save face.

“Ko’ I already know your upset,” Shuichi scolded lightly, running a hand through messy locks of violet, “Its too late to hide it just tell me what’s the matter?”

“N-nothing…” His voice sounded raspy and sore as if he had been crying for a long, long while, “I-I-I’m o-okay…”

Shuichi looked over at the dress. When his boyfriend was being stubborn it was easier to deduce what upset him himself. Looking at what he had been doing, between the needle and the dress, he reached a rather dreadful conclusion.

“The initials?” Shuichi deduced, “Is something wrong with the initials?”

Kokichi’s eyes went wide, despite shaking his head rapidly Shuichi knew he was right. He took his cheek in his hand, lifting his face to meet his eyes.

“Kokichi. Tell the truth.”

Kokichi sobbed, wiping away tears with fingers as he caved, “I-I'm sorry…”

“Sorry?” Shuichi questioned, “Sorry for what?”

“FOR HATING IT!” Kokichi sobbed, collapsing back in Shuichi’s chest.

Shuichi sighed, a sigh laced with concern and pity as he resumed stroking his hair, “What do you hate, love?”

Shuichi could feel him pouting into his shirt, he lifted an arm sulking, Shuichi following the direction so see him pointing at his half sewn initials.

Oh.

Oh.

Guilt swarmed his soul, staring wide at his boyfriend as he rambled.

“I hate the initials a-and m-making them j-just f-for someone e-else to get the c-credit a-and everyone a-asking you to make them a-and thanking you for m-making them! And I know I sh-shouldn’t ‘cause it-its to m-make sure y-you don’t look bad b-but I do! I-I d-don’t want to!”

“Kichi~Ko…” Shuichi held him as close as he could. He did not know what to say, did not know what to do. After all, it was his fault. What was he supposed to say?

It was hard to control his own emotions. Hard not to burst into tears from guilt alone. How had he noticed? How had he assumed he was okay with it?

Washed with guilt, unable to even process his own emotions. He was left speechless, unable to find the words to comfort Kokichi. Instead he just held him, whispering apology after apology into his shoulder, letting tears slip down his face.

He hated himself for it. Not knowing what to say, not knowing what to do, causing the whole incident in the first place.

He did not remember how many hours he had spent holding Kokichi as he cried. It was long enough that sitting in his room, shrouded in darkness as he laid on his bed, his eyes had dried and puffed out with redness. All that time crying with him, and he could not think of a thing to say to make him feel better. All he could do was apologize.

Kokichi eventually had fallen asleep- well- was exhausted enough that he was practically asleep, and Shuichi carried him back to his room. Now he laid on his bed, just trying to figure out what he was going to do. But after those hours of wondering, now lying in the darkness with those thoughts, he started to come up with a plan.

Yeah… it just might be work. It certainly seemed perfect to Shuichi.

So he called up Kaede,

“I need you to do something for me.”

And he called up Angie,

“I have an invitation for you!”

And he called up Sonia,

“Remember that dress I made for you?”

And everyone he made dresses for.

He told them all the same thing. He was hosting a party, more like a small get together for those he designed clothes for, to see all of them together, he asked them all to wear whatever he made them.

And then he texted Kokichi, just a small simple message he would see in the morning.

Meet me by the front gate of school at 5 tomorrow. Please.

With everything done, he finally let himself succumb to sleep,

Hoping his plan would succeed.

Shuichi waited idly by the gate, tapping his foot nervously. He was hoping Kokichi would actually show up, insecurities in the back of mind wondering if he would just ignore the message all together. They had not spoken that day, Kokichi refusing to meet Shuichi’s eyes whenever he tried to look at him. Shuichi got the message, and left him alone, at least- until then.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Kokichi approaching the gate, an unnerved look on his face Shuichi tried to ignore.

He finally reached Shuichi, holding his hands behind him and forcing a plastic smile on his face, “Did Shumai want something from little ol’ me?”

“Something like that…”

Kokichi’s face fell, “Is it another dress request?”

Shuichi shook his head, “I wanted to take you somewhere.”

“How mysterious~” Kokichi cooed, but Shuichi could see the hurt behind his eyes, “Where are we going, hm?”

“You’ll see.” Shuichi answered, taking Kokichi’s hand in his own and pulling him down a different one of the school’s path.

Kokichi followed, and thank Atua he did.

The 27 students were laughing and talking amongst Hope Peak’s Ballroom. It was gracious of them to let him use it, but on the days they were doing nothing with it they really had no reason to refuse. It gave him an easy place together the students and give a good excuse to the ones wearing such opulent dresses. It was a room full of gorgeous designs, designs he so long took credit for.

But that was going to change.

With a shaky breath. He walked towards the guests. What he was about to do, it was fear inducing, terrifying. Honestly, he did not know if he would get through it without collapsing into a panic attack, but he would force himself through, for Kokichi.

“Shuichi!”

Shuichi’s head snapped over, seeing Kaede walking over in her deep blue dress. She caught up to his side, smiling brightly, “This was a wonderful idea! Its amazing to see all your designs together!”

Shuichi cringed. He had loved the praise, sure, but he was so happy to be free from the guilt.

“Well, its time to use it for its real purporse,” Shuichi said, turning to the floor where everyone one else was chatting and calling out meekly, “Hey everyone?”

Not a person heard him, Shuichi sighed. Luckily he had Kaede next to him, who put fingers to her mouth and whistled. Everyone looked over, and Shuichi tried his best to not let the eyes get to him.

He could do this. He could do this.

“E-everyone…” Shuichi bit his lips, “There was… a reason I brought you all here.”

Receiving so many innocent smiles, how guilty he felt.

“The outfits your wearing… I know you all think- they were made by me…”

He tried to keep his eyes on them, but it was so hard.

“But- but that’s a lie.”

All those innocent smiles fell, so many faces written in confusion. Shuichi swallowed dryly, shakily starting to walk towards the wrapping staircase, “It- it was never meant to go this way… I ended up- messing up really badly. Lying to- lying to everyone I knew. About designing dresses. The truth- the truth is, I’ve never even picked up a sowing needle…”

The guests were looking between each other, Kaede’s confused gaze following Shuichi as he started walking towards the stairs.

“The true stylist… well. He’s talented, so talented, as you can all clearly see, but- he’s humble.” Talking about him was so much easier, honestly, how could he feel scared when speaking of his beloved, “He never wanted to share his works with the world. He wanted to keep it as a secret he only knew of. But I- I wanted him to try. I wanted him to see truly how beautiful his works were. And, to show him that and keep him protected, I- I ended up taking credit for all these outfits.”

He watched the people below as he took step after step, “Those initials on your outfits… th-they’re lies… all lies… meant to protect the tailor from disappointing anyone. Lies that spiraled way out of control… but- but-“

He reached the top of the stairs, walking towards the back wall and grabbing the hand of the small boy hiding there, tears and smiles adorning his face.

“Its time to show you the true tailor.”

Not a person spoke as Shuichi walked down the staircase with Kokichi, hand in hand. Kokichi looked nervous- terrified even, as he was led down the stairs. They reached the bottom, a crowd of 27 all facing the couple. Shuichi squeezed his lover hand, looking at him with love and adoration pouring from his gaze.

“You’re outfits were not made by Shuichi Saihara. They were made by Kokichi Ouma.”

The room was silent, dead silent, for a few- sparse seconds. Kokichi looked about ready to pass out, Shuichi felt about ready to pass out.

The room started applauding, cheering, compliments were thrown towards Kokichi, praising his work, expressing their surprise.

“No Way!”

“Your outfits are amazing, Kokichi!”

“He really is a liar, huh?”

“He had me fooled!”

Kokichi covered his mouth, staring at so many happy smiles that finally knew the truth, before he knew it, he was swarmed with people, asking him so many questions, sending him so many compliments. He finally caught up to the situation, answering them, smiling, laughing with them. Shuichi stepped back, finally letting the praise fall on his boyfriend.

And he could not be more happy about it.

Kaede walked up to him, Shuichi’s emotion falling as he saw the disappointment written on her face. The moment she was close, she stopped, staring silently at her best friend.

“Shuichi…”

Shuichi could not meet her gaze, “Kaede I-I’m sorry.”

He was enveloped in a hug. Staring with pure shock as he felt her warm embrace.

“I know you were just trying to do the right thing.”

Tears welled up in his eyes, and silently, he let himself cry into her shoulder.

“I- I don’t know how to make it up to him…”

Kaede smiled, leaning away from Shuichi to let him see it, “Look at him, Shuichi.”

Shuichi turned, seeing such a bright smile on his boyfriend’s face as he explained people’s designs to them.

“I think you’ve made a great start.”

Shuichi matched his smile, letting his tears fall in that of relief contrary to their prior weight of sorrow.

Kokichi caught his gaze, seeming to bid the students goodbye before running up to the friends. He did not stop, tackling Shuichi into a hug and burying his face in his chest.

Shuichi laughed, wrapping his arms around the shorter boy’s waist.

“Thank you…”

Shuichi just nodded at his boyfriend’s words.

Said boyfriend seemed to spot Kaede, leaning away from Shuichi to smile at her.

“Thank you for my recital dress, Kokichi,” Kaede finally got to say, “Its beautiful.”

Kokichi grinned, “Anything for the piano freak! Nishishi!”

“I have another recital coming up,” She mentioned, “I was actually wondering if you’d make me another dress? But this time, with your initials on it.”

Kokichi’s eyes grew wide at the statement, Shuichi could feel him trembling. After a second in silent, the widest smile grew across his face.

“Of course!”

“You really are soft on the ‘piano freak,’” Kaede teased, earning a pout from her new tailor.

“Keep laughing at me and I’ll take it back!”

“Okay! Okay!” Kaede conceded, turning to meet both their gazes, “I’m going to go get the music started so people can start dancing. Any requests?”

“I think you already know what I would request,” Shuichi joked, earning a nod from Kaede as she started walking over to her piano. Shuichi turned to face his lover, using the arms snaked around his waist to pull him a bit closer.

“It was my fault too, you know?” Kokichi mentioned softly, “I should’ve told you how I felt… I’m sorry.”

Shuichi sighed, bringing up Kokichi hand to kiss it softly, “You blame yourself too much for things, I’m the one who’s sorry.”

He was just so happy his boyfriend was not mad at him.

Kokichi smiled, kissing him gently as the music started up, pulling him towards the dance floor, “Perhaps you’ll make it up to me with a dance then?”

Shuichi nodded as Kokichi wrapped his arms around his neck, “Of course.”

And with their love rekindled, mistakes melted away, the two lovers danced the night away.