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Kokichi looked up at a beautiful night sky. He saw what felt like millions of stars brilliantly glowing across a sea of purple and black. The gallon of snowcone syrup laid in his palm. He felt himself looking behind himself, eyes flicking away from the galactic display to the car they drove in, to the road they drove in on, to the grassy plains beside them, searching for something or someone that wasn't there, thinking of scenarios and potential ways they could get killed, and all the people who could hurt them. People wouldn't hurt them, right? He'd notice them following him while they were driving. Unless they were really skilled at tailing people.
He felt a palm gently lay on his wrist, softly reassuring him. Even knowing who it was, he still flinched.
Mangy said nothing as his paw laid over Kokichi's wrist, feeling his paranoia and discomfort. Almost immediately, he felt the small boy relax, the tension leaving his spine. He felt himself relax a bit too, feeling his friend's breathing even out.
"Worried about something?" The older bear questioned.
Kokichi waved him off, unconcerned as ever.
"Not at all, Manganese! I'm just looking for an escape route for when I plan to rob those bugs in the plains over there!" Giggling to himself like mad, his face betrayed none of the anxiety he moments ago felt.
"Well, if you insist. No shame in opening up to me. But if you don't want to, that's alright too. I'll sit beside you either way." Mangy didn't even blink at the blatant mispronouncing of his name, taking it in stride.
There was a moment of quiet, as the seconds passed with neither talking. Kokichi took a sip of the grape syrup, his favorite flavor.
"You ever get tired of my lies?"
Oddly enough, he blurted the question out. No fanfare, no joking tone, no dancing around the issue. Rather than think every word logically like he usually did, he threw the question out to his companion, caution haphazardly thrown with it.
Mangy paused, confused by the abrupt question. He hesitated, not out of uncertainty, but out of curiosity at the unexpected inquiry.
"Of course not. There's something new each time, a new story, a new scenario. They're a lot more interesting to listen to than any true story."
A tense silence followed. Kokichi eyed his friend, looking for any trace of a lie or a tell on his best bear friend's face.
Nothing.
"Wouldn't be surprised if you'd rather someone more straightforward. After all, eeeeeveryone gets tired of the bullshit spewing out my mouth eventually. Surprised you didn't move on or anything."
"I wouldn't change you if I could. Your lies are an integral part of you. They make you Kokichi Oma, the greatest leader of any organization... and my best friend."
Kokichi looked away, having heard his compliments time and time again. Yet every time, he still felt that small bit of joy, feeling a bit warmer inside, a bit more confident.
"The greatest supreme leader."
"The greatest, most talented supreme leader."
Kokichi closed his eyes, contented. He took another sip from the half empty bottle of syrup.
Opening his eyes, he looked over and saw his closest friend's expression. He looked as indifferent as always, his mouth curved downwards as always. Despite his frown, however, Kokichi could tell he was happy, at peace with the world.
He could see the life in his eyes sparkle, looking lively and content, instead of his deadpan expression he carried as he slowly trudged along. He looked mesmerized at the display of thousands of sparkling stars against the calm dark curtain of space. He was even more content about the little liar accompanying him. Although it went unspoken, he knew the leader was happy around him as well.
He remembered the day he met the younger boy, months after being thrown into this weird place. He'd heard of humans, met a few, but this was a world with only humans. No malinos, no animals he could talk to. It was overwhelming, especially since people weren't used to a talking bear.
In spite of all that, Kokichi became his friend. Sure, his questions about bears and tuxedos and his constant need to insult him felt a bit tiring at times, but they made him interesting. His odd thought process made him unique, able to think up stories and ideas like no one else.
It's why he was Kokichi Oma.
Mangy wasn't all for trusting people the first few days he arrived here. Well, days is an understatement. He spent weeks unwilling to get close to anyone, remembering what happened to him the last time he put his faith in anyone. Six years of raising a child with her, loving her like no other, and she didn't even care enough to let him see his daughter right before his untimely demise. At least she didn't have to see her father's face, contorted in agony.
Right before the end, she told him she loved him. That he was her husband, and that she really did care. He still doesn't believe her. Even if she did, she didn't care more about him than her own bloodlust.
Well, maybe she left their daughter alone. Without a father, sure. But maybe she could still live a life, hold happiness a million more times.
As if she had enough of a heart to spare the kid.
Mangy blinked, snapping out his trance. In his stupor, he didn't even realize Kokichi was looking at him, concern ever so subtly etched into his features.
"You alright? Been staring up for like half an hour, plus another 3 hours. Actually, centuries have passed."
"I'm admiring the stars, Kokichi. That's why we came out here in the first place."
Normally, it'd be a believable lie. They did come all the way to the cliff because it was the best place for stargazing. But the way Mangy said it, the blatant excuse and the agitation in his voice, made him a bit worried for his friend's wellbeing.
"Jeez manufacture, I'm not an idiot. I can hear the lies forming in your lungs before you even tell them. It's a leader skill, trust me." Kokichi said untrustworthily.
"But if you don't wanna talk about it, that's alright. You don't have to talk if you're uncomfortable. I'll just read your mind to see why you're upset. I've decided to deny you the privilege of having privacy."
Mangy looked up to the sky, a bit relieved. He felt better knowing Kokichi was here, unwilling to hurt or kill him. He took another drink of his snowcone syrup, strawberry flavored. Funny how a liar turned out to be one of the people he trusts the most. After all the people he met, he chose Kokichi. And he'd choose to be friends with him, a thousand times over again.
He leaned onto the little leader's shoulder, feeling safe for once. He felt the leader lean back on him.
"Thanks, Kokichi."
"No problem. I love invading the privacy of others."
"Not for that, you prick."