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Kaito has never been one for taking breaks; it runs in his family. His dads' dedication to making sure the colony was running smoothly had passed down to him. Kaito could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen either of them take a break. At least, before the Despair fell to Vertumna and everything fell apart.
The new head of defense, Fuyuhiko, had pulled him aside that morning. He’d said that he appreciated Kaito’s ambition but that he needed to stop overworking himself. That he couldn’t afford to be out working when the shimmer was affecting him. Kaito had argued but he’d been ignored. Now he was on a permanent break until the end of Pollen Season. It wasn’t fair! Why was he the only one this stupid pollen was affecting?
His augment can’t even protect him. Over the years he’s gained several impenetrable purple scales along his body. His scales can only protect him from the outside though. When it’s internal it’s up to the medcots or Aunt Mikan. Until she could find some sort of cure he was stuck coughing up hot pink spores and being on bed rest.
At least everyone else is too busy to stop me from sitting on the wall. He isn’t doing anything, lest he be accused of trying to work as a lookout. Kaito thinks if he has to sit in the ship for another minute though he’s going to go insane. Things are better now with the new people around (as much as he doesn’t want to admit it) but he can’t forget the previous year. The pain and underlying terror as they all slowly starved. Not to mention what happened to Ryoma…
He wants to be helping. To be making a difference of some kind so they don’t have to lose anyone else. There’s not much he can do as sick as he is though. Breathing hurts now, even when he rests inside. Kaito hasn’t told anyone else but… he thinks the effects might be getting worse. He doesn’t remember feeling this awful last year and especially not the year before. If they don’t get a cure soon…
He’s pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of scrambling and panting. Turning to look he’s shocked to find Kokichi climbing up the wall. His white uniform is stained pink from the pollen. I bet he hates that. When was the last time Kaito had even spoken to Kokichi? When he’d gone to visit him in the medbay after he’d gotten hurt during the Glow attack? That had been a year ago.
Since everything happened Kaito hadn't really taken any time to stop and talk to people. He spoke to his dads on the rare occasion any of them were in their bunker at the same time. He spoke to Maki when they were placed on duty together (though those were always more one-sided than not). He still stopped to speak to Shuichi when he could to stay updated on what was going on with the General. But, overall, Kaito had kept to himself.
It’s not that he had ever considered Kokichi and him friends. Rivals was maybe the best word for it, always bickering and chasing each other around. Sometimes they would end up working in the depot together. Kaito helping his dad and Kokichi looking to earn kudos. That had been before the famine. Before the attack. Before both of them had been consumed by their efforts to fight against their dire situation.
“Still coughing up space pollen, huh Kaito?” Kokichi comes to sit beside him, swinging his legs carelessly over the side of the wall. “Aren’t you supposed to be inside?”
Kaito scowls. “If you’re up here to lecture me then screw off. It’s bad enough that I’m not allowed to help with anything.”
“Oh, contraire my beloved, I’m actually here to give you something to do!” At Kaito’s bewildered glance, he scoffs and waves a hand at him, “I heard it on an Earth show, okay? Anyways. I have an idea on how to deal with Junko and all her stupid followers.”
Kaito looks him over, trying to figure out whether he’s lying or not. He can’t help but notice the dark circles resting beneath Kokichi’s eyes. He’s not sleeping again. They'd never talked about it but Kaito had forced Kokichi to sleep a few times at the depot. Kokichi’s augment meant he needed less sleep than most. Sometimes he just forgot he needed to sleep.
Outside of Kokichi’s family and himself, Kaito couldn’t think of anyone who would have checked up on him. Kokichi had never been very liked, even when things were peaceful. Miu maybe? But she had a bad habit of ignoring sleep too. With how busy everyone has been Kaito Isn’t surprised to see Kokichi pushing himself too far again. They’re all pushing themselves to their limits.
Kokichi raises an eyebrow at him and he sighs. Right. A plan. “I’m not agreeing to whatever dumb plan you’re scheming Kokichi. I don’t like Junko either but until we handle these stupid monsters she can’t be our priority. It’s not like she’s going around killing people every year like they are.”
“Not openly,” Kokichi says, “but how many have been sent into unnecessary fights only to not come back? She and Mukuro are using all our resources for this war, and it will only leave us in a worse place later. This isn’t a battle we can win, Kaito. And it’s not one we should even be trying to.”
Kaito huffs, ignoring the way it makes his lungs twinge. Kokichi was confusing, always had been and likely always would be. The most difficult thing for Kaito to figure out though was his motivation. Kokichi was always talking about morbid shit. Then he’d turn around and get angry when someone dissected the animals. It didn't make any damn sense.
The arrival of Junko and her crew has provided some clarity though. The members of the Despair were hardened soldiers, violent and quick to shoot. In some respects that was a good thing. The colony had never been so well defended. But… well, it’s like Kokichi said. They were going into a war against an entire planet. The odds were not in their favor, especially at the rate they were going through their supplies.
“I’m bringing back DICE,” Kokichi says, pushing himself to stand. He brushes off his clothes as if that will somehow get out the pollen stains. DICE? Kaito thinks, what does some old childhood club have to do with this? “We’re meeting in the depot to discuss things. You should come.”
“I’ll think about it.” Maybe he should do something. While he still can.
“Take it easy, Kaito.” It’s said casually but there’s a hidden weight laced beneath Kokichi’s laid-back tone. Kaito is struck by the idea that Kokichi might know. There isn’t much that slips past him; it’s not out of the question.
When Kaito turns to ask though, Kokichi is already gone.