Archive of Our Own ^beta

Kokichi poked his head from the Ultimate Artist’s front door, his eyes darting from left to right down the hallways for any signs of somebody coming. 

Nobody. 

Clenching on the two ends of the ropes looped over his shoulders and in his grasp, Kokichi descends the hallway. His stride falters and his legs feel heavy as sweat rolls down his cheek. 

“Geez, Amami-chan, you sure are heavy. ” Kokichi huffed, glancing over his shoulder to give Rantaro a faux pout. 

Specifically at the effigy Rantaro which had a horse mask covering over its head. 

Inanimate and currently getting dragged against the creaky 4th floorboards, its straight immobile legs elevated from the rope tied to its ankles and in Kokichi’s hold. He shrugged the ropes further into his hold, gritting his teeth from the heavyweight this sculpted human-sized (annoying tall effigy) was providing to his poor strength. 

He let out a sharp inhale and exhaled now and then, continuing his journey down the 3rd floor of the academy. 

“Yonaga-chan replicated every detail of the real you perfectly, huh?” Kokichi strained. “Even got the detail of how much you weigh too…  Nishishi…  that’s… That’s a lie. Maybe.” 

This built human-sized effigy is weighing Kokichi down, that’s for sure.

Waltzing down the stairs, the loud impact sounds of the effigy hitting the stairs behind him were alarming. He winced from those noises, glancing over his shoulder to see if any piece of the sculptured replicated first victim had broken off. 

Kokichi blinked down at the sight of the horse mask containing Rantaro’s head in perfectly, not a single piece had gone off. The snout of the horse mask was even facing upwards at Kokichi. 

“Huh. I knew keeping that horse mask was going to be useful.” Kokichi lied. In truth, he got it from the school store on the second day of being stuck in this academy simply out of pure exploration. 

The horse mask was so ugly that Kokichi needed to keep it before anybody else could. 

“The mask suits you, Amami-chan.” Kokichi trailed off. 

Focusing back on his task, Kokichi dragged Rantaro’s effigy down the hallways with difficulty, refusing to take a break. Normally he would have taken a break if evidence from a case was a workout to carry into his dorm room, doing it exceedingly undetected so far. But that was during early nighttime. 

However, due to the class investigation of Angie and Tenko’s death yesterday, he wasn’t able to take advantage of last night to gather evidence involved from the case after the class trial had ended. All because he was dealing with a headache from when he fell through that seesaw trip Korekiyo made, still feeling the effects of it even after the class trial. 

So Kokichi had to muster himself up to be… responsible and force himself to sleep early to get rid of the headache. Shocker. A supreme leader like himself shouldn’t sleep. Kokichi is secretly a vampire, very nocturnal. 

Kokichi blinked, frowning deeply, as he forced himself to focus on meeting the 3rd-floor stairs and descending to the 2nd-floor stairs. 

If he was comparing himself to a vampire he was more sleep-deprived than he thought.

Truthfully, he did force himself to sleep early. But he also wakes up randomly in and out during nighttime because of this headache, tired and irritably annoyed at the deceased Korekiyo for the stupid and dumb seesaw trick that managed to get the supreme leader himself to fall for it, literally and figuratively.

And it wasn’t like Kokichi could search for painkillers to use due to how late it was at the time, not to mention it was dangerous for him to be wandering out during nighttime all vulnerable with how nagging the headache was impacting him.

After all, three of their classmates have been murdered at night so far. Kokichi wasn’t risking that. 

At least for now, the headache has dulled down. 

The moment that happened, Kokichi didn’t waste time taking advantage of it, going out early when the sun on top and over their caged closure had barely risen before the morning announcement could play, notifying the other eight remaining survivors to wake up. 

With limited time left, Kokichi rushed to collect relevant evidence from the recent case before anybody woke up. 

He didn’t want those two stupid remaining Monokubz and Monokuma to intervene and take the evidence before he could. 

At least that’s what he theorized those bears do after he couldn’t find any evidence to take into his dorm from the first case that stormed the killing game into motion, Rantaro and Kaede’s case. The evidence being discarded from both the victim and culprit, as if their crime enforced by the killing game did not exist. 

Kokichi took another inhale and exhaled. Not to catch his breath this time but to calm himself down from spiraling into the train of thought he was getting at now. He was sleep-deprived and his thoughts could get more hectic than before.

The point is, that it would be no good if the evidence were discarded. It’s why he got up so early in the morning to prevent any evidence from disappearing before any of his classmates were active and before it was too late. 

It was why he wanted to be prevented from being seen carrying a Rantaro horse-masked effigy around the moment he descended the 2nd-floor stairs to the 1st floor. 

He failed that instantaneously when he set foot onto the 1st floor and was met with the sight of the bathroom door opening. 

Embarrassingly, Kokichi panicked and ran to the nearest hiding place, aka the pony wall made from the stairs with a tight grip on the ropes. Sluggish and almost tripping over himself during the process, he managed to get the Rantaro effigy mostly hidden. 

He can hear noises from the person who had left the bathroom. Kokichi cursed. 

‘ Why is somebody using the academy’s bathroom instead of the dorm’s bathrooms? ’ He thought, pursing his lips in a tight lip frown, tempted to bite his thumb out of nerves. That was a close one being caught with the Rantaro effigy on his person, but now what? 

Somebody was up before the morning announcement. Was it Tsumugi? That plain doe seemed to be the only one who was a consistent early bird… but she could get annoyed easily by him. That was perfect for Kokichi to manipulate the situation in his favor just so she wouldn’t discover the replication of his beloved Rantaro, rest and peace, yadda yadda. 

Turning to the evidence he’s hiding, he blew a playful kiss to the horse-masked Rantaro effigy to energize himself to do an act. 

‘ I’ll be back soon, Amami. ’ 

After making a two-finger salute, Kokichi let go of the rope hidden by weeds sporting inside the academy and exaggeratingly stride out from behind the pony wall, beginning to say. 

“Well, hello, fellow early bird!–” 

Kokichi faltered to a stop, his features going automatically blank to cover his disbelief. 

The person who came out of the girl's bathroom was no one other than the Ultimate Detective himself, Shuichi, who was looking back at him with surprise in his sweaty weary state, wearing a white T-shirt and black plaid pajama pants. 

The two stayed in silence for a moment, staring at each other. 

“W… What are you doing here this early in the morning, Ouma-kun?” Shuichi asked. 

Strangely, his arm was wrapped around his stomach, leaning heavily against the doorway of the girl's bathroom. Not to mention, Shuichi was extremely pale and how he talked sounded strained and breathy.

Kokichi stared. That’s odd.

Locking his eyes on Shuichi, he says. “What am I doing? What are you doing, Saihara-chan?” Kokichi bowed, rocking his heels with his hands clasped behind his back. 

Kokichi tilted his head, feigning innocence. “Coming out of the girl's bathroom… Is my beloved Saihara-chan an actual perverted person?” 

That made Shuichi’s nose scrunched up, looking uncomfortable. 

“No… this isn’t what it looks like, Ouma-kun.” Shuichi grimaced, cowering into himself. That motion wasn’t from discomfort, Kokichi noted, but out of pain. 

Kokichi narrowed his eyes. 

‘ Is he hurt? In the girl's bathroom ?’’

Kokichi continued with the facade. “That's exactly what it looks like to me. I can’t believe Saihara-chan is so dirty!” 

Shuichi was trembling, sweat pouring bullets down his forehead. Shuichi would always easily break a sweat if he was anxious, during class trials especially, but this time it seemed to be for another reason. 

‘ Is he sick? ’ Kokichi was racketing his head with many questions.

Shuichi closed his eyes, taking a deep shaky breath before saying. “It's not like that at all, really, Ouma-ku-...” 

Shuichi trailed off when Kokichi had closed their distance, his eyes blinking open at this. Placing the back of his hand against Shuichi’s forehead silently, Kokichi looked at him with an uncharacteristic attentiveness.  

Shuichi stared down at him, taken aback. 

Kokichi furrowed his brow slightly, focusing on the temperature of Shuichi’s sweaty forehead. 

Shuichi wasn’t sick, that’s for sure. But now that Kokichi was close to him, Kokichi could see that Shuichi looked physically tired and weak, which was worrisome. He was leaning heavily against the doorway not out of laziness, but for support as if he couldn’t stand up for himself without the 99% chance of falling.

… Kokichi couldn’t have someone getting themself killed so easily because they were physically unwell. It was disadvantageous and unfair in a place of a killing game.

Besides, he needed Shuichi back into his dorm room before retreating to grab Rantaro’s effigy and proceed with his plan. These steps should go smoothly and easily with no problem. 

‘ Don’t jinx it .’

Kokichi wiped his hand on Shuichi’s shoulder, earning a grimace from the detective. “You feel gross, Saihara-chan,” Kokichi said with faux disgust on his features. 

“I think you’re coming down with the deadly case of being Momota-chan’s sidekick!” He continued. “This rare case can only be cured if you stop hanging out with him. Trust me! You’ll feel better in no time, Doctor’s orders.” 

Shuichi didn’t look amused. 

He shrugged away Kokichi’s hand weakly. “This has nothing to do with Momota-kun…” Shuichi said tiredly.

“It looks like that to me though!” 

“You’re not a doctor, Ouma-kun.” 

“ You don’t know that.” 

Shuichi furrowed his brow, looking uncharacteristically fed up so early into their one-sided banter. Usually, Shuichi had the patience of a saint dealing with Kokichi’s exaggerated facade.

“Momota-kun has nothing to do with…” Shuichi trailed off, conflicted and looking very uncomfortable. Extremely so. 

Kokichi likes to push boundaries, especially Shuichi’s. His reactions were cute and amusing. But there was a line that Kokichi would never cross, and Shuichi was obviously in a weak vulnerable state right now, physically and mentally. 

And Kokichi didn’t like how Shuichi looked like he was about to cry from discomfort or unidentified pain he was feeling. That’s a reaction Kokichi decided he never wants to see ever again. Nope. 

“Saihara-chan doesn’t need to tell me,” Kokichi said calmly. That made Shuichi’s weary eyes drawn over to him, eyebrows arching up in surprise weakly.

Kokichi grinned. “I know Momota-chan infected you with his disgusting odor of axe body spray,” Shuichi gave him a weird look. It was a lie, but Kokichi wouldn’t be surprised if Kaito wore that. “And trust me when I say I will cure you, Saihara-chan! Not only am I a fairy, but I have a healing touch too!” 

Shuichi gave him a perplexed expression. He looked like he preferred to be anywhere else than deal with Kokichi’s antics. 

“Ouma-kun–” Shuichi began. 

He yelped when Kokichi grabbed his arm, initially wrapped around his stomach, up and over Kokichi’s shoulders easily. “Wait, Ouma-kun–” Shuichi stammered.

“I shall be your escort back to your dorm, Saihara-chan!” Kokichi chirped, removing Shuichi from the doorway so Shuichi could lean on him, wrapping his arm around Shuichi’s waist to steady him. 

‘ Fuck, he’s heavy .’

Kokichi can feel the nagging headache of his injury from yesterday coming to haunt him again. 

“See? Told you I have a healing touch-” 

Kokichi was cut off from Shuichi who started cursing in mantras of ‘ow’s and hunched in on himself further, his trembling increased. His eyes were closed tightly in pain and his breathing was getting harsh.

‘... or not .’ Kokichi cringed. 

“Okay. So I lied, I’m not a doctor.” Kokichi stated dumbly, standing in place to support Shuichi’s heavy weight on his side. 

Shuichi opened his eyes halfway to send Kokichi a weak glare, tears brimming. 

Kokichi stiffened up at this. 

‘ Saihara has no sign of a fever. So he is injured… and limping. ’ Kokichi glanced over at Shuichi’s legs which looked like they were about to give in, trying to deduce what was wrong with the detective without openly asking and how it related to Shuichi being in the girl's bathroom.

Was it perhaps murder? A murder this soon? And Shuichi got injured in the process? Or was it a fight instead? 

… Turns out Kokichi didn’t need to overthink the truth.

“I’m on my period,” Shuichi revealed.

Silence hung over them for a moment. 

Shuichi grimaced and hung his head low, the fringe of his sweaty hair covering his eyes. “I… I was in the girl's bathroom looking for a pad to use because my bathroom didn’t have any…” 

Shuichi swayed a little, licking his dry lips nervously. “I still… I still identify as a boy… I’m not a crossdresser, don’t view me that way please…” 

‘ So that’s what it is .’ 

Kokichi felt a strange wave of relief wash over him, his grip tightening around Shuichi’s waist.

“Eh? Of course, you’re still a boy, Saihara-chan.” Kokichi said. 

Shuichi was surprised, pulling his head up to look at Kokichi. 

Kokichi looked up at Shuichi, meeting his eyes. 

“Why should I view you as any less than a boy simply because you’re bleeding out of your PP?” He said seriously.

“My… My what now.”

“Saihara-chan worries over weird little things.” Kokichi pursed his lips, making an exaggerated pout. “Now let me escort you back to your dorm and- Whoa, okay-” 

Kokichi choked when Shuichi’s legs gave in, almost causing Kokichi to stumble to the ground if it weren’t for him planting his shoes deeper in for balance, gripping tightly on Shuichi’s waist. The both of them were now bowing awkwardly facing the ground. 

“You… You okay, Saihara-chan?” Kokichi strained out, feeling himself start to sweat from physical exertion. 

“I… Fuck, sorry, Ouma-kun.” Whoa, Shuichi cursed. 

Shuichi groaned, trying but failing to muster any strength in his legs. 

“I… I need to sit… Lay down.” Shuichi made a weak pained noise. “I’m feeling lightheaded… Sorry…” It looked like he was going to pass out actually.

Kokichi felt his chest tightened. 

Shuichi’s periods must be excruciatingly painful for the detective to handle. 

Kokichi couldn’t help but be reminded of how one of the older DICE female members from his organization would have painful period cycles that she’d often sleep the whole day off, worrying the younger members of the organization, himself included, because she was like a big sister to him. Everyone in DICE was like a family to him– 

‘Stop .’

Kokichi caught himself before he could spiral over the fabricated memories of his so-called ‘backstory.’ 

He only regained recalling having an organization of 10 members after watching his motive video a few days back, just like how Kirumi had miraculously regained her memories of being a prime minister just by watching that motive video. 

Call him paranoid, but he’s not trusting those memories triggered by the tech made and provided by those bears. 

Sleep deprivation was just making him weaker at the thought of them being real than usual. 

… Anyway, he has options he can do to remedy this situation.

Yes, he jinxed himself. This was more complicated than how he expected it to be.

A. Take Shuichi back into the dormitory and get Shuichi back into his room to rest

B. Leave Shuichi passed out in the hallway and get back to getting Rantaro into his room

C. Take Shuichi into the A/V room and get back to getting Rantaro into his room afterward

Unfortunately, C was the better option. 

If Kokichi went through with option A, not only would he be carrying Shuichi with downright maximum physical effort than before, making Kokichi die out of dehydration, but it was going to be a long treacherous walking distance from here and where the dormitory was outside. That risks his chances of getting seen carrying a Shuichi dealing with painful cramps. 

Kokichi will get questioned, making Kokichi late to retrieve Rantaro’s effigy before it gets discovered. Kokichi suspected that Shuichi wouldn’t feel comfortable outing his gender identity to their other classmates as well when Shuichi already seemed conflicted about it the first time Kokichi attempted to get an answer out of him. 

That was Shuichi’s business. Kokichi isn’t going to make a big deal out of it since gender doesn’t mean anything to him. The others might certainly would though. 

Option B is a no, plain and simple. 

Kokichi wasn’t going to risk having Shuichi getting murdered exposed in a weak state, already unwell, and getting punched in the gut repeatedly by Mother Nature. All those things happening at once resulting in the detective’s death was a lame and lazy way to go. 

It was a death that wouldn’t be entertaining for an audience. 

Kokichi was out of it. His sleep deprivation and added headache were not giving the supreme leader a good time. 

Kokichi gritted his teeth and prepared himself for more physical exertion ahead. Sluggish but managing to drag himself forward while carrying a tall dead heavy weight on his side and over his back. 

“You’re going to have to repay me one of your limbs for this, Saihara-chan…” Kokichi stumbled, adjusting his hold on Shuichi’s arm and waist desperately, not wanting them to fall to the ground now together. 

Kokichi blew at his long bang that got in the way of his face. “This is unacceptable. Making me, the supreme leader , do all the work. That’s very humiliating for my title, Saihara-chan.” He ranted. 

No response from Shuichi. Shuichi’s head had lolled to the side, pressing their cheeks uncomfortably together. 

Kokichi cringed.

Yup, Shuichi had passed out. Great.

‘ I’ll come back for you soon, Amami …’ Kokichi glanced over his shoulder. 

Ah. Rantaro’s effigy was hidden perfectly, except for that horse mask poking out and ruining the shades of green surrounding the area. 

It’s so ugly. Kokichi is glad he bought it. 

. 

. 

. 

Kokichi knew he was pushing his body to a limit. 

Sleep deprivation. Nagging headaches. Dragging a human-sized effigy and a passed-out detective individually, repeatedly, annoyingly in different locations. (Kokichi practically dropped the Rantaro effigy on the floor inside his dorm room before leaving) 

Then he made multiple trips to the kitchen, warehouse, and the A/V room before anyone could gather in the diner room once the morning announcement played. Finally, he had to actively participate in the diner room so nobody could question his whereabouts. 

And now? 

He was taking big gulps of air, desperate for air in his adrenaline state in the game room, slumped against the locked A/V outside the door. Beyond inside was Shuichi, peacefully residing on the couch, unbothered and unaware of what had occurred this morning after everyone gathered at breakfast today. 

The events in the following morning that occurred were… 

Himiko’s change of character. (Good for her) 

The discussion of where Shuichi was. (Kokichi acted oblivious about it) 

Gonta mentions the graffiti out in the courtyard. (Kokichi’s plan is in motion) 

The two remaining Monokubz are annoying and worthless like always, introducing the new items to unlock more locations around the premises. (Kaito and Maki took it with the discussion of finding Shuichi so they could search altogether. Aw, what a team) 

(Note the sarcasm. It’s there.) 

Then Monokuma introduced a motive. A card key motive.

(Oh boy) 

The one that Kokichi yoinks from K1B0’s hold… 

(Kokichi’s throat felt dry ) 

… then getting chased for 20 minutes entirely by none other than Kaito. Before, finally, managing to lose the annoying determined idiot when Kokichi tricked him and fled to the basement to get to the A/V room. 

( Kokichi’s morning was going swell )

Kokichi hasn’t gotten inside the A/V room yet, waiting for the pumping blood in his veins to calm down. Normally he would’ve never felt tired from getting chased. After all, he could last being able to play tag for an hour with Kirumi a day before she got executed. But considering how his early morning went, painfully sore shoulders, back, and legs, and how he still hasn’t slept well because of his headache… 

Yeah. Kokichi wasn’t doing well at all. 

Eventually, Kokichi felt composed enough to get up. He reached into his pocket to grab his lock-picking tools, unlocking the door with a click. Waltzing inside, Kokichi glanced at one of the couches where he placed Shuichi, expecting to see Shuichi still passed out. 

Instead, he was met by Shuichi sitting on the couch horizontally, meeting Kokichi’s eyes with surprise on his face which was no longer sweating and looking pale as a ghost. 

Shuichi was clad in a comfortable blanket with a bag of beans that served as a heating pad from being in the microwave, tucked comfortably against his midsection. The water bottle paired with a bottle of painkillers is on the armrest near a pillow meant for Shuichi, which he must’ve taken a pill since the water bottle seemed less full now. 

Shuichi was eating the cup of oatmeal that Kokichi left for him. 

Even if Kokichi was paranoid about trusting the memory of DICE being real, Kokichi had gained a memory of always giving that female DICE member oatmeal during her periods. Oatmeal was good against menstrual cramps from what this memory tells him.

So Kokichi hoped using that tidbit of information would lessen Shuichi’s pain at least a bit.

Kokichi made his way over to the couch with a dramatic gasp. “My beloved Saihara-chan is back from the dead!” He leans against the back of the couch, slumping over it with his crossed arms propped on top. 

He tilted his head with a grin. “I expect full compensation of your life and soul for making me carry you down here, y’know? I know I’m strong and reliable as your fairy doctor… But I have my limits too. I’m only one guy!”

Shuichi gave Kokichi an odd look for referring to himself with a title like ‘fairy doctor.’ 

He sluggishly continued eating his oatmeal. “Why did you take me down here and not at the dormitory…?” Shuichi asked, straight to the point. 

Well, Kokichi couldn’t tell Shuichi that he wasn’t the only body Kokichi had to drag around, which forced Kokichi to manage his time and physical effort better on a time limit, all the while, being discreet. 

So Kokichi decided to say. “I was very tired of the head injury I got yesterday from Shinguji-chan’s seesaw trick. Carrying your dead weight just made things even more complicated for me, so I had to dump you here instead!”

Shuichi furrowed his brows at that. A flash of guilt crossed his features, frowning. 

“... Are you feeling okay now?” Shuichi asked, looking up at Kokichi from their temporary height difference. Concern was in those weary but soft-looking eyes.

Kokichi blinked, pondering on what to say. 

‘ Not really. I feel like passing out any second now. My body hurts, and it’ll probably be sore like hell tomorrow. I can barely stand and I’m kneeing the couch right now because it's the only thing supporting me from collapsing on the floor like an idiot. ’

Kokichi didn’t say any of that, though. 

Instead, he complained loudly. “No! I feel like dying ! And it’s all your fault, Saihara-chan. Again, I expect full compensation for this, maybe repay with your life and expose your most embarrassing secret to m… –” 

Kokichi was taken aback when Shuichi pressed the back of his hand against Kokichi’s forehead, mimicking the gesture Kokichi had made earlier. 

Shuichi’s fingers brushed against the underside fringe of Kokichi’s bangs, which hid the small bandaid wound Kokichi placed there that resulted from yesterday’s face plant on the floorboards.

The ache in his head strangely lessened when he felt Shuichi’s cold skin, the detective’s ministrations being gentle. 

Kokichi was tempted to lean into that touch. 

He didn’t. But he didn’t remove Shuichi’s touch either. 

“Sorry, I’ve just noticed... Your face is very flushed…” Shuichi states, his eyes narrowing. “You don’t have a temperature… Did you run back here in a hurry?”

Ah. Kokichi’s flushed face from the chase hasn’t died down yet. That’s a bit annoying. 

“Why wouldn’t I run?” Kokichi pouted, being dramatic. “I left you in the A/V room all alone and unprotected! Who knows what could have happened when I was gone, somebody could’ve gone in and killed you!–” 

“No, that’s wrong.” 

Kokichi was stunned by the sudden interruption Shuichi only used during class trials. 

“... What is wrong?” Kokichi dared to ask, his interest peaking. 

Shuichi lowered his hand, returning it to holding his spoon in the cup of his oatmeal but making no move to eat it further, his eyes never leaving Kokichi. 

“Considering how you lock-picked your way inside, you had locked the A/V door from the outside with your tools so nobody could come in on me while you were gone,” Shuichi says. 

“You probably did that because I was still passed out, right…? It’ll explain why the A/V door was locked in the first place. I didn’t even know it was locked in the first place when I woke up. So, you weren’t leaving me alone here unprotected, Ouma-kun.” Shuichi concluded.

Kokichi propped his chin on top of his crossed arms on the couch, tilting his head. Kokichi was not giving anything away from what he was thinking or feeling, letting Shuichi continue. 

Predictably, the lack of verbal and emotional responses made Shuichi falter, feeling awkward underneath Kokichi’s eyes. 

“... And I’m pretty sure you brought all this stuff,” Shuichi gestures to the blanket, pillow, bag of beans, painkillers, water bottle, and of course, his oatmeal. “Here to make me feel comfortable, instead of leaving me passed out alone locked in here with nothing.” He squirmed underneath his blanket, uncertain how to word his next words.

But Kokichi gets what Shuichi was trying to say.

Going to such effort and lengths, was oddly considerate of you. I’m not sure how to take it because you confuse me .

Kokichi looked at Shuichi blankly. 

“Well, what do you think, Saihara-chan?” Kokichi asked. 

Shuichi faltered, looking self-conscious now. “Uh… What do you mean?” 

“Why do you think I made all this effort for you?” Kokichi leaned in closer. Shuichi froze at this, watching him. 

“I could’ve abandoned you. Left the door unlocked, exposing you to getting murdered in your already pained state. No painkillers, nothing.” Kokichi’s expression turned sly.  “You already know how fond I am of this killing game, but I did the exact opposite and didn’t kill you then and there.” 

Kokichi knew he got Shuichi interested from how the detective’s brows furrowed, no doubt having his head running already.

“Let’s play a game. Uncover the truth of why I did this for you instead. Otherwise, I won’t confirm what you’re saying is the truth, or never if you don’t solve this.” Kokichi gave him a playful smirk. 

“... Why do you want me to deduce the truth as if this is a case that needs to be solved?” Shuichi asked, but it wasn’t judgemental or exasperated. He seemed genuinely confused but wasn’t rejecting the idea. 

“Just saying the truth outwardly would be too boring.” Kokichi sighed nonchalantly. “If you were curious about my actions in the first place, then I expect you to use your detective brain to finish that curiosity. Work for it, Saihara-chan.”

He propped himself up to free a hand, poking Shuichi’s forehead lightly and teasingly with his fingertips. Shuichi crossed his eyes to look at his hand with a grimace. 

“Here, I’ll even give you a hint that you are close to the truth,” Kokichi whispered. “Warm for your getting there. Cold for not being close. Sounds fun, right?” 

Dull-colored yellow eyes met him reluctantly. “How would I know you’ll be telling the truth in the first place?” Shuichi muttered. “You could just lie and mislead me from the truth.” 

Kokichi met those eyes unwavering. “This isn’t a lie. Scout’s honor. Don’t you trust me?”

Shuichi gave him an annoyed look for that. 

Kokichi resisted the urge to brush Shuichi’s bangs away to see that expression more clearly.

Shuichi didn’t remove his hand. Instead, he licked his dry lips nervously with averted eyes. It probably wasn’t easy for the detective to come up with the truth behind Kokichi’s actions, because this wasn’t a murder case where their lives were not on the line. Rather, it was about deducing what Shuichi thought about Kokichi’s actions, which was more personal. 

Shuichi doesn’t understand him because Kokichi hasn’t let him.

From how the silence was drawn out between them, Kokichi was convinced Shuichi wasn’t saying anything after all. Choosing not to say anything would be the easier route out of this situation which was likely pressuring Shuichi. The urge to avoid it for the sake of not being vulnerable in the reality of a killing game. 

It was best to leave things between them unsaid. 

“... From our last hang out, you said you stole my heart because you made my heart ‘die’ with worry, from when you hurt yourself accidentally from the knife game.” Shuichi began, catching Kokichi’s interest. 

Shuichi looked at him, his cheeks reddening self-consciously and sweat was rolling down his forehead, this time from the nerves. He hesitantly said. “So… I think not only do you care about me enough to put in the effort to make sure I was comfortable, but there’s a deeper feeling underneath that too.” 

Kokichi paused at that. 

Shuichi was too observant than Kokichi expected.

Shuichi continued. “Ouma-kun… Do you…” 

“Warm.” Kokichi interrupted. 

Shuichi was taken aback at that. “What?-” 

Shuichi widened his eyes when Kokichi suddenly maneuvered his palm over Shuichi’s mouth, shutting the detective up. The supreme leader’s head hung low, his bangs shielding his expression. 

Fuck. Kokichi’s heart had suddenly skyrocketed, energizing him out of nowhere. The anticipation that Shuichi wasn’t hesitant to say what he thought, the truth behind Kokichi’s actions, caught Kokichi off guard. 

Or was it the panic that Shuichi was going to say that sort of thing in the reality of their situation? In any other setting, Kokichi could’ve left Shuichi to continue what he was saying. Hearing his soft voice say those words involved what Kokichi’s feelings truly were for him. 

Kokichi has been using vague wording to express his feelings. 

Wording that was vague because it was hard to admit it straightforwardly in a killing game. 

And yet, Shuichi was about to say it, straight to the point. The detective wasn’t hesitant to tell the truth, even in a killing game. Kokichi wishes he would’ve let Shuichi keep talking. Forget that they are in a killing game and only focus on his crush who is bolder than what Kokichi had expected. 

Kokichi was too sleep-deprived for this. 

Kokichi realized with inner horror that he might even be tempted to say stuff he shouldn’t as it would ruin his incoming plan. A plan that he had been planning ever since the end of the first class trial. 

Shuichi has no idea of the control he has over Kokichi’s heart. Ironic. because Kokichi was supposed to steal his heart. Not the other way around.

Kokichi took a discreet inhale and exhaled to calm himself down. Then he looked up at Shuichi, whose brows were furrowed in confusion and concern, not removing Kokichi’s palm over his mouth. Instead, he was waiting patiently with those attentive eyes. 

‘ I want to kiss you .’ Kokichi stared, making his features blank so Shuichi’s observing eyes could not deduce any emotions featured on his face. Shuichi was too uncomfortably close to the truth. 

Kokichi instigated this. Now he wants to flee from it.

So instead, Kokichi says. “Your lips are so dry and chapped, Saihara-chan. Do you want me to grab some chapstick for you from the warehouse?” 

That change of subject made Shuichi stunned. Then he became embarrassed, brushing Kokichi’s hand away. Instead, Shuichi covered his lips with his hand and turned away. 

“U-Um… yes, please,” Shuichi mumbled, his voice muffled against his palm. 

Kokichi felt tempted to remove Shuichi’s hand covering those lips away from him. 

But then he realized how that urge was the exact opposite he wanted to do, especially when his sleep-deprived self was thinking less of the consequences and more about indulging in what he wanted.

Kokichi really can’t have that. 

Pulling himself away from the couch, he mustered enough energy to say with a chirp. “Okie dokie!” Kokichi stumbled, about to turn onto his heel. But then he paused.

He impulsively grabbed Shuichi’s used water bottle. “I’ll be taking this. I’m thirsty.” Hopefully, water will awaken his mind more. 

Shuichi widened his eyes at this. “Ah- wait-” He began, but Kokichi was already out the door, leaving Shuichi alone in the A/V room. 

Closing the door behind him, Kokichi laid his back against it. Embarrassingly, he uncapped the water bottle with desperation. His throat was dry after all, he was surprised he managed to keep talking without any voice cracks during that intense moment. 

Kokichi took a long swing of it as if he were an alcoholic, wanting to forget what had happened as the water gratefully relieved him from his dry throat, awakening him alongside his beating heart. 

Recapping the water bottle when he was done, Kokichi took another small breather for himself. He should take the water bottle back to Shuichi, he hasn’t locked the A/V door yet. But just as he was about to turn the handle, his brain unhelpfully supplied him with unhelpful imagery. Kokichi laid his lips where Shuichi had drank from the bottle.

That was an indirect kiss.

Kokichi slammed his palm over his mouth, grateful he was alone in the game room so nobody could see him in this state. That was embarrassing. So unlike him. Kokichi should never be sleep deprived ever during the killing game, he would do stupid shit like this again.

Kokichi made a note to himself to get Shuichi a new water bottle, waltzing out of the basement. 

After that, he should search for what the motive card key activates in the academy. He’ll start searching at the library.

No matter how much he felt for Shuichi, these feelings had no place in a killing game. 

. 

.  

. 

“You were in the A/V room all day yesterday?!” Kaito exclaimed, baffled. 

Shuichi winced at that, looking sheepish and apologetic.

“Yeah… I’m sorry…” Shuichi fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, still wearing his pajamas from yesterday because he went straight for the diner room when the morning announcement played. Currently, Shuichi is sitting with Kaito and Maki. Kaito is in the middle, and Maki is on his side.

Shuichi had spent the night in the A/V room because his cramps practically disagreed with walking that long distance between the academy and the dormitory.

He almost cried in pain at the thought of moving when Kokichi offered to help him traverse to the dormitory when early nighttime fell yesterday. It was ideally decided that Shuichi should stay the night in the A/V room since he had a blanket and pillow already set up in there. 

Shuichi’s periods were irregular, so he wasn’t expecting to get it during the killing game. Why would he? The matters of the killing game were more important than his biology beating him down repeatedly. 

Until Shuichi was hit with gut-wrenching pain yesterday and decided to focus on himself, dying figuratively. Maybe literally. Shuichi has grown more comfortable in his gender identity than years back so thankfully he didn’t suffer any dysphoria this time. He was just mad that he was cursed with period cramps in this setting, even though it's just biology. 

He’s never revealed his gender identity to anyone. Not even Kaede and Kaito. Because number one, there was no reason to. And number two, he’s aware of potential bad reactions and getting treated differently as everyone has different opinions about the community. 

So… Shuichi was glad Kokichi hadn’t treated him differently yesterday when he told the truth, mostly because Shuichi really didn’t want to be viewed as a pervert snooping in the girl's bathroom in the early morning. 

And… based on everyone’s reactions in the diner room, nobody knew that Shuichi was in the A/V room, meaning Kokichi didn’t talk about it to the others, leaving that to Shuichi because it was Shuichi’s business. 

It made Shuichi’s heart beat a little at that considerate action Kokichi chose to do instead of outing Shuichi and why Shuichi was in the A/V room. 

But the detective couldn’t help but ponder why Kokichi had stopped him from continuing his deduction from their… Game? That Kokichi did propose on doing. It just seemed uncharacteristic of the shorter boy. It was probably because Kokichi didn’t look like he slept well at night from the headache he mentioned. 

Shuichi had noticed those eye bags. The other was tired. 

At some point, Shuichi offered Kokichi to sleep at the end of the couch yesterday when Kokichi returned to him, even creating space for Kokichi to sit down with him. 

But then Kokichi accused him of wanting to do inappropriate things on the couch, being too loud and intentionally crude to make Shuichi flustered. 

But Shuichi was admittedly too tired to deal with the nonsense, so he snapped at Kokichi, which made the other shut up, not used to the detective having an outburst.

That interaction ended with Kokichi awkwardly sitting on the second couch because the two forgot it was there. 

And even then, Kokichi didn’t sleep, claiming it would just ruin his sleep cycle if he took a nap during the day.

Shuichi was brought out of his thoughts when Maki narrowed her eyes at Shuichi from her place next to Kaito. “What were you doing all day in the A/V room yesterday by yourself?” Maki demanded. 

Shuichi felt intimidated, still not used to how Maki’s tone of voice always felt threatening. “I–” Shuichi began. 

Miu and the others were sitting across the trio, (Gonta was strangely absent still) so Miu decided to pitch in. “He was probably having a 24-hour nut session yesterday! It’ll explain why he is still in his pajamas rather than his uniform. You dirty fuckwad!” 

Shuichi’s face grew red. 

“Nyeh, Shuichi isn’t the type to do that.” Himiko declared with a frown at Miu. (Shuichi was taken aback at that, not knowing about Himiko’s new development from yesterday) Himiko pointed her chopsticks at Miu accusingly. “That’s something you would do, you crude fish!” 

“C-Crude fish?!” Miu sputtered, now embarrassed as Himiko began to make more comments at her, each getting more specific until Miu was cowering in her seat.

Shuichi watched this, awkwardly continuing to eat his oatmeal. After swallowing his piece, he told both Kaito and Maki. “I wasn’t feeling good. I think I was hit with a sickness because I vomited.” 

It wasn’t technically a lie, but it wasn’t the truth at the same time. Shuichi felt like he was going to vomit, but then ended up grossly swallowing it down. 

Disgusting. But he didn’t want to vomit while his cramps were already beating him up as it is. 

Shuichi continued. “Then I went to the A/V room for a change of scenery because I was having a headache, and at the time, the couches sounded more appealing to rest on than my bed.” 

It was a lie, but Shuichi felt it was reasonable not to involve Kokichi in the story of his whereabouts. Kokichi didn’t shared what happened yesterday to the others, so it made sense to return the favor. And avoiding suspicion targeted at Kokichi if Shuichi did reveal the truth of Kokichi being involved, and Kokichi potentially… expectantly earning backlash from their classmates for not saying the truth a day before.

“I’m sorry I told none of you about it and making you worry. I should’ve told you guys where I was the whole day yesterday.” At least that was the truth. 

Shuichi did feel guilty about that. Kaito must’ve looked frantically for him, dragging Maki with him in his search. (Shuichi isn’t sure where his and Maki’s dynamic stands, but he likes to think that Maki was also worried for him from how they bonded with late-night training without Kaito, when the student council was active, and during class investigations)

Kaito went suspiciously quiet, looking at Shuichi with a pensive look. Then he laid out a big exaggerated sigh, patting Shuichi on the back considerably gentler, opposite by his enthusiastic self. 

“Well, at least you’re admitting to your mistake now for not telling us. I was really worried about you, man.” Kaito made a smile, elevating some of Shuichi’s guilt. “If you feel this bad again, don’t hesitate to let me and Harukawa know! After all, you’re my sidekick, it’s my job to take care of you as well.”

“What makes you think that I’ll help?” Maki asked bluntly. Shuichi noted, however, that it wasn’t out of harsh intentions, but it was out of genuine perplexation. She still wasn’t used to Kaito’s bold impulsive self, which fair enough, Shuichi was still learning how to get used to it.

“Huh? You and Shuichi had trained together when I wasn’t able to make it.” Kaito said. “You both have connected as my sidekicks, so I wouldn’t doubt that you guys are friends now.”

Shuichi and Maki both shared a glance at each other. 

“... Whatever.” Maki trailed off with averted eyes, her hands wrapped around her low pigtails, which Shuichi noted that she usually does if she is flustered. 

Shuichi couldn’t help but let out a small smile. He wasn’t opposed to the idea of being Maki’s friend, especially noticing the little details that spoke a lot about her character other than her being an Ultimate Assassin. 

Shuichi wishes to stay in these light-hearted moments. But their reality came crushing back in when Gonta came into the diner room, eerily determined when declaring he was going to fight Monokuma, saying he could no longer see his friends being put into more suffering by that headmaster keeping them trapped, losing friends every few days instigated by Monokuma. 

Everyone in the diner room was opposed to this, trying to calm Gonta down and be more rational about his emotions. But then Kokichi opened his big mouth and made the situation worse. 

Kokichi was acting way differently than how he was with Shuichi yesterday. His expressive fondness and excitement for the killing game were worse than his usual comments from before. He wasn’t saying ‘This killing game is fun’ as those comments used to be tolerable to deal with. It was darker and insensitive now. 

‘So c’mon guys, let's enjoy this more! It’s not often you get to play the killing game, y’know?’ is what Kokichi was saying now. 

It was apathetic and cruel. Shuichi couldn’t wrap his head from the whiplash of it all from Kokichi’s growing switch of a character. Questions wrecked through his head as he watched Kokichi spout this nonsense of wanting to win. Even implied that he’ll be the next blackened to win.

It was the opposite of who Shuichi was with yesterday. 

Can Shuichi still even deduce the real truth behind Kokichi?

Before he knew it, Kaito had punched Kokichi in the face, silencing the shorter boy. Kokichi’s cheek was a concerning shade of red now and he remained silent for the rest of breakfast, having his long bangs covering the expression on his face. He didn’t even say anything when Miu declared she was going to save everyone, so there was no need for Gonta to do anything reckless at all. 

When they all began to leave the diner room, Shuichi trailed after Kokichi after making an excuse he needed to use the restroom to leave Kaito and Maki’s side. 

But when Shuichi attempted to make conversation, Kokichi stayed stubbornly quiet, eventually even running away from Shuichi when Shuichi wouldn’t stop pestering him. 

In the end, Shuichi can’t understand Kokichi. Because Kokichi won’t let him.