Work Text:
Deceit
Something like this wouldn't be created on a whim…Kyoko thought as she slowly circled the so-called air purifier. She was no mechanic, and this machine wasn't something she recognized, so there was no way to be certain if Monokuma had been telling the truth about it. What was certain, however, was that this machine was sophisticated and very deliberately built.
If it is an air purifier, that implies both the manpower and resources required to build one, as well as a need for one. The first part wasn't alarming, Hope's Peak was practically a sovereign state unto itself. They would have no problem acquiring the resources necessary to create something like this, and it wouldn't be too surprising if there was an Ultimate Mechanic or someone similar they could call upon. The more troubling part was the apparent need for an air purifier in the first place. The implications of that were… worrisome.
And why reveal that to us? If Monokuma had been telling the truth…why? Their host's behavior seemed erratic on the surface, but beneath that exterior was a calculating psychopath whose every action was directed towards their suffering. No, he would not reveal something like this for no reason.
Either he wants us to think the outside world is dangerous, or-
Her musings are cut short by the sound of shoes on floor, a sound that echoes in the lonely, spacious room she's in. She only needs turn her head slightly to make out the bob of brown hair and ever-curious pale eyes of Makoto Naegi.
A slight breath comes out her nose as a tension she hadn't been fully aware of drains out. Kyoko is well aware that she's coming under suspicion by some of her more astute fellow students, most notably Byakuya, but Makoto is still as trusting as ever.
The instant his eyes land on her, they brighten, and the slight frown on his face turns into a smile as he makes his way towards her.
Entered room already scanning around head-high levels, suggests searching for someone. Posture and facial structure suggest frustration, reversed upon spotting me. Conclusion: Looking for me.
Once again, she wonders where this ability of hers comes from, this ability to take a single glance at someone and instantly break down their thoughts, feelings, even their intentions. Though it's not like Makoto is hard to read—quite the opposite, actually. He's practically an open book, and it's not like his intentions are hard to understand, what with him making a beeline for her.
"Hey, Kyoko," He greets her with a smile, following her gaze to the machine she's investigating.
"Makoto," She gives a nod back before turning her attention back fully to the machine.
Things are silent for the next half minute, save for the humming of machinery around them. Kyoko's vaguely aware of Makoto's shifting restlessness near her. She can all but feel his eyes bouncing from the machine to her. It's obvious that he wants to ask her about something, but also doesn't want to interrupt her.
Stifling a sigh—he really is polite, too polite—she says, "If you want to talk, talk. Just don't expect me to say much back." Maybe it's a tad callous, but she really can't afford to waste time engaging in idle chat that she could be using to figure out the plethora of mysteries surrounding the school or the gaps in her memory.
"Ah, I'm just wondering how you're always so calm." He says, a bit hesitant, but then again, Makoto is always hesitant. At least, at first. Once things get going and he becomes more confident, that hesitation tends to vanish.
Still, it's an unusual topic of conversation, and not what she was expecting. "Calm?" She repeats.
"I mean, you never lose your cool. You never show emotion…" He elaborates.
Well, that's rude. And he says it like it's a bad thing. Or has he already forgotten how easily Sayaka manipulated him? Letting your thoughts and feelings show on your face is a death sentence in these circumstances.
"You say that like I'm some sort of inhuman beast," She responds, already knowing how Makoto will react.
"N-No! I didn't mean it like that!" He stammers out, as if he needed to deny it. She already knew he hadn't meant it like that.
She smothers the disappointment rising in her chest. Makoto was clever and observant, he could make a useful ally. If only he weren't so naive.
I need to correct this. She decides as she turns to face him. If Makoto is left to continue this way, he'll only be used again and end up dead one way or the other. He trusts her, and she isn't in a position to be wasting such a valuable resource.
(She ignores the other feeling, deep, deep down in the core of her being, the one she can't explain, the one that also rejects the notion of Makoto dying. Small now, but persistent and growing like an ember in firewood.)
"Well, I am human. I do have emotions. I just don't let them show on my face or in my voice."
"You make that sound way easier than it actually is! Especially in these circumstances!"
…She supposed she does. After all, the only other one here who comes close to matching her emotionless mask is Celeste. And even she had moments where she slipped.
If you want to live, then you better learn "I suggest you consider trying. Your naive honesty makes you a target."
Something seemed to take over, and she unconsciously stood taller as the words continued to leave her mouth. "Protect against deception, and never allow others to read your emotions. And whoever stands before you, don't let them push you around."
It's her voice saying it, but not her words. She doesn't know how she knows that, but it's a certainty deep in her gut. It feels almost rote, as if repeating something she's heard over and over and over again. The words feel etched into her soul.
She ends the impromptu lecture with her most piercing gaze, "Remember that."
"And that's why you hide your feelings…?" Makoto asks, seemingly to himself.
An affirmative hum buzzes out as she turns back to the machine in the center of the room, pleased. Maybe he's finally getting it…
"But that's such a waste! Your smile is just so cute! Hiding it behind a mask like that is such a waste!"
What
Several things run through her head the moment she hears those words: That this is out of character for Makoto, that this is likely an attempt to challenge her ability to hide her emotions, that this is, in effect, an obvious trap.
They're all logical thoughts, and most likely the truth of the situation. They're all drowned out by a completely unrelated thought.
He thinks I'm cute?
It surfaces for only a second, barely even, but it's still enough to make her freeze in place. Her face is warm; she's blushing, she realizes. Makoto is silent, waiting expectantly for her response. It takes all her willpower to force her body to move, to turn around and confront him.
He thinks I'm cute?
It infuriates her how much sway that simple, worthless thought holds over her. It shouldn't. It should mean nothing to her. Logically, Kyoko knows she is attractive. She's certain she's heard worse from worse before, even if she can't remember any of it. This shouldn't affect her.
And yet it does.
"W-What are you talking about?" She starts, internally cringing at her own stuttering even as her mind desperately scrambles for a way to regain control. To compensate for the insufferable weakness on full display. "Y-You shouldn't say things like that, it's…" It's what? It shouldn't be happening in the first place, right? That's what she believes, right? "Too soon…"
"A-ha!" Makoto exclaims with a self-satisfied smirk, "I got you to show some emotion, after all!"
And she breathes a sigh of relief. Internally, of course. She won't suffer another show of weakness. But, finally, she's found it, the snare she can set on Makoto.
"What…?" She starts, feigning shock, "Makoto…you…" The heat dies on her face as she regains her bearings, once again in control, "You deceived me?! You said something nice like that…just to trick me!?"
The anger isn't real. Maybe it should have been, but right now, Kyoko is simply too grateful for the opportunity he's unwittingly provided her.
The effect is instantaneous: Makoto's face twists in shock and dismay as he realizes the implications of what he's done. "S-sorry…" He apologizes, once again slotting himself back into the realm of predictability, "I guess I got carried away. But…even if I did deceive you, it wasn't a total lie…"
"...You see how easily you yourself are deceived?" Kyoko lands the final blow, completing the reversal. Her nerves are settled, and she allows herself a moment of satisfaction.
"Huh…?" Makoto's confused, as expected.
"You would never just come out and call someone cute like that," Kyoko elaborates, "It's completely out of character. You thought I wouldn't catch on to an obvious ploy like that?" It wasn't a lie, not technically. She had clocked what he was attempting immediately, but his words had affected her. More than they should.
"What? You mean…" He starts, but Kyoko is already walking away.
"Watch yourself, Makoto. You're honest to a fault."
Whatever past she's had, she's grateful for the skills it's imparted to her. Makoto will be convinced that she was completely unaffected by what he had said. If she's lucky, he'll also take what she said to heart and stop being so trusting and open. If he keeps going as he is, then the cruel reality of this world will be the end of him.
That bothers her more than she'd care to admit.
It wasn't a total lie...
She's grateful she's alone right now. She'd rather not explain the pink dusting she's certain is on her cheeks.