EDITED: I decided after reading through the reviews that all of Haruko's free time events should be here~ Thanks for suggesting that I should put all of his events here!
Minori decided he wasn't too tired yet, then moving out of the auditorium to walk down the area. He wondered how many strolls he had taken with Rin, and can only question how long it'll take to rest if either Sagiso or Seiga were in the mix. Still, his body was still riling with energy, and he could only assume that was from how relaxing his walk with Rin was. He honestly had to thank her, sooner or later.
And now that he was thankful, he suddenly realized what a mistake it was to think he'd keep his energy inside of his body. He was thrown aback in fear as he realized he was charging straight towards him.
"Minnie!"
Minori let out a cry as he suddenly felt arms around him. The tiny man was hugging him tightly, excited giggles escaping his lips as Minori was left flustered. His face was a bright red as he tried to make out the situation. "K-ko?!" He had no idea why he was crying out Haruko's name in such a desperate fashion. His voice had almost cracked at that point. "W-why're you-"
"I'm just happy we stopped that Monokuma from his evil scheme!" Haruko chuckled as he released the pseudologist. He was smiling brightly at him, moving about to and fro. Yes, he was definitely joyful. "Since we beat the final boss' scheme, we could just rest and eat chocolate all day, right? We could eat sweets all day!"
Minori realized he was sighing. He was a fan of sweets, sure, but Haruko was blasting away from him. Well, Haruko was a chocolatier, so Minori supposed the young man had a right to speak so delightfully about them. "I thought you said it would take around a week to get the chocolates done?"
Haruko frowned, now suddenly pouting. "Yeah, I said that! But maybe we could just eat the sweets in the fridge? Maybe there's a lot in the boxes as well!"
Minori did not want to note how it was probably Monokuma who afforded them their supply of food.
"Let's go party, Minnie! We need to throw a huge chocolate party for our friends." Before the pseudologist knew it, he was being dragged by the chocolatier straight into the dining hall and right into the kitchen to look for sweets.
Should I hang out with Ko?
You're being forced to anyways! / No, please!
Minori could only watch from the sidelines as Haruko dug into the boxes. Honestly, it was funny to see the Ultimate digging underneath the supplies and cans. To see his legs and feet sticking up was simply comedic. Still, Minori couldn't laugh and walked over to help the chocolatier up. He could see the chocolatier frowning, pouting and puffing his cheeks out. The man slowly walked out of the boxes, saying, "Guess Monokuma's the type of person who treats his students like they're on diets."
Minori thought to himself. He did realize that when he had sorted through the fridge that there were mainly fruits and low-fat snacks. The only things the pseudologist would consider sweet were the cookie dough he found lying on the table and the bags of sugar and cocoa powder from the shelves. The pseudologist had to admit he was shocked that the headmaster would care so much about their health- especially if he considered the group were forced to participate in a killing game.
Minori: Ko, what made you become a chocolatier?
Haruko: Hm? Um, weeeelll... I guess it's because I'm the youngest of three? People are soooo mature when they get older, so since I'm the youngest I feel obliged to just like everything kids would like!
Minori: I can definitely see that being a reasoning on his side. I wonder how his older siblings and parents handled him when he's such an energetic ball of chocolate goodness. They must spoiled him sweet- okay, mind, stop.
Minori: Anyways, do you have a favorite kind of chocolate?
Haruko: Huh?! Well, I suppose it isn't too kid-friendly in my eyes, but it's really, really, reaaaaalllly good! My dad used to make this dark chocolate which had rum, raspberries, and peanut butter in it. It's suuuuuuper tasty, but I don't know why everyone hated it!
Minori: ... Honestly, it sounds disgusting to me!
Minori: So, I'm guessing your dad's a chocolatier too?
Haruko: Huh? Yeah, but it's not that important! Hobbies usually pass down from generation to generation, but luckily enough his love for creating chocolate passed down to a fanatic like me! Woohoo!
Minori: Hahaha, yeah, I guess so.
Minori: Well, other than chocolate, is there anything else you like?
Haruko: Anything else? Well... I like playing outdoors!
Minori: Not surprised there.
Minori: What do you do outdoors?
Haruko: I usually like to do the normal stuff people likes when going outdoors. Walking, running, playing at the park, everything! I mainly like to play games with other people. I think it's much more fun if I'm with somebody! I don't like to be alone and look like the odd one out from a crowd, hah!
Minori: You sound like you're having the time of your life. I'm happy for you.
Haruko: Aw, Minnie, you're so cute!
Minori: H-huh?! W-what?!
Haruko: Ahahaha! See, you're so cute that it's fun to tease you!
Minori: W-well, excuse my rudeness, but please stop!
Haruko: Hahaha! Nope! Not unless you give me a piggyback ride!
Minori: What?
Minori couldn't believe he fell for Haruko's trick. He hated how easily flustered he was and how innocent Haruko loved to look. The pseudologist was then forced to throw the chocolatier onto his back, giving him a free ride around the school. About half an hour passed with Minori's energy being drained and Haruko laughing about the wind blowing against his face.
Minori almost fell straight onto the table head-first as they finally entered back into the kitchen.
Ko's Profile Card: 1/1
Note: Ko is the youngest of three and became a chocolatier because of his father. Other than that, Ko seemed to gain other hobbies which most kids enjoy, such as playing outdoors, in the park, etc. He also seemed to love pulling pranks on others.
After that first strange encounter he had with Haruko, Minori felt like he had to talk to him more. Even if Haruko had tired him out, the chocolatier really was a bundle of fluff and energy. Minori couldn't help but feel attracted to how kind and energetic the Ultimate was.
And so, Minori decided to spend all of his days, all of his years to talk to the Ultimate Chocolatier.
"Heeeeeey, Minnie!" Haruko cried as he ran over to the pseudologist, suddenly embracing his arms around him. "Let's play again!"
Minori couldn't help but smile a bit to himself, ruffling the chocolatier's hair.
Should I hang out with Ko?
Yaaaaasssss! / No thanks.
Minori: I spent the day listening to Ko talk about different types of chocolate as I gave him a piggyback ride.
Haruko: You're so fun to be around, Minnie! I wish everyone else could be as fun as you are!
Minori: Oh, you think? I'm sure there are plenty of people much more fun-loving than I am, such as Seiga.
Haruko: But you always listen to what I tell you and it's fun to see you blush when you get embarrassed! I really like teasing you, Minnie!
Minori: Okay, I do not want to be considered 'fun to be with' for being embarrassed too easily.
Haruko: So, what else should we do today? Hmmm... Oh! I know! I can teach you how to make chocolate!
Minori: How to make chocolate? Does Monokuma even have enough ingredients for you to teach me how to make some in the kitchen?
Haruko: Preeeeeetty sure. Monokuma always restocks stuff, right? I think we'll be fine! C'mon, Minnie!
Minori: K-Ko, wait! Hey!
Minori: Ko and I went to the kitchen. Ko was checking the fridge and boxes before finding a bunch of utensils and ingredients needed to create the chocolate.
Haruko: Minnie, let's make it together! I'll teach you, I'll teach you! Come!
Minori: Y-yeah, Ko!
Minori: Ko was teaching me how to make chocolate. He seemed so intelligent on the subject that I honestly felt like a toddler. He was showing me how to create...how to make some chocolate bunnies. Oh god damnit Ko, I think you're teasing me.
Minori: We had finished shaping the chocolates and now we left them to mold.
Haruko: Alright, we did it! Woohoo, high five, Minnie!
Minori: Y-yeah, yay...
Haruko: So what should we do next? Ooh, I know! Let's pull a prank on Kakuma!
Minori: Huh? Uh, no thanks. I don't think he'll appreciate that.
Haruko: What?! Aw, boo! Oh, oh, I know! Let's pull a prank on Saori then!
Minori: I think she'll slap both of us though.
Haruko: Fine then! Hmph!
Minori: Have you ever considered letting your siblings rest? You can be a bit too hyper at times, Ko.
Haruko: Nah. Minnie, my cute little siblings aren't at all tired from my pranks, mwahahaha!
Minori: I see...
Minori: Wait, 'little'? I thought you were the youngest, Ko-
Haruko: Oops! Did I say that? Oopsy-daisy! I made a mistake there!
Minori: ... He's lying.
Minori: So, do you actually have younger-
Haruko: Minnie, I'm gonna go leave now!
Minori: H-huh?
Minori was taken aback, suddenly unable to do anything as Haruko ran down the hallways. He could hear the chocolatier laugh in the distance, however instead of wanting to sigh out of a tired laugh, he was instead stunned into silence. Haruko definitely had ran away from him.
I think... I think it would be best to bring it up again next time.
Ko's Profile Card: 2/2
Note: Ko loves teaching others how to create chocolate. Apparently he is teaching Minori how to make his very own chocolate, however he seemed to have slip that he has "little siblings". Is this just a mistake?
Minori was caught by surprise, Haruko's arms suddenly around him. "Minnie, Minnie, Minnie!" He cried, literally screaming into his back. "Let's go eat the chocolates now! I wanna see you eat the chocolate bunnies!"
The pseudologist felt his cheeks blush, but nodded his head. "Alright, then let's go."
Haruko squealed happily and they made their way into the kitchen, the chocolatier taking out the batch of chocolate bunnies. Beautiful, beautiful tasty chocolate on a platter. White chocolate bunnies, mocha chocolate bunnies, and...and the milk chocolate bunnies that Minori was only able to create. He didn't even know when Haruko had made the other bunnies, but didn't ask.
"Let's eat them!" Haruko handed the pseudologist one of the bunnies, plopping the one Minori created into his mouth. His eyes brightened instantly. "Oooh! These are good, Minnie!"
Minori sheepishly smiled, deciding to take a bite as well. His eyes widened. "Wow, they're good." I'm even more surprised that mine taste fine in comparison to Ko's... The pseudologist eyed the chocolatier for a short moment, then recalling their last time together. Hm. "Hey, Ko, can I ask you something?"
Haruko tilted his head. "Hm? Yeah, go shoot!"
Alright, he doesn't seem to realize what I want to say. Should I really continue with this?
Should I hang out with Ko?
Hell to the f yeah! / No way.
Minori: Um, so, uh, Ko...
Haruko: Hmm? What's wrong?
Minori: Can I just ask you seriously?
Haruko: Huh? What, what? What's up?
Minori: Are you actually the youngest of your siblings, or are you lying?
Haruko: ...
Minori: Okay, I think I could've been more discreet with my words.
Haruko: You knew I was lying about that?
Minori: Well, to be honest, leaving so suddenly goes make you suspicious. N-not to be rude though.
Haruko: I guess you're right then, Minnie. I should've done a better job with that.
Minori: Ko...
Haruko: Minnie, can you promise me you won't tell anyone?
Minori: Ko, I would never tell anyone anything. You can trust me.
Haruko: Haha, thanks.
Haruko: ... Well, how do I start? Hm, well, let's start off with my name. My name isn't even Haruko. It's just Haru.
Minori: W-what?
Haruko: I'd still want to be called Ko though. I just thought I could start it off like this though! Haha, oops.
Haruko: It's true. I'm the oldest of my siblings. I have a younger sister and brother. Those two are the only siblings I have. Me being the youngest was a lie.
Minori: But...why lie about it? It won't change anything here.
Haruko: Maybe you're right, but... I consider myself to be what you would call a 'little brother'. I cannot ever call myself an older sibling.
Haruko: So, uh, let's see... Let's start with my dad. The one who worked at a chocolate shop is my step-dad, not my real one. My real one died when I was young. My mother just remarried, that's all. My step-dad's awesome though! He's the one who made me love chocolate, after all! I mean, our relationship isn't too good now... I still hope I'll rebuild on it though!
Minori: I... I see. Then what about your mother?
Haruko: My mom? She's perfectly fine with me! We're close to each other. Like mother and son~
Minori: Then... how about your siblings? Are you guys fine?
Haruko: ... Actually, can we talk about this another time?
Minori: Huh? Why? ... Of course.
Haruko: Thanks!
Haruko smiled at Minori before taking a handful of chocolate, then leaving the kitchen. Minori was silent. He couldn't do anything but think to himself, wondering about what he had just heard. He couldn't believe it. Honestly, it was too shocking for him.
Ko's Profile Card: 3/3
Note: Ko is actually the oldest of two, and his real name is Haru. Apparently his biological father had died while he was young, and his mother remarried to what is now Ko's step-father. His relationship with his father seem to be a bit rocky.
Minori looked at Haruko who was humming to himself, singing a tale before noticing the pseudologist. His eyes brightened instantly and he quickly ran over his way, throwing an arm around the Ultimate. "Heeeeey Minnie!" He cried, giggling as he literally dragged the pseudologist down into his room. "I wanna show you some drawings I made when I was bored!"
"Yeah, sure." Minori didn't even bother at this point, following the chocolatier into his room. He watched Haruko as he took out a notebook, throwing it to the Ultimate. Minori caught it easily and began to look through it, noticing sketches of the chocolatier himself and then different animals. Minori smiled as he turned the pages, noticing pictures of chocolate before seeing sketches of him and the others. "Cute," he found himself saying, staring down at a picture of Haruko with the others.
Haruko grinned widely. "You think so? I wished I drew you cuter though~"
"H-huh?!" Minori's cheeks flushed red and he quickly shoved the notebook back to the chocolatier. He couldn't do anything but frown as Haruko began to laugh, teasing him and putting the notebook aside. Minori sighed, shaking his head. "So, what else did you bring me here for?"
"Oh milord, you're so smart!" Haruko laughed happily and took a seat close to his friend. "I just thought it'd be a good time to discuss more about last time. Honestly, I feel better after I shared my thoughts with you, sooo... Yeah, I think I should tell you everything. Oh, I mean, if you're okay with it!"
Minori cupped his chin. "Well..."
Should I hang out with Ko?
I'm really interested in his FTE anyways...
Minori nodded, moving close to ruffle the chocolatier's hair. "Of course."
Haruko: Ooh! Hooray! Alright, let's go! Hm, where did I stopped last time though, Minnie?
Minori: If I remember correctly, I think it would be about your relationship with your siblings.
Haruko: ... Oh, I see now.
Minori: Ko was smiling at me sadly. It was as if I had broken him.
Haruko: I guess I'll start off with the most important part, huh? Well, the reason why I act like this is because...well, because of my brother.
Minori: Oh, I see. Did something happen between you two?
Haruko: Haha, of course not! We got along perfectly fine. Well, it's just that... Well, bluntly speaking, he ended up missing.
Minori: Missing?
Haruko: My little brother was always the adventurous type, so he'd always wander off. I never paid it too much mind until I actually ended up losing him. He was abducted from school. All because I was gone for one day, he just went up and disappeared! I was so clueless!
Minori: Ko...
Haruko: We ended up trying to look for him for weeks. The police found nothing. No leads, no evidence, just nothing. We were looking everywhere for him. We hoped he was safe. We hoped he was fine and had simply gotten lost. It was a stupid wish, but it was still...that hope... I broke it.
Haruko: One night. It took one night for me to find him.
Minori: What? You found him?
Haruko: ... It was dark and since we were looking everywhere for him at the time, I decided to search in the forest. I was walking down the forest and found him there. I found his... his body.
Minori: O-oh my god.
Haruko: It scared me. I didn't want to do anything. I couldn't do anything. I found his body. H-he had been murdered-! I-I didn't know what to do, so I just ran! I-I didn't tell anyone. I-I just couldn't! How could I? I-it was traumatizing! I-I can't just go out and tell my family! T-they'd be horrified!
Minori: ... I'm... I don't know. That's just terrible.
Haruko: After that moment, I knew I was a worthless brother. I couldn't even find my little brother in time. I didn't deserve to be called a big brother. I wanted to throw myself away. I'm not a big brother. I'm not worth being called the big brother anymore. Sure, my dad and sister called me cowardly for that, b-but how would they know? M-my little brother's dead... They would never understand why I'm like this-!
Minori: It was at that moment that I understood everything. Everything there was to know about Ko.
Minori: Why Ko was so full of energy all the time and why he always acted so childish around everyone... He was trying to throw away himself.
Haruko: S-sorry about that. I-I didn't mean to cry... Haha, sorry about that, Minnie.
Haruko: I-I'm sorry, but can I spend some time a bit to myself? I know I invited you here and everything, but I... I just need to think some things through.
Minori: ... Of course.
Minori instantly stood from his seat and began to move. Although he wanted to stay behind to comfort the chocolatier, he knew best. Haruko wanted to be alone, and Minori had to appreciate his wish. He walked his way out of the door and closed it, a long sigh escaping his lips. Ko...
Ko's Profile Card: 4/4
Note: The reason why Ko was acting so childish was because he felt like he didn't fit the role of an older brother. After his brother had been abducted and killed, it traumatized Ko to the point of Ko wanting to change his very own title as the older sibling.
Minori noticed Haruko in the distance, the chocolatier strangely quiet inside of the library. The pseudologist peeked inside to see the chocolatier reading, eyeing words on a novel. A novel about different sorts of sweets, most particulary chocolate. Hm, is he looking up new recipes to try out?
Minori slowly headed inside, not wanting to bother the chocolatier too much. He took a step inside and walked his way towards Haruko's side, silently taking a seat down next to him.
It took a few minutes before Haruko began to yawn, stretching before finally realizing that Minori was besides him. The chocolatier gasped and quickly scooted back. "O-oh! I didn't know you were here, Minnie!"
Minori chuckled, almost wanting to smirk at how scared the man was beforehand. "Sorry about that."
"Hm, you're so mean! You're laughing at me!" Haruko pouted, puffing his cheeks out and slamming the book to the side. "Hmph!"
"Sorry, sorry." Minori smiled awkwardly, scratching his head. "Here. We can talk for a bit then."
"Hmph!"
Should I hang out with Ko?
You already promised him anyways... / Wait, no, wait, no way.
Minori: Are you alright, Ko?
Haruko: Yeah, of course I am! Hm, but are you asking about my mental health though? I mean, I was crying the last time...
Minori: I-I mean, if you do not want to talk about it, it's fine.
Haruko: It's fine! I'm already fine now, so I can talk about it!
Minori: I see.
Haruko: Anyways, yeah, sorry about before. So, where did I stop? Umm, well, about my dead brother, right? Well, yeah, ever since he died, I've been thinking that I'm not an older brother. I was not worth being an older sibling.
Minori: You still believe in that?
Haruko: I mean, I couldn't even save my brother, right? Why should I act like I'm an older sibling when I cannot even protect them...? It's better for me to just act like a child since I am a child, right? I'm not worth being an 'older brother'.
Minori: Ko.
Haruko: Haha, and these clothes? I just wear what my little brother used to wear. It's hilarious, huh?
Minori: Ko.
Haruko: I'm like the exact definition of an incompetent older brother-
Minori: Haruko!
Haruko: H-huh? Minori?
Minori: Is that honestly what you think? That you're an incompetent older brother? That you're supposed to act like a child?
Haruko: But, I mean, I couldn't even save my brother-
Minori: I think you're a competant brother, Ko.
Haruko: M-Minori...
Minori: You're definitely someone people could trust. You try to do your best to protect others. You never told your family that your brother was dead because you wanted to protect your family from being hurt, right? You didn't want them to suffer the same way you did. To protect your family and to sacrifice yourself... I think you're amazing, Ko. No matter who you are, you are a competant person and you should definitely learn that you are capable of anything. You are not cowardly and you are not an incompetant 'older brother'. Just stop calling yourself incompetant. You are definitely someone trustworthy, Ko.
Haruko: Minori... But...
Minori: You need to stop forcing yourself to become something you obviously do not want to be. You are still the lovable person you are. You are not cowardly, and you need to realize that. I don't want you to change, but I want you to realize that you shouldn't force yourself to fit the title of someone you consider to be 'incompetant'. You are fine the way you are. It isn't your fault that your little brother died, alright? Acting like you aren't an older brother will not solve the problem either.
Haruko: ... I... I guess you're right.
Minori: Ko, you are an amazing person. You shouldn't force yourself to be who you do not want to be. You shouldn't call yourself incompetant. Your family doesn't want that, right?
Haruko: Y-you're right.
Haruko: You're right. I see now. Blaming myself for my brother's death... I should've known better. My brother's death...it wasn't my fault. I should've realized it sooner. I continued to call myself useless and incompetant. I thought I shouldn't be someone with responsibility and threw away everything that made me a 'man'... I see. I now know better. Thank you, Minori.
Minori: Of course.
Minori: Ko and I smiled brightly at one another. Ko was staring at me with a great sense of confidence. He almost looked completely different. He was now different. Although he still had those childish features, he seemed much more content with himself. He seemed much more content with life. With himself.
Minori: Ko... He was definitely happier now.
Ko's Profile Card: 5/5
Note: Ko came into terms with himself from the help of Minori. He now realizes that his brother's death was not his fault and that he isn't an incompetant brother he had believed himself to be initially.
Anyways, hello, here I am! I have finished with Haruko's free time events, and now I am planning to do the first case murderer's next... I am hoping you guys will enjoy this set of Free Time Events! It'll take a while before I finish the next set of Free Time Events, but I am hoping you won't mind! I am also planning a few more special scenes...
