This refers to the events of another fic of mine, The Mage's New Apprentice, but it's not necessary to have read it in order to understand this fic. Enjoy!


Holding papers above her head, Himiko burst into her research lab. Startled, doves fluttered in the cage. Piranhas angrily butted their heads against the water tank. Yawning, Kokichi sat at the table in the center of the room, shuffling cards. He glanced up. "Finaaally. I got so bored I was gonna order my subordinates to set Beijing on fire –"

"Kokichi!" cried Himiko, running up to him. She shoved the papers in his face. "What does it say? What does it say?"

Brow raised, Kokichi skimmed the letter. Translating the English into Japanese, Kokichi read it aloud. "Dear Himiko Yumeno and Kokichi Oma of the duo Magic Mayhem. Congratulations, your application to the Magic Knights competition has been accepted. The contest will be held March 4-6 at our namesake theater in Las Vegas. A hotel will be provided for you. Details to follow regarding –"

Himiko tackled the leader in a hug. "We did it!" Releasing him, Himiko whipped around. "I can't believe it!"

Arms pinwheeling, Kokichi nearly fell backwards out of the chair. After catching himself, Kokichi tossed his bangs. "Well, of course we got in, Himi. We're best teenage magicians in Japan and the cutest couple besides."

"We havfta figure out what spell we're casting! We only got seven months to prepare."

Smirking, Kokichi tossed his bangs. "Let's get cracking then." He dashed to the large caldron in the back of the room. Uprooting a linoleum tile, he pulled out a thick grimoire. Together they sat at the table.

Himiko shook her head. "They're based on Master's old routines. I don't wanna rely on him." Taking the book, she scanned the list of their current repertoire of spells. "I don't like this."

"Which one?"

"Any of them." Kokichi's eyes widened. "We'll be competing against the best teenage mages who've been practicing spells since they were toddlers. The top contestants will be interviewed by international news networks.

Frowning, Himiko scrutinized her props for inspiration. Water tanks, rabbit cages, and the doves bird cage stood on the left. A large cauldron was displayed along the back wall. In one corner, a dozen swords were thrust into a vertical magic box, in the other, a guillotine. Bookshelves stuffed with magic books and various autographed magic props lined the wall to the right. Stuffed in the closet were pet food, bags of fan mails, and other props like cards decks, silk handkerchiefs, and wands.

All stereotypical. Ordinary. Predictable. Himiko's eyes alighted on the sliding window above the cauldron. Himiko smiled. "Hey, remember how you came in through the window and scared me?"

Kokichi turned around in the seat to look. "That was the first week of school, right? But it wasn't 'til a few days later we made that pact. I'd show you how to pick locks, and you'd teach sleight of hand and escapology. I'd become your apprentice – partner now – and you'd join my organization. And we been practicing hard in the two and a half years since."

"Practicing? More like you goofing off and flirting with me."

"Nee-heehee! And you've enjoyed every minute of it!" Smirking, he suggestively pulled on his checkered scarf, exposing his collarbone. "Or should I say every inch of my skin."

Himiko blushed to the roots of her hair. "No such thing happened!"

"Well it could."

"Well it won't!"

"Awww, you're no fun."

Elbow on the table, Himiko rested her chin on a hand. "Nyeh, such a nuisance."

Leaning towards the side, Kokichi smiled up at her. "But that's why you love me."

"Is not."

"Don't lie."

"Stop that!"

"Nee-heehee!" He jumped off the chair and wheeled over a whiteboard. "Welp! Back to the drawing board. Here's one I always wanted to do." He began sketching with an Expo marker. "It's 52 pick-up but with strings attached! You shoot out the cards from your hand, but before they fall to the ground, something pulls them back up into your hand."

"Everyone does card spells. And strings couldn't do that. What about your ability to analyze people? How you can look at someone and guess things like what job they work or their personality traits. Pass it off as mentalism."

"Nah, prolly won't work. People will be dressed in their best, not their normal attire. Notwithstanding that the theater will be outside their natural environment." After erasing, Kokichi turned around and rested against the board. "Hmm. What about superpowers? Like flying or… ooh!" Kokichi dashed into the closet before emerging with a black tablecloth. Grinning like a kid on Christmas, Kokichi held the fabric like a cape. "What if we did some disappearing and reappearing act with capes? Like this." He whipped up the cape in front of him like a fan before lowering it again. "Then I'd disappear. Until I did it again and reappeared. Y'know, invisibility. Like a ghost! A date with death – Yes! We could dance to it!"

"Nyeh – aah!" Kokichi yanked Himiko to her feet, spun her around, then dipped her. He flicked up his cape, momentarily hiding Himiko from view. She could feel the blood rushing to her head. "I'm getting dizzy."

He winked. "Sure it's not cuz you're so close to me?" Messy bangs dangled down and tickled her face. Smiling, Himiko ran a finger along his high cheekbones, across his pale skin, and down his heart-shaped face. Breathed in his crisp cologne.

Head to the side, Kokichi leaned in closer. Himiko held up a finger. "Just one kiss."

"Fiiiiine." Kokichi pecked her lips. He withdrew, only to dive back in again for a few lingering kisses. Nose crinkling, he laughed, "What? I'm a liar."

With Kokichi's help, Himiko straightened. Smoothing out her red skirt, she asked, "How would we disappear?"

Humming, Kokichi held his chin. "Place mini cameras all over ourselves. Or some sort of miniature device to reflect light."

"No such a thing exists. And it'd be super expensive to create."

"No biggie. We just get the SDF to fund it. No, we sell it to the SDF! An invisible army could win any war. Or no, wait!" Kokichi jumped onto the table. Throwing the cape to the side, he declared, "My organization shall use it to conquer the world! Ahahahaha!"

Himiko rolled her eyes. "And you say I'm delusional."

"Hmph! Nothing wrong with using your magic to fulfill my agenda."

Gazing at the sliding window, she mused, "Is that why you perform magic? To learn useful skills and spells?"

"That is why I signed up for this gig. At least initially. Then I got to learn more about the profession. As a magician, we get to have brainstorming sessions about defying gravity, telekinesis, and invisibility!" Eyes alight, Kokichi raised his hands, his fingers clawed. "We break reality! And if that isn't awesome enough, we gotta lie to do it! But the best part is…" Kokichi sat on the table's edge in front of Himiko's chair. Grinning, he tapped her nose. "Being with you!"

Legs swinging, the leader asked, "So whaddya think of the dancing ghost idea? It's original, fun, and defies reality."

Himiko pulled down the brim of her mage's hat. "It's missing something. There's no… point to it. No story or message."

"Hmm? Why do we need that? Who would you talk to… Ah."

Himiko swept back her red bangs. Her fingers brushed against the gemstone barrette Master gave her before leaving. "Master is the reason why I started practicing magic. Why I attended Hope's Peak. Without his training, we couldn't have gotten this far as Magic Mayhem." She lifted her chin, meeting Kokichi's gaze. "This'll be our last major show before we graduate. If Master's watching me, then he'll see this performance. I can't let this opportunity slip by."

"Yeah, I'd like to send a message to your master, too!" Kokichi slid off the table. Smirking, he glanced sideways at the doves. "Something about flipping birds…."

Jaw set, Himiko's eyes bore into the leader. "Master is a good person."

"Oh really? Coulda fooled me. He abandoned you."

The mage's fists shook at her side. "Master left to go train. And one day, we'll perform together onstage again. I know it."

Face devoid of expression, Kokichi studied her. "So you won't be satisfied unless it has some sorta greater meaning?" Sighing loudly, he examined his nails. "I suppose you can't give your all to a trick you feel is lacking." Eyes narrowed, Kokichi crossed his arms. "All right, fine. But on one condition. From now on you practice magic not for your master, not for your fans, but for yourself. You promised to live life looking forward, remember? Make it a life of your own."

The mage flashed a smile. "Okay. I will."

Kokichi grinned. "Right. Let's do this!" Humming, he snatched up the magic book, grabbed a marker, and began drawing on the whiteboard. "I got a million bajillion of other great ideas. Once I'm done, you'll fall to your knees in gratitude!"

Laughing quietly, Himiko watched her apprentice. In her mind, the voice of her master whispered. "You must never forget, my child. A mage must always strive to make others smile. From their happiness we draw our strength."

Frowning, Himiko clutched the front of her sweater vest. Who am I supposed to follow? Who do I perform magic for?


Straining, Himiko bodily pressed against the wheeled magic box. Thanks to its weight, the box went nowhere. Wheezy laughter echoed behind her. Her master crossed the empty stage towards her. The aging man wore a funeral 3-piece suit and long cape. Deep wrinkles lined his long, narrow face. But his smile softened his sharp facial features. "Allow me, child." The magician pushed the wheeled cart carrying the magic box backstage.

Himiko skipped behind him. Large pillars supported the stage lights hanging above. Crates, paint buckets, and cardboard set pieces allowed for little room to maneuver. Bright costumes hung from a wheeled clothing rack. Distant voices from the sound and lightning murmured in the background. The girl shivered in her pink skirt and ruffle T-shirt.

After coming to a stop, he asked, "What did you think of the show? I wished for you to behold the all wonders of magic has to offer you. How magicians with great talent like us can transform the audience's lives. How we possess the power to warp reality itself."

The ten-year-old girl bounced on her toes. "It was awesome, Master. Sooo cool! When are you gonna start teaching me how to do all those things? I can't wait! Can you teach me how to make that box float first?"

"Float?"

"Yeah! When you're in a box, you're stuck and can't get out." In demonstration, Himiko crouched down and hugged her knees. "Then – poof!" She jumped up, arms extended. "A girl pops out! She came from outta nowhere and everyone was so surprised. I wanna be her. And if the box floats, then it's even more impossible for the girl to be in there."

Sighing, the magician ran a hand through his slicked back white hair. "Such a silly child you are. I suppose you do still have much to learn. Is not levitating a person more magnificent? And that would be quite audacious to be one's first trick. But if so you desire, I will teach you whatever you wish." Leaning in close, he raised a gnarled finger. "If you listen close to my teachings, train every day beside me, and regularly participate in my shows, there will be nothing we cannot accomplish. We will captivate audiences across the globe. We shall be the world's greatest magicians."

Eyes alight, Himiko clasped her hands. "Are we mages?"

"What?"

"Y'know, mages who cast spells! Cuz people say magicians do tricks and tricks aren't real. But what you do so amazing there's no way it's fake, right?"

Frowning, he gazed at her with narrowed eyes. Then he wheezily laughed. A gleam shone in his eye as his whispery voice spoke. "Indeed, it is as you say. I am not a magician, nor a mage, but an…" Whispering, he spread out his hands. "…archmage."

Himiko's eyes went wide. "Oh, wooow."

"Come close." The archmage kneeled down, making their faces more even. He held her tiny hands with his long fingers. "Before you become my apprentice, I must impart on you the rule all mages follow. You must never forget, my child. A mage must always strive to make others smile. From their happiness we draw our strength."

Himiko solemnly nodded.

Smiling, he patted her hand, before releasing her. He began pushing the magic box further in. "Very good. After cleaning up, we shall begin your training. Lend a hand."

For a moment, Himiko hung back. She watched her master retreat deeper backstage. Smiling, she thought, I won't forget, Master. I'll do my very best to make you smile.


Frowning, Kokichi considered the sketches in front of him. Across the table, Himiko clenched and unclenched her skirt. Kokichi picked up the page, reading her notes. Brow raised, he stated, "A water tank escape. That's been done to death, don't cha think? Real yawn fest."

Himiko bristled like a porcupine. "Well, all you've done for the past two weeks is ask for the impossible! Making elephants disappear only works on TV! We only have six months. I know archmages who've spent 20 years – our whole lifetime – working on creating new spells. And other mages are still able to guess how the spell is executed."

Kokichi threw up a hand. "Then they suck. We're gonna be better. But we can't with wimpy, old tricks. We gotta push ourselves so we can stand above the riff raff normies. It's go big or go home!"

"And I have more experience than you. I know what we're realistically capable of!"

Kokichi stared at Himiko, his face as blank as a poker player. The doves' coos punctured the silence in the research lab. Central air hummed. Stretching, Kokichi raised his above his head. "Welp. It's almost time for our afternoon break." Getting up, Kokichi approached their snack cabinet between two bookcases. He dumped a water bottle into a kettle and set it on the hot plate. "What kind of tea do ya want today? Any candy?"

"I have one more idea."

Kokichi paused. Then he returned to the table. "Lay it on me."

After swallowing, Himiko pulled out folded pages from a hidden pocket in her mage hat. "This uses the same props as the first trick I learned from Master. It has my own twist however. My method."

Biting a thumb nail, Kokichi examined the diagram. After a long moment, he sighed. "It's still unoriginal. But that's not what matters to you, is it?" Placing the paper down, he met her gaze. "You'd sacrifice winning a world competition to send a message to your master who deserted you."

"I know him! He's training!" Himiko hung her head. "Sure, Master was… offended by all the attention I was getting. That I corrected his mistake after that anti-mage pointed it out mid-performance. How he, he left me. But Master would only be upset for a little bit. Then he'd push himself further to be an even greater archmage! One day we'll perform together again." Pressing a hand to her chest, Himiko cried, "That's why I gotta contact him!"

Piercing lavender eyes studied her. "You really believe that."

"Yes."

Exhaling, Kokichi scratched his head. "What's the message?"

Himiko leaned over and pointed. "Think of the role you play as my younger, lazier self."

"Mm. I see it now. Yeah, that's… that really works, huh?" Picking up the paper, he glanced it over. Nodded. "Well, I can work with this, now that we got the basic elements down pat. I'll analyze this to death and come up with a thousand different versions. We'll choose the best of the bunch." Fist raised and clenched, Kokichi declared, "We'll take not only first place, but second and third places too!"

Smiling, Himiko's eyes burned. "Thank you, Kichi."

"Save that 'til after we win. We got loooads of work ahead of us." Kokichi snatched up a pen and scribbled down a list. "We gotta contact The Broken Vial store and order the magic box ASAP. Research the competition. Practice escapism and –"

"Before we order the box, we'll need the dimensions. And determine if we need any trap doors or false panels."

"Right, right, right. And we can't forget about hammering out a script…"


Himiko lay back against the living room couch. At the other end, Kokichi sat on the floor, wedged between the couch and the coffee table. The TV played a video of a magic show. A magician showcased a metal box whose front and back was open, allowing the audience too see behind it. A showgirl had climbed inside. "…and if you look here you'll see there's no hidden compartments."

Chewing popcorn, Kokichi jotted in his notebook which rested on his raised knees. He pointed the eraser to the screen. "The walls are thicker than necessary. She's skinny enough to hide there."

"Don't forget her legs; the bottom is false, too. Between both she can disappear."

"Ahhh…. Gotcha." Nodding, Kokichi drew a diagram of the box. "Too obvious for us to do."

Exhaling, Himiko tossed her blank pad and pen aside. The magician droned on. Classical music played from Shuichi's bedroom. Kaito banged around in his room, causing the photos of the boys posted on the wall to ruffle. Keebo, the final roommate, was out somewhere with Miu. Himiko called, "Kichi?"

"Mm?"

Himiko turned her head towards him, lifting her chin slightly. Closed her eyes.

Grinning, Kokichi turned around onto his knees and kissed her. He returned to drawing, chuckling. Himiko snuggled back into the corner of the couch. Breathed in the smell of Shuichi's coffee.

"Himi!" She glanced up. Kokichi was facing her, pointing to his lips. "Kissy, kissy!"

Laughing, Himiko obliged.

"Ew, god. Not again."

Kaito stood by the kitchen counter a short distance behind the living room couch. He reached into the wooden overhead cabinets. "You're gonna make me lose my appetite. Seriously, get a room."

Kokichi plopped into Himiko's lap. "'Kay, let's use Kaito's bed!"

"Like hell!" Kaito snatched some protein bars and slammed his bedroom door close. Locked it. Then Kaito opened it, stepped across the hall, and shut Shuichi's door, before banging his door close again.

Himiko rolled her eyes. "Well, that's one way of getting Kaito to leave us alone."

"Whaaat? How could you think that? Y'know I love Space Case from the bottom of my heart." Kokichi slid off her lap onto the neighboring seat. "Anyhoo, now that it's established we're not watching magic shows, what are we doing?"

Beaming, Himiko clasped her hands. "Let's watch my soap operas!"

"Sure!"

Himiko gasped, "Really?"

"Ahaha!" Kokichi's expression turns as solemn as a grave. "No."

"Aw, come on, please! Just give them a try!"

Huffing, Kokichi threw out a hand. "I already know what's gonna happen. See, two brothers have sleep with each other's wives. One gets pregnant – when her husband is sterile. Uh oh! But wait, she's actually the wife's identical twin sister who was separated at birth!" Himiko stared at him, slack jawed. "What?"

"That sounds exactly like the finale of season 9."

Kokichi facepalmed.


"Hold on, wait. Play that part again. Slow it down."

Himiko paused the recording, then rewound it. The laptop showed Himiko in her research lab sitting down. Kokichi held an iPad on the table, a vase onscreen. She played the video. Kokichi raised the device to reveal the exact same vase resting on the table – brought to life from the ipad.

"With the video slowed, I can see how you casted the spell. You hafta be faster, cleaner."

Squinting, Kokichi leaned forward in his chair. He clucked his tongue. "Yup, you're right. I'll practice more."

"You're getting better. Just need to make it smoother." Sighing, Kokichi shrugged.

Huddled close, Himiko and Kokichi continued watching themselves perform. After finishing that trick, the duo walked towards the center of the room where a magic box rested on a stand. Since the box had arrived a week ago, they rehearsed and revised the act every day. Himiko paused it. She tapped the screen with a permanent marker. "See your expression? You look so smug."

Smirking, Kokichi held a finger aside his lips. "Just the way you like it."

"No, according to the storyline you're supposed to be angry. Annoyed by me. At all times you gotta be in character. Just make your pencil face."

"My what?"

Frowning, Himiko cocked her head. "Y'know, your pencil face. The one you make when you're mad."

Whistling, Kokichi made a circle with his index by his temple. "I know you live in a fantasy world, but what the heck are you talking about?"

"Says the little boy whose organization is a figment of his imagination."

Eyes narrowed, Kokichi pressed his lips into a thin white line. A camera flashed. Himiko lowered her phone. "See? Between your eyebrows you got two lines that look like they could hold a pencil." Utterly baffled, Kokichi tilted his head to the side. Cheeks burning, Himiko pulled down her mage's brim. "Nyeeeeh… You, uh, don't think that I have faces?"

"Just one – your normal expression. It's like resting bitch face but completely expressionless."

Himiko glared daggers.

Chuckling, Kokichi poked between her eyebrows. "Nope. Still not getting this pencil thing."

Himiko breathed deeply from flared nostrils.

"I mean, you can't expect much from such an ugly face. With your mud brown eyes, cavernous flared nostrils, and those hideously fat donkey lips –" Growling, Himiko snatched a marker off the table and stabbed. "Aah!" Screaming, Kokichi seized her raised wrist. But her forward momentum knocked them off the chair. Rolling on the ground, their cries and yelps echoed across the lab.


"…ichi. Kokichi!"

Groaning, Kokichi opened his eyes. Lifted his head off the table. A dark figure reached a hand towards him. Kokichi seized the wrist, pinned the arm to the table, and held a throwing knife to the figure's throat.

"W-whoa!"

"Shuichi?" Kokichi released the detective. "Maaan, you should know better than to sneak up to an evil dictator like that. I've cleaned up plenty of cops before."

Shuichi drew back, fingering his throat. "S-sorry. I was just checking up on you. It's 3 am. What are you doing in Himiko's lab so late?"

Suppressing a yawn, Kokichi plopped back into his seat. He gestured to the tabletop. "Figure it out, Mr. Detective." Card decks were fanned out, coins and dice lay scattered, and a laptop magic tutorial onscreen. A lamp was the sole source of light. Had the overhead lights been on security passing by might check inside. "And you?"

"Me? Oh, I was texting Kaede. Well, then I called her. Afterwards, I went into the kitchen for water and saw your bedroom door ajar."

"You were chatting with Kaede 'til 3 in the morning? Geez, Shuichi, at that point you shoulda gone to her bedroom. Whoops, my bad, then you wouldn't be talking, would ya?" Flustered, Shuichi swept back his bangs. Kokichi jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Since you're here, be a good buddy and help me into a straitjacket. It's not possible to get into it by myself."

Shuichi crossed his arms over his loose gray T-shirt. "I'm not here to help you rehearse, Kokichi. You should be in bed." Shuichi sat in the chair perpendicular to Kokichi. "Does Himiko know you're here?"

"Course she knows. In fact, she –" Kokichi yawned. Exhaling, he rubbed his bleary eyes. "Oh, I dunno, Shumai. Pretend I said whatever lie makes you satisfied enough to leave me alone."

Shuichi's piercing gray eyes studied the leader. The purple circle beneath his eyes. His white pallor. Slouched posture. "How long have you been doing this? No, don't say anything. Whatever the answer is, it's been too long. Why do you feel the need to practice so much?"

"Cuz I…." Sighing, Kokichi gazed around the room, searching for an answer. The lamp cast strange shadows of the swords and guillotine across the floor. There were no bells ringing or chatting students outside the door. Only the sound of dead air.

"Himiko can take the time off from regular practice to work on the Las Vegas trick." Shivering, Kokichi rubbed his arms. Cold radiated off the linoleum tile. "But I can't. She's been training every day for the past decade. I got a few practices every week for three years. Like… Here. Take a look at this."

Kokichi reached for a deck. He placed the seven of hearts face up in the middle of the face down card deck. "One sleight I've been trying is called the Classic Pass. It's the basic of advanced card tricks. It's supposed to be invisible and silent but…" Riffling a corner, Kokichi moved the card deck back and forth slightly. The seven of hearts jumped to the top of the deck. "Hear that?"

Eyes alight, Shuichi leaned in, hand on his chin. "Yeah, the riffling makes a noise. And swaying of the deck calls attention to it. You're doing something funny to the deck."

"Exactly! I've been working on this for months. Meanwhile, Himiko…." Kokichi pulled up a video Himiko demonstrating the pass. She'd place the card in the middle of the deck then straighten it. A twitch of movement. No riffling. The card appeared on top.

Shuichi gasped. "How in the world…? It looks like magic!"

Exhaling, Kokichi threw up a hand. "It's as easy as breathing for her. And yet here I am stuck here, practicing in the dead of night. After this, there's the brick pass, the Herman, and the one-handed pass –" Kokichi tried splitting the deck into two halves with one hand and placing the bottom half on top of the other. The cards tumbled onto the floor. "Damnit all!" Muttering curses, he stooped to pick them up. "It's just… if I don't even compare to Himiko, how am I supposed to help her win an international magic contest?"

Shuichi squatted down and gathered cards as well. "Kokichi, you bring the 'Mayhem' in the Magic Mayhem, don't you?"

"Rude! You saying I don't know magic? That no one expects anything from me?" That Himiko doesn't need me?

"No, of course you have talent! I may play piano duets with Kaede, but I'll never be good enough to perform with her. In just two and a half years, you've learned enough to stand by her side. And on and offstage you never stop being an entertainer. Much to everyone's annoyance," smiled Shuichi. Finished cleaning, he stood. Offered a hand to the leader. "You're a team."

"A… team, huh?"

Himiko's words echoed in Kokichi's mind. "Master left to go train. And one day, we'll perform together onstage again. I know it."

Biting his lip, Kokichi lowered his head. His bangs cast his face in shadow. We won't be a team for much longer.

"Kokichi?"

Kokichi snored loudly. "Wha – huh? Oh, Shuichi! Did I fall asleep? Sowwy, couldn't help myself. The amount of 'blah, blah, blah' was just too much!" Kokichi rose on his own.

Frowning, Shuichi retracted his offered hand. He muttered, "Glad you're back to normal. Come on, let's head to back to the dorm."

Kokichi rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Mother."

The leader shut down the laptop and turned off the lamp before following Shuichi to the door. Kokichi paused at the doorframe. He glanced back, gazing into the dark lab. Himi and I have so many memories here…. He closed his eyes. Exhaled. Then he shut the door, locked it, and ambled down the hall.

Guess no matter what happens, I'll always have those to remember her by.


Straitjacket sliding over her head, Himiko panted, "Time."

Kokichi paused his phone's stopwatch. "1 minute and 37 seconds."

Groaning, Himiko banged her head against the magic box. "A minute and a half? I usually only need 30 seconds."

"Still two whole minutes better than me," muttered Kokichi. When Himiko asked what he said, Kokichi shook his head. "Doesn't matter." Frowning, he studied the set up. The box rested on the table's edge in the research lab, to mimic being suspended in the air. Knees raised, Himiko sat inside. She only had an inch or two of wiggle room. "I think it's the size. If the box were bigger, you'd have more room to jerk your arm back and loosen the straitjacket's straps. Ooooor…" Kokichi tossed a knife into the air and caught it. "You could just cheat."

"Where did you get that?"

"This? It's one of your throwing knives." Grunting, he thrust it. "Good for slicing our competitors' jugulars! …and the straitjacket if you get stuck midperformance."

Sweeping back her sweaty bangs, Himiko huffed, "I'm not killing anyone! And if we cheat how are people supposed to believe magic is real?"

Kokichi waved the blade like teachers wag a finger at students. "Regardless, you should keep one on you at all times. Las Vegas is a dangerous city, y'know. I got three already."

Sighing, Himiko leaned over the edge and grabbed the jacket off the floor. "Well, if I'm not faster, we won't be going at all." She shimmed it overhead. Her sore shoulder and back ached in protest. "Fasten the straps."

"Are you sure, Himiko? You've been at this for over an hour now."

"An hour is nothing." The mage turned towards Kokichi. Three straps ran down the back. "Come on."

Shaking his head, Kokichi began buckling the straps. Himiko scooted backwards to give herself more room. She teetered on the edge. Crying out, Himiko fell backwards, smashing into the floor. Blinding pain radiated down her right arm.

Kokichi laughed, "Whoa, easy there, girl! Such a klutz." Bending down, he helped her into a sitting position. "Welp, I think that's enough for today." He unfastened the strap. "Man, if I gave you a knife, you'd just hurt–" Kokichi gasped. "Oh my god, Himiko, your arm!"

Himiko glanced to the right. Her arm dangled from the socket at a strange angle.


"T-there. That should have done it."

Fighting tears, Himiko glanced at her bare shoulder. Mikan and a doctor had set it back into place at the school infirmary. The mage cautiously wiggled her fingers. "Yeah, I don't feel as much pain anymore."

Face twisting, Mikan pulled on her hair. "I-I'm so sooorry! Please don't hate me!"

Kokichi leaned against the far wall, arms crossed. "I was the one who didn't catch her."

"I was in a straitjacket with my arms bound. What could you have grabbed onto? My hair?"

Mikan sat down on the green wheeled stool by the bed. "Y-yes, you're very lucky Kokichi hadn't completely tightened the straps before you fell. Without some slack, you would have torn a rotator cuff instead of dislocating your glenohumeral joint. A tear takes months to heal."

Himiko shivered. To reset the shoulder arm, they had taken off her sweater and shirt, leaving the mage in her bra. Closing her eyes, Himiko sucked in a breath. Antiseptic stung her nostrils. "And how long to recover from this?"

Wringing her hands, Mikan glanced at the doctor. Sighing, the balding man adjusted his glasses. "About three months."

Himiko stiffened. "T-three months? But we have a competition in Las Vegas in five months. And two dozen other shows in the meantime. I gotta practice!"

The doctor smoothed out his white lab coat. "Sometimes it can be quicker if you follow the exercises and take action to reduce the edema – the swelling – within your shoulder. And you should avoid trying to escape from the jacket within the box. You're likely to reinjure it if kept in such cramped quarters."

Tears blurring her vision, Himiko gazed at Kokichi. "But what about our spell…? My message?"

Kokichi crossed the room and sat on the bed next to her. "Hey, we're magicians – mages. We'll figure out something. Just gotta think outside of the box."

"Out… of the box?"

"Yuppers!" He winked.

Mikan clasped her hands as if praying. "I-I'll do my very best to ensure your speedy recovery. I'll work with you every day! S-So please, don't be upset."

Swallowing, Himiko wiped at her eyes. Jaw set, she clenched her fists. "Yeah, that's right! I promised I wouldn't say anything a pain anymore." Himiko fist pumped. "I won't let this stop – OW!" She grasped her shoulder, sobbing. "It hurts! It huuuuurts!"

Kokichi shook his head. "And the Darwinism award goes to…"


Rubbing her chin, Miu examined the blueprint. Humming, she swayed side to side, bouncing slightly. Pulling on her collar, Himiko scanned the inventor's lab. A circular saw and laser producing machine hung over an operating table. Red velour curtains draped over the walls were reminiscent of a love hotel room. A strange mix of oil and perfume lingered.

Grimacing, Himiko massaged her aching shoulder. I hope this doesn't take long. I gotta work with Mikan after this.

She glanced towards Kokichi beside her. Catching her gaze, Kokichi quirked an eyebrow. Smirking, he ran his fingers through his purple locks. Himiko yawned. Picked her ear. Tears in his eyes, Kokichi clutched his checkered scarf.

"You want an invention to let ya fuck in public with no one the wiser? Hyahaha! Sure, I'm game!"

Himiko started. "W-what? No! It's for our magic show! It's the crux of the entire spell, so you gotta get it right."

Smirking, Miu slapped the blueprint down onto the operation table. "Then the fate of your show depends this golden girl genius."

Biting her lip, Himiko clenched her red skirt. "A-and it's my Grad Project… so this'll be a formal Request."

Hope Peak's students were required to complete a graduation project in order to graduate. Over the three years 500 hours must be spent developing their talent and creating the project. Time spent helping another ultimate on their project counted towards both students required 500 hours.

Strutting like a peacock, Miu walked around operating table. She tossed her hair. "Why should a big boobed beauty like me care about a titless con artist and a lying shota? If you want my personal touch so badly, you gotta pay upfront." Hands on her hips, she brayed, "Fall to your knees and maybe I'll listen! Hyuk-hahaha!"

"Hey, whore bitch!" cried Kokichi. "Don't get your panties bunched up now. We're only going to you cuz it's convenient."

Miu stiffened. "C-convenient?"

"That's right, toilet scum. Obviously, those who professionally make magic props would create something much better than whatever shit you'd make."

Trembling, Miu held up a hand. "What? N-no! Everything I produce is the highest quality. And I always pass healthy bowels! Just ask Keebo!"

Grimacing, Kokichi stepped back as if she had the plague. "Highest quality? Please! Every time you open your mouth, your sewage breath pollutes the air. You should be grateful anyone is willing to stand within 10 feet of you." Grinning, Kokichi flicked the dirt beneath his nails at Miu's feet. "So go on, bow! Get on your knees and thank us for acknowledging your garbage existence." Chin raised, Kokichi thrust at finger at her. "And when I order you to make this for us, you –"

Miu dropped to the ground, face to the floor. "What specs, what dimensions, and when do you need it by?"

Himiko gasped.

Kokichi cooed, "Very good, Miu! One last thing though." The leader steepled his fingers as if speaking to a troublesome child. "I doubt very much that you'll keep your loose lips shut. If anyone even so much as learns you're working on an invention for us…" Bangs casting his face in shadow, Kokichi's eye glinted. "I'll post all the pictures Keeboy takes of your dumps. Then all the world will know just how shitty you are."

Miu clutched her head. "Heeeee!"

Kokichi snickered. "She's sooooo easy." Smirking, he slid his gaze to Himiko. "Now you, on the other hand, are pretty hard."

Face burning, Himiko cried, "Cut it out!"

Miu lifted her head. "Oh, so it is for public fucking –"

They shouted, "No, it's not!"


Frowning, Himiko squinted at the English letters before her. Sounding it out, she drawled, "Wwworldo."

"It's 'world'!" snapped Kokichi. He pointed to the word. "Do you see any vowels there? No! Not every word ends with a vowel. God, so annoying. Such a pet peeve of mine."

Exhaling in frustration, Himiko laid the notebook onto the table in her research lab. She needed to learn English to converse with the American judges and contestants. "How are you so familiar with a foreign language that you have pet peeves?"

Kokichi crossed his arms. "I'm a global phenomenon. And if you're gonna join my organization after graduation, you gotta at least be fluent in English. Personally, I know Japanese, English, French, and Spanish."

"N-nyeh?! No way, you're lying!"

"'How rude!'" Kokichi said in English. "Je suis vraiment blesse. Solo podías soñar con tener un intelecto genio como el que tengo."

Himiko gaped at him.

Laughing, Kokichi clapped his hands. "Learning languages is fun! It's like a secret code. And memorizing vocab is suuuper easy. Well, for some of us more motivated persons, anyway." Glowering, Himiko lowered her hat's brim. "Now let's try it again. Say it with me: Wooorlddd."

"W-w… Woulda."

Kokichi pinched the bridge of his nose.


Chatting about fashion, Himiko and Tsumugi disappeared behind a folding partition to change. Kokichi, sitting in the bar stage set of Tsumugi's lab, raised a hand in a wave. He paused. Then he vaulted over the counter. Kokichi rubbed the palms of his hands together. "Oh boy! What goodies do we have here?" Bottles lined the shelves against the wall. He picked one out a random and tasted it. "Ugh." Too sour. Grimacing, he returned it.

Beneath the counter was a locked drawer. Within seconds, Kokichi opened it with the lock picks in his shoes. A scrapbook lay inside. Let's see…. Every classmate had a bio with candid, fanservicey pictures of themselves. Supposedly for reference for who they should cosplay.

Kokichi grinned. Jaaaaackpot.

Himiko's voice drifted across the lab. "Isn't this a little tight?"

Kokichi stilled.

"No, it's perfect," gushed Tsumugi. "Here, let me help with the jacket. I'm sure your shoulder is still sore. There. Come on, come on! Let's go show him."

Kokichi closed the fridge, jumped over the counter, and sat down in his previous seat. Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the armless purple couch in the bar.

"Kokichi! She's ready!" Tsumugi crossed the concrete flooring, her footsteps echoing of the warehouse's high ceiling.

"About time! I'm a very busy man, y'know. I gotta send my subord–"

Himiko stepped out from behind a folding partition. She stumbled on a camera's tripod. After catching herself, Himiko smoothed out her dress slacks. The mage wore a white button up, bowtie, and a black cummerbund. Her suit jacket's sleek lapels gleamed in the light. Beaming, Himiko twirled in place before tipping her top hat. "What do you think?"

Elbow on the table, Kokichi rested his cheek on his palm. "Honestly? I'm a little disappointed."

Giggling, Himiko pressed her hands over her chest. "Nuh uh! I saw the look of awe on your face."

Blushing, Kokichi covered his mouth with a hand. "It's not good to lie to yourself…."

Kokichi pounded a fist on the table. "'Sides! I was talking about your costume, not you!" The leader rose and joined them. He gestured to the costume. "I know we Requested Himiko's outfit to be based on magicians of old, who were all male. But it's too masculine. The bowtie has got to go, for one. The band, too. Oh, just look here."

Kokichi scrolled through pictures of their shows. In one, Himiko was juggling torches, fireworks exploding across her multi-layer flare dress. In another, a laughing Himiko blew confetti from her hands, wearing a matching confetti dress. "That's not her style. Her image. Himiko is…" Kokichi gazed at the photo. At how the stage lights ignited a fiery halo around her head. Her doe-shaped eyes. The crinkle of her nose.

…She's just so maddeningly adorable.

"Nyeh? Why are you staring at pictures of me? I'll only become more beautiful in your eyes, you know."

Chuckling, Tsumugi cupped her cheek. "What do you mean, Himiko? It's plain obvious Kokichi already thinks that."

Face reddening, Kokichi glared at her. Shut up, Tsumugi! I got a book of your secrets and I WILL use it!

Himiko nodded. "I agree with Kokichi. A cuter outfit is only fitting for someone like me."

Finger tapping her lips, Tsumugi glanced around her lab. "More feminine, then?" Cameras, lights, and black photography umbrellas surrounded the sets. Mannequins modeling outfits stood on the stage in the far end of the warehouse. Wheeled racks of clothes rested before an adjoining sewing room. "I could add ruffles or change to boots… Ah!" Tsumugi clapped her hands. "Sorry, we can work out the specifics later. Try yours on, Kokichi! It's over there."

"'Kaaay!" Kokichi raced behind the partition. After changing, he emerged and stood before a nearby full-length mirror. The leader wore a dark red button up with 3/4 sleeves. The polo fit snuggly against his lithe body. A belt and black chino pants completed the image. "Oooh!" Posing, Kokichi raised a bent arm overhead. "Hot damn! I'm so sexy!" He blew a kiss into the mirror.

Himiko noted, "You look like one of them bartender magicians. Just the modern mage style we were hoping for."

Eyeing his profile, Kokichi ran a hand down his front. "And it's thin enough I don't think anyone will notice the extra layer."

"With all the magic you've woven into the clothes it must have a MP restoring effect. Thanks, Tsumugi!"

"I'm so glad you like it," beamed Tsumugi. "Now, I need to get one last thing for you to try before you go. I'll be right back." Waving, she left.

As Kokichi continued to pose, Himiko gave him a once over. In the front, the two pointy ends of Kokichi's button up extended beyond his waist. "You should tuck in your shirt." When he tried tucking in the entire shirt, Himiko corrected, "No, just half of it."

"Half?" He pushed in the dovetail of the back. "Like this?"

"No, half. The half! Just the side! Oh, here." Himiko pulled out Kokichi's pants and slipped her hand inside, tucking in the right end of his shirt. Kokichi froze. Face flushing, Himiko released his waistband. "That's some colorful boxers."

Kokichi swallowed. "Oh, y'know, true fashion is all about being a tease where it can't be seen, right? Ahaha… Well, what about yours?"

"They're bloomers."

Kokichi's eyes widened. "Really? Interesting. I did not know that." Laughing, Kokichi grinned, "JK, that's a lie. I've been through your underwear drawer when you were sleeping."

"You what?!"

"I know you said you wouldn't cosplay until after your show, but…" The pair looked up. They gaped in horror. Tsumugi returned, carrying armful of costumes. "…I finished early!" Drool running her chin, Tsumugi thrusted the cosplay towards them. "Which do you wanna try first? The magical kids Cardcaptor Sakura and Syaoran or the singing vocaloids Rin and Len? Hey, which one? Which one?"

"Run, Himiko!"

Kokichi grabbed Himiko's hand. They bolted towards the door. "Hey!" shouted Tsumugi. "You get back here! After all the work I did for you, there's no way I'm letting you get away!"


Cupping his hands over his mouth, Kokichi shouted, "Everything's in place, Angie! Turn it on!"

Angie, in the lighting and sound room backstage, flicked on a switch. Her painting was projected across the back wall of the gym's stage. Besides him, Himiko gasped. "Ohhh, Angie! It looks like an archmage's magic paradise! If only my lab so fully equipped."

Kokichi whistled. "Look at all that detail."

Mahogany Victorian bookcases dispersed with computer servers lined the back wall. Incantations and maps stuck out between books. Spider webs hung from the corners. Busts and glass jars of magical items topped every available surface. Black wires slithered across the floor. The warm glow of hanging globe lights contrasted with the blue wall monitors. Kokichi could practically smell the century old pages of the books. Hear the dull hums of the computer. Feel the cool chill air of the lab.

After a moment, Angie played the soundtrack Kaede and Ibuki made at the duo's Request. A haunting, quiet moment piano melody floated around the stage, backed up with guitar chords. A classical instrument supported with a more modern undertone. Kokichi nodded at Himiko's grin. Performing in time with music left little room for error. However, the effect was worth it.

Angie emerged from backstage. She crossed the wooden slats to stand next to the duo. "Praise be to Atua. Mahiru's picture of my painting isn't distorted when projected onto such a large background."

Himiko bounced on her toes. "Mahiru was also super helpful in directing our introduction video! She should be putting the finishing edits on it in the next few days. All that's left is fixing the setting of magical implements onstage."

"The props?" asked Kokichi. "What's wrong with them? Looks A-Okay to me."

On the right, a table and chair stood. Center stage a treadwheel crane suspended the magic box about a foot off the stage. The wheel and crank to raise and lower the box was a few feet away. A ladder stool flanked the box's opposite side. A straitjacket and handcuffs lay overtop the stool.

"We got the table stage left and the box and crane center stage, but nothing stage right. Doesn't that seem a little unbalanced?"

Angie folded her hands, praying. "Ahhh, what a divine insight. Himiko is correct. Symmetry is an important factor in art. Adding props like a dresser or couple of crates on the left could also enhance the atmosphere my painting creates."

"But wouldn't that be visually distracting?" Frowning, Kokichi made a rectangle with thumbs and index fingers. Squinting, Kokichi walked backwards, gazing at the scope of the stage. "I guess it couldn't hurt, long as it's sm–" Kokichi's foot felt nothing but air. "Aah!" Arms pinwheeling, Kokichi fell back off the stage. He crashed into the ground five feet below.

"Kokichi!" Himiko and Angie dashed down the stairs. The knelt by his side. "Are you all right?"

Groaning, Kokichi held his head. "Y-yeah…"

Chin in hand, Himiko smirked down at him. "So which hurts more? Your pride or your head?"

"My heart, you cruel, vile witch! What the heck?"

Himiko snapped her fingers. "Rats. I was hoping you'd have a concussion and be all spacy and stumbling like a drunk."

"Nyahaha! That's still possible, Himiko." Smiling, Angie raised a knife. "All he needs is enough blood loss."

Screaming, Kokichi rolled out of the way. Angie stabbed the blade into the floor. When Kokichi rose to his feet, dizziness hit him. He fell, face planting hard. Himiko and Angie burst into laughter.

Half-groaning, half-sobbing, Kokichi clutched his head and curled into a ball. "Why does everyone try to kill me? What did I do?"


Frowning in concentration, Kokichi waved his hand. A card magically appeared in his palm. Then he let go. He waved his hand again and again, cards appearing then falling like a waterfall below. Arms crossed, Himiko stood in front of him, watching.

Kokichi watched as well, judging his performance. Clean. Clean. Flashed. Flash. Sloppy. Slow. Good.

"You've improved. But when you're rehearsing, focus on minimizing your movements more. That'll make your flashes less noticeable. Be more invisible."

Exhaling, Kokichi let the last card drop. So much for practicing during class all week. He wrung out his hand. "Once more." He began sweeping up the fallen cards lying on the table.

"No. Your MP is running low. Let's try something other than sleights for today."

Kokichi jutted his chin over his shoulder. Behind him was research lab's closet, where props were stored. "Then straitjacket escape. I still need to get under two minutes."

Himiko gazed evenly at him. "I told you. After my shoulder, that's not –"

"Fine, fine. More sleights it is." He gathered up the cards. "I wanna show you my Classic Pass."

"Kokichi…."

The leader sat down and, after a moment, Himiko followed suit. He selected a card, faced it the opposite direction, and shoved it randomly into the deck. Riffling a corner, Kokichi moved the deck back and forth slightly. The card jumped to the top of the deck. He did it again.

Flashed. Flash. Noisy. Flashed. Noisy–

Half the deck smacked to the floor. "Rrrrrgh!"

"Kokichi, it's okay –"

"No, it's not okay! We only have a month left and I'm nowhere near your level!"

Wincing, Himiko drew back. Shaking his head, Kokichi gazed out across the lab. Rabbits scratched at their glass cage. Doves cooed. Breathing heavily, Kokichi clenched and unclenched his fist. He whispered, "I won't be responsible for bringing down Magic Mayhem."

Himiko gently clasped his hand, stopping him. Every nail was bitten to the quick. At her warm touch, Kokichi turned his hand palm up. She traced every chaffed mark and callus with her thumb. Kokichi shivered. "Take care of your hands. They have to be in good shape, so you and I can be performing together for a long time to come." Leaning forward, Himiko drew his hand to herself. "I don't care what anyone else says about you! You're talented. Passionate. And way more entertaining and funnier than me. So don't imitate me. Remember what we promised when we first met?"

Frowning, Kokichi glanced at the sliding window above the cauldron. "You mean the whole 'I be your apprentice and you join my organization' gambit?"

"No, the other one. How you would watch me in place of Master. So I, in turn, promised to not abandon you." Smiling, Himiko squeezed his hand. The golden flecks in her eyes burned and smoldered. Her strawberry shampoo washed over him. "Let me watch you on your journey, just as you watch me."

Kokichi's breath caught. He stared at her, his lips parted.

After a moment, Himiko released her grasp with a shaky exhaled. After picking up the cards, she retrieved a rubber band from the table's drawer. She tied the deck with it. Then Himiko completed the Classic Pass, her fingers slower with the rubber band's resistance. "Here. You try."

Brow raised, Kokichi attempted it. The rubber band snapped the cards in place. "Holy shit, that requires so much strength!"

"If you practice with it on, you'll definitely be much smoother, cleaner, and use less movements when you take it off."

"Wooow! It's like how Goku trained in 100x gravity to fight against Frieza!"

Himiko laughed. "Another thing you can try is practicing in the dark. So you can concentrate on how the cards feel as you move them. And don't need for your moves to be invisible before trying it live. I'll provide misdirection as you complete the pass."

Kokichi blinked. Then a wide grin split across his face. "A team."

"Mm-hmm!"

Smiling, Kokichi gazed down at banded card deck. His hand could still feel her warm touch. "Thanks."

"'Course. Well, let's get back to practicing." With a finger, Himiko brushed aside her bangs. Her turquoise pedant, a gift from her master, gleamed in the fluorescent light. "Want to try the Las Vegas spell once more before calling it a day?"

"Yeah! That message won't send itself."

Whatever time we have left, Himiko, I'm gonna give it my all. I just hope it will be enough.


Man, it feels so good to be writing Oumeno fluff again, especially after typing a heavy fic about Kokichi's childhood. So I might have indulged myself a little when writing this. Sorry if they're a bit OOC!

In the learning English scene, Kokichi's translated lines are, "How rude! I'm really hurt. You could only dream of having a genius intellect like I have."

Now I am not an expert on magic by any stretch of the imagination. I don't even perform magic as a hobby. So everything within this fic regarding magic should be taken with a grain of salt. The only exceptions are the Classic Pass and the Card Vanish; those tricks are real and can be seen in the following link. The first 30 seconds of both videos are enough to blow your mind. www .youtube . com watch? v=_dLpUHJ3szE&t=185s and www .youtube. com watch?v=QyqdJnXpvz0

Unfortunately, the next chapter will probably take a little while in coming out since they're so long. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know your thoughts before you go. :)