"Do robots have dicks?!" the question leaves his mouth so naturally, as though he's asked it many times before.
Because he has.
He forgets how many times he's asked the question, but no matter how many times he's done it, he never grows tired of the reaction he gets from the robot that tries to evade him.
"Please stop, Ouma-kun!" he is told multiple times by a boyish voice that sounds far too human than robotic.
"Just answer the question!" Ouma Kokichi knows that there are better ways for him to start these cyclical repetitions. He knows that he should better prepare himself for the hallucinations that will soon mesh into his life so terribly, when he's forced to go through the killing game yet again.
He knows that he should focus on actually surviving for once, but…
He finds that he can't bring himself to care, when he's too busy clinging to the familiarity of Kiibo's reactions. It's one of the few things that never change that he can actually enjoy, at the cost of Kiibo never wanting to be his friend.
All because it doesn't bring him any harm…
There is no poison.
No hydraulic press.
No betrayals and regret.
There is no pain for Ouma to remember, each time he has a nightmare about the many ordeals he has experienced over and over again, where nothing ever seems to change in the grand scheme of things.
There is only peace and tranquility, and the deceptive promise of normalcy. It never lasts long, but Ouma knows better than to take these moments for granted—he's died far too many times to do so. So he continues to cling to every little second he's given, before he and his classmates are plunged into yet another horrific killing game.
He foresees another repeat of the past cycle's events when he sees that door open, and hears Saihara's voice.
"Isn't he a little early this time?" Ouma briefly wonders before shrugging it off. He expects to see the Detective and the Pianist together, building up that almost lovey-dovey relationship that he has since grown envious of—it's hard not to, when Ouma craves those same interactions for himself.
He feels a tugging in his heart when he considers acting on his feelings for once, even if it means forever enduring the consequences of his actions. He quickly pushes all those thoughts aside—it's far too soon for him to even consider doing such a thing. Not when there are so many things that can go wrong at any given time.
That's when he notices that Saihara isn't wearing his cap. Even more curious, is the fact that Akamatsu is wearing it instead. Though, before Ouma has any time to process the meaning of these differences, he finds that they aren't alone—Amami is with them.
The denial kicks in almost immediately. Ouma doesn't want to believe this is real. It has to be fake—yet another delusion made to lure him into a false sense of security. He knows better than to trust so easily, after the many times he's seen Amami Rantarou die.
(He's hurt himself far too many times to take his chances now.)
Ouma keeps his distance for the time being—just to be safe. He ignores the memories he has of his attempts to reach out to Amami, having long since suspected him of being just like him. It never went well, after all, which is why Ouma has put a pause on any more of his attempts to reach out.
Though, that doesn't stop Amami from trying to reach out to him, instead. He resorts to his vague way of confirming that he knows far more than he should—by asking, "How much do you remember?"
As usual, Ouma's lips curve into a mischievous smile as he says, "Not a damn thing!"
It's a lie, of course.
But Amami knows better than to take his answer at face value. It's why he chuckles instead of sighing in dismay, unlike Saihara, who makes a face that Ouma recognizes far too easily.
"It's…too early." That's the face Saihara makes later on, due to how tired he's grown of Ouma's actions. Why…Why would he make such a face now? "We've only just met…right?"
Isn't this their first time meeting each other?
Isn't this where they're supposed to introduce themselves to each other?
Then why…why is it that Akamatsu has so much difficulty introducing herself to him? And why does Saihara show so much hesitance towards him?
None of this adds up.
Not while Ouma is still in denial.
"Just let me know when you want to talk," Amami whispers into his ear without much warning.
Ouma only makes a joke out of the situation. "My, aren't you forward! At least ask me out on a date first!"
It's the best he can do, for the time being, as he begins to reconsider his next course of action. Until he's certain that there's something worthwhile in this particular cycle, Ouma will continue as though he's just met everyone for the very first time again.
Of course, that won't stop him from taking a different approach towards Akamatsu. It's hard not to, when she's far more withdrawn that he's ever remembered her being.
"You probably shouldn't hype him up so much!" Ouma says it to tease Kiibo, who is acting far too fluttery and bashful over the praise that Akamatsu has given him. "There's nothing too impressive about him."
"He's a fucking robot—what's not to like about that?!" Akamatsu blurts out, taking a far more aggressive stance as her arm wraps around Kiibo's shoulders. "Best of all, he isn't like those damn bears!"
Clouds of steam leave Kiibo's face as it turns a visible shade of red. He remains still, despite how obvious it is that he's embarrassed to have someone so close to him like this. Above all else, it doesn't seem that he…dislikes this, either.
Consider Ouma not at all impressed. "You really are too inexperienced."
His words were aimed at Kiibo, but Akamatsu misunderstands and tells him to, "Fuck off!"
Ouma barks out a laugh, his heart almost skipping a beat. He's never seen her this fiery, though more than that—he's just so happy to see that she's alive.
Yes…it's finally sinking in—she's alive.
She is very much alive.
And right now—there isn't anything that can change that. Not yet at least…not that Ouma wants anything to change right now.
"Akamatsu-chan…please don't change." He doesn't want to see that fire die out so easily. "You're far less boring when you're like this."
"Th-That's enough!" As expected, Saihara jumps in, acting like his usual flustered self. "Ouma-kun, you shouldn't be making jokes like this!"
"Who says I was joking?" Ouma's lips curve into a sly smile. He feels far too playful to end it like this so soon, but he knows that he shouldn't take his chances right now. It's too early. "Don't be such a buzzkill, Saihara-chan—shouldn't you wait until you've met everyone else at least? Or would you rather spend more time here, with me and Keeboy?"
"Please just call me Kiibo!" Kiibo pipes up. "I do not feel comfortable with nicknames just yet!"
"Sure thing, Keeboy!" Ouma deliberately ignores his request. "Having fun with Akamatsu-chan?"
Kiibo's face turns an even darker shade of red, at which Akamatsu begins to comment on it, due to the sudden change in temperature.
"For your own safety, you should release me—my emotions are going haywire." Kiibo screws his eyes shut and lowers his head downwards, so as to hide as much of his face behind his collar. "I have no clue what has happened to me. I may be malfunctioning."
"I wouldn't worry too much about it." Ouma nearly forgets to breathe when Amami starts to talk again. Really, it's just so nice to hear his voice again… "From the looks of things, it's not anything you should be too concerned about. Rather, I feel it might be a step in the right direction, should you still maintain your desire to become more human."
"Is that so…?" Kiibo acts less tense after hearing that. "Then…then! You may stay as you are, Akamatsu-san!"
"Denied!" Ouma decides that he's seen enough. He latches onto Akamatsu's arm and lightly tugs her away from Kiibo. "You shouldn't keep her all to yourself."
He wants to learn more about this version of her that is different from the one he knows. He wants to know why she's wearing Saihara's cap. Why she goes between acting so shy and so feisty.
Just what happened?
Does she…does she remember anything?
Ouma gets his answer when Akamatsu tugs down on the cap that she wears, hiding her eyes beneath its brim. "Umm…! Please don't get so close…!"
…
…
"Who…Who are you?" It's her…but not her.
The question he asked comes a bit too personal, as it makes her act even more withdrawn. She avoids his gaze, no matter how many times he tries to make eye contact with her. He calls out her name, but she barely gives him a response.
"Leave her alone!" Saihara comes to her defense, pushing Ouma away, who lets it happen as he reconsiders everything that he's seen so far.
"Why…Why is she like that?" Ouma turns to Amami, who just places a finger in front of his lips.
"We'll figure it out eventually, but for now—I see you've shown your true self." Amami smiles warmly at him.
"What are you talking about?" Ouma quickly forces a smile, acting like his usual playful self. "You're acting really strange!"
It's easy to lie, when it means turning away from the truth he refuses to acknowledge so soon. This is the last thing that he's ever wanted to happen—not like this.
Amami shrugs. "Whether or not you're ready is not any of my concern, but…I do appreciate knowing where you're coming from."
"Umm…what is going on?" Predictably, Kiibo acts confused. "Is there something I should know?"
"It's nothing you should worry your cute little head over." Amami crosses his arms over his chest. "Just focus on yourself, yeah?"
"O-Okay…" Kiibo accepts Amami's response as is.
"Just as expected." Kiibo rarely ever changes, Ouma thinks to himself. He is still so inexperienced with learning how to stand up for himself. Obviously, it's going to take him a while to fix that. "You should stop pretending to act like you have emotions. You're a robot, after all."
He expects Kiibo to flare up about his robophobic behavior. Instead, Akamatsu smacks him upside the head without any warning.
"H-Hey!" Where the hell did this come from?!
"You best watch your mouth before I sit on you!" What kind of threat is that?!
"A-Akamatsu-san!" Even Saihara is just as perplexed.
Kiibo only tilts his head to the side in question while Amami tries his hardest to contain his laughter.
Something strange is going on, that's for sure. And though Ouma would like to keep his distance from it all, as he's done so many times in the past…he finds himself reconsidering.
Because despite the questions he has about Akamatsu, he still wants her to live. He wants to see that fire of hers continue to burn so brightly, instead of dying out so soon.
If he continues to ignore her as she is now, then he'll likely lose her all over again. Her and Amami…
Ouma doesn't want that to happen again. Not when Saihara stares at him with that disapproving look of his.
He knows…Saihara knows everything, doesn't he?
Then…
Then…
"Amami-chan…" Ouma's voice is uncharacteristically soft.
"Hmm?" Amami gives him an expectant look.
"Let's talk later." He'll bend over just this once… "Make it count."
"I'll do my best." Amami's smile is as dazzling as ever. It leaves Ouma absolutely speechless… "C'mon, Saihara-kun, Akamatsu-san—we should head on over to the warehouse now."
They've taken a detour, due to a certain Super High School Level Inventor making things a bit difficult for them. It's not that Amami and Saihara can't handle her vulgar personality. Rather, it's the fact that Akamatsu, for as anxious and withdrawn as she is at times, still has it in her to actually get in a fight with Iruma Miu.
Really, it was for the best that they got the two away from each as soon as possible.
"I'll…go in alone this time," Saihara is quick to offer. "You can stay here."
As chaotic as Ouma could be, he is still relatively harmless…for now. Beyond that, Amami seems to trust him to some extent, so Saihara…could stand to do so—for a while, at least.
"I'll keep an eye on Akamatsu-san in the meantime." Amami has no idea how much of Akamatsu's personality will change, once she finally recovers from her hangover. Will she go back to being her usual self? Or is this how she is now? It's hard to say, though Amami would be lying if he said he didn't appreciate this sudden change.
"Hey, hey—can you teach me how to play the piano?" It's not often that he sees Ouma take the initiative to interact with Akamatsu.
And while Akamatsu is still so uncertain about herself and the talent that she possesses, it doesn't stop her from giving Ouma an answer. "S-Sure…maybe—I dunno."
"Then it's a promise!" Ouma says, making the most of the response that he gets.
"That's…That's not a promise." Kiibo frowns, looking toward Amami for an answer.
"To Ouma-kun, it is." Amami forces out a laugh. He's not sure how Kiibo has come to see him as someone so reliable…but he'll do his best to live up to his expectations. "That's just the type of person he is."
It's why he doesn't push Ouma away when he throws his arms around his waist. Ouma is as clingy as ever, though between his mischievous remarks, Amami can feel just how hard his heart is pounding within his chest.
…
…
…
A/N HEY Y'ALL, IT'S BEEN FUCKING YEARS SINCE I TOUCHED THIS FIC.
Hope you didn't think I just gave up on it yeah?
Anyways, what happened is that I started streaming DRV3 again (you can find me on twitch at klonoadreams), and it got me in the mood to write again. You can thank Ouma Kokichi for it, because for all the shit that I've given him, when I first played the game, I don't actually hate him.
Say what you want about me, I usually keep to myself when it comes to the Danganronpa fandom as a whole. Had to, after getting a stalker/harasser hounding at me to update You've Got That Wrong! So try not to put me into any specific boxes, just because of the way I write these characters.
There's a lot more than meets the eye, and I've played these games quite thoroughly to not be treated like I don't go here. (I've seen how some people in this fandom can get, and I'm just here, putting my foot down in case anyone tries starting some shit with me.)
Having said that, I am a multishipper who is the biggest supporter of polyamory ships, and I acknowledge the many crushes that Ouma has shown throughout the game. This isn't me having a bias, because if you want an actual bias—look at Kiibo and Gokuhara Gonta. That is all.
That said, do expect there to be many ships throughout this fic. Just don't expect anything serious too soon, yeah? Yeah.
By the by, Siaede is ready to fight at any given moment, which is why she almost got into one with Iruma. And sure, her threats are a little unconventional, but it IS based on the shit I would say to Ouma, when I first played the game (you can find all the VODs on my YouTube channel, KlonoaDreams).
Having said that, it's really good to be back. I'll try to get some more updates this year, but do understand that I have school and whatnot. By the by, if you CAN, do make sure to get vaccinated—I got my first shot last week! ^^
Anyways, let's get some shout-outs out of the way!
Reviewer #11: dfriel1996
Reviewer #20: Revamped Persona
Reviewer #22: 9thstar
Honorable mentions: StrawburrieSlushie, Alicitzen, Anonymous Reviewer Random Passerby, NihthKuro (thank you so much for your long review, I REALLY appreciate it)
Thank you all so much for taking the time to review! Do let me know what you think this time around, because reviews DO keep me motivated.
And truth be told, part of the reason I lost interest in the first place is lack of feedback. Which made me focus on other fics, so if you have anything to say, feel free to do so. I don't bite—just don't ask me to update or talk about updating my other fics, yeah? Yeah!
Having said that, hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Until next time, everyone! Stay safe!