Encore Epilogues IV

Surprise! Again again! (ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ You assumed it'd go up on a Sunday, but here it is, a day early on a Saturday! On Christmas Day, no less! Happiest of Holidays to those who celebrate! ~

Did you know that yesterday it was exactly 3 years to the day that the very first Epilogue chapter went up? It was a very last-minute decision because I wanted to do something for Christmas, so I racked my brains for a good ten minutes before coming up with the idea of writing my own 'special event' scenes for various characters that maybe didn't get that much spotlight in the chapters. Ahhh, time flies! To commemorate that, there's a little nod to one of those scenes I wrote years ago in this one! Definitely not a coincidence, and definitely not me struggling to come up with a concept and a title for the final story, nope, nu uh! All in the name of nostalgia here! ;3 Please enjoy!

Chapter IV: The Inmates' Ensemble

A Girl's Counterattack! (#060 – I'm a Picture Book Artist!)

An electronic device that's equipped with an AI to produce a new picture book every time it's turned on. Great for kids who love hearing bed-time stories.

In the school store, Kaede inserts a Monocoin into the MonoMono Machine. Mechanically turns the knob. Picks up the dual-coloured capsule that rolls out of the bottom of the machine. Her face contorts into a frown as a sewing kit stares back at her from inside the capsule.

"Here," she sighs, tossing the ball Tsumugi's way. "You like these, right?"

"I-I do, but..." Grimacing, Tsumugi glances down at the other 6 sewing kits in her arms. "Y-y'know, even as a cosplayer, I don't need this many sewing kits. Especially in a place like this... making cosplays is one of the last things I want to do right now!"

"Sorry." Leaning back up, Kaede rolls her shoulders. Cracks her knuckles. "Geez, is this thing broken or something?" She raps at the MonoMono Machine glass with her fingers. "Can you give me something I could actually give to someone that's not a sewing kit? Please?"

Tsumugi tilts her head to one side. "What are you actually looking for, anyway? Or should I ask... who do you have in mind?"

Torso rising and falling, Kaede leans back against the vending machine. "If you must know... it's Rantaro."

"Rantaro, huh?" Tsumugi drops all the sewing kits onto the countertop. "I wonder what he'd like... Oh!" She clicks her fingers. "Maybe another nail brush? He seemed just plain interested that time we were painting each other's nails in the Game Room." She deflates. "Even if he did steal the spotlight from plain old me..."

"Maybe," Kaede replies. "But he said he used to do that for family, right? I want to get him something he would actually like for him, y'know?"

"Yeah, I know what you mean. It was just a suggestion." Tsumugi taps her chin. "Though, I am just plain curious now. Why Rantaro?"

"That's..." Kaede clenches her fists. "I just... I dunno, he's just... doing his best to readjust to us, I guess? And I've been avoiding him like the plague this whole time due to..." Swallowing, she exchanges a nod with Tsumugi. "Y'know, what happened back in the library. The day before yesterday in the dining hall when Kaito said he wants to put aside his fear of ghosts and work with Rantaro anyway, it really made me think that I have to do better too. So, I want to spend some time with him and show him I care by giving him things he'll appreciate!" She sighs. "Now, if only this dumb Machine would co-operate with me..."

Tsumugi tilts her head. "I mean, you weren't responsible for Rantaro being killed that night, so I don't think you have anything to feel bad about. I'm sure Rantaro understands that too."

Kaede's chest tightens. "R-right..."

"Here." Tsumugi gently pushes Kaede aside and rolls up her sleeves. "Let me have a go." She chuckles as she fumbles for her coin pouch. "Maybe if it's me that's the one pulling, we won't get as many sewing kits. That's how gacha games work, you know. It's called a 'desire sensor'. It can sense what you desire, and will actively work to not give you the thing you're after!"

"Is that so?"

"Mhmm!" Slotting in her own coin, Tsumugi turns the knob. "We've been here for a while, so I bet you're close to the pity, too. It shouldn't be too long until the game feels bad for you and gives you what you're looking for!"

"I... have no idea what that means."

"It's okay! It'll all make sense once we— oh!" Gasping, Tsumugi holds out her half-egg to Kaede. "Isn't this a tablet!?" Squinting, she pushes up her glasses as she reads the label attached to the tablet. "I'm a Picture Book Author...?"

"Oh, I've gotten this before," Kaede replies. "It generates a different picture book each time you turn it on." She sighs. "I mean, I can imagine Rantaro reading this out to someone for sure... but sitting down to read it himself?"

Tsumugi pumps her fists. "I-it's okay! I was just warming up! Next time for—!"

The school store door flies open. Miu explodes into the room, face flushed, forehead slick with sweat.

"M-Miu!?" exclaims Kaede. "Are you okay? What happened?" Her heart lurches into her throat. "Did someone...!?"

Shoving Kaede and Tsumugi apart with her hands, Miu digs into her pockets and starts loading the MonoMono Machine up with coins. "You won't BELIEVE what they're doing, Kaede. Without us, too!" Gritting her teeth, she swipes at her forehead. "Well, I'll show them. I'll show all of them! If they think for a second they can get away with havin' sextracurricular activities without us, I'll film the whole fuckin' thing! That'll teach 'em!"

Kaede's eyebrows fly into her hair. "S-sextra...? Wait, what's going on!? Miu!"

"It's that fucker Kait-hoe!" Miu snaps. "I was in my lab with that cock-swallowing Panta twink when he just storms in, asking to take Kokichi away with him!" As she waits for the machine to roll out her prizes, she kicks her legs back and perches herself on the countertop. "And because that idiot doesn't know that it means to 'whisper', I heard the whole fucking thing from the other side of the door!"

Tsumugi titters. "If you were on the other side of the door, doesn't that mean you were eavesdropping, though?"

"So anyway," Miu goes on. "Apparently Kaito's arranging a 'manly-bonding session' for all the guys down at the pool and just the guys!" Tossing her hair over her shoulder, Miu's eyes gleam with mischief. "You know what that means, don't ya?"

A cold sweat breaks out behind Kaede's bangs. "Uh..."

"It means they're all gonna be in swimsuits, duh!" Giggling manically, Miu rubs her hands together. "Which is why I'm taking it upon myself to watch the whole fucking thing!"

"Wait," says Tsumugi. "So... you're going to be a Peeing Tom? Isn't that kind of immoral?"

Miu scoffs. "I'll tell you what's immoral, Plain Jane." She throws an arm out. "Havin' a pool party without inviting the hottest, sexiest girl on the planet, that's what!" Biting her lip, she rummages in her shirt and retrieves a robotic looking contraption. "Which is why I brought this!" She slides it over for Kaede and Tsumugi to get a better look at. "This, ladies, is what we in the industry call a 'droon'! It's an RC Plane I modified within the first few days of getting lumped in here with you guys. Never had any reason to test it out though. Until now, that is!"

Tsumugi frowns. "I think the word you're looking for is 'drone'..."

"So wait," Kaede says. "You're going to... spy on this 'manly bonding session' with this thing?"

"Yep! I decked it out with a camera and everything so it can take perfect arial photographs! I had some more time to kill this morning, so I went a step further and modified the camera again so it can also take live video! You don't get an opportunity like this very often, it's the ideal setting for a Woman's Fantasy!" She turns her attention back to the MonoMono Machine. "Which is precisely why I'm here. I need one last thing, somethin' that'll wirelessly transmit the picture and sound that the camera captures. Something liiiike..." Blinking, her eyes land on the pad in Tsumugi's hand. "Something like that!"

"H-hey!" Tsumugi cries as Miu snatches the tablet from her. "I won that! Go pick up your own prizes!"

"Tch, like you'd have any use for this." Miu's eyes flash. "Unless you're one of those nasty cosplayers that lure kids in with their flashy outfits? Is that what you are? You pretend to offer them picture books in return for their—!?"

"That's enough, Miu!" Kaede shouts. Whimpering, Miu scurries into the corner, clutching the tablet to her chest.

A moment of silence passes. Tsumugi awkwardly fiddles with her fingers, and the buzzing of the electric lights above them puts Kaede on edge.

"Y-you can take all the prizes I just won," Miu stutters. "I-I don't mind... j-just let me have this, okay!?"

Rolling her eyes to the ceiling, Kaede sighs and exchanges a look with Tsumugi. "Sure. Just..." She grits her teeth. "Don't make those kinds of jokes again, okay?"

"F-fine." Miu turns the tablet over in her hands once, twice, before grinning wildly. "Boo-yah, this has an opening at the back. This should be perfect!" She tucks it under her arm. "So, meet you guys in Ryoma's lab in two hours. I should have everything set up by then."

Kaede and Tsumugi blink at each other.

"What?" asks Kaede. "I'm not helping you spy on them, Miu."

"Tch. Boring." Miu clicks her tongue. "What about you, four-eyes? Boy-on-boy action seems totally down your street!"

"Ah—!" Tsumugi's face blooms with colour. "I... I mean... I don't hate that sorta genre, but... Wait! H-how did you even know that!?"

"Heh." Miu's mouth pulls into a smirk. "It's written all over your face, you nasty perv!"

"Is it really!?" Flushing intensely, Tsumugi presses her fingers together. "I-I mean... it does sound like fun... I mean, every anime has a pool or beach episode! I've always wanted to see one play out in real life! But still, to spy on them is kinda..."

Miu waves a hand. "Trust me they won't know. Like I said, we'll be in the tennis dwarf's bathroom, so they won't catch us peeking or anything, plus having the droid do all the spywork technically means we're not spying! Just... observing. Yep!" She winks. "I just wanna put it to the test y'know? I've been itching to test it out this whole time, and finally I have an excuse to!"

"Like I said, it's a drone!" says Tsumugi. "But... I think I get what you're saying! Okay! Then I'll join you!" Her eyes sparkle. "Finally, after all these years I get to witness a real-life fanservice scene!"

"Tsumugi!?" exclaims Kaede. "Not you too..."

Puffing out her chest, Miu chortles. "Hehe, told ya! I bet she's a real freak deep down!" She raises a brow Kaede's way. "You suuuuure you don't wanna come, Kaede?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Kaede says without hesitation.

"Figures." Smirking, Miu comically places a hand over her mouth and turns to Tsumugi. "She's keepin' herself pure for that Poo-ichi when she gets outta here."

"That's—!?" Roses of heat bloom on Kaede's cheeks. "I am not!"

Miu clicks her tongue. "Sure seems like it to me."

Kaede's face hardens. "I don't like Shuichi like that. I only knew him for what, three days? Four?" She folds her arms. "I'm not that kind of girl, Miu."

"Yeah, I think Kaede's telling the truth." Tsumugi presses a finger to her lip. "After all, she was trying to find the perfect gift for Rantaro before you came in..."

Kaede's eyes go wide. "Tsu-Tsumugi?!" she splutters.

"Oh, so it's Rantaro you're after?" Miu chuckles. "Didn't take you for a basic bitch, Kaede!"

Kaede whips around. "What's that supposed to mean!?"

"Oh, nothing really. But that makes even more sense! You probably don't wanna get a good look at Rantaro's dead-zombie abs in case you fall harder for him, huh?" Puckering her lips, Miu pauses in thought. "I wonder what it feels like, riding a formerly dead guy's—"

"STOP!" wails Kaede. "Just stop already!" She sighs heavily. "Fine. I'll come with you guys. Just stop the teasing... please..."

Miu grins broadly "I knew you'd come around, Kaeds!" She hops towards the door. "Remember, two hours in Ryoma's lab, ladies! See you there for the event of the century!"

As the door slams closed, and the clacking of Miu's heels fades into the distance. Kaede slides down the length of the MonoMono Machine, head in her hands.

"What on earth have I just agreed to...?"

With heavy shoulders, Kaede trudges through Ryoma's tennis court, kicking balls out of her way as she goes. Pushes the heavy steel door at the back of the lab.

Miu glances up from her tinkering beneath the windowsill. "Oh, Kaede! You're here! I was beginning to think you'd chickened out again."

"Don't kid yourself." Kaede rolls her eyes skywards. "I'm only here because I dread to even think of the insults you'd come up with if I stood you up."

"Is it almost done?" asks Tsumugi, peering out of the window with her hands clasped together. "I can see them down there!"

"Yep! Just gimme a sec to set it up." With a grunt, Miu clicks the back of the picture book tablet back into place. Hands it to Tsumugi. Biting on her tongue, she gives the drone a final once-over, before flicking a switch. She unlatches Ryoma's window, and with careful hands, gently sets the drone upon the ledge.

"But won't they see the drone once you set it out the window?" asks Kaede. "I mean... it's not exactly discreet, y'know?"

Miu clicks her tongue. "Were you listening to a word I said downstairs, Kaedidiot? This prone is designed to take perfect aerial photographs and videos! Meanin' it has a state-of-the-art zoom-function! So we can stay pretty high up and still capture those shit-for-brains in high definition!"

Kaede swallows. "I-if you say so..."

Huffing, Miu puffs out her chest. "I do, actually! Now..." She jumps down into a crouch beneath the windowsill, and beckons Tsumugi and Kaede to join her. "We ready, ladies?"

Wedged between them, Tsumugi holds out the tablet, displaying an eagle-eyed view of the pool from Ryoma's window. "Ready!"

"Sure," sighs Kaede. "Just... let's get this over with, okay?"

"Aye-aye, cap'n!" Gnawing on her lip, Miu fiddles with her controller, and with a quiet mechanical buzz, the drone lifts up and off the windowsill and proceeds across the top of the pool area, discreetly hidden amongst the brown framing in the ceiling. Miu presses another button on the controller, and the camera angles down and outward as does the view on the tablet.

"St-stop!" shouts Kaito, arms raised to protect his gelled hair. "You're messing up my hair!"

Chortling, Kokichi continues relentlessly splashing Kaito with pool water. "You're the one who invited me here! You reap what you sow, Kaito!"

"Shut up! I invited you only because it'd have been rude not to!" Clenching his jaw, Kaito hoists up his galaxy-print trunks. "This is a 'manly-bonding session', after all!"

"So, does that mean you consider me a man? N'aww, Kaito! I'm honoured!"

From the edge of the pool, Ryoma, kicks his legs out experimentally in the water.

"Something wrong, Ryoma?" Korekiyo asks from a nearby deckchair, still completely clothed. "You seem troubled."

"Nah, nothing like that." Ryoma frowns at the water. "It's just been a while since I've had the opportunity to go swimming, is all." He winces as a rubber ring is slid beside him.

"No shame in using one of these to test the waters," Rantaro says. "After all, who knows when we'll get a chance like this again."

Ryoma half-chuckles. "Thanks, but no thanks." With a grunt, he pushes himself into the water. "I can handle the tide just fine."

"Hahaha, if you say so." He makes a beckoning motion with his hand. "Then, care for a race?"

Ryoma runs a hand through his hair. "Heh. To challenge a former Ultimate Sportsman like me to a competition, you sure don't have a funny bone in your body, Amami."

"You might be an Ultimate that excels in sports," Rantaro points out. "But don't forget, I'm an adventurer. I've handled plenty-a-river in my journeys;, some of them I've even had to swim across myself!"

"Hey!" Kokichi doggy paddles over to them. "Did someone say race? I wanna join too! Me! Me! Me!"

Kaito glances over at Korekiyo, lost in an old book. "You sure you don't wanna join us, Kiyo?"

Korekiyo raises a bandaged hand. "Thank you for the offer, Kaito. However, I am not comfortable stripping currently, nor do I wish to sully the uniform that Sister tailor-made for me. Additionally..." His eyes narrow. "To be submerged within a body of water... though I do not know why, but the mere thought of it sends chills up my spine, so I will refrain for now. I am, however, perfectly content to adjudicate this 'race' Rantaro speaks of."

"R-right," says Kaito. He wades across the water to the others. "So, we're racing, yeah?" He slams his fists together. "Then, let's—!"

A huge splash of water hits Kaito square in the face, dousing him completely.

"KOKICHI!"

"Nee-heehee! Sorry!" chuckles Kokichi. "Just one last splash for the road!"

From the safety of the shower room a few meters above, Kaede can practically feel her companions trembling with excitement.

"Ooooooooh!" Miu groans. "This is it! This is the fuckin' testosterone feast I've been waitin' to see!"

Tsumugi shoots her a look. "Are you... drooling, Miu?"

Miu hurriedly swipes a sleeve over her mouth. "N-no! Shut up, four-eyes! Anyway..." Snickering, her eyes slide back to the scene playing out on the tablet. "Who'd a thought that air-head Kaito would have such defined fucking man-tits!?"

"I mean, he does work-out every night," Kaede replies, before scoffing. "... Even if he doesn't do half of the work he makes me do."

Tsumugi lifts a brow. "Seriously, Miu? Kaito was the one that caught your eye?" She points out Ryoma, who'd momentarily gotten back out of the pool to talk to Korekiyo. "Do you see Ryoma? I-I knew he'd be fit, considering his talent, but..."

"Heh," Miu snorts. "Guess they don't call him 'Killer Tennis' for nothing, huh? You could reflect bullets off of that eight-pack! Fuck, man, I've never even seen an eight-pack before, and the first time is on a fucking dwarf?"

"Don't be rude! He can't help his size."

"Kyahahaha! Guess this is what they mean when they say short guys work hard to make up for those missing inches!"

Kaede sighs a heavy sigh. "Guys... this really does feel wrong. We should stop."

No sooner do the words leave Kaede's mouth, Miu angles the camera and hones in on Rantaro's tanned, toned body.

"You were sayin'?"

Kaede flushes bright red. "Mi-Miu! Stop that! This an invasion of privacy!"

Miu scoffs. "C'mon, they deserve it for not invitin' us chicks to join 'em." She smirks over Tsumugi's head at her. "Anyway, you're blushing hardcore, Kaeds. You suuuure you're not liking what you see?"

Kaede's hands fly to her heated cheeks. "O-of course I'm blushing; you're the one deliberately zoning in on—on his—!"

The metal door swinging open anew, and two more figures walking into the shower room.

Maki scowls at the trio, huddled together below the windowsill. "...What are you doing?"

Quick as lightning, Kaede shoots upright. "N-nothing! Nothing to see here!" She dusts herself down. "Wait, how did you two know we were here?"

"Nyeh?" Himiko cocks her head to one side. "I was on my way to Angie's lab, when I saw Ryoma's lab door was open for some reason." She shudders. "I... was too scared to investigate on my own, s-so I went to Maki's room and asked her to come with me, but it turns out it was just you three..." She taps at her lip. "Though... seeing you three crouched ominously down there... it sorta feels like you're trying to summon something... or someone!"

Miu snorts. "I mean, if you consider Kaede's lady-boner to be a thing, then— mmph!"

Tsumugi claps a hand firmly over Miu's mouth. "L-like Kaede said, we're not doing anything here! Nope, totally not!"

Huffing, Maki's eyes land on the controller in Miu's hands, then to the tablet in Tsumugi's. She walks over to the window and peers out. "...I see. So, you're spying on them. Figures."

"Spying?" Himiko hops behind Maki, standing on her tiptoes to look down at the clumsy swimming race playing out below them. "Wait, are they... having a pool party!? Without us!?"

Miu forces Tsumugi's hand off her mouth. "Right!? That's what I fuckin' said, too!"

Maki sighs. "Is it really that big of a deal?" She scowls out of the window again. "I don't swim for leisure that often... but even if I did, I wouldn't want to be seen with those idiots." She tosses her hair over her shoulder. "Seems more like a hindrance than it does something recreational."

Sticking out her bottom lip, a whine escapes Himiko. "But still... I kinda wish they even just invited us. It looks like they're having so much fun...!" She pouts down at the tablet as both Rantaro and Kaito fill the screen, the latter's arm slung over the former as they laugh heartily.

"Thanks for coming, man." Kaito says. "I really appreciate it." He sighs. "I feel so much better havin' gotten to spend some more time with you. Heh, if I didn't know any better, I wouldn't have even though you'd been a dead man once!"

Rantaro chuckles. "No need to thank me. In fact, it should be me thanking you for the invite." He sheepishly rubs at his neck. "If I'm honest, I've felt a little out of place ever since I came back. Y'know, what with you all seeming to made your little groups and the like. So thanks a million for letting me join you guys."

A gasp escapes Kaede. "So that's why he arranged it like that... he did it to get closer to Rantaro... to welcome him after what happened..." Chest tightning, she clenches a fist. "I... really have to do better, too. I can't be sitting around like this. That's it! I'm going back to the MonoMono Mach—"

"Fuck, shit, son of a bitch!"

Kaede swivels around. "What happened!?"

The blood drains from Miu's face. "The-the prune controller... I-I forgot to change its batteries before we started..."

Rantaro rubs his chin. "Although... I can't help but wonder what the girls would do if they found out we had a little get-together without even inviting them..."

Kaito scratches his head. "Eh, they'll be fine. I'm sure they wouldn't have even wanted to join anyway. 'Sides, this was a 'manly bonding-session' for a reason, y'know? If they wanna have their own... uh, whatever girls do together, they're more than welcome to do so—!"

SPLASH!

"Whoa!" shouts Kokichi. "What was that!?"

Rantaro squints. "Looks like something fell into the other end of the pool." He points at a small, blue and white-striped figure in the distance. "Ryoma's already on it, it seems."

Quick as a flash, Ryoma front-strokes his way to the head of the pool, holding a mechanical-looking contraption in one hand. "This fell outta the sky as I was doing laps." He hands the device to Rantaro. "What do you think it is?"

Humming, Rantaro turns the device over in his hands, as Kaito, Kokichi and Ryoma huddle around him. "It seems to be... oh! There's a camera on this thing!"

"Wait a second!" Kokichi snatches it from Rantaro. "I've seen this before! This was in Miu's lab earlier!"

Rantaro grimaces. "And it was here, floating above us? That... doesn't sound good."

Ryoma scans the premises. "The doors are still shut the way we left them. Which means the only way she'd have gotten it in without us knowing would be..." He glances up at his lab. "There!"

They all look up.

"Hmm?" says Rantaro. "Isn't that..."

"Maki-Roll!?" Kaito exclaims. "What are you doing up there?"

"Kehehehe," Kiyo chuckles from behind his book. "It's always the ones you'd least expect, isn't it?"

"Ahahahahahaha!" Kokichi doubles over in the water with laughter. "This is too good! This is too good! Ahaha, oh, my sides hurt!"

Grinning, Kaito waves wildly. "Hey! Maki-Roll! If you wanted to join us, you shoulda just said!"

The blood drains from Maki's face. "Shit!"

"Welp, that's our cue," says Miu, already scrambling to her feet. "Thanks for taking one for the team, Maks!"

Maki whips around. "What!?"

"Y-yeah," adds Tsumugi, dropping the picture book and following Miu suit. "W-we owe you one!"

"W-well, if they've seen us," Himiko mutters, slinking away from the window. "Guess it's time to put my legendary disappearance spell into action!"

"H-hey, wait!" Maki snaps. "Do you guys want to die!?"

But Miu, Tsumugi and Himiko are already halfway across the tennis court, squealing as they book it as far away as possible.

Maki turns her dangerously steely gaze to Kaede, paralysed with fear. "Well?"

"S-sorry," Kaede stutters, taking cautious steps back towards the door. "Th-there's nothing we can do about it now." She smiles through her nervous laughter. "The best we can do is... try to explain to them what was going on and... hope they believe us? Hehehe...?"

"Kaede!"

"Ahhhhhh!"

END

The Amazing Himiko's Top-Secret Revival Magic Show! (#048 – Illusion Rod)

A miracle rod that can show a happy illusion when it's spun in circles in front of someone's eyes.

"Nyeeeeeeh! Nyeeeeeeeeeeeh!"

With a strangled sigh, Himiko flops into a heap on the art room floor, at the looming effigy of Gonta's feet. "It's no use. It's just too heavy."

"Giving up so easily?" asks Kokichi. "Tch. So much for an Ultimate Mage."

"I-I am a mage!" Himiko flares. "But I— My MP is—"

"Yeah, yeah." Clicking his tongue, Kokichi's eyes roll skywards. "Come on. We'll lift it together then. But we have to be quick!"

"Why?"

"So no one can see what we're doing, obviously!"

Himiko frowns. "It's not like anyone else is gonna want this effigy..." She taps her lip. "Unless... you're embarrassed?"

Kokichi scowls down at her. "It's nothing like that. It'll just provoke more questions than I care to answer. That's all."

"Hmmm..." Himiko reluctantly gets to her feet. "If you say so..."

"Hey, hey!" Eyes glistening Kokichi bunches his fists. "If you help me move Gonta's into my room, I can help carry Tenko's into yours!"

"What!?" Colour paints Himiko's face. "I— I don't want Tenko's effigy in my room!"

"Oh, you don't? But I thought you looooooved her!"

Huffing, Himiko folds her arms. "I can love someone without having a wax figure of them staring into my soul whenever I go to bed." Then, quieter, she adds, "She was intense enough when she was alive..."

"Well," says Kokichi. "My offer will stand as long as we're stuck in here." His face contorts with mirth. "Until you decide to use your magical traitor powers to get us out of here safe and sound—"

"Shhhhh!" Himiko hisses. "Don't— don't say it so loudly!"

"Huh? It's not like there's anyone else on this floor."

"I don't care. It's dangerous." Himiko pouts. "And... it doesn't work like that." With a sigh, she tugs at her hat. "You finding out is dangerous enough... I was supposed to keep it a secret..."

"Keep what a secret?" comes a third voice from the doorway.

Himiko goes ghost-white. "Nyeh!?"

"Oh!" gasps Kokichi. "If it isn't my beloved Rantaro!" He blinks as Rantaro walks into the lab alongside a fourth figure. "Aaaaand Kiyo's here too, I guess."

Rantaro titters. "Sorry, sorry. We were in Kiyo's lab and heard your voices from down the hall, so we figured we'd see who else was down here so late in the evening." He rubs the back of his neck. "Guess it was just you two, huh? What are you up to?"

"U-uhh..." stutters Himiko. "That's... w-well—"

"We wanted to come back here and honour our former student council president," Kokichi says without breaking a sweat. "Y'know, she is the reason you're even alive, so you should be thankful too, Rantaro!"

"Funny you mention that, actually," Korekiyo says. "As we were just researching that topic ourselves."

"Oh yeah?"

Rantaro nods. "As grateful as I am to be alive again, the whole concept still baffles me, to be honest." He chuckles. "I mean, I died, you know? You guys saw my corpse, there was almost a Class Trial for me... It just doesn't make any sense. I was absolutely a dead man not too long ago, so how was I able to be brought back like nothing happened? That's why I consulted Kiyo. I figured with his knowledge we might be able to get a clearer picture of what exactly happened."

"Resurrection..." Korekiyo mutters. "It certainly is quite the interesting concept. The idea of 'raising the dead' stems from various ancient non-Abrahamic religions in the Middle East. Some such examples of gods rising from the dead include Osiris, the god of the deceased, and Baal, the deity of fertility."

Himiko tilts her head. "Are you saying... Rantaro is a god!?"

"Kehehehe. Those are but mere examples of the earliest instances where resurrection has been inscribed into texts. As a religious concept it is used in primarily two distinct respects: a belief in the resurrection of individual souls that is current and ongoing, or else a singular belief in a singular mass resurrection at the end of the world. There are some that believe that the soul is actually the vehicle by which people are resurrected. This concept, if true to Rantaro's case, does pose some very interesting questions. In Ancient Greece, a number of people became physically immortal once brought back from the dead. One such example of this is Asclepius, who was killed by Zeus, only to be resurrected and transformed into the deity we know him as today."

Humming, Kokichi holds his chin. "Then... because Rantaro was killed by Shuichi, now that he's been brought back from the dead, he might be immortal!?"

Korekiyo chuckles. "Of course, this is yet to be seen, but it certainly could be a possibility, could it not?"

"Y-yet to be seen?" Rantaro laughs sheepishly. "I'd... rather not find out any time soon, thanks. Even now, my head's still a little sensitive to the touch."

"But— but that's not fair!" Kokichi flares. "That means he has a fast-pass to being one of the final two at the end of the game!" He explodes into tears. "WAAAAAHHHH! Rantaro's cheating!"

"That's what you're thinking about?" Himiko asks.

Rantaro rubs his chin. "I mean, I guess that's a valid concern. I honestly hadn't thought of that myself..."

Himiko thrusts a finger Rantaro's way. "It's not a concern, because it's not true! You're a normal boy, just like the rest of us! I know because I was there the night you were re-awoken!"

Korekiyo's hand flies to his mouth. "You know, it completely slipped my mind that Himiko was the other sole witness to your resurrection other than Angie..."

Rantaro blinks. "Could you tell us what Angie did? It was with a certain book, wasn't it?"

Himiko nods. "That's right! It was a spellbook! But you got something wrong. Me and Angie didn't do anything to bring you back." Hands falling to her hips, Himiko huffs with pride. "It was aaaaall Atua's doing!"

Rantaro bites back a sigh. "Was it now?"

"Yep! I saw it for myself!" Himiko taps at her lip. "A-actually I think I fell asleep somewhere in between... but that doesn't matter! I saw most of it!"

Korekiyo hums. "So does this mean... you could replicate the steps to what you did?"

Himiko grins. "Of course! Ah, but it'll cost you."

Korekiyo and Rantaro exchange a look.

Rantaro smiles. "Of course. What would you like in return, then?"

Himiko smirks. "Infinite headpats and piggy-back rides from both of you! Oh, and..." She points backwards to Gonta's effigy, still standing firm in the centre of the room. "I want you to carry this down to the school entrance."

"Gonta's effigy? Down to the lobby?" Korekiyo tilts his head. "May I ask why?"

Himiko crosses her arms. "No questions allowed! Just do!" Her eyes flutter closed. "And if you want to find out the secret to casting revival spells, meet me in my lab at noon tomorrow!"

Rantaro shrugs. "The entrance to the school, was it? Well, we're heading down that way, anyway." He walks past Himiko and Kokichi to Gonta's huge figure. "Kiyo, give me a hand? I'll take the head if you take the feet."

"What a strange way to end the day," Korekiyo muses. "In any case, Himiko, your wish is ours to command." With a grunt, he hoists up the back end of Gonta's effigy, while Rantaro takes the front. Together they manoeuvre themselves towards the exit.

Rantaro throws a look over his shoulder. "So, noon tomorrow, yeah?"

"Noon tomorrow," Himiko confirms. "Be there, or be square!"

"All righty then!" Rantaro and Korekiyo stagger out of the arm room with Gonta's effigy between them.

Kokichi reaches Himiko's side. Throws an arm over her shoulder and smirks.

"Didn't think you had it in you to manipulate men like that."

Turning her nose up, Himiko wriggles out of Kokichi's hold. "Angie would have done the same if she was here. As the new Student Council President, I'm only following in her footsteps."

"I see, I see." Chuckling, Kokichi throws his hands up and over his head. "Nee-heehee, guess you didn't get that traitor title for nothing after all, huh?"

"I told you to stop! Saying! It! Out loud!"

At the strike of noon, Rantaro raps his knuckles against the strawberry-adorned laboratory door.

"Oh, Himiko?" calls Kokichi. "We're here to witness your maaaagic!"

"Magic..." Korekiyo mutters. "Is that really the correct term to use for this?"

After a beat, the door cracks open, and a mop of red peers out from the other side.

"Good," Himiko whispers. "You're here." She opens the door just enough to let the three boys in, revealing the interior of the lab. Three blue cushions from the warehouse line the floor by the door. A large cage containing three pure white doves sits off to the side, and in the centre of the room, flanked by tall candlesticks, stands a stool covered by a blue tablecloth. A smaller candle, along with a sheet of paper lie atop the stool, with a childish drawing of a bird sketched into the paper.

Korekiyo presses a hand to his mask. "My, my. What effort you've put into this little show." His eyes land on the picture. "Is this..."

"All of the wax from Angie's lab has been used up," replies Himiko. "S-so I had to resort to the next best thing I could think of."

"So then." Rantaro glances at the bird cage. "You're saying that one of these doves..."

"Th-that's right." Himiko tugs down her hat, obscuring her eyes. "One of them died."

Kokichi gasps melodramatically. "No way! You killed one of your birds just to show us a demonstration!?"

"No!" Himiko snaps. "H-he died of natural causes. I'm gonna be using a revival spell on him, so he'll be back to life in no time!" Clearing her throat, she gestures to the cushions. "Anyway, sit down, the three of you! The Amazing Himiko's Top Secret Revival Magic show is about to begin!" She pats down her clothes, before diving behind the red curtain and retrieving a large, pink wand.

Rantaro blinks slowly. "You... used that to revive me?"

"No, Ryoma bought me this from the casino as a get-well present after getting sick last week." Himiko replies. "Angie and I used that special spellbook Monokuma gave us." Her shoulders slump. "But... when I went to go ask him if I could use it again, he got mad and told me it was a 'one-time offer' or something... B-but don't worry!" She holds up her wand again. "With my magic, reviving something as small as a bird should be just as easy!"

On his haunches, Rantaro leans in, eyes shining with far too much interest. "How fascinating! I had no idea an Ultimate could replicate the abilities of that of an ancient text..." He glances over to Korekiyo. "Right, Kiyo?"

"Hmm?" Korekiyo gives him a look. "Ah. Y-yes, of course. It truly is quite, ahem, r-remarkable."

Giggling, Kokichi rubs his hands together with glee. "I'm so excited! I've always wanted to watch a magic show, no less one of the Ultimate Magician!"

"It's mage," Himiko snaps. "A-anyway, um..." A bead of sweat rolls down her forehead. "L-let's get started, shall we?"

Kokichi tilts his head. "Why are you suddenly nervous?"

"I-I'm not," Himiko says, turning her back to the audience to hide her chattering teeth. "I-I'm just... th-the last time I held a magic show it... didn't go too well is all..." She coughs. "A-anyway! Let the show begin!" She carefully picks up the smaller candle and sets the drawing of the dove alight.

Korekiyo frowns as the fire spreads across the paper, dangerously close to the tablecloth. "And... you're sure this is safe?"

Himiko shoots him a glare. "Don't doubt the Amazing Himiko! Just watch... and... learn!" She lifts the wand into the air and begins to spin it around. With a flourish of sparkles and tinkles, the room is enveloped in bright pink glitter.

A flurry of 'oooooh's and 'aaaahs' come from the audience as the glitter coagulated before them and morphs into multiple shapes; a cat, a butterfly, a strawberry, and, finally, a dove.

While the audience is distracted, Himiko removes her hat, reaches under the burning stool and gently picks up the fourth dove hiding beneath it. The glitter is dispersing by the time she gets back up. With a smug simper, Himiko holds out her hat, taps the edge of it twice with her wand, and the dove flies out of the hat, wings spreading like a fan as it flutters around the lab. Rantaro, Korekiyo and Kokichi explode into applause.

"Whoa!" shouts Kokichi. "You really brought that dove back to life!"

"Nii-heeheeheehee!" Fixing her hat, Himiko puffs out her chest. "Did you expect any less from the Ultimate Mage?"

"Of course not!"

Himiko points the wand in Rantaro's direction. "Okay! See? Now you know how you came back, so you don't hafta worry about it anymore!"

Kokichi jumps up out of his cushion. "Since it's that easy, can you do it again? Encore, encore!"

"A-again!?"

"Yeah! And this time, I want to be the one to kill the dove! Help me catch it, Himiko!"

"N-no, stop! Don't kill my doves!"

Humming, Rantaro leans on one palm and mutters beneath his breath. "So, in the end it was just a magic show... Haha, I don't know what else I was expecting."

"I wouldn't say it was just a magic show, Rantaro," Korekiyo replies.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Korekiyo directs his gaze towards Himiko, trying her earnest to keep Kokichi from murdering her animals. "I think she knows just as well as we do that Monokuma's 'trick', whatever that trick may be, cannot be replicated." He folds his arms over his chest. "I believe our Himiko merely took the opportunity to put on a show as a form of cheering you up, to momentarily distract you from the qualms you've been having since coming back here."

Rantaro's eyes go wide. "She... wanted to cheer me up?"

"You do appear to be heavily submerged in thoughts of your own as of late," Korekiyo goes on. "So much so, that I do believe even those not educated in human behaviour are beginning to notice as well."

"You really think so?"

"Kehehe. I am an anthropologist, not a mind reader, Rantaro. But yes, that is my best guess." He glances over across the room, and Rantaro follows his gaze.

Himiko's arms are firmly locked around Kokichi's waist, contracting his movement as he attempts to wriggle free of her grasp.

"Okay, okay, fine!" Kokichi sighs. "I won't touch your birds. For now. Just please, let me go!" Himiko immediately drops him, and he falls to the ground with a large thud. "Hey! What gives?"

Huffing, Himiko turns her back to him and folds her arms. "You said to let you go, so I did."

Sitting up, Kokichi wipes at his mouth with his sleeve. "You little—!"

"Himiko." Himiko glances up and meets Rantaro's warm, green gaze. He crouches, and ruffles Himiko's hair. "Thank you."

"Ny...eh?" Colour fills Himiko's face. She jumps back with a squeak, pulling her hat down over her face.

Rantaro blinks. "What's the matter?"

"N-nothing," Himiko stammers. She takes a deep breath. "I... just had a thought."

"Oh?" asks Korekiyo. "A thought of what, may I ask?"

Himiko makes a groaning sound. "Y'know what you were saying yesterday? About Rantaro maybe being an immortal god now that he got brought back from the dead." Pouting, she hides her face even more. "A-Angie once told me... Atua takes the form of a handsome man sometimes... s-so just now I was thinking... maybe..."

Rantaro blinks. "What?"

"No way!" gasps Kokichi. "My beloved Rantaro's the new Atua?! Why didn't you tell us?"

Rantaro's mouth falls open. "W-wait, I'm...? Hold on a sec—!"

"Kehehehe." Chuckling, Korekiyo rises to his feet. "It would appear I'm unneeded in whatever is about to transpire." He takes a step backwards. "If you request any further assistance on your research, Rantaro, you know where to find me."

Rantaro blanches. "Y-you're going to leave me here? Kiyoooo!"

But Korekiyo is already closing the door behind him.

Rantaro hangs his head. "Of course... leave me with the kids, why don't you?"

"Oh, handsome Atua," chants Himiko, dipping her head in prayer. "Please, can you tell me how Angie and Tenko are doing in heaven?"

"No, no, no!" Kokichi shoves her aside. "Tell me who's gonna kill next so I can interfere with their murder plans! Gods can surely predict the future, riiiiight?"

"N-now, now," soothes Rantaro, holding his hands up. "One at a time, yeah?"

This is going to be one long afternoon.

As he's dragged further into the lab, Rantaro mentally curses his brotherly instincts, along with his inability to say no to those pairs of hopeful puppy eyes.

END

Counting the Stars II (#016 - Bunny Apples)

Apples cut into bunny shapes. Often use as bait for certain animals and insects.

With a sigh, Kaede falls back on the moon-soaked grass by the school pavillion, her muscles wrung dry from the intense workout session Kaito put her through. The cool night-time wind bristles through the distant trees. Behind them, the academy looms over them, tall as ever, the lights of various rooms illuminating the otherwise dimness of the school courtyard.

"You're tired already?" Maki asks with a lift of her brow.

Kaede scowls up at her. "I'm not an assassin, nor an astronaut." She raises her arms over her head and flexes her fingers. "If my family knew what I was doing with my hands, they'd kill me."

Kaito blinks. "Why? 'Cause of your fingers?"

Kaede nods. "A pianist is supposed to keep their fingers, and, by association, their hands in tip-top condition all of the time! So doing all these press-ups, digging my nails into the grass like this, it's kinda..."

"Harmful?" suggests Maki.

"I guess?" Kaede shrugs. "Then again, it's not like I can't fix them up when we get out of here. I'm just thinking aloud, is all."

Kaito hums. "I see... Well, you can take a break for a little bit in that case! Maki-Roll and I will pick up the slack."

Maki snorts. "You mean you will pick up the slack." She rises to her feet, dusting her skirt down. "I finished my one-hundred press-ups ages ago."

"Oh, come on!" Kaito whines. "You're gonna make me work all by myself."

"Yes. You have barely done ten in the two hours we've been out here."

"Tch—?! I have so done more than ten! You just weren't paying attention—!"

"What are you guys doing?"

"Hey, Ryoma!" Kaito beams. "Just the person I was looking for!" Grinning, he pats the grassy patch beside him. "Wanna work out with us?"

Ryoma frowns. "Work out, huh? In a place like this?"

"Yeah!" Kaito flexes his arm. "Training's good for the body and good for the mind! Helps us get rid of those toxic thoughts, y'know?" He cocks his head. "Surely you've trained a bunch in your time, right?"

"Yeah," Ryoma replies. "I did. Both when I was active on the court, and when I was in prison."

Kaede blinks. "Even in prison?"

Ryoma nods. "There are all sorts of people in prison, Akamatsu. You gotta always be ready, always on your guard." He pulls out a candy cigarette. "Speaking of guards, they'd make us do a morning routine regardless, just to keep everyone in shape, I suppose." His eyelids lower. "Though I doubt they ever really cared about the people who threw our chances at life away so recklessly."

Kaede's face falls. "Ryoma..."

Kaito's clapping dissipates the somber mood. "All right! Then it's settled! Ryoma's joining us for our training sessions from now on!"

Ryoma blinks. "What?"

Huffing, Kaito folds his arms over his chest. "Clearly, the lack of prison workouts is getting to your head. So all we gotta do is get your blood pumping and distract you!"

Sighing, Ryoma shakes his head. "Casually asking a killer like me to join your workouts... you really have no fear, do you, Momota?"

"I'm right here," Maki deadpans.

"Exactly!" Kaede pumps her fists. "So if Maki can work out with us, you should too, Ryoma!"

"So?" asks Kaito. "Whaddya say, Ryoma?"

"Hmph." Ryoma pops the final piece of his candy into his mouth. "If it's just for a while, I suppose it's all right..." Stretching, he cracks his knuckles. Rolls his shoulders. "But don't be mistaken, Momota. When I get into training mode..." His eyes flash. "I don't go easy on anyone."

"Good," Maki says. "Kaito's been slacking off all night, so he needs someone to coach some sense into him."

Ryoma half-chuckles. "Heh, is that so?"

Kaito gulps. "Gettin' the opportunity to be coached by THE Ryoma Hoshi. I, uh... don't know whether to be happy or scared."

"All right then." Ryoma positions himself next to Kaito. "First to two-fifty wins."

"T-two fifty!?" splutters Kaito. "Since when was this a competition?"

Kaede lifts a brow. "You can't do it, Kaito?"

Kaito scoffs. "O-of course I can do it! I'm Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars! Two-fifty press-ups is child's play for an astronaut like me!"

"Okay!" Kaede claps her hands together. "Maki and I will keep count, so are you ready? On your marks, get set... go!"

With trembling arms, Kaito falls into the grass face-first. "J-Jesus... I can't feel my arms... I th-think they're both broken."

Maki rolls her eyes skywards. "Don't be such a baby. Ryoma kept going even after he won."

Heaving for breath, Ryoma pulls himself into a sitting position. "It's been a while since I went that hard, mind you." He flashes Kaito a thumbs up. "Good job, Momota. You might have a ways to go regarding your stamina, but other than that, you did pretty okay."

Unable to muster the energy to sit up, Kaito rolls onto his back. "Thanks, man. Coming from you, that means a lot."

"Hmph." Ryoma looks elsewhere. "Don't mention it. I'm just sayin' what any professional coach would say to you." Fumbling in his jacket, he retrieves a small paper bag. "Here, Momota. This'll replenish your energy." He juts his head towards Kaede and Maki. "You guys, too."

"Oh?" Blinking, Kaito takes the bag from Ryoma. "What's this?" He reaches inside, and plucks out a small piece of fruit between his fingers. "Apples?"

"Those are from the school store," Maki says. "I saw them on the item list in there."

Ryoma shakes his head. "No, these ones aren't." He glances elsewhere. "I... prepared them myself."

"Oh!" Kaede gasps as the bag is handed to her. "These are those bunny apples! I see it now!" Beaming, she chuckles. "I didn't think you'd be into that sort of thing, Ryoma. Then again, we did have that conversation about cats that one time, so maybe I shouldn't be so surprised, haha."

Ryoma shrugs. "Before I got here, I hadn't heard of them either." His eyes glaze over with something undreadable. "Gokuhara... was the one who introduced me to them. Said they're great for catching insects and the like."

Kaede's chest tightens. "Oh, right. Gonta..." Sighing, she looks to the sky hanging over them like a navy blanket. "It's only been a few weeks since he left us... but it feels like it's been months. Years, even."

"Do you miss him?" Maki asks. "It's not like you knew him for that long."

"M-Maki!" Kaede hisses. "You can't say that sorta stuff so casually!"

Ryoma shakes his head. "It's fine. Harukawa's right." He sighs. "It's... weird. My whole lifet, I've had a tendency to not let anyone get too close to me, even before I became a killer. But... there's always those select few that worm their ways in anyway. Gokuhara was one of those, I guess." He grimaces. "That innocent, eager-to-please nature of his, blanketing his natural talent and intellect... it was just like hers."

Kaito blinks. "Hers?"

"Ryoma," Kaede mutters, picking at the ear of her apple slice. "Are you... talking about your lover?"

"What?" Kaito jolts upright. "You had a lover, Ryoma!?"

"Yeah. A long time ago." Ryoma pulls on his beanie. "Her name... was Maria."

"Maria..." Kaede echoes. "That's such a pretty name."

Ryoma makes a grunt of agreement. "... It is."

Kaito pops the last piece of his bunny apple into his mouth. "Well, isn't that all the more reason to live on?"

Ryoma blinks. "Hm?"

"Your girlfriend, Maria, then there's Gonta, and all the others here who've died already." Kaito punches his palm with a fist. "Even if they're dead, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't wanna see you joining them anytime soon, y'know!?" His face softens. "They'd want you to live your best life, survive till the end, and use your existence to ensure they're never forgotten! That's what I plan on doing, anyway."

Maki lifts a brow. "You do?"

Kaito nods. "Yeah! When we get outta here, I plan on asking the guys over at Jaxa if we can get a star named after every student that's died so far. That way, the universe will never forget them and what they sacrificed!" He grins a toothy grin. "Of course, now that I know about her, I'll ask 'em to add one for Miss Maria, too!"

Kaede frowns. "But I've heard naming a star after someone is super expensive... Do you even have the money to do that?"

"Tch—!? I-I mean, I'm sure I can figure something out! After all, I'm Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars! Those star-naming guys would be honoured to get a couple requests from a hero like me!"

Scoffing, Maki takes a bite of her apple slice. "Just when I think you can't get any more idiotic..."

"Hey!" Kaito barks. "I'm totally gonna do it, just you wait and see!"

"Heh." Chuckling, Ryoma leans back on his hands. "You're funny, Momota." A ghost of a smile briefly graces his lips. "Thanks. I needed that."

"See?" Maki says. "Even Ryoma can't take you seriously."

"Ryoma, not you too...!"

Sighing wistfully, Kaede's gaze rises to the stars. "It's a nice thought, though. Naming a star after every one that's died so far..." She sighs. "I just hope you don't need to name any more than six..."

"For sure!" Kaito leans back in the grass, hands locking over his head. "Tenko accidently killed Gonta 'cause of Kiyo's secret, Angie accidently killed Kiibo 'cause she thought he was the mastermind. Still dunno what happened with Kirumi, but I'm sure if we work together and don't let any more accidents happen, we'll all be fine!"

Ryoma grimaces. "Working together, huh?"

Kaede presses a hand into her heart. "I agree with Kaito. As long as we're all transparent with each other from now on, nothing will happen! Nothing can happen." She pumps her fists. "Whatever Monokuma throws at us next, we'll band together as a team and go against him!"

Maki shakes her head. "You guys and your optimism..."

Kaede pouts. "Well, it's much better being optimistic than pessimistic, y'know! You should try it sometime."

"In a situation like this? I'll pass, thanks."

"Geez, this is exactly why people have a hard time talking to you, Maki! Well, whatever." Sighing, Kaede throws a look towards the towering academy in the distance. "Yeah... it'll work out, I'm sure of it. It has to... right?"

"Hey, Kaede, Maki-Roll!" comes Kaito's voice from behind. Kaito, propped up on one arm, is lying with Ryoma lying side-by-side on the grass. "C'mon, join us! We're gonna do a spot of stargazing before we head off for the night." He grins. "You can help us decide which stars we'll name after which person!"

Maki and Kaede exchange a glance.

"Gokuhara would tell me how different the stars seem in this place," Ryoma says after a pause. "But despite that... he found them comforting to look at." A sigh escapes him. "Now I'm actually taking the time to look at them for myself... I think I sorta get it."

As Maki continues to frown, Kaede lightly elbows her in the side. "Let's join them. Come on." As she scoots over to where Ryoma's lying, she throws her a teasing simper. "I'll even let you take the spot beside Kaito."

Biting her lip, Maki averts her gaze. "I... don't care who I'm next to. Stargazing is does nothing to help our situation." She sighs. "But... I guess it wouldn't hurt to slack off for just a little while longer." Shuffling, Maki stiffly spreads out beside Kaito, flinching when the beaming spaceman briefly meets her eyes. Scoffing, she rolls on her side away from him, face burning bright crimson.

"Hey, Momota," Ryoma murmurs, just audible for Kaito to hear.

"Hmm? What's up?"

Ryoma's gaze is unmoving on the stars. "Have... you ever loved anyone?"

Blinking, Kaito turns his head. "Wh-what's with that question all of a sudden...?"

Ryoma shrugs. "Dunno. Just curious."

"Huh..." Kaito pauses. "...No, I don't think I have. Not yet, anyway."

"I see."

Another pause.

"Well, whenever that time comes." Ryoma's eyes flutter closed. "Make sure you take good care of her. Don't you leave her alone like I did. It'll be a regret you'll carry on your back forever."

"Huh?" Kaito's brows crunch together. "I dunno why you're saying all this stuff all of a sudden, but..." His face tightens. "Of course I will. That's a given!"

"Heh, that's good to hear."

"Hmm? Are you guys talking about something?" comes Kaede's voice from Ryoma's right-side. "It's kinda hard to hear when you guys are talking so quietly."

"Nothin' really," Ryoma replies. "Just... life things. You know how it is."

"Hmm. Is that so...?"

Kaito clears his throat. "Anyway!" He thrusts a finger to the skies. "It's... kinda hard to tell which star is which since I haven't a clue where this school is located, but I'm gonna do my best to give you guys a lesson in the stars!"

"A-a lesson?" Kaede splutters. "I thought this was meant to be a stargazing session!"

"Haha, well, when you have the Luminary of the Stars stargazing with you, I think it's only right that I bestow some of my spacely knowledge onto my trusted sidekicks! That way, we can single out the stars that don't have names yet, y'know? Are you guys listening? Okay, so that one over there is called the..."

END

There was no way I was going to finish writing this story without my own interpretation of a 'ladies' nut(?)' scene go by! I would have loved to have done it in chapter 3 to keep with the trend, but there was just too much going on for me to slide it in efficiently, so here you go!

Thanks so much to everyone for your constant feedback, kind words, last minute corrections that slipped by me (you know who you are) and insane theories! It's so wonderful to see such a nice little community that's banded around my little 2018 project, and I do hope it only goes up from here!

I think the method of writing out all the chapters first, then dumping them as a weekly thing worked out really, really, well, and I'm bummed I didn't think to try out this method sooner tbh! I think it's a lot better to have a big mass drop all at once, so readers don't forget what's going on, what has already happened, and have to go back and check the chapter prior every few months when a new one drops. I find myself doing that on other stories sometimes and it sorta is a hassle and erases some of the immersion, so I am definitely going to stick to this method for hopefully the rest of the story! Better late than never, right? So, it may take some time to plot out and get all the pieces for chapter 5 together and then some more time to actually write it and get it edited, but please don't worry if you don't see another update for quite some time; I'm working in the background, I promise! I thank you in advance for your patience! 3

See you in Chapter 5! ^w^

~ Kira