Ch 22

Kaito felt uneasy.

He'd felt uneasy ever since waking up.

It'd been three days since the last murder. They were overdue for another.

He looked around.

His classmates were eating their breakfast, chatting and smiling as if nothing was wrong.

Only two people were missing…

"Where are Kiibo and Iruma?" He asked.

"Iruma-chan is in the computer room. She's working on some mysterious project. Kiibo is with her." Kokichi smirked.

"Mysterious project?" Tsumugi questioned, squinting at him.

"Yes. She's creating an AI that will kill us all!"

"That's a lie!" Gonta yelled, leaping to his feet. "Ouma-kun bullied Iruma-san yesterday. Gonta saw it. He accused her of all sorts of things and lied a lot-he's still lying."

"Gonta, why did you have to ruin the fun?" Kokichi scolded him.

"Ouma-kun your fun isn't fun." Gonta argued.

"Yes, it is!"

"You're the only person who finds bullying people funny." Ryoma said.

"That's the point." Kokichi giggled. "I derive amusement from the suffering of others."

"Of course, you do." Ryoma huffed. "It's good that Iruma has something to work on- something to take her mind off the killing game."

"I wish I had something to work on. I don't even have any proper materials to make cosplay outfits. All I have is my wigs." Tsumugi complained.

"At least I have tennis." Ryoma said.

"And I have Neo-Aikido." Tenko added.

"If I didn't have my magic…" Himiko shuddered.

"Gonta has bugs. But more importantly, he has all of you." Gonta admitted, almost crying.

"You're a great friend. I feel much safer with you around." Tsumugi assured him.

Gonta smiled at her.

"So, who wants to hang out with me today?" Himiko piped up.

"Can I spend time with you? I wanna see some amazing magic tricks!" Kokichi demanded.

Himiko frowned at him, then nodded.

"Great! After you show me some tricks, we can do some canoodling."

"N-no. I wouldn't be comfortable with that. I barely know you." Himiko stuttered, blushing deeply.

"Your loss." Kokichi shrugged.

"Don't mess with Yumeno-San's feelings." Tenko warned him.

"I wasn't. I'm genuinely interested in her. She's the cutest available girl here…because you're not interested in boys…"

"!" Tenko panicked, going very red.

"If you're going to be so rude, then I'm not going to hang out with you." Himiko said angrily.

"Oh, how you wound me Yumeno-san." Kokichi taunted her.

"Thank you Yumeno-san." Tenko said, taking a deep breath and smiling at her friend.

"No need to thank me Chabashira. If Ouma isn't going to behave, then he can go boil his head."

"Yumeno-chan, do you want to kill me- "

"Hey, Ouma. Can I talk to you about something?" Ryoma sidled up to him.

Kokichi nodded.

They went into the kitchen and had a hushed conversation.

Kaito couldn't make out what they were saying, but decided not to bother them.

He cleared his throat and got everyone else's attention.

"We should plan our day. So, pair up...if you want."

"Gonta wants to show someone bugs." Gonta said quickly, almost pleading.

Everyone shared uncomfortable looks.

"Gonta know bug night scared many people. So, he won't show live bugs. Just drawings of butterflies. Beautiful ones."

Everyone relaxed.

"Aww. That sounds lovely. I'd love to see them." Tsumugi said.

"Me too." Himiko squealed. "Do you have any pictures of dragonflies?

"Y-yes. And many others. All bugs are beautiful." Gonta cheered.

"Sounds like a plan." Tsumugi said. "Want to meet up after breakfast?"

"Sure." Himiko agreed.

Ryoma left Kokichi, who had a thoughtful expression on his face, and approached Tenko.

"Want to play a match with me, Chabashira?"

"I don't know how to play tennis." Tenko admitted.

"I'll teach you. It's a great way to exercise your arms. We won't play a serious match." Ryoma smiled.

Tenko looked at Himiko. But Himiko didn't notice her. She was too busy chatting with Gonta about different types of butterflies.

"All right." Tenko turned back to Ryoma and nodded.

They started talking about tennis. Ryoma showed her some swings. She seemed interested.

Kaito smiled. Everyone seemed to be paired up. Except…him and Kokichi.

He caught Kokichi's gaze.

Kokichi grinned but shook his head.

Kaito sighed. They couldn't hang out together too often.

The only other option was Korekiyo…and Kaito didn't want to spend time with him.

Which is fine. I can wander around on my own. Explore the school.

Someone nudged him.

He blinked and looked to his left.

It was Tsumugi.

"It's good that we're all getting along so well." She said, surveying the room.

"This is precisely why the new motive is such a threat." Korekiyo said, sitting in Himiko's vacant seat.

"I thought you said you didn't believe it would work?" Tsumugi frowned.

"I've been thinking. It will work…just not for the reasons any of us think." He said cryptically.

"You really believe that more of us will be willing to murder one another if we form closer friendships?" Kaito asked, furrowing his brow.

"Not quite. It just provides the perfect cover for a murderer who isn't interested in the motive. They could kill someone and then use all of these burgeoning friendships to spread suspicion to other people. Kukuku."

"Surely not…" Tsumugi said, going pale.

Tenko and Ryoma both frowned and inched closer, listening in.

"Oh yes. This is exactly what Monokuma wants." Korekiyo said, caressing his cheek thoughtfully.

"So, if a murder happens, our friendships will be irreparably damaged?" Tsumugi exclaimed.

"No Tsumugi. That won't happen." Kaito shook his head. "But Shinguuji, surely Monokuma's motive would be the main reason- for a murder to happen?"

"I'm sure that for some people here, freedom is the ultimate motive. They want to be free of this place and its tedious rules." Korekiyo said, a glint in his eye.

Is he talking about himself? Kaito swallowed

"But as long as we all stick together, we'll be fine, right?" Tsumugi said desperately.

"The strong will be fine, but the weak will be eaten. That's what history has taught me." Korekiyo quipped.

"Eaten? But there aren't any cannibals here?" Tsumugi squeaked.

"I was being metaphorical Shirogane-san." Korekiyo said, sounding unamused.

"Oh. I panicked. Sorry." Tsumugi wilted.

"I've finished my breakfast…I'll see you guys around." Kaito said, feeling ill.

He was desperate. He had to do something to prevent the oncoming doom.

Kaito ended up wandering around the school all morning, listlessly looking for clues. But he found nothing.

Sighing, he collapsed on the front lawn.

What should I do? He patted the grass, threading it through his fingers.

He looked up at the sky.

Beyond the too-bright-sun, the stars were beckoning to him.

Someday. He promised himself. But for now, I need to be productive…I should check on Miu.

It was his turn. Kokichi had checked on her yesterday.

She's with Kiibo…

He smiled.

I don't how they'll respond if I just barge in. I guess I could tell them that I was bored and didn't have anything else to do.

He laughed.

A lie worthy of Kokichi…but what if they're having a "moment" when I go in? Holding hands or something…

He remembered how lovey-dovey Miu and Kiibo had been around him when he had last visited them.

His chest tightened.

For him, romance was a distraction.

He'd never had a girlfriend. His focus had always been on his personal goal: completing astronaut training and going into space.

And now, because of his illness, he'd never get a chance to fall in love...

He shook his head and stood up. He couldn't let anything distract him.

He made his way to the computer lab, arriving just in time to hear loud yelling coming from within.

He frowned and entered the room quietly, peeking around the door.

"You stayed up all night! Working on this!?" Kiibo gestured dramatically at the cube in the centre of the room.

"I had to!" Miu insisted, rubbing her eyes. There were deep, deep, circles underneath them. "And I didn't stay up all night. I got a few hours of sleep…here."

"What? Why?" Kiibo demanded.

"Because it's- "

"You're just hurting yourself Iruma-san. Have you eaten anything today?"

Miu clenched her jaw and stared stonily at the floor.

"You- you haven't?" Kiibo stuttered, staring at her with wide eyes.

"I…I forgot."

"Iruma-san, humans- you need to eat and sleep and look after yourself. Even my inner voice agrees."

"Don't bring that up." Miu retorted, looking away-

-and meeting his gaze.

"Momota- "She took a deep breath. "Why- when did you get here? You shouldn't be here."

"I- "Kaito tried to excuse himself.

"No. It doesn't matter. Please leave. This is a private discussion." Miu crossed her arms and glared at him.

Kaito gave Kiibo a desperate look, hoping the robot would back him up.

"She's right Momota-kun." Kiibo said, shaking his head. "Please leave."

"Okay. I'll go. I just wanted to see if you needed any help." Kaito said, backing away.

He left, but made sure to close the door very, very, slowly.

"Kiibo, the reason I need to work on this, is- "Miu sighed. "You- I need to protect you. I am afraid. You're weak and- "

Kaito finally shut the door and frowned.

I need to tell Kokichi about this.

He turned around, preparing to hurry and find his partner-

-only to almost walk into Himiko, Tenko, and Korekiyo, who were standing right behind him.

The girls were pale, while Korekiyo looked very grim.

"Guys?" Kaito questioned.

"We were listening in Momota-kun." Korekiyo said. "We heard yelling and went to investigate. We saw you snooping."

"I…ah." Kaito scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's all right. Considering how loud they were being, it makes sense that you wanted to spy on them."

"No. I- "

"I've never heard Kiibo get so angry. He's usually so calm." Himiko said, trembling.

"Yumeno-san, he's just worried about Iruma-san. Remember, she wasn't at breakfast this morning." Korekiyo explained.

Himiko nodded uncertainly.

"She's been working all night." Kaito said. "I'm worried about her as well."

He noticed Tenko scowling at the door to the computer lab.

"Chabashira?"

"I agree. I'm also worried about Iruma-san." She said quickly.

"I think its best if we just leave them alone. Iruma-san is fixated on her project. None of us will be able to persuade her to stop working. The only person who can seemingly talk her down- if he even can- is Kiibo." Korekiyo suggested.

"Yeah…" Kaito sighed. "I just…I feel like I need to intervene and do something to help."

"I want the same thing Momota-kun. But neither of us can help her. Only Kiibo can." Korekiyo repeated.

"Kiibo will change her mind." Himiko nodded. "He cares about her a lot. He won't leave her side."

She smiled at Tenko.

"There just like us. They're always looking out for one another and supporting each other."

"Aww. Thank you Yumeno-san." Tenko said, blushing.

"That's quite heart-warming Yumeno-san. You have such faith in your classmates." Korekiyo said, his eyes lighting up.

Kaito sensed that Korekiyo was smiling under his mask and supressed a shiver. He found it creepy.

"Yumeno-san and I have things to do." Tenko said, before Himiko could respond to him. "We want to check out the new storage room together. Yumeno-san wants to look for items to use in her next magic show."

"Yesss. I want to hold another show and cheer everyone up. I'm brimming with ideas." Himiko declared.

Kaito chuckled.

"Well, don't let us hold you back. I hope you have a nice afternoon."

Both girls waved at them and then walked away.

"Momota-kun." Korekiyo said, once they were out of earshot.

"Yes Shinguuji-kun?" Kaito said.

"The depths of human emotion…especially love, can make people do rash, despicable, things."

"I know. I've known that since Shuichi died."

Korekiyo cocked his head.

"I've known it ever since I was born. Even before my sister died."

"I'm sorry you've had such a hard life Shinguuji."

"Don't pity me Momota-kun. I got over it a long time ago. I learned to appreciate the finer things in life- like anthropology- and move on." Korekiyo nodded sagely.

Kaito stared at him for a few moments.

"I wasn't pitying you. I just…I can't imagine what it's like to lose everyone you care about. My parents died when I was a baby, but I had my grandparents. So, I never had to live without love or support."

He thought about Kokichi, how the other boy had grown up in an orphanage…unwanted and alone…

"I understand Momota-kun." Korekiyo bowed. "Now, I must go. I have work to do. I'll see you later."

He retreated down the corridor.

Kaito stood still for a few moments, then shook his head and started walking.

He needed to find Kokichi.