"You…you did what?" Kaito exclaimed.
"Confronted Kiibo and told him what Iruma was planning!" Kokichi chirruped.
They were behind the school, near the rock with weird lettering.
Kaito looked around, making sure they were alone, then glared at him. "Kokichi, that was very reckless of you."
"Says the guy who approached Iruma-chan and had a heart-to-heart conversation with her, knowing she was planning a murder." Kokichi jibed.
Kaito bristled. "That was different. I didn't mention my suspicions to her, tip her off that we knew about her plans."
"Kiibo won't tell her about me."
"If he confronts her."
"Oh, he will. I know he will. He's too insecure. And he's very worried about Iruma-chan."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Momota-chan." Kokichi said, giving him a pointed look. "I'm Kokichi Ouma, the Ultimate Supreme Leader. Aside from you, everyone in this school hates me. And it's solely because I want them to."
"Point taken." Kaito said, mollified.
"Never doubt me again." Kokichi demanded.
"I wasn't. I just- "Kaito ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know how to manipulate people like you do."
"Oh, you know how to manipulate people." Kokichi said. "After all, Momota-chan is our beloved leader. We would be lost without him."
Kaito paused for a moment, mulling over his words, then nodded. "Yeah." He admitted sheepishly. "You're right. But you know how to read people. I just…do my best."
"People are easy to read. If you know what to look for. Like…take you for instance." Kokichi said, peering at him.
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
"Momota-chan is such a hothead. You get so passionate and fired up, over the stupidest little things." Kokichi grinned. "I bet I really annoy you."
"You do, but I don't mind." Kaito said quickly. "I'm used to it by now."
"Momota-chan is also very handsome." Kokichi whispered.
Kaito blushed. "Don't start that again Kokichi."
"Very, very, handsome." Kokichi made his voice even more sultry.
"S-stop that." Kaito snapped, going even redder.
"You, see? It's so easy to rile you up."
"Well, stop it."
"I will. I just wanted to demonstrate my skills."
"Yeah, your skills at being an asshole." Kaito mocked him, then grinned. "A clever asshole."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"It wasn't a compliment."
"Course' it was."
"Enough fooling around. Let's continue walking."
"Sure."
They walked around the school until they ended back up at the dorms, lounging around on the grass.
"How did things go with Gonta?" Kokichi said.
"It went well. He showed me a bunch of bugs. It was very enlightening." Kaito joked.
Kokichi made a face.
"Anyways, before meeting with Gonta, I went looking for clues again."
"Lemme guess…you found squat."
"Yeah." Kaito sighed. "We really can't prevent shit, can we?"
"Nope. But don't worry, the next murder will happen very soon. I'd bet money on it." Kokichi laughed morosely.
"How much?" Kaito said.
"$100,000,000"
"I don't have that kinda cash."
"Most people don't."
Kaito looked at the top of the dome.
The sun was at its apex.
It's so, so, bright. The perfect counterpart to the moon. Beautiful in a different way…
Kokichi's smirking face came into view, blocking it out.
"Don't stare at the sun too long Momota-chan. You'll go blind."
Kaito glared up at him. "I know that. I'm not an idiot Kokichi."
"That's debateable." Kokichi said, cocking his head. "Something's on your mind…and it's not the killing game."
Of course, he'd notice.
"Kokichi, I'm worried about a whole bunch of things. I want to tell you about them…but I don't want to burden you. You need to focus on ending the killing game, not worrying about me." Kaito murmured.
"Momota-chan, I don't care about your personal problems. I'm one hundred percent committed to ending the game. I don't care about anything else."
"You jerk."
"You're a bigger jerk. Keeping so many secrets from me.".
"How hypocritical of you- "
Kokichi frowned and glanced at the school.
"Kokichi?" Kaito said, sitting up. "What is it?"
"I saw someone running by the school. They just went around the corner." Kokichi narrowed his eyes at the building, then widened them. "Ohhh. I know who it is." He smacked his forehead. "It's Chabashira-chan."
"Chabashira?" Kaito questioned.
"Earlier, I met her and Yumeno-chan in the hallway. She mentioned that she wanted to go for a run." Kokichi explained.
"Ah."
They waited a minute. Sure enough, Tenko rounded the school again.
Kaito waved at her. But she didn't notice him.
"Should we trip her up?" Kokichi suggested gleefully.
"No. Don't disturb her." Kaito said. "Let's go somewhere else. Somewhere quiet."
I want to enjoy your company, without any interruptions.
"What about the shrine of judgement?" Kokichi said.
"What about the dorms?" Kaito countered.
"I want to check out the shrine, because I want to see if Monokuma has changed anything in it. In anticipation of a trial happening today."
"Okay." Kaito nodded, getting to his feet. "Let's go."
Kokichi whooped and grabbed his arm, dragging him to the shrine.
Nothing had changed.
The Giant Monokuma statue had a new urn, but aside from that, everything else was untouched.
"Boooring." Kokichi called out.
Kaito looked around and shivered, remembering the last time he'd been there.
"Hey Momota-chan, wanna try and break into the trial room?" Kokichi said with a smirk.
"How are we going to do that?" Kaito mumbled.
"Maybe we can construct a bomb and…" Kokichi gave him a concerned look. "Momota-chan?"
"I'm fine." Kaito lied.
Kokichi paused for a moment, then gently took his arm. "C'mon, let's leave. It's too boring in here anyway."
A loud buzz made them stop.
Monodam stepped out from behind a bench and approached them, rubbing his paws together.
"Can I assist you?"
"No Monodam." Kaito said.
"Are you sure?" Monodam stated. "I want to help."
"Go away. You're not needed." Kokichi snapped.
Monodam flinched.
"Kokichi, there's no need to be so rude. He was just trying to be nice." Kaito smiled at the robot. "Apologies Monodam."
"Momota-chan, what the fuck- "
"There's no need apologise. I'm used to it." Monodam muttered, his electronic voice crackling.
"That's sad to hear." Kaito said.
"Don't pity me, you bastard." Monodam retorted.
"Y'know people would be nicer to you if you stopped trying to be Monokuma 2.0." Kokichi taunted.
"…" Monodam stared at him blankly.
"Monodam, we really don't need anything." Kaito said. "Thanks for asking."
"Right. See you around." Monodam disappeared.
Kokichi dragged Kaito outside and glared at him.
"What was that all about?"
"I wanted to get out of the shrine as quickly as possible. If I'd let you argue with him, we would've been there longer. It was better to just suck it up and apologise."
"…" Kokichi shook his head. "Whatever. Where do you wanna go now?"
"The dorms. I need to relax."
"Really? Jeez Momota-chan is lazy."
"It's not that. I just…I'm not ready for the next murder." Kaito admitted. "To investigate the body of someone I care about and catch the blackened in the ensuing class trial."
"There's no need to be worried Momota-chan." Kokichi assured him. "Because I've got your back. Every step of the way."
"Thanks."
"Let's go to the dorms."
They went up the steps, just in time to see Tenko run by the school again.
"Woah. She's really keeping it up." Kaito praised her.
"I bet Momota-chan never works out." Kokichi said sardonically.
"Hey! I do-or rather, did. When I was training to be an astronaut, I was on a strict regime. I woke up at dawn every day and trained for hours in zero-g. It was pretty intense. Lots of people dropped out. But I stayed the course and made it through." Kaito boasted.
"I stayed slim by running around with D.I.C.E. We went all over town, pranking people." Kokichi recalled, smiling softly.
"I understand. You just want to have fun…regardless of the consequences."" Kaito said.
"Momota-chan is the same." Kokichi purred.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No-"
"Enough arguing. I'm bored…race you to the dorms!" Kokichi sped off.
Kaito huffed and walked slowly after him. He didn't want to show Kokichi just how weak he really was.
"Why so slow?" Kokichi jeered at him, once he'd caught up.
"I didn't feel like running." Kaito said, rolling his eyes.
"Hah. What a pathetic excuse." Kokichi said. "Anyways, your room or mine?"
"Mine."
"What are we going to do?"
"Talk."
"That's it?"
"Yes." Kaito chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint you."
"You didn't disappoint me. In fact, I'm relieved. I was scared Momota-chan was going to ask me to kiss him." Kokichi said, wiping his brow dramatically.
"Oh, don't worry, it's too soon in our relationship for that." Kaito snorted.
"Thank fuck."
Before they could enter the dorms, Ryoma came out. He was humming to himself.
"Hello Momota, Ouma!" He said brightly.
"Hoshi-chan…I thought you were practicing tennis?" Kokichi asked, frowning at the other boy.
"I did. All morning." Ryoma said. "It's almost one o'clock. Want to have lunch with me?"
"No thanks. I need to talk to Kokichi." Kaito said.
"Momota-chan is going to confess to me." Kokichi fibbed.
Kaito smacked him on the shoulder.
"All right." Ryoma said, glancing between them and then shrugging. "See you later." He walked away, heading for the school.
"C'mon Momota-chan." Kokichi beckoned.
They went to his room.
Kokichi immediately jumped on to the bed, making Kaito scowl at him.
"Stop being such a killjoy Momota-chan. C'mon, sit next to me." Kokichi said, patting the bed.
After a moment's hesitation, Kaito sat down. For some reason, he felt very nervous.
"What do you wanna talk about?" Kokichi said, swinging his legs.
"Anything." Kaito said.
"Anything? What kinda dumbass answer is that?"
"I mean anything-like, what did you and Hoshi discuss yesterday? In the kitchen?"
"He asked me how I was doing."
"And?"
"We talked about everyone. What I thought of them. It was nonsense." Kokichi shook his head and glared at him. "Quit dodging the question."
"I'm not- Kokichi, I really meant anything. I enjoy spending time with you. Because doing anything with you is fun." Kaito said.
"Momota-chan…"
Suddenly, the lights flickered.
"Huh?" Kokichi frowned. "What the fuck was that?"
"Faulty wiring?" Kaito suggested uncertainly.
"Momota-chan, the lighting has worked fine up until now." Kokichi pointed out.
"It's probably nothing…Unless, it's one of Monokuma's tricks?" Kaito said.
"We won't know by sitting around here." Kokichi said, jumping off the bed. "C'mon, let's check it out."
"Right now?" Kaito mumbled.
He felt…disappointed. And selfish.
This was his time with Kokichi. He'd been looking forward to it all day.
"Yes, right now." Kokichi insisted. "What's wrong with you Momota-chan?"
Kaito shook his head. He was being an idiot.
"Nothing's wrong with me. Let's get going."
Kokichi stared at him for a moment, then nodded.
They went into the lobby, only to encounter something very odd.
The Monokubs were arguing. Very loudly.
And worse, they were blocking the front door.
"Monodam you've been behaving oddly all morning!" Monophanie shouted, clutching her chest.
"Monophanie, he's always been a weirdo. But the killing game has made him worse." Monosuke scoffed.
"And he murdered Monokid and Monotaro!" Monophanie said, sniffing.
"…I don't want to be here." Monodam said, shaking his head.
"Can you guys please move aside?" Kokichi demanded.
The kubs didn't hear him, or rather, in Kaito's opinion, purposefully ignored him.
Monophanie started bawling.
Monosuke patted her on the back and glared at Monodam. "Now look at what you've done!"
"I am not responsible for her tears. She is." Monodam said.
"Are you accusing her of crying crocodile tears?" Monosuke gasped.
"…yes."
"You made me cry! You killed two of our siblings!" Monophanie blubbered.
"Right, follow me Momota-chan." Kokichi said, stepping over Monodam.
The Kubs didn't acknowledge him and kept arguing.
"Welp. Here goes nothing." Kaito said, following him.
"I didn't kill our siblings. It was an accident." Monodam countered.
"You little- "Monosuke lunged at his brother, just as Kokichi stepped in front of him.
Kokichi fell backwards as the robot slammed into him, yelling as he hit the cold stone floor.
"Kokichi!" Kaito rushed to his side. Or rather, tried to.
"Eek!" Monophanie yelled, flopping on her back, just in time to trip him up.
Kaito fell forward, landing right on top of Kokichi.
"Blargh." Monophanie sat up and vomited copiously all over them.
Kaito swore and scrambled to his feet, closely followed by Kokichi.
They were both covered in a strange, rather putrid, green liquid.
"For fuck's sake." Kokichi cursed, glaring at the Kubz.
"Monophanie's vomit is green. That's an omen of doom!" Monosuke panicked.
"Who gives a shit." Kokichi muttered.
Monophanie looked around. "Where's Monodam?"
The green robot had vanished.
"He must've taken advantage of the chaos and done a runner." Monosuke said.
"Who gives a shit." Kokichi repeated, staring sullenly at his uniform, and then at the door.
It took Kaito a moment to realise what he was doing.
"Kokichi…don't." He said, putting a hand on the smaller boy's shoulder. "We should get changed and have a quick shower."
Kokichi sighed, glancing at him and then at the door again, before nodding slowly.
Ten minutes later, they met back in the lobby. Monophanie and Monosuke were gone, but the floor was still covered in vomit.
"Ready, Kokichi?" Kaito said.
Kokichi was glaring at the vomit.
"Kokichi?"
"Momota-chan it was all a distraction." Kokichi revealed.
"Huh?"
"They knew. That something was happening. So, they prevented us from interfering." Kokichi chuckled darkly.
Kaito froze. Dread curling up his spine.
"Momota-chan…we couldn't have done anything. It was already over when- "
"No!" Kaito shouted. "It's all my fault! "
Someone else has died because of my stupidity…
Tears brimming in his eyes, he ran out of the building.
Kokichi yelled something. But Kaito didn't hear him.
He hurried towards the school, forcing his way up the steps and through the front door.
Everything started to hurt.
His whole body was on fire.
He stumbled to a halt and doubled over.
Two arms appeared and caught his flailing body.
"Kokichi-!" Kaito spluttered.
"Momota-chan is too heavy." Kokichi complained, going red. "And fast. I could barely keep up with you."
"Wait! I'm going to- "
He started coughing.
Dammit!
Kokichi winced and quickly laid him out on the floor, trying to make him comfortable.
"Let it all out Momota-chan."
He coughed for almost a minute, Kokichi repeatedly thumping him on the back.
Finally, the fit ended with a violent splutter.
"Better?" Kokichi said.
"Yes." Kaito muttered.
"Then get up." Kokichi said, grinning and offering him a hand. "We have a murder to investigate."
"You're not going to question me?" Kaito said incredulously.
"No. It's your secret." Kokichi quipped, winking at him. "Come on. I can't do this without you Momota-chan."
Kaito nodded and took his hand, hauling himself to his feet. "Where should we check first?" He asked.
"Upstairs?" Kokichi said.
"Good idea."
They approached the stairs to the second floor-
-only to be distracted by the door to the cafeteria swinging shut.
"Who was that?" Kaito said.
Kokichi furrowed his brow, glancing between the stairs and the cafeteria, before nodding at the latter.
"Let's check it out." He barrelled ahead, dragging Kaito with him.
The cafeteria was empty.
Kokichi immediately ran to the outer door and shoved it open, looking outside.
A moment later, he slammed it shut with a growl.
"Kokichi?" Kaito said, stepping towards him.
"We missed them. By a few fucking seconds." Kokichi grumbled, curling his hands into fists.
"Why are you upset?" Kaito said. "Unless…" He shuddered. A horrible possibility had just crossed his mind.
"Yes, Momota-chan. I'm pretty sure it was them."
"Maybe we can- "
The inner door opened and Korekiyo entered the room.
"Ah. Momota-kun, Ouma-kun. Just the people I wanted to see." He said, eyes lighting up.
"Shinguuji-chan? What is it?" Kokichi said rudely.
"I need your help- "Korekiyo peered at them. "-if you're not too busy?"
"What? No- we came here to investigate the flickering lights." Kaito said.
"That was almost twenty minutes ago."
"Okay. Can you please tell us what the issue is?" Kokichi muttered, scowling at the anthropologist.
"Oh, don't worry. It won't take long to resolve. Especially with someone of your *ahem* skills."
"Just tell us- "
"I've accidentally locked myself out of my lab."
"That's it?"
"You can help me, right?" Korekiyo gave him a knowing look.
"Well, yes, I know how to pick locks- "
"Good. All you have to do is unlock my lab, and then you can be on your merry way."
Kaito frowned. Korekiyo almost sounded smug. Like something had gone right for him.
"Fine. I'll help you." Kokichi grinned childishly. His mask was back on. "If you don't mind me asking, how the fuck did you lock yourself out of your lab? I thought Monokuma told you to be careful with your key, because it was the only one."
Korekiyo shrugged. "I must've left it in the door when I went to eat my lunch. To be fair, my head was in the clouds. I was reading a gorgeous book about the Sumerian afterlife."
"I bet it gave you a boner." Kokichi snickered.
"No. It did not." Korekiyo said, glaring at him.
"Look guys…can we please just get on with it?" Kaito requested.
"Yes. Please get on with it Shinguuji-chan."
"Follow me." Korekiyo huffed.
They didn't see anyone else on the way up to the fourth floor.
Everyone must either be at the dorms or in their labs. Kaito guessed.
He thought about Maki and winced.
I hope she's okay- she's with Kirumi. Of course, she's okay.
They arrived at Korekiyo's lab.
Kokichi immediately got to work.
Kaito watched him with wide eyes, fascinated by his precise movements.
Kokichi is so talented…
Click!
"There." Kokichi said, standing up and opening the door. "You can go in- "
He froze.
Kaito tensed and stepped forward.
"Momota-chan, don't- wait-" Kokichi made a futile attempt to stop him by grabbing his arm.
But it was too late.
Kaito saw the foot- a large bare foot peeking out from behind the display cases in the centre of the room.
Gonta fans...I'm so, so, sorry…