A/N: This is my contribution for Day Four, taking place after the events of "Surviving the First Killing Game!" Please read, review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Momoharu Week 2022!

Day Four: Camping!

"Alright, you ready?" Maki asked, a small sack hauled over her shoulder. "There's no telling when the Remnants of Despair will attack again, so we have to get moving."

Kaito grinned, a backpack hanging from his back. "You bet, Maki Roll! Let's go find our new home-ow!"

Kaito rubbed the back of his head, nursing the slap that an irate Maki had just dealt him. "Need I remind you that we wouldn't even need to be fleeing if you just remembered to lock. the. door."

The would-be astronaut sighed, grumbling "Alright, alright, I said I was sorry, didn't I? Besides…" Kaito smirked, reminding her "If I hadn't, you never would have told me how much you like me! So, at least there's that!"

Maki sweatdropped, puffing her cheeks as she fiddled with one of her locks of hair. "Let's just get going. We have no idea how much ground we'll need to cover before we find a suitable residence."

Kaito grinned, giving her a thumbs-up. "You got it, lead the way, Maki Roll! I'll trust your sense of direction; I believe in you!"

Maki sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "Idiot…just don't expect me to slow down for you. You might be somewhat more tolerable than I first thought, but if push comes to shove, I'm choosing to save my own life over yours."

Kaito smiled knowingly before silently following Maki. He snuck a quick glance at their former home before focusing on Maki's back, admiring the way her twin tails of hair waved behind her.


Maki sighed as she glanced up at the twilight sky. During her days as an assassin, the beauty of the night sky was a small comfort to her, a silver lining among the death her occupation brought with her. Ever since the Tragedy, however, the blood-red sky remained a constant reminder of the fact that the civilized world had been completely destroyed. The way the crimson sky shifted to complete blackness merely emphasized how little hope remained in the world.

"…It'll be too dark to continue walking much more soon. It…might be a good idea to set up camp."

"Alright!" Kaito cheered, pumping his fist in the air. "We're going camping!"

Can you take anything seriously…?! Kami, you're such a child… Maki sighed in exasperation, shaking her head. "We'll need to find some kind of temporary shelter, so just keep an eye out for anything we can use to shield us from the elements."

"Leave it to me, Maki Roll!" Kaito pointed to his backpack with his thumb, revealing "I made sure to pack a tent in this backpack!"

Maki's eyes widened, the former assassin stopping in her tracks. "You…packed a tent?"

"Yeah…I figured that we wouldn't know when we'd see a new house we could live in, and the old one had this camping gear, so I made sure to pack it."

"That's…unusually insightful of you…" Maki muttered, her cheeks flushing pink. "Now we just need to find somewhere secluded to set up camp."

"You got it! Don't worry, Maki Roll! I'll find us a camping spot, or my name isn't Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars."

"…Keep your voice down, idiot, or you'll attract the Remnants. Now start searching."

Kaito grumbled unintelligibly as he walked ahead of Maki, his eyes scanning the dark environment with each step for a spacious, yet secluded location that would keep them safe from potential Remnant attacks.


"…Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred."

Maki exhaled, collapsing onto her knees in a controlled manner. Finished with her pushups, she turned her head at the source of the quiet clangs echoing in her ears. She watched with a neutral expression as Kaito hammered down the last pick into the ground, securing their small, humble tent. The would-be astronaut sighed in relief, wiping the sweat off his brow.

"Alright! The tent's all ready, now to start the campfire."

Maki frowned as she got to her feet and walked over to him. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Kaito? If any Remnants see the smoke from the fire, we could get attacked in the middle of the night."

"Come on, where's your sense of adventure, Maki Roll? Besides…" Kaito reached into his backpack and pulled out a bag of marshmallows. "You can't go camping without roasting marshmallows over an open fire!"

"…Where did you even get marshmallows…?" A dumbfounded Maki questioned, causing Kaito to grin gleefully.

"I found this bag of marshmallows in the old house while I was packing our stuff."

I shouldn't have even asked…

"Alright, no more questions! Help me find some firewood and something to start a fire with!"

Why do I like this idiot again…? Maki wondered in exasperation, sighing as she followed after the jubilant Kaito.


"Mm!" Kaito hummed as he took a bite of his blackened marshmallow. "Man, roasting marshmallows is one of my favorite parts of camping!" He grinned at his new girlfriend, encouraging "Hey, Maki Roll! Take a bite, won't you? You gotta eat it fresh!"

"…That's messy, you idiot…" Maki muttered as she cleanly nibbled at her marshmallow, golden-brown from the even roast she applied.

"Haha!" Kaito laughed, slapping his knee. "Hey, what's wrong with a little messiness? We're camping in the woods, not dining at a fine restaurant. Live a little and let yourself get a little sloppy!" Maki frowned before hesitantly taking a larger bite out of her marshmallow. "That's the spirit!"

Kaito grinned before turning his gaze up at the black sky. He grimaced at the curtain of black, sighing in disappointment.

"Say, Maki…"

"Hm?" Intrigued by his rare moment of seriousness, Maki gave him her undivided attention, nodding at him to continue.

"You know what I miss most about life before the Tragedy?"

"…Not having to run for our lives?"

Kaito smirked wryly, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand. "Well, that too, but…I miss the stars."

"The stars…?" Maki's eyes lit up in realization. "Oh, that's right. You said you were going to be the Ultimate Astronaut, right?"

Kaito nodded solemnly. "Yeah, anyway…when I was a kid, one of the things I loved doing every night was looking up at the stars and seeing which constellations I could make out." He smiled softly, eyes lighting up with pride. "And let me tell you…I could pick out a ton of them."

"…I bet you could, Kaito."

"Yeah, but ever since our sky became so polluted, we can't even see the stars or the moon anymore. It's like whoever caused this took away even the smallest twinkle of hope." Maki nodded sympathetically, surprised by Kaito's admission. "But still…" Kaito clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. "I'm not gonna give up hope yet. Someday, I know this Tragedy is gonna end, and we'll be able to see the stars again! I swear it'll happen, or my name isn't Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars!"

Maki stared in awe, strangely touched by Kaito's resolve and faith. Before she could stop herself, she sidled next to Kaito. He gasped as he felt her rest her hand over his fist. Their cheeks flushed pink before their lips tugged into soft smiles. Looking up into the night sky, they imagined the many constellations hidden from their view.

I hope you're right, Kaito…I hope you're right…


Maki shivered in their tent, wrapping her arms around herself as she gritted her teeth. Why didn't I think to pack a set of pajamas?!

"…Maki Roll…?"

Maki's eyes widened at the sound of Kaito's voice behind her. Given that they only had one tent, and the possibility of a Remnant Attack made sleeping outside unnecessarily dangerous, the two agreed to share the tent. They had been sleeping with their backs turned to each other when Maki was hit with her shivering spell.

"I'm f-fine, i-idiot…go back to s-sleep…" Her teeth chattered, exposing her lie. Even someone as dense as Kaito is gonna see through that…

Kaito's brow furrowed as he turned over, staring at her back. "Maki…are you…cold…?"

The continued chattering of Maki's teeth answered for her. Before she knew it, she felt Kaito's arms wrap around her torso, pulling him against his warm chest. If she had been blushing earlier in the night, she was as red as a tomato now.

"W-What are you…?"

"Hey, I just…figured we should share body heat, that's all. It's not like we packed any blankets, so for now, this is the best thing we can do to keep from getting cold. No need to feel embarrassed; people do this while camping all the time!"

Whatever protests Maki had died as she felt his protective grip tighten around her. He…feels…warm…

Maki's chattering slowed to a stop as she felt the shivers slowly leave her body. At last, she sighed in defeat, relaxing in his embrace.

"…I guess this isn't th…worst thing in the world…just don't think of trying anything."

Kaito smiled behind her, assuring "Don't worry, I promise I'll be completely respectful, or my name isn't Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars!"

"…Just go to sleep, idiot." Maki mumbled.

"…Good night, Maki Roll. I love you."

Maki's lips stretched into a small, if embarrassed smile. …I love you too…good night, Kaito…

Maki Harukawa surrendered to slumber, feeling safe and protected in the astronaut's arms, if only for one night.