A/N: This oneshot is the result of an ask sent by Moiloru, and takes place after the events of A Momoharu Weekend. Please read and review, and enjoy!
The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: What Could Have Been! A Day in the Life of Class 79!
*Ding Dong Bing Bong*
"Alright everyone, don't forget there's a quiz on Monday, so study hard during the weekend." The teacher called out as Class 79th filed out of the classroom, a purple-haired boy chatting with brown-haired girl as they walked through the halls of Hope's Peak Academy.
"So, how about it, Maki Roll? Study date in my room tonight? I could really use the help tonight, so…"
Maki nodded, replying with a teasing gleam in her eyes "I don't doubt that; you always tend to slack off in class, you idiot." Before Kaito hold glare indignantly at her, Maki agreed "Alright; I'll meet you at six."
His faux hurt feelings forgotten, Kaito grinned, thanking "Awesome, thanks, Maki Roll!"
"A study date?! Hah, it's about time you two got your act together; watching you two dance around each other is nauseating. Fuckin' virgins! Hahaha!"
A blond-haired girl laughed as she walked ahead of them, cackling as she disappeared down the hallway. Maki and Kaito glared at their classmate, their cheeks flushed pink at her remark.
At last, Maki sighed "…Just forget about Miu, alright? I'll…see you tonight, okay."
"Awesome, thanks Maki Roll! I really…oh, Naegi-senpai!" Kaito rubbed the back of his neck and apologized "Sorry, Maki Roll, but I just remembered something I've been meaning to ask him. I'll see you tonight! Hey, Naegi-senpai, wait up!"
Maki stared curiously as Kaito rushed after their senpais, Makoto Naegi and his girlfriend Kyoko Kirigiri of Class 78th.
…I wonder what he wanted to ask him…well, it's none of my business anyway… Maki shrugged as she walked down the hall towards the Main Entrance.
XXX
"So, I know you're busy with Detective work, but I was hoping that maybe…we could get a coffee at that café nearby before we study in your room…of course, if you're busy, then…"
"…Makoto, you're rambling." As Makoto blushed and mumbled an apology, Kyoko giggled, smiling before pecking him on the lips and assuring him "I'd love to…how about at four?"
Nodding, Makoto smiled as he agreed "Yeah…four sounds great. Thanks for…"
"Hey, Naegi-senpai, wait up!"
"M…Momota-kun?" Makoto asked as Kaito skid to a halt, panting as he refilled his lungs with oxygen.
After a few seconds, he smiled at Makoto before shifting to a more serious expression and explained "Yo! I was…wondering if I could ask you something…in private. No offense, Kirigiri-senpai."
Shaking her head, Kyoko assured him "None taken." She turned to Makoto and told him "I'll see you tonight at that café. Goodbye, Makoto."
"Yeah, see you soon…" Makoto replied, feeling her squeeze his hand before she walked to the dorms, leaving the two alone. He then turned to Kaito and asked "So…where do you want to talk? It's not every day you look so pensive, Momota-kun?"
Nodding, Kaito suggested "…My dorm room, then?"
XXX
"So…what did you want to talk about?" Makoto asked hesitantly as they sat cross-legged on the floor of Kaito's room, the Ultimate Lucky Student searching Kaito's eyes for the truth.
Kaito bit his lip, holding the back of his head with his palm as he hesitantly asked "…How did you and…Kirigiri-senpai…get together…?"
Makoto blushed as he asked "Wh…why are you asking about me and Kyoko? What's this all about…?"
Kaito sighed and admitted "I uh…I kinda have a…crush on Maki…"
Makoto's eyes widened as he remarked "Wow, this must be serious if you're not calling her Maki Roll."
Kaito nodded and explained "Anyway…I've been wanting to ask her out for a while, but I…I don't have any training in girls and romance. And you and Kirigiri-senpai always look so cute together. I'm honestly jealous, man; it's like you guys just landed on the moon whenever you guys are in the same room together!"
Makoto blushed a deep shade of red as he recalled the countless times that Kyoko had held his hand, or removed her gloves in front of him, or given him a kiss.
"So…I was wondering…if you had any advice for me about how to tell Maki how I feel. No amount of training is gonna give me the answer I need, so I need your help, senpai!"
As Kaito bowed until his forehead touched the floor, Makoto sweatdropped, scratching his cheek as he replied "Oh, ano…I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask about that…you see, I was in your shoes before Kyoko and I got together." Seeing Kaito look up at him curiously, Makoto explained "You see…Kyoko was the one who got the ball rolling. It was just before we went home for Christmas. We were just waiting for my parents and her Grandfather when…"
XXX
Makoto rubbed his hands to keep warm, shivering even through his scarf and winter jacket as the two best friends waited for their respective rides to arrive.
"You should have brought mittens…" Kyoko scolded with a teasing smile, causing Makoto to smile in return.
"Yeah, but I didn't bring any from home…" He looked to her hands and remarked "At least your hands are warm, since you already wear those gloves. I'm kinda jealous, Kiri…"
Kyoko smiled as her heart beat faster in her chest. Makoto tended to alternate between using her first name and the nickname he had given her, and she couldn't decide which she found more endearing.
Thankful that the icy temperature disguised her blush, Kyoko admitted "Actually, these gloves of mine don't really do much to shield my hands from the cold; they're custom-made gloves designed to fit the exact size of my hands. If they were designed for warmth, then the fabric would be too thick for me to use my hands for most practical tasks."
Makoto nodded in understanding, his eyes lighting up as he exclaimed "Oh, that reminds me…" Kyoko stared curiously as he fished through his pockets, the Ultimate Lucky Student muttering "…Now where'd I put that…ah, here you are!" He held out a small rectangular box in his shivering palm, wrapped in festive wrapping paper and tied with a beautiful red bow as he offered "Merry Christmas, Kyoko!"
"M…Makoto…you…you got me a present…?" Kyoko asked as she accepted the gift.
Nodding, Makoto smiled as he urged "Go on, open it; I think you'll love it!"
Nodding, Kyoko gently untied the bow before meticulously unwrapping the paper, savoring the moment before she gently removed the lid, gasping as two purple, winter gloves lay neatly inside.
Gasping, she asked "M…Makoto…you…you got me a new pair of g…gloves?"
Nodding, Makoto confirmed "I thought you could use a winter pair, and while I was searching for a present, I found this and knew I had to get it for you."
…I haven't gotten a Christmas present…since Mom died…Makoto you… Feeling her heart grow tenfold, Kyoko held back her tears of joy as she told him "…Close your eyes, and don't open them until I say so."
She must want to put my gloves on, but not want to show her hands just yet…
Seeing Makoto nod and close his eyes, Kyoko quickly shed her gloves, stuffing them and the box in her pocket before sheathing her hands inside her new winter gloves. Kyoko sighed in relief at the gentle warmth surrounding her hands, both from the insulated fabric, and the knowledge that Makoto cared enough to give her a Christmas present. She looked up at his face, relieved that his eyes were still closed, as promised.
Alright, time to give him my own present to him… She resolved, grasping the ends of his scarf and telling him "Okay…you can open your eyes now, Makoto."
Kyoko's heart melted as she watched his eyes flutter open, the boy smiling as he replied "Okay, did you like your…MMPH!"
Makoto was silenced, his eyes widening as Kyoko pulled on his scarf, yanking his closer as their lips met in a soft, yet hungry kiss. Panicking, Makoto's eyes started darting around until they stared straight into Kyoko's violet, loving irises. Blushing as he calmed down, Makoto relaxed into the kiss, their lips pressing against each other in unison.
At last they separated, Kyoko breaking off the kiss before smiling at him lovingly, blushing as she breathed "Merry Christmas, Makoto. I trust you don't need me to tell you what my gift to you this year is…am I wrong?"
"Um…um…ano…"
*HONK*
Kyoko's giggles were cut off as a loud horn pierced their ears, shattering the romantic moment as they turned around to see a brown car pulled up by the sidewalk.
"Hey, Onii-chan, let's go!"
"C…coming, Komaru!" He turned to Kyoko and bowed, bidding farewell "See you soon, Kiri!"
Kyoko watched as Makoto grabbed his suitcase and ran over to the car, quickly loading it in the trunk before slamming it shut. He then opened the passenger door, sliding in next to his little sister and buckling up before closing it.
As Makoto's Mother shifted into drive and sped off, she couldn't help but notice Makoto's blushing, smiling face as she remarked "You sure look happy, dear."
Komaru grinned mischievously, elbowing her brother and teasing "You got kissed by a girl, didn't you, Onii-chan?" Komaru frowned however, when Makoto didn't react at all, and waved her hand in front of his face, asking "Onii-chan?! Hello? Earth to Makoto?!"
Mr. Naegi laughed "I guess he's too happy to hear you, Komaru. Let's leave him be until we get home, okay?"
With that, the conversation ended, leaving Makoto alone with his lovesick thoughts of a purple-haired detective.
XXX
"I spent all of Christmas Vacation getting my feelings in order, and realized that I needed to be decisive about what I wanted like Kyoko was. So the first thing I did when we got back from Christmas Break was to talk with Kyoko in my room. We laid all our feelings bare, and we came to a mutual decision to begin dating."
"Whoa…talk about a successful blast-off…" Kaito muttered.
Makoto nodded, advising "Anyway, if there's anything you should take away from how Kyoko and I got together, it's that you need to be decisive. How you admit your feelings to Harukawa-chan is up to you, but you need to be decisive about it." As Kaito nodded in comprehension, Makoto stood up and apologized "Anyway, sorry to cut this short, but I have to go change out of my uniform and get ready for my date with Kyoko."
"Right, I got ya…okay, I'll take your advice to heart, Naegi-senpai, or my name isn't Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars!"
Makoto sweatdropped at Kaito's enthusiastic tone before smiling and waving goodbye, wishing him "Anyway, good luck, Momota-kun! Kyoko and I will be rooting for you!"
With a thumbs-up from Kaito, Makoto turned around and walked up to the door, opening it and slipping outside before closing it, leaving Kaito alone with his thoughts.
XXX
Kyoko stirred her spoon in her coffee, looking into Makoto's eyes as she smiled at her beloved. The two had threaded their free hands together, enjoying the gentle warmth they were sharing.
"…Thank you for taking the time out of your day to come here, Kyoko…I love it when we have our coffee dates."
Kyoko squeezed his hand and assured him "No need, Makoto; I enjoy our coffee dates as well. Not everything we do together needs to be a grand display of love. Sometimes these small moments are all I need to be happy with you. I love you, Makoto."
"I…I love you too, Kyoko…"
The two lovers leaned in for a quick kiss, which was made even more chaste by a rumbling in Makoto's lower stomach. He blushed in embarrassment as Kyoko smiled knowingly, nodding as Makoto reluctantly pulled his hand away, already missing her gentle warmth as he walked away and into the men's restroom.
Kyoko sighed, then turned to look over her shoulder at a woman wearing sunglasses and a red scarf around her neck and called "He's gone now, Harukawa-chan."
Sighing, Maki stood up and walked over, removing the pair of sunglasses and unwrapping the scarf from her neck as she asked reluctantly while sitting in Makoto's seat "…How'd you know it was me? I was being discreet…wasn't I?"
Kyoko nodded "…True enough, not everyone is observant enough to pick up on your tells. You were at least quiet enough that your entrance was almost inaudible, and you made sure to obscure your face. However, despite the warmth of the café, you opted to keep your scarf in an attempt to obscure your facial features, and the sunglasses are one of the biggest disguise cliches in popular culture. One would only have gone to such lengths if they were doing reconnaissance."
Maki started to sweat, her Psyche Lock starting to crack as Kyoko got further and further to the truth.
"As for how I knew it was you…well, there's nobody else here who'd be worthy of note, and there have been rumors swirling around campus of how you and Momota-kun are dancing around each other. I wasn't going to pry as I respect the desire to keep such matters confidential, but I have heard them through Makoto. So I deduced since he and I are in a committed relationship, that one of you was spying on us to get an idea of how to act around the other. Momota-kun's too straightforward to spy, especially in disguise, so the only logical possibility had to be you."
Maki's shoulders slumped as she felt her Psyche-Lock shatter, sighing "…Do you want to die…?"
Kyoko smiled knowingly, realizing that she had no violent intention behind her catchphrase before the Ultimate Detective offered "Come on, let me offer you some advice. I know how you feel; I danced around my feelings for Makoto for weeks before I had the guts to show him how I felt. I think you should be decisive and tell Momota-kun how you feel."
Maki fiddled with her ponytails, making Kyoko smile as she reflected on how she used to fiddle with her braid around Makoto.
"I see myself in you, and in Momota-kun, I see Makoto. He's helped you to open up, like Makoto's done for me. If Momota-kun's anything like Makoto…I'm confident that he'll return your feelings."
Maki bit her lip as she questioned "…Why though…how can you be so confident…?"
"Two reasons. First…I'm a Kirigiri Detective, and I can pick up hints about other people's behavior fairly quickly. Second…" Kyoko smiled as she revealed "…when you're involved with someone like Makoto…you tend to learn to have faith and believe in your friends. So…I'm choosing to believe in Momota-kun's feelings for you, and if you want my advice, it's this: be forthright and honest about your feelings."
"…I'll…consider your counsel…"
Kyoko nodded, looking down at her phone before she glanced to the door to the men's restroom and told Maki "Well, I hate to cut this short, but Makoto will probably be back any minute, so if you want our conversation to remain confidential…"
Maki nodded, standing up and replacing her scarf and sunglasses as she replied "I have to go too…I promised the idiot I'd meet up with him for a study date."
Kyoko smiled, nodding "Then go; perhaps this may be the opportunity you've been looking for."
Maki blushed before bowing respectfully and wordlessly walking away. As she reached the door, she turned her head back to see Makoto sitting back down in his chair and greeting his girlfriend with a loving kiss. She blushed deeper before turning away and throwing the door open, the bell ringing as she walked back outside.
…Can I really be that forward with Kaito? Can I…really tell him how I feel? He doesn't even know my true talent yet…
Maki recalled a conversation she once had with Kyoko, who as a Detective had discovered her true Assassin talent.
"As long as your assassinations don't target anyone involved in Hope's Peak, or become the subject of one of my investigations, then I will not interfere."
Can I really be honest about my feelings…and still keep him in the dark about my Assassin talent? Maki clenched her fist as she shook her head, resolving …No, before I can tell him how I feel…I need to be honest about my true talent. Then…we'll see how it goes…Kami, please let him take it well…
XXX
"Hey, Maki Roll! Come in!" Kaito greeted, stepping aside to allow Maki to walk in, e-Handbook in hand as she looked around Kaito's room, the familiar walls decorated with various space-themed posters.
"…Good evening, Kaito…" Maki nodded as she sat down, fiddling with her ponytail nervously as she suggested "…Let's start reviewing our notes…then we can quiz each other on questions from the textbook."
Kaito closed the door, grinning as he nodded "Sounds good to me, Maki Roll!" He walked over to her and sat across from the Ultimate Assassin, making her roll her eyes as he proclaimed with a determined gleam in his eyes "I'm gonna get every one right, or my name isn't Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars."
"…Well, let's see whether or not you're still an idiot at this material. Frankly, considering your last quiz performance, I'm a little hesitant to believe you."
Kaito stared indignantly as he defended "Hey, I didn't do that bad!"
"You were crying on my shoulder at your lackluster performance, shining about how you'd never get into NASA with your terrible grades."
Kaito sighed, grumbling "Alright, I get it. Let's just open our notes, okay?"
Nodding, the two opened their Notes apps and began to read aloud the notes they took during class, Maki occasionally correcting Kaito whenever he read something wrong.
XXX
"Well, you didn't get them all right, but you're in better shape than I thought…" Maki complimented, leading Kaito to grin and raise his thumb in gratitude.
"Alright, thanks for the help, Maki Roll!" He then stood up and suggested "Well, all that studying is making me hungry! Come on, let's go to the Dining Hall and…"
"…Wait, Kaito."
His brow furrowed as Kaito turned to the now standing Maki, a confused expression on his face as he asked "Huh? What is it, Maki Roll?"
Maki bit her lip, fiddling with one of her ponytails as she explained nervously "…There's…there's something I need to talk to you about…something important…"
Maki resisted the urge to flinch as Kaito seemed to stare curiously into her eyes, trying to search for the truth. At last he smiled and walked over to his bed, sitting down and patting the space next to him. Maki nodded gratefully as she walked over and sat next to him.
"So…what's on your mind, Maki?"
"…Kaito…do you remember what my talent is? Do you remember why I was accepted into Hope's Peak Academy?"
"Huh? Of course I remember; you're the Ultimate Child Caregiver…"
Shaking her head, Maki interjected while still averting her gaze "…Actually…that's just a cover, at my request. Officially, that's my talent on all public records, but I was actually accepted under a different talent." She looked into his eyes as she admitted "Kaito…in the interest of our friendship…I'd like to be honest about my talent."
Kaito frowned before nodding "Alright…I still don't see why you're so nervous about it, but tell me…what's your Ultimate Talent…"
"Assassin…I'm the Ultimate Assassin." Maki forced out before she could chicken out. Seeing Kaito's shocked eyes, she jumped to conclusions and averted her gaze once more, muttering "…I knew telling you was a bad idea…now you probably see me as little more than a murderer…"
"NO WAY!"
"What…?!"
Maki looked at Kaito, shocked at his reassuring smile as he gave a thumbs up and assured her "It's okay, Maki Roll! Whether you're a Child Caregiver or an Assassin, you're still my friend Maki Roll!" He then grinned as he continued "Besides, we all have parts of ourselves that we're afraid to tell other people about. Remember how I told you how I lied about my age so I could get into space school?!"
Maki sweatdropped as she thought …Kaito…are you really comparing lying about a number on a form to my career of killing people for a living…? At last, Maki could only sigh "…Idiot…"
Kaito's grin only widened as he took her hand, making her blush and look up at him as he offered "Hey, I'm being sincere here! If it helps, I'll listen to your entire Assassin life story!"
"Y…you're s…sure?!" Maki asked incredulously.
Kaito merely nodded and squeezed her hand, assuring her "Absolutely, or my name isn't Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars!"
"…Very well, but I warn you, it's not a pleasant tale. It started when I was taken away from the orphanage I lived in. You see, it was actually…"
XXX
Half an hour and more than a few tears later, Maki had told Kaito everything about her Assassin life, from her arguably abusive training to how her soul slowly died with each assassination. She even told him about the botched cosplay-related assassination attempt that led her to swear off using swords. Kaito could only laugh at her tale, and even Maki found herself giggling at the comedy of her own blunder.
I used to be ashamed and embarrassed about the incident, but now I'm giggling like a…well…schoolgirl at how funny it was in retrospect…I guess that just shows how much of my soul I've gotten back, thanks to Kaito befriending me…
Once his laughter died down, Kaito frowned and apologized "Sorry, I shouldn't have laughed. You took the time to tell me about a painful part of your history, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing…"
Maki shook her head and admitted with a small smile "As strange as it is to admit…I'm not upset about it. I feel liberated, actually, now that I've told you." Kaito returned her own smile with one of reassurance before she suggested "…Well…thank you for listening to my story…but we should go grab dinner now…"
"…you need to be decisive."
Huh? Kaito thought before realizing Wait…that was Naegi-senpai's advice from earlier. He then looked at Maki, who was still fiddling with one of her ponytails before he realized Naegi-senpai's right! Maki was decisive about confessing her past to me…now I need to be decisive about telling her my feelings… "Hey, Maki…"
Maki turned to him with a confused expression as she asked "Huh? Khat is it Kai…mmph!"
Maki's eyes widened in shock as Kaito grabbed the base of a ponytail in each hand before gently pulling her against him, their lips meting in a soft kiss.
Kaito…Kaito's kissing me. KAITO'S KISSING ME! Does he…does he…love me…? He does! He wouldn't kiss a girl for no reason! So it's true! Kaito returns my feelings! KAITO MOMOTA'S IN LOVE WITH ME!
Blushing, Maki relaxed into the kiss, pressing her lips hungrily against him as they lost themselves in their newly revealed love for each other.
Maki…
Kaito…
*BEEP BEEP*
XXX
*BEEP BEEP*
"Ah!" Maki and Kaito exclaimed, sitting up straight in bed as their eyes dated around the room in a confused panic until they at last settled on the beeping alarm clock.
"Idiot…shut off that damn alarm clock…" Maki ordered drowsily.
"I'm tryin', I'm tryin'…" Kaito yawned as he felt for the Off button, finally pressing it and making them sigh in relief as they calmed down.
With the noise now gone, Maki and Kaito took a moment to wake up, momentarily flashing back to the last part of their dream before they groaned, now fully awake as they muttered "…and that was such a good dream…" Hearing the other, their eyes widened as they turned to look at each other, pointing to their beloved as they exclaimed "Wait…you too?!"
"Well…I was dreaming that we were part of the 79th Class of Hope's Peak Academy and that the Tragedy never happened. That inventor Miu Iruma was our classmate, and the Naegis were our senpais. I went to ask Makoto for advice on asking you out, and we had a study date later where you told me about your Assassin life before we…kissed…"
Maki blushed in unison with Kaito as she nodded "…I had that dream too…except I spied on the Naegis while they were on a date to figure out how I should act around you in a relationship. Then Kyoko caught me while Makoto was in the bathroom and she gave me some advice."
"Whoa…what were the odds that we'd have the same dream…?"
Maki bit her lip, fiddling with a lock of hair as she admitted "…To be honest…I kind of wish we were still living in that world…" Seeing Kaito's incredulous expression, Maki explained "…in that world…you didn't have your illness, and the Tragedy never happened…we'd be living a peaceful life with the Naegis as our friends…"
Tears streamed down her cheeks, causing Kaito to wrap his arms around her, pulling her into his lap and rocking her back and forth, whispering in her ear as he stroked her hair "Hey, Maki, it's okay, it's okay…"
"…I just…I don't want to lose you…"
"I know, I know…and I understand why that dream world sounded so appealing to you…but think about it. There's no guarantee that Kiki would have existed in that dream world, and you don't want to live in a world without Kiki Naegi, do you?"
*Sniffle* "…N…no…Kiki's been good to us…"
Kaito smiled and nodded "Exactly. Our world isn't perfect, but it's the world we're living in, and even if I die from this illness someday…it's not gonna be for a long while! So let's greet each new day we have together with a smile! That's what I'm gonna be doing, or my name isn't Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars!"
Maki weakly punched his shoulder, muttering "I…Idiot…"
She then looked up to his smiling face with a loving, tearful smile of her own before cupping his cheeks and pulling him down to meet his lips in a soft kiss. The two savored their first real kiss of the day before breaking apart.
Maki nodded "…Th…Thank you, Kaito…"
Kaito grinned as he assured her "Hey, don't worry about it, Maki Roll! Now, wipe those tears off your face before Kiki sees them today!"
Wiping her watery eyes with her wrist, Maki slid off Kaito's lap to stand on the floor of their bedroom, advising him "In that case, we need to hurry and get dressed so we can reach Kiki's house before her parents have to go to work. Otherwise, Kyoko may fire me yet."
"Hey, she'd never fire you, Maki Roll! You're the Ultimate Child Caregiver, and I believe in you!"
Maki rolled her eyes, though unable to keep a blush from painting her cheeks rose as she walked over to her closet, telling him as she sifted through it "I'm going to go take a shower and do my hair. You get dressed and make breakfast so we can head out the door as quickly as possible."
"Whatever you say, Maki Roll!" Kaito saluted.
"…Idiot…" Maki muttered as she grabbed her red shirt and black skirt from her closet and walked to their shared bathroom, leaving Kaito alone in their bedroom.
"Well…better do as she says…" Kaito muttered as he got out of bed and strode to their closet, searching for his daily outfit as he prepared himself to greet the new day with the same spirit and vitality that he'd greet every day with until the day he died.
