Kokichi peered through the crack of his bedroom door. Frowning, Shuichi fiddled with his coffee maker on the dorm's kitchen counter. The machine stubbornly refused to pour coffee. Kaito and Keebo had just left to go to movie theater with Rantaro. The detective was alone.

Hoisting his backpack, Kokichi strolled out of his room, humming. "You should get Miu to look at it," suggested the leader as he passed.

Sighing, Shuichi righted the device. "I did already. It's dead."

"Sucks to be you!" Kokichi reached for the dorm's doorknob.

"Where are you going?" asked Shuichi without lifting his head.

Kokichi scowled. So close. Smiling, he patted his backpack's strap. Doodles covered the machine washable bookbag. "I'm heading out for an operation. This baby's got a bomb that'll blow your pants off. Me and boss baby yakuza are gonna face off in the ultimate throwdown –"

Shuichi glanced at the clock above the sink. "Normally you'd be practicing with Himiko now."

A week had passed since Kokichi and Himiko performed their magic show for the school. Since Himiko had kissed him. They hadn't practiced, let alone talked to each other. In class Kokichi caught her watching him a few times. The Supreme Leader didn't need his ability to read people to recognize how she felt. Her brown eyes gazed at him not with anger or sadness. Just confusion. Before when stuck in the situation, Himiko would quip, "Staring at me only made me more beautiful." Kokichi would laugh and fire back with "So I'll keep staring then." But now Kokichi always broke eye contact first.

"Now, now, Shuichi," chided Kokichi. "Didn't your mother tell you not to threaten people who have bombs?"

Gray eyes flashing, Shuichi pushed aside the machine. "Mom taught me to wash out a lying tongue with soap. Kaede texted me. Said Himiko left for her lab this morning. You should go see her."

Every Tuesday and Thursday night and Saturday morning for the past ten months Kokichi and Himiko would practice magic tricks in her research lab. Including this Saturday morning when Kokichi checked. He peered through the lab's window, the same window he used to spy on her during the first week of class. Himiko sat in her chair, shuffling cards with a thousand yard gaze. Her hand slipped, sending cards tumbling to the floor. She paused. Then Himiko smacked her cheeks.

"I have to try harder than this. That's the only way he'll come back." She collected the cards. "Even if it's a pain."

To think after all these years, Himiko's master would still have such an effect on her. The decrepit old man's pride was so small a little girl broke his spirit. So why does she spare him a second thought?

"You want me to go see Kaede? My, Shuichi, that's awfully generous of you to share your girlfriend with me."

Gripping the counter, Shuichi stared at him evenly. "The longer you put it off, the worse it's going to get."

"Whaaat?" Kokichi gasped, hands flying to his mouth. "Are you saying she try frenching me next?" For a moment, Kokichi envisioned it. Tangling his fingers in hair. Feeling her warmth. Tasting her lips. Like a ghost, he could still feel her kiss on his lips. His raised hands covered his blush. "Cool! Maybe I will wait then. See ya." Kokichi opened the door.

"Putting off talking with Himiko?"

Kokichi glanced up. Kaito's form towered over him in the doorway. Keebo, hands on his hips, stood behind the astronaut. Shit. "What happened to watching the movie?"

"Rantaro woke up with a sore throat this morning." Kaito shoved his way through in, followed by Keebo. The astronaut crossed his arms. "Where are you going with a backpack? You always study in your bedroom. If you study at all."

Kokichi's eyes flickered to the doorway. The six inches between Kaito and the frame was wide enough to slip through, provided he took off his backpack. Kokichi could reach the stairs before Kaito started after him, but with a bookbag weighing the leader down… Kokichi bit back a sigh. Shuichi's right. I can't avoid them for forever. He stepped back, allowing the boys to enter. Snickering, Kokichi put his hands behind his head. "You got me! So whatcha gonna do about it?" Welp! Let's see what happens.

Kaito scoffed. "After what you did to her. I can't believe you. This all your fault."

Kokichi raised a brow. "Excusez moi? Just what exactly did I do?"

Shutting the door close, Keebo admitted, "I concur with Kokichi. Himiko is the one who engaged in non-consensual contact between them. Professor Idabashi told me you should only touch others with their permission."

"Really? Poor Professor." pouted Kokichi. "When he hears about the things you and Miu engage in during maintenance… he might disown you." Clearing his throat, Shuichi began tinkering with his blender again. During winter break, Kokichi and Shuichi had barged into Miu's lab, hoping she'd make a device to create snow. Miu was otherwise occupied with lying on top of Keebo performing a very close-up check up. Moaning included. That was the last time Kokichi entered Miu's lab without knocking.

"The professor would never disown me! And I've given Miu permission to do whatever she needs to ensure I am high functioning."

Shuichi gagged. "Gross!" cried the leader. The robot tilted his head in confusion.

"Did Himiko give you permission to humiliate her in front of the entire school?" Kaito crossed his arms. He stared at the leader with as much disgust as if Kokichi had pushed his grandmother into the street. "You dropped her."

Keebo's eyes darted back and forth between them as though watching one of Ryoma's tennis matches.

"I didn't expect her to kiss me!"

"You dipped her!"

"I was only asking if I could be her assistant."

"In a flirty way! You were practically begging her to kiss you."

"I…" Biting a thumbnail, Kokichi's eyes clouded over. A bead of sweat slid down his brow. "E-Even so… she shouldn't have thought I meant anything by it."

"That's the second time you made Himiko cry." Kaito stepped closer, gazing down from on high. "I swear there won't be a third."

The memory flashed through his mind. Himiko running away, tears streaming down her face. Himiko… thought Kokichi. Then he shook the image away.

Laughing, Kokichi placed his hands on his hips. "You don't get it, do you? I'm the supreme leader of an evil organization. I do evil things. Making girls cry is right up there with stealing candy from a baby. One of my favorite pastimes, honestly. But more importantly, I do dangerous things. Most people can't handle that kind of pressure, y'know? So I'll stay unattached."

Shrugging, Shuichi raised a tentative hand. "It's doubtful your organization exists at all."

Kokichi threw his hands into the air. "Oh, come on! Use that noggin' of yours, my beloved detective. Hope's Peak wouldn't have recruited me if I was a normie with no talent."

Keebo pounded his fist into his palm. "But they invite normal students like Makoto through a lottery!"

"Exactly," sneered Kaito. "For all we know you could be hiding your true talent as the Ultimate Liar."

Kokichi's face became as blank as a blue screen of death. He stared at them, not moving. Not blinking. The roommates exchanged glances. Shuichi asked, "Um, Kokichi, are you –?"

"Why should I tell Himiko the truth?" Kokichi's voice was as cool and cold as ice. "I can't even get my friends to believe me."

The dormmates stiffened. Before they could speak, Kokichi hefted his backpack and slipped out the door.

Biting the end of his pencil, Kokichi studied his notebook. The pages rested on the red circular dais in the center of Kaede's lab. The leader sat Indian-style underneath Kaede's piano. He sucked in a breath through his nose, smelling the cleaner fluid used to wax the wooden floor. The sunlight drifted from the two large windows in front of him. A gentle breeze billowed the purple curtains. Only the sound of Kokichi's breathing could be heard.

Kokichi scribbled out a line. Then, scowling, he erased so vigorously the page tore. No, no, that's not good enough. Read it again. Think. His eyes roamed over the alphanumeric outline written on the page.

Take Himiko Out Analysis

A) If take Himiko out somewhere to talk (see locations on pg 6A–K), Himiko will be uncomfortable. Loosen her up with usual teasing (see conversation starters pg 4 and 12A).

1) Himiko will relax. We'll have a normal time together.

I) Resume apprenticeship. (See Magician assistant route analysis pg 1-5)

II) Himiko may try to kiss me again in the future

2) Himiko will get upset. She'll ask why I've taken her out. She'll demand to know what I feel about her.

I)

Kokichi gnawed on the pencil's metal band. The last bullet had remained blank for the past ten minutes. Humming his dissatisfaction, Kokichi reached into his white backpack for the notebook. The leader ripped out a new page and started a new outline.

Break All Ties Analysis

A) Himiko will continue not speaking to me

B) I don't get a super cool new member for my organization.

C) I won't be her apprentice.

D) Himiko practices magic alone.

E) Shuichi, Kaito, and Kee-boy lose more faith in me.

F) I spend the next two years as a friendless, annoying pest.

Kokichi stared at the words until the letters swam in his vision. "Rrgh!" Growling, he threw the paper aside. "This is so stupid! Why do I have to go through this?" He ran a hand through his purple bangs. Get a hold of yourself. Be logical. You can't afford another royal screw up.

The door creaked open.

Kokichi rolled off the dais, then pressed himself to the floor, out of sight. Shit! Tan shoes traveled across wooden titles. They stopped by the piano's bench. A soft feminine sigh. The bench creaked under the visitor's weight. A pink musical note skirt reached her knees. After a moment, a Chopin melody emanated from the piano.

Sweat slid down Kokichi's face. His eyes darted to the windows. Open, yes, but only a crack. Also in plain view. Door closed and over fifteen feet away. A closed and possibly locked closet ten feet behind him. Escape is not an option. Not without a distract… Oh… oh no. All of his notes on his relationship with Himiko were lay underneath the piano. If Kaede looks down…

Shit, shit, damn it, shit. Kokichi pinched the papers and, slowly slid them towards him, careful not to make any noise. He didn't dare breathe. Within a few minutes he had collected most of them. Something fluttered in the breeze. One stray paper flew out from beneath the piano to beside Kaede's shoes. Completely out of reach. "Break All Ties Analysis" was written at the top.

Kokichi's heart stopped.

NOOO! Kokichi crept up onto the dais. Holding the other papers in hand, the leader inched his way forward on all fours. If any of his DICE members saw the overload now, he would never live down the shame. He reached for the paper. His fingers strained. Almost gooot it…

Kaede struck a dissonant chord.

Kokichi froze. He glanced up. Locked eyes with Kaede's bewildered expression. "Eeeeck!" Kaede stomped on Kokichi's nose.

"Ugh!" Papers flew everywhere. Kokichi reeled back, hitting his head against the piano's bottom. Whimpering, Kokichi clutched his head. He had enough bruises from Tenko's recent beating to last a lifetime. He cracked open an eye. "Ah!" Kokichi scrambled to reclaim his papers.

"P-p-pervert!" Blushing, Kaede squeezed her knees together, hiding her underwear from view.

"Puh-lease," scoffed Kokichi, picking himself up. He clutched the papers to his chest like a miser. "I don't have the slightest interest in peeping. I hate lies and tricks like that. Even if I did care, I wouldn't try seeing your panties. I was here waaay before you came in."

Kaede narrowed her eyes. "Why are you in my lab?"

"You remember when I planted Himiko's piranhas in the school pool? Aw, don't give me that face, Kaede. I posted a warning. Hina can still swim if she lost a toe or two. Anyhoo, I was chilling in my room, minding my own business, when Sakura busted the doorknob to beat me up." Kokichi shuddered at the memory. "Hope's Peak hasn't replaced it yet. But what are you doing here? I texted Tsumugi. She said you went to the library to do homework!"

Laughing humorlessly, Kaede scratched her blond hair. "Yeah… I say that whenever I sneak in here."

"God, you're such a piano freak!" Huffing, Kokichi reclaimed his backpack then turned to the door. "I'll be sure to tell everyone about your condition. Shout it off the rooftops."

"What were you writing about Himiko?"

Kokichi drew to a halt. Face burning, he buried his face in the papers. Maybe if I threaten the upperclassman Seiko she'll give me a drug to wipe Kaede's memory. Actually, that could be really useful. If I give it to Himiko, then maybe… Kokichi bit his lip.

"I can help you, Kokichi."

Gasping, he turned around. Kaede, hand pressed to her chest, stood. "You don't have anyone else to talk about this, right? I heard about the argument you had this morning."

Shuichi, you nincompoop! Do you tell Kaede every time you pick your nose, too? Kokichi tossed his purple hair. "Hmph! Well, I'm not trying to date Himiko. I'm trying to… to test her! If she's so head over heels for me, then she'll be begging for my forgiveness soon enough."

Kaede held her chin. "You could go on a date without being a couple, y'know."

"H-Huh?" Frowning, Kokichi skimmed his outlines. "I never thought of that. Oh maaaaan…" That could be another 12 pages, easy.

Sweet as a lily, Kaede smiled. "It's okay. Don't worry." She pounded her chest. "I have lots of dating experience." Kokichi snorted. "W-Well three months is more than you have! Have you even had one date?"

Smirking, Kokichi threw out a hand. "No, but that doesn't mean I don't have experience." Grinning, he waggled his eyebrows. "Don't need to date someone for a one-night sta –" Kaede raised her music binder above her head. "Stop, I'll stop!" Kokichi blocked his face with a hand. "I got roughed up enough from Tenko!"

Eyes narrowed, Kaede smacked the binder into her hand rhythmically. "Good."

Humming, Kokichi examined his nails. "A dictator such as myself doesn't pay heed to the grumblings of the riff raff. I don't need anyone." He turned, waving over his shoulder. "So I'll be leav –"

"Then why are you afraid of being a 'friendless pest'?" Kokichi whirled around, lavender eyes blazing. "I won't tell anyone, I swear!" cried Kaede. "Look, I'll tell you something embarrassing about me, okay? Uh, let's see. Well, every time before a recital, I –"

Kokichi breathed evenly through flared nostrils. "I don't give a crap about how much of a piano freak you are."

With a squeak, Kaede's words died in her throat. Biting a lip, she wrung her hands. "I-I don't… I don't want to see any more of my friends hurting. Himiko crying after the magic show was just awful. And you looked so… Please. I want to help."

Eyes narrowed, Kokichi scrutinized Kaede's expression. Any redness of her nose or ears. Raised eyebrows. Pursed lips. Nothing.

Sighing, Kaede ran a hand through her hair. She muttered, "Geez, would threatening work better…?"

Kokichi sucked in a breath. Then he smiled. "Nee-heehee. Well, if you're gonna try threatening moi, you gotta do better than handcuffing. Himiko did that already."

"She did what?!"

"Yuppers! I was totes surprised, too. Caught me off guard. She," Kokichi frowned. "She keeps doing that somehow. But if you don't have any handcuffs, I'll be magnanimous and let it slide. Chalk it up to…" …Himiko being special. Cheeks going warm, Kokichi swallowed. "Take it as a warning to be more prepared for next time.

"Welp!" Kokichi sat Indian style on the rad dais, a few feet from her. He shrugged off his backpack. "Hearing the laughful advice of a so-called 'dating expert' has gotta be pretty entertaining. I guess I'll listen. But the moment it gets boring, I'm splitting like a banana peel."

"What? Oh! Great! I mean, okay cool." Kaede sat down on the bench. "First things first! Put away your notes." Kokichi tensed, cutting her a glance. "They're all about Himiko, right? We need to figure out what you feel first." After a moment, the leader complied.

Kokichi drummed his fingers against his knee. He glanced around the room. Bookshelves filled with CDs covered the far wall. A music staff was drawn on the chalkboard. The early February wind turned chilly.

Kaede tucked a blond strand behind an ear. Smoothed out her skirt. Cleared her throat. "Um." Just as Kokichi reached for his backpack, Kaede asked, "W-what do you look for in a friend?"

Kokichi blinked. "Someone who's fun. Interesting. Useful, too, if at all possible. Someone who… defies my expectations of them."

Kaede readjusted a music note barrette. "Okay, so what made you approach Himiko in the first week of school? That's when you made that deal, right?"

"Mmhmm. I was intrigued by her. She was sooo lazy but being a magician is hard work, right? And she was one of the few students who listened to me before chasing me out."

"Did she do anything unexpected?"

Brows furrowed, Kokichi crossed his arms. "Yeah, actually. She said something about my organization…"

"I bet your organization is just a lie. It's a front for getting friends, isn't it?"

At Kaede's prompting, the leader told her Himiko's words. The pianist frowned. "You two just met. How could she guess that?"

Humming, Kokichi bit a thumb nail. At the beginning of the year everyone was starting to share numbers and become friends, but… Himiko and I were alone. We were lonely.

Kokichi's phone buzzed. Brow raised, he pulled it out of his backpack. A flood of messages demanded his attention. All from Himiko.

"I read the feedback we got from the show. Amazing mage that I am, I came up with a way to make the spell grander, but I can't practice without you. Come to the lab."

"If you don't wanna rehearse that spell, that's fine. I can teach you how to escape a straitjacket. I won't leave you in it. Promise. No take backs or whatever the rest of it is."

"If you don't want to practice magic, then we can do something else. Or talk. Whatever you want. I don't care."

"The lab's really quiet without you."

"Kokichi?"

"Sorry, I'll stop bothering you."

Blinking, Kokichi lowered the phone. He blew out a long breath through his lips. Shaking his head slightly, he gazed into the distance. "Why isn't she mad at me? All I've ever done is hurt her."

"Himiko's really unpredictable, huh?"

Eyes wide, Kokichi snapped his head towards her. Kaede's smile was as warm as a sunbeam. "She's so unpredictable, you're on the defensive." The pianist nodded at Kokichi's backpack and his notes within.

Himiko… unpredictable? Memories tumbled around in his mind. Himiko guessing Kokichi already watched the videos of her performing with her master. She realizing Kokichi was afraid of increasing Himiko's anxiety before their magic show. Having the gumption to kiss him in front of their entire class. Kokichi's heart slammed against his ribcage. But does that mean I…?

"But if you want to know what she feels, you should go on a date and ask her. Point blank." Kaede winked. "It'll be harder for her to run away from a date! Sound good?"

Kaede rested her fingertips over the ivory keys. "Oh, but before you go, it would cool if you could stay and listen. I drafted a melody for Shuichi. Composition isn't my area, but I wanted to share my feelings with him, not someone else's. Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away."

Kokichi dropped his head into his hands. "Noooooo…" Kaede quickly lapped on assurances she would help, but Kokichi didn't bother listening. If I do take Himiko on a date, it needs to be soon. Waiting until V-Day would be misleading. No, Kokichi thought, lifting his head. He narrowed his eyes. It's today or never. And Break All Ties route is not an option. It's time to go onto the offensive.

After slinging on his backpack, Kokichi hopped off the dais. Behind Kaede, Kokichi sat down and spread out his notebook papers. "Welp! This supreme leader has gotta draft orders to his subordinates ASAP. Can't release the details in public. So if they got leaked somehow, stomachs would need to be slit. Just kidding. Heads would fly."

"Uh, right. Got it." Kaede answered, without turning around. She began playing a simple, lilting melody. The notes floated on the air like bubbles in the breeze. Every few measures Kaede would stop. Muttering, she'd change a note on the score then restart.

Kokichi watched the pianist over his shoulder. Smiled. Then he turned back to his notes.

Yawning, Kokichi dropped his pencil. He cracked his fingers to help with writing cramps. He glanced over at Kaede. Somehow, she had slipped into playing Fur Elise. Shaking his head, Kokichi added the last few sentences to his note.

Kaede,

Shuichi's been pretty bummed that his fav coffee maker went kaput. A coffee maker would make for a lame V-Day gift, but it's better than predictable chocolate. He'll think the coffee machine's the only present you have. So if you surprise him with your music afterwards, he'll love it no matter what.

Having the Ultimate Pianist as an agent of my organization would be cool, but the Ultimate Composer would be even better! Even if you don't join, collaborating on joint missions like today wasn't too boring. Although you'll have to work hard to convince me to do more operations together in the future! But it could all be a lie. Burn this after reading or I'll tell Shuichi the color of your panties.

"Nee-heeheehee." Kokichi finished it off with chibi doodles of him and Kaede smiling, hands in the air. He stood up, stretched, and reclaimed his backpack. Kaede continued to play, blissfully unaware. Humming quietly, he tiptoed out of the lab.

Kokichi drummed his fingers against the café's table, waiting for their order. Across from him Himiko played with her jacket's zipper, eyes downcast. His swept his gaze the area. The quaint café was filled with dark wooden tables and counters. Low hanging lamps hung over every seat, casting a homey, warm atmosphere. A black chalkboard covered the far wall with the menu written on it. Word clouds sprawled over the pillars. The smell was an intoxicating blend coffee, tea, and baking bread.

A smiling waitress approached Kokichi and Himiko's table, balancing a tray. Her chocolate brown shirt and black slacks matched the dark thematic colors of the café. She placed two teacups in front of them. "Two orders of green tea. Just be careful, okay? They're piping hot."

Kokichi pursed his lips. "'Bout time. Now scram. I'll signal you when we're ready to order food, kapeesh?" Frowning, the server nodded. She passed the nearly empty rows of tables before disappearing into the café's back.

The two sat by the café's storefront windows. Kokichi should have been monitoring the people passing by the café's door on the street. Instead, Kokichi, fist to his chin, stared at Himiko's reflection in the glass. The lamp's light accentuated her blond highlights. The tip of her button nose was still red from outside's cold air. Himiko had taken off her jacket, revealing a ruby jumper dress which snugly fit her lithe body.

Hot damn, thought Kokichi. She may not have a bust but she sure is a looker. Definitely worth the wait.

It had taken Himiko over an hour to get ready. Kokichi needed only three minutes to change into a T-shirt, black hoodie, and dark jeans. Ultimate students never wore their uniform off campus, lest they be swarmed by fans. As time crept closer to dinner more customers would enter and could recognize them. With the café only a subway stop away from campus, the possibility was high.

Himiko gazed down at her tea with a sleepy doe-like expression. "Um. It's been a while since we last talked."

Kokichi's mind flickered through his list of conversation starters. We don't have to talk if you don't want to. As Kee-boy put it, we could engage in more nonconsensual contact. He gnawed on his lip, biting back the words.

"H-how have you been?"

Kokichi sucked in a deep breath through his nose. Smelled the tea. Gazed outside. "I've always gotten my kicks from pranking others. So it was quite a plot twist to be the butt end of one. Such unpredictability would have been more welcome behind closed doors." Kokichi's gaze shifted from the window to Himiko. His eyes cut her deeper than a scalpel. "You made me look like a fool."

"Kokichi, I…" She gripped her teacup. "I'm sorry about what happened after the show. I shouldn't have done that."

"So why did you?"

A light blush dusted across her cheeks. Himiko pulled on the long sleeves of her white undershirt. "I just… I thought if I did something in front of everyone, your reaction would be more honest maybe? That I'd get to know more about how you felt. Besides you did the same thing to me in the cafeteria."

Kokichi flinched. I swear. How the hell does she read me so easily?!

Himiko wrung her hands. "So that's why I thought it was okay to… you know. I thought you…" Her brown eyes smoldered. Swam with tears. Voice cracking, she whispered, "…you liked me back. Don't you?"

Kokichi's throat went dry. He sifted through his memories of her. The fierce pride that shone in her eyes whenever she performed magic. The times her feisty gumption took his breath away. That silly, witch-like laugh of hers. The feel of her lips on his. "I…"

"It's okay." A small smile played at her lips. "You don't have to be scared."

"Of course I am!" Kokichi shouted, fists slamming into the table. Their tea sloshed onto the table. Himiko stiffened. A waitress behind the counter stopped wiping glasses. After a moment, the few other customers returned to their meals.

Head bowed, Kokichi hoarsely muttered, "Here I am, racking my brain. Trying to come up with something to say. Something that you would believe. But why bother? You already know how I feel. You're always figuring out what I'm thinking and I don't have the slightest clue how." Kokichi gazed at his reflection in the milky brown tea. "I'm a liar. So even if we confessed, we'd only screw up again. I'll… hurt you again."

The only sound were the murmurs of the other customers. Clinking of china. Then Himiko whispered, "You saw those videos of me performing with my master. When I was a kid."

Despite himself, Kokichi chuckled. "You were a little ball of energy, weren't cha?"

Himiko flashed a weak smile. "I was. I poured my whole heart into those performances. Everything to make the audience smile. To make Master proud. Then he just left and… and it changed everything." She sniffed. Choked out, "Changed me."

Boy, Kokichi thought, releasing a long breath. His eyes misted over with memory. Don't I know the feeling.

"But I still hold onto this. It's from my master."

Kokichi glanced up. Himiko turned her barrette over in her hands, examining it. "The gemstone is turquoise, after my birth stone in December. He gave it to me for my birthday. His last gift before he left." She cleared her throat. "Left to go train after that anti-mage stole his powers."

Tutting, Kokichi looked down. He felt fingers pulling at his fist, drawing it open. Himiko placed her barrette in his palm. The metal felt cool against his skin. "But I wear it every day." Himiko clasped Kokichi's fingers over the gift. Their eyes met. "Why?" Kokichi's stomach clenched. Biting his lip, he shook his head. Swallowing, he gazed out the window. Himiko gripped his fist tighter. "Why?"

"Because… the memory of your master means more to you than how much he hurt you."

Lips pursed, Kokichi returned the barrette. With practiced ease, Himiko fastened her bangs back with it. She used the opportunity to surreptitiously swipe at her eyes. "Kokichi, I'm a liar, too. You see that, don't you?"

Yeah, Kokichi thought. Like how you say magic's real. Or magicians lying to the audience about their tricks. No, it's gotta be more than that. Think. Analyze. Believing her master left because his powers were stolen, not because of jealousy. Hoping he'll return someday. How she hides her enthusiasm, her love for magic, under layers of laziness. "I can see it. Yeah, I get that now." Kokichi raised an eyebrow. "So that's the trick behind your mentalism?"

Exhaling a laugh, Himiko touched the front of her jumper dress. "Sorry, but a magician never reveals her secrets."

"But does a mage, hmm?"

They smiled the familiar repartee. In the comfortable silence, Himiko blew on her tea, before sipping some. Kokichi turned the cup around on its saucer. Then he laid his hands flat against the table. "O-kay! Wanna know the answer to your question, Himiko?"

"Nyeh? What question?"

"How I feel, you silly goose! Geez, my beloved mage is so forgetful." Squeaking, Himiko reached up to pull her hat down and hide her face, but it wasn't there. She covered for her mistake by brushing her bangs aside. "Nee-heehee." Face reddening, she narrowed her eyes at him.

Kokichi brought the cup to his lip, hiding his smile. "I'm glad I met someone who can truly understand me."

Eyes downcast, Kokichi lowered the cup, gripping it tightly to keep his hands from shaking. He exhaled. The leader leaned back against his chair, arm draped across its back. "Hey, waitress!" Whistling, he snapped his fingers. The server was in the middle of conversing with another table. "C'mere toot sweet, lady." She scowled briefly, before starting to make her way towards them. Kokichi grinned at the magician. "Whatcha wanna order? Personally, I'm hankering for a croissant as an appetizer."

Himiko jerked, as if waking up from a daydream. The light in her brown eyes died a little. "O-oh, um, sure. That sounds good. Or actually do they have bagels?"

Huffing, the waitress handed them two menus. Kokichi offered one to the mage. "Whatever you want. My treat. But just this once, mmkay?"

The lamp cast Himiko's red hair in a warm, fiery glow. Nodding, Himiko accepted the menu. Button nose crinkling, she smiled.

Himiko and Kokichi walked the halls of their dorm building side by side. The white walled hallways were all but empty. Most students were eating dinner in their dorms or out in the cafeteria. Only the sound of music in the distance and their shoes treading the blue and white tilted floors filled the silence.

Himiko snuck a glance up at the leader. No furrowed eyebrows or hints of blushing. He looked like his usual self. Just as he had during the rest of their meal. It wasn't any different than eating at the cafeteria. It wasn't special. Eyes downcast, Himiko gripped her ruby jumper dress. Even though I followed Tenko's advice. Summoned every bit of my MP to tell him how I felt.

A flash of memory played before her eyes. A young Himiko sobbing on the floor backstage, crying out for her master to come back. He never heard; he had been gone for hours.

Himiko turned her head away, hand covering her mouth. Her red bangs fell over her eyes. What if Kokichi…?

As they walked, Kokichi's hand bumped against hers. Himiko stopped. Will he hold my hand? Should I try to hold his?

Eyebrow raised, Kokichi turned back to glance at her. He smirked. Heart pounding, Himiko hurried to his side.

They turned a corner to reach the of the elevator's silver doors. The Hope's Peak crest emblazoned on the doors gleamed in the windowlight. First years like them were banished to the fifth and sixth floors while upperclassmen occupied the more convenient lower floors. Himiko pressed the up button. After a moment, the doors opened with a ding. She boarded.

Just as she was about to hit the 5th floor icon, Kokichi said, "Sowwy. This is where I get off." He clasped his hands behind his head. "Promised to meet Shuichi in the library after dinner. Gotta project in our Psych Decision-Making class."

"Nyeh?" Himiko caught the doors from closing. Hand on the frame, she frowned. "Um, uh, okay." Kokichi gave a little wave. "Oh, wait! I forgot to tell you something."

Kokichi flinched. "W-what?"

"About our magic show. Y-you performed really well. You didn't show any signs of paralysis or mess up the incantations. So, um, if you still want it, you can be my apprentice."

The leader threw his hands up in the air. "Yaaay!" Finger on his lips, he winked. "Just don't forget you hafta consider joining my organization now."

"Yeah, yeah. We should bump up our practices from three to four times a week. If you wanna be a part of my public show at the magic theater. I'll probably introduce you as a one-time assistant. See how my fans react to you. Or something like that. We can work out the details later."

"Okie-dokie!" After a moment, Kokichi added, "I'll see you when I see you, then?"

Himiko's fingers curled then loosened. "Right. Yeah. See you." She stepped back. The elevator doors began to close.

Faster than she could blink, Kokichi slipped onboard and pushed Himiko to the wall, pinning her. Kokichi brushed his lips against hers. Lighter, softer than a butterfly's touch.

Kokichi drew back slightly. Eyes narrowed, he looked down at her. "I am the supreme leader of evil. Anyone who takes something from me, I steal it back. Got that?"

Himiko stared into his piercing lavender eyes, seeing every blue fleck. The heady smell of his mush washed over her. The coldness of the elevator wall seeped through jumper dress, chilling her skin. Swallowing, she gave the barest of nods.

For a quiet moment, Kokichi studied her. A blush burned across his cheeks. Himiko didn't speak. Didn't dare breathe. She wanted nothing to spoil the magic of this moment.

"W-will you go out with me?"

Himiko gasped. "Really? You're not lying? No crossies or take backs?"

"Nee-heehee. You forgot cross your heart, hope to die."

Himiko stamped her foot. "Oh, shoot. I always forget that one."

Kokichi tilted her chin up while Himiko cupped the back of his head. Although Kokichi was a liar, his lips were the sweetest thing she ever tasted.

Once they broke apart, Kokichi stepped back. He flashed a smile. "No tricks. Buuuut…" Kokichi grinned. "It'll only be after Valentine's Day!"

"Absolutely not!" cried Himiko, launching from the wall. "You're not getting out of it!"

Kokichi selected the elevator open doors button, then dragged his hand across the control panel, hitting the buttons for all the floors. Laughing maniacally, he bolted out of the elevator.

"Nyeeeh!" Himiko fell against the elevator wall, exhaling.

Humming, the elevator began its ascent. She closed her eyes, listening. Legs turning into jelly, she slid down to the floor. I did it… A tear slipped down her cheek. Followed by another. And another. I did it!

The elevator stopped at the second floor. Two waiting third-year students, upon seeing Himiko, broke off their conversation.

"What's wrong with her?"

"Come on, let's use the stairs." The girls shared a glance before turning away.

Sucking in a sharp breath, Himiko raked her fingers through her hair. Her barrette tumbled into her lap. Crying out, she clutched the gift to her chest. "M-Master…" I couldn't tell you how much you meant to me, Master, so you left. Smiling, Himiko wiped away her snot and tears. But this time I did it. My feelings reached him.

Sighing, Shuichi swirled his chopsticks through his ramen noodles. Although the heater hummed at full blast, a chill permeated the school cafeteria. Thanks to the chill, most Ultimates elected to stay within their dorms to eat. The usual clamor had hushed to a murmur and quieted clinking of silverware. The large floor-to-ceiling windows behind them showed evening's darkness, casting the cafeteria into a gloomy atmosphere.

Besides him, Kaito swallowed some of his mixed salad with fish. "It feels like winter break was yesterday and now we're slammed with homework." He sighed. "Well, there's no helping it. A challenge for sure, but we just gotta buckle down and do it."

"It is unfortunate," sighed Keebo. "We'll have to cancel karaoke this weekend." Although the robot could not eat, he regularly joined his roommates when eating out. However, that didn't stop Kokichi from trying to force feed him a few months back. "I was hoping to join this time. I've asked Miu to upgrade my singing voice, so I can't wait to try it out!"

Shuichi and Kaito flinched. The last time Keebo tried singing his electronic voice was so grating the boys threw up. Kaito gulped. "T-that sounds… great."

Grinning, Keebo held up a fist. "'The impossible is possible, all you gotta do is make it so!' Right, Kaito?"

"Wh-what? Oh, well, what do you think of that, Shuichi?" The detective stared down at his untouched, cold noodles. Kaito elbowed the detective. "Earth to Shuichi? Hey, bro, look alive."

"What? Oh, sorry." Shuichi's eyes flickered to the empty seat besides Keebo. "I was just wondering what Kokichi would say to Keebo."

Kaito shrugged. "Probably laugh and say it's impossible." Keebo lowered his head. "I-I'm sure you can do it, Keebo! Someday. After a lot of upgrades. And practice. But, hey, that's okay!"

Sighing, Keebo waved a hand. "Just stop. Please."

Putting down his fork, Kaito asked, "But where is Kokichi? Have either of you seen him lately?" Both shook their heads. The leader had joined them for any meals in the past week. Since their argument, they barely saw Kokichi at all outside of class.

"I am surprised you are showing concern for his welfare," Keebo remarked. "You were the one most distressed by Kokichi's actions with Himiko, were you not?"

"I thought you were going to punch him," Shuichi hesitantly voiced.

"I wanted to, that's for sure. It's not right for a man to make a girl cry." Exhaling, Kaito scratched his head. "But last time I did we broke the classroom window and had detention for a week. Where we fought more and got detention for a month. If I slugged him, he wouldn't have listened to anything I said."

"Listen?" asked Shuichi. "It wasn't a conversation, but an argument."

"Indeed. You were quite harsh."

"I had to have been." Kaito gazed at Himiko's table in the near distance. As her roommates chatted around her, Himiko sat with her head bowed. "Kokichi was lying to himself about his feelings for her. Someone needed to hit him with the truth."

Shuichi smiled. I should have expected nothing less from Kaito.

Frowning, Keebo crossed his arms. "I did not realize. It seems I still have a ways to go before I fully understand humans. Kaito 'playing the bad guy' bears a striking resemblance to Kokichi's behavior."

Kaito launched from his seat. "You take that back! I'm nothing like him!" Leaning back, Keebo raised his hands.

Chuckling, Shuichi shook his head. Also typical of Kaito. But… Shuichi gripped his chopstick. Did anything get through to Kokichi?

"Speaking of that handsome devil!"

Startled, the boys looked up. Kokichi was worming his way into the empty seat next to Himiko. "Hi there, Himi!" Grinning, he dug a chopstick into her cheek. "How I missed seeing your adorably ugly face."

"I-I told you not to call me that!"

"Aww, why not? You can call me Kichi. Or if you reeeally want you can call me…" Smirking, Kokichi leaned in close to Himiko's ear.

Shuichi rose, seat clattering. The scraping caught the attention of every student in the cafeteria. Shuichi's narrowed-eyed stare bore holes into Kokichi. The leader frowned. He turned back to Himiko and whispered something. Covering her ears, Himiko leaned away. "Cut it out!" Laughing, Kokichi snatched her hat. "Hey! Give that back!" But Kokichi had already fled out the door.

Fists shaking at his side, Shuichi followed him.

Humming, Kokichi examined his reflection in the hallway's window. He tilted Himiko's hat one way then another. Ran his fingers through his bangs. "Hmm." Now that I'm her apprentice, should I get a hat of my own? He held his chin and turned it to the side. Dunno. Looks kinda dorky. Footsteps approached. Kokichi could see the detective in the reflection. Without looking up, he asked, "You rang, beloved?"

"I won't let this go on any longer. Stop pestering Himiko. Toying, teasing, flirting – whatever you call it – knock it off."

Kokichi exhaled. He turned to his roommate. "You're mad cuz I'm flirting with Himiko outside of relationship, right?" Tears filling his eyes, Kokichi clutched his bandana. "Why d'ya have to be so narrow-minded? Love comes in many forms, y'know. Like friends with benefits."

Shuichi's eyes burned. "Quit fooling around."

For a moment, Kokichi quietly studied the detective, his expression neutral. Then, smiling, he made jazz hands. "Himiko and I are dating."

Shuichi's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Y-you are?"

"That's riiight! Ever since a few days ago. Took her to that café on 5th Street. Afterwards I asked if she'd be my girlfriend." Shouldn't have been so hard to ask out a delusional, chibi-sized girl, but it was. Asking was more nerve-racking than the time when Kokichi lead DICE into pranking the secretary of state. He nearly had a heart attack when Himiko cried out "Wait" at the elevator. I woulda been so PO'ed if my plan to steal her first kiss failed. All my planning would have been for nothing.

Biting his lip, Shuichi lowered his head. Exhaling slowly, he ran a hand through his black hair. "Why didn't you tell us, Kokichi? We should have… we should have been there."

Kokichi tilted his head to the side, finger to his chin. "I didn't need you! I'm not a wuss like you who needed help from the sidelines on his first date."

"What are you talking about? There was only Kaede and I. No one else."

"Think hard. Did you run into anyone? While walking Kaede back to the subway perhaps?"

Brows furrowed, Shuichi held his chin. "Um… Ah! Don't tell me. That guy who was harassing Kaede…"

"That was Kaito!"

"What?"

"Kaito and I were worried about you two, so we put on disguises and set up watch in the same restaurant. I slipped alcohol into my glass and switched our drinks when he wasn't looking. Got him drunk waaaay off his rocker than cut 'im loose. He was all like 'You look great, little lady' and 'Why you being so cold to each other? Should be more friendly-like…' Nee-hee… Ahahahaha! Oh man, it was fantastic."

Shuichi held his face with a trembling hand. "I… I punched Kaito…"

"Yuppers! Showed your girl your spine. Now you wear the pants in your relationship. Well, sometimes anyway. And don't worry. Kaito doesn't remember a thing. I knocked him out with chloroform afterwards." Kokichi clapped his hands, eyes sparkling. "But that's not all! Keebo was there too. He recorded the whooole thing! Now that you know we can watch it tonight! I'll bring the popcorn!"

Lips parted, Shuichi gazed at the leader in disbelief. "Why would you do that for me?"

Kokichi gripped the brim of Himiko's hat. Then he took it off and hid it behind his back. "Cuz I wanna make you happy! Duh."

Shuichi shook his head. "Yeah, but that must have taken so much planning. Nobody else would that. Why go through all of that for me? Why would you care? I don't understand."

Behind his back, Kokichi fisted Himiko's hat into a ball. "I know," he whispered. Sighing loudly, Kokichi placed the hat on his head and studied his nails. "It's a shame. You might have been the only one capable of discovering the truth within me. But the truth prolly isn't that good anyways." Kokichi dipped the hat's brim, winking. "I'd rather keep lying with Himiko."

Sighing, Shuichi crossed his arms. "What are you saying now? Himiko's not a liar."

Kokichi's eyes widened briefly. A slow smile grew across his face. We really are similar, huh? To think I almost missed it. "Sowwy, Shuichi! A magician doesn't reveal their secrets!

"Welp! Now I gotta figure out what I'm giving Himiko for V-day. Don't have the faintest idea. I mean, we literally starting dating, like, three days ago."

"Why aren't you waiting until White Day? Give her chocolate then."

"That's so boring! The key to any relationship is spice, riiight?" He smirked. "Things heat up when matters are kept interesting." Chuckling, Kokichi turned around. He walked off, waving over his shoulder. "Keep that in mind, okay? Don't want you and Kaede to sound like an old married couple before you turn 20."

"Ah!" Shuichi stepped forward, arm outstretched. "Kokichi, wait! I need to apol –"

Kokichi turned the corner. Humming, he spun Himiko's hat round his index finger. He glanced at the hat, smiling. Now where am I gonna stick you?

"Why aren't you wearing your hat, Himi?"

Himiko gripped the edge of the table. "I'm never letting you anywhere near my hat ever again."

Pouting, Kokichi looked out the cafe's window. "Aww, why not?"

"You stole my hat and put it 50 feet up in a tree!"

"I told you. I was only gonna stash it under a rock. But when I stepped outside, this craaazy tornado whipped up outta nowhere and blew it up there. Picked me up too. I nearly got skewered on a branch. I could have died!"

Himiko pounded her fist on the table. Her half-drunk tea sloshed in its cup. "That's a lie."

"You got me!" Hands behind his head, Kokichi leaned back in the black framed chair. "Consider it training to become an agent of my organization. Besides, I know you can get it down. I believe in you."

"I'm not wasting my MP. The fact that it's been up there for five days should have convinced you."

"You're right! My belief in you was just a lie!"

Scowling, Himiko pushed away her finished plate. Laughing, Kokichi rested his chin on his palm. He watched her in silence, smile on his face. His lavender eyes glistened in the lamplight. The music band T-shirt he wore clung to his lean form. His slow, lazy smile brought back memories of their kiss in the elevator. Face tinting red, Himiko pulled at her white collared polo. She cast her gaze over the café's interior.

When Himiko said she didn't care where Kokichi took her for Valentine's day, she didn't realize they would visit the same café as their first date. The establishment was packed; couples occupied every table and counter space. Servers bustled past pillars with word clouds. A waiter added the day's special to the menu written on the chalkboard wall. The smell of baking bread wafted from the kitchen. A dozen conversations overlapped with each other in a lighthearted cacophony.

At one table a figure dressed in a dark trench coat sat with a hoodie pulled over their face. The waitress from last week asked if they wanted to order, but they declined. She turned away, muttering, "I get all the worst customers." She locked eyes with Kokichi. Grimacing, she whirled around and headed in the complete opposite direction.

Kokichi lifted a finger. "Oh, haaaag…"

"I'm not your server."

"But we're done eating and need the check –"

"Wait!" cried Himiko. "I don't want to leave yet." The mage pushed aside her dish and, after a moment, he did the same. Himiko sucked in a breath. Smoothed out her pink pleated skirt. Then she reached for her brown handbag at her side. "I-I have something for you. Cuz of today."

"Oooh! Oooh! What is it?"

"Um… It isn't chocolate. I knew you didn't want something so easy or painless like that."

"Whoa! How could you guess?!"

Quiet! Himiko inwardly fumed. Stop interrupting me when I'm casting a spell. My magic will scatter. She dug into her purse. "A-anyway, it's kinda small but I hope you'll like –"

"Gimme already!"

"Fine! Here." She dropped it onto the table. "Such a nuisance…"

Like a pouching lion, Kokichi seized the gift and tore open the wrapping paper. Squirming, Himiko couldn't stop herself from grinning. It's perfect for him. I casted a love spell over it so he's gonna really like it. I know he is. Kokichi opened the small rectangular box. The low hanging lamp shone off the turquoise gem Kokichi held.

"A… copy of your barrette? What do I want this for?"

Himiko froze. Instantly, her eyes began to burn. Chin quivered. "I-I-It's for your h-hat… Y'know the one you wear with your cape…"

Brows furrowed, Kokichi looked up. "So?" His eyes narrowed. Voice turned to ice. "Why would I want something your shitty master gave you?"

His words hit her like a slap across the face. She sputtered for a few moments, unable to speak. "M-master is a good person. He opened my eyes to magic when I was lost. Alone. Don't…" She gripped her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned white. Head bowed, she ground her teeth. "Don't you ever say that again or I'll curse you for a thousand generations!"

Kokichi raised a brow. "Hmph. Well whatevs."

Swallowing, Himiko smoothed out her skirt pleats again with trembling fingers. Voice low, she explained, "I gave you it because of the talk we had. My barrette has always been a reminder of the good times I had with my master before he left to train. I hoped yours would be a sign that even if we mess up again, you still… wanna be with me…"

Kokichi flushed a bright red. "Oh," he breathed. "Whoops." Hand on his head, he laughed, "Nee-hee, you mean like this screw up? Well, this is awkward. Um. Thanks!"

Sniffing, Himiko swiped at her eyes. "You're the biggest pain I ever met."

"Can't lie about that!" Frowning, Kokichi studied the barette's fastening mechanism. "I'll figure out a way to attach it to my hat and show you tomorrow."

Himiko sighed then nodded wearily. She mumbled, "Let's get that check –"

"It's a good thing I came prepared and have this for you!"

"N-nyeh? You got me something?" Traditionally, only girls bestowed gifts of chocolate on Valentine's day. Boys waited a month later until White Day to return the favor.

Grinning like a kid on a fieldtrip, Kokichi reached into his hoodie's pocket. He pulled out a white and silver striped wrapped box, no larger than the size of a hand. "I wonder what it is. Even I don't know." Smirking, Kokichi raised a brow. "Or is that a lie?"

Shuichi shifted uneasily in the car. "Um, are we really sure this is a good idea?"

"It's not a good idea," Kaito answered from behind the steering wheel. "It's a great idea! Besides, it's not that I don't believe you, Shuichi," the astronaut began. "I don't trust Kokichi. I'll believe he's dating Himiko when I see it."

"Agreed." Maki turned around in her passenger seat. "Any minute now Kokichi is going to reveal he's been lying to Himiko all along."

From the back row of car seats, Tsumugi leaned forward. "I-I agree with Shuichi. It's plain to see this plan could backfire in any number of ways." Her hand brushed against a squished french fry encased against the seat. "Ah! Gross. Does Kokichi ever clean out his car?"

"Hush!" Kaede exclaimed from her middle row seat beside Shuichi. She held up her tablet for all the others to see. Thanks to Miu, Keebo could stream whatever he was currently seeing onto other devices. Onscreen showed Himiko and Kokichi sitting at a table in a café. "It's getting to the good part! But, ugh, Keebo," Kaede huffed, "you should have gotten a closer table."

Keebo's whispered voice spoke through the tablet. "But they would see me!"

The Ultimate students, minus Keebo, were seated in Kokichi's car parked a few blocks away from the café. Kokichi had won the vehicle through a "last one to remove their hand" contest during a trip to the mall in the inner city. Kokichi earned it in record breaking time by singing "This is a Song that Never Ends" at the top of his lungs for three hours. Despite being a clunky mini-van, Kokichi named it the Omobile after the Batmobile. Since Hope's Peak was a boarding school, only a handful of Ultimates like Byakuya had cars on campus, leaving them no choice but to steal Kokichi's own car to spy on him. At least that was the logic Kaito used.

"Why are we doing this again?" muttered Shuichi. He didn't breathe too deeply; the car reeked of stale fast food and popcorn. Discarded Styrofoam cups and crumbled flyers littered the ground like the floor of movie theater. Gum on the seats included. Thankfully, the black leather upholstery disguised any stains.

Frowning, the pianist gripped the tablet tighter. "Because we have to see if their gift exchange goes well! Speaking of, what do you think Kokichi got her?"

Humming, Tsumugi leaned back against the car seat. "Maybe it's some tickets to see a famous magician? Or a picture of them together?"

"No," murmured Shuichi, holding his chin. "This is Kokichi we're talking about. It has to be something unexpected. Maybe… mistletoe?"

Kaede pressed her free hand to her chest. "Oooh, that would be so cute!"

"Nah, man." Kaito waved a hand. "I'm calling it now it's some stupid prank like a whoopie cushion. Or deodorant."

"Oh, don't be that way," Kaede entreated. "Kokichi put a lot of thought –"

Maki shrugged. "I bet there's nothing inside."

"Maki!"

Tenko pressed herself against the car window. "I swear if it's a thong, I'll strangle that degenerate Kokichi with it!"

Everyone jumped. The wild haired martial artist had her arms raised and cheek smooshed against the car window. Her narrowed eyes darted from person to person. "T-Tenko?" Tsumugi opened the door and the fighter climbed inside. Growling, she slammed the door shut with so much force the mini-van rocked. Wide eyed, Tsumugi asked, "Where did you come from?"

"The trunk! I hopped in there as soon as I heard you mention spying on Himiko's date with Kokichi." She held up her fists. "How could you have left me behind?"

Shuichi sucked in a breath, smelling the stale popcorn. Lips pursed, Kaede glanced at her friends, but no one met her eyes. Car engines rumbled past. Conversations of passerby floated through the doors. "Well, um, Tenko. We all shared a concern that you're, ah, overprotectiveness might cause you to interrupt their date…"

Eyes downcast, Tenko drew back into the seat next to Tsumugi. The martial artist wrung her hands. "This… this is what Himiko's heart chose. My master taught me you should embrace your feelings." Tenko tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear and smiled. "So I'll do my best to support her as she continues to train her heart. But if the degenerate so much as touches her, I'll shove him six feet into the ground!"

"Guys, guys!" Keebo's voice called from the tablet. "I think they're starting!"

Everyone leaned forward with excited gasps. Tenko elbowed Shuichi in face to get closer. Bouncing up and down, Kaede flapped a hand. "Quiet, quiet, shut up! Ooooh, Kokichi's reaching inside his jacket!"

In the silence, the couple's voices could finally be heard. Kokichi said, "It's a good thing I came prepared and have this for you!"

"N-nyeh? You got me something?"

"I wonder what it is. Even I don't know. Or is that a lie?" Blushing, Himiko gingerly accepted his gift. Smiling, she tore into the wrapping paper. A thin black box peered through the holes. She placed the paper aside then lifted the lid.

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Keebo turned from spying on them to come face to face with the manager.

"AARGH!" cried everyone.

Eyes narrowed, the manager crossed his arms. "I need the table for another couple and you haven't ordered anything."

"Of course I haven't. I'm a robot. I-I mean –"

"Stay there, Keebo," ordered Kaede. "We have to know what's going on!" But the robot, ever polite, offered his seat to the newcomers. "Rrgh! Kaito, bring the car up the street. We can watch them through the storefront window."

Shuichi's heart seized. "No, Kaede! If Kokichi sees us he'll –"

"Roger that." Grinning, Kaito shifted gears into drive. "Liftoff in T-minus three seconds…"

Groaning, Shuichi dropped his head into his hands. Kokichi's right. Kaede does wear the pants in this relationship. And now we're all going to pay the price.

Kaito slid the car into a parking spot across the street from the café. They had a perfect view of the couple thanks to the large window. Himiko studied something held in her hands, but her shoulder blocked it from sight. Tenko leaned over Kaede to press her face against the window. "What is it? What did that degenerate get her?"

"Huh? Oh, Tenko, you don't know." Kaito laughed, "My bad, man. We switched out Kokichi's present." Brows furrowed, Tenko leaned back from the window to stare at the astronaut. "You see, we didn't help Kokichi with his first date with Himiko and that wasn't right. We roommates, you know? So we swapped out Kokichi's present for Himiko with one we knew Himiko would love." From his galaxy coat pocket, Kaito pulled out a white and silver striped box. "Kokichi's gift is right here."

A sinking feeling filled Shuichi. I still can't believe we succeed in trading the gifts without Kokichi knowing. Is there more to it…? His detective mind replayed the conversation he had with Kokichi outside of the cafeteria, analyzing it from every angle. Kokichi mentioned where his first date with Himiko was. Complained about not know what to give her. Left before Shuichi had the chance to apologize.

"I wonder what it is. Even I don't know. Or is that a lie?"

Shuichi's blood ran cold. No…

Tenko launched for the gift. "I'm not letting my precious Himiko wear a thong!"

"No, stop!" Shuichi tackled the girl, grabbing at her arm. "Kokichi planned everything! He knew we'd switch them! It's a tr –"

But Tenko had wrenched the gift from Kaito's grasp. She ripped the box open. For one instant, there was a brilliant flash of white. Then it exploded.

Himiko lifted the lid off the Kokichi's gift. She gasped. A large checkered bow lay in the box attached to a thick band with an identical checker pattern. Sucking in a breath, she reverently lifted it up. The silky material ran off her fingers like water. "It matches your scarf…" She blushed. Is this meant to be a sign to everyone I'm his girlfriend?

Kokichi frowned. Under his breath he muttered, "How simple and uninspired…"

"Nyeh?"

In a flash, Kokichi's frown transformed into a smile. He brushed away crumbs before resting his arms on the café's table. "You could use it as a hairband. Or replace the red band around your mage's hat. Whichever fits your fancy." Lips pursed, Kokichi played with the spoon resting on his plate. "It's a sign of the promise we made when we first met. I'd be your apprentice…"

"…and I'll think about joining your organization." Smiling, Himiko held the hairband to her chest.

"Uh huh! All the top generals in my organization wear a checkered bandana like mine. So wearing that hairband will let 'em know you're in training! But that's a lie. I would never have my top brass be so easily recognizable."

Sighing, Himiko rubbed the bow between her fingers. "I said I would consider being a member." Humming, she held it up to the lamp's light. "I think I'll put it on my hat." Then she scowled. She smacked her hands down on the table. "I'm not climbing that tree to get my hat!"

For a moment, Kokichi's brows furrowed in confustion. "Ahahaha!" Shoulders shaking, he covered his mouth. Through his splayed fingers, his grin peeked out. "Ah, but Himiko, you're a trainee now! I won't tolerate you being lazy anymore – the hell?!" Teeth gritted, Kokichi shot out of his chair. "Those shits stole my car!"

"N-nyeh?" Himiko followed Kokichi's gaze to outside. Kokichi's black minivan was parked across the street. "How did that get here?" Thanks to the glare of the noon sun, it was hard to see passenger. But the driver had a purple coat on. He was holding something up—a wrapped box. A hand reached for it.

Gasping, Kokichi clutched his head. "Omobile!"

Boom.

The car rocked on its axels at the force of the explosion. A green cloud burst out of the edges of the car doors and windows.

Kokichi slid his hands down his face, pulling on it. "Ahhhhhhahaha, noooo… My poor baby… It's gonna take weeks to fumigate you."

"Abort!" A bulky person in a trench coat slid out of a booth. Pulling down his hoodie, he ran towards the door. Customers shouted in surprise. He bumped into a waitress carrying a tray of food. Plates crashed to the floor. "I repeat: abort mission!" He fled down the street, jostling into the passersby.

Coughing, Kaede opened the car door. Her face was as red as if she ran a marathon. Green plumes of gas rose from the interior like smoke from an out-of-control campfire. On the other side of the car, Shuichi fell to his knees. Wiping his eyes, Kaito stumbled out of the driver's seat. Tears streamed down his face. Tsumugi emerged, gagging. Tenko followed the cosplayer, holding her shirt over her nose.

Kokichi stilled. He stared at the scene, open-mouthed. "Kaito? Tenko? Even Tsumugi… I thought, I thought only Shuichi and Kaede would care…"

Cheeks puffed out, Himiko rose from her chair. "Kokichi, what did you do?"

"Hm? Oh, nee-heehee! Nothing big, I promise." He shrugged. "Only a triple combo of a flash, exploding gas, and industrial-sized stink bomb."

Himiko's jaw dropped. "What did you do that for?!"

"Why do I do anything? Cuz I love it! Like how I looove being with you." Smiling, Kokichi slid up alongside her. Himiko stiffened. His warm breath tickled her ear. "I never received such a heartful gift before." He kissed her cheek. "Thank you, my lying valentine." He drew back.

Breath stolen away, Himiko touched her cheek.

Kokichi frantically waved his arms in front of the window. Grinning wickedly, he plugged his nose and waved a hand in front of his nose. "P.U.! You guys reek! I can smell you from here!"

Their friends scowled at Kokichi. The passenger door shot open. A small, lithe figure with twin black ponytails stepped out. The woman glared over her shoulder.

Kokichi went paler than a bedsheet. "Oh, shit. Maki, too?!" He bolted towards the café's kitchen, screaming. "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaha!"

Fist raised, Kaito lead the charge. "C'mere, you piece you shit!"

Tenko quickly outpaced him. "Degenerative scum!"

"After all the help I gave you!" cried Kaede.

Like a bullet, Maki launched from car. She crossed the street, ripped the door open, and jumped onto an occupied table. Food splattered everywhere. She leapt from table to table, heading directly towards the kitchen. Kokichi made the mistake of glancing over his shoulder. Maki bore down on him like a demon from hell. His screams reached an impossibly high pitch. Shouting, customers rose from their seats and backed away. A little girl burst into tears. The manager rushed out from the behind the counter, demanding for them to leave.

Lips parted, Himiko absorbed the sight before her. "Kokichi…" Saying you're a pain doesn't even begin to describe you. She covered her mouth with a hand. Held onto the table for support. Shoulders shook.

"Ahahahahaha!"

Tears slid down her face as Himiko laughed and laughed.

It smells. So bad. A thousand of Gonta's stink bugs couldn't have compared. If Shuichi had a knife, he would cut off his nose no question. He rested against the car, staring up at the sky. The sun mercilessly beat down on him. He still was blinking out the stars in his vision.

Something hit the ground. Groaning, Shuichi peeled himself off the car and rounded the minivan's trunk. Tsumugi lay on the pavement. Fainted. She forgot to close the car door. Gagging, Shuichi slammed the door shut. Bracing himself against the door, he gulped in huge breaths of semi-fresh air.

Shuichi lifted his head. Underneath the shreds of wrapping paper, something white poked through. Shuichi narrowed his eyes. A paper. Something was scribbled one it. A doodle of Kokichi pulling down his eyelid and sticking his tongue. Beneath it was written, "MYOB!"

Despite himself, Shuichi smiled. Even if he says that, I can't help but think he means the opposite.

A bit of a more serious take on Kokichi and Himiko's relationship. While the two may develop mutual crushes on each other, I believe Kokichi would view entering a dating relationship with appropriate seriousness. And because he leads a dangerous life with DICE and is a liar, he wouldn't date anyone without some serious pushing from others. Thus, this fic was born.

I plan on writing a long one-shot featuring Kokichi visiting Himiko's family next. Look forward to it please, and thanks for reading! I hoped you enjoyed it. :)