Felt like contributing to the slept oumatsu fandom of the DR fandom. This has honestly been on my mind for a bit though I can't pinpoint when. Hope your year will be great! While not really anything like it this was kind of inspired to me by reading the fic "Secret admirer" by eevee_nova, check them out.

upupupupupupupupupupupupupupupupupuupupupuppupuupupppupupupupupupupupupupupuppupuupupupupupupupupupupupupupupuppppuuuupppupupu

"A prankster family? That sounds like the funniest and best way to grow up!"

Kokichi couldn't remember for the life of him who said this to him in grade school or why he confided in the person about it.

Really on paper it probably and from an outsiders perspective it would sound like the luckiest life to live.

Day to day filled with laughter and fun. This would be ideal if it was true and kokichi briefly did lie to himself that it was until it just wasn't. Choking on cereal or scrambled eggs that someone stuck a lego in wasn't funny. Having to sniff test every liquid you drank for something expired or fowl placed in it wasn't a hoot. Developing sleep problems because you thought that light creek was someone trying to sneak in the bedroom with a flashbang or flamethrower to startle you was the furthest from a knee slapping time.

It was safe to say he had developed a love hate relationship with pranks. A more then slight hate-hate relationship with his whole family because of these "Ouma traditions" as they called them. He wasn't even allowed to show he was upset or refuse more then a few times to make setups because they teased him as a "spoil sport" for simply not fake laughing along. What he did enjoy was his own prank group even if they were short lived once they got jealous over him getting into hope's peak as "the ultimate supreme leader". This was its own running joke for his real title. He did pranks and pushed buttons but never anything that left people with hearing loss, blood loss, or any severe injuries for their own twisted amusement.

Sure some of his pranks could be meaner then others but nothing to bad. Even if he did cross the line and someone got hurt, he'd do whatever possible to make up for it in his own way. Kokichi promised himself that he'd never be part of a prank that went to extreme and hurt someone on purpose.

His mother dearest had no qualms it seemed with breaking this promise today.

It started as any other June 15th day.

For some weird reason his mom liked to prank new coworkers where papers would be passed out about someone in the Ouma family dead. She'd then invite them along with random friends of his cousins or himself out to the event. At some point near the end of things as they carried out the fake coffin his uncles would pretend to slip and drop the body outside where whoever was in it would yell "SURPRISE!" to the startled onlookers. After doing this the first time in middle school to his few then friends he swore to mom he'd never be apart of this tasteless prank again if she invited anyone he knew.

After a particularly bad flip out on his part that ruined a "car crash prank" for her, he was scolded into being the body for the funeral prank this year. As Kokichi laid in the fake coffin and watched the people he was cursed to call family from the small two-way camera he just hoped it would be over fast.
There was a larger row of empty seats for the soon-to-be pranked audience then usual but he didn't really think anything of it.

Kokichi didn't think a thing of it until of all people she walked in.

"Why the fuck is Kaede here?!" He mentally panicked. Mrs. Ouma had used people from his schools before. Ones she thought he knew outside this particular prank. He made a decoy diary as well as never inviting anyone he knew over because of this. A part of him hoped his mother never caught on to his fake acting embarrassed when she got random people he written about knowing involved but apparently she did. It seemed this was a second form of punishment for ruining the car prank since not only did Kaede Akamatsu his long time crush walk in but people from A-77, B-78, and his own class C-79 came in. Even the parents of some of them came along with them.

Each dressed in black and to his shock all of C-79 were wearing either his signature scarf or some variation of the checkered garment on their necks. He knew despite his denial that any of them actually cared about him that at least a few might truly feel what they say or did with him. In another point in time if he was truly dead then Kokichi would find this overwhelming along with super touching. He'd be a ghost watching them all coming dressed this way from his spiritual plain in ah. In this instance however it was overwhelming in a way that he couldn't pinpoint it was out of guilt or rage. Guilt at himself for never at least sending a warning about his family's antics to a few classmates and rage at his mother for doing this in the first place.

*bzzt bzzt*

The screen flickered to his mother's smirking face as she said "I thought this would be an extra funny surprise for you. Don't ruin this one or else" The screen then returned to his classmates. He wanted to scream at her but a few of his classmates were already approaching the casket so he had to keep quiet. He knew she'd probably go after his younger and more emotionally sensitive cousin if he disobeyed. That or make him sleep outside. The sound of a few hands touching the top lid snapped him out of his violent thoughts for a second. A particularly loud thump could be heard as if someone trying to lift it open. It was promptly followed by the sound of a hand being smacked.

"Kaito! You can't just open it against the family's wishes." The voice of shuichi said.

"Maki roll you didn't have to hit me that hard and I know that shuichi. I just...I just wanted to see him one more time ya know? This really still feels like a bad joke even if I know its reality. Part of me wants him to just spring out of here with that annoying ass grin he usually wears and say "its a lie!" again. I'd be pissed beyond words but at least..." Kaito's usually loud voice trailed off as his voice went quieter near the end.

"I know kaito and we all feel that way but from how the article said he passed would you really want to see him like that?" Kaede's voiced asked.
Daring to look back at the monitor showed him kaito with one hand still on the coffin. Kaede had tears in her eyes as she spoke. Kaito shook his head no in response as two new figures he recognized as kaito's parents came up to guide him back to the seats.

While Kaito could behave like an idiot at times he sometimes also had good intuition that even kokichi envied. Would Kaito knowing his comment was partly spot on make things better or worse between them? From the sound of it he and a few classmates at least wouldn't be too mad which should give him relief. All it did however was just fuel the mix of guilt and anger all the more. Sure he could be wishy-washy about owning up to in Kokichi's opinion few times he did something past the line. Still it felt better knowing a mess was made by your own hands verses someone else pushing it then you taking the fall.

And then the ceremony started as usual. Mrs. Ouma hammed up the fake tears that kokichi honestly was surprised none of his classmates saw through considering how often he used similar. The usual spiel of how happy she was to know someone she loved has so many friends who loved him enough to come. That she was oh so proud of him for getting into hope's peak and it was heartbreaking that she couldn't see him accomplish more as a man with his life cut short. For not the first time he wondered if this was all truly real, if she'd actually cry or say anything this sappy at his funeral with any sincerity. Kokichi mentally tuned out most of it along with when his other family members took the stands.
"And so with that its time to move on to the final part of-" Uncle ouma got cut off by Kaito grabbing the mic.

"Wait a minute! I don't mean to be rude but ya can't just skip to the end without having more then family speak about him. That just looks bad man." He explained and didn't wait for permission before talking his piece at the mic. A few other classmates lined up with him.

"Kokichi would rise up from the grave to refuse me saying it but he was my bro. I may not of treated him like it all the time. I could of been a better friend to him and others. This isn't about me but its something he taunted me about. I just wanted him to know even if I didn't show it, I did listen to what he said. He liked being roundabout with things but me and others still listened. Wherever he is I...I just wanted him to know that."

Kaito looked like he had more to say but was running out of whatever courage he gained at the start. Maki walked up to hold his hand while rubbing him on the back as they walked back to their seats.

The last person he expected to speak first about his feelings even at a funeral was Kaito but the guy knew how to surprise him from time to time. Usually they'd be winding things up now but his classmates seemed to have other plans. Himiko was up next.

"Nyeh, I'd like to say something too. Kokichi was a bully when I first met him or at least I saw it that way. He made fun of my magic and I just didn't feel confident even with people trying to encourage me. I shouted some really nasty stuff one day at some of my friends out of anger and used an invisibility spell in my room for a bit. He broke in saying he was there to see what potions he could steal but in his own words "I came to find cool magic items but just found a washed up mage who gave up on both magic and having friends cause of one fight. Shame since I though confident mages were good with talking to a crowd about what's up the same way they do spells. Not surprising I guess." Then he just left without taking anything."

Himiko looked down at her feet for a few seconds before looking over at his box with a sad smile.

"It might of been mean but that actually really helped. Like Kaito said he was roundabout with the things he did and said but it usually meant well in the end. He'll be my spiritual familiar from whatever realm he is so that should make up for me...never telling him thank you." She trailed off speaking quietly at the end. Much like Maki did before, Tenko and Hyoko came up to guide her back to the seats while hugging her.

Despite the niceness of their words he took note of his mother looking a cross between indifferent and annoyed by the interruptions. She didn't like when things didn't go in a certain order. Somehow she'd probably blame this on him and yet that didn't leave him to bitter as it probably should of.

"If she locks me out the house again I might be able to room with some of my classmates at least." Denial usually ran deep with him and the idea his classmates would say something nice about his passing could of still be held up by it if not this. Them saying it in passing the day after in class or sending cards to the family but not showing up like this, not here dressed up with his scarf, and not saying these things he was positive 2 yrs ago they'd rather eat toe jam then say out loud. It was odd knowing he was this liked but not totally unpleasant.

Having enough of being put out her spotlight his mother grabbed the microphone almost violently as Gonta was about to grab it. The glare she sent the gentle giant seemed to startle him. Realizing Mom let her mask slip she cleared her throat to get her composure back.

"I'm sorry your words are all very nice but there is a certain way we like to do things in this family. This is very nice of all of you but we should really be wrapping up-"

Once again the plan was interrupted by one of his classmates as Angie appeared with a different mic.

"Hey, you can't wrap up a funeral without a few songs! I'm not from here but Atua told me this is a custom everywhere at funerals. That and Atua is surprised you'd not want songs played in your son's passage into the next life. Some of us were closer to him then others but pretty much every one at hope's peak knows the last thing Kokichi would want is to be remembered by just sad speeches. He hated things being boring and that would be preeeetty boring." Angie commented. Ibuki then decided to also pop up beside her holding a black guitar he noted also had a checker pattern on the cover.

"Yeah, no offense and all but that's totally weird for someone who's his mom to not know. Ibuki can count how many times she's talked to the guy on her hand and toes but even she knows that." Commented Ibuki. Mahiru then rushed up to the group to reprimand her friends. Kokichi noted her tone didn't sound completely mad as it likely should be with how inappropriate it was to be interrupting the occasion with bickering. Both Ibuki and Angie were correct and it was getting harder to hold in the laugh he wanted to make at his mother's face at being called out. Honestly he was probably snickering into his hand a little loud but he didn't care.

Mrs. Ouma cleared her throat again looking a bit flustered by the accusation she didn't know her son. "W-well no of course I know he'd want to have music but you see I planned all this in kind of a rush so I didn't have time to get any together..." She said through a smile so forced he was surprised her face didn't crack.

"I'm sorry about my friends approach ma'am they shouldn't be talking to you like this in a time like this for you. My condolences by the way but I do agree with them. It would be good to give a nice send off to your son don't you think? My friends actually had a few song numbers prepared if you don't mind." Mahiru said while jestering to the stage behind them.

Unbeknownst to them while the others were talking Kaede and Sayaka seemed to have brought their own instruments to the back stage. What looked like a kids choir had also appeared from where Kokichi didn't know. "Wow, they are really putting her on the spot. I am definitely getting blamed for having friends this chaotic and probably locked out but at least I know how many people I can couch surf on. Maybe I actually could restart dice to..." His thoughts were cut off as he heard his mom begrudgingly agree.

It had been a while since he heard this song despite it not having a guitar rift like Ibuki was doing. Ibuki sang the main verses as Sayaka, Kaede and the rest did the chorus.

~Yeah...this one right here (tell me why)
...It goes out to everyone who has lost someone you TRULY LOVE.
(C'mon check it out)

~Seems like yesterday we use to rock the SHOW
I laced the track, you LOCK THE FLOW.

~So far from hangin on the block for dough

As the song played on he didn't know if he'd of picked this song exactly for his real funeral but they did sing it well. He couldn't help looking at Kaede and notice she seemed to sing especially louder at the chorus. Even with tears that were ruining her make up she looked beautiful. He'd have to do something extra nice for her birthday in the future to make up for all this even if this didn't ruin their friendship. His family seemed to just stare on awkwardly with their own forced smiles in contrast to his classmates. Kokichi's class especially was clapping with the chorus from where they sat and singing loudly some in key while others out. Their hearts seemed to be in it all the same.

~Every step I take, every move I MAKE!
Every single day, every time I pray...
I'LL BE MISSING YOOOOU!~

As the song wrapped up kokichi could see his mom about to say something so they could speed things along. Suddenly he heard a shrill scream come from his family's section.
"GET THEM OFF ME!"
A swarm of what looked like fire flies suddenly filled the church. Much like Angie's magically appearing children's choir he had no idea where they came from. The lights went out and people started to panic. Kokichi was no longer able to see much of what was happening but could hear what sounded like multiple feet exiting the building while the voice of Gonta shouted something over the crowd. "PART SHOW! STOP!" is all he could make out before there was the faint smell of what he assumed was cigarette smoke. After a few moments of silence he contemplated if he should get out or stay put. The whole prank was clearly ruined but now how was he going to explained to his class when he snuck out? He could get out unnoticed but then he'd have to say something the next day.

"Maybe a story about a evil twin or identity theft. Hmm, alright so I was on my way to a dice meeting when suddenly 5 guys in big trench coats came up. A bald man offered me 2 pills one red and the other blue..."

Before Kokichi could fully conjure up a backstory the shuffling of a hand on the lid of his casket could be heard. A familiar set of pink nails on a even more familiar hand opened it up.
He couldn't really do much else but look like a caught deer in headlights at the equally surprised looking Kaede.

"Opening coffins when you just scolded kaito about it a few minutes ago? Hypocrite much Kaede?" Is what he wanted to quip to possibly light the mood but Kaede beat him to it.
"Oh thank god we were right." She said.

"What? You knew this was a prank? Well I guess I don't have to much to explain but first can you help me out of here? I've been laying like this for at least 40 minutes and my legs asleep."

After pulling kokichi out and letting him stretch there was a bit of an apprehensive atmosphere in filling the silence but once more Kaede took the awkwardness away a little.

"So was this made up by one of your subordinates you've mentioned before or someone else's idea? You've pulled elaborate pranks before but this just didn't feel like you." The pianist asked.
"Is it just not "feeling like me" the only tip off you had? How sweet of you to pay that much attention but it hurts to know you've figured out a pattern in my pranks. That just takes a bit of the fun away." He tried to say this sincerely annoyed but it a was lie. He honestly felt a bit of pride at the notion she actively thought of him and what he did often enough.

Kaede smiled at him blushing slightly at the compliment before continuing.

"Actually I can't take all credit. You told us you were going away to visit family for a few weeks out of town but would text one of us when in town. Rantaro said he even saw you at the airport so we know that much is true. When we got the news letter mentioned you passing it seemed weird that no other news letters or obituaries mentioned it. Shuichi and Kiyo checked everywhere. Miu with chihiro's help was able to track your phone and find your address. I went with Miu just in case she said anything less appropriate to your mom and I wanted to hear it directly what happened.

Kaede's smile faded at the memory as if remembering something disturbing.

"I don't know what it was but something about how your mom talked an alleged car crash sounded less like a traumatized parent and more like someone telling a funny story. I know people grieve differently but it rubbed me the wrong way. I don't have detective intuition but I like to think my ears can pick up when someone's being a bit...what's a nice way to put it since this is your mom." She trailed off.

"Phony? Fake? A self important bitch who thinks she's funny? Its okay, you wouldn't be totally wrong."Kokichi said passively. Despite his tone Kaede still flinched at how easily he said that about his own parent. It didn't really look like she disagreed though as an expression of realization came across her face.

"So that's why you looked at Kaito weird and annoyed when he said a prank family would be great. Kaito mentioned you guys playing when he was younger before he moved somewhere else and you telling him something about a prank family."

Realization then struck kokichi as well. "So he was the first person I told back then? Didn't think he remembered something that long ago. I didn't even think it registered to the idiot I didn't like his comment." Kokichi thought. Taking his pause as permission Kaede continued.

"We all sat around thinking it as a theory though it could of just been out of denial to. Also I thought I was losing it when I heard snickering from the box earlier and dismissed it. Gonta had brought some bugs to perform next song but they got lose in the crowd making people run out. Mikan tripped over a fire work launcher outside that we were going to set off at the cemetery later but it went off on a tree. Shuichi and Gonta also said they thought they heard your snickering earlier to when we were outside. The fire department should be done taking it out now."

Now that he was all caught up on things one question remained.

"So, if it was just a theory does that mean your words earlier when you guys came near was to see if I'd admit it was a lie sooner or so I knew you weren't mad at me?"
"Yeah to both but that didn't mean it wasn't less true. Especially now." There was a look in Kaede's eyes that a little part of self doubt made him want to call a lie even as she leaned in closer. Before he could question it however they were interrupted by their other classmates coming back in.

"CALLED IT!" Kaito exclaimed while pounding his fist together.

Some of his classmates looked annoyed while others looked relieved. Gonta rushed over first with Miu surprisingly matching his speed as she looked pissed despite the tears in her eyes. "I knew your turd attributes couldn't fall from the sewer you piece of shit! Why wouldn't you at least tell me your family was planning something like this? I wasn't worried of course but if you keep crap from me like this again I'll make you a real fucking coffin. Got it?!

"Gonta promise you can stay with his wolf family or human ones if you want. Sorry I never asked if you wanted to before now that you might have to." Kokichi half heard both their statements as blood rushed in his head from how hard Gonta was squeezing him in a hug.

"Let him breath you green ape!" Hyoko said helpfully while grinning at Kokichi's troubles.

Once he was able to breath again he was going to make a remark back at Miu until that last part of what Gonta said made him pause.
"What do you mean now that I have to? My long lost big bro kaito said I'm getting adopted by his mom before this whole thing started if I had to. That right?" Kokichi said with a grin as Kaito flushed remembering he had called him that.

"Shut up gremlin, I didn't say that and no way my mom would adopt you. I mean you might need a place to crash soon." Kaito paused to think while rubbing the back of his head. "We could clear out the attic for you but no one is getting adopted damn it."

There it was again, why were they saying he'd have to leave home?

"Why is everyone offering me their places all of a sudden anyway?"

Mahiru who he hadn't noticed before came forward looking a more then a bit disheveled then the rest to speak up. Now that kokichi looked at his classmates in contrast to the room they looked way messier then people who simply ran out of a bug filled room.

"Only half of us were there for it since a lot of us went to the nearby after service catering building in the church. After the bugs were wrangled and the fire taken care of your mom had a meltdown and spilled the beans. She ranted that she was sure you planned all this to ruin the prank. Her and some of your other family were saying some awful things about kicking you out the house for a while to teach you a lesson. A few others joked about coming around to once in a while to "scare the lesson home" for her. This got a few of our parents mad and tried to reason with her. That lead to screaming about who should mind their business, who should really have some sense beaten in them, so on, so on."

Mahiru looked like she was getting a new migraine as she rubbed her head while explaining it all.

"It got really messy but in the end it does look like you'll need to stay with someone."

Now Kokichi really had to ask it.

"On a scale of 1 to 10 just how messy are we talking really?"
In response just about everyone pointed to the left church window as if they rehearsed it. While odd he took the hint to look out the window to behold the chaos he had apparently missed. It was an all out free-for-all.

His aunts were wresting Akane's aunts both of his were stuck in an impressive suplex maneuver. Cop uncles were in trees while nidai's dad and Mondo's dad were throwing things at them to come down. Various cousins were being chased or tossed by the siblings of his classmates. The best of it all though he had to say was Kaito and shuichi's parents. The dads seemed to be chewing out while gesturing to his mom likely telling to him to get her to apologize. Mother dearest was running fast for someone in heels away from Mrs. Momota. Shuichi's mom ran interference trying to get in front of her though she wasn't very fast.

All the while his mom was yelling something over her shoulder but must of said something particularly bad cause Kaito's mom speed up to tackle her into the ground. Kaito had once mentioned his mom being a former ultimate female boxer but kokichi didn't believe him. The lightning swings to the face she was dealing now made kokichi change his mind because despite being indoors he could almost swore he heard the cracks from each blow. Now having caught up, Shuichi's mom eased her off though not before getting a few kicks to the gut in herself. Shuichi's mom seemed to be wearing very big boots today.

Turning away from the carnage and smiling more then someone who just watched their entire family line getting wrecked should, Kokichi looked back at his classmates. More specifically he looked at Kaede but phrased his comment as if addressing everyone. "So you guys said there was a catering hall here right? Laying in a fake coffin made me hungry, wanna show me where it is? I'd love something to eat after all this fun."

Keeping eye contact with a knowing smile kaede answered.

"Actually we should probably all leave to the nearby cafe since the police are likely going to be coming. I'd love to take us if that doesn't sound to boring."

Kokichi nodded before putting his hand out for Kaede to take. "Sounds like a plan."

~END~

I can't remember how many months ago I started this but I'm glad to get it out of docs. I want to not be part of the rare pair problem and be the solution more with fics like this. Hope you all enjoyed it. For the song in case those didn't automatically recognize it that was "I'll be missing you" by Puff daddy featuring Faith Evans & 112. Forgive any missing words this is docs and they tend to be picky with which fic it wants to create problems for me with.