"C'mon, Kiibo! You're so slow! If you don't move any faster, I'll have to ditch you!"

The robot seemed to be panting, (Is that even possible for a robot to do?) as he tried to run up the stairs after Kokichi, but clearly his body was not built for such a draining activity. Kokichi didn't question much of why a robot would need to pant, let alone breathe, but he swore he could hear something similar to the whirring of fans running, so maybe he was overheating from overexertion.

Kokichi, despite saying he would, did not abandon Kiibo, only staying at most a landing ahead. He was reminded of climbing up the stairs with Shuichi a few days prior. Challenging him to catch him after refusing his hand… That was before Kokichi had been careless, ending with Shuichi in danger.

"You always have been, haven't you? I swear you're always a landing ahead. No matter what I thought I've figured out… you continue to elude me, Ouma-kun."

He smiled. It had felt like so long since he had last spoken to Shuichi. The note in his pocket and their sleepy conversation the night before was the latest thing he had since he had done as the man suggested and spent the day with others. All day the thought of having the conversation Shuichi had promised lingered in the back of his mind.

Some moments it scared him a bit, knowing it was going to be a serious conversation, but other moments he could only feel… excited? What could he possibly be excited for? Maybe… Maybe that closeness he had gotten a taste of the night before in Shuichi's arms was starting to look like a good thing in his mind.

Maybe… Maybe it was the danger of knowing how badly he had feared such a thing for so long, only to jump right in recklessly. Fear could be exciting, couldn't it? Fear that made him shake and tremble, yet brought a dangerous smile to his face. Shuichi's sweet words and comforting arms, that was only the start, wasn't it? What else would he find out about the man? What side of him was there for just him to see?

Of course, his heart raced in that same old fear that nothing would last. What if Shuichi's supposed feelings didn't last? What if Shuichi was wrong when he said he 'thinks' he's fallen for him? Then… Kokichi would be left wanting for something he could never have again, he knew that. But…

For the first time in his life, he was able to convince himself to take it as a challenge. He could get hurt, but… maybe that was just the thrill of it all, huh? Like a carnival ride or a roof-top chase… Yes, everything could go terribly, but that moment, that moment of fear, uncertainty, it was paired with the unexpected, the excitement of something new, something that was so scary and yet… so good.

Something like… tired eyes and drowsy smiles, and a hand draped over the side of the armchair meant for him to hold.

"Ouma-kun… Why would they throw a surprise party, anyway?" Kiibo's voice broke him from his thoughts, "I still don't understand."

Kokichi grinned, stopping for a moment as he looked back at the robot, "Well, how would I know that? All I know is they were definitely bringing up food earlier, and it's getting late, so… Obviously that means it's a party!" He started climbing the stairs again when Kiibo was only a couple steps behind him, "Plus, why else would they bring everyone and only tell us to come along later? There's no other possibility!"

Kiibo sighed, although that may have just been his heavy breathing still. "If you're that certain… I suppose maybe it could be a party. I just don't understand why."

He let out a laugh, "Oh, if that isn't the story of my life, Kiibo… Ha! Of course you don't understand why! I don't think we're supposed to, y'know. Motives and reasons… such complicated, confusing things… Not that I would ever care about that, though!"

They continued up the stairwell, and Kokichi could tell they were nearing the top, he had gone up the stairs enough times to be able to sort of sense how far he was in it. His mind was running, trying to imagine just what it was going to be like. What was waiting for them at the top of the stairs and out the doors? He had guessed 'party', but even he didn't really know what that entailed other than the food he had smelt as everyone had left carrying supplies.

Another step, another landing, and Kokichi could see the doors outside a couple landings above, so he turned back and rushed Kiibo along again, "C'mon, I can see the doors now!"

Kiibo, despite looking a bit exhausted, did look quite excited now, and he smiled back, "Just wait for a moment, I'm… I'm trying to get up these stairs as quickly as I can, I swear!"

When Kokichi finally made it to the doors, he waited for Kiibo to arrive on the final landing before coaxing him, "You should be the one to open the doors and step outside first, Kiibo! I totally would, but I have a bit of a hunch it's you they're waiting for, y'know."

The robot, after standing and catching his breath for a brief moment (Robots need to catch their breath? I still don't understand…), smiled brightly, "Well, I don't know why that'd be the case, but I suppose I don't mind opening the doors." He walked past Kokichi and hesitated for the shortest of moments before putting his hands on the door and pushing open.

Wide-eyed with curiosity, Kokichi looked over Kiibo's shoulder as he padded cautiously behind the robot. It was silent for a moment before they both were taken off-guard by the sudden shout and appearance of their classmates in front of them.

"Welcome back, Kiibo!" The shout was mostly led by Miu who stood prominently in front of everyone else, but eleven other voices were prominent then, their smiles and eyes on a bewildered Kiibo.

Kokichi laughed at the robot's face, smiling childishly, "Ah! See! I told you it was for you! They were throwing a surprise party for you, Kiiboy!" He watched as Kiibo looked at him, still in shock and slight confusion, but eventually the robot stepped toward the crowd and was happily greeted by overlapping chatter.

He wandered behind, taking notice of the small, colourful pieces of paper scattered on the ground, likely meant to resemble confetti like one would see at a birthday party. There were a couple of short tables set up, covered with a banquet of food, and fourteen cushions on the ground for them to sit around it.

Then he took notice of several small cardboard stalls that were set up, one covered in what looked like paints, another that had only a briefcase set there, then there was one that had some plastic cups stacked on it, and, finally, one that seemed to have a bunch of headphones placed on it.

The wind was surprisingly very mild, possibly the softest it's been of all the times Kokichi had been up there, and the evening sun shone softly on them, looking like it was preparing to set sometime soon. The weather was so luckily perfect for then, he started to wonder if they had been purposely waiting for a good day to do this.

Kokichi watched as the others gathered around Kiibo and as Miu explained that Kokichi was right in assuming the party had been for Kiibo. But… He couldn't help but feel confused as he outlied yet again. Why hadn't anyone told him? The party was for Kiibo, yet it had been a complete surprise for him, too.

Maybe they hadn't trusted him to keep a secret, or… or maybe they hadn't really been thinking about him at all.

"Ouma-kun?" Kiibo addressed him all of a sudden, "You're going to enjoy the party, right? I won't allow you to just be standing around at my party, after all!" Of course, he thought, It's Kiiboy's party… No time for moping around.

So, Kokichi ended up sitting next to Kiibo around the banquet, looking down at a plate he had filled with his own choice of food from the platters. Everyone was having busy conversations, and he listened in while Miu was showing Kiibo some plans for him to have a food digesting system so that he could achieve that dream of eating Kirumi's cooking.

It made him feel happy, it really did, to see everyone so happy, to see everyone together. Still, that feeling he thought was gone had come back to haunt him as he silently ate. He couldn't explain why, but… he felt so out of place again. Even as he finished his food and was urged by Kiibo to come along to check out the cardboard stands with him and Miu.

He wore his usual grin, and was present enough to notice everything going on, but… He caught himself staring out at the orange sky thoughtlessly far too many times. All he could think about was the night before as he stood on the roof. For hours he had sat with his legs hanging over the edge, for hours he had spent thinking he would never be back with everyone, for hours he… he just sat in terrible pity and sorrow.

Maybe the fact that that had only been the day before was the reason those thoughts started to seep back into the back of his mind to merely haunt him. And…

Maybe it was because he had been hanging off the side of the building, fearing for his life, only a day before, that, every time he felt a slight breeze go through his hair and bite against the bared skin of his ankles and hands, a small bit of panic shot throughout his body as his vision made the sky look like it was shifting as it had looked when he had fallen.

Though, it was ridiculous for his mind to be going such places as he simply watched Kiibo's face be used as a canvas for Angie. The robot had asked for a blue butterfly on his cheek, and was trying not to smile too hard so as to not ruin Angie's work. Kokichi could only smile at the scene as Kiibo giggled at the touch of a paintbrush on his face. ("Such a wonderful human feeling! I had no idea that, ha!, that paint could tickle!")

The butterfly starting to form on his face was beautiful, of course it was, but Kokichi could only feel sad at the sight. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen a butterfly, not that he particularly cared, but it could only make him think of Gonta and Gonta's lab in the killing game, and from there he could only remember all the times he used Gonta, over and over again.

Guilt. It seemed he could never escape it. No matter how much he thought he had finally gotten over it.

Kokichi hadn't been paying enough attention to anything to remember how he had ended up in a conversation with Gonta of all people as some others started to observe Kiibo's face paint. It was in his best interest to just forget the man existed, maybe then he'd finally forget what he had done. But that was foolish and just as pathetic as thinking he could run away the night before.

"Gonta hasn't seen a butterfly in a long time! There are no flowers in this place for them, so it's good they don't come here. I hope they have lots and lots of flower fields outside of the city."

He laughed, because there was no other way he could respond, not unless he wanted to get involved in a conversation of the very feelings that were still gnawing away at him. "The whole world could be all cities for all we know. Ha! I wouldn't be surprised if butterflies don't even exist anymore!"

The tall man frowned at this statement. "That would be no good." That was all he said in response.

Still, Kokichi antagonised him, like there was no other way to speak to the other, "I don't think anyone but you is that sad about there being less bugs in the world. Sure butterflies are pretty or whatever, but they don't do anything that important, y'know!"

"Ah, but… Kiibo-kun chose a butterfly for his face, and Yumeno-san talks about butterflies with Gonta sometimes. So… Gonta thinks you're wrong to say no one cares. Butterflies are important to me and others. Butterflies are important to nature." Gonta said it all so surely, it was surprising for Kokichi. Never had Gonta so clearly denied him, he was always so easily believing before, even if the lie was stupid and obvious.

Still, he grinned, as if not caring about a word the man could possibly say. "Nature? Ha, that's stupid! When's the last time you've seen a real tree? Don't answer that, I know the answer."

Silence came over them for a brief moment, and Kokichi hoped that Gonta had finally understood that he didn't want to talk to him and planned on walking away and being in the company of someone who wouldn't spout pessimistic nonsense at him. Of course, that didn't happen and Gonta only asked, "Is Ouma-kun upset? Does Ouma-kun not like Gonta anymore? Is that why you tell me to leave all the time?"

Finally, was his first sour thought. Finally, he realises I'm a terrible person and he leaves me alone so that I don't have to get eaten alive by guilt every time he tries to suggest stupid things like… like being friends.

But, of course, Kokichi couldn't even have that, because Gonta kept talking. "Ouma-kun was so nice to Gonta before the end." He was referring to when he was executed. Why did he have to bring up the past like that? 'Nice' he called him, but Kokichi was never such a thing then. "Is… Ouma-kun still upset after a year that Gonta was a killer?"

Kokichi could only scoff at the stupidity of the statement, finally letting out a sigh and telling the man the stupid truth he had been holding onto all that time. "No, I don't care about what you did. I'm a selfish idiot who can't get over my own actions. Why can't you get that? How many times have I told you over this year that what I did was terrible and unforgivable?"

Gonta seemed to not like this answer, looking a bit confused, "But… everyone forgive you. Everyone forgive you a long time ago."

The wind blew past.

Kiibo laughed again as Angie jokingly scolded him for almost messing up the painting. Miu cackled at something Kaede said. Himiko could be heard asking Tenko 'Was this your card?' as she showed off the magic tricks in her briefcase. Kaito's loud, proud voice could be heard over all the other conversations for a moment as he said something quite adamantly to Shuichi. Maki and Ryoma could be seen standing near Himiko's magic stand. Rantaro and Kirumi were still cleaning up after dinner.

The world hadn't stopped turning. There was no dramatic silence to highlight the words. They had just been said and meant and that was all they were. They were just words. Yet… They had somehow shocked Kokichi more than anything else.

Kokichi wanted to shake his head in denial just as he had when Shuichi had confessed only the night prior, but he was instead frozen. He didn't want to accept the words, they went against everything he had been living on for that whole year. The idea that he had something to earn still, that he wasn't quite there yet, that they all couldn't possibly move on from what had happened a year ago.

But there everyone was. Celebrating Kiibo's return. And there he was, standing with them all.

Gonta's words had been undeniably correct, but… Kokichi couldn't begin to make sense of them.

"Ouma-kun, look, look! Angie-san's butterfly is complete!" Kiibo had stood up from his seat in front of Angie's stand to show Kokichi his now colourful cheek. The butterfly was complete. It was beautiful. "I wish I could see it, but Angie-san doesn't have a mirror here… Oh, you should get a face-painting too, Ouma-kun!"

Kokichi hadn't even thought about his response before it fell out of his mouth, and it was obvious in his slightly sour tone. "Why should I?" He asked.

Kiibo frowned, "Well… Because it's fun! Weren't you telling me earlier how much fun we were going to have if it turned out that this was a party? Well, that's why! Please enjoy the party. Even though I know you will comment that a robot shouldn't feel this way, I would be quite saddened if my friend was not having fun at my party!"

He let out a huff of laughter as he finally put up the mask of his grin, "Yeah, sheesh, Kiiboy, stop having such weird emotions! You're a robot, just enjoy your little butterfly…" He made it seem as if he was planning on turning around and walking away, but, of course, he was stopped.

Miu beside him had clearly been distracted from her conversation with Kaede by Kokichi's comments, enough that she had grabbed him by the arm and turned to him with an upset look on her face. "What the hell is going on with you, Ouma? If Kiibo says you should get a face-painting, then you're getting a damn face-painting! No more being all emo and depressing, ya' little shit!"

And, before he could say anything against her, or anything at all really, Miu had dragged him to Angie's chair, where the white-haired woman laughed energetically, "Alright, sit down, sit down! I will be happy to work with your face, you've always been quite the elusive one, Kokichi!"

So… Kokichi ended up, mostly against his will, in Angie's chair, with a brush against his cheek leaving cold paint on his skin. He could feel the eyes of a few on him, but he closed his eyes and kept his face blank as if he was doing it purely so as to not get in Angie's way. That was a reasonable reason, unlike the one where he was only doing it because he didn't think he could handle looking at the wrong person then. Why couldn't he go just an evening without being so incredibly emotionally confused?

Gonta was right. Kokichi hated it, but Gonta was right. Yet, his head remained a battleground as he refused to believe it. Was he really… Was he really the only one who hadn't forgiven himself? Even Maki… Even Maki acknowledged that holding a grudge against him was foolish! So… How could he go on like that?

It was pathetic of him to let his own imbalance upset Gonta and Kiibo and even Miu, and he felt bad for letting the war in his mind turn his words and responses all sour. But… How was he supposed to resolve the damn fight? How was he supposed to simply just be alright?

How could Kokichi forgive himself? If he forgave himself for what he did… Wouldn't he just go on to repeat his mistakes? Wouldn't he just be doomed to ruin everything he had like he had before? He didn't want to hurt anyone. He really… He really didn't. But… He never seemed to be able to help it. He was so scared of hurting others and getting hurt that he hurt others and hurt himself anyway.

Angie's brush glided so smoothly against his skin, and he realised… Kiibo was right. It did tickle a bit. It was a funny feeling.

Kokichi had never asked for anything, Angie must've just correctly assumed that he wouldn't have complied if asked, so she was painting something Kokichi wouldn't be able to see for himself. All he could do was hope that she wasn't teamed up with Miu to put something vulgar or horrible on his face.

He didn't really know why he had been against the face-painting, he supposed he was just being argumentative with Kiibo just because he was starting to get in a bad mood. But… sitting in the chair, blind to everything going on around him, he was able to take a few deep breaths and let Angie have her way with his face.

A moment. He had only needed a moment. A moment of thought to himself. Then… Then he could return to normal. That was all he had needed the night before, but… He had been interrupted by Shuichi then, yet… he had ended up better that way. Maybe what he really needed was closure.

Kokichi just needed to finally forgive himself. Maybe he would. Just… not then. Not yet.

Eventually, the brush pulled away, though without immediately coming back as it had the times before. After a moment of waiting for nothing, Angie's voice spoke for the first time since before she started, "Alright! It's finished! I know you can't see it, but I'm sure you'd approve of it!"

He opened his eyes, immediately catching Kiibo and Miu looking at him curiously. He questioned it for a brief moment, but then he laughed in his head, Of course they're curious, they're my friends, aren't they? I… I never thought it'd be like that, I guess.

Miu wasn't wearing a malicious look, nor did it look like she was trying to hide one, so he supposed that meant she hadn't been conspiring to have something nasty put on his face. Kiibo's look of admiration further proved that, thankfully.

Kokichi stood up from the chair, cracking a grin, though carefully as if smiling too hard would contort the paint he could feel against his skin. "I probably have the best face paint, huh? I mean, my amazing face structure and godly looks would obviously make anything look good, but, y'know."

The fake boasting could only make him laugh, and Miu clearly knew him well enough to know he was being a liar like usual. She burst out laughing at his cocky grin, "You're average at best, dickhead! And that's probably true about your other qualities, too! Not to shame Angie's painting, 'course. That's fucking impressive as always, but I don't want to hear anything about 'godly looks', hah!"

Kiibo just looked nervous like he wanted to laugh, but was conflicted by how mean-spirited Miu was being. "I feel that's a bit far, Iruma-san. I think everyone here is pretty moderately attractive, to say less than that about anyone, I think, would be factually incorrect."

He laughed at the robot's very robotic statement, "Aw, that's my Kiiboy! Speaking the facts, Iruma-chan! Didja hear that? We're all attractive in Kiiboy's eyes!"

Miu just crossed her arms and huffed, "Yeah, well…" She let out a huff of annoyance before dropping her voice to a grumble, "Some more than others…" Before they could bother her anymore, she volunteered to be Angie's next canvas, the latter gladly complying with the request.

They watched Angie paint for a moment after Miu requested deep-red roses on her face, but Kiibo offered that they wander over to see what Himiko was up to. Tenko, of course, hadn't moved at all, but Maki, Kaede, and Kaito were watching her current trick now. Currently she was showing off a set of linked rings, which Kokichi assumed would be eventually taken apart, mysteriously (and definitely not because of a trick, she would argue), due to her magic powers as a mage.

It was kind of funny, because Himiko still insisted that her magic tricks were 'real magic'. A year later, and she still stubbornly held onto that belief. Even funnier still, whenever she said it, it nearly sounded like the truth, as if she had truly, fully convinced herself that it was the truth. Though, Tenko and Angie being her overly supportive friends who also reassured her in her lies didn't really help fix her stubbornness.

Kokichi stayed by Kiibo as the party went on. Miu eventually joined them when her paint was done and they wandered over to the third stall, which was now being run by Rantaro, where he was making fun, colourful drinks of which he assured only looked like alcoholic beverages, but weren't actually.

So, he and Miu ended up getting a drink each, with Miu swearing that she'd eventually completely figure out how to give Kiibo a way to try drinks and food. And, with the sun beginning to set, they ended up sitting down on cushions near where a few others had wandered to watch the sun slowly disappear below the horizon.

The iced drink in his hand didn't help with the air starting to grow cold, but he knew it'd be alright. He had managed worse cold weather because of the high wind that usually passed through the top of the building.

Kokichi kept seeing Shuichi hanging around talking to others, but like at lunch, the man hadn't even looked in his direction once when he was looking. He knew the man was probably giving him space on purpose, but the longer the evening lasted, the more he just wanted to have Shuichi all to himself. Instead, he just watched longingly as the man talked with Rantaro at the drink stand. (Unfortunately, the man had continuously managed to have his back turned to him as well.)

Though, it seemed that the stands were shut down now since everyone had already been through all of them. Himiko was packing up her magic tricks as the sky grew darker, and Angie had already sat down on a cushion next to Ryoma. Kokichi was a bit curious about the stall that had remained untouched, the one that only contained a stack of what looked to be headphones.

Light chatter settled over the all of them, as they gathered on their cushions and staring out at the sky. Yet, Kokichi could only focus on one conversation that was happening behind him. He couldn't make out any of the words, or, at least, not enough to gain any information from the conversation, but he could hear that voice.

Shuichi's voice. He felt as if he hadn't heard it since the night before, despite the brief moment that morning that he had spoken to him. He found himself only longing more for that voice when it was just out of range of comprehension. He just wanted to sit beside Shuichi, to feel what he had felt the night before without all those terrible thoughts of death from hanging off the building.

Part of him wondered if Shuichi knew that keeping them separated without full closure from the night before would only make them want that more, but another part of him thought Shuichi was probably simple enough in his motivations to not even have considered that. Still, he couldn't help but be curious if Shuichi felt the same way, if he was putting all his effort into saving Kokichi for later.

Finally, he glanced behind himself again, to find that Shuichi and Rantaro were no longer standing at the stand. He whipped his head in search of them, and found Rantaro settling down beside Kaede, but with no sight of Shuichi.

Where could he have gone?

Kokichi stood up, and Miu and Kiibo didn't pay him any mind as he did, too busy in their own conversation. That was alright, because all he could think about was Shuichi.

As soon as he was actually wandering in search of him, he could feel an odd fear rise in his throat, like, when he found Shuichi, the man would just say some heart-crushing thing like not wanting to talk or about preferring to further ignore him. Of course, Shuichi wouldn't say those things, Kokichi was sure of it, but worry never cared about what was reasonable and what was nonsensical.

The stands were empty, as was the table, so Kokichi headed to the only place he could think of that wasn't too far away that Shuichi could've possibly snuck off to: the stairwell entrance. The whole entrance itself looked like a little shed jutting out of the roof.

Silently, he creeped along the side, trying to listen for anything. He made it to the corner, and could just faintly hear the sound of someone whispering as if speaking under their breath to themselves. He peeked around the corner just barely to see the expected detective standing against the stairwell doors, simply muttering to himself.

Since he couldn't make out a word of what Shuichi was saying, Kokichi revealed himself, saying, "Oh, there you are, my beloved Saihara-chan! I was wondering where you had snuck off to!"

Shuichi nearly jumped in shock, his face turning to face Kokichi, bright red and… Oh, boy, Kokichi thought, I would not have guessed that'd be his choice in face paint.

He tried to keep in his laughter, but it only ended up coming out as snickers.

The man reached for a cap that had long been gone from his head, an old habit the man still hadn't completely killed, but let his hand fall to fidget with the other one when it found nothing upon his head. With his face as red as ever and eyes averted, he cracked an awkward smile and responded, "Uh… Is this about the face paint? I… I was told it was pretty ridiculous."

It was one-hundred percent about the face paint. Kokichi let out a laugh, "It is pretty unexpected, I'll say that much."

That embarrassed little frown of his appeared on his face as he seemingly tried not to die on the spot of pure shame. (Kokichi wondered if his talking to himself had been him contemplating taking off the paint.) His words came out as a mumble when he eventually forced a reply, "Uhm… Can I explain it? I… I swear I didn't choose it."

Kokichi leaned against the doors, crossing his arms and cocking a teasing grin, "Alright, tell me who forced you to do this."

Shuichi scratched awkwardly at his chin with a finger for a moment before swallowing and letting out a sigh, "Well, Akamatsu-san wanted to get matching faces with Harukawa-san… But, Harukawa-san was calling it ridiculous and embarrassing, so Akamatsu-san asked if she would get it so long as me or Momota-kun also got the matching face, and Momota-kun's masculinity was just a bit too fragile to accept, I suppose… So… That's how I ended up like this."

He pointed towards his own face, bringing attention to the silly painting. It was pretty simple, its main shock value only came from the fact that Kokichi never would've expected Shuichi to wear such a face.

In all black paint, a heart was drawn onto the end of Shuichi's nose, a line connecting the heart to the centre of his top lip split the area of scattered black dots perfectly in half, and, on each cheek, there were three lines that clearly were meant to be… whiskers. And… To wrap it all together, small, pointed ears were drawn above his eyebrows, nearly (but, unfortunately for Shuichi, not) covered by his bangs.

"Aw, that's alright, Saihara-chan! Y'know, the only issue I had was why you'd choose such a thing, but I guess since it was Akamatsu-chan's fault… I can get over it!" Kokichi tried to genuinely get the man to not look so shameful about it, but sighed when his first words didn't work, "I mean, I don't even know what's on my face, for all I know, we could be matching, too!"

Shuichi shook his head and let out a small sigh as the colour on his cheeks started to fade, "No, luckily you don't have a… a cat face as well. Heh. Don't lie, I know it's probably quite ridiculous, I would've much preferred something like what Kiibo-kun or Iruma-san got, to be honest. Still, I don't mind it so much, it's just… I wasn't expecting to see you so soon, I guess."

Kokichi hummed in understanding, still grinning wide, unable to get over how funny the man looked with his face-paint, "I suppose you weren't expecting me to find you here talking to yourself, huh?"

His eyes lit up in shock, "You— You heard that?"

He nodded and lied effortlessly, "Oh yeah, I heard all about it! You really shouldn't talk so loud, y'know?"

But the detective gave him a barely noticeable look as he processed the words, a look as if he didn't believe Kokichi. How he figured it was a lie, Kokichi didn't know, but for whatever reason, Shuichi didn't bring it up, only nodding with an awkward look and bowing his head slightly in shame. "Of— Of course, heh."

Kokichi looked away and at his nails nonchalantly for a moment as spoke next, interrupting the brief moment of silence. "Sooo… Don't tell me you're planning on dipping out already, Saihara-chan, especially when I know you were the one who put it together. I mean, who else would make sure Kiibo's party was almost as much of a surprise for me as it was for Kiibo?"

"I…" Shuichi averted his eyes, awkwardly chuckling before explaining, "Yes, I… I suppose you've caught me. But only about the party thing, I… I wasn't planning on leaving. I was just… getting a quick breath and talking to myself for a moment before I headed back. Although…" He trailed off, looking around as if preparing himself for a moment before his gaze landed on Kokichi and he continued, "Since you're here, should we have that talk now?"

The question had been in the back of his mind too, but when he considered it… he found it didn't feel right to have the conversation right then and there, though… He didn't want Shuichi to avoid him for any longer.

"Now?" Kokichi laughed, "You mean right now where everyone else is just around the corner? The right now when the sun is starting to set? The right now at this party that I know isn't over, yet?" A slight change in the detective's eyes told Kokichi he was right in that there was at least one more party surprise, so he continued, "And the right now where you're wearing that anything-but-serious face-paint?"

He laughed softly, nodding in agreement, "Alright, alright… I get what you mean. I… I probably shouldn't be wearing this when we finally talk about all that serious stuff. And… Yeah, there's still the sunset to watch, of course. So, you're right, we'll talk later." With a satisfied look, he moved away from the doors behind them as if he was planning on leaving, saying, "I'll be on my way—"

"Oh, come on, Saihara-chan!" He let out a dramatic groan, something he realised was awfully characteristic of Miu, as he complained, "Don't act like you don't want to watch the sunset with me… I'm not letting you avoid me any longer, even if we have to wait to talk!"

Shuichi went a bit pink in the cheeks at the statement, averting his eyes in shame for being called out as his embarrassed frown settled on his lips again, "I… I don't want to stop you from hanging out with your friends, that's all."

Kokichi scoffed, crossing his arms, "I've spent all day spending time with those—" He cut himself off from insulting them like what Miu often did when referring to him or, even recently, him and Kiibo, "With my… my friends." He hesitated only slightly on the word, still not quite used to using it.

Though, the man still clearly noticed his hesitation, smiling softly as if… proud. What stupid, sappy emotions the detective always managed to have… It was so annoying. Shuichi hummed contently and then asked, "Well, if that's the case… Could I join you to watch the sunset?"

He cocked a teasing grin, "You already know the answer to that, Mr. Detective, why even ask?"

Without any more hesitation, the two of them ended up wandering back to where everyone was gathered, Shuichi grabbing a cushion along the way to place down near where Kokichi's sat empty next to Miu.

The blonde and the robot didn't even notice at first, but eventually Miu turned her head and laughed, "I was wondering when you were planning on inviting your boyfriend over, Ouma! Hey, Shit-hara— Wait, is that the same face-paint Baka-matsu had?"

Shuichi bashfully nodded at Miu's question, unable to hide that cute heart nose or the cat whiskers, but didn't say anything else.

Kokichi elbowed Miu and gave her an annoyed look, "Seriously? He's not my boyfriend!"

Still, he couldn't hide the grin that formed on his face though. Shuichi may have confessed the night before, but that certainly didn't make them boyfriends. But, then, he glanced over to see said 'not boyfriend', very distinctly, mouth the words, "Not yet," to himself as he smiled out at the sky, likely not even realising that Kokichi had been looking at him then.

Kokichi felt warmth spread on his cheeks and he whipped his head away, pretending to have not seen it at all. "Not yet." He wondered if he had been making that up completely, asking himself just why would the man say that?

So certainly, Shuichi smiled so certainly at the sky as if amused by the quip he had made for only himself to know of. He hadn't meant for Kokichi to see that, but he didn't do a single thing to hide that pretty, proud smile of his.

"Not yet." Kokichi laughed in his head about the simple response. He was almost disappointed the man didn't say it aloud so that Kokichi could tell him how funny of a remark it was, how such a teasing statement from him was both shocking and amusing. Shuichi wasn't Kokichi's boyfriend… yet. What a stupid, sappy thought, but…

Shuichi smiled like he had meant more than a thousand words in those two words he hadn't even said aloud. He smiled confidently as if he knew he belonged there by Kokichi's side. He smiled with enough warmth that Kokichi could've sworn he could've been the sun.

Kokichi found himself looking at the hand of Shuichi's that rested against the ground between them; it was tempting to reach out and place his own hand there, but he couldn't bring himself to make such a move. Not yet, he told himself, Soon, but not yet.

The sunset was beautiful of course, especially now that he was actually watching it instead of facing the other way as he had been the night before. Still, in his eyes, the sun could never even compare to Shuichi. The sun didn't do silly things like get a cat face-paint at the request of a friend, just to go an adorable shade of red in the face out of embarrassment when it was pointed out. And… The sun certainly didn't murmur silly, certain jokes about wanting to be Kokichi's boyfriend, that's for sure.

But the light on the horizon eventually faded away, and deep dark blue started to gradually take over the sky starting in the east, the moon's appearance becoming more obvious the darker it grew. While the moon had been nearly full and still quite bright the night before, it was somehow even brighter and fuller then, hovering as a full moon in the night sky.

When he looked at Shuichi in the dim lighting, all he could think about was the night before, when he had looked nearly the same, except… that face-paint still caught Kokichi off-guard. Miu had stood up with Kiibo a moment before, not explaining why, so that left Kokichi and Shuichi a good couple of spaces away from anyone else.

Kokichi had found himself staring at the black paint on Shuichi's face that was shiny in the moonlight. Despite the ridiculousness of it all, he couldn't help but find the heart and whiskers a bit cute. "Y'know… I'm a bit disappointed that Angie-chan said this paint gets ruined so easily."

Shuichi turned to meet Kokichi's gaze when he spoke up, a curious look on his face as he asked, "Oh? How come?"

He smiled playfully, "It's just… It's getting really hard to not boop that cute, little heart nose of yours, y'know."

Success. The detective's cheeks went suddenly beet-red at the comment as he slightly turned away to avert his eyes. Shuichi was so predictably easy to tease, despite any confidence Kokichi may have seen earlier, he was still the same, awkward Shuichi as always. But that's alright, Shuichi's awkwardness just made him more adorable.

Kokichi snickered at the man's reaction, allowing himself to feel a bit proud of it, but he was completely taken off-guard when Shuichi eventually spoke in response.

"Your… Your face painting makes you look pretty cute, too." His face was still flush with colour, and his little frown was back, as if he was even more embarrassed to be able to say such a forward thing back to Kokichi.

Now it was his turn to freeze up. Kokichi hadn't expected it at all, but now he could only wonder what his face-paint was, and… what made Shuichi think it was… cute. Sometimes Kokichi hated being able to tell apart lies and the truth so effortlessly, because it left him absolutely stunned to find nothing but sincerity in such a comment. Shuichi thought he was cute too. What a funny thing…

Shuichi chuckled softly, trying to suppress it with the back of his hand and the turn of his head, but clearly he found Kokichi's face quite amusing. "I… I get it now." A small laugh interrupted his words, a laugh that was worth more than anything in the world. "Why you tease people… I… I get it. It's funny to see you react so completely embarrassed in such a way and know I did that, I suppose. Not that you look funny, I think you actually look—"

He cut himself off, letting out another embarrassed laugh, turning away from Kokichi. Kokichi just wished he'd move that hand from his mouth so that Kokichi could see the man's lovely smile. Why hide it? Why hide something so deathly beautiful? The action reminded Kokichi of that cap that always made it hard to see the man's irresistibly handsome eyes, as well as covering a majority of that silky blue hair of his. Somehow, Shuichi was always trying to hide one thing or another, even if purely accidental.

Kokichi sighed and didn't even have time to stop the hopelessly romantic words that left his mouth as he stared out at the night sky. "I wish you wouldn't hide your laughter, y'know. It hurts me to think that that's something you think you need to hide." He turned to look at the man, the wide smile on his own face near uncontrollable, "Unless… Unless it's because you're too afraid of outshining the stars with your smile."

Shuichi slowly dropped his hand, letting out a small embarrassed laugh when he did and averting his eyes when there was nothing else he could do to ease that nervousness that was clear on his face. (Kokichi wished more than anything to never forget the way his eyes nearly shone, and how his lips framed such a lovely smile which only highlighted the colour that dusted his cheeks.) "My… My smile?" His voice came out so soft, as he questioned Kokichi's words, clearly being surprised by the compliment.

Automatically, he went against his words, ashamed to have said something so truthful and sappy, laughing and saying, "Don't let it get to your head too much, now!" But he immediately regretted responding in such a way. Shuichi had every right to revel in a compliment towards his beauty, he didn't want to discourage that at all!

But… The man didn't seem affected at all, instead he was staring up at the night sky, still softly laughing. "Outshine the stars?" He seemed to just be talking to himself as he responded to that with another laugh then an amused shake of his head. "Afraid?" His brows furrowed slightly as he smiled, a deep confusion settling on his face as he turned to Kokichi and repeated, "My smile?"

Kokichi froze out of shock, going blank-faced, but he forced himself to nod his head in response to Shuichi.

He laughed again, turning to look at the sky again. Then, he muttered something that Kokichi could barely make out as, "If having a smile brighter than the stars makes you happy, then I'm glad that's the case."

Still frozen, he struggled with how to respond at first. It did. Shuichi's smile made him feel so hopeless yet hopeful all at the same time, it made him want to die and live all the same, such a contradictory feeling like the thrill and terror of the unexpected. His mind went back to the carnival ride comparison. Truly, Shuichi's smile was everything.

Kokichi scoffed lightly, crossing his arms, mumbling, "Well… of course it does… silly detective."

They sat in a content silence for a moment, and Kokichi hated how fast his heart was beating then. That's what he got for indulging in such a sappy conversation with the man, he supposed. Still, it reminded him far too much of how his heart had hammered in fear the night before, and the absolute terror of that unexpected confession and the ground disappearing from right underneath him.

Then, before any more words could happen, or before any more thoughts could send Kokichi into any sort of spiral, a loud voice called to everyone's attention, that being the loud, obnoxious voice of Miu.

"Hey! The sun might be down, but I've got one more surprise for everyone!"

.

.

.