cocoacat22

[cocoacat22]

Waiting in the rain~

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Swish… Swoosh…

The tides crooned along the seashore, a soft melody rising above the crackle of a warm campfire. The sky had deepened to a navy blue, like a cozy blanket tucking in the yawning sun. In the distance, a lone vine-covered house glowed gently beneath a canvas of diamond stars.

-They say a benevolent witch once lived there. One who specialized in healing potions.

“...”

…You’ve never heard of them?

“...”

I see. You must be here searching for something else; A new story, perhaps.

In that case, come take a seat. I'll tell you the tale of how a witch named Yakou Furio met five peculiar individuals in that house…

- [AU starring NDA as different fairytale characters, told as if it's a folklore. Include references & allusions to spoilers of the entire game (including Gumshoe Gabs)!]

-------

Happy 2nd year anniversary, Rain Code!!🎉🎉

This is my piece for the #RainCodeMinibang2025 event, hosted by Snivy (@snivyartjpeg)! Thank you so much for organizing it so well and having me!

I also want to say a big thank you to @linferry and @Pudding Milk for their beautiful accompanying illustrations- both of them are so talented and amazing!! (/≧▽≦)/\(≧▽≦\) So, be sure to check out their art and send them lots of love!!!

To preserve some mysteries in my piece (O:)), I am just going to post my comments about it under spoilers below (if anyone who has finished reading and wants to know more):

-

First of, let's say half the reason I created this piece was because I love mysteries and fairytales! It was so much fun finding fairytale parallels for each character, and sneaking in little details between lines to hint at these comparisons with a Rain Code spin! I could probably ramble on and on about the backgrounds/ shenanigans of their fairytale versions, but I won't do that here because that would be WAY too long x'D

The other half of the reason was because of Rain Code's epilogue. Before everyone left Kanai Ward, they each addressed/ thanked the Chief- but he was not there in person to hear it… :') So if he had met the others long before the letter, would things turned out differently? Would he still have gone through with his revenge, driven by his love for his wife? Could it be resolved through other means in this AU? What kind of ending would they have in this fairytale? I will leave that decision in your hands.

After writing this fic in a fairytale prose style, I also realized I can play around with the narrator to be more immersive... and then a certain someone (O:)) took over because he is just too powerful and all-knowing x'D Again, there is more background/ settings in this AU, but I can't fit that in or I'll risk going overboard 😅😅 I have also considered making a choose-your-own-journey-style sequel, but it's a lot of work (6 character routes...?) So, we shall see if I ever feel up to making it happen one day...

Anyway, in short: It was super fun for me to experiment and play around with this piece! I sincerely hope it was just as interesting for you to read and imagine!! :)

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...Has this been done yet?

Original video/ soundtrack: Oven Kid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51beOlNC0qo

Regardless,

Happy Birthday, Chief Yakou and Yuma!!

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How is everyone doing, I wonder?

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Happy birthday Makoto~

Grow lots of melons and mess with others (???) to your heart's content~

(Drawing below contains rain code spoiler!)

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Happy holidays and Merry Christmas!! 🎄🎄

I wish everyone a joyful and peaceful holiday season with your loved ones~

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Hehe, and here is a Makoto to go with the Yuma~

I originally planned for it to be a standalone gif, but they sync quite well side by side xD Are they looking at you, someone else, or each other? It's up to your interpretation!

Hope this also brightens your day as it did mine!

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And I tried to make a gif/ animation for the first time~ This is what I spent hours doing yesterday instead of studying for my last 2 finalsssss~

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Hi. I miss them.

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"...Oh? What do we have here?"

(Fading amongst the barren dark forest, my last breath was taken by the stars above-)

-

Happy Halloween!!🎃🎃

Yeah, I should REALLY get my ass on writing, but I REALLY want to try painting an intimidating (but mysterifully captivating) Shinigami for halloween ^^; After all, she is a death god! Though she is kind, teasing, needy, adorable and puffy, it's kinda in her job title to be terrifying too...!!

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And here are some doodles for Yuma and Makoto~ Their post-canon relationship/ interactions is fun to explore too!

I headcanon that Yuma remains his expressive self most of the time post-canon, unless it is some serious or negative situations such that his stoic self (read: No. 1) kicks in (as a protective mechanism, kinda). And Yuma being Yuma, he likes to visit Makoto (his son! ;P) just to make sure he isn't doing anything stupid or drastic to himself. (Tho tbf, this trouble magnet isn't doing that great in that regard either LOL)

I also think Makoto will not act overly cheery as in canon once he takes his mask off. He always strikes me as the type of person who is mocking/ playful in front of his enemy/ opponent (ex majority of raincode), but sincere/ genuine in front of those he cares about (ex toward Kanai Ward citizens near epilogue). He would probably be more deadpan and blunt only in front of Yuma, because they literally have seen each other's worst and they know each other best. There is no point in hiding his true feelings, so he can just be himself 100%. (Why does he have to BE nice to his original anyway? :V)

So, I'd like to imagine them having a close (maybe brotherly) relationship! They fight over silly stuff, tease each other, or sometimes just tolerate each other's presence. They may not agree with each other from time to time, but if you hurt one of them? Or somehow did something to piss off BOTH of them at the same time?

Oh boy.

It's over.

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Hi hi!

Sometime near end of summer, I thought it would be interesting to compare No. 1 and Yuma's expressions side to side. So I have finally scanned it and here you go~

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Danganronpa-style killing game in WDO!

Just a story concept as mentioned in the author's notes near the end of The First Code, if the WDO establishes a council after the election for the next Director took place. I think it would be something cool to read, but I really need to focus more on the wdo library series instead as;dhaef So I am jotting down the concept to let it go, instead of writing it all out in another 100k+ fic LOL

Other than the new Number One is acting as the President, I don't know exactly how the council functions (LOL), but I'd say Forte is not a requirement to become a council member. Maybe the top management for the WDO's general staff (ex the instructors' representative, head of finance department, etc) can join as well?

Either way, since I am also lacking the brain power to plan/write all cases out and make up so many original characters (again), here is my general brainstorm of how it goes:

Participants & Location

16 people wake up, finding themselves in an empty, locked down WDO HQ (sky-scraper though, so maybe lock up rooms and floors or have some Forte suitable for vast investigation [ex Pucci's audial aptitude])

The current Number One is missing

The protagonist (with the traditional ahoge) doesn't have a Forte. He is recently invited to join the WDO council (as the new representative of general WDO staff members, probably)

At least half of this group has their own Fortes (which can be lies)

One of them claims he is amnesiac and doesn't remember much. However, he holds a WDO badge and remembers speaking to Number One before the knock-out, who told him to visit the WDO council.

(And of course, the amnesiac guy [Kai] in question is this dude:

Look at his youthful, innocent face- Do you believe him? He may not even be a real WDO Detective/ staff member!

I don't know if I would, but protag chooses to trust him.)

A mascot, who is definitely-not-Monokuma, comes out and explains the rules of the game. Simply put: If you want to live, kill without the others knowing and survive the trial! Or catch the culprit and move on!

2. The cases!

As per Danganronpa tradition, there are free time events in between cases to get to know everyone. Most of participants already know each other, but not in such a deep level as given by the current circumstances.

Being members of the WDO, they are already efficiently investigating the mastermind behind their predicament. Someone (Probably a vice president in the council? Not Kai, though) becomes the impromptu leader to gather and organize reported information.

Not knowing what to do, the protag goes around to different groups to see if there is anything to help with

And of course, definitely-not-Monokuma wouldn't let things sail smoothly.

Case 1:

Incentive: Ex Lives of other WDO members (friends, family, work/ organization itself)

Kill until only one of you lives. Or else. [But some rule is in place to prevent a killing spree]

VP: Only possible if Number One played a hand in it. [Empty out the skyscraper with so many people as hostages]

Detective #1: Then you are also sus, VP.

D #2: Maybe we should sacrifice ourselves for many other lives? -> Silence in the group [some seriously contemplating, but most don't want to die]

Kai: Calm down. Let's discuss other logical solutions together? [does not want to fall into the Mastermind's plans]

Murder happened the next day anyway.

A murder case committed by a regular WDO council member. Something for protag to grasp how the detective work goes.

Kai and several others help out in both investigation and trial

Danganronpa tradition: Betrayal of protag's trust from a close friend; Attempted murder gone wrong

People remaining: 14

Case 2:

Designed a plan to catch Mastermind as a group, but failed

Someone among them is a traitor...? Or they are the Mastermind themselves...? (Uncertain)

Probably the victim/ killer did something suspicious, and the other got into an argument with them.

A slightly more complicated murder case. Need more cooperation/ uses of Fortes, but everyone is suspicious of each other.

Protag follows Kai like a lost puppy during investigation, much to his amusement (but he understands his predicament, so he patiently helps him via talk-no-jutsu to others)

Protag: You sure you don't remember a thing...?

Kai: Nope. Just instinct. :)

Danganronpa tradition: Reveal serial killer (maybe with split personality); Reveal something new and unexpected about victim/ culprit

People remaining: 12

Case 3:

Protag learns more tidbits about his friends, especially how Kai should not be allowed in the kitchen

Someone suggests each person/ group to try catch the traitor/Mastermind in their own ways (almost like a competition, I suppose)

Culprit uses this opportunity for their own benefit.

A seemingly impossible case! But it is actually caused by someone's Forte! (Bonus if it was briefly shown during previous cases' investigations)

Culprit exclaims someone secretly forged decisive evidence by copying his Forte after the trial (Coalescence *cough cough*). But of course, no one believes them

Danganronpa tradition: The double kill case; Motivated by selfish greed (Ex. Wants to become the next Number One)

People remaining: 9

Case 4:

Group finds out current Number One was dead for quite sometime. The one they saw near the beginning of the story was an imposter?!

Mastermind is someone else then? Even more likely now that they are in the group after betraying Number One

Tense atmosphere (suspicions, uncertainty, worry, impatience, etc)

More arguments -> protag tries to break up fights

Protag: We should work together! Didn't the last appointed Number One encourage us to? *Some of others rolled eyes at him*

Someone suggests everyone stay together in one room, so everyone can keep an eye out for each other (no more killings and scheming behind their backs)

Someone got killed the next day anyway

(The night before, Kai secretly sneaks to book vault by himself to look at current Number One's file, compare to cause/manner of death, and narrow down the Mastermind's characteristics])

Nearly caught/ got called out by another detective, but protag helps Kai out

Protag: I am not sure where you have been/ what you have been up to. But from the time we spent together, I believe in you, Kai!

Kai: *difficult to decipher kind of smile* You really remind me of someone I once knew.

Danganronpa tradition: Hard/ difficult to identify murder weapon; Sacrifice of the big guy :(

People remaining: 7

Case 5:

(Kai is going to reveal the Mastermind, and becomes a victim in the process)

Protag is disheartened when they find his body.

Kai's true identity as former Number One is revealed during the trial

The killer was forced by the Mastermind to do so in their stead (ex manipulated, through the real Forte that someone was hiding [ex Persuasion], etc.)

D:<

Danganronpa tradition: A trap as an attempt to break the game; Unknown cause of death (where Kai aims to trick the mastermind to expose themselves, probably)

People remaining: 5

Case 6:

Gather all pieces of information about the truth, free to explore throughout the entire skyscraper

Protag finds the current Number One's file as retrieved by Kai

Identifies the real Mastermind during the trial!

Danganronpa tradition: A mind-blowing truth that causes the protag to enact change

Ex: Everyone here are homunculi! Current Number One decided to mass produce homunculi of the WDO members (especially Master Detectives, old and new), so the skill wouldn't be lost even if the original dies. Aka, this is a test trial of how successful the new experiment was. Maybe the Mastermind is the only human in the group, who despises homunculi. They learn of current Number One's plans, killed them, and then hijacked the test to kill off the rest of the homunculi.

3. Ending:

Mastermind tries to run away, but stops by someone.

Kai is alive!! Actually, he is Makoto all along!

This story takes places a hundred year+ after RainCode. Makoto is here because he heard rumors of homunculus project elsewhere. Again. (And also partly because of a semi-promise to Yuma to occasionally check on the WDO council. But he is not going to admit that out loud!! :3)

Mastermind (and accomplices, if any) are apprehended

the survivors come to live and find their place in Kanai Ward (maybe protag becomes a trainee under the unzombified Chief Yakou!)

And that's about it! Thanks for reading till the end and indulging me in this long post~

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Just another a series of silly drawings based on the cases in The First Code! I tried putting it under a stronger contrast... Is the text more legible this way? (Too lazy to type everything out XDD)

Warning: Slight OOC, along with crude (body) language and a little dark humour (?)

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When I was writing The First Code's Chapter 14 (A Waltz with Death Part II), I debated whether I should include this angsty scenario or not. In the end, I chose to imply but not write it out, because the chapter is serious and upsetting enough as it is ^^;

Whether this actually happened or not, it's up to you! *thumbs up*\

P.S. This comic was drawn out of spontaneity, so I am sorry in advance if it seems rushed/ not well-planned ^^;

Reminder context: This took place before canon, where No. 1 was attending a high-class masquerade with Fubuki and Zange. To hide his true identity, No. 1 went under the alias 'Kagu', disguising himself as Fubuki's attendant (Unbeknownst to her; she just thought he was a regular WDO staff member without any Fortes). They were there to prevent indiscriminate mass murder from happening to the guests. And now, the case is coming to a close.

-OR IS IT??

===

Text (Because pictures are so blurrier than I thought, sorry D;):

This is something that may or may not have happened. After taking care of Mr. Massithia, and double checking with Zange...

Kagu (No. 1): I will have a piece of chocolate cake, please. *takes the plate* Thank you.

It takes longer than expected... I hope 'my lady' is doing alright by herself...

*Finds Fubuki in the crowd* Oh, there she is.

-And, she is sleeping. What happened to looking after the chandelier?

-

K: -My lady.

Fubuki: *blinks open and yawns* -Good morning, Kagu.

K: It's already 19:42, my lady.

F: *laughs* Is that so? ^^

-I apologize. I am not certain why, but I am feeling more drowsy than usual.

K: Maybe it is from the overuse of her Forte.

If that is the case, I have a Deluxe chocolate cake here as your refreshment. I hope it will bring your energy levels up, my lady.

F: My, how peculiar! I am sure the artist had spent some time shaping the mud into such a refined shape as it is!

K: This is a chocolate cake, a dessert made by 5-star chefs hired for the event.

F: How did they find the right kind of mud?

K: It's not mud. It's premium cacao from the South. This is food.

F: I see. So cacao is a special type of mud?

K: Cacao is a fruit, my lady.

F: Oh, I see!

*Giggles suddenly*

K: ...What is it?

F: Nothing~!

-

F: I am just really glad to attend this ball, and I got to meet you, Kagu! I sincerely hope we will meet again in the WDO soon in the future!

K: ...

...I look forward to that day, my lady.

K: How is the cake?

F: It's delicious!

???: ...YOU-!!

F: *Continues to enjoy cake* ~<3

K: *Turns and notices Mr. Dellimore in the hallway behind them*

*Speaks urgently* FUBUKI-

D: YOU... ARE GOING TO REGRET MAKING AN ENEMY OF ME-!! CARLENO DELLIMORE-!!

F: ...Huh?

-KA-BOOM!!

-

Guest 1: HELP-!!

Guest 2: People are hurt-!!

Guest 3: Someone calls the firefighters!

Helper: Hey, are you alright??

K: Ngh...

H: Can you get up??

K: ...?

*Rises up* FUBUKI! WHERE-

H: Hey, calm down-

H: Hey! Are you alright, kid?

*Flashback: Dellimore presses the button on a remote, causing Fubuki's chair to explode. In the last second, Fubuki reaches her hand out and-*

*Flashback* F: KAGU!

K: *Deep breath*

H: Kid?

K: -Focus.

There are more important things to take care of.

My lady, can you hear me?

F: ...Ka... gu?

...Please...

Help me... Save... everyone... *Places hand on top of his*

-

K: *Takes her hand solemnly* I will. I promise.

Just hang on for a while longer, alright?

F: *Smiles in tears* 'Kay.

Thank you, Kagu. You are truly... a kind person.

K: *Holds onto Fubuki's pendant* -Time.

<<Rewind<<

K: *Opens, and then narrows eyes*

It seems I returned to the time I just finished talking to Mr. Massithia.

That should be enough time to guide the guests away from Fubuki's explosive chair and to secure an escape route... And also to warn Zange about Mr. Dellimore...

-

K: *Looks at his own trembling hands* My hands are shaking... It's a side effect from using Fubuki's Forte, I suppose.

How many times can I take it, I wonder?

Mr. Massithia: *sobs*

K: *Notices the flower on the ground near Mr. Massithia*

A white chrysanthemum...

A funeral flower that represents death and mourning in the East.

*Flashback* F: *laughs and hands Kagu the flower* This flower reminds me of you!

K: -And she's not wrong.

K: Wherever I go, death and misfortune follow. The least I can do is to find the truth and the perfect solution behind mysteries. No matter what it takes.

So that it would not happen to anyone else.

-Just sleep and rest, Fubuki Clockford.

What happened just now was nothing more than a nightmare; an event that did not occur. Forget about everything tonight.

It's for the best if we don't meet again in the future.

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And here is another drawing from almost a year ago (wowwwww)~ I originally thought to attach it to MDATRC Case 13 (the chapter before the epilogue), but then I didn't (because I forgot) (´･ω･`)

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Here are the drawings I attached on my fanfic, Master Detective Archives: The First Code! In hind sight, they are not exactly related to the plot of the fic, but oh well, you know LOL