#I miss Angy Nya

[thesinglesock]

ngl if I were in charge of writing Ninjago: Dragons Rising episode 5 "the writers of destiny" and saw that Nya would be in the Cloud Kingdom, I would 100% have her go into one of her pre-Possession-era Tantrums and let her start wrecking the place until someone came out and APOLOGIZED for the shit she and Jay has to go through

[sketch--booked]

I wanna complain about how the ninja treated Zane in the first few episodes real quick. Specifically in Home. Since I have some beef with the ninja.

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So remember that one time Zane froze the entire monastery without effort? Yeah, that was kinda cool,

Now I begin to get angry, You’ve been warned--

And the ninja, understandably, were upset and I can get that.

But then you see how they all kinda just--- treated him really badly all the time. I get it,, he’s got weird traits and does very “Zane” things (being unfazed to be in the bathroom with somebody, legitimately not understanding comedy and laughing at odd things, at least Nya and Jay weren’t watching a horror or slasher movie, and his famous sitting-in-the-fridge scene) but like--

They really gonna do this??

Laugh at the guy for what he wears and throw around the food he made for them? Even Wu, may I add.

Can I also call attention to Jay, who throws something at Zane.

AND LOOK AT HIM--

That is not a face of comfort? By any means?? Zane shows a very little range of emotion, in the early seasons especially. But when Jay throws his own food at him, he frowns. THAT’S EMOTION,, HE’S NOT HAPPY,,, THIS ISN’T A JOKE NOR IS IT FUNNY TO HIM.

And they just--Don’t even do a double-take.

I’m bewildered at just how horribly they treat him, in this scene specifically. Not one of them, NOT EVEN WU, takes a second to think about how Zane might feel in this moment??? IN FACT, If you listen carefully, you can hear Nya and Jay belittling him.

“He looks so cute in his apron!” and “Look at his face!”

THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY’RE BEING CRUEL LIKE WTF THIS MAKES ME SO MAD--I HOPE THEY WENT TO BED STARVING.

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So after this god awful display of friendship that makes me want to slap all the other ninja, we get the infamous Falcon scene.

Zane has his general neutral kinda-angy-lookin’ expression. So we can’t really tell what he’s feeling in this moment, but it’s his actions that follow that say everything.

He sees the falcon and is intrigued by it and actually smiles. Which is good! That’s emotion! Well done, Zane, you’re learning!

NOW IT’S THIS BIT---IS WHERE I GET REAL JUST---HHHHHMMM It’s in this moment, I wonder if Zane knows what a toxic friendship isghghgh I jest--

Zane is smiling when he sees the falcon fly off. He likes the bird but he lets it leave.

But then---

Zane takes one brief look back to the sound of his friends and without a second doubt he BOOKS IT--

So from initially seeing this, you get the instant feeling that he would prefer to follow a mysterious bird into possible danger, than go back to his friends who are still laughing in the distance. He obviously was going to return back to them, they tease his lack of returning later in the episode WHICH I HOPE TO GET TO. But that does say enough about his actual feelings towards the rest. 

Strange, possibly evil bird---or my friends who’re probably going to continue to laugh at me.

It’s a nobrainer that he’d follow the bird??

He’s not truly upset at them, I don’t even think that Zane has the capability to really be angry ngl,, but he still chose the bird over his “family” and that’s what makes me so angry at the ninja. 

And to those who say “He’s not upset at the ninja, he’s just curious and the fact that he essentially ran away from them, doesn’t mean he dislikes them” I say,,, That is fair. And I will, for the sake of not looking like a dick, argue for that.

It’s clear that Zane likes to know stuff. In the beginning, he’s been the smart one. Even in this episode Kai says “We like the guy, he’s really smart..” then complains about him being weird. And later down the line he’s shown an interest in learning, being the only one in season 11 to actually read about the desert of doom and the Mechanic himself saying he’s an inquisitive nindroid in season 12.

So it’s understandable if Zane was simply sating his curiosity. But how can you tell me that the previous event was not a deciding factor in choosing the bird instead..

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I would now like to jump forward to when the ninja are at Lloyd’s tree-house (Can I point out that the first place the falcon took zane, was a tree-house. And the last was a tree house?? Anybody? okay just me--). 

And when they ask him how he found it; he tells them it’s because it danced. Jay then jokingly asks if it was a coo-coo bird, promoting everyone to--

IF YOU GUESSED “laugh at him” YOU’D BE CORRECT, HOW DID YOU GUESS???

When he does his info dump thing they don’t even bother, they just shrug in unison--which ngl I do find funny ghghgh

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Now that’s where you’d think the Zane bullying stops right?

NOPE,, TIME TO BURN DOWN THE MONASTERY (this is a cool shot btw)

This is a good shot too, because it sets up that Zane will be a focus, and you can already assume it’s because, in some essence, this is Zane’s fault.

But then they go all out on him. They straight up tell him this was his fault, that he shouldn’t have followed the bird, he shouldn’t have been curious or try to help, that everything they had here is gone, and yell at him to his face “A teaching moment? What’s wrong with you? Don’t you get it? Everything is gone!” and it’s because of him.

In this moment they are taking out every frustration they had with him. They’re taking out every moment he’s gone into his own world and making their lives harder and that their home is gone because of him.

This is one of the very first, and very few times all the ninja have pitted against just one of their team. And it hurts. Because Zane’s reaction to this, his response to being treated horribly, having his food thrown at him like he didn’t spend likely hours making and planing it, like he doesn’t do the chores they probably wont do (taking out the rubbish earlier in the episode), is to go back to them like he wasn’t hurt by this at all. 

And y’know what could’ve solved this entire thing? What could’ve prevented the exclusion and the explosion that is their friendship. Communication. On both sides, neither of them communicated with each other. The ninja didn’t openly express their feelings towards Zane TO Zane, only Wu and probably Nya. And Zane never expressed anything, ever, like--literally nothing. His moment of most emotion is in episode 7 dammit.

And I just--This is an issue that’s followed through even to the new seasons. Honest to god some of the only times I can recall him actually expressing how he feels about something, is with Pixal, and when Kai persuades him to break his morals and cheat in the slug race. God please help me find more examples because I cannot remember anything else (I’m ignoring Decoded for the time being since the last episode of that was almost entirely “Zane therapy time”)

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Imma end it here because my rant juices have stopped flowing and I haven’t slept in many many long hours and I really would like to collapse right about now.

So i’m not saying Zane has it worst, he probably doesn’t,, but what I’m saying is that Zane had a tough time in the beginning especially. After Kai became properly a part of the group, it was Zane that they outcasted. And because they wouldn’t actually talk to him about what they all thought. They didn’t take the time to understand him and only realized they missed him and how badly they’d been treating him when he was gone.

In the start, they were bad friends, they were horrible in fact. Zane tried, or didn’t. Where he didn’t understand people or social cues, he understood being kind and doing the right thing. 

The ninja did however work from this. As of this episode, they tone down the mistreatment and make a bigger effort to get the guy. And it’s all explained and finished in episode 7.

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Overall, I really like this episode! I think the characters were great! I think the humor was great! I think the progression was great! I dunno why some o’ yall think I don’t like something because I hate it. I can hate-love something, and you’ll find there are a lot of things I hate-love in ninjago.

[originaldanganronpascenarios]

I heard you were doing matchups?

To get it out of the way, I’d prefer if I get my matchups from thh or drV3. More than one matchup would be fine, but I really don’t mind how many.

names Alfie, but most of the time people call me Glitter! I’m a Libra (October 1st) and my personality type is INFP (I had to do the quiz because I forgot-!)

I’m a demi fictosexual, panromantic, and polyamory! Im transmasc (afab) and I haven’t transitioned yet because homophobic family check!!!!! I use he/they/it and a couple of neopronouns (xe/nya/thou/pika)!!

I have pale skin, and my hair is a dirty blonde color! it’s pretty short, and I often curl it so it’s all fluffy! my eyes are hazel, and I naturally have long eyelashes, to the point where people ask if I’m wearing mascara- (I’m really not). I’m kinda on the shorter side (5''0 and some change), and I’m sorta skinny, but somehow have a bit of squish on me too-? I have braces, but I HATE them and admittedly break the eating rules quite a bit...

personality wise? Introverted. I have trouble starting conversations, but once Im in one, I cant stop talking! I don’t take much seriously, besides peoples feelings. I’m not that easily offended. somehow I get dragged into a lot of toxic (more like radioactive) friendships all the time, and I can’t get out of them, most of the time until the school year ends and I get new classes with new people. Sometimes even that doesn’t fix it.... I’m a very artistic person who usually carries around sketchbooks and fancy markers wherever I go. I’m usually found either drawing or on my phone/switch/laptop...

I have a bit going on..., I have social anxiety, adhd, parinoia (WHICH IS REALLY BAD LIKE— help! Lol🤪) heavy acid reflux that’s miserable and somehow triggered by overwhelming negative emotions like fear or stress -- and ocd. I take medicine for my adhd during the week, but when I do... it results in me... not... eating...? Oh well that’s not important -

my aesthetic/fashion is alternative/Sanrio goth. neon pink and black are my favorite colors, here’s a few examples of my fashion sense!

Ahem I also love being tickled but am embarrassed to admit it omg

anyways, I hope I didn’t miss anythin too important! Thanksies!

Miss anything? You basically went above and beyond of what I ask for (which is great!)

I match you with...

Rantaro Amami

He's fairly easy to talk to and he completely understands having trouble starting conversations. So he usually starts them when he can tell you want to talk.

He likes to sometimes play with your fluffy hair- if you allow it.

While he understands that you hate braces he tries to force some habits on you so things are a bit easier for you.

He's a little bit interested in your art, even though he doesn't say much about it. Sometimes he just finds himself staring at you while you happen to be drawing.

He found out how ticklish you were, but he never knew if you like it or not. But his tickling is always gentle and while it gets you to laugh for sure it's never the torture kind of tickles where you are helpless.

Whenever you get yourself into small troubles with toxic "friends" he'd surely shut that down immediately. Thinking of excuses and generally trying a chill way to make them leave you alone.

They might try to paint him as an controlling asshole but at least you were aware that those "friends" were toxic, so while you said that you'll keep that in mind and watch out in reality you didn't think about the issue.

~Mod Angie

[paipayaseeds]

"Ooooh! My family is pretty small.."Angie began, taking a small bite out of her food before continuing. In that Interval, Miu plopped herself conveniently on Anya's side -

Across from Kaito.

A smug look masked a little from her innocent smile would be given to the astronaut. The inventor 's legs would cross and accidentally catch one of Anya's in the crossfire, in response, Anya's face becoming red as all hell. It hadn't helped how the side of her chest had been pressing against Anya's shoulder. With Anya's height--

An eyeful was an understatement. The girl would gaze at her food, nodding feverishly at Angie's tale, beckoning her to continue.

"I had a mother, a mama, and a papa! Along with a twin sister! She didn't like to do art like moi, but! She did enjoy baking! To her, the culinary arts was, well art!.." The white haired gal would sigh happily, head in her hands as if she'd been reminiscing.

"I do hope I get to see her again.. Around this time, we'd have pray time to our Atua, and go on a lovely stroll on our islands sandy shores.. Any who!- Anyone else wish to share a tale about their family or loved ones! "

"My family are a bunch of shit eating maggots. Only good one I guess was my mom."Miu would reply dismissively, her voice rumbling into Anya's heat radiating body.

Kaede would speak, raising her hand up.

"I can't remember much but, I miss playing the piano for my siblings.. I also had a twin, Angie! Maybe they could meet if we get out of here!"

"Nya hahaha! A marvelous Idea!"

Gonta looked as if he'd been considering speaking, buy instead carefully applied food into his mouth, 'gentleman like' of course. Kaede would look over to Kirumi(conveniently sat near Ryoma-)

"Hey Kirumi! Since you kinda, act like a mom, you must've had a lot of siblings right?"

"Family is such a beautiful thing.. They either make you the most contributing person of society.. Or they turn you into an amalgamation of their own insecurities and leave you to fend for yourself in the cruel game: Life."

As if he hadn't said anything, Korekiyo would strategically eat his food via lifting his mask slightly. Kaede would look at the Anthropologist, a concerned look on her face.

"Korekiyo--"

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my ass don't know shit about Angie's family so I bullshitted

Kaito snarled at the girl who stole his spot he had been gunning over for the last five minutes. ‘That little seat-stealer— What the hell is her aim!?’ 

"I, myself did not have any siblings. But the people of whom I have served... I cherish each one of them, and sometimes even consider them my kin; if they'd allow me to."

Rantaro suddenly decided to speak up at the mention of an abundant amount of siblings, finding that he had tons to say about that subject. "Well, unlike Kirumi, I have twelve biological sisters, haha." Rantaro shovelled in another bite of food in his mouth, "So... If we ever get outta here, the first thing I'm going to do is dive back into my search for 'em, you know?"

Shuichi's eyebrow twitched as he had 'detected' something off about what Rantaro said. 'If?' he didn't know the green-haired boy well, though he hadn't taken him for a pessimist. A realist would better describe him, but then that would mean...

It's funny, Shuichi had been so busy trying to decipher what the boy meant to say by that, that he didn't even seem to notice that Rantaro had spoken about having twelve sisters.

Kaito stared blankly at Korekiyo for a second, eyebrows creasing by a hair as he tried to figure out what the anthropologist had meant. Though Kaito ended up just ignoring what the boy had said altogether, and instead decided to focus his attention on Rantaro.

"Twelve!?" Rantaro perked his head up in surprise at the astronaut's voice, not expecting him of all people to talk to him. "Well, I guess you could say I have thirteen now— right? Anya?" Rantaro slung a comfortable arm around her shoulder, wrist swatting Miu away as he caught Anya's full attention with a grin.

It was nice to think of her as another one of his sisters, and even though he had lost his other twelve, he would make sure not to make the same mistake with Anya. He wasn't going to lose her; he learned his lesson.

[ubemango]

as someone who is sope biased that garden chapter made me so like pressed i wanted to unstan so fast LOL never in my life i felt such strong emotions for characters in a story i could not stand to look at photos of them for DAYS LOL like sobrang nainis!!!!!! sarap sampalin!!!!! punyeta.

ahgishaman said: even yung kabigan nya, parang masungit or something like, GIRL GO tomulong yung kabigan mo! bakit kailangan mo sasabihin ni Jimin kung ano ang dapat mo gagawin. like for real

LMAOOOOOO man miss Obi got you good 😭😭😭😭😭Yea today even I’m like >:( ANGY!!!!!!! dbfjhvbdfjfbhjjshbf Anyway sampalin natin sila lets go!!!!!!!!! Anywho yea it’s easy to get mad at Nayeon at that part bc she should have kept better tabs especially since it was getting really intense for oc but like that was a very human part, the way I saw it.... like Nayeon was super busy with work so Jimin was absolutely necessary at that point in the plot 😭😭😭😭 And Nayeon knows oc more than anyone and Trusted her completely but clearly it was waaaaaay more than oc could handle and Shit Happens and HUge mistakes are made and it’s WILD and scary !!!!!!!!! And that’s life and things are preventable and that makes you even More Mad which I think was miss Obi’s driving point here 

[s2pdassp0sts]

I dunno if mababalik pa yung kung pano dapat tayo yung wala yung awkwardness. Kasi in the first place ang hirap nung sa part ko na kung kelan ang lalim na nung feelings ko bigla na lang may pumasok ulit na tao sa buhay mo and poof I'm gone. Truly sobrang sakit and sinong tao ba naman ang totoo ang nararamdaman na minahal tas pag nakasalubong or nakita yung specific na tao na yon babatiin na as if walang nangyare syempre magiging bitter yon or mahihiya na ay ang taas naman nyan di ko kinaya di ko reach kakahiya batiin or maiisip yung mga pinagsasasabi nya dun sa tao nayon tas dinisregard naman yung feelinga diba ang hirap? Kung meron man tangina pare kung sino ka man saludo ako sayo ang strong mo. Hahays. Pero honestly I wanna run to you right na hold you hug you tight. Wala akong sasabihing kung ano I just want us to stay that way and kung mag kukusa ka na mag open dun pa lang ako iimik. Haha pero tanggap ko naman at alam ko sa sarili ko na the possibility na mangyare yon e mababa pa sa 1%. So angie? Ganda(tssk i miss saying that and your selfies) stay strong ah? Ingat ka palagi. Fighting! 🙂 ily

[lore-a-lie]

Chapter 3, Act 11: Divining Revolutions

CLASS TRIAL- RESUME

As Kaede gave her silent approval Angie took the moment to meditate before responding in kind. Not that she wouldn’t be willing to lead the cross-examination thingies, even if she wasn’t as familiar with how to really do so.

And it was comforting to see Kaede’s earlier attempt to give up her position of authority was genuine. Or if not, that it was able to become genuine for this moment at the very least.

But still, it wasn’t Angie’s place to make such a call just yet. There was a reason she tried not to be so compelling during these debates. If Atua saw no need for her to act, who was she to act against Him?

Awwright Sugah, ‘Tis the Time to Start Speaking Thy Piece. Ain’t None of Thy Allies Willin’ an’ Able to Surpass the Impasse as Thy art to Bring this Shindig to its Most Unrighteous of Conclusions.

And with that command His Prophet gave the pitiful pianist the acknowledgement she sought. She gave a bright and possibly too eager (or too quick) nod in reply, as Angie tried to see what He needed of her.

The most obvious thing to do is make Kiyo stop being stupid. But Kiyo really liked being stupid, and has never not wanted to talk this much, so that will be tough. Second most obvious is to get Tenko to shed more light on how she could have possibly missed the demon’s attempt to attack him or what happened.

I don’t think my involvement there matters until we clear that up, I only saw the tail end of it. So me talking about it now might just make things even more messy, and harder for everyone else to follow.

But maybe being so obvious was the problem. Maybe Kaede was right to try and bring things back to Ryoma.

“Hey-hey, Tenko? You said Ryoma was okay with you and Sissy-Cersei’s “replace Kiyo” plan right?” Angie asked, with a vague sketch in her mind of what she needed to do.

“Y-yeah. What about it?”

“Was he really okay with you being involved with it?” Angie tilted herself at an angle, to see if it would help her catch any small details or help catch Tenko off-guard. Not that it ever really worked on Tenko (or anyone here really) before, but it was also just fun to see if anyone would react period.

“Why wouldn’t he be?” Tenko tried to ask, to brush Angie’s oddities off as if it was just her being silly. But Kokichi saw through it, like the ridiculous over-thinker was prone to doing even if he was wrong.

“Well gee Tenko, I don’t know.” Kokichi drawled, and Tenko immediately started to cringe. And not in her normal “Ew-why-is-this-pest-known-as-a-male-trying-to-speak-to-me-can-I-kill-it” Tenko cringe-face. The “Oh-no-I-didn’t-think-this-through” type of cringey-face as he tauntly pulled apart her bluff. “Why on earth would the guy who offered to die immediately when put in a murder game to help buy the rest of us time have a problem with a strong, justice-loving, “innocent” girl like yourself trying to get away with “technically” murdering a man? As opposed to say… Offering to take your place in this plan?”

“Wait. What would Tenko’s place in the plan even have been?” Kaito asked.

“Well, it doesn’t make sense for Cersei to use Kiyo’s avatar, since hers and his look so similar.” Kaede started to explain in her teacher-y sorta way she’d do sometimes. “So maybe the plan was for Tenko to use the outdated Kiyo avatar? Like if they were supposed to switch so it was actually his sister who was the “Tenko” Gonta was with when looking for “Cersei”?”

“WHAT?! But that unpossible! Gonta make super sure it was Mini-Tenko that Mini-Gonta was with!”

“Try to think of it like why I was a suspect in the first trial, Gonta. Remember how I was accused because I’m good at dressing up as people? Kaede thinks that they wanted to dress up as each other to trick you.” Tsumugi simplified the situation as best she could, even hand talking to a degree in hopes of helping for once. “But they didn’t! So it IS impossible in that it didn’t happen. But Kokichi’s trying to say that maybe when you and Tenko were looking for “sister” in the woods, that was really Ryoma. Or something like that, I think?”

“So the body by the river could have been Ryoma’s? And we just didn’t see Kiyo’s sister at all before we left?”

“I mean, it’s not like we thought to check if saying anyone’s names would have logged that body out. So it could have been, since we assumed Ryoma was last seen headed to the mansion to leave the sim. Kibo could have seen him heading to the wardrobe instead or something like that.” Kaito suggested.

“Kiyo’s sister would need to be alive then right?” Kibo asked with concern, and hissed at Kokichi to shut it when he started being technical about her “living” status again to continue. But in a twist he looked to their judge. “Monokuma, would it be possible to bring up the simulation’s log? It’s not really “fair” you didn’t give me a chance to check it before the trial in hindsight. I want to see if Kiyo had to log his sister out before he could leave.”

“What, and make this mystery easier for you? Not a chance, this is waaay more interesting! I believe in you~” The bear mocked him with a laugh, and Angie amazed herself once again at her ability to refrain from flipping him off. Even if it meant no one would, with Kokichi not being the right sort of vulgar and Kaito being the wrong sort of immature to fill the void Miu would have gladly filled.

One of many voids Miu would have gladly filled come to think of it! Nya-ha-ha~ I hope she’s watching us with a smile and sassy commentary, wherever she is. And giving this bear the bird he’s asking for. No matter how much it would make Shuichi squirm or Kirumi needed to chide her for it.

I wonder if Rantaro and Himiko are getting along? They’re both laid back people. Or the way we knew them they were. I’m sure no matter what state Ryoma’s in from this that Maki’s already by his side!

I wonder if they appreciate seeing me pray for them so often, even if I was mean to them when they were still with us? Or I’m making them laugh, seeing what I do as being silly or stupid despite my intentions?

… Prophet, the Trials Ya’ll are Still Facing are a Bit Mo’ Important at Present, Are They Not?

RIGHT. Whoopsie-daisy~ Thank you, O’ great and wise Atua for Your divine inspiration!

Snapping out of her trance that was most definitely not a nap, Angie made sure she looked as attentive as she could as she checked to see where the conversation was at.

“-So you think Ryoma wanted to get Kiyo and Angie out of the church to give them an opportunity to perform a kill-and-switch?” She heard Kaito say.

“No, he didn’t want me involved at all. And Ryoma didn’t seem too keen on actually seeing if Cerci would be safe on her own. You know how he can get. The only switching he would have wanted to try was using Kiyo’s appearance to get close to either sibling to see if they could be killed, and then pretend to be the dead one to repeat the process on whoever was left.”

“So you think he was just trying to take a chance to go after either of them?” Kaede asked Tenko.

“Yeah, but it’s not like it sounds like he made contact if Cerci never died! I mean Kiyo said his sister spoke to him when she attacked him, and avatar switching wouldn’t change Ryoma’s voice, right?”

“Right. If they could, we never would have realized Kiyo’s sister was a person instead of an illness.” Kibo agreed.

“We don’t know that she isn’t-” Tsumugi tried to point out, only to be cut off by an offended Tenko trying to keep the point of discussion to the forefront.

“That doesn’t change the core point here!”

“The point that relies on Kiyo being honest? ‘Cause that’s a pretty shitty one to bet our lives on.” Kokichi prodded again, trying and failing to get Kiyo to lash out.

And that was still a problem Angie wasn’t sure how to solve yet.

She knew his sister was still in there, and she thought everyone else did too enough for him to stop being so cagey about her presence. But for once that “edgy” zipper on his face suited how tight lipped he was.

He must have noticed how she kept looking at it too, as Kiyo narrowed his eyes at her and leaned more to Tsumugi’s side. Like he half-expected Angie to try and leap over the boundary between them to yank it open. Which probably would get him to at least say something, but Angie figured getting a human reaction out of him probably wouldn’t lead to a useful one. (But it’s something I can try later I guess!)

So she was left trying to sort out how Ryoma fit in. “Tenko, how do you know Ryoma wasn’t just going to go along with your plan?” Angie slapped her hands to her cheeks in shock, “Could it be Tenko already knew it wouldn’t work because Kore is evil? How mature of you!”

“Hey!” The whine came as expected, “I’m already plenty mature! I know because Ryoma told me so. He thought it’d be safer to kill both of them, but even if he didn’t-” Tenko cut herself off as she started to rub at her arm while looking down with a look of shocked realization.

“If he didn’t?” Kaito anxiously repeated to urge her on.

“If he didn’t get them both then he said he’d still confess if there was a trial.” She numbly repeated, barely blinking despite the tears Angie could see starting to well at the corners of her eyes. But when Tenko got ahold of herself she shook them off and desperately looked to Kaito. “But he wouldn’t have actually meant that, right?! He… I thought you and Kaede were helping him through that stuff! And this couldn’t have been… THAT, right? So we wouldn’t be forced to watch him suffer for my stupid idea?”

“Of course not!” Kaede said seemingly in spite of herself. Perhaps more a reflection of her hopes than their reality. “If he did that wouldn’t explain his cause of death or being found in the pool. We already established that!” (Ah, good point. That does reflect our reality pretty well… Maybe that’s the problem!)

We’re focusing on our reality, when we should be testing Kibo’s reality! He should have some idea of what could “kill” in the sim, even if he hasn't said so yet. And he was there for the wardrobe stuff to some extent from the sounds of things. But I don’t want to spook him, so he doesn’t get stage fright.

“Wait… Kibo, how much of this did you know?” Angie asked with a cutesy and quirky tilt of her head with her hands in place as if to tighten screws to help her think straighter. “If she and Ryoma talked about this in the virtual world near your wardrobe thingy are you suuure you didn’t overhear something about it?”

“... Enough?” Kibo said, avoiding eye contact with everyone as he twiddled his fingers. “I mean I didn’t know Miss Shinguji was involved in this! And I thought Ryoma’s plan was what Tenko had intended…”

Kibo turned to bow to Kiyo in a near panic, voice shaky and air puffing as if his throat was closing up even though he didn’t breath. “I’m very sorry! I knowingly conspired to help murder your sister, and there’s no excuse for that! I completely understand if you can never forgive me for that. Or if none of you can.”

“I… I was worried she was going to kill someone. I had no idea who or how, so I didn’t know what to do! So I thought that since she was your original motive, that getting rid of her could be to your benefit.

“Seeing how you two were fighting, I wasn’t sure if she was going to kill you and use my program to hide it! I didn’t know Tenko was trying to HELP her do something like that!” He shouted, nearly hysterical. “So when I found that avatar by the river I… I panicked. I got out of the sim, to make sure everyone was okay, and while Kiyo was okay, Ryoma… Ryoma wasn’t.

“I thought he succeeded in killing Miss Shinguji and then chose to kill himself rather than risk being executed or making Kiyo worse. If there was no trial for a “murder” like this Kiyo might have done something drastic to avenge her, or hurt himself so I thought it made sense! And I did something stupid.

“I… moved Ryoma’s body, hoping it’d help make what happened clearer.” Kibo confessed at last, staring so hard at the floor it was like he was testing out a new laser vision feature. “Maybe it was also just me being selfish, trying to hide how people could physically die in my simulation despite my best efforts. I took him to his lab and tossed him into the pool from his window, since I thought paralleling the other murder would make his intentions clearer. I’m so so sorry everyone. I didn’t intend to hurt anyone…”

“And what if you were wrong, huh?!” Kaito snapped at him, making Kibo flinch. “You don’t have proof that’s what happened, and you messing with the crime scene doesn’t help anything! Do you even know how Ryoma “killed himself” in your scenario?!”

“Uhhh…”

“Back off Kaito, Kibo said he panicked so it’s plainly obvious he wasn’t thinking straight! I mean who could in a situation like that?” Tsumugi snapped back, taking some pressure off of the robotic boy.

“How exactly did he “die” in your Oh-so-safe virtual world anyway, Keeboy?” Kokichi drawled, but there was a vindictive glint to his eyes and his smug smile was all teeth. “You know something we don’t?”

“I… I mean, he could have taken one of Shuichi’s poisons-”

“BBBZT! Wrong, try again!” Kokichi interrupted with a raspberry in place of an incorrect buzzer, getting more manic in his malice. “Kaito and I were in Shuichi’s lab when the Monokuma file says he died, and I made sure all those poisons are accounted for every time I visit! If he swiped one earlier I’d know.”

The Child Panics, Guilt Turns To Fury, Fanned by Failure and Fear. The One with False Leadership Would Claim Responsibility for This Crime an’ all Crimes Previous if They Only Could. Thy Needst No Reminder of Where They Fall Short. Each Night the Denied Truths Return, The Worst Plague of All.

Ummm, I think you used “Thy” wrong there?

An uncanny echo of silence resounded in Angie’s head, the type that would normally mean Atua had fallen asleep again. But it turned out to be but a pause as she heard His wondrous words return to her.

Ah... My B. I Grant Thee My Most Sincerest of Apologies, Sunspot. Perhaps ‘tis the Sound of Sleep Beckoning Me to Her Bodacious Bosom Once More that Distractith Me So.

“Distractith”? Now you’re just teasing me, there’s no way you used that right!

“Fine! Yes, he died in the simulation but I don’t know how!” Kibo broke down. “There shouldn’t have been any way for him to prematurally sever the connection between his mind and his body. But he was brain dead so it must have happened somehow. I’m not sure if he did it on purpose, or if he had help-”

“Wait,” Kaito said to pause the panicking robot. “Let’s just narrow down what could cause that then, okay? I mean we know where his avatar was found in the simulation, so that can help. Just because he died in there doesn’t make you the killer, so no need to freak out. Just be honest with us! No more lies.”

“So you think the river might be part of it? But he didn’t drown or suffocate.” Kaede pointed out.

“Maybe it like how Mini-Gonta gets scared at the Low-ding Point? Is that what being “brain dead” like? Like sleeping without dreams?” Gonta suggested with a shutter at the thought.

“Maybe!” Tsumugi replied, and put her nerdy knowledge to good use. “Video games would often have water act as boundaries by making you die or respawn if you touch it. Were there any rules like that, Kibo?”

“I… I don’t know.” He quietly said. “I never checked, I never considered anyone going for a swim. I mean even when we have a pool no one really uses it, so I didn’t think there would be any interest.”

… Oh. I get it now. That’s what You’re sorry about.

It’s not Your fault! You were asleep at the time.

But her words sounded like they fell on deaf ears as the void Atua used to be in gave her no comfort.

Angie wasn’t sure if she should share her findings just yet though. It’d be more convincing if she could get Kiyo to lead the others to it first, since he also saw what happened, but she wasn’t sure how to get him to work with her. He seemed far too content with taking the blame for this case, and it rattled her.

They both knew if he was found guilty it would only get him and everyone else who was innocent killed.

If he still wanted to die there were easier ways to do it! Ways that wouldn’t hurt anyone else physically.

I’m not really sure how I would take it emotionally though. I mean, am I to blame for this any? I don’t think I am, I think he enjoys making me mad and how I try to get back at him. He’s annoying like that.

Still, Kaito wants us to help him and Atua agrees with that! Even if Kiyo’s such an ignorant know-it-all.

Is he trying to die like this to save the blackened? To repay them for interfering in Ryoma’s attempt to kill him? Or is this just so he makes sure that even though his “Sister” isn’t real he still makes 100 friends for her? I mean it sounds like he’s close enough that three “admirable” girls would more than met his goal.

Assuming the mastermind isn’t a girl I mean. Technically they’d survive in that case too, wouldn’t they?

If our lives are in real danger, despite what we’ve seen before, how can he accept letting THEM survive?!

Maybe I can use that to talk some sense into him!

“Kiyo, are you sure you heard your sis speak to you when you saw her on the bridge?” Angie tried as a direct question, one he might be more open to answering now. “Or any chance that was Ryoma who was trying to harass you? Or someone else? ‘Cause I know what I saw, but I didn’t hear anyone say anything.”

“... I hardly see why it would change anything,” he muttered. “Even if she didn’t say them aloud we’ve proven her intent and that of my assaulter is one and the same, yes?”

“What happened after the fight?” Kokichi prodded and Angie winced at how blunt he was being. She could tell he was trying to use his tell-y trick again, but with Kiyo like this what good would it be?

But despite her concerns he did confirm some of their friends’ assumptions. Just not in a helpful way.

“She fell in the river. Clearly that much should seem obvious at this point.”

“Did she now? Or was she pushed?” Kokichi pushed again, before Angie could butt in.

This time Kiyo acted more like she was expecting, and only gave a bitter shrug. “Who can say?”

“Come on, out with it!” Kaito snapped.

“And why should I? To what benefit is there? Is it not enough to merely narrow down suspects?”

“Have you really lost it?!” Tenko shouted. “We’ll all die if we get this wrong!”

“As will we all, in due time-”

“Well, what are you being so cagey for then?” Angie asked with a forced brightness in hopes of putting him off guard and cut to the chase. “Do you really want the mastermind to win?”

And while it didn’t work he had no answer for her, which gave her enough satisfaction.

“That’s what’ll happen, won’t it? We all die but the blackened and the mastermind? The killing game will only ever end with two survivors, right?” She continued to needle, and Monokuma began to act like he was getting hot under the collar at her questioning. Despite the whole not having a collar thing.

“No comment!”

“Huh, huh? Who asked you? I was obviously talking to Kiyo, silly!”

Tsumugi giggled a bit at that, probably a case of nerves giving her the flutterbugs, which got some others to laugh between her ensuing embarrassment and Monokuma’s indignation. Still, the levity helped raise Angie’s spirit a little, in light of what Kiyo was showing she would need to reveal.

But Tenko cut in before she had the chance.

“Stop trying to deny what you did then, you degenerate! We know you killed him, and we know that while you want to die, She doesn’t! It doesn’t matter if it was self-defense, or mistaken identity, or anything else! You’re not going to go sliding on another loophole, you murderer!” Her ranting was so non-stop that even Kaede couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

And as she watched her friend try to make her case against Kiyo, without any regard to the other voices trying to be heard in her misplaced fury, Angie felt something not unlike Atua’s artistic urges.

The Ultimate Artist could see it. A lovely set of armor that could reflect the soul of the Ultimate Aikido Master, as ill fitting and out of place such a garment was for the martial art. But for Neo-Aikido it’d work just fine, and invoking the style of the Samurai would be done in the spirit of the great Tomoe.

Such a warrioress deserved nothing less than an armor that would reflect her heart of hearts. And Tenko herself warranted feeling not like a princess as Tsumugi had tried, but a queen ever at the ready to strike.

Layers of lacquered wood and pristine porcelain, woven with leather into skirts for the light flexibility western metal armor could never match. Each strip made the shade of sweet sakura petals so light that the girlish pink would be nearly wedding white under the rising sun. An ill omen for any man who tried to wed her, but their foolish blood would turn it a lucky and evil-banishing crimson soon enough.

Not that it was like the martial artist to seek marital bliss. Her bliss came in simpler, smaller forms daily. But if Angie could make this even half as beautiful as what Atua was proposing, Tenko would adore it.

Still, she tried to will the beautiful image away, before she could get lost in details she would never be able to bring to life. If she didn’t stop now, before the issues of a masked helm could arise, she might not manage to later. It hurt to ignore such god-given artistry that could bring such joy to one close to her.

It was one of many things she’d never be able to do with Tenko again when all was said and done.

There’s only one way to stop this. This must be why Atua’s been so quiet aside from this last vision.

He must be so ashamed of me. I should have realized it sooner.

“So how can you say for sure the degenerate isn’t our real culprit Angie?!”

Four little words is all it should take.

“BECAUSE”

But it’s okay!

“I”

I can do this!

“PUSHED”

I’m sorry Tenko.

“HIM!”

Angie had to take a moment to regain control of her breathing after making that dreaded confession. But at least all of her friends should be safe now. If only from the fate she needs to face for the time being.

“I saw him try to attack Kiyo on the bridge. I didn’t know it was Ryoma, I just saw Kiyo’s Sister picking on him so I wanted to help and it looked like things were getting dangerous! So I snuck up on her, err him, and poked not-Kore’s back to pause them. But Kiyo wouldn’t move, he musta been in shock or somethin’,  and I couldn’t move Kiyo off of the dumb narrow bridge to somewhere safer and keep Kore paused!”

“So you pushed her off the bridge, to keep her away from Kiyo?” Kaede pressed, but thankfully her eyes were understanding. There were no bitter feelings to be found in them, only the pain of true sympathy.

“Yeah! I thought the river’s current would make sure whatever shore she swam to would be far enough away to either get help or snap Kiyo out of it! It’s not like she hurt him yet as far as I could tell, but still...”

“You didn’t know we can’t swim in Kibo’s world.” Kaito numbly supplied as his features at last softened with this final closure. “Ryoma fell out of bounds, breaking the mental connection, and you had no idea.”

“Yes! Angie thought it was harmless! Everyone where she’s from are super good swimmers, she didn’t-” Angie caught herself and tried to slow herself so she could be as clear as possible. So there was no doubts about her words, and her reasons wouldn’t change the truth they had all suffered for. “I didn’t think there was any reason why a river that narrow would be dangerous. Kibo did such a divine job making everything there safe! Atua thought he covered everything. I forgot it could be deadly.”

And with the painful truth laid bare Angie took another look to her friends, trying to gauge their reactions. It didn’t surprise her to see Kokichi held no pity for her, only frustration. She knew his qualms with murder, and he had heard her suggest reviving the dead as sacrifices, firmly setting him against her.

It’s surprising how much more hollow this feels than what I expected getting someone killed would be back then. Maybe this is meant to be a sign Ryoma really isn’t dead! Or maybe that’s wishful thinking.

The others looked at her with different levels of somber airs and hurt understanding. Though Kiyo seemed shocked enough by her willingness to confess that even with his mask he appeared slack-jawed.

And that slack was all the give his mental parasite needed to claw the mask away, giving Angie a second witness if any wanted to argue against her unwitting guilt. Because while Kiyo may have still had a death wish, setting his objective against their own, Kore made it clear she was a very different story.

“It’s true! I’m sick of being considered “dead” or accused of things I know nothing about!” The banshee screeched. “I never saw Kiyo on any bridge, and I only spoke to him after he logged us both out!

“I wasn’t even in the mansion when he did it! It was extremely rude of him, not like my Korekiyo at all.” She snorted as she crossed her arms and gave Ryoma’s portrait a glare, trying to reclaim her usual frozen facade. “Even more so for him to try and drag us all down with him over such minor grievances.

“Honestly, you all you should be ashamed of yourselves! After all that progress, all our work to get him past these frivolous urges, what do you cretins do? You drag my brother’s spirit low enough to relapse, despite all the flimsy excuses he gives to defend you people!” The haughty haunting hussy huffed.

“Huh~ Since when did he need us for that? You seemed to be doing that fine enough on your own.” Angie called, leaning over the railing of her podium as she taunted so she could better aggravate the monster beside her. It’s not like she had anything left to lose anymore with her Lord’s silence, and if she didn’t shut this bitch up herself no one might.

“EXCUSE ME?!” (I can definitely feel Atua’s desire to make an ice sculpture of her, if only to curse her. Not that He can now. It’s probably just out of habit He let me feel this at all. Unless He feels my guilt is lacking and is trying to make me more repentant?)

“That’s why you wanted him to go after Kaede, isn’t it? Somebody was jealous~ Ya meanie.”

“Nonsense, that was his choice-”

“Liar, Liar, pants on fire~” Angie sang over the false specter. She could feel her anger seep over into her smile as she laid her rage bare. “If that were true, Kiyo would have asked me to be the medium before. And Angie probably would have said “yes” like a real dummy! Atua was too busy rage napping to give Angie his divine protection and I wanted Kiyo to mess it up! ‘Cause he acts like Atua isn’t the only true god. But Kiyo didn’t! And then mean ol’ missy sissy got all hissy over him just wanting her to make normal friends with us. Because you don’t want “friends”. You didn’t want him to have any, yes?”

At least Angie wasn’t the only one pissed off any more. Even if she had to quickly swing herself back to avoid the monster’s attempt to slap her, which nearly caused Angie to stumble back over the opposite railing. (Maybe copying Kiyo’s obnoxious way of talking was a biiit much. But that look on her face tho!)

“How dare you accuse me of something like that?!” She seethed, as if letting out steam to reveal how shallow her cold “cool” demeanor still was, no matter how fitting it was for her heartlessness.

“You’re only mad ‘cause she’s right, aren’t you?” Kaede challenged with an accusing point. “You chose the “friends” you wanted, not him. No point backtracking on that, with how you keep pointing out how much lower his “standards” are than yours. And if he got too close to others, he wouldn’t need you anymore, right? You don’t want to risk him moving on with his life, so you’d have to move on too.”

And that was all it took to make Kore really snap. Kinda sad how easy that really was, now that they could fairly safely gang up on her. (But not much more pushing than it takes to set me off either, is it?)

“I won’t let you take him away from me! He’s not allowed to abandon me now! I won’t let him throw me away again, to ignore me while I rot alone like everyone else did! I won’t forgive him. I won’t forgive anyone, no matter how many apologies I hear! Apologize all you want, but I won’t. I won’t. I won’t!”

An’ Thus His Parasyche Shows Her True Nature. The Ghost of a Broken Memory, a Revenant Remnant of a Dying Girl. Desperate to Forget She Was Not But a Child’s Guilt an’ Self Loathing Made Manifest, Grown Willful an’ Proud Feeding from Every Bit of Bitter Bile of His Soul He Thought Suppressed.

Angie was taken aback by His voice, but she knew it best not to question it. If He graced her with His assurances of conclusions she suspected, that was His choice. She had no right to address Him anymore.

She failed Him as His prophet, and everyone He wanted to help by acting through her.

As Angie shook off her brief shock she heard Kaede quelling the sins of Shinguji, with all others quiet. And with discussion settled Monokuma declared it was time for the votes to be cast one last time.

Well, last for her anyway. Though Angie felt no real need to condemn herself to her fate, she did so nonetheless. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to fear if they thought a third soul would be lost tonight. A glance to her side eased her own concerns, as Kore was quick to vote in her brother’s stead.

The last thing I want is for Kiyo to throw his life away after Ryoma died from my attempt to protect him. O’ Atua, I’m really going to die for HIS sake aren’t I? Please show mercy upon me my Lord, I messed up baaad this time. That prick isn’t worth all this harm and heartache! … I mean Kiyo, not Ryoma. Oh well.

Please watch over them all, okay Atua? Even if I wasn’t able to convince them of Your blessings. Amen.

Again, she felt only a sense of emptiness that equalled only the resounding silence where Atua once watched over her as the results were shown. No matter how much guilt Tenko may have felt for her role in setting the tragedy into motion, it was Angie’s face that was lit up in the end.

She tried to handle herself with as much dignity as she could, now that her end was before her. But she had one last thing to do before her execution began.

“Ah. Oh well. I guess I’m going to need to go on ahead. Sorry everyone, but it’s been fun!” Angie said with as much energy as she could, and twirled to give everyone one last looksie. “May Atua protect you all, and may you live long happy lives when the smoke clears,” she offered as a final prayer.

“Whatta bunch of bullshit,” She heard Kaito hiss to himself, and he looked far more conflicted now than he had in previous trials. He was a fair bit paler too, and hearing the way he coughed concerned her.

But before she could draw attention to the ill-boding red flecks she saw on his hand, Tenko drew her into one of the tightest bear hugs she’d ever been given. And considering Tenko’s previous hugs that’s saying a lot.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. It was stupid! If I hadn’t-”

“Hey, hey~ It’s okay, it’s okay! You couldn’t have known, and I don’t blame you or Ryoma! It was my mistake.” Angie rubbed at Tenko’s back, not wanting to make anyone’s stress worse just yet. She knew Kaede also saw the proof of Kaito’s injury, wherever it was. So they’ll be able to settle that later.

For now, Angie needed to try and lessen the damage she was about to do.

And a bit of tradition felt fitting in that moment, so Angie wiggled out of her raincoat and plopped it on Tenko’s shoulders, using the sleeve to uselessly wipe at Tenko’s mucky face. Tenko quickly caught onto what she was doing, as the waterproof material only moved the tears and gross boogers around rather than wipe them up, which got some very wet laughs from those around them as Tenko shooed her away.

“There! You look like you need it more than me, just look at how much rain you have on your faces already!” Angie stuck her tongue out at them in faux-mockery, hoping her own tears wouldn’t be brought up at her tease. “So take good care of it, m’kay? It’s important to keep parts of a person alive, and objects can hold memories just like brains do. So even if it stops being a raincoat, don’t get rid of it!”

With her parting piece said, there was no reason to postpone things any longer. Before Monokuma could snatch her away to meet Atua, and how he would try to break her spirit as he did, she squared her shoulders and gave everyone one last wave.

It was only then it occurred to her that blackeneds didn’t know what their executions were called.

Somehow not knowing made what was to come all the more nerve wracking than the anticipation a title left for those on the other side of the curtain. But she would never let that weakness show. If Monokuma wanted to make her frown or scream in “despair” she’d make that as difficult for him as she could.

That made the setting set before her all the more anticlimactic.

It was a snowy field, with a river nearby much like how the Virtual World’s setting was, and the sky above looked stormy. Angie wasn’t sure if lightning was possible during snow storms, but regardless of it was possible or artistic license that’s the direction it looked like things were going.

And as snake-like ropes bound her struggling form to a post like a lowercase t at the center of a pile of kindling she felt like she was ready to vomit, seeing the blasphemy he was going for.

Around her christianity based cross-of-a-lightning rod she saw ruined depictions of other faiths too. Everything from wooden sculptures like totem heads or scrolls of pagan gods were ready to burn.

Her thoughts were torn between Himiko’s lifeless corpse and the words her other self spoke before:

I’d rather avoid something witchy if I can.

So Monokuma made her take on the role of Joan of Arc (Joan d’arc? I don’t do french! Sorry Kaede) and was going to make the heavens “smite” her for her insolence. The crimes born out of best intentions and poor judgement, including those that happened long before Ryoma may have come to harm.

While there was no true being supporting Monokuma’s murder, Angie took a breath and prepared to accept it nonetheless. She felt an odd calmness within her as she saw the lightning flashes and resulting flames draw near her. As if it was Atua protecting her from the full brunt of her torture.

But when an all too human weight tackled into her, if this was His doing she wished he had forsaken her.

As kind as it is to keep her from dying alone, it was cruel to do so at the expense of one of her friends. But as her would-be savior tried to untie her, urging her to escape the stage, she couldn’t bring herself to voice those feelings. She simply tried to smother the pure gratitude that welled in her chest, and prayed for both of their souls as the thunder kept crashing down.

----

Tenko could only watch in silent horror as Kaito shoved Angie out of the way of the first strike. She watched as he struggled to untie their most innocent murderer, but as hard as she tried Tenko couldn’t hear anything over the sound of Monokuma’s thunder at this point.

But shouldn’t I be the one trying to save her? Or at least be helping him now? There’s only one Exisal left, so this would be as good a time as any to strikeback, wouldn’t it? I promised to protect Angie, didn’t I?!

Would she have ever done the same thing for you?

Tenko could only clench her eyes and teeth as shut as she was able to and looked away in frustration at that insidious thought. But only because she knew the answer.

She knew Angie wouldn’t even have considered saving her had their positions were switched. So in a way it was for the best that Tenko did the same thing, wasn’t it?

Unlike Kaito she had things she could still lose. Opening her eyes gave her a harsh reminder of that.

Gonta was beside her looking as torn and lost as she felt, standing on the sidelines as a “degenerate male” did what she couldn’t bring herself to do. And she knew that if she lept in to help Gonta would have followed her without question, because like Kaito that was the sort of man he was. A noble one.

And Kaito only had to die to prove it to you, didn’t he? Just like Ryoma did. Just like everyone kept saying. But you never wanted to listen, did you Tenko? This is all your fault. You failed Angie, and you’ll fail Kaito.

Her head felt like a mountain as she lifted it and shook her head at Gonta. The heartbreak and failure on his face would be forever ingrained in her memory. Because failing Kaito was the best they could do.

If we try to save him now we both might just end up dying out there with them, even without the Exisal. There’s nowhere for us to run to and he knew that going in. And if we all died who’d protect Kaede or Tsumugi!? Kibo? Even if he could, who’d protect him? He can’t save everyone on his own! He needs us.

Both she and Gonta could do nothing but weep as they saw Kaito try to pull Angie to a safety that didn’t exist. He couldn’t even see where the others were standing in all the chaos of the execution’s set. It was only a matter of time before the cruel god of this hell struck them down, as it gave up on avoiding him.

She almost thought Kaede and some others even began cheering him on, trying to help lead him back to them. But since even standing closer to the stage was enough to nearly drown them out, if that hadn’t been Tenko projecting her own feelings, there was no real point to it all.

So instead of joining in, or risk starting this chant of false hope if her mind was playing tricks, she just went close enough to hug Gonta as the watched. But with the way he held her she figured he was the one really doing most of the comforting. She could only hope she was helping him back in some way.

A part of her hoped the thunder would help mask her own wailing as the inevitable happened, only belatedly realizing a lot of that noise was now her other friends making similar screams. (But not Angie.)

It was only when she felt Gonta lift her that she noticed both of her knees had given out at some point. He still held her protectively, like this was still just a clingy two way hug to him, and carried her back to the group as she shoved her face into his chest to keep him from hearing her babble and whimper.

Not that any of it stopped when he cautiously put her back down, but she thought it would be better than hearing her incoherently try to blame herself for everything that happened. (Keeping him from correcting you for telling the truth was just another selfish benefit. You were just too scared to help.)

As he set her down Tsumugi was the first to cling to her as they sobbed together. A glance to Kaede quickly answered the question of why she wasn’t joining them.

The pianists eyes looked glossy with unshed tears as she blankly stared at the spot they could last make out Kaito and Angie, lost to the flames. She was on her knees, but looked broken in a way the previous trials hadn’t managed.

No one had expected Kaito to interfere, least of all her. Unlike Shuichi, his death wasn’t one Monokuma’s vile rules had forced upon them. He just threw his life away at the last minute.

But why did he do that?! He even cast a vote like the rest of us did, Angie’s guilt was unanimous. Was it just to spite Monokuma, dying in a way he didn’t want? He didn't even like Angie that much! So why-

“What the hell was that moron thinking?” She heard Kokichi cuss to himself, but he made no attempt to snap Kaede out of her traumatized trance. So Tenko decided to do what he didn’t think he could.

Tenko left Tsumugi’s embrace with a pitiful hiccup of an attempt to reassure her, and stretched Angie’s raincoat over Kaede’s far shoulder like it was a blanket for them both. (Is that how shock blankets work?)

Kaede made no indication she noticed, but with how much both girls were sobbing at this point Tenko didn’t mind. And Tenko took notice of how little the dying flames left behind of either of their friends.

It’s not fair! How can a person just… disappear, like that? Like if I didn’t have Angie’s coat it could be like she never existed at all. And everyone else who died in a trial left something behind, so why didn’t Kaito?

Maybe I should try making a momento for him? Like how Angie made her wax memorial figures.

Kaito never went without that printed jacket of his. I could try making the inside of Angie’s coat look like that. It’d be a lot of work, but I think it’d be worth it. Maybe it could help some of the others too...

Tenko distantly heard Kokichi try to stir the pot, something accusatory at either Kibo or Kiyo. She couldn’t be sure which. Whatever it was, she focused on trying to bring Kaede back to them mentally instead.

The two only moved when Gonta helped get them to their feet, so everyone could leave this cursed place in the elevator. But the ride up was deathly silent and as tense as a taught bow-string.

Kibo was the first to go and took off running, with Tsumugi’s lighter footsteps following after him. But the farthest Kaede could get was five paces before crumbling back to the ground and screaming loud enough for the stars to hear her. So Tenko did the same, rather than leave her like this alone and in so much pain.

Tenko looked up to see what Gonta intended to do, and assure him he could go if he wanted to, but the words caught in her throat. He looked to Kokichi, but the boy made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the misguided gentleman. Seeing the heartbreak on Gonta’s face as the small boy swatted a hand away and stomped off in the direction of their dorms, she chose to keep out of it. She’d probably just make more problems otherwise.

Hopefully Kokichi’s not going to hold this against him for long! Kokichi has more reason to hate me for planning a murder than Gonta. Mine got farther than his did, and Gonta deserves better than this.

She turned to see where the cause of all of their misery went off to, but as it turned out Korekiyo stood at the edge of the restored fountain as if he had barely moved since exiting the elevator. He kept… twitching, in a way that definitely wasn’t natural and his eyes were scrunched tight.

When they opened it was Shinguji who looked back at her, and when she removed the mask she was scowling at both of them. As if Kaede and Tenko had played any role in her own mistakes, much less her brother’s mental state.

She strode forward, trying to keep her distance from Gonta showing she was still wary of him, but couldn’t bring herself to leave the area. And not just in a figurative sense.

The hand that reached for the exit instead turned and pulled the mask back into place, and Korekiyo stood idle by the door as he faced them.

“My apologies if I am mistaken, but I am still not to be roaming about campus unsupervised, yes?”

Gonta startled at first, and guiltily looked at the floor before nodding his agreement. “It be better, yes. Gonta not know if Tsumugi go with Kibo or go to her room, so Kiyo could be threat to her.”

“Understood,” Korekiyo replied with a short nod of his own. “If it is not too problematic, should I help you escort our fair companions back to their dorms?”

“We can stand!” Tenko snapped at him after wiping away what tears she could, and refused to feel any guilt at seeing him flinch away. She tried to pull Kaede to her feet alongside her to prove her point, but Kaede’s legs were far less stable.

“Sorry, I-”

“It okay!” Gonta assured Kaede, flushed with humiliation as much as it was from her crying. “Kaede want piggy back? If Tenko can walk, Gonta can carry Kaede easy!”

“O-oh. Sure? I mean I don’t really remember the last time I got carried like tha-AAAAT” Kaede panicked at the end seeing as he was quick to prove true to her word. But even after she got herself situated her embarrassed blush didn’t die down. “Thank you?”

“You’re welcome!” Gonta smiled as brightly as anyone could after their hell of a night. “So we back to dorms now?”

“By all means, lead the way.” Korekiyo agreed, holding the door for the other three, as much as Tenko was loath to accept any “help” from him after all the confusion and death he’d caused.

Sniffling aside, the walk back was quiet, and there were no signs of any of their other friends. But that may have been for the best, as it encouraged going straight to bed if nothing else.

Not even she was ready to offer a “sleep over” after this. Tenko just wanted to sleep and hope this was all a stupid dream her mind cooked up out of guilt over her conspiring with Shinguji.

But it wasn’t. It never was in this horrible place that Angie had wanted them all to consider “home”.

Hell, she couldn’t even remember having a single dream in this prison. But thinking of dreams brought her mind back to her key. It felt like it was so long ago now, but it couldn’t’ve been more than three days. The thought and memories made her stomach do a flip without her in grief, but she held herself firm.

She had to try to appear strong. To help Kaede. To protect Gonta. To keep Korekiyo at bay.

Speaking of that bastard...

“Hey, Gonta, can we talk real fast? I know we all need some shut eye but I have a question first.”

Gonta gave a nervous glance to Korekiyo, who merely nodded and headed for his room for the entomologist’s peace of mind. But while her friend went off to the side so Tenko could hopefully keep Kaede from overhearing and make her worried, the murderer didn’t close his door all the way.

She tried not to think about it too much when she saw Kaede notice that too, and had a few quiet words with the unstable man which netted a nod to whatever she asked of him. Likely just to make sure he would still be breathing when the morning announcement sounded, knowing Kaede.

It would be wasteful for him to die now, wouldn’t it? I don’t know how to handle this. He doesn’t DESERVE to be forgiven! But at the same time… Maybe I should try, to make up for trying to kill him?

Is that what Angie would have wanted? Or would Ryoma rather I not leave the job unfinished?

Since when have you cared about what either of them really thought? Stupid selfish Tenko!

She shook her head to clear her thoughts as she made her offer. “Do you think it’ll be okay for me to help keep an eye on Kiyo? Since without Ryoma and Kaito, we…” The words caught for a moment in her tightened throat. “I don’t want you need to feel like you have to handle him all by yourself.”

“But it not safe! Kiyo sneaky person, could try to hurt Tenko without noticing.”

“I know. But if things with his “sister” really are different now, like if she’s all in his head, we don’t know how that could change things! He could try to hurt you too! Or maybe he won’t be killing anyone else-”

“Gonta can handle Kiyo! Tenko worry about Tenko, okay?” Gonta asked with a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and it took a lot of willpower to keep herself from trying to toss him on reflex. (Though tossing a guy THIS big could be hard even for me. He’s real good about keeping himself grounded and balanced.)

“But-!”

“Ladies shouldn’t talk about butts!” Gonta laughed at his attempt at a pun to try easing her worries. “If Gonta need help, Gonta ask for help. Gonta promise.” He swore as he crossed his heart with his hand.

“Alright. And I will be one of the people you can ask for help, whatever you need, okay?” Tenko reaffirmed, and didn’t allow him to break eye contact with her until he nodded his understanding. “Good! So, I guess that’s settled for now. We can work things out in the morning.”

“Okay. Goodnight Tenko! Don’t worry about bed bugs biting, Gonta already checked and no one has signs of those! Hope you sleep good.” (GAH, WAIT ARE BED BUGS REALLY REAL?! I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!)

“I-... Thank you? Sorry if you were hoping to find some I guess.” She nervously laughed as she headed for her door. “Goodnight!”

Tenko didn’t open her eyes once she entered that room, relying on muscle memory to reach her bed unimpeded. Anything to keep from seeing things that would make what happened that night harder.

But try as she might, the memories came to plague her all the same. And despite her best efforts, sleep refused to come easily. It was only until after her pillow was soaked from her futile fury and endless replays going over everything she could have done differently to avoid her current reality did it take her.

And it would feel like no time had passed at all when the next morning came, unrested and longing for just one night to allow her to dream and escape this hell on earth. Or wherever it was they were.

Not that the truth would help us any. Even if we were in space, Kaito wouldn’t have wanted it this way.

End of Chapter 3: We Lived and Let Them All Die Young

Surviving Members: 7

[uber--duper]

Gentle Men and Selfless Women - Chapter 2: Return of Old Friends!

Chapter 1 - Chapter 3

AO3 Link

“Uhm...” Gonta squint at paper before him. Lots of letters, Gonta know that much. He know words, Gonta not that dumb, but these words... these words. Gonta no understand these words. They had lots of... same letters over and over, and strange sounds. Never sound right coming out of Gonta's mouth. Still... Gonta always tried to do best! After all, gentleman never give up. Gentleman always pull through, always become winner. He need to... sound out. Yes, sound out word. “Ehk... squeeze... ite?”

“Close!” Angie remarked. She took the paper back and scribbled something under the word she had written out earlier. “There! Try that!”

“Ehk... squiz... it?”

“Now together! Put it together, Gonta!” Angie excitedly clenched her fists. Gonta on right track, then?

“Ehksquizit.” Gonta said. Angie's eyes light up, and Gonta's also do when he see her happiness. “Exquisite!” He repeat happily.

“Yeeeee! Excellent!” Angie bounced out of her seat, wrapping her arms around Gonta's. Gonta use free arm to rub back of head. Heat come to Gonta's cheeks, but he no mind. Unlike other times... Gonta no mind heat. “Excellent work, Gonta!”

“Ah... thanks Angie.” Gonta say.

“No problem!” She replied, pulling away from Gonta. Angie hop up onto table, hands on waist. “Now, we look at what the word means, and how we can incorporate it into your etiquette training along with the other words and phrases we've learned today, okay?”

“Yes!” Gonta nod. Yes, etiquette important. Not just for gentleman, but also for family. Mom and Dad want etiquette, want polite Gonta. Gonta must be calm and polite for parents!

“Angie,” Another voice suddenly say. Gonta and Angie turn as Kirumi enter dining room from kitchen, pushing cart. On cart, there were lots of good looking foods! Dumplings and soup and fish, oh wow! Gonta's eyes widened at bounty. Very good!

“Yahoo!” Angie wave both arms excitedly. “Hello Kirumi! Gonta is making exquisite progress on his etiquette and vocabulary training!”

“I am very glad to hear that.” Kirumi say, smiling at Gonta. Gonta smiled back. Kirumi look back at Angie, and smile replaced by frown. “But right now, it's time for Master Gokuhara's lunch, and you are making a mess.”

“Aw, phooey.” Angie pouted, and hop off of table. Gonta scramble out of seat, reaching arms out. Angie land in Gonta's arms, and then laugh and pat Gonta on head. “Very well. We shall continue our lessons... after lunch!”

“Indeed.” Kirumi say, reaching onto lower shelf of cart. She pull out cloth, and move towards table. With one hand, Kirumi gathered up papers and writing things with one hand, while quickly wiping down table with other hand. Gonta marvel at her fast movements. Very... efficient! Yes, that a new word as well, one Gonta learn earlier today. But Kirumi very efficient.

“Ah, thanks very much, Kirumi!” Gonta tell her. “You are very good at this!”

“I'm pleased you're enjoying my service.” Kirumi say back, smiling. “Though you must think nothing of it. This is just a maid's typical work.” Before Gonta can respond, he find a bowl of miso soup in front of him, plus glass of water and small plate of edamame. “Appetizer.” She comment, quickly moving back to cart.

“Oh Kiruuuuumiiii~” Angie chime in, flopping into seat next to Gonta. “What about my food?”

“...I shall get to you in a moment.” Kirumi say. “I must make sure Master Gokuhara is satisfied and accounted for before I move on.”

“Ah, Gonta is good!” Gonta say. “Um... you can help Angie now! Oh, and Kirumi should eat too! We can all eat together!” He cross his arms and shake head. “Dumb Gonta... should have asked Kirumi and Angie to eat earlier days too...” When he look up, however...

“...” For a small moment... Kirumi suddenly looked... sad? She look at... no, she look through Gonta. Gonta's eyes widened in surprise. With good eyesight, Gonta see Kirumi's eyes... get misty, but still sharp. Very sharp. Something about her stop for just a second. Then she blink, and she not looking past Gonta anymore. But smile on her face now.

“Um... is Kirumi okay?” Gonta asked. He start to reach for Kirumi, but stop.

“Hmm?” Kirumi look at him through corner of her eyes as she put another bowl of soup in front of Angie, who cheer happily.

“Gonta...” Gonta frown. “Gonta no know how to ask but... Kirumi look sad. For only second, but Gonta still see it.”

“Ah...” Kirumi glanced back at her food cart, then sit down next to Gonta, retrieving bowl for herself. She gently stir soup before she chuckle. “You're very observant, Gonta. It's nothing much, just... just that you reminded me a little of somebody I served before.” Kirumi look up at Gonta with a smile. “You know, you're only the second person to ask me to eat with you.”

“What?!” Gonta gasp. “Nobody want to eat with Kirumi?!” He smack forehead. “Shoot! Gonta really should have asked friends to eat with him! No good friend if he letting other friends be hungry while he eat!” Gonta put hand on Kirumi's shoulder. She looked at it, then at Gonta. “From now on, Gonta have request for Kirumi: always make food for three! Then, Gonta, Kirumi, and Angie always eat food together! No more lonely meals!”

“Yes, I agree, I agree!” Angie finally speak up. She already finish soup. Gonta no even start his. “We're all friends here! We should eat together.”

“...hmm hmm.” Kirumi cracked a smile, humming to herself. “Very well. It would be silly to refuse such a harmless request. Plus, I would enjoy eating with you, Gonta.” She nodded, making Gonta's smile grow super large! To side, Angie chime in with quiet 'what about me?'.

“Yes! Very good!” Gonta cheer, removing hand from Kirumi's shoulder. “Now, we eat lunch!” Gonta just about to start digging in when he hear somebody call out.

“GONTA!” He hear yelling from front of house. Familiar voice, but just barely. Still... voice very loud, much louder than Mom or Dad ever reach. “GONTA, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!” It been long time since Gonta hear that voice, but he know that voice anywhere.

Gonta jump up from table, surprising Angie and Kirumi, nearly knocking over chair. Gonta barely even notice them looking at him funny as he cup hands around mouth and yell back.

“Kaito?! Kaitoooo!!!”

Kirumi could only watch, mystified, as Gonta screamed somebody's name and charged out of the dining room. Her mouth opened slightly in surprise, and she turned to look at Angie, who seemed just as startled as she was. In their week there, Kirumi had never seen Gonta act so... energetically, aside from maybe their very first interaction. He seemed to be a normally very down-to-earth person, so this kind of outburst was... surprising to say the least.

“GONTAAAAA!” “Kaitooooo!” The two voices yelling out ricocheted through the halls, pinging into the dining room. Now that the door was open, Kirumi could tell that this 'Kaito' was far from the dining room. And yet his voice carried so easily.

“...what about lunch?” Angie asked, looking confused.

“I suppose we shall have to temporarily postpone our lunch.” Kirumi remarked, standing up and smoothing out her skirt. “Though this seems to be an interesting situation.”

“Nya haha, you're so right, Kirumi!” Angie leaped from her seat, cheering. “Yes, this is very interesting indeed! Atua's interest is piqued as well... Let's go!” And with that, Angie was out of the room as well, her footsteps fading down the hall.

“...” Kirumi shot a small glance over towards the food cart and the food still on the table. Reheating food was never optimal, she always tried to prepare just enough, but she supposed that special events lead to special circumstances. With a sigh, she shook her head and walked out of the dining room.

It wasn't hard to follow the sounds of cheering and excited laughter all the way down to the foyer. Kirumi emerged into the front hall to find three people standing there, all three of them seeming to feed off of each others' excitement. Goodness.

Two of the figures were Gonta and Angie, who both had similar expressions of excitement. Gonta himself also looked extremely surprised, but in a positive way. The final figure was the one that caught Kirumi's eye. He was tall, though at a much more... reasonable height than Gonta, with a toned build and purple hair (alongside a rather... 'charming' goatee). He seemed to be dressed up somewhat, though much less so than Gonta's normal attire, with a simple black t-shirt underneath a messily buttoned white shirt and a jacket with a rather interesting space pattern printed on the inside. He had dress pants and shoes on, and Kirumi could see a tie poking out of one of his pockets.

“Gonta, fuck's sake, man!” The new figure said, driving a fist into Gonta's arm. “You have no idea how hard it was to convince the folks to let me finally fucking see you!”

“Gonta miss you!” Gonta bellowed, suddenly stooping down to wrap his arms around the figure's torso and pulling him into what Kirumi could only imagine was a rib-crushing bear hug. “Gonta... Gonta thought you never gonna... never gonna come by again!” It was then that Kirumi could see the tear drops rolling down Gonta's cheeks.

“Ghk!” The figure let out a strained grunt, using one of his trapped hands to loosely whack at Gonta's arm. “D-Dude... can... t... brea... the...”

“Ah!” Gonta dropped him, rubbing his cheek with one hand and using the other to steady the figure. “Sorry... Gonta forget...”

“Don't worry, dude... I know you've always been worried, and I get why, but I'm strong, dammit.” The figure took a moment to catch his breath, leaning against Gonta. As he did so, he caught Kirumi's curious gaze. His brow went up, and he straightened his posture and marched over. “Yo!” Suddenly, a hand was outstretched, and Kirumi looked down at it. The figure wiggled it a bit, indicating that he wanted her to grab it.

“Ah, hello there.” Kirumi reached out, taking his hand and giving it a firm shake. “I assume you know Gonta?”

“Hah, yeah!” He said, letting his hand fall down to his side. “Me and him go waaaay back. Oh, name's Kaito. Kaito Momota.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Kirumi replied. “Kirumi Tojo.”

“...” Kaito gave her a look, one that Kirumi could see was wary, even with the smile on his face. “So you and Angie are here to help Gonta out, huh?” She could hear the dissatisfaction in his tone. At least he wore his heart on his sleeve. “Must be fun, the guy's a riot.”

“Yes, I do enjoy serving Master Gokuhara.” Kirumi said, face flat. “He's quite the pleasant young man.” At her words, Kirumi saw Gonta straighten his back and puff out his chest, clearly pleased.

“Glad to hear that, seems like he likes you too.” Kaito grinned at her, though it wasn't warm, and turned back to Gonta. Compassion seemed to enter to his posture and tone when he addressed Gonta. “Jesus, Gonta, you have no idea how hard it was to get the folks to lemme come over.”

“Ah, you must have been worried about Gonta!” Gonta said, reaching out to Kaito. Kaito reached out, grabbing Gonta's hand and playfully pulling on his arm. Gonta didn't budge, being the mountain that he was, though the action still drew a laugh as he pulled his arm back.

“Damn straight I was.” Kaito said, planting his hands on his hips and laughing. “You know your shiii... er...” He trailed off, moving his fist up to cover up his mouth and clear his throat. Gonta cocked his head, and Kaito continued a moment later. “Your parents really don't like me, y'know. 'S why it's so hard to hang out.”

“Yeah...” Gonta visibly wilted. “Gonta try to tell Mom and Dad that Kaito good friend, but... they no like you anyway.”

“Don't worry about it, man.” Kaito shook his head. “Not your fault. I know you try your best and shit.”

“Yes, Gonta is always trying his best!” Angie chimed in. Kaito glanced at her.

“Hey uh... Gonta. I know you like these guys, but... can we talk in private? Just for a sec?”

“Oh. Uh...” Gonta glanced back at Kirumi, his eyes flicking over to Angie a moment later.

“Aw, but Atua wa-” Angie began.

“Of course.” Kirumi cut in. “If my master decides that he needs some privacy, it is a maid's duty to follow that desire. Come now, Angie, we need to make sure the dining room is ready when Master Gokuhara is done.” Gonta looked upset at her words, while Kaito simply frowned.

“Awwwww...” Angie let out an extended whine, “but I'm not even a maid like you...”

“Privacy is still something people can request.” Kirumi said as she laid a hand on Angie's shoulder. As she started guiding her toward the dining room, Kirumi spoke up without looking back at the two boys. “We shall be in the dining room when you are finished, Master Gokuhara.”

“Ah... okay.” Gonta replied.

“...jeez. What a pair.” Kaito say once Kirumi and Angie leave. Gonta rub back of head. What's going on?

“Um, Kaito...” Gonta begin, looking at feet. Socks on this time, but Gonta still like barefoot better. “Why you want to talk to Gonta alone?”

“...” Kaito rubbed the back of head, eyes closed. He sighed, putting hand on hip before shaking head. “Cause I'm worried about you, dude.”

“Huh? Worried about Gonta?” Gonta cock head. “Why Kaito worried?”

“Because, man.” Kaito sigh again. “I know I'm like... never around for you and stuff, which isn't something a friend should do, but I still worry. Every time I come over, you've got a different set of maids and butlers and teachers all trying to 'help you out', as your parents say.” Gonta look sad at that. It true, he always have somebody else when Kaito come over.

“Yes,” Gonta agreed. “Different people all the time. All nice.”

“I dunno about that, bud.” Kaito say. “You're always so broken up when they're gone, and they always leave for a reason that I just don't think is true. Because... well, it's just that... man, I just...” Kaito grumble, rubbing back of head. He look… like he don’t wanna say what he gonna say. Still, Kaito grunt and clench jaw. “I don't think you need 'help' or anything.”

“You?...” Gonta begin, but trail off.

“Yeah,” Kaito nod. “Your parents like to talk about you needing help and shit, but... I dunno man, I don't see it. You're perfectly fine to me. It feels like they're trying to make you into something you're not with all this... stuff, and... dude, you just wouldn't be the same if they changed you.”

“Kaito.” Gonta say, putting hand on Kaito's shoulder. “Please no worry about Gonta.” Kaito glance up at him. “Gonta know that parents love him very much. Would never try and make Gonta different person, because Gonta's parents nice! Nice people love family and friends just the way they are! Gonta's parents love Gonta no matter what. They just want Gonta to be the best he can. Just like Kaito!” Gonta grin. “Kaito is real friend, always make Gonta feel like he is best Gonta that Gonta can be. So no worry, Gonta is okay!”

“...hah.” Kaito smiled real wide. “You sure know how to cheer a guy up. That's what I love about ya, man!” He playfully whack Gonta in arm, and Gonta laugh. Suddenly, Kaito's face get brighter. “Oh shit, I totally forgot to tell you why I'm actually here!”

“Huh?” Gonta ask.

“Yeah, man.” Kaito's smile grow larger, ear to ear. “Himiko is comin' home tomorrow!”

“What?!” Gonta start bouncing on balls of his feet. “Himiko finally coming back?!”

“Yeah!” Kaito look as excited as Gonta feel. “That stupid trip her family went on finally finished up the other day, and she let me know that she should be at the airport tomorrow! We need to go see her!”

“Yes!” Gonta agree, “Been long time since Gonta see Himiko!”

“Damn straight!” Kaito laughed. Suddenly, rumble fill air, and laughter stop. Gonta look at Kaito, and Kaito look back. “Hey, uh... your maid has lunch ready, right?”

“Gonta think so.” Gonta say. “But... she normally make enough for Gonta only. Maybe Gonta can ask for food for you, if you want.”

“That would be sweet.” Kaito respond, throwing arm around Gonta's broad shoulders.

Kirumi sighed as she reached over, soapy water dribbling down her arm. Before her, the sink ran, steam from the hot water rising into the air slowly. The air smelled faintly of artificial green apple, and over the sound of running water, she could faintly hear Gonta and Angie chattering about something or other in the adjacent dining room. This was a familiar scene for Kirumi, and one she did not mind in the slightest. There was a certain... tranquility that came with washing the dishes, and it was something that she enjoyed getting lost in for a little while while her Master or Mistress wound down from a meal well prepared. Plus, dish washing didn't come with the trouble cooking did, in that she didn't have to find work-arounds for any pesky konjac that popped up in her recepies.

Still... Kirumi was just slightly annoyed at the presence of an unforeseen amount of dirty dishes. While she would never tell her Master who to associate with, that Kaito was just a little too... headstrong for Kirumi's tastes. Also, while it wasn't a problem to cook an extra set of food for him, she had no idea what he even liked, forcing her to prepare something horribly generic. Plus, now she'd have to drag Angie along for another shopping trip much sooner than she had anticipated, and have to listen to her coworker prattle on about Atua not wanting to be there. Oh well. As long as Master Gokuhara was pleased, her job was being done right.

Over the sound of running water, Kirumi heard the kitchen door click open. Though her hands kept moving, continuing to scrub off a pesky bit of dried sauce, she glanced over her shoulder. Surprise ran through her at the sight of Kaito Momota himself, hand on the back of his head. He slowly made his way over to stand beside her at the sink, though he kept enough distance so as to not impede her work.

“Hey,” he greeted, looking down at the suds filled sink. Kirumi noted that his voice was just the right volume to be heard over the rushing water.

“Hello.” Kirumi replied, turning back to the dishes. “Apologies, but I'm not prepping anymore food at the moment.”

“Nah, don't worry about that.” Kaito said, glancing down at the floor. He sighed, then looked up at Kirumi. She met his gaze out of the corner of her eyes. “Hey uh... I just came here to thank you for lunch. One of the better ones I've had. Like, rich parents like to spoil their kids with good cooking, I know it first hand but… well, your shit’s real good.”

“Thank you.” Kirumi said. “If you intend to make your visits more regular, however, I am going to request that you provide me a few lists of your favorite dishes and ingredients; one for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks respectively, so that I may properly prep your preferred meals.”

That seemed to catch Kaito off guard. He looked down at her, eyes widened slightly, before he shook his head. “Jeez, I understand why Gonta likes you.” Kaito glanced away, then sighed again.

“I appreciate the sentiment.” Kirumi said. “However, I am currently busy, and won't be able to fulfill any of your requests until I finish up here.”

The kitchen settled into silence for a few seconds, aside from the sound of the sink, and the occasional clink of colliding dinnerware. Still, Kaito remained standing there, forcing Kirumi to attempt to tune his presence out. Luckily for her, he decided to remain quiet, and she soon got lost back in the sounds and gentle smells of washing the dishes.

When she attempted to put a plate in the drying rack, however, it was taken from her. Kirumi's brow quirked up, and she saw Kaito holding the plate, slowly rubbing it with one of the towels she had placed nearby for later use. He dried it off (though Kirumi noted his technique was rather sloppy), and placed the plate to the side. He then grabbed another from the drying rack and began drying it as well. Kaito was about three plates in when he noticed she was staring.

“...did you want them somewhere else?” He asked.

“...” Kirumi was struck dumb. It took her a few seconds to regain her composure. She cleared her throat before speaking. “No, I... forgive me, you simply caught me by surprise.”

“Hey, can't a guy help with the dishes?” Kaito asked, a smile on his face.

“He can,” Kirumi said, “but that wasn't what surprised me. I was shocked because I was still going off of the assumption that you didn't like me.” This time, it was Kaito's turn to be surprised. Kirumi watched him go ramrod straight, his grip on the towel and plate tightening. He put down both with a grunt, turning away for a moment in what Kirumi interpreted was shame of some sort.

“Look,” Kaito began, turning to face her. Kirumi, out of respect, turned her head so that they had eye contact. Kaito sighed. “I... also came in here because I wanted to apologize to you.” Kirumi cocked her brow, and Kaito continued. “I was shitty when I arrived here. I shouldn't be treating people I barely know like that. I'm trying to do my best for Gonta, cause I’m worried about him, but being an ass isn't helping anyone.” He put a hand on his hip and sighed. “So... I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Hope we can get off on a better foot.”

Kaito held out a hand for her to shake. Kirumi's eyes flicked down to his hand, then back up to his face. She didn't stop washing the dishes. After a moment, he cocked his brow in confusion, glancing down at his hand. He then looked back up at Kirumi, and the two stared at each other for a second. Kirumi then flicked her eyes towards the sink, and Kaito followed. Then his eyes lit up, and he laughed.

“Whoops! Haha, my bad.” He rolled up his sleeves. “Lemme just...” Kaito pretended to shake hands with something, and Kirumi couldn't help but crack a grin. He noticed her smile and grinned back. “There. Now, let me help you out with these dishes, as a better apology and shit.”

“Ah,” Kirumi said just as Kaito reached for another clean plate. “While you are forgiven, and I hate to devalue hard work... could you wash your hands first?” She motioned towards a secondary sink with her head. “And could you hand me the dishes you've already dried? I...need to wash them again.”

“Psh.” Kaito snorted. “Shoulda considered that. Ah well.” He grabbed his dried dishes and put them in the sink Kirumi was using before making his way over to wash his hands.

“...” Kirumi watched him for a second before turning back to the sink. She supposed Kaito wasn't as bad as she had believed. There was potential in him, after all.

Gonta find Kaito and Kirumi exiting kitchen just as he come back to dining room. Gonta smile real wide. He so excited!

“Kaito!” Gonta say, “Gonta been looking all over for you! Gonta has great news!”

“Well shit, bud. Spill those beans.” Kaito grinned.

“Gonta find parents while you missing, and he beg and beg, and they let him go see Himiko with you tomorrow!” Gonta excitedly grab Kaito's shoulders, lifting without thinking.

“Woah, really?!” Kaito look very surprised. “How the hell'd you swing that?!”

“Gonta beg real good, they say yes! Oh, but under condition... they said Gonta need... chaperone.” Gonta say. “But... Gonta no know where to get one of those. Gonta not even know what that is...”

“Ah, shit...” Kaito frowned, eyebrows pushing together.

“I believe I can remedy this problem.” Kirumi say suddenly, hands held in front of her. Gonta and Kaito look at her. “I can serve as your chaperone. Your parents trust me enough, and I believe a trip would do well to reinforce your studies. After all, knowledge is easily reinforced through practical use.”

“Oh! Thank you Kirumi!” Gonta drop Kaito, moving over to her. He smile and put hand to chest. “Gonta solemnly thank you, as gentleman would.”

“You're most certainly welcome.” She say back, smiling. “However... we need to adjust your itinerary for tomorrow, considering this is a bit of an out of nowhere scenario. Come with me please, Master Gokuhara. Oh, and you too, Kaito. You should help as well, considering you're the one that brought this information, and should know the times best.”

“Uh... yeah, sure.” Kaito shrug, following Kirumi out of the room.

Gonta stay behind for a moment, looking up at ceiling. Yes... this good! Things going very well for Gonta right now. Optimism... is important. Yes, Gonta just have to look to future, keep working hard and making friends. With confidence back in chest, Gonta follow after Kaito and Kirumi.