#brings out the impish inflection in his tone <3 it's gotta stay !!!

[a-earthssprout]

🌼🐌 answered asks ! // unprompted. ( temporarily not accepting ! )

@falsiliar ​ sent: She has an infatuation with the "squares" on his scarf, Kokichi's long noticed (and can he blame her, really?). The mystification that sparkles in her eyes each time he lets her simply touch them has in no way escaped his attention, and y'know…? Who was he—a kind and generous ruler, or so the little girl proclaimed—to deny the wishes of his loyal subjects? (No, better: the wishes of his very special inner circle?)

So, it is with those thoughts that he leans down—though not exceptionally far, mind—to bestow upon her a ring of squares to call her own. Kokichi secures the scarf loosely around her neck, tied at the back, and brushes out the wrinkles like a fussy mother before taking a step back. He observes his work, hand settled on his chin and head tilting this way and that.

Then, with a clap and an outward sweep of his arms: "Ta-daaa!" His voice lifts into a singsong. "Officially a member of the royal council of squares! You're, like... suuuuper lucky, y'know? I don't give this privilege to just anyone!" Kokichi rocks on his heels before leaning in closer. "This means you have unlimited access to all the tea parties and candy you could ever want! Pretty great, right?"

THERE THE LITTLE GIRL STOOD WITH A RIGID frame and eyes shut tight — so tight that her freckled nose scrunched and her tiny hands balled into fists, as if these were necessary things to remain as still as possible ( or to contain her excitement and definitely not peek as Kokichi prepared his ' surprise ' ) This stillness, however, was particularly difficult to maintain as Kokichi ' fixed ' the gift; a happy little smile couldn't help but to lift the corners of Ari's mouth, and her cheeks puffed with laughter that she struggled to suppress. But she had done so successfully and had kept her word the whole time — Ari did not once open her eyes. 

Not until there was a subtle, odd sort of permission to do so, and that permission was granted as soon as Kokichi's ' ta - da ' reached little Ari's ears ( everyone knows that one only says ' ta - da ' when they've successfully completed a task! )

The left eye was the first to open with the right to follow closely behind. Those big emerald hues of hers then dropped to the fabric that was wrapped snugly around her neck — that alone was enough to bring the purest form of delight to Ari's heart, but in truth, it was the pattern that sparked a jovial light into the little girl's heart, turning her into a squealing, bouncy mess. 

" fff … for me?! it's r — really for me?! " cried the child happily. What was once light bouncing turned into hopping in place, and what was once squealing turned into a borderline scream — not so hushed like normal, but little Ari simply could not contain herself! How could she ever be asked to do such a thing when she was gifted the most lovely present she has ever received?! 

By the PRINCE OF SQUARES, no less! 

" i … it looks like Koki's! " continued Ari. Her hands rose to her neck to press the scarf closer to herself, giving the thoughtful checkered gift a silly sort of hug, but it deserved this embrace, one to mark the MANY more to come. " I … I love it vvv … veeeery much, Koki! it's my most fa … vvv— my most favorite - est scarf in the whoooole woooorld! " 

In this bouncy glee of hers, however, the little girl took only one step forward before she was reminded of Kokichi's particular comforts. Right, he did not like touch the same way that she enjoyed receiving it, and him leaning forward was not an open welcome for a HUG. Oh, but she so desperately wants to give him one — to hug him and squeeze him with all her heart so that he can feel her love and appreciation. It was how the child showed those sorts of things best, after all. 

It is not necessary, though — there are other means to go about this, so there is no need to be upset by the thought at all. Instead, little Ari took a step back and she repeated her previous actions, but this time with a bit more love; she pressed the scarf into her person and closed her eyes as she tucked her face into the fabric so that her mouth and nose were now hidden by the checkered veil. So warm and soft and comforting … 

" I … I like having t — tea parties with Koki, I like them vvv … very much …" Ari began, her tone much softer and quieter than before — she's climbing down from that cheerful high, it seems, and settling herself into the moment. Slowly did those big, innocent eyes open again, and they lifted to meet with Kokichi's. The depth and mystery to his amethyst irises was never an unsettling sight to Ari; she found comfort in his gaze. 

" — but mmm … may I also have prince Koki, pl — please? " An oddly phrased question, but what little Ari TRULY meant is clarified with the words that follow. She stepped forward again, but this time without the intent to embrace him, shown by how her hands remained on the checkered scarf instead. " I want prrr … prince Koki to stay, please … I … I don't ever wanna say bye - bye to pr — prince Koki. nnn … never ever never … " 

" mmm … may prince Koki stay? "