#i need my emotional support saimota

[drawbauchery]

Would me bombarding you with cute oumota headcanons help or is that still just something you need to like… process on your own? Ajdka

rrrhhh like..seeing the cute stuff makes me feel even worse about it gsdfks i even have my own cute headcanons but simultaneously i don't like thinking about it

kichi/shu/kai would be such a perfect ot3..so i'm t r y i n g

[hyperfixationtimego]

All your Kaito stuff is giving me life,,, he deserves all the Boyfriends

EHEHE THANK YOU AND YES HE DOES!!!!

I have so many thoughts about the luminary of the gays ❤️ in fact, I am going to compile many of them right here because I simply want to so badly

Saimota

- one of my favorites, if not my absolute most <3

- the gay tension is REAL like mf they are YEARNING

- sometimes, Shuichi will stumble upon some funky space thing that he knows Kaito will LOVE so he takes a picture and sends it to his loving boyfriend

- Kaito is :0!!!! every single time

- Shuichi???? Searching for every single possible opportunity to get Kaito to start infodumping so he can just Listen™️ to him?????? It’s more likely than you think <3

- Shuichi doesn’t infodump much, or express much affection verbally, but whenever he DOES, Kaito is absolutely enamored. Like mr. saihara sir ur thoughts and emotions are so interesting please express them more often 🥺❤️💖💖❤️💖💖❤️

- every so often Kaito will just ATTACK Shuichi with hugs and kisses. they love each other so much

- THEY ARE SO SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHERRRRR!!!!! Kaito is so very eager to remind Shuichi that he’s capable of more than he thinks and Shuichi makes sure to remind Kaito that he doesn’t need to save everybody!!! That sometimes Kaito himself needs saving and that’s okay!!!!!

- they play with each other’s hair so much okay u can’t change my mind on this

- SOMETIMES THEY DO EACH OTHER’S MAKEUP (because they both wear makeup I’ve decided) AND IT’S SO LOVELY. KAITO ENDS UP LOOKING SLIGHTLY EMO AND SHUICHI GETS BRIGHT COLORS DABBED ALL OVER HIS FACE

- cuddles. So many many many cuddles

- Kaito loves flowers and will often pick some to place in Shuichi’s hair

- EVERY TIME KAITO TRIES TO PLAN A SURPRISE FOR HIS BELOVED BOYFRIEND, SHUICHI FIGURES IT OUT AKSJSKSNDMD it’s okay tho cause Shuichi just pretends he doesn’t know anything 😌

- they are best friends that kiss and hold each other and sleep in the same bed romantically

- THEY ARE SO TOUCHY-FEELY OKAY. LIKE KAITO WILL JUST SOMETIMES GIVE SHUICHI NOOGIES AND SHUICHI WILL JUST RANDOMLY LEAN INTO KAITO IF HE DOESN’T WANNA STAND OUGH I LOVE THEM

Oumota

- probably tied with momoguji for second favorite ❤️

- THEY’RE SO PLAYFULLY MEAN TO EACH OTHER

- Kokichi takes it too far without realizing it sometimes. Kaito gets over it after he has a chance to cool down, but Ouma definitely always feels guilty afterwards and does his best to make it up to him (in his own little funky weirdo way)

- Kaito never takes it too far unless it’s a trigger he’s not aware of, or if he does take it too far by accident, he’s very quick to remedy the situation with an apology. Kokichi accepts, but whether he’s being honest about his emotions is practically always up for debate

- Kokichi practically CLINGS to Kaito okay. Like he could be saying the nastiest shit to him and just straight up hanging off his arm. Just

Kokichi: *currently being given a piggyback ride by Momota* I hate you

Kaito, unfazed: uh-huh

- Kaito learning to pick up Kichi’s tells is 😩👌💦

- Kaito also goes “awwww” at some of the most inappropriate times because of this. Like Kokichi could be doing his whole evil supreme leader shtick and Momota just bursts out laughing because wow his boyfriend is adorable

- neither of them can cook. neither of them are LEGALLY ALLOWED to cook because someone will fucking DIE

- Kokichi is also a member of the “plays with Kaito’s hair because it’s so pretty and also something fun to do with his hands” club

- Kaito is so in love with the height difference thing. Like ruffling Kokichi’s hair and picking him up and all that jazz like he’s going to EXPLODE it’s so ROMANTIC AUGH. Kokichi could take it or leave it tbh and it’s lowkey annoying but like. Momota getting so excited about it .//////.

- Kaito’s nickname for Ouma is “Kichi” and it’s adorable

- Kokichi slowly trades his more mean-spirited nicknames for cute things like “starlight.” The mean-spirited nicknames never fully go away though ;)

- Kaito has these very shiny and cool pins that he wears on his jacket, but sometimes they go missing because his boyfriend is a master phantom thief 💖 it’s because Kokichi likes things that are shiny and also things that belong to Kaito

- Kokichi complains A LOT about having to listen to Kaito talk about space and whatever, but in reality he is so starry-eyed bc wow Momota’s talking,,,,,,Momota is saying funny big words at him this is the dream,,,,,,

- Ouma, according to himself, is the only person allowed to call Kaito any variation of the word “stupid.” Better be prepared for some blowback if the ultimate supreme leader hears you talking shit!!!!

- Kokichi draws on Kaito’s face whenever Momota is sleeping/passed out. It pisses Kaito off to no end ❤️

- Ouma does grabby hands whenever he wants cuddles and it WORKS

- Kaito: hey do you have any idea where my jacket is?

Ouma, wearing Kaito’s jacket: nope not a clue

Momoguji

- COMFORT CHARACTERS MATCHED UP INTO A RAREPAIR WOOO LET’S GOOOOOO

- these two could literally talk for HOURS

- like one of them could say ANYTHING and automatically the other’s response is 100% going to be “oh hey that reminds me of this other thing…..”

- Kiyo loves leaving lipstick marks whenever he kisses Kaito. Kaito is always SO embarrassed whenever it’s in front of other people, but like it’s a GOOD embarrassed. He’s just flustered /pos ❤️❤️❤️❤️

- HISTORY NERDS. THEY GUSH ABOUT THEIR FAVORITE HISTORICAL FACTS LIKE NOBODY’S BUSINESS, AND IT WORKS BECAUSE THEIR INTERESTS INTERTWINE SO WELL

- they like doing each other’s makeup, but Kaito gets very nervous because he knows how much pride Kiyo takes in their appearance. This usually leads to him messing it up somehow or another kshdjdmsndb (Kiyo doesn’t mind and always helps him fix it, though!!)

- imagine,,,,,,,Kaito brushing Kiyo’s hair,,,,,,,OUGH

- Kaito is very helpful whenever Kiyo experiences a panic attack or depressive episode!!! He is able to provide the compassion and understanding that Kiyo really really needs in that moment!

- the same can be said for Kiyo when Kaito breaks down! Kiyo is so logical and grounded that it makes it easier for them to help Kaito understand that whatever it is that Kaito’s upset about isn’t really as horrible as his mind is making it out to be! He also helps to find practical solutions to the problems, and Kaito is very grateful to not be floundering on his own all the time!!!

- Kiyo could do ANYTHING and it would fluster Kaito. I’m talking ANYTHING.

- These two especially love discussing the myths surrounding certain constellations and star patterns. It’s fascinating, and they both love the way their partner’s eyes just absolutely LIGHT UP at the mere mention of it

- Kiyo has age-regressive tendencies, and Kaito is very helpful and supportive! It’s mostly things like Momota reminding Kiyo that they’re allowed to freely experience the things they were deprived of as a child, and Kiyo hesitantly realizing that Momota’s absolutely right. Kiyo actually has a few stuffies, including a couple that Kaito bought for them as a gift!! All space-themed, of course ❤️

- Kaito can ALSO fluster Kiyo very easily, but in a different way. He knows that genuine verbal affection is foreign to Kiyo, so he makes it a point to say things like “I love you,” and “you’re so pretty,” and “Wow, I’m so lucky to be with someone as smart as you are,” fairly often. Kiyo gets embarrassed like a damn schoolgirl because of it, and often tries to refute whatever Kaito’s saying, to no avail <3

- Kaito is strong enough to lift Kiyo up off the ground, which is VERY strange and nerve-wracking for Kiyo. They don’t mind it, especially because it constitutes their boyfriend giving them a hug, but they’ve never ever been picked up like that before. Slight panik but ultimately very u///////u

- Kaito loves listening to Kiyo hum/sing folk songs. Kiyo enjoys it, too!!

- Kiyo wears new outfits and Kaito’s immediate response is AWOOGA

Momoshi

- I don’t have much for this one I just think they’re neat :)

- they have many cats. Kaito is full of allergies all the time but he doesn’t mind as long as his boyfriend gets to enjoy his kitties

- if they’re late for something or need to be somewhere quickly, Kaito will pick Ryoma up and carry him under his arm like a football. Ryoma, a rag doll cat personified, does not mind this in the slightest

- self-deprecation vs aggressive positive affirmation

Momokoma (Kaito x Nagito)

- THIS IS PURELY SELF-INDULGENT

- some sick-ass motherfuckers. I just think they’d fall in love actually

- Kaito, usually the first person to suggest doing dumb shit, NOW NEEDS TO ACTIVELY STOP HIS HORRIBLE BOYFRIEND FROM ACTUALLY DOING SAID SUGGESTED DUMB SHIT

- Nagito joins the simping for Kaito w/ his hair down club

- “momota I’m cold” “you have a sweatshirt???” “yeah but I’m cold tho 🥺” *audible sighing as Kaito takes off his jacket*

- NAGITO IS THE ONE PERSON WHO NEEDS LOVE THE MOST, AND KAITO IS THE ONE PERSON WITH THE MOST LOVE TO GIVE. I JUST. I JUST THINK THEY SHOULD *gets shot*

- Kaito tries to run his fingers through Nagito’s hair once and gets stuck on knots. This is clue #1 that prompts him to realize that his boyfriend is very depressed and does not take care of himself

- this leads to Kaito aggressively forcing self-care onto Komaeda ❤️ things like brushing his hair, brushing his teeth, taking consistent showers, etc. no it doesn’t MATTER that Kaito isn’t taking care of himself SHUT UP

- they cuddle a LOT because Nagito is VERY VERY CLINGY

- Nagito will sometimes very shyly ask Kaito to read his favorite mystery novels to him because he loves Kaito’s voice. Kaito doesn’t mind one bit because the lovey covey expression Nagito always makes when he’s listening is absolutely to DIE FOR

- I could make so many fics about Nagito’s bad luck and Kaito’s obsession with space HOWEVER I am very tired all of the time and likely Will Not Be Doing That. Even so………….please Imagine™️

Okay that’s all!!!! If anybody has any more Kaito ships that they want headcanons for, or just wanna ramble abt in my inbox, PLEASE SEND ASKS CAUSE I LOVE READING THEM it’s so much fun ehehehehe

[luminary-lost-on-mars]

♡ + kaito & shuichi! ( @somemindsatwork )

@somemindsatwork this is. probably also going to get really long, so. it's under the cut.

who is the most affectionate?

- it depends.

- for canon kaito, it's definitely kaito- in-game they're really affectionate with each other, and even if he is aware of his crush and internally panicking, i can't see that changing.

- for shy!kaito... well. in-game it's him, but as soon as they get out of the game? the man is going to be a *mess* and it's whoever works up the courage first. probably shuichi, though, honestly.

who initiates the handholding?

- again, whoever's feeling bravest.

- however, i think kaito uses it as a nonverbal way to signal when he needs something or isn't okay, so probably kaito.

who worries more for the other?

- no.

- well, with shy!kaito, no.

- with canon kaito, ...kaito? i still think they'd worry about each other quite a lot. especially since kaito has a past of not telling shuichi when he's not okay so he *doesn't* worry.

who is more likely to ask for help?

- shuichi, i think. both as an an excuse to spend time with and check up on kaito, and for genuinely needing help. kaito needs practice, especially since he was probably the most honest with kokichi out of everyone, and that's because of the hangar.

- he doesn't have trust issues, but he's definitely worried about worrying everyone, and he also tries to pretend he hasn't changed much, especially right after the game, so shuichi has to work through that more than anything else.

who is the one always losing the keys?

- yes.

- they both have multiple spare copies. and manage to lose the copies. so they're always finding and losing keys and not remembering what key goes to what thing. it's chaos.

- other people also find keys when they come to their house. again, chaos.

who leaves little love notes for the other?

- shuichi writes kaito poetry. and it'll take him a bit, but then he slides it over to kaito, and kaito reads it, and shuichi always gets some form of physical affection right after.

- with shy!kaito, he definitely probably cries a little a couple times, and it more than likely just ends in them cuddling.

who can't sleep unless the other is there?

- shuichi. that rocket ship haunts his dreams, and kaito's post game asthma is something that is always at the back of his mind.

who is more likely to propose to the other?

- they would both be nervous as hell about it, but canon kaito probably proposes.

- with shy!kaito? i wouldn't be surprised if it took lots of emotional support from friends and/or an intervention on his side. but they would both want to, and i think it would end up being shuichi.

who introduced the other to their family first?

- again. stargazing.

- i'm just imagining shuichi introducing kaito to all of his favorite mysteries from when he was a kid and talking about them and making sure to avoid mentions of ghosts and gods, this is adorable.

who is more likely to play with the other's hair?

- my answer to this. is rantaro.

- and it's because i can just imagine shuichi and rantaro being friends, and kaito grows his hair out. so rantaro braids it like he would his sisters' hair. and kaito always adores it, and shuichi thinks he looks great.

- if it's just saimota though, probably shuichi because kaito loves it when he plays with his hair. it makes him feel all warm and tingly.

who makes sure the other has meals/ stays hydrated?

- i also think they would remind the other when they hadn't eaten because they are both awful at this.

- however.

- surprisingly enough, i think it would be shuichi. just because it's him being a workaholic over kaito's lifelong hyperfixation with space.

- is this controversial? does it not quite fit with kaito worrying about others like crazy? probably.

- but again. kaito. and space. even in the love suite, shuichi can't compete with space. i rest my case. (i mean, he can, but he still doesn't quite win out.)

who is more likely to stand up to anyone for the other?

- i. don't know?

- i can see both of them defending the other potentially to the death (chapter four trial excluded, just look at chapter five) so i really. don't know?

- they even challenge each other on their own problems to help each other.

- it's probably even.

- but in shy!kaito's case, probably shuichi. maybe. this is still debatable.

who is the most likely to prepare a surprise for the other?

- they both work a lot, so it's probably even.

- kaito likes to surprise shuichi after he comes home from work if he's been at home. the kitchen might occasionally be destroyed, but he does his best. (also, neither of them can cook. they've tried. it doesn't work. you have a daydreaming adhd astronaut and a constantly overthinking detective trying to cook. just. no.)

- and shuichi definitely likes surprising kaito with blanket forts and fairy lights when he comes home from long astronaut trips. this is a guilty pleasure of kaito's, but shuichi really enjoys them, too.

who makes the other pinky promise not to do things?

- kaito. kaito, kaito, kaito.

who puts a blanket over the other when they fall asleep on the couch?

- it happens so often to shuichi that kaito has it down to a science. tuck him in with a blanket, gently lift his head for a pillow, avoid getting pulled in for cuddles, and put a glass of water and some snacks next to him in case he wakes up, along with a little note.

[gaytoxe]

something i’m working on :)

thank you to @rosecolouredreality for giving me the idea to write this

i decided to try and make a fic based on the idea if kaito and kokichi’s plan actually worked and they were able to stop the killing game. and since pregame exists, i figured civilization would still be there since there were all kinds of people watching the entire thing.

and, of course, i chose to try and do kaito’s point of view after being hospitalized due to his illness.

just thought i’d try and give some backstory before i posted it, since it is an AU! i hope i was able to make it somehow sad. i planned on making it saimota, but i thought it’d be better for me to just keep it (kinda) short and just stay in kaito’s thoughts. i tried doing saimota, but it ended up being a complete mess, so i scrapped it all together. besides, i cannot escape the oumota- it’s actually easier for me to write oumota since i’ve written it for so long; it makes me sad i can’t portray saimota correctly, though. :(

anyway, here it is! i’ll probably work on it a lot and repost it once i’ve revised the hell out of it, but i thought i’d just post something since i never post my writing.

-

Triumph and the Guilt That Follows

The plan worked.

It actually fucking worked.

Sitting in a hospital bed deep in thought, the only thought on Kaito’s mind being that he and Ouma’s plan succeeded in fooling the mastermind, saving everyone. And yet, the price paid for everyone’s safety was Ouma Kokichi’s life.

Kaito’s “trial” of sorts ended up revealing that Tsumugi Shirogane, their friend, was the mastermind. But Kaito never expected it to be Tsumugi of all people. She didn’t seem like the type, but he thought that way about everyone. Some more than others.

The remaining five surviving participants of the killing game escaped back to civilization thanks to the audience of the killing game, and Kaito, of course, was immediately hurried into the emergency room due to his illness.

He recovered just fine from his illness, surprisingly, the doctors told him, but he already knew he would recover. What kind of small disease would kill or even succeed in slowing down Kaito Momota, Luminary Of The Stars?

He stayed his usual energetic and cheerful self when Kiibo, Maki, Shuichi or Himiko visited and most of it was genuine, and it always ended in Kaito assuring them he’d be fine. After all, they actually escaped the killing game; that was a feat Kaito couldn’t help being excited about. The relief of knowing that none of his friends would die anymore really lifted a weight off of his shoulders.

Whenever he distracted himself with the television in his hospital room and flipped through channels to find something interesting, he always ended up watching game shows. Game shows, (ironically because he was in a killing game not even a year ago), seemed to be the only interesting thing on TV, apart from the news, where the only story on was about the popular real life killing game show: Danganronpa.

The past few days, he watched the news constantly, trying to see if somehow everyone would be okay and that all the other teenagers that he participated in that sick killing game with wouldn’t really be dead.

But they were, and his regret of not being able to do more for them during the killing game always stung him before he could lie to himself about it.

Kaito despised not being able to see everyone again. It felt so unusual not tasting Kirumi’s cooking or constantly seeing the bright sun outside every time he watched outside, no matter how much he wished that the killing game never existed. He wanted to visit their memorials, wanted to remember them for who they were and genuinely leave something for them. It would give him closure and hopefully would provide some happiness to them, wherever they were. They were and still are all his friends. However, the hospital kept him back from doing so and refused to let him visit until they released him, as they still required research on his body to figure out just what kind of illness his body experienced.

He yearned to lay his eyes on the stars again and stargaze with Maki and Shuichi after they trained, wanting to connect the specks of stars into constellations once more. Seeing the world he missed so much from a hospital window everyday wasn’t very helpful, either. It only fueled his determination to continue his dream of being an astronaut after his release and at least experience a normal life, so despite the guilt of not being able to do more for his friends gnawing at him, Kaito still believed he could move on with everyone else. Like Hell he’d let a killing game keep his spirits down!

In hopes of easing his mind, Kaito started reflecting on the killing game and the situation he was thrown into, trying to make sense of everything.

Especially his final partner in crime, Kokichi Ouma.

The thought that Ouma Kokichi, the one of a kind liar that Kaito clashed with constantly because of their seemingly different beliefs, was actually dead still hurt him. And the possibility that they maybe, just maybe, could’ve been friends in a different situation that wasn’t a game designed so that they’d kill each other just strengthened the emotional jab that constantly poked and even stabbed him.

They weren’t so different after all, and of course, he only realized it when Ouma was about to fucking die.

He could never look at blood the same, even if it ended up small. The memory popped up in his mind every time, and he almost vomited the first time he spotted blood since then. The thick, crimson liquid seeping through the press as his coat sleeve hung from the entrance, closed forever to never be opened ever again due to his own intervention as blood slowly dripped onto the hard floor; that visual would never escape his mind. Hell, he almost vomited the entire meal provided by the nurses just imagining it for even a split second at one point.

The only time Kaito ever received the chance to figure him out ended up presenting itself to him while, once again, the supreme leader laid on his deathbed as he slowly started to die. His fate had been sealed, and Kaito couldn’t back out. It would’ve been stupid of him to even consider doing so, and all of Ouma’s efforts would’ve been for nothing. He owed it to Ouma to finish his plan; he saved his life, for fuck’s sake.

And, even after all this planning, Ouma still handed over his life to Kaito and gave him the opportunity to save everyone.

Kaito succeeded in being the hero he wanted to. Sitting in an exisal, he conducted Ouma’s plan and carried out his final lie. And the whole time, ever since the twisted game started, both of them wore masks on their faces despite each death: Kaito wearing one of a hero that would help anyone in need and offer endless support despite having strict morals and Kokichi wearing one of an outrageous liar that found fun in a sick killing game.

More than anything, Kaito desired to see Ouma as a person without the killing game weighing his actions and without having to worry about him or anyone else dying, and the idea of them getting along and building a friendship really didn’t sound that bad the more he thought about it.

Staring at the white ceiling above him, Kaito tried distracting himself from his thoughts by listening to his heartbeat on the monitor residing next to his bed. His eyes trailed the cord connecting him to it, and he watched the small waves pick up on it. The beeps quickened slightly due to how much stress thinking this hard brought him and his desire to quit thinking about Ouma. The one he wanted to figure out, the one who chose him to comply with his plan, the one that always lied, the one that constantly played pranks on everyone despite their situation, the one Kaito took a hit for to save him, the one who Kaito ended up respecting in the end, the one who he just couldn’t-

“Momota-kun?”

Shuichi’s voice snapped him out of his rapid thoughts. Noticing Shuichi’s concerned face, Kaito’s lilac eyes immediately snapped to the monitor. The fast paced beeping filled the room, and once he realized it, he slowly calmed down; the beeping slowed until it sounded at a normal heartbeat.

Yes, everything was fine. Kaito didn’t have to worry about waking up to find someone dead anymore, and he didn’t have to worry about losing anyone else.

But even so, Kokichi Ouma was still a man that would forever be ingrained in his memory.

Seeing Ouma as more than enemy, as a friend, someone he could talk to about more than just surviving a killing game was starting to appeal to him a little more than he expected.

Even so, after spending an entire killing game hiding his despair behind a heroic mask, Kaito wasn’t sure he could escape the habit of assuring everyone he was “just fine” yet. Maybe that was Ouma’s way of leaving an impact on him, in a way. He still attempted guessing, even after seeming to reach a conclusion in his mind.

Kokichi Ouma seemed to be the complete embodiment of lies, no matter how Kaito looked at it.

But Kaito would and forever will know that if he ever got the chance to see what Ouma was behind that mask of his, he’d take it, no matter what.

[aroseandapen]

I don't care for shipping in general, but Saimota is my comfort ship. It's just... soft. And supportive. But there's also potential for angst, and sometimes that's just what I need. I couldn't talk about why I like it so much, really, as I'm not so good at explaining my emotions. But I do really like it and I wish there was more content for it, because I'm not talented enough to make it myself.

I’m pretty bad at explaining my feelings too. A lot of the time the only way I can explain what I like about a ship amounts to “tthey KISS and it’s good.”

But saimota makes me feel so soft. I enjoy the boys a ton, and I totally see why it’s your comfort ship.

[ryouverua]

Kaito Momota - Free Time #5

I can’t believe Kaito just invited himself over into Shuichi’s room like this -

But wait didn’t we come to y - oh never mind. The minor flaws of prescripted FTEs, everyone! 

“Kaito do you have goldfish amnesia or -”

?!?! I don’t know what to expect from this one. After that tiniest scrap of a hint of a potential confession from Shuichi in the last one (the closest I suppose we’ll be allowed, sadly, since this sort of game likes to keep its protagonist love options open for the most part), I... don’t know what the topic will be. Maybe Kaito will actually tell us about his relationship with his grandparents? That would be really sweet!

Uh, yeah. What?!

KAITO WE BOTH NEED CONTEXT, STAT

can a girl dream that shuichi’s unconsciously moping after having that thought about Kaito in the end of the last OTP and we could get a hint of two-sided saimota -

I’m telling you, Kaito is incredibly good at reading people emotionally. There is no way he’s not about to drag something out of Shuichi, even if both he and I have... no idea what that thing is, tbh. 8′D 

Honestly, it says a lot about Shuichi too that he doesn’t know what Kaito is talking about - whatever we’re going to end up talking about, it might just be something he’s been hanging onto unconsciously and accepting as his ‘default mode’ way of life. If you’re so used to carrying a burden around, eventually you stop noticing it!

...... confess shuichi, confeeeeess what you were thinking from the end of the last otp........

Are you telling me Kaito’s strategy is to bludgeon him via compliments into surrender - ?!

“WHEN I’M THROUGH WITH YOU, YOU’LL FINALLY UNDERSTAND YOUR PLACE!”

“W-What does that mean -”

“YOU’RE GOING TO FUCKING UNDERSTAND HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE! NOW GRIT YOUR TEETH AND BRACE YOURSELF, BECAUSE WE’RE ABOUT TO GET MOTHERFUCKING POSITIVE IN HERE.”

Oh whoa.

So I really thought we would end up covering this in the main story - not that we didn’t go over Shuichi’s past already as Kaede, but I thought that this would be something shared with Kaito for context. I’m really surprised that we’re only doing this via FTE! With that said, it is definitely a good topic to spend the final FTE on.

Actually, thinking on it, this seems more like Kaito having an FTE with Shuichi. 8′D

For fun, let’s pretend we were doing this from Kaito’s perspective - and he’s choosing to hang out with Shuichi 5 times.

1) Kaito goes to Shuichi’s room to get him for breakfast. FTE 1.

2) Night training that night. FTE 2

3) Training, shared with Maki. FTE 3 (next ones are Maki centric, so they’d be FTEs with her)

4) Maybe the training with the practice sword? Though that ended up being Maki-centric as well, so there might be a better one to fit here.

5) This FTE 5, since it’s Shuichi-backstory centric.

Of course, maybe there’s no real fitting FTE 4 because this one would be the FTE 4 and there’s a future scene that would be a good FTE 5 ~

Ah, so he’s hung up on this part too. Shuichi’s definitely overlooking the fact that ‘finding evidence that was missed’ is not ~accidentally~ solving the puzzle - it’s uncovering the last piece(s) of it, and a skill in its own right. He does suffer from serious anxiety, so he’s clearly having trouble with framing his accomplishment as anything more than a fluke.

And of course, that’s not helped by the fact that he feels guilty because he has sympathy for the culprit. And... with Kaede’s trial, this definitely is a recurring theme. 8′D It’s funny - for someone so worried about other people’s feelings, and what other people feel about him, he does have a lot of trouble connecting and understanding them without having it spelled out for him! Perhaps that might be part of why he’s so anxious about them?

As much as I love Kaito, SHUICHI MY BOY YOU ARE GOING TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. I’d like to think opening up like this would set something off in him - he does have some fire in his chest, even if it takes a lot for it to show!

Yes! Yes! Finally, that more aggressive Shuichi we’ve seen in his thoughts only comes out!

Kaito did say his ideal is a rival who can push him...

The outsider’s perspective that Shuichi desperately needs, lest he falls prey to his own worried, circular thought patterns - (you can skip forward if you like, to where the screenshots return to the dorms for a while)

.... But, uh, yeah, I was curious about choosing different options, so I went ahead and played the FTE again to see what would happen if I went via Shuichi’s self-hatred route. Sorry if it seems abrupt, but they’ll line up with the real ending!

Ah, yes, the other aspect of his job he brought up with Kaede - the PI stuff. Unfortunately, what PIs are most generally hired for are finding out if significant others are up to no good... I wonder if he ever feels cynical about love and relationships because of that? Could explain a bit about him and the way he withdraws with himself if he’s left alone, tbh.

If there’s anything Kaito takes pretty damn seriously, it is taking pride in your own work.

WELL it’s nice that he clarified! It really did sound like he was talking about Shuichi, tbh! And this is where it loops back to him talking about the culprit trying to get away from it via trick, and how Kaito would support Shuichi no matter what.

That is... an incredibly simplistic viewpoint, but again, that might be the reframing Shuichi needs to hear.

I feel like I’ve used this gif before but honestly:

That is, uh, a bit of a ridiculous extreme to take this to. Just the kind of ridiculous extreme Shuichi needs to pull himself out of his mental funk ~

Like Shuichi said last time, “it needs to be someone special’, huh?

Get Kaito a cheerleader outfit, stat - !

(I lost some screenshots so I grabbed them from my second play-through, hence the change in scenery)

“ I’LL TEACH THEM A LESSON IN EMPATHY.... THROUGH MY FISTS!”

“K-Kaito that’s assault, you could also get arrested - !”

HNNNG WHAT A GOOD ENDING, WHAT A GOOD BRO....

p-please give something in return though, Shuichi I’m begging you I feel like Kaito needs some emotional support too -

YES GOOD

GOOD ENDING THOUGH

GOOD ENDING

I AM PLEASED

N-No wait, hold on -

I’m not happy with the word ‘depend’ here though! I want it to be a mutual supportive relationship! Even though I love their friendship, I am concerned all over again!

WOW

So I don’t know how many of you watched Hunter x Hunter or are following the manga (if you haven’t, please drop everything and do so honestly) but if you don’t think I immediately flashed back to this moment you don’t know me at all.

AaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAW

Nah, quite the opposite I think. Shuichi, once again you’re really not that great at reading people, huh - or you’re letting your feelings/understanding of others be coloured by your own anxiety again. He’s the kind of person who would encourage your growth. In fact, to harken back to the love hotel again, his ideal is someone who pushes him further! Gosh, I really will end up obsessing over these two in the future, huh...

Okay mature analysis time is over.

IT’S

UNDERWEAR TIME

What the fuck does that mean

Wait, wait what the fuck doES THAT MEAN KAITO

hgnghngh I don’t usually post the FTE summaries but this one got me right in the kokoro

Even if you don���t believe in Saimota, please appreciate this broship that transcends space and time

[ryouverua]

Love Key #5 - Kaito Momota

Well SHIT it took way too long to start that Saimota train! I'm ready to hop in for the ride though too so CHOO CHOO GET OUT THE WAY

Wow it really didn’t get long for those Saimota vibes to get going!

Of course Kaito charges into this with his voice raised. Of course.

Have we... gone full shounen sports anime???

Shuichi is just thinking oh god what the hell am I about to compete in - if it’s wrestling I swear -

“I am nothing if not fully committed to whatever role I have thrust upon me! potentiallypunintended”

But man, Shuichi is determined to get his bearings ASAP. To what end, Shuichi? To what end? 

“Because I’m totally okay with it if you are. In fact, I think the genre we’ve shifted into requires a half-to-full episode of reminiscing about all the hardships we’ve overcome to get to this moment! Preferably via montage with our OP song playing in the background!”

“Kaito this is already an incredibly weird situation - please don’t get too meta on me, my poor bi heart can’t handle it.”

A fellow astronaut?

I think we actually were talking about the position Kaito would take as an astronaut, and pilot was mentioned as a strong possibility - so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see it up here! Yeah... hotshot pilot really does go well with Kaito’s character, doesn’t it...

“Kaito what the fuck are you talking about and who am I and -”

“Hold up fellow rival I’m totally monologuing right now ANYWAY AS I WAS SAYING -”

Honestly though does anyone else find it hilarious that Shuichi’s absolute confusion didn’t break Kaito’s immersion in the fantasy in the slightest?

I do love the word ‘eccentric’ for Kaito, because it honestly wouldn’t have been the first thing to come to mind for me - but I guess to Shuichi, who is so withdrawn in himself and anxious all the time, an aggressively positive extrovert who chases his ambitions and believes in himself/everyone around him so strongly would be a completely alien concept to him! I actually think that it’s the fact that Kaito believes in Shuichi so strongly, and not just in himself, that throws Shuichi off the most, too!

So, um, did you guys have judges giving you scores? Was this done in private or via actual accredited competition? It’s clearly not a traditional race based on speed, so...

Assuming this fantasy is one that’s being judged by other people (because once again I’m thinking about the fantasy scenarios way too seriously), I can sort of see this taking place in the hangar before they go into their planes. So Kaito spots his rival pilot and confronts him, because this will be their last time competing together and chances are he’s just realizing how significant the ‘rival’ pilot has been in his life.... hm ~ 

Oh! He’s getting serious!

It is their way of connecting. What else will they have once the competition is put to rest?

Kaito is going to have to confront the fact that all of the people he’s trying to nurture and help grow will be left behind once he goes into space, though. I... suppose this is hinting at that, just a little bit. He dreams big, but big dreams come with sacrifices.

But, of course, then he wouldn’t be able to ever achieve his dream of going to space.

S... Shuichi, you do remember that you aren’t actually the pilot he’s ‘talking’ to, right? It does seem significant that Shuichi is losing himself to the role, though. Has he done that in any of the other events? Minus Kokichi’s of course, considering the fact that Shuichi was himself in that one, I haven’t noticed anything on this level from the ones I’ve done so far. And with that said, you could easily read into it as Shuichi commenting on their training nights together. They do seem like the only times Shuichi has been legitimately happy - outside of his time with Kaede, of course.

Ah, that stings a bit. 8′D This is a pretty good reminder that, despite me loving the ship so much, Kaito’s perfect fantasy is not Shuichi - or at least, not Shuichi as he is now. Actually, I know the game is pushing for potential Maki!endgame but I think Kaede might fit the bill better. I remember noticing it a lot in the first chapter (and... uh, low-key shipping them tbh), but Kaito always seemed really impressed by Kaede, and whenever Kaito was about to chip in with what I imagined to be a big friendship/supportive-type speech about ‘never giving up!’ and ‘believe in your friends!’, Kaede would always beat him to the punch... and yet Kaito never seemed to feel threatened by her. They’re both pretty headstrong, and Kaede did strike me as being competitive in her own way - honestly, as a rarepair ship they would work really well together!

With that said, I can imagine Shuichi’s fantasy involving someone supporting them through all his worries (COUGHKAITOCOUGHKAEDE) so... you know. It almost feels like Shuichi is getting to live out a bit of his own fantasy situation right here - being in a position where he can hold his own against Kaito, and where Kaito recognizes him as an equal while still being his supportive self, with his eyes only on him...

also I feel like I should note, just because Shuichi isn’t Kaito’s ultimate ideal doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t be up there. In fact, I’d argue that Kaito’s big thing is raising people up to the level where they can be as confident in themselves as he is in them, and in himself. Maybe in the future when Shuichi reaches that level Kaito could see something more in him? okay maybe not in the game canon but post-game fan material wink wink nudge nudge guys plz

Ah, so he is able to move on. Whelp, Kaito is officially in a better mental state than me, hoarder of physical items, internet tabs and memories lmao

All jokes aside, it is pretty impressive to be able to work towards your goal with such determination. I can understand why Kaito could probably grate on a few people playing this, but I really find that sort of attitude impressive.

.... Quick question. Is Kaito saying ‘man’ as general slang or is he acknowledging Shuichi as a man? As in, Kaito is confirmed to be at least bi under the right (shounen) circumstances? I’M JUST ASKING... FOR SCIENCE...

Shuichi just remembered that he isn’t an actual pilot, huh. 8′D Just pilot with your mind, sweet cheeks! You already drive brain cars; surely a plan can’t be that big of a jump, right?

OH MY GOD I THOUGHT THE SCENE WAS NEARLY OVER BUT APPARENTLY NOT

I AM OKAY WITH THIS

Kaito really likes someone that can keep up with him energy-wise, huh?

Oooooomfg this is so shounen-genre it hurts

“My... ahoge... is so.... confused right now....!”

DID YOU REALLY ONLY JUST REMEMBER

I... I think this is the first time Shuichi acknowledged the bed itself as a tool of the room before actually interacting with it in any way lmao

Whoa Shuichi whOA

Oh yeah, this is definitely Kaito trying to provoke a reaction from someone he thinks will fight back, not an attempt at intimidation.

KAITO YOU HAVE TO BE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE

is it close enough for Shuichi to feel those scraggly goatee bits I don’t know why but his goatee will never not be funny to me

:O !!!!

This is basically the closest Kaito can get to a confession, huh?

It’s interesting to get it at this point, after the reveal of the disease he has. It’s another clear indicator that Kaito has trouble being honest with other people about vulnerabilities despite him doing his best to encourage other people to rely on him. And it’s strange, because he’s fully honest and eager about his own ambitions and passions! And love itself is a passion of sorts, but this is the type of thing that requires a certain level of vulnerability, and it’s also something where he doesn’t have full control over his destiny the way he does over his other goals - if the person doesn’t love you back, then there’s very little you can do about it. I hesitate to go so far as to say that he has a fear of rejection, but he definitely doesn’t want to be the one to say ‘I’m in love with you’ before the other person does, as far as I can tell...

“Quite literally, actually. See, look!”

But man, Shuichi is literally acknowledging the situation he’s in (dubious as it is lmao) and knows that there’s a 99% chance that Kaito wants to confess to his feelings to ‘him’. Shuichi, you do realize what a powerful position you have right now, right?

So I guess the question is whether Shuichi is hesitating because he doesn’t feel the same way, he just doesn’t want to take advantage of the situation... or whether Shuichi wants to earn that confession as ‘himself’, and not just as some fictional ideal manufactured by the power of the room they’re in. I suppose that depends on the viewer!

I’ve made it pretty clear that I’ve been shipping them for a while so, uh, you all probably know how I want to read it, but there is plenty of room for other interpretations too ~ they do have a fantastic bro-ship going on too!

Aaaah, Kaito :( I have a feeling that while he’d be willing to pursue a gay relationship with pilot!Shuichi, he understands how unusual that would be in ‘that world’. I wonder if that means he would be that open and understanding with his own sexuality if it ever came up in-game? He doesn’t seem to be struggling with his own feelings in the sense of ‘oooh ~ forbidden love ~’, but rather the idea of his rival’s own feelings being returned.

Between Kokichi’s love key and this one, Shuichi is a mess.

Ooh, maybe I was wrong? He’s psyching himself up to do a proper confession after all!

Well, adrenaline does have a way of ramping up all of your emotions! Aaaw, Kaito looks so excited! Rain or shine, rejection or no, he’s officially decided to come clean after all!

NO SHUICHI TAKE SOME INITIATIVE

This is the one issue they have in the game too - Shuichi is relying on Kaito to do all the emotional and communication-based heavy-lifting, and it means that Shuichi won’t press Kaito on the issues that need to be pressed in his attempt to stay in Kaito’s good graces. Aaah, I’m so worried about my boys...

“BE THE SHOUNEN RIVAL YOU WERE MEANT TO BE, SHUICHI!”

“I’m already being a stand-in for the original protagonist, what else do you want from me?!”

“It’s how I get turned on, okay?”

“It’s what - ?!”

“I-I mean fired up! Yeah, I totally meant fired up...!”

This is the gayest competition-based ship I’ve seen since Yowamushi Pedal’s Toumaki

You would like it to be that way, huh? Man, I do wish we could see some of the consequences of these nights in the interactions during the game, but I guess what would be super tricky to program and, uh, game-breaking... but I suppose that’s what fanfiction is for, right? 8′D

I really didn’t expect this to be so enlightening on the two of them as characters though, and their platonic relationship as well as their shipping potential! This may be up with Kokichi’s as one of my favourites ~

[ryouverua]

DETECTIVE’S LAB!!!

WE FUCKING DID IT GUYS I’M SO PSYCHED

AND IT LOOKS SO COZY

This is such an old-school detective’s office I think I’m in love

I wish Shuichi was as excited as I was 8′D

“What the hell Maki we just got here why are you roasting me already.”

Oh... oh.

This is like the DR team placing a Chekhov’s gun in the middle of the room and just... giving us a huge, exaggerated wink. Like, “What’s up, guys? Oh, what’s this? A gun? I sure hope it doesn’t get fired in the future, eh? Eh ~ ? WINK WINK NUDGE NUDGE -”

I mean, probably - but from where though? If this is an isolated place and possibly a spaceship hurtling towards planets unknown, where could they get replacements for them? I guess if Monokuma replaces them enough times it would wear everyone down enough that they would eventually stop, but wouldn’t it be worth trying to test that theory? Or - well I guess if that would count as vandalizing the school.... hm.

I-I guess Maki would be well-versed with poisons. 8′D Her knowledge is practically encyclopedic.

Slow-acting poison... now that could be interesting. We already had a student die in the middle of an investigation - maybe we’ll have someone succumb to poison and die in front of us, rather than just discovering a body? That’s an interesting and scary thought (though idk what they would do about the iconic discovery scene at the end of every daily life). Both poison cases previously have been self-inflicted, and both instantaneous/incredibly fast-acting. It does have potential to come up in a future case...

Kinda rude considering we had a secret Ultimate Prisoner-style room already, but okay I guess

Aaaand Shuichi’s been sent back into his spiralling doubts about being a detective again. Damn it Monokuma, he was just starting to feel confident too!

:O

Random cases? Previous DR games maybe? cases solved by the previous/real Ultimate Detective that Shuichi has the memories/talent from I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON THAT CRACK THEORY

Shuichi doesn’t seem to recognize them. Then again, he didn’t really specialize in homicide so that might make sense... actually, based on his FTE with Kaede, he seemed more of a P.I. type.

watch kokichi do it for the lulz

From a time before they could have taken pictures? Or were they not in the position to take pictures for some reason?

Shuichi’s wondering why and I am too, tbh. Is this something that will be explained later? This does seem like a strange detail to linger on..

I mean... is this a wink at the second game, and how all of the murders happened to avatars as opposed to real people? But then again, it seems more likely that these are just reaching far, far back in history... Korekiyo’s lab had a lot of items with significant importance in the historical/anthropological community. Could this just be a way of teasing at the whole ‘last of humanity’ idea? It does seem to be going that way - and having a library documenting significant murder cases in history seems a bit, uh, dark, but maybe whatever rules the people who originally put all the students here were that determined to adhere to their talents...

................... huuuuuh oTL M-Maybe this will all end up being something set up to protect the so-called Prime Minister and everyone’s just her entourage but WHOOPS she’s already dead lol wow we really fucked this up guys!

"MAKI I LITERALLY WENT FROM SEARCHING FOR ALLIGATORS TO THIS DOES IT LOOK LIKE I’M CUT OUT FOR THIS JOB ~”

Maki really needs to work on her ‘cheering up’ skills.

The way Shuichi’s face just relaxes the moment Kaito shows up the saimota is killing me guys

“Oh thank god my boyfriend is here!”

“Now this is the love and support I needed!” SIDE-EYES MAKI

omfg ever the ray of sunshine, huh

Oh god please don’t yellow text that game, is this foreshadowing and what does it mean

KAITO PLZ

That is... an interesting way of looking at things. 8′D There was an interesting thing I heard someone tell me once - that they can feel regret if something turns out the wrong way, but they refuse to feel guilty as long as they know they were acting in the best way they could with the information they had available to them. It’s not entirely accurate to Kaito’s character - I can see him stubbornly charging ahead based more on feelings than facts - but considering he’s been incredibly good at judging characters on an emotional level rather than with the facts presented to him (which might be good, considering the ‘lie’ theme of the game?), I feel like it might fit on some level?

“Damn this tsundere heart of mine.”

Speaking of trusting people... man, Kaito's relationship with Kokichi has been really interesting to me. Kaito’s literally calling himself the hero now, and Kokichi is playing up his evil ‘Supreme Leader’ role - this has to be going somewhere. And yet, I feel like Kaito seems to be the one least worried about Kokichi out of everyone? A lot of the other students have been hinting at Kokichi’s willingness and ability to commit murder but Kaito, the guy you think would be the most worried, keeps treating Kokichi like a bratty younger brother/cousin. It’s pretty interesting to watch.

.... why the FUCK did I just realize this could be the mastermind’s card key - but why would Monokuma give it out so early? Maybe it isn’t actually the mastermind’s lair? Is (s)he just not worried about anyone getting in there, or about what they would find?

Oh shit Kaito found the plot! :O MY MAN ~