Shuichi "Beta-est of Betas" Saihara ✯ 最原 終一 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
diffidentive) wrote2017-11-13 11:58 am
diffidentive) wrote2017-11-13 11:58 am
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[He's quiet for several minutes, but eventually...]
None of them are lies. Those really are the eight squares we have in common.
None of them are lies. Those really are the eight squares we have in common.
[It's probably easy to tell that it does indeed matter at least somewhat with the way he looks suddenly more interested at that answer. Like he's actually invested in whether or not Shuichi will try to figure it out, or if he gets it right. They're definitely playing a mind game right now that Shuichi wasn't asked if he wanted to play. At...least it's a harmless one though? There are no knives or death penalties involved!
Probably.]
Oh?
[He sounds intrigued, trying not to give away whether or not Shuichi is correct in his tone just yet.]
So what makes that your answer? Come on, it's no fun for me if you don't show your work!
Probably.]
Oh?
[He sounds intrigued, trying not to give away whether or not Shuichi is correct in his tone just yet.]
So what makes that your answer? Come on, it's no fun for me if you don't show your work!
[The fact that there are no knives or death penalties involved is why he figures there's no harm in playing along. This is basically just a logic puzzle. And if he REALLY wants to be friends with Kokichi again...that means occasionally he has to play along with his games.]
[Even if Kokichi never bothers to ask if he wants to play.]
Well, for starters, up until you said it didn't matter if I figured it out or not, you haven't told a single lie since I got here. [He pays close attention to Kokichi's expression as he says this, looking for any signs of confirmation. After all, technically he doesn't know that for a fact. It's just what he's choosing to believe. But he's pretty sure he's right.] This seems like kind of a weird place to start, especially since you were purposefully setting me up to expect you to lie about what's on your card.
[He wanted him to notice the blatantly obvious "hear" vs "see", he pretty much confirmed that. And he was clearly hoping Shuichi would call him out on it. If he hadn't, they wouldn't be playing this mind game right now.]
But more than that, it's the fact that I'm pretty sure you've been lying about how bad your card is since the beginning. I don't doubt that you have your share of "bad" squares, but that's not the real reason why you aren't showing us your card. It's just an excuse. We share a third of our squares, but there are worse and more masochistic things on my card than the eight you claim we share. Most of what you listed is actually relatively tame, comparatively speaking. Naturally, it would lead me to assume that you were lying.
It's an issue of flipped perceptions. By telling me the truth, you actually look like you're lying. And if you had lied, it would have seemed as though you were telling the truth. Because you would have said we shared squares like branding or rough sex instead of hands or leather.
Am I wrong?
[Even if Kokichi never bothers to ask if he wants to play.]
Well, for starters, up until you said it didn't matter if I figured it out or not, you haven't told a single lie since I got here. [He pays close attention to Kokichi's expression as he says this, looking for any signs of confirmation. After all, technically he doesn't know that for a fact. It's just what he's choosing to believe. But he's pretty sure he's right.] This seems like kind of a weird place to start, especially since you were purposefully setting me up to expect you to lie about what's on your card.
[He wanted him to notice the blatantly obvious "hear" vs "see", he pretty much confirmed that. And he was clearly hoping Shuichi would call him out on it. If he hadn't, they wouldn't be playing this mind game right now.]
But more than that, it's the fact that I'm pretty sure you've been lying about how bad your card is since the beginning. I don't doubt that you have your share of "bad" squares, but that's not the real reason why you aren't showing us your card. It's just an excuse. We share a third of our squares, but there are worse and more masochistic things on my card than the eight you claim we share. Most of what you listed is actually relatively tame, comparatively speaking. Naturally, it would lead me to assume that you were lying.
It's an issue of flipped perceptions. By telling me the truth, you actually look like you're lying. And if you had lied, it would have seemed as though you were telling the truth. Because you would have said we shared squares like branding or rough sex instead of hands or leather.
Am I wrong?
Edited 2017-12-02 03:14 (UTC)
[The most he gets in response to his point about lying is a raised eyebrow. He's not wrong, he's been very honest this whole time, but it's interesting that he actually views it that way. Especially as far as up until "it doesn't matter"...huh.
But after that whole explanation, he can't help but grin, very clearly enjoying himself now.]
Nishishi~ Ding ding ding! See, I knew you could figure it out! You just weren't giving yourself enough credit!
[Shifting, he drops his feet to the floor so he can scoot closer to him, leaning in a little.]
So what do you want for your prize? I didn't specify what would happen if either of us won or lost that one, so I'll let you pick! No life or death option here, though I did just give you eight pretty decent ones you could pick from. And I've also heard I'm pretty cute in a dress.
[That last line is said with a playful wink, Kokichi crossing one leg over the ot her and tucking some of his bangs behind his ear.
He's honestly just messing around with him and he knows he probably shouldn't, but he really can't help himself. Shuichi's reactions are always his favorite! So how could he pass up a chance like this? Is he going to blush and get flustered? Is he going to shoot him down immediately? What's he gonna do?]
But after that whole explanation, he can't help but grin, very clearly enjoying himself now.]
Nishishi~ Ding ding ding! See, I knew you could figure it out! You just weren't giving yourself enough credit!
[Shifting, he drops his feet to the floor so he can scoot closer to him, leaning in a little.]
So what do you want for your prize? I didn't specify what would happen if either of us won or lost that one, so I'll let you pick! No life or death option here, though I did just give you eight pretty decent ones you could pick from. And I've also heard I'm pretty cute in a dress.
[That last line is said with a playful wink, Kokichi crossing one leg over the ot her and tucking some of his bangs behind his ear.
He's honestly just messing around with him and he knows he probably shouldn't, but he really can't help himself. Shuichi's reactions are always his favorite! So how could he pass up a chance like this? Is he going to blush and get flustered? Is he going to shoot him down immediately? What's he gonna do?]
[Yeah, that's about what he expected. Though he'd hoped that the statement would be surprising enough to catch him off guard, Kokichi is just way too practiced in masking his thoughts and emotions. Oh well, he tried.]
[As for his reaction...]
A-aha... [He seems to think Kokichi is joking, purposefully trying to make him uncomfortable by bringing up the card again and invading his personal space. So does he get flustered? Absolutely. He scoots back a little, cheeks faintly pink.] It seems a little...unfair to decide on a prize after the fact. So...I'll pass on making that decision. Besides, I'm still not completely sure that I want to play so...I won't punish you by making you complete a square with me.
[Because if it's a "prize" for Shuichi to pick one of their shared squares to complete...then the opposite is true for Kokichi, right? Whatever square he hypothetically picked would be a punishment.]
[As for his reaction...]
A-aha... [He seems to think Kokichi is joking, purposefully trying to make him uncomfortable by bringing up the card again and invading his personal space. So does he get flustered? Absolutely. He scoots back a little, cheeks faintly pink.] It seems a little...unfair to decide on a prize after the fact. So...I'll pass on making that decision. Besides, I'm still not completely sure that I want to play so...I won't punish you by making you complete a square with me.
[Because if it's a "prize" for Shuichi to pick one of their shared squares to complete...then the opposite is true for Kokichi, right? Whatever square he hypothetically picked would be a punishment.]
Punish me...? Is that really what you think filling a square together would be?
[He doesn't scoot any closer, but he does still lean in more. Not too much more - he won't completely invade his personal space, but enough to put him a little more on edge. He drops his tone as well to something a little lower with only a slight hint of teasing to it.]
Why? Is it simply because I lost and therefore should receive the penalty? True, that's usually how my games are played, but you make it sound like a bad thing this time...
[Now he chooses to scoot over towards him, pushing the line by resting a hand on his arm, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.]
I don't see it that way at all though. I think filling a square with you would be a win-win, y'know? Something rewarding for you and something really enjoyable for me...but I know I could make it just as enjoyable for you too. I know that's selfish, suggesting a "punishment" that I would love, but it's my game, so I'm allowed to make the rules~ So come on...play with me, Sai~ha~ra~chan~
[Kokichi leans up a little as he purposefully and playfully drags out each syllable of his name, not quite doing so right in his ear but fairly close.....]
[He doesn't scoot any closer, but he does still lean in more. Not too much more - he won't completely invade his personal space, but enough to put him a little more on edge. He drops his tone as well to something a little lower with only a slight hint of teasing to it.]
Why? Is it simply because I lost and therefore should receive the penalty? True, that's usually how my games are played, but you make it sound like a bad thing this time...
[Now he chooses to scoot over towards him, pushing the line by resting a hand on his arm, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.]
I don't see it that way at all though. I think filling a square with you would be a win-win, y'know? Something rewarding for you and something really enjoyable for me...but I know I could make it just as enjoyable for you too. I know that's selfish, suggesting a "punishment" that I would love, but it's my game, so I'm allowed to make the rules~ So come on...play with me, Sai~ha~ra~chan~
[Kokichi leans up a little as he purposefully and playfully drags out each syllable of his name, not quite doing so right in his ear but fairly close.....]
[...after letting his words sink in for just a moment he lets go of him and suddenly stands up, leaning over Shuichi with a grin.]
Nishishi~! Just kidding! Did I get ya, did I get ya? How worked up are you, huuuuh? I've been practicing how to be seductive so I can play this game to the best of my abilities! What do you think? Does it work?
Nishishi~! Just kidding! Did I get ya, did I get ya? How worked up are you, huuuuh? I've been practicing how to be seductive so I can play this game to the best of my abilities! What do you think? Does it work?
[Woah there. They whole point of scooting back was to put some distance between the two of them. Kokichi wasn't supposed to lean in closer after that! So Shuichi, in turn, leans back in equal measure. He jumps a little when the other boy suddenly grabs his sleeve, breath catching in his throat.]
[This is...conflicting. Very conflicting. For a couple of different reasons. First off: it's Koichi, who is another boy. This shouldn't be something that should make his face hot or make it hard to breathe. And secondly: ...it's Kokichi, who has told him things like this before yet every time managed to make it seem like he meant the opposite.]
A-ah... [Even now, when Kokichi is leaning in close to and drawing his name out in a way that sends an involuntary shiver down his spine and brings a slight flush to his cheeks, it...still kind of feels like he's just messing with him. Like he means the opposite of what he's saying or maybe that he just doesn't mean any of it at all.]
[Or is that just what he expects? Kokichi has been completely genuine with him for this entire conversation, which in and of itself is a rarity that he's sure will never happen again. Is it possible that, maybe--]
[This is...conflicting. Very conflicting. For a couple of different reasons. First off: it's Koichi, who is another boy. This shouldn't be something that should make his face hot or make it hard to breathe. And secondly: ...it's Kokichi, who has told him things like this before yet every time managed to make it seem like he meant the opposite.]
A-ah... [Even now, when Kokichi is leaning in close to and drawing his name out in a way that sends an involuntary shiver down his spine and brings a slight flush to his cheeks, it...still kind of feels like he's just messing with him. Like he means the opposite of what he's saying or maybe that he just doesn't mean any of it at all.]
[Or is that just what he expects? Kokichi has been completely genuine with him for this entire conversation, which in and of itself is a rarity that he's sure will never happen again. Is it possible that, maybe--]
Edited 2017-12-04 22:13 (UTC)
[Ah. Nope. He was right. Kokichi was just messing with him. Business as usual, he can't even pretend to be surprised by this. Shuichi swallows thickly and sits up straight again, suddenly preoccupied with fixing his sleeve even though Kokichi didn't actually mess it up.]
Aha...I think it will work on someone who doesn't know you very well. You almost had me fooled for a minute, but you've tried this kind of lie on me before so... [Like...every time Kokichi called him "my darling", for instance. Or that time he claimed that Shuichi was his favorite. Not to mention that whole "stealing your heart" thing.] ...I knew.
[Yet he still got flustered. For some reason. Despite knowing it was a lie.]
Aha...I think it will work on someone who doesn't know you very well. You almost had me fooled for a minute, but you've tried this kind of lie on me before so... [Like...every time Kokichi called him "my darling", for instance. Or that time he claimed that Shuichi was his favorite. Not to mention that whole "stealing your heart" thing.] ...I knew.
[Yet he still got flustered. For some reason. Despite knowing it was a lie.]
[.............................ah.
Of course, he just told him he was kidding, so it's not surprising that he thought this whole thing was a lie. Not at all. But...well...no. It's not surprising that he believes all of those other times were lies too. He's a liar, and he knows the consequences that come from that. Of course Shuichi would believe all of those were lies.
But...that's a good thing, isn't it? Even if he was obviously flustered by that, meaning maybe he isn't as straight as he thought he was, or at the very least could be interested in...
No, no, stop. Stop thinking like that. It doesn't matter, he thinks you're lying Kokichi. This is definitely a good thing, even if it hurts. It's probably impossible to convince the detective that he likes him now! He'll just think he's lying every time! He can...totally move on because of that...
He stands up, smile turning sly once again. He doesn't miss a beat.]
Is that what you really think? For someone who supposedly knew I was lying, you sure weren't acting like it...I think it worked pretty well on you too, don't you?
Of course, he just told him he was kidding, so it's not surprising that he thought this whole thing was a lie. Not at all. But...well...no. It's not surprising that he believes all of those other times were lies too. He's a liar, and he knows the consequences that come from that. Of course Shuichi would believe all of those were lies.
But...that's a good thing, isn't it? Even if he was obviously flustered by that, meaning maybe he isn't as straight as he thought he was, or at the very least could be interested in...
No, no, stop. Stop thinking like that. It doesn't matter, he thinks you're lying Kokichi. This is definitely a good thing, even if it hurts. It's probably impossible to convince the detective that he likes him now! He'll just think he's lying every time! He can...totally move on because of that...
He stands up, smile turning sly once again. He doesn't miss a beat.]
Is that what you really think? For someone who supposedly knew I was lying, you sure weren't acting like it...I think it worked pretty well on you too, don't you?
Edited 2017-12-04 22:54 (UTC)
[He doesn't miss a beat...why doesn't he miss a beat? Of course he noticed that.]
H-Hey, like I said, I almost believed you. I don't think I'd go as far as "pretty well" but I suppose it sort of worked, even on someone who knows better.
H-Hey, like I said, I almost believed you. I don't think I'd go as far as "pretty well" but I suppose it sort of worked, even on someone who knows better.
Hmmm...
[He takes one more chance to invade his space, placing a hand on each of the detectives thighs and leaning in nice and close.]
I guess next time I'll have to try harder.
[Is he lying about there being a next time? Or about trying harder? He has a rather serious look on his face as he says that, despite the light tone to his voice...]
[He takes one more chance to invade his space, placing a hand on each of the detectives thighs and leaning in nice and close.]
I guess next time I'll have to try harder.
[Is he lying about there being a next time? Or about trying harder? He has a rather serious look on his face as he says that, despite the light tone to his voice...]
[Woah there. Instinctively, Shuichi leans back a little, holding Kokichi's gaze in silence for a few moments. Surely at least one of those things is a lie, despite the serious look on the leader's face.]
[Kokichi just spent a good five minutes trying to convince him to play the game with Kaede. There's no way he actually wants to do anything with him. And, again...it's Kokichi. He never means it when he says stuff like this. It's just one of Kokichi's many ways of messing with his head. He gives another awkward laugh.]
Are you trying to make up for all the lies you haven't been telling me over the past half hour or so? You know, you can space them out a little bit...
[Kokichi just spent a good five minutes trying to convince him to play the game with Kaede. There's no way he actually wants to do anything with him. And, again...it's Kokichi. He never means it when he says stuff like this. It's just one of Kokichi's many ways of messing with his head. He gives another awkward laugh.]
Are you trying to make up for all the lies you haven't been telling me over the past half hour or so? You know, you can space them out a little bit...
Edited 2017-12-05 18:07 (UTC)
[Shuichi just sighs and shakes his head a little.]
Yeah, I know. [A Kokichi that never lies? It's just so strange to think about. Unthinkable, really.] But it's okay, I didn't expect it to last very long anyway.
[Actually, he's kind of surprised the honest train rode as far along the tracks as it did.]
Yeah, I know. [A Kokichi that never lies? It's just so strange to think about. Unthinkable, really.] But it's okay, I didn't expect it to last very long anyway.
[Actually, he's kind of surprised the honest train rode as far along the tracks as it did.]
[Sitting back down, he pulls his feet back up onto the couch, smile softening just a little.]
Well it wasn't so bad, I guess. Being honest with you, I mean. I like you the most out of all our friends, so lying to you is always the most fun, but...maybe being honest every once in a while wouldn't be so bad either.
[His smile broadens into a grin.]
I think you're definitely amazing enough to be the kind of person who could get me to like being honest every once in a while.
[It's sort of a round about way of telling him, "I want to be more honest with you," but...that truth is still definitely in there. Even if, technically, none of it is a lie at all. But he's sure Shuichi won't see it that way.]
Well it wasn't so bad, I guess. Being honest with you, I mean. I like you the most out of all our friends, so lying to you is always the most fun, but...maybe being honest every once in a while wouldn't be so bad either.
[His smile broadens into a grin.]
I think you're definitely amazing enough to be the kind of person who could get me to like being honest every once in a while.
[It's sort of a round about way of telling him, "I want to be more honest with you," but...that truth is still definitely in there. Even if, technically, none of it is a lie at all. But he's sure Shuichi won't see it that way.]
[It's ungodly early in the morning when there's a quiet beep at Shuichi's door as Kaede lets herself into his room. She leaves her shoes at the door, but doesn't take off the robe she'd thrown over her pajamas to walk over. For a while, she hovers near the door, uncertain, before finally padding across the room and slipping into bed beside him.
There's only a beat of hesitation before she shifts closer, wrapping her arms around him and burying her nose against him. Her hair is still wet from the shower she'd just taken, and she's shivering very slightly, but hopefully it's not enough to wake him.]
There's only a beat of hesitation before she shifts closer, wrapping her arms around him and burying her nose against him. Her hair is still wet from the shower she'd just taken, and she's shivering very slightly, but hopefully it's not enough to wake him.]
[Unsurprisingly...Shuichi doesn't even move at the beep signaling Kaede has entered his room. With how deeply he sleeps, chances are he didn't even hear it.]
[Likewise, the additional weight on his mattress does nothing to stir him from his slumber. It's not until Kaede is curled up next to him that he finally reacts. But even then, he doesn't wake up. He just gives a soft, sleepy hum and shifts a little closer to her.]
[...yeah, she's going to have to purposefully try to wake him if she wants to talk. Otherwise, he'll probably be out cold for a few more hours.]
[Likewise, the additional weight on his mattress does nothing to stir him from his slumber. It's not until Kaede is curled up next to him that he finally reacts. But even then, he doesn't wake up. He just gives a soft, sleepy hum and shifts a little closer to her.]
[...yeah, she's going to have to purposefully try to wake him if she wants to talk. Otherwise, he'll probably be out cold for a few more hours.]
[Nope, she isn't going to try to wake him at all. She holds her breath at that sleepy hum and goes still when he shifts closer, but doesn't relax until it's clear he's not going to wake up. Really, she should have figured that something this small wouldn't be enough to wake him... it's why she's confident enough to reach up and gently brush a bit of stray hair away from his face, tucking it behind his ear.
She's... not going back to sleep, not any time soon. So it's not weird to just watch him sleep, right? And listen to his heartbeat? It's just such a soothing melody.
So yeah, she's going to just lay there next to him until he does finally wake up, or at least start stirring. That's not weird, right? Just laying there, stroking his hair and watching him sleep?]
She's... not going back to sleep, not any time soon. So it's not weird to just watch him sleep, right? And listen to his heartbeat? It's just such a soothing melody.
So yeah, she's going to just lay there next to him until he does finally wake up, or at least start stirring. That's not weird, right? Just laying there, stroking his hair and watching him sleep?]
[It's maybe a little weird. But it's an okay weird, so he allow it. Or retroactively, anyway. Once he wakes up and realizes that's what she's been doing.]
[It's several hours before he finally starts to stir, though at least it's earlier than normal, by Shuichi standards. Seems at some point the hair stroking actually was enough to wake him. Or at least enough to start rousing him. His eyebrows knit together a little in what is likely half-awake confusion and he murmurs unintelligibly before his eyes flutter open.]
[For a few seconds, he looks at Kaede in dazed, sleepy surprise, through half-lidded eyes. But once his brain is awake enough to actually make sense of things, he suddenly becomes less hazy and smiles softly.]
Good morning... [This isn't the first time Kaede has snuck into his room in the middle of the night to cuddle with him, so he's not particularly surprised to see her. He's gotten used to it by now. So instead of asking why she's here, he just leans in for a quick good morning kiss.]
[It's several hours before he finally starts to stir, though at least it's earlier than normal, by Shuichi standards. Seems at some point the hair stroking actually was enough to wake him. Or at least enough to start rousing him. His eyebrows knit together a little in what is likely half-awake confusion and he murmurs unintelligibly before his eyes flutter open.]
[For a few seconds, he looks at Kaede in dazed, sleepy surprise, through half-lidded eyes. But once his brain is awake enough to actually make sense of things, he suddenly becomes less hazy and smiles softly.]
Good morning... [This isn't the first time Kaede has snuck into his room in the middle of the night to cuddle with him, so he's not particularly surprised to see her. He's gotten used to it by now. So instead of asking why she's here, he just leans in for a quick good morning kiss.]
[At least one of them can sleep. She strokes his hair one more time as he starts to stir, then cups his cheek and returns his smile. She really is lucky to have him...
She ducks her head when he moves in for the kiss, though, letting him catch her forehead before pressing her nose into his chest. Maybe he isn't going to want to kiss her anymore after what happened. She wouldn't blame him.]
Did you sleep well?
[Her voice is a little muffled against his chest, but it's fine. He can probably still hear her.]
She ducks her head when he moves in for the kiss, though, letting him catch her forehead before pressing her nose into his chest. Maybe he isn't going to want to kiss her anymore after what happened. She wouldn't blame him.]
Did you sleep well?
[Her voice is a little muffled against his chest, but it's fine. He can probably still hear her.]
[Even if he's still not 100% awake yet, he's awake enough to know that Kaede hiding her face like that is unusual. That something must be wrong, if she's denying him a kiss.]
[She never does that.]
Mm...yeah, I did. [He frowns slightly in concern and confusion, one hand searching between their bodies for her chin so he can try and get her to look up at him.] Did you, though? What's wrong?
[It's a good thing they both speak Japanese, otherwise this would be a very confusing conversation since Shuichi, as per usual, does not have his communicator on. Bracelet watches aren't the most comfortable to sleep in and it's not like he really needs it when he's asleep, right? That's his thought process, anyway.]
[She never does that.]
Mm...yeah, I did. [He frowns slightly in concern and confusion, one hand searching between their bodies for her chin so he can try and get her to look up at him.] Did you, though? What's wrong?
[It's a good thing they both speak Japanese, otherwise this would be a very confusing conversation since Shuichi, as per usual, does not have his communicator on. Bracelet watches aren't the most comfortable to sleep in and it's not like he really needs it when he's asleep, right? That's his thought process, anyway.]
Mmmmmm...
[One would think with all the hours she'd spent awake, she'd be able to know exactly what she wanted to say. But.]
Do you remember, um...
[Oh, he's lifting her chin. She purses her lips, eyes darting away briefly before she tries to meet his again.]
You remember the dream we had with the piano, right...?
[One would think with all the hours she'd spent awake, she'd be able to know exactly what she wanted to say. But.]
Do you remember, um...
[Oh, he's lifting her chin. She purses her lips, eyes darting away briefly before she tries to meet his again.]
You remember the dream we had with the piano, right...?
[Shuichi's cheeks turn slightly pink. He's not sure why she's bringing this up, but he definitely remembers that dream. And now that she's mentioned it, he's actively thinking about it.]
M-mm...I remember. [Honestly, how could he forget?] What about it?
M-mm...I remember. [Honestly, how could he forget?] What about it?
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