[Kokichi is pretty sure he can hear it. Something about him being an idiot, probably.]
No way, research is definitely all I need. I mean worse comes to worst, I can always hijack one before you break any of the laws and take it for a few test spins. And then you break the law, I'll break you out, and off into the stars we go!
[Not taking this seriously at all, so probably safe to say he doesn't actually plan on trying that.
...probably.
They finally reach the cafe he'd been heading towards, opening the door for Shuichi with a flourish and a bow.]
Don't do that...then you'll get arrested for grand theft spacecraft. Besides, I don't plan on breaking any laws to begin with.
[He is a good, law-abiding boy unlike some people we could name.]
[Oh, hey, they're here. Hopefully this means they can change the subject. Shuichi pauses before entering, giving Kokichi a very uncertain look that all to plainly says that the flourish and bow were completely unnecessary.]
Um...thanks. [But he walks inside anyway so, unnecessary or not, he clearly doesn't mind that much at all.]
[He follows him inside, catching up to walk beside him.]
I can imagine what time spent in sexy space jail would be like, and I don't think I'd want to spend the years I'd surely be sentenced for grand theft spacecraft in there!
[Not like he already know from experience or anything. Definitely not. Once they're at the counter, he glances over the menu then towards Shuichi. It's your typical coffee shop menu, with mostly pastries, muffins and sweets available as far as food goes.]
[Shuichi can't help but raise a brow at the menu. Sure, it was a coffee shop but sometimes they at least have...you know. Sandwiches or something. Actual food that you would expect someone who's supposedly worried about being eaten inside out by their own stomach to go for.]
[But, then again, this is Kokichi. He probably should have seen something like this coming. He sighs.]
Whatever you want. [A beat.] Provided that's not "everything in the case".
[You're the one that let him and his sweet tooth decide, Shuichi. He hums and nods, facing the cashier. He doesn't order everything, but he does get a few items. A muffin, a couple pastries, a fruit cup and one of their sweeter tea options. And then it's Shuichi's turn while he goes to find a seat! He's claimed a booth seat for the two of them by the time the detective is done ordering as well, caught between staring out the cafe window and eagerly waiting on his friend to join him.]
[Well at least he got some fruit. That's...something.]
[Kokichi won't have to wait too long, since Shuichi's order is just a simple cup of black tea with nothing in it. Once he's paid for everything, he joins Kokichi at the booth, sliding into the seat opposite the smaller boy.]
You didn't have to wait for me to start eating, you know...I thought you said you were starving.
I am! But you're paying, so it's only polite, right?
[He shrugs as he goes for one of the pastries first, leaving the rest purposefully in the middle of the table. Just in case Shuichi wants some at any point. After a few bites, Kokichi not bothering to hide the fact that he really is as hungry as he says with how quickly he's wolfing the sweet down, he takes a sip of his tea and hums.]
[He takes another sip of his tea, setting it down and tapping his fingers against the side of the cup, before gingerly adding:]
For earlier, too. I don't think I actually said thanks for that. Or maybe I did when I was passing out and can't remember. Who knows~! Either way. It, uh...
[A pause and another sip of tea, the leader averting his gaze and staring out the window instead.]
...it means a lot. To me, that is. It means a lot to me.
[Shuichi smiles softly and takes a sip of his own tea before answering.]
You did, but you're welcome again. [He sets his cup down but keeps his hand on it.] You should start following your own advice though, you know. I think if she were here, Yumeno-san would be pretty annoyed to find out that you've been holding back this much.
[You know, given the shit Kokichi gave her over the very same thing after Angie and Tenko died.]
[The leader glances down at his tea at that, chuckling a little.]
Mmm...maybe. [He has to wonder if she'd actually care all that much in the end.] But come on, you already know I never followed that advice from the start. Easier said than done and all that.
[Shuichi hums as well. He's not exactly sure what Himiko thinks of Kokichi now. But surely her opinion must have...changed somewhat once they'd learned the truth. His had.]
[But he's pretty sure she'd at least be a little annoyed just based on principle. Even if Kokichi is still probably far from her favorite person.]
I know, but that's my point...maybe now is the time to start trying a little harder to follow it. At least when it comes to the things that happened inside the academy.
[He's sure Kokichi will never be 100% honest about his feelings and he's not going to hold his breath waiting for that particular miracle. But if the other boy keeps going on like this...he's going to destroy himself.]
[He sighs, hand coming up to rest against his cheek, giving him something to prop his head up with.]
See, this is why honesty sucks. The minute you try and be even a little honest, suddenly everything is serious.
[It's both a teasing but true statement, said with a laugh but a bit of a bite in his tone as well.]
Don't really know what you expect me to do though. If I followed that advice, I'd be a mess pretty much all the time. I told you how I feel earlier, didn't I? How I really feel, what I really want to do? [Nothing. He wants to do absolutely nothing, just curl up and hide in his room and never come back out.]
It's easier for everyone, I think, if I just go about doing what I normally do. I don't know how to even begin dealing with the bulk of how I feel.
[Shuichi falls silent, folding his fingers in front of his chin and staring at a spot on the table, apparently in deep thought.]
[Yes, Kokichi did tell him how he really feels earlier, and he hasn't forgotten that. And...he gets it. Really, he does. Not for exactly the same reasons as Kokichi, sure, but he's felt that sense of helplessness before.]
...Oma-kun, I want you to start training with me.
[His eyes flick upward to settle on Kokichi's face as abruptly as the words leave his mouth. And while his tone is as calm and even as it usually is, there's a rare hint of assertiveness to it. Just enough to make it clear that this isn't a request, but not quite enough to make it a command either. Kokichi is free to refuse, but he's going to have to do more than simply say "Don't wanna" and expect Shuichi to roll over like usual and go with it.]
[That tone has Kokichi glancing back at Shuichi in return, one brow raising curiously. A rare moment of assertiveness, and saying that he "wants" him to, not that "he should" or "it might help"? He's interested.]
I dunno, Saihara-chan. You were pretty gross smelling earlier. Can you really imagine someone like me smelling like that? I should always smell nice, don't you think? Plus won't Momota-chan be offended if you did something like that with someone like me?
[Or, for that matter, Maki...but it's not exactly a "no". More of a cautious, "are you sure?" Are you sure you really want him joining you for something like that?]
[Shuichi's cheeks flush faintly pink and for a moment, his gaze falters. Wow. Rude. He was a little sweaty, sure, but he didn't smell THAT gross.]
[...right?]
Well, fortunately, there's this thing called "bathing" that you can do to fix that. I don't smell gross now, right? Easy fix. [His cheeks are still an indignantly embarrassed pink, but he's looking at Kokichi again at least.] As for Momota-kun...
[......]
I think he'd be more offended that I've been doing it alone for this long...it's supposed to be a group activity, you know?
[A small smile tugs at his lips at first and quickly stretches to a grin, Kokichi turning to face his friend fully. Sometimes you fall too easily for his bait, Shuichi.]
Wow, so you're even offering to go to the baths with me after training sessions? Gosh, you must really want me to join you~!
[No, you didn't smell that bad, he was just looking for an excuse to slip that stipulation in there without having to outright ask him for it. Still not great at that asking thing. But after that his expression softens just a little, just a gentle and almost grateful smile that lasts long enough for the detective to catch it. That's a yes. He'll join you for training.]
[And then he hooks his hands behind his head and leans back, looking almost bored.]
Well putting it like that, I guess I'll do him a favor then and go along with it. Between that and the promise of more fun bath time with you, how can I say no?
[That's not what he was saying at all. Not even close. But he can't get the rest of the sentence out once he sees that grateful expression on Kokichi's face, even if it's only there for a fraction of a second.]
[It's not what he was saying at all, but the soft, defeated sigh that punctuates Shuichi's incomplete protests says that he's not going to argue it. He's just going to take another sip of tea and resign himself to his fate.]
[Victory. The smile he gives the detective this time isn't that same grateful one from before, but a cheeky grin that says he's proud that he got what he wanted out of it.]
Alright! So do you have like...a schedule or something? Or are you just gonna call me over whenever? How does this work now, since I assume it must be pretty tough to train around the same time with how much Akamatsu-chan and I visit you. And, you know. At night is probably tough to get time for in general, riiiiight?
[Shuichi's cheeks flush an even darker pink and he suddenly becomes very interested in the lid on his tea. Wow, look at that. Fascinating.]
I haven't been keeping to a set schedule here, no... [For exactly the reasons Kokichi just listed.] But it's easy enough to get back on one. We'll just have to find a time that works for both of us and go from there.
Weellllll I'm never doing anything important, so I'm free whenever. Oh, except early in the mornings. I know you're a late sleeper so it's not like I have to actually worry, but I refuse to do anything before 6am.
[It's said with a shrug as he finally starts working on the second pastry. He doesn't really care about when it is beyond that. He knows himself, if he's just waking up he'd probably fall down halfway through his first push up just because he'd be too groggy and tired to function still.]
Don't worry, I don't like waking up that early either. [He doesn't even push himself out of bed at 6am, let alone do push ups. He is a boy who appreciates his sleep.] How about 4pm tomorrow?
I knew we could agree on that! [Sort of. He doesn't mind actually waking up that early, he just doesn't like doing anything until he's full awake. Which can take some time...]
Already put it on my calendar~ [Meaning 4pm is fine with him.]
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No way, research is definitely all I need. I mean worse comes to worst, I can always hijack one before you break any of the laws and take it for a few test spins. And then you break the law, I'll break you out, and off into the stars we go!
[Not taking this seriously at all, so probably safe to say he doesn't actually plan on trying that.
...probably.
They finally reach the cafe he'd been heading towards, opening the door for Shuichi with a flourish and a bow.]
After you, Saihara-chan~
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[He is a good, law-abiding boy unlike some people we could name.]
[Oh, hey, they're here. Hopefully this means they can change the subject. Shuichi pauses before entering, giving Kokichi a very uncertain look that all to plainly says that the flourish and bow were completely unnecessary.]
Um...thanks. [But he walks inside anyway so, unnecessary or not, he clearly doesn't mind that much at all.]
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[He follows him inside, catching up to walk beside him.]
I can imagine what time spent in sexy space jail would be like, and I don't think I'd want to spend the years I'd surely be sentenced for grand theft spacecraft in there!
[Not like he already know from experience or anything. Definitely not. Once they're at the counter, he glances over the menu then towards Shuichi. It's your typical coffee shop menu, with mostly pastries, muffins and sweets available as far as food goes.]
Sooo...what all can I get?
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[But, then again, this is Kokichi. He probably should have seen something like this coming. He sighs.]
Whatever you want. [A beat.] Provided that's not "everything in the case".
[Keep it reasonable, you little shit.]
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[Kokichi won't have to wait too long, since Shuichi's order is just a simple cup of black tea with nothing in it. Once he's paid for everything, he joins Kokichi at the booth, sliding into the seat opposite the smaller boy.]
You didn't have to wait for me to start eating, you know...I thought you said you were starving.
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[He shrugs as he goes for one of the pastries first, leaving the rest purposefully in the middle of the table. Just in case Shuichi wants some at any point. After a few bites, Kokichi not bothering to hide the fact that he really is as hungry as he says with how quickly he's wolfing the sweet down, he takes a sip of his tea and hums.]
Thank you, by the way.
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You're welcome.
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For earlier, too. I don't think I actually said thanks for that. Or maybe I did when I was passing out and can't remember. Who knows~! Either way. It, uh...
[A pause and another sip of tea, the leader averting his gaze and staring out the window instead.]
...it means a lot. To me, that is. It means a lot to me.
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You did, but you're welcome again. [He sets his cup down but keeps his hand on it.] You should start following your own advice though, you know. I think if she were here, Yumeno-san would be pretty annoyed to find out that you've been holding back this much.
[You know, given the shit Kokichi gave her over the very same thing after Angie and Tenko died.]
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Mmm...maybe. [He has to wonder if she'd actually care all that much in the end.] But come on, you already know I never followed that advice from the start. Easier said than done and all that.
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[But he's pretty sure she'd at least be a little annoyed just based on principle. Even if Kokichi is still probably far from her favorite person.]
I know, but that's my point...maybe now is the time to start trying a little harder to follow it. At least when it comes to the things that happened inside the academy.
[He's sure Kokichi will never be 100% honest about his feelings and he's not going to hold his breath waiting for that particular miracle. But if the other boy keeps going on like this...he's going to destroy himself.]
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See, this is why honesty sucks. The minute you try and be even a little honest, suddenly everything is serious.
[It's both a teasing but true statement, said with a laugh but a bit of a bite in his tone as well.]
Don't really know what you expect me to do though. If I followed that advice, I'd be a mess pretty much all the time. I told you how I feel earlier, didn't I? How I really feel, what I really want to do? [Nothing. He wants to do absolutely nothing, just curl up and hide in his room and never come back out.]
It's easier for everyone, I think, if I just go about doing what I normally do. I don't know how to even begin dealing with the bulk of how I feel.
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[Yes, Kokichi did tell him how he really feels earlier, and he hasn't forgotten that. And...he gets it. Really, he does. Not for exactly the same reasons as Kokichi, sure, but he's felt that sense of helplessness before.]
...Oma-kun, I want you to start training with me.
[His eyes flick upward to settle on Kokichi's face as abruptly as the words leave his mouth. And while his tone is as calm and even as it usually is, there's a rare hint of assertiveness to it. Just enough to make it clear that this isn't a request, but not quite enough to make it a command either. Kokichi is free to refuse, but he's going to have to do more than simply say "Don't wanna" and expect Shuichi to roll over like usual and go with it.]
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I dunno, Saihara-chan. You were pretty gross smelling earlier. Can you really imagine someone like me smelling like that? I should always smell nice, don't you think? Plus won't Momota-chan be offended if you did something like that with someone like me?
[Or, for that matter, Maki...but it's not exactly a "no". More of a cautious, "are you sure?" Are you sure you really want him joining you for something like that?]
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[...right?]
Well, fortunately, there's this thing called "bathing" that you can do to fix that. I don't smell gross now, right? Easy fix. [His cheeks are still an indignantly embarrassed pink, but he's looking at Kokichi again at least.] As for Momota-kun...
[......]
I think he'd be more offended that I've been doing it alone for this long...it's supposed to be a group activity, you know?
[Yes, he's sure.]
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Wow, so you're even offering to go to the baths with me after training sessions? Gosh, you must really want me to join you~!
[No, you didn't smell that bad, he was just looking for an excuse to slip that stipulation in there without having to outright ask him for it. Still not great at that asking thing. But after that his expression softens just a little, just a gentle and almost grateful smile that lasts long enough for the detective to catch it. That's a yes. He'll join you for training.]
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Well putting it like that, I guess I'll do him a favor then and go along with it. Between that and the promise of more fun bath time with you, how can I say no?
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[That's not what he was saying at all. Not even close. But he can't get the rest of the sentence out once he sees that grateful expression on Kokichi's face, even if it's only there for a fraction of a second.]
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Good. we'll start tomorrow then.
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Alright! So do you have like...a schedule or something? Or are you just gonna call me over whenever? How does this work now, since I assume it must be pretty tough to train around the same time with how much Akamatsu-chan and I visit you. And, you know. At night is probably tough to get time for in general, riiiiight?
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I haven't been keeping to a set schedule here, no... [For exactly the reasons Kokichi just listed.] But it's easy enough to get back on one. We'll just have to find a time that works for both of us and go from there.
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[It's said with a shrug as he finally starts working on the second pastry. He doesn't really care about when it is beyond that. He knows himself, if he's just waking up he'd probably fall down halfway through his first push up just because he'd be too groggy and tired to function still.]
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Already put it on my calendar~ [Meaning 4pm is fine with him.]
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