Just as...? [There's a quiet, hopeful tone to his voice as he repeats those two words, probably belaying how he's felt about the two of them this whole time, or confirming what his previous statement implied. The fact that he felt he and Shuichi would probably never get terribly close.
But the detective just implied - no, outright stated - that he could be a best friend too. That he could grow just as close to him as Kaito...and then Shuichi continues, telling him that he thinks he's charismatic too, in his own way! The leader has to glance away, stare at the oh so interesting floor, while he tries to find a way to change the conversation. Or at least steer it away from himself.]
W-well...honestly, I can't see you keeping up with a plastic bag being blown around in the wind, Saihara-chan~ So it's not like I doubted he could be annoying and tiring, or anything!
[Yup, there it is. Confirmation of his suspicions. That wasn't just self-depreciation, Kokichi was genuinely concerned that the two of them could never be close friends. It's weird...he's never really been 100% sure how Kokichi regarded him. Even before shit hit the fan, when Shuichi considered him to be a friend, he couldn't be sure if the leader felt the same way.]
[Maybe he's reading too much into it, but it almost seems like...Kokichi valued their friendship more than he did.]
[It's weird though... Even though Shuichi accepted his apology and has been doing what he can to try and repair their friendship, it's like something's been holding the other boy back the whole time. Like, for once, Kokichi doesn't fully believe Shuichi. And he's not really sure why that is.]
[He smiles softly in confirmation, hoping that this time Kokichi actually believes it. Because he really can't put it much more plainly than this.]
A-ah... [He can't even offer a rebuttal to that comment, honestly. It's a fair assessment, even Shuichi has to admit it.] Well, as long as you understand...you just made it sound like I can't see anything negative about him or see anything positive about you. And that's not the case at all.
[He most certainly always thought of Shuichi as his friend, even when it seemed like he didn't. And he valued that friendship a great deal. He still does, despite how careful and cautious he's being about it. It likely means more to him than Shuichi will probably ever know...
It's not really that he doesn't believe the detective though, but more that...he's scared of making a mistake. Out of everyone who hated him by the end of his time in the killing game, it was Shuichi who drew a clear, crisp line between himself and the leader. They were all obvious in how much they didn't like him, but none of the others made it quite as obvious that he'd ruined his chances of being even part of their group and that there'd be no going back like he did.
So now it's hard...despite the fact that Shuichi accepted his apology and obviously doesn't hate him anymore, it's hard to fully trust that just yet. Even now, when it's stated so plainly...there's a part of him that finds it hard to accept that as fact still.
Which is why he smiles and laughs it off again.]
That's true, it does sound like that doesn't it? I guess it's not very fair of me to assume things like that. But it's pretty easy to think that way for me, you know? I'm a liar, after all~ Even when people around me do and say worse things, opinions of me still tend to be lower. And then you have- [Kokichi stops and goes quiet, brows furrowing a little as he gives what he was about to say a little more thought. And then he shakes his head.]
Ah, no, I shouldn't say that. I've already said enough, and it doesn't really matter anyway, right? I just shouldn't assume things like that. So I'm sorry I did, Saihara-chan~
[While it's said with a sort of carefree tone of voice, he does still give him a slight bow in apology.]
[Look...he was really mad when he said that, okay? Mad and sad and Kokichi just kept pushing all the right buttons with his dumb evil schtick. He snapped, it happens to the best of us. And, well, honestly he has no idea just how much that comment impacted the other boy. He hasn't thought back on it retrospectively, knowing what he knows now, so it's kind of like he forgot he ever said it. Oops.]
[Shuichi's brows raise slightly in curiosity. Then you have...what? It's weird for Kokichi not say what's on his mind. Maybe he's witnessing some character growth here. Maybe Kokichi really is trying to change, just a little bit.]
It's fine. Though, while we're still kind of on the subject of things that are tiring... [He glances over at the blank dry erase board.] What happened to your bed?
Kokichi glances over at the board as well, with a sort of questioning hum.]
Oh! I sold it~ [Said as...cheerily as ever.] I've just been sleeping on the couch anyway, and there wouldn't be a whole lot of room for the dry erase board in here with the bed in here too. So I found some creepy dude who was excited that I'd slept in it and sold it to him. Didn't pay a whole lot, but it was still something.
I...see. [It's...really kind of disturbing to hear Kokichi say something like that so casually. Shuichi isn't stupid, he knows what the unspoken implication there is. Just what sort of people has Kokichi been getting mixed up with?] Is...there a reason why you've been sleeping on the couch instead?
We had full sized mattresses at the academy too... [And you slept on that instead of the couch? He's getting the feeling this is a lie...] Is it really so perfect though? You look like you haven't slept in at least a week.
[And that's being generous. You look like shit, Kokichi. He successfully steered the conversation back to this.]
Aha...how did I not catch onto this when you asked about my bed? I'm totally cornered here~ [He's laughing despite this fact, in a sort of helpless manner. Unless he can give Shuichi a really convincing lie that he'll actually buy, he'll know something is really wrong if he tries to get out of answering...can he come up with that good of a lie with how tired he is?
His sly, teasing smile doesn't have as much weight to it as it usually does, but it still falls into place as naturally as it always has.]
Well Sai~hara~chan~ This game is all about keeping each other up all night, isn't it? I hate sleeping during the day if I can help it, but the people I usually lay prefer doing it at night. So unfortunately I'm caught in a kind of burning the candles at both ends situation. Not the most healthy, I know, but squares don't fill themselves~
[He can sure as hell try. That's totally believable, isn't it? It's not exactly wrong, the only sexual encounter of his so far that had been during the day was his very first one...that's not why he's having a hard time sleeping, but let's see if the detective can puzzle that fact out.]
Because you're clearly exhausted, that's why. [It really wasn't a subtle shift in conversation. He's sure that if Kokichi were on the top of his game, it wouldn't have worked. He would have caught on and shifted the subject on to something else.]
You can't even lie convincingly in this state. Seriously, when was the last time you had a decent night's sleep?
[Don't make him break down how he knows you're lying, Kokichi. Because he will, but you probably won't enjoy it.]
[Shit. Alright, that's fine. He'll try something else then. His momma didn't raise no quitter!]
Define your definition of "decent"~! I've been pretty satisfied with the sleep I've been getting, even if it hasn't been a lot. And I'm more than happy with how I've been spending my time awake. I've been pretty productive, after all!
[A hand lifts to point towards the whiteboard.]
I got my bed situation taken care of, purchased that, found a place that will make dick waffles for me on request, did a couple of good late night study sessions so I can continue tackling this game to the best of my abilities, met new people...it's been super satisfying!
[U wanna go, little man? Fine. Let's throw down. He'll corner you yet.]
Oma-kun...none of those are things that would take up so much of your time that you wouldn't be able to get a good night's sleep at least once every few nights. And, by that, I mean sleep that's actually restful and does what it's supposed to do for your mind and body.
[Come on, don't insult him by playing dumb. What a weak defense, are you even trying?]
Which, given your resemblance to a tanuki right now, you obviously haven't had, even if you're satisfied with how you've been spending your waking hours.
[Shoulda taken the extra few minutes to put on that concealer, Kokichi. Mouths are always ready to lie, but bodies will always speak the truth unless acted upon by some outside force.]
[He should have, it's true. Should have just told the truth from the beginning too, but oh well.]
So it's impossible to get actually restful sleep just because I haven't been getting much of it?
[He leans back a little, trying to look as calm and relaxed as possible.]
Naps can be plenty restful, but you can still look terrible if that's all you're getting! And it's pretty unfair to say that none of those would keep me up all night. I put 200% of my effort into everything I do, so between those things and sleeping around, I've been super busy! You can't assume that's a lie when you've never joined me on any of these evenings, you know. That's like claiming a tree doesn't make sound when it falls just because you weren't around to hear it!
That may be, but it's also the only way to turn my assumptions into the truth. Because I don't think you've been sleeping around as much as you'd have me believe. You actually haven't filled many squares at all, have you?
[The more he talks, the more cornered he gets, but he still doesn't seem intent on giving up. Finally he gets to experience the Argument Armament! Too bad he doesn't look cooler for it like everyone else did.]
Maybe I haven't, but that doesn't really mean anything. I never specified that they were my squares they were filling~ There are lots of people here who want to get home real bad, y'know? They're pretty willing to split their reward with someone helping out. The job of an escort is pretty lucrative here!
I'm sure it is. But I'm also just as sure you're not actually working as one. If you were, you would have just said so from the start instead of throwing all these other weak excuses for why you haven't been sleeping at me. That's definitely something that would cause you to burn a candle at both ends.
[Also he just...has a really hard time seeing Kokichi agreeing to that kind of work. Call it a hunch.]
And, like you said, I haven't been spending time with you at night. So I wouldn't have any way of knowing whether or not it was a lie. But bringing it up now...it's obvious you only just thought of it.
Not to mention...you like playing games on the hardest difficulty. Working as an escort in a game of "kink bingo"...where's the challenge in that?
Things like "hardest difficulty" can be pretty fluid, can't they? What's hard for me could be totally different than what's hard for someone else. So maybe that is the hardest difficulty in my case~
[That's definitely a weak argument, but he's running out of things he can say. He's running out of lies and excuses...]
So you're not working as an escort, meaning part of the reason you're not showing me your card is because I'll know for a fact that you haven't been playing the game very much. [That argument was so weak he's not even going to dignify it with a counter argument. He's just going to keep pushing past it. Keep closing off more directions until he has the leader completely cornered.]
Which, in turn, means playing the game isn't what's keeping you up at night. It's something else.
I already told you, it would ruin all the fun... [The protest is mumbled as he shifts uncomfortably, arms folding over and pressing against his stomach somewhat as he looks away. The problem with that is that he's not having fun, not that Shuichi knows that.
He doesn't have many roads left to take though...at this point he should just fold. Quit while he's ahead, and maybe if the real reason why he isn't getting sleep wasn't so uncomfortable he would...
So instead he heaves a heavy sigh, as if he has nothing left to defend himself with, and gives the detective a weary smile.]
Alright, alright... I've just been out playing games most nights at the arcade. I get super wrapped up in them, so I lose track of time. I didn't want to tell you because I don't want some annoying lecture. Or worse, have you mention it to Akamatsu-chan and then have her lecture me or something. At least you just sound like a mom when you do it, but she's really annoying!
Well at least you put some effort into that lie. [Two can play at the game of insulting things you love. Two can play.] I don't even have circumstantial evidence to refute that. It could easily be true.
I'm not an expert. I've just picked up on a few things here and there... mostly thanks to you.
[There are a few things he figured out thanks to Team Danganronpa and the audience, but mostly it was Kokichi.]
As for how I'm so sure the arcade isn't to blame...it's because the arcade still isn't something that would prevent you from getting a restful sleep. True, it could easily explain why you're not sleeping at night, but it doesn't account for the day time.
Even if you truly don't like sleeping during the day, I know for a fact that you'll do it. [Remember that time you interrupted his sadsack dream memory? Saihara Farms remembers.] So if you really were staying up all night playing games, there would be nothing to stop you from going back to your room and sleeping. Or from going up to the dome and taking a nap under the trees, since you clearly don't have a problem doing that.
But you're not. And you're presumably even going as far as to cover up the physical signs that you haven't been sleeping, since it takes more than one or two all nighters to give a person shadows around their like that.
[And he's seen Kokichi around on numerous occasions over the past few weeks. Ever since they arrived here, really. They have rooms right down the hall from one another, it's hard not to see each other in passing once or twice a day, if nothing else. Anyway, the point is, every time he'd seen him, Kokichi had looked fine. Normal.]
Maybe you've been trying to sleep, maybe you've even been able to nap very once in a while. I obviously can't know that for sure since I'm not you. But obviously, that sleep hasn't been doing its job. Meaning you're either an insomniac or something is bothering you. Really bothering you. And I'm more inclined to believe the latter, knowing you.
[There's...no reason to hide the fact that you're an insomniac. And they make pills for that, don't they? Surely the super futuristic space doctors have something that could take care of insomnia. Feelings, on the other hand.]
[Well, when is Kokichi NOT hiding those?]
I've had my suspicions for a while, but I couldn't couldn't be sure that there was anything to them. I could have been overthinking things, it could have just been coincidence...there were any number of explanations, really. But after seeing your reaction earlier...I'm sure now.
[He locks his eyes on Kokichi's, giving him a very fixed, serious stare. One that says all too plainly that he's done beating around the bush here.]
You're not having fun playing this game, are you? You were excited about it at first, and you started playing almost immediately. But then...you slowed down. It took you...what? A day or two to fill your first square? But by the time Akamatsu-san and I started playing, over two weeks later, you'd only managed to fill one more. And you can't say it was because you're having trouble finding partners because of your personality. You obviously didn't have a problem with that since you started playing so quickly, and there are people here who just want to get home. You said it yourself, didn't you? That it's easier if romance isn't involved if you're not playing with a significant other? So the issue isn't other people, the issue is you. Your choices. You chose to slow down.
You didn't even know that it's possible to fill a square without actually having sex with someone. Which is just bizarre, for someone who enjoys games as much as you do. I thought for sure by now you would have figured out most, if not all, of the ins, outs, and loopholes to this game. But what was even more concerning to me was the fact that you looked like you were going to be sick when I told you. There are...really only so many explanations for a reaction like that. All of which tell me that I there was something to my suspicions after all...
[Which...clearly he should have followed up on, even if there was a chance he was wrong. He'd told the other boy he could talk to him about anything that was bothering him but...he should have done more than that, huh? That wasn't enough.]
[There's really...nothing he can say to that. Or rather, nothing he can say to avoid it, in any case. He could try and come up with another lie, but...]
...that's not very fair, leaving a liar like me no other moves to make, you know. Haha...
[He's still laughing a little, still smiling, but distinctly looking away from Shuichi now. And even with those, he just looks...tired. Sure, the mask is still there, but he's just putting the bare amount of effort into keeping it on now. He was exhausted before, and then everything about this conversation has made that worse. Just talking made him tired, lying made him tired, listening to the detective figure it all out and corner him made him tired...
The leader tips over and sags against the couch, going almost boneless with a heavy sigh. He definitely gives up now. There's no real fight left in him, even if he could try and come up with something else to say. Though for a long moment, he almost seems like he's choosing not to say anything period instead, resting his eyes and staying quiet...]
...it's...not really any one thing that happened, Saihara-chan. Or I guess it's that I'm dealing with a lot of things, all at once, really. But you're right...I'm not really having fun anymore. Not sure how fun it was to begin with.
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But the detective just implied - no, outright stated - that he could be a best friend too. That he could grow just as close to him as Kaito...and then Shuichi continues, telling him that he thinks he's charismatic too, in his own way! The leader has to glance away, stare at the oh so interesting floor, while he tries to find a way to change the conversation. Or at least steer it away from himself.]
W-well...honestly, I can't see you keeping up with a plastic bag being blown around in the wind, Saihara-chan~ So it's not like I doubted he could be annoying and tiring, or anything!
[He's just moreso, that's all.]
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[Maybe he's reading too much into it, but it almost seems like...Kokichi valued their friendship more than he did.]
[It's weird though... Even though Shuichi accepted his apology and has been doing what he can to try and repair their friendship, it's like something's been holding the other boy back the whole time. Like, for once, Kokichi doesn't fully believe Shuichi. And he's not really sure why that is.]
[He smiles softly in confirmation, hoping that this time Kokichi actually believes it. Because he really can't put it much more plainly than this.]
A-ah... [He can't even offer a rebuttal to that comment, honestly. It's a fair assessment, even Shuichi has to admit it.] Well, as long as you understand...you just made it sound like I can't see anything negative about him or see anything positive about you. And that's not the case at all.
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It's not really that he doesn't believe the detective though, but more that...he's scared of making a mistake. Out of everyone who hated him by the end of his time in the killing game, it was Shuichi who drew a clear, crisp line between himself and the leader. They were all obvious in how much they didn't like him, but none of the others made it quite as obvious that he'd ruined his chances of being even part of their group and that there'd be no going back like he did.
So now it's hard...despite the fact that Shuichi accepted his apology and obviously doesn't hate him anymore, it's hard to fully trust that just yet. Even now, when it's stated so plainly...there's a part of him that finds it hard to accept that as fact still.
Which is why he smiles and laughs it off again.]
That's true, it does sound like that doesn't it? I guess it's not very fair of me to assume things like that. But it's pretty easy to think that way for me, you know? I'm a liar, after all~ Even when people around me do and say worse things, opinions of me still tend to be lower. And then you have- [Kokichi stops and goes quiet, brows furrowing a little as he gives what he was about to say a little more thought. And then he shakes his head.]
Ah, no, I shouldn't say that. I've already said enough, and it doesn't really matter anyway, right? I just shouldn't assume things like that. So I'm sorry I did, Saihara-chan~
[While it's said with a sort of carefree tone of voice, he does still give him a slight bow in apology.]
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[Shuichi's brows raise slightly in curiosity. Then you have...what? It's weird for Kokichi not say what's on his mind. Maybe he's witnessing some character growth here. Maybe Kokichi really is trying to change, just a little bit.]
It's fine. Though, while we're still kind of on the subject of things that are tiring... [He glances over at the blank dry erase board.] What happened to your bed?
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Kokichi glances over at the board as well, with a sort of questioning hum.]
Oh! I sold it~ [Said as...cheerily as ever.] I've just been sleeping on the couch anyway, and there wouldn't be a whole lot of room for the dry erase board in here with the bed in here too. So I found some creepy dude who was excited that I'd slept in it and sold it to him. Didn't pay a whole lot, but it was still something.
[And then he looks back to Shuichi, grinning.]
Too bad for him I never even laid down in it~
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Well it's a full sized mattress, right? That's way too much room for someone as small as me. It's like...uncomfortably empty, y'know? [It's lonely.]
The couch is perfect though! Things would be more perfect if they just had normal futons but this is good enough.
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[And that's being generous. You look like shit, Kokichi. He successfully steered the conversation back to this.]
[Take that!!]
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His sly, teasing smile doesn't have as much weight to it as it usually does, but it still falls into place as naturally as it always has.]
Well Sai~hara~chan~ This game is all about keeping each other up all night, isn't it? I hate sleeping during the day if I can help it, but the people I usually lay prefer doing it at night. So unfortunately I'm caught in a kind of burning the candles at both ends situation. Not the most healthy, I know, but squares don't fill themselves~
[He can sure as hell try. That's totally believable, isn't it? It's not exactly wrong, the only sexual encounter of his so far that had been during the day was his very first one...that's not why he's having a hard time sleeping, but let's see if the detective can puzzle that fact out.]
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You can't even lie convincingly in this state. Seriously, when was the last time you had a decent night's sleep?
[Don't make him break down how he knows you're lying, Kokichi. Because he will, but you probably won't enjoy it.]
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Define your definition of "decent"~! I've been pretty satisfied with the sleep I've been getting, even if it hasn't been a lot. And I'm more than happy with how I've been spending my time awake. I've been pretty productive, after all!
[A hand lifts to point towards the whiteboard.]
I got my bed situation taken care of, purchased that, found a place that will make dick waffles for me on request, did a couple of good late night study sessions so I can continue tackling this game to the best of my abilities, met new people...it's been super satisfying!
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Oma-kun...none of those are things that would take up so much of your time that you wouldn't be able to get a good night's sleep at least once every few nights. And, by that, I mean sleep that's actually restful and does what it's supposed to do for your mind and body.
[Come on, don't insult him by playing dumb. What a weak defense, are you even trying?]
Which, given your resemblance to a tanuki right now, you obviously haven't had, even if you're satisfied with how you've been spending your waking hours.
[Shoulda taken the extra few minutes to put on that concealer, Kokichi. Mouths are always ready to lie, but bodies will always speak the truth unless acted upon by some outside force.]
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So it's impossible to get actually restful sleep just because I haven't been getting much of it?
[He leans back a little, trying to look as calm and relaxed as possible.]
Naps can be plenty restful, but you can still look terrible if that's all you're getting! And it's pretty unfair to say that none of those would keep me up all night. I put 200% of my effort into everything I do, so between those things and sleeping around, I've been super busy! You can't assume that's a lie when you've never joined me on any of these evenings, you know. That's like claiming a tree doesn't make sound when it falls just because you weren't around to hear it!
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[Alright, fine. Going to just get straight to the point here, if you're going to keep giving him these weak excuses.]
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I'm purposefully hiding my card from you guys to make this game more interesting. Showing you would totally ruin that!
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Maybe I haven't, but that doesn't really mean anything. I never specified that they were my squares they were filling~ There are lots of people here who want to get home real bad, y'know? They're pretty willing to split their reward with someone helping out. The job of an escort is pretty lucrative here!
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[Also he just...has a really hard time seeing Kokichi agreeing to that kind of work. Call it a hunch.]
And, like you said, I haven't been spending time with you at night. So I wouldn't have any way of knowing whether or not it was a lie. But bringing it up now...it's obvious you only just thought of it.
Not to mention...you like playing games on the hardest difficulty. Working as an escort in a game of "kink bingo"...where's the challenge in that?
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[That's definitely a weak argument, but he's running out of things he can say. He's running out of lies and excuses...]
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[Kokichi are you even trying?]
So you're not working as an escort, meaning part of the reason you're not showing me your card is because I'll know for a fact that you haven't been playing the game very much. [That argument was so weak he's not even going to dignify it with a counter argument. He's just going to keep pushing past it. Keep closing off more directions until he has the leader completely cornered.]
Which, in turn, means playing the game isn't what's keeping you up at night. It's something else.
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He doesn't have many roads left to take though...at this point he should just fold. Quit while he's ahead, and maybe if the real reason why he isn't getting sleep wasn't so uncomfortable he would...
So instead he heaves a heavy sigh, as if he has nothing left to defend himself with, and gives the detective a weary smile.]
Alright, alright... I've just been out playing games most nights at the arcade. I get super wrapped up in them, so I lose track of time. I didn't want to tell you because I don't want some annoying lecture. Or worse, have you mention it to Akamatsu-chan and then have her lecture me or something. At least you just sound like a mom when you do it, but she's really annoying!
[100% the truth Shuichi.]
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But it's not.
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[Don't think he didn't catch that edge there, buddy.]
How are you so sure that's not true, huh?
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[There are a few things he figured out thanks to Team Danganronpa and the audience, but mostly it was Kokichi.]
As for how I'm so sure the arcade isn't to blame...it's because the arcade still isn't something that would prevent you from getting a restful sleep. True, it could easily explain why you're not sleeping at night, but it doesn't account for the day time.
Even if you truly don't like sleeping during the day, I know for a fact that you'll do it. [Remember that time you interrupted his sadsack dream memory? Saihara Farms remembers.] So if you really were staying up all night playing games, there would be nothing to stop you from going back to your room and sleeping. Or from going up to the dome and taking a nap under the trees, since you clearly don't have a problem doing that.
But you're not. And you're presumably even going as far as to cover up the physical signs that you haven't been sleeping, since it takes more than one or two all nighters to give a person shadows around their like that.
[And he's seen Kokichi around on numerous occasions over the past few weeks. Ever since they arrived here, really. They have rooms right down the hall from one another, it's hard not to see each other in passing once or twice a day, if nothing else. Anyway, the point is, every time he'd seen him, Kokichi had looked fine. Normal.]
Maybe you've been trying to sleep, maybe you've even been able to nap very once in a while. I obviously can't know that for sure since I'm not you. But obviously, that sleep hasn't been doing its job. Meaning you're either an insomniac or something is bothering you. Really bothering you. And I'm more inclined to believe the latter, knowing you.
[There's...no reason to hide the fact that you're an insomniac. And they make pills for that, don't they? Surely the super futuristic space doctors have something that could take care of insomnia. Feelings, on the other hand.]
[Well, when is Kokichi NOT hiding those?]
I've had my suspicions for a while, but I couldn't couldn't be sure that there was anything to them. I could have been overthinking things, it could have just been coincidence...there were any number of explanations, really. But after seeing your reaction earlier...I'm sure now.
[He locks his eyes on Kokichi's, giving him
a very fixed, serious stare. One that says all too plainly that he's done beating around the bush here.]
You're not having fun playing this game, are you? You were excited about it at first, and you started playing almost immediately. But then...you slowed down. It took you...what? A day or two to fill your first square? But by the time Akamatsu-san and I started playing, over two weeks later, you'd only managed to fill one more. And you can't say it was because you're having trouble finding partners because of your personality. You obviously didn't have a problem with that since you started playing so quickly, and there are people here who just want to get home. You said it yourself, didn't you? That it's easier if romance isn't involved if you're not playing with a significant other? So the issue isn't other people, the issue is you. Your choices. You chose to slow down.
You didn't even know that it's possible to fill a square without actually having sex with someone. Which is just bizarre, for someone who enjoys games as much as you do. I thought for sure by now you would have figured out most, if not all, of the ins, outs, and loopholes to this game. But what was even more concerning to me was the fact that you looked like you were going to be sick when I told you. There are...really only so many explanations for a reaction like that. All of which tell me that I there was something to my suspicions after all...
[Which...clearly he should have followed up on, even if there was a chance he was wrong. He'd told the other boy he could talk to him about anything that was bothering him but...he should have done more than that, huh? That wasn't enough.]
What happened, Oma-kun?
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...that's not very fair, leaving a liar like me no other moves to make, you know. Haha...
[He's still laughing a little, still smiling, but distinctly looking away from Shuichi now. And even with those, he just looks...tired. Sure, the mask is still there, but he's just putting the bare amount of effort into keeping it on now. He was exhausted before, and then everything about this conversation has made that worse. Just talking made him tired, lying made him tired, listening to the detective figure it all out and corner him made him tired...
The leader tips over and sags against the couch, going almost boneless with a heavy sigh. He definitely gives up now. There's no real fight left in him, even if he could try and come up with something else to say. Though for a long moment, he almost seems like he's choosing not to say anything period instead, resting his eyes and staying quiet...]
...it's...not really any one thing that happened, Saihara-chan. Or I guess it's that I'm dealing with a lot of things, all at once, really. But you're right...I'm not really having fun anymore. Not sure how fun it was to begin with.
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