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[The month has been long and a bit of a struggle, at least with regards to keeping spirits up. Kokichi's tried to do his part, running around doing his best to cheer people up when he's seen them needing it or engage them in games and pranks...and he's grateful that the people of New New Aspen have been around to help too. And the Director's encouraging words, which still sit in the back of his head as he approaches Shuichi's door again. "Take these few weeks to focus on the people you love — and the people you haven't figured out you love just yet."

He's done his best, and now he's going to take that suggestion a little more literally. Or try to, at least. Dressed a little more nicely than usual, with a bouquet in hand and a gift bag in the other, he knocks on the detective's door. And, for once, waits for him to answer.]

...?

[Someone knocking on the door? Who does he know who does that? At least so calmly so? Kokichi always just breaks in and Kaede's knocks are a little more energetic. Maybe it's Minato...? Or Ferran? Did 76 perhaps lose his key?]

[Only one way to find out. And that is to put down his book, walk over to the door, and open it.]

..... [Yeah, he is...definitely surprised to see Kokichi standing there and does something of a double take. Since when does Kokichi knock and actually wait for an answer instead of just barging in? He's so caught off guard that it actually takes him a minute to speak.] H-hi, Oma-kun. Uhm...

[Wait...is he dressed up? And he has...flowers? And a gift bag? What the heck is going on here?]

Can...I help you with something?

You sure can!

[He offers him a bright smile, offering him the flowers.]

I was hoping you'd join me for Christmas! I mean, it is a couple's holiday, right? Or...Candlenights, technically, but let's not kid ourselves this is totally a sort of Christmas celebration.

[Yeaaaah that was smooth. Teasing enough to keep the atmosphere light, but flirty enough to totally get his intentions across. Nailed it.]

Err...

[Rather than alleviate his confusion, Kokichi's explanation only deepens it. Shuichi's wrong-footing becomes even more wrong. Is he hallucinating? Dreaming? Is Kokichi sick? Joking?]

[...yeah, knowing him, this is probably some kind of joke. Or, maybe not a joke, but definitely that weird brand of Kokichi teasing that Shuichi has grown so used to enduring, even if he still is none the wiser on how exactly to deal with it.]

I...guess it's both of those things, yeah. But...we aren't a couple, Oma-kun. So...what is it that you want me to join you for, exactly?

Hey, that could change! Christmas is a romantic holiday!

[He wiggles the flowers a little bit, as if begging him to understand what he's asking here. Romantic holiday. Couple's holiday. He has flowers and a gift. He's dressed nicely. Shuichi you aren't that dumb.]

Buuuut I figured we could go check out some of the festivities in town! I heard it's pretty fun, and they have all sorts of neat traditions to take part in! Maybe we could get dinner somewhere? Just take a break and enjoy ourselves.

.....

["Dumb" is one thing that Shuichi is not. The fact that all of Kokichi's romantic advances have thusfar gone over his head has nothing to do with Shuichi's intelligence, but rather a combination of his lack of confidence and Kokichi's lying nature and questionable flirting skills.]

[But this latest attempt is so normal and by-the-book that for the first time ever, it doesn't sail past Shuichi unnoticed. He has flowers and a gift. He's dressed nicely. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. He keeps bringing up the romantic connotations of the holiday...]

Oma-kun... [If it were any other person on standing in his doorway, all these clues would mean only one thing. But...this is Kokichi we're talking about. Even if the detective is actually considering the possibility that the leader also means that one thing, he's still hesitant. Still worried that maybe he's misunderstanding and this is all some kind of teasing ploy.] Are you...asking me out on a date? Like...an actual date? Not...n-not as friends?

[He manages to maintain eye contact for the entirety of the first question, but then his gaze falters. He glances at the floor, the wall, and finally at the flowers that Kokichi is still holding out to him.]

Got it in one, Saihara-chan! As a matter of fact I am asking you on a date.

[His grin softens a little, something a little more genuine.]

Soooo...what do you say? I promise I don't have any heists or crazy parties planned or anything!

[What does he say?]

[What does he say?]

.....

[Nothing. He says nothing. Because Shuichi has no idea WHAT to say to that. That smile is so very genuine, so completely unlike the shit-eating grins, mischievous smirks, and twisted crescent-shape insanities that he's used to seeing from Kokichi that he can tell this ISN'T a lie. He's not teasing or joking...Kokichi Oma is truly and genuinely asking him, Shuichi Saihara, out on a date. Kokichi Oma likes him, Shuichi Saihara, as more than just a friend]

[And acknowledging that suddenly casts a very different light on all Kokichi's previous romantic advances. All the ones that he'd completely misunderstood or written off as teasing jests. A light that throws two things into very sharp relief.]

[One: that Kokichi has very likely had these feelings for months now.]

[And two: Shuichi feel the same way. Save for that one time on the train in Wonderland (and had those feelings even truly been his own, or were they a product of the environment?), he hasn't once thought of Kokichi as more than a friend. And even that he had been fairly certain was just a one-sided thing. Again, because of Kokichi's nature as a liar. It's very hard to know for certain what he's thinking or how he's feeling.]

[And so, Shuichi says nothing. He just stares in blank shock at Kokichi, feeling a weird disconnect between body and mind as he tries to process all the thoughts and feelings going through his head right now. Because good lord there is just so much to unpack here. On top of all his initial thoughts, there's also the fact that they're both guys? Not to mention the entire complicated affair that is Kaede Akamatsu and the feelings he'd once had for her. How he'd had to give up on those feelings without ever giving voice to them. How bad he'd felt when he'd realized that she didn't feel the same way about him. He doesn't want to make Kokichi feel that way...but wouldn't pretending be even more cruel?]

I...u-uhm...

[And here's the reaction he was expecting. With a light laugh, he lifts the hand with the gift, waving it a little.]

You don't have to commit to a relationship or anything, by the way. I'm totally head over heels for you, but I know what I'm like, nishishi! So...I'm just asking for one date.

[He glances towards the exit of their floor, humming.]

It's just really beautiful out...seemed like it'd be a shame not to enjoy it. And it'd be a shame to miss the chance of telling you how I feel again...

Edited 2019-12-20 23:50 (UTC)

[And it'd be a shame to miss the chance of telling you how I feel again... There it is. Absolute proof that he was right about just how long Kokichi has had these feelings. Again can only mean one thing, after all. That he'd missed his chance to say so during the killing game because death had snatched it away from him.]

I... [Just one date...that's not so unreasonable a request, is it? No, it's not. Even if Shuichi still isn't sure what to make of all this, even if he still feels incredibly wrong-footed...he can give Kokichi that much. He can give him one Actual, Not Just As Friends date. So he reaches forward and takes the flowers and gift bag from Kokichi, though avoiding eye contact as he does so, cheeks faintly pink as he speaks in an even softer voice than usual.] It...w-would be a shame not to enjoy it. You're right.

Edited 2019-12-21 00:00 (UTC)

[And Kokichi is immediately beaming, obviously overjoyed that Shuichi agreed.]

I'm ready to go when you are then!

[Go get ready, friend!]

[You're easier to please than you seem, huh Kokichi?]

Ah...right. Um...just...g-give me a minute to change into...something nicer.

[Not that...he really has any dressy clothes? They just don't need stuff like that here. Or at least, they haven't so far.]

You can come sit in the living room, if you want? So you don't...have to stand out here...

[He sure is. At least where Shuichi is involved. But he takes that invitation and slips inside, taking a seat on the couch.]

Take your time! And don't worry about being too fancy or anything. These are just nice street clothes that I haven't torn apart yet, nishishi.

[He's dressed nicely, yes, but definitely not suit and tie or dress shirt and slacks levels of nice. The fanciest thing he has going on are black painted nails and having pulled his hair back into a ponytail.]

[Okay but Shuichi is already in his pajamas...he can't go out in his pajamas. That's why he's already wearing them despite the fact that it's still technically the afternoon. He was planning on just...spending the evening reading. Surprise.]

[He doesn't immediately head for the bedroom once they're both inside though. instead, he pulls a mug out of one of the cupboards and fills it with water, putting the flowers in it and setting it down on a counter. He...he doesn't have a vase because why would he? But a mug works, right? The flowers certainly don't seem to be complaining about it.]

[Only then does he head into the bedroom, Kokichi's giftbag still in hand. He's not sure if he should open that now or after the date...what is the protocol here? He's never been on a date before so obviously he's never received a date PRESENT before either. So once inside, he just sets it down on his bed before turning to his closet.]

[After a few minutes, he reemerges wearing the pinstriped pants and plain white dress shirt of his old school uniform. Teeth brushed? Check. Hair combed? Check. He is READY for this d-- okay no he's not even remotely ready, despite how ready he looks, appearance-wise. But it'll just have to do, because he can't back out of this now.]

Okay...I'm r-ready.

[A classic outfit but a good one too. Kokichi approves, and once Shuichi is ready, he gets to his feet, straightening his clothes a little again and gestures for the door.]

Let's go then!

[And, once outside in the hall, he laughs a little.]

Maybe the first thing we should do is go vase shopping?

Aha...m-maybe. [He closes his dorm door behind him.] But...I think they'll be okay in the mug. I wouldn't really...have much use for a vase after they die...

[He starts walking towards the exit, slowly so that he doesn't get too far ahead of Kokichi.]

In retrospect, maybe I should have put them in one of my flasks instead...they're deeper and it's not like they're getting any other use right now...

[Kokichi keeps pace with him, smile becoming something playful as he winks.]

I bet I could give it some use.

[It's not like he's only allowed to give you flowers once, you know.]

[Shuichi stares blankly at him for a moment. He's...what possible use could Kokichi put his flasks to? He's not a chemist, and magic is dead anyway oh wait he's talking about the vase, isn't he?]

[Yeah, he's probably talking about the vase. Meaning he's probably implying he'd get him more flowers...]

[What happened to not having to commit to anything, Kokichi?? Shuichi flushes a little bit and hastily looks down at the floor.]

R-Really, Oma-kun, it's fine. I thought you wanted to enjoy the festivities in town? Looking for a vase would just take time away from that, s-so...

[Kokichi laughs a little, the sound light and happy.] True, I did say that, huh?

[He moves his hand, hesitates a moment, then takes Shuichi's hand.]

Though first, are you hungry? We can eat before we do any wandering around. I heard Candlenights foods are reaaaaally good!

[Kokichi will find it easy enough to take Shuichi's hand, since both of them are just hanging loosely at his sides. Though when he does so, it causes the detectives cheeks to flush even darker.]

Um...I c-could eat, sure.

[He's not the only one blushing, but Kokichi still does his best to act totally natural.]

Let's go get dinner then! I think they have a general feast for Candlenights, buuuuuut I saw some cute little restaurants that should be less crowded to visit. So I'm gonna treat you to one of those!

[Because he knows Shuichi would be more comfortable in a less crowded environment. And the one he has in mind, he thinks, will probably have more food that the detective favors. So he starts leading the way with a gentle tug on his hand.]

M-mm...okay.

[He's not wrong...less crowded environments are preferable to something like a feast when it comes to Shuichi. So he allows himself to be led away without a fuss, though keeps his eyes on the ground as they walk.]

[Don't think Kokichi doesn't notice that. As they walk, he takes side glances towards him, just trying to gauge how Shuichi's doing or feeling, how comfortable or uncomfortable he may be...and while he doesn't do anything about the fact that he's keeping his eyes on the ground, he does try to make this less uncomfortable and awkward.

Because it's probably pretty awkward for the detective. He's sure that Shuichi doesn't feel even close to the same way about him, even if he agreed. This date was a mixture of wanting to enjoy the experience and wanting to try and see if he could catch the detective's eye at all, even a little...to see if it would ever be possible.

And so, he does what he does best. He talks to fill up the silence!]

Oh man, so I was looking around the other day to find a good place to eat at and ended up running into one of the guards. You know, those big cats?

[It is kind of awkward, yeah. But not as awkward as it could be. Because while he definitely does not feel the same as Kokichi...the leader is a very dear friend. It's not like he hates him or anything. In fact, now that Maki won't be around as much, if at all...he's probably the closest friend Shuichi has.]

[The detective looks up a little as Kokichi speaks, meeting his eyes for the first time since they left his room. His cheeks are still faintly pink.]

Um...yeah, I've seen them... [From a distance. He hasn't really spent any time in New New Aspen, even though the Moonbase is so close now.] What happened?

Well I wanted to pet it because who doesn't want to pet a cat? And, by the way, that was a great idea. They're suuuuuper soft, I highly recommend it. But I ended up getting distracted from restaurant quest because after a little bit of petting I started walking away and it saw the belts on my pants.

[You know. The dangling ones that sway when he walks?]

Guess what happened.

Action; christmas/candlenights

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slight v3 spoilers

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