𝕄𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕞𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖(𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕞𝕒)ℙ𝕥1
The night was unusually quiet, the halls of the academy cast in an eerie, almost dreamlike stillness. Shuichi Saihara adjusted his cap, his fingers tracing absentmindedly over the brim as he walked through the dim corridors. His thoughts were tangled, a mess of doubt and curiosity, as they so often were when it came to one particular person—Kokichi Ouma.
It had been weeks since the latest class trial, yet something about Kokichi’s cryptic words still clung to Shuichi’s mind. The trickster had a way of embedding himself into the cracks of his thoughts, his unpredictable nature a constant enigma.
And now, Kokichi had left him a note. A hastily scrawled message, stuffed into Shuichi’s coat pocket when he wasn’t looking.
*Meet me in the tower at midnight. No excuses, Saihara-chan!~*
Shuichi sighed, running a hand through his hair. The last thing he wanted was to indulge in one of Kokichi’s games, yet here he was, drawn toward the mystery all the same.
By the time he reached the top of the tower, the moonlight streamed through the massive windows, illuminating the figure leaning against the railing. Kokichi’s signature purple scarf fluttered slightly in the breeze, his hands stuffed into his coat pockets as he turned, a mischievous smirk already in place.
“You’re late, detective!” Kokichi pouted, though the sparkle in his violet eyes suggested he had been expecting nothing less. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come.”
Shuichi exhaled sharply. “I shouldn’t have, considering this is probably another one of your pranks.”
Kokichi gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. “Saihara-chan, you wound me! Can’t a guy just want to spend some quality time with his favorite detective?”
Shuichi crossed his arms, trying to ignore the way his heart did a weird little flip at Kokichi’s words. “Cut to the chase, Ouma. Why am I here?”
Kokichi grinned, hopping up onto the railing, his balance effortless. “Because, my dear detective, I want to show you something fun.”
Shuichi frowned. “Fun and you don’t exactly go hand in hand for me.”
“Aw, come on, you love my surprises!” Kokichi teased before leaning in slightly, his voice dropping into something softer. “Just trust me this once.”
Shuichi hesitated. Trust wasn’t something Kokichi asked for lightly. But despite everything—his lies, his games, his frustrating unpredictability—Shuichi found himself wanting to believe in him, just this once.
“…Fine,” he muttered, watching as Kokichi’s smirk widened. “But if this is another one of your tricks—”
“It’s not,” Kokichi interrupted, and for once, there was no trace of deception in his voice. “Come on, let’s go.”
Without another word, Kokichi hopped down, grabbing Shuichi’s hand and pulling him through the dark corridors. And as much as Shuichi wanted to deny it, a small part of him didn’t mind the feeling of Kokichi’s fingers wrapped around his own.
Maybe, just maybe, tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all.
They weaved through the academy, Kokichi leading the way with an uncanny certainty, as if he had planned this for weeks. Eventually, they arrived at an old, unused classroom near the back of the school. Kokichi pushed the door open with a flourish, gesturing for Shuichi to step inside.
The room was lit only by a handful of candles, casting flickering shadows against the walls. In the center of the room was a small, makeshift fort made of blankets and pillows, an odd contrast to the otherwise eerie setting.
Shuichi blinked. “You… set up a fort?”
Kokichi grinned, plopping himself down inside. “Of course! It’s the ultimate hideout! A secret place just for us.”
Shuichi hesitated before stepping in, sitting awkwardly next to Kokichi. “This is… surprisingly normal.”
Kokichi laughed. “I knew you’d say that! But sometimes, Saihara-chan, even I get tired of all the mind games. Sometimes, I just want to be… here.”
Shuichi studied Kokichi’s face, noting the rare sincerity in his expression. There was something different about tonight—something real.
And for once, Shuichi decided to stop questioning and just be there, too.